Ogar sees the confused looks on his companions faces. Walking around to the doors to the Mausoleum, he reopens the doors and steps inside.
Looking around he sees there is virtually nothing inside. Sighing he walks back over to Debra.
"Sorry you're right, lets go to the Haberdashery."
Ogar does indeed see nothing worth of value. The inside of the mausoleum seems a bit smaller than the outside. This is due to its architecture, but it is a bit off-putting anyway. There is a sarcophagus in the middle of a beautifully tiled floor. The 5 feet around the sarcophagus are lower than the rest of the room creating a step down from where Ogar peeks his head in and around the tomb. Flowers, candles, and other funerary gifts can be seen in various spots around these persons final resting place. Ogar, being the religious man he is and seeing no threat within, decides to leave the mausoleum as it is. He closes the door and walks back to the party.
Everyone takes one last look around the area to make sure they are not missing anything. Satisfied that they have unlocked at least one more piece of this puzzle, now that they know it is indeed a puzzle, they make their way out of the graveyard.
The Blackbird can still be heard even outside of the cemetery gates screaming "YELLOW FOOT! GET YELLOW FOOT!"
The walk to the haberdashery is a pretty quiet one as everyone thinks through the events that have unfolded so far. Apprentices missing, giants ants in the graveyard, this...demons bile...stuff, a cold iron morning start just lying in the graveyard covered in the demons bile. None of it adds up, so far. More investigation is definitely in order.
The party reaches the Haberdashery. It is now dark outside, but the lights are on. You get the feeling you might be the last customers for the evening.
The haberdashery is owned by Petrello Pindlion and when you walk in, you instantly understand why no one in the town likes his work. He is not very good at it and he is a slob on top of that. The place is a mess. Sheets of paper strewn about a dirty floor. Stripes of cloth, leather, and other such hat-making materials lay in piles in corners or just out in the middle of the room.
The place is empty when you first walk in. After about ten minutes of waiting, Petrello finally appears from the back room lost in his own thoughts. He practically runs into Killiss as he is not paying attention to where he is walking.
"Oh! I...I am sorry! I did not see you there! I am Petrello! Welcome to the best-damned haberdashery in all of Saringallows! What can I do for you?! You can tell that even he does not think this is the best-damned haberdashery in Saringallow.
Debra smiles. "Well met, Petrellano! My name is Debra and this is my brother, Greg, and my companions, Killiss and Ogar. We have been commissioned by the mayor to look into the disappearance of some apprentices around town. Do you mind if we ask you a few questions about Betrona?"
"Betrona has the same surname as you. What is your relationship? Does Betrona know Morvinarr Albusin and Nolaria Wintren, or any of the other names on this list? When was the last time you saw him ? Do you have any idea where s/he might have gone?"
As soon as Debra starts asking her questions Petrello's demeanor immediately changes. He does not like people in his shop who are not shopping...especially outsiders, so as soon as he realizes there is likely no coin to be made here...he shows his real self.
He does not even glance at the paper that Debra holds out to him.
"Gah! Damn kids. It's that Apothecary boy's fault, it is! He's is a bad influence...that one. Now either buy something...or get out of my store"
He continues on his way with whatever busy work he was conducting without saying another word.
"Hey!" Greg huffs. "Don't be a jerk to my sister! You answer her questions and be nice! We're here on the mayor's behalf after all!" He puts his fists on his hips, making him look more like a scolding mother than 260 lbs of muscle.
Debra puts her hand out to Greg, then reaches in her pack and pulls out the letter from the mayor. "That won't be necessary, Greg. Sir, as I said, we are here at the behest of the mayor. She has given us implicit permission to question anyone who may aid our investigation. Please look at this letter from the mayor. She has a lot of influence in this town; being owed a favor from the mayor would be a pretty good position for you and your shop to be in. So I'll ask again: will you please tell us what you know?"
Killiss can see that Petrellano still seems to be uncooperative so he decided to be both good cop AND bad cop.
”As Debra stated, it would very much be in your best interests to help us out. We’d be more than happy to let the mayor know how helpful you've been; however, if that isn’t enough incentive…. I can always introduce you to Peter. He’s waiting outside and he can be very persuasive.
Petrellano chuckles quietly to himself and then looks at the group.
"I care not about these "favors" that you speak of. Besides, I already told you. It's the alchemist boy. I know it is. My Betrona would never go off for this long on her own HE must have convinced her to go along with him. It's the only explanation. Now...take your empty threats He sneers at Killiss and leave my shop. Now.
"Fine," Greg huffs. "Anyone this big of a slob is probably useless anyway." He elects to ignore the fact that his own bedroom at home could easily rival the haberdasher's shop, if not surpass it. With that, he strides out with his nose in the air.
He waits for the others to gather outside. "I have decided," he declares firmly, "that I no longer like hats."
Debra shrugs and starts to follow Greg out of the shop. "Let's go, guys. We can always come back if we need to. Sir, I will be informing the mayor of your uncooperative response to an official investigation."
With that, she walks out of the shop. "Well, that guy was an a~!%!&$, but that doesn't mean we didn't learn anything. Maybe we should talk to the alchemist next; it could be that this guy was right to point the finger and just a jerk about it, or maybe he is involved somehow and wants to distract us elsewhere. Either way I think we're not going to get anything else here for now."
"I agree, Debra, it's time to keep moving but there is definitely something about this guy that rubs me the wrong way. Hopefully the alchemist will be more pleasant and helpful.
The party walks over to where Majara Pricknettle has her apothecary shop.
Upon entering, they see a very well put together and painstakingly organized shop full of everything one would think an apothecary would have. Potions, ingredients, salves, and all sorts of things that most of you cannot even identify line the walls. In the center of it all is a sturdy desk containing a workstation for Majara. She often lets others use this area to work if they ask nicely. This is also where people bring her the things that they would like to buy.
It is easy to tell right of the bat that this shop is ran by a Gnome as everything is just a bit smaller than and lower to the ground than in most of the other places you have visited so far.
Majara appears from the back of the building and smiles at you all, Welcome to Pricknettle’s Potions and Poultices. How may I be of service?
Greg looks nervous as soon as he enters the shop, keeping his massive hands as close to his sides as possible. He feels a bit like a bull in a pottery shop, and is terrified of breaking something merely with his presence.
When the gnome comes out, he says, a bit louder and more frantic than he intended, "Hi! We're looking for the missing apprentices for the mayor! Can you help us?" He doesn't exactly cut a flattering profile as he sweats profusely and stands stock-still.
Debra grins and rolls her eyes ever so slightly, then reaches out to take Greg's arm. "What my dear brother means to say is, we have been tasked by the mayor to investigate a number of missing apprentices from around town. My name is Debra, this is my brother Greg, and this is Killiss and Ogar. We understand that Gellion Vazarro was an employee of yours and that he is among the missing. Would you be so kind as to tell us a bit about him? Do you know why he might have gone missing? Does he know any of the other people on this list?" Debra hands the list of apprentices to Pricknettle.
"My dear boy! Don't worry yourself over such matters! Why don't you come over here and I will show you how to make a poultice that will cure just about every symptom of the common cold in mere minutes!!" Majara says to Greg as she starts fidgeting about her shop looking for ingredients.
Majara continues collecting her ingredients while answer Debra's questions.
"That boy has been gone for Several days now. Slacking off on his chores, he is. I think it's that Nolaria putting him up to it. She's a trouble-maker, she is, always putting these young apprentices up to these silly adventures. You be sure to tell Gellion that I am non-to-pleased with his absence when you say him!
Greg leaves the shop smelling of mint and kerosene. "I feel icky," he mumbles. "It's late. Maybe we should head to bed and pick this up in the morning."
"It has been quite an eventful day, I think we all deserve some well earned rest. We can talk to the baker and cobbler tomorrow. I understand we have accommodations already arranged for us to stay at the Tavern tonight?"
You enter the Witch's End tavern which, at this time of night, is burting at the seams. You assume the everyone in Saringallows is drinking away their sarrows or relaxing. You can understand why Alcie does as well as she can.
Alcie spots you as you enter the tavern.
"AY! Look, everyone! Saringallows very own "heroes"! They have returned! Rejoice!" The tavern erupts in laughter. After it calms down Alice looks to Debra, who she remembers as being the leader, and says "I suppose ye be wanting your rooms, then?"
Debra smiles at Alcie, pointedly ignoring the little dig. "I think first we'll have some dinner and a few drinks!"
Debra orders her, and the group, some food and then takes a stroll around the tavern listening for any useful information. She walks past a fairly rambunctious lot and hears something...interesting...
"Sit down Larry! Your drunk now and you was drunk then!" you hear an, equally drunk, member of the crew yelling to a man who has stood up with a look of anger and frustration
"I am telling you, Flint, I saw them I did! I were walking home last night from here, crossed through the orchard, and that's when I saw them! Huge beetles! Damn near pissed myself when I saw em'! I went and told the town guards, but they just laughed at me like you lot are doing now. There is sumthin' strange going on in this town, I tell ya."
This sends Flint and the rest of the crew into an uproar of laughter. Larry, you can see, is getting increasingly frustrated that no one believes his tale.
Debra approaches the bar and asks Alcie for another of whatever Larry is drinking. She takes it over to Larry, hands it to him, and leans in conspiratorially. "Larry, is it? I believe you. My friends and I killed two ants as big as ponies just a few hours ago. Would you mind coming to our table and telling us what you saw?"
Larry accepts the drink from Debra and with some not-well hidden excitement says "You...You believe me?!" He snaps a look at his "Friends" and then back at Debra "Thank the gods! I thought I was starting to go insane" he gives a slightly insecure chuckle.
He walks back to your table with you and almost immediately begins explaining what he saw "I had just left here and walked my original route home which takes me through the orchard. I was minding my own business when suddenly, I heard some rustlin' off in the distance. I just figured it was some kinda rat or something and kept walking. Suddenly, out of the corner of my eye, I saw a huge...thing...move near one of the trees. I turned my head to look...and there they were...2 MASSIVE beetles of some kind. As big as a horse, like you said about the spiders! I got lucky and they didn't notice me. Truth be told...I do not know HOW they did not see me...I shrieked louder than a tavern maid getting her behind pinched!!! Anyway, I got myself out of there. Ran faster then I've ever run in my life! I grabbed the first town guard I found and told em' what I saw...and...he LAUGHED at me...I suppose I dun that to myself though, being as I was 3 sheets to the wind already at that time...but I swears it. I saw what I says I saw. The town is in some serious danger!
Larry takes a long pull from his drink and lets out a huge sigh afterward. You can tell that he is still a bit shaken up after this whole ordeal.
"For a few silver would you show us where this orchard is located? We've been tasked with investigating these giant insects. And we've heard they mostly are only seen at night.
Ogar looks around the table of his companions. "I know we were thinking on having an early night, but I think we might have a good chance to find some clues. Especially if these giant insects tend to be nocturnal."
Greg listens raptly to the story, not even touching his beer, just staring wide-eyed at Larry as he finishes his tale. He practically bounces up and down as he turns to Debra. "Yeah! Oh, we gotta go check this out! Come on, Deb! Fighting giant beetles would be so cool! Especially if they're not zombies."
"Ogar, I know where the orchard is. Larry, thank you so much for your help. Ogar will give you a few silver for your trouble. We will take care of these beetles!" She turns to Greg. "Ready to smash some bugs, dear brother?" She has a wry grin on her face. It almost seems like she's having fun with all of this.
The party makes their way to the orchard after giving Larry a couple of silver pieces for his information. He attempts to not accept it, but you leave before he can protest further.
You make your way through town. It's almost completely bare save for the drunkards leaving the tavern, the town guards on patrol, and the lights from homes as families prepare to turn in for the evening.
The orchard resides in the center of town. The party follows Debra as she knows roughly where it is located. Eventually, about 15 minutes later or so, you make it to the orchard.
Rows of neglected apple trees sway in the wind, and the occasional rotting, worm-eaten fruit falls with a wet thud to the ground below. The earth is heavily trampled near the southern end of the orchard, and an overturned barrel of apples lie broken on its side, exuding a sickly sweet scent.
Debra lets the others take the lead, but has her crossbow out and loaded, and carefully and quietly looks for any sign of scary bugs around.
Ogar looks for tracks of the insects, while trying to keep a good eye out for anything with his darkvision.
Taking out his buckler, and scimitar he tries not to make too much noise as he slowly walks towards the southern end with the trampled earth.
Enormous sword out and resting against his shoulder, Greg takes the lead and hums quietly to himself, completely out of tune.
Killiss readies his bow and stays close to Debra at the back of the party. Peter walks protectively slightly ahead of him. Killiss casts a light spell on his armor causing it to glow like a torch providing normal light for a 20ft radius. He too scans the area for any signs of danger or clues.
You all take a little time to scan the area looking for tracks or any other signs of someone being here recently.
Greg you stand there and enjoy the scenery of this beautiful peach orchard. You notice that these peaches look a lot like apples. You sit and ponder this.
"Stop," Debra whispers. "It's that devil's bunghole stuff. Greg, hold out your sword." Debra pulls out the wand of bless weapon, closes her eyes, and concentrates, mumbling to herself.
"Damn, it didn't work. Hold on."
Yes! Debra lets out a huge sigh of relief as the wand begins to glow with divine energy. She passes it over Greg's sword. "Greg, you need to hit everywhere you can see that nasty purple stuff with your sword. You have one minute until the spell dissipates." Debra puts the wand away and readies her crossbow again.
Ogar waits while Greg snuffs out the purplish-black stuff with his blessed sword.
Once he's done he points out the scuff marks and explains "These scuff marks seem to indicate a struggle, or a fight possibly between two human-like people. It appears that it took place several days ago, judging by the age of these scuffle marks and these apples that we're likely smashed have had time to rot." He says following a mess of tracks. "Also it appears that the the victor half-dragged/half-carried the loser, who seems to be a very large person, towards the south of the orchard. So I suggest we try to follow it further."
He continues to try to be stealthy, and continues to find and follow the tracks.
Killiss notices that while Ogar initially found the tracks and the place where the suspected scuffle took place, he appears to be struggling with following the tracks/drag path any further and attempts to help out. His bow still ready. "Good eye, Ogar! Let's see where these tracks lead."
I am like this peach, he contemplates, holding a particularly smooth stone in his hand, destined to be mistaken for an apple by all...
Shaken from his reveries by his sister, Greg holds out his weapon to accept the spell again. Once his sword starts glowing, he flails it gleefully about, hacking away at the purple goop. He is... not stealthy.
Greg begins to clear away the Demons Bile...and makes a racket whilst doing so. The noise attracts the attention of 2 Fire Beetles that were hiding in the tree.
Debra and Killiss are unseen by them because they so darn stealthy.
Initiative:
Suprise Round:
Debra
Killiss
Round 1:
Ogar
Debra
Killiss
Greg
Beetle1
Beetle2
Debra, knowing how large the ants they fought earlier were and knowing that Larry reported seeing giant beetles, was expecting this, but it is still difficult not to be startled when enormous insects drop into your midst. Desna, those things are huge! Still, her crossbow was at the ready so she aims and fires at the beetle that landed next to her.
Dammit, Debra, how do you miss a beetle the size of a horse that's right next to you? Pull yourself together.
Debra retreats 20 feet away from the beetle. Holding her crossbow at her side, she yells at the beetles, "Hey! You're ugly!"
Knowing that he is still unseen by the beetles and wanting to make sure his attacks are as effective as possible, Killiss casts his Gravity Bow Spell.
Peter moves 30Ft so that he can attack beetle 1.
Killiss steadies his bow and takes aim at beetle 2.
Peter attacks beetle 1
Debra's arrow misses her target and sticks into a nearby peach apple.
Killiss takes careful aim, draws back, and lets his arrow fly. The arrow hits with enough force that the beetle is pushed back into the tree and is impaled there. It is very dead.
Round 1:
Ogar
Debra
Killiss
Greg
Beetle1 (DEAD)
Beetle2 (NOT DEAD)
Ogar is caught flat footed, and feels a little sheepish as two arrows quickly fly out of no where, one spearing an apple, and the other taking out the first of two beetles.
Figuring he should do his part, he swings his scimitar at the 2nd beetle.
But the beetle evades his swing.
Could be that he was standing 40ft away
He moves to intercept if the beetle heads towards Debra/Killiss
Link to Map for Ogar