“It happened, his infection, when we were helping cleanse some wererats out of a mine, to the eternal gratitude of some kind dwarven miners,” KD says. “We have been trying to pay him back for his sacrifice and make things right to cure him ever since. He has been safe to be around, but we are being cautious. I understand… hesitancy.”

Mr.Dark continues to lean casually of to the side. "Alright, so, we all head to the Manse....then back to Phandalin for a spell...then discuss heading to the dragons burrow. Sounds good to me. Fighting a dragon inside somewhere, where it can't pick you up and fly off with you, or hover over you and breath icy death down on you, sounds like a plan to me. And hopefully someplace with cover." 

(Can I confirm, is it morning, or do we still need to sleep?)

Lycanthropy?! Ugh, that's disgusting! Hansel's pristinely-pampered face scrunches up like a piece of parchment (a perfect piece of parchment) at Hamish's revelation. The priests at the temple of Sune in Waterdeep have the power to remove all manner of ugliness from poor sufferers such as you. Hansel stares at Hamish with head askew, as a sculptor inspects a piece of raw stone, and sighs. Lady Firehair has not as yet granted me such faculties, but I will pray earnestly that she will.

(OOC: Does the other party have a cleric? If not, at next level up, Hansel can prepare remove curse)

(Edit: Actually, just remembered that Hamish introduced himself as Acolyte of Kelemvor, so presumably he is.)

Auric:

”Ah, yes, we encountered such lycanthropes upon our sojourn here, though we possessed not the necessary implements of silver to effectively eradicate them.  My congratulations on thy successful endeavors, and my sympathies on thy curse,” says Auric.

He moves to continue on with their travels, adding, “I have not yet the arcane expertise to deal with such an affliction, but thy forthrightness about the danger posed grants me confidence that thou wilt overcome it.  Shall we away to the Manse?”

Onu subtle steps to interpose himself between Hamish and the newcomers 'Hamish was incredibly brave in the mines and held off the wererats long enough for us to save the miners trapped down there.  We'll find a way to rid him of this curse and no one' a glance and a smile at the cleric 'will have to put him down'

Before they could get too carried away, Stacey puts Nova down, points her in the correct direction and gives her an encouraging pat on the rear to lead the way. Head down, nose to the ground, Nova huffs on by between the two groups. From the ruins of Conyberry, an old trail leads northwest into Neverwinter Wood so the young woman decides to follow it letting those fall in line behind her in the order they so choose.

(Provide a marching order and any actions/rolls you may make along the way, please and thank you.)

Following the old trail into the cover of the trees of Neverwinter wood brings shelter from the unknowns above. Although it was vibrantly sunny when the group leaves as the trail winds deeper into the trees and the deeper in they go, the more the forest grows dark and still. A low-bearing sprawling shrub with green leaves and small red berries line the forest floor here while heavy vines and thick layers of moss drape from the branches. And Nova continues. As she does, the air grows noticeably colder than it was in the ruined village of Conyberry. Eventually there's a bend in the trail that reveals a screen made from the warped branches of trees standing close together, woven into a domelike shelter in the shadows.

Nova sits down on the ground and her head cocks to the side. Her brows furrow. "That was fast..." She says in slight confusion to herself. They couldn't be at the Manse already, could they. She looks over her shoulder to KD, Auric and the others.

The artificer and the dragonborn would be able to consolidate and consult their cartography. Indeed, according to their maps Woodland Manse was expected to be much deeper into Neverwinter Woods. It did seem the trail Nova followed would eventually lead to their target location and it was probable to assume that there could be other lesser known, potentially abandoned, places along the way. These were the Neverwinterwoods after all...

Hansel preference is to travel at the rear of the column. From there he can provide protection to the rear of the party, as well as better appreciate the rear of each of the party members.

Anyone immediately in front or behind Hansel can benefit from Guidance as Hansel casts it each minute, touching them with a light hand and sharing encouraging compliments about their most comely features. The scenery isn't particularly inspiring, so he doesn't pay much attention to it.

Hamish grew up around death and he was not scared of it.  These woods gave him the creeps though.  He would try to huddle in the middle of the pack.  He will also give Guidance to whomever is in front of and behind him.  He is really nervous in the dark woods and will have his head on a swivel (Perception 18)

"Oh no! Is widdle Hammy scared?  You have a quiver lip? Still nothing but a baby." The voice had been much meaner lately.  Hamish swatted at an unseen bug and bit his lip.

When they arrive at the domed hut of sorts, he will whisper, "Do you guys want to check it out?"  

Auric:

Perception to notice anything in or around the dome:  12

“Indeed, let us proceed,” says Auric, rhyming unintentionally. To Hamish he asks, “Hast thou noticed the decreasing temperature?  Perchance some creature of ice or snow dwells in the nearby abode.”

KD almost send Hal out to scout, the eager metal monkey chomping at the bit to get moving, but pauses and looks at the larger party. “Hal likes to scout ahead - he isn’t very quiet but he’s unexpected and can get out of scrapes. Should I send him? Or would someone else like to?”

Mr Dark clears his throat, "Mmmmm, perhaps I shall scout ahead a bit. I am a bit more quiet that your metal contraption." 

As he moves through the woods ahead of the group, he flips his coin absently.  Each flip a prayer to the god of luck for good fortune. (Guidance)

Stealth: 26

Perception: 8

Onu stays near the front of the pack, walking stick in hand as he strides along the path as if on a Sunday stroll through the park.  

His casual demeanor is a deliberate distraction - designed to draw attention and give KD or Hal the space they need if and when something happens.  He's alert, checking the woods around and listening for anything unusual.

As they come to a stop, Onu steps forward, loosening his blade in its staff and signaling KD to spread out in the other direction.  'This doesn't look a natural pattern of growth for these branches, does it my dear Nova?  Looks like someone has made themselves a little hidey hole perhaps?'

As Auric speaks, Onu nods 'The falling temperature is .... strange.  Should we poke our head in?'

KD allows Mr Dark to take the lead on the scouting. Hal watches the Mr. Dark disappear into the forest, his small metal body unintentionally mimicking the man's smooth and easy movements, almost trying to absorb them. 

She casts an eye over the odd screened dome to try to figure out how it was made, how long it's been here, if it's part of a trap, and if it seems like it's occupied.

Investigation: 21

Hamish casts Eyes of the Grave

At 1st level, you gain the ability to occasionally sense the presence of the undead, whose existence is an insult to the natural cycle of life. As an action, you can open your awareness to magically detect undead. Until the end of your next turn, you know the location of any undead within 60 feet

Xenophon sticks behind Mr. Dark, keeping his maul at the ready.

Scouting ahead through the opening Mr. Dark confirms that it is a home of sorts is sheltered within the dome of woven branches. It is sparsely furnished with chests, shelves, a table, and a reclined couch, all of it old and of elven craft. KD is able to tell this from the outside.

The air grows even colder, and a powerful feeling of dread grips you. Hamish can feel the presence of undeath grow in focus. A cold, pale light flickers in the air, rapidly taking on the form of a female elf, her hair and robes waving in a spectral wind. She might have been beautiful once, but a hateful expression twists her features now. “Foolish mortals,” she snarls. “What do you want here? Do you not know it is death to seek me out?”

Auric:

Hmmm....What does Auric know of chilly elven undead?

Religion:  17

Auric’s familiar enough with undead, recognizing her to be what his texts would call a Banshee. The woeful banshee is a spiteful creature formed from the spirit of a female elf. Their face is wreathed in a wild tangle of hair, body clad in wispy rags that flutter and stream around it. Banshees are said to be the undead remnants of elves who, blessed with great beauty, failed to use their gift to bring joy to the world.

Auric:

”We are but travelers headed to a destination further hence, having no foreknowledge of thy presence here, banshee.  If thou wouldst allow us and other innocent travelers passage unmolested, we wouldst have no disagreement with thee,” says Auric, naming the creature and trying to remember what is so dangerous about banshees—some kind of sonic attack, right?

What stories has KD heard about banshees?

History: 10