“I’m not sure,” Taroo tells Utar. “I haven’t witnessed any attacks, so I wouldn’t know.”
@Neya: apart from the footprints, hoofprints, blood trails, vessel imprints, and the gourd already pointed out to you, you do not see any other clues at the gravel bar. A quick look over to Danea reveals she hasn’t found any extra clues either.
Taroo looks at Doozey after the halfling mentions going to the farm. With a nod, he resumes guiding CRAP up the shorter set of steps. The trail from the steps leads through a strip of dense woods between the farm and the river. It doesn’t take you long to emerge from the other side of the patch of trees. The first thing you can see is a stout wooden farmhouse, which is about 230 feet uphill from this point. The trail passes by a ploughed field, which Taroo promptly identifies as “the south field” before wrapping around the farmhouse and ending in the middle of a small grouping of buildings. From here, another trails splits off to the southeast and winds downhill to meet the Farmer’s Trail.
The group of buildings include the aforementioned farmhouse, a barn, chicken coops, a well, and a farmhand house which Taroo claims as his own. The two chicken coops are in a small fenced in area. The large barn has a pig sty to the north and green pastures to the east, both of which are also fenced in. Beyond the barn is another planting field, identified by Taroo as “the north field”. From this distance, all structures look to be in good repair.
"I guess we start with the farmhouse. Might be worth checking the barn and the sty since they took some of the animals too?"
Moving down the trail towards the Renon's farmhouse, Utar turns back to face the gravel bar. Would the Renon's have had a good view of the river? Probably not if they were attacked at night.
Instead he turns his attention to the door of the farmhouse.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
"Aye. Me and Biscuit can handle the barn while the rest of ya check the farmhouse itself. Or, I guess the field too. And if ya find anything interesting to collect, please do so. Again, it can be difference between aggravating the wrong tribe or narrowing down where our possible kidnappers might be located within the marsh." Doozey reminds, before with that breaking away from the party and Taroo at a clipped pace with Biscuit hot on his heels.
And much as Neya had done so, from the very onset just outside the barn he'd been in checking the grounds for tracks -- monstrous tracks -- and try to glean at least vague number on the number, if not the possible creatures they belonged to with the help of Biscuit.
@Utar: The Renons' view of the river would be blocked by the patch of woodlands separating them from the gravel bar.
The farmhouse is a well-built, low 20ft by 40ft sturdy wooden structure with walls stained dark green. The roof is wood shingles. There are front and back doors, and a pair of small rippled glass windows into each room. Utar stares at the front door for a moment and notices that it has very obviously been bashed in. Moreover, a bloody woodsman's axe with a broken handle is stuck at an odd angle in the wall next to the front door. Walking inside, the half-orc first takes note of the wooden floors and the relatively short six-foot-high ceiling. The wood floor has deep scratches on it. Inside the front door is a large living space with a fireplace. A narrow hallway leads past a small bedroom to the kitchen in the back. There are no interior doors. A large fireplace dominates the kitchen, and it is clear that food preparation occurs both inside and at tables behind the house. A broken, crude club is on the kitchen floor. There was obviously a struggle throughout the house. Furniture is broken and stored items are damaged or displaced. There are dried blood spots and splatters on the floor and walls, though it is not extensive. The bed is unmade and the fireplaces are cold. Walking the farmhouse's perimeter, Neya notices that the windows and the back door have all been bashed in as well. After walking around and into the house with Neya and Utar, Taroo offers a comment: "Nothing is missing, even items of value."
@Utar & @Neya: Give me investigation checks. Taroo will help one of you and Denae will help the other.
The barn is a story-and-a-half-tall stout wood structure. Access is through the main doors on the west side, with two additional doors on the north and east sides. The north door leads to the pig sty, and the east doors open into the pasture. Doozey and Biscuit notice that all of the doors are smashed in, showing clear impacts from clubs. The halfling estimates that the pig sty is too large for the animals spotted inside: small pigs remain inside the north side of the barn. Signs that cattle was kept here are also apparent. As expected, clawed footprints cover the dirt floor. After some time analyzing the different sizes and shapes of each print, Doozey concludes that 15 individuals were responsible for this raid.
@Utar: You pick up additional nuances surrounding the clues you have identified so far. The bloody woodsman's axe with a broken handle that is stuck in the wall next to the front door is at an awkward angle likely due to its wielder avoiding the room's low head height. The broken, crude club that you found on the kitchen floor is fashioned out of wood common to the swamp and also the riverbanks, based on what you saw in your last visit to the Twilight Marsh and your recent trip down the river. The dried blood splatters reveal that at least one person or creature was dragged out the back door and down the Renons’ path to the river. You also notice that under a floorboard in the bedroom is a small, hidden, unlocked chest. It contains 10gp, 22sp, 52cp, and a silver necklace inlaid with finely cut agates (worth 20gp.) To a small farming family, this constitutes a lifetime's savings.
@Neya: Focusing specifically on the scratched wooden flooring, you deduce that this damage was likely delivered passively by clawed feet. You also help Utar confirm the bit about the crude club being made of wood commonly found in this immediate swampy area.
@Doozey: Revisiting the area where the cows were kept, you now realize that these hoofed animals were led out of the barn and down the Renons’ path towards the stairs. One of the set of tracks is larger than the other two, allowing you to determine that two cows and one ox were kept here. If it wasn't obvious before, you now reinforce your understanding that however many large pigs were kept here were also taking, with the criminals leaving behind in the sty the smaller ones.
The stoutling mutters his suspicion, musing if but to better sort out his thoughts on the matter. But while confident the raiders would be slowed by their haul, several hours worth of a head start could just as well meant the load being lighten along the way as hunger got the best of the raiders. Even still, more rays of hope lingered in his heart as he called out into the barn, "Anyone here? Any survivors? The raiders are gone -- long gone, I assure you."
But if met with but the ambient noise of some startled piglets at best, Doozey reluctantly gives up by letting out a low, sharp whistle to draw Biscuit back to his side. Then once properly mounted up, the two pay a visit to the nearest field, calling out for anyone to come out, assuring them they were safe. If after a few minutes he catches no response or scents suggesting others in hiding, either by choice or by fortune, then the duo would finally make their way to the main house to await news from the rest of the party.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
Taroo shrugs in Neya's direction: "Acting like this? This aggressively? This far from their territory? I can't say I have. But, whatever it is, whatever triggered their attacks must have happened about a tenday ago." Denae turns to face her sister with a knowing look on her face: "About a tenday ago..."
Doozey gets no vocal response from the any corner in the barn and, keeping an attentive eye out, confirms that he is the only humanoid in the vicinity. The same can be said about the nearby north field, which the halfling explores after leaving the barn. The north field has the first green shoots of the spring grain planting. An oxless ox-drawn plow sits at the south edge of the field, near the barn. Nothing else here catches Doozey's attention.
On his way back to the farmhouse, the ranger and mastiff clock the chicken coop, the well, and the smaller house Taroo claims for his own. In fact, at this point, Taroo is also curious about what his home might look like after the attack and is on his way out of the farmhouse and walking toward his own abode. Taroo's rough wooden house is a single 10ft by 10ft room with a small window next to the front door. The door is smashed in. After few minutes inside, the farmer turned guide emerges from his home and states: "My worn table and chairs are undisturbed. The bed is overturned, as if someone looked under it. Nothing is missing, though... Lucky me, I guess."
Packing the Renon's family treasures carefully away, Utar places them back underneath the floorboards, settling the floor so the box is as hidden as it was before. Best he can do is try and see the family back home. Odd though, that whoever is behind this seems to only be interested in taking folk away with their livestock. Are they gathering a workforce and the livestock necessary to support them?
Keeping the thought fresh in his mind, the half-orc heads outside to connect with the rest of the CRAPpers.
"No Renon's to be found and precious few clues. I think we best head down the trail to check on the neighbours? Taroo, does the river pass by their farms too?"
"I would have to disagree and say its pretty clear that lizardfolk were involved in this family's disappearance," Neya says. "But it's not outside the realm of possibility that they might not be alone."
Denae agrees with Neya: "Yes, the clues have been clear so far... perhaps too clear." Meanwhile, Taroo answers Utar's question: "Yes, all three farms here drink of the Trank River." As the guide begins to lead the group toward the other farms, he can't help but take the long way: "While we are here, I should check on the chickens." The small chicken coop holds a dozen chickens that make a fantastic racket once Taroo steps inside. It seems the attackers ignored it, which makes the farmhand feel relieved.
Continuing on your way, you pass by the water well. It is shallow and stone lined. A dozen battered wood buckets are stacked around the well next to a ragged rope. You also walk past the south field, which shows the first shoots of a variety of vegetables. Three clear sets of clawed footprints lead from the compound through the field and towards the Alyin's farm to the south. Taroo asks if that is the farm you'd like to investigate next, or whether you'd prefer to go to the Tralio farm instead.
"Hmmm scratchy footprints in the ground leading towards Alyin's farm... I'd say that's where we need to be next, sadly. Taroo, what can you tell us about your neighbours?"
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
"Aye, that certainly case be so far." Doozey commented in response to Taroo's statement. For a moment, he looks as if he wants to say more, but stops short in seeing the others arrive with their report. A report that while not the juiciest in the world still led to the stoutling spending the better part of the next few minutes following on auto-pilot while occasionally muttering to himself about various scenarios and possibilities. There's even a mention about "tracks" the others perhaps pick up on, but not much elaboration beyond that initially... without someone drawing his attention.
Though that said, at at the brief mention of sighting clawed footprints, a glimmer of focus returned to the stoutling just long enough to prompt him to disembark once again, if but closely examine the tracks. It was a long shot; but, if he could confirm kobold involvement, then it would solidify a theory or two. And he's had more than enough opportunity examining kobold tracks between Sagin and in testing out the false tracks laying boots adorning his feet in the past.
Though no matter whether he confirms his suspicions or merely has a new puzzle on his plate, its back atop Biscuit before long for the stoutling, and gently urging the fey-touched beast onward towards following the tracks.. until Taroo takes point again guiding the group more steadily towards Alyin's farm.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
"More lizardfolk tracks. Could that be all there could be around here?" Neya ponders to herself as she looks around for any other sort sign of activity.
@Ori: Examining the many samples of footprints throughout the Renon Farm, you discard the possibility that kobolds have been a part of the attack. The prints are simply too large for the diminutive dragonkin creatures.
@Neya: With a closer look at your surroundings, you find more dragging marks along the floor. You have no doubt that the Renons, and possibly their animals, were dragged out of their home and brought back to the gravel bar area.
Taroo nods at Utar and fills the silent air with some information as the group walks: "The Alyins are a family of two, just Walos and Jinns. They are on the younger side compared to the Renons, and they hadn't been around long enough to really know the area well." The guide taps his chin trying to think of any other relevant piece of information but can only think of agricultural topics at the moment: "They were late planting their fields this season on account of feeling poor of health." Someone clears their throat. "And let us not forget what Romsan mentioned earlier,"Denae adds. "The Alyins had inherited their farm and moved in only a few months ago. I am not sure the abductors are being very selective, but who knows what piece of information may turn out to be relevant..."
Approaching the Alyin farm, you notice that it has an old small farmhouse similar to the Renons’ but that it is in poorer general condition. The Alyin's land parcel also seems smaller than the Renon's. In addition to the farmhouse, there is one single planting field, and an old wooden barn.
Taroo’s history check: 5
(@Ori: I’m happy to assume Doozey has his alchemy kit, either in his person or the bag of holding.).
(still on mobile)
“I’m not sure,” Taroo tells Utar. “I haven’t witnessed any attacks, so I wouldn’t know.”
@Neya: apart from the footprints, hoofprints, blood trails, vessel imprints, and the gourd already pointed out to you, you do not see any other clues at the gravel bar. A quick look over to Danea reveals she hasn’t found any extra clues either.
Taroo looks at Doozey after the halfling mentions going to the farm. With a nod, he resumes guiding CRAP up the shorter set of steps. The trail from the steps leads through a strip of dense woods between the farm and the river. It doesn’t take you long to emerge from the other side of the patch of trees. The first thing you can see is a stout wooden farmhouse, which is about 230 feet uphill from this point. The trail passes by a ploughed field, which Taroo promptly identifies as “the south field” before wrapping around the farmhouse and ending in the middle of a small grouping of buildings. From here, another trails splits off to the southeast and winds downhill to meet the Farmer’s Trail.
The group of buildings include the aforementioned farmhouse, a barn, chicken coops, a well, and a farmhand house which Taroo claims as his own. The two chicken coops are in a small fenced in area. The large barn has a pig sty to the north and green pastures to the east, both of which are also fenced in. Beyond the barn is another planting field, identified by Taroo as “the north field”. From this distance, all structures look to be in good repair.
”Plenty to look at,” Danea states.
"I guess we start with the farmhouse. Might be worth checking the barn and the sty since they took some of the animals too?"
Moving down the trail towards the Renon's farmhouse, Utar turns back to face the gravel bar. Would the Renon's have had a good view of the river? Probably not if they were attacked at night.
Instead he turns his attention to the door of the farmhouse.
Perception - 25
"With any luck, the Ronans may have accidentally left a piece of their attackers."
Neya will look for look for any sign of struggle one the outside of the farmhouse.
Perception: 17
Extended Signature
"Aye. Me and Biscuit can handle the barn while the rest of ya check the farmhouse itself. Or, I guess the field too. And if ya find anything interesting to collect, please do so. Again, it can be difference between aggravating the wrong tribe or narrowing down where our possible kidnappers might be located within the marsh." Doozey reminds, before with that breaking away from the party and Taroo at a clipped pace with Biscuit hot on his heels.
And much as Neya had done so, from the very onset just outside the barn he'd been in checking the grounds for tracks -- monstrous tracks -- and try to glean at least vague number on the number, if not the possible creatures they belonged to with the help of Biscuit.
-Survival: 28.
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
@Utar: The Renons' view of the river would be blocked by the patch of woodlands separating them from the gravel bar.
The farmhouse is a well-built, low 20ft by 40ft sturdy wooden structure with walls stained dark green. The roof is wood shingles. There are front and back doors, and a pair of small rippled glass windows into each room. Utar stares at the front door for a moment and notices that it has very obviously been bashed in. Moreover, a bloody woodsman's axe with a broken handle is stuck at an odd angle in the wall next to the front door. Walking inside, the half-orc first takes note of the wooden floors and the relatively short six-foot-high ceiling. The wood floor has deep scratches on it. Inside the front door is a large living space with a fireplace. A narrow hallway leads past a small bedroom to the kitchen in the back. There are no interior doors. A large fireplace dominates the kitchen, and it is clear that food preparation occurs both inside and at tables behind the house. A broken, crude club is on the kitchen floor. There was obviously a struggle throughout the house. Furniture is broken and stored items are damaged or displaced. There are dried blood spots and splatters on the floor and walls, though it is not extensive. The bed is unmade and the fireplaces are cold. Walking the farmhouse's perimeter, Neya notices that the windows and the back door have all been bashed in as well. After walking around and into the house with Neya and Utar, Taroo offers a comment: "Nothing is missing, even items of value."
@Utar & @Neya: Give me investigation checks. Taroo will help one of you and Denae will help the other.
The barn is a story-and-a-half-tall stout wood structure. Access is through the main doors on the west side, with two additional doors on the north and east sides. The north door leads to the pig sty, and the east doors open into the pasture. Doozey and Biscuit notice that all of the doors are smashed in, showing clear impacts from clubs. The halfling estimates that the pig sty is too large for the animals spotted inside: small pigs remain inside the north side of the barn. Signs that cattle was kept here are also apparent. As expected, clawed footprints cover the dirt floor. After some time analyzing the different sizes and shapes of each print, Doozey concludes that 15 individuals were responsible for this raid.
@Doozey: Please also roll an investigation check.
Investigation - 22
Investigation: 17
Extended Signature
-Doozey Investigation: 14.
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
@Utar: You pick up additional nuances surrounding the clues you have identified so far. The bloody woodsman's axe with a broken handle that is stuck in the wall next to the front door is at an awkward angle likely due to its wielder avoiding the room's low head height. The broken, crude club that you found on the kitchen floor is fashioned out of wood common to the swamp and also the riverbanks, based on what you saw in your last visit to the Twilight Marsh and your recent trip down the river. The dried blood splatters reveal that at least one person or creature was dragged out the back door and down the Renons’ path to the river. You also notice that under a floorboard in the bedroom is a small, hidden, unlocked chest. It contains 10gp, 22sp, 52cp, and a silver necklace inlaid with finely cut agates (worth 20gp.) To a small farming family, this constitutes a lifetime's savings.
@Neya: Focusing specifically on the scratched wooden flooring, you deduce that this damage was likely delivered passively by clawed feet. You also help Utar confirm the bit about the crude club being made of wood commonly found in this immediate swampy area.
@Doozey: Revisiting the area where the cows were kept, you now realize that these hoofed animals were led out of the barn and down the Renons’ path towards the stairs. One of the set of tracks is larger than the other two, allowing you to determine that two cows and one ox were kept here. If it wasn't obvious before, you now reinforce your understanding that however many large pigs were kept here were also taking, with the criminals leaving behind in the sty the smaller ones.
"There is strong enough evidence of lizardfolk being behind this. But, the reason why they would be doing this is elusive," Neya ponders
She turns to Taroo, "Have there been any stories of lizardfolk acting like this in the past?"
Extended Signature
The stoutling mutters his suspicion, musing if but to better sort out his thoughts on the matter. But while confident the raiders would be slowed by their haul, several hours worth of a head start could just as well meant the load being lighten along the way as hunger got the best of the raiders. Even still, more rays of hope lingered in his heart as he called out into the barn, "Anyone here? Any survivors? The raiders are gone -- long gone, I assure you."
-Perception: 31.
But if met with but the ambient noise of some startled piglets at best, Doozey reluctantly gives up by letting out a low, sharp whistle to draw Biscuit back to his side. Then once properly mounted up, the two pay a visit to the nearest field, calling out for anyone to come out, assuring them they were safe. If after a few minutes he catches no response or scents suggesting others in hiding, either by choice or by fortune, then the duo would finally make their way to the main house to await news from the rest of the party.
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
Taroo shrugs in Neya's direction: "Acting like this? This aggressively? This far from their territory? I can't say I have. But, whatever it is, whatever triggered their attacks must have happened about a tenday ago." Denae turns to face her sister with a knowing look on her face: "About a tenday ago..."
Doozey gets no vocal response from the any corner in the barn and, keeping an attentive eye out, confirms that he is the only humanoid in the vicinity. The same can be said about the nearby north field, which the halfling explores after leaving the barn. The north field has the first green shoots of the spring grain planting. An oxless ox-drawn plow sits at the south edge of the field, near the barn. Nothing else here catches Doozey's attention.
On his way back to the farmhouse, the ranger and mastiff clock the chicken coop, the well, and the smaller house Taroo claims for his own. In fact, at this point, Taroo is also curious about what his home might look like after the attack and is on his way out of the farmhouse and walking toward his own abode. Taroo's rough wooden house is a single 10ft by 10ft room with a small window next to the front door. The door is smashed in. After few minutes inside, the farmer turned guide emerges from his home and states: "My worn table and chairs are undisturbed. The bed is overturned, as if someone looked under it. Nothing is missing, though... Lucky me, I guess."
Packing the Renon's family treasures carefully away, Utar places them back underneath the floorboards, settling the floor so the box is as hidden as it was before. Best he can do is try and see the family back home. Odd though, that whoever is behind this seems to only be interested in taking folk away with their livestock. Are they gathering a workforce and the livestock necessary to support them?
Keeping the thought fresh in his mind, the half-orc heads outside to connect with the rest of the CRAPpers.
"No Renon's to be found and precious few clues. I think we best head down the trail to check on the neighbours? Taroo, does the river pass by their farms too?"
"I would have to disagree and say its pretty clear that lizardfolk were involved in this family's disappearance," Neya says. "But it's not outside the realm of possibility that they might not be alone."
Extended Signature
Denae agrees with Neya: "Yes, the clues have been clear so far... perhaps too clear." Meanwhile, Taroo answers Utar's question: "Yes, all three farms here drink of the Trank River." As the guide begins to lead the group toward the other farms, he can't help but take the long way: "While we are here, I should check on the chickens." The small chicken coop holds a dozen chickens that make a fantastic racket once Taroo steps inside. It seems the attackers ignored it, which makes the farmhand feel relieved.
Continuing on your way, you pass by the water well. It is shallow and stone lined. A dozen battered wood buckets are stacked around the well next to a ragged rope. You also walk past the south field, which shows the first shoots of a variety of vegetables. Three clear sets of clawed footprints lead from the compound through the field and towards the Alyin's farm to the south. Taroo asks if that is the farm you'd like to investigate next, or whether you'd prefer to go to the Tralio farm instead.
"Hmmm scratchy footprints in the ground leading towards Alyin's farm... I'd say that's where we need to be next, sadly. Taroo, what can you tell us about your neighbours?"
"Aye, that certainly case be so far." Doozey commented in response to Taroo's statement. For a moment, he looks as if he wants to say more, but stops short in seeing the others arrive with their report. A report that while not the juiciest in the world still led to the stoutling spending the better part of the next few minutes following on auto-pilot while occasionally muttering to himself about various scenarios and possibilities. There's even a mention about "tracks" the others perhaps pick up on, but not much elaboration beyond that initially... without someone drawing his attention.
Though that said, at at the brief mention of sighting clawed footprints, a glimmer of focus returned to the stoutling just long enough to prompt him to disembark once again, if but closely examine the tracks. It was a long shot; but, if he could confirm kobold involvement, then it would solidify a theory or two. And he's had more than enough opportunity examining kobold tracks between Sagin and in testing out the false tracks laying boots adorning his feet in the past.
-Survival: 27.(21)
Though no matter whether he confirms his suspicions or merely has a new puzzle on his plate, its back atop Biscuit before long for the stoutling, and gently urging the fey-touched beast onward towards following the tracks.. until Taroo takes point again guiding the group more steadily towards Alyin's farm.
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
"More lizardfolk tracks. Could that be all there could be around here?" Neya ponders to herself as she looks around for any other sort sign of activity.
Perception: 23
Extended Signature
@Ori: Examining the many samples of footprints throughout the Renon Farm, you discard the possibility that kobolds have been a part of the attack. The prints are simply too large for the diminutive dragonkin creatures.
@Neya: With a closer look at your surroundings, you find more dragging marks along the floor. You have no doubt that the Renons, and possibly their animals, were dragged out of their home and brought back to the gravel bar area.
Taroo nods at Utar and fills the silent air with some information as the group walks: "The Alyins are a family of two, just Walos and Jinns. They are on the younger side compared to the Renons, and they hadn't been around long enough to really know the area well." The guide taps his chin trying to think of any other relevant piece of information but can only think of agricultural topics at the moment: "They were late planting their fields this season on account of feeling poor of health." Someone clears their throat. "And let us not forget what Romsan mentioned earlier," Denae adds. "The Alyins had inherited their farm and moved in only a few months ago. I am not sure the abductors are being very selective, but who knows what piece of information may turn out to be relevant..."
Approaching the Alyin farm, you notice that it has an old small farmhouse similar to the Renons’ but that it is in poorer general condition. The Alyin's land parcel also seems smaller than the Renon's. In addition to the farmhouse, there is one single planting field, and an old wooden barn.