Quote from Kate_Ball >>

Twelve months ago, after quitting my job , I was blessed to discover this awesome job opportunity on-line which saved me... They offer online home-based work. My latest check doing this job with them for 4 months was $10000... Great fact about the job is that the only requirement for the job is basic typing and internet access...https://earnhub0.blogspot.com/

 Great!

Now Spam invades the game!

Cheddar:

 As you tell your stories, Governor Nighthill snaps his fingers and a scribe rushes into the room, feverishly taking notes and mapping out the locations you describe.  The Governor and the Vigilant Eyes listen carefully, peppering you with additional questions, though you have little more to tell.

So the blue dragon isn't guarding their camp?  Good... good...

'Sky-Captain'?  What is that supposed to mean?  Is it some winged kobold?

Red Wizards?  Are you certain?  How are they mixed up in this?

Did the Red Wizard have a name?

A few townfolk remain unaccounted for... did they say anything about what they did with the last few prisoners?

Describe this 'dragonbornish' creature again.  Could it have been another half-dragon?  Do half-dragons have wings?

Naerytar... Naerytar?  I don't know the place.  Corwyn, could that be some place in Thay?

A hatchery?  By Helm's steady hand... Did you see any other dragons or eggs there?  Are you certain that's what they are hatching?

Do the Harpers have a spy inserted already?  Lyle, don't you know a Harper... that card shark?  Can we reach out to their side and see what they know already?

Other than this 'Naerytar', we don't know where the cult is heading next?

The questioning carries on all morning.  At one point they send the scribe for a book of maps, and satisfy themselves that Naerytar isn't any location in Thay, or anywhere else they think to check.  They also arrive at the conclusion that typically half-dragons are not born with wings, and so remain stumped as to the nature of the strange, white-scaled figure.  As lunch is called, the knights gather in quiet counsel with the Governor and then all approach you.

"Friends," begins the governor, "You have more than earned the coin promised.  See Escobert and he will fetch the promised 250gp for each of you out of the treasury.  We were blessed to have allies like you come to our aid... I weep to think what state our town would be in if not for your intervention.  You have my thanks... and you will always be welcome as heroes in Greenest."

The tall blonde knight clears his throat.  "Ahem.  If I may, there may be more work for you if your hearts are willing.  My brothers and I will ride at once for this raider camp.  Together with those squires skilled enough to fight, we number twenty and two.  You describe fearsome numbers... but the individual cultists and their kobold servants sound quite weak.  We will catch them before they flee the camp and smash them before they escape.  If they indeed are hosting a clutch of dragon hatchlings there, we will deal with those as well."

"Meanwhile, we have allies who need to be made aware of this.  I have the honor of serving as a member of the Order of the Gauntlet.  We are sworn to defend the realm and seek out emerging threats and deal with them before they can blossom into calamities.  I would ask you to travel to Elturel and speak with local leaders.  Tell them what you have learned.  Tell them Sir Corwyn and his brothers ride to root out the cultist's camp, but that others of the enemy are on the move throughout the region.  They may have more information already, or this could all be news to them.  Will you do us this service?"

     "We have an appointment at the Mill we need to keep before we go running off anywhere else," Finn reminds the group.  "A debt due.  And I hate having debts hanging over me..."

     "I could ride it up there myself and return to see what schemes you all come up with for us next, if time is that pressing, but I have to settle this before anything else," she adds.  

     Bookkeeping-wise there are five of us and a 300 gold promise made.  That is 60 out of everyone's 250 so each get 190 unless there is disagreement.  Finn upped the payment to the Garbage Men but Finn had left that out of the retelling and will pay the additional herself.  If others wish to accompany to Noah's Mill she will not object, she is just in a hurry to get the matter settled.

At the barrage of questions, standing back in her place, Tylaerys tries to answer them the best she can, confirming there was no dragon sighted at the camp and commenting that the sky-captain likely being a kobold commander with a wyvern steed. A look of distress crosses her face as there is mentioining of some townsfolk still being unaccounted for, fearing the worst. Maybe the townsfolk would know.

Later, as the Governor Nighthill addresses the team again, the young blonde half-elf nods and smiles in thanks for his praise. "It was providence that brought us together in Greenest's time of need, we simply did the right thing, what people with goodness in their hearts would do." She says, looking proudly over at the others in the team, their loyalty and resourcefulness bringing a bright smile on her face.

Tylaerys then listens to Sir Corwyn and Finn before continuing. "I think we could all use the rest at Noah's Mill before heading on to Elturel." She says to Finn with a warm smile, trying to stifle a yawn before turning back to the tall blonde knight. "I can only speak for myself but I would be honored to help your cause by bringing news about the resurgence of the Cult of the Dragon to Elturel. I will leave as soon as I had a rest at Noah's Mill, and I hope I will have company of course." She says, glancing over at Finn, Cheddar, Jararaka and then up at Jirel.

Jararaka stands awkwardly as a barrage of questions are thrown at the group, when she didn't even think of any further questions after Tylaerys and Finn's telling. She sighs in relief when lunch is called but tenses again when the knight speaks up about destroying the camp. She grimaces- surely they don't have to go back again to help with this as well? But very quickly feels relieved again, as he is simply describing their plans.

"A meal and a night's rest sounds good." She turns to Sir Corwyn, "I love doing good," she begins flatly, "and I love being able to maintain livelihood while doing good. Is this another job? I'll accept if it is, don't have much other to do anyway." Again, given the choice, Jararaka realises she might as well stick around, the job is lucrative, not to mention there's no risk of being branded a criminal again and getting towed around as a fellow worker with caravan guards.

Jirel exchanged a side glance with Cheddar, a hint of a smirk evident from his whisper. True to her nature, she remains silent through all the exchanges, listening to what the figureheads had to say and her companions responses. However, the goliath's silence is broken when her stomach grumbles at Jararaka's mention of food. Clearing her throat, Jirel adjusts her posture and leathers. Taking a breath, she first dips her head in appreciation for the payment and the job offer then gestures to Finn as she speaks up to share her thoughts. "I desire to keep our appointment," She intended to honour their appointment, "An' accept this new job." Should all align, such as if the meeting with the Garbage Men is on the way, great. If not, then she'd be willing to ride with Finn to Noah's Mill and rendezvous with the others accordingly.

Cheddar listens to the exchange but says little. 
"A night's rest is needed." is all he says. 

[You each receive 250gp from the town treasury.  Once you settle how much you'll be contributing to settlement payment to the Garbage Men be sure to record the gold on your sheet. 

Regarding horses, the stable is more than happy to sell these fine animals to you.  Typically, just the horse itself would go for upwards of 75gp.  For such local heroes as yourselves, The Main Street Stables will sell you those four horses, plus one more, each equipped with a saddle, bit & bridle, and a basic set of saddlebags for 60gp each.  Assuming you want a horse, deduct the 60gp.  If you don't buy a horse... put on your jogging pants and try to keep up.

Horses:

• Widowmaker - great black shire horse; ridden by Jirel
• Shiloh - dark brown quarterhorse; ridden by Tylaerys
• Pumpkinspice - dark brown quarterhorse; ridden by Jararaka
• Chomper - dark brown quarterhorse; ridden Finn and occasionally by Cheddar as well
• Chainmail - a small bodied lippizanner horse with a coat of dappled greys, silver and whites; new to the team ]

With a good idea of where the raider camp is based on your notes, the Vigilant Eyes remain behind with the Governor to finish their planning.  They intend to ride out soon and plan to reach the raider camp near sunset as you did yesterday.

Looking at the Governor's maps (for those of you not already familiar with the geography of the southern Sword Coast) it looks like the 200 mile ride from Greenest to Elturel will take about 6 days.  That is, of course, you stick to the well traveled, major trade routes.  You would follow the Uldoon trail east until it meets up with the Trade Way between Berdusk and Iriabor.  Turning north, you'll follow the Tradeway as far as Scornubel and then head west from there.  The trails along the Chionthar River will lead you to Elturel.

Of course, you could shave perhaps two days off that journey by simply turning straight north and going cross country.  It wouldn't be entirely wilderness travel... there are many farm hamlets and cart tracks that don't merit posting on a map.  But its certain that the way would be more dangerous that sticking to the major thoroughfares.

First things first.  The Garbage Men await as promised at Noah's Mill, the quiet bed, breakfast and tavern where we opened our tale.  Past the swinging door you find the quaintly appointed establishment is packed for the lunch rush.  Aaric, the gnomish proprietor, is holding court, telling a group of Amnish traders the exciting and slightly embellished story of the attack on Greenest.  In the back, Balthazar of the Garbage Men is entertaining a pair of tables of carpenters and tradesment, singing a song of homesickness in a deep baritone.  Jozen and Monty sit at the bar, watching the door for your arrival.  

Tylaerys would bid Governor Nighthill and the Vigilant Eyes farewell with a graceful bow and later give Escobert the Castellan a quick hug as the team leaves the keep. Of the recieved 250 pieces of gold, the blonde half-elf would hand over 125 to Finn for the Garbage Men payment, then use 60 to keep the dark brown quarterhorse Shiloh with saddle and all. She would then ride back up to Noah's Mill, realizing so much had happened in the last days since she first arrived at the cosy inn and met her new friends. As she enters she spots Jozen and Monty at the bar and she breaks out in a bright smile in spite of being so very tired. "I believe Finn has your well-deserved reward gentlemen, I'm looking forward to hear the ballad about you gentlemen saving innocent townfolk by entertaining the cultists of the dragon." She says quietly as she comes up to them. "But alas I am too exhausted now, as you should be too I expect, and although nothing will likely stop Finn from telling the crowd of our heroics over a game of cards, I myself will get a room with a soft bed." She says with a warm smile and continues to do just that, bidding her friends a good night.

Assuming nothing interferes with her plans, Tylaerys would enjoy the sleep of the just before rising, washing up and having a breakfast/supper before being ready to head north towards Elturel, suggesting the team would take the cross country shortcut for a horseback journey of about 4 days to reach the Order of the Gauntlet as soon as possible.

Cheddar contributes his portion to pay the bandits. 
He does not look for a horse but rather a pony, something more to his size. A donkey/burro/mule will even suffice. 
Cheddar will study, eat and sleep, ready to move out in the morning. Or whenever the party decides to go. 

[Oh.  The proprietors of Main Street Stables seem surprised at the turning down of the deal for the last horse.  As it happens, they do have an older mule available.  Applying the same discount on animal and gear, they will let Gus go for just 18gp.

So horses...

• Widowmaker - great black shire horse; Jirel
• Shiloh - dark brown quarterhorse; Tylaerys
• Pumpkinspice - dark brown quarterhorse; Jararaka
• Chomper - dark brown quarterhorse; Finn
• Gus - happy old brown burro; Cheddar ]

     Truth be told, Finn is exhausted.  If not wanting to get her debt paid off she'd have happily parked Chompers by a nice sedate tree and fell asleep with her back against it.  Upon seeing Noah's Mill, though, and more-so entering it and smelling the smells, she finds she is hungrier than she is tired.

     "Aaric!" Finn calls out even as she heads to the bar.  "Drinks!  Food!  Rooms!" The demands come with a smile which eases off her face as she moves in and sits next to Jozen and Monty.

     "I hope you boys haven't spent all your earnings already," she says as greeting as she sits.  "I suppose I could just have the full amount applied directly to your bar bill..."

     Finn will enjoy some back and forth with the pair about how much of a help they were or were not and how much they really earned the gold, or not.  At some point she will cut to the chase and say "Well fine, I do have the 300 gold, as promised..." and feign shock, disbelief and injury when they claim they were promised more than that.  Through much haggling, probably mostly good natured, she will of course remember that the number was actually 350...

     Ok, ok.  375, but only since they did have such fine, fine singing voices...

     Finally she'll sigh and complain about how much they are taking advantage of her, what with her being a lone little slip of a gal negotiating against two scary mercenary types who are obviously ready to draw blades against her...  And toss them a wink and the gold. ((If negotiations go much further afield than this, just let me know... lol))

     Finn will then get a table to eat and drink with her friends, being generous enough to include the Garbage Men in that definition if they wish to join.  She will happily talk shop, tell tales of the adventure and embellish freely about it all to one and every who will listen.  If they are in hearing range, the Garbage Men's role is greatly glorified - it never hurts to get on a mercenaries good side after all.

     Finn will be more tight lipped about what's next.  Specially around the Garbage Men.  "Honestly we're grabbing some sleep here and not thinking about tomorrow," she will claim.  She still doesn't fully trust them and letting on to them any information about future plans could easily backfire...  After eating and socializing a bit, Finn is tempted to get a poker game going but her yawns are becoming extreme and she realizes it's been ages since she's seem Misses Binklesworth of the Twilight Binklesworths.  As such she is eager to go to her room, lock and block the door, and do a little ritual to dismiss owl and resummon them in their rightful form...

---

     Assuming we get to morning without incident, Finn agrees readily and easily with Tylaerys. "Time does seem of the essence and we already wasted much resting," she opines. Misses Binklesworth of the Twilight Binklesworths meows in agreement.

Jararaka relaxes when they finally leave the Governor and the Vigilant Eyes, still not comfortable being with so many enforcers of law. She very willingly pays for Pumpkinspice and gets the easy-going quarterhorse ready for a journey ahead. She even spends the time to ask how to take care of a horse, tacking awkwardly at the end of her questions, "...don't want to waste the 60 gold."

She doesn't interact any further with the Garbage Men, but she joins the meal and the drinking. "Feels like ages since I've properly sat down..." Encouraged by the alcohol, she guffaws and joins the telling of tales, though it is mostly affirmative noises as she works on devouring the food in front of her. At one point, she leans back in a chair that seems a little too small for her and barks out a laugh while recounting the hiccup in her and Tylaerys' plan to divert the pursuers last night. "So the kobolds think they've cornered me, and said I've some explaining to do? No chance under this sky!" She knocks her knuckles against her shield face, in imitation and controlled enough to not actually call upon her magic, "--- and they were gone! Sightless fools they were, would probably still have their lives if they knew when to step down."

Jararaka eventually slinks back to her room once she's done stuffing her face. She washes any mud or grime off her shield, and herself for that matter, and heads to sleep for the night.

Once morning comes, she seeks out Jirel about finally getting the chunky metal cuffs around her wrist off (assuming Jirel is around, ok if not).

     "Nice!" Finn yells out while slapping Jararaka on the back.  "I am putting THAT in a song, I promise you!"

With the usual respectful dip of her head, Jirel would bid the Governor, Vigilant Eyes and the people of Greenest farewell for now. With her trusty steed Widowmaker secured, they travel silently with the group back to Noah's Mill for their rendezvous with the Garbage Men. The giantess takes her time to stable her horse, and a general check on the others before making her way into the establishment.

Jirel takes a seat, remaining vigilant and quiet, with the exception of the occasional protest of her stomach. Lifting a hand when the call for food goes out, she gets the attention of a familiar face to encourage them to prepare for large portions in anticipation for her appetite. Having battled the way she did, and having traveled the amount they have, she was plenty famished and in need of fuel. The blonde giantess ate while business was conducted and stories shared.

Jirel dips her head in acknowledgement of Jararaka's shackle remnance and breaks her silence. "You've had those on for much too long my friend..." She'd make those her priority, to free her of them.

"Way too long," Jararaka nods and huffs from her nostrils. She puts her hands out as far as possible, not sure how Jirel would break the metal cuffs. If it has to be with a blade or some blunt instrument... Jararaka can call upon divine healing. "Though to be fair, it's probably a worse punishment for the soft skins." Once the shackles are off, she shakes out her wrist and examines the damage- all good, excluding some chipped and split scales that will eventually be shed anyway. "Well now, I owe you one."

Jararaka (and anyone else interested) gets a primer on caring for horses.  For the most part, a horse is capable of finding grasses and feed for itself as long as you give it time to wander and eat, as well as an opportunity to pause and drink when you come across streams and lakes.  There are times when feed must be carried, such as in the winter or in the high mountains or areas of drought where wild grasses are scarce.  Horses have great strength and stamina, but they can be pushed too hard if you force them to run too long or without proper hydration.  Properly fed and rested, a healthy horse can be a travelers companion for many years.

***

As the party enters Noah's Mill, Jill the halfling barmaid rushes to Jirel and throws her arms around one her thighs and hugs her tightly.  "Oh, you big wonderful woman!  Oh, my hero.  The kids won't stop talking about how you and your friends saved them all at the temple.  Thank you!  By all the gods and by Yondalla most of all, thank you.  I've never been so scared, but you routed those demons, good.  Please, you and your friends, sit.  Eat, drink."  She calls out, "Aaric, these women and their cat are on the house today.  You hear me!?"

The old gnome looks up from his table of guests with a confused expression, but then recognizes you.  He gives a resigned handwave and places a hand over his heart in a mock sign of destitution, then goes back to entertaining his other customer.

***

The dealing with the Garbage Men pass quickly.  Jozen is content to let Finn speak and negotiate against herself until she reaches the previously promised amount of 400gp.

8

They are disinclined to hang around any longer.  "It's been a long couple of days and we have leagues ahead of us to ride yet."  They pay their tab, collect Balthazar, and exit our story.

***

While the party is dining, the monk Nesim enters and requests a moment of Tylaerys' time.  He is devastated to learn of the passing of Leosin.  Hearing that you plan to accompany the others on to Elturel to share intelligence with the Order of the Gauntlet, he agrees and approves.  For his part, Nesim, will reach out to his own contacts in the Harpers, inform them of Leosin's untimely death, and share what you have learned about the Cult so far.  He doesn't have any contacts in Elturel, but he will let the Harpers know you are headed in that direction so another agent can make contact.

***

While Aaric is willing to spot you your drinks and meals, he does charge 5sp each for a room.

***

Everyone is able to complete a long rest.  You rise before the dawn.  Jirel is able to help Jararaka with some tools in the barn and the shackle is finally removed.  

[So far I see two votes for traveling cross-country vs sticking to the roads.]

Cheddar is good either way, on which way the party takes. 

((I believe I am one of the two already voting for the faster route...  But I see no objectors?))

At Jill's enthusiastic welcome, Jirel felt some warmth build up in her cheeks. She'd clear her throat, rubbing at the back of her head with one hand and gently placing the other against her back to return the hug. "That's very kind of you Jill. My tanks." Was all she could get out at first. "Give the children my best." She dips her head. "Happy to see them again before I set out again." Then with a soft pat of Jill's back, the she lifts her hand to allow the barmaid to do what she does best, share her hospitality. And the giantess was eager to have her fill before retiring for the night.

Come morning when Jirel was able to finally free Jararaka from her binds, she'd lower her head in acknowledgement of her words. While the giantess didn't feel a debt was owed, she'd lift her first to bump against Jararaka's in appreciation for the sentiment. She was always grateful to have Jararaka around to trade off a 'warrior's debt'.

Rolling her shoulders back, Jirel pulls her axe up onto her shoulder. If anything, as an outlander, she was most comfortable traveling 'cross-country'. She'd give Finn a nod of her head and make note prepare her spirit seeker senses before leaving, just in case. The giantess would take time to spend ten minutes outside in the grass, under a tree to meditate prior to their departure.

(Speak with Animals)