Thorn snaps out of the daze noticing the rest standing over it.
" I suppose we c-continue.. "
Yes. Let's find the owner of this...straw man. Find him, and... Elsa trails off as she thinks of appropriate things to say
Reacquaint him with the civil ordinances regarding fields and agriculture according to the ice giantess howtha? She was fond of stew, I believe.
Thorn has picked up the tracks pretty quickly and the group leads closer to a small gathering of buildings around a well.
The buildings are what look like 2 houses, a shack, a tower and perhaps a tavern.
About 100 yards away, they simply cease.
"Good eyes, Thorn.", Burdock complimenting the stuttering man as he guides the rest of the party.
Burdock raises an eyebrow at Tessa's comment. "This isn't the time for humor, lass.", he responds, focusing at the situation at hand.
I'm sure I don't know what you are talking about. Elsa replies to Tessa.
A town in the middle of this field? I thought the village was in the other direction.
Thorn nods gingerly, " T-Thank you " Detecting any remnants of evil with his eyes before looking to the group, " W-Which building.. we likely d-don't have much time "
You decide to take a look at the shack first.
He hears nothing and opens the door, within is just a bed and a few folded clothes lying underneath them.
"Nothing inside."
A person exits the north house and walks over to the tavern, totally obvlivious of you.
"Let's press forward.", Burdock pointing to the southwestern-most building.
The southwestern building is tower shaped, with a vaguely dome shaped roof thick wooden door.
"Hmm... Torag, aid me in removing this obstacle.", Burdock waiting for the rest of the party to get ready, in case, of immediate trouble.
Grint holds his bow ready, as the wood around the thick metal lock shapes and twists.
Inside you see barrels, big kegs and stacks of food supplies.
They lack proper labels. A central pillar has shallow carvings that serve as a makeshift stairs.
Elsa, wand in hand, lets Grint go first and then she moves into the building.
Grint tries his luck.
, but loses grip whe he's 6 ft up.
.
The loft above holds some sacks of seeds.
A few openings could serve as windows, giving view over the fields.
There is a coil of rope lying in a corner, it's been cut.
A man exits the northern building and notices a group of strangers.
"Hey! Who are you, what are you doing in our storage?"
Tessa's voice takes on the easy drawl of a sailor
I'm Tessa. My lady's coach stopped and now we're searching for the nearest landfolk. What village is this?
It takes no sense motive to know you're lying partially, as the storage was locked and you got in. The man eyes you cautiously.
"This village has no real name.
Closest description would be Farmers' Hamlet.
So, care to explain breaking into our storage?"
The man's clothes look a tiny bit too small.
His sleeves fall a few inches short, as do the ones of his trousers.
The door of the southern house opens, a man and woman step out, looking to see what the commotion is about.
Torn simply climbs the ladder normally, having gotten used to the armor has while doing so. Thorn looks out the area to see the few fields but notices the rope and his face grows grim. " T-There is cut rope h-here. T-That isnt good. D-Don't trust whoever is d-down there. " He says audibly.
I am sure that you will be well compensated for the damage to your door. We are looking for someone who was just recently kidnapped from the road. Do you know anything about that? Elsa levels her frosty stare at the duo Do you?
"Kidnapped off the road?
The road's way off beyond the fields, we rarely take to the road."
He knows something, but his voice suggests slight fear from your question.
The duo shakes their heads, not saying a word.
The woman averts her eyes when shaking her head.
She looks quite nervous.
Man # 1): "There's a musician in the tavern, staying since last night for a few days. Maybe he can tell you something?"
Burdock nods almost assuredly at the people, sensing their hesitation. "Understand, we only seek to find the family of a lost child. Any assistance you can offer will bring a family back together. And I will be obliged to repair the door for you, too.". The dwarf pauses for a second before adding one more line, looking at the woman. "We are skilled problem solvers if there is something amiss here."
The woman tightly holds the man's hand.
"No troubles here, we're just simple farmers of wheat, veggies and pumpkins."
Man # 2) "If you wish to talk, better do it in the tavern, where it's warm and you can sit down."
The man is avoiding the topic, there's weariness in his voice.
Well, you certainly seem nervous friends. Why don't we all go together then. You look like the sort that need to stay warm. Maybe my friends can help, you said you were having trouble in the tavern?
Tessa smiles encouragingly, herding the strangers towards the building.
"I never said we had troubles in the tavern."
The three preceed you to the tavern.
The tavern is certainly a comfortable looking place, humble, but comfortable. A musician is playing the violin near the bar, seemingly lost in performing.
"Have a seat, we'll get to it briefly, i'm getting something from the attic."
The barkeep looks pleasantly surprised.
"Oh, more cityfolk? I might have to expand.
Can i get you all something, mead, milk perhaps?"
Thorn is very wary and eyes the musician and he actions of the townspeople closely.
" I-I cannot drink while on the job. "
Nothing you see or are able to hear is out of the ordinary.
The barkeep seems genuine in his enthusiasm.
If he was worried, your arrival took his mind away from it.
" H-Have you seen anything s-strange.. or d-dangerous around? "
Grint accepts an offered milk.
The barkeep looks confused.
"I tend to keep here, the other few folk here do the working outside.
Then again, there's the few more outlying buildings, as this is just a point for gathering."
Burdock will ask for some mead. "Any buildings that are not in typical use?"
Man #1): "Not really, i suppose the one least used is the barn in the vegetable field north. We don't need to go there in this time of the year, it's empty, nothing of interest."
Oh yes, he's trying to dissuade you from going there.
Be that for his or your own good remains to be seen.
Not on duty, thank you though. Did you have a wainright in town?
Man #1) "There is one, but he's disappeared since a week ago."
Elsa is effected by whatever insane magic these people are using...
Thorn's expression seemed to grow Grim and Steadfast. His words become exact and clear. " Sir, you are hiding truths. People have done so since we have gotten here. Something terrible has happened and we have yet no time to play around. We should go see these places ourselves. "
Surprised at Thorn's clarity, Burdock drops the coin for his mead.
Tessa fails her will save, distracted by the dancing fire.
Father Burdock and Thorn withstand the sudden surprise.
The musician has stopped playing.
"I do apologize, but i am weary for the night. Toodles!" :3
He vanishes from sight. A somewhat open window goes open wider.
The barkeep shows a look of i'm sorry as he and the other townsfolk rush south to hide behind the counter and up the stairs, as some men come rush down from the stairs and through the door. One cracks his right hand knuckles with a grin, holding a flask in the other. Others brandish weapons.
"Shouldn't have come, strangers."
Grint stands up and grabs his bow.
"For the love of...ugh."
Thorn
Knuckles & Ruffians
Elsa, Father Burdock & Tessa
Thorn rises and chases after where he thinks the Bard went.