If no one has anything else to look over or ask, I will assume you all are going to follow the Ale wagon to Hommlet
"Let's go.
Eÿliana quickly falls in with the group, eager to get to Hommlet to see how the city and the Temple fair.vWith a few looks over her shoulder towards the distant city of Verbabonc, the rogue keeps out of reach of anyone in the caravan, including the others charged with a letter and badge. How much can I trust these people... certainly not with my life or even my possessions...
For now let's see...
I shall have a blurb up giving you a brief disruption of the town and whatnot when I get home
Your Party is now approaching the village of Hommlet, having ventured from the town of Dockshire. As you travel you note that you only have what you carry, no notes of guaranteed cash, no symbol of authority save the badges you hold. Vervabonc may have asked to send you here, but where is here?
The community at the Crossroads is a completely unknown quantity. What is there? Who will be Encountered? Where Should you go? These are your first Explorations and encounters, so chance may dictate as much as intelligence. Will outsiders be shunned? Are the rumours trues does this whole community engaged in evil practices? Are the folk bumpkins, easily duped? does a Curse lay upon those who dare to venture in the lands that once were the Temples? All these questions will soon be answered!
The dusty, rutted road is lined with closely-grown hedges of brambles and shrubs. Here and there it cuts through a copse or crosses a rivulet. To either hand, forest or meadow have given way to field and orchard, A small herd of sheep graze nearby, and on a distant hill is dotted with the wand stone chimneys with thin plums of smoke rising from them. A road angles west into the hill country, and to the other side of the road ahead are barns and buildings-Hommlet at last!
ON the map link you are coming from the bottom of the screen heading directly north into the village.
Nex will spend the last little bit of the trip talking to the people in the caravan (non-PCs).
"You have been to Hommlet before, correct? Is it a hospitable place? Any areas we should look out for or particularly good inns?"
'This chill is good', Augrok thought, looking out at the loans as they traveled. In the mornings, the chill was just enough to be enjoyed, just that edge of "uncomfortable"that care had to be taken. Attentive was good. As the others traveled, he posed a few questions, curious about their assignment.
-"Greetings, I am Augrok. Do we have any common threads that have brought us here?"
-"Have I missed the standard 'How did you get here' questioning?"
-"I do wonder how many letters have been sent out...", he mused aloud.
Other than that, the dusky-skinned half-orc often say reviewing notes or something similar, his attention given to it's pages when he was not taking a watch or assisting where he could. The rest of the time he watched their companions, gleaning what he could about them.
_______________
"It seems we have all been sent here by masters, bosses, or some other higher up that received a letter. I have not seen any shared thread other than the letters being sent far and wide, and their being sent to many people in power."
"I walked here. It's how I get most places."
"If I had to guess, I would say lots of letters were sent out. The people that are here because their letter both reached its final destination and the organization was willing to send them."
"I walked as well, and swimmed as I was able. My letter....never made it to its destination of intention. Happenstance brought it to me, but it requested the presence of a watcher of Ezkala, and now I am here."
Ekaitz seems quite comfortable on the road.
"Feet will get you all sorts of places indeed! Though to mix modes of transportation in my metaphores abruptly I'm in the same boat as Ekaitz, more or less. The Viscount was sending for help from someone named 'Master Falstrom' whoever that is. There help didn't prove particularly ept, but I found the letter and badge they were carrying and invited myself along for the adventure!"
Now that the group has been traveling a while and isn't scattered about a halfling village, Paget has been taking time to study and talk with those that are willing to hold conversations.
"Seems to me that the lot of you have about as little information about exactly how to go about this as I do which is a bit of a surprise. I suppose that means that we should seek out those more in the know. Perhaps the local church is a good place to start? Every town seems to have one, they tend to be easy to find, and it was mentioned in passing at least. Or we could ask about at a public house for the village council as it sounded like they were the ones seeking out the help?
"I mean, we could strike out and start hunting bandits right away, but why gather talents like this if that's the goal? We could also try to find the source of some of those rumors; we'd probably learn a fair amount by doing that and it'd be more exciting than the bandits by a long shot. Safest bet is to do some more intel work first though unless someone knows something they haven't shared yet."
"Master Jaroo and Canon Terjon are two town protector, they would be the other soure of reliable information after we find the church."
Just waking up from his short slumber Farvil looks at his surroundings and tries to pick up on the conversation between his new acquaintances.
"Yes, as master Nex had pointed out we should first seek to ask the people with authority what are the real troubles around the city before questioning the simple folk. We might be surprised at how different the answers might be. "
"We're just presuming at this point that the real problem is the bandits, it could be totally different. Actually, I forgot to ask, I've noticed you in the market, you were like bees hopping from flower to flower, in search of something. Have you fetched any information on what we might be against once we get there?"
"I have many interests in learning more of this Master Jaroo and Canon Terjon. Do we know who they are or where they might reside?"
"I do not but they seemed famous enough to be known at the church."
Pajet raises a questioning eyebrow at Farvil. "Are you saying you think that the Village council are simple folk? I suppose they might be, though that's not how things typically go around here in my experience. If the letter is to be believed they're the ones who sent for help, so I assume they'd have some opinions on the situation that we might want to hear sooner rather than later. It would particularly surprise me to learn that either of both of Master Jaroo or Canon Terjon were council members themselves, but even if they aren't I've got no issue with seeing what they know of the situation around here. Asking where to find them in either the church or a Public House should bear fruit."
"As to what I learned, probably the most immediately interesting things as far as the town goes are the that we should expect some religious tension (the conflicting faiths might be the Church of Iomedea and the Green, though the Dockshire residents weren't too specific,) there might be a dark cult based in town, and apparently there are some strange lights that show up at the mill off to the east in the night. I imagine we'll get similar stories here when we ask about, and I'd take them all with a grain of salt. Further out there's supposed to be some sort of giant with a bear and a dragon-like creature in the woods, but that's less likely to be immediately important."
"I belive Farvel said the exact opposite. He was referring to, addressing random village folk, as talking to simple folk. I assume he meant they are unlikely to know about coordinated efforts to recruit a militia to protect the town."
"Yes, I was trying to figure out why he was bringing up talking to the simple folks at all. Given that he was saying that we should listen to your suggestion and that mine was the only other, the reasonable conclusion was that he thought that I was suggesting it. Which was surprising given that I was saying we should try to find the village council."
"It seems council and church, city protectors is the plan. Then possibly the scuttlebutt on the ground To check for discrepancies. Seem like a good system."
Nex is good to go to a church or town all immediately.
"Sounds like a plan! Does anyone here happen to know their way around town? Or shall we head in and take a look around? Churches and Public Houses tend not to be hard to find, but we can save a bit of time if anyone knows the way already."
"These lands are all strange to me, but many of the persons are not so different. Searching out the place may yet reveal more than simply heading to our destination would."
Seems like we might be talking to some simple folk first. I bet everyone in town knows the locations we are looking for.
"The Temple of Iomedae is on the north side of town..." Eÿliana finally chimes in from the back of the group. It had been exhausting listening to the little gnome ramble on and on with Nex. She just wanted some quiet as anyone could be silently lurking in the tall grass to the sides of the road ready to assail them as they pass by. The rogue would much prefer to hear them coming.
"Have you been here before? Do you know of Master Jaroo and Canon Terjon? Or, the name of people on the city council? Does the viscount reside here?"
Eÿliana's question may have had the wrong effect. As making noise is precisely how you keep bears and wolves away, Nex's concern.
Amarok pads around the caravan sniffing at the air for dangers.
On the corner is a wood and plaster house is well kept, and the barn behind is bulging with hay, grain and so forth. Several fat animals are about. Two Large farm dogs bark at your approach, and a rosy-cheeked housewife appears at the doorway.
"Hello Ma'am."
The gnome smiles as the quite half-elf speaks up with at least passing knowledge of the town. "Excellent! I thought someone in the group might know more about what's going on about here! If you know where the temple is you should be our guide around town. Hopefully you'll be able to help us find the best inn to stay at as well. I'd love to spend an evening over a couple ales hearing your thoughts on the whole matter here!"
Pajet waves cheerfully at the housewife as they pass, noting the good health of their livestock, and waits for Eÿliana to direct the party towards the church or other useful locations.
"Yes, you would be a resource. I see why you were chosen."
"For a village that's supposed to be in distress they're not doing all that bad." Farvil comments after glancing left and right then nods at the woman not wanting to draw a lot of attention to themselves.
"Our hosts might have already prepared accommodations for us. It's quite unlikely we'll take them by surprise." After throwing a short look at each of the people around him Farvil adds: "... in that regard."
As you continue up the road on the eastern side is a (#4)house and barn that show the farmer is doing well, and the stock in the paddock is well kept. In the window, one can see a fetching feminine face looking at you with a bit of curiosity in her eyes.
Tell me what number you wish to go to on my map link and I shall give you a description.
Also
Okay then
#9:There is no one here.The doors are unlocked and a few benches and stools stand next to the bare walls.A Large plain table rests at the far end of the room. A tapestry on the back wall shos a green with two acorns above the sheaf of grain- This is the Banner of Hommlet!!
#20: This Newly built edifice rings of opulence put into it. Granted a bit of the grounds need some touching up but all in all, you note that this stain glassed stone building to show the power of Iomedae to all in the village and all villagers. this is one of the few multi-level buildings in town. The doors are open and ready for all to enter and hear the word of Iomedae!
#27: This place has an eight foot tall stone wall and a heavy gate. It is obviously the residence of some well-to-do folk, and easily defensible in times of trouble.
Every place had a certain feel, Augrok could remember. There was green under the weather, and this place had the sent of attention, the touch of diligence to the surroundings. It was evident in the state of the farms, the land... This place was not suffering, there were no underlying problems driving others into the mud and the cold. Yet.
The threat of bandits and the Temple would change that if it were allowed time. This village was small, but that did not mean it was helpless. Were they all to present themselves to the Elder? The Church?
The plan was to go to the church so Nex walks into the church.
Farvil takes a short look inside the village hall but seeing nobody there he continues the walk along the others towards the church.
Before entering the church of Iomedae he takes his boots off (regardless of how dusty the floor is) and places them next to the entrance. He then forces a cough to grab the attention of whoever was laying in prayer there.
When the party stops in at the villiage hall, Pajet takes the time to pop inside and look at the table, curious to see if anything happens to be on it. "I won't be but a second, you can keep going and I'll catch up."
After a cursory glance, the gnome heads back to catch up with the rest of the group. She hustles and just makes it as they're starting to enter the church. Not drawing attention to herself in particular she follows the others in.
Nex stops and wait for Pajet. Recon seems like a good idea and he is not going to know what to say at Temple when they get there anyway.
On second thought he will walk up and help look.
He says to her, "I know a good idea when I see one. Take the lead and I will help where I can. Two heads as they say."
Damn okay then.
Pajet finds a 2ft x 3ft hole cut into the floor. It is snug and tight. The seems almost impossible to see. What gave it away was a small groove parallel to each other that was big enough to slip a dagger in and pry up.
Otherwise, nothing stands out from the description.
Pajet looks up at Nex as the two lift the cover to the hole. "So I think that this is something we should ask about at the church, wouldn't you say? Unless you think we should explore it right away, ... but we're not quite sure what we're looking for yet."
"I love the idea of cave diving right now, but we have a job to do and I don't know how this fits. If we need some recreation or training we can come back. Church first and who knows this might be a secret bandit cult tunnel and we are half done our job."
Pajet nods in agreement and then follows Nex back to the rest of the group as they reach the church, her tuneless whistling sounding perhaps a bit more cheerful than normal.
Are there any clergy visible in the church?
Ekaitz enters the church with reverence and approaches the first person he sees. "Please excuse. We are here to find the evils that plague your town. Can you steer us toward your high protector?"
As you enter you notice a man in his early twenties standing in well-kept plate mail and a shield on his back with a sturdy plain longsword in a plain scabbard on his side alongside a heavy mace. The man has a short military cut hairstyle that is a dishwater blonde. His eyes are brown but full of color, his face is a five o clock shadow with teeth that almost sparkled when he smiled.
Over his armor was a beautiful white tabard with the symbol of Imodae embossed on the front. He lifted his arms up and out as you entered as he speaks in a loud welcoming voice.
"Welcome Travellers to Sacred Vestry of The Inheritor! Please ease your burdens and enjoy the grace and serenity this place offers"
"Thank you. My name in Nex may I have yours?"