"Now I'm sure we could get to the bottom of the abductions," he briskly said.
”Yes, yes, yes, I’m sure we can but first let’s talk renumeration. How much do you offer for us to take care of this problem?”
Tavern Tale arrives just in time to hear Tallen's question to the mayor.
He's not very subtle or tactful, the bard thinks. Still, it'll be interesting to hear the mayor's response; after all, if a townsperson is in on the abductions for some reason, who better than the town's mayor to orchestrate such a thing?
Tavern Tale takes a few moments to judge the mayor's response and then subtly looks around the gathered townsfolk to see if anyone present seems less-than-pleased by the turn of events.
Sea Ranger grins at TT when she shares the spoils and the surprise loan from the paladin. "Guess I'll be able to afford a room tonight after all. Thanks, we'll get her paid back soon." The druid's smile fades a bit as he continues. "Maybe sooner than later, if there is some sort of evil at work here - given the rather strange circumstance of crocodiles leaving the swamps to feed on farmers outside the village and lizardmen actually entering town to kidnap folk. And cultists? If the lizardmen and the cultists are working together, then something VERY strange is happening here in Orlane."
The half-elf enters into the town hall as well, having missed his companions speak - but he figures they'd be the ones doing the talking anyway. Sea Ranger isn't comfortable taking the lead in any kind of negotiation.
"Now I'm sure we could get to the bottom of the abductions," he briskly said.”Yes, yes, yes, I’m sure we can but first let’s talk renumeration. How much do you offer for us to take care of this problem?”
"I can offer a reward of five hundred gold pieces," says the Mayor. "If you can get to the bottom of these abductions."
TT does some quick math in her head. That comes out to...over 70 gold pieces each!
"I'm in!" she blurts out excitedly.
"Agreed! Tells us all you know of the gongs on here in the village...and leave nothing out!"
Gothia starts to clean her sword as she listens to what the Mayor has to say.
The rogue glances sideways at the paladin and bard, I think we could have gotten more coin. He looks towards the heavens and lets out an audible sigh but otherwise holds his tongue.
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"Agreed! Tells us all you know of the gongs on here in the village...and leave nothing out!"
Gothia starts to clean her sword as she listens to what the Mayor has to say.
"Gongs? Don't you mean, goings on?" the Mayor looks at you. "Well, the abductions began a month ago. We used to have three inns here, now we only have two. People began to leave, and many people were frightened. A new faith arrived in the village, calling itself the Cult of the Reptile God."
"We think it's center is somewhere in the swamp. I've sent men to investigate, but none returned."
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Catching Tallen's reaction to her overenthusiasm, Tavern Tale slips to his side to whisper in his ear. "Sorry--I got overly excited at the prospect of having some real coin in my purse again. But I don't speak for the entire party--if you want more, feel free to open negotiations with the mayor. Or have someone else do so. Heck, I could probably do the negotiating myself. In fact--I'll do it now!"
The petite bard steps forward and addresses the mayor. "Your honor, it seems I may have spoken in haste when accepting your initial offer. I'd forgotten that our fellowship's last encounter--with a tribe of goblins led by a foul little necromancer and his zombie goblins--was high on danger but terribly low on spoils. Turns out the necromancer had used nearly all of the tribe's wealth for components required to create his undead servants, so even though our party killed every last goblin and made the Dim Forest safer for merchants and other fine folk to travel again, we only gathered a handful of silver and copper coins for our efforts. If you can afford it, could you raise your offered reward a bit, say to 100 gold pieces each? We are experienced, capable, work well as a team, and are very thorough. I'd tell you to ask the goblins of the Cracked Bone tribe to speak to that last point, but we left none alive...or undead for that matter."
The bard bows respectfully to the mayor and takes one step back towards her comrades-in-arms.
Krishka face palms with a groan, and decides to keep her name out of things for now, standing back and watching the others to see how they handle themselves.
Sea Ranger considers TT's performance while trying to keep a straight face - especially after hearing about the reward. She's pretty good at story telling, she'll probably put on an entertaining show tonight at the inn... He thinks idly as he considers the idea of having a fair amount of gold in his purse. The druid isn't looking to get rich or anything, but it would sure be nice to have options beyond living off the land every day. "Uh... sir... do any members of this cult live in the village? Or do they all dwell in the swamp? Do they wear anything that marks them to any that see them? And are they human? Lizardman? Or both?"
Brenfine hears Vesica begin on her story, and quickly realizes the bard is spinning a lie. With a slight sigh, she holds her tongue, realizing that it would be a problem for their team to undermine the group and instigate strife within their burgeoning unity.
Guessing her groups responses, Brenfine walks over to Gothia and places a hand on the paladin's sword-arm. "I expect you are as uncomfortable with Tavern Tale's story as I am, but now is not a time for truth in place of trust. We are about to test ourselves against a cult of evil, causing strife within the team would not help us achieve the greater good for the whole population of this village. Still tongue, wise head, my friend. We have a greater purpose here. Besides, we can redistribute any extra coin she gets for the team back to those we rescue so they can start their life over again.
”Yep, we sure gave it to those Cracked Bone goblins,” Tallen adds.
Gothia sighs and smiles at Brenfine and nods towards the bard.
"I have nothing against a little 'white' lie as long as it is in the pursuit of a greater good. Some of my fellows are a bit more strict than I, but having travelled some I have seen and heard many "stories" that bear little resemblance to reality, but still the overall good they did outweighed the slight misdirection of the truth."
She watches as the other bargin for the final ereward.
"I'll let you have whatever you find while you investigate the abductions," the Mayor finishes. "Be it treasure or trash, it is yours."
"That seems quite fair to me...even generous," Tavern Tale tells the mayor. "I find the terms acceptable." Turning to her comrades she asks, "Is this arrangement agreeable to you all?"
"That seems quite fair to me...even generous," Tavern Tale tells the mayor. "I find the terms acceptable." Turning to her comrades she asks, "Is this arrangement agreeable to you all?"
Let me check something.
He is genuine and concerned about the evil cult that is engulfing the village of Orlane.
Tallen still thinks they could have gotten a better deal but reluctantly agrees, ”Well it’s better than a kick in the pants.” Once the companions agree to the offer he asks, ”There’s some daylight left do we want to get a jump and scout out the situation or start fresh on the morrow?”
"Seems to me we should strike while the iron's hot and the trogs' trail is still fresh," Tavern Tale replies to Tallen. To Sea Ranger she adds, "Were you going to check for tracks to determine where those scaly creeps came from?"
Chestman had been swaying back and forth while the others talked, since he was still hungover and didn't really get going in the morning unless he had at least five drinks.
Ay, Let's get tracking those things down.
Sea Ranger shakes his head slightly to dispel the daydream of being even slightly wealthy as TT speaks to him. "Uhh... right, yes. I'm on it."
Heading outside, the druid kneels down to find the lizardman tracks, and if he can find anything, does his best to follow their backtrail to get some idea of where they came from.
Perception check: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (2) + 12 = 14
Survival check: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (6) + 9 = 15
"I appreciate your flexibility in his situation, my friend. It would appear a number of our group find the truth to be ... malleable." Brenfine checks her weapons when she finishes.
As the group sets off to follow the tracks, she readies her bow and knocks an arrow, ready to fire should they see any of the reptilian folks in the distance.
While Sea Ranger examines the tracks, Tavern Tale examines the throng of grateful villagers, trying to pick out one who seems particularly wise or kind. She approaches that person and asks if they have time to answer a few questions.
Perception check: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (2) + 12 = 14
Survival check: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (6) + 9 = 15
There is two people, two elves, that wish to speak to you. They are both male.
They address themselves as Dorian, a mage; and Lywillian, a rogue. The first one approaches you -- but speaks to you behind the town hall.
"We were asked to come here to investigate the Cult of the Reptile God by the mayor himself," says Dorian. "We are seasoned adventurers, I am a mage of some skill and Lywillian is a rogue of some skill also. The trogs kidnap people who don't belong to the cult, taking them into the swamp so they are never seen again. From our investigations, about a fair number of the villagers belong to this cult. Including the proprietor of the Golden Grain Inn. Be careful where you choose to lay your head, because of your actions you may get kidnapped."
Tavern Tale approaches the two figures, readying a scream if they try to kidnap her. Unlikely with the others closeby, but you never know!
She listens to Dorian's tale, her good eye widening a bit at his revelation about Bertram and his inn; all the while, she's trying to get a read on the elf's trustworthiness. When the elf finishes talking, she thanks him for the warning and returns to the others.
Something in either the innkeeper's eyes or tone doesn't quite sit right with Tavern Tale, so she remains silent while trying to figure out what set off her inner alarm just then.
Vesica Sense Motive Check (Bertram): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23
You know he's lying.
GM ONLY Sense Motive Check (against Dorian):
Vesica Sense Motive Check: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10
As far as you know, he's telling the truth.
Sea Ranger speaks with the others after investigating the area where the lizardmen were killed. "They came from the swamp. Tracking them further will be... difficult. But if that's where we're headed, we might look into getting something to protect against mosquitos. Their bites are annoying, but of more concern are the diseases they carry. I'll ask around, and see if anyone here makes a salve to ward them away."
Yes, they have some. It's produced by the local druid, who wants to help protect the people from mosquitoes. It only costs 5 sp for one application.
TT rushes back to the others and reports everything she was told. "Those two elves said they'd been hired by the mayor to look into the disappearances. Dorian's a wizard; his pal Lywillian is a rogue of some sort. Anyhow, they believe several villagers are members of this cult...including Bertram the innkeeper. Dorian warned me not to stay at his inn lest we become kidnap victims ourselves!"
"I got the feeling earlier that Bertram wasn't being fully honest with us, but...I can't figure out why he'd direct us to the mayor. My read on the mayor is that he's honest for the most part but overwhelmed by the situation in the village. I don't know...maybe we should scope out the village some more before heading into the swamps."
”What?” Tallen exclaimed genuinely surprised at Vesica’s revelation. He considered fro a moment and suggested, ”It’s only a trap if you are caught unawares. Perhaps we can ferret out these cultists if we stay at Bertam’s inn.”
So maybe just drag the innkepper out and slap him around? Or search his room while others distract him.
”Or just stay at the inn and catch those who try to kidnap us.” Krishka says with a big orcish grin.
”Krishka’s comments are more along the line of what I was thinking,” Tallen confirmed. ”But I like the way you think good dwarf. Either way there will be opportunities to slap the innkeeper around if these elves are being forthright with their information.”
Tavern Tale squirms visibly at the thought of being bait for a bunch of cultist-kidnappers. She eventually calms down a bit before offering her opinions and some things to consider.
"If we use the 'ambush the ambushers' plan, how would we execute it? Everyone in one room or split up into smaller--and more attractive targets--couples or trios? If we went with Chestman's idea of using a distraction to occupy Bertram while another group searches his room or other parts of the inn, well...I can be very distracting when I want to be. But, again, we'd be splitting the party and leaving ourselves somewhat vulnerable. Thoughts? Other ideas?"
"Come with me. I have ways of determining if a person is good or evil."
Gothia heads back to the Inn.
I’m not sure if this will hold up in a court of law, the rogue thought but quickly dismissed. ”I’m right behind you Gothia. Come on Barrelhouse you still might get to slap someone around.”
”First, innocent until proven guilty. We can’t assume the innkeep is a cultist on word alone, so breaking into his room is not yet justified. Second, being evil doesn’t make someone guilty either. Both make him worth investigating, but not treating as a criminal.”
”First, innocent until proven guilty. We can’t assume the innkeep is a cultist on word alone, so breaking into his room is not yet justified. Second, being evil doesn’t make someone guilty either. Both make him worth investigating, but not treating as a criminal.”
Tavern Tale's face scrunches up a bit at Krishka's words, but deep down she knows the half-orc makes some good and valid points.
"So...what does that mean exactly? Do we have to have him confess, find some other evidence that implicates him, or...wait in our rooms and prepare for one or more attempted kidnappings tonight? I can still provide a distraction so Gothia can hopefully check for evil without Bertram noticing."
Brenfine listens and thinks over all that is being said. "We need more information. I believe we should not isolate ourselves over night, I'm not comfortable risking any of you to this cult. If Gothia has the ability to get a read on Bertram is good or evil that would help. Given how successful the cult has been at capturing people, it makes perfect sense that they have help within the city."
"The idea of searching Bertram's room sounds good if we have some evidence to back up the rumors. Invading the man's privacy on the word of strangers does not sit well with me."
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I can be the bait, I'll make them regret trying to kidnap me. I'll turn their head into a chamberpot.
Sea Ranger speaks with a few villagers as they make their way back to the inn and gets a good idea of where to procure some mosquito repellent. Keeping the information in mind, the druid follows the party back to confront Bertram - whether openly or in a more subtle manner. Now that he has some gold, a room and another couple of beers would also sit quite well...
I can be the bait, I'll make them regret trying to kidnap me. I'll turn their head into a chamberpot.
Sounds like no one should try to take you!
Tavern Tale leads the party back into the Golden Grain Inn. She waves her hand at Bertram, grinning broadly. "Guess what we just did! We saved Orlane from the raid of three troglodytes, all by ourselves!" She skips merrily toward the innkeeper, trying to inconspicuously be in Bertram's sightline to Gothia. "You should have seen it--those nasty reptile men never knew what hit them! We all pitched in during the battle, but Chestman here finished off two of the raiders himself by bashing their skulls in! We took a third one alive, and it'll be questioned once it comes back to consciousness."
Grinning triumphantly, TT's smile lessens and her tone shifts toward being gracious. "And we couldn't have done it without your suggestion to go and speak with the mayor. He seemed relieved that someone had finally stood up to the raiders and hired us to root out the rest of the cult. Your village owes you its thanks!"
Hopefully that gave Gothia enough time to work her magic, the bard thinks to herself. Now let's see how Bertram reacts to this "good news".... Still appearing almost giddy with excitement and pride, TT tries to get another read on the innkeeper through his reaction to her proclamation.
Bertram looks at you. At first, he feigns non-chalance.
"Well, it must be a good thing that I referred you to the mayor," says Bertram. "I didn't know that there was troglodytes in the village. Or that there was a cult operating in the village."
While Vesica tells the tale of their battle to Bertram, Gothia concentrates and with a silent prayer to her god, reads the aura of the barman.
You notice that evil is present here. Bertram Beswill, the proprietor of the Golden Grain Inn, smells neutral. But half the people here smell of the stench of evil. Perhaps they are cultists themselves. You know you cannot smite them all, or if they were perpetrators of evil crimes.
How many people are here?
A hard look crosses the paladin's face as she examines the owner and his patrons. Shaking her head, she moves towards the exit.
"Sorry, my head seems to be spinning...I think I need some fresh air. Come my friends and let us get a breath of fresh air."
Tavern Tale turns to Gothia in concern. "Oh dear! By all means, get some fresh air." As she helps Gothia to the front door, the bard throws out another misdirection loud enough to be heard by everyone in the room: "If you have to rest, we can leave someone with you while the rest of us start to sweep the village for an more troglodytes, like we'd planned...."
Once outside, Gothia gathers the others together.
"The barman is neither good nor evil, but many of those within glow with a dark nimbus of evil. We need to be very careful as it seems many in this town are not what they seem!"