Jovial Jungle Jaunt (ToA)

"So... she is a lier yet knows where the... thing is? I suppose we are to trust her, go in the cave, make a deal of some sorts, and be on our happy way?"

Funderburk pushed past the group and into the cave behind her. "We meant not to intrude in your..." he looks about the cave, "living spaces. But you have knowledge we seek, and I suppose you won't tell us without something if anything in return. I would like to ask that even though you may know where it is, why haven't you done anything? Obviously since we don't matter, what is the point in not just doing it yourself? Unless you need help or cannot do something yourself?"

Funderburk stood by the entrance. "We told you what we seek. Are you able to help us or not?"

"Well, mistress Valindra.  Far be it from us to intrude on your exceptional hospitality," as Boosey cranes his neck to try and see inside the cave, "tell us about this Soulmonger and I'm sure our visit here will be mercifully short for you.  At least you're an honest liar so we know not to trust you."  He laughs humourlessly.  "How do we know you're not just going to send us off into the jungle to kill us?  Well, are you going to invite us in?" as she disappears under the vines.

Sthara gives a chuckle, pats Boosey on the shoulder and follows Valindra inside.

The cave is musty and dimly lit by dancing green flame torches set into scones made of bone. A pool of dirty rainwater occupies the central 20 feet of the floor, between natural pillars formed by the roots of the petrified tree. Three tall bookcases stand against the wall to the right of the cave entrance. A desk and several wooden crates stand against the left-hand wall. Opposite the entrance are two open doorways into smaller chambers and, between them, a large iron cage.

Valindra pushes past one of two zombies making her way over to the desk. She tells it in Elvish, "Move!" She picks up a quill pen off the desk and turns as the assembling party. "Maybe it's a question more of whether or not you can help me. I believe the Soulmonger can be imprisoned and its power harnessed. The artifact is very powerful indeed and would be a waste to simply destroy."

"It does seem to have a great deal of power, for its range is quite wide. For what would you harness it?" Sthara asks, hoping to learn more about the elf's intentions (Persuasion: 24).

She watches the zombies carefully, uncomfortable around the undead, especially after their last encounter, paying close attention to whether or not they bear Ras Nsi's blue triangle (Perception: 4).

Nenne, who until this point has been following in cautious but cordial silence, adopts a scowl at the sight of the undead and folds her arms across her chest. "Fond of cheap labor, I see," she says to Valindra in Elvish, her tone one degree colder than what is strictly polite. A slight breeze emanates from her holy symbol as she invokes Eyes of the Grave to see whether these two zombies are the only undead in the room.

Boosey stands agape at what the elf has just said for a moment and quickly gathers his wits.  "You want us to help you harness the power of this thing?  If you ask us to do that, you better have a bloody good reason for wanting it.  This thing steals souls, what good could it possibly  do?"

Valindra casually returns a reply to Boosey, "I want to turn it off and seal it away. Does that not align with your own goals?"

“No, it doesn’t. We want to destroy it to make sure it cannot be unsealed. That is our approach to this problem.“

"Switching it off is a noble ideal, and keeping it hidden...well...it could always be found by the wrong person.  Anyway, you really expect me to believe you, considering you've just told us all that you're a liar.  Why preserve it?  You cannot convince me otherwise that you don't have another motive for keeping an artefact like that."  He does believe her, but will take more convincing.  The gnome still glares at her.  "And what the hell is with the zombies?"

She looks at one of the zombies, shrugs, and says in common, "I'm fond of cheap labor."

Nenne smirks and steps closer to the elf. "She has a vested interest in ensuring souls aren't stolen from their bodies," the cleric says to the group without taking her eyes off Valindra. "One might say it's personal."

"You say you are a liar," she continues, nodding to the elf. Her tone is cold, restrained, and formal. "I would agree. Everything you are and stand for is that by definition. I, however, am not. So if we are to be allies in this endeavor, I would have your expectations and aims made explicit. We are under no obligation to you, and I am under no obligation to be cordial. Yet I will be and give my word to that, if indeed our alliance is beneficial."

Valindra looks from Boosey to Nenne and then to Funderburk who has been more or less quiet. Her attention returns to the bard accompanied by a cold grin, "The artifact will serve as a power source locked away in the capital of Thay. Its power is enough to sustain Szass Tam's experiments and desires for centuries to come. With Thay at the helm, the artifact's power would forever be held in check."

"How?  Before I take your word for it, we need to know how this thing will be secured.  There is always a chance that these things can be released, intentionally or otherwise."

"Anything can be stolen or taken Boosey. You just have to have the mindset." Funderburk tells him. He looks back at the elf. "You want to harness the power. Congratulations. What have you done to get to that step? And is there anyone else after it for... another type of use."

At the mention of Thay and Szass Tam, Nenne darkens from a purplish-red to a fiery ruby. "And what is Tam to you, pray tell? Master? Compatriot? Rival?"

Valindra looks slightly annoyed by the barrage of questions and says, "Szass Tam...aquaintance, associate, even a mentor a time or two. What does it matter? I have given you more than enough information to make a decision. Now choose."

Tired and confused, along with a lot to fathom, Funderburk told Valindra that he and his friends would like to discuss it first amongst themselves, rest, then at dawn come down and tell her their answer. Afterwards, he excuses himself and proceeds to go up the stairs and starts the ritual for the hut once more. Only hoping this time, no one interrupts him, not even a pretty elf.

"Nenne," asks Boosey.  "What do you know of this Thay?  Can it be a viable option?"  He looks to the entrance.  "Might I suggest we head up the stairs and discuss this," he looks meaningfully at the elf, "in private."