After wandering aimlessly through the market, Mara looks up at the darkening sky. "Borgol, dusk is almost here. Are you ready to head to dinner?"
She begins to head towards the Creekside Tavern to meet Audrahani.
Flik finishes his small purchases in the market and heads to the tavern.
Borgol nods, with a sigh, "Unless I trip over a purse with a few thousand gold in it, I'm done.". He follows, saying, "I still have a chill since that... wail.. so I'm looking forward to some warm food."
Alustria echoes her cousin's goodbye, then moves into the armory to request her new sword's commission, putting 30 gold coins down on the work.
Fergus will see if he can find the nearest temple of Angradd, and if there is none, a temple to Torag would do. He will then meet the others at the appointed time.
Spending the day shopping and visiting places in the town, as dinner time rolls around you head to the Creekside Tavern and Inn for a meal with Audrahani. When you arrive, you are escorted to a small eating room off the main portion of the tavern, where Audrahani is waiting. Dinner is served, and you chat about your day as Alustria and Audrahani catch up on happenings back home. When finished, and while enjoying after dinner beverages, Audrahani stands and addresses the group; "Thank you again for taking the time to chat with me. You seem like capable sorts—certainly not the type who’d be content to live out lives of comfort in a small town like Roderic’s Cove. I don’t mean that as an insult—far from it. I’ve been in town for several years and I think the Cove needs people like you: heroes. The stink of violence is in the air. The near confrontation you were just involved in isn’t the frst we’ve had recently... surely you’ve heard of the slaughter that took place last week? Something strange is going on here in Roderic’s Cove, and someone needs to do some investigating to figure out what that is. I’m hoping you’ll be up to that challenge."
Aye! I am up for investigating, as long as it does not involve that...ghost. Why do you think something strange is going on? Fergus says as he sips his beverage-a nice stout ale.
Mara sets her plate aside and joins the conversation. "I am interested as well, but Fergus brings up a good point. Although the killing last week is not very normal for a small town like this, it is not all that uncommon. Something else must be happening for you to be this concerned."
I thought I knew the ins and outs of this town, but after today I feel like I have only scratched the surface! Tell us, what could we explore?
Flik sips a cordial as he thinks about what mysteries he might have overlooked in the quiet town.
Borgol shakes his head, "Hero? I've met Heroes, and that's a high bar I can only hope to live up to.". He takes a pull from his tankard, then says, "Of course, I'm willing to try to earn that title. I owe it to them, and to Ol'Deadeye."
He shrugs, "I've heard of the recent killings, felt the building tension.. to be honest, this quaint little town has started to remind me of Kaer Maga, where I grew up. Especially with the gangs... If there's a way to stop all this before it gets worse, then I'm in... "
Alustria leans in. "What do you think is behind the violence, if not simple human nature?"
"My goals are to bring peace to Roderic’s Cove and to put Sir Roderic’s ghost to rest. I recall that the last time Sir Roderic’s ghost made an appearances in the Cove was during events 10 years ago that culminated in a minor uprising. Roderic’s Cove’s previous port-Governor, Jess Gildersleeves, was run out of town after she was found to be undermining Roderic’s Cove by diverting funds meant for the small town to shady interests in Riddleport. I believe that Sir Roderic grows restless when his beloved cove is in danger, not that he is the cause of those dangers himself.
You have heard that there was a big fight between two groups in town that left six people dead from mysterious and supernatural causes. My main concern, however, is the appearance of Sir Roderic himself. In order to give the town’s founder the rest he finally deserves, Roderic’s Cove must be made safe for its citizens, but that requires first determining what sort of peril is building in the town’s shadows. I have done a little bit of work looking around town for clues, but I admit that I am not the best at getting people to talk or noticing subtleties. Perhaps you will have better luck than I did in finding out more. As for Roderic’s ghost, an investigation of his old home, an abandoned building outside of town called Roderic’s Wreck, would be a logical step, but the old building is dangerous and you should be careful and deliberate in their investigation of the building. I hope that you will become heroes for Roderic’s Cove, as I am certain that something dire, in need of a group of heroes’ attention, is building within the town, and also that the ghost can be put to rest if the town is saved."
"The only other information that I have is about the fight. Although everyone saw the aftermath of the clash between the Horned Fangs and the Order of Resplendence a week ago, you should investigate the massacre, and ask around and gather intelligence about the event to determine if there’s something more dangerous at work behind the scenes. Two leads; the name of the first person on the scene of the massacre was Ladia Kelstrop; and all six were human, locals who left behind no immediate family. Of the six, two worked as trappers, one as a fisher, and three were unemployed. One thing tied them together apart from their shared deaths: all six wore the same rune on their clothing, the old Thassilonian rune of wrath. This marking identified the dead as belonging to one of the new gangs in Roderic’s Cove: a group called the Horned Fangs. One of the bodies bore an obvious sign of death—a deep puncture wound to the throat from a stabbing weapon, perhaps a rapier or short sword, but the other five bore no physical wounds at all. The expressions frozen on their dead faces suggest a singular cause of death. I believes they all died of fright."
"An omen, then. A spirit trapped like an undead warning system." Alustria frowns. "He needs to be released, and if that takes investigation, that's what we need to do."
"I've never had any trouble getting along with the people in town. I'm sure if we ask around we can find out some additional information. Rodrick's Wreck sounds a bit spooky, but I imagine its full of stories that are important to the town and its folk."
Sounds like we'll be busy for the next few days. Count me in! Fergus says intrigued and momentarily forgetting his less-than-heroic encounter with the ghost.
Borgol blinks, "I don't think I'd considered that there could be a supernatural cause to all of this .. I mean, the ghost, obviously, but I meant the violence."
His expression grows pensive, Being able to set poor Roderic to rest seems a noble goal, though preventing more deaths is even more important.. though if the things are related. He shakes his head, focusing back on the conversation. "Scared to death? Could it have been Roderic himself -- after experiencing today's little display, it seems possible -- breaking up the fight, but permanently."
Alustria nods. "But I don't think you can hold it against the ghost, if it was him...I don't think they see things the same way, being dead. Then she shudders. "Kind of scary to think about, actually."
Borgol nods, "I think that's fair... Worse, it's possible someone might be using, or inciting, the ghost."
"Like a necromancer?" Alustria had heard of those, but never encountered one before. "Dawnflower forefend!"
"I'm not sure I agree there is a connection between the ghost and last week's violence, but I'm happy to join in." Mara looks excited at the chance for something interesting to investigate "If anything, I'd like to have a chance to put good Sir Roderic to rest. I've always wanted to check out his home but was nervous about going alone."
"Let's have a chat with Ladia, then make our way out to the Wreck, shall we?"
Sounds good to me! I concur. Fergus says as he nods his head in agreement.
Borgol nods, "Agreed. I certainly like learning what we can before going to the Wreck."
"Always best to have information before diving in."
"sounds like a plan to me!"
Making your way east thru town, you arrive at the Kelstrop Meats in a short time. As you enter, you see Ladia in the back hunched over the fire pits checking to make sure that everything is alright. She mainly smokes salmon caught in the Chavali River, but also smokes beef, clams, oysters, and pork.
As she sees you come in; "Hello, I will be right with you. Please look around for what you wish to purchase." After a few moments a short dark skinned woman comes from the back and asks "how may I help you?"
Talking to people she doesn't know is not her strong point, so Alustria hangs back, looking over the store's offerings while listening closely.
Mara joins Alustria off to the side, checking out the wares. Although she is still young, she sometimes gets the "old crone" treatment by those that don't understand her and as such she has a tendency to NOT take the front in conversation.
"Wonderful to see you Ladia. I'm sorry to bring such a dour and gloomy subject up to you, but might we chat a bit about the recent unpleasantness between the Horned Fangs and the Order of Resplendence a week ago? We heard that you were the first on the scene in the aftermath, and we wondered if you might remember some details that would help us.
You see, we are trying to get to the bottom of this whole business, and make sure that Roderick's Cove is safe as can be for all of its residents.
I would just as soon we not drag you into this--I'm sure you have meats to smoke!--but we thought talking with you might be the most practical first step. No need to involve yourself more than you are comfortable--we're only looking for information!"
Fergus will keep an eye on the door.
Borgol steps forward, standing near Flik, Let's try to not make it seem like we might be about to toss her shop... He smiles reassuringly and says gently, "We're just trying to help.. and we promise we won't share anything you tell us."
While waiting for the others to get information from Ladia, Mara finds some meat that looks good.
This would make a nice snack if we spend the day out of town, and Ladia might be more apt to talk if she's making a profit
She joins Flik and Borgol at the counter. "Anything you could share would be very useful, and while we're chatting I found something that looks good. How much is this smoked beef?"
"3 silver pieces per half pound" she replies to Mara.
Seeming eager to speak, "I rose late at night, as I do most nights, to tend to the smokehouse fires. On my way there, I saw a number of people fleeing north from the Circle. I rushed to the scene of the fight and shouted at those fleeing to stop, when I stumbled upon the grisly aftermath. Six bodies were sprawled out on the ground dead. I immediately started shouting for the neighbors to wake up and help and to keep an eye out for the varlets who’d committed the crime. It was too dark to recognize any of the people fleeing the scene, but they were headed north. For this reason, I suspect they weren’t thugs from Riddleport, or they would have fled south to board their ship at the docks."
She smiles momentarily at Flik, then mentions, "I noticed a young boy, Kynae Fromperton, lurking around the scene soon after I started yelling for help. Kynae slipped away before more help arrived. Certainly I don't think he was involved in the actual deed, since he’s just a kid. I don't want to see him get in trouble, but there’s a chance he might have seen something more."
"Thank you very much Ladia, that will be useful. I'd also like to buy a half pound of this smoked beef. It looks quite tasty and maybe Kynae would like some when we go talk to him."
Alustria shifts her feet, eager to be out of the shop. The aromas and spices are a bit much for her senses.
Borgol nods his head in thanks, offering, "We'll not bring him any trouble, but I think we would like to hear his tale. Thank you, Ladia... and, as a small aside, I won't have any venison to trade this week, since I'm working on.. whatever this turns out to be."
Fegus smiles. Thank you Miss! He then follows the others out. Does anyone know where this boy is? He tries to think if he has seen the boy and where.
His mind comes up blank.
"Ah, Kynae. Sounds like a little scamp. We'll find him without too much trouble, I'm sure. Much obliged for your news Ladia, and keep well."
Responding to Borgol, "that is ok, Borgol. I have enough to last a while. If you can bring some next week, that will do."
To Mara, "thank you. If there is anything else, let me know."
While Alustria stands there, shifting from one foot to another in obvious need to leave, Fergus thinks for a moment, and wonders where the boy can be found.
Flik also thinks for a few moments about what he has learned over the last week or so about Roderic's Cove inhabitants and you can see the proverbial light bulb go on over his head as he comes to some conclusion about the boy.
"We are much abliged to you, Ladia, but we should head out. See you again soon, and for happier matters."
After leaving the shop, Flik says to the others, "Let's swing by the baker's for a few penny loafs. The last time I saw Kynae was two days ago; he was slipping out of Guydan Metrof's hay barn at the crack of dawn, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. The boy looked ill fed and ill used. If I remember correctly, he hangs out around the Lady's Chapel during the day."
Furgus follows Flik glad that they are having a productive day so far - and no signs of any ghosts!
"Poor child. Perhaps our visit can brighten his day." Alustria smiles, taking a deep breath of fresh air.
"I guess this smoked beef might be even more useful than I thought it would be. No better way to a boy's heart than through his stomach, and even more so for an ill fed one."
Borgol nods, "It probably wouldn't hurt to stop for a sweetroll on the way. Little boys don't always want to easy what's good for them, plus the dried beef will keep and help tomorrow..."
Hardly a long term solution, though... Maybe I can start giving the lad a small bit of what I bring in from the hunt..
"What would really help is if someone dried out the boy's father." Flik sighs compassionately. "Though I'm not sure anything short of divine intervention could get him out of his cups."
While heading up to the Lady's Chapel, you stop by Blackberry’s Bakery to pick up a sweet roll for Kynae in hopes to win him over.
As you leave the Bakery, you run into the rail-thin boy with dirty smudges on his face and ragged hand-me-down clothes walking on the street, heading who knows where.
Borgol shakes his head, "Aye, I know how much damage a father can do... and while I'd love to say Erastil wants me to slap sense into this one, I'm thinking it'd not be terribly helpful."
Fergus will let the more friendlier ones of the group talk to the lad while he keeps a look out to see if anyone seems overly interested in them talking to the boy.
Mara approaches the boy nonchalantly, coming into step next to him while trying to seem like a fellow villager out strolling. "Good day young sir, out for a walk? It's a beautiful day, and I happen to have this sweet roll with me. It's much too large for me to eat alone, and I was wondering if you wanted to share a snack with a friend?"
She shows him the sweet roll and waits for his response, continuing to walk along next to him.
"Hello, Kynae! I hope the day is treating your well. I'll vouch for Mara, here, and the sweet roll. It's from Blackberry’s, you know. Delicious!"