The Wildemount Irregulars (2020)

Silent instinctively gives the Righteous Brand soldiers a wide berth and hangs back a few feet away from Roska, allowing Balassar to steer the conversation. 

Alton hangs back with Silent, "Unfortunately, I don't really have any leads about it; other than they just vanish with no trace left behind. We could always just ask some folks about the whole thing."

Silent's brow is deeply furrowed. I got some... ideas about what could be goin' on. Nothin' concrete, and it'd be hard to verify... but if we could find a wizard around here, they might have some answers. He is whispering, very conscious of the fact that Empire soldiers and operatives are likely in the vicinity. 

(OOC: Would Silent have any inkling that consecution and magic reincarnation shenanigans with the Kryn Luxon Beacons could be related to the disappearances of the kids? I imagine he has some limited knowledge of how the process works)

Balassar just nods to the guards as he looks at the young dwarf “Was wondering if Roska was in? I used to do some smithing here while I was stationed at Ashguard. Plus my friends are looking to potentially spend some coin depending on what you have.”

OOC:  Silent can make an Investigation check or History check, to put the bits of the puzzle together in his mind.

Oh, sure, she replies.  Let me go get her. 

An older dwarf soon comes out into the main workshop, and she looks you up and down.  Silverstone, right?  One of Solomon's.  Good to see you again.  She offers a hand to shake.

History 17 

I don't think Silent would make the connection, just from the little he's heard.  Perhaps if he chooses to investigate more.  But he's not very religious - or is he?

(OOC: Nope, he's never put much stock in any of the gods or the Luxon. As long as it is an idea that could have reasonably crossed his mind, though, I think he'll be motivated to ask around after leaving the smithy and pursue this line of thinking.) 

Balassar just takes the hand and gives it a firm shake "Good to see you as well. Was wondering if we could shop what you have and ask some questions."

Ah, well, I'm a little busy.  Good to see you again, but we're rushed off our feet.  Perhaps Kelsat can take care of you?   She speaks in the clipped tones of someone who is under a lot of stress and extremely busy, and she indicates the younger dwarf you first spoke to and will return to her work in another room, unless you want to stop her.

I can help for sure, the other dwarf says.  What do you need?

The smithy has all the standard non-magical weapons and armour as found in the PHB.  Is there anything in particular you're shopping for?  

Roska will answer any questions Balassar has before she leaves the room, but she's clearly in a rush and not keen to chat at length.

”By chance have you heard anything about Ashguard from the soldiers? Also, my friend heard about children going missing.” He just waits quietly for any answer.

About the Ashguard:

Heard a lot of bad tales.  Darkness and cricks jumping from the shadows.  Weird stuff.  Time slowing down, so you couldn't fight fair.  All kinds of dark magic.  As to any plans to retake it, your guess is as good as mine.

About the missing children:

Everyone was talking about it before the Ashguard fell.  Now it's... well, I guess people have more immediate worries, with a cartload of drow two days' march away.  But, some kids started disappearing, maybe a few months ago, maybe a year ago.  Just one or two, then more, then more until... well, too many to be a coincidence.  Someone's taking them.  Might be the cricks.  Maybe not.  Hard to see why.  Go talk to the Crownsguard if you want more.  They might welcome the help.

Now if you'll excuse me, I really need to get back to this.  She exits the room.

Overhearing the conversation, Silent will walk up to Balassar and say, Seems like there ain't much known by the general public. Maybe we should head back to the Scabbard, see if Captain Fray has any intel for us? 

"I think we are going to meet her this evening, and that is quite a ways off still. We could wander around and see what we find. We could also talk with the crownsguard and see what they know. Or, see if we can earn some coin on the side with like quick odd jobs or performances." Alton says as suggestions. 

Silent isn't especially inclined to go digging any further - he doesn't want to potentially draw the attention of the Crownsguard or Righteous Brand. Since he trusts Captain Fray, he's planning to wait to air out some of his concerns with her later on. 

For the rest of the day until their meeting, he will tag along with Balassar and Alton (unless they want to do something alone), but he'll be keeping his distance from soldiers and doing his best to lay low. He'll keep an ear out for any rumours, but nothing more. 

You potter around the town for the rest of the day; there are a few idle and friendly mercs around, happy to chat and spend the time.  Soon the evening approaches, and you return to the Burnt Scabbard for your planned meeting with Captain Fray.  And she's there ahead of you, relaxing by herself at a table that is otherwise empty - clearly reserved for you.

Once you're settled down and Fray has bought you a tankard of ale each, she gets down to business:

So, I don't know if you're planning to head straight back to Felderwin, or something else.  I know the Lawmaster will be expecting you.  But I don't think he'd object if you were to help out in Bladegarden a little, before you return.  And... well, I told someone in the Righteous Brand about the giants who attacked along the road - just in case their patrols have run into anything similar. It turns out they have. Patrol of six, returned about three nights ago - they managed to escape, but were chased off by giants with red eyes. A bit north of where we were attacked. Might have been the same pair, but... look, the officer I spoke to asked me to ask you to wait around for a few days. He's sent some questions up the chain of command, but he reckons we're going to need someone to help deal with the problem. I... sort of volunteered you? Hope you don't mind?

But it's up to you, you can say no if you want, and you've every right to. But there's something else, too. This is a bit more like what you've been doing for us the last few weeks. Something the Crownsguard's too busy to deal with. You know there've been lots of reports of kids going missing. Teens, really. From around this part of the world. Well, there was a lot of investigating at the start, but then nobody found any answers and then the war started and it's dropped down a lot of people's list of priorities. Two nights ago, someone came to town from the village of Trean, about two days off to the north. They've had three kids just... vanish, three nights ago. Three at once is a lot, and the Righteous Brand want it investigated in case it leads to some useful intel about Xhorhas, but the Crownsguard is overstretched, and I left them arguing about it before I came here. I thought... maybe you'd be willing to take it on? Head north, and did around for a few days?

She takes a long swig of ale and looks around to assess your reactions.

Silent looks to his two companions. Balassar, you're the giant expert here and it sounds like your old squad-mates might be on the case. If you want to take them on, I'll back you up. 

He turns back to Fray. But I've got some... interest in these vanishing kids. Any of those Crownsguard have any bright ideas about what might be going on there? 

No idea.  It was just one or two, really.  Then people started hearing that the same thing was happening up at Nogvurot, and then lots of rumours started going around.  All nonsence, from what I've been told.  The official line was it was just coincidence.  And then the war started, like I said.  And now people are saying it's Xhorhas stealing kids away to, I don't know, become spies or something?  You'll never hear any official confirmation of that, because that would mean that Xhorhas can send its agents anywhere without being detected.  Which will terrify folks.  Look, it will be good, real good for security and everyone's peace of mind if you can find out what's going on, but make sure you tell me before you go telling the whole world.  People have enough to worry about.

Balassar just looks at Silent “Wouldn’t be mine, but we can at least talk to them. Especially if it’s Moss’ group since we did say we’d talk to her anyways.”

His attention focuses back to Fray as she finishes everything she is saying “Sounds good to us, we don’t mind helping but what is the pay going to look like for the giant gig and finding out about these kids?”

Glad to hear it, Fray responds.  For the kids, sixty gold for doing an investigation that satisfies the townsfolk, and more if you actually uncover anything useful.  For the giants, I don't know - depends what orders come down.  When you get back, I'll introduce you to the man who's working on it and let him tell you himself.

If you have any questions for Fray, you can ask and she'll answer to the best of her knowledge.  She gives you directions to the village of Trean, where the kids have vanished most recently.  Is there anything else you want to do tonight?