"that man... he seemed mad, but he spoke with such surety. Should we ask about the mines? I must admit I don't much like the look of this town or its people. They have a harried air about them I don't much favor. he looks about the shrine and sighs, offering a brief prayer to the Truesayer. Torm's Truth, these people look as though they're hiding something, or that something has been hounding them.
[dice=Knowledge Religion]1d20+15
Bolkver knows that shrines within communities usually, but not always, have a dedicated keeper. That's often a layperson or two who volunteer for the work and keep it up on a part time basis, as the rest of their day permits. It's not unusual that one wouldn't be present at any given moment, particularly given the shrine is clearly maintained.
It seemed the consensuses was to secure lodgings first. Headding towards the door, Marcus said "Right then, lets go find this Inn..."
As the group leaves the shrine to find lodgings, Aldon's curiosity gets the best of him. He once more attempts to probe a mind, this time that of the wild man speaking out from his "soapbox".
Ari nods in agreement with Marcus. "Finding lodging sounds good."
"Should we ask about the mines?"
"It was suggested that cultists were responsible for the ashes being missing, so a cursed mine might be a lead. I'd rather visit the inn first, though."
Pointing at the Inn on the other side of the square from the shrine of Torm, Ranek says, "I believe that should suffice for securing lodgings. Once we are settled, we can discuss our next course of action."
"I concur, especially the part about scouting the market. You can learn a great deal from merchants."
The sign of the Copper Dwarf hung out from a building of considerable size, it's bottom story largely stone but the rest of wood with heavy framing. A surly boy scarcely old enough to shave leaned against the building's front, his dark rimmed eyes watching the company approach with disgust.
"Well met," he said, flatly. "Mounts to see to? Wagons? Dawnfry should still be warm."
"No and no and thanks, but we've eaten. 'Just in need of some rooms." Barra returns, matching the boys intonation.
"No and no and thanks, but we've eaten. 'Just in need of some rooms." Barra returns, matching the boys intonation.
"Fine," the boy said, put upon. He hauled open the door to a dim common room. The place boasted many lanterns, but every other one was dark and cold. Round tables occupied most of the floor, chairs scattered about. Straw rather past due for changing covered the floor. In the back, a fat and surly woman slowly wiped the bar.
"Rooms, no food," the boy called down.
"Well met," the woman said, forcing a smile. "Will it be the dwarf rooms then? Good, stone walls. Low ceiling."
"Aye. A dwarf room for me. I'll also have a pint o' ale, an' yer prices, o' course."
"Aye. A dwarf room for me. I'll also have a pint o' ale, an' yer prices, o' course."
"Done," the woman said, quoting her rates. "Rooms are through there," she pointed to a curtained corridor. "There's six set up as your folk like."
Ari decides to forgo alcohol, but says to the woman, "A human-sized bed is much appreciated. Thank you."
To her companions, Ari says, "Perhaps we should rest and regroup tomorrow or later today? It won't do if we get fatigued before we complete our mission."
"Aye. But nay sleepin' yet. Remember the horses. I want a watch set up. Ne'er know where the buggers who did that he."
Marcus found himself agreeing with both Ariyana and Bolkvar which suggested an uncomfortable night ahead. He told them, "Perhaps we should at that Bolkvar although I fear the ceiling might be somewhat low for me..."
Marcus wasn't actually sleepy yet so he asked the innkeeper, "We haven't quite figured out sleeping arrangements, but in the meantime could I trouble you for a flagon of small beer? Long walk this morning and I seem to have worked up a thirst, still nice day for it the weather seems to be improving..."
Marcus turned on the charm, as he attempted to engage her in meaningless small talk. With luck talk would turn to gossip, and if it didn't that would be interesting by itself.
I'll take a simple one. I don't need much.
Ranek smiles at the innkeeper. "I think I may be a bit large for the dwarf-sized rooms. Have you any human-sized?"
"Dwarf room, please", answers Thurvek.
Ranek smiles at the innkeeper. "I think I may be a bit large for the dwarf-sized rooms. Have you any human-sized?"
"That's all the rest," she said, pointing to the flight of stairs and off to another side. "Plenty open, what with no caravan yet."
Aldon smiles at the Innkeep, "How much for a chair by the fireplace in the common room?
I'll take a mug of ale as well".
The innkeeper did not make for a pleasant conversationalist. A few times, Marcus thought she had gone to dozing before she started and answered. But he got something out of her:
"The witch says all these damned headaches and dreams are gone in a tenday, thank the Watching Gods. Not a person alive that's not sick of 'em."
"Them missing young ones, probably it's the Frostmaiden -may her eyes turn from me- that took them. Ran off outside the walls to play or somesuch. Everyone knows she's keen for children, what with none of her own."
"Those wander-wits, the Silver Slayers, probably got themselves killed by bears gone out to find the little ones. Or tuskers."
Ari listens to the innkeeper's words. Even if she had gone to dozing a few times, the information she provided could still be helpful.
"What was that you mentioned about 'no caravan yet'? And who are these 'Silver Slayers' you refer to?"
Ari tilts her head a bit in Aldon's direction at his curious act, but remains silent. He hadn't used the most stealthy of techniques for his deed, but she sees no reason to proclaim his deception to others.
Ari listens to the innkeeper's words. Even if she had gone to dozing a few times, the information she provided could still be helpful.
"What was that you mentioned about 'no caravan yet'? And who are these 'Silver Slayers' you refer to?"
"It's the start of the season. Not much business until the pass clears. Probably another few days, unless the storm was worse Silverymoon way."
"And the Silvers...they're the young idiots. 'Venturers, they think. Live fast and come to a bad end like all the rest. It's been Silver Slayers, Silver Sentinels; a new name every tenday."
Aldon senses little but fatigue and irritation from the boy and the innkeeper. Both spend much time silently grumbling at the sort of cares that would normally pass the mind in an instant.
The ranting man is genuinely disturbed, battered by terror and fatigue. His thoughts are an almost exact recapitulation of his words, differing only in the normal ways of people who misspeak in a rush or out of confusion.
"Just a bench for me, thank you."
As much as Ari doesn't mind sleeping in a communal setting, having been desensitized to doing so from her time at the Ilmatari orphanage, she thinks it best to get a private room for the sake of her noble-minded companions.
"I'll take one of your private rooms, please. We'll take it one night at a time, I guess."
Ari tosses 2 gold pieces to the innkeeper.
Turning to Barra, Ari says, "I believe this belongs to you. I apologize for taking so long to return it." A moment later she hands Barra back his cloak that he had lent to her.
To everyone, Ari says, "Well, we seem to have a good part of the day remaining. Perhaps we should seek out the town's leaders and eventually check back at the shrine."
"Thank you much. I will take a private room."
Ranek hands over 2 gold to the woman, then asks, "You've been plagued by headaches and dreams? Can you tell me what sort of dreams?" He makes sure she can see he is holding another gold in his left hand.
Sipping on his drink, Bolkvar leaned back and listened. This talk of shared dreams was bad. Probably a curse on the entire town. He hoped to not fall prey to it himself come nightfall.
Sipping on his drink, Bolkvar leaned back and listened. This talk of shared dreams was bad. Probably a curse on the entire town. He hoped to not fall prey to it himself come nightfall.
Thurvek also takes a drink of the human ale and just shakes his head in disappointment.
Marcus didn't have coin to waste on finery, and even if he did it wouldn't have changed anything. "Thanks for the smallbeer, I'll sleep on a bench or maybe a table tonight if that OK." He hands her two shiny silver coins.
Once everything was settled for later, Marcus suggests to the others, "Right then, shall we go and find the market?"
"Thank you much. I will take a private room."
Ranek hands over 2 gold to the woman, then asks, "You've been plagued by headaches and dreams? Can you tell me what sort of dreams?" He makes sure she can see he is holding another gold in his left hand.
The woman gave Ranek a cold eye, then saw the gold.
"Just dreams. Being in the dark. Crushed in. Like something gripping on your skull and pounding. And like you're in the mines. There's no sense to it. Everyone thought it was the wizard we had staying up the winter, but he got them worse than any. Left before the storm...and not a minute too soon. Had a bunch of drunks in here set to run him out, but Andril stared 'em down with that blade I was dumb enough to let him have too young. There's a problem under my roof, you take it up with me. Not the boy and not on your own."
"Sounds rather dreadful, and must put you and others on edge. Tell me, who might this witch you referred to be, and where could I find them?" Ranek slides the gold across the counter.
"Sounds rather dreadful, and must put you and others on edge. Tell me, who might this witch you referred to be, and where could I find them?" Ranek slides the gold across the counter.
The gold disappeared.
"Utrish. She's by the Pass Gate. Got her eaves hung with charms and the place is always full of cats."
Aldon kept his emotions hidden, Dark dreams. Dark deeds. We have come to this place just in time it seems.
"I am sorry Innkeep, I did not catch your name, ears still thawing out from the cold you see. I am Aldon.
Ah, this Utrish, how is her ah, disposition?"
Ari listens to the conversation between Ranek, Aldon, Marcus and the woman. Could the witch have something to do with the horses outside of town? Perhaps it would be best to go find her before going to see the town's leaders.
"Thank you very much. You are a most excellent innkeeper." Ranek goes to put his things in his room, locking the door behind him.
Bolkvar merely nods his agreement to the plan, but doesn't waste breath repeating what was already said.
Thurvek stands behind his fellow dwarf's decision.
Aldon kept his emotions hidden, Dark dreams. Dark deeds. We have come to this place just in time it seems.
"I am sorry Innkeep, I did not catch your name, ears still thawing out from the cold you see. I am Aldon.
Ah, this Utrish, how is her ah, disposition?"
"I'm hight Trella. Utrish is... She's a gods-damned pain in the ass is what she is. Queer creature. Always on about the omens. Most keep their distance from her."
The company found Utrish's cottage just where Trella told them. It stood apart from every other building and no narrow windows faced it. Fetishes of every description hung from the thatched eaves and adorned a fence enclosing a muddy yard. At least a dozen cats lounged about, taking little interest in the new arrivals.
Thurvek takes a closer look at the various fetishes and wards hanging outside Ultrish's cottage while trying not to step on a cat.
Ari examines Utrish's cottage alongside Thurvek, but looks to see if there's anything magical or dangerous among the building's various trappings.
Ari also casts detect magic.
Bolkvar walks up front, looking about with a practical and wary eye. The last thing he wanted was to have any of them blunder into a trap, magical or mundane.
Marcus gingerly walks up to the door, knocks twice and calls out "Hello? Utrish are you there? We'd like to talk."
We mean you know harm! Hakon stands beside Marcus, exuding an air of noble and angelic confidence and support.
We mean you know harm! Hakon stands beside Marcus, exuding an air of noble and angelic confidence and support.
[dice=aid another]1d20+12
No one examining the various fetishes believed them to hide slumbering evils. They looked to be a mix of customary amulets, wards, signs, and the rest. All together they might have power if the right Art was worked upon them, in just the right way, but to judge from their weathered appearance haphazard arrangement they posed no threat to anyone.
Only mewling cats answered Marcus and Hakon for a few moments. Then the shutters on the window near the door opened a small crack, gnarled fingers appearing at their edges.
"What do you want?" a woman's voice said, resigned.
Looking at her Bolkvar suppressed a sigh. She just looked like an old woman to him. Leave it to humans to call their elders witches. Maybe she even thought she was a witch, but he still wasn't convinced. Anyways, let the Paladins talk. The knights always seemed to have silver tongues.