Sir Kenneth Alintar, the Fifth Earl of Hathington, Brigadier General of the West Kingdom force in Burrowdar stands at the bar of the Burning Thirst Tavern (and Tea House), flanked by his retinue of guards, squires, servants, and others that you simply cannot entirely recognize their purpose.
The Tavern isn't open yet, it being the very crack of daylight, not even for breakfeast for paying guests, and the Earl and his retinue are certainly not that.
Mr. Al-Nefrim!" Alintar shouts impatiently, "When you please, I have a problem to discuss with you."
It's been two weeks-- twenty whole days since the West Kingdom force of Knights, Soldiers, men-at-arms, and levees had arrived to Burrowdar, and they've eaten nearly everything that could be found to eat in the area-- and paid for nearly none of it.
Malik looks up from his ledgers resting on the bar and puts down his quill, Bloody Sir Alintar, you've already eaten me out of house and home, and your troops are running me out of ale, so what, now you want a mug of stout? Your problem is that you are here...
The barkeep picks up a rag, his bald head freshly shaved in the morning light filtering through the windows. Wiping his hands dry, he crosses to the area of the bar nearest the Brigadier General and his lackeys. Pouring a small cup of tea for himself, Malik gazes levelly at the nobleman. Shade and water, its early m'Lord, but what can I do this day to assist you? I will say we're on to just barley soup, which is mostly water here, and there isn't much left in the larders.
Considering for a moment as he blows on his tea, I do suppose I can offer you a cup of tea this morning though, what can I do?
Ugh it is early, but don't anger the commander just because your annoyed with him and frustrated at this 'occupation' Malik pours a small cup of tea, his sleeveless shirt exposing his military tattoos from the Burning Lands, small scars marking them here and there.
Malik considers his armor and weapons, hanging above the bar, which he's been wearing more the last two weeks than in the past five years. Freshly oiled leather gleams behind the bar, and the replaced studs from years of neglect shine opposite ones original to the manufacture of the armor.
"Three of my scouts have gone missing in the past two days. Someone, or something has absconded with them. You wouldn't know anything about this? If I find out that this village has been aiding and abetting rebel spies, there will be Drexiesh's toll to pay."
He composes himself after flaring with a hot temper for a moment, "These. . .incidents happened in the forest edge. I assume you, or someone you know is an expert in the forest?"
The door to the Burning Thirst bumps loudly open and a dark-haired, well-muscled half-orc backs into the Tavern with a almost a dozen wooden logs stacked in his arms. He is dressed in woodsman garb, with a plain but servicable tunic over leather breeches and well-used, sturdy boots. "Hey, Mister Malik? I've got your wood here, probably enough for the day. I was thinking to get an early start so maybe later I can do some hunting while I'm out scrounging up plants and whatnot for my Moth..."
The young man trails off as he turns and sees the assembled soldiers confronting the innkeeper. "...ther. Everything ok here?" Wary, Khalaros makes no sudden moves and stops in his tracks, sizing up the situation.
Ugh, timing is everything... is it not?
Inclining his head at Khalaros, Thank you Khalaros, that is perfect for wood gathered for today. I'll save you some Barely Soup, I mean barley soup for dinner. Malik grins at the woodsman.
Seeing Khalaros freeze so suddenly, as if he were a deer who finally heard the hunter sneaking up behind him, Malik quickly continues talking, Khalaros, these fine gentlemen are looking for some missing scouts along the forest's edge, seen anything? Where did you say they went missing?Malik pivots to the Brigadier General to keep the soldiers following the conversation and not thinking too much about anything else.
Wonder if it is at Augustus' place out there? hmmm.
"Good, yes, yes. . . I trust that as loyal citizens, you are as scandalized by the disappearance of His Majesty's scouts as I am. I will be upstairs at my maps when you have news. If you have any questions, Bartholomew can assist."
Bartholomew, Sir Alintar's senior squire snorts at the suggestion, but still lingers in the room as Alintar leaves.
Malik looks in thinly veiled contempt at the retreating back of Sir Alintar, and then turns in frustration to Khalaros, Well, I suppose the sooner we figure this out, the sooner I can get the bar open. As if I don't have enough things to do today without finding some soldiers sleeping it off in a farmer's hayloft.
Turning to Bartholomew, So Bart, what can you tell us about these missing soldiers? They fancy the drink? Or just deserters? Or do you truly suspect someone here in town is working to kill off trained soldiers? or did they decide some farmer's daughter was too pretty and pulled down his fury?.
After listening to whatever Bartholomew has to say, Well, please let me get my armor and weapons together, and we'll head out. What about Kazell or Viatrix tagging along with us? Malik shrugs into his worn leather armor, sand scoured from years of exposure in the Burned Lands. Head out to Augustus' place and see if that's a starting point? I guess we'll see if we can find anything out in town on the way? He loops the baldric of his sword over his head, fastening it to the spot on the armor where it is worn from countless miles of marching. Reaching under the bar, he withdraws a worn crossbow and bolt case, hanging those on his opposite shoulder.
Grabbing his gaudily painted buckler, flaming mug resplendent in new canvas and paint, he leads the way out of the tavern, doublechecking that the 'closed' sign was still 'closed' when he was so rudely interrupted this morning.
Along the way to the bookstore, Malik will stop and talk to people briefly, Bartholomew, why don't you wander behind me about thirty paces, no offense, but folks might be a little more apt to speak if you aren't looming at our shoulders?
Kazell, just getting ready to open up her little bookstore sees Malik coming, grabs a book from under the counter, and goes out to meet him.
Malik, what's the news? You usually don't stop by this early. Good timing though, because I got this in late yesterday and thought you would be interested.
She hands him a book.
It's on the history of drums, and it has some cool diagrams in it. Seemed right up your alley.
After being filled in on the missing scout situation, she locks up the shop and goes with him to help.
Bartholomew shakes his head in the negative to the question, "No, the scouts are trained and regular soldiers, not rabble. These weren't levees or conscripts, but men used to regular pay in hard silver. They weren't KNIGHTS mind you, or men of character such as myself or Sir Alintar, but they are professional soldiers." the contempt in his tone is obvious.
As Malik begins making the rounds, he runs into Kazell and with the two joining together they turn up a rumor about a farmer on the outskirts who lost a child recently and has been talking. You know them- a halfling man known as Grim and his human wife Leesah who run a pig farm in the edges of the forest with their (seemingly endless) stream of children.
Khalaros shakes his head slowly, as if thinking, and says, "No. Can't say that I have, Malik. "The huntsman moves slowly across the inn, politely pardoning himself as he passes soldiers, and stacks the wood to the side of the fireplace.
The half-orc listens as the innkeeper addresses Bartholomew and nods, as much to himself as them. "I'll get my gear and meet you in a bit. I'll see if I can rustle up Viatrix along the way."
With that, Khal nods to the room, and moves outside, taking long stides to the small house that doubles as his Mother's home as well as her apothecary.
Inside, he collects his pack and straps on his studded leather, then slings his quiver and bow over his back. He pauses at the mantle over the cottage's small fireplace, seeing his father's falchion hanging there. His falchion, now. It's hilt was curved and unadorned, and the pommel of the weapon was weathered and looked well-used, but the huntsman knew the truth of what lay inside the aged sheath...A cold iron blade with a wickedly sharp edge that seemed never to dull.
Khalaros takes down the blade, almost reverently, and straps it on as well. He then hurries out the door and keeps an eye out for Viatrix as he tries to catch up to Malik and Bartholomew.
When they hear the rumor, Kazell turns to Malik and says
Off to see Leesah and Grim then? Or, if you need to go back to the tavern I can make the trip myself and come there when I know something. No one will mind if I open late today.
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Looking up from the book, Malik regards Kazell, I can use the walk, plus I think the later I wait to open the less of my wares will be taken in supplying the troops. Let's see Leesah and Grim, this could be something more serious than at first pass. And I wanted to see if Augustus can give me any more grain on credit, I'm running pretty dry at the moment. He's sort of on the way.
Making sure Bartholomew isn't too close, I'd rather not have to go back to Sir Alintar without something useful to keep him off my back...
Holding up the book, This is really interesting and the pictures give me some great ideas for other techniques to try in stretching a new drum head. If I could borrow it for the week, and return it to you? I'm pretty low on coin these days as business seems more of a gratuity rather than a money-making operation...
Kazell gives a quick nod at the whispered information and says
Oh, the book is yours... no charge. I just thought you might like it.
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Beaming at Kazell, Malik tucks the book into his bag, Thanks Kazell, it is most appreciated! Whenever I get food back at the Burning Thirst, I'll comp you some dinner in exchange!
As they walk out of town, Ah there is Khalahros too, lets head on.
Viatrix sits astride her horse Victor, thumping his neck and weedling a lock of his mane. She straightens her back and pulls a loosely rolled cigar from behind her ear, fumbling for a match.
Damn kingsmen. F@&$ers. Stole her cow they did. Made her butcher it and paid her no money for the trouble. And all their horses were eating straight thru her pasture and stockpiled hay. How was she supposed to survive like this?
"No king never look out for little people like us, Vic. Not west, nor south. North." Her brow furrows, knowing what she means to say, but having difficulty articulating.
Lazily, she lights the cigar, pulling in a heavy draw of smoke as she puts out the match with a shake. "Wanna get drunk about it?"
Before the horse can answer, her little brother, Vargas, runs up to her. Little, heh. He was getting so tall, and only 14.
"Vee, I can't get water from the well today, some of our, uh, boarders are making me do, ah, things for them. Cooking, I mean. Roasting Betsy and such like. Can you and Vic please go?"
She crosses her arms and stares at him.
"I'll owe ya," he offers limply.
Viatrix silently removes a foot from its stirrup and pulls herself over the horse onto one side, hopping down.
She was short. Not as short as her mother had been, but short. Four foot four inches. Next to her, the 4'7" Vargas seemed a giant, and Victor, even moreso.
The two siblings were Quarterlings, half human, half halfing, broad faced and wide set in their hips and shoulders, with lightly brown skin and pointed ears. Vargas kept his hair in locks, but Viatrix let hers do whatever it wanted at any moment.
It had always been just the two of them, since the fire. Well them, Victor and the barn cat. Victor was a draft horse, big, muscly, tall, with black fur and a mostly-white mane, and long fluttery lashes. And the cat, Sven, well, he were just an old grey tabby boy.
"Vargas, I dunno when we'll be rid of these folk, but don't do nothing to upset nobody. Cook our cow nice for them, and definitely don't poison the meal or nothing."
"Wait you want me to-"
"No, idiot I said do not poison them. Bad idea."
"So I should?"
"No! Give em a perfectly normal meal!" she groans and yanks herself back up and over Victor's back. "I'll be back soon with your well water, loser."
On the way to the town center, she pulls out a flask of applejack and drains it, sip by sip.
"I never been liking where we at, Vic, but Burrowdar a lot worse now it's prepping to be a war zone. Freedom don't come from the government, boy."
Filling up at the well, she is surprised to see Khalaros, a hunter and buddy. "I gotta bring these buckets back to the farm, but me and Vic and my gun, we'll, we'll meet y'all at Leesah's."
Khalaros gives the quarterling a grin and a nod, "Glad to have you along, Vee. Mayhaps Malik will give a pint or two on the house when we're done!"
With that, the huntsman hurries off at a jog, his aim to catch up to the innkeeper and Kazell before they found Augustus. Best to find him with the group rather than alone. The man just put Khal's nerves on edge...not that he was a bad sort, but he just always struck the barbarian as...odd.
"Makes the hair on the back of my neck stand up sometimes..." he mutters to himself, then involuntarily shudders.
As you are traveling to the farm, you run into Augustus on the path.
Augustus is riding into town with 3 horses tethered to his saddle. "Morning, the squatters asked for their horses in town and I figured I oughta bring them in to avoid any more issues than necessary." He glances down and around before asking "Are you heading to the stables? Do you need anything?"
Morning Augustus. We're going out to Leesah's. Apparently there are some missing scouts, and Grim might know something about it. Come along if you like, after you drop off the horses.
A little later on, you all now gather at the pig farm, and speak to Grim and Leesah. . . you idly try to count the quarterling children running around, but they move in and out so quickly that it becomes futile- it must be at least eight.
"Yes, our sweet girl, our 8 year old Starlane disappeared a few days back. We searched the forest, but we could hardly find any sign of her. But it was. . . somewhat strange, now that I think of it- the paths, where you might find tracks of some beast or other, they were barren- as though a strong wind had covered away signs."
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As he is passing Augustus will pick up the lead horses gate and call, "I'll catch up with you" as he takes off towards the town. once he gets there he hands off the horses to the kingsmen than called for them and then takes off back towards the farm as a canter catching up soon after the rest get there.
Kazell, much more motivated at hearing of the girl's disappearance than the lost scouts, replies:
Do you know where Starlane was just before going missing? Was she here, or was she playing in the woods...? Do you remember what she was wearing?
Pausing so they can answer, Kazell then continues
Have you seen or heard anything strange lately? The West Kingdom seems to have misplaced some scouts. I wonder if this is related. If nothing else, it is a good excuse to go out and look for your daughter again, so any leads at all that you could give us would be helpful.
Khal stands off to the side, arms crossed over his chest, looking over at the pigs and frowning at the smell of the beasts.
The mention of the missing girl is obviously more interesting to the half-orc than that of the missing soldiers, and Khalaros' attitude goes from distracted irritation to focused attention. He turns to take in the conversation between Kazell and Grim and Leesah. He liked them, mostly...and the loss of their child, any child for that matter, was hurtful.
"Yes, Starlane had went out into the forest to fetch kindling. We weren't worried because there usually aren't any predators so bold as to attack a person."
His description of the general vicinity does roughly match the area or close to it where the scouts disappeared.
Thank you Leesah, we'll do everything we can to find your little girl. Malik looks concerned for the family, even with so many offspring running around their feet. He offers his hand to Grim before turning for the woods to see if they can find the child.
Viatrix stands drunk in the corner for much of the conversation. Normally, she would happily play with the kids or engage more fully in conversation, but it just didn't seem appropriate here. She knew Starlane. Vargas had babysat the kids in the past, and in their little interactions, Starlane always reminded Viatrix of herself, before the fire.
Now tragedy had struck Grim and Leesah's little family. She had to do something.
"Lead us there. And I promise we'll get your little girl back to you."
As you move into the forest, you find roughly the area and spread out a little looking.
Kazell takes a look around, trying to spot anything out of the ordinary.
Khalaros moves at a moderate pace absolutely focused on the area in question, eyes and ears open. The half-orc even pauses here and there to sniff the air, and pick up leaves and twigs that are suspect. He glances at the others and sees them equally engaged.
"Even the smallest thing might be important, so if you see anything out of the ordinary, bring it up." His voice is always deeper than one might assume it to be, considering his build is more slender than many orcs or even half-orcs.
Augustus keeping to the back of the group will murmur ”got it” before looking off and nodding an affirmation at no one in particular
However whatever he was nodding at must have absorbed much of his attention.
Malik begins to look around the forest, cursing the trees in his way, So many trees to look around here. Anyone see anything?
Augustus is truly one touched by the gods. May he bring us luck today.
I'm really not the best out here in the woods, but let's see if I can help...
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Too drunk to really focus, Viatrix spends most of her time trying to stay atop her horse. Her horse, however, has a lot more luck.
As you search the area, Kazell notices the pockets of leaves/pine needles blown around.
The path would be nearly impossible to follow if it weren't for the aid of the animal scent, but thanks to that you are able to find and begin following a path.
After about an hour of following, you find a an unfortunate sign- a cracked bone.
[Spoiler=Knowledge Planes DC 15]Between the evidence of wolf-like jaws, and the wind blown paths you believe you are dealing with an airea gaizki, a type of wolf-like creature from the elemental plane of air.
Looking from one member of the party to the others, Malik sighs, Please tell me this is from a cow, or a chicken... he rubs a hand over his shaven head, scanning the trees for other signs that he may have missed.
Seeing nothing else in the area, he calmly loads a crossbow bolt into his crossbow, cranking the arms back and into place. Khalaros, can you find any trail here?
”This bone is gnawed on, it looks something like a wolf but larger, nothing that I’ve ever seen.”
Kazell knows what Malik is inferring, and gets a sinking feeling that they are too late to save the little girl.
Well, whatever the conclusion from that bone, the creature that did it still needs killing.
She goes over to pet Viatrix's horse, and asks
Is this the end of the trail he picked up?
"If that will help you sleep tonight, Malik..." Khalaros gives the innkeeper an arched eyebrow, "...sure. It's a calf bone."
The huntsman then moves to Kazell and Viatrix where he eyes the steed and murmurs, "That's a good horse..." Khal trails off as he surveys the area where the mount had noticed the path, careful not to disturb the area any more than necessary.
The half-orc scowls after several minutes, knowing the eyes of his companions were on him. Finally, he withdraws and shakes his head, frustrated. "Nothing. I mean, there's something there, but I can make no sense of this. I am sorry, my friends."
Viatrix pats Victor. "If that bone is what I think it is, we got bad news and a helluva lot less rush."
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With a little help and taking his time, you are able to follow the trail.
Eventually as you are arriving, you hear a sound like rushing wind. Through the bushes you can see the creature standing in a clearing!
like a massive wolf, but with a constant swirl of wind around it.
Round 1
Catching your scent, the creature snorts, and a puff of air blows out in a straight line, then forms into a miniature tornado like creature at the end of its path!
[Spoiler=DC 11 Knowledge Planes]This is a size small air elemental![/ooc]
1. Airea Gaizki
2. Kazell
3. Augustus
4. Khalaros
5. Malik
6. Viatrix
Kazell double moves, trying to get to a point where she has a clear shot at the wind-wolf thing.
Malik advances, playing a marching beat on his hand drum, inspiring his companions to be strong while facing this menace.
"Here's our Quarry! if we remove it we can get the kingsmen off our backs." Augustus will call and he double moves.
Victor rides valiantly forward, spurred on by Malik's song. Seeing the gust of wind, Viatrix takes aim and fires. The crack of her pistol echoes throughout.
Round 1
Kazell and Augustus move forward.
Malik begins inspiring courage and moves forward.
Viatrix fires her gun, hitting then reloads as her companion carries her forward.
Round 2
The beast snorts again, a second elemental trailing out in the path of its windy breath!
The first elemental moves forward to block Viatrix's path!
1. Airea Gaizki
2. Kazell
3. Augustus
4. Khalaros
5. Malik
6. Viatrix
Status:
Airea Gaizki: -6
Kazell moves up beside a tree, within the range of her bow to the creature, and she shoots at the strange wolf.
(inspire courage)
(inspire courage)
As she watches the arrow streak towards the target, she observes
and realizes that the winds around this creature are going to make ranged attacks challenging.