"Did savram have any other friends? apart from the others who have gone missing? We would like to talk to them."

There had to be more than five children in this town. And kids always knew when other kids were getting into trouble.

Savaros had to look up to see the eyes of the warrior woman and he kind of shrunk inward at her straight forward manner.

I would not know was all he said

"I know that words do little to ease your worries, Kitani. I promise to do my best to find Kimi. It appears that those adventurers are planning to search for the children, and I'm joining them. I won't let them quit., Tanien said to her.

"Do you know where they usually played? Are there other children that were part of her group but not missing?  Is there anyone in town who she might look up to as a mentor to teach her adventuring?", he asks, hoping for clues.

After Nom picks up their pay, Dorak heads to High Market for the warhammer he had commissioned. Once that is secured, he asks around to see if any merchants had seen the  children, and if so, where and when.

"Thank you for understanding," was all Nomerendal said in reply to Kreed. Fully aware of the situation he'd leveraged, the little gnome wasn't about to push things any further... at this point. He thanked Payday and quickly scampered after his companions before either of them might change their mind and send a very large boot in the direction of his posterior.

With Dorak to aid him, Nom asked about a bow while they were about. He was looking for something a bit bigger than the little hunting bow he currently carried. Something which might pack a little more punch and shoot just a might further, though truth be told, his best chance of increasing his lethality would be more practice and some exercise to build up his bow arm...

Dorak suggests a crossbow, which has a longer reach than comparative longbows and packs a heavier punch with its metallic bolts. He introduces Nom to the Weaponsmith he contracted, and asks if there might be anvils for sale in the low market.

Kitani tells Tanien that the normal group of kids Kimi hung around were those 4. but yes perhaps some of the other kids might know something. They seemd to gravitate to the old mill on the banks of the river.

In reply to DM Dread (msg # 56):

"In that case, we'll talk to some of the other kids and then start our search at the old mill. Our family's blood flows through Kimi's veins.  I will not abandon family. You as well, Kitani, regardess of Idris' foolishness. As soon as I have any news, you will be the first to hear it." , Tanien promised.


"You know, I was expecting a more pleasant situation before I arrived. I brought gifts for your family.  A bottle of brandy for Idris, a bolt of fine threaded linen for you."

He knelt down dug through his bundle.  He removed a necklace of some sort

"And this pendant for Kimi.  Would you take the rest back to the house for me?  I'll give the pendant to Kimi myself."

Tanien carefully wrapped it up and put it in his breast pocket. With that, he turned and quickly left to join the rest of the party at the mill.
This message was last edited by the player at 06:19, Mon 10 Dec 2018.

"I guess that would be expecting too much," she snapped at the wizard's reply. "Come on Fidget. Let's go meet at the mill, see what we can find out down there."

She led the way down to the old mill.

Nom chatted with the smith Dorak introduced him to. Not wanting to waste a lot of time that would be better spent looking for the missing children, Nom tried to act quickly with his selection of a bow. He opted for the strongest he could manage to pull, and attempted to trade-in the little hunting bow he'd practiced with and used up to now.

it didnt take long to pick a bow and an anvil and drop the anvil off at Taracks, who of course was absent. Then they went to the old mill just outside of town about a few hundred yards downriver towards the forest. An old building sat out of the wall that had 3 floors and a mill wheel still turning with the current. A group of 6 kids between the ages 9 and 13 sat throwing stones into the river and talking. Youd seen them around.

Nearby several of Kreeds guards were going floor by floor through the old mill.

Sara approached the children at the mill. The statuesque woman crouched down a little to get on their level, then began asking them to share what they knew about the missing kids, "So we can help find them." Nobody would be in trouble, we just need to know.

---

09:25, Today: Sara Dawnstar rolled 24 using 1d20+7.  diplomacy - gather information (talking to children).

It took some coaxing but once started it was like a floodgate as the kids all started sharing what they knew...the answer was the 5 kids went to stay the night at Elaras Halfway House. The ruins of an orphanage that some Giants had raised a few years back. It was fire damaged and supposed to be haunted. And the kids went to prove their bravery to each other. It was about 4 hours away. And the kids would've been back hours ago if there was nothing wrong

After a quick stop for directions, Tanien soon affived at the old mill.  He had his pack and bow, ready to leave immediately if necessary.


He looked around and recognized Sara from earlier so he went over and waited patiently as she questioned the children.

Fidget told the group she would meet them at the mill and left the group to pick up something she had purchased before they left the first time.

"Thank you children for telling us about the orphanage. No doubt somebody got their pantsseat caught on a branch and everyone's trying to get him down." Nom smiled and waved the children off. "Now get back home and let the Consortium guards do their job. Go on now, maybe we can all go fishing when I get back!"

When the children had scampered back toward the Hollow, Nom pulled his friends close as well as the newcomer. "Listen, I've got a suspicion Kreed's not being completely forthright with us. Frankly, I'd like for us to go find those kids before his brutes figure out they're not here. Another good pay day from... Payday, would certainly be welcome. If Kreed's men find them, we'll get nothing, no matter how helpful we are. I say we slip quietly out of town and get to the orphanage! Tanien, you're certainly welcome to come along and we'll give you a share of whatever we can wheedle out of Kreed when we get back..."

"I appreciate the invitation, friend Nomerendal.  The fact is that you would be hard-pressed to keep me away.  One of the children, Kimi, is family after all." Tanien replied.


"Any monetary reward is secondary, but it would be fun to watch that old bastard Kreed loosen up his purse strings again.  Is the rest of your party prepared to go?"
This message was last edited by the player at 02:07, Tue 11 Dec 2018.

Dorak returns with Nom in time to hear the plan. "Aye, I can be heading out." he sighs. "I was hopin' fer time for a project, but maybe I can get a local craftsman to do the job. Can Ye give me an hour?" Dorak mentally reviews who is town seemed a decent enough armorer to do the custom job he already bought the materials for.

"Very well.  As much as I would like to leave now, it would do no good to rush in ill-prepared."

"I'm ready to go, but let's try not to let Kreed's men catch wind that we'll be off soon. I'd like to get to the orphanage before them. While you're tying up your loose ends, I'll keep a watch over the mill and see what progresses here. Anyone else ready to head out can accompany me if you'd like. Don't dawdle!!"

The little gnome crept closer to the mill and found some cover from which he might observe without being noticed. He wanted to see what Kreed's men were doing and if possible overhear their conversations!

To this end he'll get as close as seems reasonable... When the others are near their time to return, he'll head back and meet up with them in order to head to the orphanage. Feel free to handwave ahead if it makes sense to keep the game moving GM.

"We keep doing stuff like this and I'm going to have to commission some better armor."  Arell grumbles.  "I can be ready to go now, or in an hour, just so long as I know what we're doing."

Fidget was quick about what she had to do, picking up her new mount then going to the livery stable, and getting the rest of her equipment, while there she has a wonderful idea purchasing a second set of barding. She didn't waist much time all and was mounted and on her way to the old mill in just over an hour.

On the ride to the mill she was considering how to the old Paladin, She hated the fact that because of her most of the group was keeping a secret from him. She made up her mind that where ever the road found them tonight she would sit down with Arell and tell the paladin every thing.

When the young sorceress came up the path to the mill and saw the others, she was riding a large dark gray beast of a dog. the leather armor the dog wore had been died gray to match it's coloring.Hey guy's, sorry I'm late. This my new dog Smoke I had him and his stuff on order since before we left town the first time and he  was finally delivered. isn't he cool. I sure hope my puppy and Arells like each other, So smoke will have some one to play with. As usual the green haired little gnome girl was gabbering a mile a minute.

Rolf wandered over and sniffed at the new dog, tail wagging lazily but picking up speed as they got closer.

Professional courtesy giving way to quick friendship.

Hey big guy, I got a present for your puppy to. I thought he would be a little safer with some armor, The way we've been getting into fights with everything we meet. Help me get it unpacked, and I'll show you what the guy at the livery stabled taught me about adjusting the straps. Fidget jumps off her riding dog and begins to loosen the straps on the saddle bags,

Arell shrugs and does so, "You didn't have to do this Fidget, but I appreciate all the same."

Who knows if Rolf will though...dog's been doing fine for years without it and he might not like the extra weight.

Still if it keeps him alive, he's just going to have to get used to it.