Quote from SinarLightwood >>

Wolf-Davian looks to Kethra for instructions on rope use as he is still holding the tattered end in his mouth.

 "I don't think you'll fit in this form, Davian. I'm glad to see your new form, even for just a little while." Kethra gently takes the rope from Wolf Davian's mouth and secures it to one of the many rocks nearby.

"Anyways, it seems that they're all quiet in there, so we should follow. I'll leave this rope here so when the old watchman comes back with the other believers they'll see their 'holy room' is actually a den of cultists--er, Deranged Outdoorsmen." Kethra laughs, then motions for Davian to join her to the tunnel.

(OoC So I gather a hulking dire wolf fit through the entrance to the tunnel?)

Wolf-Davian drops the drool soaked rope into Kethra's hand. As she ties it off he places a circle, mist forming around him. Moments later Davian steps from the swirling cloud. "So I guess that's the way out?" He will follow behind Kethra incase there is trouble up ahead.

(Disregard the OoC . I didn't see Kethra post)

As you leave the shed cautiously, you emerge in the back area of one of the wagon shops.  From what you can see, some of the townsfolk are still gathered around the sinkhole, peering down curiously.

“Howdy,” Jairus says awkwardly, as the observation by the townsfolk makes stealth a bit impractical. “What kinda doings y’all got going here?”

You didn’t come out of the sinkhole.  They’re not looking at you, and are probably 60 ft away.

Quote from LordShadowthorn >>

You didn’t come out of the sinkhole.  They’re not looking at you, and are probably 60 ft away.

 OOC: Disregard the above, then, I misunderstood, thought we were emerging from a different sinkhole with an audience. 

Seeing the townsfolk not far from them observing the sinkhole they originally entered, Jairus suggests, “We can probably be quiet, avoid a lot of awkward talk with the locals.” 

Symon shrugs as the party discusses their actions.  He had the feeling they were missing something, but he wasn't sure what 

"Probably for the best.  But what if they investigate and assume we wantonly slaughtered those people without reason?"

"And what about those dead bodies we found down there?"  Rubin speaks up.  "Someone has to answer for that..."

Ruvin will as well, he will start asking around for who the sheriff or someone in charge of such matters is for the town.

Rubin, a few nervous looking townsfolk direct you to a stern looking man who introduces himself as Harburk Tuthmarillar, the constable and judge of Red Larch.

(Is everyone else going with as well?)

"Harburk Tuthmarillar, I am Rubin." Rubin says, giving the man a formal greeting with a respectful nod.  "We found some very disturbing things below, as we were looking around a bit after saving those kids.  Of most concern are several dead bodies, whom looked to have died under very unnatural causes."  he tells of their experience down below, from their entrance, the dead bodies, the child being held under the stones, the man outside the delver's chamber, and the priest.  he tells of the battle with the Woe Bringers, and how they defended themselves against those when attacked.

Harburk's jaw clenches as he listens to Rubin's story.

"Thanks for bringin' this up, stranger.  The town owes you one.  I'll look into this myself."

He strides off, gathering a few of the more able-bodied townsfolk to venture down into the pit with him.  He calls back,

"If ye want, go to the Swinging Sword and tell Kaylessa Harburk said the drinks are on him.  It's the least I ken do."

Quote from LordShadowthorn >>

Rubin, a few nervous looking townsfolk direct you to a stern looking man who introduces himself as Harburk Tuthmarillar, the constable and judge of Red Larch.

(Is everyone else going with as well?)

 Jairus goes along, and generally keeps quiet, allowing a more eloquent party member to handle the report, but seems excited at the promise of free drinks afterwards. Once outside, he grins widely, holding out a hand to Kethra for a high five and pumping his fist in the air briefly for the others. “We did it I guess. Big damn heroes! Only big damn heroes get free drinks, right? We’re on our way. After we lost some of the original group I was a mite worried, but it looks like luck has turned around for us. Woo!”

For the young an inexperienced man, the acknowledgment seems as valuable as any treasure or loot. 

Symon quenches his blades and stows him as he quietly falls in with the rest of the menagerie.  Rubin did an excellent job explaining the situation, and Symon was reluctant to speak with a lawman anyway.  Arriving at the Swinging Sword and quickly taking advantage of their reward, he visibly loosens up.  It had been the first time in months that he had spilled human blood, but he wasn't going to let that creep up on him yet.

He had known what he was getting into himself back then.  But what was he getting himself into now?  Peering over the rim of a rapidly-emptying copper tankard, he watches the others mingle.  Sure, he had everyone's name, but there was more to a company than that.

Assuming her hooded mantle once again, Kethra peeks stealthily from the corner of a building, watching with narrowed eyes as Rubin opened up to someone who was basically a random stranger with a badge...operating in the sketchiest city she's ever known.

Quote from Izraal1 >>

Jairus goes along, and generally keeps quiet, allowing a more eloquent party member to handle the report, but seems excited at the promise of free drinks afterwards. Once outside, he grins widely, holding out a hand to Kethra for a high five and pumping his fist in the air briefly for the others. “We did it I guess. Big damn heroes! Only big damn heroes get free drinks, right? We’re on our way. After we lost some of the original group I was a mite worried, but it looks like luck has turned around for us. Woo!”

For the young an inexperienced man, the acknowledgment seems as valuable as any treasure or loot. 

As Constable Tuthmarillar was walking away, the cloaked girl began to angrily approach Rubin only to get caught off-guard by the enthusiastic Jairus.

"Oh, ahaha. Yup! We did it! Heroes, yay!"

Looking up to Jairus with a sly smile, Kethra suddenly meets Jairus' high five with a vicious THUMP. Grasping Jairus' hand a bit longer, she looked at Jairus with a worried smile, then gestured the party to huddle up.

"You don't have to if you don't want to...but I think we should go by nicknames from now on. For example, call me The Blacksmith in this town." Kethra gestures to herself and briefly makes a smug smile before going back to serious mode.

"Or at least don't talk about where you're from, or where loved ones are, you know? I mean...let's not forget what we just learned here! We already know that a group of important delegates went missing some time ago. Then today we've found at least two cults right under this city. Literally!

"I'm sorry...but I've already lost too much to cultists, and you're all very important to me, so let's be more careful, okay?"

Kethra has a small cry and shakes her head.

"Sorry, I'm such a mess. You guys can go have some fun, but I want to keep an eye on that wagon shop while the Constable and the others go down there."

Rubin would join the others at the Swinging Sword and take advantage of the free drinks. He would listen to the wizard's speech and settle back to drink a few ales.

Haylessa will gladly serve your drinks, and talk with you about whatever town gossip or news you might have questions about.

(In regards to the information about the delegates I said I would post, you actually don't have much right now.  I'd recommend asking around the town.)

Here's what you do have:

You don’t know much, just that a delegation was lost somewhere around Red Larch.  You’ve heard bits and pieces about dwarven tomes and magic seeds in relation with it, but no details. 

Symon allows himself a smile as Tyde starts his speech.  The mage had been the quickest to welcome his assistance at the sinkhole.  Being in his second tankard already, though, Symon doesn't quite catch the specifics - just that he was good with magic.

What the hell, they're good people.

The genasi stands up in his chair, hair flickering erratically but cheerfully.

"Again, I'm Symon Rötwulf.  Decent with a crossbow or blade, but I've been, hm, experimenting, with more abstract powers."   Here he leans in, almost conspiratorially, in a whisper that is far louder than he intended. "I can change my form.  I fight better with claws than I do with swords, truth be told, but its not a pretty sight - and if something has the poor judgement to die too close to me, I can, hm, direct their corpse in their last moments."

"I ain't good with cute nicknames on the fly.  Introduction wise, name's Jairus Kerson.  I know my way around the rugged rustic life, pretty good at finding my way places, and livin' off the land.  I learnt my way around traps, learnt how to find 'em and disarm 'em and the like," Jairus says.  "I guess you can call me Trapper if we need a handle like that.  Real glad you folks showed up when you did, like I said, all y'alls."