Episode 6 - "Save the Mill" - 7.10.22
Tensions continue to rise as Furret pleads for his fellow party member, Talik the Aarakocra, to not eat his beloved furry friend, Bueller. Sensing that eating the creature, despite its delicious appeal, would cause harm to his companion, Talik reluctantly returns Bueller. Before the group can decide its next course of action, Eadyan Falconmoon, priest of Chauntea seeks them out to offer his thanks for their services in rescuing citizens of Greenest. He offers a gift of magical rings to Dorugul as a blessing from his Goddess in hopes that it will aid him in the future. Falconmoon offers additional spells of healing and potions of restoration, as well as his services if ever needed in the future.

Sgt. Rock Brodan, still wounded from the earlier encounter, moves to return to the paraphet to seek next commands and the party follows. On the way, Rowan briefly slips into an open door that of one of the two tower stairs that leads to the paraphet. Inside, he discovers dusty crates, one of which holds an old portrait of a blonde elven woman, wearing a chest plate and ruby-hilted weapon. Upon further inspection, Rowan notices that the back of the portrait contains unknown writing and symbols. Pocketing the item, he slips back in with the group, but not before grabbing Furret to help attempt at opening the second stairwell door which remains locked.

Before they can reach the paraphet, Castellan Escobert the Red, intercepts and asks the group for their help in protecting the town mill which may be in danger of burning by the raiders. The party agrees and heads immediately through the sewer exit and out into the night again. Their journey to the mill is mostly uneventful as many of the raiders have now left with their loot and citizens have either found shelter or fled. However, with the help of Talik's aerial sight, the adventurers find a family of three hiding in a barn near the millhouse. Despite the help of Riggie who lofts himself on the Half-Orc's shoulders, aiming to present their group as adorable and helpful, Dorugul and Rowan are unable to convince the family to trust their advice for safety. They move on to the mill, also choosing to ignore a nearby group of cultists being chased by a pack of hunting mastiffs.
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Approaching the mill, the group immediately jumps into combat, attacking the raiders that they find burning small stacks of wood set in piles around the mill. Despite their renewed energy from healing and potions, party members take on injuries, including Dorugul who is hit with a vicious Inflict Wounds cast by a Cultist Mage. Roel and Furret provide range cover for their tank companions- Drift, Rowan, and Dorugul, who immediately entangle in melee against the enemy. Riggie mocks the Dragon-Dogs by mimicking their acid attacks, while Talik attempts to use his martial skills with his quarterstaff but finds his fists to be the most effective weapon. The lateness and exhaustion of the night begins to show again, as the raiders hold their ground much longer than the group anticipates; however, they soon realize that their quest to protect the mill is not yet over as someone spies a potential new threat inside the mill…