Journal Entry 5

The Veil Drops

Once feeling more like ourselves again, the quest to see what is happening in this town needed to be addressed. Given the appearance of shape-shifting beings was enough to cause some alarm. No one was to be trusted completely but we needed to continue the investigation somewhere. The leaders of the village seemed a good place to begin.

A brief journey and we were at the lord's keep. The typical befuddled guard as is more and more common here was out front "keeping watch". Some fast talking from Krova convinced him we had urgent business with the lord of the town and we were expected. The poor guy most likely forgot about us completely once we passed through the door which is no easy task being as the group contains a dragonborne and a tiefling.

Entrance was granted to us where we met the lord and a local healer; an elderly lady assigned to the local church. The lord had fallen ill and was being looked after although to what affect the healing had was negligible. Zar'za attempted to find out what might be causing this disease but was unable to come to any conclusions. We would need to seek out answers elsewhere. The flower girl Delphina Moongem would appear be the next best source for answers.

Following Delphina Moongem seemed to be a hopeless task given the lack of success our most stealthy party members have had in tailing her. I decided it was time to let her come to us. Amanda and I decided to talk to the innkeeper about Delphina. She was in her usual, forgetful frame of mind but did manage to tell us that she had been acting a bit more cold than was typical. We offered to bring her a pot of soup which the innkeeper thought a terrific idea. After a few hours enjoying the hospitality of the inn, a soup was produced. We then set off to Delphina's house to see what state she was in. Shade thought it best to watch our backs and did so from a handy rain barrel. Amanda and I went up to the house which was dark. Summoning to Shade, he quickly came over and opened the door. The inside of the house was truly shocking. The place was a disaster, looking and smelling like a kobold hovel. Something foul was most certainly at work.

Our group reassembled and discussed this turn of events. A decision was reached where we'd all travel out to the fields where Delphina had gone. Talking to the townspeople gave us a better sense of direction and distance to the fields. We managed to locate the trail and with the great assistance of Shade we made it to our destination. Making an examination of the plants, it was determined that they could be used to concoct a sort of poison. Zar'za figured she could come up with an antidote now that the root ingredient was identified in the poison. We gathered up as much of the plant as we could and set back to town. Zar'za worked with our assistance in brewing the cure.

Another thought also came to mind. The town well would be the most likely place to dump poison into. The feeble-mindedness of the townsfolk was nearly proof positive that this is what had happened. We elected to stake out the well to see who would be making the dump. The antidote we had concocted was not enough to counter the effects of a foul well and would be overwhelmed should the water continue to be poisoned. Zar'za went up to Valthrun's tower which provided a superior view of the courtyard. Krova and I stayed on the street level to keep an eye out as well. The watch went without incident. Zar'za decided it would be a good idea to let the healer know about the poisoning to better help the king. She left the tower and went over to the church along with Shade and Amanda.

It wasn't long before they returned with horrible news that the old healer was dead in the church. A second shape-shifter must be in town. We'd need to move swiftly and silently to ensure we catch this foul creature unaware. Quickly we returned to the keep and gained entrance. After a bit of fast talking, we entered the main chamber where the king was convalescing. The old healer was there at his side. Zar'za acted quickly as she closed the distance and swung her sword, connecting with the impostor. I fired off my magic missile which also struck true. Krova, Shade and Amanda joined in as we subdued the creature. It turned into a white, humanoid shape. We administered the cure to the king and the head of the guard. Its healing took noticeable effect immediately as their heads began to clear.

The shape-shifter came to and began pleading with the king after changing back to the old healer's form. It then changed form several other times trying to escape. Krova wanted to ensure that justice, not revenge was to be served in this case. Yes, it was a terrible thing that almost happened but ultimately, we cannot allow ourselves to sink to the depths of the evil ones. The shape-shifter continued to make a case for its release but its pleas fell on deaf ears as the king declared it to be executed by hanging until dead. I noted that Zar'za had a fond look in her eye upon hearing that proclamation. The shape-shifter made one last speech about how it was far too late for us and our deaths would be imminent. We'll see about that.