The Heroes' Journey Begins (in Merivale)

Just as the Goblin plucks a handled parcel wrapped in a ratty cloth from the pile of belongings, Thorne's arrows find their mark. *Thwip! Thwip!*

"Nooooooooooo...." are the last words the creature ever utters as it faceplants into the pile of Goblin stuffs.

The parcel hits the ground and then rolls a few times before coming to a stop. From where you're standing you can just make out a tiny sound that sounds like a squeak coming from inside.

Caldra slows her pounding spring and settles her hope as she move to examine the parcel, shield at the ready but hope pushing he on.
Identify yourself she calls out gently, hoping for some confirmation of life and allegiance. When the others arrive she will then move to set free what she assumes to be the captive Moonblossom.

From inside the wrapped bundle, you hear a tiny highpitched voice say, "Help?"

Caldra cautiously and carefully unwraps the bundle

Caldra unwraps the bundle to find a small cage with magical inscriptions carved into the top. Inside, is a tiny being with iridescent wings looking a bit tousled but otherwise seemingly unharmed.

"Are you here to save me? Please tell me yes. Traveling with Goblins.... yeesh." She shudders a bit at the recollection, and then adds with a quick curtsey, "I'm Moonblossom, Fairie of the Golden Oak of Merivale."

Caldra nods agreement and she sets the faerie free. We were in the tavern when the goblins attacked. The townsfolk asked us for aid and we came as quickly as possible.

Do you know why they captured you and how many there were or if they worked with any others? Caldra asks curious as to the source of the trouble

Moonblossom smiles a beaming smile that seems to light up and refresh her whole being. "Thank you! No, I don't know why they captured me, but it sounded really bad. They kept saying something about 'juicin' da fayree,' whatever that means. But I'm sure its not pleasant for the 'fayree.' Also, this evening they were arguing about where to take me. Or to whom, rather. It was all very grunty and nasty."

Thorne offers the faerie a small nod, the corner of his mouth lifting just a touch. "Glad you’re safe," he says simply.

He doesn’t linger on the moment, though. With the danger ended, habit takes over. Thorne strikes flint to steel and lights a torch, its flame pushing back the darkness around the campsite. He moves among the scattered goblin belongings with careful efficiency, nudging packs and sacks aside with his boot, inspecting weapons, bundles, and odd trinkets for anything useful—or anything that might explain who the goblins were working for and where they meant to take Moonblossom. His eyes stay sharp, alert for both clues and threats, even now.

The search of the Goblin camp doesn't reveal too many surprises - ratty (and egregiously funky) bedrolls, food unfit for human consumption, a short sword for each one of them, some whetstones, various Goblin kachibachis and trinkets, and a few gold pieces. The one interesting item is a crude map with strange symbols on it that you find in the ratrider's saddle bag. Perhaps most interesting about this item is the handwritten note, scrawled on the back, which reads: "Tell Pinky he better not come back without my ingredients! WE HAVE AN AGREEMENT, KROGG! —Greenthumb."

Thorne turns towards the group.

"Perhaps we should escort Moonblossom back to the village, rest, equip ourselves and talk about this," he says, giving the map to Caldra, Kessa and Vilde.

Vilde rubs one of her many sore spots. "I could do with a nice hot meal and night in a warm, real bed."

Taking the map from Thorne, she considers it, but realizes she's not familiar enough with the area to make sense of it, and hands it to Caldra.

Glances at the map with a confused look without taking it before glancing around at the thick gloom of night.
Aye, a rest would be good but . . . . Do we stay her the night or head back now? This forrest can be dangerous and I am unfamiliar with the area.

Moonblossom , can you help guide us back to your home? Caldra aska as she gathers up the weapons in camp, taking a sword as a backup weapon for herself.

"Of course I can! I can give us some light too," she adds with a bright smile. "But if we run into any bad guys, I'll leave that to the experts. I'm not much for violence - I'm more the fly away type." She laughs and it almost sounds like tinkling bells. She might be a bit disheveled, but her merry fae spirit is clearly still intact.

With a flutter of her wings and a wave of her hands, Moonblossom begins to glow with the light of a full moon, but somehow warmer, and you can feel that warmth extending into your hearts and spirits as well.

"Oh, you're hurt!" she exclaims suddenly, looking at Vilde. "I can help with that too, but only once a day." She flutters over to the mage and boops her nose with a tiny finger. The glow begins to spread from her body, enveloping Vilde and causing her hair to briefly float as if on a strong updraft. When the glow dissipates, all her injuries all healed.

"Shall we go home?"

If everyone is well and willing, Thorne helps Moonblossom and leads them back to Merivale

Caldra sighs as they trudge on, her wounds from the fight at the village still lingering and a good long test sounds like the best medicine, but a bit of faerie magic wouldn't have been unappreciated.

Moonblossom leads you through the Elderwild and back to Merivale with no major encounters. A few night creatures, but nothing overly aggressive. You arrive in Merivale just as the sun is rising and the town is coming to life. You know it won't take long for word of your return and Moonblossom's safe rescue to reach every corner of the place.

"They're back! They're back!"

"Moonblossom is safe! She's home!"

"They did it! Come see!"

Before the inevitable chaos and celebration ensues, Moonblossom flutters up to the boughs of her tree and plucks a golden acorn from it and returns to the heroes. "Please, take this as a token of my gratitude. Use it when fortune seems to fail you and you need the luck of the fae. Only one grows at a time on my tree, and they take a full season to mature. May you never need it, but if you do, may it bring you success, safety and happiness." She hands it to Caldra, then flutters to each of you, giving you a tiny kiss on the cheek and a personal thank you.

Golden Acorn: 1 use. Grants a free reroll of any die, be it yours, a compatriot's, or an opponent's.

With a smile as big as the rising sun, she says, "I must say hello to all my people and let them know I'm safe and well - thanks to you. You might do to get some rest if you can, I'm sure there will be quite the celebration in your honour tonight."

With that, she goes to address the townsfolk as they begin assembling in the square and the air begins to be filled with cheers and celebration.

Whatever you choose to do, by evening, a great feast is thrown in your honour - with more food and drink then you've seen in..., well, maybe ever. You are clapped on the back, hugged, and kissed also more times than you can ever recall as the festivities carry on into the late hours, moving from the square to the Inn as night falls. Somewhere during all that, the Mayor gives you the remainder of your reward, and tells you that you will ever be welcome in Merivale, and the youve earned the undying appreciation of all its citizens. It's not until the wee hours that you are finally able to get yourselves to bed without someone thrusting a drink in your hand and toasting you, but finally you do. And when you do, you sleep the sleep of those who know they have done a good thing, done it well, and that their efforts have been noted and deeply appreciated.

GM Note: Before we go on to the next chapter, all of you have earned a level up! Look over the options on your character sheets and pick whatever sounds good and/or fun. If you have any questions, let me know in the other thread. By morning, since you had a Safe Rest, all of your HP are restored and you heal 1 Wound (if you have any).