They are difficult to make out. You think they are both coming from and going to the tree, but you can't be certain (13 survival check).

Since a dark elf was seen in a tree probably casting the original illusion I would guess there might have been an elf in that tree when Virif was befuddled in the woods.

We can take the gold and maybe the symbols with us. The armor and weapons could be put in the wagons for now - no sense giving them up for nothing if means of transport is available.

Are there any guards left alive or is it just the PCs and the merchant? If so, where is he going to go with the wagons on his own?

Finally, Heironymus will get down to the business of healing characters and the dog. Could I get a list of injuries? Or can I just say he casts whatever heal spells are needed? I'm guessing I need to choose which spells I am converting into healing spells, correct?

The symbols are etched into the breast of their armor, so to take them with you you would have to take the leather breast piece.

As far as injuries:
Marga - 8
Virif - 3
Allyn - 3
Kyara 3

Apparently my damage dice really like 3's...

And yes, you'll have to decide what spells you convert.

Of the caravan guards: There were 3 plus the PCs. One was slain (Harl), the other two dissappeared at some unknown point, leaving the PCs and the merchant.

You are closer to Maruk than you are to the border of the Illurian Empire, so it could be safely assumed that if he chooses to move from this spot he would be more likely to head back than forward.

As far as injuries:
Marga - 8 Cure Light Wounds (Comp Languages)
Virif - 3 Cure Light Wounds (Obsc. Mist)
Allyn - 3 Cure Light Wounds (Sanctuary)
Kyara 3 Cure Minor Wounds x3 (Read magic, detect poison, light)

A little overkill on the 3 pt wounds, but we might as well start at full strength. Happy to be of service.

It's my experience that a party lives longer if they proceed continually reassessing the facts they've learned. I play with a lot of killer DM's, which is why I'm such a pain in the tooshie player. So to that note before I post I want to get out as much from the little hints given (such as the sense motive check) and in order to do that I wanted to run by you guys all the information we currently have, so I can see what info the merchant might possibly be hiding from us. So we know or at least have inferred and assumed...

The kidnapping of Jocelyn was in fact the purpose of the raid.

Bringing Jocelyn along was not the norm for the merchant. which means...

This raid was a carefully planned and not random attack. Implying...

Someone knew this trip would be different than any of the others. Allowing us to conclude that...

Said someone is either known by the merchant as a close friend or has been spying on the merchant. We can be sure the said someone had personal contact with the merchant instead of handling just his paperwork because the merchant wouldn't have had a reason to state he was bringing Jocelyn with him on the paperwork.

Aryn has had frequent dealings in Illuria yet he's never seen the capital.

The attackers were soldiers of Illuria which implies governing nobility involvement or fake uniforms.

The only person Aryn know of is Eryk Valasin.

And he isn't admitting to any enemies.

Did I miss any facts?

Totally agreed so perehaps following that train of thougt the question tou should ask is Was there anyone encourage him to take Jocelyn with him, or even just hint at it.

I will leave you to ask that question.

Heironymus had tried starting such a list on the game post, so I think this is a good idea. Let me add a few things, although some of these are more questions than facts.

1. We do not know if the girl went willingly or not. There didn't appear to be any sign of struggle.
2. Thus the inside source could be the daughter.
3. We have no idea what the objective might be. (Beyond getting the daughter) Ransom? Politics? Romantic tryst?

Do we have any idea where to go from here? There was apparently no path in the woods, so how do we follow the brigands/dark elves? We know what empire they are supposedly from, but where in that empire/city would we go?

Heironymus just arrived in the area and has only very limited knowledge of even the most basic geography, although he has looked at a couple of maps.

There is a possible trail The dark rlf to ok to the trees I found some broken twigs beneath the tree where there were footptinys.

Yes I agree with you about the daughter's motices So what about her friends.

Ok, I'm with the merchant on this one. Lets get things moving. Shall we head back into the woods and see if we can pick up the trail.

And - I'm assuming the healing spells were cast, or do I need to post more clearly in the game thread for that?

Group - we should probably do a marching order. Heironymus has decent armor and fighting ability and could be toward from or rear. Or perhaps the ranger or Druid at front?

Yes, healing spells were all cast. Everyone is currently fully healed.

Ok, if people are busy I don't mean to be pushy - take time if you need it. But I wasn't sure if I was missing something. Is there something people are waiting on in the game?

It looks to me like the talk is over, the wagons are fixed, healing is done and we need to figure out what to do. My bet is to go back to the trail and follow that. Are there other suggestions?

Or is it simply time to set a marching order and head off into the great unkown?

Well, that was sudden. We go from a good, full game to no posts at all. Where did everyone go? I know I've seen some of you on at least once or twice. So what's the deal? Are people waiting for something from me or what?

I'm here just waiting for some input from the others.

I am hereas well

If people are here (even if it is just the two) then post in the game thread so I have something to go on for an update later today. Otherwise we'll end up skipping 2 updates due to lack of posting.