"See? Good thing we didn't murder her bees," Niss whispers to Fin with a wink.
Given the recent POISONING, Niss declines to take a biscuit. "We hear you are well acquainted with the goblin, Phinick, was it? No one has been able to find him since the incident. Any idea where he might be?" She's not at her most subtle, on edge about being made to remain in town and eager to get to the bottom of this quickly.
"See? Good thing we didn't murder her bees," Niss whispers to Fin with a wink.
Given the recent POISONING, Niss declines to take a biscuit. "We hear you are well acquainted with the goblin, Phinick, was it? No one has been able to find him since the incident. Any idea where he might be?" She's not at her most subtle, on edge about being made to remain in town and eager to get to the bottom of this quickly.
diplomacy: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14
Amora regards Niss for a moment, noticing that she hasn’t taken anything to eat, and purses her lips slightly. ”So, I’m still a suspect, then?” She says in a clipped tone. ”Well, then. I made the dessert, and I made it as I always do. Cinnamon and honey add a nice bit of sweetness to something that’s normally so bland. Phinick plated it, and then Delma and Tiffani served it.” She crosses her legs primly, making a show of buttering a biscuit and drizzling honey on and taking a bite. ”My cooking is impeccable. You won’t find anything better in the area. The idea that it would be my fault that Bort died is just…absurd.” She finishes off her biscuit and glares at the group.
”And no, I don’t know where Phinick is. He runs away and hides whenever a fight happens. He sometimes sleeps in the Feedmill’s stables, but we couldn’t find him there after the fight or this morning. Erda might have spotted him.” Niss recalls that Erda is the Feedmill’s stablehand - the one she spoke to when they had just arrived in Etran's Folly.
"See? Good thing we didn't murder her bees,"
"Apparently." Fin replies - still with a bit of a stunned expression.
”So, I’m still a suspect, then?” She says in a clipped tone.
"Personally, I don't consider you much of a suspect. But it is still good to be thorough. Same with Phinick, mostly I just want to talk to him and see what he has to say." Fin gestures to Inniska - then remembers something at the last moment. "Neeka, here, can probably explain better than I can."
She nodded her agreement with Fin, and took a biscuit, taking her time adding the butter and honey to it.
"Indeed. As a matter of fact, we know for certain you did not add the poison to the food." She thought for a moment, not wanting to explain her mental powers and leave a trail. "A bit of divination magic told us Phinick met the one who did. We're thinking that was what spooked him, and hope he can tell us more."
"You handle the bees well." Baradim added to their statements, not used to being part of a murder investigation. He took some honey and butter and applied it to a piece of bread he had taken from the tavern, sinking his teeth into it.
"Goblins are a fearful lot, easy to bully when they're alone. He may just be a tool and we want to speak with him before whoever used him is rid of him."
Amora doesn't question Inniska's lie, focusing instead on Baradim's compliment and them partaking in her hospitality.
"Well, I should hope you don't think it's me. I would never ruin perfectly good meals, especially ones that I made," She says, rather haughtily, taking a dainty bite of her own biscuit.
"Despite being a goblin, Phinick is generally helpful around the kitchen..." Amora trails off, brows furrowing with thought. "Erda really is your best bet. Phinick ran off through the stables. Whenever he hides, he goes deep. You might not be able to find him until tomorrow unless you plan to search every house in the town." She snorts at the absurdity of the idea.
"Now, do you need anything else?" She sits in her seat primly, a small, polite smile on her face.
"Actually, I do have a rather unrelated question. How long has the land here been in such a poor state? You seem to be trying your best, but the trees and plants and such are not doing well. Is that something recent, or has this been going on for a while?"
"Actually, I do have a rather unrelated question. How long has the land here been in such a poor state? You seem to be trying your best, but the trees and plants and such are not doing well. Is that something recent, or has this been going on for a while?"
Amora looks at Finoan pensively for a moment. "Well, I don't own this orchard, to be honest. I just live here in this house. The old owners left after everything went bad a few years ago - they headed to Almas. It's only been three or four years that the earth has started to feel...poisoned." She sighs heavily, leaning back in her chair. "Even my bees are getting out of hand. The town is worse off now than it was after the plague...At least the plants and the farms could produce more than just enough to scrape by back then." The older woman sets down her cup and her biscuit and leans forward. "You may want to talk to Delma if you go see Erda. Delma's father is the mayor...The Fulsts know everything about this town."
Finoan watches in utter confusion as the lady comes out with mesh armor and wielding a smokestick. "I'm pretty sure that is not how beekeeping is..."
He then watches in total shock as the tactics actually work. "Um, wait... Huh? ... How does... But that..."
"Well OK then. I guess I should just shut my big mouth and leave beekeeping to the experts." He follows Amora into the shack.
Raising his eyebrows at Fin that easily says 'I-told-you-so', "I tried to tell you, kitty buddy."
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Drake takes a biscuit and eats of it, listening intently to it all. "So talk to Delma, or better yet, her father. Should we just go straight to her father or go through her first? I wouldn't want to ruffle any feathers just in case."
Amora nods in Drake's direction appreciatively. "Delma first. Her father is...quite old. It might be better if she introduces you all."
"Excellent, Amora. Thank you for the information. And thanks for the offer of food - it smells good at least."
Amora sees you all to the door, smiling pleasantly at everyone as they leave. "Mind the bees. They should still be calm from the smoke, but..." She sighs. "Again, they've been acting up lately."
The Princess Guard all take the same path back to The Feedmill . Niss knows that Erda will probably be found in the stables...and Delma, obviously, would be inside where you left her.
Nodding, "Delma it is then. And yes, thank you. You've been a big help." Rising and looking to the others, "Okay, looks like we're headed back to the tavern." Drake will then offer his hand to Niss to help her rise.
Niss takes Drake's hand with a smile, hanging onto it even once she was up, giving a squeeze. "Yes, thank you, Miss Amora. Apologies for dropping in on you and causing a fuss."
"Well. My nonexistent money is on the wolves, bees, and plants all being related," she mused once they were outside. "Also, Erda was a bit skittish before. I don't think she's very comfortable around crowds. Should I go talk to her myself? You three could talk to Delma in the meantime. I just don't want to intimidate the poor woman. She's more likely to share if she's comfortable."
~~~ on the road back to the tavern ~~~
Fin says to Baradim rather somberly, "I appreciate you mentioning that Phinick's life may be in jeopardy. I hadn't thought of that. But you are absolutely right - whoever set him the task is going to want his silence. Permanently. Let's try to find him first."
Niss takes Drake's hand with a smile, hanging onto it even once she was up, giving a squeeze. "Yes, thank you, Miss Amora. Apologies for dropping in on you and causing a fuss."
"Well. My nonexistent money is on the wolves, bees, and plants all being related," she mused once they were outside. "Also, Erda was a bit skittish before. I don't think she's very comfortable around crowds. Should I go talk to her myself? You three could talk to Delma in the meantime. I just don't want to intimidate the poor woman. She's more likely to share if she's comfortable."
Nodding, "Yeah, sure, that's a good idea. Do you know where she is?"
"If I was crueler, it is what I would do." Baradim says softly, his eyes never really on his companions but on the threats around them. He frowns, looking at that agitated hive hanging there. "I hope...she stays safe."
"Good. We'll talk to Delma. You convince Erda to help us. If this land's poisoning and corruption are linked, they are grave signs." It reminded him too much of home, how the land literally twisted itself in the Tyrant's image. A cold anger burns in him as he ponders on it for a moment more.
Nodding, "Yeah, sure, that's a good idea. Do you know where she is?"
"I imagine she's still in the stables. She cared for the horses a great deal, I would guess she spends most of her time there."
When they arrived back near the Feedmill and the stables, she finally let go of Drake's hand, which she'd held the whole way back. "I'll meet you all in the tavern after I speak with her." She smiled at Drake.
Heading into the stables, she looked around for the halfling woman.
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"I'll meet you all in the tavern after I speak with her."
Fin nods. "Sounds like a plan. Shriek in abject horror if something happens while you are alone... And then blast whatever it is with that military grade naval cannon you keep in your pocket."
Finoan heads into the Feedmill again. He gives it a quick scan to see if anything has happened during the short time gone. Then if Rolth is still here, he goes over to talk to him.
"I imagine she's still in the stables. She cared for the horses a great deal, I would guess she spends most of her time there."
When they arrived back near the Feedmill and the stables, she finally let go of Drake's hand, which she'd held the whole way back. "I'll meet you all in the tavern after I speak with her." She smiled at Drake.
Heading into the stables, she looked around for the halfling woman.
Erda is easy to find in the stables. The halfling is examining the caravan’s horses carefully, a worried expression on her face, and she is so absorbed in her task that she doesn’t hear Niss approach. “Ugh, not good. Not good.” She mutters, flitting around the horses and seemingly taking stock of whatever the problem is.
Fin nods. "Sounds like a plan. Shriek in abject horror if something happens while you are alone... And then blast whatever it is with that military grade naval cannon you keep in your pocket."
Finoan heads into the Feedmill again. He gives it a quick scan to see if anything has happened during the short time gone. Then if Rolth is still here, he goes over to talk to him.
Rolth Garley is, in fact, still at the Feedmill, arranging stacks of papers and enjoying a few leftover pastries and bread. He glances up at Finoan’s approach and raises an eyebrow. “How can I help you, Finoan?”
Niss didn't want to scare Erda, so she stepped loudly to try and mimimize the fright she might give her.
"Good morning, Erda. Is something the matter?"
Niss didn't want to scare Erda, so she stepped loudly to try and mimimize the fright she might give her.
"Good morning, Erda. Is something the matter?"
Despite Niss' best efforts, Erda still jumps, letting out an undignified squeal. She covers her heart with her hand, breathing heavily, and stares wildly at Inniska. After just a moment, Erda visibly relaxes, letting out a long breath. "Oh my god, don't sneak up on me like that!" She admonishes Niss, quickly straightening herself up and taking a deep breath to calm herself down.
She stares at Niss for a moment, then finally registers the question. "The matter? Yes. The caravan's horses have fleas, and these ones can make the horses sick..." She crosses her arms, frustrated. "I need some rosemary oil, but there's a big old bear who has taken to sleeping where I normally gather the herbs. I tried to gather some the other day, but I woke it up..." She looks annoyed, staring off into space, and then shakes her head.
Well. Niss hadn't been expecting that precisely.
We are worried about animals acting strangely. Maybe the bear could provide Fin more clues, if it is acting oddly.
"Oh, that's not good at all. Perhaps my friends and I could gather the herb for you, if you tell us where to look. I told you yesterday about the wolves we had to deal with. I'm sure we could handle a bear." I hope.
Erda sighed with relief, nodding. "Honestly, I had hoped someone else would volunteer. I'm not the quietest in the forest." She steps out of the stable for a moment and points north, towards the forests they had gone through to get here in the first place. "If you take the main road out of the town, back where you all came from, there's a trail that goes left right over the bridge. After a short way, you'll see the trail split - one way to Amora's, another into the forest. You want to follow the forest path." She looks at Niss, eyeing her. "Hopefully, you won't have to handle it. If you've got someone who can be quiet and you happen to catch it sleeping..." She shrugs. "Grab as much as you can carry of the herb, and I can treat the horses."
Niss nods and smiles reassuringly. "Not a problem, my friend. Oh, I nearly forgot to ask! Have you seen Phinick since last night? Folks are worried about him and no one seems to know where to find him. Amora said you might know where to look."
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He glances up at Finoan’s approach and raises an eyebrow. “How can I help you, Finoan?”
"Just checking in. Reporting what we have heard. Seeing what you have discovered."
"Has anyone figured out what poison was used? Did you get an inventory of the shipping crates before they were picked up?"
"We don't have much that we learned. Phinick went to ground somewhere. We are still trying to track him down. Also, this entire area seems to be in bad shape. The land itself seems sick. Have you thought about getting a druid or three down here to check into things?"
Niss nods and smiles reassuringly. "Not a problem, my friend. Oh, I nearly forgot to ask! Have you seen Phinick since last night? Folks are worried about him and no one seems to know where to find him. Amora said you might know where to look."
Erda takes a moment to think, then shrugs. ”Grunda and I were out here last night and saw Phinick just bolt past. We almost didn’t recognize him! Tiffani came after - she looked hurt. She ran out towards her house. Sometimes, Phinick sleeps in the empty stalls here in the barn, but…” She shrugs again. ”I haven’t seen him. If I do, I’ll let you know.”
"Just checking in. Reporting what we have heard. Seeing what you have discovered."
"Has anyone figured out what poison was used? Did you get an inventory of the shipping crates before they were picked up?"
"We don't have much that we learned. Phinick went to ground somewhere. We are still trying to track him down. Also, this entire area seems to be in bad shape. The land itself seems sick. Have you thought about getting a druid or three down here to check into things?"
Rolth just stares at Finoan, entirely thrown by the small automaton’s line of questioning.
”Alright, hang on a minute.” He holds up his hands, leaning forward in his seat. ”This is an ongoing investigation, and I’m not really in the business of sharing all the little details with a civilian. Why are you so keen on solving this instead of leaving it to the authorities?” Rolth sounds a little annoyed, feeling a little irrationally protective of his authority on the case.
”Why are you so keen on solving this instead of leaving it to the authorities?”
Fin stares at him as though the answer to that should be obvious. When Rolth leaves the question in the air for a few seconds, Fin finally answers, "Because someone I knew and liked just died."
"Of course you are the authority on the case. That is why I am reporting my information back to you." He grins slightly. "You could deputize me if it makes you feel better."
Erda takes a moment to think, then shrugs. ”Glunda and I were out here last night and saw Phinick just bolt past. We almost didn’t recognize him! Tiffani came after - she looked hurt. She ran out towards her house. Sometimes, Phinick sleeps in the empty stalls here in the barn, but…” She shrugs again. ”I haven’t seen him. If I do, I’ll let you know.”
Niss sighs. A dead end, it seemed. Perhaps she could ask Grunda if she saw which way Phinick ran to. "Thank you, Erda. We'll get you those herbs as soon as we can."
She left and headed inside the tavern.
”Why are you so keen on solving this instead of leaving it to the authorities?”Fin stares at him as though the answer to that should be obvious. When Rolth leaves the question in the air for a few seconds, Fin finally answers, "Because someone I knew and liked just died."
"Of course you are the authority on the case. That is why I am reporting my information back to you." He grins slightly. "You could deputize me if it makes you feel better."
Rolth sighs, nodding at Finoan's initial response, the older man's cheeks reddening just slightly with embarrassment. "You...make a good point. I'm sorry."
At the thought of deputizing, Rolth stares at Finoan for a long while, a hand scratching at his chin while he ponders the idea. "You seem to have a better grasp on this situation than I do," he admits. He wasn't deputizing; not yet. "I've never dealt with something like this. Not here. The worst that's ever happened before this was the accidental drowning of a kid a few years ago." Rolth leans forward, resting his elbows on the table and his chin in his hands, lost in thought.
"The poison is called Violet Breath. It's a rare one. Extremely deadly. There's no way Phinick just...had it. As for the crates, no, I didn't get a copy of that. Tamli might know where Bort keeps...kept...his inventory. As for the land...I wish we knew for sure. There are some theories it's related to the plague that swept through here years ago. A local witch, Silwyth, was suspected of starting the plague. Some folks think she's taking revenge on the land." He shrugs. "Etran's Folly's become a superstitious place since the plague."
"Superstitions are an odd thing. Often they are completely wrong. But seemingly just as often they are at least based in something accurate. Hard to tell which without more information."
Fin sees Niss walk in. "Anyway, I'll keep you up to date on anything I learn. Deputized or not." He gives Rolth a pat on the shoulder as he walks away.
Rolth sighs heavily and waves at Finoan. "Yeah, alright. Might as well. Consider yourself deputized for it. It'll make people easier to talk to. Please don't make me regret it. Lord Mubbage Cranberry is a ruthless man."
Nodding, "Yeah, sure, that's a good idea. Do you know where she is?""I imagine she's still in the stables. She cared for the horses a great deal, I would guess she spends most of her time there."
When they arrived back near the Feedmill and the stables, she finally let go of Drake's hand, which she'd held the whole way back. "I'll meet you all in the tavern after I speak with her." She smiled at Drake.
Heading into the stables, she looked around for the halfling woman.
Returning her smile with one of his own, he gives a quick nod and heads toward the tavern.
At the thought of deputizing, Rolth stares at Finoan for a long while, a hand scratching at his chin while he ponders the idea. "You seem to have a better grasp on this situation than I do," he admits. He wasn't deputizing; not yet. "I've never dealt with something like this. Not here. The worst that's ever happened before this was the accidental drowning of a kid a few years ago." Rolth leans forward, resting his elbows on the table and his chin in his hands, lost in thought.
With a curious look, "Really? Accidental you say? How did it happen exactly?"
"The poison is called Violet Breath. It's a rare one. Extremely deadly. There's no way Phinick just...had it. As for the crates, no, I didn't get a copy of that. Tamli might know where Bort keeps...kept...his inventory. As for the land...I wish we knew for sure. There are some theories it's related to the plague that swept through here years ago. A local witch, Silwyth, was suspected of starting the plague. Some folks think she's taking revenge on the land." He shrugs. "Etran's Folly's become a superstitious place since the plague."
"And is this 'Silwyth' still around somewhere? Maybe we should talk to her."
At the thought of deputizing, Rolth stares at Finoan for a long while, a hand scratching at his chin while he ponders the idea. "You seem to have a better grasp on this situation than I do," he admits. He wasn't deputizing; not yet. "I've never dealt with something like this. Not here. The worst that's ever happened before this was the accidental drowning of a kid a few years ago." Rolth leans forward, resting his elbows on the table and his chin in his hands, lost in thought.With a curious look, "Really? Accidental you say? How did it happen exactly?"
Rolth shakes his head, a sad expression flickering across his face. "Pure tragedy. A kid's game gone horribly wrong. Kid wasn't a strong swimmer." He moves on quickly, frowning.
"The poison is called Violet Breath. It's a rare one. Extremely deadly. There's no way Phinick just...had it. As for the crates, no, I didn't get a copy of that. Tamli might know where Bort keeps...kept...his inventory. As for the land...I wish we knew for sure. There are some theories it's related to the plague that swept through here years ago. A local witch, Silwyth, was suspected of starting the plague. Some folks think she's taking revenge on the land." He shrugs. "Etran's Folly's become a superstitious place since the plague.""And is this 'Silwyth' still around somewhere? Maybe we should talk to her."
"Sylwyth is dead. She died of the plague people accused her of starting." He hesitates, looking up at the ceiling in thought for a moment. "She had a daughter, but nobody has seen her or heard from her in quite some time. She left around...seven years ago or so? People started shifting the blame to her." He huffs, shaking his head. "Sad situation."
Fin shrugs at Drake. "Superstitions are like that a lot of the time."
He walks over to Niss. "Well, I didn't hear anyone shrieking. I'm guessing things went well enough."
Niss nodded to Fin. "Phinick stays in the barn sometimes but didn't last night, so it was sort of a dead lead. I told her we'd get some herbs for her for the horses when we could -- apparently some disease-ridden fleas are all over the poor things, and the last thing we need are to loose our rides. We may or may not need to kill or sneak past a bear to do it." She sighed. "She did say Grunda saw him run by...might be worth asking her if she saw anything useful."
Fin visibly shudders at the mention of fleas. "Well, the fleas are definitely a high priority."
He thinks for a bit. "I don't suppose anyone is any good at tracking. I can help spot things out of place, but I am terrible at actually following a trail."
"If not, then we are kind of at a loss at the moment and may as well gather herbs from a bear."
Nodding, "Thanks, Rolth. We'll keep you updated on any new info."
Fin shrugs at Drake. "Superstitions are like that a lot of the time."
Turning and walking with the cat, "Yeah I guess they are. I always feel like there's more to a story though. I don't know why."
Making their way to Niss, he listens in before speaking. "I can track... well enough. And I think Niss's suggestion is a good one. I think we should speak to Grunda and see where that leads us."
"Sounds like a plan then. Speak to Grunda, then follow the trail that Finick left when he fled yesterday evening - at least as best as we can, then we will see what time of day we are at. I do want to be with the Caravan members this evening for their time of mourning and remembrance."
He takes an appraising look over at Niss. "Have you eaten anything today?"
"I had a bite or two of Amora's biscuits. I'm fine though, really. We have much to do, and the sooner, the better, I think."
"Two bites of biscuits, huh. Well, in that case..." Fin shakes his head a bit. "Suit yourself. I guess I'm not one to be pointing fingers about it."
"Let's go see about finding the caravaner's camp and talking to Grunda then." Fin leaves the Feedmill and heads over to the caravan camp.
Niss followed Fin and fell in beside him once they were outside and on their way. "I only caught the tail end of that...but did I hear you've been deputized?" she grinned. "Strangers in town, present for a murder, and you talk the man investigating into letting you take over. That is impressive. Or maybe worrying, in regards to Rolth's competence."
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Fin chuckles a bit. "Not so much 'convinced' as 'strong-armed into' being deputized. It's probably just in name only anyway. He didn't give me a badge or anything like that or make a general announcement. And yeah, I think Rolth is in way over his head on this one. To be completely honest, I am not certain of my own competency in the matter. But it is at least worth a shot. Better than hanging around here doing nothing for a month."
He looks around for a bit. "Ah, there is the caravan. Shall we...? I'll let you start the talking. You are better at breaking the ice than I am. I'm sometimes a bit too blunt." Fin heads over to the caravan.
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"Now that I know you, I find your bluntness rather refreshing," she chuckled. "But it was a little intimidating at first. I can give it a try, certainly."
Niss smiled sympathetically in greeting as she passed by the various grieving members of the caravan, looking around for Grunda.
She felt as though she'd been suspicious of literally everyone since the the morning began, aside from her friends. She'd questioned Amora's food, been tempted to search the barn in spite of Erda telling her the goblin wasn't here, and now the caravan -- these people knew Bort the best, and were, in some ways, the most likely to have motives to kill him. Sleeping at the Feedmill behind a locked door seemed more prudent than camping with the caravan, tonight.
It had nothing to do with wanting to be alone with Drake again.
Okay, well, it wasn't only because of that. Walls felt safer during a murder investigation in a cursed town with the clock ticking before slave catchers came after her.
As The Princess Guard makes its way to the caravan (a short walk just past the town square), the town is a little busy. People are wandering the square, going in and out of shops, and having conversations. Patches of children are rowdily playing and frazzled mothers are looking on, shouting at their children between gossip sessions.
The sun is descending slowly, but it’s still before dusk. The town feels like molasses: just enough movement to know it’s alive, but the movement is slow and languid.
As you approach the caravan, you notice all the caravaners sitting around a campfire, sharing stories about Bort and sharing drinks from a tapped barrel of ale that may have been meant for someone in Almas. Tamli and the twins look over, and Olf and Ulf raise their tankards to you all. Tamli speaks, ”Hey, you came. We’re glad. You didn’t know him long, but…” Tamli shrugs, making a hopeless gesture. ”Have a seat, if you’d like.”
Looking to the others, "Shall we?" he asks, offering a hand to Niss, walking her over, and finding a place where they can sit together if she accepts.
Finoan happily accepts the invitation, coming over and sitting at the campfire. "You know what, Tamli. Yeah, I wasn't with the caravan long. But those were actually some good days. I can see why you people stayed together."
Niss smiles at Drake and takes a seat beside him on a log. She wants very much to go the route Fin would, and just ask Grunda about Phinick and get to business, but these people lost a friend so she tries a more gentle approach.
"I'm sorry we weren't able to help him," she told those gathered. "He was kind to me. More than I can say for many folks I have known much longer. At the least, I hope we will be able to help you find some answers about what happened."