Kingmaker

Game Master Rackal28

Roll20
Kingdom Spreadsheet
Kingdom Building Rules
Friday 11th of Erastus - 9 PM
70 F
25% Humidity
Light Air 1 mph South South-Western

Oleg's Trading Post
Loot Sheet


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Male Neutral Human (Taldan/Kellid) Cavalier (Hooded Knight) 5 | HP 46/46 | AC 22 (23 after feinting), Touch 12 (13 after feinting), Flat-Footed 20 | CMB +7, CMD 19 | Fort +5, Ref +3, Will +3 (-1 vs. fire effects) | Initiative +6 (+8 on roads) | Perception +1 (+3 on roads) | Speed 20 ft. (50 ft. on horseback) | Challenge 2/2 | Sneak Attack +1d6 | Active Conditions: Knave's Standard

Meneas finishes his meal quietly, keeping mostly to himself as he watches the others at the table eat. A week's time before our things come...

Should we even head back? How long does a round trip from Limen to Oleg's take? If it's four days or more, I'd say we should just stick around.


Female Human Inquisitor (Sanctified Slayer) 4 / Swashbuckler (Rostland Bravo) 1| HP: 45/45 | AC: 19 (T: 13, F: 16) | CMB: +6, CMD: 19 | F: +6, R: +6, W: +6 | Init: +7 | Perc: +10, SM: +8 | Speed 30'| Panache 1/1

My impression is it's roughly a day's trip one way, but I'm not sure. I'm game to stay if you prefer.


Female Human Player/DM

It takes roughly 24 hours to ride from the Leveton's Trading Post to Limen non-stop.

After the Leveton's say their cheerful goodbyes, and Svetlana loads the pair up with almost more food and goodies than they can carry, the pair of Meneas and Signy make their way on the road back towards their own little country.

Nothing of import happens during the travel back so I'll just timeskip at the end of this post.

--------------------

Fortunately for all parties involved, Lina and Riftun run into Brental very shortly thereafter as he seemed to be making his way in their direction.

"Brental! Th-Thank goodness!" The bard cries out and hastens his step as he spots the druid down the path. "A-As I was telling Lina something terrible has happened!"

Once the group has all gathered together the bard explains his story. "So, I was spending some time with Zuki at her sweets shop when the bell rings from a customer coming in. Zuki, looked over my shoulder and I noticed her briefly frown when she saw who the guest was... or rather, wasn't... I-I thought this was odd, I don't think I've ever seen Zuki with any expression less than a smirk if not a beaming smile. S-So I asked her what was wrong."

"That's when she tells me that she has a 'customer,' an urchin child who hitched a ride on one of the trade caravans... a-anyways his name is Jeffery... no last name given but he is a human boy around ten years of age by all appearances. H-He would come in and trade little 'treasures' he would find along the rivers and the shore of the Tuskwater, mostly bugs, frogs, toads, and such things. W-Well Zuki thought it was super fun and adorable so she would trade him some of the stores little inexpensive goods in return l-like those prank cupcakes she makes. He would always try to get her to give up some of the good magic items she has but, of course, Zuki can't afford to essentially just give those away." Riftun's voice trembles with concern as he goes on.

"Jeffery apparently vowed he was going to find something big and 'cool' enough to trade for Zuki's wand of lightning... and confetti." He adds noting the shopkeeper's whimsical nature. "Lina, Brental... He hasn't returned since..." He looks in their eyes with a note of desperation. "We have to find him h-he has no one else. Please... I-I did a bit of asking around and the last anyone remembers he spoke to some woman with puffy grey hair and then was last spotted heading south along the Tuskwater towards Candlemere... one would think the ghost stories would be enough to keep him away from there though.. a-and I can't imagine that he's actually got a way to get to the island but... over that way would be a good place to start."

--------

After a day of fruitless searching Brental and Lina have returned to the Martyred Manticore in order to meet up with Signy and Meneas to discuss their next course of action.


Male Archon-Blooded Aasimar (Lawbringer) Green Faith Initiate (Druid) 5 | HP 41/41 | AC 20 Touch 12 Flat 18 CMB +6 CMD 18 | Fort +7 Ref +3 Will +7 (+4 vs fey/plant) | Resist acid 5, cold 5, electricity 5 | Speed 20 ft | Init +6; DV 60 ft; Per +13 | Active: Ashen Path, Burning Entanglement (1/5 rd), Tears to Wine (50 min) ||
Vodnykel:
HP: 34/34 | Per +7, DV 60 ft, LLV, Scent | Spd 40 ft, Swim 20 ft | AC 20 Touch 12 Flat 18 | SR 10 | DR 5/evil | CMD 19 | Fort + 5, Reflex +6, Will +2 | Resist acid 10, cold 10, electricity 10 | Init +2 | Active: None

Brental takes Kesten's concerns under advisement. He certainly intended to bring them up with Lina, Meneas, and Signy: the ruling council as it were, though each of them might have different feelings about their inclusion (or the exclusion of others) from such a list. "I'll leave you to it," he says with a smile and a bow of his own.

Abigail. Was she the one with whom things were "perfectly casual", or was there another young woman with whom Kesten was enjoying "most satisfactory" tea?

Brental smiles to himself as he gets on his way. With any luck, after the morning's unpleasantness, he would be able to enjoy the next couple of days in relative peace. A bit of gardening and meditation, perhaps. Maybe even some ranging to look at prospect at some of the areas around Limen. Certainly no dire consequences to be concerned about, nor missing children, of course. Why did I think about missing children? That's odd...

---

The reverie is not to last. Brental is just about to pass on Kesten's thanks for the tea when poor Riftun spills his words into a jumble on the street. Brental's face falls. So much for peace and quiet.

"A child alone in the world," Brental sighs. "Well who was the woman with puffy grey hair? One of our citizens or another visitor?"

Knowledge (local) max DC 10, anyone I recognize fitting that description: 1d10 ⇒ 10
Knowledge (geography), Candlemere: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8
Survival, look for any tracks: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (3) + 13 = 16 Yeah, that checks out...

In addition to taking Vodnykel out for a search of the nearby area, Brental also employs his magic to commune with the birds of the air and the water itself. After asking the birds if they have seen the boy Jeffrey, Brental goes to the nearest waterway, grabs a smooth stone, and sends it skipping into the water. Ignoring the natural laws that govern the world, the stone continues skipping, picking up speed as Brental transfers his conscious perception into it and begins observing what all there is that he can find.

Casting Commune with Birds to ask if the birds have seen a boy of this description, and Riversight to look for the kid up to 8 miles out.

---

At the Martyred Manticore, Brental is drinking some ale while waiting for Signy and Meneas to return. Unless they were hung up fighting beasts along the road--doubtful, Brental hoped--then they should be back any minute. The druid raises his glass and takes a sip before addressing Lina. He had been speaking with her about Kesten's ideas, trying to gauge her reaction (please see above for details), but changes the topic of conversation.
"Is this really our responsibility? Why would Riftun bring this to us? As much as the tale tugs at my heartstrings, chasing a lone boy through the Greenbelt seems like a fool's errand, not to mention..." Below our station? Grigori's comments about them going off at every chance and leaving Limen undefended, untrue though they were, have left a sour taste in his mouth. He doesn't want to be perceived as an adventuring type, off galivanting through the wilderness in search of wealth and trouble.

Brental trails off his thought, taking another sip and hoping that Lina would pick up on his wordless-on-the-surface-but-clearly-not-beneath discomfort.


Female Human Inquisitor (Sanctified Slayer) 4 / Swashbuckler (Rostland Bravo) 1| HP: 45/45 | AC: 19 (T: 13, F: 16) | CMB: +6, CMD: 19 | F: +6, R: +6, W: +6 | Init: +7 | Perc: +10, SM: +8 | Speed 30'| Panache 1/1

when she and Meneas meet up with Brental and Lina she tells the about the worg and wolves attacking, and that it was clearly directed by the 'queen' responsible for their werewolf problem.

"Whatever her problem with us is, she's not going to drop her grudge. We're going to have to do something about her if we're going to stop the harassment."

Signy is ready to go looking for the boy immediately. It's much more the sort of thing she's comfortable with doing compared with planning buildings and such. She also doesn't care whether she's seen by people as an 'adventurer' or not.


Male Archon-Blooded Aasimar (Lawbringer) Green Faith Initiate (Druid) 5 | HP 41/41 | AC 20 Touch 12 Flat 18 CMB +6 CMD 18 | Fort +7 Ref +3 Will +7 (+4 vs fey/plant) | Resist acid 5, cold 5, electricity 5 | Speed 20 ft | Init +6; DV 60 ft; Per +13 | Active: Ashen Path, Burning Entanglement (1/5 rd), Tears to Wine (50 min) ||
Vodnykel:
HP: 34/34 | Per +7, DV 60 ft, LLV, Scent | Spd 40 ft, Swim 20 ft | AC 20 Touch 12 Flat 18 | SR 10 | DR 5/evil | CMD 19 | Fort + 5, Reflex +6, Will +2 | Resist acid 10, cold 10, electricity 10 | Init +2 | Active: None

Brental seems exasperated that his plans for coffee and contemplation are evaporating like the morning fog on a lake. A worg, too? Damn it all.


Female Elf Magus (Hexcrafter, Puppetmaster) 5 HP 36/36 | AC 19 | T 13 | FF 16 | CMD 17 | Fort +5 | Ref +4| Will +3 | Init +3 | Perc +1 | Arcane pool: 6/6 points

Riftun’s tale alarms Lina enough that she’s willing to spend the next day helping with a search of the area nearest Limen, just in case her lead diplomat is wrong about where the boy was heading, or said boy got distracted and looped back around or whatever, but as she suspected, it looks like Candlemere will be their best bet.

While planning that expedition – she regrets that Meneas and Signy won’t get much time to rest before they’ll need to be off again, though at least they’ll be headed downstream – and trying to leave instructions for various other town projects, she considers Brental’s report of his meeting with Kesten.

Looks like whatever Riftun heard from Lady Jamandi will have to wait. He must really be worried about this Jeffery, she muses, focusing mainly on Kesten’s recommendations. “I think if he wasn’t so much of a soldier about it, it would sound more reasonable. Spot checks and a more affable sword at the gate able to greet and make short conversation with visitors, rather than an interrogation and emptying and reloading every wagon to make sure no one’s trying to smuggle in werecabbages to the market.”

She’s obviously trying to keep her spirits up with a show of sprightliness, but her expression betrays her words. “And a census would probably be a good idea. We might see what sorts of talents we need to attract, and if we can find some brave, kind souls who feel called to look after urchins and possibly get a school going. Get the word out, and all that.”

“So that this sort of thing doesn’t happen again. You’re right, it is a fool’s errand, but we might have to at least try, until we find someone we can point to to say they’re in charge of unattached children. I can imagine what another Grigori might say about the Witch of Helikia if infants go missing from the capital, and with Candlemere – if Jeffery made it there, there’s an obvious place he’d be headed, I think,” she explains, remembering her previous trips along the Shrike.

What does she remember?
Know (nature): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27 Knowledge (history): 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (5) + 11 = 16

As soon as Signy and Meneas appear, she quickly catches them up about the developments. It looks like they might need to take a detour before heading out to consult Tiressia. And they’re going to need either another or a bigger boat. Hopefully, though, they can find Jeffery before some sort of misadventure occurs.

*Adds royal yacht / pleasure barge to wishlist.* :) Actually, we already have plans for that, but those will kick in only in the mid-levels. For now, we could hire passage, or Brental could do his raft magic, I guess? It looks like Candlemere’s the next hex down, so it’s not a terribly onerous trip.


Female Human Player/DM

Brental's commune with the birds goes as one could expect. The birds greet the Brother-of-Trees and seem amenable to his questioning but the best any can recall was seeing a boy that matched the description of Jeffery heading along the water's edge, looking for bugs and frogs and heading furthur and further south towards Candlemere.

Through his riversight Brental is able to see a wealth of activity in and around the water, ducks, dragonflys, swans, elk, bears, boars, fish aplenty, and even an absolutely MASSIVE scared up old snapping turtle. He does not spy the child at a range of eight miles but he does see a trace of civilization along the water's edge towards Candlemere.

A tiny hut with smoke billowing from the chimney and a scarecrow out front using a carved pumpkin as a head.

The druid fails to pick up the boy's tracks but does manage to recall a relatively new arrival to the town of Limen who matches the description.

Goodie Nyska, a Taldan woman in her late twenties... perhaps earlier thirties with puffy prematurely grey hair. She works as a midwife in the growing town and Brental recalls that she has approached many women in town offer them to join her book club.

Lina recalls tales of Candlemere she has picked up from fishermen, tradesmen, and bandits alike of the strange and eerie nature of Candlemere where a lone ruined tower looms above the brambles. They say you can hear blood-curdling screams in the night, as well as strange lights, and shapes beneath the water. The riverfolk tend to give the island a wide berth for this very reason.

Also I forgot but Riftun was supposed to tell you that Lady Jamandi is under intense scrutiny right now and that the Surtovas are but a hair's breath away from declaring her an insurrectionist, thus she has to distance herself from you for now and can't continue to send support lest it seem she's gearing up for a war and gathering allies (which she is)


Male Neutral Human (Taldan/Kellid) Cavalier (Hooded Knight) 5 | HP 46/46 | AC 22 (23 after feinting), Touch 12 (13 after feinting), Flat-Footed 20 | CMB +7, CMD 19 | Fort +5, Ref +3, Will +3 (-1 vs. fire effects) | Initiative +6 (+8 on roads) | Perception +1 (+3 on roads) | Speed 20 ft. (50 ft. on horseback) | Challenge 2/2 | Sneak Attack +1d6 | Active Conditions: Knave's Standard

Meneas flexes his fingers on hearing the news. "A missing child?" He looks away, briefly, to the past.

"Who can abide the suffering of children?", you said, Master. To this I say... far too many. Shaking himself, he speaks slowly. "Now, given our preponderance of fey here, I think we should at least consider that one of them might be the perpetrators." He sighs. "In any case, Kesten is correct that our security is not well. We either need to start training the locals to keep watch for this sort of thing, in which case they start spying on each other and we risk being embroiled in false accusations... or we take steps to improve our guards and soldiers."

"Chief Sootscale might have ideas as to that, as well. Perhaps we should call the council together?" He reflects.

"In any case, we have the lead on this 'queen' that our fey friends gave us, as well as this missing child, and a problem with security. We should take a look through to see whether we've any other problems that need addressing. Perhaps in hearing more, solutions for the ones we have might present themselves."


Female Human Inquisitor (Sanctified Slayer) 4 / Swashbuckler (Rostland Bravo) 1| HP: 45/45 | AC: 19 (T: 13, F: 16) | CMB: +6, CMD: 19 | F: +6, R: +6, W: +6 | Init: +7 | Perc: +10, SM: +8 | Speed 30'| Panache 1/1

Signy has spent an awful lot of time on a horse lately. The thing about riding is it leaves one with plenty of time to think. She has to admit a couple of things to herself. First, she's in a bit of a funk. Signy feels a little restless, and her confidence doesn't seem to be firm lately. Second, she's not entirely sure she does things in the straightforward way her thinking brain believes she does.

A couple of things have popped out at Signy during her perseverations and they both might be downers in a way. It may be true she sent Steven a letter because she was bored and in the right place to post it, bit that isn't the whole story. She's also wanting a little affirmation, maybe she's feeling a little lonely.

Signy worked very hard to make the letter sound offhand and casual, just a 'you'll know people and probably have fun if you swing by' kind of tone. But she's gone over the wording and content in her head enough before and after mailing it, looking for ways she might have slipped up and sounded needy or something equally awful to realize that needing to be sure to sanitize the letter means there was actually something really there that could creep in. She was also partially staking herself in place by creating incentives to not wander off. If she invited Steven, she has to remain just in case he shows up.

There's also the question of why she's feeling less great lately. It hadn't helped that she was getting called a 'pig' by that a*%@*+$ worg. But also Svetlana hadn't helped at all. Svetlana has said of Lilith 'Maybe if she let her hair down, gussied herself up a bit, and lost those gods awful glasses', which was pretty mean in retrospect. Signy hadn't taken much notice of it at the time because Svetlana is her friend, and she was thinking about Vlad and Lilith both. But, glasses aside, the rest applies just a easily to her. Signy usually just braids her hair rather than bothering to comb it out. She doesn't gussy up, and hasn't even worn a dress since the wedding. Transitive logic says if Svetalana thinks those things about Lilith, she also thinks those thing about Signy.

Maybe that's part of why she sent the letter. If she can get Steven to come, it would show Svetlana was wrong. Signy is actually a little glad when Brental's birds and druidiness don't take them all the way to the kid. When they run out of clues Signy takes over trying to pick up his trail.

Survival (Track): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22


Male Archon-Blooded Aasimar (Lawbringer) Green Faith Initiate (Druid) 5 | HP 41/41 | AC 20 Touch 12 Flat 18 CMB +6 CMD 18 | Fort +7 Ref +3 Will +7 (+4 vs fey/plant) | Resist acid 5, cold 5, electricity 5 | Speed 20 ft | Init +6; DV 60 ft; Per +13 | Active: Ashen Path, Burning Entanglement (1/5 rd), Tears to Wine (50 min) ||
Vodnykel:
HP: 34/34 | Per +7, DV 60 ft, LLV, Scent | Spd 40 ft, Swim 20 ft | AC 20 Touch 12 Flat 18 | SR 10 | DR 5/evil | CMD 19 | Fort + 5, Reflex +6, Will +2 | Resist acid 10, cold 10, electricity 10 | Init +2 | Active: None

Brental is doubly glad to have had Lina and Meneas offer their council regarding the issue of the town's defenses. "Right, we don't want to breed suspicion within the populace. So as we train up a better guarding force, perhaps an affable but armed welcome committee of sorts? Agh..."

A year ago, this would have been a relatively easy prospect for Brental to decide on: implement the guards and inspections and have that be that. That was how the Oakstewards did it in Sevenarches. But that was exactly the point and the problem. He didn't want to do things purely out of tradition or expectation anymore, but rather out of what was going to be good for their growing society. But what was that exactly?

He is all for the school, though. And the census. And the calling of the Council (probably Lina's responsibility). He's less convinced about going to search for Jeffrey until his spells reveal more tidbits of information, and he's then bolstered with Lina and Meneas' arguments. (They would need to check out that hut with the scarecrow for sure--a new neighbor?) Signy, for her part, is seeming quieter since getting back, but Brental leaves her be for the most part until he remembers Goodie Nyska.

Before Signy goes off to try to track Jeffrey on her own, he approaches her. "Signy," he offers with a smile. "I wondered if you might be able to go see someone who was last seen with Jeffrey. You might have even seen her around town already. The midwife, Goodie Nyska: she's the last person anyone remembers talking to Jeffrey before he left Limen. Do you think you might be able to chat with her?"


Female Human Inquisitor (Sanctified Slayer) 4 / Swashbuckler (Rostland Bravo) 1| HP: 45/45 | AC: 19 (T: 13, F: 16) | CMB: +6, CMD: 19 | F: +6, R: +6, W: +6 | Init: +7 | Perc: +10, SM: +8 | Speed 30'| Panache 1/1

It seems I may have misunderstood the search part of the post. I thought we were already traveling, but Brental's river sight is remote so we're still in Limen? Signy isn't going out searching by herself.

"Sure, I'll go see if I can talk to her now."

Signy goes to find Goodie Nyska.


Female Elf Magus (Hexcrafter, Puppetmaster) 5 HP 36/36 | AC 19 | T 13 | FF 16 | CMD 17 | Fort +5 | Ref +4| Will +3 | Init +3 | Perc +1 | Arcane pool: 6/6 points

“Eventually, we might have the numbers to separate the town watch from the military,” Lina opines. “Ideally, once things settle down a bit, the people at the gate needn’t be ominous figures looming in heavy armour and all that.”

She considers the sheaf of papers she’s running around with, and remembers the stacks piling up in the town hall, and frowns pensively. “We might see about getting a headcount from the census before calling our whole council together, and the barracks underway. So that we have a better idea of the numbers we have to work with, and something to show off to show the people that we’re serious about it, even if we’re not in a position to think about a regular levy as such.”

“Why don’t we table that until after we know a bit more about this missing child, and perhaps what Tyg and Peri’s friends can tell us about who’s toying with us?” She listens curiously as Brental relays what he’s been able to glean with his magic, a bit jealous of how easily he’s able to tap into so many aspects of the world, but, predictably, quickly distracted when he mentions the midwife.

“Wait, there’s a book club?!” The ‘Why didn’t anyone tell me?’ is clear enough in Lina’s expression even without the rising inflection of her question, even as the more sensible part of her realizes that she’s been quite busy, and not always the most approachable person. It’s fine. Once things settle down, will she ever have the time to start a salon of her own, once she has cronies and courtiers and hangers-on?

“Hold that thought,” she asks, as Signy sets off to find Nyska. “I have an idea. Brental, Meneas, could you decide if it would be more practical to ride down to Candlemere and maybe build a raft there, or sail from here? You would know best about what Vod and Veil can put up with.”

* * *

With that, she whisks off to her private plot. She’s been rather putting off the first harvest of her tintalviel (and rather neglecting the poor plant, to be honest), but there’s no time like the present.
Profession (herbalist), DC 20, to make sure she's let it establish itself properly: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26 Ha ha! This season's yield: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2 seed pods.

As she rather expected, the young plant is doing quite well, but not mature enough to be all that productive. She carefully collects the parts she needs, saving one for later, and cradling the other in her hand as she races back to catch up with Signy.

"Hi, Signy!" she calls, thinking once again that she really needs to work on the queenliness front as she hurries at a rather undignified pace. "Do you want company when you talk to her? It's fine if you don't, but either way, could you give her this with Lady Kyrithra's compliments? It might help smooth the way."

Tintalviel is especially good for morning sickness, so it strikes the witch as a suitable friendly offering to a midwife, but anyway. It also occurs to her that the Caydenite was a bit subdued in the earlier discussion, so she tries to guess what might be on Signy's mind without making a big deal of it. Sense Motive: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (6) - 1 = 5 Naturally.

Bah. She's probably just tired with a fair bit of riding these past few days, let alone the worg attack, and now bored with the details of council business, Lina concludes.


Female Human Inquisitor (Sanctified Slayer) 4 / Swashbuckler (Rostland Bravo) 1| HP: 45/45 | AC: 19 (T: 13, F: 16) | CMB: +6, CMD: 19 | F: +6, R: +6, W: +6 | Init: +7 | Perc: +10, SM: +8 | Speed 30'| Panache 1/1

Signy stops when Lina calls out and waits as she hurries over to her. When Lina makes her request, including a couple of options for her to choose from, Signy has no trouble deciding.

"You should come along. Doing what you do (Signy has yet to actually say the word 'queen'), it's good to get out and meet people one-on-one in person."


Female Human Player/DM

Lina and Signy manage to track down Goodie Nyska without too much effort at her place of residence.

When she answers the door Goodie Nyska smiles brightly, "Oh my goodness! Good day, I mean, what an honor and privilege it is to finally meet Lady Kyrithra and our very own voice of the people, Signy Birkirsdottir. Have you need of a midwife's services? Or perhaps... you wouldn't be here inquiring about my book club now would you?" The woman asks hopefully.

After listening to their questions about Jeffery, Goodie Nyska looks rather alarmed. "Oh no! He's gone missing you say? That's just aweful! You don't think that-" The woman catches herself tears in her eyes, she lifts a hand to her lips and shakes her head.

"Well, the boy came to me when he heard I had a book club. He asked if I had heard any stories about local treasure and... Well, we have a rather talented writer in our midst here in Limen, Charity Winstrom, you can find some of her work published even but under her former boss' name, he stole credit for a lot of her work and well she was forced to flee here just to escape the control of that wretched man... Anyways, I'm getting distracted! Charity's latest work is about two brothers who seek to explore the mysterious Candlemere island where the greatest treasure in all the world lies at the top of the tower in the center of the island... It- Well it was such a good story... and it was stuck in my head... I may have gushed... I do hope the poor boy is alright." Goodie Nyska confesses.

Upon recieving Lina's gift Goodie Nyska seems to calm considerably and smiles gently at the elven woman, "Ah, tintalviel, an excellent remedy for the ills of a woman bearing the miracle of life. It is always well to seek to lessen the pains of your fellow woman and your gift is well recieved.... Please, do consider joining our little book club, we have plenty of space for new members!" the midwife nods encouragingly.


Female Elf Magus (Hexcrafter, Puppetmaster) 5 HP 36/36 | AC 19 | T 13 | FF 16 | CMD 17 | Fort +5 | Ref +4| Will +3 | Init +3 | Perc +1 | Arcane pool: 6/6 points

Lina rather likes the gossipy cut of the midwife’s jib, and wishes they had met under happier circumstances. If she’s normally this bubbly, the book club sounds likely to be quite lively.

“It sounds lovely,” Lina says, “and it’s a shame about the villain profiting off Charity’s hard work! We’ll have to take steps to ensure nothing like that happens in Limen.”

Some sort of guild will certainly be in order, when there are enough bards, storytellers, and writers generally to make up the numbers, but in any case some sort of Stationer’s Register will need to be made and someone found to take care of it, to make sure that authors get their due. Woohoo! Someone’s going to have fun trying to define and enforce premodern copyright. :) Not Lina, but some poor schlub in the civil service we’re setting up.

That’s matter for another time, though, and for now Lina returns to the topic at hand. “Do you remember any particular details of her story about Candlemere, or know which is her house? I’ve only heard the bare bones of the sorts of things travellers tell about most old ruins: strange cries in the night and witchlights, curious shapes in the water…”

If anything, the witch looks rather tickled by the prospect. “We’re organizing a search party, anyway, and anything we can put together about the place might help.”

“Then there are any number of other things we need to look after, but I’ll definitely try to make time for your next circle’s next book,” she smiles, by way of taking her leave.


Male Archon-Blooded Aasimar (Lawbringer) Green Faith Initiate (Druid) 5 | HP 41/41 | AC 20 Touch 12 Flat 18 CMB +6 CMD 18 | Fort +7 Ref +3 Will +7 (+4 vs fey/plant) | Resist acid 5, cold 5, electricity 5 | Speed 20 ft | Init +6; DV 60 ft; Per +13 | Active: Ashen Path, Burning Entanglement (1/5 rd), Tears to Wine (50 min) ||
Vodnykel:
HP: 34/34 | Per +7, DV 60 ft, LLV, Scent | Spd 40 ft, Swim 20 ft | AC 20 Touch 12 Flat 18 | SR 10 | DR 5/evil | CMD 19 | Fort + 5, Reflex +6, Will +2 | Resist acid 10, cold 10, electricity 10 | Init +2 | Active: None

Aw, I was going to have Brental check in with Meneas, but Sensen is busy.

While Lina and Signy go off to find Goodie Nyska, Brental goes to his grove. The grove had been one of the druid's long-term ongoing projects (and a source of collaboration with Lina). Rather than being a place of agriculture, Brental had laid claim to a stretch of land on the north side of the Tuskwater. As Kesten had now recommended doing with people, Brental had been doing with the residents of the lake: a survey of all the flora and fauna surrounding Limen. In due time, once he had an understanding of the habits of the wildlife, he would promote fishing and eeling. He knew that it already happened, of course, as was to be expected. And he welcomed that. But there was still much to understand.

They weren't all swimmers, of course. There were many lakeside denizens as well, and plenty of native grasses and flowers and fungi and trees dotting all along Brental's protected stretch of land. These Brental observed as well, ascertaining their ability to sustain during floods and their intermingling root systems strengthening the bank. He had even, with a bit of encouragement from Lina, attempted some experiments with botanical hybridization. He was adamant that most of the plants growing throughout the grove be native, but that didn't mean that he couldn't try some new cultivars to see whether they would take in the soil, and how they would affect each other.

Brental hadn't yet started to develop the grove into something more organized or stylized. There were bits of artistic expression here and there, but he mostly allowed the plants to flourish as they were wont to do. Before he began turning this into a verdant lakeside park that could attract visitors, he needed to understand the land. Only then would he plant seedlings and bushes in rows and spirals such that he could see them from up above through the eyes of a falcon. It would be a glorious day, many years from now.

But for now, Brental spies Vodnykel swimming happily in the water. His mastodon was growing stronger by the day, and it was becoming increasingly difficult to feed him. But he was a good boy--no longer a calf, but an adolescent. And the water was a comfortable place for him. Brental waves from the lakeshore when Vodnykel surfaces. Vod raises his shaggy trunk in response, blowing an arc of water out and trumpeting a hello. Brental laughs and then envisions a form that would allow him to go out and join his companion. After a few moments, his skin takes on a smooth, gray texture. His arms recede, the bones restructuring so that his hands grow and are overtaken by layers of fat. His legs fuse together and lengthen as Brental begins to go into the water, and his face elongates tremendously. The last strange thing is feeling his nose ascend up above his eyes and become a round hole. The druid emerges into the water as a river dolphin. He tastes the waters of his lake and swims out to Vod, grinning as he sprays his companion with his own arc of water.


Female Human Player/DM

"Sadly, it is all too often, in our society, that men take advantage of the generous and innocent naivety of the women about them." Goodie Nyska sighs gloomily, "That is something you learn is my profession all too well..."

She shakes her head to dismiss the thoughts of tragedy that bounce around it. "Regardless, I shall send your condolences along to Charity. I'm sure she would be heartened to know that our goodly queen has such a sympathetic heart." She smiles genuinely now and places a hand over her chest.

What Lina says next seems to have Goodie confused and she giggles dismissively, "Oh the book is pure fiction I'm afraid. Our dear Charity has never been to the island and was merely inspired by the same ghost stories that you and I have heard. I suppose I could tell you that the Gnarly Boys, that's the name of the detective agency of the boys in the story you see, anyways, they were haunted on their journey and they faced many demons, Old Crackjaw even made an appearance to bite a hole in their canoe and cause them to sink and swim the rest of the way to the island! It was all quite exciting!" Goodie Nyska seems to gush, having been caught up in her recounting of the tale.

"Oh! But I'm saying too much and spoiling the plot, you'll have to read it for yourself!"

At the prospect of Lina joining her book club Goodie seems positively giddy and she gasps with excitement practically bouncing in place. "Really?! The queen herself will be joining our little book club?! Oh!!!! I could just hug you! The ladies will be so excited! I'll be certain to pick out a great book for your first circle. Have you heard of A Long Bloody Yarn? It's one of my favorites! A murder mystery about a housewife who... Well, let's not spoil the plot Goodie. Anyways, I've read it many times but it would be lovely to read it again and I think it would make an excellent first story to get you started. I-I have a spare copy if you're interested I can grab it?"

Goodie Nyska soon runs back into her abode in a frazzled state of excitement and delight and comes out a few moments later handing Lina a well worn, much loved, novella. She wishes the women well as they depart. "The boy can't have actually made it to the island though could he? It's in the center of the lake after all... Regardless, if you do go. Be careful. And you simply must tell us what the actual island was like when you return!"


Female Human Inquisitor (Sanctified Slayer) 4 / Swashbuckler (Rostland Bravo) 1| HP: 45/45 | AC: 19 (T: 13, F: 16) | CMB: +6, CMD: 19 | F: +6, R: +6, W: +6 | Init: +7 | Perc: +10, SM: +8 | Speed 30'| Panache 1/1

Signy lets Lina do the talking, just hanging around quietly during her conversation with Goodie. When asked to join the book club, Signy's first impulse is to decline the offer. She's never been much of a reader. But, Goodie seems nice and she has been challenged to find things to do with her spare time on occasion.

"Thanks, I'll think about it. When is it?"

Maybe Signy will be a reader tomorrow; you never know what will happen.


Female Elf Magus (Hexcrafter, Puppetmaster) 5 HP 36/36 | AC 19 | T 13 | FF 16 | CMD 17 | Fort +5 | Ref +4| Will +3 | Init +3 | Perc +1 | Arcane pool: 6/6 points
Rackal28 wrote:
"Oh the book is pure fiction I'm afraid. Our dear Charity has never been to the island and was merely inspired by the same ghost stories that you and I have heard. I suppose I could tell you that the Gnarly Boys, that's the name of the detective agency of the boys in the story you see, anyways, they were haunted on their journey and they faced many demons, Old Crackjaw even made an appearance to bite a hole in their canoe and cause them to sink and swim the rest of the way to the island! It was all quite exciting!" Goodie Nyska seems to gush, having been caught up in her recounting of the tale.

Lina’s resolution to ascend to the heights of gentility is being unexpectedly tested this morning, as her interlocutor briefly describes some recent highlights from the book club. Keep smiling. Keep smiling. Maybe it’s more stimulating than it sounds?

Oh man, that’s some big Mabel Maney energy right there! Congratulations! XD
... Either that, or the joke's on Lina and this is going to turn into the "Book Club" episode of Motherland: Fort Salem, if that's anyone else's cup of tea for very silly TV. :)

“We’re looking forward to it,” she nods alongside Signy. She can only hope that the members take turns putting books forward, or that some of them have tastes closer to her own.

While it hasn’t panned out as a lead for the route Jeffrey took, at least they now know why he was inspired to brave Candlemere. Hopefully they’ll be able to find the hut Brental was able to scry en route, and maybe its inhabitants will have seen the reckless boy pass by?


Female Human Player/DM

Goodie Nyska practically squeals with delight as Signy expresses interest as well. "Well, we get together every Oathday though we do alternate who hosts regularly. This Oathday is my day to host so you'll know where to find me... Now just a minute while I grab you my personal copy of our next book, so you two needn't share." She giggles and disappears into the house once more with another copy of the murder mystery for Signy.

"Please do stop by, oh and it is customary to bring either a snack or drinks if you aren't hosting. I look forward to seeing you both there!" the midwife waves the pair off cheerily allowing Lina and Signy to return to the others to report their findings and make plans for their next destination.


Male Neutral Human (Taldan/Kellid) Cavalier (Hooded Knight) 5 | HP 46/46 | AC 22 (23 after feinting), Touch 12 (13 after feinting), Flat-Footed 20 | CMB +7, CMD 19 | Fort +5, Ref +3, Will +3 (-1 vs. fire effects) | Initiative +6 (+8 on roads) | Perception +1 (+3 on roads) | Speed 20 ft. (50 ft. on horseback) | Challenge 2/2 | Sneak Attack +1d6 | Active Conditions: Knave's Standard

Meneas spends the time with Kesten and Akiros, trying to figure out how to build up the defenses of Limen, and eventually Helikia. As he consults with them, he ponders a possibility for the future. Master, should I take on students of my own? To seek out those who would haunt the roads of our kingdom? An order of Hooded Knights? He sets the thought aside. For now, it would take too much funding and effort. Still, subordinates would be helpful, even if they are not as elite as a full knight.


Female Elf Magus (Hexcrafter, Puppetmaster) 5 HP 36/36 | AC 19 | T 13 | FF 16 | CMD 17 | Fort +5 | Ref +4| Will +3 | Init +3 | Perc +1 | Arcane pool: 6/6 points

Your avatar is a bit too perfect, Meneas, unless you were aiming for a spookier, Sith vibe than I thought. If you set up your own order of hooded knights, does that mean that, by extension, Lina gets ringwraiths? Dark Lady here we come! XD

Oh, and for her part for realm readiness, Lina will have to encourage the training of a bunch of ashiftahs, to maintain the themes of hoods and witchery. :)

At least she’ll have something to distract herself around the campfire for the next couple of nights, Lina thinks, as she considers A Long Bloody Yarn. Now, though, it’s time to gather the usual suspects, the core quartet of Helikia’s ruling council, before they set out on their errand of mercy, or mission of exploration, or reckless gadding about, depending on how one wants to look at it.

It’s easier to track down Meneas, but eventually someone else on the way mentions having seen Brental in his grove, and descending to the waterside there reveals Vod and Brental cavorting. She takes a moment to wonder what it would be like to have that sort of bond. Her own closest non-two-legged friends tend to have a more communal identification than she’s used to (probably because they’re rooted in one place and can’t just up and move on), and there’s a rather mind-boggling divide between the trees that can out-long-view elves and the bubbling, buzzy energy of annuals.

“I’m glad to see you two are having fun,” she calls cheerfully over the water, by way of greeting. The witch settles herself comfortably on the shore to wait for mastodon and dolphin – er, druid – before floating out her idea, glancing at Signy and Meneas as well. “I was thinking, Brental, if you wouldn’t mind preparing your magic accordingly, we might ride along the bank after all, so that we’d have a better chance of seeing what might have caught Jeffery’s eye en route, and then paddle over to Candlemere’s tower if we can’t catch up with him first. Meneas can get more out of his lance that way, if there’s trouble.” Could we spare a slot for Hanspur's flotsam vessel?


Male Archon-Blooded Aasimar (Lawbringer) Green Faith Initiate (Druid) 5 | HP 41/41 | AC 20 Touch 12 Flat 18 CMB +6 CMD 18 | Fort +7 Ref +3 Will +7 (+4 vs fey/plant) | Resist acid 5, cold 5, electricity 5 | Speed 20 ft | Init +6; DV 60 ft; Per +13 | Active: Ashen Path, Burning Entanglement (1/5 rd), Tears to Wine (50 min) ||
Vodnykel:
HP: 34/34 | Per +7, DV 60 ft, LLV, Scent | Spd 40 ft, Swim 20 ft | AC 20 Touch 12 Flat 18 | SR 10 | DR 5/evil | CMD 19 | Fort + 5, Reflex +6, Will +2 | Resist acid 10, cold 10, electricity 10 | Init +2 | Active: None

I have an ashiftah at one of the tables that I'm running right now. what a fun archetype! Does Brental need to become a hooded druid? Take a dip to get a hex? I'm already planning on one or two prestige classes, so maybe let's not delay that more that I have to.

Rackal: Could we (somewhat) retroactively indicate that we have built/commissioned/purchased a keelboat over the last year? It seems worth it to have a reliable water vessel for a campaign set in the River Kingdoms. I'm not opposed to using a spell, but if we caaaan...(Stats for such a vessel are in the Skull & Shackles Player's Guide.) Or even, dare I broach it, I feel like Lina would love to have a folding boat.

Brental sprays a fresh blast of water from his blowhole (such a unique feeling!) and indicates to Vod that he needs to go back ashore. The druid dips below the water close to the bank and comes back up as a human, soaking wet. The brief temptation to shake off like a dog is strong, but he remembers himself and instead goes to grab a towel from the pack he left at the lakeside. As he towels off his long hair, he is smiling. "Of course I can!" he says nonchalantly, his spirits clearly raised after the events of the last few days have been chased from his mind. "But that's more of an emergency sort of spell, really. It would only last a few hours at the most, and we'd need two to really accommodate all of us including Veil comfortably."


Female Human Player/DM

Yeah you can purchase the boat retroactively just make any last preperations you want cause I'll move us forward at the end of the day.


Female Elf Magus (Hexcrafter, Puppetmaster) 5 HP 36/36 | AC 19 | T 13 | FF 16 | CMD 17 | Fort +5 | Ref +4| Will +3 | Init +3 | Perc +1 | Arcane pool: 6/6 points

Oooh, OK, slight retcon and we’ll be off!

Hmm. Lina frowns as Brental points out the practical limitations of trying to conjure enough rafts to float across a lake the size of Candlemere. “Well, in that case.” That means…

Her eyes skim back down the shore towards the rough berths at Limen’s feet, as it were, and one vessel in particular, the flagship (oh, fine, the only ship, so far) of Helikia’s (eventually) invincible armada.

“It’s not going to be subtle,” she warns. Someone (hums innocently) had, after all, insisted on flamboyant decoration for the aftercastle. “But we could take our state ship. At this point, if the rumours of the island’s haunting are exaggerated, we could even plant a flag and stake a claim. It would be a handy outpost.”

And a lovely site for a holiday residence, but that’s getting ahead of herself quite a bit. “It’s not necessarily what I had in mind for her maiden voyage, but why not?”

She decides she’ll definitely have to stop by the cellar to pick up a bottle to pour out for the commissioning. Any objections to naming our gallant keelboat the Nénuphar? It was the first thing that came to my mind, but we could go with something else if we'd rather.


Male Archon-Blooded Aasimar (Lawbringer) Green Faith Initiate (Druid) 5 | HP 41/41 | AC 20 Touch 12 Flat 18 CMB +6 CMD 18 | Fort +7 Ref +3 Will +7 (+4 vs fey/plant) | Resist acid 5, cold 5, electricity 5 | Speed 20 ft | Init +6; DV 60 ft; Per +13 | Active: Ashen Path, Burning Entanglement (1/5 rd), Tears to Wine (50 min) ||
Vodnykel:
HP: 34/34 | Per +7, DV 60 ft, LLV, Scent | Spd 40 ft, Swim 20 ft | AC 20 Touch 12 Flat 18 | SR 10 | DR 5/evil | CMD 19 | Fort + 5, Reflex +6, Will +2 | Resist acid 10, cold 10, electricity 10 | Init +2 | Active: None

"After what that Grigori said, let the people see us doing the work. Subtlety has its place, but we can be public. Besides," Brental grins, shaking out one last batch of water stuck in his ear, "It'd be a shame for her to stay docked forever."

Water lily! I love it!


Female Human Player/DM

In no time at all the band of adventurers find themselves aboard their convenient ship to the island of Candlemere. The waters of the Tuskwater are calm and serene as the boat skims peaceably along, birds sing and wildlife aplenty can be seen in and around the waters edge, truly this was a land of plenty... But alas, no matter how much they looked they spotted no sign of the lost child along the water's shore...

And that's when they see it, in a small swamp by the shore of the Tuskwater sits a dilapidated mud-brick hut atop a small hummock in the middle of the fetid marsh, a thin tendril of bluish smoke trickling through a gaping hole in its moss-covered roof. A wooden fence surrounding the perimeter of the mound is festooned with crude fetishes crafted out of sticks, feathers, and animal bones. A lone crow caws noisily from the top of a nearby cypress tree.

The region around the hut is an 80 foot diameter area of solid ground, thick with bog grass and dotted with small cattail-clogged pools. This solid region is surrounded by a waist-high wooden fence, in which a single gate hangs askew. A fist-sized rusted iron bell hangs from a hairy length of rope tied to a crooked post next to the gate.

And propped up halfway between the gate and the hut is a pumpkin headed scarecrow clothed in tattered bandages, ragged cloth, and wearing a pointy black hat with a wide brim.

This is indeed the hut Brental saw with the aid of his spell.


Male Archon-Blooded Aasimar (Lawbringer) Green Faith Initiate (Druid) 5 | HP 41/41 | AC 20 Touch 12 Flat 18 CMB +6 CMD 18 | Fort +7 Ref +3 Will +7 (+4 vs fey/plant) | Resist acid 5, cold 5, electricity 5 | Speed 20 ft | Init +6; DV 60 ft; Per +13 | Active: Ashen Path, Burning Entanglement (1/5 rd), Tears to Wine (50 min) ||
Vodnykel:
HP: 34/34 | Per +7, DV 60 ft, LLV, Scent | Spd 40 ft, Swim 20 ft | AC 20 Touch 12 Flat 18 | SR 10 | DR 5/evil | CMD 19 | Fort + 5, Reflex +6, Will +2 | Resist acid 10, cold 10, electricity 10 | Init +2 | Active: None

Brental looks at the hut from the bow of the ship and smiles over to Lina. "It looks like there's another witch for you to talk to, Lady Kyrithra," he says. "How exactly does one approach an unfamiliar witch? Do we just ring the bell? Leave a gift?"

Brental wasn't exactly in the business of greeting every new person that they met and telling them that they were being drafted into citizenship. The druid was keen on treating with the people who had lived in this land that way that they had with Garuum, the boggard. They were welcome to stay where they were, and to draft up official agreements if they liked, but under no compulsion to pay taxes or "submit" or anything like that. But if they did pay taxes, then they would receive benefits in return, and no guarantee without them. At least, that was the policy that Brental had encouraged.


Female Elf Magus (Hexcrafter, Puppetmaster) 5 HP 36/36 | AC 19 | T 13 | FF 16 | CMD 17 | Fort +5 | Ref +4| Will +3 | Init +3 | Perc +1 | Arcane pool: 6/6 points

Once everything’s ready for travelling in style, Lina relaxes quite a bit, though she keeps a watchful eye on captain and crew to pick up more of how to handle a vessel considerably larger than her family’s small houseboat. After a while, she decides she could get used to this.

In retrospect, she oughtn’t to have let it get to her head: even if the Nénuphar would be a prize with her and the others aboard, Helikia isn’t such a power yet that, well, anyone would really bother watching them and how they get around, as opposed to just the fact that they do. Besides, most of the pirates she knows about are a few rivers over. If at some point we do end up captured by pirates and held for ransom, I have to think Lina would react like a cross between Caesar and Blackadder’s Queen Elizabeth. “You’re only demanding how much? Frankly, I’m insulted. Make it [suitable big number here]. Oh, and when I come back, I’m having you all executed.” ;)

Despite the pleasures of civilized modes of travel, there’s no sign of the missing boy along the bank he seems to have followed on his way down, though Lina’s not the best at spotting that sort of thing even when she’s not moving at speed. She welcomes the prospect of comparing notes with a local who might have seen something.

Brental Fenson wrote:

Brental looks at the hut from the bow of the ship and smiles over to Lina. "It looks like there's another witch for you to talk to, Lady Kyrithra," he says. "How exactly does one approach an unfamiliar witch? Do we just ring the bell? Leave a gift?"

“Respectfully, but with whatever manners that means to one,” Lina says, her own breezy cheer showing what she means as she descends to the marshy ground. She smiles at the scarecrow as she crosses over to the gate: she doesn’t really do hats herself, but she can appreciate a classical way of styling it out when she sees it.

We might see about sending someone to help patch that roof at least, she thinks as she reaches out to give the bell a ring before calling brightly, “Hello? Is anyone at home? Could we have a moment of your time, please?”


Female Human Inquisitor (Sanctified Slayer) 4 / Swashbuckler (Rostland Bravo) 1| HP: 45/45 | AC: 19 (T: 13, F: 16) | CMB: +6, CMD: 19 | F: +6, R: +6, W: +6 | Init: +7 | Perc: +10, SM: +8 | Speed 30'| Panache 1/1

Signy spends part of the boat trip laying on her back looking straight up at the sky. It's a very weird feeling, the sense of movement but with no real indication of speed or direction. It feels a little bit like flying or floating might she thinks.

If she gets b@&~@ed at by anyone, she'll help keep an eye out for signs of the kid, but she doesn't really think tracking works from a remove. It's quiet unlikely they'll find anything at all until they decide to land somewhere.

Choosing the shack seems alright to Signy. It will probably be eventful if there's a witch or something there. It might even be fruitful.

"I think we're supposed to ring the bell?"

And she does.


Male Neutral Human (Taldan/Kellid) Cavalier (Hooded Knight) 5 | HP 46/46 | AC 22 (23 after feinting), Touch 12 (13 after feinting), Flat-Footed 20 | CMB +7, CMD 19 | Fort +5, Ref +3, Will +3 (-1 vs. fire effects) | Initiative +6 (+8 on roads) | Perception +1 (+3 on roads) | Speed 20 ft. (50 ft. on horseback) | Challenge 2/2 | Sneak Attack +1d6 | Active Conditions: Knave's Standard

Meneas remains quiet on the ship's journey over, until the hut comes into view. "Hm. Sensibly fortified for this area..." He muses aloud, his gauntleted fingers flexing. "Let's hope that it's just pragmatic awareness of the dangers around here, rather than anything more anti-social."

Is the boat even stable enough/big enough to fit Veil?

Upon disembarking, he folds his arms, watching carefully from underneath his hood. Hopefully this doesn't escalate into violence...


Male Archon-Blooded Aasimar (Lawbringer) Green Faith Initiate (Druid) 5 | HP 41/41 | AC 20 Touch 12 Flat 18 CMB +6 CMD 18 | Fort +7 Ref +3 Will +7 (+4 vs fey/plant) | Resist acid 5, cold 5, electricity 5 | Speed 20 ft | Init +6; DV 60 ft; Per +13 | Active: Ashen Path, Burning Entanglement (1/5 rd), Tears to Wine (50 min) ||
Vodnykel:
HP: 34/34 | Per +7, DV 60 ft, LLV, Scent | Spd 40 ft, Swim 20 ft | AC 20 Touch 12 Flat 18 | SR 10 | DR 5/evil | CMD 19 | Fort + 5, Reflex +6, Will +2 | Resist acid 10, cold 10, electricity 10 | Init +2 | Active: None

The boat is definitely big enough for all of us and Veil and then some. Vod will even join on board, though he might swim along the boat for some of the journey.

"We'll hope for pragmatism and be prepared for worse," Brental says in response to Meneas after Lina and Signy make the call and ring. He holds Vodnykel back for now.


Female Human Player/DM

The bell rings out with a pleasant chime and all is silent for a few moments after Lina calls out before the door to the little hut bursts open swiftly followed by the little gate at the front of the yard opening inward as well of its own accord. A warm fire glows within the small hut as a raspy voice cries out to the party from within.

"Well what are you waiting for then? A handwritten invitation sent by courier pigeon perhaps? Come in, come in! I haven't got all day you know and I can't very well hear you from all the way out there, not with these old ears of mine. Now hurry up then! You're letting the draft in! If I catch my death I'll hex you with my dying breath and all your tableware will turn to lizards!" The voice cries out impatiently followed by some muttered grumbling about young folk not respecting their elders.

Within, the party is able to witness that the hut is a one room affair with a dirt floor and thatched roof. The rafters are hung with dried herbs and swamp-weeds, and a bubbling cauldron hangs over a firepit in the center of the room over which stands the very picture of a witch. An old woman with green skin and lengthened, sharp ears. She is covered in warts and garbed in tattered-dirty robes.

As the party enters she ceases stirring her cauldron and grimaces at the bunch toothlessly. "Well, you've come all this way and I doubt it was for the company so what business do you have with the Old Beldame huh?" She scowls. "And for the god's sakes won't somebody close that damn door?!" The woman growls and flicks her wrist causing the cabin door to slam shut after the party.


Male Archon-Blooded Aasimar (Lawbringer) Green Faith Initiate (Druid) 5 | HP 41/41 | AC 20 Touch 12 Flat 18 CMB +6 CMD 18 | Fort +7 Ref +3 Will +7 (+4 vs fey/plant) | Resist acid 5, cold 5, electricity 5 | Speed 20 ft | Init +6; DV 60 ft; Per +13 | Active: Ashen Path, Burning Entanglement (1/5 rd), Tears to Wine (50 min) ||
Vodnykel:
HP: 34/34 | Per +7, DV 60 ft, LLV, Scent | Spd 40 ft, Swim 20 ft | AC 20 Touch 12 Flat 18 | SR 10 | DR 5/evil | CMD 19 | Fort + 5, Reflex +6, Will +2 | Resist acid 10, cold 10, electricity 10 | Init +2 | Active: None

Brental has gotten so used to Lina's witchy persona over the last year that he rather finds the Old Beldame charming despite her gruff demeanor. (Especially charming was how she made demands and then executed them herself before giving anyone else a chance to even register the request.) In one room they now had Maiden and Crone--all they needed now was Mother and they might have the workings of an honest-to-goodness coven. But Brental remembers himself, and although he doesn't settle into a grimdark persona (that was Meneas' part to play), he is not all bounce and buoyancy.

Brental bows his head and removes some leather gloves that he used on the boat to make sure that his hands didn't chafe or get splinters while rowing. "Good day, Madame Beldame," he offers with a light, respectful bow of the head. "We're some new neighbors from upriver and thought we'd introduce ourselves."

It was a simple start, and true. Brental had learned that witches could sometimes be touchy about certain subjects. Leave it to one of the others--preferably one of the women--to ask about the child and not make it seem like they were accusing the witch of cooking and eating him.

Diplomacy (aid), DC 10: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13 Whoever makes the primary check gets a +2 from Brental!


Female Elf Magus (Hexcrafter, Puppetmaster) 5 HP 36/36 | AC 19 | T 13 | FF 16 | CMD 17 | Fort +5 | Ref +4| Will +3 | Init +3 | Perc +1 | Arcane pool: 6/6 points

Whatever Lina was expecting, it wasn’t an honest-to-goodness warty green crone, but she takes it in stride. She should know better than to judge by appearances, and she tries to live up to that.

“Call me Lina,” she offers, picking up Brental’s cue. She gives a little wave rather than going for a handshake, since their hostess is busy about her cauldron. “We’re setting up a homestead a bit upriver, just off the Tuskwater? Limen, you may have heard of it from another passerby.”

“We’re doing some exploring, anyway. Also, someone’s lost track of a young scamp back home, and we said we’d keep an eye out for him. It seems he got his head filled with tales of treasure, and headed out towards Candlemere along the riverbank. His name’s Jeffery, he’s about ten years old…”

As she explains, passing on a description of the lost boy, Lina tries to identify some of the herbs hanging from the rafters, and takes a peek down at the beldame’s brew. She wonders if any of her poisons would be well-received as a hostess gift, one witch to another. Tintalviel seems less likely a hit here.

“We’d appreciate what you could tell us, if you saw him or if there's anything else, ma’am.” She’s not entirely sure how human the beldame is, but Lina is extra careful to err on the side of respecting her elders like she was brought up to (even if in mostly non-elven lands that mostly means the ravages of old age than strict chronology, when she’s not talking to fey and the ilk). Diplomacy: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20 +2 from Brental, unless Signy takes over, in which case take it away, S.!

“Even if there isn’t, I couldn’t help but notice your roof – I’m sorry – could use a bit of work. We could send some people down once we’re back from Candlemere,” she offers charitably. Based on some of the plants being dried in the hut, Lina doubts the beldame is settled here out of strict necessity, or she would start thinking about discreet ways of offering a relocation to someplace where she isn't on her own. Not that the crone's independence is in doubt, but accidents happen, and towns have their own conveniences. Still, it looks like we might have another Garuum situation here.


Female Human Inquisitor (Sanctified Slayer) 4 / Swashbuckler (Rostland Bravo) 1| HP: 45/45 | AC: 19 (T: 13, F: 16) | CMB: +6, CMD: 19 | F: +6, R: +6, W: +6 | Init: +7 | Perc: +10, SM: +8 | Speed 30'| Panache 1/1

Signy doesn't know much at all about the likes and dislikes of witches, and she can't even say for sure exactly what Beldame might be. Thinking it might be good not to throw too much at her all at once, Signy keeps things simple. She puts on her most pleasant face as she enters the hut and says "thank you for inviting us in. I hope we're not disturbing you."

Diplomacy (Aid): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13


Female Human Player/DM
Lina wrote:
“We’re setting up a homestead a bit upriver, just off the Tuskwater? Limen, you may have heard of it from another passerby.”

"Feh!" The old woman waves her hand dismissively. "Even an old hermit like me knows that much. I may live under a rock but I can still feel the vibrations in the earth." she cackles.

Lina wrote:
"Also, someone’s lost track of a young scamp back home,"

"Oh, I see, I see. And you just thought you'd stop by and see if the Old Beldame had snatched your little Jeffrey and gobbled him all uo eh? Hehe typical city-folk. Here, hold these." the old woman scoffs as she forces small, chipped clay bowls in each of the party member's hands and behins ladleing out her cauldron to each of them, the contents of which steam and bubble.

The herbs the Old Beldame seems to have gathered are quite varied and range from poisonous, to medicinal, to culinary. The brew itself appeara to be a simple vegetable broth the old woman had been cooking up when the party arrived though the cauldron itself is quite peculiar.

The cauldron is made of woven reeds, the bottom is blackened from the fire below and yet the reeds do not burn. The cauldron is also decorated in crudely painted symbols of wide open red eyes all around.

"Well, I haven't seen your child much less eaten him but the boy would have to have had nerves of steel to approach my little hut... I put those decorations up to drter unwanted guests you know. I perfer my solitude." the Old Beldame nods to herself.

"But I can tell you this... No way any child made it to Candlemere on their own. They would have drowned or been taken by Old Crackjaw. But... for a price... I could do a little scrying ritual for you. Tell you exactly where your Jeffrey has found himself. The only question is... what have you to offer?" the elderly woman grins.

"Oh and thanks but no thanks on the offer to send more people to my little home. I would rather be alone thank you. I'll deal with the roof myself one way or another."


Male Archon-Blooded Aasimar (Lawbringer) Green Faith Initiate (Druid) 5 | HP 41/41 | AC 20 Touch 12 Flat 18 CMB +6 CMD 18 | Fort +7 Ref +3 Will +7 (+4 vs fey/plant) | Resist acid 5, cold 5, electricity 5 | Speed 20 ft | Init +6; DV 60 ft; Per +13 | Active: Ashen Path, Burning Entanglement (1/5 rd), Tears to Wine (50 min) ||
Vodnykel:
HP: 34/34 | Per +7, DV 60 ft, LLV, Scent | Spd 40 ft, Swim 20 ft | AC 20 Touch 12 Flat 18 | SR 10 | DR 5/evil | CMD 19 | Fort + 5, Reflex +6, Will +2 | Resist acid 10, cold 10, electricity 10 | Init +2 | Active: None

Here's hoping that Meneas can also either aid our Diplomacy check or blow the initial roll of 20 out of the water when Sensen gets back.

Brental clicks his tongue as the Old Beldame seems to intuit exactly what he had hoped that she wouldn't: an accusation. But she seems willing to feed them from her cauldron at least, so maybe she didn't actually think that they believed her to be the cause of Jeffrey's disappearance. He also suppresses a chuckles at the counteraccusation of being a "city-folk." He was a druid more well-acquainted with civilization than some (but not all) of his brethren, but he still didn't think of himself as city-folk. To be fair, he wasn't dressed like one either. That didn't seem to matter much to the crone, though.

Scrying, though, now that was an interesting proposition, though a difficult one with so little to go on. None of them had actually met the child, nor did they have any likeness or possession with which to facilitate the ritual.

Brental sips at the soup quietly. She was more talkative than Garuum. And, in her own curious way, she was friendlier, too.


Female Elf Magus (Hexcrafter, Puppetmaster) 5 HP 36/36 | AC 19 | T 13 | FF 16 | CMD 17 | Fort +5 | Ref +4| Will +3 | Init +3 | Perc +1 | Arcane pool: 6/6 points
Rackal28 wrote:
"Oh, I see, I see. And you just thought you'd stop by and see if the Old Beldame had snatched your little Jeffrey and gobbled him all uo eh? Hehe typical city-folk. Here, hold these."

“No, not at all!” Lina hurries to reassure the crone. Well, sort of. Even the ingenuous elf can pick up that her counterpart is probably playing up her witchiness just as she does herself, only with a different emphasis. “It’s just, you are right on the bank, and so on the path he would have taken, and Jeffery is a braver boy than is good for him.”

I think Lina’s too nice (for now) to suggest that the Beldame could eat Grigori, if she felt like it and the opportunity ever presents itself, but if that jerk makes another appearance and more trouble, that might change her feelings about the idea.

She accepts the bowl of soup and the waving-off of her offer of renovations graciously, and considers the beldame’s bargain.

“Oh, by all means, let’s talk business!” She leans in after a moment, her sly smile answering the green witch’s grin. “I have to admit, I’m sure you’re more advanced in the art than I am. The arts, I should say: I work with herbs too, myself.” Is that … bloodroot curing over there? And that looks like a bottle of goblin’s eyes!

“And … other things. I’m sure I have something that might meet your liking. You look like a woman who can appreciate a vial or two of good wyrm’s milk, and, speaking of scrying, my plants aren’t quite ready for harvest yet, but I could bring you some seerbloom when it’s ripe. If you’re a sister of the book and there’s something novel in my grimoire, I’m sure we can work something out. Or maybe there’s a scroll you need, or, if you want to keep your options open for a rainy day, a purse of gold would be nice?”

Lina will happily hand over some of her own herbs and poisons, or trade in spell lore. She’s not crazy enough to offer an open-ended favour, but she’s open to the right sort of quest.

She meets the beldame’s gaze boldly as the pair dickers, the steam and smoke of the murky hut providing a suitably dark setting for the two witches.


Male Neutral Human (Taldan/Kellid) Cavalier (Hooded Knight) 5 | HP 46/46 | AC 22 (23 after feinting), Touch 12 (13 after feinting), Flat-Footed 20 | CMB +7, CMD 19 | Fort +5, Ref +3, Will +3 (-1 vs. fire effects) | Initiative +6 (+8 on roads) | Perception +1 (+3 on roads) | Speed 20 ft. (50 ft. on horseback) | Challenge 2/2 | Sneak Attack +1d6 | Active Conditions: Knave's Standard

Meneas flexes his fingers, watching the witch carefully. She could be useful.

"What about if he had help? Or, perhaps, 'help'?" The Hooded Knight muses aloud, before shaking his head. "Your offer is generous, ma'am." He begins, considering. "But... what do you want, that might be in our power to offer you?"

Diplomacy, Aid Another: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (3) + 9 = 12


Female Human Inquisitor (Sanctified Slayer) 4 / Swashbuckler (Rostland Bravo) 1| HP: 45/45 | AC: 19 (T: 13, F: 16) | CMB: +6, CMD: 19 | F: +6, R: +6, W: +6 | Init: +7 | Perc: +10, SM: +8 | Speed 30'| Panache 1/1

Signy allows her bowl to cool some before trying it.

"I can't think of anything I have that you'd probably want, but what about trading favors? Is there something we can do for you in return?"


Male Archon-Blooded Aasimar (Lawbringer) Green Faith Initiate (Druid) 5 | HP 41/41 | AC 20 Touch 12 Flat 18 CMB +6 CMD 18 | Fort +7 Ref +3 Will +7 (+4 vs fey/plant) | Resist acid 5, cold 5, electricity 5 | Speed 20 ft | Init +6; DV 60 ft; Per +13 | Active: Ashen Path, Burning Entanglement (1/5 rd), Tears to Wine (50 min) ||
Vodnykel:
HP: 34/34 | Per +7, DV 60 ft, LLV, Scent | Spd 40 ft, Swim 20 ft | AC 20 Touch 12 Flat 18 | SR 10 | DR 5/evil | CMD 19 | Fort + 5, Reflex +6, Will +2 | Resist acid 10, cold 10, electricity 10 | Init +2 | Active: None

As Lina has offered specifics while Meneas and Signy asked more questions, Brental shrugs his shoulders. "I likewise have skills and spells at my disposal. A Brother of the Green, if you will, well-familiar with these rivers and the creatures along them. Maps, wound-binding, permanent heatless flames, translation--I pride myself on flexibility in my offerings to the local populace."

Brental wonders if the Old Beldame would prefer her abode be left off the next map that he drew.


Female Human Player/DM

The Old Beldame is quick to respond to Lina's offer, her old eyes alight with new passion. "Wyrm's milk you say?! Yes, yes now that could do quite nicely indeed! I have no need for gold... as you can see I'm quite a way's away from any store or shop that would accept such things. But I'm always in the market for useful herbs and extracts." The old witch smirks and grabs a few herbs from the rafters above.

Muttering an enchantment, she crushes the herbs in her hands and sprinkles them over the cauldron which responds by boiling and bubbling quite fiercely. Then, in a sudden burst of smoke and steam, the cauldron reveals a vision unto the warty hags. "I see him... yes... he's alive. Your boy Jeffery. Alive but afraid..." She shudders.

"So very afraid and cold... He's neck deep in the water... he's held there... just barely above drowning... Yes... Yess... They're torturing him, the poor boy... How very unlike them... Normally they'd just eat the boy.. I wonder what could compel the beasts to such cruelty?" The woman shakes her head, bringing herself back to the here and now.

"Regardless... I know where your Jeffrey is. Simply give me my payment and I can tell you all you need to know." The witch holds out a gnarly hand to accept the wyrm's milk expectantly.


Male Archon-Blooded Aasimar (Lawbringer) Green Faith Initiate (Druid) 5 | HP 41/41 | AC 20 Touch 12 Flat 18 CMB +6 CMD 18 | Fort +7 Ref +3 Will +7 (+4 vs fey/plant) | Resist acid 5, cold 5, electricity 5 | Speed 20 ft | Init +6; DV 60 ft; Per +13 | Active: Ashen Path, Burning Entanglement (1/5 rd), Tears to Wine (50 min) ||
Vodnykel:
HP: 34/34 | Per +7, DV 60 ft, LLV, Scent | Spd 40 ft, Swim 20 ft | AC 20 Touch 12 Flat 18 | SR 10 | DR 5/evil | CMD 19 | Fort + 5, Reflex +6, Will +2 | Resist acid 10, cold 10, electricity 10 | Init +2 | Active: None

Brental's breath catches as the Old Beldame begins describing her vision. First, this was happening much more quickly than he had expected. Second, she had succeeded and found him. And then, the rest...

Brental looks over at Lina expectantly as well. This had gone from a fool's errand to a clear rescue mission, with the stakes increasing.

Please tell me you brought it with you, Lina. Now's not the time for empty promises.


Female Elf Magus (Hexcrafter, Puppetmaster) 5 HP 36/36 | AC 19 | T 13 | FF 16 | CMD 17 | Fort +5 | Ref +4| Will +3 | Init +3 | Perc +1 | Arcane pool: 6/6 points

Lina blinks as the beldame gets right into it, and knows just how to dangle what her magic reveals. The part of her that's spent time as a pedlar appreciates the show. She quickly rummages into her pack and her pockets for both a couple of vials of komodo venom and the larger bottles that hold sublimated stuff from proper little dragonlets.

“Here we go,” she says cheerfully trying not to let the crone’s prognostications throw her too much, presenting a clinking handful of glass. “The larger ones are from tatzlwyrms, which is honestly weaker but spreads out quite nicely if you’re dealing with critters, and these are from one of those great lizards with the nasty, lingering bite. Not true dragons, or even linnorms, but wicked enough for it.” 2 doses of each sound reasonable? And…

“My seerbloom’s still growing, but you have my word as a lady that I’ll send some down as soon as it’s established itself. I’m sure it will be useful if you have much call for scrying,” she promises.


Male Archon-Blooded Aasimar (Lawbringer) Green Faith Initiate (Druid) 5 | HP 41/41 | AC 20 Touch 12 Flat 18 CMB +6 CMD 18 | Fort +7 Ref +3 Will +7 (+4 vs fey/plant) | Resist acid 5, cold 5, electricity 5 | Speed 20 ft | Init +6; DV 60 ft; Per +13 | Active: Ashen Path, Burning Entanglement (1/5 rd), Tears to Wine (50 min) ||
Vodnykel:
HP: 34/34 | Per +7, DV 60 ft, LLV, Scent | Spd 40 ft, Swim 20 ft | AC 20 Touch 12 Flat 18 | SR 10 | DR 5/evil | CMD 19 | Fort + 5, Reflex +6, Will +2 | Resist acid 10, cold 10, electricity 10 | Init +2 | Active: None

Always trust a witch to be prepared. Both of them

It had been a long hour of waiting for the spell to finish, and Brental had been studying the Old Beldame's technique. He doesn't know much about formal arcana, to be fair. He had witnessed druids scrying before, and there were definitely similarities to the methods that they and this witch employed. It would be some before Brental could do something like this himself, but he feels confident that he'll be able to someday. By the Green, he might want to come and visit this witch himself and learn from her. Hopefully Lina wouldn't mind sharing.


Female Human Player/DM

"My, my how very generous of you to offer more than what was bargained. I dare not decline such a kindly offer." The witch cackles as her twig-like fingers wrap around the vials Lina places within them.

"Since you seem so useful in gathering rare ingredients... I may have more business with you yet if you're willing to put in a little leg-work, something these old bones of mine can no longer handle I'm afraid." The witch's hand disappears up her sleeve and come out emptied of the poisons Lina had to offer.

"But for now, there are more pressing matters on your mind I'm certain... A small tribe of lizardfolk inhabits a muddy island in the middle of a particularly swampy stretch of the Murque River, about two miles west of Candlemere. Although sluggish in the winter when the lakes freeze over, the lizardfolk become quite active in the spring and summer, ferociously attacking anyone entering their territory, particularly members of the so-called “civilized” races. But despite their reputation for violence during the warmer months, the lizardfolk are reasonably civilized. Although they do devour other intelligent creatures, this is a practical habit rather than a ritualistic custom or a craving due to a their nature. “Meat is meat,” the lizardfolk say, and life in the swamp is too harsh to forego a perfectly good source of food because of some “civilized” taboo against the consumption of thinking creatures. It is among their kind that you'll find your boy I'm sure of it."

She shakes her head. "Why they would torture him in such a way as opposed to simply consuming the boy is beyond me but there you have it."


Male Archon-Blooded Aasimar (Lawbringer) Green Faith Initiate (Druid) 5 | HP 41/41 | AC 20 Touch 12 Flat 18 CMB +6 CMD 18 | Fort +7 Ref +3 Will +7 (+4 vs fey/plant) | Resist acid 5, cold 5, electricity 5 | Speed 20 ft | Init +6; DV 60 ft; Per +13 | Active: Ashen Path, Burning Entanglement (1/5 rd), Tears to Wine (50 min) ||
Vodnykel:
HP: 34/34 | Per +7, DV 60 ft, LLV, Scent | Spd 40 ft, Swim 20 ft | AC 20 Touch 12 Flat 18 | SR 10 | DR 5/evil | CMD 19 | Fort + 5, Reflex +6, Will +2 | Resist acid 10, cold 10, electricity 10 | Init +2 | Active: None

Brental's eye raises as the Old Beldame seems keen on further business relationships with them. Friendlier indeed. She might not want their help patching up her roof, but she was a woman who understood trade. Although he was no Abadaran (heavens no), Brental appreciated that. This was the exact kind of thing that he had initially been sent here to work on. How long had it been since she had had safe cause to seek out such relationships with the banditry as it had been in the area until last year?

Knowledge (nature), lizardfolk: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (3) + 9 = 12 Well that's a distinct maybe. If that meets the DC, then can I know any special abilities that they might have?

Brental listens to the Old Beldame's description of the lizardfolk and thinks on what else he might know of them and their kind. He did not want a repeat of their encounter with the mites last year that resulted in an all-out war. Better to try, as best as they could, to establish something like they had with the kobolds, even if it was more of a clear drawing of boundaries on the way to more formal relations. Could they stand at the edge of the territory and request an audience?

It was worrying overall and raised as many questions as it answered.

"Why would he set out for Candlemere only to be waylaid further west?" Brental wonders aloud. "Is Candlemere within the lizardfolk's territory?"


Male Neutral Human (Taldan/Kellid) Cavalier (Hooded Knight) 5 | HP 46/46 | AC 22 (23 after feinting), Touch 12 (13 after feinting), Flat-Footed 20 | CMB +7, CMD 19 | Fort +5, Ref +3, Will +3 (-1 vs. fire effects) | Initiative +6 (+8 on roads) | Perception +1 (+3 on roads) | Speed 20 ft. (50 ft. on horseback) | Challenge 2/2 | Sneak Attack +1d6 | Active Conditions: Knave's Standard

Knowledge (nature) Lizardfolk: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 16

Meneas flexes his fingers quietly as the revelations come. "Either the lizardfolk are getting more aggressive, or he was... led astray by someone. Kidnapped, maybe." He folds his arms. "As for why they might've taken him prisoner rather than just eating him... I can't think of any happy reason for it."

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