Zoom 2022-05-03 21:00

The party cure up after the Gargoyle combat, have a kip, bury the remains of the farmsteaders, put the remains of one gargoyle in a sack, and head off to Lanwall which they reach the next day.
Lanwall is a stockaded settlement that has 'spilt out' to house many hundred refugees: Normally housing 300-400 humans and Ariels, it is now at least twice that size. However, the place is pretty orderly - the harvest is being worked on, and there are 'peace keepers' in leather armour keeping control. The refugees seem to have been here for about 7-8 months - they are from all over the place, including humans from Riverside (mainly women and children), and Elves from the southern settlements. There is a Universal Shrine here - and Wun helps out with his healing and constructions skills - in fact the whole party help out with their various craft skills as much as they can, while gathering as much information as they can. We learn:
* There were pitched battles between Elves and Humans near Riverside, which the Elves won: They healed and enslaved the defeated humans rather than killing them.
* Nobody has heard of 'Morac'
* The next settlement between Lanwall and Riverside is Dragonbrook - it was Elven controlled, but no-one has checked recently, and no-one has come from there recently.
* The old Headsman is in charge of the settlement - he has done a far better job than was done in Braerk, and the place is quite well organised.
* Beriesa was a lot like Wingsport - ie open to all religions. However, GARM is now gaining quite a following there - mainly from Ariels.
* Dougal learns the the Golden Pagoda is in Sarantaplo - well, at least there is a picture of it on the (cheap) bottle of Sarantaplo wine that we are served. Dougal keeps the bottle!
The next day we move on towards Dragonsbrook, missing the clues and opportunities that awaited us in Lanwall. About 20 miles down the road we come to another isolated farmstead that appears to have been attacked by gargoyles in the same way as the one we encountered - but there are 6 neat piles of gravel (gargoyle remains) sitting outside the ruined house: There are human and elven footprints around, and in the house evidence of a 'very effective fire arrow' burning a hole through the timber. We think to check our gargoyle remains, and the sack seems slightly lighter and less bulky than it used to be.
While we are investigating, Khurak warns us of a dozen humanoids approaching - and a hawk-like bird hovering high above us. It's unnatural behaviour might have tipped us off to it not being a normal hawk anyway, but the ultra-violet light that it was emitting was a dead giveaway. As the group gets closer (and we prepare for both diplomacy and combat), we see that they comprise of 10 humans, 2 Dark Elves and an Elf. As they approach, some of the humans peel off to the sides.
Francis, accompanied by Bazin, represents the party in speaking to the lead human, who demands to know our allegiance and see our credentials. Once he is satisfied, he answers a few questions:
* He (and his fellows) represent 'The Empire'. The Empire's alliance with Alvera will be honoured as long as they believe that Alvera is still alive - there is a clear implication that the treaty will end with his confirmed death.
* There were about 60 or so gargoyles to the East, which they thought had been wiped out, but obviously there are some more around - some of whom attacked this farmstead. They were 'dealt with' and the remains left outside and observed for 12 hours to see if there was any sign of regeneration. (There wasn't).
* They have also had reports of attacks by Blink Dogs - which seem to be troublesome even to the Elves
* He "volunteered" for his role. (Which we took as he him not having much choice in the matter.)
The Elves have hung back during this conversation, so Q calls out to the Elf which is dressed as a Hashandara Hewn (as we saw in the rooftops of Willston.) There was no reply, and later on when asking about the 'rules' we should abide by in Elven territory, we were just given one: "Do not speak to Elves". Q is forgiven for her trespass - just this once.
Francis is given a token by the human which will allow us to get papers for Riverside - F. also notes how well equipped the humans are: It may only be leather armour and spear, but they are very good quality. Suddenly, the human says they have to go - and the group depart rapidly to the West, the Elf gets out her bow and arrows (with glowing heads), and the hawk just disappears.
We decide to observe what they are doing (through Khurak) - and see that the group is moving very fast with the Dark Elves casting many buffs as they go. We are at 181.073 - and as the group approach 180.073 the hawk appears above the forest - emitting UV again, and Khurak sees a 30' radius of trees wither and die from a reverse 'plant growth'. Meanwhile, we see 12 flying creatures - presumably gargoyles - emerge from 180.071 flying languidly southwards.
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