Autumn thanks Elsie for her suggestion for a craftsman, then nods in agreement with Vildran. “Indeed, names are lovely. What’s the name of Froderson’s daughter? And where do the Frodersons live?” She would much rather speak to the mother, or a sibling, or really any other relation besides the old coot she had offended at the dry dock. “What about Adren’s family?”
She finishes her stew, and with darkness almost upon them, begins preparing for bed—or rather, a bedroll on the floor.
Sidonie eats more or less in silence. The idea of trying to get into Stonehome has her stomach in knots. She's heartily in favor of finding a Gorumite, maybe a couple or more, so they know everything they possibly can before making the attempt.
"Little Mara? They all live in the home across from the Drydock. You'll see the one." Elsie nods "As for Adren, he didn't grow up in Iron Harbor. Far as I know he doesn't have any family here." Seeing that you've satisfied yourselves, Elsie gathers up the dishes and heads off to clean up. She comments as she works "You let me know if you learn anything 'bout those sick people. I'm worried now, and it's going to be buzzin' around up there all 'a tomorrow."
"Thank you for your hospitality Elsie, we'll be sure to keep you informed. Though on the off chance we're being run out of town by a religious order of warriors, we might not get a chance. Keep an eye out I suppose."
Autumn adds her sincere thanks to San’s. After Elsie has left, she nonetheless lowers her voice, as a precaution, and begins scheming. “So I think we’ll need to talk to a Gorumite and the Frodersons tomorrow. And I suppose someone should be back at the ship, just in case Ordwi does show up.” It’s clear that she doesn’t hold out much hope for this option, given what they’ve learned from Janis, but better safe than sorry.
“Since the Gorumites don’t stay long in town, we should find them first—hang around a place that stocks food or medicine and hope one shows up. As for the Frodersons, I have an idea for a fresh start, but it’ll only work if I go alone.” She eyes the others, gauging their reactions.
Elsie leaves you to your rest and you settle in across the shop floor. It's not the most comfortable rest, but it beats sleeping out in the elements. You're awoken early the following morning, in the predawn hours, by the sounds of Elsie beginning her work for the day. Outside the windows, a light drizzle falls from a dark, cloudy sky.
While the rest of you prepare yourselves for the day, Vildran splits off and heads out to meet with Art and watch for Ordwi in the harbor. Meanwhile you all head out, stopping under the eave in front of Elsie's to wait out the rain as you discuss what to tackle first.
Doing her best to avoid the wet, Autumn stays as close to the building as she can. “Let’s find a covered area close to the path to Stonehome and wait there—that should be our best bet for intercepting a Gorumite.”
San watches Vildran for a moment, just in case some dero or something decides to ambush them on the wet morning. Pushing his paranoia aside he replies to Autumn. "Good idea. If I remember correctly, they'll have to pass by the back of the dry dock to get anywhere else. Seems a good a place as any to encounter someone. We just might see Ordwi passing by as well."
The drizzle persists as you make your way across town. You end up waiting in the shadow of the drydock, where the you have a clear view of the path to Stonehome. By peeking around the corner, you can also see the docks, where Vildran and Art are currently under the sloop's tarp and sharing a drink.
There's few people out and about on this miserable morning, but before even an hour has gone you see an armored young man with a shaved head making his way into town from the direction of Stonehome. He has an empty sack slung over his shoulder as he trudges through the rain. He only notices your group once he's quite close, and when he does he visibly hops up in surprise.
He doesn't do much more than nod in your direction as he starts heading into town.
For a moment Autumn considers whether it’d be better to let the Gorumite complete his errands first—he would likely be more relaxed and receptive without unfinished duties nagging at his mind—but quickly dismisses the idea. With a full sack, it’d be much easier for the Gorumite to just ignore them and head straight home, something that can’t be done with an empty sack. Besides, opportunity knocks now, and who knows when it might knock again.
“Glory to Our Lord in Iron!” Autumn greets the man and steps out from the eaves, directly into his path. Guessing that he’s not one for idle chit chat—and really, she doesn’t want to stand out in the drizzle for longer than necessary—she opts for a more direct approach. “We were hoping you could answer some questions for us.”
Autumn's approach appears to grab the fellow's attention. He breaks from his walk into town to come into the relatively dry eave of the drydock. Up close, he seems quite young - likely around the age of some of the human members of your group. His neck and part of his face are thickly scarred. He says "Odd to here that from a traveler. Are you here on pilgrimage or something? Happy to answer any questions of a fellow adherent."
San is surprised the Gorumite is not at stoney as their welcome priestess at the dock. "We had heard from some folks in town about some kind of illness and people being taken to the big house up there? Should we be concerned? Are we at risk just by being here?"
“Or something,” Autumn responds playfully to the young Gorumite. “Actually, I’m new to the faith,” she adds rather truthfully. “This disease,” she nods at San, “does worry me though. Have many people fallen ill? Is there a simple cure? I know that Gorum favors battle above all else, so I wasn’t sure how skilled his clerics are at treating illness?”
"Hmm." The Gorumite frowns as he looks from Autumn to the other members of your little group "There are a few people who are currently sick and getting treated in Stonehome. Quarantined, actually. Nothing for you to worry about." When Autumn starts questioning whether the Gorumites are ideal for treating illnesses, he adds "No army stands without healing for long, but-" He shrugs "You're right that not many of our number are skilled in those arts. Still, the people we have in our care will recover in time. Again, nothing for you to worry over."
“Thank goodness,” Autumn agreeably exclaims after the Gorumite repeatedly reassures them that there’s nothing to worry about. “I’m glad that you have the situation well in hand. Though a quarantine sounds serious …” Despite her lingering look of concern, she does not pursue the matter further. Based on his response, it appears that continued questioning about the disease itself is unlikely to yield new results, so she changes tack, remembering Vildran’s suggestion about names.
“My name’s Autumn, by the way.” She bends into a dainty curtsy, then waits expectantly for the Gorumite’s name before continuing. “Will Adren, and Alma be home soon then? And … Blanton … and Meitremar?” She pauses hesitantly after each name, as if trying to recall it correctly, giving her time to assess his reaction. “They’ve all been sick for a few weeks, right?”
“Oh, we’re visiting from Sandpoint,” Autumn answers carelessly. “Thanks so much for putting our minds at ease, Eric. How many people have recovered so far?”
San tries to wear a disarming smile while nodding, "Thought we'd see the world a bit. Not much happens in Sandpoint since the last bout of trouble. It gets kind of boring..."
"Sandpoint? Not sure where that lies. Far from here, I'd assume." He ponders for a moment before shrugging "Several of our own got sick and are now better. Like I said, it'll pass in time. Now, I should get going. They're waiting for my delivery back in Stonehome." Eric seems eager to go, but Autumn also notes that he stumbled a little in the comment about several people getting better. It seems like that might not quite be the truth.
"Sure sure, we shouldn't keep you from running your errands. Thank you for taking the time to chat. One more thing though..." San pauses to take a deep breath before continuing, "There was a priestess named Ordwi that was escorted to Stonehome yesterday by Sister... Vander... Vandal... something like that. You wouldn't happen to have seen Ordwi have you?"
“Thanks again for reassuring us,” Autumn says to Eric. “What do you need to get for your delivery? Maybe we can help—it’d be the least we could do for you,” she offers generously before he leaves, while peering a bit more closely at the heavy scars on his neck and face.
Bastiano has been hanging back, but as the conversation draws to a close he decides it’s safe to chime in.
“Ordwi wasn’t sick, though - she was here to help treat those who are. We traveled with her up the coast, and we’d like to pay our respects and see if there’s anything she would like us to bring her from town.”
At Autumn's question, he shrugs "Don't worry about it. It's my task, and as small as it is it's helping make me stronger. Accepting help would only be spoiling it for myself." He follows by a nod to Bastiano "I'm sure if your Ordwi has healing magic, Sister Vanda put her to good use."
He steps away and into the rain before nodding "Good bye for now." and turning to head into town.
San watches as the Gorumite walks away, "Well, I guess we couldn't expect him to know the names of any given 'guest' that's newly arrived. Shall we go retrieve Vildran and head for Stonehome? We would have seen Ordwi Unless they brought her on a round-about path back to the dock... I have a feeling they won't part with her voluntarily."
He isn't particularly excited at the prospect of having to use force but needs must.
After Eric is safely out of earshot, Autumn nods and half-agrees with San. “Yes, let’s get Vildran, but don’t forget we need a key to get inside Stonehome. Unless you have the tools and skill to make one from Janis’s mold, we’ll need to find that Derrol Finnick that Elsie mentioned.”
When they’re back at the ship, she recounts their meeting with the Gorumite to Vildran. “So it’s not just the leaders who are in on it—the rank and file are hiding something too. Eric—the Gorumite we met—recognized Blanton’s and Meitremar’s names, and he did not seem happy about it. And he kept telling us to not worry about the disease, that people are getting better, but that’s such a load.” She shakes her head at the Gorumite's inept lie.
You stop by at the sloop to pick Vildran up, where he confirms that Ordwi did not manage to somehow slip by your vigilant presence on the road to Stonehome. He joins you as you head your way back across town to stop briefly at Elsie's. Elsie's more than happy to explain where Gold's Ruin lies, but not before chastising any of you who ended up dripping on her floor. She explains it's just outside town to the west, on a small rise overlooking the bay, and that it consists of a trio of old half-built manors . You remember seeing them on the way in to dock, though overgrown as they were they didn't stand out nearly as much as the drydock or Elsie's bright red roof.
San apologizes sheepishly to Elsie as he drips on the shop floor. "Anything we should watch out for over at the manors?"
After Eric is safely out of earshot, Autumn nods and half-agrees with San. “Yes, let’s get Vildran, but don’t forget we need a key to get inside Stonehome. Unless you have the tools and skill to make one from Janis’s mold, we’ll need to find that Derrol Finnick that Elsie mentioned.”
Bastiano glances sideways at Sidonie. "Well, I wouldn't say we need a key. But sure, a key is easier. Let's try it that way first."
Elsie's more than happy to explain where Gold's Ruin lies, but not before chastising any of you who ended up dripping on her floor.
The sodden kayal blushes (his cheeks turn a darker shade of gray) and counts his coins before buying another muffin by way of apology. Also because he's hungry.
After thanking Elsie, and having the good sense to not irrigate the shop floor, Autumn asks a couple idle questions before heading on towards the manors. "How did Gold's Ruin come to be? And why was it abandoned?"
Elsie smiles at San "Nothin' much more to worry 'bout than some poison ivy and taking a tumble down the cliff if you wander too close." And after passing Bastiano a muffin she answers Autumn "It's not too much of a story. Three different aristocrats from Magnimar far down the coast came up a number years back. They were competin' with one another, and each wanted a piece 'a land and a manor built better than their neighbor. Townsfolk were happy to take their coin, 'specially as things got more and more elaborate. Then one day, they all three up and leave. Turns out there was some disaster down in Magnimar and they had kettles boilin' far worse for them down there to be worried about the little competition they made for themselves in Iron Harbor. I figure they just about forgot about it now. Big waste 'a gold for them, but it was a nice little boon for us while it lasted."
With that story in your heads, you head back out into the light rain and head westward down the path. A short walk takes you up a rise and soon the three ruined manors are in sight. The first you reach has a caved-in ceiling and no longer seems particularly livable, while the second and largest of the trio is more frame than structure. The last of the three is a more modest building with an intact and seemingly leak-free and vine-free roof, and a small vegetable garden in a patch out front. You notice the shutters are both new and of a much more simple and practical design than the rest of the structure.
A knock at the door yields little response initially, but eventually after a few attempts you hear a "Coming!" A couple minutes later the front door swings open to reveal an elderly man in a vest and trousers and well-mended glasses. "Oh. Well then, you're not locals are you. What brings you to my humble home?" He seems surprised, but also rather pleased to see you.
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“Good day to you sir,” Autumn greets the elderly man with a friendly smile and a little curtsy. “Are you Derrol Finnick? Elsie told us that you are a master craftsman, and we were hoping that you could help us with a small task. We’d be willing to pay for your services, of course.” Glancing around the building she adds "I really love what you've done with your place."
The man nods "I am Derrol indeed! And I would never go so far as to call myself that. I prefer historical enthusiast and semi-professional restorer of architecture and durable goods." He waves a hand at the manors "And this is my project in progress, as it were. Here, come inside and out of the rain." He seems very pleased to hear the immediate praise coming from Autumn and immediately sets about getting chairs for each of you and a place to put your wet outer garments. "It's been quite some time since I've had guests. I hope you excuse the mess."
And indeed there's quite the mess, woodworking projects of all sorts fill the living room where he's set you all down. "Now, what can I do for you?"
San nods along with Autumn as she compliments the craftsmanship. "We have an ah... item we need cast but we don't have the tools. We were told you could possibly assist us." San produces the key impression given to the by the New Thassalonians.
"Hopefully you'll find it to be an interesting ... hey, look at all this! Did we interrupt you in the middle of a project?" Bastiano is immediately distracted by the pieces and parts of whatever Derrol is building.
"Hmmm." Derrol raises an eyebrow at the mold "I'm certainly able to, but even someone of my age can put two and two together. Few keep a mold of keys at the ready for when they lose theirs. Which means you have some less than noble intent. What exactly is this a key for?" He doesn't seem completely outraged by the idea of making a copy of someone else's key. So depending on your answer he may still be willing to help.
On the side he answers Bastiano's question "My ongoing project here is to complete this old manor. You could call it a hobby."
Figuring honesty is the best policy starts by trying to gauge Derrol's opinion of the residents of Stonehome. "Well, you see, we arrived here to investigate this illness. You've heard of it right? People getting sick and the Gorumites taking them to Stonehome. People like Mara Froderson and Adren the fisherman?" San waits a hopeful moment before continuing. "Anyway we were escorting this priestess who received a letter asking for help. As soon as we arrived, this Sister Vanda came and 'escorted' her away. She was supposed to meet us at the docks this morning but she didn't show up. This is a key... to Stonehome. We intend to find out where our charge is and hopefully find out more about this sickness."
"Well then." Derrol runs a hand through his hair. "People getting sick is it? I haven't heard anything specific, but I don't spend all that much time in the town proper. As for the Gorumites, I have to admit I'm not particularly fond of them. Several months ago I'd finally decided to pay them a visit, I figured it was only polite considering the fact that I was living here. That Stonehome of theirs is an interesting piece of architecture, if a little crude, and I'd been hoping to take a look around. Maybe do a few sketches. Maybe get inspired." He shakes his head "But instead they turned me away, and with quite the scowls! Can you believe that?"
He looks expectantly at you all for your reactions, then continues "However, I think breaking in is a trifle extreme of a response for just a day's absence... Shouldn't you just talk with them first?"
Sticking with San's tack toward honesty, Sidonie just tells him the truth, especially if Derrol doesn't much like the Gorumites anyway.
"We've tried talking to them, and we're getting answers that we know aren't true. One of the people we came here with, a priestess named Ordwi was whisked right off the dock as soon as we got here by one of the Gorumites, to help with the outbreak of the illness she said. Now, nobody from Stonehome has so much as heard her name."
"We've checked with the crew of the ship in the harbor as well. Same thing, the captain went to Stonehome and now the first mate can't even get anyone to admit he went there. Stonehome isn't so big that a growing crowd of outsiders could just go completely unnoticed, and the Gorumites aren't even trying to lie convincingly about it. So, we're down to taking a look ourselves if we want answers."
Vildran frowns at Autumn's recounting.
So they're all hiding it, are they? That certainly won't make it easy.
--------------------
Vildran is certainly fascinated by the story of Gold's Ruin, but most of all that one of the inhabitants remains. He's a little nervous that once the key mold is produced, it'll be a little too obvious what the group's intentions are.
Indeed Derrol calls out his suspicions, and Vildran grimaces at San's direct approach. But, with the strategy already in motion Vildran add's to Sidonie's appeal.
Sir, we have tried talking to one of them and you see it seems some of the "sick" have been kept far longer than a day. These reports have caused us to be worried about our friend and we feel the gorumites are... stonewalling us.
"You certainly make it sound sinister." Derrol sighs "Well, fine. If it's in the service of a daring rescue, I suppose I can help. Though I would like to see this Ordwi afterward, if for no other reason than to have some confidence I didn't just abet a group of thieves." After a moment's thought he adds "Actually, there is one other possibility. If I make this key for you and you go inside, would you be willing to sketch out the interior layout for me once you return? I have not yet had my chance to see it myself, and it seems I might not for quite some time."
If you agree, he reaches for the mold.
"I'm sure making some sketches won't be a problem. I can bet Ordwi would like to thank whoever helped in this task anyway. We have to bring you the drawings after all. Speaking of people helping people, if you make it into town, Elsie makes some fantastic muffins. Take a morning walk to get the blood pumping and get a tasty treat on the way!" San seems to be trying to lighten the mood even though they are trying to enable a bit of trespassing.
"Good then, we have a deal." Derrol takes the mold and starts looking around his dwelling, picking up scattered tools "It'll take me some time to get everything ready and to pour the key. I may be done late this afternoon, and will certainly be done tomorrow morning. Depending on how urgently you need it."
Before you head out, he adds "Oh, if you can't wait that long, one piece of advice-" He keeps rummaging through his tools as he talks, taking out a small iron crucible from a scattered pile "Stonehome is clearly quite the fortified design, but they were clearly very focused on making the entrance imposing, so that's what is most protected. If you can make your way up the cliffs around it, you could quite possibly climb down and bypass the front gate entirely. When I was there asking for entry I saw a portion of the cliff overhangs the roof of their building."
"And well noted on the muffins, thank you."
Vildran cocks a curious eyebrow at old Derrol.
Suspicious of our intentions and now you want a complete workup of the interior. I wonder what plans you have...
He lets the thought pass quickly as it seems consensus is reached.
Drop in from above, eh? Thank you for the tip.
Unsure what else to say before they leave, he offers
Since we'll be back later today, do you want us to get anything for you while we're out?
Hmm, yes. Perhaps a muffin while you work? It sure would be fascinating to watch you work, but we don't want to get in your way! she offers with a pleasant tone before turning to head towards the door.
"A muffin? Please, if you would!" Derrol responds enthusiastically as he dons a pair of goggles. He's pushing a hand-made cart laden with tools when you head back out. Thankfully, during your conversation with him, the rain has ceased, though the sky is still heavy with dark clouds.
"We'll, We have some time. We might as well explore rigt? Anyone want to check out those rusty spire things we saw when we first came in?
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“You go ahead,” Autumn encourages San with the permissive smile of someone with absolutely no interest in a bunch of rusty spires. “I think it’s worth learning more about Mara Froderson, so I’ll do that instead. And don’t worry,” she forestalls any objections with a confident wave of her hand, “about what happened yesterday at the dry dock. He won’t know it’s me, and I think he’ll be more receptive if it’s just one person asking questions, instead of a whole gaggle of us.” With the rain no longer an issue, she finds a secluded place to start assembling a proper disguise. Out of her backpack comes a full set of makeup, a mirror, some wigs, and a change of clothes—it becomes rather clear that she’s done this sort of thing before.
A casual walk past the drydock reveals that old man Froderson is there once more today, currently working on planing a piece of wood. There's no one else there with him by the looks of it. From speaking with Elsie, you know the Froderson house is just across the road.