"You're welcome!"Dav'eed mutters under his breath after being dismissed by the angry man. Then, to Gonye, he says, "Well, at least WE weren't the ones getting muddy! C'mon - I saw the pickpocket head into that alley with another man...they must be in this together. We probably won't catch them, but it's worth a look. Be ready, though. They may not appreciate us looking around..."
The half-elf rogue will cross the busy street to the side alley where he saw the pair, stopping just short of the entrance. He will peer around the edge and see what, and who, is in the alley - looking for potential ambush spots to avoid being surprised!
Emerging from the herbalist's shop as if from a dream, Lilita returned to the bustling reality of the Flowing Flagon. The tavern was alive with the day’s early stirrings, her newfound companions already embroiled in the daily grind. Potus, the master of the cellar's brews, had consigned her to the dank quarters below, a place where her skills could perhaps improve the questionable quality of the ale.
The task was simple yet vital—water for the ale. But as fate would have it, the well had chosen this day to betray its purpose, the bucket’s clang against the dry rocks below a harsh reminder of nature’s fickle grace.
With a resigned sigh, Lilita approached Tufts, the bugbear’s formidable presence barely contained by the confines of the tavern. Potus’s commands were a bellowed symphony of frustration, the solution both mundane and laborious—a trek to the nearest well, a half-mile journey that promised nothing but toil.
"Tufts," Lilita’s voice was a hushed whisper, barely carrying over the tavern's growing din, "come on now, you big lug, the water won’t haul itself and I need to get brewing or else I’ll receive a tongue-lashing from Potus, something I’d rather avoid. Hop to it! I’ll accompany you and protect you from the vicious Jubjub birds, and the frumious Bandersnatchs who lurk in the woods. You do know they eat bugbears, right?"
Tufts shoulders droop a bit at the prospect of hauling the water and he involuntarily cringes at the bellows of his Da. His spirits brighten when Lilita approaches. The tufts of hair on Tufts arm bristle a bit and his ears twitch with interest when she agrees to accompany him. A raspy chuckle is drawn forth by the offer to protect him.
He hoists the yoked containers over a shoulder and motions for Lilita to lead him out the door. As the duo steps through the doorway and out onto the street Tufts catches a glimpse of Dav'eed and Gonye heading down an alley. Hopefully they were on the trail of the cut purse. Concern for their safety brings down pleasant mood and he becomes serious. On the way to the well he speaks to Lilita. "Worried. Things I hear. Streets not safe. New participants.
With his ale, Rothgar moves and tries to find an empty seat where he can have a wall to his back, and face the door. He takes off his great axe and longbow, leaning them against the wall. While sipping his ale, he scans the room and listens to the conversations, seeing what snippets he can pick up: Perception:11
When Tufts enters the tavern, he raises an eyebrow, not used to seeing a bugbear in these regions. He raises his tankard in salute before returning to sipping and eavesdropping.
Tufts shoulders droop a bit at the prospect of hauling the water and he involuntarily cringes at the bellows of his Da. His spirits brighten when Lilita approaches. The tufts of hair on Tufts arm bristle a bit and his ears twitch with interest when she agrees to accompany him. A raspy chuckle is drawn forth by the offer to protect him. He hoists the yoked containers over a shoulder and motions for Lilita to lead him out the door. As the duo steps through the doorway and out onto the street Tufts catches a glimpse of Dav'eed and Gonye heading down an alley. Hopefully they were on the trail of the cut purse. Concern for their safety brings down pleasant mood and he becomes serious. On the way to the well he speaks to Lilita. "Worried. Things I hear. Streets not safe. New participants.
🍃💚Lilita Lilitu💚🍃
The pair quickly left the tavern's confines and stepped onto the town's streets. Lilita nodded at Tufts' words, her expression marked by concern. "What do you mean when you say the streets whisper of change and uncertainty?" she asked, keeping her voice low, tuned only for Tufts' ears amidst the morning's bustle. "It seems we must tread carefully given that you and I are not viewed as acceptable by many locals. Keep in mind that not all dangers are the ones that can be seen."
Leading the way with a measured pace, Lilita glanced back at Tufts to ensure he was close. "Let's fetch the water quickly. With the town stirred up by my presence and other dangers looming of which you speak of, we should keep our wits about us and complete your task swiftly."
Her steps were deliberate, guiding them through lesser-trodden paths that Lilita hoped would offer a swifter route to their intended destination. Each moment was tinged with the potential for unseen threats, but also with the camaraderie that the two of them shared.
Gonye follows Dav'eed, "Excellent, we can have a chat about the ethical implications of robbery, I haven't had enough interactions with the criminal sort."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Liarin: Against the Cult of the Reptile God Adewild: Shadows and Light 2 Brother Thaddeus: Rime of the Frostmaiden.
Tufts follows Lilita obediently. He tries to answer her inquiries and communicate his concerns as best he can.
"Newcomers come. Make little harmers make Bigger harms. Nar, raid Purple Pony big harm. Young die. Streets not safe." Tufts quickens his pace to match the girls.
The crowd has begun to break up, heading in many directions. Someone shouts, “Ive been robbed”, Another man asks “Whered the shields go” As you get closer to the building the stench is overpowering, it hangs in the air like a fog of Putrescence.
Gonye: Nature :21 The smell is organic, not rotting meat or putrid vegetation, something else. It reminds you of the Fetortoad, a foul specimen, the size of your hand. It releases a similar stench when frightened.
The alleyway is empty, of people, the two men are no longer in sight. Despite being delayed by the cart, the time it would take to walk the alley, they must have been moving. Swarms of flies buzz about, diving at your eyes and ears, even landing and crawling into your nostrils. Second story windows on both sides but no port or portal on the ground floor. The flies and swarming rats are feasting on a cart, its broken wheel tipping the pile of refuse and scraps upon the ground about it. A stack of broken crates further towards the far road, their sides caved in. A cat pokes its head from one of the cavities, regards you and scampers after a rat. There aren't any good hiding spots from here to there.
Rothgar
A seat opens up in the corner with a window next to it. He watches the bar, and street for anything interesting. Ale is 2 Nibs (cp), stew is 4 Nibs and a room costs a Noble (gp) per night.
The patrons at the communal table he joined are tossing dice as they discuss the recent Broadsheet, Neverwinter Nights just released. A copy sits on the table, held down by his neighbor’s mug of ale.
The Broadsheet - Neverwinter Nights
The Rising - A new evening club has opened in the Protectors ward, and it is said to be fabulous. Now I am not allowed to say but let me tell you the moment you walk through those doors it will change your life. Any body is welcome, but of course there is a steep door price so save those Moons.
Body Pile - A recent war between ‘The Rats’ and a new guild calling themselves Ibn Altair has erupted in several wards. The Wintershields have it all under control and the citizens need not worry. Please report any incident to the authorities.
Lord Neverember has The Wastes - The recent absence of Lord Neverember has finally come to light. He has been stricken with The Wasting. Reports from the castle say it is under control and the Lord will recover…we will be watching closely..
What's on everybody's mind - The Wasting - Well its been 3 weeks since the first outbreak and it shows no sign of slowing down. With no answers from the Keep or the Wintershields. The last statement is still, we are trying to track down the cause. Now we are being isolated, even I require a Writ of Passage to travel the city, unbelievable.
Missing - The young Lady Asander has been missing for several days. Last seen on Partis Way in the Protectors ward. Any sightings or Information report to the authorities.
Lillita, Tufts
The two of you head out and down the hill towards the closest well. A small group of citizens has gathered around it, yelling at each other as they try to pull the meager water up from below. A fight starts between two burly men, but a pair of Shields arrive to break it up just before you get there.
As you approach the crowd is angry, the well is empty. Many of them gathering around the hapless pair, yelling and screaming about the situation. It sounds like all the wells from the top of the hill and slowly moving down towards the river are drying up.
A woman begins hauling the bucket up to show there is nothing there when suddenly the rope is tugged from below, she pitches head first with a curdling scream into the well. Seconds later her screams stop with a sickening thud. The sound of growling and fighting rises up as the citizens look on in horror and disbelief, slowly backing away from the opening.
Seeing the alley apparently empty, Dav'eed engages Gonye in his discussion about the ethical implications of robbery while he searches for a concealed door or perhaps a grate to the sewers of waterways below the street. (Perception in Game Log:12)
"Well, sometimes stealing can be considered ok. Say - to prevent your family from starving, or if you are reacquiring an item that was stolen previously to return it to its rightful owner. Sometimes, one doesn't realize they are stealing something if they find it someplace...in that case it's fair game, right?"
He talks while he searches, shooing off rats and poking around some of the refuse piles in areas he figures would be good hiding spots. He also looks for any tell-tale thieves' cant markings that would indicate where a hidden entrance was. Every city had some type of underground tunnels, whether man-made or natural, to carry refuse out and water in. Thieves usually made use of these, or if they were lucky tunnels dug between basements and root cellars, to move about the city out of sight or to escape the city guards. Unfortunately, Dav'eed had only spent a little time in Abiershire over the years, and his master hadn't shown him any spots in this place.
Between the two streets only the cart and the crates near the far road offer any hiding spots. The crates, not so much, smashed and broken it's hard to believe they are still stacked and standing.
The cart sits far enough down the alley to be inconvenient for its use. Yet a few fresh scraps have been added to the pile of festering rot. Its condition still speaks of being here for some time, the wheel broken and tilted horribly. Rats continue to scamper even as Dav’eed approaches, seemingly unafraid of your intrusion.
No marks are visible but as he swings around the other side of the cart a small space below becomes evident to a trained eye. Enough space to slide under the cart into an entrance beneath the building before you. Thel space is only large enough for a single person to stand in. A stout door, banded with iron blocks further passage. No handle is visible but a peep is visible at the top and bottom of the door.
Dav'eed nods - a classic hideout entrance! He wasn't ready to try and infiltrate it yet, though. He would want time to plan - and have a back-up plan. Like Tufts. The bugbear had always been a good Plan B...So the half-elf will extricate himself from the entrance, being careful not to leave any fresh marks.
"Well, Gonye my friend, that's where they disappeared. But we need to think this through before knocking on the door...C'mon, let's get back to the tavern."
(If they see Lilita and Tufts walking down the street, Dav'eed would want to join them. If not, then it's back to the tavern to wait, listen, and read the Broadsheet. Unless Gonye has another idea =)
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Dav'eed, Gonye
Tufts and Lillita are no where in sight, A group of Wintershields are standing out front of the Flowing Flagon, a regal man astride a charger. They begin to move on as you approach. (Unless Gonye has another idea)
Rothgar
Sitting by the window you spot a Wintershield astride a great beast of a horse, he is flanked by a handful of guards moving quickly down the street.
As the man rides past the Flowing Flagon a heavy set man, in the rear of the tavern jumps up from his table, “Captain, Captain” he yells as he rushes into the street. The faint scent of fresh dug earth and the dead wafts past you.
“What is it Thorgenn?” The captain speaks with a brusque authority, his tone firm and his voice thick and gruff. A slight accent betrays his Southern origins.
“Well sir, not sure what ta make a’ it, its just that well, you see”. Starts the man from the tavern, a look of impatience crosses the captain's face. “Well sir I been doin what ya said in all, keeping the wastes from the others see. Burying them on the Eastern side of the yard and all, right.” He tries to be earnest, but looks more confused than anything, and a little intimidated by the Captain whose countenance grows with deeper impatience every moment the man takes to get his thoughts out.
“Well see it could just be robbers sir, bad enough I know but, here's the thing…” The man from the tavern, the one smelling of fresh dug earth drops his tone “...it looks like they been dug from inside the grave sir. And they were some of the first victims”
The Captain has a sudden flash of alarm across his face but he is professional and quickly masks it, returning to a man who is very much in control. “You keep this to yourself Thorgenn, I want you to go Directly to Lieutenant Charl and report, don't stop anywhere, go, now.”
Rothgar : [skill] insight [/skill} 7 : If the roll is over 12 open spoiler
Captain Janaath looks like a man being crushed by mounting problems, a man who is not in control of anything but himself. A dangerous man who, if backed into a corner, may attempt anything to regain control.
Tufts and Lillita are no where in sight, A group of Wintershields are standing out front of the Flowing Flagon, a regal man astride a charger. They begin to move on as you approach. (Unless Gonye has another idea)
Rothgar
Sitting by the window you spot a Wintershield astride a great beast of a horse, he is flanked by a handful of guards moving quickly down the street.
As the man rides past the Flowing Flagon a heavy set man, in the rear of the tavern jumps up from his table, “Captain, Captain” he yells as he rushes into the street. The faint scent of fresh dug earth and the dead wafts past you.
“What is it Thorgenn?” The captain speaks with a brusque authority, his tone firm and his voice thick and gruff. A slight accent betrays his Southern origins.
“Well sir, not sure what ta make a’ it, its just that well, you see”. Starts the man from the tavern, a look of impatience crosses the captain's face. “Well sir I been doin what ya said in all, keeping the wastes from the others see. Burying them on the Eastern side of the yard and all, right.” He tries to be earnest, but looks more confused than anything, and a little intimidated by the Captain whose countenance grows with deeper impatience every moment the man takes to get his thoughts out.
“Well see it could just be robbers sir, bad enough I know but, here's the thing…” The man from the tavern, the one smelling of fresh dug earth drops his tone “...it looks like they been dug from inside the grave sir. And they were some of the first victims”
The Captain has a sudden flash of alarm across his face but he is professional and quickly masks it, returning to a man who is very much in control. “You keep this to yourself Thorgenn, I want you to go Directly to Lieutenant Charl and report, don't stop anywhere, go, now.”
Rothgar : [skill] insight [/skill} 16 : If the roll is over 12 open spoiler
Captain Janaath looks like a man being crushed by mounting problems, a man who is not in control of anything but himself. A dangerous man who, if backed into a corner, may attempt anything to regain control.
Rothgar, not know what to make of this, can see this has an issue. The large man must be the town's grave digger, based on the conversation and the scent. From the description, it sounds as a though the dead may be rising. Thinking to himself, perhaps he should look into it. Waiting for the captain to ride away, he approaches Thorgenn.
"Couldn't help but overhear," Rothgar says quietly, "Sounds like you might have a problem? Sounds like your dead are not staying dead and buried, is there something I could do to assist you?"
"That foul smelling building is bugging me. Not the smell itself, although that is terrible, but the nature of the smell. It's not rot, more like a musk or something else of that nature. Almost intrigued." Gonye still returns to the Tavern with Dav'eed.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Liarin: Against the Cult of the Reptile God Adewild: Shadows and Light 2 Brother Thaddeus: Rime of the Frostmaiden.
As the clamor of the distressed townsfolk filled the air, Lilita felt a familiar chill creep up her spine. The well's gaping maw yawned ominously before her, a dark echo to the terror that had just unfolded. The townspeople's horror-stricken faces formed a grim tableau; their voices a cacophony of fear as the woman's scream was abruptly silenced by whatever malevolence lurked below.
Lilita’s burnt-black eyes reflected the flickering torchlights and the shadowy dance of fear that played across the villagers' features. A decision crystallized within her—a silent vow to descend into the darkness herself, not merely as an observer, but as a sentinel against the creeping dread that threatened to engulf the town.
With a whispered incantation, Lilita summoned a Veil of Dusk whose shadows coalesced around her slender form, weaving a cloak of darkness that muffled the sounds of her movements and shrouded her in near invisibility. The spell was an extension of her very being, a manifestation of her bond with the twilight realms she had traversed since her cursed birth. Under its cover, she approached the well with a grace that belied the tension that knotted her muscles.
The edge of the well loomed before her, its depths a maw of unknown horrors. Lilita reached out, her fingers tracing the cold stone, finding purchase. With the innate agility and Spider Climb ability of her Dhampir heritage, she adhered to the well's wall with unnatural ease as she began her descent into the abyss. The darkness embraced her like an old friend, whispering secrets of the earth and stone as she moved downward, silent as a shadow in the night.
Below, the sounds of a struggle—a muffled growl and the faint echo of desperate scuffling—grew louder as she drew closer to the source of the commotion. Lilita's heart, though it beat not with the warmth of human life, thudded against her ribs in a rhythm that spoke of both dread and resolve. She was a creature of the night, yes, but also a would-be guardian of those who dwelled in the light.
As the petite Dhampir neared the bottom of the well, the details of the scene below began to coalesce from the shadows. What horrors or mysteries lay in wait, she could not yet see. But Lilita was no stranger to darkness, nor to the creatures that called it home. With a steadying breath that did not disturb the veil of silence around her, she prepared to confront whatever awaited, her resolve as unwavering as the spell that cloaked her form.
The descent continued, each moment stretching long like the shadows at twilight, until the true nature of the darkness below would reveal itself. What lay in the depths of the well, only the flickering shadows knew, but Lilita was ready to face it, her spirit fortified by the dark embrace of her magical shroud.
OOC: Note that Lilita's intention is only to scout things out and observe, seeking to determine who or what may be behind what just occurred. Thus she will not seek to engage except to defend herself.
Stealth Roll with Advantage: (2, 3 + 5 = 8) a big fail I would imagine...
(Assuming Gonye would talk about the smell from the building across the street from the tavern as they passed it and before entering the place. Also assuming the pair would overhear Rothgar talking with the undertaker...this means all three of them are in the same general area just outside the Flowing Flagon.)
Dav'eed nods to Gonye when he voices his thoughts about the building across the street. "Really? So not a busted sewer pipe? Hmmm. With the water problems we've seen recently, I wonder if these are connected."
Then overhearing a big northerner talking about dead not staying dead, he steps closer to listen. When the conversation between Rothgar and the man are done, or at an appropriate time, Dav'eed would say, "My friend and I could also help investigate this. Maybe it is linked to the smell coming from across the street? We can start there and then go to burial grounds? Maybe wait for Tufts to get off shift if we're heading out of town...he's always handy to have if things go wrong...Gonye, whaddya think?"
The large man turns almost startled to address the barbarian. "Well ah, don't think k you were supposed to hear that. Guess you heard what Captain Janaath said too I suppose. Look keep it to yourself aight." He turns to Dav'eed and Gonye as they approach. "K well I have to go report to the lieutenant, not that anything will come of it, with all the problems in town right now."
He turns to leave before turning back, "if ya'll want to stop by the yard I won't stop ya, somebody needs to look into it. Got a wand I found on a body few weeks ago, all I have to offer for the task." He considers for a minute before continuing "was a wee one about the yard Fer several weeks, creepy thing all Grey skin and dark hair, I'm betting it's her if it's anybody.
Lillita
Descending into the well, the walls are close and tight smelling g of damp stone and mold. Deep the well goes, the circle of light above too feeble to illuminate but the first few feet.
Snarling can be heard below, multiple bests fighting each other for the corpse and its meat. Lillita reaches the lip of the dug well, it breaks into a large cavern. Hanging upside down with the barest of view, a dry river bed runs through from north to South, a trickle of water all that remains of what was previously a torrent.
A trio of dog like beasts, thier eyes shining in the dark, hairless flesh pulled taut across their bony frames. The most dominate feature the tusks and dagger like teeth tearing g chunks from the fallen woman and each other. Their front claws are almost human like, long sinewy fingers ending in sharp talons.
The beasts are not alone, a humanoid figure stands a dozen feet away watching its pets. Standing upright a thick tail balancing its reptilian frame. Dozens of teeth jutting from a long scaled snout. You watch for several.moments before catching it turn its nose to the air, in the feeble light of glowing moss and luminescent algae it catches sight of you. Small beady eyes waiting for you to make a move,. A voice that sounds like water gurgling over stone, churning it barks at the 'dogs', they stop looking g up and begin to howl. The sound sending ripples of tension and fear deep into your soul
Fearful howl DC 12 Wis. If you fail it causes you to scamper the way you came with all haste.
Tufts gasps in shock as Lilita disappears over the lip of the well.
"NAR, Wait! Awg I...Oooye!" Tufts stumbles to untangle himself from the yoked buckets. He looks into the well. As his vision adjusts to the dim light he can just make out Lilitas lithe form skittering down the vertical tunnel. Unable to bear the thought of letting her face whatever lie below, Tufts dutifully swings a leg into the well. He begins his descent down into the depths. Lacking Lilita's innate climbing ability and inspite of his own acrobatic prowess the way down proves quite challenging.
"You're welcome!" Dav'eed mutters under his breath after being dismissed by the angry man. Then, to Gonye, he says, "Well, at least WE weren't the ones getting muddy! C'mon - I saw the pickpocket head into that alley with another man...they must be in this together. We probably won't catch them, but it's worth a look. Be ready, though. They may not appreciate us looking around..."
The half-elf rogue will cross the busy street to the side alley where he saw the pair, stopping just short of the entrance. He will peer around the edge and see what, and who, is in the alley - looking for potential ambush spots to avoid being surprised!
Love God. Love Others. Any Questions?
🍃💚Lilita Lilitu💚🍃
Emerging from the herbalist's shop as if from a dream, Lilita returned to the bustling reality of the Flowing Flagon. The tavern was alive with the day’s early stirrings, her newfound companions already embroiled in the daily grind. Potus, the master of the cellar's brews, had consigned her to the dank quarters below, a place where her skills could perhaps improve the questionable quality of the ale.
The task was simple yet vital—water for the ale. But as fate would have it, the well had chosen this day to betray its purpose, the bucket’s clang against the dry rocks below a harsh reminder of nature’s fickle grace.
With a resigned sigh, Lilita approached Tufts, the bugbear’s formidable presence barely contained by the confines of the tavern. Potus’s commands were a bellowed symphony of frustration, the solution both mundane and laborious—a trek to the nearest well, a half-mile journey that promised nothing but toil.
"Tufts," Lilita’s voice was a hushed whisper, barely carrying over the tavern's growing din, "come on now, you big lug, the water won’t haul itself and I need to get brewing or else I’ll receive a tongue-lashing from Potus, something I’d rather avoid. Hop to it! I’ll accompany you and protect you from the vicious Jubjub birds, and the frumious Bandersnatchs who lurk in the woods. You do know they eat bugbears, right?"
Tufts shoulders droop a bit at the prospect of hauling the water and he involuntarily cringes at the bellows of his Da. His spirits brighten when Lilita approaches. The tufts of hair on Tufts arm bristle a bit and his ears twitch with interest when she agrees to accompany him. A raspy chuckle is drawn forth by the offer to protect him.
He hoists the yoked containers over a shoulder and motions for Lilita to lead him out the door. As the duo steps through the doorway and out onto the street Tufts catches a glimpse of Dav'eed and Gonye heading down an alley. Hopefully they were on the trail of the cut purse. Concern for their safety brings down pleasant mood and he becomes serious. On the way to the well he speaks to Lilita. "Worried. Things I hear. Streets not safe. New participants.
Rogue Quin Oberon /Mercer's Tavern
Ranger Rigel Foresyth /LMOP
Fighter Barnabus Ironheel /North lands campaign
Fighter Flynt McGraw /Stormraider
With his ale, Rothgar moves and tries to find an empty seat where he can have a wall to his back, and face the door. He takes off his great axe and longbow, leaning them against the wall. While sipping his ale, he scans the room and listens to the conversations, seeing what snippets he can pick up: Perception:11
When Tufts enters the tavern, he raises an eyebrow, not used to seeing a bugbear in these regions. He raises his tankard in salute before returning to sipping and eavesdropping.
🍃💚Lilita Lilitu💚🍃
The pair quickly left the tavern's confines and stepped onto the town's streets. Lilita nodded at Tufts' words, her expression marked by concern. "What do you mean when you say the streets whisper of change and uncertainty?" she asked, keeping her voice low, tuned only for Tufts' ears amidst the morning's bustle. "It seems we must tread carefully given that you and I are not viewed as acceptable by many locals. Keep in mind that not all dangers are the ones that can be seen."
Leading the way with a measured pace, Lilita glanced back at Tufts to ensure he was close. "Let's fetch the water quickly. With the town stirred up by my presence and other dangers looming of which you speak of, we should keep our wits about us and complete your task swiftly."
Her steps were deliberate, guiding them through lesser-trodden paths that Lilita hoped would offer a swifter route to their intended destination. Each moment was tinged with the potential for unseen threats, but also with the camaraderie that the two of them shared.
Gonye follows Dav'eed, "Excellent, we can have a chat about the ethical implications of robbery, I haven't had enough interactions with the criminal sort."
Liarin: Against the Cult of the Reptile God
Adewild: Shadows and Light 2
Brother Thaddeus: Rime of the Frostmaiden.
Tufts follows Lilita obediently. He tries to answer her inquiries and communicate his concerns as best he can.
"Newcomers come. Make little harmers make Bigger harms. Nar, raid Purple Pony big harm. Young die. Streets not safe." Tufts quickens his pace to match the girls.
"Lilita talk smart. We hurry."
Rogue Quin Oberon /Mercer's Tavern
Ranger Rigel Foresyth /LMOP
Fighter Barnabus Ironheel /North lands campaign
Fighter Flynt McGraw /Stormraider
Rothgar will try to get a server's attention, to order some food, and ask how much for a room.
Gonye, Dav'eed
The crowd has begun to break up, heading in many directions. Someone shouts, “Ive been robbed”, Another man asks “Whered the shields go” As you get closer to the building the stench is overpowering, it hangs in the air like a fog of Putrescence.
Gonye: Nature : 21 The smell is organic, not rotting meat or putrid vegetation, something else. It reminds you of the Fetortoad, a foul specimen, the size of your hand. It releases a similar stench when frightened.
The alleyway is empty, of people, the two men are no longer in sight. Despite being delayed by the cart, the time it would take to walk the alley, they must have been moving. Swarms of flies buzz about, diving at your eyes and ears, even landing and crawling into your nostrils. Second story windows on both sides but no port or portal on the ground floor. The flies and swarming rats are feasting on a cart, its broken wheel tipping the pile of refuse and scraps upon the ground about it. A stack of broken crates further towards the far road, their sides caved in. A cat pokes its head from one of the cavities, regards you and scampers after a rat. There aren't any good hiding spots from here to there.
Rothgar
A seat opens up in the corner with a window next to it. He watches the bar, and street for anything interesting. Ale is 2 Nibs (cp), stew is 4 Nibs and a room costs a Noble (gp) per night.
The patrons at the communal table he joined are tossing dice as they discuss the recent Broadsheet, Neverwinter Nights just released. A copy sits on the table, held down by his neighbor’s mug of ale.
The Broadsheet - Neverwinter Nights
The Rising - A new evening club has opened in the Protectors ward, and it is said to be fabulous. Now I am not allowed to say but let me tell you the moment you walk through those doors it will change your life. Any body is welcome, but of course there is a steep door price so save those Moons.
Body Pile - A recent war between ‘The Rats’ and a new guild calling themselves Ibn Altair has erupted in several wards. The Wintershields have it all under control and the citizens need not worry. Please report any incident to the authorities.
Lord Neverember has The Wastes - The recent absence of Lord Neverember has finally come to light. He has been stricken with The Wasting. Reports from the castle say it is under control and the Lord will recover…we will be watching closely..
What's on everybody's mind - The Wasting - Well its been 3 weeks since the first outbreak and it shows no sign of slowing down. With no answers from the Keep or the Wintershields. The last statement is still, we are trying to track down the cause. Now we are being isolated, even I require a Writ of Passage to travel the city, unbelievable.
Missing - The young Lady Asander has been missing for several days. Last seen on Partis Way in the Protectors ward. Any sightings or Information report to the authorities.
Lillita, Tufts
The two of you head out and down the hill towards the closest well. A small group of citizens has gathered around it, yelling at each other as they try to pull the meager water up from below. A fight starts between two burly men, but a pair of Shields arrive to break it up just before you get there.
As you approach the crowd is angry, the well is empty. Many of them gathering around the hapless pair, yelling and screaming about the situation. It sounds like all the wells from the top of the hill and slowly moving down towards the river are drying up.
A woman begins hauling the bucket up to show there is nothing there when suddenly the rope is tugged from below, she pitches head first with a curdling scream into the well. Seconds later her screams stop with a sickening thud. The sound of growling and fighting rises up as the citizens look on in horror and disbelief, slowly backing away from the opening.
Seeing the alley apparently empty, Dav'eed engages Gonye in his discussion about the ethical implications of robbery while he searches for a concealed door or perhaps a grate to the sewers of waterways below the street. (Perception in Game Log: 12)
"Well, sometimes stealing can be considered ok. Say - to prevent your family from starving, or if you are reacquiring an item that was stolen previously to return it to its rightful owner. Sometimes, one doesn't realize they are stealing something if they find it someplace...in that case it's fair game, right?"
He talks while he searches, shooing off rats and poking around some of the refuse piles in areas he figures would be good hiding spots. He also looks for any tell-tale thieves' cant markings that would indicate where a hidden entrance was. Every city had some type of underground tunnels, whether man-made or natural, to carry refuse out and water in. Thieves usually made use of these, or if they were lucky tunnels dug between basements and root cellars, to move about the city out of sight or to escape the city guards. Unfortunately, Dav'eed had only spent a little time in Abiershire over the years, and his master hadn't shown him any spots in this place.
Love God. Love Others. Any Questions?
Dav'eed
Between the two streets only the cart and the crates near the far road offer any hiding spots. The crates, not so much, smashed and broken it's hard to believe they are still stacked and standing.
The cart sits far enough down the alley to be inconvenient for its use. Yet a few fresh scraps have been added to the pile of festering rot. Its condition still speaks of being here for some time, the wheel broken and tilted horribly. Rats continue to scamper even as Dav’eed approaches, seemingly unafraid of your intrusion.
No marks are visible but as he swings around the other side of the cart a small space below becomes evident to a trained eye. Enough space to slide under the cart into an entrance beneath the building before you. Thel space is only large enough for a single person to stand in. A stout door, banded with iron blocks further passage. No handle is visible but a peep is visible at the top and bottom of the door.
Dav'eed nods - a classic hideout entrance! He wasn't ready to try and infiltrate it yet, though. He would want time to plan - and have a back-up plan. Like Tufts. The bugbear had always been a good Plan B...So the half-elf will extricate himself from the entrance, being careful not to leave any fresh marks.
"Well, Gonye my friend, that's where they disappeared. But we need to think this through before knocking on the door...C'mon, let's get back to the tavern."
(If they see Lilita and Tufts walking down the street, Dav'eed would want to join them. If not, then it's back to the tavern to wait, listen, and read the Broadsheet. Unless Gonye has another idea =)
Love God. Love Others. Any Questions?
Dav'eed, Gonye
Tufts and Lillita are no where in sight, A group of Wintershields are standing out front of the Flowing Flagon, a regal man astride a charger. They begin to move on as you approach. (Unless Gonye has another idea)
Rothgar
Sitting by the window you spot a Wintershield astride a great beast of a horse, he is flanked by a handful of guards moving quickly down the street.
As the man rides past the Flowing Flagon a heavy set man, in the rear of the tavern jumps up from his table, “Captain, Captain” he yells as he rushes into the street. The faint scent of fresh dug earth and the dead wafts past you.
“What is it Thorgenn?” The captain speaks with a brusque authority, his tone firm and his voice thick and gruff. A slight accent betrays his Southern origins.
“Well sir, not sure what ta make a’ it, its just that well, you see”. Starts the man from the tavern, a look of impatience crosses the captain's face. “Well sir I been doin what ya said in all, keeping the wastes from the others see. Burying them on the Eastern side of the yard and all, right.” He tries to be earnest, but looks more confused than anything, and a little intimidated by the Captain whose countenance grows with deeper impatience every moment the man takes to get his thoughts out.
“Well see it could just be robbers sir, bad enough I know but, here's the thing…” The man from the tavern, the one smelling of fresh dug earth drops his tone “...it looks like they been dug from inside the grave sir. And they were some of the first victims”
The Captain has a sudden flash of alarm across his face but he is professional and quickly masks it, returning to a man who is very much in control. “You keep this to yourself Thorgenn, I want you to go Directly to Lieutenant Charl and report, don't stop anywhere, go, now.”
Rothgar : [skill] insight [/skill} 7 : If the roll is over 12 open spoiler
Captain Janaath looks like a man being crushed by mounting problems, a man who is not in control of anything but himself. A dangerous man who, if backed into a corner, may attempt anything to regain control.
Insight: 14
Rothgar, not know what to make of this, can see this has an issue. The large man must be the town's grave digger, based on the conversation and the scent. From the description, it sounds as a though the dead may be rising. Thinking to himself, perhaps he should look into it. Waiting for the captain to ride away, he approaches Thorgenn.
"Couldn't help but overhear," Rothgar says quietly, "Sounds like you might have a problem? Sounds like your dead are not staying dead and buried, is there something I could do to assist you?"
"That foul smelling building is bugging me. Not the smell itself, although that is terrible, but the nature of the smell. It's not rot, more like a musk or something else of that nature. Almost intrigued." Gonye still returns to the Tavern with Dav'eed.
Liarin: Against the Cult of the Reptile God
Adewild: Shadows and Light 2
Brother Thaddeus: Rime of the Frostmaiden.
🍃💚Lilita Lilitu💚🍃
As the clamor of the distressed townsfolk filled the air, Lilita felt a familiar chill creep up her spine. The well's gaping maw yawned ominously before her, a dark echo to the terror that had just unfolded. The townspeople's horror-stricken faces formed a grim tableau; their voices a cacophony of fear as the woman's scream was abruptly silenced by whatever malevolence lurked below.
Lilita’s burnt-black eyes reflected the flickering torchlights and the shadowy dance of fear that played across the villagers' features. A decision crystallized within her—a silent vow to descend into the darkness herself, not merely as an observer, but as a sentinel against the creeping dread that threatened to engulf the town.
With a whispered incantation, Lilita summoned a Veil of Dusk whose shadows coalesced around her slender form, weaving a cloak of darkness that muffled the sounds of her movements and shrouded her in near invisibility. The spell was an extension of her very being, a manifestation of her bond with the twilight realms she had traversed since her cursed birth. Under its cover, she approached the well with a grace that belied the tension that knotted her muscles.
The edge of the well loomed before her, its depths a maw of unknown horrors. Lilita reached out, her fingers tracing the cold stone, finding purchase. With the innate agility and Spider Climb ability of her Dhampir heritage, she adhered to the well's wall with unnatural ease as she began her descent into the abyss. The darkness embraced her like an old friend, whispering secrets of the earth and stone as she moved downward, silent as a shadow in the night.
Below, the sounds of a struggle—a muffled growl and the faint echo of desperate scuffling—grew louder as she drew closer to the source of the commotion. Lilita's heart, though it beat not with the warmth of human life, thudded against her ribs in a rhythm that spoke of both dread and resolve. She was a creature of the night, yes, but also a would-be guardian of those who dwelled in the light.
As the petite Dhampir neared the bottom of the well, the details of the scene below began to coalesce from the shadows. What horrors or mysteries lay in wait, she could not yet see. But Lilita was no stranger to darkness, nor to the creatures that called it home. With a steadying breath that did not disturb the veil of silence around her, she prepared to confront whatever awaited, her resolve as unwavering as the spell that cloaked her form.
The descent continued, each moment stretching long like the shadows at twilight, until the true nature of the darkness below would reveal itself. What lay in the depths of the well, only the flickering shadows knew, but Lilita was ready to face it, her spirit fortified by the dark embrace of her magical shroud.
OOC: Note that Lilita's intention is only to scout things out and observe, seeking to determine who or what may be behind what just occurred. Thus she will not seek to engage except to defend herself.
Stealth Roll with Advantage: (2, 3 + 5 = 8) a big fail I would imagine...
(Assuming Gonye would talk about the smell from the building across the street from the tavern as they passed it and before entering the place. Also assuming the pair would overhear Rothgar talking with the undertaker...this means all three of them are in the same general area just outside the Flowing Flagon.)
Dav'eed nods to Gonye when he voices his thoughts about the building across the street. "Really? So not a busted sewer pipe? Hmmm. With the water problems we've seen recently, I wonder if these are connected."
Then overhearing a big northerner talking about dead not staying dead, he steps closer to listen. When the conversation between Rothgar and the man are done, or at an appropriate time, Dav'eed would say, "My friend and I could also help investigate this. Maybe it is linked to the smell coming from across the street? We can start there and then go to burial grounds? Maybe wait for Tufts to get off shift if we're heading out of town...he's always handy to have if things go wrong...Gonye, whaddya think?"
"Oh, I'm Dav'eed, and this here is Gonye..."
Love God. Love Others. Any Questions?
Rothgar, Dav'eed, Gonye
The large man turns almost startled to address the barbarian. "Well ah, don't think k you were supposed to hear that. Guess you heard what Captain Janaath said too I suppose. Look keep it to yourself aight." He turns to Dav'eed and Gonye as they approach. "K well I have to go report to the lieutenant, not that anything will come of it, with all the problems in town right now."
He turns to leave before turning back, "if ya'll want to stop by the yard I won't stop ya, somebody needs to look into it. Got a wand I found on a body few weeks ago, all I have to offer for the task." He considers for a minute before continuing "was a wee one about the yard Fer several weeks, creepy thing all Grey skin and dark hair, I'm betting it's her if it's anybody.
Lillita
Descending into the well, the walls are close and tight smelling g of damp stone and mold. Deep the well goes, the circle of light above too feeble to illuminate but the first few feet.
Snarling can be heard below, multiple bests fighting each other for the corpse and its meat. Lillita reaches the lip of the dug well, it breaks into a large cavern. Hanging upside down with the barest of view, a dry river bed runs through from north to South, a trickle of water all that remains of what was previously a torrent.
A trio of dog like beasts, thier eyes shining in the dark, hairless flesh pulled taut across their bony frames. The most dominate feature the tusks and dagger like teeth tearing g chunks from the fallen woman and each other. Their front claws are almost human like, long sinewy fingers ending in sharp talons.
The beasts are not alone, a humanoid figure stands a dozen feet away watching its pets. Standing upright a thick tail balancing its reptilian frame. Dozens of teeth jutting from a long scaled snout. You watch for several.moments before catching it turn its nose to the air, in the feeble light of glowing moss and luminescent algae it catches sight of you. Small beady eyes waiting for you to make a move,. A voice that sounds like water gurgling over stone, churning it barks at the 'dogs', they stop looking g up and begin to howl. The sound sending ripples of tension and fear deep into your soul
Fearful howl DC 12 Wis. If you fail it causes you to scamper the way you came with all haste.
(Acrobatics via sheet= 8 )
If it fails:
Tufts gasps in shock as Lilita disappears over the lip of the well.
"NAR, Wait! Awg I...Oooye!" Tufts stumbles to untangle himself from the yoked buckets. He looks into the well. As his vision adjusts to the dim light he can just make out Lilitas lithe form skittering down the vertical tunnel. Unable to bear the thought of letting her face whatever lie below, Tufts dutifully swings a leg into the well. He begins his descent down into the depths. Lacking Lilita's innate climbing ability and inspite of his own acrobatic prowess the way down proves quite challenging.
Rogue Quin Oberon /Mercer's Tavern
Ranger Rigel Foresyth /LMOP
Fighter Barnabus Ironheel /North lands campaign
Fighter Flynt McGraw /Stormraider