Chromir — The Weeping Willow

Sarael blinked up at Chromir, a lopsided grin spreading across her face. "Luna?  The moon weeps in her cradle, rocking, rocking—oh!"

Cassian, Doc, and Navrine — Luna's Cottage

The late evening walk back from Luna's cottage was uneventful, and Doc noticed nothing out of the ordinary.

All — The Weeping Willow, next morning, after a night's rest

Dawn broke over Hope’s End in a pale wash of light.  The scent of hearth-cooked meals filled the common room of the Weeping Willow. The inn had already begun to stir, patrons drifting in from the chill morning air, but the heroes found a quiet corner to themselves.  The news of Luna's disappearance had made its way through the town, casting a somber pall over the morning's activities.  Darin had set out last evening, returning to his cottage.  Cora tended to her work, sullen and eyes red from crying.

Chromir sat first. Soon, the others joined him, Cassian, Doc, and Navrine, fresh from their investigation of Luna’s cottage, carrying the weight of what they had found.

Over breakfast, the heroes shared what they had learned with one another.

Between them lay scattered pieces of a puzzle.  A burned journal, a princely sum of money, and a few sketches of the local baron.  The betrothed and the best friend both distraught.

The morning, however, brought with it only one certainty ... Luna was still missing.

"I suppose we should talk with the Baron, it seems Luna spend quiet some time in his surroundings, going of the amount of sketches that were made of him. And maybe he has seen something out of the ordinary. What do you guys think?"

Cassian nods in agreement with Doc. "Yes, he is t-the best clue we have so far. He s-seemed to get a-along well with you, Chromir, so hopefully he'll be willing to talk to us."

Navrine also agrees, “You guys sound like you have a good plan.” she finishes her tea and biscuits, “When do you all want to go?”

"I'd like to stop by the general store and p-pick up a couple of things really quick, but after that I'm g-good to head there right away if you all are. N-nobles like...f-fancy things, right?"

"Alright, let us head out to the Baron than." Doc suggests "After Cass is done with shopping"

Cassian steps out of the store, adjusting the fit of his new shirt with a faintly embarrassed look. The perfume bottle rests snug in his pocket, a small indulgence, but one he figures might come in handy. He clears his throat, glancing at his companions. “Uh…I-I was needing some new clothes anyway,” he mutters, as if to justify it to himself more than anyone else. Straightening, he nods. “I’m r-ready now. Let’s go.”

Chromir is ready to go. He makes a mental note not to tap the Baron on the back this time, as he didn't seem to take it as well as expected previously. And maybe he will let someone else do the talking.... 

The road to Baron Thorne’s estate wound west, away from the Great Moor and toward the Forest of the Ancients.  As the heroes approached, the manor loomed before them.  A stark silhouette against the pale sky, its stone walls weathered but proud. A tall iron gate barred the entrance, flanked by two guards in the baron’s dark livery.

The sentries stiffened as the group approached, hands resting on their weapons but making no move to draw them. One, a broad-shouldered man with sharp, watchful eyes, stepped forward. "State your business."  He said, his tone firm but not unfriendly.

Behind the gate, the estate grounds stretched in manicured order — hedges trimmed, a small fountain burbling in the center of a courtyard. Servants moved about their duties, some pausing to cast curious glances toward the newcomers before hurrying along. There was no sign of the baron himself, nor any indication that an audience would be easily granted.

The second guard, younger and leaner, exchanged a glance with his companion. There was a tension in their stance, not outright hostility, but something just beneath the surface.

The baron was not in the habit of entertaining unannounced visitors. If the heroes wished to see him, they would have to convince the guards that their business was worth disturbing their lord over.

Cassian takes a steadying breath, lifting the small perfume bottle to spritz a light mist over himself before tucking it away. He steps forward, offering the guards a polite nod.

“We seek an audience w-with Baron Thorne regarding a matter of some urgency,” he says, doing his best to keep his voice steady. “An artist f-from Hope’s End, Luna, has disappeared. It seems she was w-working on a piece f-for him just b-before she vanished. We'd like to ask him a few q-questions about anything odd he might have n-noticed around Luna lately that might h-help us find her. If you c-could let him know, we would greatly appreciate it.”

Persuasion: 18 w advantage from perfume

The broad-shouldered guard studied Cassian for a moment, his brow furrowing as he weighed the request. Finally, he gave a curt nod.

"Fine. I’ll take you to the baron."

The leaner guard bristled, shifting his weight as if ready to argue. "You sure that’s wise? Lord Thorne doesn’t—"

The larger man cut him off with a look. "He’ll decide for himself." 

The younger guard hesitated, then clicked his tongue in frustration and stepped aside.

Beyond the gate, the path led through a well-kept courtyard, the crunch of gravel beneath their boots the only sound. The manor itself was grand but restrained, its heavy oak doors swinging open to reveal a dimly lit foyer lined with dark wood paneling and a high, vaulted ceiling.

Waiting for them at the entrance was a tall, severe-looking butler, his hands clasped neatly behind his back. He swept his gaze over the group, eyes narrowing ever so slightly, as if already deciding they were beneath his lord’s attention. He said nothing, merely stepping aside as a figure approached from deeper within the manor.

Baron Adrian Thorne cut a striking figure — tall, lean, with sharp, aristocratic features and a carefully measured smile.  His dark eyes flicked between them, curiosity evident, though not warmth.  "Unexpected visitors."  He mused, his voice smooth.  "The Heroes of Hope's End, and so early in the day.  I assume this is not a social call?"

Cassian inclines his head slightly, grateful they’ve been granted entry but unable to shake the feeling of unease that lingers in the air. The manor is grand, but there’s something cold about it—much like the man now standing before them.

“N-no, B-baron Thorne,” Cassian says, keeping his voice steady despite the tension creeping along his spine. “We’ve come regarding Luna, t-the artist. She has disappeared. B-based on her most recent sketches, which a-appear to be of you, w-we think you may have been a-among the last to see her before she v-vanished.” He withdraws Luna's Sketch from his pack to back up the idea. “We just w-wanted to ask if she spoke of a-any concerns—or if y-you noticed anything u-unusual the last time you met.”

Persuasion w Advantage from perfume: nat 20 + 4

Baron Thorne listened intently, his fingers steepled as Cassian laid out the facts of Luna’s disappearance.  His expression remained unreadable, save for a flicker of something — concern, perhaps, or calculation — when Cassian mentioned the sketches.

When the paladin had finished speaking, the baron exhaled, shaking his head. "Troubling news."   He said, his voice measured.

"Luna was a gifted artist, and I had the pleasure of commissioning a portrait from her. A piece meant to capture me in the tranquility of my greenhouse." 

He rose from his seat, pacing with slow, deliberate steps.  "This disappearance is not a matter to take lightly. I will send for a magister at once — these matters are best handled with proper authority."

He turned back to them, his gaze steady.  "Hope's End is at the very edge of the realm, though.  Even if I dispatch a rider at once ... a few days will pass before the magister's arrival."

"In the meantime, I must ask for your assistance.  If foul play is involved, then every moment is precious.  While we await the magister’s arrival, I would task you to continue this investigation.  You would have my full support in this regard."

He sighed, as if burdened by a sudden thought.  "Now that you mention it … Luna did seem preoccupied during our sessions.  Distracted.  Troubled in some way, although she never confided in me."

"Young love can be tumultuous, can it not? I assumed it was the struggles of an engagement.  Uncertainty.  Doubts.  The weight of commitment, perhaps?  If all was not well at home … I do hope her betrothed was not involved in any way."

"Her Bethroted came to us and told us of her missing, so I'd doubt he is involved. Before we got further with our investigations, do you maybe have a map of the area around Hope's End so that shows any buildings and dwelings, occupied or not?"

Navrine listens carefully to not only the words the Noble says but his demeanor and subtle body movements, all the while passively surveying her surroundings for possible danger. She stands behind her companions in a relaxed but focused manner.

"G-greenhouse, that's interesting," Cassian murmurs to himself, before giving an embarrassed look as he realizes this is the least relevant thing the Baron said. The man seems to be taking the situation seriously, though he clearly isn't as upset as the people closer to Luna. Still...Cassian knows he isn't the best at reading people. He glances at the others, wondering if they notice anything that he doesn't.

@Navrine, @Cassian ... Test Wisdom (Insight) if you please. 

Cassian insight: 7

Navrine insight 10 

Nothing the baron says seems out of place, and his interest in the heroes performing the investigation seems genuine.