
Zigil "Stardust" Aul |

Zigil will try to negotiate with the Wizard to get items enchanted for cost. Diplomacy? Pleeeeeeeeease?: 10 + 8 = 18
Zigil will also obey the summons.

DM Rambler |

The heroes arrive at Ivory Hall, and are escorted to a meeting room.
Waiting for them in the room are the Council of Defenders: Halgra of the Blackened Blades, Agrit Staginsdar (dwarf wizard), Sara Morninghawk (blacksmith), and Lessie Crumkin (banker and priest of Abadar). Also present are Patrol Leader Jagrin Grath, his son Kurst, Silvermane the druid, and a stranger.
You interacted with all of these people in the first adventure, except for the Banker and the stranger.
Halgra begins.
"We have been able to piece together a few things from the evidence you found and from our interrogation of prisoners from the attack, and we don't like what we have figured out."
"We managed to foil the plans of the Twisted Hearts clan and their chieftain, Grenseldek, largely thanks to you. However, it's probably only a matter of time before they mount another attack. And the majority of the militia are needed here, to protect and rebuild Trunau."
"I'm afraid I must ask you to undertake a dangerous mission: travel to Grenseldek's lair and dispose of her and her officers before they can muster another army. We believe that they are holed up at Redlake Fort, an abandoned outpost near the River Esk."
She nods to Silvermane, and the mute elven druid begins flashing a series of hand signals, which Halgra translates.
"On your journey to Redlake Fort, you will pass the Ghostlight Marsh. Within, you may find an entrance to the Vault of Thorns, a demiplane created by the druidic Council of Thorns, of which Silvermane was once a member. The vault should contain a number of items which may aid you in fighting this menace."
"Silvermane has enlisted his acquaintance Mannfred here, to aid in his endeavor, and given his Ghostlight Lantern to him to help find the path."
"To find the Vault, first you must look for the circle of thorns carved into a rock on the riverside where the Esk and Kestrel meet. This marker should place you on the correct path. Then place the husk of a dead will'o'wisp into the lantern, and it should make a beacon that points to the circle of standing stones that is the entrance to the Vault. Pass the light of the lantern over the standing stones to open the way."
Halgra continues.
"I have secured working passage for you aboard a riverboat that regularly travels the rivers of southern Belkzen. Captain Raag Bloodtusk has agreed to transport you to Ghostlight Marsh, and then on towards Redlake Fort, in exchange for your aid in sailing and defending the ship."
"I have here a letter of introduction to Captain Bloodtusk. I'm also prepared to offer you a reward of 1,500 gold pieces for this mission, half now, half later."
"Are you willing? Do you have any questions?"

Mannfred |

Mannfred nods by way of greeting, with a friendly smile. He is a tall, thin human wearing strange wooden armour over dirty green clothing. His curly dirt-encrusted hair and beard are tangled together beyond the point of no return. His skin appears sunbeaten and tanned, but the grime covering him makes it difficult to tell.
He is likely the source of the pungent stench in the room.
"Well met. If it is acceptable, I would also like to bring my dog. He always travels with me."

Zigil "Stardust" Aul |

"Gosh, a dog? I don't know. Will he get along with Garm? Or is it a she?"
"In any case, welcome to the group. Do you play music? I can picture you with a band." Blinking. "Or maybe I'm just a little blinded by the light...."
He wrinkles his nose and takes a step away.

Aegidius "Giles" de Hammo |

"Aye Garm is a foolish dog who will no doubt get up to all sorts on this expedition. Well met stranger. We accept the mission."
Know Nature: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21
Know Local: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23
Know Geography: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21
(Add 2 if it regards mountains or hills)
Giles shares his information with everyone.

DM Rambler |

2/ Lastwall’s northern border with Belkzen has been pushed back multiple times over the centuries. The Council of Thorns were a militant druid circle who despised the orcs’ defilement of the land the creatures conquered, attempted to stand their ground. While the druids’ fight was valiant, the Council of Thorns was eventually driven back to the swamp and defeated by the orcs.
3/ Faced with sure defeat at the hands of the conquering orcs, the druids of the Council of Thorns made a final stand in the swamp, sacrificing themselves in a bloody ritual. As the druids’ dying bodies slumped into the muck, vengeful will-o’-wisps were summoned from the marsh and drove the orc army out of the swamp. These cruel and capricious aberrations have guarded Ghostlight Marsh from intrusion ever since.

Eldan Whitecrow |

At the approach of the stranger, Eldan wrinkles his nose briefly before regaining his composure, “Have any of you, or our patrols, had a run in with Grenseldek? Do you know any of her commanders?”
Knowledge History: 16 + 12 = 28

DM Rambler |

Please note that I added a rough area map to the Drive.
In response to Eldan, Jagrin Grath replies, "Well obviously we have been fighting members of that tribe, but we didn't know that the Twisted Hearts had been formed. There was a clan of hill giants called the Heart Eaters, and an orc tribe called the Twisted Nails. Probably those are the clans that united. Don't know who led the giants, but the Twisted Nails used to be under the command of a General Karrguk."

Eldan Whitecrow |

Eldan looks at the strange smelling one, somewhat puzzled, “Do we not already live off the land? The crops we grow, the animals we hunt. These all come ‘from the land’.” Looking pleased with himself now, “I will need to purchase a scroll And then need a couple hours to scribe the scroll into my spellbook. I would also suggest we look at a tent because the elements can be...troublesome.” He avoids looking directly at the druid with that last part.
I want to purchase a level one scroll Mount and scribe it into my book.
Spellcraft: 8 + 11 = 19 (DC is 16)

Aegidius "Giles" de Hammo |

"Aye my families been working the land for generations. Hard work, but honest work. Even Garm works in his own way, though he would prefer to laze his days away, the devil. But no harm in a little travel and living rough.
Perhaps we should buy a mount to carry Slei and enough supplies for camping and the like."

Eldan Whitecrow |

“Ah, yes, please forgive me Master Man-fred, it is rude of me not to introduce myself. I am Eldan, or as many of the citizens here call me, Whitecrow. This is on account of my pale white skin along with my long, lusterous jet-black hair and violet eyes that remind people of a crow.” Gesturing to the rest of the party in a sweeping motion, “These are my companions. Master-iss Ziggy priest-, er, cleric of Iomedae, Master de Hammo, marksman extraordinaire and his travelling companion Garm, Master Grodar the Mighty, a brawler of no compare, and Mistress Slei, a, ah - swashbuckler? - yes, swashbuckler.”

DM Rambler |

Halgra adds, "Right then, we'll let you get acquainted and depart for other business."
The council each go their separate ways.
Eldan gets his scroll, and puts the spell in his book. Zigil gets her weapon and armour enchanted. You can purchase a mule and tent(s) if you wish. Let me know if there is other business which would've been done either before or after the meeting.
Two days later, the group sets off towards the Kestrel River and the waiting boat of Raag Bloodtusk.

Zigil "Stardust" Aul |

“Well, I suppose we could easily get a noble mule for Slei. Then it will also double as a beast of burden for all our loot after we crush the Twisted Hearts beneath the heals of our boots.”
"Yes! Boots and hearts! Then we blow at high dough....."
The loot sheet has been updated for a final time (I hope) with all sold and distributed items recorded. Final GP distribution is at the bottom of the second sheet.
I took the liberty of purchasing some supplies that the mule can carry. Feel free to change. (Eldan, I did not include the cost of your scroll or the stuff you need to scribe it into your book. I may have missed other items as well.)
Zigil will ask Agrit to safely store the Uskroth's Armor until our return.

Mannfred |
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When the group reassembles, Mannfred brings his dog.
-It is clearly not a dog-
"This is my dog." He says with a warm smile.
-It is clearly a wolf-
"He lives in my cave with me"
-It is a nasty looking grey mottled wolf with an ugly scar from its jawline to the stub of its ruined left ear-
"He's very friendly," says Mannfred, ruffling the wolf's fur on its head.
-It is glaring at your throats like it hasn't eaten in three weeks-
"You are all welcome to share his body heat at night to stay warm"
-Spittle drips from its wickedly sharp teeth-
"He loves to have his belly rubbed."
-It looks like it wants to kill you-

DM Rambler |

Agrit says she can find somewhere safe for the armour, if Zigil is sure that the group won't want it some time during their long expedition. She also still has time to enchant one more item before the group leaves. Possibilities: the chain shirt for Slei, the morningstar or shield for Grodar, or purchase a masterwork weapon and enchant it for someone. Enchanting a weapon costs 1000 gp, armour or shield costs 500 gp.
Does the party wish to try to make the entire journey in a day, or are they going to camp halfway?

DM Rambler |

The group travels through the rough terrain of Belkzen, then set up to camp for the night. They easily find enough food and water to ensure they do not have to dig into their supplies.
I see that you purchased three 2-person tents. Who is pairing up? Who gets to share a fragrant tent with Mannfred? Are you setting up a watch for the night? Lit campfire?
No particular reason for these questions, of course.

Mannfred |

Unless it's particularly cold, Mannfred sleeps outside with Dog.
"Why would you need these artificial shelters? Nature provides everything we need."
He will take first watch with whomever else wants to.
Mannfred will not build a campfire, but won't object if someone else does.

Zigil "Stardust" Aul |

Ah. I assumed that only the first watch would be doubled. That gives 5 watches over 10 hours if everyone gets 8 hours of rest. If we do that, then it's:
Giles & Mannfred
Grodar
Zigil
Slei
Eldan
I slightly prefer taking less time, but I'm okay with doubling up with 4 hour shifts if the rest of the group prefers, In that case I like your watch order.