As per usual, Lisabett wakes early and after watch, attends her various duties. She is, however, today of all days particularly efficient in their execution and finds the time and opportunity to slip away to bathe herself and wash her hair.
"Aye, Captain," she answers Sandru. "I will scout ahead, and discover if there is any game about to replenish our stock." Or, if indeed, any game remains in the area...
Sorin wakes refreshed despite the dream.
We overreacted to the first dream thinking it meant something it didn't. We did find the chest but were stumbling blind. I doubt it has much immediate meaning; I'll talk with Raz about it later.
Sorin feels a great deal of curiosity about the missing towers but knows that there is likely little he can do if he actually goes there. At soon as he can, he'll head to the brothel to ask about the women who went missing.
Someone must have seen this man...
Sandru nods at Almar. "Of course. I am acting the tradesman for today, but that should not prevent you from looking into this mystery. By all means, investigate."
The Varisian's attention seems to be split, as he continually glances at Lisabett. He smiles broadly at her mention of hunting game. "Would that I could join you. There's some lovely woods nearby here, and it has been some time since I strung a bow and spent a day within it. There is a lake nearby that can take your breath away, and plenty of fowl have made it their home. It looks as if I'll have my hands on some Vudrani spices by the time the sun sets. Bring me a bird and we'll put them to good use."
The fourth person Sorin asks is the only one willing to point him to the brothel. The man's eyes are in constant motion, as if imagines that he is being followed. "That building there, but it's not in business. I'd wager there are none within, considering, but I haven't brought my coin there in some time."
Setomi watches Lisabett talking to Sandru. Not meaning to listen in, she does hear him talk about hunting and a lake and cooking wild fowl. Feeling very insecure, Setomi steps up to the group, and while mostly looking down at the ground she speaks to Lisabett.
"Please excuse me for interrupting, but did you say you were going hunting? Would it be...I mean, could I..ummm...I would like to accompany you, if it is allowed?"
She peeks up at the two, slightly shifting her weight from one foot to the other, waiting or a response.
Raziel watches as his compatriots split up. Torn between the different paths, he finally appoaches Almar and asks, "Do you mind if I go with you? It should not take long to observe them, should it?"
"Not at all... I was going to ask if you wanted to come with me actually... I don't know much about magic so I'll need your help. Besides we might ask Koya if she wants to come with us too, she might have deeper insights on what happened up there"
"Aye, hunting. Very few men leave absolutely no track. And if the wolves are starving, we'll need to be careful about how many provisions we purchase from these folk."
Lisabett inclines her head in a salute to Sandru. "I hope to haul something more fattening than fowl, but I hear you," she acknowledges and looks to Setomi. "Leave any predators be unless they attack first," she says pointedly before leading away from the caravan.
Lisabett will see that the pair have enough fresh water for hiking and hunting.
Setomi smiles up shyly at Lisabett and says, "I will follow your lead Lisabett."
As they hike through the woods, Setomi cannot help but be impressed with the woman's survival skills. She points out several sources of food and water that Setomi would have never even seen. While she hunts, Setomi silently stalks in her foot steps, watching and trying to learn a little about wilderness skills. When they rest at noon she puts together a small snack, and asks several questions of Lisabett. "Lisabett, where did you learn your survival skills? You are very accomplished. Why did you decide to be a magic user? Or was it simply something you were born with?? What was it like living in the north? Did you...oh, I am sorry for all the questions. Please excuse my forwardness."
She sits quietly waiting to see if the tall woman will answer any of her questions, but just as content to be sitting quietly.
"I learned to track from my father's thanes," Lisabett recalls with a sour expression on her face. "Every hand capable must. And even many incapable hands," she adds, stricken expression turning to a grimace.
"Living... was much simpler," she admits. "All agreed that monsters were threats to be disposed of. Never was their an argument about their natures."
Lisabett looks about their impromptu camp for a few moments, and remains quiet.
"I do not care for cities. The... comforts nurture the weak." she offers after a time. "Did you live in Sandpoint very long?"
Lisabett finds a few patches of edible mushrooms growing near a trickling creekbed within a few strides of the worn hunting trail. The water is thick with silt though, and it takes about a half-hour more to locate a fresh source in a natural spring concealed by jagged rock. As the two of you continue on your trek, you find that the briars are thick with berries.
Stepping out of the treeline and through a tangle of grasses, you find yourself looking over the glassy surface of a large lake. Just as you begin to wonder if it is the one Sandru mentioned, you see what looks like an elk taking a drink at the water's edge. The creature is at least a hundred paces from you, yet it seems to sense you. It lifts its head and looks directly at you.
This is no elk. It has antlers and some patches of hair, but the majority of its body is covered in scales. Its yellow eyes seem to pierce you, even from a sizable distance. The creature remains perfectly still as it watches you.
You find yourself staring at a hole in the ground, at least forty feet wide and almost the same in depth. The clay-rich earth is freshly exposed, but it does not appear loosened in any place. Koya mumbles something incomprehensible; her words, you suppose, are for Desna and not for you.
"You think that's a sight, you should see the patch up north. The barracks and the tower that were there were attached. Like a sword blow that left its mark, it looks like." The local youth that offered to show you the site spits before continuing. "My cousin, Vestor, was a guard. The way we figure, he was sleeping before his shift, and ZOW. Gone. You look like folks that might know. What happened?"
Setomi freezes in spot and looks over to Lizabett. "What is it?", she whispers.
"I have not a clue," Lisabett admits. "It is no natural creature."
Lisabett remains fixed in place for a time, studying the creature. "If it intended to harm us, it might have earlier," she reasons, and smiles faintly. "Still, exercise some sense and caution and give it a wide berth, hmm?" she suggests and begins moving away rather than approach.
Setomi nods in agreement with the northwoman and they proceed to skirt around the creature. "I wonder what a creature like that is doing out here?", she whispers to herself.
The creature watches you for a moment longer. Then, with impressive speed, it darts off into the nearby forest and disappears. Its movement sends some nearby waterfowl into the air, their wings flapping loudly.
Assuming he isn't interrupted on the way there, Sorin will examine the outside of the brothel. Not really expecting to detect anything, he'll use Detect Evil on the building and the nearby area. Afterwards, if the door is unlocked, he'll simplu go in. Otherwise, he'll knock.
Almar contemplates the hole wondering how could this have been possible at all, especially without leaving any trace of the towers or the fortifications. He smiles at hos young guide and answers:"We do not know, yet, but we've come here to try to find out... Koya and Raziel might be better qualified to give you an answer than me, but I'll try to tell what I can"
So saying the gunslinger starts examining the gaping hole, searching for clues about what happened.
Survival check:
There is a sign on the door of the brothel that reads Closed until further notice. Not surprisingly, the door is locked. Your knock receives no answer.
Just when you are sure that the building is empty, a window on the second story swings open and a woman leans out, holding a shortbow. She does her best to aim it at you, but she cannot seem to keep a steady hand. "Can't you read, fool?" she calls down to you.
Almar conducts an extensive search of the area, but it yields few conclusions. It is clear that the terrain around the pit did not, at any point, bear the weight of the structures. Furthermore, it seems unlikely that they were pulled from the ground; that would have unsettled the surrounding earth.
Though you are certain that powerful magics were the cause of the disappearance of these buildings, you are not aware of a particular spell that might have been employed. There does not appear to be any residual trace of arcane energy. You are certainly familiar with numerous divine miracles and catastrophes, but none of them begin to describe the sight before you.
Any conclusion the two of you might draw is based purely on conjecture at this point. Clues, it seems, are scarce.
"Almar, what is that discolored patch of ground at the bottom of the pit where the tower once stood?"
"I don't know... but I think we should check it out. Help me get down there please Raziel" so saying the gunslinger motions the others towards the hole.
"I think we should get a rope from the caravan first," Raziel observes. "That would be the safest way."
Raziel hurries back to the wagons and gets a rope, then hurries back. He ties off the rope to a stout bush, hoping that his work will help Almar.
"May Sarenrae light your path," he intones as Almar prepares to descend, casting Guidance upon him.
Almar nods at Raziel aknowdleging his help:"Thanks Raziel, I'll see what I can do down there. And you are welcome to follow, of course"
Climb check:
Almar lands safely scanning his sourraundings ready to face any trouble that might come his way.
Perception check:
If nothing worries him, Almar will examine the patch of ground:
Survival check:
You brush away a thin layer of dirt to find a piece of parchment. On it, a Tien character is beautifully scribed. Though you cannot read it, you are certain the symbol is different from the one on the similar sheet you discovered in Sandpoint.
Almar looks at the parchment for a long time then he hands it to Raziel:"Can you understand what it says? This confirms my fears... the black robed man is of Tian descent and he was here... Is he toying with us?"
"Not I, good friend," Raziel replies. "Ameiko or her cook, Setomi, would be the ones to ask."
"I suppose I should learn that language also" Raziel mutters to himself.
"Whatcha got there?" Your young guide comes up behind you, curious about your find.
Sorin smiles up at the lady.
"Hello. My name is Sorin Nicusor, servant of Shelyn, and I'm investigating the man who came through here recently. I simply want to talk and ask a few questions. You don't even have to come down if you don't want but we'll look pretty silly shouting up and down at each other like this."
"Just a piece of paper with something scribbled on it. Take a look, maybe you have seen the like before"
"Can't say I have. Looks like a magic spell to me." The youth's face twists in awe. "That's what it is, isn't it? A magic spell?"
With difficulty, the woman manages to relax the bowstring and remove the arrow from it. It is clear she is no master of the weapon. "Me up here and you down there, yelling back and forth for all to hear will do nicely, actually." she replies, brushing her dark hair back over her right ear. She scrutinizes you with her hazel-green eyes. "Ask a question then."
Lisabett remains transfixed for several moments, staring after the strange creature's sudden exit. The flapping of the wings of fowl remind her of the queer happenings on the beach in Sandpoint prior to quitting the city.
Several thoughts race through her mind, which she fails to entertain more than a few moments before shaking her head and advancing towards the lake. "Follow, please," she says to Setomi in her native Skald, without a second's thought. "If the earth is as moist here, any who wished to actively avoid the road might well have traveled here from their camp for supplies," she explains, her eyes constantly scanning the area for threats.
There are no recent bootprints, and the only other sign of humanoid activity you find in the area is an old arrows shaft. It has likely been some time since anybody, local or traveler, hunted by this lake.
As you approach the water's edge, you notice the marks in the mud left by the strange creature's cloven hooves. It is most peculiar; they lead away from the water, in the direction it ran, but there are no tracks leading to the place where it had been standing.
"This seems to be a most queer beast. Should we follow its tracks? Do you think it wanted us to folow it?", Setomi asks, also speaking in Skald
Setomi searchs the area as well, looking for anything out of place.
Almar considers the parchment and shrugs"Your guess is as good as mine. I think Koya might shed some light on the matter though". So saying Almar hands the parchement to Koya:"This stuff is beyond us, I fear, but I believe you could be able to tell us something more than what we can gather"
Why would any village ignore such bounty? Lisabett ponders, eyes narrowing. She plucks the arrow from the ground and weighs it in her palm. Sandru had mentioned hunting here, so when had the atmosphere changed so radically?
Lisabett nods at Setomi's suggestion, and breaks the fletch of the arrow from its shaft for identification when they return.
"No one is culling this bounty," Lisabett observes, and keeps her eyes to the track. "There must be some explanation."
It's not what you see that's notable, but rather, what you do not see. A large lake like this should have a variety of animal tracks nearby, but save for the trail left by the stag-like creature, there is no sign of large game.
Koya whispers a brief prayer and her fingers glow ever so slightly as she presses them to her temple. Her mouth curls into a frown as she inspects the piece of parchment. "There is nothing magical about this. It is just writing on a scroll, as far as I can tell."
Before you can reply, a large cracking sound comes from within the brothel, followed by a thud. "Desna's breath!" the woman cries, clinging to the windowsill. "What was that?"
Almar considers Koya's statement. He turns towards the young guide:"Do you think we have seen all there was to see here? If so we've better to go back to the village and get someone read this thing... although I fear it will be pretty inconclusive"
Hesitating over what to ask the woman that won't frighten her or cause her to back off, Sorin in speechless for a moment. At the noise, he doesn't wait further; Sorin rushes the door and tries to break it down.
"You've seen more than I knew there was." he replies. "Don't stand around kickin' dirt on my account."
As your shoulder collides with the oaken door, one of the hinges pops off and it hangs awkwardly in the door frame. Another blow knocks it aside, and you're in the building. You immediately identify the problem: the main support beam has splintered and is currently leaning well to one side. A tall shelf seems to have been knocked over in the process, as it lies face down on the floor.
You are no engineer, but you guess that you have less than a minute before the entire building collapses.
Almar just nods at the guide:"Very well... let's go back then"
Ameiko is back at the Tattered Scarf. When you present her with the sheet of parchment, she reaches for it with urgency. She stares at it for several moments before speaking. "Castle." she finally says.
Almar doesn't look amused:"Well... I guessed there was a castel over there... once..."
Ameiko looks up at Almar, then turns away. She stares quietly at the corner for a moment, but her eyes find her way back to the gunslinger. They narrow as she considers him.
"There is a castle. It is named Brinewall, and it lies to the north." Ameiko motions to the empty bench across from her. "Will the both of you sit? I'd like to talk with you about something."
Lisabett follows the track made by the mysterious animal away from the lake. It cannot be coincidence that such bounty was ignored by the locals, and with no martial prowess to speak of, she was not willing to risk Setomi's life investigating the cause. If, after an hour, she does not find the creature, she will suggest that they return to the caravan, well in advance of dark to report their discovery.
"Certanly Ameiko," Raziel replies. "What do you wish to speak of?"
Setomi follows in silence, keeping her eyes open for any sign of the creature. She trusts Lisabett to be able to track the creature, but makes sure she is ready to act, if called upon.
Lisabett moves with purpose along the beast's trail; Setomi is her silent shadow. The hooves have left deep tracks, and they are easy to follow.
After ten minutes, however, they stop abruptly. You search the surrounding area, but there are no further signs of the stag-like creature's passage.
Ameiko smiles politely at you as you sit. "Where to begin?" She considers the parchment before continuing. "You found this? At the site where the watchtowers used to stand?" Ameiko puts her hand to her face. "It is true then? They are simply gone?"
Setomi leans forward and quietly whispers to Lisabett, "What now? How could the creature simply disappear? Should we just head back to town now?"