Right about this time, I think everyone can see that Merric is a little torn between the two sides of the discussion and is ready to support either path.

"Well, on ones hand, thems boots and cloaks and such be lookin' a bit too big for me's.  On them other hands, they'd be looking pretty goods on youz others maybe...  Either ways we gots to be gettin to decidin' quickly as I am not sure camping too near them is much a good ideas either way....

I' thinkin's the safest routes be headin' out o' here quicklin like."

"Well if you're not exploring, you're not living. That's all I have to say." Sen is visibly not happy but understands the danger and the reasons the others don't want to get involved. "If everyone is not on board, we should pass this up." 

"Aye, aye, let's head out, but ah- I wouldn't look too glum if I were you Sen," the skald began, "the way this trip has gone so far, I can't help but think we'll not be running out of chances to 'explore' anytime soon. Hardly a day passed and we met a medusa on the road, night fell and we ran into this lot, I've a feeling ours is no normal road." Harivaldr took a moment to stretch and relax the tensed muscles in his neck. Dathyra is right, now's not the time to wander off into the night, he thought, you'll have other chances to prove your worth, that's why you took this job in the first place! With a self-affirming nod, the dwarf was ready to fall in with the others when they headed back to camp.

[The consensus seems to be to head back to camp. Do you want get a long rest for the night or do you want to relocate to another campsite?]

[I'm easy on this one. Yes, Dathyra trusts Phyllis' judgment to get farther away, but if the rest of them feel bold enough to take on whatever goes bump in the night, she'll be fine with that too.]

It is a silent group that makes their way back to the campsite. There are a range of emotions among the party; from furious to regretful longing.  The wagon and tents look to be undisturbed.

The goblins can be heard through the hills. To some it sounds like menacing howls of a war band, to others it sounds like a crazy howling party and a band war. 

Harivaldr mentally ticks off the songs that carry through the woods. "There's the Danse of the Faerie Queen, followed by Dueling Bugbears and Changeling Masquerade." he thought  to himself.  Harivaldr had some original interpretations of the Dueling Bugbears that he'd kept to himself. "Oh well, at least there's livestock to be saved," he consoled himself. 

Sen and Merric thought of the glory they were missing out on.

Phyllis tried to recall all her lore training about Night Hags and whether they were still in danger. Dathyra felt tired. The weight of being the responsible voice of reason was never easy. 

They looked at each other a little uneasily, deciding upon whether they should stay the night here or relocate. (Except for Durven who was already snoring in the back of the wagon, dreaming of a woman with big...tusks.)

I's thinkin' we best be movin camp further away.  No doubts the losers of that contest be looking to takes out their loss on whomevers they be findin' nearby, yes?

"Yes, that is a possibility," Dathyra said. "I think Phyllis is right about the potential danger. And while these goblins are only mildly aware of our presence..." She gave a sideways glance to Sen. "That doesn't mean we're safe. We're better off putting some distance between us and them." She glanced down at the snoring Durven. "Though, that could be tricky in some regards."

"I don't know why everyone is giving me the look of anger around here. I mean this is a story for the history books. Harivaldr knows. Anyways, we could have handled the situation with such panache! I hope you don't try to ruin all our fun on this trip... But I understand the concerns. We shall move on, set up camp and get some sleep for the night. I'm going to need a whole 8 hours for my complexion." Sen starts to pack up his stuff into a less than organized manner knowing he's going to have to just unpack it again a few miles from the camp. 

Harivaldr set about packing up his kit as he listened to the ongoing discussion. "It's all said and done now, everyone, all's we can do is keep moving forward. Or toward our new campsite, I suppose..." He turned to Durven and added, "I'll wake him, worry not," and shook the man awake, wary of any flying fists. "We're moving camp," he says simply, and readies himself for the march to come.

Harivaldr shakes Durven awake. He sits up with a bit of drool hanging from his mouth. Once he realizes that you want to relocate the camp he nods his head and gets the horses ready. 

The full moon provides enough light so that there is no real problem in navigating the road. The music and cheers fade as the party makes it a couple more miles down the road. Durven finds a small trail that forks from the road and a few hundred feet from the road ends in a campsite. A previously used fire pit is in the middle of the circle. A small stream is about 50 ft from the camp. He gets the horses tethered and settles down in the wagon for the remainder of the night.

[second and third watches and/or any other actions for the remainder of the evening?]

Second and Third watches go by uneventfully. 

The party has the option of another Darla inspired breakfast.

The band of intrepid adventurers make their way through the hills for the first half of the day.

The fall foliage is on full display but the day grows chilly as winter approaches. It appears that your traveling is at an end. After passing a handful of farmsteads over the last several miles, you've come upon signs of a grand civilization. Well, grand might not be the proper word. Ahead along the roadside are two homes, a mill, and a larger, fenced compound. You cross a stone bridge that spans a moderately sized stream and a signpost greets you.
“Welcome to Northwood's Rest”

Some of you glance at Durven, he shrugs. "It ain't changed much since I left."  
You pass the mill, its wheel turning gently in the stream, and spy a crowd gathered outside what appears to be a smithy. An inn sits next door, with stables on the far side of the inn.

The crowd's attention is focused on a tall, sturdy, dark haired and well-weathered man – and the crowd is not happy.

“They raided my coop!” shouts a farmer, “Wasted five and took 25, including both my roosters!”
“And my hogs… all of em!” interrupts another, “Took em overnight, off into the Northwood, two nights ago.”
“Yep!” chimes in another, “slaughtered my horses, my bull and half my cows right there in the barn and pasture.”

“It's them orcs in the Northwood!” insists a woman, “We gotta get rid of em, or they'll be after us next!”
The group looks to the sturdy man for answers, but he
shakes his head.
“There was a time when I'd have pulled my sword and shield from above the mantle and charged, but those years are behind me. Luckily, I sent word out, and it looks like that word's been heard” he makes his way over to your wagon. His smile drops when he sees Durven. Durven climbs down from the wagon and stands just a hands breadth from the man.

"You got a lot of nerve, coming back here Durven Grimtusk"

Durven looks to the side and spits.

"I told once before Joe, It's Highland-Grimtusk. You ass."

Both men move suddenly and embrace in laughter.

"Good to see again 'Durven Highland-Grimtusk-you-ass' and Joe is clapping him on the back.

He turns to the rest of you, realizing that you are just standing there watching.
”It's good to see you all. I'm glad Darla sent you.  I'm Joseph Highland. Let me buy you dinner so we can get down to business.”
He gestures toward the inn at the front of the compound. Its placard reads “Highland's Inn, Smithy, Stables and General Store.”

Sen will wake up and get ready for the day, packing away his bedding and such. When the food is offered, Sen will take that bet again. The first time around Sen was just fine. No reason a second go would turn his stomach. Con: 4 Sen instead this time, pukes his brains out while holding himself up beside the wagon. "This shit went sour, Durven! How dare you feed us poison!" Sen vomits again after yelling at Durven. 

Sen stands nearby watching the interaction. Clearly not a fan of Durven, Sen is hoping Durven is about to get punched in the face. But then the two laugh over it. Sen shrugs and begins to collect his things from the wagon. 

Sen follows Joseph into the inn and looks around the joint. "You say orc troubles? What brought you to that conclusion? Someone see these beasts take the livestock? I've been at these crossroads before where people claim something that just isn't true. not to say you're lying, but what proof do you have on this subject?" Sen will reach out and offer a handshake to Joseph. "Sen Nurkov," he says shortly. "On our way up here we came across some sort of goblin festival in the woods. They were offering up things to a hag. We went to investigate but deemed it too dangerous to continue. You think that may have something to do with it?"

Perhaps it was the distraction of galavanting about through the night debating the possibility of dancing with goblins (and thank the gods they hadn't!), or perhaps it was all the excitement from earlier that day. Whatever the reason, Dathyra found it relatively easy to get some rest once Sen and Merric took over the watch. At least for that night, she was not plagued by her own addled thoughts in her mental constructions.

When morning came, Dathyra decided to be a bit wiser about breakfast. A free meal it may be, but there was also such a thing as survival, and she had learned that lesson yesterday. Using a bit more wit, she declined to try a second round of Darla's cooking. Sen's bad reaction to it was enough proof for her to know she had made the smart decision. She wished even more now that she had some of her useful herbs and remedies to offer Sen some kind of relief after that.

Upon their arrival in Northwood's Rest, it was very clear that the raiders were still a problem in the area. Dathyra shuddered, reminded of how raiders had put an end to her home and over half of her family. At best, raiders were pests who made lives difficult for hard-working families. At their worst, they were destructive and ruined lives. But it seemed like this village wasn't about to take this sitting down, and from the sounds of it, she and her companions were about to become a part of it. For now, she let Durven and Sen do most of the talking. She would see what she could learn from the conversation.

Being on watch had left Merric feeling particularly hungry as the morning broke.  Looking in his pack, he realized the delicious supplies he had been feasting on for the last two days was coming to an end and he was down to some of his last meager rations...  Darla's gruel didn't seem to smell as bad as he had thought so perhaps a day or two in the sun was all it needed to ripen up a bit.  Dishing himself out a halfling-sized portion, he sat back against the nearest tree and tilted back his spoon...

Constitution Save: 5

...and not even before swallowing the single spoonful it came right back up, along with yesterdays dinner as well.  It was only then he glanced over to see Sen retching and wished he waited a bit longer before that first bite.  "By all the evil gods Durven, that Darla must be something sweets to you fer ya to be riskin' yer life for this..."  After spitting out the last of it and a thorough mouth rinse, he says "Rations it is..."

After the passing of the day, arriving in Northwood's Rest was quickly sobering.  He immediately took a thorough look at everyone and everything around looking for anything out of place.

Perception: 24

The watch passed uneventfully, a mercy given the strangeness of the events prior. When the morning came and Durven prepared another helping of orcish cooking, Harivaldr accepted the offer...

Constitution Save: 4

...And immediately regretted it. In the midst of his gagging, he might have said something along the lines of, "Least it's better than my morning breath..." but it was a bit hard to tell.

On their arrival in Northwood's Rest and witnessing Durven's spirited reunion with Joe, Harivaldr couldn't help but smile in spite of the seriousness of the situation. It reminded him of some of his old friends he'd met in his travels... and a few back at his old hall. On the way to the inn Harivaldr offered his hand to Joe and said, "It's a pleasure to meet you, Joseph, my name is Harivaldr Laurison, and as you might imagine, my companions and I are here to help with your raiding troubles."

He let Sen speak his piece, then added, "He does make a point, there are lot's of potential creatures and peoples that could give you this kind of trouble. Were these wholesale raids in the light of day, or in the dark of night when no one could see?" 

Joseph ushers you into one of the central buildings of the compound. It serves and the Inn and General store. It is a two story building with rooms on the second floor. The decor is sparse but neat and orderly. Everything is clean and taken care of. The one thing that might catch your attention is a mounted display of the bar. An ornate green dragon scaled shield  crossed by a gleaming long sword all in front of a fine cloak which is used as a background for the display case. He invites everyone to sit and serves up some very welcome after a half day's travel. Several of the townsfolk follow you all inside the tavern so they can get a better look at you and follow the conversation. It isn't long before Judith, Joseph's daughter, delivers a fine hearty meal to the table. Several of you are very hungry, thankfully there is no hint of Orcish flavoring. After everyone has had their fill, he addresses questions as they arise.

"Well Sen, I  haven't  seen what's taking the livestock." Joseph starts but is interrupted by a burly farmer with a red beard.

"Proof! Proof! Everyone knows that Orcs is trouble and theys just over'n the Northwood." he claims indignantly. [Patrick Tryeburn]

"Now, Patrick, They've been up there for years," he turns back to Harivaldr and Sen. "I guess we had trouble starting two or three weeks ago."

"Yep." comes another interruption, from a woman with graying hair. "They raided my chicken coop." 

Joseph intercedes again, "Which could be anything I know. But things have kept happening, Old Man Waterman lost all his hogs three days ago." The grizzled farmer with beady eyes and scraggly stubble just nods affirmation.  "And last night there was another attack. Will MacGregor's Farm was attacked."

"My cows and horses were slaughtered. I don't know what we're gonna do now." A strong looking sandy haired in coveralls speaks up. 

"Them Orcs is gonna get us all," Stella- the woman with graying hair nearly swoons.

Joseph smiles wanly. "Will's farm is about a half mile up the road."

"Yeah, I can shows you the way, iffin you alls want?" Will says.

Referring to Sen's query about the Goblin Festival, Joseph sort of shrugs "Huh, Dancing in the Moonlight.." he gets a nostalgic gaze and nods to Durven with a 'see, I told you' look. "I didn't think that was happening anymore.. If you found it, count yourself lucky to be alive."

Sen eyes the shield sword and cloak on the wall trying to discern if it anything rare or special. 

Sen will look crossed at Patrick at his sudden intrusion into the conversation. "Is there anyone in town that is familiar with the Orcs to the north? Maybe we could go speak with them? Also, who all still have livestock in the area? There is a chance we could sit with the livestock and wait for culprits to arrive. Seems these attacks are happening somewhat regularly and no one has been able to put eyes on who is doing it. Do you have any sort of law in this town?" 

"And it's not luck that keeps me alive, Joesph," Sen says with a grin. 

Dathyra sat quietly and only listened to the conversation throughout their meal. She had learned from experience to take a moment to read the room and the people in it. Likely, they might gain a few clues just from casual observation. But, the more she listened, the more she understood that the people of Northwood's Rest were out for blood, and they would go after anyone that sounded suspicious.

She personally had her doubts about the orcs. True, they weren't the nicest creatures and weren't so easily reasoned with, but something didn't feel right, as if there were some key piece of the puzzle missing. She looked at Durven, trying to note his mood. These people were, after all, insulting some of Darla's own people. Surely, this didn't sit right with him either.

"I think Sen is right," she said, finally speaking up. "We cannot go barging into orc camps without all the facts. That would prove incredibly dangerous. Has anyone seen any mysterious figures out and about in the night? Any other signs of raiders? Footprints, perhaps? I think these would be solid facts that could lead us in the right direction."

Merric, finishing his meal a bit quicker than the others (a more petit appetite being smaller than the others you see!) excuses himself and decides to take a little self-guided tour of the Inn and General Store (more interested in the kitchen, really, looking for an opportunity to perhaps just refill his pack with some "real" food) and getting a general lay of the place...you know...in case something arises later on.