XI. Hunclay's Manor

[AleBelly]

Sylvan decides to investigate. He approaches the doorway then gingerly places a foot on the floor on the other side, keeping his weight on his back foot outside the doorway. If the floor feels stable, he will carefully walk into the room. He slings his shield, and with his spear in one hand peers under the bed.

[saalaria]

"Come on lad, we mean you know harm. We are here to help. The lady of the town sent us too look into Hunclay's...ah...disappearance."
He treads on Fulps foot if it looks like he's going to talk about the wizard's death

[dmw71]

Sylvan cautiously enters the bedroom and peers under the bed, where he discovers the source of the wailing -- a human male.

Mathezic.png (39.16 KiB) Viewed 634 times

"Come on lad, we mean you know harm. We are here to help." Grim says. "The lady of the town sent us too look into Hunclay's...ah...disappearance." The mention of Hunclay sends the man back into hysterics.

[onlyme]

Fulp adds,
We are not here to cause harm. Please come out where we can help you.

[saalaria]

(Whispers) "Guess don't mention the H word then. A traumatised apprentice maybe? Praps our magic man weren't so nice"

[OGRE MAGE]

Sparrow doesn't like whiners.

Snap out of it man! We're not here to do you wrong.

Get ahold of yourself and explain your place here.

[dmw71]

The man begins to calm himself, but is clearly nervous at the prospect of having a bunch of strangers in his bedroom. "Wh-wh-who are you guys," he asks weakly, between sobs.

[OGRE MAGE]

Sparrow lends the man a hanky to dry his eyes and wipe off his blubbering snot.

As I said, You have nothing to fear from us. We are not ruthless thieves or killers, we are simply doing an investigation into the tower incident.

We are here under the order of the Baroness so, your cooperation would be greatly appreciated.

My name is Sparrow, and these guys are my comrades. Now, who are you, and what is your purpose here please.

[saalaria]

Grim keeps quiet, trying to look as unthreatening as possible by entering into various facial contortions attempting to open his eyes wider/ stop frowning as normal etc
It looks rather amusing to any onlooker.

[AleBelly]

Sylvan looks at the weeping man. "We're investigating the collapse of that tower. Our findings led us here. What are you doing here? You're not Hunclay." He plants the butt of his spear in the ground, making sure it's ready but not wanting to appear too aggressive.

[dmw71]

"M-m-m-my name... is, Mathezic," he efforts between deep breaths in response to questions asked by Sparrow and Sylvan. "Me, an' Linus and Saba were Hunclay's servants. We lived here," he shares. "This be me room," he says. "Youse mentioned Hunclay," he mentions, looking at Grim. "He ain't never been missin' fer this long widdout lettin' us know."

"You know where he is?" he asks, beginning to show signs of becoming more comfortable.

[AleBelly]

Sylvan replies with as gentle a tone as he can muster, still suspicious of the lad. "I'm afraid he's shuffled off his mortal coil, and is now one with the earth and the air. We found him with some kobolds in the basement of that tower. Know anything about that?"

[dmw71]

After learning that Hunclay has passed, Mathezic, while still terrified, almost exhibits a sense of relief. "Kobolds, you say?" he repeats. "It's probably safe to admit this now, but Hunclay was working with them... after he was unable to get the Witch Tower removed by legal means, he hired the kobolds to destroy it somehow."

[saalaria]

"Working with them lad? Aye I can see that is possible. You think just on destroying the tower or any other schemes too? How come youse crying though?"

Grim shifts his weight from foot to foot.

[OGRE MAGE]

Sparrow has a minute of contemplation while the others speak.

Mathezic, are Linus and Saba also in the manner at the moment? We might as well round all of you up together and discuss these matters. No point in having this discussion three times if we can all speak together openly.

[onlyme]

Fulp listens to the conversation, weary of an attack by the other two while they are conversing.

[dmw71]

"I don't know where Linus and Saba are," Mathezic states. "They were banging on my door after the tower fell, but left him alone soon after, because I didn’t answer." Turning to Grim, he states that Hunclay has had contact with many unsavory parties for his research, but that the mage was very private, and he doesn't know details of those meetings. I suspect they “had to do with the stars,” he adds. "He was so private, there are many areas in the manor here I've never seen. We weren't allowed."

[onlyme]

Fulp replies,
Well, here's your chance. Would you like to follow us, and maybe help find your partners?

[OGRE MAGE]

Sparrow tries to ease the mans tension even more.

Better yet, why don't you take us on a guided tour of the whole place. If you'd like, we will investigate the rooms you were not allowed into. Just in case there is something dangerous inside.

If that sounds good to you, please lead the way!

[dmw71]

Mathezic listens to Fulp and Sparrow, but refuses to leave his room.