eeking Truth
Chapter 18: The truth about the farmer
Once the party had rested and regrouped, they were able to make their way from the city. The barbarian had the plan to interrogate the farmer in a most unconventional way. They would pretend to be a sprit killed by the plague with the hope that the farmer would be overcome with grief and confess to his role in the plague.
The Crimson Shadow and Zoorah set out into the night to secure a tombstone. They found one without problems and dragged it into the woods. A passing patrol was easily avoided and they reconvened with the rest of the party, who had some significant trouble with a small branch of soldiers.
"If only we had you here, The Crimson Shadow, we could have easily bested these fools" said the Barbarian. "I am too clumsy to fight effectively, despite my strength, speed, and ability to grow into a giant"
"We can't all be perfect" The Crimson Shadow replied, smiling.
They made their way to the farm house. The members took it upon themselves to improve their weapons and armor, raiding the villain's home. When they were prepared, they lead the farmer deep into the woods.
The mages cast spells, and The Crimson Shadow bound the farmer to a tree. Using a series of spells, they made a ghost appear, quizzing the farmer about his actions.
"While I have nothing to do with the spread of the plague, save my own greed, I have a series of other crimes to confess. I have stolen and murdered, robbed and pillaged. I sell diseased meat on purpose, and steal goods from others, without giving a cut to my rightful Thief King, The Crimson Shadow. My wife, son and dogs were demons in human form. I poison kittens for the fun of it..."
"Enough" interjected The Crimson Shadow, "Your crimes are great, but our mercy is endless. You may leave with your head intact. The shattered husk that was once your life if punishment enough"
"Also, I kick orphans in the face"
"ENOUGH I SAID!"
And the farmer fled into the night, never to be seen again.
The party continued along the river, standing watch. At night, a bird-like creature watched them from the sky. One day, near the site of a great battle, they discovered a box along the side of the road.
"Open in, Crimson Shadow" said the mage
"I should not. The risk is too great" he replied
"Nonsense. The rewards are greater"
So, with great hesitation, he opened the box. It was un-trapped, but the space around the box was quite dangerous. Undead monstrosities sprung from the ground, savagely attacking The Crimson Shadow. The poison in the beast's claws sapped at his strength, and he had no choice but retreat to safe distance, pelting the fiends with rocks. The rest of the party most likely escaped unscathed. The Crimson Shadow rarely pays close attention to the wounds of others.
Hail Uthellon and the High Council of Moridem
Our ruse to uncover the deeper mysteries hidden within the farmer's mind failed. We learned nothing that we didn't already know, that the farmer was a simpleton, a dolt, and for that his family succumbed to the blades of my companions. Guilty of selling plague infected meat to an unsuspecting town he was, but not guilty of any additional nefarious schemes. Milo, who claims to be the mysterious Crimson Shadow, returned the farmer to his property. After our interrogation the farmer had not the mental capacity to recognize his own bed sheets adorning his "helpful" companion.
The farmer has paid for his transgressions in full, with the blood of his wife, son, and the sanity of his mind in question, and will live out his life with the sad consequences of his selfish actions. I, however, have not. My debt goes unpaid.
The river carries the plague in its swift course. It is our only clue. We head north toward the ancient battlegrounds of the Great War. An encounter with the living dead brings fear and trepidation but we were blessed with victory over darkness today. Dark shadows pass overhead at night, a foreboding sign of more evil to come.
Corellon be watchful.
Nareth
