The Blackmire Company: Campaign

Winding down their conversation as Yaalin approaches, Abigail is thoroughly impressed with Mr. Weatherbee's flute and stories. She tries to remind herself to get him to play tonight, if they are still making camp in Rest this evening. "That sort of playing was sorely missed last night." Abigail thinks to herself as her headache slowly eases.  

Once Yaalin is with us, and if no one else asks him about anything, Abigail will ask, "So, seeings how you are a well traveled and informed individual, do you have any interesting stories or lore about this region that the locals might be keeping from us?"

"The locals?" he asked as he looked back over to Abigail.  "Hmm.." he paused a bit.  Finishing placing some of the scrolls back into his bag.  tying up the sack before giving it a few quick tosses in the air.  "Not a lot.  They seem friendly enough. Know the common tongue. The other humanoid people, the short ones who seem to hunt, are interesting.  But I haven't met a single one that speaks common."

There's a bit of a sigh and a shrug.  "But. Folks here seem to think a goblin is a goblin is a goblin.  But I've seen a few different kinds of goblins.  They seem to have some kind of clan system based on the color they're born.  It's a primitive place, so no wonders that folks here don't know better!" he seems to find this a bit funny, smacking his own knee before shaking his head.  "It isn't their fault. They're born outside the Kingdoms.  Maybe one day we can be out here teaching these forgotten folk."

Mr. Weatherbee begins to stand and seemingly getting ready for the day of exploring.  "I did hear that there's some goblin civilization somewhere in the mountains.  Haven't found it yet though.  I'm talking a place that can forge metals. Heck, they know how to mine for metals.  That'd be a discovery.  That'd really get my name in the books."

"Have you been to any of the goblin villages within these mountains?" Abigail inquires. "We are just returning from trying to locate one ourselves, but with little luck."  

He shook his head 'no.'  "No, sadly.  I would've loved to see if they are nomadic. Or live in caves.  But, the weather is just a bit too extreme here.  I spend half my time just trying to get enough food and water.  Hinders the ability to search for anything of note."  

"Well surely you have found something out there since you have those scrolls and have traveled all over. Seems like to me you know exactly what you are doing out in the forest other than just finding food and water. Have you ever heard of a silver apple throughout all of your journeys?"

Under the table Lafetha kicks Diadochi to hint that something seems off, she hopes that he picks up on her intentions.

"If you consider a year of your life to be equal to only a few sightings and a handful of pictures, then yes. I do suppose it's been quite successful.  But I was hoping for so much more."  He adjusts the backpack a bit.  Shifting somewhat between his feet in order to make sure the bag is properly on his back.  "A silver apple?  Is that some kind of fruit that grows around here?  Could you show me the way to it?!" he asks, somewhat excitedly. 

(Insight Check vs DC: 26)
(Lafetha, roll with advantage.  Yaalin, regular.  Diadochi / Abigail, roll with disadvantage.  Sim, not quite there yet; close to town but inside the bar yet.)

Yaalin perks up from her seat, a bit at his obvious interest 

18 - insight

"We could show you where we were told it is but I doubt you would be willing to take the trip." 

She cocks her head to the side not sure what to make of this person.

"We require the apple. Your interest is purely academic I assume?"

Lafetha is still a little uneasy about Weatherbee, and now she is even more uneasy of his interest in the silver apple.

insight 21

Diadochi looks down at Lafetha kicking him and then looks at Salsy. insight 9

Mr. Weatherbee looks over at Yaalin for a moment, his face dropping after the mention of 'acquiring it.'  "I believe this is what you were all sent here by Blackmire for, isn't it?" He lets off a deep sigh.  "I have less interest in that.  If it's some kind of food source, you have my interest though!" he continues while shuffling the bag a bit more.  "I will be back tonight.  Only going on a day hike.  Perhaps we can all discuss it over a good meal and share some stories."

Diadochi, you have no reason not to believe his answer, despite Lafetha's kick.
Lafetha & Yaalin, his answer feels honest.  But he's overall a difficult person to read.

Convinced but uneasy Yaalin smiles wide at the mention of stories.  "We look forward to hearing your tales. WE," She gestures at the companions present, "Need to visit some friends in town before heading out ourselves.  Hopefully your day is fruitful and your nets come in full."  she will then smile innocently but intently until he leaves.

The halfling gives a small nod before catching a bit of hum in his lips.  Some kind of tune as he heads out and about.  Sim, you see the halfling traveler pass by you as he waves to a few others but exits and heads towards the well worn mountain pass.

Inside the tavern, you see the others sitting around finishing up some breakfast.  

What do you all do?

Also feeling convinced, but uneasy Lafetha bids Mr. Weatherbee farewell and safe travels on his little journey.

Once Sim arrives, she calls him over to join them at the table, and tells him about Mr. Weatherbee.

After, she suggests to the group that they should go visit the mayor or Lady Orta and set some things straight.

Diadochi stands up "Visiting Orta may result in a combat situation, as such I recommend at least 30 minutes pass after breakfast as to avoid cramps." Diadochi looks at Yaalin "She uses Blood Magic too, are we killing her? I'd like that intel before we act on it. Forewarned is fore-armed is all." Diadochi looks back to the rest of the team, "The Mayor should probably get some insight on what we've discovered about the goblins, and if Orta kills us we would be unable to relay that information.   There are somethings I need to discuss with Mama now that I'm in a better mindset, and for personal reasons I need to hunt down a wood carving kit. but that will be a moot point if Orta kills us." 

"If she perverts the cause of life in front of me, I may have to aggressively suggest she stop." Yaalin nods in admittance, "I can only say I was overcome with curiosity on our last visit and was not paying enough attention or I may have had to deal with her right then."  

She also stands, "Would you like company on your trip to find the mayor?  If I recall correctly he was not the most happy with my attitude when last we spoke but I chould be able to entertain myself nearby."

If/when Sim informs the party of the bite (of '86?)

If Sim does not say anything

Entering town Sim gives the Halfling a deep look with narrowed eyes trying to see if Shale is around in disguise. Unable to really tell and needing to warn the others he heads to the tavern. Upon seeing them he will gather them close together and tell him that he believes Ally to be nearby and that the girl may be turning into some type of similar creature. 

As for Orta I think we need to be very careful. 

Diadochi strokes his trunk thoughtfully, "as long as you promise to have nothing life threatening before I return, I soppuse you can do what ever you like. If some of us are distrustful of the mayor like last time we might need more eyes on him, try to catch him 'up in his feels' as it were."

He leaves to talk to the mayor, unless Yaalin doesn't promise then he follows her. 

As you all discuss, a few of the towns folk that are also finishing their breakfasts, coming and going give you all odd looks as you discuss this somewhat openly.  Even in hushed tones, a few outsiders to the town whispering with key words like Orta and Mayor perk up ears.  None seem to do or say anything about it though.

Diadochi sets out, with others going in their own directions.

To the Mayor

 Finding Alul

To Mama B and Camp

 To Orta

Where do you go, and what do you do?

Diadochi scratches the top of his head using his trunk "if we are to track down Alul, it might be better if I'm not there given what happen the last time. Abigail if you could make sure they keep genocide to a minimum while I'm elsewhere, I'd appreciate it." 

Diadochi will go to give Mayor a friendly wave as he approaches "ah yes Mr. Mayor I was hoping the next time I'd see you I'd be able to we'd resolved your Goblin issue however our adventure has is coming back here to restock our supplies. Thought it was prudent to give you an update while we were in town..." There is a long but straightforwardish story including the Goblins they ran into, the ogres just in case that's relevant. Figuring out about Shale the uniter who is not actually a Goblin and the goblin refugees. "Seems to me we take out this Shale fellow and your goblin situation goes back to normal, maybe even a year or so of peace as there will be in fighting over succession. It occurs to me that if Shale isn't a Goblin, he or she might have come through Rest. Anyone show up before this Goblin hostility picked up? "((Diadochi tries to work these questions in naturally into the flow of conversation)) "by the by we ran into your brother, he says you have some sort of control over Orta. I was wondering what is the extent of this control, if it's possible for her to be spitefully obedient, for example you tell her to protect the town with magic, and she makes runes needed that just happen to be needed by the Goblin raiding party to free her now undead sister.... I've been meaning to ask about your grandfather, he sounds like a great man, we might have heard of him higher up the mountain.w was his name, did he have any other names he went by? .... One thing I found interesting about the Goblin raid when we were last here, when you were attacked, you saw everything we did, but you said 'we need to retake the mine' how did you know you had to, and what's so important about it?" 

insight 6

The Mayor seems to liven up on seeing Diadochi.  Tugging his shirt to look a bit more proper, before thumbs tucked into a bit of the straps over his shoulders that were keeping his trousers up.  "So, Shale, you say?  If what you say is true, I would highly appreciate you bringing him either to justice or removing him to a capacity that makes it so he will never pose a threat again."  There's a bit of a firm nod.  "I wonder if there would be a fight over that," his hand moves to stroke his chin.  "The stone cutters and their resourcefulness could be an incredible asset," he waves off his own idea.  "But too bloody.  And costly."  His hand continues to stroke his chin as he keeps thinking.  "You're some of the few travelers we get.  Between the summer and fall, there is a traveling group that comes by here.  I suppose they have a large group which I tend to notice.  Others who may have come or gone I'd be unaware of."

The last time you saw the Mayor, you did notice his ring.  But this time is a bit different.  A moonstone style ring with threads running through the stone.  It's incredibly similar to the ring that the rune covered Hn'ti wore and seemed to have control of Alul.  There's the faintest of glances as he looks over to the ring when asked about Orta.  "My brother did not lie.  And you are correct in your assumption.  The magic she creates with her stones and gives to the spirit of the mountain, they assist with keeping the ground a bit softer and plants grow a bit easier," his hands gesture around at the people plowing and tilling.  "We do keep an eye on her.  Quid pro quo."  The way he says those last words, you're not entirely sure he means them.  Or he's trying to sound important.  

He does seem confused on the idea of the goblins coming for the stones.  "No... I mean.  They were stolen but I was certain because they're shiny trinkets.  We saw several at the mine.  It's where we keep food stocks. Bits of ore.  Emergency supplies.  The frozen sheets keep a steady stream of clean water."  His mouth presses together, trying to comprehend that something bigger could have been plotted.  "I've known Orta my entire life though.  She's never, once, said anything about a family. Or undead. Or much of anything."  He sighs and gives a shrug.  "Well, she cannot strike against us regardless," his fingers move against the ring for a second before the tension is released from his face.  

But his face does once again change into a big of bragging about family and lineage.  "My Grandfather?  Gore.  A rather silly and violent name.  But he was a warrior, so if it was his given name from birth or simply a nickname, I never really asked.  He did tell me once he fought giants.  His ax, Cloudkiller, was famed for driving them off the mountains."  He points up towards the faint peaks of the mountain, those through the cloud cover.  "I suppose he might have been known as Cloudkiller, too."