"Thank you Mr. Smallstone.  I am glad you would let us in.  We will of course steer clear of the little one."  She gives Gailby a nod and smile as she mentions her. "We just wanted to take a fresh look around and see what we can learn. And we understand you were one of the first to hear this thing. Do you remember anything about that?"

Seeing Triäsa as always having a good hand with people Ludolf decides to discreetly investigate the kitchen for anything out of place that might be a clue to solve the mystery of the annoying curse. Investigation: 25

@Ludolf --- The kitchen appears pretty much as you would expect. It shows signs of use but really in good condition and there is nothing suspicious.

"Yes it seems that way from what I am told. Fembris has talked to everyone put together some sort of timeline. Seems to be I am patient zero...I was sitting in my room one night a number of weeks ago. I didn't hear the rhyme or words perse just the melody passing by our room one night. Almost like it was coming from a music box, it was pleasant, brief, catchy and I didn't think much of it till the next day when I found my self singing it from time to time. Just as I told Fembris, I don't know how I knew the words, I just did. Damnedest thing. Anyways I never heard the melody again but I guess I don't have to as everyone and their mother is signing the damn thing."

Daventry A wave of relief passes over you as the song leaves your mind and find peace for now...

The man shrugs. "Sure seems that way. I ain't the best cook in the world but I don't anyone would want to curse me for it..."

"But the music passed by your room, so if it was a music box someone or something would have carried it?" Ludolf says nodding to himself. "Someone could know more about this than they have let on. And we should perhaps look for a music box then." He suggests, looking at the others. "So where is your room then Mr. Smallstone." Ludolf asks in his most friendly voice.

Triäsa nods, "Yes. Was it this room where you heard the music? Or another?  It seems very odd someone would just wander that hallway absently."

The man shrugs as you ask your questions, "All the quarters are through the door there." He motions to the eastern door. "Feel free to look around though I doubt it will do any good. I suspect we will die down here." He then turns to stove and start a fire to boil water.

Pardot looks to the man as he begins cooking and adds, "It seems you have beaten the curse. If you first heard it and were singing it, how have you managed to stop?"

The man looks back over his shoulder, "I feel the song invade my mind constantly little one. I focus on what I love and what I hold dear." His gaze drifts to the child sitting on the floor, "and I push that song down into a dark place. I lock it box and don't let it out. It's worked so far. Perhaps you are implying I am not being truthful? If that's the case then out with it, I have no reason to lie." 

Triäsa starts towards the eastern door, nudging Ludolf with her arm. "Should we go take a look?"  She pauses though just before leaving the room as Ebder replies to Pardot.  Given his suddenly defensive answer, she tries to tell if maybe he is hiding something or not being truthful. (Insight: 2)  

"I am implying no such thing sir." Pardot says, taken aback at being accused of such, "Rather I wondered if the way you have avoided succumbing to the curse is something that would work for others."

I think you probably over an hour at this point between everything. 

@Triäsa Something seems very strange about this man. You are not sure what it is but something is wrong.

@Pardot Seems a bit grumpy but nothing else unusual.

As you start to usher your companion toward the door and take your eyes from Ebder just a moment you hear a loud, high pitch scream suddenly erupt from his mouth. His whole body freezes in a stiff, extended posture. The color drains from his body leaving him pale as a ghost and the warmth of the room is drained. The scream is deafening, terrifying and his mouth seems to stretch unnaturally. Then as suddenly as the noise started it stops... and Ebder starts singing. His words of the rhyme are paniced, out of tune and rambling. The words sprint out of his mouth and sweat pours from his cool, pale skin. His daughter looks at him in panic. "Daddy, Daddy stop it your scaring me!" 

Pardot rushes over to the little girl and embracing her casts Enhance Ability: Bull's Strength on her, knowing that she will soon be facing the same mental tug, and hoping that his own mental fortitude will pull him through the next time he feels the urge. Immediately he looks to the others while wrapping a blanket around the girl, and says, in by far the strongest voice any of the team has heard come from the Halfling's mouth, "Get him out of here!" He then turns to the little girl, and seeing the spell take hold on her says, "My friends here are with the CIA. We're doing everything we can to help. Your daddy will be fine."

Triäsa glances over at the girl and Pardot a moment, then moves over towards the now pale Ebder.  "Come on, let's just step out of here."  She tries to lead him towards the southeast door.  

Ludolf quickly tries to help Triäsa, ushering Ebder towards the door to his quarters, hoping to find the old man's room somewhere beyond to take him there and seclude him from the others.
Perception if needed: 20

Triäsa and Ludolf move toward Ebder and find his body is stiff as a plank and cold to touch. He won't move willingly seemingly frozen in place. His eyes have rolled back into his head and his now covered in sweat. His screaming of the rhyme is deafening and his daughter is sitting on the ground now crying into Pardot's arms.

Just as you are about to try and move Ebder the door to the southeast opens and a hunched, haggard Kenku in faded purple robes shuffles through the door into the room. She has lost many of her feathers, and those that remain are frayed and disheveled. She carries a long staff with a hook on the end. "What is going on here?" Her voice cracks as she speaks in a high pitched tone. "Oh my dear child come to Auntie Crinkle it will be OK." Gailby gets up and runs to the kenku and embraces her. "I'll take her upstairs. Get him to his room... Hopefully this will pass. It is the last door on the left." She turns with the child and starts to escort her toward the stairs.

Ludolf gives the kenku a quick nod and proceeds to usher Edber to the room Auntie Crinkle described, wary of threats on his way.
Perception: 14
"Do you have any soothing songs that may calm him and counter this curse Triäsa?" He asks the half-elven bard.

Triäsa considers Ludolf's request and after a brief pause starts to sing.  Her voice is soft, and the song is slow and calming.  She begins, "I see the moon; the moon sees me..."
(Performance: 25)

(Complete song)

 At the end she pauses, looking to Ebder to see if it has had any effect.