Brennadara takes a bit examining the area before shrugging and turning to the others. "Looks like Elinil's fears were justified. I don't see anything else to be accomplished here at this point. Shall we continue to the village we expected to spend last night? Or would we rather skip that and make the best time we can to the Dawnsglen Lodge? Or is there something else someone would prefer?"
"I'm probably inclined to make our way to the village and spend a couple hours gathering information about Akiros if we can. Depending on the hour we could make a decision about staying the night or continuing on after that. It's not a strong preference though."
"I would be happy to get out of these woods and into a proper village for a few hours, at least."
"The village and finding out what we can about Akiros seems a plan. Also, they might have someone who deals with or knows about the local fey... Which might give us a lead on the Marshal's fate."
Anri moves with the group, still totally unconvinced the Pan didn't take the Marshal (whom, coincidentally, she didn't care for much either!), but not wanting to upset the others with the insistence of her gut feeling over logic, knowing full well it wouldn't go over well.
As she moves, she makes a secret plot!
To wait until the others were distracted with talking with locals, and sneak into the pack where some of the Marshal's letter are stowed, unseal and read them, then forge back the seal, assisted by magic. She is only 50% hoping not to become caught in the act...
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As you approach Dinstead, the source of the town's name becomes abundantly clear. The clanging of hammers on anvils, the sounds of saws digging into fallen trees, and the clamor of people talking jovially above this ruckus truly do credit to its appellation.
The townsfolk greet you warmly, if a bit loudly, and you quickly come to realize most of your information gathering will have to wait until the workday is through, unless you want to seek out the lay-a-bouts, shiftless, or potentially criminal elements in town who are not as hard at work as the town's mostly dwarven citizenry. There are two taverns and while one of them has four or five constant daytime patrons, the proprietor of the other (which is closer to the mill and forges) seems surprised to see anyone at this time of day despite being open.
Kazmuhk smiles as he walks into the town. "This is more like it. We should put our feet up until after dinner, then try to ask around a bit."
Brennadara nods and smiles at Kazmuhk's obvious increase in comfort as they enter the noisy settlement. "That sounds like a fine plan to me. I don't know if Elinil feels he could get information from those about now, but I think a moment of calm before dinner would do me well."
"Aye" Anri covers her stomach as it grumbles at her "A hot meal would be welcome"
She considers what she might do in this town, beyond just re-stocking cold rations. Perhaps she could trade some of the Worg furs for supplies or information? Either way, she could use that as a cover to obtain secret access to those letters...
"Loud." Was all Revna said about the town, however she had gotten use to most places not being near as quiet as her home was. "Need milk, fresh meat. Filtiarn be fed." Revna explained as she held the pup close. The noise of everything must not be good for the pup.
Kazmuhk smiles as he walks into the town. "This is more like it. We should put our feet up until after dinner, then try to ask around a bit."
Elinil agrees "Aye Kazmukh, a little wilderness is okay, but I like having people around... But I'm not putting my feet up there are things to find out..."
Elinil's much more comfortable in town, and will be a busy bee, he has a variety of questions.
First and second:
1) What are the local musical tastes? (he'll ask the bartender and the few patrons available)
2) Which tavern is more popular/better? (he'll ask the townsfolk who aren't in the bar in the middle of the afternoon).
So he can plan tonight's performance...
He'll also seek out the layabouts and the shiftless - their ethos and that of the fey often coincide and thus they might know something about the local fey and their activity.
3) Do the local fey kidnap travellers? If so, have any been rescued (and how)?
4) What is known about the local satyrs (and one calling himself Erdretti Valsax in particular)?
Finally, if he has time, he will look for the "potentially criminal elements" to inquire about what they know about:
5) Akiros Ismort, the Kingdom of Chosen and what they have been up too.
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The gather information use of Diplomacy usually takes two hours or more per use (essentially checking with multiple sources, etc. However Questions 1 & 2 can definitely fall under one use, 3 & 4 under a second use, and question 5 under a third use. So the first four questions tie up your afternoon pretty well, allowing you a chance to look into the last maybe after any performance you give.
1) What are the local musical tastes?
Perhaps surprisingly, the people of Dinstead enjoy melodious tunes, especially elven ballads and the like. Their lives are filled with clamor. When they hear music, they enjoy beauty over furor.
Plus, apparently, they got really tired of the dwarven work-songs they used to sing all day long.
2) Which tavern is more popular/better?
The Tall Tankard (closest to the mill and forges) is immensely more popular, except for folks yearning for a bit of quiet, who head for The Drinker's Corner, the bar with traffic during the day. In fact, you notice that within the Drinker's Corner, you cannot hear the sounds from outside at all. Drinks are rather pricey at the Corner. At the tankard, during the day, it is not a good idea to have a hangover. Nor at night, when it gets packed with boisterous workers looking to drink from deep draughts, cheer and fraternize.
3) Do the local fey kidnap travellers? If so, have any been rescued (and how)?
Although the initial response seems to be that Fey kidnap people all the time from the Westmarch, steal into homes at night to eat your food, or into your workshop to ruin days of work, actual digging reveals only one suspected Fey Kidnapping; a little over a year ago, a red-haired girl was gathering sticks in the wood and never returned. There was no sign of struggle, and they found rings of mushrooms and flowers in odd tiny circles near where she was last seen by her brother.
4) What is known about the local satyrs (and one calling himself Erdretti Valsax in particular)?
You can find nothing of substance here, just rumors of strange haunting melodies in the local wood. Some folk claim that's why Dinstead makes all the noise; to drown out dangerous fey tunes from the wood nearby.
Anri spends the day at the Drinker's Corner, having heard from Elinil that not only was the food better, but the company quieter...
She spends her afternoon endeavoring to sneak the four sealed letters out of the supplies, unseal them gently, reading them, committing them to memory, then re-sealing them using a combination of magic, forgery, and the same materials the Marshal used to seal them in the first place, and returning them to the supply packs from which they came.
There are two party members she is unconcerned with allowing them to discover her transgression against the missing Marshal's "privacy": Revna (who encouraged her!) and Kazmukh (who seems to remain perpetually indifferent?). Otherwise, she intends to hide her deeds, only to eventually disclose the information she has gained upon reading them, when she feels her other party members are ready to coming around to her point of view about which methods are "on the table" and which methods are "off the table"...
After making sure that everyone has found a place to spend the afternoon, and agreed on a meeting place for dinner, Brennadara finds her way out of town to wander the nearby woods, making sure to stay within range of the noise of the day which reminds her in a way of the semi-perpetual chaos of Tangleford growing up. She spends the afternoon by herself thinking over the journey thus far and what it implies for the near future and while she's at it she gathers any nuts or berries she might find that would supplement the evenings meal to share with the group.
Revna sat with Arni so that Filtiarn could eat happily without worrying about anything else. She was very watchful of her fur covered son however. Wargs, rightly so as adults, where not see with a good eye. Often their evil tainted nature corrupts all around. Revan had vowed her son would be different. While Filtiarn ate she looked to Arni. "Svo, hvað var val þitt?" She asked.
When Anri told Revna, after Revna told her that reading the common tongue was a bit difficult for her, she shook her head. "Úlfagöngumaður. Það skýrir mikið. Hann gaf ekki frá sér hina illu áru eins og Saolimar gerði. Svo ekki sé minnst á loforð hans. Þegar við snúum aftur mun ég fara til hans aftur. Skoðaðu hann og sjáðu hvað ég get lært."
Mosswaxer hefur mætur á þér!" Anri chuckles, teasing the new mom. She hesitates to touch Filtiarn, not wanting to lose a finger, which, he would be rightfully just in taking it from her, seeing how she felt about his biological progenitor. "Hvað gerir þú um tímasetningu alls þessa? Trúir þú því að ætlun Mosswaxer hafi verið sú að hún hverfi á dularfullan hátt og að við förum áfram án hennar og afhendum þessu fólki bréfin! Mér finnst það mjög erfitt að sætta sig við." She confides.
Mosswaxer has a crush on you!
What do you make of the timing of all this? Do you believe Mosswaxer's intent was that she mysteriously disappear and that we travel on without her and deliver the letters to these people! I find that very difficult to accept.
Revna shook her head with a slight chuckle. She had began to play with Filtiarn after he finished eating, rolling him over and placing her hand over his nose to simulate another maw closing around like how other pups would play, before pulling it back and doing it again. She felt bad that she couldn't do more, but she figured when all was said and done she'd return to the den and let him play with his siblings. "Ég myndi ekki ganga svona langt. Virtist bera litla virðingu fyrir mér eða eiginlega neinum undir henni." Revna said as she took her eyes off Filtiarn for a moment to look at Anri. "Ég vona að þeir reyni ekki að meiða Korlsgyrd, hann virtist vera góð manneskja. Þegar öllu er á botninn hvolft hafa flestir úlfagöngumenn ekki stjórn á huga þeirra og verða að setja þær niður. þær sem eru, þær eru fáar og langt á milli."
"I hope they don't try and hurt Korlsgyrd, he seemed like a good person. After all most wolf walkers aren't in control of their minds and must be put down. those that are, well they're few and far between."
At dinner, Elinil will share the results of his information gathering. Afterwards, well, I wouldn't call it elven, but... the playlist should be interesting to the patrons of the Drinker's Corner...
Post concerto, Elinil will try to gather information on Akiros
At dinner, Anri confesses her crime, and with more than a hint of smugness, stands to field questions.
Brennadara finds little in the way of fruit to share with the group in her afternoon of wandering, but does bring back a handful of berries which she set on the table for anyone interested to partake in. She listens to Elinil's report with interest. "It's probably coincidence, but a small, red-haired abductee would match what possibly happened with the Marshal. If we were pursuing this lead now it might be worth following up on some, but I don't know that it is our current priority."
When Anri reveals that she opened and read the letters Brennadara simply replies, "Thank you for sharing your actions with us. Based on what you learned would you advocate any change in our current plans?"
"Only in retrospect"
Anri's mood is consistent through the dinner. She actually greatly enjoys Elinil's music! Some dance. Some sing. And then some, in their enjoyment, allow the music inside of themselves, to touch their soul, but neither dancing nor singing, simply have a cerebral experience. The half-elf's playing takes Anri there. And yet, from the outside, without a change in expression - and certainly without a smile - one wouldn't be able to detect the great movements therein.
She glances at the wolfling from time to time...
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Filtiarn does not seem to enjoy the elven music, burying his head in Revna's garments during the concert. But the full belly and day's activities seem to have worn on him and he is fast asleep by Elinil's second song.
Your music earns enough to offset what the group has spent for food and lodging, with a few coppers left over to grease a few palms while asking about Akiros Ismort. Unfortunately, the only information you get is from a rather drunken and dirty dwarven fellow going by "Droskari". He tells you that Ismort's friend named Kierra- a dark haired human girl with two handaxes and a handful and half of knives, a scar over her left lip, and a voice that seemed older than her face-- tried to recruit him about seven months ago. Pay seemed low, workload seemed high, not the type of offer Doskari was looking for. He remembers a half-orc girl named Milva who took the offer instead.
Revna smiled as Filtiarn tried to get away from the music, only to swiftly fall asleep. Revna gentle ran her hand comfortingly down his back to help him sleep and know he was protected.
"No, sure." She said to Brennadara's point. "Fae know. Child no adult, even for gnome.... Is gnome yes?" She asked to be sure she was getting it right. While her fur covered son didn't enjoy the music, Revna didn't seem to mind it as much. "If, fae take. For other reason."
That evening, before we bed down, Elinil shares the results of his research: "Not only has my playing covered our rooms and board, there are a few rumours floating around. Ismort has a subordinate by the name of Kierra - a dark haired human girl with two handaxes and a handful and half of knives, a scar over her left lip, and a voice that seemed older than her face - who has been recruiting. Apparently she signed up a half-orc girl named Milva. "
"I would presume that, if you had a lead as to the location, and that it were outside of this village, that you would have shared that. Which means - we could try to track down this Kierra and/or Milva, and speak with them. Perhaps join them?" Anri puts forward the idea. "Or spy on them?"
"I don't suppose they might be at the other bar?"
Brennadara shrugs at Revna. "I was pointing out similarities between the two who have vanished. They may or may not be relevant, but they're worth being aware of anyhow. Assuming you know what motivates the fae is a good way to be wrong much of the time. Age might or might not be a concern for them at all for whatever they might be up to."
When Elinil reports his success Brennadara smiles. "Nice work. That gives us some better idea of who to look for and what to expect. Hopefully we'll be able to make good use of the information as we get closer to the bandits' camp."
At Anri's suggestion, Brennadara nods. "If this is recent intelligence then we could see about pursuing them in the area instead of continuing on to Dawnsglen Lodge immediately. That could be useful."
"This was 7 months ago, and this guy, Droskari, had nothing else to add. So no, no location information, and it's not something we can chase down in this town."
"It does seem worth asking after Milva, at least. But we shouldn't spend too long. We should appraise people at Dawnsglen about the Marshall's disappearance."
Annoyed "Well you might have led with that - in which case I see no reason not to, as Brennadara puts forth, continue onto Dawnsglen"
"Yes, I could have lead with that Anri, but the more pertinent information is that Kierra was recruiting and signed up Milva. That said, I agree with Khamul, and you, let us proceed to Dawnsglen in the morning"
"Dawnsglen, it be." Revna said with a nod of agreement. It seemed for once the group was more in total agreement. As the news wasn't fresh.
"Worry though... Fae take Marshal... time against." Revna said as she motioned to the group. "Fae... strange. Fun first day, no next."
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After a pleasant evening in Dinstead, you once again make your way onto the road west. Several hours after midday, but about two hours before you would need to camp, you find a place marked with a sun with a downward arrow.
Assuming for a moment you wish to push on until closer to nightfall, Brennadara finds you a decent spot to camp for the night a few hours later. Your watches are pretty quiet and you can pack up camp the next day and resume your travels.
It is about three hours into your journey the next day when you start to see faded yellow crossed swords.
Any special reaction to these signs?
B Survival
Kazmuhk doesn't mind pressing on past the first sign, but he makes sure everyone notices the crossed swords. "Watch out there. Looks to be an old mark, but no harm in keeping our eyes open."
Although Elinil mentions neither mark, at the crossed swords, his demeanour changes slightly, becoming more alert.
Brennadara nods at Kazmukh. "That it's lasted this long could indicate that the threat is gone. Bandits might have moved on, though if hostile humanoids live in the area they're less likely to have vacated the region. Keeping our eyes open is appropriate."
"Think Brennadara right." Revna said as she looked over the faded markings. "Time eaten." She added.
Then she picked up Filtiarn and tucked the pup into her bag. Shifting so that he wouldn't freak out being in the bag, but if she had to run and fight he would be safe. "Keep eye wide." Revna told the group. "Move with swiftness"
Heeding Brennadara's wisdom, Anri examines the area for clues as to what the sign might have used to give warning for.
Arcana (*) +7
Crafting (*) +7
Lore: Gladitorial (*) +7
Lore: Guild (*) +7
Occult (*) +7
Society (*) +7
Survival (*) +3
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Your increased sense of awareness quickly pays off. Anri finds signs of tracks that at first seem animalistic, but based on the patterns seem to be from small humanoids instead, fairly fresh in the area, and identifies the tracks as likely belonging to Voretti, and aggressive, territorial species resembling badgers.
Armed with this information, you scour the area on the lookout for signs of the creatures, and Brennadara and Kazmuhk quickly spot three groups of two of them laying in wait off the road ahead about one hundred and twenty feet ahead. With a quick warning, the group is ready for action, although Anri and Revna consider the Voretti to be hidden at this point.
Initiative Order
Kazmuhk and Revna
Voretti 3-6
Brennadara and Elinil
Voretti 1-2
Anri
EDIT: There is a map/slide above entitled "Forested Road Encounter with Voretti" for use on this one.
You may use Society to recall knowledge about the Voretti as an action.
The Voretti are wearing hide armor and have battleaxes and several javelins apiece.
Voretti AC 16 F +7 R +4 W +4 HP 8*
Voretti have a Frenzy Reaction. Once per hour when they take damage, they enter a frenzy. They gain 4 temporary hit points and gain a +2 bonus to damage against the creature that caused them to enter the frenzy. They ar flat-footed while they are in a frenzy. The frenzy lasts until either the Voretti or the creature causing it to enter the frenzy are rendered unconscious.
[spoiler=Dice]
A Survival
A Society
B Perception
K Perception
R Perception
V Stealth
V 1-2 Init
V 3-4 Init
V 5-6 Init
A Init
B Init
E Init
K Init
R Init
Kazmuhk hurries to the front of the group, raises his shield, and thinks about what he knows of the Voretti.
He'll shout to them in Common,
"We're a wary group, and no friend to bandits. You'd shove off if you knew what's good for you."
Revna quickly got her bow out and readied an arrow. Kazmukh was going to try speaking first, which was fine, but if that failed she'd be ready to take a shot.
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Brennadara, you would need to recall knowledge. They're not that common a species that everyone would know.
You're fairly certain you've read that the Voretti are as ferocious as orcs or boars and they can stay standing and fighting when others would have been knocked unconscious, even to the point of dying.
Assuming a combat stance and thinking of what she might know of the Voretti, Brennadara moves to take a position near Kazmuhk.
(◆) Stride 30 feet.
(◆) Enter Wolf Stance.
(◆) Recall Knowledge to determine what language the Voretti might speak and how likely they are to be open to any sort of dialogue.
If Brennadara can determine that she speaks a language the Voretti are likely to understand (Common, Draconic, Druidic, Elven, Gnomish, Jotun or Sylvan,) she will call out to the nearest, "We seek parley to negotiate passage through your territory."
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You know that Voretti typically speak Sylvan and many can understand Gnomish as well, although their voiceboxes give them a very heavy accent when trying to speak Gnomish.
You also recall that Voretti typically reach the age of adulthood in about five to seven years. Based on this knowledge, and the aging of the road signs, as well as the appearance of these particular Voretti, you know that they are probably engaged in a rite of passage and intending to defend or recapture territory won from their parents years ago, maybe by the Staglord, and maybe by the Queen.
As Voretti are highly territorial, getting them to parley may be difficult, but not impossible, depending on your tactics.
Brennadara speaks to the Voretti in Sylvan, for those who understand that language.