Ariadne joined the others in the inn, getting a short version of the news from their dwarven boss.  She bought an ale and a hearty meal of venison pie, with plenty of bread and vegetables.  Despite the slightly stale flavors on the food, it was definitely preferable to the trouble of catching it herself.

Anyone that even made a small effort to take in their surroundings would have seen Sakamoto nearby. He seemed to be everywhere during the course of the day. He wasn't so much hiding as he was just sort of "going unnoticed". Most of the villagers, and even the Thayan's barely, if ever, paid any attention to the oddly-dressed hin in their presence. Those of his party even only noticed him, it seemed, because they were familiar with him.

And it was clear to them that he wasn't stalking or watching them, even, but those around them. The townsfolk, the miners, the Thayans. Especially the Thayans.

James flew up onto one of the stacked-stone walls of the Shrine of Luck, to perch. There he kept his owl eyes open for any sign of trouble.

Shrine of Luck: BonThot


Nyevnen smiled her practiced smile at BonThot's approach, "The dice are always tumbling, rarely settling as of late. How can I be a assistance?"

---

Stonehill Inn: Ariadne, Pavel, Sakamoto, Bharkel

Ariadne eats her food, taking note of the stale flavors, but appreciating the convenience if nothing else.

Pavel finds himself bothered a good deal by the Thayan's presence. He does not see any with shaven heads or tattoos. In fact, all of the ones that he sees looks to be more a mercenary or a soldier, carrying swords or bows and wearing armor, rather than a wielder of magic.

Sakamoto is uneasy, but ever-moving, keeping his small eyes and ears open for signs of trouble.

Everybody knows everything that any of the other players says or hears right now with people bouncing around from place to place. Things will get too wonky if we try to break it up by location, and a lot more time will be spent here that really needs to be. So just assume everyone shares that information at their earliest convenience.

Some were still out and about, but most of the group was beginning to gather at Stonehill Inn to discuss the situation they'd found themselves in.

"I might have a line on procuring us more help for dealing with the dead. That would require a jaunt that I would feel better undertaking with a good portion of our company." Pavel's eyes harden slightly, "We'll need to at least leave some backup here. I started to plan for it by leaving my friend; but I'd feel better with one more."
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:25, Fri 30 July 2021.

Chewing her bread, Ariadne looked at the ranger with a thoughtful expression
"You want to split the group up?  I've heard that, traditionally,  that usually doesn't end well.  But what did you have in mind?"

Sakamoto enters and sits, quietly - as he does nearly all things. He listens to the conversations, but offers no weigh-in on Pavel's options, yet.

When requested, he orders a meal of simple food and drink.

"I don't necessarily know if you can be of assistance. What are some of the requests that you take on?"
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:34, Fri 30 July 2021.

"At least a trio of us need to jaunt down to an Alchemist for more healing  supplies for the temple. A pair sits at Tymora`s shrine and awaits us keeping the rest of the group in contact via James if things worsen here. The jaunt should take us around a day, if we run into trouble."
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:33, Fri 30 July 2021.

The druidess raised an eyebrow
'Remind me who James is, again?"

Pavel leans to the druidess.
"My owl animal companion that loves Bacon and Mice."

This is one of the possible quests you can find in Phandalin. Feel free to discuss, or carry on with other things you want to do in town, people you want to talk to, and so on.

The start of the game was railroaded. Now we're entering the sandbox portion, where y'all are going to decide what you do next instead of me. Try not to get too passive at this stage, or we'll start to stall. If you don't know what to do, or what options are available to you, just ask me. If I see us stalling, I'll put the rails back on to push us to the next thing.

Ariadne nodded and shrugged.
"As much as I'd enjoy a nice vacation in town,  I'll definitely volunteer to help with a trip to this alchemist.  Healing supplies will come in handy,  and be in short supply,  deep in the world "

"Seeing us all returned to full health would be our wisest course of action. Then, perhaps, we should find a way to deal with this Red Threat the town seems to be facing?" Sakamoto suggest following a thoughtful sip from his tea.

Akyra, sitting in silence and chewing on the same bread and stew, looked around as the others spoke. “Sakamoto is right….their presence here in these numbers is not chance. The invasion should be looked at earlier than later. Healing can be covered by myself and Ariadne for the moment.”

She looked around, as much a Dragonborn could, she had a narrowing of her eyes that indicated she was disturbed. The town was in a grip….they feared the red plague that harassed them - it was up to them to be the cure.

"Perhaps my query was a bit broad, and actually, my inquiries here are more about giving than receiving. But in giving I would like to know a bit about the shrine as well as your mistress. I think this place is in for some troubled times...and her going alone to find recipes for healing might have been long odds. Where do you think she is now?"

Shrine of Luck: BonThot


Nyevnen looked slightly confused for a moment, then put the smile back on again, "Oh, well if you're here to give, then perhaps you know the odds better than I? Sister Garaele is not looking for healing recipes, she went to investigate the troubling storm and sounds near the ruins of Thundertree village. She will be somewhere between here and there, obviously, but I don't know what she will find at the ruins and if it will keep her or not. I expect her to return tomorrow, from our discussion, but if Tymora's luck is not with her, then your guess is as good as mine."

---

Stonehill Inn: everyone else

Gundren listened to the bits of information that everyone had managed to gather, "I don't know what the Thayans are doing here, but I will certainly find out. I need to rest for another day before I can do anything requiring much effort, but if you're wanting to head out for a few hours to retrieving the potions, then Don-Jon and I can start asking some questions about the Thayans while you're out. There are enough of them here to assume that they'll still be here when you return."

"Who should remain behind to protect Gudrun, Don-Jon and the city?" Sakamoto asks, looking around the table. "I will go or stay as requested. Or is there another option ...?"

BonThot wasn't completely satisfied by the acolytes answer, but bid her a polite adieu and made his way back to the inn. At this point it was mid-afternoon, and most of the others were ensconced around the dining room with their employers. He offered greetings to all that were there.

Bharkel listened much but spoke little. If what they were talking about is true, this is a real problem, and one that nobody else could readily fix.

"I'll stay behind," She voiced up quickly. "I'm not much good for investigations, but I'll keep others safe."

Having just returned, BonThot wasn't tired or hungry so he volunteered to go with the others to see what hullabaloo was about.

"Well, it seems I'm going for sure." Pavel says. "Hopefully, it's a quick jaunt."

In reply to Pavel Marsk (msg # 51):

Ariadne nodded to the ranger with a half smile.
'Sounds good.  We'll make sure the group gets back in a timely manner "

Akyra looked at Bharkel and nodded. "You keep Don-jon and Gundren safe, and I'll look after these guys." She looked at the others. "I'm not much for investigation, but you get in trouble, i can get you out of it."

"Not to worry." Bharkel replies, with possibly the first smile anyone has seen her have " I have the bodyguard cure all. Give them a bad enough hangover and they won't have the energy for trouble."