"I...that is not who I expected would leave," Gen-ga replies dumbfounded by Molle's exit before looking at Areon. "Yes, please go check. We didn't see him enter earlier but..." they look embarrassed again, "Zira and I...well...we were taking some time for ourselves too as you do," they explain rubbing the scales on their face before letting out a long sigh. "Could you check before our search begins," they add with a nod.

"Raven Queen I beseech your guidance and ask that you shield us from harm," Gen-ga replies looking frantic for a moment before collecting themselves. "That's...two two of our best fighters...our shields gone," they say slowly seating themselves and letting out a low groan. "Ragnar. Your blade and your gifts for healing couldn't have come to us at a better time," they say looking to Ragnar with a soft expression. "Let us drink...not too much mind...to our fallen heroes," they add calling for another round and waiting for anyone else to speak.

OOC: See group PM for a request.

Erika fingers the tip of her blade. "My shield is strong... But if the old stories of weres are correct I won't be able to do much beyond taunting them from afar. Any silver blade for myself and Ted would be better than none. If we are to potentially face these foes, we should not make the mistake of starting out helpless."

"Gen-ga, before we leave in the morning, we should check with Areon's smithy. We might not have time, but the coin would be well worth it to this expedition if they have anything in stock."

She feels her own purse "Though I might need to borrow some coin should they have a blade or two."

Persuasion (Adv: Enhance Ability) 11 7 

Ted has been making a good show of listening and looking serious, but a bursts out in a big smile when Gen suggests a toast.

“Yes, to our fallen heroes! And let’s not despair about our friends who couldn’t stick the job through. If you ask me, our best fighters are right here in this room. Molle, and from this note here, Garron too, just gave up when the going got tough. They may have had big muscles, but the most important muscle.....” He points in the centre of his chest. “...is in here. And all of us, have the heart, and the stick-with-itness that we need.”  He glances at Trixi “Even if some of us could learn a little tact...” 

“From the sounds of it, we have two separate issues here, regardless of if they’re connected. Firstly, a lot of us will be hard pressed to get stabby with the were-boars, or I’ve got a lot of reading up on spellbooks to do. Secondly, the omnipotent have a base here, on a natural stop off from the institute to Elyria. If we leave them to conitinue, we could be putting other groups coming through at risk. Who knows, maybe they set the were-boars on you Ragnar? I would suggest burning it down for real, but it’s just a suggestion Gen-Ga, we’ll do as you say.” 

"Yes, Bane of Ted speaks well. To heart," Ragnar says with another raise of his glass, though this time, mindful of Gen-ga, he only takes a small sip.

He then looks over at Trixi and raises it again. "To heart and fiery anger. I think we will need both."

Ragnar then pauses and looks at each of them around the table.

"I am going back into the mountains one way or another. The fallen need to be avenged. But if you will accept me as one of you, I would welcome the company."

He then turns to Gen-ga, waiting for his response to Ted's suggestion.

"I do have some experience burning buildings down," he says with a smile.

"Do you honestly think burning down a single building is going to cut the head off this particular snake? We don't lower ourselves to the levels of monsters Dreadbane lest we become them ourselves," Gen-ga says in curt reply. "No. No we will not burn down that tavern and we will not go back looking for a fight. If it so much has...has a broken window in the morning..." the dragonborn trails off giving both Ted and Ragnar a firm look. "Now I suggest sleep everyone. It is getting late but I'm not your keeper. I will inform Zira of Molle and Garron's departures and we will see you in the morning," they add giving a nod to the party before they depart.

OOC: We can move on unless y'all have more arson plans to uh plan...

Ted shrugs, “It was just an idea......” before finishing up his drink and heading upstairs, inviting Ragnar to take Garrons bed.

"Gen-ga is right," Ragnar says as he heads up the stairs with the others. "And it would be very difficult to just burn one building down. This whole town could go up in flames."

 (OCC - no night time raiding for Ragnar, okay to move on)

"True, Ted, that would be good, but I am afraid it is too late for you to learn anything. No worries, we all love just as you are." Trixi winked to Ted but was serious again when raised her glass of water in honor of the fallen "They fought brave, they died well and will be remembered!" One can only hope that when time comes same thing will be said about their death. "Good night, everybody." Trixi returned to the room. Wereboars and cultists had to wait until morning.

(Molle will not leave in the middle of the night, would she? I mean, she still must be in the room? Trixi does not plan anything just want to know if to include her into the morning post)

Erika will spend some time speaking with Ragnar over one more ale, if he wants to stick around. She waves down the barmaid and speaks to him in her native tongue.

OOC Can handle this via PM to keep the main thread moving. 

Erika and Ragnar:

The night passes and the party awakens to a briskly cold and wet morning. When the party arises they discover Zira has been up for awhile organizing the wagons contents onto mules, six in total, to easily scale the mountains. Everyone will ride a horse now and the scouting party headed by Gen-ga again has left even earlier than the dawn. It's a small army that morning. Three mercenaries along with Zira and five party members will take the first leg into the mountains as the sky pink sunrise burns off the dawn. All of you awake that's to a rough knock in your door until you respond but no one enters. Breakfast is a hearty porridge and cooked meats as well as fresh fruits. The party finds the tavern fairly empty of other such early travelers and are served by a groggy black haired boy who moves slowly but is fairly cordial to all who engage with him beyond ordering a meal. As you are assembled at the breakfast table Zira finally returns inside to eat as well.

The fey touched half-orc is thoughtful as she sips her tea but doesn't seem to want to eat. The morning feels different to each of you but you can see Zira looks tense and that sleep did not find her easily.

"Now that we're all here. Ah, scouts are on the road an hour ahead but so far so good," Zira begins finally speaking. She then explains the change up in wagons to pack animals. "I..it's easier to move than the wagons. We...there's a better chance I think if we're all mobile and not clump together any one place," she explains further. "I suppose it goes without saying but we're heading into unpredictable territory. It's three days of hard travel through the mountains then two in the wastelands before reaching Ellyria itself. Ellyria," she sighs, "it will try to bend your mind, break your spirit, and just plain kill you. Everyone knows it effects casters more so my fellow casters I tell you to be wary of your magic as a resource the closer we get to the ruins. Now can I ease anyone's mind about anything or answer any questions you may have, before we get on the road" she asks looking around at the party still clutching her warm mug.

Zira is wearing heavier winter clothing which you all too have available and already donned against the mountains very dramatically changeable weather. The mercenaries eat apart from you all but seem to be waiting on Zira for a cue to move out.

OOC: As we proceed up the mountain there will be.l series of individual rolls that advance or hinder the party. There also might be skill challenges. Let me know if you're unfamiliar with either!

"Zira, I do insist we at least stop by the smithy and see if they have silvered weapons. We would be fools to go in unarmed if the creatures that killed Candor and his band are still in those mountains... if they have nothing, then we can proceed and pray to the Stormfather that we are lucky in the coming days."

Ragnar plops down at the table and begins shoveling food into his mouth. Meat, fruit, and porridge, plenty of porridge.

"Ah, this weather reminds me of spring when I was a boy. I worried it would be too hot when started climbing." Noticing Areon steering clear of the porridge, he chuckles, "Do elves not eat porridges? This will be a long day and we may not get lunch. The more energy now the better."

He quiets down as the conversation turns to silvered weapons, but his hand falls to the gleaming battle axe at his side. The power in it more than made up for a lack of silver.

Ted finishes his bowl of porridge, which he almost used a full jar of honey on, before chipping in, lowering his voice to sound more serious and knowledgeable“Gen-ga is scouting ahead, and will be waiting for us, so maybe it’d take a bit too long to get a silvering done. We could see if they have any silvered weapons for sale before we leave though? Of course, we might not want to be recognised in town, but - and I don’t think I’ve mentioned this before - I’m something of an artiste when it comes to make up.” The sense of de ja vu sweeps through those of you who have heard this exact phrase every single morning from Ted. “I could have you looking however you like, or just get you to blend in.”

"Silvering is expensive as well as time consuming. It would take a day at least and cost even more for the expediency of such a task regardless of the skill of the smith," Zira replies with a some what solemn expression. "If your have the coin go now but you have a half an hour. To buy mind not to get your own weapons enhanced. We have no time for such a lengthy process unless you leave it to pick up on our return which will do you little good this trip," she finishes. "This was a singular attack as I understand. I have been through the mountains and wastelands for nearly a decade now had have never met a were of any kind. Not to belittle your experience," she says to Ragnar before looking over the party, "or deny your caution but we really must be going as not to leave the scouting party too far ahead without the hope of our aid if need be," she explains. "Any thing else," she asks looking over the party.