The Spy in the Road

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What happened

After the Battle of the Bards and the second Ashwood Hollow riot, the party leaves town with food, ale, and a continuing trail of angry witnesses. Dark Bronson confronts them before they can get far, but Grenak's intimidation and Mruno's persuasion turn the situation in the party's favor.

The group travels toward Port Town. They choose the main road rather than wilderness, establish camp, and set Roland's Alarm spell. During the night, six Black Talon mercenaries ride past toward Port Town. Valen recognizes their insignia as hired killers connected to the pursuit from Eldenhold.

Roland then reveals that General Garric Thornvale told him there is a spy within the party. The accusation produces immediate paranoia. Valen suspects Roland, Mruno believes Roland is probably telling the truth, Grenak intimidates Roland, and Reese discusses entrapment. No proof emerges, and the party continues together.

They reach Port Town by afternoon, spot Minotaur Guild members searching the docks, and enter the Bent Coin to rest and plan their next move.

Leaving Ashwood Hollow

The party leaves Ashwood Hollow after the Battle of the Bards. They gather food and drink from the aftermath of the riot, including fried squirrel and ale. Grenak's drums attract attention and make stealth impossible, but the party treats the noise as a useful form of intimidation.

Dark Bronson appears furious and confronts the group. Grenak delivers an intimidating display, while Mruno argues that the party was wronged. The crowd does not turn against the party, and the group escapes with their supplies and bruised egos.

The road and the camp

The party debates the safest route to Port Town and chooses the main road for speed and visibility. Roland wants to camp directly in the road; Valen vetoes the idea and leads the party to a nearby grove.

Grenak complains about demons hiding in trees. Mruno is still wearing a poor disguise. Grenak fails to recognize Mruno, licks the fake nose, and sticks it back on. The party establishes camp, and Roland casts Alarm.

Reese takes first watch and broods quietly. The party remains together but is already showing signs of stress from the pursuit, the riots, and the unresolved conflict with the Guild.

The Black Talons

Roland's Alarm triggers at midnight. The party hides and watches six mounted Black Talon mercenaries pass through the area on their way to Port Town.

Valen recognizes the Black Talon insignia from Eldenhold and identifies them as hired killers. The mercenaries do not notice the party, and no combat occurs. Their presence confirms that the party's escape did not end the pursuit.

“They’re coming for us.”
— Grenak

The spy accusation

Roland reveals that a former army contact told him there is a spy inside the party. He identifies General Garric Thornvale as the source of the warning, although no one can verify that Thornvale actually said it.

The group immediately turns suspicious. Valen's poor Insight result causes him to suspect Roland. Mruno's stronger Insight makes him think Roland is being sincere. Grenak intimidates Roland and demands more information. Reese discusses the problem as possible entrapment.

Grenak attempts to spell “subtly” and turns the word into “C-S-U-B-T-T-L-Y.” The group gets distracted by the spelling lesson and the argument loses some of its intensity. No one identifies a spy, and the party decides to continue traveling together while the suspicion remains unresolved.

“C-S-U-B-T-T-L-Y.”
— Grenak

Arrival at Port Town

The party reaches Port Town in the afternoon. The settlement is a salt-gray harbor filled with crooked piers, sailors, smugglers, mercenaries, and competing rumors.

The party notices the Blowtide Archive, the Shackled Forge, and the Bent Coin tavern and boarding house. Mruno spots members of the Minotaur Guild searching the docks and hides under his cloak.

The party enters the Bent Coin to rest and plan the next stage of the journey. This sets up the meeting with Captain Rhogar Skyscale and Kayla Voss.