"Oh I wouldn't suggest killing the non-combatants of course, and if possible I wouldn't want to slaughter the fighters either. I rather prefer a fight between champions.

Well, after that bit of live combat I'm in the mood for some sparring, though I have no sparring weapons."

Back outside in the daylight, Willem checked the surrounding area before making formal introductions to the newcomers. To any who were interested he simply announced himself as Willem. To those who know of such things he wears the vestments of the Holy Protectors of Torm, a martial sect dedicated to ridding the land of abominations and the scourge of evil. Except their tabards are normally black while his is grey. On his face is a Mark of Atonement, one worn by a penitent man in search of absolution.

The newcomers seemed a motley bunch of different races, but each seemed to have been accepted by others in the group so he saw no reason to question their motives.

When the conversation arose as to their next task he spoke up. "Who else has a steed, or can move fast enough to keep up? Prizzard and I have horses, what about you newcomers? We could ride hard to Phandalin to give them fair warning, then join up with one of the other groups where we would be of most use." He didn't mention that Draxus had a new set of horseshoes that he was keen to test out. He glanced over at Prizzard. "What say you, are you up for a hard pace?"

"Alas, my steed was torn from me as I was ripped from my abode." replies Sala. "I have coin, which I suppose I could part with to purchase another. But I was hoping that the spoils of war might help in that regard."

Despite her small stature, and quite obviously having traveled on foot Cinnabar speaks up.

”I am not generally in favor of dividing resources but if someone need to rest and we must travel quickly I can keep pace with a horse easily and am ready to leave immediately.

"Honestly, I don't know you all from Adam. You could just as easily be ready to slit my throat in my sleep as far as I'm concerned. So far, these adventurers have proven themselves, but others...I'm not so sure of. Even these are just passing acquataintances so far." says Sala to the others, pointing at the group who had saved him from the orcs.

"I have never forced Tra'am to hold a hard pace. She might not accept it, especially with the weight of the barding and equipment." (In the Heavy Load range)

Alecks followed Willem to the larger group.

He listened to the speakers carefully then spoke up when it seemed appropriate.

"If any of you are injured, I have some healing ability and would be happy to assist you with Selune's blessings."

Nyssia looked at Sala with wide eyes. "If we were going to slit your throat, would you be talking now? No...and maybe remember that though some of us you seem to trust, we - as a group, attacked orcs that outnumbered us to stop their threat."

She brushed her hands. "As to obligations, your free to walk home if you like wherever that is. But i can tell you, this group, for teh most part..."Her gaze went to ero, then back. "...are as true as you will find.  They saved me from some ugly brutes, and i've been with them since."

She gestured. "If you can't trust all of us, trust those who helped you.  You can't do that, then there's the road friend."

Amid the distrust and the stories that are told, a general gist of what everyone found is revealed.

"It's about 35 miles from here to the Triboar Trail. From there, it's another 40 miles to Phandalin. The Castle is 15 miles into the forest, so horses aren't going to be much use there."

"Once you hit the trail, 70 miles will take you near Neverwinter and then  you'd need to cut cross country for 20 miles to reach Thundertree. However, if you cut cross country before reaching The High Road, it's about 60 miles to Thundertree as you scout the edge of the forest. The High Road is easier travel and probably quicker and safer. Skirting the forest could expose you to any Orcs out scouting or hunting."

"I like your idea of casting this floating disc thing. Some of us could ride on it behind the wizard on the horse, and that would keep them from slowing down travel."

Cunaar makes it a point to introduce himself to all the newcomers, and then introduce everyone else to each other.

"I'm not all that great in combat, so it makes more sense for me to warn Phandalin," he volunteers.

"I don't know how dangerous it might be, so one or two others should accompany me, don't you think?"

"I can guide him there," Thia offers. "It sounds like the castle might require more stealth, although it could also be useful amid the ruins."

"I can help organize Phandalin's defense, and if it goes smoothly enough, I could probably catch up to either group."

Alecks takes a seat on a stump with an excellent view of the surrounding terrain and watches the area carefully while waiting to see if anyone accepts his offer.

"Now, now, Nyssia, don't be so hard on Sala," Krivath cautions. "He was magically drawn here against his will. He has no idea how he's going to get back."

"I suppose you are justified in your distrust, Sala. We've all joined together, however we were brought here, in our desire to protect the valley from another incursion of Orcs. The area is only now starting to recover from the last one."

"If being here is not to your liking, I assure you we will do our best to help you get home... wherever that may be."

"I, too, have a horse, but I will willingly lend it to anyone who needs it if that turns out to be an option."

"Some people don't have the honor to make their intentions known to all. When you've dealt with the people I have, you learn not to hand out trust like candy. I hope that I'm proven wrong this time, so I'll try to look upon you all as favourably as those who have saved me. You seem to have at least a small amount of trust with other, and that goes a long way with me.

quote:

"Now, now, Nyssia, don't be so hard on Sala," Krivath cautions. "He was magically drawn here against his will. He has no idea how he's going to get back."

"I suppose you are justified in your distrust, Sala. We've all joined together, however we were brought here, in our desire to protect the valley from another incursion of Orcs. The area is only now starting to recover from the last one."

"If being here is not to your liking, I assure you we will do our best to help you get home... wherever that may be."

"I, too, have a horse, but I will willingly lend it to anyone who needs it if that turns out to be an option."

Sala nods in response. "<Blue>Thank you for your support. It's true that I didn't plan on being hundreds of miles from the manor. The thought of adventure does please me though. You never know what you might learn on your travels. Still, I would dearly enjoy the benefits of some warm hospitality and the finer things in life on occasion."

He pauses a moment to catch his breath. "As for those discs, let me see what I can do. It's not too taxing to cast, but I imagine if I need to refresh these discs continually on our journey I should get started early and earn my keep."

He begins to ritually cast the disc spells one after another.

"Woah! We aren't going to need them until the morning," Krivath cautions Sala. "Unless they last for 24 hours."

Casting one was just a normal spell. He's not familiar with this 'ritual casting' he mentioned.

"That's an interesting technique, Sala... this 'ritual casting'. I've never heard of it. Can you tell me how it works?"

Nyssia looks at the human and shrugs. "I'm more a person who tells it how it is - not one for deception....especially between team mates. You do somethin good, i'll praise you.  You behave like a stuck up egotistical git..." again looks at Ero "...and i'll tell you. I'm all for trust being earnt, but maybe have an open mind before you accuse people of wanting to cut your throat."

She looks at the dragonborn and shrugs. "How we came here isn't important....i was hog tied and in a sack with three giants discussing how to cook me....yet here i am. He's a big boy, he can make his own mind up."

"I can attest to that", said Lureene. "Nyssia will tell it like she sees it, and she's not one to hold their tongue. But I assure you that no one here will slit your throat while you sleep, or countenance it, for that matter. The Lady Firehair has a dim view of such murderous treachery, and so do I, if you'll forgive the gross understatement."

Sala seems to have been satisfied with the questions. He does still keep the ritual casting going though, as he intends to use it to sit on for a while.

Reminded by the suggestion that some may require healing Cinnabar once again retrieves a pouch of small berries she has been handing out and makes an effort to distribute them to anyone who needs healing.

”It seems like we have a fairly wide variety of people who can travel quickly, and some places to go that are far enough away that even those people will be traveling for more than one day.

Assuming we all need to reach the various destinations at about the same time we should perhaps send the people who can travel immediately and quickly to the farthest destination, and those who need rest before they depart to the closest.

"From what I've heard, I don't think such haste is necessary," Vane suggests. "The full moon is seven days away. If we're successful, then Phandalin will be safe for the foreseeable future."

"A night of rest is more important than rushing off."

"I think that I, too, shall better serve by heading to Phandalin. Without a clear threat, I doubt that the villagers will be too keen on disrupting their lives just because we shout 'ORC!' I can help with that... I hope."

Casually following close behind Mithra, Kassan listens to the conversations that are going on.  The books that mentioned his arrival and apparent repair attempts by the monks wrapped and secured to his side much like a satchel from some leather scraps he cut of the orcs.

"If it is okay with Lady Mithra I will stay in her service, as I am currently directionless and in need of some coin.  My part was minimal in today's excursion, although no doubt instrumental in it's success."

Kassan takes a position off and behind Mithra like a shadow.

Nemeia mainly kept to herself. This was a very large group to take on a small army of orcs. Due to being transported from the other side of the continent, she had no horse and very limited supplies. Then the topic of resting came up.

"I suggest we rest before moving on. There might be more orc patrols and resting would help in the next possible battle."

Willem listened carefully to the discussion. He had not taken any wounds and didn't need to rest.

Nyssia looks at the new people and shrugs. "A nights rest may do us some good. Those who use magic can replenish their energy, those with wounds can heal, and those who can, can see what these items do....plus we can finalize where each of us goes over a hot meal."

---

<OOC: I suggest a long rest for those who need magic returned, healing and to see what these magic items do.>

*PLONK* Another item was identified and added to the pile.

"Rest would be wise. It would give me time to finish my work here. As well if we need to daisy chain disks I can add to that. Though is there much an issue with going the way of the turtle? Nice and slow with a comfortable pace and company?"