Perception
Upon hearing Skerrin's statment about the hides, Augusto takes his hat off and says a small prayer
"Erastil, We weep for the lost lives of our four legged cousins. If they where slain only to be skinned, please usher them to your Peaceful meadows"
returning the hat to his head, Augusto remains silent while he continues to search with the group
Centaur hides, centaur weapons, and Nomen posted on a doorway. T'would seem tha centaurs may know something about these Varnholders, and tha doings round herebouts. Mae be we needs be headin' that ways next, aferrin' we finish wit tha village proper.
Perception 1d20+4
Skerrin notices a sliver of paper sticking out from between one of the books in the trunk. He moves the books around and picks it up. It is a centuries-old geography book created by one Carmyn e’Brothasa, chronicler of Taldor’s Third Army of Exploration into the north. The following passage is marked by Professor Pendrod:
And so it was, high upon the Torres and well above the Vale’s Stairs, where rises from the high water a stony isle of dire report. Known as Vordakai’s Island to those that do live thereabout, some legend of its name doth come down through the locals. For they speak of a guardian that doth destroy all who would set foot upon its accursed shores. They did name no fewer than a twelvecount of their hero-knights who had left their bones upon its rocky shores over the years after having tested their mettle against its dread warden, ’til none would any longer go there for fear of its hidden terrors. And the name of this terror was given unto this Island.
In the margins of the book next to this passage, Skerrin sees the following hand-written note: “Vordakai—perhaps a Nomen centaur god?”
The party also sees a beautiful violin case under the bed, wherein lies an exquisite masterwork instrument recognizable as the work of the master craftsman Azores of Wispil.
'The church. Good plan.' Bwana and Motokono both follow suit, ready for action.
A small church stands here, its whitewashed walls and stained-glass windows gleaming in the sun. The bow symbol of Erastil shines like a beacon above the doors. Behind it on one side sits a neatly kept parsonage, and on the other a low hill holds the beginnings of a small cemetery. The interior is simply furnished with wooden pews and a humble altar. It has been thoroughly looted by the spriggans. The cemetery holds a total of 14 wooden grave markers, the latest one standing over a fairly fresh grave. That marker reads, “Andrisha the Potter,” and is dated several weeks ago.
Skerrin, from tha letter & notes ye found, does this "island" exist on the Nomen lands? Could'a tha folks here upset this centaur god an' brought a curse upon Varnhold grave robbin'? It looks as though they nae be fer 'avin' good relations wit tha centaur beasties.
Perception
"Does anyone know about a local tribe of centaurs? Without jumping to conclusions, it seems clues are pointing to some sort of involvement by them. Which might be justified...," she shudders, thinking of the centaur hides at the tannery.
Elisen finds a secret drawer in the altar, which contains the following: three scrolls of Cure Serious Wounds, three scrolls of Remove Paralysis, a scroll of Restoration, a scroll of Break Enchantment, a scroll of Breath of Life, and a scroll of Raise Dead.
Augusto, does ye think Erastil might be mindin' if'n we borrow tha scrolls Mistress Elisen 'as discovered? Might be o' use, an we are on a wee mision o' mercy 'ere. We can always pay back ferrin any we use, but fer now, might be best ta be 'oldin on ta 'em rather than leave em fer some ne'er do well ta swipe later on.
"Yes, Augusto, should we take these scrolls? I don't want to offend you or your diety, but some of these are very powerful and would probably help us find the missing. Like Bors said, maybe we could take them with us, use what we need, and pay back the rest, assuming we are able to locate the local priest.."
Knowledge(History) on Vordakai, cracking Azlant Pendant to do so:
Knowledge(Geography) on Vordakai's Island:
Seeing the headstones, Skerrin comments dryly.
"It might be a little difficult to return the flagon set; it would appear that the crafter is already experiencing his 'eternal reward'."
Knowledge(History) on Vordakai, cracking Azlant Pendant to do so..
Though quite obscure, with the help of the pendant, Skerrin is able to recall through his memory and studies that it is the name of an ancient Iobarian cyclops necromancer who once ruled a pre-Earthfall empire in this region.
'No haunting. Seemingly. No defilement. Apparently. Not then, a ghost? Or demon?' Bwana comments.
'Perhaps, this Vordakai, sent the centaur?'
after a brief moment of thought, Augusto speaks
"Erastil stands for the greater good of the community, If there is some chance these scrolls can help up find the missing villagers, dead or alive, he will approve."
As to the house on the hill, you discover it was Willas Gundarson's abode, the village's march warden. In his house you find a journal with a note dated about 2 months ago that says "Found bracelet by the river." When you detect magic in the house, as you have done with all the buildings, a wooden box in the living room detects as magic, which Skerrin identifies as a Folding boat.
The cottage with the children's toys in the front yard you discover was the weaver's house. The house is cramped, as it appears he was married with 4 small kids. You find a half-starved cat with a name tag on it (Calico) who warms up to you if you feed it.
The giant barn has both a cargo door on the front and a smaller door where a lean-to abuts the structure. The strong odor of barley and other grains wafts through the seams in the walls. When you open the door, you notice there are thousands of rats inside gorging themselves on the grain. The various swarms attack.
Aye, let me see the wee beastie. Always 'ad an affection fer tha little ones.
Bors will cast Speak with Animals to talk with the cat. Probably won't get much, but maybe the cat can tell if creatures attacked, horsiemans, or big 'n greys, etc. Maybe many suns ago, etc.
Wee one, can you talk with me. Where is master and little masters?
'Perhaps, this Vordakai, sent the centaur?'
"Anything is possible, but I am not sure exactly what the Necromancer Iobaran Cyclops ruler of a Pre-Earthfall empire would have to do with the centaurs...
...Nonetheless, it would probably not hurt to go and speak with them, to see if they know anything.
The only other leads we have is the discovery of a strange bracelet, and a reference to 'Vordakai's Island'."
If there are no other suggestions, Skerrin will then cast Mount and prepare to head into Centaur territory!
'Do they not, consider him a god, as the notes say?'
Bwana says thoughtfully. He too gets ready for the journey. Preparing his horse and gives his boots of springing and striding to Motokono so that the eidolon can move faster.
While the boots change size and shape to fit the ape's feet, the outsider's discomfort at waering them is clear to see. Bwana smiles widely at him, causing the ape to mutter begrudgingly all the more.
Aye, let me see the wee beastie. Always 'ad an affection fer tha little ones. Wee one, can you talk with me. Where is master and little masters?
Calico thanks Bors and the party for the food and says "My feeders left me in the red-sun time when they heard the new bird song. I was busy eating a bit of fish and did not follow them out. My feeders did not come back and I am now quite hungry for some more fish!"
Skerrin tells you that the red-sun time refers to the setting of the sun. The cat has no sense of time so it cannot tell you how long ago that happened.
New bird song? Skerrin, could tha be some kind o' bardic magic? Are tha Nomen known for 'avin powerful bards or arcanists capable o' charmin' magics?
Bors searches around as best he can, leaving out either some stored fish, scraps of meat, or even a few rat corpses from the earlier battle to keep the cat fed for about five days or so. Also, he fills a bucket with water from the well. Then, making the house as secure as he can for the cat, he thanks it, promising to return soon, gives it a good scratch behind the ears, and leaves it to its lair.
So lairds and lady, shall we visit tha Nomen? Or do we think we can find this island on our own?
Checking on Acracka, Bors makes sure the manticore tails are still safe and sound.
If'n no one be interested in tha centaur bow, mayhaps we kin use tha as 'nother peace offerin' to tha Nomen beasties.
"I think the idea of a peace offering would be a good idea. That might keep them from attacking us on the spot, and show we are different from the othres they have had contact with."
"While the bow is a magnificent weapon, I perfer to use me Blades, If it has history with the centaur, I also feel we should return it to them"
Skerrin nods gravely.
"I think we should have a word with the centaurs. They may know more of what has happened here, whether or not they were involved in it, as there was clearly some contact between the villagers and the centaurs, although it does not seem to have been on good terms."
He then gives a visible shudder as he thinks of the centaur hides at the tanner's.
"I would prefer to engage them diplomatically, if possible, and I agree that that bow might be an excellent bargaining chip / gift."
Knowledge (Nature) check please...
You leave the empty village of Varnhold behind and head east toward the Nomen lands. You all can make Perception checks please.
Whilst the group travels, Skerrin expounds at length about the origins of the Nomen, and the reasons for their matriarchal social arrangement and warrior caste.
"We should be cautious and courteous when we encounter them. They have suffered much at the hands of humanoids over the years, and their recent dealings with the Varnholders does not appear to have improved matters..."
Tis good tha ye joined us lass, ferrin if'n tha beasties prefer tha ladies in charge, ye can be our ambassador. Put em at ease an all it might.
"I'd never call myself skilled at diplomacy, Bors, but I can certainly do my best. Hopefully being willing to give them their bow back, will help in that area."
"You can Double up with me on old Sancho lass, Sancho won't bite, although he may complain a little"
Then, with a grin Augusto adds a little joke..
"I, on the other hand, may be inclined to nibble a bit"
With the finish of his joke, Augusto Bursts out into loud laughter, as if this is teh best joke he has ever heard
Tis good tha ye joined us lass, ferrin if'n tha beasties prefer tha ladies in charge, ye can be our ambassador. Put em at ease an all it might.
During that first day of travel East, Bors gets the sinking suspicion that the party is being watched. However, when he looks around, all he sees are the natural wildlife: birds, insects, deer, etc..
Taking a break midday, Bors approaches Skerrin and Legba, waterskin in hand.
At normal voice Bors states Aye, though yer beast be magical in nature, I magine it could use a little water all the same. While watering the beast, Bors leans a little closer to its rider and more quietly states, Laird, if'n I mae, might I ask ye ta keep yer bird's eyes high o'er us as we travel. I feel we might be awatched, an I dinnae know fer sure if'n it be by man o beast. I'd ask meself, as I talked wit tha tabby Cali, but bein as Legba's yer own, I felt tis better ta get yer direction astead. An let's keep it mum fer tha moment, nae wanna spook tha lass if'n I be far wrong.
To the rest of the weary travellers, trying not to be too obvious, Bors says nothing, but continues scanning the surronundings as they travel, not wanting to spook any potential watchers.
"Thank you, Sir Lamancha. I generally prefer to walk and enjoy the scenery during my travels, but hopefully Sancho will be okay with me. And no nibbles, from either of you..." she laughs, appreciating the joke.
You continue on your travels and face no danger that night. You rest, post guards, and get to know your new companion. You continue East and by noon of the next morning, you notice a number of strange furrows scar the grass, disrupted here and there by sinkhole-like depressions and mounds of earth and soil. The furrows seem to extend to the horizon. Also the animal activity in the furrows is almost non-existent. You can continue going East or go around the furrows and head North.
To identify the nature of the furrows, etc.
'Strange, this land. Scarred, as if hurt,' Bwana observes.
'What is known?'
To identify the nature of the furrows, etc.
Unfortunately, Bors does not know what could have caused the furrows.
"I have no clue what made those furrows, but those clearly aren't normal. I haven't heard a bird chirp in the last few minutes either. Let's go around those things, just to be on the safe side."
Augusto bends over and examines the markings as well
To identify the nature of the furrows, etc.Unfortunately, Bors does not know what could have caused the furrows.
'Let us move forward with caution.'
To Bwana, I agree, we should push ahead. Shouldn't take long ta cross this stretch, I a'magine, an I dinna wanna backtrack too far being this close.
If the party agrees to pass this way, Bors will dismount, swords drawn, and walk ahead of the group with Motokono, picking the quickest, safest (relatively speaking), path through/around/over the ruts to the other side. Perception/Survival checks as appropriate. This would be a good time to cast Barkskin as well, 50 minute duration.
+4 to result if in plains terrain
"So we are going through this mess, huh? That's fine, just remember, if we get eaten, I was for considering the other option," Elisen laughs nervously, taking a few test steps onto the strangely furrowed ground.
You travel through the furrowed terrain (considered difficult) and 1 mile becomes 2 and then 3 and before long you have traveled for 3 hours and 6 miles and still the furrowed ground remains.
Suddenly, you all clearly spot a 7-foot long dorsal fin pop out from the dirt ground, about 40' ahead of you, heading straight for the party!