(yes, but only from being gnawed on by the rats, or whatever other animals may have gotten in there)

Blobbin pales at your answer. "That is very disturbing, to say the least. I can only assume they are coming from Brassport. Why they would be doing such a thing is beyond me, but what you say at least explains the arm found in the nets today. Now, Bree has said boats, and you as well Oscar, but now you also say ship. What size were these boats, or ships?"

"Aren't they the same thing?"  Bree asks with a frown.  "A boat is a ship, a ship is a boat, so let's just call them shoats and then there won't be any problems." She nods to her relative.  "Now back to those puppies.  I think I'd like to get two, how many does everyone else want?"

Gallo interjects, "They were large enough to have a mast and a cabin and a hold. So they were more of a ship type I would say."

He then looks around and backs off.

"Why are you sitting around asking us about this?  Let's go see them.  The second boat might have stopped burning by now, then we can go and see what's on it.  We didn't get a chance to check that one out earlier, partly because it was still burning, and partly because we were being responsible and coming back to report it, rather than getting ourselves into trouble."  Faleon puffs his chest out proudly as he talks about how responsible the group were...also moving swiftly past the fact that he was the one in the group most leaning towards not being responsible.

Hilna says "Well, I guess it looks like the puppies will have to wait. Blobbin, if those ships are big enough I fear they could dam up the river. That would be disastrous for us." 

Wilbur agrees "She makes a good point. And what of these bodies? Surely they will foul the river."

Blobbin rubs his chin. "Hmmm, those are all good points. Faleon I appreciate that you want to go back and get more information but I'm afraid you all will be needed for another task. The way I see it there could be more ships that come over the falls. We have to find out what's going on in Brassport. Who knows why they are sending these 'burning coffins', as Oscar says, down the falls. There are others here who can return to investigate the ships further but the only way to Brassport is by boat. And the closest place to find a boat is down south in Wayport. I'm afraid the journey to Wayport is too dangerous for the common folk of The Dale. I suppose it was for the best that you were all trained. Will you all take this task and try to find out what's going on in Brassport?"

"Me.  Pick me. Oh please pick me."  bree says, hopping up and down and raising a hand.  "I can go.  No problem.  Bet I can talk to some people about puppies too while I am there.  Everyone better put in there orders with me before I leave though."

Gallo says, "I'd need a shield and a sandwich. Otherwise I'm ready to go now."

Oscar would let out a groan while rubbing the bridge of his nose. "Yeah... I guess yer right... But uhh... I ain't ever left the dale... I hope you gotta map I can have." The tan skinned halfling would ask as he locks eyes with Blobbin from under his large metal helmet. "Oh! And lots of sandwiches... We cant travel on an empty stomach!'

Wilbur stands up and makes to leave "I suppose I'll have to round up Gunther and the boys to have a look at those ships, but I reckon that can wait til morning. I'll go gather up some tools and ropes and whatever else we may need to have a look at those ships." Blobbin acknowledges his exit with "Very good" and then addresses the party...

"I think leaving in the morning will be soon enough. There's no sense sending you off without being prepared. You'll certainly need sandwiches, as well as water, and wine. You'll need some gold to book passage and... " For a moment he looks off shaking his head. Hilna puts her hand on his shoulder "It's OK, what is it?" "Something I had nearly forgotten about, I'm ashamed to admit" says Blobbin with a furrow in his brow. "I'm sure you remember when we agreed to let the youngens train? Well after that meeting, that Sorcerer fellow, Elril" Looking to Faleon "Said to me. There will come a time when Hickorydale will need to be shielded from the outside world. I just remembered it now when Gallo asked for a shield. I thought it quite odd at the time but, anyway, he left me with a trunk. He said I'd know that time came and that I was to give it to the students 'for their travels'. It's been packed away for some time now but I suppose this is what he meant. I will dig it out and have it for you all in the morning" He stands "It seems I also have some things to do before you all set-out. If there is anything else you need you can ask Hilna and she will see to it"

Before he leaves Hilna stares at him pointedly "I think that having some dogs to guard The Dale is a good idea" 

"Oh, Uhm, Yes, I agree. Bree, you are, of course, welcome to ask if anyone would like puppies, although I think most folk have gone to bed. Wayport is a big place and it's supposed to have much trade. I would think finding some puppies there wouldn't be too hard" He nods to you all "We will meet back here in the morning and I'll have as many of the supplies you've requested as we can gather. As well as the trunk. Thank you all. Hopefully we can find out what's going on without too much trouble."

Bree moves to each person in the room and asks how many puppies they want.  Then she would go to every house in town, pound on the door until someone answers, and ask how many puppies they want.  She would make sure to ask every person in town prior to going to bed.  As she goes from place to place she would be skipping and would make sure she tells everyone that she is on the orders from the council to ask everyone, since they wish to get some dogs to help guard the village and that she was going to travel to the city and see about getting some puppies to bring back.  In the morning she would report the number of puppies requested by the townsfolk, and ask the council for the money to purchase said puppies.

Gallo follows along with Bree for a bit, but once he understands that she's about to do that at EVERY house then he goes home, makes a sandwich and falls asleep.

Oscar would grin as Bree gets her puppy count figured out before shaking his head and heading home. Once there he would kneel down near his small fireplace and pray a quick prayer to Chauntea before getting up and locating some paper and writing utensils. He would then spend the next few hours writing out lists of all the crops that will need harvested soon and those that will need to be planted.. as well as watering and fertilizing guidelines. Once that is done he would begin making a checklist for taking care of any of the local livestock as well... making sure that the townsfolk to not neglect their duties while he is away. Although Oscar himself didn't really have much authority in town, he took it upon himself to ensure that the crops and livestock were always well taken care of to ensure that everyone always had plenty to eat. 

Hickorydale is a hospitable place and most folks know each other and know that Bree can well, fixate, on things so her late night knock on their door isn't entirely unexpected. There are some who curtly just say "No thank you" and close the door but a (maybe to some, not to Bree) surprising amount of folks think it's a great idea and place their orders. Bree ends up with 15 requests for puppies.

This brings us to the end of Chapter 1! Something Stinks in Hickorydale. You didn't earn a lot of experience points from killing the rats but you did complete your first "adventure" outside the borders of Hickorydale and after tonight's rest you can all advance to Level 4. Congratulations!

For those of you who have been in my other campaigns you know I leave how you want to level up to you. If you want to roll for HP that's fine, do so in thread but you will have to roll from now on. You can choose a feat or take the points. The only restriction is multi-class. There isn't anyone to train you in a new class except your party members so right now you could only multi into those classes.  

(Faleon, I know you didn't get to ask the council questions, so if have any just let me know and we'll backdate them)

There will be some other things in the trunk that was left for you but before you level up I realize that what's in there may effect your choices in leveling. 

For Oscar - cloak of protection

For Gallo - shield +1

For Bree - boots of elvenkind

For Faleon - pearl of power

Gallo will take the average HP and choose to increase his dexterity. Thank you for the shield!

(No burning questions for the council here, so happy to proceed.  I took average HP, and the Second Chance feat.  Can Faleon - and presumably the others, too - have taken the time to attune to his new item?  Or would we only have received them in the morning?)

(You won't actually get them until morning so those that need attunement will have to spend the hour the doing so)

In the morning everyone meets back at the council hill. It is just Blobbin and Hilna there. They invite you in and show you the supplies they have gathered for you all. (some of this may seem excessive and you will be travelling heavy (I hope everyone has encumbrance on) in the beginning but from this point on ammo, rations and water will be consumed. If you are unclear on consumption rules, a normal day is 1 gallon of water (2 waterskins) and 1 ration of food. You can eat half rations and drink less water but there are penalties for doing so. All of this is actual 5e rules so you can look them up if we ever need to)

For everyone... anyone who uses ammo for ranged weapons you now have 40 total. You all also have 15 days of rations total. Everyone has 6 waterskins total. There are 4 wineskins to divide however you wish. You each also have a climbers kit. 

Blobbin motions to the supplies "We gathered up what we could that we thought you would need and could carry. I know you'll have full packs but it's at least a 10 day journey to Wayport. Water may become an issue. There's only so much you can carry so you'll have to find some along the way or gather rainwater if you have to. Now on t the trunk..."

He opens the trunk and you all see your shiny magic things :) Also in the trunk are 2 scrolls of create food and water 3rd level. (you know this from the attached note) A map. (I'll add the map to the campaign page when I'm finished with it. You'll be on the current map for a little while still) A sealed letter addressed to Faleon.

Blobbin adds "Your mentors all travel in from Wayport and they just left a few weeks ago so the journey shouldn't be too difficult, although I don't know the terrain myself. When you get there make sure you take Rolling Rock Pass. You don't want to travel too far into Neversink Swamp. That place has a bad reputation. If anyone else has any questions, now is the time to ask. Otherwise, thank you for taking this on! Please get word back to us as soon as you can."