Prologue: Troubles at Red Larch.

And so the party journeys back to Red Larch with the bandits' spoils in hand along with their prisoner. By this time the rain has stopped although the sky remains cloudy and the road wet and muddied - making the trek back slow and tedious, especially carrying the large chest. Party keeps rotation of three, Keavan, Vardo, and Falka, with two carrying and one keeping watch upfront.

The trip back is largely uneventful, however as they near the western eastern entrance to town - about a mile out - the ground begins to tremor violently. The tremor lasts for a several minutes before it subsides and an eerie calm takes over.

Breezy doesn't perceive anything out of the ordinary except falling leaves and branches from the tremor. The party is pretty sure it was a minor earthquake - though some note that this region isn't generally known for earthquakes.

Midnight sees some of the townsfolks scurry out of their homes and there's a brief moment of chaos but, as the tremors stop, the town seem to settle back into normalcy. Midnight does spot something nominally "odd". There is a group of 4 or 5 townsfolk that are huddled together having some kind of hushed but intense conversation for a bit then disperse. You don't really recognize any of them and it's too far to make out any details of the people in either case, but one of the elderly looking one seem to lead the conversation you can't tell if they are a man or a woman. A portly man or a woman seem to be animated as if angry or excited.

As Midnight observes this, Keavan and Vardo are able to steady themselves through the tremor and hold on to the chest as it shifts weight wildly.

When the tremor calms, the party proceeds to enter the town and heads for the butchery (area 11) to meet with the constable. Keavan leads the way.

The party soon arrives at the butchery. It consists of four identical single-story stone buildings. The front building has a painted sign of a ham being carved by a cleaver, accompanied by no words.

Keavan, seemingly knowing where to go, leads the party around the back. The party sees a tall stocky man with with receding hairline and a prominent handlebar mustache busy chopping wood. Hearing the party, he looks up. He recognizes Keavan right away. And seeing the large chest carried by Keavan and Vardo, he speaks in a deep cheerful voice.

"Ah, Sir Yhorn. You're back already. And from the looks of it you've had a successful hunt! I presume these are the companions you spoke of. Truly, none can question the bravery and might of all of you. Come, let us speak of your deeds. Where did you track them to? How many were there? Were you able to find and secure their orc leader? I presume that chest was looted from their hideout?"

Harburk regards the chest and says, "It speaks to your honor, all of you, that you would try to return these ill-gotten goods to their rightful owners. There is just one problem. We have no means to contact many of the victim's kins as they were traveling merchants or homesteaders foreign to any of us Red Larchers. I will do my best to trace their provenance, but I fear only small fraction could be returned." After a pause in contemplation, Harburk continues. "I have a proposition. Come back in tenday's time and the contents of the chest that remain orphaned will be yours to keep."

Harburk calls for couple of his "deputies" - men working the meat smoker. "Carry this to the storage and make sure it's secure."

He next turns his attention to Yohna. "Yes. Miss. Well, I'm a lifelong Larcher and in all my years of living, I can't recall there ever being a quake around here. But, I've been hearing around that tremors have been felt up there in the Sumber Hills in recent months. It's a strange thing.. stranger that it would migrate to our little town. Perhaps the gods are angry - for what... who knows the fickle nature of the gods."

"Ah, yes sir Veil, bounty is in the front office. I'll have one of my deputies fetch it for you." He proceeds to order the deputy to do so. He soon returns with a pouch full of coins. Harburk counts out 60GP in total. He hands it to Keavan. "I trust you'll share this with your companions."

Finally, turning his attention to the prisoner. "Now, as for you. Your fate will be decided during the next townhall meeting, post-Midsummer. Until then you're my responsibility." He yanks on the length of the rope tight, leading the bandit toward the third building.

"Thank you again. Please see yourselves out when it suits you."

Harburk replies, "Indeed, indeed! Well, if that is your desire. I will gladly abide. Trust that the funds will be put to good use."