"Sounds like a good plan. Especially if I can get a free sample of the fresh ale."

Following the directions they had been given, the adventurers trudged along a winding dirt road, the ground uneven beneath their boots. The path led them out of Hope’s End, curling up a low, grassy hill that stretched into the gloom of the late afternoon.  As they neared the crest of the hill, a large stone building flanked by a pair of barns came into view.  

When they knocked on the heavy wooden door, it was promptly opened by a gnome. Though fairly young by gnomish standards, he sported an impressive, neatly groomed beard that tumbled down his chest. He wore a white shirt tucked into tight black trousers, held up by bright green suspenders. The gnome introduced himself as Glowkindle, the owner of the brewery. 

"Ah, adventurers!" Glowkindle exclaimed, a grin breaking across his face.  "How fortuitous!"

Chromir takes one look at the gnome, and then back at the easy walk they just did. "So did you just forget you were due to make a delivery? Because I saw nothing stopping you from doing it. Or if it was an issue making the ale, nothing stopping you from going and telling someone in the town why there was no delivery...."

Cassian exhaled softly, feeling a wave of relief as Glowkindle greeted them with such enthusiasm. For a moment, the tension that had settled in his shoulders eased. The gnome appeared unharmed, and that was a good start. Cassian remained quiet as Chromir voiced the questions they were all likely wondering. Though the gnome seemed unharmed, something still felt off about the situation. His curiosity and wariness took over as he scanned their surroundings, his eyes tracing the edges of the stone building and the nearby barns.

Perception: 1

“Well,” Navrine whispered to Cassian, ”I’m happy Glowkindle seems ok?” Navrine studies the Gnome carefully for signs of distress. This is weird, could he have just forgotten the delivery? To her this seems unlikely something feels off about this.

"Y-yes, I feared the w-worst. A-always do..." Some beacon of hope he was. "Just p-paranoid, I guess." Cassian gave a small smile. Perhaps the brewer just needed help delivering this shipment.

Navrine pats Cassian on the back "As do I my friend." Navrien rubbed the scars on her arm remembering life on the streets. "I guess it can't be bad all the time, can it?"  She quickly scans the surrounding area for any signs of danger. 

Doc stands next to Chromir

"How about a fresh ale why you explain yourself, we only had a watered down one at the tavern as they didn't have enough due to you not delivering."

He'll listen carefully to see if he can find any hint of lies: 10 

He paused for a sip of his own ale, then continued.

"Everything was going smoothly until, well, we uncovered something… unusual. Turns out, our cellar adjoins the remnants of a tower that stood here long ago. You can still make out the outlines of the tower's foundations if you look closely enough."

He gestured with his mug toward a patch of uneven ground not far from the main building. The jagged remnants of a circular stone foundation could be seen under the overgrown grass and dirt.

Glowkindle gave a polite clearing of his throat and cast an eyebrow-arched sidelong glance at the paladin, who had been confidently squinting into the wrong direction.

"A portion of the cellar wall collapsed and that’s when we were attacked—giant black rats!  Each one the size of a wolf, can you believe it?"

He shook his head, stroking his beard. "The cellar’s completely unusable now. Rats everywhere! I can’t even think about restarting production until they’re dealt with. That’s where you lot come in."  Glowkindle raised a bushy eyebrow, his expression growing serious. "I need those vermin gone if the brewery is going to survive."

He looked at the group with hope in his eyes. "What do you say? You help me clear them out, and I’ll make sure you’re well compensated—with more than just ale, of course!"

Chromir looks around at the others. "Is it just me who thinks it is strange how he didn't think to make the journey to tell the town about his issue, and maybe even ask them for help? And then ignore my statement not going to town either?" He says this knowing full well that Glowkindle can hear, hoping to guilt him into explaining further.

Cassian gratefully accepted the ale, taking a careful sip. It wasn’t quite sweet enough for his tastes—he was used to simpler drinks, water or cheap ale—but he finished it politely, nodding in appreciation. Setting the mug down, his thoughts drifted to the gnome’s story. Giant black rats…likely just normal ones twisted by whatever lingering magic remained in the tower, Cassian mused. He’d heard tales of such things before, creatures warped by ancient spells left to fester in ruins.

Without saying a word, his curiosity pulled him toward the remnants of the tower's foundation. His expression grew serious as he crouched by the uneven ground, his fingers brushing over one of the old stones as he studied the area more closely. Investigation=10

Doc also gladly accepts the ale

"Ah Much better than the watered down stuff, and yes Chromir, I do agree I find that strange aswell"

Quote from Swiftgale >>

 He says this knowing full well that Glowkindle can hear, hoping to guilt him into explaining further.

@Swiftgale, This exchange would be best modeled as an Influence action.  Glowkindle will begin as hesitant to the prodding & indifferent as to its outcome.  Please test an appropriate Cha skill vs DC15 (I feel like either Intimidation or Persuasion could fit for this scenario ... your choice)

(both are -1 so it doesn't matter. I picked intimidation as it feels more accusational). 8... so quite a fail.

Navrine pretends to sip the ale, and says "I'm sorry to hear you have a rat problem, but as my colleague mentioned as I’m sure you heard” She peers intensely at Glowkindle “so exactly why haven't you gone to town to seek help?” Navrine thinks for a second “My main concern was for your safety as the towns folks seemed to worry about you.”  persuasion =19+1 for a 20?

The party continued their inquiries.  

"The good folk of Hope's End buy my ale ... but they aren't warriors."  The gnome replied, admitting why he did not notify the town.

Glowkindle’s tone grew earnest again.  "However, you look like an adventurous lot.  I'll gladly pay you to rid me of these vermin."

"I reckon those rats have something to do with the old tower.  They were terribly big.  Might be something worse lurking in that cellar than just rats, but I cannot say for certain." 

Cassian returned to the group, quietly slipping back into the conversation as Glowkindle continued explaining the situation. Though the gnome’s tone was earnest, Cassian could sense the underlying worry about what might be lurking beneath the brewery.

He glanced at Navrine, Chromir, and Doc, gathering his resolve before speaking up. "W-we’ll take care of the rats—and whatever else might be down there," he said, his voice quiet but firm. There was a flicker of his usual nervousness, but it was quickly overtaken by a sense of duty. "If...if you all a-agree, of course. I'm going either way." He looked to his companions for confirmation, but his determination to help Glowkindle was clear in his steady gaze.

Cassian may have been shy, but this was the kind of task he had trained for—protecting those in need, even from threats lurking in dark, forgotten places.

"Well Cassian," Navrine smiles "looks like we have a job huh?" She looks ar Doc an Chromir "You two in on this?" Navrine Cracks her knuckles and stretches a bit getting ready for combat.

"Alright, let's do this, a town without ale is the worst that could happen right? So the vermin clearly needs to be taken care off."

Chromir swings his axe (carefully as to not hit anyone or anything)  "Lets go end some rats!"