Sasha looks down from the night sky before hustling to catch up with the others on their way into the village. "The stars aren't right - I know the sky is unnatural, but it's also not the sky from around here. I doubt this is Selûne's will," she says to her companions unhappily.
Once in the common room she waves off any drinks, instead gently ushering Pheliks inside and reassuring anyone who looks uncomfortable with his presence. The oracle then watches and listens, waiting to see who Aldric is...
"The nectar of oranges...oh you mean orange juice?" he says, laughing at the gnoll's words. "Yes, I have some orange juice. Coming right up, alongside the lady's water." he has your drinks on the counter shortly, before getting to the matter at hand.
"I don't believe the councilman has woken up quite yet, but his room is upstairs. He has a house in the village but has found it easier to stay at the inn after his, ah, nights of entertainment. Tough times nowadays. I can let him know you're looking for him? Or I could get you breakfast while you wait."
"Either way, it's good having visitors again. The last one was that priest lady, from the Gate. Almost a week now, wonder where she got off to? Are you guys with the church too?" He's asking a lot of questions, and it's quite obvious that he's fishing for any gossip to pass on. Not much must have happened in this quiet secluded village, before the current situation that is.
Rutilux orders the lady's water, and listens intently, when he realizes the man is fishing for gossip, he decides to get his good trust and maybe learn more in return.
"Night of entertainment? I take it the fellow is a lover of life and celebrating same? Well, who isn't to some degree?" He smiles warmly, "A bit of breakfast might be welcome if my companions agree. We're devoted to the Silver Lady as a group I believe, though no official arm of the church. My own family, the Freewinds, bob our head happy to Selune along side traditional hin deities. A good guide is she after all. Now, that priestess who came through, older lady? Hope she was received warmly?"
He tries to pry and see if anyone in town is showing resentment to clergy of Selune, he doubts it, but best to know, "You folks seem to be dealing with this oddness bravely, a bit guarded, but who can blame you?"
(+1 more to gather information)
And yes, he shares gossip freely, though it is from further afield as that's what he's heard of at least third hand "As for news here and about, well, it's always a buzz on the road, words around a fire become an echo on the road, and the echo shifts, but ain't that the fun of it? Rumors have it some redheaded warrioress in armor that HAD to be magical giving what it was showing saved a caravan from some ogres single-handedly, then she asked for directions to Candlekeep to seek out a sister, something about a family reunion. Heard tale a farm family outside Beregost that some scam artist was pretending to sell blink dog pups to those who hoped to raise them as herders and guard dogs, but of course they're just regular puppies with some alchemical dye job. Doubt he'll come up this way if it's true. And rumor has it Wine growers of Amn are trying to work with growers in other parts of the sword coast to raise the prices in unity and ALL squeeze lovers of the grape. Frankly, if that last IS true, no way it will work. Amn folk just aren't that likable."
Sasha gets Pheliks settled by an outside wall - out of the way, but in clear sight of her - and walks up to the barkeep with Rutilux. "I'm Sasha, the tiger is Pheliks," she starts by way of introduction. "He's quite well behaved and I'll keep an eye on him. In the meantime, I'd like the biggest, meatiest breakfast I can order. I'll be sharing with him, so start big and keep going until I tell you to stop - I've got the gold for it and a good tip for the cook too."
After ordering she listens a bit before asking, "Isn't most of the village involved with the church? I'm not formally part of the clergy, but blessed with the moon's touch anyway. I thought that was much of the point of this place...?"
"Less so the entertainment you think and more so just trying to distract himself from the constant night. You start to miss the sun, Lady forgive me." he says, smiling unconvincingly as he cleans behind the bar. "Yes, of course the village is all part of the church at least. Was just curious if you were fellow believers or hired muscle. We've had the latter type around here before, though not since...that."
"The priestess was received warmly, of course. Served her breakfast not three days ago sitting in that chair over there." he says, pointing to a chair over in one of the corners of the bar. "Haven't seen her since, though. A bit worried about her, the last thing she mentioned doing was going to see the man you asked about, Aldric."
The man looks around before leaning closer to the bar, pretending to clean a particular bit of
"I don't know or understand anything that's been happening lately, obviously, but you should be extremely careful digging into this. Don't talk to anyone you don't need to, and don't talk more than you need to. I have a bad feeling about all this."
Taking a step back, he laughs boisterously.
"That's a good one! What kind of breakfast food does a tiger like anyway?"
Ari nods her thanks at the barkeep and takes a sip, the coolness of the fresh mint focusing her mind. It's not that her previous worries are over but the needs of the situation have pulled her firmly out of the funk she had been mired in.
She listens to Rutilux chatter about the latest gossip from the Western Heartlands and smiles. Ari hasn't had time to form much of an opinion of the hin but she smiles at his gregarious nature as the stories, liberally peppered with his own opinions, pour out. A born salesman indeed. I could get to like him, she thinks, just so long as I double check exactly what it is he might be trying to foist on us.
As the barman lowers his voice to disclose his thoughts on recent happenings, Ari casually leans her elbow on the bar and takes another sip of water. "I am the very soul of discretion," she assures him quietly. "Duly noted." Placing her glass down, she says, "This has really hit the spot, thanks. Shall we say five breakfasts - plus whatever Pheliks is having - while we wait for out errant councilman to emerge? I don't see the point in sending word and potentially putting the fear in him." Ari can't really remember eating properly yesterday - she assumes she must have done - but her stomach is telling her that a solid meal would help ease things along in what seems likely to be a trying day.
Shaggar wants to process the news about the missing cleric, and a meal provides that opportunity. "Yes, breakfast!"
"That's the overwhelmingly positive response I was looking for," Ari grins.
The gnoll's ears fold back along his skull in what one would imagine is at attempt to look august and dignified. "This is well known - I am a breakfast... enthusiast." Shaggar is especially pleased to use the word correctly, as there was no non-bloodthirsty analog to the term in Gnollish.
Sasha listens and smiles as the barkeep asks about Pheliks' dining habits. "Oh, he will eat any meat you would normally bring a person - just more of it. Oh, and he likes eggs, most any way they're cooked, actually. If you have anything larger, like a breakfast steak, that might be easiest, though," she answers, without addressing the quieter warnings.
Looking around, the oracle considers the other people in the common room curiously, debating how to respond to the barkeep's concerns. "A missing priestess is no small issue," she mutters sullenly to her companions after allowing her gaze to settle on the chair indicated by their host. "Worth asking about quicksilvery liquids?"
"It does rather cast a further shadow over things, doesn't it?" Ari replies. "Based on what our friend over there said," she nods in the direction of the barkeep, "my inclination would be to keep quiet about it until we know who we can trust. Maybe some discreet questions about 'anything unusual' - besides the whole perpetual night thing - but I'd keep it vague. Secrets are handy when they can be deployed effectively, so let's not waste one of the few useful things we currently have up our sleeve."
Shaggar nods, "A priestess appeared, spoke to one or two townsfolk, then vanished. I don't believe in coincidence. Someone, perhaps more, are not what they appear."
Rutilux gives the softest of nods as the fellow whispers a warning to them. "Questions you never thought you'd ask eh?" a chuckle, and a grateful look after.
When the group breaks back a bit into their own whisper circle "Barkeep seems a decent sort, but that's just a guess. And I agree with you good folk, this whole thing is as suspicious as an offer to sell someone a bridge in Silverymoon."
”Absolutely!” the bartender calls out enthusiastically. ”The breakfast this morning is bacon and eggs with toast, but I can find a breakfast steak or maybe some sausage. I’ll see what I can do.” With that, he disappears into a storeroom beyond the bar.
Five minutes or so later, he pops back out with your plates and a handful of links of large sausage for Pheliks.
”This one’s on me, don’t worry about it. If you need anything else, just let me know!”
Pheliks settles down to eat his sausage, apparently enjoying it as the large cat takes his time. "He can't purr - only small cats do that, tigers roar - but he is enjoying his breakfast. Thank you," explains Sasha with an appreciative smile for the food being served. For her part, the oracle enjoys her meal in silence, thinking through what the party has discovered and wondering what to do next.
The sorcerer enjoys his own breakfast , normally he'd chat up a bit more, truth is he does enjoy the sound of his own voice but when it comes to this adventuring stuff he's sure the others are the experts.
Still, he looks over the crowd to see who might be friendly and who might not to see who else he can chat up safely.
Unfortunately, he's not a clue! Wish I had the ability to read folks as well as some others in my family. it was his one great failing as a salesman.
"So. I assume we're waiting for Aldric to make an appearance and see what he can tell us? Anything about our missing priestess would be useful as I think that's probably our next puzzle?" Ari lays out a suggested course of action. "It's possible that her disappearance is unrelated to everything else going on here - no, it's not is it? I'm a passable actress, darlings, but I don't think I can sell that."
When the group breaks back a bit into their own whisper circle "Barkeep seems a decent sort, but that's just a guess. And I agree with you good folk, this whole thing is as suspicious as an offer to sell someone a bridge in Silverymoon."
At Rutilux's comment, Ari leans forward. "Have you been?" she asks enthusiastically? "To Silverymoon, I mean. Obviously there's several shades of funny business going on." The Gem of the North lies leagues further north than Ari has ever been, but the description of the city as a seat of learning and magic has captured her imagination and she harbours vague ambitions of visiting one day.
"So. I assume we're waiting for Aldric to make an appearance and see what he can tell us? Anything about our missing priestess would be useful as I think that's probably our next puzzle?" Ari lays out a suggested course of action. "It's possible that her disappearance is unrelated to everything else going on here - no, it's not is it? I'm a passable actress, darlings, but I don't think I can sell that."
"Well, I thought I'd perhaps meet and greet a few others around here, but I can't tell who is going to give me a chance, and who might give me a kick." He admits with a bit of wry humor, "But we can wait, and well, honesty is the best policy, but always put the right wrapping on it, with a nice bow is possible."
At Rutilux's comment, Ari leans forward. "Have you been?" she asks enthusiastically? "To Silverymoon, I mean. Obviously there's several shades of funny business going on." The Gem of the North lies leagues further north than Ari has ever been, but the description of the city as a seat of learning and magic has captured her imagination and she harbours vague ambitions of visiting one day.
The hin brigthens , his eyes growing a bit lost in pleasing memory, "Oh, the Freewinds are a caravan family, we travel lots of places, so yes I've been. Mind you it's been years. I prefer the weather in the Baldur's Gate area , further south equals warmer and they don't call that area the savage north because frostbite is a stranger, but I will say Silverymoon is beautiful. And open, more tolerant than most places... even now. The city is an open echo of fabled Myth drannor that any of good heart might cross the great Moon Bridge to go from one half to the other. Magic is almost common there, elegant, understated, yet common if that makes sense? Great buildings of learning seem to be about the city like sequins on a lady's fancy dress, and art thrives. As a merchant family we Freewinds were more focused on the markets there... quality items by talented craftsmen that, to my mind, hold their own with the guilds of Waterdeep not that Waterdhavians will ever admit that. There's a lot of Silverymoon's history that is beyond my knowing, and I heard some sad songs of troubled times near to break my heart, but in the end, I'd say the Realms are better for such a city in it."
"...I can't tell who is going to give me a chance, and who might give me a kick."
"Welcome to my daily existence," Ari quips, though in truth it's a little close to the bone.
The hin brigthens , his eyes growing a bit lost in pleasing memory, "Oh, the Freewinds are a caravan family, we travel lots of places, so yes I've been. Mind you it's been years. I prefer the weather in the Baldur's Gate area , further south equals warmer and they don't call that area the savage north because frostbite is a stranger, but I will say Silverymoon is beautiful. And open, more tolerant than most places... even now. The city is an open echo of fabled Myth drannor that any of good heart might cross the great Moon Bridge to go from one half to the other. Magic is almost common there, elegant, understated, yet common if that makes sense? Great buildings of learning seem to be about the city like sequins on a lady's fancy dress, and art thrives. As a merchant family we Freewinds were more focused on the markets there... quality items by talented...
The tiefling's eyes widen at the halfling's description of the city - it seems to stack up with what she has heard from others. "I'd like to visit, one day, though I agree that the weather sounds less than ideal. Still, if everyone's wrapped head to toe in furs I suppose it's easier to blend in." She looks around the room. "And that is something that we are most definitely not doing here."
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"Welcome to my daily existence," Ari quips, though in truth it's a little close to the bone.
"If it helps, I'm really more worried about Shaggar eating me than you." A faux whisper and a grin to show he is joking... mostly.
The tiefling's eyes widen at the halfling's description of the city - it seems to stack up with what she has heard from others. "I'd like to visit, one day, though I agree that the weather sounds less than ideal. Still, if everyone's wrapped head to toe in furs I suppose it's easier to blend in." She looks around the room. "And that is something that we are most definitely not doing here."
"You absolutely should visit it one day if you can, as for not blending here? If you have trouble blending in life, maybe you were born to stand out? Play to your strengths, know the value of what you offer to the world, and you'll find the right customers for your gifts." He says "or so my pappy told me."
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"If it helps, I'm really more worried about Shaggar eating me than you." A faux whisper and a grin to show he is joking... mostly.
Shaggar savors his orange juice like it's a fine whiskey. He considers the halfing's words. "Your concern is... reasonable."
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Sasha snorts, nearly choking on a bite of egg as she tries to control her laughter. Once she's got it under control she smirks and takes a long pull of water before continuing with an entertained twinkle in her eyes.
Unfortunately, Rutilux has problems identifying which, if any, of the townspeople around are helpful. They mostly seem to be keeping to themselves, with the occasional glance towards the unknown newcomers (you).
Finally, after what seems like the entire day (but is really only about half an hour), a man matching the description of the councilman you have been waiting on stumbles down the stairs. He stops at the bar, places an order which you can't quite hear over the crowd, and then goes to sit in a table at the far corner of the tavern.
He doesn't seem to be looking at anything in general, and shortly pulls a book out from below the morning robes he is wearing and begins to read it.
Sasha finishes her breakfast, wipes her faces, and deliberately stand to walk over to the councilman. She smiles and sits down without waiting for an invitation. "Mr. Aldric? I'm Sasha, and my companions and I arrived this morning. We've come to help the village - the church sent us," she says without preamble, looking at him seriously and waiting for his response.
”Approaching him before he’s eaten is a bold move,” Ari observes as Sasha makes her way over to the councilman. ”I like it.” She takes a sip of her mint water, eyes on her companion. ”Leave her to it or back her up? My inclination is that I probably wouldn’t want to be accosted by a large - or indeed small - group before breakfast but I’m not really a morning person myself. It’s why I could never be a Lathanderite.”
"That would explain why many people react badly to me... I meet them before a meal." He pauses briefly, "Let us observe how he reacts to her before we change the dynamic."
Rutilux puts his dish away, and says "I'll see how he responds then make my pitch to help." He's ready to rise.
”I was speaking about Ari and me. We tend to receive poor reactions.”
"Ah, so you want me to back her up right away?" Curious
The man seems somewhat disturbed to be approached before breakfast, but not enough to be meaningfully upset. Even so, he isn't really looking at Sasha as she talks to him. Instead, his eyes are on the kitchen, seemingly awaiting his food.
After a few moments he snaps away from his distraction and looks at her.
"Ah yes, I was wondering when they'd send help. Lady knows we need all the help we can get."
He motions towards one of the chairs at the table before looking towards the bar once more and becoming noticeably warmer as he sees the man bringing a plate of food and a mug. "Here, have a seat. What can I do for you, how can I help?"
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Sasha looks at the man quizzically. "Councilman, we're here to help you, not the other way around. It's obvious that the sky is...off...and that you're having issues with animal attacks of some kind. We've also heard of missing people. Why don't you tell me what is the most important issue to address first? Then we can start there..." she says, as diplomatically as possible.
Rutilux does keep an ear out and ...he's impressed. Sasha is damned good at her 'pitch' as her folks might call it, and seems a kind person to boot. He decides not to intrude and risk ruining it yet, though he keeps listening.
He stumbles over his words before replying. "Ah, of course, of course. My apologies, I have just woken up. We've had so many...problems lately, it is extremely hard to keep myself together these days."
He leans forward, motioning Sasha to approach closer. The rest of the party can't hear what he says next as he whispers
"I can talk about a few things, but for most of the serious things we'll need to go elsewhere. I have a house over in the market district, we can meet there after this."
"Ah, yes, the mystery of the moon and the beast hunting our livestock. The most immediately troubling sign of our situation is our lunar well being dried up, which we cannot explain. Lady Silvermoon, the caretaker of the well, has fallen ill and is secreted away inside her manor to the north at the edge of town."
"You'd think we'd be able to find whatever monster stalks our small community and hunt it down, what with us and it being locked up inside this hellish wall. And yet our hunters haven't had any luck finding any hints of the thing." he runs his fingers through his greying and balding hair, obviously trying to keep from panicking.
"And to top it all off, the head of the council and mayor of the village, Keeper Verik, has been locked away in the council chambers communion with Selûne for nearly three days now. He hasn't allowed anyone or anything to interrupt his rituals at all, and has guards posted outside around the clock to make sure of this. Well, not that clocks really do us any good around here, but you understand my meaning." The man sighs, seeming relieved to finally have someone to dump all of his worries onto. And yet, Sasha gets a sense that he isn't telling nearly everything he knows.
"Councilman, there is plenty to chew on there - I see my little crew has our work cut out for us. When you're ready to tell me the rest of what is concerning you, let me know..." she says, looking the man in the eye seriously before turning to step over to her companions.
"He's not telling me everything, but there is plenty to do..." she begins before summarizing what he said, including the quiet part. "Where do we start? I think the first thing is to try and stop injuries or worse...finding and killing this beast. What do all of you think?"
"What did he whisper to you?"
"Councilman, there is plenty to chew on there - I see my little crew has our work cut out for us. When you're ready to tell me the rest of what is concerning you, let me know..."
His eyes go a little bit wide as he realizes he let on a bit too much.
"Of course, you can find me either here or my house. Just west of the market square, you can't miss it."
With that, he digs into his breakfast and stops answering any questions.
Rutilux observes, and whispers "Nice work, Sasha. I wouldn't have caught that."
Ari listens, impressed with the job Sasha has done. She’s slowly been watching how the woman operates. Although she often keeps herself to herself - something Ari can relate to - she seems possessed of an impressive self-confidence and an unshowy force of personality and has really delivered here. ”Great job,” she echoes. ”Part of me wonders if the illness of the well’s caretaker is caused by our mysterious substance. Offers of healing and aid might get us an audience. I’m less sure how we might get one with the mayor as it seems pretty clear he doesn’t want one. Naturally I’m suspicious of that,” she smiles slightly. ”So our best chance there might be to have proved ourselves already.” Ari fishes in a pocket and removes the coin she was fiddling with. She sets it spinning rapidly on the table before catching it and setting it in motion once more.
”Which leaves the beast. I’d like to know more, preferably a lot more, before we start. Let’s assume that the villagers aren’t stupid. Why can’t they find it?” She looks around the others, stopping the coin this time without even looking. ”I think we need some more direction rather than aimlessly wandering. Otherwise it’s going to be like looking for a tankard in a dwarven ale house.”
"What did he whisper to you?"
"After not telling me everything he suggested there was more and gave directions to his home. I may have pressed him too far, but I appreciate candor when we've stuck our necks out for his town..." Sasha answers with pursed lips.
"I'm worried that it isn't a beast...at least not all the time," she continues, this time addressing Ari's concern. "If it is one of the moon-kissed were-folk, gone mad with rage or something, it will be very hard to find. The moon out there isn't natural...I'm not sure lycanthropy would even work normally here right now..."
Shaggar looks around at all the people. "Let's continue this conversation outside." He leaves money, if the bill hasn't been paid and heads for the door.
Once you exit the inn, you can see the cathedral more clearly. The churches' single curved spiral shimmers in the eternal moonlight from above. The front entrance is a large archway that obviously leads into a small foyer, with a pair of beautiful stone doors embossed with some sort of gemstone. It's hard to see from over here, but you can tell that the cathedral was crafted with expertise and care.
As you stand admiring the front of the church, a menial in robes holding a small ceremonial staff approaches from the small crowd of people waiting in line to enter the church.
"Ah, the newcomers from outside the wall. High Initiate Lena would like to extend an invitation to join her in her office, at your earliest convenience." he says, bowing slightly before turning back towards the church.
He nods politely. "Certainly. Now, is a good time." He follows the menial.
Indeed, Shaggar is not alone...
and the Halfling follows the big gnoll
Sasha nods and follows the others inside.
”Well that’s a better reaction than I was anticipating,” Ari says quietly. ”Lead on,” she gestures to Shaggar as the person the man had initially addressed. ”Well met,” she adds by way of greeting.
The menial leads you past the line of few petitioners, which elicits a handful of groans and complaints. Your guide waves a hand, dismissing them. "Important church business, you'll be seen in time."
The front doors are made of a light grey marble most likely sourced from somewhere far away from this particular forest. They swing open silently, revealing the inner sanctum of the cathedral. And it is a cathedral, not a church, for the inside is truly magnificent.
Another archway right past the door guards the way into the church proper, icons of moons and Selûne herself carved into them and foiled in gold and silver. The high vaulted ceiling is a masterpiece of architecture, its ribbed vaults resembling the delicate interweaving of tree branches under a canopy of stars inlaid into the ceiling.
Along the aisles, elegant candelabras hold ever-burning candles, their flames flickering with a silvery light. The pews are carved from dark, rich wood, cushioned with deep blue velvet embroidered with silver threads, depicting constellations and lunar symbols. Past the rows of pews is a large half-circle set of stairs leading up to the altar, another piece of the same marble that made up the doors of this holy place. Behind the altar stands a floor to ceiling window, allowing the silvery light of the moon to shine through the stained glass and illuminate the entire room. Sitting at one of the benches in the front row of pews sits an older woman in simple grey robes, her long white hair spilling over her shoulders. Presumably the one you're here to see, she stands upon hearing you and smiles warmly.
"Greetings, I am High Initiate Lena, and I welcome you to our church." she says, holding her arms wide in a gesture of greeting.
With a swish of his bisht, Shaggar offers the priestess a half-bow. "Greetings. I am Shaggar of the Bedine. We were told you wish to speak with us."
"Rutilux Freewind, originally of the Freewind Hin Caravan" He bobs his head "Well met."
With a hand on Pheliks' neck, Sasha curtsies low and says, "My name is Sasha and this is Pheliks. Selûne has blessed me as an oracle in her service."
”Ari,” the tiefling offers. ”Well met, High Initiate.”