Session 4 - An Unnoticed Abscence
General Summary
With the last remenants of the bandit threat buried under The Stragglerpeak, the party from Tribute was able to return Elana, orpahaned by Bandits back to her home, and the care of Tessa & Sophitia. With their bloody work now finally finished, the exhausted party turns in for some rest as the sun rises over the horizon.
When they awoke, they discovered that the remaining victims of the attack had been buried, and a large pyre was bearing in the back field with a small pile of ten bandit corpses. Drawn by the smell, the group met with two farmstead owners who had come over to investigate. Hewitt, Farmstead Owner saw the smoke from his farmstead in the north, and Beckett, Farmstead Owner came up from his farmstead after Susan Barrows, Wife of Cedric fled their during the rescue. Both Hewitt and Beckett were clearing suspicious of the group's involvement, but after some heated exchange - they both reluctantly agreed to remain quiet about their suspicions for now.
Seemingly satisfied, Hewitt invited the remaining Barrows and the party to join him a the neighbouring farmstead for the evening. Joining them later that evening, the party took the opportunity to try and win Hewitt over to their side, however while his hospitality was open to them, it was clear he did not trust the party from Tribute. After sharing in cake and brandy, the group turned in for the night before heading off to Tribute at first light.
Electing to remain on the farmstead until Cedric Barrows, Farmstead Owner returned, Declan Murdock waved goodbye to his strange mentors as they ventured to Tribute on horseback. Their return uneventful, the group arrived at the village shortly before sundown.
Surprisingly, the village itself did not seem to notice the group had been missing for two days. Life seemingly moved on in Tribute, despite the display of death and destruction only a days ride away. But while the village as a whole remains ignorant, there are several in the village who seem suspicious about the week's events.
Netty, The Herbalist who had already seen Vargan The Forester display magical prowess when he healed Cedric, inquired about the group's journey to the farmstead, and while tending to their wounds she twisted out more of the truth than the group would have wanted. She now knows that twenty men were defeated by the four villagers, and that they encountered a water elemental while rescuing Elana.
Grayson, The Unappreciated Bard has a ear for gossip and good stories. He wasted no time in accosting Wilhelm, Father In Tribute for information about Cedric's well being - and the rumors that bandits had attacked him. Wilhelm fended him off for now, however the bard's curiosity will likely be a problem in the future.
Garfield, Mayor of Tribute had been denied access to the chapel for nearly four days now, and while he holds little offical power in Tribute, he is used to being involved and seems to take his exclusion from these events personally. After being dismissed by Wilhelm in the chapel, the two of them had very public words with each other that lead to the mayor storming out of the chapel with no new information to speak.
The villagers in tribute are not the only ones interested in the activity on the farmstead however. In a mere five days the constable from The Port City of Rystanburg will likely arrive in the village, and their investigation may finally expose the group's activities.
Rewards Granted
Missions/Quests Completed
Bandit Incursion Across the Tributary River
