DnD 5e: My mouth is dry...

[chkflip]

The Party:

Virgil Shadowbane, Half-Orc Rogue I
Vekna, Hill Dwarf Sorcerer I
Corin Thorngage, Stout Halfling Ranger I
Savionne, Half-Elf Sorcerer I
River Clearwater, Variant Aasimar Cleric I

Quest:

My Mouth is Dry...

Spoiler: information

The humble hamlet of Thode has lived peacefully near the Splint stream as a place with fertile grounds and plump livestock for many generations. Recently, the stream has begun to shallow and -- on some days -- nearly dry up entirely. What's going on?

[chkflip]

The one-road thorp of Thode is oft times seen as a small farming community of happy, healthy, salt of the earth types of people. You could see farms being tilled, sheep being shaven, crops being pulled, or other types of work of that sort at any given time of the day. But today is different. Several farmers are furiously arguing with the one portly guard they have over something seemingly serious for all their well being. It seems the stream has once again gone dry.

"Now, now... folks, I'ma doin' all I can in regard to this situation and the health and, uh... safety! Yeah. Health and safety of all of us here in Thode. I've sent word East to Cobble and, well, I'm gonna have to wait for them to get back to me about this. And I know! I know this means another day of no water. We're figuring it out as best we can here, folks. I can't go wandering off and get myself, y'know, killed or somethin'! Who knows what's out in them there parts. Not me. And not you. So if you could all please just--"

You see at least three-quarters of a dozen people surrounding this guy, each grumbling or moaning at the words coming out of his mouth. Each having their own worries or grievances with the current dilemma. Crops potentially wilting, farm animals getting slim, amongst other worries. He asks if they've tried mead on the crops or animals and they all about lose it. This poor guy seems way over his head here and it's looking like the crowd might turn on him at any moment.

[EspressoPatronum]

"Say, friends, how about we help that guy out? He seems in over his head.

I can try to get everyone's attention if one of you wants to take the lead on negotiations. How about we offer to investigate the river for him?"

*Starts to approach the group of people*

[VashtaNeurotic]

Virgil grimaced as he looked out at the group of people, hassling a man who was just trying to do his job. He wasn't even sure why he decided to come to this town. Well actually he did,

If you don't start doing good works and helping people, you'll never become a hero or get strong enough to get back at that damn goddess

, but that wouldn't mean he'd enjoy it for a second. Adventuring was probably better than being a petty thief anyway, after all the latter wasn't much, and it wasn't honest either.

Anyway, the cleric seemed to be saying something about offering to investigate the river. "Sure", Virgil grumbled, "So long as I don't have to do the talking." He looked around to see if anyone else would offer up.

[Vecna]

"By Tempus' beard, this guard surely does not inspire a lot of confidence in these farmers here. I am willing to conduct the negotiating on our behalf, but before we proceed - do we want to do this as an act of kindness or are we also looking to get paid for our services?"

[Vecna]

*approach the crowd and try to calm them down by using an insight check to demonstrate we understand their plight*

"Good day good people of Thode. The local temples have received word of your troubles here. Your guard also sent word to us and they have sent us to help. We understand you need the local river to be able to provide food to your families. We understand the urgency of this situation. Do not fear, we will get to the bottom of this. We will uncover the reason for your river going dry and we will solve this problem for you. I promise you this".

"Now, if you all would be so kind to return to your farms, me and my friends would like to have a talk with your town guard here to learn all we can."

[Allomancer]

Corrin followed the rest of the group, hanging back a few feet and watching the interaction.

[chkflip]

The Dwarf's words bring the arguments to a silence among the crowd. If not by the words, if not by the appearance, then surely the confidence in his voice brings the detraction of the townsfolk of Thode down to mere murmurs. The guard, a portly bearded Human with a shiny bald head, springs to the moment as an opportunity to take control of the spiraling situation oncemore. With waved hands he steps forward to the brave soul that hushed the inevitable riot in an effort to nonverbally disperse the crowd for a moment.

"What'd I tell ya, folks? Nothing to see here, nothing to see... return to your homes. Cobble answered our cries of worry and sent forth these, uh... sellswords? Adventurers? Do-gooders of some form or another. So if'n ya don't mind, guys, we're gonna talk business. Home... return home, folks. Go on, now."

Still barely able to find the words, the crowd seems pacified if only for a moment by the look of the motley assortment of strangers before them. Seems they've never seen folks like you all in the flesh. The guard waits for the crowd to completely shuffle away before turning to the four of you with a sigh of relief.

"Dunno whereabouts you lot came from... but boy am I glad you did. Now, I'm not sure what the hell's stoppin' the water. Some farmboys went out there a couple days ago and, well, they haven't returned. So my guess is it's something dangerous. Maybe deadly. Or maybe they just got lost or something. I couldn't tell you. All's I know is all's I've told the people here. And by the Gods it seems Cobble's response time is getting a bit better now."

He looks up toward the sky, the sun beaming down heavily upon all of you, and takes one more heavy inhale and exhale.

"Oh, um... name's Bobert, by the by. I dunno what they offered you to come out here but I thank you for doing so. Is this the lot of you? Day's about half done it seems so you might want to head out soon."

Bob looks to each of you as if to visually size you up at a glance.

[EspressoPatronum]

"Hi, Bobert. I'm River Clearwater"...

Shakes Bob's hand then gestures to the rest of the party.

"...and that's Virgil, Vekna, Corin, and Savionne. We'll get you answers to this mess. Before we head out though, what are the good people of Thode paying for the solution to this problem?

[chkflip]

Bob snorts, but quickly hides his smile and straightens up before waving about and looking around the one-road stopping post of a community.

"I don't mean ta laugh, but look around. Most of these people aren't exactly well off. You might be able to pinch something from the tavern, maybe the blacksmith or the shop, but these folks that just left? They got food. Or livestock. They got a livin' and that's really it. I thought Cobble was compensating you? It's really strange that they'd hire someone and no pay 'em."

He looks to all of you a little confused before thinking of something.

"Let me talk to them, the owners of the bigger establishments, mayhaps I can strike a deal with them while you're out doing us a great service. Surely they'll chip in. Anything else before you go?"

[VashtaNeurotic]

Virgil smirked at the prospect of being paid twice for the same job. He wasn't sure if the Aasimar had forgotten that that Cobble would already be compensating them or just wanted to make some more coin on the side. Regardless he wasn't about to correct the man, lest he get himself into more trouble with his big mouth. Still, if they were to do the job properly they would need more information.

"Do tell, Bobby." He said," Is there a known point of origin of this plague or someone who might have some valuable information as to where we can begin our expedition? You did mention some people sent out before, do you know which direction they headed?"

[EspressoPatronum]

"Now that you mention it, Bob, that is pretty strange. Hold off on mustering any finances from Thode until we're back. I'll talk with my colleagues to see if they know any details about Cobble's payment."

"Good thinking, Virgil! Perhaps we could track down the people who left before."

Looks over to Corrin.

"You seem like the outdoors type. Are you familiar with tracking and whatnot, Corrin? I'm afraid the extent of my investigative abilities is limited to people and their behaviour, so I won't be much help on this part."

[Vecna]

"Yes, getting more information on what to expect and how to approach this task might be useful. In fact, im sure the custodians of my temple made us study the lore of all many of the regions in this country"

*history check to recall anything of note happening in this region or this village in the past*

[chkflip]

The portly fella gives an accepting nod to the Aasimar on holding back. You're really unsure how much he could've done anyway. He runs his fingers through his beard a moment, pondering the question of origin. His hand then points due Northeast.

"Whelp, they headed up the stream due North. That's, uh, where the water comes from ya see. And it ain't no more. So that's which way they want. Watched 'em follow the stream up until they were outta sight m'self. Didn't see any funny business or fellers followin' or, y'know, nothin' like that. But, uhm, if'n that's it I'll go ahead and get going. Lord of Justice guide you..."

He nods in general to your group and begins to move on.

[EspressoPatronum]

"And may the Mother of Waters bless you. Stay safe, Bob."

I'll head out with the group and idly chat with them on the walk. I'll keep an eye out for anything of note on our walk.

[EspressoPatronum]

As far as tactics go, how about we try keeping Vekna and I up front? Vekna has that sturdy dwarf look to him, and as for me ...

I lightly bang my shield and armour.

These should weather the storm.

[Allomancer]

"Sure, River, I can definitely see if there's anything out of the ordinary"

[VashtaNeurotic]

"I doubt the Lord of Justice or any other deity will be needed", Virgil scoffed."Well, outside of the holy one right here" he continued, giving River a slap on the back. Virgil continued near the back of the group, hoping that he might be able to sneak behind whatever they found before it saw him. He especially took note of his surrounds at the end of the Rangers tracking.

[chkflip]

The Halfling takes point and heads off in the direction the portly guard showed them. It doesn't take long to find what was once the stream, soft earth still moist from years of water traveling through. He notes several sets of footprints heading North up the stream and recalls the farmers ahead of them on this mystery. The Aasimar and Half-Orc have their eyes peeled as the Ranger continues forward up the path. This goes on for what feels like hours, the sun beaming down upon the lot of you.

Then you hear it and look further into the distance. Running water. It appears that whatever stopped the water -- by building some sort of dam out of a few large boulders, also dug a different path for the stream to follow. A narrower, faster path that heads directly for the deep forest just West of you. It is at this point that the tracks split off. There was a scuffle. There are darker sprays in the dirt that don't appear to have come from water. You look forward to the trees and see no signs of being watched.

Only silence.

[Allomancer]

"I say we clear the blockage first, then we follow where that other stream leads."

[VashtaNeurotic]

"Or instead of dealing with the symptom," grumbled Virgil, "we can follow the steam and deal with whatever made this blockage while they don't know what's up. After all if we move the blockage first they'll probably notice their water supply got lower and know right where to look for us. Though," he smirked "if we are expecting that, maybe we can clear the blockage, and set a trap for whoever comes out to investigate, maybe get some more information about the creatures we're dealing with without potentially having to fight an entire camp. If we're lucky we might even be able to make a prisoner exchange later."

[Vecna]

"Maybe someone stealthy could go scout the camp to know what were dealing with? Clearly they were capable of taking out the farmers that were sent here to investigate, and judging by what they did to the river they do not appear to be afraid of drawing attention to themselves."

[Vecna]

"Could we even clear that blockade? Those boulders look pretty big. What would it take to remove them?"

[Vecna]

"I agree with Virgil, lets clear the rocks and wait in hiding to see who comes to check out what happened. If you guys can stand guard on the banks of the river in case this is some sort of a trap, I will go and clear the rocks"

[Allomancer]

Corrin nods and walks to the river bank to keep watch.