The Silent Farms of Widefield

A few days passed since the incident at Highstone Lighthouse and Jessica had been busy sowing the tale of the group in Inns, taverns, and on street corners.

The local paper reported on the affair, but focused more on the findings of the smugglers stolen goods and the death of Alistair Finch while in custody, with little mention of the Thornes and their spirits final salvation.

Portrayed as the heartless wealthy business man turned villain Alistair Finch was credited with the whole scheme and the case closed by the authorities, and all Finch's possessions sold at auction.

All In a Days WORK received accolades for their part in uncovering the crime and received a reward for the return of the stolen property, which was paid into an account at a local bank branch with the COT Banking Guild.

The group didn't lay eyes on Carlos again after their celebrations but the milk and kipper Jessica put out each night were always gone in the morning giving them comfort that their friend was still out there hunting rats, and searching for signs of Carmen Cordell.

And so days passed until one morning the group opened the shop to find Abby the Apple Merchant at their door, with a gift of apples, and news from Mack the Milkman.

Abby the Apple Merchant

"Good morning everyone I've brought you some delicious apples."

Sylo

"Thank you, miss Abby. What is the occasion?"

Abby the Apple Merchant

"I'm actually stopping by to pass on a request from Mack the Milkman, but thought I'd drop these off as well and congratulate you on another successful case."

Sylo

"Thank you! What is it that Mack is after?"

Abby the Apple Merchant

"He wanted to see you over at the dairy, seems a friend of his hasn't been heard from for awhile, and strange things are happening over in Widefield."

Sylo

"Very well. I shall gather the others."

Abby the Apple Merchant

"Thanks Sylo."

*And with that she heads out calling out down the market street selling her apples.*

Sylo

"We have apples and a request. Let is head to Mack's." I announce.

Jessica

"What apples who...... was Abby here?"

Sylo

"Indeed."

Jessica

"What did she want? I would have liked to say hello."

Sylo

"To give us apples, and to advise us that Mack has a job for us. She is just outside selling apples if you wish to speak with her. It is unlikely that she has gone far."

Jessica

"Mack has a job for us. that's great news...... ok I'll go see Abby while we wait for Fidget."

Fidget

Fidget sees his friends and walks up to them... "i was wondering when I would run into you again. Please tell me you have good news."

Jessica

*@Jessica soon returns eating an apple and smiling.*

"That was nice to see Abby again, she was very impressed with our previous case at the lighthouse....... So I guess it's off to see Mack the Milkman then."

Fidget

"Alright, sounds swell. Off to see Mack the Milkman."

The group collect their belongings and head to the West gate and towards Mack the Milkman's dairy farm.

Heading west the group arrives at Macks farm just before noon. The older man sits on the porch holding an ale and a pipe. he greets you as you approach.

Mack the Milkman

"Greetings friends, I'm so glad you could come."

Sylo

"Thank you for inviting us."

Mack the Milkman

"My pleasure my boy now all of you come inside for lunch, Mindy is just finishing up and the lads are serving and setting the table."

Sylo

"The honour is all ours.... You wished to speak with us?"

The group follows @Mack the Milkman inside and take a seat at the large oak dining table, inside the three lads @Harry the Farmhand @Henry the Farmhand and @Hobbs the Farmhand are busy setting the table with green leafy salad, hot fresh bread, cheeses, tomato soup, and a vegetable stew.

They all wave when they see you enter.

Mindy soon comes out with a delicious looking omelette that smells of herbs.

Mack the Milkman

"Yes lad I was hoping to enlist your group to visit Wildfield in the North. I have a friend who lives there Roger the Rancher, but I haven't heard from him in some time, which is unusual."

Sylo

"Very well. Just a wellfare check, or is there more involved? Do you have reason to suspect anything may have happened to Roger?"

Mack the Milkman

"I don't know, I just haven't heard from him in a couple of days which is unusual, which is why I'd like you to go and check on him.... just in case."

Sylo

"Understood. How do you normally communicate over such a distance?"

Mack the Milkman

"message scroll of course."

Sylo

"I see. It is odd then that they haven't responded... We will investigate immediately."

Mack the Milkman

"I'm glad to hear it, the lads have prepared horses for you to speed your journey along. Now please enjoy the meal, Mindy makes a wonderful vegetable stew."

Sylo

"We appreciate it."

Fidget

Fidget eyes open wide, once he sees and smells the delicious food... "Sniff.. Smells delicious."

Fidget finds a seat at the oak dining table...

"So, could you recall your last conversation with Roger the Rancher? If so, what was the conversation about?"

@Mack the Milkman

Mack the Milkman

*@Mack the Milkman takes out the scroll and checks it.*

"We were talking about the town diverting a waterway for irrigation, we had told them to seek professional assistance and approval from the COT Land And Agriculture Council but they went ahead and did it themselves."

Sylo

"I don't suppose the council is known for Thuggery?"

Mack the Milkman

"No never, I am good friends with Professor Geolobobkins and Bert Ernstien who sit on the council, as is Roger."

Sylo

Bert and ernie ffs GM bahahaha

Sylo

"Thank you for feeding us, Mack. We will leave as soon as we are finished."

Fidget

Fidget quickly eats....

"The food was ever so delicious. Whenever everyone is ready, we will be off to check on the rancher. We will bring news, as quickly as possible."

Sylo

"No time quite like the present."

Mack the Milkman

"Do you know the way to Widefield? Have you been there before?"

Sylo

"I have not."

Mack the Milkman

"Might be a good idea if one of my boys goes along for the ride then, Hobbs son, you mind showing these good folks the way to Rogers farm?"

Hobbs the Farmhand

"Be my pleasure, I been looking forward to getting back to The Horses Head, I think Jasmine is sweet on me."

Henry the Farmhand

"Idiot she probably doesn't even know you exist."

Hobbs the Farmhand

"Shut your yap Henry Ya cow turd."

Mack the Milkman

"BOYZ! Boyz ... Hobbs go get the horses ready."

Mack the Milkman

"Henry, Harry, clear the table and clean up for ya Mar."

Sylo

I sit politely

Mack the Milkman

"You should be able to make it to Half and Half bridge by sundown, Hobbs will take care of your meal, and room there. After that it's a days ride to Widefield."

Sylo

"Very well. Thank you, Mack. Do you possess a means for which we can contact you?"

Mack the Milkman

"Message scroll?..... but I don't have any spares... they're not cheap you know, but, Roger has one, and so does Hector at The Horse Head Inn, when you arrive they'll let me know."

Sylo

"Excellent. That will sufficie." I take a last bite.

"Thank you again. We shall depart immediately. And, if I could ask a favor.... Could you send word through your scroll to Roger or Hector for us if you happen to hear anything of Carlos. Anything at all. Unlikely, certainly. But just in case..."

Jessica

"Oh yes who's going to put milk and a kipper out for him if we are gone for a few days?!"

Mack the Milkman

"Abby said she'd look out for your friend while you're away.... of course he'd always be welcome here at the dairy, we aren't fond of rats around here either."

Sylo

"I am sure he would earn his keep. Thank you."

After eating the group head outside where @Hobbs the Farmhand has gathered the horses, including a smaller pony for Fidget.

And after a quick farewell the group saddles up and starts their journey north along the river road towards Half and Half bridge.

Fidget

Fidget starts looking at the ground out of habit... He looks up to his friends and says "You would be surprised on the sort of things people drop. One time I found a coin pouch with 50 GP. Oh, that was a very lucky day."

Fidget then continues to survey the ground

The group makes good progress traveling along the river road passing orchards, and woods, occasionally they would see a river barge but no other travelers on the road.

Looking on the ground as they travel @Fidget sees a shiny silver coin on the ground as they are passing through a thick wooded area.

Fidget

Fidget quickly grabs the silver coin and puts it in his coin pouch.

"I have a good feeling about this trip. This coin must be a sign of some sort of good luck."

After getting off his pony to get the coin @Fidget sees three more silver coins off to the side of the road.

Sylo

"Flip the coin. Heads, an omen. Tails a boon."

Fidget

Fidget grabs the next 3 coins and decides to flip them as @Sylo had suggested

As @Fidget moves to the edge of the road to pick up the coins, the dirt under his feet shifts and a net springs up from underneath him.

@Fidget is able to dodge clear of the net before he is snatched up.

Stepping from out of hiding the group sees, five goblins, a bandit, and a very large thug emerge from the trees and bushes of the surrounding frosted area.

Sylo

"That was foolish." I direct towards the bandits.

@Fidget is able to dodge clear of the net before he is snatched up.

@Hobbs the Farmhand leaps into action, riding his horse up to the @Thug and firing an arrow at him.

The arrow strikes the @Thug in the shoulder.

@Goblin attacks @Hobbs the Farmhand .

slashing at his legs.

@Hobbs Horse kicks the @Goblin

the heavy draft horse crushes the @Goblin under its hooves.

Sylo

Horsey! Kick the bandit near us! Heeeyaaaa

Ridding the draft horse into the bandit he is trampled underfoot, but manages to escape, badly injured but with his life intact.

@5 Goblin and @3 Goblin attack @Fidget

@3 Goblin misses the halfling, but @5 Goblin strikes @Fidget with its short sword inflicting a nasty wound.

Sylo

I conjure my tentacle of the deep!

The tentacle bursts forth grabbing the @5 Goblin by the leg and slamming it into the ground multiple times before releasing it close to death.

The eldritch blast strikes the bandit leaving him dead on the ground.

Fidget

Fidget moves 15 feet to his right. With his crossbow out he attacks @5 Goblin. After his attack he attempts to hide in the bush next to him. Before he jumps into the bush, he whistles for his pony. His pony seems to know what to do.

Fidget's pony comes running, he turns around and kicks the other goblin by the tentacles with all its might.

@Fidget Hits @3 Goblin with his crossbow killing the Goblin instantly, but his Pony which comes in to assist is unable to land a blow on the badly injured @5 Goblin

Fidget

Fidget disengages after his attack

@Jessica rides up towards @4 Goblin on her horse attempting to trample it.

@Jessicas Horse tramples @4 Goblin into the dirt.

Jessica

"Hay big and ugly you must be so stupid picking a fight with us!"

(vicious mockery against @Thug)

The @Thug pays no attention to the insults from @Jessica

@Thug attacks @Hobbs the Farmhand

The @Thug lands a heavy blow on @Hobbs the Farmhand with his mace causing him serious injury and almost knocking him from his horse.

@2 Goblin runs up and tries to stab @Fidget .

The @2 Goblin lands a hit across the halfling with his short sword.

@Hobbs the Farmhand rides his horse into the @Thug

The horse kicks the @Thug hard.

@Hobbs the Farmhand then fires an arrow at the @Thug .

hitting the @Thug in the arm.

@Tentacle grabs @5 Goblin and hurls it against a tree. killing the already badly injured Goblin.

@Sylo unleashes an eldritch blast the force unleashing devastating damage to @2 Goblin, which drops to the ground dead.

Fidget

Fidget moves down 5 feet and goes 15 feet to his right. With a crossbow and sneak attack, he attacks @Thug.

Fidget

Fidget pony then runs full sprint at the thug and with its back legs, he gives him a fierce pony kick.

@Fidgets bolt strikes the @Thug hard in the chest dropping him to his knees then riding the pony at the @Thug delivers the final blow with a kick to the head killing the @Thug .

As the sound of battle subsides peace and quiet returns to the wooded area.

Fidget

"Damn, I didn't see that coming." fidget then goes to retrieve the net... "Hmm, this might be handy." He then looks around to see if anyone is looking before going through the fallen thug... "I don't see him needing any of this anymore."

Hobbs the Farmhand

"There have been more and more bandits on the road these days."

Sylo

*Looting bodies*

"They could have picked a more appropriate target..."

Fidget

"Hey, they're thugs. if it was someone trying to kill me, I believe it's fair — but I promise I won't loot the bodies of the innocent. Unless we might need a clue."

searching the area the group finds weapons dropped by the bandits.

A mace, a scimitar, and four short swords. The armour is to badly damaged to be of any use but for scraps.

A little away from the area the group finds a ditch with the bodies of the bandits previous victims which have been burnt.

To the side a couple of crates with, some clothes, hides, and bags of flour, as well as a small pouch with fifteen gold pieces inside.

@Hobbs the Farmhand takes out a scroll and quickly jots a message.

"four victims off the river road, and goods, including six dead bandits, send guards, horses are ok."

before he can put the scroll away you hear a 'ping' sound, @Hobbs the Farmhand reads the message chuckles, then puts the scroll back under his armour.

Hobbs the Farmhand

"Guards are on their way. to pick all this mess up, so we can get moving whenever you're ready."

Fidget

Fidget tries to hurry and grab the pouch of gold, and the weapons before the guards come.

Fidget

"Don't worry I'm a fair rogue, whatever we get we split."

Sylo

I assist "Worthless scum... We should be swift. The guards will come soon enough."

Fidget

"Agreed, should we wait and explain what happened, or not take the chances with the guards. Or maybe we should hide and watch and see what the guards do?"

Sylo

"I do not think it necessary."

Hobbs the Farmhand

*@Hobbs the Farmhand looks at @Sylo and @Fidget with a concerned look on his face.*

Sylo

"What is it?"

Hobbs the Farmhand

"You should probably leave that for the guards to deal with I doubt you need that merchant's gold, but now that he is dead, his family will. Not to mention we will probably receive a reward for killing the bandits and returning the stolen property."

Sylo

"Agreed. Lets leave the gold. Hobbs, do you suggest we wait for the guards?"

Hobbs the Farmhand

"No, not really unless you want to, we've done all we can here, and we want to make it to Half and Half bridge before nightfall. Besides if they have any questions for us I'm sure Harry or Henry can tell them where to find us."

Sylo

"How will they know it was us?"

Hobbs the Farmhand

'The message I sent was to Harry and Henry, they are the ones who have organized for the guards to come and retrieve the bodies."

Sylo

"Sorry, I missed that. Let's go then. @Fidget leave the gold."

Fidget

+1 Net

@Sylo collects the remainder of the bandits weapons and the group continues on their way towards Half and Half bridge.

Fidget

Fidget goes to put the gold back. He looks back to see if @Hobbs the Farmhand is looking. He thinks about the gold for a second and then finally caves and gives it to the dead man..... " I hope you're happy, but I am no longer a thief. i am now a hero."

Fidget says proudly, as he slaps his chest with his fist.

The group makes good progress for the rest of the day arriving at Half and Half bridge just before sunset.

Just before the bridge is a large clearing where the group sees other caravans, merchants and travelers mingling outside an inn.

some of the merchants have opened their shops in an attempt to sell some goods before continuing their travels the next day.

The inn looks quite rustic and the sign reads 'The Three Legged Goat Inn'. There is a stable for horses, and a large water tower attached to the two storied inn, a veranda runs around the lower level as well as the second floor. The inn has large white curtained windows and looks a lot like an old estate or farm house that has been turned into an inn.

The inn also seems to have its own farm land and you can see corn growing in the fields as well as a large pig pen, chicken house. and a field of goats wandering around in it.

@Hobbs the Farmhand looks excited to be here and obviously enjoys visiting inns.

Sylo

"Do you spend much time on the road, Hobbs?" I ask as I head to the inn

Fidget

Fidget nonchalantly tries to get just close enough to eavesdrop on the travelers and merchants.

Hobbs the Farmhand

"I spend most of my time in the reserve on the dairies property, looking after the forest and animals with Mar and Par, while Henry and Harry look after the Cows and farm...... Why do you ask?"

Listening to the merchants @Fidget hears talk of the roads being particularly dangerous at the moment due to bandits. He also hears them talking about Widefield and that the area is best to be avoided at the moment.

Fidget

Fidget whisperers to the group to let them know the news he just heard

"Do you know much about Widefield?" @Hobbs the Farmhand

Sylo

"You seem enthusiastic, is all."

Hobbs the Farmhand

"I do like visiting Inns."

*He chuckles*

Sylo

"Then you shall have to show us the ropes."

Hobbs the Farmhand

"ho ho ho I'm no expert, like I said I'm always working in the forest, but going to Inns is a nice treat. We shall enjoy our time here I'm sure."

The group ties the horses outside, and heads into the Inn, it is quite busy with travelers milling about the bar and tables.

Above the bar is a taxidermied Three Legged Goat which looks quite old.

There are staircases to the left and right leading to an upstairs landing to the second floor rooms.

Hobbs the Farmhand

"This looks like fun."

Sylo

"Indeed. I shall get us a room."

Hobbs the Farmhand

"Oh no need Pars paying remember."

Hobbs the Farmhand

"We'll need to take the horses to the stable though."

Sylo

"Right. Apologies. I am unused to being so cared for."

Hobbs the Farmhand

*Pats @Sylo on the back. then organizes the room and stables for the horses.*

The group takes the horses to the stable which looks very nice, for horses. There is fresh hay, oats, water and a salt lick. after stabling the horses, and leaving them in the care of the stable master, the group head back to the Inn and take a seat at a table by the fire.

Looking about they see a menu by the bar, on the menu they see;

Fried Chicken

Fried Sweet Potato

Fried Vegetables in Batter.

Kransky Sausages, Mash Potato, and Sauerkraut.

Seems they have a small brewery on the premises and have craft beer, as well as spirits, liqueurs, and wine.

Sylo

"Kransky me."

Fidget

@Hobbs the Farmhand "Excuse me, I asked a question. I'm short, not invisible. Do you know anything about the Widefield? I just overheard some talk." Fidget ask visibly annoyed.

Hobbs the Farmhand

"Sorry my little friend, I must have been too excited about getting out and visiting an inn. Widefield is a large rural region of farms, you could say it's one of the main producing regions in the Central Human Occupied Territory. It also happens to be the location of Roger the Rancher's home an old friend of pars from his adventuring days. Was there anything in particular you wanted to know?.......... I think I'll also have the Kranksky..... and a beer........ Decided what you would like @Fidget?"

Fidget

"A beer sounds wonderful... Oh and back to Widefield, I overheard the merchants saying something about avoiding that area. They also said the roads have been particularly dangerous because of bandits. I really hope nothing has happened to your friend the rancher."

Hobbs the Farmhand

"So do I, Roger is a good family friend and has always helped us with our livestock..... just beer.... no food?"

Fidget

"I could never turn down food - well almost never. My aunt Helga's food has always been questionable. But anyways, what is their special here?"

Jessica

"Kranksky by the looks of it, which I'll also have.... and beer."

Fidget

"I'll also have the Kranksky, with some over easy eggs, and an ale if you have it. If not whatever beer will work"

Looking about @Fidget sees the selection of beers available, There is Brown Ale, Witbier, Stout, and Larger, but the house beer and the one brewed on sight is the Witbier.

Fidget

"You know what, I'll have the house beer. I'm always open to new beers... By any chance we could get some mushrooms. Mushrooms are some of my favorites. Especially when you pick them yourselves. The magical ones are my favorite, but since we are working, normal mushrooms would be fine"

@Hobbs the Farmhand goes to the bar and places an order for four Kranksky specials, a side of Fried battered mushrooms, and four Witbier, then returns to the table.

The beers come first, followed by the side of mushrooms and the Kranksky dishes.

As the evening progresses you see, the waitresses bring out tables for games. their seems to be Chess, Cards, and Arm wrestling.

Fidget

"Should, we check out the games? Chess or cards are more of my types of games. Last time I arm wrestled my aunt Helga dislocated my shoulder." Fidget says as he rubs his left shoulder

Jessica

"Your Aunt sounds like a beast"

*Laughs a little too loudly*

Sylo

"Chess...."

Jessica

"You like chess Sylo?"

Sylo

"I have been known to partake..."

The tables are put together and people begin registering for the different games.

@Hobbs the Farmhand and @Jessica decide to just watch and order another round of drinks for the group.

Fidget

Fidget drinks his beer and looks around at all the different people, to try and get more familiar with his surroundings. (Who all does Fidget see when he looks around?)

Sylo

I find a chess table

Looking around @Fidget sees a wide selection of patrons, from merchants, guards, and security, to farmers, and travelers.

@Sylo finds a free seat and finds himself sitting opposite an old lady, she gives @Sylo a big toothless smile and a wink she extends her hand to shake and introduces herself.

Mariah

"Names Mariah lad, you up for a game?"

Sylo

Mariah

"Naturally" I return a small smile. "And the stakes?:

"No steak for me dear, ain't got no teeth."

*She puts a white and black pawn in her hands, puts them behind her back, shuffles them around a little then puts them out for @Sylo to choose.*

"Left or right sonny?"

Sylo

"Left."

Mariah

*Mariah hands Sylo the black pawn, places the white pawn in its position then moves*

e4

Sylo

Knight F6

Mariah

e5

Knight D5

Mariah

a4

Sylo

Pawn d6

Mariah

KB b5 +

Sylo

Pawn C6

Mariah

f4

Sylo

Pawn B5

Sylo

*Om nom nom*

Mariah

QC a2

Sylo

Knight f4

Mariah

g3

Sylo

Pawn e5 to take pawn

Mariah

Qf3

Sylo

Knight to e6

Mariah

K d1

Sylo

Knight to D4

Mariah

Qh5

Sylo

Queen to D5

Mariah

d3

Sylo

Queen to H1

Mariah

Qe5

Sylo

Queen to G1

Sylo

Check

Mariah

Qe1

Sylo

Bishop G4

Sylo

Check

Mariah

K d2

Sylo

Knight F3

Check

Mariah

Kc3

Sylo

Queen C5

Sylo

Check

Mariah

K b3

Sylo

Knight to d4

Sylo

Check

*Mariah looks at the board and smiles her toothless smile.*

Mariah

"Thanks you young whipper snapper I really enjoyed that."

Sylo

"Thank you as well. Truth me told, I was so engrossed I didn't even realise we were at Check mate...."

*And with that Mariah takes her score card to the bar and wanders outside into the night air.*

The evening gets late and although the Inn doesn't close, patrons comings and goings winds down as those staying at the Inn retire to their rooms, and those staying in caravans and tents outside head out to drink and talk by large fires around the property.

Eventually the group turns in for the night to get some rest before continuing their journey to Widefield in the morning.

In the morning the group heads down for breakfast to find a well stocked buffet of breads, pastries, bubble and squeak, fruits, salads, and a selection of teas and coffee.

@Hobbs the Farmhand is already there having woken early to tend to the horses.

Sylo

I will turn in my card for ?? money ?? haha

Sylo

We are so poor

Sylo

I will also help myself to breakfast!

The bartender takes the card from the chess game.

Bartender

"Great job, but you really need to hand it in after the game. I'll add this win to your name in the logs for the chess competition. Thanks for playing."

Fidget

Fidget also helps himself to everything on the buffet. He loads up an oversized plate of food.

Sylo

"Thank you."

Jessica

"@Jessica grabs some bubble and squeak but seems to be more interested in the coffee and pastries, filling a second plate and stuffing a few in her pack for the road.*

"I do like pastries."

Fidget

Fidget finds his friends and joins them

"The food is quite lovely.. So is everyone ready for the journey today?"

Fidget asks the group, as he looks at the rest of the patrons in the establishment.

Jessica

"Ready and able, although from the chatter it seems the road is going to be a lonely one, most people are avoiding Widefield at the moment due to the strange happenings and disappearances."

The group gather their things, saddle up the horses, and head out over Half and Half bridge heading north along the river road towards Widefield.

Hobbs the Farmhand

"We will probably make it to Widefield well before dark, and as we will be passing some properties heading into the town we might be able to get an idea about what's going on there."

The weather is quite pleasant and the journey progresses smoothly, but as the group draws closer to the outskirts of Widefield they notice a distinct change in the fields and farms along the river road and riverbank.

The closer they travel towards Widefield the more they notice that the farms which line the river road and riverbank seem to be dryer, some of the fields are entirely dead, the farm houses as well seem vacant as if nobody is living there anymore.

The group continues on and are about 30 minutes outside of Widefield when they see a cart pulled over to the side of the road, looking about for the occupant of the cart they see a tall slender Elven woman bent down in the fields cutting at the dead corn stalks.

The cart seems to be loaded with samples from the farms as well as other equipment for harvesting and sampling, the donkey attached to the cart looks at the group as they approach, it has a daisy chain crown sitting lopsided over its head and other herbs and plants woven into its braided mane.

Sylo

This feels a bit witchcrafty. Does it seem like witchcraft to me?

There is definitely something not natural about the drought you have seen since you arrived in Widefield.

Sylo

I will wave to the woman in the field.

The woman doesn’t seem to notice the group as she busies herself while she cuts samples placing some in flasks of oil, the group can hear her talking to herself, but it sounds more like mumbling from where they are on the road and can’t make out what she is saying.

The donkey looks at the group, then looks at the woman, then looks back to the group and sees @Sylo waving, then back to the woman who obviously hasn’t noticed the group.

The donkey tries stamping its hoof on the road, but the woman doesn’t pay any attention. The donkey then makes a loud HEE-HAW to which the woman looks up, first at the donkey who nods its head towards the group, then at the group and sees @Sylo waving.

The woman smiles gently and returns the wave.

Sylo

I would like to pat the donkey, and then approach the woman

giving the donkey a pat it snorts and you see it is wearing a little green neck scarf with ‘Jeffery’ embroidered on it.

Professor Botanylania

“Hello strangers. What brings you out this way?”

Sylo

“Smart Jeffrey you have there...”

Sylo

“We are on our way to Wildsfield. What of you?”

Professor Botanylania

“My name’s Professor Botanylania from The Natural Museum, I’m here to study the strange phenomenon which seems to be plaguing this town.”

Sylo

“You are referring to the dead fields?”

Professor Botanylania

“Yes the dry fields, these corn stalks, completely hollow, even the soil, and the farmers just gone.”

Sylo

“Necromancy?”

Professor Botanylania

“She puts her hand to her ear”

“Nothing! Not a single bird or insect for miles, so strange.”

“She crushes a piece of cut corn stalk in her hand and it crumbles to dust.”

Professor Botanylania

“No, nothing like that, this is something old, something connected to the land itself.”

Sylo

“Indeed? What have you discovered?”

Professor Botanylania

“She cocks her head to one side, with a puzzled look on her face.*

“I just told you everything.”

Sylo

“Apologies, I thought you had determined that it was something old and connected to the land for a particular reason. Any idea how to address it?”

Professor Botanylania

“Well I..... who are you by the way?”

Jessica

“Sorry and hello Professor Botanylania, my name is Jessica, that is Sylo, over there is Fidget and we are from All In a Days WORK, and this is Hobbs. We came to Widefield to investigate the whereabouts of a resident here who is a family friend of Hobbs father.”

Professor Botanylania

“I see... nice to meet you all.”

Professor Botanylania

“As I was saying, there doesn’t seem to be any traces of magic, and the affected area is quite large, which leads me to believe that it is something connected to the land itself, but not natural since the weather and climate itself is well within seasonal norms for the region, but since there are no current records or recent reports of any disturbances by elementals or other creatures connected to climate or natural disasters it leads me to think that it must be something very old that has been here for some time.”

Professor Botanylania

“But I have only just arrived and been busy collecting samples along the road, I haven’t investigated within the properties yet, nor have I seen or spoken to any locals, or looked into any recent changes or old customs.”

Fidget

“We can help look inside some of the properties. Maybe we can help find some answers for you.” @Professor Botanylania

Professor Botanylania

“That would be helpful, I’ll be staying at The Horse Head Inn, you should come and find me there.”

Sylo

“Very well. Do you expect to be here for long?”

Professor Botanylania

“Here by the side of the road?”

Sylo

“Investigating. I am wondering if there is anything we can do to aid you.”

Professor Botanylania

“Well let’s discuss it back at the Inn, perhaps we can split up from there and cover more ground that way.”

Sylo

“Very well.”

Fidget

“Should we go check out the property @Professor Botanylania was telling us about?”

Jessica

“I think we are going to discuss it once we are at the Inn, and split the investigation to cover more ground.”

Hobbs the Farmhand

“Besides we are quickly running out of daylight and in the dark we might miss something important.”

Sylo

“All valid points. To the inn, then.”

Fidget

“Damn it, I was really looking forward to pilfering. Oh well, I guess there will be more time for that at a later time.” Fidget says with a kind of disappointed tone.

On the way into Widefield the group passes many more abandoned farms, and arriving in the town they find it is almost deserted, those people they do see don’t stop to say hello or make eye contact, but move quickly between the buildings, and quickly close the door behind them.

The group arrives at The Horse Head Inn just as the sun is setting and stable their own horses, before approaching the large rustic wooden Inn, it seems very quiet without the usual music and sounds of revelry usually heard around inns and bars.

Hobbs the Farmhand

“This is very odd, I hope everything is ok at the Inn. Usually the people of Widefield are very friendly, but not even a howdy do from anyone.”

Sylo

“Perhaps related to this disease or famine?”

The group walks up to the entrance of the Inn, @Hobbs the Farmhand looks nervous, and is fixing his clothes, and hair trying to make himself look presentable.

Jessica

“You look fine Hobbs, I’m sure she’ll be happy to see you.”

Fidget

“Yes friend, you look just fine.... Why so nervous?” @Hobbs the Farmhand

Hobbs the Farmhand

“This is where Jasmine works, she’s one of Hectors daughters.”

Fidget

“Oh, do you fancy Jasmine?”

Hobbs the Farmhand

“oh yes, she’s great.”

*He swoons a little before trying to straighten himself once more and act normal.”

Hobbs the Farmhand

“ok let’s do this.”

@Hobbs the Farmhand opens the door and walks inside as he enters you hear an old mans deep horse voice speaking.

Hector

“Hobbs my boy welcome back, it’s good to see you, although things aren’t their usual cheeriness these days........ what brings you out to Widefield?”

Hobbs the Farmhand

“Par sent us, he can’t get a hold of Roger so he worried, and sent us to come see what’s going on here.”

Hector

“Us? You brought friends, well everyone, don’t linger outside, come on in and make yourselves at home.”

Hobbs the Farmhand

“We also met an Elf on the road, seems she’s from The Natural Museum in Entree Dieu De La Mer and is here to investigate as well.”

Hector

“That’s welcome news my boy, we really need all the help we can get.”

Fidget

“Hello, my name is Fidget.”

Fidget then enters like he owns the place. and looks around.

“I hear it’s been kind of grim around these parts. Do you have any ideas on why?” Fidget asks Hector

The group moves into the Inn, Widefield is a farming community and mostly families, the clientele seem to be predominantly farm workers, and a couple of families dinning out, although there is a lot of empty space and you feel as though the current troubles are affecting business.

There is a large fireplace with comfortable couches around it.

Up stairs are the guest rooms.

There is an open kitchen behind the bar and five young women seem to be running the Inn one behind the bar two in the kitchen and two seeing to guests, but it seems they charge roles occasionally.

There is a little chalkboard with the special:

‘Meatpie, mushy peas , and creamy mash potatoes’

As you enter into the Inn a loud mans voice booms from above you

Hector

“Welcome come in and take a seat one of my daughters will be with you in a moment to get your order”

Looking up you see a large old draft horses head looking down at you smiling.

Sylo

“Pleased to meet you. My name is Sylo...”

Jessica

“Hello Hector, my name’s Jessica, pleasure to meet you.”

Hector

“Hello you three, Macks told me all about your run in with that dirty rat Carmen, it’s wonderful to finally meet you, come in come in, make yourself at home.”

Fidget

Fidget enters the inn. “So Hector, I noticed everyone seems grim around these parts. Do you have a clue on why?” @Hector

Hector

“Well my little friend, the crops are all dried up, and people seem to be going missing, whole families just gone, farms and homes left empty, it’s a confounding thing with no respite in sight.”

Fidget

“Oh, that does sound terrible. We will do everything we can to try and help.”

Hector

“That’s wonderful news, as you can see I’m a bit stuck myself, and can’t go off galloping across the countryside solving mistries anymore.”

Fidget

“One more thing, have you seen or heard from Roger the rancher anytime recently? If not when was the last time?”

Hector

“No haven’t seen him since he was in here a week ago complaining about some farmers sealing up an old well without going through the proper channels.”

Fidget

“Hmm, did you happen to get the farmers names?”

Hector

“Widefield ain’t that big my friend, everyone knows everyone. The farmers in question were the Doogle family, the Woods family, and the Emrits family. Why you think they might have something to do with it?”

Fidget

“Well I’m not jumping to conclusions, but anything is possible. We should probably have a word with them after we check out Rogers Ranch.”

Sylo

“I agree, Fidget. Hector, are any of those families here tonight?”

Hector

“Nope, haven’t seen them for about a week as well.”

Fidget

Fidget then looks at @Hobbs the Farmhand, “Weren’t we supposed to be seeing someone here?” Fidget then gives @Hobbs the Farmhand a nonchalantly wink

Turning to @Hobbs the Farmhand you see that he is already over at the bar talking to one of the bartenders, presumably Jasmine.

@Jessica has also taken off and is enjoying an ale while waiting for her meal.

Sylo

“That is... concerning.”

Sylo

“Can you provide their addresses? I am concerned something nefarious is afoot....”

Hector

“Sure I can give you directions to the farms.”

While talking to @Hector the door opens and @Professor Botanylania enters the Inn.

Hector

“Greetings Professor it’s so wonderful to have you back in Widefield, how are the other Professors?”

Professor Botanylania

“Hello @Hector , it’s nice to be back, although I would have preferred it under different circumstances..... The other Professors are doing well, Professor Bert Ernstien sends his regards and is hoping to travel out this way soon to see Roger.”

Hector

“Seems Roger and Widefield are very popular at the moment.... all it took was a widespread drought and a bunch of disappearances Bruhuhuhu.”

Sylo

“Professor... there seems to be a correlation between the disappearance of our client, the sealing of an old well.. and yhe subsequent presumed disappearance of the other farmers who sealed the well. While this cannot be verified with certainty at this time, the farmers have not been seen the week since...”

Professor Botanylania

“Oh you have been busy digging for information, wonderful! Let me order a salad and some vegetables, and maybe a glass of apple cider and we can plan our next move.”

*@Professor Botanylania heads to the bar and talks to one of @Hector s daughters, then takes a seat with @Jessica .*

Sylo

“Very well.”

I will get some noms also and then go sit down

Fidget

Fidget hears someone make an order and turn very quickly. “Oh, and could I please get some Ale?”

As the night goes on everyone is sitting around the table enjoying an ale, or an apple cider, and finishing off their meat pie, mushy peas and creamy mash potatoes, or salad and vegetable medley.

Professor Botanylania

“I feel much better now that I’ve had something to eat, investigating is hungry work. So do tell. What were you able to discover when talking with @Hector .”

Sylo

“Roger the rancher has been missing for a week with no contact. Hector saw him last a week ago complaining about other farmers sealing up an old well... Said farmers, the Doogles, Woods, and Emrits have also not been seen in a week.... I suspect there may be a correlation with the apparent plague that is affecting the crops.”

Professor Botanylania

“That is some excellent detective work..... you should come work for us at The Natural Museum.”

Fidget

Fidget takes a big gulp of his ale. ” Was the well sealed because of the plague?... Or before anyone noticed?

He then looks at everyone to see if his question has any reactions, or if he senses any nervousness from anyone.

Hobbs the Farmhand

“Sounds like all the strangeness started after they sealed the well, Jasmine told me that Roger was pretty angry about the whole thing, said something about blockages or flow or something, she wasn’t quite sure.”

Professor Botanylania

“I guess we can split up tomorrow, if you want to investigate your friend Rogers farm, I will do some reading and look into any similar historical events and find out more about this well, how does that sound?”

Sylo

“Perhaps we investigate the well first. Unsealing it may solve all of our issues. Do you think?”

Fidget

“Yes I agree... I would say let’s go check it out tonight, but I could really use the rest.”

Professor Botanylania

“Wow you guys are eager... ok you can check out the well tomorrow, while I investigate logs, and historical events, and anything I can dig up on this well.”

Fidget

Fidget glances @Sylo “When we go tomorrow, I think it’s best to assume the well is trapped by people — or maybe something worse”

Sylo

“I agree, Fidget. We should be cautious. Though we may be off the mark and all may be well...”

The evening ends quietly @Hector s daughters apologize, what with the disappearances people have been avoiding going out, and the Inn games are currently on hold until things return to normal.

The group wakes in the morning to find that @Professor Botanylania had already eaten and left to continue her investigations.

Breakfast is a simple collection of fruits, breads, preserves, bubble and squeak, and tea or coffee.

While having breakfast the group prepares to head out to the farms.

Fidget

Fidget eats lightly, eyes already elsewhere. “I’ll keep an eye out for tracks, tampering, or anything that looks… intentional.”

After receiving directions from @Hector to the Farms where the well is located the group set out through Widefield.

They notice it is particularly quiet, especially unusual for a farming town where daily life begins early.

Sylo

We head off to the well, cautiously optimistic!

Fidget

As they head out, Fidget walks a little off the main path, watching the ground rather than the horizon.

Widefield is not a big place, and the group soon arrives at the farms of the Doogles, the Woods, and the Emrits.

The farms are like the ones seen as the group entered Widefield, dry and deserted. From the main road the group can see the Doogles home beyond high and dry corn stalks, it looks abandoned and rundown and in a state much more advanced than expected after a week.

From the directions given by @Hector the three farms are surrounded by corn fields, with the homesteads, barns, and well being in the center.

Sylo

“Not ominous at all... Perhaps we check for signs of life, first?” I head to the enarest homestead

The group head towards the Doogles homestead down the dirt road lined by dried out corn stalks, the road and surrounding fields are deathly quiet as the group approaches the wooden steps leading up to the house.

As they reach the steps they see something curious at the top of the stairs, it seems to be a straw doll just lying on the porch, with different hair woven into it, and ragged cloth for clothes, a little like a scarecrow.

Sylo

“I like this a lot. Couldit possibly go wrong.”

Can I get any vibes coming from the scarecrow that might indicate it is alive? haya

The straw doll is small and seems inanimate, but the presence of human hair is unnerving.

Sylo

I knock on the door, stepping over the scarecrow

There doesn’t seem to be anyone home.

Sylo

“Hmm”

I am gonna get a closer look at the scarecrow

The straw doll is strange but you can’t work out its meaning, perhaps @Professor Botanylania might know more.

Sylo

“A problem for another time. Let’s find this well.” I stride towards the epicentre

Jessica

“Should we take the little doll with us.... maybe show it to @Professor Botanylania ?”

Fidget

“Yes, grab the doll. i agree with Sylo, let’s check out the well and come back to the house.”

*@Jessica grabs the straw doll and puts it in her pack.*

The group leaves the Doogles homestead and heads for the location of the well.

Arriving at the well the group sees a lot of equipment for digging and earth moving, there is a large cart half filled with earth, and one with a lot of stone. looking at the area it seems that the job was only half completed. There is a workman tent near the carts which looks like it has been vacant for some time.

From the well the group can see all three properties, the Doogles, the Woods, and the Emrits all look similarly abandoned and their fields dry.

Fidget

Fidget crouches near the carts, sifting earth through his fingers.

“This wasn’t wrapped up—something stopped them.”

He moves to the well’s stonework, studying the placement and tool marks.

“Were they sealing it shut… or trying to hold something back?”

After a glance toward the vacant tent: “If they left suddenly, they left clues.”

Searching the tent @Fidget finds another straw doll with human hair woven into it, as well as a document outlining and verifying the legal removal and filling in of the well.

Sylo

“So they didn’t just seal the well. They have filled it in completely... this complicates things.”

Sylo

Do the dead fields seem to have the well more or less in the centre?

That is to say, do the dead fields radiate outwards

Looking around @Sylo can see that the well is in the center, not only of the three farms but he guesses the whole of Widefield.

Sylo

Looking through the document, does it make mention of any other entrances to the well, or where it draws water from ? (does it collect rain water, or come from a source of groundwater, etc)

@Sylo can’t find any information in the document, perhaps @Professor Botanylania will know more, but he does notice that it has been officially stamped by a company called Oydel Industries and signed A.O. which is odd because @Hector had mentioned the farmers hadn’t used official channels to get permission for sealing the well.

Sylo

“Curious. We should take this, and the dolls, and speak with the professor.”

Jessica

“Yes, the job only seems half finished but something strange is definitely going on here.”

Hobbs the Farmhand

“Do you mind if we head to Rogers before going back, I’m sure Par would like to know if he’s alright or if something has happened.”

Fidget

“May I have a look at the document? I haven’t gotten a chance to inspect it yet.”

Sylo

“Naturally” I hand Fidget the document

Sylo

“Of course, Hobbs...”

Fidget

Fidget tries investigating the document for any clues.

Fidget reads the document, the details @Sylo discovered seem correct, The document outlines and authorizes the filling in of the well and is stamped by a company called Oydel Industries.

Fidget

“The papers are real. Authorized. Stamped by a company—Oydel Industries.”

Jessica

“I’ve never heard of them....but that’s not unusual.... business isn’t really my forte.”

Sylo

“Is there an address for Oydel?”

Looking at the document there doesn’t seem to be an address, just the copper seal.

Sylo

“Perhaps now is a good time to speak with the professor and also the.... horse head.”

Hobbs the Farmhand

“Wait I really need to check on Roger for Pa first.”

Jessica

“Of course we will ... right?! It is why we are actually here after all.”

Fidget

“Yes, I agree on checking on Roger. Maybe we will find some clues. Hopefully it hasn’t already been ransacked. ”

Sylo

“Right... Apologies. I was caught up in all the riffraff...”

Hobbs

“Thank you, Pa will be glad of any news and happy to know we are helping Widefield while we are here.”

Fidget

“Alright, do you want to lead the way?” @Hobbs the Farmhand

The group follows @Hobbs the Farmhand towards Rogers Ranch, as they draw near they can clearly see that the drying has not reached the ranch yet it looks boarded up and there are signs of a struggle even from the road, with arrows sticking into the ground along the path leading up to the house.

Hobbs the Farmhand

“Looks like the drying hasn’t reached the ranch yet.”

Jessica

“But they’ve had some excitement by the looks of it, I hope everyone is ok.”

Sylo

“Not good.” I speed up to head to the ranch

As the group make their way down the road leading to the house they come to a clearing with smashed pumpkins laying around, straw and torn cloth, and a pack with R engraved on it, hanging out of the pack is a scroll.

Hobbs the Farmhand

“Hay that’s Rogers Sending Scroll!”

Sylo

“Despite all my rage....”

As the group inspects the items they notice that in the fields to either side of the path are four scarecrows.

They look kind of old and rotten, the worn clothes hanging off their straw bodies, and their carved faces are sunken and stitched together, filled with grass and herbs, some have old hessian sacks for heads.

Sylo

“Hobbs... what did Roger look like?”

Hobbs the Farmhand

“Umm brown scruffy hair..... big ears.... hairy feet... really short..”

As Hobbs says short the group hears someone calling from the house.

“I’m not short!! I am perfectly normal hight for a halfling!!”

Hobbs the Farmhand

“Roger!?!”

Roger the Rancher

“Yes!! Hurry up and get inside, before you get yourselves dead!!”

Sylo

“Ahh. I can see it now.” I look around before heeding the advice and running inside.

Roger the Rancher

“And grab my pack on your way!”

Sylo

I do just that

Fidget

Fidget also hurries inside

The door is barricaded and nailed shut but @Roger the Rancher has opened a window on the first floor and gingerly peeks out while waving the group to climb inside.

The group clambers through the open window landing in a heap on the floor, as @Roger the Rancher hastily closes it behind them and nails wooden planks across the frame.

Looking at the rancher they can see what Hobbs ment, even for a Halfling Roger is quite small, making Fidget look quite tall by comparison. His hair is a mess, his ears are large, and he looks and smells like he hasn’t had a bath in a week.

Roger the Rancher

“Hobbs my boy it’s good to see you, but what in the nine hells are you doing here?!”

Hobbs the Farmhand

“Par sent us to check on you since he hadn’t heard from you in some time.”

Roger the Rancher

“Hahaha, he worries too much..... although I’m kind of glad for it, I dropped my pack and sending scroll outside when I was ambushed.... I’ve been holdup in here ever since, I do hope the animals on the ranch are ok......... what news from outside do you bring?”

Sylo

“It seems he worries adequately. Roger, what is happening? Why are you--and know we--held up here?”

Roger the Rancher

“Whenever I try to leave.. and every night, those damn scarecrows come after me! I don’t know what’s going on! It’s been about a week now, and started when I was returning from the Horse Head.”

Sylo

“Then we should leave immediately. How many did you see?”

Roger the Rancher

“There’s four of them, you must have seen them when you came up the road.”

Sylo

“Any idea why you are being targeted? Have they harmed you?”

Roger the Rancher

“No I got away, but I haven’t been out in a week so I don’t know what’s happening out there or where they came from, what news can you give me?”

Sylo

“They sealed the well.... the ground seems to be dead emanating around the well... And those who sealed the well are missing.”

Roger the Rancher

“Those fools!! I told them something bad would happen if they went ahead and sealed it! But no one listens to me!”

“So what’s your plan? Oh and I better send a message to Mack let him know I’m ok.”

*takes the scroll and scribbles a quick message, looking over his shoulder you can see it goes along the lines of ′ I’m fine. you worry too much, just like an old mother goose.’*

Stalwart Ironjaw

*knocking on the door* Hello? Anyone about?

Roger the Rancher

“Who in the nine hells is that.... and how’d they get past the scarecrows!?!”

*Starts pulling boards off the window, and calls out to the person knocking.*

“Who is it!!”

Hobbs the Farmhand

“There’s some dwarf outside Roger!”

Stalwart Ironjaw

“Ah! Yer in there after all. Sorry to disturb, just wondering if you’ve got any fine swine for sale? The bigger the better!”

Jessica

“It’s a dwarf about a pig?”

Roger the Rancher

“Ummm not a good time.... you better come in..... but you’ll have to climb through the window...the door is barricaded!”

*Roger pulls the planks away and opens the window for the dwarf to climb inside.*

“Quickly then in ya hop!”

Stalwart Ironjaw

*Seemingly clueless of the danger, Stalwart shrugs and does as he’s told, clambering in through the window.*

“This is an odd setup for a business, if ya don’t mind my saying so. Did I come at a bad time?”

Roger the Rancher

“Ummm having some neighbor issues, I’m Roger, what did you say your name was?”

Stalwart Ironjaw

*picking himself off the ground and dusting himself off, he smiles broadly and thrusts out a hand*

“Stalwart, Stalwart Ironjaw. But my friends sometimes just call me Wart, and I like to think everyone is my friend until they’ve proven otherwise! Are you Roger? I was told you might be the man to talk to about livestock.”

“Though it seems now is not the time for that. Neighbor troubles? I’ve heard it said that good fences make for good neighbors. Have you tried mending any? I’d be happy to lend a hand!”

Roger the Rancher

“Oh oh oh , no...... by neighbor troubles I meant the idiot farmers who sealed up an old well “illegally ” and seem to have doomed the town and caused rampaging scarecrows to spring forth and assault my ranch.....but ...... it’s always a good time to make a sale.”

*winks*

“you looking for a Hog hey? What’s the purpose of the purchase...... you hungry? You wanting a boar, a barrow, a sow, or a gilt?”

Stalwart Ironjaw

*suddenly growing very interested.*

“Doomed town? Sealed well? Rampaging scarecrows? Well now that sounds like the makings of a challenging adventure! Tell you what, I help you with your little problem, and then we talk about the finer points of suid-kind, eh?”

*Looking around at the others in the room.*

“And who might you all be? Brave adventurers? Or are you too looking to buy a pig? I warn you, I’m a competitive buyer….”

Jessica

“ummm no, not looking to buy a pig.... I don’t think... My name’s @Jessica, this is @Fidget , and @Sylo, we are from AID WORK on a job, and this is Hobbs, he brought us here to Widefield to find Roger, but turns out a missing Rancher was the least of the troubles here.”

Hobbs the Farmhand

“Hi friend.”

*Waves.*

Fidget

Fidget eyes the dwarf for a moment, then nods once.

“If you got past the scarecrows without trouble, that already makes you useful.”

He turns back to Roger, voice steady.

“We’ve seen signs of this before—straw dolls, woven with human hair. One near the well. One left behind by the workers who sealed it.”

A pause.

“When they came for you… did the scarecrows rise from the fields, or did they appear closer to the house?”

Fidget glances at the boarded windows. “And if they come back tonight, we should be ready.”

Stalwart Ironjaw

“AID WORK? Didn’t you guys save some cats? Nice work!” *then looking slightly embarrassed* “Not sure I can take any credit for getting past scarecrows. I fell asleep behind a bale of hay over there… then woke up a few minutes ago. Maybe they didn’t see me until I started knocking on the door.”

Jessica

“Should we wait here or should we return to the Horse Head to tell @Professor Botanylania what we discovered?”

Roger the Rancher

“I for one would like to get out of here, I’ve been trapped inside for a week, and could do with a bath, good food, and an ale.”

Fidget

Fidget exhales slowly, thinking.

“I get it, Roger. Anyone would want out after a week like that.”

He glances at the boarded door, then back to the group.

“But whatever’s stalking you hasn’t killed you yet—it’s been trying to drive you out........ If we move you now, we do it with a plan. Daylight, eyes open, and weapons ready. Or we stay, set the ground, and see what comes for you tonight.”

Roger the Rancher

“Help me with this stuff so we can unbar the door, that will make it easier to get out and make for the road.”

@Hobbs the Farmhand and @Jessica start helping @Roger the Rancher clear away the door until it is able to be opened.

@Roger the Rancher gingerly opens the door looking out down the dirt road from his house.

The four scarecrows haven’t seemed to have moved from their position in the fields on either side of the road.

Fidget

“I want to toss something onto the road and see if they react.”

Fidget flicks a copper coin onto the road, watching the fields.

Nothing happens and the scarecrows don’t react.

Fidget

Fidget takes a single careful step onto the road, never breaking eye contact with the scarecrows.

“If they’re bound to someone, better it be me than Roger.”

The group follow Fidget outside, once they are all congregated on the porch of the farmhouse, Roger the Rancher slowly comes out looking around as he does.

As soon as Roger exits the house, the Scarecrows spring to life, glaring at Roger from across the field.

@Hobbs the Farmhand notches an arrow firing at @2 Scarecrow

@Roger the Rancher follows @Hobbs the Farmhand lead loosing an arrow at @2 Scarecrow

@Hobbs the Farmhands arrow strikes the @2 Scarecrow hard cracking its pumpkin head, but @Roger the Ranchers arrow over shoots landing in the field behind the scarecrow.

Sylo

My eyes glow a pale bluish-white and a rift tears its way through time and space. Water floods out of the rift near @4 Scarecrow before a large, damp bluish tentacle flops out through the hole, essentially sealing the rift. My Tentacle of the deep smashes at @4 Scarecrow

I follow it up as I conjure an eldritch blast at the same scarecrow. A sound almost akin to a gunshot can be heard as a bluish blast is fired from my palm.

The combination of tentacle and eldritch blast causes devastating damage sending straw flying and cracking the scarecrows pumpkin head, spilling rotting pumpkin pulp onto the ground, but the scarecrow still stands broken and battered but still dangerous.

Sylo

“Fascinating.”

Fidget

Fidget takes aim at @3 Scarecrow with his hand crossbow. He takes a breath, exhales, and shoots.

@Fidgets bolt flies true, striking the @3 Scarecrow hard in the chest, straw spilling out onto the field.

The Scarecrows leap to life jolting forward in rickety movement towards the group.

@3 Scarecrow reaches @Fidget lashing out with its terrifying claws, slashing across the halflings chest causing serious injury.

Fidget is paralyzed with fear from the vicious gash of the Scarecrows claws.

@2 Scarecrow leaps at @Hobbs the Farmhand raking down on the ranger with its claws, but @Hobbs the Farmhand is able to dodge the attack.

@4 Scarecrow glares at @Jessica with its hollow eyes and gaping maw.

But @Jessica is unaffected by the creatures terrifying gaze.

@Stalwart Ironjaw is able to overcome the terrifying gaze of the scarecrow.

Stalwart Ironjaw

(Stalwart moves 25 feet to flank the scarecrow nearest Roger the Rancher) “No harming that rancher until I’ve had a chance to buy a pig!” (He shouts, then swings his warhammer)

@Stalwart Ironjaws Warhammer comes down hard sending straw flying and breaking sticks inside the scarecrow.

@Jessica moves around behind @2 Scarecrow attacking with her rapier, scoring a hit on the creature.

Jessica

“Stay with us Fidget!”

(casts healing word)

Sylo

I move my tentacle to strike @4 Scarecrow

@Sylo strikes the @4 Scarecrow with the tentacle bringing it close to falling apart, then finishes it off with an eldritch blast sending straw, sticks, and chunks of pumpkin flying through the air.

Sylo

“They can die, then...”

@Roger the Rancher fires an arrow at @3 Scarecrow

The force of the shot splits the Scarecrows head down the middle and it falls on the ground breaking in pieces, yet its headless body continues to ambulate, waving its terrifying claws around in the air.

@Hobbs the Farmhand shoulders his bow, taking out two hand axes.

He strikes at @2 Scarecrow with one handaxe.

He strikes again with the other handaxe.

Two big hits from the ranger chop the scarecrow into kindling the pieces jitter for a moment on the ground before falling still.

@Scarecrow scuttles forward across the ground leaping at @Roger the Rancher with its vicious claws.

Cutting deep into the halfling.

@Roger the Rancher freezes in terror from the vicious attack, standing paralyzed against the scarecrow.

@3 Scarecrow turns and attacks @Stalwart Ironjaw

But the fighter is too heavily defended, and the attack misses.

@Jessica moves up behind @Scarecrow attacking with her rapier.

Jessica

“Don’t worry Roger, we’ve got this!”

(casts healing word)

@Roger the Rancher feels the healing powers of @Jessicas words.

Stalwart Ironjaw

(Swinging his war hammer again, Stalwart cries out with an intimidating war cry, trying to scare scarecrow 3 as well as hurt him.)

@Stalwart Ironjaw Warhammer comes down hard on @3 Scarecrow sending straw flying and breaking sticks driving the scarecrow into the ground, its scattered pieces twitch for a moment before falling still.

Fidget

Fidget attacks the scarecrow in front of @Roger the Rancher with his crossbow, and then swiftly attacks with his sneak attack. After his attack, he disengages and moves 15 feet to his left and and 5 feet south — placing him between the bucket and the barrel.

@Fidget fires his bolt with deadly precision, tearing off one of the scarecrows arms which flops to the ground.

@Hobbs the Farmhand puts his handaxes away, and unshoulders his bow, notching an arrow he fires at the @Scarecrow .

The arrow strikes the creature splitting it in two, the straw and sticks tumbling to the ground lifeless in a heap.

@Roger the Rancher wobbles and flops to the ground sitting on his porch as the paralyzation ends.

Roger the Rancher

“Thanks you guys, I’m so glad that’s over with.”

Fidget

Fidget quickly goes to fetch any bolts that might be salvageable.

The group are able to retrieve their ammunition, luckily the Scarecrows were made of soft straw and the arrows and bolts seem to be still in good condition.

Jessica

“We should probably head back to the Horse Head, perhaps Professor Botanylania has finished her investigations and we can tell her what we found.”

Fidget

Fidget examines the scarecrow very carefully, after returning his bolts into his bag. He even tries cutting one of the scarecrow open, to see what might be inside.

Sylo

“Fortune favours the bold.”

Stalwart Ironjaw

“You folk are a lot of fun! Perhaps I’ll tag along to this Horse Head and see what other challenges your party may bring!” (Then to Roger) “though I still intend to buy a pig from you, sir.”

Roger the Rancher

“I’m happy to hear that, I have some great big Barrow perfect for riding.”

Stalwart Ironjaw

“Wonderful! I don’t suppose you sell tack to go along with it?”

Looking inside the scarecrows @Fidget finds nothing out of the ordinary, ticks, straw......but then near where the heart would be he comes across a perfectly round ball of water, about the size of his fist.

Upon uncovering it, it quivers slightly before losing its form and slipping through the scarecrow into the ground leaving no trace of moisture behind only dry straw and dirt.

@Fidget checking the other scarecrows comes away with the same outcome.

Roger the Rancher

“We’ll get you saddled up no problem.”

Fidget

Fidget rejoins the group..... ” It seems like water was giving life to the scarecrows. Once I cut open both the scarecrows I noticed a ball of water the size of a heart was inside, but it slipped through the ground — leaving no moisture at all.. I suspect there is a lot more going on with the well and its water supply.”

Jessica

“That’s probably not the most unusual thing we’ve seen today, but it definitely deserves a mention when we see Professor Botanylania again.”

The group cleans up and starts heading back towards the Horse Head Inn as they travel @Jessica strums her lute and hums, before passing the time of the short journey with a tune and poem.

Jessica

“The wind carries no song through the Widefield grain,

Only the rattle of stalks and the scent of the rain

That never arrives for the cracked, thirsty soil,

Where the farmsteads sit vacant, forgotten by toil.

On the porch sits a doll made of harvest and hair,

With a stitched-up expression and hollowed-out stare,

A small, silent sentry in raggedy thread,

Counting the footsteps of those who have fled.

Deep in the clearing, the stone well is sealed,

By a copper-stamped contract that won’t be revealed.

But the spirits beneath aren’t so easily bound,

When the life of the valley is sucked from the ground.

Now the guardians rise with a rustle of reed,

Four rotten kings born of terror and greed.

With faces of hessian and hearts of dark hay,

The scarecrows are coming—so AID WORK, make way!”

Fidget

Fidget snorts, grinning. “If that ever becomes a tavern song, I’m blaming you.”

The group arrives at the Horse Head Inn late in the afternoon, as they open the door they can see a table covered in books and old scrolls, behind which Professor Botanylania sits scribbling away in a sending scroll, she seems engrossed in her work and doesn’t look up as the group enters.

@Hector s daughters wave to the group as they enter, and @Hobbs the Farmhand is quick to go and chat with Jasmine.

@Hector greets the group as they enter and upon seeing @Roger the Rancher makes a loud snort followed by a throaty nicker.

As this is @Stalwart Ironjaw first time in the Horse Head, the sound of a horse in an Inn and the giant head of @Hector above the doorway looking down smiling is something new for the dwarf fighter.

Hector

“Roger You’re ok!! You had us all worried sick........oh Hello you brought a new friend as well. My name’s @Hector , welcome to the Horse Head Inn..... My Horse Head Inn....take a seat, my daughters will fetch you drinks and meals... welcome back everybody.”

Professor Botanylania

*Eventually @Professor Botanylania looks up from her sending scroll, she doesn’t look particularly happy as if she has a lot on her mind, but she definitely looks interested, and intrigued at the days events.*

“Welcome back everybody, how was your investigations?”

Stalwart Ironjaw

(Gazing up in wonder, Stalwart peeks outside, wondering if he missed the rest of the horse’s body somehow hanging from the outside of the building, then remembers his manner and ducks back inside) “Uhem…uh…well met, Sir Horse. Happy to be here. I am Stalwart Ironjaw, at your service… uh… are you alright?”

Hector

“Never better my sturdy looking friend, don’t worry most people have the same reaction the first time they see me.”

*snorts*

Roger the Rancher

“I need some pie, and an ale! I’ve been stuck in my house for a week and would still be there if it wasn’t for Hobbs and his friends.”

*One of @Hector s daughters brings the halfling a large ale in a mug*

Tara

“What you need is a bath, you smell like you’ve been sleeping with your pigs, drink your ale then go get cleaned up while we fix everyone some dinner.”

Professor Botanylania

" None for me thank you, I’m only here to pass on some information to this group and then I must get back to the Museum for some urgent research.... it’s good to see you again Roger, you’re looking well.”

Roger the Rancher

*Takes a long slurp of the ale and exhales loudly.*

“And you B, how’s Burt? I’ve been expecting him to come around.”

Professor Botanylania

*@Professor Botanylania blushes*

“B... Professor Ernstien is well, I’m sure he’ll be visiting soon, he’s just finishing up with some therapy for a pair of Giant Hyenas, but he is intending to visit soon.”

Sylo

“Hyena therapy... curious.... Roger, the well... rain water or ground water?”

Professor Botanylania

“From my investigations I found that it is an ancient underground aquifer. Its source is quite deep and extensive. Widefield is one of the few locations where the water comes up to the surface, which is probably why the town was built here. They even have a special festival dating back to just after the towns founding in 6564 called ‘Un don pour la fée Mélusine’.”

Roger the Rancher

*Takes a big slurp of ale.*

“I love Un don!”

Jessica

“We did find these creepy little straw dolls, it has human hair woven into it, there was one at the abandoned farm we checked, and one at the well which was halfway filled in with construction equipment just left lying about.... but no people.”

Professor Botanylania

“Yes, it seems the population of Widefield is being taken, and I think it has something to do with the sealing of the well and ‘Un don pour la fée Mélusine’.”

Fidget

Fidget leans a hand on the back of a chair, brow furrowed.

“When we cut open the scarecrows… they weren’t stuffed with rot or blood. Each one had a fist-sized sphere of water where a heart should be. Perfectly round. The moment it was exposed, it slipped into the ground—no trace left behind.”

He glances at the professor.

“If the well fed the town… and now it’s sealed… maybe whatever lived down there is finding other ways to move.”

Stalwart Ironjaw

(Stalwart, his mind reeling to catch up, peers curiously at Hector’s daughter. Does he see a horse or a humanoid?)

“Taking people? How many people have gone missing? Hello,” (he says to the professor) “I’m Stalwart, by the way.”

Looking at the @Hector s daughters @Stalwart Ironjaw sees five quite lovely human women.

They don’t appear to be sisters or related to each other or @Hector in any way, shape, or form.

Professor Botanylania

*@Professor Botanylania looks at @Stalwart Ironjaw and smiles warmly*

“Hello Stalwart, Professor Botanylania of the Natural Museum, it’s a pleasure.”

*She looks over the dolls @Jessica gave her*

It seems that these straw dolls are left at the sites where people have been taken, the hair in each doll seems different, and I think we’ll find belongs to those taken.”

*She places a few more dolls on the table.*

“These dolls were found at other farms and homes. It seems ten maybe twenty families have been taken, as well as the construction crew.”

*Turning to @Fidget *

“An orb of water you say, that does seem to fit and confirm the picture which is beginning to unfold, what with the historical documentation, the spring festival, the sealing of the well, strange disappearances, and an unexplainable drought...... the only thing left is what to do about it all.....”

Stalwart Ironjaw

(Leaning over to Jessica, and whispering) “Uh, far be it from me to question any family makeup, but is there more than meets the eye happening with Hector? I have so many questions about how he came to be mounted to a wall and father of five beautiful humans…”

Jessica

*@Jessica smiles and pats @Stalwart Ironjaw hard on the back*

“Just ask him, he seems like a very honest and straight talking kind of horse.”

Stalwart Ironjaw

(Stalwart begins to speak to Hector, but upon hearing the report from the professor on the number of people taken, he rises to his feet, slamming a palm on the table.)

“Twenty families! By my oath, that will not stand! Tell me where to swing my hammer and these brigands will never take another in o cent again!”

Professor Botanylania

“I don’t think it’s that simple, but yes we do have to stop this before more people are taken.... ‘Un don pour la fée Mélusine’ could be translated as ‘A gift for the Fairy Water Spirit’, I believe based on historical documents and information you have discovered, we are dealing with an ancient water spirit, blocking the well has obviously angered her and now she seems to remove the blockage which she perceives as us. Unblocking the well would be the logical approach, but we also have to consider the people she has taken who must be found and returned. I believe you will have to go down into the well, clear the blockage, and rescue the Widefield residents....... I would advise not confronting the Water Spirit directly, it is very old and not only likely very powerful, but also connected to the land itself in ways we couldn’t foresee.”

Stalwart Ironjaw

“Right! To the well!”

Professor Botanylania

“It’s getting quite late in the day, perhaps you should rest and head out first thing in the morning?”

Stalwart Ironjaw

(Looking around, self consciously) “er, right. Sorry, sometimes I get a little excitable.”

Professor Botanylania

“No need to be sorry, I like your enthusiasm... just thought digging in the dark wouldn’t be much fun... but that’s just me...what about the rest of you, are you also eager to jump down into the well?′

Sylo

“What was involved in Un don pour la fée Mélusine’?”

Professor Botanylania

“The Un don pour la fée Mélusine festival hasn’t changed much since it’s beginning and mostly involves eating drinking and giving thanks to the life giving water within the town, there are water fights, parades, food stalls, and people usually clean and pray, it is held at the end of the growing season and is predominantly to be thankful for water, and be sorry for any polluting you may have caused.”

Roger the Rancher

“Speaking of being thankful for water, I’m going to take that bath now, be back soon.”

Stalwart Ironjaw

“Uh… is bathing safe in a town beset by an angry ancient water spirit?”

Fidget

“Yes... I agree with @Stalwart Ironjaw... Taking a bath sounds a bit risky, under the circumstances. I know I could use a bath myself, but I think it might be wise to wait.”

Stalwart Ironjaw

“That is the philosophy by which I live my life when it comes to bathing in general.”

Fidget

Fidget grins.

“At this point, I’m counting on the smell to scare things away.”

Fidget then chuckles.

Stalwart Ironjaw

(Stalwart reaches toward Fidget for a fist bump)

“Well said, my friend!”

Fidget

Fidget returns the fist bump, still chuckling.

’So what do you think?@Roger the Rancher.. Do you think you can wait for

your bath?”

Roger the Rancher

*He waves as if to reassure you that everything is fine as he disappears up the stairs.*

“You worry too much.”

Outside the air picks up and dust rattles at the windows as a large shadow falls over the street and the Inn, it sounds as if a massive storm has kicked up.

Stalwart Ironjaw

“Well, I don’t think it’s a good idea for him to go alone. That said, I certainly won’t be volunteering to bath with a fellow I’ve just met. To paraphrase my old nan, ‘You should buy a pig from a man first before jumping into a bath with him’.”

Jessica

“Wow so this sort of thing happens a lot in your family, to the point where your Nan can be quoted! You Dwarves really take pigs seriously.!”

Hobbs the Farmhand

“What’s going on out there!”

Jessica

“Looks like a storm?!”

Stalwart Ironjaw

“Well, her words were closer to something about buying maidens dinner before jumping in their beds, but I think the sentiment still applies.”

Jessica

“Not quite the same, in fact like comparing apples to potatoes.”

Stalwart Ironjaw

(Stalwart chuckles) “Fair enough, my friend! Though both crunch when you bite into them!”

Jessica

“Please don’t go around biting people...... at least not while you’re standing near me.”

Stalwart Ironjaw

(With a jovial wink) “Never without an invitation, Lass, don’t you worry!”

Hobbs the Farmhand

*@Hobbs the Farmhand moves to the rattling windows to see what’s going on*

“Is it a tornado?”

Professor Botanylania

*@Professor Botanylania is calmly packing up her belongings*

“No, it’s my ride.”

Hobbs the Farmhand

*Looking outside @Hobbs the Farmhand jaw drops*

“Amazing I’ve never seen one so close before!”

Stalwart Ironjaw

“What is it?” (Stalwart joins Hobbs at the window)

Fidget

Fidget’s smile fades as the windows rattle.

“That’s not a normal storm.”

He moves toward the door, peering through a crack.

“If the water spirit’s angry, this might be her answer to bath time.”

The group moves to the windows, looking outside they see a large Air Ship has come to rest over the town directly outside the Inn.

The Ship looks like a regular Ship of the line, with some modifications for side and ventral sails, the ship has large signage across the large envelope cylinder which reads ‘Pims’, the envelope itself seems to be made of a flexible yet metallic coppery material with smaller secondary tail, rudder, and elevators, the primaries being connected to the main Ship attached below. There are rope laders on its surface and a crow’s nest at the port and stern of the envelope, as well as a viewing deck retrofitted to the ship of the line.

This particular vessel seems to have been constructed for civilian transport, as there seems to be very few armaments and the cargo space seems inadequate for shipping freight.

As the Ship comes to a stop above the Inn, a rope is lowered as it waits for Professor Botanylania to board. In the viewing deck, you can see what looks like a copper dragonborn with his face pressed up against the glass looking down excitedly.

Professor Botanylania

*The professor moves to the door and opens it, wind and dust blowing in. Over the sound of the roaring wind she calls out to the group.*

“It’s been wonderful to meet you all, but I really must be going, seems I have a lot of work ahead of me and a new species to identify. Good luck down in the well, and remember, try not to confront the water spirit directly, I’m sure by clearing the well this issue will resolve itself, but you’ll still need to find the missing towns people down there before..... before it’s too late.”

Fidget

Fidget raises his voice over the wind.

“Professor—below the well, are we talking stone tunnels… or water that pretends to be stone?”

Professor Botanylania

*hanging onto the ladder as it ascends, and calling back.*

“I left some notes on the table for you.... sorry I didn’t have a chance to fully brief you all... good luck.”

The ladder ascends up to the Air Ship with @Professor Botanylania .

As the Air Ship banks and turns away from the street the dragonborn staring down on everyone waves goodbye.

There seems to be a rather depressing and broody looking Elf standing behind him looking unimpressed.

The Air Ship departs and the wind and dust settle, returning the town of Widefield to its quiet and peaceful nature.

The sun has almost fully set now as the shadows lengthen and darkness creeps over the town.

You hear @Roger the Rancher returning from down stairs as Tara calls out to everyone that their pie with mushy peas and mash is ready.

Roger the Rancher

“Arrrrr all nice and clea.......Oh, and she’s gone.... didn’t even say goodbye..Are wonderful dinner time, keep the ale coming Tara.”

Stalwart Ironjaw

(Relived to see Roger safe) “You didn’t get attacked by any water spirits, did you?”

Roger the Rancher

“Not that I’m aware of, the tub is small... no offense @Hector , so I think I’d notice if a watery nymph paid me a visit.... thanks for the concern though.”

Stalwart Ironjaw

(Looking at Hector, remembering his questions) “Uh…Hector…if you don’t mind my asking…how did you come to be mounted to a wall?”

Roger the Rancher

“Oh great here we go”

Hector

“It truly is a magnificent tale. I wasn’t always like this, nor have I always been an Inn owner.

A long time ago now it seems..”

Roger the Rancher

“Honestly not that long.”

Hector

*snorts*

“Awhile back, I used to be part of a crew, along with Roger, and some other friends... Your Par Hobbs, was one of us. We used to run delving expeditions into the Great Repository, which is where we met Professor Botanylania, Entomolojenkins, and Geolobobkins.”

Hobbs the Farmhand

“Par doesn’t talk much about those days.”

Hector

“Anyway, we were on an expedition, deep down, probably the deepest we’d been. We got word that a new section had opened up, but was unstable linking to a past unknown event and that unorthorised access had been detected.

We volunteered as a recon patrol, but when we arrived, it was an all out bloodbath.

The section had opened up into a battlefield from over a thousand years ago, from what I’m told were dark times, when the Continent was almost swallowed in darkness by a Litch known as The Mother of Stillness, although she has many names.

We weren’t the only ones from our timeline either, it seems a group of mercenaries from the frozen north had gotten wind and were looking to score big, as well as members from the Sanguine Cult.”

Roger the Rancher

“If I ever see that Borgoff again I’ll.....”

Hector

“Probably end up dead.”

Hector

“Anyway a long story short, things went about as sideways as they can. We were pinned down in a collapsed building, which used to be a museum or something, mercenaries and Cultists everywhere and an Undead Dragon crashing through the walls, while a world ending battle raged on outside.

I magicked up a gate to get us out, and we had almost made it, when I was struck, mortally wounded and heading for death.

I’d found an interesting scroll, which looked similar to Magic Jar, and thought I might be able to hold on in that state long enough to get out, so I used the scroll and stuffed myself into the first thing I saw, this here horse head.

Well the portal sucked us up and spat us out, with me looking like this, unfortunately we didn’t all make it, and from official records, the anomaly soon after collapsed before reinforcements could contain it.

I tried to get back to normal, but it seems I’m stuck this way, they tell me it’s something to do with my body being inaccessible whatever that means.

Now after that, well we had all had just about enough of adventuring, Mack married and set up his dairy farm with Mindy and adopted three boys, Roger became a hermit who hides out on his ranch with his pets, pretending like nothing happened....”

Roger the Rancher

“I’m still in the room you know!”

Hector

“And well, like I said, we all didn’t make it..... I had planned on marrying her, we wanted kids, and a farm, but you know..... things don’t always work out that way..........but I adopted these five wonderful girls, orphans from St Josephine, and with the help of Roger we set up this Inn..... and yeah, that’s how this happened..... and I thank my lucky stars it was a horses head and not a horses ass everyday.”

Roger the Rancher

“You obviously haven’t looked in the mirror lately.”

Hector

“But Gwen she’d be happy, and she’d have loved these girls, they really are something special.....”

Sylo

I am.a bit bewildered by the skyship “That would save a lot of time.”

Jessica

“That is a sad but amazing story Hector.... I’d love to put it to a song.”

*Looks at Sylo*

“save time doing what exactly?”

Sylo

“Travelling...”

Jessica

“ohhhh that makes a lot more sense than what I was thinking.”

Stalwart Ironjaw

(Stalwart wipes a single tear from his eye at the end of Hectors story) “Quite a tale indeed…I raise a toast to you, your lovely daughters, and your Gwen, who was lost to you!” (Lifting an ale toward the horse head, before drinking)

Jessica

*@Jessica raises her glass and drinks, she then unshoulders her lute and strums a soft cord, she adjusts the strap of her lute, her fingers dancing over the strings to find a melody that balances the weight of a battlefield and the warmth of a tavern fire. She catches Hector’s glass-eyed gaze and begins to sing.*

“The Repository depths are cold and deep,

Where secrets of the ages safely sleep,

Until the walls began to groan and slide,

And let the ancient horrors out to hide.

Amidst the dust of a thousand-year war,

Between the Dragon’s breath and the Lich’s roar,

A crew of friends stood back-to-back in line,

Against the Sanguine Cult and frozen brine.

Oh, the gate was open and the end was near,

With death a-whisper in a hero’s ear.

A soul cast out from a body of clay,

Seeking a vessel to hide him away.

Now he watches the hearth and he pours out the ale,

A baritone voice for a magnificent tale—

He gave up his stride but he kept his heart,

When the world and his life tore widely apart.

He might have been a husband, a man on a farm,

With a wife and a child held safe from harm.

But the scroll was cast and the portal was spun,

And a life of adventure was suddenly done.

He didn’t find skin, and he didn’t find bone,

He found a wood carving and made it his own.

Not a centaur of myth or a knight on a quest,

Just a horse on a mantle, taking his rest.

Roger may grumble and Mack may deliver,

While the ghosts of the past make the memories shiver.

He speaks of a Gwen with a catch in his breath,

Of a love that survived through the gateway of death.

But look to the kitchen, hear the laugh and the din,

The daughters he chose are the light of the Inn.

He’s a father, a dreamer, a soul-bound horse head,

Building a life from the shards of the dead.

So raise up a flagon to Hector’s brave soul,

Who traded his legs just to keep himself whole.

It could have been worse, as he likes to remark—

He’s the head of the horse, and a light in the dark!”

Hector’s daughters bring out the evenings meals, hot meat pies, mushy peas and creamy mash potatoes, with large jugs of ale on the side. The night creeps in as the group eat, drink and talk amongst themselves, old and new friends enjoying a delicious meal and company.

The table Professor Botanylania was sitting at remains untouched, her notes she had left for the group, as well as the two strange straw dolls, and the dig site documents, awaiting the groups return. Yet as the group continues enjoying their moment of peace after a long and unusual day, the dolls begin to store, a twitch at first, barely noticeable, but steadily growing more violent as they begin to vibrate and shake across the table.

Outside had grown deathly quiet, but as the group stopped their festivities to look at the dolls, they became aware of shadows at the windows, and the sound of a heavy hand scratching at the entrance handle trying to open the door.

Fidget

Fidget’s chair scrapes back as he’s already on his feet.

“Those dolls don’t move unless something’s close.”

He reaches for his crossbow, eyes flicking to the windows.

“That’s not a storm knocking.”

Sylo

“Oh.”

Stalwart Ironjaw

Stalwart moves to the door and tries to get something in front of it to block the door, like a cabinet or something.

@Stalwart Ironjaw is able to move a table in front of the door, unsure of how long it will hold.

Unable to open the door the scarecrows outside begin to hammer at the door with their vicious wooden clawed hands.

Their relentless assault makes quick work of the timber door as they tear away planks of wood and splinter the doorframe.

Over the crashing and splintering of wood the sound of breaking glass rings out, as through the windows Scarecrows come leaping through into the Inn.

@4 Scarecrow makes it to @Stalwart Ironjaw as it clambers over broken glass it lashes out with its claws.

But isn’t able to get past the dwarfs tuff defense.

two scarecrows leap through the windows to the right sending glass shattering across the Inn floor as they make their way inside.

To the left a scarecrow jumps through the window, glass crashing to the floor as it rushes at @Roger the Rancher and lashes out with its claws.

But Roger dodges the blow as he shields his ale from the flying glass.

Sylo

Tentacle and Eldritch Blast at @Scarecrow

A pool of water coalesces in front of the @Scarecrow , with a splash of briny water a large tentacle emerges slapping the scarecrow.

@Sylo follows up with a eldritch blast sending straw and sticks flying as the @Scarecrow sustains serious damage

@Hobbs the Farmhand pulls out his hand axes and jumping across the table goes to defend @Roger the Rancher against the @5 Scarecrow

Hobbs hacks through straw and sticks as he deals devastating damage to the creature.

@Roger the Rancher disengages moving back a safe distance before drawing his bow.

Jessica

@Jessica turns to face the @6 Scarecrow as it comes crashing across the room, she quickly strums a cord and with a whisper casts her spell at the charging creature.

“A hollow chest where breath should be,

A rattling throat, a mindless spree.

The corn is parched, the well is dry—

So laugh until you start to cry.

He-he... Ha-ha...

Choke on the straw, dance in the dust,

Break your ribs, for laugh you must!”

But the Scarecrow resists @Jessicas spell continuing on its assault across the Inn.

Fidget

Fidget moves up 15 feet with his crossbow ready. He sees @4 Scarecrow distracted by @Stalwart Ironjaw and quickly attacks with both his crossbow and his sneak attack. After his attack he will disengage and move back 10 feet.

@Fidget fires a bolt from his crossbow but misfires and hits the wall instead, inches away from @Hector s large head above the door.

Hector

“Careful!! I’m taxidermied not indestructible!”

Stalwart Ironjaw

(Stalwart swings his warpick at scarecrow 4)

The warpick slams into the scarecrow causing serious damage.

The Scarecrows outside try and break through makeshift barricade blocking the doorway.

But get tangled and bunched up in the doorway trying to get through.

@4 Scarecrow attacks @Stalwart Ironjaw

Missing the heavily armoured dwarf.

@Scarecrow attacks @Sylo .

But misses.

@6 Scarecrow attacks @Jessica .

Swinging wildly, and missing the Elven bard.

@5 Scarecrow strikes at @Hobbs the Farmhand

But the ranger is too quick.

Fidget

Fidget moves up 15 feet, with his crossbow and sneak attack he attacks @4 Scarecrow. After his attack he disengages and moves 10 feet to his left.

@Fidget well aimed attack smashes the Scarecrows pumpkin head, it drops to the floor a pile of lifeless straw and sticks.

@Hobbs the Farmhand attacks again with his handaxes chopping at @5 Scarecrow

turning the scarecrow into kindling in a pile on the floor.

@Roger the Rancher notches his bow firing at @6 Scarecrow

hitting the scarecrow, its straw stuffing falling out onto the floor

@Jessica attacks with her rapier

followed by a quick jab with her dagger sending straw and sticks flying.

leaving the scarecrow badly damaged

Sylo

Tentacle against @Scarecrow

The tentacle grabs the @Scarecrow by the legs and slams it into the floor over and over until straw and sticks are scattered across the room.

Hector

“Hay who’s going to clean this up!!”

Stalwart Ironjaw

Stalwart vaults the table blocking the door and stands in the doorway -hoping to avoid allowing them to flank- and swings his warpick at @Scarecrow 3

@Stalwart Ironjaw misses almost tumbling off the table, as he now blocks the doorway.

@6 Scarecrow attacks @Jessica

But misses the elven Bard.

@3 Scarecrow, @2 Scarecrow, and @7 Scarecrow start lashing out with their terrifying claws at the dwarf blocking their way.

Meanwhile @8 Scarecrow slips in through the broken window to the right of the dwarf.

The claws come at @Stalwart Ironjaw over and over again, he blocks the best he can but there are too many of them, as he sustains multiple injuries from the vicious wooden claws.

@Hobbs the Farmhand moves towards @6 Scarecrow , and maneuvering around strikes at the scarecrow from behind with his handaxes.

hacking away Hobbs causes serious damage to the scarecrow.

@Roger the Rancher aims and fires another arrow at @6 Scarecrow

The arrow tearing its hessian sack head, spilling wheat all over the floor.

@Jessica attacks @6 Scarecrow with her rapier.

removing its hessian sack head as it drops to the floor lifeless.

Jessica

“Hang in there @Stalwart Ironjaw we’re coming!”

(healing word.)

@Stalwart Ironjaw wounds close as he hears @Jessicas encouragement.

Fidget

Fidget first moves to attack the tentacle, caught up in the combat he forgets it’s Sylos.

Sylo

Don’t attack my tentacle

Fidget

Fidget then moves 20 feet north. He attacks the scarecrow directly in front of him with his crossbow and sneak attack. After his attack he disengages and moves south 5 feet.

Sylo

I move my tentacle to @8 Scarecrow

Sylo

“ELDRITCH BLAAAAAST!”

@Fidgets bolt hits the @8 Scarecrow hard cracking its pumpkin head, spilling seeds and pulp onto the floor.

The tentacle slides across the room attempting to grab the @8 Scarecrow , but the scarecrow easily avoids the clumsy attempt, but is hit hard by @Sylos Eldritch blast sending straw flying across the room.

Stalwart Ironjaw

Stalwart swings his warpick @7 Scarecrow

@Stalwart Ironjaw swings his pickaxe bursting the scarecrows pumpkin head, as it falls lifeless on the floor.

@8 Scarecrow @3 Scarecrow and @2 Scarecrow attack @Stalwart Ironjaw as he does his best to block the doorway.

The heavily armoured dwarf fends off most of the attacks receiving only a minor scratch.

@Hobbs the Farmhand moves up attacking @8 Scarecrow with his handaxes

chopping down the scarecrow where it stood, leaving it a pile ok straw and kindling.

@Roger the Rancher makes his way to the window in order to get a clear shot at the scarecrows outside.

Jessica

@Jessica moves up to the door.

“Hay your rotten gourds! Clear off!”

( Vicious mockery)

@2 Scarecrow sheds a tear at @Jessicas harsh words.

Sylo

Tentacle and Eldritch Blast vs @2 Scarecrow

@Tentacle grabs the @2 Scarecrow slamming it into the wall knocking the straw stuffing out of it, before releasing it close to falling to pieces.

@Sylo hits @2 Scarecrow with an Eldritch blast finishing off the scarecrow as it is blasted to pieces and sent scattering into the street.

Fidget

Fidget moves 10 feet north, with his crossbow and sneak attack — he attacks @3 Scarecrow. He then disengages and moves south 10 feet.

A well aimed arrow cracks the scarecrows pumpkin head in half, the back falling away, its contents slopping onto the floor behind it.

@Stalwart Ironjaw swings just missing the scarecrow

The @3 Scarecrow attacks back at @Stalwart Ironjaw

but is unable to get through the dwarves defense.

@Hobbs the Farmhand jumps out the broken window attacking @3 Scarecrow

Hobbs’s handaxes chop away destroying the last scarecrow.

Quiet returns to the streets, and Horse Head, once more.

Jessica

“That was horrible!”

Hobbs the Farmhand

“Just like chopping firewood at home for par....... horrible.”

*chuckles*

Hector

“Is everyone alright?”

Stalwart Ironjaw

“Alright? Never better! Nothing quite gets the blood pumping like a good scrap! Terrible shame about your windows and door though…Say…you don’t…feel pain when the building gets damaged do you? You’re just in the horse head, not the rest of the establishment?”

Hector

“Nope one of the perks and downsides of being a taxidermied horse head, no physical sensations... although I’m feeling anxious about the cleanup.”

Stalwart Ironjaw

Have no fear! I would be happy to help. Just show me where the broom and dustpan are!

Hobbs the Farmhand

“Yes of course we’ll help.”

Jessica

“Many hands make light work after all.”

Roger the Rancher

“And more ale is a good incentive.”

Fidget

Fidget quickly retrieves any bolts that might be salvageable. Fiat grabbing the one that almost hit @Hector. “Sorry about that, I must’ve lost my footing.”

He then checks the bolts from the scarecrows.

Hector

“Quite alright, wouldn’t be the first time something has been aimed at my head.”

Fidget

Fidget finishes retrieving his bolts, then glances toward the scarecrow remains.

“Before I cut into that… does anyone have a jar? Or something that can hold water—quickly.”

One of @Hector s daughters comes out with a jar.

Clarice

“Here you are.”

Fidget

Fidget accepts the jar carefully.

“Thank you, Clarice. This might keep everyone safe.”

He then crouches by the scarecrow, jar ready, and begins to cut it open with care.

Sylo

I will also cast guidance on Fidget

Fidget deftly opens the scarecrow, seeing the fist sized ball of water he quickly scoops it up into the jar before it can escape, and seals the top with the stopper.

Fidget

Fidget twists the stopper tight and holds the jar up to the light for a moment, watching the water for movement or change.

For a moment there is nothing, and Fidget worries that maybe he was mistaken. Then suddenly the water tries to get out of the jar bumping against the sides and stopper above.

Hector

“Well would you look at that.”

Stalwart Ironjaw

I’ve heard of a tempest in a teacup, but rapids in a receptacle is something new.”

Fidget

Fidget tightens his grip on the jar, keeping it steady despite the thrashing inside.

“It’s aware. Not mindless… and not happy.”...

“Is anyone knowledgeable in arcane or nature?”

Roger the Rancher

“Wouldn’t want to drink that.”

Hobbs the Farmhand

*Scratches his bold head.*

“Never seen anything like it before.”

Jessica

“Reminds me of a water elemental.... just much smaller and cute.”

Stalwart Ironjaw

“Fear not! I shall get to the bottom of this! May I see the jar, Mr. Fidget?”

Fidget

Fidget hands the jar to @Stalwart Ironjaw. “Be careful with it.”

Looking into the jar @Stalwart Ironjaw definitely thinks it looks like a little baby elemental.

Stalwart Ironjaw

(After staring at it for some time) “That, I can say with confidence, is a baby elemental.” (Stalwart nods, satisfied with his wild guess.)

After cleaning the Inn the group gathers at the table Professor Botanylania had left her notes for the group, as well as where the two straw dolls lay.

Placing the jar in the center of the table everyone sits and watches the strange water as it paces around in the jar, sometimes swirling left, sometimes swirling right, and sometimes creating odd shapes.

Jessica

“I never knew they could come in such tiny sizes.... I like it, looks like a pet.”

Hobbs the Farmhand

“Doesn’t look very happy though.”

Roger the Rancher

“Either would you if we stuck you in a glass cage,”

Sylo

“I suggest we take a brief respite... and then we look into the well. However, I suspect we will have some trouble digging it out ourselves. Unless we can convince the... elemental?... to help us, we will need to find a different way into the water source.”

Jessica

“Yes I could do with a good night’s sleep, it’s been a weird day.”

Hector

“Rest easy, I don’t sleep so I’ll be sure to keep an eye out through the night.”

Sylo

“You do not sleep? That cannot be pleasant.”

Hector

“More boring than unpleasant, I can’t even play cards to pass the time while everyone sleeps. I do have a harness that Roger made though, which allows me to read a book from time to time, but it does get in the way, and I can’t attach or remove it myself, and turning the pages can be tricky.”

Roger the Rancher

“Beggars can’t be choosers, at least you can see to be able to read.”

Sylo

“Perhaps you need to be tought some rudimentary magic, such as the ability to mannifest a magical hand to do such things.”

Hector

“I used to be able to do magic, that’s how I was able to create the gateway for my companions, and put myself in this form, but for some reason I can’t do it anymore..... I understand the material and somatic requirements, but verbal also seems to be blocked for some reason.... perhaps it’s for the same reason I can’t move back into my body..... it’s somewhere else and I’m stuck here.”

Sylo

*Guidance*

Do I have any idea why this may be?

Sylo is not quite sure, Hector’s body was in a rift from the past when he transferred into the taxidermied horse head.

since he is not technically dead, resurrection won’t work, and since the scroll he used was found somewhere within the Great Repository and is unknown magic, there’s no one alive who understands how it works.

Hector mentioned that his body is somewhere but inaccessible, either still in the past trapped in a time loop, or since two thousand years have passed since that battle actually took place perhaps his body has decomposed beyond retrieval.

As Sylo thinks about it it becomes a tangled mess in his brain, there seems to be a lot of unknowns and things at play which don’t make sense, but recalling Hector’s tale he jots a note down on the back of the notes Professor Botanylania left.

*Hector found a scroll similar to Magic Jar in the Great Repository, in a time and place that may or may not exist.

*Hector transferred his spirit into the taxidermied horse head while inside a time distortion from two thousand years ago.

*Hector then left through a gateway leaving his body in the past.

Sylo

“What sort of a magician where you, Hector?”

Hector

“I was a wizard...... and a pretty good one if I do say so myself, they don’t let just anyone work at the Great Repository.”

Roger the Rancher

“Finally something we agree on, you my friend were the only wizard, I ever really trusted to have my back.”

Hector

“You’ve had too much to drink.”

Roger the Rancher

“Straight from the Horses mouth, there ya go, I’m off to bed. Goodnight my new and old friends, don’t let him keep you up all night gassbaging.”