The hills are most likely the series of low hills or minor mountains to the east. Most likely the same range that Arrowhead Butte would be part of. You haven't mapped them yet since you've not actually seen them so far during your journey. As for what they were hunting, probably game for food or materials.
Hearing Anwel's admonition, Jink's head and shoulders sag in his bonds but his eyes still show a mixture of anger and sadness as he watches the column of smelly smoke start to swirl and mix into the slowly thinning fog. He looks at his interrogator. His voice is barely a whisper, but it is filled with a deep sense of anger.
"Люди і ельфи є такі дикунів. Це не дивно, що ви не хотіли в ці землі?" He goes on. His teeth clenched as the words barely escape. "Ви, стверджують, що так набагато краще, ніж у нас. Поки ви вкрасти наші землі і знищити наш дух тіла, так що ми втратили назавжди в ямах прірву."
"You claim to be so much better than us. Yet you steal our land and destroy our body spirits so we are lost forever in the pits of the Abyss."
|
Gorax shrugs at Tams words, "It'll be over soon, when the bodies are just ashes." He looks to Andrei, "What we gonna do with all this stuff, I took the coin for safe keeping." he says pointing to the pile of things taken from the dead.
He takes the coins and puts them in his pouch. he makes no effort to hide what he does.
Treasure from the Goblins
50 feet of spider silk rope. It feels strong and has a slight stickiness to it that would be helpful when climbing. (+1 to all Climbing when using.)
6 dart reloads for the throwers. Each is a single 'packet' of a least a dozen small darts.
1 small vial of anti-toxin (1 dose)
A package of 4 tindertwigs wrapped in a square of dry cloth.
8 short swords or poor or standard condition
8 short bows for small creatures and 85 small arrows
6 sets of poor quality leather armor sized for small creatures.
There is a variety of other minor trinkets and other objects but they are of little to no value.
Anwel hisses his report to Andrei, the Taldane words sounding almost like the slithering language his mistress had taught him, the language of his magic.
The goblin's tirade fazes Anwel not a jolt. In essentials, it is the same argument he and Warren have made since Anwel first proposed negotiating with the Ozramanshai. For him, therefore, it lacks the punch of novelty, and while the accusation is true, Anwel knows he is not to blame. So he keeps staring back at the goblin, not blinking for an unnervingly long time. Finally, he speaks, an edge to his voice.
"Я зустрічався з багатьма сотнями людей в моєму житті," he says, letting the goblin imagine how long that might be. "З них, я вважаю п'ять принципово краще, ніж ви. Я не з їх числа." The goblin had probably done less wrong over the course of his life than Anwel has! "Тим не менш, я ваша єдина надія. Таким чином, ви будете сидіти і відповідати на мої запитання. Тоді ми будемо частиною і живуть наші жалюгідні життя." Jink may hate him, but Anwel feels he has reestablished his control over the interrogation. Maybe, too, the goblin will see that there is some common ground between them, that they are both just trying to make their way in the world, and respond to that.
"Тепер скажіть мені," says Anwel, all business, "не Filip виїхати перш, ніж ви бачили світло, чи після? І скажіть складе близько типові групи. Наскільки велика його? Чи означає це завжди павуків? Чи буває у магів? Скільки їх там?
"Ви також можете розповісти мені про ваші похоронних обрядів, якщо хочете," he adds, a little more kindly. It is probably too late to undo what Gorax has done, but if they want to know how to avoid making the same mistake in the future, they will need to know how to treat the Bone Raven dead. And, thinks Anwel darkly, if they want to get under another prisoner's skin, it will help to know how best to mistreat the Bone Raven dead.
"Now tell me, did Filip leave before you saw the lights, or after? And tell me about a typical band. How large is it? Does it always have spiders? Does it ever have magicians? How many bands are there?
"You may also tell me of your funeral rites, if you like."
Yelling back to Gorax "Grab anything you can make use of. Pack anything else of value in saddle bags and burn anything else. I could use the Bugbear's crossbow."
Andrei turns back to Vrag and smiles while maintain the message spell he speaks "I have a problem. My warband defeated your warband and you didn't have the decently to die with your people. So my problem is what to with you. It could be fun to drag you around to clean my boots and as a warning against crossing me."
Andrei pauses for moment looking into the distance and smiling before turning back to Vrag. "You had no hope you know? I empower those who follow me to hit more truly and harder. It would be a shame to waste you to just licking my boots clean and keeping my bed warm, I assume you must be at least moderately good in a fight to get your own warband. I think I might need people like you, at some point I'll need people to lead some of my forces, someone with experience. I pride myself in seeing talent and I see talent in you, wasted, hidden where Tartuk never looked. Join us and not only can I offer you your freedom but more power than Tartuk would have ever given you." Andrei's smile vanish and he looks directly at Vrag "But I warn you, to have part of my power you must swear an oath. A magical oath that if you break will bring doom upon yourself, but while you follow will bring more power to you sword arm." Andrei turns away getting up "I'll give you a couple of minutes to think."
Stellan is busy with his various tasks but does stop when he overhears a bit of Andrei's offer, raising an eyebrow for a second then goes on in silence. That's not going to go over well with some, at least if they're consistant. Stellan thinks to himself.
Warren and Tams continue to work on the defenses.
Warren is somewhat surprised at how the interrogation is going, but decides to withhold judgment.
Warren mentions that he will be resting some during the day so he can be more active at night.
Warren speaks to Imon:"I hope to be ready to scout at night, so I am taking some down time. Let me know how it goes."
He speaks to Tams: "Tams, just keep building as I showed you. I need some rest during the day as I plan on scouting the forests at night so you can safely curl up in your sleeping bag in that tower knowing that you will get ample warning of an attack. Wake me in two hours."
Warren hoods the two eagles in the darkness of one of the towers with the new foliage screens. He wants them ready to be active at night too. He quickly falls into a deep sleep near them.
Imon smiled, surprised anew that Stellan did not fit the image conjured by the word witch. He'd heard that after the destruction of Sarkoris, several Kellid tribes had moved east into Brevoy. There weren't many as far south as Restov, but the ones there were seemed unable or unwilling to learn Taldan, forcing Imon to speak their savage tongue. From his dealings with them, Imon had come to favor the bow as his weapon of choice, since the Kellids seemed to value intimidation and violence as negotiating tactics, and Imon, knowing he'd never be able to overcome one, learned the value of being able to fight at range. Imon didn't know if Stellan was Kellid by blood, but he certainly wasn't one in deed.
Tired of sitting around and being useless, Imon stood and wandered around the camp, looking for any task he could do without 'straining himself' as Stellan had warned.
Jink ceases to struggle against his bonds and the goblin's eyes squint as he listens to Anwel's self condemning words. Whether it is in sympathy, mere concentration, or simply from the foul smelling smoke starting to fill the clearing is difficult to tell. Either way the goblin seems to gather himself taking several deep breathes despite the smoke filled air.
He stares back at Anwel. The earlier sense of fear seems to have disappeared and been replaced with a feeling of strength or resignation.
"Це, як старий one завжди говорив. Люди, ельфи, гномів. Вони з усіх, щоб знищити нашого виду. В кінці наш спосіб життя." He says. His voice is strong and filled with a coldness not evident before. "Це було після того, як ми бачили світло, що Vrag наказав Філіп на його доручення. Я не знаю нічого про це. Запитайте Vrag. Він був лідером групи."
He pauses for a moment. A tendril of smoke drifts across his face forcing Jink to wrinkle his nose and cough quietly. His eyes flick over to the slowly roasting bodies and then back to Anwel.
"Vrag, гурт був невеликий. Лише кілька десятків воїнів." His mouth opens into a wide, wicked grin. "Але великий начальник команди, багато груп і багато, багато сотень Спірс. Він буде водити ви і ваші друзі savage за нашу землю, як його предки зробив перед ним. Він буде відправити ваші душі Безодня."
He then spits at Anwel's feet and turns his head away to stare back at the smoke and flames.
"It was after we saw the lights that Vrag ordered Filip on his errand. I know nothing else about it. Ask Vrag. He was the band leader."
"Vrag's band was small. Only a few dozen warriors."
"But the great chief commands many bands and many, many hundreds of spears. He will drive you and your savage friends from our land as his ancestors did before him. He will send your souls to the Abyss."
Vrag maintains a calm look on his face as he listens to Andrei's offer. As the bard stands and turns away, a deep rumble starts inside the bugbears chest. Eventually the sound emerges as a deep, growling form of laughter.
"Ho! Ho! Ha Grah Ha!" Laughs the creature. "I did not think you belonged to that fool of an upstart in the south." His eyes glance at Anwel over questioning the goblin. "I guess I was wrong. But if you think to have your elf in black robes put one of his little chains around my neck? Bah! Ha! Grah!" He laughs again and then leans back and focuses his gaze back on Andrei.
His voice and body language quickly turn serious. "I do not need time to think. I'll not take your offer...human. My kind command slaves, we do not become them."
Stellan is moving down the path, memorizing other passable ways and hiding spots in the forest. He checks out the spiders to see if they were carrying anything and the body of the goblin rider as well. As he left the campsite he catches some of what Vrag says. Stellan whispers for Imon to hear, if he is still doing so, "Seems that Vrag thinks we are Akrios's men. Maybe that's a good thing. Wonder how Andrei will proceed?"
"Можливо, він буде," says Anwel dismissively. A wave of his hand and his shoes are clean and dry again. "Якщо ваша мати не перебуває у шлюбі з павуком, однак, ваша слина не допоможе йому." Anwel hopes by this insult to decouple Jink's sense of self-worth from the all-too-probable success of his people in driving the settlers out. He feels much better about playing this sort of mind game now that Vrag has mentioned that the Ozramanshai keep slaves. Not only is Anwel morally opposed to the practice, but this is the first evidence that they would not be overstepping their bounds by campaigning against the Bone Ravens. Keeping slaves in the River Kingdoms is certainly "unlawful behavior" that they have "encountered".
"Говорячи про Tartuk, як він буде реагувати, коли він дізнається, ви говорили мені, і моїм друзям все, що нам хотілося б знати?" Anwel says this as though Jink had indeed told him all he wished to know. In truth, he and Andrei will need to think about Jink's words and deduce what they can, but Jink does not need to know that. Let him instead think that he will be thought of as a traitor and a coward among his people. Their imagined eventual victory will give him less hope. Anwel makes his report.
"Speaking of Tartuk, how will he react when he learns you have told me and my friends all we wished to know?"
|
|
Gorax gathers the trinkets, armour and weapons and starts to put them in the pack bags, ready to be placed on the horses when the time comes to move on. He puts the other useful items into his backpack, calling to Andrei he says "Right done that for you, anything which might be useful is in my backpack." he says dourly. His eyebrows raise when he hears Varg talking in a heavy accent, but in a language he can understand, they knot together in a deep frown at the words he hears. He says quietly in a low growl, "He needs a lesson for the Lords justice.", before going back to the pyre, adding wood as needs be.
Jink chuckles softly at Anwel's response and then simply shrugs his shoulders slightly as the elf asks about Tartuk. "Він швидше за все буде годувати мене до його упаковки пензля собак. Але потім я don ' t дійсно очікуємо побачити Tartuk знову."
Tired of sitting around and being useless, Imon stood and wandered around the camp, looking for any task he could do without 'straining himself' as Stellan had warned.
As you look around the camp you notice the unopened chest Stellan had mentioned earlier. He said something about it being locked.
After noticing the chest, Imon looked around for a pick or something similar. Supposing he found one, Imon set to work on the chest.
Continuing the spell, Imon said "Hopefully he won't offer the brute a place among us. If he thinks that we serve Akiros, perhaps it would be best to create a situation where he has the opportunity to escape, and run back to his masters about how Akiros has attacked. It would be nice to have them fighting each other, to make it easier to sweep in and wipe out the survivors."
Andrei grins while Vrag is grinning and when he gets serious he also looks serious and when he speaks there is a chill to his voice. "You think you would have a choice once you have been chained? Really? You have had your choice and made it, poorly. Which I guess explains your feeble warband, you weren't strong enough or smart enough to attract a large following."
Andrei expression changes to smile again "However I'm feeling kind and will give you a second choice. Save me the bother of having to chain you by answering any questions I ask and I'll let you die rather than become a slave." Without looking at Vlag or giving him a chance to speak Andrei continues "Let start with the other warbands in the area. How many, how big, where are they and who leads them?"
Stellan is stripping the spiders and their riders, replying to Imon by the message spell. "Vrag would kill us at first chance whatever he promised, having failed his life is likely forfeit, I doubt Tartuk is the forgiving sort. Our heads would be the only chance he has. Playing the game Anwel proposed, could work, but I thought you didn't want Anwel to lead us? Or were his ideas good anyway? I'm unsure of that approach but we have few resources. Getting two rivals for this land to fight each other is a good conqueror's option, if that's the way were are going to be in this land."
Stellan takes the items he found, returning them to the camp."Hi, Gorax, here's a rusty shovel, better than nothing I suppose. Here's a few coins, you can add it to the others. Some small carpenter's tools, a very good rope, and a couple of hand axes. I'll keep the those vials, I'm pretty sure they're anti-toxin."
Seeing Imon fiddle with the chest, he drifts close and says quietly,"Maybe there is a key here? Checking Vrag for it might be an idea. Guess you could tell Andrei to follow on it, I don't want to interrupt whatever he is planning. I'll continue examing the woods, if we're attacked in the night, we will have to be prepared."
Stellan returns to the woods, Vinur trotting along.
Perception Know the woods, what's there?
Survival Know the woods more, what's useful?
"Це можна влаштувати," says Anwel seriously. He takes the border marker out of his pack and passes his hand over it. The blood seems to absorb into the bones. Anwel looks at it critically, then rolls up his sleeve. The dart-wounds do look ugly, all scabbed over. He stretches the skin til one of the scabs breaks, and he smears more blood on the fetish. Another wave of his hand, and this is absorbed too. "Скажи мені де Tartuk життя," he says while he works, "і ми можемо тримати вас разом з нами і далеко від нього і його собаки."
Having nothing to report, Anwel's whisper is even shorter than before.
As Imon attempts to pick the lock on the chest he hears a quiet snap and feels his pick break off in the mechanism. With the lock completely fouled it seems the only way into the chest is going to be by brute force.
You track the fleeing goblins for a hundred yards or so, but then the tracks seem to disappear. Judging from the signs, it seems they may have taken to the trees in an attempt to loose any pursuit.
Finally, you do find a small patch of Star-rooted Thistle. The thorny evergreen herb is commonly known for causing a nasty stinging rash if encountered in the late fall when the sliver tipped leaves turn a blotchy gray-green color. However, the soft, thick roots can act as a healing agent for minor cuts, scrapes and other similar injuries when properly prepared and administered.
Vrag starts to snarl an answer back at Andrei only to stop and think for a few seconds further. As the bard offers Vrag another smile followed quickly by a barrage of questions, the beast's mind races as he suddenly realizes the true extent of his situation.
"I don't know of any other bands near here." Responds the bugbear after a few seconds of thought. "We saw the lights. I don't know if any others may have seen them or not. Grivnak's band usually hunts further south and west, so I doubt he saw anything. Most have avoided the lowlands since you human thieves moved in. I thought the light may have meant trouble for those who were here before. Hoped I could take advantage and win a bit of new territory for myself." He leans his head back and looks up into the trees. "You can kill me, but if you plan to stay in this land, be prepared. Others will come to drive you out eventually." He lowers his head, glances and Gorax and then quickly turns away. "That squatter in the south thinks he is safe behind his puny walls. He will learn the lesson soon enough as will you."
His eyes flick back to the trees and then back to Andrei, "You ask how many follow Tartuk? You may as well ask how many needles line those branches. I do not know the answer. Many dozens of chiefs inhabit the hills and forest lands to the west and south. Some are smaller than my few. Others are as a sea to my own pond. They are scattered now. But given a reason they will unite as before."
Stellan sees liitle in his wandering about but stops when Vinur barks at a patch of plants that Stellan reconizes. Stellan messages to Imon (If in range), "Hi, Imon, I'll be busy a bit, found some healing plants, Star-rooted Thistle. Be back in a while after I gather it up." Stellan carefully harvests the plant knowing they need every advantage, large or small.
Jink shakes his head at Anwel's question. "I ніколи не бачив, Tartuk фортецею кісток. Я тільки знаю, що є десь в долині глибоко в західній пагорбів. Кажуть, що усі тунелі і стежки гори в кінцевому підсумку призвести там."
Imon nodded, it seemed he would have to try that, as he was having no luck on his own. He turned to watch Andrei, waiting for the proper moment to interject. Responding to Stellans comments, Imon added, "Regardless of his motives, a good idea is a good idea. I will also try and refrain from any further public denouncements, as a favor to you, but I will watch him.
When the moment was right, Imon approached, making a big show of asking Adrei for permission to speak to Vrag, drawing him out of earshot, speaking in hushed tones. It was all for effect, though Imon didn't know how effective it would be. He certainly didn't feel overly intimidating, and he likely didn't look it either, with his strength sapped as it was by the spider's bite.
[spoiler=Andrei]When they were away from Vrag, Imon whispered, "Do you mind if I ask about the chest over there, I suspect Vrag has the key."
Stellan voice whispers into Imon ear, "I've been watching Anwel more than any other since we met. I could tell he had something on his mind. I think I understand him more than any other now, even himself. But time will tell, and I don't expect you to find that reassuring; I'm just looking elsewhere for the bigger problems we'll face. After all I've only been here about a fortnight. What will I learn about in a month? But thanks for the support, is there anything I can do for you, above and beyond my part as ... as a charter member, ... better name ... better name...? " Stellan continues with what he is doing.
"Ну, ви знаєте, якщо воно знаходиться на південь або на північ звідси?" asks Anwel. Whichever it was, it would likely be in the same direction from Arrowhead Butte. "Якщо ми хочемо, щоб уникнути подальших зустрічей з людьми," he says, "знання того, що є одна фортеця десь у горах корисно, але цього недостатньо. Мені потрібно знати розташування кожного населеного пункту, і на території кожної смузі між тут і пагорби."
Warren awakes refreshed and helps continue building the defenses.
With the perimeter shortened, he makes sure the horses are secured inside the defenses. He then checks on Imon.
"How are you feeling? Time to get back to work. I should have a nice archer's bind for you to fire from soon."
After finishing the foliage screens in the towers, Warren has Tams help him build and stash a small wooden raft near the river.
Andrei listens impassionately, when Vlag finish he follows up with a more questions "Tell me about Grivnak does he control his band with might or magic what are his skills? Tell me about the hills west of here, we call them the smoke glass hills, particularly cliff and large trees or any other land marks and in addition any large caves."
Jink's ears start to flick in agitation again as he struggles to answer Anwel's question. "Я не знаю, де долина є тут. Я ніколи не був там! Воно просто є. Якщо б я був подорожувати там я б слідувати стежки. Врешті-решт, я хотів би отримати там. At, принаймні, це те, що мені сказали." He turns his head to the spider sled and then looks back to Anwel. "Смуги рухатися. Змінити територій. Ми не маємо міст і населених пунктів, як ваш вид. Деякі, як Tartuk мати багато послідовників і воїнів, провести землі і врегулювати. Більшості з них немає. Чи не є достатньо їжі, щоб годувати. Багато хто живуть під пагорбів. Ми є, кістки Воронов. Ми подорожувати ліси, полювання Ігри, риби і збирати їжу та матеріали."
"Bands move. Territories change. We do not have cities and settlements like your kind. Some like Tartuk have many followers and warriors to hold land and settle. Most do not. Or there is not enough food to feed. Many live under hills. We are Bone Ravens. We travel the forests, hunt game, fish, and gather food and materials."
Vrag chuckles quietly yo himself as he overhears Jink and the goblin's conversation with Anwel. "Ha. You'll not learn much more from him." The bugbear says to Andrei. "Superstitious, sneaky, dirty, and cowardly, the lot of 'em. Most haven't seen anything beyond their tunnels. Or this forest."
When Andrei brings him back around to the topic at hand he shrugs a bit flicks his tongue across his teeth and lips. Unconsciously his hand rubs a long scar that runs across his left forearm and down to his thumb. "Grivnak is a wily, mean son of a thousand snakes. A master with that axe of his and, yes, he's a couple of shaman among his band. Brother and sister I think. I've always thought both are more trouble than they are worth."
Before continuing, he turns to look to the west, as if he can see the hills through the fog and trees. "The hills are a tough place to be. I've heard them called the Smoked Glass Hills before by your kind. Must be because of the various pockets of black glass that dot the hills. The glass is tough and makes good spear and arrowheads. Some even use it for knives and other tools, but it takes work." He then shakes his head. "But I can't help you really. What is there to tell you?" He shrugs. "There are lots of little cave entrances, hilltops, and streams. Most prominent nearby I suppose would be Speartip Hill. It's a couple of days walk to the west. You can't really miss it. It is the tallest hill this far north and west. And it's got this pointed peak formed from some of that shiny rock. Looks partially broke off to make it real pointed. There's supposed to be a bunch of caverns around there, but I've never been through there." He pauses for a second. Squints thoughtfully and then says. "I've heard of a treasure of some sort being hidden somewhere under that hill. Supposed to be quite a haul if it can be found. That what you humans after?"
Imon smiled wearily. "I'll be all right. They shot me twice, but that felt more like pinpricks, the only concern is the poison making me feel weak, but that should clear up soon enough. I wouldn't worry about me too much, I refuse to be a drain on the group." After a moment, he added, "A blind is a good idea, thanks."
"If there is a bunch of treasure why haven't you or another warband already got it? What is the full story? What is reputed to protect it? Whose territory controls Speartip hill?" Andrei keeps up his continuous questioning.
"You would prefer I spoke to you, Vrag?" says Anwel mildly, turning his head to look at the bugbear and arching his eyebrow as if in surprise. He holds up the border-marker, which turns jet black in his hand. "If my captain lets me," he says sarcastically, as though he knows he is truly in command and is humoring Andrei with his deference, "I would be happy to make you one of my Unwavering Faithful. That is," he says thoughtfully, "if I cast the charm right. It might be even more interesting to discover what the consequences would be if I cast it wrong." He gives the fetish a little shake and the bones dance and rattle upon their cords.
Even though impersonating bandits and Black Hat had been Anwel's idea, now that it comes to it he is unsure it is the correct thing to do. Oh, there are reasons. Vrag already knew much too much about their mission, and Andrei had all but confirmed their destination. The only lie now at their disposal is this one, the one Vrag had given them. Black Hats had been seen on Arrowhead Butte, according to Kressle - or was it Cal? - so their going there would be nothing new. Still, it feels dangerous, like Vrag, despite being tied up and at their mercy, has entirely too much power.
"Ваш капітан, здається, не багато думати про тебе," he says in a conversational tone to Jink. Vrag is probably correct that the goblin is tapped out as far as information goes, but he can still confirm or refute the information Vrag has. For that, he needs to be willing to contradict him. "Він просто подзвонив Ви 'забобонна, брудні і боягузливі'. Може бути, він думає, що він може зійти з рук, тому що він сказав це у Taldane. Він намагається направити нас до Speartip Hill. Хто або що ми знайдемо там?" Anwel is especially alert for signs that it might be held by the Bone Ravens, that they would have to walk into another trap.
He whispers to Andrei
Jink shivers at the mention of Speartip Hill and his ears seem to lay flat against his head. Muttering a quick prayer to some unknown goblin deity he says quickly. "Це місце є місцем привидів і смерті. Ніхто не ходить туди. Прокляті і захищав потужний загроза, що диски від тих, хто хотів би увійти до mountain глибин."
"Because no one has found it yet." Replies Vrag. "But it's there." His voice grows quieter as if he doesn't want the trees or anyone else to overhear. "Supposed to be some lost gold and whatnot from some old temple or religious shrine. Trouble is that mountain has been mined for years for the rock and a few other deposits of iron or other minerals. Tunnels running every which way, and all the little runts think the place is haunted by some ancient spooks so most of 'em take off at the first chance they get." He leans in toward Andrei, "But if your looking to find the goods, I'd be willing to guide you to a place I know that'll get you to the tunnels without running into anyone else if we're lucky." He leans back and smiles. "But of course I'd have to have a couple of promises from you."
Andrei mirrors his smile "What promises would you be looking for? Before you answer remember that your kind offer is just saving me the bother of chaining you and have the slave you guide me."
Vrag maintains his smile as he replies, "It's simple and I'm sure you already know what I want. My freedom. I lead you to the cavern entrance and then I go free." He drops the smile and holds up his bound wrists. "These come off and we part ways to never see each other again. Hopefully."
He looks around at the surrounding trees and other party members. "This land is getting too crowded anyway. It's time for me to move someplace with more...opportunity."
Andrei stands up and paces in thought for a moment while away from Vrag he whispers through the message.
Anwel closes his eyes and smirks at the irony.
Still chuckling, Anwel pats Jink reassuringly on the head. "Я повернуся," he says, then makes his way to the fire, Gorax, and Imon. He beckons Stellan over too. "Did you all hear what Vrag said?" he whispers, looking at the ground. "Andrei wants everyone's opinions before he makes his decision, but the communication spell cannot include everyone. Tell me what you think, and I will report it faithfully. Warren is connected with Andrei too, if that is more comfortable for you," he suggests, aware of the possibility that one or more of them may not trust him as a messenger.
Stellan comes over to the meet when called. After learning what the current offer is, Stellan frowns, "On one hand sounds too good to be true, a way in and out without facing overwhelming odds, and even if he gets us there, why not go for aid when released? Our heads are the price of him keeping his, otherwise where does he go? Without a tribe he's dead anyway, all hands, savage and civilized, would be against him." Stellan shakes his head, "On the other hand, do we have a real choice? We cannot keep going against even the small weight of Tartuks forces, even if he has only a hundred warriors, they will be watching the trails, with a handful of hundreds, they'd be watched closely; if one is unpatrolled, that is useful. Sorry to be indecisive, I'm just not sure, I do not trust this Vrag, but if at all true, this is the break we need to succeed." Stellan stops and looks slightly embarrassed at the unintended rhyme.
Warren joins the council after he wakes up.
"I do not want to get distracted from the main goal, the seed. I also am against letting Vrag return to lead another band. But I think our group is having a fundamental disagreement on how moral, honorable, and ethical we are going to be. Until this is resolved, issues like whether or not we want bandits, goblins and ogres in our group will be up for discussion."
