The bard nodded his head at the suggestion that they might not have much time to waste. "Excuse me, I'll be back shortly," he said as he also went to retrieve his things from the inn, just in case their makeshift group decided to head out at once.

(( I'm going to guess that Flèche missed the body being picked up? ))

Bryskin breaks away from Vaalsh and begins stealthily stalking the figure, hoping to stay out of notice and judge if the creature is a threat. 

Outside is miserable, completely and utterly miserable. It was sunny only a few minutes ago, and now the cloud of smoke has blotted out the sun and rain falls ever so lightly Not too much to be noticeable, but just enough to be obnoxious.

Bryskin, the figure begins to slowly make its way into the woods. However, under the cloak of fog it makes it slightly difficult to see what it's doing from a distance. However, as you approach, it looks like it's... skipping? It's completely and totally oblivious, and is skipping merrily like a child who just left the candy store. 

Kiafra, the elder scratches his beard in thought. "A family of halflings? Hm... I'm afraid I don't recall much... but we once had a family who lived here many years ago, and then left for the clouds. I can't  say I know much about the child, but it could be the family you've been looking for. But, again, my apologies. I don't know all that much 'bout the circumstance. I should have a book of family names around here somehwere..."

Fléche, unfortunately, you do miss the sight.

Kiafra listens intently to Crowbeak, then nods firmly as he finishes, before levering himself up using the handle of his warhammer.

"The clouds? I am not familiar with it. If you will look in your book, and find out what you can about who they were and exactly where they went whilst I am gone, then I will take your warning to Follasach and look into the goings on in Corcairdhearg", he says, before spitting on his hand and holding it out ready to shake on their deal.

Vaalsh returns from the tavern, properly dressed for travel this time. She looks around at the people around the elders house, expectantly. "Does anyone know the way to the witch? That is, if everyone is alright with visiting her first."

Bryskin is going to scan the area around the creature for anything flammable, and once he finds something he is going to fire bolt it, hoping to catch it on fire without revealing his position. 

OOC: fire bolt 19 to hit, 6 fire damage. Stealth check w/ disadvantage 21. 

Having retrieved his gear, Flèche left the tavern and came back to the elder's place just as Vaalsh spoke.

Quote from Preyfire >>

"Does anyone know the way to the witch? That is, if everyone is alright with visiting her first."

"Ah, a sensible idea," he nodded, "although we seem to be quite the discordant group. The rougish member of our troupe ran off earlier, I'm not even sure where to. Shall I join you in seeking this witch? If so, I'll alert those still inside with the elder first, so they'll know where we are... some want to leave quite soon."

The bard smiled, then gestured in an exaggerated fashion, and a parrot-like voice squawked from thin air in front of them, "Message for the party, arr!"

(( If Vaalsh accepts his company, Flèche will use Minor Illusion to announce to those inside where the two of them are going, and then will head off with her. If not, I'll post other actions for him. ))

Vaalsh feels some vague sense of discomfort in the company of Flèche, the source of which she isn't so sure of herself, but she pulls herself together, thinking 'You can't just always do everything yourself. This seems like a task that others can help with.'

So she nods, putting on a thin smile, and will wait to see if any others want to join them. In the meantime, she glowers at the sky, as if willing it to turn back into a normal color.

Quote from RippedRhinoVikings >>

OOC: fire bolt 19 to hit, 6 fire damage. Stealth check w/ disadvantage 21. 

 I love being a rogue lol

The rain comes down slightly harder, a small wind beginning to pick up as the small rainstorm carries on. What a horrible night summer day for a curse.

Kiafra, Crowbeak chuckles and goes to his cabinet, digging around for the book of names. "The clouds. Why else would the hoity toity folks up there call us 'the Sodom below'?" He stifles a second laugh before coughing and returning to his seat. Opening the book, he goes through it fairly slowly. Might take him a while. 

Bryskin, with a loud yelp, the figure lets go of the cart it's carrying and fans the flame on the cart, trying its best to blow it out. "Damned flame! Go back to being dry! Hey, hey! Stop!" The figure, upon a little bit close of an inspection, doesn't seem too fair off from a human. Nothing like one of those monsters from before. The wood is fairly thick, filled with twisting vines and creepers. It's a miracle that shot was made.

"The Clouds means Follasach then?", Kiafra asks making sure he got the gist of Crowbeak's meaning correct. "Very well, that makes it easier. I will leave you to your book, and see about this witch whilst you read".

With that said, he wanders outside, finding Vaalsh and Flèche.

"I am ready to seek out this witch".

Bryskin begins stealthily sneaking towards the figure, hoping to see what it is as he get's closer, hoping the flaming cart was enough to allow him to catch up. 

OOC: @TemmiChang lmk if I need to roll another stealth check, I don't want to feel like I'm flaunting a +12 to stealth too much lol.

(( @DM: Did anyone respond to Vaalsh's question about the whereabouts of the witch? ))

((@Everyone: My apologies for a late reply! Got exams.))

((@RodTheBard: I don't believe so? I think I had Crowbeak say where she was a few posts ago.))

Bryskin, thankfully, the figure does not notice your approach. It's too busy smacking the flame son the bodies it has piled up in its cart. With a nervous grunt, it calls out; "Fhithich! The cart! It's on fire!" With those words, a small raven hops off of a branch and unfurls into a more humanoid shape. "Shhhh. Be quiet. You'll wake up the townsfolk.

Crowbeak looks up from his book and leaves the house, nodding to the newly formed group with a smile on his face. "Listen, all of you. Before you all leave, the witch lies in the woods. It's a nasty place where her hut lies. Slimy an' all that."

"Just point the way, I am sure we can all handle a little slime", Kiafra replies to Crowbeak.

He looks to the others to see their reaction to his statement about slime.

Insight: 11+7=18 (Just for fun, seeing who is squeamish about getting messy)

The bard nodded towards Kiafra and followed after towards the woods.

(( I don't think Flèche would be squeamish, so I can just straightway point out that he'd be unfazed. ))

The right side of Vaalshs nose is crinkling at the mention of slime, clealy noticed by Kiafra.

The satyr groans. "Why is there slime in the forest? Does she live in a swamp? Well, if you, elder, met with her, I suppose there is a path we can follow that is relatively safe?"

She then looks to the others, waiting to see them all gathered.

"I suppose we should be off as soon as possible? Wait, where has that former pirate slunk off to again?"

Crowbeak chortles a little bit to himself, before clearing his throat and looking to Vaalsh. "Yes, yes. She does live in a swampy part of the forest. A shame, really. I can't remember the exact way I took, but there is a settlement nearby her home. The path there is rather straightforward, one-way for the most part." 

Launch Mechtune finishes up the ritual to create the artificer infused bag of holding.  With blacksmith tongs, she places the wriggling flesh in the bag.  Evidence collected, she heads out to the road to prepare for travel.

Bryskin sneaks up behind the two figures, stands up, and says, "Now what would you two be doing here?" As he holds his rapier in front of him.