'Don't have much love for slavers.' Dugan grumbles as he continues his progress towards the shuttered building.
"It takes a depraved heart to steal someone's freedom." Ulark said, in agreeance. "It is a crime no man of a clean heart can abide by."
"Micheo's got legal authority and this looks to be against the law. As civic minded fellows we back him up in this investigation... just saying to cover our rears in case it's somehow above board!"
At the top of the flagstone steps, fitted into the steeply sloping riverbank, the doors to the abandoned inn hang askew upon their rusty hinges, giving the impression of a smile with sharply crooked teeth. Ivy and cobwebs cover the windows as thickly as blindfolds, but you can preview the interior via the gaps in the doors.
While most of the furniture inside has been tossed aside, likely by the prior ursine inhabitant, a single table and single chair have been righted and dominate the center of the common room. The area around this table has been swept clear of leaves and detritus, further proof that someone has taken up residence here.
The quiet that hangs over this place is broken by the threatening howl of a wolf from somewhere within.
Dugan eyes the dark interior with caution.
Inconnu casts light on his wooden shield to aid his weak human eyesight.
Aleksey draws his sword at the sounds of the wolf, and readies his shield, Thinking for a moment, he reaches out toward Inconnu, channeling the might of Iomedae, May she inspire you and give voo glory
Ulark strode in and began to investigate, looking to see how long ago the place had been inhabited. And if there were any clues that would point to a 'who.'
You also detect another sound coming from below, however. It sounds like someone whimpering in pain or fear, likely in the cellar.
"It sounds like someone mimicking an animal sound... might even be the gillman so lets not be too reckless." Inconnu moves forwards with the others.
'It's not bad, though.' Dugan moves forward as well, shield and axe at the ready, and calls out. 'Pretty good. You practice that?'
There is a long pause where the only sound is the breeze softly whistling through holes in the roof and the distant burble of the river behind you. The quiet is broken when the unseen occupant calls out his frustrated reply.
"Get off my property!" he barks in Common; Inconnu recognizes his accent being more akin to the coastal cities of Andoran, rather than the heartlands you've traveled thus far. "If you're here to loot my home, I'll put a bolt in your hide!"
Despite his irate warnings, you remain fairly sure that he is as much an intruder here as you. Even if he is the one who drove off the bear that once laired here, he is likely just a squatter.
"We are just travelers, seeking shelter from the coming storm. I assure you, that we have no ill intentions towards you or yours." Ulark called out, raising his hands in what he hoped was a peaceful gesture.
A man with graying hair and a sharply manicured beard emerges from the kitchen in the back of the ground floor. He sets his hand crossbow down upon a table but does not walk far from it. Something between a sigh and a groan falls from his lips as he enters your presence.
"There is a storm coming, isn't there?" he rues. "I hate listening to Phineas, but the wretch is always right about these things. Fine. You can stay the night. Just keep to the ground floor here! Don't go upstairs, and don't go into the cellar!"
Ulark looked to the man, to his companions, and then back to the man. "I, uhm, we, thank you for your hospitality. I assure you that we will not abuse you of it."
'You wouldn't happen to have any drink laid in you'd be willing to part with for a bit of coin, would you?' Dugan asks hopefully. 'Been a hard paddle getting here.'
"Sorry to say that, despite being right on the river, this place's dry as a bone," he rues, pausing just a moment to introduce himself as Darvin. "Any casks of ale or bottles of wine that might've been left behind from this place's heyday are long gone. Damn looters."
Zhat is a sad state of affairs indeed, Aleksey begins, I am Aleksey, Darvin it iz a pleasure to meet you. Tell me, vhat do you do here in this place? Aleksey asks, still suspicious of the wolf noises.
Ulark shrugged and made himself comfortable. There wasn't enough for him to go on to betray the man's hospitality. He was under no obligation to help them, and yet help them he did.
A light tapping upon the roof of the old inn heralds the coming of the first vestiges of rain.
"Oh...I've been looking to renovate and reopen this place," Darvin replies to Aleksey. "It's a fine location with a long history. Just seems a shame to let it continue to rot and molder."
You suspect that he is using these old walls to conceal some manner of disreputable business: perhaps smuggling or stowing stolen goods.
Aleksey nods at Darvin's words. Zhat is an admirable goal for such an old and stately place. He removes his prayer book and and a pen from his pack, adding to the journal in the back of it, flipping back and forth between several pages.
He glances at the Paladin, Ulark, You remember vhat I vas saying about zhee Inheritor, and vee discussed the exact vords she used, I found zhem here, Take a look. passing the open chapter book to Ulark, He's likely a smuggler, could be in league with the Lumber Consortium?
Ulark raised an eyebrow. He felt...unprepared for subtle actions. What was he supposed to do in a situation like this? He looked at Aleksey helplessly. ”What would the Inheritor say?”
Aleksey pauses a moment, Zhee Inheritor would advise to work for zhee common good. But vee should not necessarily overextend ourselves against our goals. She cautions, as vee discussed yesterday, zhat there are always consequence for one's actions, and zhat zhee individual must find zheir own compass to righteousness. But Vee must remain ever vigilant throughout zhee darkness for doubts and infiltration. Vhile I am saddened to not be on Crusade in zhee Worldwound, zhere are still things which must be accomplished elsewhere in zhee world. the priest finishes, closing his prayerbook and stowing it inside the padding of his armor.
Seemingly content with his explanation of the Inheritor's teachings, the priest settles his longsword and shield in an upright triangle, and lays his longspear by his side. Settling in for the night, he'll take the first watch.
Dugan grumbles shortly over the lack of proper hydration but quickly falls to quietly arranging himself as comfortably as possible in the former Inn.
"I think..." Ulark said, with some deliberation. "That we do not intentionally blind our eyes. But we stay focused on what we have come to do. I would not break hospitality given on mere suspicion, doubly so if it would imperil our cause. And speaking of keeping one's eyes open." With a deep breath Ulark allowed the transformation within him to take place. Immediately the desire to right all wrongs and to bring flaming vengeance upon everything evil filled his being. When his eyes opened, they were the eyes of truth. Slowly and deliberately he looked around, scanning the building for anything that might radiate as being evil. He reasoned that in the absence of such divine truth, their goal should be to move forward with all haste.
To Ulark's eyes alone appear, like faint wisps of smoke, tiny curls of black mist clinging to Darvin. He is a cruel and callous man, greatly possessed of greed. However, these traces of wickedness are nothing compared to what he has seen staining the auras of men like Boss Payday or the late Gavel Kreed.
Micheo places his hand upon his friend's shoulder, attempting to assuage what he recognizes as Ulark's divine anger.
"Patience, dear friend," he quietly cautions. "I will keep my own eyes open. If Darvin is up to something wicked, we will find out and bring him to justice, or perhaps even bring him to contrition.
"For now, we must accept that we cannot fight against nature. I can hear the wind and rain both growing in strength. It will do no good if we get swept away into the river, or caught by the Consortium's agents whilst our boots are stuck in mud."
With a force of will, Ulark forced himself to return to normal, the light in his eyes fading. With a nod and a small smile he said "As wise as always. Let us shelter while we can, and keep moving at first opportunity. I have an ill feeling, though it is just that."
Aleksey nods, still offering to take on the first watch without further comment; and settles in for the night.
The sky grows dark as pitch, and the wind howls with unbridled fury. The planks of the abandoned inn groan against the storm's onslaught, but the old wood holds firm.
Darvin sits at a table and writes in a ratty notebook by the light of a candle. With a grunting sigh, he pushes himself up from his chair and retires to the back room to get some sleep.
Micheo speaks in a whisper to whomever remains awake.
"Darvin asked us not to go into the cellar, but we never actually promised to stay out," the Sarenite paladin reasons. "Should we sneak a peek at what he's been hiding?"
Ulark shook his head. "It feels dishonorable. The man reads as being filled with the sin of greed, but nonetheless he has allowed us into his home. He was under no obligation to do so. To betray his trust leaves me with a bad feeling in my stomach. I would just as soon leave first thing in the morning and stay focused on our mission." Ulark said, looking very glum. There weren't any easy answers to what was happening here. "At the end of the day, is it wrong to look the other way? And is it wrong to betray someone's trust when they allowed you into their home? The answer is yes to both. But I would rather do wrong by inaction than do wrong by action." He reasoned.
Aleksey nods and rolls to his feet, motioning for the paladin to lead on. The Priest grabs his sword and heads to the cellar. Briefly he pulls his longsword from its sheath and casts a spell upon it, causing it to glow brightly and then quickly resheathing it to dim the light.
Seeing Aleksey make for the cellar, Dugan stands to follow. He leans in conspiratorially and asks 'You think he's got a bit to drink squirreled away down there as well?' The religious discussion clearly going over his head.
The hatch to the cellar sits in the decrepit kitchen. You proceed carefully so as to not wake Darvin, who sleeps in the adjacent room. Micheo has stripped off his armor for the night, ensuring he does not spoil your investigation with any clinking or clanking. Of course, even those of you still wearing your armor find its noise drowned out by the howling gale outside the groaning walls.
You descend the steep wooden steps into the cellar. Moldering wood planks line the walls but only add to the damp, heady aroma that pervades the space. Dusty old barrels and casks line one of the walls, while the opposite wall bears fragile shelves festooned with jars filled with questionable preserves.
Your attention is drawn, however, to the pale face peering out from behind a sheet that has been tacked up in one of the corners of the cellar. The gaunt man watches cautiously, even fearfully.
"Who...who are you?" he asks, his voice wavering.
I am Aleksey, priest of the Inheritor. And you are? Aleksey asks the man.
"I am called Phineas," he says, barely above a whisper. "I...I help Mister Darvin by digging, as he searches for the treasure."
He shuffles out from behind the sheet, thus revealing two key details about himself, both centered upon his pale, slender neck. Firstly, in the dim light, you can see matching sets of slits upon either side of his neck - quite resembling the gills of a fish.
Secondly, there is an iron collar fastened around his neck, sitting loosely but heavily upon his shoulders. From the ring affixed to the collar, a length of rope keeps him tethered to the wall. You estimate that it gives him just enough slack to reach the foot of the stairs, but no further.
Still up above, Ulark knew that his friends were searching. So he kept an eye out for sign of any suspicious movement on the surface.
'Well, there's the fish part of you. I was beginning to be a bit disappointed based on what I'd heard.' Dugan begins rapping on the casks and barrels to see if any have anything in them.
Aleksey takes in the scene of the bounc figure, Vhyfor you are tied up down here zhen? If Zou are helping this Mizter Darvin, vhy the collar?
The priest advances, his hands spread wide before him in a gesture of peace.
Up above, Ulark can hear Darvin snoring loudly in the room adjoining the kitchen. Thankfully, the man is a deep sleeper.
In the cellar, by rapping his knuckles upon the casks, he eventually finds one that yet contains liquid. When he turns the tap, however, the overpowering smell of vinegar drips forth - evidencing that air had gotten into the cask and corrupted the wine stored inside.
"Mister Darvin promised to share some of the treasure...if I helped him, of course. He uses the collar to make sure that I don't run away and tell anyone else about the treasure."
Aleksey recognizes that Phineas speaks and stands obsequiously. Perhaps out of fear or perhaps due to being beaten down, he is quite subservient. He has reached such a state of helplessness in his mind that he has come to empathize with his captor.
'I guess he didn't consider people coming down here and you telling them about the treasure' Dugan says, turning his nose up at the spoiled drink.
Aleksey sighs before beginning to speak with Phineas, Vee are not here for zhee treasure, so you have nothing to vorry about. But, I cannot see you shackled and not help you. Do you vish to be free of zhis place? Of Darvin's chains on you? The Inheritor set free those imprisoned in the Ninth Act, and urges those who follow in her footsteps to do the same. the priest gets a slightly fervent look upon his face, and withdraws a belt knife to free the gillman from his servitude.
Do you vish to be set free to chart your own path? the human asks.
Phineas instinctively recoils at the sight of the knife. However, the prospect of freedom also seems to frighten him. He stammers, trying to sort out his mind. You can see that, deep down, he would very much like to be free; however, whether due to some twisted and misplaced loyalty to Darvin or simply out of fear of reprisal, the gillman has difficulty accepting the offer of liberation.
His deliberation is cut short, however, by a new sound from upstairs. Rising above the howling wind and driving rain, you can hear banging against the wooden walls, followed by Darvin's angry voice.
"Stay out, damn you!" he shouts. Though his bellowing voice carries inside the inn, it does not sound like he is in the kitchen immediately above you. "This is my claim, and I'll thrash anyone who tries to steal it out from under me!"
This sudden disturbance jolts Phineas, and he immediately agrees and asks for Aleksey to cut the rope that binds him to the wall.
'What in the Hells is that?' Dugan asks and begins making his way back upstairs.
Ulark looked around with concern on his face. It seemed that greed was something which could not be escaped, for it was found everywhere. Even without a consoritum, it still infected and harmed. His hand fell to the axe at his side as he got to his feet. He wondered if he would be forced to use it. His eyes began to flash, as he scanned around for traces of evil.
Aleksey cuts Phineas' bonds free, and then draws his sword, following Dugan, the light from his spell spilling forward from the priest.
With Phineas in tow, the party climbs back out of the cellar to investigate the commotion.
You find Darvin in the common room, crossbow in hand and in the middle of reloading the weapon. He stands at an open window, shouting into the dark, stormy night outside. When he turns to face you and finds Phineas beside you, a very complex and vivid swirl of emotions crosses his face: primarily anger and fear.
"There's a gang of ruffians outside, trying to force their way in! Want to make yourselves useful?" Darvin demands, pointing outside.
Aleksey nods, with his sword in hand, Ulark, do you vhant to see vho is knocking upon zhis door? With that he touches his companion, and the glory of the Inheritor surrounds him.
Ulark nodded. He took a deep breath and let his celestial blood take over. His features subtly shifted, taking on an all together more dignified, and terrifying, appearance. His eyes glinted in the dark as he walked over to the door and opened it, axe in hand.
Dugan follows Ulark towards the door, Glintaxe in hand.
As soon as the door is opened, an imposing figure emerges from the dark of the stormy night. Tall even when compared to Ulark's altered form, he wears a voluminous green cloak to shield himself from the driving rain. He moves to push his way into the inn but pauses when he sees Ulark and the armored Dugan in his way.
Ulark and Dugan's eyes pierce the dark storm outside to see he has a pair of friends behind him, almost as large and strong as he is.
"Evenin' folks," he states with a drawl. "We're lookin' for some criminals been seen comin' through this way. Wanted for murder. Kinda look like you."
He says the last bit with the cruel smile of a bully.