Jax says to Case as he speaks up about bone-smashing: "It may sound strange to you, but people get particular about the remains of their dead loved ones. The people in that village may want to reclaim the bones to rebury them. I know, it is strange. But we may want to hold off on that for now." He grins, and continues to his destination.

Jax slams open the door to 4B and finds what was likely once some officer's quarters. All that's left now is a bare mattress, cracked dresser, and pile of bones twice the size of any down here--whatever creature waited in here, it was much larger than your normal skeleton.

Robin steps in and examines the large bones, trying to identify what creature they might be from... Nature: 26 Guidance: 1

As the healing magic flows from Robin, Drego looks up and nods his gratitude.  Satisfied that the goblin is sufficiently healthy to continue, Drego helps Stitch clean up the rest of his snacks.

Hand crossbow out, he brings up the rear of the group, eyes peeled for anything that might come at them from behind.

Perception: 20

As the rest of the group moves forward, tactically clearing the rest of the structure the shiny compass lead them to. Stitch flits about carefree looking for shiny objects. And it’s then that he remembers about the large bag of shinies Drego grabbed from him. He makes a mental note to ask for some of them later. 

3

Robin: You think this used to be an ogre skeleton.

Drego: The outpost now seems utterly abandoned. Nothing tries to tackle the group from behind.

Stitch: You do not see any shinies at the moment.

The final room you haven't checked (4A) proves to be a copy of 4B, except without the pile of bones.

Case responds to Jax, "People are concerned with such things, until their loved ones bones come alive and attempt to murder them, as is the case here. In those scenarios I find people less concerned for the remains, and more concerned with quality and continuation of life. But I take your meaning and will leave the remains for now." 

He follows the group around the rest of the place and then goes and stands next to the front door. "I believe we have completed our most current mission. We should see if this will have an affect on the crop blight." 

     "welllll.... before we depart entirely," Pieste Mor says in their slow, drawn out manner, "perhaps we should circle this structure and check the compass a few more times, yes?  might be best to just be sure it's not wonky from being inside...  perhaps on top or below the source?"  But other than confirming that the compass no longer gives the party direction, the dragon sees nothing else to be accomplished here.

Jax nods, and walks out. He looks at the blight. "Will they need any kind of proof that we did the job? A bone may not do it, and the guy who probably did it turned to red mist." He shrugs. "We will find out. Let us go."

As they wait for the others, he turns to Case. "You fight well. Have you always?"

Case nods, "Yes. It is what my kind were built for. War. Though we seek to define ourselves by other means, now that the world has settled into an uneasy peace. You also fight well. Though you seem to lose some of your sense when you battle. I've known others like you, with the battle rage. If you go too far, would you prefer I stop you with force, or are there particular words, or names I can mention that will snap you free of it?"

Robin walks with the others as they check the compass. Once done with that she glances to the others. "Shall we return to town and inform the Warlord of our findings?"

Drego continues to trail behind, working hard not to let the quiet lull his senses.  He was worried that this was just the beginning.  The note about the faint, about the Queen's designs.  It seems something was afoot.

Turning to Stitch the ranger says 'Put the compass away for now, I think we're done with it.  We need to return and report our findings.' dropping his voice a bit 'and then we can see about getting you some of those shinies.'

Checking the compass, you see that it continues to spin aimlessly as you loop around the outpost.

(Don't want to run over RK responding to Case, but I'll update when I hop on tomorrow!)

(Ah no worries, and thank you! Happy to move along.)

"Battle rage," Jax repeats back to Case, scratching his head. "That is a good name for it. I... forget things. And when I am back, I hope bad things are the only things I've destroyed. I am trying to relocate some of my memories. My little friend here is helping. Pieste Mor would know best how to get me back. Flowers. And small animals. They calm me. Maybe that would work. I cannot say. And if you wish to restrain me with force, I hope that I do not harm you."

He stares off into the distance, and as the group leaves, looks down at the blight, wondering if it might be receding.

     “… songs and poetry…  soft and soothing tones…  I find the what doesn’t matter nearly as much as the how.  it’s much like trying to coax a hungry lion to come nap in your lap - not the smartest thing to do but if you are going to then you need be soft, gentle, soothing…  and ready to run…” the dragon advised, almost as if talking to himself.

     “…truthfully, often best to just stand back and tire himself out, if practical…”

Case nods, though is clearly a bit confused at the response from Jax and PM, obviously not sure which bits are intended to be practical advice. “Thank you. I will try to remember all of that.”

Finished with your examinations, you leave the outpost and trek back towards Teryk. During the trip back, you can already see the effects of the deathlock's destruction. Plants have begun to grow again, and you can see some small wildlife here and there, racing through the undergrowth. As you arrive back in Teryk, you see much of the tension has left the town. Relieved murmurs are spreading through the streets, and you see smiles on faces, many of them directed your way.

Case observes the changes, and in an upbeat voice says, "I believe we have accomplished our mission!  And so quickly!  You will all be mentioned very favorably in my report regarding this mission!!"

"Good to know." Robin says with a half-smile for the warforge. She leads the way on towards the warlord's home, figuring that is where they will locate him.

Drego suppresses a smile as he surveys the returning greenery.  It's nice to see their efforts having such a profound and notably impact so quickly.  He bends down and scoops Stitch up, pulling the Gobbo onto his shoulders, 'Look there buddy, you did this.  Destroying that horrible thing in the temple let these plants come back' as he speaks, the ranger extends his arm, pointing out the new growth in the fields.  Stitch was still trying to find his way, not sure how to harness or direct his powers.  Hell, Drego was in about the same position.

He'd spent most of his life up until now hunting down criminals, scofflaws, or bad debts to eke out a living.  He was quick with a crossbow and had a knack for finding people who didn't want to be found and it let me pay the bills.  Since the debacle that was the contract to capture Stitch, the ranger had been rethinking his path - and learning new things, like how to harness the same healing magic Stitch used.   

This whole experience was - well it was something entirely new.  He'd answered the summons for the bounty of course, but also with a hope that he'd find something more than the alley-crawling life he'd known before.  And seeing these fields bloom, well, it was really something.