"I can show you where the creatures attack our father on the hill nearby but my brother is not going to be..."Brida exclaims but Soren cuts her off.

"Traps, bait, interrogation," Soren says wryly the barbarian looking at both Krayne and Ursal with amusement. "We should ask else where in the village if they've been attacked and not waste time or resources on traps for a creature that will be too powerful to fall prey to them," she adds hefting her war-hammer onto her back leaving her hands free. "Brida, Pyra shall we venture to the village and begin our inquires," Soren asks moving towards the door.

"I hadn't thought that the creature could have been searching anywhere but here," Baltus calls after the group leaving the barn.

Do you follow?

Ooc: sure,  I'll follow. 

Pyra has been furiously taking notes of the conversation as it passes between everyone..

" My apologies for interrupting. I do not believe I am familiar with this Medusa so I am going purely based off what you say. Bagging its head might work and we would need to trap its hands as well. But do you truly trapping the creature may seem like a good idea? What if it doesn't even speak or if it does speaks a language none of us know? Not to mention that you all have chased it off already and who's to say it shall even risk returning or when. There are a lot of variables to take into account with situation. Maybe when you capture it I could study it and see how it turns things to stone and then work out a way to prevent that so we can try to have a proper conversation. But it might be better just to the thing down. Or maybe- um. Hmm." Pyra bits her lip, face drawn up in confusion and slight frustration. She shuts her book and stuffs it back into her pack as Soren speaks about leaving to ask around town.

"You know what yes, Soren that is an excellent idea. If it has attacked anyone else that might help us see its reasons for being here. Plus it will give me time to think. I trust these four to come up with a proper plan since they have fought the creature before and I have not. Good luck to you boys. I am ready to go when you are Soren. Brida? You will come as well yes?"

Pyra follows Soren out of the barn.

Krayne glares at Soren as he fits his helmet on. "I imagine you know how powerful the medusa is from when you crossed blades with it, forcing it to run after you repeatedly drew its blood.. Oh, yes, that's right.." He bows and gestures to the door "After you my lady."

"As a learned warrior I try to find out the most about a foe before trying to catch it out," Soren replies. "Possibly your failure to slay it comes from your lack of understanding and not just your lack of skill with a blade," she retorts curtly moving ahead with Brida taking the lead.

"To the village then," Brida asks the party.

Baltus nods and follows his sister.

OOC: Ursal the tracks you see outside the barn have been far to trodden to distinguish between what was friend or foe!!

"I like that one". Krayne says to Ursal as he leaves following the women out of the farmhouse. "The boy could learn from her," he adds with a small smile. 

Viktor listens to everything said by the others

"while I think preparing traps is a good idea, I agree that getting as much information as we can before hand, is a better idea."

Viktor moves his hands about in same arcane gestures and quietly utters something arcane sounding, before transforming in front of you all into Baltus (cast Disguise Self from Mask of Many Faces)

"as for bait...no one else needs to risk their lives for that"

Viktor waves his hand through the air and the illusion of Baltus disappears, returning Viktor to his infernal good looks

"well, we should head out and see what others information we can gather"

Upon agreeing to head to the village the party leaves the farm. Brida remains behind with Sybil to prepare the meal but Baltus and Soren lead the group. It's early evening when you each the village on foot. Many people are in the square near the temple of Aegir but they seem to scatter as the group approaches. The temple is an unassuming stone building. It's not as grand as the temple at the stronghold but looks to be one of the finest constructed building around.

Across from the temple couple of humans are working on a long boat while others are simply going about their evening chores. There is an eerie lack of greeting however the party notices even Baltus seems to be watched suspiciously along with the party.

Soren breaks off from the group heading into the temple, she disappears inside.

What does everyone else do?

Ooc: I know the local Viking language but the villagers probably don't know that. I assume they speak it freely in the tavern. If so then I will suggest I head there and listen for rumors or other information about the creature or other strange happenings. I will actively pretend I don't know the language. Anyone else have ideas? 

Viktor, making sure he has his Helm of Comprehending Languages equipped and hidden under his hood, casts Comprehend Languages so that he understands anything spoken in a language he doesn't knows (lasts 1 hour; no concentration).

"Well Baltus, who should we talk to first? who would be knowledgeable about the attacks from our monster?"

Seeing Soren split off and enter the temple Viktor asks Baltus

"Is the temple the centre of governance in this town? Or is there some other location where the local authority resides?"

Looking at the other Viktor asks

"What do you all think? Should we split-up, into a couple of groups and have a look around? Maybe one group can check in with the temple and another can checkout the local inn? Or should we stay together for safety? I have to say I'm not getting the warmest vibes from the locals."

(OOC: I'm good with whatever, in regards what we want to do. I will wait to see what everyone else suggests)

OOC: regarding Ursal's plan, Krayne doesn't speak the language so won't have to pretend not to understand, but if you want some company I can go with you.  Might seem a bit more natural. Before we do anything though I'd give Soren a chance to come out and see if that starts a ball rolling.

"Well Farmboy, the people here seem charming, have you been selling them spoiled milk, or is something else going on?  Maybe we were right to come here, it could be that our snake-haired adversary has beaten us to it.  I hope there are not too many new statues around town.."

The look in his eyes steals any humour from the comment, as he looks at Baltus with some evident concern.

"I will follow Soren, I'm a bit more familiar with temples so I might be of better use there. Though I'm not really sure how they will actually react to well..." Pyra gestures to herself.

"Perhaps if I seem like a god-fearing woman it will be easier. Best to take the most nonthreatening approach. Shall we meet back up here after we are done?" Pyra doesn't wait for an answer and hurries off after Soren, feeling more comfortable being at the woman's side then in the middle of town.

OOC: Viktor noted; Batlus is speaking common but you've overheard a couple of the men whispering in their Norse-like language. Roll perception to 'hear' them...

"The cleric is gone..." Baltus begins but trails off with a frown as a man carrying pelts on his shoulders walks by then spits on the ground in the direction of Batlus, the spit hitting the ground by his boots. "They blame us," he begins again with a heavy sigh. "My mother's troubles then the chieftess taking power. Some of these people actually think Dagmar was worthy," he adds. "He then out those in power who were the most unworthy of wielding it," he explains. "Many of these men here don't take kindly to a woman leading. They begrudgingly followed my mother but even though our chieftess is amazing warrior born to be a great leader they think she doesn't belong in the seat of her brother," he explains fully looking at Soren entering the temple ahead of them. "They blame us you see. For my mother's death too because if she would have married Dagmar he might have stayed sane and she might yet be alive. They would have led all the village into the same prosperity that only our family enjoyed for a time," he finishes ext kicking at the ground pushing mud over the spital left by the arrogant man.

He then looks around. The entire party sees people gathering at their front doors and children peeking out windows looking out at the party. Pyra then follows Soren into the temple, who else?

Viktor has a sad look on his face as he regards Baltus

"ahh, the undeserved scorn of the simple folk. I know this hardship personally."

Viktor rests a hand on Baltus' shoulder for a moment

"well, I'm going to follow Pyra and see what's happening in the temple, what of you, Ursal, Krayne? will you come with us or perhaps seek more insight from other locations?"

Viktor turns and heads after Pyra and Soren. as he goes he attempts to overhear any of the local conversation.

Perception to overhear any nearby conversations: 4 (with disadvantage)

"Do you still want to go for a drink, or shall we go with Viktor?" Krayne asks Ursal, he looks around the local people. "Looking good at these faces I can't imagine we'll like what we hear from them though" he adds with a grimace. "I've been to friendlier places in my travels."

Ooc: never split the party. Let's go into the temple. 

OOC lol, it's true, but I like to push my luck sometimes

Krayne looks around at a few of the villagers his customary challenging gaze aimed at a couple of the larger looking ones before he follows after the group heading to the temple. 

Viktor: You barely make out they're discussing their need of a cleric as well as "the village has turned to outsiders for help would have never happened if..." before they walk too far away to hear.

As the party enters behind Soren, Pyra, and Baltus the temple is sparse. It's not that it was originally without ornament but it's as if someone has come through and removed all it's embellishments, even the stone carving of Aegir defeating an ocean titan seems bare! Soren's expression is very hard as is Baltus' who are speaking to one another in lowered tones but stop when the rest of you come into the temple. 

"My friends someone has stolen from the village," Baltus begins gesturing around. "My mother's church as been ravaged," he adds his expression hard but his tone on the verge of tears. "These people....these people are crueler than the beast that took my father," he adds next almost in a shout.

Soren soothes him, it's awkward seeing the great hulking woman so kind to the teen but she hushes him still with soft words in old Norse. 

Viktor and Ursal hear: "There, there Aegir takes care of the faithful and punished those who are wicked" she says with conviction in her tone regardless how soft.

"This is a problem sadly for another day but I do think we should fine the elders," Soren explains to the party as Baltus nods.

"One two yet live from Dagmar's siege," Baltus explains. "They are from two houses that never quite saw eye to eye with my mother either," he adds next. "They live away from the temple towards the harbor," he explains next.

Viktor looks around a little before heading out with the others, trying to glean any clues from the state of the temple.

Investigation to see if there is anything out of the ordinary about the theft, was it locals or something else? (Long shot i know): 7 (with disadvantage)

Viktor having never been in the temple before you're not sure what it's meant to look like but you do think from the temples you have seen are more well more... As for out of place you do notice on a far wall there looks to be something odd, do you move to look at it? (no new roll but uh move hint-hint).

There is a large alter at the front of the temple with the stone statue of Aegir slaying the ocean titan surrounded by water with unlit candles floating in it. There are pews but some are leaning on others as if something was looking through them or moved with out of the way.

"The tapestry is gone," Baltus says gesturing at a bare wall, "a tapestry that my mother and Brida wove themselves," he adds in a hard tone.

Pyra you also notice an odd void in the temple, being use to the temple in the stronghold that was lavish for a chieftess as well as the small shrine in the great hall.