#Inspired

Elandra hesitates for a moment but with a nod of encouragement from Thomas she heads for the same horse.

Animal Handling 3 + 3

The horse turns and bites her for 4 damage.

"Ouch you horse faced bastard!" She clutches he bruised hand.

 Thomas laughs and rolls his eyes.

"I suppose I must make the attempt."

He says a prayer under his breath calling upon the Knowledge of the Ages to increase his skill with Animal Handling and to cast Guidance upon himself. Then he walks up to the same horse, his breath held as he full expects a kick or a bite.

Animal Handling 13 + 2

 The horse dances back for a moment with a flash of anger in its eyes but Thomas makes soothing sounds and places the flat of his hand on the beasts neck. It slowly calms down and turns to look at Thomas who fishes an apple out of his pack and feeds the horse with it. 

"Good boy!"

The other two horse take the opportunity to escape, running off into the ruined town.

 Feldoran leads them onward.

Thomas rides the horse much to the playful disgust and jealousy of the others. Between Conyberry and the ranch, the party spot a cow in a field a few hundred feet off the Triboar Trail. From his vantage point Thomas spots a brand on her hindquarters: the letters BAK. 

 Toot floats over and speaks to the cow in soothing tones.

She gives it a good pat and offers it a carrot from her pack. "Should we bring her with us?" she calls back to the others.

 "Yes, why not." Thomas agrees.

 Toot begins to float away encouraging the cow to follow.

Surprisingly is does so with little trouble.

Arrival

Butterskull Ranch occupies a large plot of land on the north side of the Triboar Trail, nestled between two hills. Beyond a ramshackle wooden fence stand corn fields, an apple orchard, gardens, and pasture land. A path breaks off from the trail to lead to a two-story farmhouse next to a pond. West of the farmhouse are the charred remains of a barn and smithy that have been burned to the ground.

The party travel along the southern edge of the corn field before turning up the northern trail toward the farm proper. Pigs harmlessly wander the fields, gardens, and orchard. Between the farmhouse and the gutted barn lie the scattered corpses of two orcs and five humans (ranch hands) swarming with flies.

 Stealth 18

 Thomas speaks a quiet prayer for Guidance as they approach the farm house.

The farmhouse is a two-story log building with a pitched, shingled roof and a stone chimney. Its wooden doors are set with iron handles and hinges. Its windows are fitted with wooden shutters that can be bolted shut from inside. All the shutters are open when the characters arrive. Sounds of laughter can merry making can be heard from within.

 "Do we talk or fight?"

 Thomas dismounts looking down at the dead bodies.

He ties of his horse... "I think we first make a dent in their numbers and exact some justice for the fallen. Talk may follow."

The party charge in through the front door.

The front door of the house leads into this area, which holds a large butter churn, worktables, shelves of foodstuffs and ale, and hanging pots and pans. Atop a small table is a skull-shaped wooden butter mold. 1 Orcs stand around here drinking and eating the farmers supplies.

Round 1: 17 vs 12

 Thomas casts Bless on himself, Anders and Elandra.

 #Blessed 2

Elandra charges in to slice into the lone orc.

Scimitar Attack: 6 Damage: 5

Scimitar Attack: 18 Damage: 4

 #Blessed 4

Anders enters the room and fires his crossbow. Attack: 12 Damage: 5

 The orc drops dead with a bolt in its eye.

 Toot enters and uses mage hand to open the dining room door.

This room contains two wooden trestle tables flanked by benches. Cattle skulls on the walls add to the decor. 5 Orcs sit around the table eating and drinking. They are only just realising that something is wrong and look up in suprise.

 Feldoran fires an arrow through the dining room window.

Attack: 15 Damage: 15

Stealth 20

 An arrow takes one of the orcs in the back of the head and it thumps down onto the table.

One of the orcs runs to the window trying to catch sight of Feldoran. Perception 8

The other three charge through the door into the kitchen one attacking Toot and two attacking Eleandra.

Toot Attack: 14 Damage: 8

Elandra Attack: 13 Damage: 6 and Attack: 24 Damage: 13

  Protective Field reduces the damage by 4

Round 2 : 10 vs 5