"Your second option sounds a lot like what they proposed, though with even more chances for failure than simply asking them to help us and going with them... Either way they are free to go. As for the first... You're welcome to try to make them talk. I haven't the stomach you do for things like that..." Liet replies, considering the options, thinking to himself "it is true that they did a lot of harm to the community... though they are seemingly alone in possessing information that could be useful to us..."

((@McFuddy, roll 1d6, that is the gold you get from selling the animals.))

MCFUDDY

Animal Price Check: 4

McFuddy

"Theos, do you have a way to influence these gentlemen to talk?" (looking for zone of Truth or something similar?)

(Ask "how do we get to your boss" then cast Command - "Answer" ?)

((I will intervene here shortly when I return in a couple days. I'll do recruiting and get 2 players as well. The story will go on!))

((@Mc - Liet responded to you here, and it seems that Theos is gone, so we can retcon that you didn't say that to him))

"Perhaps we could convince them, and the Baron, that the one who helps lead us to the cave could then go free, and if the information is true, and we return successfully home later, the others will be guaranteed to not be killed, and may have the opportunity to earn their freedom with further good works. Knowing that his information, and assistance, will directly impact the lives of his companions might put enough pressure on him to stay honest. I'll take no part in torture, or in killing them if they guide us truly to our destination; though I will not stop you two from it." Liet will add to the discussion

((Liet will propose this to the Baron in a couple days real time. I'd like to have a plan for when our new members join))

((To convince the baron of this will take some pretty savvy persuading. As well as good rolls. You saw how he reacted, he does NOT like these dudes. Granted, they seem to be pawns in a bigger scheme, but the threat posed is pretty grave, hence such a strong reaction))

((Good CHA rolls will NOT come from Liet. lol. -1 in all of it. ))

((Baron has CHA of 20, FYI. And is proficient in persuasion and intimidation. Good luck!))

((Good thing it's not CHA against CHA~ Good arguments can be made even to charismatic people. That said...))

After saying farewell to a couple party members, and while McFuddy and Nalla get their rest, Liet would like to walk around town ((what's our in game time frame here? How long as it been since we've been back in town? It's been a while OOC, but feels like it could be quick IC)) talking with people. He's from the slave pits in the Underdark, so he'd like to talk with people who may also have been rescued by the Devils, as well as those who are out on the roads and may have had some experience with raiders of the type we'd encountered. Looking to learn about where the raiders might have their base, but also to make friends with shared experiences in the underdark.

He'll also ask the traders about riding along with them when they're ready to go.

investigation?: ((liet is not the best for this type of work...)) 4

edit... ****. yes. nat. 20!!!

 ((what's our in game time frame here?))

     -within 24 hours.

     -Literally 99% of the folks in this town were freed from the mines by the Devils. You'll certainly make a few friends, and compare shared experiences. 

     -You convince the **** out of a trader to take you down the road. He isn't even in a rush, he'll go whenever YOU want to go, even if it's days. You also talk to a guy who knows a guy who has a sister that dated a guy that was once upon a time (a couple months ago) a part of this ring of ne'er-do-wells. You only managed to accomplish this by sharing your experiences within the mines. 

     -You eventually meet this person a few hours later after tracking him down by talking from person to person. @Kev, What's his name (human), and what experiences do you share that enable you to get this audience? 

((So, he was also in the caves, but ended up joining these bad guys for a bit after getting out?))

Liet, having been lost in the caves, but managing to stay unchained for a long while, would have stories of leaving food hidden for others who'd been captured to find, or of times sabotaging equipment near slave camps, and rarely of actually coming out of hiding to talk with those still behind bars to give what news he knew, or just to share stories.

((prefer to RP this interaction with the guy, or just want me to sum it up? Additionally, roll persuasion to get him to spill the beans. Your investigation let you find him, but now you have to speak with him.))

((We need a CHA team mate~~))

((To keep it quick ish...)) When Liet finds him he'll ask where he was in the caves, and see what similar experiences they have. Then explaining how he heard that the guy had gotten tied up with some of the thugs, but that it's much bigger than he thought, and that Liet is sure the guy no doubt wouldn't have joined knowing how big it was. Dropping the Baron in and how he'd asked the team to root out this new menace, and that he can now easily make up for his small mistakes by simply giving some information.

Persuasion 16

He explains that the area is in fact almost exactly North West of CB, and several days hike through the forest. You would likely be no closer if you went down the path toward Luthaan first. He describes the area as in the foothills before the big mountains, and that 'the demon' is holed up in another mine long since abandoned. His furtive glances around the room indicate he is going to say no more. He asks for your complete discretion regarding his previous affiliation with the bandits, as he's trying hard to start over. Before you have time to respond he excuses himself from your presence and leaves. 

((You gained a little more info into the location, and know generally where it is. I would imagine that this info, combined with a decent tracker (McFuddy) to find and follow the path you learned about, might be enough to get you there. Maybe.))

Liet will make his way back to the party, tell them what he's learned ((and meet the new members)), and prepare himself to head out as soon as everyone is ready.

((pause things here while everyone checks in?))

NALLA

Nalla leads Rhukis to the forge to show the work she'd done in keeping the shop clean and already set up for someone to come and fill in while the two of them are gone. 

((With your permission, DM, I'll go ahead and RP Rhukis as well, just to push the story along))

Upon looking at the forge in silence for a good while, Rhukis finally emits a long sigh and speaks without looking at Nalla. "You know I'm an old dwarf, right? I've seen war and fought many an evil blight. If I were a goliath I'd be proper retired at this point." He's silent again as he rests his hand on a wearied hammer. "This forge is the only thing that kept my fire goin'." He looks up at her, a soft expression on his old, rough face for a moment before he clears his throat and picks up the hammer, swinging it between his hands. "Look, there are newcomers in town, right here in the Grip. One's probably a soldier who's got plenty of soldiering left in him. They're capable and they could probably use the coin. " 

Nalla places her hand on Rhukis's shoulder to silence him. She knows that he's a very proud Dwarf and quitting isn't easy for him. "I know," she says quietly. Now it's her turn to sigh as she has to give him her bad news. "I'm sorry, master. I...can't stay. After seeing the Baron, it's only a matter of time before I snap." She runs her hand along the handle of one hand ax. "If I can get it out of my system and also help the town then maybe that will be sufficient and I won't have another...accident." 

Rhukis nods slowly, remembering the accident all too well. "I'll keep her burning hot." He walks further into the forge and speaks to Nalla behind him. "I expect a full perfect line of tools when you get back. Can't have you slackin' on me." 

Nalla smiles and silently chuckles through her nose. "Thank you, master." 

"You're the master now. Start actin' like it." 

Nalla looks down for a moment and then straightens her shoulders. "I'll try." 

McFuddy

((McFuddy is talking big as if he might torture maim or kill..... but he has no desire for that. Thats a thing people do.... in nature the biggest toughest creature often get what he wants bc others back down.... really he just wants to find a way to peacefully get reliable info.... so this is all just pufferery and a way to figure out solutions))