"Hoc find that if do stuff for ones, instead of take from them, Hos can get even more shinies. Hoz really like shines so Hov do stuff for shines. And now Hoge have small hoard, keep getting more for bigger hoard!" 

Wes would send petunia with Roccar and watch through her eyes just to make sure everything is fine, but he would stay back.

Killian will get her rest.

OOC > Assuming a Long Rest I adjusted her spell load out (though if no LR all I did was swap out Aid and replace it with Lesser Restoration, I did not hit the LR button, leaving that to you, Barty).

"I was in a cave once, but it was only me and some bears a druid asked to take me in. They were my family for a time until I got picked up by some beast tamers who thought I was a walking talking bear. They kept me in a cage for people to see until I stopped eating. One day they had their fill of coin from me and grew tired of my pitiful frame. They dumped me by some woods and carried on their way.

It matters little to me, now I want to buy a forest so none can claim it from me. I may even find a family or find those ones again and return the favor someday."

Gruun says all this very matter of factly, and shows very little emotion. It is in the past and doesn't require attention.

Other than his story and listening to others, he will eventually find a good corner and fall asleep there.

Thanks in large part to your efforts, the city of Luskan experiences a night of peace. The empty streets are free of even the roughest of the city's denizens, as only the bravest are willing to walk the alleys for fear of another bombing. Wes sees this odd tranquility through Petunia as Roccar patrols, and the barbarian eventually returns to the safehouse, sits in a vacant chair, and nods off, joining the rest of the party in their slumber.

The hours pass, and sunlight creeps through to the cellar through the windows on the floor above. You awake to see Ritska leaning against a wall, flipping a ring in the air as if it were a coin. When she sees you stir, the ring hovers in the air, still spinning as she takes you in. "Morning. Not one too rough, I hope? As we speak, Denorian flies his tower toward some doom we are ill-prepared for," she says glumly.

OOC: Characters have gained the benefits of a long rest. Wes can also prepare a different set of spells if he would like.

Killian opens a bleary, baleful eye, but after a moment, rouses herself. Offering a curt nod to Ritska, she goes about readying herself. Even the unkempt paladin looks like she might want a soft bed and clean clothes. But the safe house will have to do.

As the party sorts itself, she will attend to any discussion about what happens next, but she will be characteristically quiet.

"That bad, huh?" Ritska sighs as the party stirs and awakens, sitting in silence. She gives you a minute, allowing time to properly dress and prepare spells before she begins

"We are at a crossroads. Denorian has left to face this 'coming doom' alone, with half the Staffs of the Magi that he himself claimed were needed to stop it. We need a plan. Ser Mary...Doramor's little stunt has caused quite the unrest. The few citizens that are braving the streets this morning are terrified of your name. Surely they don't actually believe that you were responsible for the explosions, but rumors spread when fear takes hold, and simple minds will latch onto the simplest explanation. Yesterday's havoc, on top of the chaos that has surrounded Sundabar these last few months, have me worried,"

"What is it you fear, then?" Ser Mary asks.

"War," comes the reply. "My fear is that we all go save the world, and abandon the Sword Coast in the process. After all that has happened lately, what do you think will happen when Sundabar's Warblade and Watchblade disappear? When the one keeping Luskan from killing itself is no longer keeping watch? More importantly, what do you think will happen when the Many Arrows kingdom, whose truce with Luruar is tenuous as it is, sees our leadership in shambles? Our days of epic quests against evil have passed us by, Ser Mary. It is what we all knew when we chose politics. It is why we have been growing a group to be what the world needs; training them, testing them in Doramor's escalating confllict."

Ritska turns now to face the party, folding her hands behind her back. "We need you now, all of you. Roccar, Ser Mary, and I...we cannot stop the coming evil. We may have the ability, but without us, the Sword Coast will fall to pieces. Ser Mary is the only one who can keep Many Arrows at bay; without her, the Devilsfall Pact is as good as dirt. We...the world...need you to sail into the Trackless Sea, find Denorian if you can, and stop this coming doom," she says, pausing to gauge the response.

Killian just nods, as if she knew this was where it would all lead. 

Wes sits there closing his eyes as he winces, pinching the bridge of his nose.  A deep sigh exhales from him. Petunia back in her weasel form begins chattering aggressively while both paws are resting upon his collar bones as she stares at him.  “When does it end?” He ADLs her only to be replied with more chattering.  Petunia hops down and walks over to Ritska, not saying a word.  Just stands at attention.  Wes pipes up from his chair, “Always so dramatic.... you heard her, what do we need to do?” He says not being able to hide his reluctance.

Aradurk stands up, flexing his rested muscles, feeling the scars. “I am still in it for the long run. Tell us what we need to do.”

Rycider reveals herself after changing behind a chair into a jaunty pair of knickerbockers and a dashing headscarf.

When do we ship off? She says simply.

Hox drags himself out of his makeshift nest, to raise a claw, "Hox will want world shinies then." as he also accepts.

Gruun wakes and attempts an overhead stretch before the discussion began. He mutters something about magic under his breath while Ritska is talking. "I will see this through, point us where to go. Do we have a ship somewhere?"

Tanakir stands ready, "Very well. Let us be off as soon as we can, then."

Ritska exhales a chuckle. "I don't know why I was expecting resistance. You have shown the depth of your character," she says, beginning to pace back and forth.

"Let me make one thing perfectly clear. Whatever you would like to call yourselves - this band of adventurers that has come together through fortune and circumstance and coercion - you are not simple adventurers. You are heroes," she exclaims.

Ser Mary stands now, making eye contact with each of you. "The things that you have all accomplished...Aradurk, you were instrumental in forming the Devilsfall Pact with Many Arrows. You and the others in your party at that time prevented war; thousands upon thousands live because of your actions. The others do not stand here with us today. That you do is a testament to your bravery and your strength. And Rycider, Tanakir, Wes...you followed Fumbles into a wizard's tower, discovered the depths of what we are facing, and made it out alive. You chased Denorian's constructs into his own home and brought me out alive. Those are not minor accomplishments," she says.

"Gruun, Hox, and Killian...you stumbled into the midst of the slaad incursion in Sundabar," Roccar says, leaning forward in his chair and resting his arms on the handle of his greataxe. "You found Fumbles, and he trusted you with his life. He would be proud to see that his sacrifice brought you here with us now, to see you have ended the slaadi. Denorian may have jumped too early, but he, and the world, only stand a chance because you rode down a ship full of vampires to retrieve the Staffs of the Magi he now carries with him."

Ritska fishes out a large pouch full of coins and a beautiful crystal staff that she places before you. "The Schoolchildren found Doramor's hideout last night. This was all that was left - well, there was also a crude drawing of Doramor dumping a squid-like creature onto Ser Mary's face and a broken jar, but this was all that was useful, anyway. The coins are yours, all two thousand of them, as is this crystal staff. We are not certain of what it is, but it seems to be an exact replica Staff of the Magi. It carries the same patterns as those we have found. Doramor must have carried it for a reason," she says.

She pauses for a moment, lost in thought, then walks to Killian and places a small pin in her hand. "Despite the veracity of our statements, you are not ready; but you can be. Take this to a small roadside tavern called the Pork on the Fork. Ask for Milo, and give this pin to him. He will lead you to everything that you need for this fight. Trust me when I say that it will be worth the days that it takes, and while we await your return, we will procure a ship for you."

OOC: Each character has received 600 XP for refusing to trade Ser Mary to Doramor, 2000 XP for destroying the Hivemind, and 1000 XP for the enemies defeated in the last battle, for a total of 3600 XP.

Split evenly, each character has received 285 gold pieces. There 5 gold pieces left over to be claimed. In addition, there is a crystal staff, Doramor's cloak, and Doramor's rapier to be claimed.

Wes has used identify on the cloak and rapier. The cloak is a +2 cloak of protection. The rapier is a +3 rapier.

Killian looks at the pin in her hand, then at Ritska, then closes her hand over the pin. "I'll do as you ask, despite your lack of detail, but you'd best be past the point of tricking me us."

Wes chimes in “I know I’m rather far from the frontline, so I will not look to take the cloak of protection from any of those who wish to claim it as it is you who I hide behind.  But I am rather defenseless from attacks.  I do have my mantle of spell resistance I’m willing to give up either way is it’s quite redundant from my natural skillset.

Aradurk noses around the table, feeling the heft of the rapier, liking the swiftness of the blade. "Anyone calling dibs on the blade? I think this would improve my swing."

Killian expresses no interest in the magical items. She does say, however, "Perhaps the furred barbarian should have the cloak."

"If it helps kept a blade out of my side I will take it. If we are ready let make our way to the tavern. I'm not sure how fast a flying tower moves but we are already behind."