As the team leaves Bardstown Aubrey doesn't look back, feeling exhilarated over his first field trip with the team. As it gets darker Aubrey unpacks a lantern he acquired earlier, carefully filling it with oil to make it burn for 6 hours. He is clearly not a complete stranger to trekking and sleeping under an open sky, having went on hunting trips with his father further north. He will however defer to Rohuzar regarding when to walk and when to rest. He will let Rohuzar decide the pace, carrying the lantern so that Guilim too can benefit from its illumination. He will assist the others with practcal magic like heating food and drink, lighting fires and cleaning clothes.

During the walk, Grugga makes some small chat with his companions. "So, Leelan," he starts, "Was this the road you took down to Bardstown when you came? Is there anything interesting up this way?" After allowing him to respond, he continues, "You said you're working on a compendium of beasts, right? A noble task in the pursuit of learning; as the doctor pointed out, there are myriad hidden uses for beast parts, many of which we still don't know... What's the most surprising thing you've learned so far? And what's the most impressive beast you've studied so far?"

To Guilim he says, "Guilim, you said you were in the... Hook and Axe, was it? How long was that for? What was the craziest thing you've seen in your mercenary life so far?"

To Rohuzar, "How does leading your own troupe compare to taking orders? We've had quite an eventful first few days here... Is that usual in your experience?"

And finally to Aubrey, "Mind telling me a bit more about that amulet of yours? A magical artifact that powerful must have quite a history behind it - something that grants telepathic and telekinetic powers... that's rare. I've seen some artifacts like it at the College, but they were kept under lock and key... aren't you worried about losing it?"

Guilim nods to Aubrey as he creates some light for them, sticking close enough to the lantern so that he is able to zee what is going on around them. Slowly he look to Grugga "From the time I was a small child. My family ended up being camp followers in order to stay safe after our village was attacked. To be exact I first started fighting with them when I was fourteen or so, having been taught to fight on and off since I was about eleven or twelve. The craziest thing was how they let the noble children in only to find out it was either because there parents did not want them around or because they weren't next in line for a title so they left to make a name for themselves. Most of them were bumbling cowards or to busy boasting of their prowess even though they had yet to show it."

Aubrey tries to listen in as Grugga converses the others, interested in whatever they offer to tell him about themselves.

"I'm not sure there's much more to tell than what I mentioned when we met. It is a family heirloom that through the years has granted my family access to powers like those you mentioned. I have still a lot to learn about its capabilities and I hope my understanding of its magic and maybe even its origins will increase with time. Losing it would be devastating to me and my family of course but my father trusts me with it. I hope he won't find that trust misplaced." Aubrey says trying to answer Grugga's question. "What about yourself, are you close to a breakthrough regarding that invention you mentioned earlier?"

As they walk, Leelan leads Dandelion on the trail. It feels odd to him to leave Bardstown so shortly after having arrived, but thus is the life of an adventurer.

At Grugga’s question, Leelan smiles. "T’is true, I am working on an almanach that is, for now, mainly focused on beasts. I’ve found some information on other types of creatures, which I haven’t ran into yet. I wish to further expand the variety of content before publishing my work. I have to say, this possible sea hag has been a fairly interesting study case, which I will endeavour to discover more about.", he says. "And what about you? I hear you devot yourself to a higher power. Gel-nagev, is it? I admit I’m frankly not well versed in theology. What can you tell me about it?"

Rohuzar nearly seems to ignore the question before quietly mumbling: “This is different. So far.” He then picks up the pace. 

19

With Rohuzar hoping to power all the way through to Northbridge, the group agrees to travel at least as far as Midway without stopping and then see how everyone is feeling.  To the gentle swaying of Aubrey's lantern and the idle conversations of a team still getting to know one another, the long walk passes quickly.  

Aubrey and Rohuzar:

 Though you had expected to reach Midway in the hours before dawn, the sky is lightening behind you and still you have not set eyes on the village.  Perhaps your pace slackened while you spoke of your backgrounds and aspirations.  

A long line of lanterns appears in the distance and approaches you at some speed.  It is a column of wagons, eight in total, pulled by massive oxen and between them another 40 harnessed draft horses.  They don't stop, but the caravan master hollers down a greeting from the second wagon.  He confirms they've just left Midway, making way for Bardstown, and that the village is just a few more miles ahead of you.  Upon hearing you've marched through the night, he makes a comment but he is already passing away and most of it gets lost in the sound of hooves and creaking wagons... something about "That's the power of civilization!  Why, in my youth, you'd be crazy to walk these roads in the dead of night.  Bandits and ....."

Sure enough, after another quarter hour you turn round a bend and spy a long, low stone bridge over Midway Run and beyond that the village of Midway.  

 Across the bridge, the road widen into a broad main street and runs clear through the center of the settlement.  A very light fog hangs low over the ground.  Though the sun will soon be rising, there are only a handful of folk out and about.  It is a far cry from the city of Bardstown, where it seems there is always a crowd no matter the time.  

"Wow, Guilim, so you've been a fighter your whole life, more or less? I'm thankful I've been able to avoid any real war... My great grandfather had some stories about the invasion of the Ancient Elves when he was young, and his family's flight for their homeland... but he died when I was young, so I never really learned that much. Still, it seemed like a tough life... though I'm sure you're all the tougher for it. You certainly showed you know how to wield that halberd well enough."

"Aubrey, from what I've seen his trust is well placed. You seem to have a good head on your shoulders. As for my project, well, I wouldn't exactly call it a breakthrough. The foundation was laid decades ago by John Hadron, Gulliver Wendell, Hrubnor..." He begins counting off these names on his fingers before realizing what he's doing and stopping suddenly, "Well, by artificers before me. *ahem*. But I think I'm working on an overall more efficient design that will end up better after I put it through some field testing." He reaches back over his shoulder and pats his contraption. "Yep, almost ready for its first test."

"I admire your enthusiasm, Leelan. I can't name many people who would willingly put themselves in front of a hag. I, too, am interested in learning about them, but I'd prefer it through the safety of a book!... no, the irony isn't lost on me." he chuckles, and continues, "Gel-Nagev? I suppose it makes sense his name hasn't reached far into the Northern Trade Federation. He only revealed himself to us recently - in our darkest hour..." Grugga pauses and his eyes wander over to Aubrey. He looks like he's choosing his words carefully. "In our darkest hour he sent his champions to liberate Tucker Hills from mortal peril. Since then he has become much more... *present* than any other god has, ever, to my knowledge. He teaches us how the gods made this world, and he inspires us to use this knowledge to take care of ourselves and each other. I was expecting the people of the Empire to be more open to bettering their lives, but the smallfolk seem stubbornly resistant to change, even if it's for the better." He trails off in thought.

"Not all of it. If not for the ancient elves I would be working on the family farm. Though that is a distant memory since they more then likely burned it to the ground or repurposed it." Guilim said, a scowl on his face both the mention and speaking about the ancient elves.

Aubrey continues to listen politely and converising the others, speaking less and less as the night progresses, tucking away his lantern at the first light, feeling really tired when they finally reach Midway. "I guess we have to cross the village to reach The Holt & Stuffet Inn?" He says, trying to find a local to ask for directions, hoping for a rest as soon as they did some preliminary investigations at the Inn.

Grugga stifles a yawn when they arrive at the village. "Holt & Stuffet... Holt & Stuffett... it's supposed to be outside the village, right? We didn't pass it did we? Then it's probably on the main road on the other side of the village."

A pair of men in leather armor with torches stand just off the bridge on the town side of the road.  They appear to be local militia or guardsmen.  The shorter man responds to Aubrey's questions:  "Aye, you have the right of it.  The Holt & Stuffet is on the far side of town.  But they're closed for repairs right now.  If you're looking for lodging you should try the Riverside Roadhouse.  Its just there.  My sister's husband Tomjohn runs the place.  Tell them Kawrehn sent you."

"Thank you soldier, I will consider that." Aubrey answers. He then looks to Rohuzar and the others. "We should still go to the Holt & Stuffet Inn I think. That man may not have been entirely truthful. Either way we should try to get what leads we can from the Holt & Stuffet Inn as soon as possible."

As they begin walking away from the soldiers, Grugga says, "They may not be lying, they might just not know. No one wants to sleep in an inn after a grizzly murder. Probably." The implication being that the inn itself is covering it up.

Rohuzar sighs. 

“Best to get to it. But ve set a guard tonight, inn or no. Competing band vill not appreciate the interference.”

Rohuzar leads the way for the Holt and Stuffet

Guilim nods as he follows the others to the Holt and Stuff, having gone quiet after giving the tidbit of his past. As they get closer he will make sure that his halberd is ready to be pulled from his back if it is needed.

You make your way deeper into the village.  As the primary resting over point between Bardstown and Northbridge there are quite a few inns.  In addition to the Riverside Roadhouse, you also pass the Eidelwies Inn and Tavern, the Bull Moose Lodge IV, and the Copper Kettle Inn.  There is still almost no activity on the streets and the sun hasn't fully risen, but passing these establishments you pick up the smell of bacon cooking, and something else... maybe apples being fried?

As you continue, a man in priests vestments emerges from one of the larger wooden buildings.  He is flanked by another man carrying an a censer from which gently smokes a pleasant incense.  The turn to face you but do not make eye contact as you pass.  Instead the stand in the middle of the road, eyes fixed on the horizon behind you.  The priest extends his arms - as if in greeting - to no one.

Religion DC 10 or History DC 12 (one or the other):

 All around you the town is slowly coming alive in the minutes before dawn.  An old woman emerges to sweep the porch of a shop on the north side of the road, the sign above her head reading Greenfield Produce.  On the other side of the street, two kobolds emerge from beneath another porch.  They are dragging a sack that jingles and clanks as through full of broken bits of metal and glass.  One of them spots something in the road, a nail thrown from a horseshoe.  It shows it to its companion, they toss it into the bag with a 'tink' and then scurry off together to the south.  Somewhere nearby, the heavy clank of a hammer and anvil begins to echo.

Several paths branch out from the Midway Road, most leading south, either toward homes or warehouses.  There are two larger intersections.  One road leads north toward the coastline of the Great Lake.  A sign there reads, "Anchorage - 4 miles."  A little further West, a different road leads off to the South.  A sign here reads, "Blackwell - 12 miles; Memoria - 60 miles."

Eventually you come to the far side of town.  As expected, you see an old sign advertising the Holt & Stuffet Inn.  It sits back off the road on a large lot on the North side of the street.  Its a narrow, deep building with a recessed porch underneath an overhanging upstairs, supported by posts.  The roof above one of the upstairs windows covered with fresh boards.  Around those boards as well as around the window itself, you can see scorch marks and signs of fire damage.  There is a small half-barn around the side of the property.  There is a small light, like from a candle, visible through the ground floor windows.  Otherwise the inn is dark and quiet.

Religion: 18

Grugga catches eyes with the priest as they pass and he realizes he still hasn't done his sun salute for the morning... he usually doesn't stay up all night. Oh well, the sun can wait for him.

As they arrive at the inn, Grugga looks to his companions to guidance, but then spontaneously knocks on the door. "Good morning, may we please speak to the owners of the Holt & Stuffet?"

Grugga knocks.  After just a moment the door is flung open from the inside.  "What in the Nine Hells more can I ..." the man stops as you were clearly not what he was expecting.  Before you stands a human of late middle age, with dark brown hair and a goatee, though the hairs on his chin are more white than brown.  Behind him you can faintly make out a ground floor tavern.  Lumber, nails and some simple tools are piled in the middle of the room.

Momentarily losing steam at the sight of you all, he picks it up again quickly.  "More then.  An endless parade of questions.  I should just tack my testament to the front door and save myself the trouble.  Aye, this is the Holt & Stuffet Inn.  Aye, a guest was attacked and murdered under my roof.  Announce it a bit louder, I think some folks in Northbridge might not have heard yet.  Aye, we're closed and I'm dealing with the repairs myself.  Aye, it was a ranger, or a man dressed as such that did the deed.  The murder.  It was the victim who burned down half my upstairs trying to fight him off.  Aye, he road away West toward Northbridge.  And aye, that's all there is to tell.  See?  I just saved us all some time this morning.  Be so kind as to pass the tale on to the next bunch, whom I'm sure you'll pass as you're leaving."  He moves to close the door, but though he seemed first prepared to slam it, a last look at you all seems to have caused him to think better of it, and he begins to close it slowly instead.