Day Five
Between 9 and 10pm, Thursday, October 20th, 576 CY.
Village of Briarsgate, the Hovel of the Hermit (
27*)
Damp, cold, misty.
In a dark and eerie grove on the edge of Briarsgate village, the adventurers confront a strange old hermit and his pet wolf.
The hermit's aged face is twisted in torment, suspicion and agony.
"Now that I've revealed my hand... Are you with them?!
"If you are, know that I am your enemy: I know you're real, and I stand against you!" he proclaims with anguish, anger and defiance, fully expecting these words to be his last.
Suddenly
Avril whispers,
"Someone's coming!"
A shadowy apparition begins to slowly materialize in the moonlit mist.
"RAUGH! RAUGH!" the wolf barks.
After a few quick words, the adventurers flee into the shadowy pitch beyond the treeline, to hide and watch.
The old hermit strokes the wolf's neck to calm her down.
The ghostly apparition manifests physical form and emerges wordless and unlit, perhaps to learn what the full moon will reveal before he makes himself known. It might have worked, had the party not had a demihuman on watch.
As he closes, the unknown figure ignites a torch, showing his identity,...
...
Chief Constable Donavan Allard, (
pronounced ah-LARD) a quiet, sullen warrior in plate mail whom Bo
encountered yesterday at the
Constable's Quarters (
2*). Everyone recognizes him from the druid's description, and recalls his fearsome reputation from the Gades' words:
DM wrote:(The constables are) “All stern men and resolute. We know not their involvement in the troubles of Briarsgate.
Chief Constable Donavan Allard is a hero from the Goblin years, a dangerous, fell-handed warrior. Briarsgate owes him much." -Felicity and Killian Gade
"What's all the racket?!" Allard demands, torch in one hand and great helm in the other.
"Good evening, Chief Constable," the old mendicant croaks, loud enough for the adventurers to hear.
"Are you drunk again?! Who were you yelling at?" Allard growls loudly.
"No. I’m sorry. A… a bear came into camp. We had to run it off,” the old hermit says, pointing a gnarled finger at a direction in which the adventurers weren't hiding.
Chief Constable Allard holds his torch aloft and peers in the direction indicated, and then all around. Slowly. Carefully.
The wolf looks directly at Hoom and licks her lips.
Finally, Allard grunts,
“Are you all right, old man? Any more... episodes?"
The hermit looks down and mumbles,
"No... no... I'm better now."
Allard peers around again.
“Good. Keep it that way."
The lawman begins to leave, and then he stops and turns back.
"Oh. One more thing...
"We’re telling all the villagers. So we might as well tell you:
"The Gade family. The hog farmers on the east side. They’re missing. A family of four. Their home was broken into last night. The wife was last seen near strangers, yesterday, in town. A half-orc, a dwarf, and a man. All warriors..."
"...What?...” says the old hermit.
Allard continues,
"...We’re telling the villagers to watch out for them. Perhaps they’re responsible for the troubles. Anything you can tell us will help."
"I…" rasps the hermit.
"Have you seen these men?"
"...I…"
"What’s wrong?" asks Allard.
The hermits lowers his voice,
"No. No! I haven’t... The only demi-men I know of are those two elves in the cottage near the Mayor."
"Keep an eye out. Tell us if you see anything," Allard says gruffly. Then he turns to go.
The hermit replies,
"Yes. Yes, I will.... Good night."
Chief Constable Allard leaves the way he came. He passes beyond sight of the adventurers, while the old hermit hobbles into the shack with his wolf, and slams the door shut.
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