Fallan grows quite fidgety at hearing the response but waits to hear the answer to Rose's question about the person their delivery is supposedly for. However, as her anxiety builds, at the moment Rose's answer is delivered, Fallan interrupts with her words bursting forth as if a dam had broken and could no longer hold back the deluge behind it. "MINDFLAYERS? Did you say MINDFLAYERS? Why would you even THINK that? Have there been MINDFLAYERS around here? How would you know? WHEN did you know this was a potential problem? Oh, my... MINDFLAYERS??"

Ash clears his throat, as the other guard takes up a relaxed post near the other, maintaining discipline if only because he had to. Clearly jealous that Ash got to sit while the didn't -in their own garrison!- though none of their ire seemed significant, just salaryman complaints. Alhpo... Finne... his eyes shoot first up-right, then up-left, then directly left, as his brows furrow. After several long moments a lantern metaphorically lights above his head Ah Old AlFin. No one's called him by his real name in some time, so I almost didn't make the connection. He's been here since a while before I was born. You can find him probably near the center of town. He plays music by the Tide Bridge, and lives just beneath it. He plays a decent string if you can catch him when he is doing it. As for what kind of person he is: Well, he's one of those fellows who seems to have had a hard life, never very happy except when he's playing for others, but he can be pretty ox-like otherwise. Always seemed down on his luck, but he's prettymuch a town beggar. Used to be part of a family here until .. well lets just say he's the only survivor. His family .. and effectively his family name were all destroyed in a single night. Poor lad.

There was barely a moments pause, just enough for Ash to take in a lungful of air, when Fallan, doing her best Mordin impression after holding back for those long moments.... Her outburst catching everyone there off guard, and causing a few raised eyebrows, and by the end of it even a few chuckles -though those chuckles held silent trepidation-  I mean, isn't that a good assumption? If Drow are involved.... Then Mindflayers may also be involved..... Toby cut in, as if it was elementary, followed by Ashby And She.. err. Rose Said it effected the mind... soo....No need to be rude boys... But yes, that more or less is my reasoning.

We had no idea who, or what was attacking the roads, but we're far enough off the main road itself that whatever was going on never made it to our walls. But now that we know there may be some dark elf connection, that's what anyone who knows anything about those damned earth elves would assume if whatever is going on effects ones mind. Though I've never heard of mindflayers being able to effect an entire city... so we may be off the mark. A vein of frustration his Ash then, looking to the boys What exactly was it that attacked you?

Toby seemed like a cat had his tongue for a moment, as did Ashby, but the other younger guard chimed in then. I thought you were never going to ask... he said, his voice faintly quaking. I can't describe all the details, but it was atleast twelve feet tall, made out of all metal, but it was moving on its own. It came off the road, .. f-from the south I think, we had been talking until then. It uh.. Charged at us then, screaming some womans name, demanding we tell her where she was. I-I think maybe it was sent here to kill her. But then Toby and Ashby had me come to get you all, while they held it off. I-I didn't want to run but I didn't want anyone to be hurt, so I came to get you all in case it overwhelmed them. 

Ashby and Toby looked at each-other a moment before nodding at the explanation. Y-yeah, we weren't expecting some tin monster to come charging at us, and as scared as we were, we stood our ground. And one of us nearly lost our life in defense of the town!

"I doubt that they will be so. Most villagers are set in their ways and are much to stubborn to change their minds even if proof is right in front of them." Bulwark says even though he goes to sit back some in the woods so all he can do is look over the town for any sign of the saytr.

Rose nods in thanks for the information before considering the events she witnessed upon her arrival. Well, if I may. The creature seemed to run off, which seems like odd behavior for a mere construct. It didn't even try to attack me or my friends, most constructs would simply attack those nearby would it not? Are we sure that thing was attacking? Did it make any aggressive actions before you attacked it?

"I'm sure they can be swayed.  I'll eat my shoe if I'm wrong,"  Bell says as she heads for the gate.  When she's close enough, she waves to whoever is at the entrance.

Bulwark reluctantly settles in out of sight, where he can have a view of where the Satyr is going, though the view is limited in scope, it also makes him harder to see in return. The guards at the front gate seem to be deep in a heated, tense discussion, and though their attention is on high alert, they're clearly distracted with their discussion. Their eyes periodically scanning the area, a few even beginning to wander off to the sides, just in case the enemy might come from another direction, though a force of four remain at the main entrance. Each of them more or less facing a 'cardinal direction.'

Ash seems to take Rose's words into consideration but his actions and response dismiss any doubts I couldn't say either way. Never fought one myself. Just hear the tales from the adventurers passing through. Maybe it was sent to scout - Who knows. Either way boys, tell us what happened.  he said to his sons. All eyes fell on the boys who had been 'attacked' and there was a moment of stiffness in the pair - but they soon enough began explaining, feeling they had been in the right. Well, we had been on guard duty for three hours, and all had been quiet. As it usually is. We all know there've been attacks on the roads but they never seemed to hit the cities. Aye, that's why i felt safe putting you two at the front gate, but lets skip ahead boys....

With a grunt the boys both nodded in unsyched unison - Well it was quiet, when we started to hear something like a... his eyes scanned the ground, searching for a way to describe the sound when the other chimed in Was like a blacksmith hittin his hammer against the dirt but with extra sounds like chimes... kind of? they were dull but it was about as stealthy as a drunkard. It came straight for us once it saw us, put it's hands up like someone tryna show they had no bad intentions, but its hands had these... I dunno what you'd call it but it looked like a weapon to us, and all the while it kept saying 'where is..' I don't even remember but it sounded like a woman's name. Maybe it was here to kill 'er, but it kept coming straight at us, so we told Billy to go get you all while we held the bastard off.

Then it raised its arm at us, so we both struck out and well... he got hit. I didn't notice until after the bastard had nearly killed me that he had been struck down as I tried to run. The thing hits like a giant! After that, I saw onyl darkness, until uh.. Rose, was it? brought me back up, and the thing was gone. Thank you... by the way. But yeah... it tried to attack us, and likely meant to harm atleast the woman if it got past us, so we did what we had to do...

Ash seemed convinced by the boys story, and a fathers fury rose in him that was tempered only by the fact that his sons still lived.

As bell approaches, walking from out of the forested area where she had been in, though all weapons and armor weren't in a ready position, one guard cries out initially, pointing in her direction but they all quickly realize that Bell isn't some 'massive monstrosity,m they relax (mostly) and all turn about to face her, except those who had moved off to patrol the perimeter. 

Though they don't wave back, they allow Bell to approach, saying Hail traveller. Need be wary, there is a monster about. Just recently tried to kill some of us.

Bell blinks at the guard a few times, and then asks after her companions.  "Did two halflings com through here?  They're friends of mine I'm trying to catch up to."

They look between each-other for several moments, seeming legitimately confused at the particular line of questioning (and the fact that Bell had completely ignored the warning) but after a moment one of them says Err.. Aye. A quiet one, and one who works with the moon queen? Not many halflings pass through here. One of them clearing their throat, though likely for unrelated reasons. Another one eyes Bells shield, noting it. They fought off whatever it was, or atleast made it run away - far as we know. Haven't seen it since. But Rose is inside the guard lodgings. Through the gate and to the slightly taller building where the road becomes a... I think its called a triangle? though they don't unhand their weapons, their guard seems to fully relax for now. The nearby forest silent if only due to Bulwarks presence. 

The one who had just spoke adds, But my, that is a mighty fine shield you have, is that made of adamantite? Ebony? Somehing else? I've never seen a shield quite like that. Looks like it could take a giants attack and not even be dented... The mans face clearly shows some hidden excitement, possibly some sort of enthusiast as he seems to be truly admiring the work on it.

Rose nods along to the story though her doubts don't fade but rather she begins to believe even more that there was some misunderstanding on the boys part. I see, well, in times like these trusting a stranger can prove dangerous. I've never seen a creature such as that in all my travels but...Rose thinks back to the fight, rembering a strange Aura around the creature, the same silvery Aura Selûne has used before to mark those in need of her guidance before. I have a feeling this creature is not as dangerous as we think. Consider it a clerics intuition. Should the creature return, please summon me. I would seek to try to communicate with it. Should that fail well, we can cross that bridge if it comes to it. For now my friends I'm simply happy you are all alive and well. My friend and I have buisness to tend to while we are here. Should the creature return please send for me right away, and if a Satyr approaches the town as well please send her to us. She is a friend and if she's here it means dire news for Silverymoon, so I must know right away. Selûne guide your path friends. Rose gives a slight bow to the others, turning to Fallan and beckoning to finish the food she can before going to find this by the Tide Bridge.

Bell hefts the shield up.  "Got this baby in Yartar.  Was a lucky, rare grab.  Saved my ass on the way to Silverymoon, but unfortunately I'm no smith so I couldn't tell ya exactly what it's made of.  You're welcome to take a look at it later, but for now I have to meet up with my friends," Bell tells them, and then, barring further comment from them, heads towards the lodgings to find Rose and Fallan.

Capitalizing on the "mystery" of being "the silent one", Fallan quietly just keeps nodding in agreement with Rose and her explanation of what is needed. When things seem to have settled down, she merely comments: "Bread?"

The boys sigh when their part of the explaination was done, and both Rose and their father accept the premise. Though all the details weren't one hundred percent, to them it was close enough to the truth, considering their panic. Ash nodding and crossing his arms when Rose added her last bit of verbage, and request. Everyone had been mildly surprised watching fallan all but vacuum down the contents of her bowl, only to ask 'Bread?' the moment she had caught enough air to pose the request. One of the boys reaching for the piece on the table that she had apparently not noticed, and handing it to her. If I see someone of that description, I'll let them know where you're going. Hopefully they don't have any bad news. Enough of that to go around most of the year. Thank you again for saving my sons from their folly. I don't think I'll be putting them on gate duty again for a while, we'll have them watch over something boring. That very phrasing making the boys moan in protest, knowing that meant they'd have to guard 'that' - and guarding that was the most tedious, uneventful, and un-fun post to be put on, it was seen as a punishment by most of the guards. 

Rose and Fallan begin to make their way out of the building, where one of the guards had just left a few minutes before.

The excited guard nods a few times, though he was clearly disappointed - He was hoping to have sparked up a discussion  on his favorite subject. Regardless, they didn't bar Bells path, allowing the  satyr to enter. The town had a few people going about their normal business, most were performing menial chores such as sweeping their porches, or watering their plants, if they had them. Removing trash, and so forth.  A small trail of blood (From the one boy) could be seen leading from the entrance, but people were already hard at work, making sure it wouldn't become a bit of permanent graffiti on the stone.

It took not even a minute, when Bell saw what was most likely the guard quarters, with one man posted just outside, who seemed to be languishing from the slight warmth of the season. A few eyes shot Bell's way, both due to her lineage and her armors but no one really bothered her, - preoccupied with their own tasks as they were-

Rose nods in acknowledgment and turns to leave. Come on Fallan, we have buisness to attend to. 

As Rose opens the door to leave she bumps into Bell. Oh sorry I didn't-Bell! Wait if you're here...then I guess you don't have good news about Silverymoon. And where's our newcomer? I don't see her with you.

Bell's cheery demeanor drops for a moment or two as she speaks.  "Well... I've got bad news and bad news.  Which do you want first?  Also I've got other news.  Got a private place to talk?  ASAP..."

Fallan takes the proffered bread and sops up the last drop from the bowl and savors the stiff crust of what remains of the roll in her hand. Hearing Rose ready to leave, Fallan collects all of her gear and the package they are to deliver and heads out the door. Hearing Bell's "delightful" list of options for "news", she simply says: "Oh joy. Hello Bell, what now?"

Rose frowns at the prospect of bad news and sighs. Let's go then and find somewhere private. Just give me the news in whatever order you feel is most important. Lacking an actual private place to talk Rose will look for a place that's out if the way of the main road for Bell to talk.

Rose had learned that the 'Tide Bridge' was a newly constructed bridge on the far west side of the town during the conversation, but after bumping into Bell and learning that some privacy was needed. Rose wasn't overly familiar with Everlund, despite having been here, and there seemed to be endless rows of houses, with the occasional business of some sort or another dotted in between some of them, or even being part of them. Leaving the pair to head back towards the front gates, tailed by Fallan whom was eating the last crumbs and trying to avoid the gazed of people watching the trio. Many races were seen here though, mostly human but halflings, the occasional dwarf, elf, and even a few orcs now and then. Apparently the tussle that occurred earlier had already been forgotten.

The trio made it outside the gate, the guards waiving their greetings to them, saying things like 'we see you found your friend' and so forth. The group moving outside of earshot along the road.

From Bulwarks perspective, who had been watching everything, remaining as still and quiet as possible, See's Bell walk out of the town with the selfsame halflings who had aggressed him earlier.

This will have to do. Now, what happened? Don't spare the details.

Seeing the others that are with the Saytr, Bulwark will hunker down and attempt to hide as best he can until he is sure what is going on.

Stealth. 21

Bell explains about the poison that is affecting silvery moon, and the image that popped into her head when she used her magic to identify it (dm, can you drop that pic again?).  She explains how their new companion practically dove head first into it and ran off under its effects before she could do anything to help.  "After all that I ran into the fishermen you'd helped and they fed me and saw me off, and then I ran into Bulwark.  That 'monster' that attacked the gates?  Turns out he's a pretty nice guy.  I was lost and he led me back here; warned me that the gate guards like to attack non-humans unprovoked."  Bell makes a grim, irritated face.  "Those guards at the gate attacked him out of fear and spite, and he defended himself.  He's looking for someone he thinks may be here.  He helped me so I want to help him in return."