MrDark jumps at the attention, as if he’d prefer he were invisible. Then he frowns trying to form his response. “Um, I have the questionable fortune of continually running into a recent ….uhh….friend. And Im just wondering how long before Tymora’s grace brings us together once more.”

He pulls out a gold coin and flips it in the air, absently grabbing it without much effort.  

Hansel glances around as if he expects this 'friend' to suddenly walk out of the woods. Naturally the cleric of Sune jumps to his own conclusions about what Mr Dark means:

Ah yes! A one-time tryst. It was enough for you, but not for them. The tender tragedies of love. Well... the least you could do is introduce us next time they come calling.

Auric:

Auric thinks about their past adventures together,  considering what Mr. Dark might be so wary of…

Insight:  21

Mr.Dark clears his throat, interrupting everyone's musings.  "Um, well, it seems we're all well enough rested to continue yes...everyone minds are wandering off task.  Let's pack up this little picnic and let's get going." 

Stacey squints almost unsatisfied with Mr. Dark's answer until Hansel starts explaining it as though he knew exactly what he meant. Their expression would change to an 'ah yes, of course, that makes sense' reaction.

However, Auric was blatantly aware of Mr. Dark's preference to change and avoid the topic altogether.

Giving in to Mr. Dark suggesting that this picnic come to an end, Stacey stands up from the ground and offers Hansel a hand up. "Next stop, Conyberry."

Should no one object, the group would continue along the Triboar Trail spanning the stretch of foothills and rolling, sparsely wooded plains towards the abandoned village of Conyberry. Continuing the journey, miles along the Trail, the group is nearing the end of the anticipated hours trek and are finally coming up upon the abandoned village of Conyberry. Even for those aware that it was sacked by barbarians years ago, it’s still a sobering sight to see it now lying in ruins. 

Ugh! What a dump! blurts Hansel with a disgusted face. Oh well, we will have to make do the best we can, I suppose. He looks around for the most intact building he can see, which will provide the best shelter for the night.

Auric:

Consulting the map as they approach the ruined town, Auric intones, "Conyberry lies in ruins, though a smattering of sturdy walls remain that we might leverage for our security this night.  Let us tarry here this even, that we might be reinvigorated for our exertions upon the morn."

Mr.Dark nods to the others and says, "I'm just going to poke about."  He sneaks off to one side and approaches the town from another angle, sneaking as quietly as he can as his eyes dart from shadows to gaping holes in walls, his hand crossbow out.

Stealth if needed: 21

Perception if needed: 9

SHOUT OUT IF YOU FIND ANYTHING! Hansel calls to the disappearing Mr Dark. Then adds in a normal voice: .... a comfortable chair? A pillow, perhaps?

He then sets about finding a suitable place to camp, and does his best to make it homely for all, including choosing a corner for himself to set up his mirror and refresh his cosmetics...

Mr. Dark uses the shadows to his advantage and slinks off. He approaches Conyberry from a different angle. With Hansel’s vocal protests, it was easy for him to keep track of where his team members are. At one point his eyes meet with a pair in one of the gaping holes in a wall feet away from him. With some flutters, a crow kicks off into the sky. That moment, Mr. Dark’s drawn to another shadow near by. He notices a Beserking squatter about to hop out of some bushes to charge at the shouting Hansel who car disturb his ‘peace’.

Mr.Dark crouches down, taking careful aim at the squatter...and waits for the charge.  In his mind, as the squatter goes into a crazed rush at Hansel, he is shot down with an bolt to the back, in the last moment before he can hack at the chiseled man's chin. 

(hold action, if the squatter attacks the group, just before he reaches them, Mr.Dark will shoot)

Mr. Dark knows the squatter's going to attack if he doesn't interfere first.

Roll Call: Mr. Dark
(Give an attack roll with advantage for your surprise attack.)

Hand crossbow Attack: 17 Damage: 5

"Watch yourselves!" he loudly adds.

Hansel's bent over in his corner arranging his cosmetics when the squatter reaches him. With great axe raised high over his head from behind, he prepares to bring it down upon the beautician when he takes an arrow to his left cheek. "BLARG!!"

"Watch yourselves!"

A hazy cloud further back from the group, Stacey's head pops up from some dilapidated resident's overgrown garden. She's got a freshly rolled one in her mouth, shaking a vial in her hand and has a whole kit sprawled out on the ground behind her, even with pestle and mortar. Eyes go wide with mischief as she witnesses the charging squatter get pegged by roaming Dark-ness.

With adrenaline beginning to pump, muscle memory takes over from here. The redhead pops the cap to her vial and downs it. She then reaches for her longbow.

Initiative time!

Stacey: 9

Roll Call: Everyone!

Auric Initiative:  12

Mr.Dark init: 7

Hansel Initiative: 13

Xenophon Initiative: 12

Initiative
Xeno | Hansel | Auric | Squatter | Stacey | Mr. Dark 

Roll Call: Xeno, Hansel and Auric!

"Watch yourselves!" comes the cry. Hansel's first thought, as he stares at himself in the mirror, is that is exactly what he is doing, but as he lifts his gaze reflexively, he sees the ugly figure charging at him. Grasping for his shield, on which the symbol of his goddess is emblazoned, he extends the other hand toward the attacker and cries: Lovestruck!

Casting Hold Person at the attacker. DC 14 Wisdom save