"As for myself, I'm not injured and can still cast one more spell.  And I have a bit of healing left," Hilke shares. "I think Huttmoff is right though - talking is probably our only course, but should they not be open to that, then we'd have no other options. Best we return back to report.  And then come back to speak with these folks." 

"I'm not injured but Yondalla won't grant me more favours today. I can still conjure a few small wonders but nothing comparable to what I could do after a good rest."

"OK," Dav'eed says as he considers everyone's input. "Let's head back and report, rest up, and return tomorrow. It's been a long day, and this phase should be handled with fresh legs and clear heads. Let's map our way back, too, so that we can share it with the Captain."

Dav'eed travels back with the party, recounting their day and all that had occurred. He will keep an eye out for any way to the surface, preferring to reduce their time underground in the hopes of moving faster in an environment more familiar and less dark!

As they begin to head back, Huttmoff offers healing to anyone in the party who needs it. "I was saving something just in case we had another big fight, but if anyone could use healing before we head back, I'd be happy to tend to your wounds."

Hilke walks with the others back the way they had come. Seeing Dav'eed looking for possible way to the surface, she would help. It might be quicker to be above ground. "I do think we should come back and try to talk to these folks. You suppose we'll have time today still? It's hard to keep track of what time of day it is when you're down here." 

The trip back to the surface takes longer than the trip in. The ground is familiar and now threats present themselves, but Dav'eed pauses every few minutes to fill in details on a rough map. Without venturing more than a step into any of the tributaries there are many details left unexplored.

There may be further exits down one of the side passages but the risks out way the desire. The first opportunity to leave comes when you reach the large well in the town square above. A bucket on a thin and feeble rope hangs a few dozen feet above you, the slope of the roof making it impossible to climb the walls. After a quick discussion you decide to continue on the way you came in.

The oil in the lantern begins to falter, the flame sputtering. Sucking, guttering noises echo softly, then silence. Darkness envelops you. It only takes a few more minutes to find the collapsed building and climb out into the bright morning sun. The day has just begun, the rays of light and song of birds come as a welcome respite from the dark and cold of the passages you left behind.

As they emerge from the underground labyrinth, Zelaerys breathes a sigh of relief, feeling the warmth of the morning sun on his face and hearing the sweet melody of birdsong. He turns to the group, his eyes glinting with determination. "We need to report to the guards immediately," he says, urgency lacing his voice. "Ferdy's involvement and the operation down there are crucial pieces of information. Let's make haste to the captain."

Zelaerys leads the way, quickening his pace as they head towards the guard post. Along the way, he mentally lists the supplies they will need for their next excursion. "We'll need to stock up on more torches and oil for the lantern," he notes to the group. "And I'll need to get a new backpack. Can't afford to be unprepared down there."

As they approach the guard station, Zelaerys addresses the guards with a respectful nod. "We have urgent information regarding the water diversion," he begins. "An individual named Ferdy is involved, and there's a significant operation underway in the underground ruins upriver. We believe they may have diverted the water through a portal to facilitate their excavation and that is the cause of the water shortage."

(Have we been in there all day and night? If so, I guess we are quite tired.)

Coming back into the morning sun, Hilke is a bit surprised. "It's been a full day since we left?  It certainly was hard to gauge time while down there. We'd best hurry and report what we've found so we can get some rest."

Dav'eed fills in any other information as they talk with the guard captain. He hands them the rough map, too. (But Zelaerys gave the excellent summarized version!)

His next concern is to get breakfast for the party, and then rest. After that, they could look for supplies. The next decision point for the group is - do they head back down into the tunnels that night, or wait? Pulling one night excursion would be hard on their bodies, but shifting their natural cycles would be more challenging...

Huttmoff follow the other's lead as they re-enter the town, as his appearance often makes many regular folk uncomfortable. He's used to it at this point, and only really expects open minds from people who have met him prior. 

Huttmoff tells Zelaerys, "when it is time to shop, I would like to pitch in to replace any lost items for you. That happened when you distracted that beast for the rest of us. Thank you again for your bravery."

At some point, Huttmoff will also Hilke on the shoulder and say, "you showed yourself strong and greatly helpful down there. I am glad that you have joined our group on this mission." He will grant her his Vigilant Blessing (advantage on her next Initiative Roll, it last until the next Initiative roll, or the next time Huttmoff uses Vigilant Blessing, so a Rest doesn't end it).

Also, once they have seen the morning light, but at a time that it does not interfere with what they are doing, Huttmoff will go off by himself for a bit, seated in a position with his knees pulled up to his chest, and begin a meditation to Lathander. If you any of the party are familiar with the worship of Lathander, they would recognize that this is not a normal part of conventional worship.

"Well, thank you Hutmoff," Hilke says after he provides the blessing. She had listened as the others reported in to the guard captain, just helping to fill in any details. She is also in accord with Dav'eed and tries to find a quick breakfast so that they can get to rest. 

After they finish their report, Zelaerys feels the exhaustion setting in. "Breakfast sounds like a great idea," he agrees with Dav'eed, his stomach rumbling at the thought of food. "Let's eat and then get some rest. We can decide whether or not we will be heading back down after we've had a chance to recover." As they make their way to find food, Huttmoff approaches Zelaerys with a kind offer. "Thank you, Huttmoff," Zelaerys says, deeply appreciative. "Your support means a lot. Let's make sure we're all well-prepared for the next trip."

Before they part ways, Zelaerys notices Huttmoff moving off to meditate alone. He watches for a moment, recognizing the non-conventional worship practice, but respects Huttmoff's need for personal reflection.

The Guard at the gate to the keep greets you with a smile as the sun rises gloriously behind the tower. A cough of several vagrants, tucked into the cold shade of the barbican draws your attention for a brief moment. A sickly man crawls forth, the signs of The Wasting clearly evident. "Nibs for relief" he begs. The guard shoos him away, listening to your description.

Somewhat incredulous the pair at the gate listen to your description. The details of your night, the understanding of your previous visit yesterday it begins to dawn upon the pair of the gravitas of your words. It helps when a voice, echoing from the fortifications above calls down. "Let em in if they wanted"

A fierce looking middle aged human woman strides down the back stairs of the gate house. "That be somten the Captain wanten ta hear I reckon. You hear yester eve no. Knowin I's right. Yous looking like a twice heated gruel right about now. and stinkin too all right" She eyes your group up and down before continuing, a devilish smile upon her lips. "Place you staid yester eve, still open. I send the scullery on by ta clean yous stuff eye. Canteens open if ya interested.  I have the Captain on knowin so hes ready when you coming seein him. Surin hes a wanted to talk himself, ya right." Firm in her belief of your previous stay and expecting you to know your way around the Keep on your own she gives you a wink and heads off to notify the Captain.

Hilke doesn't really know any other place in Abiershire other than the Keep. Neverwinter is where most of her time was spent, not out here in the backwater town that tries to hard to be something more than it is. A crossroads of caravans and merchants. 

You have enough time to rest, eat and resupply as needed. The armory is available to resupply the lost back pack, and used oil. They do have other supplies but anything beyond what you have lost or used will cost you. If you wish to go elsewhere to shop, or spend a little down time just describe it. Otherwise Captain Janaath will find you for a report before you leave.

"You didnt get close enough to know who they were. Yes, Ferdy you said. No I don't know any Ferdy but the description. I wonder. Along the bluffs a sharp point stands out, proud from the surrounding streets and buildings. A tower stands staid and solemn. No windows, no doors, no visitors or occupants as can be seen from the outside. A mystery really, but it has seemed a harmless one. This woman you describe, she sounds familiar, a stranger that has been seen in the markets near the tower."

He muses for a few moments. "What are you planning then. The water must be returned, no matter what they search for, the survival of thousands is clearly more important. I do not have the talent on my forces to tackle such a thing. Nor the personnel to send a force to deal with it." He paces as you have seen him do before

"This is important enough to invest in its success, I am not without resources. He reaches into his desk, pulling out a leather wrap he unrolls it upon the desk revealing a series of thin glass vials with an assortment of colored liquids. "If you will see this through, I will help your cause here and now, and the town will be in your debt if you succeed"

Captain Janaath offers you a selection of potions, lotions and oils. Each of you may choose one if you accept his request to investigate further. The tunnels you presume but he may be referring to the tower in the Bluffs district.

Potion, lotion or oil of...

1. Greater healing
2. Invisibility
3. invulnerability
4. hill giant strength
5. Heroism
6. Gaseous form

Hilke is happy to help direct the others about the keep if they need it. She grabs a quick bite and some rest, quite pleased the woman sent the scullery to clean up their things.  She is a bit vexed when the Captain provides such uncertain orders. "I presume sir, that you want us to look into restoring the water first of all?"  She gratefully looks at the offered potions. "I will of course help. I think our best course would be to try diplomacy. Speak to those working down in the tunnels and reason with them to get the flow of water restored. Surely we can find a way to convince them."  She selects a Potion of Healing (Greater). 

(nibs were copper pieces, right?)

Zelaerys pauses to give a few nibs (5) to the sickly beggar, offering a quick prayer to Yondalla for the man's better fortune. He follows Hilke and the others into the keep, grateful for the woman’s directions and the promise of rest. After settling in, Zelaerys replaces his lost backpack and supplies at the armory. Feeling refreshed, he listens to Captain Janaath and agrees with Hilke, "Yes, Captain, the water's return is our priority. Thousands rely on it." Examining the potions, Zelaerys chooses a Potion of Invulnerability. "Diplomacy is wise, Hilke, but we must be prepared for resistance. If they would abide by the authorities, they would probably had requested permission. I fear they will not listen, they will probably know that the guard is powerless to stop them."

Dav'eed is grateful for the lodging, meal, and cleaning provided. He would replenish his stack of arrows, and supplement them with an additional 10 or 20 if available. He would also seek to replace the acid-pitted rapier, with a scimitar if they have one, or another rapier or even a short sword.

With the captain, he nods his assent to their further investigations into the water situation, but notes the strange tower for later exploration! He chooses the potion of gaseous form, saying, "This could come in handy to infiltrate and scout out that excavation encampment - or the lonely tower later!"

which direction should we head from here?

"So is our plan to infiltrate?" Hilke asks. "Maybe we could find that woman in the market the Captain mentioned and see if there's some way to get sneak in with those working down there?  They surely must need people for a job that big."  If asked, she would still prefer to try a more direct approach to diplomacy.  But she is willing to work with the others' ideas. 

Zelaerys listens to Dav'eed and Hilke, nodding thoughtfully. "Dav'eed, your potion choice is excellent for sneaking around. Hilke, your idea of finding the woman in the market is worth exploring. However, Ferdy knows us and seems sharp. It would be hard to infiltrate with her around."

He continues, "I agree with a diplomatic approach. Let's have only two of us go in to talk, ready to retreat with Dimension Door if needed. This way, we minimize the risk. The rest can stay hidden nearby, ready to support."

Zelaerys glances at the group. "We can also cut our travel time by lowering ourselves through the well we passed earlier. We should leave a rope attached to climb out quickly if necessary."

He looks at his companions, "Hilke and I can go for the negotiations. Dav'eed, you and Huttmoff stay hidden but close. We'll communicate if things go south. Let’s get our supplies, some rest and then head out. The sooner we deal with this, the better. And if we go in the night, perhaps some of the group down there are sleeping and they cannot jump at us all at once. What do you think?"

"I think it's a good idea Zelaerya," Hilke says. "If something happens, at least we would not all be caught. But I'd hope we could convince them to make an allowance for the water."