Chapter 3.1: The Second Expedition
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Jun 28, 2025 3:01 pm
Ember smiles as she shakes Ramne's hand. "It is nice to meet you," she says aloud, but her eyes show mistrust and caution.
Ramne
Jun 28, 2025 5:39 pm

Ramne
"Everyone except for one survivor, that is: a guest at the Inn named Iggy Olivero, who swore that it was a gang of bloodthirsty adventurers who murdered everyone. He said he was only spared from death himself because he barred his door until citizens came to investigate and chased off the killers." Ramne looks at the ceiling and then down at the floor, frowning.
"Well, you can probably guess how that news was received. After all that has already happened, people were panicking. They took out all the victims and the village held a big funeral ceremony for them on the shores of the lake so everyone could attend. The Priestess of Merikka, Misha Devi, presided over the service. I don't know why the Priest didn't come himself; she said that he was busy with prayer and meditation for the village in these times of crisis. There was a lot of grieving and honoring all of our dead neighbors, but then it turned to a lot of speeches. They had that merchant, Olivero, repeat his account of the attack, and then the Constable and his assistants took turns talking about how 'we have to be ever vigilant against these outsiders' and 'excise the external threats to our safety and security.' They really worked up the crowd into a frenzy. Mayor Ormond tried to calm things down, but Constable Grover accused him of sympathizing with murderers and Priestess Devi led the crowd in a prayer that we all 'could convince the Mayor to see sense without any further violence.'" Ramne sighs and rests his face in his hands.
After a moment, he resumes. "It was masterfully done: a threat and an accusation. She's crafty beyond her years. What could he do? The Mayor backed down. Since then, the village is in a frenzy of xenophobia. The Constable has established a citizen watchforce that patrols the village and investigates reports of suspicious activity. Everyone is on edge, and it's harder to tell who has been converted to evil and who hasn't. Whiskers has seen people accused of harboring adventurers taken away by the watch. I don't know what's happening to them."
To Chase's question, he responds: "I haven't seen Alan for a week, when he was with one of the patrols that came by to check on me. They've left him and his family alone in exchange for his participating in the patrols. I think they're scared of him and his wife, so they hadn't tried moving against him yet. I haven't had to participate in the patrols, on account of my being 'so old and batty.'" He stoops and bugs his eyes out for this last.
"Villagers are getting rewarded for spying on each other, which is why you shouldn't stay in one place for too long: there's no telling when one person might decide to peep in on old Ramne." His shoulders sag and he sighs. "They haven't figured out that Whiskers is my own little watch girl, thank Merikka. Otherwise they'd chase her off, or hurt her. Gods, I don't know what I'd do without my precious Whiskers." His eyes moist, Ramne takes a few moments to compose himself again (Whiskers is not in the shack, of course: she's still out watching and listening for intruders). "Ahem. On top of the loneliness and pain, I'd have no idea what's happening. But even she can't see or hear everything. She's only one weasel. So it's good that you came in from the woods, trying to avoid attention. I encourage that you continue in that vein."
Jun 28, 2025 6:12 pm
"I expected as much," says Aanbo. He allows himself a sigh and his shoulders sag. "I confess, I had the chance to end the Constable's threat, but he was at my mercy and I could not follow through. I am sorry that I have endangered the villagers by leaving him alive. It's obvious now that he has no remorse. The next time we meet, I will show more resolve."
Straightening his back, Aanbo continues. "This priestess, Devi. What you say of her prayer sounds exactly like what we've heard others say. They speak of a common theme of enlightenment, opening the eyes of others, and access to greater knowledge through Her. I don't know if we showed you their symbol, but it is a spiral that is worn as a medallion or even tattooed on the skin." He looks at Arya, knowing she still carries one, and perhaps she might show Ramne what it looks like. "Those under Her influence wear these symbols secretly, under clothing like the Constable or on skin not commonly visible."
"We plan to sneak into the Golden Grain Inn at night. There is a cellar that leads to tunnels, and I suspect they lead to the Temple formerly of Merikka. Since the village is under increased scrutiny, it seems like we made the right decision to go under cover of darkness. However, you mentioned the watchforce; do you know of a way we can avoid them as we move to the inn?"
Straightening his back, Aanbo continues. "This priestess, Devi. What you say of her prayer sounds exactly like what we've heard others say. They speak of a common theme of enlightenment, opening the eyes of others, and access to greater knowledge through Her. I don't know if we showed you their symbol, but it is a spiral that is worn as a medallion or even tattooed on the skin." He looks at Arya, knowing she still carries one, and perhaps she might show Ramne what it looks like. "Those under Her influence wear these symbols secretly, under clothing like the Constable or on skin not commonly visible."
"We plan to sneak into the Golden Grain Inn at night. There is a cellar that leads to tunnels, and I suspect they lead to the Temple formerly of Merikka. Since the village is under increased scrutiny, it seems like we made the right decision to go under cover of darkness. However, you mentioned the watchforce; do you know of a way we can avoid them as we move to the inn?"
Jun 28, 2025 6:47 pm
"I fear we've done more harm than good," Theran replies solemnly. "And I fear it will get worse before it gets better. The priest is likely dead, and this Priestess is a manipulative snake."
The wood elf's knuckles are stark white as he grips his staff, eyes narrow amd the edge of his lips hinting at a snarl.
The wood elf's knuckles are stark white as he grips his staff, eyes narrow amd the edge of his lips hinting at a snarl.
Jun 28, 2025 7:35 pm

Jun 28, 2025 8:55 pm
Chase after hearing all that has went down says"I expected as much. The same rabble rousing is happening in my homeland. It is hard to get people to hear the actual truth sometimes. What of the other two we left in the cellar?"
Ramne
Jun 29, 2025 1:29 am

Ramne
Ramne frowns at the mention of the spiral symbol. "This...this is unfamiliar to me. It's nothing to do with any organization I know of in Orlane, Geoff, or Keoland as a whole. Spirals such as these...different cultures across history have used such symbols in elemental rituals. Often the spiral is used to indicate water, and sometimes air. Misha Devi is the junior priestess of our Temple of Merikka; it would make sense that she refers to "Her" as Merikka is usually depicted and described as a woman. But this spiral is not any symbol of Merikka I've ever seen." He considers. "Yes, it is probably as you say: if they wear it in secret, it is likely a symbol of their secret organization. Given that it is not a known symbol of any legitimate organization, we might get word to the Mayor, and get him to begin to check people for such signs of allegiance to a secret society."
When Aanbo mentions the plan to return to the Golden Grain Inn, Ramne responds: "The Golden Grain Inn is closed now...or at least, there has been no observable activity there since the day they brought out Bertram and the others. Bertram had no relatives here; no one to take over the business, and the Cralloons have taken in Snigrot, more out of pity than of any necessity for help. You are unlikely to meet anyone in there, once you get in...at least, until you reach these tunnels. I know nothing about the tunnels you mention."
To Theran's comment: "It had not occurred to me that they would have killed the head priest, Abramo. Horrifying to think that these secret villains could get away with such things. There will be a reckoning, I fear, even if the people who have been led astray are returned to their native good nature."
In response to Chase's question about the secret basement room, Ramne shakes his head. "Two in the cellar? Who would they be? The only survivor that has been mentioned was that merchant, Olivero. Could it be that they're still down there, starved to death? Or that they got out and never mentioned that they were there? Can you describe them, or name them?"
To Ember he nods. "Whether you decide to investigate what's happened to Abramo or what's happened to the men you left in that secret room, you should move on quickly. Every minute we spend talking here increases the likelihood that we'll be discovered in our conference. The watch patrols are less of a concern to me than the random villager who decides to curry favor by spying on their neighbors: a big group moving in the open can be seen and avoided, especially during the day, but a solitary person creeping in the shadows? That's more of a danger."
Jun 29, 2025 2:17 am
Theran's eyes close when the hermit mentions only the merchant being found. "Were you able to see everyone buried? It would not surprise me in the least if they killed their own for failing, and added them to the tally of deaths they laid at our feet. Those two... could have attested that we were merciful. Or at least fair. And that would fly in the face of the picture of us that is being so carefully painted."
The wood elf proceeds to describe the two they had left in the downstairs in as much detail as he is able, confirming that -- while they had been restrained so as to not be threats -- the Dungeon Busters had indeed cared for them, as a matter of principle.
The wood elf proceeds to describe the two they had left in the downstairs in as much detail as he is able, confirming that -- while they had been restrained so as to not be threats -- the Dungeon Busters had indeed cared for them, as a matter of principle.
Ramne
Jun 29, 2025 3:17 am

Ramne
At Theran's detailed description of the two thugs, Ramne's eyes widen. "That could only be Hamiff Alpo and Lhari Dunne! They aren't dead!" He chuckles. "Or at least they weren't when they came with a patrol to take some of my vegetables yesterday." He whistles low and squints. "They're probably fine. If your description is accurate, then they managed to get out of that secret basement room and have said nothing about being at the Inn, not wanting to contradict Olivero's account."
Rolls
Ramne Insight DC15 - (1d20+3)
(15) + 3 = 18
Jun 29, 2025 4:16 am
Theran nods. "I don't know why, but the fact they didn't just kill those two... I am hesitant to say it gives me hope, but perhaps it's a sign that not everyone involved are quite the monsters we suspect. Perhaps you are right... perhaps some of them actually can be saved."
Jun 29, 2025 5:13 am
Aanbo nods. "They also seemed unaware of some information, such as what other people were doing either for the group or for themselves. Makes me think they're blindly following, so perhaps after we finish with the temple we can show them the truth."
Looking at the large group and remembering what Ramne said about visitors, Aanbo asks, "Is there a way to remain hidden until night? Given the size of our party, we might be hard-pressed to remain undetected."
Looking at the large group and remembering what Ramne said about visitors, Aanbo asks, "Is there a way to remain hidden until night? Given the size of our party, we might be hard-pressed to remain undetected."
Jun 29, 2025 7:59 am
Arya listens carefully, but keep her eyes behind them to make sure they are not followed or spied upon.
Jun 29, 2025 5:09 pm
Myrtha listened carefully and did not interrupt. These were grim tidings, indeed. She also felt the time pressure growing by the minute. They mustn’t be caught, and mustn’t get Ramne caught.
"You say the inn is closed. Does that mean there is no apparent movement in or out of the place at all? No lights or hearthfires?"
These wicked villains might have many failings, but stupid they were not. Hamiff and Lhari’s survival meant that the evil-doers knew that the party knew of the hidden passages of the inn. They might be expecting us to return, might have trapped the passages, or collapsed tunnels. Going that way seemed far more dangerous now than it had seemed before entering Ramne’s hut.
Then it struck her.
"How small was the smallest body they brought out of the inn, Ramne? not child sized? Not a hobniz?" she asked, with such edge of dread in her voice that she involuntarily slid into her native flan dialect, for the designation of a halfling. Her mind raced to their disappeared companion, Joseph.
"You say the inn is closed. Does that mean there is no apparent movement in or out of the place at all? No lights or hearthfires?"
These wicked villains might have many failings, but stupid they were not. Hamiff and Lhari’s survival meant that the evil-doers knew that the party knew of the hidden passages of the inn. They might be expecting us to return, might have trapped the passages, or collapsed tunnels. Going that way seemed far more dangerous now than it had seemed before entering Ramne’s hut.
Then it struck her.
"How small was the smallest body they brought out of the inn, Ramne? not child sized? Not a hobniz?" she asked, with such edge of dread in her voice that she involuntarily slid into her native flan dialect, for the designation of a halfling. Her mind raced to their disappeared companion, Joseph.
Last edited June 29, 2025 5:11 pm
Jun 29, 2025 6:20 pm
Chase will nod at Myrtha comments."That is what I was thinking about the Golden Grain inn. There might be some nasty things waiting. Maybe we could have a spider check out the cellar entrance for us to se what is up." He will look at Theran.
Jun 29, 2025 6:45 pm
"Or maybe we march headfirst into their "trap" and take them to task regardless," Theran replies.
Jun 29, 2025 7:31 pm
Aanbo chuckles. "I admit, I would prefer that. I've noticed that bad things tend to pile up on us when we're off doing our own thing."
Jun 29, 2025 9:38 pm
"We would be waiting in the barn out back behind the inn. It has served us well."Looking Aanbo"I surely don't want anyone going off by themselves." He will smile "That is my job. I could scout it out for us then?"
Jun 29, 2025 9:51 pm
Aanbo shakes his head. "Even though it should be dark, I think that once we move for the inn, we all have to get inside as quickly as possible. We can't afford to wait in the barn and risk one of the patrols coming by. Back then, they didn't think to check all the buildings, but now they do since they're even coming here.
"And since the inn's doors are locked, I don't suppose anyone knows of a quiet way to get through?"
"And since the inn's doors are locked, I don't suppose anyone knows of a quiet way to get through?"
Jun 29, 2025 11:17 pm
"I... uh... I might be able to help with that. I have some... experience in that area." She knew what she was risking, telling these relative strangers about her particular talents, but she also realized how dire the situation had become.
Last edited June 29, 2025 11:17 pm
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