The Champion of the Open Lord looks Horat up and down. "Hmmm... we'll see, citizen. But the Watch isn't in the habit of intentionally endangering civilians. Are you applying to become a watchman?"
Horat pauses.
"I am not inclined towards rash decision. But I am considering the matter. And I am considerably more able to assist than a 'civilian'."
I can vouch for his skills in combat. And for that of Katra here. They were both instrumental in the cult takedown today. I deputized them to help deal with the imminent threat in the sewers.
The head of the watch nods appreciatively. "Well then perhaps they'll be interested to know of more activity thought to be tied to demonic cultists? Seems a cult of Yeenoghu has been harassing, kidnapping, and killing folk on the outskirts of Waterdeep. In an area named Helm." He looks you up and down. "But you should probably rest a few days... Perhaps I should assign someone else to investigate."
"I am Katra Ironfist, priestess of Moradin." she says with a bow.
.....
"I am fine, and I will be prepared to travel on tomorrow to investigate this cult activity. Moradin has lead me here, but I am willing to temper my steel to your fire, as we might say."
"I am indeed interested in this cult - and its destruction. I would also be willing to investigate. What is already known of these slaves of Yeenoghu, and of their activities in Helm?"
Turick nods respectfully to acknowledge Katra's bow. "Well if you are certain of this, then the Watch will certainly welcome your investigations. Not many of us have dealt with cults before." He faintly touches a dark, discolored scar on his neck as he says his and sighs. "This cult of Yeenoghu is led by a gnoll from the wilds. I do not know his name. But his second in command is a citizen of Waterdeep, Albert Norwich. He was a watch-maker before he heard the demon lord's call. Their style has been to make bold, sudden night raids to take supplies and captives. They have a base of operations somewhere in the woods outside of Helm. I believe their forces include gnolls, humans, some wild beasts, and some giant-kin. But more than that will likely require you to investigate."
"If you have a general idea where their base is, why haven't you attacked it?"
Turick looks Katra over for a second time. "Two reasons, citizen. First, what I described is a very vague speculation of their location. Second, reports of this activity have just reached us. We haven't yet assembled a response in force."
"We could use at least one night's rest. Halgrin in particular has taken significant wounds."
The Champion nods. "Of course. I recommend you see to that immediately. Contact an officer if there are further developments." Then he heads off to conduct other business.
"Certainly, Champion. Companions, where shall we meet again?"
Unless someone suggests otherwise, Horat will return to his lodgings for a deep sleep.
There are plenty of inns and taverns nearby where one could sleep or meet. There are, of course, other options as well.
I think I'll stay here tonight. I've got to finish my report and send a replacement squad to watch the sewers anyway. Plus I can keep an eye on Halgrin here. We can meet here in the morning.
You split up for your separate rests and sleep heavily, almost dreamless. Almost because the vision of the beautiful woman comes to you each again. "Yes defeat the forces of evil once more. Look where the shadow points on the stone at the precise middle of the day." You awake, somewhat confused, but regroup at the guardhouse.
You head toward the outskirts of Waterdeep to visit Helm. There you find evidence of the recent crime spree. The front doors on several homes hang feebly on their hinges half-open, indicating that they were broken down violently. Cowed citizens move about the streets in groups.
Refreshed, Horat looks upon the scroll with clear eyes.
Horat muses, as he swings by a weaponsmith.
He has a halberd head to have coated in silver.
A middle-aged man with dark circles under his eyes approaches your group. Apparently, he's recognized Gram's and Halgrin's uniforms. "You all are from the Watch? Oh thank the heavens. We need help."
Halgrin does his best to present a calm, confident aura. "Greetings, citizen. We have come here to investigate and stop the attacks on your fair town. We would like to get started right away. What can you tell us about the perpetrators and their methods?"
The man offers a feeble, toothy smile. "Good, good. We need the help. The perpetrators have been extremely bold. They've come in the middle of the night, smashed someone's door in, and dragged them off into the woods. We're all living in fear. Please help us!"
"did anyone see anything, like the number of attackers or the type of creatures?"
The man shakes his head. "Not clearly. But there were a lot of them. Probably 10 or so. And some of them were huge! There was also a lot of snarling..." He shudders and states while wearing a haggard look "It was terrible..."
Halgrin nods and then turns a tactical eye on the town.
Halgrin grimly nods and then turns a tactical eye on the town.
Horat likewise is viewing the area for defensibility.
Halgrin and Horat look around. There is a large stone building with a single entrance and a heavy wooden door. It is, as you would guess, the Temple of Helm, god of protection and patron god of this community.
Halgrin notices Horat assessing the Temple of Helm. "You and I thinking the same thing? Move the townsfolk to the Temple to keep them safe? Maybe set up an ambush?"
He then turns back to the middle-aged man. "Who leads the temple?"
"Tormites should be willing to hold the townsfolk, but I doubt they're willing to do so indefinitely." offers Katra.
"We'll have to be swift with our takedown then."
"Do you happen to know which direction these attacks come from, sir"
Katra gets an idea, then heads into the streets to see if she can find any tracks.
Horat nods at Halgrin.
"Apparently, yes. And we should not delay in securing the townspeople."
The man replies to Halgrin's question "The priest of Helm leads the temple. His name is Vladimir Restov." The man shrugs at Gram's question "No sir. I have no idea."
Katra reads the ground and determines that there are far too many footprints here in the streets for her to distinguish any tracks of interest.
"I think speaking to this Restov should be our next move. He'll likely have some more information for us. And if we need to organize a resistance, he'll know who we should contact first. "
You head into the temple to find Priest Restov. It doesn't take you long as he is currently directing a service in honor of Helm. After a few minutes of chanting and burning incense, the service ends. He walks to the back of the temple where you stand and greets you "Welcome, my children. Helm offers his protection. It is good to see visitors in here this day."
"Greetings, Priest. We need to call upon Helm's sanctuary and place the townsfolk in this building until we have ended the raids. Is this acceptable?"
The priest nods. "A good idea, citizen. I have been considering exactly such a message. I will post a notice." He calls over a young acolyte. "Frederick, please go announce the following to the nearby residents." The priest then fills the young man in. Then he turns to you "We will keep the people in here but that is a short-term solution. How will you stop the attackers?"
"We're going to go attack their base." said Katra with all the worry of someone reading aloud their shopping list.
"Exactly so.", adds Horat.
The priest looks surprised at your boldness. "Well that does seem like it certainly provides a legitimate solution. How do you intend to find this base of theirs?"
"Did any villagers mention oddities leading up to the first attacks? Camp fires? Strange noises?"
Halgrin wordlessly dropped five gold coins into the collection box as he walked in.
***
The priest looks surprised at your boldness. "Well that does seem like it certainly provides a legitimate solution. How do you intend to find this base of theirs?"
"If we can track them, that would be our preference. But if not, our plan is to prepare an ambush. If we can capture one or two of them, that should provide us with enough information to trace them back."
"It also doesn't hurt that we have a rough idea of where it is located."
The priest considers Horat's question. "No that I've heard." He looks to Halgrin and Katra as they express confidence. "That sounds well. Do you intend to start with the home that was attacked most recently? I'd be happy to point it out if that is helpful."
"That sounds ideal. Thank you, Watcher."
"Yes, it would help. Thank you."
He, of course, points out the house. You head over to a small, wooden home on the outskirts of town. The door has been broken down and hangs sadly off its hinges. When you look around, you see some signs of a struggle and a fight. But also citizens have milled around to take a look.
You see signs that something with large, human-like feet and several humanoids came from the woods then returned back the way they came.
Horat looks around the shattered house, his anger stoked at the horror inflicted on this family and their home.