"Vegetables you say... I don't suppose you have any Kraki Root do you? It has been an age and an age since I last 'Kraked Root'! You seem so peaceful here in your little colony, how is it that you stay safe here, away from a Hive?"
"Kraki root? Why yes we do. It is early in the season, but we might have one or two that are starch enough for us." turning to the half-giant, "Not sure what your palate is ..."
"Why would we not be safe? The hanoshafyr do not trouble us here, and very little happens. We are allowed to be who we are, and mostly tend to our own." Nisk concludes. "All in all, it is not a bad life."
"Ah, Christaph. The marketplace and then a mine shaft? Do you treat all of your dates this well?"
Squirm continues to walk with Nisk
"Always an even trade cousin, what can I do for you in return fot the Kraki?"
The entrance to the basalt mines is blocked by a massive iron-wrought gate. A crude chain and padlock are wrapped around the bars, preventing easy access.
As Christaph and Neils approach the mine they see a pair of guards watching from just
outside the gates to the mine. One male, one female, both wearing rust color tunics marking them as soldiers of House Duarran. Constantly grinning they watch the duo approach.
"What cha want?" comes the question from the male guard.
"What can you do for me, why we would love some entertainment. We would be happy to provide you any instruments or materials if you wish to entertain us." Nisk replies. Squirm recognizes Nisk's expectant look.
"We're new in town. Just looking to see the sights. Do you guys do tours?"
Squirm nods towards his left leg
"I am left lame and entirely useless in that regard... perhaps a tale would be to your liking a scary story of darkest eldritch horror perhaps?..."
Rubbing his antennae together, Nisk summons the rest of the colony to gather around Squirm. Mothers cup their children, elders squat in the dust, and adolescents joke and laugh. All told there are less than ten dromites in attendance.
All turn to Squirm for a story of the darkest eldritch horror.
"Phenoric ore? Great stuff from what I've heard! The owners of this mine should be quite happy & wealthy! Rather rare stuff. Who are the owners of the mine by the way if I may?"
"This tale is far-fetched, unbelievable, you can scoff if you like, laugh at how unbelievable the narrative is. But know this; every word is true, as true as I am standing before you now.
Three years ago I had business in a town, not far from here actually. My first day went well enough and a late evening of celebration in the local tavern followed. I do not partake of liquor, but I wish I had. I returned to my rooms and retired immediately, preparing for the day to come.
I woke some hours later to the sounds of massed footsteps outside..."
The story continues for many minutes, and the crowd pay wrapped attention. Until finally...
"... every one of those Elan with same face turned from me as one, and I am not ashamed to say that I wept as a watched the whole legion of them walk slowly into the water and disappear. Taking all that fell knowledge to their watery graves. Only the inn keeper remained and he, as I only learned later, had been my mysterious employer all along!"
Silence falls and Squirm lets it hang for a few seconds and then breaks it.
"And now it's time for Kraki I think"
I appreciate the information good folks.
And now, if I may bear upon you further for another inquiry. We were nearly overcome by those beastly antlered creatures and their wolf-like companions. Why do they seem to focus on those with psionic abilities? Why is it they do not attack the town? And why does there seem to be such a concentration of them just outside of this town?"
"Well told, well told. What a great tale. It is so refreshing to see a fellow dromite and have a chance to hear such a great story. This truly is a great day!
"Come let us partake in a mall feast, and you will be our guests." Nish calls for his fellows to gather the beginnings of a meal.
"So best be off now. Have a nice day." she stifles a giggle-snort and the male guards waves them away with a superior grin on his face.
Clearly dismissing the duo, the guards begin to scan the area looking for other potential interlopes to the mine. Finding none, they try to strike guardly poses.
"The others will be missing us soon, and honestly the townsfolk are starting to get on my nerves. Let's head back."
The pain on Squirm's face is no illusion, it is genuinely torn.
"I hope to return to you soon enough though."
Squirm tries a weak smile"
The group, having explored much of Jace's Stanchion, return to the Absent Eidolon Tavern.
The tavern appears much the same. Few patrons, and those that are here keep to themselves with bowed heads over bowls of what appears some stew-like concoction.
The caravan guards make their way back to spot occupied by Morris, Simon, Bertrand, and Syonne. The brothers Morris and Simon are not there, and as the group reflects on this they recollect that they cannot remember seeing either pair without the other.
Bertrand and Syonne have their heads close together engaging in a conversation without regard for those around them. As the group seats themselves, they can overhear the two.
"That would be perfect. A nice little house south of the general store. I can just imagine maybe planting a little garden." the group overhears Bertrand plan.
"And we should try for little ones. Right away. I wonder if you should ask House Duarran for a job. I can just see myself sitting home waiting for you to arrive." comes Syonne's response.
As Squirm reenters the tavern it is pleased to see some of the caravan guards remain. It hoists itself up onto a stool at a neighboring table
"Lunch then! and news! How have your explorations gone friends?"
Its insectoid eyes look around at his companions
"Squirm, I would strongly suggest you not eat or drink any of the local stuff until we find out something more. Something has caused all the locals to become ... 'complacent'? They don't seem to care about life in general anymore, just go on existing is all. And do you not notice? Here's Bertrand & Syonne, who just this morning were saying they are on the next caravan out of here, and Bertrand who even said he was first in line to leave town, now they have eaten the food & drunk the ale, and are talking about setting up house here? Bertrand? To whom adventuring is in his blood? There is some sort of mass effect going on here that makes people not care about moving on. Since it has not affected Neils or I, but it seems it may have affected Bertrand & Syonne here, and the only difference between them & Neils and I, is that Neils and I have not participated in the local food or drink here. This 'evidence' would seem to indicate there may be something in either the food or the drink to cause this? Let us investigate further before we take that chance shall we? Now I hope it's not too late for you and Vara."
Christaph turns to Bertrand & Syonne, "Excuse me Bertrand, what is this I am hearing about the two of you settling down? I thought you were anxious to be moving on out with the next caravan? I'm honestly surprised that you would consider settling down & raising a family in such a place as this. Do you think it is safe with all those wild beasts living right outside of town? And by the way, any idea where Morris & Simon are at?"
Bertrand pulls his loving gaze from Syonne. "I'm sorry, who are you?" he asks Christaph.
Syonne's face scrunches up in confusion, "Morris and Simon? Never heard of them."
They resume holding hands and smiling at each other clearly dismissing the group from their thoughts.
"What do you mean you've never heard of them & who are we? We just travelled together protecting a Caravan. All of us came into town together just this morning! You two have been travelling together with Morris & Simon for some time from what I gathered. And really, do you feel it is safe enough to stay in this zombie-like town?"
"Maybe they're just being coy?"
Squirm recoils as the situation develops
"the food! But I've already eaten! In the colony! I don't feel different... But then, nor do they I'm sure!"
Squirm, in an unexpected display of athleticism, scrambles up onto Bertrand and Syonne's table. Crossing it swiftly he slaps the guard with his good hand.
"not you two! Not me either! Snap out of it!
Squirm, in an unexpected display of athleticism, scrambles up onto Bertrand and Syonne's table. Crossing it swiftly he slaps the guard with his good hand.
Turning to Christaph, Bertrand begins, "I am sorry. You clearly seem agitated. We honestly don't know you, and this caravan you speak of. I hear there is a clinic in town, you might want to check that out. To be safe."
Syonne adds, "And we've never met a Morris and Simon. If you all would kindly leave us to enjoy our lunchtime meal, we would appreciate it." she smiles at them before tunring back to Bertrand.
"Squirm! Calm down! You still remember us & the other two guards as well, so you seem to be okay. I think for our next step maybe we should investigate where the town's food supply comes from or perhaps investigate the very kitchen here? Also we should perhaps ask around town for the other guards? Vara, Squirm, did you all find out anything interesting while you were out & about?"
"By the way, you can buy healing potions in the market,though they are a bit pricey. Neils & I split the cost of one between us. We didn't find out much of anything, there seems to be some danger at the mine, but they still make the workers work it. Maybe it's the dust of the mines? But no, Bertrand & Syonne have not been in there."
"I don't like the idea of splitting up. We aren't toughened up guards like the others are. What do you all think?"
he's right, damn it, need to pull myself together
"you're right of course Christaph, not much solid info on our part, a lot of apathy really. We sought an audience at the grand house but we're informed that the master was away and we could come back tomorrow to see someone. The guards were... Morons. Then we payed a visit to "The Colony," a settlement of my cousins, they seemed gallery enough and I actually ate some of their food. Thus my uncivilised outburst."
Turning to Bertrand
"if any part of you is capable of human decency anymore they I speak to that part. I am sorry for my earlier outburst, I feared for my own sanity just as you seems to have lost your's, I am sorry."
"Your plan seems sound Christaph but I would add that we should perhaps also check in on our former employer. He is after all our ticket out of here, should things get out of hand. What say you Neil's?"
"But no, Bertrand & Syonne have not been in there."
"Mmm. It's getting later. We may consider turning in for now. Besides, we don't really have any reason to go bursting down doors just yet, do we?"
"I agree Squirm. We need to start asking around for the caravan master, who I would think would be at house Duarran, and also the two missing guards."
Suddenly a thought occurs to Christaph & he turns again to Bertrand & Syonne, "Pardon me for interrupting you two one more time, but I was just wondering, have you ever been to the local mine in town? I'm curious as to how it works & I was wondering if they give any kind of tours or anything like that?"
"You're still here." musses Syonne dryly.
"Come my love, maybe if we answer another of their questions they will finally leave us alone." turning back to the group, "I cannot remember ever being to the mines, though since we will be staying here, we shall check it out eventually. Good day to you all." Bertrand ends turning back to his love.
"I suspect we will not get a lot more from these two"
Squirm returns to the table it had previously claimed and sits for a moment as if in thought, intently watching the two experienced guards
"So where exactly did you two visit this morning? We..." Squirm indicates itself and Vara "as I said went to house Duarran and the colony. Has anyone heard anything of the church we passed on the island?"
"I know nothing of the church. Neils and I spent some time in the marketplace, and then we tried to get a tour of the mines but it was fenced off & had two guards that said the mine was dangerous & no one - besides the workers - was allowed in. Either they don't care about the safety of their workers, which would not surprise me, or there is something strange going on there. That was all we got to do before coming back here. Everywhere we went we were met with the same sort of apathy & carelessness. I suggest we start asking around to try to find out where the caravan master & the two guards went. In the meantime I have a question for the barmaid here."
Going over to the barmaid or to the bartender if there is no maid, "Pardon me, if I may have a brief moment of your time, I was hoping you may be willing to answer some questions for me. First, have you been here all morning? And if so, those two patrons over there, Bertrand & Syonne, have they been in here the whole time? And do you know where the other two, Morris & Simon, went off to? And last, have you seen this man in here today?"
Going over to thebarmaid or to thebartender, "Pardon me, if I may have a brief moment of your time, I was hoping you may be willing to answer some questions for me."
The barkeep looks to Christaph. "No."
The psion continues on, oblivious to the barkeep's wishes.
"First, have you been here all morning?
Rolling his eyes, "Yes. Who leaves their establishment during working hours?" he answers in a sardonic tone.
"And if so, those two patrons over there, Bertrand & Syonne, have they been in here the whole time?
"No."
"And do you know where the other two, Morris & Simon, went off to?
"No."
"And last, have you seen this man in here today?"
"No."
Neils shrugs and sighs. "This line of questioning isn't getting us anywhere. I think I will be turning in, you all are welcome to join me if you'd like."
"I have no desire to spend the afternoon sleeping when there are so many unanswered questions. I plan to go about town asking for & searching for, the caravan master & Morris & Simon. I would appreciate if you Lady Vara, & maybe you as well, agile Squirm would join me? Safety in numbers and all that you know. Then again, perhaps we should not leave Sir Neils alone either since we do not know how people succumb to the effects of this apathy? What do you all think?"
"You all can go and have your fun, I'll be alright. I'll even lock the door to be extra-safe" says Neils. He even offers a thumbs up to the others.