RL will slowly come back in with a sheepish smile on his face and sit back at the table, holding himself very stiff and still so as not to upset his stomach any further.
Fredrick drains his mug. "I have one more set to do tonight. I'll be around for a bit afterwards, and I'm here all day tomorrow. Will be leaving the day after for Easthill for a couple of days, then Dardun after that for a couple of days, and then back here again. If you have any questions about the manor, about anything, just ask."
He gets back up, straightens his yellow jacket, and puts on the performance persona and has the patrons in rapt attention as he belts out more songs about breaking free, and also a very long and musically chaotic song about.. well.. lots of things. Maybe the lyrics need explaining fully, but seems to be about someone being punished for murder. He finishes that one to applause and cheers. Fredrick thanks the audience. He heads to the bar and Onneth, the elderly half-elf owner, hands him a pouch with coins. The bar is extremely busy tonight, the patrons are in a good mood, and perhaps Onneth's only concern is whether the dwarven ale donated from Hammerfast will run out or not.
Augustin looks around at everyone drinking, mostly amicably. A few months ago there would have been little conversation as people would be drinking to forget, to numb. Now it was more of a social activity. Things were changing, but perhaps the all-to-brief summer had something to do with that. But there was something else, maybe hope. Sadness and grief also, for those lost in the battle, for the damage done to the village. Augustin hopes his own village of Harken will experience similar positive change after the Iron Circle have been expelled.
Augustin spends has spent the time going around and working to overcome any pressing issues between the different factions in the town.
He would like to focus on building relationships with the townsfolk and using their local knowledge to work towards the parties identified goals.
The glimmers of hope and respect he sees fills him with hope, and confidence in himself and he’s beliefs. He’s still yet to realise that people’s generosity is more linked to what the groups done rather then what’s his negotiation abilities and skills are.
Augustin helps simmer down some of the tensions between the locals and the refugees. Now the immediate threat is over, some of the "us and them" attitudes are creeping back in between some people. He knows he should rest - and he does sometimes when Esa berates him - but also likes to wander around slowly and gently, doing his rounds and talking to folk.
The rain continues most afternoons, people are used to it. It's getting colder already, summer does not last long in the Nentir Vale. Although apparently from stories you've all heard from older folk, including the elves, this was not always the case. Something has changed or is changing. The routine of the seasons is out of balance, compared to how it was before. A symptom of something happening in the world? Or maybe not happening.
RL asks around town about unusual behaviour, strange haunted mansions and missing cattle. It will give him a chance to work on the manners he has been earning from Grimbald. He gets a bit of a run around but ends up getting some information.
Enquiries about Missing Cattle:
From a farmer picking up some hay. "Oh yes! I've had three cattle go missing over two months. I can't sustain those losses. There's blood and sign of a struggle, but the cattle has been dragged away. Always the paddocks closest to the woods and always at night. Lost a dog too, poor bugger really messed up. At least it was quick. Scared me. So moved me cows and bulls to paddocks further away. So far so good, but makes two big paddocks unusable. If you can help me, I'd be much obliged."
RL's Enquiries about haunted ruins north of Albridge.
From Gerrad, the white haired elderly halfling village Elder: "I know of it, one of those many manor houses that people from the South came up and built. Most fell to ruin because of local trouble or the nobles lost interest or lost their fortune. That one is haunted for sure. No idea what is going on there, but a few times we've heard the story of a woman's voice sobbing, coming from the direction of the ruiins, which seems to affect the mind of some folk. They think they have to go and rescue the woman and their friends or family had to stop them. We don't encourage talk about it, we don't want to lose people to it. You're a delver, maybe better equipped to deal with the threat than others, so I don't mind telling you. But anyone else I'd deny everything. If you want more information go ask Onneth. He was alive probably when it was inhabited."
From Onneth, the elderly half-elf innkeeper: "Oh yes, I can't remember the name of the southern nobles who built a manor there, but I remember what I was told about what happened. I think, that one of the many minions who serve the Dark One who drives the Iron Circle had a hand in it. If not that one then another. They're all the same, they know how mortals' minds work, especially humans, and they get their minions to reach out and promise power or riches or help with whatever goals folk have. It almost always ends with only the Dark One achieving their goals, but sometimes the mind of the one contacted is fragile, has had previous trauma or has been affected in some way by some experience or other. So it was with the Lord of that particular manor. He was a retired delver, if I recall correctly, and maybe a minion of the Dark One was sent to corrupt him for revenge. After dealing with the Dark One, or more likely one if his minions, the Lord's mind snapped; he was hallucinating, thought his family - two teenage girls - twins, that's right, I remember now, they were twins - and his wife - were devils come to take his soul and he up and killed them. Then, in a moment of lucidity - or maybe the Dark One's minion dealing with him let him see - the Lord realised what he had done and killed himself. Certain powers perhaps took note of that dark deed and all of the slain became unquiet spirits, cursed to roam the grounds until the curse is broken. Spirits, ghosts, haunts, aren't really the person, you know, just sort of part of the person, usually the emotional part. Ever seen a logical ghost? No, me neither. They're all angry or weeping or wailing. Anyway it wasn't just the family but the workers, servants, and guards became undead as well. Poor sods. Surprised the mansion didn't become its own Dark Domain. Oh, you don't know about those. Ravenloft and such? No? Nevermind, not relevant, just my mind wandering. Anyway a few people tried to break the curse and failed and then it was just chalked up as yet another haunted place to stay away from. Been more than a century, before the fall of Nerath, since that happened. Had almost forgotten all about it."
Esa sits and ponders the discussions of ghosts. She wracks her brains, trying to remember what she may have learnt in past about them and their weaknesses. History check: 21
Augustin helps simmer down some of the tensions between the locals and the refugees. Now the immediate threat is over, some of the "us and them" attitudes are creeping back in between some people. He knows he should rest - and he does sometimes when Esa berates him - but also likes to wander around slowly and gently, doing his rounds and talking to folk.
The rain continues most afternoons, people are used to it. It's getting colder already, summer does not last long in the Nentir Vale. Although apparently from stories you've all heard from older folk, including the elves, this was not always the case. Something has changed or is changing. The routine of the seasons is out of balance, compared to how it was before. A symptom of something happening in the world? Or maybe not happening.
Esa, realising how Augustin seems to be down in the dumps about the current circumstances, begins to ease up on her scoldings. When they are in each others company, she finds herself throwing him a bone, so to speak. She loudly points out folk milling around happily, saying "My, look how happy they are, must be a big relief knowing they can now rest a little easier thanks to us."
Though she's sure her acting isn't great, she at least relaxes a bit as she notices him smile or untense in these moments.
Esa knows of several stories of ghosts and spirits. In all of them some kind of task needs to be performed, something the ghost was trying to achieve and failed. Where that wasn't the case then the dead bodies of those that became ghosts have to be buried on holy or sanctified ground, such as an established cemetery. If no such venue is available then the bodies should be buried and have some kind of ceremony performed on the burial site. The use of holy water in the burial ceremony or other similar ingredient is usually necessary in these cases.
Esa also becomes a little intrigued by the stories of the missing cattle. She ventures out to question the farmer and be shown the areas where the cattle were taken from. If there are any recent tracks or drag marks there, she wants to look into them.
If they are gone, she will ask the farmer if the tracks looked deep, as though the cow was dragged by its full weight, or shallow, as though the bulk of the weight was lifted and only the hooves or part of the cow were being dragged.
Missing cattle to her tells of few good things. Either something big is coming in to feast, or someone is looking for blood or bodies for something sinister. Though simple theft is possible, the added element of the dog going missing adds a more mysterious layer to it.
While she doesn't want to fully commit to the farmer that the group will look into it right away, she knows any info she can gleam here may change their current plans
Esa knows of several stories of ghosts and spirits. In all of them some kind of task needs to be performed, something the ghost was trying to achieve and failed. Where that wasn't the case then the dead bodies of those that became ghosts have to be buried on holy or sanctified ground, such as an established cemetery. If no such venue is available then the bodies should be buried and have some kind of ceremony performed on the burial site. The use of holy water in the burial ceremony or other similar ingredient is usually necessary in these cases.
Esa will pass this knowledge onto the others, pointedly noting that none of them are close to being respectable or holy enough to perform burial ceremonies. Perhaps this is a task for when Augustin is ready to join them. While doable without him, there may certainly be times when a man such as he may prove useful
Esa also becomes a little intrigued by the stories of the missing cattle. She ventures out to question the farmer and be shown the areas where the cattle were taken from. If there are any recent tracks or drag marks there, she wants to look into them.
If they are gone, she will ask the farmer if the tracks looked deep, as though the cow was dragged by its full weight, or shallow, as though the bulk of the weight was lifted and only the hooves or part of the cow were being dragged.
Missing cattle to her tells of few good things. Either something big is coming in to feast, or someone is looking for blood or bodies for something sinister. Though simple theft is possible, the added element of the dog going missing adds a more mysterious layer to it.
While she doesn't want to fully commit to the farmer that the group will look into it right away, she knows any info she can gleam here may change their current plans
RL knows where the farmer is, and they take a trip out to his farm. Of course his name is Jed, and he shows you where the cattle were taken. There are drag marks but RL estimates not the whole weight of the animal was being dragged. So half dragged, half carried. They go off into the woods. For Jed, the woods are a spooky place, he's happy to chop down a few trees from the outside, but no chance of going into the woods himself.
There are some strange tracks also. RL would need a survival check to interpret them.
Esa also becomes a little intrigued by the stories of the missing cattle. She ventures out to question the farmer and be shown the areas where the cattle were taken from. If there are any recent tracks or drag marks there, she wants to look into them.
If they are gone, she will ask the farmer if the tracks looked deep, as though the cow was dragged by its full weight, or shallow, as though the bulk of the weight was lifted and only the hooves or part of the cow were being dragged.
Missing cattle to her tells of few good things. Either something big is coming in to feast, or someone is looking for blood or bodies for something sinister. Though simple theft is possible, the added element of the dog going missing adds a more mysterious layer to it.
While she doesn't want to fully commit to the farmer that the group will look into it right away, she knows any info she can gleam here may change their current plans
RL knows where the farmer is, and they take a trip out to his farm. Of course his name is Jed, and he shows you where the cattle were taken. There are drag marks but RL estimates not the whole weight of the animal was being dragged. So half dragged, half carried. They go off into the woods. For Jed, the woods are a spooky place, he's happy to chop down a few trees from the outside, but no chance of going into the woods himself.
There are some strange tracks also. RL would need a survival check to interpret them.
Alesia Gravelstoke arrives in town, swapping her grey cloak for a disguise of a farmer, she arrives on a cart, and helps them unload it, just in case - she tells you later - there are spies in Albridge watching to see who arrives and departs.
She, Augustin, and Dar Gremath (and any other party members who want to participate) spend some time discussing options for infiltrating Harken Keep, including what help the Gravelstokes can supply. This will take a few days in the planning.
The owl familiar finds an entrance to its lair in the woods. A hole straight down, looks like it leads to a tunnel.
RL will send the owl down the hole to see how deep it is and to get an idea of what is inside if its further than 100ft it will observe and report back
RL will hide above ground so that if the insect comes out of the burrow he will be out of view.
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RL will slowly come back in with a sheepish smile on his face and sit back at the table, holding himself very stiff and still so as not to upset his stomach any further.
Fredrick drains his mug. "I have one more set to do tonight. I'll be around for a bit afterwards, and I'm here all day tomorrow. Will be leaving the day after for Easthill for a couple of days, then Dardun after that for a couple of days, and then back here again. If you have any questions about the manor, about anything, just ask."
He gets back up, straightens his yellow jacket, and puts on the performance persona and has the patrons in rapt attention as he belts out more songs about breaking free, and also a very long and musically chaotic song about.. well.. lots of things. Maybe the lyrics need explaining fully, but seems to be about someone being punished for murder. He finishes that one to applause and cheers. Fredrick thanks the audience. He heads to the bar and Onneth, the elderly half-elf owner, hands him a pouch with coins. The bar is extremely busy tonight, the patrons are in a good mood, and perhaps Onneth's only concern is whether the dwarven ale donated from Hammerfast will run out or not.
Augustin looks around at everyone drinking, mostly amicably. A few months ago there would have been little conversation as people would be drinking to forget, to numb. Now it was more of a social activity. Things were changing, but perhaps the all-to-brief summer had something to do with that. But there was something else, maybe hope. Sadness and grief also, for those lost in the battle, for the damage done to the village. Augustin hopes his own village of Harken will experience similar positive change after the Iron Circle have been expelled.
Augustin spends has spent the time going around and working to overcome any pressing issues between the different factions in the town.
He would like to focus on building relationships with the townsfolk and using their local knowledge to work towards the parties identified goals.
The glimmers of hope and respect he sees fills him with hope, and confidence in himself and he’s beliefs. He’s still yet to realise that people’s generosity is more linked to what the groups done rather then what’s his negotiation abilities and skills are.
10th-12th day of Latesummer
Augustin helps simmer down some of the tensions between the locals and the refugees. Now the immediate threat is over, some of the "us and them" attitudes are creeping back in between some people. He knows he should rest - and he does sometimes when Esa berates him - but also likes to wander around slowly and gently, doing his rounds and talking to folk.
The rain continues most afternoons, people are used to it. It's getting colder already, summer does not last long in the Nentir Vale. Although apparently from stories you've all heard from older folk, including the elves, this was not always the case. Something has changed or is changing. The routine of the seasons is out of balance, compared to how it was before. A symptom of something happening in the world? Or maybe not happening.
RL asks around town about unusual behaviour, strange haunted mansions and missing cattle. It will give him a chance to work on the manners he has been earning from Grimbald. He gets a bit of a run around but ends up getting some information.
Enquiries about Missing Cattle:
From a farmer picking up some hay. "Oh yes! I've had three cattle go missing over two months. I can't sustain those losses. There's blood and sign of a struggle, but the cattle has been dragged away. Always the paddocks closest to the woods and always at night. Lost a dog too, poor bugger really messed up. At least it was quick. Scared me. So moved me cows and bulls to paddocks further away. So far so good, but makes two big paddocks unusable. If you can help me, I'd be much obliged."
RL's Enquiries about haunted ruins north of Albridge.
From Gerrad, the white haired elderly halfling village Elder: "I know of it, one of those many manor houses that people from the South came up and built. Most fell to ruin because of local trouble or the nobles lost interest or lost their fortune. That one is haunted for sure. No idea what is going on there, but a few times we've heard the story of a woman's voice sobbing, coming from the direction of the ruiins, which seems to affect the mind of some folk. They think they have to go and rescue the woman and their friends or family had to stop them. We don't encourage talk about it, we don't want to lose people to it. You're a delver, maybe better equipped to deal with the threat than others, so I don't mind telling you. But anyone else I'd deny everything. If you want more information go ask Onneth. He was alive probably when it was inhabited."
From Onneth, the elderly half-elf innkeeper: "Oh yes, I can't remember the name of the southern nobles who built a manor there, but I remember what I was told about what happened. I think, that one of the many minions who serve the Dark One who drives the Iron Circle had a hand in it. If not that one then another. They're all the same, they know how mortals' minds work, especially humans, and they get their minions to reach out and promise power or riches or help with whatever goals folk have. It almost always ends with only the Dark One achieving their goals, but sometimes the mind of the one contacted is fragile, has had previous trauma or has been affected in some way by some experience or other. So it was with the Lord of that particular manor. He was a retired delver, if I recall correctly, and maybe a minion of the Dark One was sent to corrupt him for revenge. After dealing with the Dark One, or more likely one if his minions, the Lord's mind snapped; he was hallucinating, thought his family - two teenage girls - twins, that's right, I remember now, they were twins - and his wife - were devils come to take his soul and he up and killed them. Then, in a moment of lucidity - or maybe the Dark One's minion dealing with him let him see - the Lord realised what he had done and killed himself. Certain powers perhaps took note of that dark deed and all of the slain became unquiet spirits, cursed to roam the grounds until the curse is broken. Spirits, ghosts, haunts, aren't really the person, you know, just sort of part of the person, usually the emotional part. Ever seen a logical ghost? No, me neither. They're all angry or weeping or wailing. Anyway it wasn't just the family but the workers, servants, and guards became undead as well. Poor sods. Surprised the mansion didn't become its own Dark Domain. Oh, you don't know about those. Ravenloft and such? No? Nevermind, not relevant, just my mind wandering. Anyway a few people tried to break the curse and failed and then it was just chalked up as yet another haunted place to stay away from. Been more than a century, before the fall of Nerath, since that happened. Had almost forgotten all about it."
Esa sits and ponders the discussions of ghosts. She wracks her brains, trying to remember what she may have learnt in past about them and their weaknesses. History check: 21
Esa, realising how Augustin seems to be down in the dumps about the current circumstances, begins to ease up on her scoldings. When they are in each others company, she finds herself throwing him a bone, so to speak. She loudly points out folk milling around happily, saying "My, look how happy they are, must be a big relief knowing they can now rest a little easier thanks to us."
Though she's sure her acting isn't great, she at least relaxes a bit as she notices him smile or untense in these moments.
Esa knows of several stories of ghosts and spirits. In all of them some kind of task needs to be performed, something the ghost was trying to achieve and failed. Where that wasn't the case then the dead bodies of those that became ghosts have to be buried on holy or sanctified ground, such as an established cemetery. If no such venue is available then the bodies should be buried and have some kind of ceremony performed on the burial site. The use of holy water in the burial ceremony or other similar ingredient is usually necessary in these cases.
Esa also becomes a little intrigued by the stories of the missing cattle. She ventures out to question the farmer and be shown the areas where the cattle were taken from. If there are any recent tracks or drag marks there, she wants to look into them.
If they are gone, she will ask the farmer if the tracks looked deep, as though the cow was dragged by its full weight, or shallow, as though the bulk of the weight was lifted and only the hooves or part of the cow were being dragged.
Missing cattle to her tells of few good things. Either something big is coming in to feast, or someone is looking for blood or bodies for something sinister. Though simple theft is possible, the added element of the dog going missing adds a more mysterious layer to it.
While she doesn't want to fully commit to the farmer that the group will look into it right away, she knows any info she can gleam here may change their current plans
Esa will pass this knowledge onto the others, pointedly noting that none of them are close to being respectable or holy enough to perform burial ceremonies. Perhaps this is a task for when Augustin is ready to join them. While doable without him, there may certainly be times when a man such as he may prove useful
RL knows where the farmer is, and they take a trip out to his farm. Of course his name is Jed, and he shows you where the cattle were taken. There are drag marks but RL estimates not the whole weight of the animal was being dragged. So half dragged, half carried. They go off into the woods. For Jed, the woods are a spooky place, he's happy to chop down a few trees from the outside, but no chance of going into the woods himself.
There are some strange tracks also. RL would need a survival check to interpret them.
RL believes they are the tracks of some kind of giant insect. Just one.
Alesia Gravelstoke arrives in town, swapping her grey cloak for a disguise of a farmer, she arrives on a cart, and helps them unload it, just in case - she tells you later - there are spies in Albridge watching to see who arrives and departs.
She, Augustin, and Dar Gremath (and any other party members who want to participate) spend some time discussing options for infiltrating Harken Keep, including what help the Gravelstokes can supply. This will take a few days in the planning.
RL will summon a wild companion owl to follow the tracks of the giant insect. He will follow 100 ft behind the owl.
Owls Perception check to follow the tracks and watch out for the insect. 12
RL is looking to find it, not engage it.
Esa will ride on RL, but warns him they are only here to look, and at the first sign of trouble they should head back for the others.
The owl familiar finds an entrance to its lair in the woods. A hole straight down, looks like it leads to a tunnel.
RL will send the owl down the hole to see how deep it is and to get an idea of what is inside if its further than 100ft it will observe and report back
RL will hide above ground so that if the insect comes out of the burrow he will be out of view.