DM

Arrangements having been made to meet up in the morning, the groups separate.

Bern, Davroar, Jaliera, and Zindra
Jaliera, Bern and Zindra escort Davroar to the river's edge. It's not far from the dock where the gambling ship is moored. At this hour of the night the docks are nearly empty of people. A Shields of Yartar dock patrol passes through the area frequently. Typically it's two to four of them leading their horses down the boardwalk.

Zindra turns to Jaliera and says, "I understand you wanting to stay with Davroar but you will not get any rest. The Shields chase drunks and those without a place to stay away. Vagabonds are an unseemly nuisance and you will be chased away. Dockworkers are the first ones to work as fishermen flock to the shores before dawn and even if you manage to find somewhere to rest, The logical thin might be to stay with him on the other shore, but because of raids by barbarians and monsters, which often come at night, the Shields cleared the ground to remove much of any cover. There's a standing order to kill those and ask questions later. You still have a room at Beldabar’s Rest but you decide what you will do."

"Bern, I'm heading back there now. Would you walk me?"

Arus, Kriv, Sindar and Zhu (along with Bronwyn and Kolbaz)
The Shields separate from the group after everyone has emerged from the sewers. Bern, Davroar, Jaliera and Zhu head towards the river leaving Arus, Kriv and Sindar to help Bronwyn and Kolbaz bring Zhu and the two young nobles to the The Happy Hall of Fortuitous Happenstance. It's built like a fortress of grim, forbidding stone, its arched windows look down on the town from the temple's own small hillock.

"I'll take care of Zhu from this point on. You may visit any time but we have an unexpected surge in lodgers tonight," Bronwyn says while glancing back at Zhu and the two other afflicted. From the look she gives Zhu, she is looking for her to support that.

Kolbaz adds, "I understand that you have rooms at the The Pearl-Handled Pipe. Tomorrow you will meet with the Waterbaron. I think you might want to rid yourself of that stench."

He hands Sindar a rolled up scroll, "Give this to the attendant at the entrance. He'll take you in the back way. It says that you were in service to me and the Waterbaron. They would not let you in through their doors looking and smelling like you do otherwise."

<Bern>

He listened to Zindra's ... 'assessment' of 'how the place works', nodding occasionally to show that he =is= listening.

When Zindra finishes her 'explanation' and asks him to be her escort, he smiles and offers her his arm. "Of course", he said, "ready when you are are."

Kriv

"Quite. We are hardly fit for proximity to anyone at present, we'll see if we can be discreet with our ingress."

Davroar

After listening to Zindra's explanation of the area, he turns to Jaliera and says, "Look, I'll be fine on my own here. Got to keep to my human form for a while yet, before I can change to a fish every so often. No one will notice me, and I promise not to eat any worms on a hook by morning."

Silently he hopes he will be healed sooner than later, but he is used to being out in the elements for extended periods of time.

Flashing a crooked smile he adds, "You stink anyways. Clean up. Get a good rest and I'll meet you here in the morning. Ok?"

Jaliera

She doesn't like the idea of leaving Davroar but the thought of cleaning up does appeal.

She smiles at him.

"Avoid those hooks. I'll be back in the morning."

Then she turns to Zindra.

"Thanks. Make sense."

DM

Bern, Jaliera and Zindra
Jaliera leaves Davroar reluctantly at the river's edge but she knows he can take care of himself. Beldabar's Rest is a short trek from there. As she walks the streets with Zindra and Bern Jaliera instinctively keeps her eyes peeled. While it's very late (or very early by some folks perspective) the streets of Yartar are not empty. The Shield patrols are frequent enough to make foul play a risky proposition.

When the trio enter Beldebar's Rest they are not surprised to see that while activity has slowed, it has not stopped. The place seems even seedier at this hour as half naked men and women of various races are interacting with the few patrons still looking for adult entertainment.

Beldebar himself is not working at this hour but a large, burly half orc nods them in.

Zindra says, "I'm heading to bed. It's past my bedtime and I need my beauty sleep."

<Bern>

He sighs inwardly as they walk through the town.

The 'spectacle' on the streets was not particularly unexpected ... although maybe a bit more than he normally saw ... and one of the reasons why he didn't like to spend a lot of time in the larger towns. Seemed that the bigger the town, the more of this that went on.

He nodded to Zindra. "I am thinking the same", he said with a smile.

Jaliera

"I need to clean up first."

She goes to try an arrange a bath and some scented soap, something that smells nice!

DM
Bern, Davroar, Jaliera, and Zindra
Bern and Zindra head off to their rooms, walking together.
Jaliera seeks out someone to draw her a bath.

fade to PMs for these four

Arus

It was dawn's early light by the time Arus emerged from the river.

A few fishermen were already setting up on the bank upstream of town, fussing over their lines or coracles.

One angler was surprised to feel a tug on his line, then an armoured triton emerged from the water carrying the tench he'd hooked.

"Good morning." said Arus, "Catch." He tossed the live fish to the gobsmacked angler and strode dripping into town.

He soon rendezvous with Kriv and Sindar on the street outside The Pearl-Handled Pipe.

After a quick sitrep, they presumably enter the establishment as discreetly as possible.

Sindar

"Thank you," he accepts the scroll from the wizard. Though he has no intention of seeing the Waterbaron close to the shape he is in. He also doesn't know how many baths it will take to clear up the smell.

Walking to the Pearlhandled Pipe he considers their options and once there, he seeks a late night attendant. "Is it possible to get a bite of fare and a late night bath? I seem to have entangled myself in a bit of ugliness," he offers as his simple explanation. It is a high end place so should have options most of the day, but he doesn't know. Oh how he wished he had been there for tonight's buffet. His stomach agreed with that thought.

Kriv

The Dragonborn gave Sindar a slight, surreptitious nudge near where he had the scroll.

Sindar

When they were farther away from the wizard, Sindar explains.

"The wizard gave me a way to get into to see the Waterbaron without using the public entrance. I am going to still try and get some of the slime off before we if possible." Assuming Kriv didn't hear.

DM

Kriv and Sindar at the Pearl Handled Pipe

The reception that the two sludge-drenched heroes received as they approached the late night doorman was suspicious until the scroll was handed off.

"Ah. Friends of Kolbaz. Yes, this way please."

The doorman took a torch out of it's sconce and proceeded to lead the two into the hotel through a service entrance around the side. It was dark in the passageway, the sounds of their footsteps interrupted the cacophony of snores which echoed through the hall. It was too early for most of the help to be awake. He opened a door into a locker room.

"I'm afraid that you must avail yourselves of a bucket of water and a bar of soap for now in the staff ready room." We will have hot baths drawn and ready for you once you wake in the morning. You will find a bell pull in the corner of your room to alert us when you've awakened from your well-deserved slumber."

He handed a large towel to both and said, "There are robes hanging from hooks over there which you can wear." The doorman turned to light a torch in the chamber as he continued. "After you have rinsed off, walk down to the end of the hall where you will find stairs which take you to the lobby. I trust that you will find your way. As for a bite, the last door before the steps is a pantry. I'm afraid that hot food will need to wait until the kitchen reopens in a few hours but I'm sure that the breads, cheeses and cured meats you will find there will hold you until then."

With that he turned and left.

DM
Arus by the river

The section of the sewers that the party had been in was not far from the outflow to the Surbrin River. Arus emerged in less than fifteen minutes as he traveled with the current and learned that the sewers let out under the footbridge which separated the Shield Tower from the city proper. This was downriver from the docks. Arus was already familiar with this river but rarely swam this far downstream when he worked for the Lionshield Coster.

Fishermen are the first to rise. The heat from the midday sun forces fish to swim deeper and fish often eat at the crack of dawn. So Arus expected them to be there upstream, preparing to head out for the early catch.

The startled fisherman shrank back as the fish flew towards him. "Oy there! What's this?" he called out, jaw dropped as Arus strode past him. His cohorts snorted laughter at their friend who then put his hands on his hips and flashed a sneer at the departing triton.

Kriv and Sindar were not where he had hoped when he got to the Pipe, but unlike his friends, he was clean and was greeted politely by the doorman who had already swung the front door open for the hotel guest.

The lobby was quiet. A humble worker was mopping in a corner and a young female clerk barely kept her head propped on her elbows at the front desk. She straightened as Arus entered.

Kriv

He was about to correct his colleague on where the scroll would grant admittance, but the doorman saved him the trouble. Pragmatism was long the Dragonborn's ally, but even so, there was almost an unseemly haste in his ablution, eager to cleanse the sewer filth and sewer-stench. He was practically noseblind currently, which was a small mercy.

Once no longer malodorous and suitably attired, the Dragonborn ate in moderation of the cold cuts and bread available at the pantry, before ascending.

Arus

After nodding to the doorman and flicking him a silver piece, Arus lopes across the lobby to the front desk.

"Hello." he says to the girl with a charming smile, "You look about ready for bed."

Sindar

"Thank you," he said to the doorman for all of his help.

Sindar cleared his body of the bulk of the foul smelling offal, though his clothing would have to be cleaned more thoroughly. He might have to purchase a scroll of a cantrip for cleaning and put it into his spell book. Certainly it would be useful in situations like this.

He availed himself of the pantry and took care of the grumbling stomach, at least enough so that he could sleep.

Then he went to his room and did just that.

DM

Morning came late to most of the crew that had been hunting in the sewers beneath the city of Yartar. Late to bed meant late to rise. They missed the morning breakfast rushes.

Zhu and Davroar were stuck where they are until they are healed of the illness brought upon by the aboleth but the others had meetings planned.

ooc: time for you to state what you are doing in-character.

<Bern>

Daylight pulled him from his sleep sooner than a part of him he wanted. He was still a bit groggy and tired ... hungry as well. He splash some water on his face, got dressed and headed down stairs to see what he could do to relieve the last.

Sindar

His stomach growled loudly enough to rouse him, though it might have been the daylight too. Either way, he rang his room's attendant. When they showed up, he requested a warm bath, and also some suitable clothing to be delivered to the hotel for when he finished.

He would ignore his stomach till his body didn't stink, and his new clothing had arrived.

Getting dressed he went down to see what he could acquire from the morning buffet. He was famished from his activities the day and night before. Food was next on his priority list.

Once that need was satisfied he would seek his associates to take care of arranging a meeting with the Water Baron as they had discussed. Though his plans could be changed, depending upon what his companions needed, or chose to do.

DM

The morning buffets at the Pearl Handled Pipe were quite different than what was served at Beldabar's Rest was quite different. Kriv, Arus and Sindar found each other easily at the breakfast buffet which, like before, was a feast meant for kings. The attendant at the bakery stop alone boasted that she served no less than a dozen different types of breads. That count did not include muffins, cookies, cakes, biscuits and rolls. The trio were able to find a table where they could talk and plan out their day.

Over at Beldabar's Rest, Zindra was already sitting at a table in the common room sipping on a cup of hot tea when Bern came down to fill his stomach. Zindra waved him over. At this point Jaliera is still in the room she shared with Davroar.

Davroar was by the river. He had found an embankment where river currents washed over him periodically, during the night. It was an uncomfortable night because the skin on his face that did not get wet would start to burn. He would toss water onto it half asleep. While his skin needed water, his lungs needed air. It would not be a good situation until he had enough rest to transform into a water breathing creature. After a restless night the thought of accepting help from the priestess that took Zhu in was becoming tempting.

Same could not be said for Zhu. She also needed to breath but her translucent skin needed to be wet throughout the night. Unlike Davroar, she was cared for by acolytes of the Happy Hall of Fortuitous Happenstance. Several attended to her care throughout the night. Zhu was in a tub onto which the clerics of the temple had affixed a headrest that allowed her to be nearly completely submerged, with only her face exposed. The attendants spent the night dabbing wet sponges on her face and placing wet towelettes on her scalp as the rest of her body was submerged in the tub of water.

<Bern>

He noticed Zindra and her invitation. He smiled and headed over, signaling for the waiter to come over for his order.

He took a seat across from Zindra and asked, "How did you sleep? Feeling better, I hope."

Kriv

Well-rested and having selected a substantial morning repast, the Dragonborn Noble looked to the half-elf and Triton impassively. He spake softly, mindful of being overheard.

"We have two matters to conclude. As the Waterbaron requested, we have resolved the matter of the missing lordlings. Sindar and I were present at the initial commission as was Zhu, but with our colleague in convalescence there shouldn't be too much of an issue presenting a slight change in our lineup when we attend. Subsequent to that in order of precedence, we should go to see Lady Dezhia to resolve the two matters she entrusted to our group."

Sindar

"I agree we have the two matters to attend to. We might make an appointment with the Waterbaron for the afternoon, if that fits your idea of the schedule better. I am sure she is busy and won't mind us making her second." The comment seemed innocent enough, but it was clear that he thought the meeting with the Waterbaron should come before their meeting with the noble, even though they were paid a comission.

Arus

After rising from bed (that may or may not have been shared with the young receptionist), Arus most certainly finds himself possessing a keen appetite.

His late-breakfast consists of trout, spinach, crispy potatoes and a fried egg, washed down with a cup of white wine.

Clearing his plate, he sets down his knife and fork and wipes his mouth with the serviette.

"Our comrades won't thank us for dilly-dallying, I deem." the triton says, "Let us first to the Waterbaron and thence to Lady Dezhia."

Both Kriv and Sindar have proven themselves adept at diplomacy. Arus trusts them to ably represent the whole party, and he'll accompany them on their errands.

Zindra (with Bern)

"I don't see Jaliera. Why don't we head over to the Pipe and meet the others?"

<Bern>

He nodded. "Sounds like a plan", he said with a grin.

DM

Before the trio in the Pearl Handled Pipe get up to go, they lock eyes with Bern and Zindra who are just walking in. The pair attempt to enter the dining hall but are stopped at the entranceway by two men. "You are not staying at this inn." Arus, Kriv and Sindar note that their companions have been halted.

<Bern>

He sighed. "We are meeting with friends ... over there", he said indicating their table. "Or are guests not allowed to have friends join them", he asked ... trying not to sound too 'argumentative' or 'disrespectful'.

DM

The guard says, "Your arm please." He's holding a bright red piece of thick string. "Keep this on. You may enjoy a soft drink or tea, on the house. If you want to eat, it'll be five gold pieces."

Zindra holds out her wrist and he ties one string around her wrist and hands her a cup.

"Thank you," Zindra replies.

<Bern>

He follows Zindra's example and accepts the 'burden' of 'the string' and the more welcome 'cup'.

He smiles and offers Zindra his arm and heads to join their friends.

Sindar

He had started to slide from his seat when he saw them stop, but once it looked like it would be ok, he fluidly stood and went for a plate of fruit and other items to clean his palate.

Returning to the table with the plate he took his seat again and signaled for a refill of the wonderful tea he had been enjoying.

Zindra

She took Bern's arm at the elbow and let him lead her to the table.

"Hello there. Did you all sleep well last night? I went out like a candle in a storm!" she said as she slipped into a seat.

<Bern>

He released her arm when they arrived at the table and she started talking to their friends.

He helped her into a seat and took one for himself. But not being big on 'small talk' remained silent.

Arus

"Bed was rather well received." He says to Zindra with half a smile.

He nods to Bern. The ranger looks ready for the day, which is a good thing because it may be just as busy as yesterday.

"Actually, you catch us as we're finishing up. The plan is to head for the Waterbaron and then Rossolio Estate."

<Bern>

"Do we have time to break fast", he asked.

Sindar

He looks to the other two and assuming they nod, he says "there is always time for food."

<Bern>

After a smile and a nod to Sindar, he pulls a chair and offers it to Zindra ... helps her 'adjust' her position at the table then takes a seat for himself.

Kriv

"Considering we just did, it would be churlish to deny you." the Dragonborn assented.

Zindra
"Thank you," she says as Bern, so gentleman-like pull a seat for her. She sits and says "Well, we did not pay for breakfast. Hence these bracelets. In a bit I'll settle for some tea."

She glances at the red bracelet. "Five gold pieces for breakfast is expensive. Then again, only rich mine-owners and their ilk can afford a place like this."

It was tongue and cheek but truth. She was not a partner in their venture back in Phandelin.

Sindar

"It is expensive, I admit, and certainly a level of enjoyment I haven't taken in a long time. I would be willing to front you the fee for breakfast if that is something you wish. I am certain we can work out the expenses later." He makes his amiable offer with a smile.

Zindra
"Thanks. I am hungry, but I'll grab something in the market. Street vendor food is pretty terrific in Yartar."

She stands and turns to Bern, "Tea or juice for you? Or are you indulging?"

<Bern>

He smiled at Zindra's offer and nodded. "Thanks", he said. "Some fruit juice would be much appreciated."

Zindra
She got up and was gone for a few minutes before returning with the juice and her tea.
OOC: Trying to catch Gypsy up. My fault really. I thought I posted when I didn't

[OOC Could you run me parallel? ]

OOC: I am but I want you to have a chance to meet up with your friends.

<Bern>

He accepted the juice, took a sip and sighed with satisfaction. "Thank you", he said with a smile.

Arus

Having spent many weeks in Yartar in the past, Arus agrees with Zindra about the street vendor food being terrific... if by 'terrific' one means frightfully bad.

Arus prefers simple, light flavours that don't interfer with one's breath or beverage.

But whilst the newcomers breakfast, it gives the triton time to peruse the local gazette.

DM

It was getting late and there still was no sign of Jaliera so Zindra finally spoke up. "You're expected, aren't you? How much longer can we wait for Jaliera? Shall we get moving and see the Waterbaron finally?"

<Bern>

"'s OK with me", he said with a shrug.

Sindar

"She knows the schedule of events doesn't she?" He asked clearly thinking that Jaleria could catch up with them in route. "I am finished with my sumptuous meal, so yes, we should not make the Waterbaron wait."

Arus

He folds the gazette. So far there's no news of last night's escapades but then it had all happened beneath the streets, Yartar's townsfolk being none the wiser. And the town's gazette is more of a trade rag anyway, mostly interested in river commerce.

So Arus is ready to go.

"Let us away then."

Kriv

With a curt nod, the noble Dragonborn rose to his full height, and made ready.

As the others leave the establishment, Jaliera is easily spotted lounging against a wall opposite.

DM
Arus, Bern, Jaliera, Kriv, Sindar and Zindra head towards the Waterbaron's Hall in the center of town. Inside Zindra stops and says, "I'll wait for you out here. You'll know where to find me if I'm needed."

Indeed, while she's traveling with the party, she's a hireling and knows her place.

The wait is not long. In fact, the attendant seemed irked and harried when the group walked in. "There you are!" the short, balding official said when he spotted the group. He did not wait for a response before ushering the group into the Waterbaron's waiting parlor where he motioned for the quintet to sit down on the plush sofa and chairs. He knocked on the grand oak doors and without waiting for much of a response, he opened it and entered. About five minutes later the door opened again and he ushered the group into her office.

Nestra Ruthiol was standing by the stain glass window and when she heard the party enter she turned around and returned to her desk, motioning them to sit.

"So, I heard that it was an eventful evening," she said. "I'm up for some story telling. Have a seat."

Jaliera

She is a little overawed in here. Besides this is not her story to tell. She wonders how Davroar is faring, planning to go there afterwards. So she sits primly off to one side.

<Bern>

He wasn't much of a talker, so he took a seat, happy to let one of the others 'tell the tale'.

Kriv

As one of those for whom it was their second time in this office, never one to shy away from duty, the Dragonborn Noble began their recap, going into thorough detail from their time on the casino ship, the unexpected assistance and sad fate of the one who guided them to the sewers, and their battles in that dank and viscid realm, the numbers, kinds and identities of the entities opposing them, the abilities the Aboleth demonstrated, the disposition and condition of the two formerly missing nobles and their current whereabouts. He spake at length, leaving places for the others to interject or clarify, demonstrating the oratory befitting his noble upbringing. There was nothing in particular that merited concealment, so he spared no detail.

<Bern>

He was happy to let Kriv do the talking ... nodding his acknowledgment on occasion ... thankful that it had not been him doing telling the story.

Waterbaron Nestra Ruthiol
The Waterbaron listened to Kriv's detailed report. She nodded and cocked her head every so often as every word was absorbed. She was a savvy politician and unlike many petty politicians, she well versed in the art of listening. As the dragonborn finished his report she reached into a drawer in her desk and took out a blue velvet pouch. "The rest of your payment, as agreed."

It contained ten gems worth ten gold pieces each.

"I did not expect you to face that monstrosity and those minions. Getting rid of that is worth a great deal to Yartar," she said before reaching into her desk draw to take out a box. In the box were two potions. "The blue one is a potion of healing."

She then takes out the other potion and shakes it. The red in the potion's liquid continuously expands from a tiny bead to color the clear liquid around it and then contracts. Her shaking the bottle fails to interrupt this process. "This one makes you big for a few hours." OOC: potion of growth

"I am just glad that Lord Drylund isn't due to return for a few days still. Word spread quickly that Lady Atalia had died in the street this morning. Pow Ming, Lord Drylund's money counter, showed up at my office earlier. Nelvin Storn, the captain of the Golden Goose, sent her here to make sure that word was spread that the death did not occur anywhere near the casino. Lord Drylund would not be happy if the rumors caused customers to avoid the Golden Goose. I refused to make such a promise and she left a bit ... perturbed. Alas, I did not have your report yet, Kriv. So I could not!"

Nystra leaned back, smiling. It was clear that she enjoyed sparing with this Lord Drylund and all his underlings.
OOC: Zeim asked earlier (July 2021: OOC - Do we know/heard anything about Lord Drylund?). I neglected to answer but I assume that Zhu and the party would have asked around. One of the worst kept secrets in Yartar is that Lord Drylund wants to become Waterbaron and is Nestra's political rival. It is why she could not pursue leads on the Golden Goose herself.

"I hear that Zhuirentel Elendaril and your friend Davroar have been beset by the same disease that befell Artan Rossolio and the two other young lords, Jakkob Dawnflower and Timothy Salzberg. My understanding is that Jakkob has been cured and that Timothy is being treated now. Sister Bronwyn will treat the eladrin tomorrow and Davroar the day after."

Arus

Arus listens to Kriv's concise account of last night's adventures. Although mapping the sewer to the river revealed nothing of interest, the triton does have one thing to add.

"Worth noting that we still don't know the aboleth's exact role within the Kraken Society." he says. "That she was a linchpin seems certain but whether she was the kingpin.... There was little sign of any organisation centred around her lair."

He lets the implication hang in the air for a moment.

"I wouldn't take mine eyes off of Lord Drylund or the Golden Goose."

Jaliera

Her thought are on Davroar and that he has to wait another 2 days to be cured. But it is probably fair as his shape changing will enable him to deal with it in a better way than others. She will go and see him when they leave here.

Waterbaron Nestra Ruthiol

"That is good advice Arus. I shall keep my eyes on Lord Drylund," the manner in which she replied did was was polite but her tone seemed to indicate that she never takes her eyes off of Lord Drylund and did not need urging. She pauses in contemplation for a moment before adding "But I must admit some ignorance. I have never heard of this thing you call the Kraken Society."

Arus

The triton isn't surprised at the Waterbaron's ignorance of her own town's history. The Lords' Alliance tends to recruit adventurers from far afield; Nestra was probably born and raised leagues from Yartar.

"One hundred years ago," Arus explains, "Yartar's Waterbaron was deep in the machinations of the Kraken Society.

"The Society worked in secret, infiltrating local criminal gangs across the Savage Frontier and tying them into their conspiracies.

"Waterbaron Khaumfros was murdered by an illithid hit squad in this very hall after defying the Society's core cadre.

"But his plot to start a war between Waterdeep and Ruathym is noted in history books, as is the infamy of his agent, the doppelganger Semmonemily."

Arus pauses to let his exposition sink in. His companions know all this already but a short recap never hurts.

"There's talk amongst the moneyed class that the Kraken Society have returned, and I suspect they're behind the Hand of Yartar's current brisk trade."

Arus also suspects Lord Drylund is the mastermind behind the Society on the Dessarin River. But as a paladin of the Order of the Leviathan, the triton would rather deal with Drylund himself.

Sindar

He nods along with Kriv's account.

Arus's information he finds interesting signs of which appear on his visage. Though he remains quiet just listening for now.

Waterbaron Nestra Ruthiol
"That is quite an accounting, Arus. Of course I know the history about Khaumfros and how he was killed by monsters affiliated with a nefarious group that he crossed. It is also known that he had a servant that was a doppleganger. However, your timeline is a bit off. That was more than a hundred years ago, just after the Times of Trouble, before the Spellplague and the Second Sundering."

"I will heed your suspicions and keep alert for signs that support them. But I cannot move on speculation. As for the Hand of Yartar, they do not answer to any man. Of that I am sure."

[Ah, I thought Khaumfros was assassinated in the mid-14th Century and it's currently the mid-15th Century in Forgotten Realms.]

Those doing any research will know that Khaumfros was killed in 1366 DR.
It's currently 1490 DR.
So I was inacurate.
Paying a sage (did anyone meet one in Yartar) might get you the answers you want but I can't lead you by the nose, right?

DM
The reward having been given and the conversation having tailed off, Nestra thanks the party for their service and dismisses them.

Outside the Waterbaron's hall the quintet has to decide what to do next. The plan had been to return to see Lady Dezhia Rossolio's manor, return the pendant that was found and collect the rewards due to them.

Arus

100 gp worth of gems and two potions would go some way to offsetting the cost of their food and lodgings in Yartar, and replenish the potions consumed in their siege of the sewer.

Arus has no special requests to ask of the Waterbaron, and happily heads for the door.

If his companions are so inclined, he leads them through town to Lady Rossolio's manor, pointing out some useful vendors on the way. The party might want to re-equip before they leave Yarter, it's a long road ahead of them.

<Bern>

Finally outside with his friends, he asks, "What now? Collect our reward seems like a good start", he said with a grin.

Jaliera

"You guys want me to come along? I was thinking of checking in on Davroar."

<Bern>

"Happy to have you with us, but if you would rather check on Dav ... I would =certainly= understand", he said with a nod.

Kriv

"Do as you will, keeping track of his status is not unreasonable. I have the requisite item in any case, only my presence is essential." Acknowledged the Dragonborn.

Arus

He nods in agreement but asks Jaliera:

"Couldest thou check on Zhu on thine rounds?"

Jaliera

She blushes slightly. She should have thought of that herself.

"Sure, where is she?"

Arus

He points across the square to the towering edifice of the Temple of Tymora.

"There. The Tymorans said we are free to vist at any time."

Jaliera

"OK, will do. Where will we meet later? I know we have to get Zhu and Davroar fit again first but are we planning on heading out from here soon? I can check if Zhu or Davroar have any preferences."

She will go to the temple first and then head to Davroar. She is keen to see how he is faring.

Arus

"The road from here to Silverymoon is little shy of three hundred miles, Jaliera." he says to his friend and fellow adventurer.

Arus lets that perculate a moment. The party don't know how urgent their mission is exactly but it's safe to say they should make best speed.

"Although we shouldn't dawdle in Yartar we must still properly prepare for the journey ahead."

<Bern>

"There might also be information here that will be useful to that task", he offered. "But I agree that we should be on that task soon."

Zindra
She was waiting for the others outside the Waterbaron's Hall. When they all came out, she joins them and offers to join either Jaliera who wanted to visit Davroar who was bathing in the river or with the group headed to Lady Rossolio's manor.

"Do you want privacy or company Jaliera?" she asked knowing, like all the others, that Jaliera and Davroar were a pair.

After being given a response she turns to the others and answers Arus.

"Smart thinking," the guide said about preparing for the trek. "Indeed, the next town we get to, really just a village, is Calling Horns but after that we'll be in the Evermoors. The bogs are dangerous and it's also called the Trollmoors for a good reason. At times travel through that region is like walking through a cloud, the fog is so thick."

She didn't think she needed to underscore that the fog wasn't what was most dangerous. The Evermoors were infested with monsters of all sorts.

Jaliera

She thinks quickly. Privacy is not likely required as Davroar is likely to be in the river, whereas having Zindra around would provide company, additional safety and give her the opportunity to get to know her better.

"Company is fine." She smiles as the scout.

OOC: Aquadyne needs a day or two. I'll contiune until you all move on away from Yartar....
DM

The party splits up as Jaliera and Zindra go to check on Zhu and Davroar while the others go to visit Lady Rossolio at her estate.

Jaliera, Zindra and soon Zhu and Davroar
Visiting Zhu is on the way to find Davroar so the pair make their first stop at the Happy Hall of Fortuitous Happenstance. The temple was located on a small hilltop in Yartar, and was built like a huge windowed keep with dark and dreary stone walls. Inside however it was quite different.

The wealth of Tymora's faithful clergy was vast and the opulence was a metaphor for their allure. Worship Tymora and luck will be with you forever. Indeed, adventurers, those who needed luck the most, were drawn to Tymora. So the temple was encrusted in gold and gems and there was a widely held belief that lifting from Lady Luck's led to a losing life. It was the most foolish thing one could do. On the contrary, thieves from all over came to the temple to tithe a share of their acquisitions. There was another widely held belief that tithes to Tymora triples ones fortunes.

As they entered, Zindra tossed a gold piece into a wishing well in the center hall. As luck would have it, Mother Bronwyn showed up to greet the pair almost as the coin splashed into the water.

"I assume that you came to visit Zhu? Well, I have good news for you. I've just cured her. Let me take you to her."

Arus, Bern, Kriv and Sindar
Meanwhile, the four males made their way to the northern, richer part of town to pay a visit to Lady Rossolio. When they reach the manor house they are met by Khemed at the threshhold. "May I help you?" the butler says coldly.

<Bern>

Clearly not one used to the sort of 'intercourse' that would be 'expected' here, he remained silent ... letting one of those more comfortable with that sort of talk take the lead.

Kriv

As ever, the heir to Norixius Keep was on hand to smooth over their interface with the local nobility, the Dragonborn scholar making the most of his position of privilege to address the butler accordingly.

"We are here to report the successful completion of the matter delegated to us by Lady Rossolio, and to handle the matters arising from that completion in audience with her."

Jaliera

Not one to tempt fate, Jaliera follows suit, murmuring a small prayer for Davroar as she does. She then smiles as the cleric comes to greet them with her good news.

"Oh excellent. And thank you! Does that mean we need to tell our other friend to report here tomorrow?"

At the Rossolio Estate

"Oh," remarked the butler. He paused a moment and looked the group up and down. "Please come in," he said, almost reluctantly. He leads the foursome into a parlor. "Please wait here" he says before knocking on a set of double doors. Without awaiting a response, he opens the right hand door, enters and then closes the door behind him leaving the party alone for a moment.

In that minute, the group can do little but look about. The Rossolio's were extremely wealthy. Priceslees objects of art were carefully displayed in various locations about the chamber. Portraits hanging on the walls identified the ancestral patriarchs and matriarchs of the family. There were several seats placed strategically so that one might admire artwork, as if to flaunt it.

There are voices from beyond the double doors and then they open. Kahled, the butler, bows and ushers the group into the study were Lady Rossilo is sitting at a desk.

"Did you recover the trinket?" she starts with nary a polite greeting.

At the Happy Hall of Fortuitous Happenstance

Mother Bronwyn nods in the affirmative but adds, "He may choose to stay here too. Zhu will not be needing the tub and he is welcome to it. This way," she says as she leads the two women down the nave towards a door behind the main altar of the temple. The door opens to a stairwell which leads down a spiral staircase into the dormitory. Zhu is in the process of collecting her wares when the three women arrive. To the side is a large, lavish tub filled with water.

"How are you feeling, Zhu?" Bronwyn asks.

Zhu

Finishing buttoning her blouse and tucking her pants into her high boots she turns and smiles at Bronwyn. "Much better, and again many thanks." She glances at the tub. "As much as I enjoy bathing, I think I've had enough for a while."

Jaliera

"Hi Zhu. Glad to hear you are feeling better."

She smiles at her friend.

"We came to check on you and are now heading to see Davroar. Want to come?"

<Bern>

He followed the ... 'butler'? He wasn't always sure about those sorts of things.

While he wasn't a 'fan' of all the 'social dialog', it =did= surprise him a bit when their host skipped over it all too.

Zhu

"Certainly. While I was indisposed, did you take care of talking to the Waterbaron and our employer?"

Kriv

Without hesitation or ado, Kriv took from his belongings the item in question retrieved from the lordling room in the Aboleth’s lair, tilting it in the light so as to have every facet from which the ‘R’ was composed glint in the light, all present, all correct. He handed it over directly.

Lady Rossolio

She takes the amulet from the dragonborn with little emotion or a hint of gratefulness.
"Pay them, Khemed" she says coldly to her butler.

He hands a leather coin purse to Kriv. When the party examines it, be it immediately or later, their the payment is as agreed.

"That'll be all," she says dismissively.

<Bern>

Well that was 'pleasant', he thought as he looked at the others to see if they were as ready to get out of here as he was.

Kriv

With a curt nod, knowing that for a noble to bilk a noble would be a stain upon their honour and reputation thus checking the reward can wait, the Dragonborn led them out. He was impressed, he hadn’t expected such pragmatic swiftness and such a lack of emotion from a human. Despite the evidence of her child, she at least seemed to have the sangfroid the position required.

Jaliera

"We saw the Waterbaron yesterday. She paid us the remainder of our fee and was quite pleased with what we achieved so she added in two potions also, a healing and one that makes you bigger. There was some discussion about a Lord Drylund. Seems he might have been concerned about the lady who dies being reported as happening near the casino."

She shrugs.

"Maybe he owns it? And then Arus talked about the Kraken society. I wasn't listening much at this point but you can ask him if you are interested. The Waterbaron is qeite intimidating isn't she? Of and the others have gone to meet our employer now."

DM
At the Happy Hall of Fortuitous Happenstance
Mother Bronwyn changes the subject quickly, seeming not to want to get involved.
"The sooner you bring Davroar here, the better. I shall retire now to recoup my energy. I should have him cured by sundown."

With that she turns and leaves the three ladies alone.

Zindra had waited for the Mother Bronwyn to leave before speaking up. She began to talk as Zhu finished collecting her things.

"There seems to be politics involved. Whilst you were otherwise occupied I spent some time at the Wink and there was talk about Drylund. He has wealth (running a casino can be profitable) and growing influence. There is talk that he has aspirations. And yes, he does own the casino. That is a well known tidbit.

ooc, for Zeim: Just a reminder. Start reading this thread from here... First meeting with the Waterbaron. Jaliera was not there. Aside from Zhu and the Waterbaron, just Kriv and Sindar.

At the Rossolio Estate
The transaction was completed with the reward in hand and no invitation was given to stay and socialize. Lady Rossolio turns her eyes back to her papers and waves her left hand dismissively. Her butler leads Arus, Bern, Kriv and Sindar to the door where two heavily armed guards stand and open them for the group.

"Good day," the butler said.

<Bern>

Nothing here that made him think better of the 'upper classes', he thought as they were 'shown the door' ... as it were. He =did= offer the butler a nod. He suspected that the poor fellow didn't have any warmer feelings for 'them' than he did.

Zhu

"Hmm. Again Lord Drylund. One might wonder if he is behind the abductions of the Lordlings we rescued, and possibly was in league with the Aboleth? Removing competition to his influence perhaps? The Waterbaron did think there was some plot afoot. Might be a good idea to talk to the families of the Lordlings. We should be in their good graces for a few days at least. Jakkob Dawnflower and Timothy Salzberg were their names I believe."

Jaliera

"It could well be.. and maybe we should.. but first I want to check on Davroar and get him to the temple."

She smiles at Zhu, assuming that she will do any questioning if they go independently from the others.

Zhu

"Of course", she smiles softly. "He must be our first priority. Shall we?" She gestures for Jaliera to lead on.

<Bern>

Hopefully, he thgought as Jaliera was escorted away, it would be 'good news'.

DM
Zhu, Jaliera and Zhu headed for the river to find Davroar. Not a few minutes after they arrive at the river bank, Davroar makes his appearance.

Bern, Kriv, Sindar and Arus leave Lady Rossolio's estate with gold in hand.

ooc: Bern must be psychic because he was not with Jaliera. Only Zindra and Zhu were.

Actually, how are you guys going to get back together. We can fast forward to Davroar having been cured and you all deciding together what to do. If so, where shall you meet? I can write in what happens when you visit the families of the other lordlings that you rescued.

[[ maybe it means it is time for Bern to 'retire' :-/ ]]

[ooc: I'm fine with fast-forwarding with Davorar being cured. ]

[OOC Voting for fast forward ]

[[ ready to move on as well ]]

[Yeah, bring it on!]

[Concur.]

[Bring it on says the next DM]

DM

By evening Davroar is cured and the party is back together, meeting at the Wink and a Kiss, a gaudy and rowdy festhall which is known for it's labyrinth of rooms, secret passages, hanging curtains, and galleries. It was more than just a tavern. It had gambling parlors and was a brothel too.

Zindra knew the rules of the place and provided instructions to the others to safeguard their purses and keep their eyes open. The Wink was run by two 7 foot tall brothers but in reality, it was also an operational center for the Hand, the female thieves' guild that operated in town.

As annoying as it was, it was a rule to leave weapons checked at the door and patrons were encouraged to wear costumes and required to wear masks. Zindra had secured a quiet corner tucked away behind screens and netting. The makeshift room was a 20 x 20 location strewn with large cushions and pillows. It could handle about a dozen people and could offer a good deal of privacy. Zindra tried to insure that by making sure to order food and drink for everyone and then paying off the waitress with a nice tip with instructions that they not be bothered. The inference was that the activities in the area would be carnal in nature. This was quite normal and expected by the staff.

Once the food and drink arrived the waitress departed and shut the drapes that acted like a door and the group was alone. "If any of you have spells that make sounds like people enjoying each other, now would be a good time to use them," Zindra suggested.

With that, the group could now discuss what has happened and the next steps. Zhu had an idea to visit the families of the other two young nobles that they had rescued. The boys were fine, the servants at the homes said when they were visited. Although their sons had been rescued, the families were not inclined to invite the rescuers into their private manors. It seemed they were more concerned about not paying a reward than to thank the people that had saved their sons. The party was politely sent on it's way.

Those that dug into the background of this Lord Drylund, the owner of the Golden Goose riverboat casino, learned little more about him. He was away on business. He had a large and skilled team of associated and employees that answered to him. He was rich, powerful and was a political rival of Nestra Rithol and coveted her title as Waterbaron. It was a running joke in town that since the position of Waterbaron was held for life, Lord Drylund would need to wait for some time for the opportunity to hold the title.

The politics in this city were very tense but when the discussion came up about what to do, staying in Yartar was not the objective. The group would need to leave town as soon as it could.

OOC: I recommend that you all read through your PMs kind of carefully before posting about what you think needs to be done next. There's a lot that went on behind the scenes. You all need to decide 'where to next?' at this point.

Zhu

She follows the others into the Wink and Kiss and after they enter a semi-private space and hearing Zindra's comments, she gestures briefly and some very specific carnal sounds begin to emanate from the area of the curtain. Periodically she gestures to renew the noises.

[Carnal noises? What did I come back to!?]

Arus

The triton listens with casual interest to Zhu's illusion and nods to her with appreciation as if to say 'Sounds legit'.

Soon enough the party have a map of the Dessirin Valley unfurled on the table and Arus points out their destination and waypoints. He can't comment on the terrain or hostile forces between them, but that's what they're paying Zindra for.

1. Yartar. Present location.
2. 100 mi from 1. Calling Horns Inn. Next settlement on road east.
3. 25 mi from 2. Noanar's Hold. Arus to deliver harnesses to castellan, Amrath Mulnobar, for Lionshield Coster.
4. 110 mi from 3. Olostin's Hold. Next settlement on road east.
5. 40 mi from 4. Everlund City. Sindar to meet Dral Thelev, owner of Danivarr's House Inn, warn of giant attacks. (Give Darathra's token as bona fides.)
6. 50 mi from 5. Silverymoon City. Zhu to report in with Spellguard, private business.
7. 60 mi from 6. Zymorven Hall, Rauvin Road NW of Silverymoon. Party to loan giant-killing weapon from knight Harthos Zymorve, friend of Urgala in Triboar.

A busy itinery, that makes their schedule something like the following: (Assuming a Normal pace to scout for dangers ahead.)

• 1st Stop. Camp
• 2nd Stop. Camp
• 3rd Stop. Camp
• 4th Stop. Calling Horns. 1 hr Fast Forced March
• 5th Stop. Noanar's Hold. 1 hr Slow Forced March
• 6th Stop. Camp
• 7th Stop. Camp
• 8th Stop. Camp
• 9th Stop. Camp
• 10th Stop. Olostin's Hold
• 11th Stop. Camp
• 12th Stop. Everlund
• 13th Stop. Camp
• 14th Stop. Silverymoon. 1 hr Slow Forced March
• 15th Stop. Camp
• 16th Stop. Camp
• 17th Stop. Zymorven Hall

At least they will be camping beside a road on the busy trade route east.

Avoiding forced marches whilst they are on the road avoids the risk of spending a night in the wilds exhausted.

OOC: Nice plan outline Nem! You must be a PM LOL. I'm sure there will be some tweeks along the way Some of you know of "detours" you must take so let's assume that this was the introduction of what people believe the plan is right now. Those of you who need to make stops might want to point that out too.

Aquadyne is taking over but he is heading on a "limited Internet" vacation. (thru Aug 14) I promised him that I'll get you on the road. If you want to stock up on provisions, now's the time to do that.

[Thanks Nep. Yeah, I assumed there were more detours/stops to come. We can aggregate them.

So everyone knows, here is a nice overview of the overland travel rules in 5e on Black Citadel.

Our default pace along the road is 24 miles a day without any penalties, and that's what I used in the above schedule.

This assumes travelling for 8 hours a day. So if we start at 7 AM, have a morning and afternoon break of 15 minutes and half an hour for lunch, we stop at 4 PM.

I used a few forced marches to push to a settlement rather than make camp unnecessarily but adding an hour's forced march onto our day only extends it to 5 PM so there shouldn't be any travel in the dark.

Afaik, the date in-game is sometime in the back-end of summer so plenty of daylight hours.

Arus wouldn't have done that planning himself btw, he's not a technical or logistics guy. Let's say he's presenting info that others have contributed.]

OOC:
Nice link! I've started a weekly FTF game and these players, who I only met to run this game, are all challenging me with outdoorsy things. The link will come in handy.

A correction though. The party is approaching winter. Let's set the date properly, shall we? We are in the month of Marponeth (Leaf fall) in the year 1490 DR, the Year of the Star Walker's Return. The adventure began right after Higharvestide which is a day in between the months of Eliant and Marpoenth. That was in Phandelin. I did some quick math:
Stay in Phandelin - 3 days
Phandelin - Triboar - 3 days
Stay in Triboar - 2 days
Triboar - Yartar - 2 days
Stay in Triboar - 2 days

That puts us at 12 Marponeth, 1490DR - the second day of the second tenday of the month.

Translate that into late October weather for London or the Buffalo/Toronto area. Average high temperature is 54F/12C plus or minus 15F/8C. It can rarely dip into freezing at night. There's a 50% chance of overcast sky and a 35% chance of rain.

The map below shows that you are heading east but also north towards the back-end of the planned trip. You should have some snowy days in your future. Based on the "plan", if you didn't have to spend time at any stop, you would travel until the end of the month. But you will be stopping and maybe detouring so that'll take you into Uktar (the Rotting) aka November.

You should review your marching orders and watches to include Zindra.

Are you doing anything to prepare for the trip? Reloading on ammo? buying better armor?

Jaliera

"I heard a rumour about a Doppleganger, possibly ours, who is claiming to have a 'devise' which can enchant weapons. He might well be referring to the Forge in the mines, though we know of course that it isn't portable. There was some mention of a Worvil Forkbeard, a dwarf, that he might be trying to do business with. Might want to find out what he knows about the Doppleganger if we come across him."

She has little more to contribute, happy to go where the group goes.. and Davroar of course.

Zhu

She nods at Jaliera's information, adding, it is getting late in the year, and we're heading into the mountains. Might not be a bad idea to buy some cold weather gear, warmer clothes and such before we go?"

[Thanks Nep. So in a late-October setting, we'll probably start travelling at 8 AM and stop at 5 PM, with sunset around 6 PM. The hour of forced march in the above schedule should still equate to no travel in the dark.]

Arus

"I don't feel the cold," he says, "but my stomach rumbles as well as anyone's. We'll need some provisions for ourselves and our beasts of burden."

Arus has his celestial steed, Ankyryn, to bear him but the party has a wagon and animals to pull it, in addition to their mounts.

The triton has some shopping to do in Yartar and will be about it as soon as possible. Refurbishment of his armour and a new longsword primarily.

But the question of marching order is an interesting one.

Arus proposes:

1. Zindra
2. Bern
3. Kriv
4. Sindar
5. Davroar
6. Jaliera
7. Zhu
8. Arus

Davroar

He is truly thankful to Mother Bronwyn for curing the caustic disease that forced him to remain in the river for a couple of days. The only good thing about the whole experience is he now knows all of the hiding spots around the river if he ever needs to disappear.

After their adventure in the sewers, his filthy fur armour and most of his clothing was sacrificed to the rivers depth. He only kept his ancestral bear skin hat (thoroughly washed several times by now), weapons, and supplies in his backpack. Now barefoot, shirtless, and dressed only in his last remaining pair of pants for decency sake he nods in agreement with Zhu.

Now being out of the loop for the past few days, he asks Jaliera, "Did we get any coin for selling the few items we found? I'll need to buy some stuff..."

Jaliera

"Not sure of how much.."

She looks to the others to provide the information. As long as she has money for her needs, which are modest, she has a relaxed attitude to money. A very strange attitude for someone of her background.

[Dugan, being 8th level I think the party is pretty minted, so you don't have to worry about the basics. Nep can confirm.]

OOC: 1) You will need a double-file marching file order too. And if someone will be scouting ahead, how far ahead?
2) Money is less of an object than product availability. You own a mine. Living a modest or less expensive lifestyle is a choice for you - not a necessity.
3) Nem is correct about the party now. You're not poor or weak. What is impossible for a commoner is simple for you.

[[ but if we want to keep a 'low profile' ... there =are= limits <weg> ]]

Arus

For a double column marching order, Arus proposes:

1. Zindra+Bern
2. Kriv+Sindar
3. Davroar+Jaliera
4. Arus+Zhu

They want a nice spread of abilities from front to back. Ultimately an attack can hit them from any angle.

[OOC Happy with that! ]

[ooc: Marching order is fine with me. Don't forget Jaliera has her owl we can use as forward scout too. ]

Hmmm. I might recommend swapping Arus and Sindar. While it is true we =could= be attacked from any direction the vast majority of combats occur with our front lines. Sindar (I believe, although I could be mistaken) not only is a primary spellcaster but also has missile weapons whereas Arus is better (I believe) in HTH and we don't want to add delay to him reaching the front lines.

I would also normally recommend swapping Jaliera and Zhu as most marching orders I've put together have the primary Rogue in the rear and the primary Mage in the middle, but it would be hard for her to hold hands with Davroar then, and it is not healthy for Zhu to have her back to Jaliera if she should become jealous .......

[Good points, Zeim. Sindar looks like an all-rounder to me, although his char sheet doesn't say what Bardic College he belongs to and is a bit out of date too. Still, he has a mean rapier (magical iirc) and Eldritch Blast, +4 init and is a good talker if we need face at the front.

Arus is a tank, for sure, and has good crowd control but almost certainly has to move to detonate it in the best spot anyway, whether he's front or rear.]

Davroar

He shrugs his shoulders when Jaliera does not have a exact amount. Davroar figures he can probably find what he needs in town at a reasonable price easily enough.
Turning his attention back to the map after having a quiet discussion off to the side with Bern and Zindra, Davroar announces, "Bern and I, need to go into the High Forest after Noanor's Hold. Zindra says it will take about two days at least following Lost Peaks tributary. I think best the rest of you be kind enough and wait for us at Olostin's Hold."

DM

While Jaliera wasn't really involved in collecting the rewards, the party did receive a total of 1,200 gold pieces in the form of 10 GP gems. So 120 gems worth 10 GP each.

Davroar shared news about an unexpected detour that would need to be taken. This would alter the plans laid out by Arus and thus the timeline. He also presented it with an unusual request - to let Bern and Davroar head into the High Forest by themselves.

Zindra chimes in, "I am to go with them as their guide."

After a pause she adds, "But I do not know what will happen there."

<Bern>

He smiled at Zindra's 'offer' to go with them. "Thanks. That would be helpful."

Zhu

"Since we are talking in more detail about some of our side business, when we reach Silverymoon I have something I need to do and I might benefit from some assistance", she glances specifically at Jaliera. "There is a family there, many of whom are Devil Worshippers, and I have been asked by Othovir (from way back before Yartar) to retrieve a hidden cache so they do not gain access to its contents. I have been told to keep the contents for my own use, but I would certainly use them to the benefit of our on-going mission and am happy to share anything it contains that I cannot use."

[Planning-wise, what point in the High Forest do Bern and Davroar need to go to?

Since they must travel alone, they could set out from Noanar's Hold whilst the rest of us continue to Olostin's Hold, for example, and RV there.]

Jaliera

"If you need help I'm your gal."

Having caught the glance, she responds cheerfully.

<Bern>

"Thanks Jaliera, appreciate the offer. But I think the three of us will be fine", he said with smile.

[[ see 'fix' to my post above ]]

Zhu

She nods towards Jaliera in thanks. "I can give you more details about where the stash is hidden and guarded once we get closer, but it calls for stealth to retrieve I think, rather than brute force."

Quote

Planning-wise, what point in the High Forest do Bern and Davroar need to go to?

ooc: Davroar stated it in his post: After Noanar's Hold. The "must" part is what Bern said. There's an assumption about "why" but that's okay. It may be two days, likely more. I think it's worth delving into so that there's clarification

(OOC - MikeD - you're mixing up two separate side quests. Zhu is not talking about Bern's mission to the forest. She has been talking about her own mission in Silverymoon with Jaliera.)

[[ Just shoot Bern now and you all can move on :-/ ]]

Davroar

He does not like the idea of Jaliera going up against Devil worshippers with Zhu, even though Davroar is not entirely sure what sort of people join a devil worshipping cult.

Since Silverymoon is past Olstin's Hold and that he should be back after his own side trip he will offer to Jaliera and Zhu, "If you need backup, I and probably the rest of us would surely help getting back your cache of goods."

[Sorry Nep, I completely missed that post from Dugan.]

Arus

The triton listens though is distracted by some of the establishment's... well-turned-out staff.

He does manage to keep their travel plan up to date with the discussion.

1. Yartar. Present location.
2. 100 mi from 1. Calling Horns Inn. Next settlement on road east.
3. 25 mi from 2. Noanar's Hold. Arus to deliver harnesses to castellan, Amrath Mulnobar, for Lionshield Coster. Davroar and Bern to treck along Lost Peaks Tributary into the High Forest.
4. 110 mi from 3. Olostin's Hold. Next settlement on road east. Davroar and Bern to rendezvous with party
5. 40 mi from 4. Everlund City. Sindar to meet Dral Thelev, owner of Danivarr's House Inn, warn of giant attacks. (Give Darathra's token as bona fides.)
6. 50 mi from 5. Silverymoon City. Zhu to report in with Spellguard, private business.
7. 60 mi from 6. Zymorven Hall, Rauvin Road NW of Silverymoon. Party to loan giant-killing weapon from knight Harthos Zymorve, friend of Urgala in Triboar.

(Assuming a Normal pace to scout for dangers ahead.)

• 1st Stop. Camp
• 2nd Stop. Camp
• 3rd Stop. Camp
• 4th Stop. 1 hr Fast Forced March, Calling Horns
• 5th Stop. 1 hr Slow Forced March, Noanar's Hold (Davroar and Bern depart)
• 6th Stop. Camp
• 7th Stop. Camp
• 8th Stop. Camp
• 9th Stop. Camp
• 10th Stop. Olostin's Hold (Davroar and Bern return)
• 11th Stop. Camp
• 12th Stop. Everlund
• 13th Stop. Camp
• 14th Stop. 1 hr Slow Forced March, Silverymoon
• 15th Stop. Camp
• 16th Stop. Camp
• 17th Stop. Zymorven Hall

Jaliera

She smiles at Davroar, always more than glad to have him along. But it is Zhu's call.

ooc: I am sure to throw a curveball at you somewhere along the way

<Bern>

"Sounds like a well thought out plan", he said with a nod.

Davroar

Listening to the travel plans laid out by Arus, he asks, "Zindra, we shouldn't have any problems with getting supplies at each town?"

Davroar knows he can hunt and live off the land fairly easily enough, but silently wonders how much provisions to get here since Yartar is fairly big and has a good selection.

Zindra

"Most of these towns are small - very small. If by supplies you mean food and water, yes. If you mean other things like new armor or weapons, maybe. Don't rely on that."