It starts in Aldencross...
The last useful piece of information Allyo Shan could gather before returning to Talingarde. For the last few years, he lived among the enemy, garnering their trust for information. Allyo had to do things he wasn't proud of, even lost the light of Mitra for a short time, but he knew that sacrifices had to be made for the greater good.
His sacrifices were not in vain, nor forgotten by those he served. Upon his return to Matharyn, he was given a rare private audience with King Markadian V called the Brave to debrief the last two years of his life. Unfortunately, not all the Knights of Alerion were as enthusiastic about his return: while the King had an extensive reintegration plan set for Allyo Shan, he understood it needed to be put on hold to grant Shan's request to return to Aldencross, his hometown, to investigate.
Thus, the King gathered a group of Knights he knew would be more tolerant of Shans past.
His decree: Travel to Aldencross and seek an audience with Lord Commander Thomas Havelyn of Castle Balentyne.
The heroes arrive in Aldencross late on the first Fireday of Pharast. The ledger provided by the quartermaster in Matharyn afford each Paladin a room at The Lord's Dalliance, the premier tavern/bed and breakfast in Aldencross. Though a small town, The Dalliance is actually a spacious and quite opulent establishment. The main room, littered with over a dozen tables, is so large and open that four equidistant pillars are used to support the rest of the structure. A large, curved bar extends from the edge of one wall to the other, encapsulating a corner of the room for the tall, gruff, black-haired barkeep to stand behind. Against one of the walls behind the bar is a door, perhaps leading to a pantry, and near the entrance is a stairwell leading up to private rooms. Being the first weekend of spring, the tavern is exceptionally lively, with bard and his minstrels playing lively tunes and telling tales of the battle of Tamberlyn, barely heard over the sounds of laughter and chatter from the locals. Though they continue with their business, the Paladins are definitely noticed as the enter. A few stare in awe, a group of young women at a table giggle and whisper amongst each other, and the barkeep flashes them a warm and inviting smile.
Once the group gets a table Vincent will order the standard fare (likely stew) and goat's milk to drink.
As the food is delivered he will offer Mitra's Grace before beginning his repast.
"So does anyone know exactly why we are here? I'm used to more conventional military assignments. "
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Not wanting to miss an opportunity to establish a good rapport with some of the local citizens, Auric smiles and begins belting out the song the bards are playing. When the current verse ends he skips right to the verse about how vital the Knights of Alerion were to that battle...
He smiles warmly and shakes hands as he moves through the common room singing. He sits down with the corporal and orders himself some food as well. "I'm not sure," he answers, "but I hope it's more meaningful than my last assignment."
Allyo smiles at Auric, genuinely happy with his performance, and then orders some food right after his two companions. The Paladin looks across the room, unavoidably meeting several pairs of eyes; he wasn't particularly comfortable on talking about it there, so he just whispered in the lowest volume he could achieve - trying to take advantage of the bard music around.
I don't know either, my friends. At least, not precisely. But I believe you all heard of the uprising in Talingarde? Well, I believe it has to do with it.
He signs with his hands so his companions notice the multiple eyes and ears around them. Eventually they'd find a better place to talk about it. As he blinked, it became obvious he held the small rune of his eidolon tightly in his hand.
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Fiora had already begun chewing her food when Allyo spoke up. She barely remembers to swallow her beef before responding.
"Could be, I guess. They didn't really tell me much either. S'pose we'll find out soon enough." Fiora is still getting used to having expensive meats put in front of her-a meal like this would have been a luxury even in her early life-so she busies herself with enjoying it as much as she can.
As the heroes quietly talk among themselves and enjoy their meals, the initial awe of their arrival dies down and the townfolk resume their festivities, save for a few of the women who, after his virtuoso performance, continue to eye Auric as if he were a dinner plate himself. Noticing some of the Paladin's eagerness to consume, the burly innkeep is quick to have his barmaid set another round of plates out for them, even helping to carry out a few himself. After making sure everything is in place, he leans slightly over the table, setting his hands down on it to support his weight and gets a good look at each Knight at the table.
"The names Bellam, Bellam Barhold!,' he says excitedly with a smile. "Haven't seen this many Knights of Alerion so far north in at least twenty years, what brings you so far from Matharyn?"
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Vincent looks at his compatriots hoping one of them will come up with an appropriate answer. He knows he's not witty enough to come up with anything but the truth, and it is not likely that such is supposed to be common knowledge.
"Well met, Bellam," Auric replies with a warm smile, "we thank you for your hospitality. The food here is far better than what I had on my last assignment, which was actually a small outpost on Lake Tarik; so, for me, this doesn't seem very far north at all. I've actually come south to be here."
It starts in Aldencross... - the thought came to Allyo's mind once again. What good is to feel no fear if a single line he heard in his line of duty could take his sleep away?
He noticed the barkeep leaning forward and shook himself out of the thoughts. Like Auric, he too smiled, but kept his silence. His paranoid eyes started circling around the place, searching for whoever else was paying attention to their table and conversation.
Bellam beams with pride. "Your words are too kind, sir Knight! And Mitra bless you for your service, it's colder than a polar bears nose up there in the winter! I'll actually have to tell all my friends that Knight of Aler....."
Pausing and squinting his eyes, Bellam takes a closer look at the Paladins.
"Allyo!? Is that you!? I haven't seen you in years and years m'boy! We thought you just ran away...but a Knight of Alerion!? You do Aldencross proud, lad! JENNA!!," he yells loudly over his shoulder. "Come look who is here!"
With that, a middle-aged woman comes out from the door behind the bar. Circling the tavern floor, she makes her way to the table. For her age, she's actually quite beautiful, but she dresses very plainly and does little to accent her natural features. She pulls her short, curly hair away from her eyes to have a better look and offers a wry smile to the group before telling Allyo how pleased she was to see him and leans in for a hug. As she gets close though, those who can see her would find her smile instantly drop and her face turn dour. As she hugs Allyo, she whispers quietly to him, "Come see me in the morning, we need to talk..."
Resuming her fake smile, she retreats back to the bar, leaving the Paladins alone with Bellam once again.
Thessan had followed in with the others but his attention seemed to be drawn to each woman's face as he entered the bar with the other knights. "My boys it seems we are sitting here with the local celebrity" he said not in the least bit joking "Its always good to come home and see friends and folks" He laughed a bit jolly as he patted Allyo on the back. "So did we ever decide why we were here?" He asked his attention moving to one of the more fair ladies passing by.
"We're here because we were ordered to be here. " Vincent responds with a completely straight face. From your time traveling him, you are pretty sure he is serious and guileless.
"I know that Ser Vincent, but I mean did anyone catch the details?" he inquired "I don't mean to sound aloof but, I was under the impression we would get the details when we got here. I know it has to do with Talingaurde but that was all I really heard"
"Oh. Nope, I don't know anything but that I was ordered here. They usually don't let the lower NCOs in on the big plans in my experience. "
Allyo felt ashamed for not remembering the folk from his village. He was young when departed, but he still remembered a lot from there. His childhood of studies, the death of his parents... A lot has happened since them. He's surrounded by other Paladins of Mitra - these, really shining and strong as he always wanted to be - yet, for him, the plans seemed different. Now he was there, though, with the same holy symbol as these men who he always admired, but yet feeling so distant from them.
The half-elf didn't reply anything audible to Jenna, limiting himself to a new smile to the woman and Bellam. He clearly agreed with meeting her, though. When Tessan commented about him, he shied again.
It has been some time, my friend. And yes... It's good to be back home.
He finally leaned forward to the rest of the group, speaking in a slightly more serious tone.
Maybe we should find a more private place to discuss our information.I guess we all could rest a little bit too.
Once the barkeep and his wife have returned to their duties, giving them slightly more privacy, Auric speaks quietly to his companions, "We need to meet with Lord Commander Havelyn. I'm sure he will have important information for us. Based on the way that woman's face looked when she thought nobody could see, I suspect that there may be something amiss here..."
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Fiora had been too busy stuffing her face like a woman who has not had a good meal in years to notice the change in the older lady's demeanor; she swallows her food and takes a moment to get a bit more serious.
"You'd be right about that Auric... Doubt our lot would get sent here if trouble ain't along the way. Wall already holds off the gobbos well enough, so for a troupe of Paladins to get sent to help... gotta be something else goin' on, right?
Fiora turns to Allyo and adds, "That considered... if we've got information to discuss, maybe we should save the discussin' for tomorrow when we're at the castle. Reckon it's a lot easier to spy here than it would be there if such a thing is going on."
"Now now don't get too paranoid. I am sure most here are trust worthy enough" Thessan said with a big ol' smile on his face. He grabbed a large pint of beer and began to down it swiftly, emptying the large mug with little effort. "But yes, lets keep this a little downplayed. I am sure we have made everyone's A&%#$#!!'s pucker just being here. A coterie of Paladins are not called out to handle a local tribe of goblins. That would be like burning down yur house to kill a spider."
The rest of the evening is filled with lively music, and singing and dancing: at least from the townfolk. Bellam seems lost in bliss, relishing the success of his business and mingling with his patrons. Jenna remains in the back until the last calls, but those watching closely see nothing but worry and grief painted on her countenance in the brief moments that she comes out. As the hours roll by the crowd dies down; most of the patrons retreat to their homes or their rooms upstairs. Eventually, so too must our Paladins. The individual rooms are spacious, each equipped with a large bed and light sheets for the spring. Rolled up near the end of the beds are various furs and thicker linens for the occasional cold night. A long, hip-high dresser sits close to the wall within each room. On top of each is a glass bowl suspended by a metal frame, sitting over a lit candle to warm the water: giving the Paladins an opportunity to lightly clean themselves. There are even racks for weapons and armor to be set and displayed upon; when Balentyne underwent its first major renovation, many of the soldiers stayed in town and The Lord's Dalliance was quick to accommodate all their needs. By the beds are fine mahogany night stands with a glass jars filled with meat jerky. One would almost think they were at a courtiers inn in Matharyn, with this much luxury.
The next morning, the Paladins find Jenna sitting alone at a table downstairs, her elbows planted firmly against the face of it and her fingers locked together, slightly shaking.
"It's no coincidence Knights of Alerion have shown up in Aldencross, no coincidence at all....", she pauses briefly, looking over each of you. "Something is very wrong in Aldencross, and everyone here is so blissful and naive that they can't see it! It all started a month ago. Captain Varnholde found Barnabus Thrane and the other six dwarves who were supposed to be working on the gatehouse dead in the woods, covered in claw marks. Must have been a bear attack, everyone said. A few days later, word mysteriously gets around that Captain Eddarly was having his way with Captain Franz Motts wife. Even Bellam didn't know about it and he's the biggest gossiper in town! Mott didn't take it lightly, challenged Eddarly to a duel and ran him through...dead! They dragged Mott off the same day to Branderscar for execution. Just a lovers tryst, the town disregarded it. Next thing we know, old Mad Martin up at the aviary in Balentyne kills all his birds and jumps from the top of the tower. "Of course, he's just insane" everyone muses! The Bard of Barrington comes to town to sing for everyone, but he and his entire retinue disappear they day after their performance! It's unheard of but the people here just make excuses! It doesn't end! Father Donnigan, the kind old man, was "caught" diddling children and sent to Matharyn for punishment and his scribe Tacitus vanished the next day, presumably from grief! And now, almost all the soldiers are the tower have come down with the flu! I can't convince anyone it's related, the guards here in town are so inept it pains me to even try. I was actually going to ask the four retired adventurers that have been staying here the last two months to look into it, but they didn't come back last night! And as much as all of this bothers me, as much as I was waiting last night to as you to look into this, I can't, because my husband Bellam as gone missing! He got up early in the morn before sunrise to tend to the stables outside and never came back in. I woke up, half expecting him to be in bed still and having to sneak down to talk to you...but no Bellam! Please! You must find my husband!
Overwhelmed and exhausted, Jenna leans her head against her hands and ineffectively holds back her sobbing.
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Fiora sits down next to Jenna, putting an arm around the older woman and pulling her close. "There, there miss. It sounds like we've got good reason to be here, and we're gonna make things right. We'll drag your husband back from wherever he is and you can give him a proper chewing out for leaving you like this, all right?"
Thessan was awake earlier then most so he was not beholden to sleep when they came down and heard her story. He frowned visibly his normal jovial nature thrown aside for the moment. "My dear lady, I promise we will do what we can to set things right in this town. To find what evil plagues the good folk of this town and bring it to the light" he swore an oath to the lady, one he would uphold or die trying. "We should check the stables, any of you have any skill at tracking?"
What you tell us is definitely troubling, my dear. - says the half-elf, touching Jenna on the shoulder with care, while shaking his head in agreement to Fiora.
He then came together with the other paladins. After Thessan spoke, he replied.
I agree we need to investigate. Before doing so, however, maybe we should find some minutes to get all better acquainted in what each one of us can bring to the table, in terms of specialty.
Vincent will head out to the stables and checks to see if he can find any tracks.
He will take 20 if possible for 24.
As the group takes a few minutes to discuss their talents , Vincent heads out the main entrance. Taking a left, the stables are attached to the end of the building, extending outward instead of along the edge. In reality, it's more of an awning covered with enough thicket to stop rain penetrating; the affluence afforded the customers inside clearly isn't extended to their steeds. Few people who stay at The Dalliance actually keep a horse, so the Barholde's rarely hear complains. The stables extend out twenty feet, with partitions every five to hold four horses, though only two stalls are occupied: the closest to the building. At the end of the stalls is a set of double doors, held up at a 45 degree angle from the ground by a brick support, leading underground. A chain wraps around two metal rings attached to each door, with a cheap padlock securing it. The hay around the stables appears relatively untouched and fresh, as if it were put out earlier today. Upon a lengthy inspection, Vincent finds some blood stains on the cobblestone beneath the hay; it appears that whoever covered it tried to clean the blood first. It starts as but a few drops halfway between the edge of the Dalliance and the double doors, but by the time Vincent reaches those doors, the blood appears to be a streak, dragged all the way to it.
"I believe something foul has been done here. Prepare yourselves. " he says to his compatriots as he moves to open the door.
Please give me a minute. Let me bring a small reinforcement.
Allyo hides himself to perform the summoning ritual. Once it's completed, he will return to the group, making sure they're alone, and introduce his companion.
Shallelah is a true agathion, but his appearance is anything but it. While initially she registers as evil (same as Allyo), as the paladin concentrates their aura is suppressed and their true alignment appears. He brings the aura back right after.
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Fiora grimaces when Vincent points out the blood; she had been prepared for this but was still not happy to see it. She adjusts the straps on her cesti, ready to deal with whatever had caused the streaks.
Her concentration wavers a bit when Allyo walks back into the group with a horrifying monstrosity by his side. He had been kind enough to explain the reason for his companion's appearance beforehand but... it still brings back memories that leave Fiora clutching her chest.
"Sorry, sorry... I trust you really. I've just... I've watched things that look like you eat people."
The doors have a little bit of play in them, but the chain linking them together and secured with a padlock prevents Vincent from opening either one more than a few inches. It is still early enough in the day that very few people are walking about outside of heading to the Dalliance for breakfast. Those that do give Shan's companion a wide birth.
"Someone should go back for the key. I would prefer for most of us to stay here so if something is inside, it won't get away."
"Good idea, I'll be right back" Auric replies, trotting inside to find Jenna...
Allyo agrees, silent. Worried about Bellam, the half-elf can't hide it by a second, and looks insistently to the passage. He smiles at Shallelah, nervous, who smiles back at him. The wait might be the worst enemy right now.
Jenna digs around upstairs for a few moments, but is unable to find the key, Bellam more than likely had the only one. Though, the outside doors are not the only way into the supply cellar; they simply use that to transfer stock when they get shipments since it's a wider entrance. She offers the Paladins access through the door behind the bar. It leads into a small kitchen with a stairwell leading down to the right just as you walk through. The cellar itself is spotless, as if perhaps magically cleaned. The floor and walls are all high quality cut stone, possibly Dwarven craftsmanship. Aside from being unusually clean, there is nothing spectacular about the cellar. At a cursory glance the racks are appear to be made from cheap milled lumber and slightly dry-rotted. Most of them have probably been there for the better part of a century. They are lined with dried and salted meats, fresh fruits and vegetables, extra plates and cutlery, barrels of mead, bottles of spirits and everything else that an establishment of this nature would be expected to have.
"There's another entrance inside," Auric calls out as he rushes back towards his fellow knights, "Bellam had the only key to this door, but we can cut through from the kitchen; this way."
He leads them back into the kitchen and down into the basement. "It looks suspiciously clean... as if someone has recently cleaned up a mess, very thoroughly... perhaps we should find where the other door connects and start our examination there?"
Auric attempts to assist whoever seems the most competent searcher...
Vincent will also take 20 for a 27.
Scouring the room, our Paladins find something quite unusual behind a few barrels in the corner. A finely crafted case, painted in Talingarde's white and blue. A golden ribbon once was tied around it, but it lay on the floor, mostly tucked underneath the case. The lid is slightly ajar, revealing the top of twelves bottles inside, each partitioned off by wood slats covered with stained blue leather.
Auric examines the case trying to understand it's significance...
If the case and the wine bottle inside are authentic, then Bellam is either very rich or friends with the King. The wine itself is made only in Matharyn, with grapes brought from the Kings small, private and well-kept vineyard. Crafted by master vintners, only twelve dozen bottles are made each year. King Markadian himself takes half of them. either drinking them or giving them away as gifts to friends. The rest are sold at private auctions and the King uses the funds to offset the costs of maintaining the vineyard and compensating the vintners.
"If this is real its extraordinary..." Auric marvels. "This appears to be wine from the King's own private vineyard. They make less than 150 bottles a year and half of them go directly to the King's private reserve... either there was much more to Bellam than there seemed or there is something very unusual going on here..."
Allyo hears carefully, obviously thinking it all very strange.
Well, it doesn't surprise me... Especially after what Jenna said. We're surrounded by a series of strange events, and I pray Mitra can enlighten our path.
He starts looking around, signing Shallelah to help.
Maybe we can find other clues here... - he completes.
They're searching for tracks or signs of multiple people having been here, and maybe some other hidden entrance.
"Odd that the blood led into this place, but there are no traces at all. I am confounded. "
Paying closer attention, Shallelah points down to his feet. With each step he takes, the small amount of dust and dirt he tracks in beneath his feet vanishes.
Not only is the floor devoid of blood, but any dust, dirt, liquid, stains, or residue. It almost looks like the stones were laid yesterday.
Allyo casts Mage Armor on Shallelah.
Excellent point. Shallelah, let's be careful with illusions and traps here.
When the discussion turns to illusions Auric reaches down with his hands and starts feeling around the floor, especially near the door where the blood trail lead... He squints and strains and tries to see things as they truly are.
"Are you sure? It seems awfully real..."
Concentrating on the room, users of detect magic will pick up faint transmutation and conjuration magic emanating from the walls, ceiling, and floor. Perhaps, long ago this place was created using magic, though the cellar of a mediocre in does seem a strange place for that.
Aurics hand does indeed touch stone, there is nothing to disbelieve. Unlike a normal stone floor of a cellar, the stone itself is smooth and cool to the touch.