Valen had been quiet the entire ride back, something uncommon for him. He'd spent the entire time thinking over what had happened with the young lad. That wasn't me. That was....well, it wasn't me. I need to keep a firm control over myself.. Valen seems to come out of his contemplation as Jax claps him on the shoulder and rolls his eyes. "Oh joy," Valen replies in complete deadpan sarcasm.
Turning to Tok. "Well, generally some of the best places to hear gossip is to go where the most people are. And small, bumpkin town places with little to do, that generally means the tavern. Torque, what do you say we go grab a pint?"
"Now that's what I call a strategy"
Torque and Valen head off towards the center of the village, looking for a tavern sign.
Valen smiles and chuckles heartily. "Indeed it is. Under this charming and dashingly handsome facade and incredible arcane talent lurks the mind of a true tactical genius! And while we're there we can question the fairer looking locals." Valen winks and nudges Torque lightly.
Two-Bears glares disapprovingly at Valen and Torque pairing up "We're here to possibly help these townsfolk not rile them up by trying to seduce and steal their women. Valen, your teamed up with Jax, hopefully he can keep you in line. Tic, I mean Torque, your paired with Tok. That leaves Acune, Gremm and Nine Tails. Acune and Gremm, you two take to the town as well. Nine Tails, your our scout. Hit the surrounding area and make sure we're indeed safe. I'll wander around on my own and see what I can find. You have your orders, so get hoppin"
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Gremm grins as he's given his orders. He then makes his way over to Acune.
"Alright, Miss. I guess it's you and me. If you ask me, I say we can head to the market. Gossip is always abound there and I'm plenty hungry. Pa and I used to ask around markets all the time, so this should be easy. Oh, and if you like, I can pay for your meal."
Gremm chuckles nervously.
"Torque, what say you? Should we go to the chapel and see if we can glean any information there?"
"Yip-Yip!" Nail Tails laughs at breaking up the beer run.
"I'll check out the border farms and roads. Back at dusk?"
He sets off at a very quick pace, his fox mask bobbing unnaturally, pushed up high on top of his head.
"I see. Well, I prefered Valen's plan, but the chapel would also be a good idea. I'm not...ummm...at my best talking to men of the cloth, but I'll give it a shot."
Torque shrugs to Valen and heads off in search of a chapel
"Tok, you should know that I'm not up to speed on local religious customs here. You say you're not much of a talk, but try to make sure I don't put my foot in it. Though I'm fairly sure I won't. After all we're going to see a parish preacher, not a crazed zealot. Right?"
"I don't know much about the local customs either, Torque. Though I doubt there are any followers of Irori here, I'm sure I can find some common ground. And you're right: I doubt we'll encounter any zealots here."
Valen stops with his back turned to Corpral Two-Bears and sighs heavily, rolling his eyes.
Just what I needed a loud mouthed meat head potentially putting his foot in mouth. Well, he may be a meat head but he has his uses I suppose. He certainly discourage anyone from deciding to take a swing at me.
Valen turns and puts on a smile, attempting to make the best of things. "Well Jax, what do you say? I still think the tavern may be the best place to get information. But it may not be all that full this time of day. But there will be workers there. Stable boys always hear more than they're supposed to. A good barmaid or barkeep will always have their respective ears to the ground for rumors and what not. Any thoughts?"
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"Miss, I couldn't. If you won't accept me paying for you meal, that's fine with me. Having you pay for mine? Boy, Ma would be up in arms about that. I say we can pay for ourselves and that will be that."
Gremm finds a nearby fruit stand and asks for a fresh basket of mixed fruit. With a nod, he pays the merchant and makes his way to Acune.
"Do feel free to enjoy one of these, though. I got them for the squad."
As Tok and Torque approach the village's small chapel, Tok quietly says to Torque, "I don't know which specific diety is honored here, but I know that you should avoid talking about your...well...experiments. I've yet to make up my mind if you're crazy, but that's only because we're travelling together. These locals won't be so patient."
Torque removes his applicator gauntlet and stows it in his back pack, unscrewing the vial of positive energy condensate as he does so. He reaches the door of the chapel and pushes it open. He pauses for a moment on the threshold, then steps inside.
This is the first time Torque has ever set foot in a holy building
As Acune and Gremm wander the market, your able to catch snippets here and there of complaints of the bad luck the town seems to be suffering. One older woman mentions that its likely her crops will fail this season. A young man is worried that with their lord's protection gone, the town will be victims of bandits or worse.
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Torque and Tok, as you enter the small chapel, you are greeted by a middle-aged man who smiles at you as you enter. "Welcome to our humble chapel, how may I assist you?" His tone is warm and friendly, easing your worries and fears.
[b]"Hello, Father. We are passing through, but have heard rumors of trouble. I am Tok, a follower of Irori. This is Torque. We would like to be of assistance."
Valen sets off down the street looking for a tavern. After not seeing one immediately he stops a young boy. "Lad, a moment of your time," Valen says. "I was wondering if you could direct me to the local tavern. My companion and I are in need of some drink," He states pleasantly.
The priest smiles at Tok "Ah a child of the Master, welcome, welcome". He turns to Torque "And what of you lad, whom do you pray to?"
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The youth points ahead of you "The Golden Lion is up the street, set back aways and off to the left. Ask for Mirri, that's my sister and the best waitress in town." He says with a broad, proud smile.
Nine Tail will scout up one road, asking travelers about any troubles, before cutting cross country to the next road. Any friendly farms (friendly to a strange Tian man with a mask on top of his head) he will ask what's the the word.
Valen smiles widely at the boy and pats him on the head."Well then, I shall ask for her directly. Now, for your efforts and good advice please hold out your hand." Sweeping back his cloak dramatically, a look intense consentration comes over Valen's face as his eyes widen. He begins speaking words of power and three gold pieces float magically out of his coin purse and begin to whirl around in a dazzling display between his palms. After a few moments the coins being to slow and land in a stack in the boy's palm. "Now, don't spend them all in one place," Valen says with a wink.
"I am new to this land and am seeing many beliefs and standpoints for the first time. I am...evaluation my beliefs right now, but that's not what we're here to discuss with you. We have heard that the lord who rules this village has run into some kind of trouble, allowing lawlessness to spread into the surrounding countryside. Since this temple must be somethings of a community hub, we hoped you would know something of the nature of that trouble"
Nine Tails, your scouting reveals no enemies, though you do encounter a pair of darkly dressed riders galloping hard past you. You stop at the nearest farmstead, where you actually met with a friendly welcome from the lady of the house, whom seeing your semi-tired state, offers you some cold cider.
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The drink vendor confrims that the town indeed has fallen on hard times "Our lord was a good man, always took care of us. Most thinks he's suffered a case of dead. Only explanation"
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The boy's mouth's agape at the display and doesn't manage to close itself after you tell him he can keep the gold coins. With a loud whoop, the lad runs off to stunned to even thank you.
You and Fury make your way to the Golden Lion, which turns out to be a very nice inn. As you enter, you note the interior is far more richly decorated than you would have expected. A tall, half-elven young lady with pretty green-blue eyes greets you at the door "Welcome to the Golden Lion Inn. My name is Helena, how can I assit you?"
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The priest nods knownigly at your comments "Well, your in luck, this happens to be a triumvirate chapel to Abadar, Erastil, and Sarenrae. Perhaps you can gain further enlightenment here. Now come inside, I've just put on a pot of tea, and if you'll sit with me, I'll tell you what I know of the troubles affecting my town"
With a dashing and charming smile and a sweeping bow, Valen places a light kiss on the Helena's hand. "It is a supreme pleasure to meet a woman with such lovely beauty as yours, Lady Helena. My companion and I were hoping to partake of a cold beverage and if you would permit it, your company. My fellow compatriots and I have heard of your town's plight and wish to render aid."
Nine Tail takes the helmet off his head and hangs it on a fence post as he talks wit the woman. "This is mighty nice of you Ma'am. And this is very good cider." As he sips, he looks around the farmstead appreciatively. Always a city boy, he never spent much time in the country, if you don't count the night he ran away to the forest with a price on his head.
"This sure is a nice place you have here."
After a few more sips, My caravan might be coming this way tomorrow, have you heard of any local trouble. You see they send me running ahead to get the lay of the land, news of trouble, that sort of thing. So I really appreciate the cider. And I having been hearing that something might be wrong with the local lord, is that the same news in these parts?"
"Thank you, father. I drink only water, but I'm sure my companion will drink some tea."
Fastening the cords on his trousers, Jax trotts out of the bushes and back to the group, grumbling softly. "Stupid trail rations... Where is everyone gone...?" Frowning he stares around slowly. 'Oh damn... Valen. Corporal is gonna string my behind up!' Sighing he dashed off, heading towards the Tavern, intent on forestalling his murder at the hands of Corporal.
Sprinting to catch up, Jax finds the Mage on the main street, talking to a young boy. Walking up behind them, Jax remains quiet, allowing the Spell-Caster to do the speaking.
'The Golden Lion hmm? Sounds good to me!' Patting the boy on the head as they moved past, Jax smiled. "Don't spend it all in one place chap!"
Following the Sorceror through the door of the Inn, Jax stares around slowly, taking in every inch of the well furnished interior, his eyes lingering on the occupants of the tables.
Zoning back in to the conversation between the Half-Elf woman and the Magician, Jax gritted his teeth to stop himself from snapping at the man, in front of the woman. As she lead them to a table, Jax nodded to the woman with a smile, before taking a seat opposite the Enchanter, unslinging his Shield and axe from his back and adding his spear and shortsword.
Leaning forward, with a viscious glint in his eyes as the woman walks away, Jax hisses sharply at the man. "Keep your head on the task ahead of us and off of this womans bosom or so help me Gods, I will string you up from the Tavern sign!"
Grumbling softly, Jax sits back and places his Crossbow on a chair beside him, before returning to scopeing out the interior.
Your host smiles brightly at your polite compliments, then says "Yes, Lord Grimtaur's disappearance has affected all within his domain. Bandits have hit a few of these outlying farms, making off with some livestock and a fair amount of what was stockpiled, which means if this season's crops fail, we are in dire straits." She sighs heavily at this. "I don't know what anybody can do, as it's pretty much a mystery what happened to Grimtaur, and none of the messengers that have gone to his keep have returned"
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The drink vendor shakes his head "Don't rightly know, if he don't we in real trouble"
Nine Tail hands the glass back with a word of thanks. He collects his mask, and settles it back on top of his head.
"This Lord..Grimtaur, you say. Where is his keep? Might be he would take a message from me and my companions. See why his patrols have dropped off. Something to take the heat off you small farms out here."
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When Nine Tail sets off again, he finds he truly enjoys the cross country travel, away from roads and travelers. He lopes easily through the fields, jumping brooks, fences, and cutting through hedges. It was a freedom he had not experienced growing up in the city, nor chained to merchant wagons.
Valen smiles and sits down thanking the young woman. He turns to Jax listening to his comment and leans in whispering back with just as much ire. "You've obviously never tried the subtle approach have you? My mind is on the task at hand. One in generally more willing to give information when they think you personable and polite. Beautiful as she may be my main focus is on getting useful information. So pipe down and follow my lead." Sitting back up Valen smiles and turns toward Helena. "Do you happen to have anything cool to drink Lady Helena?"
"Its east of here, near the border with Lozeri and south of Lepidstadt. I wish you luck if you decide to investigate" She gives you a kiss on the cheek, then hands you a clay jug which she tells you is full of cider.
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"Cider, water and milk, unless your lookin for somethin with a little more kick." Helena responds with a laugh.
Jax gritted his teeth softly before turning an easy smile on the serving woman. "Two mugs of Cider please Mistress and one for yourself too, if you care to join us!" Pulling a handful of silver from his pocket, Jax slides it in to her hand. "Also, if you have it, some cheese and bread would not go astray!"
Leaning close to Valen again, Jax grimaces before a slow, malicious grin splits his face. "You ain't the only one who can play it nice. Lunch and drinks on me!"
Valen arches an eyebrow. Hmm, maybe he can be a little more civilized. I guess I'll have to wait and see. "My thanks, Jax."
Torque accepts the tea and sits facing the preacher
"Thankyou. Now, what we know so far is this town has lost it's lord. Nobody seems to know why, and our employer wants to know what's become of him since it's in his interests to have this road safe. When was the lord last heard from? Was he ill? Did he have any enemies? And most importantly, what is likely to become of the town if he is not replaced or found?"
Helena takes your order and hurries off to complete it. However, it is not her who returns with your cider, cheese and bread. Instead, it's a pretty, shy-looking human. She gives your drink and food, "Enjoy your food, and if you desire more, just ask for Mirri. Helena had to go talk to the cook and chef." Her voice has a slight musical quality to it, and her pale grey eyes sparkle as she smiles.
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As the two of you wander around the town square, you hear a commotion coming from the fountain down the right side street.
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The priest chuckles as Torque lets out his string of questions "My, my you sure are a curious one, aren't you?? What I can tell you is this: Lord Grimtaur became the lord of these lands about six years ago. He was a former sellsword, very combat tested, yet with a decent heart. He and some of his companions had been hired to clean out some of the haunts of this or that foul beast that inhabited the Shudderwood by the old Count. So successful were they that they were awarded a keep east of here, near the border with Lozeri and south of Lepidstadt. While the other members of his squad liked the idea of their own keep, only Grimtaur actually decided to settle down. The rest of his friends continued to sell their services, including at times to their former companion. Meanwhile, Grimtaur used his connections from his adventuring days to convince a cleric to take up residence near him, and use her divine gifts to help make the surrounding lands and villages prosper. He hired a small band of militiamen to serve as a roaming patrol, keeping his people safe. Yet while we were his subjects, he never really asked much of us. Perhaps he didn't feel comfortable taxing us or maybe he just didn't care. He invested a good portion of his monies into the Golden Lion, which used to be your average tavern and is now a rather upscale inn.
Everything was going great for us up until four months ago. Grimtaur stopped visiting, as he would the first of every month, the patrols ceased which meant bandit activity has increased, and now our crops are starting to fail. Any attempt to contact him or Seera, the Cleric of Sarenrae who has helped keep our land extra healthy and provided us with good weather has failed. We even paid off a quartet of bandits to go investigate, but they weren't heard from again.
Now, we have no protection, no divine weather to insure our crops will grow, and we have no money to hire any additional help. We are a poor town indeed" He sighs heavily as if this was all his fault.
Jax smiles a little at the serving woman, bowing his head in thanks. "Thank you Mirri. I wonder... Could you tell me anything about this village? There is of course a sizable tip in it for you." He smiled, indicating for the woman to take a seat.
"This Grimtaur sounds like a great man - not exactly the sort to shirk his responsibilities without reason. I will return to my employer and see what he says. As you said, bandit activity is increasing. He is just a merchant, but he may see profit in sending me and my comrades to look into this matter. A gang of bandits may have failed, but the Iron Carnival is made of sterner stuff."
Torque swiftly drinks the last of the tea
"You have been extremily helpful. And thinkyou for the tea. We will check back with the squad now, unless there's anything else you wish to know Tok?"
"No. We will be on our way. Thank you for the information, Father."
Valen chuckles. Well, he seems to have some personable skills, but they could certainly use some honing. Flashing the pretty young woman a charming smile, Valen adds,"What my friend means to say is that we would consider it a great honor if you'd join us, miss, and potentially help us understand the situation your town is in. It would seem there's been some trouble of late."