Chapter Seven: The Stalemate At Loton's Cove

I'd like to know more about that hermit, if anyone spies a conversational gambit...

"We were going to perform the rites of Laran and Turana for our son," the older woman says with pain and frustration in her voice. "But now it is impossible."

[To the small child] "You are a keen one! Though I bet you did not notice the bunny over there! And Phunbelle here, though, is stronger than you know however, both inside and out."

*Minor Illusion*s a black rabbit scampering away into the woods.

With part of Annganne's vision occluded by the hasty application of her illusory disguise, she mistakenly addresses the younger daughter instead of the older one who spoke to her. The older daughter and her brother (who look to be twins) both reflexively move to reach their bows as the "rabbit" scampers through the grass, but stop as it quickly vanishes.

Felor is familiar with the rites the mother speaks of: the ritual is a blessing for the dead, intended to help fallen soldiers find matrimonial partnership in the afterlife.

Unless you have more questions, the Hodwils will be on their way.

Moving on!

You say goodbye to the Hodwil family and continue onward, soon passing into shadow as the sun sinks behind the western hills.

Everybody pick and roll one of the following: Nature, Perception, Survival.

Darkness descends as you close the last five miles to Akker's Well. Wolves howl in the distance, but none of you see any signs of predators or enemies nearby. One long howl from very far off pricks Felor's attention.

At long last, near to midnight, you reach a small, steep hill covered in jagged boulders. An expanse of field has been cleared and flattened not so long ago; this must have been where the soldiers set up camp. Its west side is bordered by a thin, nearly stagnant creek fed by the spring at the base of the hill.

You have reached Akker's Well. It is late at night. Old Hilltown is about fifteen miles to the northeast, and just beyond that is the Valley of the Dragon.

Anybody else want to do anything before making camp for the night? I'll assume a watch rotation.

The party makes camp and sleeps for the night, with Leth taking the first watch.

Midway through Felor's watch, Zangua suddenly sits bolt upright, looking around to the left and right. Before Felor can decide how to react, Zangua lies back down and returns to sleep. A bad dream, Felor concludes.

The party rises to a cloudy morning and a breakfast of small game brought down by Leth's bow.

Would any of you like to do anything at Akker's Well before continuing on the path to Old Hilltown?