"Blammed lizard droppin's!" Tafod grimmaces. "Oy! 't were a wee bit tetch n' go there fer a minute; but ye be roight lass, wes best bes careful next toime. If'n there bes another toime we'll need a signal t' attack so's we kin jes let'm gos on ther merrys way if'n thar bes too many o' them.  But I agrees, wes best be 'eadin back t' more 'ospitable places, Oi could use a wee nap ye ken, an some ale o'course."  Tafod will help loot the bodies and he removes the drakes talons and fangs. (OCC Is this things hide pretty tough?)

Each of the soldiers carry a shortsword and a light crossbow. The captains carry three daggers each instead of the crossbow. These weapons could be useful in arming the rebellion.

Tafod carves out the drake's talons and fangs. 

(OOC: The hide is moderately tough. If Tafod wants to cut it off the drake, make a DC 15 Survival check.)

Bram has the survival skill, so he will help Tafod to skin the drake (giving you advantage on the roll).

Survival check  16

And she slips of like removing a glove.

Tafod carefully skins the drake. He ends up with a fine hide of green scales.

The band of heroes gathers up what useful materials they can find, then begins their journey through the rain back to Albridge. Once again, they take a detour around Dardun. This time it takes longer as the ground is muddy.
You arrive in Albridge by late afternoon, drenched and tired from marching. The town is muted and strange in the swirling fog and rain. None of the villagers take more than a passing notice of you as they rush through the streets. You make your way to Dar’s stables. He greets you enthusiastically but his voice has a touch of worry.
He brushes aside a patch of straw in the stables, revealing a trap door. “Come on in. We’ve got lots to talk about.” One by one, you climb down a ladder into a cellar lit by candles. Two people, a tiefling and a half-elf, are sitting around a large wooden table. Dar introduces them. “These are Renewal and Tanisar. They’re here to help.”
Dar sits down at the table and invites you to do the same. “You’ve been gone longer than I expected. What happened? Was the ambush successful?”

(Renewal and Tanisar, you may introduce yourselves! Describe what your character looks like, how they talk, what mannerisms they have and anything else you’d like to add!)

Quyst nods to both of them, taking a sit next to the tiefling - she feels comfortable around her kind. 

"Im Quyst, and I'm sure I talk for all of us when I say any help is welcome".

She turns to Dar: "The ambush was successful. We then thought they would send someone to investigate what happened to their caravan, and we ambushed this second group too. It was a risky move, but it worked. They're fewer now, and we got some stuff your allies may find useful". She gives him all the spare equipment she brought.

 Tanisar, who was playing softly on a wooden flute, stops playing and looks at the group as they enter. Bright blue eyes look out from under brown hair that is constantly trying to fall into his face. Poking out from the long hair are the rounded, not quite pointed, ends of his ears, betraying his elfin lineage. As he stands, his studded leather creaking with the movement, he welcomes the group with a smile as they take their positions around the table. "I am Tanisar. It will be my honor to travel with you folk and put an end to the wretchedness of these thugs!"

Upon hearing the success of the mission, he makes a small gesture ((casts minor illusion)). A fanfare of horns is softly heard (muffled for the secrecy of the hiding place) while he says, "Hail the conquering heroes!" and bows with exaggerated flourish. As he straightens back up, he notices the scowl coming from Dar and his smile vanishes as he quickly regains his seat.

Dar gratefully excepts the stash of weapons that the group has acquired. "Excellent, excellent. That's very useful. And these weapons will come in handy soon enough. Now, onto my news." Dar places his elbows on the table and leans in. "Something's happening. The Iron Circle have withdrawn their presence in Albridge and they took Onneth, the innkeeper, with them. There are reports of them leaving other villages as well. This is excellent in the short term, but I fear what it means. Our spies in Harken Town say that they are massing the troops to form an army. I believe they plan to attack us and wipe out the rebellion in one blow. We can't let that happen. I've started calling on all those who are willing to stand against tyranny to assemble here. By the time the Iron Circle get here, we'll have an army of our own. But untrained farmers and merchants can only do so much against those cruel thugs."
Dar leans back. "That's where you come in. I'm sorry to send you off when you've only just come back, but no one else will do it. You see, we need allies, and we need trained warriors. There is one group in Harkenwold that could help us. A clan of elves, called the Woodsingers, live in the Harken Forest. Their skill with blade and bow is far beyond that of most men. Unfortunately, there is a problem. The Woodsingers do not usually meddle in the affairs of men, even when it is in their best interest. If the Iron Circle defeats us, they'll be next. You must coax them out of their forest and convince them to join the rebel army."

Do points to the new faces. "That's where they come in. Renewal is familiar with the Harken Forest and will guide you through it until you find the Woodsinger camp. Take the road to Marl and then head south. After the road enters the forest, it comes to an intersection.  The Woodsinger Camp is close by that intersection, although they hide themselves well. You must hope they do not see you as foes. Once you find the elves, Tanisar will help with the negotiations."

Dar sighs. "I believe the Iron Circle will strike within a week. You can stay with me for tonight, for the road is long, but I must ask you to depart tomorrow. The fate of Harkenwold is once again in your hands."

Bram rubs the back of his head.   "Of course we'll do our best!  But elves… yeesh, sometimes they really don't like people messing in their forests.  Which makes me wonder… have you heard of Reithann the druid?  She doesn't like the Iron Circle much either, but she asked us to do her a favor before she'd help out.  Take care of some Iron Circle Bullywug collaborators.  We did that for her, see, but we never managed to get back to her.  Seems to me like if you need an ally, Reithann would be a good one to recruit.  Might even get the elves to be more friendly if we mention a druid's working with us?"

He looks to Ursula and Davner.  "Davner's pretty handy with words, too, and Ursula is really great with her spells.  Maybe those two could go back to the Druid Circle and tell Reithann to get in touch with you while you're gathering troops.  They may be able to help your cause out too, and since Reithann asked this of us, they'll recognize the familiar faces."

He then looks at the two new members who will be joining them.  "I'm Bram, by the way.  Bram Moltenheim, of the Moltenheim mercenary company.  I'm, ah, not really the brains of this operation, but if you need a sure shot to back you up, I hope I'll have your backs in the next fight!"

Dar replies to Bram. "Reithann and I are old friends. I am glad you have met her. She is sometimes... overcareful, and did not want to join in open rebellion while those bullywugs threatened the West. I spoke with her yesterday, and she has promised her support when the time comes. As for Davner and Ursula, I do indeed believe their talents would be more useful elsewhere. I will discuss these plans with them later, but I fear I do not dare discuss their mission even in your company. Just know that your companions will be serving the rebellion."

Renewal nods, and smiles with a lopsided grin at Quyst. He is a tiefling male, about 6 ft fall, with ebony black hair and beard, fire red skin, and impressive ram's horns growing from his head. He looks every inch the creature from hell. But his bearing and demeanor reveal a gentler soul. The glint in his golden eyes tells you he is always jovial. He wears druidic robes, from under which you get a peek of leather armor. The scimitar at his waist and the shield leaned against his chair tell you he has some combat training. And he displays a pendant of Melora around his neck.

"I am called Renewal. I grew up with the druids of Harken's Heart, but I do not bear their curse. I came back to Harkenwold from Fallcrest as soon as I heard of these vicious conquerors. I'll do all I can to help. I should warn you, though: I am bonded with a spirit of wildfire, and it can be frightening to people. But I assure you, I mean no one any harm."

"Well met!" Bram says with a broad smile.  "Well... we're not conquering heroes just yet, but with a little luck and perserverence, we just might be."  He looks at Renewal.  "Do you mean to say you can call up a fire spirit to aid you in battle?  That seems like it'd be really useful, considering some of the things I've seen working for those bandits."

Bram goes on to describe the blue-skinned mages in great detail, trying to see if anyone can place what sort of creatures they are, whether they are commonly sighted in the area -- Bram's a bit of a greenhorn and hasn't been out and seen the world much yet -- and how many of them might be within the Iron Circle's army ranks.

Tafod nods to the newcomers and, turning his attention to Tanisar, says with a slight smile and in a companionable tone, "Ye may bes wantin' t' oil yer armour, 'tis a bit creaky."  He looks tired and there is no hiding his battered appearance.  "The folk we're oop agin 're no bein' the toipe t' let th' slightest thin' past 'em, 'n make nae boones aboot it, they's plenty tough.  Closest Oi've coom t' bein' dog meat in a fair woile, that bes th tellin' o' th' truth."

He looks at Dar, "Bes there any ale round 'ere?"  He sits down, pulls out the green drake hide and begins carefully scrapping it in preparation for turning it into a shield cover (mayhaps adding a bit to it defensiveness) and, if possible, into two pair of gauntlets.  (Should be a no-brainer for a Barbarian?) "Bram, if'n thar bes enough o' this 'ide, bes ye wantin a pair o' gauntlets, as thanks fer yer 'elp?"

"Sure," Bram says.  "I'm not much of a tool guy, but I do know how to work wood pretty well.  If you want to make a pair of gauntlets out of that with a stiff wooden base, all I need is a little wood, tools, and time to help you out."

He asks Dar "Is someone in this town selling some woodcarver's tools for that, by the way?  They're simple things, really, but I left all of mine back home."  He clears his throat and adds nervously, "Or a set of lockpicks... y'know.  I was never a great blacksmith at home, but I did learn how to work the locks.  It seems it might be useful to have a pick or two on hand if we're going to try to storm a compound in the future.  There are more ways to open locked doors than with force."

(OOC:  Bram will help Tafod with any crafting he wants to do.  He has proficiencies in Woodcarver's Tools as well as Survival, if that will help.)

Dar says "Aye, we have ale here." He points to a barrel in the corner of the cellar. "Got that from Onneth before the Circle took him."
Turning to Bram, he says "I think I've seen one of those mages before, nasty bugger. I don't know how many the Circle have, though. If you're looking to buy tools, try White River Mercantile."

Renewal OFF Bram: "I can indeed, good sir. The wildfire also can also aid in healing, when I get better at my magic. What sorts of things have you seen fighting for this Iron Circle?"

OOC: Can someone brief me on what's actually going on? I haven't read this adventure before. The area's been conquered or something, right?

"Oh, this old thing? It squeaks and chaffs, no extra cost! But it has gotten me out of a tight spot or two in my travels," Tanisar answers Tafod. "I can also be a bit of...assistance...when it comes to opening the right door." As he says this his fingers play imaginary notes on his flute absentmindedly. "Though it may not be so quiet as a set of tools might be."

"Dar, could you tell me about the Woodsingers in Harken Forest? Do they have trade with the locals here, or any sort of friendly agreements or pacts?"

"Would you recommend a place for us to spend the night, Dar? Since the tavern is closed, I guess..." Quyst asks, longing for a bed to sleep after two hard battles.

Dar replies to Tanisar and Quyst. "Unfortunately, the Woodsingers seem to have no ties to the rest of civilization. They are an isolationist bunch, wary of outsiders. As for tonight, I have enough beds in this place to house you all."