Our heroes did a few things throughout the day. Fang was hired to collect some herbs, but didn’t find anything of worth. He did encounter some people in the forest who were laughing but made sure to avoid them. Xavier went looking for some puffer fish. He learned that while they sometimes have some, they currently don’t have any, as it is usually bought by Zosimo. Xavier told the fish monger to send Zosimo his way if he saw him. Dave went hunting and caught an amazing, tasty boar, which he proceeded to share with a few of the villagers along with his companions. He made sure that Granny Yahoo received some as well.
The next morning, our heroes got up bright and early. Xavier went to the fish market and managed to get some puffer fish. Xavier bought all 3 of the fish. Zosimo showed up during the transaction and wasn’t happy about this. In the end, Xavier agreed to let Zosimo have one of the 3 fish if he removed the poison from them for him. Zosimo agreed, and while clearly not sober, quickly, and precisely removed the poison for Xavier.
Our heroes then left town, heading north up the path. Some scouted, looking for enemies, while others just stayed on the defensive. They came across some slurk that were hoping for an easy meal. Shooting out slime, they managed to get Dave and his bear covered in goop, then knock them unconscious before targeting some of the others. In the end our heroes managed to finish them off.
They continued a few more days, with some of them sneaking around, and came to a sign in the road. Pointing to the north was the word Reino, to the south was Pescaria, and to the west was Norende. Our heroes assumed this was the branch to the Abadar’s Blade mercenary group. Xavier cut up the sign as they continued to Norende.
Our heroes came to a large walled village, several miles long. The walls were 20 feet high, and there was a large wooden and iron gate. Xavier knocked, and upon being greeted and asked what they were looking for, responded that he heard they did dirty work. As soon as he said this the guard told them to get lost and left. Seeing a look in his eye, Fang and Dave quickly hid in the forest. Xavier walked back 20 feet before throwing an alchemist fire at the door, lighting it on fire.
As the door slowly started to burn, and smoke rose, guards came rushing out, bringing dirt and water with them to put it out. Xavier and Christmas tried to help, before Christmas used his hat of disguise to look like a guard and snuck in. Inside the walled village, Christmas noticed a lot of farmland. He tried to act normal. Outside the town, the guards put out the fire. Xavier once again asked to get in, while questioned, he explained he was looking for farm work and such…hence dirty. Dave and Fang came back out saying they had been using the washroom and questioning the commotion. They were allowed inside the town and brought to the Blade’s Inn.
They paid for a night’s stay, and argued with the innkeeper about the bear staying. Unfortunately, the innkeeper had no clue what they meant by support animal. Finally they managed to convince him to allow the bear to stay with the promise of extra gold as well as some gold in case of damage. They also learned that in Willowblade’s absence Akkar was in charge.
They then headed to the local tavern, the Blade’s Tavern. Although their original impression was that the Blades were hired to protect the town, they now started to think the Blades owned the town. They ate some food and drank some alcohol while talking and listening for some rumours. They heard people talking, mostly about the rumours going around, and wondering what exactly was going on.
As the rest left, Xavier stayed. He was approached by a couple of men who asked if they could sit. Feeling he was a kindred spirit, they informed him about some of the dealings going on. The shaddier stuff. They told him for a gold they’d point him in the right direction. He agreed, and paid the gold. He was given the name Ducai. Upon leaving, he said out loud that those 2 gentlemen would be covering his tab.