Bell seeming to finally have gotten a satisfying fight, breathes out, blood pumping before investigating the robed and masked figures. One of them having six gold pieces, and the other ten, but aside from this, they only had their robes, their odd masks, and a single club each as well as a single half-filled waterskin on one of them, with some staling bread on each with recent signs of chewing. They seemed to posses no holy symbols, magical spheres or any other component replacements that would normally be used to channel magic through, meaning they were either sorcerers of some kind, or they had other means with which they gained or channeled their power through.

Their robes were plain and dirt brown, their masks the color of stone and made of it, though thin enough that it wouldn't cause the neck discomfort. No symbols were found on their attire either, it was rather shocking just how plain they were.

Though thinking on religions and such no religions came to mind but Bell had heard of people who worshiped specific elements such as water, earth, fire, and air (though never heart) and in some cases the darkness or the light, usually cultists of some kind or otherwise zealous believers.. perhaps they were channeling power directly from some higher being like a warlock does, but beyond that there is little mystery to solve here, and even less evidence to prove or disprove anything one way or the other. 

Luckily for the group, the rest of the day, and eventually night goes by peacefully, and recovery comes swiftly for those who were injured whether by magical means or bandaging themselves up. The following day has the group passing the Long Road, and many many travelers both on foot and merchant caravans passing along it as everyone crosses it. Various races can be seen mostly minding their own business or setting up camps early in the day to allow their animals to rest. During this day however, the sky has darkened to the south-east and for hours an eerie howling can be heard though the mountains there block any view of what may be causing it.

Once past it and the many mountains and hills of that area and the tree's fade behind you, the ground becomes more flat, and even aside from the rocks, turning into deadlands that are mostly barren dirt, and exposed rock to your left, while to your right is still somewhat mountainous though its yellow-brown color leaves much to be desired, possessing few tree's  and even fewer with life, though that's to be expected of the area.

Eventually you all make it to the gates of the city, and two guards with halberds stand at attention, with a long line of merchants ahead of you. Likely folk who had already broken off the Long Path before you had all gotten there. Though the line seems quick -Yartar being a trade city after-all- and after several hours in that line, just as the sun begins to set you are all called to the front.

Statcher names an' yer bidnis. Whuh brings ye to Yarter. Wher'dja hail frum, an' where ya goin? Do ya need any info'matun 'bout Yarter if it be yer first toim 'ere?

“Root, we’re just passing through we’re on our way to silverymoon. I actually don’t know much of Yarter, as I am from a small fishing village far from here.”

"Bellerain Wanderfoot.  Same as him, aside from the fishing village part.  My current home is in Thundertree."

Rosorla Brightwood, passing through back to Silverymoon. Hey Jacob is that you! Rose waves at the sleepy looking guard. You checked my gear last time I passed through! How've things been? She asks excitedly.

At the gates of the rather impressive looking wall, though not beautiful in design, was clearly both daunting and imposing, and very very sturdy. The torchlight keeping parts of the area illuminated  as the sun continued to set.  Unfortunately they didn't have Braziers to better light it. The man who asked the questions and was far more awake than the other one silently takes notes as each person describes their requested details, filling it out rather quickly, making one wonder if his handwriting suffered for it. 

Both were your average looking humans. Jacob likely being from another country as his skin was charcoal black, while his compatriot was a deep shade of brown. As he yawned, Rose chimed in at him... the other man taking notes but paying attention to the discourse as she did. Mmm... huh? Oh it's you. I wasn't sure i'd see you again... I thought you and your friends made it big with some dragons hoard or somesuch? Speaking of which, this doesn't look like the same crew from last time... You didn't kill them all to keep the gold for yourself did you?

Rose laughs and shakes her head No no of course not. They are still in Thundertree, a town we helped bring back from abandonment. Selûne has deigned however that this new group has some work to do and so here I am. How's things been in the city since last I was here? Rose asks inquisitively.

Surprisingly, considering her normal predilection for always having something to say, Fallan stays silent enough to be taken as a mute. She nods violently as the others tell of Thundertree and where they are from and jerks her head in the direction of each of her friends and protectors when they address the guard. When Rose starts her "chit-chat" discussion of her group's previous activities, Fallan just lowers her head and scuffs the dirt on the road with her bare hairy feet.

Bellerain sets a hand to Fallan's head and pats her hair, smiling reassuringly at the halfling.  Then she looks to Rose and speaks when there's a lull in the conversation.  "If you've been through here before, we'll let you lead the way, Rose."

Rose almost forgot that the rest of the party was here and looked back a little confused as to whose talking before realizing. Oh! Oh yeah sure! I mean I've only been through here once, and in the other direction, but I'll show you what I remember. What was the name of the inn we stayed at? Ah we'll figure it out! Jacob! Can we come in or do you need to check the cart? It'll be a quick inspection as we don't have a whole lot on us right now. 

The grim man who's been taking the notes notices that Fallan hasn't answered yet, and clears his throat loudly. Ax'kuze me little shite. Statcher name, business, formuh, and fyutchuh destinations, or are we gonna 'ave a prollum 'ere? The guard seemed annoyed at Fallans lack of response, as he gazes over the small line behind them, and it's clear he wants to be done with his shift sooner than later. 

Just prior to that however, Jacob responds with Oh ah.. Aye, we gotta check all the carts and their supplies.. make sure nothing is being smuggled in and all that. As for what's been happening.. well the other day there was a massive tornado nearby, lasted almost six bloody hours! and there's been other activity to the north near where you're goin', there've been a large stint of people going missing, entire caravans dissappearing, but we've yet to find out who or what is responsible.

Updated last post as I forgot  to address Rose's questions.

Rose frowns briefly at the bad news but quickly returns to her normal bright smile. I see, well then we will have to be careful on our travels then. We already ran into a few encounters on the way here. Roads are always dangerous but still, if we do find a cause we'll be sure to take care of it! But a tornado? So far north? I've never seen a Tornado, sounds like it would be exciting if it weren't causing damage too, how odd. Rose contemplates for a while before gesturing to the cart for the guard to conduct their search. Oh and this is Fallan, same buisness as us, traveling to Silverymoon. Shes a bit shy so go easy on her for me will ya. Rose offers the guard she doesn't know a warm smile meant to disarm the guard and also hide her own urge to kneecap the man. 

"Fallan, Fallan Kettlewhistle. I ain't from nowhere in particular, and where I have been and where I am going is wherever these folks are heading. I'm with them, and they're my friends." The words eke out almost painfully, and with minimal volume. She doesn't make eye contact with the guard and waits to see if her response is enough. She smiles at Rose and nods at her in thanks for offering a response as well.

"Is there a need for the hostility,sir? It seems our leader is already acquaintances with one of your fellow guards men. Perhaps you should lay off." Root looks to the rude guard before adressing the other "Please look, nothing but a few personal affects and rations. What is considered Sumggled goods?" 

Bell starts humming and pats Fallan on the back.

Jacob see's the other guard getting angry and sighs but makes no move to stop him, understanding why the man was doing it. With a slight grunt he turns back to face Rose with a bit more urgency on his visage as he looks to the still relatively large line of people behind the party that were starting to grow restless as conversations rather than inspections were happening.

Good. Were that so bloody 'ard? Not like I'm askin' more personal shite.  You wanna waste me time, don't. You got atleast thirty people behind you tryna get into the damned city, and you wanna waste their time too. Next time speak up, or I won't be so nice Fallen Kattlewistel. he said, though the last part was likely an accent rather than an insult. Jacob nodded a bit at the mans words. He's gruff but he's right. Everyone watching this is wondering 'Why is it taken them so long why are they having a chat while i'm sitting on my cart with my ass aching to be in a warm bed' and the like. and the cart closest behind shouted an affirmative to Jacobs statement. 

See? Anyways, the closest one to this gate is the Waterbarons Hall, just off the market to the east. when Root speaks up, the gruff guard points his halberd at the monk and says And perhaps you'd like to deal with thir-ee plus pissed off merchants behind ya? No? Didn' tink so Cause of your little friend, me n' jacob 'ere are gonna get to 'ear 'what took ye so long, why ya wastin me time, time is money' and other dribble like that. Or perhaps ye'd like to spend a night in the waterbarons cells to cool yer 'ead off?

The gruff guard was clearly on his final straw at this point but Jacob, tryign to keep the entire situation calm, quickly moves in to inspect the cart, seeing very little, it only takes him a moment or two before he's done, and gives the other guard the Thumbs up.

I wish you folks luck on whatever you're doing there. May Selune guide ya and all that. But hurry along before this situation gets worse.

Before any hint of disagreement or disgruntlement can come from the rest of the party, Bell puts one hand on Fallan's back and one hand on Root's back and gently but forcibly pushes them forwards through the gate.  "Right-eeyo you are good sir, and hence we will be on our way.  Bless you!  Let's go heh heh hehlet's go!  Go."

Root stands ready to say something but Bell intervenes, ultimately Root decided it’s not worth spend a night in jail. “Whatever...” Under his breath Root calls the Rude guard something in draconic and takes his wagon along so that the line may continue.

Fallan turns her head as if to confirm that she is being guided by a friend, rather than shoved by an unknown. Upon meeting Bell's gaze, she nods and increases the speed of her pace toward the inner portions of the city. Willing to be guided, but not wanting to lead in a place unfamiliar to her, she then glances toward Rose. "Where to now that we're past the inquisitors, Rose?" Her eyes flash, as if she has something quarrelsome to say, but thought the better of it. She gazes around while waiting for further direction.

Rose relaxes again once inside the gate m and sighs. Sorry about that guys. Forgot Yartarans can be a bit prickly. Anyway as Jacob said the Waterboro hall is close, we can stay there for the night. Its a nice enough stay and its close to the market too. I didn't spend too much time outside those two places last time I was here with Gwen and the rest of our party so I'm not super familiar with the rest of the city so be careful not to get lost if you decide to go exploring. Rose will lead the party towards the inn to inquire about rooms for the night.