“I expect we will cross paths again soon Roccar. Thank you for the rations. Please look after Poe.”

I head out in marching formation, wary for whatever malice might see our steps.

Falling in behind Aradurk, Karst moves out, ready to get back to Sundabar to make the report.

You find no trouble along the route back to Sundabar. The mist that you encountered in the Moon Pass seems to be thicker in some areas. Wherever you encounter mist now, you notice significant changes in the local flora and fauna. A three-eyed frog, a purple plant that should be green, a boar with two tails...however, outside of the mist, things seem to have returned to their senses.

After a few days, you find yourselves back at the gates to Sundabar, where your trek began. A couple of wagons are in front of you being examined. Before long, you approach the guards at the gate.

"Your names and business, please," a guard states.

I supply our names to the guard.

”Respectfully, we are here on official capacity of the Tower of the Shieldsar”

Meepo walks to the guard and asks.

"I never actually took a tour around Sundabar last time I visited. Do you have any recommendations for places to go?

Particularly somewhere I could clean an old, rusty, and broken sword. One of my treasured spoils from battle."

"Plenty of blacksmiths in the city," the guard answers, "And the best smithing in Luruar to boot. Just...keep some of your friends with you. It's not often that we allow kobolds to roam freely. You seem more well-spoken than most, but might be some that don't give you the chance to find that out."

The guard motions you through the city gate.

OOC: Is there any shopping that anybody else wants to do before reporting to Glendale?

"I'll keep you company Meepo, if you wish. I don't need anything for myself but I'm happy to come along for the ride." 

""I am going to look for a bath and a place to get cleaned up. You want to meet back here in 2 hours?"

"Let's meet at the Tower of Shieldsar then since we're going to go there eventually. See you guys after two hours!"

Meepo runs zigzag across Sundabar with Karst, zipping through the wagons and crowd of people, looking at the different booths selling common household items to exotic wares until eventually they find a decent smithy to repair his rusted sword.

If there is enough gold left, Meepo plans to buy Cartographer's Tools along their way to the place of meeting.

OOC: 15 gp has been removed and Cartographer's Tools have been added to Meepo's inventory.

Within a couple of hours, Meepo and Karst are able to find a human blacksmith willing to repair the sword, after a couple of dwarven blacksmiths in town threatened vile things to their mothers for suggesting a dwarf repair an orcish sword.

The blacksmith is impressed by the age of the sword, and would be able to repair the hilt and fashion a shortsword for 10 gold pieces by the following morning. Meepo can name it when he arrives to pick it up.

After cleaning and shopping, you meet at the Tower of the Shieldsar. Presenting Roccar's message to the guards grants you a swift access to the chamber where you started. The Warblade Ser Mary Glendale, her female Shieldsar Sal, and The Watchblade Rowan grant your audience.

"We have heard troubling things from the Moon Pass, I feared that our investigation team would meet a grisly end. I am glad to see you return safely," Glendale says. "What news do you bring of the black market? Were you able to find any information? Are the orcs moving against Rauvincross? And I am told that you bring a message as well."

Meepo hides under one of the tables far away from the Warblade, anticipating she might destroy those next to her.

"First, we found a kobold union who had a transaction with orcs. Trading a few gold for a magic arrow, because, well, it was shiny and calming to them.

As for Rauvincross, it was abandoned when we came there. As in no people, poof, gone like the air.

We also found that a goblin supplies the orc tribes.

Aside from those, there were a few funky things happening at the Nether Mountains, especially near the abandoned settlement.

An oily river that changes some of the characteristics of anything dipped on it. Meepo tried burning it, nothing happened.

We also caught a glimpse of a floating tower but it disappeared right away.

Meepo also found another rock gnome in dark robes talking to a submissive bugbear.

Oh, oh, there was also a gnome called Fumble McNilrog, a collector of magic artifacts in colorful robes we saw at the Rauvincross and told us magic runs wild around the place.

He's looking for a halfling called Dormammu or Doramor, can't remember which of the two.

Last but not the least, the most funkiest of mists Meepo have seen. The thicker parts of it does something funky those who stay within it, like the oily river I said earlier."

“My friend is quite spot on with his assessment of our journey and its various challenges. Additionally, Roccar of the Reavers entrusted me with this parcel for your eyes.”

I pull the parchment from my pack and hand it to the Warblade. 

"It's concerning that the weapons have spread to kobolds, though I doubt they even know how to best use them...no offense.

Abandoned? No bloodshed? Maybe the orcs were not moving to attack, but to flee...

Supplied by a goblin? There must be more to it than a simple goblin. Rowan, let's get looking into this.

Fumbles McNilrog is known to us, and is no danger. This 'Doramor' he is looking for betrayed him and left him for dead.

This mist and the water bear further investigation as well," Glendale replies along with Meepo.

She and the Watchblade share both impressed and troubled looks as you recount your tale. After she reads the parchment from Roccar, you see the hint of a smile before her stoic visage returns.

"It seems we chose our team well. Not only have you returned to us with crucial information, but with praise of your battle prowess from the leader of the legendary Reavers. As promised, here is your payment; and if you are looking for more, I believe we will have need of you shortly," she says, motioning to her Shieldsar, who brings you your payment of 500 gold pieces.

OOC: Each character has received 100 gold pieces. This is the epilogue of Blade Bizarre. How does each character respond to close out our adventure?

"I'm up for more gold."

Meepo says while under the table.

"If it is connected to the previous task, I can say you'll definitely need my knowledge of the terrain and the current quirky changes it had undergone."

"Meepo is correct, we have knowledge of the area, we have earned the respect of an important leader in the area, we would be valuable assets to you. If you wish to work with us again I would be happy to carry out another mission for you. I do not want to leave things unfinished with a threat to the land undefeated and a mystery unsolved."

Karst bows respectfully to the Warblade. 

Bartram Shadecrest 

Bowing to the Warblade, "It was a pleasure working for you and to good of the people and as the others say, I wouldn't mind working again for you soon."

“I would sleep more soundly, quelling the source of these threats to the land. I think we make a great team and would appreciate the chance to work with each of you again”, I say looking at my fellow adventurers. 

OOC: The adventure continues in Betrayal at Devilsfall...