"Oh, well I'm attending the funeral of a friend, a mentor really, but unfortunately I haven't seen him in some years. It feels good to be here to pay my respects though. He was a good man, Ispin Greenshield. I suppose you might know him since you're from Vogler yourself." Daryan says, giving the gnome a curious smile, also looking around as they pass through the village for that inn he was supposed to stay at, nodding politely at villagers they pass by. "So, um, Becky, what should I call her then?"

Ori finishes looking through the charred remains and looks on in surprise as Wilberforce casts his spell. It is only then that she realizes that he had been in the form of a horse. "Had he been able to do these things before?" she thinks to herself. 

Pelo is surprised to find the dwarven caravan along the route to Vogler. He thought he had the trade routes memorized. But he is, nonetheless, grateful. It had been a hard journey, thick mud and a great many repairs along the way. He thought often about getting a new wagon, but Ol' Betsy held great sentimental value for him. She reminded him of the way all intelligent beings placed their emotions, their memories, and their hopes in their creations. Everything could become a talisman if someone valued it. In any case, he'd probably wait another half-decade before seriously considering replacing the wagon.

Calling out the traditional caravaneer's greeting, he asked how the trip was going and if the caravan was pleased with its success thusfar. He requested to share food and flame for the night, offering some good-quality beer he had in a barrel in the wagon as his own contribution. He also asked where they were headed.

As for the bit of tin, he had almost finished. He had worked it into the shape of a boar, an animal that reminded him of Ispin. Quick to anger at any injustice and stubborn to the point of unreason. Always adopting strays and treating them as his own. Ready to take on dragons for his kin. Prone to great things: appetites, size, and acts of bravery. And most at home in the wilds. He'd whittled two small bits of bone for the tusks and was now working a couple cheap gemstones to act as eyes. Ispin wouldn't care for a gift that was intended to demonstrate wealth, rather than care.

The dwarven caravan welcomes Pelo warmly with all the food and fire he desires, and they gladly accept the beer. They inform him that they are taking supplies to Vogler, and then on to Kalaman. There is a sudden big demand for steel arms and armor in the east, they say, and they intend to sell dwarven craftsmanship to the humans in exchange for glistening gold.

"Ispin! The whole town knew and loved him, so expect the funeral to be crowded," Than says. "And yeah sorry I shouldn't call her that, she doesn't call me things I don't like least I can do is return the favor. She prefers to go by Becklin, so call her that. She's a knight! Adventured with Ispin back in her younger days, actually. Now she's serving as a custodian of the keep, a pleasant enough retirement. Oh there's the keep up on the hill, you see? Hope you're up for a gentle climb!" Without waiting for a response, Than begins leading the way up the path towards the keep.

Wilberforce finds a young vole willing to talk. It tells about how the caravan was assaulted by cloaked creatures, with shiny scales and sharp claws. They spoke a language the vole did not understand, but after they killed the humans they set fire to the covered wagon without looting anything, and retreated back into the forest. One of the scaled creatures was larger than the others, and seemed to be the one in charge. The vole says it hopes the kender can get wherever they're going safely, without running into more of the creatures.

Pelo informs the caravan that he is a priest of Reorx and, if they like, he can leave a blessing on their tools before he leaves.

Once he is confident no treachery is afoot, Shagrin returns to the fire. Having overheard Pelos introduction he offers one of his own. "Well met Pelo, I am Shagrin Ironheel. I appreciate the offer. However I think it would be wise if you travel with us. Lots of rumors of ill tidings on these roads. Probably safer in numbers. That is if you're heading to or through Vogler, which I assume you are considering the road you're on. At least stay the night." 

"Yes, the Brass Crab!" Calitynia says to the deckhand telling her of Vogler. "Sir Becklin Uth Viharin's letter mentioned the place. Just what sort of 'fun' does this Fishbowl tavern offer?" she asks skeptically. "The battle reenactment sounds more like my kind of fun. Are there not any athletic contests? Now that would be something I could do!" 

Wilberforce offers the vole some nuts and berries as thanks. He then relays the description of the attackers to Ori and shows her the strange tracks that he found earlier. He feels more incontrol now, there may be dangerous creatures around but he is a druid and the forest is his ally. He looks around and thinks “There probably isn’t much more to learn here and it's getting dark”. He turns to Ori and says “It’s all very grim here lass, but I’m not sure what more we can do apart from returning these unfortunates to the ground and then finding a more suitable campsite. These cloaked strangers appear to have moved on and the forest will shelter us for the night”. With that he reaches out to earth and asks it to accept new nutrients. 

Wilberforce then turns his focus internally and asks his body to shift one last time. Like most of his abilities there are no grand flashes of light that Wilberforce associates with Wizards and their spells. This isn’t about Wilberforce enforcing his will on Nature, this is Wilberforce working in partnership with Nature and asking it perform actions to preserve the balance. He asks his body to remember moving through the earth and seeking out worms. He has heard tales that the shift can take longer for others, but for him it has always been nearly instantaneous. His body remembers and in the blink of an eye the Kender is gone and an elderly Giant Badger is in his place. Badger-Wilberforce moves up to each body in turn and uses his large claws to dig a grave next to each one. When this task is complete he releases the badger form and returns to being a Kender once more.  He looks at Ori and asks “Anything that you want to check or take before we send these remains onto the next stage? I know that humans like keepsakes of the departed but I have no idea who to give them to”

The white-haired half-elf chuckles, almost dropping what he's carrying as he realizes Becky is none other than Ispin's old adventuring friend. "I'm sorry, I should have realized, Vogler is a small place. It is your Becky that has written to me, inviting me to the funeral. Never met her myself but Ispin often spoke warmly about her and all the adventures they had together in the past. I'll be delighted to meet her Than." He says with a warm smile to the gnome. "So do I simply call her Becklin then? I would have thought a Knight of Solamnia would prefer a more formal address?"

Pelo nods to Shagrin. "You have offered me food and flame and I intend to accept it. I'd be happy to travel with your company to Vogler. Many hands make light work." Turning to the assembled caravaneers, he asks, "Do you have anything that requires repair? I'm a fair hand at fixing things."

The dwarven caravan handler agrees, "An honest dwarven craftsman's always welcome with us," he says to Pelo. "The wagons're in good shape, but a wheel or axle can break anytime, so we may take you up on that offer yet."

The deckhand laughs. "Oh, the Fishbowl's the usual fare: hot meals, strong drinks, and good company. And there are all kinds of events at the festival of that sort: foot races, tug o' war, throwing of logs. I'm sure you'll find lots to your liking," he says.

The ship arrives in Vogler harbor mid-day. The knight-captain in charge of it sees Calitynia off onto the docks, with a stern reminder: "Your Honor is Your Life. You will be judged by the Measure." He then smiles and says less formally, "Stay out of trouble, is what I'm saying."

"Well, 'Lady Becklin Uth Viharin, Knight of the Crown, Castellan of Thornwall Keep' would be her formal title, but that's a mouthful in friendly conversation," Than explains. "Just address her as Lady Becklin and no protocols will be broken. Well, here we are! Let me show you around!" Partially ruined walls surround the keep's central tower. Than first shows Daryan around the first floor, where there is a small library and room for local relics, mostly rusty tools and pieces of armor.Than then leads Daryan up some stone stairs, to a door at their top. "Gotta go through some people's rooms to reach the workshop," Than explains, knocking. "DARRETT! You in there? You decent? We've got a visitor from out of town!"

"Just a moment!", a voice calls through the door. The door soon opens, revealing a young human man with short black hair in the training cloth of a squire. He sees the box of clockwork gizmos Daryan is carrying. "Whoa, that looks heavy, may I carry that for you?", he offers.

The white-haired half-elf nods and follows the gnome through the keep, curiously looking around the place although his pilfering days are far behind him. "Lady Becklin it is then."

"Hi there Darett, I'm Daryan, an old acquintance of Ispin's, here to pay my respect at the funeral. Would you be Lady Becklin's squire then by any chance?" He asks the young human with a friendly smile, still holding a lot of stuff for Than.

"So what's takin' ya through Vogler Pelo?" asks Shagrin.

Calitynia thanks the deckhand for the conversation. As the ship approaches Vogler, she watches from the side of the ship. Upon disembarking she listens intently to the knight-captain. "I will of course uphold all Honor and follow the Measure sir. Once the memorial is over I will see to my return to my assignment in Maelgoth. Thank you sir."

She gives him a salute then turn to make her way into the town. Already mid-day, she hurries to find the Brass Crab so the can get her lodgings arranged before going to Ipsin's memorial. 

Ori watches Wilberforce is wonder as he transforms into a badger. As he digs their graves Ori pulls out her Lyre and sings a slow, quiet song in sylvan - A Fey burial rite. 

After all is done she looks at Wilberforce "I don't think there is anything else I want or need here. I would prefer to get as far away from these.... hooded creatures as possible."

She puts away her instrument and prepares to continue on.

Darrett smiles at being recognized as a knight-in-training. "Yes sir. I'm sorry for your loss. Lady Becklin has left for the Brass Crab already, helping with preparations for the funeral. Afternoon is passing, maybe we should head over there now ourselves? If you're not familiar with town I am happy to show you the way." Than sighs, disappointed. "You can put down the box, I'll get it from here. I can show you my invention another time," they say.

Calitynia has no trouble finding directions to the Brass Crab, thanks to directions from several friendly villagers. The Brass Crab overlooks the wharf, looking only somewhat like its namesake. Entering the circular common room to search for someone to check in with, Calitynia finds several villagers moving tables, setting up chairs, and otherwise preparing for the reception after the funeral. One woman notices her, and goes over to greet her. "Welcome, dear. Are you here for the funeral or just looking for lodging?", she asks.

At the dwarven caravan, it is sunrise. They set out towards Vogler, making it to the ancient, broken bridge that connects Vogler to the southern bank of the river by early afternoon. The caravan stops there, and the caravan handlers begin unpacking crates and boxes, to be taken across by ferry. Shagrin and Pelo hitch a ride on the first ferry over (their fare paid by the caravan handler), landing at Vogler's wharf. Reaching the Brass Crab is just a quick walk on the docks.

The kender continue on, having buried the caravan guards. Though their nerves are strained, they do not encounter more signs of danger on their way to Vogler. They arrive at the southern bank of the river only slightly after the dwarves left on the ferry. Crossing will be easy enough, though they do have to pay the ferry fare: two copper coins each.

(Ori pays the 2 copper for the ferry ride)

Wilberforce looks at the city in the distance. He has never been to Vogler before, there was no need as he is a wild guide and this is a city. He looks fondly back at the forest, where the dangers are known and allies are close at hand. He then looks at the taller Kender standing next to him and feels a little better, maybe the city will contain allies too. He pays 2 copper for the crossing.

[OOC] DM did we get a short or long rest on the way? Thanks

"I was hoping to arrange lodging," Calitynia replies to the woman with a smile. "Though I am here for Ipsin's funeral as well. I was told this was the place to make such arrangements."  She glances about a bit at the preparations going on in the common room. "I see the reception for Ipsin will be here?" 

"I will make sure that you will Than,..." The white-haired half-elf says, putting down what he is carrying and briefly laying a friendly hand on the inventor's shoulder. "...thank you for keeping me company on my trip over here, I'll find you later." He continues with a nod and a smile, then turning to follow Darrett to the Brass Crab, curious to meet Ispin's old adventuring companion. "So, anything going on in these parts, other than the funeral that is?" He asks the squire as they make their way back down into the village.