I sense something here, over by the woodline. the grey elf will state.
Victrix looks up as Tanariel points out something by the woods. "What is it? Somethin' that killed him?"
I cannot tell that, I do detect the prescence of a magical aura in that area. she replies.
Rolfe will nock an arrow, and move to investigate.
Tanariel detects magic and when the party investigates they notice an ornately made dagger that looks as if it is etched with flame designs. Written in Draconic on the dagger is the word 'Brightflame'.
"Magic you say, Tanariel? This could be very bad or very good..."
Now that Horvik is buried, Thrand mounts up and rides behind Rolfe toward the treeline. Seeing the dagger, Thrand tries to guess if it would fit in the box and is indeed the same dagger.
Victrix follows suit. "Roight--let's get a move on."
Spellcraft to identify the dagger and what properties it might have.
"It is well crafted, whatever else it may be." says Thrand. "Do either of you ladies have a use for it? Or perhaps you, Garl?"
"Eh, I'm not really one fer knives unless I really need 'em." Victrix jostles her greataxe. "Always preferred ta use a good ol' axe, meself."
I know how to use a dagger. she replies.
"Brightflame? ... I don't much like the look of this. Do you think it's... y'know... cursed?" he says, unwilling to claim the dagger for his own. "Odd to find something so valuable lying by the roadside. Perhaps this wasn't a robbery after all?"
Scratching his head, Rolfe will don the poorly-fitting chain shirt, pulling his roughspun tunic over the top and patting his stomach a few times. "I suppose he won't be needing it, but the abbots of St. Cuthbert would give me a right belting if they could see me now."
"Shall we be off? We still have ourselves a letter to deliver."
Thrand thinks to himself that Victrix is some woman as she handles her great axe. Strong and wild.
"Tanariel, the dagger is yours if you want it, at least until it comes time to deliver it to our benefactors."
"Someone or something must have brought the dagger here after the attack. Rolfe, do you see any tracks leading from here? Garl, can your wolf pick up the scent?"
This will also give me some tine to study the dagger.
the companion sniffs the dagger and goes to the body...she sniffs the body and then starts moving down the road in the direction of the tracks found in the dirt... the road leads to where you were supposed to meet your contact.
Thrand rides Valor down the road following the trackers as they follow the tracks.
"This road is longer than I thought," says Thrand. "How much farther until we find the source of the tracks?" He looks to his companions for guidance.
The party continues down the road with swift leading the way. As dusk begins to appear in the sky, they find a building along the road. A well-built inn painted in cheerful colors is tucked beneath the eaves of the forest. A stable stands nearby. A hitching post at the front of the inn has several mounts, and more than one farm wagon sits in the yard. Swift sniffs right up to the door. A large red sign above the door proclaims in gilt letters, “Travelers Stop Inn.” Above this sign and stretching across the front of the building is a banner with artistic lettering stating “The Traveling Exhibition of Doctor Phineus Krane, Professor of Antiquities and Master of Shroud Artistry.” A number of colorful tents have been set up at the rear of the inn yard, apparently for this exhibition. On the wall next to the door is another sign reading "No Animals Allowed Inside".
Thrand dismounts, pats Valor on the neck, and hitches the horse to a hitching post. "This looks interesting. At least it is colorful. What do you think, everyone? Shall we walk around to the tents or go inside the inn?"
Victrix hops off of her horse and starts walking towards the inn. "Might as well get ourselves settled in 'ere before we take a look around, I think."
I believe that Victrix is correct.
"After you, ladies." Thrand opens the door to the inn and holds it open for Victrix and Tanariel, and Garl, if one of the women leads him. Then he himself enters with Rolfe.
Victrix, Rolk and Thrand enter the establishment and see a few patrons at tables eating their supper and downing drinks. A couple of serving wenches rush back and forth from the bar to the tables delivering orders. All in all the place is as clean as can be and the ambiance is pleasant. One of the serving wenches tells you to sit where you can find an open table and they will get with you shortly. Most of the patrons look like simple folk, either farmers, craftsmen, etc. A few group in the corner seem to be outfitted as fellow adventurers.
The grey elf will enter as well.
Rolfe seems bewildered by the gnomes request, but obliges him nonetheless. He eyes up the other armed patrons, a curious expression on his face. he settles into his chair, seemingly relaxed by the humbleness of his surroundings, and calls for a round of ale.
The elf will attempt to take a closer look at the other adventurer's without taking a look at them.
perception check
Victrix lets the rest of the party take interest in the other adventurers, opting instead to look for the innkeeper.
Thrand nods to his fellow adventurers in the corner and strides confidently to an empty table where he awaits a serving wench's attention. Once he gets it, he orders a mug of beer.
"No animals inside the inn!" the barkeep yells over to the group as Garl enters with his 'seeing-eye' wolf...everyone in the inn stops for a second as you enter to take a quick glance and then continue with what they were doing. Everyone is especially curious about Tanariel as not many female elves find their way to this locale.
The elf will nod and order some wine and bread and fruit if it is available.
Victrix sighs and walks over to Garl. "Roight 'ere, Garl. Roight this way."
She takes the gnome by the hand and leads him over to a vacant table.
"That aint no dog, but a wolf! Out it goes or out you go!" the barkeep yells. "Seems like you got plenty of help as is." motioning to the tall redhead.
The grey elf will pay for what she ordered.
The serving girls bring some sweet smelling wine and a few bread rolls, grapes and apples for the elf. Then they begin to discuss how an actual elf is in their inn.
"How did I miss that?" thinks Thrand. "We have been riding together for days and I never noticed that Garl is blind."
After his beer arrives he says, "I'll have a roasted chicken or whatever it is you've got cooking." To the gnome he says, "It's okay, Garl. Send him outside. Valor will keep him company. They can look out for each other."
He eyes Tanariel's admirers warily, ready to intervene should the need arise.