"I was in a rush to find my fellow adventurers that I walked right into an ambush. No Twig I am not annoyed by you. I just need to know what happened to my friends." says Marish

Heric grips his sword and littler tighter and looks at Marish "Did your companions head north before you about several days ago?"

"Yes have you seen them" says Marish

"Your Friends murdered my kin and they will pay for it!" says Heric angrily

"That does not sound like my friends. I think you are mistaken" says Marish a bit unsure. "Maybe it was an accident"

Heric swings his sword menacingly "That was no accident. My kin was murdered in cold blood"

What do you do? Try to calm Heric down or let them duke in out?

(( Wow, forgot all about having met her; I'll have to edit that post.... ))

"And would killing her bring any justice for your kin? Just because they may know them, does not qualify as a good reason to kill her. She has no blood on her hands but we may use her to follow those that did kill your people." Tilsu says and sets a hand onto Roland. "Better yet, she may now where they're headed. She can lead you to them and perhaps us as well if they are headed to same place we are."

Cure wounds spell heal for 9

Heric lets out a growl "Damn. You are right. She me may be of use" he sheathes his sword. "We should keep moving and find a better resting spot. Before more gnolls come" He looks to Zhernon "I can carry you if your willing"

"Thank you for being the voice of reason" says Marish to Tilsu.

Zhernon half waves them off. "Can manage with a little rest first." They look at Marish again, "Interesting stone amulet. Will it help us?"

Marish quickly tucks the stone amulet into he shirt. "Oh its just a family heirloom. More Sentimental value than actual value" says Marish

Heric nods and heavily plops down in the shade of a tree.

(Everyone take a short rest here. Just tell me when ready to continue)

(( Forgot to send my post from last night. Ah well, rolling 2 hit dice for Roland: 17 ))

(( Hmm, rolling one more: [rol]1d10+2[/roll] ))

Roland had did a double-take as Twig reminded him of seeing the woman earlier, sighing as he realized she had indeed been at the tavern. Still, he mainly spent his time dressing his wounds, although he nodded his thanks to Tilsu at her healing. The farmboy, ever conscious of his stomach, then announced simply "I'm going to forage for something."

(( Should I make a survival roll? I've seen DMs handle foraging very differently. ))

EDIT: I'll repost the hit die roll in another post

(( 11 ))

After a bit of rest and kenku home remedy, Zhernon looks a bit better and is up and ready to head out again!

(Used 3 hit dice for short rest, healing for 14.)

The party continues on with Heric keeping a close eye on Marish. Soon you see more and more mushrooms.

Heric stops the for a moment to talk to the myconid guards in the front of the village. Then he motions the party to follow. Many of the myconid villagers give the party hard stares and yell insults. Heric eventually leads the party to the 3 elders of the myconids. "You must convince them if wish to continue through our village. If you cannot convince the elders than I wll oust you from my village and your party will have to go around." says Heric. The elders wait with foreboding silence looking over the party

What do you do?

Zhernon will address them if no one else does, and start explaining. "There is a curse, we are trying to stop it. Don't know about Marish but she was captured by gnolls and we set her free. We mean no harm, only just wish to pass through as quickly as possible."

One of the elders speaks "The last group also said they wish to pass peacefully and that led to a death of one of our own. The answer is no"

The next elder says "Wait they may be of use. Find the killers and you may pass"

The third elder then chimes in "What if they slip away like the last group. I have an idea. Heric will go with you and for added insurance each of you will make a pact with us 3."

The other elders nod in agreement and together they create a magic circle glowing with runes. "Step into the circle so we may know you as friends. If either of us break our promise we will meet our end."

Marish is very skittish and stands at the back of the party. "I won't do this" she whispers as she clutches her amulet. "What if its some evil spell of compulsion"

Heric overhears and gives a dismissive snort. He walks into the circle. "I promise to guide these travelers and to protect them as long as they do not harm one of our own and help bring the killers to justice" A rune briefly glows on Heric's hand

Seeing it clearer now Twig and Roland notice the stone amulet carvings resemble the carving technique seen in the vision of the grotto.

Twig notes the carvings then looks at the elder. "I've got no objections. Nothin to lose either. I'm not gonna promise to bring those killers back though. I don't make promises when I'm not sure I can keep them. But I can promise that I wont bring any harm to any of you." She smiles brightly at them and steps into the circle.

The elders nod approvingly

Roland nodded at Twig's statement as well. "That seems fair enough. I promise--" The farmboy stopped and rubbed his chin for a second, then smiled and stepped into the circle of runes. "I promise to not aggress against any of this village, and to sincerely try to help find the killers."