Looking to prove he is worth his place in the party, Davian creates a sphere of flickering flame in his hand and holds it high. "I know it is only a small flame, but will this do Lady Kethra?"
Currently playing in: Quest for the Shunned City, Coliseum of Conquest, DragonDenn's Dragonlords, Shipwrecked on Fugue, Tomb of Annihilation, Razor's Lost Mine of Phandelver, The Lost Kenku & One Grung Above
Currently DMing: Princes of the Apocalypse, Out of the Abyss, Coliseum of Conquest—The Arena (Sometimes)
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Jairus will make good on his offer from earlier and try to find some small local game in the area, used to hunting and living off of the land in Outlander fashion. Survival: 20
He returns with whatever he managed to catch - left undefined in case the GM wishes to do so - with a grin on his face.
"Got some good eatin' for anyone so inclined towards meat. Lets get us a fire started, get a good ole cook out goin'. Maybe tell some stories around the campfire, the whole deal," Jairus says. "I guess after walking through that place chock full of the undead scary ghost stories don't mean much. Maybe the new folks will tell us a bit about themselves, or those who haven't spoken up much will have a chance to share their stories, if they want."
Davian follows the others out of the cave system. It had been a strange day. Necromancers, undead, new "friends".
He sits by the fire and partakes in the meat dish that has been prepared. As he eats little, he is of the first to finish so he begins to tell his new troupe about himself.
"Master had never warned me that adventuring would be this crazy. When I left the glade, my adventures were dull. All I would come across we're we're farmer in the field looking for help with their plow or townsfolk that needed help. But then I heard of the necromancer and knew this must be the Circle of the Scarlet Moon at work. That is why I headed here." He pauses for a moment, thinking.
"As for my.... transformation, I apologise if that caught anyone off guard. It is new to me also, I am still trying to control the outcome. At the moment it seems I transform into the beast that best solves the issue at the time. The panther moves incredibly fast and so it was chosen to pursue the mage. The ability is granted to me by Silvanus. It is he who powers the magics I have used also. Anyway, enough of me. How did you all come to be here?"
Jairus thanks Tyde for the magical flavor enhancement, "Man after my own heart, honey glaze sounds fan-freakin-tastic."
Hearing Davian's story, he guffaws, and says, "Don't apologize for turning into a big old huntin' cat! That's great! Just so long as we know you're on our side, and don't go poppin off bolts and arrows at you by mistake. That's a pretty great trick, err, blessing, that your goddess, or god, done fer you."
Jairus chews and swallows, remembering to chew with his mouth closed after a short bit, then says, "I've told some'a the others, I ain't got nothing real special 'bout my upbringin'. My ma was a weird hermit, had all these cult-y type things, and we lived in a little shack away from anything civilized like. Ma said she had 'enemies,' and learnt me to be real paranoid, though she never said who or what these enemies were. Made me real jumpy. I also learnt huntin' and fishin', layin' down traps, and livin' off the land. I'd pop into town now and then to trade furs for supplies, but I didn't have much interaction with the bigger world. Ma went missin', so I left, thought maybe I'd figure out what happened to her goin' where these cults have been sighted. Mainly I was just ready for adventure. Ready to live life, instead of hidin' from it."
Jairus cuts a slice with his knife, handing the meat directly to Tyde on request. Though he has his mess kit out, Jairus eats crudely with his hands for the most part, more evidence of his rustic upbringing and lack of interaction with proper society.
“You see that Gee-Na-Zee bastard, point him out, I’ll help y’out with setting’ things right, Tyde.” He is still not certain what a genasi is, and it’s fairly evident, but he does not ask for clarification.
The simple and grounding act of sharing a meal around a fire seems to comfort him, and put him more at ease. Having now survived several battles where he showed more competence than the first, his confidence seems to be rebuilding as well.
“I know some of us been walkin’ roads together for a bit, but if you haven’t had a chance to tell your tale, now’s as good as any.”
Looking to prove he is worth his place in the party, Davian creates a sphere of flickering flame in his hand and holds it high. "I know it is only a small flame, but will this do Lady Kethra?"
"Yes! Thank you!"
Kethra will check over the bodies to see if any are still breathing, have a pulse or whatever, but also to hide her smile after hearing "Lady Kethra". Would you like a medicine roll? Just in case: 7
Motionless humanoid figures dressed in dirty clothes or scraps of armor are propped against the walls of this cave. Some are little more than skeletons with wisps of hair and skin stretched tightly over their bones. Others are fresher. A few old shortswords lie on the dusty floor.
Do they have any clues of what happened? Do you need me to roll investigation? 19
(Sorry if it bugs you for rolling without asking. If you want to, just ignore them. ^^)
Later, as the party has settled in for Jairus' good ole cookout, Kethra will ask Mr. Tyde for the greataxe back. Once cleaned off, she willl busy herself with preparing firewood and chopping up a lot of it.
"Master had never warned me that adventuring would be this crazy. When I left the glade, my adventures were dull. All I would come across we're we're farmer in the field looking for help with their plow or townsfolk that needed help. But then I heard of the necromancer and knew this must be the Circle of the Scarlet Moon at work. That is why I headed here." He pauses for a moment, thinking.
"As for my.... transformation, I apologise if that caught anyone off guard. It is new to me also, I am still trying to control the outcome. At the moment it seems I transform into the beast that best solves the issue at the time. The panther moves incredibly fast and so it was chosen to pursue the mage."
"I know, right? I used to work as a gardener myself, and...well, it was more or less having to beat up anyone who was trespassing actually so I don't know too much about nature magic but what I mean is, fighting for life and death is really something! I used to think I could take a punch, but..."
Kethra's voice trails off as she finds herself staring at the greataxe leaning by a tree, "...this world's a lot bigger than I thought."
"But YEAH, Jairus has a good point! Davian, could you leave behind a necklace or something so you can put it back on when you transform? That way the rest of us can know it's you. Ooh! Or a cute little ribbon?"
Currently playing in: Quest for the Shunned City, Coliseum of Conquest, DragonDenn's Dragonlords, Shipwrecked on Fugue, Tomb of Annihilation, Razor's Lost Mine of Phandelver, The Lost Kenku & One Grung Above
Currently DMing: Princes of the Apocalypse, Out of the Abyss, Coliseum of Conquest—The Arena (Sometimes)
Jairus coughs a bit, choking on the meat, then takes a swig from his water skin, and laughs a bit. “You want a big ole huntin cat, or a bear, wearin’ a girlie ribbon? Now that’s funny. Maybe at least a hat or somethin’, or a bow tie. Can’t be taking away all the fierceness of them critters.” A hunting cat wearing a bow tie is no less ridiculous than a ribbon, but evidently Jairus finds the mental image more acceptable.
"I had never thought of that. Let me see what I have" He rummages through his backpack, ultimately coming up with nothing's but a tinder box and his Druidic totem. "Seems I have nothing to tie around my neck. There's only this" He holds out a statuette of a bear. "This helps me focus my magics. But I dare not tie it around my neck for fear of losing it."
“A bear wearin’ a bear don’t sound too odd, but if you’re afraid of losin’ it, maybe we’ll just get you a cheap bowtie or somethin’ when next we’re in town,” Jairus says. “Speakin’ of which, after this we headin’ back to town? Is that the plan? Look for more work round these parts, or clues to your groups’ missin’ delegates?”
Flower-of-Ivory quietly accepted a piece of meat, unseasoned. She sits there and eats it without comment. Her tail swishes back and forth furiously. Eventually she springs up startlingly quick. She withdraws her coin pouch and shakes out the contents onto the semi flat rock she was sitting on. She picked out four gold and eight silver pieces, leaving the gold and silver and gem she had just received. With that she turned to her companions.
"Friend-Warrior, Friend-Black-Smith, New-Friend-Wizard, and New-Friend-Werepanther, thank you for being Flower's friends. She is sorry to have lost Friend-Flame-Hair, Friend-White-Eyes, and Friend-Flame-Tongue. Now Flower must lose herself. She has something she must do. Alone." she tells them solemnly, tail still swishing. She hangs her head and burst suddenly into her Feline Agility running. Before her words can sink in, she is gone. Flower-of-Ivory muttered one last word as she tore off. It sounded like "home."
Jairus blinks, then looks to the others. “Dang. Seems like Flower has some personal type business she got to take care of, herself. I do respect that, but it’s kinda sad to see another go. Kethra and me are the last of the first group. I guess it’s pretty much a new group now. Might as well call this a fresh start.”
"GOODBYE, FRIEND-FLOWER!" Kethra will stand up, then cover her mouth upon realizing she was still monching on some food.
"Mmmh...Flower was the best at both tracking and um, gathering proof that we slain what we were supposed to kill. But I guess we could pry the sigils from the cave and bring them back."
Taking out her smith's tools, Kethra tosses a skeleton's piece of armor into the open fire to heat it up and reshape it into a stone chisel, her pale blue eyes reflecting in the fire.
Jairus stares into the fire as Kethra makes her tools. “I guess this is the adventurin’ life. People come and they go. Probably should get used to it. After not knowin’ many folks at all other than my ma, it would have been nice to have some more familiar faces. Maybe the four of us will be able to stick it out a bit longer like.”
"Was it something I said?"he asks worriedly. "I hope I don't offend. I've not known too many people outside the glade, and my....social skills need some practice." He fidgets with the bear statuette as he talks, rolling it between his fingers. Turning to Jairus he continues "If you'll have me Jairus, I intend to be around for a while. At least til we can root out the evil that is the Scarlet Moon" he gives a solemn nod to the man.
"Ahem!" the young blacksmith starts a bit loudly, and getting very fidgety.
"I'm happy to fight alongside you all and getting to know each other. I really am. And, um, I will gladly risk my life fighting alongside you three gentlemen--I stake my warrior's name and my warrior's honor on it! But before we start appointing leaders, maybe we should get something cleared up first."
She turns to face her young friend and stares straight at his blue eyes. "J-Jairus...I know about your friends. I mean, I can't help it! You kind of said it out loud. A few times! You talked with Father Thundertongue and Master Tyrael about them before you all walked away too. I mean, I won't spill your secret because I RESPECT you. And well, I respect our old team too..."
"...but now Father Thundertongue and Master Tyrael aren't here anymore. So please be honest with me, how important are these friends compared to me? Or Mr. Tyde and Davian?" Kethra bites her lip and gives Jairus a small smile, but in her own pale blue eyes is a look of friendly concern.
"Was it something I said?"he asks worriedly. "I hope I don't offend. I've not known too many people outside the glade, and my....social skills need some practice." He fidgets with the bear statuette as he talks, rolling it between his fingers. Turning to Jairus he continues "If you'll have me Jairus, I intend to be around for a while. At least til we can root out the evil that is the Scarlet Moon" he gives a solemn nod to the man.
"I mean, I'd be happy to have ya along, but I ain't no leader type. I'm sure everyone would agree, though," Jairus says.
"Ahem!" the young blacksmith starts a bit loudly, and getting very fidgety.
"I'm happy to fight alongside you all and getting to know each other. I really am. And, um, I will gladly risk my life fighting alongside you three gentlemen--I stake my warrior's name and my warrior's honor on it! But before we start appointing leaders, maybe we should get something cleared up first."
She turns to face her young friend and stares straight at his blue eyes. "J-Jairus...I know about your friends. I mean, I can't help it! You kind of said it out loud. A few times! You talked with Father Thundertongue and Master Tyrael about them before you all walked away too. I mean, I won't spill your secret because I RESPECT you. And well, I respect our old team too..."
"...but now Father Thundertongue and Master Tyrael aren't here anymore. So please be honest with me, how important are these friends compared to me? Or Mr. Tyde and Davian?" Kethra bites her lip and gives Jairus a small smile, but in her own pale blue eyes is a look of friendly concern.
Jairus nervously averts his gaze and runs a hand through his hair. "Aww, shoot, Kethra. I just said I ain't never intended to lead nothin'. I lead by scoutin', but a leader is a charismatic type person, someone with good judgment, pref'rably someone with a decent bit of experience out there in the world. Pretty much everything that wasn't livin' off the land in a shack, or basic training, is the stuff I've been through with you, and that began with you savin' my butt from gettin' killed. You're a full on in-your-face warrior, that's more leader-y than me, I'm the sneaky plug 'em in the soft bits with a hand crossbow guy. You'd make more sense as leader than me, or maybe one of our new friends. Or no one. But sure not me."
He frowns at the second part of her inquiry. "The way 'Flametongue and Tyrael' talked about it, you'd think the Zhentarim was another cult worshippin' a dark god and doin' all kinds of evil in the world. I'm tellin' you, way they pitched me, it's just a powerful mercenary group that takes on jobs others don't like. They said to ignore all the rumors about link to Bane or whatever, and just focus on the money. The money sounded good, as I ain't never had none."
He gestures to include the other two, "I know I'm an ignorant kid from the nether regions of Faerun, but is it really common knowledge that the Zhentarim is some kinda bad guy in all this, and I'm the only one who didn't know when I signed my name to their papers?"
"My personal goals shouldn't interfere with adventuring with you all for a while, quite a long while if you'll have me."
Tyde takes an interest in watching Kethra reshape the piece of metal armor into a tool, having studied many topics in books it is quite something different to see and experience the actual thing in real life.
"You seems quite confidant in your skills, Kethra. How long have you been a smith?"
Jairus seems relieved by Tyde's interjection. "I'm sure we'd be happy t'have you as well, Tyde. We could use all the help we can, if we're gonna stay functional as an adventur'in party, and you, all of you, know your stuff."
On the last part of Kethra's inquiry, the more emotionally intense portion, Jairus chews another tougher bite of meat slowly, and stares off into the middle distance, again too uncomfortable to make eye contact, and says, "You saved my damn life. You've been through s*** with me, real s***. The Zhentarim taught me some tricks, gave me an emblem and promised I'd make a lot of money if I do as they say. Course my loyalty is to you over them folks. There ain't no comparin' that."
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Looking to prove he is worth his place in the party, Davian creates a sphere of flickering flame in his hand and holds it high. "I know it is only a small flame, but will this do Lady Kethra?"
(Feel free to roleplay some if you want, won't be able to post a full update until tonight anyways.)
Check out my Extended signature here
Class Guides: Barbarian, Rogue, Sorcerer, Bard General Guides: PvP
Currently playing in: Quest for the Shunned City, Coliseum of Conquest, DragonDenn's Dragonlords, Shipwrecked on Fugue, Tomb of Annihilation, Razor's Lost Mine of Phandelver, The Lost Kenku & One Grung Above
Currently DMing: Princes of the Apocalypse, Out of the Abyss, Coliseum of Conquest—The Arena (Sometimes)
Jairus will make good on his offer from earlier and try to find some small local game in the area, used to hunting and living off of the land in Outlander fashion. Survival: 20
He returns with whatever he managed to catch - left undefined in case the GM wishes to do so - with a grin on his face.
"Got some good eatin' for anyone so inclined towards meat. Lets get us a fire started, get a good ole cook out goin'. Maybe tell some stories around the campfire, the whole deal," Jairus says. "I guess after walking through that place chock full of the undead scary ghost stories don't mean much. Maybe the new folks will tell us a bit about themselves, or those who haven't spoken up much will have a chance to share their stories, if they want."
Davian follows the others out of the cave system. It had been a strange day. Necromancers, undead, new "friends".
He sits by the fire and partakes in the meat dish that has been prepared. As he eats little, he is of the first to finish so he begins to tell his new troupe about himself.
"Master had never warned me that adventuring would be this crazy. When I left the glade, my adventures were dull. All I would come across we're we're farmer in the field looking for help with their plow or townsfolk that needed help. But then I heard of the necromancer and knew this must be the Circle of the Scarlet Moon at work. That is why I headed here." He pauses for a moment, thinking.
"As for my.... transformation, I apologise if that caught anyone off guard. It is new to me also, I am still trying to control the outcome. At the moment it seems I transform into the beast that best solves the issue at the time. The panther moves incredibly fast and so it was chosen to pursue the mage. The ability is granted to me by Silvanus. It is he who powers the magics I have used also. Anyway, enough of me. How did you all come to be here?"
Jairus thanks Tyde for the magical flavor enhancement, "Man after my own heart, honey glaze sounds fan-freakin-tastic."
Hearing Davian's story, he guffaws, and says, "Don't apologize for turning into a big old huntin' cat! That's great! Just so long as we know you're on our side, and don't go poppin off bolts and arrows at you by mistake. That's a pretty great trick, err, blessing, that your goddess, or god, done fer you."
Jairus chews and swallows, remembering to chew with his mouth closed after a short bit, then says, "I've told some'a the others, I ain't got nothing real special 'bout my upbringin'. My ma was a weird hermit, had all these cult-y type things, and we lived in a little shack away from anything civilized like. Ma said she had 'enemies,' and learnt me to be real paranoid, though she never said who or what these enemies were. Made me real jumpy. I also learnt huntin' and fishin', layin' down traps, and livin' off the land. I'd pop into town now and then to trade furs for supplies, but I didn't have much interaction with the bigger world. Ma went missin', so I left, thought maybe I'd figure out what happened to her goin' where these cults have been sighted. Mainly I was just ready for adventure. Ready to live life, instead of hidin' from it."
Jairus cuts a slice with his knife, handing the meat directly to Tyde on request. Though he has his mess kit out, Jairus eats crudely with his hands for the most part, more evidence of his rustic upbringing and lack of interaction with proper society.
“You see that Gee-Na-Zee bastard, point him out, I’ll help y’out with setting’ things right, Tyde.” He is still not certain what a genasi is, and it’s fairly evident, but he does not ask for clarification.
The simple and grounding act of sharing a meal around a fire seems to comfort him, and put him more at ease. Having now survived several battles where he showed more competence than the first, his confidence seems to be rebuilding as well.
“I know some of us been walkin’ roads together for a bit, but if you haven’t had a chance to tell your tale, now’s as good as any.”
"Yes! Thank you!"
Kethra will check over the bodies to see if any are still breathing, have a pulse or whatever, but also to hide her smile after hearing "Lady Kethra". Would you like a medicine roll? Just in case: 7
Do they have any clues of what happened? Do you need me to roll investigation? 19
(Sorry if it bugs you for rolling without asking. If you want to, just ignore them. ^^)
Later, as the party has settled in for Jairus' good ole cookout, Kethra will ask Mr. Tyde for the greataxe back. Once cleaned off, she willl busy herself with preparing firewood and chopping up a lot of it.
rp roll for athletics: 7
"I know, right? I used to work as a gardener myself, and...well, it was more or less having to beat up anyone who was trespassing actually so I don't know too much about nature magic but what I mean is, fighting for life and death is really something! I used to think I could take a punch, but..."
Kethra's voice trails off as she finds herself staring at the greataxe leaning by a tree, "...this world's a lot bigger than I thought."
"But YEAH, Jairus has a good point! Davian, could you leave behind a necklace or something so you can put it back on when you transform? That way the rest of us can know it's you. Ooh! Or a cute little ribbon?"
(They’re dead. Real dead.)
(I actually prefer you rolling preemptively, that way I don’t have to wait on you if you do have to roll.)
Check out my Extended signature here
Class Guides: Barbarian, Rogue, Sorcerer, Bard General Guides: PvP
Currently playing in: Quest for the Shunned City, Coliseum of Conquest, DragonDenn's Dragonlords, Shipwrecked on Fugue, Tomb of Annihilation, Razor's Lost Mine of Phandelver, The Lost Kenku & One Grung Above
Currently DMing: Princes of the Apocalypse, Out of the Abyss, Coliseum of Conquest—The Arena (Sometimes)
Jairus coughs a bit, choking on the meat, then takes a swig from his water skin, and laughs a bit. “You want a big ole huntin cat, or a bear, wearin’ a girlie ribbon? Now that’s funny. Maybe at least a hat or somethin’, or a bow tie. Can’t be taking away all the fierceness of them critters.” A hunting cat wearing a bow tie is no less ridiculous than a ribbon, but evidently Jairus finds the mental image more acceptable.
"I had never thought of that. Let me see what I have" He rummages through his backpack, ultimately coming up with nothing's but a tinder box and his Druidic totem. "Seems I have nothing to tie around my neck. There's only this" He holds out a statuette of a bear. "This helps me focus my magics. But I dare not tie it around my neck for fear of losing it."
((Don't know why pic went to next post. ))
“A bear wearin’ a bear don’t sound too odd, but if you’re afraid of losin’ it, maybe we’ll just get you a cheap bowtie or somethin’ when next we’re in town,” Jairus says. “Speakin’ of which, after this we headin’ back to town? Is that the plan? Look for more work round these parts, or clues to your groups’ missin’ delegates?”
Flower-of-Ivory quietly accepted a piece of meat, unseasoned. She sits there and eats it without comment. Her tail swishes back and forth furiously. Eventually she springs up startlingly quick. She withdraws her coin pouch and shakes out the contents onto the semi flat rock she was sitting on. She picked out four gold and eight silver pieces, leaving the gold and silver and gem she had just received. With that she turned to her companions.
"Friend-Warrior, Friend-Black-Smith, New-Friend-Wizard, and New-Friend-Werepanther, thank you for being Flower's friends. She is sorry to have lost Friend-Flame-Hair, Friend-White-Eyes, and Friend-Flame-Tongue. Now Flower must lose herself. She has something she must do. Alone." she tells them solemnly, tail still swishing. She hangs her head and burst suddenly into her Feline Agility running. Before her words can sink in, she is gone. Flower-of-Ivory muttered one last word as she tore off. It sounded like "home."
Jairus blinks, then looks to the others. “Dang. Seems like Flower has some personal type business she got to take care of, herself. I do respect that, but it’s kinda sad to see another go. Kethra and me are the last of the first group. I guess it’s pretty much a new group now. Might as well call this a fresh start.”
"GOODBYE, FRIEND-FLOWER!" Kethra will stand up, then cover her mouth upon realizing she was still monching on some food.
"Mmmh...Flower was the best at both tracking and um, gathering proof that we slain what we were supposed to kill. But I guess we could pry the sigils from the cave and bring them back."
Taking out her smith's tools, Kethra tosses a skeleton's piece of armor into the open fire to heat it up and reshape it into a stone chisel, her pale blue eyes reflecting in the fire.
Jairus stares into the fire as Kethra makes her tools. “I guess this is the adventurin’ life. People come and they go. Probably should get used to it. After not knowin’ many folks at all other than my ma, it would have been nice to have some more familiar faces. Maybe the four of us will be able to stick it out a bit longer like.”
"Was it something I said?" he asks worriedly. "I hope I don't offend. I've not known too many people outside the glade, and my....social skills need some practice." He fidgets with the bear statuette as he talks, rolling it between his fingers. Turning to Jairus he continues "If you'll have me Jairus, I intend to be around for a while. At least til we can root out the evil that is the Scarlet Moon" he gives a solemn nod to the man.
"Ahem!" the young blacksmith starts a bit loudly, and getting very fidgety.
"I'm happy to fight alongside you all and getting to know each other. I really am. And, um, I will gladly risk my life fighting alongside you three gentlemen--I stake my warrior's name and my warrior's honor on it! But before we start appointing leaders, maybe we should get something cleared up first."
She turns to face her young friend and stares straight at his blue eyes. "J-Jairus...I know about your friends. I mean, I can't help it! You kind of said it out loud. A few times! You talked with Father Thundertongue and Master Tyrael about them before you all walked away too. I mean, I won't spill your secret because I RESPECT you. And well, I respect our old team too..."
"...but now Father Thundertongue and Master Tyrael aren't here anymore. So please be honest with me, how important are these friends compared to me? Or Mr. Tyde and Davian?" Kethra bites her lip and gives Jairus a small smile, but in her own pale blue eyes is a look of friendly concern.
"I mean, I'd be happy to have ya along, but I ain't no leader type. I'm sure everyone would agree, though," Jairus says.
Jairus nervously averts his gaze and runs a hand through his hair. "Aww, shoot, Kethra. I just said I ain't never intended to lead nothin'. I lead by scoutin', but a leader is a charismatic type person, someone with good judgment, pref'rably someone with a decent bit of experience out there in the world. Pretty much everything that wasn't livin' off the land in a shack, or basic training, is the stuff I've been through with you, and that began with you savin' my butt from gettin' killed. You're a full on in-your-face warrior, that's more leader-y than me, I'm the sneaky plug 'em in the soft bits with a hand crossbow guy. You'd make more sense as leader than me, or maybe one of our new friends. Or no one. But sure not me."
He frowns at the second part of her inquiry. "The way 'Flametongue and Tyrael' talked about it, you'd think the Zhentarim was another cult worshippin' a dark god and doin' all kinds of evil in the world. I'm tellin' you, way they pitched me, it's just a powerful mercenary group that takes on jobs others don't like. They said to ignore all the rumors about link to Bane or whatever, and just focus on the money. The money sounded good, as I ain't never had none."
He gestures to include the other two, "I know I'm an ignorant kid from the nether regions of Faerun, but is it really common knowledge that the Zhentarim is some kinda bad guy in all this, and I'm the only one who didn't know when I signed my name to their papers?"
Jairus seems relieved by Tyde's interjection. "I'm sure we'd be happy t'have you as well, Tyde. We could use all the help we can, if we're gonna stay functional as an adventur'in party, and you, all of you, know your stuff."
On the last part of Kethra's inquiry, the more emotionally intense portion, Jairus chews another tougher bite of meat slowly, and stares off into the middle distance, again too uncomfortable to make eye contact, and says, "You saved my damn life. You've been through s*** with me, real s***. The Zhentarim taught me some tricks, gave me an emblem and promised I'd make a lot of money if I do as they say. Course my loyalty is to you over them folks. There ain't no comparin' that."