Helix: The Old Manse. (Lord Krothos)

[Bluetongue]

Golgarth

Steps inside and studies the man and the room.

"I am an acolyte of the order of Cromm Cruach. It has come to my attention the faith elder is no longer present in the village or his abode.

In his absence I would like to take up any duties he had, especially in regard to civic matters that our faithful may lend their skills to.

The village cisterns and spring waters were once maintained by the clerics here. Is that something we can address?"

[Quonundrum]

Moriartus

Moriartus approaches the porch guard and presents the letter from Brother Clive. "Good day, sir. I bear a missive of utmost importance from Brother Clive of the Crooked Yew for Lord Krothos himself. It is urgent that delivery is swift."

Charisma (17): [4d6]=15

[Spearmint]

Ollis deals with Golgarth.

"Excellent. Community spirited and something that Lord Krothos would love to generate more of.

Why don't you check out the cisterns and spring source. We have a main well for common use in the village and pump pipes in various locations. Most of the villas have well access to the underground reservoirs but the poorer terraces share distribution. Providing clean water and a proper latrine drainage to take excess flow away from the village would be a great project."

He gives you a stamped vellum with a signet ring seal of approval that lets you inspect water sources with a view to assess the state of disrepair and budget any restoration needed. For every 1gp value you contribute to the Helix Cistern project you will get 1xp in return and also a 10gp/1xp equivalent for donations.

Let me know in your private thread when you visit the initial village wells for inspection.

[Spearmint]

The Old Manse

Moriartus

You are greeted at the porch and the pikemen look at the sealed envelope. One guard escorts you through the gatehouse and courtyard, informing the Lord Krothos of your arrival.

After a couple of minutes, the feudal Lord and heir to the Duchy arrives, wearing fine tailored blouson and draped robe, clutching a short staff carved with a bear motif.

"The message seems to bear some urgency I understand. Please be seated." he gestures towards a bench at a table and the guard to 'go fetch' while he takes a bone dagger to cut the seal and read the letter in silence. The guard returns a minute later with a decanter and glasses, pouring for yourself and Krothos who looks up from the note, considering the implications.

"Your investigations were halted prematurely I understand. Do you know what steps that the druids are taking and what aid is required for each of these concerns?"

(The note details the issues from logging camp, Bugbears, Bee virus).

[Quonundrum]

The Old Manse

Moriartus

Moriartus accepts the proffered glass, but waits to seat himself until Krothos has read the letter and posited the questions. "Thank you, my lord. Unfortunately, the druids have scant resources and are fully occupied in containing the spread of the virus to prevent a complete collapse of the hives. Please allow me to offer my assessment of these events and the interventions required."

"We now know the source of the virus is a sacred grove to the Green Man. The Angarach god, Sylvanus. The grove was corrupted by unholy and unnatural forces, although we as yet do not know by whom or for what purpose. It is clear, however, the intended targets are the treants, natural guardians of the forests. This corruption must be cleansed and, if possible, identify the perpetrators and discover their intentions. Indeed, the stability of the forested areas are at stake with wide ranging implications if left untreated."

"The bugbear tribes, traditionally independent and nominally neutral to the human settlements, have begun to unite under the banner of the Red Fang tribe. The tribal elders follow what appears to be a priest of Set, known only as The Prophet. Not all of the bugbears have converted to this worship, but those have are most definitely hostile and with a desire to assert their dominion over the entire region. They are in conflict with a sect of Orcus, also of which we know little about, except they have conducted some excavations and recently recruited trolls to their cause. A reconnaissance mission into Red Fang territory is the next logical step."

"The attack against the logger's camp is still largely a mystery. Whatever these snakelike monsters are, however, exhibited more than an animal level of intelligence. The attack seemed to be planned and coordinated with the intention of infecting the loggers, not simply in search of food or assertation of territory boundaries. Further investigation directly south into the Moor is required to assess any future danger against other camps or travellers along the trail."

[Spearmint]

The Old Manse

Lord Krothos, considers your assessments. You get the impression he listens carefully but has the manner of a man used to making suggestions that most of his advisors say "yes, My Lord" to.

His reputation is not the same as his deceased brother's was. Krothos, while 'spare' rather than 'heir' was too busy gallivanting around than administering his domain prudently. He is under pressure to prove himself, most notable taking the mantle of warrior chief rather than civil servant.

"I will share these concerns at the privy council for further review but let me share my initial thoughts.

The logging camp might be a random occurrence. Bandits are emboldened, principally on the trade route east not westwards. That is the domain as you say of the humanoid tribes and while they war one against another generally the settlements are not harassed. However my patrols recently looked into a matter discovered by a ranger. A farm had an outbreak of disease and was burned to the ground. Your report says the loggers 'sent Paterson' for help. The patrol deemed the farmhouse leprous and took action. It was named Paterson's. Which I don't think was coincidental. Vicar Othar is overseeing the next of kin affairs.

Bugbear unification would be a concern. My militia though are poorly trained. We have enough to maintain and patrol the Helix boundary and the trade routes. I know my father in Ironguard would not send troops. That would look as though I am incompetent. I am weighing two options to bolster our strength here before I consider conscription on a wider basis. Heaven knows, the dwarves and elves are bound to me in this region. By duty and by law." he fingers the wooden staff that he holds. "It is of no small significance that relics of old are being restored at this time."

A reconnaissance mission into Red Fang territory is the next logical step."

"That is what a Commander would do. But do we send a patrol or an envoy under guise of trade, pennons flying on our lance's? You mentioned some nomad settlements in the forest valleys. Perhaps a patrol may be despatched or better still commissioned." He suggests there might be room to organise an expedition with that as a focus that he could support in some way if the plan was feasible.

"We now know the source of the virus is a sacred grove to the Green Man, Silvanus"

This causes him less concern though you might rightly feel it to be a greater matter to attend too.
He talks, indignant of the elder Angarach deities and their followers. He chides saying, "The Silvanus acolytes chase the wilderness as one chases the wind." He shares that there is some antipathy between Silvanus and 'lycanthropes' especially and suspects maybe the werewolves not some demon cult are responsible for the desecration.

Recently a stagecoach of Silvanus was hijacked and guards murdered who were taking a notorious lycan manifesting bandit to Ironguard. The Silvanus temple is generally an elven conclave and he thinks the matter should be sorted by the communities at Thornswild or Wyldwood.

you can address his comments and make further suggestions and observations. Add any rolls vs charisma or intelligence to get more clarity or positive response.

[Bluetongue]

Ollis deals with Golgarth.

Noted. I will post in my thread the first inspection.

[Quonundrum]

"My lord, I agree the incident at the Paterson farmstead is certainly not coincidental. It stands to reason Mr. Paterson chose to seek aid there, instead of or before, attempting to reach Helix or the forest settlements. More alarming is that the infection appears to have been transmitted to the farmstead ... but was it stopped there?"

"The bugbear tribes respect gold and power and the nomadic settlements not yet indoctrinated by this Prophet may be amenable to trading opportunities for gold. They also must defend against raids by their enemies. As the restored war chief of the region, your lordship could commission an expedition to initiate trade and assert your power and authority by a demonstration of force against those that raid upon the settlements."

"As for the issue of the bee virus, I see your lordship's wisdom in allowing the elves to resolve the corruption of the sacred grove themselves. However, sending an expedition to simply investigate and confirm would be within your pervue. An overt message to the elves reminding them of their legal fealty to your lordship, especially the elves of the Thornswild who have become increasingly isolated and xenophobic of outsiders."

Intelligence (17): [4d6]=15

Charisma (17): [4d6]=14

[Spearmint]

The Old Manse

Conversation with Moriartus continues.

Lord Krothos "I was led to believe the farm was put to the flame. Fire has a cleansing quality. Not sure much would remain but embers. May Ygg rest the unfortunates in peace." , he takes a drink and shakes his head

"The very thought of using our coffers to pay tribute to the bugbear tribes in order for peace. I am not sure they have much to trade; mangy furs, mildewed crops. But the land has mineral resources, untapped mines and un-felled lumber. And if they opened a pass to the southern nations that might take days off merchants travelling long routes around the Moon Peaks." You can tell he mulls the thought of a trade mission favourably.

"You are a scholarly man. One of the few who navigate here each season without rattling their sabres and their lips boasting of barrows and dungeons of treasure.

But no man knocks my door with ambition. In this new domain, it is given to me to issue rights and titles to land. Positions of authority, to those who can lead and be led. Or to sanction establishing such noble institutions of learning and knowledge.

Where do you ambitions lie?"

[Quonundrum]

Moriartus

Moriartus does not immediately answer as he sips pensively from his glass, gently swirling the liquid by tilting the stem between his fingers. "You mention those whom seek fortune from the barrows of the Moor. When I was half my age, young and brash, that same lure tempted me into those unhallowed grounds. I bear the scars of such foolishness in both mind and body ... now though, my ambitions are the same as many of my occupation. A landholding, laboratory and library to conduct research, perhaps even an institute of learning, one that would help elevate the people from ages of superstition and fear to rival the civilized lands in the far east."

"I am a practical man, however. I understand that such ambitions require a firm foundation on which to build. Hence, my particular interest in the stability of the outlying forests ... and yet, detente is a fragile state of affairs. Stability must derive from an authority bound in law, tradition, and culture. Indeed, my Lord understands that quite well." He nods in reference to the staff Krothos bears. "Ironically then, the barrows contain treasure far more valuable than gold ..."

"History." He continues. "Tomes, documents, artifacts. The raimants that accompany the rod. An acknowledgement of the past to help build a bridge to the future." Moriartus sighs and smiles, his demeanour one of the excitement of youth tempered by time. He shrugs. "Certainly a better use than adorning the shelves and pedestals of idle collectors with an excess of gold, if you will excuse an old man his opinion, my Lord."

[Spearmint]

The Old Manse

Lord Krothos listens to Moriartus.

"No doubt you will navigate to that dread imbecile at some point. No I don't mean the fool at the inn but the charlatan masquerading as a sage in his ivory tower.", he says the words scornfully.

"I am duty bound to accommodate his ...schemes, his endeavours. Thankfully his ambitions lie in the past not the future. Like you say, the words of many books lie dormant upon the cobwebbed archives of libraries. Few men put the living word, the authoritive word into their mouths. We have a creative tongue, in the image of our creator. He spoke 'let there be light' and there was. So we must speak in power and authority too.

Ambassadors speak for me. Not for themselves. Perhaps these tribes need reminding that their fealty is first and foremost to the Crown. Knees bow to the Crown first."

He talks a little about the region. The western mountain sides of the Moon Peaks, all the Barrow Moor and the forest come under the Duchy of Aerik.

"Your concern for the welfare of the forest is a noble cause. The honey is a vital export to the outer realms and much valued but the druids themselves are immutable in their deep rooted paganism. They have resisted the Diocese authority and establishing a shrine to Ygg in that place. As you can see, since Helix took baptisms and circumcised hearts to Ygg, the place has prospered and peace reigns.

If the druids consent to the founding of a chapel I will sanction the aid they need. Perhaps you can scribe that letter as he obviously respects your advocacy and make those feelings, those demands known. I have a young squire, courted for knighthood who favours a priestly vocation. I can send him at the end of the month to begin his curacy."

You chat a bit more, talking your history, study, experiences. You get the impression that he would parcel land to a new institute of learning in the village but obviously needs to appoint trusted and proven men to position. He shares with you regarding a young mage who has similar desires to use his gifts and talents to serve the Crown.

I am not sure he has answered all your questions or thoughts so you can be direct with him (me) to suggest actions. For example, "I would be happy to lead the envoy mission to the Bugbears" or "Can you provide X amount of guards and I will check out the Green Man grove and report on the elves", or other specific requests.

Give me another Charisma check with any request.

[Quonundrum]

No other questions or thoughts. He has no specific requests at this time, though. A request would open himself to a reciprocal obligation that he's not ready to commit to yet (given he has a choice, that is). After the conversation concludes, he respectfully takes his leave, curious as to whom this other young mage is ...

[Spearmint]

The Old Manse

Calendar advances to May 11th.

[Spearmint]

The Old Manse

May 19th 1066

Lord Krothos receives the Sauron Soothsayer prisoner at the manse gaol and sets in motion a trial over the creature's suspected murder of village inhabitants.

[Marullus]

May 20th 1066

Raust and the two wolves relax, a bit more comfortable among the thatched villas here away from the hustle and bustle of the market place. They pad around down the secluded avenue towards the entry gate to the outer bailey. Approaching the guards there, Raust stands up straight, squaring their shoulders. At their sides, the wolves stand higher than Raust's waist. Raust inhales, digging their fingers into the wolves' fur at their hackles, antlers straight and upright upon Raust's head.

"They wish to question the lizard shaman. They require answers to the attack upon the faithful of Herne."

Raust stands, awaiting response, gripping tightly to Namma's fur with one hand, the other holding the long spear with a knapped obsidian head upright, butt firmly upon the dirt of the road.

[Spearmint]

The Old Manse

Arriving at 'His Lordships' dwelling, Raust and two furry companions approach the gates. The druid seeks answers to the recent attack on those who gathered at the Herne Statue.

Arthur and 'Enry lean on their pikes, chewing tobacco, listening to the request.

"Sorry love, ain't no one getting to interrogate the prisoner save Lord Krothos his self. Unless you come to represent said foul murderer, as his advocate? Are you the one to try and save his scaly hide from the gallows block?"

The spit cuds into a spittoon by the gate. "Make a pair of fine pelts by the fireside hearth." they look at the wolves. "Best rein them in, tied to a tree rather than free roaming, folk got too many sheep and geese or kids to worry about."

Certainly the wild animals would not yet be allowed into an audience with any official. The investigation into the Herne attack is still ongoing and with the burning of the Hospice, very topical.

Coming from the village centre accompanied by a few militia are two clerics. One is Vicar Othar , the senior minister of the chapel and personal advisor to the feudal Lord, the second is an intinerant friar, Marcel des' Rosiers (a cleric of Ygg, now an NPC).

They are talking in regard to the hospice fire, the diseased survivors of the Herne attack and next steps. They look at your and consider your interest.

"Perhaps the druid might be some divine providence in this matter and with her vocation, more suited to the issues."

Leaving the animal companions outside, you follow the clerics into a small reception room.

Below are some previous discussions regarding recent events that link together. The basic being a logging camp attacked over a month ago then the Herne Statue a few days ago. In both cases, survivors were infected with a disease. The loggers mutated and crawled away, Paterson succumbing later and his farmhouse burned, the Hernite devotees perishing in the Hospice fire.

an implication here and from the previous conversations could be the Hospice fire was not started by accident. Either the patients mutated and started it or 'drastic action' was indeed taken to alleviate any growing threat.

"Thank you for receiving me, Vicar. Last month, the 29th of April to be precise, I led an expedition to the Crooked Yew. En route we came upon a deserted lumber mill. Several recently dug graves were found, but more alarming were half a dozen human shaped, discarded ... skins ... like what snakes leave behind when moulting."

"We found a journal that recorded an attack by snake like humanoids on the night of the previous full moon. We also found snake like tracks leading into the Moor confirming this. Many were bitten and soon after all fell ill. Sweating, clammy, some feverish. Eventually, loss of hair, tightness of skin, moulting, and itching."

"The journal ended with the ramblings of a mad man. We suspect the victims underwent some process of ecdysis. Shedding their skin and emerging into something ... different. A man named Paterson was despatched to find help, but we found no sign of him."

Vicar Othar listens, calculating dates and piecing other information together.

"The patrols of the Duchy found Paterson. In mercy they burned his corpse and his farmstead too. No more than blackened embers remain, as dark as the wood he called home. The guards reported a leprous outbreak .

An isolated farmhouse, though much of a hovel as anything else. It seems the journeyman labourer returned home with some leprous condition. By chance a ranger passed by days later and found the family suffering. He informed the guards and they burned down the building. Cremated the dead though two young ones were never found. Guards searched but found no tracks of them.

"I have thought long about this. Perhaps a new disease, maybe some insidious curse such as lycanthropy though that particular blood disorder mutates only in human subjects.

Shedding skins, shedding humanity, the horror of it. I must warn Sister Cella and inform his Lordship lest drastic action need to be taken in the midst of the village."

"I will share these concerns at the privy council for further review but let me share my initial thoughts.

The logging camp might be a random occurrence. Bandits are emboldened, principally on the trade route east not westwards. That is the domain as you say of the humanoid tribes and while they war one against another generally the settlements are not harassed. However my patrols recently looked into a matter discovered by a ranger. A farm had an outbreak of disease and was burned to the ground. Your report says the loggers 'sent Paterson' for help. The patrol deemed the farmhouse leprous and took action. It was named Paterson's. Which I don't think was coincidental. Vicar Othar is overseeing the next of kin affairs."


If you still have the logging camp journal you can pass that over for the vicar to study.

Certainly the conclusion is that the three events are linked and your own experience does not hold much hope out for the infected victims.

[Marullus]

Raust's nose wrinkles in disgust at Arthur and 'Enry. "Children? The slaughter of humans is for humans. Do not lay your own sins upon these wolves. Your sheep and geese are also of no interest to Herne, nor to us."

Visibly grateful for Vicar Othar's invitation inside, Raust is at first confused and dismayed that the Wolves cannot come. The druid bends down to look Namma in the eyes, then Carca, the druid letting out a plaintive whine. Carca growls low in his throat. Raust sneezes twice.

Namma walks past Arthur and 'Enry into the outer bailey, where she turns in a circle and lies down near the wall, watching the two guardsmen, unblinking, from about 40' away. Carca sneezes once, then follows, lying down beside her. Raust straightens up, and fixes their antlers.
Looking squarely at Arthur, the druid states simply, "They agree to wait."

Raust follows the Vicar in, listening intensely to his tale. The druid is visibly disturbed, looking downward at their hands upon the spear for a long time before responding.

"The followers at the statue... they were marked by kindness. Their loss is felt. Sorrow like comes from the soul on the mist-veiled soulstice moon, deeper than memory." The druid swallows hard, wiping tears from their eyes as they lift their head to look at the Vicar and others. "They say the lizard shaman is responsible; knows the reason. They would know this, too," Raust says, placing a hand on their chest to signify themselves.

"Herne demands response. They would do this, if you know where justice should be met. Will others aid them?"

[Spearmint]

The Old Manse

Joining Raust in the reception is Ollis, the personal advisor and chamberlain to Lord Krothos. He greets the clerical pair though you can pick up some unspoken animosity between Ollis and Othar. He looks at your headdress, taking in the antlers and leaves that decorate your cloak.

from the Bulletin Board

Statue of Herne attacked.

A public news notice has been pinned up on the town notice board. It has scant details of an apparent raid upon Herne devotees, assaulted in the Shrine which is a fee miles west of Helix.

Several dead. The attack was driven off after some bitter hand to hand combat. The attackers are noted as being scaly humanoids but not lizardmen. Some of the wounded have been treated for snake bites and lie in isolation in the hospice.

Lord Krothos despatched a mounted troop detachment to follow the brigands trail which disappeared back into the western marches of the Barrow Moor.

You get a copy of the report. The posse trailing a faint set of strange prints that extended at least five miles south-west of the Herne Statue. Then the trail was lost. One of the victims of the attack died clutching this amulet.

He shows a multi-limbed deity figure on a small brass medallion. Nothing was stolen from the victims, in both cases at the Herne Statue and logging camp the raids function seemed to attack and destroy.



"Or to infect victims who then morph into creatures and slink off the join the clan." suggests a cleric.

The patrol have a limited jurisdiction and are really only a defensive militia. What is needed is a committed group to scout out the loose threads and discover what is going on. Friar Marcel has already been appointed by the church of Ygg to support such an investigation. But few people have much experience trekking upon the Moor and through the misty wilderness, a notorious terrain mostly circumnavigated rather than crossed by villagers.

"And your interest Miss? How can servants of Herne support such an endeavour."

[Marullus]

The druid nods solemnly. The shed-skins, not the lizardmen.

"Raust is of the Moor. It holds no fear.
Your patrol has gone five days and not returned, yes? They should be easy to follow. Raust, Namma, and Carce will guide Friar Marcel and those who fear the moor, and solve this. May Herne bless this hunt."

The druid quirks an eyebrow at Othar. "If the shed-skins know to seek their kin, then perhaps you can free one at the hospice and they can be followed?" when the amulet is presented, they add, "The Cleric must speak of this amulet and what is known."

[Spearmint]

The Old Manse.

Ollis, "The patrol returned to Helix once the trail faded on the Moor. They gave us a basic report.

As to the Herne victims, the blaze at the Hospice
overwhelmed the patients before we could rescue them. I believe there were no survivors."

Marcel and Vicar Othar look at their feet then nod, "May Ygg and Herne bless their souls. There were no survivors, either snake-men or of those diseased by the barrow fungus.

Thankfully the midwifery was evacuated and the newborns, mothers and nurses are being cared for by Sister Cella in the chapel."

There are discussions about Lord Krothos rebuilding the medical facilities in the village. Further taxation looks the most likely resource. The two official administrators take their leave for other discussions leaving Raust with Friar Marcel .

"The amulet is a reference to a death cult and the worship of Kali. A sister deity to Set and Orcus who both have resurgent movements.

I will need to spend some time in the library here to see if further information can be garnered from the archives. Raust, perhaps you might enquire of local rangers and other brave hearts who can join such an expedition?"

with the trail cold but and the hospice survivors needing burial, it gives some space and time to acquire any resources and companions rather than leave immediately.