(For all who ate, 5 silver for the meal, which Samir covered)
The group heads out the door of the tavern, turning towards the entrance to the town. The town is much quieter now, with many of the men back to work. In front of one house, a pair of women chatter, knitting simple bonnets. A loud squeal followed by peals of laughter emanate from around a corner. Continuin down the road reveals the source. Some of the kids from earlier are chasing around a pig in his pen, though it keeps slipping through their muddy arms.
Leaving the city down the main road, the group sees a path gently ascending the hill to their right, with a rickety watchtower at the top. On the other side, there are scattered copses of evergreens. Bees diligently flit between the yellow flowers on the side of the road. Continuing on a ways, passing the occasional cabin, a gravel road appears, branching off to the left. At the fork is an old signpost, though the sign itself seems long gone. According to the directions, the house should just be a few minutes up this road.
(What is everyone thinking or doing at this point?)
Joren rolls his shoulders as he stops and stares at the decrepit signpost, then up the road. He tilts his head and glances at his friends.
"Seeing so much, we have, from all the Razmus cultists taking the faces of former Cambrians, to the gloazworms and their queen, to the Heart of Fire," he gives Ashley a little smile, "to the strange Hydaelym devices in Tensmith and Talmouth, to Vilus' former Talmouth 'colleagues' treating him, and by extension us, as persona non grata as they take over Talmouth," he nods to the goliath, "to a bleeding kraken seemingly sent by Mr. R to assail our ship!"
The warrior sighs. "Who knows what this house ahead holds in store for us. Perhaps strange magics, perhaps ghosts, perhaps more cultists, perhaps a smuggler hideout, perhaps nothing. Yet I cannot be shaking the feeling that Fate itself is always twisting and teetering on our decisions..."
As if to exemplify the branching possibilities of the moment, Joren's echo appears thirty feet away, ahead along the path, an alternate version of himself.
"Was it striking anyone as odd that Mayor Shamp, who is seeming so in tune with everyone and everything here, was having in his possession a key to the house, yet the house is the one thing he is never investigating, despite all the rumors, offering the key to us almost as an afterthought?"
Vilus shudders involuntarily as he is reminded of the gloazworm queen and the other terrifying misfortunes that the group have met along the way, "perhaps a break, a quaint little mystery that turns out to be nothing more than an overactive village rumour... That's what I'm hoping at least. Still, you aren't wrong, mayor Shamp could just be another player in the game, luring us into a trap like that Jon Shep we met at the inn by the veil pass. We should be cautious."
Vilus' demeanour is energetic, happy, relieved. He takes a good look up the road to see if he can spot the house from this distance but generally speaking is happy enough to rely on the keener senses and skills of his friends.
"I am sorry about the exit, sorry that you all got caught up in the organisation wanting me dead. I know you'll say I never asked for this or I didn't have control over it or whatever... But the aggression was still squared at us because of me. I guess a while ago if I was in your shoes in a similar situation i would have left that person to their fate... I'm grateful that you have all stuck by me, for whatever reason that may be."
"Oh you wouldn't have left us behind, we know you better than that." Ashley chides Vilus for his self-deprecating. "And I feel we would have gotten targeted eventually anyways, with or without you."
Turning to Joren, "I did find it a bit odd that he had the possession of the key on his person. I could see it being in his home or something, but just conveniently in his pocket? Odd indeed. Think it might be some skeleton key that opens all old doors in the village? Not just specifically this one? But let's get going, I am looking forward to this mystery!"
"me these days, I'd agree..." Vilus admits, before an amusing idea crosses his mind, "hey you know those bags of holding you can buy? what if the guys pockets are like that, you'd never store anything at home right? It'd be expensive as the hells to get that kind of thing in a jacket though... which only raises more suspicions.."
Samir walks along with the others, quiet and largely lost in his own thoughts. The day is pleasant, and the smell of the sea air settles into his lungs nicely and his eyes track the passage of a white and black sea bird overhead. His eyes flick to Vilus and he shakes his head. "Nonsense, Vilus. Regardless of whatever disagreements we might have had in the past, that is where it belongs. We are a cohort at this point, a fellowship. We have been through far too much together, the lot of us, and if some loutish brigands with delusions of grandeur want to come for one of us, then they will have to deal with all of us." He leaves off with a decisive nod, fixing his glasses with an almost instinctive movement right after.
As the trail winds and rises from the low foothills to higher ground, the group rounds a bend, and suddenly it is clear why the mayor thought it amusing to hand you the key. Before you stands approximately half of what had at one point likely been an impressive home. But now, it is a hollow and burnt out husk. Though the front door stands, much of the entrance around it is collapsed timber and charcoal. One entire wall and half of the roof are missing on the right hand side. Entering would be no more difficult than stepping over a cracked beam on the ground.
A light breeze blows through the broken windows of what was the third floor, producing a low wail. The sun shows it to be late afternoon.
Vilus gives Samir an appreciative nod for his words, it has given him something to think on.
Seeing the house virus let's loose a chuckle. "Hey who has the key? Haha...!
so much for a roof over our heads for the night. This looks like it's about to fall down where it stands... Maybe that's a solution knock it down, or can ghosts haunt a house that isn't there?" Vilus muses his thoughts out loud not particularly addressing anyone
Joren stands, echo out in front, each rubbing the back of their necks and staring at the wreck of a house. He muses on Vilus' suggestion to knock it down.
"Being a chance that there are kiddos or someone else innocent in there, I am feeling disinclined to collapse the structure further. One of the young half-orc lads we were seeing when first setting foot in Demain apparently likes to come here regardless of his parent's wishes."
The sun, hanging low in the sky, reflects off Joren's polished splint armor, which clinks slightly as he shifts his footing.
"Feeling a little worried, though, that stepping in there with my heavy gear, I will be falling right through what remains of the floor into the basement. My echo can be going in front, of course to divert and absorb any attacks, but it won't be applying any weight for testing rotten floorboards as I will."
Malachi walks along the path, soaking in the warm sun and enjoying the scenery that reminded him so much of his own childhood home in a small town outside of Madurst. A town probably not far from here. His thoughts turn to the Madurst, and the news that he heard in the tavern of the growing unrest in the sister cities. What would he find when he returned there? What was still searching in the cities that could find him?
He pulls up short as they reach the ruined remains of the house and agrees with Vilus. “I’m not sure there is enough house left to haunt. I still think it’s likely that there is nothing more than animals nesting in the rubble.” He looks over to Joren. “Still, we can make sure there are no kids hiding about.”He approaches the sagging porch and a copper coin appears in his hand, dancing across his fingers as he reaches out with his mind to detect thoughts to search for any presence in the house.
Vilus sees if the door was even locked, not that it would matter with the entrance in ruin. He does however light a torch and look around before stepping in. He looks at the floor inside, is it wood that might be covering a cellar level. He looks around the door frame, are there markings or runes from the pervious owners or possible new tenants.
Joren grimaces but nods slightly at Malachi's observations. As Vilus approaches and inspects the floor, the warrior steps around carefully, making use of the fading afternoon light to search for tracks, humanoid, beast or other, leading to or from the door or any other part of the structure's perimeter.
As the group catches sight of the ruined building, Samir's mouth drops into a small o of surprise, only to quickly morph into a more characteristic look of studiousness as he peers at the wreckage before them. As the others start to look around in their own ways, the half-orc begins to move around the outer perimiter. His eyes study the state of the remaining construction, while his fingers occasionally push on this spot or that, wondering at how much strength might possibly be left in the old timbers.
The timbers feel weathered to Samir's touch. Some have have succumbed partially to rot. But what parts stand yet even after all these years feels like it will be a while longer in coming down. In time, nature will reclaim this place eventually, as it always does.
Except Joren has a slightly different takeaway. Looking for signs of living activity, he notices a surprising absence. Surprising in that a place such as this should have been a prime location for rodent dens and birds nests. He doesn't even see signs of termites or ants.
Malachi reaches out with his mind, feeling for other life in the area. 1... 2... 3... 4... and himself. Nothing else appears to be in the area besides him and his companions.
There is a gentle click as Vilus tries to turn the key in the lock. It turns halfway before the rusted mechanism stops it. Vilus gives it a little jiggle, but it doesn't turn any further. Then there is a creak and a crack of wood. The door starts to tilt away from Vilus. The scorched frame splits as the one intact hinge pulls slowly free from brittle wood. Then the door collapses to the ground with a thud, leaving the door frame standing alone. Vilus looks closer at it, but if there were once markings, they've been burned away a long time ago. Moving on from the door, he inspects the floor. Much of it is covered in rubble and collapsed architecture, which he halfheartedly looks through. Though he doesn't immediately see any cellar doors, it does sound from the hollow creak of the floor boards that there is space below.
Puttering around the perimeter of the burned house, looking down at the ground and up at the holes in the structure, Joren mutters to himself, his brow furrowed and splint armor clanking slightly. Eventually, he stops short, thinking for a minute.
"Not just people abandoning this house, but Nature itself. Not seeing or hearing any animals or birds. Not even any insects or plant overgrowth. That is making no sense to me. It is as if some magic or curse or something unnatural is discouraging living things from coming close."
The half-dwarven warrior pauses, as if trying to remember something. A strange look comes over his rough-hewn face. Two half-elves and their boy. Strange disappearances. Half elves are living longer than humans, so a boy the same age as Mayor Shamp's grandmother would...
Joren's rumbling voice becomes very quiet. "Mal... you were born somewhere outside Madurst. Am I remembering that right?"
Turning around, Joren sees Vilus sifting through the rubble. He turns to look for Malachi, who he thought was close by, but sees no sign of him. Come to think of it, he doesn't see Ashley or Samir on this side of the house either
"Vilus?" Joren's growl is low, but the goliath can hear the palpable tension in the warrior's voice. "Being wise now I think to get back out of the house. Not seeing the others any more. Just... gone. Should be standing back-to-back, the two of us, eyes out. I am sensing something is very wrong."
Drawing his Dunamis Blade, Joren positions his Echo next to Vilus ready to defend his friend from any incoming attack (Sentinel feat). His training allows him to settle his breathing as he does a slow 360, scanning and listening carefully for the others, or for other clues. Wondering whether to call out.
First the lack of animal signs or footprints, and now missing friends... something is going on here. Wait! Footprints. Joren does a doubletake, looking to where he knew Ashley had been standing. There! Footprints. He'd not seen her walk off, but he can see faint tracks, joined by two others, leading toward the side of the house and... a locked cellar door? He is certain he hadn't seen that there before. The tracks end there though.
Vilus hoos back from the now empty door frame at Jorens request. Looking around the Goliath is surprised that the others are gone, his newly acquired happy demeanour disappears in an instant. "I... I can't, I need to be able to see someone to do that, I... ASH! ASHLEY! WHERE ARE YOU!? GUYS? MAL, SAMIR, WHERE YOU AT?" Vilus begins shouting as he instinctively draws his daggers, backing up to Joren and doing as he says, but feverishly wracking his brains as to a solution, "I could... I could dispel magic on a portion of the house but my magic reserves aren't large..."
Vilus can feel Joren freeze behind him. "Not yet. Saving that until more sure of targeting it and making it count. Like a ballista bolt. No wild shots."
The warrior's deep growl is now close to a whisper. He points the goliath to the three faint sets of footprints leading around the side of the house.
"Swearing to you I was not seeing those before when I was searching for animal tracks. One is starting where Ash was standing. Thinking they went, Vilus... likely not under their own volition, so shouting may be no use, but they went. To that cellar entrance I was not seeing before either."
Joren closes his eyes tight for just an instant, feeling a headache coming on. "No rushing in like I know you are wanting, my friend. We are going together. Have to be playing this smart. For their sake. May be needing your help to piece together what is happening here."
Joren pauses again, almost afraid to bring up the half-formed theory that has been overtaking his mind. He takes a breath and continues quietly.
"Half-elven couple and son, from outside Madurst like Mal. Half-elven boy, longer lifespan than humans, growing up to be Mal's age now. I am not knowing spells like you, but ever noticing the source of everyone's magic? Fire for Ash, contraptions for Sam, the Watcher for you being strange enough. Mal's magic is intruding into minds. Maybe being a little like yours, Vilus, but no Watcher as its source? It is coming from inside him. Strange disappearances back then. A stain, Mayor Shamp was saying. Something awakened for our friend back then as a boy. Making him what he is now."
If Vilus will join him, Joren begins to carefully advance along the footprints towards the cellar door at the side of the house. Echo leading out in front.
(For all who ate, 5 silver for the meal, which Samir covered)
The group heads out the door of the tavern, turning towards the entrance to the town. The town is much quieter now, with many of the men back to work. In front of one house, a pair of women chatter, knitting simple bonnets. A loud squeal followed by peals of laughter emanate from around a corner. Continuin down the road reveals the source. Some of the kids from earlier are chasing around a pig in his pen, though it keeps slipping through their muddy arms.
Leaving the city down the main road, the group sees a path gently ascending the hill to their right, with a rickety watchtower at the top. On the other side, there are scattered copses of evergreens. Bees diligently flit between the yellow flowers on the side of the road. Continuing on a ways, passing the occasional cabin, a gravel road appears, branching off to the left. At the fork is an old signpost, though the sign itself seems long gone. According to the directions, the house should just be a few minutes up this road.
(What is everyone thinking or doing at this point?)
Joren rolls his shoulders as he stops and stares at the decrepit signpost, then up the road. He tilts his head and glances at his friends.
"Seeing so much, we have, from all the Razmus cultists taking the faces of former Cambrians, to the gloazworms and their queen, to the Heart of Fire," he gives Ashley a little smile, "to the strange Hydaelym devices in Tensmith and Talmouth, to Vilus' former Talmouth 'colleagues' treating him, and by extension us, as persona non grata as they take over Talmouth," he nods to the goliath, "to a bleeding kraken seemingly sent by Mr. R to assail our ship!"
The warrior sighs. "Who knows what this house ahead holds in store for us. Perhaps strange magics, perhaps ghosts, perhaps more cultists, perhaps a smuggler hideout, perhaps nothing. Yet I cannot be shaking the feeling that Fate itself is always twisting and teetering on our decisions..."
As if to exemplify the branching possibilities of the moment, Joren's echo appears thirty feet away, ahead along the path, an alternate version of himself.
"Was it striking anyone as odd that Mayor Shamp, who is seeming so in tune with everyone and everything here, was having in his possession a key to the house, yet the house is the one thing he is never investigating, despite all the rumors, offering the key to us almost as an afterthought?"
Tanis(Ranger1):Shiverquill's Tempest City | Barn(Paladin1):Damian_May's Ereworn Under the Shadow | Lyra(Warlock2/Bard4):VitusW's Silverwood Forest
Joren(Fighter6):NotDrizzt's Simple Request | Sabetha(Monk3):Bedlymn's Murder Court | Quyen(Adept1, ba5ic system):ConstancePhokas' Nentir Vale (Discord)
Xarian (Fighter3):Luna_Dust's Marks on the Map | Ophelia (Sorcerer2):BillM's Icewind Dale | Shin(Wizard1):Culuril's Strixhaven
Vilus shudders involuntarily as he is reminded of the gloazworm queen and the other terrifying misfortunes that the group have met along the way, "perhaps a break, a quaint little mystery that turns out to be nothing more than an overactive village rumour... That's what I'm hoping at least. Still, you aren't wrong, mayor Shamp could just be another player in the game, luring us into a trap like that Jon Shep we met at the inn by the veil pass. We should be cautious."
Vilus' demeanour is energetic, happy, relieved. He takes a good look up the road to see if he can spot the house from this distance but generally speaking is happy enough to rely on the keener senses and skills of his friends.
"I am sorry about the exit, sorry that you all got caught up in the organisation wanting me dead. I know you'll say I never asked for this or I didn't have control over it or whatever... But the aggression was still squared at us because of me. I guess a while ago if I was in your shoes in a similar situation i would have left that person to their fate... I'm grateful that you have all stuck by me, for whatever reason that may be."
"Oh you wouldn't have left us behind, we know you better than that." Ashley chides Vilus for his self-deprecating. "And I feel we would have gotten targeted eventually anyways, with or without you."
Turning to Joren, "I did find it a bit odd that he had the possession of the key on his person. I could see it being in his home or something, but just conveniently in his pocket? Odd indeed. Think it might be some skeleton key that opens all old doors in the village? Not just specifically this one? But let's get going, I am looking forward to this mystery!"
"me these days, I'd agree..." Vilus admits, before an amusing idea crosses his mind, "hey you know those bags of holding you can buy? what if the guys pockets are like that, you'd never store anything at home right? It'd be expensive as the hells to get that kind of thing in a jacket though... which only raises more suspicions.."
Samir walks along with the others, quiet and largely lost in his own thoughts. The day is pleasant, and the smell of the sea air settles into his lungs nicely and his eyes track the passage of a white and black sea bird overhead. His eyes flick to Vilus and he shakes his head. "Nonsense, Vilus. Regardless of whatever disagreements we might have had in the past, that is where it belongs. We are a cohort at this point, a fellowship. We have been through far too much together, the lot of us, and if some loutish brigands with delusions of grandeur want to come for one of us, then they will have to deal with all of us." He leaves off with a decisive nod, fixing his glasses with an almost instinctive movement right after.
As the trail winds and rises from the low foothills to higher ground, the group rounds a bend, and suddenly it is clear why the mayor thought it amusing to hand you the key. Before you stands approximately half of what had at one point likely been an impressive home. But now, it is a hollow and burnt out husk. Though the front door stands, much of the entrance around it is collapsed timber and charcoal. One entire wall and half of the roof are missing on the right hand side. Entering would be no more difficult than stepping over a cracked beam on the ground.
A light breeze blows through the broken windows of what was the third floor, producing a low wail. The sun shows it to be late afternoon.
Vilus gives Samir an appreciative nod for his words, it has given him something to think on.
Seeing the house virus let's loose a chuckle. "Hey who has the key? Haha...!
so much for a roof over our heads for the night. This looks like it's about to fall down where it stands... Maybe that's a solution knock it down, or can ghosts haunt a house that isn't there?" Vilus muses his thoughts out loud not particularly addressing anyone
Joren stands, echo out in front, each rubbing the back of their necks and staring at the wreck of a house. He muses on Vilus' suggestion to knock it down.
"Being a chance that there are kiddos or someone else innocent in there, I am feeling disinclined to collapse the structure further. One of the young half-orc lads we were seeing when first setting foot in Demain apparently likes to come here regardless of his parent's wishes."
The sun, hanging low in the sky, reflects off Joren's polished splint armor, which clinks slightly as he shifts his footing.
"Feeling a little worried, though, that stepping in there with my heavy gear, I will be falling right through what remains of the floor into the basement. My echo can be going in front, of course to divert and absorb any attacks, but it won't be applying any weight for testing rotten floorboards as I will."
Tanis(Ranger1):Shiverquill's Tempest City | Barn(Paladin1):Damian_May's Ereworn Under the Shadow | Lyra(Warlock2/Bard4):VitusW's Silverwood Forest
Joren(Fighter6):NotDrizzt's Simple Request | Sabetha(Monk3):Bedlymn's Murder Court | Quyen(Adept1, ba5ic system):ConstancePhokas' Nentir Vale (Discord)
Xarian (Fighter3):Luna_Dust's Marks on the Map | Ophelia (Sorcerer2):BillM's Icewind Dale | Shin(Wizard1):Culuril's Strixhaven
Malachi walks along the path, soaking in the warm sun and enjoying the scenery that reminded him so much of his own childhood home in a small town outside of Madurst. A town probably not far from here. His thoughts turn to the Madurst, and the news that he heard in the tavern of the growing unrest in the sister cities. What would he find when he returned there? What was still searching in the cities that could find him?
He pulls up short as they reach the ruined remains of the house and agrees with Vilus. “I’m not sure there is enough house left to haunt. I still think it’s likely that there is nothing more than animals nesting in the rubble.” He looks over to Joren. “Still, we can make sure there are no kids hiding about.” He approaches the sagging porch and a copper coin appears in his hand, dancing across his fingers as he reaches out with his mind to detect thoughts to search for any presence in the house.
Vilus sees if the door was even locked, not that it would matter with the entrance in ruin. He does however light a torch and look around before stepping in. He looks at the floor inside, is it wood that might be covering a cellar level. He looks around the door frame, are there markings or runes from the pervious owners or possible new tenants.
(4 perception)
Joren grimaces but nods slightly at Malachi's observations. As Vilus approaches and inspects the floor, the warrior steps around carefully, making use of the fading afternoon light to search for tracks, humanoid, beast or other, leading to or from the door or any other part of the structure's perimeter.
Joren's Survival: 12
Tanis(Ranger1):Shiverquill's Tempest City | Barn(Paladin1):Damian_May's Ereworn Under the Shadow | Lyra(Warlock2/Bard4):VitusW's Silverwood Forest
Joren(Fighter6):NotDrizzt's Simple Request | Sabetha(Monk3):Bedlymn's Murder Court | Quyen(Adept1, ba5ic system):ConstancePhokas' Nentir Vale (Discord)
Xarian (Fighter3):Luna_Dust's Marks on the Map | Ophelia (Sorcerer2):BillM's Icewind Dale | Shin(Wizard1):Culuril's Strixhaven
As the group catches sight of the ruined building, Samir's mouth drops into a small o of surprise, only to quickly morph into a more characteristic look of studiousness as he peers at the wreckage before them. As the others start to look around in their own ways, the half-orc begins to move around the outer perimiter. His eyes study the state of the remaining construction, while his fingers occasionally push on this spot or that, wondering at how much strength might possibly be left in the old timbers.
The timbers feel weathered to Samir's touch. Some have have succumbed partially to rot. But what parts stand yet even after all these years feels like it will be a while longer in coming down. In time, nature will reclaim this place eventually, as it always does.
Except Joren has a slightly different takeaway. Looking for signs of living activity, he notices a surprising absence. Surprising in that a place such as this should have been a prime location for rodent dens and birds nests. He doesn't even see signs of termites or ants.
Malachi reaches out with his mind, feeling for other life in the area. 1... 2... 3... 4... and himself. Nothing else appears to be in the area besides him and his companions.
There is a gentle click as Vilus tries to turn the key in the lock. It turns halfway before the rusted mechanism stops it. Vilus gives it a little jiggle, but it doesn't turn any further. Then there is a creak and a crack of wood. The door starts to tilt away from Vilus. The scorched frame splits as the one intact hinge pulls slowly free from brittle wood. Then the door collapses to the ground with a thud, leaving the door frame standing alone. Vilus looks closer at it, but if there were once markings, they've been burned away a long time ago. Moving on from the door, he inspects the floor. Much of it is covered in rubble and collapsed architecture, which he halfheartedly looks through. Though he doesn't immediately see any cellar doors, it does sound from the hollow creak of the floor boards that there is space below.
Puttering around the perimeter of the burned house, looking down at the ground and up at the holes in the structure, Joren mutters to himself, his brow furrowed and splint armor clanking slightly. Eventually, he stops short, thinking for a minute.
"Not just people abandoning this house, but Nature itself. Not seeing or hearing any animals or birds. Not even any insects or plant overgrowth. That is making no sense to me. It is as if some magic or curse or something unnatural is discouraging living things from coming close."
The half-dwarven warrior pauses, as if trying to remember something. A strange look comes over his rough-hewn face. Two half-elves and their boy. Strange disappearances. Half elves are living longer than humans, so a boy the same age as Mayor Shamp's grandmother would...
Joren's rumbling voice becomes very quiet. "Mal... you were born somewhere outside Madurst. Am I remembering that right?"
Tanis(Ranger1):Shiverquill's Tempest City | Barn(Paladin1):Damian_May's Ereworn Under the Shadow | Lyra(Warlock2/Bard4):VitusW's Silverwood Forest
Joren(Fighter6):NotDrizzt's Simple Request | Sabetha(Monk3):Bedlymn's Murder Court | Quyen(Adept1, ba5ic system):ConstancePhokas' Nentir Vale (Discord)
Xarian (Fighter3):Luna_Dust's Marks on the Map | Ophelia (Sorcerer2):BillM's Icewind Dale | Shin(Wizard1):Culuril's Strixhaven
Turning around, Joren sees Vilus sifting through the rubble. He turns to look for Malachi, who he thought was close by, but sees no sign of him. Come to think of it, he doesn't see Ashley or Samir on this side of the house either
Joren's CHA Save: 21 (Nat. 20)
"Vilus?" Joren's growl is low, but the goliath can hear the palpable tension in the warrior's voice. "Being wise now I think to get back out of the house. Not seeing the others any more. Just... gone. Should be standing back-to-back, the two of us, eyes out. I am sensing something is very wrong."
Drawing his Dunamis Blade, Joren positions his Echo next to Vilus ready to defend his friend from any incoming attack (Sentinel feat). His training allows him to settle his breathing as he does a slow 360, scanning and listening carefully for the others, or for other clues. Wondering whether to call out.
Joren's Perception: 25 (Nat. 20 again!)
"I know you are sometimes projecting your voice into our minds, Vilus. Can you reach out to Ash, Mal and Sam without seeing them?"
Tanis(Ranger1):Shiverquill's Tempest City | Barn(Paladin1):Damian_May's Ereworn Under the Shadow | Lyra(Warlock2/Bard4):VitusW's Silverwood Forest
Joren(Fighter6):NotDrizzt's Simple Request | Sabetha(Monk3):Bedlymn's Murder Court | Quyen(Adept1, ba5ic system):ConstancePhokas' Nentir Vale (Discord)
Xarian (Fighter3):Luna_Dust's Marks on the Map | Ophelia (Sorcerer2):BillM's Icewind Dale | Shin(Wizard1):Culuril's Strixhaven
First the lack of animal signs or footprints, and now missing friends... something is going on here. Wait! Footprints. Joren does a doubletake, looking to where he knew Ashley had been standing. There! Footprints. He'd not seen her walk off, but he can see faint tracks, joined by two others, leading toward the side of the house and... a locked cellar door? He is certain he hadn't seen that there before. The tracks end there though.
Vilus hoos back from the now empty door frame at Jorens request. Looking around the Goliath is surprised that the others are gone, his newly acquired happy demeanour disappears in an instant. "I... I can't, I need to be able to see someone to do that, I... ASH! ASHLEY! WHERE ARE YOU!? GUYS? MAL, SAMIR, WHERE YOU AT?" Vilus begins shouting as he instinctively draws his daggers, backing up to Joren and doing as he says, but feverishly wracking his brains as to a solution, "I could... I could dispel magic on a portion of the house but my magic reserves aren't large..."
Vilus can feel Joren freeze behind him. "Not yet. Saving that until more sure of targeting it and making it count. Like a ballista bolt. No wild shots."
The warrior's deep growl is now close to a whisper. He points the goliath to the three faint sets of footprints leading around the side of the house.
"Swearing to you I was not seeing those before when I was searching for animal tracks. One is starting where Ash was standing. Thinking they went, Vilus... likely not under their own volition, so shouting may be no use, but they went. To that cellar entrance I was not seeing before either."
Joren closes his eyes tight for just an instant, feeling a headache coming on. "No rushing in like I know you are wanting, my friend. We are going together. Have to be playing this smart. For their sake. May be needing your help to piece together what is happening here."
Joren pauses again, almost afraid to bring up the half-formed theory that has been overtaking his mind. He takes a breath and continues quietly.
"Half-elven couple and son, from outside Madurst like Mal. Half-elven boy, longer lifespan than humans, growing up to be Mal's age now. I am not knowing spells like you, but ever noticing the source of everyone's magic? Fire for Ash, contraptions for Sam, the Watcher for you being strange enough. Mal's magic is intruding into minds. Maybe being a little like yours, Vilus, but no Watcher as its source? It is coming from inside him. Strange disappearances back then. A stain, Mayor Shamp was saying. Something awakened for our friend back then as a boy. Making him what he is now."
If Vilus will join him, Joren begins to carefully advance along the footprints towards the cellar door at the side of the house. Echo leading out in front.
Tanis(Ranger1):Shiverquill's Tempest City | Barn(Paladin1):Damian_May's Ereworn Under the Shadow | Lyra(Warlock2/Bard4):VitusW's Silverwood Forest
Joren(Fighter6):NotDrizzt's Simple Request | Sabetha(Monk3):Bedlymn's Murder Court | Quyen(Adept1, ba5ic system):ConstancePhokas' Nentir Vale (Discord)
Xarian (Fighter3):Luna_Dust's Marks on the Map | Ophelia (Sorcerer2):BillM's Icewind Dale | Shin(Wizard1):Culuril's Strixhaven