Haunted Log 1

Zara sits down at the bar, looking a bit worried. Her hair is messy and coming out of her braid, and she has a smudge on her dress
Mari looks at her confused. "What happened, Zara? Have you had trouble?"
"What makes you so terrified?" Kyle asks
Zara smiles at Kyle and Mari a bit tiredly. "Ah . . . it sounds silly to tell it. I was . . . babysitting."
Mari raises her brows. "What? A troll baby?"
Kyle rolled eyes and avoid the problem of babysitting "do you need any food or drink?"

"No, no! This woman came to the temple for counsel and I watched her children while the Dawnmaster offered comfort. But the kids aren't what worries me. It was her story!"
"The woman's story?" Mari asks
"Horror story?" Kyle echoes.
Zara nods, getting a glass of water to drink. "She is a nanny in Blacklake. She had a job for one family but . . . she says the baby is possessed."
Mari drinks her ale. "Most babies sound as possessed, sometimes"
"Yeah, but she says this one will disappear. Right from his crib . . . and that when he comes back he is different." Zara says

Kyle knock knock Mari’s head to check
"AWW!" Mari shouts
Zara laughs, "Kyle, what are you doing to her?"
Mari glares at Kyle, even if the knock didn't really hurt her
"Testing her mind" Kyle winks

Darn appears behind the barman board leaning against it "You are late, I did two bets till you came in." he tells to Zara and then turns to others "Hi folks!"
Kyle waves to Darn then
Zara smiles, nodding to Darn, "Did you win them?"
"Eh one yes, other was surprising, the old punk didn’t look like he can wield a sword like that. But I was saying that even about your one handed friend." Darn orders himself Icewind gin

Zara nods, "I was just telling Kyle and Mari about this strange baby. He is possessed . . . or that is what I heard."
"But how can he appear and disappear? Can babies handle magic?" Mari asks
Zara shakes her head, "No . . . and she said when he comes back sometimes he is hurt. Or soaked in water . . ." her voice drops to a whisper, "Or blood."
Darn shrugs "Live and let disappear at will? Gin, Kyle?"
Mari scratches her head. "What if there's someone putting a spell on the poor thing?  I mean maybe they want to get him, and return him back by magic when they finish"
Kyle would rather eat than answer
Zara sighs, "It could be. I was thinking about taking the job. I don't know what I can do but . . ."

"The job? Babysit him?" Mari asks
"Or kid has some special item that does it..." Darn narrows his eyes at Zara "that can be useful." he adds in mind
Kyle chews thoughtfully, "or he can move through time?"
Zara nods, "There is a post for it. For one night, it seems. If he is coming back hurt, maybe we can help?"
"Just ask where did he go?" Kyle laughs.
Zara grins at Kyle, "Do you speak baby?"
Kyle’s eyes widen, "Baby?  I thought it was..."
"There is legend like that actually, princess being taken each night by monster and returned with morning light." Darn mumbles lighting his pipe
"But if he can disappear, then why not" Kyle shrugs
Zara nods to Darn, "There is. And if it is a monster, we should kill it." She looks at Kyle tilting her head, "The nanny didn't say he could talk but maybe?"
"It’s human, yes? They can do everything pretty soon." Darn says.
Kyle grins, "They always can keep their secret. Myth of babies”

Mari raises an eyebrow, "And it is a job.... it is paid I guess?"
Zara nods, "The post offers 10g just to stay the night. That is 10 for each!" Her eyes get wide, considering how many tarts she could buy with that
Kyle drools "get dat"
"Sounds fishy. Or that kid is disaster." Darn looks up to ceiling and down
Mari 's eyes glitter at the sound of the number
"I am sure for that pay, it is worse than it sounds . . . the father seems concerned that the person is brave enough. How brave do you need to be to stay with a baby overnight?" Zara asks
"What is that family anyway?" Darn imagines serial murderers and rapists
Kyle asks "Is there any monster ?"
Mari thinks staying all the night with a crying baby does need a lot of bravery, but doesn't say it aloud
Zara shrugs, "The Millwrights. They own the local granary . . ."
Darn steps from one foot to another "They are not exactly well known in city."

Kyle makes a whisper sound and fake ghost boo
"Mmm, I think they are a quiet family." Zara jumps at Kyle's boo, frowning at him
Kyle chuckles and pat pat Zara’s shoulder
Mari giggles
Zara blushes, "Maybe I am too nervous for this. I just hate ghosts. Even more than zombies."
"When did you come to ghost conclusion?" Darn raises an eyebrow
"That noise from Kyle . . . oh I hope it is not ghosts. Or demons. Or . . . well . . . anything bad." Zara shivers
"We won't know until we go there, will we?" Mari asks
"But they offer high gold, that meaning . . . " Kyle stares at them all with the implication

"You mean you want to go babysitting?" Darn laughs
Zara nods, "Yes and yes. And I know with that pay, it will be something."
"All right, where's the meeting and when should we go there?" Mari says putting the empty jar over the table. "We're four people; a possessed baby shouldn't scare us!"
"So can we join dat?" Kyle winks
Darn sighs "It would be some nasty thing for that kind of money, or they don’t plan to pay us exactly. Did someone lasted one night with that kid and live to tell us about it?"
"That nanny could not. She said during the day it wasn't so bad but at night . . . she just left. And Kyle, I would love the help. I don't know how bad it will be though." Zara says, taking another drink.

Mari grabs Kyle's hand and smiles. "We're in, aren't we?"
"Great, so we don’t have any relevant information?" Darn asks
Kyle nods at everyone, chewing the dry beef
Zara drinks her water, "Thank you. And no . . . we can ask the father I guess, but the nanny said when she tried to talk to him; he just denies anything really happens."
Kyle puts a piece of the dry beef to the mouth of Mari, "Because he afraid."
Mari chokes a bit then chews, "What about the nanny?" Mari says full mouth. Then she swallows. "Can we ask her for more information?"
Zara nods, "I guess? I know where she lives."

"Is it still raining outside?" Darn looks through the tavern into the blackened windows then turns to barman "Man you should clean it up sometimes."
Barman just shrugs "Ain't my tavern."
Zara laughs, "Can't blame you there."
Kyle likes a bath under the rain
"Good approach there..." Darn smirks
"We are officially waiting for Hero of Neverwinter to come back and fix his property." Barkeeper grins at the guests and turns to another customer
"Good thing you aren't holding your breath," Zara shakes her head

Torak does not love being wetted under the rain, snorts
"I guess it makes people feel like there is still darkness outside." Darn plays with candle fire on board
Zara nods, "It is always the same time in the tavern, day or night."
"Makes it a more... intimate place to... talk" Mari chuckles
Zara shrugs, "That job doesn't start til tonight, so we have a little time. Dusk . . ."
"Makes you feel good after spending a day in it....but you usually need to ask someone about the time when you walk out." Darn says.
"Who will run out there and bath?" Kyle asks, eyes bright
Mari laughs. "You sure you don't want a hot bath in a tub?"  She turns to Zara, "Anyway I think we should go to talk to that nanny first"
"No one join eh?" Kyle is a bit disappointed
Mari tilts her head and looks at Kyle. "Leave it for later, love"

"What about Glory, Zara? Last time we went away like this she was pissed off...and she didn’t let us sleep afterwards." Darn sighs
Zara smiles, "Well she is supposed to be at the Academy. We could bring her along, but I don't think it's safe."
Darn sighs "Then I guess Mari is right, let’s look for nanny...."
Zara tries to straighten her hair, just now realizing how messy she looks. "Oh the nanny and her terrible boys . . . alright."
Mari smirks at Kyle. "We can bath under the rain while we go to see the nanny"
Kyle waves his arms as if it was a wings, pretending like a bird or chicken
Zara laughs at Kyle, "Maybe we can toss you in with those boys and I will be safe!"
Mari laughs at Kyle

"My poor pipe..." Darn covers his head with hood watching Kyle having fun before they even leave the tavern, some others are focusing on him as well
Mari takes Kyle's arms to spin under the rain
Darn whispers to audience in tavern "He just really likes the rain..." and closes the door behind them
Zara puts a scarf over her hair, following Darn out into the rainy day
Torak stay in the tavern, he didn’t like get out of it to get soaked.
Barman looks at the Torak "You forgot...." he raises the hand as door closes "...nevermind."
Torak look at the barman with trollface /problem sup/

The street is fairly empty, little rivers of water stream over the cobblestones, pooling at corners and crosswalks. Zara takes you to a small shop in the merchant district with apartments above it
Kyle walks and kicks some stone, get out feets of the boots so can feel properly, hanging the boots over his shoulder or more likely behind his back.
"This is her place," Zara says with a sigh. You can hear children's happy shrieking, thudding sounds and shouting coming from inside.
Darn holds the hand above his pipe "Don’t die love.
"Ummm . . . do I have to knock? I could just stand in the back . . ." Zara asks
Kyle knocks on the door
"Wait, wait, wait...you want to babysit someone for ten gold which probably means massacre and you are scared of these one?" Darn gets under the roof putting his hand out of pipe
Zara shakes her head, "You don't understand . . . her boys are . . ."
"Charming?" Mari teases

The door flies open and two boys run out, one had a wooden sword and the other a small cut above his eye and some blood on his face. They are nearly taller than Zara. "Got you!" the boy with the sword shouts, turning to swing at Kyle
Kyle caught the sword of the boy, not interested
Mari laughs. "They've caught you"
A large woman with a severe expression fills the doorway, she looks tired and a bit nervous. "Yes, hello?"
Darn grins "At least they picked up a biggest challenge here."
Zara waves at the woman, "Hi! Ummm, we had some questions about that baby? The Millwright job?"
Kyle releases the sword of the boy
Mari smiles at the woman. "Yes, can you tell us a bit more about what happened?"
The boy kicks Kyle in the shin. The one with a cut on his face looks at Mari and makes a sad face. "Miss, I got hurt. Will you kiss it better?"
Mari smirks. "Oh? And where's your wound oh brave knight?"
Darn leans against the wooden wall keeping a vigilance for kids
Kyle kicks behind the knee of Mari a bit slightly
The boy leans close to Mari, one hand reaching for her ample chest, but before he does, the mother snags his ear. "Both of you to the park, now! And remember, if you kill it, you eat it!" The boys smirk and run off, one of them saying, "Man, I almost got to touch that lady!"
Zara steps closer to Darn, waiting until they are gone
Mari laughs, she expected something like that

Darn smirks and whispers to Zara "This trick worked in my times..."
Kyle snorts not impressed
Zara nods, "I fell for it the first time. Little monsters, both of them."
The woman nods to the group. "Come in then, and sit down. I haven't got much to say on it though. That was the worst job I've ever been on."
Darn grunts stepping inside the house
Kyle scratches his nose, look outside a bit disappointed and get in then with Mari in his hand

The floor is covered in children's toys, but the table seems neat. A plate of fruit and flowers in the middle. She walks to it, setting out some glasses. "I already told the cleric most of it. That baby is possessed!"
Darn walks around the toys on tiptoes and sits by table "Thank you for inviting us inside."
"Yes, thanks," Zara says, almost tripping over a pile of wood blocks.
"Yeah but we want to know what does he do? Why is it so terrible?" Mari asks
The woman sits down, putting a pitched of some juice on the table. "I can't explain it really. When his father said he disappeared, I thought he meant crawled off. But I put the boy in his crib and then . . . he was gone. Just blankets and that stuffed goblin of his."
Kyle cleans his boots while people keep talking and also make his feet get dry a bit
"But only disappearing is not so terrible, is it? I mean, it is shocking... but not terrifying" Mari says.

"When he came back, he was covered in blood. Not his, I think. He had just a few small cuts. And there was a sense . . ." The woman shivers, "It just felt evil."
"Well if you should keep eye on something you don’t see..." Darn glances at Mari "Did you try to put hand in crib?"
The woman nods again, "Oh yes, I went looking for him. It was . . . it was like I was in the house but not. And there were terrible sounds. I couldn't find my way out. The doors and windows would shut and I couldn't pry them open. Not until I heard the baby back in his crib."
Mari asks "Wait you said he has a stuffed goblin? Isn't that a weird toy?"
Zara takes a drink of juice, "That's more than you said to the Dawnmaster."
Darn frowns "Isn’t this work for priests to cleanse that place? It sound like it would need it."
The woman shrugs, "That is why I went to the temple. But the priests said the father would have to request it or at least permit it. And he won't even admit what happens. The uh, goblin, is just a knitted toy from his grandma."

"His grandma is still alive?" Mari asks
Zara speaks up, "Sir Millwright’s mother lives in the Dales, I think."
"Eh...not going there for answers..." Darn shivers imagining the freezing cold there
Mari still thinks the stuffed goblin is suspicious
Kyle whispers at Mari "maybe it cursed toy sort of"
Mari nods. "I think the same, love"
Darn says "Do you have some idea whose can be the blood on baby? Like some dead rat around?"
The woman shrugs at Zara and Mari, "He told me she would be back to help with the child. I don't know more than that of her. As for the blood, no. No dead animals and it was only on him or what he just touched."
Zara wrinkles her nose, "So it is not bloody all around him or anything? Odd. And what kind of baby would want to play with a goblin?"

"Why parents don’t watch the kid themselves?" Darn asks
The woman looks to Darn, "Lady Millwright is dead, and her husband is a knight. He has been on leave, but it is hard for him. He needs to return to his duties, and before his mother can return."
"I heard about her losing some children before..." Darn looks down "..She died giving birth to this one?"
Zara nods, "Yes. She came to the temple for fertility spells and potions, and when she did conceive, we visited her every ten-day. But . . ." she stops, not wanting to say more
The woman shrugs, "I didn't know her well, but that's what her widow says. Lost 3 before Nikolai."

"But?" Mari looks at Zara. "What do you know?"
Zara frowns, "Well . . . she would begin to bleed, and we couldn't stop it. Not with magic or herbs. And then the Dawnmaster would take the babe so that she could live. This last one, she refused. Said she would give birth or die."
Darn strokes Zara’s shoulder lightly
Mari opens her eyes wide. "Wow"
The woman sighs, "It's that way with nobles. Looks like she did both. Maybe it's a blood curse on that child?"
"Eh I wouldn’t like to mingle with those things..." Darn makes a face

Zara looks down, "I only met her once. She seemed like a good woman though. It is sad to think the child she died for might be cursed."
Mari asks "What if she made.... some dark deal, so he could live?"
"Magic can do it" Kyle adds
Darn stands up looking at the rain pouring down on the window "It's getting dark outside...we should decide."
Zara nods, standing up. "I will do it either way. I am not afraid."
Mari agrees "Ah yeah, I'm in too"
Darn 's shoulders slumps down at Zara's words "Of course...."
Zara hugs Darn then turns to the woman. "Thank you for the drink and the information, miss."

The woman shakes her head, "Good luck to you then. They say Tymora blesses fools."
Kyle frowns and stares the woman
"Does she also bless people who just happen to follow fools?" Darn glances hopefully at the nanny
Mari pulls Kyle's arm with a faint smile
The woman nods, "They say it."
Kyle kisses Mari’s hair to take a reason not to attention the bother
Zara goes to the door, hoping to get out before the boys come back.
Mari follows Zara, dragging Kyle after her
"Goodbye." Darn makes a half smile at the woman before getting outside
The woman walks them out, waving good bye and then closing the door firmly behind them.

Zara points, "The house is just past the district gates."
Kyle yawns and covers his mouth, walk silence side with the group
"You mean it is in old No man land?" Darn raises an eyebrow "Can it even be scarier?"
Mari now hangs from Kyle's arm in a cuddling way. "Come on, love, you'll protect me won't you?"
Kyle pecks Mari’s lips "I can as long as you are with me"
Zara smiles at Darn, "The house looks nice on the inside, or at least it used to."
Darn frowns, "Right....we could have just gone to check on cemetery...."
"Are you scared, Darn?" Mari teases.
"At least there aren't zombies," Zara says, poking him lightly
Darn cocks with head from one side to another considering Mari question "I don’t have a good feeling about it...but" he sighs "it is not like only place that was lying in ashes years ago."
"Because haunted, cursed, whatever. Risky quest" Kyle smirks
Darn points at Kyle "Exactly."

The house is easy to spot, the bricks are charred from fires during the plague, and while there are flowers planted on the walk up to the house, skeletal burnt trees rise above them clawing at the darkening sky.
Marilyn shivers. "Ok, the place is pretty scary itself..."
"Then poof, a wild ghost appear," Kyle jokes.
Darn pouts making a stifled laughter of desperation "Lovely."
Zara looks at it and tries to seem brave. "Just ah .. . some trees." She steps closer to Darn, reaching for his hand
"Thank you Kyle for great comfort in all." Darn nods to Kyle
The lamps on either side of the door flicker on as the group approaches, their light pale and tinged blue
"Wooohooooo! oh yup magic," Kyle smirks
Mari continues grabbing Kyle's arm, still with a smirk in her face, but maybe holding too tight now
Darn takes Zara by hand "Are you sure you want to go there?"

A man opens the door, shirt stained with milk and some unknown yellowish chunks. Part of his hair sticks up wildly. "Ah, hi! Are you - did you come for the notice?"
Kyle feels Mari stiffen with fear and strokes her back to reassure her.
Mari smiles back at Kyle, and then turns to the man. "Yes... sort of.  Mr. Millwright I suppose?"
"Evening, Sir." Darn greets him
The man nods, sweeping a courtly bow. "Simon, if you will. Please, please come in. I am supposed to be at court in less than an hour . . . I wasn't sure anyone would come."
Kyle looks carefully at the house and the man, then steps in
Mari says "Well the pay seems rather... good, for a babysitting job"
Zara steps inside, looking around warily. "We should help," she whispers to Darn
Darn walks inside with Zara looking around a bit
The entrance room is long and narrow. The floor tiles are red and white, tall windows to one side are curtained, only those lamps providing light.

The man nods, "Short notice, an overnight job and . . . Niki is a very special baby."
Kyle grins, "We can take it here, anything you need to tell us about Niki?"
Mari nods, "Oh, does he have special needs?"
Darn strokes his shoulders a bit chattering with teeth "It's a bit cold here..." he whispers to Zara
Zara nods to Darn, "I hope the rest of the house is not so cold."
The man motions for them to follow. "He's in the nursery. I would not say special needs . . . just, very precious to me."
"Oh I see... I hope the nursery is warmer.... This cold isn't good for a baby" Mari tells him
Darn puts down his wet coat holding it in on arm while following the man

The house is dusty and quiet. Toys, clothes, and blankets are piled here and there. It does get warmer as the group enters the main room, a large fire burns in the grate on the far wall.
Kyle feels better with fire
Mari looks around. This man doesn't need a nanny... he needs a complete army of servants to clean that house
Kyle knows his stomach will start growling again and he holds it
Simon smiles, looking over his shoulder. "You are welcome to help yourselves to the kitchen. Ah - I should ask your names! Sorry, I think my mind is slipping these days."
Zara waves to him, "I am Zara and this is Darn."
Kyle, "Kyle and Mari."  He looks at the man suspiciously.
Mari offers her hand to shake
"And you have cared for children before?" he asks, expression desperate and hopeful. He shakes Mari's hand, pausing in the hall
Darn says "We have a child on our own and she is also special.”  He offers a hand to shake as well, touch firm but not too rough
"I cared of my brother's children..." Mari starts, but the memory makes her a bit sad
Kyle squeezes Mari’s hand a bit

Simon shakes Darn's hand as well. "Good, good! I was nervous putting out that post. I was half afraid a bunch of mercenaries would show up. All muscle and no brains."
"I wouldn’t call this an epic victory myself." Darn thinks
Zara smiles, "We have cared for children in unique situations. You must have been desperate to put that up."
Mari tries to smile."So can we see the baby?"
Simon nods, "Yes, yes! And I am . . . with the rumors about this house and my wife's . . . well . . . there aren't many who will come. And I've abandoned my duties at court for as long as I can."
Mari pats Simon's back. "I guess you did your best, sir"
He leads you into a room with a large wooden crib, a small couch and several chairs. It is cleaner than the other rooms the group walked through, though toys are everywhere. A little boy with curly brown hair and brown eyes sits beside several stuffed toys, a knitted goblin in his lap. That one looks well chewed, the yarn fraying.
Mari smiles at the little boy
Zara smiles at seeing the baby, suddenly feeling much better about this job. "He's adorable," she coos.

"I had such a toy in orphanage....I hold it so tightly that it lost its face and limbs from usage..." Darn looks at knitted goblin “Was baby fed before we came here?" Darn asks hopefully glancing at food in Simons hair
Simon waves at the boy, who looks up. "Hi," he says, grinning. He stands up wobbly, one chubby fist on the goblin. Simon motions the boy over. "We just had dinner, so he shouldn't need to eat more."
Kyle sniffs around to find any suspect
Mari asks "Maybe some extra milk, if he wakes up in the middle of the night?"
Simon nods. Niki toddles over, drool streaming from his mouth. He tugs on Darn's pant leg. "Hi! Hi! Hi!"
"Hi little fella! Can I pick you up?" Darn crouches down
Zara looks around the room. "I think we can do that. And when do you return?"
Mari doesn't take the stuffed goblin out of sight
Kyle will go to kitchen as soon as Simon is out of the house

Simon replies, "I should be back midmorning. Niki usually sleeps in, but it depends on when he falls asleep. I just let him play. You can do as you like downstairs, but please don't go upstairs. Those are my rooms. And my wife's. And if you here noises, it is likely my cat. Fat lazy thing that he is."
Mari raises an eyebrow, "If he's lazy, he wouldn't make much noises"
Niki opens his arms, "Hi! Hi!" He looks up at Darn and smiles wider.
Zara nods, "So anywhere downstairs and you have a - a cat? Alright."
Darn picks the baby up slowly resting it against his shoulder "Anything else we should know in case of need?"
Simon smiles at the baby and then looks at Darn. "If something does happen, I am at the keep. You can bring Niki to me there. But it really should be a - a simple evening. Easiest money you ever made," he laughs.
Niki reaches for Darn's ear, tugging at it, "ooooh!"
Kyle got the words in opposite meaning
"That's nice, I like easy money" Mari says cheerful
"Auu auuu!" Darn winces to amuse baby "So no medical problems. Alright."

Simon takes a deep breath, "Ok. Thank you so much. My mother is supposed to be here next week, so after this, we will be good. You have no idea what a favor this is to me." He ruffles the baby's hair then bows to them. "I will take my leave."
Zara smiles at Darn and then nods to Simon. "It is our pleasure," she tells him, hoping things go as smoothly as he seems to think they will
Niki waves to his father, "Bye! Bye Dada! Bye!" He laughs at Darn's wincing and then let’s go, shoving the goblin into his mouth