Stealth: 22

Tam offers to scout ahead of the group in areas that could be potential ambush points, moving as quietly as he can along the edges of the woods. He finds it easy to remain hidden in the old, molding woods even when only a short distance from the road. He is able to quietly, and nearly invisibly, check each of the spots Helena fears might have ambushes for people lurking (obviously) nearby.

(2 successes, 0 failures) 

The party and Tanye, guided by Helena and with Tam scouting ahead, complete half of the journey back to Trishdale. It takes about a day and a half when they see something familiar- the grave marker of the fallen traveler, who had been killed by the Fungal Bear and buried by the party. May their soul find peace in the afterlife. 

So far, nothing out of the ordinary has happened, and the group is definitely making good progress. Perhaps the journey back will be uneventful...

(Anyone else?) 

Perception: 5

 Jaesali tries to keep a look out for anything that might be following from the ruins. But her attention keeps straying to the note and she rereads it again and again. She manages to stay with the party, but has a moment when she realizes the note carries the smell of Caine's severed head.

Survival: 18

Nolla studies the ground as they travel, working to keep them going along the road, and not getting off track and wandering into the woods.

Three days of travel pass as the party makes their way back to Trishdale. With a bit of skill and luck, the gates of Trishdale finally appear in view as a glorious morning sun rises overhead. The party's made it, and completed their quest as well. And though they've encountered many horrors on the way, they've made it back with their bodies and minds intact- mostly. 

Tanye says, "I never would think to see Trishdale again. Thanks to you, I can. We should go to the Town Hall and talk to the mayor. I'm sure he'll be glad to see me back, and I assume, to pay out your reward." 

Jaesali takes a deep breath as she sees the gates. So much for an easy job to pass the time. 

She turns at Tanye's words and nods. "He was upset at your disappearance. We thought we were too late to find you."

“We all get a bit extra too,” Helena mutters to herself, thinking about the man they’d lost. “Hope this place doesn’t give us that extra too often.” Shaking out of her funk, she heads with the others to the mayor.

Nolla just nods, still more than a bit subdued after the many trials.

Cedar says nothing, just follows the party.

Tam casts a look over his shoulder, back the way they came and shudders. He quickly returns his gaze to the protection of the walls and hurries after the rest.

Tanye waves the party through the gates, while the guards are astonished to see that everyone has returned from the Wilderness. Inside Trishdale this chilly morning, the vendors are just beginning to set up the market and people are roaming the streets. The party can hear much talk about the heroes that "destroyed the Screaming Spirit."

Tanye says, "I can't promise much publicity for you people, unlike perhaps what those others might have received. But what I can say is that you've made a valuable contribution to the safety of our town. You should be proud."

The party returns to the diplapidated mansion from which they first received their quest. They once again enter the Town Hall, even gloomier than before. They find the mayor sitting in his office nursing a tankard of ale, while paperwork has piled up at his desk. 

Upon seeing Tanye, the mayor drops his tankard in shock. "You-you're back! You brought her back!"

Cedar nods "That we did, however we lost one of our own in the process." He looks roadweary and sad about their companion, but smiles at the reunion of the two.

Tam stays near the entrance to the room. He is happy to have done something meaningful, maybe something that will keep this town going.

Nolla tries to put aside the memories of the time out of the city, as she nods to the man at the desk. "Yes, we did manage to get her free." She agrees, frowning a bit at the mention of their lost companion, as it brings back those memories she is trying not to think about.

The mayor reunites with Tanye, who points at the desk filled with paperwork. "It's looks like you were working hard while I was gone."

The mayor laughs and opens a chest, taking out a jingling sack of coins. He hefts it and gives it to the party. 

"150 gp. A handsome reward for a task well performed."

He looks distressingly at the party, realizing there are only five, not six. 

"Oh, I didn't realize that one of you fell out there. I'm sorry." 

Tam clears his throat and says hesitantly,

"He was lost at Norgon Manor. Who are...were the Norgons? The Manor was...wrong."

"Don't care who they were..." Nolla says in a murmer. "Never setting foot back in that place again if I can help it..."

"Not they, he. He called himself Lord of Norgon Manor. Said it was the price for trespassing. For taking a book. There was no warning. This fate could befall anyone." Jaesali drops the note onto the desk.

"What he did to the body... It wasn't right."

Remembering the map at the tavern, Helena looks at the mayor.

”You might want to put the place on your maps in town so that people don’t get taken in. It was a creepy place but it had walls and a roof, so people might try to stay there anyway.”

If asked to show, she’ll point the area out on a map using her Outlander feature to accurately do so.