The Nightingale, Act II: A Village By Night

[Le Noir Faineant]

Nicodemus finds that the substance on his knife smells and also otherwise resembles pitch.
Like the one that burns in some of the lakes around Mount Nyid, or in other places to high above sea level for trees to grow.

The burning of this horse was not caused by magic, for all he can tell right now.


Meanwhile, Caitlin's uncle gestures, the knife still in hand.

"You go, get some of the patrolmen in here. These people need to go, probably to be held until the prefect arrives. I've had ENOUGH!"

[Trike]

Nicodemus tosses his backpack across his shoulders and prepares to leave - if only to stop the mad innkeepers incessant raving. He keeps the pitch-covered cloth and dagger for later comparison if they can find a possible source.

"We seem to have two paths in front of us. The horse and the voice are unlikely to be separate incidents. So, we can try to track down the person that covered a horse in pitch and set it ablaze. Or we can get out of this town as quickly as possible. It's your country, Ammanas. What do you think?"

He will translate his statement and Ammanas' answer to Boiros afterwards. He speaks as if keeping Caitlin in the conversation. But, in truth, he is not sure whether she will go or stay.

[Zilfer]

"Let see if those other two have already skipped town, or if they are saddling up. Obviously the voice wanted us to fear the dark for some reason so it might not be the smartest to travel at night, but we may have no voice if the mayor tries to apprehend us," said Ammanas glancing only at the Inn keeper who 'had had enough' though he seemed to be acting very hostile and he wondered if it was in the man's nature to be quick to anger. His glance than shifted to Caitlin, she could have so much potential if she got out of this town. "Let's go, we'll gain nothing more here."

Ammanas headed towards the stables to check on the horses there or find signs of tampering or the gnome and man who had skedaddled.

[VAN]

Boiros sees Ammanas head to the stables and says in low voice:

"I actually agree with him, go outside by ourselves when that strange voice warned us sounds madness, maybe we can find another place to stay. I would prefer to pass the night at the stables for example than leave the village and just walk outside hoping to find Varian and Xvaril. They left by their own free will, why should we risk our lives going after them? But if you decide to go after them I will follow. Father Oneil said that he had a vision of some sort that I should be here for some reason, and this sounds like a reason for me..."

[Trike]

In Mordentish, Nicodemus says a few quick words to Boiros as he heads for the door. "It may not be the safest, but I'd rather face either the townsfolk or the dark menace. Not both, you see."

He looks at Caitlin shrewdly. He looks at the cape she has drawn over her shoulders as if to ready herself for the night. He speaks to her quickly in Darkonese. "We may still be able to help your people tonight. Or, failing that, we may be leaving the area. In either case, if you want to travel with us, I will do everything in my power to make sure you are safe."

With that, he grips the door handle and prepares to face the unwelcoming darkness.

[kintire]

Caitlin heads for the door, pauses, and glances at Nicodemus.

"I'm...sure I'll be alright..."

nevertheless as she heads out into the night looking for a patrol, he will observe she seems to stay close to him

[Le Noir Faineant]

Inside

Caitlin's uncle does not further hinder you from leaving. He exchanges a short look with his niece:

"Come back here as soon as you find the patrolmen, Cait. Whatever this was, it's likely not over."


Outside

The group leaves the inn through the hole in the wall, where once the door had been.

Xavril and Valerian are way ahead already, at the stable's doors.


The stable remains closed, with a strong iron lock.

Now that you think of it, the innkeeper never claimed that the goddamn horse was his property;
wherever it came from, it likely wasn't taken from his stables.

Everybody make a Memory roll; generic d20, plus your INT modifier, to see if you remember where you last saw the horse - before it was burned.

Inside, the animals seem to have lost their voices.
All you can hear is the constant drumming of their hooves against the stable doors, the soundwaves making the whole building shake.

The night outside is misty and dark, and quiet. Too quiet for a night even in this remote place.

You hear no sounds from the neighboring houses, nor do you see any lights through the windows, nor do you smell from the hearthfires.





I took their voices, and I will take their spark.





Something whispers in a dark corner of your brain.

[ewancummins]

Varian, not waiting for the others to make up their minds about what to do, has already begun work on breaking into the stables...

[Zilfer]

Ammanas breathed in the cold chill of the night, the outside feeling a bit surreal as they headed to the stables. He caught sight of the two that had left before. "Aha! It appears our quick footed companions haven't left just yet." said Ammanas approaching in the distance. As he approached he noticed they were trying to pick the lock. A lock?

"It appears the horse did not come from this stable then... who's was it I wonder than...?" asked Ammanas seeming to think for a moment. "Do any of you have experience when tracking? Perhaps we can follow the tracks back to where they lead?"

An involentary shiver went down Ammanas' spine as if a whisper had crawled into his mind, it was just on the verge of being able to be understood. He made a quick warding sign while holding onto his holy symbol. "Begone foul spirit," said Ammanas aloud afriming his determination of the ward.

[Trike]

"I can track a little if needed," Nicodemus says while looking around at the shadows. He seems to have his head cocked as if to catch a half-heard whisper of wind along the rooftops.

He is following Ammanas but his eyes are darting and alert - looking for danger.

"Ammanas, it might not be good for us to get caught outside against the official order. You might find yourself having to pull rank if the local patrol sees us."

[VAN]

Hearing a strange voice at his head Boiros looks at bith Nicodemus and Ammanas to make sure they heard that as well. Seeing also Ammanas' reaction and the ward he makes understands that he is indeed right. Making a ward of Ezra's protection as well he says:

"I guess you have heard the strange voice at your head. I'm almost sure that is telepathy. This means we finally know something about the one who did this to the horse. Do you know any creature that has telepathic ability?"

Seeing Nicodemus try to track asks:

"Any luck? Do you need light to see better?"

[steveflam]

Varian, not waiting for the others to make up their minds about what to do, has already begun work on breaking into the stables...

Xavril waits patiently whilst Varian works the lock. He is keeping an eye out just in case.

[ewancummins]

Varian, not waiting for the others to make up their minds about what to do, has already begun work on breaking into the stables...

Xavril waits patiently whilst Varian works the lock. He is keeping an eye out just in case.

Varian whispers-
''Son of a bitch has it locked up pretty tight. If this doesn't work we can try to bust the lock. Or we can smash a window, maybe open the door from the inside. ''


Seeing the others leaving the inn, he adds-
"Looks like that stupid blowhard innkeeper just kicked out the other guests. What a complete ass. "

[ewancummins]

Varian stands up and leans against the stable door.

''Lock's rusty or something--bah. Hey! Is that Caitlin?"

He jogs away from the stable to catch the girl.

"Caitlin, wait."

[steveflam]

Xavril actually tries but in vain to smash the lock. He follows after Varian, not saying a word. His gnomish weapon is back at its place at his back. He slows down to follow Varian.