(( Not sure if this should be in spolier or not (she will relate later) ))

@Ithelion - Before he turns away, Garon leans in close.  "Not yer fault, Miss.  Truth told, I've known him for a long time but it doesn't mean anything.  For some, that pin means good fighting the darkness; for others, it means meddling in affairs that shouldn't be meddled with."  He whispers to you, "The Zhentarim have their tentacles in places unseen, an' that ain't good fer anyone.  No more about this right now."  Then he leaves.

@ALL (Except Garnet and Daemyar too, if he doesn't approach the table) - After you go back to your table, you notice Gerald near another group of men and they are looking at you all.  After a few moments, Gerald and a couple others approach you.  Gerald is the one to speak first, "Uhm, ahem.  We was wonderin' if we might have a few words with ye?"

Krom sighs as he looks down at his empty mug and to the man the just approached their table, "Only if ye buy the next round or find us in the morn; yer choice. We been havin' a long and tirin' day and just want our meal and rest." He gives the men a once over as he talks.

Insight: 7 To see if they are really coming to just talk or want to start something. (pfft... Krom is too tired and just wants to go to bed.)

@Krom - they approach almost deferently to you and it's clear they are worried about you being annoyed.  

"Aye, aye Sir," Gerald waves the bar back over and gets you new drinks. "Well, we are sorry to bother you but you seem like some who know how to get things done.  See, me an' " he waves to a few other men who followed him over, "me an' some of us raise farms a ways from here an', well, we're havin' problems that ain't bein' taken care of."  His face clouds over and those behind him murmur agreement.  "Felosial don't seem to wanna jump and help us poor farmer any!  Our livestock are bein' killt an' all she worries over is her missin' lover!"  More nods and murmers of agreement.  "Anyways, we got some coins to pay ye if ye find out what's killin' our animals.  They even killt one of the kids what got too close to them damned woods!  Sorry to bother but, from what I seen, ye all might be the type to ask.  I'll leave yous an' 'praps ye come by the farm tomorrow?  Good day."  Him and the small group leave you, and in fact, leave the tavern altogether - their appetites and thirst seemingly run dry.

Ithelion watches them depart in silence then turns to Krom, "Sounds like those 'blights' again to me; best to add this 'Felosial' to our list. They may know something of the ... of our destination."

"Perhaps in the morning -- after speaking with Kerowyn -- we should arrange a meeting with Kerowyn, Hurka, their priest, and Felosial. It might make things simpler."

Ithelion will remain in the inn, finishing her meal. When done, assuming nothing eventuates, she will go to the bar and ask for a bucket of water and a towel to be brought to her room. (( Unless of course there is running water etc -- she has been to the room before ))

Once in the room she will clean her clothes and gear while she waits for the water, then heat the water, and clean the grime and blood off herself. When she is satisfied, she will clean the towel, examine her maps and notes, then and settle down to meditate.

When rested, she will investigate the items from Seedo, and anything else she carried to her room (( I don't think that they have been formally identified yet, and other than Seedo's stuff, she may have nothing )).

At dawn, she will return to the tap room for breakfast. She will take the innkeep a little aside if possible.

"We have heard portents about some mystical fruit, one of the guards mentioned goblins and fruit...what can you tell me of it?"

Krom downs his second mug of ale and places it back on the table empty, "Aye, might as well talk to 'em all at once." With that, he will retire to his room spending the rest of the day cleaning off his weapons, armor, and himself before going to bed.

In the morning, Krom will stumble down the stairs and get himself some breakfast.

Daemyar will wait til it’s very late and go see who moves around after dark in a town like this

Quote from Ereshion >>

Ithelion will remain in the inn, finishing her meal. When done, assuming nothing eventuates, she will go to the bar and ask for a bucket of water and a towel to be brought to her room. (( Unless of course there is running water etc -- she has been to the room before ))

Once in the room she will clean her clothes and gear while she waits for the water, then heat the water, and clean the grime and blood off herself. When she is satisfied, she will clean the towel, examine her maps and notes, then and settle down to meditate.

---

When rested, she will investigate the items from Seedo, and anything else she carried to her room (( I don't think that they have been formally identified yet, and other than Seedo's stuff, she may have nothing )).

At dawn, she will return to the tap room for breakfast. She will take the innkeep a little aside if possible.

"We have heard portents about some mystical fruit, one of the guards mentioned goblins and fruit...what can you tell me of it?"

 Garon nods grimly.  "Aye, one comes with th' other attached.  There be some ruins a little ways off from 'ere - maybe 5 miles or so - that are infested with goblins and, more recently, kobolds.  Every year, after the summer harvest and sometimes in the dead of winter, some goblins come a callin' to sell a piece of fruit to the highest bidder.  The fruit in the summer is a perfect red and eating it cures nearly all illnesses and defects - some say it even makes one live longer!"  He nods and continues, "Aye, I know whaat ye be thinkin', why donnae ya plant the seeds and grow for all.  But that's the weird thing.  We sure do plant 'em, but as soon as they get yay heigh," he indicates about a two-foot height, "someone is stealin' them away.  Every time!  Personally, methinks it's the goblins theyselves come back to take 'em, but we can't be sure."  Garon thinks for a moment, "Now, I said twice a year.  They sometimes sell fruit in the winter too but eatin' that fruit - an ice blue fruit - kills who be eatin' it.  Corkie used it one time to make some poisons.  We learned that the hard way.  Anyways, this all happened well, about 12 or 13 years ago now, when that strange lad came through here.  Now, I don't be knowin' how goblins come by these magical fruits but something is givin' it to them, or else they found something down there in the dark..."  He looks as if he just realized something and goes and checks some papers in the back and comes back.  "Ah, in fact.  It be nearly the harvest time - maybe a week or so - which is normally when they bring that fruit to town.  Say, if ye happen to come across that fruit in yer travels, I might be interested in addin' it to me own wares!"  

Quote from nschrock >>

Daemyar will wait til it’s very late and go see who moves around after dark in a town like this

 Okay, no problem.  Are you outside?  Watching from the window?  Staying in the taproom?

Whichever you want, please roll perception.

Ithelion thinks for a moment, pieces slowly coming together in her mind,  then asks, "Had you considered the possibility that the seedlings might walk off by themselves?"

Daemyar will go outside to watch.

perception 16 

Garnet returned the preistess's smile and reassured the her she would mean no harm.

Garnet followed the preistess's directions out into the garden of the shrine. She suddenly felt much more at ease the she has since her journey started. It was a whole different atmosphere then a side road camp or tavern. Even the air smelled cleaner then the rot of the forest.

Garnet crouched down, appearing to observe the flowers, and drew a small handful of soil into her right hand letting the dirt run back through her fingers. A small habit she developed as a child no particular meaning to it just a familiar gesture.

Standing up Garnet looked around for the Head Preistess, intending to pay her respects before she continued to explore the temple.

Garnet spotted a woman who a few others kept speaking with, waiting to see if one of the followers refered to her a Corkie. When the did Garnet headed over waiting untill she was free before approaching.

"The garden is beautiful mother." She grinned at the high preistess. "I'm Amandaline Garnet,a traveler looking for the source of the rot in... " She faltered a bit in her explanation realising she didn't really know where the rot was coming from. Could be a curse, the air "..in the land I suppose. But I'm here in this temple, for some peace before we leave Oakhurst."

(I really don't know how to refert to her so I went with like nun chain of command.)

@ithelion - he looks at you a bit askance before adding,

 @daemyar - Several times

 @garnet - she is the caretaker

Daemyar tries to pretend to be anything but a hob. 

“Oh. Uh. Yeah. We met. Helped out with the tree monsters.”

Daemyar keeps his distance.

(( For Ithelion it's morning; the others are behind I think ))

Ithelion nods, "It's all one big mystery" she says, then grins. "Just as well I like mysteries."

She glances around the room, then takes her food and moves to a table to eat and await the arrival of everyone else.

Quote from nschrock >>

Daemyar tries to pretend to be anything but a hob. 

“Oh. Uh. Yeah. We met. Helped out with the tree monsters.”

Daemyar keeps his distance.

 Unfortunately, you are clearly a hobgoblin.  Regardless, she doesn't seem too aggressive towards you.  "Don't worry, I can tell you're a hob.  Strangely, not the first that come through - though we had to chase the other two off - they were vile creatures."  She stops directly in front of you.  You can see she has elven features but is too tall for an elf - you would venture to guess she is a mix of elf and human.  "Tree monsters, huh?"  She snorts derisively.  "That's all that fat pig Vurner cares about these days, even when our own people are missing!"  You perceive that she might be a bit drunk or grief-stricken - perhaps both.  She sighs heavily and looks crestfallen.  "Apologies traveler, I am not myself these days."  Looking around, she asks, "Where are the rest of your companions?"

“Sleeping or drinking, I assume. People are missing? Does no one go look for them?”

(Daemyar’s cloak and hat don’t seem to help much, lol. I gotta get him a mask or something.)

[Well, the cloak and hat help in situations where you're trying to hide but you can't hide completely when someone is in front of you.  Now a mask would be able to obscure your face].

"Well, I have been trying to petition to go with some of my men but the mayor isn't cooperative.  My name is Felosial, by the way.  I'm the captain of security here in this town.  Truth be told, my husband left a month ago with some others into some ruins and hasn't come back.  I know something bad has happened to him.  Damn that holier than thou paladin!  He's the reason my beloved left - to protect those kids!"  She sighs heavily before looking thoughtfully at you.  "Is that why you're here?  Are you all planning a trip into the darkness?"

“Obeying one’s superior is a natural, if sometimes frustrating, way. But I -am- headed for the dark. If they are there, I will bring them back, alive or dead. Glory in death should be known. And cowardice in mayors should also be known.” Daemyar nods, feeling pretty good about his assessment.

Felosial looks at you with compassion and excitement.  "You will?  That's great news, I wish I could join you but my duties keep me here.  My love's name is Karakas.  She is, like me, of mixed elven and human heritage.  She often patrolled the forests around the town and kept the outskirts safe - the farmers surely miss her now.  You will recognize her by her red hair and longbow. She is quite tall as well, despite her elven characteristics.  We often joked that she lied about that just to talk to me."  Some tears fall.  "She carries items of value, which you may have if she has fallen, except for her amulet.  It is a mixed red and black opal-like stone.  It was a wedding gift.  Please bring her home."  

She looks on into the inn behind you a ways before adding, "Excuse me, what shall I call you?  And is there anything else you would like to know?"