Northlands Campaign

Bart would also like to purchase some wears after selling his Kris to someone: 2 bundles of arrows (40 each) at a total of 2 GP,  2 healers kits at 10 GP, 10 torches for 1 SP and studded leather for 45 GP. And I will give the gold to whoever goes buy the stuff even if they don't accept.

GM:

The one day waiting for Rachel to rest ends up turning into three as additional issues and concerns and planning take up time and create delays, but finally it seems like everything has been settled by evening and the captain calls everyone together for a final briefing, feast and celebration.

As everyone gathers, the food arrives and the drinks start to pour, the captain stands and calls for everyone's attention.

"Tomorrow marks an important day.  The start of a mission of utmost importance, not only to those gathered here, but to the land at large against dangers both hidden and known.  Would that we could spare forces to accompany them as they travel north, but I do have full confidence in their abilities to locate and assess the threat and get that information back here to us.  In preparation for that mission, we have some gifts for our heroes, to aid them on their journey."

"First off, Corporal, errr, I mean Sargent Ironheel," smiling at the look on Barney's face, "yes lad, we've granted you a field promotion," he says, returning your salute while the rest of the patrons cheer.  He then extends his hand, palm up to reveal what looks like a fire agate.  "Embed this in Fife's handle, so he can alert you to dangers."  (Will convert Fife into a Weapon of Warning.)

"Next, Master Wil," he turns to accept a longbow from one of the Watch, "nothing too special, but this'n will hit just a wee bit harder."  (Longbow +1)

"Let's see, who's next?"  A watchman hands him what appears to be a bundle of cloth.  "Ah, yes," he nods and smiles, taking the bundle, "the bashful one, Cade, where did you vanish to?"  Looking around, finally catching the halfling peeking out from behind Wil, "this will help you to avoid notice even more," handing the article over to you.  (Nature's Mantle)

"And that brings us to the not-so-bashful Bart the Bird Bard," as he accepts a set of leathers from the watchman, "something well suited to one of your talents," as he hands it over.  (Glamoured Studded Leather)

"Finally, for the lovely Kina," as he accepts what at first glance appears to be an elegantly carved bone.  He nods at Kina, "I know full well your distaste for killing, rest assured the beast who donated this died from natural causes."  (Storm Boomerang)

(OOC: Oooooo Cade I’m jealous...... 🤣🤣😁😁.... not that I don’t like the new bow mind you.)

Barnabus smiles wide as he accept the gift. Holding it high he addresses those gathered, "I'm sure we'll all sleep better with this." He takes his seat his face still beeming.

"Um... Thanks..." Cade says, slipping out from behind one of his companions. He grabs the item, then slips back out of sight behind his friend once again. He huhgs the cloth though, then, peeking back out he repeats... "Thanks."

Soon the merryment of the moment cools for Barnabus and he begins to think more about the journey ahead.

"Say, we should work out a signal to let everyone know our progress. As confident as I am that we will prevail, the chance for capture or defeat still remains. Does anybody have any ideas?"

Kina herself hasn't considered using a distance weapon, but then, a thrown weapon would at least take advantage of her size, strength, and most importantly, weight. She could gallop about at full speed and outflank her opponents, closing to attack only after stunning one with a successful strike. She graciously accepts the weapon.
"And it will not cause undue suffering, in turn. Thank you, I'll make good use of this." she says.

To Barnabus's question, she tilts her head.
"You mean, an agreed signal that one of us needs assistance? A call to rally?" she asks.
"I think you all would have to be half-deaf or half-dead to miss me screaming, two sets of lungs and all." she says.

"Well I was thinking more of a signal for the watch to send help. Like maybe smoke signals on day 5 or 6 if we're returning. No smoke indicates assistance needed. Two columns of smoke means we're okay but more time needed. I was hopingbthere might be a better way."

“Too bad we don’t have a wizard or sorcerer, they’d probably have a spell or something that would suffice.”

Listening to the discussion, the captain nods to Rachel.  She extends a hand and places a pair of small stones on the table, "these will take care of that.  The captain has been kind enough to allow us the use of his Sending Stones.  He'll keep one, and we take the other and will be able to report in daily."

"That settles that then. Shall we head out wonderful heroes?" He strides with his knew glamorous armor happy as can be.

Barnabus slaps his palms against the table. "Agreed! A task begun is a task half done! Here. Why don't you be the official voice of the group and hold onto this." Barnabus grabs the remaining stone and gives it to Bart. Turning to the Captain Barnabus snaps off a brisk salute. "Thank you Captain. These items you've given us will certainly provide us the advantage we need to gain the answers we seek. We will use them wisely." Barnabus spins on his heel and leaves the room. He heads directly to the wagon with the rest.

Cade nods and moves to follow his friends, hoping they can get away from town for a bit, being around so many is trying on his nerves.

As you get to the wagon, there is a young private already in the driver's seat.  Rachel nods a greeting to him then addresses the party, "The Private here will give us a ride as far as the moathouse.  According to the map, we will have to go back through and take the tunnel by the barracks there to its other end.  Details are a little sketchy, but it's a better bet  than trying to negotiate the hazards in the Moors.  Since we don't know how long we may be gone after that, it didn't seem right to just leave the ox waiting for us."

Wil hops in the back of the wagon, stretches out and says, “Wake me when we get there.”

Bart holds the sending stone tight and puts it in a safe place. He sits next to Kina  and starts to strum his lute lovingly " I will provide you with a lullaby Mr. Wil"

Kina... can't really sit in the wagon. It's certainly not built for her body type. She trots along beside it instead, but if Bart wants to ride her, she'll gladly oblige him. It would be a relatively smooth experience unless his feathers brush up against a sensitive place.

Cade sits up on the bench, if that is open, or else by Will in the back. He settles back and just enjoys the ride.

Rachel will settled into the back of the wagon for the trip.  A quick stop for lunch at the Watch camp at the edge of the swamp, and then heading north for the entirety of the afternoon.  Stopping in the Moors at a suitable spot for the night and pressing onward the next morning, the trip passes without incident and you arrive back at the moathouse early the following evening just in time to see the cloud of bats rise again from the eastern side of the ruins.

“Camp in that same room for the night with the door barred against our friendly snake?” Wil asks as he hops down from the back of the wagon.