A Monstrous Night Below IC

[Bobthewizard]

Xorgid, Berbalang Wizard | AC: 13 HP: 14/14 | PP: 12 PIv: 16 PIs: 12
HD: 2 / 2d6 | Recovery: 0 / 1LR | Duplicate: 1 / 1SR
Spell slots: 1st: 3 / 3
Conditions: none

Xorgid thanks the Ferryman but mostly keeps to himself on the ride, letting his more charismatic friends continue any conversations. He merely thanks his hosts and offers to help.

"I am grateful for the transportation and the lack of immediate aggression. If we can be of any assistance, please illuminate us."

As they travel, he tries to find out more about the man Carlanis. Perhaps the man is more than just a farmer.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Action:
Bonus Action:
Reaction: (possibly shield or absorb elements)
Movement:
Object:
Concentration:

Spoiler: Notes

Show

Gordrenn, Purveyor of magical paraphernalia
chest to Tauster in Thurmaster
Carlanis - farmer that attacked us
Oleanne, guardian of the Lyrchwood!
Todder - logger
Darius Carman - head of logging lives in Milborne

[Xihirli]

"Ah, right, they want to ask about a... farmer, was it?"
"Carlanis?" the ferryman confirms. "Not a name I know. Certainly sounds sure of himself, doesn't he?"
"Yes, his given name would simply be 'Carl,' while giving that as his name gives him the title 'Carl the Pure.' Sounds like a noble, not a farmer," Todder chimes in.

[JNAProductions]

"Was he a farmer? Sundew, you said he smelled fishy, so maybe a fisherman?" Celia asks. "And, like Xorgid said, we really appreciate you lending a hand for us. If you ever need a favor, give us a yell and we'll do what we can!"

[Dr.Gunsforhands]

"'S weird," Sundew speculates. "Why would a noble stoop to... no, never mind, the nobles I've heard of would totally be up for highway robbery. And for lying to everyone, and for pitting us against each other. Hopefully Carman'll be willing to listen, at least?"

During the hours-long trip, Sundew loops back around to another topic as well. "Hey, you mentioned the Wild Woman of the Woods earlier. Is that, um, a religious thing, or a local legend?"

[Xihirli]

"I'll be sure to remember such a kind offer," the ferryman said happily.

"Local legend," Todder says. "Woman in the woods. Probably the druid you spoke to," he answers the Mimic.

The party is able to relax and come to a calm, quiet midnight town. From the smell of it, it's a mining town. As you approach the actual village, the first thing you notice is half a bridge built over the river at a point where the ferryman has to half-push the raft along the shallows. A woman in a stout leather jerkin helps reel the raft in, and she acknowledges the group with a nod.
"Cousins of yours, Todder?"
"Very funny, Capella. Glad your tongue could take a break from Garyld to grace me with your dulcet tones."
"Hmph." Capella grins at Todder.
"Do they have places to stay tonight, then?"

[Bobthewizard]

Xorgid, Berbalang Wizard | AC: 13 HP: 14/14 | PP: 12 PIv: 16 PIs: 12
HD: 2 / 2d6 | Recovery: 0 / 1LR | Duplicate: 1 / 1SR
Spell slots: 1st: 3 / 3
Conditions: none

Xorgid enjoys the ride. Todder is one of the first humans to treat him with kindness. He thanks the Ferryman as they leave, officially just for the ride, but he is also grateful for the mutual respect. He then turns his attention to the new woman, Capella.

"No ma'am. We lack any official accommodation this evening, but we have our miniature pavilions. What was the word, Celia - tents? I assume we should wait until morning to disturb Mr. Carman? Do you know the location of his domicile? Could you introduce us to him?"

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Action:
Bonus Action:
Reaction: (possibly shield or absorb elements)
Movement:
Object:
Concentration:

Spoiler: Notes

Show

Gordrenn, Purveyor of magical paraphernalia
chest to Tauster in Thurmaster
Carlanis - farmer that attacked us
Oleanne, guardian of the Lyrchwood!
Todder - logger
Darius Carman - head of logging lives in Milborne
Capella - works on docks at Milborne
Garyld

[JNAProductions]

"We got tents, and we're pretty used to roughing it," Celia tells the woman. "We're looking for Mr. Carman-that is, Darius Carman. See, we ran into a goblin druid, who's mighty peeved about the logging that's been happening. So we're hoping we can figure out some kinda solution that doesn't involve anyone getting hurt. Also if there are any village kids I can entertain them!"

[Xihirli]

"An entertainer, eh? If you insist on camping out, obviously that's up to you. Barron of Mutton down that way," she points into town, "has a stage and rooms for rent, though."
Todder stretches.
"I'll be headed home now. It was nice to meet you all."

[Xihirli]

The party opts to camp, and sets up just outside of the town near the half-finished bridge.
They're awakened early by the movement of fishermen toward them, the trio drawing quite a bit of attention.
It's trivial to locate the Carman mansion, a stone building surrounded by a high wooden wall. The gate is closed, and the party are not the first ones there.
A young man is pounding on the gate, shouting out:
"She's in danger! Let me see Carman!"

[JNAProductions]

"Who's in danger?" Celia asks. "Where is she?"

[Bobthewizard]

Xorgid, Berbalang Wizard | AC: 13 HP: 14/14 | PP: 12 PIv: 16 PIs: 12
HD: 2 / 2d6 | Recovery: 1 / 1LR | Duplicate: 1 / 1SR
Spell slots: 1st: 3 / 3
Conditions: none

Xorgid stays back knowing that Celia is less offensive to most of these humans. But he chimes in.

"Yes. We would like to offer our assistance if someone is in a hazardous position. We are friends of Todder and Capella."

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Action:
Bonus Action:
Reaction: (possibly shield or absorb elements)
Movement:
Object:
Concentration:

Spoiler: Notes

Show

Gordrenn, Purveyor of magical paraphernalia
chest to Tauster in Thurmaster
Carlanis - farmer that attacked us
Oleanne, guardian of the Lyrchwood!
Todder - logger
Darius Carman - head of logging lives in Milborne
Capella - works on docks at Milborne
Garyld

[Xihirli]

The young man jumps – just once. A bit of panic remains in his eyes until the party mentions Todder.
"My... Jelenneth. She's missing." The man stumbles over the words.
"And this bastard, Darius Carman, isn't even going to hear about it! I wished her good-night, and then... this morning she was gone! If... if you say you can help, please, I don't have much money, but I can pay you what I have."

[JNAProductions]

Celia nods. "Anyone else might've seen her before she vanished? Where does she live? And were there any tracks or anything?"

[Bobthewizard]

Xorgid, Berbalang Wizard | AC: 13 HP: 14/14 | PP: 12 PIv: 16 PIs: 12
HD: 2 / 2d6 | Recovery: 1 / 1LR | Duplicate: 1 / 1SR
Spell slots: 1st: 3 / 3
Conditions: none

Xorgid speaks with a little more confidence now. The locals seemed startled but not terrified.

"We can assist in the exploration for your Jelenneth. Are you sure Mr. Carman is refusing? Our friends, Todder and Capella, said he was a good man. Possibly, he could be indisposed or incapacitated. Perhaps we should check on him. I am Xorgid. This is Celia, and this is Sundew."

He points to the wheelbarrow as if he is introducing it.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Action:
Bonus Action:
Reaction: (possibly shield or absorb elements)
Movement:
Object:
Concentration:

Spoiler: Notes

Show

Gordrenn, Purveyor of magical paraphernalia
chest to Tauster in Thurmaster
Carlanis - farmer that attacked us
Oleanne, guardian of the Lyrchwood!
Todder - logger
Darius Carman - head of logging lives in Milborne
Capella - works on docks at Milborne
Garyld
Jelenneth - missing

[Xihirli]

"That doesn't sound like Capella. And um... that's a lovely wheelbarrow," the man says before snapping back into focus on the task at hand.
"I'm Andren. Jelenneth and I are uh... we're courting. She's the daughter of Haldelar and Parella, who run the mill. And she's the smartest person in the world," he says insistently.
"I work at the inn – ah, the Barron of Mutton. Jelenneth came by last night to..." he blushed. "Well, she stayed in my room last night, but sometime after I got up to make breakfast for our tenants she vanished. No signs of struggle or anything. I told her parents, and they said she must have been summoned by her teacher in Thurmaster. But she wouldn't have left this."
From a small pouch meant to be strapped to one's side that he has tied to his belt, he takes out what Xorgid immediately recognizes as a spell book.
"And she would have said good-bye to me. So I came here to talk to Darius about sending out a search party, but he won't open the damn gate!" He kicks it. The wood does not budge.

[JNAProductions]

She looks up at the wall in front of them all. "Here-I'll get us in." She scrambles up the wall, and peeks down. If there are no guards or anything, she'll climb down and find the mechanism for unlocking the gate. If there are guards, she'll assess the situation from up above.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Climb speed and flight speed mean that getting up shouldn't be ANY trouble. I'm assuming the walls aren't three digits of feet tall.

[Bobthewizard]

Xorgid, Berbalang Wizard | AC: 13 HP: 14/14 | PP: 12 PIv: 16 PIs: 12
HD: 2 / 2d6 | Recovery: 1 / 1LR | Duplicate: 1 / 1SR
Spell slots: 1st: 3 / 3
Conditions: none

Xorgid looks at the spell book, curious as to why this missing woman has one and didn't take it with her.

"That is strange that she left her book. We were on our way to Thurmaster, to meet a man named Tauster. Is that her teacher?"

Xorgid then watches as Celia scrambles up the wall. He looks to the wheelbarrow,

"I will observe and guard from above. Sundew, will you be ok here for a minute?"

Xorgid spreads his wings, flies up to the top of the wall, and perches there, watching for danger as Celia tries to open the gate, and still in position to continue the conversation with Andren.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Action:
Bonus Action:
Reaction: (possibly shield or absorb elements)
Movement:
Object:
Concentration:

Spoiler: Notes

Show

Gordrenn, Purveyor of magical paraphernalia
chest to Tauster in Thurmaster
Carlanis - farmer that attacked us
Oleanne, guardian of the Lyrchwood!
Todder - logger
Darius Carman - head of logging lives in Milborne
Capella - works on docks at Milborne
Garyld
Jelenneth - missing, had spell book, knows teacher in Thurmaster
Andren - Jenneleth's boyfriend
Haldelar and Parella, who run the mill - Jenneleth's parents

[Xihirli]

Celia opens the gate from the other side without issue. On the other side is a small garden and a cobblestone pathway to the front door of a stone manor house.
Andren looks a bit nervous stepping onto the grounds.
Through a fine glass window, Sundew spots a maid looking down at them curiously.

[Bobthewizard]

Xorgid, Berbalang Wizard | AC: 13 HP: 14/14 | PP: 12 PIv: 16 PIs: 12
HD: 2 / 2d6 | Recovery: 1 / 1LR | Duplicate: 1 / 1SR
Spell slots: 1st: 3 / 3
Conditions: none

Xorgid waves at the maid in the window. He considers smiling but remembers that his smile hasn't always been regarded as friendly by the locals. Instead, he hops off the wall on the outside and addresses Andren.

"Could I see the book? Perhaps it contains indications for her disappearance. It might be best if you all approach the house first. My appearance can sometimes cause apprehension."

He then grabs the wheelbarrow and prepares to move it towards the house.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Action:
Bonus Action:
Reaction: (possibly shield or absorb elements)
Movement:
Object:
Concentration:

Spoiler: Notes

Show

Gordrenn, Purveyor of magical paraphernalia
chest to Tauster in Thurmaster
Carlanis - farmer that attacked us
Oleanne, guardian of the Lyrchwood!
Todder - logger
Darius Carman - head of logging lives in Milborne
Capella - works on docks at Milborne
Garyld
Jelenneth - missing, had spell book, knows teacher in Thurmaster
Andren - Jenneleth's boyfriend
Haldelar and Parella, who run the mill - Jenneleth's parents

[Xihirli]

"Oh... ah, yeah." Andren lets Xorgid hold the book.
"Tauster, that's the one. Jelenneth is sort of the town accountant, not just for the mill. She went to Thurmaster two years ago to talk to our tax collector, and came back an apprentice wizard." Andren smiles in pride.
"She's amazing."

Spoiler: Spellbook

Show

The spellbook contains five and a half spells.
Charm Person
Comprehend Languages
Detect Magic
Sleep
Tenser's Floating Disk

And there are scribbles and failed attempts at getting the Unseen Servant spell right. Xorgid can tell that she's on the right track though.

Steeling himself, Andren knocks on the mansion door.
A second maid, a bit younger than the one in the window, opens the door.
"Hoy-hoy, Andren!"
"Um... greetings, Einilda. Can we speak to Master Carman?"
"We?" The maid spots you two (three) and jumps back a half-step. "Who are they?"
"Friends of Todder's."
"Oh." Einilda relaxes noticeably. "I'm afraid Master Carman is meeting with that diviner he hired to go to the New Mire. May I take a message?"
"She's missing, Einilda. Jelenneth is missing."
"Oh, Andy... I'm so sorry." Einilda's voice becomes hushed. "I don't know how much help he'll be right now, though. He's uh... grumpy today. Bad news from the guy, I think."

[Bobthewizard]

Xorgid, Berbalang Wizard | AC: 13 HP: 14/14 | PP: 12 PIv: 16 PIs: 12
HD: 2 / 2d6 | Recovery: 1 / 1LR | Duplicate: 1 / 1SR
Spell slots: 1st: 3 / 3
Conditions: none

Xorgid looks through the book, noting the spells she has recorded. There are some in here he could use, and he could help her with her Unseen Servant, having recently learned it himself. He wants to keep the book so he can learn and record these spells later, but doesn't want to offend Andren, so offers it back, gesturing at his own spell book to show he to has some magical training.

"She is doing very well in her studies. It looks like she's almost through her apprenticeship. When we find her, I could help her with this unfinished spell. While I don't see any immediate clues regarding her disappearance, perhaps Tauster has some information. After we talk to Mr. Carman, my friends and I could go talk to him for you. He might see something more in her book than I do."

When Xorgid finds out that Mr. Caran is at home but merely predisposed, he suggests we wait.

"We should wait for a bit. Mr. Carman might be more open to assisting us once he hears why we are here. It might also be good to talk to a diviner. Perhaps that is some good luck that they are here. Maybe they can divine some clue about Jelenneth's whereabouts."

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Action:
Bonus Action:
Reaction: (possibly shield or absorb elements)
Movement:
Object:
Concentration:

Spoiler: Notes

Show

Gordrenn, Purveyor of magical paraphernalia
chest to Tauster in Thurmaster
Carlanis - farmer that attacked us
Oleanne, guardian of the Lyrchwood!
Todder - logger
Darius Carman - head of logging lives in Milborne
Capella - works on docks at Milborne
Garyld
Jelenneth - missing, had spell book, knows teacher in Thurmaster

Spoiler: spellbook

Show

The spellbook contains five and a half spells.
Charm Person
Comprehend Languages
Detect Magic
Sleep
Tenser's Floating Disk

And there are scribbles and failed attempts at getting the Unseen Servant spell right. Xorgid can tell that she's on the right track though.

Andren - Jenneleth's boyfriend
Haldelar and Parella, who run the mill - Jenneleth's parents
Einilda - young maid for Darius

[JNAProductions]

"I don't want to wait, but you're talking too much sense to not, Xorgid," Celia says.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Nothing much to do other than wait, for the moment.

[Xihirli]

"Of course! Here, I’ll show you to the sitting room."
Einilda brings them to a large room with fine furniture and two boys around the ages of eight and seven, who are fighting with wooden play-swords.
"Taste my steel, you lily-lillied orange!"
"You’re the… lily pad… shut up!" The littler of the two is being backed up until the maid snatches up both swords with practiced ease.
"Coenhelm! Leodhere! We have guests!"
Both boys stand up straight and polite for a full half-second before they bound over to the party.
"Mister, are you a devil or a goblin?"
"You’re very small!"
"Why do you have a wheelbarrow inside?"
"Can you fly? Can I ride on your back while you fly?"

[Bobthewizard]

Xorgid, Berbalang Wizard | AC: 13 HP: 14/14 | PP: 12 PIv: 16 PIs: 12
HD: 2 / 2d6 | Recovery: 1 / 1LR | Duplicate: 1 / 1SR
Spell slots: 1st: 3 / 3
Conditions: none

Xorgid follows the others to the sitting room. When the children pepper him with questions, he answers the children's queries matter-of-factly, showing neither joy nor hostility in his responses.

"Neither. I am an aberration from the astral plane, stuck here in your world...the wheelbarrow is my friend...I can fly...I'm afraid the two of you are too large for me to carry. You are both almost as big as me."

Otherwise, he waits for Mr. Carman and the diviner to come out from their meeting.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Action:
Bonus Action:
Reaction: (possibly shield or absorb elements)
Movement:
Object:
Concentration:

Spoiler: Notes

Show

Gordrenn, Purveyor of magical paraphernalia
chest to Tauster in Thurmaster
Carlanis - farmer that attacked us
Oleanne, guardian of the Lyrchwood!
Todder - logger
Darius Carman - head of logging lives in Milborne
Capella - works on docks at Milborne
Garyld
Jelenneth - missing, had spell book, knows teacher in Thurmaster

Spoiler: spellbook

Show

The spellbook contains five and a half spells.
Charm Person
Comprehend Languages
Detect Magic
Sleep
Tenser's Floating Disk
And there are scribbles and failed attempts at getting the Unseen Servant spell right. Xorgid can tell that she's on the right track though.

Andren - Jenneleth's boyfriend
Haldelar and Parella, who run the mill - Jenneleth's parents
Einilda - young maid for Darius
Coenhelm, Leodhere - Darius' children

[JNAProductions]

"Hi! I am small, yes-but so are you, and I bet I'm faster than both of you put together!" Celia says. She darts behind them, and with a magical chant, pulls a small silver coin seemingly from nowhere-though anyone being reasonably attentive will see her hand flicker to her coinpurse. "And watch this too-I can make it talk!"

She pops a lockpick from her armor, and taps it on the coin. The coin replies with "Stop hitting me!"

[Xihirli]

"Do it again! Do it again!" Leodhere demanded.
"Hit him again!" Coenhelm added.

"Get out!" a roaring voice rings from a nearby door. It swings open, and out comes a woman in silk robes bearing a holy symbol of Selune, a man with a beetroot face at her heels.
"' Something went wrong?' I could have told you that, charlatan!"
The boys, at the thundering sound of their father’s voice, rush behind Einilda and fall silent.
"I only meant to say that the curse in the New Mire is not an intentional one!" The diviner, or perhaps more accurately oracle, replies.
"Well, how do we get rid of it!?"
"I don’t know."
"Then GOOD DAY."

[Bobthewizard]

Xorgid, Berbalang Wizard | AC: 13 HP: 14/14 | PP: 12 PIv: 16 PIs: 12
HD: 2 / 2d6 | Recovery: 1 / 1LR | Duplicate: 1 / 1SR
Spell slots: 1st: 3 / 3
Conditions: none

Xorgid stands up and tries to quickly explain all of the situations.

"Wait. Mr. Carman, my name is Xorgid, and this is Celia. We came to warn you of a druid who might attack your loggers. Todder said we should talk to you. Then we met Andren who told us about Jelenneth disappearing and that seems more pressing now. Perhaps the diviner can still be helpful. Sometimes divinations are difficult to interpret and prophecies don't always say what they appear to initially."

He looks to Andren to see if he has anything to add. A voice from someone who isn't a monster might be helpful. Celia is also better than Xorgid in these situations, so he'll let her try any convincing.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Action:
Bonus Action:
Reaction: (possibly shield or absorb elements)
Movement:
Object:
Concentration:

Spoiler: Notes

Show

Gordrenn, Purveyor of magical paraphernalia
chest to Tauster in Thurmaster
Carlanis - farmer that attacked us
Oleanne, guardian of the Lyrchwood!
Todder - logger
Darius Carman - head of logging lives in Milborne
Capella - works on docks at Milborne
Garyld
Jelenneth - missing, had spell book, knows teacher in Thurmaster

Spoiler: spellbook

Show

The spellbook contains five and a half spells.
Charm Person
Comprehend Languages
Detect Magic
Sleep
Tenser's Floating Disk
And there are scribbles and failed attempts at getting the Unseen Servant spell right. Xorgid can tell that she's on the right track though.

Andren - Jenneleth's boyfriend
Haldelar and Parella, who run the mill - Jenneleth's parents
Einilda - young maid for Darius
Coenhelm, Leodhere - Darius' children

[JNAProductions]

Celia nods at Xorgid's words. "This curse you're dealing with-it might be related to the druid. We can't say for sure-this is honestly the first we're hearing of it-but said druid is able to shapeshift, so she's certainly got some magical abilities."

[Xihirli]

The thundering landowner at first seems disinterested in the group.
"Who are you and what are they?" He asks Andren.
"Ah… they offered to help me find Jelenneth."
"Who?"
"The millers’ daughter," Einilda fills in.
"Dung!" Darius swears.
"Master Carman, your boys are present!"
"Then take them somewhere else!"

Einilda passes their playswords back.
"Come on boys, let’s continue your fight outside."

With the children gone, Darius gestures to his couches.
"Please, make yourselves at home. It’s been what you’ve been doing so far. You say you have a suspect?"
"A lead, perhaps," the Diviner of Selune corrects.
"More than you’ve brought me. So, little monsters, what do you know about this druid?"

[JNAProductions]

"Nice to meet you too," Celia grumbles under her breath. She follows that with a normal conversational level of voice. "We ran into her before the ferry, and should be able to track where she left us. Like I said, we don't know the extent of the curse you're dealing with, nor what kind it is, but we've experience in matters of the arcane. I don't suppose you can share what hex has befallen you and yours?"