Chapter 1: Willowdark, a Village Repressed

Xaar finds a few squirrels and a rabbit, easily snagging them for sustenance. Additionally, there is a small berry bush that she knows has berries they can consume.

Magical DM Handwavy Time Magics!

You spend the next three days in the woods, careful to not attract any attention from any errant passersby. You generally enjoy each other's company and take the opportunity to get to know one another a bit better with no pressure. Xaar is easily able to help supply you with food from the bounty of the land.

As the sun rises on the morning of the fourth day, you all make your way back to Willowdark. The first thing you notice is the tents of the squad that Kaio and Rixon found pitched outside the village. When you get into town, you notice that the general attitude is far happier. The gallows are still there, but with three bodies hanging, several days dead. You head to the tavern, and see Genevieve standing out front, talking happily with her husband. She smiles and waves at you. Running up, little girl in her arms, she greets you.

Welcome back! I'm not sure how you did it, or why they did it, but I'm positive these Markindale folks are your doing. They rode into town not more than two hours after Notter and his thugs rode in. Just as he was setting into the poor Sheriff for losing the person that killed his lieutenant, those golems of theirs marched in and took order. All they did was deal with Notter, his other lieutenant, and the rest of the tax collector retinue. You may want to talk with Edwin and Muldinvane to figure out what the current situation is. You may have worsened the war effort with Markindale, but you've certainly improved our lives here. You have our thanks.

Everyone, you are now level 3! Yes, we are skipping 2. You would have leveled to level 2 anyway, but you've effectively dealt with Notter as well, so you're getting that ping as well. We'll take some time for you to level up and do some RP here before we start Chapter 2! I'll make a leveling thread for HP rolls.

We only sent word out yesterday, when the Markindale contingent finished with Notter and company. It'll be close to a week, if not a full ten day, before we can expect a reasonable reply. To be sure, she wasn't expecting you to accomplish this much this way. Feel free to stay here, you're welcome to our home, or many of the others in town. Perhaps speak with the mayor if you want to arrange something more permanent. she says, beaming. I'm sure there is work available in town for capable sorts like you, or the Markindale group may have some thoughts. Edwin and Muldinvane, they are likely at the jailhouse with the Sheriff. They've been closeted in some fierce discussions about defensive measures the village can take now that we're out from under Notter's thumb. We know another Collector will be assigned when Notter fails to report to the next place, but we have a few months before we see the outcome of that.