Wake will double dash the direction he watched Ariana disappear.

Ariana suddenly recognizes the charlatan elf, and calls out again, "Elwyn! Come see who it is!" She retains her defensive posture as she isn't sure of the elf's nor the dragonborn's intent.

Wake - You find Ariana staring down a large Dragonborn man. There are two halflings behind Ariana and a familiar face behind the Dragonborn. The mushroom peddler from the Dreadwood. He is staring disbelievingly at Ariana as you approach.

Gorik - You see a green skinned man in full plate armor charging down the corridor in your direction. He stops and stands next to the elven woman protectively, huffing from the exertion.

All - The elven man sees Wake's face and says to Gorik, "These are the ones who robbed me! They're probably in league with our captors!" He points accusingly around Gorik at Ariana and Wake.

Wake skids to a stop and let’s out a gasp at the peddler’s accusation.

”Robbed you? Robbed you? Says the thief!” Wake blurts out.

“Are you this charlatan’s muscle?” Wake asks the Dragonborn. “You should choose your company more wisely.”

Wake raises his shield to protect himself, Ariana and the small shadows he peripherally sees behind Ariana.

Wake - The elven man practically spits, "You took my belongings by the point of a crossbow bolt aimed at my heart! What else would you call it!?"

Kulogall comes running up behind Wake, hearing the commotion.  “You!  Didn’t I tell you that I never wanted to see you again!  You trickster!  You liar!  Ariana, who are these people?”  

Kulogall is weakened but he takes a defensive stance and awaits further enlightenment, scowling at the elf charlatan.

All - The elven man yells, "Oh ho! The entire thieving party is here!" He says this as he hides partially behind the large Dragonborn.

“Good sir Dragonborn, I don’t know who you are, but that elf hiding behind you deserves to be locked up.  I would not trust him.  We have direct knowledge that he is a thief, a charlatan, and a cheat.  My name is Kulogall, I am from Alaron and these are my companions.  Perhaps we could help each other.  But the elf behind you we cannot trust!”  Kulogall says hurriedly.

“Confiscation is what I’d call it! How many did you injure with your wares? Some would consider relieving an assassin of his poison an act of righteousness, but I’m sure you wouldn’t.”

Wake shifts his attention to the Dragonborn again, “Are you in league with this criminal?”

Snarling, Gorik looks the crowd up and down and looks back at the elf. "Did you... lie to me? I SAID NO FUNNY BUSINESS!!!"

Gorik grasps the elf: Athletics 23

*Assuming a successful grab*

"This little cretin LIED TO ME!!! Do what you will to him, but you will not be putting Gorik Scalebane back in a cage without a FIGHT!!!"

Gorik - The elf screams in terror and tries to pull away, "Wha-What!? No! They took my things!" He pulls with a strength born of fear, surprisingly mighty for his wiry frame, but not mighty enough to free himself from your grasp. You have a hold of him and he is grappled.

Athletics check: 7

Gorik, with the elf in tow, looks back to the crowd. "Well? This puny elf for my freedom? Do we have a deal, Kulogall of Alaron?"

“Aye, we do.  Let’s lock up this elf before he does anymore harm, until we figure out what to do with him.  Just wait until you see this murderous crew in the other room, we are still sorting them out.  We can get you some equipment too in just a minute.  It is nice to meet you Gorik.  I’ll want to hear a little more about how you ended up in this place, when we have a moment to rest.  But first, since you have a good grip on him, can we put him in one of those cages first?”  Kulogall gives a stern look at the charlatan elf.  “I told you that I never wanted to see you again.  I’m sure you would be right back to your swindling ways.”

Reluctantly, Gorik responds, "Fine by me, I'm sure we can find appropriate shackles too." Casually, gripping the elf, Gorik drags him along looking for a cage while also seeking out an exit. "Apparently, I was brought here against my will. All I remember is feasting with my kind when I fell ill. I suspect poison but I cannot be certain. Where are we? I've been trapped in that cage for days maybe weeks."

Ruby will stay back with Daveth, keeping an eye on the tied up slavers and unconcious Sanbalet. She will sit down with her back against the wall, trying to rest a little, while the others are resolving the situation with the slaves.

Wake lowers his shield with a relieved grin when he sees the Dragonborn seize the miscreant elf.

”That’s a relief.” He mutters.

With the shield lowered, Gorik sees that although heavily armored, the wearer is bloodied and doing his best to put on a brave front and not fall over due to sustained injuries. It probably wouldn’t have been much of a fight had he decided to fight his way past.

“Gorik, is it? My name is Wake.” He says with a slight, pained bow.

“No, I’m sure there’s no cage that would long contain you. But cages are perfect for this fellow” Wake points to the grappled elf, “And the few slavers we’ve left alive.” Wake says as he motions over his shoulder towards the passage he had just come from.

”We are under an abandoned mansion outside the community of Saltmarsh. We haven’t yet secured these caves and would certainly appreciate your assistance, though the exit is up those stairs, should you wish to leave.”

As Ariana calls out for him Elwyn comes running hurridly. As he reaches Ariana and the others Gorik see a young half-elf with brown hair, eyes and a small goatee to match, wearing a now a bit torn green cloak over a white shirt, leather pants and soft boots, holding a weird looking wand shaped like a tentacle in his hand. As the half-elf sees the snake-oil salesman he is actually relieved. He just chuckles and stands back. "Oh I don't think he's quite that much of a threat to anyone, but I guess it would feel a bit safer with having him in a cage while we take care of the rest of the slavers." He says calmly as Gorik grabs the elf. "I'm Elwyn by the way..." Elwyn says to Gorik with a nod. "...Elwyn Wordsmith, at your service. Would you consider helping us out with taking care of these slavers Gorik. It seems you have more reason than most to settle a score with them." He says to the mighty dragonborn.

Elwyn then turns to the halflings by Ariana. "And who have we here? Nasty slavers who would send us all into slavery I presume?" He says jokingly.

As the charlatan elf is being put in the cage, Kulogall turns to the two halflings in tow behind Gorik.  "And who might you be?  How did you end up in here?  Were you poisoned or captured as well?  I think they had a life of slavery in mind for you.  Why don't you stay with us until we can lead you out of this place?"  He turns to the others and says "Did anyone check out that other passage heading south?  I know that Xolo is not too far away, but he seemed to be heading out to a ship, I'm turned around in this house, which direction is the sea from here?"

"This is Flotsam and Jetsam, talkative halflings that'll get along with you just fine, Elwyn," Ariana says with a wink.

Ariana follows Gorik to one of the in tact cages and locks it with the key after he throws the elf into it. She'll stand guard, sitting near the northern passage trying to stay within earshot, as the rest of the party deals with Gorik, the halflings, and the living slavers.