"I'm interested to see who she's got coming around," Hush says as he leans against the doorframe. "More will help in a fight, for sure, but maybe not as useful while we try to be stealthy." He shrugs, then adds, "Time will tell, but for the time being, more would be better to ensure our safety."

“I’ll admit I’m not the most excited about splitting the coin, but some added muscle would be helpful,” Holden adds, almost absentmindedly speaking to himself. “Especially of the healing variety.” He then moves to lean on the hilt of his axe against a nearby wall, waiting for the new arrivals. If approached, the large half orc seems deep in thought with a small grimace. 

As the group waits for the new arrivals, Lazarus excuses himself. 

"I apologize, but I have some urgent business to attend to. Shall we meet at this spot in an hour and a half?"

He exits Miko's armory and returns to the tavern, strangely renting a room for only a hour. He giddily sets up his brass brazier and takes out his herbal ingredients and incense. For the next hour, an alien monotone chanting emanates from his room, followed by a crackling flame and explosive puffs of smoke. 

(Cast Find Familiar as a Ritual)

When the last of the ingredients were burnt away, the smoke coalesces into a very black cat, purring softly as it lays on the brazier. Lazarus smiles and picks up the cat in his arms. 

"How are you doing, Tibbles? We've got to get going now; we've got a job to do." 

(Returns to the group with his familiar) 

Hush nods to Lazarus upon his return and gives his cat a scratch behind the ears. Then he turns to the group, "So, uh, is there anything else you guys want to do before we head off?"

The party is waved off by Miko. The blacksmith returns to work, punctuating the ambiance with the sound of metal being pounded. It is around mid-morning. The streets of the Imperial quarter is bustling with Imperial and Zavas doing business alike - peddling wares, selling goods, and carrying packages. One thing the party does notice, however, is someone approaching the forge.

One of the players recruited has not showed up, so I will be redacting the 'two' Miko said to 'one'. Sorry! Let me know where the party intends to head next.

Current Objectives:
-Deliver scientific apparatus to Aster in the Torken Tribe on behalf of Miko. Reward: 100 gp.
-Deliver Miko's letter to Juno in the Morka Tribe. Reward: 100 gp.
-Revisit Old Grey in the woods and return with proof. Reward: 100 gp.

(OOC - I'm good to head to Old Grey, then onto Morka.)

The black cat hisses at Hush when he moves to scratch it's ears. Lazarus gives an awkward smile and scolds Tibbles, but in truth he had ordered the cat to do so. 

He turns to the person approaching the forge, waiting for them to make an introduction.

(I'm good to head to Old Grey's too. Just wondering, when's the last time we've taken a long rest?) 

(Yep, I think the plan was to head to the Morka Tribe and Old Grey, and get those quests done all in one sweep.)

The approaching figure appears light on their feet, their steps barely making a sound. At first it's hard to make out what they look like. Maybe 6'1" and a wiry build. A hood is pulled low over their forehead, and a dark half mask covers the lower part of their face. But piercing green eyes watch the party carefully.

The figure reaches the group outside of the blacksmith's and nods curtly to them. Pulling back the hood, and lowering the mask reveals a coppery coloured male elf with copper highlights running through brown hair.

"You are the group Miko spoke of? The one I join?" the elf asks. "I am Ralnor Dornlake. Salutations."

(Hey Thoradin, welcome to the game!)

Lazarus could barely suppress his distaste as sees another Wilderling join the group. Paranoia crept up on him, and being the sole Imperial, he wondered how long it would take until he was backstabbed by his party. Perhaps they were already conspiring against him?

However, he noted that the elf carried himself differently from other Wilderlings. Lazarus wondered which tribe he was from, hoping to perhaps exploit the tribal tensions and conflicts of the Wilderness to distract the group from his own activities. 

Nonetheless, Lazarus puts on his charming nobleman's smile and holds out his hand to shake. "Glad to meet you, Ralnor. I'm Lazarus. We are indeed the group hired by Miko." 

Ralnor looks down at the hand for a moment, almost as if he's forgotten what the gesture means. But then he reaches out and shakes Lazarus' hand.

"Miko suggested I join with you," Ralnor says, his voice steady as he looks more carefully at Lazarus. There is something this one doesn't like but he seems to have it in control, Ralnor thinks to himself.

"You are Imperial?" he asks, then looks more closely at the others. "The only one."

Lazarus shrugs. "I am Imperial. You see, I'm an anthropologist. I've been fascinated with the tribal societies of the Wilderness, and I've been living along the native people and learning about their way of life. But, in my spare time, I do a bit more than that."

Overall, not a bad lie. Lazarus had indeed been studying the native population, not because he's at all interested in their lives but because he wishes to uncover their magical secrets. One can only learn so much in the Empire, as it's devoid of magic. Lazarus scrutinizes the new-comer. Perhaps he may find an ally in Ralnor?

"The Emprie been awfully oppressive in their treatment of the locals. By helping Miko, we can fight back against that. That's why I'm here." 

Holden watches the interaction between Lazarus and Ralnor before advancing. He holds out his hand to the new guy. “Holden Stonefist, greetings. We had another imperial... similar to you, but he disappeared a while back. It seems that what you sneaky types do best,” he says with an awkward chuckle. Holden then steps back to allow others to say their greetings. 

"You are outcast?" Ralnor says with a nod to Lazarus. "You will find some cruel as the Empire in the tribes."

Ralnor then turns as Holden approaches, and accepts the handshake with another nod.

"Sometimes it is best if your enemy never sees you," he says to Holden. "You can much learn. Or you can enemy remove."

He then looks around at the others and then up at the position of the sun in the sky.

"We have deliveries, yes? Perhaps we should on our way be."

Hush walks over to Ralnor, and stands in front of him, arms crossed and looking him over. The halfling doesn't say a word, but suddenly in his head, Ralnor hears a voice, "Hush is the name. Don't know you yet, so don't worry about the small talk. Prove you're worth something, then maybe. These guys have already proven themselves to me." With that, the halfling smiles and looks back to the others and says out loud, "So, we going? Let's check in on the old man then make our way to Morka."

(DM Question - just wanted to check if we're meant to be 2nd or 3rd level now as well? I cannot remember when we last leveled for the life of me.)

Ralnor almost cracks a smile at Hush’s telepathic comments. But only almost.

”Interesting. It is curious to think your assessment of my worth I would want.”

He then hitches his pack on his back and turns to follow the road in the direction of Morka.

@Lazarus- the party could have taken a long rest at the tavern after the slimes were defeated. I am fine with handwaving it.
@Hush - the party is currently level two, apologies if I made it unclear. 

Note that Luxaene's player is taking a leave of absence for around one month. I will be piloting the character until their player returns.

Based on the posts, I will be plotting course for Old Grey!

The return trip to the area of Old Grey's woods will take the better part of the day. The forest city of the Zavas recedes in the distance as the party exits across the same pathway from which they approached - headed for the east, along the bordering region between the Pakora and the Morka. The trees are in full bloom; the pathway is rather scenic. 

DM rolls: 

The travel is uneventful and quite serene. Those of you familiar with the area will know it to be one frequented by Outcasts, as your previous meeting with Gaz had proven. This time, though, nothing happens. The party meanders to the area of the forest where you remember Old Grey frequenting. 

For those of you with a passive perception of 15 or above:

Quote from PlumPie >>

@Hush - the party is currently level two, apologies if I made it unclear. 

(OOC - no need to apologise. We had a bit of a hiatus and party shuffling, so I wasn't sure. Just wanted to make sure I hadn't missed something as we move onto the next chapter 😊 )

Ralnor motions for the group to stop and raises a finger to his mask covered mouth for quiet. Yes, it's definitely there.

"Do you hear buzzing?" he asks quietly. Then when he hears it again, he adds "That noise."

Nature: 13  and he turns his head slightly in all directions trying to determine where the buzzing is coming from - Perception: 16   

Lazarus frowns. "That's can't be good."

He mentally commands his cat Tibbles, "Climb a tree and tell me what you can find."

Meanwhile, Lazarus unsheathes his obsidian-tipped scalpel, furtively keeping it in the palm of his hand. 

Tibbles Perception: 10

(If Keen Smell can grand advantage:  11) 

(Forgot to mention, Lazarus would have cast Mage Armor before the group left)