Arlette and
Grigori your watches are first. The only thing either of you notice is that the guards appear to be patrolling in larger groups now, five or seven men at a time.
Kull, during your watch, in the middle of the night, you stay by the window watching the street below. You can't place your finger on it, but you feel uncomfortable here, surrounded by sleeping children and priests. Even though you watch the street below, you are surprised when you see a shadowy figure move across the street, from one dark shadow into another.
You can't be sure, but it seemed like a man. It skirted the light, stayed in the shadow as much as possible, but it moved oddly. You could almost be convinced that it was just a figment of your imagintation, and shift in moonlight, anything really. But you can't quite convince yourself, it keeps you on edge. Before you can act much more than that, it is
Ludo's turn at watch, you mention what you saw.
Ludo, feeling a little spooked by the figure described by
Kull, you keep a very alert watch in the early morning hours before everyone wakes. You take careful notice of the guards patrols in the streets surrounding the dormitory. You too see the shadowy figure, further down the street than where
Kul pointed it out, and heading in the opposite direction. There's an eerie pre-dawn light when you see it, it's more formed than you thought it would be, but due to the mist and the dista, you cannot make out much detail... but you're sure it didn't move right. It didn't seem to step, it seemed to float, or just... move in a very indistinct way.
When you sleep, all of you have unsettling dreams. None of you remember any specifics, only a feeling of gloom, depression, of unending pointlessness. It is difficult to smile in the morning. You notice that the Mother arises happily and starts to rouse everyone with far more cheer than any of you feel. Apparently, she is immune to the affects taking place on the town. You all also notice that she does a very good job of cheering everyone, and before long, everyone is happily making their way around the dormitory, and heading downstairs to begin cooking.
You are all invited downstairs to join in the meal.
When questions, Mother Scersis says that she has noticed how people feel when they wake, but had simply put it down to the recent troubles playing on peoples minds. She points out that no one seems to have trouble falling asleep though.
Arlette, when the others point out where the dark man came from and returned toward, you instantly note that it appears to be in the direction of the spot on your map of the swamp where the taint lies. Or at least it's in that direction.
Some of the priests and brothers make mention that they have some supplies that could be useful for you all on your assumed trip into the swamp. The can't give them to you for free. They have:
- Potion of Cure Serious Wounds (CL 4) (600gp)
- Potion of Cure Light Wounds x12 (CL 2) (100gp)
- Potion of Cure Moderate Wounds x7 (CL 3) (300gp)
- Potion of Hide From Animals x6 (CL 2) (100gp)
- Potion of Pass Without Trace x3 (CL 1) (50gp)
- Potion of Protection From Evil x4 (CL 3) (150gp)
- Potion of Sanctuary x2 (CL 4) (200gp)
- Potion of Bull's Strength x1 (CL 4) (400gp)
- Potion of Daylight x3 (CL 3) (450gp)
- Potion of Remove Disease x2 (CL 4) (600gp)
(You can all see how the orphange makes money)
I'll let you all decide whether any of these potions are of interest. I assume you're all in agreement to head to the tainted area of the swamp.
Kull and
Ludo, as an aside, you notice that a lot of the older boys here are quite strong, some have a little skill with weapons, learned on their own through practice in the yard with one of the Clerics.