"I'm sure I can find something tasty for the little guy," Talia replies to Bumolin. She disappears into the kitchen and returns with a variety of scraps on a wide platter and sets it down for the boar. "There you go, little fella!"
"If Hunclay worshipped Shelyn, it was the best kept and most unexpected secret of all time!" She laughs, "He creeper me out, to be honest. Some folks say he was a...devil worshipper." She whispers the last part as though she was afraid of making something bad happen saying it.
"Now, as for the priests around here, Nilos Genser leads us Shelynites. He's a nice guy, but just to warn you, he will hit on anyone with a pulse. The Abadaran priestess is Eupaphenia Targas. She is an okay sort, for an Abadaran, but she comes off a little aloof because she's always busy with something."
Moments before Talia returns with his food, Abon is already sniffing and nervously trotting back and forth in anticipation. When the platter is set on the floor he immediately starts eating noisily and with passion, his front two legs on the plate, making rather a mess around him.
Bumolin nods thankfully to Talia, himself rather busy with eating (with slightly more attention to tablemanners as Abon).
"Devil worshiper? Why would folks say that?" Xylas asks, not particularly surprised that the 'big' city of Belhaim still participates in plenty of small town gossip.
He chuckles. "You don't say, the Abadaran is a bit of a busybody. I think I'll drop Hunclay off there tonight anyway. A vault might be a good place for his remains given the rumors and restless spirits we found in the dungeon. Also, I wouldn't want to give Nilos the wrong idea showing up at his doorstep for a late night 'body' call."
Talia laughs earnestly at Xylas' last line. She then becomes rather serious. "Hunclay has a reputation because he has earned one. He was callous, abrasive, rude, and selfish. He used to receive allanner of odd visitors at all hours and spent so much time looking at the gods know what in that telescope of his. The one time he came to a town gathering he turned it into a debacle, and he was always clear that he came here because of the...geography. I guess it might be a rash conclusion, but in this world, anything is possible."
Thorfinn sets down his empty bowl with a thunk. "It sounds like he will not be missed overmuch. Let me bathe and wash my hair, and then we can tell our tale to the thane."
"We're talking with the um, Thane, tomorrow, Thorfinn. Don't wash up yet though. You can help me haul the bodies over to the temple and then washing up and going to bed sound like a good idea."
Bumolin helps to bring the dead wizard to the temple, but afterwards, when everyone starts to go to bed he excuses himself:
"Talia, I thank you for the fabulous stew and also for Abons dinner. But as long as the weather permits, I'll rather spent the night in the woods. I'll be back here tomorrow to meet my companions. Good night Xylas. Good night Thorfinn."
Then he leaves town to the northeast following the Rogue Creek, looking for a sheltered spot in the woods, preferably somewhere where the river is rather shallow.
Thorfinn and Xylas take care of their grim errand as Roxy and Cordia retire early for the night. By the time they return to The Wise Piper, Talia is saying goodnight to the last customer from the bar. She shows The pair to their rooms, which are simple and rather cozy.
The morning brings a light rain with a chilly morning. Nothing miserable, but enough that the townsfolk are muted and busy themselves with daily rituals and work. Talia can draw warm baths for those who want them, and she has a variety of food and drink to warm and nourish.
"One of the deputies is expecting you this morning," Talia says. "So they can properly escort you to Lady Origena to talk about what you saw in the Witch Tower."
Thorfinn washes up, the carefully combs and braids his hair. "Thank you, Talia. Tell me...is there anyone in this town who might have some amber beads?"
Talia 'hmms' and asks, "You might want to look in Delbin's Devices. Phedra Delbin loves fixing things, and I've seen her use some very unusual parts. She keeps drawers and drawers of things others would call junk. If anyone has anything random, it would be her." She shrugs as if to say, 'no promises'.
"If you just wanted wooden beads painted amber the Woodworks could probably help you out, I don't know. I heard a new caravan already came in. Strange, they're usually staggered some. Roxy and Cordia are heading out with them. Visitors are always nice, new faces and fresh stories."
Xylas gets washed up and hovers around the inn, having a bite to eat while he waits for Bumolin. He's disappointed to hear Roxy and Cordia are heading out. "We do appreciate your help with checking out the tower. I'm sorry to see you heading out, but I understand. Safe travels ahead for you both."
He gives Thorfinn an odd look. "Amber beads? Did I miss something?"
Before he goes to sleep Bumolin takes a quick bath in the river and then takes a large flat stone from the riverbed. He builds a little "altar" with the stone and his bowl on top and starts to paint concentric symbols around the bowl with some crushed berries as paint, all the while mumbling to himself. The sweet smell of the berries make several insects land on the stone, which makes the concentric symbol look rather "alive" after some time.
After some time he returns to his sheepskin-blanket.
In the morning any wanderer who happened to come this way would witness a strange scene:
A rather wild looking dwarf repeatedly shouts a single dwarven word at a small boar and wildly gestures at a treestump a few meters away. The boar obviously looks perplexed and confused. After some time it walks over to the treestump and nibbles at some mushrooms that grow there. The dwarf lets his shoulders sagg. He is obviously disappointed with this result.
After some time Bumolin gives up his efforts for the day and decides it's time to get out of the rain and goes back to the inn, Abon trotting behind him scanning the ground for breakfast.
"Good morning! You two look well scrubbed. I almost didn't recognise you."
Xylas greets Bumolin, "Good morning. Hope you didn't get too wet out there." The elf has let his long years working at his father's inn take hold and has been helping to clear the tables as folks finish up. "Get some breakfast if you haven't eaten. The strawberry jam is delicious. Then we should go report to Lady Origena and see about the dead at the Temple."
Bumolin sits down and helps himself to something to eat. He goes for sausage, cheese, a piece of bread and a warm cup of goatsmilk if he can get it.
"We found a good spot out of the rain for the night. Only caught a bit of it this morning during Abons training and on the way here. All in all it was a good night...only: I heard something tonight that woke me up once. I'd swear there was a pack of wolves on the hunt north of town. And one of them sounded...well...like the howl came from a rather bigger pair of lungs if you get what I mean. Maybe we should see the farmers and shepherds of the town - they should probably keep their livestock inside for a while."
Talia frowns as she brings Bumolin the plate. "I heard Prake Abrassus has a bounty on those wolves. They started to get bold over the last few weeks and have been getting closer and closer to the farms on the north side of town. He lost a couple of chickens, then a cow, so he put up some gold for their hides."
Xylas looks alarmed at the mention of wolves preying on the outlying farms. "That definitely sounds like something we need to deal with. Maybe we can find a couple other folks to join our hunting party."
"But before that, seems we're due to report to the deputy and the town leadership."
The hellish clatter of falling pots and pans erupts from the kitchen… drawing more than a few eyes.
When your attention returns to the table, there’s a young woman – little more than a girl, really – sitting casually in one of the chairs. She could easily be mistaken for a boy save for the softness around her face and the mop of red-brown hair that is a bit long by Taldane standards. Her tanned skin reveals her family line must be Varisian. Her utilitarian cloak and scarf are deep brown and a bit threadbare, but they rest over a fine set of leaf armor that is tailored to her small form.
She smiles speculatively, hoping no one spotted her entrance…
"Thank you Talia - about those wolves - has anyone ever spotted the big one?"
While Red enters the room she is almost sure the wild-haired dwarf looked straight at her for a moment. But he is not calling her out. If anything there seemed to be a bit of amusement in his eye.
As the dwarf’s eyes land on her, Ritti involuntarily freezes, looking like a child who got caught with her hand in the cookie jar. As his eyes move off her, she continues to creep toward the chair, glumly considering if she can save this opportunity…
Maybe if the elven fella doesn’t see me I can still get like half-way to ‘impressive’. What’s half of impressive? Is that like ‘good’ or maybe even ‘really good’?
Xylas' attention is very much on the kitchen. "Everyone OK, back there?" he calls and heads back to check, not even noticing the creeping kid.
Clumping down the stairs at this point is a disheveled young woman of indeterminate age, dressed in decent, but warn leather armor and with a long and heavy-looking blade strapped to her waist in a large sheath. Her dark hair is currently all over the place, but is currently being wrangled into a single long flowing pony-tail with an old piece of twisted leather as she moves.
Heavy boots finally pounding the ground floor, she yawns dramatically and sits at the closest open table and looks around for a serving person.
She suddenly smiles from her cheeks at the young red-haired woman nearby, her odd almond-shaped eyes and slightly pointed ears a strange sight to see in such a country.
"Is the food good here? I only stumbled into town late last night and I'm famished."
A tall, angular elven woman wearing deep purple robes enters the inn, and speaks for a moment with Talia before approaching the table. She bows to the group before formally introducing herself, and her errand.
”Greetings friends, I am Vanaira Mankaya. I do apologize for interrupting your breakfast, but I traveled here to speak with Balthus Hunclay and the innkeeper has informed me you discovered his body yesterday. Could you tell me what occurred?”
Head swiveling around slowly at the elf, Aleksara raises a single delicate eyebrow.
"Someone died? That's NOT good news I guess..."
She then sighs and goes back to trying to order some breakfast.
Bumolin cuts a piece from his sausage on the table and starts to eat. Between bites he says:
"Good morning. My name is Bumolin - back home they called me "Bitterkelch" for some reason. Don't know what you are used to, but so far I liked everything Talia brings out of that kitchen.
Not really sure what happened with the wizard - went down into the tower and got himself killed somehow when it collapsed. Or did I miss something, Xylas?"
She then sighs and goes back to trying to order some breakfast.
Ritti quietly utters something about the kitchen being a bit slow because of some pans accidentally falling down... then looks to quickly change the subject.
"Good morning. My name is Bumolin - back home they called me "Bitterkelch" for some reason."
The girl perks up. "Nice to meetcha! My name is Ritti. Back home they call me 'Red' cuz," she points to her head, "you know... the hair."
Xylas returns from the kitchen. "Everyone is OK. Talia is going to need a moment to cleanup before she can bring anything else out. What's that, Bumolin? Yeah, Hunclay was killed in the tower collapse yesterday. His remains are at the Temple of Abadar at the moment. We need to report to the Baroness about what we found yesterday, if you want to know more, I guess you could come along."
Ritti's eyes go a bit wide. "Like a real baroness baroness? I've never seen one of those! Do you mind if I tag along? I'll be quiet, like a mouse. You won't even know I'm there. Can I come?" Red's face is hopeful and her voice hasn't quite hit the tenor of 'wheedling little sister' quite yet...
Ritti's eyes go a bit wide. "Like a real baroness baroness? I've never seen one of those! Do you mind if I tag along? ..."
"So we were told. I don't see why not," Xylas shrugs.
Frowning at the lack of service coming from the kitchen, Aleksara leans her forehead on the cool surface of the table and groans.
"Aaaggh. Can people please talk a little quieter? All I did last night was drink my dinner and now the gods are paying me back for my insolence. Calistria forgive me!"
Wincing at her own voice, she sits back up again.
"Dead guy? Tower collapse? Was he a wizard? Back in Absalom, wizards are always getting themselves killed in their towers for some stupid reason or another. Dead so-and-so wizard in his tower? Body torn to bloody shreds? Soul sucked from his body? That's just a Tuesday night..."
Aleksara shrugs, and sighs loudly. She then glances around at the others in the common room.
"Sounds pretty pedestrian to me. Is there a smith in town? I have some skill in bending metal and I could use a few coins before I move on."
A tall (but not so tall as the elf), muscular young Ulfen man rises in greeting. "Thorfinn Feigrsson am I." The presence of, and comments from, the ranger seem to have made an impression, as he keeps his voice down. His tunic (and he, based on the fresh bloodstains on the fabric) seem to have taken a recent beating.
Speaking more quietly at the ranger request's Vanaira accepts Xylas' offer with a nod of her head "I would appreciate the opportunity to hear the story in full." before taking a seat at the table and explaining to Aleksara "Balthus Hunclay was indeed a wizard, a brilliant one. It's a shame to miss the opportunity to speak with him, though perhaps I might still be able to view his library."
"Well, now, for the moment, the Baroness has called Hunclay's off limits. On account o' that fried kobold." Deputy Varyl Hodd says entering the common room as Vanaira mentions the late wizard's library. He is still chewing a piece of straw. Hopefully a fresher one than the one he had last night. "No hurry, I'm grabbing breakfast 'fore we head over myself," he says taking a stool near the door.
Having recovered from the unusual accident, Talia's staff gets to work serving fresh food and hot drinks to wake up the weary. Talia sets a mug of steaming black coffee by Aleksara's head. "Marcus Chance runs the smithy in town, but you might want to steer clear. He's...just not someone I feel safe alone with."
After a brief wait, Lady Origena Devy, Baroness of Belhaim arrives wearing a fine gown that would have been high fashion a decade ago. "I am very glad everyone is safe. I understand you recovered several bodies? One was Hunclay's? The others...far older? The priests at the House of Abadar have performed rites intended to send their souls to Pharasma. Were there more kobolds? Are you concerned this is a prelude to an assault?"
Xylas nods. "Probably not a bad idea to keep folks away from Hunclay's place. Hunclay may be dead, but some of his dangerous little former friends sure ain't. We need to discuss that with the Baroness."
Seeing that they're just getting down to business, Xylas fills the Lady in. "Good morning, Baroness. Oh yeah, we found out a fair bit. I can spin the longer yarn, but just for the quick version now- besides Hunclay, we found a couple long dead folks tortured and trapped in that dungeon some time ago, I reckon. I do have some questions about who it was built that tower and for what purpose."
"We also caught one of those kobold down there that was still kicking and were able to question it. Seems Hunclay had a kettle of kobold, er, what do you call a group of those things, Bumolin? Well, a bunch of them working for him undermining the tower so it would come down. One of the kobold, a sneaky one named Roaghaz tricked Hunclay into going under the tower just before it fell and Hunclay was killed in the collapse. Sounds like that Roaghaz is in charge now and fixing for a fight."
The tall Ulfen emerged from his room before the party met with Baroness Devy much cleaner and neater, with a fresh tunic. His hair, still damp from washing up, is arranged in braids with small beads and leather strips. His greatsword is peacebonded, another strip of leather binding it into its sheath. On meeting the baroness, he salutes her, striking his chest with his right fist, before listening to Xylas tell the tale. Pity the halfling had to leave...she would have spun it into a mighty lay, no doubt. "Aye, we spoke with the kobold, and though I'm loathe to credit such a one she said she'd rather take the tribe and leave this place. This Roaghaz wanted them to loot the wizard's home, as well, and she feared that the deed would bring down your wrath on the tribe.
"Now that I think on it, she spoke as if something had happened not long ago, that they'd lived peacefully here for generations before a change she did not want to tell us of." He shrugs. "I will leave it to wiser heads to riddle out. Once you do, though, my sword will be ready."
Having recovered from the unusual accident, Talia's staff gets to work serving fresh food and hot drinks to wake up the weary. Talia sets a mug of steaming black coffee by Aleksara's head. "Marcus Chance runs the smithy in town, but you might want to steer clear. He's...just not someone I feel safe alone with."
Raising her head at the comment, Aleksara takes a sip of the coffee and grimaces at the strong but bitter brew, then nods.
"Aye. Many smiths are standoffish. Always afraid someone is trying to steal their 'techniques' or what-not. Afraid they will Make a fortune on their sweat or just sell it to the highest bidder. Most barely know how to shoe a horse really, much less weld a frying pan properly. Ah...well. Need to find another income source then. My pouch is solid for now, but that won't last long at my current spending pace."
"Well, now, for the moment, the Baroness has called Hunclay's off limits. On account o' that fried kobold."
"Kobolds huh?"
"Probably got a whole tribe near here then. Kobolds aren't usually a solitary kind. They group together and live tribal. Tight knit groups too. Dangerous trap-makers! They have specialists in each tribe who are experts in setting traps for catching food and keeping away enemies. If they had anything to do with killing a wizard? Sounds like you might need to hunt the tribe down and wipe them out. Otherwise they will think they can get away with it again and again. Theft, poaching...even murder. Absalom has at least one tribe underneath the island. They have been there for years, claiming to be descendants of the 'great dragons' or some such nonsense..."
She then sets down her coffee and tears into a piece of stale bread swiped generously with some butter.
During the audience Bumolin looks rather nervous: you get the impression that if he owned a hat with a large brim, he would hold the hat in front of him, playing nervously with the brim while speaking. Usually he is not very self-councious about his rather "common" appearance. But here the feeling that there is a lot of "protocol" in meeting a baroness he isn't understanding and therefore doing everything wrong somehow gets to him. He only starts to talk, when Xylas refers to him:
"what I would call a group of kobolds...a bloody nuicance probably. I don't like kobolds, I'll admit that. Back home I've raised too many pigs just for them to grow scaly legs all of a sudden. But Thorfinn is right - the ones we found were not happy with their chief. All they needed was a bit of courage to turn away from him. And oddly enough: Thorfinns blade gave them that courage ... courage is a strange thing sometimes."
Bumolin looks thoughtfull at nothing for a moment, then he shakes off that thought.
"Anyway - I think Belhaim might have an even bigger problem. I made camp northwest of town last night right next to the Rogue Creek. And in the night I heard a pack of wolves to the north on the hunt. One of them sounded...very big.... You might want to dismiss that as not important, but my father once said to me: sometimes you get a wolf that is much bigger, stronger and brighter than the normal sort. And if one of those decides to take over a pack - and they usually have no problem defeating the old leader - they rule over those wolves not as a leader but like a no... like a master over his slaves. They despise them and think it just right they should only live for their pleasure and convenience. And suddenly you've got wolves that want to get into your barn at all cost, that fight your dogs tooth for tooth instead of running because their biggest fear suddenly is punishment for failure. If something like that happens, you need to find the big one and put him down. For the sake of people and wolves alike."
"Kobolds huh?" "Probably got a whole tribe near here then. Kobolds aren't usually a solitary kind. They group together and live tribal..."
"You seem to know a lot about these critters. Well, if you're interested, I don't see why you shouldn't come along as well."
"Aome of the farmers are rather concerned about the wolves, mother," A young, well-dressed human man says as he enters the room and kisses Lady Devy on her cheek.
"My son, the future Baron arnholde Devy," She explains. "The wolves are tomorrow's problem. The kobolds have indeed been peaceful. We weren't sure they were even in the swamp still. If things have changed and they're willing to literally undermine buildings, then that's an immediate threat to the town."
Arnoldhe sips some water and makes a 'hmm' sound. "But the Sheriff is still off in Cassomir, mother. Perhaps these fine men and women? They explored the sunken Witch Tower, bringing home some lost townies."
The woman nods and arches an eyebrow, "Indeed. This needs to be addressed. Can you help our town once more?"
"That's what I'm here for," Xylas says cheerily. "I'd have a lot to explain to Old Deadeye if I turned my back on a community in need."
Good as her word, Ritti does her best impression of a forgettable piece of furniture in the Baroness' presence. She only draws attention briefly when she does some strange combination of a bow and a curtsy for the butler, thinking his clothing indicated he was someone important. Otherwise, the redhead listens, tries to nod sagely when anyone makes a point, and glances surreptitiously around the room, taking it all in - the scenery, the finery, and the shifting moods in the room.
Bumolin nodds. "I'll also help with your kobold-problem. But to put my darkest worries at ease: is there one of the peasents who saw that big wolf or any of the pack, I could talk to?" the last part is directly addressed to the baronness' son.
Lord Anrholde Devy nods as Bumolin asks about the wolves. Prake Abrassus is a rancher who says he saw a wolf carry one of his flock of sheep away in it's mouth like a dog with a bone. He says other farms have been hit. I would try asking the folks on the north side of town."
The Ulfen thumps his chest again. "Aye, I'll bear my blade in battle against the foemen, Fafnir's get."
Unsure whether the baroness meant to include her in the request, Ritti nevertheless nods in agreement. She figures it is better to beg for forgiveness than ask for permission.
Quiet in the back of the room, leaning against far corner, Aleksara raises her hand politely with one dark raised eyebrow.
"If I may Baroness?"
She waits for a moment for politeness and then continues.
"From what the brave Thorfinn says the kobolds are dangerous, but possibly divided. I'm not sure if that makes them more or less dangerous truth be told. I've read a bit about them, even met a couple of nice ones once back in Absalom, but assaulting their trap filled home won't be easy. Kobolds defend their homes vigorously as I understand it. If we push in and cause enough ruckus, one way or another they may retaliate against the town if they still feel threatened. How many are there? How far away is their lair? Kobolds are not very brave...unless you threaten their lives...their homes...their eggs... 'Red' and I am new here and we were not under the tower with the others, so lets please be clear here baroness: Are we we to negotiate with the kobolds? Or wipe them out? Do you even have a preference as long as the situation is dealt with?"
"From what we were told, Roaghaz timed the falling of the tower to hurt townsfolk. I'm not negotiating with him, but there's another kobold named Nighttail that is his rival and I'd consider talking with her if we come upon her first."
"Sounds like the kobold are holing up in Hunclay's Manor. I'm for heading in there sooner rather than later, but we should take a day maybe to get our bearings and prepare."
As a recent addition to the group Vanaira spends most of the meeting with the Baroness listening to the information shared by the group. The request from the Baroness is one Vanaira is eager to take up, and to use the opening to mention why she’s here in the first place.
”Lady Devy, I would be honoured to lend my assistance in both the matter of the kobolds and the wolves. I must admit to a particular interest in the late Balthus Hunclay’s research, it was the reason I arrived in this town as one of my teacher’s spoke highly of his work. As long as he left no final instructions to forbid it, and with your permission, I would quite like to examine his research once we have secured Hunclay’s Manor.”