Tales from Talaveroth

"Well, there's the church for one. Whatever the Father found, I'm sure there must be more evidence of it, and if we find any indications of wrong doing, we can decide what we wish to do about it there and then. As for the Black Brand, trying to find out the extent of their operation looks like something we should try and get a clearer idea of. Crucially though, we should probably find out why they are here, and if they are actively after Si'Juul."

"Me? Blend in? Sure, if I stick to the skies I guess."

Si'Juul suppressed a laugh, but couldn't hide the brief grin upon his face.

"As for the Black Brand, my biggest concern is how many members are after me, how many are still doing those unnecessary jobs for that man or whoever else. Only way I can think of is to capture a member and interrogate them. Thing is, if they operate the same as when I was there, they won't travel with any less than a dozen men per group, unless there was no alternative."

Poinki is a little confused, but will go along with the others, since he is not yet strong enough to make a meaningful purge of the church. And he really needs time to read that book before making more decisions, too. "Poinki help. Say what you want done and Poinki do it."

”As for where to go next I trust you guys, I’m not a traveled woman and I believe that you know the world better then I do.” Elhanna give you all a little smile, but it is obvious that she hasn’t overcome her sadness fully yet. “As for clues, is there any way to retrieve father Ephesians body? If we can there might be a way that we can ask him a few more questions, however if we do that I want your word that we put him to rest afterwards.” 

"Before we move on, can someone give me a quick update. Who is Father Ephesian and what's wrong with the church? And which church? My church? I knew there was a reason I don't go very often." Confusion is pretty evident on Paren's elven features but it's hard to tell if it's from being dropped in the middle of a pretty complex situation or from the possibility of talking to a person who's presumably dead.

"I'm sorry Paren, we forgot that you weren't here." "So we came to Olegs house and bla blabla wife bla blabla resurect the dead. Bla bla bla Church, blablabla demons..." Elhanna relay all that happened after they split up.

When she told him everything she ask "So, what have you been up to lately?"  

Paren looks a little uncomfortable to Elhanna's eye. "Ah, the ah, Elixisys had me speaking with some old friends of mine. There's recently been more gnoll incursions into the forest, as well as something more. He's trying to set up an alliance to help combat them, and we were trying to make sure my friends knew which was the right side of the conflict to be on." 

"Gnolls?" says Poinki. "Gnolls bad. Around here?"

Si'Juul just sighs.

"Gnolls. Can never be rid of them, no matter how many you take down. Is that what you all want to deal with now?"

Paren shakes his head. "Not as far as I know. I was many days to the east of here." 

"Good, we have enough things to be concerned with. Let's get to Arkos as soon as possible."

(When we get to a mile or so out from Arkos, Si'Juul will want to fly very high to scout the town and look over as many people as he can see with his eyes and/or the scope on Bad News)

"Right then, Arkos is about ten hours or so from here, we can cover about half that distance before sundown today, if we hurry.", Twitch says.

If you're all agreed, you quickly return to the road that led you to the lighthouse in the first place, and follow the coastline for about four miles, before crossing the Verothar river and heading further south. After another three hours of travel, the sun starts setting. Before you is a small wood, behind you the verdant floodplains of the river.

Do you want to push on through the night (and the forest) or camp down and carry on tomorrow?

"Getting late. I say we camp out somewhere as secluded as possible."

Paren nods and then begins searching around for a good spot. While he's looking he also searches for plants that the other monks taught him could be used in the creation of poisons so that he can help supplement his kit.

Survival: 17

Poinki will help to choose and set up a campsite, and offer to take first watch.

(Survival: 16 )

(Perception 20 )

While Poinki is looking out, unless we are interrupted, Si'Juul will take the time to craft 10 rounds of Bad News ammo before catching some Z's.

Then, if needed, he will take second watch.

Perception: 18

Paren, you manage to find five Swamproot flowers. Swamproot is a pretty typical plant nearby, acting as a mild analgesic in small doses, or as a paralytic if successfully distilled and used as a poison on any piercing weapon.

Pushing on for a little while longer, you all come to a small area of needle-covered ground between three old cypresses, providing protection against the elements and giving Poinki a platform to climb upon and observe the path behind you, as well as look a few hundred feet into the forest before you all. As Si'Juul is busy crafting some new ammunition after your dinner, Poinki keeps a watchful eye, with only the occasional nocturnal animal disturbing your rest. Finished casting his bullets, Si'Juul takes over the second watch, which also passes peacefully. Twitch relieves the Aaracocra, and all of you manage to get a long rest, rising with the sunrise the next morning.

Si'Juul waits for everyone to wake and ready themselves for more traveling.

Once on the road, just as they see Arkos in the distance, Si'Juul will want to get up into a very high tree somewhat close to town to scout from and be hidden. If there is no such tree, then he will instead fly 200ft up and move over the town, making sure to keep his shadow from the morning sun from landing anywhere in town as he moves. He looks for anyone with firearms and how many, using the scope on Bad News if necessary, hence the 200ft height.

Perception: 14

Poinki is not totally clear on what they plan to be doing in Arkos, but he hopes it is a nice place. Just in case, he uses his hat of disguise to assume his halfling identity of Bubba Barrelgut before approaching the town.

Paren meditates for the portion of the night that he needs. When Si'Juul wakes Twitch he will begin to prepare the Swamproot using his kit.

Poisoner's Kit Check (Wisdom): 18