((Ooc: There wasn't really a set place where Elixisys contacted Gaston.))

"No, I haven't heard back yet. I don't think that means you should worry about your friend though. There are limits to the spell and not having met him means I could have missed the intended target with my message.

A nap does sound nice though. I've never used a Fireball before and I must say, it really hurts."

Looking at him you can see he's favouring his left side and the bandages on his right hand have come loose a bit.

(OOC: Okay, sounds from the main thread like we are into the next day. )

Due to the very long previous day and night, Edeleth misses watching the sun rise over the Three Peaks for the first morning he's spent in the city.  It's just as well, he can get things done while his companions continue sleeping, since it is late enough that the dwarves should all be active.

The first thing he wants to do is to find someone in the military, and see if he can get any information about whether the Pinekeep troops and Gaston have been recalled from the field.

The second thing he needs to get done is to find out who is in charge of the Jarl's diplomatic services, and present his credentials as the new Wood Elf ambassador. He will also talk about his intention to find a house with a large yard or garden in the city, suitable for use as an embassy, casually mentioning that the Jarl had, after all, offered lands as a reward for their help with Pinekeep. 

The dwarves might not take the hint, or the Jarl might choose not to, since a manor and garden in the heart of the city are probably more costly than a big patch of undeveloped wilderness that nobody else possesses, but it can't hurt to try pulling a few strings, Edeleth thinks.

Roscoe grins at Rosri and says, "Very fast noodles!" Roscoe nods in agreement in regards to getting rest. The day had been long and there was surely going to be a lot going on tomorrow. "We's will sleep and then tomorrow we's can explore a bit."

Roscoe then makes his way to the chambers to sleep for the evening.

When morning comes, Roscoe is up and ready looking for some breakfast.

Elixisys is up and waiting when Roscoe emerges from his room. "It seems that we have a free day my new friend. What are your plans for the day? I plan on seeing if I can find something to fortify me a bit, I felt a little exposed in our battle last night." 

Rosri is up before the sun, there is much that he plans to do and little time to do so. First he write up a letter for his mother and father, telling them all about his adventures, but hides most of the bloodie parts and of his new friends. Then he write a letter to Master Looker, telling him about all the training he has been trough and about the fate of the guild master and the guild. 

When he is done he head down for a quick breakfast and then in to town. With him he has the horn and the eye. He aim to use the items to upgrade his crossbow with the horn and maybe make a medalion of the eye.

OOC: Is that doable? :D

Elixisys has indeed not heard from Gaston yet. His location seems to be hard to find....

Rosri may roll an Investigation check to try and find out how to make the Krampus body parts into artifacts...

Quote from Grotex >>

Elixisys has indeed not heard from Gaston yet. His location seems to be hard to find....

Rosri may roll an Investigation check to try and find out how to make the Krampus body parts into artifacts...

 investigation 17

Quote from Grotex >>

Elixisys has indeed not heard from Gaston yet. His location seems to be hard to find....

 (From that, I'm kind of assuming Edeleth didn't learn anything from his inquiries, either? If that is the case, he is going to prepare the spells he needs to search for Gaston.)

After spending some time in meditation and communing with nature, Edeleth joins his friends at breakfast.

"We seem to be in an awkward position," he says. "When we abandoned Gaston in the wilderness, we gave our word to return as quickly as possible. Inconveniently, the Jarl has summoned us to a war council tonight. After the council, we will probably be sent on some new dire mission, and will be unable to help Gaston at all. So if we are to keep our promise, we must look for him today."

"It is possible only if we fly. If the entire party comes, I can manage the owls again, but i will not have much magic to spare for finding Gaston or defense. Alternately, I believe I could take one person alone without exhausting my magical resources. If we can't find him, we can at least retrieve some of the gear that was left behind, though I'm afraid we will be unable to bring our mounts or the wagon back." 

He sighs slightly.  He supposes that if his people object to him staying in a tavern, they would also probably frown on him driving a mule wagon with the Hanging Chicken arms on it. As embarrassing as he had found it at first, it was strangely painful to give up his silly Chicken affiliations.

Elixisys looks up from a book he's been studying. "I've committed myself to studying a new spell today unfortunately, I'm learning something that may be helpful if we have another large battle to fight. I can send Chernobog along with you if you think it will help but I won't be able to communicate or control him, so you're at his mercy about how helpful he's going to be." 

Edeleth nods.  "He is welcome to come if he likes.  I heard that Zyman is already in the Jarl's library doing research, and it is unlikely he will want to be torn away from his books, either. If one or both of the halflings wants to come, it should actually be much simpler.  In fact, I would probably be fine on my own. The organized forces have been driven back, and it shouldn't be too difficult to avoid or hide from scattered bands."

"If you're going alone I would really prefer to send Chernobog with you. Having seen you in a fight I'm confident you can handle yourself but it would be prudent to have an extra set of eyes, and a way to let us know if something goes wrong. And I'll send you a message in about 8 hours or so, just to check in. That way we won't be left wondering if you're alright like we are with Gaston now." 

((DM what are your rules on seeing through a familiar's eyes? I've had DMs say it can always be done and others who limit it to the 100 foot telepathic range))

"Thank you, it's very kind of you to offer Chernobog's company," Edeleth says. "I will take you up on that, then, if your hawk is agreeable to the arrangement."

Before heading out, Edeleth heads for Ruskor's Palace of Junk. In case the gear he left behind is no longer there, he may need replacements. He picks up a new rope, shovel, rations arrows and a bedroll. He also buys four healing potions. That should come to 105gp with the heroes' discount. He spends another 5 gold buying some good food and drink for the dwarf, who is out there missing the holiday festivities.

As he stands on the bridge where he first met the Hanging Chicken, he thinks it's probably better not to have any witnesses (let alone passengers) to his first self-powered flight. Except one. "No laughing," he says sternly to Chernobog. Then he Wildshapes into a Giant Eagle and flies toward the hideout where they fought the Mind Flayer.

When Edeleth gets to the hideout, he will turn back into elf form and cautiously enter, looking for signs that anyone else is there. If possible, he will collect Rosri's poison vials.  And if the barrels of black powder are small enough to fit in the Bag of Holding, he will put two of them in there.

Next, Edeleth will go back outside, set off the flare that Gaston gave them, and find a spot with some cover to hide and watch to see if anyone comes. (Mask of the Wild, Stealth 13)

If nobody shows up for an hour, Edeleth will cast Locate Creature to try to find Gaston.

If he can't detect Gaston, he will cast Locate Animals or Plants to try to locate the mules. If that fails, he will try again for Rosri's pony, Buttercup.

OOC: I'm back! That Descent into Avernus Epic Event was awesome...Anyways.

First of all, yes, I allow full vision/telepathic bond with familiars at all times. If you switch to "familiar vision", however (as a free action), you go into a sort of trance (think Worgs in Game of Throne). So Elixysis can switch to Chernobob's vision at any time, to keep up with Edeleth.

Edeleth stealthily turns into a Giant Eagle, and flies out to Gaston's last known location, in the middle of the Forest by the Grey Valley. He changes back, sets off a flare, then waits...about 30 minutes go by, then Edeleth hears some growling, and whips cracking...in the distance, a band of 6 Gnolls is transporting a group of Villager Captives along an overgrown path.

Out of a random bush, two Dwarven hands reach out from behind Edeleth and immediately grab him, dragging him into the Bush, covering his mouth!

Gaston's face, completely covered in mud, comes into vision, whispering in Edeleth's Elvish ears.

"Your flare got them all rattled up...I've been tracking them since yesterday...they already killed one of the elders...its a risky task, but I'm picking up on their language...it seems like they're heading to Wrathmaw Keep itself...if I can follow them, then we can finally discover the source of all this Evil...

Elixisys is looking through Chernobog's eyes as they pair take off from the bridge. 

Telepathically to Chernobog (for all to read for humour)

 Elixisys checks in with the pair periodically throughout their flight. He happens to be watching as the hands come out of the bush, causing him to stand up and knock everything off the table in front of him, though he doesn't notice in his tranced state. He calms down when he realizes this must be Gaston and continues watching for the pairs next move so he can inform the others. 

Edeleth is glad to see that Gaston is all right, at least for now.  "Shall I come with you?  You ought to have some backup," he whispers back. Whatever the Jarl has planned for tonight, this clearly takes priority. "And Chernobog, here, might be useful as well. If he feels cooperative, he might fly above and warn us if we are being followed or running into trouble." 

He looks at the hawk. It's not a true animal, so Edeleth has no means of communicating with it, but Chernobog seems intelligent enough to understand speech, and possibly to communicate non-verbally on a basic level.

Roscoe finishes his breakfast and nods at Elixisys's desire to study. "We's often find that practice is the best way to get better. So we's will be training today and looking around this place. We's don't normally stay in places like this so it's nice to meet new people and learn of their way of life. Hope yous have a good time reading. The tribe normally just listens to the elders tell their stories. It makes the stories change a bit each time as the elders age, but that's half the fun."

Roscoe grabs his gear and says goodbye to his companions he sees before heading out of the area and looking to explore the offerings of this place. He makes a special point to try and talk to anyone that looks to have a minute or two and doesn't want to disturb anyone that's focused on anything too intensive. 

Chernobog lands down on Edeleth's shoulder, gives a soft peck before taking flight and beginning to circle above the area.

Ooc: did Risri ever find that shop? Investigation 17

 Rosri walk the streets of Talavorth as the sun crawls up the morning sky. He keeps to the walls and shadows and watch everyone around him. He is confident that no one can sneak up on him. 

He goes into an alley and quickly scale the wall side. Once up on the roof he can see the entire city and the beautiful landscape around it. The city in the sky he thinks.

What am I supposed to do now.. I don’t think being a spy is my destiny. I only wanted to become one because it was expected of me. But now I think I’m destined for something else.

He look up in the morning sky. Great Olidamara, great Elhona, help me, what is my destiny. Though I’m not the bravest man by any means I’m no longer the coward I once was. I have fought against kobolds, Mind flayers, gnolls and stoped conspiracies. I have been named a hero, though I don’t deserve it and been dubbed knight inquisitor, whatever that entails. There are people counting on me and my new friends have become my family. There is no longer a Thives guild to help me improve. Please tell me what should I do! Is my path to return home to my father and become his next spymaster? Or am I to stay here and fight the greater fight? O great ones, I seek your guidance.

Once he has finished praying the sun stands high on the sky and he realize that a lot of time has gone by. He continue to look out over the horizon and waits for an answer. 

As Zyman discovers more about his patron, in the darkest corner of the Jarl's library, Elixisys keeps a close watch on Edeleth and Gaston, from the Arcane University Tower. Chernobog flies around, and immediately notices small commando-style units of ennemies moving around, emerging from many holes in the ground and swiftly disappearing in them. Gnolls, Red Dragonborn Soldiers, and Kobolds...the whole area is obviously crawling with them.

OOC: inspiration music https://youtu.be/oXnAxydhZ8M

Gaston, who has gone "full Rambo", stealthily takes Edeleth back to Rollo the Mind Flayer's secret rock hideout. He's disposed of the body, but wears one of the dead Illithid's mouth tentacles as a pendant... "What d'you wanna do with those? It's gonna be Hell moving them quietly through Ennemy lines..."

Gaston points at the hoard of mounts and supplies that now fills the hideout.

"I figured I'd squeeze it all in here, and guard that giant stash of explosives just sitting out here waiting to be reclaimed by the Gingerbread Man, or the bloody Red Drag on Clan....already caught a couple..."

In a corner of the room, Edeleth and Chernobog see three dead Kobold heads on spikes.

"They got a wee bit too close for my taste. Now they're with Rollo...you're welcome. But there's probably more who'll come investigate, sooner or later...what do we do?"

Gaston looks like hell, and although everything is secure, the bags under his eyes, blood sweat and mud all over his body tells Edeleth and Elixys that he's clearly had a rough night. But he smiles...

"Also, what are we gonna do with that sweet boom boom powder? Me and Shorgreg used to mess with it as kids. We could easily blow up half a city with THAT much!"

Back in the City, Roscoe makes his "social rounds" as he makes his way through the Granit Palace, somewhat embarrassing the Nobles, yet ADORED by the staff. A random muffin gets handed to him by a Gnome baker. "Monsieur Roscoe, you must try zis Muffin, it is delicious! I made it just for you! It is Honey and Ghost pepper! Sweet, but...deadly, just like you! I will name it...the Roscoe!" A random cute Dwarvish chambermaid walks by, checking out Roscoe's 8 pack and bulging barbarian muscles. She smiles, and blushes, walking away, and disappears in a corner where he can hear he whispering to another chambermaid, who popps her head in and out and giggles. "Omygodomygod it's him..." A stern-faced noblewoman walks by, frowns at the chambermaids who scatter away like cockroaches. She shakes her head, looks at Roscoe, then uncontrollably giggles and blushes, then runs away. "Ey Roscoe!" One of the young floor sweepers runs up to him, all "fan-like". "I heard you took out some kind of Elite Assassin with your buddies the other night...like...they came after the Jarl and you guys just busted it there like...Bwaaa! And then you took out your axe, and Braaaaw! Chopped his arm off, like a freakin log! That's aaaawsoooome! I wanna be just like you when I grow up, man, check it out, I started working out and everything!"

The scene goes on the entire way...OOC my inspiration song for this whole scene https://youtu.be/0t0fZeySNck

Alone on top of a rooftop, "Batman style", Rosri meditates on the meaning of life, and what he's accomplished. Despite his best investigative efforts, he never found anyone willing to craft the Krampus part. Every magic crafter categorically refuses to deal with the unholy relic...

As Rosri looks up into the sky, and issues a prayer to Olidamara, to make sense of it all, a small gust of wind blows, and he hears a familiar voice. "Oy Rosri..."

He turns around to see the spirit of Florence Quickblade, translucent, lounging on the rooftop, staring up at the sky, smiling. 

"Fancy seein' ye' here...what's with the face? Looks like ye' seen a bloody ghost, haha! Yeah, I got murdered, I was the first one of the Gingerbread man's victim...funny thing is, we Gypsies believe in spirits, and I can talk to me' family whenever they summon me...comes in pretty handy when it comes down to who done it..." He takes a drag on his ghostly pipe, and exhales ethereal smoke that turns into a wagon. "Ye' know...all these years on the road...but this City...(he basks in the rooftop scenery). Its worth savin'...Ye'r a good lad, Rosri. Always been. Always Will. Me' Family, they're in shambles right now, and they need someone like you te' show them the right way...with them on yer side, you can give this place a better chance of survival for things to come....Oh, and go visit me' great Aunt. She'll know what te' do with those Devil parts..."

He takes one more drag out of his pipe, and blows out an ethereal blue bird. "Follow the Bird..." And Rosri follows the bird to one of the worst parts of the Southern slums, to a torn up shack, where he is greeted by five Gypsies from the Old Charriot, standing around the old lady with the Crystal ball. She asks..."Hello my son, did your friend ever find that Treasure Island?" The Gypsies all nod at Rosri expectingly..."Boss..."

Once his studying is done Elixisys picks up his book and walks over to where Zyman is studying. "Hope you don't mind, I'm watching Edeleth's back through Chernobog and I'd prefer it if there was someone in the immediate area watching mine. Problem with using the birds eyes and ears is that I can't use my own. If you need anything give me a rap on the hand, preferably not the right one." He sits down and dumps the old tomb he was reading in front of him. Just before his eyes go black he gives a quick glance at what Zyman was reading. 

Perception: 11