The Wolves of Welton (IC)

[JNAProductions]

Celeste frowns at Cloth, when he acts so insensitive, but keeps her mouth closed for now.

[Lord of Gifts]

Erden doesn't look particularly pleased by the pantomimed wolf, but doesn't comment on it. "Last I heard, Featherock was recovering in the Shepherd's Crook. Don't know how much he remembers, but he is talking."

[Awful]

Ophine considered it for a moment, then spoke.
"Do you have a village headsman? Or chief?"

[Lord of Gifts]

"Everyone important in Welton sits on the village council, which makes all the decisions. Tillus Merrion, head of the Growers and Buyers Association, is the unofficial head of the council."

[stack]

Brom nods, "Then I think we ought to meet with them. We can get everything that is known, make a plan, and get to work. Onward."

[JNAProductions]

Celeste nods in agreement.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Let's move on to the village proper, shall we?

[Lord of Gifts]

As they reach the end of the road, Alric peels off from the party, guiding his sheep over to a guarded pen at the edge of the village. Erden leaves his partner to this task, himself leading the adventurers along through Welton.

Wherever they pass, the strange company are met with looks of mixed fear and awe, but none approach them. More people crowd the streets than would be expected at this time of year, many looking thin or haggard. Unusually heavy traffic and the impact of many hooves have reduced the dirt streets to muddy quagmires in places.

Even with busy streets, it doesn’t take long to reach the centre of Welton. The village offers little besides a small general store, and virtually nothing of interest to outsiders other than the Shepherd’s Crook. One of the oldest and largest buildings in the village, the ancient inn sits opposite both the Grower’s Hall and the Buyer’s Hall, naturally filling a role as the social hub of Welton.

Erden leads his new companions through the front door, into a traditional common room. With so many extra people in the village, the inn is just as crowded as the rest of Welton. Tanned and weather-beaten shepherds in woollen cloaks smoke long-stemmed pipes while drinking cider and muttering amongst themselves, and small groups of men and women nurse their drinks in relative quiet. Raised voices are faintly audible from the back, indistinct amongst the general tavern noise. "From the sound, I’d wager the council are in session," laughs Erden, gesturing towards the back. "They often use the meeting room here." He points out a jolly-looking dwarven woman stood behind the bar. "If you want rooms, I’d speak to Leanor over there. She can probably tell you more about Featherock, too. She tends to know most of what goes on in these parts."

[stack]

Brom takes in the scene. He frowns; he is hungry, but business first. "Perhaps it would be best to meet with the council prior to securing lodging? Better to know how long and when it will be needed."

[Awful]

Ophine nodded.
"I'd agree. Best learn what they know and what they want - and what assistance they might be willing to offer."
Without further ado, she stepped up to the council do, rapped on it with her staff, and stepped through.

[NontheistCleric]

Entering the inn, Cloth drops low enough for his bare feet to bob about an inch above the floor. He waves to Leanor when Erden points her out, then follows Ophine through to the meeting room.

"Sorry to interrupt," he says to the council as the group enters, "but we've come about your wolf problem."

[Lord of Gifts]

The meeting is being held in a plain room, centred around a large wooden table with eight chairs set around it. Four of the chairs are filled with human men, two by human women, and two by halflings; one male and one female. Even before the door is opened, it is clear from the shouts that a bitter argument is raging over the grain and other foods.

Opening the door and surveying the room offers further clarity to the situation. An ageing human in priestly robes is calling for an end to food exports until the situation is resolved, while the halfling man insists that they must honour existing contracts.

All eyes turn to the door as the party enters. Anger flashes across the halfling man’s face at the interruption, but this quickly turns to relief at Cloth’s explanation. "Excellent!," he exclaims. "The people of Welton thank you. Tillus Merrion, at your service." With this, he stands up from the table and moves to greet the newcomers. "Our problem is beyond our ability to solve, but we will do everything we can to aid you."

[JNAProductions]

Celeste nods. Likewise, we will do all we can to see to it that your people are safe.

[stack]

Brom introduces the party, then once formalities have been observed, gets down to business. "We are happy to help, but there are a few matters first. Before we begin, we need to know everything you know about the attacks and events prior to them. For example, we have heard the name Aleksei Merrikson may be of interest. We need to know where to begin looking the the wolves' lair, ideally with a knowledgeable guide. Then of course, and I hate to broach the subject with those in distress, but a clear and binding contract beforehand ensures equitable treatment for all parties. Fair treatment all around, you see."

[NontheistCleric]

Cloth's face twists in momentary distaste when he hears Brom mention a contract, unconsciously floating a little higher. Casting about for a distraction from all the business talk, his gaze lands on Erden, and he floats over to the shepherd.

"Could you go check if that Featherock of yours is okay to receive visitors? We might need to talk to him after and we wouldn't want to strain his nerves."

[Lord of Gifts]

Erden acknowledges cloth with a curt nod, and excuses himself from the room to check on Featherock.

If Tillus, or the other council members, take offence at the suggestion of a contract, it doesn’t show. "Of course. To be clear, we are offering eight hundred gold pieces for an end to the ongoing wolf attacks. How you accomplish that isn’t important. We’re also willing to offer free lodging at this inn, and anything else you might need to carry out the contract. Once we’re done here, I’ll have someone put the details in writing."

With this, he gestures over to the priest, who launches into an explanation of the facts. "There have always been wolves in the woods, but until recently they were only a nuisance. Alexi, my brother, is a potent sorcerer, and he could manage whatever threat they did pose. But no-one has seen Alexi in roughly three months. Around the time that he disappeared, a dozen sheep were snatched from the Petersen’s barn up on Spurrok’s Hill, even though it was locked. A few days later, Wheatly was chased away from his cart by a pack of wolves, and they took his horse and sacks of leather. After that, the attacks really ramped up. They’re driving people away from the nearby hamlets, and taking entire flocks. Gates and fences aren’t enough to stop them. Eventually, we had to do something about it. So, a month ago, the council organised a group of men to hunt the wolves, but they were attacked and driven off. Willen Featherock was nearly killed in the process, so the men are too scared to try again. Now families are abandoning their farms out of fear, and flocking to the village for safety. With more mouths, and no one to harvest crops, people are rightly worrying about food. If this isn’t resolved soon, we need to stop exports, and stockpile the crops that we have."

"But the financial effects of that would be devastating," interjects Tillus, fiercely.


With the meeting threatening to devolve back into the previous argument, a council member stands up and clears her throat. She is a lean, tough-looking human, approaching 60, with a gift of wool tied to her leather vest. Apart from brief pleasantries, where she introduced herself as Corel, she has been a silent observer so far, but the way that others turn to her show that her words carry weight. "We believe the wolves are hiding in the western woods. You could probably pick up a trail from there, especially if you followed after a recent attack. I could probably show you some likely spots, if you’re in need of a guide."

[NontheistCleric]

When the councillors finish speaking, Cloth is deep in thought.

"Thank you, that would be helpful," he says to Corel, but it's obvious his attention isn't really on her.

He fixes the priest with a questioning look."You say the wolves 'took' a horse and some sheep. But do you mean they just attacked them, or actually drove them off somewhere? I imagine they must have taken the leather—they couldn't have eaten that—but did they just carry it off in their mouths? And this barn; how did the wolves get past the lock?"

[stack]

Brom nods in response to the answer regarding the contract, then listens to the further information.

[Lord of Gifts]

"There have been a few simple attacks, but they are mostly moving things elsewhere. Wheatly fled from the wolves, and when he returned to the scene with help, his goods had vanished. Similar with the sheep; they disappeared with no sign other than some wolf tracks in the area. How they got into the barn is anyone’s guess, but there wasn’t any serious damage to the doors."

[NontheistCleric]

"I see," says Cloth. "Teleporting wolves. Well, councillors, we will take that into consideration. If there's nothing more, then I think I'm going to go—see if the man who nearly died has anything useful."

Leaving the room, he goes to look for Erden and Featherock.

[Awful]

Ophine listened and thought.
"Not necessarily wolves at all," she said as they headed to their next place of interest. "I am not the only one with the ability to wear the skin of beast; another druid would also possess magic. There is also darker things; werewolves. But it is too gentle for their ilk, I would imagine. They are violent creatures by nature."

[NontheistCleric]

"Yes," Cloth muses, "but then, they're so obviously not normal wolves that whatever they are, they must have a special reason for looking like wolves anyway. Which tells us something about our adversary, assuming they aren't just normal wolves that got ahold of magic somehow."

[stack]

"The wolves we fought appeared to be normal, aside from attacking a large group in daylight. We won't know what is going on for certain until we find their lair, I expect, so let us find the man we wish to speak too and continue on."

[Lord of Gifts]

As the group leaves the council meeting, they find Erden waiting by the door. He directs them across the common room, up a set of stairs, and to the second room on the left. Before they walk over, he urges them to be gentle, informing them that Featherrock is still in a bad state.

Following the directions, the find a small but well-appointed room, complete with fresh flowers on a dresser. A halfling lies in the bed, white-faced and soaked in his own sweat. Thick bandages are wrapped around his left arm and right leg.