Ospos says, "I can heal Dril some more if he wishes.  Otherwise, let us find safety."

Ava takes a few tentative steps forward

"Are we ready, then?

As you all begin to move on from the scene of the battle, the shadows seem to stick close to you, an unsettling phenomenon at first, until you realize it is thanks to Ava's cloaking magic. Back on the path, you find yourselves winding towards the ridge that you saw before, it's peaks now jutting above the treetops ahead. The next few hours go by uneventfully, and Xandar reports that your surroundings seem to be free of any more threats. You all notice that unlike the Feywild, this plane does seem to have cycles of day and night, as the dim sky darkens to a deep obsidian black, devoid of stars or moonlight.

This increased darkness makes the sight of light ahead all the more welcome. As you clear the edge of the forest, you can see a settlement glowing orange with lanterns and torches. Ashstone sits a few hundred feet up, set on a plateau and backed by taller crests of stone behind it. At this point the path widens back into a road, and forks: one way leading  away from the town parallel to the ridge, the other well lit and leading up to the settlement. Two sets of ramps stem up from this, lit by lanterns and each patrolled by singular figures in what looks like heavy mail armor.

"So far so good." Nean then turns to Ava and points at the two figures. "Any insights on what those are and how we can get past them? I guess we'd all prefer to do this in a diplomatic fashion. Oh... and any idea what settlement we're about to charge in there?"

"I believe that is the settlement of Ashstone, and the two figures patrolling are acting as watchmen for the settlement's protection. Once we introduce ourselves as Bounders and state our business here, they should let us through without issue."

Ospos nods, "Well, if we don't need to talk our way in, then I'll just hang back and keep an eye out."

"As you are the only full fledged Bounder among us, while we are only deputy Bounders, and you have more experience in these matters, perhaps you should lead the way Ava."

Thallan silently calls Xandar down to himself.

"Thank you my little friend, you have been a great help. Rest now."

Thallan genitally pats Xandar as he lands on Thallans shoulder.

Clermar follows toward Ashstone silently. He eyes up the two guards, taking particular interest in their armor.

Dril moves along quietly with the group, touching his tender wounds. "I hope i'm not mistaken for a zombie..." as he fingers the holes in his clothing.

Ava chuckles quietly at Dril's comment, "Lets hope that none of us are mistaken for the undead. Well, here we go."

Ava will walk to within earshot of the guard patrolling the edge of Ashstone and call out,

"Greetings! My name is Avalokitesvara Narajuna, Official Bounder for the plane of Elysium, and these are my colleagues and fellow Bounders."

 Ava gestures towards the group. "We are seeking asylum in Ashstone, as we were ambushed in the woods, and are in need of immediate care.".

Clermar: As you get closer, the light of the lantern shows that the man's armor looks quite old and worn. There are several small holes and broken links in the chain mail, and even some patches of rust. The gauntlets don't seem to match the style, and neither does the plain, dented helmet. A thick black shawl covers most of one side.

Ava: The guard gives you a look somewhere between apathy and annoyance as you speak. his skin is pale and dull, and heavily scarred on one side of his face, an appearance fitting for his dour demeanor. Without response, he draws a longsword from his side and holds it out towards you. The blade begins to glow softly, a faint purple tinge to the light, and he waves it in a slow arc before you. his eyes are glued to the blade, as if watching for some omen. Sure enough, as the point of the sword passes by Thallan, a crackling sound fills the air and violet sparks play across the surface of the weapon. The man shoots him a glare before returning the sword to its sheath. "Very well. Town healer is Old Willeren, in the church. Go on, and keep that aberration on a tight leash." he says with a gesture to Thallan.

You guess that you'd have a pretty good view of this region as you ascend the ramp, though now only a vast expanse of black is visible. Once it levels out at the top, you finally get a look at Ashstone. The town is melancholic at best, featuring squat stone and wood buildings, with low, shingled roofs. The streets are lit by lanterns, and pretty devoid of activity save for the occasional guard patrolling. Ashstone doesn't seem to have any intentional layout, You can see a town square ahead on the central street, but the alleys and passages that stem off from this are helter skelter, most of them drenched in darkness.

Thallan's eye go wide as the sword singles him out among his associates.

At the guards words Thallan becomes a little shocked.

As the group continues on up the ramp, Thallan comes along side Ava

"Ava, you and some of the other bounders we have met, seem to be familiar with my kind, with changelings."

"Are changeling's normally called aberrations? Other than my parents I've not, to my knowledge, actually meet another changeling. And I'm not full versed in our history, only what my parents would teach me."

"I've certainly never been called an aberration before. And the guard was looking for my kind, that would suggest they think I'm dangerous."

Thallan goes quiet, walking beside his companions, thinking over the revelation.

Ava: Give me a history check to recall knowledge about changelings. Also, I'll say that as a cleric you'd recognize the spell on his blade was Detect Evil and Good, which generally detects a variety of creatures, so he wasn't necessarily looking for aberrations specifically

Thallan: Give me an insight check 

Insight check: 11

Thallan: The small form of Xandar nuzzles against you, napping at the moment. It's now that you realize that the guardsman may have been referencing this strange magical beast, who's origins you barely understand yourself. Still, this revelation does little to settle you, and you absentmindedly scratch at the back of your neck, where the odd eye appeared before.

"Well if I don't feel as dour as this wretched landscape. I might need to visit this Willeren character, though I'm nearly broke proper."

Dril is mostly quiet as he takes in all of the details of Ashstone's architecture, the good, the bad, and the ugly. Looking about at the inhabitants, Dril feels the safety of civilization as well as the uneasiness of being an outsider.

"I wonder what the library is like...."

(OOC: What do the inhabitants look like?) 

History Check: 14

Ava will assume that the guard was referring to Thallan, and say as she passes

"I'll thank you not to refer to my associates in such a way, lest you gain one more problem in this town." Narrowing her eyes and making her voice very curt.

Dril: It's hard to get a sense because there are so few people out, but you gather that they are mostly humans, you spy one half elf, as well as a drunk halfling passed out on the street next to what looks like a quiet tavern. Everyone has the same weary, grey vibe as the guardsman.

Ava: The guardsman rolls his eyes at you. "Whatever you say, Miss." he says gruffly as you pass. As you enter the town and Thallan questions you about changelings, you realize that you know next to nothing about them. In your short time as a Bounder, you've only run into a couple that made themselves known. You've never heard of them referred to as aberrations though.

Answering Void "I'm not entirely sure, to be honest. I've only met a few other changelings in my travels, though I've never heard them referred to as aberrations before. I can tell you, though, that the guard used a spell meant to detect all manner of creatures, from celestial to undead, so perhaps it was simply a standard protocol. But if anyone here gives you any issues, please do not hesitate to notify me."

Answering Liafial "I can't say I have, I'm afraid. My father only took me with him on special occasions, and never to anywhere that he thought could be potentially dangerous. I'm hoping that once we get to the church, we can possibly find a lead with the Town Healer."

Entering the town, Ospos mentions, "Apathetic guards.  I have a feeling I'll be sleeping with one eye open."

Later, as the group is walking towards the church, Ospos says, "I take it we're going to see a healer because Dril is leaking all over the place?  Or is that where we're going to find someone in charge?"