Charley flicks his ears, and then leans into the scratching.  "Mm.  Each familiar, no matter how silly their mage or others might think them, adds something to the game..." She looks the ranger over.  "I'm surprised those in your orders don't have them!"

 "Just say 'when'."

"For one who portrays himself as a wise and learned man, you behave childishly a great deal," Malivoire retorted, brushing off Barnabus' jibe.

He leaned forward over the table and spoke in a low voice.  "In fact I uncovered another possible lead on our mysterious figure, but we should discuss it in more private surroundings.  This place is too public."

Dax laughs, "I'm not sure that Charley would enjoy being out in the woods for days at a time, hunting goblins or stalking orcs! That's the typical life for rangers.

Although, those who have been at it for a long time do eventually learn to cast some spells. If I gain that expertise, I will definitely look to gain a familiar like Charley!

As to watching the south gates, I think tonight might be as good a time as any. Unless there are other plans being concocted" he points at Malivoire and Barnabus.
This message was last edited by the player at 07:28, Fri 03 Feb 2023.

(OOC)
We can return to our patron to review our findings in private.

Sir Dryvyk and Andryr arrive at The Brazen Strumpet a short time later. Together, the party makes the brief journey back to Mazzahs’ spire.

In his laboratory, the wizard is busy with studying the necromancer’s robe, the garment sheathed in a steady blue glow when the adventurers arrive. Mazzahs is delighted to see Sir Dryvyk once more and greets the knight and his squire warmly.

”Have you learned anything of the one we suspect of being involved in dark deeds within the tombs?” he inquires.

Taking a seat at one of the many benches in the workshop, Barnabus answers in the affirmative and further adds that they had had some fine tea and that, maybe, just maybe, that Mal had been able to advance his courtship of Taycee.

"We're looking for a man, most like, broad-shouldered at that, who lives in the western part of town. For his night forays, he dresses all in black from hood to boots. Sir has a list of buyers of swamp walkers. Mal also has his own discovery."

"And you can cross Harold Huffnpuff off your list. He's got a rock solid alibi."

Malivoire ignored Barnabus' little dig in front of Mazzahs and instead addressed their recently returned knight.  "Sir Dryvyk, can we see the list you were provided please?  I'm wondering how it aligns with some of our other suspicions."

When Sir Dryvyk complied, Malivoire bent over the list and scanned it quickly.  It appeared he was looking for someone in particular.

"We are planning to keep watch on the southern gates tonight, to see if we can spot our man."

"Unless we can surprise the ****stain in his filthy bedsit," puts in Barnabus. He turns to Dax, "That doesn't mean that you, Ynes, and the cat can't have your campout."

Malivoire's finger, which had been tracing down the list, came to a rest on one name.  He nodded slightly, but then looked up from the record in response to the exchange between Barnabus and Dax.

"We don't have any proof of anything, just yet.  I don't think barging in on someone we suspect and hauling them out of their home will endear us to anyone in town.  We need to know more than someone has been sneaking about in the night.  We need to know what they are actually up to."  He looked to Dax, Ynes and Dilemma.  "That's what the nighttime team must find out."

He glanced back down at the list, tapping at the last name.  "And I suggest we begin with the new acolyte at the church, Gamdar.  His name is on the list of those who bought the moor boots, and Taycee also confided in me that she has seen him out in the middle of the night, skulking around."

An exasperated Barnabus expostulates, "But... but... we have enough to lock the bastard up! Put him away! The fen footwear ... the hooded robe ... the ... the ... general skulkiness!"

Then, the curate's excitability turns in another direction and he gives his mop of hair a vigorous scratch.

"Why not return to the shrine on some pretext or other and have Sir sniff him out? Giv'em the ol' fish eye, if you follow my meaning."

"Insinuating his evil self into the shrine--them's goods enough," he finishes, daring any to contradict him.

Prime Suspect
Gamdar
This message was last edited by the player at 23:09, Sat 04 Feb 2023.

"Malivoire is right. Skulking about at night might be suspicious, but it is not proof of taking innocents into the Barrow for sacrifice! We need some sort of evidence, not just a suspicion."

"Dax looks at the priest questioningly, "Are you thinking that Gamdar might be able to hide his evil intent from Brother Othar? and the others at the temple?"
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 23:35, Sun 05 Feb 2023.

"Two thoughts, no, three thoughts!"

He punctuates the delivery of each successive thought with a brandished finger.

"One, if they have no reason to suspect him, they won't -- and no paladin knocking about there either."

"Two, even if they do, he might have a means of disguising his nature. Dilemma can sniff out any magical deception."

"Third: Gamdar...gamdar...RAM...RAM..dag...RAM...gad."

"How about Ram God!"

"Now, if those aren't the goods staring you in the face, you're in the wrong line of work, bub. We've got this guy dead to rights."

Barnabus now stands before the assembled with three fingers splayed out before him. A globule of drool depends perilously from the corner of his mouth.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:57, Sun 05 Feb 2023.

In the wake of Barnabus’ excited theorizing, the adventurers return to the Shrine of St. Ygg. The church has grown quiet in the late afternoon and when the party enters the narrow sanctuary, they find the room primarily empty. Only Cella is present, lighting incense in a series of four hanging censers behind the altar.

”Greetings again,” the acolyte says with a nod, ”Did you need to speak with Brother Othar? He is reading in his study.”
This message was last updated by the player at 20:26, Mon 06 Feb 2023.

"Yes, please do," Barnabus answers.

On the way to the brother's study, he asks, "Gamdar all done for the day?"

”Oh, no. There are always tasks that need to be seen to,” Cella replies, ”Gamdar has some skill in candle making. He has said that it was to be his profession before he entered the service of St. Ygg. He is in the kitchen at present, making candles for the sanctuary.”

She knocks politely on the study door, then pulls it open.

Othar is seated at his austere writing desk, a thick volume with pages yellowed from age open before him. He glances up, fatigue evident on his features. ”Good afternoon. What brings you back? Is everything well?”

Speaking in a voice that can only be heard by those in the study, Barnabus methodically lays out their suspicions about Gamdar, the coulda' been a chandler.

When he is finished, he calmly makes it known that Brother Othar can add or subtract to those suspicions with answers to two questions, "One, how did he come to serve at the shrine?" and "Two, does he live west of market square?" after which he proposes that they repair to the kitchen to brew a pot of late afternoon tea so that Sir Dryvyk can survey all that he might see.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:34, Tue 07 Feb 2023.

The young knight had been lost in thoughts of his own, tumbling the list over in his mind like stones churning in the wash of a swift mountain stream, the likes of which were found in Drakeholme, but certainly not in the fetid swamps of the Barrowmoor. He was uncomfortable with the zeal with which Barnabus would administer justice. Sir Dryvyk had a distaste for evil greater than that of most the party had probably ever met, but there seemed to be something they were missing... or perhaps he himself was missing.

As they walked together, Sir Dryvyk wrestled with his own prejudices against his rival. He realized that, in his mind, he was just as quick to condemn Ollis Blackfell as Barnabus was with Gamdar. His hand began to ache dully and he realized that his knuckles were white as he gripped the worn leather of his sword hilt.

His discomfort grew when they returned to the shrine and met with Brother Othar. "Brother, I confess that these are very disturbing allegations, and I would that they had never been brought up against one of our Order... however, our own sacred writings warn us against infiltration and rot from within. I've faith that the God of Righteousness will grant me insight with regard to Gamdar. I sincerely hope that Barnabus is mistaken..."

Brother Othar listens attentively to both Barnabus and Sir Dryvyk as they discuss Gamdar and the suspicions surrounding him. After they finish speaking, the cleric is silent for a few moments.

When he speaks again, it is to address Barnabus’ questions. ”As Helix grew, both in population and commerce, I began to see that the needs of the congregants here were becoming difficult for only I and Cella to meet. I sent a letter north, asking if the larger church could spare an acolyte for the shrine here. Gamdar is who was sent. It is my understanding that he volunteered for the posting.”

“Gamdar is hard working, but very private. He has been open to both instruction and correction in the months he has served here, but I confess I do not know a great deal about his life prior to his arrival in Helix. He is a quiet young man.”

Othar nods. ”Gamdar was given quarters in a cottage on the village’s west side, one that had stood empty for more than a year. The former owner had been trampled to death while traveling in a caravan to Ironguard Motte.”

“I share your hope that these suspicions prove groundless, Sir Dryvyk. But, we who are called to St. Ygg’s service must be willing to give an answer for both our actions and the motives that drive them.”

Standing, he motions for the advent to follow him. ”Come,” he says.

As Cella had indicated, the group find Gamdar seated at a table in the shrine’s small kitchen, inspecting the wicks on a dozen recently made candles. He sets the work down and stands as Othar and the adventurers enter.

”Forgive the interruption, Gamdar,” Brother Othar says, ”These good people are involved in investigating happenings in the Barrowmoor to the south. They wanted to speak with you for a moment.”

Gamdar turns his attention to the company members. ”How may I be of help to you?” he asks.

Before Barnabus could launch into a verbal assault of his suspect, Sir Dryvyk laid a gauntleted hand on the strange man's arm. When Barney looked over, the young knight gave a slow shake of his head. There was a look of relief in his eyes.

"Forgive our intrusion acolyte Gamdar, we have a few questions which we hope you'll be able to help us with."

Sir Dryvyk removed his hand, giving his go ahead.

Barnabus knew he had questions but all the ones that were ready to spill forth were the wrong ones.

Stuttering at first, he follows up on Sir's lead, "Yes... yes... yes... we do. As Brother Othar said, we've, well, really, too many, disturbing discoveries in the barrows to recount here and now."

"Here is the one before us now: an agent of Orcus has been operating out of the west side," Barnabus begins before sharing what they know with the acolyte.

"Now, as you can see, certain of those particulars were troubling with respect to you. However, seeing them in another light... having benefited from divine insight... well...maybe it's you who has seen something that could advance our investigation since your habits...lead you to odd places at odd hours."

Looks like we're back to Harold HuffnPuff as our prime suspect.
One must ask why Taycee fingered Gamdar...

Gamdar nods in understanding, shifting his broad shoulders. ”I do leave the shrine late at night at times. There are some herbs that grow on the border of the moor that bloom in the dark of evening. I gather them for their curative properties. Some that we serve here require them for illnesses that are difficult to be rid of,” the acolyte explains.

”I have not seen anyone suspicious while attending to those errands. There are some who are still leaving the taverns at those times, but most are simply going to their homes.”

Brother Othar frowns as Gamdar speaks, giving the impression that the cleric was unaware of the young man’s nighttime activities.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:13, Thu 09 Feb 2023.

Barnabus takes it all in. It doesn't sit well with him.

A slow smile spreads across his face. It occurs to him that he has been presented with some rope and there is only one thing to do with rope in such artful exchanges. Give it back to Gamdar in coils so there is only thing he can do with it.

"Is that so?" the curate of Impurax replies with equanimity. "Such herbs would doubtless be of interest to the shrine and ourselves. It would appear that you have just completed such ... a harvest. I trust that you don't reserve these healing herbs just for your own purposes?"

His smile broadens but his tone remains level.

"We have become quite intimate with the moors and their ... points of interest. Where have you been digging up your curative ... offerings?"