The Temple of Pelor (1)

[OGRE MAGE]

Ernie looks at Brother Tomas who simply rolls his eyes and nods his head at the boy. The priest again wonders how the goodly Mayor knows such a strange individual.

Ernie walks off to the side with Ugghra.

Ummm, ya?

[Inferno]

Sir Ugghra, half-orc aristocrat:

When Sir Ugghra had Ernie alone, he said, "Thank You. As Part of Our Investigation, We Are Naturally Interviewing All Families in Brotherton Who Suffered a Dissappearance. I Assure You, It Will Be Done With All Discretion, Delicacy and Consideration For The Loss They Have Suffered. I Was Wondering If You Could Kindly Provide Directions to the Family Farms of Tressa Bird and Cindy Lou Harrison? It Would Aid Us Greatly in Our Fact Finding Mission, Ernie."

[OGRE MAGE]

Ernie listens with growing tension in his face. Finally, when Ugghra is finished, the pimple faced boy bursts out in a raucous laughter.

Im sorry sir, he says, still snorting a little. I mean you no disrespect I'm sure. You just crack me up, the way you talk en all. I've seen plenty of orcmen around but, I've never seen anything like you before. It's hilarious I tell ya!

The boy looks over at his kind old mentor and smiles.

Im sure Brother Tomas won't mind, as long as you're nice about it. So, I'll trade you the addresses for any wine you have on you. Now don't lie, your elf friend had some so I'm sure you do too. Give it up, and you'll get the addresses. Deal?

[Inferno]

Sir Ugghra, half-orc aristocrat:

"Elf Friend...?" the eloquent ogre asked. "Oh. Yes. Yes. Elf Friend. I'm Afraid I'm Fresh Out At The Moment, Ernie. But Perhaps We Can Come To Some Arrangement. I'll Pay You Ten Gold Crowns Now For the Directions, And Return With The Inn's Finest Vintage Before Dark This Evening.
"...Wine, Ernie. A Bottle of the Inn's Finest Wine. Before Dark. Upon My Word As A Gentleman. Do We Have A Deal?"

[OGRE MAGE]

Ernie smiles a toothy grin from ear to ear and nods his head disturbingly.

Yes, yes you got a deal! Come right back in here. I'll be waiting for you then.

The boy explains where the farms are located. The Harrison's live due west of the temple, third farm out. The Birds farm is on the very outskirts of the community. About two miles northwest of the temple. He shows you which trails to take to get to each.

Hey, sir? Can I ask you one more thing? Have you ever heard of something called black lotus?

[Inferno]

Sir Ugghra, half-orc aristocrat:

"No. I'm Afraid I Haven't Had The Pleasure. What Is It, Pray Tell?"

[OGRE MAGE]

Ernie looks embarrassed.

Oh, never mind then. It's just something I've heard of once is all.

He begins walking back to help Brother Tomas finish readying the wagon.

[Inferno]

Sir Ugghra, half-orc aristocrat:

Sir Ugghra paid him and said, "Thank You, Ernie. I'll See You Here At Sundown."

Then he rented a horse from the town livery and rode out to the Bird family farm.

[Inferno]

Sir Ugghra, half-orc aristocrat:

Alone or with others of the investigatory team, the well-mannered mongrel rode out to the Bird family farm. His demeanor and purpose was that of a military officer on official business, which was what he was after all.

He approached the farmhouse, spine erect, head up, shoulders back, and demurely knocked upon its door with one knuckle.

When he found the parents of the long-missing girl, he bowed and humbly presented his papers, “Mr. and Mrs. Bird? Please Forgive This Intrusion. I Am Sir Ugghra Caine of Chenl, Sent Here By His Majesty To Investigate the Recent Disappearance of Your Local Sheriff, ‘Positive Steve.’”

The demihuman of decorum paused respectfully. Then he continued, softly and soberly, “I Know The Past Can Be Most Painful. And I Have No Desire To Cause Your Family Further Distress. But I Have Reason To Believe That The Sheriff’s Disappearance Is Related To A Pattern of Previous, Unsolved Disappearances in Brotherton… Including That Of Your Beloved Daughter, Tressa.

“I Intend To Solve These Crimes and Bring The Guilty to Justice At Last. If I May Have a Moment Of Your Time, I Believe It Could Help To Finally Ascertain The Whereabouts Of Your Beloved Daughter.”

Sir Ugghra bowed again, and held it, respectfully awaiting the family’s answer.

If Ugghra isn't alone, he'll make introduction of course, and half the "I's" in his speech would be "We's." Thanks.

[OGRE MAGE]

The abominable orc-man and company are able to find the Bird farm rather easily. They find the elderly couple out in the fields, tending to their crops. As they approach, the couple gathers together and gasp a little when they see the face of Ugghra.

When he mentions Tressa by name, the old woman bursts into tears, even after all these years. The old man rubs his dirty hand over his dirty face and shakes his head.

Really? We are gonna go through this again? Why should we assume that this investigation will go any differently than any of the others?

The old man tries to stay calm, all the while trying to also keep his loving wife calm. He thinks about it for a long while.

It was a real shame to hear that Steve became a victim now too. Ask your questions, but be decent and quick about it please.

[Inferno]

Sir Ugghra, half-orc aristocrat:

"Forgive Me, Madam and Sir."
The courteous creature rose again and did as Mr. Bird requested. He asked each question in turn, hearing its answer fully before asking the next.

"Please Tell Me About Your Daughter. What Kind of Person Is She?"

"Can You Please Tell Me How and Where You First Discovered That Your Daughter Was Missing?"

"When and Where Was She Last Seen, and By Whom?"

"Did Anything Out of The Ordinary Occur In The Time Directly Leading Up To Your Daughter's Disappearance?"

"Did She Say Anything About New Friends? Another Girl, Perhaps?"

"Had She Ever Mentioned Going Near the Ruined Tower?"

"Was She Friends With the Other Missing Girls?"

"Was She Friendly With Anyone in Brotherton With a Strange Look in Their Eyes, if You Take My Meaning?"

"I Have Reason To Believe 'Positive Steve' Was On the Trail of the Culprits Before His Sudden Disappearance. Did He Share Any of His Theories With You On The Case?"

"Do You and Your Wife Have Any Theories At All As To The Identity of the Guilty Parties?"

After hearing these answers, Sir Ugghra might have more brief questions.

[Grognardsw]

Orando, who joined Sir Ugghra along the way, nods his head sagely.

[OGRE MAGE]

"Please Tell Me About Your Daughter. What Kind of Person Is She?"

The old man sighs heavily. She's been gone for over 20 years, how would we know what kind of person she is? She WAS a sweetheart that wouldn't have hurt a fly. That's how I remember her anyway.

She may have been a bit gullible, but she was an angel of a child.

"Can You Please Tell Me How and Where You First Discovered That Your Daughter Was Missing?"

She never come home from the harvest celebration. That was 23 years ago this fall.

"When and Where Was She Last Seen, and By Whom?"

She was seen at Harvest Fest by everyone else that attended. She was with her friends most of the night but, when they all left to go home, Tressa never made it here.

The old woman breaks out in tears.....AGAIN.

"Did Anything Out of The Ordinary Occur In The Time Directly Leading Up To Your Daughter's Disappearance?"

No.

"Did She Say Anything About New Friends? Another Girl, Perhaps?"

She talked about a nice older boy that she had met in town a few weeks before. She said she hoped that he would be there so her friends could meet him but, they all said that he never showed up at the festival.

"Had She Ever Mentioned Going Near the Ruined Tower?"

Umm, excuse me but, I mean, I'm not trying to tell you how to do your job but, the tower you're talking about wasn't in ruins 20 years ago.

She definitely did not go near that weirdo wizards tower when she was still around. She knew better than that at least.

"Was She Friends With the Other Missing Girls?"

This is a small community here. Everyone knows everyone else. If we don't know someone personally, we have certainly heard of them. So, yes. I'm sure she knew all of the victims in one way or another.

"Was She Friendly With Anyone in Brotherton With a Strange Look in Their Eyes, if You Take My Meaning?"

She wasn't one of the "lookers" if that's what you're asking. But, those women did start to show up around the same time as the first few disappearances.

At first, we all avoided them, but now that we've realized that they are no different than the rest of us, most of us have stopped judging them and simply accepted them for who they are. They can't help the way they look after all.

"I Have Reason To Believe 'Positive Steve' Was On the Trail of the Culprits Before His Sudden Disappearance. Did He Share Any of His Theories With You On The Case?"

No, we're just simple farmers.

He was a great guy and a good lawman but, he knew better than to continuously question us about the details of his work. Some folks just didn't want to keep hashing through all of those bad memories.

"Do You and Your Wife Have Any Theories At All As To The Identity of the Guilty Parties?"

We have heard every theory in the book so far. We don't like how any of them end for her.

Since there was no evidence found, we are still holding out hope that she still might be alive. We like to believe that she just got sick of the slow life and ran off with her prince charming.

But, we haven't heard a word from her over all these long years.

[Inferno]

Sir Ugghra, half-orc aristocrat:

She talked about a nice older boy that she had met in town a few weeks before. She said she hoped that he would be there so her friends could meet him but, they all said that he never showed up at the festival.

The inhuman investigator arched an elegant eyebrow. The same pattern as the Kresty boy. When the farmer answered all his questions, Sir Ugghra said, "Thank You. That's Very Helpful. What Did She Tell You About This Boy? Appearance? Name? Where He Was From? As You Say, Everyone In Brotherton Knows Each Other."

"May I Ask, Did Your Daughter Keep a Diary?"

[OGRE MAGE]

Diary? Sir, we are farmers. We don't have time for things like that.

She did say that he was a tall, dark stranger that was new to these parts. We never got a name.

Do you mind if we get back to our chores now?

The old woman starts crying one more time for good measure.

[Grognardsw]

Orando, elf

"Thank you very much, we are sorry for your loss. Hopefully the mystery will someday be explained."

[Inferno]

Sir Ugghra, half-orc aristocrat:

The well bred halfbreed gave his heartfelt thanks and condolences.

As they departed, he turned to Orando, "That's Two Mysterious Paramours. I Dare Say, You Ladies Had Best Be Careful During Your Stay in Brotherton."

Ever exhaustive and meticulous, Sir Ugghra headed next for the Harrison farm where he would say the same words in the same way for Cindy Lou Harrison as he did for Tressa Bird.

[Grognardsw]

Orando, enchanter

"The female of the species and all that," comments Orando with a smile to the refined half-orc brute. "It's charming you consider me female. Is that safer for your world view?"

[OGRE MAGE]

The family of Cindy Lou is a bit less cooperative with your investigation but, you are able to find out pretty much the same type of information, except that she was the first victim reported.

She was a cute 17 year old girl that simply didn't come home from town one evening. She was lost without a trace and no friends ever saw or knew what happened. She too had talked about meeting a young man that she thought was the "one", but got very upset when she found out that he was also going after the Lady April (amongst other girls) way back in the day.

[Grognardsw]

Orando, elf

Seeing the half-orc uncharacteristically silent about the gender discussion on the way to the Cindy Lou family, Orando smiles and drops the subject.

Upon hearing the latest information, he nods his head sympathetically and thanks them.

"Small village folk have scant to do except drink and fuck," says Orando to Ugghra afterwards. "I'm not sure if these different paramors are a common and legitimate lead, or just human nature."

"For all our Investigations, we have little to go on. Perhaps a more bold ploy to shake loose true clues and insights? I have some ideas," says Orando, who is known in some circles as the Trickster Mage.