"Well shit. So it was the Inn business. S'pose that's on us regardless for being less thorough, huh?" Narz cracks a wiry grin. As he's saying that however, mentally he's able to commune to the others. Because no self-respecting wizard -- at least any above a typical hedge mage -- would fail to put in the practice for parallel thinking. 'No killing Zoar. That thought stays far out of the equation. 'cause trust me when I say that it wouldn't be worth it, but I'll say--' 

Narz then went on to say, "If you can add to any word spread our 'strong preference' to be left out of the sorta business my friend here mentioned, that'a be mighty appreciated. But if there's some grey areas, well... well, this would be the part I try not to stick my foot further in my mouth and making you reconsider offering us anything. But I feel that must ask if there's any way to make our, uh.. alignment to the Zhentarim at least provincial alliance of a sort? As in, hmm... how best to put this--" 

'-I yet agree with Torsus on still joining them. At the very least, it'll be easier to eliminate any with a vendetta that comes looking for us without adding to the bounty. But as far as crushing them goes... put the thought out of mind. There's plenty of other complications with that, but now's not the time for that conversation either. At the end of the day if it comes to it though, we'll deal with the consequences.' He continued to commune even as he spoke. "... I guess it'a be closer to a case of us being associates rather than full time members. 'cause I'm sure you have at least a little somethin' similar going on like that, right? For like cases where a connection is useful and beneficial, but for one reason or another, said person or group wouldn't have access to too much. Mainly just enough to be able at least be reached or reach out as necessary for mutually beneficial, uh, activities and trade of services. This way we have time to feel each other out a bit more, ya know?"

"But if that's asking too much, well-..." He glances to Torsus and Claire. "-hope you can't fault us for trying to keep things a little looser 'fore just saying 'Well ya got us bent over a barrel, Lady Zoar. So **** it, when's initiation." He said with a smile.

Claire nods to the others and speaks to Zoar, piggybacking off of Narz. “Yes.  A provisional membership would be ideal. Consider us mercenaries for the purpose of solving the giant crisis and keep your secrets secret, pertaining to anything other than the giants.  If that isn’t good enough, I suppose we can ack… akwise-iss… ack wii… err, I suppose we can agree to full membership.  At the end of the day we’ll be needing each other, I think.”

Lady Zoar nods in agreement and pours a few glasses of wine. I believe that will work out splendidly. I can agree to those terms and will be sure that your groups presences in the types of jobs you'll accept and well know. So, shall we drink to our provisional partnership?

Still slightly suspicious and now knowing about the bounty, Claire will insight check Zoar.  The wine could be poisoned after all.

insight: 17

You feel you're getting a pretty good read in her. If she wanted to poison you it wouldn't really make sense for her to get your guard up by mentioning the Bounty so you're confident she's being straight with you.

Torsus, despite his general wisdom, doesn't think to consider poisoning and simply drinks from the cup, as that seemed to be the thing to do. I apologize for any hesitation on our part as well. We simply wanted to be cautious, since we had the luxury to do so. he says, his mind flipping back to the two times he didn't have such luxury.... However, this is a welcome development. With additional resources.. namely information flow... we may be able to handle this giant issue.. pun only partially intended...  he said after a moment, realizing the joke had made itself without him realizing it. Regardless, Anything involving giants I say confidently that I may speak for my group on this atleast... never hesitate to inform us on that ground.

I would have a request though, as we are only a single group, and we've had several leads.. one of them being the one we finished your quest for.. to gain such information.... if you believe it possible, to do so without whoever may end up doing this.... revealing they are part of the Zhentarim... One lead I was particularly keen on but we .. havent the tiem to split our attention for... we have heard of a druid of legend that has been around... I would very much like to meet him and see if he might aid our cause as well. But I emphasize he is unlikely to assist if he finds out you or us are in any way involved with your organization. I only ask if this would be a task you think may be possible. If only to ... sate my own curiosity.

Although Narz accepts a cup and swirled his wine about with the casual care of a noble, he too refrained from taking an immediate swig. He looked instead absent-mindedly at its contents for the length of Torsus roundabout request and for a little time after that. "If by any chance the Zhentarim have some sway with a dragon, it might not be a poor play to spread the suggestion plying one to aid in this whole Giant affair, if any haven't already, what with their long history they have as less than, uh, kindly neighbors."  

Narz looked to Zoar. "Granted, as you said before, there was that whole mess with the cult. But if a cell or two ain't above working with the undead, stands to reason a few might've dipped their fingers already in dallying with great wyrms... In fact, it wouldn't even surprise me if there's a member out there that's a dragon themselves." He said with a chuckle to his voice, but regarded Zoar with interest. 

Insight: 7. 

"Of course if that's asking for far too much too soon, or be something better suited to asking another cell member closer to the north, I'd understand. But anything your group might have on Harshnag the frost giant and his current whereabouts would be greatly appreciated."

Zoar nods in approval of Torsus's caution, saying If you had accepted without at least being a little cautious I would have severely doubted your worthiness in joining. Caution is quite important if you wish to live long enough to enjoy the spoils of your career in this line of work. As for this druid you mention, we've plenty of rangers and even a few druids among our agents. I believe we can search for this druid of yours. As for dragons, while I've always suspected we have a dragon or two among our agents I've never been able to confirm it with my own eyes. Still, I'll send word to scout for any dragons who might be sympathetic with the cause. I'm sure some may have already had that idea and been on the lookout anyway, but I'll let you know how it goes. 

Lady Zoar takes a sip of her wine. As for Harshnag, I did promise you information if you completed the task I gave you so I suppose I should keep my end of the bargain. Of course I don't know where he is though I've heard of him. But I think I know who can help you. 

From a shelf nearby she grabs a piece of parchment that's already been sealed and hands it over. This is a letter of recommendation I wrote for you while you were away. Bring this to Everlund, you can exchange it to the Half Orc innkeeper at Danivarrs House, which is more a boarding house than an inn really. Or if you instead head to Yartar, then seek out the Hand of Yartar, the local theives guild. Present this letter to a member and they will help you. I believe either of these people will have the means to get you in touch with someone who either knows where Harsbnag is or can get you in touch with him.

Torsus relaxed, though it likely went unnoticed as his physiology wasn't the same as most humanoids... so the slacking of shoulders would be inside his shell, and such. I have learned to be cautious in my many years of life. I would not have lived to be nearly twice the age of my kind otherwise. Though my magic may also have something to do with that as well. he conceded. Though he failed to hide his shock that they had druids working for them... clearly he had not expected to hear that druids would work with an organization like theirs, and he allowed his face to look shocked for an appropriate amount of time before accepting that fact. She had nothing to gain by lying about it as far as he could tell.

Then looking to Narz, in a moment of rare recollection.. Well, seeing as we were on our way to Everlund to begin with, We should likely stay the course. You can seek out your goal while I or Claire seek out this informant. Or we can split farther and I or Claire can seek out information regarding the giants and the like from the locals and such. Regardless, I feel ur business is more or less done here, we could simply go now?

"Hn. Very true, Torsus." Narz at last doesn't just take a sip of his wine, but downs the whole thing in one sitting. Then following a quick shake of his head and grunt of approval, he offers the glass back. "I will say that it is nice to know you were that confident of our abilities. But then again, it never hurts to be prepared." Narz remarked, gesturing to the parchment before accepting it had Claire not done so before him.

"And for what it's worth, you have our thanks as well. Here's hoping as well, should we meet again sometime in the near future, things are not as intense as our first meeting. Not that it wasn't understandable. For frankly, I might've been even more shook at any other response."

Zoar nods. I'm glad we could come to an understanding, I will send word of what we discussed here, so you need not worry about those bounties of yours. As a show of good faith, I've one additional gift to give. 

She opens a wardrobe in the room and digs around for an old robe. The robe is covered in many patches depicting various items such as a ladder, a hole, a dagger. You might find this useful in your journeys. Each of these patches acts as a sort of extra dimensional space. Simply pull the desired patch off the robe and you'll summon the item depicted. A great way to summon a great many tools without having to lug a bag around.

She gives you a robe of useful things which contains the following patches.

two of each of the following patches:

Dagger
Bullseye lantern (filled and lit)
Steel mirror
10-foot pole
Hempen rope (50 feet, coiled)
Sack

Pit (a cube 10 feet on a side), which you can place on the ground within 10 feet of you

Potion of healing (4) [so 8 potions between two patches]

And one of each of the following.

Spell scroll of invisibility 

 Silver coffer (1 foot long, 6 inches wide and deep) worth 500 gp

Iron door (up to 10 feet wide and 10 feet high, barred on one side of your choice), which you can place in an opening you can reach; it conforms to fit the opening, attaching and hinging itself

Riding horse with saddlebags

Bag of 100gp

Wooden ladder (24 ft long)

Portable ram

Claire drinks her wine.  “These terms are acceptable to me as well.  Thank you for being flexible.”  After Torsus and Narz discuss their next destination, Claire agrees. “Everlund it is then.  And thank you for the cloak.  Tacky as it is what with the patches and all, it seems like quite the tool itself.  I can roll it up and stick it in my bag, or one of you can take it, if you want to wear it,” she offers to Narz and Torsus.

At the question, Narz looks first to Torsus, before turning back to Claire with a shrug. "As tacky as you put it, I would not mind possessing it. But if our clever Tortle friend here has desires for it, I will wash my hands of any claim to it." He assured. "In any event--" He looks back to Zoar and gives her polite nod. "Lady Zoar. Our thanks again. Now onward to... hmm..  Everlund. To kill two birds with stone 'n all that." On that note, the hobgoblin made to depart with robe in arm or entrusted to the others, but eager nevertheless to be aboard and off with Vigo. 

Torsus considered that for a moment, and while he had ideas for some of them, he overall felt the hobgoblin would put most of it to better use. Though he would later make atleast one suggestion in regards to a few of them.... Regardless. For now he was ready to go. We look forward to a fruitful partnership. But yes, we should be on our way. No point in wasting time and for once... we're not tired. That fight with the giant was almost... too easy... he said, hoping to leave an impression of power - while leaving out the details that made it so.

After collecting your spoils and taking your leave you hit the road North East towards Everlund. On your second night of travel you've set up camp just off the road near some cover to keep you dry during a rain storm. Two of you sleep while one of you is on watch. Around 3 or so in the morning, a cry pierces through the sound of the falling rain. Soon more cries and shots can be heard through the canopy of trees, somewhere out in the dark. 

Once again Narz found himself thankful for having taken the time to learn a method of creating a portable shelter. Although for their mount's sake a more mundane had naturally been in order. Even with such comforts at his fingertips however, years of "questionably" abusive training made a light sleeper of him. So even when not on watch, the cry alone is more than enough to jostle him awake and make an instinctive grab at his focus.

Just outside the dome a startled awake Vigo rose up to scan the immediate vicinity for any signs of the commotion. But if nothing presents itself within the next few seconds, the lowly growling goblinoid glances back to the opaque dome as if seeking further instruction. Meanwhile inside...

"Not sure what all that rackets about. But I can't leave this dome without the spell dismissing itself. We aughta be safe in here though, but-" He looks to Claire. "I get the feel'n you'll wanna go check things out? 'cause if so-" Narz looked thoughtfully for a few seconds, then sighs. "If so, I'll send Spaz out with ya to scout things out from the air. But I'll need another minute to summon more familiars to help widen the search. Though in the meantime, if you do find something -- someONE in trouble, don't just rush if it can be helped."  The hobgoblin then looks to Torsus. "Mind going with her if she wants to go investigate? I know it ain't none of our business or a personal concern for you, but... do it for claire's sake. Safety in numbers 'n all that. I'll catch up on Vigo as needed."

Claire nods.  "We should at least check it out.  Anything that's someone else's problem today could be our problem tomorrow."  If Torsus has anything to say, Claire will hear him out, but barring any heavy protest, she will slip outside with Spaz to recon.

Perception: 16

Roll was 17, forgot editing the text messes with rolls.

(Advantage from Spaz)

Spaz flies overhead amd you cautiously make your way through the woods to try and spy what's causing the commotion. The yells continue and you hear the neighbor of horses and barking of hounds. The nigh is dark and the rain isn't helping but Spaz helps keep you going in the right direction and prevents you from losing your way. Soon the sounds stop and things go mostly quiet. Spaz however catches a glimpse of a fire not far ahead and leads you towards it. You come to a sudden stop however as you hear voices from the camp ahead. Jolly good hunt lads.  Wouldn't you agree Hubert?

Hmm I can't say I agree. These ruffians were hardly worth the effort. 

The two voices, male voices, sound a bit off to your ears. They are raspy as if every word was painful to utter and echo ever so slightly. A more normal.sounding voice says Please M'lords, don't take me back.

Sorry Lad, but we can't let one of our own join some band of brigades. Besides, think of your mother, she would want you back home. You sneak up a bit further  but stop in your tracks as you catch a glimpse of a figure moving through the camp. Sniffing around the fresh corpses is a hound, withered and decayed yet still moving. Its got a leg of a dead woman in its mouth as it drags her to its master. There you see a tall man in ornate leather armor, his hair is grey and patchy and clings to an exposed skull as the undead humanoid loving pats a skeletal warhorse. Ah good girl, the skin on this one will make for fine leatherwork. The undead being grabs the woman and hoists her over the rear of his mount before mounting up himself.

Its now you notice two more undead men and an equal number of horses. The skeletal riders are accompanied by eight undead hounds and among them is one clearly alive human male. Me ma died five years ago. I can't go back to that thing, the man says to one of the riders astride his horse. Don't say such nonsense. I understand you're upset, but really it is for the best. Your mother isn't the only one who needs you you know. You're a valuable part of the community no matter what you may think. I know it may be hard at times but running away won't fix your problems young man. Now why don't you put this foolish notion of running off behind you and return hom-what is it boy?

A hound at his feet begins growling and sniffing the air. It points your direction. Three skeletal heads all turn your direction. What do you do?

“The dog is onto us, Spaz, and I don’t think I’ll be able to sneak away.  Go alert Narz and Torsus.”

Claire then grips her holy symbol, ready to use turn undead if the humanoid undead seem instantly hostile (DC 16 wis save.  On fail, undead must flee for 1 minute. Undead of CR 1/2 and under are automatically destroyed in fail), and she steps out of the brush.

If the they keep the dogs heeled, she will speak to them.

Spaz nods his understanding and flies off back to camp. As you stand and reveal yourselves and dogs growl. One if the riders reaches for his bow, Seems we missed one

Hold it there Hubert. This one doesn't look like one if these ruffians. Besides, if one had fled, the hounds would've sniffed them out.

The rider going for his bow stops and considers for a moment and glances you over. This one's a priest or a cleric of some sort. It would be safer to take her out.

She does have lovely skin. Bet her bones are strong too. 

Gentlemen please, there's will be no more hunt today, and not against one whose intentions we do not know. The rider who had been wondering about your bones shrugs and agrees albeit reluctantly. Hello there Madam, I am Sir Roderick Gerrit. I apologize for my friends here, they get nervous around strangers. Might I ask your name and buisness in our woods?