Quivering Corruption (DM Lerus)

If after a few moments Doozey sees that Yalek appeared yet suspicious of the situation, Doozey nods understandingly, and tries to get in a few more words before Yalek can speak or act upon any concern. "To be more perfectly clear, and hopefully assuage some concerns, we are not in fact apart of your organization. But more so a neutral party in all of this, and only a small part of the greater alliance that has been amassed to take care of the things I had alluded to moments before, in addition to confirm the intentions of outside influences.... With your organizations help, of course. And, I won't mince words with you-..." He pauses and looks askance frowning and confused for a moment, before then curtly shaking his head.

"... I won't mince words. A few of my fellows have not had the most comforting experience with the Drow known as Chaab, which one of many reasons why he's not with our party at the moment. But rest assured that ultimately for the grand mission we are of the same hunting party. I or the others can of course elaborate further if you think this area is safe enough. But first, in regards to the wagon over there... When were expecting its arrival at its destination?"

(@Grx: Sorry, I meant to ask you to roll another Intimidation check, not deception. I'll reinterpret your 18 as a 21 instead.)

First things first, Doozey, Neya, and Villonah get some healing. The gnome has no issue with the stoutling's herbal treatment.

• Dozzey heals for 14 HP;
• Neya heals for 15 HP;
• Villonah heals for 15 HP.

The wagon leader does not seem necessarily concerned about being eaten alive by a bunny, but once Graxx jumps into that conversation and Neya highlights his strongest arguments, she becomes more malleable. Now manacled, she begins with a brief explanation: "We are no cultists. We wore cloaks as part of the agreement, but we are no cultists. We are mercenaries, hired to sack supply wagons and divert them to the stronghold within the forest. That is all."

While she talks, Graxx pats her down and finds a spare dagger. She is also wearing leather armor, and carries a few supplies with her (rations, rope, a lamp, and some pitons). 

She continues: "I'll talk, in exchange for my life. I saw what you did with the others. I'd prefer to not meet them in the afterlife just yet." She doesn't seem defiant. "Like I said, we... I am a hired sword, and have no vested interest in keeping the cult’s secrets. I know only what I was told, of which only half I passed on to Yalek." Yalek remains silent for now.

She then offers a confession: "We raided this wagon two days ago. All original merchants and guards were slain. It comes with the trade. What else would you like to know so that I can earn my freedom?"

Yalek listens to the mercenary leader's words, and then to Doozey's. He then waits a moment before speaking: "Well, you'd make a lousy Zhent if you always approach new acquaintances by sharing so much free information." He smirks, happy with his own little joke. "But I do recognize some of what you said. Chaab is indeed somewhat disagreeable, and I was aware of an impending intervention... I just wish I was given some warning. He mentioned alliances of convenience as well. I guess he meant you then. Very well."

He takes a step closer to the short-haired woman, flipping a dart in his tattooed hand. "What Rhonda says is true. This was a band of mercenaries. The cloaks were for the convenience of entering the stronghold without having to discuss our contract each time. As for how much I know, dear Rhonda, you underestimate my spying capabilities, though that in itself is not surprising since you never suspected my true allegiance."

He turns to face Doozey and Utar and says: "You know my name already. I'm Yalek... Yalek Snurd. I'd rather not have shared that so quickly, but that nasty little girl stole that option from me. Would you mind sharing your names so that we are in equal terms? Then we can perhaps sit for a moment and talk. We are not expected until later this morning, so we can rest and plan our next step, yes?"

Utar looks to Yalek, frowning "Not sure I'd be willing to share that information quite yet. We'd be terrible Zhentarim agents of we just have that kind of valuable information away for free. What do we get in exchange?"

Giving Yalek time to think, Utar moves onto Rhonda, kneeling in front of the woman. "I'm afraid I won't be sharing that information with you either. But I will give you a chance to let Yalek squirm a little. The cultists, do they know your faces? All of you I mean? If we took your cloaks, would we pass muster? Tell me true and I'll see what I can do about your wounds."

Hoping he might be making Harper proud, Utar studies Rhonda's response.

Insight - 18

(OOC Utar is going to follow up casting prayer of healing for 11 healing for Graxx and Neya, Taters and Rhonda (If Utar believes her). There are two more slots up for grabs but I don't think anyone else is in need of topping up.)

Graxx pockets the rope and rations.

Insight Check on them just being mercenaries: 14

Graxx continues speaking with the wagon leader.

”Mercenaries huh...  There is nothing you can do to earn your freedom from me.  At least not right now.  I cannot trust you to run back to those who hired you.  However, you can earn your life and keep my axe away from your head.  So far you are doing good...”

“Tell me more of this stronghold in the forest.  What type of defenses does it have?  When are they next expecting you to arrive?  Did they say why they wanted you to wear these robes?  Lastly, who is your contact that made this agreement with you.”

"Like I said. Not much one to mince words when it can be helped." Doozey replied frankly to Yalek, not at all put off by the jest. In fact, it almost got a glimmer of smile out of the stoutling before its right back to business. He just looks back to the others at the following question; neither urging to answer, or giving it up himself. Just curious to gauge their reaction, as well as eye the group's prisoner.

When Graxx all but repeated what had been answered previously by Yalek, Doozey lofts a brow and started to speak, only to close his mouth and look to the woman in curiosity. For if her answer was anything different, perhaps Yalek was playing more closely to the chest than let on. "Not just those things, mind you as well, but out of curiosity, would that last abominable thing you had pulling your load be amenable to a change in drivers? And secondly, I don't suppose any of you had the audacity to booby trap that haul now did you?"

Armed with whatever answer is given, Doozey finally takes note of Neyas still none to good condition, and offers to apply some salve to the worst of it. Afterwards, it is checking the bodies for him, starting with the illusionist first, before making the rounds. Having asked much of what he initially wished to, Doozey took his time throughout the process for a thorough job.

--> Healer's Healing for Neya(if needed/accepted): 16.

Investigation: 3 (time to roll a 2..)

Neya will be silent, for now, intent on listening and also keeping an eye out for anything else in the area.

Insight: 8

Perception: 5

Yalek to Utar: "Well said, but please don't misunderstand me. I don't mean to keep the information I know hidden from you. I was asking for names to be cordial, friendly even. I have been working undercover for this very moment, this very planned intervention, were I in on the details of the plan or not. But these things work on a need to know basis, I guess... nothing new for the Zhentarim."

Rhonda to Utar: "Some might remember a face or two, most wont, not under the cloaks and hoods. I guess the lady with the punches could pass for our own punchy girl, and you could pretend to be Yalek for a second or two despite your builds being quite different. The rest of you would have to be either creative, or lucky. Perhaps those checking the supplies upon arrival this time are not familiar with our faces. Fifty-fifty, I'd wager."

@Utar:

After these short exchanges, Utar steps aside and prays for the next 10 minutes. Neya and Graxx feel a particular warmth help close their wounds (Graxx heals for 16 HP; Neya heals for 16 HP.)

Rhonda to Graxx: "Listen, I... really don't know much. I swear it. In terms of defenses they have plenty of archers and some catapults. The cult is trying to recruit from different villages and mercenary groups too. They have plenty of coin for that purpose. I heard they also have the support of a dragon, but I am sure no such beast lives in the stronghold itself. I heard rumors of it flying to the stronghold periodically, but I have never seen it. As for their expectations, yes, we are expected to arrive with this wagon later this morning, but like I said, who knows if they know who is actually going to bring it in... They have so many people under their wings... And please, believe me even if I am repeating it but, the cloaks were just so they would know we were on their employ. They mean nothing else. They were given to us by the person who contracted us. She did not give us a name, but I heard others call her the Wearer of Purple."

@Graxx:

@Neya:

Yalek to Doozey: "I can answer that. Believe it or not, the undead horses are, well, horses. They behave no differently from what their instincts in life demanded. They simply eat less and don't get tired... and eventually rot, I guess. The odors are foul but in many ways they are easier to care for than the real animals. As for booby traps, the answer is no. If anyone in this group would be capable of such a thing, it would have been me. I give you my word I didn't."

Satisfied with the answer, Doozey moves closer to Neya to treat one of the wounds her potion did not take care of. (Neya heals for another 16 HP.)

While Utar continues to pray, Doozey pats some bodies with Villonah's assistance (investigation: 23.) The halfling only finds gear that is obvious on the enemies' bodies, and gets frustrated quickly with the quality of the items he finds on the deceased mercenaries (chains, quarterstaff, darts, ogre-sized hide armor.) The gnome is more successful; she collects a total of 245 gold pieces. She then asks Doozey to let her see the quarterstaff he collected from the illusionist. She grabs a pebble, carefully holds it a few inches from the staff's tip, and lets go. The pebble remains afloat, spinning in place. She turns to Doozey and says: "I've seen one of these before, it is a staff of adornment. Fun, but no more useful in battle than a normal quarterstaff."    

Neya looks around but finds nothing alarming. Yalek then requests: "Could we continue our conversation away from dear Rhonda, perhaps. There is no need for her to hear what I have to share."

@Neya:

(OOC It's a yes to healing Rhonda too. Does Taters need topped up as well? I remember it took a hit from the green giant before? For Utar's prayer are we saying it's still ongoing or is he free to get involved with the planning?)

Finishing his prayer Utar nods to the others. "You go with Yalek, hear him out, I'll stay here with this one, keep an eye on her."

Turning to Rhonda, Utar a waits until Yalek is out of earshot and again studies her face and body language for any sign of deceit in her replies.

Insight 20

"Are you feeling a little better now Rhonda? I hope you can see that helping us more will allow us to help you in the near future. The more helpful you are now, the more amenable we can be. That's not to say I want you tell me what I want to hear, far from it. I'll have more use for an honest source than one that lets me down. Do you understand? I'll be asking a lot of questions, but take your time and tell me true."

Pausing to let Rhonda confirm she understands, Utar continues, speaking slowly and methodically, allowing the of pause for Rhonda's replies, "Now think carefully, hope many times has your party ventured out from the hideout? What defences are there at the entrance, is there a password we should know? This wearer of purple, are they present there or overseeing the operation from another site? If so, do you know where that is? Could you mark it on a map, describe it? How many catapults and how many other mercenaries are there and what forces are we taking about, Drow? Barbarians like my friend here? Fish people? Kobolds? Hobgoblins? What is happening with the supplies your taking? Are they being held somewhere? Could you map out the hideout?"

Doozey would keep at least a length of chain(10ft only, if possible) before moving on to the others. Because if experience has taught him anything since being imprisoned, it is that every little thing counts. Which that thought in mind, Doozey in the wake of a fading blush over missing so much, "I wouldn't be too sure. It's all int he application, at the end of the day. And something Neya could probably use, if its not to be sold later."

With that said, he more quietly tells her about the bag (if it hadn't come up yet), and storing both gold and staff there for the time being, out of sight of Rhonda and Yalek later. Moments later, Yalek makes his request, and with Utar's backing, Doozey simply shrugged and made to follow it. Though before he gets too far, he sings a short line in Sylvan, prompting Taters to perk up for a moment, and then propped himself somewhat in a clear ready stance to poke Rhonda if she should act out.

"So, where do we begin? I would assume we start with the layout and how much of this hideout of theirs have you actually been able to see? And then secondly, assuming the others here don't have other plans, your to continue on with us for this next part, yes? If not, there's always getting those supplies we've just commandeered back to the allied forces, assuming we don't use it to slip on inside." He asked once out of earshot of Rhonda.

@Lerus:

Graxx nods his head to the wagon leader.

”Alright look... To be honest your information isn’t that helpful to me so far.  But... I really don’t want to have to kill you out here.”

Graxx scratches his chin.

”I can’t let you go because you’ve been out here murdering folks and you have to answer for that.  One way to maybe get a lighter sentence is to help us in the coming battle with these cultist.  I need to know and I need to know right now.  Could we trust you to fight by our sides and not stab us in the back when the fighting starts?

Graxx stares intently at the wagon leader.  Awaiting their response.

Insight on being truthful:  17

With Utar and Graxx conversing with the mercenary, Neya goes with Doozey and Yalek.

Once they come to a stop and Doozey says his piece, she chimes in, "Rhona's description of the Wearer of Purple was rather vague. Are you able to fill in any more details? We had our own run-in with one a while back. However, it got away before we could finish the job. If it is the same person, the infiltration may get more complicated."

Doozey collects a 10-foot long section of chain and asks Villonah and Neya to kindly deposit the gold and faintly magical staff inside the bag of holding.

The group then splits up. Neya, Doozey, and Villonah follow Yalek for a few yards so they are far enough from Rhonda. Graxx and Utar continue to question the mercenary.

Yalek begins with an admission: “Alright, you don’t want to share your names but the truth is that all of them were mentioned during the fight. You are Doozey, thanks for introducing yourself earlier. That makes the two ladies Villie and Neya. Feel free to clarify which one is which. Finally, the two interrogators over there must then be Graxx and Utar. Assuming the more naked of the two doesn’t need to warn himself of his own approach, then he must be Graxx and my fellow half-orc is, therefore, Utar. Sounds about right?”

Feeling chastised, Neya responds, "I apologize. I seem to have gotten so goal-oriented as to forget my manners."

"Yes, you are right. Outside of Villie, we form the Chaotic Relief Adventuring Party - and a rather unfortunate, if misleading, acronym."

Graxx continues his hard stare on the wagon leader knowing their next words determine their fate.

"I'm waiting to see if I have a bit seniority before revisiting that particular issue of names." Doozey chimed in half-jokingly. "Like RRAP, for Rapid Relief Adventuring Party, or The Furious Four, or something along those lines. Not that odds favor a change now given history, and frankly, well...." He trailed off there with a shrug. "So, back to the actual business at hand, hm?"