"We should definitely assume there's more at play here. Sh!t." Jak grunts quietly.
Sh!t. Sh!t. Then more sh!t." He pauses as he looks at their findings and reconciles it to his mental map of the town. "Well, I guess we know that their deaths aren't in order of their luck... which means it's more likely to do with something else. Maybe they didn't pay? Maybe they were having a change of heart?"
He considers for a second, "If Philmore was killed first, maybe it was tied to him considering giving or selling back the land. The only event I can think of that coincides with the Pegasons murders is our meeting with them."
”Then there’s the method of death. Philmore was killed by blades, which that creepy-ass doll certainly had.”
"Wouldn't hurt to ask around town to see if anyone collects dolls. Philmore's death was rather low on the body, so I suppose if there was a doll that did that one as well, it would be reasonable at least."
Marcus shakes his head at Lyrica's suggestion.
I disagree--the town mayor is going to have a lot of pull around here, much more than us strangers. Best not to confront him until we have more evidence. I think we should talk to the others first. I also think, just in case, we should hold onto the scraps of this here doll. Maybe Victahana can tells us who might have the skill to create this thing.
"We should definitely assume there's more at play here. Sh!t." Jak grunts quietly.
Sh!t. Sh!t. Then more sh!t." He pauses as he looks at their findings and reconciles it to his mental map of the town. "Well, I guess we know that their deaths aren't in order of their luck... which means it's more likely to do with something else. Maybe they didn't pay? Maybe they were having a change of heart?"
He considers for a second, "If Philmore was killed first, maybe it was tied to him considering giving or selling back the land. The only event I can think of that coincides with the Pegasons murders is our meeting with them."
”Then there’s the method of death. Philmore was killed by blades, which that creepy-ass doll certainly had.”
"Wouldn't hurt to ask around town to see if anyone collects dolls. Philmore's death was rather low on the body, so I suppose if there was a doll that did that one as well, it would be reasonable at least."
I hope, for everyone's sake, that if it was a doll that killed Philmore too, that it was the same doll we just smashed. If there's even one more of those things running around town, things are going to get even uglier.
The Bonesetter cross-references the 'lucky' time with other events in the town registries. There didn't seem to be any unusual births, deaths, or visitors - particularly related to the 6 families - at least none that made it into the official documents. It does look as if the two years before the lucky year were marked by meager crops and a spate of unseasonably cold weather, according to the farmers' almanac.
Jak nods along to the conversation. ”The fact that the Pegasons died just after we talked to them makes me think that whoever’s pulling the strings is here in town… or at least has a way of monitoring things. Whatever we decide to do, we should keep that in mind. There are a handful of families on that list who may be decent people just mixed-up in the wrong thing… it’d be nice to keep them alive if we can.”
He nods to Marcus, ”Having Victahana take a look at the doll is a good idea. If she’s anything like Zarzanna, she has some tricks she may be able to use in our favor. If she’s actually in on this, maybe whoever goes can catch some evidence of her involvement… doll parts or needles or something.”
He looks over at Marcus and Zeke, ”Can you guys think of any way that maybe the fields themselves might shed some light on what we’re dealing with? Is it possible to see how the crops are being improved? Might help us get some more clues as to what it is that’s powering this whole thing. Other than that, I have no good ideas." He shrugs helplessly, "I’m afraid that continuing our interviews openly will only get people killed, but i don't know how else to move this thing forward.”
"”Can you guys think of any way that maybe the fields themselves might shed some light on what we’re dealing with? Is it possible to see how the crops are being improved? Might help us get some more clues as to what it is that’s powering this whole thing. Other than that, I have no good ideas."
"I would be willing to investigate the fields. I'm not afraid of what we'll find. Well, maybe a little, but if we all stick together that should be fine. I am interested in seeing what Mayor Trannyth has on his property, or maybe even his barn?"
"Sounds good, Lyrica. Aerik, you know about plants and crops and stuff, right? Mind going with her? Marcus can come with me to see the witch. If you don't mind, Marcus."
A thought seems to strike him, "This is a shot in the dark, but do any of the records indicate when the mayor was elected?"
"I'm not sure what we'll find at the farms, but only one way to find out is to go and investigate. Depends on how they're being changed. Be careful while at this Victahana's. If there is another of those dolls around, you'd be in a might bit of trouble if you get caught the two of you alone."
"Personally, I would feel much better if we all stuck together. At this point, I'm not even going to dare step outside without my armor on!"
A quick look through the records indicates Davril has been mayor for nearly 20 years.
"Sounds good, Lyrica. Aerik, you know about plants and crops and stuff, right? Mind going with her? Marcus can come with me to see the witch. If you don't mind, Marcus."
I'm...not so sure that's a good idea. I mean, I'll go with you when it's time, sure, but I agree with Lyrica--we need to stay together, 'case any more of those dolls are lurking about. Maybe we should tell Father Galt what we've found here with the crops before we check out any more houses, though like as not he already knows.
Marcus reflects on his sweep of the fields previously, now considering the new information uncovered. Something that didn't strike him before, hits him now. It is early spring yet he and Aerik passed through well-ripened fields of corn and strawberries - summer crops. Comparing his memory to the field map, it appears the suspiciously abundant crops were in the Fletcher and Tull fields.
As the group discusses what to do next, Marcus gives another half-hearted glance at the records and field map. He suddenly remembers the vibrant strawberry fields he and Aerik passed on the way to Victahana's, and a memory, long-forgotten, comes back to him.
Eras was not much more than a babe, rocking gently in his mother's arms. Marcus had good fortune that year and was able to procure some strawberries in a trade with the Howells. Cassi was over, and she and Heather were playing a game--Marcus was the mean old bear who tried to take their berries, but the berries were magic. If they could kiss the bear, he'd turn nice and be their friend. Marcus played his part well enough at first, but after awhile he fell laughing as the girls covered his beard in sticky red juice. He hugged the girls and looked up to see Mira smiling back at him.
Marcus tried to hold onto the memory as long as he could, but the gravity of the situation pulled him back to the present.
Fletcher...Tull--they've got corn and strawberries, and a healthy amount at that. Me'n Aerik saw 'em earlier, but it must've slipped my mind when we came upon Victahana. It's too early in the year for strawberries. Those folks are probably next.
"Fletcher...Tull--they've got corn and strawberries, and a healthy amount at that. Me'n Aerik saw 'em earlier, but it must've slipped my mind when we came upon Victahana. It's too early in the year for strawberries. Those folks are probably next."
"Well, let's not waste any time! Let's go and have a visit with them. At the very least, we can investigate their fields!"
"Let's go before someone else gets attacked."
Jak nods along. It was not the first time someone had labelled his idea as rash, so he was fine going along with the group.
"So, Fletchers first?" It's obvious he picked the name at random.
"So, Fletchers first?"
"As you wish, Jak. Then let's go find these Fletchers!"
Lyrica leads the others across town to find the Fletchers.
Jak grins mischievously as they walk, "You granting wishes, now, Lyrica?" He looks her up and down then raises his eyebrows at her quickly, "This could get fun."
"Don't get any funny ideas, Jak Howell! Do you always think that way? We are just friends and that is it! Come on, let's just go and find the Fletcher's."
If the rest of the company is willing, Lyrica will lead the way.
Our heroes leave the Inn and head to the Fletcher's house, which is located just South of the Tull fields, across the road from the Tull compound. The Fletcher residence is large but unpretentious. From poring over the records, you know the master of the house is a man named Fruhand Fletcher who is in his early 40's. As you walk along the road, from a distance, you see no one fitting that description. Rather, sitting alone on the porch and staring in the general direction of the still-smoking Pegason home, is a rather comely brunette woman barely past her 20th year. She weeps silently and pays you no mind.
Jak is searching for a response when he catches sight of the young woman.
Hmmm... Jak thinks with a mental shrug, daughter would have been better.
He marches up, doing his best friendly neighbor impression as he smiles a small, warm smile. "Miss Fletcher?" He stops a respectful distance from the porch, "You alright?"
He follows her gaze, "Terrible, isn't it?"
She nods and speaks distractedly, clearly missing the appellation Jak pinned to her, "It's horrible, so much death. Has the world gone mad? Why is this happening?"
Marcus approaches sheepishly, shifting slightly as he broaches the uncomfortable topic.
Well, ma'am, we were hoping you or your husband might be able to help us make sense of all this. Is he home? Can we speak with him?
"Fruhand is with the elders, taking stock of what's happened. I think they're at the Tulls but they could be checking on the injured... I just don't know. How could I help you understand this?" She seems genuinely confused at the idea.
Jak casts a look back at the group at the mention of the Tulls, raising his eyebrows emphatically before turning to resume his study of the woman.
He walks forward carefully, slowly, hands clasped behind his back… non-threateningly. ”I don’t know. Is there anything you can tell us about recent events or what’s happening to this town?” He pauses just a few steps from her, leaning toward her slightly and emphasizing the words. ”Anything at all. This town is at stake.”
The girl looks to each person with wide eyes, and seems to think frantically about the question. "I... I really can't think of anything I know. There was the moon changing and the dead walking. It's all been a nightmare. It was scary but everyone was courageous and said we could handle it... but after the dead were stopped... I don't know... I was relieved, a lot of us were. But some people seemed, I don't know, even more worried maybe - even though the threat was gone. Fruhand was so confident at first. But some time after the fighting, there was a day when he just lost his heart. And others too looked changed. Philmore withdrew. Yenamro - Master Waveharp - started drinking a lot..."
She looks to you with hope in her eyes, "But that could just be that he, they, were putting on a strong front and then when the danger passed their true feelings came out, right?" If she is lying, it is a masterful job.
""It's horrible, so much death. Has the world gone mad? Why is this happening?"
"We are doing our best to figure it out, Mrs. Fletcher. If you don't mind me being so direct, could you kindly tell us how well your crops have been doing for the past several years? Do you recall any event that helped improve the yield?"
"Fruhand's fields are rich. We've only been married for a year... so I really don't think of them as mine, to be honest." She thinks on the second question. "His crops have been good since I was little, to hear my Pa talk on it. What kind of event could help with crops? I know every farmer in the village has talked to the witch at one time or another." She makes a symbol to avert evil. "Maybe she did something?"
And another one quick to cast the shadow of doubt on Victahana, Marcus thinks, observing the discussion.
Well, ma'am, it'd be best if you heard more about his doings from Fruhand himself. Would you come with us to the Tull's? It's not safe to be here by yourself, not after what we've seen today. Come to think of it, d'you mind if we have a quick look around in your house? Just make sure everything's safe?
The big man's tone is courteous, but firm, more of a demand than a request.
"My husband left me in charge of the house, sir. I'll not abandon it. But I'll take it as a kindness if you look around."
Jak pauses, lost in thought, ”Hold on a second. You said there was a day when a few people… your husband, Philmore, a few others… just changed. When was that? Also, who’s your pa?”
He looks over at the group, ”Maybe a quick check of the house is smart.”
He shifts back to Mrs. Fletcher, though, concern etched on his face. ”And while I completely understand your desire to watch over your home in your husband’s absence, today is no day to be alone. Surely your husband would put your safety over the safety of your house? We need to talk to him. Quickly if possible, and I really would prefer if you came with us.”
Jak pauses, lost in thought, "Hold on a second. You said there was a day when a few people... your husband, Philmore, a few others... just changed. When was that? Also, who’s your pa?"
"Well, it was the day the town finished the spring plantings in the southern fields... so that was a week and a half ago. And that was about a week after the last of the undead were destroyed." She looks curious at Jak's follow-up question. "My pa is Sassel Whithe, a freehold farmer gifted land by my husband. We were tenant farmers before that." The deal struck seems obvious, Fruhand got himself a young and pretty wife, and the Whithe family became landholders.
He looks over at the group, "Maybe a quick check of the house is smart."
He shifts back to Mrs. Fletcher, though, concern etched on his face. "And while I completely understand your desire to watch over your home in your husband’s absence, today is no day to be alone. Surely your husband would put your safety over the safety of your house? We need to talk to him. Quickly if possible, and I really would prefer if you came with us."
"I'll be pleased if you'd make sure the house was safe." She points to the Tull compound just across the track. "My husband, you'll probably find him there. I... I'll be fine here."
Jak nods and begins moving towards the front door. As he moves past the woman—and on a whim—he mutters a few words, using one of his ma's tricks to see if any magical auras persist on Mrs. Fletcher.
If nothing, Jak enters the front door, checking to see what the most efficient way of searching it might be.
Marcus frowns at the woman's reticence, but makes no attempt to force the issue with her. The big man follows Jak into the house, blessed axe at the ready and searching high and low. Without turning to look at Howell, the lumberjack speaks quietly when out of earshot of Mrs. Fletcher:
The dead rising, and children's poppets murdering whole families, and this one thinks it a good idea to remain home alone. Some folk just ain't open to common sense. You think she's hidin' something?
Jak looks back to make sure they’re not being overheard, then shakes his head. ”Not intentionally. I think she’d come with us if she didn’t have a more compelling reason to sit tight.. my guess is her husband told her to. I certainly didn’t get the feeling she’s hiding anything.”
He regards the house, ”I guess we should try to be quick. Let’s see if we can focus on what we know. Important documents. Agreements. Anything that seems to connect Fletcher with the others on that list.” There’s a pause, then he looks at Marcus, ”I guess it wouldn’t hurt to keep an eye out for anything that looks like it could be used to make one of those creepy dolls, either.”
""Well, it was the day the town finished the spring plantings in the southern fields... so that was a week and a half ago. And that was about a week after the last of the undead were destroyed."
"Mrs. Fletcher, can you tell me about the undead that were destroyed. Do you know what exactly they were and who destroyed them? Where exactly were they first discovered?"
She points to the mountains to the northeast, in the vague direction of Dies Drear. "Most everything came from that way. I can't say what they were. I don't know anything about the dead... 'cept they should stay in the grave. Father Galt said there were zombies." She thinks briefly. "The fighting was all north or northeast of the village, among the fields. I wasn't in the fighting but most of the men, and some women, fought with whatever tools they had in hand. Many people said Mordecai and Father Galt did the village proud."
While Lyrica keeps Mrs. Fletcher talking on the porch, Jak and Marcus quickly walk through the house, searching for anything obvious. You find no sign of disturbances, no vicious hell-dolls, no materials used in the construction of a hell-doll, and nothing untoward. Unlike the Pegason's, there is no dedicated office in the house. What papers of interest you find are loose notes dealing with expected profits from the next crop of corn and some fledgling ideas where to invest the money.
After the search, Jak looks over at Marcus, "I got nothing. May be nothing to find. May be we just don't know what to look for." He gives a helpless look, "On to the Tulls' place?"
Yeah, the place seems safe for now. Still think she should come with us, but no sense arguing the point further. Let's go.
""I got nothing. May be nothing to find. May be we just don't know what to look for." He gives a helpless look, "On to the Tulls' place?"
"Nothing? I tried to keep the Missus distracted so you could look around. You really didn't find anything? Oh well. Let's go on to the Tulls' place."
Our heroes cross the road to the Tull compound . It is easily one of the largest houses in town and is surrounded by a stacked stone and mortar wall with three gates set in it. Within the compound is a small vegetable garden, several trees, a chicken coop, and a small stable. The house itself is set near the northeastern wall and is a freshly painted two story affair.
The main gate is half open and the team can see a number of locals at tasks inside - tending the garden, carrying message to and from the house, etc. There is a small knot of people close to the house holding a tense discussion. It seems to be about the events in town - who's been hurt, what additional defensive measures should be taken, etc.
You recognize the Mayor (Davril Trannyth), the Inn's owner (Regis Ahhn), and the peasant farmer Mordecai, among other people you may have seen but have never formally met. Your presence does not go unnoticed and the Mayor quickly waves you over and makes quick introductions.
He indicates an older patrician woman with grey hair, sharp features, and her hair pulled back severely. "This is Glinnora Tull and her husband Hugh - two of our leading citizens." The latter you assume is the older man standing next to Glinnora. He is also sharp-featured but carries himself far less regally.
The Mayor continues, "And this is Fruhand Fletcher, gentleman-farmer." Fletcher is a bear of a man with flinty eyes, wiry eyebrows, and a scowl that could curdle milk... in the teat.
They all make noises of polite greeting to your group, except for Mordecai who merely nods, before the Mayor pushes on, "We were just trying to figure out our next steps here... and frankly we're a bit lost. Hopefully that doll was the end of the matter, but we want to err on the side of caution. Unfortunately, it seems we can't agree on how best to defend ourselves from evil toys. Do you have any ideas?"
"Nothing? I tried to keep the Missus distracted so you could look around. You really didn't find anything? Oh well. Let's go on to the Tulls' place."
Jak’s tone is deadpan, ”Great. Next time you do the looking, and I’ll stand around chit-chatting on the porch with the pretty, vulnerable girl.”
As they enter the Tull compound, Jak gives an appraising whistle as he looks at the different workers and features of the place. ”Tulls ain’t hurting. Need to see if he’s a gambling man.”
When they’re waved over, Jak smiles warmly and joins the conversation, carefully watching each of the Albridgemen’s reactions to their arrival.
Jak nods respectfully as the different people are introduced, continuing to smile warmly and generally put them at ease. ”I'm Jak. It’s nice to meet everyone." He meets Mordecai's eye levelly, respectfully, "Mordecai. These are certainly terrible times, but I’m constantly impressed with how you folks are handling it. I’ve heard good stories. And we’d be happy to help out thinking through some precautionary measures. At least we’ll do our best.”
Jak nods respectfully as the different people are introduced, continuing to smile warmly and generally put them at ease. "I'm Jak. It’s nice to meet everyone."
Jak learned long ago to compare what people say to what their expressions and body positions say. In this assembled gathering, some reactions ring false and some ring true. Davril (the Mayor) seems pleased to see them. Regis (the innkeeper) seems relieved, hopeful, and friendly. The old man, Hugh Tull looks worried about the events in town and his greeting is perfunctory and distracted - understandably. Mordecai has always been an open book - from the first day you met him when he was tempted to put a hoe upside Lyrica's head. He seems pleased to see you and relieved at your appearance as you have all proven yourself more than competent. In fact, given his subtle change in stance upon your arrival, you think he has far more respect for you than the members of the town council. You realise he is listening in to the discussion but wasn't really an invited part of it. More interesting than that is the old woman, Glinnora Tull. Her tone is friendly but her body is saying otherwise. She's weighing you and weighing her words. She seems relieved for your aid but not happy about it, and is worried about your involvement as much as she is about the threat to the town. The bearish Fruhand Fletcher is polite but seems suspicious of you. He also seems more positive than his wife's words would indicate. Possibly, he thinks the doll was the end of the threats.
He meets Mordecai's eye levelly, respectfully, "Mordecai. These are certainly terrible times, but I’m constantly impressed with how you folks are handling it. I’ve heard good stories. And we’d be happy to help out thinking through some precautionary measures. At least we’ll do our best."
Mordecai nods back. "'Preciate the help. You just let me know what needs doin' and I'll get people on it."
The Mayor raises an eyebrow at that but his smile never fades. "The council will, of course, act on our friends' good advice after considering it. Let's not move over-hastily."
Jak's attempt to infuse confidence in his group seems to register with Regis, Mordecai, and Hugh Tull. It is hard to say with the others.