Bronk is found and brought over from his capering about. He teases Tholin by acting like he is going to piss on him again. When asked about keys by Erbert he says, “Keys…,.purple tents (points to green tents).”
Hoid lays hands on Olea and she writhes about, spitting on him. Tholin lunges at Hoid, held back by the chains.
To Tholin in a calm factual manner, “Ask Bronk what happened to the goblin that did not cooperate. Ask him who happened to the goblin that did not cooperate. You might also inquire about who stopped to save you in the middle of battle and who did not. I hope Bronk is correct about the location of the key.”
Hoid will go to the green tents to look for keys.
(For those reading at home, Hoid is playing bad cop while being completely factual.)
Hoid completes his search of Olea. He finds a braided silk string necklace around her neck and under her armor/clothes. Hanging from this string is a key.
Tholin relents in his protestations.
Olea glares at Hoid.
Bronk looks on with what you are learning is amazement on a goblin's face.
Hoid, to Olea, “No need to glare. Cooperation and honesty do wonders. That is why Bronk is upright and happily breathing. Honesty. Just as I have been completely honest with you, which I would swear to any diety if such things had meaning to me.”
Now, time to open the chest! Is there a doctor nearby? Hoid will go try the key on the chest.
Chadwick whistles appreciatively at Hammertones warhammer. "That's is this nicest Warhammer I've ever seen, amazing craftsmanship. You don't happen to be any relation to the gnomish bard Tommy Two-Tones are you."
To Cleggor...
"Yes we are the folks you hired to secure your goods to town. While we were ambushed by the red cloaks on the way, we over came and got them safely to town. Your brother Magnar was concerned about the scene of the ambush we found and feared the worst since you hadn't arrived yet, so he sent us to investigate. We managed to find Bran and took a prisoner Bronk the goblin. He was very helpful helping us find this camp."
Hoid will carefully remove all of the clothing and shoes to see what else is in the chest.
He will also check for a false bottom at least by measuring the depth of the interior (with his arm or a stick, what ever is convenient) and comparing the depth to the overall height of the chest (by overlaying the measurement object on the outside of the chest) to see if the bottom is exceptionally thick compared to the walls.
Regardless of anything being under the clothes, Hoid will execute the false bottom check.
Trolkarl watching the exchange with Olea and Hoid. Waits a moment after Hoid leaves.
He is not wrong. You are at a crossroads. One path leads to swift justice. You have seen the zealotry in reaction to your bargain of escape without consequences. If those are your terms, I can not help.
The other path is redemption. And if you seek mercy and wish to approach the path of redemption then start by helping me understand this situation. Why did you take the gnome and dwarf prisoner? And what is your business with Craddock. We know that he serves those from the abyss. Are you also in the service of some demon?
While the others are gathering belongings and treasure, Gneuman will keep an eye on the prisoners. If there is some other mundane task to be done, he is willing to do that instead.
The crates, barrels and sacks seen about the camp are all trade goods apparently looted from caravans. Similar to what you found in the caves with the goblins. You see several trade marks from trading groups on the goods. One of which is the golden lion on a blue background that appears familiar to you. Ballodon identifies several of the trade marks being from Mirabar.
"I was hired by the merchants of Mirabar to determine who was behind the attacks on their trade routes," Ballodon offers. "My goal was to identify who was responsible and locate their base of operations if possible. I found them. Then they found me. I have been held captive for the past week while those two tried to figure out a way to make money off of my captivity."
(( You can find most any kind of common trade item amongst the stacked up crates, barrels and sacks. The debatably colored tents that held the gear of the captives seems to hold the more valuable goods. There are casks and kegs of wine, brandy and beer there. Finer trade goods such as fabrics, clothing and quality smith ware are also in these tents. ))
To Olea, “I am the executioner, not the negotiator. Ask Bronk. Where is the key for the chest?”
Hoid will thoroughly search Olea.
Bronk is found and brought over from his capering about. He teases Tholin by acting like he is going to piss on him again. When asked about keys by Erbert he says, “Keys…,.purple tents (points to green tents).”
Hoid lays hands on Olea and she writhes about, spitting on him. Tholin lunges at Hoid, held back by the chains.
To Tholin in a calm factual manner, “Ask Bronk what happened to the goblin that did not cooperate. Ask him who happened to the goblin that did not cooperate. You might also inquire about who stopped to save you in the middle of battle and who did not. I hope Bronk is correct about the location of the key.”
Hoid will go to the green tents to look for keys.
(For those reading at home, Hoid is playing bad cop while being completely factual.)
Hoid completes his search of Olea. He finds a braided silk string necklace around her neck and under her armor/clothes. Hanging from this string is a key.
Tholin relents in his protestations.
Olea glares at Hoid.
Bronk looks on with what you are learning is amazement on a goblin's face.
Hoid, to Olea, “No need to glare. Cooperation and honesty do wonders. That is why Bronk is upright and happily breathing. Honesty. Just as I have been completely honest with you, which I would swear to any diety if such things had meaning to me.”
Now, time to open the chest! Is there a doctor nearby? Hoid will go try the key on the chest.
Chadwicks response to Ballotone...
Chadwick whistles appreciatively at Hammertones warhammer. "That's is this nicest Warhammer I've ever seen, amazing craftsmanship. You don't happen to be any relation to the gnomish bard Tommy Two-Tones are you."
To Cleggor...
"Yes we are the folks you hired to secure your goods to town. While we were ambushed by the red cloaks on the way, we over came and got them safely to town. Your brother Magnar was concerned about the scene of the ambush we found and feared the worst since you hadn't arrived yet, so he sent us to investigate. We managed to find Bran and took a prisoner Bronk the goblin. He was very helpful helping us find this camp."
Hoid returns to Olea’s tent, key in hand. It slips easily into the lock and opens smoothly. The chest is unlocked.
Hoid will open the chest. And look to see what is inside.
Hoid opens the chest and sees fine women’s clothing neatly folded. Two pairs of fancy women’s shoe’s sit on top.
Hoid will carefully remove all of the clothing and shoes to see what else is in the chest.
He will also check for a false bottom at least by measuring the depth of the interior (with his arm or a stick, what ever is convenient) and comparing the depth to the overall height of the chest (by overlaying the measurement object on the outside of the chest) to see if the bottom is exceptionally thick compared to the walls.
Regardless of anything being under the clothes, Hoid will execute the false bottom check.
Hoid removes the clothes and finds five large pouches and a small pouch. His investigation shows no sign of a false bottom.
Trolkarl watching the exchange with Olea and Hoid. Waits a moment after Hoid leaves.
He is not wrong. You are at a crossroads. One path leads to swift justice. You have seen the zealotry in reaction to your bargain of escape without consequences. If those are your terms, I can not help.
The other path is redemption. And if you seek mercy and wish to approach the path of redemption then start by helping me understand this situation. Why did you take the gnome and dwarf prisoner? And what is your business with Craddock. We know that he serves those from the abyss. Are you also in the service of some demon?
Hmm, to open or not open the pouches …
Hoid opens each of the pouches to review their contents! Big bucks, no whammies (or palantir)!
Large Pouch – 75gp, Large Pouch – 80gp, Large Pouch – 55gp, Large Pouch – 123sp, Large Pouch – 109sp, Small pouch – 18pp.
While the others are gathering belongings and treasure, Gneuman will keep an eye on the prisoners. If there is some other mundane task to be done, he is willing to do that instead.
The crates, barrels and sacks seen about the camp are all trade goods apparently looted from caravans. Similar to what you found in the caves with the goblins. You see several trade marks from trading groups on the goods. One of which is the golden lion on a blue background that appears familiar to you. Ballodon identifies several of the trade marks being from Mirabar.
"I was hired by the merchants of Mirabar to determine who was behind the attacks on their trade routes," Ballodon offers. "My goal was to identify who was responsible and locate their base of operations if possible. I found them. Then they found me. I have been held captive for the past week while those two tried to figure out a way to make money off of my captivity."
(( You can find most any kind of common trade item amongst the stacked up crates, barrels and sacks. The debatably colored tents that held the gear of the captives seems to hold the more valuable goods. There are casks and kegs of wine, brandy and beer there. Finer trade goods such as fabrics, clothing and quality smith ware are also in these tents. ))
Any thieves tools? Asking for a friend.
No, you are going to need to seek those out.
For your friend.
Are there arrows?
How many days before we need to report on the whereabouts of Cleggor?
I recommend at least a short rest.