Watching Pooka and Luna, the girl slowly starts to merely cry-hiccup. Xull’s soothing words do little to abate the fear in her eyes, but she stops moving backwards. She looks from one face to another, the flood of soothing words and questions wash over her. She looks down and begins to speak in a soft voice, one that Targath cannot hear though he is only a few feet away.
" How did you get here? Were you trying to take shelter with your family from the storm? Everything is going to be ok now, we will keep you safe."
“Pa and Mother and Tarcey and me, we hit the road. Pa says we’ll walk and walk till we’re in Egorian, and that’s where he’ll find work. We walked so long, and I got real tired, and it got real dark and windy, and the rain made Tarcey cry. And Mother said, “Let’s wait inside,” but Pa said, “No way”—he said he heard there’s bad things live in Osty-garde. And then I dunno. Maybe there’s big, prickly cats. Maybe they scared me and so I hid from the thin men. I dunno. I want Mother and Pa.” she finishes and begins to sob, big tears running rivulets down her dirty face.
This time Diri tires to sooth her using words that those in the Taladan Acadame have never heard before. She pauses in her crying to look at the Halfling woman with a look of utter bewilderment.
Pooka then has Luna perform a series of tricks. This makes the small girl pause in her crying to stare openmouthed at the dog and her impressive tricks.
"Here child, would you like to give her a few?" he says, holding a handful out for her to take.
Though her eyes clearly say ‘Yes’, she shakes her head in a slow ‘No’. Her crying as subsided now and she sits, hugging her knees to her chest.
"Ey, now, little girl. Don't be frightened, now love; we're Pathfinders 'ere to rid this here manor of monsters. Are you perhaps the daughter of Benn Anders? We found 'is diary an we were hopin' to find him an' 'is family to see if yah need a spot of assistance."
Looking at the Oni-spawn Tiefling a look of horror comes over her face again. ”What’ that? I want Mother and Pa.” and she scoots back a half a foot.
The pathfinders patiently explain that she is safe, and they are just there to kill the bad things. Once more under control, she answers him.
”Yeah, that’s my Pa. The thin men drug them through the mud. In here, in Osty-garde. And Tarcey was crying and they didn’t even care.”
If there is anything to be gained from reading them, Diri will;
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"There, take it easy now child," Xûll tries to sound assuring, "We are being able to be keeping you safe. Please, be telling us about these 'thin men'. Anything you can remember... including where they are to have been going."
Nethys, you are not known for mercy, but if by some miracle this poor child's family still lives - please extend to them your protection until we are able to do so ourselves.
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Pooka reads the face of the little girl, but doesn't want to push her back into hysterics, so he backs off with the treats in his hand. "Don't worry sweetheart, Luna can look a little scary with all of her armor on. Luna, be nice to... Ahh... Darling, I can't believe I have forgotten, but what is your name?" Pooka asks, then steps aside as Xull gets to the question that has much more importance on their quest.
Cayden! She is just a child! Help us to guard her, and save whatever remnant of a family she might have left.
Pooka leans over to whisper to his companions, out of the earshot of the little girl, "If she is still alive, then perhaps whatever evil lives in this place hasn't finished with her family yet. There may yet be hope."
Pooka's face lights up with a smile as an idea pops into his brain. He turns back to Luna's saddlebags and rummages through for something. Then he takes the leather strap off of his bedroll that is packed neatly on top. Unfurling the soft blanket, he moves over to the little girl and wraps it around her while Xull asks her questions. He then hands his extra waterskin to the girl, encouraging her to drink.
First waiting until Xull has finished, and she has answered his question, he finally he takes a small, silver, cylindrical object on a chain off of his neck and holds it so she can see it clearly.
"This is a very special whistle. Only Luna can hear it when you blow on it. You hang on to this, and if you ever feel scared, you blow on this whistle as hard as you can. We will come running, I promise. Go ahead and try it now if you like," He says with a smile.
Please, be telling us about these 'thin men'. Anything you can remember... including where they are to have been going."
“They’re really skinny and really mean. Their skin looks like mud. They grin real big but they never talk, except they maybe talk without words. When the scary statue chased me, I hid here. When I heard Pa shouting upstairs, I wanted to go up but I was too scared. ”
I can't believe I have forgotten, but what is your name?
"My name's Tilly. I have a Mother and Pa and Tarcey. Can you help me find them?"
How long ago was that?
"I dunno"
Tilly seems to be calming down quite a bit. Only occasionally crying a little. She continuously wipes her snot on her sleeve, but that does not seem to stem the steady flow of mucus.
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Luna lets loose a single, loud "WOOF!" to put an exclamation point on Chumley's declaration. She continues to sit next to Pooka, but her tongue hangs out as she pants and looks at Tilly with what can only be described as a dog's smile.
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"Upon traversal of the library there are a multitude of tomes I recommend obtaining despite the necessity of hustle to find the little one's parents so I consider the library a significantly preferable option."
Upon the passage through, Diri will carefully point out the handful of volumes to the group, "there are a small collection of tomes that radiate a faint aura of magic but I do not recognize the significance so Brigh teaches us to cross-reference with others expertise so if anyone know anything it would be most useful to share elsewise it is in our best interests to obtain them for ourselves unless they explode."
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Targath has been taking a quick nap on the comfortable chair, and instantly wakes up when people are about to move forward. "Finally! Was about damn time!"
Targath moves on to follow the others, this time being the last to get to upstairs. He seems disillusioned by the books, naturally.
"Very nice, tiny títs, but you can rummage the place when we—... I'm done with the monsters in this manor. So you gonna leave the kid in the closet? Couldn't you let your doggy stay and keep her company, tin can?"
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"Me is agreeing with kinsman," notes Xûll, trying his best to ignore Targath's brusque manner, "Tilly, while we are to be dealing with the thin men, it is not being safe for you to be coming with us. Understand? If you were being safe in closet before, then it is being best place for you until we are rescuing of you. We will have Luna give two barks and knock on closet three times. Do not be getting out for anything else."
Xûll considers the library and the likely state of the girls parents, "Me is thinking the library is being smart option, but me is not liking leaving child in closet any longer than is being necessary. Let us be moving up stairs first, and reading of books when it is being safe... or at least parents' fate is being known."
As the pathfinders discuss leaving her, Tilly's eyes go round.
"You talkin' about leaving me here? Suppose thin men come again. You think this here dog gonna save me. I want to come to. To help save Pa. Mother and Pa and Tarcey 's all I got."
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Aww. Cute kid. She's probably going to get herself killed, turn out to be a demon, or get all of us killed.
"Now, Till, it's really 'portant that we go rescue your Dad. Those slender men might be up there an we don' want you to get hurt. You've been safe so far 'ere; we'll come back to check on you in just a few minutes, promise." He holds his hat in his hand and gives a bow, trying to look a bit goofy and non-threatening.
As he straightens up he ambles to Diri and whispers, "Don't suppose you have Detect Evil to give the kid a proper once over?"
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"Child, many of these foes we are to be fighting have abilities that affect an area," Xûll waits to make sure Tilly understood him, "If you were to be caught in such area, we could not be protecting of you. Chumley is being right that you have been safe here. We are asking you are waiting but a few moments longer."
Tears well up in her eyes once again. "You gonna leave me? Mother and Pa and Tarcey all left me and I'm all alone. What if something gets you? Then they gonna come get me. What if the thin men come while you all upstairs?"
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"Even had I prepared such an incantation it would not be of much use as humans typically are not irrevocably evil until at least their sixteenth year," Diri states to Chumley, tacking on "it would have also discouraged us bringing Targath along," after a brief pause.
Diri shrugs.
"Regardless of the location of Tilly here our next objective should be to eradicate these thin men who are squatting in the house we are to secure."
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"Oh come on you guys, this kid's got soul! More than you pussies, at least!" Targath comments, stepping up to the girl with a wicked smile, "and while you're at it, kid, you might actually stab a demon spawn or two if they get too close!" The shoanti swiftly unsheathes his dagger and offers it to the girl. Unlike all other equipment worn and used by Targath, the dagger seems to be in mint condition.
"You just stay close to me, kid, follow me in every way you can! Make your Pa proud and all that!"
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"We won't leave you if you are not being comfortable with it," Xûll says, and reaches down to hug the frightened child. He holds her firmly, and for long enough that she can be reassured by his powerful arms before letting go and placing a hand on her shoulder, "Now, you are needing to be brave... but not too brave. You are to be staying in back and if we are fighting, be closing of eyes, taking of cover and making yourself small. Can you do this?"
Only once Tilly agrees, Xûll picks up his hammer and moves to follow the others up the stairs, making sure to interpose himself between Tilly and any danger.
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Pooka's face lights up with a smile as an idea pops into his brain. He turns back to Luna's saddlebags and rummages through for something. Then he takes the leather strap off of his bedroll that is packed neatly on top. Unfurling the soft blanket, he moves over to the little girl and wraps it around her while Xull asks her questions. He then hands his extra waterskin to the girl, encouraging her to drink.First waiting until Xull has finished, and she has answered his question, he finally he takes a small, silver, cylindrical object on a chain off of his neck and holds it so she can see it clearly.
"This is a very special whistle. Only Luna can hear it when you blow on it. You hang on to this, and if you ever feel scared, you blow on this whistle as hard as you can. We will come running, I promise. Go ahead and try it now if you like," He says with a smile.
Pooka smiles at Tilly, while his heart breaks for her underneath his formidable armor.
"Child, I don't think there is anything we can say to convince you that we want to protect you. Staying here, locked in the closet as Xull suggested is safer than going with us. I couldn't live with myself if something happend to you because you were to close to the fire. And quite frankly, there are some things a child just shouldn't see. Will you try the silent whistle? We can demonstrate. I will send Luna out to the other room, and then you blow on it. Watch how she comes running. If you feel afraid, then just blow on the whistle and know that we will be right behind."
With that, Pooka smiles and leads Luna out into the dining room. "Luna, Sit. Stay."
Tilly looks at Targath as he offers her a dagger. "I dunno how to use that. Never used one of them before."
She cracks a partial smile at Xull, appreciative for the kinds words and finally someone who is talking to her like a father or mother would.
Grabbing the whistle from Pooka, she blows it. With no sounds coming out, she blows it again. By this time Luna is making quick circles and comes running over. She looks down at the whistle, and then at the beautiful dog that is suddenly standing in front of her.
"Wooh. I didn't know you all knew magics and stuff. I just know that you all are gonna find Mother and Pa and Tarcey. I can stay in here. But you have to promise me, that you will come right back after you go look upstairs. Promise me, or I am marching up there with you!!"
She looks at Xull, almost with a stern gaze, trying to discern if his response is truthful or deceitful.
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"You've used a knife, right, cutting potatoes or whatever s%+$ you eat? Pointy end at the baddies, stabbity-stab. And the poodle over there can bite everything else."
Targath's combat lesson is short and stupid, yet he still leaves the dagger to the girl. In his delusional mind Targath sees the girl filled with spirits yearning for vengeance, eventually making her grow up as a formidable soldier.
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Xûll wants nothing more than to wrap this child in his arms and take her far, far away. However, the weather means they would likely freeze to death - and her parents may yet live. He wants to stand by her and protect her, but cannot see a safer place than the hiding place that has already worked for this long.
"Tilly, you really are being safer here," says Xûll softly, "But you do not have to be in the dark. Keep this covered, but you can be peeking in for light providing you are also keeping covered from doorway." Xûll passes her a lit torch that emits no heat, and whose flame cannot be doused. He shows Tilly as much. He also wraps her in the furs that he was too manly to wear earlier, and gives her his waterskin filled with the purest spring water (and chilled by exposure to the cold outdoors), as well as 2 of his 3 days of trail rations.
"Me is promising me will be down to get you as soon as we have finished looking for your parents upstairs," Xûll says solemnly, "If we are not to be returning, then you must be wrapping self in furs and running far from here. Do not be using dagger, just be running. - Chumley, where is nearest settlement being? - Yes, be running south, to 'Backwatertown'."
Finally, almost as an afterthought, Xûll gives her a vial of holy water, "This water is being blessed by priests of Nethys - god of magic - in Absalom, City at the Center of the World. If you are being attacked, be throwing of this and then running more. If you are holding of it, perhaps its warmth and purity is making you feel safe."
The big man can do no more, and so takes up his position - ready to go upstairs and find or avenge Tilly's parents.
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Oh, human-spawn. So emotional, irrational, and undeservedly trusting. Gives me a bit of an odd sensation in the pit of my stomach, like I imbided a hair too much of gnollish Gutwrench.
Giving one more sweeping bow to the child, Chumley sets his hat on his head. "'Ey, now you be a good lass. We'll be back for you in a jiff."
Mental Note: Consult with Xull and Pooka later as to how to properly settle human-spawn. They seem to have a handle on it.
"You promised you come back. You all better come back."
Tilly wraps herself in the furs and makes herself small. She opens a ration and begins to eat two-handed loudly with her mouth open.
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Xûll has heard of books, but he has more interest in ledgers. He allows Diri to pick up a few volumes, but if she starts to actually read through them he reminds her that Tilly's parents may be in mortal danger and that tarrying here when there might be people to save is unbecoming of a Pathfinder .
Tilly safely in the closet devouring the trail rations, books secured for late night reading, the pathfinder wind up the spiral staircase by the dining room.
As they emerge into a sitting room on the second floor, a curtain of pure white linen greets them. The curtain is decorated with embroidered images of bone white doves with berry stained beaks.
Most of the pathfinders notices that there is a pattern in the curtain. Chumley correctly identifies it as a symbol of Shax.
As the Pathfinders walk past the curtain they see a bed and three sets of doors. They also notice that there is a black door that identically matches the mural from the dining room. The painting that seemed to be watching the Pathfinders the entire time.
If you want to learn more about Shax:
demon lord of envy, lies, and violent murder. His temples
take the forms of crooked alleyways, hidden rooms in grand
estates, and secret dungeons.
bird’s legs, and an immense collection of knives and other
bloodstained weaponry. His unholy symbol is a curved white
feather sitting in a pool of blood.
immense house the size of a city that sits perched atop
a slanted bluff. Each of Charnelhome’s rooms contains a
different insidious death trap or horrific guardian—Shax is
fond of releasing victims into Charnelhome so he can watch
them try to escape, often posing as a fellow prisoner so he
can experience the victims’ despair.
As the pathfinders move into the room.
None notice the trap that spring forth and attacks Targath. Whirling electrified circular saw blades on an articulated metal arm reach out of a slot in the ceiling to the Shoanti.
Luckily they miss him.
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"While being scientifically rigorous would necessitate seeing if that happens every time Targath stands there it is probably in our best interests to not having the whirling contraption flailing at us while our attention is elsewhere and besides whatever the trap was trying to protect is obviously worth protecting and should be noted for Lady Blakros," Diri says, sketching a rough schematic of the trap.
I wish I was wearing my labratory gear instead of my combat armor.
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"Might be a temple to Shax behind that black door... 'hidden rooms in a grand estate' seems right up that alley." Chumley physically pauses a moment as he mulls something over. "Hidden rooms.. The closet that we found Till, did we actually search it? With all the hysterics, I can't remember, to be perfectly honest." Regarding the trap, he taps his teeth. "I can give that a proper once over to make sure it doesn't try to nick us again."
Chumley can attempt to disable device, and would use an Inspiration to do so, if it looks like it's the type that resets automatically
Looking at the trap, it is Chumley's expert opinion that the trap does reset automatically.
As the pathfinders search the room, the north door opens onto an outdoor veranda overlooking the mountain pass. Overhanging the edge of the bluff, the distance from the balcony to the ground below is 80 feet.
The double door on the west wall has a smooth surface unlike any other door in Ostergarde. Through that is only a walk in closet.
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"It is being strange that such ornate doors are only to be revealing closet," Xûll notes, "We should be investigating more later, but parents are not being here so let us be trying other door for now."
Xûll takes care to avoid the trapped area while Chumley disables it and then joins Diri at the other door, stepping back to allow Pooka his 'charge lane'.
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"But, my foul-mouthed friend, the place where there is someone or something that absolutely keeps you from lookin' at it is the place you absolutely want to look." After examining the peculiar end of the trapped(?) door "Or if the trapped room with absolutely nothin' in it..."
Chumley does take a look at the Trap, conferring to one of his ever-present books.
As Chumley exits the closet, a thought pops into his mind. Going back into the closet, he runs his hands along the wall. He fells a seam or slight crack that seems particularly out of place.
Putting a bit of pressure on it, he can feel the wall shift.
Suddenly the wall slides on an unseen track.
A stout ledge hangs over a shaft that descends into darkness.
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"There are myriad possible destinations for a hole like this and I cannot postulate any that are pleasant so let's cover the rest of this floor first and hope we can delay the descent into the unknown until the last possible moment," Diri says with a small hint of unease.
Not climbing is always better than climbing.
Chumley tinkers with the trap. He sees a wire that looks like it pulls a small lever which in turn drops a small counter weight propelling the saws in a downward arc. They are in ill repair as evident by the malfunction as they spun towards Targath. Chumley snips here and there and feels very confident that all are now safe.
Peering down the shaft Chumley can see down 35' to a bottom. Diri, always one to love facts and figures can tell the group that should this manor have a basement, and they are fairly certain it does since there are stairs that descended next to the ballroom, that the basement must be espically deep.
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"If we want to go through this door here, I just want to mention that if those closet doors do indeed lead to a temple of this demon god, there is a decent chance Tilly's parents are in there. There is much left in this manor to clear out, so either way we go, lets just keep moving."
Pooka shifts in Luna's saddle and adjusts his hold on his lance, ready to charge down the long hall if there is a target to charge.
Ok, so quick recap to understand where we are at - There is an access to the basement level (which is deep) from a secret door in the closet where Tilly is hiding,
through the well in the kitchen
and also down the stairs near the ballroom.
We are currently on the second floor, Where we have a balcony/veranda that is a long drop to the ground below, and a set of doors that look like the creepy painting, which we believe leads to a temple of this demon god. The trap in this upper room has been disabled now.
The pathfinders exit out of the southern door of the bedroom. The find themselves on a catwalk. Each side is bordered by a wrought iron, ornate railing. Each side opens to the first floor below. The pathfinder can see the dining table to the east and the fountain to the southwest. There are rooms straight ahead of them in addition to the hallway that turns to the southwest.