While you 4 aid the merchant, the others of your party look for a place in this town, or at least a bit of work. You all meet up in the Frozen Sparrow to give report.
Dickswizzle reports that no one wants to employ him thus far. He thinks maybe he can find something with the butcher tomorrow, or a desperate farm.
Anna says that she has had similar luck, though less outright rejection. If she knew more than shepherding, it would likely help her here.
Bester reports that says that on the morrow, he's to start serving in the Frozen Sparrow. his wages are.... acceptable, and he'll have room and board (well, the coldest room, and the leftovers.)
Gelda It'll be a right b%+~# starting up a new tavern here, even with the the seed money Nandy and I had. Might just move on to the next one.
Annanda, more reasonably says that if Gelda would just think, she's found a place that needs a cook, and Gelda could probably find some work for the guard or something.
As drinks and meals are shared, you hear the door open. An older man, perhaps in his 50's, wearing a nicer suit, walks in. By the look of the locals, this is an uncommon occurrence. He regards you steadily, with calculating eyes. You are mercenaries. he says. It is not a question.
He tosses down a Shilling down on the table before you. I assume I have your attention now. he says in the same cold tone. There is more coin in the employ of my Mistress, Loria Cassenault. She rises before dawn. She will expect you at first light.
He turns to leave.
Baros looks at everyone else then down at the coin, "OK, I guess we're mercenaries now, what should our company name be..."
Silas quietly listens to the others and how their day went, prospects were lean but they were there for certain if one knew where to look. He raises a glass to both Annada and Bester, grinning as he does so.
"Congratulations to you both. Bester, you make sure to marry that girl and be a good man. Anna, nothing too strenous, alright? Last thing we need is for you to hurt you and that baby after all that hard work we put in on the road." Finishing his mug and sitting back with a bit of bread, Silas watched as the well-dressed man entered into the inn and a silence took over. He approached the table and Silas's hand casually rested on his hilt as the man studied them for a few moments.
The coin hit the table and swiveled for a few moments before coming to a stop. A shilling was decent money. The man made the offer known that his Mistress would be expecting them, earning a low grumble from Silas before he departed. Scoffing, he lifted up the shilling and inspected it before putting it back onto the table.
"Not yet we aren't. That's just a free bit of coin." Silas grabbed his mug and Baros's empty mug as well, rising up from the table. [b]"Who gives a damn about a name. Should call us the damn Muddy Men with how we look. I'm going to get another drink, see what people are saying." Silas would return to the bar, settling in between patrons and asking for another mug of drink. As he waited though, he would talk to some of the regulars about who that was and who this Loria Cassenault was.
The locals look at you askance as you get your drink. Cassennault's an old woman. her family used to be Rich, but these days, they're just "Well to do", after her brother's death, and a few bad investments, and a few bandit attacks. an older man says Just her and that niece of hers left in the family, now.
Probably why she wants you. a younger farmhand says. at the looks she gets, she clarifies The bandits, probably wants some caravan guards, probably has something leaving next week or whatever. she sniggers a little Not Fallon, she's pretty, she could do better. and from what I hear...
Manners, Lydia. we're in town. we act civilised an older man chides the farmhand
As the well dressed man proposed his hiring plan, Hund's immediate thought was to get information. Where do they meet? What's the purpose of the mission? What details can be given?
But the man just turned to walk away and no one was stopping him.
Hund, in response, got up to follow. He wanted to know where the man was going and where this benefactor was.
The man walks for about 3 minutes, turns onto the towns main road, and follows it until it turns East toward the way out of tow or west and further into town. at the end of the main road is a rather lavish house, three stories and a widows walk, a small stable on the side. he goes inside this house, he does not seem to notice you. What do you do?
"From what you hear, what?" Silas asks, leaning in with a grin as he looks back at the tavern. "I understand your need for civility but lets be honest, they ain't folk like us. Back in my hometown, I worked at my family's tannery and we had to deal with our 'social betters' all the time. They also had some nasty business, scandal, or rumor going about it." Silas knew that in most places, there was always a level of animosity or unease between the common people and those that lorded over them with either wealth, title, or both. If you construed things to be 'them versus us', it could open up lips a little bit easier. "C'mon, help a friend out. If they're offering work, I want to know what I'm walking into. You'd want the same, right?"
Laydia exchanges a look with the man who'd rebuked her, likely a father or uncle. Wll, she's gone and fallen in with those nutters in that farm. 'Taint like she'll lack for company with THEM. she says
Confident that he secured the location, Hund heads back to Mok and the others. When the time comes, he will wake them and lead them to this house.
Until then, he curls up on the floor next to Mok and looks up at the young orc, eyes asking what the kid plans to do.
Dawn finds you, with HUIVD's best alarm clock impression. It was the first comfortable sleep you've had since before Goatshead, it seems cruel that it should be interrupted. but the appointed hour is upon you.
HUIVD leads you to the three storied house, where the Well Dressed Man waits by the door. My mistress awaits you in the parlour. is all he says as he opens the door, though his gaze seems to linger on the metal dog.
Loria sits at a table with three additional place settings, each with a light breakfast upon them. Between all the places is a pot of tea. She gestures for you all to sit. I have called you here because there is a matter that could ruin what remains of my families fortunes. Recently, my niece became involved with the Adepts, a religious organization from the city of set, who have taken up residence outside of town.
it is my fear, that my niece has fallen in with wicked people. I've already hired two men to investigate, but the pair went missing. I want you to discover if there is a dark secret behind this organization, and if there is to extract my niece, with any means you deem fit. For this service, I am willing to offer you a 50 silver shillings
Grommok listens to the woman's plight. Having only recently come into religion himself, he nods in the understanding of the woman's fear.
"Religion can be a very powerful drug. Can you tell us more about these "Adepts"? What is it that they believe and what makes you think they are 'wicked'? I would just like to get to know more about this group so we are not heading in with preconceived ideas."
They arrived a month and change ago, bought a farm, and started evangelising, preaching the sanctity of ecstasy. Some Revel cult, or maybe World mother. But the people who've gone there say they can barely remember what happened, that they were given things to drink, and acolytes joined them in revelry. she takes a sip of her tea, and composed herself.
If it's just a damned sex cult... That's one thing, another bastard in the family will hardly effect our reputation. But I've heard of the powers these cultist get from their rituals, and I trust magic about as far as I can throw him she indicates Grommok with her thumb. I want to know Fallon's not fallen in with Black magicians.
Hund listens intently to the proposal. This sort of work is exactly what he was hoping to find. He nudges Mok's hand, resting the top of his head under the palm of the orc.
Yes, he softly barks out.
"Alright, as long as the coin is there I am up for looking into this cult," Baros says.
Silas listened in carefully to the woman's proposal. The mission seemed pretty clear-cut; get a woman out of a cult if it appears that things aren't right there. Their method of choice was entirely up to them. The fact that they were broke.
"Make it sixty shillings. This niece of yours is the only real heir to the family line, yeah? If she is in bad business, it could tarnish the family name even worse than the bad business investments, the bandit attacks, and so on. Your niece ending up with black magicians? That could be the nail in the coffin." Silas sits up, lifting his hands up in a disarming nature while a small smile spreads across his face. "Your man is right; we're mercenaries and we've been through hell to get here. We'll get your niece out, guaranteed. Make it sixty silver shillings and we're golden."
Loria seems somewhat annoyed by the haggling. Sir, If you've employment prospects with better rates, I do encourage you to take them, but 50 shillings is quite reasonable for what I'm asking. she says And after the other two disappeared with half of my money, I will give you payment upon receipt.
Looking down at his mechanical friend, Mok nods in agreement.
"We are willing to undertake this mission. We will try and discover what has happened to your niece."
Loria gives you the names of a few of Fallon's Friends who had spent time with the Adepts as well as she sends you off. it is approximately 9 in the morning. Where do you begin?
Hund trots away from the house as soon as business is complete. His first plan is to scout out the building where this is supposedly taking place. He wants to know where it is and how many people are around it.
Hund spends hours watching the compound from a ridge overlooking the farm where the Adepts have made their base. Adept initiates clad in scarlett work in the fields. You occasionally see others, often smudged and dirtied, emerging to soak their heads and wash the sweat from themselves. You get occasional flashes of flesh and smoke from inside the house, but after a few hours outside, you conclude you'd need to sneak into the house to get a better idea (it is 1 PM when you come to this conclusion)
Hund returns to Mok, running up alongside the large orc. Found cult. Lead you. he says in his short curt sentences.
"Good scoutin," Baros says, "let's get a move on, the sooner we are done the sooner we get paid."
As Hund left to scout out the supposed cult's compound, Silas wandered the small town and gathered what information he could about the cult; their numbers and strength, what kind of supplies they picked up, who was friendly with them in town. There were always folks who distrusted other folks and he would try to play upon people's natural tendency to ally themselves with those who stood against the "other". The Fey had taught him the duplicitous skills well enough.
He was still enough of an other to not get anything truly useful and reported back the same to the others, irritated at his own skills. With nothing left to do, he would join them in approaching the compound.
"So what is the plan? Be quiet and sneak in? Act like we're new initiates interested in their cult? What's our gameplan?"
It is approximately 10:00 a.m. when you finally start getting a lot of the same information from the people you're speaking to. They came in about a month ago, there's about two score of them, they drew in some of the youth but a lot of the towns folk don't like them. You also get a lot of You lot are investigating them too? as you ask around.
Grommok looks down at the mechanical dog and smiles.
"Let's go then. Yes, we are also looking into this cult to see what it is all about and free a poor woman who seems to have got caught up in the tentacles of this church."
You arrive at the farm around 2. The cultists still labour in the fields, but the man who answers the door is tall and fit, with long dark hair. Ah. Visitors? or are you interested in joining us? I am Vance Swiet, I lead this congregation. He speaks in a voice like carmel, sweet and rich. He extends his hand But I don't stand on formality. Vance will be quite sufficient, Master orc. I'm glad to meet you, and your Fascinating pet.
The rest of the group seemed to be all willing to just walk in and ask directly to what was going on. It was basically everything that Silas did not want to do. He agreed to keep watch on them and try using Mok and Hund as a distraction to sneak onto the premise and investigate around. He offered Baros the chance to join him in infiltrating the premise.
While the others kept the leader of the cult distracted at the door, Silas would quietly and quickly try to skirt around the building by using the heavy growth of the fields as cover. The goal wasn't to find the girl; the goal was to find evidence of something wrong at this compound. With missing investigators and strangely friendly cultists in the North, it didn't strike Silas as a small chance.
Grommok looks at the man, then down at Hund.
"He is no pet. He is my friend. We are looking for a young woman who we have been told is here. Her name is Fallon. Please take us to her."
Mok is not trying to be threatening, but his straightforward manner might make him look so.
Silas
You go into the farmhouse. Most doors are open, or at least ajar. The upstairs seems to be sleeping quarters, as tight as any military Barracks, and tighter than most. The downstairs has a lobby/office, where Mok and HUIVD are interviewing a quite lovely young lady. You dodge the eye of The man who escorted Fallon to them, and grab a red robe to give yourself an extra few seconds if anyone spots you. There is a kitchen, where a half-dozen cultists slave over cutting boards, pots, and flanks of goat to make the food. There is a dining room where a few of them eat bowls of cold stew. There is also an office, it looks like Vance's, and a stairwell down. There are most assuredly people downstairs... quite a number, you would guess.
Mok & HUIVD
Vance nods As yes, Initiate Cassennault. I shall see if she would like to speak to... the Orc with the Clockwork dog. he offers, nodding as he goes into the house proper.
He leaves you there for a few minutes, an returns with a light haired young lady, slightly lethargic. . You asked for me? she says haltingly.
Wrapping a red robe around himself to act as a bit of a cover for the moment, Silas makes his way into the office as Vance goes to retrieve the woman they were seeking. If his comrades see him, he gives them both a nod for just a moment before entering the man's office.
While he was born a commoner and had not yet earned the privilege to know how to read, Silas did know how to look for something important. He would look over the area, checking for hidden things and places and grabbing them for Mok to look at later.
You stuff a few documents that look important, and a spooky book. Safely concealed, whence too now, Sir knave?
Baros hides nearby where Silas infiltrated the compound but doesn't follow him in, acting as a lookout.
Hund stays quiet as Mok controls the conversation. He tries to keep an eye out for his surroundings, despite his inability to be an effective watchdog.
Baros
Baros watches as the cultists go about their days. it is several minutes before he puts it together, but... there are too many people in there, even assuming the basement and second floor are packed like Grain in a silo.
HUIVD
The Girl's speech is slurred slightly, her movements slow. her pupils are dilated, and she breathes slowly when not speaking. This is a common discipline problem in the military, and you've seen it enough to know someone high as a kite when you see them.
Perception:
Grommok looks the girl over and then speaks.
"Are you well? Your aunt is worried about you. Perhaps you should come back with us and reassure her of your choices...yes?"
He looks to the cult leader as he speaks as well to see any reaction he might have.
Hund moves to place himself between the girl and the cultists, providing a physical barrier of metal between them and nudging her towards Mok, in a dog-like manner. Between the enormous physical size of Mok and the hard metal casing of Hund - who was by no means small himself - they should he able to 'convince' them to let the girl head back home. Or at least force her to be separated from the cultists whether they like it or not.
Mok & HUIVD
I am well. she says haltingly. Tell My aunt that I am fine. I would prefer to stay here. She looks Mok over, and turns to Vance Briefly. You cannot tell what goes on betwene them, but he moves his hand slightly, and she says You could stay here too... with me, or with... anyone, if you so wished.
HUIVD is right, Fallon is slight, you are Fairly strong... you could take her along whether she agreed or not.
Looking the girl over and noticing her condition, Mok shakes his head.
"This is not good. The girl is drugged and unable to make rational decisions. I will return her to her aunt and let the drugs wear off...then she can decide with a clear mind what she wants. Come girl we go now!"
Grommok waits to see what the girl does, as well as watching the 'cult' leaders reactions to his message.
No Fallon says. No, I want to stay here. she says
Now now! Vance says Let us not be so hasty. he steps forward a pace, not quite closing with HUIVD, but almost, and shifts his shoulders to reveal the sword at his hip, a pipe already coming to his hand. The substances are part of our worship. this is nothing to alarm yourselves about. And I will not allow you to take someone from my home against their will. he says
Silas begins to hear Mok's strong, straightforward voice rise somewhat and he cautiously makes his way closer after signaling Baros to join him. There was a commotion going on and when he could see the standoff happening between his friends and the leader of the compound, he smirked.
"Always knew it was going to be violence. At least they're straightforward." Silas thought to himself, staying low and out of sight but preparing to draw his blade should it come to a fight.
As the man gets close, Hund moves to go between the girl's legs and props her up on his back, allowing her to ride him like a horse as he moves towards the exit.
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"Halt human! Her clan asks to see her, and this should not be a threat to you and yours. If her aunt is satisfied she will be allowed to return, if not...well perhaps others will turn their eye towards your compound. Do not stand in our way...there is more here than meets your eyes!"
Grommok lets a slight growl enter his voice as he speaks to the man.
Will:
Well...at least it is still in the positives!!! Can using my fortune help??
I suppose resisting your kidnapping would simply put her life in danger. Swiet says, venom dripping from his every word. Fallon turns to him, eyes wide in fear, and he nods at her. She goes with you, but notably stats out of arms reach.
Baros follows the pair from a safe distance, trying to remain as hide or inconspicuous as possible.
Silas joins his short comrade in following the followers, moving quietly as to be not be noticed until they are ready to ambush. Silas sticks to the foliage of the forest, keeping his head low and using the tricks he learned on the run to keep himself from being noticed.
Grommok takes the young lady's arm and directs her out the door with Hund.
"That went way too smoothly Hund. What do you think? I hope the others have kept watch and are following.
Baros uses his experience in wilderness exile and working as a guide to try and remain unseen by his and Salis's quarry.