Ulf steps back a little and waves the man in, "Of course."

The man would wait only a few additional moments before bringing along the two larger folk, and one of the swordbearers they start to move forward while the rest remain there. in the birds eyes, Their formation wasn't anything to write home about, they were standing in a random line that only look formation-like from a distance. The two larger folks staying ahead of the man while the swordbearer took the front, with the robed figure in the back. As they got within twenty feet of the  still-being setup camp, they ceased proceeding, and stood there The robed man's face the only part visible now. Clearly they were intent on keeping him safe.

Now closer, their attire was varying shades of blue and green, or in some cases aquamarine. They looked like what one would expect of Pirates in their choice of clothing, which covered 'enough' but allowed them free movement. Even the robed figure -as mentioned before- was wearing some type of chain armor over his half-robe.

So tell me travelers, what brings you out to our part of the world if you're travelling to find some friends, and whom would they be? Perhaps you seek an audience with those of Feathergale spire? he asks, pointing to where he assumed Cirin was.

 Swordbearers

 The large men who appear to be Genasi.

Waiting on anything, regardless of posts or lacktherof in about 6 hours I will proceed.

"...What if it is information we can' divulge?" Shautha answers half-jokingly, returning him the same words that he had said earlier.

It doesn't matter much, half orc. If you wish to be snide. However, ours is a much higher purpose, and perhaps we can convince you to join our cause?

Ulf nods, "We are listening".

With that he moves to the fire (I assume it's part of our camp!), and waves the leader over. "Please, share in the warmth. It's not much, but it's all the hospitality we have to offer. The weather makes everything more difficult."

"What is it you propose?"

Ylnira stands, arms folded, neither defensive nor aggressive towards the approaching warriors. They did not seem to be hostile for the moment. That was preferable, but their attire and weaponry makes Ylnira question their purpose roaming the plains at night - they were clearly out for something, and they were prepared for a fight. “I cannot speak for the others in our group, but I am Ylnira. As you can see, I am a healer of sorts. I wander the country to aid those in need. I have yet to find a higher purpose, so I am willing to listen to what you have to say.”

The man seems to pause for a moment, considering the offer by Ulf carefully, he seems reluctant to be too close to the fire, almost sneering at it (the fire) but after a long moment, relents, whispering something to the two Genasi' with him, which they also seem surprised momentarily before getting up and joining the others in the camp where the fire was, though they stayed away from it like it was some serpent preparing to strike, though they didn't seem afraid of it.

 Still in a somewhat protective circle around the robed and armored man, and the rest stoically silent but much more relaxed than it had been prior as he continues to speak while the others simply listen and watch to make sure there are no threats. 

I.. Cannot quite give away everything until I am certain you can be trusted. Were you folk aware that this region used to be utterly flooded with Dwarven Strongholds?  My organization has taken hold of one of these strongholds... it was clear he was struggling to balance how much information to give out without revealing 'too much' But we serve a powerful diety, who grants us powerful boons, magical items, and fills us with purpose. She has given people like us, whom.. the world has downcast, spit upon, and exiled a place within her loving  bosom so long as we in turn aid her in her long held dream to bring her back to this plane, which she was lost to millenia ago during one of the great wars before man even stood upright. he was watching everyone's expressions, seeing if his words sung true, or tugged at heartstrings that were sore from similar treatment as that which he described.

Ever since he heard that about on of their members being harassed, he thinks uncomfortably of Ghileeda. He said he was looking for two people. Yrnila and I fit the bill...

Seeing the way the robed man looked in disgust at the fire, Ulric's eyes narrow slightly. An idea suddenly hits him in the middle of the conversation. The man's speech was similar to one he received not too long ago. He looks at the blue-skinned folk, and he racks his brain, falling back to the memories of the books he read as a child. He looks at them and tries to divine their origin.

Identify the species of Genasi

Ulf frowns, trying to recall any tales of such a god, but his expression is sympathetic to the plight of those who have been downcast by fate. "All people of good will deserve a place to call their own, should they desire it. But..." he smiles, "...I find myself always restless: the wilds call me back from the comforts of hold and hearth without fail."

This would more likely be a history check but it passes nonetheless.

Ulric takes a closer gander at the two larger men with the aqua-colored skin, and with atleast some knowledge of the wider world it only takes him a few moments longer as the man prattled on to realize these were water-genasi of a sort, though normally Genasi were thin and athletic, these two seemed larded up for whatever reason.

Ulf on the the other hand was considering many options. Though many older tales told of powerful entities that predated Toril, only some of them were female. Those could include Dendar - the Nightserpent, perhaps one of the great old ones though not being a warlock or one to study it could be any of them, it could be Tiamat, or perhaps one of the ancient elemental evils from the war that split Toril and Abeir-Toril into two entirely separate planes Such as Olhydra, Perhaps even Lolth could be considered a possibility, though as a Ranger his knowledge of these topics may or may not be limited.

Please make a religion check for any of the following you wish, and as many as you wish, but you will roll individually for each one.

Dendar, Olhydra, Tiamat, Lolth, Great Old Ones.

Elves love their Lore, and Ulf's eyes take on a distant look as he tries to remember more details of gods he has thinks might be relevant. It was a long time ago, but elves also have long memories.

Somehow I didn't see the fortress check.

For whatever reason Ulf knew quite a lot about Dendars History (you may use whatever existing information is out there about Dendar)  unfortunately he knew far too little of the others outside their names and the most commonly known information about the others.

Continuing to think about things in the moment as the man continued to prattle on Ulf thinks about the history of the region, and though information is fairly sparse, he remembers a bit of a tale told to him by his family when he was but a child when he had asked for a more interesting story than ''The Little Mer woman and the human prince by the sea'' Though much of the specifics were lost. His mind retreating momentarily into the past.

Well there are the old tales of the Northlands below the spine of the world. Many folk had attempted to lay claim to the land ,as rumors of power are wont to make folk seek it out. Drow had at one point occupied the region, building shrines beneath the earth until they left or were destroyed by some other forces, the true tale is unknown. But later the Dwarves of Besilmer established an underground stronghold to fight against the many trolls and giants that plagued the region at that time. Eventually discovering the drow shrines, but eventually realized they lacked the manpower to hold it, and clear out the ruins... they were abandoned, and the region was overtaken once more by the trolls and giantkin, forcing the dwarves to abandon the place.

It was called Tyar-Besil. Unfortunately due to the nature of the region, and the dangers associated with it, few records were ever made of the locations, and even fewer survived the ages. About six hundred years before you were born Ulfy-ki a band of adventurers, known as the Knights of the Silver Horn attempted to reing the region in, and make notes and maps of the relevant locations, and succeeded for a short time, planting keeps to watch over the area out of fear of the unknown.

Less than two generations later though one of the largest orcish hordes to ever scourge the face of Faerun overwhelmed the defenses and for centuries they stood empty, being called the 'haunted keeps.' It's only been half a century since then that humans and other races have once more attempted to tame this dangerous region, knowing that with danger comes opportunity, and often power.

Perhaps one day you and your sister will explore this place and discover all that was meant to be hidden?

Oh we shall, shan't we Ulfy-ki? I swear I'll make you proud someday, so I can be a big sister you can look up to!

It was at that moment that the robed figure seemed to ask Ulf     Excuse me.. are you even listening?

Ulf's reverie was interrupted, but a distant smile remained on his face as his attention once again focused on the present. A good time. He sighs and turns to the newcomer, "Apologies, kind sir. Your words brought back many memories. Of good times and of bad."

He shivers slightly, despite the warmth. "Brave souls you must be to undertake such a task. The dwarven holds have a long and violent history. But a mighty achievement, if they can be held."

"Please forgive my momentary distraction. What was it you were saying?"

Ulric ponders what to do for a moment. He speaks to the robed man, "May my companions and I converse in private for a moment?"

If he allows so, Ulric forms the group into a huddle and says quietly, "Given my background, I think I know what he is and wants. If I can talk to him alone for a moment, I can probably convince him to leave us to our own devices. Would anybody be opposed?"  He looks at each member of the group individually.

Shautha listens with a mixture of curiosity and religious indifference, not caring much for whatever non-orcish religion this group has.

She does notices when Ulf's mind seemingly drifts off. Pay attention, will ya She whispers at him with a glare.

The man allows the group to huddle saying Of.. course, if it may allay your concerns. Though if you make a plan to attack us, we will respond in kind.

I will wait 4 hours from the time of this post, before I assume proceed.

Ulf stands up, bows to their recently invited guest. "Apologies sir, I do not know what this is about, but...my associate has strange habits and these are strange times. I shall be back momentarily."

He frowns and looks at Ulric with disdain and in clear confusion, If Ulric is in league with these people, that's useful to know. And perhaps worrying. "We just offered these people our hospitailty to gain and share information. They clearly have plans for the area. I don't want to be 'left to my own devices', I'd like to know what they know what they want and what whey plan. They may even be allies. Why would we send them away?"

 Ylnira taps her foot against the ground, trying to recall any memories she could about the aqua-skinned people or anything related to deities that might explain the source of what she assumes to be a cult's power. Perhaps she would have known more if her duties were akin to a Cleric's. Unfortunately - or, maybe fortunately, given the armored and weaponed group - her responsibilities were more direct than worshiping a deity.

Arms crossed, she peers at Ulric with keen, searching eyes. He's hiding something. That's obvious. The elf asked some good questions. He has some connection to them. Why would he keep his conversation a secret? Ylnira clears her throat after some internal dialogue. "I agree with Ulf. Why not speak with all of us around? Ylnira clasps her arms behind her back, awaiting a response to Ulf's questions and her own, scanning Ulric's behavior and body language. She knew him to be deceptive. Viewing his behavior when he lied could be useful. 

"You are a weird one, wizard" Shautha grumbles. "I agree with them. Is there anything you are hiding from us?"