The Wildemount Irregulars (2020)

Silent is ready to head back to Bladegarden but he’ll defer to the other two if there’s something they want to take care of. 

Alton looks to Balassar, "Should we go back to Bladegarden? I don't know if we'll get in trouble if we don't go back."

Balassar just nods "Sounds like we go back then. Guess we should get a move on."

The trip back to Bladegarden takes two full days on foot; luckily, in the middle of the first day you encounter a small band of Crownsguard who are being transferred to the city, and you are able to travel with them in relative safety.  They have no news of the war to tell you; they've been in Deastok but are now being sent to the east where more patrols are needed.  Instead, they pepper you with questions about their destination; you get the feeling these folks have never been far from home before.  It's up to you how much you want to tell them.

You arrive back in Bladegarden in the late afternoon; where are you headed first?

Silent keeps to himself during the trip, saying little. Once they reach Bladegarden he says to Alton and Balassar, I know we promised to report back to the Captain, but we’re all in agreement about keeping the kids’ situation a secret, yeah? We can come up with some explanation. 

Balassar will just nod "Yeah, probably should report to her and then try to find Moss."

If there’s no objections Silent will start heading to the tavern where they met Captain Fray last time and, if she’s not there, ask the barkeep (or any soldiers who might be around) where she might be found. 

You all reach the tavern, and find Captain Fray seated with a group of other Crownsguard.  She notices you enter, and quickly stands up and invites you to another table where you can speak in private.  

You're back, she says in a friendly tone as she waves to the innkeeper for a round of drinks; the common room of the inn is busy and noisy, but Fray has no trouble getting immediate service and the drinks arrive very quickly.  Any news from Trean?

Balassar walks in and sits down when invited and takes a drink from his mug that she ordered them “The kids were found and taken back. A group using the name The Red Company had found them and when we encountered them they handed them over to us to escort the kids back to the village.”

He takes another drink “By chance is there a soldier named Moss in here?”

'Red Company', is it?  Fray laughs at the name.  They 'found' them?  I don't follow.  But anyways, did you find out why these kids disappeared?  Were they taken?  What about the kids from other villages?

I don't know anyone called Moss, but I don't know that many folk here yet, though I'll be here another tenday or so, I reckon.  New orders.  And no, I can't give you details.  But I do have that other job for you, if you're still interested.

Silent, recalling Balassar's suggestions during their debate over the kids' futures, goes with the dragonborn's proposed story.

Seemed like a case o' wartime getting to folks' heads. Kids playin' at being Empire and Kryn soldiers, goin' off lookin' for adventures and gettin' carried away.  As for the Red Company... mercs thinkin' they'd capitalize on the paranoia and cash in on some young traitors (he makes an air-quotes gesture). They found the kids in the wilderness and were roughin' em up, planning to hand 'em over for a quick payday. We put a stop to that. As for the other villages... hard to say, but I reckon it'd be more of the same. 

As for that other job... remind me again what the deal was? Been a long few days traipsing around the wilds and my memory ain't never been the best... 

Balassar just looks over at Silent and smirks, he had only promised he wouldn't say anything about roughing up the kids not his companions. He just nodded "Yeah bad game that carried out of hand, we straightened the kids up though and let them know that during these times we find ourselves in probably best not to be playin' games like that. Also, gave the Red Company a good lesson in how to behave when representing the kingdom. Would hate for you lot to get a bad reputation because of a few misbehaving adventures (he makes air-quotes gesture)."

Alton nods along to what Silent and Balassar said happened with the kids, "Oh, I hope Nara is around too. It would be fun to surprise her." He chuckles thinking about the look on his sister's face seeing him out here. "We also tried to get a pet along the way."

((OOC: I assume that the wolf following us stayed in the forest we found her in.))

Silent, can you give me a Deception check please, with advantage from Balassar's words.

(OOC:  I pushed forward to get you back to town, so you could have done various things with the wolf on the way.  What would you like to have happened?  Is the plan to keep the wolf around as a permanent travelling companion?  Or something else?)

Deception 21 

I see, Fray replies.  Well, it would have been better if you could have got some kind of letter or statement that I could put in the files, but Gods know you've proven yourselves trustworthy enough.  Come by headquarters tomorrow, and I'll take a written statement and see to your reward.  And discuss your next job.

Now, tell me about the 'Red Company', Fray continues.  They sound lovely.

Balassar, you sense someone standing behind you.  Silverstone, right?  Heard  you were asking after me.  A female half-elf is standing there, and you recognise her - just - as Moss, though she looks to have aged a decade since you last saw her.

Music begins to play - you didn't notice as you were talking, but a group of three halflings have set up in the corner of the common room and are playing a lively Felderwin tune, quite well.

Balassar just looks at her "I'm sure any of the kids would be willing to vouch for us. Though depends on how much you carry the weight of their words."

He just takes a sip and chuckles "Right now just another lot who cares more about riding on the coat tails of those that carried the name before them. Dueled their leader for kicks and he couldn't even land a hit or listen to his companions who told him not to even engage. They have a lot to learn."

As Moss interrupts he just nods "Yeah, had a friend as me to check in on ya. We were both in the Ash Stalkers around the same time. You got a second a to talk, I'll get the next round." he says standing up and pointing to the nearest empty table.

OOC:
I'm a little interested in us trying to domesticate the wolf and see what happens, but I'll default to group consensus.

(OOC: Hell yeah let’s train ourselves an attack dog. If any checks are needed, Silent is willing to help Balassar using whatever old tricks he may picked up) 

Alton bobs his head along with the music, "It was very much a one sided duel. I did try to warn them too about how strong Balassar is with saying he could beat a giant in arm-wrestling. I will give that Jules guy some credit for not running when Balassar grew to twice his size." He looks over at Silent, "Do you think we can make Balassar grow even bigger with magic or something? It would be pretty funny to see the faces of some bandits or other troublemakers when Balassar goes from the size he is now to the size of a mountain." He chuckles thinking about what that would look like before turning back to Fray, "That Jules guy did seem kind of rude and not just to us, but to the others in their group; he also did most of the talking. I do wonder why he was more interested in the reputation than the money."

((OOC: I'm on board for trying to befriend the wolf.)

So, the wolf refused to enter the city with you, no matter how much food you offered it.  It will wait a day or two for you to return to it, but not longer - please bear that in mind.

Balassar, Moss joins you at the other table.  Check on me?  Like what? she asks a little aggressively, then she shrugs.  Sorry.  How are you doing these days? 

Alton and Silent, you can continue your conversation with Fray if you like, but she won't offer you any useful information before your meeting the following day.  She only shows a little interest in the Red Company, and clearly assumes they are idiots who will likely get themselves killed in short order.