The woman flashes Kariba look before looking back down, "You have all my things. None of them are symbols of this 'Dragon Queen' they all praise; so no, I am not a cultist. Neither were my comrades..." She stops for a moment. "The kobolds are all over the place in the camp. They just do what they're told, and those ones were told to stay with us."
"We were with kobolds, usually obvious sign. Also we had some stuff," she gestures once again with her head to a small chest amongst their weapons that were out of reach, "plus we don't look fishy; if you don't do anything stupid and you're generally fine. They'll be expecting people to trickle until nightfall, I'd say..." Her eyes fall again to the heaps that were once her companions.
The woman flashes Kariba look before looking back down, "You have all my things. None of them are symbols of this 'Dragon Queen' they all praise; so no, I am not a cultist. Neither were my comrades..." She stops for a moment. "The kobolds are all over the place in the camp. They just do what they're told, and those ones were told to stay with us."
"We were with kobolds, usually obvious sign. Also we had some stuff," she gestures once again with her head to a small chest amongst their weapons that were out of reach, "plus we don't look fishy; if you don't do anything stupid and you're generally fine. They'll be expecting people to trickle until nightfall, I'd say..." Her eyes fall again to the heaps that were once her companions.
Tengar
The half-orc looks at the woman, confusion and suspicion clear on his face. (Insight - 15) "Then why not surrender? You're nothing to them - mercenaries - the mercenaries I know want to live and will do so at all costs..." Tengar moves over to Karib and whispers, "I don't trust her. I think she's lying. Though, we may just get lucky coming in after nightfall. What to do about her? We need the location of her camp. And you're going to let her go? To warn others?"
Tengar would also ask how far the camp is and in what direction? (what is the closest landmark/city on the map above to their camp)
Burra descends to the ground after his scouting trip, still visibly disconcerted at the rather forceful questioning. He passes along the information he gathered from a quick flight overhead. "Another camp lies in the distance. If the kobold that escaped informs the rest of our presence, it may become an issue," he warns, nervously tapping the symbols of the Traveler embroidered on his golden-white vestments. He then steps back, allowing the interrogation to continue.
The woman looks perplexed as she turns to Tengar, "Surrender? We didn't have our weapons, it suddenly started raining and the grass came to life and held us in place; we just wanted to get the hells out of there!" She catches herself, if a bit too late.
Her looks to Karib, her eyes deep and heavy, "Why would I lie now?"
Tengar can tell she is not lying; her looking down is more of remorse for her lost comrades rather than conceal a motive. Karibcan tell despite the situation, the sellsword retains holds some pride.
Pimster pipes up. "Come, we must be off before that kobold gets the entire encampment all up in a frenzy! Let this one go, but keep her hands tied and her feet connected with a hobble line. That way she can walk, with small steps, back to Greenest or some other town, but not get ahead of us and alert the rest of the cultists." He then picks up what is valuable ( and what he can carry!) from the pile of gear. He will probably leave the chest for someone else to carry, unless he can open it and look inside...
Karib nods, "If we free you, what will you do and will you try to return to the camp?" He listens to Pim's suggestion and frowns. I'd sooner just knock her out again.
Again, he watches her closely to determine if she is lying. Please, Gond, make her answer wisely.
"True, we must be off, and quickly, if we are to keep up with the main cultist force. Still, we should exercise caution, in case the kobold escapee warns them and they set an ambush for us," suggests Kano.
OOC: A chest? I missed that somehow.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Gerrard Feldren - Human Noble in Ghosts of Saltmarsh
Kerric Brightblade - Elven Warrior in "Apocalypse"
He looks to Burra. “What you cannot spot from the air perhaps we can track from down here.” Tengar will go see if he can find any tracks from the kobold. “We need to move quickly however...” he finishes looking doubtfully at the prisoner.
Tengar will look for tracks, assuming help from someone: survival - 11
Pimsterfinds the chest is not too large and could be carried in the hands. Made of unvarnished wood and a simple iron latch opens to reveal its contents: - a band agate - two small blue quartz - two small hematite - a small piece of malachite - a piece of obsidian and next to it a spell scroll that is unintelligible to the druid.
"No. What's left for me there?" She looks from Kariband back down to the now moss covered mounds that were her comrades.
Karibcan tell she is very much defeated and has accepted that, rather than holding on to an anger and possibly seeking revenge on you all. Whatever has happened here has cost her a lot and left looking like she is now at rock bottom.
The main tracks from Greenest that you have been following this whole time is easy to find again, thanks to Tengar. Pimsterhas also been gifted with the sense to see the route the kobold scampered away in via the foliage.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Karib sighs, "There are victims here on all sides, but such is the way of the life we have all chosen. Such is the way of the wheel."
He pauses a moment, collecting his thoughts, then gathers her things: her boots, her weapons and her pack. "But it is never to late to change that choice. Gond -- the great maker and builder -- gave me a second chance long ago -- a chance to be reborn, though at the time I did not want it. He will give such a gift to any who truly want it" he says as he lays her gear on the ground nearby, then he begins to untie her bonds.
"You could return to Greenest, and say that we...ah...that we met you on the road, and asked you to help defend the town in case of another attack. They are a good and a strong people, and they deserve strong defenders. If there's any trouble, tell the Smith that Karib sent you, and they should believe you. Tell him he still owes me a round of drinks."
A wistful smile cracks his face and he pauses briefly before focusing again on the woman, "Or go somewhere else" he shrugs. When he has finished untying her he looks at his companions as they ready themselves, "I only ask that you take no more lives in Greenest, and do not return to the camp. Agreed?"
He waits a moment for her response, and then stands, and offers her a hand up, "May Gond guide your choices, as he does mine."
(( Insight to see if he has any sense of what she might do: 24 + 3 ))
At hearing Karib’s words, Kano feels a rush of shame at the life he escaped before, the things he had to do to survive. But he also feels hope for a new day, new choices, and a chance to do something positive with his life.
”You attacked our town and we defended it. You now have the chance to make a different choice, as those in our group have faith in your chance at redemption. Be wise in the path you choose from here, for if we meet as enemies again it will be for the last time,” says Kano earnestly from the top of the rock, hopping down and preparing to follow the others to the main camp of the Dragon Queen.
”We should disguise ourselves—from both sight and scent—in case the dragon remembers us,” suggests Kano, using his skills with a disguise kit to modify their appearance and odor as they travel.
Disguise Kit: 22
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Gerrard Feldren - Human Noble in Ghosts of Saltmarsh
Kerric Brightblade - Elven Warrior in "Apocalypse"
As her bonds are untied, she takes a moment to adjust; rubbing her wrists and stretching.
Karibwatches that her movement are purposefully controlled. Most probably to avoid sudden movements that would incite hostile reactions, but also to display a front that she can deal with the pain of her injuries.
Once ready, she stands straight, "I'll be heading to Greenest, for some work for a while. You all do take care; the cult are not to be underestimated."
The woman looks to Kano, a shake of her head, "Don't worry, you won't be seeing me any time soon. I'd like to head back up north, back home for a bit once I get the coin."
With that you all see the woman take the route you all came back to Greenest, a small unease in her step but she looks capable.
Pim passes on the disguise. "Halflings would never join a cultist or bandit group! When we get closer, I can assume the shape of a dog again and follow you into camp. Humans never really notice scraggly dogs in a camp like that!"
Karib watches the mercenary walk away, still wondering where her choices will lead, then turns back to Kano. The strange warrior-mage begins the process of disguising their nature -- darker hair, shorter, greyer, different clothes taken from their enemies, the artful efforts speak of an unusual past -- and as he works Karib hefts his shield, the symbol of Gond clear upon it. "And what of this? I will not be parted from it, and no amount of hair dye will disguise it."
He focuses on it as Kano works, and eventually he catches the eye of the orc, Tengar, his toothy grin hard to misinterpret. Following his gaze, Karib's eyes widen as he takes in the bloody mess on the ground. "No...nooo....no no no no no..."
Tengar laughs low at Karib's blanching face, and then turns to Kano, nodding at his handiwork. "A camp that size is risky to enter. If we come at night we might succeed. I don't like our chances in the daytime. Best we find out where she is being kept and quickly," he comments. Tengar will leave the drake's decaying head on the ground and look at the chest. "I suppose that's our way into the camp, eh? Too bad, I like gems. Any idea of what that is?" he says, pointing to the scroll.
Pimster chimes in about the chest. "These may have been looted from Greenest. It will help our disguise, but I would like to eventually return it to the town if possible."
When everyone is ready, the druid will lead the group as they follow the tracks of the kobold who escaped.
Burra withholds the urge to vomit at the sight of the rapidly decaying kobold. The words of the mercenary did not dissuade him in his beliefs - these mercenaries had accepted to the risk of death by attacking Greenest with the dragons, and they should be treated the same way any cultist should. He watches the mercenary leave, a mixture of feelings present in his demeanor. Kano's words snap Burra out of his trail of thought - he apologetically shrugs. "I don't believe those disguises will work on one of my figure. I prefer to remain unseen entirely," Burra responds to the offer of disguising the party.
"Nighttime ambushes are always easier to complete. Those who cannot see in the dark become confused - and when chaos reigns, it is only easier to sow. I worry about the kobold informing the larger camp of our presence. Regardless of where we intend to move, I suggest we continue to move,"Burra recommends, head constantly swiveling around to observe the surroundings.
The half orc scans around for a suitable tree limb and cuts it/fashions it quickly into a crutch. He wraps his arm into a sling as well and throws some kobold guts on himself. He offers some to Karib, with a grin, before picking out one of the eyes and giving it to the raven on his shoulder. "Bah! Just so, just so. Are we ready?"
The woman flashes Karib a look before looking back down, "You have all my things. None of them are symbols of this 'Dragon Queen' they all praise; so no, I am not a cultist. Neither were my comrades..." She stops for a moment. "The kobolds are all over the place in the camp. They just do what they're told, and those ones were told to stay with us."
"We were with kobolds, usually obvious sign. Also we had some stuff," she gestures once again with her head to a small chest amongst their weapons that were out of reach, "plus we don't look fishy; if you don't do anything stupid and you're generally fine. They'll be expecting people to trickle until nightfall, I'd say..." Her eyes fall again to the heaps that were once her companions.
Tengar
The half-orc looks at the woman, confusion and suspicion clear on his face. (Insight - 15) "Then why not surrender? You're nothing to them - mercenaries - the mercenaries I know want to live and will do so at all costs..." Tengar moves over to Karib and whispers, "I don't trust her. I think she's lying. Though, we may just get lucky coming in after nightfall. What to do about her? We need the location of her camp. And you're going to let her go? To warn others?"
Tengar would also ask how far the camp is and in what direction? (what is the closest landmark/city on the map above to their camp)
DM - And In The Darkness, Rot: The Sunless Citadel
DM - Our Little Lives Kept In Equipoise: Curse of Strahd
DM - Misprize Thou Not These Shadows That Belong: The Lost Mines of Phandelver
PC - Azzure - Tyranny of Dragons
Karib waits for answers to Tengar's questions, his expression concerned, and a little skeptical. "Your life depends on your honesty."
To Tengar he says, calmly and clearly, "My vow will be honoured while she speaks the truth."
Then he turns back to the prisoner, also trying to guage her honesty. (( Insight: 9 + Guidance 1 ))
Burra descends to the ground after his scouting trip, still visibly disconcerted at the rather forceful questioning. He passes along the information he gathered from a quick flight overhead. "Another camp lies in the distance. If the kobold that escaped informs the rest of our presence, it may become an issue," he warns, nervously tapping the symbols of the Traveler embroidered on his golden-white vestments. He then steps back, allowing the interrogation to continue.
The woman looks perplexed as she turns to Tengar, "Surrender? We didn't have our weapons, it suddenly started raining and the grass came to life and held us in place; we just wanted to get the hells out of there!" She catches herself, if a bit too late.
Her looks to Karib, her eyes deep and heavy, "Why would I lie now?"
Tengar can tell she is not lying; her looking down is more of remorse for her lost comrades rather than conceal a motive.
Karib can tell despite the situation, the sellsword retains holds some pride.
Pimster pipes up. "Come, we must be off before that kobold gets the entire encampment all up in a frenzy! Let this one go, but keep her hands tied and her feet connected with a hobble line. That way she can walk, with small steps, back to Greenest or some other town, but not get ahead of us and alert the rest of the cultists." He then picks up what is valuable ( and what he can carry!) from the pile of gear. He will probably leave the chest for someone else to carry, unless he can open it and look inside...
Love God. Love Others. Any Questions?
Karib nods, "If we free you, what will you do and will you try to return to the camp?" He listens to Pim's suggestion and frowns. I'd sooner just knock her out again.
Again, he watches her closely to determine if she is lying. Please, Gond, make her answer wisely.
(( Insight: 25 + 2 ))
Kano:
"True, we must be off, and quickly, if we are to keep up with the main cultist force. Still, we should exercise caution, in case the kobold escapee warns them and they set an ambush for us," suggests Kano.
OOC: A chest? I missed that somehow.
Gerrard Feldren - Human Noble in Ghosts of Saltmarsh
Kerric Brightblade - Elven Warrior in "Apocalypse"
Tengar
He looks to Burra. “What you cannot spot from the air perhaps we can track from down here.” Tengar will go see if he can find any tracks from the kobold. “We need to move quickly however...” he finishes looking doubtfully at the prisoner.
Tengar will look for tracks, assuming help from someone: survival - 11
DM - And In The Darkness, Rot: The Sunless Citadel
DM - Our Little Lives Kept In Equipoise: Curse of Strahd
DM - Misprize Thou Not These Shadows That Belong: The Lost Mines of Phandelver
PC - Azzure - Tyranny of Dragons
Pimster finds the chest is not too large and could be carried in the hands. Made of unvarnished wood and a simple iron latch opens to reveal its contents:
- a band agate
- two small blue quartz
- two small hematite
- a small piece of malachite
- a piece of obsidian
and next to it a spell scroll that is unintelligible to the druid.
"No. What's left for me there?" She looks from Karib and back down to the now moss covered mounds that were her comrades.
Karib can tell she is very much defeated and has accepted that, rather than holding on to an anger and possibly seeking revenge on you all. Whatever has happened here has cost her a lot and left looking like she is now at rock bottom.
The main tracks from Greenest that you have been following this whole time is easy to find again, thanks to Tengar.
Pimster has also been gifted with the sense to see the route the kobold scampered away in via the foliage.
Karib sighs, "There are victims here on all sides, but such is the way of the life we have all chosen. Such is the way of the wheel."
He pauses a moment, collecting his thoughts, then gathers her things: her boots, her weapons and her pack. "But it is never to late to change that choice. Gond -- the great maker and builder -- gave me a second chance long ago -- a chance to be reborn, though at the time I did not want it. He will give such a gift to any who truly want it" he says as he lays her gear on the ground nearby, then he begins to untie her bonds.
"You could return to Greenest, and say that we...ah...that we met you on the road, and asked you to help defend the town in case of another attack. They are a good and a strong people, and they deserve strong defenders. If there's any trouble, tell the Smith that Karib sent you, and they should believe you. Tell him he still owes me a round of drinks."
A wistful smile cracks his face and he pauses briefly before focusing again on the woman, "Or go somewhere else" he shrugs. When he has finished untying her he looks at his companions as they ready themselves, "I only ask that you take no more lives in Greenest, and do not return to the camp. Agreed?"
He waits a moment for her response, and then stands, and offers her a hand up, "May Gond guide your choices, as he does mine."
(( Insight to see if he has any sense of what she might do: 24 + 3 ))
Kano:
At hearing Karib’s words, Kano feels a rush of shame at the life he escaped before, the things he had to do to survive. But he also feels hope for a new day, new choices, and a chance to do something positive with his life.
”You attacked our town and we defended it. You now have the chance to make a different choice, as those in our group have faith in your chance at redemption. Be wise in the path you choose from here, for if we meet as enemies again it will be for the last time,” says Kano earnestly from the top of the rock, hopping down and preparing to follow the others to the main camp of the Dragon Queen.
”We should disguise ourselves—from both sight and scent—in case the dragon remembers us,” suggests Kano, using his skills with a disguise kit to modify their appearance and odor as they travel.
Disguise Kit: 22
Gerrard Feldren - Human Noble in Ghosts of Saltmarsh
Kerric Brightblade - Elven Warrior in "Apocalypse"
As her bonds are untied, she takes a moment to adjust; rubbing her wrists and stretching.
Karib watches that her movement are purposefully controlled. Most probably to avoid sudden movements that would incite hostile reactions, but also to display a front that she can deal with the pain of her injuries.
Once ready, she stands straight, "I'll be heading to Greenest, for some work for a while. You all do take care; the cult are not to be underestimated."
The woman looks to Kano, a shake of her head, "Don't worry, you won't be seeing me any time soon. I'd like to head back up north, back home for a bit once I get the coin."
With that you all see the woman take the route you all came back to Greenest, a small unease in her step but she looks capable.
Pim passes on the disguise. "Halflings would never join a cultist or bandit group! When we get closer, I can assume the shape of a dog again and follow you into camp. Humans never really notice scraggly dogs in a camp like that!"
Love God. Love Others. Any Questions?
Karib watches the mercenary walk away, still wondering where her choices will lead, then turns back to Kano. The strange warrior-mage begins the process of disguising their nature -- darker hair, shorter, greyer, different clothes taken from their enemies, the artful efforts speak of an unusual past -- and as he works Karib hefts his shield, the symbol of Gond clear upon it. "And what of this? I will not be parted from it, and no amount of hair dye will disguise it."
He focuses on it as Kano works, and eventually he catches the eye of the orc, Tengar, his toothy grin hard to misinterpret. Following his gaze, Karib's eyes widen as he takes in the bloody mess on the ground. "No...nooo....no no no no no..."
Tengar
Tengar laughs low at Karib's blanching face, and then turns to Kano, nodding at his handiwork. "A camp that size is risky to enter. If we come at night we might succeed. I don't like our chances in the daytime. Best we find out where she is being kept and quickly," he comments. Tengar will leave the drake's decaying head on the ground and look at the chest. "I suppose that's our way into the camp, eh? Too bad, I like gems. Any idea of what that is?" he says, pointing to the scroll.
DM - And In The Darkness, Rot: The Sunless Citadel
DM - Our Little Lives Kept In Equipoise: Curse of Strahd
DM - Misprize Thou Not These Shadows That Belong: The Lost Mines of Phandelver
PC - Azzure - Tyranny of Dragons
Pimster chimes in about the chest. "These may have been looted from Greenest. It will help our disguise, but I would like to eventually return it to the town if possible."
When everyone is ready, the druid will lead the group as they follow the tracks of the kobold who escaped.
Love God. Love Others. Any Questions?
Kano:
”Let me take a look at the scroll,” offers Kano, unrolling it and reading it silently if he can.
Arcana: 8
Gerrard Feldren - Human Noble in Ghosts of Saltmarsh
Kerric Brightblade - Elven Warrior in "Apocalypse"
Burra withholds the urge to vomit at the sight of the rapidly decaying kobold. The words of the mercenary did not dissuade him in his beliefs - these mercenaries had accepted to the risk of death by attacking Greenest with the dragons, and they should be treated the same way any cultist should. He watches the mercenary leave, a mixture of feelings present in his demeanor. Kano's words snap Burra out of his trail of thought - he apologetically shrugs. "I don't believe those disguises will work on one of my figure. I prefer to remain unseen entirely," Burra responds to the offer of disguising the party.
"Nighttime ambushes are always easier to complete. Those who cannot see in the dark become confused - and when chaos reigns, it is only easier to sow. I worry about the kobold informing the larger camp of our presence. Regardless of where we intend to move, I suggest we continue to move," Burra recommends, head constantly swiveling around to observe the surroundings.
Tengar
The half orc scans around for a suitable tree limb and cuts it/fashions it quickly into a crutch. He wraps his arm into a sling as well and throws some kobold guts on himself. He offers some to Karib, with a grin, before picking out one of the eyes and giving it to the raven on his shoulder. "Bah! Just so, just so. Are we ready?"
DM - And In The Darkness, Rot: The Sunless Citadel
DM - Our Little Lives Kept In Equipoise: Curse of Strahd
DM - Misprize Thou Not These Shadows That Belong: The Lost Mines of Phandelver
PC - Azzure - Tyranny of Dragons