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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Carlo-One" data-source="post: 7901289" data-attributes="member: 7015827">In the morning, they took breakfast as usual at the Gatereach. Jandrico inquired if he should see about getting some more of the Mulhorandi tea, while Goruna brought in the food, porridge with honey and butter. When Veran objected to the porridge’s contents and asked for plain instead, Goruna fairly roared at him, but was sent back to the kitchen to make more porridge by Jandrico. (Sometimes I fail to see the point in pure asceticism, as I somehow doubt flavored porridge is the road to damnation. --R). After some time, the new porridge was brought out and served to Veran, who thanked Goruna for her trouble. Both Rahnee and Brok-Tul expressed their preference for more Mulhorandi tea as they finished breakfast. They also informed Jandrico that they would be gone for some time.After retrieving some necessary equipment at the guest house, the group headed for the area outside of South Gate and the road to Turnton. The sunny weather which initially graced their travels had turned to a cold rain by the time they reached the Turnton/Glees road fork. Brok-Tul, Veran, and Aerikoth walked ahead while Rahnee and Belle lingered behind, talking. After a short while, Brok-Tul came running back, a bloody sword in hand, to make sure that the two women were all right. Rahnee then helpfully informed him that Belle had said to watch out for wolves. Brok-Tul told them they had run across and slain some “Knishnars” and was corrected by Veran regarding the beasts, which were called Krenshars. The party turned south again, hiking an additional three hours before they reached the northern outskirts of Turnton.The group paused to examine a semi-circle of scorch marks outside the gates, which Rahnee thought had not been there the last time they were in Turnton. Announcing themselves as “Helm’s Shadows” they passed through the gates, where Rahnee bluntly queried the guard captain about the scorch marks. Looking uncomfortable, the captain directed her to ask the High Cleric about them. The captain, after welcoming the group, advised them that strange beasts still roamed the countryside - not a surprise - and that Baron Pahar, having been informed by the High Cleric that they might be returning, had invited them to stay at his manor.Once out of earshot of the guards, Brok-Tul muttered that he hoped the scorch marks didn’t have anything to do with Melissa. The half-orc shared his suspicion that their invitation to stay at the Baron’s manor was so the Baron could control what they heard about any recent events. Rahnee took a practical view and simply wanted to see what the Baron would have to say, while Belle looked forward to spending the night in more luxurious surroundings than normal.At the manor, the guards recognized the group and let them pass into the entry hall, where they stopped to wring out their wet clothing while Pahar was notified of their arrival. After a few minutes, the guard returned and escorted the company into Pahar’s audience chamber, where the Baron greeted them warmly and Belle was introduced by Rahnee. Given the lateness of the hour, Pahar eschewed social talk and moved on to speak of business.The Baron indicated that he knew the seriousness of the task that the company faced and therefore wanted to offer what humble hospitality he had available, his coffers still being thin as a result of the war with Hallton and the ongoing predations of magical beasts along the trade route to Westgate. Pahar expressed his hope that the company’s deeds would have some impact on the infestation of beasts, which he noted began around the time that Ashnakzeroth appeared. In response to a question from Brok-Tul about the scorch marks, the Baron indicated that they were several months old, dating from the time of the Hallton war. The Baron also stated that, thanks to the previous delivery of certain items by the party, the High Cleric was certain that their defenses remained strong. Pahar’s words seemed to calm Rahnee and Brok-Tul’s concerns about the significance of the scorch marks.(It seems that these marks - indicating what must have been a major fiery effect in the past - were simply not noticed earlier by the party. Although their interest in the phenomenon seems to have been assuaged - or perhaps diverted - there is still no explanation yet regarding their origin. --C)</blockquote>

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