“Okey-dokey, let’s go! Thanadol, Rachus, you feeling good? Ember, you think you can help us find your people safely? I hope it is sunny and there are butterflies. I like butterflies. Particularly…” Dealuri woke up happy and talkative, as is frequently the case, generally to the good-natured annoyance of those reliant on coffee and quiet in the morning. 

Skritch saddles up and divies out a fresh Goodberry to each party member, plus Ember. 

He mounts Sunhill and whispers in his ear, out loud, but so high pitched it'd be hard for normal hearing to discern individual words, "Gotcha back, Buddy..." 

Then he broadcasts a loud mental, "Hi ho, Sunhill, away!" 

Feelin great! Let's go!

You emerge into the bleak morning air of Helegeroth, the blasted lands of the south. Ember leads the way as these are the homelands of her people. Rachus this is your first time in the wastelands though your parents spoke of it on occasion, and not with affection. The ground is black and lifeless as if scorched by fire, and in places shards of midnight obsidian rise from the dusty ground like daggers of black glass.

(Wilderness roll 10)

As the morning wears on you approach what appears to have once been a town of some size. Parts of the walls remain standing, though many of the buildings within have crumbled to piles of charred rubble. Ember hesitates as you approach.

"Perhaps we should go round?" she suggests.

"This is worse than the tales spoken by my parents. I suggest we move around this charred town. I don't plan to meet whatever caused the fire" says Rachus as he nods in agreement with Ember

We can simply go around... But... What if there is treasure...

"... and, er, experience...?" (Ooc, there was more to this post, but the edit didn't 'stick'. Adding again:)

Skritch adds, more earnestly and less meta-gamingly, "Plus, what if there are other folk like Ember here who might need our help?"

Dealuri looks rather glum in this setting, her shoulder drooping forward and her hair partially obscuring her vision. It is clear that she had never heard of or paid any attention to stories about Helegeroth. “There are unlikely to be any butterflies in town but I’m willing to look,” she says unenthusiastically. 

"Then it is settled we will check out the town. I know it is the fear talking but who would like to lead us into town as I rather come into the town last?" says Rachus very wary of the burn marks on the buildings. 

"Hmmm... Well me being made of glass should have a protected spot of course. I say someone who can take a hit or two should lead us into town"

Vakas, Rachus! Do either of you want the honor of leading us?

"Rachus," Skritch mindasks, "do you have a, er, a song to inspire us? Or maybe Our good thiefmaster in particular?

"And, Vakas, once so inspired, perhaps you could stealthvestigate - which I am sure is a word you have here as we do in our realm?" 

The ruined town stands silent before you. What flames once burned here have died down long ago, leaving only ash and destruction in their wake. A broad central road leads through the centre of the tortured remains of this place, its cobbles broken and dislodged making for a treacherous walk. On the east side of the town several small buildings seem to be intact, strangely untouched by the surrounding destruction. To the west the ground has been torn open to reveal a gaping chasm between the crumbling budlings and yellow vapours rise from the depths, while ahead, in the centre of this place an ancient temple still stands as a silent witness to the surrounding ruin. 

You stand on the outskirts of this gods forsaken place and plan your approach.

Vakas bends down and looks at the obsidian, finding a knifelike shard and putting it in his cloak.  He stands and walks forward with trepidation as they head toward the town.  He watches and looks for any movement, also looks at the surrouding area for cover, a good way to approach, how he could sneak in.  “I’ll use message to contact you, as before.  Wait until I signal you before you approach.  Or until you hear sounds of fighting.”  He waits to receive the blessing of the bard and then begins his approach, moving slowly and quietly, sticking to cover and trying to stay out of sight.  

Stealth : 24

Thannadol nods as he fire fills his hand in preperation. "Be safe!"

Skritch brainwhispers to Sunhill, "Be ready, boyo... be ready."

Rachus was about to offer bardic inspiration only to see Vakas blend into the shadows completely. For now, he waits ears perked for sounds of danger. 

“Vakas is brave, isn’t he,” Dealuri whispers to Skritch. She heightens her perception (21) to monitor what is happening in town. 

Dealuri you watch Vakas venture forth and manage to keep eyes on him longer than most. (With a 21) you smell the acrid stench of the vapours coming from the chasm to the west and for a moment it threatens to overwhelm your senses. It does not smell healthy.

Vakas you move forward like a shadow on the dark ground. You see not sign of life as you travel along the edges of the main road. Are you heading for the chasm in the west, the undamaged buildings in the east or the Temple in the centre of town? 

First Vakas will head toward the undamaged buildings in the east.  Afterwards, he plans to head to the temple.  He stops after observing for a few minutes and sends a message back, “All quiet thus far, will let you know…”