Darcy gladly accepts the ale and wine brought by these new arrivals with a nod of thanks. She finishes up the dredges of whatever anyone else left in their cups as well before sleeping a guilt free sleep.
She then watches the new arrivals play with the tablet as well hoping either they notice something they've missed or the vinegar works.
"Let's hope this works. I've got to go to the makeshift jail and see if I can claim my stolen coin back before it disappears into the town coffers, or they execute those murderers".
Peering at the stone, Talus listens with half an ear as Darcy heads off.
”Makeshift jails and murderers…” he murmurs, half-coalesced visions of playing pieces and platonic shaped dice dancing at the edge of his consciousness…
The vinegar seems to help quite a lot, and with some vigorous scrubbing soon the whole ominous writing is revealed to the group, in an ancient but relatively familiar dialect.
“Take heed, for undying iniquity rests within these walls.
Upon this site the Light of united faith fulfilled destiny.
The dread decay shall rule by fear no longer.
We, the faiths of the world, place this stone
so none shall ever forget the bloodshed
Take heed, lest evil awaken!”
Lewill stares at the uncovered words here trying to digest their meaning. Then, as the realization dawns upon him, his face drains of all color. "This inscription indicates an undying evil was confronted and...not defeated completely, but...imprisoned here!" His voice grows quieter here, as if afraid to disturb what lays nearby. "If this is so, then those the Sheriff allied with must not learn of this!"
Talus’ eyes rise in estimation as he cogitates on the meaning of the writing. After being brought up to speed on the information regarding the unfortunate Sly and the probable link between the sheriff, his handler and the stone Talus nods thoughtfully.
”Hmm. It appears this is more of a stone to be stumbled upon, than a stumbling block on the way to learning. I wonder where this agent is at the present time…”
”Moreover, the thstone is needlessly…vague. For one, as a warning it ith odd that such measures are required to read it. Not exactly forthcoming is it? And thsecondly, where exactly does “here” mean?”
Talus makes a show of moving around the stone, making exaggerated steps…
”Do they mean… right….”
then placing his hands dramatically on the stone.
”Here? Within thith thsanctified…cellar?”
With a flourish he casts his arms out wide in an arc.
”Or in Grimmthgate generally?”
He turns to Lewill.
”I do not interpret the wordth to exactly mean an imprisonment - no exact words mention that. But this could very well be the case…” he nods as he finishes, eyebrows raised once again.
Talus sits on the stone, tapping his knee. He hums and haws a little, then leaps off and rereads the words.
”Unless of course by “rethsts within these walls” the writer means…held here, as in imprisoned within this very building.” The half-orc flashes Lewill a winning, toothy smile.
”In which case you are very, extremely correct. And we are all in great danger if this…Rayne D’anzeray wishes to unleash…whatever thsleeps. Within.”
Talus thinks again.
“D’anzeray”. Quite a bit thsimilar to “Deray”. Any relation?” Talus asks Lewill, as if asking about the difference between grapes and apples.
”Been tasked to find someone... fella named Rayne D’Anzeray who has sour connections to the Wizard's Academy. Tracked him to Endhome, then he hired muscle and headed here to Grimmsgate. He had some interest in the chapel, but if he did and came here already, then Old Father Honesty inside isn't letting on..."
Lewill stares at the half-orc not quite sure if he was serious. Finally he decides to just take him at face value. "The only relation we have with one another is our wizardly studies. I have no desire to use my knowledge for plunder and conquest!"
Pacing the small area he thinks further before continuing, "Due to the Sherrif's death we certainly tipped off D’Anzeray as to what we know. Finding him will be next to impossible unless he attempts to sneak into the chapel. The only lead we have would be the Sherriff's widow, Missus Yanissa."
Ooookay. If that’s the fastest way…
Having been bought up to speed by conversation the night before he adds…
But isn’t that where the wheels fell off the wagon before? Maybe with the sheriff dead it might work
"Perhaps it might be a good idea to keep one of us on watch here just in case this fellow shows up!!"
The scout looks at his companions questiongly
"I think the real question is where did this stone come from? I believe the priest said it had been here for ages, but we need to find out who brought it here, when and why? Perhaps we need to have another conversation with the fine father".
Talus considers the options presented. He counts off on finely his manicured fingers.
”So. We have a corrupt sheriff, lately murdered by your…compatriots. Acquaintances? We have the sheriff’s widow, Yanissa. We have Rayne D’Anzeray, equally corrupt wizard or wizard-adjacent. And we have Father Almery, who may or may not knwo more than he has so far divulged. Hmm.”
”Lewill makes a good point, in that if Rayne speaks to Yanissa, much will he learn.”
Talus paces around the stone, pinching his nose.
”Much ill has befallen the thsearching out of answers to this stone, and possibly from rushing headlong into what might benefit from more careful investigation.”
Talus stops.
”I agree with our mask’d friend. If it is the stone Rayne wants, then it shall be where he returns. We have no current knowledge of his whereabouts, and even if we did, I would rather we prepare to encounter him on our own terms. I think th-staking out the stone is the best option, equally given that if it be a…lock… to keep something in, that…Rayne seeks to sunder….I would rather be here, to stop that eventuality.”
Talus looks to Darcy.
”Which should present us with more opportunities to ask Father Almery more….questions.”
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Calhoun nods in agreement to go and talk to the old priest.
"Perhaps the church keeps records and we can take a look at them as well!"
"Records? None that I am aware of son. This church has been standing here for a long time, many years under my care but also many years before under the care of others. I am not surprised this stone, whatever it means, has gone unnoticed with the passing of the decades"
Darcy drifts outside and finds the father watering a small patch of tulips outside the temple's door.
"Morning! We were able to read the tablet finally... but it only raised more questions. I know you said you don't know the origin of the tablet... but we've got to figure out where it came from. It's vital. If you really don't know how we can track where it came from can you recommend someone else we can talk to? Perhaps someone more familiar with the history of this area? Or even some church records we could search for more information".
"Well... Unfortunately I have no other recommendation child" - Father Almery continues watering the flowers - "That is what I was hoping you would help me with" - he added - "I am not even sure how long the church has stood in this place - there might be some records in Troye, or another similar large town closeby... But I cannot be sure"
Talus pores through the collected and assorted odds and ends meticulously, trying to get a sense both of what the folk of Grimmsgate saw fit to bring to the church as “interesting” and what those “interesting” things might be.
Is this collection a sign of war? Or of supernatural struggle? A day market for mind flayers?
Beyond that, Talus asks Father Almery to, for a fee of course, provide limited water/ale and provender for an extended sequestering in the cellar.
”Father, as one believer to another. We need assistanthce, if we are to succethfully bring to clothse this dark epithode. We will need to treat this holy ground as a…fortress…if you will, as it may have been a bulwark in the pathst. We muthst examine every inch of thith place…”
Talus walks the perimeter of the grounds, and examines the building, looking for other portals, holes, entrances as Lewill has surmised.
”Darthy, can your eagle eyes find anything unusual that our eyes cannot?”
Going through the bits and bobs, Talus' findings include rusted weapons, tools to carve stone, mining implements and even rusted and damaged ancient pieces of armor. Even though the items are varied in nature, most of them seem to indicate this might have been the area where an ancient battle might have been fought. Though Talus is unable to provide any historical insight on what that battle might have been.
Father Almery is happy to provide as much water as needed, though he is unable to offer any food, since the amount he and children have access to is already scarce. He also allows you to sleep in the cellar, and even provides some old. musty blankets the temple received some time ago as charity, but sleeping on the hard floor might prove tiring.
Searching the grounds produces no results as far as additional entrances, caves or tunnels.
"Whatcha looking for Mister?" - the young boy Jossan asked Talus, both him and his sister constantly prying into whatever the group is up to in the Temple, and always following them around from a distance, when Father Almery does not notice.
Lewill eagerly helps Talus scour the church grounds looking for any signs of a secret entrance. Yet when the search proves fruitless he shakes his head in frustration. "I was so sure there must be a hidden entrance somewhere...perhaps the words enscribed refer to a different sort of prison - one where magic is needed to unlock..."
Taking a short rest from the exertions he sips on a flask of water and contemplates further. "Perhaps the words are merely a clue, leading us to a different place. Mayhap that is why Rayne searches for it. I am at a loss as to what place the stone refers to."
”The text is clear. “Undying iniquity rethsts within these walls.” What isn’t clear is what is meant by…rest. I agree Lewill, I had thought something would appear, some clue, note or otherwise out of place object or…thing.”
Talus smiles at Jossan’s incessant interest.
”Lad - a great battle once was fought here in Grimmsgate. And great powers seemed to have won against a dark evil, and have left this stone as a warning or ward - we can’t tell which. But the sheriff had dealings with a…dodgy wizard, named Rayne, who apparently came to look at this stone, and who may be trying to wake whatever evil was laid to rest.”
Talus casts his arms about in no small amount of frustration.
”But we have found very little in our admittedly short investigation. Have you seen this wizard Rayne? Does anything I mention sound familiar or make you think of odd happenings or strange…folk? Stranger than me, of course…” Talus finishes with a smile, ruffling the lad’s hair good naturedly.
The boy seems positively blown away by the amount of information he has just been provided - "Huh... I know nothing about this Rayne person..." - he stammers - "But I have heard folk here in Grimmsgate sometimes talking about we being in the place of a battle. An old one I mean" - he added with a shrug - "Strange folks besides yourselves... I've seen those who are in jail for murdering the Sheriff - hear they will be taken away soon" - the boy then paused in thought for a few moments, looking at the ground. Eventually he picked up a small stone, turned it around in his hand, and apparently satisfied with it, placed it in his pocket.
"Happenings? If you mean strange things going on, I guess we have some. Like the two headed cow, or the strange moaning noises coming from the ravine, or the chickens which continue to disappear and no one seen that Fox they say did it" - he shrugged again - "Or the things people keep finding on their fields" - and again he paused - "Or some outsider folks murdering the sheriff..."
"So... What are you looking for Mister?" - he finished by asking again.
Talus briefly considers a…deeper answer to the boy’s innocent question, but merely sits back and stares at the ceiling.
”Answers, Jossan, answers.”
The half-orc claps his hands and sits upright.
”But answers won’t fill a belly, and I bet yours is looking forward to your next meal. Tell you what - go to the Pebbles and fetch some food, here take five coppers, and keep one for you and your sister. Ask for some honey, some flour and some salt - I already have oil - let’s see if we can’t make ourselves some waybread.”
With Jossan sent on his way, Talus settles down to wait.
Talus briefly considers a…deeper answer to the boy’s innocent question, but merely sits back and stares at the ceiling.
”Answers, Jossan, answers.”
"Answers..." - the boy's head bobbed up and down in understanding, but then it started bobbing from side to side - "I do not understand - what is the question Mister?"
The half-orc claps his hands and sits upright.”But answers won’t fill a belly, and I bet yours is looking forward to your next meal. Tell you what - go to the Pebbles and fetch some food, here take five coppers, and keep one for you and your sister. Ask for some honey, some flour and some salt - I already have oil - let’s see if we can’t make ourselves some waybread.”
With Jossan sent on his way, Talus settles down to wait.
Jossan happily grabbed the coins - "You think this will be enough Mister?" - he pondered, but then just shrugged and dashed off.
Once Jossan has left Talus gathers Darcy, Dragomir, Calhoun and Lewill together.
”Did you hear the lad? “Strange moaning noises coming from the ravine”. Now a two headed cow, on it’s own isn’t Chaos rising. Nor is a strange Fox stealing chickens and remaining uncaught. And perhaps merely the soughing of a late-season wind through a canyon makes farmers quake…but then again…perhaps not.”
Talus looks to each of the assembled folk.
”But we have few leads. Do any of you want to investigate? I do not blame you if you don’t as I am set on waiting here. For Rayne. But it might be that Rayne knows much more than we do, and is encountering something…exploring…something.”
Talus yawns.
”Or perhaps the “fox” is not a fox, and lives in the ravine…Who can say?”
"I believe we were going to check out the odd story of the two-headed cow before we were caught up in other matters," Lewill nods slowly, "It may not mean anything, but a quick visit couldn't hurt."
Well I’m eager for a change in scenery so… shall we?
Talus smiles a toothy smile.
”Well and good. So, you are welcome to wait here for Jossan to return with provender…or you can head out now. Like I thsaid, I plan to wait here until you or Rayne return - I do not trustht to leave the thstone.”
Darcy, let’s grab some air eh?, noticing she seems bored and torpid.
Levill, let’s go and investigate that rumour.
"Well I'm going to go to the temporary Jail first and try to get back my coin. After that I'm intent on going to wander the fields where the old stuff is found. Any of you are welcome to join me".
She then begins to gather her things.
"Preferably someone with a pleasant manner, as everybody I've tried to speak with has been a real pain in the ass, and not very friendly... though I'll admit I can be a little abrasive at times".
Lewill nods in agreement here with Darcy, "Okay we can head to the jail first and while you check out that field, Dragomir and I can investigate that two headed cow. I expect that will not take very long Talus so we will return shortly."
"I'll come with you Darcy, if that is ok. I need to get out of this town for a bit and get my head clear as to what we are doing!"
The ranger tags along with the halfling as she first goes to the makeshift prison and then into the fields around the town.
Lewill nods in agreement here with Darcy, "Okay we can head to the jail first and while you check out that field, Dragomir and I can investigate that two headed cow. I expect that will not take very long Talus so we will return shortly."
Lets go!, he says, stretching out.
When the group arrives at the makeshift jail, the scenario is very similar to what Darcy had witnessed before. There are two guards on duty, looking you up and down as you approach.
"What is your business here?" - one of them asks in an unfriendly tone, calloused hand on his spear. He has greasy black hair and pale skin.
"Hey! Calm Down. I'm a victim here. One of those murderous goons stole my purse before they went on their killing spree... and I just want to get it back. It's certainly not going to be of use where they're going".
Darcy goes on to describe the purse she gave away in protest of the murder plan.
"Take it up with the deputy" - the man replied with a shrug.
"And can you tell us where the deputy is now?"
”Probably at The Pebble I’m thinkin’’
Darcy goes to the Pebble to look for the Deputy.
Out on the streets the mercenary starts making enquires about where he can find Ulruch
"Good luck Darcy." Lewill says as he heads off with Dragomir to find Ulruch.
Darcy goes to the Pebble to look for the Deputy.
Darcy finds the deputy at The Pebble, having a drink with some locals.