Avra is not convinced by Effulgyn's words, but his steady gaze seems to hold some kind of currency and her posture relaxes. 

"Why here now?" she asks, eyes returning to Arc who is no longer searching the area and who is standing, mute and motionless, eyes glazed in the glen. "Where you going, too? We go to Commons to see ID. Big sick in Kindermarsh. Big sick eating everything." she absently rubs her hands and you see what one of her fingers is half missing--bandaged with green spongy cloth. 

Effulgyn’s curiosity is piqued by Avra’s disclosure. Indeed, surprise shows in his eyes as asks, “You are going to the Commons to see… ID? But…” and now it is his turn to stammer as he looks at Fin, then back to the half-orc “but, how do you know of ID? And… we’re heading TO the Kindermarsh. What sick? What does it look… like…?,” and now the halfling trails off as Arc’s motionless form draws his attention.

”Hey, Arc! Mate! Wake up pal, you’re asleep on yer feet!” 

Yesora puts the bangle in her bag and focuses her attention on the conversation, taking particular interest in everyones reaction to magic and the topic of.

by nature and practice she keeps a polite distance from everyone. 

Fin keeps a wary hand on the handle of his blade as he takes a few bounding steps to Arc and shakes his shoulder, "Hey, small world, looks like we found new friends."

Avra's hooded brow darkens at Effulgyn's question. "A big sick came over my farm. Eats everything. Avra touched it to see what it is?" she bends a little to show Effy her missing finger. "Never getting better, every day little bit more gone, finger smaller smaller. Cut it with knife to stop." 

"So wait you cut off your own finger to keep the...sick...from eating it?" Ferg says, keeping his face neutral though his tone belies a little horror. 

Avra nods. "best knife gone" she says, and you get the sense she is sadder at losing a knife than losing a finger. 

"Messengers gone to The Commons to get help but no help come. So Avra runs away and gets help if none come." she continues, bringing herself up to her full height and looking down the road. "Meet Yas on road, we go to Commons together." 

Meanwhile a few steps away Arc comes out of his reverie and his eyes focus on Fin's smiling face. "Oh hi" he says. "Must be the sun."

“Could be the sun. Or maybe that jet ye found is cursed pal. Y’ been acting strange since ye found it. Maybe you should put it back?”

"Can't be...the lady said I'd find a gem near the flowers. She said I'd create new and wonderful things with it. Blessed by Kord himself." his eyes sort of dim and go out far into the distance before snapping back to alertness. "I wonder if they're connected? The voice and this gem? I did something like that at the goblin tunnel remember? Infused a rock with a little charm? I wonder..." His hands move to the bag containing the gem and he begins the task of gingerly taking it out for you to see. "I don't think its infused with any sort of magic but I think it would make a fine vessel for something wonderful don't you?"

“Is that what’s on yer mind then, thinking on its potential? Ye had me worried standing there like a hen that forgot how to peck.”

Relieved, Effulgyn turns back to Avra, grimacing as he processes what she said about her finger, then struck by an idea.

(OOC: I’m trying to remember… did Ferg pick up some of the substance we’re looking for and could it be what she is describing?)

OOC yeah so this seems like a good time to re-orient you all in the game. 

As recent grads of The Academy, Ferg, Effulgyn, Arc, Fin and Ash were asked by ID directly to go on this mission to Kindermarsh to investigate claims of this odd, possibly magical substance that has reportedly been "eating" all in its path and which, according to reports, seems to be originating from The Sallows, the forest-border to Ewhal, a secretive land in the southeast representing the Strength of Intelligence and a probable enemy of Stoacia (sort of like the way siblings might be enemies and might, you know, kill each other if not for the intervention of their parents, in this case being Kord himself).

Little is known of this substance but ID is fairly certain that if the rumours are true and the description accurate, it's magical and provides Ash with two vials, asking him to somehow get a sample. The vials are made of glass blown of Blue Crystals, a highly controlled magical substance farmed at The Academy itself. These vials must be indestructible, and as a result, invaluable. However, they are not perfect: he warns the party not to get the vials wet but doesn't explain why. 

Another thing ID fails to explain is why he chose these particular 5 students to go on this mission. They all know each other and have for years, but aren't friends in a strict sense of the word. And while  they were all very good in some way at school, they weren't very....remarkable, at least, not in ways that are widely known. Surely members of The Guard could have gone? Or some more seasoned adventurers? Doesn't matter. All five, for some reason or other, elected to meet on the main road and make their way south. 

It seems the further south they go, the further away from ID's control...in fact, the further south they go, the more lawless things become. In the Great Plains, for instance, they found an odd Goblin tunnel  in the middle of nowhere, with very heavily armed goblins seeming to live there. Goblins live in The Commons as well--in fact, The Commons have just about every race of creature you can think of. None so heavily armed as these though, and so quick to resort to arms in order to protect their homes. It was all very odd and you have mixed feelings about having had to kill as many as you did in order to get out of there alive. 

A few hours later, while on watch, Ferg thought he saw a big aerial battle in the Plains just near the foot of  Mount Voture). But it was too far away to make out any kind of detail. Surely ID (or maybe more appropriately, M.o.M, as head of security?) would have mentioned these threats? Or maybe Ferg was just seeing things....

Things got worse in Beres, an absolutely lawless town seemingly run by different Rabbitfolk clans, one of whom all but abducted Ash and are forcing him to take part in some sort of gladiator-style fights, maybe even now as the six of you talk--which is why there are now only 4 of you and not 5. (But not before handing the vials to Ferg).

Here is where you heard of the raids--apparently villages, farms, towns etc are being raided for magical components by a mysterious band of traveling interlopers.  You were not able to get much information on them, other than the fact that there must be a black market for components (which are otherwise very highly controlled and regulated). Effulgyn had reason to believe that his family farm may have been raided. The party had to decide whether to keep traveling to Kindermarsh or to veer off path to get to Nymblewynde farms--ultimately deciding to continue on, after a mostly encouraging talk with a self-proclaimed 'mystic' named Madame Moulot who read Effulgyn's future with cards and told him his family was safe. 

She proceeded to read everyone's cards and told Arc he'd find a gem near some flowers which he seems to have done...

She also said Fin would find Yanvu, first Enemy of Kord, Warlock Devil....but he seems to have found Kord first, if the Voice was any indication.

So the task at hand is to continue to travel south to Kindermarsh, collect a sample of this mold or whatever it is, and return it to ID at The Academy. I think the hope is to collect Ash back from Beres on the way back but the party has not formally discussed this. They could also still veer a little off track and go to Voture Village to check in on Effulgyn's family farm. 

Next major stop on the road is Kindermarsh Village, with Kindermarsh being just south. So you are within a day's march. 

Effulgyn drops all pretense after seeing Avra’s wound and brings Avra and Yesora up to speed on all of the above.

”We’ve been in some tight spots and could use your help, so long as you’re as interested in finding out what’s happening as we are?”

"More hands are welcome, especially if they're already know about ID!" Fin takes a few steps toward the wagon, eager to get moving again being so close to the Kindermarsh.

Avra looks over at Yasrora. "Yas?" she asks.

Yas looks at Avra, the others gathered and the dead plants. A shiver runs up her spine as she remembers the disembodied voice.

“I normally work alone…but this feelssss too big for just my shoulders. Yessss, our path is the same and our blades swill be stronger together.” 

she steps a little closer to the group

Ferg looks pensive for a moment and asks what lies ahead on the road.

"Quiet," Avra says. "None of Rabbits or Guards or Goblins or Bandits. But Avra always looking, Yas too. Yas can see trouble far." she says, with a hint of admiration in her tone. 

"Right," Ferg nods. "Well then should we leave now or...?"

“Aye Ferg, you’ve got it right. Let’s go.” Effulgyn leads everyone back to the cart and Asterix the mule. From the cart he offers everyone a taste of ale from the barrel in back. 

(OOG) A few notes about your current situation. You are about another day's march from Kindermarsh Village, which is similar in size to Beres. If you were to leave now and keep going, and you assume you are uninterrupted, you'll get there around midnight. 

Something to consider is that while none of you took damage except for Fin. I think some of you might have used up many if not all of your spell slots so you'll need a bit of a rest at some point. 

In the game, I am going to keep playing Laserwhit's character (Ferg) until we hear from them (and hopefully we do!) . Arc however is going to be written out as soon as I can make it make sense. Spoiler alert: it might have something to do with the jet he found. 

Updated Player Log is here!

Yas accepts a small cup of Ale. More out of politeness then want.

But it helps calm her nerves 

Fin takes a cup as well, but keeps a more cautious eye on the road than he had been after this stop. "If we want to avoid getting to Beres in the middle of the night, we might have to stop overnight. Let's keep an eye out along the way, yeah?"