Amara nodded to Aki, "As you wish." She turned to go.

Byron smiles at Kali's comments.

No, I haven't this time.

Byron turns to Amos.

Thanks,  We will keep in touch with you.

Byron follows the others out and heads toward the fountain with Roen.

Don't worry about him, Amara. He's a Rogue with secrets. Sure, he probably cared for some of those that died, but he's making arrangements to get people back to that camp while it's empty, not making any money. But, I did see him hesitate, so I know he likes you. Hell, I think every male like you, even the funny ones, along with some other girls I once knew.

Twiggy nods "I understand, reach out if you need anything. We will be at the tower for a bit." With that Twiggy headed outside understanding wanting to get drunk alone and think.

Byron, Kalliyan, Myarra and Roenthelm leave Amos' shop and head over to the Town Fountain. Upon arriving there, you see women washing clothes and kids playing in the water. Myarra looks for Amanda, but doesn't see her. Myarra figures she's probably doing chores or maybe starting school. Despite the town being on a Dragon alert, things seem to be normal around Soubar. Even the weird trash cleaning guy is sweeping up his little bits of nothing.

Amara, Aliana, Twiggy and Vernon leave Aki to his bottle, so he could grieve over his friends that died. They walk down the street to the fountain and see that Byron, Kalliyan, Myarra and Roenthelm are already there waiting. Upon arrival, Vernon freaks out !!

Vernon saw the sweeping trash man and yelled out in surprise!

"Alek! Alek! He can't see me!" Vernon said as he waved his hands in front of the trash man "Twiggy! Amara! This man is Alek! He's my brother!"

Twiggy gives a confused look to Vernon and asks him "Would you like to talk to him then? We probably talk him into wearing the ring for a bit. Copper can be very persuasive."

Aliana looked at Twiggy with a curious expression, clueless about what was happening

"You know, I don't think I've seen this man before. He probably was here when I was there. I wonder what's wrong with him? He doesn't look to be hurt. Just dirty like he hasn't taken a bath in awhile."

"You give him that ring and you probably won't get it back. That man is obviously Feebleminded."

How is he sick? Can any of you cast your spells to make him better? He's my brother!

Twiggy looks at Aliana "Vernon says that is his brother. Would you go with me to talk to him and see if there is anything we can do for him. Maybe we can tell if he is magically crazy or if his mind is just gone."

Now that you know his name is Alek, you try talking to him and you can tell right away that something's not right. He's basically speaking like a baby in an adult's body and doesn't really understand anything you're saying. Alek has been here every time the party has been here and he's one step above an animal mind-wise. The grown-ups have treated him properly, but you all have seen kids throw things at him in the past. Myarra gave him some money way back when which he seemed to recognize, but other than that, you don't know anything.

Aliana walked up to the strange man
"Hello there, my friend.   I'm Aliana.   How are you feeling today? "

She tried to figure out what was going on with the young man

OOC:

22:05, Today: Sister Aliana Farwalker rolled 13 using 1d20+9.  Healing

Myarra goes along with Aliana, but stays a little behind her.  Alek had seemed interested in her in the past, which was not exactly normal, but not at all unwelcome.

Well, not unwelcome precisely because it wasn't normal. She was used to scowls, protective amulets, and warding gestures. She wasn't interested in Alek in return, but he seemed like a nice enough, and harmless enough guy. And she didn't like people like him being picked on.

She smiled at him, but kept her lips together so her fangs didn't show, and let Aliana lead the way.

Byron looks at Twiggy.

What's going on?

Twiggy stays back a bit and studies Alek as Aliana talks to him. The halfling never paid attention much to his grandmother when she was going over ailments and symptoms, so he really can't tell anything more than the obvious.

Being startled a bit in thought when Byron speaks, Twiggy answers "It looks like fate is toying with us again. The feebleminded street sweeper is Vernon's brother and Aliana is talking to him to try and figure out why he seems feebleminded. She is much better at those things and can hopefully figure out why he is limited to baby's intellect. Alek has never been violent to us but just be ready in case he feels threatened. In his state violence may be a natural instnct if he is scared but he can not help him."

Twiggy watches Vernon and asks "Was Alek in the same profession as you? I have heard of wizards trapping chests and their towers with spells. I have not know of one to permanent effect someone."

"Aye. Me and Alek worked for Nelson Centauri until the backstabber killed me." Vernon said as he pointed to the arrows in his back "I died before I knew what happened to me brother, but now I know."

A nosey old lady washing her clothes butts into your conversation while you were trying to figure out what's wrong with Alek, "He's been here for at least 5 years. He sleeps in the barn and sweeps the ground. Priests from around town say there's nothing they can do for him."

Twiggy relays the Vernon's words to the others as he frown

In reply to Big Boss (msg # 73):

OOC:  I'm presuming that Aliana has no better luck?

Twiggy walks up to Aliana and says quietly where the noisy lady can't hear "Most local priests in small towns are lucky to have any spell casting ability, much less able to cure this. Since he was a thief like Vernon he could have possibly taken a cursed item, opened a trap with a spell on it, or went into a area that was warded. I do not have the ability, but can you cast remove curse and restoration? If it is magic then one of those should cure it. At least that's what the priest in the big cities cast on old adventuring members for a hefty donation."

Amara sighed at Vernon's words about Aki. "I think you might be a little harsh on him. People like him and I, not many people will give us a chance to really be friends. Yes, he has secrets. Same as you or me or anyone else. But it's clear he's hurt by this. He's a survivor - of course he'll get back to work afterward."

***

She was surprised by the revelation of the roadsweeper, but Aliana was the one who could help - not her.

Sister Aliana prayed to Oghma, casting a spell to detect any lingering magic on the man

Moves to stand beside Amara.  Careful to respect her personal space and still speak to her quietly.  Byron also stays away from the guy as he doesn't want to make him feel trapped or spooked.

Can you ask Aliana to mention Vernon in conversation to him?  I doubt it will help, but one never knows what the mention of family will do.