You continue walking for a few hours. The sun rises higher in the sky but the hike has been uneventful. Vlart leads you to a shallow stream coming down from the mountains then heads upstream along the bank. The water is clear and cold with a rocky bottom that looks about gnome gnee deep. You spot lots of small bright multicolored fish in the stream. "We are getting close to Puddleborough" says Vlart.
You follow a stream uphill to the base of the mountain, where waterfall erosion has carved out a natural concavity. The roaring waterfall creates a cloud of mist as it plunges into a shallow pool of water, within which rise two small islands covered with two-foot-tall red, green, and purple mushrooms. Several cave openings overlook the pool from rocky ledges twenty to thirty feet above. The mountain blocks any sunlight from reaching this place.
Vlart leads the party along the east side of the stream, to the first cave entrance on that side. The only one with a narrow path ascending the 30ft to the cave entrance. "Lets hope things havent gotten worse since yesterday."
Enid has her notebook out again taking notes. “Can you tell me anymore about the disappearances? When were they last seen? Has anyone seemed to have ill feelings toward Orran or Warryn?”
"Orran disappeared two days after king Korboz locked himself and Gnerkla in their quarters. Warryn disappeared the next day. No one disliked either of them, as far as i can tell. Orran helped make mushroom wine and Warryn was a tinkerer, like me. The last time Orran was seen he was just finishing up another batch of wine. Warryn was last seen helping Factorè with his point defense engine." Says Vlart
Enid flips through her notebook, studying her notes. After a few minutes she mutters frustratedly. “There weren’t any connections among the disappearances back home. This is why I have wandered so far. Just trying to find any clue. “Tell me more about King Korboz leading up to locking himself away. Anything strange about his behavior or those around him?”
As Alton squints into the darkness, a piece of parchment appears floating in the air right in front him and illuminated by what can only be magic. A incorporeal hand holding a feather pen writes on the parchment. "By Order of King Korboz, No admittance into Puddleborough under any circumstances. Shapeshifters are about and gnomes are missing. To request an audiance with King Korboz, please sign here." The pen suddenly becomes corporeal and hovers in front Alton.
About 25 ft beyond the floating parchment Alton can see a wall lantern dimly illuminating the area beyond it. You can also see dim light coming from the end of the hall way to the north, just beyond the parchment.
The halls are 5 ft tall and appear hewn from solid dark grey rock. This hall looks like it sees lots of traffic, but the only tracks you can distinguish are gnomish shoe and boot prints.
The writing on the parchment disappears and is replaced by the image of a gnome with a pipe in what looks like a very comfortable gnome bedroom. "Who are you? Are you shapeshifters come to devour us?" The gnome looks the party up and down as if trying to discern hidden intentions.
“Alton Haywood, apprentice Druid. No interest in shifting shapes at this time, sir, nor for devouring. I heard there was trouble in these parts and was hoping to help.”
“My name is Enid Raoghnailt. From the Great Dale. I am neither a shapeshifter nor here to cause any harm. I am searching for gnomes missing from my homeland. I heard of your troubles and hoped to lend a hand and maybe find some information about our own missing gnomes.”
"Well...you dont look like the door that attacked me. But if a door can change into a table and run away after I shoot it with some magical missles, perhaps a table can turn into a gnome...or halfling." Says the figure in the parchment. Vlart steps up and says "Sir, I can vouch for these two. My brothers and I met them in Phandalin. They volunteered to come help. No signs of shapeshifting that we have seen." The parchment gnome ponders for a moment. "We need help, and no one has entered or left Puddleborough since you left to retrieve your brothers. I grant you permission to enter, but do so at your own risk. Do not harm any gnomes...unless they are shapeshifters."
Vlart tells his brothers to stay outside until he comes back to get them. He then steps inside the hall nervously. As Alton and Enid follow, Vlart stops at the hall to the north. "This hall goes to the dining room and kitchen. There is a table and chairs in there...How do we find out if one of them is our shapeshifter? There may be gnomes working in the kitchen beyond this room too." He waits for one of you to take the lead. You get the impression he is not interested being the first to encounter whatever creature you are looking for. "We can also continue east and that leads to the barrel crab workshop and Facktorè's workshop."
Enid walks about 20 ft down the hall to the dining room. This room is lit by 2 fuel lanterns hanging from the walls. A large central table made from wood and brass is surronded by 10 or so chairs. The table is decorated with a nice tablecloth but no gnomes are present in this room. You do smell freshly baked bread that must be coming from the central hallway to the north.
You continue walking for a few hours. The sun rises higher in the sky but the hike has been uneventful. Vlart leads you to a shallow stream coming down from the mountains then heads upstream along the bank. The water is clear and cold with a rocky bottom that looks about gnome gnee deep. You spot lots of small bright multicolored fish in the stream. "We are getting close to Puddleborough" says Vlart.
You follow a stream uphill to the base of the mountain, where waterfall erosion has carved out a natural concavity. The roaring waterfall creates a cloud of mist as it plunges into a shallow pool of water, within which rise two small islands covered with two-foot-tall red, green, and purple mushrooms. Several cave openings overlook the pool from rocky ledges twenty to thirty feet above. The mountain blocks any sunlight from reaching this place.
Vlart leads the party along the east side of the stream, to the first cave entrance on that side. The only one with a narrow path ascending the 30ft to the cave entrance. "Lets hope things havent gotten worse since yesterday."
Enid has her notebook out again taking notes. “Can you tell me anymore about the disappearances? When were they last seen? Has anyone seemed to have ill feelings toward Orran or Warryn?”
"Orran disappeared two days after king Korboz locked himself and Gnerkla in their quarters. Warryn disappeared the next day. No one disliked either of them, as far as i can tell. Orran helped make mushroom wine and Warryn was a tinkerer, like me. The last time Orran was seen he was just finishing up another batch of wine. Warryn was last seen helping Factorè with his point defense engine." Says Vlart
Enid flips through her notebook, studying her notes. After a few minutes she mutters frustratedly. “There weren’t any connections among the disappearances back home. This is why I have wandered so far. Just trying to find any clue. “Tell me more about King Korboz leading up to locking himself away. Anything strange about his behavior or those around him?”
Alton squints into the cave entrance. "There's light in there right? I can't see in the dark like you gnomes can."
As Alton squints into the darkness, a piece of parchment appears floating in the air right in front him and illuminated by what can only be magic. A incorporeal hand holding a feather pen writes on the parchment. "By Order of King Korboz, No admittance into Puddleborough under any circumstances. Shapeshifters are about and gnomes are missing. To request an audiance with King Korboz, please sign here." The pen suddenly becomes corporeal and hovers in front Alton.
About 25 ft beyond the floating parchment Alton can see a wall lantern dimly illuminating the area beyond it. You can also see dim light coming from the end of the hall way to the north, just beyond the parchment.
The halls are 5 ft tall and appear hewn from solid dark grey rock. This hall looks like it sees lots of traffic, but the only tracks you can distinguish are gnomish shoe and boot prints.
Alton looks back at the rest of the group, shrugs, and scratches out his name on the paper.
Enid signs after some hesitation.
The writing on the parchment disappears and is replaced by the image of a gnome with a pipe in what looks like a very comfortable gnome bedroom. "Who are you? Are you shapeshifters come to devour us?" The gnome looks the party up and down as if trying to discern hidden intentions.
“Alton Haywood, apprentice Druid. No interest in shifting shapes at this time, sir, nor for devouring. I heard there was trouble in these parts and was hoping to help.”
“My name is Enid Raoghnailt. From the Great Dale. I am neither a shapeshifter nor here to cause any harm. I am searching for gnomes missing from my homeland. I heard of your troubles and hoped to lend a hand and maybe find some information about our own missing gnomes.”
"Well...you dont look like the door that attacked me. But if a door can change into a table and run away after I shoot it with some magical missles, perhaps a table can turn into a gnome...or halfling." Says the figure in the parchment. Vlart steps up and says "Sir, I can vouch for these two. My brothers and I met them in Phandalin. They volunteered to come help. No signs of shapeshifting that we have seen." The parchment gnome ponders for a moment. "We need help, and no one has entered or left Puddleborough since you left to retrieve your brothers. I grant you permission to enter, but do so at your own risk. Do not harm any gnomes...unless they are shapeshifters."
Alton nods to Vlart. "Well, lead the way fellas."
Vlart tells his brothers to stay outside until he comes back to get them. He then steps inside the hall nervously. As Alton and Enid follow, Vlart stops at the hall to the north. "This hall goes to the dining room and kitchen. There is a table and chairs in there...How do we find out if one of them is our shapeshifter? There may be gnomes working in the kitchen beyond this room too." He waits for one of you to take the lead. You get the impression he is not interested being the first to encounter whatever creature you are looking for. "We can also continue east and that leads to the barrel crab workshop and Facktorè's workshop."
Enid unhooks the whip from her belt and takes the lead. “Only one way to find out. Let’s start with the dining room and kitchen.”
Enid walks about 20 ft down the hall to the dining room. This room is lit by 2 fuel lanterns hanging from the walls. A large central table made from wood and brass is surronded by 10 or so chairs. The table is decorated with a nice tablecloth but no gnomes are present in this room. You do smell freshly baked bread that must be coming from the central hallway to the north.
Enid cracks her whip at one of the table legs.
Attack: 18 Damage: 7
"Are you table or foe?"
Enid cracks her whip exactly where she wanted it. But the table doesn't respond in any way.