Dusk listens with interest to Nerak's suppositions, but has little to add of her own.
The forest looks dark, but somehow inviting. Dusk closes her eyes momentarily, trying to remember....anything beyond a few days ago really. Why does she know the Tickwood Hag's symbol? This forest seems familiar, or at the very least...comforting.
Rick shows some interest in the local folklore. "Anyone has anything to share about this Hag?"
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Nerak previously rolled a (9) + 11 = 20.
You move away from the road and into the beginnings of the Tickwood Forest. There are signs that creatures had moved through here, this area between the road and the edge of Tickwood, but there ceases to be any real trail to follow belonging to this group of creatures once you reach the woods. Any scent they left is too long gone since yesterday. However, dog-Nerak finds quite fresh tracks belonging to a Medium humanoid. His nose tells him more specifically that it is a human. These tracks have to be less than an hour old. Dog-Nerak's ears perk up, and he starts following this new trail with vigor.
The trail leads you further into the woods, but not straight into the heart--you are moving east-southeast. The trees are closer together now, and the ambient light is not so bright under the canopy here, but not so much that it is difficult to see. It is about a half hour since dog-Nerak found the human's tracks that you crest a shallow hill and now see ahead of you this man . His attire looks like it was quite fine, once upon a time, but now it is in a sorry state, tattered and worn. You can hear him muttering in frustration, "Damnable fey! Always hindering me..."
The man appears to be of Chelaxian descent. The colors and style of his attire lead you to believe that he is likely a worshiper of Asmodeus. He looks back over his shoulder and now sees you. He turns, points, and calls out to you loudly, "You there, halt! Who are you? Are you allies of the hag?"
Dusk looks at the man. He doesn't appear threatening to her. Still she keeps her distance, and leans upon her glaive, haft resting on the earth.
"We are not - we seek creatures that recently attacked Sandpoint - signs point to them being the hag's agents. Who are you? Are you lost?"
"Asmodeus, mmm... sounds bad." Rick does nothing, knowing he needs no weapons, and lets the man answer Dusk's question. He has a bad feeling, but thinks it's of no good attacking someone that hasn't done anything yet - to his knowledge.
"Attacked Sandpoint? So, she finally did it...I told them. How many times have I told them??" At first, the man is clearly responding to Dusk Bloom's statement, but as he continues his speech becomes more like muttering to himself than a conversation with you. "Perhaps a real opportunity has come, at last. At last, the hag will pay for her crimes..." He looks at you all again and appraises you carefully. "And the town sent you after the hag?"
"No... we followed the creatures here." replies Dusk, becoming somewhat visibly irritated, hands clenching on the haft of her weapon.
" I ask again. Who are you?"
Probably someone going to meet a bad end one of these days. Estria thought. Taldor had... very little love for Cheliax in general, and while she had limited appreciation for all of her home's traits, that was one area she was firmly in agreement with. "Aaaaaaand what are you doing here?"
"I ask again. Who are you?"
"Aaaaaaand what are you doing here?"
This is not the type of man to slouch, but, somehow, he seems to straighten up even a little bit more as he hears the tone in which these two women address him. He raises one eyebrow imperiously as he answers, "I am Gregan Tanessen, of House Tanessen in Kintargo, and you will treat me with respect! As for what I am doing..." Now the haughtiness fades a little, and you see that Gregan Tanessen looks so very tired. He looks down at the longsword he holds in his right hand. Unlike the rest of his haggard appearance, the longsword gleams--it has been very well-maintained. "I seek to end the vile Tickwood Hag. Long now has it been my quest, though always frustrated. It sounds as if you do not know the way to her wretched abode. But this news you shared...perhaps I can find one who will help, at last." He looks up again, back at you, and you see his eyes have a flash of renewed vigor and purpose. "I go now to Sandpoint to find someone who can lead me to the hag. If you wish to aid me in destroying her, I will not decline your assistance. Bringing an end to her blight will be a service to decent folk throughout this land."
- - - - - - - - - - - - -
Rick seems confused. "But... is this Hag really evil?"
Estria looked at his garb for a few moments. Honestly, it took some guts to wander around outside of Cheliax dressed like that. "If you'd like to compare pedigrees, I'd be happy to oblige... and give yours precisely the respect it deserves." she said, shifting a bit to ensure her violet-hued eyes - the echo of Azlanti ancestry - were easily visible. Most Taldan children of any note whatsoever could recite their entire family tree soon after they learned to talk... the ancient empire did not treat heritage lightly, doubly so among those who could lay a credible claim to the ancient empire. Taldor had more of such people than most places - not common, exactly, but not unknown either. And if you had it, flaunt it. "But before we go mucking about in the woods, what exactly do you know of this hag? I'm sure you can appreciate the need to be... clear... about problems. And solutions."
Dusk cants her head to the side.
"Nerak. We need this fellow? Can you smell the hag out, you think?"
she whispers to Nerak.
"I had thought it long your quest to stand in the square and preach about your evil god. Have you expanded your role to hag hunting?"
Dusk cants her head to the side. "Nerak. We need this fellow? Can you smell the hag out, you think?" she whispers to Nerak.
"If you'd like to compare pedigrees, I'd be happy to oblige... and give yours precisely the respect it deserves."
Gregan's nostrils flare, but he responds calmly, "You'll not incite me to uncouth behavior with your petulance."
"I had thought it long your quest to stand in the square and preach about your evil god. Have you expanded your role to hag hunting?"
"So you've been in Sandpoint long enough to have seen me preach there? I don't recognize you. It has been five years now since I did any preaching for the Prince of Law."
Rick seems confused. "But... is this Hag really evil?"
Gregan's eyes widen in disbelief.
"But before we go mucking about in the woods, what exactly do you know of this hag? I'm sure you can appreciate the need to be... clear... about problems. And solutions."
"Yes, let me be abundantly clear. This hag is responsible for the death of my beloved. Five years have I sought to bring her to an end on my blade. Five years have the ridiculous fey creatures in this wood prevented me from completing my quest. And five years have the people of this region ignored the presence of a green hag so close to civilization!" Gregan calms again, and continues. "And now you tell me Sandpoint suffered a raid sent by the hag. Perhaps they have finally learned their lesson. At last, I might find my way to this abominable hag!"
What do I know of Green Hags?
Estria nodded slightly as she finished thinking. "Well, I suppose the illusions would make them tricky to find." she mused aloud. "I don't suppose you've prepared anything besides a blade to fight her with? Green hags are quite dangerous up close."
Rick once more tries to calm himself and think clear. "A green hag? I don't know, it sounds bad." He concludes that should be something they need to communicate, both as to have the town ready and to ask for some help, maybe. "I agree we should need to go back to town and prepare accordingly. There you can talk to whoever you need to, Gregan, and then we all will try to find this hag." He deliberately skips mentioning Sheriff Hemlock, in case there's a conflict between him and Gregan, but he intends on finding out. Sadly, not everyone Rick has met in his journeys has been totally clear about their true intentions.
Dog-Nerak snorts and shakes his doggies head at the question of whether we need this fellow. His tongue falls out of his mouth, panting and grinning, as if the idea is preposterous. After some more discussion, he rolls his eyes and finally melts back into his regular form, great-axe still in hand.
To his companions, he mutters quietly, "we don' need him, no, but more help wouldn't hurt. Don' trust 'im, though."
Louder, to the new guy, he says "If you've been tracking after the hag fer five years, what brings ye to the woods tonight? Have ye been out here every night for the last five years?"
Dusk stifles a giggle at Nerak's quip. She relaxes her grip on her glaive and waits for an equally huffy answer from this Gregan character. Given the way he has answered almost all of their queries and comments she is fairly sure she doesn't like him, but has no actual reason not to trust him. Yet.
Quitely, Kpu'Unde says "I believe this man is a fool who will lead us astray."
"If you've been tracking after the hag fer five years, what brings ye to the woods tonight? Have ye been out here every night for the last five years?"
With utter seriousness, Gregan replies, "Yes. I have not and I will not rest until she meets Hag's End," he lifts his gleaming sword to show the meaning of that name.
"I don't suppose you've prepared anything besides a blade to fight her with? Green hags are quite dangerous up close."
"I am a servant of the First, and His blessing strengthens me. If I reach the hag, my blade will be her undoing." Gregan's confidence might be more alluring if it weren't for his ragged appearance and the gruffness of his conversation with you so far.
"O....kay! I guess you may accompany us to Sandpoint, where we will accompany you to meet your contact. Agreed?" Dusk asks, the openness of her face attempting to clear the situation.
"After all, if we're going to work together, I think it's best for everyone to meet everyone else as soon as possible." Estria opined, clearly supporting Dusk.
"Okay, but first let's go to town and see what we can prepare for the upcoming fight."
"Yes! Let's do that too!" agrees Dusk with a little forced enthusiasm and a genuine smile.
And so begins a long, awkward walk back to Sandpoint.
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You come back into Sandpoint through the north gate, the same way that you left. "Where is the sheriff?" Gregan asks of the guards at the gate. "At the garrison," is the reply as the guard points southwest. That stone fortress is not visible from here because it is only a little taller than the surrounding buildings, but you can't miss it if you're in that quadrant of the town. "Very well. I go now to inform the sheriff of the need of someone to guide me to the lair of the Tickwood Hag. Come along, if you wish," he says to you.
Kpu'Unde follows the man, clearly curious to see the interaction.
Rick follows, with the intention to ask Hemlock about the hag.
Never one to shy away from enduring awkardness Dusk enjoys the uncomfortable silence as it fails to spoil this most interesting constitutional.
Estria didn't seem terribly interested in easing any awkwardness - she didn't trust the man, and with good reason. Besides, she was a student of history, and she was still offended at what Cheliax had done to that within their country. Let him feel isolated - given his choice, that was entirely appropriate.
The lot of you, plus Gregan, walk the streets to the western part of town. The Old Light looms over everything, straight ahead of you. This is the tower which local residents and most scholars figure must have been a lighthouse--but local scholar Brodert Quink is known to have a widely ill-regarded theory that it was actually a great tool of war.
As you walk, you see townsfolk going about their ordinary business. They pick up quickly after a raid--good, hardy folk. You notice people watching you as you pass and talking to each other, some pointing you out to others. You catch whispers here and there to the tune of, "Those are the ones who pulled most of the weight fighting off the raid last night!"
You reach the stone fortress that is the Sandpoint Garrison and enter the grounds. The jail is below ground in the inner structure, so it is normal for the doors to the courtyard to be open. Sheriff Hemlock is here in the courtyard, and Gregan approaches him swiftly.
"Goooood morning, Sheriff!" Estria said brightly, apparently completely concerned with the actual time outside. "Mr. Gregan here believes that he knows the source behind our problem from the festival, and some of what he said does corroborate what we've seen... uuuunfortuantely, to solve said problem, we need to head into the depths of the Tickwood. Is there anyone in town who can guide us through?"
"Estria is right" Rick quickly steps in. "We're also not sure how much we know about that "source of the problem", which seems to be an entity called the Tickwood Hag."
Rick waits 2 seconds and checks for any tell-taling reaction in Hemlock.
"Is there any information you can give us about it?"
"Mr. Gregan here believes that he knows the source behind our problem from the festival, and some of what he said does corroborate what we've seen... uuuunfortuantely, to solve said problem, we need to head into the depths of the Tickwood. Is there anyone in town who can guide us through?"
"Estria is right," Rick quickly steps in. "We're also not sure how much we know about that "source of the problem", which seems to be an entity called the Tickwood Hag. Is there any information you can give us about it?"
Sheriff Hemlock looks up as Estria addresses him first. When he sees Gregan, you can tell that Hemlock recognizes the man, and he gets a tired look on his face. You notice a couple of guards not far off on the grounds eyeing Gregan with a look of distaste. Hemlock then looks surprised when Rick says the Tickwood Hag seems to be the source of the raid. Before he can begin to reply, however, Gregan starts in.
"I told you long ago, Sheriff, that the Tickwood Hag was a menace not to be ignored! Now," he points at you all, "I hear from them that Sandpoint was raided last night, and that creatures beholden to the Hag were those that carried it out. You have dismissed my righteous plea for assistance before, Sheriff, and do you see what has happened? I demand that this threat to civilization be dealt with! Provide a woodsman who can lead us through the forest to the Hag's lair, and I will put an end to her!"Hemlock listens stoically until Gregan finishes. You see that the two guards who had been watching Gregan from a ways off are now speaking quietly to each other.
"Is that everything?" the sheriff asks quietly, with a look that reminds you of a stern father. "You did not choose to share with me that you suspected the Tickwood Hag of being involved in last night's raid," he says, looking at Estria, Dusk Bloom, Nerak, Rick, and Kpu'Unde in turn. "You should have. Now, explain to me what leads you to believe that the raid was orchestrated by the Tickwood Hag."
"Very well." He eyes you all again, along with Gregan. "Come with me. We are going to discuss your findings with the mayor."
Hemlock leads you out of the Garrison and eastward from the gate, crossing Main Street to arrive at Town Hall. Inside, you ascend the grand staircase to the second floor and continue to follow Hemlock down a hallway. When you arrive at the door to the mayor's office, Hemlock knocks. You hear the voice of Mayor Kendra Deverin call out, "Come in!" Hemlock then faces you, gestures at a couple wooden benches, and says, "Wait here," before he enters the office and shuts the door behind him.
As the group is walking towards the Town Hall, Kpu'Unde suddenly states, rather loudly in a voice that sounds like a much older version of himself, "Though green she may be, she serves not the Mother."
Blinking twice, he continues, seemingly unaware of his outburst.
In response to the Sheriff's berating, Nerak bristles ever so slightly. "We weren't sure of it, till we followed the trail back t' the forest. And now we're here tellin' ya." He looks genuinely confused at the harsh reaction.
On the way to the Town Hall, Nerak blinks and tilts his head, looking at the funny little man and his odd outburst. "Wha'? Who?" He looks at Estria and Dusk in turn, though neither of them looked green. Pretty sure I'm the only green one here...
Events proceed from odd to strange. Dusk shrinks from the Sherriff's outburst, and just as quickly recomposes herself when Nerak recovers the situation. When K'pu speaks out Dusk nods.
"I'll just bet she doesn't!"
The fifteen minutes that you wait before Sheriff Hemlock comes back out of Mayor Deverin's office feel very long, indeed, with Gregan pacing up and down the hallway the entire time. But, at last, the sheriff returns.
"Well?" asks Gregan impatiently.
"We are not sending anyone into the Tickwood Forest today, Gregan. The townsfolk are still recovering from their harrowing experience last night, and now is not the time."
The Chelaxian knight sputters in disbelief, "Now is EXACTLY the time, Sheriff! You would allow this hag's forces time to recuperate? You are a fool if you do not strike quickly!"
"No."
Belor and Gregan stare each other down for a long moment, and then Gregan turns quickly with a slight flourish of his cloak, muttering, "Imbeciles!" as he makes his way to the exit.
Belor then looks at you all, the dour expression on his face lightening some, and says, "Now, you all, come inside." He holds open the door to the mayor's office for you.
Estria shrugged slightly after the comments. "I'm new in town." she noted. "I don't know every creature and potential problem lurking out in the hinterlands. I agree with Mr. Gregan that trying to resolve the problem sooner instead of later is probably for the best, though."
As you file into the mayor's office you find it to be modestly decorated and cozy. Besides the mayor's own chair, there are four comfortable armchairs facing her desk. Mayor Kendra Deverin stands up from her chair and smiles brightly at you. "Please come in, all of you--I'm afraid I don't have quite enough chairs, but some of you, at least, can sit down." Sheriff Hemlock moves to stand beside the mayor.
"First, allow me to thank you, all of you. I know you played a tremendous role in the town's defense last night, and I can't tell you how grateful I am that no one here in Sandpoint was killed. That likely would not have been the case if it weren't for your bravery." She may be a politician, but Kendra Deverin's warmth and gratitude seems quite genuine.
"Belor tells me that you have found evidence leading you to believe that it was the Tickwood Hag who loosed those creatures upon us." Deverin sighs. "That cannot be true. Given the circumstances, Belor and I have determined that we must let you in on this secret: the Tickwood Hag is a fiction."
Seeing skeptical looks from some of you, Mayor Deverin continues. "You met Gregan Tanessen? His story is closely wound up in this. You see, not long after he arrived in Sandpoint the first time and began his evangelism for the church of Asmodeus, he began to court a woman here."
"That woman was Melissa. She was, and is, a dear friend of mine. Melissa enjoyed the romance for a time, but it was mere weeks before Gregan was planning a wedding, a homestead, and children. Melissa is not the type to settle down and bear children," she says with a quiet laugh. Then her face becomes quite serious again as she goes on.
"Melissa packed up her few things without warning and went to Tickwood Forest hoping to escape Gregan's suffocating plans. But he followed after her. And that was when the Tickwood Hag was born. Melissa is skilled in illusory magics, and she disguised herself with the form of a green hag. She convinced Gregan that Melissa was dead, eaten by this green hag, and fled deeper into the woods." Deverin sighs. "It was a couple days later that Melissa came in secret to inform Ameiko, Shalelu, and I of the truth. But she maintains the facade even now, some 5 years later. It gives her much privacy, which she enjoys. And she has befriended the fey that live in Tickwood Forest. I believe it is largely due to them that Gregan has never reached Melissa, despite his persistence in seeking revenge against the Tickwood Hag."
"Gregan has so far never found a ranger or woodsman willing to guide him through the Tickwood Forest to find Melissa's home. Most of the druids and rangers in the surrounding area know Shalelu and have met Melissa through her over the years. The few others who know the truth are those who happened to be in the Tickwood Forest while sick or injured. Melissa uses her disguise to scare most people away for the sake of her privacy, but she has a good heart--there are a number of people that she has healed when they were in need. Those who have been to her home are fond of her or grateful to her for her healing magic and therefore are not willing to divulge her secret. But now I worry that Gregan might find the assistance he needs--he may use the fear caused by this raid to convince someone to aid him."
Sheriff Hemlock finally speaks, "We still need to find out who is really behind the raid. Melissa may have some knowledge that can help us do that. And as much as I disapprove of her choice to maintain such a grand deception," he glances sidelong at Mayor Deverin, "I do not wish her ill, and would avoid a situation where Gregan comes upon her in wrath. That is why we want you to go to the Tickwood Forest immediately to meet with Melissa. Mayor Deverin wanted to accompany you in hopes of avoiding any confrontations along the way since the fey should recognize her as Melissa's friend, but I have strongly advised against this. Shalelu is not in town and may not be for weeks, so that leaves Ameiko."
Having formed a basic plan, you move on. When you arrive at the Rusty Dragon, Hemlock and Ameiko go to the kitchen to be able to speak privately where all the patrons won't overhear. Your wait is much shorter this time than outside the door of Mayor Deverin's office. It's only a couple minutes before they return to the common room. Ameiko calls out to an elderly halfling woman cleaning tables, "Bethana, please watch the place while I'm gone. Should be back later this evening. Keep an eye on that roast that I started." Then she turns to you, saying, "Let's not waste time," as she heads for the door.
"Before you go," Hemlock says as the last of you steps outside into the street, "go by the Garrison. There are two men there that I'd like to go with you: Rammbock and Tekk. Ameiko, you know Rammbock, he's lived here a while. I don't know if you've met Tekk, but he's been here more than once, as Magnimar could spare us an extra guard."
When you arrive at the Garrison, Hemlock calls out, "Rammbock! Tekk, you too!" and waves the two men over.
Holding his mug of stout, Rammbock moves over to Sheriff Hemlock. Taking a gulp and draining it completely up, just before he arrives he puts the mug down and nods. Stroking his lustrous, many braided and decorated with metal beads inscribed with runes, beard he clears his throat and bows slightly. The black rings of his chainmail, wearing it inside the rusty dragon, clink softly, but he starts a genuine smile, showing some crocked teeth in his lower jaw.
"Alas lads, mee name is Asguard of Clan Ironfist, but everyone calls me Rammbock. Maybe because of my friendly personality, eeh."
His emerald green eyes twinkle while Sheriff Hemlock and Ameiko quickly shake their head in denial, showing that Rammbock is for sure not known for being the friendliest chap in town.
"Alas, well maybe more for my stubborness and my tendency to go through walls head first, eeh!" This time they nod and smile!
Hemlock adds."Well if Rammbock makes up his mind, good luck changing his opinion. But if he says he will guard your back he will do so no matter what!"
Rammbock smiles and looks at the gathered. "And who are you?"
Dusk nods a greeting to the dwarf.
"Dusk. Dusk Bloom. Well met Asguard Rammbock." is all she says in a calm voice. The pale girl wears her black hair long, tied back high. The ease with which she waers her baroque parade armor, buckler and spiked gauntlet attest to martial training and the glaive she holds appears well-maintained.