(To Nun and Many, ((HA)) you may introduce your characters whenever you're ready)

Gustav immediately shaking his head. "That last part was more for dear Era's sake than yours, what with our-mn... nevermind. Again, my thanks. Just let know how much is owed. I managed to exchange most of coin for the sort mainly found in the isles, so use of it later should not rouse any brows. For even if you are a paladin, there are more than enough tales in history of such men abusing what is known of such positions." He chuckles softly. "Well, a rare few, but enough for one of my faith at least to err on the side of caution? No, that's not quite the right word -- but you get my general point. And given the nature of the people here, and your own experiences, I suspect you understand in part where I'm coming from. The greys are... we can discuss them a little later."

A thoughtful look crosses his face later at the final statement from the armored men. But after a moment or so, he simply shakes his head. "No more for me. Yet. But I am sure something will come as our discussion begins properly." By the time he has finished speaking the last part, Guss -- having whispered to one the gnomes permission to retrieve the table from last -- has long since moved to do so, or stepped aside so that one of them may do so. And if alone isn't enough, he stepped off to the side to begin waving his hand over the ground a few distance away. It takes a minute or so at least, but eventually enough earth and stone is upturned and reshaped into a smooth, co-joined table just low enough for all to sit comfortable at on the ground. Gus himself refrains from taking a seat at it, if it came to him creating the table. Rather, he sat a short distance away, eyes closed, and claws buried in the earth as if focusing on something.

No matter how things play out, Nin refuses to get up from his original napping spot, Ka sits by his brother keeping a wary eye on the stranger, and Wonder, well...(Stealth: 16) its hard to say. One moment she was half-hiding behind Gustav's leg just as wary as Ka, and in the next she had attempted to not only sneak onto his person, but half-buried herself in the sake he had on his person. 

"Since it seems the time for introductions and explanations, perhaps we should make ours."

The voice comes from behind a particularly sturdy tree and from behind it steps two unknown figures, moving towards the stone table.  The last traces of an invisibility shimmers like water before fading completely around them.  The first has the whipcord lean look of the serpent folk.  She appears mostly human except for large yellow-green eyes and patches of scales on her pale skin.  Behind her is a larger shadow that resolves into an orc woman.  The yuan-ti woman steps out, careful not to let her hands stray to the bow or rapier that lay ready for easy retrieval and her face kept in neutral but pleasant lines.

"I do hope you will forgive our eavesdropping but understand we had to be sure of your character," Zhara continues.  "With elves enslaving other sentient races, Arboria may as well be the Hells.  I am Zhara and my companion is Vola.  It seems we share a common story, although the ship we sailed upon was lost."

Although she is taking pains to not seem a threat, Zhara is very aware of the tenuous nature of the circumstances.  Caution was taught as the highest virtue to her people's agents but she wonders if it may have been the wrong approach.  Their late introduction may seem more sinister than it was.  She hadn't lied, though.  This island was very much an unknown and while allies seemed wise, Zhara has no desire for the indignity of chains.

Vola stares up at the silken weave above and it's chitinous charges, watching pedipalps twitch and spinnerets extruding. It's fascinating - how do those legs hold all the body weight, I mean look at how swollen those abdomen are. Abdomen or abdomens? Maybe it's abdomans when it was plural, that would be strange. Her eyes alight on a cocooned pterodactyl and she stifles a giggle, stage-whispering "look! If we'd gone with plan A that'd be us! You were right about invisibleness, eh Zhara? Zhara....? Zazz!" 

Abruptly she notices that she is not as invisible as she had first thought. She smiles and waves weakly, one of her gargantuan knees bending involuntarily, singing "they can *seeeee* us..." through gritted teeth. 

When the paladin spoke, Era tilted her head to the side noticing how his cheeks grew red, about to mention something about the heat, until he brought up the subject of his wife. The genasi frowns. "I'm sorry to hear that, Zain. That must be really hard to have over your head, uncertainty... but I'm sure she's still alive." Era cracks a bright smile. "She's gotta still take care of you after all!" She didn't want to pry any further in what makes him question his wife's status, perhaps in due time, and allows Gustav and him to converse without her hovering (still keeping an ear out though) and heads over to Minos.

"So, hows the magic going?"

"Mnm... Okay, I suppose... I walked the perimeter as well, to make sure there were no unwanted guests... Didn't see anything." He mutters to her.

"Oh, that's good! We don't want--" She was cut off by the unfamiliar female voice, her eyebrows furrowing at them, then she turns to look angrily at Minos.

It took a moment for him to notice her glare as he was too busy gawking at the two girls who came out of thin air. "They were invisible!" He sputters out.

Era rolls her eyes and turns on her heel with her arms folded across her chest. "Men." She utters quietly as she makes a stand near Gustav and Zain, reminding herself to not be so trusting since the last time she did that she got paralyzed like a fool. Not again. "Yes, we can most definitely see you! Wow you're big... Nice to meet you, Zhara, Vola. My name is Era. What... Brings you two here? Like... What do you want?" 

Zhara gives her orc companion an amused look.  She did enjoy a touch of drama now and then and Vola's reaction had been priceless.  She had been right about their first plan too but best to focus back to business, so plan b wouldn't end up with her turned into a pair of snakeskin boots.  The paladin did not seem particularly happy his perimeter had been breached.

"To see what prompts such a reverse of nature," Zhara says with an easy shrug, as she answers Era's question.  "That I have now learned there is more to it, I find myself even more intrigued."

While Ka, a black-scaled and more salamander-like lizardfolk, immediately springs up hissing with a dagger in hand, his blue-green scaled brother just stares unconcerned at the new arrivals if not already busy working on the table. Nin -- the rotund bugbear -- doesn't so much as budge at the announcement.

All the while an unsurprised Gustav merely glances at the new arrival with a bored expression... then slowly back to the paladin... then turns back to them. There's curiosity behind it all, alongside mild amusement at the gargantuan's astonishment. But he keeps a straight face for the most part, and lets Era do all the talking. And so far, he has yet to so much as hover a hand over his weapons. But if any of the newcomers are familiar with Tabaxi, then they knew all to well it would matter little if he did. Either feline agility would ensure the point of his rapier was at their neck by the time they finished blinking, or a claws at the throat for similar effect; distance be damned.

"An odd thing to hear from a Yuan-Ti. Or are you one of the dragon blooded?" He cants his head casually. "No, certainly the former with that figure, posture, and gait. Odder still is your interest in this so called reversal given your peoples penchant for accepting much the same -- slavery, that is -- as "normal". But who is this old man to judge, no?"

Zhara considers Gustav for a moment.  The most principled were often the most troublesome to cozen but also the most worthwhile.  Besides, he had reason to be doubtful and his protectiveness did him credit.  She considered how to answer his spoken- and unspoken- questions.  Truth could be a useful tool but it also often had the misfortune of being the least believable.  Had she a choice, Zhara might not have chosen to venture to the island.  Her kin's coffers could dwindle to nothing and she would not lament it.  The slaves?  Well, she had felt to many chains about her own neck to enjoy seeing them made literal on anyone.

"My kin care not for the plight of slaves.  They only care that someone contests their near monopoly on the slave trade in Chult.  They would have me seek the cause but I would serve my ends as much as theirs and put a stop to this mess.  At least that way I may enjoy a little freedom of my own.  What of you, tabaxi?  You speak of secret societies and have the gate of a true predator.  Have you truly no secondary agenda?" Zhara asked pointedly.  "Mine, at least, may be satisfied with a few ambiguous reports."

When Ka leaps up, Vola can't help herself - she gasps. They come in different colours! Without thinking her hands move for her field journal, which she belatedly realises might look threatening - she windmills her hand back up and runs it through her unruly crimson braids. Smooth! As soon as the situation allows, she folds her arms to keep them out of trouble, draws herself up to her full height and grunts "Yeah - Reports!"

17 intimidation!

Look at that furry guy though! Bet he can move fast. Bet he can cuddle faster though! Oh wait there's a page about these guys..  her hands twitch but her elbows hold firm. Steady! 

Depending on how long she's expected to not start examining these new specimens her leg might start jiggling a little - the tension has to go somewhere. 

"Gustav, don't be rude to our uninvited guests," Era chides with a playful smile tugging at the corners of her lips. The genasi gives the duo a look over, trying to remember if she had actually met a Yuan-Ti before. Of course, she knew of orcs and half-orcs, this one giving her an uneasy feeling but she was sure she intend to come off that way. Maybe. Similar to how Truk looked intimidating! Speaking of which, where was that lug? White eyebrows knitted together at the thought of him. Oh well. "This is totally tense and I get it, but it looks like we're working on the same cause here. Can we talk about it over, like, tea or something? Get on the same page? I'm sure you two are famished. Want a berry? It'll fill even you up, big girl! Love the braids by the way." She gives a friendly grin. "And they're not poisoned, I promise."

If Zain hadn't already set or dropped Wonder back to the ground, the girl finds her way there after fighting to pull a tome out of a bag. And if successful, she eagerly flips through the first few pages, sees it is all in gibberish, and with a disgusted look she darts over to Minos' side to offer it. Ka shrinks back from the Half-Orc woman, and shifts more into a defensive posture. His weapon is at least lowered but held at the ready.

Gustav lets out a low hiss at Era's use of his name, but refused to take his eyes off of Vola. For whether intentional or not, the change to more intimidating at least visibly set the aged panther-like tabaxi ill-ease. Even so, he has yet to so much as touch a weapon. "... For the record, I was hardly rude... much. Just being diligent." He pauses mid-start of a sentence, and gives Era a brief but troubled look before shaking it off. "... But sure. Why not? A more formal setting will make it far easier to clear the air on some things." With that, all the underlying tension in Gustav's posture appears to vanish while finding his place at the table. Be it Gnome made or lizard made.

Vola forgets herself and barrels forward, knocking past Zhara in the process. "Oh I love these things! Caith used to make them all the time! (Chomp) shoo ever wonder, if y'eat nothing but theesh (gulp) - excuse me! - for a few days, does anything, you know, find it's way out? Could never hang on to them long enough to find out if they disappear... And if they don't then that has all sorts of troubling implications for the balance of the material plane and weave and ...  Look the responsible thing to do is eat them, is all I'm saying. 

Got any more?"

Seeing the others taking more dignified positions around the table, she licks her fingers a little guiltily and shuffles after Zhara. 

Gladly taking a goodberry from the genasi, Zhara takes a seat at the table.  Tension seemed to have eased and she was glad for it and for Vola's remarkable ability to make friends.

(will post soon, then pass out)

Zein, had started when the duo first appeared, having drawn his longsword, which immediately burst into a heavy, sunlike flame, including it's own microcosm of solar flares along the blades edge erupting out only to fizzle or return from whence they came. Zein had taken a defensive posture, admittedly having been too distracted to even notice Wonder having been on or near him at all. The Paladins features were intense as he looked at  the newcomers. most suspicious of the Yuan-ti woman who had entered their midst. All the while the Gnomes had been inside, making preparations for another meal, that would be able to fill everyone up.

Zein listened as the two groups spoke, holding his defensive position between the newcomers and the others. Eventually the two groups had come to more or less of an understanding, and Zein sighed in relief. But his eyes were on the snakeblood. He still didn't trust her yet. Much as was discussed between the parties, the snake-peoples of Chult, were known for slavery in the extreme. But for now he would hold his peace. It was against his code to strike someone down merely on suspicion. But he wasn't going to let his guard down either. Sheathing his flaming blade, the flames flickering out of existence as he found his own place at the table.

Eventually, everyone was sitting at a table that had been made through the molding of the earth. The gnomes coming out, with two magically floating prepared dishes. And as they began setting the placements... Fizz almost drops the drinks he was preparing when he noticed there were two more guests O-Oh my! We weren't ready for this. Zein, why didn't you tell me you were bringing company! Now we dont have enough for everyone.... Because i too, was unaware they would be arriving. So far it seems that they are no threat. And I will deal with them myself if they are. We have a lot to discuss. And this will be a good way to find out our new friends intentions. Zeins eyes held the tiniest of sparks within the pupil. And they were constantly boring a hole into Zhara's own, whether she was looking or not. It was clear he intended to gauge her reactions to everything.

I'm sure the Cracklestaves have already informed you more or less of the goings on of the island, and myself to counter them.  This slavery has been going on almost since the inception of the island. To the point it is not even known who the original, if any, inhabitants  were here prior. Though it is assumed to be so. As was .. already spoken. My wife went missing a month ago. And I am strong, but even I know I could not hope to survive this trip alone. Thus, I called for allies form the mainland. Seeking people of some renown to assist me in this. I expected to find them in port, but it seems as though that has become moot since you all have found me here.

Also, as you know.. he says, eating a slice of his bread  as he pauses to collect his thoughts my wife has gone missing. I believe it to be a part of a massive string of dissappearences  that none seem capable of finding out whom is perpetrating them. And In a way all too eager to dismiss as simply worrying too much. I admit I have a bias towards a particular outcome over another due to my personal incident... But it isn't only happening to me...  but it's happening to people all over town, simply dissappearing as if they never existed. And to date, not  single one of them has ever been found. And I am only one person. I can only be in so many places at once, and I can only help so many peoples.

Thats where you all come in. If we can find my wife alive or... otherwise. There is hope for finding the others. But these jungles are dangerous, even for a group such as ours. The only reason the roads are as safe as they are, is the fact that small armies patrol the roads between here and the next town. People rarely leave the roads for this very reason.. ironically enough the same reason we've been so successful. They don't look outside the paths. Which leaves us with two options. Heading into the city where I have been unable to learn anything or heading outside the walls, and heading north.

I've heard rumors dark things are happening near the northern half of the Island, but have thusfar been unable to follow up on them.

So. Questions?

Even as he says that, he begins eating, clearly hungry, as he awaits the groups responses.

S-Counter: 1          Par:        Ren:       Al: NG      B-Counter - 9

"May I ask who has been in charge of your information gathering within the city?" Zhara asks politely.  "You are, without doubt, a man of great prowess with arms.  Does your organization have someone just as skilled in the arts of intrigue?"

The possibility of a trek through uncharted lands seemed high but she wondered how this organization of do-gooders operated.  Did they have access into the higher levels of society?  Slaves had eyes and ears when their masters often pretended they didn't.  Zhara imagined they would be most sympathetic to Zein's group.  If they did, then perhaps she could find out what possessed elves to start slaving and to become so very successful at it in such a relatively short time.  Her fingers prickled with eagerness as she subtly formed the arcane signs that would allow her to skim the paladin's thoughts.  Zhara knew what he would reveal to her willingly was barely a tenth of what he would know.  Alas, that was a risk she wasn't going to take.

"Also, has *no one* attempted to brave the northern expanse?  Some would find it all the more tempting for its dangers.  Even a failed attempt might tell us something."

As much as Gustav had been able to play off further concern with the newcomers, Zein's display of power warranted keeping him in sight as much as the new girls. Perhaps even more so, in some ways. So, he sat in place in such a way to keep an eye both, but in a casual manner. Although he listens attentively, his expression is that of one whose heard most of it already.

Not until near the end when a mention of a personal incident elicits raised brow followed narrowed eyes. Before he can say anything Zhara speaks and ignites the curiosity in his eyes. While listening he quietly motions for Ka to do a perimeter sweep. Who then in turn kicks Nin the bugbear back away, and has him assist in the endeavour despite terse protest.

"...Though I confess to being curious myself, as one in your station -- though again, one rarely if ever doubted for dupiclity -- is hardly always in a position to act freely. But you need not say, of course. But I'd still like a look at that list I requested before, even if we should be headed northward. For perhaps we can provide some insight not yet considered there." He crosses his arm. "I am also curious about this personal incident of yours. Did it pretell involve nightmarish being in dreams threatening to destroy you utterly? Or was it a more physical thing? A peculiar encounter perhaps with far more peculiar individuals back in the city?"

All the while Wonder, a Teen Tabaxi of grey and black stripped fur scampers back to the bag while everyone's distracted with settling down. As much as Truk did and /still/ traumatized her, the snake woman and her half-orc companion only got a passing glance as the sack Zein carried still had the little one enthralled for whatever reason.

From the corner of her eye, Zhara catches a flicker of movement.  Casually tilting her head, she notices the young tabaxi's fixation.  A little confused at what had captivated her so, she lets the girl proceed.

It takes a moment for Minos to realize what the young tabaxi had offered to him, but once the gears click, he gratefully takes the book from her hands with a lopsided smile and a thank you before putting it to work already.

Era is slightly taken aback by the half-orcs hunger, pretty much taking all the berries she had prepared for the others in the palm of her hand. Reminder: make one handful for her and another handful for the others, she notes in the back of her mind as an endearing smile slowly formed on her face. "I can make more, sure! But we have much to discuss with tall, blonde, and handsome over there, think you can wait a little?" She gives a short laugh and wipes her hands on her pants and joins the others at the time, shaking her head at the offer of food (thankfully having had eaten a berry prior to the duos arrival), and listens intently to Zein's words.

Although she wanted to go to the city to come face to face with her shitty father, she knew she wasn't ready for it. Her feelings of anxiety had been suppressed for the time being but she knew they would only arise the closer they got to him and she feared the cold feet she would get when standing her ground and confronting him. If they aid in helping the paladin traverse the jungles, it would give her time to prepare herself. No time for selfishness, she told herself, there are people that need saving. With determination flaring at the back of her eyes she waited for Zein to answer the questions. She wanted their answers too.

"Dark things.... Dark things...." Vola muses as she leafs through a field journal (history : 10 on the offchance there's anything in there that might shed light on this) When she reaches a clean page she dips her quill and hovers it, quivering. "Yes, questions - what kind of things and how dark? Be specific, be as specific as you like!"

A damsel in distress, a noble knight, despicable slavers.... Oh, she was going to fill some pages alright. Ah, wait, maybe asking for graphic details of the things that might be befalling his wife right this second isn't the most sensitive line of questioning. Pull it back! She grins a reassuring grin, her oversized lower cuspids protruding. "Maybe if you prefer we could ask around town, talk to the families of other disappeards, find out what kind of stuff is happening to their loved ones, the ones that aren't already dead? I'm sure your wife is fine, we can look for her afterwards!" 

She feels her pack shift against her leg under the table as Pickle slinks out and curls between chair legs towards the Paladin and his bag. What's he got in there that has all the furries so excited?