“Good!” Tafod agrees. “As well I think there be a need t’ unite the resistance, git the dru’d t’ confab wi’d this Dar Gremath.” He hefts his great axe to emphasis his point.  “Dis axe be serious ‘urt cause the haft ‘n’ th’ blade be united; take’m apart an’ ye got nothing.” Tafod will keep the least wrecked cloak and, as time permits he’ll try and repair it as best he can.  

“Ain’t surprise me one bit if’n there be come a time I might wanna sidle up t’ a sentry an’ lop ‘is head off quiet like, dis cloak might give me jest enough o’ an edge, heh, heh, pun intended, eh!” 

Ursula nods sadly when Ilyana answers as she knew she would. Of course you'll stay, and of course you know you should still come. And I know that I wouldn't come either if'n it were me and not you who owned this farmhouse and lost their man. To the boys, she looks them dead in the eye as she grabs each of their hands. Drawing her thumb across them and casting a little magic, she creates the image of an "O" and then crosses it out with an illusory "X".  That there's t'remind you and swear you both to protect your ma and protect yer land and do the same to others that we did for you today, hear?

With that, Ursula walks into the farmhouse, calling out over her shoulder. I'm no good for digging, but I'm a right touch with a broom. I'll give you some space and give your house a good scrubbing. Inside, she channels Prestidigitation as she cleans and tidies. The rushes are straightened and freshened, the walls scrubbed of soot and stains, the firepit emptied, all by magic. Satisfied, she bids farewell to the farm and leaves with the group.

----

Aye, Ursula agrees with Tafod, if the Iron Circle is as dangerous as Ilyana thinks, this entire valley'll need to come together. So, let's get to it and talk to the Druid.

You approach the grove and see an old human woman, a young man, and a young halfling woman, all dressed in brown and green. The older woman turns to you as you approach. She speaks slowly, choosing her words with care. “You are strangers in Harkenwold. I knew I smelled change on the wind. I am Reithann, keeper of this grove. These are my apprentices, Theren and Lorel. So long as you do not disturb the spirits, let us be friends.”

Quyst responds in her best formal tone: "It is a pleasure to meet you, Reithann, and a greater one to be welcomed." She says, bowing slightly. "We come in search of your help, as we are seeking to overthrow the Iron Circle, and we were told you may have valuable information on them"

“Pleasure” Davner nods in greeting.  “If you care to speak with us, have these Iron Circle been bothersome to you as they have been to my home?”

The druid leans on a sturdy staff, and answers, after thinking for a moment.
"The Iron Circle has been a scourge on the land. They have no respect for the spirits. Harkenwold cannot vanquish the Iron Circle if it is divided and we cannot unite as long as the hamlet of Tor’s Hold is menaced by the Toadwallow monsters. The monsters are hateful, half-mad things—walking, talking toads the size of men. A tribe’s moved into the Toadwallow Caverns, and the Iron Circle’s left the western vale to them. Help Tor’s Hold by dealing with the menace, and you’ll free up two score stout fighters. That would be a great help indeed.”

Ursula nods a greeting to Reithann and her two apprentices. A fine morning to you and yours, grovekeeper. S'a pleasure seeing other smallfolk in these parts. 

She listens quietly to the druid as she explains and then asks for clarification Begging your pardon, Mistress Reithann, but are these toad monsters the same as the "tribe" that's moved into the Toadwallow Caverns? Or have the toad monsters been driven into the hamlet by the tribe takin' over what I'm assumin' to be the toad monsters' home given the name. Any case, o' course we'll help.

Looking over her companions and their gear, she adds, respectfully, Don't suppose there's anything more y'can tell us about these monsters or give us in the way of aids t'defeat them? Be a shame t'die for lack o' knowin' something. [[Persuasion - 10 ]]

"Yes, little one, it is a tribe of monsters that have taken over the caves." Waiting for Ursula's next question, she answers “I'm afraid I can't help you too much. If I knew an easy way to defeat them, I would have already hunted them like the wolf does the hare. To find the caves, head west along the river-side trail from Albridge. It’s ten miles to Tor’s Hold, and another seven or eight to the Toadwallow—you can see the cave entrance from the trail.”

"What about Dar Gremath and his rebels? What do yo know about them, and how yo feel about them?"

Reithann ponders the question for a moment. "Dar Gremath is a good man, and our best hope for overthrowing the Iron Circle. But he is perhaps overeager to confront them directly, when Harkenwold is not yet united. Or perhaps I am overcautious, like a bear waiting too long to come out of her den."

“Well whatever timetable we are up against, he may attack regardless.  This may be our best bet to offer reinforcements and help them.  I’m ready to investigate the caves.” Davner suggests and declares.

“D’ these frog/toad t’ings have any weaknesses that you ken?” Tafod asks Reithann.  “Any ideas aboot their numbers? What aboot how, or if, they organize, are they like a mob? Do you know d’ they exhibit any sense o’ organization?” He grins, politely, “Jes’ wishn’ t’ know as much aboot t’em as possible.”

"As I said, I know of no particular weakness they have." Reithann answers. "It is said they call themselves Mud-hides and their chieftain has made a pact with the Iron Circle, so they must have at least some cunning."

"I guess we can talk to Gremath in Albridge, find out what he's planning and maybe convince him to not attack the Circle until we take care of these toad-things" says Quyst, with a little bit of concern on her voice

Reithann says "Do as you wish. Whatever course of action you take, I wish you the best of luck."

Ursula paces back and forth as Reithann shares what she knows. Her hair and clothes flicker as she thinks. Judging by the light, we might not be able to get to the cave and back to Allbridge before dark. And I think better that we strike at the cave now and go to Dar Gremath with a gift y'know? Show him that we mean business.

Thankee Mistress Reithann, keep yerself safe and we'll see ye again, ken?

“I agree, better to come with a solution instead of a problem.  I vote we clear out the caves first.”  Davner says confidently.  Putting his hand on the hilt of his sword.

“I be no mindin’ smashing some toadies, heh, heh.” Tacos even seems cheerful.

"All right then. Let's deal with some toads." Quyst turns to the druid one last time before leaving "Thank you again, Mistress."

You resume travel along the King's Road, turning West just before you reach Albridge. After a few hours, you pass a road that leads to a hamlet, presumably Tor's Hold. The road going west becomes rougher after that. The evening has arrived by the time you find what you're looking for. Water gushes from a cave mouth set into the face of a vine-covered hill, forming a 10-foot-high waterfall that bleeds into a stream. You have found the entrance to the Toadwallow Caverns! The ground near the base of the hill is spongy, and clouds of insects harangue you. You can hear numerous calls of large, deep-throated toads lurking in the boggy land nearby.