Those turning up at the singing whale notice Sir Rudneve sitting in a corner, grumpily nursing a goblet of wine. He would decline trying to take part in any sneaky business as he is convinced he would only mess things up.

Kosef sits next to Sir Redness and the others. He will politely turn down the offer of cherry juice from Jemna. "No thanks," he says.

"So, the wagons are headed to Carnath Roadhouse. Do we want to continue with Ivor and his gang? That seems likely to lead to hostilities between here and there. We could try to join the High Road Charter Company's next trip to the Roadhouse. Maybe pick up some allies? Or we could ride directly there and surprise Ivor and the others."

He thinks for a moment. "Am I forgetting anything?"

"If we are certain the wagóns are headed for this Carnath Roadhouse then Nearytar should not be far away. I would prefer to ride ahead and find Naerytar and crush this cult, but I will follow the decision of my companions as long as we are on this skulky part of our quest." Sir Rudneve says. "But I'm not sure if you are forgetting something I'm afraid."

At around 8pm, Kendes notices Ivor and his newest friend returning.  He tries to keep a low profile as he slips away from the main room, as if to make towards the doors.  As soon as he can find a secluded corner away from the reach of prying eyes, he uses his boots, clothing, and masquerade tattoo to disguise himself as a nondescript human adventurer, just like any other that could be found in a taproom.  He then stealthily tries to follow the two back to their rooms and eavesdrop on any conversation they might have.

Stealth: 21

Perception for listening in: 17

Kendes breaks off his observation if the two or any of Ivor's friends notice him, and eventually restores his appearance to its original form and waits in the taproom for the others to show up, which they do at 1 in the morning.

He eyes Janma with guarded suspicion, and accepts a glass of the juice, though he deigns not to drink it, but rather smell and sample it for toxins instead with as much as subtlety as he can.

Sleight of Hand: 7
Herbalism (Wis): 10

Regardless of his findings, he choses not to drink the proffered juice. 

In answer to Kosef and Rudneve, Kendes replies:  "I, too, think we should leave the caravan.  We have ample opportunity to do so without raising suspicion, considering the accusations they threw at us.  We can simply claim the honor of the Wolves is worth more than the pay and leave with our heads held high.  Besides, I grow tired of this ruse."

Kendes got the sense that Elif was not actually interested in learning about herbalism. He seemed to rushed in his desire to learn, particularly about dangerous plants, and he gave up on it very quickly. The glass of cherry juice seems to be toxin-free. Jamna does notice Kendes examining it though, and says, "You don't have to worry. We're on the same side." She pours some of the juice into a glass and drinks it, watching the others discuss their plans but not contributing to the discussion.

Kendes can hear muffled conversation from Ivor's room. He hears Ivor say "I think they shouldn't travel with us anymore. I'll tell them we no longer have need of their services." The other voice replies, "But we could bring them with us and dispose of them on the road. Remember your suspicions. You have a possible holy knight and a vengeful son, and that third man is very skilled with a very large sword. They could be Order of the Guantlet agents. We can't let them report back to their superiors." Ivor pauses for a while and then says, "I'll think about it. Let's get some sleep Azbara." Kendes hears Ivor's friend agree, and soon the door opens and the wizard (Azbara) heads to his own room across the hall. Kendes would hear him moving towards the door before he left the room though.

Back at the Singing Whale, "Kettles" doesn't immediately sit with the others.  Instead, after securing his room for the night (how much are rooms?) he asks the barkeep for a bottle of the best hard alcohol they have on offer.  He then works the room, visiting any other members of the caravan crew (known cultists or otherwise) and offers a drink in celebration of the completion of this leg of their journey.  He pours a generous amount for any who take him up on it.  

Eventually he makes his way back to the table with the 'Wolves' and Jamna.  He makes the same offer and toasts the group, though his pours are less generous here.  He also leans in and says in a quieter voice, "I think the ruse has run its course.  I propose we ride on ahead to the Roadhouse and investigate.  Jamna, perhaps you can remain with Ivor and his crew?  They don't seem as suspicious of you, and it gives us some security in case they change plans or the Roadhouse is a diversion."  "But I will follow along with whatever the group decides.  If we wish to continue traveling in disguise, I will be there with you."

Then he smiles, claps Rudneve on the back and says "Whatever you decide, I wish you nothing but the best in your travels." 

He then moves to a nearby table where he sits alone with whatever remains of his bottle (how much was the bottle?), enjoying a few pulls for himself and quietly singing a merry tune about Silverymoon in June.

Kosef loudly thanks Kettles for his toast.

"It seems most of us," Kosef whispers, "are comfortable riding on to the Roadhouse. Let's do that. Tomorrow morning?" he says. 

Kendes leans back, crossing his arms.  He shares what he learned from following Ivor and Azaba earlier that evening:

"Ivor's friend is named Azaba, and he was carrying some bundle that seemed rather valuable to him.  I snuck after them and found that they have the three of us made, even suspecting Rudneve here of being a member of the Order of the Gauntlet.  It's best if we part ways, either letting them take the lead, or if they go with the plan to keep us on and ambush us, using the excuse they provide to find 'better work' in my opinion."

To Jenma, his expression is still guarded.  "Who do you work for?  It's obviously someone, and I'd feel more comfortable telling you all this if I knew the slightest about you."  He saves the suspicions he's harboring to air when the woman is not around the group.

Sir Rudneve slouched as Kendes mentioned he had been made but perked up considerably at the mention of riding forth to the roadhouse. "Yes, I think I have played the part of Sir Rudneve for too long now and not very skillfully either. I can only hope to redeem myself at the battlefield." He says, finishing his wine. "Tomorrow morning I will meet you outside companions, once again as Sir Evendur Archebolde, the part I was born to play." He says, rising and going to bed, deciding it would be best if he didn't have any dealings with the mysterious Jenma or was it Jamna, he never seemed to learn.

"Azaba," Kosef says. "I witnessed a brief confrontation between him and another magic user. She said he was from Thay. I believe that kingdom is ruled by necromancy and by a lich." He thinks for a moment, playing with his food. "Since they know of us, it seems wiser to surprise them at the roadhouse."

Hearing Kendes questions, Kosef realizes how little he knows about her. He bends forward to hear what she will say. 

The rooms are 1 gp a night, and the bottle costs 10 gp, and contains 750 ml of liquid.

Kenny finds only one other non-cultist traveller in the inn, a young honey merchant who eagerly accepts his offer of a drink. The cultists also accept the drink, and thank Kettles. They ask him what his plans are now that the caravan is broken up, and if asked the same question mumble something about travelling to Neverwinter.

When Kenny joins the others, Jamna agrees with his plan. "It'll be good to have one of us keeping an eye on Ivor. You four can rush on ahead and I'll make sure nothing funny happens with him. " She considers for a moment before replying to Kendes question. "I work with people who have similar interests to you. I doubt you would have heard of us though. We're much better at hiding than you Harpers like to think you are. I would prefer to keep the organization's name a secret though." (OOC: Feel free for any of you to roll insight on this. 15)

OOC: As per usual, if you want to add anything before the next bit, go ahead.

The next morning is a little drizzly and slightly cold. Investigations into the Carnath Roadhouse revealed that it is located somewhere on the road to Neverwinter. A sign post can be located pointing them towards the road to Neverwinter as they leave the city. As they leave the city a trio of travellers on horses start following them. All of the horse-mounted people have shabby grey cloaks with the hoods pulled up and are shivering in the cold. As they travel further down the road, a faint croaking noise can be heard.

(Kenny wants to check insight  13  to see if Jamna really thinks they are all Harpers.  She keeps throwing that out there and Kenny is beginning to wonder if she is just trying to get a reaction.) 

With the cultists in the bar, 'Kettles' will share that he must keep moving as he is expected in the Spine of the World before winter.  He offers them a farewell toast, "May the road you walk be free and clear, may evil stumble wherever you stand, and may you live to see justice prevail o'er tyranny."   If there is anything left in his expensive bottle of hooch he will bring that last bit on the road with him.

In the morning, "Kettles" still appears before the others as they depart the city.  "No sense burning the character.  In case I ever want to pass this way again as Kettles, I will wait until we are far from the eyes of civilization before I slip out of the disguise. " 

Later:  "What do you think of these three behind us?  Coincidence?  Let's pick up the pace and see if they match us."

Kendes stares at Janma, still wary.

Insight: 16

 On the road the next morning...

"Do you hear that?"  Kendes pauses, squinting and trying to pinpoint the source of the croaking.  "... Like a frog.  But it's much too cold for that right now."  He grips his staff of birdcalls tightly and murmurs to the others, "I'm going to try something. If their horses spook, maybe one of you can get a good look at what's under those cloaks."  Then he taps it, and the sounds of ravens cawing raucously explodes directly behind the three horses of the grey-cloaked strangers.

Kosef leans away from Jamna as she speaks. He's suspicious of any organization that refuses to share its name. Pressing her over the issue, however, especially as she at least seems willing to help, doesn't seem wise. He wonders if she could be the short sword welder who committed murder on the road and decides to watch her more carefully when they meet again.

"I hope it is a coincidence," he says of the riders behind them the next morning. "Never had a chance to spar against opponents on horses. Slaying an animal just to reach its rider seems wasteful."

When Kendes uses his staff, Kosef tries to see under the hoods: Perception 2

Outside the Singing Whale the next morning the others find a beaming Sir Evendur Archebolde astride his chestnut destrier Bayard, again wearing the red mantle of a knight, emblazoned with a white gauntlet, over a gold hued tabard and shining armor. He's wielding his lance and by his side a gold hued helmet, a sheathed sword and a red crusader shield, again emblazoned with a white gauntlet. "At long last this loyal servant of mighty Torm again rides forth to slay the wicked queen of dragons." He proudly proclaims.

Later on the road to Carnath Roadhouse Evendur stops and readies himself for a confrontation, holding off the charge for now.
Perception: 6

Kenny gets a sense of smugness from Jamna. It seems she genuinely believes they are Harpers, and that she is confident in this belief. Kendes gets the sense that she is not being honest about her organization. He also gets a slight sense of smugness, as if Jamna feels she has them believing what she wants them to believe.

The sound of ravens disturbs the horses. They panic, and though one of the riders is able to quickly get their horse under control, one of the others struggles with their horse and manages to both knock themself off and knock of one of their companions. The two fall to the ground. One of them had his cloak's hood fall down, revealing a ragged man with a grey beard. Kosef and Evendur have a hard time distinguishing the features of the other two. The two free horses run off in panic, and a thrown spear misses one of them. On the left side of the road, twelve bullywugs appear, and start ribbiting excitedly at one another. The person who managed to remain mounted starts ridding back towards the city very quickly.

You can roll initiative, bullywug initiative: 18

Evendur initiative: 6

Before Kenny leaves to rejoin the caravan, Kendes pulls him aside privately and airs his fears about Janma:

"I don't trust her, and she thinks she's got the rest of us running on her strings like puppets.  You shouldn't reveal all your cards if you work with her.  I'm absolutely sure she's going to try to use them against you at some point.  Janma is not what she seems, and not nearly as helpful as she's presenting herself to be."

On the road, Kendes curses as he spots the bullywugs.

Initiative: 15

Kosef tries to tell if the two who fell off their horses are alarmed by the bullywugs or working with them: Insight 5

He also lifts his great sword off his shoulders and recalls the hours he has spent sparring: Initiative 4

Initiative:  13

Kenny immediately looks off to the right side of the road to see if there are more ambushers waiting there, or if the only threat is to the left.  Perception: 12