A Child Missing From Lathander Farms

*Elric wraps the body part in cloth picks it up tenderly*

"A sad day for our people that a child so young has been taken from us. life... such young life should be allowed to blossom. know well that the one responsible shall have justice served upon him. I give you my word we will find him! for now let us give comfort to the grieving family and support them in their loss." *At the crowd gathered*

*Elric then turns towards wakefield*

"You will need to understand that simply invoking shadowdale does not invoke trust in these parts for obvious reasons... brother elijah has raised a valid concern and thus he will be given a list by you of the witnesses. if they are of sufficently decent origin we will proceed with the investigation as you suggested."

*He begins to walk towards the church with the cloth in hand a solemn look in his eyes* "Morninglord... to bury children is a horrible thing." *he mutters to himself*

As Piak hears of the sad events, he would not hurry to the orphanage, but instead try to catch Wakefield in the Traveller's Star one evening, asking him for a quiet word in one of their rooms.

"Don Wakefield, I cannot match your experience or reputation of an investigator, but if you name me any suspects, I am not that bad in matters of surveillance. So, if you are in need of a snitch, or want an eye on a special place, I am all yours."

Later, he would seek out Elric, greeting him politely.

"You know of my abilities to remain unseen, and offered your opinion on it more than once. Anyways, I would like to offer my help during the nightwatch on that special day. My eyesight at night is quite above average, and I would be able to observe without being seen myself. I will most likely watch the guarded object from outside, while you protect the family directly, if this is convenient to you? If I see something unusual, I can toss a green slingbullet through a window, as silent alarm."

Shaking his head, he grumbles to the others, "Right. Apparently devoting a career to stopping criminals doesn't quite forgive where your home is located. If you're all so unable to trust me that you'd like to take half a week to travel back to Shadowdale, question everyone who saw me a full week ago, then take another half-week to get back here, feel free. The merchants there know me, and the priestess inside the House of Plenty had just cured me of some wounds."

Narrowing his eyes at the group, he continues, "If, instead, you'd prefer to not waste a week of time on something as obvious as this frame job, maybe we can get to work. If anyone here seriously thinks I'd kidnap and harm a boy from your city, attempt to burn my logo into the ground, and then stick around to lend a hand as if I'd get away with it, then I suggest you not help investigate anything. The person who did this is capitalizing on your lack of good faith and your hatred of- apparently- and entire city's population. Right now, you're playing into his hands."

He gives another nod to Kirala. "Miss, I'll renew my suggestion that we get that other Hin's description and find him sooner than later. I'm not sure if he's our culprit or if he's just someone hired for the job, but either way he's a good lead right now."

"No matter what you all decide to do about me, I'm going to stay here and make sure this boy gets justice."

*Backing away from the grisly contents of the crate, Ardylan follows Elijah and Wakefield's gaze up to the large 'W' sign. Glancing back down to the identical emblem on Wakefield's chest, he seems to connect the dots.

When Elric starts his typical long-winded paladin-esque monologue to the crowd, Ardylan looks down at the ground and silently mouths a few words. It might look like a prayer... but to anyone with a good enough eye, they'd realize he was saying: 'Oh, blah blah blah... less talk, more walk.'

Once the monologue is over and Wakefield is done talking to Kirala, Ardylan rolls his eyes and hands over the letter from 'Goodman' to Wakefield.*

"Worst frame job ever. Here, hin, you'll probably want this. If you want my help, I'd gladly lend a hand in your investigation, however I can. I doubt you had anything to do with this. You might live in that cesspool that is Shadowdale, but I doubt you enjoy wallowing in it."

*He looks down - waaaaay down - at Wakefield and sizes him up... which takes all of two seconds, considering Wakefield's miniature stature.*

"And, uh, if things get rough when you get close to finding this 'Goodman', you might need a bodyguard or something."

Taking the letter with a small smile, he reads it again, checking the document over.

"I don't plan to get close to the guy if I can help it. I want to know who he is and where he is, then alert whoever has the closest jail. Doesn't matter to me how he's brought down, so long as he is," he says as his eyes flit over the letter.

Holding it up to the others to let them inspect it, he launches yet another monologue. With an even, studious voice, he remarks, "The paper isn't just some second-rate scrap. This sort of quality could be traced back somewhere. His handwriting is practiced. Dignified. He has a very strong education, most likely medical. Could even have some sort of relation to nobility, even if it was just in their employ. That box looked like a perfect fit and is of good quality as well, so maybe he's trained as a carpenter. If not, then he ordered the box's creation from someone."

Wakefield glances down to the letter before eying the assorted crowd of adventurers. "He's probably traveled extensively. Not a local, but he's been in the area long enough to gather quite a bit of details on the people here. To get that kind of information he's either been directly involved with you all or he has an informant who is. Since a Halfling or a Gnome is the current best lead, try to think of any you're familiar with."

Pausing a moment, he looks over the assembled family members with a frown. Moving closer to Ardylan, Elric and Kirala his voice dips down to a whisper. Voice grave, he murmurs, "It's... possible the boy's still alive. The piece in that box was removed before death and kept in perfect condition. He doesn't even seem to have been harmed in the abduction. I need to test it for chemicals, but maybe he was drugged. Saw some marks on the tongue. Either way, the one who cut the flesh has a flawless grasp of anatomy and made sure that the procedure wouldn't cause an infection. You don't do that to someone you're killing."

"If we're very lucky, Timmy's death is being dragged out until the twenty-third. Time enough to find and stop it. You all know the area and people involved better than I do, so I'm only going to be supporting your search how I can. I'll leave the hunt and capture to the experts," he says, giving a resolute nod.

*As Ardylan listens to Wakefield's description of who the possible killer might be - educated with language skills and strong handwriting, skilled as a carpenter, with extensive travel under his-or-her belt and knowledge of the area and its people - his eyes widen a bit. Just about the entire description fit him. The only two traits that were less fitting was the bit about medical knowledge and being a noble... though he was not too far removed from those circumstances.

Thankfully, he is an elf and not a halfling, otherwise he'd be even more worried.*

"Er, whoa, hey. Wasn't me."

*Ardylan took a step back from their huddle and put his hands up.*

"All of that sounds disturbingly like me... except for the halfling bit... I don't like it."

*Ardylan took a quick, subtle glance around, noting all the paladins and dawnknights in the area. He was not exactly well liked by some in this area, and if fingers were going to be pointed at him, this was not where he wanted to be.*

"I don't think it's you, no. Just going off of averages, serial killers tend to be human males. The Halfling could just be employed, and that'd actually be a good th-"

Wakefield stop, his eyes snapping to read the letter again. And then a third time.

"...Damn. The Goodman left another message inside this one. Some of the letters are inked over a second time," he mentions to the others, checking the letters off in his mind.

After some time to double-check himself, he announces, "It spells out, 'I will kill in Shadowdale Wakefield' but... doesn't make it clear if he's threatening me or telling us where Timmy will die. Could also just be telling us where his next victim will be. Folks, we're going to have to split up just to cover all the possibilities. If Timmy was moved to Shadowdale, we're on a much tighter schedule."

Motioning towards the nearby docks with the letter, he adds, "That's the fastest way to get back, but it'll still be a risk if we don't know where he's holed up. We need to learn as much as we possibly can from anyone who saw something here. And we need it yesterday."

*Ardylan frowns as Shadowdale is mentioned.*

"Uh, I can't set foot in any of Shadowdale's territory. Bounty on my head and all... and I just spent time in their jails. I'm lucky to be out and alive, though I got my share of torture from them. So... if this investigation is moving to Shadowdale, I'll stick around out here and see what I can do."

Kirala blinks and grips the hilt of her blade as she sees Vidala, " 'oly feck Dr-.. Wait. 'air's wrong... 'n' other stuff.." She lets go of her sword at that, and looks to Wakefield now, "..Yah, same 'ere. Avoidin' Shadowdale, 'cause.. Er.. Dun think they take too kindly ter th' Lathander knights. Will see wha' I can do 'bout findin' stuff out 'ere, though."

stops as Kirala grips her blade, leans a bit backwards, raising her free hand and speaks What's wrong? glances over her shoulder back if there is any threat noone there....oh, you meant me, hey, I'm not soooo dark.

Indeed on a hasty view one can think she is a drow, but Kirala was right, her hair is too dark, and her skin isn't dark enough. And as she comes closer another interesting effect takes place: those who might felt fear because of the mandible found in the box, or because of the fire or anything else happened here....some of them might feel their fear vanishes, feel more confident or so. The holy symbol of a goddess (a naked drow dancing in front of a full moon) around her neck may be an explanation. Maybe a strange one, but possible.

I heard a woman crying loudly...what happened? asks now directly towards Kirala and those around her

*Elric ignores wakefield while giving piak a simple nod in agreement as he heads to the church and places the mandible in care of the the priests*

*As he returns and hears from kirala what has been said*

"Wakefield simply saying who might have placed you in shadowdale would have sufficed. i am aware of the fact that you actively work with the zhentarim on a regular basis and that in itself is cause for suspicion however the fundmental difference between our people and your employers lies in that we will not harm you based on it alone nor will harm come to you based on snide remarks said by you. However i can not simply ignore what lies in front of me... you will be under escort while in these lands until the culprit has been found"

"That being said let us proceed and make haste if lathander-willing timmy is still alive"

Wakefield watches Elric give him the cold shoulder, take the mandible and leave. When he returns, the Halfling looks up and raises a hand.

"...Hold it. I'm going to need the jaw back to test it, first off. Second, I think you should get better information, because I never, ever work for the Zhentarim. I do my own jobs and make it clear that, at most, I pick up where the Zhents leave off on a case. They've had to assist me in my work to catch that serial killer. The only people who employ me are the victims of crimes or their families. I'm a private detective. I want that made clear to this city so I can work without... well, without exactly what you're doing now."

With an annoyed look, he grumbles out, "I strongly suggest you not ignore all my advice in this. Of all the people here, I'd expect you to have some faith. I've worked hard to get a decent reputation for doing the right thing and helping folks out."

"I don't take sides in this war and it's because of that I'll be able to help. You treat every resident like a member of an army when they're all just people tryin' to live their lives. Look at the number of folks here who can't even travel around because of their actions for and against whole cities, forgetting that they can't even lend a hand to the citizens living there innocently anymore," he says quietly, shaking his head.

Tapping his chest, he continues, "I'm not falling into that mess. Not limiting where I can help. You need me guarded despite the repeated examples of good works I've done, the obvious framing and the clear fact that The Goodman is challenging me professionally? Then go ahead and order your guards. They could be investigating and searching for Timmy, but instead they'll escort me to the docks once I have the evidence you moved. I'll be in Shadowdale afterward, so no need to worry over an old Hin who doesn't blindly follow Myth Drannor's example of what 'good' is."

He crosses his arms, frowning, as he waits. Tapping his foot, he finishes, "And I apologize if I'm snide. Dedicating your life to stopping criminals and then being branded an evil spy puppet for your efforts kind of sours your mood."

*Pulling a small, rectangle wooden box from one of his pouches and opening it up, Ardylan takes out a hand-rolled type of cigarette and places it between his lips. Silently holding the box out to Wakefield, offering one to the hin, Ardylan waits for the exchange between Elric and Wakefield to be over, not wanting to interrupt.*

"Alright folks, lets take a breath here. No need to get our underclothes in a twist. Lets remember that the Morninglord's farms and Myth Drannor are separate and have control of their own lands."

*As he does often when he's thinking or stressed, Ardylan rubs the side of his face with his bandaged hand.*

"I've got no say in what happens on their farmland, and the knights of Lathander have absolutely no say in how Myth Drannor runs their city or applies their laws. If Elric here says you need an escort while on their lands, Wakefield, then so be it... but as far as any orders I can give are concerned, you will not be required to have a guard with you if your investigation takes you into Myth Drannor. Nykerym's orders, and it will stay that way until someone above me says otherwise."

"I'll respect the laws of the Morninglord's land, if their men respect Myth Drannor's - but I will not have someone wrongfully imposing their authority in such a misplaced fashion. Last I checked, Elric, you were not a member of the Akh'Velahr."

*With a light sigh, he looks around at those gathered.*

"Sorry for the hostility."

Wakefield shakes his head at the offered cigarette, "Gave 'em up."

"But alright. We're not going to get anywhere arguing. I'll head to Shadowdale and report back anything I find. Until then, you all have plenty to investigate here."

Moving through the crowd, the Halfling makes his way to the nearest boat, returning to the gloomy city limits of Shadowdale. There, he finds himself already too late to stop the eventual fate of Timmy.

Spoiler:

As soon as possible, a letter is sent to the farms to inform the rest of the people of the gruesome details.

Quote :

This letter isn't meant for the family of the victim. Please give them a more gentle word.

Timmy's body was found in Shadowdale. He was disemboweled, his fingers removed and various pieces of the body were eaten. I've learned that the Goodman was keeping Timmy alive for at least two days here. He was cooking pieces of the child to feed to a second family- two parents and a boy, the Orsons. Both parents were taken away by the Goodman some time ago, leaving the boy here alone.

The child reported that The Goodman is a human with blonde hair and a "good" face. Apparently he has an air of kindness about him, which may be why his victims are caught off-guard.

The Orson home was accidentally burned down after John, the son, was questioned, destroying Timmy's remains and the area around it. John's parents are still missing, presumed dead.

I will be letting you know of anything which may protect the people there or aid you in capturing the Goodman.




Sincerely,

akefield

*When Ardylan receives the letter from Wakefield, detailing the gruesome discovery of the child's body, he frowns and wrinkles his nose in disgust.*

"By the Seldarine... I still find it hard to believe that someone would kill a child, of all things."

*After some thought and preparation, Ardylan informs the family of the now-deceased child. He is gentle about it and doesn't share any of the gory details in the letter, as instructed.

Once finished with that, Ardylan steps outside the grieving family's home into the fresh air of the Morninglord's farm. He gazes around the area, scratching at his head in thought.*

"Err, so, now to... investigate. I'm not sure if I know how to do this."

"Feckin'.. Bastard." Kirala has to re-read the letter a few times when it finds its way to her before she truly grasps it and decides she's not just seeing things. "I swear we'll get yer.." The knight goes on her way to the family of Timmy herself in an attempt to break the news, but as she sees Ardy outside she stops, "..Yer do 't?" Is all she asks in a somber tone.

Vidala try to read the letter over Kirala's shoulders. She isn't able to read it all, but enough of it to understand, what happened

Siyo, natha fa'la zatoast uk zhah lu' uk orn zah'har whol ol. she murmurs as she steps back and clenches her hands to fists

So what to do now? speaking the question to all the guards and adventurers around

A second letter arrives some time later, bearing Wakefield's symbol on the envelope.

Quote :

To Whom It May Concern,

Three more have been killed in Shadowdale. A married couple and another male, all Humans. Body parts were removed as before.

As I will not have the time to travel back to Myth Drannor, please have a chemist test the residue on the tongue of the severed mandible. Any information gained there will help me in my own tests here.

Were you able to question witnesses about the Halfling ("Half Human" according to Kirala's words) spotted in the farmlands around the time of Timmy's disappearance?

Joressa sobbed and sobbed for days, donning the best black garb that she could, frequently wandering the streets where her Timmy used to play. People watched her with a mezmerized sadness, unable to approach her, dreading that awkward silence and helplessness. What could you really say to a mother like this? The funeral service was held on the 23rd just as prophesized and all that gathered could see an emptiness in Joressa. She looked tired and old, stricken and beaten by grief. A note was left on the doorstep of the orphanage a few days later, addressed to Elijah, Ardylan and the community;

Quote :

Please take care of my babies. My home, property and all belongings are hereby donated to the Church of Lathander, do as you please with them. I hurt so bad.


-Joressa

Joressa ended her own life in the river a few days later.

An acolyte delivers Joressa's note to Elijah with trembling hands one morning. The moment the note changes hands, the junior monk retreats hastily, head held low, not daring to take even a glance at the Abbot.

The Abbot has been deeply moody of late. Recent events seem to have taken a toll on the usually stoic monk's spirit. While he has exercised much restraint with the children even when they misbehave, the junior monks of the temple have not been so lucky. Sarcastic rebukes and harder-than-normal knocks to their heads are freely dished out whenever they make mistakes, even inconsequential ones. Word has it that the Abbot has taken it hard upon himself for the recent incidents at the orphanage and the temple.

Elijah reads the note. He puts the note down slowly and leaves the orphanage by the back door, oblivious to the children milling around him as he passes them by. He walks a distance further into the woods until he is out of earshot.

"ARRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGHHHHHH!" The monk cries out in an agonizingly mournful wail. He lifts his fists to the heavens and is soon engulfed in a crimson aura of blazing flames. The fire licks and dances but burns not his mortal body. Screaming out loud, the monk thrashes about, punching and kicking at the tree trunks around him. The flames soon die out and the monk slumps onto the charred forest ground a crazed look in his eyes.

Kirala, having seen the smoke from the woods, would come running to the general area with her weaponry drawn. Her eyes are somewhat puffy, red, and wet on the edges, but the gray in her irises seem to have turned to a steel of sorts. She stops in shock and surprise when she sees just who it was that caused the disturbance,

"..Abbot?.. Ser..? 's tha' yer?.." The knight glances around and surveys the damage he caused, before sighing and sheathing her short sword, and hanging her shield against her back, "...Ragin' 'gainst th' forest will nay bring back either o' them, nor any'un else tha' bastard 'as killed. 's our lot ter prevent 'im from killin' any more, 's much as we can. 'n' we can nay do tha' when we're beatin' ourselves.. 'r inanimate objects.. Up over 't. Remember wha' our lord says. From death comes life. They're 'n a better place now, we need ter stop worryin' 'bout them 'n' look to those we can 'elp."

just waiting for an answer, and noone around who seems to speak with her, she notices, as Kirala in her back suddenly starts running towards a smoke column. After a first moment of beeing shocked, she yells A forest fire...grabbing on of the buckets standing around, one with water inside and starts to run after Kirala.

When she arrived some minutes after her, she looked out for a burning bush or tree and pours hthe content of her bucket all over it

Why is something burning all the time...breathingly

*After having been distracted by other unrelated matters, Ardylan sends the severed mandible off to trustworthy alchemists in Myth Drannor for testing.

Later that same day, a new, nervous looking young elven guard approaches Ardylan with a letter from Wakefield. She stutters out an awkward "H-H-Hello, N-N-Nykerym" as she approaches, standing rather close to him as she offers the letter.*

Wakefield wrote:

To Whom It May Concern,

Three more have been killed in Shadowdale. A married couple and another male, all Humans. Body parts were removed as before.

As I will not have the time to travel back to Myth Drannor, please have a chemist test the residue on the tongue of the severed mandible. Any information gained there will help me in my own tests here.

Were you able to question witnesses about the Halfling ("Half Human" according to Kirala's words) spotted in the farmlands around the time of Timmy's disappearance?

*Ardylan furrows his brow and frowns at the news of more murders... and notices the female guard is still hovering over him. She doesn't appear to be trying to read over his shoulder - she's simply staring at him. Giving her an odd look, he shoo's her away and tells her to get back to work.*

"Dizzy woman... These new recruits keep getting more and more strange."

*He mutters and grumbles to himself in a manner that would make Karovir, Amar, and Kivan proud as he takes a seat on a rock and writes a quick response to Wakefield, using his knee as a writing surface.*

Quote :

Wakefield ~

The mandible has just been sent off for testing. I'm still waiting for the results. Starting the questioning of the neighbors today. Sorry to hear about the other murders. We'll get 'em.

I'll let you know what I find out as soon as possible.

*Ardylan decides to leave the note unsigned. After all, he is a highly wanted man in Shadowdale, and it wouldn't help anyone for him to be found to be sending letters into the city. It might even jeopardize Wakefield's safety if he was found with something bearing Ardylan's signature.

After sending a letter back to Wakefield, Ardylan begins questioning the residents of the Morninglord's farms. One by one, he goes to each household and questions them thoroughly, looking for anyone who may have witnessed the child's kidnapping, or who may have seen anyone fitting this "Goodman" description.

Through it all, it doesn't appear that Ardylan noticed any of the smoke from the fire - probably because he keeps getting invited into people's homes for tea and cookies while he questions them. He also fails to notice that the young female guard that passed him Wakefield's letter is still in Myth Drannor, staring down the path to the Morninglord's farms, fanning herself while red in the face.*

*While making his rounds to all the local farms, interviewing everyone he can find for information and possible witnesses, Ardylan stops at the quaint home of the Warren family. Ardylan is invited inside for a chat and given (rather than offered) a cup of coffee. Sitting at the family's kitchen table, Ardylan speaks to a man named Bill Warren and asks him if he saw anyone fitting Goodman's description. Bill ponders the question for a moment before a look of recognition flashes across his face.*

DM_MindFlayer wrote:

"Well, come to think of it, there was that Feller who was helping James James the local taxidermist."

*Ardylan nods and writes down the words "James - Taxidermist - Employee?" in his leather-bound notebook, picking up his cup of coffee with his free hand to take a sip of the strange dark substance he's never had before.

Bill then looked over his shoulder and yelled out a question to his wife, Janet, who was in another room. Good thing too, because at that same moment Ardylan took a sip of coffee and gagged, making a disgusted face at this foul, bitter drink.*

DM_MindFlayer wrote:

". . .Janet!" He semi yells to the laundry room where his wife is folding clothes. "What was the name of that feller that the James's hired. . .?"

"Gladd, his last name was Gladd, hun, but you'd have to ask the James's anymore than that, Beatrice saw him once, says he was a fine tall fella, light hair. . ."

*Feeling slightly nauseous and wishing he could scrub that taste from his tongue with his big bath brush at home, Ardylan tried to distract himself by writing down the name "Gladd" under his last note, then starts jotting down Gladd's physical description.*

"Tall, light hair, fine looks..." *Ardylan mumbles under his breath, repeating Janet's words as he writes.*

DM_MindFlayer wrote:

Beatrice bursts into the dining area where Ardy and Bill sat from the Linen room."Light hair like the spring wheat-field, and baby blue eyes, farmer's tan like bridle leather, Ugh! Be still my pounding heart!" she swoons and dramatically spins into Ardylan, which she hugs tightly, just needing something tangible to express her infatuation with Gladd.

Bill Warren rolls his eyes while sipping his hot coffee.

"OOOF!" *Ardylan lets out a surprised grunt as the strange woman hugs him tightly, only further adding to his discomfort with this situation. He leans away and tries to peel her off gently, shuddering slightly.*

"Okay, okay, I get it... he's dreamy... hands off now, yeah?"

*Once Beatrice lets go, Ardylan rolls his shoulders, readjusts his bracers, runs a hand through his hair, and otherwise tries to shake off the random molestation. Wondering to himself if he just looks really good today or something, he jots down the words "wheat-colored hair, blue eyes, tan" into his notes.*

"Thanks for the help sir, ma'am.... and miss." *He gives the three Warrens a nod in turn, eying Beatrice carefully, wondering if she'll lunge again.* "I really appreciate it. I'm going to find this James person and see what he's got to say about Gladd first."

*Taking his leave and happy to get away from this wretched liquid called coffee, Ardylan makes his way towards the residence of the local taxidermist, James.*

Spoiler: