S@squ@tch's N1: Against the Cult of the Reptile God IC

[s@squ@tch]

Alessin sidles casually up to the bar, ignoring the gawps of the local yokels. "Good day to you, Master Beswill. I will avail myself of a glass of wine. It will go down well after our dry travels." Alessin pauses a moment, then adds idly, "As I recall, the vintage of Orlane has a fine reputation around these parts. In fact, my friend Daron calls it a personal favorite. He is the proprietor of The Last Chance Tavern, just outside Hochoch. Do you know him?"

As Alessin approaches the bar, the two locals who were seated there, move off to the table near the western hearth.

"Good day to you, Master Elf, we do stock the local wine, Orlane has made many fine vintages in the past. I do not know, however, this Daron you speak of."

"And good to see you too, Master Dwarf -- I can have my cook put together a small plate of various meats and cheeses for you in a second."

Gideon sits down at the table closest to the bar, but does not spy any serving wench. His call for brew falls upon deaf ears, except for the Innkeeper.

"One mug of ale, coming up."

In response to Ari's question, Bertram responds,"Well, I don't make the wine myself, so I can't be sure why that would be the case. Come to think of it, I am still serving the older vintage. But I suppose there must be some reason for it -- most likely weather related, last year was fairly dry."

"But please indulge me -- we are a small farming community, we do not normally see folk such as yourselves -- adventurers, no? What quest brings you to our small village? Have you been tasked to find missing wine?" He chuckles slightly to himself after the last part.

 

[YeOldeAlbatross]

As Alessin approaches the bar, the two locals who were seated there, move off to the table near the western hearth.

Alessin casts a sour glance at the locals as they turn from the bar. Surely I'm not that dirty from the dust of the road?

"Good day to you, Master Elf, we do stock the local wine, Orlane has made many fine vintages in the past. I do not know, however, this Daron you speak of."

"Ah, too bad. He is a capital fellow."

"But please indulge me -- we are a small farming community, we do not normally see folk such as yourselves -- adventurers, no? What quest brings you to our small village? Have you been tasked to find missing wine?" He chuckles slightly to himself after the last part.

Alessin does not chuckle in return. "Not wine, but something more serious, I'm afraid. We came across a pair of careworn children in our travels. Youngsters of not more than seven or eight summers, I would suppose. They told us they were from Orlane, and spoke of some sort of trouble here. I myself thought it strange to find them wandering without parental supervision. I'm sure you know much of the comings and goings in Orlane, Master Beswill. Have you heard of any children who may have gone missing recently?" The elf peers closely at the barkeep, scrutinizing his face as he awaits a reply.

ooc: Note that Alessin is purposely altering the facts of the children's fate, in order to fish for information. He looks for anything untoward in Beswill's reply.

Alessin Gather Information (1d20+5=21)
Alessin Sense Motive (1d20+3=11)

 

[s@squ@tch]

"Hold on Master Elf, while I place the order for your companions plate of meat and cheeses." Bertram says as he heads out from behind the bar. He walks towards the north, then takes the door on the left, which obviously is the kitchen, as your could hear the occasional bang of plate or pan.

He reappears moments later and comes back to the bar area, where he starts pouring the drinks that you've requested.

"Well, truth be told, our small town has had some issues as of late. For some reason, many of the townsfolk have decided to get up and leave. I am ashamed to admit that the towns population has halved since the year before last's harvest."

"But these children you speak of, how would you describe them? And for them to travel all the way to, where did you say, to speak of troubles here in Orlane? That is somewhat shocking."

"Of course, I do not have my thumb on the pulse of the local populace, but I haven't heard of any local children going missing... I would hate to think that a local family, if they were packing up and leaving town, would forget a child or two. That just doesn't seem likely. Did they come back with you? Although I don't know all of the folks in the outlying farms by face, perhaps I would recognize the two runaways?"

"I wish you luck in tracking down these childrens parents. I would welcome you to stay at the Golden Grain Inn while you stay in town, but I could not offer a discount of any sort, as business has been down... with half the town leaving and all."

To Stonefist,"Our cook, Snigrot, will be out shortly with your food."

OOC: Your sense motive check doesn't reveal anything.

 

[Phoenix8008]

Stonefist nods in understanding and thanks. His eyes look around the room with suspicion, but his mouth remains closed until his ordered food arrives. He does not wish to undo the efforts of Alesin in gathering what information can be found.

 

[airwalkrr]

Ari sits at the bar with a stoic look. While the barkeeper's attentions are turned, he whispers to Stonefist and Alessin, All the locals in these parts are acting strangely around us. Perhaps they are unused to dwarves and elves, but I find it strange nevertheless for in Hochoch, just down the road we were treated to delightful hospitality by one and all whereas here we are to be avoided like the plague.

 

[YeOldeAlbatross]

Alessin Greenbond

"Well, truth be told, our small town has had some issues as of late. For some reason, many of the townsfolk have decided to get up and leave. I am ashamed to admit that the towns population has halved since the year before last's harvest."

Alessin frowns in concern as Bertram relates the drastic reduction in Orlane's population. He replies, "That is certainly strange. You say there has been no reason given for their departure? Crops failing? Crime rates rising? Nothing like that?"

"But these children you speak of, how would you describe them? And for them to travel all the way to, where did you say, to speak of troubles here in Orlane? That is somewhat shocking."

"Of course, I do not have my thumb on the pulse of the local populace, but I haven't heard of any local children going missing... I would hate to think that a local family, if they were packing up and leaving town, would forget a child or two. That just doesn't seem likely. Did they come back with you? Although I don't know all of the folks in the outlying farms by face, perhaps I would recognize the two runaways?"

"Do not fear for the children, Master Beswill. They are in a safe place now," Alessin answers cryptically, with just a tinge of sadness in his voice. He proceeds to offer as accurate a description of the children as possible, based on his memory of that fateful night in The Last Chance Tavern. "Do they sound like anyone you know?"

"I wish you luck in tracking down these childrens parents. I would welcome you to stay at the Golden Grain Inn while you stay in town, but I could not offer a discount of any sort, as business has been down... with half the town leaving and all."

"Indeed, we will likely stay here at your fine inn, as we have no other accomodations while in town. You've been most generous with your time and information, Master Beswill, and I thank you for it. If you please, I have just one more question for you. Concerned as we are about the children I spoke of, I think we should discuss the matter with the leaders of this town. Is there someone we could meet with...a priest, a sheriff, a mayor, perhaps?"

Alessin: Gather Information Check (1d20+5=25)
Alessin: Sense Motive Check (1d20+3=22)

 

[s@squ@tch]

"I can't right say what the true reason or reasons people have left town." He says while looking absently at the kitchen door,"Some people have packed up and left in the middle of the day, some during the night. Haven't gotten many reasons why they left."

"We are a small village, so we do not have a large amount of crime, just small things like a teenager blowing off some steam."

You hear an "ORDER UP" come from the kitchen. Bertram heads to the kitchen door, then disappears through it, seconds later, he is back and delivers the plate of sliced beef and cheddar cheese to Stonefist.

"Here you go, Master Dwarf."

He listens to Alessin's description of the children. "Well, unfortunately, that description does not really ring a bell. Glad to hear they are safe and sound. Hopefully they can get reunited with their parents. Still can't wrap my mind around it -- these kids coming alone all that way to talk about troubles here in town. Did they happen to mention what kind of trouble?"

"Glad to hear that you'll be stayin' at the Golden Grain -- I'll have my associate Derek make up your rooms for each of you."

"As far as community leaders, well, we do have a nice temple dedicated to Merikka, just out yonder"

OOC: He point in a general NE direction over his shoulder, you noticed the large temple on your way into town -- it is very large and hard to miss.

"Then the local constable is across the way"

OOC: He points out one of the side windows, you recognize it as #2 on the map

"And finally, the mayor -- he's not much use these days, he lives down the road out from a piece."

OOC: He points to the east -- basically continuing down the road that #5, #6, and #7 are on.

 

[scranford]

Gideon Novak - Human Mercenary

Gideon belches loudly as he finishes his ale with one mighty drink, then looks to his travelling companions for their approval.

"Lets get to the point." "Have you seen any Lizard-thingees with bad attitudes lately?"
He then bangs his mug on the table in an obvious attempt to get a refill.

"And I'll have one of those rooms". "It's about naptime>"

 

[s@squ@tch]

Bertram Beswill

"Lets get to the point." "Have you seen any Lizard-thingees with bad attitudes lately?"

"Lizard-thingees? Huh? Whatever do you mean?"

"And I'll have one of those rooms". "It's about naptime>"

"Certainly, Derek will show you to your room upstairs." Bertram shouts for Derek, and he appears from the door to the northwest. He leads the barbarian upstairs and comes to a door, which he opens and lets the untamed man inside. He then closes the door and you can hear his steps echoing down the hallway.

OOC: Sidenote, I had the square size incorrect, it actually was 5', instead of 10', so I redid the map(s) with the correct grid size.

 

[airwalkrr]

Companions, since it appears the rudest of our group is somnolent, now would be a good time to mingle with the more sociable elements of this community. Might I suggest we travel to the temple of Merikka?

Knowledge (religion) regarding what is known about the faith of Merikka: 20