Jax looks back at PM on his shoulder and asks when the last time was they left someplace better than they found it. 

     "... all that glitters is not gold..." Pieste Mor says slowly, cryptically.

     "mmmm, yes... we do appear to have won the day...  but a day is just part of a week... which is part of a month... and so on..." the dragon continues. "...one must suspect that the events here are just part of a bigger puzzle..."

     The dragon is then quiet for a moment.  Thoughtful.  But then turns to look at Jax's face and shakes himself out of his thoughtful mode.  "...it is indeed a brand new day, it seems.  yes, yes... we did well indeed."

The door to the warlord's house is opened by the warlord himself, who gives you all a smile. "I assume the change in the fields is thanks to you? I just got back from inspecting them, and it appears new growth has already started to spring up. Please, come in."

Jax smiles and walks inside. “The compass does not work anymore, but there is a house out there that’s got fewer walking, exploding dead than it did before.”

Case strides in looking proud, "Yes, I believe we have successfully dealt with the problem. There were hints that some Queen was behind it, an attempt to tax military resources for some nefarious reason. I will include that in my report."

The warlord frowns. "What do you mean? Did you find something in the outpost?"

     “… yes, of course we did…  skeletons, some animated but many more just piled up, gathered as if in preparation of a great riding…we also found the one responsible for this specific locations gathering and disturbance, but their comments during battle suggest a bigger plot…”  the dragon was a bit annoyed to have to awaken to fill in the gaps…

     “… unfortunately they exploded into a shower of blood and viscera rather than be subdued…” Pieste Mor added.  “…  tin man…  why don’t you vocalize your full report now for the warlord so he knows all the details?”

     Assuming Case does tell the gull story, Pieste Mor assist by adding a Smokey visual performance of the entire ordeal, the smoke from his nostrils animating and gathering to provide a moving diagram of events… a little Prestidigitation adds flare and sound effects…

Case methodically, verbally, recalls the entirety of their mission to the warlord. He fast forwards and skips details as indicated by those around him. He leaves a small wooden cube on the desk that is recording of him repeating the words that were yelled.  "In case you need it. It will last for a while."

"And we found this in a chest." Robin says, handing over the letter they found in the lockbox after defeating the deathlock. "It seems this was all a feint to draw soldiers away from another place." She says as the warlord looks over the note.

The warlord reads the note silently, any trace of smiles or relief falling away from his face as he hears the story. "This is...deeply concerning. It sounds as if there is some kind of plot against the crown in Korth. They need to be warned." He nods in thanks to Case's cube as the warforged places it on the desk, gripping the back of the chair. "I would like to ask a further favor of you. I need to get this message to Korth, and it would appear these people have some influence or safety in the capital, enough that I am unsure if simply sending a speaking stone message would get through or be treated with the urgency this requires. Old fashioned messengers will be required, but I suspect they will face quite a bit of danger on the road as this group attempts to keep their plot from being further disrupted. I would like to ask if you all can carry word of this letter and what it implies to Korth yourselves. I will pay you for handling the blight regardless, but should you agree I will give you a letter of recommendation to get you through the doors, and a Kundarak bank note allowing you each to withdraw 500 galifars from my Kundarak account in the city. The crown must be informed of this threat."

"I will aid in this." Robin says with a nod. She looks to the others. "I would love to have the rest of you along, as we have made a good team so far, but understand if you have other obligations..."

Case nods, "My obligations are to the crown. I would have returned to Korth regardless and will happily accept this duty." 

     Pieste Mor looks to Jax and shrugs his wings… “I am unaware of any appointments we have in the next few weeks…”

Jax looks back at PM, and gently pats them on the head. "If you think it is a good idea, then yes. These people have been strong, and smart. And funny. And maybe we will uncover more of my past in Korth Let us go. When do we leave and how far is it?"

500 galifars?!?!?!  Did the warlord just casually offer to pay them 500g for a simple messenger run?  500g each?  

That was more than enough money to....well to rethink everything.  To give Stitch a place where they could learn to harness their magical powers.  To take a break from the gutter-crawling, pub-fighting life that let him eke out a living.  Yea.  He was in.

Looking down at Stitch, the ranger spoke quietly 'What do you think buddy, stick with this crew for another job?'

Case turns to the group, with a satisfied nod, "I am glad everyone has agreed to continue our work together. I would suggest we take the road through Bastion, to Atur. From there we should take lightning rail to Korth. Our job is sufficiently important to make the cost worth it. Sir, if you can front us enough to pay for lightning rail passes, it will improve the speed at which we can deliver this message significantly." 

Persuasion check: 18

The warlord frowns faintly. "My relationship with Atur is...complicated, as is the rest of anyone associated with the crown. It's the stronghold of the Blood of Vol, after all, and their opinions towards us are quite mixed at the moment. But it should be less than ten galifars a ticket for that distance, which should be doable with your pay from handling the blight--and I can give you a paper requesting the crown pay back the expenses you incurred on the trip once you arrive in Korth. Speaking of which-" He opens a drawer in a desk against the wall and removes six leather pouches, which he  hands out. "The aforementioned pay."

(OOC: That's 100 gp apiece to be added to your sheets! :D)

Case nods, "This should suffice. Thank you."  Case glances around at the group appraisingly.  If it's before noon, and the group is looking relatively healthy, Case suggests they begin the journey immediately.  "It's a long walk."  But, if it's later, and the group looks tired and/or wounded, he'll suggest they depart first thing tomorrow morning. 

OOC: It's currently midafternoon and nobody's rested since the deathlock fight...take that as you will :D.

Also you still gotta give back that compass to Riska.

     Pieste Mor takes his pouch in his maw and chews on it a bit, then eventually crawls into Jax's backpack and rummages around in there for a while.  "...yes, yes... that'll do...  mine is the one with the teeth marks... remember..." After some more rustling and grumbling, Pieste Mor is finally comfortable, their head sticking out the bag and dipping down with his eyes closed and faint streams of smoke rising from his nostrils.  The dragon is dozing...