The Wildemount Irregulars (2020)

Alton looks between Balassar and Silent, "I like the idea of helping people get some information about their missing kids. I'm sure they are still worried about them."

Silent nods to Alton. Somethin' doesn't smell right about this. I'll be glad to do some snooping around. 

Silent doesn't have anything else he wants to do tonight, but he will pull aside Fray at some point before they break for the night and quietly say: 

Captain, just a small question. You've had your boots on the ground for some time. Where d'you think this war is going? And if it turns out to be Kryn soldiers stealing these kids... what do you think that'll do to the tensions? 

The war?  Well, I reckon it's not ending any time soon, from what folks here are saying.  We don't hear as much back in Felderwin as folks here do.  I don't know.  We're not losing.  We're not winning either.  Skirmishes and... well, I don't know.  She looks unhappy, and changes the subject. 

I think the worst thing is not knowing what's happening to these kids.  That gives people a chance to invent their own stories, which are probably wrong and much worse than the truth.  Look, if we find a way to peace, I don't want someone screwing it up by demanding the cricks returns our kids, except the cricks don't know what we're talking about.  We need some answers, and some evidence.  It's good if we know what happened, but better if we have proof we can use to shut the troublemakers up.

The conversation comes to an end, and Captain Fray excuses herself and heads back to her barracks.  You all spend the night in the Burnt Scabbard (a meal is 6 copper and a night's rest is 1 silver).

You wake the next day having completed a long rest.  The weather is drizzly and chilly.  What are you doing?

What d'you say, lads? I'm ready to head north for Trean whenever you are. 

Alton hands the barkeep 5 silver to cover food and their nights say. In the morning he checks to make sure everything in his backpack is in order and all accounted for before hefting it onto his back. "I guess so. I don't think there's anything else. Unless you guys want to stop anywhere before leaving."

Balassar just wakes up and puts on his equipment checking it. He then walks down the stairs to meet his companions. As they discuss their next steps he just shrugs "I don't have anywhere else to stop. Guess we just need to decide, helping with the kids first or the giants?"

Seemed to me like Fray wanted us to head to Trean before she introduces us to the giant-hunting squad. If we're all set to go I reckon we could roll out now. 

You leave Bladegarden, passing through the heavily-defended walls of the city and out into the countryside beyond.  Close to the city, small villages and farmlands predominate, and the folk are pleased to see armed travellers passing through; more than one ask you if you are patrolling for the Crownsguard.  But there are fewer people than you might expect; perhaps with the harvest done and the threat of war nearby, people have fled to the city or westward into the Empire.

Can the first person to read this please make three d20 rolls to see if you encounter anything during the two days and one night of travel needed to reach Trean?

17 

18 

17 

It's a fine day's walk, and a good night's rest by the campfire.  No sign of trouble; you do come across a Crownsguard patrol, but they don't seemed worried at the sight of you - you obviously project enough Empire vibes to reassure them.

The second day, and the villages and the people are getting thinner on the ground as you're headed up towards the mountains - though not as high or remote as Rilt.  In mid-afternoon you reach the little village of Trean, a cluster of twenty small houses, a couple of barns and a tavern surrounded by a few fields and more pastures with sheep grazing in their thick winter coats.  A lone farmer is digging in one of the fields and sees you approach.  He's a half-elf, mid-forties, wearing a dull brown jacket and looking quite tired.  He calls a greeting to you:  Good day, folks.  You lost?

Silent raises a hand in greeting and walks over to him. Not if this is Trean, friend. We're comin' from Bladegarden, lookin' for a woman who visited the city a few days ago. You wouldn't happen to know where we might find her, would you? 

Krista's who you mean.  Krista Harpin.  Lives in that house over there.  The man looks a little sad, and points to Krista's house.    You with those other folks?  The Red Company, I think they called themselves.

We were hired out by the Crownsguard, matter o' fact. Can't say I'm familiar with this Red Company, you have any idea who they were or what they were lookin' for? 

They were looking for the missing kids, the man says scratching his head.  Krista ran into them on the way home, said they volunteered to help out.  Came through with Krista, asked a few questions then headed off, he points northeast, thataway.

"Do you know anything about the missing kids? We are here to help with that."

I know, he says.  Ema Harpin was one.  Seomon and Carri Post the others.  They all left six days ago, but they'd been strange before then.  Avoiding other folk.  Not working on their chores.  We were worried they were sick or something.  Krista can tell you more about her daughter, maybe.  Or talk to Carri and Seo's parents.  They'd know more than me.

Silent looks to the others. Let's talk to Krista before doing anything else. This Red Company might have a head start on us, but it won't do us no good following them if we don't have their intel as well. 

Balassar just lets the others do the talking and when Silent final mentions a plan he just nods "Sounds good to me."

OOC:

Would Balassar know anything about the Red Company?

Balassar, make a History check.

Five minutes later, you are sitting on some simple wooden furniture as a young woman serves you some tea, and Krista Harpin tries to keep herself composed as she regards you.  The young woman is severe:  Please don't upset Aunt Krista.  Keep this short.  She's already... it's taking too much out of her.  She takes a seat herself, sips her tea and watches you carefully.

Please excuse my niece, Krista says, she's a little overprotective these days.  Krista looks tired, and it's clear to see she's been crying today.  She holds her tea as if drinking it is the last thing on her mind.  Please, anything I can do to help find... she trails off, and looks to some point in the far distance.

We might not be, uh, pro detectives, ma'am, but we'll do what we can. Rumour has it that the lads and lasses who vanished were acting strange a few days beforehand - your daughter seem out of sorts at all before she disappeared?