The old woman scowls while thinking.
"Far as I know, there's only the front door. Big fella like you should be able to get in, right?"
"Well gentlemen surely we can come up with a makeshift battering ram that will crack those timbers most efficiently with a modest amount of work."
Bardos closes his book.
"I like this plan, breaking things."
The villagers are soon settled in at the Hapless Harpy, with Vessa bustling around looking after them.
"Let's go knock on some doors, shall we, gentleman? Perhaps the lumber mill has some suitable timber for a ... how do you say ... a door-crasher special?"
"We also must not forget to check on Vessa's friend at the manor."
"I am positively vibrating with excitement, gentlemen. Let us roll up our sleeves and apply some manly efforts. No doubt our esprit de corps will carry us through that door and beyond!"
"Cannae say A like th' idea o breakin' in tae a temple, but it seems like th' only option."
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At the mention of a ram and smashing down the front door of the Church of Abadar Morgrom gets a wicked grin. "Let's smash that door down!" he almost shouts with excitment.
Lumber mill was a good suggestion of a place to look.
The group returns to the site of the burned down mill, and finds a log which can serve as an improvised ram. It is the best option available at the mill, but is only suitable for three people to use. There may be something larger available at the lumber piles nearer to the manor.
Ok let's go the manor.
"As long as we are going to be at the Manor, we can check on Missus Vesk at the same time."
The potential ram is left where it can be easily retrieved, and the group makes their way towards the manor.
In a grassy field nearby are three large piles of lumber, each about 20 feet long and 10 feet high. At first glance, most of these logs are too large to be used as a ram by a small group.
"What have we here?" Haer Kul walks over to the hollow in the southernmost pile of logs.
He will peer into the hollow . "Nothing apparent, but worth a closer look."
Then a little looking for traps . "Excellent, perfectly safe."
If necessary .
A thorough search of the log . "Odd, there is nothing here."
And finally, if there is enough residue or contents left in the empty bottles, to identify potions.
Petronicus will have scuttles search the log to make sure it is safe.
As Haer Kul sticks his prominent nose into the hollow under the logs, he hears a low growl, and then a deep voice says, "Go away!"
"Sergeant Frum, is that you?"
Haer Kul, steps back and kneels, leaning on his cane peering into the log. "I'm sorry to disturb you, my good man. We are recently arrived, and find ourselves unsettled by recent events."
Doffs his hat and inclines his head, "Haer Kul, at your service. Whom do I have the pleasure of addressing?"
Inside the hollow is a halfling, guarded by a small dog with bared fangs . He looks surprisingly menacing, with his shaven head and previously broken nose.
"Move along, ya poxy gnome, or Runt will rip yer throat out."
Haer Kul sees more empty liquor bottles in the hollow behind the halfling.
"Everyone's so friendly here", says Bardos quietly as he approachs Haer Kul and the halfling. "Good sir, I am Bardos of Daggermark, we seek only to know what has transpired here."
"Oh no... you ain't gonna trick me and string me up! Keep moving!"
Morgrom bends over, peering into the hollow, "Fine, youz stay there, but maybe youz can tell us which lumber makes a good ram fer knocking down tha priests door."
"You look like you may be running out of libations, friend. Perhaps if you tell us more of what you have seen and heard we could procure you something to wet your whistle, as they say in the vulgar tongue. We seek only to help the town, and why not earn yourself a tasty bottle or two in the process?"
Petronicus stumbles on his words and accidentally kicks a rock, smashing some of the bottles in the process of trying to befriend the creature in the log.
"Listen fancy-pants! I don't want any of yer lavender water or wormwood or whatever ya drink with yer pinky out! Far as I can tell, none of you has honest likker!"
"Why don't ya just ask one of yer lumberjack prisoners about what kinda wood ya need?"
"Well Maister Halfling, it looks loch y' ur quite comfortable thaur, but if ye end up too sober, th' Black Harpy has some pretty guid beer."
"Mebbe there's an axe aroond haur tae cut a log up?"
Thorthal sees no axe handy.
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"It's log! It's log! It's big, it's heavy, it's wood!"
on the halfling.
"What is your name, friend? We are trying to put a stop to the crimes of the priests and the militia, and any information you have about them would be useful."
"Youse just fight it out then, and leave me alone. Pretty sure you can find them."
Bardos finds a log which could be used as a ram by 5 or 6 people. That's better than bad. It's good!
"Huzzah! We have our log indeed. If this works I shall stuff it with nuts and seeds until it poops out presents!"
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To the halfling: "Sir, we bid you good day."
To Petronicus: "Well, you should not have to look far to gather them. It seems this village is filled with the former, and has gone to the latter." Haer Kul is unable to suppress a self-satisfied smile.
Leaving the surly halfling for now, the group makes their way back towards the inn with their timber.
To the party: "That one bears watching. He took an inordinate amount of interest in our possessions. We may need to war Vessa at the inn, if he shows up there."
Bardos also speaks to the party.
"Probably because we actually have possessions, the poor sod."
Haer Kul will help unless the -1 strength penalty applies.
I'll help as well.
"May I suggest that all of contribute our diverse strengths to the ram, except for Mr. Goatsfoot? It might be wise for him to have his crossbow ready in the event that something ill awaits us on the other side of the door?"
"Weel, let's fin' oot what's goin' on in the temple."
The group takes their improvised ram and heads over to Silverstone Hall. While Prahd watches with his crossbow ready, they swing the log into the door with a resounding crash.
The door resists the first blow, but sunders after a few more. Unfortunately, the residents are now ready for the group.
Haer Kul looks around the room and smiles: "Ah, gentleman, greetings. Our sincere apologies for the noise. When you didn't answer the door the first time, we felt obliged to knock with more vigour. We humbly request your aid in curing the disease that has so devastated this town. Would one of you be Mr. Hagrim Foss?"
The priests do not seem to be in a mood for talking.
With apparent disregard for his own safety, Prahd advances to a point where he does not have to worry about hitting his companions. Then he unleashes a fusillade at the priests who sully Abadar's temple.
Unfortunately, both of his bolts go astray.