Soar, you find a woman who is willing to answer your questions, and persuaded by your manner. She eyes Jalt and Bazavur with some mistrust, but speaks to you.

There is forest to the north. There are a few villages, one of which was attacked by the dragon before - nothing and no-one remains of it now. Beyond that, the Delimbiyr River and Secomber, where the Lords' Alliance fight the hobgoblins, or so they say. We have little trade with them these days.

I don't recognise this person. Perhaps you or your friend did get such a good look at him? He looks a little like... well, not anyone in particular. But like an elf from the Misty Forest, at least. One whose family has lived here a long time. There are small differences with elves of other forests or kingdoms, but... well, it is a feeling, nothing more. Hard to be certain.

What you say of the Speaker is distressing. It will be good if you can recover him, so we can find some answers. But I don't know how to help. Perhaps if you need a scout. You do not know this skill yourselves?

What Council do you speak of? Our king is in Waterdeep, or so they say. I do not know a way to contact him, other then to send a rider or runner.

Soar confirms the king sent them, not the council. She asks if she can examine the warden’s office for clues, anything missing from the puzzle, or at least, a chance to check on the raven, since it seems it needs care.

She’ll leave investigation to the others - she uses her speak with animals spell if it’s still running or recasts it if not and tries to befriend the raven.

Soar is persuasive, but this woman has no authority to grant you access to the Warden's home where his office is. And she's not sure who would have authority, now that the Warden is gone.  It's up to you if you want to search for someone, or just explain and then break in.

Soar says, "I understand, and this is all new territory. Tragic territory. But we were sent by King Melandrach to find out what's going on, and hunt down the dragon. The warden knew something. More than he let on. I'm not trying to burgle him! I'm trying to help him. Help Altand. You, or anyone you like, is welcome to observe, but I'm going to check his rooms, and at the very least, rescue that poor raven from starvation. I have a way with animals, and it might even be able to tell us something. Now. Are you coming with, or may I go, and tell you what we find afterward?"

She offers to walk with the woman, or anyone else, but she's going to the warden's room, with the raven. She'll try the door, is it locked?

Tangle is definitely going with Soar. She will argue, “Warden Galin was in conversation with the dragon and its rider, and therefore, with the Cult. King Melandrach and the Council have entrusted us with the task of rooting the Cult of the Dragon out, and as the Wardens actions are suspect, we will examine his office.”

The woman refuses Soar's offer, and goes about her business.

There is a lone guard stationed outside the Warden's home. She frowns as you approach. "You saw the Warden taken by the dragon, or so people are saying. What business have you here?"

In response to Tangle, she replies. "Very well. The Warden himself acknowledged you were sent by the King. I will not stand in your way." She opens the door, and allows you inside, but follows you in, watchful of your actions.

You see once again the living room, the Warden's desk, and the caged raven.

(Is Gwen around?)

Soar nods in thanks to the guard, and welcomes her to observe. She asks if she saw her speech earlier, and tries out her impression of the rider, seeing if she recognizes the face. 

She leaves the investigation of the living room and desk to Tangle, Jalt, and Bazavur, encouraging them to be gentle, and respectful, for many reasons. "Not that you needed to hear that from me!"

Then she walks over to the raven. She casts speak with animals and offers it some treats from her rations. "Now, your master has been lost. We hope to find him, We think he got into some kind of trouble. Do you know anything about something he's been hiding? Squirrels hide nuts, but elves hide secrets, or valuables. Anything odd? Do you know anything about the dragon? Do you know where the dragon goes? And finally, do you have anyone you'd like to stay with here while we try to find the warden? Or would you rather go free?" She gives plenty of time between questions to allow the bird to pause and respond.

Jalt investigation: 20

He's trying to be careful but let the dice choose what they may...

Tangle is not very good at putting things together (Investigation) but very good at spotting things that are hidden (Perception) so she will survey the room for anything out of place or places things may be hidden.

Perception: 28 

Soar, the guard comments that she did not see any speech. She does not recognise your image.

The raven squawks "Free! Free!" and then pauses.  And then "Free!" again for good measure. You suspect communication with it may be difficult, but after a moment it speaks again, a little more coherently. "Go free, please. Big flying lizard go north. Elf go sometimes, come sometimes. Go at night now, and not go before. Sad, now mate is dead. Cry sometimes. Free, please. I go south, not north."

Jalt and Tangle, you would both notice that this is, or was, the house of two people, most likely a couple. There is no sign that the woman has been around for some days. There is some food, though very little - perhaps the Warden has not been eating well? There are a few papers that seem to relate to the business of the village, but though you spend an hour inspecting them, you cannot discern anything that would be a clue in your search or related to the dragon cult attack.

Soar opens the cage without question. "Thank you for your help, and I'm sorry for your loss. I'm Soar, and these are my friends. Go free! And if you talk to anyone else on your journeys, tell them that we'll be in the forest, trying to get rid of the big poisonous flying lizard that's caused so much trouble. I hope you can find happiness south."

She looks up at the group, and the guard, and has to remind herself not to speak in bird tongue anymore. "The bird said the dragon did indeed go north. The warden lost his 'mate' and is sad. He didn't go before, but he goes out at night now. Well, not anymore. I'd say we should get going to try to find its lair to the north. Either this evening, or first thing in the morning. What do you all think?"

The bird says "Thanks" and flies off. Not a big talker.

The guard nods at Soar's comment: The Warden's spouse died in the dragon attack. It has been hard for him since, but he has done his job well enough.

Otherwise, you are ushered out (if you have completed your search) to discuss outside in privacy.

“This evening would be better,” Tangle says. “There is no time to lose, but a short rest to gather ourselves and discuss strategy might be good.”

(A Short Rest gets Tangle her Fey Step back.)

Tangle will set herself down there on the platform, and hum and sing quietly to herself for a little while. Like an hour long little while. She trances for a little of that.

You sit on the platform, and take your short rest. The villager who is taking care of Gwen brings her to see you; she talks a little with Soar but is quite sleepy, so she doesn't stay long. The guard watches over you; if she has an opinion on your choice of resting place, she doesn't share it. Bazavur and Jalt continue to attract occasional curious stares, but the hour passes without any further incident.

You complete your short rest. It's now well into night; the forest is pitch black, with no light penetrating from above at all.

Are you setting off north?

Tangle is all for setting off north, but defers to those without darkvision.

That's only Bazavur I believe, though I hope Jalt has not been wearing the mask in the village? :)

I mean, they've been giving him dirty looks anyhow lol.

But no, he's only wearing the mask away from impressionable people but to move at night its definitely on. 

It's dark and misty and quite cold at night. The forest is silent except for the two large dragonborn clomping through the undergrowth. You wonder if you'll attract predators. So far, you don't. You head north, and Tangle is able still to follow the trail left by the departing cultist army who didn't really do much to conceal their tracks.

The night turns to morning; you cannot see the sun, only the glow from the treetops above and then the occasional ray of sunlight that somehow pierces the gloom.

This part of the forest seems no different from any other. You come upon a small stream, and a tiny patch of clear area, not quite big enough to be called a clearing, but definitely a step in that direction. Will you continue on and risk a point of exhaustion, or stop for a rest?

Tangle gets herself sorted, long bow strapped on her back, shield on her small pack, sword sheathed, short bow in her hand, sneaky boots on, and she leads the way north, into the dark.