Four bards walk into a bar and ...

"I have skills in animal handling" says Fun.  "perhaps I can help attract a bird."

As the notes from Gael's pipe die away two blackbirds appear.

"Here you go Lash" Gael points at the two birds "I'm very curious to hear what they have to say."

In a high pitched excited voice the first blackbird says that it saw something matching Lash's description walk into a barn near the village of Undercliffe two sunrises ago. The second blackbird interrupts the other's story to say that it saw a similar creature walk into a barn on Amendsfarm one sunrise ago,

"It sounds as though they don't like sunlight" says Fyngold.  "Perhaps it's still in the barn on Amendsfarm.  Does anyone know the way?"

Chumba:

”Perhaps the birds will lead us there if we play them a merry tune,” suggests Chumba, offering “I can provide a rhythm section if someone wants to take the lead.”

(grant advantage to someone’s perform check, perhaps)

"Amendsfarm is about eastsoutheast from here in that direction." points Gael standing up. The dwarf replies then to Chumba "I like your idea, even if the birds do not like it, it will cheer up our mood for sure."
Gael takes out his flute and starts playing a joyful marching song. 
Performance 19

"Buta of course. Follow the birds we shall." Klaes smiles as he follow the group.

The party set off for Amendsfarm but after about 5 minutes - if that long - the two blackbirds get distracting by something and soon fly off. After about 15 minutes or so the party come to a collection of farm buildings including several barns. Smoke is drifting from a couple of chimneys but given it is the middle of winter there is nobody outside.

pple  

     "We should spread out but keep one another in sight.  Try to keep an eye on all the buildings...  I'll knock on the door and see if I can get the farmers attention, let them know why we're here, what we're doing.  Maybe they seen something could help, maybe not.  But we don't need them coming out an attacking us thinking we're thieves or any such nonsense..."  Lash suggests and heads towards what looks to be the main farmhouse.

"Good thinking Lash, we do not need additional troubles." nods Gael "I'll check the nearest barn." The dwarf unsheathes his short sword and carefully heads towards the nearest barn. "Check for tracks, if those things are around here they have left tracks for sure."  Investigation 21

Chumba:

Chumba helps look for tracks…

Survival:  23

Klaes takes a couple of steps to the east, and looks around for any strange creature.

Perception: 23

Fyngold gets out her crossbow, her extra shirt and her flint.

As Lash knocks on the door the bottom half of a divided door opens and a voice says from somewhere below Lash’s waist “can I help you?” Both Gael and Chumba can see one or two what look like human sized shoe prints in the remnants of the snow around the door to the barn.

     Lash takes a few steps backs from the door and then squats to get closer to eye lever with whoever answered the door.  “Oh!  Hello there,” he starts with a smile.  “My friends and I are on a mission from the Blackstaff.  We’ve been informed that something like walking scarecrows have been terrorizing local farmsteads…  have you seen or heard anything of this sort?”

It is a halfling who says “something got into the barn last night and scared the chooks so bad they’ve stopped laying!”

"Over here" calls Gael "There are tracks in the snow near this barn. We may have found those creatures." The dwarf, readying his sword, waits for the rest of the group before entering the barn.

Chumba:

"We'll see what we can do," replies Chumba, then he turns and draws his mace, heading over to join Gael at the barn.

     "Was it still in the barn?  Did you see it?" Lash asks, urgently while readying his weapon.  If he knows eggs weren't laid then he must've checked, which means he was in the barn...  If it's still in there just inactive they may have this done before the hour is out...