5th of Eleint. - Town prepares for the Bishop
The town is all abuzz with the imminent arrival of the Bishop of Lathander from Waterdeep.
The Mayor and the City Council have asked the townsfolk to pitch in to finish repairs and clean up main street. The hard working folks of Grey's Deep have answered their call with great enthusiasm.
Many of the local children have spent the past several days applying fresh paint to businesses along Main Street. Also, many of the housewives in town have taken it upon themselves to transplant flowers from their own backyard gardens into window boxes outside the church. Local artisans have also been pitching in to get things ready.
All while the townsfolk have been busy, the Church of Lathander has been continuing their research into the hidden outpost recently cleared by the Regulators. The acolytes have been able to clean up the outpost and catalogue the books from the library.
Abbott Toler has asked the Regulators to stop by to get an update on the recent progress .
The Mayor and the City Council have asked the townsfolk to pitch in to finish repairs and clean up main street. The hard working folks of Grey's Deep have answered their call with great enthusiasm.
Many of the local children have spent the past several days applying fresh paint to businesses along Main Street. Also, many of the housewives in town have taken it upon themselves to transplant flowers from their own backyard gardens into window boxes outside the church. Local artisans have also been pitching in to get things ready.
All while the townsfolk have been busy, the Church of Lathander has been continuing their research into the hidden outpost recently cleared by the Regulators. The acolytes have been able to clean up the outpost and catalogue the books from the library.
Abbott Toler has asked the Regulators to stop by to get an update on the recent progress .
posted by GM/Brannic | 4:00 PM
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::: Meanwhile, back at Seraph's study, Seraph finishes another scroll. Ready to start more scribing, Seraph realizes he needs more supplies. So, quickly jotting down the arcane and divine material components needed, he makes his way out of his cloistered quarters. :::
::: Making his way outside, he bumps into his friend Rohavic. :::
Mae govannen Rohavic! (Well met Rohavic)
::: Continuing in common :::
"I am glad that I ran into you. We still need to go see Birchnor, the great tree of the Whispering Woods, before the Bishop arrives. Would you care to accompany me this morning?""
::: Rohavic pats his friend on the back...:::
"Sweet water and light laughter, Seraph. You've spent so much time pouring over those tomes, you look like you could use some time spent out of doors. And there's ink all over your hands... I think a visit to Birchnor would be an excellent idea. I have concluded my routine check of the surrounding area and have the rest of the day at your disposal. Lead on!"
::: Seraph and Rohavic head over to the church to inform Abbott Toler that they will be making a journey to meet with Birchnor. :::
As Rohavic and Seraph approach the Church of Lathander, they see Brannic sitting atop the steps with his gear piled next to him.
He waves his hands in greeting upon seeing the other Regulators.
"Gentlemen, I figured you'd be heading this way." Brannic says as he leaps to his feat. He quickly gathers up his gear and bounds down the steps to meet up the the pair.
"I just was attending the afternoon service and the Abbott called me in his office to discuss some things. It seems that they found some interesting items in the basement while we've been away somewhat relating to that staff you're carrying with you these days." The scout whispers to the two men. "The Abbott seemed like he was going to tell me more, but an Acolyte came in and mentioned something to the Abbott. With that I was polietly ushered out".
Brannic readjusted the pack across his back and looks the two over. "I figured you two would be heading out so I figured I'd get my gear and meet you here. I'd rather not talk anymore out in the open about this and I'm sure you have many questions which I'll do my best to answer."
--Brannic
::: The three adventurers head into the Church of Lathander looking for answers. Seraph asks a nearby acolyte if the Abbott is available and if they meet someplace private. :::
Brannic shrugs as the 3 men enter the church.
A familiar face with the name of Saril Cesay approaches. The acolyte bows deeply and politely welcomes you to the church. "Good day gentlemen, can I assist you in some way?"
"Saril, is the Abbott available? We'd like to speak with him if possible, "says Brannic
Saril purses his lips and shakes his head. "I'm sorry gentlemen, the but Abbott is currently unavailable in deep prayer. I am unsure when he will be available again. I will certainly let him know you stopped by. I know he wanted to discuss some things with you. Especially since I don't think he was able to finish his converstion with Mr. Lopanul. Perhaps if you come back later?"
Seraph turns to Brannic, "If you think the Abbott can wait until our return from the grove, let's leave immediately. We can discuss your information on the way."
::: Seraph ponders Saril Cesay, unsure of where he's seen him before. Shrugging, Seraphs dismisses it as just his own absentmindedness. :::
Brannic shrugs and says to Seraph, "I'm not sure what's going on with the Abbott, but I'd be more than happy to fill you two in on what we were able to discuss before we were interrupted."
As the three step outside into the sunlight, he pulls a hat from inside his pack and puts it on then turns back to his compatriots.
"Well shall we go see what the tree knows?"
After several hours outside the city, Brannic relates the conversation he had with Abbott Toler earlier in the day.
"As I was saying before in town, I met with the Abbott after noon services in his office. There he mentioned that they were just about done clearing out the last of the rooms underground. Some of the rooms aren't in very good shape and Abbott Toler sent word to the Dwarves in town to see if he could hire some of them to shore up and stabilize the compound. He had just received word from Meriti that 4 of his best engineers would be arriving tomorrow morning to begin their discrete work."
Brannic, swats a fly away from his face before continuing.
"I don't think the Abbott trusts the Council or the Mayor for that matter. I think he thinks that someone on the council is helping Kritchnor. The work the Dwarves are going to do is without anyone's knowledge except for the church, the dwarves and the Regulators."
Brannic pauses and looks at Rohavic
"In fact, Toler asked me to only share this with the other Lathanderites in our group. He wasn't sure about Jode or you Rohavic. I don't think it was personal, but I think he's just trying to be cautious. I guess he figured the Dwarves are trustworthy enough to tell Vig."
Brannic continues walking a few paces more before continuing.
"The books down below talk about the guy who built that staff your walking around with Seraph. Apparently the guy was more than just an apprentice to the Archmage who built the tower that Nimbus is guarding. I guess Tavspur was pretty powerful himself. He apparently had a reputation for being a master puzzle maker. He often built puzzles that even the Netherise Arcanists couldn't penetrate with their magic."
Brannic stops walking and turns to address Seraph and Rohavic. A grim frown covers his face.
"Those guys down there, they were looking for something. It doesn't really say who they were working for, but Tavspur and his 'Master' had something pretty important they were safeguarding it seems. Something that has the Church of Lathander spooked something awful. I'm not sure if they know what this is, but Toler told me he has had strange visions for the past several Tendays and he thinks that Kritchnor is searching for this item."
Brannic takes his hat off and scratches his head.
"I don't know if the item is supposedly buried under the town or if the answer simply lies here. Maybe Kritchnor has just been trying to scare us out to find this outpost?"
With a shrug, Brannic puts his hat back on.
"That's all I know. Our conversation was interrupted by Saril. He came in and whispered something into Toler's ear that I couldn't hear. Toler then thanked me for coming and asked me to leave. I guess something even more important came up."
"Well guys - that's all I know."
"With each new morning a little more of the truth will be revealed. I am confident that the Morninglord will see us through this task."
Seraph turns to Rohavic.
"My friend, do not be distressed by the Abbott's statement. His main duty is to protect the town and his flock. Darkness seems to preoccupy his thoughts at this time. I am sure the new dawn will breath a lightened load onto his back."
Addressing both of his friends.
"Let's make haste to Birchnor so that we may return with tomorrow's dawn. I do not want to worry the Abbott any more then we need to with our absence."
After spending a quiet day travelling the paths in the valley, headed towards the forest to the North, finally just hours before sunset the group arrives on the outskirts.
The sun's waning light cast ominous shadows across the trunks of the old trees and a disturbing stillness seems to thicken the air around them.
As the 3 men slowly entered the forest, they did so slowly and cautiously. Picking their way carefully through the brush and heading deeper into the woods.
Afer about an hour, they could detect a sickly sweet smell coming from the area just ahead. Stealthfully, the proceeded forward. Following the scent trail forward they found the crushed body of a satyr, hastily buried under some leaves and dead branches.
It is difficult to say what happened, but the body looks broken all over from massive blows from a large blunt object. Due to the damage, it is impossible to tell if this was the Satyr they knew as Ursus.
After quickly building a makeshift grave and saying some quick words to Lathander, the group continued to move onward.
The trail they were now following seemed to wind all about and made it difficult to gauge their progress. After more than 2 hours in the forest, the suns light has all but been extinguished and the men decide it's best if they camp out for the night and see Birchnor in the morning.
As they go about clearing some space off the trail for a cold campsight they hear a sudden snap of a twig off the trail. As they turn to look over, they see the Half-Orc Druid named Urgoth standing there with a small dead branch in his hand and his faithful dog is standing just off to the side.
"I'm surprised to see you three out here at this time of night, " Urgoth says as he enters their makeshift campsite and sits on a nearby log. "These woods I've found aren't all that safe after dark."
He adjusts his robes on the log and his dog sits down next to him. Urgoth scratches the dogs ear which he murmurs some divine prayers to nature. A soft glow appears in the center of the campsite which allows everyone to see each other.
"If you come looking for Birchnor, I can tell you he's in a foul mood and hasn't taken any visitors in the past TenDay except for me. In fact, I was fairly certain he was going to rend me limb from limb when I was brought before him."
Urgoth takes a branch from a nearby bush and sets it on the ground. He then begins to carve some symbols into the dirt around it.
"It seems my arrival may be ill timed. Something or someone has been killing off his agents in the forest. He has lost many in the past several Tendays."
Finishing his etching in the dirt, a small bush grows forth, full of what appear to be ripe Red berries. He plucks one from the bush and tastes it. Content with the flavor, he motions for Rohavic, Brannic and Seraph to eat as well.
"He thinks that Kritchnor is somehow responsible, but he's not sure how or more importantly why. Birchnor is trying to find more information about who is doing this and for now isn't trusting outsiders who come in. I'm not sure what he saw in me which stayed his temper, but I'm thankful for it."
Leaning back against the trunk of a tree he pulls out a waterskin and takes a deep drink. He then offers the waterskin to the 3 men seated in front of him.
"So, what brings you gentlemen back into the woods these days?"
"Tree-friend Urgoth, your stealth seems quite extraordinary even for my elven friend's ears."
::: Seraph observes Urgoth a bit before proceeding. :::
"Without question the setting sun brings a bit of gloom on us all. We have been having a difficult time navigating through the woods, despite the aid of our Ranger and tracker Rohavic. It appears as if the woods have 'changed', although to what end I cannot divine.”
::: Seraph pauses for a moment thinking inwardly. :::
"Forgive me but I must insure that we are not being watched by those that Lathander would deem untrustworthy."
::: Seraph says a small prayer to the Morninglord asking for insight to his surroundings (detect evil). Seraph then stands and begins a sweep of the area, sometimes stopping and concentrating on an area or 'person'. After a few minutes Seraph sits down and addresses the group. :::
"To be safe, let us whisper our conversation. Brannic, I hope you don't mind but the darkness that has fallen on these woods urges me to protect our words."
::: Seraph continues his words in Sylvan, confident that Urgoth and Rohavic will understand their meaning. :::
"We have come only to find more information from Birchnor regarding Krichnor and to see how some 'new' friends of his are fairing, namely a Silver Dragon named Sisivris. The recent events that you spoke of, Urgoth, do not bode well and I am most distressed.
"On our trek through the woods we could smell a scent that was sickly sweet. It even gave the elf a bought of heartburn.
"The smell did not give the impression that it was natural and seemed to be coming from an area where we found a dead body. The broken form appeared to be that of a Satyr and one that we knew as Usrus, an ally of Birchnor. The body appeared to have been beaten or crushed with a blunt weapon. I wasn't able to determine how long the body had been laying there and I wasn't sure if the smell was coming from the body or just the area. Perhaps, you may have a better idea and perhaps this may be a clue as to what or who is killing the creatures of the woods.
“Unfortunately, we have pressing matters that we need to attend to right after our meeting with Birchnor. At least pressing matters for myself. Of course, Rohavic and Brannic could probably help you investigate this further. Rohavic is no small friend to the wilderness and Brannic’s scouting abilities are quite impressive. They may be a great asset to you and Birchnor, provided your standing and ours is still providential with the great birch.”
::: Seraph regards Urgoth’s body language to see if they provide a clue, if any, into his thoughts beyond his words (sense motive). :::
Urgoth shifts his robes and takes a more comfortable position against the trunk of the tree.
"You say the woods have changed. To be honest, I am new to these parts so I cannot say if the air contains more dread than before. As for my stealthiness, that was not my intent. Since I have been pursued for so long it is second nature to move as quiet as possible."
Taking another berry from the bush, he looks to you all in turn, "In the morning I'll follow your path backwards to find the body. If it is indeed Ursus then that would be an ill omen indeed."
He lets out a heavy sigh.
"You should be safe here. My companion and several others will watch over the campsite. We will part ways in the morning. If Birchnor does see you, send him my regards. Also, don't tell him about the body just yet. Let's be sure to idenfity it before saying that Ursus has passed the mortal coil."
:::In Sylvan... :::
"Seraph speaks truly, Urgoth. I am filled with unease for this area and for the agents of Birchnor. I am at your service if you require assistance in apprehending the vagabonds that are creating this turmoil. And you speak with good sense, we will not share our hunch that the slain satyr is our friend Ursus."
:::With that, Rohavic begins to pace around the fire... he eventually sits down and recounts the conversation with Urgoth for Brannic in quiet whispers.:::
::: In Sylvan once again...:::
"Urgoth, is there a way to divine if something has placed a hex on the wood... or if something is amiss of an unnatural origin?"
::: In Sylvan, addressing Rohavic :::
"Good question Rohavic, I have studied a bit about Druid's but had forgotten until your question; Druid's can commune with nature."
::: Seraph then turns to Urgoth and awaits a resonse :::
Urgoth chuckles at Seraph's comment.
"Indeed we can. However, in this case, the trees and plants cannot offer any information on what's going on."
He sits up from the tree trunk and looks at the 3 men from the town.
"They are at a loss for words it would seem. It is as if the perpetrators are invisible to their senses. They cannot be seen or heard and don't carry a scent. The trees know they are large creatures due to the shaking of their roots, but that is all we know. So for now, we are left to investigate this by ourselves."
::: Seraph pauses, thinking back to the arcane lore that he was taught or learned through studies. :::
"I suppose there are many things in this multi-verse that could do such a thing. My first thought comes to that of summoned creature from the plane of air, sometimes referred to as an Invisible Stalker. However, the flora might not describe one of these stalkers as 'large'. But it would make for an extremely proficient tracker and assassin, easily employed by a powerful sorcerer or wizard."
::: Addressing Urgoth and Rohavic :::
"I don't suppose the fauna of the woods have anything useful to offer? Perhaps one of them witnessed the Satyr's death."
::: Seraph scratches his head wistfully contemplating the aggressors in the Whispering Woods. :::
"I must think on this more. Perhaps the morning sun will enlighten me."
::: Seraph stretches and yawns slightly. Preparing his bedroll, he listens for a response from Urgoth or Rohavic. :::
Urgoth wraps his cloak around himself and mentions with a deep yawn, "I'll check on the body in the morning and see what may have transpired there. As for who or what these assailants may be, time will no doubt enlighten us. We must continue to be vigilant."
Brannic stretches out on the ground and puts his hands behind his head.
"I'm not sure if seeing Birchnor is wise at this point. If he's all riled up, maybe we should come back after the deal in town's all done with. Know what I mean?"
::: Seraph leans back into his makeshift bed and speaks. :::
"Brannic, my son, let us see what the dawn brings. For with each dawn there is a new beginning and a renewal of spirt. I am hopefull...but let us see what the morning brings us."
"I'll have one last look around the area and will take the watches this eve. Reverie may not be very pleasant with all of this information to ponder. Sleep well, friends, and I will rouse you if anything should arise."
::: With that, Rohavic disappears into the night to check the campsite. His bow in hand, the ranger's passing emits no sound.:::
As Rohavic disappears into the darkness a sense of calm settles over the campsite and the group settles off into sleep.
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