Against the Cult: Disappearances (1.6)

As Aanbo, Joseph, Theran, and Xana began their training, one of the acolytes of Rao came to the Inn of Eternal Rest to congratulate the Heroes of Hochoch once again, and let them know that Diana had sent a runner to the Jarl farm to let them know that Devek was awake again and that he seemed to be recovering nicely. Albertus got into a bit of a disagreement with the acolyte at this, as he felt that they should have been the ones to deliver the good news! The acolyte was very apologetic, not wanting to upset the heroes. Despite Kragga's insistence that the man meant no offense - he was just reporting what Diana had ordered - Albertus would not calm down, instead insisting that it was only paladinic if he would go and confront the priestess herself. Olpert and Kragga tried to talk him out of this, but it was Ogbar's insistence that it could wait until morning, because this was his last night with the party, that changed Albertus' mind.

The party was stunned, but Ogbar assured everyone that his mind was made up. He thanked Olpert, and asked that his thanks be passed on to Cecily, but he would be taking his earnings and leaving for his homeland in the morning. The party celebrated mightily.

The next morning, Ogbar rose, apparently none the worse for wear, and headed out. As he was passing the last of the farmhouses, he saw two travelers he saw on the road approaching from the other direction (on their way into town): a muscular woman in heavy mail, shield strapped to her back, and, astonishingly, another clansman from the distant northlands! Ogbar greeted them warmly - these were his kind of people! - and introduced himself. The armored woman was Myrtha, the northman was Reptile. They had come by different paths and ended up hired by Cecily to bolster the numbers of Dungeon Busters in what was turning out to be a thriving franchise in Hochoch. Ogbar told them a little bit about what to expect, and presented himself as a prime example of a success story: he'd made his riches, become a hero, and was now headed home! Having described Olpert to them, Ogbar shook their hands, wished them all success, and then continued on his way.

Myrtha and Reptile arrived in town and asked after the location of the Inn of Eternal Rest. There, they found Olpert in the courtyard, noting records in his log books. "Ah!" he said, handing a sealed note to another runner. "You must be two of the new crew. Welcome, welcome! I think we'll have some work for you very soon!" Kragga the half-orc wizard approached and introduced himself. "I'm always pleased to meet others eager to plumb the mysteries of the past!" Very quickly, the wizard began talking about Boccob and the various writings of Pae that the Dungeon Busters had found in their last adventure into an ancient ruin. "Several of the others are around still: Albertus, Durren, Klak, Morgran, Sara, Thacogygax (he's a fun one)...you just missed Ogbar. Oh, you met him on the way into town? Marvelous! Oh, and I nearly forgot Quest." Kragga gets a puzzled look for a moment. "Come to think of it, I haven't seen Quest in days. I wonder where he went? I should ask Olpert about it."

"You are fairy well-coom!" Devane Thornhill tells the two newest adventurers in his heavily-accented Imperial. "Police, heffa sit! Aye will brung you sum foot! Fairy gut!" His wife, Soraya, approaches with a smile, and introduces herself, clearly mentally noting your names. She speaks Imperial with a slight Northern accent. "We are delighted to have more Dungeon Busters heroes here. Your group has already done so much for our community!" She smiles. "If you need anything to help you get settled here in town, directions, referrals, introductions, please let us know."

There aren't a lot of people in the Inn in the early afternoon, aside from some employees and regulars. Kragga murmurs their names as Myrtha and Reptile look around the open seating. "That pretty blonde human - the one who is watching us and ignoring her suitors - is Lienne Vereel. The human in the corner, slowly getting drunk, is Rufus..." Kragga speaks out of the side of his mouth: "He loaned us the use of his wagon and we keep leaving it out by the Jarl farm...we should really get it back to him before someone steals it or breaks it down for firewood..." He points out an elf sitting by herself with her eyes closed, either meditating or deeply asleep. "That's Mironund; she came in with Quest. Have you met Quest yet?" When they shake their heads, Kragga says "I haven't met him yet, either, but everyone says he helped out a lot with that problem at the mill..." He points out a halfling who totters up to Lienne's table to deliver a tray full of drinks. "That's Tap - he works for Devane and Soraya. The brunette woman eating dinner with the kid there is Mathilda, and the kid is Durren Elderblade, another Dungeon Buster. They seem to be getting along pretty well since I was in town last. Olpert says that we can fraternize with the locals only so far as it doesn't interfere with our duties as heroes and representatives of the company. Lastly, there's Wellin over there - " The half-orc wizard points to a haggard-looking human man sitting in the corner, staring into the distance over his small bowl of stew and cup of cheap ale. "He was a trader, running goods between Hookhill, Orlane, and Hochoch, but he was robbed by Bandit Black and ever since he's been trying to scrape enough coin together to get out of town. Last couple of days he's been hiring himself out as a farmhand, from what I hear."

Soraya nods. "I can recommend the work of Pever; he's done some very solid fine metal tools for us."

After she leaves and Tap serves the food, Kragga chuckles at Myrtha's first question and Reptile's response. "Yes, Reptile has the right of it. Lienne...likes to find out things, and tell others about them. You could call her a gossip, or maybe an 'information broker.'" The half-orc frowns. "Master Olpert is also looking for Quest? Hmm. I suppose he could have left town without telling us...as for Bandit Black..." Kragga sighs and takes a drink. "Bandit Black is apparently a scourge in these parts. One of the first things our group did here in Hochoch was liberate a mill that had been captured by some of Black's bandits. They were holding the miller's family hostage and getting him to grind for them." He considers. "You know, it's still not clear what they wanted with the mill..."

Soon enough the rest of the party arrives from their training sessions, and as they sit at the table with the others, Olpert joins them. Knowing the drill by now, Tap arrives with drinks for each person.

"I was waiting for enough of you to be in one place that I could talk about your next assignments. First of all, though, I'd like to welcome our newest members, Myrtha...uh...and Reptile! You both come with very high recommendations from Cecily, and we're glad to have you on the team!" Olpert taps his mug on the table and then takes a drink: genteel applause for the new members of the organization, Myrtha the fighter and Reptile the barbarian.

"But now: Dungeon Busters business. You all" he gestures to include Aanbo, Joseph, Theran, and Xana "Did a great job with that Jarl boy (not to mention all the loot your brought back with you): the town can talk of little else. Which, as you know, is good news for Dungeon Busters." He taps his mug and takes another drink. Then he wipes his mouth with the back of his hand. "You know what isn't good news for Dungeon Busters? Borrowing things and not returning them. Like a WAGON." Olpert looks over at Rufus on the other side of the covered patio and raises his cup in salute. Rufus waves back, a little unsteadily. "I've had to buy that man drinks for days now, because he's out two oxen and a wagon. I understand that the oxen ran off - they've probably been eaten long since - but some of you should get a plowhorse or another ox to hitch up to the wagon and bring it back before the man loses his livelihood. Need I remind you that we're here to make people safer, by solving their difficult or dangerous problems, not by losing their assets?" Olpert does tend to talk like an accountant at times. But then again, he is the one handling all the books for this branch of the organization, so perhaps it's expected.

"That's just wrapping up the previous job. As for new jobs, well, there's not a lot happening here in Hochoch that I'm aware of, and I've been asking around and having the other Dungeon Busters spread the word. But there are two things of concern that I think could bear fruit:
First, we don't know if we've driven off Bandit Black, so there's the possibility that he's still in the area, biding his time to assault the next caravan or merchant. That ties in to the second thing: ever since I got here, I've been hearing rumors about weird stuff going on in Orlane. There's a lot of wild stories, but the fact is that trade from Orlane has practically ground to a halt, and nobody who has gone out east to Orlane or Hookhill beyond it have come back to tell us what's happening. Just about the only contact we've had with Orlane recently is that kidnapper you guys brought in..." He looks at a scrap of paper that he's filled with notes in tiny, crabbed handwriting, "...Jonbon, that's his name. Jonbon was from Orlane, right? We need to find out what's happening with Bandit Black - is he still a threat? - and what's happening with shipments from Orlane. People can't shut up about the great produce that Orlane produces, and they're pretty unhappy about only eating the stuff grown around here. Is that all clear? I hope so. If you have any questions for me, ask away. But I think you could start by talking to the bandits and Jonbon to see if you can find out anything more."

Kragga frowns and steps aside with Olpert to talk for a few minutes about Quest. Olpert seems to think he's just left, but what Kragga remembers doesn't seem in keeping with that version of events.

OK, so it sounds like some people want to get the wagon, and some want to talk to the bandits, some want to talk to Jonbon, and some want some combination of the three. Declare which thing your character is doing first.

Olpert and Kragga finish their conversation over by Olpert's makeshift "office" in the open-air area of the Inn of Eternal Rest's courtyard, but they're joined by a new arrival to the Inn: a tall, black-haired elf carrying a lute. The elf gives a deep, courtly bow, and Olpert begins looking through the papers he has on his makeshift desk. He finds what he's looking for and nods. Then he says a few words to Kragga, who leaves slowly, with many a backwards glance at the elf. No doubt he'll be back later to make good on his promise to show Myrtha and Reptile around town.

Olpert takes the elf companionably by the arm and leads him over to the table where the party is gathered. "I've sent Kragga off on an errand, but the rest of you should proceed with retrieving that ox and wagon. But first, may I introduce to you another new Dungeon Busters recruit: Karliel." The man with the lute smiles and you all see that he's not entirely an elf - he clearly has some human ancestry - but he seems to have been blessed with the best traits of both races. You each feel an aura around Karliel that makes you want to trust him and gain his approval. "Karliel tells me that he's interested in finding other musicians, so if any of you have any interest in music, that's something you can discuss on the way out of town."Having decided that it's better to stick together, Aanbo, Joseph, Karliel, Myrtha, Reptile, Theran, and Xana gather together and start to make introductions and get to know each other a bit better as they head through town. Various townsfolk smile and wave, recognizing the heroes of Hochoch that they've either met themselves or heard so much about in the past couple of weeks. They're also very curious about the charming musician in the group. The party also sees the dwarven cleric, Morgran, aim a blessing in their direction, swaying slightly on his feet (this early in the morning, he's only slightly in his cups).

The party proceeds south out of the East Gate. The continue through the outer town to the bridge crossing the Realstream River to get to Cecily's Road. Once on the Road, they set a brisk pace and within three hours they have passed through all the cultivated lands of Hochoch farms and entered the outskirts of the Dim Forest. The thick canopies of the trees overhead cast a dense shade, leaving only the center of the road illuminated by bright midday sun. It is a relief after the heat of the hasty march. If they can maintain a fast pace, shortly after nightfall they'll get to the place that Aanbo, Joseph, and Xana know: where a narrow path leads north off of the Road to the Jarl farm.

Within a couple of hours of walking along through the Dim, the afternoon sun has moved enough that there is no direct sunlight on the path anymore, and the journey lives up to the name of the forest. In mid-afternoon, the party sees a man pulling a cart approaching them from the opposite direction. The more keen-eyed members of the party see a bit earlier what everyone sees soon enough: it's a broad-shouldered young human man with curly dark hair, skin weathered from long years working in the heat. The hand cart he's pulling must weigh a ton, for its wheels are digging ruts in the packed earth of the road. No wonder, for the back is loaded with a small anvil and various tongs, hammers, and slabs of what Myrtha recognizes as pig iron. He stops several paces away from the party and straightens his back with a groan. "Gooday t'ye!" he says in rustic Imperial, wiping the sweat from his brow with his palm. Then he smiles, revealing even, white teeth. "How far is't to Hochoch, then? M'name's Zahm. D'they have room fra smith in d'town?"

Just after the sun has set and the first stars are showing in the narrow ribbon of sky they can see between the trees, the party arrives at the little path that leads off of Cecily's Road to the Jarl family's farm. It's very dark under the trees, but one of the party produces a light and they creep down the forest path. Within ten minutes, they arrive at the edge of the area the Jarls have cleared of underbrush, weeds, and ivy. After that, they quickly spot the Jarl family's cottage, lights already shining from behind the shutters.

"Hello, the house!" Aanbo calls out before Joseph can, and one of the shutters open slightly.
"Who is it?" comes a familiar voice from inside.
Theran calls "Just some old friends!".
"Speak for yourself - we're not all that old!" Joseph laughs.
Xana calls out "It's good to see you, Abel. Would you let us rest for a while and catch up on news before we return the ox and wagon?"
Ever vigilant for the purpose of their journey, Reptile checks the yard and sees the wagon. He gives a nod after he inspects it: it's in good shape, still. At the same time, Myrtha pokes her head in the barn: the ox is in a stall and seems fine. Karliel tunes his lute, plucking a few strings. Aanbo puts his hand on Karliel's shoulder and whispers: "Just so you know, it might take them a while to be ready for another bard."
The Jarls happily welcome the party into their home.

Elista welcomes everyone and invites them to sit at the table again. The various Jarl family members make room, sitting at different spots in the kitchen and observing the new members of the party with interest. Elista and Abella serve anyone who wants to eat a bowl of their stew. They seem a little nervous anytime they get close to Karliel, but their value of hospitality prevents them from treating him with anything but warmth. Anyone who wants any gets a second serving.
Abella smiles shyly at Theran, uncharacteristically at a loss for words around the druid. The family is delighted to hear the story about Devek's recovery from the party again, even though they got the message earlier that day. "If the Magnificent Lords and Ladies don't mind spending the night again, we can come back with them in the morning to see our son." Abel suggests.
Reptile steps out to inspect the wagon; it remains in good shape. In answer to Aanbo's question, Abel looks around at his family for confirmation before he responds. They all shake their heads. "Glorious Legendaries, we haven't seen anyone come up to the house since you all left with the antidote days ago, until earlier today when the messenger arrived with the happy news about Devek's recovery. To be frank, we've all been celebrating a bit, and none of us went down as far as the Road this afternoon. If someone came down the Road, we wouldn't know it." Abel's face darkens a bit. "It is good to hear that something good can come from Orlane, not just tempters that come and try to steal families away." He looks up. "What of the bard, Illustrious Masters? What punishment has been chosen for him?"

The party rests the night, with the accommodations being similar to what they were before: the Jarls clear chairs and other small furniture out of the kitchen/dining room and lay out straw tick mattresses for their guests. Since there are now just six guests, they manage to squeeze everyone into the same room.

The next morning, the younger children enter the kitchen, laughing, with the berries that they've picked from the forest, which add a sweet zing to the mealy hot porridge that the Elista, Abella, and Emiless serve with chunks of meat and cheese. Abel, meanwhile, has brought out a large clay jug. "We're celebrating your Exalted Magnificences, and the return of our son!" There are many toasts, in which even the boy Torren demonstrates the rustic Keolish tradition of referring to normal adults by hyperbolic titles, though the mead hasn't fermented long enough to have much of a kick. Then, as soon as the bowls and mugs have been scrubbed, they accompany the party out to the barn, lead the ox out and put it in the traces of the wagon. "Which Illustrious Adept will guide the wagon?" Abel asks.

Myrtha climbs up onto the buckboard, and Reptile sits beside her. Elista and Wenderly start in the bed of the wagon as Myrtha prods the ox into motion onto Cecily's Road back west toward Hochoch. The others walk alongside, chatting amiably. Xana gives helpful advice from time to time. After a while, Abel lifts Torren up to sit on the ox's back for a while. Then Emiless has a turn.

Despite all this, the early start and the steady pace has the party making good time, and it is only a bit after sunset that the party arrives back at the bridge crossing the Realstream into the town. By that time, Wenderly and Torren are asleep, Emiless is barely able to keep her eyes open, and Abella is chattering incessantly, eager to see her brother again but also thrilled to be in Hochoch and maybe able to see other people her age. Her excitement is such that she's forgotten to be shy around Theran, which is secretly a relief to the druid as well as her parents (though Theran expects some gentle ribbing from the rest of the Dungeon Busters). The trip to Hochoch is clearly an adventure for the whole Jarl family.

Abel, who has been to town to barter produce and homemade goods before, thanks the party and guides his family to the Temple of Rao, carrying Torren and Emiless in his arms. Elista carries little Wenderly, and Abella gives everyone who will tolerate it an impulsive hug and a wave goodbye, then hurries after her parents.The party has returned to Hochoch with Rufus' wagon, his ox, and the Jarl family. Where do you want to go now?

Due to the late hour, the party swings by the Inn of Eternal Rest, where they find Olpert entertaining a small crowd of residents with a tale of pasts exploits. Lienne hangs on Olpert's one arm, while Tap refills the stein Olpert has clutched in the other. "...and then when we entered the room, there was another Sir Valiset, just sitting there eating his supper!" Everyone laughs. Olpert sees the heroes and rises from the group, ignoring Lienne's moue. "There they are! You see, Rufus - I told you they'd be back tonight with your wagon!" Olpert leans toward Theran and says, under his breath: "...you did return with the wagon, right?..." Then he sees the ox and wagon himself and spins around with a big smile on his face, addressing Rufus again: "It's back and returned with our compliments! You did us a good service, and by helping Dungeon Busters, you helped Dungeon Busters keep Hochoch safe!" Rufus goes over and reclaims the wagon, exchanging details of how the vehicle has been handling and its condition from Myrtha.

Each PC gains 25 XP for actually returning the wagon.

Does everyone want to rest for the night and continue with questioning various captives tomorrow, or is there something else you want to do first?

Tap smiles and nods. "Yeah, Zahm stopped in to all the taverns to tell people that he was available for work! Very friendly man!"
Lienne, demonstrating her unnatural gift for gossip, speaks up: "Oh! Are you talking about that handsome new smith from Orlane?" Olpert looks sour at this. Lienne continues: "He says there wasn't enough work in Orlane, but I bet it had something to do with the problems they've had with the water over there. That, or he was fleeing romantic troubles. Big strapping man like that, you can see how he might get some girls in a family way." She pulls up a chair and plops down between Aanbo and Tap. "But what have you heard?" She looks deeply into Aanbo's eyes, and the intensity of that beautiful blue gaze gives the monk a momentary sense that he's the most interesting thing in the world. Olpert clears his throat, and Aanbo comes back to himself, freed from the charisma of this young human woman. "If you have any news about the new arrival, or if you think he could be a candidate for our organization, seek me out and tell me later...in private." He looks meaningfully at Lienne, who is surely memorizing every gesture and utterance to share with anyone who will listen.

Tap hurries to provide Aanbo some spring water, and everyone exchanges small talk until the locals all excuse themselves and leave for other tables. Lienne is the last to go, which she finally does with a disgusted sigh. "You'd think adventurers would be more interesting..." she mutters as she goes. She's immediately welcomed at another table with cheers and applause.

"It's late," Olpert addresses the party, "and I want to make sure that you get your rest. But I want to let you know that there's been no change in our priorities in the days since you've been gone. We need to find out what's happening in Orlane, and I'd like to find some assurances that Bandit Black won't be a problem again." After paying for a final round of drinks, Olpert bids you all good night and heads off to lock up his cart, taking the papers in a lockbox with him into the Inn. The rest of you eventually retire to your rooms as well, and sleep the sleep of the just all through the night.

The next morning dawns and you are each greeted enthusiastically by the inn's proprietors, Mr. and Mrs. Thornhill.

What do you want to do first? You can try to gather more information here in Hochoch, or head out toward Orlane to see if Bandit Black appears on the way and see firsthand which of the accounts of what is happening in Orlane is true.

Olpert claps his hand on the shoulder of a dwarf who is just finishing a stein. "Aye, I'll show ye where those blackguards are," Morgran sets the vessel down gently, with the exaggerated, careful precision of someone who is already drunk but trying not to show it. Morgran, a fellow Dungeon Buster, has spent the weeks since he helped save the miller's family in the quest to find a more permanent location for the franchise. His appearance here may indicate that the search is finally over. He gets to his feet slowly and gracefully, wavering only a little, and beams a smile at all of you. "The Brenin's man in Hochoch is called a Reeve; Ansola Behir be his name. It took some doing, finding 'im, at first. T'was Cormac who eventually tracked 'im down. But the County Reeve is the official in charge of capturin' and detainin' crim'nals. He's got a house over by North Gate where he keeps 'em all while he decides what to do with 'em." By now, Morgran has led the party down the street and through the center of town; at this point they're crossing the town green (where the market is held each Starday). "They've got a strange system here; justice on a ship were very different. I'm still getting used to it. By rights, the Reeve can pass judgment on crim'nals, but the way I hear it, Reeve Behir holds a hearin' each month so's people can air they grievances and he can consider all sides. But he's not just in charge of Hochoch; his jurisdiction covers the whole county, so he be often away, checkin' in on farms, hamlets, and villages. He's got an assistant, Louis Marks, takin' care of the prisoners now."

The party arrives at a squat, sturdily built log cabin with bars sunk into the windows. Morgran ushers you inside; the front room is an office with two tables serving as desks. A door in the back leads to the locked rooms that function as cells. The short, sallow-faced and slightly rotund man seated at one of the desks rises to his feet with a smile and a twirl of his magnificent, oiled mustache. Morgran beams: "Louis, you old dog! I was just tellin' these other Dungeon Busters about you!" Louis folds into a graceful, sweeping bow despite his oversize paunch. "Any friend of Morgran's is a friend of mine! What can I do for you all today?"

Louis Marks responds to Aanbo's question. "The Reeve hasn't questioned them yet; he's been in and out pursuing his duties in the surrounding area. But I was considering whether to ask a priest to come in and oversee the process. They've done some amazing work in the past..." he lowers his voice, "They can tell when you lie!!" He shudders. "They can always tell. It's terrifying, but I must admit it's a useful thing when hearing one person's word against another's. Still, I don't know if I should wait for the Reeve...it may be another week before he returns. Of course, you could talk to them without a priest present, if you think you can trust what they'd say."Myrtha considers the heavy timbers that form the walls of the cabin. None of the walls could be physically breached with anything short of a boulder thrown by a mangonel, and even that might bounce off of the walls. The roof is more vulnerable; being made of beams, boards, and shingles, an attacking force could scale the walls and begin hacking their way through the roof with axes or pry it apart with levers, getting through in a matter of minutes. And of course the roof could be set on fire much more easily than the timbers, which would require a concentrated blaze for a sustained amount of time to ignite. She notes approvingly that the bars have each been set in holes drilled for them, so the only way to remove them would be to saw through the bars or disassemble the roof and lift off all of the timbers above the windows. All of these could only succeed in the absence of any kind of organized defense: how would you get a mangonel close enough to volley a boulder without getting attacked? How would a gang of marauders large enough to take apart the building remain unmolested for long enough to make any progress? A direct assault is unlikely to succeed; the place is pretty secure. But she knows that the exploits are more often in the people more than in the infrastructure. How are the doors locked, and who has the keys? How many people guard the prisoners at a time? Right now, it seems like Louis is just by himself.

Louis Marks nods. "That's a good idea. I'll send someone right away." Louis opens the outside door, sticks his head out, and gives a shrill whistle. Moments later, a sprightly young girl trots up. "Yes, Louis?" "Ah, Varah. Would you dash over to the Temple and ask if Diana can spare one of her Dellebenes? We'd like to ask our suspects some questions, and you know how helpful their presence is." Varah nods and runs off. Louis turns back to the group and smiles. "We've got a bunch of 'deputies' in the area - city kids without apprenticeships, mostly. Younger siblings without much chance of an inheritance or a profession; they're always useful for odd jobs. The Reeve thinks we should give them work, and it's worked out well so far."

In a few minutes (during which time Louis tries to get a sense of the extent of each party member's interest in gambling games), there's a knock at the door. Varah opens it before anyone can answer the door. "This is Brother Jamin, Louis." Louis smiles as the Brother enters the room and tosses the girl a shiny cub from his pouch. Varah attempts a curtsey and tiptoes out, closing the door behind her. Brother Jamin is a man of middle height but VERY stocky, skin leathery from the sun and with medium-length brown hair swept back so that it adds perhaps four inches to his stature. He is dressed in the charcoal grey typical of the knights of Delleb, god of reason. He looks dourly at the assembled party. "I am led to understand that you have need of the blessings of Delleb the Wise, Discoverer of Secrets." the Brother says in a deep, sonorous voice.
"Y-yes, Brother. We wish to question some people accused of serious crimes..."
"Well I'm yer man!" the Brother says, in a completely different voice, smiling widely at his fake-serious persona. "Sorry fer the old joke; it's something that we love to pull on newcomers, and I haven't met many of you before now!" He introduces himself warmly to each of you. "Now!" he claps his hands, "I've got a lot of studying to do, so let's get started! There's a few ideas some of the farmers and I have been talking about that could improve how much water the crops get in the summertime that I'd like to get to drawing up..." Louis leads the way through the inner door toward the cells. Brother Jamin immediately adopts his "serious" persona again: long, humorless face, flinty eyes, hands tucked into the sleeves of his robe.

Louis bangs on a door. "Jonbon, you've got some visitors. Step away from the door and have a seat. We want to ask you some questions!" He waits a moment, then opens the door. Brother Jamin turns to give you all a quick look (with a wink) then turns back and enters the cell ahead of the rest of you. There's not a lot of room for everyone to move around, but it's not a cramped dungeon. Jonbon sits on a stool, with a pleasant smile on his face. "Ah! It's good to have visitors! Conversation is so much better when there's more than one person talking, don't you think?" "KNOW THIS! Brother Jamin intones. "DELLEB IS WATCHING AND LISTENING. THE MASTER OF KNOWLEDGE KNOWN AND UNKNOWN CAN SEE INTO THE HEARTS OF ALL AND KNOWS WHEN YOU TELL TRUE AND WHEN YOU LIE." Jonbon smiles pleasantly and inclines his head; one performer acknowledging another. "That's very impressive! And good, too: let's all be honest with one another!" Jonbon notices Karliel for the first time and smiles with delight. "Ah, a fellow devotee of song! That's quite an impressive instrument you have there!" His smile falters a bit. "They've taken mine from me." Brother Jamin nods solemnly to the party: they can ask their questions, he has already invoked Delleb's Zone of Truth spell.

"I'm Jonbon Zhaffe. I'm a traveling entertainer."

Jonbon smiles genially. "I've traveled much. Most recently I traveled from Orlane, and I was looking for a new audience in Hochoch. But I didn't make it; I was attacked by that monster and your group showed me to the Jarl family farm."

"I thanked him for his hospitality, and for letting us all in to recover after my horses were killed. Later on, when your group suggested taking Devek into Hochoch for care, I agreed." He smiles again at Karliel. "That really is a lovely instrument. I'd love to get a closer look at it. How is the tone?" At Aanbo's next question, he considers: "The little missus and the kiddies were quite upset with worry about their brother, and nervous about the owlbear, too. I offered to help take their minds off of their troubles with some music and some herbs that I had for just such occasions. When they all fell asleep, well...I'm not a healer, but I knew that there are people in Orlane who could help. I was all by myself and there were five of them. I didn't want Abel to come back and worry about the rest of his family, too. So I went out into the woods - I was pretty scared about that owlbear, too - and found one of the oxen from your wagon, hitched it up, and moved them in so I could take them all to Orlane to get help. I was hoping that they'd be back home and safe before Abel ever came back. That was foolish, I know now. I thought he would spend more time with making sure his son was being helped."

"I wanted to make sure that they were awake and happy when he returned. It would've been much worse if I'd taken them into Hochoch; he would've been very upset, and he was already so concerned about his boy." Jonbon shrugs and looks sad. "I was alarmed when they fell asleep and wanted to make things right, not attract attention to my role in their condition. I figured that a priest could help. I figured they'd be happy to help, since I attend services regularly! I could be in and out and get them back home, and we could all laugh at what happened." He smiles again, ruefully. "But you caught up with me when I had them asleep in the wagon, and that looked really, really bad. I would never harm them, but I'm sure it looked like I had some nefarious deeds in mind. I didn't have time to explain myself."

Myrtha and Aanbo both glance at Brother Jamin the Dellebene, who confirms with a nod that everything Jonbon has said is true. He is very charming and affable, and his answers seem reasonable. Could it be a misunderstanding? But at the same time, they are also aware that he is answering very carefully, sometimes making statements that don't directly answer the questions asked.

Jonbon leans forward earnestly. "I said a priest, but really there's a priest and a priestess. The people at the temple of Merikka treated me like family, even though I was a stranger. There is great comfort in the arms of Merikka. When the Jarls fell asleep and I couldn't wake them...I'm not a religious man myself, and my prayers have no particular power, but I figured either Abramo or Misha would be able to help the Jarls."Brother Jamin pulls his earlobe; about half of the time of the power granted to him by Delleb (ie, the Zone of Truth spell) has elapsed.

"It's a spice blend; it contains basil, garlic, buteo, shaved rind of a lehmin (it's a kind of fruit from the southern lands - they had some in Hookhill when I passed through), onion, salt, and fermented pepper, all mixed together and ground into a powder. It's very savory! My mouth is watering just thinking about it. Of course, I am thirsty, too. My skills at entertainment aren't just limited to musical performance, you know: I'm quite the cook, too! I like to pick up new recipes and new ingredients everywhere I travel." Jonbon smiles, clearly pleased with himself. "I love to talk about food! Would you like to hear about some of my other recipes?"

Each PC should roll a Nature check, DC15. If your character is not proficient, the check should be made with Disadvantage.

Brother Jamin can cast Zone of Truth once more.

Myrtha recognizes that "buteo" isn't something you would normally find in a spice blend. Myrtha hadn't thought about it in years. It was that summer after father had left and everyone was still trying to figure out how they were going to fill the hole he'd left in their lives, before Myrtha had started as an apprentice. Myrtha's sister Peka couldn't sleep for nightmares; the traveling wise woman had come through the valley and agreed to stay with the family for a while and provide simples for payment. She'd described to curious, 12-year-old Myrtha some of her process: "graybird for insomnia" she'd said, using the common name of the plant. "They say that the sages call graybird 'buteo,'" she said, while shaving two tiny slices of a root into a pestle, grinding it up, and adding the powder to a jug of mead. "That's just like sages, making things more complicated than they need to be." After a week, during which time Peka continued to wake everyone with her night terrors, the wise woman had said that the mixture had "cured" enough, and was safe to use: a couple of drops in a spoon at supper and Peka was able to sleep through the night for the first time in a month. The wise woman had left a while after that, but the memory of the family's gratitude (Peka was able to sleep unassisted again after about a month, well before the mixture ran out) and the curiosity that a plant (unknown in those parts) would be named after a bird stuck with Myrtha.

Louis Marks has been observing the questions and answers. Now he interjects with a question of his own: "You expected the family to be better after you got help in Orlane?"

Jonbon considers, then nods. "Yes, they'd be awake."

Louis followed up: "But not just awake again. Did you expect them to be changed somehow, too?"

Jonbon frowns and answers carefully. "I didn't expect any noticeable change."

Louis slaps the wall in frustration, takes a deep breath, and tries again. "But when you brought them back, whether it was noticeable or not, it's not just that they would be awake again, and not just that they would be days older and in a different place: they would be changed in some other way from how they were before they fell asleep. Correct? Yes, or no?"

Jonbon looks at the ceiling with shifting eyes, struggling to speak. But he can't tell a lie. Finally, he mumbles: "...yes."

"Yes." Jonbon presses his lips together as he answers Myrtha's first question.
"No, this is my first time in Hochoch."

"No," Jonbon replies, "I haven't put others to sleep with buteo and taken them to Orlane before the Jarls." He smiles, a little sheepishly. "..or after, of course." He frowns in apparently genuine puzzlement. "Bandit Black? No, I don't know that name, nor have I met him. I get along with everyone, but I don't claim to know everybody."

Brother Jamin gives the nod: there's time enough for one more question before his Zone of Truth runs out.

"Spiritual, yes." Jonbon's eyes widen with a manic fervor as he continues to speak. "So many things change when you come face to face with the goddess...Their sense of purpose, of direction, of being a part of something greater than themselves, of the value of service, of wanting to earn her favor, of belonging to a growing, tight-knit community. It is such a blessing, a change for the better, that all must experience!"
Brother Jamin sighs; the presence of the deity has left him and no one is being prevented from lying any longer. But Jonbon remains earnest as he continues: "You will see! You will be blessed too, and see how wondrous it is to be joined in the sight!" His smile fades and his brows fall into a frown. "Unless fear overtake you and you flee from the goddess. Some cannot bear the sight and instead choose the darkness."

Louis takes the group out of the room and locks the door with Jonbon inside. Back in the front office, he shakes his head. "Well, you got a clear confession out of him: he added something to their food that put them to sleep, loaded them on a wagon, and was taking them to Orlane to be converted to some religion. I'm noting that all down, and with let the Reeve know when he returns to pass judgment. Thank you, Brother." He shakes Jamin's hand and claps him on the back. "We're much obliged for your help." Then he turns to everyone else. "I know you all want to talk to the bandits, too, but I gotta wonder: what is going on in Orlane?"

Louis replies to Aanbo: "Yes, I've heard about Zahm from Lienne; he's already set up his forge and has been making friends. I'll take your advice into account, and let the Reeve know your concerns when he returns."

To Myrtha, Jamin the Dellebene monk replies: "No, that doesn't sound like Merikka at all. The people of Orlane honor Merikka as the goddess of fertility and the harvest in particular, because they have been so blessed with bounty in their produce. Their vegetables have been second to none for as long as I can remember, and the Orlane farmers have long been the highlight of Market Day. I have no idea what he could mean by "earning her favor," either, or what "service" people could provide to Merikka, other than growing good things and...uh...making babies." Jamin blushes a little at this last item; as a devotee of Delleb, his attitude about procreation is usually academic, his discussions about it clinical and usually in a dim library, and not face to face with a larger-than-life musky musclewoman hero in the light of day.

Karliel spares Brother Jamin any further embarrassment by pulling him away to begin the interrogation of the captive bandits. They are clearly much less civilized and intelligent than Jonbon, with very little charm or guile. They don't engage in the misdirections, half-answers, and oblique statements that the entertainer did in his questioning; they either answer openly or grimly refuse to respond.

From their answers to Karliel's questions, the party discovers:
- One of them was an orphan who ran away from the temple in Hookhill and joined up with Black's band years ago. Two were minor thieves on the run from the Guild in Hookhill. One was a failed Hochoch farmer. All are
- Black's organization has never had fewer than a couple dozen bandits in it, but they almost never gather together at once.
- They never stay in one place for very long; they set up camp in one place, then move on again. Usually they set up camp in the Dim or the Rushmoors
- Bandit Black assigns tasks to smaller squads, who then go off and perform them. They've been divided into as many as eight different groups robbing in different areas.
- Black has a fantastic success rate at figuring out ways to steal or otherwise acquire money. Each of them has gained much more money than they ever earned in their previous lives, or ever were likely to earn in any other profession.
- They've preyed on a lot of people leaving Orlane recently, but then they were told to take the mill
- The attack on the mill was unusual: they don't usually attack a target that close to a town, and when they do, it's usually hit-and-run, not to occupy it. None of them knew why they were holding the mill, other than that Black told them to do it.
- The mill plan was relatively complicated; rather than sacking the place, they were to occupy it and continue operations by holding the family hostage
- While it wasn't clear how they would profit from operating the mill, they never doubted that it would have got them a lot of money had it continued according to Black's plan.

The bandits respond with enthusiasm that Black treats all people equally. With considerably less enthusiasm, they admit that this included kobolds from time to time. They were told to expect the little monsters, and give them access to the basement. After they took the Miller family hostage, kobolds that Black sent met them at the mill, and the kobolds had tools and instructions to dig in the basement. After this, the bandits don't agree on what the purpose of this was: one is indifferent, one thought they were digging a tunnel that would go under the Realstream, while the other two were convinced that they were there to find treasure buried on that spot long before the mill was constructed.

Whatever it was, though, it was a big project: one or two more kobolds arrived every day, and they were taking the dirt and dumping it downstream into the River.

None of them are sure what happened to the kobolds after the Dungeon Busters arrived, though they're fairly interested. Were they killed? Did they scatter? Did they jump in the Realstream? The bandits seem eager for gory details.

Instinctively, Xana wants to say "The kobolds were all dead when I got there!" but finds that she can't. She makes a number of attempts, and eventually hits upon: "There were some kobolds down in the basement. When I realized that no one else was going to handle the problem, I realized it was all up to me again. Sometimes even the best leader has to do the work herself."

Louis remarks: "The miller, Hale? He didn't report anything, but when Cormac told the Reeve about the incident, we went down to look it over right away. That was before Hale was fully healed; he was still at the Temple. We didn't find anything in the basement except a bunch of dead kobolds and the start of some diggings that weren't extensive enough to know what they were for. We've been on the lookout for kobolds ever since, but no one has seen any more. Aside from that, all I know is that Tuan Vo has been caring for that insane man, Tap. We talked to him, too, but it's difficult to get much sense out someone whose mind is broken. He saw something in that basement that drove him mad. We've gone over it, but there's nothing else out of the ordinary about that basement. Since then, Hale has returned to work and filled in the hole."

Several times during this account, Xana starts to say something, but stops herself. In the end, she says simply: "I didn't see anything in the basement that would drive me mad."

"Black is huge, as big or bigger than any man I've seen before."
"No, that's his bodyguard. Black is the elf who stands in the background and gives commands."
"I tell you, Black recruited me, and he was a huge man!"
The third captive clucks his tongue. "Black, an older dwarf, has many lieutenants who speak with his authority, such as both of those."
Silent until now, the last captive blows a raspberry. "No, no, NO! Black is the dragonborn. You know? The one with black scales? I mean, come ON: that's WHY he's called Black!"
Each remains adamant that the person they identified as Bandit Black is the real one. Apparently, a group of leaders came and gave the bandit party their initial orders - each person can't agree on which leader was actually Bandit Black. But after that (and this is typical behavior), they would get notes or relayed commands from a messenger.

Louis responds to Myrtha's question about the other survivor of the battle for the mill: "No, Tap isn't a local. Or at least he's not from Hochoch: he might be from any number of crofts that are hidden in the Dim nearby, or he might be a wanderer from afar. All we know is he was a fellow of the bandits - the bandits in these cells have already vouched for him - and he was in the cellar with the kobolds, and sometime when he was down there, he went mad. Now he just rants about 'Everlasting Darkness' and the 'Deathly Coils from Beyond' in between bouts of gibbering and shrieking."

So, with the knowledge that Bandit Black was working with kobolds to dig...something...from beneath a legitimate business in Hochoch that was being operated secretly by his henchmen, and with the rumors (and one account) of suspicious, nefarious things happening in Orlane, the party thanks Brother Jamin and Louis Marks and heads back to the Inn of Eternal Rest.

There, they are met by Olpert Razorsson, who has a special job for Xana (he takes her aside to exchange a few words, whereupon she grins, shakes his hand, and leaves [1]) and introduces them to the newest member of Dungeon Busters.

"This is Chase Brandstone, everyone. I'd appreciate it if you'd take him with you, see how he works with the action team." Olpert smiles, and waits to hear if there's anything they learned from their interviews...particularly anything that might lead to more business for Dungeon Busters.


1 - After which, Olpert checks his hands to make sure all his rings are still present on his fingers.

Having (roughly) decided that this time they would pose as bounty hunters, the party prepares for the two-day journey down Cecily's Road to the famed agricultural town of Orlane. On the way, they can decide which bounty they can announce that they are pursuing (if an announcement is even necessary).

Theran and Aanbo visit Fantikaflar's Fantastic Items to purchase some commonplace items.

The party heads out from Hochoch, taking the now-familiar route: crossing the Realstream River via the bridge and continuing east on Cecily's Road. The day passes uneventfully, with few travelers met on the road. Once again, this strikes everyone as strange, as Cecily's Road ultimately leads to the border of the Gran Marches and the bustling town of Hookhill. It's several days' travel distant, on the far side of Orlane, but this is a trade road and traffic is usually much more brisk outside of the winter months.

The party continues in the cool dimness of the road through the forest, reaches the now-familiar place with the trail leading to the Jarl farm, and continues onward as, unseen, the sun sets and the sky overhead (half seen through the canopy that nearly covers the road) turns rosy, then purple, and finally black. Chase roves ahead with Reptile at his side (one of them activates a light source); nearly three miles further, Chase finds a game trail and follows it off the road for a short distance. It leads past a rocky overhang where a doe and her fawn had rested the previous night. With cover above and a wall at their backs, the two agree that it is a good place to set up camp. Chase began with clearing a small place for a fire, then began picking some miner's lettuce while Reptile returned to the Road to escort the others to the site. Aanbo is impressed at the find; though he had seen other places that would suit to rest the night, this particular camp would prevent the party from being surrounded by foes. Everyone settles down, those that have them set up their bedrolls, and they relax a little bit, stretching sore muscles and otherwise recovering from the day-long hike as they talk and share a meal together before going to sleep. As they talk and get to know each other better, Myrtha dutifully remains more alert, scanning their surroundings during the meal so the others don't have to be looking over their shoulders all the time.

As the party settles down around the fire, Chase gets up to leave. Theran and Reptile nod; they, too, have energy for the task of foraging.

Chase, Theran, and Reptile should roll WIS (Survival) checks, DC13 (plenty of water, food is not so abundant).

Myrtha remains watchful as Aanbo and Joseph settle down and dig into their rations.

Myrtha, please roll a WIS (Perception) check.

Theran finds a little grove with some ripe plums that haven't all been eaten by birds or squirrels.

@MaJunior, make a 2d6 roll to determine how much food & water you find.

@mathias0077 and @GeneCortess - if you succeed on your WIS (Survival) checks, you should also roll 2d6.

@matmaisan, I'll continue with Myrtha at the camp after I see the results of that WIS (Perception) check.

@CancerMan and @JoshuaMabry - you can each roll WIS (Perception) with DISADV if you like. Aanbo and Joseph are eating, but they're still alert.

While Theran is finding plums, Reptile spots some movement in the trees. Quick as thought, he spins and flings two handaxes. Each one hits its mark: a pair of fat squirrels go into the bag for provender. Shortly after, as Reptile is done cleaning the animals, he finds a small spring and fills his drinking flask again after draining it.

Foraging check does my forester background make a difference?

Deep in their conversation, Myrtha, Aanbo, and Joseph are dismayed to see a large bear walk out of the darkness into their camp, making for their packs and rations. The bear grumbles at them - something between a grunt and a growl - and in the firelight, they can see that the irritable bear has been injured recently. The bear sniffs at Myrtha's pack first - open right by her feet - and sticks its shaggy muzzle inside, preparing to snarf up anything edible.

There are six packs in the camp, belonging to Aanbo, Chase, Joseph, Myrtha, Reptile, and Theran.

Everyone should roll initiative, though for the first round, only the three that are in camp can interact with the bear. If they raise an alarm or some other way communicate to the foragers, the people away from camp can return in a round (they didn't go very far).

Aanbo whispers "Does anyone speak bear?" and the bear turns its head and glances in his direction. Detecting no threat, the bear resumes munching on Myrtha's rations. Myrtha, meanwhile, has stood very still right by the bear, and sloooooowly and silently draws her sword. She's close enough to see the fur matted with blood from the deep gash in its shoulder. Joseph, keeping very still, purses his lips and attempts a bird call, a pre-determined noise that the Dungeon Busters have been trained to use to communicate "Danger!". Unfortunately, in his nervousness, his jaws are too tight, and the sound is strained, like a bird with something stuck in its throat. Chase is heading back to the camp, consoling himself that it's early in the trip and there isn't a keen need for supplies yet. He hears the whistle. Theran gathers ripe plums, resisting the impulse to eat the succulent fruit all by himself. He is, he assures himself, not that kind of a monster. He hears the whistle. The bear, having finished eating Myrtha's rations, tosses its head, ripping the pack and sending Myrtha's pot, shovel, torches, and smithing tools scattered across the camp. Then it begins sniffing for more food at the remaining packs. Perhaps attracted by the whistle, the bear moves over to Joseph's pack and begins tearing into it, getting slobber and blood all over his stuff.

@GeneCortess, what does Reptile do for round one? He hears the whistle, and recognizes that someone at the camp is trying to communicate something.

What do the rest of you do for round two?

---

21 - Aanbo (19/19)
20 - Myrtha (12/12)
20 - Joseph (13/13)
19 - Chase (11/11)
16 - Theran (13/13)
15 - Bear
8 - Reptile (15/15)

Reptile ends round one by coming back to camp after hearing the strange whistle.

So far, for round two, we have Aanbo dodging and Theran coming back to camp (though see below). What about the rest of you?

As round two of the encounter with the injured and ravenous bear begins, Aanbo relaxes into a calm-but-hyper-alert state, poised, as the masters at the monastery used to say, "like a pebble at the top of a talus field," ready to spring into motion at the slightest provocation. The smell of the blood and musk of the bear is very strong.
Myrtha slowly draws back her sword, ready to leap forward if necessary to strike down the injured and dangerous wild animal if it so much as tries to move on any of her companions. Seeing Chase, Theran, and Reptile running up, she hisses a warning: "Don't shoot!"
Seeing Myrtha's sword raise in the background, Joseph slowly gathers his legs under him, watching unblinking as the huge claws tear his bag apart and the jaws snuffle up his rations, ready to spring aside when/if things turn violent.
Chase runs up, recognizes how dangerous a wounded male like this is, and draws, aims, and looses nearly as fast as the thought registers. The shaft sinks into the bear's shoulder. The bear takes 4 piercing damage and coughs in anger, its snarling muzzle rising up out of the ruins of Joseph's pack as it looks for something to punish.

---

21 - Aanbo (19/19)
20 - Myrtha (12/12)
20 - Joseph (13/13)
19 - Chase (11/11)
16 - Theran (13/13)
15 - Bear
8 - Reptile (15/15)

The bear grunts in rage and lashes out at the closest threats - Aanbo and Joseph. But before it can land a blow or bite flesh, Myrtha steps in and thrusts deep into the back of the dangerous beast. The Bear takes 7 damage.

The bear follows through with the attack on Joseph, slashing with his heavy claws, and the bite at Aanbo, gnashing teeth and snapping jaws trying to catch the monk. But both of the heroes were ready for this, and they easily dodge the ravening beast. Then the bear spins in place to face Myrtha, the source of the latest hurt. But at that moment, the charging Reptile arrives, yelling incoherently, muscles and eyes bulging, and hacking down with his axe. The bear takes 9 damage.That ends round two. The bear is very hurt now. What do you all do for round three?

---

21 - Aanbo (19/19)
20 - Myrtha (12/12)
20 - Joseph (13/13)
19 - Chase (11/11)
16 - Theran (13/13)
15 - Bear
8 - Reptile (15/15)

Aanbo swats the bear's head to the side, turning it ever-so-slightly. But as its mass shifts, the dwarf drops his weight into a spin, leading with his heel in an axe kick that connects with the bear's leg. There is an audible crack! and the bear's leg collapses under it. It thrashes, trying to sink its teeth into the monk as he leaps away.

Myrtha steps in and swats the bear across the nose to draw its attention away from Aanbo and Joseph. But it is unable to stand on the leg, so she is able to circle it and deliver repeated stunning blows with the flat of her blade and the pommel of the sword each time it rolls over, trying to reach her. Was my battle with the ogre like this? she wondered as she danced in, slowly beating down the much-larger opponent, and then leaping away before it could reach her. In a few seconds, she has finally battered the ursine opponent into unconsciousness.

With the bear unconscious and no longer a threat, each PC gains 34 XP.

The DB adventurers take stock after the fight: none of them were injured, though both Myrtha and Joseph lost all their rations (the packs are easily repaired by the time the party sets out again, though the stitching and patches are obviously done by thick-fingered heroes). The bear seems to have been injured by some kind of slashing attack a day or two before it entered the camp.

The rest of the rest period passes uneventfully, and everyone gets the benefit of a long rest.

Aanbo tends to the beast's wounds using his healer's kit. Satisfied that the beast will live, several of the PCs drag the unconscious animal away from their campsite. Everyone gets a good rest, and as day breaks, those who were asleep stretch. The PCs gather up their packs (a couple of them hastily repaired), take up their belongings, and resume their trek.