Having returned the bodies of the murdered family to the city, the group was filled with a mix of emotions. Sadness, anger, disappointment, and even guilt. The feeling of victory they had experienced the day before at defeating the wizard and getting the remaining Redbrands to agree to depart, was replaced with...this.

There was only one shrine in town, and with all members of the family now dead, the temple seemed as good a place as any to find out how to go about setting this family to rest. Sister Garaele came to speak with you as you arrived, and agreed to take care of all preparations for the last rites. She even helped to organize some of the other townsfolk to go and retrieve the other bodies that still remained in the Redbrand hideout. The mercenaries were buried without ceremony, at the edge of the woods east of town, and the others in the actual cemetery grounds.

Sister Garaele performed the ceremony herself, including a ritual that would magically consecrate the burial grounds to preserve them.

If there are any particular actions you want to take, or RP you want to work through, for the burial, you're welcome to do so. I can also make a separate thread for that if you want to do a freeform RP there and still progress the storyline here.

---

Sildar has managed to collect the gold that you were offered nearly a week ago for helping him to get here safely. (Everyone receives 50 gp)

Sildar also addresses the group, "I helped with the burials of the Redbrands. I was shocked when they brought 'Glasstaff's body, to learn that he was a man I had called my friend. His name was Iarno Yalbrak. I came here because he had gone missing, assuming he'd been captured by the Redbrands, but today I find out he was behind all of it. I wish we had managed to capture him so that I could personally deliver him to Neverwinter to face judgement. Ultimately, he got what was coming to him, and for that you have my thanks."

"For clearing out the Redbrands, there's another reward, so allow me to share that with you now as well." (everyone receives another 50 gp)

With the dead laid to a peaceful rest, it was time to figure out what was next. There were a number of rumors that different members of the party had heard during their stay here, and others that they were able to find during and after the funeral ceremonies.

Sildar had one more job for you, "We need to find Cragmaw Castle, to rescue Gundren from the Hobgoblin chieftain who captured us, and see if we can find this Black Spider while we're at it. If you can find Gundren and eliminate the goblin threat, there's another five hundred gold in it for you." (For those who weren't around, Gundren was the one who hired the original group to start the adventure, and he and Sildar were ambushed and captured. Goblins kept Sildar in a small cave and was rescued by the group. Gundren was taken by the chieftain of the goblins/hobgoblins, for questioning about a map.)

• Sildar Hallwinter wants the characters to find Cragmaw Castle, search for Gundren Rockseeker, rescue the dwarf, and retrieve his map. (Main quest)
• Qelline Alderleaf has suggested that the characters go to the ruined town of Thundertree and consult with the druid Reidoth, who might know the whereabouts of Cragmaw Castle, Wave Echo Cave, or both. (Side quest that may help with main quest)
• Sister Garaele wants the characters to seek out the banshee, Agatha, in the ruined town of Conybery and ask her about Bowgentle's spellbook. (Side quest, healing potions as reward)
• Daran Edermath wants the characters to find out who is lurking near the ruins at Old Owl Well. (Side quest, kill some undead and hope for loot)
• Townmaster Harbin Wester wants the characters to seek out an ore encampment near Wyvern Tor and chase the ores away from the area. (Side quest, 100g reward to kill some orcs)

This message was last updated by the GM at 05:08, Wed 15 Sept 2021.

Maric thought he would be happy. With the fall of the wizard and the bounty they'd earned, he now had more money than he'd ever seen before. Somehow the feeling paled against the deaths that he felt responsible for.

As the others talked about the campaign, he sat silently, sipping soup from his bowl. Once done, he said, "I would like to visit with a mentor of mine. His name is Reidoth. He too is a druid, though more versed in druidic lore than I am. If you would follow me, he might have some ideas for what we should do next. But I would not split this party. There's something of kindred about us, a brother/sisterhood of blood. I daresay that we've earned our stripes. What say ye?"

"I'm with you. I'd not let Gundren rot in a cell, and from the rumors I hear, this elder of yours might help us with that."

She looks at the others. "Talin, are you in? We could use your magic. Beatrice? Will Maric have to turn into something cute and fuzzy to get you to come along?"

"Hey now!" Maric replied over the rim of his soup bowl.

"Yes, I will see it through to the end."
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:47, Wed 21 Apr 2021.

For her part, Betty felt no real despair at the lost villagers. She wasn't acquainted with them, the Redbrand Wizard Glasstaff hadn't really made it possible to rescue them the first time through, and - finally - had they returned to the caves with the condition they were in at the time, there likely would be some of them dead, as well. Most likely including her. Since she was her utmost priority, this was the only acceptable outcome available, it was as simple as that.

With her share of the reward, she'd not only managed to repair her original garment, but had secured a frilly new outfit from the local dressmaker. Well, rather, she'd commissioned it. Finding her style in this world was impossible, but teaching someone to make it would eventually be worth the effort.

"Well, he'd have to be cuter and fuzzier than he currently is, I suppose." Betty retorted in answer to Morgan's taunt. "But, you all are capable fighters, Betty will stick with you until something better comes along."

She takes a delicate bite from her meal and ponders as she chews. "And, that said, I feel that visiting Maric's associate would be the best course of action. Qelline Alderleaf recommended as such, so it seems two bows are launching us toward the same target, I suppose."

Pulling themselves back together after the upsetting deaths of the woodcarver's family, the group set out once more. This time their target was the ruined village of Thundertree in search of Maric's mentor, Reidoth.

As they went, Maric gave them what little information he happened to have of the area from having spoken with his mentor before. Some thirty years ago, Mount Hotenow erupted to the north of Thundertree. The disaster caused a plague of zombies to overrun the area, driving all living creatures away from the area. There was no explanation of the arrival of the zombies, but the druids and other natural protectors in the area saw to the destruction of those zombies over the following few decades.

Whatever the source, a strange magic had permeated the entire area, mutating vegetation and the land itself. Few people have returned the area since, and those who do rarely stay for long, save for Reidoth himself who seeks to keep it free of any other resurgence of evil that may come to claim it.

Gradually, as you approach from the northwest corner, the trail turned to an old, overgrown land winding between dilapidated buildings choked in vines and brush. Ahead of you, in the middle of the settlement, rose a steep hill upon which stands a stone tower with a partially collapsed roof and an adjoining cottage. A dirt road hugs the base of the hill and wends its way between old stone houses, many of which are roofless ruins with interiors open to the weather. Other buildings appear more or less intact. The whole place is eerily silent.

A wooden sign is nailed to a post nearby, reading, "DANGER! Plant monsters AND zombies! Turn back now!"


This message was last edited by the GM at 22:36, Tue 04 May 2021.

"If only we could get them to fight each other, I suppose." Betty laments soflty, just loud enough to be heard by the group.

"Not likely," Maric said. "One would likely fight the other."

It still felt weird to him to pop in and of forms like he did. He was hopeful to get some tutelage from his mentor.

"I hope Reidoth is around. I could use some words of wisdom."

You can see the buildings there on the map. You see the sign, the woods, and the buildings, but that's about it from where you are right now (on the road in the top-left corner).

Morgan scoffs. "Plants? They're rooted down.* No problem. We just shoot them full of arrows and spells. Zombies, we can just fight. Also no problem. Let's go."

Morgan will lead the way to the first building, sword and shield at the ready in case of zombies.

*I know that's not true. You know that's not true. Morgan is certain that this is true. :D

"At least we have a druid." Betty mutters, "But I'd be a lot happier if we also had a cleric. Or at least a priest, I suppose." What Morgan said about the plants rang true to Betty's cultured and learned ears. Still, she moved closer to Maric as she readied her own sword and shield.

Maric looks askew at both Morgan and Betty. "What, you think I've got some special talents that I've yet to use? Just keep your eyes open!"

He seems a bit perturbed at their assumptions.

"Well. Yes. You're a druid," Betty begins, as if reminding Maric of something he's clearly forgotten. "And we haven't fought any plants, yet, so I'd hope you have powers we haven't seen yet..."

That said, she does as he orders and places her diminutive head on a swivel, bright eyes alert for danger.

"Well, for what it's worth, I have a few spells kept in my back pocket just in case."

He offers both women a shrug and a grin.

When Maric smiled at Morgan, there was a twinge of ... what? Anger? Sadness? Indigestion? "Jealousy?!" Betty scoffed at the internal realization. "Indigestion. Definitely."

Maric made to say something to Betty, but her expression was one he'd never seen before. Gone was his thought. Instead he asked, "Are you alright?"
This message was last edited by the player at 19:46, Wed 28 Apr 2021.

Betty starts, then frowns, but fails to conceal a blush. "I ate something that disagreed with me." she says, simply.

Morgan grins, tosses her luxurious hair back over her shoulder, and carries on.

Maric, a wise fellow, shuts his mouth.