The Wildemount Irregulars (2020)

Agreed, which implies to me that he has powerful friends.  Of course, if these are the same people who sent the undead after him, he may not be quite as protected as he hopes. Or, and this is just further speculation, he hopes to use what he knows about his friends to gain favor with the lawmaster in exchange for protection from the Crown.

Speaking of... I heard one o' those undead ghouls talkin' when we were in close combat. Called themselves the Seekers of Shadow, said they'd decided Art was done. Scary name, eh? You Empire folk know anything about it? 

Alton thinks about the name wondering if it has come up in any of the stories he has listened to.

History: 13

Alton, you've never heard of the Seekers of Shadow, and are quite sure they are not known in this part of the world.  However, you have an idea where you might find out about them.  There's no Cobalt Reserve in a little town like Felderwin, but you might learn about strange groups in the Reserve in Zadash or Rexxentrum. 

The guards are not unfriendly, but not chatty either.  You walk the long trip to Felderwin and it takes the whole day.  The countryside is lovely, gentle hills, country roads, and fertile fields - some empty, though others are still seeing the last of the harvest being taken in.  You see shrines to Pelor here and there, and the folk - mostly halflings from what you can see - nod and wave as you pass before returning to their work.  Balassar, you see a few dragonborn here and there, more than you've seen in most other parts of the Empire.

In the late afternoon, Captain Ressin sends one of the guards galloping ahead on horseback to warn the Lawmaster of your impending arrival.  He'll probably want to meet you all today, I reckon, she says.  Bit of a night owl, is our Lawmaster.  

It's not long before sunset when you reach the edge of the town of Felderwin; for most of you this is the first time you've seen it, though it is a more familiar sight to Alton.  The town sits on the Scymir River, and has no walls - instead you see busy dirt roads lined with houses, taverns and shops, with people returning home from a busy day's work in the surrounding fields or shutting up shop before heading to the tavern.

If I were you, says Captain Ressin to all of you (including Art), I'd think carefully about what I want to say to the Lawmaster.  The truth, would be my suggestions.  And for you lot, and this is aimed at everyone except Art, maybe pick someone to do the talking - he'll cross-question the lot of you, but best not to be speaking over each other or making statements of the contradictory variety, you know?

Balassar just nods at the advice "There is no honor in lying. As for who should speak for us I vote Wash."

I'm happy to vote for whichever of you is the most convincing or persuasive.  In my personal experience, that often ends up being a bard.

Silent chuckles. Looks like it's between Wash and Alton then, unless you both wanna tag-team this Lawmaster. 

Wash nods at Balassar and says, "I am honoured that you would put my name forward, though Alton definitely has more of a way with words. I am happy to aid and try and fill any gaps if you would like though Alton? Otherwise Alton, if you would prefer to observe, I am happy with that. I know this is a weird question, but I will also check, does anyone have a way of detecting undead?"  

I don’t. Though I can detect certain frequencies of arcane energy, I don’t think it could specifically detect undead any better than my own eyes.

Silent shrugs. I'm just a guy with a big sword. And a couple axes. 

Magnum supposes that he could probably tell if a creature was under the effect of necromancy. Then again, a walking skeletal horse kinda gives it away. 

Alton smiles, "I'm flattered that you guys think I have a way with words. I honestly don't think I'm all that good, but the confidence is nice." He turns towards Captain Ressin, "Excuse me Captain Ressin. Would it be alright if two of us talk, to at least fill in any missed gaps?"

Of course, she replies.  You can all talk at once if you like, I won't be there to stop you most likely.  I'm just not recommending it as a way to a prosperous future, that's all.  I reckon two of you will be fine, just don't talk at the same time.  He doesn't like that much.

You are led to what looks from afar to be a rather large, comfortable cottage, but up close is clearly a place of work.  The sun has now just about set and a young halfling man is lighting torches on the garden wall as you approach.  He smiles as he sees Captain Ressin, and looks with interest at the rest of you.  You best all come in.  Pa's expecting you.  He opens the front door and leads you all inside as some of the guards remain outside to look after the horses.

You enter into a hallway; there's a waiting area with several chairs of various sizes through a doorway to the left, and a closed door to the right.  The halfling looks at Ressin, and she nods towards Art.   You first.  Come with me.  The rest of you, sit down and stay put. She then leads Art through the other door, leaving you with two of the guards from her group to watch you.

Magnum sits and waits.

Balassar just nods as he walks over to a chair as he pulls out some cards and begins to just shuffle them in his hands "Anyone for a game while we wait?"

Silent grins. I'm feelin' lucky, deal me in. 

Wash sits down, pretends to 'rest his eyes' and telepathically communicates to Trogdor Hopefully you are close enough to get this. I'm not sure is you are outside or in here with us, but we have been told to sit and wait while the horse-thief has been led to the back of the house. I still feel like something fishy is going on. Is there any way you can try and hear or see what is happening? If you are still outside, maybe you could see if there are any windows further back in the house?"

Magnum will abstain.  No thank you. I don't really know how to play.

"Maybe the next round for me." Alton says as he looks around the room. He walks over to the two guards, "Um, is there anything you could tell us about the Lawmaster before it is our turn?"