Narz wasn't able to quite catch the deflated look in Torsus' expression, but would sideeye and note the Tortle's moving off to the barkeep. Yet for all of his curiosity there, Claire's inquiry brings his attention back to the table. He relays as much as he'd figured regarding expectations on finding the Druid at this point, and the costliness of such a journey even by boat; Which, he add frankly, might save some time, but may inadvertently result in them missing the cathedral. "Needless to say, best we see about finding a guide or do further research about the Cathedral itself back in Waterdeep. Information might still be scant even further away. But, if its notable enough, we'd be bound to find something there, eh?"

By that point Dakkurz deliberation concludes, and leaves him stroking his beard and deliberating on the cost. "Sounds like a deal. In fact, I'll throw in an extra two hundred gold from my personal funds on the job. Consider it a bonus given the winter conditions your lot will have to deal with for the job." He said, plucking out two of the diamonds before passing the pouch back to Dakkurz. With some discretion, he fishes out a pouch containing the two hundred gold and passes that along the way; showing that he had been prepared to eventually make the deal with Dakkurz and her band.

With the two diamonds still in his other hand, he considers them for a bit before offering them to Claire and Ayed. "Here. Soree, but i'll be absorbing the cost of the other diamonds. So rest assured-" He looks to Rollo. "You and Torsus will be paid your cut for the original job as well."

Torsus had fully been intending to mention the value, but in his own ramblings had forgotten to do so... and now, with very mild interest from the innkeeper, he would say A single gem worth no less than three hundred gold, thus the price I offered. Apologies, in my attempt to be detailed, that detail was likely lost. Which is mine own fault. But it cannot be a series of gems, it must be a single gem of such value.

Claire takes the Diamond and turns it over in her hands a few times, admiring it before pocketing it.  "Anywhere around here we could exchange it?" she asks, looking back to Dakkurz.

The innkeeper considers for a moment before nodding knowingly. Well, there is old lady Melborn in town. Not many people around here carry gems of such value, or at least make it known that they do. But Mrs. Melborn has some old jewelry she may be willing to part with. I can't say for certain anything is as valuable as you need though, you'll have to see for yourself. Failing that I'd say make your way to Waterdeep and try there. You won't have issues finding anything like that there.

at the table:

Theres a few pawnshops in town you could probably exchange it there for gold or maybe something else if you find anything interesting though I wouldn't hold my breathe. Otherwise just wait till you get to Waterdeep. No shortage of banks, jewlers and pawnbrokers there.

"Could still be worth it for a look around though, if nothing else. Perhaps you'll learn more about our cathedral in the process, eh?" Narz further encourages Claire before taking a supdued sip of his drink. "Mn. In any case, I believe that concludes most outstanding business of the evening for me. So, I'll see the rest of you in the morning, eh? With any luck, we'll be back in waterdeep in no time." At that, Narz rises from his seat and heads to the bar aiming to confirm accommodations were ready, before heading off to the room.

Once inside the room the usual protections usual reserved for the road is put into place. Spaz is left with the rest to keep an eye on things, and alert he hobgoblin in case anything goes down while he tries to find his rest.

(OOC: I removed the 200 gp for the added payment, as well as the 150 to be doled out later to Rolo and Torsus for their share of the reward.)

Rollo sees this as an end to the conversation and stands. "I'll be outside of town if someone needs me. Since it seems we're just heading to more and more 'civilized' places I think it's best that I take as much time outside of them as I can." 

With that he heads back to the outskirts of town, finding as comfortable a spot as he can and bedding down for the night in the woods. 

Survival: 6

Rollo as you try to leave town the guards at the gate stop you. Hold there! Gates are closed for the night. No one's allowed in or out!

Rollo looks at them very perplexed. "I understand in but why not out? What do you care if I'm outside of your walls?"

Orders of Senior Sword Muruin, the guard states tiredly. Makes the merchants feel safe, and this is a merchant town so she wants to keep them happy. Besides, roads aren't safe at night for a lone traveler, not with the Womford Bat on the prowl. Though...a greedy smile crosses the man's face, If you're willing to make a donation to the town militia, I could see about getting you out of here, if you really want to leave that badly.

Rollo gently rests his hand on the hilt of the greatsword. "Why is it that every guard around seems to want donations in order to do things. The way I see it, you're all here more as a show of force than an actual deterant. Sure, a bunch of you are a deterant, but you, little you, what do you think you could really do to me? I fought 3 giants, some bugbears, and a slew of goblins already this morning and I'm barely cut. Do you really think that you're enough to actually cut me down if I decide I don't want to pay your bribe but I still want to leave?" He looks expectantly at the guard, waiting for an answer. 

Intimidation: 21

3

The guard pales for a moment a raises a hand. Hey wait a minute! No need to get hasty! You hurt me and you'll have an entire towns worth of militia coming for you! You don't want that right? But fine fine I can make an exception, just this once though. But you're not coming back in till morning, so if the bat gets you you're on your own big guy. He gestures up the wall towards a large basket big enough for one medium sized humanoid and a pulley system. We'll lower you down, doors have to stay shut after all.

Rollo steps forward. "Very well. And have no fear of me coming back or of the bat getting me. If it tries I will simply have a night snack to roast over the fire."

Yeah, sure you will. Just get out of here. You head to the basket and another guard lowers you down to the other side of the wall. Once free of the town you take some time set up a spot you can relax

As you're trying to sleep you hear a voice call out to you. Evening traveler, don't suppose you can spare a seat for a fellow road weary traveler unable to get into town?  A young man approaches your camp, you never even heard him approach until he spoke. More unsettling however is his words or rather the magic laced within them. You feel your mind telling you this is a friend but you shake off the magic trying to force its way into your mind. After a moment of regaining your senses, you realize you recognize this man, he was in the tavern earlier, alone and in the corner reading a book.

Rollo takes the sword from the spot where it lays in front of him and leans on it in a relaxed posture. "I would be able to do such a thing, were you actually a weary traveller. But alas, you are not. You seek to attack my mind and deceive me from your true intentions but Tyr has shown me ways stronger than yours. Now, state your true purpose in talking here with me tonight or be gone and never return, for liars are not welcome." 

Insight: 14

Nature: 7

The young man smiles a takes another step closer. He laughs to himself, clearly amused by you're ability to see right through him. Hehehe. It seems you're not as dumb as you look. And judging by the smell of blood about you you're not push over either. I usually go for the peasants in Wormford or the loan traveler on the road, but its nice to fight for your dinner now and again. 

With that his pale face become gaunt and he bares his fangs and hisses at you as his nails lengthen and sharpen into claws. Expecting this you quickly call upon Tyr for protection but it seems the vampire isn't slowed in the least. His claw easily finds the space between your armor and cuts a gash in your armor. The smell of fresh blood seems to excite the beat and his next claw aims for the throat. Instead of cutting you open however he grabs and lifts you off the ground with unnatural strength. He smiles,.showing you his fangs before going for a bite, however you're able to free enough of your hand to cover his face and push back, preventing him from getting a bite

Rollo grabs his holy symbol and thrusts it towards the vampire. "Burn and run you bastard. You want a fight, you've got one." As he says this the anger inside him from having his one night in the woods so rudely interupted boils over and he screams back at the undead thing. 

A: Channel Divinity: Turn Undead (WIS DC13)

BA: Rage

(As discussed before Rollo has cast Sanctuary)

 The vampire starts to recoil from the sight of the holy symbol of seems to shrug off the affects as he lunges for another bite. Yet again you hold him off as your sanctuary seems to do little to stop him. With his other hand he begins to dig his claws into your chest, trying to make you loose focus and opening up an opportunity to bite. This time his teeth find purchase in the soft bits of your neck. You feel an ice chill where the creature bit you as your blood begind you leave your body at rapid pace.

Break Grapple Strength: 27

Rollo slams his head forward and bites at the hand holding him, causing the vampire to draw back long enough to slip free of the grapple. Once he's free he takes of running towards where he knows the nearest river is, not trusting the guards in town to ever actually do anything but watch him die. 

 Rollo breaks free and tries to make a break for it but at the last possible moment feels a claw at the back of his neck as he is dragged back. Shortly after theres another sharp pain as the vampire takes another dose of blood from your neck. He tries to claw at you again but seems so focused on his meal that he doesn't manage to harm you beyond taking more of you're life's blood.

Grapple Break Again: 18

Rollo continues to use his intense ability to shake off damage and breaks the grapple again before once again beginning to run to the river.