An old bear comes up the hill, ambling slowly. As it gets closer RL/Wolf can see it has grey streaked fur. It reaches the top and sniffs RL/wolf and then sits next to him, looking out over the river and the woods. It huffs and closes its eyes.
RL will pause for a few breaths to enjoy the last few seconds of peace before dropping his wild shape, coming back to himself, back to the world.
He will nervously pickup a twig from the ground and play with it while glancing out the side of his eye at Reithann. "I would be very keen to hear anything about that Arch Druid Reithann.". There is a little hitch in his voice as he is a little uncomfortable being alone with the druid elder. "Thank you for taking the time to seek me out, I'm sure I would have been back in town soon. You didn't need to go to such efforts on my behalf"
With all the attention Augustin is getting, Esa knows he is likely to delay his resting in favour of aiding the townsfolk and attending whatever meetings arise. She threatens him with more wounds if he does not return to their lodgings to rest so he might start his recovery.
"You aren't helping anyone in that state," she tells him. "I have some matters I wish to look in to, then I shall attend whatever nonsense you want me to in your place and report back to you here. The other leaders will understand, but you'll be useless if there's another attack and you have wasted time pottering around amusing children instead of strengthening your body."
She will ask around and see if there's anyone here who is able to help teach her the magic of her remaining scrolls, hoping to spend some time learning the magic to improve her own usefulness in battle.
Augustin is 100% disgruntled of Esa's (correct) assessment of the situation. He doesn't want to rest, he wants to help and heal the town. Some wounds last longer then a knife wound and what occurred over the last few days will remain long in the memory of the townsfolk. Augustin would like to help as much as he possibly can without further injuring himself. After the first day or two of overdoing it, tending to the townsfolk with magic such as cure wounds, and where the townsfolk can provide the resources he can use Ceremony to provide a proper farewell to those who wish to formally farewell the dead.
Augustin takes time to engage in quiet contemplation and reflection, he finds himself thinking about the events of the last week and how they found themselves in this situation. Augustin wonders if he is better placed in the village protecting them from everyday threats and bandits and the odd stray animal. But he remembers the times the teams needed him, or at least when he thinks they needed him. And the risks they have collectively taken. The Battle against Nazin was going pear shaped as it was, if he wasn't there then everyone else would have been dead, that much he knew. But it wasn't that thought that stuck in his mind. It was little old Esa'a blowing up herself mere inch's from his face. That image of those singed wings sent shiver's down his spine and he knew what he had to do.
The village would be protected no matter what he did as long as he was working to bring down the Iron Circle, and whatever unsavoury beasties they continue to bring forward. But his little Pixie friend, danger seemed to find her and he needed to make sure she was kept safe. If she wanted to blow herself up in people's face, so be it, but he would be there to make sure she gets up to do that again. Maybe one day Esa will let him know what she meant by "...a mere human, that cannot even die right...", seems like a handy skill to have these days.
After a few days, Grimbald's withdrawal starts to subside and his thoughts go to Harken Castle. He appears out of the blue to each on the party members and simply states "I'm going to liberate Harken castle, you're welcome to join me". He does not wait for a reply, and there is concern he means to leave immediately. However the party hear of him asking locals of what they know of the castle and where he can get plans of the castle, its defences, and possible entry points for a small party to enter undetected. Grimbald will spend the remainder of his time split between research and sourcing nets, silver tipped bolts, caltrops and healing potions.
After a few days, Grimbald's withdrawal starts to subside and his thoughts go to Harken Castle. He appears out of the blue to each on the party members and simply states "I'm going to liberate Harken castle, you're welcome to join me". He does not wait for a reply, and there is concern he means to leave immediately. However the party hear of him asking locals of what they know of the castle and where he can get plans of the castle, its defences, and possible entry points for a small party to enter undetected. Grimbald will spend the remainder of his time split between research and sourcing nets, silver tipped bolts, caltrops and healing potions.
Augustin knows of one person who can help with that. Old Kellar, the ancient dwarf. He literally rebuilt Harken Castle and oversaw the restoration and additions. He could tell you everything about it. Someone would need to go to Harken Village and get him.
RL will pause for a few breaths to enjoy the last few seconds of peace before dropping his wild shape, coming back to himself, back to the world.
He will nervously pickup a twig from the ground and play with it while glancing out the side of his eye at Reithann. "I would be very keen to hear anything about that Arch Druid Reithann.". There is a little hitch in his voice as he is a little uncomfortable being alone with the druid elder. "Thank you for taking the time to seek me out, I'm sure I would have been back in town soon. You didn't need to go to such efforts on my behalf"
"I am no different to you, I've just been doing this longer. I do not see myself as being above you but alongside. You must learn to accept that basically we're all just wet meatbags walking around, and that everything from microscopic life to dinosaurs see us that way and are trying to figure out a way to get to our insides."
Reithann notes the look on RL's face. "Oh, you've not seen dinosaurs? They live far away in the jungles, big lizards. Not the ectothermic lizards we have up here, but endothermic, closer to birds as far as regulating their own body temperature goes. More complex. Here, let me show you."
Reithann spends some time showing Rustling Leaves some dinosaur shapes so that he can learn and imitate.
The topic turns back to regeneration.
"In the Harken Forest, alongside the White River, there is a dragonborn named Drith. He is a delver, but more scientific and gathering knowledge. I don't have a lot of information about him, but he seems to respect and use nature's powers, like we do. He is slowly exploring a ruin, and has found some relics - a relic is a one time use item. One of these was a regeneration relic. I am informed he has found at least one more. Perhaps seek him out and see if you can perform a service or do a trade for the relic."
RL will pause for a few breaths to enjoy the last few seconds of peace before dropping his wild shape, coming back to himself, back to the world.
He will nervously pickup a twig from the ground and play with it while glancing out the side of his eye at Reithann. "I would be very keen to hear anything about that Arch Druid Reithann.". There is a little hitch in his voice as he is a little uncomfortable being alone with the druid elder. "Thank you for taking the time to seek me out, I'm sure I would have been back in town soon. You didn't need to go to such efforts on my behalf"
"I am no different to you, I've just been doing this longer. I do not see myself as being above you but alongside. You must learn to accept that basically we're all just wet meatbags walking around, and that everything from microscopic life to dinosaurs see us that way and are trying to figure out a way to get to our insides."
Reithann notes the look on RL's face. "Oh, you've not seen dinosaurs? They live far away in the jungles, big lizards. Not the ectothermic lizards we have up here, but endothermic, closer to birds as far as regulating their own body temperature goes. More complex. Here, let me show you."
Reithann spends some time showing Rustling Leaves some dinosaur shapes so that he can learn and imitate.
The topic turns back to regeneration.
"In the Harken Forest, alongside the White River, there is a dragonborn named Drith. He is a delver, but more scientific and gathering knowledge. I don't have a lot of information about him, but he seems to respect and use nature's powers, like we do. He is slowly exploring a ruin, and has found some relics - a relic is a one time use item. One of these was a regeneration relic. I am informed he has found at least one more. Perhaps seek him out and see if you can perform a service or do a trade for the relic."
" Th..th.. thank you Reithann". While he doesnt normally stutter, seeing dinosaurs up close is an experience that would shake most people to their core. Remembering the manners he learned from Grimbald he goes up to Reithann and gives her a hearty hug and a kiss on each cheek. He puts the druid back on her feet, steps back and gives a stilted uncoordinated bow.
RL will head back to town with his spirits raised quiet a bit and a bit of a skip in his step and a smile on his face. Once he gets back to town he will seek out Grimbald to thank him for the manners lessons back at the estate and to tell him all about the possibility of a regeneration relic. If he comes across the other party members he will let them know as well about what he learned and generally see what help can be provided to the party, any animals that survived the battle, Dar and the people of the town that might require healing or help cleaning up.
The evening they return from the battle, Vakiel will spend the night in a corner of whatever building is serving ale and basically drink himself into a stupor.
The next morning he wakes feeling rough in multiple ways but the frustration of his inability to fully engage Nazin drives him from bed and into an intense morning training session. This is something that will continue for the duration of our downtime. If any other villages come to train with him, he will teach them what he can about melee combat so they may be better placed to defend themselves back in their home villages.
Using his Criminal/spy contact background feature he will seek word of any remaining Iron Circle groups or others who may be causing issues within the area.
Afternoons will be spent helping to repair the town, tilling the battle grounds over to help prep them for future plantings and basically any daily work that reassures him that helping innocents is more important that whatever games the gods may play at. Occasionally stopping to look at the sky and just shake his head.
Using his Criminal/spy contact background feature he will seek word of any remaining Iron Circle groups or others who may be causing issues within the area.
"Word in the other towns is," says Longshanks, passing Vakiel another mug of recently arrived Bitterbeard Ale that "fell off the back of a cart" while it was en route from the dwarven town of Hammerfast to Fallcrest, "that the Iron Circle still have a grip on Harken. And they are tightening that grip. They are hoping to hold out until summer as the rains are turning the roads further south to mud so no reinforcements will come until then. Someone in Harken is ratting out anyone talking of fighting back, so everyone is afraid. They've been trying to find out who, but they are wiley, whoever it is. Cheers!" He clinks mugs with Vakiel.
Vakiel knows Longshanks is a "wanderer", brings messages and goods from one community to another on behalf of "rascals" as he calls criminals and criminal gangs. Longshanks is tall and gangly, with a long face and long nose. He also legitimately sells goods, mostly anything he can find, borrow, or buy cheap, which he puts on his handcart and sells in the next town.
She will ask around and see if there's anyone here who is able to help teach her the magic of her remaining scrolls, hoping to spend some time learning the magic to improve her own usefulness in battle.
Sadly there is no one in the backward village who knows wizard style magic. Although you are told the druids use magic, and some people tell you with a wink that Missy White uses "river magic".
Esa attends meetings where the party are asked to send a representative. They are boring affairs mostly, how they are going to repair the damage to the bridge, whether the village government should help Erst the Wainright fix his damaged building south of the river - or any of the buildings - and where is the money going to come from.
A couple of farmers complaining about cattle being killed by some monster was voted as something to "keep an eye on" and maybe send a scout that way. A tiefling shepherd who complaining that her neighbours were being racist and tormenting her with effigies and night disturbances was completely dismissed.
The clean up operation of the farms, escorting folk back to their homes in Easthill and Dardun, whether to house the Marl refugees here or help them repair Marl, were topics of more debate.
Some welcome relief came from the dwarf town of Hammerfast in the form of supplies - food and goods, including ale for the Mallard Inn which was running dry - was welcome and Gerrad spent some time composing a letter of thanks. Esa spent her time wondering why males have nipples and if 47 species of parrot was really a good use of any creator's time. Her ears pricked up when a wand of mending was donated to Albridge by a wealthy merchant to help with repairs. The merchant, one Wep Sageleaf, said he obtained it from the Seven-Pillared Hall. Now if only they could find someone who could use it.
Esa excused herself to seek out Wep Sageleaf at the Mallard Inn. Wep was there with his two companions, a half-orc and a half-elf. Wep was amused to be talking to a pixie, and was not put off at all by her tone and insistence for him to tell her immediately about the Seven-Pillared Hall.
Esa found out the following:
The Seven-Pillared Hall is a place inside Thunderspire Mountain in the Nentir Vale where beings from the Underdark - drow, duergar mostly - come to trade with those in the know surface dwellers - humans and dwarves for the most part. The Seven-Pillared Hall is run by The Mages of Saruun, who command great animated brass minotaurs, keep the peace. There are no rules other than no hostilities between parties, and the justice of the Mages is swift and often deadly.
The Seven-Pillared Hall is part of the ruined minotaur city of Saruun Khel, but the Hall is the only place to meet safely, the rest of the ruins are lawless and dangerous creatures lurk there. You need to be rich in goods or coin to trade in the Seven-Pillared Hall, but the Underdark folk bring precious gems, ingots of precious metals, and magic items to trade if you have what they want, or a lot of coin. They usually want coins, of course, but also slaves, alcohol, magic items, and finely crafted goods. They always ask for foods, but days being what they are food is an even more precious commodity than gold. When asked, Wep said he had never seen slaves traded, and suspected it happened when there was no other merchants there, or maybe in the unprotected ruins so no one's reputation was tainted in trade of such an immoral nature. He does tell you that when he was leaving he saw some folk that he now knows as being from that Iron Circle were entering the Seven-Pillared Hall.
Vakiel helps clear the battlegrounds. There are mass graves to be dug for the enemy and bodies collected in carts. There are places for unclaimed bodies to be laid so relatives can come identify them. Arms, armour, too much for anyone to use, are given to Kathrid who now employs an apprentice and is helped by the blacksmith from Marl, who will turn all the metal into farm and building tools.
Throwing bodies on and off the cart, and digging a trench for a mass grave, is tough and grim work, but it has to be done, and Vakiel works hard and sweats out the alcohol of the previous night. The rain comes most afternoons, and the farmers are digging channels to drain the rainwater away from their crops, and Vakiel helps here too. The farmers offer him well water and freshly baked bread and rye cakes in thanks. As he eats a rye cake in the rain he sees how the farmers protect their crops from the constant rain. Drainage systems prevent waterlogging, rice is grown in waterlogged mud fields, some use raised beds to allow for better drainage, and all farmers grow cover crops in some of their fields. Vakiel asks and is told that the primary purpose of cover crops - legumes, clover, vetch mostly - is to protect and improve the soil rather than for harvest. They provide habitats for beneficial insects and other wildlife. This is what they have always done, but the farmers think that originally it was the druids who taught the farmers how to cope in the climate. Even today the farmers ask the druids for advice. Vakiel shakes his head, impressed by a world of knowledge he did not even know existed.
"Twern't like this, hunnerds of years ago," says an old farmer, trying to light a pipe in the rain. It refuses and he sighs, giving up. "We used to get three months o' summer. So sommin' happened, sommin' changed. Maybe still changin' but th' wrong way. Need someone to change it back agin. Reckon you can do that for us?" The old man eyes Vakiel speculatively.
RL would also like to source a golden acorn worth 200 sp(gp in dndbeyond) as a spell item if at all possible in town. He will ask the party members for help on this since he is not used to dealing with merchants and might get ripped off.
RL would also like to source a golden acorn worth 200 sp(gp in dndbeyond) as a spell item if at all possible in town. He will ask the party members for help on this since he is not used to dealing with merchants and might get ripped off.
Longshanks says "Oh is this for a spell, like? I acquire some gilded acorns for the druids here, get them a few a year, have a contact in Fallcrest who makes them for them. They're acorns with a thin coating of gold. I don't keep them on me if I'm not contracted to get them because they are valuable and occasionally I get robbed. But I can get you one, but might take some time unless you can magic me to Fallcrest and back. No? Otherwise maybe you can borrow one from the druids here and pay me the money and I'll drop one off to the druids on my return trip. How does that sound?"
If you put that to the druids they will meet with you and Longshanks and the agreement can be reached. 200sp for the gilded acorn.
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An old bear comes up the hill, ambling slowly. As it gets closer RL/Wolf can see it has grey streaked fur. It reaches the top and sniffs RL/wolf and then sits next to him, looking out over the river and the woods. It huffs and closes its eyes.
After a time the bear shrinks and takes the form of Reithann the elderly female human druid. She smiles and says:
"I have some news for you about regeneration magic."
RL will pause for a few breaths to enjoy the last few seconds of peace before dropping his wild shape, coming back to himself, back to the world.
He will nervously pickup a twig from the ground and play with it while glancing out the side of his eye at Reithann. "I would be very keen to hear anything about that Arch Druid Reithann.". There is a little hitch in his voice as he is a little uncomfortable being alone with the druid elder. "Thank you for taking the time to seek me out, I'm sure I would have been back in town soon. You didn't need to go to such efforts on my behalf"
With all the attention Augustin is getting, Esa knows he is likely to delay his resting in favour of aiding the townsfolk and attending whatever meetings arise. She threatens him with more wounds if he does not return to their lodgings to rest so he might start his recovery.
"You aren't helping anyone in that state," she tells him. "I have some matters I wish to look in to, then I shall attend whatever nonsense you want me to in your place and report back to you here. The other leaders will understand, but you'll be useless if there's another attack and you have wasted time pottering around amusing children instead of strengthening your body."
She will ask around and see if there's anyone here who is able to help teach her the magic of her remaining scrolls, hoping to spend some time learning the magic to improve her own usefulness in battle.
Augustin is 100% disgruntled of Esa's (correct) assessment of the situation. He doesn't want to rest, he wants to help and heal the town. Some wounds last longer then a knife wound and what occurred over the last few days will remain long in the memory of the townsfolk. Augustin would like to help as much as he possibly can without further injuring himself. After the first day or two of overdoing it, tending to the townsfolk with magic such as cure wounds, and where the townsfolk can provide the resources he can use Ceremony to provide a proper farewell to those who wish to formally farewell the dead.
Augustin takes time to engage in quiet contemplation and reflection, he finds himself thinking about the events of the last week and how they found themselves in this situation. Augustin wonders if he is better placed in the village protecting them from everyday threats and bandits and the odd stray animal. But he remembers the times the teams needed him, or at least when he thinks they needed him. And the risks they have collectively taken. The Battle against Nazin was going pear shaped as it was, if he wasn't there then everyone else would have been dead, that much he knew. But it wasn't that thought that stuck in his mind. It was little old Esa'a blowing up herself mere inch's from his face. That image of those singed wings sent shiver's down his spine and he knew what he had to do.
The village would be protected no matter what he did as long as he was working to bring down the Iron Circle, and whatever unsavoury beasties they continue to bring forward. But his little Pixie friend, danger seemed to find her and he needed to make sure she was kept safe. If she wanted to blow herself up in people's face, so be it, but he would be there to make sure she gets up to do that again. Maybe one day Esa will let him know what she meant by "...a mere human, that cannot even die right...", seems like a handy skill to have these days.
After a few days, Grimbald's withdrawal starts to subside and his thoughts go to Harken Castle. He appears out of the blue to each on the party members and simply states "I'm going to liberate Harken castle, you're welcome to join me". He does not wait for a reply, and there is concern he means to leave immediately. However the party hear of him asking locals of what they know of the castle and where he can get plans of the castle, its defences, and possible entry points for a small party to enter undetected. Grimbald will spend the remainder of his time split between research and sourcing nets, silver tipped bolts, caltrops and healing potions.
and face paint
Augustin knows of one person who can help with that. Old Kellar, the ancient dwarf. He literally rebuilt Harken Castle and oversaw the restoration and additions. He could tell you everything about it. Someone would need to go to Harken Village and get him.
"I am no different to you, I've just been doing this longer. I do not see myself as being above you but alongside. You must learn to accept that basically we're all just wet meatbags walking around, and that everything from microscopic life to dinosaurs see us that way and are trying to figure out a way to get to our insides."
Reithann notes the look on RL's face. "Oh, you've not seen dinosaurs? They live far away in the jungles, big lizards. Not the ectothermic lizards we have up here, but endothermic, closer to birds as far as regulating their own body temperature goes. More complex. Here, let me show you."
Reithann spends some time showing Rustling Leaves some dinosaur shapes so that he can learn and imitate.
The topic turns back to regeneration.
"In the Harken Forest, alongside the White River, there is a dragonborn named Drith. He is a delver, but more scientific and gathering knowledge. I don't have a lot of information about him, but he seems to respect and use nature's powers, like we do. He is slowly exploring a ruin, and has found some relics - a relic is a one time use item. One of these was a regeneration relic. I am informed he has found at least one more. Perhaps seek him out and see if you can perform a service or do a trade for the relic."
" Th..th.. thank you Reithann". While he doesnt normally stutter, seeing dinosaurs up close is an experience that would shake most people to their core. Remembering the manners he learned from Grimbald he goes up to Reithann and gives her a hearty hug and a kiss on each cheek. He puts the druid back on her feet, steps back and gives a stilted uncoordinated bow.
RL will head back to town with his spirits raised quiet a bit and a bit of a skip in his step and a smile on his face. Once he gets back to town he will seek out Grimbald to thank him for the manners lessons back at the estate and to tell him all about the possibility of a regeneration relic. If he comes across the other party members he will let them know as well about what he learned and generally see what help can be provided to the party, any animals that survived the battle, Dar and the people of the town that might require healing or help cleaning up.
The evening they return from the battle, Vakiel will spend the night in a corner of whatever building is serving ale and basically drink himself into a stupor.
The next morning he wakes feeling rough in multiple ways but the frustration of his inability to fully engage Nazin drives him from bed and into an intense morning training session. This is something that will continue for the duration of our downtime. If any other villages come to train with him, he will teach them what he can about melee combat so they may be better placed to defend themselves back in their home villages.
Using his Criminal/spy contact background feature he will seek word of any remaining Iron Circle groups or others who may be causing issues within the area.
Afternoons will be spent helping to repair the town, tilling the battle grounds over to help prep them for future plantings and basically any daily work that reassures him that helping innocents is more important that whatever games the gods may play at. Occasionally stopping to look at the sky and just shake his head.
"Word in the other towns is," says Longshanks, passing Vakiel another mug of recently arrived Bitterbeard Ale that "fell off the back of a cart" while it was en route from the dwarven town of Hammerfast to Fallcrest, "that the Iron Circle still have a grip on Harken. And they are tightening that grip. They are hoping to hold out until summer as the rains are turning the roads further south to mud so no reinforcements will come until then. Someone in Harken is ratting out anyone talking of fighting back, so everyone is afraid. They've been trying to find out who, but they are wiley, whoever it is. Cheers!" He clinks mugs with Vakiel.
Vakiel knows Longshanks is a "wanderer", brings messages and goods from one community to another on behalf of "rascals" as he calls criminals and criminal gangs. Longshanks is tall and gangly, with a long face and long nose. He also legitimately sells goods, mostly anything he can find, borrow, or buy cheap, which he puts on his handcart and sells in the next town.
The party has a bunch of ordinary loot that we could sell to vakiel contact unless there are any objections?
Sadly there is no one in the backward village who knows wizard style magic. Although you are told the druids use magic, and some people tell you with a wink that Missy White uses "river magic".
Esa attends meetings where the party are asked to send a representative. They are boring affairs mostly, how they are going to repair the damage to the bridge, whether the village government should help Erst the Wainright fix his damaged building south of the river - or any of the buildings - and where is the money going to come from.
A couple of farmers complaining about cattle being killed by some monster was voted as something to "keep an eye on" and maybe send a scout that way. A tiefling shepherd who complaining that her neighbours were being racist and tormenting her with effigies and night disturbances was completely dismissed.
The clean up operation of the farms, escorting folk back to their homes in Easthill and Dardun, whether to house the Marl refugees here or help them repair Marl, were topics of more debate.
Some welcome relief came from the dwarf town of Hammerfast in the form of supplies - food and goods, including ale for the Mallard Inn which was running dry - was welcome and Gerrad spent some time composing a letter of thanks. Esa spent her time wondering why males have nipples and if 47 species of parrot was really a good use of any creator's time. Her ears pricked up when a wand of mending was donated to Albridge by a wealthy merchant to help with repairs. The merchant, one Wep Sageleaf, said he obtained it from the Seven-Pillared Hall. Now if only they could find someone who could use it.
Esa excused herself to seek out Wep Sageleaf at the Mallard Inn. Wep was there with his two companions, a half-orc and a half-elf. Wep was amused to be talking to a pixie, and was not put off at all by her tone and insistence for him to tell her immediately about the Seven-Pillared Hall.
Esa found out the following:
The Seven-Pillared Hall is a place inside Thunderspire Mountain in the Nentir Vale where beings from the Underdark - drow, duergar mostly - come to trade with those in the know surface dwellers - humans and dwarves for the most part. The Seven-Pillared Hall is run by The Mages of Saruun, who command great animated brass minotaurs, keep the peace. There are no rules other than no hostilities between parties, and the justice of the Mages is swift and often deadly.
The Seven-Pillared Hall is part of the ruined minotaur city of Saruun Khel, but the Hall is the only place to meet safely, the rest of the ruins are lawless and dangerous creatures lurk there. You need to be rich in goods or coin to trade in the Seven-Pillared Hall, but the Underdark folk bring precious gems, ingots of precious metals, and magic items to trade if you have what they want, or a lot of coin. They usually want coins, of course, but also slaves, alcohol, magic items, and finely crafted goods. They always ask for foods, but days being what they are food is an even more precious commodity than gold. When asked, Wep said he had never seen slaves traded, and suspected it happened when there was no other merchants there, or maybe in the unprotected ruins so no one's reputation was tainted in trade of such an immoral nature. He does tell you that when he was leaving he saw some folk that he now knows as being from that Iron Circle were entering the Seven-Pillared Hall.
Vakiel helps clear the battlegrounds. There are mass graves to be dug for the enemy and bodies collected in carts. There are places for unclaimed bodies to be laid so relatives can come identify them. Arms, armour, too much for anyone to use, are given to Kathrid who now employs an apprentice and is helped by the blacksmith from Marl, who will turn all the metal into farm and building tools.
Throwing bodies on and off the cart, and digging a trench for a mass grave, is tough and grim work, but it has to be done, and Vakiel works hard and sweats out the alcohol of the previous night. The rain comes most afternoons, and the farmers are digging channels to drain the rainwater away from their crops, and Vakiel helps here too. The farmers offer him well water and freshly baked bread and rye cakes in thanks. As he eats a rye cake in the rain he sees how the farmers protect their crops from the constant rain. Drainage systems prevent waterlogging, rice is grown in waterlogged mud fields, some use raised beds to allow for better drainage, and all farmers grow cover crops in some of their fields. Vakiel asks and is told that the primary purpose of cover crops - legumes, clover, vetch mostly - is to protect and improve the soil rather than for harvest. They provide habitats for beneficial insects and other wildlife. This is what they have always done, but the farmers think that originally it was the druids who taught the farmers how to cope in the climate. Even today the farmers ask the druids for advice. Vakiel shakes his head, impressed by a world of knowledge he did not even know existed.
"Twern't like this, hunnerds of years ago," says an old farmer, trying to light a pipe in the rain. It refuses and he sighs, giving up. "We used to get three months o' summer. So sommin' happened, sommin' changed. Maybe still changin' but th' wrong way. Need someone to change it back agin. Reckon you can do that for us?" The old man eyes Vakiel speculatively.
Longshanks will pay a quarter of the PHB price, because he has to sell at half price.
RL would also like to source a golden acorn worth 200 sp(gp in dndbeyond) as a spell item if at all possible in town. He will ask the party members for help on this since he is not used to dealing with merchants and might get ripped off.
Longshanks says "Oh is this for a spell, like? I acquire some gilded acorns for the druids here, get them a few a year, have a contact in Fallcrest who makes them for them. They're acorns with a thin coating of gold. I don't keep them on me if I'm not contracted to get them because they are valuable and occasionally I get robbed. But I can get you one, but might take some time unless you can magic me to Fallcrest and back. No? Otherwise maybe you can borrow one from the druids here and pay me the money and I'll drop one off to the druids on my return trip. How does that sound?"
If you put that to the druids they will meet with you and Longshanks and the agreement can be reached. 200sp for the gilded acorn.