As the party begins to cross the Oselbridge they notice that there is smoke rising from a couple chimneys in two pf the four buildings on the left side, that there is a small campsite with firepit in front of the buildings, that there is a wagon parked in front of the buildings with a couple men cleaning and maintaining it, and that there are several pavilions standing to the right of the road with several armed and armored men around them. The pavilions, their pennons and banners, and the tabards worn by the men are green and gold with stars and spears. None of the party can recall which clan this heraldry represents. They estimate more than a dozen men visible around the tents, and likely more within. Two of the pavilions have smoke rising from the central top vents. More than a dozen horses are tied off grazing or drinking, some being curried.
When the party completes their crossing, Hjalgrimm peels off to the right while the rest head toward what appears to be the trading post.
Hjalgrimm greets the men heartily, and they return the greeting. He asks about the heraldry and they explain that these are the colors of Clan Firith held under the King of Kaldor by Orsin Firith, Baron of Kobing and Lord Warden of Oselmarch, and that they are the Warden's Patrol. Hjalgrimm asks what brings the patrol to Oselbridge and they explain that they patrol to this location and back to Kobing periodically to keep the roads safe for travelers. Eventually Hjalgrimm sits down at their fire to trade stories about their scars. Over the next couple of hours Hjalgrim learns about some of the buildings at Kobing. There is a very obnoxious Halfling blacksmith named Briadoc, and two inns. One, the Damsel and Dragon, is pretty popular with merchants and travelers. The other, the Road Warden's Inn, is named after Lord Firith, and a retired sergeant missing his left hand runs a tight ship. Popular with the military. Oh, and there is an eccentric old Apothecary woman named Sabyne. Most think she's crazy, but these guys think she's crazy smart.
The rest of the part heads into the Trading Post. They tie off all of the horses to the posts outside. When they enter they see a huge man, bald with many tattoos, helping to unload and inventory a recent delivery. He is clearly Drughu, and by the looks of his tats and scars, a very experienced one. The place is rustic and packed with all sorts of gear for adventuring, traveling, and living on the road. It is two stories, with the front third open to the ceiling. There are stacks of lumber wood, firewood, pelts, and skins. There are boxes of torches, candles, jerked and salted meats, boots, belts, caps, shirts, trousers, poles, tinder and flint, and all sorts of metalsmith goods. There are some weapons and armor, but not much.
"I am Grunda, how can I be of service today? Traveling north or south?" They tell him that they're traveling north, are interesting in selling some goods, and getting some lodging. "Well, we have very little lodging here, but for enough coin I can get my crew to rough it by the campfire tonight." "How much?" "Two gold coins per head." The group looks incredulous. They confer and agree that the campfire seems inviting.
"Let's see what you have to sell." The party pulls a pile of goods out of the Bag of Holding: 5 sets of chain armor, 4 shields, a greatsword, 2 lances, 5 longswords, 5 light crossbows with 5 cases and 88 bolts. They also offer up a warhorse with leather barding and 2 riding horses. Grunda tells them he can find buyers for everything but the lances, and calls for one of the stable hands to inspect the horses. When they tell him the horses are in great condition but have Laranian horseshoes he tells the group he'll have to deduct a little to replace the shoes. He does some scribbling on a ledger, then offers the party 650gp for the goods and the horses. They seem pleased, and take the bag of coins. They pay 5 SP to have the horses fed, curried, and stabled for the night.
The party makes camp at one of the campsites on the northern shore of the Osel River.
LONG REST
Nolus 22
In the morning, Rook buys several fishing poles, hooks, and bait from the Trading Post. The group pulls several decent fish out of the river, including a particularly large catfish. Fresh fish is the happy breakfast for the team.
The party heads north on the Genin Trail. Traveling from Oselbridge to Kobing takes one long day. The area is all fields and hills with patches of woods. The party passes through Varden (fortified manor), Tabral, and Mornisar (Hundred Moot fortified manor). A short while after leaving Mornisar (late afternoon) the party spots a broken down covered wagon on the road about 80 meters ahead.
They continue moving forward until they are about 40 yards away. They can see that there is a covered wagon on the side of the road with a large man, probably a Drughu, holding up one corner by the axle. He appears and sounds to be straining to hold it up. He has a large maul strapped to his back. Standing next to him is a diminutive woman, probably Sindarin, in fancy clothing, straining to lift a large wagon wheel onto the axle. She is clearly not succeeding. She wears a lute on her back. They also see a large creature laying in the road near the wagon, between the wagon and the party. It looks like a huge bear with the head of an owl. Weyliri tells the team that she has heard of these creatures, called Owlbears, and that they can be very dangerous. The party observes for a few moments and decides that the creature is not threatening to the people at the wagon. The group continues to advance, with Hjalgrimm in the front.
The woman with the wagon wheel notices the party and calls out "Oh, thank Yashain, help has arrived! Oh, please let there be a good, strong man who can lend us his strong arms and back!" She says all of this in a sing-song manner, seeming overly dramatic. Weyliri grins and says "Oh, I recognize this one - 'The Tragedy of Baroness Belfrey'!" She then sings the next line "Why, oh why, can mine own man not show me his strength? Wherefor is his love for me misplaced?"
By this time Hjalgrimm has moved up next to the owlbear and asked for the creature's name. The lady tells him she is called "Fluffy." The owlbear turns its head to the lady, then back again. Hjalgrimm reaches out to pet the creature. At this point, Rook has advanced on the left, and Faelon has advanced on the right.