[IC] Aqua Mortis (Session 1)

"One side of the story is a kid from here swiped some things from an old woman's shop tent and a pot from the tinkerer down the way and was caught by the guards for stealing things too heavy to run away with. Some miners came to tell some of your people off and a fight ensued between your people and well your people. A gnome was the target of the initial attack but ran back this way while the miners joined in... turned into a riot and there was the whole fire getting set and ablaze in the district that got put out which you can still smell in the air. Some people are pushing to have the people of Buzzard's Ford kicked of the Baron's city while others just want compensation. The first of those is probably not favorable. So what's Buzzard's Ford's side of the story?" Tronus states.

Well I guess no one wants to stop a good thing when someone else's life is taken for it they boon they receive until it's their neck on the block. I wonder if they even realize what it means to be associated with such a cult outside their village... Tronus thinks eyeing the elves to see what they're up to now.

Hildar remains somewhat subdued looking over the refugees. Their angry words sting somewhat and he can't help but think that his initial instincts at the village would have been best, to let things have proceeded on that night and bought themselves a full year to resolve matters more.....cleanly. It's such a waste he thinks to himself.

The more aggressive villagers seem to have gone back to their business. Eswyse looks at his feet, then meets Tronus's gaze. "Ah, I know this Gnome you speak of quite well. He's me! All this nonsense with the riot and what caused it... These are things best discussed in private. Follow me. And welcome to Buzzardtown."

You hadn't noticed it before, but the healer uses a wooden crutch to walk; it seems he must have twisted his ankle perhaps. He also has a fresh shiner around his eye that suggests he's been on the receiving end of a fist lately. He leads you through the maze of makeshift dwellings and finally to a ramshackle cabin made from mismatched planks and blankets. The interior features a simple cot, a side table fashioned from an old crate, and a wash basin. Healing tools litter the floor, including a recently used bolt of cloth Eswyse seems to have used to wrap his ankle.

The Gnome clears the side table of a book and sits on it, bidding you to sit on the cot. "Sorry, it's not much. But it's home now. So you asked me for Buzzard's Ford's side of this story. How far back do you want me to go?"

"Well, I guess we have until the Baron's return so...

"Well it might be best to start when we last parted ways"

"So after Buzzard was swallowed you all started the trek to here..." Tronus states looking around at what he's using for his wounds and waiting for the longer version of the story.

"No, not directly," Eswyse says. "We of course parted ways in Nornholt, where you brought us—what, six weeks ago now?" Give or take a day or two, his estimate is right. "The mayor did what he could to find us food, shelter. But the city just hasn't been able to absorb all of us. So, about two weeks ago, this fellow came 'round to one of our camps outside the city saying they needed workers out castle-way. So a bunch of us hiked over to the castle. This was for the Dribbage Water Tunnel, of course."

"Did you say Dribbage?" goat man! Nekurr thinks "What, what happened to those workers?"

Hildar thinks for a few moments.....

"Yes, Dribbage Acquisitions is funding the project," Eswyse says. "We've been working steady on the project for the last few weeks. Took over from the Mining Guild. I think there was an accident down there, so they stopped. They're not happy we refugees are doing the work now, but what else can we do? We're desperate."

Tronus groans a bit pinching the bridge of his nose and inhales. "So the wee ones stealing?" Tronus asks changing the subject for now.

"Stealing?" Eswyse asks. "You mean Lyssie Galbernost? Not sure what's gotten into her. She's been taking things here and there around our little town here, but stealing from someone in the miner's town? That was new." He shakes his head. "The wee ones have been different lately, ever since Olond's been using 'em in the tunnel."

Nekurr almost jumps surprised "Lil Lyssie? How can a sweet kid like that do that?" He looks at Tronus and Hildar and simply says "Goatman"

"Wish I knew why the wee ones've been acting strange," he shrugs. "I been down that tunnel, and I ain't seen nothing but dirt. But Lyssie and a couple others have been doing extra work for Olond, so maybe there's something to it..." He looks to Nekurr with a quizzical expression. "But goat-men? What's this?"

"Oh nothing, don't worry. It's just a kitten's story. I think we need to check what this Olond is doing down there in those tunnels. Something probably scared the children"

"Also where are the kids?"

"Well, I think Madam Olond's got her offices in the castle. We Buzzard Towners aren't allowed inside the castle walls except to visit the chapel for some daily rations and the like. St. Durvin's Chapel. I hear the Tabbins girl, Jacey, has been 'round there quite a bit." He sighs and rubs his sore shoulder. "I'd guess poor Lyssie's been locked up by the guards. The Grimbly boy'll be there, too, assuming they nabbed him for starting the riot. Not sure why he sucker punched me when I tried to talk the miners down back there." He looks to each of you in turn. "You three thinking of looking into the matter? You can move around the castle in ways we refugees can't..."

"I figure we should since some people might be getting taken advantage of... hopefully it won't lead to finding out it's about dark gods or demon summoning or worship." Tronus admits thanking the man, "Should we check with their kin to see if anything odd has happened recently with them?" he asks the others.

"Oh, that won't do you any good," the Gnome tut-tuts. "The other Galbernosts never left Nornholt, and Grimbly's an orphan. And you know what happened to the Tabbinses... I will say that I haven't heard anything about demons or Bird Gods, if that's your fear. All I've seen is dirt, dirt, and more dirt. I'm done with it."