Valley of the Dead Campaign Thread

"Fine with me." Kimryn grabs some grass and flowers to feed her goat and jumps on, "Come on you, we're going back."

Vyrrak seems apprehensive of leaving but says to the others, "Yeah traveling at night with these unknown targets wouldn't be nice. And it doesn't look like we'll get anymore information so we may as well turn back also. This whole situation seems quite vexing."

Vyrrak then goes to grab the reins on the goat he had ridden up here and prepares to head out too.

Rhoc swings back onto Wind Dancer’s back as the others turn to leave. He casts a wary eye down the road as it winds out of view. Wind Dancer swings her head hard against his grip and Rhoc’s attention is brought back to her and the realization that he was pinning her muzzle down with an overly tight grip dawns on him. He whispers her an apology and loosens his grasp with an old ache buzzing in his fingers.

He takes up the rear of his slower companions as they head back to the port town.

Choosing to return to the village, you all leave forested area on your respective riding animals and make your way back down the hill. Altogether your searching and the ride have taken only a couple of hours maximum, with a decent amount of sunlight left in the afternoon.

As you pass the guard, he calls down to you. You can see he still looks fully engaged and ready to fire as he says,  

"I trust the expedition was fruitful! I didn't see any signs of distress nor followers so I'm guessing the group has moved on?"

He doesn't wait for an answer and lowers his bow. In the same moment, you all begin to realize that he cannot see very far into the cleared path between the Coast and Valley from his watchtower as there is a small hilltop obscuring it from his sight. His sight was fixed specifically on the area you all searched, and he is not aware that the group has made its way toward the valley. 

The goats excitedly waddle into town, seemingly knowing that Merdath would be waiting their with a bucket of treats. She takes the reins one by one and leads the animals back into their pen, thanking you for their safe return. She also lets you know that the cream was in fact alright, and the seafood chowder should be ready within a couple of hours. In the meantime, she suggests: getting that drink with Urtskeck, helping the chef and cooper with preserving ingredients, or, assisting the alchemist in creating some makeshift gunpowder. 

"Of course, you're all free to simply make yourselves comfortable until supper. There's ample fishing opportunities and Reeds (the archer) is always up for rolling some dice." 

Lirander talks to the guard about the blind spot.

"Say, friend, did you know there is a blind spot in your sight line?" He points out to him where the blond spot is.

"We hope they have moved on, but it may be best to continue having someone at this post." Rhoc relaxes and leans back in his saddle as Lirander points out the blind spot. "Have you considered putting a man up on that hilltop?"

When you go to speak with Reeds, you notice that the guard's standing position has shifted but he's still locked in on that area. His facial features are a little easier to make out now, and you can tell that he's either a very young wood elf, or a middle age half-elf. His overly serious glare shifts lighter when he responds, answering Lirander first, "Absolutely. I was worried that you were going to leave beyond the tree line as I wouldn't have been able to provide much support. I should've mentioned it before you left but I was too focused on trying to see whatever that was..." 

A long moment passes but he eventually answers Rhoc as well, albeit with some resignation in his voice, "We used to have a lookout posted there, yes. She was one of the first to go missing. One morning she just never showed up after her watch and she's been gone since."

He breaks eye contact as he finishes the sentence, and follows with, "So, any clue as to what that was? I had thought it a herd of deer but I'm restless, paranoid, and stuck in this tower so you can imagine what the mind might do." 

"Don't worry Chuck, it was just a bunch of scared deer."

Kimryn gives her goat a pat on the rump sending it home.