Day 21 (continued)
Lavender, Gage and Theren meet up just outside Silvanus’ Beard. As they arrive, it is densely foliaged but there are treehouses and tents and accommodation of various types. An aged woman, blind, is stirring the communal cooking pot. Theren helps himself to stew from the pot – he feels very comfortable here. Halsen is playing with some young ones. Gage sniffs the pot – it contains lots of types of meat, spices and herbs – he takes some. Lavender feels very out of place – some of the children are pointing at her armour. She keeps herself separate.
Gage tries talking to the lady at the cauldron – she is very friendly. Gage offers Lavender a bowl of stew. She reluctantly accepts it and finds it to be good. Halsen welcomes Gage back to the enclave. Gage reports that he has information for him but wants to divulge it privately. Halsen leads Gage towards a tent – Gage beckons the others to follow. They sit – Lavender remains standing at ease.
Gage mentions that they were short a party member but they have had no luck in locating him. Gage describes the tavern they were in – Halsen shows no indication of familiarity with it. Gage discusses the temple that they visited – he asks about the necromantic connections. Halsen says that they respect each other but they do not involve themselves with the temple. Theren admits he made a mistake and is suffering from a fey enchantment. Halsen is a little dismayed and sympathetic but he cannot help. Halsen is concerned with the information that Gage has collected.
Gage asks that he keep the information to himself, especially about Temerity. Halsen already knows about Temerity, as it turns out the three druid children are his. Gage asks about the children. Halsen replies that the children like him.
Gage offers Halsen the dark, cloudy gem that he took from the Temple of Sol. Halsen takes it and frowns. Lavender notices that it is similar to the stone in her ring – she wraps her hand around the ring on her finger that is hidden beneath the glove. Theren notices that there is powerful magic around this gem – powerful binding magic. Halsen is deeply concerned about the gem – he recommends finding a specialist wizard.
Gage looks at Lavender and thinks of Orris Locke – her face does not flicker. Theren mentions that they know a wizard in Durvish City. Lavender cuts him off and asserts that it won’t be necessary. Theren feels slighted by her – he continues eating stew.
Gage asks if Halsen knows anyone along their journey who could assist them. Halsen apologises that druids in Adalens are not as lucky as those here in Avalon, but there are some in the forests near the sea. He knows of a druid who lives in Crystalmine Village – she is extremely powerful but extremely reclusive. Lavender asks if Halsen can conceal the powerful of the gemstone during the journey. He offers to speak to one of the druids. Halsen offers them the full hospitality of the enclave.
Lavender bows politely and leaves. Theren leaves and gathers more stew from the pot. Gage offers his gratitude and leaves to find alcohol.
Temerity is still annoyed at the party as he enters the city. He looks for a tavern in the poor northern district. He finds a tavern with a hulking half-orc bartender. He gives an ebullient greeting – it is late but quite rowdy. Everyone stops and looks at him. He addresses the entire assembly and offers his services as entertainer.
Silence greets him. A slight snarl comes from somewhere – he doesn’t notice. He struts over to the gap in the bar and sits on the bar and begins to tune his lute. He performs a slightly bawdy song that is appropriate for the setting. The patrons begin to calm as the music plays – quiet conversation starts up again.
The half-orc barkeep addresses Temerity and tells him that he’s more confident than he expected. He mentions that Temerity’s friends are looking out for him. Temerity senses no hostility from the half-orc or about the party. The barkeep informs him that the party wanted to make sure that he was alright. Temerity replies neutrally. He informs Temerity that his friends wish to see him again – message relayed – job done. Temerity gives no reaction to this information.
Tm remains in the tavern, playing and cavorting merrily. Guido is having a wonderful time stealing beer from patrons. Temerity considers asking someone about his mysterious choker. He beds down for the night in the tavern.
Day 22
As the party rises, there are druids performing protection spells on the enclave. Halsen is there, ready. He is holding a small, dark wood box, carved with runes – it will keep the gem shielded. Halsen offers assistance using the sending stone he gave to Gage. As they approach the caravan, Theren and Lavender see chaos – people running around in a disorganised mess. Soliana is nowhere to be seen. Gage sees the caravan, but there are no horses anywhere to be found.
Anaphel lands beside them and informs them that the horses and Seliana have gone missing. Gage looks down and sees cobblestones – no hoofprints – but the weeds in the gaps have been disturbed – they have been taken. They headed back into the city. Theren senses no magical involvement.
The party discusses the next steps. Gage hands Lavender the rune box and stealths expertly. Lavender tries to get some information but everyone is terrified of the “boss”. Gage heads to the central wagon while Theren keeps watch for anyone who spots him. Gage tries to pick the lock but his pick breaks off. He investigates the wagon and sees some tiny gaps between the planks of the wood. He tries to prise apart two of the planks. One of them comes off – boxes are in there, sheets draped over some of them. Gage thinks of setting the wagons on fire but decides not to. He retrieves his tools and sneaks back out from beneath the wagon.