Sugar Plum Yuletide (A Fire in Womford)

Note: This adventure is based on the "Banquet of Death" module for 5e. It has been adapted for edition and level.

21 Frostkolt 348 AC

"Show me the scene of the crime. Tell me every detail of what you remember from before and up to the explosion. Tell me more of this Mortimer. Leave no detail out." Grotto says to the portly baker.

"That Mortimer and me been fuedin' since we were. Who could spit farther, we could pull the biggest fish outta the river, who could get the prettiest girls, who was more successful, and who would win the pie contest. An' he ain't ever won none of it."

The armored man, having regained his bearings after the dwarf's surprising appearance and declaration. "Mortimer's always been a quiet law-abiding fellow. Most of the townsfolk like him. He's got a son named Timeo. Wife passed a few years back. He has a farmstead a couple of miles from here."

Mortimer cuts in, "You'll find that sore loser there for sure. Just head down that path," he points down a dirt lane leading to the southeast, "Just look for the shack with the sagging roof and his cropless field!"

"Take me to the oven. You say green flame burst from it when you went to light it. I would like to see the damage."

Jacksal shrugs, "Follow me." He leads the dwarf through a well-appointed parlor. Plush couches, a finely-made rocker, amd a low table take up the majority of the room. A fairly attractive older woman, probably in her 50s sits on the couch, attended by younger adults who look similar enough to be her children. They all seem shaken and flinch when the lord of the house tromps through on his way to the kitchen.

When Grotto arrives in the ruined kitchen, he immediately notices that the entire front of the oven has melted. "No normal fire could do this to stone," he thinks to himself. He crouches in front of the stove's remains, sniffing the air but detects no trace of brimstone. He reaches out and pries the door away from the now cooled slag. Within, there is a fine black soot - far finer than what he would expect to find. Small, crystalline particles litter the ash pile. "Hmmmm.... looks like ... demon ash?" But realistically, that should be impossible. The chemical is used almost exclusively by a handful of demons in their profane rituals. "Tell me all you remember about lighting the oven this morning."

Jacksal shrugs, "I don't know. I came in, loaded some wood underneath. For about a half second, I thought 'that is some clean looking ash' as I touched the taper to the kindling. Then there was a bunch of green sparks and flame! I'm lucky that sick freak didn't kill me!"

After Grotto walks off with Jacksal, the armored man circles around the back of the house. When he finds the elf inspecting the footprints, he reaches for his sword. Raven holds up a hand. "I mean no harm. I'm just trying to find out what happened.here."

The knight releases his grip on his sword. "As am I, though I fear I have no talent for investigation." He touches his chest with his sword hand, "Lord Harrick of Ironford, and you are?"

Raven rises to his feet and sighs, "Raven Straightbow, also known as the Sugar Plum Fairy."

Harrick's mouth drops. "Really! You? What happened to Marie?"

"I failed to prevent her death at the hands of one of her father's minions but because I was the closest member of the Court when she passed, her power passed to me." Raven shakes his head.

The Lord of Ironford shakes his head, "Och, that's rough. Never was fond of that wench. She was a vicious piece of work." Harrick straightens his back. "My father loved them. He's the one started with this cooking contest, but I never was one to hold much faith with the Fairy Folk - they can't be trusted, even when they're telling the truth."

A wry chuckle escapes Raven's lip. "You aren't wrong. So, what happened here?"

Harrick fills Raven in on what he has learned so far and then adds, "It doesn't makes sense, though. Mortimer is a good man. Seems to be a decent father, regularly gifts food to those less fortunate. I can't believe he would do this."

"Hmmm...alright. We'll probably still check him out. Tell me," Raven points off to the northeast in the direction of the tracks  "What lies that way?"

"Not much, anymore," Harrick replies. "Just an old windmill. Kids go up there to do things they shouldn't be doing if you get my meaning and we adults pretend not to notice just like our parents did when we were kids."

"Thank you. One more thing, when is this pie-eating contest supposed to take place?"

"This evening at sunset. Do you think you will have all of this straightened out by then," the Lord asks.

"I hope so. I have other responsibilities that require my attention."

Grotto thanks the pie maker and walks to find Raven around back with Harrick.

He speaks to both of them.

"Well the mystery deepens. I investigated the stove that caused the fire. The baker telling of green flame piqued my interest. Seeing the state of the oven, a fine bakers oven no mere home cook equipment, the stone and door was melted and fused into a slag. Much like an elephant foot. I pried the door away and found something very interesting. I thought an accelerant may have been used since the flame was green but I was sure of it seeing upon the remains of the oven. With my training in alchemy, I am fairly certain that demon ash was used to cause such a flare up! I just don't understand how that is possible! Demon ash is almost exclusively used by those foul demons for their ungodly rites!"

"We must be extra cautious for demon ash is not easy to acquire. Making it could cause a reaction that blows up in your face if done incorrectly. Getting it from a demon? Well, I hate to think about how that was done. The source of this demon ash must be found! Who ever acquired the ash is in mortal danger at least, or Hanseath forbid, has made a literal deal with the devil."

Grave concern can be heard in Grotto's voice. A stoic look upon his face solidifies the grievous situation.

"So what have you two found out here?"

Raven indicates the tracks, "Two people, likely teenagers, heading in that direction. And, Lord Harrick has given me information regarding the primary suspect." He pauses, "So, north or south?"

"Let's follow the tracks to the abandoned mill. Seems like a good secluded place where you could obtain demon ash!"