"I am servant of my people," Snapjaw says with a bow to Kalisia. "Bullywugs killed Sunny's father. She took his place and now leads the free lizardfolk. Half our people are still slaves to the cult at Castle Naerytar. Some have been captured by yuan-ti. Help us free our people, and we will help destroy enemies."

can i say something?  you don't me asking...snapjaw are familiar you with my kind cause if not i can help you in future problems or battles

Having bound (so it can’t poison) and secured the remaining pureblood, Valek pulls it over to the rest of the group.  “I like to think this one will be of some value, as well, in figuring out what is going on here.”

Looking back and forth between Kalisia and the newcomer, “I’m glad to see nothing transpired between the two of you.”  Resting his gaze on the elven Ranger, Valek introduces himself, “I am Valek E’en, Warrior Cleric of Selune. Well met.”

Kalisia will respond to the bow of Snapjaw with a graceful curtsy and reply, "Slavery is something that should be condemned and dealt with. As a former inhabitant of the underdark, I'm certainly aware of its multifarious consequences."

She sends a questioning look towards Valek as if she wanted some sort of explanation for the irrelevant comment.

(@NOBLESAVAGE, Kalisia hasn't acknowledged the elf ranger yet, so nothing should transpire between them.)

(ooc: @inkedbee…Gotcha. Thanks for the clarification. 👍)

Erephema clasps her hands together "there is much to do.  Should we question the pureblood, and come up with a plan to journey to Castle Naeryter?  Is there anything in the Warehouse worth checking out?  Anybody need any healing?

“Based on what Pete told use and the suspicious behavior of the others, I think we’d be remiss if we didn’t check out the warehouse while we’re here. But, let’s hear what these folks have to say, first.”  Valek looks to Snapjaw. “Are these supplies from the warehouse?” “How is this location and those who work here involved?”

"Yes," Snapjaw replies to Valek. "Supplies from warehouse, meant for cult at castle. We take before others come so we can take to village. Bog Luck work for cult, sets apart good stuff for cult and marks with dragon." Snapjaw indicates one of the packages.

Valek ponders Snapjaw’s response before continuing his inguiry, “Is the Captain or any others involved?  Or, aware, specifically, of what’s going on?”

(ooc: Did the merchant group give the party any instructions on how/when to notify them once we figured out what was happening to their shipments?  And, the authority/latitude granted us, in which to act?)

Kalisia Wongbe

"Finally, the opportunity has arrived to invade the castle. We must take advantage of it."

Kalisia exclaims with excitement when Snapjaw reveals the fact about supplies. She rubs the palm of her hands together while pacing the ground, a gleaming look of antipathy is visible in her eyes... red eyes glowing like enchanted talisman. She looks at the smallest companion and suggests, "We can hide Fytos inside one of these crates and send him into the castle. When the guards of the cultists' castle are less aware of their surrounding or just distracted by something, Fytos will open the gates from inside. Then we sneak in and kill the cultists one by one."

OOC: The merchants simply said to report back to them once you found out what was happening to the shipments and gave you the authority to retrieve and return whatever supplies  you could which were being taken from the road builders.

"All I know of the Captain and his guards," Snapjaw explains to Valek, "is they were to guard the supplies as far as Carnath Roadhouse then go on to Neverwinter as they have always done. I do not think they know of cult or castle. We take supplies to village now. Cultists be here soon." He says something to the other lizardfolk, who in turn pick up their packages and begin heading into the swamp.

Kalisia? Valek? Erephema? What's going on? What are you doing? Do you decide to follow and maybe help the lizardfolk? Do you want to invade Castle Naerytar on your own? Do you report back to the Captain of the Guard? What are you going to do about Bog Luck and his Dragon Cult associates? Or is ridding the Mere of Dead Men of the yuan-ti more important to you?

Kalisia Wongbe

Kalisia seems undecided about the next course of action. She couldn't complete a long rest, and she's spent a significant amount of arcane energy for casting spells repeatedly against the yuan-ti opponents. To sum up, she would prefer to rest for awhile before trying to follow the rebels or ambush the cultists.

"Snapjaw and Sunny, do you have a comfortable place in your village where we can rest for the night? I don't feel safe here after learning about Bog Luck's involvement in the conspiracy. In fact, I've never trusted these people."

(ooc:  @DM… Thank you for the nudge.)

Valek ponders all the options for a long moment, before turning to Snapjaw and his companion. “Before your people move out with the crates, let me confer with my friends, first.  There several things we must quickly discuss.”  An expression of realization flashes across Valek’s face as he is about to turn away.  “Oh, and if you can keep an eye on this one for a few, it’s be helpful.”  Valek nods appreciatively at the two before motioning for his teammates to gather around.  Looking at each of his teammates, he begins.  “Okay, here’s what I’m thinking.  What other options should we consider…?”

(@Everyone…Hi, everyone. This would normally be a great role play opportunity but our posts have been a little light.  So, I’m going to list my initial thoughts.  Pretend this is the dialogue between Valek and the party.  This is a stream of consciousness, so apologies if some of it doesn’t make sense.)

1. I say we allow the lizard folk to take the supplies, as Bog and his men had already stolen them. It would help the lizard folk, greatly.  So, our story would then be something along the lines of…”some of the yuan-to escaped with the supply crates, presumedly heading to the castle”. Yay? Nay?
2. We speak with the Captain in full disclosure about the situation, what we found out about Bog and the others and their stealing supplies from the warehouse, and the yuan-it/cultists enslaving the lizard folk, in hopes of cleaning up the warehouse mess. (This includes our agreed upon story of the yuan-ti escaping with crated supplies to the castle.) This would include the Captain and his men delivering word to the merchant group.
3. Concurrently, we get word (i.e. full story) back to the merchant group through another means, in case the Captain and or his men are in on it, too. Do we have mystical means to do so?  Or, is this something the lizard folk could assist with? Other ideas?
4. After cleaning up the warehouse mess, or at least leveraging the Captain to do so, I believe we should help the lizard folk, next.  This may touch on bullywog, yuanti-ti and dragon. In future caravan runs could the lizard folk help the merchant caravans in exchange for supplies for their village? TBD.
5. Potential aggregation point in the near future, could all this allow us to later approach the yuan-ti and/or dragon with the help of lizard folk along with the Captain and his men?

"Yes," Snapjaw replies. "Good rest at village, but must go now before more cult arrive."

(@NOBLESAVAGE, Kalisia doesn't want the Captain to get involved in this matter, since she doesn't trust him. Besides, the team doesn't have any evidence to prove the credibility of the story.)

(occ: @InkedBee…I don’t trust him either.  He and Bog seemed a bit too buddy-buddy.  My thought process included the potential of working through him to see if it draws him out, as a co-conspirator.  Meanwhile, our separate (true) message to the merchant group would be delivered through some other means.  I’m definitely open to other options.  What ideas do you have in mind?)

(@NOBLESAVAGE, I like your idea of trying to find the possible involvement of the captain. So, we stay at the roundhouse for the night and create a durable plan. What do you say?)