The Journeys through Narth'ryal

"Resting for a bit might be the best for now," Daffafle watches the dwarf, before turning back to Bart with a shrug. "Wouldn't hurt to try your plan: it's the best lead we've got. It sounds like we may have to find the one responsible for this before the soul can be released. I wonder if Lady Melyne herself isn't responsible for this necromancy...this underground base is connected to her house, after all." 

“I think... we should keep an eye out. Maybe even set a trap. If the enemy learns what we’ve found, they may try to come get the gems.” Bart is following the others out, eager to keep going but too worn out.

Alysa heavily sighs while following the group out, "Very well. I will remain here and report to Lady Melyne when she is to return. You have unearthed a foul plot and defeated denizens of evil under places we call our home, you truly deserve your rest, heroes."

The priestess pauses a moment, "While I do trust the Lady, as she has been nothing but true during these trying times on her and her family, may I suggest one of your be present while report, or perhaps have questions of your own if you wish to expose her?"

"Certainly, I can wait with you priestess," Daffafle nods. "I wouldn't want you to face her alone if she is indeed a necromancer...or in league with one."

“I’ll stay as well,” Bart says, eager to continue the search.

Taking a short rest, Daffafle pulls out her journal, and begins sketching the various undead creatures they've encountered during their recent travels. On a separate page, she also records the words of the Raven Queen concerning the black gem, and the true identity of the one trapped inside. 

"I do wonder if we'll ever find out why we were kidnapped by bandits," Daffafle mentions, glancing up at Bart. "Perhaps its somehow tied to this necromatic cult...many of the other captives were from this town."

1 hit die recover: 7

Bart shakes his head.  "Anything is possible, but there's too many missing puzzle pieces for me to even hazard a guess at that connection... for now, I think we should continue pulling at the threads we have.  We'll speak to the Councilwoman, then proceed to the graveyard.  If she is somehow involved, she'll probably ambush us in the graveyard.  We should inform our 'friend' so as to have backup just in case."

short rest 2 hd: 4

Khazan, paying no mind to glowing markings, heads off back to the inn. Wulcrath and Aazel follow suit feeling the weight of the combat on their muscles.

=========

Alysa, Bart and Daffafle wait for the arrival of Lady Melyne. They are brought back up to the farmhouse, where they wait in the same study as before, the late afternoon sun looking to the horizon to settle. They are given small refreshments, warm clothes to clean themselves up best they can. Lucky remains calm and very quiet, occasionally looking at someone new entering the room before staring off.

Suddenly, but gently, the housekeeper enters allowing Lady Melyne to enter. Retaining her poise, she asks of what has been discovered...

“Well... we found a tunnel underneath your daughter’s old room. Several undead beasties were holed up inside, along with several dangerous artifacts.”

Bart is deliberately withholding info about the daughter for the moment. He’s testing the water first with info.

It's clear there's sharp intake of breath from Melyne, "Show me, immediately."

Bart holds up the large stone that was trapped before.

”The others have some of them. We thought it wise not to keep them together.”

Daffafle watches Melyne's reaction, to determine if any shock in genuine or if she knows more than she's letting on.

Insight (disadvantage  due to exhaustion) 4

Melyne is difficult to read, but her reactions have been minimal.

"And this is the creature you fought down there?" She gestures to the remains Khazan tied together, a smell wafting from causing the councilwoman to crease her nose.

"... And any news of my daughter? In truth, I always though she escaped via the window, but now... passages underground housing foul beings. Who knows anymore?" She speaks aloud, unclear to who, but then turns to Daffafle and Bart for the whereabouts of her daughter.

=========

Khazan finds himself back in the inn with Wulcrath, Aazel is in his room taking a moment to reflect the events of the day.

The dwarf goes to take a first sip of a much deserved drink, he finds it smacked out of his hand sent smashing somewhere in the distance...

A male human, tanned skin and buzzcut, looks familiar as he cracks his knuckles with two broad types next to him on each shoulder, "I wanna fight ya now, shit beard. We ain't in a dangy cave now..." He pulls a quick jab at the dwarf.

Make a Dexterity Save, Khazan!

“It’s unclear, my Lady. We’ll continue looking into it.” Bart is watching her to see if she seems like herself.

insight 3

"This is the creature we fought in the tunnels below your estate," Daffafle speaks a few words in Abyssal, and dark smoke appears, forming into a life-like, albeit smaller, skeletal snake.

 "And...yes, that zombie the dwarf retrieved for you." She nods. "Lady Melyne, what was this room used for before it was your daughter's room? How long have you been the proprietor of this estate?"

Dex Saving Throw: 16

Rolled with advantage because of Danger Sense:

Visibly taken aback at the sight of creature, Melyne holds at her chin, "Hm? The house...? That room has always belong to Claudia. Why do you ask? We do have records of the previous owners of the property, if you must..."

Lady Melyne leads you over to a safe. After unlocking, she reveals a book of records stating all previous owners of the farm. It clearly states the Melyne family, a previous family named the Cliffbrookes, another the Worrells and then one entry is blank before stating the Hallis-Browns...

=========

With ease, Khazan moves his head. The fist meeting nothing but air.

"Yeah, just what I was hopin' for! Clear the room, let's make somthin' of this!" Within an instant, the bald head guy's lackeys have made space and the mumbling crowd of the inn have been stirred at the swift setting up of a brawl. "C'mon, dwarf! Let's see if ya words can match ya fists!"

“The missing entry,” Daffafle points to the blank spot. “Was the estate vacant during this time? Are there any in the town old enough to remember this time period?”

Melyne rubs her fingers over the paper, a frown upon her face, "Absolutely not. There should be no gaps, regardless if a property is left vacant for a time or not.. But I can feel there was once something written here. It was been removed with a substance long dried... What have they done with her?"

For a moment, Melyne's clearly well-up as her lips purse together. A quivering breath, before she continues, "excuse me, this... takes its toll. Can I hold you to your word, Miss Daffafle? You and your companions will continue the search? If so, you have my support, Thildeholme's complete support. I only ask you make it your top priority."

Can Bart inspect the document to see if he can devise a way to tell what was written there?  Is that possible, or is it sorta' beyond Bart's skillset?