Boldly and with a big smile on his face Father Cadfrey approaches Captain Spearslayer right off.
"Captain Spearslayer" he inquires.
"I am Father Cadfrey of Candlekeep. "I and my companions" Father Cadfrey directs her attention to the rest of the party, "Are here to respond to the request for a group to investigate the 2 occurrences that have happened here in Daggerford." Father Cadfrey pauses for a moment then continues.
"Is there a place that we may speak about what has happened?"
The Captian and her aids initially stare at Lorian with looks that ranges from the quizzical to the upset. Probably taken aback from such a direct question asked by a stranger with a raven on his shoulder, while in the midst of their preparations.
Sherleen looks at Lorian as to think how to reply, when she notices the rest of his companions and hears Father Cadfrey introductions.
"Yes..." she replies, gazing over the rest of the group "Yes. We are about to leave. You got here just on time, follow me inside."
She rolls back the piece of parchment in her hand and hands it to one of her officers, then starts making her way inside the barracks, motioning you to follow. Inside this building too, soldiers and guards are busy packing and sorting things from trunks, wardrobes and armories. She leads the group to room on ground floor with a long table and two long benches at each of the long sides of it. At one end of the table lies a map of the areas surrounding Daggerford. She waits for the group to all gather around the map.
"Since you specifically referred to a request for help, I assume you know some of the details of what is going on around here. About a month ago, a little girl called Hannah Miller vanished from Gillian's Hill without leaving trace"She points at Gillian's Hill on the map, along the Trade Way and to the South of Daggerford "Last time her family saw her, she was playing in front of her house. The father and the mother said they were inside, preparing dinner. When the father went out to call her in, Hannah was not there anymore. She has not been found till then and I hate to say that we have no solid leads yet. You might have heard of all number of theories as to what happened to them. I suppose you can pick your favorite, because we have no proper clues in support or against any of them. The Millers live at the western edge of the village and I am told the father is now the village's drunkard and the mother is close to a mental breakdown."
"Regarding what happened in Potter" Sherleen now points at a small hamlet at the North side of the Ghostling Woods "The Wood family has been attacked by night, the only survivor a boy named Arnold that is now recovering at the local temple of Chauntea. He doesn't seem to know exactly what happened there but he is speaking of wolves attacking his dad in the living room of the house. He fled by the window of his bedroom with the mother, so he did not see anything. Apparently the mother told the boy to run away while she distracted the attackers. Such courage....Anyway, this was three days ago. Given this is not the first problem we have had around here in the past year, half of Potter is now here in Daggerford, afraid to stay in an unprotected Hamlet such as Potter. The few that still live there and that have been close to the Wood's house tell of the front door being covered in claw marks and some busted windows. I have send a small garrison to Potter for protection and they report clear signs of struggle inside the house, with claw marks and blood on the floors and walls of the living room but no bodies to be found. Thinking of a bandit's raid I sent scouts to investigate the surroundings but they have not reported back yet. And I fear the worse for those boys."
"I need you to go and investigate either Potter or Gillian's Hill, ideally both. But I would prefer you start by picking one and focus on it. Then report back to me or to whoever is in charge at the moment here at the barracks. I will give you 20 gold pieces now for expenses. Bring me useful information and I can pay you another 20. Point to me at a culprit for either Hannah's disappearance or the attacks at the Woods and I can pay you 50 gold pieces." She pauses for a moment and surveys the group, letting her gaze linger an instant longer on the visible gear "You seem well equipped. I hope you also know what you are doing. Do NOT add yourselves to the list of disappearances. I have been authorized to reward you 100 gold pieces if you solve the situation completely, and frankly I could use the help. But, please, do not act on your own if you think you are out of your waters. I will not look for you if you vanish. I hope you understand."
"As you saw we are getting ready to leave town on the morrow. We are marching west to lift a Lizardfolk siege on Cromm's Hold. I cannot tell you what happened there, but it seems that the Lizardfolk are really mad at Cromm this time and ready to wage war at him. My hope is that simply showing up with my men will be enough to scare the Lizardfolk and break the siege without bloodshed. But I cannot tell you how long I will be gone for. That's why I have been given coin to hire adventurers such as yourselves to investigate Potter and Gilllian's Hill while I am gone. Again, you can report back to the officer in charge while I am gone. If needed you can send a messenger for me at Cromm's Hold."
"Any questions?" The Captian looks around, waiting.
Father Cadfrey lets all this information mull over within his mind for a few moments. Then he speaks:
"Thank you Captain." he replies. "I think our course will take us to Gillian's Hill and investigate what has happened to young Hannah." he states.
"I assure you we will investigate the occurrence with the upmost discretion and professionalism. If there is evidence to find we shall bring it to you." Cadfrey says with a slight nod.
"One thing Captain." he asks. "Have there been any reports of unusual mists appearing in the area or new comers coming to and fro." Cadfrey inquires. "Ones that have some exotic appearances or dress in manner unaccustomed to the region?"
Mara stares off, eyes somewhat glazed and begins to speak. "We killed a werewolf before. It took 4 of us and two of us died in the doing of it. My husband and I were lucky...They don't die easy but items of magic and silver can hurt them. My husband was lucky to have an enchanted dagger. Captain, is there a smith here who might silver our weapons on your guarantee? I doubt we could afford such a service at the moment but I for one would be willing to give all that I have currently and pay the remainder later - I will swear on the Great Mother," Mara clutches her amulet as she says so. "What say you?"
Ellara follows the path from Daggerford, to Gillian’s Hill and then to Potter with her eyes. She mutters, “Close, aren’t they?” But says no more.
Sherleen looks at Ellara and says: "Yeah, quite close. A common cause for the two events cannot be ruled out, of course. I don't know if that concerns me or relieves me. Surely if there is a single mind behind the two, we could solve both in one strike. However, I cannot shake the feeling that we are looking at two separate culprits: the Potter incident has a clear violent mark to it; the disappearance of Hannah does not seem to have one. At least not in the vanishing of the girl itself."
Father Cadfrey lets all this information mull over within his mind for a few moments. Then he speaks:
"Thank you Captain." he replies. "I think our course will take us to Gillian's Hill and investigate what has happened to young Hannah." he states.
"I assure you we will investigate the occurrence with the upmost discretion and professionalism. If there is evidence to find we shall bring it to you." Cadfrey says with a slight nod.
"One thing Captain." he asks. "Have there been any reports of unusual mists appearing in the area or new comers coming to and fro." Cadfrey inquires. "Ones that have some exotic appearances or dress in manner unaccustomed to the region?"
Sherleen looks quizzically at Father Cadfrey. "Unusual mist? I don't think so. This is farming land, every morning there is mist on the fields...and I would think the Ghostling Woods are often covered in mists, hence the name...why do you ask?"
Mara stares off, eyes somewhat glazed and begins to speak. "We killed a werewolf before. It took 4 of us and two of us died in the doing of it. My husband and I were lucky...They don't die easy but items of magic and silver can hurt them. My husband was lucky to have an enchanted dagger. Captain, is there a smith here who might silver our weapons on your guarantee? I doubt we could afford such a service at the moment but I for one would be willing to give all that I have currently and pay the remainder later - I will swear on the Great Mother," Mara clutches her amulet as she says so. "What say you?"
The reply of the Captain comes without hesitation "Derval would be the smith for the job, if he has the silver or if you provide it for him. I can give you the 20 gold pieces now to aid in this kind of preparation, I am not authorized to give you more at the moment, I am afraid. I could not assure you Derval would do the job for free though. I can write you a letter in which I vouch for you, but I wouldn't count on more than a discount if I were you. It's nothing personal: you are not the first adventurers that work for Daggerford and some of them don't ever come back."she takes a piece of parchment and quill that are lying on the table and starts writing "If I know that dwarf, he will want full payment upfront, but you can always try. Your name is?"
Once Mara give her name to the Captain, he finishes the writing, signs and stamps it and gives the parchment to you. On the parchment is written:
Daggerford, Mirtul the 8th, 1489
I, Sherleen Spearslayer, captain of the guard of Daggerford and member of the City Council, personally vouch for Mara Trieste and her 4 companions. I hereby confirm that they accepted to aid Daggerford in a matter of the upmost importance and that their success will benefit all the people of the surrounding area, be them noblefolk of commonfolk. I ask that all people of Daggerford will do their very best, within reason, to aid the bearer of this missive and support their request for gear, tools, accommodation, food, and anything else they rightfully think might help them in their quest.
The rogue shifts his feet uneasily. "Mara, might I take a look at that?" he asks politely.
If she consents, he'll read it aloud slowly so the others know its contents - and to better remember the details himself - before handing it back.
Dahvik turns to Sherleen. "Captain, with this deployment to Cromm's Hold, will you be forced to recall the garrison you dispatched to Potter? Or will that protection remain in place for the remaining villagers?"
Cadfrey responds to the Captains question: "One of the reasons I came to Daggerford was there are a few similarities to what is going on and some older cases of disappearances researched done by Candlekeep." he states.
"Honestly those scholars may have everything wrong but, I am a thorough investigator and approach all investigations looking at every aspect of the details." he finishes.
Mara takes the letter and reads it before handing it over to Dahvik. As it is returned to her, she mentions to the others that it might be useful to at least check in with Derval the smith to see if it might be possible. Mara will ask if anyone would like to accompany her to the the smith as she will be heading there as soon as Cadfrey is done with the captain. "I will talk to this dwarf and see what is possible. Perhaps I could persuade the good mother at the temple to open her coffers," Mara reasons. Sneering slightly, she adds, "After all, civilization costs."
The rogue shifts his feet uneasily. "Mara, might I take a look at that?" he asks politely.
If she consents, he'll read it aloud slowly so the others know its contents - and to better remember the details himself - before handing it back.
Dahvik turns to Sherleen. "Captain, with this deployment to Cromm's Hold, will you be forced to recall the garrison you dispatched to Potter? Or will that protection remain in place for the remaining villagers?"
"There will be a very small garrison I dispatched there for the safety of the remaining villagers. Most of them moved here to Daggerford looking for safety. Those with relatives here especially. But some of the oldest farmers, or those without kids...some of them decided they didn't want to leave their homes behind, and the council did not agree to forcibly remove those people and take them to Daggerford yet. What you'll find in Potter is all the men I could spare to give an illusion of safety...same with Gillian's Hill."
Dahvik nods to the officer. "Thank you, Captain. I understand." He turns to the cleric, choosing to listening patiently until Father Cadfrey has finished with his questions. Once the conversation has ended, he'll take his leave and hasten to catch up to the others on their way to the smith.
Before taking leave, Sherleen gives the adventurers a pouch with 50 gold pieces in it, as agreed for accepting to help Daggerford and the nearby hamlets.
Our heroes make their way to the Derval's shop. It is a short walk from the barracks, just across the drill field, up Horse Way and right towards Kauth Alley. And there stands the shop, a two story building with an anvil-shaped sign with Derval's Smith written on it. The metallic sound of a hammer on an anvil can be heard even from outside.
The front door leads to a room with wooden wracks covering the walls. They are full with weapons, mostly spears and swords. Although the craft is definitely excellent, none of these weapons seem to be out of the ordinary. On the right end of the walls opposite the entrance door, an opening seems to lead to the back of the store, from where the metallic noises are coming from.
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Lorian approaches the captain, with Noc on his shoulder. “Are you preparing for battle?”
Father Cadfrey
Boldly and with a big smile on his face Father Cadfrey approaches Captain Spearslayer right off.
"Captain Spearslayer" he inquires.
"I am Father Cadfrey of Candlekeep. "I and my companions" Father Cadfrey directs her attention to the rest of the party, "Are here to respond to the request for a group to investigate the 2 occurrences that have happened here in Daggerford." Father Cadfrey pauses for a moment then continues.
"Is there a place that we may speak about what has happened?"
The Captian and her aids initially stare at Lorian with looks that ranges from the quizzical to the upset. Probably taken aback from such a direct question asked by a stranger with a raven on his shoulder, while in the midst of their preparations.
Sherleen looks at Lorian as to think how to reply, when she notices the rest of his companions and hears Father Cadfrey introductions.
"Yes..." she replies, gazing over the rest of the group "Yes. We are about to leave. You got here just on time, follow me inside."
She rolls back the piece of parchment in her hand and hands it to one of her officers, then starts making her way inside the barracks, motioning you to follow. Inside this building too, soldiers and guards are busy packing and sorting things from trunks, wardrobes and armories. She leads the group to room on ground floor with a long table and two long benches at each of the long sides of it. At one end of the table lies a map of the areas surrounding Daggerford. She waits for the group to all gather around the map.
"Since you specifically referred to a request for help, I assume you know some of the details of what is going on around here. About a month ago, a little girl called Hannah Miller vanished from Gillian's Hill without leaving trace" She points at Gillian's Hill on the map, along the Trade Way and to the South of Daggerford "Last time her family saw her, she was playing in front of her house. The father and the mother said they were inside, preparing dinner. When the father went out to call her in, Hannah was not there anymore. She has not been found till then and I hate to say that we have no solid leads yet. You might have heard of all number of theories as to what happened to them. I suppose you can pick your favorite, because we have no proper clues in support or against any of them. The Millers live at the western edge of the village and I am told the father is now the village's drunkard and the mother is close to a mental breakdown."
"Regarding what happened in Potter" Sherleen now points at a small hamlet at the North side of the Ghostling Woods "The Wood family has been attacked by night, the only survivor a boy named Arnold that is now recovering at the local temple of Chauntea. He doesn't seem to know exactly what happened there but he is speaking of wolves attacking his dad in the living room of the house. He fled by the window of his bedroom with the mother, so he did not see anything. Apparently the mother told the boy to run away while she distracted the attackers. Such courage....Anyway, this was three days ago. Given this is not the first problem we have had around here in the past year, half of Potter is now here in Daggerford, afraid to stay in an unprotected Hamlet such as Potter. The few that still live there and that have been close to the Wood's house tell of the front door being covered in claw marks and some busted windows. I have send a small garrison to Potter for protection and they report clear signs of struggle inside the house, with claw marks and blood on the floors and walls of the living room but no bodies to be found. Thinking of a bandit's raid I sent scouts to investigate the surroundings but they have not reported back yet. And I fear the worse for those boys."
"I need you to go and investigate either Potter or Gillian's Hill, ideally both. But I would prefer you start by picking one and focus on it. Then report back to me or to whoever is in charge at the moment here at the barracks. I will give you 20 gold pieces now for expenses. Bring me useful information and I can pay you another 20. Point to me at a culprit for either Hannah's disappearance or the attacks at the Woods and I can pay you 50 gold pieces." She pauses for a moment and surveys the group, letting her gaze linger an instant longer on the visible gear "You seem well equipped. I hope you also know what you are doing. Do NOT add yourselves to the list of disappearances. I have been authorized to reward you 100 gold pieces if you solve the situation completely, and frankly I could use the help. But, please, do not act on your own if you think you are out of your waters. I will not look for you if you vanish. I hope you understand."
"As you saw we are getting ready to leave town on the morrow. We are marching west to lift a Lizardfolk siege on Cromm's Hold. I cannot tell you what happened there, but it seems that the Lizardfolk are really mad at Cromm this time and ready to wage war at him. My hope is that simply showing up with my men will be enough to scare the Lizardfolk and break the siege without bloodshed. But I cannot tell you how long I will be gone for. That's why I have been given coin to hire adventurers such as yourselves to investigate Potter and Gilllian's Hill while I am gone. Again, you can report back to the officer in charge while I am gone. If needed you can send a messenger for me at Cromm's Hold."
"Any questions?" The Captian looks around, waiting.
Ellara
Ellara follows the path from Daggerford, to Gillian’s Hill and then to Potter with her eyes. She mutters, “Close, aren’t they?” But says no more.
Xanaphia Nailo: Level 4 Warlock, Grey Hands PbP.
Ellara Nightflower: level 1 blood hunter, Curse of Strahd
Father Cadfrey
Father Cadfrey lets all this information mull over within his mind for a few moments. Then he speaks:
"Thank you Captain." he replies. "I think our course will take us to Gillian's Hill and investigate what has happened to young Hannah." he states.
"I assure you we will investigate the occurrence with the upmost discretion and professionalism. If there is evidence to find we shall bring it to you." Cadfrey says with a slight nod.
"One thing Captain." he asks. "Have there been any reports of unusual mists appearing in the area or new comers coming to and fro." Cadfrey inquires. "Ones that have some exotic appearances or dress in manner unaccustomed to the region?"
Mara
Mara stares off, eyes somewhat glazed and begins to speak. "We killed a werewolf before. It took 4 of us and two of us died in the doing of it. My husband and I were lucky...They don't die easy but items of magic and silver can hurt them. My husband was lucky to have an enchanted dagger. Captain, is there a smith here who might silver our weapons on your guarantee? I doubt we could afford such a service at the moment but I for one would be willing to give all that I have currently and pay the remainder later - I will swear on the Great Mother," Mara clutches her amulet as she says so. "What say you?"
DM - And In The Darkness, Rot: The Sunless Citadel
DM - Our Little Lives Kept In Equipoise: Curse of Strahd
DM - Misprize Thou Not These Shadows That Belong: The Lost Mines of Phandelver
PC - Azzure - Tyranny of Dragons
Sherleen looks at Ellara and says: "Yeah, quite close. A common cause for the two events cannot be ruled out, of course. I don't know if that concerns me or relieves me. Surely if there is a single mind behind the two, we could solve both in one strike. However, I cannot shake the feeling that we are looking at two separate culprits: the Potter incident has a clear violent mark to it; the disappearance of Hannah does not seem to have one. At least not in the vanishing of the girl itself."
Sherleen looks quizzically at Father Cadfrey. "Unusual mist? I don't think so. This is farming land, every morning there is mist on the fields...and I would think the Ghostling Woods are often covered in mists, hence the name...why do you ask?"
The reply of the Captain comes without hesitation "Derval would be the smith for the job, if he has the silver or if you provide it for him. I can give you the 20 gold pieces now to aid in this kind of preparation, I am not authorized to give you more at the moment, I am afraid. I could not assure you Derval would do the job for free though. I can write you a letter in which I vouch for you, but I wouldn't count on more than a discount if I were you. It's nothing personal: you are not the first adventurers that work for Daggerford and some of them don't ever come back." she takes a piece of parchment and quill that are lying on the table and starts writing "If I know that dwarf, he will want full payment upfront, but you can always try. Your name is?"
Once Mara give her name to the Captain, he finishes the writing, signs and stamps it and gives the parchment to you. On the parchment is written:
Daggerford, Mirtul the 8th, 1489
I, Sherleen Spearslayer, captain of the guard of Daggerford and member of the City Council, personally vouch for Mara Trieste and her 4 companions. I hereby confirm that they accepted to aid Daggerford in a matter of the upmost importance and that their success will benefit all the people of the surrounding area, be them noblefolk of commonfolk. I ask that all people of Daggerford will do their very best, within reason, to aid the bearer of this missive and support their request for gear, tools, accommodation, food, and anything else they rightfully think might help them in their quest.
Sherleen Spearslayer
Dahvik Aloro
The rogue shifts his feet uneasily. "Mara, might I take a look at that?" he asks politely.
If she consents, he'll read it aloud slowly so the others know its contents - and to better remember the details himself - before handing it back.
Dahvik turns to Sherleen. "Captain, with this deployment to Cromm's Hold, will you be forced to recall the garrison you dispatched to Potter? Or will that protection remain in place for the remaining villagers?"
Father Cadfrey
Cadfrey responds to the Captains question: "One of the reasons I came to Daggerford was there are a few similarities to what is going on and some older cases of disappearances researched done by Candlekeep." he states.
"Honestly those scholars may have everything wrong but, I am a thorough investigator and approach all investigations looking at every aspect of the details." he finishes.
Mara
Mara takes the letter and reads it before handing it over to Dahvik. As it is returned to her, she mentions to the others that it might be useful to at least check in with Derval the smith to see if it might be possible. Mara will ask if anyone would like to accompany her to the the smith as she will be heading there as soon as Cadfrey is done with the captain. "I will talk to this dwarf and see what is possible. Perhaps I could persuade the good mother at the temple to open her coffers," Mara reasons. Sneering slightly, she adds, "After all, civilization costs."
DM - And In The Darkness, Rot: The Sunless Citadel
DM - Our Little Lives Kept In Equipoise: Curse of Strahd
DM - Misprize Thou Not These Shadows That Belong: The Lost Mines of Phandelver
PC - Azzure - Tyranny of Dragons
Ellara
Ellara says that she will accompany Mara to the smith, agreeing that silver could be useful.
Xanaphia Nailo: Level 4 Warlock, Grey Hands PbP.
Ellara Nightflower: level 1 blood hunter, Curse of Strahd
Lorian
He follows suit, going to the smith to see what he can get to be useful against the undead.
"There will be a very small garrison I dispatched there for the safety of the remaining villagers. Most of them moved here to Daggerford looking for safety. Those with relatives here especially. But some of the oldest farmers, or those without kids...some of them decided they didn't want to leave their homes behind, and the council did not agree to forcibly remove those people and take them to Daggerford yet. What you'll find in Potter is all the men I could spare to give an illusion of safety...same with Gillian's Hill."
Dahvik Aloro
Dahvik nods to the officer. "Thank you, Captain. I understand." He turns to the cleric, choosing to listening patiently until Father Cadfrey has finished with his questions. Once the conversation has ended, he'll take his leave and hasten to catch up to the others on their way to the smith.
Father Cadfrey
Father Cadfrey will hasten and follow the rest of the group.
Before taking leave, Sherleen gives the adventurers a pouch with 50 gold pieces in it, as agreed for accepting to help Daggerford and the nearby hamlets.
Our heroes make their way to the Derval's shop. It is a short walk from the barracks, just across the drill field, up Horse Way and right towards Kauth Alley. And there stands the shop, a two story building with an anvil-shaped sign with Derval's Smith written on it. The metallic sound of a hammer on an anvil can be heard even from outside.
The front door leads to a room with wooden wracks covering the walls. They are full with weapons, mostly spears and swords. Although the craft is definitely excellent, none of these weapons seem to be out of the ordinary. On the right end of the walls opposite the entrance door, an opening seems to lead to the back of the store, from where the metallic noises are coming from.