Garth, you intercept the bugbear's attack and swing at full force. The bugbear dies. (Kalhiri you do not take damage from the bugbear's attack). With a burst of adrenaline you cut into another's chest, taking that one out in the process. While Aelin and Pyre-Winder both miss their attacks, Kalhiri gets the finishing blow on the last one. In the span of six seconds, all three bugbears have been slain

Quote from VeloElo >>

Garth, you intercept the bugbear's attack and swing at full force. The bugbear dies. (Kalhiri you do not take damage from the bugbear's attack). With a burst of adrenaline you cut into another's chest, taking that one out in the process. While Aelin and Pyre-Winder both miss their attacks, Kalhiri gets the finishing blow on the last one. In the span of six seconds, all three bugbears have been slain

What a fast paced slaughter this was! These bugbears sprung out of nowhere with vicious blows that nearly toppled her and her companions! If it weren't for Garth, she'd certainly have gotten hit. Pumping with adrenaline, she frantically looks around searching for more marauders coming out of the hiding. When it becomes clear that there are no more, Kalhiri slowly calms down and takes a closer look over the body to see if there is any single identifying clue between them that could give away on who's orders they attacked (Investigation: 13). While searching the bodies and touching one of the morning stars, she says, "Garth, thanks! If it wouldn't be for your fast reflexes I'm sure I would have gotten too close for comfort with one of those."

(Ok, so I undo the second wind use, too.)

Fadi taps Pyre-Winder on the shoulder "And thank you for restoring me. That blow got me by surprise!"

He'll then help Kalhiri in searching the bodies, also looking for loot.

Investigation: 21

Garth smiles and nods to Kalhiri, but the smile quickly disappears. "I did what I could, but I should have been scouting so we could have ambushed them, not the other way round."

"Going back to town, on an already travelled path, I got lazy." He and Aelin look around nearby, seeking signs of more bugbears, or perhaps a camp, or at least signs of where they might have come from.

Survival/Tracking (Aelin help): 17

He tells the others about anything he finds, but in the end adds, "Best we get back to town and get some explanation for all this."

(( This time he scouts ahead, with Aelin circling above.

Stealth: 29 (crit);
Stealth Aelin: 15 (not sure it is relevant, but ...look like an eagle? hide in sun?)
Perception: 18
Aelin Perception: 21))

A quick scan of the area reveals a few things. One, the bugbears had a combined total of 8 gold in coin on them. Two, their camp is a very short walk away, revealing no more goblinoids. it looks like this was just an attack from the ,any monsters who live on these hills.

Garth grunts, hands everyone 3gp, "I'll keep the last gold so the bugbears can buy us a round of drinks when we get back."

Fadi takes his gold and gestures back to Garth as if cheering with a drink in hand, already. He then does his hair thing again before moving on.

Garth smiles at the gesture before disappearing ahead on the trail.

Kalhiri stares at the coins for a long moment, "I've been broke for so long, I almost don't remember how they looked." Then she carefully pockets her share and follows after Garth.

Pyre-Winder decides to walk the rest of the way feeling a little angry at himself that he didn't spot the ambushers...

Red Larch seems to be just the same as when you left it. What would you all like to do in the the town? 

Her stomach turned when they entered town, Kalhiri just can't stand all this hypocritical civilisation that assumes it is better than everything else around it where in truth it just is its own type of savage. Head down, she says to her companions, "Maybe let's check back in the tavern where we got the information about the delegation. Maybe they know something about how they looked and can recognise any of the symbols we've found on the dead. Actually, I remember they've said something that the delegation was last seen in a place called Beliard on their way to Summit Hall. We didn't get to Beliard on that road, didn't we? Or was Beliard that Monastery with the stone guards? I guess that's something we can ask about. That waitress had a cousin in Beliard, she should know what that place is and how we can find it."

"Sounds like a good plan." Fadi agrees. "After that we can try to talk to the town's guard or with whoever is in charge of the town... maybe they have some different sources of info."

Garth nods at the evolving plan happy with all the suggestions, but mostly happy with the idea of a drink. "So, first to the inn then?"

(( @DM: Is Garth likely to have any contacts in town? ))

"To the tavern!", Pyre-Winder agreed.

Kalhiri leads the way to the inn where they spent the previous night and inquires for the waitress. If she is already in, Kalhiri shows her the evidence from the graves and asks her, „Do you think that any of these could be from the delegation?“ Giving her time to respond, she waits before also asking, „This place that you mentioned, where lives your cousin who saw them last, is that a monastery? Or some other place? We travelled to Summit Hall but didn’t see any other village or town on the way.“

Garth puts the gold on the counter with a smile, "An ale for each of my friends, and keep them coming while the money lasts." While he waits for the ales he tries to offer any help he can to Kalhiri's efforts.

"Cheers!" Kalhiri exclaims raising her mug, "To the bugbears last surprise! These sneaky bastards, may they rest in peace." 

The welcoming glow of the Swinging Sword warms your cold skin. The place seems to have picked up some business, a short bald man in simple robes sits at a table alone with a glass of water. He is wearing a necklace with some sort of religious symbol on it. On the other side of the common room, a some what handsome half elf in sailors clothes scarfs down a bowl of chicken soup. Upon seeing the garments presented to her, the waiter shakes her head, "Sorry, I never saw the delegation myself." 

“But where was it where you said your cousin lived? We only came across a monastery on the way to Summit Hall. Does your cousin live there?” Kalhiri presses.