Vic stands up, freely sharpeend dagger still in hand, (he was just sharpening it) and asks, "Eavesdroppers, eh?  Just as well.  I imagine theres whole armies headed to andser the call that mage put out theough the underground.  The Cobalt Mage supposedly has a weird castle on the southwest shore of Hishgstar Lake.  I k ow there wasnt one there in the Tarsakh, so if therexs one there now,  it'll be pretty strange.  I dont dou t it mind you, thats why i agreed to come with Lothar."

Gordo follows, "Lothar's news is nowhere near the secret he imagines.  If he heard the Cobalt Mage is looking for troops, it's best assumed the wizard wants everyone to know he's coming.  I'd rather see for myself what it's about than wait for it to come rapping at my door."

Stepping forward, Angus queries, "So... you chaps... are you looking to join up with this bloody blue mage, or oppose him?"

Marlyth bends forward to help Lothar to his feet and observes everything silently.

"We're local guides for hire.  We don't ask many questions,  that's a major benefit our clientele consider when hiring us.  This old moor is full of old buried magic.  The red wizards, the blue mage: maybe they're looking for the same thing, maybe one or the other found it.  And maybe this blue mage found himself some red wizards.  Either way, I haven't heard anymore from them, not that I expected to, either way." Rora notes.

Lothar, roused from his stupor chimes in, "Audra and the Lions will be beating a path to that castle, you can bet.  She might know what's what in the South, but up 'ere, she's green as any of 'em.  The lions 'aven't been this weak in a generation.  Once the Cobalt Mage sees what he's lacking, we'll have peak market conditions to advertise our services.  I wager if he's paying in castles, we can get a keep each if we time it.." He stops short of finishing his sentence as he vomits in his mouth and swallow, then rolls on his side and curls up as he is silent once again.

The sharpened dagger held by Vic reminds Marlyth of a pair of chimes and a metallic structure, she wishes that at least one of these local guides has the capability to manipulate metals.

"We should be grateful since we've found you, instead of a clan of unfriendly dwarves or hobgoblins. Does any of you know how to repair metallic items and identify the type of metal? Our friend, Tauzan have a strange piece of gear, and I have this."

Marlyth will show the golden disk retrieved from 'The Hidden Page', and cast Druidcraft to kindle the campfire so that the light can illuminate the item. 

Glimpsing the Golden disk, the three guides look to one another, consider the combined force of those before them and decide against trying to overpower the group and steal the object, without a word spoken.  Vic seems confused by Marlyth's questions, "You're looking for a metalworker, a Smith or like? And you don't want to find a dwarf?  Did you steal that from one of 'em then?  Cuz I could maybe take it off your hands fer a while, 'til the heat cools down, ya know?"

Gordo answers Calner, "I ain't never heard of mo 'Tyreus' but if hes out to find the Cobalt Mage, he's gonna have to wade through some armies to get to him or maybe he's looking to join 'im?"

<Tyreus is the Cobalt Mage, the adventure has previously mentioned his blue cape, though I swear the illustration looks green to me and nothing like Cobalt blue, at all.  He is pretty open in his attempt at conques by this time, but prefers the Moniker to his personal name, reserving the latter for use with those in his direct employ>

"I tell you what, here's a map of the area, tags it and forget you saw us here" Gordo declares.

<I think this map shows more clearly what your options were for encounters.  This is a social encounter, for now.>

"Yes, we're looking for a Smith, but not anymore"- Marlyth puts the golden disk inside her backpack as if she can sense their evil intention, and continues to speak:

"It's a sample of treasure, not something that we would take forcefully from others. You heard my friend, there's lot more where that came from."

"In respect to the local fauna, we got some maps what shows the general bits.  Much more out there to be mindful of, but for the coin, you can have the map." Vic says, handing you the map <from my earlier post>.

If you want to stick together, that's a bit pricier, private charters are steep to start, but at the moment, we're waiting for the lackluster armies at the lake to reveal what they lack, the hole in the dam to reveal itself, then we come 'round to plug it up.  We ain't an army, nor wizards or anyone o DA sort.  What we got is local sense and that's not something an outsider knows they need till they see the cost of not 'avin' any 'itself.  So if you want a charter, that's fine with us, but we'll not be speakin' to the Cobalt Mage fer at least half a tenday, lest we see signs of more troops 'headed to the lake, then we manage our lot and make for the castle quick and scoop in fer what we can get before the lines are drawn. So, what'll it be, then?"

Marlyth doesn't want a charter and she wants to move forward.

"Still plenty of daylight," Hamish tells the others as they prepare to move North.  W"e should reach Hammer Hall by nightfall."

"Seems to me they resisted such temptation while they bide their time for one last big job before retirement." counters the giant.

Tauzan listened quietly to the conversation with these strangers, letting the rest of the party handle the interactions. He quickly heads on once the others are ready to leave the encampment.  "They did not seem too much of a threat, but we can keep an eye out.  I doubt they are the worst threat out here. But what are our plans? I presume we are headed towards this new castle.  Seems like it would be good to get more information about this so-called Cobalt Mage." 

"We can easily outpace the team of local guides if I conjure some animals. But, we must decide where to go first."

Marlyth will propose while trying to gauge the reactions of the new team-mates, since they're not yet used to the idea of riding flying mounts....besides she wonders if they're going to react nicely in response to the bestial transformation of a druid.

Walks listens attentively, it is always a good thing ti know ahead of time what challenges lie in wait.

Tauzan also listens intently to Marlyth's description.  "I would be willing to try that, but you are right, we need a destination." He looks to the others in the group.  

"I'm quite sure the Cobalt Mage is none other than our old foe Tyreus.  Perhaps if we mingled with the other groups seeking his favor, we could obtain entry to his fortress unnoticed," says Angus.

Making your way north, the serpent hills to the east stretch west before you, forcing your path slightly west, directly toward Highstar lake by way of Hammer Hall. You are not far, now; you should reach it by nightfall, but the sun is starting to set and the light is now dim.

In the distance you spot something in the tall grass.  As you draw near, you can see clearly a warehouse, beside it stands an armored figure. A human with fair hair, shoulder length.  Her armor is not particularly flashy, not that you could likely tell at this distance, but it's true that it is plain and simple, free of any special ornamentation, save the symbol painted on the back: a red flag with a grey lion's head in the center.

The armor clad woman stands, greatsword gripped tightly with both hands, facing off against a small band of opponents just Noth of her. She appears to be outnumbered but holding her own.  It looks like she's been surprised by a small band of hobgoblins.

<mechanical notes: 

tall grass is difficult terrain

technically, you can see up to 2 miles away, but the foliage and microterrain - small hills and ridges - dont allow for a clear line of sight until youre 200ft south of the horse and rider. 

Dim light is just that: disadvantage to perception checks.>

"I agree, we should try to help her," Tauzan says, as apparently Calner has already spring into action.  He tries to get an idea of how many hobgoblins there are.  (Perception: 23) 

Does Marlyth recognize the symbol of a red flag with a grey lion's head?

History/Religion 12