"Hey everyone, look, it's that gruffy old dwarf from last night...and his cat died. How very sad. I was never allowed pets back at the temple after that rat incident but I understand that loosing a friend is always hard." Fee puts a sympathetic hand on Dunham's arm - not the one holding his pet, the other one.
Fee intends to hover along where ever Rall goes. He keeps swinging his little silver tankard in case anyone wants to notice it and talk about faith stuff.
As Kreed leaves, a dwarf enters. It is Dunham, and for some reason he is carrying the skinned carcass of what appears to be a cat.
"Ahh ...," says Rall looking at the dwarf and the cat for about three seconds before bursting out into a grin and saying "I see you brought breakfast. Good thinking. Then, we're almost ready to go."
"Bowen, I have no doubt as to your ability to survive wherever you find yourself. I assume you can track and hunt your dinner with no equal. Could it be that you could use this ability to find the man-child's trail?" Turnipin asks the big man.
"If the lad did head out of the town, I can query the woodland creatures for more insight."
Turnipin stays with Bowen and tries to be cognizent of anything out of the ordinary.
Turnip, I hope you do not overestimate me.
I think it is a good idea though to go to the boys room and start looking there or see about any of his friends as well. Maybe we could split up and see if any children played with this young boy. Maybe he has a place he runs to and it will be that simple.
"That sounds good to me. Let us all go first to the boy home and perhaps we can split up from there. If anything should happen and we lose contact, this will be our home base. Meet back here by nightfall no matter what," suggests Rall.
Once they reach Thulrin's house Bowen walks around examining the ground from all exits and beneath the boys window. Bowen goes to work without a word and studies the ground bending every now and then sometimes at what seems like an odd spot.
1d20+6=21
Once they reach Thulrin's house...
Fee grows bored.
"Hey, didn't Gravel say something about a girl?" Fee asks anyone listening. "I bet the little guy just snuck out to pay a moonlit visit to his sweetheart. Yeah, and then they got caught or ran away together or something." Fee says, gaining momentum.
"I think we should see if the girl is missing or if she knows where he is."
There are indeed tracks leading from the window of the boy's bedroom, but they lead down into Falcon's Hollow. Following them closely, Bowen leads the party straight to the Butcher's shop, where a crowd of people has begun to form.
It soon becomes clear that the butcher's boy, Mikra, is missing as well and the crowd is composed of those trying to hear gossip. The butcher is within his shop.
Once they reach Thulrin's house...Fee grows bored.
"Hey, didn't Gravel say something about a girl?" Fee asks anyone listening. "I bet the little guy just snuck out to pay a moonlit visit to his sweetheart. Yeah, and then they got caught or ran away together or something." Fee says, gaining momentum.
"I think we should see if the girl is missing or if she knows where he is."
"Hold on, Flea," says Rall "I think we will be needed soon."
There are indeed tracks leading from the window of the boy's bedroom, but they lead down into Falcon's Hollow. Following them closely, Bowen leads the party straight to the Butcher's shop, where a crowd of people has begun to form.
It soon becomes clear that the butcher's boy, Mikra, is missing as well and the crowd is composed of those trying to hear gossip. The butcher is within his shop.
"Flea, here's where we come in. I'm going to ask if anyone has seen anything. You could do the same, or discreetly listen to hear what people may be saying about any goings on."
Rall begins to ask if anyone has seen anything, look for people he doesn't recognize or knows to be suspicious, and keep an eye out for suspicious behaviour all at the same time.
Gather Information Check 1d20+6=20
Local Knowledge Check 1d20+6=14
Sense Motive 1d20+3=6
"Flea, here's where we come in. I'm going to ask if anyone has seen anything. You could do the same, or discreetly listen to hear what people may be saying about any goings on."
"Right!" Fee skips into the crowd and begins to wander around, keeping his ears open.
Bowen enters the shop, "Excuse me sir but meself along with the Deputy and others are already looking for one child and I think they may be together. What could you tell me of your son and do you know if he had a relation ship with Gavel Keed's boy?"
Bowen enters the shop, "Excuse me sir but meself along with the Deputy and others are already looking for one child and I think they may be together. What could you tell me of your son and do you know if he had a relation ship with Gavel Keed's boy?"
Rall notices the woodsman enter the shop and thinks 'I should have done that. ... So, he thinks he's an officer of the law now, does he? ... I'd have him know it took me two days to forge the credentials that made me an officer of the law. ... and, I don't like the way he was looking at me last night. This one, I should keep an eye on.'
Rall notices the woodsman enter the shop and...
"Hey, Rall. I see you're admiring that big woodsman. Sun must be in your eye because you're squinting. One of my mentors always said if you screwed up your face in a scowl it might stick that way. I don't believe him though becuase I see lots of people making squinty eyes all the time but no one ever seems to get stuck like that. Have you ever seen anything like that? I'm going to go see what he's doing. No, don't worry, I'll keep listening..."
Bowen
Fee
Rall
ALL
Soon the whole town is talking about the missing children. Everyone has a theory. Most blame the willful ways of Kimi Eavewalker, who is always trying to prove herself brave. The young half-elven girl had been boasting to several other children the day before that she was not afraid of anything. Several adults only now remember the episode. Most recall that there was a mud-fight and a lot of yelling amongst the children.
Colbrin Jabb
Bowen nods as he listens, "Do they have a meeting area that they all like to go to before any 'adventures,' or do they just meet at any of their houses?" He looks around as he talks feeling a bit awkward talking to the man but it was better than outside with the crowd.
Colbrin Jabb
Bowen nods as he listens, "Do they have a meeting area that they all like to go to before any 'adventures,' or do they just meet at any of their houses?" He looks around as he talks feeling a bit awkward talking to the man but it was better than outside with the crowd.
Colbrin answers, "They generally meet here first. During the day, I often let them play in the back. I was soundly asleep last night though and didn't hear anything."
"If you will excuse me," with out another word Bowen does a slight bow and walks out examining the ground of the surrounding area hoping that the crowd has not made the tracks invisible.
1d20+612
Bowen
There are numerous tracks around the butcher's shop, the street is filled with them. But a very careful scrutiny of the area (taking 20) reveals that four or five children did leave the vicinity together heading towards the north-west gate.
Rall tries to get Fee, Bowen, and the others together a bit away from the crowd of gawkers and listeners. If they succeed in getting some privacy, he asks "What have you found out?"
Almost entirely engrossed in the stories that the tracks are telling him, he barely notices Rall motioning and making noises trying to get his attention. Even after this Bowen double checks his findings to make sure they are not only recent but match about the size the children would make. After finally happy with his results he walks over to the Deputy.
Motioning to the ground, "Looks like four or more children sized people did meet here and looks to be going towards the mid gate." Pointing in a few spots, "See how these small indentions barely leave a mark and those there have a slight scuff to the front? I can nearly guarantee that these belong to Colbrin's son and those light indentions would belong to the half-elven child." After pointing these out he looks up at the others. "Sorry, I'm not sure you all wanted to know that much about the tracks."
Bowen looks up and points towards the North-Western gate with a slight blush, "I believe that the children went that direction. I may be able to check further away from the stamping of these mongers."
Almost entirely engrossed in the stories that the tracks are telling him, he barely notices Rall motioning and making noises trying to get his attention. Even after this Bowen double checks his findings to make sure they are not only recent but match about the size the children would make. After finally happy with his results he walks over to the Deputy.
Motioning to the ground, "Looks like four or more children sized people did meet here and looks to be going towards the mid gate." Pointing in a few spots, "See how these small indentions barely leave a mark and those there have a slight scuff to the front? I can nearly guarantee that these belong to Colbrin's son and those light indentions would belong to the half-elven child." After pointing these out he looks up at the others. "Sorry, I'm not sure you all wanted to know that much about the tracks."
Bowen looks up and points towards the North-Western gate with a slight blush, "I believe that the children went that direction. I may be able to check further away from the stamping of these mongers."
"Well, ... that pokes a hole in the only idea I had, I think," says Rall. "Did anyone else find out anything?"
"Okay, what I've found out so far is that at least five children are missing. Kimi Eavewalker and Jurin Kreed we knew were friends; Mikra Jabb -- the butcher's boy; but also Savram Vade and Hollin Hebradan ... Savram we saw last night in the tavern and I think I saw Kimi talking to Bowen on the street after the fight. Did she say anything of interest?" says Rall.
"Anyone else find out anything?"
... Kimi Eavewalker and Jurin Kreed we knew were friends; Mikra Jabb...
"Anyone else find out anything?"
"Kimi said she wanted to be just like her father and I when she got older."
Fee mills about watching everyone with interest. The lightbulb finally goes off.
"I bet they all went to that haunted house..." he says just loud enough for his friends to hear.
"Yeah, I heard some kids saying something about a group of kids that were dared to spend the night at some old haunted house. That's where I would be if someone dared me"
"I bet they all went to that haunted house..."
"A haunted house?" Turnipin repeats softly. The gnome plants his quarterstaff firmly on the ground. "I am not afraid of ghosts. I think this seems like as good a direction as any to pursue."
Turnipin looks up to all the men in the group, looking for approval.
"...uh, but where is this haunted house?"
"Haunted house! Ha. We had this great scam going ... perpetrated on the good folk of Oppara. A bunch of ... ummm ... unscrupulous folks spread rumours about a haunted house, then dressed up as the unsightly undead and robbed the unfortunate brave souls who came to dispatch them. Particularly the priests who stood there with holy symbols in outstretched hands calling on the power of their gods ... heheh ... terrible men really ... mmphrph ... they were finally caught when the guards ... when we staked out the pawn shop where they were selling the holy symbols."
....
"Anyhow, a haunted house in Falcon's Hollow ... Let me think ..."
local knowledge check 1d20+6=24
RALL
"Let me think ... Could they be talking about the orphanage? The one that burnt down? It would be along the Northwest road ...."
"Hey everyone, look, it's that gruffy old dwarf from last night...and his cat died. How very sad. I was never allowed pets back at the temple after that rat incident but I understand that loosing a friend is always hard." Fee puts a sympathetic hand on Dunham's arm - not the one holding his pet, the other one.
Fee intends to hover along where ever Rall goes. He keeps swinging his little silver tankard in case anyone wants to notice it and talk about faith stuff.
Dunham rolls his eyes and furls his brow at Fee in a manner that might be construed as annoyance or perhaps contempt... but it just for a moment. Dunahm then realizes that Fee is just a bit confused and realizes he is happy to be amongst friends. "Harumph! Fee this here feline was hanging from me window sill when I awoke this morning. Look here at the inscription engraved upon it. What do you think this means?"
Written in block letters, the note reads, “Stunts that don’t know their place get skinned.”
"I bet they all went to that haunted house...""A haunted house?" Turnipin repeats softly. The gnome plants his quarterstaff firmly on the ground. "I am not afraid of ghosts. I think this seems like as good a direction as any to pursue."
Turnipin looks up to all the men in the group, looking for approval.
"...uh, but where is this haunted house?"
Dunham blurts out... "I have been gone one night due to a few too many pleasures with the Ale and yer'all thinking of going to a haunted house?" "Ye certainly have an odd idea of entertainment. Count me in... wait why exactly are we going to a huanted house?"
Dunham eyes Rall and says "I am glad to see you are recovering well from yesterday's tussle. What have ye done with the prisoners?"
Dunham eyes Rall and says "I am glad to see you are recovering well from yesterday's tussle. What have ye done with the prisoners?"
"Prisoners? ... We left them in the sheriff's care. I think."
"We did at that, though I very much doubt that they will stay that way for long."
"I believe you are right about the haunted house." Bowen looks around at the crowd, "We should decide if that is where we are going and if so we should probably try and leave soon. I'm sure the town wants these children back as fast as we can do it."
Dunham
Turning to the skinny dwarf he starts filling him in on the news of the missing group of children and the promise they made to bring them home for the town. "I do not know if you have any plans but I'm sure your talents that I saw in the fight may come in handy. What I mean is would you join us?"
"We did at that, though I very much doubt that they will stay that way for long."
"I agree. ... It would be better to have the gratitude of a grateful populace to protect us from the wrath of last night's sparring partners," says Rall "I'm with Bowen. Let's find those kids now."
"I need to grab some things from my room. If anyone else needs to get some stuff, let's do so and meet at the Northwest gate within the hour."
"Let me think ... Could they be talking about the orphanage? The one that burnt down? It would be along the Northwest road ...."
"It's settled then...let's meet at the Northwest road out of town in one hour."
Turnipin heads straight there and waits for his companions.
Rall rushes back to his room and adds some items from under his bedroll into his backpack. He pulls out the cleric's vestments and almost includes them thinking 'If we don't find those children, it might be a good idea for me to just keep going and not return here. I don't think they are going to welcome us back without the kids.'
He feels a pang of guilt looking at these. One of the scams he used to run involved him dressing up in these and finding wealthy wannabe adventurers and luring them with a tale of a haunted house. He would get two or three, encourage them to purchase all the equipment they needed for the adventure, promise them gold should they succeed, and go with them to the house (or the haunted sewer, or the haunted warehouse, or the haunted dock) where his fellow streetwaifs would be dressed as ghouls and rob them.
'It was fun at the time,' he thinks 'but most of our victims weren't much different from my new friends. They wanted to help.'
"No," he says shoving the robes back under the floorboards "We're going to find those children."
Rall heads up to the Northwest gate.
Nodding his head he turns to go wait at the north gate pulling his weapons from his pack and strapping them into easy access. Once arriving at the gate he kneels and goes through his pack making mental notes of his equipment and things they may need.
The Chronicler
[ooc]That works for me. Thanks much. Any player can feel free to follow the link for a map.
Anyone else need to grab anything before heading out into the untamed wilderness to explore a 'haunted' house?
Dunham
Turning to the skinny dwarf he starts filling him in on the news of the missing group of children and the promise they made to bring them home for the town. "I do not know if you have any plans but I'm sure your talents that I saw in the fight may come in handy. What I mean is would you join us?"
"Yes Sir Quaid. What I mean is I would gladly join your group. Seems that I have been itching for a good adventure and it looks like your merry band could use a helping hand." Dunham smiles as he says this, meaning to express his good intentions. However, it could be easily confused with a frown as he doesn't have much practice.
Dunham readies his weapons by his side and makes sure his supplies are packed neatly in his ruck-sack. He thinks to himself this may prove to be risky, undead and all.
He turns to his companions and asks "Do we have any plan with dealing with the... dare I mention it... the foul abominations and undead that may lurk in the mansion?" "Should we seek out a priest for tools that might aid us?"
"Yes Sir Quaid. What I mean is I would gladly join your group. Seems that I have been itching for a good adventure and it looks like your merry band could use a helping hand."
'Sir Quaid? His merry band?? When did we become his merry band?' Rall grumbles to himself.
As the 'merry band' loiters at the northwest gate, waiting for someone to lead the way, various lumberjacks, late risers apparently, stagger out of town, still trying to live down the excesses of the night. They travel in groups of two or three for the most part as they head towards the various lumber camps along the edge of the vale.
Looking around and seeing that no one was really taking the lead, Rall tries to take charge "Are we all here? Good. Have we got everything? Good. Let's go then."
Bowen just shakes his head at the dwarf, "Bowen is fine... Dunham I think I heard your name was? If I'm not mistaken I'm nearly positive that the 'haunted' house is just a rumor started by the children. Nothing has been proven. But I believe our new um... friend Fee may be able to help with that."
With a smile Bowen walks along Rall, "You are a born leader my friend. The Sheriff has always been a good judge of character and I doubt his faith in you was misplaced." He tries to sound heartfelt about the compliment but fears he may be lacking.
Bending to his work as they travel he checks the ground for tracks at steady intervals checking the tracks.
At one of his checks he looks up at everyone, "Only thing I ask of you is if I say something about the wilderness please heed my warning."