Apparently, we kills a bunch of dragons:

Killed an adult black dragon
Foiled a possible plot to kill the grey lady
Helped a young girl realize her dreams of marriage
Had a rocking good time with some locals
Killed 2 adults red dragons

We are in LongBarrow, where we fought the dragons. I pulled out a dragon slaying arrow and hit a dragon with it (saved). I pulled the GreyLady out of the bag as well.

PhineasTristillian pulls down some walls with magic that helps stop the fire spreading. BonifaciusHolyfeather alone saves the lives of at least 6 people. By the evening, everyone in the party and LongBarrow are exhausted and laying around the fields, recovering. Half of LongBarrow is a smoking ruin. JeranSteele, RyujiHakima and GeldarTheBard are also there.

Next Day

I wake up and notice a fire. GeldarTheBard and PhineasTristillian accompany me. We find a large forest fire heading towards LongBarrow. GeldarTheBard flies back to warn LongBarrow.

I find an old campsite (actually I get lost). I wonder on and find the western front of the fire. I see shapes in the flames. I see small fire beasties helping the fire. I hightail it back to LongBarrow. There are villagers preparing for the fire in the fields. I tell them about the fire beasts. I tell them we will deal the the magic.

I head on into town (GeldarTheBard gives me a ride on his pegasus).

The townsfolk ask BonifaciusHolyfeather to help move wounded into the garrison. The leader of the town has opened his home to the refugee. GeldarTheBard sees licks of fire leaping ahead of the fire (fire elementals, dozens of them)!

Geldar and the Elemental Talk

PhineasTristillian moves over to where GeldarTheBard is talking with the Elementals. He takes aim at the larger elemental.

I find RyujiHakima and tell him about the fire beasts. We head back toward the fire. JeranSteele and RobTheBot follow along, as does BonifaciusHolyFeather.

Fighting the Fire Elementals

The fire starts to die out. About a half mile from LongBarrow.

We walk out of the forest covered in ash and cinders. The mayor gives us drinks from his golden cup (local tradition for heroes). We are tired, but the inn swells with refugees. “We will rebuild and replant” “No dragon will stop us”. GeldarTheBard inspires them with song. I look around the crowd to see if anyone is acting strange or out of place. I see a well dressed man at the end of the bar. He has ordered multiple drinks. He is not a townsperson. He is talking with people in the crowd, and has an incredible smile (he has a gold enameled breastplate). He sports the heraldry of HighTower.

We meet Sir Kelvin Highheart

They perform for the crowd, and SirKelvinHighheart hams it up. Not much dynamic range, but he can follow them as long as they are just as written. Together, they are just amazing! Couple of guys in the crowd “They sound just like Geldar! Great cover band!”

+ Jeran has a talk with Geldar JeranSteele pulls GeldarTheBard aside. * JS: Sorry about the fight. * G: No harm no foul. * JS: of course, you are right. As long as there's no bad blood. * … nicy nicy * … nicy nicy * G: That Dragon trick is amazing. * JS: I can only do that so many more times. Maybe we should be better prepared. Didn't know there were that many of them. * G: We would have prevailed anyways. * JS: Thank you for your confidence. JeranSteele goes outside and turns back into a dragon and enjoys it. ++++ Sir Kelvin Highheart annoys Phineas PhineasTristillian heads to bed, but SirKelvinHighheart point him out: “When I say High you say Heart!” “Come on, I'm pointing at you” * SK: If I don't miss my guess, you are a son of Elden * PT: Yes. * SK: It might be your clothes, etc. etc., but I am sharp and notice these things. How do you find yourself in the KingsHand? * PT: I was raised by elves. * SK: Elves, slaves in Elden, right? * PT: * SK: You are some sort of spy, for the Emperor, right? * PT: No. * SK taps nose * PT (that's a rude gesture), “That's a little much” * SK: “When I say High, you say Heart” and disappears off into the adulation of the crowd. PhineasTristillian goes on to bed. ++++ Undead are about! BonifaciusHolyfeather is brought a girl in a coma. They found her out in the fields. He checks her condition. She on the verge of becoming a zombie. She is dying right now, and when she does, she will be a zombie. He calls upon his god's healing for her mortal wounds. Then he tries to restore her, and her fever subsides. Where did you find her? In a southern field (all the attacks have been coming from the north; towards Trogdor). He asks for JeranSteele and RyujiHakima, who arrive shortly. BonifaciusHolyfeather shows them the girl, and tells them she had undeath. He is worried the next wave is coming. JeranSteele: do you know exactly where she was found? The villagers will show them there to look for clues. They go inspect the field. JeranSteele uses an item to enhance his abilities (fox's cunning). He checks around and finds a single set of heavy boot prints leading off to the south. The field is full of small plant sprouts, no features (bushes, rocks, etc.) near the field. He does find a locket on a leather thong where the girl was laying. The plants in the immediate area is dead and withered (almost in a perfect circle). Inside the locket, they fine a small picture of a woman's bust. Lots of hair on top of her head held in place by a fancy comb. They look at picture, then JeranSteele tries to get behind the picture. He finds a small pressed blue flower. He gently scoops them out and holds it in his hand to protect from the wind. BonifaciusHolyfeather recognizes it is a posy (a la “pocket full of posies”–has a sinister association with plague). They go back to question the girl, but she is in a deep healing sleep. They will let her sleep and check in the morning. BonifaciusHolyfeather: Just in case, can we manacle her? JeranSteele with have RobTheBot look over the girl. They call me over and I get some manacles out of my bag. RobTheBot will wake BonifaciusHolyfeather when she wakes. ---- Next Day ++++ Bonifacius questions Lira of Longbarrow BonifaciusHolyfeather finds her resting. Her eyes open. They are incredibly bloodshot. * BH: What's your name? * L: I'm called Lira. * BH: I'm Bonifacius * L: Am I in trouble? * BH: No, but we have some questions. The manacle is for your protection. * L: Ok. So if I answer questions, I don't have to wear manacles. * BH: Not if you aren't going to harm the villagers * L: No! * BH: I'll take themoff * L: I chased my dog, Oliver out into the field. I … I saw a man standing in the field watching the fires. * BH: Do you remember anything else * L: I never saw his face. He had 3 big arrows coming out of his; what do you call that–Quiver? * BH: Do you remember his face? * L: Well he had a hood … But then I saw a flash of red. His eyes were red! Then I got sleepy. * BH: Can you turn your head

  * Checks for vampire bites.  He finds puncture wounds on her neck.
* BH: Oh my dear, those wounds look most painful
* L
  * Reaches up and touches them
* BH:
  * Heals them.
* L: They're just scabs.
* BH: Do you know where your parents, or husband is?
* L: Oh, I have a husband.

++

Sends her back to the inn. BonifaciusHolyfeather sends RobTheBot to get JeranSteele. BonifaciusHolyfeather is pacing. Tells JeranSteele she was attacked by a vampire. JeranSteele asks if she will be a problem (makes fang motions). BonifaciusHolyfeather describes the man with 3 arrows.

JeranSteele seems to think of the vampires as vermin. BonifaciusHolyfeather describes them as the are here (you know, smart, dangerous, etc.).

The rest of the party shows up. They tell us about the vampires. We all know that about 10 years ago the master vampire was killed and his “children” reverted, with many of them dying. Most believe all vampires are dead.

GeldarTheBard: If this thing is around, we must hunt it down and destroy it. It's too dangers. JeranSteele: We could check the villagers. Should we do it openly? BonifaciusHolyfeather: I'll do medical examinations. We should tell the king, though. We should have more info first. GeldarTheBard: I will write it in the book, so the KingOfMorcant will know.

SirKelvinHighheart shows up: “What are we doing.” BonifaciusHolyfeather checks him out (no bites, but great hair).

We spend some time admiring his hair. HelmetHair.

SirKelvinHighheart would like us to go to HighTower. We have stuff to do here. … GeldarTheBard points out that thing seem to befall people going to HighTower. SirKelvinHighheart: My Head is here. But what you just said: Way over my head.

Some talk about whether or not HighTower uses fire and dragons to protect the realm.

We would like to cast a truth spell.

• We ask him if HighTower employs dragons. (I just really don't know).
• Fire? (Yes, of course, we forge with it, burned a witch or two).
• Living fire (Not sure what that is)
• Are you a vampire (No, more like a [???] soul)
• A simulacrum? (Maybe).
• If there is anything beneath the surface (12 out of 13 times, nothing)
• And the 13th time (usually not good. Not supposed to talk about that).
• Something that might hurt us (1 out of 13 times. The 13th one, has his own ideas, the 12 fear him) Is that who wants us to come to HighTower (I don't know, they behave as one, I just can't tell you).
• Who gave you the order (HighTower)
• What was the wizard's name (He had the seal. I don't know which one, I'm not required to know).
• Describe the seal (Sort of a tower on a cloud, castle in the sky)
• How many pieces are we supposed to arrive in (all the pieces, one pieces, how many pieces do you come in)
• ?? (the former, honored guests).
• do you have your orders (yes, i'm just not supposed to show them to anybody).
• Why don't you recite them (I don't think I will)
• Why not (I was ordered to explicitly not share my orders. Is there a reason why you wouldn't come to your trusted neighbors to the north).
• But how can we trust you (I don't need to know the orders you have from the king)
• [quick talking about extra orders] (He is very confused).
• Do your order specify a time frame (As soon as possible was implied).
• If as soon as possible, it's not possible to do it today. I suggest you go to the inn and take a day off (I'm forced to agree with you. But I'm supposed to be with you, so it's sort of a chicken and egg thing. I'm going to go to the inn. You guys catch up later. Good Talk)

SirKelvinHighheart leaves.

We call over the mayor and BonifaciusHolyfeather checks him (clear). He figures out we are looking for vampires. We ask about nearby running water. No permanent streams. Just on the other side of the mountain, there is a large lake. Mayor points out the vampire would need shelter from the sun. Couldn't be more than 15 miles away in any direction. GeldarTheBard brings out a map of the area. He asks where the vampire might hide. We bury our dead at StoneSpyre. In the mountains, there are DwarvenRuinsOfLongBarrow. We discuss what to do.

SirKelvinHighheart shows up and asks to help. Then he asks to talk to JeranSteele and RyujiHakima. JeranSteele talks to him alone. Vampires. I've dealt with them before. After the vampire, there will be another thing. I recommend you just leave it all behind. It's known that there is always something to do before you go to HighTower. You know (grrrr [finger motions]). JeranSteele marches him out into the village. JeranSteele shows him the scorched houses. It may seem inconsequential to you, but we will take care of our people. We will get to HighTower on our own time. We will not ignore the needs of our people.

• KH: I see it. Really, it's terrible. But is really better to just go.
• J: Your mysteries will not be mysteries forever.
  • Slaps his cheeks
• KH: I liked the part with the fire
• J: <narrows eyes>
• KH: Oh, I said something wrong. Let's wind it back to where we both liked it <finger guns>

JeranSteele: he is trying to dissuade us from helping. GeldarTheBard: I think we attracted the danger. BonifaciusHolyfeather: If we leave, will the vampire leave. We could defeat the vampire then leave. RyujiHakima: There are threats here. But they are growing. It feels like magic … very coincidental. But now that we know there is a threat, it seems we must follow our responsibilities. We must choose head or heart.