(PF) Hollow's Last Hope IC thread - party 1

[maggie_mcknife]

Erastus 28, 4707

It is a beautiful morning, with not a cloud in the sky and the sun shining clear on the waters of the River Foam. Even the fey-haunted Darkmoon Wood seems a little less gloomy on a day like this, with birds warbling in the trees and the forest floor bursting with the bright colours of summer flowers.

In the dirt streets of Falcon's Hollow, however, barely a soul stirs. Save for the lone watchmen patrolling the streets and a few sullen woodsmen trudging their way over to the Lumber Warehouse, the town is filled with a hollow, empty silence. There are no fresh smells of baking bread, no rowdy vendor noises from the usually bustling Low Market, no hammering at the forge.

Perched at the edge of civilized lands, the small town of Falcon’s Hollow has always had to rely on itself to solve its problems. Meanwhile, the uncaring lumber barons squeeze the common folk for every last copper, deaf to their pleas. Now the hacking coughs of the sick are heard throughout town. The plague has come to Falcon’s Hollow and the town’s leaders can’t be bothered to stop it.

It is morning, just after the seventh hour, and all is not well.

Elena:
You awaken with your face pressed against the page of a book of natural remedies that you'd borrowed from Laurel, the local herbalist and your employer. You had stayed up late last night, researching the book in the hope of finding a recipe that would cure your parents, to no avail. Glancing over at your parents as they toss restlessly in their sleep, you rise from the table where you'd fallen asleep and set about quietly stoking the hearth fire, preparing a foul-smelling concoction for your parents with some herbs you'd begged off Laurel yesterday. Only after this task is done and the concoction set to cool in two bowls by your parents' bedside, do you prepare yourself a meagre breakfast with what little food there is left in the house.

As you gnaw at your own breakfast, there is a sharp rapping sound on the door. You open the door to behold Laurel herself on the front step, her sharp face creased with weariness, though her voice remains as brisk as ever.

"Good, I was hoping you'd be up. 'Fraid you're going to need to come in early today. There's just too many sick folks round here and none of 'em getting any less sicker. No thanks to those useless priests up there at the temple." Making a sound of disgust, she sucks in her cheeks and sighs. "How are your parents? Any better?"

Owen:
You awaken to the comforting sounds of your mother moving around the kitchen space, getting ready the morning meal. Your father and brother have already left for work at the Coster. Rolling out of bed, you splash some water on your face from the water barrel, pull on a shirt, and greet her warmly before assisting her with the preparations. The food smells delicious and once it is ready, you shovel it down with a good will.

Once the meal is done, you sigh with contentment and sip the scalding mug of tea that your mother has placed before you. It takes you a moment to notice that your mother has only picked at her plate, barely touching the food. Cupping her own mug of tea, she stares at it for a long moment before speaking, smiling at you as she does so.

"Sheriff Baleson stopped by earlier. Said you were to report to the watch-station outside the Hollow Tribunal once you were ready. Didn't say why. It's not something to do with the coughing thing going around, is it?" Despite your mother's attempt to remain casual, you sense that she's as anxious as everyone else in town is.

War:
You awaken with stiff limbs and the faintest traces of a lingering headache. As you stretch, you recall that you are in The Sitting Duck, Falcon Hollow's boisterous local tavern and hot spot for excitement. Rising from the bench you'd fallen asleep on, you step over the other passed-out patrons on the floor and take a seat at the bar. Upon spotting you, the few sober men and women sitting already there immediately shift discreetly away to a respectful distance. The innkeeper, a fellow named Nef, nods politely and slides a steaming plate of hash and eggs before you without being asked.

As you polish off your breakfast, you notice Nef glancing keenly at you as he idly rubs a dirty rag over the bar counter. He waits until you have finished eating before speaking.

"Would ye be looking to stick around these parts for a while, sir? 'Cause Mister Kreed's been looking to hire. Bit short-handed due to the er- coughing sickness thing going round, see. Too many lads calling in sick. Said to send any likely-looking fellows to see him if they were interested in a spot of work."

Alicia:
You awaken in your room at Jak'a'Napes, the local inn - indeed, the only inn that Falcon's Hollow has to offer. Although the room is small and unadorned, the bed, at least, was free of bugs and the pillow was soft enough. Odd though, that a town along a major trading route on the River Foam would have a vacant room in the high of summer. You would have expected the inn to be filled with travelling merchants and adventurers, or even performers like yourself. Still, a bed is a bed. You were especially glad for it when you arrived late last night, fresh off the ferry after several days of travelling.

After readying yourself for the day, you slip downstairs into the inn's eating area, hoping for some breakfast. As you study the menu on the wall and what some of the other patrons are eating, wondering if you ought to try the cinnamon-flavoured flapjacks, a rotund red-faced human whom you recognise as the innkeeper, Jak, stomps into the room. He does not seem happy.

"Pah! Closing off Brookman's spring- what was he thinking? Where the bloody hell are we all supposed to get our water from now? Suck it from the stinking river? Cayden's blessed codpiece. Plague or not, if we don't-" Catching sight of you, Jak immediately beams, his anger vanishing abruptly as the innkeeper in him takes over. "Why, it's our newest lady in town. Have a seat, little miss. What can I get for you?"

Town Map over here if you need to see it (http://i49.tinypic.com/14usmq.jpg)

[Linguz]

Having arrived at the town the day before, near the end of the afternoon, War hadn't had the time to get acquainted with the town yet. He has no idea who this Kreed is, nor why he deserved a title, and he doesn't care either. But the prospect of a job incited his curiosity, so he gave the barkeep his attention. "Work as in what?" Inside, he hopes that it is of the butchering kind, but he strongly doubts it.

[18th Avenger]

Owen rubbed his neck and took another sip of his mother's brew. With some quick calculations, he realized that they'd be out of tea leaves soon. He thought about how hard it would be to buy a new supply and of how determined she would be to acquire some. The watchman sighed and replaced the cup on the table, right on top of the rough wooden coaster.

"I'd be surprised if it wasn't, mum. But given our fortunes, it could be no other thing." His green eyes, mirror to hers, glittered from his stubbled face as his lips curved into a smile. "But we've been lucky so far. The gods know we must be doing somethin' right. Maybe it's the work you're doing at the hospice."

He stood up and crossed over to where she sat and gave her a warm hug. "You needn't worry, mum. I'll be alright." Owen gave her a whiskery kiss that he knew tickled her cheek and made her smile. "I'm a lucky sort."

He straightened up and went over to the room where she'd insisted he keep his weapons and armor; a simple suit of studded leather armor on a stand and a buckler, a worn heavy crossbow on a rack with a quiver full of bolts nearby and his dagger and heavy mace. The watchman dressed with the careless ease of one who'd been donning his armor every morning since he was able to.

When he was sure all was in place, Owen touched the simple wooden placard of Cayden Cailean's simple tenets that his mother and father had given him some seasons back, tracing each word slowly. His ritual done, the prepared watchman found her once again. He bent down and kissed her once more. "Thanks again for breakfast, mum. I'll be back in the evening. Send my love to da and Kerris when they come back."

And then he was out the door and into the empty grey streets of Falcon's Hollow, heading for the watch-station and the day's duties.

[aturtledoesbite]

"I'm afraid not, Ms. Laurel," Elena replies, sullenly. Setting her breakfast aside, she stands up and makes sure she has everything she needs for work. Deliberately changing the subject, she continues. "Go on ahead. I just need to call Cerberus, then I'll head straight there."

[maggie_mcknife]

War:
A sly look comes over Nef's face as he leans conspiratorially towards you. "We-ell, I don't rightly know exactly what kinda work Mister Kreed would have in mind. But..." He glances theatrically around before lowering his voice and continuing. "Word on t'street is that Mister Kreed ain't been too happy with his bodyguard recently. Not he's been all that cheery with Payday since the Sheriff slapped the bugger in the face with an axe flat, anyway. Heard that Mister Kreed's been talking about ditching Payday finding someone tougher. Someone bigger." He glances somewhat apprehensively at your large frame. "Someone who wouldn't mind a lee-tle bit of applied violence towards disrespectful folks when Mister Kreed wanted it."

Owen:
You arrive at the watch-station in good time. Knocking on the door before you enter, you find your boss, Sheriff Baleson, already seated at his chair. His famous axe leans against the edge of his table within arm's reach. As you enter, he looks up at you, something of a strained look about his eyes.

"Ah. Farrier. I see you got my message. Have a seat. I trust your family remains well?" You can't help but notice the half-elf's slight emphasis on the word 'remains'.

Elena:
"Damn. I'm sorry to hear that." Laurel frowns as she chews her lower lip, then claps your shoulder awkwardly in what's supposed to be a comforting pat before she leaves. "Chin up, girl. Your parents are strong folk. I'm sure they'll turn out fine. I've been checking out some of the recipes in my grandmother's book and I've got a few ideas. You just hurry along to the shop once you're ready, y'hear?"

[oyzar]

"Ah, It is nice to meet you" Alica says with a beaming smile at the innkeeper. "I think I'll have some cinnamon-flavoured flapjacks." The little halfling looks around the room to get a view of the other patrons. "What is this you mentioned about a plague? That sounds horrible. Is there anything I can do to help? I originally came to this to perform. I am a storyteller and a dancer you see." Alica swings around, raising her left knee up, stretching her foot out, then bringing it back down to face the inkeeper. "However hearing about your plight I can't help but want to aid you."

Should I roll for diplomacy or does that require a councious action? I am certainly trying to get him to improve his attitude/get him to tell me what he knows.
[roll0]

[Linguz]

War smirks. This is the type of job that he could get into, if disrespecting this Kreed happened often. He so very much hopes it happens often. Maybe he'll even get to show the Sheriff his strength, or maybe he'll have to fight Payday for the position. He so very hopes he'll get something to kill today. "Now you've got me interested. Tell me where to go."

[18th Avenger]

Owen chose not to comment on his commander's weary looks. The sheriff was a good man for as long as he'd known him. Besides, even if he wasn't one of the few good men in the town, the young watchman liked him. Owen stood in from of the desk in a posture as close to attention as he could manage.

"They're well, sir. Kerris and Da especially. Anyway, mum said you wanted to see me?"

[aturtledoesbite]

"Yes, ma'am," Elena says as she leaves. She leaves the house as well, but instead of going the same way Laurel is, Elena heads to an open space behind her house. There, in the same spot she's used for the past twenty years, she sits and begins to meditate.

The winds in the area swirl around her ever so slightly, just enough to bend the grass. An indistinct form begins to appear in front of her. As it begins to become more solid, a black, faintly glowing rune begins to form on Elena's forehead. The form slowly comes into focus, transforming into a dog-like creature with not one, but two heads. As the creature's form is completed, so, too, is Elena's rune.

"Good morning, Cerberus!"
"Good morning, Elena. You are early today."
"Ms. Laurel wants to open up as soon as she can today because everyone's sick."
"I see. Your parents?"
"...No better than before."
"I am sure they will be fine. Do not worry, Elena."
"Yeah..."
"Well, shall we go? It would be unwise to keep Laurel waiting."
"You're right."

Elena and Cerberus head back to the front and travel the path to Roots and Remedies, as usual.

[maggie_mcknife]

Alicia:
"I'll get those flapjacks served up for you right away, little miss." Jak turns and shouts something unintelligible at someone in the kitchen before facing you once more. He invites you to have a seat at an empty table nearby.

"Truth be told, I was kinda surprised when you dropped off at the ferry to stay last night. Most travellers haven't been eager to stay here, what with the illness going round. Not sure what it is, really. Some kinda coughing thing. We figured it was just the usual hay fever or something at first come on fierce, but when old man Gasker upped and passed away last week, Pharasma have mercy on his soul-" Jak makes the spiral sign of the Lady of Graves over his heart before continuing. "Folks have been running scared ever since. There's more and more people with chest pains who're coughing their poor guts out, but nothing seems quite to work. News just this morning was that the Sheriff's gone and banned the whole town from taking water at Brookman's well. Apparently a little bird told him that there was blackscour fungus growing there and making everyone sick. Load of codswallop, if you ask me. Blackscour fungus ain't supposed to be even growing in these parts."

On IC rolls:
If you want to make checks of any sort (Diplomacy, Perception, Sense Motive, etc.) in your post, just roll for them first. I'll tell you if it affects anything, if not, it won't be mentioned in the GM post. In this case, even though Alicia's roll doesn't make the Diplomacy check DC, Jak is already in a friendly mood, so he'll willingly tell her what he knows anyway.

[maggie_mcknife]

War:
Nef looks appraisingly at you for a moment before answering. "We-ell, ye certainly can't go before Mister Kreed just like that. He's much too important. I'd advise ye to start by looking for his camp foreman, Jarlben Trookshavits. He does all the muscle hiring. Get him to check ye out first, know what I mean? Oh, ye might also wanta get a cleric or the herbal lady to write you a little chitty to say ye're free of disease. Very important, not to be er- unhealthy these days."

Owen:
"Yes, I did, didn't I?" Baleson rubs his temples and sighs before sitting up a little straighter in his chair.

"You're aware that on the advice of Miss Laurel, we've banned the townsfolk from using the water at Brookman's well. She seems convinced that there's blackscour fungus growing near the place. Now, I don't quite trust Miss Laurel's good intentions here. It's possible that she's just trying to give herself a little extra business by sending the townsfolk into a further panic, to make them buy more... medicines from her store. But she's the only one in this place who seems sure of what's causing the sickness, and with Gasker dying last week and none of the clerics able to do a blessed thing to cure people, I can't afford the risk."

"Either way, you can bet that folks are going to be unhappy about having no spring water at hand. You can also bet that Miss Laurel's store is going to be jam-packed with fearful people today - those who are sick, and those who think they are. I need you to head down to Roots and Remedies to make sure that nobody gets up to any funny business. Think you can manage it by yourself? I'd send down another man to support you, but we're stretched thin as it is."

Elena:
You arrive at the shop in due course. Despite the prominent sign on the door that says 'CLOSED', there is already a line of haggard looking townsfolk forming outside the store. Some of them cast you apprehensive looks as you approach with Cerberus by your side.

[Linguz]

War sighed. So to talk to the boss, I have to talk to his underling. But to be even considered by his underling, I have to talk to a medicinelady and let her diagnose me as healthy. "Fine, where is it that I can fine this lady you spoke of?"

[aturtledoesbite]

Knowing his summoner, Cerberus assures her. "Do not worry about them. They are merely desperate for help, and afraid."
"Yeah...Let's hurry and get inside. The sooner we can get the shop open, the sooner we can help cure them."
The pair enter the shop, hoping Laurel can find something on this plague today.

[oyzar]

Alica is dressed in a tight fitting leather outfit. It is colored dark green, matching her slightly lighter eyes. It nicely accentuates her shapely hips and outlines her perky but sizable bossom. On top of the leather she wears a short yellow skirt almost reaching her knees. She got nothing on her head, letting her blonde locks flow freely framing her small flawless face.

Her voice is quite light and melodious, jumping from syllable to syllable almost as if singing. "Thank you for the information dear sir, even if the news is horrible I am glad to at least know what is going on. As I said earlier I would be happy to help out if I can. I know a bit of magic and know how to protect myself." Alica snaps her fingers and one of the tankards on the counter raises itself slowly, before settling down again. "It's not always the strongest arm that is best at getting to the bottom of problems and this does not sound like a problem you will be able to fight that way anyway. I am afraid I did not catch your name. Mine is Alica."

As her food arrives, she swings herself nimbly on top of one of the stools in front of the counter. "What else can you tell me about this place and the people here? Maybe that can help getting to the bottom of it.". She starts eating the flapjacks, tiny bites each time, but consuming them quite fast. "Wow these are delicious.". While she eats she she slips in one more question at a fitting moment. "I mentioned earlier I am a traveling preformer. Would you want me to preform here tonight? I am sure I could make the guests happy and maybe even draw a crowd."

[maggie_mcknife]

War:
"That depends on which lady ye want to see. Lady Cirthana's the cleric up at the temple of Iomedae. Laurel's the herbalist, and ye'll find her at Roots and Remedies. Between ye and me, I think Laurel's medicines are mostly sugah-water though."

Nef chuckles nervously and wipes his hands on his apron. Perhaps your presence is getting to him?

Alica:
"My name is Jak. It's always a pleasure to see a fellow performer round these parts." Jak grins broadly and takes your hand in his meaty one, shaking it with unexpected warmth. "Glad you like the flapjacks. They're my speciality, you know. You - now you're welcome to perform in my inn any time you like. Though with things being what they are, I can't guarantee that you'd get much of an audience."

Looking around at the half empty room, Jak seems resigned. "No offence to your craft, Miss Alica, but unless you've got some talent with healing diseases, I doubt there's much you can do. None of the priests here have the magic skill to remove this coughing sickness, not that the bloody lot of them have gotten off their bums to do piss-all since things got worse. Gavel Kreed's likely got 'em under his thumb, blast that rotting swine."

For a moment, the innkeeper's face turns puce red with anger, but he remembers his manners in time and turns back to you with a wan smile. "Ah well. I suppose if you wanted to find out more, you could try talking to Laurel. She's our town's go-to lady if you're feeling poorly. Got a sharp tongue in her head, but she's nowhere as prideful as that cleric of Iomedae. Fat lot that one's been doing since people began falling sick. Hasn't managed to cure a single person with her fancy armour and haughty ways - not one!"

[Linguz]

War thought back to his home, before the dragon came and demolished it. Back to when he had gotten a cut from a brawl. A deep one. And how the tribe's shaman had healed him up. Medicine herbs and nature's magic was what cured his wound. "I believe I'll go to the herbalist. I trust plants and nature more than some god that wasn't looking after me. Where can I find this Laurel?"

[18th Avenger]

Owen nodded.

"I'll be fine on my own, boss. Just swing Amos or one of the twins along on a sweep when they can. If not, leave me be. I don't trust a few of the others as far as I can throw 'em."

The names he'd given were those on the watch whom Owen had befriended over the years. They were worth the casual insults and filthy jests when faced with the corruption of the Consortium and their hired swords. The three men and one woman were just enough to make life just a little easier for the beleaguered townsfolk.

The watchman nodded. "If you don't have anything else, I'll be off, sheriff."

[oyzar]

"Who is this Gavel Kreed? Might he have something to do with the sickness?" Alica says while she finishes eating. After she is done she conjurs up a tiny pink paper napkin and wipes her mouth and hands with it. "Thank you for the nice food" the halfling says while curtising to the innkeeper. Alica pays for the food and says, "Where is this Laurel? I'll go talk to her." Before picking up her black leather backpack that was left next to the counter earlier and sligs it onto her back. The backpack got a bow strapped to one side and a quiver to the other and fastened along the spine is a small longsword, just apropriate for Alicas size. She waves to the innkeeper as she sets off to find the herbalist.

[maggie_mcknife]

Linguz:
"Laurel's usually tending her shop. Dinky little place called Roots and Remedies. Just walk down the road yonder towards the Low Market area. Her place's right opposite Mister Kreed's big house. Can't miss it."

Nef waves vaguely in a southward direction and gives you a hopeful look over the counter. "You'll put in a good word for me with Trookshavits when you see him, won't you?"

Owen:
The Sheriff gives you a firm nod. "Very well. If Amos and the twins can spare a hand, I'll send them your way. If not, you'd best be on your way. If nothing happens - and I hope to the Gods that nothing does happen - come back to the watch-house once Miss Laurel closes shop. Oh, and Farrier?"

You look up enquiringly on your way out the door. Sheriff Baleson isn't one for idle emotion, but you could have sworn there is something in his eye as he regards you where you stand.

"Do take care of yourself, Farrier. There'll be lots of coughing people at Miss Laurel's store. I wouldn't want you falling sick too. We can't afford to lose you at a time like this."

Alica:
Jak gives a bitter laugh, but lowers his voice anyway such that only you can hear. "Kreed? Kreed's the head of the Lumber Consortium. Man practically rules the town, and s'more than my head's worth to tell you the round tale of what that son of a donkey's arse has done to all of us here. He's got something to do with it, all right - he's sitting on his fat lump up in his swanky manor, doing nothing!" Shaking his head, he sighs again, louder this time.

"If you're looking to talk to Laurel, her little shop's just up the road north-wise. Not far away. You can't miss it."

I guess that leaves us all ready to go to Roots and Remedies! Except for Elena, who's already inside the store, the rest of you arrive in the order that you post.

Elena is currently busy inside the store, helping the overworked Laurel to brew remedies for the current customer, while doing her best to sort out the truly ill from the merely delusional.

Nearly anyone in town can direct you to Laurel's shop. Upon arrival, you behold a rugged-looking two-storey shop, swathed in creeping ivy and full window boxes. Above the front door is a faded sign that reads "ROOTS AND REMEDIES", while a hastily scrawled sign on the door itself reads "OPEN FOR BUSINESS - ADMITTANCE AT YOUR OWN RISK".

Even more striking than the sheer amount of greenery covering the place, however, is the line of twenty-something sombre townsfolk stemming from the front of the shop. Some are frazzled-looking adults with pale, wheezing children in tow. Others seem to be precipitously near tears. Here and there, a few are coughing surreptitiously into handkerchiefs, doing their best to disguise the blood-stained rags scrunched in their fists.

[Linguz]

War lies, "Of course." He has no intention to tell anyone anything. As he steps outside, he pulls his cloak slightly tighter around him, to counteract the slight cold of the air outside. He turns his head south, and instantly notices the long line of people. He grunts as he begins to head south on the road. When he realizes a handful of them are coughing, he wraps his cloak over his mouth and puts his hand over it, enough to stall any virus from entering his body hopefully.

He tries to force his way into the building through the door, convinced nobody would mess with someone of his size.

[maggie_mcknife]

Although nobody initially protests as War approaches the building, once it is clear that the powerfully built man intends to skip the line and go right to the front of the queue, a loud chorus of dismay immediately goes up from the people gathered outside the shop.

"What 'e bloody 'ell does 'e think 'e's doing?"

"Wait your turn, outsider! Some of us have been here since daybreak! Didn't your mammy teach you better?"

"You don't look no sicker than the rest of us. Get back to the end of the line!"

Although a few people seem too drained from illness and worry to protest, the majority of the people gathered outside the shop have dark expressions of fury on their face, especially those who have brought children with them. A tall, dark-haired man steps out of line and approaches War, holding out a hand to bar him from the door.

"I'm not sure if you're familiar with our customs here, mister. But over here in Falcon's Hollow, we wait for our turn and take care of each other, see? Maybe you missed it, but the back of the line is over there," he says icily, his blue eyes bright with anger.

[18th Avenger]

Owen clicked his heels and sketched as good a salute as he could manage in response to the faith of the half-elven sheriff, the closest thing Falcon's Hollow had to a hero these days, before heading out.

It didn't take Owen long to get to Roots and Remedies. It was just a few minutes up the street after all. He got there with little fuss and excitement, not even thinking about how he remembered times when he could see children playing and people chatting with their neighbors. That sense of community, even Gavel Kreed and his thugs couldn't quite put down.

When he did get to the apothecary, he heard a ruckus of a sort coming from the line right outside it. Filled as it was with its usual compliment of anxious townsfolk, the sudden rise in noise levels hinted that something was going on and the fellows within weren't the least bit happy.

Not even a little past mid-morning and something's already happening. The watchman sighed and hurried inside. His methods were easier, more gentle that the one who'd come before. Every now and again, he reassure the people lining up, assuaging their anger and bidding them to once again line up in an orderly fashion. "Watch is here, folks," he'd say with his soft, soothing tones. "No need for a fuss."

Eventually, he found the reason for the ruckus; a brutal-looking giant of a man with white hair and bearing the armor and weapons of a warrior. Not just any kind of warrior, from the greatsword and wicked-looking gauntlet... A barbarian. Owen blew out an exasperated breath as he drew closer. He reached out and clapped the big man's meaty shoulder.

"Now see here, friend. No need to raise a hullabaloo," said the young watchman who looked underfed and childish by comparison. "If you'll follow me to the back of the line, there'll be no need for unpleasantness. People have been waiting since this morning and you do look like a strapping fellow." Owen gave a kindly smile. "Surely, your problems can wait a little longer."

[Linguz]

Along the way to the front of the line, War answered them, "Going into the store, mom taught me to smash and destroy, I'm not sick." Soon after, being stopped by not one person but two, War began to feel more annoyed. He glares at the tall man and tells him, "Leave me be, before I have to resort to my 'mummy's' teaching." After dealing with one, he turned around and looked at the other. "A guard, are you? If you'll do me the pleasure of a fight before I leave. Only then will I follow these laws of yours." He pushed the tiny arm off him.

Intimidate Man: 18 (taking ten)

[18th Avenger]

Owen let the bigger man's hand brush his own aside. Cold shoulders were part in parcel of a watchman's lot. He could count all the times someone had given him the brush-off. Where he could have over-power them before with the weight of his authority (part of that authority granted to him by means of judicious use of the mace at his belt), he now had to tread carefully around this obviously-weathered fighter. A calculating part of his mind began to take in all the little details about the barbarian, in case of unpleasantness.

But a watchman was always polite. It was a teaching he paraphrased from his mother. He kept the smile on his face as he tapped the man's shoulder again, a little more insistently this time.

"Now see here, my man, there's really no need for a ruckus. It's just manners, is all. Some of these people have been waiting all morning for their turn. Surely I could appeal to your hardiness and your sense of honor, hey?" Owen's voice never once dropped its pleasant note even as his body began tensing itself. If this guy wants a fight, a few steps back should make it easier on my life...

[aturtledoesbite]

Elena, while working, notices an altogether different noise outside than today's standard of hacking, coughing, and wheezing. Assuring her current customer that she would be with them again shortly, she heads to the window to see what's happening.

Outside, she sees an absolutely massive human, with a paler shade of hair than hers and a greatsword that's probably wider than herself. Standing next to the bestial barbarian is Owen, that guy on the watch. She remembers him, mainly because he never bullied her in her earlier years. The two men don't appear to be quite happy with each other.

"Cerberus?"
"Yes?"
"Can you keep an eye on the men outside the shop?"
"Certainly."
"Thanks."

Elena resumes working, while Cerberus watches Owen and the other man, trying to see what's happening out there, exactly.

[oyzar]

Alica opens the door to the inn and steps out into the street. She turns her face towards the sun and takes in a deep breath, enjoying the morning. She starts walking north. She is skipping as along happily enough, enjoying the nice weather, even the sombre news about the disease can keep her spirit down on such a day. As Alica draws nearer to the herbalist her sensitive ears pick up the sound of quite the commotion, she turns around a corner and sees the huge crowd of people gathered in front of the building. The commotion seems centered around a huge man with a big sword opposed by two smaller men nearby. The rest of the crowd seem to be a bit off from the trio.

She hurries over and interjects before a fight breaks out.

"We are all tense and apphensive
yet there is no reason to get offensive
I am sure we can all get along
if you just listen to my song
We are not all yet sick
so let us try to get out of this thick
If we put our heads together
we can get everyone as good as this weather
If we to this cause commit
we might all benefit"

[maggie_mcknife]

The dark-haired man seems stunned by War's words and takes a step back. Upon seeing Owen arrive, however, he takes courage and waits just behind the watch-man, watching to see what happens.

Alica's song seems to calm some of the angry, muttering people down. Most of them, however, still bear hostile looks on their faces.

[Linguz]

War glared at the guard and was about to say something, when the short girl came in and rhymed some words together. A pretty girl, but too short for his liking. War doubted she was a skald, like he's used to. "War, berserker of a broken town." He looked at the guard, with less glare. "Still want to fight you. A fist fight. See if you're strong, or just a bunch of talk." Then he looked at the halfling. "Do you know any epics?"

[18th Avenger]

"That's well and good, neighbor, but about moving..."

Owen was worried things were turning ugly. At least he knew things would become ugly in a pre-scheduled date. He sized up the big man, unimaginatively named 'War', and concluded that he did not look forward to the incoming fight. It was only the appearance of a halfling woman who got it in her head to think up a song on the fly that prevented the situation's slow deterioration.

The watchman decided to try a different tack. "Maybe if you explained why you're in such a rush, some of these fine people would be a little more understanding?" He cast friendly green eyes at the crowd, some of whom he'd known for most of his life. "What do you say, folks? Let's show our guest a bit of the old Falcon's Hollow bonhomie? If we un'nerstand why he's in such a rush, maybe we can start to keep things right?" He was counting on the feeling of community and generosity that was in the process of being beaten out of his people. Owen didn't like the odds, but he had to try.

The sheriff was counting on him, after all.

[oyzar]

Alica curties to the big man. "Alica Glittertwirl here, it is a pleasure to meet you. I assume that by epics you mean great stories about heroic or amazing deeds. I do indeed know some such tales. Though they are better saved for a different place than out here. As the guardsman says, people might be better able to understand and as such react better if we explain what we are doing here. I am here to see what I can do to uncover the mystery about the sickness here in the city. It might not make for as great a story as slaying a dragon, but it is a start. If you join me you might end up in the stories yourself as I am a bard." As she says that she blinks at the big man. She looks around at the crowd and the guard. "Would wanting to help out be enough to get through? The herbalist might have clues as to what is going on."

[maggie_mcknife]

"But Mister Farrier, we're all wanting help from Laurel here. 'Specially the young'uns. Guest or not, I don't see why he should get to see her first. Lookit him. It's not like he's hacking his lungs up and at death's door! I say he waits his turn. In fact, we ALL do."

This protest from one of the mothers in the line earlier is met with stern nods and vicious calls of approval from the people, who have crowded in closer to the store front during all the excitement. The mood is tense, and it is probably only respect for Owen's position and curiosity about the newcomer halfling that prevents them from attempting to remove War.

[18th Avenger]

Owen raised his hands for quiet. In fact, he was even calling for it.

"A'right, a'right. Settle down, everyone. I think these people want to help, not be helped." He looked at the halfling, Alica. "I admire your civic spirit, little miss, but matter stands. Getting in there's gonna take time. So I'll have to implore you to wait when the line thins or get to the back, just like everyone else." The watchman looked apologetic. "I think the healers call it triage or somethin'."

"And as for you, Master War," he then turned to the pale-haired barbarian who towered over him. "I am quite curious as to why you're in such a hurry to get inside..."

[aturtledoesbite]

Cerberus, seeing the rising tensions of the crowd and the two men, warns Elena.

"Elena. Discontent is growing rapidly due to the large man."
"I see. I'll tell Ms. Laurel."

Elena finds Laurel and waits for a moment where she wouldn't interrupt anything. "Ms. Laurel? Someone's causing trouble outside..."

[Linguz]

War sighed and crossed his arms. He leaned back and put nearly all his weight into his left leg. "I want to get a job here. To do that, I'll need to get a note from the lady in here telling me I'm not sick. And now, it seems I'm being hired instead to help this little lady..." War signaled to the halfling. "... to help uncover the mystery here. So I don't need to go inside now. Just let her go instead." Inside his mind, he thought, The faster we do this, the faster we can get on with epic deeds, and stories of my own.

[maggie_mcknife]

Elena:

Laurel barely looks up from pounding some pungent smelling herbs into a nasty looking greenish paste. "That so? Be a dear and go tell them that there's only one of me and they're all gonna have to share, hey?"

She proceeds to mutter something nasty under her breath about people who don't know how to wait and who think she exists to serve them hand and foot.

[aturtledoesbite]

"Y-yes, ma'am," Elena says, fearful of having to draw the attention of the man outside. She slips outside, Cerberus along with her. Her voice is barely heard over the din of coughing from the line. "E-excuse me, mister, b-but Ms. L-Laurel is handling other p-people right now. W-would you p-please wait in l-line? W-we're working as q-quickly as we can..."

Elena is absolutely frightened of the large man, not least of which because his normal step would likely crush her underneath it.

[Linguz]

War looked down at the girl, more than a foot shorter than her. He quickly classified her as scared, obviously, and more like that. He looked further down, at the twin-headed dog, and was slightly uneased by the slight change from the normal. Having to repeat himself again, he let out a sigh. "What I came here for has been changed. Now, courtesy of the halfling, I'm here to... I don't know what she intends to do here, actually. I do know she intends to figure out what makes people like him..." He points behind him, at someone coughing blood into rags. "... do what he's doing, cough up blood. So the sooner you let us in, the sooner we can get started."

[18th Avenger]

Maybe War had more of a heart than his hard shell let on. Or maybe he was one of those barbarians who was in it for the blood and glory. Owen couldn't tell and he wasn't in a position to judge the big man's character.

What he could do, was try to keep this whole thing from turning worse than usual.

"That's really good of you, Master War. I might have misjudged your character. Ah, Elena." The watchman greeted the new arrival, the coal-skinned girl who had made herself indispensable to Laurel... And her... dog. "No one here is causing a ruckus. They want to help." In brief, he explained what they wanted, adding to War's explanation.

"If you could tell Ms. Laurel what our guests are after, we can get along and out of her hair all the quicker. You'll all still have to line up, though." Owen gave the halfling and the barbarian an apologetic shrug. "If Ms. Laurel consents, then Bob's your uncle; you'll meet her on the quick. If not... I'd rather you not make trouble for folk. Else I will have to take you up on that challenge very soon, Master War."

He turned back to the townsmen. "These people are gonna help us, help our afflicted," the watchman raised his voice to the crowd. "I know I'm asking too much, but I'm asking a bit more patience if Ms. Laurel decides to see them first. I promise, on my word as a watchman of Falcon's Hollow, things'll be alright."

[maggie_mcknife]

Owen:
Roll a Diplomacy check to see how your speech affects the line-up.

[oyzar]

Alica looks at the newcommer out of the shop and thinks to herself.

That grey skin is weird, but I guess everyone is different, a person can not help how their look. I wonder how she is involved in all this. She is probably someone who works at the shop

She curtisies to her as well, letting her golden locks wave gently from the movement reflecting the brilliant sunlight, and says. "Good day miss. My name is Alica Glittertwirl. We are here looking to help out with the current situation with the illness. Would you be so kind as to let us in."

She continues speaking, now directed at Owen "As for you mister guard; line up? You want us to wait with helping people? The sooner we can get in, the sooner more people can be helped. "

Mechanical stuff:
Taking ten on a knowledgecheck nature to identify the properties of Blackscour fungus. 16 The innkeeper did tell her about it after all.

[maggie_mcknife]

Alica:
You recall that blackscour is a tiny mushroom that grows near water. Hard and bitter-tasting, it has sharp gills that make it difficult to harvest. Those who eat the fungus or who drink water contaminated by it often find, to their horror, that blackscour also grows readily within their bodies. Such unfortunates do not usually survive - when they attempt to cough up the fungus, the sharp edges of the blackscour cuts up their innards, causing internal bleeding.

Blackscour has no known medicinal or culinary properties. You have never heard of it growing in the Darkmoon Vale region before. Nor do you know of any cure or antidote in existence.

You have heard of rumours of victims, who when provided with proper medical care and good living conditions, survived for several years to come. Falcon's Hollow, however, is not a place where you might expect proper medical care or good living conditions.

The townfolk remain surly, grumbling and muttering among themselves, all the while giving War dirty looks. They don't seem particularly happy, but Owen's speech seems to have mollified a few of them. For now.

Elena will have to roll for Diplomacy when conveying the news to Laurel.

[aturtledoesbite]

"I-I'll tell her. P-please wait h-here a moment." Elena heads back inside, Cerberus staying with the group outside.

Taking the time to calm down slightly, enough for her to not stutter, Elena heads back to Laurel. "Ms. Laurel, there are two people out there that say they want to help with this plague somehow, and a member of the watch is there with them. What should I tell them?"

Diplomacy: [roll0]

[maggie_mcknife]

Elena:

"Land's sake, girl, use some common sense," says Laurel impatiently as she decants the contents of a bowl into a little green bottle. "Are they sick? If they are, well, so's everyone else out there. Tell them to get in line. And if they're not sick- well then! They can wait their turn too! I'm not about to see healthy people before the ones who really need help."

She gives the bottle a cursory wipe and hands it over to the current client. "If they fuss, then tell them they'd be helping me best right now by not sending the rest of the folks outside into a tizzy. Poor souls don't need any more distressing right now, with things the way they are. Send the next one in on your way out, would you?"

[aturtledoesbite]

"Y-yes, ma'am!" Elena says before scampering away. Heading back outside, she delivers the bad news. "I'm sorry, but Ms. Laurel does not want any disruptions. If you must speak to her, please wait in line." As she speaks, she opens the door wide enough so the next person in line can enter.

[18th Avenger]

Owen gave his old acquaintance a smile that meant to thank her. "Thanks for tryin', Elena."

The watchman looked down at the halfling, not unkindly. "Looks like you'll have to tell her that yourself when you meet her in person." Owen had a sincere look on his face, even when his next address included War. "Sorry about this. It's a damned decent thing you're both trying to do, even for a town you owe nothin'."

[oyzar]

Alica throws up her small slender arms in resignation. "How are we going to help you if you do not want to help? We are better off going somewhere else to look for clues rather than waiting in line all day. Lauren will still be here when we come back. What do you say War? Should we go to the where the village gets its water from to see if we can find anything? Brookman's well I think it was called. Do you know where it is Mister Farrier? I have never heard of Blackscour growing in this region. I am gonna try something." She looks from the guard to the big warrior waiting for their answers.

While waiting for them, Alica takes a step away from everyone and waves her right hand rapidly in the shape of a laying 8 and says "Manka eller ai templa e yamen sina" she says low but determined, clearly casting a spell of some kind.


The spell is detect magic. Is there any magic in the area?

[Linguz]

War watched the bard do her magic and replied, "You lead here. I'm not known for having the brightest ideas." He turns to the taller girl (Elena) and speaks to her, "When can we come back that there'd be no line?" He stares directly into her eyes, focusing solely on them.

[maggie_mcknife]

Alica:
You detect no magic in the area - except from the two-headed dog watching you carefully. Otherwise, nothing at all from Laurel's shop and its inhabitants, nor the people outside.

Elena:
The current line of twenty plus people will probably disappear in about two hours, assuming that nobody else joins it and that there are no other disruptions.

[aturtledoesbite]

Elena, being stared down by the large man, is quite unsettled, but does manage to keep that stutter out of her voice. "I'm sorry, but that's difficult to say. With as many people here as we have, we should be available in approximately two hours, but if more show up, it will be a while longer. I am truly sorry we cannot currently be of any help. I wish you good luck in searching the well, but please take care not to be infected as well. Now, if you'll excuse me, I must get back to work."

Elena heads back inside the store to assist the next plagued villager. Cerberus doesn't head back, though, deciding to take a nap outside - out of the way of the line, of course.

[18th Avenger]

"As for Brookman's well," Owen answered. He didn't know what the strange words that slithered out of the halfling's mouth meant, but suspected them to be harmless. "Just go down the street and make a right from Low Market. After that, keep going until you see this house with the blue roof. Turn a left there and you can see the well. Y'can't miss it."

"I'd show you myself, but I'm under orders from the shriff. Gotta make sure no fusses are raised while people grab their medicines."

[oyzar]

Alica continues chanting for about a third of a minute "Se amin ner mani indo sina ta ta nostale en ri eile". She stops chanting and drop her arm down to her side again looking a bit dejected. "I am sorry for not saying what I was doing, but I wanted to check if the disease is of magical origin. It does seem like it is not though. Lets go War. Thanks for the information Mister Ferrier. She motions to War to come and then heads of inn the direction Owen said.

She starts walking normally, but War got so long legs that she has to take three steps for each of his. She starts skipping along a bit faster but after about a minute she says "Would you mind slowing down a bit, I can not walk as fast as you."

[Linguz]

Magic, like the skalds, maybe. Can she fight? Probably not, too small. He shook his head and brought his focus back on the current world. He followed next to the short halfling, going at walking speed. He checks his gear and makes sure it's there as they walk/hustle, to be sure that no thief attacked his possessions.

When she asked him to slow down, he put his bag on again and let her pass him, before following her from behind. He reached down, pinched the back of her shirt, and lifted her up to his shoulder. "Faster like this. Or would you rather walk?" He lets go of her so that she's sitting on his shoulder. It was obvious he wasn't exerting himself, even with her weight on him, and he still moved as fast as always.

[maggie_mcknife]

Well, since handling the queue outside Roots and Remedies went by without a riot breaking out... I'm going to appreciate the effort and award everybody 150XP. Congratulations on surviving yourselves!

[oyzar]

Alica utters "Yelp" as she flies off the ground. Her long blonde locks flutters around her head on the way up. "That was surprising" she says after she has caught her breath. "I guess I do not mind being carried, it is faster as you say. The view from up here is also much better." She looks around at the city, then down on the well-muscled man beneath her. "As I mentioned earlier, I heard a rumor that it is Blackscour fungus which is causing the illness, however I have not heard about it growing anywhere near this area. Apparently it is almost impossible to cure as the fungus eats those infected alive from within. It is a small mushroom with sharp gills that grows near water. If we see it at least we know that it is the cause. I did not want to say all this earlier as it might have scared the villagers. From using my spell earlier I know that the cause of the disease is not magical, that makes it more plausible that it is the fungus that caused it. Hopefully we find out more when we get to the water. What my spell did detect though was that the two headed dog was magical. Hardly a surprise, but it does mean that there are someone who knows a fair bit of magic nearby." Alica moves on War's shoulders so she got one leg on each side of his head then holds on tightly as the big man moves swiftly through the village.

Looking around:

[roll0]Perception: What do I see looking around?

[Linguz]

War thought about what the halfling said, about the name of the mushroom and about where it was located. He tried to remember anything that he could about the mushroom. While doing that, he kept his eyes forward, pinned to the trail, and talked to Alica, "How did you come to be a skald? And can you fight?"

Nature: Mushroom [roll0]

[maggie_mcknife]

Elena:
You re-enter the main area of the shop with the villager. After asking him a few brisk questions, Laurel moves swiftly around the shop to gather the ingredients she needs to make him a soothing brew - the same, you think, as the one she gave to your parents. As she passes by near you, she spares you a cursory glance.

"So they left, did they? Who were they anyway? Clerics? Not anyone from that rat bastard Kreed, I hope."

Owen:
Once War and Alica have left, the muttering villagers quickly subside back into their previous self-pitying stupor. They are no trouble to watch over now, though it is slightly discomfiting for you to have Elena's... dog taking a nap outside some distance away. You're not sure if its presence is contributing to the good behaviour of the townsfolk right now in any way.

Shortly after the first customer in line has gone in, you hear a cheery greeting from behind you. You turn to find that it is Amos, your fellow watch-man. True to his word, Baleson has sent you some back-up after all.

War and Alica:
As you both travel through the dirt-packed streets of Falcon's Hollow, you are both struck at just how quiet the place is. The Low Market lies abandoned, with hay bales and the odd wooden crate scattered on the ground. The Goose'n'Gander, the general store, remains open, but seems devoid of customers. What few townsfolk you do see give you both a wide berth, except for a bunch of surly lumbermen gathered outside one of the houses, who scowl at the sight of War and give him dirty looks as he walks past. On the steps of the church of Iomedae, a pretty young woman in armour sits with her head in her hands, the symbol of the Inheritor hanging on a silver chain around her neck.

The mysterious coughing disease, whatever it is being caused by, seems to have sapped the life out of Falcon's Hollow.

War's nature check: You have indeed heard of blackscour before. What little you do know confirms some what Alica has just told you: it is a mushroom that grows near water, has sharp gills, tastes absolutely terrible, and should never be eaten because it will make you deathly ill.

[aturtledoesbite]

"No, Ms. Laurel; I think they were travelers. They certainly weren't familiar, at any rate. They said they were going to examine the well." The concoction Laurel brews up reminds Elena - yet again - of her parents' ailing health. She resolves to go visit them if she can get a chance to leave the shop. In the meanwhile, however, she assists Laurel in any way she can.

[oyzar]

Alica looks down on the man carring her. Wow he really is huge. He seems like he can be gentle enough though, despite the rough demeanor. I wonder where he comes from. Now there are more important things on the agenda though. As they pass the church and see the woman she says to war, "hold on a bit maybe the clerics in the chuch knows something." Alica calls out to the woman on the steps. "Hello there, are you a cleric here? You seem kind of down. Is it because of the sickness ailing a lot of people here? Do you know anything about it and is there anything we can do to help?



[roll0] knowldege religion, what do i know about Iomedae?

[roll1] knowledge local, what can i figure out from what war looks like about his culture, customs etc.
[roll2] knowldge geography and where he comes from.

[Linguz]

War ignored the dirty looks. He truly truly didn't care about how the world saw him.

War stops and turns to the church when it is requested. Damn priests, we don't need any help from them. What's she so sad about anyway? And if she's supposed to be so high and mighty, why doesn't she just use her god's powers to cure this town? He didn't move closer to the priest. He just stayed facing her, so that the halfling could talk easier.

[18th Avenger]

Owen looked up from where he was cheering a child up by way of making several faces.

"Well, seeing as the West Quarter's not burned down, I'd say things are as right as they can be," Owen quipped as he straightened to greet one of his oldest friends. "'Lo, Amos."

Dernier Amos was never called his first name by anyone in the village, save his father. It might not have helped that not only did the name 'Amos' fit its owner completely, most people around the Hollow have called him that since after father and son had settled. The way to distinguish them was the simple addition of "Senior" or "Junior" whenever one would address either.

The watchmen didn't consider themselves best friends, there was still much the pair wouldn't agree on. There had even been times Amos had considered leaving Falcon's Hollow and striking out to make his fortunes, intent on bringing Owen with him. But in the end, Dernier Amos chose to stay and make a life for himself where he was most needed. And Owen found himself a friend whom he could trust and even vent to, when his soul was top-filled with anxiety.

[maggie_mcknife]

Elena:
Laurel arches an eyebrow in mild surprise. "Travellers, eh? Hah! I doubt those two know what they're in for. Visiting the well? If you ask me they're just going to be well in! Over their heads, that is."

You recall that Laurel has never been very good at making jokes, and that she only jokes when she's deeply worried about something.


Alica:
You know that Iomedae is the goddess of righteous valor, justice, and honor. She was the last mortal who passed the Test of the Starstone and ascended to godhood.

You also guess from War's rugged demeanour and the styling of his red cloak that he is likely to be from a small barbarian village somewhere in the Mindspin Mountains. His people are proud and ferocious, known for both their gruelling coming-of-age tests and for the exceptional battle prowess of both their men and women. Such is their skill that even those of the village not destined to be warriors are capable fighters. They prize their rage and strength, with the strongest in the village taking the mantle of chief.

War and Alica:
The young woman looks up, smiling bitterly at Alica's words as she scrubs roughly at her cheeks with the back of her hand. Her voice is hoarse and her eyes are slightly red-rimmed. It seems that you both have interrupted her in the middle of her weeping.

"Cleric? Oh yes, I'm a cleric. In fact, I'm the worst cleric ever. People dying left right centre and I can't do a thing about it-" She clenches her fist and grits her teeth, her voice breaking a little. "If I wasn't so useless, do you think I'd be sitting here all by myself?"

[aturtledoesbite]

Elena, in most circumstances, would give a small laugh out of politeness, but this wasn't exactly a situation that could be joked of. Hesitating somewhat, she asks Laurel a question. "Ms. Laurel? Is...is everything alright?"

[oyzar]

"
Don't sit there all depressed
I am sure you tried to make the ill blessed
You are probably not to blame
But you can help all the same
We seek to right this wrong
But together we are more strong
If you tell us what you've tried
We can easier what to do decide
"


[roll0] diplomacy

[maggie_mcknife]

Elena:
Laurel gives you a keen look, but says nothing, simply continuing to attend to the customer.

After he has left, however, while waiting for the next customer to come in, she glances at you again. "Girl, how long has it been since your parents fell sick? They were one of the first, right - a week now?"


War and Alica:
The cleric gives a curt blubbering laugh, almost on the verge of tears again. "What haven't I tried? Magic won't help the town now. And if the blessed Inheritor chooses not to send her healing touch upon the sick, just what can I do? Work a miracle? Why the hells would you care anyway?" She sniffs and looks down at her feet. "Easy posting for even a novice- Hah! First cleric to be run out of town, for being useless, more like." She then angrily mutters a string of shockingly impious epithets.

If Alica thinks back to her conversation with Jak, she might recognise the cleric - this is the Lady Cirthana he spoke of.


Owen:
Amos laughs heartily and claps you on the shoulder. With the Watch stretched thin, you haven't seen him in quite a few days, despite living in the same town. He looks tired, but no worse for the wear - Baleson works all of you equally hard. Looking at the gradually shortening queue of townsfolk outside the store, he grins boyishly and folds his arms.

"Well, things seem quiet enough 'round here. When Baleson told me to hustle down here, he made it seem like there'd be all kinds of hell going on if I wasn't here to back you up."

"How's your mum? And the rest of the family?"


EDIT: Added the word 'even' to the cleric's dialogue.

[aturtledoesbite]

Elena, looking to the floor, half-mumbles her reply. "Yes...yes, ma'am. It's been...a week."

Until now, she hadn't given much thought to the length of time they'd been sick. She simply believed that they would be fine again in the next day or two after some rest. But now, now that Laurel had pointed out they'd been sick for a week, she truly felt the hopelessness of the situation. She turns her back to Laurel to hide her tears. Yet the sobs were clearly audible.

"You'll find a cure, right? Before they...before they..." Elena can't bring herself to finish that sentence, but the meaning behind it is clear.

Meanwhile, Cerberus is woken up from the sorrow overflowing from Elena's side of their telepathic link. Heading inside, he walks up next to Elena, who all but collapses into him, holding on to one of his necks and just simply breaking down.

[maggie_mcknife]

Elena:
Laurel stares owlishly at you, almost taken aback by the violence of your reaction. But even she knows better than to interrupt and you can hear her shushing the next customer, who has just walked in. Eventually, her expression softens and she gives you a firm but gentle tap on the shoulder.

"Get up, Elena. There's still something we can try. Gods know if it'll work, but I guess it's all we've got." She glances at the customer, holds up a finger to indicate that she'll be with him shortly, then turns back to you. "Take the rest of the day off, girl. Go see your parents. And if you see the Sheriff or those foreign idiots who were here bothering me just now, go tell them to come back here. I may just have something for them to do."

[Linguz]

Seems that the skald's word-magic doesn't do anything for her. Time for my word-magic. War clenched his fists slightly harder, focusing on what he was about to do. He strode up to the cleric and, with his ungauntleted hand, grabbed her by her shirt and rose her up. He gets his face right in front of hers and whispers, "Enough talking about how bad your life is. What do you know of the sickness going around town, and you better be fast since your life is counting on it. My sword thirsts for blood, and you look mighty tasty for it right now."

Intimidate: Taking 10 - 18

[aturtledoesbite]

Having let it all out, Elena manages to calm her hysteria somewhat. Well, she almost did, until Laurel mentioned a possibility of a cure. Then her emotion slingshotted from despairing sorrow all the way to hope."There's...there's something you can do!? What is it? How can I help?"

Because of this, she doesn't really hear the rest of what Laurel said all that much.

[18th Avenger]

"They're fine. Kerris an' da are working harder'n usual again while me mum is askin' after your da. And if you'd taken your sweet time, you might have been helpin' me pick up my teeth. Again." Squatting on his haunches, Owen gave Amos the run down of what had almost happened, giving him descriptions of War and Alica.

"The halfling was on our side, though. She and the barbarian went over to Brookman's well to check it out." He straightened and stretched. "They seemed like they was followin' a hunch."

[maggie_mcknife]

Elena:
"You'll be helping me - and yourself - a lot right now if you run back home and see how your parents are doing." Laurel gives you a firm push towards the door. "You're all over the place and seven different shades of joy right now, which is bad for this kind of job. Can't be mixing the ingredients all wrong, can we? Some fresh air on the walk home should settle you somewhat. Go on. Come back around lunch time if you're wanting to hear more. The line ought to be clear by then."


Owen:
"Brookman's eh?" Amos looks stern, stroking his chin. "Hope they don't cause any trouble up there. Baleson's keeping watch over the place in person to make sure nobody takes as much as a drop of water out of the place. Not allowed to harvest anything immediately next to the pond neither."

One of the waiting townsfolk, who is close enough to be able to eavesdrop shamelessly on your conversation with Amos, mumbles to his neighbour something to the effect of the Sheriff being a paranoid control freak.

"Come now, Gervain," says Amos impatiently. "We're all doing the best, not least Sheriff Baleson. He's been busting his back, hardly getting any sleep, just to keep things running around here. 'Sides, it was on the advice of Miss Laurel that he decided to close Brookman's well in the first place."

He glances thoughtfully up at the faded sign that bears the shop's name over the door. "Y'know, Owen. If Miss Laurel's right about it being blackscour fungus that's causing all this trouble, that means you're only gonna fall sick if you've been drinking from Brookman's. Your family hasn't been taking water from there, have they?"


War and Alica:
War fails the DC to intimidate the cleric.

Despite being dangled in the air clean off her feet, with War's terrifying visage mere inches from her face, the young cleric is unfazed. If anything, she even seems to calm down and regain some amount of regal composure. The light in her green eyes turns hard and there is something of a keen sword-edge in her voice, despite her wet cheeks.

"Put me down RIGHT this instant. How DARE you threaten me this way? Who are you - one of Gavel Kreed's whining flunkies? You go right back and tell that goat-humping puke-pot that he'll get no such satisfaction from Sabine Cirthana. I've done everything within my power to help those ill with the blackscour taint, and if he's not happy, then maybe he should have gotten off his fat buttocks earlier and gotten the first few people who fell sick some proper care, instead of letting them rot in my arms, believing that the phoney love potions from that herbalist are going to save them!"

For a holy woman, the Lady Sabine Cirthana has quite a foul mouth and she's not afraid to use it.

[aturtledoesbite]

Taking a moment to calm down again (she's got a lot of mood swings, doesn't she?), Elena replies in mostly her usual calm voice. "Yes, ma'am. I'll return soon!" She and Cerberus leave Roots and Remedies, heading for their home.

[oyzar]

Alica looks shocked at the actions of the huge barbarian. She jumps down from his shoulder and the shocks turns to anger as she turns to face him. "War! we are trying to help these people, not to harm them!" she shouts. Alica turns back to the cleric and says, "I am sorry revered Sabine Cirthana. I just met War this morning, I am not an accomplice of Gavel Kreed and I don't think he is either. If you can not cure the ill, it just means it is not something you can cure. Diseases and posions are possible to cure, but getting ruined by somthing growing inside you might not be. Do you think it is Blackscour that is causing this as well then. If you refuse to help us I guess we should be going. Rember this though, as long as there is life, there is hope."

[Linguz]

War slowly lowered the cleric back to the ground. Not after the cleric demanded it, but after Alica spoke.

[18th Avenger]

"We were. But mum's been boiling what water we've drawn 'fore anyone of us got even a sip. Maybe tha's what's keeping us alright. After that, we been looking for new places to draw, same as everyone else. If the sheriff tells people to boil up first, mayhap less of us would fall sick, what? Then he can reopen the well."

Owen scratched his nose before looking back at his friend as he leaned back against the wall they were 'stationed' at. "But maybe one of us should go an' help the sheriff, in case them outsiders get too uppity. That fellow War was ready to start a scrap."

[maggie_mcknife]

War and Alica:
Lady Cirthana sniffs loudly and fixes War a venomous look, though her words are directed at Alica.

"Oh it's blackscour, all right," she mutters sourly. "Though that's something only me and the Sheriff know for a fact, since he was the one who requested that I cut up the body of the first person who died to check- and much good feeling with the town that did me too. There isn't a cure either - I ought to know. Though if you ask that herbalist lady, she'd probably tell you her sugar water's doing the sick a world of good. Hah!"

At this, Lady Cirthana spits on the ground and gives War one last glare, her voice oddly hollow. For those who care to observe her demeanour and movements closely, you realise that the woman is exhausted and likely hasn't slept in days. The only things keeping her upright right now are likely her stubborn pride and her stiff armour. Her hands tremble slightly as she adjusts the light plate, already turning away from both of you.

"Save your strength, strangers. These people are going to die, and there's nothing you or I can do about it." With that, she starts up the stairs and vanishes through the open door of the temple.


Owen:
Amos nods in agreement. "Yeah, that's a sweet idea. Since things are quiet here now, maybe you should go, seeing as how you already had a brush with the big guy? Perhaps he druther listen to you, if anything happens."

You turn around at the sound of the shop door opening, only to see Elena and her... dog emerge. They seem to be heading somewhere in a hurry.

[18th Avenger]

Whatever Elena and her... dog intended to go, it wasn't any of his business. At least not yet. In the years he'd known her, she pretty much kept to herself. Owen had extended a hand of friendship every now and again, but the girl just didn't seem too keen on the offer. But whatever her business was, it must have seemed very important.

Owen clapped his friend on the shoulder. "Thanks for the offer, mate. I owe you a shift. I'll go lend the sheriff a hand."

He squeezed his friend's offered forearm and took off down the street at an easy jog, intent on heading for the well.

[oyzar]

"Well we did get the information we wanted, even if she is probably not very happy with us right now. We'll show her that we can do one better than her by curing people. Let's get going to the well now. In the future maybe you'll hesitate a bit more with threatening people, though it certainly does have it's uses. I can't really be angry with you as you did mean it for good." Alica starts hustling along in the direction of the well, expecting to be picked up by War again and willingly going along this time.

As they move she thinks to herself. Hmm, I wonder if there are anyone in this town who can stand up to this Gavel Kreed. Maybe the shreiff is the man of the hour?


[roll0] Knowledge: Local, what do I know about this sheriff?

[Linguz]

War did indeed follow her and pick her up, putting her down back so that either leg was on one side of his head. "Hold on. I'm going to dash." They had already been detained for too long, and he was getting tired of this sitting around and waiting for something new to happen. In all honest, he hoped fungusmen came out of the well and attacked, no matter how unlikely an event. He began to run towards the well, heading at a surprising pace for a human.

40 feet/action, running speed. That's 160 feet every round.

[maggie_mcknife]

Elena:
You make it home in no time at all, given how close your house is to Roots and Remedies. Upon arriving at your front door, you pause for one dreadful moment as you fear that perhaps your parents have taken a turn for the worse. Plucking up your courage, you open the door as quietly as you can and find to your relief that your parents appear no worse for the wear.

While your mother has drunk the concoction you brewed this morning and lies dozing fitfully on the bed, your father has summoned enough energy to sit up in bed. His bowl of bitter herbs lies untouched exactly where you left it by the bedside. Rubbing the stubble that has grown on his chin since he first took ill, he looks down morosely at the scrunched up wad of bloody hankerchief in his fist, barely aware that you are there.


War and Alica:

Alica's knowledge check: Since your arrival in town, you've heard enough snatches of conversation about the Sheriff to put together a decent picture of him. While some of the townsfolk are upset with the water ban, the majority of them speaking admiringly of Sheriff Baleson, who is something of a local hero. It seems that he used to be a lumberjack working for Gavel Kreed, but was quickly elected Sheriff after besting Kreed's chief enforcer in some sort of fight over an axe, which he still carries today. The Sheriff is a half-elf, sturdy and tall as the trees he used to fell.

Seated athwart War's shoulders, both of you arrive at Brookman's well fairly quickly.

The 'well', as it turns out, is a rocky freshwater creek fed by water from the River Foam, ringed by a few sparse trees and a little wooden platform at the edge for the townsfolk to kneel when they draw their water. With the odd water bird singing and the gentle burbling of the water, it seems like a pleasant place to be - save for the perimeter of hempen rope and the three town watch-men staring suspiciously at both of you. One of them is already reaching for his quarterstaff.

The watch-man nearest to you rises to his feet from the mossy rock where he had been sitting and idly stretches, sizing the two of you up. A massive lumberaxe gleams wickedly at his feet in the sun. He flexes and cracks his knuckles one by one, before finally clearing his throat and addressing both of you gruffly.

"Perhaps you may not have heard, strangers, but the well is closed until further notice. The water's been tainted with blackscour, and nobody is to drink the water or harvest anything in the area until we can find the fungus and remove it."


Owen:
You don't see War and Alica anywhere as you jog down the road leading to Brookman's well. They must be way ahead of you.

As you pass by the Goose'n'Gander, you notice a crew of lumbermen gathered outside a nearby house. When they see you and your Watch colours, they begin to mutter something among themselves in low grumbling tones, but when you approach, they immediately scatter and walk away quickly without looking you in the eye. You recognise the green armbands on their sleeves that tell you they're members of the Lumber Consortium - Gavel Kreed's men. It's a little odd that they're all out here idle at this time of the day, but then again, Kreed's men don't need an excuse to make trouble.

[aturtledoesbite]

"Father, I'm home," Elena says as she notices he is awake. Looking down to see his medicine still untaken, she frowns, but decides to give him the benefit of the doubt and assume he has just woken up.

[oyzar]

Alica comes into view of the creek sitting on top War's shoulders. Her golden locks are flagering behind her due to the speed they are traveling it. Sitting up there she almost looks like a child by comparison, though the full breasts and curved hips, not hidden but rather accentuated by the green armor makes it clear she is not.
"We heard about the terribleness
but hope the search we can bless
Rather than prevent further incidents
we want to remove the entire wickedness
Tell us what you know
and from this the solution might flow"

[roll0] Diplomacy

[18th Avenger]

Owen stopped for a few minutes, waiting until the lumbermen had fully dispersed. When they'd gone, he took note of the house they'd been gathering, taking in the faded red walls and the rather dead vegetable patch. When the watchman had committed it to memory, he took off at a dead run towards the well.

He ran past the square and down the street he'd told the foreigners about. His boots pounded the pavement as he'd spied the house with a blue roof. Owen took a hard left, skidding a bit on the worn dirt and scrabbling forward. He could see the towering form of War topped by what appeared to be a child in leather armor. Beyond them was Sheriff Baleson and a couple more of the deputies.

"Sheriff! Sheriff!" Owen called out breathlessly.

[maggie_mcknife]

Elena:
Your father looks up and upon seeing you, manages a faint smile of pleasure, smoothly tucking the bloody hankerchief underneath the blankets.

"Elena. You're back early. Doesn't Miss Laurel need your help? I'm sure she's busy enough as it is these days."


War and Alica:
The watchman arches an eyebrow, almost amused at the eagerness in Alica's song. "That depends on just what sort of help you're looking to give, little one. And what sort of questions you'd be asking. Now, I have a question for you: are you well-versed in the healing arts or in alchemy of any sort?"


Owen:
At your salutation, Sheriff Baleson immediately turns away from the two out-of-towners, giving you a sharp look, a faint crease of worry crossing his brow.

"Farrier? What are you doing here? I sent Amos to help you. Did something happen at the shop?"

[18th Avenger]

Owen ran up them, doubling over right next to the foreigners, panting heavily from the run.

"Store's fine. Nothing much was happening and Amos got it under control," he wheezed out. "But Kreed's boys were milling about this one house by the Goose! They looked like they was aiming to cause trouble." The young watchman quickly sketched out where they'd gathered.

"They dispersed when I showed up though." He coughed as he stood straighter. "Figure I'd come over'n help out in case these two got uppity." Owen gave Alica an apologetic look.

[oyzar]

"My name is Alica Glittertwirl, nice to meet you. I know a bit of healing magic, though if your cleric has failed, I am unlikely to succed. I don't know anything about alchemy, though I do know quite a bit about nature and plants. We got sharp eyes and sharper minds to help find the fungus. Hopefully we can help to figure out a way to cure everyone. Often the solution to a problem is known, but only in bits and pices, I hope to be able to gather those pices and fit them together into the full picture. For example what do you know about this creek." she lays out to the sheriff, her words jumping from one syllabel to another, almost as if singing.

As Owen aproaches Alica waves at him, "Well met again Farrier, is the queue at the herbalist still as long?"

[maggie_mcknife]

War and Alica and Owen:
The lines on Sheriff Baleson forehead deepen as Owen speaks, and he appears to be thinking rapidly. Whatever it is, he does not appear pleased by the news.

"That house belonged to Old Gasker. Damned theiving mongrels, can't they even wait until the man's cold in the ground? Glad you told me, Farrier. Zarr! Come here a moment." He waves the older of the other two watchmen over. "Zarr, I'm sparing you from watching the grass grow for a bit. Hurry over to the Cutyard and tell me what's going on there. Something's got the lumbermen up and about, and my gut doesn't like the feel of that."

As Zarr hurries back towards town, the Sheriff turns back towards the three of you, the stern expression on his face making it clear that he will tolerate no further discussion of what the lumbermen could be up to right now.

"If you're not able to heal, then I guess all we can do is talk. You asked me what I know about the creek?" He shrugs at Alica. "Brookman's well is where Falcon's Hollow gets its clean water. We've been drawing from it for generations, ever since the first lumbermen settled here. We wouldn't have suspected it as the source of the illness, but Miss Laurel, our herbalist, recognised the symptoms of blackscour taint. She insisted that we search every body of water nearby, and there it was, plain as day. Haven't been able to remove the damn things though, so nobody gets to drink from the well until we find a way. Thinking of trying fire if nothing else works."

Now that the Sheriff has mentioned the blackscour, the three of you notice several tiny black capped mushrooms scattered around the edge of the creek, stubbornly clinging to the crevaces between the mossy rocks and neatly hidden by the tall grass.

[oyzar]

Alica stands up on wars back then jump backwards into the air. She spins a full turn, her feet going back over her head before finally comming under her when she reaches the groun. Her hair sprays out like in a golden shower glittering in the light. The green leather armor is supple enough for her to manouver freely and her yellow skirt is not hindering her legs much. The armor is shaped tightly to her body, reaching all the way to her booted feet and to her out to her gloved hands. She manages to land and catch her balance despite the leather backpack and weapons on her back.

"Well using your hands to remove the mushrooms seems dangerous, but magic should be able to do it without danger. If we uproot these we find here, less people might get infected and we can bring them back to Laurel for examination."

Alica moves over to where the fungus are sticking out of the ground, hopping from foot to foot almost as if dancing. "Grave talar de pelu il manke" she says bending down and makes a motion with her hands almost as if swiming. As she does so the earth around the mushrooms slowly parts away leaving the roots bare. The small halfling continues with her task, "Trek ne en i talar' lof de" she says standing over one of the mushrooms while holding her hand straight down along her side, forming it into a fist and slowly lifting it up. The mushroom slowly lifts out of the ground as her arm raises up, roots trailing after it.

"Do you have anything to carry these in?" She turns around and asks of the men.

Spell:
Prestidigitation: A prestidigitation can slowly lift 1 pound of material

Armor:
This is somewhat similar to what I imagine the armor looks like, except she got it covering the rest of her body as well.
http://th09.deviantart.net/fs71/PRE/i/2011/301/4/0/leather_armor_by_lagueuse-d4e71e9.jpg

[aturtledoesbite]

"Ms. Laurel allowed me to return home to eat lunch. Are you and Mother feeling any better?" Elena asks.

[Linguz]

Past Thoughts on Events: As the guards first talk (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showpost.php?p=14568567&postcount=79), War thinks to himself, The hell do these people want? He keeps his gaze on the one that spoke, the one with the lumberaxe.

As Alica sings her song (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showpost.php?p=14569718&postcount=81), he starts to think about how she does that whenever faced with a problem. From a sad person to a hostile confrontation to getting past someone.

Then the original guard showed up (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showpost.php?p=14571053&postcount=82) and he was out of breath. War chuckled. The guard was out of breath and he considered that funny. And he now knows who this Sheriff is called. He marked him on his mental list to surpass.

When the 'Sheriff' talked again (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showpost.php?p=14572217&postcount=83), War kept his gaze on him, sizing him up. He ignored every word that came out of his mouth, thereby missing the original guard's name. He didn't care for what came out of Original Guard's mouth (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showpost.php?p=14572297&postcount=84) either.

It was nice hearing howthe halfling talked. (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showpost.php?p=14572888&postcount=85) He considered actually learning her name completely someday, as a show of respect. Maybe.

While the Sheriff talked again (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showpost.php?p=14578694&postcount=86), War listened this time, getting that **** was going down in the village due to Kreed's men. He considered if it would be fun enough to beat up his men in exchange for Kreed's anger. Actually, that one's a no brainer. It just gives me more people to beat. Anyone who Kreed sends at me. But it'll likely get dirty, and can't have the halfling getting hurt. Doubt she could take much.

As the halfling cast her magic, War wondered where she learnt it. More so to look at the different ways of harnassing magic than anything else. He looked at the halfling and shook his head. "Just my backpack, and I don't intend to let anything in there get poisoned."

[18th Avenger]

Owen raised a tentative hand.

"Sheriff, about that. When you stopped people from gathering from Brookman's, mum started boiling the supply we got from before. We don't have much, just the one barrel. You know how my mum is. Anyway, we don't feel any different an' maybe if we tell people to boil the water up first, we could cut back on the numbers of sick an' maybe even re-open the creek." The young watchman shrugged. "Just a suggestion, is all."

[maggie_mcknife]

War and Alica and Owen:

"You be careful now, missy," mutters the remaining watchman warily, eyeing the mushroom that Alica's magic holds aloft in the air, looking very much as though he would like to be as far away from it as possible. "We still ain't sure how the blackscour got to this part o' the country. You don't want ta be shaking more little mushrooms out them gills."

Sheriff Baleson raises an eyebrow, clearly impressed by Alica's clever thinking. "That's a tidy piece of work. Perhaps we ought to hire you to harvest the whole lot of the things." Nevertheless, he shakes his head in stern disapproval. "Even so, I'm going to have to agree with my man, Miss Glittertwirl. You're free to examine that fungus right here where we are, but I won't have you carting it back to the village, not even if you were to wrap it up in a thousand layers of waxed sackcloth. If it starts sprouting up near the water barrels or Erastil forbid, on the banks of the Foam, we're never going to hear the end of it."

At Owen's suggestion, Baleson grunts and rubs his chin, giving the idea serious thought. "It might help," he eventually admits. "But I don't know enough about mushrooms to know whether boiling would really do the trick. You keep boiling your water, Farrier, for now. I'll pass the word around just in case. Good thinking, lad."


Elena:
Your father gives your mother a cursory glance, try to surreptitiously clear his throat. The attempt results in him giving a series of harsh barking coughs that seem to wind him slightly. Panting, he forces himself to take several deep breaths and finally manages to recover somewhat. "I doubt it," he says wryly. "Feels like I've got hot coal in my belly. But let that be. Come. Tell me how the town's doing."

He indicates the low stool next to the bed and grins as he catches sight of Cerberus. "Hello, dark one. I trust you've been taking care of my daughter?"

Next to him on the bed, your mother turns over in her sleep, wheezing slightly.

[aturtledoesbite]

"It's...quiet in town. Most of the stores are closed and no one's away from home, except for those at Ms. Laurel's. Brookman's well is quarantined, since the sheriff found blackscour fungus there." Elena watches her mother, hoping that's all she does.

Cerberus nods both of his heads at the question directed toward him.

[maggie_mcknife]

Elena:
"Blackscour? At Brookman's?! All the merciful Gods preserve us." Your father slumps a little lower on the bed, covering his eyes with his hands. "It's all my fault then. We were low on water in the rain barrel, so I thought I'd fill it up with water from Brookman's myself, so you wouldn't have to go down to the Foam after you got back from Miss Laurel's shop..."

He looks wretchedly at you, his eyes filled with pain. "Oh Gods... I'm so sorry, Elena. If I had just known..."

Without him saying a word, you realise what he's thinking - you drunk from that barrel of water too. And if you're the only one in the house who hasn't fallen ill yet...

[oyzar]

Alica looks at the sheriff, making a look in her eyes as in pleading. "The herbalist will probably have a easier time to find a cure if the mushrooms are brought there. I can cover it, though not in a thousands waxed sackcloths." She turns her hands around in a wide circle around the floating mushroom "Gjem i nat wanwa mori du alu.", as she does so a thin layer of what apears to be some kind of metal slowly forms around it, when the mushroom is covered in enough material to make it four times as thick, it slowly drops down into Alicas waiting arms. "You can come with us to Laurel yourself sheriff to make sure that nothing bad happens. We got to get rid of these mushrooms somehow."

Checks and spells:

Spell is Prestidigitation again: Prestidigitation can create small objects, but they look crude and artificial. The materials created by a prestidigitation spell are extremely fragile, and they cannot be used as tools, weapons, or spell components.

[roll0] Diplomacy to convince the sheriff.

[18th Avenger]

Owen scratched his chin. "'Course, it was a last resort and she strains the water and picks out the mushrooms before she boils it..." He made a face, thinking about how much of his free time was taken up by the act of picking bits of mushroom out of the water. The watchman thought about asking Baleson whether or not they'd been sending volunteers to look for other water sources but decided to ask later.

With little else to do, he turned to watch the helpful halfling, Alica, weave more magic and coat a floating mushroom with some weird material. He remembered when he first addressed her a few minutes before and snapped his callused fingers.

"Oh, that's right! The line at Roots is much shorter now, Miss Glittertwirl. So it won't be too much of a wait when you get there." Owen turned to his superior. "I'll take 'em back there, sir."

[Linguz]

War chuckled. He knew about spores, and these fools were boiling the water as if that would do anything. There's a reason he rarely drinks water: It's too susceptible to diseases, poisons, and other things of the like. The sooner we fix this, the sooner I'll make a name for myself, and if that means actually helping, so be it. He cleared his throat and spoke, "You are all fools. Boiling water doesn't kill spores." He tightened the grip of his heavy gauntleted hand. "Don't go getting spores in you, halfling."

[aturtledoesbite]

"Don't blame yourself, Father. You couldn't have known about the blackscour when you drew the water... Ms. Laurel said she might know a way to cure it. I'm going to go back and see if she knows anything more about that. ...Get some rest while I'm gone, okay?" Elena pointedly ignores the insinuation that she's infected, not wanting her parents to worry.

Leaving the house, Cerberus notes something. "Elena, I believe you forgot to eat your lunch."
"...You noticed, huh? They need the food more than I do. Don't worry about me, I'll be fine."
"You are being too hard on yourself. Should you stay this course, I fear you will not remain well."
"I...I can handle it."

"I have to."

The remainder of their trip is in silence.

[18th Avenger]

"Well thanks for the pearl of wisdom, your lordship," Owen said sarcastically. "We'll keep that in mind as well."

The thought, while coming from the mouth of that mule's-arse of a barbarian, worried Owen. While all he had was that one cup of tea this morning, it didn't account for every other time before that. He made a mental note to dump their house's supply from Brookman's once he got back.

And to fight the taint for as long as he was able.

There was no way in the Hells that Owen would meet his end by way of some spores in his lungs.

[maggie_mcknife]

War and Alica and Owen:
Sheriff Baleson holds up a meaty hand to prevent Owen from moving off. "I'm afraid my rules stand, Miss Glittertwirl. Please don't make me use force to persuade you to leave that thing here." The Sheriff folds his arms and draws himself up to his full height. "I won't have you bringing a blackscour mushroom into town on my watch, wrapped up or not. Even if your magic has made it safe to transfer, do you understand the effect just seeing one of those mushrooms would have on the townsfolk? They're fearful enough as it is, and fearful people don't think - prime chance for certain folks to make trouble if they wanted to. If Miss Laurel wishes to examine the blackscour in more detail, she'll have to come here herself."

He narrows his eyes as War speaks. "Perhaps, perhaps not. Regardless, boiling water won't do any harm and it might even set the minds of those panicking at ease."

[oyzar]

Alica lowers the mushroom to the ground. "Have it your way then, though like this it should be safe in my backpack, at least for an hour. So it is not like anyone will see it. I guess we'll likely be back later as you might need help to dig out those mushrooms. Let's go War, I guess you can join us as well Farrier." Alica waves a tiny hand at the men. "Have a nice day, watching the grass then." She spins around, one leg going out wide, then jumps up and skip along starting to hustle back towards the herbalist.

[18th Avenger]

Owen hung back a bit.

"Last question, sheriff; what about other water sources? Are you sending the boys to look around?" He kneaded the back of his neck, a nervous tic the watchman never grew out. "If anythin', that's what'll worry folk even more."

[maggie_mcknife]

War and Alica and Owen:
An unexpected wry grin comes over the Sheriff's face, and he chuckles a little.

"What, you're teaching your grandpaw Baleson to suck eggs now, young man? Where do you think the twins and the other watchmen are right now? They're off making sure the spring by the Foam remains clear of blackscour and keeping order. Now be off with you! I'm sure Amos could use some company."


(War and Alica and Owen head back to ROOTS AND REMEDIES. Elena is already inside with Laurel, since she was done some time earlier.)


Upon arriving at Roots and Remedies, you all discover much to your relief, that the line out front is finally down gone. Amos is relieved to see that Owen hasn't been squashed into a pastry by War, and he chats with Owen for a bit before the last patron inside comes out, giving all of you odd looks as she scurries surreptitiously away, clutching the paw of a dazed looking child in her hand.

As the three of you enter the shop, the first thing you all notice is the choking smell of burnt earth and spicy incense. The next thing you all notice is that the morning crowd has left mud tracked all over the floor - clearly, the common folk of Falcon's Hollow do not believe in scraping their boots before they enter a house.

Otherwise, the shop is impressively crammed with all manner of odd plants and wares. Bunches of dried herbs hang from the ceiling, along with dangling pots, presses, alchemical apparatuses, and glassware of more arcane purposes. Pouches of rare plants, jars of colored glass, and all manner of dried, preserved, and jellied animal parts fill high shelves and tables doing double duty as displays and workspaces. Either this Miss Laurel hasn't had time to tidy the place in years, or she must be aiming to impress the average visitor by her industry and largesse.

You all head to the back of the store. There you find the same grey-skinned girl from earlier, already seated on a high stool, watching a pot as it loudly bubbles over with thick gray froth. Next to her, a rail-thin woman with severe-looking spectacles and hair pulled back tightly busies herself between an overpacked rack of herbs, a table covered in stray powders and measuring equipment. Over the din of her work and without looking up, the woman impatiently shouts, “And what’s your problem?”

[Linguz]

As they left the area, War picked up Alica again and put her back on top of him. He expected this was going to be happening a lot, and he honestly didn't mind.

Upon arriving at the establishment, like so many before him, he didn't clean his feet, but he did duck down slightly so that Alica wouldn't get hit when he passes through the doorway (unless she gets off his back). Upon entering, if Alica didn't get off his back, he put her down. Then he went to the back room, following whoever went in first. He surveyed the room, spotted the dog, doglady, and alchemist and took note that he could probably kill them all (or so he thinks).

[18th Avenger]

Upon entering the apothecary, Owen, who was behind the barbarian, gently brushed aside what appeared to be a lizard man's dried leg. The watchman felt eyes from somewhere in the place's cluttered corners and felt a tingling somewhere at his shins.

"Miss Laurel," he greeted the harried woman at the counter. "These were the folk who caused the ruckus. They say they wanna help and you can direct them."

[oyzar]

On the way to the herbalist Alica seated on top of War's shoulders said. "So you want to hear stories do you? I can tell you one while we are moving."


Once upon a time there was a farmer living with his three sons at a farm far away from people somewhere in the Barrowood. The man was old and frail, but the sons were lazy and did not want to work much. In addition to the farm the man also owned a large part of the forest, he wanted the sons to go out to chop wood to pay of some of their dept.

Eventually he convinced them to go, the oldest going first. When he had gotten out to the forest and started chopping a large tree a large troll suddenly appeared. "If you chop trees in my forest I'll kill you!" The troll said. The boy threw away his axe and ran away. When he got home his dad got really angry, claiming that the troll had never scared him when he was young. The second day the second son was going to go out, but unfortunatly the events transpired in the same way and he also ended up without anything done and down an axe.

Third day the youngest son was going out. He was nicknamed Ashladdie because he would always stay close to the fireplace and move around the ash with a stick. "You'll prolly make it, you who have never been outside the livingroom door before" said the two oldest sons. The young boy asked for a huge amount of food to bring with him. They didn't have much, but the mother had just made some white cheese that he got in his knapsack.

Once again the troll appeared, "If you chop trees in my forest I'll kill you!" The boy quick on his feet ran over and got the cheese out of his pack. He squeezed it between his hands so whey flew to all sides. "If you don't shut up" The boy shouted, "I'll squeeze you like i squeeze the water of this white rock!" "No, please save me!" the troll said. "I'll help you chop wood." The troll was strong and good at chopping and the boy got much more down that he otherwise would have.

When it started getting late, the troll said "Let's go to my place, it is closer than yours." The boy agreed, when they got to the troll's cave the troll said "You'll get water from the well for porrige, I'll make a fire on the fireplace." There were two large iron buckets, but they were so heavy that the boy could not even move them, so the boy said, "It's not worth getting water in these small thimbles, I'll just get the whole well." The troll was shocked, "No please I'll get the water then."

The troll then made a really large amount of porrige. The ashladdie then said, "Let's have an eating contest". "Oh yes the troll replied" Clearly thinking that with his larger size he would win. They started eating at the table, but the boy had gotten his knapsack and tied it to his belly. He put more in it than he put in his mouth. When it was full of porrige he took out a large dagger and ripped a large hole in the bottom, letting the porrige poor out. The troll looked at him but didn't say anything about it. Eventually the troll put away his spoon, "I am full." The boy replied, "You should eat, I am barely half-full, if you do like me and rip open your belly like me, you can eat as much as you want." "Doesn't it" The troll asked. "Ah, don't worry about it" said the boy. The troll then did as the boy said, flaying his belly open, he died messily. This let the boy take everything of value he could find of value in the cave as well as stay safe from the troll in the forest. With this they never stayed poor again.

Once they arrive at the herbalist, Alica jumps down from Wars back, in a similar backflip to last time, then walks inside with the others. She looks around once inside, trying to figure out what everything is. She draws in the strong smells of the place with a deep breath. "Ah this place really smells of herbs." She turns to Laures as she speaks. Then she starts on what appears to be a curtsy, but turns into spinning around, waving her arms out, as if starting on a dance. As she dances she utters:
"Miss Laurel, nice to meet you and your girl.
Myself I am Alica Glittertwirl
I heard the sickness causing yelp
and came here wanting to help.
We observed the fungus at the creek
and I must say things look bleak
I pray that not all hope is lost
that we can solve this without too large a life cost"

[roll0]Diplomacy

[maggie_mcknife]

"Oh, it's you lot again," says Laurel matter-of-factly, looking unimpressed as she wipes her hands on the grubby apron around her waist. "You must have some mighty large pairs on you if you thought you could just barge in here without waiting your turn. Hah! I'll let you all know right here and now - that's not how we at Falcon's Hollow do things, hear me? Don't try that again. You're lucky I didn't toss you all out on yer arses."

Despite Laurel's small size, you all get the distinct impression that if she did want you out on your arses, she'd probably get the job done one way or another. She peers sternly over her spectacles, studying each of you in turn carefully. Eventually, she folds her arms and leans her hips against the table behind her. "Well, none of you look like you've got the taint, so I'm assuming you won't be wanting any medicines for yourselves. So just how exactly were you wanting to help? Sit up with the dying? Help me with the brewing? That lot out front will be back tomorrow, sure as eggs is eggs."

[aturtledoesbite]

Elena considers reminding Laurel about that "something" that she might could do, but knows better than to interrupt her, so she simply continues to watch the pot boil.

[Linguz]

War doesn't comment on the story, but he does think about it. First, he considers the first three men talked about (father, son1, son2) as cowards, for not going out and doing their job correctly. The third son is just as bad but smart... enough to know when he's confronting a retard. He considers the troll just that, for nothing at all intelligent would open a hole in their stomach. It's not the type of epics he's hoping for, but he doesn't say anything about that yet.

When they arrive at the shop, he waits until Alica hops off his shoulders before following her in. Once inside, he takes in all there is to see, checking out all corners and dark spots. He notices the dog, the dog-lady, and the alchemist and mentally tells himself to get one of those dogs if he can. He lets the bard do her word-magic, as his wouldn't work in the way they want it to work around here, most likely.

[oyzar]

Alicas shoulders slumps a bit at the herbalists negative attitude. "I don't know what we can do to help. By the rumors people been sick for over a week, so what you have been brewing so far have not been of that much help. I certainly do not know more about brewing than you and I don't know more healing magic than the cleric. Yet I belive that no matter how bleak the situation there is always something you can do. Do you know about anything we can do to change the status quo?"

Alica thinks The summon is here again, with only two people here, one of them is bound to be the summoner. She studies both the people looking for clues. Then she notices the rune on Elena's forehead. The greyskinned one is probably more than just a mere herbalist's apprentice, but there are more important mysteries to figure out now.

[maggie_mcknife]

"Anything you can do to change the situation, eh?" Laurel narrows her eyes at Alica, but looks thoughtful, drumming her fingers on her arm. "Yeees. There is something you lot might help me do, since watching the sick and brewing is clearly out of the question if you've no skill for it."

Giving Elena a quick glance, Laurel sighs and takes off her spectacles, some of the manic energy that has been keeping her going since this morning fading out of her. She begins to absent-mindedly polish the thick lens with a suspicious looking rag off a work bench. "I'm not one to mince my words, strangers, so I'll be frank with you. I know that what I'm brewing just eases the pain - it can't and won't cure a body out there of blackscour. Fact is - there isn't a cure. There just isn't. I looked through every damn book in my collection, tried every damn thing, and it makes absolutely no different. It kills me to say this, but I'm doing my damned best, and the best isn't ain't enough right now."

Laurel returns her spectacles to their perch atop her nose, her shoulders slumping slightly. Those who look closely observe that the skin around her eyes looks puffy and smudged - she's probably just as exhausted as Lady Cirthana. She sighs again, more deeply this time, sneaking another glance at Elena. "I don't want to give nobody false hope now. But this is all I've got."

"I was going through my grandmother's book again last night when I found some writing in the appendices, and it wasn't in her hand. Was a recipe for some kind of brew, supposed to be good for treating fungal infections. It's some weird concoction that sounds more like hoojoo than real medicine though." Laurel's mouth tightens into a thin line of disapproval as she shakes her head. "Got all sorts of weird things in it too. Might end up killing off half the sick people by accident if I could even make it, for all I know."


Knowledge (Local) check:
DC 12 to recall that Laurel comes from a long line of herbalists. Her grandmother, Amantha, was notorious in her time for having struck a deal with the witch of Darkmoon Vale, Ulizmila - exchanging her sight for a few pages of magical lore from the crone's grimoire.

[oyzar]

"Well the people are not going to live very long without a cure, so I think we should try." Hope returns to Alicas voice, and her posture stands up straighter. "I for one would love to help to get what is needed, if you do not have it all. Sometimes you have to do weird or unpleasant things to help more people, I am not one to shy from such a task." Alica looks around at the others while thinking. Well dealing with a witch or witch magic will be interesting, help can come from the most unexpected sources. Then she says to the others. "I could use some help though, i am not very strong, though I can pull my own in a fight."

[Linguz]

"You have my blade, for as long as it takes so I give you epic-worthy stories." His blind ambition to be famous and known across the land leads him to help in any way he can, if it means he'll be closer to that goal, which means he'd be ever closer to facing off against a dragon and having it treat him seriously.

[aturtledoesbite]

"Her grandmother's book? The one that made the deal with the witch? Is that why Ms. Laurel's reluctant to try it?" Slowly and hesitantly, Elena speaks up. "What...what would be needed for the medicine, Ms. Laurel?"

[maggie_mcknife]

Laurel nods curtly at your replies, but manages a faint smile when Elena speaks up. She clearly has a bit of a soft spot for the girl.

"It's mainly rare roots and concentrations, most of which I have here. There's three things that I don't though. There's Elderwood moss that's got to be picked from the oldest tree in the Vale. Never heard of that thing before in my life though. Then there's a specially pickled root called rat’s tail - again, sounds like hoojoo to me. Last thing would be seven ironbloom mushrooms. You know, those stunty little things the dwarves like. Only grows in dark places thick with metal or so I hear."

[18th Avenger]

Even though Owen had the faint beginnings of a bad feeling about this venture, he was more than willing to render what aid he could.

"I have very little idea what you're talking about, ma'am. But if it's anything that can help out the folk of the Hollow, you got the support of the wotch."

He was just as knowledgeable about the surrounding area as the next townie, as well as being fit and able as could possibly be. If it was within his power, the watchman was honestly ready and willing to help.

[oyzar]

"Would be nice to know where we can find those last two ingredients, but they are probably either in or near the Vale as well. I am ready to go, what about the rest of you, do you need any rations or the like? Could you tell us the way Laurel?" Alica is impatient to be off, finally a goal set before here. She likes helping, but it is much easier if you have something concrete to work towards. After listening to what the others might have to say, she starts walking towards the door of the shop, eager to be off.

[roll0]Knowledge Local, what do I know about the Vale.

[Linguz]

War thinks to himself that he could probably, without fail, get enough food and water for three people every day, as long as they're walking at the halfling's pace. He replied to the halfling as he followed her out the door, "Rations and water can be found in the forest, I know it. I can feed two other people other than myself." He turned to Original Guard as he passed him. "And seeing as it's just three of us going, guess that means I get to feed everyone." He narrowed his eyes at Original Guard as he passed him, not liking that he would be feeding someone like him. A guard.

[aturtledoesbite]

Responding to the halfling - Elena seems to remember her calling herself Alica? - she states, "Darkmoon Vale is a short distance north of town, but it's quite dangerous. Do you all still intend to go?"

Cerberus, now clearly in the open, stares intently at the two visitors, wondering the same as his summoner.

[oyzar]

Alica looks at Elena, having focused on the herbalist up to this point the grey skinned girl have been largely overlooked. The grey skin hints at origins not entierly human and that mark on the forehead links her to that creature hiding in the corner. She is probably as unusual as you get in a place like this. It would be interesting to know more about her. Having studied the girl she then responds to the question. "Thanks for the information. Elena was it? Yes if that is where we have to go, we will. We can take care of ourselves, though help is always nice. You seem to have some unusual talents of your own. Alica looks towards where Cerberus is standing.

[aturtledoesbite]

"I see." A further response from her is interrupted by Cerberus. "Wait. Are you truly considering what I believe you are?"
"There's no other way. I've got to find a cure for my parents. You know that."
"But as you said yourself, it is dangerous in the Vale! If you get hurt, then you will not be able to help your parents."
"Well, then, that's why you'll be there, isn't it? You'll keep me safe, won't you?"
"But I... I... oh, very well. I hope you know what you are doing..."
"To be honest, I don't know. But I'm staying my course."

To the average observer, that exchange took...maybe a second or two. Elena continues to speak. "In that case, I'm going with you." She gets off of the stool, walking toward Cerberus and resting one of her hands on the closer head.

Should one be particularly observant, one might notice Cerberus looking unhappy, but resigned to the situation.

[maggie_mcknife]

"Land's sakes. You strangers really aren't ones to wait, are you?" Laurel shakes her head in mingled amazement and despair, a faint gleam of amusement in her eyes. "I'm not even done telling you what I know. You're welcome to head off and begin searching if you like, Miss Alica. But for anyone else who's willing to stay and listen, I can tell you what I know. 'Specially if my only apprentice seems to have set her heart on going with you."

She makes a low whistling sound and raises her eyesbrows skeptically. "Now I don't know where to find any of those hoojoo story things. Never stepped outside of the Vale in my entire life. But I do have a couple of ideas that I was going to float with the Sheriff tonight. Guess it won't hurt you to hear 'em first."

"Well, for the elderwood mold, there’s gotta be an oldest tree in the Vale. Damned if I know where it is, though. I'd expect one of the lumbermen would probably know. Or maybe even the Sheriff would, seeing as to how he used to work for Kreed way back then."

"There haven't been dwarves in these parts for the longest time - trees and dwarves just don't go, y'know? But word has it that a bunch of dwarves used to live on the other side of Darkmoon Wood, near Droskar's Crag. They’re not there anymore, but I’d bet their forges still are. If you can find ironbloom anywhere around here, that’d be your best bet."

"The rat's tail's an even longer shot. The only one I can think of who might have a clue where you'd find that one is the old witch my grandmother learned her skill from - Ulizmila the Spiteful." At the mention of the witch's name, a dark look comes over Laurel's face. "Lives deep in the woods. She’s a crafty, mean thing that knows all sorts of strangeness. I don’t know what she might want for her help, but I doubt it’d come cheap. My grandmother traded her sight to the old crone for a few pages of what she knew, and that was years and years back, and I don’t know a soul who got any nicer as they got older. So now you know what I know about these things, which frankly speaking, isn't a whole lot."

Laurel sighs for the third time and turns to Elena, placing a bony hand on her shoulder. "Elena, girl. I'm not going to try and stop you - not when you've got that look in your eye and that quiet fire in your belly. But for your parents' sake, since I know you're doing this for them, do come back safely and soonest. Both you and I know that your momma and dad would rather have you back whole over any cure in the world."

"Mister Farrier," Laurel says, fixing Owen with a steely gaze. "You watch my girl and make sure she gets back without as much as a hair on her head missing, hear me?"

[aturtledoesbite]

Elena mentally notes the locations of the ingredients. "Elderwood moss at the oldest tree in Darkmoon Vale, ironbloom mushrooms at Droskar's Crag way at the other end, and then 'rat's tail' from the very same person who might have made this concoction in the first place. Got it."

Facing Laurel, Elena assures her. "Don't worry, Cerberus will be with me. He'll keep me safe."

Just curious, wanna make a Knowledge (Planes) check to see if I know anything on those ingredients.

[roll0]

[oyzar]

Alica does indeed stay to listen once Laurel speaks up. "Thanks for the information. Seeing as the Sheriff is the closest, I suggest we start by asking him where this oldest tree might be. We already know him, but not the lumberjacks of Gavel Kreed. What woods does Ulizmila the Spiteful live in, Darkmoon Wood? Say your goodbyes now Elena, it might be a while until we return here again." After waiting for Alica to say goodbye Alica leaves, for real this time.

Rolls:

I am still waiting for the results of that knowledge local check about what I know about the Vale.
[roll0] Knowledge Nature, what do I know about the ingredients.
[roll1] Knowledge Local, what do I know about the Darkmoon Wood
[roll2] Knowledge Local, what do I know about the Droskar's Crag

[maggie_mcknife]

Elena's Knowledge (planes) check:
What you know of the ingredients matches what Laurel has just told you. You also know that ironbloom mushrooms are a highly prized delicacy in dwarven cuisine. You've seen one before, in fact - Verwyn, the half-elf ranger who sometimes stops by in Falcon's Hollow on his rounds through the Vale, once showed off a slightly dried black mushroom he claimed he'd swiped from the ruins of the dwarven monastary up at Droskar's Crag.

Alica's Knowledge checks:
Nature:
What you know of the ingredients matches what Laurel has just told you. You also know that Elderwood moss grows only on the oldest of Darkwood trees and is exclusive to the Vale region. It can be used as a wound dressing due to being highly absorbent and mildly antibiotic. Ironbloom mushrooms are a variety of toadstool much prized among the dwarves as a nourishing and tasty dish, despite its notable earthy odour. Dwarves will sometimes cultivate them as a crop in their settlements if there is a sufficiently large iron deposit nearby.

Darkmoon Wood:
Darkmoon Wood is among the most dangerous places in all of Avistan. A feral, fey-haunted forest on the edge of civilization, the Wood presents a constant threat to those who live nearby, but also serves as a persistent temptation to adventurers eager to make names for themselves. It is located at the base of Droskar's Crag, along the banks of the River Foam in northern Andoran, near the border of Isger and Druma. The dense forest, which stretches approximately forty-two miles wide and around fifteen miles tall, contains at its heart a small lake which runs into the nearby River Foam. Lumber camps can be found throughout the outer edges of the Vale, a reminder that the dangers of the woods are not enough to stop the expansion of the greedy Lumber Consortium. The nearest permanent settlement is the logging town of Falcon's Hollow, which rests about eight miles from the forest's southern edge.

Droskar's Crag:
Droskar's Crag is the tallest of the mountains in the Five Kings mountain range. It is a long dormant volcano, with a glacier-domed summit that shines white even in the warmest of summer months. Named for Droskar, the dwarven god of toil and obedience, it has been centuries since the mountain has stirred. Many say that the reason why the towering trees in Darkmoon Woods grow so well is because of ancient ash flows that covered the land when the Crag last erupted. Few dare to venture near the mountain theses days, due to the threat posed by bands of marauding ogres on the lower slopes. Word has it that the grey dwarves of Droskar's cult still dwell under the skin of the mountain, toiling away in the heat and darkness, waiting for their dark master to call on them.

[18th Avenger]

Owen saluted Laurel. "Count on me, ma'am. I'll watch over her like my own little sister, if I had one. I have a brother."

He looked at Cerberus in his corner. "Ain't that right, dog?" The watchman didn't know if the extraplanar creature agreed with him or not, but decided not to push it. He turned his gaze down to Elena.

"C'mon, Elena. They's going without us. Let's get a move on."

[aturtledoesbite]

Cerberus's gaze doesn't necessarily suggest agreement or disagreement with Owen's statement, but more in a sort of 'if you don't hold up to that, Laurel won't get a chance to punish you' look.

Nodding, Elena responds. "Of course. Just...just give me a moment."

Turning to Laurel, she begins to speak. "Ms. Laurel..." Then, knowing she should probably keep this short and deciding it would be far more adequate than any words, Elena hugs the herbalist. Ending it a few seconds later, she finishes off that last sentence of hers. "I'll return soon. I promise."

With that, she leaves, Cerberus following behind.

[maggie_mcknife]

"Would I be talking about some other wood besides the honking big one not a couple of miles a way? Ulizmila lives in the Darkmoon, of course. Fancy not knowing that." Laurel gives an impatient sniff at the obviousness of Alica's question.

The older woman is plainly surprised by Elena's sudden hug, but she gives the girl's shoulder an awkward pat. "Take care of yourselves both, then. I'll have a look in your parents when I can manage the time, Elena. Don't let those two bully you. Anything happens, you just come running back, hear? May Old Deadeye guide your steps and keep your path smooth."

As you all leave the shop, it seems as though Laurel is muttering something under her breath. Those who listen closely catch the words 'Erastil' and 'help', but anyone who turns back only sees the herbalist watching you with her arms folded, giving you a brief farewell nod.

*****

Once the four of you have left the shop, Amos comes over to greet Owen. "Well? How did it go? What did she say?" The young man's voice is hopeful as he looks around at all of you. He seems a little surprised to find that Elena has come out of the shop, but is polite enough to refrain from commenting.

[18th Avenger]

After greeting his friend, Owen put his head closer to Amos' ear.

"Miss Laurel thinks she can find a cure for the 'scour in our lungs in her grand dam's book." He quickly sketched out the places around the Hollow which would have had the ingredients for the town's salvation. Both reflexively made signs of warding at the mention of the witch's name.

"She's gonna talk to the Sheriff about it later, but I can give you a head's up. I'm going with these yahoos and Elena to try an' gather 'what Laurel needs. The Lucky Drunk willin', we'll find 'em without to much trouble."

[maggie_mcknife]

"What- you mean now?" Amos looks startled, almost panicky. "But Owen, we need you here in town. We're short-handed enough as it is, what with Mershell and Tiva taken sick. Going through the Woods will take days... What if Kreed starts up some trouble while you're gone? Weren't you just telling me about his boys hanging around town looking to cause something?"

[18th Avenger]

Owen snorted good-naturedly.

"Now you know that ain't true, Amos. The sheriff and the twins are here and you're the best sword in town. Things won't fall apart if I take a few days off on a grocery run."

Then his face grew serious. "Besides, Amos..." Owen looked uncomfortable, as if whatever he wanted to say was putting one hell of a fight with his brain. Eventually, he swallowed and murmured one of the most difficult admissions he ever had to make.

"I'm sick too. I've been able to hold it all together for a while, but I don't know how long I'll last before mum chains me to my bed." His green eyes shone hard and impenetrable as the forest surrounding the Hollow. "So before that happens, I... I feel like I can do more if I step out and look for a solution with my own hands and senses, not sitting around and wait for this to pass. I wanna make a difference, like we always talked about."

[oyzar]

Alica looks sympathically at Owen. "Aww, lets hope we can find a cure quickly. We should stock up on food so we can travel quickly through the woods. Let's go to see the sheriff now.

As they walk Alica studies her companions. War with his massive frame and massive sword certainly look prepeared for travelling through the woods. Likewise the town guard with a mace, crossbow armor and buckler looks like he can handle a fight. Elena is more dubious though, she does not appear to have any other weapons than the small knife at her belt.. She speaks up about this. "Do you have any other weapons Elena? As you say it is dangerous in the woods. There are even rumored to be Ogres and Grey Dwarves near Droskar Crag."

She is almost expecting to be carried by War now when travelling longer than a short distance, as soon as they get away from Amos she looks towards the big warrior expectedly, raising her arms up to be picked up.

[Linguz]

War thinks as everyone says things.

So the dog-lady speaks about danger (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showpost.php?p=14603568&postcount=118), to which War doesn't reply but in a monologue, Your forest isn't anything compared to what I've done.

Then the halfling replies (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showpost.php?p=14603695&postcount=119). War simply thinks about how the dog-lady's talents are owning a two-headed dog. If only it was a two-headed dragon instead. Two heads, twice the fight, twice the glory.

And so the dog-lady decides to come with (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showpost.php?p=14603816&postcount=120) and War simply thinks of how great that'll be. A dog-lady, a skald, and a berserker... oh, and a two-headed dog. And seems the doggy doesn't want to come at all. He'll be great help in that mood.

A nice long monologue follows, spoken by the alchemist (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showpost.php?p=14605788&postcount=121). War thinks that this should lead them in the right path, but he doesn't say anything. And he had to make sure to pull out a hair from the dog-lady sooner or later, so that Original Guard fails at his job of protecting her hair.

When the hug (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showpost.php?p=14613791&postcount=126) fest (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showpost.php?p=14613966&postcount=127) and good byes were said, War just averted his eyes. Touchy-feely moments aren't his forte, and he doesn't even think they should exist. Once they were out, he watched Original Guard talk to Other Guard (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showpost.php?p=14614121&postcount=128).

War followed Alica off, towards where the well was. Upon seeing her look up at him, he let out a sigh. Like he thought, this had become routine. He reached down and picked her up with two hands, one under each of her arms, and lifted her up to his back. He doesn't say anything as he does so.

[aturtledoesbite]

Cerberus stares at the halfling, almost disbelievingly. While he remains quiet, his thoughts are not. "You have not been here but for maybe a day, and you attempt to say you know more of the surrounding area than a local?"
"Cerberus, be nice. She has a fair enough question. I don't exactly look like much of a fighter, do I?"

"I'm not particularly skilled with weapons. I do know a few spells, though. Cerberus and I can hold our own, don't worry."

[maggie_mcknife]

Owen:
Amos looks at you in disbelief, half-stunned by your revelation. He opens his mouth to say something, then shuts it again.

"Gosh," he eventually manages. "You should've said something, old pal. Guess that's all the more reason for you to find this cure Miss Laurel's talking about, hey?"

Your friend sighs and gives you a sturdy clap on the shoulder, the ghost of a grin on his face, although his eyes tell you that he's deeply worried about you. "Go swiftly then. I'll try and cover for you in the meanwhile. Come back soon, y'hear? You still owe me a drink down at the Sitting Duck."

[18th Avenger]

"Last I reckoned, after you let that sellsword throttle me for the better part of a few minutes, I'd say we're even!"

Owen playfully punched Amos on the shoulder before turning to follow the group. "An' worry not, Derny! This ain't the last you'll see of my pretty mug!" With a laugh, the watchman waved good bye to his friend and caught up with the group just as the halfling noted that Elena wasn't carrying too much by way of equipment or weapons. Owen scratched at his chin.

"Well, the general store won't be a problem. As for weapons, the watch station has an arsenal that you might be able to pick from. On credit of course." He stretched and began to keep pace with an even and professional stride. "An' if they don't want to, my family's house has an armory. It's no adventurers' vault like in the tales, but I think it'd serve."

[oyzar]

Alica smiles at Owen. "Borrowing a weapon sounds like a good idea to me. While I am sure you got a few more tricks up your sleave than is easily apparent, you never know when magic might fail you. Where is the general store exactly? I am still quite new to this village and do not know where everything is. Anything else the two of you can tell of this village or the surrounding area would also be of help. One never know when a tiny odd bit of knowledge is the last piece of a puzzle. As she speaks she drifts between looking at Owen to Elena and back again.

As they walk through the village Alica tries to see if there is anything she missed the first time. The cleric did take up quite a bit of their attention and War was hurrying a lot the last part.

[roll0]Perception

[aturtledoesbite]

"Oh, of course. I'm sure Owen or I could answer any questions you might have, Miss Alica. As for the general store, it's just down there at Low Market. Even in this plague, Mr. Hildrinsocks keeps it open. If there are any supplies you might need, it's probably sold there."

Turning to Owen. "Oh, no, I couldn't possibly borrow any weapons. I'm sure your family and the Watch would need them just in case, and I probably wouldn't know how to use them well, anyway. Cerberus can fight well enough if my magic fails."

Should one be able to read minds - and understand the Infernal tongue - one may question why Cerberus is not attempting to convince Elena to accept a weapon, for her own protection. But he knows almost as well of her fear of them as she herself does, so he "says" nothing.

[maggie_mcknife]

Alica's Perception check:
You don't notice anything particularly different on this walk through the village, though you do see a few burly men with green armbands giving your group a wide berth. The Goose'n'gander general store, as Elena said, is in fact still ready for business - a pair of curious dark eyes peers out at you from a partway opened door, probably hoping you'll come in to buy something. The door of the Iomedaen church is predictably shut tight. Lady Cirthana probably isn't going to come out again today, not after her encounter with War.

[18th Avenger]

Owen waved off her objection.

"No need for that, little miss. If you're stepping out with us, you're gonna have to pull your own weight. And don't worry about it. Between all of us, I reckon we can teach you a thing or two about defending yourself." The watchman put on a thoughtful expression. "As it stands, you never know who among us can take the shot that could save our skins." He smiled down at the coal-skinned girl. "Don't you go selling yourself short, Elena."

They found their way to the Goose 'n' Gander with no problem, with Owen leading the way into the general store with a tinkle of the bells hung over the door. "Master Hildrinsocks? You got custom!"

[oyzar]

Alica continues after Owen into the biulding. She looks to the others. "How long will we be out in the wilds? I got rations for four days already, if we end up going longer than anticipated we can forage as War suggested I suppose. Four days should be enough, two days out and two days back, to start with." Alica looks around the shop while the others decide what they want to do. She comes upon a small brown leather whip. She takes it down and flicks it out with a loud smack. "Hmm, this might be useful, guess I will buy it."

[Linguz]

War waits for Alica to drop down before entering the building. He looks through the different items quickly, grabbing an empty waterskin and two medium sized rations. Might need more water and food but I won't take any water from this place. He brings them to the gnome and asks, "Price?"

[aturtledoesbite]

Owen's insistence starts up Elena's stuttering again with the thought of having to use a weapon. She's already uncomfortable enough with the dagger she has to carry around to harvest ingredients. "B-but...I-I don't t-think I could c-carry it e-easily. I-it might be too h-heavy or s-something..."

"You realize he will simply continue to insist until you accept, yes?" Elena doesn't respond.

Bluff check in case any of the others want to try a Perception to see she's averse to weapons: [roll0]

[18th Avenger]

The watchman let off another amused snort as he sized her up. "Believe you me, there will be a weapon for your size somewhere in the Hollow. The sheriff has a light crossbow that should be no trouble for you to carry. Besides that, there are slings that you can wrap around your wrist, not to mention clubs or maces for those close encounters."

Owen turned to Alica and War. "After all, I think these two can agree with me that it don't take much practice to learn to hit something from afar or breathing distance, what?" He looked around the store. "Now where by the Lucky Drunk's mug is that old gnome... Master 'Socks?" Owen called around the store.

[maggie_mcknife]

(Inside the Goose'n'gander)

Mister Hildrinsocks is tiny, even for a gnome, and the massive red hat that he wears rakishly on his head at an angle does not help. At the sight of customers in a bad time, he brightens up and bustles over, eager to be of help, the single plume on his hat nodding furiously.

War's massive size doesn't faze Hildrinsocks one bit, though War could probably lift his foot and crush the gnome like a bug if he wanted to. "That'll be 10 silver and a gold, so two gold pieces, sir," he says smoothly in a practised salesman patter. "And I give fair prices too - Kreed's boys want me to jack up the prices, and I tell the rotters they can go hang! If you're looking to get your wares, that's as fair a price as you'll get anywhere else."

He does scowl when Alica flicks out the whip. "Oy, you there!" He calls out, clearly annoyed. "Don't go waving that about in the shop, eh! I won't have you putting out no eyes or smashing the merchandise. That's one gold if you're taking it, but twenty gold if you hit anything else and break it."

[18th Avenger]

"Ho there, Master 'Socks." greeted Owen. "Glad to see you with the welfare of the town so close to your heart. An' don't mind the big fella." He jerked his thumb at War. "His mommy di'nt hug him enough when he was a wee."

His eyes rested on the design of an engraved lantern. "Got anything to spice up trail rations? Or anything of an... offensive nature?"

[aturtledoesbite]

"B-but what if I-I accidentally h-hit one of you w-while firing?"

"It is amazing to what lengths you will go to prevent this. Though, it is expected, considering--"
"Please don't finish that."
"Ah, right, I apologize."

I imagine that the longer this draws out, the easier it would be to overcome that Bluff check, yet I don't know if that should just be seen as the first check getting smaller and smaller, or if I should reroll with a penalty. Ah well.

[Linguz]

War pays the man the two gold from his coins and turns to look at Owen, a scowl on his face. "Two things, guard. Swinging around a sword isn't something that can be done just by anyone and everyone. If she doesn't think she'd be any help with a sword, don't force one onto her. Two, my parents loved me enough to make sure I could survive in any situation. Unlike most parents. Like the ones all over the place that spoil their damn kids."

He turned to look at Elena and shook his head. "Pull yourself together. We can't have you breaking down at every mention of a weapon in your hand." His voice had no compassion; he doesn't want anyone that's going to be working with him to show weakness. Just a moment of it is enough to get one killed.

[oyzar]

Alica swings her backpack down from her back and opens a side pocket. There she finds a gold coin which she flicks over to the small gnome. She then proced to fasten the whip to the back of the backpack after coiling it up. Afterwards the backpack is replaced on her back as she stands back up.

Alica had been paying attention to Elenas stammering, but not commented on it up to this point. The little halfling goes over to the grey skinned girl and embraces. Even if I do not know her very well she deserves compassion and empathy. Hugs can only help. She then says in a soothing voice while patting the grey skinned girls back. "Now now, don't worry. We will help you out. It will be hard but it will be better in the end if you overcome your fear. That way you will not have to worry that much again. You also will be better able to handle enemies with weapon. We will teach you what you need to know, I know how to use a bow and Farrier probably know how to use his crossbow."

[maggie_mcknife]

Owen:
After accepting payment from both Alica and War, Hildrinsocks grins toothily at you and hooks his thumbs into his breech pockets. "Just the usual - there's not been much new food coming in since all the sickness broke out. And the other'll be depending on who you wish to offend, laddie. What did you have in mind?"

[aturtledoesbite]

Elena is comforted by the hug...until weapons are mentioned again. Having had her emotions already run the gauntlet today, she starts visibly shaking and withdraws from Alica's hug. Looking off into space, it's clear she's remembering something that happened. "No...no weapons...could hurt someone...accident..." All the while, Elena seems to be reaching for something behind her, yet is only grabbing at air.

Cerberus, seeing this go on, decides now would be the best time to intervene. "I must ask you to cease your requests of giving Elena a weapon." His voice, coming from both heads simultaneously, is quite unnerving.

Shaken for 1d4 rounds? :P

But seriously, if so: [roll0] If not, ignore this.

[18th Avenger]

"Who said anything about a sword?" Owen muttered. The barbarian might be some sort of survival expert, but if he thought about giving a slip of a girl a weapon best used by a professional, he wasn't as much of an expert as he let on.

With War's back turned to him, Owen contented himself with a few rude gestures at the barbarian's back. At the halfling comforting the girl, the watchman threw a grateful look. To the dog-being, Owen answered calmly. "Beg pardon, master dog, but I'm just pointing out that there will be times none of us will be at her side to keep the nasty off of her. " He held up his hands in a placating gesture. "To say nothing of your spirit and loyalty towards her an' my promise to Miss Laurel. Even one as loyal as you can't be her shadow all the time. An' besides, magic isn't always reliable." Owen nodded at Elena. "Yea, even I know that you have the potential and the power for it. But point asides, if you ain't comfortable with weapons at the moment, tha's fine. We won't push it. But just so you know, we're not gonna let this slide. We're here to help, Elena. So let us." While Owen's tone was calm and placating, there was a definite firmness in his voice.

With his piece said, he turned to Master 'Socks. "Nah, just fine for trail rations. Maybe some spices to make what I do have more palatable. Ya know, some of that rosemary or even salt and pepper at least. And as for whom I need to offend, the local color of a certain nearby woods... Maybe some lamp oil or another torch or two."

[oyzar]

Alica takes a step away from Elena and Cerberus when the Eidolon adresses her. She then starts reciting a poem adressed at the tiefling.

Life is a prize, protect it.
Life is a gift, accept it.
Life is an adventure, dare it.
Life is a mystery, unfold it.
Life is a game, play it.
Life is a struggle, face it.
Life is beauty, praise it.
Life is a puzzle, solve it.
Life is opportunity, take it.
Life is sorrowful, experience it.
Life is a song, sing it.
Life is a goal, achieve it.
Life is a mission, fulfill it.

[roll0]Perform Oratory, to impress/comfort Elena.

[maggie_mcknife]

Hildrinsocks raises an eyebrow as Alica begins singing right in the middle of his store, but shrugs and faces Owen, rubbing his tiny hands together with glee. For those looking at the gnome's sharp pointed face, it's plain to see that he bears no love for the Gavel and his flunkies.

"Just for pissing off Kreed's boys, I'll let you have the spices on the house. You just tell me how much of those rations you need and I'll total it all up for you. Oil'll be a silver a flask, and it's a copper for a torch."

[aturtledoesbite]

While listening to the poem, Elena continues shaking...until she hears one particular line.

"'Life is a struggle, face it.'... All my life has been a struggle, in more ways than one. What better time than now to face that fear?"

"Al...alright. If it must be done." While the source of her fear still seems to be kept silent, Elena acquiesces to their insistence. Cerberus is looking at her, stunned his summoner is willing to wield a weapon, but he has a good idea why she is. After all, it's the same reason she's here to begin with.

[oyzar]

Upon hearing Elena's words Alica steps back in and gives the bigger girl a quick hug. She waits for Owen to finish getting his wares before saying. "Lets get to see the sheriff again then. Maybe he'll let you borrow a weapon like Farrier says, maybe not. But he will hopefully be able to tell us where the oldest tree in the Darkmoon Vale is. Good bye mister Hildrinsocks, it was nice meeting you. Sorry for not introducing ourselves earlier, but I am Alica Glittertwirl and the big man is War."

Alica takes a look around the shop. I wish I had the money to buy more things. This is not the best place to shop though, there aren't that much pretty nor magical items here. One day I will definatly be rich enough to buy whatever I want. There are more important things in the world than nice things though. People are more precious and the priority now is to save this village from this dangerous mushroom. She passes by War on the way out of the shop, her small soft body incididentially bumping into him as she walks towards the door. The movement looks quite natural in the cramped little shop, she is walking swaing her hips. Being carried by Barbian several times already have made the little halfling quite used to being close to the big man.

[Linguz]

Even though War spotted the finger as it flew up, he didn't care about it and simply disregarded it. It wasn't worth making a fight over it... yet. If Original Guard kept doing things like that, on the other hand... War made a mental note to pound his face in if that happens. The skald's new song... War didn't much appreciate it. He considered it too repetitive to be any good. And then the weapon-frightened actually said she'd get a weapon; War's interest was risen, just slightly, at why she would be so afraid of weapons.

He disregarded the bump from Alica, considering that he registered it as she's trying to do something. Something that he doesn't really care for. He followed her out the door, and when he was outside with her, picked her up and put her on his shoulders, as is usual. "Where to next?"

[18th Avenger]

Owen fished out a gold piece from his pouch and plonked it down on the counter. "Tha's great, Master 'Socks. A torch, a couple of them flasks of lamp oil and rations for a day. An' keep the change, how ever much that is." He smiled apologetically. "I know how tough times are, so let's call it your citizen's fee."

He turned to the bunch. "An' if we're all finished here, Alica's right. We'll go see Sheriff Baleson. And it was rude of me to not introduce m'self. I'm Farrier. Owen Farrier."

[maggie_mcknife]

At the sight of Owen's coin, Hildrinsocks' eyes gleam - he laughs and slides Owen's coin towards him, whereupon it vanishes rapidly somewhere on his person. "With such nice manners, m'boy, you lot can come back anytime. Let old Hildrinsocks know what you need, and I'll do my best to get it for you."

The four of you proceed back to the well to look for Sheriff Baleson. You find him pretty much as you left him, still standing a vigilant guard at Brookman's Well. Zarr, the watchman he sent out to the Cutyard, has returned in your absence and seems to be giving the Sheriff his report.

Whatever it is he is hearing makes the Sheriff look puzzled. Once he catches sight of the four of you though, he stops rubbing the stubble on his chin and gives you all a brief nod. He seems mildly surprised to see Elena and Cerberus out and about, but otherwise makes no comment.

"Back so soon, Farrier? Did Miss Laurel have anything for you?"

[18th Avenger]

"Did she ever."

Owen sketched out what Miss Laurel suggested; the incursion into the nearby woods of the terrible reputation and the ingredients the woman would need in order to formulate the town's hope of a cure.

"An' that' why we came to you, sheriff. We're in need of something to arm Elena with. Also, these two are askin' if you know where the oldest tree in the Darkmoon Vale is."

[maggie_mcknife]

Sheriff Baleson arches his brows as he eyes Elena - it is difficult to tell if he's amused by the thought of Laurel's slip of an apprentice holding any sort of weapon, or if he's genuinely trying to think of something suitable for the girl to use.

Eventually, he folds his arms and gives a doubtful huff, shaking his head. "One thing at a time. If it's a weapon she wants, Farrier, then what I'll offer Miss Radiata depends on what she's capable of. All I've got are swords and sticks and maces. They're weapons. Not toys. That pocket knife at her belt doesn't count. I'm not handing anything over that I'm not convinced she knows how to wield safely. Nor will I have her chopping off her pinky toe with a blade that she's afraid to use."

It seems that Elena's aversion towards weapons has not gone unnoticed by the Sheriff. Without waiting for her to respond or giving her another glance, he continues to talk to Owen.

"As for the oldest tree... I'm afraid I don't know where that is. I only worked up at the camps for a couple of years before I became Sheriff, and all I ever heard were rumours. That's too little for you to risk your lives on. But I think I do know who might be able to tell you where to find what you want - Milon Rhoddam. He's been in Kreed's employ for more than twenty years now, worked the axe ever since he was a boy. If anyone knows where the oldest tree is, it'll be him. You can probably find him up at the north-eastern Consortium Camp, the one closer to town."

[oyzar]

Getting picked up by War and carried yet again made Alica think. I kinda like this. Having the big man between my legs makes me feel safe. Of course it is also faster, which is probably the reason he does it at all, since he does not want to be slowed down. It is unexpected to encounter a total stranger who is also willing to help out the village like this. I am happy that he is doing this, though our success is yet to be determined. I should get him to tell a bit more about himself, though there is no rush, it is still the first day.

Alica is starting to look at home on top of War's shoulders and she is able to adress the sheriff quite naturally from on top of her perch. She does not need her arms to keep herself in place and instead use them to gesture to accentuate her points. "Well met again sheriff Baleson." The small halfling makes a nod towards the half-elf, the position does not allow for too much movement without losing her balance. "A mace or a sword does indeed require significant training and would not suit her at all. Something like a light crossbow or maybe even a sling would be much easier to learn and safer to use. Would you be able to lend out such a weapon?"

Alica looks out at the lands surrounding the village, looking to see if she can learn anything more from the surrounding lands than what she gained from just speaking to people. "Thanks for the information on Milon Rhoddam, we will definatly seek him out. What can you tell us about forest in general though? Are there any particular nice things to find or dangerous things to look out for? How are things with the Consortium in general? How will they feel about us travelling in the woods?"

[roll0] Aid another(giving +4 bonus) on Owens missing diplomacy roll to ask for a favour.
[roll1] Percetion to look around, see the forests etc.

[aturtledoesbite]

Coming to Baleson and the well, Elena was clearly uncomfortable. Mainly because of the prospect of having to hold a weapon. But she'd decided that she had to do it, and she was a fairly stubborn girl.

However, upon mention of a possible crossbow or sling, she relaxed just the tiniest bit. Only a few people, however, could ever say why. To Maggie: It's because crossbows and slings, unlike a certain axe of particular infamy to Elena, aren't bladed. :P

[maggie_mcknife]

The Sheriff looks unamused at the barrage of questions coming from Alica, in particular at the first one.

"I have an armoury meant for watchmen, Miss Glittertwirl. Not a weapon shop, nor a trading post" he says in a stern voice, picking up his massive axe from the ground. "It doesn't contain a sling. We do have a crossbow that I had the good fortune to trade for with a passing caravan, but as I said before, I will not hand over a weapon that I am not convinced Miss Radiata knows how to use. I am responsible for the safety of the town, and that includes preventing Miss Radiata from shooting anyone or herself by accident. I'm surprised, Farrier, that you didn't consider that before coming to me."

"You all should know well the reputation of the Darkmoon Wood. It is dangerous for those who don't know what they're doing. The Consortium will not care what you do or where you go for as long as you don't seek to fell any darkwood for yourselves. Now, I don't know if you can trust Miss Laurel's book - she's right, it does sound like a bunch of hoojoo. But if you're going to go into the Woods to chase an old wife's scribbled recipe, then the first thing you're all going to need to do is to make sure that you all don't end up killing yourselves before the Woods do. And that starts with being able to use the weapons intended to defend yourself with."

At this point, he plants the head of his axe firmly on the ground and looks at both Owen and Alica, his green eyes serene with a deadly calm. The challenge in his eyes is clear - neither of you will have anything out of the Town Watch armoury for as long as Sheriff Baleson has anything to say about it.

[aturtledoesbite]

Elena, surprisingly enough, isn't very happy to hear that he will not allow her to borrow a weapon. She was too stubborn to just give up now. She'd decided to get over this particular fear now, and gosh dangit, she was gonna do it! Stepping up, between Alica/War and Sheriff Baleson, she looked a lot less timid than she was in the moments prior. Meeting the sheriff's gaze, she says, "Then teach me."

[18th Avenger]

Owen looked shamefaced.

Then came the quiet yet firm statement from Elena's lips. With no stutter or anything. Tp the watchman's mind, that went a long way.

"Seeing as we're all competent in the ways martial, we would be the ones to make sure she doesn't take off someone's toe or crush someone's face by accident as we go into the Vale." He stood with his back straight, meeting Baleson's tough eyes. "She wants to do what she can to help her folks an' this town, sheriff. An' I do too. I'll teach her all that she oughta know about weapon discipline and not being the Accidental Anne." Owen grinned again. "Learned from the best, I did."

Roll For Diplomacy
1d20+4=19
Results in the OoC, Post#391

[oyzar]

"You say that the darkmoon woods are dangerous, yet you rather want to let Elena go in unarmed instead of with a weapon she can use to defend herself? Please listen to mister Farrier."

[roll0]Diplomacy, Aid Another +4 bonus to Owens skillcheck

[maggie_mcknife]

The Sheriff doesn't budge from his position and surveys all of you calmly from where he stands. The blade of his axe gleams brightly in the afternoon sun.

"Miss Radiata. I would be normally be happy to instruct you in the fine art of sharpshooting or swordplay, but now in the middle of a plague is not the time. Especially not with the Gavel's boys up to something in the town. I respect your decision - foolish as it might be for one who has never set foot in the forest before - to go tramping about Darkmoon Woods, and I wish you all the luck in the world. But if you insist on having lessons right here and now, they will not come from me. Perhaps Mister Farrier would like to volunteer himself as your teacher, since he'll be going into the Woods with you, hm?"

"And you, Miss Glittertwirl. If I had my way, I would not let Miss Radiata go into the Woods at all. It is no place for gentle souls like her. No more than a weapon has any place in her hands right now, given her current temper."

Finally, Sheriff Baleson turns his steely gaze towards Owen - at this point, it might occur to you that your boss can hardly be entirely pleased that one of his brightest and best is skipping town on some crazy quest at a time like this.

"If you did learn as much as you claimed, Farrier, then you'd know full well that it takes months, perhaps even years, to make a competent fighter out of someone who's never had any training before. Still, since you have volunteered your services to Miss Laurel, you shall simply have to make do. A simple staff is more than enough for someone of Miss Radiata's experience and build for now, if you are to make your errand with haste. Anything more will require time spent to teach her - time that you don't have." At this point, he seems about to look at Elena, but changes his mind and keeps his face turned towards yours. "Folks are dying every day, Farrier," he says quietly, the faintest hint of pain creeping into his voice. "All I can do now is to keep the town under control and prevent any more people from ingesting blackscour. Perhaps... at least... I could hope to save the gravedigger some work."

Sighing deeply for the umpteenth time, the Sheriff shakes his head and presses the head of his axe into the soft ground near the well, pushing up a small furrow of earth. Picking up the axe easily with one hand, he rests it across his broad shoulders and begins to walk away, only to pause, arrested by a sudden thought.

"Nevertheless," says the Sheriff musingly, as if talking to himself, pursing his lips. "If you all absolutely insist on finding someone who possesses any spare weapons to lend out, perhaps you should ask Lady Cirthana or one of her under-priests. For all her haughty ways, the Lady's more handy with her blade than many a man. And I've seen acolyte Kiran practising with a crossbow down at the refuse section of the Cutyard before."

"Now if you'll pardon me, I have to discuss something with what few remaining Watchmen on duty that I do have. Good day to you all. And good luck with Miss Laurel's errand, Farrier."

[oyzar]

Alica looks around at the other members then adresses Owen and Elena from her position on top of Wars shoulders. "Well seems like we have done what we can here. At least we got enough information to know where to start. I imagine you want to say goodbye to your families before we head into the woods, Owen and Elena. You might also want to pick up some food and other supplies from home. Me and War ran into Lady Cirthana before, I don't think it is a good idea that we go there again. Though if either of you know her, maybe you should drop by. How long do you need to get ready, should we meet up somewhere or go with you?"

[aturtledoesbite]

Elena considers things a minute. "Lady Cirthana...that's the head priestess in town, right? I suppose that's the best chance we have."
"I cannot recommend that. It was seventeen years ago, yet your fear is as strong as ever. Are you certain you will be able to handle a weapon calmly?"

Elena gives an uncharacteristically unfriendly glance toward Cerberus, as though saying she will conquer this fear. After all, her parents' lives are at stake here. Sighing - or whatever dogs do that's similar - Cerberus continues.

"Your...dedicated determination holds no bounds, does it? Very well, but please remember to take care of yourself. I am certain they would much rather spend their last days with you than the rest of their lives without."

Having sorted things out internally, Elena speaks her intentions. "I believe it would be best if we were to spend our time in town separately. I'll go speak with Ms. Cirthana to see if she has anything available to lend out. Unless Owen wants to meet someplace else, the gate north of Roots and Remedies seems like the best place. We can all meet there in an hour."

Unless Owen has anything to say against that, Elena begins walking back toward town and the Church of Iomedae, Cerberus following behind.

[18th Avenger]

"We'll do more than save the gravedigger work, sheriff," Owen responded quietly, though there was still a hint of his usual smile ghosting around the corners of his lips. "We'll work harder for him to come by if things turn out right."

His face brightened once again. "And I un'nerstand, sheriff. Heck, I'll start her off on a sling. She's got the arm for it." Owen saluted Baleson one more time, the gesture sincere and crisp in its own clumsy way, before turning and taking off after Elena.

"It shouldn't be too hard to borrow the weapon off of Kiran," said Owen to his fellow townie. "I think she's sweet to deal with."

[aturtledoesbite]

Remembering Kiran's personality, Elena can't help but smile slightly when imagining how that conversation will likely turn out. "Ms. Kiran? I imagine it'll be more difficult to borrow her weapon than it will be to borrow her. I'm sure she'll jump at the chance to help out. Though, we would have to ask Ms. Cirthana..."

[oyzar]

Alica watches the two go, not feeling like following them. "So what do you think War? I don't think it is a good idea to follow them. Lady Cirthana is probably not too happy to see us and I don't feel like visiting their families. We could just wait for them to return, but it is better to use the time for something productive. You can let me down if you want as we are not really in a hurry to go anywhere. Though I don't particulary feel like hanging around here either."

After waiting for War's reply Alica continues talking, presumably while moving out of earshot of the sheriff and his men. "Your odds at succeding at a task increases the more you know about it. There are two things to know, what you might face and what tools you have. You have not told me much about yourself. You are big and strong I can see that, but surely there is more than that to you? I guess you are wondering about me as well. As you already know I am a wandering storyteller. I make a living of performing a wide varity of poems, songs, stories and other forms for entertainment. In addition I try to help out wherever I can and maybe make it into the stories myself.

[Linguz]

War turned around and began to leave with narry a word. He headed back into the town and began to walk around, waiting for the halfling to tell him to go to some place in specific. As he headed back into town, he brought her down to the ground. "I don't have a problem with waiting."

War looked at the little girl, wondering how she thought she'd end up in stories. She was neither big nor strong. How could she be the stuff of legends? "I can fight, scare, survive in the wilds, and see things. Oh, and let me warn you: Do not make me angry. Well, too angry. It won't end good. I can also take punishment, but I'm not that great at dodging it, compared to some people."

[oyzar]

While walking around the two started talking together:

Alica: Speaking of knowing things, we do not know much about the forest or it's denizens. The woodcutters Farrier spoke about earlier might know something. It would not be a bad idea to seek them out while we wait.

War: Didn't he speak of the ones that are all the way at the woods?

Alica: No, the first time we were here he mentioned that he saw some at a house on the way here. Though I am not sure where they might be now, maybe at the local tavern?

War: Ah, them. They might be there. We could ask around too.

Alica: Yeah that is a good idea. Though there are not many people out at the moment, so we'll be lucky if we see someone. How did someone like you end up here, if I am allowed to inquire?

War: I heard that the very woods we're planning on going into are dangerous. If I want to get stronger, I need to start somewhere.

Alica: Getting stronger is an admirable goal. There are many ways to get stronger though. You can become quicker, learn what works and doesn't work in different situations or figure out new ways to do things. I too want to become better at handling different situations so I guess we at least somewhat share the same goal.

War: Any reason you're trying to get stronger?

Alica: To help more people and to experience the thrill of making stories come alive by living them yourself. You also get more freedom to do what you want, and I want to be a master of my own life, not meekly following along.

War: You really are all about helping, aren't you? And here I just want to snap a dragon's neck.

Alica: Helping is nice, but you also got to enjoy life. Thirlls and pleasures are important as well. I can understand wanting to be powerful enough to defeat a dragon, though I don't have any particular vendetta myself. Isn't slaying a dragon really just another version of helping though? Helping the people who would otherwise be slaughtered by the beast.

War: More like avenging the people who did die to it.

Alica: That sounds like a sad story, if you want to share, I'll be there to listen.

War: Not really. It's personal.

The pair continued in silence towards the tavern, looking around to see if they could find anyone to question.

[maggie_mcknife]

Owen and Elena:
You both arrive at the Church of Iomedae to find the doors shut tight, as they were when you last saw them on the way up to Brookman's well. When knocking politely brings no response and an attempt to wrench the handle reveals that the doors have been locked from within, you both decide to try walking around to the back of the church, to see if that might yield some results.

The clerical living quarters are at the back of the church, overlooked by a massive granite statue of the Inheritor looking snooty and imperious that the Lady Cirthana commissioned shortly after her arrival in town several years ago. You can detect no sign of the Lady herself, but as you approach, you are greeted by the sounds of loud off-key singing. Peeking around the corner, you find acolyte Kiran busy with her chores, currently vigorously attacking a pile of dried leaves on a ground with a push-broom, her robes tied up at the elbow. Some freshly-washed laundry hangs drying on a nearby pole. Kiran's singing, though it leaves much to be desired, is done with gusto and enthusiasm - come to think of it, her singing might even explain the convenient absence of the Lady right now...

"She has sent the hearts of evil men
To Pharasma's judgment seat;
O be swift, my soul, to answer her;
be jubilant, my feet!
La la la la la la!"

Catching sight of the two of you, Kiran grins broadly and pushes her dark hair out of her eyes, setting her broom aside.

"Hey, Elena! Owen. What up? You both went on a date together and didn't invite me?"

[maggie_mcknife]

War and Alica:
The two of you decide to look in at the Sitting Duck before heading back to Jak'a'napes for Alica to pay her bill, since the Sitting Duck seems to be the location with the rougher clientele.

It is still too early in the day for the dinner when War ducks his huge frame through the doors of the Sitting Duck, which means that you both behold mainly upturned chairs and empty tables. Although the morning's passed out patrons have long since toddled off home with headaches, you two do spy a lone lumberman with the green consortium armband nursing his beer at the bar. Grim-faced and dirty, he glares at you both with watery red-rimmed eyes, but says nothing, merely slurping his beer up with the determination of someone intent on getting drunk before the sun has set.

At the creak of the heavy wooden doors opening, innkeeper Nef pokes his head through the swinging doors leading to the back kitchen. Upon seeing War, his face brightens up and he hurries over to the bar, a hopeful smile that shows way too much bad teeth plastered on his face.

"Hullo, sir. Did ye manage to get yer chitty from Laurel then?"

[aturtledoesbite]

Giving out a laugh at the outlandish idea, Elena manages a reply. "No, Ms. Kiran. I assure you, if that ever happens, you'll be the first to know - if only because you'll need to exorcise me." Smiling, it's clear she meant nothing against Owen. She takes no responsibility for potentially upsetting him anyway.

"Though, as for why we're here..."

Elena explains the events at Laurel's shop, a very brief summary of the general store, and a summary of the well.

"So, do you happen to have anything you could lend out to us? Anything would be useful, I'm sure."

[18th Avenger]

Owen gave Elena a gentle punch on the shoulder, the kind a brother would give to a sister who was teasing him. He knew she meant nothing by the joke; you didn't count yourself a native of the Hollow if you didn't grow a skin as thick as the trees surrounding them. Even Amos who came from 'the outside' picked up on the habit quickly.

Also, any harder and Owen would have to part company with the wholeness of his shins. Cerberus was a rather big dog, after all.

"If the choice of lending ain't up to you, we can talk to Lady Cirthana, if you want." Owen assured her. "We wouldn't want you getting in to trouble, even if it is a harebrained scheme for the good of the town."

[Linguz]

War headed inside and looked between the innkeeper and the lumberjack. He was slightly confused that someone was actually glad to see him. He wasn't used to that treatment after a single night and morning of knowing them. "Yes and no. Got a new job. Helping the halfling here..." He signaled the halfling. "... save your town. 'Parently the alchemist found a new cure in an old, but it needs different things she don't have. So we're heading into the woods to get them." He looked at the lumberjack. "And the halfling here wants to ask him some questions."

[oyzar]

Alica follows the big man inside, standing so small beside him it is not obvious that she's noticed by the ones inside. Upon being introduced by War however, she steps up and makes the tiniest of curtesies. She burst out in a great smile lighting up her face.

"Alica Glittertwirl here, nice to meet you. As he said we are trying to find a way to fight what is causing everyone around here to cough up blood. To do so we have to go into the forest. It would make our task a lot easier if we knew what was in there. Surely your vast experience of the deep woods could aid us greatly in our task. Would you be so kind as to share in your knowledge? Maybe you even have a map we can use or some tricks that might come in handy that we could borrow?" She introduces herself to both of the men but primarily adress the woodsman with her questions.

[roll0]Diplomacy towards the woodcutter

[maggie_mcknife]

Owen and Elena:
"Oo-er." Kiran's eyes brighten up at Elena's words, but the instant Owen mentions Lady Cirthana, she seems to crumple a little.

"I do have my blade and my crossbow, but I can't part with 'em. The Lady made me swear on the Acts to make sure they're always within my sight or within ten paces of my person. Consecrated to the Goddess, yknow." She nods towards a leather scabbard and a small well-oiled crossbow that neither of you have noticed so far, the pair of them carefully placed atop a neatly folded red cloak next to the laundry pole.

Kiran glances at the two of you, then sighs and jerks her head in the direction of the small building behind the church. "The Lady's taking a nap right now," she says somewhat apologetically. "Said something about being worn out by idiotic foreigners and ungrateful country bumpkins, and about how she was going to head off to Magnimar first thing tomorrow to get some help."


War and Alica:
Nef opens and closes his mouth, unable to decide whether he ought to say something and looking like a slightly retarded goldfish, for all the world. Eventually, he gives a grunt of what can only be disappointment, pulling out the same dirty rag he used to polish the bar counter earlier on from his apron and mopping his face with it.

"A cure, huh? Then I hope ye find what yer looking for, sir. I really do. Bad for business, this sickness thing, see." Muttering to himself, he retreats into the kitchen, bobbing his head servilely at War before he goes.

Meanwhile, the dour lumberman looks Alica up and down, not bothering to disguise his boredom. Even from where the two of you stand, the sour smell of his unwashed body hits you with the force of a slap in the face. His hygiene notwithstanding, the man is clearly well on his way to being drunk. "What in Asmodeus' shiny buttock crack makes you think I'd tell you any of that for free, huh, missy?" He growls, taking an extra loud slurp of his beer.

[Linguz]

War begins to pace towards the drunkard. He unsheathes his massive sword and swings it over his blade once before setting it down on his shoulder. "I think you'll be telling us everything we want to know. Or else you'll be telling it to us as I remove your blood from your body, one finger at the time. Do I make myself clear?" He stops two paces from the drunk and moves the blade to stretch towards him.

Intimidate: [ro- naaa, just kidding. Taking 10, 18

[oyzar]

Alica isn't even surprised about War's reaction. I do not particulary mind that he makes some people unhappy in the process of getting information, but I do wish he was a tiny bit more subtle about it. She is still to react to what is happening in front of her.

"The affliction that has struck this town is terrible, and I am sure there are some great dangers out in the forest. However you do have a more preasuring issue to worry about at the moment. I think it is better if you just told us. Alica brings one hand down to her waist, as if getting something from one of the many pouches there.

[roll0]Aid another(+4) Intimidate

[maggie_mcknife]

War and Alica:
(Wow, Intimidation Tag Team for the win?)


The lumberman freezes at the sign of War's sword, his bloodshot eyes following the blade as it swings in a slow arc above the barbarian's head. Even in his beer-addled state, he's not stupid enough to risk his precious (though grimy) neck being lopped off his shoulders.

The instant Alica reaches for her pouches, the lumberman immediately starts up, waving his hands frantically in a gesture of warding. "Woah, woah, woah, little missy. There ain't no need for magics, eh? Heh heh." He giggles nervously. "Mebbe you could be a little more spur-see-fick in what it is you is wanting to know? Plenty of tricks, depending on what you're looking for."

[oyzar]

Alica let her arms relax along her sides. Her face erupts in a dazzling smile, quite contradictionary to the tense situation. "Getting along bring much more pleasant results than fighting, don't you think? We would also like to get along in the forest though. What manner of creatures or beeings are out there? Are they dangerous and how would you best fight them? Do you have a map of the place or could you help me make one? I got parchment and charcoal to write with. You did mention tricks, tell me what you know first and we'll see if that will be enough. Oh I almost forgot." Alica reaches down to one of her pouches again and then makes a movement as if tossing something at him. "Verito ipsum tale". She says and the arms of the man starts glowing slightly blueish. "Now we will know if you speak the truth."

The spell is Prestidigitation. Taking 10 on a bluff check for 18.

[18th Avenger]

It didn't take much guessing as to whom the Lady Cirthana referred to. Owen gave Elena an uncomfortable glance.

"We might have a clue as to why she might feel that way," said the watchman rather evasively, but left it at that. "But if she leaves for Magnimar, where would that leave you? If you are staying, I know the wotch would appreciate the help." There was a dancing light in Owen's green eyes. Among the friends, it was no secret that Amos had a bit of a fancy for the acolyte. Owen even made a point to tease his friend about her every other day he could. It made for a change from gloomy talk.

[aturtledoesbite]

Nodding at the evasive comment, Elena doesn't really say or do anything more. Cerberus, however, unnerved that Kiran's weapons went unnoticed by him until she pointed them out, begins to look around the area. Sure, he understands that Kiran would never mean them harm, but it's the idea that he didn't notice any particularly lethal thing near him or Elena that has him unhappy.

Cerberus's Perception check for whatever: [roll0]

[maggie_mcknife]

War and Elena:
The lumberman gives a short moan when his arms start glowing blue, terrified of the unnatural colour "Come on, missy, there's no need for this, eh? " He says pleadingly, wriggling uncomfortably in his seat. "You're not being fair to old Jervis. If I knew all about the dangerous creatures, well- I wouldn't be setting in front of you now, would I?! Th' lumbermen always go in big groups - keeps most things away, except the dragonkin - and I don't know how the hell to fight them except to run away faster than the guy next to me. I've been working the axe for 10 years, always stayed near the edge of the woods, and I never saw more than kobolds and a wolf, once or twice," he wails. "And if you take my only map, Trookshavhits will have my head for it."

It is difficult to tell whether the man's information is simply drunken babbling or anything really useful. If nothing else, it's clear that he's a coward who's probably never seen arcane magic before in his life.


Owen and Alica:
(Cerberus doesn't notice anything else dangerous in the area - except maybe for a faint muffled rattling that is probably Lady Cirthana snoring.)


Sighing, Kiran rolls her eyes. "That'd leave me stuck here at the Church, making sure nobody steals the statues of the Inheritor. Honestly, between you'n me, I don't think her trip's gonna be very useful. I mean - this blackscour's supposed to be all about that fungus thing right? Sheriff told us so this morning. By the time she gets someone back here with who's powerful enough to cure disease, I dunno whether that'd be too late or not. Or if that'd even work."

"I mean- this sucks!" Kiran says heatedly, using the push-broom to poke at the pile of dried leaves petulantly. "She's not doing anything really helpful! And all I can do is sit around and let my bum grow fat, while she does more useless stuff."

[aturtledoesbite]

The half-joke Elena made on her way here, combined with Kiran's all-but-asking for it, gave the tiefling an idea.

"Well, if you really want to try to help, you could always tag along with us. The recipe Ms. Laurel found is the best chance we've got, I think, of curing the blackscour."

Cerberus, getting the idea at approximately the same time Elena did, even without that telepathic link, does what he can to get Kiran to agree. While speaking isn't something he likes to do, he decides an attempt to sort of bark in agreement with Elena, to show there's more than one being that thinks this is a good idea, might help.

Do I need a Diplomacy check for this?

EDIT: Rolls from this (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?p=14665228#post14665228) post:
Elena - Diplomacy: 4
Cerberus - Aid Another (Diplomacy): 13

[oyzar]

Alica looks to War for a moment at the mention of dragonkin she thinks. I hop he won't insist on fighting against dragonkin, I am not sure we can take on them, though I guess I do not know his martial powress. A sympathic look comes into her eyes for a moment, but it disapear quickly hoping the big barbarian won't notice as he might not take so kindly to sympathy at the moment. "Dragonkin eh? That does indeed sound scary. We are not the only ones who can ask questions. I am sure you have heard stories about what is out there though. How do you avoid the more dangerous things? Surely there is more to it than travelling in big groups. Kobolds and wolves are great to know about. I am not going to take your map, but we could look at it to copy the information. Also while we work, you could tell me about Trookshavhits." Alica goes over to the table where Jervis sits, puts her backpack down on a chair and gets out Chracoal and parchment, ready to copy down as much of the information from his map as possible.

[18th Avenger]

Diplomacy, Aid Another
[roll0]

"If you're really hungering for a chance to get out an' give a hand, Elena an' her pooch cut to the quick of it." Owen agreed. "We could use your eye an' sword arm on this grocery trip 'round the Vale."

He scratched at his bristled chin. "O' course, Lady Cirthy might object, but she always struck me as one of them proactive sorts'a clerics. I bet you a silver piece to a cinnamon bun she'd let you off with no argument."

Owen's stomach growled at the mention of the treat. It had been a while since cinnamon was available in the bakery.

[Linguz]

War retracted his sword and swordarm as the man began to speak. The threat had been laid, the man had spoken, and the blade's purpose was finished there. He kept it on his shoulder, for just an occasion that he might need to use it. Then dragons were mentioned. His pulse sped up, his eyes grew bloodshot, his breathing quickened. The grip on his sword tightened and his pupils dilated. His heavy gauntlet's hand balled up into a fist. War was enraged; the mere mention of dragons did that to him. But seeing no dragons in the vicinity, he tried to control himself, returning his body to normal. When he did so, he slumped a bit. He grew tired after invoking the eternal rage he held within him. He heard only the last part of the man's speech, missing everything between dragonkin and kobolds.

[maggie_mcknife]

War and Alica:
Lumberman Jervis draws a crumpled bit of paper out of his pocket and gingerly shows it to Alica. His blue glowing arms are still unnerving him quite a bit, and he keeps glancing at them every few seconds, fearful that they might fall off at any moment despite what Alica says.

http://imageshack.us/a/img22/7323/darkmoonwoods.jpg

"I dunno what you mean 'bout avoiding danger, missy. Cross my heart! Us lumbermen just don't go into the forest unless there's ten or more of us. That's like tempting fate! Er... y'know what they say in the stories. Trees not liking lumbermen and all, safety in numbers..."

He trails off for a bit at the thought of angry trees out to exact their revenge, gulping nervously. "Um, um. Trookshavits. He's... he's Kreed's little boss down at the camps. Comes from far away. Got iron in his belly and he's a down right greedy bastard. Won't do nothing without a coin in his pocket. Knows the forests well though, and he's never once lost a man to the Woods yet. Got some clever lumberman up there to give him all the advice, goes by name of Rhoddam, I think. Local boy."


Owen and Elena:
Kiran immediately perks up and grabs hold of Elena's hands. "Oh, Goddess- yes! That'd be way better than bumming around these parts with nothing to do or help!"

The young cleric suddenly glances back at the building where her superior lies napping though, a bit of apprehension in her eyes. "Um... The Lady wouldn't be pleased if I just upped and went off with you all though. I suppose I could wake her up and ask... not that she'd be inclinced to give her blessing..." At this thought, Kiran looks slightly defeated.

[18th Avenger]

As he thought it over, it was apparent that deep reflection did not suit Owen Farrier. At all. In fact, it looked rather unnatural.

Eventually, he said at length. "Would you say Lady Cirthy isn't one who should be awoken, lest it be at the peril of the waker?"

[maggie_mcknife]

Owen and Elena:
Kiran looks at Owen in faint amusement at the sheer understatement, nodding vigorously as she mouths the word: "Y-E-S."

[aturtledoesbite]

Elena knows all too well the feeling of having a boss that shouldn't be stirred on punishment of death. Laurel wasn't exactly an easy person to awaken.

"Do you think she'll wake up soon? We weren't planning on leaving for another 45 minutes or so. Maybe she'll have woken up before then?"

I assume it's only been 15 minutes since the well, since you said it's about a ten-minute walk, then averaging off 5 or so since we got to church.

[oyzar]

As War starts raging Alica's eyes widen in surprise. "Calm down, we are all friends here. We will deal with the dragonkin if it comes to that." Though War is oblivious to her comment. "What manner of dragonkin are there?" she asks of Jervis.

Alica sits by the table and starts jotting down what is on the map on to her own parchment. After she is done she carefully folds the parchment together and puts it in her backpack.

"Who is Elara? Also are there still dwarves in that monastary?" Alica comments regarding the names on the map. As the man speaks something catches her attention. "Trees not liking lumbermen you say. Does that mean the trees can actually move and attack? I have heard tales of such creatures. It would be nice to be prepeared. I only got one flask of oil with me at the moment... In what camp can we find this Rhoddam? It would be nice to talk to him I suppose. I suppose it would be useful to know where Trookshavits is as well.

[roll0]Knowledge nature, what do I know of sentient trees.
[roll1]Knowledge arcana, what do I know of dragonkin
[roll2]Knowledge local, what do I know of kobolds

[18th Avenger]

Kiran was snapped out of her anxiety by Owen clapping her in the shoulder in a brotherly fashion.

"We won't get you into any trouble. I'll speak to her myself." The watchman grinned at her toothily. "In fact..."

He marched over to the entrance of the little town temple determinedly, eyeing the little bell tower that Kiran probably rung every morning for worship. Owen bent down and began picking up stones, collecting a good-sized pile in his hands before taking aim at the bell and throwing them with sharp, economic gestures.

[maggie_mcknife]

Owen and Elena:
"I don't know if I could say for sure that she'd wake..."

Kiran trails off as she sees Owen walk towards the bell tower. Bright young lady that she is, she immediately intuits what Owen is about to do. She reflexively raises a hand to stop him, but stops short of moving to do so. If anything, the prospect of seeing whether or not Owen will get away with his impudence sufficiently fascinates her into horrified inaction.

Owen's first stone strikes the huge bronze bell atop the tower smartly, causing it to peel out with a deep reverberating clang that everyone present can feel all the way down to their bones.

For a long moment, nothing happens. Then the upper window of the clerical living quarters bangs open and the distinctive blond head of Lady Cirthana emerges, her hair still tousled from sleep and her pretty features twisted in a scowl.

"Kiran! Quit that racket afore I- Oh. It's you two." Lady Cirthana ceases hollering the instant she catches sight of Owen and Elena. Despite her freezing politeness, there is something about the way she pronounces the word 'you' that makes you suspect the Lady would have addressed a tiny scurrying cockroach in much the same way. "And how may I help two fine folk of the Hollow today?"



War and Alica:
Jervis rubs his arms distractedly - he seems to be hoping that if he pats them enough, the blue colouration will surreptitiously come off. "Elara's this old lady - used to run a home for orphaned kiddies who didn't have nowhere to go after th'Goblinblood Wars. Place burned to the ground a couple of months ago though, so Elara's not there no more," he shrugs dismissively. "Dunno about the dwarves. Nobody's heard from them in years. And how the hell would I know about them trees? I just stick to the rules and do my bit." Jervis's voice rises in accusation as he eyes his beer longingly. He's probably wishing that he'd just gone to Jak'a'napes to have his afternoon swill instead.

"Rhoddam oughta be with Trookshavits up at the first camp on the Northeast road. That's the main camp, where the men go to get paid. Now can ye please turn me arms back normal colouring?!"

Alica's checks:
Knowledge nature: You know enough about sentient trees to know that there are none that exist in the Darkmoon Vale region. Jervis is likely nattering superstitious lumberman talk.

Knowledge arcana: You know that true dragonkin are intelligent, even-tempered, and deadly creatures. Unlike their dragon cousins, they are able to wield simple weapons with their front limbs, and they are not adverse to bonding with humanoid riders. They reside in mountainous regions though, not in forests.

Knowledge local:You know that Kobolds are creatures of the dark, found most commonly in enormous underground warrens or the dark corners of the forest where the sun is unable to reach. Cowards and schemers, they tend to rely on swarm tactics or hit-and-run tricks when fighting. Darkwood Wood is positively infested with the nasty little beasts. You've heard the warnings on your way here, in fact.

[18th Avenger]

Owen dropped his pile of rocks and waved cheerily at the peeved cleric with her head sticking out of the window. "Top of the mornin' to you, Lady Cirthana! Sorry to wake you but we would like to ask for help. Or, in this case, the help of your apprentice."

"Y'see, Ms. Laurel might have an idea from her old grandam's book on how to cure the 'scour. So she's sendin' me, Elena an' a couple of others around the Darkmoon Vale to pick up some ingredients. Now I know what you're thinkin'; 'S' a fools' errand, no one ought to give some old charlatan's tincture a whirl'. But in a time like this; desperate times call for desperate measures. Which is why I'm askin' you, on behalf of the Wotch an' the town, if Kiran can accompany us." The watchman's green eyes were imploring, his hands upstretched in a gesture of pleading. "Could you find it in your heart to give this the old temple try? Cayden Cailean would." Owen smiled up at her in a way he thought was cute.

Rolling Diplomacy
[roll0]

[oyzar]

Alica stands up from her table and puts her backpack back on her back. "I think we are just about done here. You have been very helpful. I hope you will continue to speak nicely about us. Who knows might happen otherwise..." Alicas words trail off. She makes a quick wave with her hand and the color of Jervis' arms go back to normal. Then she makes another complicated gesture with her hands while looking at the man. Finally she turns around and goes over to War. "Let's go, it is not worth it to follow through with anything further. she whispers to the big man. She reaches out a hand a strokes his hand before going through the door.

Once outside she says. "Let's head over to the other tavern. There might be something interesting there. Also seeing as we are leaving shortly, I should pay my bill there. Getting impatient to be off, but guess we have to wait for the others to say their good byes."

[aturtledoesbite]

Elena could feel herself shrinking under the Lady's gaze, but not as much as one would expect. "Ms. Laurel is much worse than this. We may have a chance."

"Ms. Cirthana, it would be a great boon for us if Ms. Kiran were to accompany us. I am certain we will need Iomedae's guidance."

Cerberus decided the best policy in this case was to be not noticed. Summoned creatures were generally frowned upon by the clergy, and he didn't know how Lady Cirthana might react in this situation.

Elena's Diplomacy roll: [roll0]

[maggie_mcknife]

Owen and Elena:
Lady Cirthana narrows her eyes and gives you both an icy stare that chills you to the marrow. If you look carefully, you can see her knuckles whiten as she clenches the edge of the window sill. Comparing her beloved Inheritor to Cayden Cailean was definitely not a good idea. Nor does it seem that she finds Owen's expression endearing in the least.

Next to you, you hear Kiran give a low cough, trying to attract your attention, though her eyes remain fixed on her superior.

"Elena," she whispers fiercely. "Tell your... um, dog... to take my sword and run. Run as fast as it can. Don't let me catch it until you're ready to leave town. Do it. Now."


War and Alica:
Behind you, you hear Jervis give a whimper of relief at seeing his arms return to their normal muddy shade. Interestingly enough, Nef hasn't been seen the whole time you were interrogating Jervis - perhaps you might idly wonder where the man has been. It's a little odd that any innkeeper worth his salt didn't intervene to save a paying customer.

On the way back to Jak'a'napes, you notice that Amos, the other young watchman you met outside Roots and Remedies, is hurrying in the direction of Brookman's well with a lady in martial armour (presumably a watchman as well). They don't look too pleased.

[aturtledoesbite]

Elena barely, almost imperceptibly nods. "Cerberus."
"Yes?"
"Grab Kiran's sword and start running."
"...Elena, are you alright? That seems like an odd thing to...do..."

It dawns on Cerberus why she's asking.

"...Alright."
"Keep it away from her until we leave. You got it?"
"That should not be a problem."

Cerberus bolts toward Kiran's weapons. To give Kiran extra reason to chase him (instead of her having to later explain why she doesn't just take the crossbow and put a bolt in him), he grabs both the sword and crossbow, one in each mouth. Then he starts running down the road, weaving between trees and houses to make him harder to follow.

"Cerberus...! Cerberus, get back here!" Elena's pleas fell on deaf ears, partially because he was too far away to hear and partially because she simultaneously messaged him to ignore her.

Elena's Bluff check to convince Lady Cirthana that she didn't plan that: [roll0]

Does Cerberus get a Bluff check too, since he didn't stop when Elena said to? If so: [roll1]
EDIT: Well, it doesn't really matter now, does it? :P

(Of course, whether it's a bluff or not doesn't really change the fact he's running away with Kiran's weapons that she can't let leave her sight. :P)

[Linguz]

War registers that the halfling went out of her way to stroke his hand and puts that same hand on her head, giving her a light pet. he gives one last glare at the lumberman before following her out of the door and onto the streets. He doesn't reply to her first comment, having nothing to say, but after she says her fill, he tells her, "Lead the way."

[18th Avenger]

In the face of Cirthana's wrath, Owen's face melted slowly as he backed away.

A welcome reprieve came in the form of the dog bursting from its lethargy, grabbing Kiran's blade between its teeth and running pellmell away from the temple up the street. The watchman just barely prevented himself from breathing a sigh of relief.

"Uh, I'll come back when your temper's better, Lady Cirthana," He stammered as he back-pedaled. "But in the meantime... STOP! WATCH!" Owen took off running after Cerberus.

[oyzar]

Alica is walking beside War. His longer steps means she is skiping along hurridly even if he has adjusted his pace to hers. This skipping along makes her hair flutter freely in the wind, the blond hair almost sparkling in the light of the day. As she sees Amos she waves and calls out. "Hey Amos!". Alica goes closer to talk more normally. "What is making you hurry so? Did anything happen? Is it anything we can help with? Also who is your companion?" Alica takes a very minor curtsey towards the unfamiliar woman. "I am Alica Glittertwirl. Since you are in a hurry, maybe you can tell us while we are walking, that is if you don't mind telling us?"

[maggie_mcknife]

Owen and Elena:
Lady Cirthana's eyes widen and her mouth falls open, whether from shock or outrage, it is hard to tell. She cranes her neck so far out of the window that you worry about whether she might accidentally tumble right out.

"Kiran Keyserian! Get that mutt now! How dare it lay hands-jaw- er-"

"Yes'm, right away, m'am!"

Kiran doesn't wait for the Lady to finish her rant. Without bothering to unlace her robes or put down the push-broom, she grabs Elena by the wrist and begins sprinting after Cerberus, taking the straightest path she can gauge from the hound's winding route. Should either of you chance to glance at Kiran's face as you pretend to chase Cerberus, you see that the young cleric's eyes are sparkling with suppressed laughter, the wickedest of grins touching her lips.

Once you are sufficiently far away from the Church and halfway down the road to the Low Market, Kiran calls out to the two of you between pants for air.

"He can- slow down now - the Lady won't stir - just yet. How soon - can you leave? Are you both - (huff) packed? I'll need -(puff) to borrow stuff. Ugh. Don't damage - the sword, -'kay?"


War and Alica:
"Heyo." Amos slows down his pace and gives you a genial nod when Alica hails him, but doesn't stop. His companion spares you both a cursory glance, saying nothing, save to elbow Amos impatiently in the ribs.

Amos' words come in a rush. He smiles apologetically, shrugging his broad shoulders. "'Fraid I can't stay to talk... and I'd rather you don't keep with me. Got to see Sheriff Baleson. Private Wotch stuff. Sorry 'bout that."

His companion snorts and elbows Amos savagely in the ribs again, glaring at him. She clearly doesn't trust either of you, having never seen either of you before in her life, and would much rather that she and Amos be on their way.

[aturtledoesbite]

"We just need - to say goodbye to - our families. Then to find - the other two - people we were with. Shouldn't - take long. Just keep following - Cerberus and he'll - lead you to us." Elena says back.

Finishing that, Elena takes a left between two buildings and heads for her own house. Knocking before she enters, she calls out to her parents as she enters. "Mother, Father, I'm home."

[oyzar]

"We are trying to help the town cure the illness. Anything happening might affect this endavour. Could you not please just tell us? Also what is the name of your companion Amos? An introduction would be nice." Alica turns on the puppy eyes towards Amos as she is hustling along to keep up with the long legged humans. Then she casually mentions to War, "Don't you think it would be useful to know about any fights or the like going on?" Before turning back expectantly towards Amos' answer.

[roll0]Diplomacy
[roll1]Knowledge, local, what have I heard about the watch and their members?

[Linguz]

War answers, "Not really. Don't think happens here will affect the forest." And he believed it too. Unless, of course, the guard decided to trample into the forest and help them out. Which he didn't want. He wants to have to fight a bit, not get his hand held by a bunch of kids who haven't lived a day in the wild.

[maggie_mcknife]

Owen and Elena:
"Right-o!" Kiran puffs after Cerberus, shaking her push-broom in the air in an excellent imitation of an outraged fish-wife. "Coo-ee! Mister dog! Yes- you, sir! Give that back!"


Elena:
Your mother has risen from the bed, and stands by your father, apparently coaxing him to take another mouthful of the bitter herbal brew you made this morning. At the sound of your voice, she turns with a smile blooming across her face. "Elena! You're back! So soon?"


War and Alica:

Knowledge check: You haven't been in town long enough to get to know any of the Watch. All you know is that Sheriff Baleson is something of a local celebrity - having risen to the post of Sheriff after daring to slap Kreed's right hand man, boss Teedum, on the face with an axe blade flat.
"Listen here, shorty," growls the watch-lady, clenching her fist around her official watch trucheon. "We don't have to-"

"Hush, Merian," says Amos gently, putting out a hand to forestall his companion from moving towards the two of you. Getting to his knees, he looks Alica in the eye and takes her by the hand in an unexpected gesture of chivalry. "I'm terribly sorry, Miss Glittertwirl. But I really can't tell you about what's going on. It'd be a most see-vere breach of protocol-"

"Amos! Baleson's waiting!" snaps Merian, an open scowl on her face.

Amos continues as though he hasn't heard his companion. "'Sides, you're just a visitor here. Farrier told me 'bout you'n the others are doing - heading into Darkmoon, even though you've no cause to help us. You've already helping us loads. I really can't ask you to do more-"

"Amos! Gods-" Merian throws up her hands in the air and makes to go, but spins around, unwilling to leave Amos behind.

Amos smiles weakly at the two of you. "Hope you understand, miss. I must go - Sheriff's expecting us. By the by, this is Miss Merian, my fine colleague and a dab hand with the club."

[oyzar]

"Ok, fair enough. We'll see you when we get back." Alica waves after the pair as they speed away. "Let's go to see the Jak'a'Napes. I still got the bill to pay for this morning. I dunno why but I kinda feel like in a hurry again." Alica hustles away towards the inn, fully expecing to get picked up again, though not making any action to initiate it herself.

[18th Avenger]

"I'll meet y'all at the spot just 'fore we get goin'," Owen said to Elena and Kiran, jogging in place. "I've to tell my mom and gather my things too. See you in a bit!"

The watchman jogged for a short while with them before slowing down and taking the first slow steps towards home.


~*~*~*~*

Owen walked up the worn stone steps to his family cottage a little to the north from the church. When he opened the door, the watchman heard the familiar tingle of those wind chimes the half-elven adventurer gifted them with a while ago

"Mum! I'm home! Brought home some rosemary! An' a job!"

[aturtledoesbite]

"Yes, Mother. You see, today's been a bit different..."

Elena explains everything that's happened up until they left Roots and Remedies, leaving out details that may make them worry. Except for the big one that she's heading to the Vale, of course.

"I'll be gone for a few days, I think. ...Do you think everyone'll be alright until then?

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Meanwhile, Cerberus was having fun with Kiran. Leading her basically in circles around various buildings, he did make sure she was never too far away. Early on, he had suddenly felt weakened some, his connection with Elena feeling fainter somewhat. But he still managed to keep going without much trouble.

[Linguz]

She is not picked up. Seems that War doesn't think they need to hurry. He walks alongside her, keeping up with her fast moving legs. He follows her to the second tavern with narry a word.

((Sorry about such a short post. Can't really think right now and don't want to not post. :/))

[maggie_mcknife]

Elena:
At your question, your father looks askance at your mother. Your mother, however, needs no such prompting. Without the slightest hesitation, she takes hold of your hands in hers, brushing back some stray hairs from your forehead and tucking them behind your ears.

"Of course, everyone will be fine, dear. Don't worry about us. We'll just keep drinking Miss Laurel's medicines for now," she tries a faint smile, despite the obvious worry in her eyes as motherly concern takes over. "You will be back soon, won't you? The Farrier boy said he'd take care of you, yes? Perhaps I ought to pack you some food... You're not going anywhere where it's cold or dangerous, are you? The wolves don't stir out of Darkmoon unless they're hungry, but you never know." She makes an attempt to rise from the bed to see whether the pantry, scant as it is, has something she can give you.


Owen:
You can smell dinner cooking the instant you open the door - it's probably vegetable stew, given that fresh meat has been hard to come by recently. Your mother bustles over, the slight crinkling around her eyes telling you that she's quite pleased with the rosemary. It will make an excellent addition to her dish. "A job, son? You've not gone and quit the Watch-guarding, have you?" she teases, taking the package of herbs from your hand.


War and Alica:
Innkeeper Jak seems taken aback when Alica steps through the doors of Jak'a'napes with War in tow, but he rapidly recovers and steps briskly up to the two of you. "Miss Alica and gentleman! Good evening! Did you find anything out? What can I do for the two of you for an early dinner?"

[aturtledoesbite]

"Don't worry, there are quite a few of us going. Owen, Ms. Kiran from the church, two foreigners, and of course, Cerberus. I think we'll be safe from wolves and the like." Elena watches her mother, not quite yet sure what she's doing exactly. Well, she knew her mother was trying to scrounge up some food, but gods know why she's heading for the pantry. Not like there's much of anything in there.

[oyzar]

Alica smiles at the inkeeper. "Ah, good day we did indeed find out something. It seems like it might be possible to find a cure by combining various rare ingredients. Luckily it seems like it might be possible to find the ingredients in the forest and the crags. The flip side is of course that they are found there. I don't suppose you have any useful information about the lands we are looking to travel through. I kinda want to get started at once so I would rather want some food for the road than sit down to eat, that is if you are fine with it?" She turns towards War to get his opinion.

Then she continues talking to the inkeeper. "That is unless you have some lengthy tale to tell us then we might as well sit and eat while we listen. Oh yeah this is War, he will undoubtly be a great help in the wilderness. We came primarily so I could pay for this morning, though as I said any information you have would be helpful. Alica motions to War at the mention of his name.

[18th Avenger]

"Nah, mum. I haven't quit the Wotch. But rather, this new job's in the interest of not just the Wotch but the town."

Owen handed her the jars of spices he had procured. "In fact, you better sit down for a bit. Are da and Kerris how from the Coster? This'un's rather important."

The young watchman led her back to their dining room. The smells of dinner were more mouth-watering from where they took their seat. "I'm goin' into the Vale to gather ingredients to cure the 'scour with Elena Radiata an' a couple of out-of-towners."

[maggie_mcknife]

Elena:

Your mother returns with a small lump of cheese and some stale bread, glancing at you sharply. "Foreigners? Are you sure? Will you be safe with them? Y'know how some outsiders can be... odd" She presses the food into your hands, and you can't help but notice as her hands brush against yours how thin and bony they are - she's lost a lot of weight since taking ill. "Here you go," she says warmly. "Only a few days, right? This should help you some."


Owen:

Your mother shakes her head as she places the spices down on the table - your father and brother aren't home yet. "The Radiata girl? She's a little odd, isn't she? Are you sure? Why can't you just get the ingredients from Miss Laurel? I hear she's got near everything up in that shack of hers. And who are these out-of-towners anyway? Why would they want to help?" She purses her lips and folds her arms as she sits and looks at you anxiously. "For all you know, maybe someone planted the blackscour and those out-of-towners had something to do with it."


War and Alica:
"Ooh," Jak's face brightens up in hope once he hears that the two of you are out to find a cure. "I dunno about the Woods - never put as much as my pinky toe in there my whole life, but if you both're looking to help the town, just say the word. I'll do whatever I can. Have a seat, have a seat! I'll rustle up some food for you to carry. There's some flapjacks left over from the breakfast crowd, will those do? If you can wait a bit, I'll get you some spiced potatoes to take with you on the road."

Jak's words come out in a rush as he ushers you both towards a table, beaming from ear to ear. "Don't mind me saying so, Miss Glittertwirl, Mister Wah. But it's a great kindness you're doing to us Hollow folk."

[aturtledoesbite]

"Don't worry, they're nice enough people." Elena got the feeling that mentioning War in any specific detail would have made her parents worry a lot, so she simply decided not to describe them.

One might expect Elena to turn down the food, leaving it for them to eat. However, her mother was giving her a look that all but said "You are taking this with you and that is final, young lady," words to which she may have put a voice if Elena didn't take the food. So, she simply accepts the edibles (looking for a time when they're not watching her so she can leave the cheese somewhere). "Thanks."

Setting the foodstuffs down for a moment, Elena leans in and hugs her mother. Afterward, she does the same with her father.

[18th Avenger]

"'Cause we've been watching the well for a while now an' no one's tampered the water, mum," explained Owen. "An' if Ms. Laurel could cook up the cure, don't ya think she'd make it now rather than send us to gather the ingredients?"

"These foreigners are here to help, mum. I know so. Why else'd they stick around here an' ask us so many questions? An' Elena's not too bad when y'get to know here." He reached out and clasped his mother's hands and looked into the green eyes she'd given him. "Trust me. We may not be able to fix what's wrong with the town, but we can start with curing the 'scour."

[maggie_mcknife]

Elena:

Your father smiles weakly at your hug and pats your shoulder, while your mother returns your embrace with ardour. For a moment, the familiar smell of her clothing and hair fills your senses, reminding you of a time when you were still small enough to be carried. "Hurry back soon, darling," she murmurs softly, squeezing your arm. "If you don't, I might get out of this ole bed to come after you. There's life within this old lady yet."


Owen:

Your mother bobs her head as you speak but remains hesitant, clasping her hands together. "I s'pose... does Sheriff Baleson know that you're going away? You'd need to ask his leave too."

She has barely finished speaking when the front door of your house is forcefully pushed open. In strides your father, his face creased with worry as he glances back, holding the door open to let your brother cross the threshold. Kerris enters after a moment's pause, a bloodied handkerchief surreptitiously covering his mouth. Upon seeing you and your mother, both of them look vaguely guilty, though Kerris makes no attempt to hide the handkerchief.

[oyzar]

Alica let herself be pushed to the table. She took off her backpack putting it down on the floor next to her before sitting down at a chair next to the table. "The world will be a better place if we all help each other. You can also help us having full stomachs for the first part of the journy. I suppose we can wait for the spiced potatoes, though the flapjacks were nice as well so they will certainly do. You said you don't know much about the forest, what about the men that go there then. A man by the name of Rhoddam was mentioned several times. Maybe you know something of him? She looked around in the common room of the inn. Always curious she did not only ask a lot of questions but also studied and wondered about everything she came across.

[aturtledoesbite]

"Of course, Mother. I'll be back before you know it." Grabbing the food items, Elena finds a small bag to put them in for easier carrying. At the door, she turns back to her parents one last time, waving them goodbye. Then she exits the house.

"I wonder if the others have finished up with things..." Heading to the meeting spot, Elena looks around as she goes to see if she can see any of the others. While she doesn't see anyone, she distinctly hears a certain acolyte running around nearby. "Not much longer, Cerberus. Be ready to run to the gate soon."

[18th Avenger]

Owen looked sheepish, again rubbing the back of his neck the way he had when he was a child who'd taken the first secret slice of her piping hot brambleberry pie. "You're the second one to know. This job was one of those on-the-fly sorts of things. He ain't happy about it, but it's the best shot we got."

Both the watchman and his mother turned towards the new arrivals. Owen's cheerful greeting died on his lips when he saw the bloodied handkerchief in his brother's hand. He turned back to his mother. ""Mum, I've to go now. Before this gets even worse. I just stopped by to tell ye, da and Kerris and pick up some things.

[maggie_mcknife]

Elena:

Kiran comes panting around the corner, the sweat dripping off her face. She grins wanly at you and gives you a thumbs up signal as she goes by. For someone who apparently spends most of her time sweeping floors and praying, she has some remarkable stamina, though Cerberus does seem to be giving her a literal run for her money.


Owen:

Your mother is stunned speechless by the sight of the handkerchief in Kerris' palm. She looks helplessly at you, then at your father, then back to you. "B-but, I was careful," she stammers in disbelief. "I boiled all the water..."

Your father merely squints at you and thuds the door shut before stepping into the kitchen. Kerris remains where he is, swaying slightly on the spot. "Hey Owen," he says, a shadow of a grin fleeting across his face as he tries some bravado for the sake of your mother. "Guess it got me too, huh? Must have picked it up from one of the customers."


War and Alica:

"I'll get those taters and flapjacks packed up for you right away," says Jak, retying his apron strings behind his back as he bustles back into the kitchen. When you mention Rhoddam's name, he pauses a little and gives you a curious look.

"You mean Milon? Why, he's the best goddamn woodsman for miles around. Likely the best in the Vale. Used to wander a lot in his youth, knows every inch of the Darkwood and then some, more like. You going to ask him to help you out?"

[18th Avenger]

"Stow the dramatics an' siddown, y'idiot."

With his heart in his throat, Owen reached over and carefully pulled his brother down on to a chair. The young watchman once again fixed his gaze on their mother. "Mum, I've to get ready. I've got everything else in my room but I'm gonna need food enough for five days in the wilds. And I'm gonna need you an' da to dump the water. The lads on the Wotch will tell you where to get water as soon as they can."

He took his brother's thin face in his hands. "Don't worry, Kerris. I'll fix this. By the Drunken God, I can make this right." Owen murmured firmly.

[oyzar]

"We'll at least ask him what he knows. I am unsure if he would be willing to guide us seeing as it might be dangerous. It seems like the best place to start with figuringout where we can get what we need.

While waiting for the food to be readied she studies War. He looks quite powerful. Quite big and hard, though that has its advantages as well. I'll see if i manage to make him come forth with his thoughts using my well oiled talking skills. This is not the time and time and place however. In time I'll get beneath his hard armor.

The innkeeper eventually returned with the food. It was neatly wrapped up in bags. A small bag for Alica and a much larger one for War. Alica takes out one flappjack and takes a bit. "They still taste quite nice, though not as amazing as this morning. What do you want for the food?" After paying, if they do not get the food for free for helping out, Alica puts the bag of food into her backpack. She then stands up and straps. While waiting for War she makes a piruete, her hair and skirt flying wide. "Thanks for the help. We'll definatly return. Have a nice time while we are gone" she says with a smile and a wave as she heads towards the door. Outside she says to War. "Let's see if the others are ready to go." then starts walking towards the designated meeting place.

[Linguz]

War thinks, Gentleman? Is this man blind? As Alica asks him if he'd like to eat something, he just simply nods. He sits down at the table he's brought to, not entirely paying attention to what the man was saying. If there was anything of importance, Alica could tell him later. Like the halfling, he took off his backpack, but he more threw it down than put it down.

While he sees the girl looking at him intently, he ignores it, not bothering with it. When the food arrives, he puts his backpack back on before grabbing it in his gauntlet. Once he leaves the tavern, he walks at an exceptionally slow pace... for a short period of time, before getting bored, lifting the bard up, and walking at his normal speed. "Might not be in any hurry, but I can only walk that slow for so long before I need to go faster."

[maggie_mcknife]

War and Alica:

Jak seems momentarily torn as to whether to ask you to fork out some silver for your lodging last night, chewing the edge of his moustache. Finally, he sighs, slaps his hands on his hips, and merely waves as you depart his inn.

"Far be it from me to ask you for money when it's you who's doing us all the favour," he says with a resigned but good-natured air. "You just make sure you find out a cure, hear me? The blackscour's caused enough trouble as it is."


Owen:

"Aw, c'mon, Owen. I'm not a kid anymore, y'know," says Kerris, cracking a grin and clapping his hand on your wrist, as your mother gives you an odd look before heading into the kitchen to gather up what food she can. "Don't worry. I'll just pop in to see Miss Laurel. She'll know what to do."


*****

(Right! On with the story.)


You all meet at the north gate of Falcon's Hollow at the appointed time - all of you, that is, save for Acolyte Kiran and Cerberus, who are still jogging in circles around the village. Being summer, there are still a good many hours before sunset, which means that you can still make it to the edge of Darkmoon if you keep up a good walking pace. Aside from the singing of crickets in the long grass and the faint smell of sawn wood that never seems to leave Falcon's Hollow, all seems peaceful in the town. But you all know better than anyone else that the plague still eats away at Falcon's Hollow, and you only have so much time before another death strikes the town.

[aturtledoesbite]

Elena nods as Owen, War, and Alica reach the gate. "That's everyone, then? Shall we be off?"

"Alright, Cerberus, come back this way." The two-headed dog abruptly changes direction and bolts for the gate, trusting Kiran can follow him well enough to figure out the gate to which he's going.

[oyzar]

Alica sits on top of War's shoulders. She keeps in place by wrapping her soft tights around him letting her arms be free. "Yeah, we are ready. Better make the most of the light. If we press on we might make it to the camp where Milon Rhoddam is before nightfall. Hopefully he will be able to tell us about this oldest tree or at least give us a lead to look for it. I got to copy a map off a woodcutter we found, though sadly it is not specific. But it will be able to lead us to the major settlements. It also shows a dwarven monastary completing another piece in this puzzle." She fetches forth the map from one of the pockets on the side of her backpack to better be able to navigate the land ahead and to jot town of interest that they might come across.

"Where is your dog Elena? It is a summoned creature, did it go back to where it came from? You seem to have some powers that you have not told us about, but then we have never asked. I guess it would be nice to know what you can do if we happen to run into any confrontations up ahead though.". She looks around for the dog as she mentions him.

Before Elena can reply Cerberus comes into view with Kiran hot on his tails. Sweat is pouring down the girls face from running but neither she nor the beast seem to be running at max effort. An odd sight to behold. "Ah, there he is, though who is that? One of your friends? Why is she running after him? Something seems off here..." Alica points towards the newcomer.

[aturtledoesbite]

Elena gave a slight chuckle at Alica's confusion. "I believe Mr. Baleson mentioned a Ms. Kiran at the church? That would be her. She will be joining us on this journey."

"As for why she's chasing Cerberus... Ms. Cirthana wasn't particularly happy about her only disciple running off, so we needed an... excuse to get Ms. Kiran away from the church." At this point, Cerberus finally reaches Elena, setting the sword and crossbow down at her feet, in exactly the same condition they were when he picked them up (except the fact that they're a tad slobbery).

Noticing that Cerberus had been weakened due to being far away, Elena prepares a spell. Barely sliding her thumb across the point of the dagger at her belt, she draws a few drops of blood, the dark red liquid looking slightly unnatural, though the exact oddity is hard to put one's finger on. Placing her hand on one of Cerberus's foreheads, she mutters some words in a language not many average people could understand. In moments, her hand begins to glow and the drops of blood seem to be absorbed by the eidolon's skin. Cerberus's form, previously seeming slightly blurry, now returns to full focus.

Lesser Rejuvenate Eidolon: [roll0]

Note: Cerberus had 6 HP before this spell was cast, due to him having his health halved. I forgot to update that in the sheet earlier. Whoops.

[18th Avenger]

"That's a little weird, but then again, I know diddly about magic." Owen scratched his nose, the scent of fresh food wafting from his pack. "By the way, Elena, here. Not a crossbow, but it should serve."

He handed her the staff he'd been issued with the day he joined the meagre ranks of Baleson's deputies, as well as a sling and a small pouch of smooth rocks that served as ammunition.

[maggie_mcknife]

Cerberus returns to full health at 6HP.

Kiran slows to a halt, breathing heavily, but still manages to grimace at the sight of her slobbery weapons. "Ugh. That's gonna- take a while- to dry out," she says, sticking out her tongue for emphasis as she gingerly picks her crossbow and sword up from the ground before using the edge of her robe to scrub at the stock of the crossbow, examining it for damage. "Better hope that the Goddess don't mind sacred weapons being lightly chewed. I wonder how paladins manage with their horses?"

She turns to War and Alica with a bright smile and offers her hand. "Hey! You both must be the two out-towners Elena mentioned. I'm Kiran, chosen of Iomedae. Studying for the priesthood."

[Linguz]

War thinks for a few seconds, considering walking away. If he was alone, he definitely would have done it. But he wasn't alone, there's a girl on top of him, and she greets everyone they meet. To bring the two girls to more eye to eye situations, he crouched. He didn't introduce himself, partially because he knows that the halfling would do it for him.

[oyzar]

Alica puts up a big smile and with a wave off her hand a flourish of sparkles in all the colors of the rainbow appear as she makes a slight nod towards the cleric. "Alica Glittertwirl, bard, performer, storyteller and helper of the unfortunate at your service. The silent one between my legs is War. Despite the rough appearance he is quite reliable as he also agreed to help out. Hopefully we can do a deed worthy of the stories by curing the plague so I will also have stories involving myself to add to my reportoire. It is nice to meet you Kiran.

[Linguz]

If 'offers her hand' isn't another way to say she wants us to shake it, disregard parts related to that in this post.

Seeing that the halfling left the cleric's hand unshook, War rose back to his full height and turned to look out the gate. He liked the way that neither he nor the girl on him shook the girl's outstretched hand. "We've spent enough time here. It's time to get moving to the forest already." Without waiting for a response from the rest of the group, he began to move out the gate and towards the forest. He moved at a pace slightly slower than his normal walk, to allow the slow folk to keep up.

[aturtledoesbite]

"You okay, Cerberus?"
"Of course. Your spell was unnecessary. I would have been perfectly well without."
"Oh, just shush and be appreciative."

Elena and Cerberus follow along with the rest of the group (or just War if the others don't get their butts moving).

[18th Avenger]

Owen clapped Kiran on the shoulder.

"Ah, don't mind War. He's got that whole 'stoic barbarian ' thing about him. But Alica's a laugh. An' she seems to have a handle on 'im." The watchman turned to follow after the barbarian. "C'mon," he looked over his shoulder and called to them. "Day light's a'burnin'."

[maggie_mcknife]

GM post

Kiran frowns and falters, her outstretched hand still poised mid-air. From the look on her face, she is somewhat surprised, perhaps even perplexed, at the mixed reactions of the foreigners to her presence. Nevertheless, a joke and the hearty clap from Owen quickly has her back to her perky self in no time at all. Shouldering her crossbow and tightening her sword belt, she steps out smartly with the rest and you all are finally wending your way through the grassy plains of Darkmoon Vale.

(Hooray!)

*****

After nearly four hours of walking on a dirt path packed hard by hundreds of lumbermen, it is almost night, but the looming environs of Darkmoon Wood are finally before you. As the sky darkens, all semblance of friendliness vanishes from the famed forest. Those who try peering through the trees ahead can see little, for the thick trunks of the Darkwood trees grow so close together that their tangled crowns all but block out the light of the waning moon. Strange yips and howls echo from deep within the Wood, sending a faint chill down the spines of those fearful of such sounds.

Knowledge (Nature) DC 10 check:
You recognise the howls to be from wolves preparing for the hunt. The high-pitched stuttering yips, on the other hand, are from kobolds. However, the sounds are too faint for anyone who understands Draconic to decipher.

From where the four of you stand, you can see about ten minutes walk away, the blazing fires of the Lumber Consortium Camp palisade - the very same camp that both Sheriff Baleson and drunk Jervis mentioned as the most likely place to find Milon Rhoddam. Even this far away, it is a callous, rough-looking place, perched at the edge of the Woods, cutting an ugly scar of stumps into the dense stand of the proud Darkwood trees.

[oyzar]

Alica was riding on top of War's shoulders. Her short legs could just not keep up with the speed of the larger people and the big barbarian was too impatient to let her go by herself. She did not mind, it felt safe having the big man between her legs, and she could see further from up here, being more prepeared should anything weird happen. While they were walking she found opportunity to do what she knows best, tell stories.


As you know I am a storyteller, I hope to be able to entertain you with interesting stories of bravery, intrigue and interesting cirumstances.

This story starts in a small village of name which is not important. The village was thriving due to it's adjourning iron mine. The mine had made for work for many of the people and brought trade to the region. However good things does not last forever. The ore that the mine produced worsened in quality. Swords would break unexpectantly and even ploughs did not last for many weeks before they had to be replaced. The village was in danger of going under as the mine could no longer suport it's great poppulance. So they sent out a call for adventures to help them out.

A group of three adventured answered: A female Cleric of Sarenrae named Shelyanna. Her friend Hector who tried to use his favorite longsword to answer any problems he might encounter. And her lover Erasmus who liked to solve problems by by stealth, discussion and trickery rather than straight forward. After being informed of the problem they entered the mine to look for answers to the problem.

Hector wanted to run ahead, if there is nothing to fight, you should just seek it out. Shelyanna adviced more caution, at least they could hear with the miners before rushing ahead. By asking around they got to hear that lately kobolds had been found attacking innocent miners. Hector was pleased, finally had something to fight. They did not get any indication as to why the iron had suddenly gone worse though.

Going deeper into the mine they encountered a group of kobolds. Erasmus took an arrow to the knee, but other than that they got from it without a scrach. Shelyanna healed him up afterwards. Spurred on by their success in the first encounter Hector rushed ahead. He then did not notice when he stepped on a preassure plate. A flaming arrow shot out from the wall and struck him squarly in the chest. The big warrior feel down. Thankfully Shelyanna was not far behind and managed to stop him from dying, but it was a close call. This lead Hector to listen more to caution in the future. Erasmus managed to spot and dispatch the two next traps they encountered without a hitch. The traps had the group wondering though, who would bother to trap an iron mine? And why were all the kobolds there?

The group dispatched another two groups of kobolds before entering an area of the mine that was different than the rest. Suddenly there were braziers along the wall while earlier they had to walk by torchlight. Erasmus got the great idea that maybe he should scout ahead stealthily so that they could avoid surprises up ahead. Sneaking like this he managed to spot a man clad in black robes chanting over what appeared to be an circle of chalc in the floor. He snuck back to his friends and they agreed that Shelyanna and Hector should count to 20 while Erasmus sneaked up to the man to put a dagger to his throat. They they should run to his aid in case things did not go as planned.

Sure enough, the man was surpised at the turn of events. "Please spare me, I'll come with you and explain everything.." The group trusted the man enough to not kill him outright, he was not armed, what was the worst thing he could do? Erasmus let his dagger slip down slowly. "Alright, tell us what you are doing here". The black robed man did not let the opprotunity slip. "Ifni, he shouted and all of a sudden he was no longer in Erasmus' grip, but some ten feet further along the corridor. "lleisgar svern de wer loex sia katimai". The man managed to shout before the group had a chance to react.

Suddenly the group became aware of tree skeletons lying along the side of the tunnel, because they suddenly started moving. The skeletons were all carrying various objects that could be used as weapons. One of the skeletons waved it's mace at Erasmus, he did not manage to dodge in time and was flung back. "Erasmus, no!" Shelyanna shouted "By the power of the Everlight turn from me foul creatures". Two of the skeletons turned and ran towards the necromancer. Hector charged after them and struck at the caster with his sword. The man took the blow to his chest and a fountain of dark blood burst forth, spraying over Hector. The one skeleton that did not run away was still there though, it was the same one that attacked Erasmus, it swung it's mace again against the poor man, a sickening crunch as the weapon connected to his skull. Shelyanna and Hector managed to dispatch the last Skeleton, combining the power of their blades, but Erasmus was not savable.

The ore turned to normal after this, clearly the dark robed man had been responsible. To what end, one can only speculate though. To the small group of adventures the cost was great. They did not have the power to call back Erasmus from the dead and by the time they found a cleric powerful enough it was too late.

Afterwards she tries to spark discussion in the group "As you can see from this story, not everyone can solve every situation by themselves, it is important to use each other's skills optimally to be able to deal with various situations. We will undoubtly run into dangerous situations and conflicts. When that situation arises it would be nice to know what everyone can do so we can react apropriatly. I know a tiny bit of magic that takes enemies out of the fight temporaily either by dazing them or making them fall asleep. I am also a fair shot with my bow though I can help out in melee as well. In addition I hope to be able to hold the morale of the party high. Would not be nice if someone started to run out of fright."

She looks around at the party considering who they are. This story also bring up another issue, do we have anyone to deal with traps? There are kobolds in these woods. They are intelligent enough to set up traps to deal with unwanted travellers.


As she hears the howling from the woods she remarks. "There are wolves out there. And those are the yips of kobolds. It is good to know what manner of creatures we might face. Hopefully we will avoid too much fighting, but we should also be able to deal with whatever we come across. Wolves are fast creatures who hunt in packs to take down prey with their powerful bites. Kobolds are devious and somewhat intelligent creatures, so they could be capable of almost anything. We should head to the camp for the night. Maybe we'll get enough information to head into the forest first thing in the morning.

Rolls in OOC posts here: http://alt.giantitp.com/forums/showpost.php?p=14720806&postcount=538 and here: http://alt.giantitp.com/forums/showpost.php?p=14721029&postcount=546 14 for both checks. I hope have not relvealed too much knowledge about kobolds compared to what I am supposed to know. Also why are kobolds knowledge nature and not knowledge:local as for other humanoids?
Forgot to roll Perform:Oratory for impression on our NPC http://alt.giantitp.com/forums/showpost.php?p=14721327&postcount=548 24 here it is.

[Linguz]

War listened to the story as best he could and at the end, hated the longsword-wielder in their group. He gave a bad name to those who charged in. Unable to even take a flaming arrow to the chest. It really disappointed him. The stealthboy's death barely entertained him; he wasn't sure why. And the cleric's a cleric.

"I can kill things, know about kobolds, and can scare things. That's about the extent of what I can do. Oh, and scavenge for food." He continues on his way, following as Alica had told him. "No more than the night. Tomorrow morning, we head into the forest, if you have the information or not."

[18th Avenger]

As the sun started to set, the noises he could hear from the Vale just over the horizon put Owen on edge. He slid his crossbow off his back and nocked a quarrel with the practiced ease of a veteran bowman.

"Great, a welcoming wagon. Just what we need. As for traps, I know just enough about simple snares and things, but I'd rather we all just be on guard; exactly the opposite of those adventurers in that tale. Avoid looking too closely into campfires just before you step into the gloom and all that jazz?" He smiled up at Alica before peering at the lumber camp. "Ah, the lumber camp. Well, if y'mean to swing by and speak to men who know the neck of the woods like the back of their hands, this is the place." Owen's green eyes narrowed. "We are gonna talk to the woodsmen, yeah?"

[maggie_mcknife]

GM post

Kiran listens spellbound to Alica's tale, her eyes bright with wonder at the travails of the fictional cleric. Once Alica begins moralising, however, she begins to knit her brows in bewilderment, shaking her head almost vehemently. "No, wait," she protests, upset by the story's abrupt ending. "You mean that's it? After poor Erasmus died? You're not going to even tell us why the necromancer was messing with the ore? If Shelyanna's a cleric of the Blessed Dawnflower, wouldn't she have been glad that her lover died while fighting the good fight? And what on earth does any of this have to do with using each other's skills to solve a situation? What a let down," she grumbles, kicking at a pebble on the dirt road. "Just when I thought this was gonna be a real kicker of a tale too. Geez."

Once Alica mentions staying at the Consortium camp for the night, Kiran whistles between her teeth and shakes her head again. "Alright, Owen. Elena," she says, addressing the young watchman. "You did mention asking for help from Milon Rhoddam, but you didn't say anything about staying overnight at the camp. Are you nuts? Rhoddam's all right - says his prayers at the church whenever he's in the Hollow for a drink. But I'm not staying in that camp one minute longer than I have to. Not with thirty or more men allied to Gavel Kreed in there. Especially not with that creepy Trookshavits in charge." She shivers at the thought, glancing somewhat longingly in the direction of Falcon's Hollow, rubbing her arms for warmth.

[18th Avenger]

"You oughta have your ears examined, Kiran," replied Owen. "I didn't say anything about sharing bedspace with anyone who pays for his drinks with Kreed's coin. At best, I bet we could camp within bowshot of their campfires. But between you and me," He bent closer and stage-whispered to Kiran from a covered hand. "I'd rather take my chances with our singing friends out there in the gloom."

[aturtledoesbite]

Elena wasn't really paying much attention to the story Alica gave. She was...a bit distracted.

"Mother... Father... Don't worry, we'll find this cure. Just hold out a bit longer."

"...Owen's sick too, isn't he? I wonder if anyone's left healthy back in the Hollow? If we can't find this stuff soon enough, there won't be anyone left to cure..."
"In case you have forgotten, if this quest does indeed prove fruitless, the condition of the town will be of little concern to you."
"I...haven't forgotten.

The rest of the trip would show similarly depressing thoughts.

After they got near the Vale's edge, Elena still wasn't listening to the world around her. Cerberus was, however.

"Elena. Kiran's speaking to you."

"Huh? Oh. Um...maybe just one of us should go talk to Mr. Rhoddam while the rest of us set up camp here, maybe?"

[oyzar]

Back when they travelled Alica responded to Kirans questions: "Not all stories end with a clear conclusion. That is also a lesson of life, things would be easier if you could always know why something happens, but that is not always the case. Also idolizing death for the greater cause does not reflect the reality that you have to live without the people who are gone. The joy gained from that he served a worthy cause and they managed to vanquish the necromancer does not the dimnish the sadness that he is gone nor the loneliness you are left with afterward. Having those close to you die is never something to rejoyce. I am sorry that I did not alter the tale more to suit your tastes, maybe it will be more noteworthy if I do adress your concerns.

As for the connection to using each other skills, they could not have managed to defeat the necromancer without taking advantage of abilities from all of them. Shelyanna was needed to keep them alive until they could face the necromance and to drive of the undead, Erasmus was needed to deal with the traps and Hector was needed to deal with the necromancer himself."

Back to the present:

Alica looks from person to person as they speak of the supposed horrors of staying in the camp. "Kreed's men can't be that bad. They are woodcutters working the wood for a living, not bandints ambushing the unwary. I think it would be fine to sleep in the camp, maybe we could also share in their food and I might even be able to bring in a bit money by entertaining them all. Though if you guys prefer to sleep seperatly I will honor that, we can just come back out after we got to ask.

As for one of us going in alone... I find that it is easier to convince people if several people help out being friendly and asking questions. Some of the people remaning here might think of something the one who goes would not think about. That way we would also all be able to help out if something bad does happen. I suggest that we all head in together then once we got the information we need, we come back to camp. Camping outside does mean that someone would have to stay guard though."