Lost Mines, Lost Labs, and Lost Hope (RobJFalcon's Campaign)

Ugh, enough.  We were paid to clear the cave, it's clear.  We have no further obligations.  If anyone grew a moral fiber in the last five minutes I have to wonder where it was when two murderers walked right out of here, probably gonna murder their way to the murder clan at cragmaw who may have a leader that we installed who is surely not doing charity from town to town.  Here we go.  Nundro, you've heard it all.  Do you want justice from this guy or do you want the rest of his life to be justice served?

Ross

"I'm sold. I have no desire to kill a defeated foe in cold blood we were hired to clear the cave. As far as turning him in... for what? A dispute over claim to an abandoned mine? I say we let him go and if the surviving brothers want to draw up a contract for revenge I'll read it. But for now I think this is over. Besides if we turn him in he'll probably just kill some poor guards when he escapes. I vote release. Now lets go get Absinthe his skull."

Fjolnir curls his lip, then heavily sighs. "I agree Az, he's responsible for a lot of damage. And loss of dwarven life- but his neck isn't mine, or ours, to lynch for that trespass." he takes a swig from the waterskin, "I'm in favor of either turning him into the town authorities, or leaving his fate to the Rockseeker family.  But... i'd rather not see 'em dead. Dead don't pay anyone back for what debt he incurred while livin',"

Nundro looks at Nezznar. "He didn't kill my brother personally, but he was there when it happened." He goes silent and glares at him.

Nezznar to Absinthe: "Of course. But it seems like you're the only one with that thought. Unless..." Nezznar returns Nundro's glare.

After Dirk asks his question to Nundro, he doesn't respond. He takes Dirk's dagger from out of his hand and slowly walks forward, toward the seated, still shackled drow.

Dirk rolls up one of the beddings and takes it. Fantastic. Dirk's obligations here are fulfilled.  I'm going to quickly check that chasm, feel like we forgot to see if those ******** were about to find something, then I'm going to the exit.  If you don't find me there then I'm dead.  Either way, I'm out of this cave... feel like we've been in here for months.  My last shower was in the water we are drinking.  Fricken Az is too modest to lick his balls, but not modest enough to slap some soap on that thing.  Dirk makes his way to the chasm for a quick search, regardless, his rant trailing off as he makes distance from anyone still loitering.

Nundro gets to Nezznar with the dagger, gritting his teeth. He raises the dagger above his head and comes across Nezznar's face with the hilt. "My brother Tharden is dead." He strikes Nezznar with the blunt end again. "You tortured me for days." He hits him again. "You haven't suffered enough!" He hits him again and Nezznar goes unconscious, his head falls forward, his arms behind him holding him in the chair. Nundro looks at the group. "It would be one thing if he just drove us out of here and claimed the mine and my brother was still alive. This isn't just business, he committed crimes and he needs to pay. I don't want to look at him anymore, but if you kill him his suffering ends, and if you let him go his suffering ends. He has no remorse for what he did, only regret for losing his fortune. I vote to turn him in, but you can do what you want, as long as I don't ever see him in this mine again." Nundro turns away from him but stays with the party.

"Nundro, wait." Turns to the rest of the party. "It's ridiculous any of us are considering letting Nezznar go without facing justice. When we started this quest, it was to aid our friend, Gundren. I first came upon you lot as I was sneaking around in the forest, myself on a mission to find Gundren. Your skepticism of my loyalty to Gundren was reasonable, I was much more of a thief back then. But I've grown as a person, and my friendship to Gundren has never swayed. Gundren is the entire reason we've all been together this long. And so here we are, with Gundren's tortured brother, Nundro, his dead brother just outside, and we're meant to feel sympathy for this drow because he 'risked everything' to have this mine? Did this drow risk civility? Did he risk speaking to the brothers in hopes of striking common ground and a joint venture? No. He risked his wealth on murder and violence. There was no dispute over the claim of this mine because the Rockseekers didn’t even know Nezznar existed to contest them. Nezznar made his existence known when he ambushed Gundren and his brothers with thugs and assassins he hired specifically for the effort. His debt will be paid when he stands before our friend Gundren and the law at Neverwinter. If this isn’t your idea of justice, if this is how you honor your ‘friends’, then I don’t want any of you at my back anymore. We’re taking Nundro back to Neverwinter. Nezznar is coming with us in chains, and the law will deal with him there."

Fjolnir swigs a little more water,"I don't disagree, Dust, I'm fine taking em back to Gundren.  Nundro doesn't want em in the mine, and he's not my quarry. I'm fine leaving it to Neverwinter justice, or even the town."

Az Emberi stands up, collects the things from the table. "You're too emotional. The victim spoke up I'm inclined to honor his wishes over the enemies. We'll turn him over to the surviving Rockseekers. But now we have to drag an unconscious body. Be careful with looking at a black and white world in terms of justice. We all live in the grey."

"Okay, druid," Dusty begins binding Nezznar with Dusty's own rope, because he doesn't trust anyone else's knots, "when your family is killed by previously unknown mysterious competing interests because they found a nice spot to open a bed and breakfast, we'll do things your way." Begins dragging Nezznar toward the mine exit. "Help me get him to town, Fjolnir. You're wearing a dead brother's climbing boots, afterall. They may as well be used to get this shitstain up the wall. Unless Nundro knows a better way out."

Current situation:

Dirk is searching the chasm.

Absinthe, Az Emberi, Dustfinger, Fjolnir, Hymir and Nundro are with a tied up and unconscious Nezznar in the Temple of Dumathoin.

Absinthe wants to get a sentient skull mug, Az Emberi said he'd help, are you short resting first or heading straight there?

"I asked him if he minded I borrow the boots- he didn't protest at all!"  Fjolnir puts the waterskin away, "Ok, i'll help carry him. But, is it agreeable that you keep watch over him, and we all take a short rest while Dirk finishes playing around in the sand? That way no one will be out of breath if we have trouble on our way back." he scratches his jaw "Which... with our luck, we'll get accosted."

"Let's rest the skull is on the way out and I'm feeling weak."

Chasm

"Fine." Dustfingers jaw clenches. He sets down near Nezznar, keeping the party in sight, as well.

Hit dice

1 6

2 10

Az Emberi's lip curls a little. "How many times have I saved your life? We wouldn't have caught him if it weren't for me while you squirmed in the webs. Now you call my character into question for wanting to look at a situation logically? You made up your mind before we even walked in here. It's apparent you didn't even listen to my words. You simply waited for your next turn on your soapbox. If I was still a wolf I'd tear your throat out. Luckily for you I'm more human these days. If you don't trust me at my word then I would suggest you make other travel arrangements when this job is put to rest. If you don't trust me then I can't trust you next to me in combat any longer. You can drag the drow out of here yourself." When the rest of you are ready lets handle the skull and finish this business."

"Logic is realizing the machinations of this drow were murderous from the start. Not because he's drow, but because he set out from the beginning to assault and murder the Rockseekers to possess this mine. That kind of premeditated evil requires a response. But you seem intent on casting his hand in all of this as a neutral party from the beginning, and, oops, he just happened to run afoul of some dwarves entirely by accident. That you can't seem to comprehend exactly the kind of evil he is makes me believe something has clouded your mind," Dustfinger stares hard into that third eye, "because you've never shown this poor judgment before. I'll make sure Gundren knows where your priorities are."

HD 7

"We're done here. You decided what you believed before evidence was found. You clearly aren't listening to me and I'm not in the habit of debating brick walls. My intentions have always been good and your opinion of me holds no bearing." Az Emberi leaves the room heading for the room with the skull.

wow dustfinger you have stuck to your own ideas even when presented with new information and worse yet you claim that somebody is mis guided or ill informed when they simply dont agree with your PRE conceived notions that is the truest and most potent form of ignorance 

Absinthe Hit Dice: 7 5 8

Fjolnir packs his gear, with quick jerks- "Everyone's agreed the fool goes to justice- but it's not ours to mete out, Dust- the ends suit your intentions now regardless of the reasoned means-" the dwarf sucks air in through his teeth over an uncomfortable sigh. "Friends and hirelings we are of Gundren, but we ain't no Alderman, and Nundro passed on his rights for blood, it's in your favor, son. Press it and foment mistrust for little personal gain. Or if its just unrelated, and its a vendetta on this or some other drow, we'd listen. Better over ale... but listen nonetheless..." He pats the Dusty on the leg, much as you would encouraginly on a shoulder if you werent closer to the floor than the ceiling, and skips forward to keep pace with Az.

The short rest ends and you agree to fight the skull... again. Dirk is sifting through rocks in the chasm. Nezznar stirs as he's being carried out. "Wait! My emeralds. At least let me take my emeralds with me since I have nothing else." He nods his head toward the statue of Dumathoin with the emerald eyes.