Chapter 5: The Doom That Came to Briarsgate

[Inferno]

Ingrid Esthof, cleric
Does the shack have any windows, back doors, entrance points not visible from the road?

Hi,
The 'road' is the north-south road that is out of sight from the shack (27).
There are two dirt trails that pass through the grove, connecting that road to the shack. They are marked on the map with a line of X's.

So, no doors or windows of the shack are visible from the road.

The shack has one door and three dirty windows, all with curtains drawn.

The below map's scale is one square = 20 feet.
Thanks.

Western Briarsgate Map.jpg (287.17 KiB) Viewed 2041 times

[Fulci]

Ingrid Esthof, cleric

Ingrid proposes to wait about five minutes. After that, a couple of people (Bo, Pelias and herself, maybe?) should go inside and try to extract more information from the hermit, while the other stay on the outside and watch for any possible threats.

[DadsAngry]

Hoom Feethos:

Hoom stay hidden behind his tree and keeps a close eye on the hermit's wolf.

[Zhym]

Grothnak waits a minute to make sure that the Constable really has left, then returns to the front door but does not knock. "I think the old man said all he wants to say," whispers the half-orc. "We should investigate the remains of the Foaming Mug, or see whether the Golden Grain is once again occupied. Or maybe we should seek out the elves."

[Fulci]

Ingrid Esthof, cleric

Ingrid steps up next to Grothnak.
"After this, yes, we should see what's changed in Briarsgate. The supposed elves' house is right in the middle of town, I'm afraid it's too risky going there. Also, if we all go to the Golden Grain, as a big group, we are sure to be noticed. The same applies to the Foaming Mug - unless we do a big circle and reach it from the east. The Temple of Merikka, on the other hand, is on the outskirts. It's surrounded by a wall, though. Could be a tough nut to crack."

"Still, let's give the hermit a try first."
She knocks on the door.

(if anybody wants to interrupt her, you can do so. If not, well, she knocks and wants to speak to the hermit again)

[Zhym]

Grothnak does not interrupt. "I distrust that church even more than before," he says while they wait for an answer. "Let us look elsewhere for now."

He stares up into the dark trees and out into the forest, thinking. "I hate to split up," he says, "but we need to know more about the status of the Golden Grain. Mouser, Hoom: could you scout the inn undetected? If so, I suggest you go together. A lone scout might be charmed while away. Together, the chances are less."

[Fulci]

Ingrid Esthof, cleric

Grothnak does not interrupt. "I distrust that church even more than before," he says while they wait for an answer. "Let us look elsewhere for now."

"I'm almost sure by now that the church is under the influence of the cult.
I agree, two scouts could move unnoticed."

[Inferno]

Hi,
Two very minor clarifications:

Hoom Feethos:
Hoom stay hidden behind his tree and keeps a close eye on the hermit's wolf.

The wolf went into the shack with the hermit.

Ingrid Esthof, cleric
"The supposed elves' house is right in the middle of town, I'm afraid it's too risky going there. Also, if we all go to the Golden Grain, as a big group, we are sure to be noticed. The same applies to the Foaming Mug. The Temple of Merikka, on the other hand, is on the outskirts."

The old Foaming Mug Inn is building 16*, almost on the outskirts of town. Thanks.

*Map of Briarsgate

[Fulci]

Ingrid Esthof, cleric
"The supposed elves' house is right in the middle of town, I'm afraid it's too risky going there. Also, if we all go to the Golden Grain, as a big group, we are sure to be noticed. The same applies to the Foaming Mug. The Temple of Merikka, on the other hand, is on the outskirts."

The old Foaming Mug Inn is building 16*, almost on the outskirts of town. Thanks.

*Map of Briarsgate

Yeah, I was checking the map while writing that post, ad I interpreted it as being in the center of a small cluster of buildings, and therefore somewhat risky to reach.

Of course, if we do a circle and enter from the east, it's fine, I'll add this to my post.

[DadsAngry]

Hoom Feethos:

With the wolf back in his home Hoom slowly emerges from his hiding spot to join Grothnak and Ingrid at the hermit's door.

[OGRE MAGE]

Bo also emerges from the darkness but he looks confused as to what just happened.

Finally, Allard grunts, “Are you all right, old man? Any more... episodes?"

The hermit didn't mention anything about having......episodes. It is difficult to ascertain who is trying to help us and who is the actual culprit behind all of this.

I now think that we should have at least tried the door at the home of these supposed elves. If they are still there, it is likely that they are simply in hiding. Its possible that they are one of the few townspeople who remain uncharmed in this accursed village.

[dmw71]

Avril will remain in hiding, keeping a watchful eye out for any sign of a return visit from the Constable, or any other unexpected visitors. She will remain in her location of concealment until the group shows signs of movement from the area of the hermit's shack.

[Grognardsw]

Grey Mouser, thief

From the shadows of the woods, Mouser watches Allard walk away down the path. For a moment he considers back-stabbing the man, but should he survive an alarm could be given. Mouser follows a bit to confirm Allard truly leaves.

Returning to the others, he says quietly (not wanting the hermit to hear): "Quick strikes under darkness into church, mayor, elves, and that tunnel. Did our rodent friends run the length of the tunnel to find its other exit? Yes I can scout with Hoom."

[Inferno]

Grey Mouser, thief
"Did our rodent friends run the length of the tunnel to find its other exit?"

The mice haven't been sent to the Golden Grain Inn, as per these:

• • Telkis thanks Finster and gives him the choice to ride in his pack for now, or to continue looking for information.

    The rodent trio elect to ride in Telkis' pack for now.

Fyi, the mice's footspeed would take them some time to make it to the Golden Grain Inn from here, assuming they could find the building, and avoid the area's nocturnal predators.

[Inferno]

Day Five
Between 9 and 10pm, Thursday, October 20th, 576 CY.
Village of Briarsgate, the Hovel of the Hermit (27*)
Damp, cold, misty.







The murder grows restless as Chief Constable Donavan Allard dematerializes into the moonlit mist.
The old hermit hobbles into the ramshackle shack with his wolf, and slams the door shut.
Allard does not appear to return. Yet.

The adventurers eventually emerge from the shadows of the night, and quietly discuss the options for their next move. Grothnak suggests that Hoom and Mouser separate from the group and scout out the Golden Grain Inn. Mouser agrees.

Ingrid knocks softly on the hermit's door.
"GO AWAY!" he yells through it, his voice distraught.
"RAUGH! RAUGH! RAUGH!" barks the wolf.


Actions?





Status:
Avril Hollysword, Half-Elf Fighter/Cleric 1/1: AC 7, HP 9/9, Spells: 2/3 1st lvl
Grey Mouser, Half-Elf Magic-User/Thief 1/2: AC 4, HP 10/10, Spells: 1/1 1st lvl
Grothnak Uthglukh, Half-Orc Fighter 2: AC 4, HP 16/17
Hoom Feethos, Elven Magic-User/Thief 1/2: AC 3, HP 7/8, Spells: 0/1 1st lvl
Ingrid Esthof, Human Cleric 3: AC 3(1), HP 14/16, Spells: 2/4 1st lvl and 3/3 2nd lvl
Long Bo, Human Druid 2: AC 6, HP 12/15, Spells: 2/4 1st lvl and 2/2 2nd lvl
Pelias Blanchflower, Human Paladin 2: AC 2(0), HP 16/19, Laying Hands: 0/1
Telkis Brassfang, Gnome Fighter 2: AC 0, HP 18/19

Magic:
Protection from Evil (Pelias): -2 to AC and +2 to saving throws against evil, in a 10 foot radius around Pelias.


*Map of Briarsgate
NPC List for Briarsgate

[Zhym]

Grothnak scans the darkness for any signs that the Constable—or anyone else—is approaching.

"The good people of this town, those few who are left, are too scared to save themselves," he says in a voice just loud enough to be heard from inside the shack. "If they would join together, they might overthrow this evil and get their town back. We will do what we can. I have sworn to it. But I do not think we can do it alone. Hiding in houses just delays their doom."

The half-orc waits, hoping for a response.

[Fulci]

Ingrid Esthof, cleric

"Shit," she murmurs to herself. "Just tell us at least something about the nature of this evil," she says. If the hermit is reluctant to answer, she leaves the door, before the barking alerts the locals.

[Inferno]

Day Five
Between 9 and 10pm, Thursday, October 20th, 576 CY.
Village of Briarsgate, the Hovel of the Hermit (27*)
Damp, cold, misty.








"GO AWAY!" the hermit yells through his door.

"RAUGH! RAUGH! RAUGH!" barks the wolf.

Grothnak scans the darkness and sees no one approaching yet. "The good people of this town, those few who are left, are too scared to save themselves. If they would join together, they might overthrow this evil and get their town back."

The old man's tortured rant comes through the shut door, thick with anger and fear, "Join together? We cannot trust one another! Anyone could be one of them! Including you!"

"RAUGH! RAUGH!"

Grothnak says, "We will do what we can. I have sworn to it. But I do not think we can do it alone."

The hermit grows quieter, less fevered, "Actions will speak louder - and truer - than any words you could utter. I... We... need proof. In forsaken Briarsgate, all trust must be earned."

Ingrid says, "Just tell us at least something about the nature of this evil."

"I know little about them. They are insidious. Indistinguishable from you or I. Changelings, perhaps. They can appear as anyone, even friends you've known for years, croaks the hermit's forlorn voice.
"I... I've already risked telling you too much. If you are what you say you are, prove yourselves. Only then can I trust you. ...Until then, I can't believe anything you say."


Actions?





Status:
Avril Hollysword, Half-Elf Fighter/Cleric 1/1: AC 7, HP 9/9, Spells: 2/3 1st lvl
Grey Mouser, Half-Elf Magic-User/Thief 1/2: AC 4, HP 10/10, Spells: 1/1 1st lvl
Grothnak Uthglukh, Half-Orc Fighter 2: AC 4, HP 16/17
Hoom Feethos, Elven Magic-User/Thief 1/2: AC 3, HP 7/8, Spells: 0/1 1st lvl
Ingrid Esthof, Human Cleric 3: AC 3(1), HP 14/16, Spells: 2/4 1st lvl and 3/3 2nd lvl
Long Bo, Human Druid 2: AC 6, HP 12/15, Spells: 2/4 1st lvl and 2/2 2nd lvl
Pelias Blanchflower, Human Paladin 2: AC 2(0), HP 16/19, Laying Hands: 0/1
Telkis Brassfang, Gnome Fighter 2: AC 0, HP 18/19

Magic:
Protection from Evil (Pelias): -2 to AC and +2 to saving throws against evil, in a 10 foot radius around Pelias.


*Map of Briarsgate
NPC List for Briarsgate

[Zhym]

Grothnak growls. "We shed blood battling the minions of evil in this town," he says. "One of us died. A barn where we took refuge was burned around us. Whatever is behind the evil here is now at war with us. What more do you want, old man? How can we prove anything to a nubhosh whose eyes see only the inside of his own door?"

He turns away. "We have nothing to prove to you."

"Leave the useless sharkû-glob," he says to the others. "Let us focus on the inn and the elves for now."

[AleBelly]

Pelias is not surprised by the man's unwillingness to trust others. He's not sure he would either. But given the fate of the Gades, he doesn't feel comfortable leaving him until they have concrete information. "Let's be off when our scouts return with information. But not sooner."