"You lot needing some more boost to your constitution it seems." remarks Nuktik, looking over his companions. "Give me but a moment."
Mixing up a pair of bluish concoctions, he passes on to Jace and one to Vorak.
[ooc]Ha! Well...at least one of them was decent. You also get +1 vs poison/disease for the next 10 minutes for what it's worth.
"How's that? Your courage refreshed?"
Tolgy looks back and forth, then blinks. Want me to ask for some more energy to refill us? My patron has a deep keg from which to fill our mugs. He grins stupidly
"Discretion is the better part of valor. We can return tomorrow. I think we should inform the others about this vast underground cave that this smuggler is apparently utilizing for his nefarious purposes. When we set out to do this, we thought we were confronting him at the house he illegally uses to sleep."
Jace makes a motion with his hands. "We found something very different, instead. I'm also curious to see what's in that strongbox."
Jace sighs. "We don't know how many people -- or creatures -- we're going to be facing going forward. If we expend all of our healing and magical spells just to get there, we have no way to get back safely."
Aurumvorak thanks Jace again and welcomes the concoction provided by Nuktik. He feels woozy from being downed at least twice....
”This man will be angry now. We have killed a part of his pack. And perhaps this water creature was a guard pf some kind, whether they were strict partners or not. A great stir of the pot this is, and much will take time to settle, and perhaps not well.” the scout finishes, heading back through the catacomb and toward the ladder, and Flenser.
"It makes sense to assume he observed, at least in part, our actions. Giving him time to prepare himself to specifically combat us could prove troublesome."
Gesturing towards the caverns they'd been traversing, he adds "I mean look how he did when he was only preparing for a generic threat?"
"Perhaps we would be better off confronting him when he next comes to town, rather than in a lair of his own choosing. I remember reading somewhere that you should choose the battlefield, not let the enemy decide where and when and how you fight."
With the large chest in hand and with many wounds to nurse, you traverse the carved stone corridors back into the living area of this maddening chamber. It takes some time to muscle the chest up through the hatch and through the crawlway, but a few hours later, you're marching through the town of Etran's Folly back to the wagons and the safety of your temporary rooms at the Feedmill stables.
Tamli is at the camp, sitting impatiently and wringing her hands. She jumps up at your approach. Cooky looks up from where he stirs a pot...as always...then looks back down. Tamli looks at the chest nervously, then at your wounds. Please, come and sit, let us work on those. She obviously looks to want to ask for information, but holds it back as a courtesy.
"Well, we found this strongbox and need to open it. We think it will have evidence to implicate the guilty party.
Nuktik tried to open it, and hasn't looked very good since. I think perhaps he triggered a trap but is hiding the effects. I am hoping that the trap doesn't reset itself, but we need someone to check.
Does the caravan have anyone who is good with tools?"
Tamli nods. Well, Cooky's got a bit of a...well, a past that he doesn't talk about much. I'll bet he can take a look. Hey, Cooky!
She brings him over and describes the problem. With a grunt and a nod, he sets to work. As it turns out, he has a nice set of tools with picks, shims, pliers, and tiny forks that he can use to twist and leverage pins. He gives it a try.
It takes him a bit, but eventually the strongbox lock pops, and Cooky whoops in success. He raises the lid to reveal the interior.
21 GP
37 SP
A crude map with a cave helpfully labeled HIDEOUT, next to a pond and a winding path that ends at what looks to be a tree stump. It's labeled DROP POINT
"More papers?!? Let's hope there is something incriminating in them."
He claps Cooky on the shoulder in congratulations, then picks up the map to examine it.
"Regardless, we should bring this to the Sheriff and describe out experience. Even if there is no proof of the murder, we have a suspect who is up to something nefarious."
"I agree. But we should at least try to make sense of the ledger and these papers, if we can." Jace picks up a couple of them but looks unhappy. "Reading is not something I mind at all, but ... usually I read things where the person wants you to understand what they're conveying."
These papers, once sorted, reveal themselves to be a bunch of receipts - 14 of them. They match the transactions in Bort's ledgers exactly.
There's also a scrap of parchment with each - a summary of sorts, save for the fact that they have a value slightly higher than the one reflected in Bort's ledgers - no doubt an amount Hallod was skimming off the top
"I don't understand. Was Bort also involved in this criminal enterprise?
If he became aware of the 'skimming', perhaps he confronted the man and the poisoning was a reprisal?"
‘Vorak smiles, Flenser lying down, happy to be one with the pack again.
”I admit all of this...ledgerdemain is beyond me. What does it mean?”
"I suspect Bort was involved in this enterprise, yes ... and I suspect only Hallod would know why he decided to kill the man, since they had worked together so well for so long. I doubt anyone in the caravan can provide insight on this -- does everyone agree they do not likely even know Bort was involved in this?" Jace looks at the other various beings.
"We haven't exactly asked them outright." Jace pauses. "We should also get more information on this strange cavern network that exists. The sheriff must not know anything about it, or he'd likely have warned us. But someone else with lots of information on the town's history, like the mayor or his daughter, might know something."
"You are correct. We haven't asked them outright."
Kuntaxl waves Tamli over and begins talking in a casual tone. "Tamli. We have found evidence that Hallod was engaged in some type of criminal enterprise, using supplies provided by Bort."
He locks eyes with Tamli and continues in a more serious tone. "We have found evidence that Hallod was misrepresenting the value of transactions as a part of this enterprise. This could indicate a motive for the poisoning, but only if he and Bort were both part of this criminal enterprise."
His gaze grows more stern. "What do you know of Bort's dealings with Hallod? Were other members of the caravan involved? I suggest you tell us now before we are forced to start dismantling this caravan."
Tamli looks confused, and then shakes her head with resolve. No, there's no way Bort would be involved in something like that. I can't speak for this Hallod creep, but I'd bet its entirely his doing! Why would you want to do anything with the caravan if he's the one responsible for this mess? I think you're accusing the wrong people.
Aurumvorak shrugs.
”Sadly, that’s what everyone says, until you can prove it. We might be accusing the wrong people, but we mean no harm by it. We’re trying to find the truth...and that often hurts.” he finishes philosophically.
Tamli frowns, then shakes her head. Well, I can't...won't believe that Bort was responsible for any of these criminal transactions. Maybe he was selling items, but not aware of what they were being used for or sold for? I mean, how would he know what happens on the other end?
Cooky comes over with some well timed yeasty treats. Biscuit?
Kuntaxl grunts. "Bort becoming aware of this 'skimming' is the only possible motive we have found so far. As you say, it is only an idea, and we have no proof.
Nor did we find any proof of Hallod having access to the poison. We should rest and go back into the tunnels to see what else we can find. We'll have to hope that he doesn't have time to hide much."
Tamli nods and turns away, her eyes dark with worry and doubt. As she does, Edra, the halfling stablehand walks near the group to grab a biscuit. Her eyes, though, are to the west as she mutters to herself. Geez, her again...what's she got this time?
To the west, a woman shrouded in a heavy brown cloak trimmed with leaves marches up to you, pulling a simple wooden sled behind her. As she approaches, she brings it to one side and uncovers her cargo - a pile of wolf carcasses. She turns to you and, despite having her cloak's hood pulled low, you can make out weathered lips and a slender chin. In a pointed tone, she asks. Is this your work?
Kuntxl eyes the newcomer warily, wondering where the question is leading. "Yes, we killed the wolves. They were mad, and appeared diseased. They attacked the caravan in broad daylight while clearly outnumbered.
The lead wolf even spit acid at us."
Aurumvorak is interested in the weathered forester. He wanders over with Flenser, examines the carcasses and nods sagely.
”Yup. They attacked us, and Flenser here, also a wolf, doesn’t like them one bit. I’m Aurumvorak.” he finishes expectantly.
The woman nods, and looks up at Kuntaxl.
Indeed, there has been a blight in this region for years now. It began with some sickly trees, then eventually became unconnected pockets of dead and dying plants. She sighs. I am Noala Kesrir. I had been tracking these beasts for some time, only to find that you'd put them down for me. Please, would you... She looks to the west. ...would you come into the woods for a bit so that I may burn these things and we can talk a bit more, privately?
Edra rolls her eyes from nearby and skips away towards the stable.
"If it will shed light on the mystery of the animal attacks, I will gladly listen."
Making sure the papers are secured in the strongbox once again, Kuntaxl stands and follows the woman into the woods.
The mysterious woman leads you to a clearing in the wood, not far from the town itself, where a small fire is already burning in a carefully kept fire pit. She tosses back her hood to reveal her long elven ears and deep emerald eyes. With one hand, she begins to drag the wolf corpses to the flame. She avoids the use of her right hand, which is entirely covered in an oddly shaped leather gauntlet.
These wolves aren't the first, and I am afraid they won't be the last. Worse still. She grunts, as she begins to drag the body of the caustic wolf to the fire. The forest itself is turning sour. Plants and trees are withering, bearing bitter fruit that sickens and kills those who eat it. If you've been out to the old orchard, you've seen it. The blight is growing and I need your help to stop it.
"Yes, we have seen these effects. Vicious boars, a bear, bees though I haven't noticed the plants yet."
Grabbing a wolf in each claw, Kuntaxl helps her burn the corpses, Eying the caustic wolf with concern, hoping the fumes won't be poisonous. He makes sure to stay up wind from the fire.
"This blight you describe is concerning. It obviously endangers the congregation, and the situation needs to be corrected so the congregation can prosper.
Unfortunately, we are also under obligation from the law. We need to solve a murder that occurred in town, a poisoning. Until we resolve that situation, we will be unable to help.
Perhaps you can assist us in that investigation in exchange for our help with the blight?"
Aurumvorak stifles a laugh as the ever serious iruxi seems to make a joke.
Yep, the fire will shed some light...
Flenser sniffs the corpses from a good distance as they are disposed of. He moves closer to Noala, checking her out. Aurumvorak likewise gives the elfin careful consideration.*
‘Vorak for his part listens as Kuntaxl provides his humanoid perspective. Shrugging, the hobgoblin speaks.
”Well before the congregation existed, the wellspring was here. The congregation is like the vine that climbs the tree - should the tree die, so does the vine. For there to be any vines, the trees must be healthy.” he extols, not really disagreeing with Kuntaxl’s general point.
*
Noala tilts her head to the side as she considers the offer. She idly tries to scratch at Flenser's ears.
Aurumvorak notes that she wears a special glove over her hand and doesn't move it very well, if at all. It looks to be an injury of some sort.
Well said, sir; I see you know a bit about the cycle, and why this is so troubling. She narrows her eyes. I could help...though I fear I can't shoot like I used to, and the only one around town who tolerates me is Delma. What would you have of me in this...investigation?
'Diseased creatures...I could likely weaponize the disease...'
Shaking his head to perish the thought, he turns to Vorak and Kuntaxl. 'Tis a good question. If she's so unliked...perhaps she could be bate?'
Kuntaxl smiles a toothy smile, and nods to the seeming druid. "We have been encountering many different creatures that are uncommon to us. Our last encounter was with some type of lightning-blasting, cave snake that nearly destroyed us.
Knowledge of the creatures of the area, and suggestions of ways to deal with them that do not require combat would be very helpful. Perhaps you might also have knowledge of the components of the poison used in the murder we are investigating and where those components might have been gathered.
Barring that, if you have any skill at healing, or magics that could support us during our investigations, more help could be useful. Local knowledge is the most important benefit, though."
Kuntaxl goes on to describe the poison that was used to see what she knows.
"We are under the obligations that Mr. Kuntaxl stated to locate a murderer in order to clear our names, but like Vorak here, I too am interested in uncovering whatever the cause of this unnatural blight is," Jace says as she speaks up and addresses Noala. "Cayden Cailean may not be known as a nature-oriented deity, but everyone knows that without grapes, there's no wine, and without cane, no rum. Perhaps we can help each other with our respective problems."
Shakes wrack Nuktik's body as the poison courses through his blood.
Noala looks down at the poison, but then immediately looks up at Nuktik. Are you alright?
Kuntaxl looks at Nuktik with concern.
"He hasn't looked quite right since he tried to open that chest."
Tolgy and Noala both look Nuktik, but don't seem to know what's wrong with the hobgoblin. Noala looks at him, concerned. I don't know what's wrong...but he most certainly does not look well. I can help him try and fight whatever's in him, but am not sure what the source could be.
Jace once spoke to a doctor:
‘Vorak finally notices Nuktik’s condition and investigates:
"Never felt...ACK!"
"Well...honestly, I've felt better..."
"What do you have in the way of antivenoms? Do we need to acquire something?" Jace looks at Nuktik worriedly, then at the new arrival, Noara, to see if she has anything to offer.
Vorak isn't really sure, but Jace has a good feeling that this is a poison, adder venom undoubtedly.
Noala looks at Kuntaxl accusingly. Why is this poor man still on his feet?. She turns her admonishing glare to Nuk. And you, sit by the fire...quickly! You must get off your feet. Though I don't know what this is, I can at lease treat your superficial wounds.
"It feels quite like a poison of some kind, though I've not tried to figure out which one." growls Nuktik, obediently sitting down.
"Don't be stern with them, I assured them I was doing fine. Though...I may have exaggerated my state a bit."
"This shall pass in time, I've no doubt. Though, if it doesn't, you lot will have another charge to bring up our quarry." he adds with a grin.
Noala looks about in worry, though she can do little else save for treating the superficial wounds and giving Nuktik something for his roiling insides. She looks up at everyone while she works. Well...when can we start? The blight here in the forest will not help itself.
"Could this be adder venom? The symptoms fit." He looks at the people who know more about nature magic than he does.
Aurumvorak shrugs.
”We have searched the house of our quarry, a catacomb beneath we have not finished searching. But it is...strange. I left Flenser at the top of a ladder, fearing we were headed into a pit. However, there were rooms, and hounds down there. The network of caves must give out somewhere in the open - unless he carried his pets down the ladder?”
The scout shrugs again.
”I guess I’m merely trying to come at it from a new direction, if we could healthily surmise where that opening might be. Another abandoned building? A disused quarry or mine? Ach, it is probably nothing, and we go down the ladder again...”
Noala frowns as she looks at Nuktik. Sir, I think you're right on one facet - this does seem to be a poison. But, no - Black adder venom works very quickly...this seems to have a longer duration. We need to leave him here and treat him until his body can fight it off.
"We came here to rest up before going back into the caves, that hasn't changed. We are in no condition to deal with anything right now.
If overnight treatment can take care of his condition, I am all for it."
"Yes, we cannot start abandoning each other now. We learned that lesson with that horrible pig-creature." Jace said solemnly. "At least, I hope we did."
"We should stay and help Nuktik, and stand guard in case Hallod comes to find us."