Chapter 2A - A Jaunt Into The Country

[Chris1234]

Isaril nods, pulls his infrequently used shield from his back and equips it.
The elf nods at the Goliath and then walks out towards the village and stops at the edge of accurate bow range.
When nothing happens he shouts, "Open the gate!"

Still nothing happens.

The druid halves the distance and shouts something that's carried away on the breeze. A figure pops up in one of the drawbridge watchtowers. They gesture at each other and the watchtower figure disappears. Isaril turns towards Val, still in the forest, and gives a thumbs-up gesture. After a short time that feels much longer a figure appears in each of the drawbridge's two watchtowers. One waves, then both disappear from view. The drawbridge lowers slowly, eventually hitting the near bank.

What next?

[Nocturno]

"Not at this point. Oh look. It is open!" Vic falls back to the middle of the pack.

[Chris1234]

While no one's visible in the watchtowers Isaril shrinks, cracks and grows into a wolf which then gallops to the drawbridge. It disappears from view into the village.

[counterkid]

Val motions to Unbar, Vic and Luka to move forward across the bridge with him. Once over he motions to the rest of the villagers to come forward.

"Vic, Unber and Luka you come with me across the bridge. Once we are there, Morak and Marcus we will motion you to move forward.

[Chris1234]

Val, Unbar, Vic and Luka are about hslfway to the drawbridge when Isaril, elven once more, appear and rasies one thumb, the universal sign for 'all clear'.

Following Val's instructions the villagers are returned safely to their battered residence and the drawbridge closed. Isaril greets his companions with a spartan, "No other scents. No one entered here since we left."

Hiral returns to his church. Morak sets about organising the villagers - childen, mothers and the sorely wounded into the temple, others to assess the damage and prepare food.

Kella and Candy appear from the twin watchtowers. You hear Kella ask Morak, "Is this everyone?" He nods and moves with the paiir towards his inn. After a dozen slow paces, the women walk purposefully towards the inn and disappear inside. Meanwhile, Morak, still intermittantly directing townsfolk, returns to see your group. "In case no one said like they meant it, 'Thank you!' Free board an' lodgin' while yer here. You still pay fer your ale 'n' such though. Fer sure the Lady Velrosa 'll be sortin' you out something suitable fer a reward. I'm off ta th' keep just now ta see how they're doin'"

======
Is there anything else anyone wants to do or try before we draw the scene to a close and everyone benefits from a long rest.

[counterkid]

Not Val.

[Dargon Lonewolf]

Luka is ready to sleep.

[Nocturno]

Vic will make small talk with the Kella and Candy. Otherwise just help prep food, then rest.

[Dargon Lonewolf]

Luka

Luka changes his mind and askes Candy to see his horse. To check to see if she is OK.

Candy, Can I see Nell? I need to get to my saddle bags too.

[Chris1234]

"Sure, let's go," Candy replies to Luka and leads the way to the stables.

***
The horse is clean, adequately fed and as happy as it ever is.
The saddlebags have been hung up but the contents are untouched.

[Dargon Lonewolf]

Luka

Thank you for taking care of Nell she is a good horse and is on loan to me from a friend in Waterdeep.

He grabs the saddle bags and takes it all into his room at the Inn. Questions others about the trader to see if it has been opened back up.

[Chris1234]

Luka's told that they're concentrating of food and shelter just now. Trading's a task for tomorrow.

[Squirrellord]

OOC - I cannot remember the zhent lady's name that Unbar talked with before the funeral/prye but he wants to talk to her to inquire if her intentions are the same as when they had talked earlier.
Other than that Unbar is done for the day

edit - Unbar would like to try to find a moment to catch Kella alone and ask if she still intends to to try to leave Zolkin had intended.

[Chris1234]

It's been a long day and night draws in. Everyone is fed, watered and can find a dry place to sleep. Isaril takes his habitual place in the drawbridge watchtower.

***
Morning arrives and folks are up and about quite early. There's lots to do, retrieve bodies, bury the dead, find and prepare food, rebuild the stockade and rebuild the village and farms within and, most difficult of all, rebuild pelple's lives. And, of course, there's the keep, still cut off.

Isaril appears and says, "Kella and Candy lefts a while before dawn. They took three hoses. Said they were off to Baldur's gate. We can have the other horses."

What next?

======
You regain 50% of HD spent. All other benefits of a long rest are gained.
I will post xp later today.

[Chris1234]

Morak catches up with the quintet of our brave adventurers and says, "I managaged ta raise the keep last night. Lady Velrosa's dead. Squashed by fallin' stone. What're you folk gonna do? Can ya still talk ta them damn wood elves?" Only Val fails to notice Isaril's back stiffen slightly.