"It is hard to develop alternate plans until we have actually found and scouted the keep and know what we are up against. In many ways, we are as much in the dark as you."

"My stake in this war?" It was a relief to finally answer a question where he only had to speak for himself, but the impossibility of the question almost made Edeleth laugh. "What began as a small effort to help someone in need seems to keep growing. One disaster leads to another. Obligations are piled on obligations. There always seems to be a friend in danger, a duty to be carried out, or a doom impending. My fate seems to have become irrevocably entwined with the fate of the Dwarf lands, and the only hope of escape is apparently to bring peace and safety to all the Nar Barâk mountains."

"True, we would need to find the keep before any proper plans could be made. Perhaps we should try to reclaim Pinekeep while you await word from your scouts? I am unsure what to do. I did not inherit the strategical mindset my mother possessed. I would imagine she would have decided a strategy for both Wrathmaw and Pinekeep already. Her brilliant mind is what helped her achieve the high status she obtained among our people and the surrounding areas militaries."

Elixisys sits deep in thought for a moment before responding. "I think it best that we rescue the prisoners now and then deal with the keeps remaining defendants later. My worry is that any successful attack against the keep will cause them to decide the prisoners are not worth keeping."

"As for my stake in the war it is two-fold. I am originally from the same country as Edeleth but I had the misfortune of living in the way of the Knoll warbands during their attack. I'm afraid you wouldn't find much left of my hometown, other than ashes. After that I came to Three Peaks and the people here saw something in me and gave me the life I have now. Now I would like to make sure that my new home does not end up the same as my old one." 

"Was your old town Turniptown? My group had rescued a family of Dwarves from there. Including a certain little girl you saw in my performance tonight."

Saerirra had a smile on her face once more, allowing tonight's event to take her mind off the coming troubles temporarily.

”I agree with what Elixisys an Edeleth say. We don’t know much before going in. But one thing is for sure, we need to prioritize the prisoners.” His tone suddenly serious. 

”As for my stake in this war? Well I don’t really know if you can call it a stake, really. I was kicked out from my home in the halfling republic by my father. He told me not to return until I “find my courage”. I ended up traveling with the family to Talavorth and just arrives at the Three peaks when the business with the chicken happened. Since it has been just as Edeleth say, obligation upon obligation and friends in need of help. And despite all the horrible things that has happened I have grown to love this place til the point of calling it home...” realizing he has said more he intended he finish with “I guess I just want to help protect my friends an my home..”

OOC : Hello all, glad were joining your group. Wow you guys are on it!  I'm traveling this week , I'm not sure when ill have internet access but once I'm back I will definitely try to keep up with you all :)

As Saerirra approaches Uther takes her hand gently bringing it to his lips "Madam Ambassador " 

Uther then turns to Edeleth, "I am with you, to be honest I'm tired of waiting around. It is time for action." He looks around at their new companions, "I am honored to fight alongside you all."  

"Welcome indeed, sir, and we thank you for your assistance," says Edeleth. He is pretty sure that kiss was somewhat personal, but if it is how half-orcs greet ambassadors in general, he will possibly need a little time for mental adjustment before being able to gracefully accept such a salutation himself...

When Uther joins the group Rosri is suddenly very uncomfortable. “Um Uther, can I speak to you in private for a moment?” He ask the giant man.  “I’m terribly sorry, but I have done you an injustice. I don’t know if you remember the night of the chicken incident? But that night you were very drunk and quite rude you Saerirra here. I thought you needed to be thought a lesson and I was a little short on money back than. I’m ashamed to say it but when you passed out, I stole 5gp from you.” And he passes him a pouch of 50gp. “Here take this. It is what i owe you plus interest. And if you want to pass retribution on me I will not run away.” He looks down into the floor in embarrassment. It wasn’t the exact truth but if was close enough. 

He remembers the night. Uther had been drinking heavily and approached Saerirra, bumping in into almost every patron in the bar. When he got there ha had spilled half his drink over her and then face planted on the floor. Poor Saerirra had to take care of him for the rest of the night.

ooc: not exactly what happened but put a bit of flavor on it. Page10 #182 in the original thread  

"Of course, when we were rescuing the dwarven family my only concern was their safety. I may have let my emotions get to me. I tend to slip into Draconic when that happens and I recall yelling at the gnolls in Draconic."

The faintest hint of a blush barely forms on her face, both from recalling past events and Uther's gesture with her hand.

Uther walks to the side with Rosri. After the confession Uther declines the coin pouch, " to be honest i did not notice the 5 gp " his face softens a little, he paused for a moment then continued " at the time, i was managing a broken heart, though i did not manage it well, as you've seen from that night. " he puts his hand on Rosri's shoulder " i apologize for acting like a bufoon. " 

“I’m glad your not angry with me, Sir Uther. I must confess, I was really scared you’d want to get even.. i’m glad you don’t. Let’s start fresh with honesty, welcome to the Team.” He puts his han inside his cloak and pulls out his ever mug and offer it to Uther. “Drink from this, it will surprise you! It’s called an Ever Mug!” Then he proceed to pockets the money again.

Ooc: The ever mug belonged to Shorgreg, Gavins father and it filles up with the holders favorite drink!  

"I have asked a lot, so now I would like to answer any questions you all may have as best as I am able. I imagine you all have at least one thing to ask myself or Uther."

"Well," says Edeleth, "I am interested to hear any ideas and suggestions you two have on our plan. We don't yet know the range of your abilities, and this venture will probably require all our strengths. Also, if there are any dangerous enemies or impending perils following you, it would be good to be warned ahead of time."

"Speaking of which, I suppose I probably ought to reveal that Ozymandias and I seem to have quite inadvertently allowed a powerful lich to begin breaking free of its prison, and once Sir Pebbles is rescued we will need to do something about that," he added, with an apologetic look at Roscoe and Elixisys. "Nobody will be forced to join us, of course. But we would welcome any assistance.  That being said, let us save that discussion for AFTER this mission."

"You already know all of my impending perils, as we are all currently about to engage them together. I have not had even the opportunity, let alone the desire, to allow an evil entity to be released from its bonds. If I may return to a small point you had mentioned, Edeleth. You had said you needed someone to speak Draconic. Is there someone here you wish me to translate for while you talk to them?"

Elixisys nods. "My job is to defend the Alliance and I would say a powerful lich is probably not good for our interests. So you have my support, and Chernobog's." He quickly turns his head to the Barred Hawk sitting on the pommel of one of his swords. "I don't care if you didn't volunteer, you're my familiar which means that you come with me. Oye, keep that up and you get snapped, got it. Stupid bird." He shakes his head. 

"Thank you, Elixisys, that means a lot."

"I don't have anyone specifically in mind at the moment," says Edeleth to Saerirra.  "But in an earlier battle, we captured a kobold, and none of us could communicate with it. I rather wish you had been with us then.  We will be going up against Dragonborn and Kobolds, and there is always the chance of an overheard conversation, an opportunity to spy, or another prisoner to interrogate."

"That's true, though I would need to remain hidden the entire time. I do have the capability to make myself invisible, as well as a means of detecting deception, so my skills would be valuable for multiple purposes it seems. I do have spells for offense but I only use them if necessary. I would much rather play a subterfuge role, if possible."

"It is good that you have those spells m'lady. Zyman and I both do as well but he would like to save his spells in case he needs to use them for a quick escape if needed. I can make a few of us invisible but any help would be greatly appreciated." 

"I would have to prepare proper spells to aid in turning others invisible, but I also have a skill that can give a few a head start in escaping."

Quote from Astalda >>

"I don't suppose you would consider joining us?" Edeleth said without much hope, looking at the admiring audience's ovation. "We are hoping to find and breach the enemy stronghold, Wrathmaw Keep. It's bound to require all the subtle planning and every talent we can muster. At the very least, somebody who speaks Draconic would be an invaluable ally, and I know that you possess many other abilities that are lacking in our current team."

"You as well," he adds to Uther. "Roscoe could use another strong back in combat. He is mighty, but he has shielded us alone for far too many battles. And after Wrathmaw, if we survive, there are other dire situations we must deal with."