The Wildemount Irregulars (2020)

Balassar just keeps watch as they head out and during the night. Any free time he has will be split between teaching Ghost to guard and attack on command.

OOC:
Perception check: 20

Animal Handling check: 10

Alton gives Silent a hand with gathering up what ashes they can, "We really could use a better bag or something that will hold a lot of stuff."

While riding and at night, Alton goes over in his mind about what happened at the tower; which makes him quieter than usual.

Perception: 13 

Balassar, you spend your watch with Ghost, and seem to be making some progress in teaching him to growl when he sees an enemy.  Though at the moment, he's also growling when he sniffs Silent, who carries the undead ashes with him.  It will take time, but Ghost is responding well to you and becoming more comfortable around the group.

Silent, after your uneventful watch, you sleep soundly.  In your dreams, you sense the presence of a dry, joyless mind, and feel that you almost hear the rasping breaths of the creature you captured and then killed.  You know it is watching you, powerless.  You can't sense whether it feels anger, or hatred, or nothing at all.  It does not speak, though you know it could, and you know it can hear you if you wish to think your words into the silence where it shelters.

Alton, as the sun rises you see specks in the sky to the east, getting closer.  Perytons.  But they pass by you, some ways to the south, before swinging around and flying eastward once again.  Here you are further to the east than your previous encounters with the beasts, but it still seems odd to see so many of the creatures, even here.

You all wake, having completed a long rest.  On the road north, you encounter no Crownsguard patrols, nor Righteous Brand soldiers, only a few travelling merchants.  You reach the walls of Bladegarden just as the sun is setting; you know that most shops will already be closed, though you can no doubt find someone still working in the Crownsguard's headquarters if you wish.  Or you can find a room in the inn. 

Ghost does not accompany you into town, not yet - he's still too skittish when so many two-legged creatures are gathered together.  The horses of course will need a place to stay.

Where would you like to go?

Alton mentions seeing the perytons to his companions, "Is it unusual to see so many of those creatures in one area? I feel like we've been seeing them a lot." 

While asleep Silent considers attempting to speak to the wizard, but decides against it. Ain’t nothin’ good ever came from dealin’ with no wizards. 

The next day when Alton brings up the perytons, Silent nods. There’s some devilry afoot,  no doubt. We oughta ask the Crownsguard about ‘em when we give our report, see if they’ve been picking off more travelers. 

Speaking of… we gonna go talk to the coppers now, or d’you reckon we should turn in for the night and go tomorrow? 

Balassar just smiles at the progress being made by Ghost during the shift. As they walk the road he just notices the Perytons and gives a light sigh thinking they might fight. However, as the creatures leave them alone, he just chuckles “Guess they learned their lesson.”

As they enter the town and Silent poses his question he just shrugs “Might as well go drink and sleep, we might run into someone there we can talk to as well.”

To the Burnt Scabbard then?

The bartender recognises you, particularly Balassar who he's spoken to most, and waves a welcome to you, though he's rushed off his feet serving the customers.  The common room is busy with much the same crowd as before, though you don't recognise any faces at first glance.  A mix of off-duty soldiers and probable mercs.   

Ale is 4 copper a mug if you're drinking, a meal is 6 copper and a night's rest is 1 silver.  Are you staying up, or heading straight to bed?

If there is a break in the customers, Alton goes up to the bartender and gets his attention, "Excuse me sir. Would it be okay if I played for this place?"

Silent nabs himself an ale and will attempt to find a corner where he can quietly drink, in no mood to chat up any of the other patrons with the events of the trip weighing on his mind. 

Balassar just makes his way to the counter sitting down and ordering an ale and meal. He will then look around trying to see if he can make out a particular half-elf in crowd.

Uh, yeah, go ahead, the bartender says to Alton.  If you're good, you can keep your tips.  If you're bad, don't think I'm going to come over and rescue you.  If you're performing, give me an idea of what the performance is intended to be, and make a Performance check.

Silent, the folks in this bar know when a guy just wants to drink alone.  You are not disturbed.

Balassar, who are you looking for?  And make a Perception check.

OOC:

He’s looking for Moss

perception check: 6

Balassar takes a long time, looking in every direction and attracting not a few scowls from the regulars.  He doesn't see Moss.

(OOC:  Moss is a half-orc, I think.  Unless I described her incorrectly before.  In any case, we'll say she's a half-orc.)

Alton goes over to Silent and drops his backpack off and removes the lute from it before going to a better spot for playing. He makes sure the lute is tuned up and jumps into a lighthearted sea shanty tune, changing up the lyrics a bit to more match the garrison. 

Performance: 18 

I'll give you advantage for the fun lyrics - give me another roll. :)

Performance: 14

It's a decent performance, though you think you could have done better.  Not all of clientele are into it, but some are, and you get a smattering of applause when you finish.  You get a few coins tossed in your direction, and end up with 6 silver and 8 copper.

Alton gives a small bow and collects the coins. He makes his way over to the barkeep and hands him 3 silvers and 6 coppers; for a meal and their groups night stay. "Thanks for letting me have some fun. My friends and I are going to stay the night and I, at least, could use a hot meal." He will then go join up with Silent.

You all sleep well in the inn, and wake in the morning having completed a long rest.

(If there was anything else you wanted to achieve the night before, let me know.  Otherwise, what's the plan for the new day?)

(OOC: Huge fan of the sea shanty :D) 

At first light, Silent says to Alton and Balassar, Straight to the Crownsguard garrison, then, lads? Or do we have anything to take care of first?