Zec stands behind Drake, nodding. They are totally prepared to hand over the druid at this point but holds onto a spark of hope that she may yet divulge something useful.
The halfling looks a little shocked, "Got caught by idiots, how's that for luck? Look, why would I tell you anything? If I set plans in motion to clear out Abberton, why would I tell you what those plans are? You'll just get in the way!"
She shakes her head, "You want to find out what's going on? Clearly, I can't stop you, so you'll have to find out yourself, but getting in my way will only bring further harm to the land."
You have heard people occasionally talk about bad harvests and environmental decay. Once-lush meadows are now bare, trees grow more slowly and are becoming stunted, and animals are less healthy and less numerous with each generation. How much is rumor and how much is true is unclear.
Zec can tell that the halfling does believe what she is telling you.
"The natives are speaking about bad crops." Rhoxl grunts as he hauls the halfling to her feet and begins pushing her out the door. "The small scaleless is answering for many things, Rhoxl suspects."
The Professor, who has been watching the exchange silently, helps direct the druid to a wagon to lock her in until the morning when the proper authorities can take her away. "Sounds like quite a mystery. Hopefully, that was the last of our involvement in such dangerous plots."
Tarisia and Cannino fly around you, "So...what else do you need us to do? We can do tricks in the show!"
Hmm, so we need to check the local soil for suspicious signs. Naatalu muses as he rubs his hands together thoughtfully.
But, we've had enough excitement for today. We can look into this more tomorrow.
"So...what else do you need us to do? We can do tricks in the show!"
Rhoxl smiles. “Rhoxl thinks tiny scaleless are performing with Naatalu. Part of Naatalu’s act.”
Naatalu's eyes get wide as his face turns to a stunned expression.
Um, no. My act is just fine thank you. Already me and an animal, don't want it to get too crowded...
He nervously glances at the grigs to see how they're reacting to the idea.
Zec speaks up, "Maybe you could work with one of the other teams if you really want, maybe even with Ash if you get along with drakes. But there are plenty of tasks around if you want to be involved.
"Thank you for clearing out those pesky plants, they were quite dangerous for us."
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The grigs look proud and hover in a heroic pose, "No problem for us! We're so small, things tend not to notice us, and plants usually get along well with us."
One flies down to the ground and plants a seed. It quickly sprouts and grows into a large pumpkin complete with a door and two windows. "Doesn't take long for us to put down roots either!" says Tarisia with a wink.
The circus crew returns to their wagons safely and The Professor assures you that the Abertton guard will arrive in the morning to collect the halfling.
The four of you return to your wagons feeling tired, but in a good way; as if you had just exercised and will be stronger for it.
Just after breakfast the next morning, two heavily guarded wagons roll into the circus' camp. The Professor greets the visitors and helps them load the halfling druid into the wagon with barred windows.
The second wagon is more extravagantly decorated and a well-dressed man steps out of it and briefly speaks with The Professor. The Professor points in your direction and the man walks over to you.
The mayor takes off his hat and holds it before him with both hands. “My name is Jae Abber, and I’m the mayor of this town. I saw your show last night, and it was spectacular! But then, this morning, I learned that you and your people were attacked by someone from Abberton, or perhaps from the Hermitage of Blessed Lightning? Our little town, it’s been terrorized for weeks, since long before you showed up. I’m so sorry that you got caught up in this."
"I can’t see how anyone from our town would be involved in such villainy, but I can’t believe anyone at the hermitage would do so, either. The hermits are kind, humble, and pious folk, devoted to Gozreh. Their master is a man named Harlock Hamdeel. He’s a fine person, loves animals and nature and such. Honestly, it’s impossible to imagine him countenancing anything like what happened last night."
"...But that doesn’t mean the town and the hermitage always agree. Abberton has had some challenges lately. There’s been little rain, and the fields are dry. The heat has withered plants, and then we got a cold snap that froze what survived. The wind has pulled what’s left of the topsoil into dust storms. Many of our wells have dried up, and the streams... I’ve never seen them so low. Some have vanished completely. Now, it’s nature, and it goes in cycles, I know. Many of us figure we just need to be patient. The rains’ll come back. But some of the hermits have blamed us... for what, I don’t know. It’s like they think we’ve done something wrong. But we’re just farmers!"
"Over the last month, things have gotten really bad. Hemmema got attacked by a wild boar in the street. Abberton’s miller, Seirah Hawfton, and her family have gone missing. No one would blame them if they left town, but maybe they were driven off. Normally, I’d go to the sheriff with this; she’s always kept us safe, but no one’s seen her, either! And I... I... I heard how you protected innocent people here last night, and I thought, maybe, maybe you could do for us, what you did for them? If you could, I’d gladly speak to Harlock about the woman who attacked you last night, perhaps even get you admission to the hermitage so you could talk to him and see for yourself they’re harmless."
Naatalu hops off of Clovis and leads over on her, his arm outstretched and his palm flat. He listens intently to the mayor, hmm'ing and sighing every now and then as he processes the information.
Hmm, this missing family sounds serious. We should go talk to the hermitage, but... who last saw any member or sign of this family? Or the sheriff?
The mayor shakes his head while wringing his hat, "I'm not sure. I think most of us saw the Hawfton family at their home. If you check there, maybe you can find some clues?"
The Professor rejoins the conversation with his Sideshow of Everyday
Marvels members, "I think I may be able to help with some more information. I sent the Sideshow into the town last night to gather rumors and drum up business."
He then gestures towards his crew of 5 members, one of which, is a dog. "Meet The Bearded Man, the Tattooed Woman, The Unjoined Twins, and The Dog-Faced Dog. Please, tell our heroes what you learned."
Hesper and Meitas, the Unjoined Twins, can confirm that Hemmema, a polite grandmother who recently sold her farm and moved into town, was attacked by a wild boar in the street. The twins provide their reports together, alternating sentences as they talk. “She ran, of course. Who wouldn’t! And she’s unhurt, thank goodness. As for the boar, it’s been spotted in an orchard on the east side of town, and it’s not alone. Apparently, there’s a whole brood of smaller boars that are just as nasty and ill-tempered as their mother!”
Tahala, the Tattooed Woman, investigated the mill this morning and found the region infested with wasps. She notes that their behavior seemed unusual, and she suspects outside influence. There was no evidence of the miller or her family, although everything about the mill seemed to be in working order from a distance. She finds it very unlikely the owner simply abandoned the mill.
Gidarron the Bearded Man learned that there’s a small crime gang in Abberton called the Muggers, although they don’t call themselves by that name for the reasons the heroes might suspect. Rather, they hang out at a roadhouse outside of town called the Mad Mug. According to town rumors, the Muggers drink all day and cause trouble at night. The sheriff has been trying to break up the gang for a while now, and the Muggers might have gotten brave or reckless enough to do something about the sheriff.
Cubby, the Dog-Faced Dog may surprise you by speaking, "RI rent to re church here rin rabbertone. RI rought rit ray be connected ro re hermitage, but it is redicated ro rabadar. RI siffed raround back anyway rand rit smelled rawful, rike rotting resh. Romething spooky ris rack rhere ri'm relling rou."
Rhoxl shakes his head. Of course the scaleless can't take care of their own problems. And of course they came to the show yesterday to forget their troubles. Ancestors know they have a lot of them.
The iruxi turns to Zec, a quizzical look on his snout. "Can Zec talk to angry pigs like Zec talk to Ash? Angry pigs go away fast. But Rhoxl is worried at smell of death in church. Rhoxl wants to..." The stream of words slows to a hesitant dribble. "...wants to go to church first."
Naatalu briefly makes a disgusted face at the suggestion.
Eh, it sounds like it could be undead there. I suppose we should clear that out before they make trouble in town, if I'm right.
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Drake looks around.
"I agree that we should deal with the church first, but I would suggest that first we visit the town. Before I deal with undead or even cranky boars, I'd like to make a few purchases."
He looks at the mayor briefly, and doesn't bother lowering his voice.
"After meeting what passes locally for clergy, I'm not convinced about the hermits,either."
Drake gives a brief nod to his companions, and without waiting for an answer trots off to fetch his armor and weapons belt.
Zec responds to Rhoxl with a solemn nod, "I can try to determine what has upset the boars and try to reason with them. I can't really speak with them directly."
In response to Naatalu, the hobgoblin adds, "Not all decay is associated with undead, it is a natural part of the life cycle. It does seem strange to be associated with a church of Abadar though. It also seems strange for Abadar to be connected with a druidic order. I am confused. Best to be ready for anything."
"The boars seem to be a more immediate and known threat to locals, though the church is very worrisome. I agree that we could probably use some provisions from town before we do too much exploring."
Zec then smiles shyly at the other circus folk, "Thank you for gathering this information. It is most valuable and appreciated."
Mayor Abber nods, "I thank you for your help. If you find out anything, you'll be fairly compensated for your trouble. If you need advice on anything or want explicit permission to access something, please find me at my office in town hall."
With that, you walk into town behind the mayor's wagon. As you reach the town square, you easily understand that Abberton isn't the big city nor is it even a big town. It's quite cozy here and most people don't have much silver to spare and the craftsmen don't handle a lot of advanced work.
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Drake will check out any weapons dealers or smiths to look for a hatchet that is a reasonable match for the two that he has.
If possible, he will also look for anyone with healing potions for sale, looking for a potion of minor healing.
At the (weapon)smith's he will pull out his two hatchets and practice juggling. After testing the balance of the new weapon against his current ones, he stops and turns back to the smith.
"It will do, but if I live through this little expedition, I may order some flashier ones for use in the sideshow." He gives the craftsman a brief bow and walks back to join the rest of the group.
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While Drake goes shopping Naatalu rides around on Clovis, approaching locals who seem delighted by the corgi. He takes the opportunity to ask them about the missing family and the Muggers.
Zec tags after Drake and finds somewhere to purchase a couple of Holy Water vials, just in case.
A random passerby warns Naatalu, "Stay away from the Mag Mug tavern! The Muggers have had free reign since the sheriff went missing."
No one seems to know where the missing family might be, but the Hawfon's owned a mill in the town. The people are quite concerned about the family, both because they liked the Hawftons and because the mill is vital for all the farmers in the area.
When the group has completed their shopping and regathered, Zec looks to the others and asks, "Bopping Boar, or Detecting Decay, which is it to be?"
We better get a look at that decay... Naatalu mutters.
"Rhoxl agrees."
The church is properly called “the House of Gold and Laws,” but most townspeople call it “Goldenlaws” or “Goldenlaws Church.” Goldenlaws Church is near the center of Abberton and serves as the hub of the townspeople’s worship of Abadar as well as its only bank. Behind the church is a sprawling, fenced cemetery.
The doors leading to the church and the cemetery grounds are constructed from wood planks banded with brass. The chapel’s thick stained glass windows are heavily reinforced and are predominantly a rich yellow in color, illuminating the interior of the church with a golden hue. Ceilings within the church are 15 feet high. The walls of the church and the stone wall around the cemetery are stone
A wide, high porch of white wood fronts the town church. Two stained glass windows face the road; the one to the north depicts Abadar, the Master of the First Vault, and the one to the south is emblazoned with dozens of golden keys. Both are broken in several places, with bits of yellowish glass littering the porch. The door frame around the wood-and-brass door is splintered
Zec approaches cautiously, on high alert for traps or hazards, glancing at Ash regularly to see if the Drake has detected anything of concern.
"Should we check around outside first?" the hobgoblin asks of the others.
Naatalu nods silently at Zec's suggestion, heading toward the separate path that leads through the cemetery.
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Rhoxl pauses for a moment to study the doorframe. Was it broken from something outside trying to get in? Or something inside trying to get out? His gaze then drops to the ground, searching for tracks or any traces of passage other than that of his companions.
Rhoxl, Drake, and Naatalu don't spot anything, but Zec notices a single hooved print that doesn't match a typical horse print.
Zec and Naatalu can both tell that the prints lead into the church through the broken door.
You hear the sounds of splintering wood and fluttering paper coming from inside the church.
The sprites eyes follow the prints back to the broken door, and just then notices the fluttering sounds. He sighs audibly.
I guess we may be compelled to go check inside first. It sure looks like something broken down the door.
Unless anyone objects, he starts heading back to the front. When he arrives, he won't enter immediately but instead peer in.
“No,” Rhoxl agrees, bone spear held in his hands.
The nave is filled with long wooden pews marred by long claw marks. Comfortable cushions of gold velvet have been shredded, their feather stuffing spilling out upon the benches and the wood floor. Leather-bound books have been yanked from the small wooden shelves built into the back of each pew and torn apart, their illuminated pages mixing with the accumulated mess that covers the ground.
A chancel at the west end of the nave contains an altar in front of a magnificent mural of Abadar and other gods defeating the monstrous Rovagug. The altar has the appearance of a desk, although its cloth-of-gold covering, abacus, scales, and ledgers are ripped and knocked over. In the northwest corner of the sanctuary, an overturned stone font leans against a stone door
Two creatures are trashing the furnishings of the church. The winged creature is at the banking desk that serves as the altar, perusing the town’s financial records. The hooved one stands behind the altar, defacing the mural of Abadar and the other gods that has decorated this chapel since its construction centuries ago.
Initiative Order, Bold May Go!
Map Slide
Zec
Ash
Naatalu
Winged creature blue
Hooved creature red
Drake
Rhoxl
After a quick assessment, Zec targets the flying creature with a ray of frost and directs Ash to attack.
Ash moves quickly to attempt to bite the winged creature.
Ah, right. Well at least they weren't hard to find.
Nataalu pushes through the line of his teammates until he finds a spot next to Drake. Quickly reciting an incantation atop Clovis he touches Drake's weapon and empowers it.
The weapon glimmers with magic and energy. The target becomes a +1 striking weapon, gaining a +1 item bonus to attack rolls and increasing the number of weapon damage dice to two.
Zec's ray of frost goes wide while Ash's teeth meet scaly flesh and can't sink in.
Naatalu enchants Drake's weapon, making it far more potent.
The winged creature complains about being attacked, "You're ruining our fun!" and then casts a spell at the drake attacking him.
The riding drake doesn't even feel remotely scared by the creature's fear spell.
and the claw just barely bounces off the riding drake's scales.
The hooved creature looks far angrier, "They will pay! I was destroying stuff over here!"
It casts a similar spell as the winged creature at Ash.
The riding drake is slightly afraid of this creature! (Frightened 1)
It then flings a broken piece of a bench at the riding drake.
x2 = 30
The flying piece of debris nearly impales the poor riding drake and knocks him unconscious.
Initiative Order, Bold May Go!
Map Slide
Zec
Ash, frightened 1, dying 2
Naatalu
Winged creature blue
Hooved creature red
Drake
Rhoxl
Nataalu then shuffles back through the party, stopping in front of Zec and blows some glittery dust off of his palm towards the creatures.
Success The creature takes a –1 status penalty to Perception checks for 1 round.
Failure The creature falls unconscious. If it's still unconscious after 1 minute, it wakes up automatically.
Critical Failure The creature falls unconscious. If it's still unconscious after 1 hour, it wakes up automatically.
Rhoxl’s eyes dart to the side as Drake moves to the left, then back to the middle aisle. Snapping turtle, he thinks to himself, then launches into action. Down the aisle he races, tail held straight behind him for balance as he dives through the aftereffects of Naatalu’s magic. Powerful legs push off the floor, he’s airborne for a moment, he lands on the stage, he rolls into position behind the goat-scaleless, he raises his spear, jabs!
Zec focuses on the life force all around them, sending healing power to Ash.
The hobgoblin then moves toward their fallen companion, murmuring soothing words in Draconic, suggesting Ash lay still and quiet.
Look at me you loathsome creature, leave Ash alone.
Drake races forward and runs a raiper into the hooved creature.
Rhoxl rushes to flank the hooved creature with Drake and only manages to land a blow due to his advantageous positioning.
Zec heals Ash, saving the drake from bleeding out, and tries to get the attention of her foes away from her friend.
The winged creature closes its eyes for a moment.
But it immediately opens its eyes again, steps towards Rhoxl, and slashes with its claws.
plus venom.
The hooved creature eyes Drake and Rhoxl wearily, "Tougher than most. I shall enjoy breaking you!"
The hooved creature opens its jaws and attempts to taste cat fur.
x2 = 20
Drake gets a huge chunk bitten out, but remains standing.
The creature's claws flash out next at Rhoxl, tearing scaled flesh just as easily.
"You're not even a challenge, kitty cat." The words send a shiver down Drake's spine as blood flows down from the bite wound.
Initiative Order, Bold May Go!
Map Slide
Zec
Ash, +10hp
Naatalu
Winged creature blue
Hooved creature red, -21hp
Drake, 10/30?, frightened 2
Rhoxl, -14hp, fort save versus venom
Rhoxl doesn’t reply with words - only jabs of his spear.
His message delivered, the iruxi hops off the stage and takes a defensive position next to Zec. “Rhoxl thinks about leaving.”
Okay, faaaaine. No slumber party for yous all!
Nataalu begins another incantation, gripping something tightly in his little hands.
Zec, once again, tries to give the winged creature an icy welcome ...
Ray of Frost
then gives a nod to Ash who lashes out with their tail.
Drake swings at the hooved creature but is too shaken to focus his attacks on his target.
Rhoxl shakes off the venom, misses the first attack, but lands a forceful follow-up.
Zec's ray of frost almost hits, but the winged creature changes altitude at the last moment to dodge the ray.
Ash swings a tail and smacks the winged creature as it comes closer.
Naatalu's missiles strike into the hooved creature and deal a good bit of damage.
The winged creature tries to return the blow to Ash.
The creature lands two claw attacks but for very little damage. However, each blow injects venom into the riding drake. At the same time, the creature's wounds seem to be closing slowly.
With only one enemy in front of it, the hooved creature goes all out on Drake.
Drake goes down from the massive bite leaving the creature with no one to claw. Instead, it picks up more trash from the ground and hurls it at Rhoxl.
The trash clonks Rhoxl on the head and knocks him out next to Zec.
Initiative Order, Bold May Go!
Map Slide
Zec
Ash, 7/24, 2 fortitude saves vs venom
Naatalu
Drake, 0/30, frightened 1, dying 1
Rhoxl, 0hp, dying 1
Winged creature blue, -11hp
Hooved creature red, -37hp