Finding the Cult

[NeomerArcana]

Arlette and Kull, as you try to find any information related to the cult or it's location, you learn a few things.

• Because of the church and the peasantry that comes for shelter, there are a lot of people coming and going from the Castle. This makes it hard for any of the guards to tell you about people that head off in any certain direction.
• However, a couple of the guards, who seem to be good friends, joking with each other while on watch, have noticed that some of the noblemen head to the north-east. They jokingly assumed it was a few of the dainty upper-class men who liked other dainty upper-class men
• You find no tracks around the castle that could give any clue, but that isn't to say there aren't any there, just that you haven't the skill to find them.

You are also informed by Father Klavin, who comes to find you a little while later, that there is a man he knows who can assist.

"His name is Fenner Bates," he tells you. "A mage... though he doesn't wield the magiks of the divine Pelor, he is devout, and will aid us in this. When he arrives, I'm sure he will find you."

[NeomerArcana]

Hragg, Elec, and Hilda appear to have deserted the group, and made off with what little money they had earned. Ferra is still around, though he still expects to be paid.

[Fenner Bates]

An older human with white hastily cropped hair and ratty robes approaches without hesitation. He leans on a cane in his right hand with his steps but you are not sure that he needs it. "You must be Arlette & Kull. The father said I would find you here. My name is Fenner, May the light of Pelor find you well." He looks around smiling to see if anyone is in earshot lowering his voice to only be heard by the two before him and shifting the sack straps on his shoulder closer to his wrinkled neck. "Have any leads?"

[Kull]

Kull looks at the frail old man who looked like a beggar he saw sometimes in city slums.
but usally they werent that old or would dare to approach a half orc of his statue.
Kull didnt know how the man knew his name ,but he didnt really cared about that since in the last few days he had seen worse suprises than harmless strangers.
he awnswerd with a hard accent: yes i am kull , but who are you man named fenner ?
if the priest send you i think you are no trouble. i have no idea where they could be i was never a good tracker.
He then turns to arlette and aks her: did you have any luck finding out something ? i have no idea where they could be, they could be anywhere in the forrest or hiding like rats in the sewers or in some storage room.
maybe we should just wait for them to come out

[Fenner Bates]

"Isn't that question a little deep for a first meeting. I'm nearing my 70th year and I couldn't say even to myself who I truly am. That said I might think that is part of the reason that I'm out here." Fenner looks from the tall orc to the other adventurer. "I know we are looking for a cult of some kind but other than that I don't have any details. Maybe if you informed me then my friend here and I could aid in the search." He gestures towards the raven circling overhead which swoops down landing on his shoulder. The added weight of the animal causing the old man's arm to buckle at the elbow for a second before he manages to straighten it.

[Arlette Craven]

"Nice bird; this is Brown Dog" Arlette motions to her dog, patiently watchful as always. "Does your friend have a name? I've got one, Black Bird, that's a good name." Arlette smiles, pleased with her ability to converse freely with riff-raff.

She continues, "well, old man, we were hired to escort a merchant, we were attacked, many times by ferocious many-legg-ed beasts, immovable statues, the foul undead. I fought valiantly, the accuracy of my cross-bow beggars belief. This fine Orc-Man showed much bravery, and be sure not to bet against him in competition or you will find your purse far lighter." Arlette punches Kull in the shoulder in a show of companionship and despite her attempt to give a solid punch to the orc it is no doubt he felt nothing more than a slight brush. She shakes her tender fist and rubs it as she continues, "I digress, it turns out that our employer was actually dealing in the dark arts of bodies, not quite dead!" Arlette pauses for dramatic effect and studies the face of Fenner for his reaction. When his reaction does not meet her expectation, she continues, "these bodies were stolen from us, we were far outmatched at the time, and we were then tasked by the church of Pelor to put a stop to whomever has taken the bodies and whatever it is they wish to do to them..." Her brow furrows as she looks to Brown Dog, who has come up to her leg, let out a small whimper. She pats her, a brief smile crosses her mouth.

Arlette concludes with the information they have learnt from the guards.

"And so, old man friend, this is where we are, looking for these treacherous beings who practice in a cult, Hextor. Do you know of it?"

[Fenner Bates]

"This is Byrne." (Pronounced: Burn) He ponders the rest of the woman's words for a moment. "I know only that there was a cult which needed to be destroyed. As for finding it, if they deal with bodies then maybe we should look for pillaged graveyards, check the gutters and ditches for pieces of flesh left by the bodies as they were moved in their rotted state, or search the more olfactory offending places which would give off the scents of death or mask them."

"Unfortunately I'm new to town and the priests were not big on tours so I don't rightly know where these kinds of places would be." He begins trying to lead the group around the area searching for trails and clues in the areas he mentioned.

Search check at the locations:
1d20+4

[Arlette Craven]

Black Bird would have been a better name Arlette thinks to herself.

"They probably do steal bodies from the graveyards, we should check or ask the priests if they've noticed any interference with the dead. These bodies of ours weren't dead, however, or brought back from the dead..." Arlette thinks for a moment, "it was like they were asleep. Do you know anything of that magic?"

DM Arlette will speak to the priests they know for information on any grave interference, can we take 20 for this? Also, she will now search for signs of grave robbing.

Search check
1d20+6

[Fenner Bates]

"I know that there are magics which will animate the bodies of the dead. If I remember correctly the remains of living creatures animate easier than stone or metal constructs due to the integration of subtle life magics which course throughout the body while the subject is alive. You bring up a good point most spells require ancillary components. Maybe we could find out where they are sourcing the requirements that they need." Fenner tries to remember or discern based on his knowledge what additional material components the cult might need to perform their magics.

Arcana roll to determine the material components necessary:
1d20+8

[NeomerArcana]

When you ask Father Klavin about any grave disturbences, he says he knows of none, but that he wouldn't as he doesn't oversee any burials or death rituals. He points you to the arm of the church that handles mourning and burials, to a Father Calladseg, a Gnome.

It doesn't take long to find Calladseg. As the overseer of mourning and burial, he acts in a very administrative way within the church, usually, as he is today, cloistered in his office. He is an old Gnome, which speaks a lot about his age considering how long they live. His office is simply adourned, his desk and chair are simple. Light streams in through a large window behind his desk, a fire burns in a small hearth. Behind him, in a corner, sits a shield and sword, sized for a gnome, held in front of a suit of chainmail armor, all resting on an armor stand. There is an intricate crest of sorts on the shield, woven in what appears to be gold.

When asked about any bodies or grave disturbences, he looks shocked. "Well yes," he replies in a light, wavery voice. "But I've only just been informed. We haven't even started looking into it, but of course we would welcome the help from The Sword."

(It appears as though members of the church have begun to hear rumours that Father Klavin has begun recruiting and bolstering The Sword. For those who don't remember, or maybe it wasn't clear before, Father Klavin and Brother Trey's arm of the church has only one purpose, and that purpose is to fight the servants of evil gods)

He goes on to blurt out everything he knows about what's happened. Two bodies have been taken from the graveyard just east of the castle, both human, both died in the past two weeks. Elenor Silversten and Corfee Denerven. Both died from farming accidents in the valley. Elenor died from an infected wound she received tilling the soil, and Corfee died when a mule kicked him against a sturdy tree. The only other person that knows is the Graveyard keeper, Spruster (his only name), who found the upturned earth this morning (but delayed in getting in touch with Calladseg).

Everyone please make a Knowledge (Religion) check when you reply next.

Fenner you don't recall anything, and fail to find any tracks in the vicinity. Arlette while you would easily find signs of grave-robbing, I took the "asking priests" as your first action, so you never did search (but turns out you get the info in any case).