{[Just checking, are you guys traveling right now?]}

(I thought so - chatting as we go)

Flynt stomps on with dogged determination. Goddess, no Goddess, trick or no trick, the sooner he gets through this the sooner he can continue the hunt for those responsible for his brother's family deaths.

"Brilliant percussion!" Armeros remarks, already picturing how to incorporate the yuan-ti's rattling with his viol playing. "You have a very distinctive sound, Jasmine. A fine addition to our merry band."

"Speaking of which, I think someone else could do with a night off after all this is said and done," he whispers to Badger, pointing to Flynt for a moment. A fearless guide, to be sure, but mortals always ran out of steam at some point...or made a pact for more steam.

Remis checks to make he's got all his gear as he follows along. 

Quote from EmileTherese >>

"Brilliant percussion!" Armeros remarks, already picturing how to incorporate the yuan-ti's rattling with his viol playing. "You have a very distinctive sound, Jasmine. A fine addition to our merry band."

"Speaking of which, I think someone else could do with a night off after all this is said and done," he whispers to Badger, pointing to Flynt for a moment. A fearless guide, to be sure, but mortals always ran out of steam at some point...or made a pact for more steam.

 "I do believe you're right," Taxidea says to Armeros.  "Hey Flynt!  You strike me as a man who's no stranger to a barroom.  When this is all over - you know, assuming we're not all dead...or worse - we're going out drinkin'.  You in?  If you have any musical skills you can join Butterfly Death Swarm - featuring Armeros on Viol, me on panpipes, Jasmine on rattles and Remis on...I don't know...Remis, you have any musical talent?"

"Sure, Badger, sure." acquiesce Flynt. "If we make it out I'll drink with ya"

Flynt continues to look for signs they are on the right path.

(Perception: 18)

"So that's 5.  Gigantor there can probably drink more than all of us put together," Taxidea says, motioning towards Xondario, "and Jason seems like an even more serious Paladin-type than Jasmine.  What about you two?  You guys up to celebrate not dying if we manage to at least accomplish that?"

Xondario turns back to the others. He wasn't anti-social,or hated being around other people, truth be told he likes being around folks. But he always stood out and seemed to get used to working fences by himself, so he really wasn't accustomed to working with others.

"That's what I was doing back there while having my breakfast, celebrating not dying in my sleep. I find that makes breakfast taste even better then the last time I had it. I'm not much of a drinker, messes with your head too much for me, plus it makes celebrating the morning harder."

"Ah, a practical soul among us," Armeros mused, his voice smooth as ever. "It’s good to have someone who remains... centered. Especially when the rest of us might find ourselves indulging in a bit too much revelry." He gave an amused glance toward Badger and Remis.

A small smile crept onto Armeros’ lips as he shifted gears, remembering their final companion. "As for you, Jason, I believe you would make a fine lyricist if you took a break from smiting to join us. 'Hex' and 'vex', right?"

Flynt Perception: You don't really know what to look for since you aren't traveling on an actual road, but you do know you are still going in the direction she said.

As y'all keep moving, you come across a road that goes almost directly across your path. If you were to follow it to the right, it looks like it just keeps going southwest for eternity. If you were to head left, you'd curve to the right and end up going east. you can't see how long that lasts, since the trees and whatnot. Or, of course, you could continue on your path.

From the left, you hear sounds of singing and merriment. Around the corner comes a caravan of covered wagons. The covers are all bright colours, ranging from a royal blue to a cheerful yellow. There are about 7 wagons in all. As the front driver sees you, he blows a whistle and the entire caravan comes to a halt. Out of the lead wagon jumps a large man, with a long white beard. He is dressed in a bright red robe with blue trimming. On his head is an old, floppy dark green hat. He addresses the party with a laugh.
"Well, what have we here? A pack of wild travelers? what might you be doing off the road? Horsch Buttonbill at your service. Would you folks enjoy a spot of tea and ale? We have Matzo Boil stew if you'd be so inclined."

Taxidea steps out in front of the group.  "Hail and well met my good sir Buttonbill!  I am Taxidea Taxus, manager of this group of merry misfits known as Butterfly Death Swarm.  Surely you've heard of us?  Lead Viol, Armeros, Jasmine on percussion, Remis on lead vocals and I am the lead pan-flutist...pan-flautist?  I play a mean pan flute!  And those other serious looking fellows are our road crew Xondario, Flynt and Jason.   We've been booked to play several shows in this area at a venue known as the "crystal tower?"...or maybe "obsidian tower?"  Something "tower"...."Tall tower?"  Anyhooo...we have indeed found ourselves turned around in these woods and not quite sure of the best way to continue on to our desired destination.  Perhaps, over mugs of the aforementioned tea, ale and stew, you could provide us with directions to whatever towering structures might be located nearby?"

Remis watches the interaction, trying to get a read on Horsch, insight 23

"Flynt Westaire, Thank you for your offer, As for myself I'm fine. What I could use are some answers. As odd as this may sound, WHere are we and where does this road lead?" inquires Flynt.

Armeros pulls out his viol and plays a few notes of introduction, subtly using Bardic Inspiration on Badger in case he needs it to help get information from Horsch. (Add 1d6 to one ability check, attack roll, or saving throw of Badger's choosing within the next 10 minutes).

"Armeros? Well, I haven't done much in the way of singing, per say. But I do have a way with words when I do my smites and heals...as well as my hexes and curses. Once, I told a rather irritating group of tax collectors that if they did not leave a temple--and while it was of a deity I don't support, their charity for supporting ill children touches my heart!--I would curse them the 'Death of 1,000 wedgies!' They quickly left, stammering that such a thing was impossible. I asked them if they really wanted to risk it, and that I didn't care if they were male or female...they would each be cursed thus!"

As the other members of the party begin to engage with Horsch Buttonbill, Jason whispers a chant for Divine Sense: "In light and shadow, I stand tall, Guide my heart, hear my call. Celestial grace, fiendish wile, Reveal the truth; grant me a smile. With righteous sight, I seek the pure, Show me the hidden, let me be sure."

Remis insight: as far as you can tell, they are just some travelers. Maybe they are Gypsies, or something else, but you can't detect anything evil about them. Same with Jason. Divine sense pulls up no results.
"Butterfly Death Swarm, eh? First I've heard of you. But of no matter. I can surely help you reach your destination. I do not know what this towers that you speak of is, but if you do, we can help speed your on your way.
Nice to meet you Flynt. You mean to say you don't know where you are? No that's odd. Well, either way.This is Meldravia, lush land of King Lorsten IX, grandson of King Lorsten VII, great grandson of King Lorsten IV, and so on and so on. As to where this road leads, everywhere. anywhere. This is the Golden Path, named after an ooold dragon who was killed here while protecting the lands. Since then, the road never stays in one spot. You just follow it, and it'll take you where it wants. My tribe and I have spent generations following this road, trying to decipher how it thinks, what patterns it follows if any, and most importantly, how it cam to be. After all, there must be some reason it does what it does, yes?"
Even as he finishes speaking, the road behind you, that was going southwest, starts to shift, and now provides a sharp turn that will take you west.

Remis smiles at the description of the road, reminds of home. As the Ebon Tides come and go, the forest walk and the mountains wander. The land shoves rivers even cities, some distance from where they once flowed or stood.

There is movement behind Jasmine's hood. Perhaps her ears/fins move. She shakes her head. She feels that taking the road directly to where the goddess wanted them to go is going to be playing right into the supposed "goddess of all things good"'s plan. She would have hoped that the road led to some big city or town where they can take a moment to research this staff they are supposed to retrieve and the goddesses involved.