Lumen searches the body of the "leader" of this bunch and finds that he carries 22 sp and 16 gp and a finely cut obsidian gem that's about the size of a large acorn, as well as a long dagger with a metal skull set in the hilt, and a small component pouch that you figure contains the items needed to cast his spells.
Antonio answers Chrys with a nod. "Nothing to even mention. Besides, I hardly did anything except to try and distract his aim. I hope that you would do the same for me.
She doesn't detect any signs that he knows anything behind what he's asking with regards to the mask, although she feels there was probably more to his "distraction" than just quick vocal taunt.
"As fer the mask," Chrys says, after studying Antonio for another moment. "It's a cursed relic o' Shar's. We had ta pull it off o' the face of a lady who'd been driven mad by it. Caused a lot o' unnecessary death, destruction, an' pain to anyone who fell victim to it's charms, includin' our own group here. So we broke it apart an' tried to get help gettin' rid o' the curse on it. Guess news travels fast when yer a cultist worried 'bout yer Goddesses' playthings."
Chrys sighs and pinches the bridge of her nose. "Ta be honest, all o' us would rather have nothin' to do with this business. We ain't in the habit o' tryin' ta take down an entire cult by ourselves. But... they were hurtin' good people, and we had ta put a stop to it. And, well... guess it's painted a target on our backs." She rubs the back of her head and looks annoyed. "Might not be too safe travelin' around us for a longer time, if that one that got away is as powerful as this here fella's sayin',"Chrys says, referring to their captured bandit. "What're we gonna do 'bout this one anyhow? I ain't too happy 'bout lettin' folks who chose a life o' crime go scot free, but he don't seem to be rotten to the core like them others."
She approaches the captured bandit and kneels in front of him, studying him solemnly. "M'name's Chrys. I'd like ta know yours, 'fore we decide anythin' else. But I want ya ta listen first.
We all get hungry sometimes... or need to find somethin' ta do with ourselves, even when it seems like people ain't hirin', or ya just ain't cut out fer the work that they are. But look here. Ya could'a ended up like yer mates in this battle, all it woulda taken was a slip o' the sword or a second o' hesitation on yer surrender." She frowns. "Yer life is worth more than that. I don't care how tough and independent ya think ya are -- somewhere out there, there's another person in this world who gives a damn about ya, and whether or not ya die as a nameless bandit in a forest, or live as a person with a past an' a future. I ain't tryin' to convince you o' nothin'... except maybe yer own worth."
She sighs, and looks at the corpses laid out from the ambush, before turning back to the bandit. "Think 'bout the people yer bein' hired to cut down, next time someone swings by with an' offer like this one. They're jus' like you. They all got faces, names, stories, pasts... an' futures, if you'll let 'em. Ya might need money ta eat, but don't be stealin' peoples' lives. Everyone deserves a chance ta live 'em out. Ya got it in ya to be better than this, an' ya know it."
She looks to the others. "I say we ask him ta help us bury these guys, an' then we let 'im go. Whaddaya think?"
If Krackle is still a bear at this point, he would look at the men and lick his lips and give them a good sniff before looking to Chrys and giving her a wink and a nod. If he was already back to his kobold form, he would cling to the back of Chry's leg and look the men up and down. "Maybe they could come with us. If they are sorry about being bad.. maybe they could show us that they are willing to be good by keeping us company while we are in the forest. Who knows of there are even more bad men or creatures around " The small kobold would say with a smile.
"Fair enough," Kess would say, before slowly sheathing her blades, finally relaxing enough to allow the man room and reflex to stand. "Frankly, I'd rather not see you waste your life for much the same reasons my friend Chrys just stated. You have strong hands, and more skills than you know - you can still put them to good use."
And if he tries anything, it's not like he's going to get very far.
Antonio listens to Chrys and answers in matter of fact way.
"That sounds like a lot of trouble you didn't want... but then again, that's the life of an adventurer, it seems. We all find ourselves in trouble and mixed up with business that we didn't intend to get ourselves in. I know that as well as anyone."
When Chrys speaks to the bandit, the man seems to relax and let his guard down a little bit. He still seems a little wary about Kess, though. He answers in a solemn tone.
"Name's Sap. 't's what they calls me anyway. Got a wife. She cares about me... least she did 'fore I got mixed up with them cultists...'fore our son died. Them folks is scary, but I was so distraught after losing' me boy... I couldn't find no respite, 'til I was recruited by Zarus here. I was in a bad way, but he made me see that it weren't my fault... I was so driven by my own bitterness that he convinced me that it was the Moon Maiden who had taken my boy, and that to get revenge on her and her followers would take away the pain."
"I joined up, but it weren't long before I saw that it weren't the right way. Killin' nobody weren't never gonna bring my boy back or make it hurt any less. I wanted to be done with them, but by then I was in too deep. I was too scared that they'd kill me and my wife if I showed any hesitation. Same thing happened with Karl here. They prey on the pain of others, but he end up causin' 'em even more pain..."
"Course, Karl's dead now, so at least they got nothin' on his girl anymore. I guess that far as they're concerned, I'm dead too. 'Specially since Zarus here ain't gonna be telling anyone otherwise." He points towards the dead 'leader."
"The only one who don't know the truth is that fella who got away. As I told ya, he's the scary one of this bunch, but I s'ppose he don't know any different...less he's watching us right now.He looks around with an expression of fear and trepidation. "If he is, then I'm in worse trouble than before. But maybe not... he never cared much about low lifes like me and Karl. Zarus was the one who kept us in line... him and his boss."
"Long as they think I'm a goner, maybe me and me lady got nothing to worry about anymore. Guess that's a good thing, but it means we're gonna have to get away from our home so's they don't find find us and see that I ain't really dead. Means I'm gonna have to get her away from Triboar."
Sap hesitates, then speaks up again. "You know... that's gonna be a burden on us... An' I don't got no job now... I know ya spared my life when ya didn't have to... but what if you was to give me a bit o' coin to help me get back and get us away from there?"
"Hm... I've an idea, if you're open to it, Sap." Kess offered, trying the best she could not to frighten the man anymore then she already had. Having heard his story, it was clear that there was a bit of regret on her face for having taken the life of his compatriot. "There is one place I know you could hide, and none but the most foolish or most driven might make an attempt to find you, assuming they're going to look. Perhaps you and your wife could hope to start anew in my homeland: Icewind Dale.
"Now, I've a feeling I know what you might say to that, but it's truly not so inhospitable up there that you can't survive, especially if you don't tarry away the warmer months. The Dale can actually be very bountiful and beautiful if you know where to look, and it has been a surprisingly safe and quiet place to live, assuming you keep your wits about you. In particular... my home town, Lonelywood, would make an excellent place for you to live. There are miles of forests between it and the slopes of Kelvin's Cairn, and plenty of means to ply a living, whether from Maer Dualdon or the forest itself. If you decided to go there, I'm willing to give you 10 gold for the journey and for provisions, but I'd advise you both to take only what you need, and travel light. Given the date, you should have enough time to get through the Spine of the World and well into the Dale before the first frost hits. That should be enough time for the both of you to arrive and establish yourselves in town. Just... a favor if you do go? There's a woman there in Lonelywood, who looks similar to me, an elf by the name of Sylvarra Lorrath. Let her know that Kessdarra sent you, and that she's alive and well?"
There was a wistful smile on Kess' face as she mentioned the last point, one that she was sure the others wouldn't miss if they were listening.
"That sounds like a fair deal ta me,"Chrys says. "Sounds like ya knew Karl here, and I'm thinkin' he'd want you to be able to start a new life with everythin' he had. Go ahead an' help yerself ta what he had... an' go back ta yer wife. This ain't the life for ya."
Lumen nods, still somewhat distrustfully, at the back and forth between the party, Sap, and Antonio. He ground his teeth in exasperation as everyone told each well-earned secret to the captured ruffian and Antonio, who's not been honest about his background or intentions. He files away some conversations that will have to be had with each of his new friends about caution and circumspection and wariness and survival.
Still, he doesn't say anything amid the eruptions, pocketing what the leader, Zarus, had on him ("22 sp and 16 gp and a finely cut obsidian gem that's about the size of a large acorn, as well as a long dagger with a metal skull set in the hilt, and a small component pouch") and using a handkerchief to wrap the gem inside, making sure not to touch it. After the offer is made to Sap, he speaks up.
"What's the name of the one who got away? Where's he based? What else can you tell us about him? I don't want him on anyone's trail, and he's likely still just a ways back in the woods, keeping his distance, but still not out of our hair. And I think it goes without saying that if we learn that you've breathed a word about us or why your friends here were hunting us, well, it won't end well for you."His cadence is calm, quiet even, but can't help but be intimidating in intent. He also glances at Antonio, not directing the threat at him, but just placing one card on the table in the same suit, if he picks up what Lumen's putting down.
Sap listens to each of you speak as you offer your suggestions, questions and warnings.
"Icewind Dale...? That's a long way off, and from what I heard, it's a rough place full o' naught but snow, ice and orcs. I was thinking more the big city... make way for Waterdeep... get lost in the crowd. I don't know if my wife'll take a shine on movin' that far north, but I s'ppose that it's out of the way enough to stay hidden enough from them cultists. 'Course, they might be up there just as well... who knows. Hell, they're probably everywhere."
"I'll give it some mind, though, and if we decide to head up that away, then we'll be sure and make for Lonelywood and look for a woman named Sylvarra Lorrath... although ta be honest, I'm a little wary of... of... you people. I don't know about elves and don't rightly know how they'd take to regular folk like us."
To Lumen, he answers in a hushed tone,
"I never knew what that fella's right name was. Never heard it. I heard him called a few different things.... Katsu was what we knew him by, but I hears other's call him Issio and Talissan... Some folks just know him as The Shadow. He's a dangerous bloke, that's for sure. Worships the dark lady in a big way. I'd say you don't want to get on his bad side, but you already are, so there ain't much to do about that. I don't know much about him, just that he worked with Zarus and whoever Zarus answers to. I never knew who that was, though."
"Between you and me, this wasn't exactly his most favorable motive. Attackin' right in broad daylight like this. That was Zarus's idea and they argued about it, but Zarus wanted to make sure we caught you before you reached Noanar's Hold. He wanted to hit you in the dark. That's his preferred way, so you should all watch your back. He's still out there and if he decides to keep on you, then you won't shake him easily. Just be on your guard. Or sick your bear on him again... although he'll be too smart for that next time..."
"And don't worry... I'm as scared o' that bloke as you are. I want nothing more to do with him. I just want to get the hell outta here. Soon as you let me go, I'm gonna high tail it back to Jundar's Pass and take the long way around back to Tribal. I don't wanna chance having him seem me if he decides to double back to Calling Horns."
Antonio listens to all of this and remains rather quiet for most of the exchange. He seems a bit intrigued, or at least concerned by all of this, but you can tell that he is getting impatient to linger here. He meets Lumen's glance with direct eye contact, but says nothing.
(I meant only give him the coins.. I figured we could keep the gem. I REALLY don't want to give him the dagger... I mean.. I suppose can have Krackle pick it up and swing it around.. give it the old curse check :D)
(I think that Chrys meant you'd give him everything that Karl, the other bandit had carried, not what Zarus had. This would include some dried food stuffs and stale bread hunks, and a small pouch that contains 6 gp and 18 sp. So, not the gem or the dagger or the other coins.)
Krackle would look to the man and then to his companions. "It sounds like you better hurry.. I don't know where that guy ran off to but he could come back at any time." The kobold would say before looking out into the woods.
Yeah I thought it was what Karl's stuff. Lumen would want to keep Zarus' stuff.
Lumen grumbles to himself, as he listens, "Katsi, Issio, Talissan, or The Shadow. Great."
He asks for a minute to speak to Chrys, Kess, Krackle, and Vesper separately from Antonio and Sap. He whispers to the group in a flood.
"So we're being hunted. They know about some of this at least. It's a big leap of faith to take the word of this poor sap, Sap, and let him go. I'll trust you all on that. I doubt Antonio is working with them, but we met him under suspicious circumstances and he's not giving us a real story here. Trust must be earned. What do we do, here? We've come rather far on this errand, and we're close, so I'm leaning toward keeping on the current task, hopefully accomplishing it quickly, and then heading back just as quickly so we can check on Melton, the abandoned temple, and also the other place we left the other fragment. All the while being hunted by a dangerous shadow assassin who thinks we have a full mask. I don't think it's smart to tell Antonio everything, but several of our cats are out of the bag."
"I say we get goin'. We're sittin' ducks out here if he decides to come back, an' I don't wanna test Sap's new-found conscience by havin' one o' his cultist heavies show up again right now. Antonio helped us in this here dust-up, so I don't think he's workin' with them, and he certainly ain't gonna be in this Shadow's good books anymore, now. We can see what he does when we get to Noanar's Hold. Right now, jus' put one foot in front o' the other, an' deal with the problems as they come," Chry replies.
She glances at the forest apprehensively; the trees, that seemed so intimidating before... still are. But it helps to have a focus, now, even if that focus is a powerful, murderous cultist infamous enough to have at least four different names. She squares her shoulders. "We move now, an' we find out what happened to that nymph first an' foremost. We can't lose focus when we're this close to our goal, jus' cause some cultists are tryin' ta scare us. I ain't gonna live in fear, an' I ain't gonna stop helpin' people. This Shadow fella's just gonna have to deal with that, I suppose."
Assuming that you agree to let Sap go, he quickly gathers up his possessions and stuffs Karl's coins into his own pouch and turns to leave. Before doing so, he looks at you one last time and says, "Thank you, good people for... for not killing me. Hopefully I can make it back to Triboar without him killing me."
With that, he turns and hurries down the path, heading in in the direction you just came from, leaving you alone in the forest once again. Antonio watches him leave and says, "I hope you don't live to regret that decision. I'm not usually of the mind to let people go who just tried to kill me, but he did tell a compelling story. Hopefully it's a true story. At any rate, you all seem to be able to handle yourselves quite well in the face of trouble, but I say we get a move-on. I'd like to make it to Noanar's Hold before it gets dark. I'm in no mind to go wandering through this forest at night."
By now, the hour is getting to be further into the late afternoon, and from what you know, you still have enough time to make it to your destination before nightfall, providing there are no more distractions along the way...
"We should indeed get going. And it does make sense to stick together given these woods, and the hunter we know is out there,"Lumen says, gathering anything left on the ground, and dragging the bodies a bit further into the woods. Returning to the path and beginning to walk toward their destination, he turns to the new guy. "Along the way, Antonio, please tell us what you're really up to. You just learned some things about us. Some are true, some are not. But you know more than you did. That puts us at a disadvantage with regard to what we know about you. You wouldn't want that! Trust is a two-way street. What were you doing before we ran into you on the road with all your things on the ground? What's your agenda going forward from here?"
Lumen searches the body of the "leader" of this bunch and finds that he carries 22 sp and 16 gp and a finely cut obsidian gem that's about the size of a large acorn, as well as a long dagger with a metal skull set in the hilt, and a small component pouch that you figure contains the items needed to cast his spells.
Antonio answers Chrys with a nod. "Nothing to even mention. Besides, I hardly did anything except to try and distract his aim. I hope that you would do the same for me.
She doesn't detect any signs that he knows anything behind what he's asking with regards to the mask, although she feels there was probably more to his "distraction" than just quick vocal taunt.
"As fer the mask," Chrys says, after studying Antonio for another moment. "It's a cursed relic o' Shar's. We had ta pull it off o' the face of a lady who'd been driven mad by it. Caused a lot o' unnecessary death, destruction, an' pain to anyone who fell victim to it's charms, includin' our own group here. So we broke it apart an' tried to get help gettin' rid o' the curse on it. Guess news travels fast when yer a cultist worried 'bout yer Goddesses' playthings."
Chrys sighs and pinches the bridge of her nose. "Ta be honest, all o' us would rather have nothin' to do with this business. We ain't in the habit o' tryin' ta take down an entire cult by ourselves. But... they were hurtin' good people, and we had ta put a stop to it. And, well... guess it's painted a target on our backs." She rubs the back of her head and looks annoyed. "Might not be too safe travelin' around us for a longer time, if that one that got away is as powerful as this here fella's sayin'," Chrys says, referring to their captured bandit. "What're we gonna do 'bout this one anyhow? I ain't too happy 'bout lettin' folks who chose a life o' crime go scot free, but he don't seem to be rotten to the core like them others."
She approaches the captured bandit and kneels in front of him, studying him solemnly. "M'name's Chrys. I'd like ta know yours, 'fore we decide anythin' else. But I want ya ta listen first.
We all get hungry sometimes... or need to find somethin' ta do with ourselves, even when it seems like people ain't hirin', or ya just ain't cut out fer the work that they are. But look here. Ya could'a ended up like yer mates in this battle, all it woulda taken was a slip o' the sword or a second o' hesitation on yer surrender." She frowns. "Yer life is worth more than that. I don't care how tough and independent ya think ya are -- somewhere out there, there's another person in this world who gives a damn about ya, and whether or not ya die as a nameless bandit in a forest, or live as a person with a past an' a future. I ain't tryin' to convince you o' nothin'... except maybe yer own worth."
She sighs, and looks at the corpses laid out from the ambush, before turning back to the bandit. "Think 'bout the people yer bein' hired to cut down, next time someone swings by with an' offer like this one. They're jus' like you. They all got faces, names, stories, pasts... an' futures, if you'll let 'em. Ya might need money ta eat, but don't be stealin' peoples' lives. Everyone deserves a chance ta live 'em out. Ya got it in ya to be better than this, an' ya know it."
She looks to the others. "I say we ask him ta help us bury these guys, an' then we let 'im go. Whaddaya think?"
"He's not fighting anymore so that sounds like a fair deal to me."
Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
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If Krackle is still a bear at this point, he would look at the men and lick his lips and give them a good sniff before looking to Chrys and giving her a wink and a nod. If he was already back to his kobold form, he would cling to the back of Chry's leg and look the men up and down. "Maybe they could come with us. If they are sorry about being bad.. maybe they could show us that they are willing to be good by keeping us company while we are in the forest. Who knows of there are even more bad men or creatures around " The small kobold would say with a smile.
"Fair enough," Kess would say, before slowly sheathing her blades, finally relaxing enough to allow the man room and reflex to stand. "Frankly, I'd rather not see you waste your life for much the same reasons my friend Chrys just stated. You have strong hands, and more skills than you know - you can still put them to good use."
And if he tries anything, it's not like he's going to get very far.
Antonio listens to Chrys and answers in matter of fact way.
"That sounds like a lot of trouble you didn't want... but then again, that's the life of an adventurer, it seems. We all find ourselves in trouble and mixed up with business that we didn't intend to get ourselves in. I know that as well as anyone."
When Chrys speaks to the bandit, the man seems to relax and let his guard down a little bit. He still seems a little wary about Kess, though. He answers in a solemn tone.
"Name's Sap. 't's what they calls me anyway. Got a wife. She cares about me... least she did 'fore I got mixed up with them cultists...'fore our son died. Them folks is scary, but I was so distraught after losing' me boy... I couldn't find no respite, 'til I was recruited by Zarus here. I was in a bad way, but he made me see that it weren't my fault... I was so driven by my own bitterness that he convinced me that it was the Moon Maiden who had taken my boy, and that to get revenge on her and her followers would take away the pain."
"I joined up, but it weren't long before I saw that it weren't the right way. Killin' nobody weren't never gonna bring my boy back or make it hurt any less. I wanted to be done with them, but by then I was in too deep. I was too scared that they'd kill me and my wife if I showed any hesitation. Same thing happened with Karl here. They prey on the pain of others, but he end up causin' 'em even more pain..."
"Course, Karl's dead now, so at least they got nothin' on his girl anymore. I guess that far as they're concerned, I'm dead too. 'Specially since Zarus here ain't gonna be telling anyone otherwise." He points towards the dead 'leader."
"The only one who don't know the truth is that fella who got away. As I told ya, he's the scary one of this bunch, but I s'ppose he don't know any different...less he's watching us right now. He looks around with an expression of fear and trepidation. "If he is, then I'm in worse trouble than before. But maybe not... he never cared much about low lifes like me and Karl. Zarus was the one who kept us in line... him and his boss."
"Long as they think I'm a goner, maybe me and me lady got nothing to worry about anymore. Guess that's a good thing, but it means we're gonna have to get away from our home so's they don't find find us and see that I ain't really dead. Means I'm gonna have to get her away from Triboar."
Sap hesitates, then speaks up again. "You know... that's gonna be a burden on us... An' I don't got no job now... I know ya spared my life when ya didn't have to... but what if you was to give me a bit o' coin to help me get back and get us away from there?"
"Hm... I've an idea, if you're open to it, Sap." Kess offered, trying the best she could not to frighten the man anymore then she already had. Having heard his story, it was clear that there was a bit of regret on her face for having taken the life of his compatriot. "There is one place I know you could hide, and none but the most foolish or most driven might make an attempt to find you, assuming they're going to look. Perhaps you and your wife could hope to start anew in my homeland: Icewind Dale.
"Now, I've a feeling I know what you might say to that, but it's truly not so inhospitable up there that you can't survive, especially if you don't tarry away the warmer months. The Dale can actually be very bountiful and beautiful if you know where to look, and it has been a surprisingly safe and quiet place to live, assuming you keep your wits about you. In particular... my home town, Lonelywood, would make an excellent place for you to live. There are miles of forests between it and the slopes of Kelvin's Cairn, and plenty of means to ply a living, whether from Maer Dualdon or the forest itself. If you decided to go there, I'm willing to give you 10 gold for the journey and for provisions, but I'd advise you both to take only what you need, and travel light. Given the date, you should have enough time to get through the Spine of the World and well into the Dale before the first frost hits. That should be enough time for the both of you to arrive and establish yourselves in town. Just... a favor if you do go? There's a woman there in Lonelywood, who looks similar to me, an elf by the name of Sylvarra Lorrath. Let her know that Kessdarra sent you, and that she's alive and well?"
There was a wistful smile on Kess' face as she mentioned the last point, one that she was sure the others wouldn't miss if they were listening.
"You could give him the coins from the dead cultist." Krackle would say after looking from the bandit to the dead body.
"That sounds like a fair deal ta me," Chrys says. "Sounds like ya knew Karl here, and I'm thinkin' he'd want you to be able to start a new life with everythin' he had. Go ahead an' help yerself ta what he had... an' go back ta yer wife. This ain't the life for ya."
Lumen nods, still somewhat distrustfully, at the back and forth between the party, Sap, and Antonio. He ground his teeth in exasperation as everyone told each well-earned secret to the captured ruffian and Antonio, who's not been honest about his background or intentions. He files away some conversations that will have to be had with each of his new friends about caution and circumspection and wariness and survival.
Still, he doesn't say anything amid the eruptions, pocketing what the leader, Zarus, had on him ("22 sp and 16 gp and a finely cut obsidian gem that's about the size of a large acorn, as well as a long dagger with a metal skull set in the hilt, and a small component pouch") and using a handkerchief to wrap the gem inside, making sure not to touch it. After the offer is made to Sap, he speaks up.
"What's the name of the one who got away? Where's he based? What else can you tell us about him? I don't want him on anyone's trail, and he's likely still just a ways back in the woods, keeping his distance, but still not out of our hair. And I think it goes without saying that if we learn that you've breathed a word about us or why your friends here were hunting us, well, it won't end well for you." His cadence is calm, quiet even, but can't help but be intimidating in intent. He also glances at Antonio, not directing the threat at him, but just placing one card on the table in the same suit, if he picks up what Lumen's putting down.
Sap listens to each of you speak as you offer your suggestions, questions and warnings.
"Icewind Dale...? That's a long way off, and from what I heard, it's a rough place full o' naught but snow, ice and orcs. I was thinking more the big city... make way for Waterdeep... get lost in the crowd. I don't know if my wife'll take a shine on movin' that far north, but I s'ppose that it's out of the way enough to stay hidden enough from them cultists. 'Course, they might be up there just as well... who knows. Hell, they're probably everywhere."
"I'll give it some mind, though, and if we decide to head up that away, then we'll be sure and make for Lonelywood and look for a woman named Sylvarra Lorrath... although ta be honest, I'm a little wary of... of... you people. I don't know about elves and don't rightly know how they'd take to regular folk like us."
To Lumen, he answers in a hushed tone,
"I never knew what that fella's right name was. Never heard it. I heard him called a few different things.... Katsu was what we knew him by, but I hears other's call him Issio and Talissan... Some folks just know him as The Shadow. He's a dangerous bloke, that's for sure. Worships the dark lady in a big way. I'd say you don't want to get on his bad side, but you already are, so there ain't much to do about that. I don't know much about him, just that he worked with Zarus and whoever Zarus answers to. I never knew who that was, though."
"Between you and me, this wasn't exactly his most favorable motive. Attackin' right in broad daylight like this. That was Zarus's idea and they argued about it, but Zarus wanted to make sure we caught you before you reached Noanar's Hold. He wanted to hit you in the dark. That's his preferred way, so you should all watch your back. He's still out there and if he decides to keep on you, then you won't shake him easily. Just be on your guard. Or sick your bear on him again... although he'll be too smart for that next time..."
"And don't worry... I'm as scared o' that bloke as you are. I want nothing more to do with him. I just want to get the hell outta here. Soon as you let me go, I'm gonna high tail it back to Jundar's Pass and take the long way around back to Tribal. I don't wanna chance having him seem me if he decides to double back to Calling Horns."
Antonio listens to all of this and remains rather quiet for most of the exchange. He seems a bit intrigued, or at least concerned by all of this, but you can tell that he is getting impatient to linger here. He meets Lumen's glance with direct eye contact, but says nothing.
(I meant only give him the coins.. I figured we could keep the gem. I REALLY don't want to give him the dagger... I mean.. I suppose can have Krackle pick it up and swing it around.. give it the old curse check :D)
(I think that Chrys meant you'd give him everything that Karl, the other bandit had carried, not what Zarus had. This would include some dried food stuffs and stale bread hunks, and a small pouch that contains 6 gp and 18 sp. So, not the gem or the dagger or the other coins.)
(OOC: That sounds good to me lol)
Krackle would look to the man and then to his companions. "It sounds like you better hurry.. I don't know where that guy ran off to but he could come back at any time." The kobold would say before looking out into the woods.
Yeah I thought it was what Karl's stuff. Lumen would want to keep Zarus' stuff.
Lumen grumbles to himself, as he listens, "Katsi, Issio, Talissan, or The Shadow. Great."
He asks for a minute to speak to Chrys, Kess, Krackle, and Vesper separately from Antonio and Sap. He whispers to the group in a flood.
"So we're being hunted. They know about some of this at least. It's a big leap of faith to take the word of this poor sap, Sap, and let him go. I'll trust you all on that. I doubt Antonio is working with them, but we met him under suspicious circumstances and he's not giving us a real story here. Trust must be earned. What do we do, here? We've come rather far on this errand, and we're close, so I'm leaning toward keeping on the current task, hopefully accomplishing it quickly, and then heading back just as quickly so we can check on Melton, the abandoned temple, and also the other place we left the other fragment. All the while being hunted by a dangerous shadow assassin who thinks we have a full mask. I don't think it's smart to tell Antonio everything, but several of our cats are out of the bag."
"I say we get goin'. We're sittin' ducks out here if he decides to come back, an' I don't wanna test Sap's new-found conscience by havin' one o' his cultist heavies show up again right now. Antonio helped us in this here dust-up, so I don't think he's workin' with them, and he certainly ain't gonna be in this Shadow's good books anymore, now. We can see what he does when we get to Noanar's Hold. Right now, jus' put one foot in front o' the other, an' deal with the problems as they come," Chry replies.
She glances at the forest apprehensively; the trees, that seemed so intimidating before... still are. But it helps to have a focus, now, even if that focus is a powerful, murderous cultist infamous enough to have at least four different names. She squares her shoulders. "We move now, an' we find out what happened to that nymph first an' foremost. We can't lose focus when we're this close to our goal, jus' cause some cultists are tryin' ta scare us. I ain't gonna live in fear, an' I ain't gonna stop helpin' people. This Shadow fella's just gonna have to deal with that, I suppose."
Assuming that you agree to let Sap go, he quickly gathers up his possessions and stuffs Karl's coins into his own pouch and turns to leave. Before doing so, he looks at you one last time and says, "Thank you, good people for... for not killing me. Hopefully I can make it back to Triboar without him killing me."
With that, he turns and hurries down the path, heading in in the direction you just came from, leaving you alone in the forest once again. Antonio watches him leave and says, "I hope you don't live to regret that decision. I'm not usually of the mind to let people go who just tried to kill me, but he did tell a compelling story. Hopefully it's a true story. At any rate, you all seem to be able to handle yourselves quite well in the face of trouble, but I say we get a move-on. I'd like to make it to Noanar's Hold before it gets dark. I'm in no mind to go wandering through this forest at night."
By now, the hour is getting to be further into the late afternoon, and from what you know, you still have enough time to make it to your destination before nightfall, providing there are no more distractions along the way...
"I am ready to go." Krackle would say as he scrambles up the back of Chrys and sits upon her shoulder. "I bet this place is really spooky at night."
"We should indeed get going. And it does make sense to stick together given these woods, and the hunter we know is out there," Lumen says, gathering anything left on the ground, and dragging the bodies a bit further into the woods. Returning to the path and beginning to walk toward their destination, he turns to the new guy. "Along the way, Antonio, please tell us what you're really up to. You just learned some things about us. Some are true, some are not. But you know more than you did. That puts us at a disadvantage with regard to what we know about you. You wouldn't want that! Trust is a two-way street. What were you doing before we ran into you on the road with all your things on the ground? What's your agenda going forward from here?"
(Lumen, roll a Persuasion check.)