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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Galfridus" data-source="post: 56113" data-attributes="member: 119">Episode 17: "Let's Split Up!"Carinth, February 27, LE 654Two days out of Leston, the party reaches Carinth, a small trading village on the main road between Leston and northern Wassan. Thorald and Jonetello were last here six months ago, when they arrived shortly after the village was attacked by Seriya, a perky and attractive half-demoness who killed several dozen villagers and kidnapped a party member (Coral) before vanishing. The village is not fortified, but as the party approaches they see a new cottage beside the road. Light from a lantern hung by the door spills onto the road. The porter doesn't ask for names, but he seems a bit suspicious to see so many people arriving at dusk.There's only one inn in the village. The party goes through an elaborate routine of splitting into several groups: Jonetello as "Timone" the wandering minstrel; Magnimiliar as a dangerous man of mystery; Thorald and Tiesa as a newly married couple, with Ravenfield and Elbryn their bodyguards. They arrive at the inn separately, using fake names, but soon find out that Rose left that same morning after spending a day or so speaking to local merchants and making appointments for several days hence. Despite Rose's absence, the party decides that given the number of enemies they have gained, excess caution is no sin. They stagger their departures the following morning, arranging to meet a half-hour or so north of the village.Jonetello and Thorald/Tiesa's party reach the rendezvous point without incident, but then discover a priest of Ehlonna is following them. Jonetello and Thorald recall seeing him in the inn speaking to several locals - but after the past few days they cannot help but be suspicious. After some cautious negotiations, the priest (named Alamar Sunin) admits that he is seeking the party; in particular, Thorald and Jonetello. It seems that his temple was destroyed several weeks ago by the half-demon Seriya, and he is seeking revenge. From what has been able to discover, Jonetello and Thorald are among the few who have spoken to Seriya and survived. The conversation broadens to include the party's current mission (finding Rose and getting some answers), but eventually boils down to the simple fact that no one likes being without a cleric. Alamar seems happy to help the party out. Once Magnimiliar catches up and is filled in, the party continues along the road toward Flanesville, Rose's next destination.Flanesville, March 1, LE 654Flanesville is a larger settlement along the Wassan Way, the east-west road leading out of Rellenor and through miles of wilderness to the dwarven kingdom of Madrazzar. It (Flanesville, that is) boasts an earthern wall that runs in a half-circle out from the northern bank of the Wassanthid, surrounding the town. Once again the party splits into groups (the previous three, plus Alamar) and attempts to quietly enter town. There are only a few inns, and it doesn't take long to find Rose (at the White Oak) and his bodyguards (at the Clearwater Tavern). Alamar takes a room at the White Oak, while most everyone else ends up at the Wonderful Dwarf, a less expensive establishment on the other side of town. That afternoon, everyone gathers to discuss strategy. The basic idea is to put Rose in a position where they can get some answers. Ambushing when he leaves town seems like the best plan, but they don't know how long he'll be in town. Rather than wait indefinitely and risk being discovered, they decide to strike at him in his room that evening.It is at this point that Ravenfield announces his departure from the group. He has found a job as an armorer, he says, and has decided that a life of wandering is not for him. The group wishes him the best of luck.An hour or so after dusk, the party (except for Alamar, who is waiting in his room) establishes a rally point two blocks east of the White Oak. From there, Magnimiliar and Thorald turn Invisible and sneak into the inn. Sneaking through the common room (where Rose sits with three bodyguards and a merchant) undetected, they proceed up the stairs to Alamar's room. The priest casts Silence, allowing them to pick the lock on Rose's door and slip inside the empty room without making a sound. Tiesa waits on the street outside, also invisible. They have an hour before their spells wear off: with luck, Rose will return within that time. Thorald readies Mind Blast; Magnimiliar readies his Bag of Holding. The two sit and wait...</blockquote>

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