Gerold just remains quiet as the group talks and when the symbol is presented he begins to look it over trying to recall anything from the history of the land about the symbol.

OOC:

*Don't know if you'd want history or arcana but both are a +5 so check would be 22

"I have a piece in the trunk under my bed at my cottage. God has told me to bring it here and destroy it but I fear it clouds my mind thus why I need your help to bring it here. As far as losing myself, it is that the visions have become so powerful that its feels like there is a gap when they happen. I believe it is simply a side effect of being exposed to a God's will.

He looks down as if he is trying to find the right words.

"Still though your words to have a certain truth to them and I am troubled with doubts even now. A gnawing feeling that I can not push away."

He moves toward the symbol and stares at it.

(HIstory and religion checks reveal nothing about the symbol you may also real insight on Crelik)

(I feel that Crelik hasn't given Belnum anything to really suspect him, but to keep things moving I'm going to insight him: 6).

Belnum looks at the symbol again, then grimaces as a thought runs through his mind of whether he is going to get an ear full from Mykiel his angelic guide and voice for his patron for not knowing the symbol.

(Your unable to get deeper insight into Crelik’s intentions then what he is telling you)

Brix wanders about the temple taking in all that's said. He perks up a bit at the mention of the meteorite. "Oh excellent! I'd like to run some tests on the sample. If you like I'll fetch the item."

Brix looks to see if anyone is going to go with him before heading off to the cottage.

Just before the exit he turns back and addresses the cleric, "Oh yeah! Where's this cottage again?"

Veyran listens to the priest as he explains the situation. He doesn’t seem like a bad person to him, if maybe a little preachy. Something did bother him about the whole thing though.

"We’ve been told that a certain Maggie might also have gone to the impact site. Anything you can tell us about her? Why would she have interest in the falling stars?"

Crelik lets our a deep breath in relief.

"Thank you! I would be in your debt if you would retrieve it for me and I would certainly let you run test on it! My only ask is that you help me destroy it after as God has asked of me. My cottage is the last one on the northern edge of the village, cottage with the sun on the door."

He turns to face Veyran and raises an eyebrow at the mention of Mad Maggie

"Yes I did see her there at the impact site. Mad Maggie lives isolated out to the east of the village. Every now and then she will come to the central square for supplies but she has always refused any aid I offered. Once her roof was damaged and I offered to repair it for her, but she insisted she did not need my aid. Some think her suspicious but I have never known her to wrong anyone."

(Brix is headed to the cottage if your all going or if anyone would like to separate please let me know.)

Feeling that there is not much more information that can be obtained by Crelik currently, Belnum thanks him for his time then leaves the temple to head to Crelik's cottage along with Brix.

The party takes its leave from the Temple and begins to make its way down the northern path to Crelik’s cottage. Forest and the spread out farmland composes the journey the further away from the central village as you travel. The lack of wildlife a reminder of the original feeling of wrong you felt as you first entered Grey-Brook. Around halfway to the cottage a villager calls out to you from a house set a little off the main path and begins to approach you from the doorway.

”HEY! HEY YOU ALL! Are you the investigators I heard about? I know what evil besets our village and how to stop it!”

In the background you see two older boys looking our from the door and a couple of older men working in the farm behind the house.

I’m Nick Ashford and it claimed my wife and youngest son! I tell you its that witch Mad Maggie! She took them and used them for some dark ritual! I’ve seen her dark artifacts and know how she keeps to herself! You wana help you start with her!”

He has an unmistakable rage to him and speaks with conviction. 

Belnum looks inquisitively at Nick, "You say you've seen these dark artifacts, can you describe them to us? How do you know it was her, did you see her taking your wife and youngest son or actually see her preforming this dark ritual?"

(insight check on Nick since he is actually accusing someone: 11)

Just outside the temple Brix turns to those that followed and says "Oh good, I'd hoped I'd have company. I didn't want to leave anybody behind but I also wanted the cleric to be kept busy so I could search his place without him. Since he didn't come with, it's just as well."

Brix is startled and taken aback for a moment at the sudden appearance of Nick Ashford. His curiosity is piqued when he hears mention of the arcane. Something he has Bagan to take an affinity to in recent months. He makes a mental note that however things turn out he will have to make this Maggie a visit.

Gerold walks with Belnum, his attention being called to the obvious man shouting at them. He just sighs as the man begins to talk about dark rituals and artifacts "I don't mind going to talk to her. Where does she live again sir?"

(Belnum your unable to see past the anger that is radiating from him, you know its real, but are unable to read more into it)

Ashford gives you an angry look as you question what dark artifacts he has seen.

"You think i'm making up that my wife and child are dead?! I seen that witch with her crystals and bones! While you stand here and ask me about it she could be taking another child! She lives isolated out on the eastern edge of the village. You should be heading that way to deal with her not wasting time on whatever fools errand your on!"

He spits on the ground near your feat.

Belnum restrains himself with the flagrant disrespect after Ashford spits on the ground near him, then tries to reassure him. "Sir, I believe you that something might have happened to your wife and child, and we will be looking into this Maggie. I promise that the person(s) responsible for this will be brought to Justice. For us to be able to do that, we need to make sure that we have all the facts first, which is what we are currently doing."

Veyran, arms crossed, watches the man’s outburst. He finds it hard to sympathize with the man with so much anger directed at them.

"Like Belnum said, we need proof. For all we know, she just took your youngest son and left you. Certainly seems to be what Crelik thinks."

Ashford face becomes red and his hands ball into fist. He visibly trembles with rage.

”I already told you all you need to know! You wana go wasting time then so be it, but the consequences fall on you lot!”

At the mention if Crelik his demeanor changes for a second to that of disappointment then is gone.

”Crelik doesn’t always get things right. You do what you will but I told you what you should be doing.”

He turns and leaves you heading back to his house.

"Let's hurry and go get this rock. Then we'll take it to Maggie under the guise of possibly giving it to her. If she is involved perhaps if she thinks of us as allies she'll reveal what's going on. Provided she's even a part of it of course." Urges Brix.

Belnum clears his throat then looks Ashford dead on, "Tell me how were things at home leading up the the disappearance of your wife and son? Any disagreements or other troubles between you and your wife? You see in situations like this 9 times out of 10 it's always the spouse that is guilty." Belnum then stares at the man to see his reaction.

(Intimidation: 22)

Belnum then nods in agreement to Brix's suggestion, "That does seem like a good way to check if she might be involved in this. 

(Edit: how does fixing the spelling of the skill name trigger the roll warning?)