Of Kings and Commoners - Kingmaker AP

Game Master RPGGGM

Alia lets the girl use her as shield, confronting Illthir and Serena:"What happened? What did you do?"

While Alia was prepared to roll her eyes, the skalds reasoning actually seemed...reasonable:"Hm. I understand - but lets not. She seems...agitated by your attempt. Give her some space, for now - I know yo don't mean ill, but Ilvah seems afraid and I doubt she'll calm down while you're right there..."

As Fergus starts casting, Alia stares daggers in his direction:"Leave her be! You can't forcibly invade someone's privacy using magic! By the accord for the sanctity of thoughts ratified by the Council in....stop this! Come, Ilvah!"

Spellcraft Take 10: 10 + 8 = 18

Alia will take the girls hand and run off.
(120 feet as per run action, timed before invasive magics.)
I understand you try to help, Fergus, but she just made pretty clear to Illthir that she does not want that - forcing yourself on a lady that just said no is not very gentlemanly...

the intent was to do it away from folk then return. likely 30ft possibly even 60ft but no more than that (the range of the spell is 60ft), so people wouldn't be focused on him, and so the girl didn't see him cast anything (and so not get freaked out again) and none would be the wiser. After which he could come and discuss anything he found with the others.
And, yes, of course it isn't, but Fergus doesn't particularly care, and grew up in a home/land where stuff like this is (likely) commonplace. If doing this can let him help her then it would be a proper course of action. If she hates him afterwards? Well, thats not his problem, and he can be happy in doing what he could. She obviously won't or can't cooperate otherwise, so he figured this was the best way to go about it. She doesn't get freaked out, we (possibly) find out the issue(s) and can discuss it in privacy without further stress being placed on the girl. And just to note, the only magic Fergus is averse against using is necromancy, and several enchantment spells (such as dominate). Outside of that, he will likely be making liberal use of other spells he sees as being useful. As a reference, infernal healing being one, for desperate times. So while some would claim it wrong, to him, he is doing what he can to help, in hopefully an efficient manner. I'll go ahead and continue with the scene.

Fergus will sigh and cross his arms

Damn the perceptiveness of elves.

He calls after Alia

Yes, because dragging the poor girl across the countryside will do her so well!

and then goes to dismiss his spell but stops, perhaps some use could be put to it? Unlikely, but who knows.

He shakes his head before glancing to the others.

Pestering the girl every other day will cause unneeded stress on her. As well as likely bear little or no fruit on the issues, and we can't fix a problem if we don't know what the problem is. I'm also beginning to doubt if the lass can even speak. Though I think we have learned something. Whatever happened, likely involved magic. As she seems terrified of it.

one question, because the first round effect would have gone off, does the girl ping as a creature with an intelligence higher than 1? lol.

Zokon just watches..

"Hmmm.I don't think I should step in here, I see no way I can help the girl atm and they don't seem tob e harming her, more finding ways to help and the effect of her trusting Alia may help her to open up to Alia. hmmm."

he seems lost in thought a little

I was not trying to morally lecture you, Fergus. You do you. But at the same time, Alia would not take kindly to having her mind read against her will. And she is not desperate enough to resort to such actions just yet - the girl was alone with a silver dragon, chained to some troll pit - even if we do find her parents, Alia may be reluctant to return her unless there is a good explanation for how she ended up where she did.
That said, you stated "several feet away", what with the requirements of Verbal Component to speak in a strong voice seemed very reasonable to not be missable. You could certainly leave the area entirely, cast if far enough away, then return while maintaining concentration. I don't like the 'gamey' approach of running Detect Magic at all times, so Alia would only notice when the Will Save comes up. (And on that moment, she would KNOW magic is at work, regardless of wether she saves or not, and she would be furious about it - even if her surface thoughts would not give away any secrets she may want to keep, the invasion of privacy is real)

Coming to a stop some distance away, after rounding a corner or two, Alia turns to Ilvah to console the girl:"They mean well. I know you are afraid. And it's not ok unless you say it's ok. You are with us, and I'll try and make sure they understand that. They are...worried about you. We will return to our new home soon...which is far to the southwest. That means if you come with us, there is no chance we may find whoever took care of you previously. They hope to find your family, and reunite you, but I have a feeling that is not your desire. You gave me your name before, so I know you understand us. Can you help me on this, too? Do you want to come with us, and leave all that was, and whoever raised you, behind? Or would you rather not travel abroad with us, to an unknown land far from here. Stay here? Or go to Avalon?"
As she explains to Ilvah, Alia picks up a stick and draws a line in the ground, then stick figures of a generic couple and a house on one side, and of her and Zokon on the other side of the line, then stepping to the side of the line with her image, looking at Ilvah questioningly.

I think one first step in the right direction is to ask her if she even WANTS to come with us, or wants to stay here...while she may have a general idea from listening to us, nobody took the time to try and ask her...but we do know she can express favor or disfavor for ideas. Lets try this before any mindrape.

"If Ilvah were a human or dwarven child who had run away, I would consider returning them to their parents to be the correct solution in all but the most egregious of cases of abuse.
Young children get angry and run away. It happens. But that does not mean they can make this sort of decision for themselves. If she were human, it would be kidnapping to take her with us even if it is her wish.

If she is human, then taking her without even making an effort to find her parents is abduction."

I think we may need to consider the definition of child and how much protection they are afforded in this fantasy world. As per the roleplaying guide for young characters: Unlike modern society, which tends to treat even very competent youths like children, medieval societies usually treated children like adults as soon as they proved they were able to handle adult tasks and responsibilities. She may be young, but may not be so young to be just a runaway child - she may have left of her own accord, and in that case she may easily be legally able to decide not to return home even as a young teen. At most, her parents may demand a compensation.

"What her parents desire does not matter, if she is old enough to make her own decisions. How will a child ever learn to make decision if they are never allowed to do so, to grow up and become an adult? Elven custom is, as I suspect is Dwarven one, ambigious on the matter. We both come from long-lived races, and what passes for childhood spans decades for our kind. Not because we are so slow to learn, but because we cautiously move towards our independence and adult form. For short-lived races like humans, that struggle may be triggered early by life circumstances, and be more intense due to the short time they have to transition from child to adult. If she desires to come with us, it is not abduction. She was alone in the woods, with Winter Wolfs and Trolls set on her. However she ended up in that situation, her parents failed her then. We saved her life, and that changes matters. In some forms of law, we are now responsible for her, in others, she owes us a life debt - I do not know how Brevoy handles this, but I will not force her to return to someone when that is against her will. I'd rather let Svetlana take her on as a ward if she is human."

Hard to respond without knowing her answer first. As said, I want this exchange to take part afterwards, not simultaneous with the event with Ilvah. If we're followed, I'd try to lose any pursuers before stopping with her.

"I think it likely she is not human. So Brevoy law and custom is probably irrelevant.
I am curious how she came to be in the situation she was in, and what the trolls hoped to accomplish.
There is a great deal we do not know about this situation."

just to note, I said it may hit others because I'm not entirely sure how it works. I believe I can concentrate on a singular person (which is what he was doing) and would not affect anyone else. And I'm pretty sure you would only know magic was at work if you passed the saving throw. If you fail it you would not be aware of it. As the rules state the only time you become aware of "hostile" magic is when you succeed the saving throw. That aside, is our fey tag along here?

Fergus scratches his chin as Durgan goes to speak to alia. He turns to Zokon.

Zokon, perhaps your... our, fey companion has an insight on the child? Perhaps you could ask them? Also, do you know any competent mages in this town, or any shops that would sell scrolls of magic? I'm starting to get an inkling of an idea, I remember hearing about a spell that could possibly help a lot in this situation, without undue intrusion. But I would need to gain access to a formulae for it... or spend a great deal of time and material in creating one.

DM, do you allow for Researching and designing ones own spells?

"Howabout our first option to be establish communication, then the rest of the answers can come from there, talk first or at least attempt, until we get answers before we try alternatives."

Fergus sighs again.

Because, the longer we know nothing about her or about the who and why she was in that situation, the more dangerous for us it becomes. You are worried about Stroon, and I agree it is a worry. But what about whoever, or whatever group, has or had an interest in that girl? But, as you and Alia wish. I'm merely wanting to find it so I can at least provide you two the option. Should it be necessary. Better to be prepared than not.

Serena speaks up. "Fergus, a word, please?"

Assuming that he agrees to meet with her, she whispers to him:

one question, because the first round effect would have gone off, does the girl ping as a creature with an intelligence higher than 1? lol.

Yes.

DM, do you allow for Researching and designing ones own spells?

Normally, I try to keep things simple, and just use the books with the Core book being the most common spells that every wizard (or whatever knows), and the books that are less and less core getting increasingly rarer to outright unknown--maybe not even invented yet. I am not opposed to it--but I am kinda opposed to it on the grounds that fighter don't normally get to invent their own new swords. ;) I guess you could try and convince me.

Zokon, perhaps your... our, fey companion has an insight on the child? Perhaps you could ask them? Also, do you know any competent mages in this town, or any shops that would sell scrolls of magic? I'm starting to get an inkling of an idea, I remember hearing about a spell that could possibly help a lot in this situation, without undue intrusion. But I would need to gain access to a formulae for it... or spend a great deal of time and material in creating one.

Not in Brunderton, but in Restov there's this place called Gwen's Relics.

Coming to a stop some distance away, after rounding a corner or two, Alia turns to Ilvah to console the girl:"They mean well. I know you are afraid. And it's not ok unless you say it's ok. You are with us, and I'll try and make sure they understand that. They are...worried about you. We will return to our new home soon...which is far to the southwest. That means if you come with us, there is no chance we may find whoever took care of you previously. They hope to find your family, and reunite you, but I have a feeling that is not your desire. You gave me your name before, so I know you understand us. Can you help me on this, too? Do you want to come with us, and leave all that was, and whoever raised you, behind?"

{Huge-eyed hopeful expression, on a head that slowly nods up and down.}

So at present, with the dangers of the road avoided, we are in a bit of down time period. At least until the meeting of the lords, down in Restov. I assume you are going there next, but if folks want to detour to Forest's Edge, and/or perhaps get married, let me know.

Nah we'll send runners from Brunderton to the various people

"Stroon maybe a concern at some stage, but my concern is to establish if we can communicate with a being that has done us no harm. We need to judge the truth which is found via information and analysis."

"Ok Ilvah, I'll do my best to convince them and make sure you can come along with us. Some are scared because we know so little about you, and we have faced so many dangers in the past. They are afraid you would not be safe with us, or that who you are may bring more danger to us in the future.", Alia steps forward, offering a hug to Ilvah, "Understand that I will be patient, but whenever you do feel ready to share more about who you are, or what happened before we met, do find me and we can talk. Even small things, unimportant things, may help them accept you more, ok? As said, no pressure, but it would make things easier so I have to ask."

Fighters -can- make their own swords(weapons). There are rules for that as well! At less of a cost than spells haha! The idea behind it would be, researching/creating a spell if he can't find one. Example- some obscure splat book spell, it may not be easily available in scroll form. Or, as you say, haven't been created. Then he would use those rules to create his own version of the spell. The other idea would be to take existing spells and apply minor changes. example- fireball, turns to Iceball. The same spell, just deals cold damage. I'm not looking to "create" spells from my imagination, if I did ever suggest making a brand new spell, it would be rare and something special I'd likely enjoy a bit of IC stuff around.

As Serena has a private word with Fergus he gives a small grin and a shrug.

Fergus waves Zokon over. If he approaches.

I have been meaning to ask when more pressing concerns were not... abundant... and trying to think of a way to do so without sounding particularly rude. But, how, and why, did you come to travel with a being of the fey? Has she ever stated what she seeks to find?

I hope Restov's libraries are as vast as those of the crusade's and glimmerhold. And not quite as strictly censored. I've a lot of reading to do. I wonder how much those books would cost...

Zokon intrigued walks over "She just joined us, after we encountered her, she's not shown herself to be harmful in any way and in these lands an ambassador tot he fey could be very useful as this general area, including where we hope to live, is very close to fey."

He steps away then to talk to all "There are a number of settlements about maybe we could enquire about the girl is them?"

"That sounds wise.
I wouldn't imagine ice trolls are that subtle. If they took her from a village, there would be... well, a ruined village, probably, or at least reports from the locals of a raid.
If she was taken from a home in the middle of the wilderness, we'd be at a loss. But perhaps she could guide us there with the right approach.
This troll army... I assume Eldiocesan is on the case, but archmagi have their own agenda and their own schedule. I wish we had answers.
Is the troll army still in Brevoy?
Have they been defeated?
What did they want?"

I will need some gather info checks, but because we are counting it for the entire forest (to save time) each check takes 1d4 days rather than hours to complete. The checks are made concurrently.

Zokon helps out as he can, trying to assist with his knowledge of the people and lands about

diplo/gather info: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19

diplo/gather info: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16

diplo/gather info: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12

diplo/gather info: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20

gatherinfo: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10
gatherinfo: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18
gatherinfo: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19
gatherinfo: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16

Fergus is better at debating with people, rather than getting info from them. But he manages to help out a little.

How many checks do you want, GM? Durgan will Take 10 for an 18 each time.

Durgan moves about the villages, looking at their transportation infrastructure and communal buildings, asking about their crops and their trade, and listening for rumors of a small girl gone missing or of ice trolls roaming about.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 = 18
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23

Days?: 1d4 ⇒ 1
Days?: 1d4 ⇒ 3
Days?: 1d4 ⇒ 2
Days?: 1d4 ⇒ 3

If we are sending out invitations from here, and planning to marry in Restov, then we'd either wait for the guests there, or can afford to spend some more time here. I suppose a couple days are fine. Albeit, I would probably spend that time "working" on Ilvah - explaining to her that it is important for us to know more, that we can only make this work if she can help us understand a bit about what happened.
I'd probably go with yes/no questions that she could answer without actual words, and only continue as long as she remains cooperative.

With everybody busy trying to gather more information about the events in the forest, about possible troll raids or attacked villages, Alia spends a few days crafting, but more of the time with Ilvah. They had been travelling most of the time, so a change of pace was nice.

In some activities, she attempted to include some of the others, asking Illthir to help her learn to cook some Brevoyan dishes, or asking Serena to accompany them for safety on a walk in the nearby wilderness - whoever had time then, was around, and interested in joining. But there were also times when they were all but alone, in the evenings, where they shared a room.

It was during those times that Alia attempted cautiously to probe further - she had wanted to give the girl more time, to wait until she was ready to open up by herself. But her companions were right, as well...she was not in Kyonin, there was no time to wait weeks or months patiently until something came to pass - they would need answers before deciding how to proceed, and if Alia could in any form help the girl to provide those answers without spells messing with her mind, then she was willing to do so, albeit reluctantly.

Balzeros sticks with Durgan, offering a more plant and agricultural perspective to the Abadarian's. I've got to learn from the best! Not just one lesson either, I bet he is just a font of wisdom when it comes to this sort of thing.
________
Can't fail to aid gather information!

Serena takes 10 on her Diplomacy checks, giving her a 21. She will certainly join Alia and Ilvah on their walks.

Illthir will gladly help Ilvah learn how to make food! It was quite a simple process really. First step was to find someone with culinary talents, in the party's case Durgan, and then bother them until they cooked something nice. See? Easy.

While they were waiting she'd break out her more child friendly tales about all manner of whimsical things. No trolls though, just to be sure. And a song or two!

---

She'll do her best to extract rumours from the local populace. Maybe someone has heard something?

Diplomacy (Gather information: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28

Days?: 1d4 ⇒ 2

Diplomacy (Gather information: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12

Days?: 1d4 ⇒ 2

Diplomacy (Gather information: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15

Days?: 1d4 ⇒ 2

Diplomacy (Gather information: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13

Days?: 1d4 ⇒ 4

Profession (Chef), Any-Tool: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 6 + 2 = 24

Durgan cooks something nice for Illthir and Ilvah.
A hearty pea soup and some fresh bread.

He appreciates the ability to get decent ingredients in this civilized setting.

"Thanks Durgan!" Illthir beams.

During the interim, Fergus will approach their fey companion. And strike up a conversation in sylvan.

Greetings, I hope you don't find it to presumptuous of me to ask how you came about traveling with Alia and Zokon? You have any plans for the future?

does the group know what type of Fey Erevenywg is? If not, could Fergus make a knowledge check to guess?

We aren't sure. Don't think we've poked at that topic too much though. She speaks common now as well btw. A bit badly but with enthusiasm :p

How many checks do you want, GM? Durgan will Take 10 for an 18 each time.

As many as you'd like to make at the cost of a d4 days each.

Z: 4d4 ⇒ (3, 3, 2, 3) = 11

F: 4d4 ⇒ (4, 4, 3, 1) = 12

D: 4d4 ⇒ (2, 2, 4, 1) = 9

And with that, we see that each group attempt (I assume the party does not split up) takes a total of 16 days spent in the wilds of the Great Gronzi Forest amid its tiny hamlets, lodges, and outposts. This includes travel and any foraging time.

Ilvah grows even quieter, and more withdrawn once it becomes clear to her the party means to go back into the forest.

Within the first four days Illthir hears news that might be of interest from a group of washer women working in a stream on the outskirts of a small lumbering community of about a hundred. The local gossip tells of a little girl from a well-to-do family surviving a wolf attack that claimed both her parents a year, or two back. The party discovers that such attacks are quite common in the Gronzi. Times and places are hard to nail down (though "it certainly didn't happen here").

A week passes (Day 11) with little in the way of new information, when the party is hailed by a pair of men in the tatzlwyrm-marked livery of Restov. They are servants of the Lord Mayor sent to find them. The riders tell the party that Lord Mayor Sellenius requires the charter-bears to attend him at the country residence* of Lord Iannuchi, head of the Aldori Order of Swordlords, a fortnight hense.

What do you do?

Erevenywg too becomes quieter. Her expression grows somber and concerned.

During the interim, Fergus will approach their fey companion. And strike up a conversation in sylvan.

Greetings, I hope you don't find it to presumptuous of me to ask how you came about traveling with Alia and Zokon? You have any plans for the future?

does the group know what type of Fey Erevenywg is? If not, could Fergus make a knowledge check to guess?

They've never quite figured that out. Alia commented that the six-and-a-half tall woman looked like a gnome, others have said an odd elf but obviously neither seems quite right. It is apparent that she is at least fey-touched and otherworldly, but beyond that....

"Hm!? Plans!? Myself!? No! Why would I have plans!?" Erevenywg hurries away from the dwarf.

Knowledge (nobility): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26

When the messengers deliver their missive, Serena turns to her companions and says, "I think it would behoove us to attend. Unless we plan on becoming outlaws and living in the forest."

Well everyone has plans for their.... life. He starts to call out as she hurries away. He sighs and puts a hand on his hip.

Hmmm... while not the worst reaction I've ever received from a woman, certainly one of the strangest to the situation.

take 10 on check.

Aye, best be on our way. I would like to stop is Restov as well. Lotta questions, few answers and all that.

One day, Fergus will approach Serena and Durgan after his brief talk with Erevenywg when its just the two of them.

Take 10 on check

"Well I guess we have a destination in mind, let's go. Can anyone think of anything we need to do, other than get ourselves set up for our new adventure?"

Quick Note: the Lord Mayor's riders appear on the day 11 so some the third, and all of the forth attempts at Gathering Info won't have happened yet should you leave off. Split the party??? :)

"A fortnight? Can't be too urgent then. I say we keep together until we're satisfied with what we can learn from the locals, then head off to Lord Mayor Sellenius," Balzeros suggests. "Don't get me wrong, I'm not resisting the call here, I just figure we finish one task before starting another. I'll get us where we need to go either way."

About how long would it take to travel to Lord Iannuchi's country residence from where we are? We should leave a good margin of safety.

"Aye, and there was no guarantee they would run into us here. We could have decided to look further into the troll issue, far out in the wilderness where Durgan saw that battle-site we suppose was Argentovs doing.", Alia sighs: "Still, Restov will be our primary sponsor, and we should do our best to accomodate the Lord-Mayor if our schedule allows. But I am confident between our individual abilities, we can speedily make our way there."

With Nature's Path from Balzeros and Illthirs Marching Song, we should be able to move swiftly...
@Split party: I was looking to get some crafting done, actually, and to simply see if Ilvah would be willing to grant some more answers. So while I am usually opposed to splitting the party, I think we should get used to doing so in 'safe' ways. I mean, in the beginning, we focus on our capital and the lands around, but eventually Durgan will have a domain near the mountains, Alia in the forest, maybe others also have cities they focus on as local lords, we can't expect to spend all the downtime in the full group, probably coming together regulary for council and to deal with issues, but still spending some time in our individual domains alone.
So here, if we are not actually going in the remote wilderness but sticking to roads and settlements, it could make sense to make 2 teams gathering intel, and Alia remaining in the city as 'base camp', crafting and taking care of Ilvah. I mean, other people travel as well. It's not like any kind of travel becomes an instant-death-trap if you don't have a fully armed band of warriors with you.

Might get eaten by wolves though :p

"Mm. I agree - we should not keep them waiting. But wrapping up here first would be wise." Illthir shares her stance. She looks around to make sure Ilvah wasn't within earshot. Though that could actually help them figure things out ... Didn't seem right. "Only bit I've got so far on the rumours is talk about 'a little girl from a well-to-do family surviving a wolf attack that claimed both her parents a year, or two back'. That doesn't explain why she would be out alone in the forest though. Nor whom cared for her afterwards, if anyone." she pauses and grimaces. "We could ask Ilvah how she feels about wolves. About as subtle as a mace to the face though ..."

About how long would it take to travel to Lord Iannuchi's country residence from where we are? We should leave a good margin of safety.

By the regional map it's roughly a 100+ miles away though a forest, river, lake and mountains, and hilly terrain all probably stand in your way. Let's call it closer to 120 miles for safety sake. Going by the speeds listed in the House Rules on foot (Party Spd = 20) it would take 15 days, by horse (not pony; Spd = 50) 6.25. This does not include Illthir's or Balzeros' musical/magical accompaniment, weather, or anything besides a non-eventful day's (8 hour) march.

Note though that the Gronzi is a big place so you can make the journey longer or shorter depending upon where you go before turning back. I would assume that the group would have spent the first 11 days searching the Gronzi's southern reaches and be exploring the mountain spurs around the ice troll's stone circle now.

Might get eaten by wolves though :p

"Mm. I agree - we should not keep them waiting. But wrapping up here first would be wise." Illthir shares her stance. She looks around to make sure Ilvah wasn't within earshot. Though that could actually help them figure things out ... Didn't seem right. "Only bit I've got so far on the rumours is talk about 'a little girl from a well-to-do family surviving a wolf attack that claimed both her parents a year, or two back'. That doesn't explain why she would be out alone in the forest though. Nor whom cared for her afterwards, if anyone." she pauses and grimaces. "We could ask Ilvah how she feels about wolves. About as subtle as a mace to the face though ..."

Some party members know or remember another guy who lives out this way who might have a thing or two to say about wolves as well.

I wouldn't mind having fergus do some reading in Restov. On a couple different subjects. He could stay with Alia, as he has craft wondrous items if anyone had anything they wanted made, though he himself doesn't have much gold on him. I also plan to take a few other craft feats as we level, likely 2 of craft rod, craft ring, and craft staff. HE will take craft golem as well probably, but likely through a discovery.

"So we need to get there and it'll be tight to get there, we should leave as soon as possible."

Zokon assesses the groups transport capabilities horses etc? How long will it take us to get there considering terrain and such in his opinion

Survival: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (12) + 9 = 21

Kn Geography: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25

If we're splitting, Balzeros should go with the Restov group since he has the nature magic and some face ability! No issues with splitting since we're all going to "safe" places.

Some party members know or remember another guy who lives out this way who might have a thing or two to say about wolves as well.

I wasn't there for that part, but if Zokon's cousin is an expert wolf-hunter, we should send him a message to follow up on the story of a little girl orphaned by wolves.

@Zokon, I believe we all have mounts. We reunited with our horses in Brunderton. Ilvah would not have a horse, but I assume she can ride double with Alia. That should make our trip take 6.25 days, or 3.125 with Song of Marching.

To be clear: I suggested splitting up for the investigation - as in Alia would remain in Brunderton and get some work done, while focusing her efforts on Ilvah - no need to head to the wilderness for that. As in, if we're just doing investigative work and covering a couple of nearby villages, then we don't have to all stick together.

I would assume the Lord-Mayor expects all of us to head to Restov - and with Balzeros upgrading the Roads to Highways(or allowing us to take wilderness shortcuts as if a Road existed) I dare-say we'll be there in less than 3 days with Song of Marching...plus as GM said we can depart during the last day(s) of investigation, and focus on villages or territory towards Restov, then move on directly from there.

"I think we are fine time-wise.", Alia replies to Zokon, then turns to the riders: "Do you have any more information about why he needs us in attendance? We had planned to stop in Restov and consult the Lord-Mayor on our way back towards Avalon - there must be a reason if he now needs us to return more urgently. If possible, I would like to use some of the time we have to prepare properly for what awaits us."

@Fergus: I most definitely would want some stuff, but honestly I currently have no idea how much Alia has in her 'Bank' Account - I will need to check and come back to you on that.