Answering Chrys, Vesper says, "Unfortunately, my message spell only works short range, like if you were about 100 feet away. So I won't be able to talk to you guys when you leave. If you ever find someone who has a spell like that maybe you can have them send me a message and let me know what you're doing. Like Mr. Dundragon."

"And don't worry, I've heard enough about lycanthropy... I have no intention of become a werewolf. That's probably the last thing I want. No offense to the rest of you," she says, turning to to Aelar, Lia and Lucan. "I like who I am just fine."

The three lycan-elves just smile and grin. Aelar says, "Fear not, Vesper, my child... we have no intention of sharing our curse with you."

To Silver, Vesper responds to the firbolg's Shape Water display, "Oooohhh!! That's beautiful!! And yes, I do find joy in my magic, in fact, that's my favorite thing about it. Like I said, that's why I don't think being an adventurer is for me. I love doing pretty things with my spells and creating things that bring myself and other people joy and wonder, so much more than using it to kill stupid monsters."

She then performs and series of intricate hand gestures and uses her magic to put a small illusory flower in Silver's hand.

"Don't get me wrong, I took my role in our adventuring party quite seriously, and I saw it as an important use of my spells to help protect my companions... my friends during all those battles we had."

"Going forward, though, I'd like to expanding my magical abilities in different ways and focus more on learning more spells that lie in creation, and even Illusions. I've always been impressed by Lumen's illusions. And I love the one you just showed me with the water... that's exactly the kind of spell I'd like to learn. Can show me those hand motions you used to cast it?"

"I'd also like to spend more time painting. That's something I also love to do, but sadly, I haven't been able to do very much during the past month. I think that being here at Ravenglade will really inspire me to start being creative again."

Lumen is, you might have guessed, taken totally aback at Vesper's admission. His cheeks flush for probably the first time anyone in the party has seen. He ducks his head and afterward, touches his cheek and turns away with a mumbled phrase that sounds like "awww shucks" and makes for a quick exit, but then he pauses, rolls his shoulders, and turns back with a half grin. Eyebrow slightly raised. He lithely moves back to the group and gives Vesper a smooth embrace in return, with a simple twist and dip, like in the stories. He doesn't return the kiss, but he wants to leave her with a memory. "Everyone's path is laid out long before them, and no one knows where it will go. Maybe mine leads to fame. Maybe a ditch. If I stick with the Dawnbringers, I think I'll at least be safe. And making things better. We're all very lucky your path didn't stop yesterday. I think it'll go on and on. I can't wait to hear about what it finds."

He looks up at Aelar and the others. "Take care of her, and let her take care of you."

Vesper accepts Lumen's embrace with warmth, and responds to the added twist and dip with a giggle and a slight blush of her own.

Aelar answers Lumen, "Of course we will, friend. I look forward to getting to know Vesper and having her be a very welcome guest in our home for as long as she wishes."

As the evening ends, Lia shows you to the bedchambers, each offering a spacious, semi-private room which have been straightened up, with any lingering kobold scents cleansed with the smell of incense, candles and fresh sprigs of fragrant greenery that give the rooms a fresh, relaxing ambience. With the extra rooms, each of you has the use of your own chamber, containing a luxurious bed, a small bookshelf, a writing desk, a wardrobe and a trunk. 

As you settle down in what is easily the most comfortable room you've had in weeks, if not longer, thoughts and memories of the past few weeks drift through your relaxed minds. It's been over a month since you first met in Yartar, and just over a week since you brought Nym into the party. So much has happened in that time, and not just the unpleasant trials of battling with giant rats, goblins, trolls, dire wolves, orcs, kobolds, a supposed assassin, a vile sea hag, and of course a dragon. Lumen, Kess and Chrys remember with a smile, that that final heroic battle with the goblin boss in the underground temple near Melton, when you lit the bag of goblin poop on fire with a magical fire bolt spell, and threw it into the room, shutting the door behind.

You've trekked together through thick forests, murky, bug-filled swamps, saved the dryad Phelannie from diseased forest elements, you've made an acquaintance with Dauric, the Dragonborn druid, and you met the four rangers, Calia, Brit, Salanaia and Thervanis, who were out in the forest hunting orcs, and who said they can often be found at The Dancing Goat in Silverymoon. You've made friends with Ellywick and Harriet, both from the small town of Melton, and of course, you've formed a bond with these shape-changer elves who live at the magnificent keep deep where you now lie.

You've listened to Lumen play and sing everything from grand epic songs to quiet ballads and instrumental pieces that seem to resemble the sounds of nature. You've seen the unbelievably strong arm, dedication and even the occasionally sense of warmth that normally stoic Chrysoberyl displays. You've witnessed the dazzling blade and bow work of Kessdarra, who also seems to be a walking trove of elvish history, the interesting contrast of calm kindness of Silver's tender firbolg nature and the powerful sorcery magic that comes from her distant silver dragon lineage, and the genuine kindness, warmth, and protective acts that the drow elf Nym displays, which are so different from everything you've heard of her kind that lives far below the surface.

You've seen party members come and go, including additions, Nym and Silver, while Chry's old friend Dragonborn friend Silver, the witty and dextrous halfling named Arnie, and the surprisingly likable, although sometimes troublesome kobold Krackle, have all since departed your group. And now Vesper has announced that she will not join you as you continue on your adventures together. 

With his task now finished, who knows what lies ahead for the five of you and the new skills, magic and confidence that you now possess. As Aelar has indicated, you are welcome to stay as long as you wish, and while they would welcome your help with clean up and repair of the keep, you are also free to just relax and recuperate before departing. Either way, those decisions come tomorrow. For now, you remember a few more of those happy memories from the past few weeks before finally drifting off to a deep, relaxing sleep that lasts until the next morning. 

Kess

Nym glances at Silver's display over the shoulder of Vesper, her eyes wide in interest at the arcane display. At the younger sorceress' admission that such long range communication was out of her ability, the drow spoke up, "I've heard of such a spell before. Perhaps I may pray to Eilistraee for aid in keeping in touch with newfound friends and allies." 

It felt so surreal being led to a room all to herself. The window looking over the tall space was disorienting and a bit off putting, but the room itself was welcoming. One could hardly tell Kobolds had just ransacked the place. Setting down her pack and sitting on the bed, the cleric takes a moment to simply...sit. And breathe. It was so quiet. It had been many a decade since she last had a room all to herself. Ever since leaving the Underdark, she had shared close spaces with her clan. Caverns and caves getting smaller and smaller as they neared the surface. A tenday ago she was still lollygagging with Duaric at the beginning of her Run before he gave her the push she needed to truly go out there and try and make a difference. It was the longest amount of time she had ever spent away from them. She wished she could tell her Elder all that she had done so far. She hoped Eilistraee would be proud of what she helped accomplish. 

Looking down at the Amulet resting against her breastbone, she marveled at the moonbow symbol of Sehanine and reflected on the connection between this deity and her own as she doffed her armor and begins maintaining her longsword. Eventually the moon comes up and shines through the window, drawing the drow to disrobe and kneel on the floor before it. Opening the window and holding her sword straight up, Nym lets her lavender eyes close as she begins to pray in Celestial. 

 With that, she lays down on the bed and begins her trance. She tranced longer than necessary, relishing in the extra time to reflect on recent events but also mental battles long past. But even when she finally does come out of it, it's still extremely early in the morning. Taking the time to do some of her neglected stretches and sword steps, Nym slowly gets ready for the day ahead, not entirely sure what it would hold. She made sure her bag was packed but left it in the trunk of the room, exiting fully armed and armored, feeling odd if she wasn't. Descending the staircase Nym looks in search of the Warriors of Sehanine or one of the Dawnbringers. 

The last time Silver had slept in a room like this... Well, it was long enough ago that she couldn't remember when it might have been. Perhaps in Stagwick, or Castle Hartwick itself, there to reach an agreement on use of the forest and its resources. She thinks on the last time they had come seeking the bounty of the forest, and she held herself tightly. With her thumb she absent-mindedly spins the ring which now sits on her little finger.

She was so lucky to have found these people. They had accepted her into their group. But they did not know her, or what she had done. Surely they would cast her out when they discovered the truth. Would it be better to leave now? Selfishly, she thought, she didn't want to let them go. Even if the fallout would be bigger in the end, she couldn't make herself go. 

But something had to change. She wasn't who she was born to be any more, she had thrown that life away. 

Suddenly she feels claustrophobic. She had lived her life out in the open, under the sky, among the trees. She feels the walls closing in and quickly opens the door, walking through the keep, down the gentle slope to the butte. She stands by the loch, listening to the crashing of the waterfall. She casts her hand out over it, and a thick platform of ice forms near the shore. She steps onto it and sits down, then with a wave urges the water to push her platform across the surface. She gets as close to the waterfall as she dares, letting the sound of it fill her up. It helps to drown out the thoughts she didn't want, to focus on the thoughts she needed. 

They had been told there was a cave below the loch, where the dragon might have hidden. Of course that had not been the case, but the cave would still be there. How would one even get to it? She casts her eye briefly over the water, but in the dark of the night the still loch is an ink-black mirror. All she sees is her own grey-white face staring back at her.

What to do? How to mark this change in her life? Now that she has truly accepted that she will never return home (has she though? She shuts that errant thought down. She must accept it.) Having left, she did not even have a purpose until after meeting the newly named Dawnbringers. 

Something occurs to her, about names, and meetings. She smiles to herself in the darkness, and commands the water to return her to land.

She returns to her room. It no longer feels too small, though she opens the window in any case, to smell the forest and feel the breeze. Laying down on the bed she fills it from end to end, but that doesn't matter. She sleeps a peaceful sleep, and dreams of a shining dragon over snow white trees.

Chrys tosses and turns in the soft bed that night, trying to get comfortable.  It's a hard task.  She's not used to all this softness -- it reminds her of home, and not in the good way: of stifling responsibilites, and being expected to marry well, wear an apron, and bake pies, of all things.  "Sneakin' away ta join the guards was one o' the best decisions I ever made," Chrys mumbles, feeling fully justified in her decision.  It doesn't change the cushy softness of the sheets, though.  Finally, annoyed, she throws the covers off and stomps to the window, flinging it open and breathing in the cool night air.  Her long hair is a mess, and that'll be a problem in the morning -- but the cool air is biting, and the stars are out in force tonight.  Staring at them gives Chrys a feeling of nostalgia - this time a pleasant one, of freedom, and camping on the mountainside, her faithful goat Lupin at her side.  Those times, it seemed like the world was made up of possibility -- and in a way, it's the same feeling she has right now.

"The Dawnbringers... a new beginnin', huh," Chrys says, leaning on the windowsill.  "Oi, Watchful Eye.  Are you gazin' on me now?  Am I doin' right by ya?  I'm gonna keep tryin', ya know.  I got a good feelin' about the future.  E'en with all the challenges we still got facin' us," she adds, turning a baleful eye towards her pack.  Sighing, she begins her nightly ritual, bending a knee and beginning a devout prayer to the Duin.  For strength, for protection, and in thanks for the companionship of her friends.  Her silent prayer done, she gets up and carefully shuts the window.  Then, with a tired sigh, she walks over to her pack and digs through it.  Soon, she finds what she's looking for -- the wrapped cloth containing the cursed piece of the obsidian mask that had once corrupted her friend Krackle.

"I know Shar's power is in there, waitin' ta pounce," Chrys says, placing the cloth carefully on the table without unwrapping it.  "But tonight's a happy an' peaceful one.  So I ain't lettin' ya.  Not today, not tomorrow, not ever, y'hear?" she tells it, as she continues to dig through her pack.  Soon, the flask of holy water comes out, and she sprinkles a bit onto the palm of her hand.  Carefully, she drizzles it over the cloth, making sure it soaks through, and praying as earnestly as she can.

"O Watchful Eye," she intones as she douses the cloth, her accent dropping as it does when she prays seriously, "May you keep the forces of evil at bay, and protect those who travel along your ever-wandering roads.  Strengthen our minds and our souls, that we may be ever vigilant against the influences of evil present in the world among us."  She bows her head in prayer for a few moments, before carefully packing the damp shard away, well under the thick rolls of pelts still carried in her bag.  "Gotta tell the others that we still need ta deal with this," she grumbles under her breath with a grimace.

Finally, Chrys climbs back into the comfortably uncomfortable bed, tired enough to ignore the embroidered sheets and the smell of ancient wealth.  The fragrant musk of the pelts still on her hands helps a bit with that, and she rubs them thoroughly against the sheets, before pulling them around herself tightly and falling fast asleep.

Lumen settles into the comfortable room, embracing the quiet. He usually fills such with music, with singing, but he lays back and listens to himself, the noises outside, the bumps and mutterings of his friends in the other rooms. Yes, his friends. The Dawnbringers. A good name.

If the people who tried to raise him, and then fell him, could see him now. Traveling with a bunch of elves, a dwarven paladin, and a firbolg. They would not know what to say. He might not have, at one point. He'd had a foot or two out the door for much of this journey. A mask that possessed a kobold, an assassin still lurking, a hungry forest, a rogue orc clan, a possessed dragon. He didn't have to say anything now. It was comfortable. It was home.

He chuckled to himself. And instead of playing anything himself, he casts major image and brings forth a tree with moving, winding branches. Similar to their dryad friend's tree, but looking like a Lumen tree. One of the branches moves up and meets another shaped like a lute and brings forth a full, resonant melody. An entire orchestra comes into being in the tree's limbs, woodwinds, percussion, strings, even brass. The song that he's been working on in his head comes forth and spills out through the spell. He thinks he's daydreaming in composition, but there it is, in the room. The story of the Pie Pals and the Dawnbringers, thus far. The door's open so the sound spills out through the building.

If anyone hears and reacts he eventually realizes it's not in his head and processes that he's learned a new trick. A little less bashfully than normal.

Later, he'll eagerly accompany Silver to the water to check out the cave and help however he can, through inspiration, arcana, or guile. 

As morning comes, you all find your way down to the main floor of the keep, where Aelar, Lia, Lucan, Vesper and the two children are in the dining room enjoying a light breakfast of fruit, nuts and other foodstuffs that they were able to salvage from the pantry. 

Aelar welcomes you down. "Good morning! It seems as if you were able to get some comfortable, and from what I would guess, some much needed rest after a long and very busy week of travel and excitement."

"As I spoke yesterday, you are all free to spend as much time here as you wish before you continue along with your adventures. If you do decide to linger, you are certainly under no obligation; you have done more than enough for us, but if you would like to offer us further help, we would welcome any assistance you wish to provide as we begin to rebuild."

"There are a few takes that we would like to accomplish first; those include doing a more thorough repair on the Sky's Ascend, repairing the damaged roof in the Raven's Council, and replenishing our food stocks. Lucan and I will be in charge of the repair jobs, while Lia will be in charge of food. She can show you where we usually gather our main staples, like fruits, berries, nuts, mushrooms, tubers, and also show you the best fishing spots along the river."

"We also hunt for smaller animals, like rabbit, small fowl like quail and partridge and even wild boar."

"Vesper will continue with the cleaning of the keep, and she is keen on trying to restore the mural on the floor of the entry hall."

"Well, I ain't much o' a hunter.  I got some strength in these arms, so if ye need a bit o' help with liftin' heavy things.  I also got some skill in usin' my smithin' tools, see, I always got 'em in my pack," Chrys replies, patting her stuffed, jangling pack.  As she does, you see it's distended, with many objects lashed onto the back that she's collected through her adventures - from spare spears, to wolf pelts.  "An' I heard somethin' about wantin' ta check out some tunnels below... that's where I'm probably most useful ta people.  Minin', or smashin' dangers outta the way... that's kinda what we dwarves do."

She digs through her pack and pulls out a few sacks as the others settle at the table.  "Speakin' o which, my pack's gettin' overfull... maybe some o' you can help me carry this stuff," she says, throwing out four small cloths to each of the Dawnbringers, filled with:

• 12 gold coins
• 10 silver coins
• 4 copper coins
• 1 gem worth 14 gold coins

She also holds out an ornamented wooden scroll case.  "Any o' you scholarly types interested in this thing here?" she asks.

"I also hate ta remind y'all, but we got a certain Shar shard we gotta deal with still.  I ain't a fan of keepin' it round these folks fer too long, I don't know what effect it's gonna have on their curse, t'be honest.  So whatever we do, I'm thinkin' it should't be hangin' here for too long, leastwise not with this stuff in tow. 'Sides, I still feel like we gotta deal with that wisp callin' himself Velarken, otherwise he's gonna just come back an' corrupt somethin' worse than an ornery black dragon next."

"My goodness, a bounty!" exclaims Silver, marveling at the contents of the little cloth bag. "I have never had much use for currency, except when visiting the human towns of the Vale. But if I am to be out in the world, I expect this will be very necessary, so I thank you."

"I would be happy to help gather food," she responds to Aelar. "I know my way around forests, and although I'm sure the available produce will be very different to the woods of Hartsvale I believe I will learn quickly."

Silver's attention returns to Chrys as she sums up their to-do list. "What is this shard? You mentioned Shar before, but not what had actually happened."

"Oh, that... well, it ain't a real good story," Chrys says, facing the firbolg and tapping her fingers on the table.  "We were passin' through this lil' outpost named Melton, and somethin' weren't right with the constable there.  We did a lil' bit o' diggin', an' it turns out she'd come across a cursed mask in a forgotten temple o' Shar - y'know, the evil twin sister o' Selûne.  Anyways, it corrupted her somethin' fierce, an' she was tryin' ta make some sorta Shar cult outta the goblins holin' up in there.  We had ta bring her down and cleanse the place o' goblins, but it still had a demonic presence in there too, a might more powerful than us then-Pie-Pals were equipped ta handle.

Anyways, our lil' kobold friend Krackle picked up the mask after we defeated the former constable, an' it corrupted him somethin' fierce too.  We managed ta free him in the end, but ya know... it hurt him real bad, an' he left us shortly after, lookin' fer a more peaceful life.  An' that mask?  We managed ta break inta three bits, 'fore it could take o'er anyone else in our lil' group.  An' we found ways ta deal with two o' them bits.  But I still got the third right here in my pack, an' it's still got the power o' Shar in it, waitin' ta corrupt somebody or somethin'.

We also got this assassin fella who's a Shar cultist tracin' us, most like he's tryin' ta get this piece o' the mask back for his dark purposes, y'know?  But, we ran inta him on the forest on the way here, and whupped his ass pretty good.  He managed ta get away from us, though, an' that means, one day, he's like ta be back, an' with the words o' revenge on his lips," Chrys admits.  "''S the reason I'm holdin' onta it still.  I don't want nobody else ta get hurt handlin' these things, an' if someone got some kinda way ta track it, I think I'm more suited ta bear a surprise attack than the rest o' ya."

Her brows draw together.  "'Fore Fivin ended up showin' us his true colors, I was kinda hopin' ta ask him if he knew what we could do with this thing.  I hate carryin' it 'round, ta be honest, and he is a real learned librarian.  Thing is, he's already been corrupted once.  Now I'm kinda thinkin', this might be somethin' that would tempt him inta doin' worse than he already done."

((If anyone wants to try and forage, fish or hunt for food, roll a Survival check for each day you attempt. If two or more of you go together, then you can make the roll with advantage.))

((Nym would definitely have heard and noticed Lumen's performance and would sneakily have tried to get a closer peek. Nym is interested in foraging, she'll assist Silver and give her advantage to her Survival roll. Will do actual post tomrorrow hopefully. Too exhausted from work rn.))

"That is quite the dilemma. In some ways Fivin seems to have seen the error of his ways. But an artefact like that should be given to someone totally trustworthy, in a place totally safe. If you need to share the burden of carrying the shard, I am happy to do so.

In the meantime, there is something I would like to let you all know. I have told you previously that my name, Silver, is more of a title than a name. It is based on my ancestry, and comes with responsibilities, responsibilities I admit that I abandoned when I left the Vale. It is not a name I should bear. So I have decided to change it. I have been without purpose, drifting through the world since I started southward, until I met you all. I would like to honour you, and this place. So from today, I would like to be known as Alae."

She pronounces it "ah-lay". Those who speak Elvish:

I'll roll for 3 days of foraging, assisted by Nym. I don't know how long we're staying here, we might not need all 3, I might need to roll more. Silver will happily continue to help and stay here until the others, who were present for the other adventures, feel the need to move on to tick items off their to-do list.

26

14

18

As unbelievably comfortable as the bedding and rest was, Nym was not having a good morning, mainly due to the fact that these elves seemed to relish in the sunlight and thus had little in the way of shutters or curtains to prevent the rising sun from streaming in. During their journey here, she had the foliage of the forest to shield her, but as comforting as it was to wake up to the warm rays, the brightness of them made her wince when she opened her eyes directly in a ray of sunlight after awaking from her trance. Rubbing her eyes and taking a moment to adjust, the drow set about cleaning herself, stretching, offering her prayers to Eilistraee and preparing for the day. Remembering Lumen's song that she had overheard the previous night, she wondered if he'd tolerate her attempting to play with him. He seemed an amazingly accomplished bard and she only knew one instrument. And she didn't even have one... Perhaps their hosts would be able to help her. 

Descending down to the main floor, Nym is drawn to the dining room by the sounds of the others. Having such exotic food two days in a row seemed so lavish to her and she was thankful for every bite, especially given it was all the Warriors of Sehanine had. "I really like these... What did you call them? Almonds and pecans? It's such a good texture and interesting flavor." The fruits she could only handle so much of, too rich in flavor for her inexperienced palate. "Where do you find them?" Eager to learn to try and find more. 

Smiling at Vesper upon learning what she was trying to accomplish, Nym wished her luck before catching what Chrysoberyl was tossing out to each of them. Opening it, her eyes widened. "This is so much... I-Thank you, Chrys." She had gained quite a bit of coin since joining the Dawnbringers. At least four times over the modest amount that her clan had pooled together to help her as she set out on her Run. The cleric was eager yet terrified at the chance to spend it. 

Nodding along with Silver, Nym said to Aelar, "I don't have much experience in hunting animals, but Duaric had taught me just a few things to be able to forage and I'm eager to learn more. Especially the mushrooms and muts? Nuts? Anyway, I'm in the same egg sac as you," Nodding to the firbolg before elaborating, "I know exactly where to find all sorts of tubers and mushrooms underground, but I imagine they might be a bit different above ground." 

"Do we have any way of knowing where the wisp has gone? Hard to deal with something if we don't know where it is." The cleric shrugs matter of factly. 

As Silver inquired about the mysterious Shar shard and the dwarven paladin shared the story, Nym was quiet, absorbing the information with interest. But upon her lamenting that she had wanted to ask Fivin about the shard but now wasn't so sure that was the best of ideas considering what he had done, Nym starts and looks around the table, only belatedly realizing that the elf wasn't among them. Pursing her lips, she says to Chrys after glancing at Lucan, "It wouldn't hurt to simply ask for Fivin's counsel. You don't have to follow his advice if you don't think it's sound. Unless you think  he might try and trick or manipulate you." 

Nodding with what their taller mage friend said, Nym echoed, "Whatever we can do to help."

Head tilting at Silver, no 'Alae's' speech, the drow lights up at the reveal of her new chosen name, "It's beautiful! And perfect. It suits you...Alae." Trying out her new name with a grin. 

Nym will help gather and forage with Alae. Assuming that multiple days pass, Nym would take the time to cast Sending to Duaric:

She would also ask Lia one day while foraging with her if they happened to have any wind instruments. "Or...well I'm not sure they're commonplace or not, but a double drone flute?" Her expression tentatively hopeful. "It's what I learned to play on at least so it'd be nice to trade and have one again. But I think I can learn to adapt to any flute." 

"Well, I heard somethin' 'bout tunnels Duskbringer was holin' up in near here... could be that that Velarken retreated there, 'specially if he was confused.  Might also just have a plain ol' clue 'bout where he'd be goin' next, mebbie.  Don't know, but it's worth lookin' inta."  She looks to Lumen, having noted that he had mentioned wanting to explore the tunnels below.  "'Sides, Lumen, I know ya got yer pride, but if Kess ain't goin' down explorin' with ya, I'm comin' along.  Ye got a penchant fer getting yerself bloodied doin' all sorts o' nonsense, ye need some steel at yer side when ye go inta the great unknowns.  Though hopefully either m'self or Kess will suffice, I ain't expectin' great dangers down there."

As Silver speaks her new name, Chrys nods slowly, not really understanding, but accepting the change.  "Alae, huh...  got a nice ring to it," Chrys says to the firbolg.  "It's probably got some meanin' ta it, but I've always judged people by their deeds, an' not the titles we all give ourselves, or the way we look.  So I'm just gonna think ta myself that it's another word for a good friend, 'cause ya are, now," she grins.  "If ya notice me startin' ta act all strange-like, don't hesitate ta take that piece o' evil off o' me.  But fer now, I'm trustin' in the Duin ta help me carry this thing ta its final restin' place, wherever that's gonna be."

Absorbing Nym's advice to ask Fivin about the shard regardless, Chrys sits back and holds her chin, the frown still etched on her face.  "I jus' don't like hanging temptation up in front o' the weak.  Still... 'suppose I could do, an' it's not like I can hold onta this thing forever." Chrys says, wrinkling her brow at the thought of revealing the existence to the shard to someone like Fivin.  "Aelar, ya think this is a sound idea or nae?" she asks bluntly.  "Our minds are runnin' in similar directions here, so I value yer opinion on this here situation."

As the girls decide to go foraging, Chrys realizes that even with a consultation with Fivin, she might have some time on her hands, and adds, "If ye be needin' me fer repairs, or wantin' me ta try to mine some citrine fer yer people, I can do my best at either.  I ain't got no minin' equipment on me, though, gotta warn ya.  But I got these two hands, an' they always managed ta get by somehow.  An' they're here ta help so long as the rest o' the Dawnbringers wanna stay."

Aelar responds to Silver's choosing of a new name. "Aela... that is a fine name for one who is a friend of the elves. Whatever life and responsibilities that made up your previous life, you have shown your true colors to both us, and to your new companions, who seem to have embraced you with love and acceptance, as we have here at Ravenglade."

To Chrys, the copper haired elf says. "With your help, and if Lumen joins us, I see the repairs going as follows. It should be more more than one full day to repair the Sky's Ascend. Your temporary repairs of the rope bridges will make the job go much more quickly, so I propose that we get started right away this morning."

"The roof in the Raven's Council will be a much more involved job. First, we need to harvest some wood, with the good graces of Rillifane Rallathil, who is the elven god of the woodlands that we pray to for the safekeeping and prosperity of the forest. Again, with four hands and strong backs, we should be able to fell enough trees, cut them into planks and bring the wood back up to the keep. Perhaps we can complete that task in a single day. 

"Repairing the roof itself will be a more involved task. I see that taking up to three days to complete, perhaps more. I went up to inspect the damage this morning, and it is quite extensive. We will need to clear out the debris and then rig ropes on the roof so that we can work up there. We have all of the tools needed, though, so I don't foresee any major obstacles that would prevent us from doing a full repair."

"Either way, I propose that we get to work right away with the Sky's Ascend and see how that goes. Unless, you would first like to go down and look in the hidden grotto that lies under the loch. I am fine with that option as well." 

(Chrys and Lumen can make Strength checks to see how well the work goes on the first job. If you would like to look for the hidden cave under the loch first, let me know.)

To Nym, Aela, and Kess, (who has offered to hunt for whatever small game she can find with her bow,) Lia says, "Come with me, and I will show you where we forage and harvest our main foodstuffs. 

She leads you out of the keep, across the grassy plateau, down the Sky's Ascend, and into the forest at the base of the butte. From there, she shows you where to find mushrooms, tubers, nuts, fruit and berries in the surrounding region, and helps you with your harvesting task. Meanwhile, Kess goes off and looks for small birds and game in the nearby woods.

At one point, Lia says to Nym, "I do have a simple flute that like to play sometimes. It reminds me of the wind and the birds that sing in the trees. I will be happy to show it to you and let play it when we get back this afternoon."

(Can't post long thing now, but Lumen would like to help explore the underwater cavern, and also help rebuild the Sky's Ascend. He'll use inspiration and invisibility as makes sense!)

Ok...I'll make this simple. 

• 2,550cp, 
• 1,128sp
• 612gp
• six black jasper stones (worth about 50gp each)
• one jade stone (100gp)
• a pair of battered brass goblets (75gp each)
• a small mirror in a finely carved frame (40gp)
• a single metal shield that's set with blue quartz stones (25gp
• two small vials, which you discover are Potion of Healing
• a jeweled scroll case (worth 150gp).

You also find a small ornately decorated cloth sack, which upon further examination, you discover is a Bag of Holding.

:O