A brief softness crosses Dearg face at the boy's response and is quickly replaced by the same calm expression as before.

(Following Shek'lok's question) "How quickly did these disappearances follow one another? Has anyone noticing anything else out of place, such as strange patterns/responses in your livestock or new sounds in the night?"

Thomas has begun to speak more freely and openly, obviously beginning to trust the group of adventurers. "We don't know when our father went missing, exactly. Nothing has been out of sorts at all in the village. Father doesn't do much, he works in the stable at the inn, mostly so he doesn't have to go far after work to get drunk. I assumed he'd fallen asleep in the stables again when he didn't come home...it's been two weeks now. Four since Torick disappeared...I don't think anybody even minded until they found the foreigner's stuff still in his room after he'd gone three days ago. That's when Elder Rim decided to ask for outside help."

The air has grown noticeably colder, and as the sun begins to set, a thin layer of fog provides an eerie backdrop near a forest that lies ahead.

"Goodbye sun...hello fog," Gemma says, suddenly downcast as she explains, "The fog's always here. Dormay is so...grey. I can't wait until I'm old enough to leave for good."

"It should only be about an hour now", Thomas says as he points to the pine trees now in view. "Dormay is just outside of the forest."

“Si, it seems we have a pattern here. Every two weeks... “ says the half-elf almost talking to himself. 

“It’s ok boy. We could talk more later. Now better to pay attention to the road. Low light and fog could lead to a broken ankle...” 

(OOC to DM: my character has investigation, perception, nature, and survival as skills which all seem pertinent to what I want to do. Since the modifier is that same for all of them, I’ve paired them into combo rolls and you can choose which applies if applicable.)

Ullingtin listens to the children’s answers as the group makes its way, nodding here and there but content to let the others press the conversation. The half-elf’s comment seemed particularity astute, these new companions were certainly no fools. 

Gemma’s comments about the fog and weather catches the Druid’s ear, and he drifts to the side of the trail to observe the lands around them...

(Ullingtin will use his skills to look around with investigation/perception for clues such as geography, plant and fungus species, the way moss and mold grows, and vegetation lay out to gain clues to the natural climate of the area, and then use his knowledge of nature/survival to try and ascertain if this area is normally supposed to be this cold and foggy or if something weird or unnatural might be occurring. Both rolls will be with guidance, and he uses his staff to shake some magical spores and heighten his abilities. )

Investigation/Perception (both at +6) to search for natural clues: 22

Nature/Insight (both at +6) to interpret what he’s found and ascertain if it is normal or not: 16

Like wise Zanthin's curiosity is peeked at the strange shift in climate, he mutters a minor arcana and a faint but silvery glow encircles his eyes as he looks around, for either natural or transmundain causes.

*Casts guidance on self

Nature/Arcana (both +11): 31

Investigation: 26

Perception: 18

OOC: Wow, great rolls.

As you crest a small hill, a small village rolls into view, near the forest of tall pine trees. The fog grows thicker as you get closer, but Ullington and Zanthin quickly determine that suspicion of the fog is unfounded. The conditions in the area mixed with the nearby forest are perfect for the creation of fog during temperature changes. Most likely, the fog is most prominent in the early morning and late evening.

From this distance, two buildings stand out from the small, single-story homes that dot the village -- a two-story building in the center, and the largest building on the north end of town. Just outside the village is a small stream that flows a half-mile into the forest, which spreads all the way to the eastern hills. In the dark of night, you can barely make out a small shed-like building near the stream outside of town.

As the group crests the hill, Zanthin opens his mouth for the first time in hours. "Nube." as he speaks the Familiar's name she vanishes off of the young girl's shoulder in a puff of dark smoke, reappearing perched on Zanthin as he snaps his fingers. Using the felines superior night vision he surveys the town and sighs, before grabbing the cat by the scruff of the neck, the skin of which stretches morbidly under the familiar's weight, much more so then the skin of any normal feline. Zanthin then addresses the creature directly, a spew of jumbled syllables pouring from his mouth as he looks the creature in its amber eyes, speaking in the tone of a over bearing parent.

"I deen uoy, ot og kcehc tuo taht llams egattoc elihw I yavrus eht tser fo eht nwot, esaelp, esaelp yrt ton ot teg detcartsid fi I kool otni ruoy dnim's eye nehw uoy teg kcab, dna I ees gnihton tub uoy gniwap ta a daed dlief esuom. uoy lliw eb gnidneps eht thgin no eht roolf, gnimussa I nac neve eruces a deb ni siht sdog nekasrof ecalp." 

 He then drops the creature who then sprints off gleefully in the direction of the small cottage.

*Burns a 2nd level spell slot via Alchemical casting to extend the range of his telepathic connection and sense sharing with his familiar to 1 mile. 

"So, this is Dormay. How many people live here? Including the three missing men?"

Grady asks calmly. He scans the area, trying to see if anyone is bustling around, going about their business.

"One hundred and some", Thomas answers Grady. "There were twenty families at the last census."

The town "gates" are little more than wooden fence, and at this late hour, it seems most everyone is at their home. The streets are empty of all but goats and chickens freely roaming the village, picking grass and seeds from the ground.

"We'll show you to the inn and let the Elder know you're here. He'll want to speak with you tonight, if that's alright.", Thomas says.

Meanwhile, Nube arrives at the building by the stream. It is a small building, perhaps 15-by-15 feet wide, and rather plain looking. Oddly enough, the stream flows through the building, rather than alongside it. The walls on those sides are raised in such a way that they do not obstruct the water. The outer walls are coated with a thick white paste, and there is a single door, as plain-looking as the rest of the building.

"Over a hundred crammed into this..  quant.. little village? I dare say that is quite a bit more genetic diversity then I expect to be found in these types of places, hopefully -" Zanthin is cut off as he walks face first into the side of a house, having switched his vision to gaze out of Nube's eyes. He recovers with as much dignity one can hope to recover after walking directly into the wall of a domicile and dusts himself off. "Right then, give me a moment." he takes a deep breath and observes the felines surroundings  "Odd little building." he says sending a telepathic command to The familiar to figure out if anyone is inside and try to get a look at the interior. 'Paw at the door if you need to, pull the hungry stray act if there are no open windows' which Nube obeys to the best of her abilities.      

Nube sniffs around for the scent of of any humanoids or odd smells in general, as Zanthin mutters a another minor arcana channeling the energy directly to the familiar.

Nube makes a perception check, has the trait  Keen Smell which gives advantage on all perception checks pertaining to smell, as Zanthing casts the touch range spell Guidance directly to His familiar.    

Perception: 20

Ullingtin makes note of the naturally cool and foggy climate and makes a mental not to check for sorrels, princes, and blewits in the morning if he has the time. 

“Thomas, pardon my inquiries, I am sure you are getting tired of all these questions. 

What can you tell me about the two larger buildings in town? I’m curious as to the types of commerce Dormay is involved with. I also see your town wall is rather modest. How safe is the surrounding country side? We seem to have traveled here unmolested, are there no goblin clans or wild beasts of note in this area?”

"That building up north is the church", Thomas answers Ullington, "Father Ertis, the new priest, lives there too. He replaced Father Cassius when he died last year. He's a good man." 

Gemma adds "He even tried to help Pa with his drinking before he disappeared."

Thomas points to the other large building which is now just in front of you. "This is the inn. Please head inside, and we'll go let Elder Rim know that you're here."

The front door of the inn has an image of a laughing old widow and the name "The Jolly Widow".

Nube easily enters the small building through the stream, and finds that nobody is there. There is no light in the room.

OOC: Can Nube see in the darkness? I still can't access Zanthin's character sheet.

OOC: Nube is just a normal familiar, currently with the stats of a cat so yes she has dark vision, also that is odd you can't open in it I'm very busy right now but I'll try to fix that later.  

"I'd like to have a word with this priest after talking to Elder Rim. Thank you Thomas and Gamma, let's talk to Rim.."

Grady doesn't take his gaze off of the church but heads for the Inn.

Answering Ullington, Thomas says "We're a farming village. All the men here were soldiers, so they're not much good at farming but they're good enough at soldiering to defend the town. Nothing much bothers us out here in the fog though."

The nervous chatter of the inn breaks the silence of the night while the Kaster siblings leave to find the village elder. The tavern on the main floor is surprisingly full for such a small village. A dozen men sit around tables, drinking more than talking. 

A tall, wide-eyed human woman walks toward you with a look of mock surprise on her face. "Newcomers, don't see those around here too often. I'm the owner, Loretta Codern. You must be here to respond to Joen's request. Come in, come in, I'll fetch you some warm food and wine and get your rooms set up, it's all on Joen's tab while you're here for your investigation."

Meanwhile, the room Nube has entered is rather plain to look at. The center of the room is built lower than the rest, so as the stream flows into the building it forms a knee deep pool in the center before flowing out the opposite end. The inner walls are made of bricks and are well protected from the moisture. All that inhabits the room is a single chair.

As they enter Shek’lok nods at Loretta and while they take sit at the table she says, he quickly checks the room and the locals in search of things that could indicate him their work , their mood... 

(Wow! Great rolls!)

When Loretta returns- "Thank you for the food and drink madam. We've been told that this town was settled by soldiers. Who were they of service to and why didn't they return to their command? What inspired settling a town in the forest, in the fog?"

Dearg looks over at Grady after his questions, 

"I can think of many reasons to settle in quiet woods kept in the stillness of fog, I can also see why this could contribute to their current troubles. Madame, have you heard any news of strangeness the men have encountered on patrol? With wine as good as yours you must hear lots of talk?"

"Yes please do share whatever you can, even the slight details could help point us in the right direction." Zanthin chimes in after Dearg

Zanthin uses the help action to assist Dearg in his persuasion: Dearg roll another d20 and choose the higher result 

The vibe of the room is elementary to Shek'lok Sholms. The men in the tavern are old, worn and weathered, as if they've been through many battles. There's a haunted look about most of them and they already seem deep into their drinking for the night. They are a rural folk, dressed modestly.

Loretta returns with a plate of fresh food and glasses of wine. Answering Grady, she says "It's no problem, really, the least I can do to thank you. You've been told correctly, but these ain't no active soldiers. The folks that settled here did so for no better reason than to drink. My grandmother opened this tavern as a sort of hidden getaway during the war twenty years back, and these old vets liked the place so much they just started building around it. The fog ain't so bad when you get used to it and the land 'round here's pretty fertile for such a foggy spot."

When Dearg follows up, Loretta rolls her eyes. "Now don't be putting that 'gossiping bartendress' cliché on me. When you talk with Joen he'll fill you in, I'm sure."

She sits down next to you after handing off the food and begins rattling off questions with a friendly smile. "Not often I get to chat with people I ain't met before. Where do you all come from? What do you do aside from investigating missing folk? What did your parents and grandparents do to raise fine investigators?"