Jurgen:

"We need to get going after them. There's more to this than roughing up a town. They were looking for specific things."

Boona looks confused and conflicted about what to do but in the end she thuds off down the road after Bryony....

Halia flinches as Fergus touches her arm, but ultimately utters a grumble of thanks. 

Jorzu and Fergus begin to tentatively hike south from the Exchange building, through the field behind Halia's house. (Make a Survival check to look for tracks.) Bryony doesn't recognize this new duo as being locals; they appear to be newcomers or transients like so many others in town these days.

From behind the Miner's Exchange building, Bryony gets a distant view of the Alderleaf farmhouse. The side door is wide open. Something doesn't feel right; Qelline Alderleaf religiously keeps her doors closed at all times to keep the flies out. 

And the party sees something else, too – Harbin Wester frantically waving, trying to silently get your attention from inside the doorway of his home, halfway between Townmaster's Hall and the Alderleaf Farm.

Jurgen and Draco stealthy approach, weapons at the ready

Stealth: 9

Fergus:

Following the directions given by Halia and described by Jorzu, Fergus says, “Hopefully we can deal with the goblins before they get away and these capable folk just returned to town can handle the other multiple problems that seem to be occurring.”

Survival:  15

Bryony notices the wide-open door, and her worry only deepens. Without waiting to see if Boona, Quinn or Jurgen are following, she heads toward her aunt's farm. She notices the townmaster waving toward them from the door of his house. Since it's on the way, the halfling runs up toward Harbin.

"Have you seen my aunt and Carp?" she says immediately.

Boona stomps up behind Bryony looking concerned....

Quinn will follow Bryony. Before he runs off after her and Boona, Quinn quickly speaks with Jurgen. He kneels down on one knee to look his friend in the eyes.

"I'm going with Bryony. Be safe, friend. The halfling and gnome seem to have good intentions, but keep your wits about you. I'll cast a mark on you so I can more easily track you. We'll be right behind you."

Quinn casts hunter's mark on Jurgen so he can easily track him and the group.

--------

Quinn stoves Lightbringer and readies his bow as he runs after Bryony. He spots her and Boona heading to Harbin. Quinn slows his pace and watches Bryony from afar. He keeps his head on a swivel moving from Bryony to the Alderleaf farm and back to where Jurgen ran off. 

Jorzu

Track Search 6

Jorzu (cont)

Following his bird friends direction into and across the field, Jorzu soon loses sight of any tracks in the high grass. As he walks he keeps jumping up to see if he can spot something further across the field. "Grass is such a wonderful thing, but someone should really cut it now and again" he complains out loud as he struggles to keep his nose above the crop.

Jorzu, Fergus, and Jurgen cross through the unkempt tract behind the Miner's Exchange and find themselves in a bean field. Rows of beans climb fibers strung from poles across a wide and weedy plowed area. They have already lost the trail.

Bryony and Boona have a rushed conversation with Harbin, while Quinn watches from a distance. "I don't know," he answers, in a loud whisper. "A lotta people gone missing, Ye' gotta help me. Goblins ! They're plaguing this town! The townsfolk are angry! Do they expect me to take care of everything? I can’t take on a gaggle of no-good ruffians by myself. I can’t stop anyone who’s determined from breaking buildings and stealing things. Absurd!" He's very sweaty and talking quickly. "Ye' gotta help. I'll pay you well! They're demanding I take action to protect Phandalin. But I'm no investigator! I'm no constable! Find out what's going on! Help the victims as much as possible, and find a way to stop the culprits for good. I've already tried myself but I can't keep up with the multitude of incidents!" His eyes dart around, fearfully.

Fergus:

”Well, this won’t do at all,” says Fergus, “Let me boost you up so you can see over the grass, or maybe your bird friend can tell us where they are…or maybe you could levitate again?”

He also looks to Jurgen for help, asking, “Do you see anything?”

Quinn takes one more look towards Jurgen and other other's before running to check in on Bryony. He hears Harbin stammering for help doing his job. Quinn rolls his eyes and runs off partway to the farm. He runs down the main road leading to the house and yells at the top of his lungs.

"Ms. Qelline!!! Carp!!! It's Quinn and Bryony. Qelline!!! Caaaaarrpp!!!"

Quinn scans the area around the house for any movement.

Perception check: 22

Standing at the edge of the bean field, Jorzu, Fergus, and Jurgen size each other up. At 3' 6" tall, Fergus is the tallest of the three, towering over the other two by almost a full foot.

Quinn shouts toward the Alderleaf Farm and visually scours the scene for any movement. He sees no signs of life. A broken piece of crockery lay just inside the open Alderleaf door, with some sort of dark liquid beneath it on the kitchen floor. 

Harbin continues to babble nervously, sweat dripping from his brow and soaking through his shirt. He eyes Quinn nervously behind them.

Fergus:

“Ah, no good.  Jorzu, can you call over your bird friend and have it lead us to the goblins?” asks Fergus.

(He can also cast Animal Friendship if that is helpful to get the bird to help them).

Boona grabs Bryony in one hand and holds her up so she can see if anyone answers Quinn as they head that way...

Boona picks Bryony up and together they race over to the Alderleaf farm. Quinn calls out, but no one responds. Bryony calls out some more anyway, her voice increasingly desperate. "Auntie Qelline! Carp! Where are you?"

She looks down at the broken piece of crockery with great dismay. There is some sort of liquid underneath. With great trepidation, the halfling hops down from Boona and goes to examine the dark liquid.

Investigation - 7

Boona and Bryony find the Alderleaf home empty. Some of the furniture is toppled, and a bowl of food is overturned on the floor. The door was left wide open. There is no sign of Qelline or Carp.

Jorzu 

"Oh no, no. I'm afraid you misinterpreted my words. My bird friend and I were merely having a conversation. I've never met the little thing before and I'm afraid he's flown off by now. I would levitate, like you mention, but I'm concerned our quarry may spot me. Let me see if there's some other critter around that may give us a clue as to which way to head." Jorzu quickly scans the beans and ground around him for any animal that may be able to help.

Perception 2 or add 2 if it's a Nature check.

If he finds something he communicates with it.

Quinn runs in and surveys the scene.

"This doesn't look good. If the goblins took them, our best chance is to help Jurgen and the other's track 'em down.  We need to move fast."