Elise Greaves sobbed pitifully. Miriam gripped her daughter’s shoulders, trying to calm the girl enough to get an answer. Joshua broke away to check the trees, but shook his head when he couldn’t find the girl. The adults pressed Elise, who stared wide eyed. “Elise, you must tell me, what happened to Phoebe?”

Finally, the child screamed, “She took her!”

“Who? Who took Phoebe?”

Elise shook with sobs as she screamed, “The Witch, Mama! The Bad Woman who took Papa away! Sheila!”

The villagers closed around our heroes, a flurry of words hitting the group like the storm that had driven them to Deadwater. “Sheila Blackmoor?!” “It’s not my fault the girls got out! I only left my post to relieve myself, Connor was daydreaming…!” “You wouldn’t need to ‘relieve yourself’ so often if you didn’t drink up half the Sulphur Spit’s tankards!” “Who is the strange woman with Azatch’s group? Where is Simon? He could stop any Witch!”

Sister Mercion caught Sundos’ eye, looking as overwhelmed by the cacophony as the crowd of villagers grew. However, she attempted to calm them as a voice of reason in the maelstrom. “Please, we will find little Phoebe, but we must calm down and gather all the facts before we can help anyone!”

Joshua closed on Lenelle, looking confused now. “What happened with my brother? Does this mean it wasn’t him who brought the ghouls on Deadwater? Do you think she really did this…?”

In all the din, Miriam remained oddly quiet. She held her crying child, her jaw clenched as she slowly shook her head. When the other villagers talked over Mercion, she released Elise and stood. Fists clenched tight, she unleashed a scream that immediately silenced the crowd. They all stared at Miriam, perhaps shocked by her outburst, but deferring to a mother who nearly lost her own child to the swamp. Miriam’s scream ended, followed by an accusing glare at Laredon. “I told you! Years ago, when my husband died, I told you it was her fault! You denied me then, and look what has happened since! The undead marching on our town! Now, she’s stealing our children!

No more excuses, Laredon Van Dee! Gather your men and march to her shack! Find the Witch and make her PAY!”

Azatch looked at Sundos or one of the other talkers to calm this situation. When none stepped forward immediately he called out, "yeah sure. Gather your men so they can march into the swamp and die Laredon. Or leave the town undefended when the undead come tonight. Both are great plans."

"A scared kid isn't a reason to gather a mob. There's something in the swamp taking other people's faces and sending undead . Wasn't Jason who showed up outside of town before. Everyone in town's lost people, so stop screaming like you're the only one Miriam and look to your girl."

"You all go back to town and we'll do what we've been doing and risk our lives for you ungrateful sots."

With that Azatch turned his back on Miriam and let the talkers talk. He looked to the druids in their wolf forms and motioned them outward. He muttered quietly so only sharp eared people and wolves could hear him, "come on, lets get a feel for the trail and see where it leads for a bit while they natter about and cry more."
This message was last edited by the player at 00:05, Wed 11 Aug 2021.

Skye listened to the mob, talking, then Azatch. When he spoke, she had a smile and when he went away, she followed him. "Well said. Now, between us, lets see if we can't find a trail big man. This hidden enemy is gonna get one hell of a halfling ass kicking when we catch him."

She looks at him and the wolves. "If we start where we found the cloth and hair and fan out. Azatch, you fan left, i'll go right. If the druids skirt the edge to see what's on our flanks.....As much a pain in the ass as pockets was, he had skills. Anyone who took him would have needed help."

Azatch gave a good speech to the townsfolk, hopefully enough to stop the pitchforks, at least for a bit.

Cela asks Miriam "The girls seem to look up to me and Lenelle.  Can we talk with your daughter a bit?"

"...I think this is another fake," said Tara.  "Someone's making a lot of trouble for folks this way, and I don't like how they're doing it."

But she was glad someone else was doing the talking.  It wasn't her strongest suit.

Grog left the others to speak with the folk from the village. He followed Azatch. "What are we looking for? Bits of clothing, footprint in the mud. Not sure if we're going to know what he find."

---

rolled 11 using 1d20+5.  Perception

Lenelle whispered under her breath, and made a brief gesture.  And then did something she rarely did.    Stepped up -- calling attention to herself:

"People of Deadwater!   Hear me!  The man who appeared outside your gates and appeared to be Joshua's brother, was not Jason Redfern!  The real Jason was back in the druid's grove at that time, with no knowledge of what took place!   Someone possesses the ability to alter their appearance, or change their form!   Someone with a vested interest in directing others away from their own evil!"

She paused, letting it sink in, continued --  "My friends and I pledge to you, we will rescue Phoebe from whomever has her, and see them brought to justice!  If that truly be Sheila Blackmoor, then so be it!   But, I beg you, all of you -- jump to no conclusions!   This enemy is cunning and deceptive!  And we must make certain the true perpetrator is exposed, and stopped!"

Lenelle Toreth rolled 3 using 1d4.  guidance.
Lenelle Toreth rolled 15 using 1d20+5.  Persuade. Total check = 18

Sundos stepped up next to Lenelle and spoke to the crowd. "Brothers, Sisters! It is as Lenelle says. There is a great evil out in the swamp. As of yet, the source of that evil is still shielded from us. Just this morning, we all thought Jason Was the source of evil. In the name of Pelor, I too testify that he is not evil. He is a holy druid, working hard to protect the Land.

"We will find the missing girl and stop this evil. Do not lose faith in Pelor. The Deceiver wants us to turn on each other. Stay calm. Take your concerns and questions to Sister Mercion. These are dark times. But Pelor's Light still shines on us. Please return to your homes, use your faith and prayers to aid us find the girl."

Laredon had to hold back Miriam from slapping Azatch. The wiry woman’s arms flailed as she tried in vain to break free. “Be still, Miriam! He’s the size of an oak tree, you’d be lucky if he didn’t throw you into the river for the crocodiles for such nerve!” Luckily, Lenelle’s plea slowly worked on the villagers. Although still agitated, many still trusted the beautiful Half-Elf and the friendly Priest of Pelor. “Heed the Elf-blooded Lady. She shows good sense, and her companions saved us from the ghoul hordes. We’ve not seen them since the night Cela & Simon faced them down! Let’s listen to them.”

Sister Mercion attempted to soothe the distraught Miriam. “Your daughter was found unharmed. Pelor willing, these heroes will return little Phoebe safe and sound, too. Please. Come with me to the Temple and I will lead us in prayer for her safety.” Perhaps she deliberately avoided any mention of her own traveling companion, Pockets, who’d also gone missing.

While the humans discussed their options, Grog looked for anything he could track. He only found small footprints likely left by the girls and Pockets. It seemed that whatever the three encountered met them further out in the swamp.

Meanwhile, Azatch felt one of the Druid-dogs butt his leg with her head. When he looked up, he and Skye saw Georg and Connor break from the search party with a third watchman. They furtively stalked off in the swamp, obviously proceeding on their own to Sheila’s cabin…

Azatch swatted Grog and Skye and pointed with his chin at the disappearing townsfolk.

"I'm going to go stop those idiots. Grog you come with me and Skye can start tracking with the others?"

Sundos placed his hand on Lenelle's elbow. He quietly said, "Can you go with Azatch and Grog? Try to avoid bloodshed. Can you cast Sleep again?"

In a louder voice to Azatch and Grog, "Try to avoid bloodshed. Use your wits first. Then fists before weapons." He held up his bare fists in a 'fighting pose'.

"The sooner we get back with the girl, the sooner things will calm down here."

Lenelle considered Sundos' request.

Firstly she said, "I think you may be confusing me with Tara, or perhaps Simon.  Sleep spells are not in my repertoire.   My magic is extremes; it heals or harms, with little middle ground.  I...don't know.  I think splitting is a bad idea.  But I don't see there's a better option, unless the tracks lead to Sheila's cabin.   Tara is a better choice than me to end a confrontation without injury. And she knows Sheila as well."

Tara felt Gwyl’s talons gently squeeze her shoulder when Lenelle mentioned her connection with Sheila.

Grog followed Azatch. "Don't worry," he said over his shoulder. "We'll convince them that it would be better for them to stay in the village and protect those within." He carried the glaive over his shoulder.

"Yes, I can do that," said Tara.  "I'll go to protect Sheila; I have sleeping and webs at my disposal, as necessary.  That should stop anyone from getting hurt."

Skye looked on as the three men separated, making there own way to the cabin. She nodded at Grog. "Try not to beat them too bad.....try" She had a smile on her face as she spoke, then went about tracking again.

"Azatch get all tbe fun....come on, let's find this girl and fool" She clearly had some hope pockets yet lived.

 ..so she could smack him up on the head.