"Rezmir... that's an easy name to remember," Serge says quietly.

"And did you say they were seeking dracoliches?  As in... undead dragons?  Did this seem to you to be mere zealots' conceit?  Or did they actually commune and work with such monsters?"

"No, you are mistaken they control dracoliches" says Bay

Serge runs a hand over his face and then through his hair.  "Of course they do," he says bleakly.

Seeing that the great raccoon baggage train robbery has been thwarted, he rises to resume a patrol.  He says to Bay as he leaves, "Continue to look out for your brother.  Good night."

[Serge will take 3rd watch again, or will accept any other shift.  He will patrol the mid-point of the line of wagons, never going to far toward either end (so as never to be too far away from any given point on the line).  He will use light on his shield so he can see in between the campfires.]

     Unless Ixses' morals get riled up, Zeds is fine with Krackle's idea of feeding Junior some fresh meat.  Survival of the fittest and all that.  He's not eager to watch chow time but he is totally in favor of keeping Junior well fed and on their side.  Raccoons never did him any favors.

     "So... these cultists...  They're not worshipping dragons but controlling them?" Zeds asks, a bit startled and confused.  "And undead one at that??"

     "That makes them even worse than we thought.  Doesn't it?" Zeds asks, looking to those to his left and his right.  "Shit."

     Zeds, on his watch, is going to pass by Bay and his brother quite often.  He's buying the story that they come from a family of the cultists but are not members themselves.. But it was be silly not to keep an eye on them.  He has been wrong before.

Quote from Kaemgen >>

     Unless Ixses' morals get riled up, 

Ixsas offers no opposition, and if anyone checks with him, he seems confused why he's even being asked.  "Why would one of the church's Burning Braziers object? Such beasts are not the concern of the Lord of Flames."  Then again, you get the impression that he might say much the same about any person who isn't a follower of Kossuth or a potential recruit.

Krackle carefully picks up a sleeping racoon and moves to feed it to the giant lizard.

The racoon wakes briefly to see the giant lizard chomp onto its body. A muffle squeal can be heard before it becomes a tasty morsel for Krackle Jr. 

The rest of the night us uneventful as Bay sleeps next to Toren. 

In the morning Toren wakes looking well rested though he still seems worried about something. 

Malfa makes a quick breakfast of porridge, and the camp is broken up. 

The caravan moves slowly towards the ruined settlement and approaches the river. Mose of the homes are in different stats of dilapidation, but one building still stands more or less intact. It seems to have been shrine to Chauntea the goddess of agriculture. Some of the doors are broken as if by a creature with great strength.

The river spans 50 ft and seems rather shallow near the ruined settlement. 

(The image below has a bridge but, in this settlement, there is no bridge)

Everyone please roll Perception

Quote from Weathervision >>

The rest of the night us uneventful as Bay sleeps next to Toren. 

((OOC: I marked off a long rest and prepared Ixsas's spells for the day, swapping Detect Poison and Disease for Silence.))

Ixsas: Perception 16

Serge keeps his eyes up for movement, or for any eyes watching them from the ruins of the old settlement.  While trolls are still top of mind, these ramshackle buildings so close to the road could make a good site for an ambush.

He looks upon the shrine of Chauntea.  While his family has always held Helm most closely to their hearts, they respect all the good-aligned powers.  He wonders if some pilgrim might be maintaining the shrine, or of perhaps some measure of the Goddess of Agriculture's power holds back the elements from collapsing the building.

Perception:  16

Krackle rides on top of Jr instead or in the driver's seat of his carriage. He keeps his eyes peeled for threats while keeping himself ready to disconnect Jr. from his harness at a moments notice in case of attack.

perception 22

Zeds Perception:  13

     Zeds makes a point of trying to buddy up to Toren... And Bay as well as it seems they are always together.  He plays it slow and subtle though, not bringing up dragon cults or dracoliches or tattoos or anything but instead trying to keep the conversation light and brief.  Trying to play the long game of befriending the brothers so that he hopefully can gain their trust and confidence before the journey is over.

     He's not a trained tracker or scout or any such thing, Zeds prefers the inside of bars than tramping around in the out of doors, but he does what he can to look for tracks or paths worn into the grass from use.  Mostly trying to see if anyone is still living here or coming here often enough to maybe be here now.  "Probably a waste of time to search the buildings but we should keep an eye out," he notes to himself and whoever may be around when it occurs to him.  

Ixsas, Serge, and Krackle notices the glint of steel and several crossbows in the ruined homes by the road. Clear signs of an ambush ahead. Now they could have attacked straight away but they haven't.

Perhaps they are waiting for the caravan to progress forward and ford the river or something else is staying their hands. 

Upon closer inspection everyone can see that the Shrine has been cleaned and there are signs of some repair done. 

Not willing to wait another second, Serge draws his sword.  He continues to walk alongside the caravan, but he looks at the nearest building where he has spotted ambushers.

"Hail!  We can see you there, so there is no reason to hide.  What are your intentions?  We seek no quarrel, but will give it in return if offered!"

In addition to putting the bandits (?) on notice, he intends it as a warning for anyone else in the caravan who hasn't seen their new neighbors yet.

Krackle motions for Jr. to stop.amdmhe quickly unhooks the beast from the carriage.. "we.may need to move fast.ok" The kobold says to the giant lizard.

     Immediately upon Serge calling out, Zeds shifts over to the side to dive into whatever foliage or cover may be available.  Always best to attack from the shadows if possible...

Stealth: 17

Having seen the signs of an ambush from bandits (or new villagers?), Ixsas was already making his way toward Serge.  When Serge calls out to the hidden figures, Ixsas gestures to those in the nearest wagons, saying quietly, "Stop here.  Keep out of sight.  Hide on the that side of the wagons until we know it's safe."  Then he comes to stand next to Serge.  Ixsas briefly puts a hand on Serge's shoulder as if to steady himself as he hoists his shield in front of him, but Serge hears Ixsas whispering a brief prayer and feels a warm confidence wash over him. 

Movement: Moving up to 30 ft. to stand near Serge
Action: Cast spell Guidance on Serge, target may roll 1d4 to add to one ability check before the spell ends.
Free Action: Talking to the caravanners

Concentration: Guidance round 1 of 10

A scarred elven man wielding a hook blade steps out from one of the ruined homes. He plants himself in front of the caravan. In common he says "If you plan to ford the river here then there is a toll to pay. 500 gp or most of your supplies, then your free to pass."

Faelsin and the others do as instructed and leaves this situation to the party.