In reply to Mirth (msg # 75):

OOC: nice, i will give siloqui a chance to post.

"What happened to the girl?" Siloqui asks, sinking slightly in her stance as she gauges their numbers, locations and distances from herself in preparation for an incoming attack.

"Be more specific." A woman's voice said. A heartbeat later as pale, slim human woman stepped from the deeper shadows. She was tall and slim, with long shaggy hair, and seemed lighter than the shadows, "There are many of us, so be more specific. Maybe you'll live."

"Luella Heartbun, daughter of Esme. A halfling girl, her grandfather calls her Ikashi. She was wearing a blue cloak with a green and brown dress when she went missing four days ago," Siloqui replies, somewhat taken aback at the outline of the woman emerging from the deeper shadows.

"No, you cannot have her. She is to wed Norris at the next full moon." The woman said.

"Go back to where you came from, little morsel." Warned the growling voice. "Go back, or maybe I'll ravish you before I devour you."

There was wolfing, laughing, and several catcalls. One voice even called to them saying, "Who knows, maybe she'll want to marry old Rifkin afterwards."

"Yes! Yes! Maybe save his old teeth the anguish of cracking her bones the marrow." Another voice called out in bestial tones. Laughter ensued.

"Bah, lung worms take you Tremic." The one who was obviously Old Rifkin answered in sour tones.

"Is she here? Can she speak for herself? Or is Norris so unpleasant they can not find a willing wife?" she calls out in response.

"Norris is in Eastwitch, Ikashi is down at Riverton buying flowers." A voice grumbled form the shadows. "Care to be served at the wedding?"

"Silence Kurt!" The woman barked suddenly. "Leave. Now!"

Mirth, invisible in the darkness, muttered more to Sil than to the others, "Seems like this crew isn't too friendly. But I don't like the sound of marriage for the lass. Not after those tracks. Doesn't seem like she was asked about the idea."

Siloqui frowns, "Fine, we will leave for now."

She begins backing towards the entrance they had come through until confident she can turn and leave without being attacked.

"Be sure to come ans visit again, sweet morsel." A deep voice said the shadows.

"Bring salt, you skinny git. Bring salt." Another voice called after them. Laughter followed the words.

Once outside Siloqui waits for Mirth to appear, apparently troubled by the interaction inside the cavern.

{OOC: you can use appropriate skills here to take a little time to piece together some of the clues in that scene and discern what might be going on. History for myths or legends, arcane lore, beast lore, etc. just what you feel is appropriate and why.)

The walk back towards town was one of agitation and consternation. When there path led them to the road it occurred to Silogui that Riverton was just a few miles away.

As Mirth stepped out of the shadows of the cave mouth he reappeared, blinking in the light.
"Well. That could have gone better. What do you suppose it means? Did you get a good look at any of them? I just saw eyes."

"I didn't get a good look at them but from what I could pick up they seemed bestial, like a pack of animals rather than a gang of thieves. That they said she and her 'betrothed' are in different places leads me to think that they've either blackmailed or charmed her into the marriage somehow or she actually wants to go through with it. I think we should try to find her and ask her about it. At the very least she isn't dead."

Siloqui seems quite put out at the idea, not as sure of herself as she usually is.

OOC: I think Siloqui may have read about something like this some time:
14:09, Today: Siloqui Galenodel rolled 20 using 1d20.  History: Werewolves, beastmen and shapechangers etc.

Siloqui thought for a moment and it came to her, a regional legend that was mentioned in a book read years ago. A rare pack, a tribe in actuality, of were-jackals had migrated to the region some three centuries ago. Living like roving gypsies and feeding like a pack of feral predators, they were known as the Vanvar. The legend was unclear as to their number, but it seemed to Siloqui they were very few indeed.

Sharing her recollection with Mirth she says, "Perhaps when we speak with her in Riverton she can tell us all about these Vanvar."
This message was last edited by the player at 21:06, Wed 03 Feb 2021.

"Seems like a good place to start. If nothing else, we want to be sure she's safe. And that's much easier if we can lay eyes on her. Were jackals or not."

"Let us go there directly then, I do not want to miss her."

Riverton was small town, and like its name suggested it built on the bank of the Kevig River. Rows of houses spread out from the central road that led to the jetty where the ferry was tethered. A small bazaar grew up to either side of the road near the jetty that was filled to bursting with three things; flowers, vegetables, and Halflings.

Mirth looked to Sil, "How do we want to do this? Keep it quiet or make a big splash?"

Siloqui chews her lip in thought for a moment as she considers things before responding, "I think we make it clear that we are looking for her on her mother's behalf. We will find her more quickly if she wants to be found. "

Looking about, she searches for the girl amongst the crowd just in case she is in plain sight.

"Maybe leave out the wedding and werejackal conspiracy topics until we can talk to her directly, it might cause folks to keep quiet. "
This message was last edited by the player at 23:13, Fri 05 Feb 2021.

Mirth rolled his eyes, "I know when to be subtle. Here."

He gestured upward and glowing, eight-foot-tall letters appeared fifteen feet over their heads in golden script: "We're looking for Luella" and an arrow pointing down to Mirth.

"So, no subtlety then," Siloqui groans quietly as Mirth creates this gigantic sign above them.

Thinking that there is nothing else for it, she puts her hands up to her mouth in a cone-like fashion and calls out over noise of the bazaar "Esme Heartbun is worried for her missing daughter Luella, sometimes called Ikashi. She was last seen in a green and brown wool dress with a blue cloak and a scarab brooch. Please help us reunite them."

Her voice booms supernaturally loud, cutting through the busy sounds of the street. Coupled with Mirth's signage there was no doubt that they would draw attention.
Casting Thaumaturgy for the volume boost.

After several minutes a Halfling stepped out of the milling and growing crowd. She was tall and lean by Halfling standards, and very attractive. She smiled but seemed to have a confused look on her face. Approaching Siloqui and Mirth she seemed to get a flash of realization and stepped close to them to speak.

"I am afraid that have been misled." Ikashi said. "I am not missing. I just can't go back to that way of life now. Tell my grandfather to stop paying for foolhardy adventuring types to try to steal me back to him."

Siloqui takes in her words and nods, "Yes we spoke to some of the Vanvar and they said you were to be married to Norris, things your grandfather said were not adding up. Just to be clear; you are safe and choosing to do this, correct? You are not being compelled?"

She leans in slightly, "If you need help we can do something but if you want us to leave you be just give us some token or message that your grandfather will not be able to mistake as coming from anyone but you."

---

I imagine Siloqui has no idea how to read this girl
13:43, Today: Siloqui Galenodel rolled 5 using 1d20+4.  Insight.