Jasper looks to Kellen. "That sounds like a plan. While you were finishing up, i told the others that we should talk to the boy who works at Rummy's anyway. Something bothered me the way she said he finally told everyone where Willa went..... almost like he was hiding something. He may be able to shed light on her disappearance that her mothers can't. We also better make sure to get directions to that temple in the woods the kids play at."

Malvech shrugs but nods as he moves to carefully prepare his weapons, setting the strange spear that was a memento of his people to the side as he then loaded his crossbow to the side as well. "True enough. I was merely stating that my own people have their own way of doing things. Let us finish up and begin the search."

"Malvech, the more knowledge we have, the better prepared we will be to find the truth and protect ourselves. We all have different perspectives to contribute." He turns to Pyle. "Since you have other business with the Wildmother, perhaps you should be the one to talk to her herald?"

"Guys, sorry about that in there. This is a bit close to home for me. Parents killed..." she trails off. "Let's all head up to the temple to talk to Gael. I just should leave an offering or say a thing to the Wildmother for granting her cleric the power to save me. I'm more of a Moradin girl. We talk to Gael, then head to the Rummy for drinks. Oh and talk to the boy. Then let's get to where Willa was last seen and begin our search."

As the group approaches the temple, Kellen smiles a bit awkwardly. "Complicated memories..." He looks around for any temple workers, or if there are any villagers that might be Willa's other parent.

Walking through the standing stones, everyone please make a straight WIZ roll, the party crosses a green unkempt lawn before they enter the open doors of the temple of Melora. The front lawn outside of the temple between the standing stones and the door is lush green grass left to grow wild and long. The temple itself seems well-kept stone. The same rune and moss-covered stone the Fireside Forge seems to be made out of too. Both buildings look to be the oldest in the village. Upon entering the temple party finds a great tree growing seemingly from the altar itself. The encroaching forest pressing into the building form the treeline behind it. Walking down the center isle the party notices only two humanoids inside the well-lit temple as the sunlight spills over the figures from the glass windows along each side of the temple. The figures are a human woman in plain clothing knelt at the base of the large tree as a larger humanoid, who looks to be reading to the human in a low tone of voice, is a firbolg wearing green vestments. The vestments themselves look like they've seen better days but were once well made. This hulking firbolg clutching the leather tome leans towards the human woman knelt by the tree. She can be heard softly sobbing as the seeming Herald of the House offers her another soft word of comfort before turning towards the party.

"I...I will be right with you, friends," the firbolg replies in a genderless soft tone of voice as the human woman motions the firbolg off and they stand facing the party with a soft smile. "How may I be of service," they then say looking over the group their eyes settling on Kellen's holy symbol before giving him a soft nod.

Pyre's WIZ roll: 13

Jasper puts his hand on Pyre's shoulder. "You have nothing to apologize for sweetie. I'm sorry about your parents."  He looks at her with a slightly sad yet caring face.

Wisdom check: 13

As the party enters the temple, Jasper glances at the beautiful glass windows lining the temple. He looks at the giant tree seemingly growing directly from the altar with a sense of awe. As they approach the two figures he says, "Hello, we were looking to speak to Gael."   Noting how the firbolg and human nod at Kellen, he decides to defer to him and let him speak.

Jasper's words make Pyre feel a little better. Smiling she responds, "Sweetie? You're sweeter than I am." She playfully punches him in the arm.

Jasper smirks, then gently nudges Pyre in the side with his elbow. He whispers, "Psst. You better save me a dance when we get to the tavern."  

Malvech Wisdom Save: 6

Malvech simply nods to Kellen, worrying that the longer they took to find the girl then the more likely it would be that the child would come to harm or worse. He shakes such thoughts away as he walks with the rest of his group. "You have nothing to be sorry for Pyre. We all have memories that we would rather not be reminded of...." He goes quiet even if he chuckled a bit at the playful banter between then two smaller members of the group, his eyes moving to lock onto the Firbolg.

Kellen's Wisdom Check: 16

Kellen glances at Jasper and says sotto voce "Okay..."

He nods respectfully to the firbolg. "Harmony and abundance to you, herald of Melora. My companions and I have been hired to find Willa and bring her home. We just spoke with Wynn and were hoping to ask Gael some questions as well, if that is acceptable to you in this place. My hope is that our presence might give her some comfort."

"If you have a moment to speak to us as well, that would be helpful. We were told that Willa and other children often play around some old elven ruins. Can you tell us anything more about them and where we would find them? Also, Wynn said that no one had claimed to see Willa when she disappeared, but later a boy who works at Rummys told you he'd seen her going into the forest. Is that accurate? Do you believe he was being truthful?"

The Herald nods looking to Gael who struggles to stand as the Herald moves quickly, quicker than one would think that the hulking figure could move, to help the human to her feet.

OOC: Ok I've decided I'm not sure who Kellen is questioning. Is it the Herald or Gael. Apologies, I reinjured my shoulder and I'm on drugs, for REAL... Brain is struggles.

(OOC: I think this is on me, not the drugs! Kellen's questions were for the Herald. First, just an "is it okay to talk to Gael" question, with the hope we'd get an intro to her. Second, questions for the Herald re: elven ruins and the boy from the tavern who said he saw the girl go into the forest.)

OOC: Ok. Sorry it was like a 9 HR nap thanks to finally being able to sleep and NOT be in pain.

"Yes, yes of course," the Herald replies looking to Gael who nods wordlessly again.

Gael is middle-aged with red hair braided like a crown. She's not a beauty but she's an attractive woman. She has hands that have seen years of hard work.

"I am new to the village. The Fireside's devotion brought me here and they helped me reestablish the temple here," the Herald explains. "As for the ruins I've been told they are very ancient as was this temple and the stones outside. This entire town I suspect was an ancient elven settlement long abandoned before others resettled the area," they add. "As for the boy and children," the Herald sighs, "they are foolish to go where they are forbidden but that's what the young p seem to do," they explain then look to Gael.

"Willa is...she's not like the other children. She's....special, Gael says smiling but it's fleeting. "She has been since we adopted her as a babe. The village loves her too but they weren't always so warm," she says her tone sad. "The boy at Rummy's is fond of Willa but they're too young for such things," she adds with a ragged sigh. "He's an apprentice a half-elf who wandered into the village a year ago himself," she mentions the pauses to think. "Oh, the path to the ruins are marked with cairns. They are hard to miss and are marked so no one wanders too near," she explains next her tone and expression darkening. Then looking to the Herald she speaks again her expression hopeful. "Herald Clay...would you please...try to speak with Willa again," she then asks as the Herald frowns.

"Alas my gifts on that score from the Wildmother are spent," the cleric replies frowning but placing a comforting hand on Gael's shoulder as it slumps. "These people surely will be able to seek her and bring her back to us," the Herald says looking to the party. "Is there any other things you might ask of me," they ask with a soft expression as Gael nods to the party.

"Please find her," Gael the exclaims before nodding to the party as she stands again walking over to the base of the tree and kneeling back down. Rocking herself Gael begins to pray again.

Kellen looks at the others and softly, to not disturb Gael, asks "Any other questions here?"

"Nah, I think I've heard what I need."  He inclines his head slightly, looking at Gael and the cleric.  "Thank you for talking with us."

"None for the time being, unless we can perhaps find a map of the place if any have gone into it before and returned with one." Malvech says as he waits.

"A map is a good idea. Maybe we can ask at the tavern when we ask for rooms."

OOC: If Pyre is satisfied as well we can move on.