In reply to Oren Stonebreaker (msg # 7):

"Thank you lads" Brother Smyth says "Thank you brother dwarf for the invocation of your god, I'm sure he'll bless my anvil as well. Hopefully you boys find adventure and thus treasure soon. Where might you be looking for adventure?"

Velox kept his smile saying, "We are seeking Lord Rufus. We hope to gather what information is available about these bandits so that we can put an end to the menace they present to this fine town."

In reply to Velox (msg # 9):

"Lord Rufus is most often found near the guard tower where they are constructing the castle. I understand he and Burne cleaned up the bandits around Verbobonc a few years back. I've also heard tale that they got most of their riches from slaying a green dragon and plundering it's treasure somewhere where the Kron Hills meet the Gnarley forest I believe." Brother Smyth says "They are followers of St. Cuthbert rather than the Old Faith. His Most Worshipful Mage of Hommlet, Burne, likes to drink at the Welcome Wench in the evenings, despite his taste for overly long titles."

Oren pulls on his beard a moment, thinking.  "Hrmn...  That sounds like a good place to start, do ye think the others have had luck with the flower gathering?"  He spoke, raising a bushy eyebrow.

"Flowers?" Brother Smyth inquires.

"Jaroo is in need of windflower I hear to make healing potions if you are looking for quick work." Brother Smyth tells you.

"Aye, sorry about that.  I was talking to the young lad hear.  We stopped by the temple of St. Cuthbert, meeting a lad by the name of Calmer, who asked some of our group to go and gather the flowers.  Who is this Jaroo?"  The dwarf asked, wondering if something was up.

In reply to Oren Stonebreaker (msg # 13):

Brother Smyth shakes his head a bit at the mention of Calmer and St. Cuthbert. "Jaroo is the local head of the Old Faith. I'm his assistant when I'm not smithing."

He motions to the road "If you continue along the road towards the Guard Tower, the next road to the right leads down to the grove. You can find Jaroo there."

Velox listened intently trying not to assume too much but wanting to know what the smith meant, he asked, "Are Calmer and Jaroo at odds with one another?"

"Where there goals meet, they can be allies. Such as protection of Hommlet and people." Brother Smyth replies "However Jaroo doesn't care for the adherance to order that St. Cuthbert requires. Jaroo prefers a balance between good and evil, order and chaos as most Druids do."

A look of realization passes over Velox's face at the mention of the druid. "Ah, I see, yes well I'm glad they are aligned on the protection of the people here. Sir, you've been of great assistance and I look forward to returning soon and purchasing some of your wares."

Oren bows his head slightly to Brother Smyth.  "I can respect that, but me people place Order and Law high on our lists of our lives.  I am sure we will be seeing ye again, Gods willing.  May yer anvil remain strong."  The dwarf spoke, following Velox to the next place.

Velox turned to Oren and said, "Let's keep moving. I am intrigued to meet this Lord Rufus." He started walking on following the directions he'd been given before.

In reply to Oren Stonebreaker (msg # 18):

"You are welcome my friends, May Ehlonna, the Spring Maiden, guide you in your journeys." Brother Smyth says.

You continue along the road and see the road Brother Smyth had spoke of off to the right. The road is lined with trees and bushes and shrubs and if you didn't know there was a cottage there you would have missed it.

The road also continues on past Jaroo's Grove if you prefer not to stop to speak to the Druid.

Spotting the grove, Velox's curiousity gets the better of him and he calls out for Jaroo

An unarmored man appears a moment later from the cottage along the path through the grove to it. His hair is russet colored and his eyes are blue. He appears younger than you initially thought he might.

He's wearing a fine cloak you notice, though his other garb seems more mundane. A scimitar is in a sheath on his belt. He's the first person other than Burne's Badger guard you've encountered carrying a weapon. The scimitar's hilt looks quite ornate. There is also a rod dangling from the opposite side of his belt.

"Hello, I don't believe we've met, who are you?" he asks.

Oren follows the young human trying to discern a pattern in the young mans path.  As the druid steps out of the hut, Oren answers the mans question.  "Bandit hunters.  Master Smyth told us ye may be in need of some flowers, though to be truthful, Calmer has made the same request of our group.  We are seeking to find out any clues to the bandits whereabouts, or some hint of their movements."  He spoke bluntly, feeling sidetracked slightly.

In reply to Oren Stonebreaker (msg # 23):

Jaroo looks on his face not wavering at the mention of Calmer's name. "I'm sure he does need some as well. I have a small plot of them in the grove but yes additional windflower could be useful."

He looks over Oren, rubs his chin then offers "Bandit hunters you say. That is most fortunate. I had sent an Aspirant to check on some ruins not long ago. They have not reported back. The growing tide of banditry threatens the balance. Perhaps you could check on it for me. It would be a likely hideout for bandits if they are operating from there. I would of course give you the location if you agree. All I ask is that you report back your findings to me that I might report to the greater Druid community, and I'd be thankful if you could return my Aspirant to me."

Velox nodded at the man's question and said, "We would be more than happy to. But first, what is an aspirant?"

In reply to Velox (msg # 25):

"A Druid who has just completed their training but not yet part of a circle." Jaroo explains. "The ruins are a moathouse that once belonged to the Temple of Elemental Evil. It was a lookout for the Temple. With the Battle of Emridy Meadows the moathouse was bypassed. They later struck it on the way out but much of it remains. It would make a formidable base for bandits if that is where they are located."

Jaroo pauses a moment "It is located along the low road towards Nulb. About half a days walk in a marshy section of land. There are giant frogs there that can swallow a man, so please be careful. The road forks at that point and if you take the right fork it will lead you to the ruins. That section of road though is not well maintained these days, only the left fork is."

"Indeed. We will look into this. We were planning on seeking Lord Rufus before making our way out to explore but if your apprentice is in danger, perhaps we should leave now."

In reply to Velox (msg # 27):

"Just the two of you?" Jaroo asks with some concern in his voice. "Might I suggest visiting the Welcome Wench and get some additional allies. If the bandits are holed up there then the danger is to great for just 2. I had hoped my Aspirants position might protect them, they could be a captive of the bandits."

"There are more of us. They are off looking for flowers for Calmer right now. A few are looking into what's going on in the rest of the town. Oren and I are seeking Lord Rufus to learn what we can from him but the Smith mentioned you and we thought we would meet you as well. Good that we did. We will meet with Lord Rufus and then rally our allies to go seek out your student."

In reply to Velox (msg # 29):

"That seems good." Jaroo says "Ehlonna protect you this season."

Oren nods his head in thanks for the prayer.  "And the blessings of the All-Father upon ye."  He said, then indicated with a nod to Velox in the direction they were pointed earlier to find Lord Rufus.

Velox nodded and added, "And may Trithereon keep your steps light and free." He then moved back to the path to Lord Rufus.