Vadania 

The bartender gets to work and slides over a hefty mug of strong liquor over to Vadania. 

"It's been a while indeed. A lot has happened while you were home. You know..."

He smiles and points to some of the heavier armed people in the tavern. 

"Some of these folks even managed to exorcise the Screaming Spirit, that banshee that's plagued our town for so long. If you are feeling like heading out of town again, you may want to join up with them." 

Vadania takes the mug and slowly sips. The liquid burns but it feels good. It's been quite a while since she's drank. She lets out a satisfied sigh which sounds like a dog sneezing. She asks, "How is the tavern going? I see a lot of new faces here. Don't see Farmer Rutherford though... is he sick? Should I pay him a visit to his farm with flowers?"

The old gambler shakes his head. 

"The entire farmstead's been blocked off from the public. No one's allowed to go there. Not only is the Watch guarding the premises, but rumor says that a few Inquisitors are also roaming the place. I wouldn't mess with that if I were you." 

Vadania looks concerned, "What happened to him? Why is the watch there?"

Vadania 

The bartender grows grim. 

"It's...more than that. A huge ruckus was thrown this morning down at his farm, and the Watch was called for some reason. We aren't supposed to talk about it until they finish their investigations, to prevent 'hysteria.' Whatever it is, it can't be good..." 

Sulskan approaches Vadania, seeing her as one of the more well armed people in the tavern. Hushing the voices in his mind, he gently taps her shoulder and inquires, "Hello there miss. You look reasonably well equipped, and I am looking for a few companions to join me on my journey. I wouldn't mind helping out with that farmer friend of yours first though. Safety in numbers they say." As he finishes his proposal, his head immediately begins shaking violently and it appears that he is having some kind of mental seizure. It continues for 3 or 4 seconds before he calms down again and apologizes, "I'm sorry for that," he says to Vadania and the bartender, "It only happens rarely." He seems to be talking to someone else when he says that it only happens rarely, almost as if reprimanding some kind of pet.

(Spoiler is for DM regarding what is happening in Sulskan's mind)

She quietly takes a sip from the ale and says, "I... see. This is sad news indeed. I have worked on the farm in the past.I hope they can finish their investigation fast and bring whatever it is that happened there to an end."

She pauses for a bit more before saying, "I might join up with some of these folks on their endeavors. The more horrors we vanquish the safer the town will be."

Jack 

Jack enters the captain's office and finds himself facing a slick looking half-elf man in a trench coat. He's obviously extremely frustrated, stamping out his cigar on an ashtray before he replies in a somewhat condescending tone despite Jack's friendly attitude. 

"Son, this ain't Waterdeep. Keeping the law around here isn't so easy." 

He sighs and holds his and out to shake. 

"Still, it's a pleasure to meet you Jack. We need all the help we can get. Last night, a terrible crime has been committed in a farmstead outside of town- the whole place has been torn up by some rampaging beast, it would seem. That man here from the Inquisition won't let us investigate the crime scene yet, not until the proper "wards" are placed. How the hell are we supposed to do our job with those meddling fools?" 

Vadania turns around to face the newcomer. She says, "A journey you say? And you plan to investigate the farm? Where are you journeying to?"

"I was planning on making a trip up the Lakeshire Mountains. I heard that there were some powerful artifacts buried up there. The farm business is only because you seemed to care about this farmer and if the farm is nearby, we could swing by before we head up the mountains. Speaking of, I think I've seen you around town before. I haven't really gotten out of my house much recently, but maybe you know of some other people that would accompany us?" Sulskan continues although he seems slightly hesitant to talk about exactly why he wants to go up the mountain and changes the topic of conversation a bit too quickly.

Vadania shakes her head. Sulkan sees her amber colored eyes seeming to glow from the dark shadow of her hood. Her whole face seems to be covered in grey fur and there appears to be a short wolf-like snout instead of a nose or mouth. She responds, "I have been busy around town lately so you might have seen me hauling loads or buying groceries. I do wish to check up on the farm though I believe the situation is currently being checked on by The Watch. Perhaps we might let them handle it. Let us find more allies for now."

@RazorDawn89

"Well Captain, what if I went and took a look around? I'm not technically on the Watch now am I? So I wouldn't be stepping on any toes if I showed up and took a look. Maybe I can even get them hurried up on the 'wards' so the professionals can take over. Trust me, I ain't as young as some of the whelps you got workin' for you out front but I can still handle a crime scene and whatever Scarface can throw at me. No problem."

"Sounds like I won't be let in. Well, thank you for the information." Limine thinks for a moment, then goes to the bar. She doesn't order anything, but rather just sit and keep ears and eyes open. When she hears others talking about the farm, she approaches Sulskan and Vadania.

"Excuse me, I couldn't help but overhear your conversation. Are you planning to go out and investigate this farm?"

Vadania turns to the newcomer and says, "I wanted to however it seems the Watch is guarding it currently."

Limine comes closer and whispers: "How about we sneak in?"

She responds, "We were heading to the Lakeshire Mountains but perhaps we should stop by the farm and offer the watch some help? If they refuse, we can go straight to the mountains. I do not quite like the idea of sneaking in."

"Nor do I." Sulskan agrees, "I would much prefer not to be on the bad side of the Watch. I don't mind stopping by to offer some help though." Sulskan quickly runs a check and makes sure he has both his hand-axes and checks his backpack for his greataxe before nodding to his new companions and saying, "I am ready to go when you all are. I'd prefer not to dilly-dally."

"I will come. I have a duty to this place, but I do not know what it is yet." Slurb says, coming over to the group.

Helena

In the corner of the tavern sits a red skinned tiefling dressed in the light and airy garb of a sailor her worn tricorn hat tilted forward to cover her eyes but she looks up as people enter with a smirk and a wink of an amber eye, she sits singing softly but strangely her voice fills the room as if by some magic she sings of some monstrosity of the deep sea which was fought and repelled as though from her own eyes, but any who look closer can here a quiver in her voice, not by choice but from fear and a slight widening of her eyes as she describes the creature

Vadania scans the group and swings her axe over her shoulders saying, "Then we should move. However, I would like to stop at my mother's house to talk to her before leaving for the farm."