OOC: we should put an arrow in his back

(OOC: I'd say we can let him live, if there were any way to know if he's saying the truth? or make sure that he will not do this again?

Maybe an insight check to see if he's lying when he says that we're not seeing him again and that he is not the boss of the gang?)

OOC: Trefor and Aphelios both have insight of +2, Nip has +0, and Manxim has +4. Manxim, why don't you check if hes lying.

OOC: I still think we should put an arrow in his back.

"Manxim looks at the shaman to see if he's speaking the truth and just in case I'm going to cast divine sense"

Insight check: 13

(Manxim tries to figure out if the Shaman is telling the truth, and is convinced he is. It does make sense that the leader were the powerful Bugbear who was ordering the Shaman to do things.

Manxim then uses his Paladin training to cast Divine Sense. The Shaman, being a Goblin, does register as 'Evil', but you already knew as much. What you didn't know was that the Statue on top of the stairs would glow with an aura that lets you know that it is imbued with powerful 'Good' magic.)

What do you all do? 

Trefor gets a far away look in his eye, "I say we let him go, the fault is with the commander, not the soldier." Trefor begins to walk the room, stopping at the statue to inspect it.

Aphelios looks to Trefor and nods, "Aye. Do as you will friends (looking to Manxim and Nip). Our goal was to rescue young Bess and that we did, we should return when you all are ready..."

(The Shaman walks out of the cave, and, true to his word, you never see him again. Trefor walks over to the statue and looks it over. It depicts a knight, his sword in front of him pointing at the ground. He seems vaguely familiar. You think it looks like that guy on the mural, the leader guy... you know, the guy... but you can't remember his name. Maybe it'll come to you if you think about it long enough.)

On the base of the statue, you notice a small plaque with an inscription that reads:

"If you are to keep this, you must first give it to me."

What do you all do?

Nip first goes to check on Bess

"Hi there little one, are you alright? fear no more, we will bring you to your dad in the blink of an eye. Yes!"

He then proceeds with the girl to meet the rest of the team, and inspects the statue.

"Hmmmm.... this must be the man from the mural at the first chamber of the tomb. 'if you are to keep this... you must first give it to me...' Sounds to me like a riddle. But what is there to keep?"

Nip looks around to see if he finds anything of value, the sword of the statue maybe? maybe is there something at the altar the shaman was using?

"Maybe we need to give the statue something, like placing an object on its hands or its sword, to gain something in return... any ideas?"

(OOC: is there any piece of lore I can recall that may gives us a hint? should I roll something?)

Trefor speaks while looking curiously at the statue, " I wonder if this is that Sextus Varius fellow from the mural at the entrance to this cave. Wasnt there something scribbled on it too..."

Aphelios mubles half to himself, half in response to Trefor's musing, "I pledge to serve... some goodie two-shoes.... Delian Order something another...."  

Trefor snaps his fingers and looks up with surprise, and with purpose recites the following: "I pledge to serve law, protect the innocent, battle the agents of chaos, and never reveal the secrets of the Delian Order. My word is my bond, my life and honor is for the order, for this night and all nights to come."

(As Trefor recites the Delian Oath, the room begins to shake and the statue before you begins to glow with a faint blue light. The eyes on the statue grow brighter than the rest, and they appear to be scanning the room and seeing who is here. The light focuses on Manxim. A voice booms from the statue.)

"Step forward, Holy Warrior of the Delian Order. You have pledged your life to our cause. In return, we present you the only thing we have left to give. I give you... DEFENDER."

(The stone sword shatters and crumbles away, but what is left is a real sword made of a dark steel with a barely perceptible blue tint. It may be the most beautiful sword any of you have ever or shall ever see in your lives. The glow in the eyes fades as the voice begins to fade.)

"Farewell, brave knight..."

What do you all do?

 Trefor and Aphelios both slowly look from the sword to Manxim awaiting his reaction.

"If it´s alright with everyone, I would like to take the sword"

Manxim looks at his companions.

Aphelios: "It appears the Delian Order was a group of Paladins and/or Teiflings, my friend. I believe it was meant to be yours..."

(Manxim steps up to the statue and takes the sword, which effortlessly comes with him. It seems to fit him nicely.)

Please let me know if you do anything else before returning Bess to her father.

"Well well, my friend Trefor, not only sharp with the bow but also sharp with the mind. How did you figure that out?"

Talking to Manxim: "well of course you can keep it, I don't think I could get much use of it, and plainly selling it would really be a shame"

Trefor: "I was once a soldier and it just occurred to me that he was standing as if he were a commander waiting for a new recruit to swear allegiance."

Trefor would like to do a quick check of the room to see if there is anything of value or use left behind.

DMs note: A little vague, but in the interest of time I'll allow it.

(Trefor does a quick sweep of the room for any valuables. The makeshift altar has some herbs, the corpses of the Goblins have only 4cp between them. The Bugbear's Warhammer is pretty decent quality, so you take that to trade for some quick coin later on. Satisfied that you've done all you can, you all decide to head back.

You trek briskly, already somewhat familiar with the woods and no longer having to worry about tracking. It is late in the evening, around 8 or 9pm when the party arrives back at the north edge of town near Rickard's property.)

"Bess! My sweet girl!"

(Rickard runs and meets you all outside of his gate just as you clear the woods. He has obviously been waiting near there, hoping to see you all return.

"Papa!" Bess cries, as they run and embrace each other, both shedding tears of joy. The sight of the big, burly Blacksmith crying over having his little girl back brings joy to all of your hearts. After letting them have their moment, Rickard thanks all of you, shakes all of your hands, and bids you all to allow him to take you back to the Tavern so that you may rest.

"They did it! They saved my girl!" Rickard shouts as they enter the busy Tavern. The townspeople are all excited, cheering, clapping you all on the back, congratulating you all and Rickard for getting his daughter back. Willfred shakes all of your hands and offers you all whatever you wish to drink or eat, on the house. Jack the Serving Boy hugs Bess and holds back tears as well. The entire tavern proclaim you heroes and surround you, eager to hear your tales of heroism and how you saved Bess. And, yes, you do get paid. $$$ :)

DMs note: Guys, it was a pleasure, I hope you enjoyed. Thanks for playing!

Thanks!

thanks

Thank you very much!!