02.03 - "This is a rescue?"

Having just untied the prisoners, the party exited the cave, the guard drakes still standing watch. Leofinas and Sir Hector attempted to reason with the drakes in common, drawing confused glances from Bismark. Conversation with the animals getting them nowhere, Bismark attacked, as did the others, and the group narrowly escaped the group of guard drakes with their lives, convincing the prisoners to follow them out and up the hill to freedom. Meanwhile, Gamble was on the north rim of the canyon, causing distractions to pull people away from the others - setting the field on fire, raining down firebolts at the guard tower, before accidentally losing control of his magic and turning into a giant before running off in giant form

[retcon - Brynne and Blak went with the distraction group, Sir Hector came with the rescue group] On the way back to Greenest, they learned from the rescued prisoners that the person tied to the cross was, in fact, Leosin - the monk that Brynne had been searching for and Nesim's companion. The party arrived back at Greenest with the 6 prisoners they recovered around noon, and as the distraction force arrived, got word to Brynne about the monk. After their return, Gamble pulled Governor Nighthill aside and asked if spirits were low in town, and if he could be any assistance in that regard. Nighthill indicated that they were fairly low. "Listen… i happen to, in my travels, have come across a man named Dr Moradin - he provides this reinvigorating potion”, Gamble said, producing a bottle of something, and then managing to sell it to Nighthill for 15 gold.

Meanwhile, Bismark and Leofinas walked to the sanctuary. Bismark dropped some gold coins into the alms box and then went up to the altar to pray and give thanks for the protection in their last battle. As Bismark is praying, Leofinas drops some coin in as well and begins talking to Eadyan Falconmoon, asking him what he might know about the mark that has appeared on his buttocks. Falconmoon points out and warns that if this is some sort of deal between a spirit and Leofinas that they usually do not come without a cost. After a bit, Gamble pokes his head into the sanctuary, looks around and drops some coin in as well.

After they leave the sanctuary, Bismark stops in to see the Swift family, and Linan invites him to stay and eat with them, which he accepts. She orders Cuth to get the meal started, and the group enjoys a meal together and Bismark plays with the kids a little before bidding them goodnight and making his way back to the keep.

When the group eventually goes to sleep, those near Able notice him sleeping fitfully, and mumbling something about fires, graves, and revenge. The party wakes in the morning in varying states of restedness.