Of Sound Mind II

[Sir Osis of Liver]

Kerrick Jonez

Kerrick will slowly start working his way to the back of the gathering, and at the first oppertunity he'll slip away to do his surch.

 

[Zhure]

Gholog

Nodding to Adren, Gholog will plant his glaive near the entrance, carefully test the rope to see if it will hold is weight, then scramble over the edge. His natural darkvision should allow him to see fairly well in the dark shaft.

 

[Jarval]

The trackers:

With Adren's cover, Gholog heads over to the opening and plants his glave in the soft ground. The half-orc carefully tests the ropes strength, and finds that it will easily hold his weight. The 10-foot by 10-foot shaft descends out of sight, beyond the range of even Gholog's sensitive sight. There is the sound of a muffled, constant roaring, accompanied by a slight vibration in the rock beneath you. The air in the shaft is moist, which may do much to explain the corroded state of a metal ladder attached to the wall.

The gap where the copper plate has been forced up is rather narrow, especially for an armored half-orc. It's going to be quite a tight squeeze to get down there.


Kerrick and Seraphina:

As you work your way through the crowd, the Mayor continues to speak.

"Now, people in the town are suffering from headaches. We all are, every one of us. It's certainly annoying, but I've been assured that no know spell or curse could cause it. I've asked one of the druids to come and check that our water and wells are not contaminated. I've also had a priest check them for poison, and none was found.

"People have also been suffering from bad dreams. Again, this is something from which we have all suffered. We know we aren't cursed by a god for sins, no matter what people say, and we don't know what else could cause it. Utrish the wise woman..."

"Witch!" someone in the crowd cries out, before being shushed.

"Utrish," the Mayor continues, unperturbed. "has prophesied that the dreams and headaches won't last more than another week, and she's always right. I'm not worried; just wait for a little longer and they'll go away. It's been foretold by our own Oracle.

"Several of the farmers have been complaining that their animals have..."

The Mayor's voice fades as you finally work your way out of the crowed square, much to Lucie's relief and Virch's annoyance.

 

[GnomeWorks]

"Alright, Kerrick," Seraphina says to her companion, "you know what to do. Let's go."

Not waiting for a response, she heads off into the nearest side-street, looking for anyone suspicious and anything that looks suspicious. She'll try to keep track of her location in relation to the plaza.

Hmm... suspicious people... and what do I look like?

Seraphina also keeps an eye out for anyone following her.

 

[Zhure]

Gholog

"Adren, it's deep. I don't see anyone, but there's a corroded ladder. Very damp, could be treacherous to climb. Should we proceed?"

 

[Jarval]

Seraphina:

You start walking around the back streets of Bellhold. The town is very quiet, with almost everybody at the town meeting. In fact, you haven't seen anyone on the streets, until you spot a couple of Haldik's men marching past the end of the alley you're currently in.

 

[GnomeWorks]

Finally! I thought I'd never find someone... now this little venture might actually pay off somehow...

Seraphina will, very quietly and very cautiously, follow behind the two soldiers, as well as attempt to listen in on any conversations they have (if they have any).

 

[Sir Osis of Liver]

Kerrick Jonez

Kerrick moves off, and when it's safe rushes to the outer edge of town to enact his share of the search.

 

[Acmite]

Re: Gholog

"Adren, it's deep. I don't see anyone, but there's a corroded ladder. Very damp, could be treacherous to climb. Should we proceed?"

Aye, but with caution. This wreckage seems...odd, somehow.

 

[Jarval]

Seraphina:

You follow quietly along behind the guards, not a tricky task given the minimal attention they're paying to their surroundings. For the most part, they're taking about trivial stuff, family matters, the weather and the like. But your attention is drawn when they start discussing you and your companions.

"Why's the Captain lettin' just anyone help in the search. I mean, those folk who turned up today could have something to do with the troubles for all we know." the guard on the left says.

"We need help. It'll take us an age to search around without some extra manpower. And I'm pretty sure the Captain has someone keeping an eye on them." the other replies.

"Aye, maybe, but I still don't like it..."


Kerrick:

You quickly leave the crowd in the Plazza behind you as you head for the outskirts of Bellhold. You circle around the edge of the town, among the small shacks of the poorer townsfolk.

As you come along a narrow dirt lane, you can hear the whinnying of a mule somewhere ahead. A squat cottage is in front of you, looking dark and sullen under the surrounding trees. A cat runs across the path as you approach. Many of the decorations on the outside of the house are apparently arcane symbols of different kinds. You hear a faint bang from somewhere, as if a window shutter closed.


The trackers:

Gholog takes hold of the rope and squeezes himself through the gap in the metal plates. The air in the shaft is damp and clammy, and the rock sides slimy. However, the knotted rope is sturdy, and makes the climb down simple. After climbing down about 30' Gholog spots a wooden platform about 50' below him. While covered in the same slime as the walls, it looks strong enough.