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I’ll get an Athletics check from Valar as disadvantage from the Hex.

(clever thinking from Thelanis.) 

 Athletic check at disadvantage: 21

Thelanis is able to hold Valar at bay while Draíocht hastens to fasten the rope. Sister Gwendoline steps forward and lays her hands on the paladin. The strange colour leaves his eyes and he slouches back to his wits.

She looks at you all seriously, "This is not the first i've seen this, but never this bad. His prayer's have been corrupted and the darkness in Kholias. Even the gods cannot pierce the veil that it has cast over this land." She fetches a rag and water to mop Valar's brow.

"Well, that doesn't bode well for my theory that the gods could help me with my own darkness..."

[[Totally not laying the seeds to take paladin levels for short-rest pact smite shenanigans.]]

"You've never seen it this bad. But have they been getting worse?" asks Draíocht.

He turns to Thelanis with an empathetic look to her internal struggles. He looks as if to say something before deciding against it. He then says, "Should we see Amiz? Hopefully he hasn't had a similar episode." 

[[ *anticipates short-rest pact smite shenanigans with glee* ]]

Quote from drumdigby >>

Thelanis is able to hold Valar at bay while Draíocht hastens to fasten the rope. Sister Gwendoline steps forward and lays her hands on the paladin. The strange colour leaves his eyes and he slouches back to his wits.

She looks at you all seriously, "This is not the first i've seen this, but never this bad. His prayer's have been corrupted and the darkness in Kholias. Even the gods cannot pierce the veil that it has cast over this land." She fetches a rag and water to mop Valar's brow.

 Valar shakes his head, as if he had been round housed a few times, looking about in confusion. "What or who in the two Hells was that?" he mutters, then looks at Sister Gwendoline. "My thanks little mother. I now thinks I have seen into the depth of darkness that abounds here, and if it is strong enough to cast my connection to Helm, then it must be stopped or this land will be corrupted." 

Sister Gwendoline is still fussing around Valar, "Worse? Yes of course, it's getting worse every day it seems. This land is truly in the grip of evil." She smiles at Valar's thanks, but you get tell she is incredibly worried about him.

Valar shakily gets to his feet, faces his comrades. "My deepest thanks for stopping me, which I have to admit was most and likely not an easy feat. I am not sure what took grip of me, but my thanks all the same from preventing me from running off to that Sieren's call."

Draíocht nods to Valar, acknowledging his thanks. He asks, "Perhaps it's too soon but once Adger's men come back from the slopes, shall we head to Kholias? Intentionally this time. The darkness took you this time but perhaps it'll be better if taking the fight to the darkness." The ghost in the Dim Woods seemed like a small thing in comparison to the possibility of madness gripping his companions.

Amiz indeed buys a drink for Wrovak's tip on his possible next job. After downing a mug of ale, he heads out and walks to the Dwarven Mining Association. Once there he will look for someone that seems in charge or foreman material and introduce himself.

"Well met I am Amiz a sell sword in need of a job. Do you have anything I can do for some coin?" 

Amiz - It’s somewhat hard to tell with dwarves. They all have this somber look, with dark hair and dark eyes, they all look like they’re ready to run you through. But one of the dwarves is sitting in a chair weighing gems against coin. He addresses you, “You are one of the ones who helped the humans, why? Why help them?” Blunt and harsh, typical dwarf.

"I go where there is coin and though humans tend to look out for their own, I have been able to find their coin is as good as anyone else's. Now do you happen to have a job?" says Amiz in a calm manner as he is accustomed to dealing with disgruntled people. 

The dwarf looks at you blankly, “Of course we have a job for a leonin. My name is Yuddic, I’m taking a shipment up into the Nuerath Slopes in a couple days. We’ll need an escort most of the way, but not all the way. You want to come I can offer you and anyone else who wants to accompany 100gp each. You alright with that arrangement?” He gets out a few contracts that have been partially pre-written for this purpose.

"Draiocht, that makes me want to stay AWAY from Kholias not run full force at it."  Thelanis begins to leave the temple and look for the inn.

Valar turns to the Sister, and kneels. "Bless me little mother, for I will go forth and face this darkness. Give my arms and soul strength."

Draíocht gives a friendly shrug to Thelanis' words as he heads to follow towards the inn. "Sometimes an issue must be tackled head on." he says, "But for now I look forward to seeing what Amiz has been up to."

Amiz gives Yuddic a toothy grin "That sounds like a deal, and I know of some companions that might be interested in earning some coin. I will be back once I figure out if I am coming alone or with my newfound friends." With that he leaves the Dwarven Mining Association and heads back to the Inn. 

Once there and upon seeing his companions he shares the job offer. "Now I have got news for all of you. I found a job for all of as guards for the Dwarven Mining Association who plans to leave in a few days towards the Nuerath Slopes. The pay is 100 gp each. So what do you say?" 

"I'd be up for that."

Draíocht listens to what Amiz says. 100 gold each? A mighty sum. He wondered just what kind of dangers were needed for them to offer that much. "Sounds good to me too." he says. Sounded like they'd have some information by the time they headed out. And with 100gp they'd be able to stock up on needed supplies before other adventures.

He asks Thelanis, "I believe you still have the items we found in Gark's stash. Shall we divvy them now? Might be useful to improvement our equipment. I've a feeling this guard duty will run into complications."

Thelanis pulls out the treasure and starts counting things out.

After making some change at the bar. everyone gets 47gp, 26sp, 30cp.

Thelanis tips the barkeep 5 sp from her share as thanks for making change.

We have a potion of healing, and a spell scroll with jump and charm person.

We also have a nice cap that folds up and a note we can't read.

Amiz takes the divvied coin and says, "I will be back and inform Yuddic of the good news." once back at the Mining Association Amiz approaches Yuddic and says "Me and my companions agreed to take the job. Just tell me when we leave, and I will be plenty ready"