Ok so it seems the party is to be split for a little while, but Avery will be with Lldryk and Wraven, and the others will all be together at the mayor's house.
The constable's is just across the road from the Golden Grain Inn. It sounded like Avery just wanted to make sure that Sir Grover was successfully incarcerated and deliver his parting words before rejoining the group. If that's the case, then I imagine that the whole group could walk over to the Mayor's together.
As an aside, what are the rest of the NPC's going to do? Toska and Oliver will help Maajid wherever he needs to go. The mayor plans to close the Golden Grain for the moment, so they can stay there for a bit.
Not sure. Does Maajid express an interest in any course of action? I assume that after the ordeal with Misha last night, he's not eager to return to the Temple of Merrika.
Xanrym does not want to leave Maajid alone with Toska and Oliver. After seeing Sir Grover's "transformation" at the Inn this morning, he continues to think that no one from their group (Maajid, Avery, Liarin, Theldrin, Xanrym, and LLdryk) should ever go or stay anywhere within the bounds of Orlane without another member of that group. For now, that would mean that Maajid would be stuck at the constable's with Lldryk. There's just no way to know who is a member of the cult, even possibly Toska or Oliver.
Toska and Oliver are not technically the party's responsibility yet. The party kept them from getting killed or kidnapped by cultists and untied Toska, but after that, I'd assume that they'd both want to find the earliest and safest way that they can get out of Orlane.
He also offers for you all to stay there for a few days as well. Although he also mentions you could get comfortable, less cursed, beds at the Inn of the Slumbering Serpent in the north of town. Just note that if you want to stay at the other inn you'll need to go there this evening to book rooms.
Like the previous day, do we have basically three time slots (morning, afternoon, and evening) to visit 3 locations in town? So, the mayor's will be morning, and then we can do 2 other locations before returning to the Golden Grain Inn, or we could visit 1 location and then spent our evening time slot getting rooms at the Slumbering Serpent and then moving our things there? Is that right?
Maajid will do whatever you want him to, he’s in your debt and stuck with you until someone heals his leg. Toska wants to stick with you as well, she says that you’re the only people she can trust to end the darkness here, which is something she wants to do. Oliver will stick with you too, mostly out of fear it seems.
And yes let’s call it mayors in the morning then two other locations throughout the day. You can ask the mayor about townspeople if you’re gonna ask around. Just a note that I’m rolling behind the screen to see how much he knows about each person in town.
On the way to the mayor's house Theldrin suggests if the mayor were able to help the party locate a pearl of 100gp value or more, even if just borrowing it temporarily, he could use it to cast Identify on Grover to see what spell might be affecting him if any.
OK. In that case, let's have Maajid, Toska, and Oliver stay at the Golden Grain Inn for now. Xanrym doesn't want to take them into more danger today, and we can hope that at least one of Toska and Oliver are not cultists. So, hopefully Maajid will be safe with them for now.
The mayor will tell you about two places you might find an expensive pearl. "Many people in this town have given most of their possessions to the church (21). The church puts a lot back into the community, festivals and free food for the poor and such. The only other person in town rich enough to have a gem that expensive would be the Widow Merridie, who used to have the most prosperous farm in Orlane. She spent most of her money on fancy stuff like that, but after her husband dies they abandoned the farm and she moved into a house closer to town (20). You could also ask at the village store (12) but i doubt they'd have something straight away, you'd have to wait."
Anyone else have anything in town they want to do, or people they wish to visit. Blacksmith's for weapons and armour? Find a specific person like a wizard or cleric? Or someone from your background?
One Avery confirms Grover is secure, he will have words with him one last time. "I will make sure Dame Jacquelyn learns of this dishonor you have brought upon yourself, and those she is with. You have dug your grave in this matter, I have no sympathy for the likes of you." Avery steps back, turns and returns to the Inn to join with the rest of the party.
"Do we head out around the town, to see if there is any more sign of the cult, or are we sure it has been fully stamped out and the town is safe?" Avery asks the group. "I do not need to see anyone particular, that I am afraid is done. I don't have that much gold on me to get better armor or sword."
Mayor Ormond will say that there's been many people acting weirdly lately. If Misha was the leader of the cult, that is a big blow to it, but there's plenty of people still acting strangely. Grover and the other prisoners are just some of them.
"Do we head out around the town, to see if there is any more sign of the cult, or are we sure it has been fully stamped out and the town is safe?" Avery asks the group.
In addition to what the mayor said, Xanrym says, "I wonder about the Temple of Merrika in Orlane. Maajid was hoping to have them heal his leg, but do you think that we can trust them? How could Misha have been in a position of leadership at the temple and not spread her cult there? Maybe we should go to the temple next to see whether we can find any evidence of the cult. I worry that if we wait too long, they will have learned what happened to Misha and that we were involved. If there's no sign of the cult, then maybe Misha was the only priest at the temple involved, and it would be safe to take Maajid back there for healing. If the temple has been corrupted by the cult, then maybe there would be some clue that would point to the lair of this naga that they worship."
Mayor Ormond is happy to talk about the temple. "You see, the temple has been a shining light in this town for years, long before Misha arrived in town. The previous cleric, Abramo, was an incredible man. He started a lot of the charities that carried through to Misha's time here. To be honest, looking back, it is suspicious that Abramo left town right after Misha arrived. And to be more honest, not many people actually saw Abramo leave, i certainly didn't. We woke up one morning and Misha was our new village priest." He scratches his beard. "No one has told the people at the church yet that Misha is dead. I imagine they will learn by the end of the day, if not before. If you wanted to investigate the church before that happened, you would want to go there sooner rather than later."
As Avery hears the tale about the old cleric simply disappearing, and that Misha had assumed his role. "Sounds about the same does it not, that we have heard about? The good people were here one day, and simply gone the next, replaced. I have a bad suspicion, Mr Mayor, your cleric may not have left of his own free will. I am hoping he is being held somewhere then and can be rescued. If not, you may have to get another priest. Thats how cult operate, they move in quickly, undermine while putting on the friendly face, as they would say, two-faced."
Avery pauses for a moment, before continuing. "Mr Mayor, you said a lot of people have been acting strangely. Is it just here in the town, or out away from the town?" He looks to the group. "Was this just the cult in the town, while they may have a main site for the cult out in the woods somewhere. I keep recalling who we have talked to, like that farmer that his wife went into the woods and came back changed."
Xanrym nods along to what Avery said about Abramo. He says, "It is odd for such a beloved cleric to leave without a public farewell and departure from the town." Xanrym fears that Abramo has been sacrificed by Misha's cult, but he does not say it because he doesn't want to upset the mayor.
Avery pauses for a moment, before continuing. "Mr Mayor, you said a lot of people have been acting strangely. Is it just here in the town, or out away from the town?" He looks to the group. "Was this just the cult in the town, while they may have a main site for the cult out in the woods somewhere. I keep recalling who we have talked to, like that farmer that his wife went into the woods and came back changed."
"That's a good point, Avery!", Xanrym says. "I've been focused on who in Orlane itself has Misha already recruited into her cult, but what if the cult is larger than Orlane? Now that you mention him, I think I remember that farmer at the Inn of the Grey Chain said that his wife vanished for days before she returned. Do I remember that right?" He looks to the others for some confirmation of this memory. Putting part of this puzzle together makes him a little more energetic, and he continues excitedly, "Maybe the cult made that statue under the Golden Grain Inn as a local idol for veneration because the actual naga's lair is not nearby. If it took a couple of days days for the cult to take the farmer's wife to the naga, and then a couple of days to return to Orlane once she was converted, that would explain her absence. And while the cult seemed ready to kill Maajid in his bed, remember that they only bound and gagged Toska. Maybe they intended to take her to the naga's lair to be converted: another cleric for their cult?"
Turning to the mayor, Xanrym asks, "Mayor Osmond, do you know anyone who is familiar with the roads and wilderness within a few days' journey from Orlane? Does Orlane have any trappers or wood cutters who go into the wilderness? Or maybe there's a ranger or a druid who patrols the wilderness in this area?"
"I think checking out the temple is a good idea. It's better than the idea I had last night to burn it down, at any rate.
"Ha ha ha!", Xanrym laughs, a little nervously. Is Liarin serious? "No, I wouldn't burn down a temple dedicated to Merrika: that could tempt the goddess's wrath. Perhaps Misha is the only one involved in the cult. But even if Misha corrupted all of the other clerics there, they should be cleared out so that true clerics of Merrika can rededicate and consecrate the template anew."
While Xanrym is more accustomed to quiet study and puzzling out the history (and riches) of old tombs and dead cities, the mystery of the naga cult in Orlane has piqued his curiosity. Still, the cult is clearly dangerous. Is this how heroes like Yrag ended up on great adventures? They stumbled on some problem, and they just jumped in with both feet?
Xanrym isn't a soldier, like Avery or even Lldryk, or a true wizard, like Theldrin. He'd like to solve the mysteries surrounding this cult, but he cannot do it alone. He checks with his companions, "But is this really our fight? We survived the attack lat night, and we have brought awareness of the cult into the open in Orlane. But maybe our part in this story is done? We could just take Maajid, Toska, and Oliver on to Hookhill and leave Mayor Osmond and the people of Orlane to solve this problem themselves. Or do you all want to take up this mystery and throw down the cult of the naga?"
The mayor knows nothing about any strange activity outside of town. Although with his leg he doesn’t really leave town that much anyway.
As for rangers and druids he responds. “Well there is Alan who runs the farm down the road (23). He used to be a ranger in the Dim Forrest, but has retired from that life and taken up farming, which he is damn good at if you ask me. But he might know more about going’s on outside of town. The other person you might speak to, although I wouldn’t, is old man Ramne who lives in the grove (27). He’s a crazy old coot and doesn’t much like visitors, but he seems to know a lot about everything. He’s testy, be careful if you visit him.”
Theldrin listens thoughtfully to the discussion, eventually offering his thoughts. "I agree it would be good to investigate the temple next. As far as myself, I would be interested in trying to find the pearl so we would have the option to try to Identify what spell effects our captives might be under, let alone any new items we might find. Also, not a high priority but I lost my quarterstaff in my travels and could use a new one."
He rubs his beard and then continues, "Talking to some of these other folks in town like Alan also seems like a good idea." He turns to Xanrym, "I think we should see this through, helping these folks... though I wonder if we shouldn't also escort Maajid, Toska, and Oliver to Hookhill. Also should we further explore the tunnels under the inn some more? Much to consider..."
"I could use some hide armor if we are going shopping. I would like to talk to this Alan and Ranme, and will go off alone if I must, but also think checking out the temple needs to happen."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Coriana - Company of the Grey Chain Wagner - Dragon Heist: Bards. DM - The Old Keep
Ok so let me see if i can parse what you're plans might be:
Morning: You are currently meeting with Mayor Ormond.
Afternoon: Split up into groups and talk to people around town and buy stuff.
Evening: Visit the Temple of Merikka to work out what's going on there.
(OOC: I'd swap that. Xanrym wants to go to the temple next because he wants to try to get there before they hear about Misha, if possible. He also doesn't expect that the other people in Orlane will be able to tell them much about what they might find inside the temple.
In the evening, they can start talking to the people Mayor Ormond mentioned. We could split up for that part so that we can talk to more people. Xanrym still thinks that it's best for them to go in pairs so that the cult can't jump them so easily like they did with Avery last night. Xanrym suggests the groups should be
Avery & Theldrin
Liarin & Xanrym
That way, each group has one of the party members who can survive in melee, and each group has someone with a +4 of higher in persuasion, intimidation, insight, and investigation.
The constable's is just across the road from the Golden Grain Inn. It sounded like Avery just wanted to make sure that Sir Grover was successfully incarcerated and deliver his parting words before rejoining the group. If that's the case, then I imagine that the whole group could walk over to the Mayor's together.
Not sure. Does Maajid express an interest in any course of action? I assume that after the ordeal with Misha last night, he's not eager to return to the Temple of Merrika.
Xanrym does not want to leave Maajid alone with Toska and Oliver. After seeing Sir Grover's "transformation" at the Inn this morning, he continues to think that no one from their group (Maajid, Avery, Liarin, Theldrin, Xanrym, and LLdryk) should ever go or stay anywhere within the bounds of Orlane without another member of that group. For now, that would mean that Maajid would be stuck at the constable's with Lldryk. There's just no way to know who is a member of the cult, even possibly Toska or Oliver.
Toska and Oliver are not technically the party's responsibility yet. The party kept them from getting killed or kidnapped by cultists and untied Toska, but after that, I'd assume that they'd both want to find the earliest and safest way that they can get out of Orlane.
Like the previous day, do we have basically three time slots (morning, afternoon, and evening) to visit 3 locations in town? So, the mayor's will be morning, and then we can do 2 other locations before returning to the Golden Grain Inn, or we could visit 1 location and then spent our evening time slot getting rooms at the Slumbering Serpent and then moving our things there? Is that right?
Maajid will do whatever you want him to, he’s in your debt and stuck with you until someone heals his leg. Toska wants to stick with you as well, she says that you’re the only people she can trust to end the darkness here, which is something she wants to do. Oliver will stick with you too, mostly out of fear it seems.
And yes let’s call it mayors in the morning then two other locations throughout the day. You can ask the mayor about townspeople if you’re gonna ask around. Just a note that I’m rolling behind the screen to see how much he knows about each person in town.
On the way to the mayor's house Theldrin suggests if the mayor were able to help the party locate a pearl of 100gp value or more, even if just borrowing it temporarily, he could use it to cast Identify on Grover to see what spell might be affecting him if any.
OK. In that case, let's have Maajid, Toska, and Oliver stay at the Golden Grain Inn for now. Xanrym doesn't want to take them into more danger today, and we can hope that at least one of Toska and Oliver are not cultists. So, hopefully Maajid will be safe with them for now.
The mayor will tell you about two places you might find an expensive pearl. "Many people in this town have given most of their possessions to the church (21). The church puts a lot back into the community, festivals and free food for the poor and such. The only other person in town rich enough to have a gem that expensive would be the Widow Merridie, who used to have the most prosperous farm in Orlane. She spent most of her money on fancy stuff like that, but after her husband dies they abandoned the farm and she moved into a house closer to town (20). You could also ask at the village store (12) but i doubt they'd have something straight away, you'd have to wait."
Anyone else have anything in town they want to do, or people they wish to visit. Blacksmith's for weapons and armour? Find a specific person like a wizard or cleric? Or someone from your background?
Also yes, Maajid and the others will stay at the Golden Grain for you to come back.
One Avery confirms Grover is secure, he will have words with him one last time. "I will make sure Dame Jacquelyn learns of this dishonor you have brought upon yourself, and those she is with. You have dug your grave in this matter, I have no sympathy for the likes of you." Avery steps back, turns and returns to the Inn to join with the rest of the party.
"Do we head out around the town, to see if there is any more sign of the cult, or are we sure it has been fully stamped out and the town is safe?" Avery asks the group. "I do not need to see anyone particular, that I am afraid is done. I don't have that much gold on me to get better armor or sword."
Mayor Ormond will say that there's been many people acting weirdly lately. If Misha was the leader of the cult, that is a big blow to it, but there's plenty of people still acting strangely. Grover and the other prisoners are just some of them.
In addition to what the mayor said, Xanrym says, "I wonder about the Temple of Merrika in Orlane. Maajid was hoping to have them heal his leg, but do you think that we can trust them? How could Misha have been in a position of leadership at the temple and not spread her cult there? Maybe we should go to the temple next to see whether we can find any evidence of the cult. I worry that if we wait too long, they will have learned what happened to Misha and that we were involved. If there's no sign of the cult, then maybe Misha was the only priest at the temple involved, and it would be safe to take Maajid back there for healing. If the temple has been corrupted by the cult, then maybe there would be some clue that would point to the lair of this naga that they worship."
Mayor Ormond is happy to talk about the temple. "You see, the temple has been a shining light in this town for years, long before Misha arrived in town. The previous cleric, Abramo, was an incredible man. He started a lot of the charities that carried through to Misha's time here. To be honest, looking back, it is suspicious that Abramo left town right after Misha arrived. And to be more honest, not many people actually saw Abramo leave, i certainly didn't. We woke up one morning and Misha was our new village priest." He scratches his beard. "No one has told the people at the church yet that Misha is dead. I imagine they will learn by the end of the day, if not before. If you wanted to investigate the church before that happened, you would want to go there sooner rather than later."
As Avery hears the tale about the old cleric simply disappearing, and that Misha had assumed his role. "Sounds about the same does it not, that we have heard about? The good people were here one day, and simply gone the next, replaced. I have a bad suspicion, Mr Mayor, your cleric may not have left of his own free will. I am hoping he is being held somewhere then and can be rescued. If not, you may have to get another priest. Thats how cult operate, they move in quickly, undermine while putting on the friendly face, as they would say, two-faced."
Avery pauses for a moment, before continuing. "Mr Mayor, you said a lot of people have been acting strangely. Is it just here in the town, or out away from the town?" He looks to the group. "Was this just the cult in the town, while they may have a main site for the cult out in the woods somewhere. I keep recalling who we have talked to, like that farmer that his wife went into the woods and came back changed."
"I think checking out the temple is a good idea. It's better than the idea I had last night to burn it down, at any rate.
Coriana - Company of the Grey Chain
Wagner - Dragon Heist: Bards.
DM - The Old Keep
"That's a good point, Avery!", Xanrym says. "I've been focused on who in Orlane itself has Misha already recruited into her cult, but what if the cult is larger than Orlane? Now that you mention him, I think I remember that farmer at the Inn of the Grey Chain said that his wife vanished for days before she returned. Do I remember that right?" He looks to the others for some confirmation of this memory. Putting part of this puzzle together makes him a little more energetic, and he continues excitedly, "Maybe the cult made that statue under the Golden Grain Inn as a local idol for veneration because the actual naga's lair is not nearby. If it took a couple of days days for the cult to take the farmer's wife to the naga, and then a couple of days to return to Orlane once she was converted, that would explain her absence. And while the cult seemed ready to kill Maajid in his bed, remember that they only bound and gagged Toska. Maybe they intended to take her to the naga's lair to be converted: another cleric for their cult?"
Turning to the mayor, Xanrym asks, "Mayor Osmond, do you know anyone who is familiar with the roads and wilderness within a few days' journey from Orlane? Does Orlane have any trappers or wood cutters who go into the wilderness? Or maybe there's a ranger or a druid who patrols the wilderness in this area?"
"Ha ha ha!", Xanrym laughs, a little nervously. Is Liarin serious? "No, I wouldn't burn down a temple dedicated to Merrika: that could tempt the goddess's wrath. Perhaps Misha is the only one involved in the cult. But even if Misha corrupted all of the other clerics there, they should be cleared out so that true clerics of Merrika can rededicate and consecrate the template anew."
While Xanrym is more accustomed to quiet study and puzzling out the history (and riches) of old tombs and dead cities, the mystery of the naga cult in Orlane has piqued his curiosity. Still, the cult is clearly dangerous. Is this how heroes like Yrag ended up on great adventures? They stumbled on some problem, and they just jumped in with both feet?
Xanrym isn't a soldier, like Avery or even Lldryk, or a true wizard, like Theldrin. He'd like to solve the mysteries surrounding this cult, but he cannot do it alone. He checks with his companions, "But is this really our fight? We survived the attack lat night, and we have brought awareness of the cult into the open in Orlane. But maybe our part in this story is done? We could just take Maajid, Toska, and Oliver on to Hookhill and leave Mayor Osmond and the people of Orlane to solve this problem themselves. Or do you all want to take up this mystery and throw down the cult of the naga?"
The mayor knows nothing about any strange activity outside of town. Although with his leg he doesn’t really leave town that much anyway.
As for rangers and druids he responds. “Well there is Alan who runs the farm down the road (23). He used to be a ranger in the Dim Forrest, but has retired from that life and taken up farming, which he is damn good at if you ask me. But he might know more about going’s on outside of town. The other person you might speak to, although I wouldn’t, is old man Ramne who lives in the grove (27). He’s a crazy old coot and doesn’t much like visitors, but he seems to know a lot about everything. He’s testy, be careful if you visit him.”
Theldrin listens thoughtfully to the discussion, eventually offering his thoughts. "I agree it would be good to investigate the temple next. As far as myself, I would be interested in trying to find the pearl so we would have the option to try to Identify what spell effects our captives might be under, let alone any new items we might find. Also, not a high priority but I lost my quarterstaff in my travels and could use a new one."
He rubs his beard and then continues, "Talking to some of these other folks in town like Alan also seems like a good idea." He turns to Xanrym, "I think we should see this through, helping these folks... though I wonder if we shouldn't also escort Maajid, Toska, and Oliver to Hookhill. Also should we further explore the tunnels under the inn some more? Much to consider..."
"I could use some hide armor if we are going shopping. I would like to talk to this Alan and Ranme, and will go off alone if I must, but also think checking out the temple needs to happen."
Coriana - Company of the Grey Chain
Wagner - Dragon Heist: Bards.
DM - The Old Keep
Ok so let me see if i can parse what you're plans might be:
Morning: You are currently meeting with Mayor Ormond.
Afternoon: Split up into groups and talk to people around town and buy stuff.
Evening: Visit the Temple of Merikka to work out what's going on there.
(OOC: I'd swap that. Xanrym wants to go to the temple next because he wants to try to get there before they hear about Misha, if possible. He also doesn't expect that the other people in Orlane will be able to tell them much about what they might find inside the temple.
In the evening, they can start talking to the people Mayor Ormond mentioned. We could split up for that part so that we can talk to more people. Xanrym still thinks that it's best for them to go in pairs so that the cult can't jump them so easily like they did with Avery last night. Xanrym suggests the groups should be
That way, each group has one of the party members who can survive in melee, and each group has someone with a +4 of higher in persuasion, intimidation, insight, and investigation.
)