Seeing several of her companions decide to call it a day Twinkleblossum decides to take the first watch.

"Everyone get some shut-eye. I'll stand first watch."

Ludwig continues to counsel Endra for the time being. Leaning against one of the logs, he too feels sleepy. It then that he is jolted away by the sounds of Mildred, Sanna, and Mudface returning. "What the **** happened here?!" shouts the usually straight-faced tabaxi, Mudface. Then he covers his mouth instantly, "Oh, man, um sorry."

"What- um" Mudface looks down upon the body of Rikard. "... what is that?" He sort of sniffs the air, "It smells like... fish... and sulfur?"

The tabaxi sort of licks his lips, then realizes that is weird and just rubs his left arm. "Um, yay, we're back?" Mildred snorts and pats him on the back (with the arm without any wood in them) a bit too much force that Mudface almost falls forward. "Looks like ya've seen the firsthand 'ffects of them contaminations. Tsk." The bugbear shakes his head, "Ain't that just the thing."

Ludwig narrows his eyes. "Wha- what does that mean?" He also looks around the campfire to see if anybody recognizes these guys. It seems you do (obviously).

"The delirium. Ya shouldn't of touched it with yer hands ya know. Ain't nobody be touching thats without them gloves." 

"Wh- well whatever. We're not going back there anyways." "Okay. Was just lets yas know."

Mildred and Sanna go dump the wood they found in the fire. Mudface too, but he trips first, never letting his eyes off the dead Rikard. 

The trio settle into their old cart (they buried Hosh in the woods just now too so the cart is now empty). Except both Ludwig and Endra hang back and stay by the fire. They don't bury Rikard's body. They just wait for it to slowly disintegrate, which it does. Into a pile of ooze. Eventually Endra falls asleep there. Ludwig doesn't get much shut eye. Looking over at Twinkleblossum then back at the fire, he sighs. "'You know, I've lived a life of money. All you can ever have. Then I got cut off. I always had to keep searching. But now. I didn't think I could lose so much in one night."  

Your hodgepodge of a crew ride in the caravan along a bumpy road. Ludwig and Endra had bade you ado as they set off away from Drakkenheim in the morning. Endra had re-wildshaped into a horse and they took that. Fun.

Welcome to Emberwood Village

A rainstorm comes through and swift. It hails and its a drencher. The roof of the caravan near sinks in from the water. Eren has to go drain out a couple times, so you guys stop more than a couple dozen times before you all make it. The ride to the ways out to Emberwood Village is bumpy. Aside from a couple crows cawing, there is literally no other noise. Even Eren is uncharacteristically silent.

"Hey there, Scare." They ruffle the hair of the little girl who smiles and brushes their fingers off their hair. "Ain't you always something."

The girl only giggles. The draft horse whinnies and nuzzles her. "Okay, Bacon Grease." Eren just shrugs with a smirk. They then fiddle through their bag.

'Well here's yalls money." They hand you 25 gold pieces each. "Thanks for being there thoughs all this. It's been a hell of a lot. Be careful out there." They tip their leather cap at you. "I'lls visits yalls at the Bark and Buzzard if that's where you'll happens to go. Other than that I'm sures Little Miss Scares over here knows where to take ya. She's quite the perceptive one. And the haggler." Eren leaves you all off here and hitches their caravan elsewhere in the village. Mildred, Sanna, and Mudface wave to you guys as they stay in Eren's caravan.

The girl steps up right in front of all of you and reaches out with her hand. 

"Howdy! I'm Crowe. Emma Crowe. Of Crowe and Sons Smithy!" She tips her small hat that looks just like Eren's. "And I'm open for tours!" She points to a very official looking scrap of paper that is pinned to her chest that says 'tour guide'.

"For one coin. That's all"

Sarűmir, who had reverted to human form before he fell asleep last night, mounts his newly acquired warhorse (which he named Takeo) and trots up beside Scare.

"Hello, young miss. Would you happen to know where a weapons shop is, and then perhaps a place to get some decent ale?"

He digs around in his pouch for a few moments, then tosses her a single gold piece.

Hearing Ludwig's lamentation of loss during her watch Twinkleblossum will offer her condolences, "I am sorry for your loss but you still live. I'm sure your friend would want you to remember the good times you shared and not dwell on the tragedy." After her watch she will wake Sarumir to take over the watch and then get some rest herself.

 

Back at the campsite, Ludwig thanked Twinkleblossum for her kindness. "Thanks." A deflate sigh, "Yeah... I guess. Rik, heh, he was quite the card. I've never met anyone as funny as him." He pats you on the back, and hands you a Charlatan's die. "It's all I've got. I'm not gambling no more. I wish you all the best of luck on your journey." 

Upon reaching Emberwood Village and getting paid by Eren she bids him farewell and follows Sarumir when he talks to Emma Crowe and hires her as tour guide. Twinkleblossum will trail along flying 10 feet above the ground. "I would like to get some more daggers. What are you looking for Sarumir?"

 

 

Emma catches the gold piece in the air like a football star. She clasps it with both hands and puts her fists up in the air like a 'woohoo!'. "Thanks!"

"Weapons?" Emma looks up at you gleefully, "My dad's a smithy!!! And of course, I'm his apprentice. You've come to just the right place!!! I can show you over there now! Usually I got there at the end but I can bring you now!"

You guys pass along several old buildings and dilapidated cottages. One especially sticks out the most.  It is a two-story brick manor with the ashy sullen windows flung open. The surrounding stone fence looks to be missing a few pieces. The grass growing around it is in patches and looks untamed- nearly at waist level. Emma describes it as the Eveningtide Manor. "Don't go there." She says, narrowly avoiding it.

This smithy is little more than a one-level log cabin with an overhanging thatched roof covering a workbench, stone forge, anvil, and grinding wheel. Various tools hang along the walls beside several finished weapons. The elder Crowe is a quiet family man who stands six feet tall with fiery red hair and beard. He’s drenched in sweat and soot, and is currently wearing a greasy pair of old goggles. 

"DAD! DAD DAD DAD DAD!"

"Yes, pumpkin?" Her dad swivels his head around from the stone forge he was working at and brings down his goggles.

"LOOK AT THESE NEW FRIENDS I MADE! They gave me a gold coin!" Her dad looks to all of you and grins, "I see that, sweetheart." Putting down a fire poker, he puts his had out in front of all you to shake it. "Nice to make your acquaintance. Name's Tobias Crowe. What can I do to be of service?"

Before they had set off for the smithy, Sarűmir had turned to Twinkleblossum and answered her question.

"Swords, shields, anything that may be of use. I do not think my maul alone will be sufficient for what awaits us in Drakkenheim."

--------------------------------------------

Sarűmir hops off his horse and shakes the man's hand. One thing the man notices is that Sarűmir has an unnaturally strong handshake, stronger than a normal man should be able to have. But then again, Sarűmir isn't a normal man.

"Good day, sir. Would you be able to show me your selection of weapons? Me and my companions are traveling to Drakkenheim, and I fear we may need some more protection than we already have."

Sanimar shakes Emma's hand and agrees a weapon shop would be a good first stop. Once at the smithy "Well me sir smith I want to sell some of extra gear we picked up along the way here. By any chance are you interested in several leather armors, scimitars, and crossbows?" 

I'll meet up with you all at the inn, I'm going to visit the temple for a bit. point my horse in the direction of the temple...

When shaking Twinkleblossum's hand he actually moves her up and down in the air (since she has no purchase, not being planted on the ground) and although his first instinct is to let go, it quickly turns to a small comical joy seeing that he is not hurting her.

"Yes please! I am particularly interested in your selection of knives and daggers."

When Tobias shakes Sarűmir's hand he raises his eyebrows at first then lets out an approving huff, seemingly 'dad speak' for 'I like this guy.' "You've got an arm on you, I see." He chuckles before moving on. With Twinkleblossum, he too almost lets go for fear of hurting her with his strong grip but also gets a good laugh at seeing her move up and down. He finds quite cute and endearing, and even his daughter laughs. You remind her of how ducks float on water (at least that's from what she's heard. She's never seen any live ducks from around here).

Tobias nods at all three of your comments. "Of course. Sorry, you know up here Emberwood- since we don't get much resources and all- it's going to be double than what's you all used to from. Seeing that you got stuff to trade- I'll count the leather armor, bows, and 'tars- that's about 77 in gold." He stretches.

"Knives 'bout 4 in silver and daggers 4 gold."

What you'll get with the weapons  + armor you have 

2 scimitars = 25 gp 

3 crossbows = 37 gp

3 leather armors = 15 gp

Total = 77 gp

"Well, now that that's settled, do you happen to have any swords or shields? I'm not usually one for daggers, more inclined to heavier weapons if ya catch my meaning."

Sarűmir glances around the shop as he says this, looking for anything that may be of value.

Perception: 1

Sanimar does not need new weapons at the moment, so she waits patiently until Sarumir finishes and then she asks Emma to lead her to a general store or herbalist shop as she is seeking Alchemist Supplies. 

"The daggers look very nice. Can I get 5 of them?" If allowed to examine one Twinkleblossum will heft it and pass it back and forth from her right hand to her left and back again in order to judge it's weight and balance. Her handling of the weapon can leave no doubt in anyone's mind who witnesses her expert manipulation that she is a master of that weapon. "This is excellent craftsmanship indeed!"

(If so I will remove 20 gold from my character sheet and add the 5 to the 3 I already have for a grand total of 8 daggers.)

"Mmmhmm." Tobias nods, gesturing over at his collection of dagger which he lets Twinkeblossum assess. "Thank you. My parents, my grandparents were all smithies. I've been learning to be a smithy since I was wee boy, and I learn something everyday. The lick of the fire, the hearth of the flame. The way you wrangle and rough out the iron to make what you want it. There's just not anything like it."

"And it puts food on the table."

Twinkleblossum's Inventory 

+ 5 daggers

- 20 gold

Looking over at his collection of various weapons and shields, Tobias repeats that it is twice as much as it usually is. He also explains that any plated armor is "Made-to-Order" and "If you pay now. I'll have it in four weeks.  The craft is meticulous and at its own pace. You can not rush perfection".

((It's double the cost listed below. Armor is custom made, TRIPLE THE PRICE, and would be available four weeks in game time))

"If everyone doesn't mind, I'd like to purchase a longsword and shield."

Sanimar give a thumbs up to Sarumir. "Sounds like a good investment Sarumir" 

"Alright then."

He reaches into the party's pouch and pulls out 50 gold pieces, then holds them out to Tobias.

@Sarűmir

"Of course." Tobias takes all of Sarűmir's the party purse money and takes only the two scimitars, and hands the team back 25 gold pieces. "I'm no bank so that's all I would take. Ain't got much use for the crossbows and the leather. Especially used. Nothing much I can salvage it for, so you might best find your luck trading it elsewhere." He hands you the longsword and the shield. 

@Sanimar

"Herbs? Like magic stuff?!" Emma jumps up and down, then looks over at her father and covers her mouth. She says in a whisper. "I guess you can try... uh they say the guy's pretty weird..." Emma looks away and rubs her arm, "But I guess I can show you.... They call him 'Aldor the Immense.' ... He kinda freaks me out." But she leads you to him anyways, somehow going back to a more jovial mood as she skips all the over to Caravan Court. 

It seems a marketplace has sprung up surrounding what looks to be a boarded-up water well in the village square.The sign atop, blazed in yellow and purple paint (interesting choice of color scheme) and is aptly labeled 'Caravan Court.' So course, there is a vast array of caravans, wagons, canvas tents, and makeshift stalls is the hub of commerce for adventurers, scavengers, and prospectors looking to make their fortune in Drakkenheim. Emma explains that dozens of canny merchants have set up shop here to cater to the needs of the factions and explorers.

One stands out in particular. There is a covered carriage decorated with gold filigree and glimmering lanterns. Hitched beside it are two great steel-skinned oxen that exhale green fumes from their snouts. They prod the ground their hooves. Three lanky attendants garbed in light armor and carrying crossbows stand guard.

Seated before the carriage on a buckling wooden chair is that massive human man, who must be nearly seven feet tall and almost as wide.

He is garbed in masterfully tailored jet-black silk: a frilled doublet, padded breeches, and riding gloves, all worn under a great fur-lined cloak, topped with a feathered cap. Each piece is delicately embroidered with elegant silver trim. The smell of fine tobacco mixed with perfume hangs in the air around him.

He puffs out smoke from a fine black pipe.

"That's the guy..." Emma points, staying as far away as possible.

Sanimar needs to convert what they picked up into coins as what she wishes to buy is rather expensive and she begins asking the merchants at the Caravan Court to see if any wish to purchase leather armors and crossbows. "Anyone here interested in leather armors and crossbows?" 

If none are interested, she will approach any random person that may be an adventurer or guard

"I'll meet up with you all at the inn, I'm going to visit the temple for a bit." point my horse in the direction of the temple...

 

 

@Lara 

You leave the group and head for the Chapel. Emma instructs you on the directions towards the place. "They'll be this way.. and that. Then you take a left. And when you see that ugly house that's when you'll find it." And before you go, "Okay byyeeeee!"

Located at the heart of Emberwood Village is the said small chapel of the Sacred Flame. The circular field-stone building has a copper domed rooftop, thin windows set with stained glass, and simple wooden double doors. Outside is a small crematory garden and scattering plot for the ashes of the dead. It serves as a peaceful place of quiet worship in the harsh wasteland surrounding Drakkenheim.

By the door, a young women tends to the stained windows, cleaning them with a bucket and a rag. She wears a simple white and yellow frock emblazoned with the symbol of the Sacred Flame, a yellow ball of endless fire. Her black hair is tied back in a braid. She turns to see you when you walk up, but then goes back to cleaning until she turns to look at you again. "Oh! Hello!"

She bows then eyes your paladin clothing, "I am Flamekeeper Hanna, the caretaker of this chapel. May I provide you with a scared prayer before your journey? Often I find it that those who are blessed more often than not come back." She tilts her head towards the direction of the dark city.

Bringing you inside you see three more people kneeling before a bronze brazier of the Sacred Flame, alight with golden fire (one that apparently that burns all night and day as Hanna informs you). The two men are adorned with knightly armor and a crest of a flaming chalice upon their shields. The one in the middle, a stout woman in her late forties with a warm smile, rounded features, and braided hair, does a small sign of the Flame (a procedure that goes tapping eyes to hand on heart to open arms 'we open up our eyes and light up our hearts to light the way for others through our hearth.'). The middle women also wears the flowing yellow and white robes as any cleric of the Sacred Flame. She picks up her silver staff that was laying beside her and gets up before seeing Hanna and then kneels down again before the statute. The flame at the end of her staff curiously burns but never scorches anything it touches.

Flamekeeper Hanna goes to kneel beside them and flicks her head to let you know to follow. 

Perform the sign of the flame and kneel to receive the blessing. 

Sanimar needs to convert what they picked up into coins as what she wishes to buy is rather expensive and she begins asking the merchants at the Caravan Court to see if any wish to purchase leather armors and crossbows. "Anyone here interested in leather armors and crossbows?" 

If none are interested, she will approach any random person that may be an adventurer or guard

@Sanimar

Some merchant from a purple and green stall 50 yards from you flags you over. "Sure, yeah I can take it off your hands." 

"Stuff's been used, right? ... I'll take it at half price. Each leather for 5 and them crossy-bows they be 12." She counts up your items, "That'll be bout then 51 in total."

@Lara

Hanna smiles with approval.

"In the name of the Hearth, we spread our compassion to those who need the light along the way. For the flame does not discourage, but enlighten and leaven the day."

"The Lantern opens our eyes so we make seek the truth. And our Flame breathe fire onto our hope. We are called upon to feed the hungry and shelter the poor. We seek the justice against all odds and uphold the Torch. Protectors of the meek and weak, to our scared oath we do declare. May the Flame bless thee-" Hanna looks up surprised.

"...and all those so they all shall not despair." The other women, joins along with her in her blessing. She holds her flamed silver staff on top of you and puts it towards your chest. "You burn bright, young one. May I ask what is your name?"

Sanimar is elated that she can shift the looted items "That is a deal and thank you sir for coins" 

She then heads over to Aldor the Immense and upon seeing all the finery she approaches him with a bit of respect. Sanimar approaches a guard as she thinks she may be stopped if she just waltzes on up to Aldor the Immense "I wish to procure alchemist supplies. Can that be purchased here?" 

From where she stands, she admires the steel oxen. Now these beauties are a work of art. She longed to take a closer look but restrains herself.