Chapter 8: Against the Cult of the Reptile God

[Inferno]

Day Seven.
Near the Abandoned Foaming Mug Inn (16)
Just before dawn. Saturday, October 22nd, 576 CY
Cloudy, damp, cold, misty





At the ruined inn, the adventurers send out their scouts, and Long Bo, his crow.

Moogeye and Mouser melt into the ethereal, predawn shadows and mist of the forsaken village.



They warily creep closer to the Widow Hochstedt's spread (18).



The farm appears in good repair, even though several flower gardens are choked with weeds. Faint, sickly light within the house casts vague shadow shapes against the drawn curtains.

Suddenly... CHOK!... CHOK!... The sound of chopping wood breaks the silence. ...CHOK!

Following the sound, the pair of scouts skulk past the farmhouse to the barn. ...CHOK!

Hochstedt Barn.jpg (240.38 KiB) Viewed 1124 times

Peering around the corner of the barn, they see a strapping young man hacking something with a long axe. It's likely firewood, but the light, the distance and the mist make it hard to verify.

...CHOK! ...CHOK! ...CHOK! ...




Meanwhile, near the Foaming Mug Inn (16)...
Sephus lands with a flutter of sable feathers atop Bo's shoulder. "Caw! Caw!"

A light starts to burn within the Carpenter Shop (14).

BONG! BONG!... BONG!... The bell tolls at the Church of Merikka (21) to herald the coming dawn.


Actions?


Area Map:

Eastern Briarsgate Map.jpg (181.45 KiB) Viewed 1124 times

1 square = 20 feet. Lighter areas mark visibility. All else is from memory.





Status:

• Avril Hollysword, Half-Elf Fighter/Cleric 1/2: AC 7, HP 10/10, Spells: 4/4 1st lvl
  Grey Mouser, Half-Elf Magic-User/Thief 1/2: AC 5, HP 10/10, Spells: 1/1 1st lvl
  Grothnak Uthglukh, Half-Orc Fighter 3: AC 4, HP 25/28
  Ingrid Esthof, Human Cleric 3: AC 3(1), HP 8/16, Spells: 1/4 1st lvl and 3/3 2nd lvl
  Long Bo, Human Druid 3: AC 6, HP 20/22, Spells: 5/5 1st lvl, 3/3 2nd lvl and 1/1 3rd lvl
  Moogeye Comcra, Human Monk 2: AC 8, HP 11/11
  Pelias Blanchflower, Human Paladin 2: AC 2(0), HP 17/19, Laying Hands: 1/1
  Telkis Brassfang, Gnome Fighter 3: AC 0, HP 16/28

Magic:

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

Resources:

• Map of Briarsgate
  NPC List for Briarsgate
  The Story So Far (in words)
  The Story So Far (in pictures)

[OGRE MAGE]

Bo casts magic that allows him to confer with his friend Sephus.

What did you see, little friend? And don't just tell me that we should leave this place again or there will be no more fresh worms for you! Has there been anything else that you have noticed in this place since the last time we talked that needs mentioning?

In his mind, the lanky druid believes that it is folly to think that any of these townsfolk might be able to help us. Even if we are able to solicit information from them, how can we know if any of it is true or not.

The only people he thinks will be able to help are the hermit, (he still believes that he is a fellow druid) or possibly the elves, if they can be found. (due to their natural ability to resist being charmed)

[ChubbyPixie]

"The town is waking. We need to take cover before we're noticed," says Telkis, quietly. He will scurry over to the Hochsread's side of the path and attempt to lay low in some shrubbery or behind a tree or corner of the house to await word from the scouts.

[dmw71]

Avril elects to sit tight in the ruined inn and await the return or some signal from Moogeye and Mouser.

[Grognardsw]

Gray Mouser, thief, whispers to Moogeye: "One of the widow's sons chopping wood? Approach him, or try the widow in the house?"

[Starbeard]

Gray Mouser, thief, whispers to Moogeye: "One of the widow's sons chopping wood? Approach him, or try the widow in the house?"

"Most likely," replies Moogeye. "Let us try the window. There is a greater chance that we can search the house undetected and at our leisure while he is busy splitting wood, and even if he proves to be friendly, we haven't much time before the whole village wakes and we are stuck out in the open."

She looks for a quick and quiet way inside. "Perhaps one of us should stay guard to occupy him in dialog if he comes this way."

[Grognardsw]

"The widow may be in there, so be careful," says Mouser. "If we lose each other, meet at the hermits."

He creeps toward the barn to observe if the sounds are what he thinks it is.

[ChubbyPixie]

Oh, whoops. I thought we were all already outside next to the path, exposed. If not, Telkis will sit tight with the others at the ruined inn while the scouts.... scout.

[Inferno]

Day Seven.
Near the Abandoned Foaming Mug Inn (16)
Dawn. Saturday, October 22nd, 576 CY
Cloudy, damp, cold, misty





BONG! BONG!... BONG!... The bell tolls at the Church of Merikka (21) to herald the dawn.

Church of Merikka.jpg (462.7 KiB) Viewed 1090 times

At the Widow Hochstedt's spread (18), after exchanging whispers, Moogeye and Mouser separate.

...CHOK!

Mouser creeps along the shadow of the barn, near its open door.



The sky continues to lighten. The little thief can't approach the big wood chopper without being out in the open.

...CHOK!

Moogeye sneaks to the farmhouse. Shadows shiver against lit curtains. The young nun knows the widow has three grown sons. A breeze blows the curtain and she sees an old woman working in the kitchen, cutting something at the table with a cleaver.



Moogeye circles the house, beyond sight of Mouser, and finds an open window into a dark, curtained room.

...CHOK!

Near the ruined inn, light and noise stirs from within the Village Smithy (15).

Bo the druid utters magic words and can suddenly comprehend the language of animal-kind. Sephus replies, "Caw! Ca-They're waking up. Someone's chopping firewood. Your man-friends stalk the house.
"I see no change here since the burning of the barn; that road there still leads safely out of town to Hookhill," he adds with innocent cheek.



The grey sky brightens in the east near the dark horizon.


Actions?


Area Map:

Eastern Briarsgate Map.jpg (181.45 KiB) Viewed 1090 times

1 square = 20 feet. Lighter areas mark visibility. All else is from memory.





Status:

• Avril Hollysword, Half-Elf Fighter/Cleric 1/2: AC 7, HP 10/10, Spells: 4/4 1st lvl
  Grey Mouser, Half-Elf Magic-User/Thief 1/2: AC 5, HP 10/10, Spells: 1/1 1st lvl
  Grothnak Uthglukh, Half-Orc Fighter 3: AC 4, HP 25/28
  Ingrid Esthof, Human Cleric 3: AC 3(1), HP 8/16, Spells: 1/4 1st lvl and 3/3 2nd lvl
  Long Bo, Human Druid 3: AC 6, HP 20/22, Spells: 4/5 1st lvl, 3/3 2nd lvl and 1/1 3rd lvl
  Moogeye Comcra, Human Monk 2: AC 8, HP 11/11
  Pelias Blanchflower, Human Paladin 2: AC 2(0), HP 17/19, Laying Hands: 1/1
  Telkis Brassfang, Gnome Fighter 3: AC 0, HP 16/28

Magic:

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

Resources:

• Map of Briarsgate
  NPC List for Briarsgate
  The Story So Far (in words)
  The Story So Far (in pictures)

[Grognardsw]

Grey Mouer, thief

KNOCK KNOCK

"Hello?" Grey knocks on the open barn door calls out not too loudly between the chopping sounds. He steps forward beyond the door, sheathed weapons under cloak, a friendly smile and non-threatening open arms. "Good morning sir, I was hoping you could help a traveler."

[Starbeard]

As she passes by the kitchen, Moogeye tries to see what the woman is cutting.

At the open window she cautiously peers into the dark room, and when she determines that it is unoccupied Moogeye climbs through (without her polearm, that was left behind amongst the others).

Move Silently (21%): [1d100] = 14

Once in, she takes a quick note of her exits and listens for other movement in the house.

Hear Noise (10%): [1d100] = 7

Wow, on a roll!

[OGRE MAGE]

Bo stays hidden and continues the conversation with his little friend.

Now Sephus, please listen to me carefully. We are not leaving this forsaken place until we have righted the wrongdoing of this evil cult that has taken hold of this town. We have no idea who we can trust or who wants to burn us to death. I know this is frightening, but we must all be strong in times like this.

You know we can only speak together for a short time so please pay attention. This is what I want you to do.....

Fly straight to the west, over the water, to the little wooden shack at the foot of the lake. (9) Have yourself a little look around at that place. It is reported that elves live there and I know them to be extremely resistant to the effects of this brainwash plaguing the members of this town. If you see anything interesting, or if the elves try to communicate with you, come back here and get me immediately.

If there is nothing of interest to be gained there, I would have you then fly north, back to that little cottage in the grove of trees. (21) You remember, the other old guy with the ornery dog. Although I have no evidence of this, I believe him to be of sound mind, possibly even a fellow nature walker like myself. He is the only person we have spoken too here since the Glades that showed any real emotion.

Go to him and see what he is doing. Try to get his attention, but be careful. If he tries to speak with you, let him. Do not get too close though, as we can never be sure who we can actually trust. Bring any information you can gather right back here to me. Do not tarry and return to me as soon as you can!

The druid pulls out another nice worm for his friends breakfast and bids him to be on his way.

[dmw71]

Avril continues to wait.

[Zhym]

Grothnak waits as patiently as he can manage.

[ChubbyPixie]

Telkis waits with the others. He examines his morningstar, Cranach, minutely, removing flaked blood from the head of it with his thumbnail and thinking about the first time he saw it hanging over the mantle of his adoptive Brassfang family. How odd that he came to posess it instead of Ürta, the daughter. A super interesting backstory that would fill volumes... ( )

[Inferno]

Day Seven.
Near the Abandoned Foaming Mug Inn (16)
Dawn. Saturday, October 22nd, 576 CY
Cloudy, damp, cold, misty





Long Bo gently scolds his fearful crow, extolling the many virtues of courage. Then the towering druid whispers instructions in the language of birds, and tosses him aloft. Sephus takes wing, soars west and is quickly subsumed by the thick, grey mist.

The investigators of Briarsgate patiently wait for their scouts, watching in the direction of the Widow Hochstedt's Spread (18).



...CHOK!

Moogeye peers beyond the blowing curtain into the kitchen. The old widow is cutting some kind of raw meat that Moogeye can't identify from here.

...CHOK!

The breeze dies and the curtains fall back, obscuring her view.

...CHOK!

The young sister reaches in and parts the curtains of another, dark room and, seeing it unoccupied, silently climbs up and into the farmhouse of the Widow Hochstedt.



She stands in a man's bedroom rendered yellow with the light of dawn. The bed is made and the door ajar, opening into a dark hallway. Suddenly Moogeye hears a man's voice shouting in the yard, where she last saw Mouser. She can't make out what's being said, but the tone is urgent. Closer, a chair scrapes on a floor and then the back door of the house opens. There is no other sound in the farmhouse.

Moments earlier...

...CHOK!

Mouser says, "Hello? Good morning sir, I was hoping you could help a traveler."

At Mouser's words, the big man turns and fast.



"Ma! Come quick!" he calls. "There's a stranger in the yard!"

Then to Mouser, low and even, "A traveler, huh? Just arriving in town... at dawn? You travelling by night then, are you, mister? Just where did you come from?

"Y'see, normally I'd recommend the Golden Grain Inn to travelers, but strangers just done burnt it down, night afore last! Burnt it clear down to the ground, they did. And them strangers ain't never been caught neither. You wouldn't know anything about that, would you now, stranger?"




"Lem! You hesh up now. Let that poor boy be," the old widow Hochstedt suddenly calls from her back porch, a cleaver in her hand.

Widow Hochstedt 1.jpg (89.35 KiB) Viewed 1047 times

Her son, never taking his eyes off Mouser, gathers his hat and joins her, still holding his big axe.

The old widow's voice is soft and welcoming, "You traveling alone, young man? Why don't you come inside and get warm? We was just fixin' to eat something."



The early light of dawn reflects strangely in their eyes.


Actions?


Area Map:

Eastern Briarsgate Map.jpg (181.45 KiB) Viewed 1047 times

PCs are at 16 and 18.
1 square = 20 feet. Lighter areas mark visibility. All else is from memory.

Status:

• Avril Hollysword, Half-Elf Fighter/Cleric 1/2: AC 7, HP 10/10, Spells: 4/4 1st lvl
  Grey Mouser, Half-Elf Magic-User/Thief 1/2: AC 5, HP 10/10, Spells: 1/1 1st lvl
  Grothnak Uthglukh, Half-Orc Fighter 3: AC 4, HP 25/28
  Ingrid Esthof, Human Cleric 3: AC 3(1), HP 8/16, Spells: 1/4 1st lvl and 3/3 2nd lvl
  Long Bo, Human Druid 3: AC 6, HP 20/22, Spells: 4/5 1st lvl, 3/3 2nd lvl and 1/1 3rd lvl
  Moogeye Comcra, Human Monk 2: AC 8, HP 11/11
  Pelias Blanchflower, Human Paladin 2: AC 2(0), HP 17/19, Laying Hands: 1/1
  Telkis Brassfang, Gnome Fighter 3: AC 0, HP 16/28

Magic:

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

Resources:

• Map of Briarsgate
  NPC List for Briarsgate
  The Story So Far (in words)
  The Story So Far (in pictures)

[ChubbyPixie]

At the sound of the yelling Telkis peeks up over the window sill, hand on bow, ready should he be needed.

[dmw71]

Avril continues to wait.

[hedgeknight]

Ingrid Esthof > Cleric of Trithereon

While waiting, Ingrid nibbles on a biscuit from her rations while also counting the prayer beads tied to her belt, mentally summoning Trithereon's good fortune for her friends as they approach the widow's house.
"How long do you think we should wait?" she asks, eyes closed in prayerful contemplation.

[Zhym]

"I do not know," says Grothnak, "but I believe it was a mistake to send only two people out alone."