Just north of the gate to DuckTown, the small road rejoins the larger one that ran along the side of DuckTown, and you are once again on a large well-beaten highway.

To the east, the mountains continue to loom.  To the west, you see the topmost portion of the lake, which is a reedy swampland dotted with small scraggly trees.

You walk past farmland for a mile or so, primarily gourds, corn, and fruit trees long since picked over.

Once you have passed the last farmhouse, there is little travel on the road.  Still, the soil is freshly torn by boot and horseshoe.  It remains clear that a large force passed through here recently.
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:09, Thu 14 June 2018.

In reply to GM (msg # 1):

Brennan nods thoughtfully at the tracks and tries to calculate how large a force they may be dealing with here.

In reply to Brennan Otthild (msg # 2):

Brennan's estimation is at least a couple dozen horses plus the population of a small village.

In reply to GM (msg # 3):

"Refugees, then?" he muses aloud. "Well, there's nothing for it. Come heaven or hell, we must reach Losthelm."

He turns to Titus.

"Your understanding is that Jack believes you to be leading us away from the town, and thus he won't mind losing your services for a time? Is that the whole truth, Titus? Now is not the time for secrets."

In reply to Brennan Otthild (msg # 4):

Bryce frowns, uncharacteristically focused.

"The words he used lad, and those you used, might give us a clue as to the deal you REALLY agreed to... or maybe not.  That's the problem with the tongue of the Kingdom: demons find it imprecise."
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:16, Sun 17 June 2018.

"So do I.  It's boon and bane," Ciryl chimes in as he leads his cart, "I was trying to choose my words very carefully before you made a damned ass of yourself."
This message was last edited by the player at 02:56, Mon 18 June 2018.

In reply to Ciryl Fontaine (msg # 6):

Titus takes a half bow at Bryce.  The figurative cat that ate the canary.

I haven't spoken a word to Jack since our initial agreement.  I've mostly been... taking dictation.

The first agreement was gold for silence... at least thats what he said.

The second agreement was

""I gave you gold for silence, now I shall give you breath for another service..."

"You will make sure the priest is not bothered, nor the boys who scurry about this town.  You will protect them from the Masters and from your friends or..."

That or... makes me concerned.  But I have warned him about the masters and advised him to act accordingly and taken you out of the equation.  I haven't articulated this to him.

I asked for more than money in the beginning, but he said we can deal in that later.

Is it possible to get a reputation among demons?

Titus asks inquisitive.

In reply to Titus Blackwell (msg # 7):

Bryce only shakes his head.

You continue on through the midday meal, and shortly after you begin to see the forest in the distance.

A half mile or so from the treeline you see a few longhouses made of rough-hewn logs.  Based on the tools and piles of logs you see, you judge this to be a logging camp, most likely selling wood in DuckTown.

A few men work sharpening axes or repairing a cart.  They look up and nod in a friendly but disinterested manner as you approach.

It is mid-afternoon.  The forest begins shortly and you have plenty of daylight to continue pushing north if you choose.
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:49, Thu 28 June 2018.

In reply to GM (msg # 8):

"Only demons can be notorious among their own kind," Brennan shrugs. "They neither respect nor fear humanity in the slightest. We are, to them, merely chattel. That's part of why the so badly resent being summoned and bound to a human's will. But that's not to say demons can't come to know you. Generally that only happens if you're known to be 'fun' to work with...or if another demon wants your head."

In reply to Brennan Otthild (msg # 9):

"Well that's.... that sounds horrible!"

In reply to Deev (msg # 10):

"It is," Brennan nods. "The last thing you want is for demons to know your name...unless you have the means by which to control them."

In reply to Brennan Otthild (msg # 11):

Titus looks vaguely disturbed by Brennan's last proclamation. He changes the subject as he looks around.

We have sufficient provisions?  Is there any reason to tarry here?

In reply to Titus Blackwell (msg # 12):

"There is much daylight left, but I would speak with these woodsman for a moment," Brennan says, heading over to the logging camp.

"Good afternoon! We can't help but notice an awful lot of tracks upon the trail today," he says to the nearest woodsman. "But we've seen no one at all ourselves. Tell me, have you seen a caravan or army or similar pass by recently?"

"Guess it's a good thing you didn't tell him your name, huh 'Lord Fastbender?'" Ciryl says smugly as Brennan goes to address the locals.

In reply to Brennan Otthild (msg # 13):

The woodsmen exchange a few glances, and seem to think hard about how best to answer.

"Few days back, a small lot on horse come through here, driving maybe half a hundred people and their belongings.

Soldiers were for Xander, used his banner anyhow, didn't have much to say to us, but the people being led didn't seem none too happy."

His companion adds, "You sure not from Ducktown, where you headed?"
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:27, Mon 02 July 2018.

In reply to GM (msg # 15):

Titus makes a sneer at Ciryl.  Then scrunches his face in thought

I... honestly don't know... would I rather them know my name or my pseudonym?

This is half an honest question for Brennan.  He approaches the loggers with Brennan.

Not happy as in my house just got destroyed not happy or more an I'm being driven at swordpoint not happy?

In reply to Titus Blackwell (msg # 16):

"It depends a lot on the strength of the demon, and the demon's friends, and those who owe that demon a favor. Humans are more or less currency for them when it suits their needs."

He turns from Titus to address the loggers.

"We're making for Losthelm ourselves. I hear the ruins are well worth the trip. Any pointers for first-timers?"

In reply to Brennan Otthild (msg # 17):


"More at swordpoint, I'd say," the woodcutter replies.

OOC: since it's been a while, I'll remind you those in DuckTown reported the same host and that you came across a cleared-out town and some of Xander's scouts.

"Never been to the ruins," he adds, "though most of those come through on their way there have more books with then than you... and fewer swords."

In reply to GM (msg # 18):

Titus smiles breezily at the latter comment.

We are hoping not to be lead away from there by swordpoint.

Any idea where they came from?  I'd rather avoid trouble. 

In reply to Titus Blackwell (msg # 19):

They shake their heads.  "Didn't seem the sort that like questions."