Apparently Roses player will be going into a medical treatment tomorrow that will decomission them for several days. Feel free to still interact with eachother, Gwen, or the townsfolk. 

Fallan, awkwardly finding herself in an embrace with the lower parts of the shirtless Root, was happy to see her friend and protector. That was, until his last comment. "Are you kidding me? Most of us, especially yours truly, would  MUCH prefer NOT to stare death in the face. I would be more than happy NEVER to run into the spectre of the end of life - mine or anyone's - Thank you very much!  But still, it's good to have you back!"

Root gives Fallan a healthy pat on the shoulder “Hahaha I guess Fallan but one should always try to surpassing one limits even if that means death! Have you seen Rose or Gwen? Today’s the day they are getting married right!?” 

As the trio reaches the gates, the two guards, one with twin swords and the other with sword and board bow and greet you all.  Been several months since we last saw all of you. A shame you all didn't stay to watch the town come to life. You missed an archdruid bringing a tree to life! only for it to talk, walk, and help with the very thing! Was the strangest thing I ever saw. It's been peaceful here though for the last while. Not sure if you heard but some Cultists had been found trying to infiltrate the town before the eastern wall was built!

Ha, yeah well Rose n those took care of em real quick like. Since then it's been quiet. Not even sure why we were hired with heroes living here. But I aint gonna say no to decent pay. Didn't mean to interrupt y'er chat but the pre-celebration already began. Two days left till the weddin'! 

With the mention, if any of you hadn't noticed before the smell of many flavorful foods, meats vegetables, and other such things, heavily seasoned and such. You're all still just entering the gates, now, and Rose isn't in sight, though Gwen is near the statue of the Hero.

“Thanks boys, Keep up the guarding!” Root will head with the others to see Gwen. “Gwen! It’s good to see you after such a long time!” 

"I don't know if this is 'the big day', or just the 'pre-wedding feast check'" Fallan says to Root with her nose in the air, taking in deep breaths and smiling bigger than the Dragonborn had ever seen on the ace of the halfling. "But if Gwen is supposed to be ready for the ceremony, I don't know why she's hanging out by the statue. What say we go say hello and find out where the eating utensils are being kept?" With that, she gives a nod of her head in the direction of Gwen.

The guards nodded as the trio passed through the gates, though one of them said to the other three None of ya are gonna ask your friend about their lead huh?

"Lead? I thought they were preparing for a wedding. What kind of lead are we talking about? And how do YOU know enough about it to wonder why we haven't asked? And for that matter, WHICH friend? Gwen or Rose?" Fallan doesn't slow down much, nose still sniffing the smells on the wind, and eyes locked on Gwen and the statue.

The guard looks at Fallan dumbfound... The one... Bell... Literally just said she had... five seconds ago.... 

Quote from xJoe >>

"Hiiiyaa!" Bell greets Root with an enthusiastic wave, skipping up to chat with him.  "Don't ask about my heirloom.  No luck yet, though I may have a lead in Silverymoon.  How'd your training go?"

"Ah, I don't stick my nose in Root and Bell's 'reunions'.  I'm sure if Bell wants us to pursue this 'lead', those two will decide, and I'll just tag along - as long as we EAT FIRST!" Fallan answers the dumbfounded guard. Hurrying over to Gwen, she greets her warmly: "So, big day, huh? Is everything ready? Like the buffet? Can I help you? Have you tested the food? Is it up to par? Wouldn't want ANYTHING to interfere with your nuptials." As she speaks, the halfling scans the area around the statue, and gives the statue itself a look up and down, then turns her attention back to Gwen.

"I sure would like to look into it soon... but I feel like that cult might be a more pressing matter for the town."  Bell looks to the guard.  "What's your name again?  And how long ago did those cultists try to infiltrate?"

The guard who had spoken nods as he hooks his thumbs into his belt. My name? it's Escher. Joined just a few months ago. And the cult isn't that much of a threat so long as you kill em 'afore they set up. According to Gwen, there was a dragon here roostin' in the tower those archers are now perched on, but she n' hers (I assumed she meant you all) drove it off before y'all found the mine. It hasn't been seen since, and no sightings about it nearby or in the surrounding regions. And eh.. I'd say a month and a half ago? give or take a day. I doubt they'll be an issue. The other culties will probably assume they ****ed up royally, pissed off the dragon, and got eaten for their efforts, and any good cult would then play it off with: He must notta been worthy or summit. 

They'll probably send more but now that the defenses are up.... I find it it pretty unlikely that anyon'll make it past the walls. Either way... far be it from me to decide where the Heroes of the Echo place their concerns.

Root cought up in mood of the town he remembers the promise he made to Bell. “Bell, we should look into ot afted festivities are over."

As Escher mentions the cultist Root shrugges his shoulder while saying "Well it seems these cultist are only remnants now. We can finish them quickly after Rose and Gwens wedding."

Rose had been inspecting the construction on the shrine while the others had been reuniting. She nodded happily, pleased with her efforts. With her inspection complete Rose went to look for Gwen when she saw the others by the statue. Ah welcome back! How've you all been? I'm so glad you made it and just in time too. Festivities are just starting to really kick in! 

“ROSE!” Seeing Rose Root goes for a big hug “It’s good to see you again after such a long time!” 

"Did you say the FEAST-ivities were about to begin? You KNOW I will be happy to help you celebrate with that!!  And yes, it's great to see you again as well!" Fallan licks her lips to avoid drooling, but does indeed let a warm smile of friendship prove that she is, indeed, happy to see her fellow adventurer before her 'big day'!

Gwen had apparently been too distracted to notice that the group had approached behind her, that or she was too deep in her own thoughts. She had been looking to the south of the town pondering something when she heard Rose's voice and finally snapped out of it. Oh, hello there everyone.. I didn't notice you all come up! I suppose thats a good and a bad thing of having guards surrounding you that owe their allegiance to you! atleast so long as you pay them! It lets you put your guard down a bit. Yes yes! though you all missed yesterday.. we had a meat feast, with three boars, two cows, and even a Roc! Todays a bit of a mixed bag, and tomorrow will just be stews and vegetable meals. But better than Rations, hmm Fallan? she said, obviously picking on the halfling but it was also clear by the tone it was meant as a jab between friends.

She pointed round the town at what a sight it had become. Most of the buildings had simply been built over the existing structures, and reinforced, then cleaned, smoothed, as needed. Since not all of you were here at the time, over there... she says pointing past the tree's to the left of the tower if one were looking on a map That's the towns Tavern slash inn. There were some initial complaints about it being made so far from the gate, but we eventually convinced them that it was worth it for the defense the walls provided with only a single entrance. We have a building ready to be a smithy and.. Oh.. Are they a smith? Gwen asks, in regards to the metalworker.

Aye! My names Sandra. I may only be an apprentice smith but if I have a good fire and a decent forge, I can atleast  supply you all with the basics, including arrows or bolts, which are my specialty. Armor is a bit more difficult but I'll figure it out in time! As such, I won't charge you all full prices until my pieces become worth full price.

Ah wonderful. We have plenty of smiths in the mine, as well as artificer-apprentices being taught how to enchant them, but we don't have a local one, and most folks won't want to travel the additional day to the mine for it. And who are the trio with the potions behind you all?

My name's Mira, this here is Jack, and Tarkest. We're apprentice apothecaries, who happened to have a running in with the group trying to find the mines, though it seems they gave up at some point... We gave them one of our potions, and warned it may have unintended effects, but they're never too bad... We once made an energy elixer that gavce yo ua burst of energy, but tended to lead to exhaustion after several hours. We're perfecting them now, and have actually succeeded in making a true healing potion, but we're not confident in all of them. But we assure you none of our potions are poison! the other two nodded in agreement with the statement. Besides, some of our potions have extremely beneficial effects, even with their downsides, the upside is usually so significant that it's worth the after-effects!

I-I see, haha. Well, you're all more than welcome to stay here. All the buildings here are unoccupied, and intended for commerce. The residential area's are in the back of the town where the mountain starts to rise. But we've set up all the shops to have quarters for any of the business owners, though some had to be made underground, and are onyl large enough for a bed and a nightstand. I'm sure you'll find that it's more than adequate!

Both the smithy and the apothecariat trio nodded as Gwen told the smithy where the old forge building was, and told the apothecaries what buildings hadn't already been claimed for some degree of use. Finally turning her attention back to the group, Gwen said But yes, make yourselves at home! We have a central building in the housing area that acts as both the town hall, mine and Roses house, but we also have a basement with enough beds for twice our groups size, just in case. And it has an interconnected fireplace, so it should always be warm, should winter be around. For now though, how about we enjoy the food, the celebration, our company, the soon-to-be-wedding, and I'll give you all a tour of the town. Though we can also discuss any business you had while we do it!

Rose chuckled when Root hugged her, returning it the best she could given the size difference. It's...nice to see...you too...big guy...you've gotten stronger huh? Rose coughed from the tight hug but once released she gave a warm smile to the others as well. And its good to have you back as well Fallan, Belle too. And yes yesterdays feast was something special to be sure. But the "Roc" was little more than a overgrown turkey She whispered to Fallan. Anyway as Gwen said we can give you a tour of the town if you'd like and then get to some food. Or we can go right to food and save the tour. Or.maybe you'd like to get set up with a place to sleep first? No need to be carrying around all that stuff all day afterall! I'm quite eager to hear what you've all been up to as well! Its clearly seems you have spent all this time idle.

"Any reason we can't do food, town tour; pre-night snack; find a room, and catch up over a nightcap and hors d'oeuvres? Now THAT sounds like the way to prepare for a wedding day, doesn't it?" Fallan looks from face to face, smiling as if she had made a joke, but earnestly nodding her head to show she would be happy with her proposal too! Then after looking around, she acknowledges "You really have done a lot of good work while we were gone!"

Gwen could only laugh at the reception, though she seemed to be looking around. Huh.. Bell, where's Yue? She seemed to like to stick around you the most I don't see her with you... But sure Fallan, the food is there for the taking! And it's meant to be taken. The town Taxes payed for it. Sildar will be coming tomorrow to keep his promise, so enjoy eating while you can, as the legends say Sildar has a bag of holding for a stomach! But yes, lets mingle. And haha, thank you,  though we had some help from an old friend who helped us save the town before. You should have been here when the tree took to legs and began to walk. The food is this way... she says, taking Fallan and whoever followed to where the most succulent food was to be found.