"You're damn right it shouldn't have happened!" Bree is furious. (She makes sure she grabs the food bag though). "We're in the middle of a damn war. None of this SHOULD have happened." Selfish little bastard! I've never killed a man in cold blood, but he is sorely tempting me, she thinks.
She turns to Lily. "We're exposed here. We should head back to interrogate THE PRISONER," she says, emphasizing his precarious position.
Edran finally seems to break.
"It matters little. I'm a dead man no matter what. I'm not with the Ironfangs, but neither am I Nirmathi. I was sent from Molthune to observe the festival - just gathering local rumors and chatter. If I had only left a day earlier..."
Molthune has repeatedly tried, unsuccessfully, to reclaim Nirmathas.
Lily's face just sours even more than it was. Here she was ready to kill someone who was just sent to observe some podunk festival. She says," You know I wasn't joking earlier. I want to protect everyone even you. You just need to completely come clean and I'll try and ensure your safety. "
"Molthune? Really? That's what this is about? We're talking about the survival of people: farmers, villagers! I don't give a damn where they're from. YOU need to decide what's more important to you: the lives of regular folks or the platitudes of pissed off nobles."
She puts her bow away and touches Edran's head, positive energy flows through him, staunching the blood flow.
"Hell even your own life. You weren't going to survive long out there with the Ironfang out there," she says while offering a hand.
"This isn't about nobles. If those refugees found out that I'm a Molthuni spy, they'd tear me limb from limb or skin me alive. The truth is...I'd hoped to make a trade with the Ironfangs - offer information on you in exchange for safe passage home."
He breathes easier as Bree's magic flows through his body, closing and clotting his wounds.
Moisture remains at his eyes, but he speaks more freely. Whether from your persuasion or his own resignation, though, it is hard to say.
"I'm familiar with the Legion. The hobs are brutal but not stupid. They value intelligence on their enemies and recognize threats for what they are. They probably have bounty hunters scouring the woods for you already."
Cyrioul steps around the shrieker's radius of effect as the others approach, looking down at a handful of notes. "Cedric, I've been going over the numbers and -" he stops short at the sight of the bloodied Erdan, and his friends hauling him back. "Sooo.... all right, then. Let's keep this out here if we can, for now."
After catching the quick recap of what's been relayed, Cyrioul...
...realizes that it wouldn't be beyond Molthune at all to use a crisis like this to try and press further into Nirmathas.
"While I don't know the current state of conflict between the nations... This isn't good." He makes a pained face at his own poor understatement.
After a moment, he snaps his fingers. "When we first encountered that troglodyte patrol, with the lizard? One of them did... something, then launched a bird into the air, headed straight here. We brought it down, so they weren't alerted to our presence. We have one more of those tokens, the one that's a feather, don't we? If it is what I'm guessing it is, and I can figure out how to use it, couldn't we send an alert somewhere? I couldn't fully understand it's properties earlier today - Nethys, was that this morning? - but I'll do everything I can to do so tomorrow!"
Another realization hits him like a hammer. If that works, we've only got one chance to tell someone in Nirmathas that can actually do something to help us. I can't use it to tell Elhona that I'm still alive. If i send it to her, no-one will believe a musician that there's a legion of hobgoblins taking over the forest. He sighs heavily, knowing what has to happen. "If that's what it is, we can have Aubrin help us know who to contact. She's a Ranger - she'll know who."
Boudra taps Cyrioul on the shoulder, and indicates that she'd like him to interpret her for Edran. Are the Molthuni actually in league with the Ironfang? If not, how do you know them?
Cyrioul shakes off his maudlin thought and passes along Boudra's message.
Cyrioul's knowledge of history also informs him that the Ironfang Legion, although originally founded independently by survivors of the Goblinblood Wars, gained notoriety as mercenaries for Molthune in their aims imperial expansion. This culminated in the Fort Ramgate massacre, on the border between the two nations.
"The Legion no longer serves Molthune," Edran explains. "After Fort Ramgate, they broke their privateer contract with our nation to pursue their own aims. They dream of forging a hobgoblin nation in Avistan, much like Kaoling in distant Tian Xia. That is likely the intent of this invasion: subjugating Nirmathas into their own domain."
Bree pulls Cyr aside for a moment, out of Edran's hearing. "If the hobs ARE intent on creating an independent state, we might could use that to get Molthune fighting against them. The Molthunis may wish to keep the hobs at bay. Or they may try to crush Nirmathis in between the two forces." She sighs heavily and almost looks like she's ready to cry. "This is just so big for a group so small. Above my pay grade, as my father used to say."
Boudra follows the other two, eager to stay a part of the conversation. When Bree suggests contacting Molthune, her mouth twists. That's possible, she signs. But in the meantime, we have a more pressing concern. What do we do with Edran?
"We have two options, really," says Cedric, in a detached tone. "The simplest option is to make sure he can't become a problem again. I don't think any of us like it, but we're stretched thin as we are. The second option would be to make sure he swears new loyalty to us, and keep his secret from the rest of the survivors. He's been very helpful in even getting us this far. The trouble is, he keeps lying to us. This can be helped, though.
"Tomorrow, Deadeye willing, I can create an area where lying is impossible. If we guard him until then, and he is willing to submit to the zone and swear his change of heart, then I would be willing to let him continue living with us. Otherwise..." he trails off, but the rest of the thought should be self-evident.
"Cyrioul? Cyr--oh, there you are. I was wondering if we could spare a few people now that we have a base, I'd like to put them through some training and whip them into..." Thorek trails off as he sees the others gathered around Edran, the bloody arrows, and the bulging sack.
"Desertion?" the dwarf asks, scarred face hardening and voice scornful.
Cyrioul looks between Bree and Boudra, then sighs. "All right, let's think on this for the night. Would having us send a message to Molthune - presuming we can - be more helpful than sending a warning to Nirmathas? I am biased towards the latter."
The wizard sighs when Thorek comes out, but nods to . "That seems best. Let's give it a try, at least."
"What good is Molthune going to do us? At least the Nirmathis are close enough to help, if we can find them. Remember that note?"
"Hopefully, there are Nirmathi forces nearby we just haven't met yet."
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"There'll be no aid from Molthune," Edran says morosely. "My mission was low priority, so it's unlikely the General Lords had our forces mobilized for war. Once he finds out about this invasion, if he hasn't already, Imperial Governor Teldas will likely have Molthune wait out the conflict, letting the Nirmathi and the hobs grind each other down. When only one weakened force is left, that's when Molthune will move to annex the territory."
As a spy, Edran possesses some knowledge about the Nirmathi forces - namely that Molthune has no idea where they hide, hence the need for his mission.
The irregular, skirmisher nature of the Nirmathi army has long vexed Molthune's attempts to reclaim their erstwhile province.
However, this also makes reaching out for reinforcements a difficult task for the party and those under your watch.
"I feel sick," Edran moans. "I will cause no more trouble tonight, just let me rest before you interrogate me, execute me, or visit whatever fate upon me. This is all too much."
Cyrioul turns to the others. "A couple of us should keep watch on the tunnel that goes deeper underground - I propose that we keep him near there for now. No one else will want to be around all those bones, anyway. We can decide tomorrow where the message should go."
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Sounds like something for me to do," Caladra says, knowing the reputation that she's been gaining throughout the camp would aid in keeping Edran put.
Those who guard the pit pass a peaceful though unnerving vigil.
Faint sounds rise from below. A whistling wind or a distant howling?
However, no monsters come crawling forth.
In the morning, the refugees awake none the wiser of the previous night's events with Edran.
Of course, it helps that they are distracted by the odor of fungus and troglodytes.
Oreld and Mera point out that the fungus producing the odoriferous gas is delicate and not only is it easily removed, but it is edible once cooked.
Although the lower levels remain to be explored and secured, the refugees also look to you for leadership as this new home is established.
The following morning, before Cedric does his morning prayers and spell preparation, he makes the rounds among the whole group, talking to each member one-on-one in private. The gist of the conversation is the same for each. In the case of Boudra, since he still hasn't gotten his head around the hand signals she makes, he'll ask for either an affirmative or negative, with any further explanation (if necessary) being written down.
He doesn't want the pressure of what anyone else thinks to influence each person's decision.
"Last night, as you recall, I suggested that if Edran could swear to change his loyalty while under the effects of a Zone of Truth spell, that I would consider that sufficient grounds to let him continue live with us. But this isn't a decision to be taken lightly, and has far-reaching consequences that are impossible to predict. And so I am putting it to a secret vote for whether we even try it. Do we actually give him the chance to prove and redeem himself? Or do we play it safe and enact wilderness justice? I will keep your vote in confidence if you prefer."
"I don't want to kill anyone if we don't have to."
Thorek listens to Cedric, expression grave. He mulls over the question for a long moment. "I'm not optimistic that he'll have any genuine change of heart, but he ought to be given the chance," the dwarf says at last. "Less for his sake than for the others'. We're not warlords and I've no desire to be a petty tyrant. Providing a structure and fair shake for the accused is a big step towards solidifying this little community we've got. It's a chance to show them that they're not merely subject to our punitive whims."
His piece said, Thorek pats Cedric on the shoulder and moves off to make himself useful.
Bree is pretty upset about the whole thing. "Here's the thing. Someone murdered those townsfolk. We need to ask him. Hell, we need to ask everyone, myself included, 'did you murder those people.' If it wasn't him, it could have been someone else. Does that 'zone' work on everyone within it? I hate to have to do this, but I just feel so... distrustful."
She shakes her head sadly. "I just don't know any other way to fix it. Or even if THIS will fix it."
Hot tears stream down her face. "As for him... I'll abide by the group if he didn't kill those people. If he did, we don't have to kill him. We can just hobble him and leave him to the hobs."
The lack-of-coffee headaches have long since faded, but Cyrioul still feels compelled to rub his temples this morning. "I suppose that we might give mercy one more try. Otherwise, would we be any better than what we're fleeing? If he - essentially a Molthuni spy - is treated well, maybe it will change his mind about Nirmathas. So I vote for mercy."
The wizard steps away, then turns back. "Cedric, if we can spare a day before venturing deeper into these caves, I would appreciate a day without combat. Or ever, really. I have the aptitude for wizardry, but I would prefer to use it simply seeking knowledge."
- - - - -
After discussing the fungus with Oreld and Mera, he asks, "How quickly would it grow back? Sure, it smells terrible, but if we can safely consume it, it could be an additional source of rations for us. If it won't grow back quickly, though, let's be done with it as quickly as possible. My senses would appreciate the break."
- - - - -
With a full night's rest, Cyrioul sits down to study his spellbook for an hour, idly thumbing his ring as he does so.
He then sits down to look at the feather token for renewed study...
"He needs to be punished at the very least. He endangered everyone and we need to show there are reprocussions for that. Like it or not we're the leaders of this merry band of missfits and if we don't look competant it could sew mistrust. The people need to know we're able to take care of them." Caladra says. "maybe have him clean out the worst of the caves."
Boudra frowns at Cedric's proposal, but slowly nods. She doesn't look thrilled about it, though.
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With a consensus established, more or less, Cedric prepares the appropriate spell with his morning prayers, then returns to where Edran is being kept.
"It's a new day, Edran," he starts. "And it can be a new day for you, too. The fact of the matter is that the Ironfangs have taken away your ability to go home just as much as they have ours. I hope that your time with us has shown you that this is a good bunch of people, willing to do what it takes to pull through this crisis. I don't know how long this craziness is going to last, but we're working very hard to make sure it isn't forever. Maybe someday we'll all be able to go back to our homes.
"But, to put it bluntly, there's no way that we're going to just let you walk out of here. You know too much about us, and we can't risk that information being handed to the wrong people, especially the Hobgoblins. But, unlike the enemies you were trying to sell us out to, we're not bloodthirsty psychopaths. So I'm here to offer you a simple choice to determine your own fate. Either you can choose to be executed today for your crimes, both actual and intended, or you can put your old life behind you and become one of us for as long as it takes to throw the Hobgoblins out of our homes and all of this mess is over.
"I have prepared a spell that makes it impossible to lie. If you choose the second, admittedly more difficult, option, there's going to have to be oversight. You'll have to swear your change of heart with the magic as witness, and you'll have to keep doing it on a daily basis until you manage to earn our trust. You'll be watched. We will probably be suspicious for a very long time. It will not be easy. Those with bigger grudges will probably make you do a lot of unpleasant grunt-work to repay your debt to society, as it were.
"So, all that being said, which would you prefer? Shall I gather witnesses and cast the spell? Or shall we end this imprisonment in the most humane way possible?"
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It is clear that Edran did not sleep well.
"There were moments last night when I felt that death would have been welcome. I realize now just how fleeting those moments were. I want to live. I want to see my home again. Cast the spell."
"Very well," says Cedric, nodding. He gathers any of the party that wish to witness and scrutinize the event. Having many sets of eyes are important in something as delicate as this. Once everyone is assembled, he makes sure to have people keep their distance and tactically places the zone so that Edran is basically the only on inside it.
"Don't try to resist the magic," Cedric warns as he finishes the spell and the area becomes suffused with divine energy.
After waiting for a few moments to make sure the magic has had a chance to take its hold over their prisoner, Cedric asks the first question. More of a test question, to get a baseline.
"Alright, Edran, did you try to resist?" He watches carefully for signs that the magic didn't work.
"No, I am not resisting. This magic makes me feel a little lightheaded. Will this last long?"
Edran is being open and sincere.
"Not too long, not even five minutes," says Cedric, reassuringly. "You're doing fine so far, and the light-headed feeling will pass quickly once this is over. Next I want you to swear that you intend to work with us to the best of your ability, that you no longer intend to betray us, and that you won't try to escape either. Just to be clear, I need it to be phrased as a statement of your intention."
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"I swear I will do my best to aid you with no intent to betray you, as you are my best chance to survive. I will not try to escape because a thousand deaths await me on the road from here to home. I cannot feign loyalty to you, but my loyalty to a purpose - to live - demands that I work with you. This may not be the pure, obsequious answer you sought, but I reckon that lying will do me no good, with or without this spell."
"I think that's reasonable enought," said Cedric, nodding. "Just one more quick question before we're done here. Do you happen to know anything about what happened to our people over the last couple nights? I'm talking about them waking up beheaded."
"I had nothing to do with that!"
Edran sharply raises his eyes from the ground. All traces of sleeplessness vanish from his face.
His words are as truthful as they vehement.
"As soon as the first victim turned up, I started paying closer attention to the other refugees. I watched them, tried to get them idly chatting.
If it was someone in the group, I reckoned that knowing their identity would be an asset, but I couldn't find them."
"I don't think it's anyone among the refugees. I'm fairly certain it's an outsider - probably someone working for the Legion as a scout or bounty hunter."
"Some kind of... stealth assassin hobgoblin? I suppose if one were to be able to carry it out, they'd be part of the Legion." The wizard gets lost in thought with a worried look on his face.
"It's a relief that the killer is not one of our own taking advantage of the chaos. Knowing the killer is still out there is unnerving nonetheless. I'm just happy the caves will be more difficult for them to get into without our knowledge. Perhaps we can even reset some of the traps." Caladra suggests as she shifts her weight. Her great sword had been drawn and was blade down with her leaning against it for support.
Bree growls a little bit. "I mean, I'm glad he didn't do it, but we still don't know who did." She shakes her head at his supposition. "It doesn't make sense that the Legion would do it. If they knew where we were, and they could take the time to behead one of us, why not kill all of us? Or just bring the rest of the Legion to our location. It's possible but it doesn't make sense."
"It could have been a trog, trying to drive us off maybe, but again, they could have just attacked en masse in the night. This is something else."
She scratches her head in thought. "We must be missing something."
"Why doesn't it make sense?" Thorek asks. "If we're being pursued by a lone Ironfang scout or small band--and that campsite we found last night didn't look sufficient for one or two at most--they might decide that nightly terror attacks suit them better than a stand-up fight."
His expression darkens. "Though they didn't have any difficulty tracking us, and there's no reason to expect they won't find out where we've holed up soon, if they aren't aware already. We should clear out the lower level soon, there might be more extensive tunnels down there we could flee through if the hobgoblins come after us in force."
"Thank you, Edran," says Cedric. "You can leave the zone now. I believe you're going to be on mushroom duty today. These caves are full of 'em, and while they're not helping the lingering smell of Troglodyte, they're apparently quite edible. So let's start this thing on the right foot by making sure we have plenty of food going forward. Thanks."
After Edran is dismissed he joins in the rest of the conversation. "I'm not sure we have enough to speculate too deeply on who or what it might have been. I think we just have to be a bit paranoid. I like the idea of clearing out the lower tunnels as well. More space is good, and knowing just how many ways in and out there will make it easier to defend or plan a secret escape. But, for now, we have those shrieking mushrooms by the entrance to, hopefully, give us a heads-up if someone or something hostile comes knocking."
Still thinking about the killer, Cyrioul remarks, "Could it be a bugbear, instead of a hobgoblin? I know they are both goblinoids, but this kind of activity might be more like the acts of the of those fearmongers. It doesn't help us much, if true, but it might explain why a single creature would be out here and not bringing the whole legion with them. Could be a lone operator?" He's not comforted by this.
"When I was listening in on conversations at the Taproot, I overheard a couple of woodcutters discuss sightings of bugbears and hobgoblins in the forest. There was only ever one at a time, and they would flee when noticed. Those woodcutters didn't make it with the rest of us, but I figure they spotted advance scouts for the invasion."
Edran steps out of the fading magic and edges towards the tunnel entrance.
"I'll see what tools we have or what the trogs left behind to clear the fungus. I'll also keep an eye out for any paranoia or fear, but your band's been in pretty high spirits since last night."
"So, we want to check out the lower tunnels today, while everyone's awake and working?"
We can't leave them unexamined for long, Boudra signs. Something could be down there.
"It'll likely be ugly work, sooner we start the sooner we'll be finished and can get put it behind us," Thorek chimes in, adjusting the straps in the baldric he made to hold the earthbreaker in and slinging it over his shoulder.
"the sooner the better. Who knows it could lead us to another cave entrance. Be good to have a back way out incase the legion finds us here." Caladra says and cracks her knuckles, anticipating their further dungeon delve.
"Well I'm feeling a bit more optimistic compared to last night. Does anyone mind if I borrow these daggers?," Lily says while twirling them in her hand.
The crude rungs carved into the side of the pit make the climb as easy as descending a ladder, though it does nothing to allay your anxiety as you enter the deeper earth.
Moss grows thickly along the upper reaches of the shaft, and many smell insects crawl back into their crevices as you approach.
As the natural stone gives way to worked stone, you discover that this shaft opens onto an old subterranean ruin.
A rough rope ladder made from well-worn hemp closes the remaining distance between the bottom of the shaft and the chamber floor below.
...
Walls of smooth masonry stones intersect a mirrorlike marble floor.
A statue of a twisting, insectile form stands in the center of the large chamber, as if a beetle-like god were flowing like water.
In surprising contrast to the above caverns, the floors and walls of this chamber are almost immaculately clean.
Reliefs along alcoves to the east and west depict rough-hewn reptilian forms gathered around a step pyramid.
Rough purple gems have been wedged into the reliefs, forming starburst patterns.
The southern wall has partially collapsed, cracking the floor and blocking what was once the only hall leading out of the room behind tons of stone and rubble.
...
Although Caladra and Cedric do not notice them at first, the rest of the party observes that collapse and wear have revealed a pair of doors previously concealed by the stonework on the east and west walls.
Carefully stepping over the scattered rubble, Thorek approaches the relief and examines the gemstones with wary curiosity and a murmured prayer to Angradd, though his eyes are frequently pulled back towards the strange statue.