One of the villagers, a middle aged man who has been amused by the various antics of the party replies "Ah, I bet you're here because the Fort hasn't been heard from. Sure you need to go see the Mayor , Maelin Shreed. You can find him at that the temple over yonder." and he points towards the large building you saw to the W as you approached the docks. "Ah reckon he's the one who sent for y'all. "
The same man replies to Urga "We've got a tavern here, the Bottoms Up. It's over over there. " and he points across the town square (which in the case of this town is pretty much just an area of well trampled dirt which lies off the docks and has a number of businesses around it) to the NE a bit.
Narissa gives the man a smile and a tip of her head. "Much obliged." On the way across the town to the temple, she slips into the general goods store and buys a bag of rock candy. Any kids who come up to her trying to do hand stands, or just ask her about her height or anything else like that she'll give a piece of candy and then mock roar at them.
When Bandersnatch tries to pretend to be a kid to get candy, she'll hand him the whole bag, and then tell the kids that Bandersnatch is now the candy guy.
The general goods store is at the north end of the square, a bit out of your way, but you could go there without it being a great deal out of your way. This town really is quite small.
Tirion will unobtrusively follow Narissa to the store -- where he'll buy a snack -- then to the temple.
Bander uses his sleeve of many garments to change clothes to something fitting the style is the town and he heads to the temple as well. He does keep his eye out for the sihedron tattoo man
As you head towards the temple, you can make more perception checks with DC 30.
Perception
It would seem we might be in trouble in this town... Bander will whisper to Narissa
Narissa looks down at Bandersnatch. "Nah... Just might get messy is all." She responds, her voice pitched low and her mouth turned down toward him, so it'll be harder to read her lips from a distance. "Just stay close, if trouble happens, I'll give you a heads up so you're not taken by surprise."
Bander smiles.
When I get a chance I will give myself a tattoo, perhaps some sneaking will be required!
Tition continues along quietly, oblivious to what the others are seeing...
Coming to the indicated building, you find it to be a dual use structure, both a temple of Erastil and the Town Hall.
The doors are closed, but not locked and you let yourselves in.
Puttering about inside in an older gentleman, who notices you enter with the increase of daylight from the open door.
"Ah, I don't believe I seen you folks before. You must be new around here. You don't much look like miners, trappers, or hunters, so I'm going to assume you're here for something else. I'm Maelin Shreen, priest of Erastil, and despite my protestations periodically, the Mayor of this town. What is it that I can do for you? Would you be the ones I asked the Lord Mayor to send?"
Assuming you all have included him in the symbol discussion.. "It seems the Lamia's sister's influence has spread quite far.. We will indeed have to address the issue once the other Lamia is taken care of.."
Once at the Mayor's office.. Bo gives a little bow.. "Well met Maelin.. I am Robert Hardin and these are my companions.. We are indeed here to investigate the Fort.. What if any information can you give us?"
Narissa lets the paladin do the talking. She instead leans against a wall next to a window, keeping an eye out, to see if anyone tries to sneak up and listen at the door or window. She also darts her eyes around the church, rafters, other windows, letting the group she joined do the majority of the talking. She's found her size intimidates people, and that if she stands back and doesn't interfere, they tend to pigeonhole her as 'muscle, moron, 1' and assume her only threat is his brawn.
"I'm glad to see the Lord Mayor has responded so quickly. Well actually there's not as much information to give as I would like I'm afraid. Normally we are in regular contact with personnel from the Order of the Black Arrow. They are the company that mans the fortress. They use our town for buying supplies and recreation. For a few weeks now we've seen no truck with them at all. This is very irregular. I understand with the sinking of the Paradise, there's a bit less appeal to the town now, but that wouldn't stop them coming for supplies. "
"Also there also have been many reports from hunters, trappers, and prospectors who operate out of the town that things have become a lot more dangerous in the area. Normally the Order does a good job of suppressing threats around here. In fact we've had people go missing more often than we're used to. "
With a worried look he continues "I'm almost certain something has happened to the fort. There's just too much which points towards that for it to be anything else. "
You see nothing outside of the norm for a temple of Ersatil really. There are other chambers though where the Town Hall business occurs.
Urga heads to the tavern and sits down at the bar. He lays several silver pieces down and calls out to the bartender, "Your strongest ale, sir. What news can you give me of Fort Rannick? Has there been any trouble here in the village?"
On arrival at the temple/town hall, Tirion does not enter with the rest; instead, he pulls his hoody up and starts sneaking around the outside if the building -- casing the joint, as it were -- looking for anything suspicious, or secret ways in:
Narissa smiles as she watches Tirion sneak around outside the building through the window.
Urga at the Bottoms Up finds himself a seat at the bar and gets the attention of the barkeep, a halfling. Behind the bar is a platform so that the proprietor can serve people at the normal height bar.
He comes over to the new client and flash of coin, bringing along a freshly poured ale.
"I see you a new here good sir. Has there been trouble in the village? Well some might say that, but I'd say it was merely karma. The floating casino the Paradise sank recently, though it regretfully took some of our townfolk to the bottom of the lake with it. That den of iniquity merely got what it was due from Erastil. As for real trouble, well it seems that the local rangers who patrol have been rather shoddy at their duties of late. My customers have not stopped grumbling about that for the last couple weeks. Used to be the countryside around here was close to tame. Not so much anymore. Need any food to keep that ale company?"
"I see.. Well i suppose we'll be heading out at first light to investigate.. Have you had any other odd occurrences in town recently? Anyone acting strange or out of the ordinary? And what of this sinking? It assume it was some sort of boat?"
"People acting odd? No, not that I know of. As for the sinking, yes that was the Paradise, it was a gambling boat. It sat out on the lake outside the town and did quite a brisk business. Used to get a good number of the townsfolk as well a people from surrounding areas as patrons. I can't say I felt it was particularly good for the moral fiber of the region though. It was run by a strikingly beautiful woman names Lucretia who apparently went down during the sinking. Nobody is quite sure how it sunk. "
He appears to be telling the truth.
"Interesting.. Probably for the better that such a thing is gone.. To bad people died in the accident though.. Well thanks for your time.. I'll report back after we visit the fort.."
Urga nods at the bartender and slides him a gold piece. ". How did the barge sink? "
Urga scans the other patrons in the bar for anything of interest.
Going back I realize I cut off the signature on the note you found with the snake lady. It was signed 'Lucretia'.
Hmm, that just makes it too easy putting that there.
Urga nods at the bartender and slides him a gold piece. ". How did the barge sink? "
"Well I don't really know that anyone is completely sure. I'm thinking it was the judgement of Ersatil for people going away from his teachings. Of course that might sound a touch hokey. "
You don't notice anything odd on the other patrons. They do seem a bit intimidated by you, but you are kind of huge and well armed and armored.
Meeting back up with everyone.. "I have a feeling this boat that sank was owned by the Lamia's sister.. Good riddance imo.. Her influence has obviously spread to the town.. We must get up there and end this before more are corrupted.."
Narissa nods. "So, first order of business is to go to this outpost and kick the ass of whatever stopped the guys in it from keeping the local area cleaned up. Come back to town, kick the ass of anyone with a tattoo, and finally find some replacements for the guys in the outpost. Sound right?" She looks thoughtful. "As to the gambling den, I doubt we've been lucky enough that someone took out an enemy for us. I wonder if the owner didn't sink it herself to cover her moving on to some other job, now that she's got agents in town..."
Tirion rejoins the team when they walk out of the temple/town hall, unaware that any halfway perceptive observer could have monitored his sneak around the place: he gets the scoop and considers for a while:
"If the proprietor if the ship moved to the fort, perhaps we can quell the scourge afflicting this town by drawing all the minions to their leader. I would prefer to keep the inevitable violence we bring away from those not involved with the cult..."
While at the bar a Elven woman dressed in studded leather armor, carrying a bow, comes up to Urga and introduces herself "Hello, I'm Shalelu Adnosanna. I'm also interested in what is occurring at Fort Rannick. If you are to be traveling that way, might I tag along? I am familiar with this area, and could be useful as a guide. I am looking for my stepfather, and I believe he is stationed at the fort. "
Urga sizes Shalelu up and then nods. "Fine with me, but I am part of a team. Let's discuss with them. I'm Urga, by the way"
Urga finishes his ale in a mighty quaff and then leaves the tavern, motioning for Shalelu to follow.
When he finds the others he introduces Shalelu to the group.
"Shalelu seeks her stepfather at Fort Rannick. I figure we could use a guide."
Narissa raises an eyebrow at the new person, but doesn't say much. She just grunts. If anyone says anything about the cult, or tattoo's, or who they are working for back in Alkenstar while the elf is around, she'll loudly cough (and with her frame, a cough is both loud and attention getting).
Tirion is a little leery:
"How did you find out about us?"
Bander also is wary, but unlike his brother is not distracted by thenkitten playing outside
"Find out about you? I don't know what you mean. I just heard Urga here asking about the Fort. I happen to want to go there, and things have gotten pretty dangerous in the wilds around here lately. "
Nobody finds any prevarication in her tale.
Bo greets the woman heartely.. "Well met Shalelu! I have no issues with you joining us, however I must ask permission to scan you for evil intentions.. If you are fine with that and are clean you may join us.."
"Go ahead. I don't have anything to hide. "
She does not detect as evil.
Narissa smacks Bo on the back. "Careful how you phrase that, some girls might take that as meaning more than you meant... scan them and make sure they're not dirty..." She laughs heartily.
Lets go! Can you tell us anything about where we are headed? What to expect?
"The fort is located at the foothills of Hook Mountain. That mountain is notorious as ogre territory. The fort was established to keep the ogre bands under control. If the fort is down like many think , I definitely think we'll be seeing ogre trouble. "
Urga turns to the group. "It's settled then, she will travel with us. Are we ready to depart for Fort Rannick?"
Lets move!
Bandersnatch adds a false tattoo on his upper forearm
"Right well all is good.. Let us be going.."
Narissa nods and gathers up her gun and pack.
You set out on the road northeast to Fort Rannick.
As you are crossing a bridge along the way Narissa hears the noise of a wounded animal from the woods nearby. Sounds like a large cat most likely.
Narissa holds up a hand. "Hang on a minute, sounds like a wounded feline. I'm a hunter, wounded animals are dangerous. Never leave a wounded animal if you can help it. Plus it's a waste. Besides, it might give us a clue as to what's making the area so dangerous. If it's got poison bolts or arrows in it, it's humanoid. If it's got bite or claw marks, we'll get a clue to the animal."