As you prepare to leave she leans over and kisses Gavril on top of his head. "Thanks Gav for talking to us. I know it's hard right now." Gavril waves her away with a grumbled farewell.
The three of you head back to the tavern. When you enter you see a cozy place with about ten tables, most of which are occupied. The smell of stew and freshly baked bread permeates the air. The rest of the party is at a table towards the back of the room.
People start immediately bombarding Nizeh with questions, mostly asking her if she's alright, what happened, etc. She waves them off for now and sticks close to your group.
As you're all talking you see Marcus, Noctifer, and Nizeh enter the room. People start immediately bombarding Nizeh with questions, mostly asking her if she's alright, what happened, etc. She waves them off for now and the three of them come join you at the table.
Jassminder:
Ussaile:
Jassminder has almost nothing in the way of emotions herself, but has become very good at working out what other people are feeling and thinking - both as a survival instinct and as something that helps her to blend in; the predator among the prey. It's this instinct that tells her Ionela is holding something back.
She gives Ionela a flat look. "It seems to me that the longer this goes on the more danger you are in. We might not be around to stop the next lynch mob so it's in your interest that we solve whatever's going on before that happens. Whatever you're keeping from me, you need to think about whether it's worth your life or the lives of those you care about."
She turns back to her meal. "And decide quickly, please. Being here is using up my supply of 'pretending to care' facial expressions."
Ionela’s lips tighten and she sends a glare towards the couple whose argument had started everything. (The couple, chastened, both hurriedly grab their things and leave.) Then she sighs, grabs a nearby chair, and sits down at the table. ”Alright, I’ll tell you the whole story. Not because I think it’s relevant, but because I don’t want you to waste your time investigating old rumors.”
She takes out a pipe and lights it while considering how to phrase what she wants to say. ”The circumstances behind Iozif’s death were…let’s say ‘odd.’ Both he and their other brother, Henric, got sick and died at the same time. Master Miklos wasn’t called in to examine either one of them during their illness, and the funeral was a private affair so no one saw their bodies.” She holds up her hands in preemptive protest. ”Now I’m not making any accusations, you understand? But some people think Iozif and Henric’s deaths may not have been natural, and they believe the Midnight Lord is cursing us all for, in their words, ‘supporting an usurper.’”
”Hogwash, like I said.” She takes a big puff of her pipe. ”People just want someone to blame. For the townsfolk that’s us. For a lot of kayal it’s the baron. Which is a damn shame in this old woman’s opinion, because up until this madness started Baron Stepan Boroi was treating us right.”
Nizeh does not look surprised to hear any of this. It seems both the rumors regarding Stepan's sudden rise to power and the rumors about the plague being a curse from Zon-Kuthon are widely known.
"Greetings Madam, my name is Noctifer. Pleasure to meet you. I agree with what you're saying. The Baroness said that Stepan's Aunt is still haunting the manor and, although she doesn't like either of them, she supports the family line. I presume she wouldn't if Stepan were a usurper."
Marcus pulls up a chair for Nizeh and then grabs one for himself. Sitting on it backward and placing his hands on the backrest he says, "This thing just gets crazier and crazier. As it is, we were going to go see a lady named Catalina. A friend of one of the people who disappeared. She was, we believe, the last person to see her before she was gone. However, it is getting late. Do you guys think we should bunk down and follow up on this early in the morning or continue to work the issues through the night? We may learn something from poking around the manor as well even if we don't go out."
"For Catalina, the main question is whether she is awake at this hour." Xanther asks the locals, Ionela and Nizeh. "Actually, what time is it now, and what time do people usually sleep around here?"
"It occurs to me that these mysterious disappearances are probably happening at night. But where are the people going? There is a circle of bonfires around the village. What is the likelihood that not a single person has been spotted at the perimeter by the guards after so many nights?" Xanther ponders the question.
Jassminder looks openly sceptical as she listens. "Quite the coincidence, both brothers just dying mysteriously like that at the same time." One corner of her mouth tilts upward in an almost-smile. "Someone I trained with taught me not to believe in coincidences; he was killed by one."
"For Catalina, the main question is whether she is awake at this hour." Xanther asks the locals, Ionela and Nizeh. "Actually, what time is it now, and what time do people usually sleep around here?"
"It occurs to me that these mysterious disappearances are probably happening at night. But where are the people going? There is a circle of bonfires around the village. What is the likelihood that not a single person has been spotted at the perimeter by the guards after so many nights?"
"It's about 6pm now. Usually people go to bed around 9 or 10, although I've heard Catalina's been staying up half the night trying to keep up with the demand for candles." Ionela stands up with a groan as her joints creak. "You've plenty of time for dinner regardless. Let me fetch you three some stew." She disappears into the kitchen.
Meanwhile Nizeh's brow furrows. "They're not all disappearing at night. Olya went missing this morning, according to Captain Groy. Gavril was saying Neliana vanished in the afternoon. I don't know about the others."
"Then we surely could visit. What if those disappearing are turning into shadows for some reason? That would explain why they are not seen leaving." Marcus says. "Shall we eat while we discuss the possibilities? Then we can head to Catalina's."
"Coincidences? They certainly can be a thing Jassminder, but when it comes to the Midnight Lord? I doubt it." She smirks, "And pray tell who was killed? It certainly wasn't that flighty elf, they barely could put up a fight." Her face darkens, reveling in some past memory.
"Then we surely could visit. What if those disappearing are turning into shadows for some reason? That would explain why they are not seen leaving." Marcus says. "Shall we eat while we discuss the possibilities? Then we can head to Catalina's."
"Dining first then if for no other reason then we can hear what people have to say and not Marcus's growling stomach."
Noctifer grins at Marcus to let him know he's merely teasing him.
Ionela brings the new arrivals bowls of rabbit stew and refills the pitchers of ale and water. "Let me know if you need anything else. Oh, and my offer's always open." She smiles at Xanther before moving on to another table.
"Coincidences? They certainly can be a thing Jassminder, but when it comes to the Midnight Lord? I doubt it."
Nizeh immediately begins to tuck into her stew. Between bites she mumbles, "Coincidence or not, I doubt we're being cursed now because of what happened five years ago. It's got to be something more recent."
"It seems you lot are bent on eating dinner before proceeding." Xanther says with a sigh. "That leaves me the hard choice of eating out here, eating in the kitchen, or just sitting here and watching you stuff your faces..."
"Anyway, before you eat, permit me to invoke a blessing on the food." Xanther says as he casts Purify Food and Drink.
You all finish eating (or not eating) your dinner and head out again into the night. Nizeh wishes you all good luck and gives Marcus a hug before you leave.
Following her directions you make your way back across the river and head east until you see a small building with light pouring out of every window. There's only one door, and if you knock you hear a female voice calling "Come in, we're open!"
When you enter you see a cramped shop with candles of every imaginable shape, size, and color lining all available surfaces, poking out of crates and perching precariously on overstuffed shelves. The whole place smells of wax and incense.
There are two creatures in this room: a man apparently made of wax standing still in the corner and a middle-aged woman who smiles brightly at you when you enter. ”Hello! Would you like to buy some candles?”
"Hello, my name is Noctifer and I'm here on behalf of the Baroness. We were told you are the last person to have seen Neliana before she disappeared. Is this correct?"
Feigning surprise Noctifer will add, "Oh my it appears the little one did not clean their feet well enough before entering." and point out the child-sized track to his colleagues.
Ussaile's eyes dart to the wax man before eying the rest of the room. She would let Noctifer handle the conversation but once he pointed out the footprints she was curious.
Why would a candlemaker need a golem?
"Yes we are here on business for the Baroness. Anything you can tell us would be appreciated. It seems like we are being left in the dark."
The witch moved around the room and moved her hood slightly, just to show the shopkeep that she was human.
"Hmm... can anyone tell if these tracks are going in, coming out, or both?"
"Incidentally, what is behind this door?" Xanther asks.
The woman doesn't turn to look at the footprints when Noctifer points them out. Instead she continues staring at you all, the smile never leaving her face. "The back of the shop is where Catalina makes the candles. She's busy right now though, which is why she hired me. Would you like to buy some candles?”
Marcus returns the embrace and says, "We shall see what circumstances present themselves this evening." he replies and then separating from the embrace he bows to her, "Until we meet again, m'lady."
In the shop...
Marcus let's the others do the talking lest something go poorly. He closes the door after the last of their team is in and peers about the room. With the woman's strange behavior he immediately thinks they should shove their way to the back to see Catalina but he waits.
The woman doesn't turn to look at the footprints when Noctifer points them out. Instead she continues staring at you all, the smile never leaving her face. "The back of the shop is where Catalina makes the candles. She's busy right now though, which is why she hired me. Would you like to buy some candles?”
** spoiler omitted **
** spoiler omitted **
"I understand Catalina is busy and while the Baroness appreciates her dedication to her craft we are on urgent business and must speak with Catalina. I'm sure neither her nor you wish to go against the wishes of the Baroness yes? Only someone with something to hide would refuse or ignore the child's footprint or ignore the candle wax golem in the corner."
He nods slightly at Marcus, "Step forward if you please so the lady can see you better."
Marcus does as requested.
The woman’s brow furrows very slightly before smoothing. ”Catalina is working on something for the baron. She’s very busy and can’t be disturbed. Would you like to buy some candles?” If she notices that Marcus is a fetchling she doesn’t seem to care.
"The back of the shop is where Catalina makes the candles. She's busy right now though, which is why she hired me. Would you like to buy some candles?”
"Oh, you're not Catalina?" Xanther asks. "I sort of assumed... anyway, who are you?"
”My name is Judy. So many people have been buying candles lately that Catalina had to hire me to help with the shop.” Judy continues to smile beatifically. ”It’s very nice to meet you all.”
Jassminder doesn't blink - this isn't the first time she's encountered this sort of mind-control. "I'm sure Catalina is busy. I would like to buy candles. Do you deliver? Because I would like to send some candles right now to the other side of town, but I'm not going that way myself yet. If I pay you, can you take them there?"
She is trying to test the limits of the control that has been placed on Judy. Getting her out of here would definitely be a benefit.
"The back of the shop is where Catalina makes the candles. She's busy right now though, which is why she hired me. Would you like to buy some candles?”"Oh, you're not Catalina?" Xanther asks. "I sort of assumed... anyway, who are you?"
"Where are my manners? Xanther, this is Judy and she is absolutely, positively to meet you but don't upset the wax golem in the corner."
Noctifer hopes the emphasis on the word 'charmed' will relay the message.
"Oh, she is?" Xanther asks, completely oblivious to what is plain to everyone else. "Er... please excuse me, I'm going to the outhouse. I'll be right back."
Xanther goes to the outhouse, casts Detect Magic, then returns to the shop and scans the area.
Judy doesn't blink. "I'm afraid I can't deliver, I'm supposed to stay in the shop and sell candles. That's what Catalina hired me for! But I can certainly hold them for you if you'd like to pick them up later."
"Well, there is definitely some magic here, but I'm not sure what exactly." Xanther says. "Anyway, does anybody else want to visit the outhouse? Preferably somebody trained in arcana."
"You're lucky I like you." Ussaile excuses herself and walks around, hoping to find a window to peer through and safely analyze the shop and its current clerk.
She casts Detect Magic and takes a walk around the building itself, trying to find a situation where she can also peer into the back rooms. There must be some other route. She has no qualms with dealing with the clerk personally but it would create more problems then it was worth.
Noctifer takes the hint and steps out to cast Detect Magic and returns to discern the auras.
”Why don’t we discuss our candle buying options outside.” Marcus suggests to the others.
”We are stalled. We need to force the situation. Either break out a window and go in the back or just walk past Judy and tussle with the golem as necessary.”
Taking your time to think about it and with Detect Magic active, you realize Judy must be under the effects of Dominate Person.
As you walk around the building you find a couple windows that look into the other room. Peering inside you see a simple room with clothes strewn about the floor. A mattress lies along the wall and stacks of books block access to the wardrobe. In one corner is a trapdoor.
When you walk behind the building you see the ground sloping down towards the river to the east. About sixty feet away there's a track leading from the main road to double doors set into this small hill. A loading zone perhaps?
”Why don’t we discuss our candle buying options outside.” Marcus suggests to the others.
** spoiler omitted **
"Judy is under the effect of Dominate Person - a rather potent enchantment. I also detected a faint aura of enchantment in the other room. Given the presence of the child's footprint I'm not sure we have the luxury of time on our side. Plus if Catalina is in the other room we have no idea what's happening to her or what she's doing. We knew going into this that time would be of the essence."
"That's useful to know." Jassminder considers their options, none of which are good. Welcome to Nidal. "Anyone who can cast something that powerful is a threat - when we confront them we will need to shut down their spellcasting, fast. As for getting past Judy..." She thinks some more. "I would suggest burning down the shop to drive them out - I think Judy's self-preservation would override the spell she's under - but we don't know who else is in there, and if they aren't able to escape that would be bad." Jassminder doesn't care about life in the same way most people do, but she does know right from wrong.
She looks at the group. "Do you have any magic that would knock Judy out? Otherwise, Marcus you're going to have to put her down alive." She knows the brawler can hit people without killing them, she's seen it before. "Once Judy is out of the way, we can investigate properly."
"I don't; that's well beyond my means. I do have a sap which is a non-lethal means of capturing her. I believe someone thought about breaking in through a window? I'd rather exhaust all options before tempting fate by assaulting someone."
”Exactly, let’s go around her and deal with what happens after that. Something crazy is going on in there and we need to find out what. Be aware, This child’s footprint you saw may be a gnome or a halfling. An accomplice, a victim, or the perpetrator. Let’s go in through a window and check out this other aura Noctifer saw.” so saying, Marcus moves along the house, peering in windows and trying each to find the best entry point.
"I do have Protection from Evil, which gives Judy a chance to suppress Dominate Person, and only if the caster, which I presume is Catalina, is evil." Xanther says rubbing the back of his head. "And even then, that chance is based on Judy's own strength of mind. If Judy is just a normal civilian, it seems unlikely to succeed... But I could try it if you all think it is worth a shot."
"Incidentally, before we confront a caster capable of Dominate Person, let me know if any of you want Protection from Evil."
Ussaile comes back around and re-enters the shop. "I believe we should just go... elsewhere for our candle needs." She only hears the tail end of the conversation but gives a facsimile of a smile to the dominated woman before trying to get her companions out.
Once she is outside the shop she recounts her little journey around the building. When all you have is a hammer... She gives a smug look, "There's a loading dock in the back as well as a fairly easy to see trap door. Perhaps we should try these before putting ourselves in danger." She hated losing a chance to fight, but loved being right more.
"Hmm... where is this trap door?" Xanther asks.
"Does anyone know how to break in quietly? Sadly, I do not have the Silence spell, and even if I did, I am out of level 2 spells." Xanther shakes his head.
"I suppose we should examine the loading docks as well." Xanther adds. "Just so we fully understand our options."
"Stealth is not my strong suit, though Noctifer seems to be quite good at it." She shoots a glance, "You're a difficult one to detect normally."
"I do have Protection from Evil, which gives Judy a chance to suppress Dominate Person, and only if the caster, which I presume is Catalina, is evil." Xanther says rubbing the back of his head. "And even then, that chance is based on Judy's own strength of mind. If Judy is just a normal civilian, it seems unlikely to succeed... But I could try it if you all think it is worth a shot."
"Incidentally, before we confront a caster capable of Dominate Person, let me know if any of you want Protection from Evil."
"Marcus would be the one to cast the spell upon."
"Stealth is not my strong suit, though Noctifer seems to be quite good at it." She shoots a glance, "You're a difficult one to detect normally."
Nodding his head in acknowledgement Noctifer attempts to approach the trapdoor unseen and unheard.
"I was just going to break it out, but ok. And yes, I would be very appreciative of a protection from evil, keep half of you guys away from me and keep my mind my own." Marcus says smiling as usual. "Shall I go in after Noctifer clears the window?"
Seeing the clear breaking and entering, Ussaile casts Mage Armour on herself as a cloak of starlight wraps around her.
0th - Detect Magic, Message, Light, Arcane Mark
1st - Mage Armour, Magic Fang, Magic Fang, <>
2nd - Cat's Grace, See Invisibility, Frost Fall