Ok, so I think we've agreed that the party takes a week to themselves for rest, reflection and shopping. Please deduct any gold that you would owe for the 7 days of rent or whatever you're paying for room and board that we decided on in the 1:1 threads. We can also continue any shopping or anything else we are currently doing in those threads for any retro activity to that week because it is a long time. Oh make sure you are levelled up as well!

 So I think the party was in unanimous agreement that they were going to meet up in a week to help Ralf out with the problem he was having at the Neverwinter Graveyard, his place of employment and his home. It's on the city maps in the broader Neverwinter google sheet. I guess you would all meet up at the graveyard say at high noon at the main gates. This is a huge place and very well guarded. If you check out the color city map, it has huge walls protecting it... yet something strange is happening. Ralfaen would've filled you in on what is going on....

 Bodies have been disappearing from the graveyard. This is strange for a few reasons. One being the huge walls and guard presence here. Another is that Ralf puts up abjuration magic some nights to protect the graves, but something or someone is getting past them somehow. Most recently, when Ralf was out of town for 6 days, many bodies were removed, many more than when Ralf was protecting the grave with his magic. He wants to get to get to the bottom of this as soon as possible, because although the workers are devoted, some of them have been starting to quit their jobs since his return from Havel's Cross. 

The only lead you have is that while Ralf was gone, a temporary groundskeeper who was replacing Ralf (and doing a horrible job) saw what he describes as 'figures' appearing and vanishing before his eyes, and admittedly getting scared, he hid and watched them as they proceeded to excavate graves and bodies and then leave the graveyard unseen by the guards (who were lazy that night), constantly appearing and reappearing. The bodies seemed to appear and reappear with them as they moved silently and darkly east through the chasm section of the city with little to no population, and then past the city limits. The 'temp' followed the creatures east along the neverwinter river for about an hour before he got scared and returned to the graveyard. He assumes they were headed towards the Neverwinter wood, but he isn't 100% sure. 

Do you have any initial questions that you would've asked the temp groundskeeper about what he saw and followed? Also, can you all give me a history check to see how well your character knows the Neverwinter woods. If your background supports the pre-knowledge of the massive forest, then no need for a roll. 

((I think that's it to start. I am kind of building this one out in my head as we go, so apologies in advance if it gets a bit weird or seems cloudy. Just ask if you need further explanation or background as to what has happened. It might not be super RP heavy, but I will do what I can!))

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1mf0QwlWSUWpTK4ofagdKSUaUOVG7iT_JHYVYot3nkyA/edit#gid=291902775

History: 4 ((I was thinking Gotur has traveled from his home forest a ways to Neverwinter, so don't think he'd be from there, but we'll see if he'd heard anything from other druids or the like.))

((Nope.))

History: 20

((While Ralf's roll comes in, I forgot to mention as well that along with everything that the temp groundskeeper told you, the owner of the Neverdeath Graveyard himself is willing to pay any adventurers who can solve this mystery of the missing bodies and bring the thieves to justice a whopping 17 400 gp.))

((NOT each.))

History: 22 + 2

Gotur, your druid colleagues have told you nothing about the forest, but that's ok, Alton and Ralf know their stuff. 

Ralfaen and Alton, you both have a very good understanding of the forest and its different sections. You would both know all of the information that is on the 'Neverwinter Wood' tab on our main Neverwinter google sheet. It is a huge section of land, and you both know that the guidance that has been given to you by the temp groundskeeper is very... weak at best. I mean, these people, whoever they were, that took the bodies from the graves could've went anywhere in that forest. It seems the only thing you can do is to perhaps travel to the location that the temp worker told you about and see if you can find any clues to their whereabouts.

He only managed to follow them for a few hours, at best. He left through the south-east end of the city through the Chasm district, and then followed them east, on the south side of the Neverwinter river. He got to the red arrow on the map, and then turned around. (check out the 'Overview' tab for the location on the map)

You all get to the location and it takes an hour. I will pause here and let you take a look at the maps. Let me know the marching order as you travel east. You are on the south side of the river as you can see. Let me know any specific checks you might be making as you proceed further, and/or anything else you might be doing. 

Is Gotur bringing Zhoggab?

Here's the link: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1mf0QwlWSUWpTK4ofagdKSUaUOVG7iT_JHYVYot3nkyA/edit?usp=sharing

((Not bringing Zhoggab if it's just a day trip, he's more for when we're packing a week's rations, or anticipate needing to transport something substantial.))

Gotur would be taking point, as a fairly woods-wise individual. He's trying to stay alert and attentive, while keeping an eye out for any valuable plants he can use for making potions.

Perception: 7

Survival: 7

Ralf would probably be in the middle of the marching order. Ralf will also be looking around (Perception) and trying to remember what monsters live in these woods (idk what check would be best for this).

Perception: 3 + 3

((we aren't quite into the Neverwinter wood yet. Just on the shoreline of the Neverwinter river, red star on Overview tab, although there are definitely trees around))

Gotur, you don't notice any interesting plants other than the useless normal ones you might find around a river. ((Roger that about Zhoggab. This wouldn't have been a trip I feel he'd be a part of, either. Just had to ask. Didn't want to forget about him again. Ha!)

Ralf, you are going to be an expert when it comes to common monsters live in the woods, from your previous history roll. Same with Alton. This will come into effect if/when we ever run into any monsters that are specific to the forest if/when we get there. Your character will know all about them & their stat block, of course.

You both move forward maybe with Alton following close behind. 

Moments later, Gotur and Ralf you both see a rather large pile, maybe 5 ft high and even more wide, of dead bodies a bit further ahead of you.

How will you proceed? Map is updated.

Yup the skull is the pile of bodies.

Yep. Alton would stay at the back of the marching order, keeping an eye out for anything might might try to follow the group or attack them from behind.

As the party reached the pile of bodies, Alton would say. “Ralf? This is your kind of specialty, right?” As he turns to look at the old tortle.

"Indeed. I will try to find out all that I can about them." Before this, Ralf will use a use of his Eyes of the Grave feature to detect any undead within 60 feet of him. When he does this, Ralf closes his eyes, kneels down, and his hands reach down to the earth below him. As he concentrates, you see a shockwave of grayish/white energy emit from him. The energy feels strange, as it is cold to the body, but warm to the heart and mind. It's an oddly comforting sensation, but why that is so you do not know. After the energy dissipates, Ralf slowly rises, takes a breath, and begins to look over the bodies. Ralf would like to make an Investigation check to figure out what the deal is with the bodies. (Tell me if I need to make a different check and I can)

Investigation: 22 + 4

(Alton can help)

As the party now reaches the bodies, everyone please roll a perception check. 

Ralf, your eyes of the grave returns no pings. 

Alton and Ralf investigate the bodies. It is a horrific sight. Its a pile, almost 5 feet high, maybe even longer in width, of naked corpses. Various races. 

All of their skulls are opened, and their brains have been removed. 

Map is updated.

Perception: 17

Help roll: 6 + 2 (Guidance)

Perception: 21 + 3

"No undead, I have detected." Ralf says after he stands up from using Eyes of the Grave. He then sees the brains. "By The Raven Queen... Done this, who could have? These poor souls... a proper burial, they must have, but the time, now is not. But, a blessing, I shall give them." He would then sit in front of the bodies and start to pray a blessing over these bodies in Celestial. (but nobody else knows that unless they speak the language) Because he is praying and completely focusing on his connecting with The Raven Queen, ignore my Perception check.

Ralf, with Alton's help, you two can clearly see that every single body is missing its brain. The bodies have dirt on them, so you can conclude that along with the temp worker's info about the location, these bodies indeed must be from the Neverdeath graveyard. Someone, or something, is taking the brains. What they are doing with them is a mystery. 

Ralf begins his prayers alongside the pile. 

Gotur, while Ralf is performing his blessings on the pile of bodies, you notice something very peculiar.

There are 3 scarecrows propped upright by the trees to your east. A bird is even on one of them. 

Map is updated. 

"Any reason a farmer'd stick scarecrows out here?", Gotur muses to Alton, walking over to have a look.