Having diagnosed the gnoll corpses with being hosts to demonic larva
Faidh was able to cut out five of the demons before they spawned. Three of them made their way out onto the plains. They look weak but very evil.
Vex eyes the vagabond with a cool eye, then replies;
Seven Widows.. Foreboding... or an opportunity if any of the seven are rich.
"Tea? No thank you. What I do thirst for is knowledge. The lay of the land..."
He pauses, amber eyes burning as he frowns;
"Seems you have dropped something friend..."
The lithe tiefling reaches down and retrieves a silver freesail, before handing it to the begger with a wicked grin;
"Best look after your coin friend. Lots of pilfers about these days.... Now where were we? Ah yes, slaking my thirst for knowledge... What I seek is a forger. The best the city has to offer..."
Bez slips back out the front gate without issue, past the mermaid statuary. Up the front steps he notices the gargoyle statues perched there by the front door and recalls what the injured ogre had told Melira. "Statues bite." On his way out he catches a better glimpse of the ogre hung from the vines.
Past the quiet smooth operating dwarven gate, Bez notices that the sleeping guards are no longer snoring in their station. Bez spots them. Bugbears. Larger goblinoids. They have come out of their little hut and have climbed up some low trees and shrubs that are growing against the manor wall. They are peering back into the manor yard in the direction of the dead ogre. They must have been alerted when he died and they are peeking over the wall to see what happened. They do not notice Bez when he slips into the gate.
After passing through the gate, the guard hut is on Bez's right, but the alerted guards themselves are on Bez's left, climbed up to peer over the wall towards the other side of the house where Bez n Melira had not yet explored. They are kinda where the badger was but closer to the wall than that.
They don't notice Bez. They are distracted looking at the scene of the strung up ogre.
With five out of eight of the larval demons removed before they hatch, their are only three of them lurking out in the fields, and the sun is coming up. Faidh and Akkramar know enough about the outer planes to know that these are the most basic of demons. Not terribly powerful although they are terrifying enough. But there are enough guardsmen who survived the gnoll attack, that three of these demons won't be able to mount a serious threat when you stop to make camp following the system of watches that Akkramar designed (even adjusted for losses).
The trek across the plains is expected to take seven days to the village of Cat's Wife along the King's Road, then another three or four days on the road to reach Endhome. It could be longer if people fall ill or rations don't hold up.
The trek appears to be going smoothly and as the week goes by there are no further attacks by gnolls. Towards the end of the week from a high hill the companions can make out the road ahead, winding on to Endhome, and the little thatched roofs of Cat's Wife village.
Bez trots back towards Melira and relates what he's seen. "They're watching the strung up ogre, but there's no guarantee they'll stay entranced forever."
Faidh will direct those capable of securing food via hunting, gathering and fishing the task to do that.
Bez trots back towards Melira and relates what he's seen. "They're watching the strung up ogre, but there's no guarantee they'll stay entranced forever."
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The lithe tiefling reaches down and retrieves a silver freesail, before handing it to the begger with a wicked grin;"Best look after your coin friend. Lots of pilfers about these days.... Now where were we? Ah yes, slaking my thirst for knowledge... What I seek is a forger. The best the city has to offer..."
The urchin receives the coin in an upturned palm, oblivious to where Vex had retrieved it from.
"Minted silver. Either your heart is charitable or your thirst is one that can't be slated by those within that palace nor the folk who abide by it's laws. I suspect the latter."
The urchin wipes the coin on his tunic as if to polish it before squinting with one eye and holding it up to gleam in the rosy rays of the afternoon sun.
"Unfortunately, I know nothing of forger's and forgeries. But I will give you one bit of advice that will serve you well if you plan to go around Manas asking these type of questions. Don't cross the Friendly Men. They won't take kindly to it. This isn't Remballo you know. The Thieve's of Manas don't politely return your purse after pinching it for coins."
Faidh will direct those capable of securing food via hunting, gathering and fishing the task to do that.
[dice=Survival]1d20+3
The game of the field are ample and with Faidh's direction the one week trip is pleasant enough although the cold nights are a constant challenge. Venison and fish and warm fire's make it all the more bearable.
After one week the displaced folk of Bridgetown arrive at Cat's Wife, a peculiar little village which is unremarkable except for the lore around it's name. As you approach you can see the thatched roofs. It looks like a small farming and fishing community, with less than 100 population.
The kids tug at Faidh's clothes eagerly. "Can we go there and ask them for apples Madame Knight?
Bez trots back towards Melira and relates what he's seen. "They're watching the strung up ogre, but there's no guarantee they'll stay entranced forever."
" Yes we will send some representatives down to talk about getting supplies and seeing if we can rest near here tonight." Faidh smiles as she feels as if the gods had provided them a bit of a respite. Here they could get water, some food and maybe provisions. They might have to Barter or sell some of there possessions but they would be safe and have a full belly.
Melira is thankful for the brief reprive as Bez moves forward to scout. She has known he is no knight in shining armor, but to hear him talk about killing the way that he does is jarring.
By the time he gets back, it's almost like he never said anything.
"Right, in that case I'd say it's now or never. From the look of the monster's wounds, something else must have hit it over the head. It wasn't strangled by the vines. So we should hurry." This was quickly turning into a dangerous situation. "How many did you see? If the odds of us winning a fight are very low, I think we should try our luck at the other exit."
"I'm not a fan of bugbears. They are smarter than ogres and can sound an alarm, if they are actually guards, and call for reinforcements we know nothing about, but are usually worse and in greater numbers--that's how guards work in my experience."
He nods, his horns bobbing counterpoint to his chin. "Side-reverse-sallie it is, then. Running away is quite satisfying."
[dice=History]1d20+0
Vex flashes a haughty smile at the foreboding warning;
"I thank you for your advice, it is duly noted. I shall endeavour to keep those Friendly from being unfriendly."
The rakish tiefling eyes the urchin;
"Since you like the look of that silver and from it marked me as a scion of Rembello, I would offer such a sharp mind the opportunity to earn a couple more..."
Two more Freesails dance between his black nailed fingers...
"Firstly I need lodgings... Somewhere in the livelier part of the city, so should I was to indulge my tastes, the local dishes are available. Secondly, tho' you profess to know naught about that which I seek, perhaps you can find out who would know?"
He smiles, his sharp teeth stark white against black lips and saffron skin;
"Finally, should these Friendly Men ask after me, and what you have made of me. Tell them this. I have business that is no business of theirs. Tell them once conducted I will depart Old Manas and leave them better for it.... Should they ask..."
"Satisfying? I always thought the satisfying part was when you get away clean." Melira is right behind Bez, following him to the other exit.
"Even better, but one sometimes does follow the other," says Bez, keeping his swords at the ready.
Once the demonic larvae are taken care of for the most part, the dwarf makes a mental note of their location - "Faidh, I know it be bein' a long shot, but we will be needin' to come back here and make sure them larva are not wreaking havoc in any surrounding homesteads... Once we have escorted these folk to Endhome I be meanin' - he grunts - "And why the heck are these larvae inside the gnolls? Ye be thinkin' someone put them there?"
---
As they move out to meet the inhabitants from Cat's Wife, Akkramar joins Faidh and the 'diplomatic' delegation.
"Agreed, but we may need to recruit others to aid us. Unfortunately that is a matter we must burden for now" The Paladin says giving a quick prayer to the goddess.
-------
"How are you with talking to others? I can, but humans sometimes find me uncomfortable. I mean I am tall and well strange to most people"Faidh says her shield and ax put away and her face uncovered. She knew coming open-faced and empty-handed would be more perceived as nonthreatening.
The rakish tiefling eyes the urchin;"Since you like the look of that silver
and from it marked me as a scion of Rembello, I would offer such a sharp mind the opportunity to earn a couple more..."
"How are you with talking to others? I can, but humans sometimes find me uncomfortable. I mean I am tall and well strange to most people"Faidh says her shield and ax put away and her face uncovered. She knew coming open-faced and empty-handed would be more perceived as nonthreatening.
"Meh... I am use ta bein' at tha forge on me own, or mayhaps with a few others" - Akkramar replied - "Not flappin' my lips around ta make others happy and whatnot" - he added with a shrug and a chuckle - "Did that answer yer question?"
The urchin looks a little insulted at Vex's persistant questioning about forger's.
"Look man. I offered you poppy tea. Poppy tea is no crime in Manas. You are asking about illegal things. I told you, I don't know no forger, yes? Ok."
But he considers the silver which was offered.
"Look man you asked about lodging. Why don't you go have a drink at the Blue Dragonfly. Humbalto Roark pours the drinks there. Maybe they can slate your thirst."
"Even better, but one sometimes does follow the other," says Bez, keeping his swords at the ready.
The side gate is of similar dwarven construction to the front gate. It has the same smooth operation and counterweight system. There is some broken flagstone on the ground beneath the gate, and some scratches, but the engineering has held up to whatever attempts had been made to damage it. Beyond the gate lie gardens with pathways leading to outbuildings. Directly ahead is a building which looks like a stables. . A left fork off the path will lead you back towards the guard shed and the badger lair, as well as the road back down the hill toward Grollek's Grove. Where the path joins the stables, it veers off deeper into the garden's and toward's the vineyard's behind the house and it's walls.
Before anyone in the village proper has seen the group coming, there are many farmhouses spread out around the village, as well as a fresh stream teaming with jumping fish. Faidh can communicate with some of the farmers who have big barns with lofts of hay to sleep on.
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Vex slips one of the two silver coins deftly back into his coin-purse, listening to the urchin chiding, before affixing the man with his burning amber gaze;
"You did. I declined your offer. And yet here you still stand, complaining about the questions a curious newcomer to your fair city."
He hands the urchin the remaining coin;
"You have earned that. Enjoy the pleasure it brings you, but know that had you spoken to me thus on my streets, in my city, tis you who would have paid not I. There I would have followed you or had your movements watched. Then, when gifted night's shroud or alley's shadow I'd slit you open and leave you to paint the cobbles slick and crimson."
Vex chuckles dryly, then bows theatrically;
"But we are in old Manas. I am the visitor. And you have gained two silver. Roark I will find... Adieu my learned friend."
The rogue then moves off into the street, leaving his urchin to mull what had transpired.
"...must be the demon in me...Melira, I have a hankering to go out through the forest. What say you?" Bez has a twinkle in his eye.
"Just what I was thinking," says Melira, surveying the ground before them. "I'd much prefer to move in the direction we came from."
As Bez n Melira pass through the gate and turn off into the woods, away from the stable and back towards the road, they come to a clearing in the forested area. In the center of the clearing is a small log.
There are some tracks in the frozen mud and frosty leaves lining the ground.
\
[dice=Intimidate]1d20+4Vex chuckles dryly, then bows theatrically;
"But we are in old Manas. I am the visitor. And you have gained two silver. Roark I will find... Adieu my learned friend."
The rogue then moves off into the street, leaving his urchin to mull what had transpired.
The man stammers a bit, wiping the coin on his dirty tunic. "I didn't mean to cross you. I didn't know you were well connected in Endhome. Look, if you go to the Blue Dragonfly, that bartender I told you about won't be of much use. But there is a side office occupied by a man named Ghere. Luam Ghere. If there's someone in Manas who can forge a document for you, it will be him."
"How are you with talking to others? I can, but humans sometimes find me uncomfortable. I mean I am tall and well strange to most people"Faidh says her shield and ax put away and her face uncovered. She knew coming open-faced and empty-handed would be more perceived as nonthreatening."Meh... I am use ta bein' at tha forge on me own, or mayhaps with a few others" - Akkramar replied - "Not flappin' my lips around ta make others happy and whatnot" - he added with a shrug and a chuckle - "Did that answer yer question?"
The farmers around the outskirts of the village eventually come out to greet the large assembly of displaced people from Bridgetown. They have some cultural similarity, being from the Borderland Kingdoms. They have a look of sympathy when they hear about the fall of Bridgetown, but sympathy turns to fear when they hear the mention of skeletons and shadows.
”You don’t suppose any evil has followed you here?”
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Faidh walks up to the farmers and gently bows to them. She knows she is asking much bit hopes to get provisions and a night's rest. No more no less.
" Honored villagers of Cat's Wife I am Faidh a Paladin, come here leading the remnants of a town torn apart and flooded by some undead Dwarven soldiers. The group killed any who had remained, so most left." She paused as she gestured slowly to the rag tag group of clear refugees on the outskirts.
" The good folk here, women, children, elders, and a few men left seeking the comforts of a city a bit further then here. However the road is treacherous and on our journey Gnolls attacked us and many of the more able bodied citizens fell to there attack. We were victorious. What we have been losing too is the common hazards of the road. Supplies run low. Our nights are also restless and add to a forced March, well it makes for many a long exhausting days. These good people can not continue on." Fiadh was building her speech now. She had to sell this and as most of it was the truth she could passionately speak
" So as we came upon the site of the Gabled city of Cat's Wife, we wondered if the good and kind folk here could allow these weary villagers, who no longer had a village, to rest in the barns and hay lofts of the town. To fish in your river and to fill our skins of water. For those willing to trade we will trade, for those willing to give aid we will accept aid. We ask you the people of Cat's Wife if you will aid us?" was what she spoke of. Her speech impassioned as she played up the scenario as best she could. Now it was up to the people of Cat's Wife whether or not ehy would accept her offer.
"Ok, that's not a kitty...not the tiger either...Ok, yes, I know that's a kitty. This is Brother Bruin. A bear. See the long back foot? No cat looks like that. Ha, I actually identified something outside of a city," says Beziriphas with some pride.
The farmer's are clearly moved by the paladin's words. "My dear, we have hay lofts to spare, and warm mulled cider. You may fish in our streams and share our simple village meals with us."
The village of Cat's Wife accepts you and all the refugees you are escorting.
The kids are happy to sleep with a roof over the head and some padding beneath them, for the first time all week.
There is no sign of the demon larva or other attackers.
Vex tips the nod to the urchin with a black lipped smile, then begins his search for the aforementioned Blue Dragonfly...
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"Good thing I didn't open me mouth, would only have ruined yer fine speech" - Akkramar elbowed the paladin with a smile, after she addresses the villagers.
Then he turns to the nearby villagers - "Now, did I hear anything about warm mulled cider? Take me to it now, it is an emergency!" - he laughed raucously.
Once all the refugees seem well underway to get settled, the dwarf went looking for the town forge or blacksmith, intent on repaying Cat's Wife kindness.
Trying to put Channel Divinity: Artisan's Blessing (1 Hour) to some work, and perhaps craft something useful for the village, after conversing with the smith. Dunno, a farming tool, weapons?
'You can use your Channel Divinity to conduct an hour-long ritual that crafts a nonmagical item that must include some metal: a simple or martial weapon, a suit of armor, ten pieces of ammunition, a set of tools, or another metal object. The thing you create can be something that is worth no more than 100 gp'
"No it was not as well versed as it should have been. My teachers always scolded me for my words. They said I lacked the nessacary tools to speak like a leader or even a priest. So I was tested and chosen..." She stopped and then blushed deeply as she pulled up her scarf to hide her face.
"No...It could've been better! Though the kids and the others will be given some normalcy. I will make sure to perform tonight for the people." Faidh says a bit shocked her speech worked she wasn't the Champion the people had wanted. She was constantly told she would suffice but hopefully another would rise to take her place.
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Vex tips the nod to the urchin with a black lipped smile, then begins his search for the aforementioned Blue Dragonfly...
"I'm impressed," says Melira, looking Bez up and down. "But there's something else here worth seeing." Glancing around the clearing once more, Melira edges uneasily towards the log.
Bez nods, following her.
The clearing has a floor of crunchy frosty leaves. They crunch underfoot with other step.
Occasionally you have a chance to note the size of the bear paws. A reminder of the occupant of the clearing.
The log situation is fairly plane to understand. There is clearly a pile of treasure that has been collected in the hollow of the log. Several glittering metallic trinkets can be spotted once Melira get's close.
The twinkling treasure is crusted over mostly with frosty leaves.
Vex tips the nod to the urchin with a black lipped smile, then begins his search for the aforementioned Blue Dragonfly...
The Tavern has the kind of seedy opulence that Vex would recognize anywhern. Not to mention a fragrance that he can't mistake. Opium. Inside a fat half-orc instructs Vex to sit at the bar. Tall stools with wire backs stand free of customers. Oil paintings on the walls in gilded ornate frames depict scenes of angels and devils dancing in fine attire.
"What will it be stranger? I don'y reckon I've seen you in Manas before."
"Good thing I didn't open me mouth, would only have ruined yer fine speech" - Akkramar elbowed the paladin with a smile, after she addresses the villagers.
Then he turns to the nearby villagers - "Now, did I hear anything about warm mulled cider? Take me to it now, it is an emergency!" - he laughed raucously.
Once all the refugees seem well underway to get settled, the dwarf went looking for the town forge or blacksmith, intent on repaying Cat's Wife kindness.
** spoiler omitted **
Baldo, the smith, is overjoyed at once to meet Akkramar. Bearded himself, and rather stout, he looks the part of a dwarf and Akkramar soon learns that he is an admirer of the dwarven pantheon. At the mention of divinely blessed smithing going on , the man does not hesitate to volunteer a request for an item of which the village is in need. A plow.
Vex smiles, and boys his horned head;
"Astute and correct sir. It is my first visitation to Manas... As such, can you recommend a menu to slake my thirst and sate my hunger..."
He pats his coin purse with a wink;
"Rest assured I have coin enough, so if you have no issue with my fiendish countenance, then I will have no issue filling your coffers..."
The fat half orc promptly fills a tankard of ale. There are three taps at the bar but nothing to indicate any difference between them. Vex gets the impression that at this tavern, an ale is an ale.
He sets down the dark ale off to the side to let the head settle.
"The name's Roark. Humbalto Roark. We have roast mutton and garlic sage soup with cream. I've no issue with horns. Have a pair of tusks meself and I'd never hurt a fly..."
The man is droll but one gets the impression he may have injured several flies in his time.