@Lastn ight
Markus nods at him as he leaves. A truly strange man"He is an eccentric man Seb, im sure he had better things to do. But what do we make of all his talk? Do we head to this village he spoke of? It's been such a long day i'm ready to lay down here and sleep." He yawns at the last sentence. "I'm not sure we will find anything in the town records about the watcher, it all seems like legend around here Davos but it can't hurt i suppose."
--
Markus watches as Croon opens the door the morning light hitting him in the eye's getting up he looks to see whos at the door. "Good morning to you too Sheriff, I'm Markus Valon." He bows to the man. "We wished to speak to you yesterday but you were out, but if the Mayor wishes to see us then so be it. Give us a moment to pack our things and you can show us to him if you don't mind?"
waking up to the sunlight filtering in the room, he looks around him and can see how even more perculiar the machines look in the bright light. Getting to his feet he gather his belongs, and heads outside to meet the sheriff "Good morning Sheriff, Davos Bixby" he says politely
"I have to agree with you Davos - we should pay a visit to 'The Neighbors' tomorrow" - Caradwen comments, sipping on the tea - "Something strikes me as off for some reason, and I would like to get that impression out of the way"
"Always sunshines and rainbows this place, that's for sure" - Caradwen grumbles as she gets up - "Boys, this smells funky all over - we better be prepared" - she comments to her companions in private while they pack.
Morbar rubs his eyes and begins to get ready he turns to cara as she says it smells funky "This whole place smells like that" he's jests "It doesn't suprise me the mayor wants to meet us, doesn't seem like they get many outsiders here especially dressed like us and the locals have probably been talking about us since the inn. I just hope the way don't control the mayor"
The knocking dusturbs the monk from his morning meditation. He has been awake for a while. He stands with the others and moves to the door.
"We wpuld be happy to come and meet the mayor."
Glancing around at the man with the Sheriff he says. "I assure you that there is no need for the escort though."
Just doing the rounds. the sheriff replies.
The sheriff and his men lead you through the town, if anything attracting even more attention from the locals.
You head back through the town square, past the statue and toward the large Townhall.
Throughout it all the sheriff says nothing.
Eventually he knocks on a solid door and you are led inside.
Mayor Early Greedle is a scrawny man with oily skin and red-splotched cheeks, dressed in a formal, though somewhat shabby, coat and top hat. He appears slightly out of breath and has a gasping manner of speaking. He introduces himself and says;
Thank you Sheriff Anders, that will be all. My name is Mayor Greedle and I'd like to formally welcome you to town! he says cheerfully.
Stepping forward in his navy rode and dusty brown boots the pale elf politely nods and introduces himself "Davos Bixby, well met"
Markus bows as he starts to speak. "Markus Valon, Thank you for the welcome Mayor Greedle. Sorry we didn't come to you but we weren't expecting to be staying overnight, we are just tracking a man dressed all in black supposedly delivering something here."
I've heard you have been asking questions of our fair townsfolk. Perhaps I can be of help. The sooner you conclude your business the sooner you can... say farewell. he replies.
Turning sharply as the hammering at the door continues Jon hastily straps on his sword and waits to see who is there.
Relaxing a little as the Sheriff identifies himself Jon gathers his things and pulls on his armour.
I think we are all ready Sheriff, lead on. he says and they make their way to the mayor.
names Moulton, Jon Moulton. Good to meet you Mayor Greedle. Jon says as my friend Markus has said we are looking for a rider all clothed in black that would have been seen travelling through these parts several days ago.
We don't wish to cause any distress to the good folks in town but this man is dangerous and we have to find him. Can you help us locate him ?
No sir, no one like that has come to town lately. In fact, you’re the first foreigners we’ve had through here in some time.
He smiles with a wide, thick-lipped mouth that makes him seem immediately unpleasant.
Sheriff Anders tells me you've been staying with Croon the Crackpot. Why, you can’t believe a word he says! Everything’s a conspiracy to him, whether you’re talking about the weather or the latest grand invention he’s got his head caught up in. It’s a wonder he hasn’t blown up himself yet. Or worse, the town! Good-natured fella, though, as long as you don’t take him too seriously.
We had word he was heading this way maybe he never made it, and Croon isn't so bad he was very welcoming to us theres normally some clarity to madness. He spoke of the Watcher, we were very interested in do you know anything about it? We also wanted to visit the Chieftain down by the next village."
Listening on as the others ask the major questions, Davos stands silently pondering to himself Something doesn't seem right about this village, He wants us out quickly
The Watcher is an old superstition that’s been around for years. Probably every port has one—some sea monster that lives out in the deeps and only gets seen by folks out alone at night or when they’re drunk, never when there are witnesses around. I suppose with the downturn lately, people figure the Watcher must have something to do with it.
And as for the Neighbours, they’re from a little settlement out in the wilds down bay; so small it doesn’t even have a name. Never been down there myself, and I don’t know many who have, but they’re good people. Folks around here consider them a kind of good luck charm for the town. I suppose there’s some trails that lead to their village or what have you, but they mostly just come to town every once in awhile when they have business to attend to.
Jon looks at the mayor with surprise as he answers
maybe he didn't come to the village, he was spotted riding towards town.
Horace saw him from his boat out on the lake. Are you sure no one has seen a rider lately? Jon asks him
also One of the fishermen on the docks mentioned a criminal you have tied to the rocks in the lake. Is that normal practice around these parts, it seems a bit extreme even for a murderer. That is a cruel and unusual punishment if you don't mind me saying. What exactly did he do to warrant that kind of punishment? Jon asks.
this place stinks of more than just the bogs. There's something they aren't telling us!
The Tern Rocks are where the condemned go to face their judgment in Illmarsh. Usually we find them dead after a few days—from exposure, drowning, or having bashed out their own brains on the rocks.
Sometimes they’re just gone—I guess the gods of the sea came and set ’em free. Whatever’s left, we give to the deeps for safekeeping.
Now Cartus Scrint? That villain is a no-good drifter, a drunk, and a murderer. He killed one of the deckhands over a hand of cards in front of a roomful of witnesses. He was tried and convicted by the duly appointed courts of Illmarsh Township and sentenced to the Rocks.
"We have to speak to this Cartus Scrint, being tied up down there he must have seen something. We then need to speak with the neighbours." Markus thinkings to himself as he hears the Mayors response to Jon.
"Mayor you have nothing to worry from us, we only wish to help you and this town but we still seek this man and if you don't know of him coming to town we will have to keep looking. Maybe he snuck in to see someone, do you know anyone in town who could entertain such a guest? He carried a sea sage effigy - maybe thats something to do with the Neighbours? are they spiritual with effigies?"
a harsh sentence , but then again murderers deserve no sympathy. Jon says in reply.
have any of you heard of something called the iron thorn? We aren't sure what it is exactly Jon asks the mayor
Dark Thorn? What's that, is it this rider's nickname? he asks with a confused frown.
And if you've got any questions about religion youre best off going to the Order. That’s our local church to Gozreh. Not much of a praying man myself, but simple fishing folk have to look to something, I suppose. The priests can be a bit self-important, but the vizier—that’s the fancy foreign title the high priest uses—is a good man, well respected in town. The church watches out for folks around here, and we appreciate it." he says, swallowing hard.
Morbar remains quiet for most of the discussion with the mayor he doesn't want to ruin their chances to catch the way by saying anything stupid. He does notice the mayor growing increasing nervous when he mentions the church though. "Something's not right here"
Markus narrows his eyes as he picks up something wrong with the way the mayor speaks of the church. "Seems like i had better go speak with this Vizier, i haven't had a chance to visit the local church yet i'd would like to speak to him." He then looks to the others. "I think we're finished here?"
"It would make sense to visit the church indeed" - Caradwen replies - "Maybe he will be able to shed some light, or know something about those we search, at least in what pertains the effigy they carry" - she adds.
"It is unfortunate we are unable to gather more information about the rider - we seek him not for the better reasons, and have reason to believe him a danger" - she continues for a moment - "Perhaps somewhere else then"
"Regarding the Recondite Order major is there any information you can provide? Can't say I've heard of this small order thats in the church" he says looking at the major
Sense motive
The monk listens to the conversation and watches the myor closely. He watches him fidged and notices a sheen of sweat on his forehead. he is hiding something.
He clears his throat and says. "You seem uncomfortable mayor. Nervous even. Especially when you mentioned the church. Is there something else we need ro know about rhe Vizier? "
The mayor looks you all over as of trying to make a decision, chewing his lip as he does so.
He takes a deep breath and says;
All right, I’m going to come clean with you. Something’s going on in this town, and I can’t sit by any longer and watch it slowly die.
The Recondite Order of the Indomitable Sea—it’s our local temple, and most of the townsfolk are loyal churchgoers. It’s no secret that the Order pretty much runs this town. Oh sure, I’m the duly appointed mayor, but it’s the vizier who pulls the strings. And I think he—or someone else in the Order— may be behind the disappearances of some of our townsfolk, I think that's why people have been suspicious of you. They've never liked outsiders and when people have gone missing they come to the conclusion foreigners are behind it.
[b]I don’t have any proof, only suspicions, but I can tell you that temple is not all that it seems to be. Like I said, practically everyone in town is a loyal follower of Father Voltiaro, including the sheriff, so there’s no one else I can trust.
I need your help. Normally you would be suspects as strangers in town, but I’ve had you watched since you arrived—don’t look at me like that! You can never be too careful with strange folk hereabouts! Anyway, I’m pretty sure you’re not involved at least and in these troubled times, that’s my only certainty. You look like professional sorts who know your way around the business end of a blade, and I need someone from outside to look into this for me. Therefore, against my better judgment, I’m asking you to solve these disappearances and bring whoever’s responsible to justice.
I’m beseeching you on behalf of the good people of Illmarsh to go to the Order’s hall and take a look around. I’m sure you’ll find the priests are hiding something. If they’re behind this, you’ll be removing a blight from this town, and earning the gratitude of its humble citizens. I assure you, you will be well rewarded from the town’s treasury. Fish isn’t the only bounty we take from the sea. There’ve been enough shipwrecks and whatnot over the years that we’ve got some gold amassed—surely enough to gain your services for a short while. Plus I may know a little more about that rider than I let on earlier. If you help me, I’ll tell you everything
Caradwen says nothing, but smiles widely.
The monk nods. "It is a wise man who knows when to seek the aid of others, even if they bestrangers. Or as someone else I know once said 'never look a gift horse in the mouth'.. we will look I to this for you."
we have little time to lose Mayor, we will get onto this straight away. If the church is hiding something we will find it if that you can be assured. he says
who are these townsfolk that have gone missing Mayor? Do they have a connection to each other that you know of? Jon asks the man wondering who exactly has gone missing.
None that I know of. They all knew eachother of course but then everyone knows everyone.
I realise that but what I mean is are they all male? Female? Children? Work in the same place? I'm looking for a connection other than the fact they are all from this town and maybe that will lead us to the reason they were taken Jon explains and hopefully that will help us reveal who is behind it
Oh I see. There were no children missing thankfully. And some were fishermen, a pot-washer from the Whistlers, one of the Harper boys who worked in the general store. I don't know, a half dozen maybe. Sometimes accidents happen in the bay but these have just vanished.
"I can tell how sincere you are and how much you truly need help, we will help you and your town. Thats an interesting idea Jon, we need to remember The Way has dealings with someone or a group in town they delivered this sea effigy here. I had a thought it could be something to do with the neighbours."
He then pauses for a moment lost in thought. "But now the mayor mentioned the church and what Seb, Davos and Cara told us about them their the 'Recondite Order of the Indomitable Sea' they worship Gozreh. A dualistic god of nature, a god of the storm and sky and also a goddess of the wave and surf. Known to be fickle deity, maybe the sea sage effigy was delivered there? could it be a relic of Gozreh?" He then turns to the mayor . "Where did people starts to disappear? If we're to go speak to this Vizier we have to have a plan."
I'm so relieved you'll help. the mayor says with a sigh.
Sebastian smiles and says "I say we pay the priest a visit. Markus you can engage him in some theological discussion and the rest of us can try to snoop around."
Morbar listens intently to the mayors plea
And in seeing him seem genuine relaxes him some. He speaks up for a moment
"I have to ask mayor I mean no offence and simply do not wish to piss if any more locals but why is the inn named so?"
The dwarf patiently listens as Sebastian lays out his plan
"I dunno Seb I think maybe we should take a different approach perhaps interview some of the friends and family of the missing people make a connection and get some more proof of the priests involvement before snooping around the priests place after all if we get caught the sheriff is certain to lock us up as he is a follow of the priest after all and the locals will back him to the hilt the impression they have of us at the moment" he looks over the party to gage their responses to his suggestion
Years ago, Illmarsh used to be known as Baytown. In that time it was just a collection of huts and a jetty for coracles. But one thing it benefitted from was seclusion. Our true founder, Cassius Undiomede, was a smuggler from across the Bay and used the small town as his landing point. The money he brought with him made the place prosper like it never had before.
That sudden increase in wealth however drew the attention of the authorities. Soon tax collectors, goods inspectors, militia from the county of Versex - all of them wanted a piece of Baytown. But tales began to spread of a man who played a jaunty tune, who could control the stirges in the Soddentimbers and who would lead these foreigners out into the swamps where they would never return. He protected the town from the greedy outsiders.
The Whistler became a folk-hero to the townsfolk and even now, two centuries later, his name is well remembered in these parts.
"Sound idea to the interviewing people, but only problem I could see is that if what the major says that Father Voltiaro controls the town, someone could warn him of us and remove all evidence. And either way the sheriff will know we've been snooping if we question people, as the major said outsiders aren't like in these parts" he says after Morbar says his plan
Morbar listens to the story of the piper "Ahh okay that explains why they got so mad" "thank you for telling me the tale behind it"
Morbar listens intently to Davos's objections
"We don't need to mention we suspect the priest to the people we interview. Just say we are trying to get to the bottom of the dissaprances, surely the family and friends of the missing people will want to find them so won't mind outsiders looking into it"
The monk says "Your plan is wise Morbar but the locals don't like or trust us. They are hsrdly likely to answer any of our questions. I believe that the direct approach may be the best way this time."
"I do see what your both getting at but if we are trying to help get their family members back they will likely help us it's not certain they will but it's not certain we will find anything while snooping either. Obviously I will go with the group decision, but I believe the direct approach could end badly especially since there is no definitive proof it is the priest so all snooping around his place could get us is arrested and even more hated by the locals. What do you three think? Got any other ideas maybe something involving magic" Morbar looks to Markus, Jon and caras
The mayor watches as you discuss your plan.
I wish you luck with the townsfolk. By now everyone would know you are in town and how receptive they would be is another matter. I understand your position Mr Dwinhak, but my citizens are extremely distrustful and that should not be discounted.
"I don't see the towns folk being anymore respective to us than they already have." He then looks on at the others. "We head to the church and we speak to them, we split up one group head inside to speak the others go looking around the church ground."
"Davos, Jon and Morbar outside with me Cara and Seb inside we'll just talk to them and see what we can make of all this, what do you think of that?" He looks at each of them hoping for some input. "Theres no need to rush we get this plan down right and we get the information we need."
I'm not sure what we can accomplish at the church Markus. Whatever you ask them they will lie to you but We have little else to go on so we may as well test the waters at the church. he says in reply.
We need to find some kind of link from the church to these kidnappings.
When did the disappearances start mayor? Can we get a list of the families, hopefully we can learn something from them. Something we can use. he says
"I think we can make this work both ways" - Caradwen adds when she is sure the mayor is not listening.
"I also agree we should at least try and find more information with the family or close relations with the victims - true, they were not friendly before, but this time there is a valid reason for speaking with them, and hopefully something they are interested in solving also" - the woman comments - "Of course in the end, it may all turn against us" - she chuckles.
"None of this prevents a 'sneak peek' tonight at the temple grounds - nothing fancy. Just scouting the area, and checking if any unusual activity is up and about. Who knows? Maybe we find something useful beforehand"
"Talking to the families might help, we could get lucky but they way this town looks at us it could be a waste of time. I still want to speak to this Father Voltiaro"
"I don't think sneaking around will help us, if we're caught it will lock up any change of us getting inside to speak to them. But you're idea of looking around is good, as i said one group should just have a look around the church grounds when one group goes in to speak to the Father." He then takes a deep breath.
--
"Look the big reveal the things Adivion went thought to.. mess with us? are we apart of his bigger plan? im starting to second guess myself i can't trust anyone anymore i can't let anyone get close. They could just be another step in Adivion plan, we all saw the vision Desna gave us, the man atop a spire. That has to be Adivion im sure of it now." Markus grips at his holy symbol.
"We all thought Vrood was it, we were so blinded by our hatred.. i'll admit now i had my suspicions about Adivion but not for what he was but because of Kendra... she seemed happy with him it, he played the perfect game again to just play with us? or to just move us around on the board as chess pieces. Was i blinded by my jealousy? Yes, when we found him dead i turned all thoughts away from him and on to revenge against Vrood."
"Now all i have is my hatred and need for revenge on Adivion, i can only assume he had that planned to but what else can we do? We can only follow the path laid out for us and hope it doesn't lead to a darker place where Adivion guides us."
"With that I do not agree Markus - [b]"If this Father Voltiaro decides to turn the table, we will be split up, and without knowing where exactly you are inside, or how to get to you. I find it too risky" - Caradwen shakes her head - "Our group has some strong powers at our disposal - with the use of magic I think we can scout things out quite safely tonight - I am not saying we should go inside while doing so, mind you" - she adds.
--
"Perhaps it is time we start thinking outside of the box Markus, and try to twist the path in improbable ways, and see if we can throw our opponents off balance - I agree we sometimes will have no choice but to follow the path, but it infuriates me to no end that it seems whenever we are doing that, we are also playing someone else's game. We need to turn the table somehow, force them into revealing their game. Act unexpectedly" - she ponders - "Heck, we should return to Ravengro, and spread the word that we are planning to settle down, see what happens then" - she chuckles - "I fear our presence might bring danger to the people of the village though..."