Valthur's thoughts on the journey east turn toward Darna. He wonders whether she made it out of Drellin's Ferry ahead of the advancing army. Certainly Jorr got there with word in time. He tries not to dwell on the fate of the village, but it is difficult for him to think of other things as the miles pass.

He is relieved when they finally arrive at Witchcross. One night free of swatting insects will be a welcome event. He retires early and prepares himself for the final day's march to Brindol and what is hopefully an introduction to a well trained army of defenders.

The adventurers ask a few locals where they can find a reputable inn and are directed to The Bell and Thimble, where they are promptly met by the inn's proprietor and settled into rooms with little fuss.

The party learns the village of Witchcross is ostensibly governed by a council of elders, through close consultation with a circle of Witchwood druids known as the Keepers of Eth. Upon hearing the adventurers' tidings, the village miller sends word to Adranna the Young, the Eth Speaker, or leader, of the circle.

The elders arrange a meeting between Adranna and the adventurers. The meeting takes place in the village hall shortly after the party checks into their rooms. Arianna's epithet is misleading, as she is anything but young. The fair complexioned woman might be described as an albino, her pale wrinkly skin and brittle hair is nearly the color of pure light. Despite what appears to be her advanced age, her voice is that of a young woman, an unsettling combination.

Adranna takes the news with an ashen face and recommends the elders order an evacuation of the village. Brindol is close and her walls will offer some measure of protection against the hobgoblin horde, she reasons.

"There is more," she says. "The portents tell of a terrible weapon budding within the Ruins of Rhest."

Adranna suggests the marching army might be the least of Elsir Vale's concerns, if the evil is allowed to fester unchecked.

 Marklin had just gotten an ale into his gullet, when he and the group had to got to a meeting. He had just gotten his armor off, had no supper, so his mood was...... less then pleasant.

" Can we get some victuals and a wash afore we go tramping off again? A few hours sleep would be in order as well." He did not look at Eoni, because he just knew she would give that disapproving look of hers.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:49, Mon 29 Jan 2018.

Eoni avoided looking in the direction of the two armsmen, both of whom had brought mugs of ale to the village meeting.  However, they may have had the right idea if the village evacuation closed the inn behind them.

"We were planning on heading for Brindol at dawn," Eoni said to the Eth Speaker with a bow of her head, "but if someone brings word of what we've seen to Brindol, I believe our efforts may be better spent investigating the Ruins of Rhest."

She knew that Marklin had been looking forward to returning to Brindol, but this new portent seemed more urgent than the little aid they could provide preparing for war.  Their scouting and investigation had already done more for the survival of the Vale than any number of enemy they'd face with the army.

"What be this weapon?" Valthur inquires as he lowers his mug, stifling a belch in the name of diplomacy.

"The signs are unclear, though rune magic indicates the taint of the Nine Hells has entered our world and festers within the Blackfens," the druid says.

"Perhaps the counsel of the Tiri Kitor might prove helpful," she adds. The Tiri Kitor are the wild elves native to the Blackfens, and, Adranna suggests, a potentially useful ally to learn more about any strange happenings within their domain.

"Elves?" Valthur wrinkles his nose. "I'll grant you we need whatever allies we can at a time like this, but elves?"

Taerix holds his tongue for the moment, waiting to hear more before speaking. He didn't want to put his furry foot into his mouth, so to speak....

Sarah looks bored and irritated as she sits at yet another conference with talkative adults.

Adranna studies Valthur for a few moments and says, "Elves. You will find no better than the Tiri Kitor in those parts."

"Very well, ma'am," Valthur concedes with a shrug and a sigh. "If these Tiri Kitor know the use of bow or blade, then their help is welcome."

Ugh. Elves? Those smug little herb munchers with their pointed ears and perfect posture better not turn their noses up at me or I'll give 'em the what for!

"We shall seek them out," Eoni acknowledged, bowing her head to the Eth Speaker.  She'd met few elves and none on their home ground.  A place known as The Blackfens did not sound inviting.

"It has been a long road to get here and this may be the last dry bed we may see for a while.  We shall leave you to your preparations.

"I hope that one day we may meet under better circumstances."

Eoni retreated from the meeting, nodding for the other to join her.  It wasn't what they'd planned and she hoped there were no objections to their new destination.  Valthur, at least, seemed resigned to their new task.

The adventurers eventually retreat to their room, exhausted and filthy from their jaunt through the Witchwood these past several days. Sleep comes easily, perhaps some party members even forego the niceties of a bath before succumbing to the night.

In any event, the night passes uneventfully and everyone wakes up rested, if not a bit sore the next morning.

The Eth Speaker says she will ensure the party's report is delivered to Brindol, if the adventurers choose to investigate her vision of a secret weapon within the Blackfens. If so, Adranna offers to provide horses and ponies to speed their journey.

Aldara is one of the adventurers to pass up bathing, burying herself in her spell book...and looking for sources of flammable oil instead.  Oil or no, she dozes off at her desk.

Going to look for at least three flasks of oil.

To the offer of horses, she is more than enthusiastic.

 Marklin would take the opportunity to at least wash and see if he would get some local woman to wash his clothes.A hearty meal and a few ales latter, He oiled his armor and weapons then dove into bed to sore the roof off the Inn.

Sarah washes up -- a little; even by her standards she's dusty and dirty.

"I have some oil," she says softly.  "Lots."

Time permitting, she then goes shopping herself.

[Private to DM Pawn: You know what I mean by "shopping."]
This message was last edited by the player at 00:25, Wed 31 Jan 2018.

Taerix finds a bath and soaks himself until he's as wrinkled as a prune, scrubbing at the dirt and grime until he's clean for the first time in days. Then he sees to his arms and armor, and finds something filling to eat.

Eoni expressed her thanks for the mounts and assured the Speaker of their new destination.  They would search out the Tiri Kitor and identify this new threat to the Vale.

"We haven't used it before," Eoni said to the Speaker, "but we're calling ourselves The Trailbreakers.  I thought our company needed a name to identify us and our reputation for accurate investigation and reconnaissance."

The horses, however, did introduce a new problem.  She found that a dress was not suitable attire for comfortably riding a horse.  As thankful as she was at having her dress washed during the night, she quickly set about acquiring an appropriate riding outfit.

As villagers prepared to evacuate, she managed to lighten a woman's load by purchasing a pair of breeches and a light tunic from her.  Giving the woman too much in the exchange, but she and her family would need it in Brindol.

Valthr takes a bit of time to clean up and then knocks on Aldara's door for quill and ink. His thoughts turn to Darna and he spends a considerable amount of time drafting a letter to her.

Dearest Darna,
It has been some time since I last saw you, and I hope you haven't forgotten me. If you are reading this, then you have arrived safely in Brindol, which is a good thing. The army there is strong. I hope you will be safe there.
I had hoped to meet you there, but now fate has changed her mind and my companuns friends and I (we call ourselves the Trailblazers now) are headed instead to some swamp.
Love Loving Regards,
Valthur Ironhelm

Once finished, he seeks the messenger to Brindol and asks if she could deliver his letter to "the fairest dwarf girl in town".



When the topic of horses is raised, Valthur winces. Inexperienced as he is at riding, he hopes he can be arranged with a pony (lower to the ground). He isn't sure, however, that such an animal is strong enough to carry his stocky self as well as his suit of chainmail. Perhaps he will have to go with a horse, and if so, how in the world will he get up there?

He decides to ask Marklin for help in the morning and with that decision made, he falls into a deep sleep.
This message was last edited by the player at 07:15, Wed 31 Jan 2018.

This message was deleted by the player at 03:39, Fri 02 Feb 2018.

 When horses where mentioned, Marklin got a skeptical look upon his face. " I be Infantry, not Cavalry. What do I know bout riding one o' those beasties. I'd rather march."

"Every hour we waste walking," Eoni explained to Marklin, "is another hour closer that army gets to Brindol.  We'll be much faster on the horses.

"You saw how much ground that knight covered on horseback.  We need that speed."

She thought this last statement might be more compelling than a logical argument.

"I've never ridden a horse."

It doesn't sound like a protest or an objection; the declaration sounds like a simple statement of fact.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:56, Fri 02 Feb 2018.

In reply to Eoni Daflin (msg # 27):

 The Warrior snorted,"The speed the Knight moved at? Captain Eoni," and for Marklin to call her that meant much, at least to him.

" That knight has spent her life in the saddle. Her horse and her be as one. We have A Dwarf with a Pony, Nay offense to ye Valthur, and two that av never been on a horse afore. So forget being fast, we be lucky to go at a walk or trot without falling off."
This message was last edited by the player at 16:22, Fri 02 Feb 2018.

The Trailblazers spend the majority of the next day preparing to set back out into the wilds, this time on horseback, as opposed to on foot. A couple of stablehands give the less capable riders a few pointers and do their best to make each party member as comfortable as possible with their new mounts. Additionally, the adventurers take advantage of any last minute provisions they might need for the road, as there are no villages further north and it may be some time before they pass through another settlement.

These tasks, and others, take the better part of the day with night fast upon the land before the last of them are completed. Opting for another night of luxury, the adventurers pass one more evening and the inn and set out early in the morning, northward along the Rhest Trail...