Esperon nodded and made the extraction of the blade look easy.

Spent effort for nothing, it seems :-) No idea what benefit to gain from that nat 20, open to suggestions.

20:25, Today: Esperon rolled 20 using 1d20.  DT4 -1 effort = DT3 to free sword.

She bowed again and accepted the blade, checking the length of the Azure Steel before placing it back in its sheath.

"We have done a good thing here in finding and rescuing the missing townsfolk but what shall we do to get them back if they do not awaken?"

Hurley is breathing heavily from the battle and hurried rescue. As he recovers, he looks over the now-freed townspeople and replies to Arry. "Trophy over here recovered after a little bit. I imagine these folk will as well." He is hopeful, but his face contorts a bit as the idea worries him.

"Maybe a couple of us should head back to town?" he posits uncertainly. "First off, that might save that fella's life, and we could have 'em bring out some some litters to drag the weak one's back.

What do you think of that?" he asks Arry in return.

Esperon waits to see what Arry thinks before sharing his own thought.

As the adventurers deliberate over what to do with the rescued townmembers, they begin to stir, slowly coming back to consciousness. They struggle to open their eyes, and are not yet cognizant as to their surroundings. Though a few are trying to prop themselves up, none are able to get to their feet.

Arry thinks for a moment before nodding. "Some of us should return to town. We're going to need food, water, and supplies for all of these people and it's time they did some of the work getting their own people back. We don't have the supplies for everyone so...two of us return and get help and supplies?"

'I don't think we can risk that. Leaving so few to guard so many, if the rasters were to return it would prove... unpleasant.  I think we should gather what we can and head back once they are more cognizant. We can piece together assistance devices for whomever needs them.'

Esperon smirks. "Now, see, I disagree. I think Hurley, Arry and I can kill off any rasters that try to come for anyone if you run to town, Trophonius. If you want company, you can take Hurley--he's a talker. Or take me, I seem t'have an understanding with the mayor. But we should definitely try to get help. Moving seems the bigger danger."

"I say we compromise. Arry and I will stay with the pack as we make a march at whatever pace we can manage back to town. Espy and Troph can run ahead bringing back help but have a shorter distance to cover.

What do you think?"

Esperon looks at Trophonius. "Works for me--what do you think, hm?"

'Give me time to assess the medical needs so I can get proper supplies. Look for one well enough to come with as a sign of truth for that angry woman.'

Trophonius Delphi rolled 13 using 1d20.  Medicine, Intel, effort.

Esperon nods. "Take the time you need. We will watch and guard while you do your work."

As Trophonius looks over the townspeople he finds one of they youngest of the rescued, a girl in her teens, seems to be a bit more cognizant than the rest. She is looking about her surroundings, completely confused, yet trying to ascertain the situation.

A few of the younger townsfolk seem to be trying to get more lucid, though not to the degree the younger one is currently. It appears that the older the people, the longer it is taking them to regain consciousness and to recover.

'Girl, I know this is disorienting, but can you stand, and walk? We need to go back to town for more supplies to help all these people, but we need to show them there is a reason to trust us with said supplies. I can explain more along the way, we must make haste. ' Trophonius says as he helps her to her feet.

The girl flinches away from the sight of the motley crew of strangers. She then looks around horrified at the mix of half conscious and unconscious people from her town.

"What happened? Why is everyone-" She turns to Trophonius with an angry countenance. "What did you do to us?!"

Esperon walks over to the girl, looming over her. He is the picture of giant, slime-covered annoyance. In a low, steady tone, he growls, "DO to you? Listen to me carefully, girl. We just saved your sorry ass. You were abducted by giant birds bearing you to some kind of numenera. If we had not come to help you, you would have DIED there. So you should apologize to Trophonius here, whom we rescued from the same fate, and go with him to help him. Got me?"

"Esperon," Arry said in a low tone, "she just woke up, she's disoriented and surrounded by strangers so her reaction is perfectly reasonable."

Esperon ignores Arry and glares at the girl. His patience was, clearly, wearing a bit thin.

Looking up at the tree trunk of a man, the girl's eye grow quite wide, then she begins to weep profusely as she falls to the ground and pulls her knees in close, her arms wrapping around them as she rocks back and forth.

Another teenager, a boy, gets to his feet with legs trembling. He takes in the scene of unconscious villagers and a handful of adventurers, quietly trying to ascertain what his current situation is...

Esperon ignores the girl for now. He steps over to the boy and helps him steady himself. "Hey," he says in a calm, even tone. "You were just abducted by some strange creatures, you and all these people here. My friends and I just rescued you. You're going to be okay. Do you think you can help us with something?"

The boy looks over Esperon and the other members of his party, as if he is trying to assess who they are and what their purpose is. Nonplussed, he replies, "What do you need my help with?"

'Boy! I know this is disorienting, but can you stand, and walk? We need to go back to town for more supplies to help all these people, but we need to show the towns leader there is a reason to trust us with said supplies. I can explain more along the way, we must make haste. ' Trophonius says.

"Nicely done, Esperon. Adding terror to disorientation is certainly productive," Arry growled as she walked over to the girl and crouched down to put an arm around her. "Shhh, you're safe now. We're going to get you home."

The girl shirks a bit at the strange woman's touch but she doesn't completely pull away.

The boy nods to Trophonius, then tentatively tests his ability to walk. He takes slow, cautious steps, gauging how well he can maintain his balance on his feet. "It might take me a couple minutes before I feel steady, and I may have to walk a bit slowly until I feel more awake. But I'll do my best. Man, I don't know what happened to us, but it must've really knocked us out."

He looks around at the rest of the townfolk. "What about them? It looks like not everyone is conscious yet."

'The goo creatures engulf their targets, puts them into a stasis. Effects seem to last longer on older people and are not based on how long you were in the goo... from what we've gathered from our encounter with them anyway. But everyone should wake up and be as healthy as they were when they got captured within a few days, I'm guessing.' Trophonius gently tosses the boy his walking stick, 'This should help for the time being.'