After looting the cave, including a couple of scrolls written in abyssal, elven, and orcish, Elster mapped the place and they rejoined the party. The party traveled west for a couple more hours and then camped for the night, just off the road in the woods. They awoke the next morning and continued their journey to Veg Kurlln. In the early/mid morning they approached a group of Shuror Shepherds traveling east, with 100+ animals and 20+ “Shepherds” [Shuror Shepherds are actually young warriors]. They met a merchant at the front of the group named Thulgrud Woldbeard, who sold Nikon, Bardman, and Helios horses while Ughragog decided to buy an ox. After talking for a minute, they learned a tiefling merchant dealing in rare and magical creatures was at the end of the convoy, and they traveled west to meet her. Mithgoria had orange skin with a black cloak and robes, and was escorted by 6 tieflings also with black cloaks/clothing who were wielding longbows. Helios spoke with her in infernal and had her translate the scrolls which talked about some coordinated attacks from Girkchar on the Corrive border, and another scroll talking about an exiled fire giant who had been released into Shevorth as a punishment, but also to damage them as much as possible. After surveying her animals including a giant goat, griffin, dire wolf, fire beetles, worgs, giant bat and an owlbear, Bardman and Ugh decided to purchase the dire wolf. She told him the wolf was not trained for combat, at she didn’t train her animals for war, but could possibly be taught to do so. Afterwards the party continued on to Veg Kurlln and the Maiden’s Mace Inn. Veg Kurlln, the Maiden’s Mace. [From my notes] Located in Veg Kurlln, east of a major crossroads. The street outside is lined with monstrous skulls impaled on spears. The inn is a large single storey stone building, with a yellow tile roof and dwarf-wrought iron tables and chairs. A collection of tankards from many lands sits upon a shelf. The innkeeper is a short human named Charder Firefall, his wife is Yokdre Firefall and they have two children, twin girls named Groona and Thargra. Charder is not of the merchant’s caste, but actually of the soldier’s caste. Many normal merchants have time operating this close to the border, so he bought the inn and has been tending it, as well as “educating” new mercenaries to the region when they arrive. The first floor has accommodations for the innkeeper, staff, and the VIP rooms, with a large bar and dining area. There is also a small stable area. Underneath the Inn, is both storage and a large common underground basement area with wood cots. The menu consists of 1) Roasted pork & carrots with a tankard of Beer (40 CP) 2) Boiled cabbage with a muge of ale (8 CP) 3) Almond Bread & Soft Cheese with a mug of Cider (25 CP) The party approached the inn and helped take in firewood. They talked with both Charder and his wife Yokdre. When she found out the party were escaped prisoners of Corrive she felt quite bad for them and offered them a few nights sleep for free. In addition, Elster gave Charder some of the orc “personals” he had scavenged as proof of the group they’d slaughtered, which also bought the party some good will with the Shuror people. The party decided to stay a couple days in friendly and safe territory, so Elster moved on down the road. The first night a group of mercenaries came in called the Jumping Jackals. They met Ignag a half-elf scout and her CO, Gefri a dwarf scout and captain of their scouts. He apologized for a situation where one of the mercenaries tried to loot coins from drunk Nikon. The situation resolved itself with Ugh grabbing the thief and their new dire wolf pet “Cuchulain” grabbing the thief by the nether regions. After a couple days of rest, the party met up with a dwarven monk named Amin (AE-MINE) and 6 other monks escorting 20 refugees to the west. After talks of the fire giant to the south, the party decided it might be best to avoid that situation. The party is now traveling west to Rhoghnah.