Chapter 8: Back in Westbank
After a short rest and a thorough search of the caves, the party, now accompanied by Kathel's caravan, completes the journey to Westbank. Kathel pays her final thanks to the group, then heads off to tend to the burial of Garrith.
The rest of the caravan unloads their modest cart of leather goods and sees about rooms, some at Polly's and others at the Trollip and Troll. There is still some daylight left as this takes place, but evening is closing in (about 4:00pm by the time final farewells are made with Kathel and the caravan).
The first of the townsfolk to approach the weary adventurers upon their return is Tyus, the young guard tasked with the investigation into the murder of Morlough Merris. He smiles broadly as he approaches. "I think I've found the murder weapon," he explains. "A rapier, still bloodied, hidden in the pines to the south of Polly's hotel. And one of the deceased's rings. A quite ornate thing. Ugly, if you ask me. The killer must've dropped it when he was burying the weapon."
He continues to smile at them hopefully. "The mayor says that casts even less suspicion on you, even though he still doesn't fully trust the halfling (no offense). But we still don't have any idea, if it's none of you, who actually did it."
OOC: Westbank is now open for exploration. You can assist Tyus with the investigation, learn more about the magic items you've acquired (although your arcana rolls did you pretty well), find someone to translate the parchment, head back to the cave by the bridge, interrogate Malik for more answers, look for more of Morlough's jewelry in the pines, get your various gems and jewelry appraised, see what Mattis has cooking at the Trollip and Troll, steal armor from the blacksmith (wait, you already did that), look for entirely new hooks, or just turn in for the night.
You have already developed a long list of contacts here (Tyus, the Mayor, Enoch, Brother Walword, Hyacinth and Kevril Moonstone, Samuel the bartender, Zelgor, Malik, Renny and Piers, Mrawk (wherever he is), Allis and Nordal Livingston (whom you saved from the orcs on the journey north), and Tovar, to name a few). Feel free to hit them up for info, favors, as needed.
It has been less than 24 hours since Sister Gwendelon departed, so the time until her return is still multiple days (you figure at least 5). Beyond that, there is nothing pressing, so if you want to take even a few days to plot out your next moves, so be it. The main map is now the one for Westbank, so use that, as needed.
You also have a little bit of treasure to spend, so feel free to do that. All prices in Westbank will follow the guidelines in the Players Handbook.