Chapter 1, Day 4: Return to Drellin's Ferry

The trek back through the woods is uneventful. You arrive back in Drellen's Ferry in the mid afternoon. You return by the main road, and find the village peacefully alive with its daily routines, the inhabitants blissfully unaware of the hoard bearing down upon them..

Drellen's Ferry

It having been decided you press on pass the small farms, take the hand-pulled ferry across the river. As you only visited the tavern and inn before, you had to ask where to find Sorana or Norro Wiston. None of the townsfolk or guards are certain where Sorana is, as she frequently visits the guards around the town - she's a very active captain of the guard. However, Norro is often at his home and you are directed there (building "3") on the map. You find two guards posted outside, but when they see you one goes inside and Norro steps out to greet you. He sends the other guard to fetch Sorana, and invites you in.

The house is modest, but nice. It is clear Norro is one of the more important people in Drellen's Ferry. You are seated around a small table, and his wife serves you each a warm cup of tea before returning to tending his children. He sits across from you and folds his hands, "So, what news have you?"

Norro's brow furrows, "A dragon? I'm glad you made it through. I was not aware there were any in either the woods or the Wyrmsmoke mountains. An army though? That seems exaggerated. Certainly you mean no more than a hundred or so hobgoblins. With Soranna, and the miltia, and of course your help. You bested a dragon after all! We can defend the village." As he says that Soranna enters the building, behind her another woman. The second woman is tall, broad-shouldered and wears her blonde-grey hair pulled back in a single braid.

The guard captain nods, and takes a seat. The other woman sits beside her, announcing herself as Delora Zann, owner of the livery stable. Those of you who are aware of renowned adventurers recognize Delora's name almost immediately as the same name as one member of the Golden Drake Company. A now disbanded, but rather famous, group of adventurer's whose exploits you may have grown up hearing about.

Norro furrows his brow, "Did you have to destroy the bridge? When things get back to normal, we'll need that bridge. There'll be no trade along the Dawn Way until we build a new one... Anyway, if you think you can defeat half of them before they march, it hardly sounds like they're the threat you make them out to be..."

Soranna and Delora share a knowing glance when Pawetha explains the threat and shows the map. Delora leans over and looks at it more carefully. Her face whitens the more she takes it in, "Norro, the druid is right. This is a war plan. There's hundreds of tribes in the Wyrmsmokes that we know of, probably hundreds that we don't. They're a large enough force that they plan to march to Brindol and sack it."

Norro's brow furrows more deeply, "We can't fight an army like that... Pelor save us. What are we to do?!"

"Yes, ok. Well, I think for now you should rest. I need to talk to the other town elders, and until then nothing more can be done. I'll ask you to come speak to us, probably later tonight or tomorrow evening." He smiles weakly, stands and bows slightly, "Thank you again for your assistance."

Zaris returns to the inn you stayed at when you first arrived. The serving staff recognizes you immediately, and provides a complimentary pint and plate of meat, bread and cheese. Any others who accompany him are similarly treated with generosity.

Pawetha finds herself standing outside Morlin's Smithy (building "5"). Inside she finds a dwarf working the forge. When she enters he looks up, smiles, sets down his hammer and approaches, "Morlin Coalhewer, at your service."

Xara finds one source of healing potions on the east side of the river, Jarret Nurth, proud owner of Jarret's Sundries (building #11), a general goods store, has two potions of healing in stock and offers them to her for the standard price of 50 gold a piece. When she inquires about other sources of potions, he mentions that Avarthel, a druid, tends to the Old Ones on the west bank (area #19).

The smith nods, "Certainly I am. With speed comes greater cost, and often lower quality mind you." After Pawetha explains what they have his eyes light up, the opportunity to work with Dragon is rare. He explains that he could forge a new suit of armour in a week, and a weapon in three days. If, instead she wanted her existing armour modified he could do it in four days. With a bit of extra incentive, he could do two items at once and put other contracts on hold.

Pawetha catches Xara as she boards the little ferry and prepares to cross to the West Bank. Climbing onto the ferry, the two have several minutes to discuss matters as the horses slowly pull the barge across the river.

Returning to the smith, he is impressed by the quality of the scale, hide and bone. "This will be a pleasure to work with. If speed is what you want, though, I'll need to put other work on hold. How about 100 gold per item you'll have me make. Also, if you want the armour swiftly, I'll need a suit to modify that is already fitted for whomever this scaled hide will be for."

"Jorr you say, that ol' woodsman? Seen him by this way a few times. The man rarely comes into Drellen's, but when you need a blade sharpened you need a blade sharpened. I can't say I'd expect him to want a bit o' dragon, but who'm I, I barely know the fella'. It'll take me some time to work the armour and short sword, so if you leave me your studded leather and the material I can get started. Then, tomorrow or the day after, you can check up on the progress and let me know what else you'd like me ta' make with the rest of it." He smiles, "Course I'll also be needin' the incentive for the first two pieces." You can tell the smith is eager to get to work on this.

The smith nods, "That sounds agreeable. Come back in three days and I'll have finished the short sword."

The smith nods, "A dagger? I'll see what I can do. Should be able to get two with the bone after I finish the sword."

Not Sentiern, but a young boy, opens the door. When Zaris asks after the home owner, the boy informs him that he is out speaking with Norro. He asks if there is anything he can do, as he is both familiar with the goods Sentiern stocks, and can also take orders on behalf of the wizard to relay to him when he returns.

While Zaris, Xara and Pawetha take care of errands on the eastern side of the river, an odd creature arrives at the guard post from the woods on the west side of the river. As the dragonborn monk approaches, the two guards on duty step to block the path and stand as if ready to draw their swords, "Standfast stranger, what brings you to Drellen's Ferry?"

Drellen's Ferry Map

The guards exchange a worried glance, then one says, "I'll escort you to the inn. The elders are discussing news from a group of adventurers what went into woods to deal with a hobgoblin tribe. They'll be able to hear your, uh, petition, when they are done." With that the one guard points down the road, suggesting that Ghunril will go first, and when he does the guard follows behind him. He, quite nervously, escorts the dragonborn to the little horse-pulled ferry. When they get there he whispers to one of the guards at the ferry, and they head back towards the checkpoint that the guard had left to escort Ghunril.

They cross the river and the guard shows Ghunril to the inn and tavern, stepping in behind Xara and Pawetha who have just settled in with Kaiakas and been served a complimentary plate of meat and cheese, along with a pint of ale.

The guard gestures towards a corner table, "You can wait there. I'll just, uh, wait here." The guard remains within arms reach of Ghunril, eyeing him without staring directly at him. A halfling woman carrying an empty tray approaches the table and smiles at the newcomer, "Haven't seen your kind 'ere 'fore. What'll ye have to drink?"

A guard enters the inn and approaches. He informs you all that the council will meet at the break of day to discuss the course of action. At that time they will also see the Dragonborn. In the meantime you can all rest and enjoy food and drink at no charge.

The boy nods, "I'll have the master prepare the scrolls and deliver them to you tomorrow."