As Xenophon continues to delay his appearance, but eager to commence their journey, the enthusiastic ecclesiastic finishes his repast and makes his way to the tavern door to check the weather and observe the morning traffic. Assuming that he spies the slouching Stacey, he greets her warmly, offers some leftovers in exchange for a drag or two, and inquires whether she has seen Xenophon around...

(Sorry for the late response!)

Earlier:

Xenophon lies down next to Stacey in the little hidey-hole that she showed him. "So what brings a girl like you to a little tavern in a town out here in the wilds?"

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Now:

Almost as if on cue, Xenophon shows up downstairs. "Sorry, slept in a bit later than I planned. Didn't keep you all waiting, I hope."

Auric:

”Excellent…Let us sally forth,” says Auric when he sees everyone gathered.  He nods and starts walking briskly along the path he mapped out earlier.

Hansel winks at Xenophon and simply says: "Say no more", before bouncing off after Auric with a whistle.

Xenophon

"Honestly, don't remember much." Stacey smiles a bit sheepishly as she cheers Xenophon with the bottle when he finally joins them. "I woke up on the steps of the shrine carer's house with a nasty 'goose egg'." She gestures to the side of their head where the large scar is. "Memories short, an' it ain't good. They come an' go." She shrugs. "Sister Garaele cared fer me an' Toblen offered me a job for room an' board while I literally found my footing." The redhead gestures to the establishment. "I owe people here a lot." She admits. "But when glimpses of me come back, can't help but wonder if I want teh pull at that thread." She scrunches her nose. "What will I unravel?" She takes a swig. "Ahh well! Can't be all that bad." Their face lightens. "Did remember someone gifting me, an' teaching me how teh make a flower crown. So I taught this girl Nova how teh make one. Next thing you know, I hear she's crowning animals all over the Sword Coast!" Stacey snorts with a laugh. "Never know how a new skill will present itself." She winks.

Currently

The redhead's eyes light up when Hansel presents them with an offer she simply could not, and would not refuse. Like an unspoken 'rule' amongst those who delight, Stacey happily accepts the exchange for breakfast from Hansel and allows him as many drags as he'd like while she enjoyed their meal.

When Xenophon would finally arrive, she'd greet him with a wave and a full mouth. With Auric and Hansel starting to lead the way, she nods then pivots to follow along. Happy as can be, Stacey tags along in glee. There was pep in their step. While the boys knew the way and focused on taking the lead, she was content to focus on their consumption.

Blue or Yellow or Other?

Blue: approx 11 hrs
Yellow: approx 14 hrs

Map

Mr. Black watches the exchange with the rest of the group as they make their way from the tavern and out of the town along the road. Some unspoken weight seems to lift from behind his eyes and the man seems lighter on his feet. He occasionally glances behind them, as if looking for something following far behind, and suspiciously looks around and bends in the road, but otherwise seems quite relaxed.  He walks out in front of the group, leading the way without speaking much to anyone, and naturally takes them down the beaten in paths that make up the obvious route.  (Yellow, 14 hours).

He listens with a keen ear to the conversation behind them, giving the unknown Stacey more than a glance or two in curiosity while remaining silent himself as they make their way along. As the group gets further to Phandalin, he seems to range further ahead, though waits every mile or so for them to catch up before pressing on ahead once again.  

(14 hours on yellow seems fine to me)

Hansel is as opposite to Mr Dark as day is to night. He chats animatedly with anyone who will listen, or to no-one in particular, or otherwise strolls along the path whistling a merry tune, as though they are out on a picnic. He seems particularly excited about identifying as many different species of birds and flowers as he can spot, and tries to convince the others to join in the game.

Nature roll: 2 (Roll if you want to play. Highest roll wins.)

(Brain power is peetering out after a full day, please forgive me for the ‘cheap’ update…)

”Mm.. Want sum?” Mr. Dark is abruptly greeted by a partially eaten bread roll stuffed with egg, cheese and breakfast meat held in front of his face.

Perception Roll

Roll Call: Mr. Dark!

Mr.Dark Perception:  8

Mr.Dark practically leaps out of his boots in surprise, jumping backwards, and whipping out a rapier. "WHAT THE?!?"

Auric:

Nature Check:  17

“That mean yer vegan?” Stacey blinks from Mr. Dark’s reaction to sharing their meal. 

Auric leads on. He guides the well rested group along the Triboar Trail as Hansel prattles along. And long it was. The Trail. The walk. The day. Mr. Dark continuously glances over his shoulders. Stacey thought she was paranoid, but this man kept looking around as if something was following him. Maybe he was being followed. But it’s not like he saw anything. Nothing besides the birds their cleric kept pointing out. And while Hansel sounded like he knew what he was talking about, Auric could confirm that out of 92 avians, Hansel knew none of their actual names, but he managed to get two colours right.

Come the afternoon while the sun was high in the sky, Auric guides you to an outcrop a little off the path and away into some shame. He even manages to find some roots, berries and herbs for consumption along the way. They can be eaten, or used to make a nice tea. It was a good time to break for lunch. While doing so, reviewing and confirming with the map would confirm that you successfully made it a little over halfway to Conyberry. With 6 hours gone, Auric would figure that there’s approximately 6 hours to go before they reach the abandoned town and he’d have to guide them through the forest to their destination.

Mr.Dark crouches down, picking at a tuft of grass and weed for a moment, "Seems like we best get some rest and finish the journey tomorrow. What do you think Auric?"

Auric:

”Twould be better to tarry for nourishment now, then overnight at Conyberry, that we might approach our destination at noontime rather than twilight, methinks,” replies Auric as he prepares to make some tea to go along with lunch.

Ah, a rest would be nice, chirps Hansel, as he spreads his cloak out on the ground to use as a picnic blanket, covering the weeds that Mr Dark was plucking, and then scatters it with the flowers he has picked along the way. The he asks hopefully: I don't suppose there is any accommodation at this Cranberry place?

Auric:

Conyberry history:  21

”Walls, perhaps, if not a true domicile,” replies Auric, “For Conyberry lay in abandoned ruins last I tarried there.”

Auric will share what he knows about the small town’s history.

"Are you looking for the good stuff?" Stacey says to Mr. Dark as she lights one up and takes an inhale before passing to their left to Hansel once he's settled on his picnic blanket. "If he said snack now, Conyberry fer our snooze tonight, an' then some woods in the daylight." She continues to hold in her breath. "I'm down fer that." She exhales out into the air above. The redhead then pets out a spot of grass to join Hansel, and Auric, on their picnic. She rummages through her pockets for some nuts and seeds to eat and offer to share.

Auric

DM

Mr.Dark frowns at Stacey...."Um...the good stuff?"  He watches as she settles herself into a spot near Auric.  "Right, I suppose carrying on to Conyberry for now sounds like a fine plan. Rest there tonight, then head to the forest and get there in the afternoon."  Focussed on logistics, it's only a minor glance around the area that makes its way across his face.  Seemingly worried, like someone is going to catch them, Mr.Dark remains standing and paces about as the others enjoy a comfortable picnic. He seems eager to keep moving.

"Dark, can I ask ya why ya seem worried that yer shadow's gunna catch ya?" Stacey tilts her head.