Vidar rubs the back of his head a little sheepishly.
"We certainly have concerns in the town, but we have no leads as where to start.
I am thinking that perhaps we could inquire in the fort as to where to begin to be perfectly honest."
Kithian finishes his breakfast and 4th ale and shrugs his shoulders. "Which ever. Dosent mater to me. Sure some one somewhere needs a killing, let's get to it."
Vidar merely smirks at Kithian.
There was a certain appeal to the way he lived his life, a simplicity that was far beyond Vidar, who at times seemed to WANT to complicate it as much as possible.
Sayniek, in her armor as usual, but without the full helmet that is a part of her regular garb, sits across from Kithian as she finishes her breakfast. She had to admit, small town inns such as this certainly knew how to prepare fresh eggs, bacon, and other local produce.
Don't worry I am sure that more than a few will need vengeance to be brought down upon them before long.
Camillo sits quietly, observing the body language of the wizard and the ranger, thinking of someone else...
Awakened from his reverie, he says, "I suspect the men of the fort might be able to provide us with useful information about the town. I am hopeful that our quarry has had less luck infiltrating out there."
"Well then, with no dissenting opinions so far, he briefly glances over at Pinocchio in case he wants to speak, we have a plan.
So, eat up, we shall depart after breakfast."
Pinocchio holds up his hands to indicate no objection. Sounds good to me! I'm excited to get back to the adventure!
The group packs up and works it was through the town on its way to Rannick...
Camillo makes an effort to be personable if not chatty as they pass through town. He speaks a greeting to those that seem open to it, nodding solemnly to those that do not.
Perception:
Survival:
Perception:
Survival:
The group makes its way to the established path to the Fort. On the way Vidar, Cam, and Pinnochio note that at least three every day citizens seem to bear tattoos that bear a strong resemblance to the sihedron rune. Shalelu leads on and is eager to go but notes that some of you have made an obsevation, Should we stay or are we okay to press on?
Pinocchio shrugs. The tattoos aren't gung to change. Let's gets going.
Sayniek's eyes narrow when the sihedron runes are pointed out to her. She then shakes her head at Pinocchio's comment.
Every time that we have run into that symbol, evil has followed. I think it would be wise to find where the runes came from.
With that, and without waiting for the others to respond, the righteous paloracle steps to one of the villagers.
Excuse me sir. I just noticed the interesting tattoo you have on your arm. Is that of local significance? Or how did you decide to get it?
Diplomacy:
Vidar runs hand over his beard in irritation.
An unwanted complication, but fair is fair, it could be an important clue.
Holding his pieces for now, he merely observes, hoping that IF this is important, drawing attention to it will not cause...problems down the line.
Kithian smiles his best half orc tooth grin and stands behind the tin can as he lightly rubs the covered area where the mans tatto would be on his body.
Diplomacy: +2 to the paladins check for aid!
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Dear god, is he...? He is!
He is smiling!
Where did I put my dagger?
Quick damnit! I need to gouge my eyes out!
Camillo makes a point of leaning in to examine the inkwork. "Yes, fascinating design. Is it regional?"
The villager jumps in surprise at the sudden questioning, seemingly paranoid about the interest in the mark. Pullin his sleeve down to cover it properly the man looks around and begrudgingly admits, It was a special mark for Paradise right? Seeing that the people he is talking to from out of town he elaborates, I twas a barge here in the Ferry. Drinkin. Gamblin. Me and a few lads got this mark "special" see because we was good patrons. Gave us extra chips, special tables...
The man hitches a thumb towards the docks, But look I gotta get to work and the mark is on the down low, right? So as to keep the jealous minded unawares. Not that it matters, Paradise burnt down a couple weeks back.
Vidar waits for the men to leave before speaking.
"Hmmmph, a potential clue there, but not a very recent one unfortunately.
But this does mean that we have something specific to ask the people at the fort, which may or may not help us with our search."
Watching the man go, "Sounds like Paradise outlived its usefulness and was removed from the scene. Suppose we provoked that decision?"
You guys did that? Pinocchio asks with comically raised eyebrows.
"Not personally, but as master Duin says, it may have been inadvertently caused by our actions elsewhere."
Vidar frowns and begins to stroke his beard in thought.
"These men were marked, and by a rune that bears a heavy significance.
Possible targets, something akin to that list in Magnimar?
When we get to the fort, we should keep a very sharp lookout for any such marks.
ESPECIALLY on any one in command."
Shalelu raises an eyebrow, Shall we move on to the Fort or...?
"Indeed, we have found a possible lead, but not one we can easily explore yet.
Let us move, I want to get to the "meat" of our investigation."
Sayniek scratched her head and then asked about why the cult markings of an evil cult were targeting gamblers. Why not some other pastime such as farming or brewing. She figures that there must be some reason for this connection.
"Well, it was the letter from the sister to the monster we defeated in Magnimar, she seemed to indicate that they were looking for "greedy souls" to sacrifice.
While some gamble for the thrill, many do it out of simple greed, attempting to make a mint with minimum effort.
Since only those that were "good patrons" received the rune, it may have been to mark them for later assassination."
"All but a theory, but there are strong evidence to support it."
Pinocchio nods. That makes sense. And the pattern would be relatively unremarkable if one did not know it's significance. Perhaps they have already marked all those they wanted and burned this "Paradise" to tie up loose ends
"The letter made mention of a "lord" of theirs, so even if we find the snake and dispose of her, the head of the "snake" will still be out there.
Hmmm...I cannot help but think that only two places would be insufficient for whatever goal they have in mind.
Perhaps they have chapters in Korvosa, Kaer-maga and Riddleport as well."
Anything is possible if they had a strong presence in Magnimar, as you all have suggested. But this is all academic until we have some more information. Let's head to the fort and see what we can see.
Shalelu nods and starts walking, Its about three miles to the bridge that will take us to the river. From there we can cross the bridge and head up towards the dam, which I am told is of old Thassalonia and quite impressive. An trail to the Fort should be in that direction, supposedly well marked.
The group approaches the bridge in short order and it certainly shows its wear appearing dingy, chipped and weather worn. Despite the age, however, the double wide wooden planked bridge appears intact and clearly supports regular supply run both to the Fort but also along northern trade.
"Indeed?"
Vidar noticeably perks up and begins to stroke his beard again.
"Thassalonian architecture? This will be the third such thing we have encountered so far."
As they approach the bridge Pinocchio's head cocks to the side. Did anyone else hear that? Sounded like a cat...
Camillo shakes his head, "Housecat? Out here?"
Survival:
Kithian frowns ad holds up his hand. "Mountain lion... Something isn't right. It shouldnt be around here..."
The barbarian draws his sword and begins to scan the area.
Camillo' eyebrows raise at the barbarian's cautious attitude and readies his bow, looking around.
Sayniek listens, but is unable to hear the sound, probably from the muffling effect of her helmet.
A mountain lion where it should not be? We should investigate to see what it is. With all the strange, and unnatural, happenings we have seen, undoubtedly this is likely connected.
"Hmmm, if an animal is found in an area where it is not meant to be, it is usually a sign that it has been displaced by either a larger predator, or humanoids."
"Sometimes we would make animal sounds as signals to othets. This sounded quick like it was cut off. Maybe it IS a mountain line out of its normal area and was caught in a trap or felled by an archer...or maybe it isnt. Stay wary."
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Shalelu nods in agreement at Kithian's assessment and the ranger works with the barbarian to lead to group in the direction of the noise. Some distance in the woods the group can see in a clearing the deep purple coat and bright orange/yellow streak of a sizable cat trapped in a rusting steel claw trap, wary and bristling at the noise of approaching humanoids.
Shalelu holds up a hand, Firepelt.... and she stalks into the clearing waving a hand to call magic upon herself so that she may speak with animals.
The cat's demeanor changes as Shalelu approaches and whispers to the creature. She moves to try to pry the cat free while gesturing to the group,He is a companion of a ranger retreating from Rannick, caught by some sort of ogrekin. He is being hunted. We need to get him free!
As if to accentuate the circumstance dogs being howling and barking in the distance.
Time to save the day! Pinocchio says as he makes the motion to crack his knuckles. Nothing happens because he doesn't have real knuckles, but the motion successfully displays his eagerness.
Does the kitty know what we're up against?
Kithian growls and moves forward to the trapped kitty and grbs the trap. The barbarian's arms buldge as he attempts to pry open the trap.
Take 10 or str check..
Strength check:
"Are we standing our ground here? Or does the cat know which way to seek her friend?"
He glances up at the trees, considering ambush possibilities. "How many and how big?"
"Hmmmph, either way, we are forewarned, so any preparations you want to make, do them now.
But do not go overboard, we do not know how much this little encounter might require, or deserve...."