Chapter 28: Return to Adventuring

May 4

Agnarr asks Hiipi about druid groves. Hiipi mentions by name 3 druids living nearby: the goblin Gogmurt, the hobgoblin Fanuh Renneth, and the wood-elf Laihieth Heartwhip. Hiipi says that the goblin is the only one who doesn’t move around much, so he can say where he operates, apparently near Thistletop. The hobgoblin and wood-elf both live in the forest, in Mosswood. The hobgoblin also spends time in Nettlewood. To become a member of the grove, apparently all 3 masters of the grove must approve the applicant.

Ertak and Kieron leave Sandpoint and travel toward Falcon’s Hollow, the journey goes without problems.

Ageiaa informs Neiia that the training needs to end a few hours short because Neiia is needed for an adventurers’ guild mission. Ageiaa talks to the elven sword master and tells him that Neiia will probably return later to get more training. Ageiaa opens a portal in the hallway, and they step through it.

Neiia arrives via portal to where Agnarr and Hiipi are. Agnarr remarks that Neiia has learned fancy things since the last time. Ageiaa then steps out of the portal and Agnarr mumbles something like “or not”. Ageiaa says that they are needed in Falcon’s Hollow and says she will open a portal near the town because she doesn’t want to open it in the middle of town. Agnarr says goodbye to Hiipi, and Neiia to Ageiaa, and they travel by portal to near Falcon’s Hollow, meeting Kieron and Ertak in the village. Ertak tells that children have disappeared from the village, and our task would be to assist in the search. The group goes to talk to the local herbalist and try to get more information.

The herbalist tells them the children disappeared 4 days ago, there are 5 children, and they are 9-13 years old, both boys and girls.

Kim, a half-elf, is the child of Kitan and Idris. Idris is apparently a famous ranger and hasn’t been around for some time, but Kim is present. Ertak recognizes Idris by name. Idris is known for having successfully found several ruins and works for some unknown entity. He has been doing this for many decades. He is married to the local seamstress (Kitan); everyone was jealous of his wife because she is very beautiful.

Hollin’s parents are dead; his older sister Raila takes care of him. They live in a poor part of the town; Raila is rarely home.

Mikra’s father is Colbrin; her mother doesn’t talk to strangers, better to talk to the father. The father runs a butcher’s shop.

It’s better not to talk with Yurin’s father, Cavel Thudrin 3rd Green; he is the boss of the woodcutters and is a mean person who exploits people. Yurin’s mother doesn’t talk to ordinary people.

Savram’s father is Shervaros; you can talk with him. He is a wizard, and the superstitious townspeople believe he is an evil wizard. Nothing is known about Savram’s mother. Rumors say that Savram just appeared one day. Shervaros can usually be found in his stone cottage about a half a mile east of the village.

This is the first time children have disappeared. The group decided to start asking children where the missing ones were last seen. Ertak manages to scare the children away. Agnarr and Ertak head to the pub, the Sitting Duck. The Sitting Duck has vinegary wine and nauseating-smelling beer. Neiia talks to another group of children and finds out that there was a bet that “you probably don’t dare spend the night in the ruins of Elara’s Halfway House.” This is located north of the village. Kieron remembers that it’s an orphanage. This house burned down about six-seven months ago, and the fire happened very quickly; none of the residents escaped. Generally, people wonder if it was a natural fire because it happened so quickly. Neiia and Kieron get the rest of the members, and we head toward the ruins. Agnarr notices children’s tracks on the road going toward the orphanage ruins.