Chapter 1, Day 5: The Council at Drellin's Ferry

Zaris sighs in agreement with his companions and makes for the door. "I'm going to pick up my potions and then set up a little trap to slow a few of the advancing horde. It's won't be much, but maybe it will hit someone important."

The wizard is startled as he walks out the door by the apprentice. "I was just on my way to see you!" he exclaims. He thanks the boy kindly for the potions and slips them into his bag.

He makes his way across the bank to the reaches of the town from where the goblin raiding party had come earlier that morning. Quietly he pulls four arrows out and drives them into the ground, fanning out to cover a 45 degree region. He whispers a few words in elven and then mentions the word human. Satisfied, he covers them slightly with weeds and brush and returns to the Inn to sit and relax before what he realizes will be a hard journey.

While the blacksmith is busy with the armor, Pawetha begins to pack up the blacksmith's possessions and help him get ready to evacuate, despite whatever protestations the dwarf makes.

Passerby will likely hear gruff snarling complaints... followed by the dwarf's reply.

"I don't care if you think these undergarments are private! I'm packing 'em so you can soil 'em later when you flee!"

Bowing slightly to the druid "I understand your reservations about the poison, and I'm sure you can understand my lack of reservation in using them in combat." Ghunril gestures at his green scales. "I will take 2 vials and will assist you in any way I can so the time is not lost for you to evacuate with the rest of the village."

Pawetha admires the blade, almost cooing at the steel. "Fine work, dwarf," she says. "What'd you do, rub your britches on it? We should name this sword (Dwarven word for Underwear)."

The gnome does as asked, and returns to her self-assigned job of packing up the dwarf's supplies.

Setting the staff, but no other sign of Rurik, I can only imagine... "His dark master must have whisked him away." I gingerly pick up the staff and whisper, "Be safe, my friend." I turn to the others, anger of my lost friend clear on my face. "Let us get these villagers to safety."

I enjoy my stay in town, helping villagers pack up their things and otherwise relaxing until we are needed.

After paying and stowing my poison vials I wander around town helping those who aren't put off by my green scales and are in need of heaving lifting.

"You were much appreciated Rurik," the wizard laments. Zaris walks with Kaiakas to help with what ever he can in getting the villagers out of this place before the horde attacks. "I have a sickening feeling that this is not going to go well for us," he whispers to the dragonborn.

What have we here?" Zaris whispers to himself as he walks back into the common room. His eyes size up the black-haired woman, looking worse for wear, downing ale as if she hadn't drank in a week.

A loud, drawn-out yawn escapes Pawetha's lips from where she stands at the base of the stairs. Scratching her rump, she pulls her stooped frame over to the same location next to the black-haired woman. With her own streaks of dust and sweat on her face, Pawetha plants a hand on the nearest furniture for support. In a hoarse voice, she signals the barkeep. "Ale," Pawetha rasps. "And send me some breakfast. I've got an ill headache."

The ranger finally turns bleary eyes to the soldier, and after giving her a once-over, nods her head in camaraderie.

"And what news do you have, may I ask?" Zaris asks.

"It seems like no one is bringing good news these days. Hopefully you don't come to warn us of a second impending horde that outnumbers us 500 to 1." I pull a chair up at one of the tables and signal Zaris to join me. "Barkeep, please bring Zaris and I our usual breakfast and ales."

Pawetha stretches her back. Moving a smithy is a lot harder than it would seem. "Avoid the Dawn Way, while you're at it," she yawns. "At least in the next few days."

After popping her spine, the ranger says a bit more plainly, "This horde seeks to flatten the vale with an army and a battle plan. I figure they've taken precaution for the Rhest Trail. What lies that way?"