Malcom gives a nod of agreement. “Yes, we will help out to the best of our ability.”

Sef asks Malcom, "Do you really think we should go back to Whitehaven? I'm just worried what might happen if the cart drivers have said something about you using magic. I'll certainly accompany you if you think it's the right thing to do.  But you're the one at risk."   

He glances first to Sylas and then Devlyn. "What do you guys think?" 

"I would expect you both would fit the same bandit title as we do but they only know me as a caster," Devlyn replies. "My advice would be to abandoned any hope of being free among those loyal to the Empire who've seen you cast," he adds darkly.

OOC: we'll have some in-game downtime now so I can intro new PCs ok? Welcome to level 4!

Malcom gives a nod of concession. “Very well then... we will not return to Whitehaven. Perhaps these badges may then be of help to us in our endeavors.” He says, indicating to the badge on his chest. 

(OOC: Sounds good! I’ll go ahead and level Malcom up now.)

The party joins Devlyn and his crew moving away from Whitehaven into the forest that skirts the massive lake. They walk until nearly nightfall finding an eerie silence in the forest as they reach a gnarled looking tree. It's massive trunk is riddled with names and symbols carved into the bark and it's branches decorated with ribbons as well as bits of cloth. It's bizarre but looks ancient!

"This is an extension of trust," Devlyn begins as he sighs looking over the party. "We invite you to join us and you will help change the world," he adds waving a hand with a large ring over the trunk of a massive tree that soon parts as another underground world appears on the other side! "Pass through and make a difference," he adds awaiting your decision.

OOC: Fairborne29 and Kayla will intro now. You both please post what your PC is currently doing in the underground resistance camp. I'll let you free. I ask you do not invent NPCs and if you think it's world breaking maybe ask first.

Ainje is off to one side working through the fighting forms she is practicing.  She sequences through jabs, slashes, backhands, crosses, uppercuts, jumping axehandles, pirouette-like spin kicks, knees, feints, and flourishes all with a slight grimace.  She pauses and flexes her left leg as if it pains her, stretching the muscles a bit before diving back into her endeavor.  The dark metal blade of her black hafted scythe glints from time to time in her motions as it catches a light here and there.

Ainje is slightly tall for a “human” woman standing at five feet and nine inches tall.  Her auburn locks fall a bit past her shoulders and is partially pulled back as to be kept from blocking her grey-green eyes.  She is relatively thin but obviously muscular and moves with a softness befitting a performer.

As Devlyn enters the area, a tall black dragonborn is sitting at a table nearby. Reading over piles of papers, you hear her loudly grumbling about needing a new organization system. Glancing up, she notices you enter and you see her hand briefly glow with a radiant light. It goes away as soon as she sees Devlyn. "Ah so good to see you have returned. And with new faces." Standing up she strides towards you, a beaming smile on her face. "Welcome. Welcome. It is always good to have new blood join us. I am Delmirev Nadarr," she says as she bows slightly. Her voice is calming and soft. This offsets her large dragonborn frame and heavy armor. On her face you can see multiple faded battle scars. Looking over you she jokingly asks, "Any of you any good at paperwork? 

(Just to clarify the setting - we were with Devlyn, Sylas, Brianna, Rax, and Hagan when we arrive?  Do we see others at the resistance camp - or hints that others are around but out of sight? Or is it just Ainje and Delmirev?) 

A young human with blue eyes and dark brown hair replies to Delmirev. "Umm... I guess I've done paperwork... sort of..." His short hair is rather messy and his clothes are well-worn but not tattered.  He has a dark brown cloak around him, though you can still see a rapier at his side and the simple leather armor he has on underneath. "Good to meet you Delmirev Nadarr.  I'm Sef."  He gives a slight bow in return to hers, though it is a bit stiff as though he is favoring some light wounds. 

Though he tries to remain attentive to Delmirev, it is clear that he is also busy taking in this strange and fascinating tree as well as the camp beyond. 

Malcom follows in behind Sef, taking in the new surroundings with a keen and analytical eye. He is a human male of average height with shaggy brown hair  and faint stubble beginning to grow in on his chin. He wears shabby brown robes that conceal a dagger or two on his person, but other than that, one can also see a faded leather tome resting lightly at his side.

Malcom gives a nod of acknowledgment to Delmirev as she approaches them, and gives a soft chuckle at her joke, but does not respond. Similar to Sef, he looks around intently at the resistance camp, but also looks to Devlyn, looking for some sort of instruction or affirmation. 

"Oh, you are wounded," Nadarr says as she reaches out her hand and it glows with a soft glow. Sef can feel his wounds healing. (lay on hands for 10hp). "There you go. Can't have people running around bleeding." 

Sef is a bit surprised by the sudden healing, but gives the dragonborn a brief smile. "Thank you Delmirev... or is it Nadarr?  I was ok really.  Just with everything gong on after our scuffle, then Gale leaving, traveling...   Well, I figured I would get a chance to rest and try to recover eventually."  He bows a bit more gracefully to her. "I do appreciate your help though." 

Like Malcom, he glances to Devlyn for instruction. "We just walk in?" He is still looking at the tree in awe and clearly a bit of curiosity.

OOC: The whole party, all NPCs included, essential walked through the tree [Tooltip Not Found]. I was assuming y'all walked through too.

Devlyn nods.

"Please join us," Devlyn adds gesturing inside the tree towards the underground resistance camp.

The dragonborn Nadarr on watch notices the party first greeting you all. The tall woman Ainje exercises in an training area not far away.

It's an elaborate cavern system with a massive tree seemingly kept alive by magic! Thousands of magical arcane lights float aloft the twenty foot ceilings. The bathe the areas the party can see in near daylight.

Sef nods to Devlyn and steps inside the tree. "This is all rather amazing."  He looks over to Malcom. "Would you have even imagined a place like this existed?  How do you suppose they do this?" The young man continues to look around the camp as though perhaps he will find an explanation somewhere that answers his questions. 

Noting the entrance of Devlyn and the newcomers, Ainje stops her workout and makes her way over toward them coming to rest a few yards away.  She stands her scythe on end, blade at the top and leans slightly against it before grinning. “Oh, you bring us some new blood, eh, Devlyn? Good to see. You may call me Ainje. I caught Sef’s name, but what may I call you?“ She says an eyebrow raised in Malcom’s direction.

“Malcom,” Malcom says with a nod towards Ainje. “Malcom is fine.”

In response to Sef: “Probably some sort of high level magic.” Malcom explain as he inspects a nearby light with a furrowed brow. “Interesting,” he comments, looking up quickly after realizing he had been ignoring the other. He looks to Devlyn. “Did you do this? It’s... amazing!” Malcom adds, obvious fascination in his tone. 

Sef gives a brief nod in greeting. "Good to meet you Ainje." He pauses just a moment before continuing. "You seem rather well versed in combat moves there," his head nodding towards where she had been practicing. "You seem very... graceful." 

He then shifts the conversation back to Nadarr. "You mentioned paperwork. Just what do you guys do here that takes a bunch of paperwork? Oh, and Devlyn..."  He glances back over to the Tiefling. "How do you suppose Malcom and I can best help you all out? Are we going to do anything to keep tabs on those Readers that are coming to Whitehaven?" 

"Oh just this and that. Supplies, some financing, leads. I can do it, just bored out of my mind. And it is Nadarr, Delmirev is my family name." The dragonborn responds. Nodding to Malcom she says, "It is good to meet you sir." 

(OOC: Readers or Reavers?) 

"Make them welcome," Devlyn says leaving the party with the resistance members and disappearing into the underground city.

"I will take my leave as well," Sylas bows leaving as well.

Bri, Hagan, and Rax however stay put.

"Shall we get you all a place to camp," Bri asks gesturing Malcom and Sef towards the city.

OOC: Bri and Hagan are twin half elves. Rax is a goliath. Any questions ask!

Sef watches Devlyn and Sylas depart, then nods to Brianna.  "Sure! A place to camp would be good.  I presume we can make some food for ourselves there too?" He moves to follow her.

(OOC - Do we still have the horse and cart?  Or were we asked to leave it elsewhere? Ignore the rest if we don't have it.)

"Umm, what about the horse? I'm not very familiar with them but I know they got to be fed."  He glances over at the horse a moment then back. "And watered I guess.  We didn't exactly bring anything with us.  Thought we'd be taking it back to Whitehaven."

"Oh yes food. Come young ones, I wish to hear all about you and about these readers that are coming. Someone forgot to tell me," She says very pointedly at Devlyn's back. She walks with Bri discussing small things that have happened since she was last here.