29 May 2020 The party deliberated over their next course of action, weighing options between investigating the mysterious lighthouse or the recent orc attack at Butterskull Ranch. Eventually, they decided on the latter. But they also learned new details about Norbus and Dazlyn, specifically, the Dwarf prospectors came to town with a small crew of laborers, none of which were seen at the excavation site. Additionally, the party was approached by one of Big Al Kalazorn's ranch hands. He told the party about the orcs' attack and said he saw maybe a dozen orcs before he fled and brought news to Phandalin. Armed with this knowledge, the party headed toward the ranch. Within the ruins of Conyberry, the party saw three unsaddled riding horses, branded with BAK. Matthias attempted to approach them, but they were spooked by his manner and fled from the Druid. Yes. Fled from the Druid. Later, Matthias had an opportunity to redeem himself when he approached a cow, also branded with BAK. Matthias talked with the cow, Petunia, and learned a bit more about the attack at Butterskull Ranch. Matthias removed the Petunia's bell and urged her to walk toward Phandalin, where she hoped she would receive a warm welcome from Charles the Ox. Petunia was reluctant to travel by herself, but Matthias reassured her and she went on her way. Travyn omenously reassured Matthias it would soon be Petunia's time... Finally, the party arrived at Butterskull Ranch and did some preliminary reconnaissance, mostly through Cormac's owl familiar, Gladys. They saw pigs wandering in the fields, five slain ranch hands and two slain orcs sprawled out on the road, and evidence of a large group of live orcs occupying the outhouse, eating all Big Al's steak and stinking the place up! Eventually, Bjorn and Chiao rescued Big Al from the cellar, Simplejack Divine Smited one gastro-intestinally-challenged orc as it was exiting the outhouse (destroying the toilet in the process), and the party ambushed a second orc who came out and discovered its dead companion and the thrashed outhouse. The party eliminated the second orc, but not before the orc cried out in panic, "Oh, Elfspittle!, Mukluk's head is smashed in!  But more importantly, He DESTROYED the shitter, too!" *** PCs present: Bjorn, Cormac, Chiao, Matthias, Simplejack, and Travyn Items gained: Sundry gear from Barthen's provisions and one cowbell engraved with Petunia's name.