"Hey, that actually happens to be what were here for, our guild has been having trouble with trading with them. And for your men we can help em yalls get to a place to rest up and sorts. I do wish that this whole mess hadn't happened. " Priton says as he checks on all the men that are alive with the captain

"How about we help you bury those who did not survive this encounter and move on with our quest. Your employers will certainly not be happy to hear what happened here, but you can deliver the good news that the issue with less merchant traffic coming through the bridge is being looked into"

Hermenor nods to the rest of the party, hoping that they will agree that his proposal should suffice.

The Captain lets out a loud sigh.  We should give them a proper burial.  We should take off any keepsakes to give to their families.  He stands up, visibly weak and hurt, but continues to puff out his chest and puts on a poker face to go back to work.  

He begins to rummage through pockets and sacks, collecting any personal items from each fallen guard.  Taking a moment with each one to say his goodbyes.

EG1 is just staring off into the distance, not making eye contact.  EG2 is still knocked out.

Ragnir helps dig graves for the fallen workers.

As you (all?) and Brian (the captain’s name) work together to bury the dead, after as respectfully looting the bodies that you can.  The first two feet of soil look normal.  Then the third footthe soul begins to turn black.  Turning to the consistency of old coffee grounds.  Below that it turns to thick black mud with a tremendously foul odor.  Digging through the roots, usually hard labor, they break with ease and are extremely brittle.  

Looking at the soil: "This is strange. Perhaps we should burn the bodies instead."

Regarding the loot: "Captain Brian, as a sign of sympathy towards your current predicament, we'll all agree to leave the coin we found on the deceased with you, as long as you ensure they reach the families of those who lost their lives here today." Hermenor says, hoping that Priton and Ragnir would agree with him.

Then: "I also propose our colleague Briar here, who is responsible for killing at least two of your companions herself, stay with you. She will not only make sure the coin arrives where it should, but can also help you guard the bridge until your employer sends you reinforcements. If you agree, the three of us here will then continue our quest, after we burn the deceased, of course." 

Ragnir: (to everyone) "An excellent proposal, Hermenor. I agree that is the best course of action given the circumstances. As far as burning the bodies, only if Captain Brian thinks that's what the fallen would have wanted."

"I"d be fine with that arrangement. " Priton says as he does a little prayer 

Brian plops down under the shade of the tree.  “You know what gents?  I’m tired of this.  This company used to give earnest, hard work to be proud of.  I’m not some lackey you know.  I think I will had West, where you guys came from.  You also know what they say about dead man’s request?....” he kind of trails off while taking a swig from his mug.  It’s an unpolished silver appearance with a brass rim around the top.

“By the way, back during the fight I spoke into this.”  He pulls out the same circular flat stone with red engravings on it.  I told the higher ups what was going on, and your appearance.  Just a heads up.  That lady of yours might have enough swing if her family is who she says it is.  She’s got the best bet of talking them down of hunting you.... and me.”  He takes 20 gold for himself and gives the rest to Briar. “Also, one more thing.”  He stands up and digs out about three inches of dirt for about a 1 x 3 foot rectangle.  As he pulls out a chest, this is the gold we collected so far from travelers.  “They’ll be looking for this too, might help negotiations.”  

Briar has an obvious look of sorrow and regret on her face.  “It’s the least I can do, I will clear our names and find the families.  See to it that they’d are taken care of.”  She takes one donkey and readies it to travel on her own.

Ragnir: (to everyone) "wait a second... what do you mean collected from travelers?"

((Post 220). The fees collected for using the bridge.  A toll if you will.)

Brian restates “since the company built the bridge, they took it upon themselves to collect a few gold for each caravan that used it.  Nothing major, just a few gold per cart is all.  This is where we kept it until we were ready to send it back.”

"Thank ya sir, and if you ever need a debt repaid, I would be glad to help you or any of these men or their families." Priton says 

Ragnir: (to everyone) "I second that."

During this conversation.  Briar and the other two men that have finally roused are getting the donkey packed.  You stand twenty feet away from the pile (no formal decision to bury or burn the bodies) when’s flash of purple bursts next to you.  Wincing behind the hands you bring up to block your eyes.  A Tabaxi stands in front of you,  wearing leather armor, and daggers at the side.  A bag over one shoulder with the emblem of the guild on it.

10. He looks like he is going to be sick, but reserves himself before standing up and looking towards you.... with a bit of a shock to his face.

Ragnir: (to everyone) "Hello there stranger, that was quite an entrance. I'm Ragnir Strongheart."

Tyr just holds a hand over his stomach for a second, his breathing erratic as he works to calm his body back to normal. When he finally regains his composure and looks around at the group he just sighs "Well I would've preferred a horse, but I guess the mage had different ideas. Hey, I'm Tyr Silverfang."

He shifted his shoulder taking off the haversack that was on his back and plopped it down in front of them "I was asked to bring this to you and help you guys out." He just took off the scroll and tossed it to Ragnir.

Seeing the guild’s emblem on the catman, Hermenor will lower his guard and focus on the task at hand. 

First, he will set the bodies aflame once Brian confirms that it is OK to do so, or if he leaves without giving any indication.

Second, he will try to rely on his elven upbringing to examine to foul soil (nature: 8).

"Ello friend, nice to see another member to help us out. Wanna a horse or to stay in the wagon."  Priton says as he starts to pack up our equipment and stuff like that

Ragnir catches the scroll, opens it up and tries to read it.

(let me know if i need to roll anything)

 Hermenor - Captain Brian does not object to burning the bodies.  It takes a good hour to gather enough wood to make a pyre good enough for four bodies.  The soil is definitely odd.  You’ve never seen anything like it before. You are next to a river so that could explain the mud and excessive water underground.  The roots seem unnaturally fragile, but you don’t quite know why or if it’s natural/unnatural. 

Ragnir - you open the scroll:

I trust this finds you well and your mission on track.  Other matters have come to my attention that requires further investigation.  The guild is in need of samples of

soil -topical, 3 feet deep, and soil that is 15 feet deep.  

Water samples - from still surface water, from a well, and water taken 10 feet deep.    

Finally samples of plant life: root sample.

Take this bag to collect the samples.  Inside you will find 7 glass bottles for the specimens.  

Trusting in your capabilities,

Y’llvon