The taproom of this inn and tavern is nothing to write home about; the mostly wooden furniture is sturdy-looking, but chipped, stained, and in a general state of disrepair. And while the floor is clean, scuff marks and indentations are everywhere. It's almost as if altercations occur here regularly and the scars have been left on anything wooden in the vicinity.
A mousy-haired waitress is busily serving early luncheon meals to patrons who are trickling in, and behind the bar a man with a moustache that defies gravity is polishing a mug with a questionable-looking rag. "Sal," he bellows, filling the mug to the brim with some foaming ale. "Got another for ya!" He pushes the mug out towards the waitress, who only just manages to catch it with a grimace. Seeing Chaos entering the taproom, Garon smiles at the newcomer. "Well now! You're lookin' better than last night. Why don'tcha have a proper welcome to the Ol' Boar today! What can I get you?"
He also notices the strange, silent, very regularly blinking man trying to leave the inn after finishing up his meal. "Hey! Stop right there, stranger! 1 silver, or you ain't going anywhere!" he roars, slamming a meaty fist on the bar.
The man starts, as if recalling his surroundings, and walks over to the barkeep. "I'm sorry, I was rather lost in thought." He pays for the meal before turning to leave..
Chaos walks down the stairs, more than ready to face the day. Being able to wear her Clothes again, washed and dried to boot, is enough to bring a smile to her face. She turns to Garon as he calls to her.
"I'm glad to know what happened yesterday is not considered the proper welcome," she laughs. "Let's see... That Stew yesterday was very good." She beams at Sal. "Ah, but the Sausages were good too. And the Milk. And... Uhm, I'm sorry, I just haven't had fresh food in a long, long time. I'll have whatever you suggest."
Chaos proceeds to sit down at an empty table, lost in her thoughts as she wonders which guard will come to fetch her. One she hasn't sen yet, hopefully. But then, her thoughts are interrupted as Garon slams a meaty fist on the bar, and vehemently calls out a customer - who was trying to sneak out without paying, apparently. She groans, bracing herself for another Flying Mug of Ale.
The fool who thought he could mess with the bartender walks up to the counter, trying to talk his way out with unconvincing arguments. As he passes by, Chaos sneaks a glance at him. His face looks strangely familiar, but she can't quite put her finger on it - then, it hits her. She stands up, walks up to the man, and grabs him by the shoulder.
Seth looks down at young woman's expectant expression. "I am sorry, but I have no idea who you are talking about." He informs her in his politest voice and attempts to move on.Just leave me alone, please, whoever you are.
Sal smiles at Chaos's eager reception and says "Well, we have some spiced meat pies available on the menu today, as well as some sweet potato soup and fresh bread," she says. "But I'm afraid Garon's probably going to charge you for your meals now. You're cute, but if he wants to stay in the Hucrele's good graces, he's got to turn a profit here," she says. "Tell you what, though. I'll make it only 5 copper for the entire thing, and we'll keep this hush-hush between you and me," she whispers, glancing over her shoulder at Garon. "Gods, that man is such an oaf sometimes," she mutters under her breath.
Garon, meanwhile, continues to stare daggers at Seth until the silver coin is handed over. Then, as if someone had flipped a switch, his thunderous scowl turns into a cheerful expression. Which on his moustached, rugged face, somehow translates to slightly less scary than before. Watching the interaction between the two, he goes back to cleaning his mugs, grumbling to himself. "Corvo, is it? I've got my eye on you," he warns. "Don't try anything funny."
Both Garon and Sal watch the exchange between Seth and Chaos with interest. "So you know each other from somewhere? It's not often that paths cross this way in a town as small as ours!" Sal says excitedly. "Why don't you use this time to catch up together and do some sightseeing?"
Garon's moustache quivers. "Sightseein'? See what? This is a two-road town." He turns to the two of you. "Look, we ain't the bellybutton of the world here. But since you're both new, let's get this over with." He takes a huge finger and begins to sketch into the greasy top of the bar. "The New Road runs through town from north ta south. The road outta town breaks off to the northeast, leadin' to the farms. Southwest is the Old Road, which'll take ya up into the mountains. Here," and he stabs the bar, "is the general store. It's run by Matron Hucrele, and she's the only game in town, so don't piss her off," he warns. He stabs another point on the bar. "This is the temple of Chauntea. Say yer prayers there, or get your wounds looked at. Corkie'll have whatever it is ya need." Another stab, and another greasy spot on the countertop is outlined. "Lutgehr's smithy is right there if ya want some weapons or armors. Real men fight with their fists, though," he adds, prompting a dismayed cough from Sal. "Yeah, yeah. And Mayor Leng's estate is right here, in the center of town. Rich bastard," he mutters, mashing his knuckles into the countertop. "The rest, you can find out for yerself. Got it?"
Seth flips over another silver to Garon - "For the trouble. It was my fault, truly." - and turns to the girl still hanging off him throughout the whole explanation. "My name is not Corvo, little lady, and I do not know who you are. Are you sure you have not mistaken me for someone else?"
As the noise in his head steadily begins to increase in volume, Seth supresses an urge to sigh in frustration. He gazes impassively at her, waiting for a satisfactory response that can release him from the situation.
(Chaos would have taken Sal up on her offer, giving her five copper... And can we say she was done eating before this scene started?)
Chaos gives a skeptical look at the man. "Of course your name is not Corvo, that would be copyright infringement. But you look just like him... Well, we can talk about it as we walk around town," she says, smiling brightly. "Thank you for the detailed explanation, Garon. I'm supposed to talk to the Mayor, and I was told to wait for someone to fetch me. But I guess I can just go by myself." She looks at the man whose name is apparently not Corvo. "With company!" She starts pushing him out of the inn.
Before either of you can actually exit the inn, the door slams open. Standing there is an imposing half-elven woman with dark, wild hair and and a even darker eyes. She scowls into the room, and you see Garon visibly wilt and shrink into himself, instantly losing all of his bravado. It's a bit strange, considering how huge he is compared to the half-elf woman, but it's clear to see whose presence is dominating the room.
Felosial
"Garon," Felosial says in greeting. "Keeping your nose clean?" It's not so much a question as a warning, and Garon nods rapidly, the ends of his upturned moustache quivering.
"No fights since last night, ma'am!" he says, and from somewhere nearby, you can almost hear Sal rolling her eyes while Felosial scowls.
Felosial's gaze lands on Seth, and she gives him a short nod. "Good. You've settled, Vandran," she says curtly. "Apologies for arriving earlier than expected, but something has come up. It's time."
Her eyes shift over to Chaos and study the girl for a moment. "Chaos Stone? Therlyn told me of you." Though she's never seen you before, it seems pretty clear that there isn't an abundance of white-haired violet-eyed elves in town, and that the guards here can, at the least, give accurate reports to their superiors. "Felosial, Captain of the Oakhurst Guard. The Mayor wishes to summon you. I will be your escort, if you desire to accompany us."
Looking back at Garon, she squints, and the large man fumbles the mug he was holding, nearly dropping it. Sighing, Felosial turns on her heel to leave, clearly expecting the two of you to follow her.
Chaos feels a little happiness when her small wish is granted, in the form of an imposing half-elven woman who definitely is not any of the guards Chaos had met in the previous days. Felosial! She looks so cool - not all that surprising, after all the hype surrounding the town's constable, in charge of the guard, Mayor Leng’s Right Hand, and so on. Still, Chaos has learned not to build any expectations when it comes to these villagers.
"Of course, I'm coming! That's what I'm here for, after all." She waves goodbye at Garon, enjoying the expression on his face, and bows slightly at Sal. "So your name is Vandran? Sounds cool, let's go!" - and she hurries after the constable.
“Not here,” Felosial says to Chaos without stopping.
The sun is high overhead outside, and the village looks a lot more inviting – and populated – than it did when you first arrived here. Townspeople move to and fro going about their business, with most visiting the general store or the chapel, or simply gathering in the town square to chat.
Felosial doesn’t exactly give you the time to sightsee, however, as she leads you swiftly to the largest and most well-maintained building on the main road – the Village Hall. Two guards salute as she passes; Chaos recognizes one of them as Gerno. He doesn’t give any outward sign of recognizing you, or even moving from his post where he stands at attention, at least until Felosial passes. Then his eyes slide over towards you, before quickly snapping back forward, his posture straightening.
Once inside the main foyer, Felosial closes the door and turns to face both of you. “Another one of ours has gone missing,” she says in explanation, before looking at Chaos. “I believe you know Karakas? Therlyn told me he was your escort before the mayor recalled him for a mission. He was supposed to return yesterday with his report.” The frown etched into Felosial’s face tells you very clearly that Karakas is running late.
“I’ll take you to the Mayor; he will explain,” she says curtly, leading you through the foyer and towards a wide staircase leading up to the second floor. The interior of the house is rustic; walls are painted white, and wooden beams that support the roof are visible from the inside of the building. Still, thick, elaborate tapestries adorn the walls, and the furniture is made out of polished, heavy wood. Seth would recognize that the symbols woven into the center of each tapestry match the one on the wooden token he was given by Corben.
All in all the interior is simple, tasteful, and somehow screaming of money without being overly ostentatious. You can even glimpse the weathered winter remains of a well-manicured garden through a few of the far windows as you climb the staircase.
Felosial opens a set of heavy double doors and leads you into an office with a few cushioned seats and a wide wooden desk. An older white-haired man sits behind it, filling out some paperwork. She steps to the side of the door, closing it behind the two of you, then stands at attention, solemn and silent. The man behind the desk looks up, gives Felosial a nod, and then puts down his quill. Pulling off his glasses, he stands up and walks around the table.
“Greetings, my friends,” he says. “I am Vurnor Leng, Mayor of Oakhurst. Thank you for responding to my request for aid on such short notice. It’s a pleasure to finally meet the both of you.”
Vurnor Leng
Though his tone is friendly and polite, he neither offers a hand nor bows when he greets you. In fact, judging from the finery of his clothing, the prominent gilded insignia hanging off of his chest, and the general opulence of your surroundings, you would surmise that Mayor Leng is a member of the nobility, and holds power in this town both in name and actuality.
“I hope your journey to our village wasn’t too difficult. Felosial has informed me that you, Mr. Vandran, have been fully appraised of the situation. I wonder, though,” he says, pacing slowly before Chaos with his arms behind his back. “How much do you know, my dear? What exactly were you told by our faithful guards, I wonder?”
Felosial doesn’t move from her position, but a muscle in her cheek jumps at Mayor Leng’s softly spoken question.
Chaos follows quickly. As they walk inside the manor, she waves at Gerno, then grins as his eyes slide towards her.
Once inside the main foyer, Felosial closes the Door and turns to face both of them. Her news are about the worst possible way to set the plot in motion. Chaos covers her mouth with her hands - "Not Karakas!", she exclaims. Then, she follows Felosial up the staircase and through the Heavy Double Doors.
As Mayor Leng stands up, Chaos bows respectfully. The man makes a good impression on her - he is older than she expected, fitting nicely into the venerable grayed man niche which was waiting to be filled. His hair circle his head like the mane of a Silver Lion, and his face comes complete with a big scar across his left eye - which makes one wonder why he's using Glasses instead of a Monocle. Rich people, go figure.
As the Mayor starts talking, her eyebrows glitch. Oh, so the gloomy guy knows more than me? Guess he was on good terms with the guards. "Yes, Lord Leng. I have been told... Some things." She starts summarising the information gathered in the last few days, all the while counting on her fingers. "Ravenous cursed wererabbits are infesting the forest. A bunch of your people have gone missing, cattle, too, and Snickerdoodle. Some bodies were found with puncture marks that are totally not the work of a vampire. The cause is unclear, winter is coming, people are scared, and morale is low. Your guards have a knack for picking on magic users, which is apparently to be blamed on some guy called Sharwyn..." She pauses. "But I'm used to getting bullied, so no hard feelings. Uhm. Captain Felosial has just informed us that Karakas has gone missing, which is terrible news, since he was both an honest and competent fellow." Chaos tilts her head slightly, poking her own cheek with her finger. The Harper thing sounded pretty secretive - it could be a good way to get Maryln in trouble - but better to leave it out for now. "This is all, I guess. I was told I can be of help... Which is why I'm here. But I can't say I have a clear picture of the situation."
'Were-rabbits? What, the horned things? Cursed?'Seth glances towards the violet-eyed half-elf with an eyebrow raised. Chaos... seems rather well suited to her name. He cannot help thinking that the following tasks will be more of a mess than he had originally anticipated.
“Snickerdoodle?“ Mayor Leng says, one eyebrow raising.
“The Shireford family cat, sir,” Felosial replies crisply from the corner without missing a beat. “It was found slain in the fields three months ago.”
“Ah,” he says, dismissing the entire existence of Snickerdoodle and Molly’s pain in one short exhale. “I’m surprised you know of the disappearance of a cat, but nothing of the Harper presence in our town.”
“Sir!” Felosial’s voice is sharp with protest. Her eyebrows lower. “My guardsmen and women should be left out of this. As should those who are not involved in our business.”
Leng glances over at Felosial with a cool look. “If even your guards are gossiping about our open war with the Hucrele family, then there’s little point in pretending that any of this business is a secret. Be thankful that your precious guards haven’t been made to chose a side yet. And humbled that we are being forced to turn to strangers for help, because of a certain lack of talent within your ranks.”
Felosial scowls, but her mouth snaps shut and she stands at attention once again.
Leng focuses his attention back on the two of you, and gestures towards the chairs in front of his desk. After making sure you are both going to seat yourselves, he walks behind his own desk and sits down once again, leaning back and steepling his fingers under his chin.
“As I hope you will have noticed or been informed, I am what you might call the leader of the Harpers in this town. We are an ancient and deep-rooted faction spread throughout all of Faerûn, dedicated to the fair and equal treatment of all. Our mission is to promote balance without resorting to open challenges and warfare; we aid the oppressed and the weak, and attempt to stop those who would grow too powerful on their destructive path to tyranny.”
He nods at Seth. “Your friend is not one of our cell, but we did request the aid of two members from his group: Erky Timbers, a very resourceful gnome, alongside Sir Braford of Waterdeep, a holy knight of some standing. I would have thought that their combined powers could easily defeat any evils hiding in the mountains, but they’ve been missing for so long now that I fear the worst has occurred.”
He pauses, then looks at Chaos. “This Sharwyn you speak of is no man. She is the daughter of the noble Matron Kerowyn Hucrele, and one of the heirs to the Hucrele family business -- the only heir capable of wielding magic. She, alongside her brother, Talgen, set things in motion when they ventured into the mountains to discover the secret of the Malum Vitae last summer.”
He places his hands on the desk and grows solemn. “The Malum Vitae is an apple. But it is no ordinary fruit. No one knows how it is cultivated, or where its powers come from. All we know is that this apple is offered to us once a year by the goblins of the Sunless Citadel. They broker their trade through Matron Hucrele, who then auctions it off to the highest bidder. The Malum Vitae is said to have extraordinary healing and rejuvenating powers, and from all of our observations, those rumors are true. No one who has managed to obtain an apple seems to have suffered any ill effects from consuming it… but all who do have become healthier, or healed from wounds or diseases that were previously thought to be incurable.” He leans forward. “Some claim it even has the power to extend one’s life.”
He sits back in his chair. “The existence of such a thing… and from the hands of goblins, no less – you can see why we Harpers are concerned. We’re not the only ones. Kerowyn Hucrele is also trying to find the secret and source of these apples as we speak, but for much more mercenary reasons.
She sent her own two children, Sharwyn and Talgen, to the Citadel to negotiate with the goblins for control over the production of the Malum Vitae. To my knowledge, they have not returned, but we cannot risk having the Hucrele family exploiting and marketing these apples to the rest of the Sword Coast, or beyond.”
He grimaces. “Things that sound too good to be true usually are. A miracle cure that grows on trees, and can possibly grant the promise of eternal life? Something is wrong here, deadly wrong, and we cannot allow Kerowyn Hucrele’s greed to propagate that wrongness any further than she already has managed.”
Here, Mayor Leng pauses, his shoulders slumping a bit. “But Braford and Timbers failed in their mission. And Karakas’s scouting has been delayed.”
“I trained him personally,” Felosial says from the corner. “I’m certain he will return to us. You should give him more time.”
Leng’s hand forms into a fist on the desk, and he glares at Felosial. “We don’t have time. Midwinter is nearly upon us, and I’m no longer willing to sit back and wait for results.”
Felosial grimaces, but says nothing.
Refocusing on the two of you, Leng continues: “My warriors of the cloth have failed. My scouts have failed. And so it falls to me to rely on talents which I have not managed to cultivate in our cell: the power of the arcane. Both of you possess this power, I am told. It is the one resource I have yet to throw at the Citadel, and one of my few remaining hopes for gathering information.
Now that you know more of the challenges we face, would you still be willing to help us?”
'Ah, so that's it. The arcane. Leng must really be at the end of his tether if he's asking for aid from someone who doesn't even know the extent of his own powers yet. Or maybe he is not aware. Damn it, Corben, I expected help, not headaches.'
Seth stares at the man expressionlessly, even as his mind is whirring, his eyes deep pools of darkness. He casts a glance at Felosial in the corner, then turns back. "I am here to ascertain the fate of Erky Timbers, and bring him back if possible. If what that takes is a... visit... to the Citadel, so be it." He shrugs in a self-deprecating manner and continues calmly. "Be that as it may, I have absolutely no reason to believe that I will not end up the same way as the others have. I would ask you to avoid raising your hopes unnecessarily - at least as far as my involvement in this goes."
'If I am still alive at the end of this, just wait until I get my hands on you.' Seth's internal cursing runs nigh parallel to his dialogue, a reliable way to keep his face straight as he speaks.
Chaos has to hold on to the edge of the seat not to fall down under the weight of the gargantuan info dump that has been poured over her. There is a lot to take in, including a bunch of new names of faceless NPCs, but at least she gets confirmation that "Sharwyn" and the "Ucrele girl" are the same person.
She bows her head forward as the Mayor finishes speaking. "Thank you, Lord Leng, for this detailed explanation. If you don't mind, I would like to ponder the facts aloud for one moment."
"The Hucrele sent their children to negotiate, one of them a spellcaster, and they didn't return. Karakas was scouting about this matter and he disappeared. You called two people from your Guild of Harpers to help and they are both MIA, I mean they are both missing. It seems all people involved have a tendency to be spirited away." Chaos makes a serious face. "I was ambushed by the Death Hares myself, and would have met an untimely end if not for the intervention of the Karakas Squad. An experience I would rather not repeat."
"I'm very inclined to go along with your Quest - I mean your request. However, I think just walking in there with my Wizard friend Mr. Vandran, arcane arts and whatnot, sounds like a strategy for failure for you, and something worse for us." She looks at Leng first, then turns to Felosial.
"In other words, what I'm trying to say is...I would feel much more comfortable if we could have an escort to accompany us. I'm sure you don't have many guards to spare, but the situation demands emergency measures."
“I’m afraid you don’t realize just how thinly spread our forces are right now,” Leng says to both of you. “Aside from Felosial and myself, only Therlyn and Karakas are members of our group. And I cannot leave my position and duties here as mayor, particularly not before the start of Midwinter. Felosial is the captain of the guard, and must see to the security of the entire town, not merely my own requests. It was already enough of my questionable judgement to send her out to fetch you, Mr. Vandran.
However,” he says, leaning forward, and looking at Felosial again. “That doesn’t mean I find your request to be unreasonable. It’s common knowledge that those who master the arcane arts usually travel with some sort of bodyguard to protect them from harm. And I do believe we could spare a guardsperson in a matter of this importance, could we not, Felosial?”
Felosial frowns. “As I said, they’re simple townspeople. We shouldn’t draw them in to Harper business—“
“Is it just Harper business, though?” Leng retorts. “Our newest guest here accurately pointed the situation out. The strange attacks on the city have been slowly worsening over the years. We have no idea if the Hucreles were successful or not. And if we lose Karakas as well, that will have a direct impact on the city’s security. He’s not only a Harper, Felosial. He’s a resident, just like you and I.”
Felosial glares – it’s quite apparent that she and Leng disagree on this point. But after a few tense moments of staring one another down, she relents. “Very well.”
Facing the two of you, she crosses her arms. “There is my lieutenant Therlyn. She is a ranger of exceptional character and skill, and also a Harper. While she could guide you safely to the ruins, her strengths lie in scouting and being stealthy... nor is she as talented as Karakas was. She is not trained to be a heavily armored guard, which is more likely what your group needs.”
“Maryln Whitpike is also a notable individual within our guardsfolk. She can get a little hot-headed at times, but is a reliable ally in battle. She prefers to keep her foes at a distance, and usually wields a pike or a glaive when fighting.”
“Gerno Augustus is another member of our guard. He has a certain lack of backbone and is easily influenced by gossip and stories. However, none can match him when it comes to the sword. He wields two of them very well, particularly when he is panicked.”
“Lastly, Argus Tenlire is another guard I could recommend. He doesn’t speak much, but has learned to defend his comrades well using his shield. He’s not as fierce in battle as the other two, but he does his job as a defender well.”
“These are the only members I have to spare. You may think on which one you wish to join you on this adventure. I understand this may be a difficult choice, so I advise you to take a day or two to get to know them before deciding.”
“Thank you, Felosial,” Leng says to the half-elf, nodding his head in appreciation.
“Tch,” Felosial says, making a face as she returns to her post.
“Well then. I hope that will satisfy your demands. And if not, know that I will reward you handsomely in coin for your services, should you manage to succeed in resolving this matter. Apart from that, you will have this entire town’s gratitude, and an ally in the Harpers, which may be more valuable than any gold I can promise.
If you have any questions for me, now would be the time to ask,” Leng says to you both.
Chaos bows respectfully to Felosial. "Thank you, Captain, for your understanding." Seriously, one guard? One?
Okay, now, down to the choice of the Starter. Ah, I feel young again. She considers, for a brief moment, which one of the four guards would level up faster. But by this point she knows there's no way anyone would answer that. Then again, she was always one to appreciate roleplaying over minmaxing, so the choice is pretty obvious here.
"I have already met the guards you mentioned, and spent some time with them. They saved my life, and I trust their competence. I already have an idea of who I would like to have on my team... But of course, I will not force anything on Mr Vandran, nor on the guards themselves." Chaos makes a sad smile. "I appreciate you giving us the time to become familiar with each other before setting off - if you think we can afford it. How long do we have until Midwinter?" What happened to "we don’t have time"?
Now, other questions... "I understand that we are, somehow, opposed to the Hucrele family in our mission. But since they have lost people, too, important people, I'm sure we will run into their agents at some point. Cooperation might turn out to be beneficial... In the short term, at least. I'd like to know your thoughts on this, to avoid making some, let's say, wrong choices."
Seth taps a forefinger on the armrest as he considers the situation, and Chaos' words. "I do have a concern or two I would like you to address, Mayor Leng."
He leans forward and steeples his fingers, a practised posture. "I had told Felosial earlier that I have no grievances against the Harpers, but that does not mean I place any great amount of trust in them. I do not know your methods deeply enough for that. This Malum Vitae you speak of - I have heard talk of it before, of course - should we find the secret and source of the golden apple, how exactly do you plan to deal with it, in a way that will not spread?
"Secondly, if we find that there can only be one of these apples produced annually, as seems to be the case currently, in what way would you expect us to deal with the situation? Maintain the status quo? The auction does wonders for the region's popularity, after all, at least among those in the know. Destroy the 'tree' that produces it? If you leave the method of dealing with it to us and our own judgements, would you take the responsibility for any consequences that might crop up immediately, or even later?"
Seth straightens up and sits back, not taking his eyes off Leng. "I am not an unfettered adventurer, as you likely already know. The aftermath of any actions I take may or may not hurt the interests or reputation of those I work with and those who employ me, even should I die on this path. I would like to have some kind of... assurance from your side."
“Midwinter falls between the 30th Hammer and the 1st of Alturiak,” Leng tells Chaos. “That is a tenday from now. We have no proof, but I believe that on the eve of Midwinter, the goblins will return… and attempt to make another trade with Matron Hucrele. Of what, I’m not sure. She’s never held an auction for a second Malum Vitae, but that fruit is the only thing the goblins have ever traded in. Something foul is afoot, and we will need our members in town to stop her from setting whatever plan she has in motion. It would help greatly if your team could find out more about the goblin tribe themselves.
Matron Hucrele is no fool. I’m sure she will recruit someone to protect her investments during this sensitive time. As to whether or not her children have actually gone missing… I suspect that they are, in fact, cooperating with that goblin tribe to hide some greater secret, and are the primary reason my agents have gone missing. I do not believe goblins, no matter how well organized, could take down three Harpers on their own. They must be coordinated by someone else, and the Hucrele heirs are just as canny and unscrupulous as their mother. And, as I warned, Sharwyn herself is also a magician of no small ability.”
He sighs and rubs his temple. “Should you run into Hucrele’s agent, you will have to use your own judgement on how to treat them. The laws of this town can only be enforced within a reasonable distance, of course… our guard presence is not so great that we can afford to patrol what happens within the ruins of the citadel.” He doesn’t elaborate on what that could mean, but Felosial’s silence on the matter confirms your suspicion that you may have just obtained implicit permission to deal with Matron Hucrele’s agents with any amount of force you deem necessary.
“I wouldn’t put it past Matron Hucrele to try and deceive her hirelings, though. They may not know what, exactly, they are fighting for. She naturally wouldn’t be as forthright about her motives as we are. You will have to use your own best judgement in that case.”
Turning to Seth, Mayor Leng nods at you in approval. “You have a good head on your shoulders. Corben recommended you not merely because of your skill, but because you can see the bigger picture; the machinations and motivations of others, beyond the immediate challenges and goals set before you. Know that it is not only desperation that brought you here, but a belief in your abilities and skils, Mr. Vandran. The Harpers would have approached you eventually, and it is my good fortune that I am the first.
To that end, I believe you will do the right thing and return with a full report about the origin of this apple, so that we can decide how to ultimately deal with it. The benefits the Malum Vitae provides are undeniable, but everything has its price. If we find that the price is too high, then further instances of the Malum Vitae – and its source – will have to be destroyed, before its influence can spread further and wake the greed of the people.
The Harpers are fully prepared to take responsibility for any consequences that may arise from our actions. As we always have, and will continue to do so. This matter will only concern your party directly if you chose to officially join our ranks… something we wouldn’t be disagreeable to,” he adds.
“You may, of course, disavow any knowledge of having a connection to our group, should this turn messy. I have full confidence that your background and training will allow you to negotiate your way out of any lasting consequences within Daggerford. But if you don’t have faith in your own ability to navigate the political sphere, the coin I am offering in exchange for your services will surely smooth the process,” he finishes.
“100 gold coins for information on each of the missing Harpers you can find. Doubled, if you can return any of them to me, alive. 50 for bringing me proof of either of the Hucrele family scions’ involvement in this matter. And, as I stated before, your reputation and allegiance within the Harpers will rise should you assist us with the matter of the Malum Vitae in a significant manner.”
One day of sleeping and eating at the Ol' Boar Inn came at about 1gp... The equivalent of a few months of rent, nothing to scoff at. Who knows how much Magical Items are worth, anyway...
"I was going to accept this mission, no matter what, to repay my life debt towards Karakas and the other guards - but of course, the reward is well accepted." She grins amicably. "Don't you agree, Mr. Vandran?", she asks, patting her comrade on the arm.
"I can't think of more to ask... Ah, right. Since we are going to wait a few days, should we stay at the Ol' Boar Inn until you decide we are ready to go?" A little discomfort is evident in Chaos's countenance, as she mentions the name of the tavern.
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Oakhurst: The Ol' Boar Inn
The taproom of this inn and tavern is nothing to write home about; the mostly wooden furniture is sturdy-looking, but chipped, stained, and in a general state of disrepair. And while the floor is clean, scuff marks and indentations are everywhere. It's almost as if altercations occur here regularly and the scars have been left on anything wooden in the vicinity.
A mousy-haired waitress is busily serving early luncheon meals to patrons who are trickling in, and behind the bar a man with a moustache that defies gravity is polishing a mug with a questionable-looking rag. "Sal," he bellows, filling the mug to the brim with some foaming ale. "Got another for ya!" He pushes the mug out towards the waitress, who only just manages to catch it with a grimace. Seeing Chaos entering the taproom, Garon smiles at the newcomer. "Well now! You're lookin' better than last night. Why don'tcha have a proper welcome to the Ol' Boar today! What can I get you?"
He also notices the strange, silent, very regularly blinking man trying to leave the inn after finishing up his meal. "Hey! Stop right there, stranger! 1 silver, or you ain't going anywhere!" he roars, slamming a meaty fist on the bar.
Garon
The man starts, as if recalling his surroundings, and walks over to the barkeep. "I'm sorry, I was rather lost in thought." He pays for the meal before turning to leave..
Chaos walks down the stairs, more than ready to face the day. Being able to wear her Clothes again, washed and dried to boot, is enough to bring a smile to her face. She turns to Garon as he calls to her.
"I'm glad to know what happened yesterday is not considered the proper welcome," she laughs. "Let's see... That Stew yesterday was very good." She beams at Sal. "Ah, but the Sausages were good too. And the Milk. And... Uhm, I'm sorry, I just haven't had fresh food in a long, long time. I'll have whatever you suggest."
Chaos proceeds to sit down at an empty table, lost in her thoughts as she wonders which guard will come to fetch her. One she hasn't sen yet, hopefully. But then, her thoughts are interrupted as Garon slams a meaty fist on the bar, and vehemently calls out a customer - who was trying to sneak out without paying, apparently. She groans, bracing herself for another Flying Mug of Ale.
The fool who thought he could mess with the bartender walks up to the counter, trying to talk his way out with unconvincing arguments. As he passes by, Chaos sneaks a glance at him. His face looks strangely familiar, but she can't quite put her finger on it - then, it hits her. She stands up, walks up to the man, and grabs him by the shoulder.
"Corvo, is that you?"
Seth looks down at young woman's expectant expression. "I am sorry, but I have no idea who you are talking about." He informs her in his politest voice and attempts to move on. Just leave me alone, please, whoever you are.
Sal smiles at Chaos's eager reception and says "Well, we have some spiced meat pies available on the menu today, as well as some sweet potato soup and fresh bread," she says. "But I'm afraid Garon's probably going to charge you for your meals now. You're cute, but if he wants to stay in the Hucrele's good graces, he's got to turn a profit here," she says. "Tell you what, though. I'll make it only 5 copper for the entire thing, and we'll keep this hush-hush between you and me," she whispers, glancing over her shoulder at Garon. "Gods, that man is such an oaf sometimes," she mutters under her breath.
Garon, meanwhile, continues to stare daggers at Seth until the silver coin is handed over. Then, as if someone had flipped a switch, his thunderous scowl turns into a cheerful expression. Which on his moustached, rugged face, somehow translates to slightly less scary than before. Watching the interaction between the two, he goes back to cleaning his mugs, grumbling to himself. "Corvo, is it? I've got my eye on you," he warns. "Don't try anything funny."
Both Garon and Sal watch the exchange between Seth and Chaos with interest. "So you know each other from somewhere? It's not often that paths cross this way in a town as small as ours!" Sal says excitedly. "Why don't you use this time to catch up together and do some sightseeing?"
Garon's moustache quivers. "Sightseein'? See what? This is a two-road town." He turns to the two of you. "Look, we ain't the bellybutton of the world here. But since you're both new, let's get this over with." He takes a huge finger and begins to sketch into the greasy top of the bar. "The New Road runs through town from north ta south. The road outta town breaks off to the northeast, leadin' to the farms. Southwest is the Old Road, which'll take ya up into the mountains. Here," and he stabs the bar, "is the general store. It's run by Matron Hucrele, and she's the only game in town, so don't piss her off," he warns. He stabs another point on the bar. "This is the temple of Chauntea. Say yer prayers there, or get your wounds looked at. Corkie'll have whatever it is ya need." Another stab, and another greasy spot on the countertop is outlined. "Lutgehr's smithy is right there if ya want some weapons or armors. Real men fight with their fists, though," he adds, prompting a dismayed cough from Sal. "Yeah, yeah. And Mayor Leng's estate is right here, in the center of town. Rich bastard," he mutters, mashing his knuckles into the countertop. "The rest, you can find out for yerself. Got it?"
Seth flips over another silver to Garon - "For the trouble. It was my fault, truly." - and turns to the girl still hanging off him throughout the whole explanation. "My name is not Corvo, little lady, and I do not know who you are. Are you sure you have not mistaken me for someone else?"
As the noise in his head steadily begins to increase in volume, Seth supresses an urge to sigh in frustration. He gazes impassively at her, waiting for a satisfactory response that can release him from the situation.
(Chaos would have taken Sal up on her offer, giving her five copper... And can we say she was done eating before this scene started?)
Chaos gives a skeptical look at the man. "Of course your name is not Corvo, that would be copyright infringement. But you look just like him... Well, we can talk about it as we walk around town," she says, smiling brightly. "Thank you for the detailed explanation, Garon. I'm supposed to talk to the Mayor, and I was told to wait for someone to fetch me. But I guess I can just go by myself." She looks at the man whose name is apparently not Corvo. "With company!" She starts pushing him out of the inn.
Before either of you can actually exit the inn, the door slams open. Standing there is an imposing half-elven woman with dark, wild hair and and a even darker eyes. She scowls into the room, and you see Garon visibly wilt and shrink into himself, instantly losing all of his bravado. It's a bit strange, considering how huge he is compared to the half-elf woman, but it's clear to see whose presence is dominating the room.
Felosial
"Garon," Felosial says in greeting. "Keeping your nose clean?" It's not so much a question as a warning, and Garon nods rapidly, the ends of his upturned moustache quivering.
"No fights since last night, ma'am!" he says, and from somewhere nearby, you can almost hear Sal rolling her eyes while Felosial scowls.
Felosial's gaze lands on Seth, and she gives him a short nod. "Good. You've settled, Vandran," she says curtly. "Apologies for arriving earlier than expected, but something has come up. It's time."
Her eyes shift over to Chaos and study the girl for a moment. "Chaos Stone? Therlyn told me of you." Though she's never seen you before, it seems pretty clear that there isn't an abundance of white-haired violet-eyed elves in town, and that the guards here can, at the least, give accurate reports to their superiors. "Felosial, Captain of the Oakhurst Guard. The Mayor wishes to summon you. I will be your escort, if you desire to accompany us."
Looking back at Garon, she squints, and the large man fumbles the mug he was holding, nearly dropping it. Sighing, Felosial turns on her heel to leave, clearly expecting the two of you to follow her.
Chaos feels a little happiness when her small wish is granted, in the form of an imposing half-elven woman who definitely is not any of the guards Chaos had met in the previous days. Felosial! She looks so cool - not all that surprising, after all the hype surrounding the town's constable, in charge of the guard, Mayor Leng’s Right Hand, and so on. Still, Chaos has learned not to build any expectations when it comes to these villagers.
"Of course, I'm coming! That's what I'm here for, after all." She waves goodbye at Garon, enjoying the expression on his face, and bows slightly at Sal. "So your name is Vandran? Sounds cool, let's go!" - and she hurries after the constable.
"So... Captain? What has come up?"
“Not here,” Felosial says to Chaos without stopping.
The sun is high overhead outside, and the village looks a lot more inviting – and populated – than it did when you first arrived here. Townspeople move to and fro going about their business, with most visiting the general store or the chapel, or simply gathering in the town square to chat.
Felosial doesn’t exactly give you the time to sightsee, however, as she leads you swiftly to the largest and most well-maintained building on the main road – the Village Hall. Two guards salute as she passes; Chaos recognizes one of them as Gerno. He doesn’t give any outward sign of recognizing you, or even moving from his post where he stands at attention, at least until Felosial passes. Then his eyes slide over towards you, before quickly snapping back forward, his posture straightening.
Once inside the main foyer, Felosial closes the door and turns to face both of you. “Another one of ours has gone missing,” she says in explanation, before looking at Chaos. “I believe you know Karakas? Therlyn told me he was your escort before the mayor recalled him for a mission. He was supposed to return yesterday with his report.” The frown etched into Felosial’s face tells you very clearly that Karakas is running late.
“I’ll take you to the Mayor; he will explain,” she says curtly, leading you through the foyer and towards a wide staircase leading up to the second floor. The interior of the house is rustic; walls are painted white, and wooden beams that support the roof are visible from the inside of the building. Still, thick, elaborate tapestries adorn the walls, and the furniture is made out of polished, heavy wood. Seth would recognize that the symbols woven into the center of each tapestry match the one on the wooden token he was given by Corben.
All in all the interior is simple, tasteful, and somehow screaming of money without being overly ostentatious. You can even glimpse the weathered winter remains of a well-manicured garden through a few of the far windows as you climb the staircase.
Felosial opens a set of heavy double doors and leads you into an office with a few cushioned seats and a wide wooden desk. An older white-haired man sits behind it, filling out some paperwork. She steps to the side of the door, closing it behind the two of you, then stands at attention, solemn and silent. The man behind the desk looks up, gives Felosial a nod, and then puts down his quill. Pulling off his glasses, he stands up and walks around the table.
“Greetings, my friends,” he says. “I am Vurnor Leng, Mayor of Oakhurst. Thank you for responding to my request for aid on such short notice. It’s a pleasure to finally meet the both of you.”
Vurnor Leng
Though his tone is friendly and polite, he neither offers a hand nor bows when he greets you. In fact, judging from the finery of his clothing, the prominent gilded insignia hanging off of his chest, and the general opulence of your surroundings, you would surmise that Mayor Leng is a member of the nobility, and holds power in this town both in name and actuality.
“I hope your journey to our village wasn’t too difficult. Felosial has informed me that you, Mr. Vandran, have been fully appraised of the situation. I wonder, though,” he says, pacing slowly before Chaos with his arms behind his back. “How much do you know, my dear? What exactly were you told by our faithful guards, I wonder?”
Felosial doesn’t move from her position, but a muscle in her cheek jumps at Mayor Leng’s softly spoken question.
Chaos follows quickly. As they walk inside the manor, she waves at Gerno, then grins as his eyes slide towards her.
Once inside the main foyer, Felosial closes the Door and turns to face both of them. Her news are about the worst possible way to set the plot in motion. Chaos covers her mouth with her hands - "Not Karakas!", she exclaims. Then, she follows Felosial up the staircase and through the Heavy Double Doors.
As Mayor Leng stands up, Chaos bows respectfully. The man makes a good impression on her - he is older than she expected, fitting nicely into the venerable grayed man niche which was waiting to be filled. His hair circle his head like the mane of a Silver Lion, and his face comes complete with a big scar across his left eye - which makes one wonder why he's using Glasses instead of a Monocle. Rich people, go figure.
As the Mayor starts talking, her eyebrows glitch. Oh, so the gloomy guy knows more than me? Guess he was on good terms with the guards. "Yes, Lord Leng. I have been told... Some things." She starts summarising the information gathered in the last few days, all the while counting on her fingers. "Ravenous cursed wererabbits are infesting the forest. A bunch of your people have gone missing, cattle, too, and Snickerdoodle. Some bodies were found with puncture marks that are totally not the work of a vampire. The cause is unclear, winter is coming, people are scared, and morale is low. Your guards have a knack for picking on magic users, which is apparently to be blamed on some guy called Sharwyn..." She pauses. "But I'm used to getting bullied, so no hard feelings. Uhm. Captain Felosial has just informed us that Karakas has gone missing, which is terrible news, since he was both an honest and competent fellow." Chaos tilts her head slightly, poking her own cheek with her finger. The Harper thing sounded pretty secretive - it could be a good way to get Maryln in trouble - but better to leave it out for now. "This is all, I guess. I was told I can be of help... Which is why I'm here. But I can't say I have a clear picture of the situation."
'Were-rabbits? What, the horned things? Cursed?' Seth glances towards the violet-eyed half-elf with an eyebrow raised. Chaos... seems rather well suited to her name. He cannot help thinking that the following tasks will be more of a mess than he had originally anticipated.
“Snickerdoodle?“ Mayor Leng says, one eyebrow raising.
“The Shireford family cat, sir,” Felosial replies crisply from the corner without missing a beat. “It was found slain in the fields three months ago.”
“Ah,” he says, dismissing the entire existence of Snickerdoodle and Molly’s pain in one short exhale. “I’m surprised you know of the disappearance of a cat, but nothing of the Harper presence in our town.”
“Sir!” Felosial’s voice is sharp with protest. Her eyebrows lower. “My guardsmen and women should be left out of this. As should those who are not involved in our business.”
Leng glances over at Felosial with a cool look. “If even your guards are gossiping about our open war with the Hucrele family, then there’s little point in pretending that any of this business is a secret. Be thankful that your precious guards haven’t been made to chose a side yet. And humbled that we are being forced to turn to strangers for help, because of a certain lack of talent within your ranks.”
Felosial scowls, but her mouth snaps shut and she stands at attention once again.
Leng focuses his attention back on the two of you, and gestures towards the chairs in front of his desk. After making sure you are both going to seat yourselves, he walks behind his own desk and sits down once again, leaning back and steepling his fingers under his chin.
“As I hope you will have noticed or been informed, I am what you might call the leader of the Harpers in this town. We are an ancient and deep-rooted faction spread throughout all of Faerûn, dedicated to the fair and equal treatment of all. Our mission is to promote balance without resorting to open challenges and warfare; we aid the oppressed and the weak, and attempt to stop those who would grow too powerful on their destructive path to tyranny.”
He nods at Seth. “Your friend is not one of our cell, but we did request the aid of two members from his group: Erky Timbers, a very resourceful gnome, alongside Sir Braford of Waterdeep, a holy knight of some standing. I would have thought that their combined powers could easily defeat any evils hiding in the mountains, but they’ve been missing for so long now that I fear the worst has occurred.”
He pauses, then looks at Chaos. “This Sharwyn you speak of is no man. She is the daughter of the noble Matron Kerowyn Hucrele, and one of the heirs to the Hucrele family business -- the only heir capable of wielding magic. She, alongside her brother, Talgen, set things in motion when they ventured into the mountains to discover the secret of the Malum Vitae last summer.”
He places his hands on the desk and grows solemn. “The Malum Vitae is an apple. But it is no ordinary fruit. No one knows how it is cultivated, or where its powers come from. All we know is that this apple is offered to us once a year by the goblins of the Sunless Citadel. They broker their trade through Matron Hucrele, who then auctions it off to the highest bidder. The Malum Vitae is said to have extraordinary healing and rejuvenating powers, and from all of our observations, those rumors are true. No one who has managed to obtain an apple seems to have suffered any ill effects from consuming it… but all who do have become healthier, or healed from wounds or diseases that were previously thought to be incurable.” He leans forward. “Some claim it even has the power to extend one’s life.”
He sits back in his chair. “The existence of such a thing… and from the hands of goblins, no less – you can see why we Harpers are concerned. We’re not the only ones. Kerowyn Hucrele is also trying to find the secret and source of these apples as we speak, but for much more mercenary reasons.
She sent her own two children, Sharwyn and Talgen, to the Citadel to negotiate with the goblins for control over the production of the Malum Vitae. To my knowledge, they have not returned, but we cannot risk having the Hucrele family exploiting and marketing these apples to the rest of the Sword Coast, or beyond.”
He grimaces. “Things that sound too good to be true usually are. A miracle cure that grows on trees, and can possibly grant the promise of eternal life? Something is wrong here, deadly wrong, and we cannot allow Kerowyn Hucrele’s greed to propagate that wrongness any further than she already has managed.”
Here, Mayor Leng pauses, his shoulders slumping a bit. “But Braford and Timbers failed in their mission. And Karakas’s scouting has been delayed.”
“I trained him personally,” Felosial says from the corner. “I’m certain he will return to us. You should give him more time.”
Leng’s hand forms into a fist on the desk, and he glares at Felosial. “We don’t have time. Midwinter is nearly upon us, and I’m no longer willing to sit back and wait for results.”
Felosial grimaces, but says nothing.
Refocusing on the two of you, Leng continues: “My warriors of the cloth have failed. My scouts have failed. And so it falls to me to rely on talents which I have not managed to cultivate in our cell: the power of the arcane. Both of you possess this power, I am told. It is the one resource I have yet to throw at the Citadel, and one of my few remaining hopes for gathering information.
Now that you know more of the challenges we face, would you still be willing to help us?”
'Ah, so that's it. The arcane. Leng must really be at the end of his tether if he's asking for aid from someone who doesn't even know the extent of his own powers yet. Or maybe he is not aware. Damn it, Corben, I expected help, not headaches.'
Seth stares at the man expressionlessly, even as his mind is whirring, his eyes deep pools of darkness. He casts a glance at Felosial in the corner, then turns back. "I am here to ascertain the fate of Erky Timbers, and bring him back if possible. If what that takes is a... visit... to the Citadel, so be it." He shrugs in a self-deprecating manner and continues calmly. "Be that as it may, I have absolutely no reason to believe that I will not end up the same way as the others have. I would ask you to avoid raising your hopes unnecessarily - at least as far as my involvement in this goes."
'If I am still alive at the end of this, just wait until I get my hands on you.' Seth's internal cursing runs nigh parallel to his dialogue, a reliable way to keep his face straight as he speaks.
Chaos has to hold on to the edge of the seat not to fall down under the weight of the gargantuan info dump that has been poured over her. There is a lot to take in, including a bunch of new names of faceless NPCs, but at least she gets confirmation that "Sharwyn" and the "Ucrele girl" are the same person.
She bows her head forward as the Mayor finishes speaking. "Thank you, Lord Leng, for this detailed explanation. If you don't mind, I would like to ponder the facts aloud for one moment."
"The Hucrele sent their children to negotiate, one of them a spellcaster, and they didn't return. Karakas was scouting about this matter and he disappeared. You called two people from your Guild of Harpers to help and they are both MIA, I mean they are both missing. It seems all people involved have a tendency to be spirited away." Chaos makes a serious face. "I was ambushed by the Death Hares myself, and would have met an untimely end if not for the intervention of the Karakas Squad. An experience I would rather not repeat."
"I'm very inclined to go along with your Quest - I mean your request. However, I think just walking in there with my Wizard friend Mr. Vandran, arcane arts and whatnot, sounds like a strategy for failure for you, and something worse for us." She looks at Leng first, then turns to Felosial.
"In other words, what I'm trying to say is... I would feel much more comfortable if we could have an escort to accompany us. I'm sure you don't have many guards to spare, but the situation demands emergency measures."
“I’m afraid you don’t realize just how thinly spread our forces are right now,” Leng says to both of you. “Aside from Felosial and myself, only Therlyn and Karakas are members of our group. And I cannot leave my position and duties here as mayor, particularly not before the start of Midwinter. Felosial is the captain of the guard, and must see to the security of the entire town, not merely my own requests. It was already enough of my questionable judgement to send her out to fetch you, Mr. Vandran.
However,” he says, leaning forward, and looking at Felosial again. “That doesn’t mean I find your request to be unreasonable. It’s common knowledge that those who master the arcane arts usually travel with some sort of bodyguard to protect them from harm. And I do believe we could spare a guardsperson in a matter of this importance, could we not, Felosial?”
Felosial frowns. “As I said, they’re simple townspeople. We shouldn’t draw them in to Harper business—“
“Is it just Harper business, though?” Leng retorts. “Our newest guest here accurately pointed the situation out. The strange attacks on the city have been slowly worsening over the years. We have no idea if the Hucreles were successful or not. And if we lose Karakas as well, that will have a direct impact on the city’s security. He’s not only a Harper, Felosial. He’s a resident, just like you and I.”
Felosial glares – it’s quite apparent that she and Leng disagree on this point. But after a few tense moments of staring one another down, she relents. “Very well.”
Facing the two of you, she crosses her arms. “There is my lieutenant Therlyn. She is a ranger of exceptional character and skill, and also a Harper. While she could guide you safely to the ruins, her strengths lie in scouting and being stealthy... nor is she as talented as Karakas was. She is not trained to be a heavily armored guard, which is more likely what your group needs.”
“Maryln Whitpike is also a notable individual within our guardsfolk. She can get a little hot-headed at times, but is a reliable ally in battle. She prefers to keep her foes at a distance, and usually wields a pike or a glaive when fighting.”
“Gerno Augustus is another member of our guard. He has a certain lack of backbone and is easily influenced by gossip and stories. However, none can match him when it comes to the sword. He wields two of them very well, particularly when he is panicked.”
“Lastly, Argus Tenlire is another guard I could recommend. He doesn’t speak much, but has learned to defend his comrades well using his shield. He’s not as fierce in battle as the other two, but he does his job as a defender well.”
“These are the only members I have to spare. You may think on which one you wish to join you on this adventure. I understand this may be a difficult choice, so I advise you to take a day or two to get to know them before deciding.”
“Thank you, Felosial,” Leng says to the half-elf, nodding his head in appreciation.
“Tch,” Felosial says, making a face as she returns to her post.
“Well then. I hope that will satisfy your demands. And if not, know that I will reward you handsomely in coin for your services, should you manage to succeed in resolving this matter. Apart from that, you will have this entire town’s gratitude, and an ally in the Harpers, which may be more valuable than any gold I can promise.
If you have any questions for me, now would be the time to ask,” Leng says to you both.
Chaos bows respectfully to Felosial. "Thank you, Captain, for your understanding." Seriously, one guard? One?
Okay, now, down to the choice of the Starter. Ah, I feel young again. She considers, for a brief moment, which one of the four guards would level up faster. But by this point she knows there's no way anyone would answer that. Then again, she was always one to appreciate roleplaying over minmaxing, so the choice is pretty obvious here.
"I have already met the guards you mentioned, and spent some time with them. They saved my life, and I trust their competence. I already have an idea of who I would like to have on my team... But of course, I will not force anything on Mr Vandran, nor on the guards themselves." Chaos makes a sad smile. "I appreciate you giving us the time to become familiar with each other before setting off - if you think we can afford it. How long do we have until Midwinter?" What happened to "we don’t have time"?
Now, other questions... "I understand that we are, somehow, opposed to the Hucrele family in our mission. But since they have lost people, too, important people, I'm sure we will run into their agents at some point. Cooperation might turn out to be beneficial... In the short term, at least. I'd like to know your thoughts on this, to avoid making some, let's say, wrong choices."
Seth taps a forefinger on the armrest as he considers the situation, and Chaos' words. "I do have a concern or two I would like you to address, Mayor Leng."
He leans forward and steeples his fingers, a practised posture. "I had told Felosial earlier that I have no grievances against the Harpers, but that does not mean I place any great amount of trust in them. I do not know your methods deeply enough for that. This Malum Vitae you speak of - I have heard talk of it before, of course - should we find the secret and source of the golden apple, how exactly do you plan to deal with it, in a way that will not spread?
"Secondly, if we find that there can only be one of these apples produced annually, as seems to be the case currently, in what way would you expect us to deal with the situation? Maintain the status quo? The auction does wonders for the region's popularity, after all, at least among those in the know. Destroy the 'tree' that produces it? If you leave the method of dealing with it to us and our own judgements, would you take the responsibility for any consequences that might crop up immediately, or even later?"
Seth straightens up and sits back, not taking his eyes off Leng. "I am not an unfettered adventurer, as you likely already know. The aftermath of any actions I take may or may not hurt the interests or reputation of those I work with and those who employ me, even should I die on this path. I would like to have some kind of... assurance from your side."
“Midwinter falls between the 30th Hammer and the 1st of Alturiak,” Leng tells Chaos. “That is a tenday from now. We have no proof, but I believe that on the eve of Midwinter, the goblins will return… and attempt to make another trade with Matron Hucrele. Of what, I’m not sure. She’s never held an auction for a second Malum Vitae, but that fruit is the only thing the goblins have ever traded in. Something foul is afoot, and we will need our members in town to stop her from setting whatever plan she has in motion. It would help greatly if your team could find out more about the goblin tribe themselves.
Matron Hucrele is no fool. I’m sure she will recruit someone to protect her investments during this sensitive time. As to whether or not her children have actually gone missing… I suspect that they are, in fact, cooperating with that goblin tribe to hide some greater secret, and are the primary reason my agents have gone missing. I do not believe goblins, no matter how well organized, could take down three Harpers on their own. They must be coordinated by someone else, and the Hucrele heirs are just as canny and unscrupulous as their mother. And, as I warned, Sharwyn herself is also a magician of no small ability.”
He sighs and rubs his temple. “Should you run into Hucrele’s agent, you will have to use your own judgement on how to treat them. The laws of this town can only be enforced within a reasonable distance, of course… our guard presence is not so great that we can afford to patrol what happens within the ruins of the citadel.” He doesn’t elaborate on what that could mean, but Felosial’s silence on the matter confirms your suspicion that you may have just obtained implicit permission to deal with Matron Hucrele’s agents with any amount of force you deem necessary.
“I wouldn’t put it past Matron Hucrele to try and deceive her hirelings, though. They may not know what, exactly, they are fighting for. She naturally wouldn’t be as forthright about her motives as we are. You will have to use your own best judgement in that case.”
Turning to Seth, Mayor Leng nods at you in approval. “You have a good head on your shoulders. Corben recommended you not merely because of your skill, but because you can see the bigger picture; the machinations and motivations of others, beyond the immediate challenges and goals set before you. Know that it is not only desperation that brought you here, but a belief in your abilities and skils, Mr. Vandran. The Harpers would have approached you eventually, and it is my good fortune that I am the first.
To that end, I believe you will do the right thing and return with a full report about the origin of this apple, so that we can decide how to ultimately deal with it. The benefits the Malum Vitae provides are undeniable, but everything has its price. If we find that the price is too high, then further instances of the Malum Vitae – and its source – will have to be destroyed, before its influence can spread further and wake the greed of the people.
The Harpers are fully prepared to take responsibility for any consequences that may arise from our actions. As we always have, and will continue to do so. This matter will only concern your party directly if you chose to officially join our ranks… something we wouldn’t be disagreeable to,” he adds.
“You may, of course, disavow any knowledge of having a connection to our group, should this turn messy. I have full confidence that your background and training will allow you to negotiate your way out of any lasting consequences within Daggerford. But if you don’t have faith in your own ability to navigate the political sphere, the coin I am offering in exchange for your services will surely smooth the process,” he finishes.
“100 gold coins for information on each of the missing Harpers you can find. Doubled, if you can return any of them to me, alive. 50 for bringing me proof of either of the Hucrele family scions’ involvement in this matter. And, as I stated before, your reputation and allegiance within the Harpers will rise should you assist us with the matter of the Malum Vitae in a significant manner.”
One day of sleeping and eating at the Ol' Boar Inn came at about 1gp... The equivalent of a few months of rent, nothing to scoff at. Who knows how much Magical Items are worth, anyway...
"I was going to accept this mission, no matter what, to repay my life debt towards Karakas and the other guards - but of course, the reward is well accepted." She grins amicably. "Don't you agree, Mr. Vandran?", she asks, patting her comrade on the arm.
"I can't think of more to ask... Ah, right. Since we are going to wait a few days, should we stay at the Ol' Boar Inn until you decide we are ready to go?" A little discomfort is evident in Chaos's countenance, as she mentions the name of the tavern.