Aerin glances around the half empty room watching the patrons reaction to the appearance of the elderman. A few smile slightly and raise their mugs of ale in his direction, while others faces turn sour as they scoff and whisper while pointing in the old mans direction. As the freckle faced serving girl walks back towards the kitchen carrying a stack of empty bowls she answers with a smile, "Why that there be Raster ta village elderman. Saved me mum when she were a youngin' from a grizzly that he did." She hurries off tending to other patrons who are calling for food or more drink.

Raster tears of a hunk of meat and nearly chokes at the unexpected boldness of female cleric as she pulls up a chair to his table and begins, rather loudly, to inquire about the oddness of the weather.A few sputtering coughs later the old man seems to regain some of his composure, "Well...umm...ye ta weather be a 'bout right for tis time o'year." Wiping his greasy hands off onto his already stained tunic he offers out his hand, "Names Raster. Raster Wellsby. I be ta elderman here in Oakhurst. I dun think we had ta pleasure o'introduction. What ye name be miss?" 

Moments after Esvele takes her seat before the elderman a small group of patrons get up from there tables and hastily make their way over towards Raster and the cleric. It seems that Esvele's approach of the elderman has opened the "floodgates" for Raster to take an audience. The villagers begin to yell concerns over one another. The sudden uproar of voices drowns out the sweet musical notes of N'Ruel's shawm.

"...we runnin' low on food wit ta livestock bein' kilt off..."

"...any word 'bout Jon & Benjen..."

"...goblins ta ones behind tis I know it. Vile creatures can't be trusted for..."

"...what happened ta that dwarf we payed all that coin to go lookin' for..."

Raster holds up his arms in an attempt to bring order to the sudden onslaught of questions to no avail.

As the crowd approaches, Darastrag freezes, his frill rigid atop his head and gaining a reddish tinge as the people draw close and shout at Raster Wellsby the elderman of Oakhurst. After many seconds of the tumult, the lizardman rises to his feet, staring at the crowd. He maintains his composure as long as he can.

"BE QUIET!" he finally bellows.

Intimidation: 17

If it is successful:

If it is unsuccessful:

N'ruel continues to play quietly as some of his traveling party attempt to converse with the elderman. Watching the other patrons become rather boisterous in their concerns, he takes note of all the struggles facing the village, and a glint of concern appears in his eyes. When Darastrag suddenly loses his composure, his playing stops with a sour note on his shawm, however remains seated and calmly watches on.  

- Esvele - 

"Pleasure to meet you, Raster. My name is Esvele Waters." She puts her empty bottle on the table and shakes the Elderman's hand.  "So, this is normal weather for this time of year, eh? How long you reckon this storm will..." She cut short due to the shouts from the suddenly present crowd.

She seems to be about to stay something, but Darastrag beat her to it. After he says his piece, she adds,  "Aye, don't you see this man is eating? Rather rude of you all to come interrupt him in the middle of his meal, don't you think?"

Then, turning to Raster she says, in a softer, quieter, tone, "What's all this about goblins, missing people and livestock dying?" 

Slipping her way through the tables and townfolk, Aerin stood behind Esvele.  The crowd seethed with discontent but none were quite willing to raise their voice after Darastag's timely intervention.  Still, the situation was bad and knowing her companion's often forthright honesty, perhaps a smoother tongue would help.  Nodding respectfully at the Elderman, she began to introduce herself.

"My companion Esvele wouldn't ask idly, elderman.  I'm Aerin Corvail, lately of Corvail Excavations but now independent.  The rumors are most worrisome and while I wouldn't brag, my companions and I are capable.  Perhaps if you can give us more information we might be able to come to an agreement?  That is if my companions all agree."

Persuasion 12

The lizardman's booming voice echoes throughout the high ceilings of the Howling Hallows. A long silence follows and a shrill musical note hangs in the air as the villagers stare in shock and trepidation at the scaly creature. Most stand still, trembling or frozen in place with fear, a few others slowly being to back away until their eyes lock with Darastrag's, and not wanting to draw his ire decide it is best to stay put for the time being.

A large heavyset man takes a tentative step forward, his face a mess of pock mark scars and black grey stubble and his knuckles white as he wrings his hat nervously in his hands. His dark hazel eyes show the conflicting emotions of courage and fear, "Aye...ta...ta goblins. We's 'posed ta have a...a 'greement wit 'em, a pact like. Raster here says he done it ta keep us safe 'n all but me and others to, we don't trust 'em. Twice a year they come bringin' a apple, once in summer 'n again come winter and we 'posed ta hand over our hard earned silver to 'em in exchange fo them there apples 'n our 'posed protection."

Seizing upon the silence and the gentler words of Esvele and Aerin Raster quickly interjects before anyone else can speak up, "Walter here speaks true. Ta people's of Oakhurst have a mutual 'greement wit ta goblins of ta wood. We buy ta apple they bring and 'n exchange they promise not ta raid our village, 'n they hadn't done that since this bargain was struck." Raster's speaks to the small gathering of villagers now, his words flowing with confidence, "I have heard ta concerns that plague our village 'n I as elderman be taken'em ta heart. That tis why I sent word out that Oakhurst be in need of aid 'n these great adventures have come ta answer our call," he says as he gestures towards the newcomers to town. "Go on 'bout 'ur business so I can discuss wit these fine fellows, ladies, 'n...urm...(he gives an awkward look towards Darastrag)...'n lizardfolk how they can best serve our village."

With that villagers slowly disperse, some more begrudgingly than others, some back to their tables while others disappear into the dark swirling snows to return to their homes. Raster invites you all to join him at his table and calls for more food and drink to be brought forth.

"Thank you for your patience," Darastrag murmurs to the crowd as it begins to disperse. "This child of the Khecuala is called Darastrag, and he would be a friend to your village if you will have him." He nods and sits again with Elderman Raster.

"This child of the Khecuala is what you would call a fellow," he tells the Elderman with a twinkle in his gold-timmed black eyes. You think it might be his version of a joke, but how do you know if such a creature is smiling or snarling??? The reddish edging of his frill begins to fade back to its normal color, and it flutters with curiosity as Darastrag sits expectantly waiting for the story to be told.

From his seat near the fireplace, N'ruel gives Raster a sideways glance as the village and Raster further describe the deal that he made with this band of goblins: Possibly more than one place for that mistrust. As the villagers have either make their exit or return to their seats and the scene has quieted down, the monk decides to take the invite for the rest of the party to join the elderman at his table. As he stands, N'ruel grabs the uneaten apple off his plate and, without looking, tosses it toward the fireplace (Athletics 18). He then finds to a chair near Raster - not at the same table, but finding one to the man's side so he can carefully watch the elderman. 

After the crowd has dispersed and the party gathers, mostly, around Raster, Esvele says, "I didn't know we were asked to come up here - I'm assuming that was a bit of trickery on your part to calm the town." 

Esvele waves her still empty bottle at the bartender, then continues to Raster, "So - missing people, missing livestock, goblins and, now, an apple. Seems like you have a story to tell."

Aerin takes a seat and waits for the elderman to speak.  The village is in need, even if trickery wasn't needed in her opinion.  

In the confusion and dying babble of the dispersed crowd, Tovar surreptitiously quaffs a sizeable gulp from a nearby mug of freestanding ale 

sleight of hand 5

Having succeeded in dousing the his torso in room temperature ale, Tovar drops the mug on the floor in a panic. With an apologetic rumble and a quick bow and smile towards nearby patrons, Tovar leans over and carefully places the now empty mug on the serving girl's passing tray. In spite of the many stares he brought upon himself, he shuffles awkwardly closer to Elderman Raster and the other adventurers, his curiosity doubly piqued by the "bargain" with the wood goblins as by the promise of adventure in the winter storm. 

The skin of the apple in the fire begins to scorch and blister as it peels away from the fruity flesh beneath. Elderman Raster waits to tell his tale as the young serving girl brings out more food setting it before those gathered round. It is no feast by any means but the food is better tasting than the boiled cabbage. A large platter and steaming potatoes with a slab of rich yellow  butter, bone broth soup with a variety and herbs, charred green onions and garlic, and three roasted rabbits with crackling golden brown skin. Esvele's empty mug is finally refilled with a dark amber ale and additional mugs of the stout drink are set out for all to partake. "Pardon me for that...oversight Darastrag," Raster says as he nods towards the lizardman. Turning to the cleric, "Sorry 'bout that little white lie but I felt I needed to say somethin' to calm them folks down. Its been a stressful couple months 'round here 'n people is startin' to get at their wits end if ya know what I mean."

Once the serving girl disappears back into the kitchen Raster begins, "It were many winters back, eleven ur twelve I dun quite 'member now, my minds not sharp as it used ta be. Anyhow back then Oakhurst would be raided by them goblins on a regular occasion, that's why we done built up that wall 'round the village.Then one summer ta goblins came but they didn't attack. Instead they offered us a peace of sorts. If we 'greed ta give'm silver in exchange for a enchanted apple they'd leave us be. We didn't have much of a choice 'n ta matter so we done paid'em what we could and prayed to ta gods that they'd leave us be. Turns out they was true to their word 'n they went on their way back into ta wood. "N by jeepers that there apple, ta most perfectly red apple you ever done seen, really was enchanted. An elderly widow, missus Stanton, ate ta apple 'n her crooked back straightened out 'n her blind white eyes dun turned back to green 'n she was able to see again. Ta townsfolk decided ta plant ta seeds from that apple. They sprouted up inta a twiggy mass of little branches 'bout two foot high. Ta next mornin' the little tree had vanished. Folks think ta goblins dun snuck in 'n stole it so we couldn't grow them enchanted apples ourselves. Well come winter ta goblins returned 'n this time they had a all white apple. We bought it quite eager this time 'n let a sickly young boy eat it in hopes it'd be like ta red apple 'n cure him of his sickness. Poor boy died in his sleep that night bleedin' from everywhere a man can bleed. So this has gone on for ta last decade ur more. Ta goblins come 'n ta summer wit a red apple that heals ta sick 'n again come winter wit the poisonous white apple. Every year someone tries to plant them red apple seeds but once ta plant sprouts up it always vanishes."

Raster pauses to take a long drink of his ale before he continues, "Now over ta last couple months strange things been happenin'. Like you dun heard our animals, cows, pigs, sheep 'n so on have been turn'n up dead all cut up wit scratches cover'n their bodies. Ta damnedest thing 'bout it is that there ain't hardly any blood, its like they been drained somehow. 'Cause of this 'n ta harsh winter our food stocks is startin' to run low. Jon 'n Benjen, two of our best hunters, went out inta ta woods 'n in search of a wild boar ur elk ur somethin' but they ain't returned 'n folks is fearin' the worst. A week past a dwarf came through here, not ta brightest star 'n ta sky but a strong feller non ta less. We offered him what coin we could ta track down Jon 'n Benjen 'n ain't heard back from him but maybe he ain't had enough time to find'em yet."

The Elderman leans back in his chair as if telling his tale has left him drained a somber look spreading across his wrinkled face.

Absorbing the Elderman's tale, Aerin considers what creatures might do such a thing.  It was far from her area of study but she glanced at Darastag and the others.  Perhaps they might know something?  The story, however, had a surprisingly magical bent to it.  Those apples sounded most intriguing if they could heal an old woman's back or kill so viciously.  What kind of tree or trees could bear such a fruit?  Aerin tried to remember what she could of magical lore for such things.

Arcana 7

 Shaking her head, Aerin regretted not paying more attention to her magical botany lessons.  Maybe Esvele might have heard of such a curative before.

"Elderman, since this began, have you heard anything further from the goblins?  Also, were there tracks or any other sign left by these things when they killed your cattle?"

- Esvele -

"I also have a few questions to ask along similar lines -

• Were there any tracks leading away from the places where the red apple shrubs were growing?
• As strange as this sounds, has anyone tried planting the seeds of the white apple? 
• Have the goblins come yet to deliver their white apple? 
• Has anyone in town examined the apples closely? 
• Has anyone else gone missing or sought out this goblin clan before this season?"

In a surprising display of sociability for this monk, N'ruel asks, "Has anyone guarded the saplings when they emerge?" He immediately looks down so as not to make eye contact with the elderman. 

Aerin, unable to recollect anything about a tree that produces magical apples, presses the conversation on by inquiring for more details about these strange events.

Speaking to the ladies, "Ta goblins have come twice a year since they started sellin' them magical apples to us. Once near ta summer solstice 'n come again 'round the winter solstice. They come tis year durin' ta summer but they didn't show for ta winter solstice which be odd for'em, but we aren't to concerned wit ta goblins doings as long as it don't effect us. There were never no tracks ta be found 'round the the kilt animals nor were there any tracks from when the plants would vanish, goblin ur otherwise. After that first white apple dun kilt that poor boy most folks was afraid ta even touch'em. We'd burn'em 'n a fire after we'd get'em, don't think anyone ever thought ta plant'em but don't know why anyone would. Oakhurst has had people go missin' from time to time in ta past but they've mostly also been found, dead ur alive."

Turning to answer the drow sitting alone at his own table nearby, "We posted a guard 'round ta plants ta first few years but every time they'd vanish without a trace durin' the night. We dun eventually gave up even tryin' to plant ta seeds."

"Y'all are askin' a lot of question 'bout these circumstances which make me believe ya might be interested in helpin' some perhaps. I'll go ahead 'n say up front that we don't got much coin to spare to pay ya but maybe we can reach some kind of 'greement," Raster says as he looks over the group.

"The guards disappeared or the plants disappeared?" Darastrag rumbles.

"Just ta plants. It would be there one minute 'n ta guard would turn there back 'n by ta time they turned back 'round ta little tree would just be gone. We couldn't figure out what was happen' but thought that ta goblins must be doin' somethin' tricky to be snatchin' them trees back without bein' noticed," the Elderman answers.

- Esvele -

"Well, this certainly sounds interesting and I'd be worried that the goblins didn't come. Whenever the status quo changes, it's usually at a cost. Oakhurst is feeling it. I suspect that something happened to the goblins, as well. In any case, my lady brought the storm to keep me here, so perhaps it's a sign. But - we were being paid, at least I was, by the caravan, so I'd need similar compensation."

// ooc I don't know what the going rates are for a cleric hired as part of a trade caravan, but I'm guessing Esvele and the Elderman do, so I assume they know where to start negotiations. //

Aerin nods her agreement.  The village's situation was dire but the truth was none of them could afford to miss their wages.  Hopefully the village would recover quickly with the problem addressed.  Hmm, how had the elderman taken Esvele's attempt to bargain.

Insight 20

The man's face was inscrutable to her.  The elderman had probably been driving hard bargains since she was in swaddling clothes!