Warden Horne's page

Warden Horne looks over your map, and gives some background to the areas labelled to help you decide your route.
"Fort Birch was manned by the Black Arrow Militia. Wooden palisade with several wooden structures inside... houses fifty or so wardens and some non-combatant staff. If this witch has taken it over, then the survivors would most likely have fallen back to the Lowland Towers... also a Black Arrow fortification. We call it the Lowlands, but it really is a marsh."

"This map just says Schulfjarn, and orc slums... We refer to it as West and East Schulfjarn.
West Schulfjarn is a civilized settlement... primarily half-orcs. East Schulfjarn - across the river - has a sizable pureblood orc population. They do quite a bit of metalwork coordinated with raw lumber exports from the lumberyard... mostly component pieces and construction supplies, but there are weaponsmiths as well. There are supposedly a few impressive artisans in West Schulfjarn.
East Schulfjarn is a rough neighborhood. Many don't care for the deal struck with Doyle by their leader Hrulshaga, but few dare oppose him."

"Sleeping Ferry... That's an old building and pier right where the river narrows. Product going north ships from there since the current further south is fairly strong. It got the name from an old legend. They'd say if you fell asleep on one side, you'd wake up on the other... penniless."

Warden Horne walks with you exiting the hag house. "Once we have everyone cleared out, I will change the locks and leave the key with Karthak for you. I have a feeling you are better equipped for further investigation." He turns and kicks back a swig from a flask.
"Have you given thought to how you will make your way to Fort Birch? I know the area fairly well if I can be of any help."

When you step outside Errik's house, Warden Horne is there at the corner. "Got me and three of my men to watch the outside... we will keep back unless you call for us. I just don't want anything gettin out."
He motions for you to lead on. "Ready when you are... we will stay out of sight until you are at the door."

Any last minute prep? The boarding house which you are raiding is just two houses down. I will post the map in the morning.

Warden Horne leads you into the house. A table is set out, and chairs for most of you... stacks of crates available for those so inclined. The old hag is bound and gagged in another room with Karthak the Dwarf keeping watch.

At the head of the table sits Mayor Doyle, next to him sits Tilda - who is bound at the wrists, but not gagged. Warden Horne stands behind Doyle, and calls the briefing into session after reaching for, and consuming a sugared pastry puff on the table.

"Mayor Doyle... We would like to know exactly what is going on here, and how to stop it. My reluctance to pressure you into talking has worn pretty thin. Tell us what we need to know, and answer any questions my deputies here may have."

Warden Horne and the now trembling watchman help Varian with the bodies, and then Braxton and Lyrralt - who appear to be in unrousable comatose states. Two other watchmen come, and Warden Horne tells them to stick around on guard.

Warden Horne tries to rub the the migraine from his temples and forehead, then turns on the authoritative tone again.
"Alright. Like I said. We are going to talk to Mayor Doyle, and this girl... and straighten out what exactly is going on."

The warden pulls out the note again which had arrived - pinned to the villager who had ridden into town with his head removed. He reads it again...

"The mindwiper is dead. Your minds are your own... as are your choices. Choose wisely. Release my child, and those who submit will be spared. Deny me this, and your souls will be reaped on the harvest moon. Signed Gilvorgione.."

"That is three nights away. Are you suggesting the attack will come before then?"

Warden Horne takes a slow deep breath as his attempt to be authoritative was immediately followed by Sunny scooting, and Varian creeping off... looking like he is trying to make friends with a bird.
He motions the direction Sunny goes... "Well... that is where we are heading at least. Brother Sverin performed some sort of divine ritual with the body found in Room 3. It appears it had been the man who was thought to be renting the room... a Mr Nigel Rittenhaus. Among other wares distribution, he handled shipping of the lumber from Doyle's tree farm. The body had been magicked to look like Master Holfstedt Moranni."
Warden Horne steels himself, and maintains a firm tone. "I have come to the realization that these inexplicable murders and arcane tamperings have one purpose... to confuse. So we are going to sit down and work it out right now."

The bird does not fly away... but whenever Varian comes within ten feet, it hops to a safer distance and continues to peck at bits lying around the flagstone.

After Corum recounts the events to Warden Horne, he speaks finally with a hint of authoritative law man. "Alright... Time to work this out. We are sitting down with Doyle and getting to the bottom of this. People keep getting me riled up about crap they can't explain... Lets go."

The other watchman was about to clock out stops by the fountain before reaching the town hall. He lends his lantern light to the three old women filling their buckets with water.

I'll take a perception check... if it is 19 or above roll it again please.

(Sunny - Suny should be at Errik's house with the Karthak and the captives... that is where you left her.

>map of Doyle's Run.< You just entered town through the alley north of E on the map. You are currently halfway between E and D(the fountain)

"Morning... you're all up early... any news?" he pats the watchman on the shoulder and cocks his head toward the town hall to dismiss him.

Warden Horne nods thoughtfully with Errik's remarks regarding the possible communique. He then looks just slightly taken aback by the choice to walk. "Well... I suppose Mayor Doyle did not specific'ly call for me to drive you there myself."

He shrugs and looks over toward the Belching Badger "Maybe I'll join Karthak, and chow up at my brother's... meet you out there later to see if you wanna ride back."

"Oh! Almost forgot." He tosses the knapsack full of jerky strips; saying simply before heading off... "For those shapeshifters."

Inside the knapsack are a few biscuits and a couple dozen strips of beef jerky. Warden Horne looks over just as it turns invisible. "Huh?"

It is possible he saw the knapsack move and disappear in the periphery of his vision... though his controlled reaction seems like he just noticed it was no longer there. He walks a few steps to the driver's bench of the wagon, and looks under the seat.

Warden Horne calls out when he notices Errik and Braxton; already a dozen feet past the house and continuing west when the milling lawman happens to see them.
"You know you could ride with me. Heh heh. Ready when you are."
He casually returns Errik's wave of acknowledgement... projecting "no hurry" in his gesture and body language.

Corum - turning invis to check out wagon, or just walking up?

Leaning on a watch lantern pole a few feet away, Warden Horne turns to the door."Morning. Only one hiccup in our vigil. One of my men started to doze off standing. Luckily, we heard his lantern fall to the ground. Not really like him to fall asleep at his post like that... magicked maybe? Either way, didn't see anyone." He absently looks off to the west suggesting that was the direction the mentioned watchman was facing.

Warden Horne ducks his head in after handing the crates over to Braxton. "People are scared. Whole village has been holed up in their homes since the murders, but somehow rumors still spread. Thought of shapeshiftin killers don't sit too well with most folk."
He looks reluctant to continue, but sees the acknowledgement of concern.
"What I heard, and Mayor Doyle didn't deny it, is that if we were to hand you over tonight to this Horth fellow, he won't raze Doyle's Run tomorrow night with an army of undead." he shrugs.
"All he said when I asked if there be any truth to it was '..just make sure no harm comes to them tonight.'" Warden Horne straightens up and points in a few directions as he adds... "I've got eleven men out on patrol tonight, four including myself around your place. Everyone is in line of sight with someone else. Hopefully folks'll sleep well tonight knowin we're out here."

Master Marcotte lingers over Braxton's shoulder as he looks through the crates, and points to one of the blank spellbooks. "Do you mind if I put that to use?"

"No problem, sir. I have the crates from Fawni's here for you, sir.... and Mayor Doyle, sir. Mayor Doyle said to make sure no harm comes to you tonight." There is a distant rumble of thunder.

"Right behind you." Warden Horne looks to the two other watchmen. "Stay here and keep an eye on the prisoners. I'll be right back. Let no one else in here until I return."

Warden Horne quickly scans the floor, and speaks quietly... "Well, as most buildings here on the old Doyle Estate, there is no basement. There is a crawlspace under this area at least I believe. Dunno offhand how to get to it... other than rippin up the floorboards."

I'll take perception checks. Let me know if check is for floor here at back wall, outside in alley (both are within circle on map).... or elsewhere.

At first mention of eating, Warden Horne starts to say he had already eaten in front of them, but soon understands... He turns to the two confused deputies with him. "Let's eat. We'll talk after we've eaten."
They all eat.
A few moments after, Warden Horne explains to the deputies what Errik told him. The shapeshifters cannot digest solids, and it is not known if the two dead ones were the only ones.

"What? How.." Warden Horne glances at the derro, (the mouthy derro seems to perked up) he then walks toward you ... out of the derro's range of hearing.
"What are you telling me? What map?"

Warden Horne returns with a couple armed local men, lanterns, and proper restraints - via Fawni's house this time.
Apparently overhearing Braxton... "If you go to the Belching Badger, be sure to tell em I sent you. It's my brother's place."
The two locals with him, are still standing in the doorway - frozen in shock from the carnage.

The warden slaps one on the shoulder. "Hey. Down the hole. I'm right behind you."
He then turns back to you. "Goodman Doyle'll be at the town hall for a bit, but he'll be staying at Clio and Vern's bed and breakfast. With all that's goin on, he said he didn't feel safe in his estate out in the woods." The two men have made it into the hole, and you can hear them swearing incredulously.

"Well.. I better haul these things in. Thanks again. Hope you all stick around. And I hope Mayor Doyle is able to compensate you properly." He nods a farewell, and starts to make his way down the hole. As he drops out of sight he continues... "Especially if you're taking off with the evidence right now."

"That's fine... I'll bring a couple men, and suitable restraints." Warden Horne takes a look around. "I'd ask ya to try not to disturb things here... but I've gotten the impression Mayor Doyle intends to hire you. I'd sure appreciate it if you didn't say no." He then heads out the archway to the main sewers - to exit north of the ferry.

Warden Horne stands and nods... gives a quiet thanks to Errik for the light, then turns to Karthak and Corum. "Well met indeed. Whispering Way here? Nothing but dealing with drunks, a few pickpockets, and a few wandering degenerate orcs for years..."
"Sorry, no good sir dwarf, I have not seen or heard of this man myself. If you suspect he passed through here, I could question the ferrymen... if he used the ferry, one of our two ferrymen will remember him. Pardon me... "

He walks over to the archway to the main sewer and looks out then turns back toward you.. "Unless you have legitimate objections, we'll take these three to the holding cell in the town hall. If you care to meet me there soon as you can, Goodman Doyle has arrived, and would like to speak with you. I'll arrange for rooms at the the bed and breakfast if you wish."... turning back to Karthak and Corum, he takes another look at Karthak. "Or maybe the Belching Badger would be more to your liking."