Travelling with Leelan, Eskil answers his questions to the best of his ability: Eskil is from a village on the border of Dunngenor and Pentwater (we haven't decided its name yet). He was looking for work because his parents are ill and he needs money for their treatment, but he also needs experience to take over their work one day and this company seemed the best chance for that. As a Druid, instead of learning exactly how everything works, you sometimes just need to trust that it will. (as Eskil had quite a scholastic childhood himself, I feel it would be easy for him to explain the difference to another scholar, just can't put it into perfect words myself). Eskil's clothing already has quite a bit of red in the fur around his shoulders and neck, a bit more won't do much of a difference.

Eskil also asks Leelan a few questions back. Where are they from, and what exactly are they? Why did they want to join the team? And, seeing as being a scholar isn't too useful in a fight, what kinds of practical skills they may have?

At Lady Shelley's: On being addressed, Eskil's first reaction is a "Yes ma'am", but he quickly schools himself to answer more seriously: "I am Eskil Shoreside. I too have a scholarly background, but my future is dedicated to following the Way of Druidism." He then takes out a small totem item, some reddish-orange fur and two feathers tied around a piece of bone, as a sort-of proof of his claim.

Aubrey persuasion with help from Grugga:21
Also insight with help from Grugga: 15

“Vell, Guilim… I see coin before me. Only complication is the swamp. Do you like these odds?”

“A Druid?  Hmmm… have you people heard anything from the Circle of Stars?  It has been so long now… never mind,” she says, removing and wiping her glasses again.

”I can see you’re exactly the sort of people that we need for this.”  She looks at Gregory with an approving nod and he fetches several large rolled up papers and spreads the out on a nearby table.  “Let me explain the project we are working on” she says as she leads you over to the table.  Laid out are several maps and numerous drawings and sketches.  The maps all detail coastal settings with locations marked or circled.  The sketches show… beings that are unfamiliar.  Some appear to show frog-like humanoids with bulging eyes and wide, crooked mouths.  Others show elf-like people but with webbed hands and feet.  Still others show something more like a classical mermaid interpretation.  Some of the drawings are new, but based on the paper at least one looks to be centuries old.

”There are many secrets and mysteries in this world.  Where have the Ancient Elves been all this time?  What caused the explosion that formed the grand chasm?  Who are the hairy ape men of the woods?  I am part of a loose collective of independent scholars… inquisitive minds who are willing to explore ideas the more mainstream colleges and universities of the land reject as too outlandish or to strange.  While we strive to seek out and find a great many answers to different questions, I think we are on the verge of something here in Bardstown.”

The excitement is evident in her voice… you can both tell this is something she is passionate about and she loves to explain all this.  “For ages, there have been whispers is seas side lakes and towns about sea people or merfolk, humanoids who dwell beneath the waves but who sometimes visit the land of the surface.  The stories vary somewhat from place to place and age to age, but they bare many striking similarities.  Enough to suggest to a researcher that there may be a thread of truth woven through all these tales.”

”And that brings us to Bardstown.”  She unrolls a final scroll and pauses dramatically.  It is a map of Bardstown, and she points a finger at the wooden dock area that extends from the Wharfs out into the Great Lake.  “I trust you are familiar with the docks.  A large portion of the shoreline in the north part of the city is actually wooden docks and wharfs built up on stills over shallow lake bottom.  Not all of it was rebuilt after the great collapse of 2003 but it still covers a large area.  Recently, it has come to our attention that freshwater lobster trappers - apparently the underside of the docks is a prime trapping area - have been talking about seeing strange, thin people in the twilight under the docks… people with eyes that glow in the dark and who retreat under the waves at their approach.  This has been happening for several years apparently, but it was only when a lobsterman disappeared this spring that word reached our own docks in Shelley, and then my ears.”

”I believe that there is a race of aquatic humanoids somewhere in the Great Lake and I believe they are visiting the underside of the docks.”  She rolls all the papers back up.

“I want to hire an expedition to venture under the docks and try to make contact.  This is NOT a hunting expedition.  This could be the first contact between civilizations and we want it to remain civil.  While there are the stories of the missing fisherman, we cannot know if it was related.  What I want is a team to explore, locate these people, make contact if possible, and acquire some evidence to prove their existence.  That, we can then take to the colleges and get them to finance a proper research team and share this discovery with the world.”

She takes a breath, and then looks at both of you expectantly.

The potters answer your questions as best they can.  They never witnessed the performances themselves but heard they were song, dancing, comedy and drama… typical fare. They did not hear anything about technology, they they did have a wagon that apparently opened up to a small stage, though such things aren’t terribly unusual for the more established traveling shows.

They have no idea how long they will remain in Walders Rest but they were only in Bardstown about a week.  Before that they claimed to have done an extended performance in Lordstown.

On the topic of whether she left willingly… you both notice Amelia’s hand going to her cheek when you ask these questions.  Eventually Amelia gives in to your gentle questioning.  “Alright folk, if you must know, it wasn’t the bards who did this… it was Agrippa.  The morning she left, she argued with me and-“.  

Buster finishes her sentence, “She has always been headstrong, but never anything like this.  I can’t believe she’d ever hit her mother like that.  It was the influence of those men, I know it.  It was that same night that she ran off with them.”

”I’m sorry we weren’t immediately forthright about that… but it damn sure was those blackguards who jumped me when I went to find out daughter.  “She’s with us now, old man.”  I know how to handle myself in a fight, but one of them got behind me and cracked my arm with a staff.

”So yes, I think it’s likely she did go willingly but she’s not in her right mind… and even if she was… who knows what those scoundrels will do with her.  She has no idea what she’s getting into!”

At your insistence on a writ, they are reluctant due to the time constraints,  but if is a requirement of your aid they relent.  However, after scrounging up some coin and estimating what it will cost them to get the writ, they will only be able to guarantee 140gp if you take the job… and it will be 2-3 days before they can get the writ.

"I agree the swamp does seem to be the biggest problem we will have to face. If possible our best odds would be to catch our target when alone. If he is big enough of a problem to be the only one with a bounty he will only be stronger with help." Guilim muses as he looks to the half orc, offering his opinion. 

"Hmmm, life is never simple... I'm sorry for what's transpired. Aubrey, do you agree it would be best that the Potters should write a letter to their daughter tonight. If the rest of the group decides that we will rescue her, we can take it with us. If we decide that the political difficulty is too great for us, I will do my best to get the letter to her through my contacts in Pentwater."

((DM, do I know any pertinent laws in Pentwater that may apply to this situation? Such as age of majority. History if needed: 22))

"Yes I agree. We will present your case with our associates this evening. Have the letter prepared and someone will come and collect it tomorrow and inform you on our decision. Thank you for your time." Aubrey says with a slight bow. Unless the parents have anything to add Aubrey then turns to leave for the Robust Hound Inn and Tavern.

On the way back Aubrey glances at the metal contraption Grugga is carrying around. "Well handled back there Grugga. I´m afraid I would have to advice against taking this job. What are your thoughts? And please tell me about that thing you carry around, did I hear you say it would change warfare?" Aubrey says, his eyes gleaming with interest.

Grugga, you know that Pentwater's opinion on age of consent is similar to that of the empire (16) but there is much less emphasis on documentation and legal paperwork.  If two armed groups of men lay claim to a 15 year old girl, and she says she wants to stay with one of those groups, the authorities would probably (1) let he stay with the people she wants to stay with or (2) haul everyone in front of the local lord to have a decision made.  You also remember that Walders Rest has a reputation for being a very 'different' town.  The details escape you but there is something about commoners raised up to lord status and having many female rulers.

For the both of you, the Potters are thankful you will consider their request, and even more thankful you will not make them get a writ from a magister and waste several more days.  Since they will not be paying for a writ, and with the extra coin they dug up looking to pay for that, they can now offer 165gp for the successful return of Agrippa.  They will draft the letter to her and eagerly await word from you on if the Red Band will accept or not.

Grugga shakes his head sadly as he says, "Yes, I see the wisdom in staying out of this situation. Gel-Nagev teaches us: "Do not let your morals get in the way of doing the right thing." But it is sometimes so hard for we mortals to see what the right thing is. I want to help the girl and the Potters, but the situation seems like a fly walking into a spider's web. There's too much beyond our control to do much good, and Walder's Rest is a strange place besides. I do not know how the locals there will act..." Grugga stays pensive a moment, and then, "But we will see what the others say this evening."

"As for this old thing," he pats the contraption on his back, "I may have overstated it at the interview." He shrugs innocently, "But it is a powerful weapon. Or at least it will be, when I finish it. The secrets of automation have been known to the disciples of Gel --- well, to us --- for a while now. And I have no doubt it will change warfare once they can be used in real numbers in a war. But I also have a good feeling about my model. I've added some improvements to the base design that should help stabilize the gyroscope to help prevent tipping in combat. In addition the crystalline capacitors... Well, here, let me just show you..."

Grugga stops in the middle of the street and drops his machine to the floor and starts pointing at tiny parts within the metal frame structure. Between mentions of "Aetheric currents, adaptive rotational gemmatic stabilizers, metallic flux, and short-ranged crystalline discharge nodes" you have no idea how this thing actually functions, but you understand that it is a machine that can act in a limited capacity by itself in combat, and can perform even more functions with input from its creator. It spins to stay upright, like a giant metal spinning top, and it blasts close range magic at its enemies. Grugga will continue speaking - practically out of breath at all times as he explains his beloved invention - until someone either stops him or until he finally wraps up, saying, "so you see the beauty of the design, no?"

After an eternity, Grugga picks up his machine and he and Aubrey continue on their way back to the inn. However, when passing by a dyer's shop, Grugga stops and says, "Oh, I need some red paint for my outfit. You don't mind if we stop a second, do you?" After a minute in the shop, Grugga steps back out with a bottle of red liquid in his hand. "I'll have to put this on tonight to let it dry." He says to his companion, and also, "Say, tell me what it is you do? I came in after your interview. You're from here, right? You know how to use that crossbow you were carrying?"

Aubrey listens attentively as Grugga goes on explaining his invention. "Certainly my dear Grugga. If automatons such as this one could be manufactured on a larger scale it could indeed change warfare as we know it. If you are in need of investors my family could very well be interested in diversifying their business interests."

As Grugga picks up the red liquid Aubrey ponders the possibilities of the artificers the invention.

"I´m first and foremost the heir to the Goldentide title and as such I have been trained in the art of politics and law, having practiced some years at the Forum, our legislative assembly." Aubrey starts answering when asked about what he does. "So what am I doing in a mercenary band you might ask. Well it´s complicated, but suffice to say my beloved father expects me to seek experience from several walks of life before inheriting his title. Regarding the crossbow, I would claim to be a fairly good marksman and while I´m no wizard I also possess some eldritch powers." He looks at Grugga for a moment. "Like being able to communicate by thought." Grugga suddenly hears in his mind as they near the Robust Hound Inn and Tavern. Aubrey smiles as they enter the tavern. "Let´s hope the others have been more successful in finding a suitable job for us."

“I think ve should return to the others and vait. I don’t vish to spread ourselves too thin.” 

"That seems to be best for now. Still this would be a rather good way to build our reputation if it is our first job. Although if we do not take it I imagine one of the other bands will pick it up quickly."

Similarly, Leelan responds to Eskil’s questions using elaborate vocabulary as they make their way to the Blue Orchid. He explains to him that he is from a town called Lonesome Light in the Northern Trade Federation. It’s not nearly as big a city as Bardstown but you get to meet people from all walks of life. As for what he is, he simply responds that he is a gnome and that he doesn’t know how else to explain this simple concept. When he heard about Rohuzar forming an adventuring company, he felt it was a grand opportunity to travel the world and see what it has to offer alongside new people. Finally, at the last question, Leelan gives him a corner smile, admitting that while his martial prowess were probably not that of their other companions, he wasn’t defenseless. He explains to him how, in the context of his reasearch on creatures, he sometimes got involved in violent altercation. Like that time he accidentally woke an hibernating bear.

As Lady Shelley passionately regales them with the details of this mission, Leelan listen intently and consults the map laid out before him. Though part of him is skeptical as to believe fishermen folk tales and heresay as concrete evidence, the other part, most probably his curious side, finds this assignment fascinating. The gnome stroke his chin. 

"Impressive work, Lady Shelley. I find myself positively intrigued by this assignment. As a fellow scholar, I would delighted to help you. However, I would request the opportunity to present your case to my other companions. If your theory holds true, the magnitude could be extraordinary and it would make it an easier pitch. Eskil, my friend, what is your impression?"

It's reasonable to think Aubrey may have visited the shop, even if only out of curiosity.  The shop had a large space but it was mostly devoted to atmosphere.  Scented candles and incense filled the air and tapestries hung from the ceiling to create the illusion of different rooms.  The wares were mostly a collection of knick knacks and oddities from around the continent, and even the world.  Relics and artifacts from ancient cultures or things found in old ruins lined the few shelves.  The shop did carry some rudimentary equipment for mages: robes, arcane foci (mostly large crystals in various colours), inks, blank spellbooks, component pouches, staves, etc.  Behind a glass counter they would usually have a handful of legitimate magical items available for purchase, though nothing of any real note.  You once found saw a pipe there that was enchanted to always clean and refill itself with fresh tobacco, and a feathered headdress that allegedly allowed the user to speak with owls.  Of the proprietor himself, he identified himself as a mage but always struck you as a bit... unsavory.  Something about the way he looked at you noble clothes, like he was mentally counting the gold that could be tucked away in your pockets.  Once, when there were no other patrons in the shop, he approached you and casually implied he might have sources for more potent magical items, if you were interested and if the gold price was right.  Whether Aubrey was intrigued by this proposition or not, you never got the chance to take him up on that offer.

Approaching the legionnaires, you ask them your question.  One of the masked soldiers lowers a halberd across the doorway and starts out with a sharp, "Move along -" before one of the men beside him steps up.  "Hold, Jones," says the second soldier.  "This is master Aubrey Goldentide."  Now speaking directly to you, "It's Prima, master Aubrey.  I was one of the guards assigned to the junior forum delegates last summer.  Though you may not remember all of us..." and as the soldier trails off, you realize under the mask and armor it is a woman, not a man.  Addressing your question, "Unfortunately, the proprietor of this shop was murdered this afternoon, under unusual circumstances."  She lowers her voice, so you can barely hear her through the mask.  "They haven't told us any more than that, but there's a Judex, a court mage, and the freaking Bishop of Asmodeus all in there right now conducting an investigation.  So whatever is going on it has attracted some serious attention."  At this point, one of the other soldiers clears his throat.  "Hrhmm.  C'mon, Prima.  We were told to keep everyone away and answer no questions.  I'm sorry to be blunt, master Goldentide, but we have to ask you to move along now."

Wines

House Merlot: a house-made red wine with a bouquet that is buttery and full   Glass 5sp, 8cp; Bottle 1gp, 7sp

Holy Dwarf Riesling: a finely made white wine that is described as powerful and rough   Glass 1gp; Bottle 3gp

Beers

House Stout: A house-brewed dark stout, described as refreshing with an aftertaste of barley    Pint 9cp; Huge Mug 3sp

Turtle King Amber Ale (chilled): copper-colored golden ale, described as a nutty golden ale with a hint of chocolate and a bitter finish, served ice cold somehow   Pint  9sp, 9cp

Liquor

Hot Corn Spirit: clear and very harsh    Shot 1sp

Top Hat Halfling Rum: decent rum, made from sugarcane    Shot 4sp

Food:

Green Bean and Mushroom Casserole:  3sp, 5cp

Hot Buffalo Pot Roast with Potatoes and Peppers: 6sp