Return from Olaj

Vilmos gives you a weak smile as you offer to help and struggles to explain "Pap's medicine is all we need for now..." but before he can finish Evelin jumps in. "Pap has been preparing a special brew for those that are ill to drink. Keeping everyone stable until he can find a fix for this mess. He says it doesn't mix well with proper food."

"Not even hungry." Vilmos silently adds.

Evelin carefully administers the medicine to the other members of her family as you watch on while wiping some of the dust that settled on things the last few days. The home is in remarkably good order, a testament to Evelin's hard work.

"Well, Morris. Shall we check on the Rolav's?"

"Yes, yes, of course." Pap responds as he gives you a full wineskin of medicine for the Rolav's. "Just be sure each of them drinks at least half a glass. If they can handle more than let them as it will help them keep what little strength they have." As he starts to return to his cluttered desk he stops, "I'm glad that you've all returned. We may finally be able to cure our village."

As you head out the door you run into Morris and Evelin who were returning to retrieve the medication that you now hold. The three of you head over to the Rolav's and find the entire family in their beds. The four children in the front room all smile as you walk in and take their share of the medicine when offered. Their mother, Anya, struggles with her dosage, but with Evelin's help manages to get just over half a glass down. The father, Apu, is in a deep sleep.

"We'll let him rest for now" Evelin says to Anya. I'll be back in an hour to wake him if he's still asleep.

The four of you gather outside of Pap’s place as Tayleron gently knocks. After a brief shuffle the door slowly opens outward revealing a very tired looking old man. "Morning already, is it?" Pap says, slowly rubbing the back of his head, "I guess it’s time to start yet another very long day" he says with a sigh. Closing the door behind him Pap walks out to join the group and notices the game Tayleron has brought. "Ah!! Excellent. It will be nice to have some real food for a change. Thank you, my friend"

He holds his right hand out in front of him and offers each of you a vial of red liquid. "If you should become wounded drink one of these. It should heal your wounds and allow you to continue" he explains. While you’ve all benefited from Pap’s herbal creations in one way or another in the past, this is the first time you’ve seen him with magical potions. Sensing a bit of surprise from the group he says, "A gift from an old friend. Use them wisely." After ensuring that the party has a good grasp on what they’ll be looking for and a reminder to remove your masks once into the woods, Pap says his final good byes and heads back into his home.

The Balrang Caves is a good eight hour journey from Falu and you’re off to a good start. The trees of the Fak Woods form a very high canopy that let the light filter in providing more than enough daylight to see clearly. Your trip to this point has been through light underbrush occasionally broken by a small stream or rarely used trail. The occasional scattering of small animals the only excitement until Tayleron signals the party to stop and remain quiet.

Morris: Coming to a halt at Tayleron's signal you remain perfectly quiet and take in your surroundings. With your eyes closed you strain your hearing to pick up anything that might sound out of place but all your hear are the expected sounds of the woods. Opening your eyes you take deep breath and catch a familiar scent, a flowery, almost perfume like smell. A quick glance to your right reveals the source as you can see colored cloth in the distance about 20' away.

Martel: You scan the light brush which surrounds the group but nothing seems out of place. You look over to Morris and wonder why the halfling is standing with his eyes closed.

Tayleron: The four sets of tracks appear to be made by a grouping merely walking through the woods. Possibly a patrol as you can also detect the occasional circular imprints left by spears that at least a few of them were carrying. The tracks would be quite easy to follow, but they will lead you off of your chosen course.

Thuron: Off to your left you notice something in the brush moving periodically, maybe 30' away. After a bit all of the movement stops.