01-08 to 01-14 963: Flagons by Firelight

Midday on the 8th, along the road to Stenbalan, Dr. Venma and Chedvah ran into Brigid Artalia the wisewoman, as they pass through Cranetown. She thanked Sinata for sharing his knowledge, saying she'd already put it to good use. At the end of the day Sinata checked everyone over and treated blisters and hotspots before they posed a problem. He continued checking in throughout the journey and saved the party quite a bit of discomfort given the wet conditions.

  The next morning the party awoke to a heavy fogbank enveloping them and reducing visibility to very low levels. Luci scouted ahead to be prepared for any dangers, and the party made it through the fog without issue. That night, around the fire, Nexus and Chedvah entertained everyone with magic fire tricks

  The morning of the 10th, the party was met with soaking rain, strong winds, and low temperatures. With the help of Dendra's experience in the wilderness, everyone took shelter in a covered area of the forest while the storm passed

  Upon setting out the next morning, Dendra spent some time contemplating the dream she had a few nights prior. That night Luci was able to spot a clearing for them to get some cover in, and Nexus began his nightly process of preparing their site.  As he laid down, Luci felt a hard spot beneath him, and uncovered a pristine silver and gold tankard. Through some additional excavation, Nexus found a twin to the tankard, and was able to detect a faint aura of transmutation on them. Despite the efforts to determine their function however, Chedvah and Nexus were only able to glean that the tankards appeared to affect what was placed inside them.

  Around midday on the 12th, the party came to the intersection running into the forest, toward Pelmalos.  A short conversation with a few traders heading to the Great Crossroads revealed that there was some unrest in Baran'tar, Ancestors demanding retribution and all that. Very nasty business, but the Duke should be able to keep it under control. They also recommended the party speak with the clergy of Corellon because they 'really know how to have a good time.'

  As they were preparing to set out the next morning, a procession of a dozen or so mounted guards bearing the sigils of the Countess of Baldrin came down the road toward them. Lady Valda, the leader of the procession, called her group to a halt and inquired whether the party had seen any bandits in the area, as she was following reports there had been some in the area.  A brief tiff was had between Luci and Lady Valda.  Nissos, the scholar of the Gold Tower that was travelling with her, remained after the rest moved on at the request of Sinata and chided Luci for his impertinence. Sinata asked about learning at the Tower, which Nissos said was absolutely possible.  Before Nissos departed, he asked where Luci's noble heritage originated from and Luci asked him to deliver a note to Lady Valda.  Later, Luci seemed nervous about Lady Valda's party returning past them for some reason, but didn't elaborate.  

Nexus began the morning of the 12th by trying to figure out what tracks in the road were made from, but gained no information.  A little later, they came across the carcass of a cow that had been killed and eaten a few days previously, and determined it was likely the work of an owlbear.  Being a bit more cautious as they continued on they met a monk by the name of Brother Eric, sitting in a tree that afternoon. He stated that he was looking for some owlbears that had been causing trouble for the local farmers, before recognizing Father Ilatris from a time he had visited the Baldrin Abbey and managed to enrage their old Abbot so much that he was specifically unwelcome in their Abbey while he lived.  

  During the conversation with Eric, some screeching roars came from over the next hill, followed by scared bleating of sheep as two owlbears were attempting to get an easy meal of some livestock. The party and Brother Eric rushed in to fight off the beasts, and were victorious, though not unscathed.  Luci sustained a serious wound from the swipe of an owlbear's claw, and Chedvah would've been in serious trouble had Nexus not been there to intervene.  Sinata was able to finish off the last owlbear with a well placed shot from his sling, preventing it from further threatening the group and the area's livestock. In return for their assistance, Brother Eric invited the group to Baldrin Abbey for the night. 

  After arriving in the village of Baldrin, walking a short way to the Abbey, and settling into their rooms, the party was introduced to Father Razellax, the silver Dragonborn Abbot of the monastery.  He thanked the group for their efforts in defending civilization from the ravages of the wild, and welcomed them into the abbey. Upon some questioning, Brother Eric explained that though the patron saint of the Abbey was St. Berengar, their order follows The Rule of St. Mattathias. In explaining their ways, Brother Eric and Sinata got into a discussion on the nature of duty, peace, and giving aid, which they eventually agreed on: It is the duty of those who are capable to defend those who cannot defend themselves.  This conversation took a somewhat awkward turn as Sinata asked why the Abbot was the way he was, which Brother Eric didn't quite know what to say to. The roles and methods of selection of the Abbot and the Vicar were also discussed.

After a night of pleasant conversation the party retired to their beds and rested comfortably, out of the dirt and weather, for the first time in a week.