It's a stone thing. Looks like it come right up outta the ground. Got...weird markings...all over the sides. It ain't a natural thing. Could ya come look at it? Or maybe...I dunno...send some of the boys?
The farmer looks concerned, but not particularly flustered.
The sheriff puffs on his pipe for a moment... thoughtful... before answering... Gotson... this is festival time. You know I can't leave the village, not for a minute. Half of my boys out there are exactly that...farm boys. Good lads, but they're only deputized 'cause there ain't no way the usual would even get noticed. I got nowhere near the manpower. Maybe after the festival?
The sheriff considers again for a moment...then...Wait...I have an idea...Cauis? Maybe...you could get a group together? I know you can handle yourself... maybe the big guy, here...first looking at Cauis... then Doran...
Get a group together. I'll deputize the bunch of you...give you a couple silver each, for the week...you can pitch in when you get back...grub will be on me...well...on Manton, really. He feeds my deputies during the festival.
With that, he grins at Manton, who smiles and shrugs.
So, there's only one stone thing? What does it look like, What shape, How big?
Liandoli listens carefully to the description of the creature.
Ah well, it's big...maybe...twice as tall as a man? An' it was just sittin' there. Don't think it's livin'... just sittin' there an' the ground all tore up around it.
The farmer shrugs and accepts a mug from Manton.
Shape? Well...it's big at the bottom...real small at the top...looks like...flat sides around it. Didn't get too close.
He drinks deeply from the mug, and sighs.
I'll help. Perhaps my knowledge of the arcane can shed some light on this mysterious stone.
Reiko grabs his pack, stands up, and slings his katana over his back.
I'm ready to go whenever you are, if you'll have me, Cauis.
I think I would like to see this mysterious stone in my neighbor's field. Anyone else curious?
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Doran perks up as the sheriff looks in his direction, the opportunity to make a coin is never wasted on the mighty half orc. Plus it might give him some additional credibility with the merchant Hortense. Doran turns to manton and asks if he'd be willing to look after his things placing his backpack on the bar. He removes four throwing axes from the pack and places them into their empty sheaths on on his belt and places the great axe on his back for good measure. Sheriff I am willing and able to aid in the venture just give me the word
To think me, a lawman ha that's rich! But free food and easy money is something I won't be turning down anytime soon
"I share your curiosity. I would go to deal with this creature."
The sheriff calls to one of "his boys" there...Run over to the office and get all the tabards there are there...dig for 'em. Some might be a bit ragged, but they'll work. Snap to it.
The young man stammers out a "Yes Sir!', and is off. The sheriff spends a little time sizing everybody up with his eyes.
Pay is at the end of the week. Don't make me regret this.
Don't worry, Sheriff. Me and Aya will keep them in line. This Doran seems a good fellow, good taste in weaponry in any case. The Emissary he nods in Liandoli's direction will know if it's something from nature and the lad with the sword he indicates Reiko it would seem might be familiar with that which is not. And you know me and Aya can give it a good thumping if it gets ornery. He smiles.
While the Sheriff's man is getting us the tabbards of office, perhaps we should introduce ourselves proper-like. My name is Cauis Garnillus. I've been in the area more than a few times, and never saw anything like what the old timer described.
My name is Reiko. I hail from the Misty Isles. I am eager to help you with my knowledge of the arcane, and with my training with my blade. I am traveling to help my clan. There is a power struggle going on, and my clan needs a secret weapon, a power of some sort, something that will help us survive against the larger clans. I am traveling to find such a thing. Without it, we will fall. However, I am here, and I can help you, so my honor demands that I assist you. Besides, I have been bored as the nine hells walking around for weeks, and this will give me a chance to try out a new technique I have been working on.
Good. Now Gotson's farm is darn near ten miles up the road. I know Edie is a darn good cook, so you'll eat well, if late. If I don't see you all back sometime tomorrow, I'll assume the worst.
Within a matter of minutes, the tabards arrive. None are quite big enough for the biggest of you, or small enough for a delicate elf lady, and some are pretty threadbare, but with a little work, everybody is identifiable as a deputy.
Oh...yeah...not many rules...most of 'em really don't count until yer workin' the festival. For now, try to not kill anybody... at least...nobody anybody will miss. Damnitt, I'd hate to have to hunt y'all down.
"There is no such natural creature as this. It is a foreign entity."
"No creature shall die unless it must Sheriff Person."
My name is Aya. My family has a small farm nearby. I have recently finished my training as a wizard. Time to make use of some of that training.
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Doran stares at Reiko and just shakes his head out of both amusement and disbelief as the strange elf tells his quest to prefect strangers..... secret weapons some kind of power? This elf must be off his rocker
Walking up to Cauis the half-orc extends his hand I am pleased to meet you Cauis, we should make haste to not this strange thing unattended. Doran reaches back to Manton and says Nevermind ill need that pack afterall, if im to sleep in the wilds i rather have my things
Antonio looks up from his lunch at the commotion and immediately perks up. This looked to be way more interesting than juggling for hours on end.
He immediately jumps up and runs over to the Sheriff.
"Hey sheriff! I heard you need a hand."
He introduces himself to the others with a bow.
"I am Antonio. My dad runs a farm up the valley a ways. He was in the army a long time ago and he taught me what he knew of swordsmanship." He pats the swept hilt of his dueling sword at this.
Farmer Gotson leads the entourage up the north road...stopping for just a moment at the bridge to make sure all are present and accounted for.
Didn't expect such a crowd...such an...unusual crowd.
You wind farther north-northwest, pulling away from the lake as its shore curves more west. Some of you are used to the road past the brook that feeds the lake...Aya's family farm is maybe half a mile up...Antonio's, a mile or so farther. Farms cover the landscape, here, punctuated by copses of trees growing wild.
The above information can, of course, be shared...and a very good Knowledge: local might bring more...
Knowledge Local 16 + 6 = 22
If you look off in the distance, on the far northwestern shore of the lake you can see large keep. It's the ruins of an ancient monastery...a knightly order once protected the valley from there. It's said it was cursed when the order became corrupted, and it sank into the lake. It's partially flooded. Nobody goes there...the least of the rumors claim It's haunted.
If my memory serves me correctly the order was known as The Order of the Silver Shield. It was strong for over 250 years until the second in command...a paladin known as Sir Fain Hulstead fell and corrupted many of the order from inside.
Hubris can be a vile thing. Even the most valiant and noble warriors can be smote by it.
Liandoli listens to the information, then nods curtly and makes a few chirping noises to the hawk on her shoulder. After a moment the hawk takes off and makes its way towards the keep, circling it from a safe height.
Liandoli suddenly begins frowning. "Be on guard, there is something ahead." Liandoli puts away the quarterstaff she walks with and takes out her spear.
At the warning, Reiko visibly tenses, and the fingers on his left hand move nervously.
If there is danger, I will help in whatever way I can. My blade will strike true.
A fine day for a walk. So, how close to the Forest of Tiers is your farm, anyway, Old Timer?
The Forest of Tiers? Too darn close. Maybe...two miles? Ya can see the edge of it...from the house.
Farmer Gordon looks up, concerned. Why?
Antonio pulls out his crossbow at the warning and looks around for danger.
As you get close enough, the farmer points out his house, and the nearby barn. The house door is ajar...something that seems to bother Farmer Gotson...
Edie? You left the dag-blasted door open. Edie?
He starts moving faster when he hears no response...
Edie?
Just seems we're headed towards it, I noticed. Nothing to worry about I'm sure ins response to the farmer's query.
--Later---
Best stay back, Old Timer. This is why you asked us out here. Reiko, Doran, let's check this out. Liandoli, Aya, Antonio, watch our backs. The big man strides into the house, senses alert for danger.
"Hold." Liandoli places a shimmering hand on each person about to approach the situation. "Soves."
Aya looks carefully at the house and barn. Perception 19+5=24
Though several of you are quick to act, nothing stops Farmer Gotson from getting to the door...everyone will see soon enough What inspires him to push through, regardless.
Henk! Daron! Oh, my god! What beast did this to you?
Just inside the front room...is carnage. One young man is lying face down in a pool of blood, his throat slit open...a slightly older boy has multiple wounds, and is eviscerated... his intestines on the floor, in front of him.
Evie!
Farmer Gotson is frantic, trying to get interesting the house to find his wife.
Antonio says "I'm gonna circle around back. Make sure they can't escape if they're still in there; maybe see if there's a trail." He looks a little ill.
Liandoli quickly scans the bodies, seeing if there's any chance of them being alive and what could have killed them. Then she tries to find Evie.
Reiko draws his katana, wielding it one handed and ready to cast a spell with the other.
Guard the exits! Find what did this and bring it to justice!
The light is dim, but there are burning oil lamps in the house.
Farmer Gotson rushes in...passing through the front room...looking into the kitchen brings a desperate wail...Evie! Not my Evie, too!
A woman lies sprawled on the kitchen floor, also butchered...her arms are stretched out toward the open back door...blood trails to her...and then out the back.
Miriam! Where's my little girl!
Gotson is frantic...looking back and forth...almost frothing at the mouth.
"Auta a' i' sul. En ai hin." Liandoli's hawk takes off into the sky and begins circling around the area, searching for the girl outside while Liandoli searches inside.