Markas will thank Bumbo and return to the table. He'll indicate the man to the group and inform them of what he is and his name. "Not sure why a mercenary would be interested in us, but I have a feeling we'll probably find out." He'll continue scanning the crowd, but keep a bead on Raven.
After a short wait more, of no less than 30 minutes, Lhodis and Laressa enter the establishment escorted by a young woman. Pagan recognizes her as Moine from the guild house.
Lhodis and Laressa pull up chairs and Moine lays a soft hand on Lhodis’s shoulder.
Lhodis apologizes for the confusion earlier and explains that the guild master is presenting your party with a purse worth 100 gold. Moine produces the same leather bag she offered Pagan previously.
Laressa produces a dagger from under her garments and lays it on the table. It is wrapped in some kind of fine cloth and the weapon has a brilliant shine to it. She offers it to whomever would like it.
They both our extremely grateful for saving them from certain death and would like to know the party’s intentions. There is a hopeful look in their eyes. From the their conversation you easily discern they want to know if you will make the road safe again so commerce can flourish.
You now have some additional coin and a dagger of “high quality” by the looks of it.
Markas says: "Thank you for the coin. I think the general sentiment among our group is that rescuing you was a priority, but it wasn't why we all gathered here in the first place. I know of at least one mercenary here, and I'll bet there are more. They smell desperation. That road is a problem, for both trade and the safety of travelers. Can you tell us anything more about what you saw between the time you were captured and we arrived? The more we know the better armed we'll be to solve the problem. "
Zerys nods in agreement with Markas question. While she feels the caves still have much to give up they probably aren't the only issue plaguing this area
Markas says: "Thank you for the coin. I think the general sentiment among our group is that rescuing you was a priority, but it wasn't why we all gathered here in the first place. I know of at least one mercenary here, and I'll bet there are more. They smell desperation. That road is a problem, for both trade and the safety of travelers. Can you tell us anything more about what you saw between the time you were captured and we arrived? The more we know the better armed we'll be to solve the problem. "
“They just ambushed where the road is closest to the forest and the river—they came out of the forest and then forced us back under the cover of those woods.”
Amar perks up at the mention of magic, privately noting that not all magic is helpful.
Zerys listens to the brief story, "How was your party overwhelmed? What became of your guards?"
“Our guards are recuperating. They were with us when we were attacked,” says Lhodis. “There were too many goblinoids to fight, so I surrendered. Had I known they were to kill us anyway I would not have.”
You take his meaning to be that the goblins came from the Caves using the Whispering Woods for cover, had overwhelming numbers, and took them back to their lair in the Caves. That is where you rescued them from. There wasn’t anything special about the ambush, no cleverness or magic.
Markas nods, "I understand, a lot happened quickly, but once you got to the caves, did you get a feel for the size of their forces? We encountered goblins, hobgoblins, and an Ogre searching the caves for you. Anything at all you can tell us would be helpful. Was there a leader or creature that seemed to organize everything?"
Do we notice anyone trying to listen in to our conversation?
Lhodis and Laressa elaborate, there were maybe a half dozen hobgoblins leading another dozen goblins. No bugbears or ogres. They didn’t actually see much of the lair; they were confined to the prison where you found them. They were interrogated by a hobgoblin that simply wanted to know who they were. Apparently they weren’t useful enough to keep alive. The hobgoblins seem to have these “feasts” more often than not based on the way they talked.
Amar listens closely trying to discern how truthful their story is. Not worth keeping alive really isn't consistent with the pile of coin and a magical dagger made available mere hours after rescue.
Amar listens closely trying to discern how truthful their story is. Not worth keeping alive really isn't consistent with the pile of coin and a magical dagger made available mere hours after rescue.
As the conversation turns, Laressa explains that the dagger was acquired in a trade they did many years ago. It is an enchanted weapon.
Moine explains the reward is from the keep’s guild house. Their agenda is to improve commerce around the keep, so they are willing to reward those who help them with that goal. Lhodis is a jewel merchant and is based at the keep. They need to attract more like him, and they can’t do that if they can’t offer some protection or rumors get out that merchants are getting kidanpped and eaten along the road.
Amar isn’t sure what he thinks still. Brumdal, Pagan, and Zerys are extremely confident that Lhodis, Laressa, and Moine are sincere, and telling the truth. Javon is just plain-old, normal confident—not extremely. Markas rolled a 1, so ...
Pagan has been silent for some time. His Ale is nearly gone. "I believe we should return to the Caves," he says into his mug. "To make the road safe, we must empty them out."
"As Master Sooki says, 'If you make your camp under a hornet's nest, you may expect to be stung a few times.'"
Amar turns to Pagan, "Your master must kill at parties. But damn it, I'm unsure if these survivors, " gesturing with a confidence that only a second mead can bring, "are completely straightforward. We know there's more in those caves. They need to be dealt with and their goods ... redistributed". Amar eyes the waitress, "And those caves must be explored .. .for the good of the keep!" That last bit may have been too loud.
Markas will thank Bumbo and return to the table. He'll indicate the man to the group and inform them of what he is and his name. "Not sure why a mercenary would be interested in us, but I have a feeling we'll probably find out." He'll continue scanning the crowd, but keep a bead on Raven.
You now have some additional coin and a dagger of “high quality” by the looks of it.
How do you respond?
Markas says: "Thank you for the coin. I think the general sentiment among our group is that rescuing you was a priority, but it wasn't why we all gathered here in the first place. I know of at least one mercenary here, and I'll bet there are more. They smell desperation. That road is a problem, for both trade and the safety of travelers. Can you tell us anything more about what you saw between the time you were captured and we arrived? The more we know the better armed we'll be to solve the problem. "
Zerys nods in agreement with Markas question. While she feels the caves still have much to give up they probably aren't the only issue plaguing this area
Amar picks up the dagger and examines it closely, any symbols or other markings? He returns it to the center of the table.
Amar perks up at the mention of magic, privately noting that not all magic is helpful.
Zerys listens to the brief story, "How was your party overwhelmed? What became of your guards?"
You take his meaning to be that the goblins came from the Caves using the Whispering Woods for cover, had overwhelming numbers, and took them back to their lair in the Caves. That is where you rescued them from. There wasn’t anything special about the ambush, no cleverness or magic.
Markas nods, "I understand, a lot happened quickly, but once you got to the caves, did you get a feel for the size of their forces? We encountered goblins, hobgoblins, and an Ogre searching the caves for you. Anything at all you can tell us would be helpful. Was there a leader or creature that seemed to organize everything?"
Do we notice anyone trying to listen in to our conversation?
Just the same suspects described earlier.
Amar listens closely trying to discern how truthful their story is. Not worth keeping alive really isn't consistent with the pile of coin and a magical dagger made available mere hours after rescue.
In game terms it is a Dagger +1.
Insight checks:
Amar: 21
Brumdal: 12
Javon: 21
Markas: 4
Pagan: 16
Zerys: 22
With those rolls ...
Amar isn’t sure what he thinks still.
Brumdal, Pagan, and Zerys are extremely confident that Lhodis, Laressa, and Moine are sincere, and telling the truth.
Javon is just plain-old, normal confident—not extremely.
Markas rolled a 1, so ...
Pagan has been silent for some time. His Ale is nearly gone. "I believe we should return to the Caves," he says into his mug. "To make the road safe, we must empty them out."
"As Master Sooki says, 'If you make your camp under a hornet's nest, you may expect to be stung a few times.'"
Amar turns to Pagan, "Your master must kill at parties. But damn it, I'm unsure if these survivors, " gesturing with a confidence that only a second mead can bring, "are completely straightforward. We know there's more in those caves. They need to be dealt with and their goods ... redistributed". Amar eyes the waitress, "And those caves must be explored .. .for the good of the keep!" That last bit may have been too loud.
Markas got lost in Moine's brown eyes and never wanted to return.
"Uh... caves... yes, of course, I agree we should return."