Shards of the Titanswar

Game Master EldonG

What makes you think you know?

A hunch. Lol

Well, let's get proof before we confront him. OK? Any ideas how we could get that proof?
Eldon, How well do I know Hortense, if any?
Knowledge Local D20 + 6 = 7 + 6 = 13

Doran walks up with Cauis once in a private place alone with the sheriff and starts to recount the story of the gruesome events that took place the night before. He waits for interjection from the group, pausing briefly and says:

Words do not describe the agony poor Gotson must be going through, I offer my services until this is resolved. Monsters that will kill an entire can't be left to roam without recompense.

Liandoli keeps her face a mask but the rage boils inside her. I shall bring this monster down.

Aya that was ooc. Reiko has no suspicions of Hortense at the moment.

I only just noticed that when I put that in a spoiler, it changed the text from blue to bold. My bad. I probably should have posted that in the discussion thread anyway.

ok. I did not know about the ooc feature built into this software. Thanks for pointing it out to me.

Not a problem. I'm still learning all the pbp stuff too

Sheriff Perton quickly gathers you into Manton's sitting room, leaving a deputy at the wagons, and dragging Manton in shortly after you've started with the explanation. Farmer Gotson sits quietly and somberly, and verifies your story.

Shame this leader got away. OK...the killin' was justified. Somethin' strange goin' on. Any ideas?

The sheriff lights up his pipe and looks at the group...especially those with elven blood.

Does Aya have any knowledge of cult activity or any other unusual activity in the area?
Knowledge local d20+6 = 8+6 = 14

Has anyone said anything about any activity at the ruins that Aya has heard?

Reiko notices the look the Sheriff gives him, and nods politely.

Never in my training have I come across this particular type of summoning ritual. The runes on the stone were ancient, and the stone... absorbing the blood.... I would like know if you have a library, or some kind of record of the history of this area. I get the feeling this is an old magic, and that may be the best place to look. Aya is also onto something, I think. If there is cultist activity going on, they may have a headquarters in something like those ruins.

He leans forward in his chair.

My biggest concern though, is this: What if there are more of those stones? What if the cultists kill again?

I agree with the El... not wanting to offend pauses then continues. I agree with Reiko that these cultists need to be stopped. I don't know if they would be brazen enough to attack the town but with this many non-locals the assailants can hid in plain sight. I think the folks need to be warned at the very least so they are on guard. Being that these cultists are sacrificing people on ruin alters, abductions should be a concern as well. I'm not convinced this is a small order either. They seemed organized and very indoctrinated, its unlikely that is belief stems from one man.

turning to the elves as if they were scholars Maybe we should investigate what known religions preform ritualistic sacrifice as a starting point?

That's a great idea, Doran. There has to be some way to find if any such religions have a semi local base, as well.

Well...I'll leave all that up to you. I think I have funerals to arrange.

The sheriff looks over at Gotson, then up at Manton, who nods.

Borrow my space here for a while. I'll bring food...and pitchers of ale.

Manton disappears up front for a while...to return with a heaping platter, three pitchers... and mugs.

Manton, This is great. Thanks much.

Eldon, when we tracked the leader to the road could we tell which way he was heading, North or South?

Antonio grins as he accepts the food and drink.
"Ah! Thank you Manton! That will hit the spot certainly. Especially after yesterday's business..."
His smile fades a bit at that last, but doesn't prevent him from savoring the fine food and drink.

Doran doesn't miss the opportunity to make his fill of food, more food and some ale. He's cautious to not drink to much as to keep his wits about himself. Manton, you are a most generous host... Doran's voice is grim but the thankful sediment isn't lost.

The leader was heading south.

A little description of the room...there's one long table...plenty of sturdy chairs...a bookshelf and desk on the far wall, and a set of cabinets next to the entry door. A huge sketch of the village hangs on the front wall.

The room is a meeting room as much as anything.

Reiko accepts the food and drink with politeness, but tears into it like an animal. After his initial hunger is sated, he speaks up.

So, Antonio, Aya, Liandoli, is there anywhere around here we can do some research into the runes? Someone should also ask around about the ruins. It'd be easier for a local, I'd bet.

He looks contemplatively into his mug of ale for a minute.

Doran, you tracked the leader south, what lies in that direction that could suffice as a hideout?

I followed the trail until i hit the road, i saw he was heading south but I didn't think it wise to aimlessly follow without any direction. I don't know what lies further to the south, I'm also new to these lands

I agree with you there, it was best to return than follow a cold trail, I think. But we at least have a direction, and a lead of sorts. You locals, what lies to the south of where Doran tracked him to?

Trying to remember out of game. We traveled north from town to the farm with the stone. Right? And we passed the ruins on the way to the farm.

Trufax. That would make the ruins right on his path. Looks like that is a very good chance of being his hideout.

Since the cult leader headed south from the farm and the old ruins on the lake shore are between here and there, possibly the only reasonable place for him to have gone, I suggest we explore them. Want do you all think?

Not my first choice. Cauis sighs. But it is the most likely place besides here in town, and I'd rather not think one of the villagers capable of such carnage against a neighbor. We should consider an early start, perhaps after our meal here. I'd not relish the thought of exploring the runes in the dark.

It's worth a shot to explore the haunted ruins.
We should first find out if any of the cultists we caught were local or foreign; maybe the sheriff would know.

[b] I do not recognize any of them, but I have been out of town for quite a while during my apprenticeship.[/b}

If its mid day or later Doran will suggest to stave of the voyage until the next morning, if its still early morning he pushes to leave at once.

It is mid-day, indeed. The platter...which gets replaced when it runs low, is lunch.

I agree with Doran. Let's finish eating, check in with the Sheriff and hit the road to the ruins.

If it's possible...the sturdy older man looks like he's about to break down...I'd like to bury them this afternoon. It's a beautiful day...I know the priest is here, but he'll be busy...all day tomorrow...and the next, with the ceremony...I can't just leave 'em around...the good farmer collapses for a moment, sobbing...

If...if you could...just all stay...long enough for...a simple ceremony...up on the slope...

Farmer Gotson looks around at you all, hopeful.

I'll speak to the priest. I'm sure he will.

Manton places the next tray and more pitchers on the table, replacing empties, and heads back out.

Liandoli puts a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "I do not hold to the old gods, but I hold to the spirits of the land and can help perform such a ceremony if you wish me to. I know a little something about honoring the dead."

Doran nods at the farmers request, hes ashamed of himself for not taking the farmers mourning into account.

Certainly, we can stay for the ceremony. I am honored that you ask us to come with you in your moment of grieving. After eating the fabulous meal offered by Mantor, Aya finds a quiet corner and takes out her spellbook and parchment and starts scribing an Enlarge scroll. You have noticed that is what she does whenever she has a bit of 'extra' time each day.

Farmer Gotson looks up at Liandoli....I do want the priest...he's known 'em a long time...but...if you'd say something...for the spirits...I'd be honored.

I shall stay as well, Mr. Gotson. I wish there was more I could have done... This... is the least I can do now.

Within the next few hours, the priest is contacted, volunteers dig three graves, and Miriam and her aunt and family make it into the village. They get quietly led up the slope, not far from the old graveyard...the village filled it up over a century ago, back when things were not as peaceful.

Manton comes back to guide the group upslope...the cart is led up by a deputy.

Antonio lays his hand on Gotson's shoulder.
"Of course we will. It's the least we could do." He assured the grieving farmer.

He attends the burial along with the others, his head bowed and his hat in his hands.

Aya goes with the group of mourners and stays quiet and solemn.

Knowledge local D20+6 = 15+6 = 21