Chapter 3.2 - Return to the Golden Grain Inn

Each hero takes 1775 coins (35.5 lbs) and an assortment of other items (6.5 lbs) into their packs (with Aanbo being careful to claim the vial of antitoxin). Shouldering their now-much-heavier packs, the party retraces its steps to the secret cellar room, where they pass the litter that Hamiff and Lhari used to carry the body. They close and bar the door to the tunnels. Moving back through the secret door into the basement, the party climbs the stairs again, using Arya's Light spell to illuminate their path now that they're confident no one else is in the Inn to observe them. There are no windows on the ground floor of the Inn, so the group is able to traverse the space a lot faster this time. Arya doesn't dismiss the spell until after Ember reaches the front door, goes to unlock it, and finds it already unlocked. ::Of course; Lhari and Hamiff had to get in somehow::

In the sudden darkness, Ember opens the door cautiously, and then the party hustles through the door outside into the dead of night. The moon has risen, so there is just enough light for Ember to relock the door. As the party stands there listening - all is quiet - and considering what route to take to the temple, each PC gains 158 experience points (XP) for retrieving the cultists' treasure. At least three hours remain before dawn.



For your convenience, here is also the larger map of Orlane.

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Aanbo (19/27)
Arya (8/10)
Chase (14/14)
Ember (9/9)
Lyrel (3/9)
Morton (9/9)
Myrtha (17/18)
Theran (5/18)

Chase disappears down the street, heading north in the moonlight. He slips from shadow to shadow with great agility, essentially invisible to Arya, Ember, and Myrtha. Aanbo, Lyrel, Morton, and Theran all watch him go off on his own again and politely don't comment to the humans on how they can see him just fine, but they do share a knowing glance with one another.

The shadows are dark and absolute for the humans, but everything else is moonlit brightly enough that it counts as Dim Light for them. Somewhere in the forest, a fox shrieks in the night. Otherwise, no other sound is heard above the soft creaking of the waterwheel and the muted splashing of the waterfall to the north on the other side of the Golden Grain Inn. So far, no one has come looking for Hamiff, Lhari, or the dead person they brought, whoever he was.

Chase returns after a few minutes with the above report about the mill: it would be tough to traverse that way (those two skill checks I mentioned), but if each of the Dungeon Busters could manage it, they wouldn't be overheard, and they'd be less likely to be spotted. Chase himself crossed at the bridge there and back again and is sure that no one saw him. So it's possible to go that way, too. There doesn't seem to be anybody awake at the mill, but its doors and window shutters are closed tight. Using the bridge like he did would take them close to the Inn of the Slumbering Serpent's winehouse, but it's late enough that no one seems to be up and drinking at the Inn, so it's unlikely that the owner would come out for more bottles and happen to see them sneaking past. Either route they take, once past the mill the lakeshore curves north and west, and there are no buildings for a couple of bowshots.