Session 091 - Searching for Clues

General Summary

30th Planting - contd.

Taking a short rest among magical flowers conjured by Denye did much to rejuvenate the three kyree and all were thankful to the party for coming to their rescue. Without the threat of the ghouls they introduced themselves as Ha'aash, Reg’oooh, and Ga’ragh. Reg'oooh, clearly the eldest of the three, explained that they had been on their way to Dreford and had been attacked last night as they slept.
"We had found a good secure den," Reg'oooh explained, "but shortly after midnight, that pack of ghouls showed up. If it wasn't for Ga'ragh's spells, we wouldn't have been able to break out. We killed more than a dozen, but they just kept coming so we ran."
"For all the good that did us," moaned Ga'ragh, "we thought we had gotten away and we slowed down to a travel pace, but they tracked us, dear gods they tracked us all DAMN day."
"Then I am glad that our paths crossed," said Jilken, "it is our honor to put down the undead."
Janora snorted at that but said, "My question is where did these creatures come from? Better yet, who raised them? That many undead wouldn't come back spontaneously."
"I cannot say," replied Reg'oooh, "we didn't take the time to look around."
"We already knew someone was starting fires in villages, maybe the same people are raising the dead," suggested Denye.
Janora grunted, "Great, another thing to investigate. As if we didn't have enough to do."
"Still you did save us," repeated Ha'aash looking at the three adventurers, "my sibs would not have survived without your intervention. I owe you a life debt. If you will have me, I would travel with you to repay that debt."
Jilken seemed pleased, but both Denye and Janora looked a little shocked. Denye asked, "What about your sibs? Don't you all have some place you were going?"
Ha'aash shook his large muzzle, "The mission was Reg'oooh's, they are the one wants to sail across the bloody ocean. I was just along to be the pretty boy muscle and to keep an eye on my sibs."
"I would say," began Reg'oooh with a barking laugh, "that is your description of your function, not mine. But if you feel this is your hunt, I shall not stand in your way. We should be safe enough once we get to Dreford. We'll be taking a ship straight to Djedbura and I don't expect we'll need to travel further."
"You are going to Djedbura?" asked Jilken, "What would take you all the way to Umberfell?"
The elder kyree struck a pose, "I am a historian and my primary field of work is the First Age. I have been in communications with one of their head librarians for a while and have gotten permission to visit. I am hoping that they have records from the immigration north."
"The First Age?" asked Janora and Denye at the same time. The wizard gestured for the witch to go first, so she added, "So you know of the War of the Undead and the Bright Shiners?"
"Oh, aye," agreed the kyree, "I could sing you the history saga, but it would be dark long before I concluded. Perhaps we should head to the town that I smell nearby...assuming of course that was your destination as well."
"We were headed to Kessforte," agreed Denye, before looking over to her friends, "although we should probably talk about that. Going in looking like ourselves probably isn't the best idea, I can probably make myself look like my cousin, but I'm not sure what to do with you two."
"Actually," said Janora, breaking into a smile, "I think I have an idea. Have you ever heard of a tourist?" At the party's blank looks the witch explained, "It was something I read once, apparently a tourist is someone who goes to far away places just to look at things and spend gold. Oh, and they wear brightly colored clothes."
"You want us to dress up as tourists?" asked Denye doubtfully.
"Sort of," said Janora with a twinkle in her eye, "I can cast Seeming on all of us and it will last for 8 hours so we shouldn't have to worry about it breaking. That's the good news, the bad news is that it’s illusion only. So we'll all need to be careful not to let anyone touch us and we should probably keep our general shape and size so we can pick things up without problems."
"That's how," said Jilken, when the witch paused for several long moments, "but who are we supposed to pose as?"
"Oh, didn't I say?" asked Janora, "I'll play the elderly tourist. I was thinking, Jilken, you could be my bodyguard. Denye, for you, I was thinking maybe some sort of local expert with an interest in architecture or something. Forest will stay outside and Hut will be my luggage."
"Okay," said Jilken, nodding, "I can do that, so what are you going to make me look like?"
After a long discussion about how they should look, Janora cast the spell, transforming herself into an old human woman wearing a bright Hawaiian shirt, khaki board shorts, and s pointy straw hat. Jilken became a shadow elf with pale skin and jet black hair and Denye took the form of a Strig, the owl like folk of the Humblewood. Promising to keep an eye out from above, Janora and Denye mounted Forest and once Hut was strapped in, the witch directed the dogesus to take to the air, turned in the direction of Kessforte. Jilken, now mounted on Ironheart, and the three kyree began making their way to the road and the town beyond.
It only took Forest a little more than an hour to make it to Kessforte. Janora directed the dogesus to land when they got within a quarter mile from the walls. While the imposters didn't seem to have such a creature, keeping Forest outside gave them advantages and the witch liked keeping secrets. Janora tied a string to one of Hut's doors and leading it along she and Denye headed for the gate.
A thick stone wall surrounded Kessforte, but the large oak and iron gates stood open and as the pair neared, they were hailed by one of the guards. "Good evening, travelers," said the middle-aged man in studded leather armor, that looked suspiciously like Watch armor. "Welcome to Kessforte, what brings you two, ehh three, to our fair town?"
"Tourism!" announced Janora with a wide smile.
"Tourism," repeated the guard, "can't say I know what that is? Is it a type of business?"
"I suppose you could say that," replied Janora, "It means I've come from far away to look around. Now let us in please, I want to see your delightful town and spend my money."
The guard smiled amicably but said, "Just another question or two, can I get your names?
Denye and Janora gave fake names and after getting directions to a good inn the guards allowed them to pass. As Janora passed, she slipped a gold into the guard's hand. He looked at it hesitantly until the witch handed another coin to the second guard...the two shared a look and almost together both slipped the coin into a pocket.
As they got about 50 yards down the road, Janora turned and called, "Oh, by the way, please make sure to treat my friends well. They should be along before too long, bit of an incident on the road and we came on ahead. You'll know them when you see them, a elven woman-at-arms and three large wolves."
Without waiting for a reply, the witch spun around and began hurrying along the street, Denye and the Hut hurrying along the street. Behind her, she heard the guards whispering, "Did she just say wolves? Can we let wolves into the town?"
Chuckling, Janora led the Hut along the road toward the inn, Denye rushing to catch up as she had been staring at roofs. The center of town was clearly the large fortified manor that stood at the top of a large hill. A thick grove of trees was south of the hill and as Janora and Denye passed, they saw a temple nestled among them, at the edge of the wide stream. Still it wasn't a huge town, so it only took 15 minutes to find the Fast Note.
Stepping inside, the pair found a half-full tap room, clean and brightly lit. Janora led the way over to the bar, where an older looking man, liver spots across his bald pate. "Good evening," said the witch, "do you still have rooms available for the night?"
"Oh, aye, aye," replied the bartender, "we've a'plenty. Just one room for the two of ya or would ya perfer singles. They're a bit smaller, but snug, I promise."
"Wonderful," said Janora, "we've got a few friends coming in behind us. I think two of the doubles will do just fine."

---

Watching the witch and wizard fly away, Ha'aash turned to Jilken and said, "It was good of you to come with us, but how are you going to keep up? I'm sure you can run but can you keep up with a kyree?"
Jilken laughed, "I'm fairly well fit, but not as fast as you four-foots. No, I've got a horse." At the kyree’s looks of confusion, Jilken smiled, touched the carved amulet at her throat and muttered the command word. A swirl of silver mist streamed out of the horn and quickly formed itself into Ironheart.
The horse shook her head and whinnied in greeting as the Aiel reached out to stroke her neck. Her nostrils flared at the scent of the kyree, but she was too well trained to do more than flick her ears. Laying an arm over the mare's neck, Jilken turned and said, "This is Ironheart, a treasure and a friend."
"A Shin'a'in battlemare," said Reg'oooh with admiration, "quite a gift indeed, they are almost never seen away from the Plains. The tale of how you acquired on of the fabled beasts and not a back full of feathered darts must be fascinating."
"Well, it started with a Swordsworn." said Jilken, checking the straps and tightening the girth of the saddle.
Ha'aash's mouth dropped open in surprise as he repeated, "A Swordsworn, oh yes, you will make quite an interesting partner."
"You have no idea," deadpanned Jilken before swinging up into the saddle. "But yes, Qwillon shena Liha'irden invited me to spend a season with his clan. Come we are burning daylight, let us be on our way and I shall tell you about my time in the House of Petal and Star."
Jilken and her pack were on the road for several hours. Thankfully there were no further attacks and just before sunset, the four of them nearing the walls. The gates were still open and guarded and as they approached, the two guards came to alert at the sight of a pale white elf on a horse with three large wolves.
The guards shared a glance and the younger of the stepped forward and held up a hand. In a slightly wavering voice he called, "Halt, state your business."
Jilken did as he asked, Ironheart stopping in place while the three kyree sat back on their haunches. The Aiel slipped from the saddle and with a word told the mare to watch. Approaching the guard, Jilken said, "Greetings, my name is Valanthe and I am looking for my employer. I am hoping that she has made it here already, it would have been in the last few hours."
"The tourist," asked the other guard with a laugh, "short, wrinkled woman with the eye-searing shirt?"
Jilken allowed herself half a smile and a shrug as she said, "No accounting for taste, but the gold is good." Waving to the kyree she explained, "We met these new friends on the road being chased by undead. We were able to help, but lost a couple of ponies in the process. I wanted to make sure Mistress was within town before sundown so I sent them on ahead while we cleaned up and made sure those dead would not rise again."
The older guard chuckled, "I can imagine that one could kill with a look."
The younger guard barked a laugh, "She and the bird person came through about two hours ago and you should find them at the Fast Note. Just head straight up the road to the market square and look to your left." He took a deep breath and in a rapid stream asked, "Are those wolves? Are they tame? I don't think we can let wolves into the town. Do they eat chickens...or children?"
Before Jilken could reply Reg'oooh stepped forward and gave the guard a deep bow. In his deep bass mind voice he said, "Your fowl and kin are safe, we are not wolves, but kyree from the Troraine Timberland. We are as sentient as you and just as civilized." Here his tone shifted to more of a reprimanding teacher, "Our bodies may be different, it does not follow that our hearts and souls are any different."
Both of the guards were struck dumb with shock, both by the words and strangeness of hearing him in thier heads. When they didn't say anything more Ga’ragh stepped up to her sib and in a lighter, tired voice broadcast, "My sibs and I are on our way to Dreford. Our camp was attacked an hour or two before dawn this morning by a horde of undead and then chased for most of the day. We would have been dead if this elf and her friends had not shown up when they did. Please, we only wish to sleep in the safety of your walls in case there are more. We will be on our way in the morning."
"Of, of, of, of course," stuttered the younger man, pulling himself together faster. He went on, his voice steadying, "That will be fine, of course. After something like that I would want to be within the walls as well. Damn things have been a bit of a nuisance for the last couple of fortnights." Pulling out his pad he asked, "I will have to put you down on the log, can I get your names?"
While the kyree registered, Jilken turned to Ironheart and whispered a few phrases of Shin'a'in to the battlemare as she scratched the top of her nose. Pulling out the amulet, the Aiel touched it to the mare's nose and whispered the command word to send Ironheart to the Oubliette.
As the horse vanished, Jilken heard the older guard swear loudly. She turned and rejoined the kyree, taking a moment to wink at the older guard. Judging that both of the guards were out of their depths, the Aiel warrior asked, "Is there anything else? I fear my stomach is wrapping around my spine and I would like to find some food and beer, soon." On the last word, she used the Voice, one of the techniques of the Wise Women.
It was said that the Voice spoke to the body, not to the brain, and used correctly would force a person to immediately act on impulse and in the speaker's favor. It certainly seemed to have that effect on the guards and both stepped back, nodding. Again the younger man seemed a bit more resilient and found his tongue first, "Y..Y..Yes, of course, thank you. We have you registered and we appreciate your cooperation. IF you just follow the main road to the north, you can't miss the Note."
"Always question strangers, my lad," said Jilken with a chuckle, "my thanks, have ye a good evening." With a nod to the older guard, Jilken led the way through the gates and into the town. It didn't take them long to find the inn, the conversation and laughter spilling out into the dimming twilight marking it out. Reg'ooh took one look inside as Jilken pulled the door open and shook his head, "Too busy, Ha'aash will you go with our friend and get us space in the stable and some dinner."
"We all need raw meat," added Ga'ragh, "that run was hard on muscles."
Ha'aash rolled his eyes, "I could eat an entire horse, squirt. I'm not going to forget to ask for dinner. I just hope he has enough for you two as well." He followed Jilken into the inn as a trio of silver haired half-elves took the stage. As the pair made their way to the bar, Jilken spotted Janora and Denye sitting at a table against the wall. She waved to get their attention but followed Ha'aash to order a beer and make sure he and his sibs were taken care of and settled in comfort.

---

Back in Dreford, Ell led Ranunkel and Tear out of the Split Yew and back into the street. The rain had cleared and weak sunlight was breaking through. The stone druid took a moment or two to look at the sky before saying, "Well, I believe that went much better than it could have."
Ell burst out laughing, but he got himself under control quickly and said, "Yes, you could say that. Now that we know we aren't going to get arrested, shall we see about getting a room?"
"Here?" asked Ranunkel, nodding to the Yew behind them.
Ell shook his head, "Let's go back to the Three Bells, they had soft sheets." After a moment of thought he added, "A big, popular taproom if I recall. We ought to be able to pick up a lot of gossip there as well."
"Works for me," said the dwarf, "do you know how to get there from here? This place is too large for me and none of the streets make sense." That drew another laugh from Ell and with a wave of his hand he led the others onward back over towards the travelers district.
The innkeeper, Kif Lonewhirl, was quite happy to see them and was delighted to rent Ell a suite. The three of them went up to the room to drop their gear and collapse onto one of the beds for a few moments.
The warlock was just about to suggest they go downstairs when they heard Jilken over the earrings say, "What's that?" The trio listened tensely as the other team came to the aid of the kyree and fought off the ghouls. IT was over quickly, but so much happened that it was hard to keep track.
Once it was clear that everyone was safe, Ell looked over to his two friends and said, "I know we weren't in that fight but I could use a drink, I'm going do to the common room and see what's on tap." That sounded like a good idea and Tear led the way down to see what Kif was serving.
It was still only mid-afternoon so the bar wasn't very crowded, so they had their pick of tables and Ell was quick to point to one in the middle of the room. Ranunkel pulled Granit out and let him run around a bit on the table. After they had all settled a bit, they were able to check in with the others and report that the conversation with Commander Rimes was successful and things with the Watch had been smoothed over. Ranunkel also passed on the information they had discovered about the various fires, including his observations about the timing.
Once the others were moving once more everyone felt better. Out loud Ranunkel said, "So I've been thinking. We should do a fundraiser for those who were affected by the fires. It would publicly prove that we weren't responsible and that we are instead trying to help."
"I like it," agreed Ell excitedly, "what did you have in mind?"
"That's where I'm hoping you can help," admitted Ranunkel, "I was thinking I could make a bunch of small stone statues to sell, but we need something to draw a crowd and you are better at that."
"Hmm, yeah I see what you mean," said Ell rubbing his chin and speaking slowly, "what if we got a local bard or two, we could put on a concert to draw people, I can make up a story about the fires, maybe mention the undead and see what kind of rumors that stirs up."
"That sounds great," said Ranunkel excitedly.
"I can bake cookies!" announced Tear, "I can ask the cook here to use her kitchen. My cookies are really good."
"They are," agreed Ell, "maybe we can get other people to donate and have like a little market." The young man nodded and repeated, "I like it, let me ponder it for a bit, we certainly aren't doing anything tonight."
That seemed like a good idea and Ranunkel settled in and began working with a piece of stone. He held it up and looked at it from all sides with half closed eyes until inspiration seemed to strike and he started chipping away at the stone.
Tear watched in fascination as the shape of a rabbit emerged. "How do you know what kind of animal to make?"
Ranunkel laughed, "I asked it what it was and listened. Now I'm just helping to free the animal within. They won't be alive like Granit here." Both looked down at the small collection of stones that was the small rock puppy rolling in the chips of stone from the carvings. The druid smiled at the stone elemental as he began chewing on one of the larger shards and finished, "But they should be worth something."
Ell listened to his friends, enjoying their company, but also kept an ear out as the afternoon slipped into evening and the common room began to fill. A trio of bards appeared on stage and began setting up, before starting the first of several lively sets of mostly instrumental music that blended rather than fought with the conversations around the team's table.
The young man heard more that a few boasts of love...or at least desire, but none of that was valuable or really even interesting. What was more interesting were the stories he heard about the Ministry. It seemed that this group ran several different types of workhouses; from a slaughterhouse and laundries to a scriptorium and book-keeping services. It seemed that several markets had been disrupted, people losing jobs because the Ministry took business away.
He also overheard a fellow who looked like some kind of tinker or traveling merchant talking to a local, "I swear it were true, there were 10-12 of um. Iffin it weren't for me crossbow, and me dogs, we would have been ett by zombies. Summa them looked fresher, but most looked like they had been in da ground for a time."

---

The evening in the Fast Note had been lively and exciting. Janora played up the tourist act and kept buying drinks for everyone, which certainly pleased the innkeeper. The Silver Chicks also proved to be an excellent act mixing sets of singable drinking songs with ballads and love songs.
Janora had a good tolerance, but she also drank quite a bit more than Jilken or Denye, so eventually Jilken had to help her elderly employer up to the rooms. Before following Denye stopped at the bar, "Excuse me, do you know if there are any building in town with intact pre-century roofs, or really any other local buildings of which the town is particularly proud?"
The older man was wiping out a mug but nodded, "Wouldn't really know what kinda roof that would be, miss. Only reason I ever think 'bout roofs is if mine starts leaking." He laughed at his own joke before going on, "Iffin you're looking for fancy, you probably want the big house up on the hill. Used to be a fort, ya know, and the town just kinda grew up around it."
"Oh yes," agreed Denye, "that's where the mayor lives, right?"
"The Marqui de Chou," agreed Vorheh, "for all the good he does. But that's probably the oldest building in town. The temple is quite well built as well and is always peaceful. Might be a few others around, woulda been more if it weren't for the big fire last week that burned down almost a quarter of the town."
"Oh no, that's terrible! What happened?" asked Denye.
The innkeeper gave her a long look but said, "That it was, two score people died, half of em children. The local Watch's been all over the area, from what I've heard they think it was started by a group of arsonists who set one or two buildings alight before they escaped. 'Fore we knew it the flames spread...all those thatched roofs, ya know."
Denye winced at the thought of all that straw, "Oh my, that's horrible. Do you know if anyone is doing anything to raise money to rebuild?"
"Can't say that I 've heard," said the innkeeper with a shrug, "I'd assume you want to talk to the Marqui's people on that. Might be the captain of the Watch. I heard there were some folks up from Dreford to look into things, but they stayed up at the barracks with the rest of them watchmen." After a moment or two of thought he added, "Might be the temple of Milil will get involved. One of the largest buildings destroyed was a school/orphanage. I heard one or two of the clerics survived, they are staying with the Marqui with the handful of children who survived."
"Well, that truly is a tragedy," agreed Denye, "but thank you for the information, I am quite looking forward to exploring this lovely town. Have a good night."
"Ya know," said the innkeeper, slowly, "the group that they say started the fires, they stayed here at the inn. One of em, well she wasn't an owl kind of based bird like you, she was more of a crow, she was a real piece'a'work. I ain't never seen a bird person before and here I seen two in the same moon. You wouldn't happen to know anyone like that?"
Denye had stopped and was trying her hardest not to give anything away. Finally she said, "Can't say that I have. I've never actually met anyone like myself. I'd love to meet her...or maybe not, you said she wasn't very nice"
"Alright then," agreed Vorheh, throwing his towel over his shoulder, "figured it couldn't hurt to ask, you have yourself a good evening." Without waiting for a response, he turned and vanished into the back. Denye took the opportunity to run away herself, running up the stairs to find the others and tell them about her close call.

31st Planting

The next morning dawned clear but cold enough to see a breath. Jilken, feeling restless while the others slept, had snuck down to the stables at false dawn. She found the kyree in one of the looseboxes. The stablehands had covered the floor with ankle deep straw and the three large canines were muzzle deep in bowls of chunked raw meat. Rather Reg'oooh and Ga'ragh were devouring their food, Ha'aash seemed in less of a rush.
That made sense as the two wanted to be on the road for Dreford as soon as possible. All too soon, the pair had finished and after rubbing noses with Ha'aash they bid Jilken goodbye and heading for the southern gate. The Aiel stayed with Ha'aash for a bit talking but realized she needed to get back inside before too many ppl were up as the Seeming spell had worn off.
Denye and Janora were up, sitting on their beds and discussing what they should do today. The Aiel warrior slipped in just in time to hear Denye say "I'm starting to worry I shouldn't have chosen another birdkin. I forgot how unusual we are outside of the Humblewood."
"What happened?" asked Jilken, leaning against the now closed door and crossing her arms.
Denye fluffed her feathers and clicked her beak in annoyance, "I was talking to the innkeeper last night and he pointed out the fake team had a bird person and he was surprised to see another one."
Jilken shrugged, "Can we do anything? Should we?"
Janora shook her head, "I don't think so. We aren't going to be here long and it might look more suspicious for you to disappear."
"That is a very good point," agreed Jilken, "so what's our play here? I saw they were setting up stalls in the market square, we could do some shopping and see what we could hear. Even days later something like that would still be the talk of the town."
"That would probably be in character for me," Janora mused, "but I also really want to go have a look at the ruins. What if Helenwye flew around over the market or even finding a corner down in the common room? Could she maybe listen out for any interesting gossip?"
The small lizard had looked up at her name and Denye took a moment to scratch the beast's head. "Well, she can stay at the inn and then I can every once in a while tune into what she's listening to, but she doesn't really understand language enough to tell what she's hearing."
"Good point," replied the witch, "probably not much memory either."
Jilken, with a thoughtful look on her face asked, "Could she just like watch the door of the inn and sent you a nudge if she sees anybody interesting or important come in? That way you could reach out and connect to her mind and we wouldn't miss hearing anything useful."
The Corva wizard nodded, "I think she can handle that. She can hide in the rafters, she did that for a bit last night." Denye's stomach growled loudly and she laughed, "Maybe we should see about breakfast before we do anything else?"
Janora got up as well and quickly cast Seeming on the three of them, returning them to their illusory selfs. "This will last for 8 hours, so we'll need to keep track of the time."
As Jilken turned and opened the door to head downstairs, Denye promised that she would let everyone know when they got down to an hour. The party wasn't the first guests to come downstairs, but there weren't many as yet. The innkeeper, Vorheh, wasn't behind the bar, instead there was a younger woman who greeted them with a smile. It didn't take long to place an order and only slightly longer for the food to appear out of the kitchen.
An hour or so later, the team was headed down the south road following the vague directions Denye had gotten. Still it wasn't hard to find. There was a bridge just past the grove of trees and the burnt skeletal remains of houses and businesses were quite visible as the team crossed.
Janora pulled everyone over to the alley between two of the still standing buildings. "I'm going to try something," she said over the mental link, pitching it so Ha'aash could hear. "I don't want our tourist disguises to be seen poking through the ruins. So I'm going to cast Seeming again to make us look like homeless beggars so people will leave us alone. I'm hoping I can cast it over the other illusion without breaking it."
It took the witch a couple of moments of concentration before she began to cast Seeming once more on the four of them. She made herself a wild-haired old woman while Jilken became a buff human man covered in scars and scabs. Ha'aash looked like a flea-bitten cur about half his original size and Denye became a dwarf covered in leprosy sores and half-wrapped bandages.
Suitably disguised, the party began looking around the ruined buildings trying to get a feel for the fire and how it might have spread. More than a dozen buildings had burned down to foundations, including one quite large building. Picking through debris, Denye pulled out the burnt remains of a sign that read "ndstand." With what she had learned from the innkeeper, she surmised that it should be "Bandstand" as in the Joyful Bandstand, the orphanage/school.
Ha'aash was nosing around nearby and sneezed suddenly as he stepped on a board sending a cloud of ash and dust into his face. Jilken looked over and asked, "You okay?"
"Fine," growled the kyree, "but this entire area stinks. I mean there are all the smells you would expect; burnt wood, mud, people, grass. But there is a lot of sulfur as well and something else acrid and spikey."
Denye asked, "That acrid smell, does it have undertones of rot and mold?" Ha'aash took a few moments to sniff before reporting it did. The wizard sighed and said, "I was afraid of that. It sounds like balefire...which means someone was using Abyssal magic."
"That doesn't sound great," Janora said dryly, "I don't sense any sort of portals or planar openings. But that wouldn't stop someone from conjuring balefire I suppose. What exactly is balefire, beyond just demonic?"
"I haven't studied it in any depth," replied Denye, "but it burns hotter, faster, and is generally harder to put out. Coming from the Abyss, there is also an element of chaos that can sometimes do some strange things." Turning to Ha'aash she asked, "Is it all over or is it stronger somewhere in particular?"
Ha'aash began trying to focus on the smell. Meanwhile, Janora returned to examining the ground between the buildings looking for footprints or other clues. What she found was the remains of some sort of summoning circle. There wasn't a lot of it left, many of the markings having been scuffed out by footprints moving in twenty directions. The witch called Denye over and the wizard quickly pulled out her notebook and began sketching what remained of the sigils.
"Do you think this was random," asked Jilken, "or do you think one of these places was a specific target?"
"Well," said Janora thoughtfully, "this circle is right behind the orphanage and it's clearly the largest building in the area. Killing a bunch of kids would be quite a blow to our reputation as well as being a sure way to make sure the story got spread."
Jilken laughed bitterly, "Yeah, that makes a really sick sort of sense."

---

Back in Dreford, the urban party woke up late and over breakfast discussed their plans for the day. Ranunkel wanted to get to work on his fundraiser idea and he was ready to do it right away. Ell suggested that it would be better to plan for an event in a few days, but they should absolutely visit the Guild of Entertainers (But NOT Mimes or Clowns) to see who could be available. That seemed like a great idea so after they finished, Ell led the others out into the morning drizzle and onward to Guild Row.
The rain had stopped by the time they found the Guild of Entertainers. Tear ran up the stairs ahead of the others to hold the door open. Ell flashed him a smile and shook his head fondly as he followed Ranunkel inside. The entrance hall was a long two-story room with a balcony running around the upper level. The walls were lined with glass cases, holding instruments, wooden marionettes, and even a few ornate costumes. A dark carpet ran up the middle from the doors to a wide desk in the center of the room.
The stone druid marched up to the desk, where a young halfling man was focused on a notebook and muttering to himself. As Ranunkel neared, he cleared his throat nervously a couple of times to catch the young man's attention. The halfling looked up in surprise and set his script aside before smiling, "Hello, welcome to the Guild of Entertainers (But NOT Mimes or Clowns). How may I be of assistance?" With a bright grin he added, "Perhaps you are looking for a playwright?"
"Something like that," began Ranunkel, a little thrown by the question, "but could you answer one question first."
"If I can, I'll be the first to admit that there is a lot I don't know," replied the halfling with a shrug and a cheeky grin.
Ranunkel nodded, "It's simple enough, why not Clowns and Mimes?"
"Oh that's an easy one," said the young man leaning forward, "the clowns have the Fool's Guild down the street and mimes are not allowed within city limits."
"Why would mimes be banned?" asked Ell, coming up to stand by his friend.
The greeter shook his head, "Now that I don't know, but I mean have you ever seen one...they are just creepy."
"Good enough, I suppose," agreed Ell, "We're actually here to see about hiring a couple of bands for an event we'd like to have in a few days."
"A few days," the halfling repeated, "Let me see who is available." As he leaned over to pick up a thick book he asked, "When is this event? And do you know what type of music you are looking for?"
"We were thinking about next Molkday," replied Ell with a smile of his own, "but I don't think we've discussed musical genres."
Ranunkel spoke up, "We're organizing a fundraiser. Perhaps you have heard about the orphanage and more than a dozen more buildings that were burnt down in Kessforte a few nights ago?" When the young man indicated he hadn't, the stone druid went on, "A horrible tragedy, and apparently it's not the only town where the alleged arsonists have attacked. So we want to have this fundraiser to attract people and persuade them to donate. I'm also carving stone figures that I'll sell and my friend here is going to be selling cookies."
Tear grinned and waved. The young man blinked once before shaking his head, "Truely a noble cause. How about this, if you will leave your names and where to reach you, I can give your message to one of the Maestros and they can set up a meeting to help you plan things out."
"That would be truly amazing, thank you," replied Ell, his voice dripping in charm, "Do you have a paper and quill, perhaps I can write a short note?"
The greeter did indeed and producing both slid them across to the young man. It didn't take long for Ell to compose a message and the young halfling promised that they should hear something by noon tomorrow. Saying their goodbyes the urban party headed back out into the street.
"Where next?" Tear asked.
Ranunkel shrugged, "I was thinking I would just head back to the Three Bells and start carving."
"I want to go talk to Rimes again," said Ell, pensively, "I want to ask him about these undead attacks we heard rumors of. But if you want to head back to the inn, that's fine. I'm not terribly frightened of being arrested now that we worked things out yesterday."
Ranunkel nodded, "Sounds like a plan, if you need me just hollar."
"I think I go back too," said Tear, "I want to look at recipes and decide what to make."
"Fair enough," agreed Ell with a laugh, "I suppose then I will see you two later." He waved goodbye to his friends as they headed for the inn before turning his own feet towards Heathrow Yard.
The main watchhouse was bustling with guards coming and going and Ell stopped to speak to the desk sergeant. Commander Rimes was in and the warlock didn't have to wait long before he was ushered through the bullpen and up to one of the offices on the second floor.
The Commander was seated behind a large wooden desk and appeared to be scowling at a sheaf of papers. He looked up and waved Ell to a chair before turning his attention back to the papers. Picking up a glass pen, he signed the top page and dropped them into a box at one corner of the desk.
"Reports," muttered Rimes, before turning his attention to Ell. Leaning forward he asked, "Afternoon, Master Darnet, how may the Watch be of service?"
"Information I hope," replied Ell, smiling broadly,"I've heard a few disturbing rumors over the last few days...even more so than the fires and I was wondering if there was anything we could do to help."
Rimes leaned back in chair, his face going stony, "Which rumors would those be?"
"Well, attacks by undead to begin with," said Ell, "I heard a bit in the tavern last night, but more importantly yesterday some of my friends came to the rescue of a trio of kyree who were being chased by a pack of ghouls."
The Commander's eyes narrowed and he growled, "That is the Tyrant's business. I am only supposed to pay attention to what happens within the city walls."
Ell looked pensive for a moment but nodded, "I see. Well then, would you know anything about the Ministry of Idle Hands? I hear they have a compound just outside the walls."
"Technically," replied Rimes, relaxing a bit, "I suppose they are outside my jurisdiction, but they are certainly in the city often enough. They are a....interesting group. Arrived last Amberspell, they claim to come from the south somewhere. They worship Tolios, claims to be the god of labor and industry."
"Labor and Industry," repeated Ell, skeptically.
"Haven't listened to much of their cant," said Rimes with a shrug, "but seems to be one of those work to the bone in this life for a fairytale paradise. They bought some empty land and put up the palisade and raised the first building. They made some friends on the Council and have basically turned themselves into a debtors workhouse of sorts."
"That is horrible," said Ell, appalled, "and they were allowed to do that?"
"As I said, they've made some friends," replied Rimes sourly, "profit over people is a common enough view in this city."
Ell sighed, "A common enough view throughout the world." Flashing the commander his best smile, Ell asked, "Are you sure that you don't know anything about the undead attacks? Unofficially of course."
Rimes sighed and turned to pull open a drawer and pull out a flask and two glasses. He poured one and handed it to Ell before filling the second glass. The young noble took a moment to sniff the dark liquid before taking a sip and was slightly surprised to find that it was a cold sweet tea. "Unofficially," repeated Rimes, "they started appearing right after Midwinter. The Tyrant hired a merc company called the Falconeers to deal with the problem, but they clearly aren't doing much."
Ell nodded, making mental notes, "If my friends and I can do anything we will. Obviously our first priority is finding who is starting the fires and trying to give us a bad name, but we have had some experience with the undead. I know Janora is quite invested in quelling it."
There was a bit more conversation but Ell eventually said his farewells, promising to let Rimes know if the party learned anything of interest or use. Feeling like he had learned quite a bit, the young man headed back for the Three Bells.

Character(s) interacted with

Vorheh Whitefall (he/him - human) innkeeper at the Fast Note

Report Date

08 Mar 2024