Essilar holds up the letter, turning it back and forth.

"Errr... can you tell me what it says?"

Randy obliges, freely reading/translating the letter for him.

Essilar gives a smile and a nod, taking the note back before pausing. "Do you need to seal it or anything?"

Ulmwin is of course very helpfully playing a tune to help inspire everyone in the effort. 

The trio are very attentive to Dornikal's teaching, asking for clarifications and demonstrations, until the dwarf is doing most of the work under Ulmwin's inspiring tune, while they watch intently and make exclamations of understanding.

Dornikal is happy to take over, these guys are really amateurs. The class of bandits has really dropped.

"An' that's how it's done. Now each of ye try and aye give ye pointers!"

No one wanting to push it too far, they join back in, Garvey, for all his sourness, seems to have a knack for being able to see how rocks of various shapes will fit together, and after a half hour of work, has a tidy little wall that'd be the credit to any preteen dwarf.

Randy shrugs. "It'd probably melt in the heat."

The elf nods, tucking the map and letter of introduction away and requests the use of paper and ink, sketching out a quick map and notes that direct the ranger to a hollow, half fallen snag, his cache secured within.

He also passes on a series of potential leads for jobs or issues that the local guild may look favorably on a new arrival in town that is able to bring them to resolution.

While the elf chats with Randy in elvish, the other three pitch in, following Dornikal's instructions. They avoid making eye contact with Ulmwin, still unsure what to think of the mad gnome who is playing off to the side, occasionally pausing or glancing off to the side as if having a mental conversation with someone unseen. After an hour of labor, the way is clear for the wagons, the rubble stacked into sturdy walls along the path that ought to help prevent any future slippage from blocking the pathway. As the four of them stand panting and sweating, Evar rides up and tosses a pair of waterskins to Dornikal to refresh himself and share out to the hapless would be bandits as he sees fit.

"Ready?", the taciturn, grizzled hunter asks.

Back at the wagons, Coljin and the others are making ready to get underway again. The gnome cleric had been struck by a small alcove in one of the cliff sides, and with a bit of easy work, has been able to build a small roadside shrine for future travelers to stop and offer prayers to his goddess if they'd wish. A chipmunk darts in and claims some of the seeds he gathered and placed there before scurrying off into the underbrush.

Essilar raises an eyebrow at Randy to see if he has anything else he'd like to impart before he leaves.

Randy reaches in and grabs the loop inside the log , gets a couple of good wraps around his hand so it can't slip, and pulls forth the cache.  He checks the contents within.

With nothing further, the caravan begins moving, Essilar eventually peeling off and going his own way, presumably towards new opportunities afforded him by his conversation with Randy.

A few miles on, Randy spots the indicated hollow log, and retrieves the cache of goods. Within he finds 5 gems of various stone, cut and quality, 15 gold pieces and 28 silver from various of the Eastern Cities. There is a delicate vial packed in wool within a wooden box, the stopper of which has a glass applicator rod, it has a pleasant citrus and floral scent, seemingly more likely perfume than potion. A small silk pouch contains assorted baubles, trinkets and jewelry, none immediately noteworthy for quality or other characteristics, but as a while, likely worth a tidy sum.

Dornikal compliments Garvey,

"Ye got a good eye for building Garvey! Ye train a year or so and ye'd be quite skilled at it."

He'll give Garvey a few tips on where he can improve and will share the water around to the crew.

"Doesn't it feel good building something that ye know will last and be appreciated!"

He'll herd them along with the wagons asking about where their from, past occupations and the like. He'll then broach,

"Any of ye religious? Meh god is welcoming, and someone with ye talents Garvey, aye think, could find guidance from Him."

((Dornikal would like to go through the gems, etc. later.))

Randy give 3 of the gold to Evar,  and 2 silver each to the road workers.  He gives the bag of baubles to Dornikal to assess. 

Randy discusses with Dornikal, Coljin, and Ulmwin the possibility of taking the 3 on as extra help for the party, provided they agree.  

Dornikal readily agrees to assessing the gems and taking the three one, probationly.

"Aye think we can shape them into something worthwhile."

Don't remember the roll to inspect gems + prof: 12

Garvey lets a small smile slip past, then scowls, then seems confused. He settles for a quiet nod and some silent reflection on his life choices.

In Dornikal's assessment, while there are no gems in the lot that he'd have been proud to put his name to as an artisan, he estimates the value somewhere north of five hundred gold, but less than a thousand. 

Dornikal gives a bit of sad shake of his head at the quality of the jewelry.

"Line workmanship. Probably a large shop training a group of journeymen. Passable, but no elegance or risk taking."

He puts the pieces back in the sack.

"But we all start somewhere, and ye got to hone yer skills."

Randy pulls the 3 aside one by one and quietly talks to them about his "proposition".  

"You've been doing good work. If you're willing to consider it, we could provide you a permanent position with the party. Pay would be a cut of our profits, amount would depend on contribution to the cause and individual need.  We can sort out the details if you're interested. There would also be the opportunity to apprentice to one of us and start learning new skills.  If you decide not to take the job, you can take the pay we've given you and we will cut you loose as soon as we hit town. No further debts or obligations either way.  Take your time and think it over.  This group does travel a lot, so bear that in mind."

They look back and forth, between each other as well as at the various members of your crew, from the somewhat patchy dwarf, the two gnomes, one silvery and the other frightening, to the dour ranger who is seemingly on a quest to end unemployment to the various members of the caravan.

"You mean like tending the horses and repairing wagons? I don't think we can do much caravan guarding that you don't already have covered."

Garvey only gives a considering grunt to Randy's words, his gaze on Dornikal.

Dornikal will give Garvey and encouraging nod.

If anything, Garvey seems more conflicted. To go from, in the span of a few hours, being face down, gagged on a dusty rock with an arrow pointed at his heart to being offered gainful employment is a bit much. He scowls and looks away... but doesn't move away from the conversation.