"Of course, I will help. I know these forests better than most anyone. These people, do we know what part of the woods they disappeared in? Perhaps we could look for clues."

Ammus' hand instinctively clenched as though he was holding his bow. He knew some of these people. Old Joe Trapper was a very good friend, helping Ammus reintegrate into the town when he first returned. Trapper wouldn't get lost on his own. Something happened. He was going to find out what.

[[OOC: I apologize for my delay.  Give me another day and I'll update.]]

A conversation takes place and you gain the following pieces of info: 

"There really isn't a common thread between them, other than Aleesa and Ol' Joe both last seen in the east woods."

"Joe should have been back two days ago, and Aleesa disappeared yesterday."

"We organized a search party and went over the area Aleesa and her friends were spending time but no trail was found. Of course, aside from maybe Joe, some of you are some of our best woodsfolk."

"I did talk to my daughter's friends, but it would be spectacular if you could try, as some of you are closer to their age and less seen as authority figures."

Spoiler: Read with a History check DC 12.

 Spoiler: Read with a Nature check DC 12.

History: 22

Nature: 10

History: 11

After listening quietly, Adalai slowly raises his head from the table giving a glance at the assembled would-be investigators around the table. Rubbing the sleep from his eyes, he swings his gaze back to Harbin after a moment, "Luckily for everyone here, we have a pair of the finest trackers this side of Celador, what look to be a pair of ner-" He stops himself, giving a small apologetic smile to the pair of strangers sitting across the table, cringing inwardly at the slip of his tongue. "... Intellectuals to deal with arcane ****ery, and a slab of beef to ward off anything untoward." He says, nodding to Kellan/ Ammus, the unfamiliar pair of spellcasters, and the muscled man beside him. "And of course, I humbly offer my people skills in service. We can talk to her friends, see what they know or might've been too afraid to tell you." He leans back in his chair, reclining leisurely as he speaks. "Lastly, I'd ask if you'd permit us to see the lodgings of the victims. Perhaps there are some scraps left behind that might point us in there directions. Did your daughter keep a journal or diary by any chance? If so, it might greatly help to see it."

Tristan leans back in his chair, eyes toward the ceiling, trying to recall something. "You said the East Woods was near Naked Hill, right? Wouldn't you know, just before I came here, I read something about the Hill.  All wild fantasy and nonsense, I'm sure, but have you heard about anything different happening there of late? Anything weirder than the usual?"

History: 15
Nature: 15

history 20

nature 11

“I heard a bit about the Naked Hill too when I arrived. People say it’s haunted, but it seems trees don’t grow there because of the thin soil, not a curse.”

Misty nods at Adalai, “I think visiting their homes is a good idea too. They could have left something behind that could help us find them,”

The Undermayor speaks, "I hadn't brought myself to violate my daughter's privacy yet. I'll let you into my home and her room, it's not far from here. I ask you not to tell me what is in her diary, as I'm sure there are unkind words towards me in it." 

"As far as the others, Father Semple lives at his church, it's open (I have a guard watching it.) , although the private and personal quarters are locked, we don't have keys. Old Laughing Joe lives in a small house on the edge of the east woods, behind a mighty pine tree, only one in the area, hard to miss."

"The Naked Hill is in the East Woods, yes, and as far as unusual things, nothing except a report of someone attacked by a giant snake a little over a month ago. But the east side of the river has always seen more than its fair share of large aggressive snakes."

ooc: what time is it? how much does it take to arrive at the naked hill/eastern woods?

Cyst rubs his forehead and adjusts his horned helmet.

Yes, it would be good to look for tracks in undermayor's house, to ask her friends, to ask at the temple and whatnot BUT the point is:

do we want to leave the girl in the woods another night?!?! It'd be better to arrive at this hill some hours before sunset

It's about 10:30 am, the woods start just outside of town, specfically about a half hour to where Aleesa's friends camp was. The naked hill is about 2 hours into the woods. Sunset is about 7:30 pm, so you have 9 hours before dark.

History - 13

Nature - 11

Kellan regards the man called Cyst. Worry creases his forehead as he thinks of Aleesa out there in the woods all alone. He knows better than most what dangers lurk within the trees. "I agree. We should begin our search before nightfall, but I think we have enough time to do as Adalai suggests and search for clues in their residences and perhaps talk to their friends as well."

Mentioning Adalai, Kellan turns now to his friend and smiles. "Your idea is a good one as always, Adalai," he says. "Perhaps we should all split up. Some of us can search the residences and the rest can question friends and family to gather more information." 

Cyst nods, he agees with the ranger

Fine, it makes sense. I will gladly talk with these kids, who comes with me?

Ah, undermayor, do you remember some names of your sister's friends? And do you know where they live or where they usually hang out? 

@the others:

Back here at noon for a sandwich?

"I agree, that seems like the way to go. I'd be happy to check the old trapper's place, if any of you would like to come along. I'm Tristan, by the way. Pleasure to meet you all."

Adalai gives a smile back to Kellan, wiggling his eyebrows at the half-elf. Looking back and giving a nod around the table, his tail giving a small flick. "Sounds like a perfect plan!" He says excitedly, rising up from the table with a start before faltering, and sucking in a breath as he raises a hand to his head. After a moment, he continues a bit more demure than his original outburst. "For those of you unfortunate enough not to know me yet, I'm Adalai. So very excited to get to know you all, but it looks like you'll be the first big guy." He says with a pleasant smile down towards Cyst. "I'm sure with our powers combined, we'll somehow be able to wrangle some answers from these folks." 

Kellan shakes his head a bit at the tiefling's exuberance. He had never been quite as boisterous or outgoing as Adalai and yet the pair seemed to balance each other so that they made good friends.

"Forgive me for not introducing myself sooner," the ranger began to the ones he did not know assembled at the table. "My name is Kellan Blackstone."

Then, turning back to Adalai and the undermayor, "I can search Aleesa's room. I'll be respectful." Kellan felt a bit guilty at the thought of reading Aleesa's diary but also a bit giddy at the thought. What if she mentioned him in there?

[[OOC: Since you are splitting up, I'd just like to clarify who is doing what before we move along.]]

Kellan: Searching Aleesa's room.

Adalai and Cyst: Questioning Aleesa's friends.

Tristan: Searching the Trapper's house.

Misty and Ammus: Unspecified.

Ooc imho nobody should really go alone, in case of danger and to mix everyone's skills