
DM Charles Evans |
Bronx:
Looking back at what he can see of the tracks he made getting 'here' (wherever exactly 'here' may be), Bronx sees that he seems to have been stumbling along leading his pony before he collapsed. He seems to have wandered from the route of the poles (none are in sight) and he can make out a blurred shape of something dark and unlike any of the trees around here looming through the falling snow a short way down the slope from where he currently is, in the opposite direction to that from which he came.
By the little snow which has fallen on his tracks, Bronx doesn’t seem to have been lying here for long, although there’s no telling for how long or how far he wandered.

Ashan Ackanya |

G.M. Charles.
Not expecting any trouble, and knowing roughly where he is going Ashan will say, "Well met, the weather is not good for going out in this evening. I hope it will not dampen the celebrations tonight." as he proceeds towards the sounds on his way to his appointment.
Ashan is always on a steady guard because of his up-bringing.
background: "Always expect trouble when it is least likely" was what some of his thief comrades used to say.

Bronx Madcap |

Charles

DM Charles Evans |
Bronx:
(It appears that when Bronx left the route marked by the poles that he circled back (clockwise) northwards into the woods.)
By the look of the prints in the snow, it doesn’t seem that anyone or anything (or at least not on foot) has been this way since Bronx left the trail, and Nim’s prints head onwards along the trail of poles, without any signs of Nim having veered.

DM Charles Evans |
Ashan:
“Hail and well met, yes, traveller.”, the gnome on foot replies. “Do you have any knowledge of whether the merchant Juzilan Greyfrost has left town yet? And if you are intent upon attending the interviews at the mining offices, then you may be in for a disappointment, as there has been a disturbance; my friend here was a casualty.”
The speaker seems to be in a state of heightened nervous tension, and scrutinises Ashan with considerable caution.
“You’re not a friend or colleague of messieurs Markov Peaseblossom, or Ranulph Fletcher, are you?”, he asks.
(Ashan is not familiar with either of those names.)

Bronx Madcap |

Charles

Ashan Ackanya |

G.M. Charles.
"Oh what a ! " short pause, Ashan almost curses out loud here, "unfortunate turn of events."
"I knew I should have gone up earlier, but with last nights mayhem."
"I am unfamiliar with those names, but I will assist you in returning for help, as I now have to return myself."
"Who is the casualty?"
Ashan will move (non-threatingly) towards the pony to see if there is anything he can do.
"We better hurry as this weather is closing in fast."
"I just came from the Sage Aumbril Leafgreen's place if there is anything he may be able to help with. I don't know him well but he is a good and educated man."

DM Charles Evans |
Ashan:
Ashan can see that the unconscious gnome slung over the pony does indeed resemble the gnome of that name whom he had met in Sundabar. Beyond a few grazes and bruises, Ashan can not see any signs of obvious injury on Seebo, but he is occasionally twitching or his face contorting as if he is trapped in the depths of some ghastly nightmare.

DM Charles Evans |
Bronx:
Presently, the slope starts to flatten out, then the trees disappear, and after crossing a short stretch of open ground, the wooden walls and shingled roof of a building finally loom through the falling snow within sight of the last pole. From the signboard featuring a rough painting of a beer tankard hanging outside the most obvious entrance, it looks to be a tavern of some sort. Nim’s footprints go up to the holly-wreathed door, and then away around the (north?) side of the building.
It seems that this must be the edge of town.

Ashan Ackanya |

G.M. Charles.
"Seebo I know that name. Originally met him in Sundabar."
Have a closer inspection of visible wounds, and check warmth of Seebo, while catching up to the stranger.
"I do not know the names, Markov Peaseblossom, or Ranulph Fletcher.
Are they healers?"
Ashan will continue along with this stranger, who must be a friend of Seebo's to be helping him so.
"I have just come from Sage Aumbril Leafgreen's place where we have been working just now, he may be able to help, else it will be warm while we get help for Seebo."
"What do you think would be best in this case?"
Ashan will defer to the strangers thoughts here, as he does not want to be thought of as a threat or danger to them.

DM Charles Evans |
Ashan:
“Markov and Ranulph are not- or were not, since I sincerely hope that they are both quite thoroughly dead- healers.”, the gnome replies to Ashan’s words with some vehemence. “One of them was an assassin affiliated with the church of Midnight, and I dare say that the other was likely to be an unsavoury character, keeping company like that. They had showed up at the mining offices, and no doubt were partly responsible for whatever mischief has happened back there.” He pauses and seems to collect his thoughts, calming down a little, as he and Ashan plod through the snow, with the pony trailing behind. “Aumbril Leafgreen? I am not familiar with that man. You say that you have met Seebo here before?”

Ashan Ackanya |

G.M. Charles:
"Aumbril is quite literally a well known Sage of this village, and I believe that he would help Seebo if I went there with you."
Ashan will seem quite surprised that this stranger does not know the name.
"And as for met Seebo, yes, he and I are almost like long lost pals from Sundabar," slight pause as he sizes up this stranger, "from before we went our separate ways from that city. There was a slight err problem."
"I would like to have considered myself a very good acquaintance of his." Another short pause for effect. "Has he never mentioned the name Ashan to you?" A quick look at the stranger to see his answer. "You are a friend of Seebo's aren't you, to help him like this."
Start to offer to lead this man and pony to Aumbril's house.

DM Charles Evans |
Ashan:
Time: Approx. 11:34, 30 Nightal, 1383 DR
Ashan can make out the sound of multiple hooves approaching through the snow, and of several men conversing with one another. The men sound as if, given the foul weather and the reduced visibility conditions, they are as at ease as it might be possible to be. (That is to say, not expecting trouble of any kind.)

DM Charles Evans |
Bronx:
He glances at Bronx and the pony Bronx is leading, and then, in deliberately lowered tones addresses Bronx in the gnome tongue, beckoning him closer.
"Hey, you're one of those hands I hear Markov took on at the last minute, right?"

Ashan Ackanya |

G.M. Charles:
"You heard them too? Someone else is out in this weather, We better warn them."
Ashan will continue trying to lead This gnome with the horse, and his old friend Seebo towards Aumbril's home.
Ashan will be a lot more on his guard, after the story he just heard from this same strange gnome.
He will not talk as much until after these others have passed.
"Be on your guard, I would like to get to safety for Seebo's sake."

DM Charles Evans |
Bronx:

DM Charles Evans |
Ashan:
Given that the horses do not seem to be bothered by the snow, but are poorly provide for against such conditions, Ashan surmises that either they are not creatures of this world- or perhaps just that magic has been employed for their comfort and sure-footedness.

Ashan Ackanya |

G.M. Charles:
Knowing that the Sable Bow Company can be trusted, Ashan will greet them.
"Hail, and well met."
"Juzilan Greyfrost and Company I hope!"
"I would avoid going to the mine offices, there has been some trouble up there."
"My traveling companion has just returned from there, I myself was also heading up there to try to sign on also."
"We would like to get help for our injured friend, who was an unfortunate casualty of the incident."
Ashan will be on his guard, but not in a threatening way, keeping his hands well visible.
"From my conversation with my companion, it appears someone was waiting for you to arrive, but things have now changed.""If any of you have clerical skills could you please check on my injured friend?"
Ashan will add a pleading, and concerned tone to his voice for this request.

DM Charles Evans |
Ashan:
“Davkul Gladdenstone.”, Ashan’s companion introduces himself to the riders. “I believe that an officer of your company, Merruth Orcbane, and I exchanged words this morning. Some sort of dimensional incident indeed occurred at the Redstar offices, recently, and my colleague here” he indicates Seebo, “who was also of assistance to your officer was a casualty. Any aid that you may be able to render would certainly be appreciated, and if you are proceeding, it should be with caution, as a number of those awaiting the interviews have been driven insane and were fighting one another when I took my leave of the situation. I have my suspicions that two halflings in attendance by the names of Markov Peaseblossom and Ranulph Fletcher may have been responsible for the mischief at the offices, although at least one of them seems to have underestimated the potency of his trap- or perhaps he was considered an expendable pawn by a comrade- and was a casualty.”
Will post more later, but for now I am tired and have to go to bed.

DM Charles Evans |
Nim:
Time: Approx. 12:20, 30 Nightal, 1383 DR
Nim enters the boarding-house shouting for attention. The halfling member of staff on duty in the hall looks up in confusion.

DM Charles Evans |
Ashan:
The leader of the troupe moves to have an urgent murmured conversation with Davkul, and even signals one of the other mercenaries to prod Seebo with a wand whilst uttering a command word; although there is a brief glow of arcane energy around the tip of the wand and some of Seebo’s bruises fade away there is no other result.
“Your comrade seems to be beyond the effectiveness of any magical healing that we currently have available to use on him.”, the man who had hushed words with Davkul says to Davkul and Ashan. “He will likely require the attention of a cleric or other skilled in the arts of healing; such resources as the company of the Sable Bow may possess in that line cannot be used on non-members without direct authorisation from one of the senior company commanders or from our principles- in this case the mine-owners.”

Ashan Ackanya |

G.M. Charles:
"Could you please point us in the direction of some people skilled in the art of healing, I was just about to take them to Aumbril Leafgreen, because I do not know my way about the town enough."
"I have been helping him try to identify what and or where those bugs came from last night."
If they offer any directions, Ashan will thank them profusely, and then urge Davkul, to proceed with him; to a healer if directions are given, else on the way to Aumbril's house.

DM Charles Evans |
(edited)
Bronx:
The halfling retrieves the empty potion vial from Bronx.
"I don't know how things are going on the east side of the valley.", he says. "The fairy who updated me about you seemed to think something has gone wrong. Maybe some of those weird birds they've been trying to keep hidden up in the trees went on a rampage. And we're better off inside at night with those strange winds the fairies have been conjuring up." He shudders. "Anyways, the fairy seemed to think it could be a good idea for us to all clear out as soon as possible, if the plans have gone wrong. If you don't want to hang around to hand over that box until Markov and Ranulph get back, you can leave it with me and I'll pay you off. Enough to cover your basic expenses- and those of your chum, if you're still in partnership that is...."

DM Charles Evans |
Ashan:
The riders draw off a little way, and engage in what sounds to be some sort of discussion as to how the presumed merchant wishes to proceed next.
"I believe I know where the shrine to Silvanus in town is, since Seebo and I called there briefly this morning, but I would certainly not presume to have any kind of understanding with the clergy there, or at least not sufficient to gain favoured terms for treatment.", Davkul says to Ashan.
(For the record, Ashan will know, as I noted in background information on the first page of the discussion thread, that Silvanus is a well-known neutrally orientated 'wild nature' deity.)

Bronx Madcap |

Charles
Bronx rubs his body where the wounds were, seeing the potion having an effect. "Thanks", he says gruffly (actually he is delighted he wasn't poisoned). After hearing the halflings suggestion to take the box. "No thanks, I have a place here that I can hide out in. I've worked too hard getting this safe to let go just yet. I better get going, we shouldn't spend too much time together just to be safe." Bronx will then look around to see if anyone is watching them.

Ashan Ackanya |

G.M. Chales:
"Well being as broke as I am, I'm still thinking we should make for Aumbril Leafgreen's residence." Ashan will suggest to Davkul.
"If he can't help, he should hopefully have some influence, and knowledge, of who would be best to approach in this situation."
"This way."
Ashan will lead off towards Aumbril's place if the Sable Bow Company has nothing further to add.
I hope this sounds right. I have the flu at the moment and am finding it hard to concentrate

DM Charles Evans |
Nim:
Nim requests that the note be read out to him, and the member of staff complies:
‘Davkul and I have gone to meet Juzilan Greyfrost, the Merchant , at the former offices of the Redstar Mining Company. please get all your things from our room and meet us there.’
The clerk looks uncertainly at the girl.
“Unless you are a follower of the god, Silvanus, I don’t know if there are any clerics in town who will help you without some sort of financial contribution.” The clerk shivers. “Uhh, it’s possible that Mrs. Prestwick might have some sort of medicine, if that girl just needs bandaging or has a cold or something like that, but Mrs. Prestwick really doesn’t like to be bothered about treating non-guests.”

DM Charles Evans |
Ashan:
Eventually, Ashan and the two gnomes arrive back in town, and trudge through the streets to the front door of the sage’s house.
Time: Approx. 11:58, 30 Nightal, 1383 DR
“This is the sage's residence, then?”, Davkul eyes the building warily.

DM Charles Evans |
At present the messageboards seem particularly voracious, timing out if longer than a minute or two is spent on posting. As a reminder, posts of any length made with most Microsoft computers can be composed on Word and cut/paste straight (via the clipboard) into ‘add new post’ to minimise the chances of timing out (and frustration at losing a post).

Ashan Ackanya |

G.M. Charles:
"Well lets hope he is still home, Aumbril was going to go our herb gathering tonight."
Ashan will approach the door and knock loudly upon it.
"I believe its still too early for what he was going to do."
Step back from the door and wait for a short time for a response from inside.
First time I have had trouble with the site.

DM Charles Evans |
Nim:

DM Charles Evans |
Ashan:
He glances at Ashan, Davkul, and Seebo slung over Davkul’s pony.
“Who are you all and what do you want?”, he questions, frowning.
Ashan recalls that Jerek indicated that the sage had at least one other man-servant, although did not actually meet that person this morning.

DM Charles Evans |
Bronx:

Ashan Ackanya |

G.M. Charles:
"Could you please let Mr Leafgreen know that Ashan is here to see him for a brief moment and that it is urgent, it also may relate to last night." Ashan will say to the manservent.
"I believe he should be here as I was working on the bugs with him a short time ago."
Ashan will then stand back so as the help will know he is no threat.
"I don't expect he has left for his herb gathering yet." will be said as a side comment to Davkul but loud enough so that the help knows that Ashan knows Aumbril, and what his plans were for the night.

DM Charles Evans |
Bronx:
Here, in the hub of streets outside the inn, the snow has been trampled by the passage of many feet headed to and from several directions, and it is difficult to be immediately certain where Nim headed off next.