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Fjyndel steps in the little shop and thanks Laurel for the tea, cautiousely sipping on it, trying to identify the herbs she used to brew it.
He then thinks of the old prophet and asks: "May I first see the body of the Prophet? Maybe we find some clues, even if I doubt it."
"The body is in there." Laurel points to the other room.
For those who enter the other room
"Hello, Laurel," Quince says as Fjyndel and others go to the other room. He takes a cup of tea. "This gnome...Coralee...said you asked to speak to me. I'm not sure what I can do to help, but here I am. How may I be of service?"
Quince looks concerned for a moment. "Would you like to sit down?"
"The body is in there." Laurel points to the other room.
For those who enter the other room** spoiler omitted **
Fjyndel enters the room, but backs off, seeing the body of the preacher.
After taking a deep breath he approaches the victim,While going back to the others he releases his breath.
"At least I was right, with the preacher having a disease... but why would one kill him?
What did the kids say? He was new in town, was he not?"
Drinta enters the room and sees the corpse, horrifically marred. Drinta turns a little green and says "I have to...go...outside for a ssssecond..." He runs out.
"At least I was right, with the preacher having a disease... but why would one kill him?
What did the kids say? He was new in town, was he not?"
Coralee looks at Fjyndel.
"So you guys know the old man in there? Was he some kind of Holy Man? Why would someone do that to a Holy man? Oh no I hope people aren't targeting priests. They might think I'm one 'cause I can cast spells, even though I'm really not a priest, well priestess at least. Desna just lets me cast spells, but they don't know that."She turns her head momentarily to watch Drint shoot by out the door."Laurel do you think they killed him because he was a priest? I really hope not. Maybe it was 'cause he had the disease and somebody wanted to stop it from spreading. Is that why? Oh dear we really need to find who did this. Did the Sheriff come Laurel? I sent for him, so I hope he turns up. Quince we have to help her find out who's responsible."
She turns to Quince imploringly.
Girther follows Drint outside. He pauses in the doorway and scans the surrounding area to see if anything looks out of place. He listens intently to the conversation going on behind him hoping that Laurel can provide some clue as to what exactly is going on around here.
Quirk also goes into the next room.
"Prophet? A real prophet? Meh, I always wanted to meet one. But all prophets, I know of, are dead. This one now, too. What are those dark spots on his chest?" Quirk moves quickly out of the room. "Is it contagious?" he whispers.
A little while later, Drint goes back into the room. He tries not to look at the corpse. "Who--whoever did thissss...they wanted...both Laural and thissss man dead. Either that, or they wanted to kill the man, without Laural interfering. Did she...ssssee who did it?
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"Hello, Laurel," Quince says as Fjyndel and others go to the other room. He takes a cup of tea. "This gnome...Coralee...said you asked to speak to me. I'm not sure what I can do to help, but here I am. How may I be of service?"
Quince looks concerned for a moment. "Would you like to sit down?"
Laurel sits down and takes a moment to compose her thoughts. "The old man was afflicted by the blackscour taint. A nasty disease that kills within a fortnight once symptoms manifest. Luckily, there is mention of the disease in one of my books and I found a cure. Unfortunately, my supply of the necessary herbs is gone, taken by those black-hearted... you have to pardon me. I am healer and to see people so intent in malice is very appalling to say the least."
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"Laurel do you think they killed him because he was a priest? I really hope not. Maybe it was 'cause he had the disease and somebody wanted to stop it from spreading. Is that why? Oh dear we really need to find who did this. Did the Sheriff come Laurel? I sent for him, so I hope he turns up. Quince we have to help her find out who's responsible."
She turns to Quince imploringly.
Laurel looks at Coralee, "I'd rather not speculate as to the motives of those you killed the old man. But this I know: blackscour taint is not something that you get by touching a man or breathing the air he breathes. No, you have to ingest some infected material for that to happen."
Laurel continues, "I don't know the Sheriff that well. But he might help."
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Girther follows Drint outside. He pauses in the doorway and scans the surrounding area to see if anything looks out of place. He listens intently to the conversation going on behind him hoping that Laurel can provide some clue as to what exactly is going on around here.
For Girther
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Quirk also goes into the next room.
"Prophet? A real prophet? Meh, I always wanted to meet one. But all prophets, I know of, are dead. This one now, too. What are those dark spots on his chest?" Quirk moves quickly out of the room. "Is it contagious?" he whispers.
"The old man is not contagious unless you ingest some infected body matter, blood, urine, feces, that sort of stuff." Says Laurel.
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A little while later, Drint goes back into the room. He tries not to look at the corpse. "Who--whoever did thissss...they wanted...both Laural and thissss man dead. Either that, or they wanted to kill the man, without Laural interfering. Did she...ssssee who did it?
"Those who attacked me came from behind and I failed to see their faces." Laurel winces as her wound continues to make movement difficult.
"Those who attacked me came from behind and I failed to see their faces." Laurel winces as her wound continues to make movement difficult.
Coralee move toward Laurel protectively with a chagrined look on her face.
"Oh no, I'm so sorry Laurel I should have realized. Here let me help you with that."She lays her hand upon Laurel's back and asks Desna for her Blessing.
Cure Light Wounds (1d8+1=6)
"I feel so bad that I left you without making sure that you were fully alright. I have been worried sick. Did you know that Jurin's father isn't a very nice man. I hope Jurin won't get into too much trouble. I wonder why the Sheriff hasn't been yet. Maybe because he doesn't know you very well he is taking his time. That's not very nice either. There's been a murder for Desna's Sake! Maybe the people I asked to find him didn't bother? Should one of us maybe go and try to find him and let him know what has happened?"
"So there's a disease, and a murder. And an assault on you. But what do you want of us? We're not healers, you are. And we're certainly not the sheriff either. I'm sure we'd all like to help, but what can we do?"
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"So there's a disease, and a murder. And an assault on you. But what do you want of us? We're not healers, you are. And we're certainly not the sheriff either. I'm sure we'd all like to help, but what can we do?"
"The disease needs a cure and, unfortunately, my supply of necessary herbs is gone. I think you and your companions have the skills needed to obtain the herbs within a fortnight. That is if you are willing to brave the dangers of Darkmoon Vale, well are you?"
"Dangers? There are no dangers in the vale..."
Quirk thinks for a bit...
"Well... you need to watch out for the wyvern... and there are some wyrms living in the trees... and if the wolves come in packs, you'd better run... and then there are hunters and poachers and spiders... emmm... I see what you mean..."
"And he's a native," Quince adds. "You'll guide us, won't you, Quirk?"
Quince takes a deep breath and lets it out in a long sigh. "While I had hoped to have a bit of rest here in Falcon's Hollow, it seems the road (and my feet) have other ideas, and adventure calls. I, for one, would be happy to help, Laurel. And I'm curious as to what secrets we might find in Darkmoon Vale."
"Sure, I'll help you, and later you'll help me... no problem. When do we go?"
"I, for one, am ready to leave at first light. I wouldn't mind getting some sleep first, though." Quince stifles a yawn and looks pointedly at Quirk. "I'm sure we won't be welcome back at Jurin's house, but perhaps Laurel might put us up, just for the night?"
"In the morning, we should probably purchase some supplies. Food, rope, that sort of thing. Anyone know if there's a general store somewhere in town? It's a logging town, of course there must be!"
Quince realizes he must sound a bit like Coralee right now, and gives a sheepish grin. "I'm sorry, I just forget how excited I get every time I set off a new adventure! So, Quirk, what can you tell us about the Darkmoon Vale? I mean besides wyverns and wolves and bears, oh my!"
Quince realizes he must sound a bit like Coralee right now, and gives a sheepish grin. "I'm sorry, I just forget how excited I get every time I set off a new adventure! So, Quirk, what can you tell us about the Darkmoon Vale? I mean besides wyverns and wolves and bears, oh my!"
" But a new adventure is exciting. And this one sounds like it could be dangerous. Of course we will help you Laurel. Well at least I would love to help you. Quince said that he and his group will help you too, so I might be able to go with them". She looks over at Quince with a smile. "Can I go with you please Quince. It would mean I don't have to go by myself because I really want to help. This Darkmoon Vale sounds a bit creepy, so it would be good to have you guys with me to help. If they do say yes Laurel then I wil make sure I find the ingredients you need to help the townsfolk. Noone should have to suffer like that old man, The Prophet did someone call him, did. We can leave in the morning no problem, but I agree we should get some sleep first. Please can we stay here Laurel. The Tavern is full and I don't want to have to go stay at the Brothel like that rude Barkeep said. How are you feeling? Do you still need some healing. I still have some healing ability left if you do need it. Just say the word. You still look a little pale, but then that could just be because you lost some blood. Noone else here needs healing do they? Everyone is alright? Good then just let me know if you feel like it then Laurel".
She gives Laurel another smile and sips on her tea.|
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Laurel returns with a short list, she gives it to Quince.
"You'll need to find some Elderwood Moss. It grows on the oldest tree in the forest. A root called the rat's tail. And seven ironbloom mushrooms, which grows in dark places thick with metal."
"I believe Quirk can help you guys find the oldest tree in the forest, so the Elderwood Moss would not be difficult to find. For the rat's tail try looking for the witch Ulizmilla. For the mushrooms I suggest heading north towards the mountain, there are some old dwarven ruins there."
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"I, for one, am ready to leave at first light. I wouldn't mind getting some sleep first, though." Quince stifles a yawn and looks pointedly at Quirk. "I'm sure we won't be welcome back at Jurin's house, but perhaps Laurel might put us up, just for the night?"
"In the morning, we should probably purchase some supplies. Food, rope, that sort of thing. Anyone know if there's a general store somewhere in town? It's a logging town, of course there must be!"
Quince realizes he must sound a bit like Coralee right now, and gives a sheepish grin. "I'm sorry, I just forget how excited I get every time I set off a new adventure! So, Quirk, what can you tell us about the Darkmoon Vale? I mean besides wyverns and wolves and bears, oh my!"
Quince accepts the list and looks over it. "Thank you, Laurel. We'll do our best. And I think you'd be welcome to come along too, Coralee."
Quince pauses for a moment, as if deciding something, then turns to Girther. "Any chance there might be some of these ironbloom mushrooms growing under your armor, Girther?" he asks with a grin. "It says they like dark places with lots of metal."
Quince accepts the list and looks over it. "Thank you, Laurel. We'll do our best. And I think you'd be welcome to come along too, Coralee."
Quince pauses for a moment, as if deciding something, then turns to Girther. "Any chance there might be some of these ironbloom mushrooms growing under your armor, Girther?" he asks with a grin. "It says they like dark places with lots of metal."
"Tee Hee Hee. Thanks Quince, you're funny! I like you guys."
Quince accepts the list and looks over it. "Thank you, Laurel. We'll do our best. And I think you'd be welcome to come along too, Coralee."
Quince pauses for a moment, as if deciding something, then turns to Girther. "Any chance there might be some of these ironbloom mushrooms growing under your armor, Girther?" he asks with a grin. "It says they like dark places with lots of metal."
Drint tips his head to one side, and then realizes it is a joke. "Oh, yessss, funny." I hardly understand these people. He adds, "I hate to go to mountainssss. I'm jusssst a simple forger, or I ussssed to be. It'ssss what I know about. But a cure issss needed...I jusssst want you all to know that I'lll be little help."
Fjyndel thinks about what he hears and sees in Laurel's shop, looking over the list of ingredients, searching his mind to recognise them.
Knowledge(Nature) (1d20+12=32)
After the mentioning of lack of sleep, he agrees: "Yeah, I would need some sleep too. And I would need some time to ask Gozreh for his grace to grant me some magic, to aid us in our search."
"Laurel, sleep is just what we need. Do you mind if we stay here for the night? We can sleep on the floor, and we don't take much room." Quince smiles and winks.
"Also, is there a general store in town you can direct us to, so we can get supplies tomorrow morning before we set out?"
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"Laurel, sleep is just what we need. Do you mind if we stay here for the night? We can sleep on the floor, and we don't take much room." Quince smiles and winks.
"Also, is there a general store in town you can direct us to, so we can get supplies tomorrow morning before we set out?"
"So long as you guys are comfortable sleeping with a dead man in the next room. The general store should be open tomorrow."
Turning to Laurel the gnome says: "The good thing is that I do know those herbs you listed for the recipe and am sure that I can identify them. Good thing is also that most of the vale is wood, and I am familiar with such a surrounding.
Seeing that Quirk knows the wood as well, I see no problem with retrieving the herbs."
"So long as you guys are comfortable sleeping with a dead man in the next room. The general store should be open tomorrow."
"I do not see any other possibility to get some rest. And beeing dead, the prophet should not disturb our sleep."
"So long as you guys are comfortable sleeping with a dead man in the next room. The general store should be open tomorrow."
In the morning, Coralee performs her Prayers to Desna after waking, then eats breakfast and heads first to the General Store to buy a new Journal to detail her new adventure, then to the Caravan to report to the Caravan Master about where she is going. Once done there, she heads back over to the Sitting Duck to collect Monarch from the Stable Boy, tipping him a Silver for his good work. When she has checked Monarch and all of her gear, she then heads back to Laurel's to meet up with the party before they begin their "Epic Journey to rid the town of Falcon's Hollow of the dreaded Blackscour Taint", as she likes to call it (repeatedly, whenever she gets a bit excited about the trip which unfortunately for the others is quite often).
Turning to Laurel the gnome says: "The good thing is that I do know those herbs you listed for the recipe and am sure that I can identify them. Good thing is also that most of the vale is wood, and I am familiar with such a surrounding.
Seeing that Quirk knows the wood as well, I see no problem with retrieving the herbs."
"So long as you guys are comfortable sleeping with a dead man in the next room. The general store should be open tomorrow.""I do not see any other possibility to get some rest. And being dead, the prophet should not disturb our sleep."
"Sleep so nearby to a--a dead man? But...never mind. I--I don't care."
For CoraleeSpoiler:You enter the Sitting Duck and see the caravan master slumped on one of the tables. He appears to have passed out from too much ale. You playfully pull a couple of nose hairs and the caravan master bolts up awake, "Ouch! Why did you have to do that, Coralee?"
Coralee finally finishes and pauses for a second to catch her breath, just giving the Caravan Master time to get in a word if he wants.
Girther sleeps soundly and arises rested and ready to gather the need herbs.
Fjyndel wakes in the morning after some strange dreams of Kobolds, Gnomes, Halflings, Pixies and Dwarves, only to realise that some of those memories he thought to be dreams where reality (although one dream he wished to be real wasn't).
After finishing his prayers he asks Quirk if he could tell, how long they would be going to be on the way to gather the herbs.
Quince sleeps through the night, only waking up a few times thinking the dead body in the next room is moving. (Unfortunately, Quince never looked at the body itself, so his imagination filled in way too many details.)
In the morning, he accompanies anyone else going to the General Store.
"Laurel said it could take up to a fortnight, so I'm going to stock up on food. Wouldn't do to go hungry in the middle of Darkmoon Vale and have to come all the way back to Falcon's Hollow for a bite to eat."
"Does anybody have any rope?" Quince asks when the group is back together. "I was thinking it be useful, and I was going to buy some, but I ran out of money. Plus, it looked really heavy."
"Laurel said it could take up to a fortnight, so I'm going to stock up on food. Wouldn't do to go hungry in the middle of Darkmoon Vale and have to come all the way back to Falcon's Hollow for a bite to eat."
"Does anybody have any rope?" Quince asks when the group is back together. "I was thinking it be useful, and I was going to buy some, but I ran out of money. Plus, it looked really heavy."
"Right you are, I need some rations too.
I have a rope of about 50 feet length. Well not at hand, but Grendel has it attached to his saddle. I am glad to finally get out of this town... and Grendel will be as well."
Quirk has been sleeping in the branches of a tree. A house does not feel right to him, and also having a dead human in it, this has not been very assuring for small Quirk. Perhaps this illness has changed and become contagious. No risk is better than any risk. So, sleeping in the trees it has been.
As he comes back down to the ground he stretches and gives a loud yawn. Then he sees the others fanning out, mumbling something about shopping. A nice word. New, too.
As Quirk speaks with Fyindel, who has come out of the house to ask him, how long the trip shall take the group. He begins to think.. "Hmmm... emmmm... yesss... a long days walk just to get to the woods. Then, more than half a day day in the forest to reach the Eldest, about the same distance to the witch and another trek to the dwarven building, lots of smoke there, my elders told me... but that was many many years ago. The forest reaches now back to the ancient building."
"And then our way back... can you all fly? No? Swim?" Thinking about the dwarf a vision of a stone sinking in water fills his mind. Quirk shakes his head. "Neither. Well. Then it's the same distance for the way back."
"What is that shopping the others spoke of?"
Drint awakes looking very pale. "I should have sssslept outside. Cursssse that guard."