Dragomir is not very lucky with his inquiries - people seem to shy away from him.
Lewill is slightly luckier, and finds the directions to Ulruch's modest farm - they find it easily at the edge of town, the old farmer seems to be tending to some orange trees.
"Pardon me Deputy. First of all, I'm glad you were able to capture those murdering hooligans. In fact, I found out that one of them pilfered my coin purse sometime before they committed their heinous acts. What is my recourse for getting it back. It had a substantial amount of coin that was destined for good charity works".
The deputy looks Darcy up and down - "Can't help you girl - all their stuff is off limits until the officials arrive from Troye" - he explains - "They are probably taking everything with them, when they they drag those bastards to be hanged" - the man chuckles.
"Okay Deputy. Thank you for your time. I'll be sure and tell all the orphans that they are hungry due to the law". She says this loudly enough for anyone else to hear.
Darcy will keep a close eye on him from somewhere else in the tavern for a bit to see if he pulls forth her purse to pay.
Might have to break into his home tonight and take what's rightfully mine. I believe the others should have killed this one as well.
"That is not fair! That is your money and you should be able to get it back."
Calhoun seems more upset about Darcy not getting her money than he was about their previous colleagues being in prison.
Lewill decides to approach the farmer here in a friendly manner, what could go wrong he thinks. "Ho there! Would you be the one called Ulruch? I am Lewill and this is Dragomir. We wish to talk for a spell, if you have the time to spare."
"Well met good sir, what can I do for ye?" - the man replied with a tip of his old, very worn, straw hat.
"Okay Deputy. Thank you for your time. I'll be sure and tell all the orphans that they are hungry due to the law". She says this loudly enough for anyone else to hear.
Darcy will keep a close eye on him from somewhere else in the tavern for a bit to see if he pulls forth her purse to pay.
Darcy keeps a close eye on the deputy - he spends some time with a few patrons, buys some rounds (though his purse seems different from what hers was), then leaves The Pebble accompanied by two others.
"Well met good sir, what can I do for ye?" - the man replied with a tip of his old, very worn, straw hat.
Lewill gives the old farmer an almost apologetic smile, "Well the reason we wanted to see you is we heard tales of an unusual bovine you own...a cow that has two heads! Naturally my curiosity, and the of my companion, was piqued. Could we have a look?"
"Well lad, I think ye have the wrong farmer" - he chuckled - "Bronchon was the one with the two headed calf methinks" - he took out his hat and scratched his balding head - "Nothing interesting happens on me fields - I mean... I found an old, rusty, bent sword some tendays ago over yonder when I was plowing the fields. Handed it over to Father Almery"
Darcy slips from her observation post and makes to discreetly follow the deputy.
She stops to whisper to Calhoun. If you can be quite as a church mouse you can follow me... though you might want to stay back a bit. Otherwise just meet me back at the church, and we can see what the others are up to.
Stealth.
Calhoun, unsure if he can match the woman's almost magical silence, waits until they are out of sight then heads back to the church to inform the others.
"Well lad, I think ye have the wrong farmer" - he chuckled - "Bronchon was the one with the two headed calf methinks" - he took out his hat and scratched his balding head - "Nothing interesting happens on me fields - I mean... I found an old, rusty, bent sword some tendays ago over yonder when I was plowing the fields. Handed it over to Father Almery"
Fair enough but afore we wanders off Bronchon’s way, mind showing us where ya plowed up the old metal blade? As ye can tell, I’m somewhat of a sword swinger myself an’ keen for tales an’ inspiration. I heard tells there used to be an old battlefield these parts.
Curiously he slips from his soldiers casual manner of speaking to something downright ‘folksy’.
Darcy and Calhoun follow the deputy's group for a bit - they eventually go into a rickety house in clear disrepair.
Fair enough but afore we wanders off Bronchon’s way, mind showing us where ya plowed up the old metal blade? As ye can tell, I’m somewhat of a sword swinger myself an’ keen for tales an’ inspiration. I heard tells there used to be an old battlefield these parts.
"Sure, I can show you where I found it" - the man replied, leading you to a half plowed field - "Tis what they say, some battle took place around here long ago. Who knows?"
"Here" - he points to the field - "Found it around here somewhere"
Lewill gazes over the large expanse of plowed ground with a dubious look. "Are you sure we have time to spend digging around this field? Maybe we should return later..."
Ughhh...this seems a waste of time...I don't feel like dirtying my hands here digging through a bunch of dirt and rocks here!
Dragomir looks over the area with a practiced eye, memories of time behind the plow as a young boy stirring.
Oh, I don’t know friend Lewill, ya gotta get the crops in.
He turns to the farmer.
First time using this field? If you’ve ploughed it before have you ploughed up anything else?.
He squats and looks over the field trying to get a feel for the lay of the land, where the terrain would be the most favourable for a battle and how long the land hasn’t been used.
Darcy finds a good spot to watch the activity around the house for a bit.
Dragomir looks over the area with a practiced eye, memories of time behind the plow as a young boy stirring.
Oh, I don’t know friend Lewill, ya gotta get the crops in.
He turns to the farmer.
First time using this field? If you’ve ploughed it before have you ploughed up anything else?.
He squats and looks over the field trying to get a feel for the lay of the land, where the terrain would be the most favourable for a battle and how long the land hasn’t been used.
"Yep, first time I plowed that plot" - the farmer replied matter of fact, chewing on a long straw - "Figured I'd get ahead, since it seems that damned fox won't stop until it's taken all our chicken" - he complained - "Plantin' some turnips and perhaps rutabaga"
To Dragomir it does not seem there is a particular part of the terrain which would be more or less favorable for a battle, but now that he has taken some time to think about it, Grimmsgate does seem to stand on high hill, overlooking some sort of ravine? That could be considered a vantage point in some combat situations.
Jossan eventually returns to Talus - "I've got some salt and flour mister, but no honey" - he presented the ingredients - "Managed some brown sugar though - will that work?"
After a while Calhoun shows up at the church also.
And after a few more moments Darcy comes strolling down the road.
While Dragomir examines the field more closely Lewill turns his attention to the farmer's words.
Not the first time I have heard of this fox before...may as well ask further...
"So you are having a problem with a fox absconding with your chickens? Seems like the wildlife here struggles to find food here. Still if you want to show me where your chickens are kept I can see how the fox is getting into your pen."
"Ye can almost see it from here" - the old farmer points out a 'larger' construction towards the edge of the village - "Most of the chicken are kept in the communal coop at night, but during the day they kinda wander off on their own in and out and around da place"
"Where is everybody else? Should we go out and find them"?
I Darcy is given the direction she heads that way.
"Would you mind if I had a look? Maybe someone broke into the coop?" Lewill asks.
"Well some went out to investigate the other strange happens here in town. I was just waiting for you to get back...did you have any luck?"
"Well some went out to investigate the other strange happens here in town. I was just waiting for you to get back...did you have any luck?"
"Well I know where he lives now. Perhaps tonight when the shadows are deeper and the town is less lively... though I hardly see how it could get any more mundane, I'll go take what's rightfully mine. For now, let's go find the others. You know what happens when we let them roam freely".
"Would you mind if I had a look? Maybe someone broke into the coop?" Lewill asks.
"It is out in the open young man - anyone can go and check them I think, but you can ask the Withers" - he nods - "They live right next to the coop, and are in charge of it, so to speak"
Lewill follows the directions and goes to check on the coop - he has a word with the Withers who confirm the rumors about Grimmsgate - chicken have been disappearing, and most believe it is probably a fox doing the nasty deed, since such animal has been sighted recently in the outskirts of town. With some degree of exaggeration some of the townsfolk are concerned soon they will run out of chicken, so a reward is being offered for the capture of the dangerous animal - a bushel of potatoes and a jar of vinegar eggs.
After an initial examination of the coop itself, with the authorization of Cark Withers, both Lewill and Dragomir are convinced the place seems pretty secured, and they also learn from the Withers family that Kylea Cobb, a young local woman has tried to set up some snares but the durned animal seems to evade them all. One of her snares did catch something, but whatever it was cut its way free.
Cark is particularly incensed that this has been happening to the chickens placed under his charge.
Lewill and Dragomir are not fully convinced a fox is the culprit here, but if it is, capturing it might help the village and earn the group a reward.
-----------------------------------
After cooking his waybread, which did not turn out so bad and made the delights of both Jossan and Uliana (the kids at the church), Talus, Darcy and Calhoun turned their attention back to the stone - the meaning of the writing still eludes them.
In conversation with Almery, the priest again shares his concerns about what Yanissa has related to him about the meeting between sheriff Dreng and an unknown individual not from the village - she had something she wanted to discuss with him privately about it, and he felt the arrival of Darcy and her friends could prove of help in understanding what might be the issue. Unfortunately that did not end well... But he is still wanting to know what is going on and if Darcy and her new companions could perhaps help.
The group (minus Talus) decides to go check in on Yanissa, and find she is not home. Peeking through the window they can see the house is somewhat in a disarray, as if perhaps someone left in a hurry? Remembering that his former companions actually had a chat with Yanissa before the whole unpleasantness took place, they decide to drop by the makeshift jail. While Darcy distracts the guards with her antics, Calhoun manages to approach the shack from the rear and exchange a few words with the condemned men. Sly shortly manages to share some of the information he got from the woman, saying she had seen her husband meeting the unknown man and receiving some money from him. She was not sure exactly for what, but she told Sly it was related to some sort of digging, happening by the northern ravine.
Staying behind with Almery and the children, Talus debates the issue of the slab some more. They all have their own opinions, which could be valid or not. Uliana believes you should get a team of oxen, and use them to some how lift the slab and look under it. Almery believes the slab is some sort of holy sign, which was placed here for a reason - perhaps they could copy the writing and have it evaluated in Troye. Jossan is of the opinion that perhaps the stone is a reminder from the past, regarding something which could not be here, but perhaps closeby.
Good times…
Since leaving his temple, Talus had never found a time of such contentment. Home cooked waybread, the laughter of children and a dry, secure place. What could be better - a meal shared and mirth among new friends…And the children were so…perceptive. Their intuition and desire to tease out the puzzle of the stone was infectious.
”Ho Uliana, perhaps two teams of oxen…but how would you get them inside?!? A generous and wondrous contraption of winches, pulleys and redirected ropes perhaps! Draw me a picture and I’ll consider it! And Jossan, perhaps you are right…epochs wheel and spin beneath a thousand suns and space and time bend to their whim. Perhaps at one time this spot was the center of a great city built upon a warplain, now crumbled and all but the vestige that is Grimmsgate remains…”
Talus munches happily before continuing. ””These walls” the stone says. But what if…these walls stretched for miles around…taking in more than just present day Grimmsgate…”
”I hope my new friends return soon with more news from our Grimmsgate. For now…the stone is safe.”
Talus suddenly sits bolt upright, bringing his hand to his forehead with such alacrity that a loud *smack* fair resounds in the stone chamber.
”Of course! I’m an idiot! A second-rate intelligencer! Fool! The name! Grimms…Gate. Don’t you see?”
Talus smiles, trying to soften the mix of amazement and shock on the face of the children.
”A Gate. A portal. A dimensional passageway! To…somewhere. Or some…thing.”
Talus begins to read and reread the message on the stone, trying to find some hidden meaning…
Lewill turns to Dragomir with a concerned look on his face. "I don't think this is a case of a simple animal driven by hunger...something else is behind this, I am sure! I just have no clue what...let's take this broken snare back with us. It's the only solid clue we have currently. We should return to the others, perhaps we can stake out the area this evening and perhaps catch the culprit in action!"
With Darcy and Calhoun’s return and news of Sly’s report regarding the digging in the ravine, Talus nods sagely.
”Jossan, you may be the smartest of us all! Darcy, Calhoun - let uth wait for Lewill and Dragomir to return and then make our way to this ravine. It must be where Rayne ith! Jossan - do you know the way? If it ith not too dangerous…could you take uth there, or at least provide directions?”
In his haste and eagerness, Talus enunciations slips somewhat…
Even though Jossan gladly agreeds to lead the group, Father Almery does not, arguing it can be dangerous for the child. But Jossan does provide you simple directions on how to get to the ravine.
Without any further ado, you make way to the the appointed ravine, which actually is not very far from Grimmsgate. From a distance you can see some sort of camp has been set up close to an entrance into the ravine wall. The hideout is nestled amid excavated dirt and crushed stone. Footprints in the surrounding area lead to and from Grimmsgate, evidence of frequent visits to the town to steal the poultry.
Twelve six-foot-tall stone blocks sit outside a tunnel that leads into the ravine upon which the village sits. It seems the thugs used oxen to pull the stone blocks from the opening. Two oxen and a cart of mining tools sit nearby. There is also a horse tied to a tree. Chicken bones and refuse lie around a fire pit.
You see also five man idling around the area, some engaged in conversation, and others just keeping watch.
"Maybe I can sneak closer and see if I can overhear what they're doing".
If there is somewhere to hide Darcy tries to sneak forward for more info.
"If they see me come a running".
"I think we just found our chicken thieves..." Lewill whispers. "These ruffians are up to no good! We need to see what they are up to, hopefully the Sheriff is there as well. Be careful Darcy." He then crouches low behind a rock face trying to stay low here.
Calhoun nods and keeps his eyes on the halfling as she silently moves toward the unknown people. He has his bow at the ready...just in case!
As Darcy approaches carefully, she manages to overhear the conversation between the burly dwarf-like man, and the other two around him - from their conversation she garners they have been hired by someone called Rayne to excavate and guard the entrance into the ravine side.
Rayne and three followers have disappeared into the tunnel three days ago, leaving the remaining thugs behind at the campsite. Bored with their guard duty and dry rations, they have been quietly venturing into Grimmsgate to find fresh food. So far they have captured a number of chickens and now dine on campfire pheasant each night.
Talus winces with a grin as the impetuous halfling sneaks off.
Lo. This should be fun!
He whispers to his companions.
”We are four of us here, and Darcy…now there. We have numerical balance currently. If we can winnow one or two of the “sentries” we can take down the rest. Unless you think we can…bluster our way through.”
Talus nods.
”I can magically disguise myself, if any of you think it might help an ambush situation. Perhaps as Father Almery? If he is involved with this lot it might help to flush out more information. And even if not, it could distract them enough for you to take down one or two from range…”
"What if we untie the horse and spook it? It should run off and hopefully draw off the sentries at least right? Not all of us are hardened warriors..." Lewill suggests.
Taus smiles again.
”I like this idea. Dragomir, Calhoun - yes? Should we let the halfling attempt it or ith it better that…Dragomir or Calhoun or…yourself Lewill attempt it? I myself tend to thpook horsthes merely by glanthing at them, and my armor leaves me clunking and lumbering.”
Talus considers the three men.
”Are any of you particularly…horse people?”
"I do have some experience dealing with animals. Let me get into position then send me a signal and I will try to get the horse to run off!"
The ranger moves off towards the horse to try and get the creature to understand what they wanted.
As Calhoun moves closer to the horses, the man who resembles a dwarf suddenly stands up amidst the conversation with the others, and draws his weapon.- ”I heard something boys. Look sharp!”
The others do the same and start looking around.
"Dammit!" Lewill curses, "We have to distract them here. My magicks are not suited for that...do you have any spells to distract them Talus?"
Calhoun, seeing the dwarf and his friends suddenly become more alert, continues towards the horse and once he arrives he speaks softly to the beast in an attempt to befriend the creature.
Animal Handling:
Talus nods, smiling grimly.
”Dragomir, you may have to help Darcy - ensure that none of these men reach the tunnel to warn Rayne…”
The priest then moves away from Lewill and Dragomir, and calls on Jamboor’s mastery of secrets to create a misty vapor that surrounds him. He calls out in a booming voice in his best Draconic:
”Agathshåi vasdek õglethz, tin-dardesthz vai li!”
"There!" - the leader of the gang points toward Calhoun. As the ranger rushes forward the last stretch toward the horses trying to shoo them away, the group wades in on him.
The two thugs closest to Calhoun (the ones who were on watch) manage to reach the ranger and try to maul him, each of them ratty looking brutes, wielding crowbars as weapons. One of them strikes a painful hit!