Azure has spoken with this old elf woman many times over the years and can tell that she is definitely hiding something. While she often wears long dresses, the large hats and gloves are new. You also notice that a moment prior to the smell of freshly baked cookies hitting your nostrils, that you saw her quickly make a few hand gestures that you think was probably her casting prestidigitation.
"Oh we have a fine selection of both!"She would exclaim as she moves to stand up from her chair. As she does so you notice something that looks a bit like a green and black powder powder drift down from inside the sleeve of her dress and fall to the floor. The elf would then glide across the cluttered shop and weave between shelves of books and supplies before standing near a collection of differently shaped vases.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Insight: 11 Perception: 15
"That is odd indeed," Bey replies, "although I am glad to hear that you are feeling well. Turning to Azure, she asks, "I wonder why here name is included on this list. Do you know who compiled it? And that's a wonderful idea... flowers for her grave. And perhaps we could add a nice silk scarf or some other accouterment so that she can depart this world with more grace. Do you have anything like that?"
Then using her telepathic ability, Bey speaks into Gwen's mind, using the elvish tongue. (DM, the rules seem to be unclear whether this ability is one-way or two-way, so you can decide whether a creature can respond.)
"Gwen my Veluthe (beautiful) elder, please be honest, we are only trying help. Something evil that appears to be associated with this plague has already killed one of our own. Dear, young Tiriana was brutally trampled to death by some festering, vile, undead animals that also attacked and ransacked the Muck and Maggots last evening. If you are at all ill, then please tell us, or tell me, if you are not comfortable sharing the information with others."
"Er ... Iron Tail," Jakob calls, stepping out of the Muck and Maggots into the street. Drawing up close to the tiefling, he asks, "You have much experience with those who have fallen prey to the plague? Do you have any insights you might share? Any commonalities you've noticed?"
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
"Wonderful." Azure says as cheerfully as he can noticing the powder fall to the ground. He quickly leans down and adjusts his boot. He pulls out the note and wafts some of the powder onto the note then carefully folds it to contain the powder before putting it back in his pocket and taps his boot to conceal his true motive. Standing to his feet he'll lean over to Bey and whisper, "Yes, that sounds nice. I'll let you pick the colors. I'm no good at this fancy stuff." then walk over to admire the vases.
Azure is able to quickly sneak away a sample of the strange powder like substance as Gwen moves towards the vases and a few pots full of flowers sitting near a stainglass window. The window depicts the sun and moon embracing over top of a large tree and casts yellow, green, and blue rays of light across the cluttered store. The old elf claps her hands together when Bey mentions also purchasing a scarf or accessories. "Oh yes! We have a large variety goods dear." She would say as she keeps her face hidden under the hat and gestures towards a wall full of hats and dresses and scarves and jewelry. The old elf would stop however a moment later and hold her hair in her hands once more as her mind is filled with Beyanna's voice. "I was sad to hear about Tiriana. I had hoped to spend more time with her... perhaps I could let you pick out some items free of charge for her grave and her burial." She would say in a sincere tone. She would turn away from you both and slowly remove her hat. Her silver hair looking like a rainbow as the light from the stained glass window dances across her head. She would then slowly turn and look towards Azure and Beyanna. The normally round and bright face you expect to see is all but gone, hidden behind large patches of green and black. Although she is incredibly old, if she were a human she would have looked no more than fifty years old... but today she looks every bit of 800. Her bright blue eyes are faded and the whites of the eyes are a yellow and green that seems to swirl under the her thin skin. "I am sorry for not being truthful." She would say with a frown. "I have a sister who is a druid that I think might be able to help... I sent for her. I am sure once she arrives that she will be able to fix it... She should be here within a week"Gwen pleads as she clutches her hair tightly. "I first noticed this... decay... the day after Oscar came by about a week ago." She would say as she moves back to her favorite chair behind the counter and takes a seat. "The grung came in and he said he was looking for some bolts of cloth. After I sold him a small spindle I offered him some cookies. The tiny green man seemed happy to take a few before heading on his way. He didn't act sick.. and to be honest... his skin looked a little different but I don't have much experience dealing with grung so I assumed that was just how it was supposed to be. Later that night while sitting by the fire I had a few cookies myself and noticed something that looked like green or black baking flower on a few of them. I dusted them off and they tasted just fine. The next day however is when I first started noticing a few spots..."As she finishes her statement she pulls off her gloves to reveal a set of completely black and green crusty hands. The skin that is visible is green and flaky while deep cracks along the damaged skin are filled with a chunky black hard substance. "They have gotten worse but I do feel fine! i can keep working... I just need to keep myself covered is all.. that way I can save up enough coin to pay for anything my sister might need to find a cure... she will fix it.. you will see!" She would exclaim desperately as she tries not to touch her dress with her disfigured hands.
As Jakob calls out to IronTail. the large tiefling stops in the street. Everyone passing on the road gives him a wide berth and no one dares ask him to move. "I know for about three weeks I have been having folks coming to me looking for all kinds of magical potions. Some can pay for them with coin... others pay for them through other methods... kind of like Worm with his new helper there." The red teifling would say as he points back towards the Muck and Maggots. "And each one comes back telling me that nothing works... potions that cure disease.. potions of healing... nothing. Now don't get me wrong, I've made some good coin selling things to people that don't work.. and that is all fine and dandy until they STOP. Three weeks" Irontail would say as he holds up three large ring covered fingers. "Three weeks...I ain't seen anyone last longer than that. They start looking like a walking pile of shit but they say they are fine... right up until you don't see them anymore. I don't know what is happening to them but they ain't around town and they aren't buying anymore goods from me." He would say standing up straight and adjusting his large expensive jacket. "Now I gave the mayor a lot of coin to find the cure to this thing so that I can help mass produce it in my shop... and help distribute it to the good folks of Darkwater. For a small fee of course... but at least it will work.. Assuming there is a cure." The tieflings eyes will narrow a bit as he looks Jakob up and down. "I hope for the sake of my business and the people in this shit hole town that there is a cure. If you need anything else from me, you know where to find me."Irontail would finish with a slam of his tail against the road that sends vibrations through Jakob's boots. The large tiefling would then turn and head across the street towards his own shop.
"Well, IronTail is as blunt as ever. He could at least pretend to have a little sympathy for people." Norge shrugs. "I guess we might as well start at the top of the list that Azure gave us. Let's head for Oscar. I'm sure he has Fish & Ships open already this morning."
Jakob, Mith, and Norge head down the road, following the same path the did the night before. Rays of bright sunlight occasionally pierce through tree canopy that cover the otherwise shady road. As they make their way out of town, the road becomes less busy and the sounds if townsfolk moving through the streets is replaced by the sounds of fish splashing and birds chirping around the edge if the swamp. You pass over the patch of road where the battle the night before took place, with no signs there was ever a battle as the passing carts have destroyed the prints and blood has long soaked into the dirt. Although you all saw Oscar's shop the night before, the darkness and fog obscured much of the structures. Fish and Ships Is little more than a large shack that is partially submerged in the swamp. Out front of the shop, a trough of fresh fish sit under a wet blanket. Occasionally the cloth moves as the few fish still alive underneath flip their tails. A small dock extending out into the water along side the shack looks like it could collapse at any moment. Tied to the dock are four small rowboats that appear rather old but reasonably maintained. As you approach a small green grung emerges from the shack. His tiny leather boots sloshing with water, as he places another fish in the trough. The small froglike creature is a little shorter than Mith and wearing a pair of common soaking wet pants and a leather fishing jacket. When you approach he holds up his hand and nods. "You buy fish? Best fish in town, one silver each!" He would say as he gestures towards the fish under the cloth.
Says Mith who finally gets to look down towards someone.
"How ya been? Seen anything strange out here lately? We're looking into the sickness and wondering what you might have seen or done different recently. Seen any new people or anything?"
Giving Mith a chance to work on his conversation skills, Jakob lifts the towel to have a look at the fish after sneezing into his rag, but is listening intently to everything being said.
On the heels of Mith's questions Norge pipes up and includes, "And have you encountered any smellier than usual fish lately? Perhaps any with discoloration?"
Bey listens intently to Gwen’s honest admission, doing her best to hide the horror in her eyes when she sees the physical state of the old elf’s eyes and hands. “Thank you for being forthcoming with us, Gwen. That information is indeed helpful, and hopefully it can aid us in trying to help you and rid yourself of whatever cursed disease has been inflicted upon you.”
”And that is very kind of you to provide some items for Tiriana’s burial. Perhaps you could pick something out. You know your inventory better than we do, and since you knew her as well, it might be fitting for you, with your great wisdom, to look through your wares and find the perfect scarf. We can pick it up after later this afternoon. Does that sound ok?”
She then turns to Azure. “The one who runs the fish shack down in the swamp... that’s Oscar... he’s a grung. That’s where the others’ are headed. Perhaps we should rendezvous with them and let them know what we have discovered.”
The green grung smiles wide as Mith offers to buy a fish. The small froglike creature would peel back the wet blanket with his leather gloved hand to reveal about eight different fish. The grung is glistening.. partially from being wet and partially due to the special slime-like oils secreted by the grung to help them deal with predators. "Pick what you want" He says as he proudly displays his morning catch. Oscar isnt holding any fishing gear and you assume that he may have caught the fish this morning with his bare hands. "Fishing good. I change fishing spot, Get bigger fish now" He would say proudly. "Lot's people sick. I feel good. I don't think I sick " He would add before thinking for a moment. "Only change is that birds no try to take my catch! Used to try to steal from boat.. but not latley. Probably because they are so big!" He would finish with a smile while looking to Mith. He would then turn and look up towards Norge and take a step backwards. "My fish are good fish.. some fish smell more but they all good." He would snap back as though slightly insulted.
Out of the eight fish in the trough, there are 3 catfish, one carp, two bass, and two bluegill. While Oscar speaks with Norge and Mith, Jakob gives each fish a long sniff. The bass and bluegill all smell like fish and swamp wafer, but the carp and catfish nearly make him gag. They smell like a fish alright... a fish that has been rotting in the sun for two days. The fish however are still alive in the trough, occasionally flipping their tails as their yellow eyes dart around wildly.
As Jakob finishes sniffing the fish, he finds Oscar looking at him proudly. "See! All good fish!" He would say with a Grin. The old man notices that covering the arms and legs of the grung, mixed among patches of dried mud and muck are black and green flakes if skin that blend in very well with the creatures strange skin. Jakob also notices that the eyes of the grung are very yellow.
ooc: I am trying to use passive e perception whe. you guys dont roll, so that is why jakob is noticing those thing about oscar
"That sounds splended" Gwen would say as she puts her hat and gloves back on. "I will have the items ready for you to pick up later today" She would say with a nod before moving through the racks of goods and and making a mental list of items to collect.
"I agree. Let's check in with Mucor on the way then head straight there." Azure responds then bows to Gwen. "Thank you for the information and generosity. You can rest assured knowing that this information will not leave the task force assigned to this mission. We hope to find the cause and potential cure soon. For now please feel free to reach out to one of us in the event that you need assistance." he says and exits with Beyanna.
"You are right, Oscar, those are some nice sized fish." Norge would say while motioning to the largest fish on the display. "What made you decide to change your fishing spot?"
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Azure has spoken with this old elf woman many times over the years and can tell that she is definitely hiding something. While she often wears long dresses, the large hats and gloves are new. You also notice that a moment prior to the smell of freshly baked cookies hitting your nostrils, that you saw her quickly make a few hand gestures that you think was probably her casting prestidigitation.
"Oh we have a fine selection of both!" She would exclaim as she moves to stand up from her chair. As she does so you notice something that looks a bit like a green and black powder powder drift down from inside the sleeve of her dress and fall to the floor. The elf would then glide across the cluttered shop and weave between shelves of books and supplies before standing near a collection of differently shaped vases.
Insight: 11 Perception: 15
"That is odd indeed," Bey replies, "although I am glad to hear that you are feeling well. Turning to Azure, she asks, "I wonder why here name is included on this list. Do you know who compiled it? And that's a wonderful idea... flowers for her grave. And perhaps we could add a nice silk scarf or some other accouterment so that she can depart this world with more grace. Do you have anything like that?"
Then using her telepathic ability, Bey speaks into Gwen's mind, using the elvish tongue. (DM, the rules seem to be unclear whether this ability is one-way or two-way, so you can decide whether a creature can respond.)
"Gwen my Veluthe (beautiful) elder, please be honest, we are only trying help. Something evil that appears to be associated with this plague has already killed one of our own. Dear, young Tiriana was brutally trampled to death by some festering, vile, undead animals that also attacked and ransacked the Muck and Maggots last evening. If you are at all ill, then please tell us, or tell me, if you are not comfortable sharing the information with others."
"Er ... Iron Tail," Jakob calls, stepping out of the Muck and Maggots into the street. Drawing up close to the tiefling, he asks, "You have much experience with those who have fallen prey to the plague? Do you have any insights you might share? Any commonalities you've noticed?"
"Wonderful." Azure says as cheerfully as he can noticing the powder fall to the ground. He quickly leans down and adjusts his boot. He pulls out the note and wafts some of the powder onto the note then carefully folds it to contain the powder before putting it back in his pocket and taps his boot to conceal his true motive. Standing to his feet he'll lean over to Bey and whisper, "Yes, that sounds nice. I'll let you pick the colors. I'm no good at this fancy stuff." then walk over to admire the vases.
Sleight of hand: 11
Azure is able to quickly sneak away a sample of the strange powder like substance as Gwen moves towards the vases and a few pots full of flowers sitting near a stainglass window. The window depicts the sun and moon embracing over top of a large tree and casts yellow, green, and blue rays of light across the cluttered store. The old elf claps her hands together when Bey mentions also purchasing a scarf or accessories. "Oh yes! We have a large variety goods dear." She would say as she keeps her face hidden under the hat and gestures towards a wall full of hats and dresses and scarves and jewelry. The old elf would stop however a moment later and hold her hair in her hands once more as her mind is filled with Beyanna's voice. "I was sad to hear about Tiriana. I had hoped to spend more time with her... perhaps I could let you pick out some items free of charge for her grave and her burial." She would say in a sincere tone. She would turn away from you both and slowly remove her hat. Her silver hair looking like a rainbow as the light from the stained glass window dances across her head. She would then slowly turn and look towards Azure and Beyanna. The normally round and bright face you expect to see is all but gone, hidden behind large patches of green and black. Although she is incredibly old, if she were a human she would have looked no more than fifty years old... but today she looks every bit of 800. Her bright blue eyes are faded and the whites of the eyes are a yellow and green that seems to swirl under the her thin skin. "I am sorry for not being truthful." She would say with a frown. "I have a sister who is a druid that I think might be able to help... I sent for her. I am sure once she arrives that she will be able to fix it... She should be here within a week" Gwen pleads as she clutches her hair tightly. "I first noticed this... decay... the day after Oscar came by about a week ago." She would say as she moves back to her favorite chair behind the counter and takes a seat. "The grung came in and he said he was looking for some bolts of cloth. After I sold him a small spindle I offered him some cookies. The tiny green man seemed happy to take a few before heading on his way. He didn't act sick.. and to be honest... his skin looked a little different but I don't have much experience dealing with grung so I assumed that was just how it was supposed to be. Later that night while sitting by the fire I had a few cookies myself and noticed something that looked like green or black baking flower on a few of them. I dusted them off and they tasted just fine. The next day however is when I first started noticing a few spots..." As she finishes her statement she pulls off her gloves to reveal a set of completely black and green crusty hands. The skin that is visible is green and flaky while deep cracks along the damaged skin are filled with a chunky black hard substance. "They have gotten worse but I do feel fine! i can keep working... I just need to keep myself covered is all.. that way I can save up enough coin to pay for anything my sister might need to find a cure... she will fix it.. you will see!" She would exclaim desperately as she tries not to touch her dress with her disfigured hands.
As Jakob calls out to IronTail. the large tiefling stops in the street. Everyone passing on the road gives him a wide berth and no one dares ask him to move. "I know for about three weeks I have been having folks coming to me looking for all kinds of magical potions. Some can pay for them with coin... others pay for them through other methods... kind of like Worm with his new helper there." The red teifling would say as he points back towards the Muck and Maggots. "And each one comes back telling me that nothing works... potions that cure disease.. potions of healing... nothing. Now don't get me wrong, I've made some good coin selling things to people that don't work.. and that is all fine and dandy until they STOP. Three weeks" Irontail would say as he holds up three large ring covered fingers. "Three weeks...I ain't seen anyone last longer than that. They start looking like a walking pile of shit but they say they are fine... right up until you don't see them anymore. I don't know what is happening to them but they ain't around town and they aren't buying anymore goods from me." He would say standing up straight and adjusting his large expensive jacket. "Now I gave the mayor a lot of coin to find the cure to this thing so that I can help mass produce it in my shop... and help distribute it to the good folks of Darkwater. For a small fee of course... but at least it will work.. Assuming there is a cure." The tieflings eyes will narrow a bit as he looks Jakob up and down. "I hope for the sake of my business and the people in this shit hole town that there is a cure. If you need anything else from me, you know where to find me." Irontail would finish with a slam of his tail against the road that sends vibrations through Jakob's boots. The large tiefling would then turn and head across the street towards his own shop.
Jakob watches the tiefling walk away, then turns and raises his eye brows at the other two. "Where are we headed first?"
"Well, IronTail is as blunt as ever. He could at least pretend to have a little sympathy for people." Norge shrugs. "I guess we might as well start at the top of the list that Azure gave us. Let's head for Oscar. I'm sure he has Fish & Ships open already this morning."
"The Fish & Ships it is," Jakob agrees.
"Sure thing. You guys seem good at talking, me not so much. Maybe people just overlook me when I'm around big people."
Mith looks up at the two of them as they walk to Fish and Chips.
Jakob, Mith, and Norge head down the road, following the same path the did the night before. Rays of bright sunlight occasionally pierce through tree canopy that cover the otherwise shady road. As they make their way out of town, the road becomes less busy and the sounds if townsfolk moving through the streets is replaced by the sounds of fish splashing and birds chirping around the edge if the swamp. You pass over the patch of road where the battle the night before took place, with no signs there was ever a battle as the passing carts have destroyed the prints and blood has long soaked into the dirt. Although you all saw Oscar's shop the night before, the darkness and fog obscured much of the structures. Fish and Ships Is little more than a large shack that is partially submerged in the swamp. Out front of the shop, a trough of fresh fish sit under a wet blanket. Occasionally the cloth moves as the few fish still alive underneath flip their tails. A small dock extending out into the water along side the shack looks like it could collapse at any moment. Tied to the dock are four small rowboats that appear rather old but reasonably maintained. As you approach a small green grung emerges from the shack. His tiny leather boots sloshing with water, as he places another fish in the trough. The small froglike creature is a little shorter than Mith and wearing a pair of common soaking wet pants and a leather fishing jacket. When you approach he holds up his hand and nods. "You buy fish? Best fish in town, one silver each!" He would say as he gestures towards the fish under the cloth.
"Mmm, ya I'll buy a fish!"
Says Mith who finally gets to look down towards someone.
"How ya been? Seen anything strange out here lately? We're looking into the sickness and wondering what you might have seen or done different recently. Seen any new people or anything?"
Giving Mith a chance to work on his conversation skills, Jakob lifts the towel to have a look at the fish after sneezing into his rag, but is listening intently to everything being said.
On the heels of Mith's questions Norge pipes up and includes, "And have you encountered any smellier than usual fish lately? Perhaps any with discoloration?"
Hearing Norge's question, Jakob leans down to smell the fish.
Investigation: 10
Bey listens intently to Gwen’s honest admission, doing her best to hide the horror in her eyes when she sees the physical state of the old elf’s eyes and hands. “Thank you for being forthcoming with us, Gwen. That information is indeed helpful, and hopefully it can aid us in trying to help you and rid yourself of whatever cursed disease has been inflicted upon you.”
”And that is very kind of you to provide some items for Tiriana’s burial. Perhaps you could pick something out. You know your inventory better than we do, and since you knew her as well, it might be fitting for you, with your great wisdom, to look through your wares and find the perfect scarf. We can pick it up after later this afternoon. Does that sound ok?”
She then turns to Azure. “The one who runs the fish shack down in the swamp... that’s Oscar... he’s a grung. That’s where the others’ are headed. Perhaps we should rendezvous with them and let them know what we have discovered.”
The green grung smiles wide as Mith offers to buy a fish. The small froglike creature would peel back the wet blanket with his leather gloved hand to reveal about eight different fish. The grung is glistening.. partially from being wet and partially due to the special slime-like oils secreted by the grung to help them deal with predators. "Pick what you want" He says as he proudly displays his morning catch. Oscar isnt holding any fishing gear and you assume that he may have caught the fish this morning with his bare hands. "Fishing good. I change fishing spot, Get bigger fish now" He would say proudly. "Lot's people sick. I feel good. I don't think I sick " He would add before thinking for a moment. "Only change is that birds no try to take my catch! Used to try to steal from boat.. but not latley. Probably because they are so big!" He would finish with a smile while looking to Mith. He would then turn and look up towards Norge and take a step backwards. "My fish are good fish.. some fish smell more but they all good." He would snap back as though slightly insulted.
Out of the eight fish in the trough, there are 3 catfish, one carp, two bass, and two bluegill. While Oscar speaks with Norge and Mith, Jakob gives each fish a long sniff. The bass and bluegill all smell like fish and swamp wafer, but the carp and catfish nearly make him gag. They smell like a fish alright... a fish that has been rotting in the sun for two days. The fish however are still alive in the trough, occasionally flipping their tails as their yellow eyes dart around wildly.
As Jakob finishes sniffing the fish, he finds Oscar looking at him proudly. "See! All good fish!" He would say with a Grin. The old man notices that covering the arms and legs of the grung, mixed among patches of dried mud and muck are black and green flakes if skin that blend in very well with the creatures strange skin. Jakob also notices that the eyes of the grung are very yellow.
ooc: I am trying to use passive e perception whe. you guys dont roll, so that is why jakob is noticing those thing about oscar
"That sounds splended" Gwen would say as she puts her hat and gloves back on. "I will have the items ready for you to pick up later today" She would say with a nod before moving through the racks of goods and and making a mental list of items to collect.
Mith reaches in and takes one of the Bass.
"You gotta wipe your eyes lately? Guy at the bar said he ate catfish and got sick but not his wife who eats bass. I'll stick with bass."
He sniffs the bass carefully and if it smells normal he takes a bite.
"I agree. Let's check in with Mucor on the way then head straight there." Azure responds then bows to Gwen. "Thank you for the information and generosity. You can rest assured knowing that this information will not leave the task force assigned to this mission. We hope to find the cause and potential cure soon. For now please feel free to reach out to one of us in the event that you need assistance." he says and exits with Beyanna.
"You are right, Oscar, those are some nice sized fish." Norge would say while motioning to the largest fish on the display. "What made you decide to change your fishing spot?"