The trial of the Zhentarim:

After spending a cheerful evening (but remembering not to stay too late so as not to jeopardize Rash's next working day) you retire to rest.

[[ OOC: I would say that there isn't much left to role-play regarding the trial of the Zhentarim... At most, if you want to express your concerns about Balfby to Aidwyn, you will do so as soon as she returns. The next thing to role-play for those who remained in Longsaddle and did not follow Aidwyn to Waterdeep, in chronological order is the completion of Rash and Blinn's work, several days later. I know that Rash intended to 'field test' the new spell... Let's see if he wants to involve Roxana and Gaer too - and if they want to get involved]]

Blinn's Unseen Warrior:

Blinn watches with relative imperturbability the systematic destruction of the straw puppet he had prepared for the final test of the spell he developed together with Rash: Blinn's Unseen Warrior! 

In fact, everything seems to be working as expected... even if it is not possible to see the person responsible for the havoc, it is undeniable that the target is being ruthlessly torn to pieces. Rash, who by working closely with Blinn for ten days has learned to better decipher his attitudes and expressions than him, has the impression that the other half-orc wizard is equally surprised and pleased.

Various other tests of possible functionality follow: ranged attacks (with Rash being asked to hold a target that the warrior must hit from a few dozen feet away), defense capabilities (with Rash being asked to summon a warrior with a shield to defended - just defend, not strike back - him from Blinn who attacks Rash with a broom - a tool chosen both because it is present in the laboratory and to avoid causing injuries to the poor coworker in the unlikely event that the blow hits the mark), surveillance ability (with the warrior who is instructed to disarm anyone who enters a certain circle drawn in chalk, a circle into which Rash is then asked to enter holding his quarterstaff).

"It's a spell surprisingly side-effects-free, for a spell developed by a Harpell" Blinn finally comments, thoughtfully. Rash understands that the other is not saying it explicitly... but he is still implicitly acknowledging that part of the lack of side-effects is probably due to the contribution of the other wizard... the one who isn't a Harpell.

After a welter of various freewheeling questions ("Do real warriors improve with training... who knows if even this summoned warrior, in his permanent form, would be able to improve by training? And if not, why? Lack of intelligence , perhaps? But aren't there many warriors who don't have much more intelligence than the house mouse - and yet they still learn to crack heads better, with training?") Rash is finally left free to copy (at Blinn's expense) the version final of the spell in his spellbook and the other also gives him, as a sign of gratitude, ten of those figurines that constitute its material component.

Rash smiles as he takes the ten figurines.

"Thank you, my friend," he says. "I feel proud to have had this opportunity to help  advance the study of the arcane. I do hope that in the future we'll have a chance to collaborate again... I for one am quite pleased by what we have accomplished and I am sure that this spell will prove invaluable in my future endeavors. Now, I think I'd better get ready to head out... I promised to deliver the remaining Zhentarim to my people to serve his sentence. I sincerely hope that he'll be able to learn from his mistakes and start a better life..."

Blinn's Unseen Warrior:

“Oh, 'a chance' to collaborate again?” Blinn reflects "Who knows why we usually talk about 'chance'? It's not that I'm going to tell you: 'Rash, I'll give you 1 chance out of 6 to collaborate' and then roll a die... I'll give you 'the choice' of being able to collaborate again, if you will be available when I start the new studies. You can see that the 'Unseen Cleric', the 'Unseen Wizard' are still missing and who knows how many further specializations of this invisible force which is the basis of the 'Unseen Servant' and the 'Unseen Warrior' Who knows? What if an entire 'Unseen Civilization' will one day arise from our studies?".

"Do you have to take care of one of the Zhentarim?" half-orc Harpell then marvels "What an unusual decision on the part of the judge... But don't unusual decisions often have unusual reasons? So, perhaps some of your actions or proposals have something to do with this resolution? And you really hope that mistakes will teach that Zhentarim something? And if mistakes really could teach, then should we conclude that it is okay to let him make even more mistakes? So as to allow him to learn more and more?"

"Anyway," Blinn seems to look at his colleague benevolently "when I begin the next preliminary studies, I will seek you out, Rash Bloodskull. You are an unusual wizard (but then again, is there anything 'usual' about a wizard?) but a talented one for sure. If you'll be in Longsaddle when it's time, it will be a pleasure to collaborate again".

[[ OOC: @Mister_Whisker: I understood that you wanted to do the 'field test' of the new spell... but if Rash has in mind to accompany Kunnari to his destiny first, that's still fine. Feel free to post as you like... Either Rash asking the Sharnshields to hand over the prisoner to him, or Rash planning the 'field test' - and decide whether he wants to notify (and possibly involve) Roxana and Gaer too or not. ]]

(OOC: So, after a bit of consideration, I don't think it would be very in-character for Rash to intentionally seek out a deadly confrontation. That being said... he's a lot more careful now, especially knowing that a violent lunatic like Rukuz the Merciless is out there in the woods waiting for unwary travelers. He'll be sending his owl to scout ahead when travelling, and if the owl happens to find that his party and Rukuz are on a collision course that would be a perfect time to field-test the spell)

Rash shakes hands with Blinn.

"Well, I'm sure he's got a few more mistakes to make, but I think he'll turn out alright. The boy is young, and I think he deserves a chance to turn his life around rather than go straight to the gallows," Rash says with a smile. "I have been tasked with taking him back to my tribe, where he will serve out a sentence of indentured servitude. My hope is that he will learn a few things while serving that sentence, hopefully some valuable skills so that he won't be tempted to return to a life of crime when and if he earns his freedom."

"Anyway, I'm sure I'll be back around to visit in the not-so-distant future... hmmm... an unseen Cleric. That would be something, now wouldn't it? Though for that set of experiments it might be best to have a real Cleric around... maybe we should ask Quispira if she'd like to lend a hand?"

After saying his goodbyes to Blinn, Rash is ready to pick up Kunnari. If any of his companions would like to help with the transport (especially Aidwyn and Solitude, as they seem to have the least reason to stay in Longsaddle), he would be more than happy to have them come as well. He would also like to ask Zentromya if she would be willing and able to resuscitate one of the Zhentarim for a second chance at life, since Anita did say she felt that the young man named Bjorn may have been a  victim of circumstance, and Rash is still not especially happy about the fact that the team acted as judge, jury, and executioner. (And yes, of course Anita is coming with him during all of this)

Visit to the Bloodskull tribe:

[[ OOC: Ok, the Party of Four should be back right this day from the journey to the temple - unless something delays them. If they are late, does Rash wait a few days for their return? Or does his journey begin today anyway? Plus, Rash plans to come back in Longsaddle for Martha and Dobbian's wedding? Or will he stop with his tribe once he reaches it? ]]

(OOC: Depends on how long it will be before the wedding... if it's going to be a few weeks he'll probably stay with his people for a while then come back to Longsaddle for the wedding, perhaps with some traditional Orcish wedding present. As for waiting around, I think he'll give Aidwyn and Solitude a day or two if they're late for whatever reason).

Visit to the Bloodskull tribe:

[[ OOC:  The wedding will take place in 20 days (assuming this is the departure day). Anyway, good; we'll have to wait the Party of Four and see when they come back. Meanwhile, when Culuril reads she can decide whether or not Roxana is interested in accompanying Rash. Gaer wouldn't be particularly interested... but he'll come if Roxana decides to participate. ]]

(OOC not sure Spira wouldn't have mixed feelings about the whole thing too.  Lets see how it plays out, but with her too it will prob come down to whether the people she especially cares about go)

Party of Four - Lathender Temple:

You pass the cart with the two particularly rejected men without incident and finally arrive at Westbridge. In the small town you immediately come across an inn that seems too welcoming (especially now that it's snowing) to simply ignore it and you easily find accommodation. It's the 'Happy Halfling' and, as you discover by chatting to the staff and the few other customers, it belongs to a halfling businessman, Ghaliver Longstocking, who owns many other businesses in the town - including 'Westbridge Brewers', which produces the ale that the three halflings from the wagon you helped in the morning gave you.

[[ OOC: If you want to role-play a bit of conversation with the Inn's customers, just make a post in which you are in the Inn and look around... Otherwise, the night passes without problems  and you are ready to resume your journey the next day ]]

The next day, it has stopped snowing, but an annoying wind blows the snow that settled during the night into your eyes. You hope the weather improves, because you have two days of travel ahead of you before reaching your next destination, the Village of Red Larch.

Party of Four - Lathender Temple:

A few rolls to see if something special happens in the 2 days of travel from Westbridge to Red Larch:

2 15 14 18 19 3 19 7

14 19 5 13 15 18 18 5

Party of Four - Lathender Temple:

During the first day of travel, shortly after your departure, the annoying wind that continues tenaciously to blow snow in your face perhaps tries to make amends by doing you a favor: it brings you the typical sounds of metal on metal and cries of humanoids that seem characteristic of a battle... The reduced visibility prevents you from seeing the scene of the battle, form now, but by continuing along the road, you would probably risk finding yourself in the middle of it soon.

What to do?

Roxana had seemed to thoroughly enjoy the dancing at the Fuzzy Quarterstaff.  She decides to decline the offer to accompany Rash to his tribe with the remaining prisoner.  Given some free time, she would likely suggest to Gaer spending a little time riding out to the west of Longsaddle.  Just day trips to ride out, scout the route, and return to Longsaddle.  Perhaps she might be convinced to spend one night camped out to make a longer journey.  

Her parents and brother had returned home to the farm.  At some point Roxana would drag Gaer to visit the rest of her family for a dinner.  (Especially after Olivia telling them all about the Tiefling that Roxana has been hanging out with now!)  Quinn was a strong boy, training to be a blacksmith.  He was probably the most suspicious of his sister's new beau.  But in general, the family was very welcoming to Gaer.  

Roxana & Gaer

Gaer is happy to accompany Roxana on trips into the wilderness! Especially since, during one of these journeys, a hawk with crimson feathers glides gently from the sky towards him... who, as if responding to an inaudible stimulus, looks at him, sees him... holds out his leather gloved hand... and the hawk lands on it.

"It's a Blood Hawk..." murmurs the tiefling ranger "It's impossible to be mistaken, with those crimson feathers... It's a predator with an aggressive nature, which fearlessly attacks almost any animal, stabbing it with its daggerlike beak! He abandoned his flock..." those solid-black eyes rise to look at the sky, where the other birds of prey are continuing their flight "...to stay with me! I feel... I feel something, I feel a connection with him".

In fact, although the predatory gaze seems to indicate that the beast is ready for action at any moment, the Blood Hawk continues to rest on Gaer's hand, without showing signs of wanting to separate from him. He smiles at the beast, then at Roxana: "Looks like we have a new friend! Any advice on what name to give him?"

From that day on, the hawk and Gaer are almost always together. If the beast is not in the tiefling's hands, it is in flight... but it never strays too far from him. The animal seems to understand the ranger perfectly - when he asks it to do something, it tries to satisfy him with admirable dedication, making the best use of its abilities.

Over the course of the family dinner, Gaer is pleasantly surprised to find Roxana's family very welcoming to him... He had feared that the family members would not be particularly thrilled to learn that Roxana was hanging out with a 'devilspawn' adventurer... Who knows? Perhaps the fact that he is part of the group of Longsaddle heroes that everyone talks about has contributed to making him less suspicious... However, during that evening, the ranger feels for the first time in who knows how many years the warmth of inclusion in a family... he probably smiles more times that evening than he has done in recent years and, in the end, he feels almost moved.

Party of Four - Lathender Temple:

The 'Gang of Four' chooses the strategy of prudence and abandons the road, making a wide detour to avoid the area of possible problems.

The rest of the day is uneventful, except for the wind which progressively increases, becoming colder and more annoying.

The following day is decidedly less austere, with a light blue sky from which the wind of the day before has evidently swept away all the clouds, leaving a shy sun that mitigates the cold.

When you are about to arrive at Red Larch, you come across two people, a robust man with a thick beard, who must have accumulated a good number of years without having taken away his vigor, and a much younger and more graceful woman, with well-groomed appearance and clothing. The two were talking to each other, but when they see you arriving they turn towards you.

"Welcome, strangers!" the woman is the first to speak to you "Have you come to pray at the Allfaiths Shrine?"

"Even if it wasn't your intention," the man adds "it might be a good idea... Who doesn't need the protection of the gods these days? Or to exchange some information on the latest news?"

"Welmet" says Aidwyn. "We are just travelers passing by. Thank you for your recommendation where is this Shrine?" she asks politely 

Roxana & Gaer

Roxana is enraptured by the crimson-feathered hawk. "Surely I cannot name it!  It belongs to you, dear." Given a little time, she does offer up suggestions though. "Blaze would be an interesting name."  Later she muses, "Ruby would be cute for a girl. Is it a girl? It isn't though, right?"  Even later she says, "Oh! Altan sounds good for a name. Look at him, he looks like an Altan, right? Or... of course you probably have better names than I do." 

After the dinner with her family, Roxana seemed relieved. Alone with Gaer she says, "I'm sorry if Quinn was a bit too much. But I think everyone enjoyed having you." She grins, "And it seems you're already invited back again next week!"  

Party of Four - Lathender Temple:

"Brave travellers..." comments the man "...who fear neither the weather nor the dangers of the road. You come from north. From Westbridge perhaps? Have you had problems with the orc raiders? Usually they don't dare disturb us... but yesterday, a band of them was spotted nearby. Our archers moved to intercept them".

"One thing at a time, Imdarr..." the woman sighs "They asked about the Shrine..." she then turns to Aidwyn, with a beautiful smile that makes Solitude frown slightly "Allfaiths Shrine is located here in Red Larch... on the western side of the Long Road, south of the Swinging Sword Inn. It will be a pleasure to accompany you there! I am Lymmura of Selune. I take care of the shrine together with my friend Imdarr of Tempus, whose curiosity you have surely already noticed by now. And if you are surprised by the fact that we serve two different deities, well, consider that the shrine is not called 'Allfaiths' for nothing..."

"It's not just curiosity, Lymmura..." Imdarr snorts in the meantime "Exchanging news is as much beneficial to travelers as it is to us locals! Or am I wrong?" he turns to look at Aidwyn again.

Meanwhile, they have both already begun to guide you towards Red Larch, whose first houses appear as soon as you turn a nearby bend... and towards this 'Allfaiths Shrine', presumably.

Roxana & Gaer

Gaer finds out that the Blood Hawk is... ( 1 = female, 2 = male ) 1

Roxana & Gaer

...a girl, of course.

"'Altan' sounds imposing and fascinating," Gare conceeds "but it seems that your first hypothesis was correct: it's a girl! So, yes, 'Ruby' might be nicer... 'Rubybreeze', maybe? (So it will be 'Ruby' for short)?"

After the dinner: "Quinn... too much?" the tiefling smiles "I'd better not tell you what plans the brothers of the girls I was interested in usually had for me..."

He takes a moment to put his hands on Roxana's hips and look into her beautiful blue eyes: "Invited back again next week?" in his solid-black eyes starless-night seems to shimmer... emotion? Is she really getting emotional? "I don't understand how they can accept me like this... Many families would see me as the person who put strange ideas in their little girl's head... Who made her leave a secure job as a cook for a much more dangerous life... They are really... I mean, I... I don't... But sure... Well..." for a while, the ranger loses the ability to compose meaningful sentences - but in the end he manages to say, simply "...They are really fantastic. It's been a long time since I felt the warmth of a family".

On hearing of the Allfaiths shrine, Quspira's eyes fill with warmth.  "That sounds like a wonderful shrine!  And much needed these days.  And since my own goddess is one of the more tolerant in Toril I'd imagine She would be pleased if I prayed there.  -- At least I think Her tolerant and accepting, though some of Her ... other followers may differ.  But they'll have to explain to me how the rigidly narrow bigot they'd make Her out to be not only accepts a half-devil watch sergeant without a single drop of elven blood as Her priestess, but then makes that priestess Her instrument in bringing back love and joy where before there was only sorrow and death."