After poking her head into the medical tent, Meresaa quickly realizes that she would be of little help there. She spies Ermasnietsz heading toward the black wagon and follows.

Hearing the woman's questions, a gentle, musical laugh escapes her long, violet lips. "No, friend, I don't believe I am. As for my mysterious companion...? Your guess is as good as mine."

While Meresaa is almost a head taller than the imposing half-orc, she looks about half her weight. Reaching out a hand in greeting she says, "I am Meresaa of the Izzet. This is Aye-ma-neoh, and now you are as well acquainted with her as I." She stumbles a bit over the pronunciation and a self-conscious chuckle escapes her.

"Lady Isolde has brought us here to assist in the investigation of the mysterious illness and the related troubles that have recently befallen your camp. We understand Claude had a hand in bringing us here and that the effort may have taken some sort of toll on him. It seems expedient to speak with him first so that we can get a better idea of where we should search next. May we speak with him?"

Quote from IrRy0 >>

 

((Nature check please))

Nature: 22

Nick - Insight check:

Isolde nods, "In truth, Mr Dolan has been more than amiable since the Carnival arrived in town.  I think he was keen to attract more folk to Saltmarsh, good for business.  He has been quite a regular attendee at the Carnival, I think it stirs his imagination."  She smiles to herself.

Boyd - Nathaniel sighs, though more from sadness than frustration.  "Nancy Carver, she's a sweet person, loyal to boot.  She joined the Carnival,"  he pauses to think, "I believe Isolde said around 4 years ago, with her partner - Hiram Melnick.  He was some legal type based in Port Torvin, rumour is that he left under a cloud and Nance left with him.  She's like that, you know.  Always putting others before herself.  I think she has been having a rough time of late though.  But all this talk of 'faceless men', really?  Poor thing."

Nathaniel bites at the corner of his lip, "I'm afraid she has started exhibiting signs of the illness.  Try not to look too closely, because she is a little self-conscious."  There is sympathy behind the ex-priests words, "But she is starting to experience some hair loss.  Her skin is also starting to dry, though not to the extent of Harold's.  It's like something is stealing her very essence, all that she is."  Even without an insight check, you are able to get the sense that this man is deeply concerned about each one of his patients.

This is replaced, almost instantly, by anger when you mention those from the Temple of Procan; the fervour he shows provides real insight into the man Nathaniel once was, in his earlier days.  "Most of them ARE good people, Boyd.  But easily swayed.  I do not know why they do not care - they may be deluded enough to believe that this is somehow Procan's will.  I can't help but believe that someone is staying their hand."

You notice, as clear as day, that Nathaniel instant closes himself up when you ask of his previous life at the Temple, bearly acknowledging you even mentioned it ((You will need a high Persuasion check to enquire further)).  "Sure, Nance and others at the Carnival have been gracious, even given my past," he sighs again, "I was referring to the locals - the fine folk of Saltmarsh.  I am afraid I have become somewhat of a pariah."

There is a rare look of amusement on Nathaniel's face when you speak of 'maltyverses'.  He chuckles, "Not my topic of expertise either - haven't got a clue.  I remember a Professor of some sort - not Pacali - mentioning something similar.  He was looking for a friend, a colleague, that went missing a number of years ago."  He thinks back, "What did he say 3, or was it 4, years ago... supposedly she went missing, completely, had a family house in Saltmarsh sitting abandoned and all."  He shakes his head, "Anyway, I digress.  I could always use a hand, Boyd, if you were offering."

Faila - Nature & Insight checks:

 ((There we go!))  No sooner than you touch his hand and attempt to move it, it crumbles into dust.  Harold lets out a gasp of air.  His breathing to becoming more laboured, releasing small clouds of dust with every exhalation, before finally stopping.  "Harold?!  Harold?!"  Nathaniel goes rushing over, "Procan receive him," he mutters under his breath.

((Please make a further Medicine or Investigation check))

Nikita - ((Just to clarify; you were inside the Medical Tent but have left in time to hear Nick's discussion with Isolde.  Or are you still in the Medical Tent speaking with Nathaniel and watching what is currently transpiring?  If so, then I shall take your Persuasion check and respond accordingly.  It would have to be one or the other though - unless you were to create a subsequent post where you go back to question Nathaniel.))

Meresaa (and Ermasnietsz) - Nature check:

The woman glares briefly at your outstretched hand before deciding to give it a hearty shake.  "Well met Meree-saa of Izzet.  Whatever tha' is.  Are all people as tall as you there?".  You note that she seems to be impressed by your height.  "T'would be mighty intimidatin' if they all was."  By greeting she takes her right hand, balls it into a fist, and strikes her chest, "Toska of Carnival, previously of Lurglen."

Her attitude improves a little when you mention Isolde, "You are here t'help?  It's no sickness what people're gettin', it'sa curse, I reckon.  In th' Bone Marches, there are people what do things; evil magical things.  Claude," She waves her head towards the wagon, "messed about wit' that he knew nothin' about.  Now look at 'im."  She lets out a cynical, mocking laugh, "Well... s'pose you'll see for yerself soon enough.  Sure we was desperate, not tha' desperate though."

Toska moves to the black wagon and gives it three loud knocks, you could almost swear you saw imprints of her fist in the wooden door.  "OI!  Claude!  Open up!  You got visitors!  Isolde's orders!"  She smirks at you triumphantly, "Besides, it don't look too bad... gives yer an edge.  Besides, it'll go fer yer new act!  THE IMP!".  Toska attempts to stifle a laugh before giving in and laughing raucously.

Moments later, after much grumbling and short words between Claude and Toska, you see the door to the wagon open.  There is little light inside save for a single candle.  It is within the shadows that you see Claude ((spoiler below));

 "Yeah?!  What you gawpin' at.  You comin' in or what?" he says petulantly.  In front of you stands a handsome young man with an extra appendage fused to his neck.

((Arcana check time - both Meresaa & Ermasnietsz))

Still smiling, Meresaa briefly lowers her head before making eye contact with the woman again. "No, Toska..." she stops herself before adding "of Carnival" having detected the benign gibe. "Not all are as tall as I, but I am not particularly tall among vedalken."

At Claude's bidding, Meresaa holds the door in deference to Ermasnietsz' lead. "After you, quiet one."

Quote from IrRy0 >>

 

((Arcana check time - both Meresaa & Ermasnietsz))

Arcana: 18

Nature 17

Ermasnietsz will mutter a half-hearted 'thanks' to Meresaa and move inside the wagon. She stands before the spell-caster with her arms crossed against her torso in a defensive posture.

Arcana 14

Quote from IrRy0 >>

((You will need a high Persuasion check to enquire further)). 

 
Boyd will just let that go. Everyone deserves to leave their past behind if they want to; no need to try to dredge up what's been buried.

"The locals treating you badly? Anyone in particular? You think they're trying to stop the church from helping?" He inquires. When the former priest asks if Boyd is offering help, he says, "Well sure, but like I said I'm nothing special for taking care of people. Bed rest and fresh air and water is what I do when I get sick. Besides I don't want to... you know... the skin?" He says, implying he doesn't want to catch whatever they have. "And Faila seems to be doing a great j-" Boyd is cut off when the girl obliterates the frail old man's hand into a puff of dust.

Boyd jump away from the hand particles like they're the plague and hops out of the medical tent. He remains in the vicinity, pacing around, looking worried and feeling cowardly. He waits for a while, hoping that Nathaniel will come out and tell him what he needed help with.

Oddly, seeing Boyd leap out of the hospice tent makes Nikita feel a little better.  We're all afraid of something.

She gives the grizzled man a rueful smile.  Having seen Meresaa and Ermasnietsz head over to Claude's wagon already and Nick Nack engaging Isolde, Nikita shakes off her jitters and enters the tent once more.  Briefly aghast at seeing what has happened to Harold's hand, she sighs and thinks that Faila is already doing all she can for the dying man.  She speaks once again to Nathaniel, squatting if necessary to be at his level if he is seated.

"Father - in my mind, there is no ex-Father, you either protect Procan's own or you do not, and I believe you do.  I too have lost a group who were dear to me and that I worked alongside.  Now some of my former associates will no longer acknowledge me in my homeland.  We may have tasted the same pain, you and I, and I know the bitterness as I think you do.  But you see what is happening here.  Not natural.  Evil.  Please tell me all you know of your former colleagues at the Temple of Procan and the circumstances of your departure.  It may help my new associates and I delve into root cause or even find those responsible.  Perhaps the Temple was being coerced in some way.  You have to know that we will go to the temple ourselves soon enough to look for clues.  Anything you say to shed light now may be crucial, and indeed could save lives here by preventing delay."

Persuasion check:  5

Edited to add OOC:  ugh... also, sorry for not bolding and coloring Nikita's speech.  I forgot and now I think if I do it, it will say I am tampering with the Persuasion check since it is above the roll (though who would tamper to get that result!).  From now on, I may just put all rolls at the top of my posts and refer to them from below.

Further edited to add OOC:  Thanks Rockchewer/Boyd - good call!  See quoted roll below.
And yet further edited:  oh wow, it did not say the roll was tampered with.  Maybe it does not mind bolding and coloring.  As long as text is not changed.

Quote from Tybard >>

 

Persuasion check:  5

 

 Confirming your original roll if you want to bold and color it for any reason

Meresaa's Arcana check:

Ermasnietsz's Arcana & Nature checks: 

Ermasnietsz & Meresaa - You enter into the darkened wagon.  It is a tip, smashed bottles litter the floor, a smashed mirror has been painted over, plates of uneaten food are stacked haphazardly on the only table.  Claude grunts about taking a seat and points to some dust-covered cushions.  "Spell worked then?" he grunts.  "But then, guess I already knew that," he says as he points to his neck.

Claude turns to look at you and, through gritted teeth, wails, "What happened to me!".  He sobs uncontrollably, with no regard for what you may think.  It is then that you see him for what he is, a young man, barely out of his youth, playing at magic.

Medicine: 10

Boyd, Faila & Nikita - You see a steeliness enter the old man's eyes.  "It is a story for another day, most of Saltmarsh know it by now," he says sighing deeply, biting at his mouth, preventing the words from coming out.  "Somethings are too painful," Nathaniel says by way of explanation ((I will give you another roll, with advantage based on your compelling arguments - though roll lowly and he is unlikely to talk)).

Changing the topic, Nathaniel turns to Boyd.  "Stay here for a while, that's all I ask.  If Nancy rouses then talk to her, listen to her story.  Who knows, perhaps I have been too dismissive, maybe there is a truth or an explanation behind what she claims to have seen."  As you look into his eyes it is like staring into despair itself, "In the meantime, I shall deliver the news to Agatha.  Procan knows how she'll take it.  You know... Never known love me, never had the time.  But in these brief few days I knew Harold and Agatha," he shakes his head, "Well they had something special alright.  Would you believe where they met?" he asks, allowing himself a fleeting smile, "heard it was the Weekly Wail, 'course they up and left what, some 4 years ago, to pursue greater things."

Nathaniel, his shoulders slumped, heads out of the tent.  Only moments pass before you hear a loud, heart-wrenching, weeping sound coming from outside.  Followed by the gentle, yet firm, consoling words of the ex-Priest of Procan.

Faila's Medicine check:

Nikita's second Persuasion check for Nathaniel, hopefully higher than the first:  14

OOC:  oh my goodness.  Nathaniel clubs Nikita over the head with his bottle of booze.

So many events seem to have transpired 4 years ago.  We will have to speak with the Weekly Wail as well - perhaps there is a common thread here.

Nikita inclines her head to Nathaniel and murmurs again "Father".  She walks slowly towards Nancy Carver's bed and takes a knee beside it, waiting for the woman to rouse.  She is aware of the likelihood that Nancy has the "disease" as well, but that thought is less frightening than Iuz's demonic minions still chasing her after so many hundreds of leagues.

When Nancy does awake, Nikita will attempt to say, as gently and calmly as possible:  "Nancy.  I am Nikita Tantsora.  Lady Isolde asked my colleagues and I to find out who or what is responsible for all this."  Nikita gestures around.  "And that is what we are going to do.  Please, can you share any more facts about the young couple, Esther and Billy, and exactly who or what interacted with them?  We have to be calm and insightful about this, despite the awful circumstances, so no need to embellish.  We already take this with the utmost seriousness.  What kind of faceless demons did you see?  What features?  How large?  Where did they go and how did they take the two youngsters?"

Nikita would pause, not wanting to lay too much on the frightened, sick woman.  But when it seems safe to proceed:

"Is there anything you are in need of?  We are here to help."  And as gently as possible:  "I beg your forgiveness for bringing this up if I am opening old wounds, but can you tell me the details of how and why you and Hiram left Port Torvin 4 years ago?  And how is it that you come to be in this sick tent now?"

Nick Nack 

Nick was delighted to get the 300 gold, not cause he cared about coin one bit, but that if he was gonna he invested in these people’s plight, it was lookin more and more like a risky endeavor. 

First into town to see just what kind of place this way, and then To find this Thomas Dolan… he started making a list in his head of all the things he might need if they were to really go on an adventure… he even started to emotionally pretend he was on a mission to save his own family, not just these strangers… Without the buy in he could Just as easily die now. 

“anyone wanna go into town with me? I’m gonna look for some adventuring gear and see what we can find!” And not to forget to look for Dolan… 

“And before I go, can you give me a description of Thomas Dolan? That I might pick him out of a crowd?” He eyes issie, wondering if their relationship is more than just business… 

(Hoping for at least 1 PC to join, but if others are busy with investigating and aiding the sick on the ground then Nick will enter into town and look for signs and whispers that point him generally toward a blacksmith for armors and shields, or a general store for fishing tackle, cantrops etc, or even a stables where he might find a donkey mule or mastiff depending on what is available. Nick would stop at the first of these three he saw. And of course if he sees Dolan in the streets he would walk right up and introduce himself.) 

Nikita would certainly go with Nick to find Dolan if she is not still in the tent - depends how long it takes to find what she can from Nancy Carver.  If not Nikita - maybe Boyd?  The one thing/place Nikita would avoid like the plague is of course the Iuz trade delegation.

Faila seems occupied for a few long minutes, bending over the body of Harold.

Then she quietly leaves his bedside, looking around for the others. Seeing Boyd and Nikita still in the tent, although Nathaniel has gone outside, Faila speaks up loudly. "Something has laid eggs in Harold's stomach. He is not alive anymore, but they are."

Nikita - Nancy attempts to sit up in bed as you speak with her.  "Who?  What?  Ah hello, Nikita," she says, still a little fuzzy from whatever Nathaniel gave her earlier.  On closer inspection, you can see that the skin near her temples is starting to crack and dry.  "Billy and Esther?  Yes, I remember seeing them last evening." she smiles, "I think they were on a date - they certainly seemed quite enamoured with each other."

"You see Billy is a Skurra, travelling folk, Carnival wouldn't function without their beautiful wagons.  It's one of the things that attracted me to the Carnival,"  she reminisces.  "Well, Esther, she seemed like a dear.  She is from Saltmarsh.  Proper fancy, though her dress had seen better days, I could tell that she is from a well-to-do family.  I can always tell them apart."  She lets out a hacking cough.

"Faceless men?  I assumed they must be demons or something more," Nancy says ominously.  "Whenever I try and see their faces I... I cannot remember anything," she shudders.  "Well I saw them, the faceless ones, they were about average height and build.  Errr, no faces, but normal hair; brown, brown, red.  Oh, there were only three of them.  One, one was a woman?"  She asks herself, "One might have been a woman - the redhead.  It's all a little hazy.  They were all dressed in finery; well dressed, with expensive-looking rings, one had a cane and a puppet.  That's right.  There was a puppet in his hands.  But it couldn't have been, because it started singing."  It is at this point that you notice Nancy beginning to get very panicked, almost to the point of fitting, "How?  How could a puppet sing?  It sang a most awful song," tears start streaming down her face, "It hurt my ears.  I..."

Nancy takes a moment to collect herself, briefly changing the topic; she mentions living in Port Torvin for a number of years and knowing a number of elves there, all of which were very charming.  After a while, she continues her story.  "They turned up in a carriage as black as night," she explains, "They took Billy and Esther by surprise.  I saw it because I retired to my tent early; I wasn't feeling too good, needed a lie-down.  Billy tried to fight them, but he is only 14.  They overpowered him and pushed him into the carriage and off they go, into the night."

She lets out a cough, then chuckles when you mention her past.  "My friends thought that I was seeing things, started feeling sick that day you see; all fevered up," she explains.  "Me and Hiram, eh?  We joined the Carnival around 4 years ago, as you say.  We needed to leave Port Torvin in a hurry.  Well at least Hiram did and I followed," Nancy grins, "We had something going, though at the time it was not too serious.  Best decision I ever made though, the Carnival was in town and, after I explained the situation to Isolde, she agreed to let us both stay."

"Hiram worked in law, represented all sorts of rich and powerful people.  You should have seen the parties Nikita and the dresses - beautiful.  You may not think it now, but I was stunning back then."  You see Nancy getting lost in her memories.  "So why leave?  Something happened, I am a little foggy on the details - Hiram will be able to tell you.  It involved a client he was representing, something about corruption within the ranks of the town guard.  Anyway, he reckons his client was being set up, believed he could easily get the charges dropped."

Her voice drops a little, "Well that ain't what happened, not at all.  Turns out the rot went a little higher than the local guard.  Judges, Council members, his fellow peers, all started turning their back on him.  People that he had helped multiple times became disinterested and the work dried up.  On the eve of the day he was supposed to go to court his client meets with an accident and dies.  Hiram was in a right panic.  Oh, did I mention?  I worked as his secretary: helped book appointments, helped with his papers, that sort of thing.  I was the only one that stuck with him,"  She says pridefully, "No way I was going to be scared off.  Besides, always wanted to get away from everything.  An' this was the perfect opportunity.  That's when I approached Isolde."

"Sorry for prattling on," Nancy apologises, "Why do you ask?"

Nick - "Oh, you'll be able to pick him out from a crowd," Isolde says with a chuckle, "He's half-elven, solid build (he started out on ships), slight scar above his lip, mop of black hair, roguish but kind eyes, you know."  You watch as she gets a little too carried away in describing Thomas Dolan, "Also wealthy, incredibly wealthy.  I mean, not that such things matter.  He started out working on ships, as I mentioned, but he worked his way up.  He now owns a couple of merchant ships.  Most in the town know him, there is even a chance he may get a Council seat."

She takes a moment to think, "You'll likely find him either at the Council Hall or the Weekly Market."

Ermasnietsz will kneel beside the shattered pieces of glasses while drawing out her wand. She will carefully collect the pieces so that she can restore the item to its original state by casting Mending.

"Have you ever tried to drink some kind of potion or apply magical salves on the affected area? I see Troska and her enhanced physique is the proof of the effectiveness of potions."

"Or... you can just sever the appendage"

The sorcerer suggests a possible solution for the aberrant condition of Claude when her wand assumes the form of a surgical knife. She's smiling but it doesn't reach her eyes.

Insight 14

Nikita looks with sympathy to Nancy.  After hearing with dismay from Faila about the eggs in Harold's stomach, Nikita has the sinking feeling that Nancy may as well.  We must find a way to heal these people.

"I believe you, Nancy.  I don't know what the faceless people in finery were or what foul magic they were using, but we will try to find out."

Nikita tries to be honest but vague about why she asked about what happened in Port Torvin 4 years ago.

"I only ask about your departure from Port Torvin because we are attempting to connect the dots.  There seem to have been many odd occurrences involving several here and in town around that time.  Though it may be a coincidence.  Thank you for your time madam.  Ah - one more thing.  You mentioned Hiram may be able to tell us more.  Where can we find him now?"

Once she receives this information, unless there is further need for follow-up, Nikita will thank Nancy genuinely, trying to put her at ease, and then check on Faila.  I think those still here (Faila, Boyd, Nick Nack, Nikita) will need to decide what, if anything, to do about the seemingly aberrant eggs in Harold's stomach.  Nikita, in her revulsion, would want to destroy them immediately, but know that perhaps something else needs to be done (she's not sure what).

Once that's settled, Nikita can head into town with Nick Nack.

Ermasnietsz - "Wh-what?"  Claude says questioningly, "Toska is on something?".  He stops crying and instead starts smiling, "Why, that's brilliant!".  He laughs maniacally, "Why don't you see?  That gives me something over her.  Do you know... oh this is brilliant."  Claude claps his hands together, "The proud Toska.  The proud, strong Toska.  Who's superior strength is owed... to a potion."  He laughs, "Thank you, thank you for this information."

Claude wipes the tears away from his eyes.  "I-I don't know if I can sever Maud... the appendage," he corrects himself quickly, then moves on, "would that be able to be done safely?"  He looks at you longingly, hope returning to his eyes.

"Are you sure about this Ermasnietsz?"  Meresaa chimes in.  "If a creature has been magically bound and has," she glares knowingly at Claude, "formed a telepathic link with its host.  Would it not take great care and expertise to separate the two?"

Claude looks crestfallen.  "Would it?" he asks, seemingly clueless about his predicament.  Claude looks briefly caught in two minds ((literally)), "I can talk with it," he declares.

Ermasnietsz's Insight check: