The Lamentation of Lolth - Chapter I

[Majin]

Seemingly brushing off Ayden's words of comfort Ernest focuses his mind on the problem at hand. "Yes, after the very first lizardmen attack I ventured to the swamp to see if I could parlay with them. To possibly find out the reason for their transgression. Before being chased away I did notice a significant drop in the level of the water. Suffice it to say, I have not been back since. No one in town has. It is too dangerous with the lizardfolk always watchful of their borders."

 

[Verbatim]

Nodding his head, Ayden switched gears slightly once more.

"Before the agression, did you speak to the Broken Axe chieftain any, or has Mayor Applebottom always been the sole voice of the council when it comes to these matters?"

Pausing for just a brief moment, Ayden throws another question in quickly for Ernest.

"Also, has there ever been any troubles with the lizardmen in the town's past before? Did any of the prior councils or clergymen record anything of this nature?"

 

[Majin]

"The mayor was the only one the lizardfolk would deal with," answers Ernest. Ayden can barely finishes his next question before Ernest quickly answers, "The lizardfolk have only been around this area for a few years. Naamani made a fast effort to make peace with us and set up occasional trading and all that."

 

[Verbatim]

More confused than ever, Ayden can not grasp why a people who sought to make peace so quickly would just as quick seek war upon their neighbors.

~Perhaps it has all been a ruse? Perhaps the lower water level has them concerned? Perhaps there is much more to this than I can see...you never make it easy Uncle...never easy at all...~

Looking back to the others, Ayden wonders if they also have questions they wish to ask, but are waiting for him to finish speaking first. In case they did, Ayden asked his only remaining question.

"Ernest, I want to say thank you for speaking with me today, but I have one more question to ask before I let my companions pay their respect to your church and you.

You said you ventured to the lizardmen camp and attempted to speak with them. Could you draw us a map to their camp? It would shorten our time to them, and hopefully lessen any chance of going somewhere where the gods may not grant us safe passage through."

 

[Majin]

"A map? I'm sorry Brother Wyvernspur, but I only made it a short ways into the swamp before I was chased out. Never made it to their camp. All I can tell you is they were certainly adamant on guarding the perimeter of the place. Something around there must have them pretty shaken up. I would check around there before fully entering the swamp."

 

[Verbatim]

Nodding his thanks to his fellow priest, Ayden stands and extended his hand to Ernest.

"Thank you very much for everything Brother Ernest, you have no idea how much of a help you have truly been. "

Stepping outside into the sunlight, Ayden looks around town for Sheriff Trond's smithy.

~So many pieces of this puzzle seem to focus on one element. I only hope I am not wrong...~

After walking around some to find it, Ayden enters the shop and looks for the burly constable.

 

[Majin]

"Ah, Mr. Wyvernspur, how fares your search for an answer to the lizardfolk problem?" Trond asks, as he sits against the back wall polishing some newly made weapons.

 

[Brother Shatterstone]

Mosslime: Finhead Saurial/Male

Mosslime walks around and stares at all the different weapons with much interest. In fact it was quite easy for anyone to tell that he was much more entertained in this store than Ernest who he found to be rather boring.

 

[Verbatim]

"Well, Brother Ernest was able to fill me in on several things that he felt was important, and the biggest thing he mentioned to me was a steady decrease in the water level of the swamp. While I do not have the druidical skills of Drogo, I do not think that something like that would bode well for a race who needs the swamplands to survive.

Last night, when we spoke, I asked you if there had been any strange activities in town lately, and you told me that there had not been any you could recall. Now I would ask you a slightly different question.

Have there been any strangers coming in and out of town lately? People who just come in for a day, or an afternoon then leave out as quickly as they came in? Brother Ernest said the swamp has been falling for months now, so please think back as far as you can."

 

[Majin]

Trond sits back and thinks for a moment before answering. "There are a few I've noticed in passing. A female, I see entering the village every so often. I know she does not live here by her face, but she keeps herself relatively well covered so thats all I've been able to see of her. Also a Gnome, and a set of halflings, twins actually, I've noticed about town as well, but have not seen them in awhile now. The woman still appears from time to time though. I have no idea who they could be. I don't make it a point to nosy into people's business unless their causing trouble."