Kendra acquired as much privacy as she could to sleep, which admittedly wasn't much, but she had difficulty sleeping easily among strangers. Difficulty sleeping peacefully at all, lately.

She dreamed of an endless night sky blanketed with distant stars, impossibly vast and empty and cold. Despite the stars it all seemed so terribly, terribly dark. The chill of it cut right through her, though it was nothing next to the feeling of falling, plummeting endlessly. She wanted to scream, but there was no air in her lungs. She tried to reach out for something, anything to grab on to, but there was nothing within a thousand miles.

Kendra woke in a cold sweat, breathing heavily, sometime before the sun came up. Her hand gripped the handle of her dagger tightly, her knuckles bone-white. I'm trying, she thought, as she got up and gathered her things. But you haven't exactly given me much to work off of.

She pulled on her jacket, shimmering amethyst in color, a tough but flexible leathery material, and then her heavy cloak over it. After securing a quick breakfast for another silver piece, she headed outside into the cold. It felt like the sweat on her cheeks was going to snap freeze, and a sting managed to reach her eyes. Kendra endured it, found a spot of privacy, and with basic magic cleaned herself up, put her appearance back together, removed all trace of any rough night.

By the time she returned, walking tall and calmly, the rest of her group had assembled. "If you're all finished, we should get moving."

"Finished? I never got to eat." sighed the halfling, as his stomach growled.
"Plus, I been thinking about this Chwinga, isn't it like a faerie of sorts?, well....um, how is she gonna experiment on it?, will it hurt or kill it?"
The halfling reached across the table towards Kythor's bowl, "Mind if I lick that?"
"I don't wanna be part of a team who hunts down innocent faeries to be experimented on, how would you like it, if you were a chwinga?"

Upon hearing Jitter's request to finish off what little soup he had left, Kythor shrugged and pushed the bowl towards him. "Finish it," he said. Shifting in his seat so one leg rested horizontally across his foot, Kythor leisurely sipped from his ale while he waited for Jitter to finish. Jitter, it seemed, was also concerned about the welfare of the chwinga. While Kythor himself couldn't say for sure whether or not Dannika Greysteel had evil intent with the chwinga and her research, he didn't see much point in thinking too much about it. "We're bein' paid to deliver a chwinga to her, and as far as I care, that's where it ends. We can sit here thinkin' about the 'what-ifs' or whether or not she's mistreating them 'til sundown, but at the end of the day it doesn't really change that much," Kythor explained. "As for how I'd feel if I was in it's seat... Well, for them, that's just life. At least we're merciful enough to the little guy to not kill him once we've got him in our grasp. Really, better they run into us than a natural predator," Kythor chuckled. Admittedly, he wasn't thrilled with the prospect of taking a chwinga captive and delivering it to a human, but he needed to restock everything he'd lost, and the only way he could do that was with money. Besides, so long as Dannika had no plans to abuse or mistreat it, Kythor saw no reason to object.

Turning to face the others, he gave them a brief nod. "Looks like you two are ready to go," Kythor said. "Once Jitter finishes his breakfast, I suppose we'll all be ready to begin our trek. Hope the three of you don't mind a bit of walkin'," he snickered. "Sounds like we've got a ways to go." With that, Kythor slung off his backpack to double-check and make sure he had everything with him. He didn't imagine anybody had stolen anything from him, but better he make sure he has everything he needs before beginning their journey than realize he was missing something crucial halfway there.

Mathews was in agreement with Kythor and planned to worry more about the morality of it all after they start out on their job. Ready to make at least some type of name for himself in these frozen lands was at the front of his mind at the moment and there wouldn't be any tales about a group of folk chatting in a tavern. "More used to walkin than sittin, it'll keep us warm anywho" Theodorick says collecting his gear and preparing for what might be ahead of them.

Jitter tilts the bowl up and slurps the remaining stew down.
"Aaaaah, that was refreshing, thank you Kythor, *Belch*
Rubbing his hands clean on his trousers, Jitter speaks up "Ready when you are."
He hops down from the chair, and wobbles over to his prized fishing pole.
"Can't leave this here, paid too much for it to be stolen by thieves."
Resting it over his shoulders as if he was using it like a rack to carry pots.
"Shall we?"

drive.google.com/file/d/1HlHKWU_EMFgq…

The party gathers and sets out for Easthaven through the Easstway. The snow of the path was up to their calfs and the wind was still. Through the darkened sky few stars were shining through the magic enchantment of the frozen goddess. Any who had heritage that made seeing through the dark easier had a better time seeing in the dim light. Those who were not so blessed would need to light lamps or a torch.

The path was pretty clear regardless of the lighting, this being more to the fact of the dog sleds that ferried goods and people across this area. A few other travelers pass by the party as they proceed along the road, but none stop to converse seeming set on getting to their destination.

The party arrives at the edge of Easthaven close to 1pm, the days twilight now making it easier for everyone to see. Towards the center of town a crowd is gathering around a person

Jitter pointed at the crowd,"Wonder what's going on, over there."
"I'll try to get closer and see what's happening.
Rolled 17+7= 24 Stealth
Jitter sneaks and snakes his way thru the crowd, being as small as he is, most people would regard him as a child.
The halfling uses his best talents to move thru the crowd quietly, trying to get a better picture of what was happening.
Once close enuff to see and hear, Jitter used his Cunning Action to Hide.

The journey they took was a peaceful one, something that Kythor could appreciate. For his cutthroat view on survival in the natural world, even he could grow to appreciate the peaceful moments of calm and quiet on the road. As he kept an eye out for danger, he also found himself taking the opportunity to admire the world around them. The stars above glistened, reminding Kythor of the tales the storytellers of the tribe would tell him in his youth. Huddled around a campfire for warmth, they would tell of mere mortals whose feats and deeds were so great that, in death, they were immortalized in the stars. This was so that they would always be remembered as heroes, and so that those who still lived could commune with them in times of difficulty. The ones who shone the brightest, those that could be seen the easiest, were those who had sacrificed themselves for the greater good.

This thought gave Kythor pause, enough to keep him silent the rest of the trip. Not that he had said anything beforehand, that is - he didn't have much to say on this morning.

When their journey ended, and as visibility became clearer across the land, Kythor cleared his throat and rubbed his eyes. "Looks like we've arrived," he said, "and from the looks've it without much issue. Fortune favors us, it seems!" The tiefling quietly chuckled. It was then that he noticed the person being surrounded by a crowd of strangers, and watched as Jitter told the group of his plan to get closer and investigate. While Kythor wasn't immediately inclined to rush headfirst into what was unfolding, his inner curiosity was nagging at him to. At the very least, before he got closer, he figured he could watch and see what was happening first before leaping to action. If he was going to leap into action.

---

Kythor's going to make a Perception check to try and see what's going on from a distance to better decide if he should get involved or not.

Wisdom(Perception) Check:1d20+6=14

@The Large Dumbo

With that check you can see the wisps of flames around the person as it appears the townsfolk have condemned this person to death. You do also here some shouts of murderer among other accusations towards the person.

@HEAVY METAL

You are able to get close enough to see the same sight and hear the same accusations, though you notice that it is robed man bound and gagged to a post in the middle of the pyre. So far you don't think anyone has noticed you.

Both of you know its to late to save the man, and it would probably cause issues with the townsfolk given the current mood of said people.

Theodorick heads towards the crowd, distancing himself from Jitter to keep their connection a secret from any members of the crowd, incase this turns south. Mathews tries integrating himself in the crowd some before asking what the person did to deserve the treatment they're getting.

A woman dressed as a member of the milita, and with some apparent rank, turns to Matthew's.

"This man, a Red Wizard of Thay named Dzaan, murdered some adventures that had previously aided us. The act was done in cold blood. He tried to hide himself with magic be we were able to see through it. Who are you?"

Jitter started to sneak away, until he saw that huge coin purse dangling from some fat rich bafoon.
A wicked grin crept along the side of Jitter's face, as he tried to sneak into the crowd of onloookers. Rolled 10+7=17 Stealth.
roleplayerguild.com/rolls/22151
He dodged in and out of the crowded people, until he was mere inches from the coin purse.
Jitter clicked his thumb against something metallic in his sleeve, and out popped a three inch razored blade. Sleight of Hand 12+7=19.
roleplayerguild.com/rolls/22152

"Farmer turned traveler I suppose" Theodorick says looking the woman over for any better indication of rank or status. "Ya find out why he did it or was everyone eager to skip the trial?" He exclaims taking a look around the crowd seemingly seeing the answer to his question in front of him.

"Not entirely sure why he did it but he also killed a few villages here in town that had talked to the adventures recently about a discovery. Not sure what they found though that would make a man kill several people. This is more of a warning to others not to be doing anything similar. Life's hard enough out here without people killing each other over finding things."

There is much in regards to rank being shown on her clothing.

Jitter pushed his way thru the crowd "Excuse me, little person coming thru."
He crawled between a large mans legs, bumping his head against the man's groin.
"Oopsies, sorry bout that mister."
Finally making his way out of the crowd, he stood behind Mathews and the woman talking.
"Must have been magiked, he didn't scream or anything, why is that?" asked Jitter as he stepped around Mathews and looked at the woman.
"If I was set on fire, I'd scream and beg, yet he didn't make a sound, don't you find that odd?"
Jitter stared at the woman, waiting for an answer.

The woman shrugs. "Wizards are an odd bunch, he could have magical himself but I doubt it. We made sure to take his book, bind him so he cannot use his hands, and gag him so he couldn't cast his spells. Odd as it may be he shouldn't trouble us anymore."

Kendra's relief at having safely arrived at the next town was quickly washed away by the sight that she recognized swiftly enough. A crowd, a pyre, flames... an execution, and a sadistic one at that. She wasn't eager to dive into the crowd like Jitter was, and since Theodorick took the initiative to inquire as to the man's crimes, Kendra lingered at a distance close enough to overhear the conversation, and listened.

Murdered adventurers, murdered villagers, some sort of discovery... Kendra grimaced, feeling the curiosity's pull. She'd never believed in fate before, but as someone who now had forces beyond her understanding guiding her in ways she couldn't predict, it was hard not to see everything she came across as orchestrated. Pulling her hood back, she approached the militia woman. The lack of screaming from the wizard was as unnerving as the execution itself, but she kept a mostly straight face.

"What's been done with the wizard's book? Or any other writings he may have kept?" She paused, briefly considering how much to share of herself. "I'm no wizard but I know a thing or two about magic. Perhaps I could help unravel this."

Jitter looked at Kendra, shaking his head no, but thinking she didnt see him.
"I'm just traveling thru, a fisherman in search of a knucklehead trout."
"This is none of my business, just passing thru." said Jitter as he walked away.
When he passed by Kendra, he wispered "I wouldn't be talkin about magic so loud after what just happened."
He continued walking pass her until he was standing next to Kythor.
"I don't like this place where people are burned alive, we need to leave."

"I gave his spell book to another wizard that was passing through here on her way to Caer-Dineval. A tiefling named Avarice, I think she was an associate of Dzaan. She left earlier today heading that way, not sure what she's looking for there. I'm Imdra Arlaggath, captain of the Easthaven milita."
She looks over Matthews and Kendra some and then at Jitter before shaking her head. "We don't have problems with magic users just ones who murder people who have helped us before as well as other citizens. If you are looking for lodging there is the White Lady Inn, it's close to ferry. If it's food and drink you want, you also have the Wet Trout on the north east end." She gestures first to the general direction of the inn then toward the general direction of the tavern.

"Perhaps the killer wants to try to keep a shred of dignity before he dies," Kythor speculated. "'Far as I care, he's got no place among any on this world. Murderers and those kinds of people... I've no sympathy for them."

Yet as he stared at the burning pyre, he couldn't help but wonder how necessary this all was. If the man was innocent - which Kythor suspected was not the case - then this was a torturous spectacle being put on to amuse the townsfolk. What did burning him at the stake accomplish? Sure, humans and other non-tiefling folk were much more susceptible to fire than he, but they were still taking a risk of having him escape. Aside from that, this method of killing was far too prolonged. The Greyspears never executed anyone for their crimes. But the way Kythor saw it, this was hardly any different than hunting a wild animal. Death should be delivered with a singular strike; be that an arrow to the skull, or a blade to the throat. Ultimately, while this was justice being served, Kythor couldn't help but feel as if this was a gross mockery of it.

Having the sense to keep that to himself, Kythor tuned back in to the conversation at hand. Putting on a brave front, he shook his head to look at Jitter. "We can't leave," Kythor said. "We've only just come here. I'm not real keen on us just wandering around aimlessly either. 'Sides, I assume they only burn the murderers at the stake, so you've got nothing to fear. Right?"

Whether or not this was true didn't ultimately matter, since Kythor figured they likely wouldn't be here too long. The mention of Avarice caught his attention in two ways. First, it reassured him that these people were likely at least tolerant of tieflings. Still, he made no grandiose display of his infernal heritage, just to be safe, even though his horns still stuck from the hood of his cloak clear as day. Secondly, he wondered if perhaps she was involved with this murder somehow...

"We appreciate your direction, Captain," Kythor nodded to Imdra. "We don't know how long we'll be staying in town, but it is still useful to know what accomodations a town has and where to find them. You mentioned something about a tiefling wizard earlier? Avarice, was it? You said she was an associate of this man's," Kythor said, pointing to the pyre. "Is it possible that she was involved in the murders, somehow?" He didn't ask it out loud, but he was questioning the wisdom of giving the spellbook of an alleged killer to one of their associates.