The group steps outside of the tent while a few quietly converse in elven. As they step out, Akron Elix takes one look at you and holds up a finger.
"Ignore his outburst, you folks are free to stay here. We need the extra muscle for now and there's far more safety in numbers. Do the jobs for Zincher if you want or not. But I gotta ask you... what you said about the dark elves. That true? There's dark elves on this island like the one you were fighting in Riddleport?"
"We have little reason to doubt otherwise, sir." Fiona nods.
...is he in on this or innocent of this?
Mutt snorts and walks out with the others. He frowns heavily as the others begin to speak a language that he can't understand. When Akron approaches, Mutt looks at him, kind of on edge. When it becomes clear that he won't attack, Mutt relaxes. When the man asks about the dark elves, Mutt crosses his arms and nods. "Well, they brought down the star onto the island. It would make sense for some of them to be here."
Thaddeus is slightly thrown off by Akron's more relaxed demeanor after Clegg yelled at them.
"Guess Cleg tends t'yell to motivate people, Ah reckon," he thinks to himself.
Thaddeus is also unsure how best to follow through with Akron's questions. How would he react to being told his very boss is being controlled, however unwillingly, by these 'dark elves?' Would it be possible to get the whole crew on their side?
What about their other camp? These are still thugs. Should they recommend they all come to the other Lighthouse? Or would that put the Cyphermages at risk?
Thaddeus leaves such questions to those more skilled at talking, and instead tries to recall what sort of magic could control a person like that.
From studying his aura through the corner of a tent flap and watching his behaviour, Thaddeus is relatively sure Zincher is under the influence of a charm monster spell.
The group watches Akron attentively and he does not seem to be lying. He curses.
"I knew that bastards was hiding something. Come with me, please."
Akron leads you into his tent and starts speaking quickly, the huge, dangerous-looking man suddenly opens up. His voice is quiet and conspiratorial.
"I'm an agent for the Sable Company, a Korvosan group who take out enemies of the city before they become too dangerous. I'm doing this job to rejoin a monastic order I uh... had to leave for a while. I need to capture Zincher alive and bring him to Korvosa. You folks have obviously been done wrong by him. This gets an enemy of yours into the hands of legitimate justice - the kind you won't find in Riddleport, and we can find out about your elves. What do you say?"
"I am intrigued by your proposal, but unclear on what you are looking for from us. Why have you not already arrested him? And how will helping you with this get us any closer to the dark elves?"
Variel watches Akron closely as he responds.
Akron looks wryly at Variel.
"Because on this island I'm outnumbered ten to one and have no means of getting a live prisoner off of it. Not to mention the akata and zombies infesting the damn place."
He glances over his shoulder, still keeping his voice low.
"And I had a lack of opportunities, Zincher always had some guards with him. He's more vulnerable here than he ever was in Riddleport. He's wanted for piracy, smuggling, and even some murders in Korvosa."
Variel is pretty confident Akron is not lying.
Mutt listens to Akron as he explains the situation. He's surprised when he reveals that he's trying to put Zincher under arrest. The bloodrager says (while keeping his voice low enough so that no one outside the tent hears him), "I want justice and vengeance. However, for me, that may involve an axe to his head." He snorts. "If you have to take him to Korvosa to face justice, then that's fine. Good riddance. However, I feel that we need to be compensated for what he's done to us." He scratches his chin in thought. "I want his stuff. His wealth, his men, his fighting arenas, everything. He won't be needing them anymore." When Akron mentions a monastic order, Mutt's brow raises. "What order are you trying to rejoin?"
When Akron explains why he hasn't arrested Zincher, Mutt's brow raises. "Well, we're here. So why don't we arrest him now?"
Thaddeus stays in the back, unsure of what to say, so he just keeps a sharp eye out, both in and outside the tent.
"Likely because whoever's controlling Zincher is still out there." Fiona responds to Mutt.
Variel nods at Akron. "Do you have a plan, then? What exactly is it you want us to do?"
"Likely because whoever's controlling Zincher is still out there." Fiona responds to Mutt.
Mutt snorts, but nods. "True. Very well. I still want his stuff, though."
Ellebeth, unclear on the groups history with Zincher, walks over to Thaddeus, and keeps him company with a smile.
"Lan'Sakes, Mutt! Last month yeh were a bouncer at a tavern. Now yeh got'cher eyes on takin' over most'a Riddleport's Underworld? Certainly can't fault yer drive."
Thaddeus leans in closer, realizing he may have been speaking a bit too loudly.
"But Ah don' think Zincher's position is th'sort that kin' be taken jus' by takin' him out. Leastwise yeh gotta convince his old crew 'dat you'd be a better boss. An' do yeh really wanna take over everythin' that man's been doin'?"
"Ah mean, shore, take his stuff, gotta make it worth our while, but his whole rotten ennerprize? Yeh really ready 'fer 'dat?"
Thaddeus steps back, looking back at Ellesbeth. He seems somewhat confused at the smile, and gives an awkward half-smile back, not sure how to react.
Akron snorts as Mutt starts talking about taking over Zincher's enterprise.
"I'm a hired goon, it's not like I can just give you a criminal enterprise because the leader died. If youw ant to go to Riddleport and install yourself as a new crime lord, that's your business. Zincher has several people who will try to rush to fill the power vaccuum and I don't want to be anywhere near that. Whatever is in his pavilion - sure. I'm here for Zincher, not his stuff."
Akron looks to all of you and shrugs.
"We have a few options. We can simply charge Zincher, take him down, tie him up, and tell him we're in charge now. You can then get the information you need on the dark elves however you want. Or you can do your investigations and we can take Zincher out after - I've waited long enough another day or two won't kill me. The men will fight us because they're good men and paid, but their morale is low. My method is brute force but if you know another way I'm willing to hear it."
"Low morale..." Fiona ponders it for a bit, and smirks. "...in that case, I see no harm in dealing with Zincher's requests of us. Perhaps the men will be more inclined to assist us in bringing him in if we befriend them."
Ellesbeth chuckles at Thaddeus' uncomfortable response to her smile.
"Low morale..." Fiona ponders it for a bit, and smirks. "...in that case, I see no harm in dealing with Zincher's requests of us. Perhaps the men will be more inclined to assist us in bringing him in if we befriend them."
"That was my thought as well. I believe I have seen you use your abilities to become especially persuasive, and I have my own charms as well. We might be able to stage something of a coup."
"It's certainly an idea."
Fiona turns and starts hefting her earthbreaker back up to her shoulder. "So, shall we get a move on? We've got an akata to capture, and some noqual to acquire."
"Lan'Sakes, Mutt! Last month yeh were a bouncer at a tavern. Now yeh got'cher eyes on takin' over most'a Riddleport's Underworld? Certainly can't fault yer drive."
Mutt snorts, but smirks. "Thank you. I believe that it's fair since we can't get rid of him ourselves... using violence."
Thaddeus leans in closer, realizing he may have been speaking a bit too loudly.
"But Ah don' think Zincher's position is th'sort that kin' be taken jus' by takin' him out. Leastwise yeh gotta convince his old crew 'dat you'd be a better boss. An' do yeh really wanna take over everythin' that man's been doin'?"
Mutt snorts. "If I kill him, then that means I'm stronger. It should put respect into them." But he listens to the man as he makes his point.
"Ah mean, shore, take his stuff, gotta make it worth our while, but his whole rotten ennerprize? Yeh really ready 'fer 'dat?"
Mutt raises his brow, his face looking confused. "I don't want the drugs or anything like that. I just want his fighting businesses. His arenas. Things like that."
Thaddeus steps back, looking back at Ellesbeth. He seems somewhat confused at the smile, and gives an awkward half-smile back, not sure how to react.
Ellesbeth chuckles at Thaddeus' uncomfortable response to her smile.
Mutt watches the interaction between the two and just snorts.
Akron snorts as Mutt starts talking about taking over Zincher's enterprise.
"I'm a hired goon, it's not like I can just give you a criminal enterprise because the leader died. If you want to go to Riddleport and install yourself as a new crime lord, that's your business. Zincher has several people who will try to rush to fill the power vaccuum and I don't want to be anywhere near that. Whatever is in his pavilion - sure. I'm here for Zincher, not his stuff."
Mutt snorts back. "Well, I kind of figured that you had no say. I was just stating it. And I don't want to be a crime lord. I have had a lot of bad dealings with crime lords. I just want his fighting arenas. Those are some of the only things I know I'm good at."
Akron looks to all of you and shrugs.
"We have a few options. We can simply charge Zincher, take him down, tie him up, and tell him we're in charge now. You can then get the information you need on the dark elves however you want. Or you can do your investigations and we can take Zincher out after - I've waited long enough another day or two won't kill me. The men will fight us because they're good men and paid, but their morale is low. My method is brute force but if you know another way I'm willing to hear it."
Mutt scratches his chin. "As much as I want a shot at him, it would do better to have his men aiding us. It would a sort of a poetic irony."
Mutt listens to the back and forth between Fiona and Variel. When an agreement is reached, Mutt nods. He hefts his greataxe on his shoulder. "Then let's go." However, he thinks for a moment and says, "Wait. We're not honestly going to try and get one of those things, are we? Those things are dangerous and if one gets in Zincher's hand, then that's even worse."
Thaddeus looks a little confused at the exchange. Apparently Fiona and Variel have a plan to get Zincher's thugs on their side before they make their move. He can't figure out how it's supposed to work, though. Well, people skills have never been his strong suit. Books and such are much easier to understand.
"Say, guys," Thaddeus mentions quietly before they leave the tent, "Can't help but think that for better odds fer everyone t'survive, may wanna bring 'dis camp... err... t'the udder one... I mean, shore, bit o'risk 'dere, but we're all jus' tryin' t'survive, right? 'Dere's still all 'dem monsters out 'dere, an' Ah hate t'come back to a buncha zombies."
Mutt looks at Thaddeus as he makes his suggestion. He snorts and scratches his chin. "I'm... not sure. More numbers would mean that our friends would be more likely to survive. But... what would stop Zincher from using them as hostages against us?"
You have time to conduct a conversation in spoilers if you want here.
Although there are jobs to do from Zincher, his hint about heading south from town, and what may be a proper treasure map, it is getting quite late by the time you finish your meeting with Akron Erix. Too late to go out for proper exploration.
Erix stops as you leave the tent and whispers to all of you.
"The infirmary tent. Take a look inside and see if there's anything you can do. It's... horrifying. Do not let Zincher see you; he's unlikely to leave his pavilion in a mood like this though."
The camp itself is loosely fortified with a total of ten tents; six for the men, Zincher's pavilion, the infirmary tent, Akron's tent, and a supply tent.
The infirmary tent Akron pointed out is nearby, glancing in you see two men strapped onto cots. They moan and thrash and it doesn't take long to realize something is moving inside of them.. They appear to be in the advanced stages of death from an akata bite. As you look in, a thug steps up, growling.
"Tent's off limits."
Ellesbeth seeks out Variel during the party's downtime, and tries to corner him when he's alone. Lash's presence is not a problem.
"Hail friend. Can I speak with you for a moment?"
She appears on edge, but not from nervousness. More likely it is a fear of being seen speaking to Variel. If Lash is present, she gives a friendly wave and a smile to the large wasp.
"Hello new friend. How are things in the life of my favorite Talking Wasp?"
Hmm. This might be a bit of a problem.
The infirmary tent is where Fiona intended to go, but the presence of Zincher's man gives her some pause.
"Really?" She casually rests a hand on the shaft of her earthbreaker. "I'm impressed by your dedication, sir. Those poor twitching fellows look like they have something in them that's quite dangerous..."
She leans forward a little and tugs on the collar of her chainmail, letting the guard get a glimpse of her cleavage. "Would you mind telling me what happened to them?" She asks in a sweet, honey-laden voice.
Lash bobs in the air, in a fair imitation of a bow. "Not bad, though I haven't found anyone to sting in a while. That Zincher fellow is looking like a prime target, though."
- - - - -
Variel notices the men strapped down in the infirmary, then sees that Fiona has noticed them as well. He stands nearby as she chats with the man blocking her, ready to assist if needed but otherwise not getting in the way.
Mutt looks at Thaddeus as he makes his suggestion. He snorts and scratches his chin. "I'm... not sure. More numbers would mean that our friends would be more likely to survive. But... what would stop Zincher from using them as hostages against us?"
"Kinda my thought as well. Don't wanna suggest 'dey band together, only t'have Zincher try t'get th'upper hand, 'r even decide he's more important 'n use 'em fer bait. Is it worth th'risk, 'though? Are 'dey desperate enough t'keep their greed in check until 'dey're off th'island?"
Thaddeus moves up to peer into the medical tent, though he averts his eyes and pointedly looks the other direction when Fiona begins trying to charm the guards.
"Eeehh... Anyone got any salt water, here? 'Dat stuff seemed t'do a number on 'dem akatas. Pro'bly fix 'em right quick."
The man grins self-consciously, and glances over to Zincher's tent, which is closed. He leans in.
"Zincher here wantsta capture some'a them larvae things alive. These poor buggers got by akata - ordres are to let 'em turn and then we'll see about cutting the bugs out of 'em."
You're a good twenty minute walk from the ocean, although it's sheer cliffs. The nearest beach is a couple hours away.
"Hmm." Fiona wrinkles her nose in disapproval. "That sounds needlessly risky--what could he possibly want with them? I mean, such an effort seems to be more trouble than it's worth for his men, especially if it means putting someone as..." She sidles up to the guard with a sweet smile. "...loyal, as you in danger."
Wow. This is easier than I thought.
Mutt groans as Thaddeus makes his points. "D**n it. Caught between two swords here. Not easy."
He sees Fiona, Variel, and Thaddeus move to the medical tent and, shrugging, moves with them. He keeps his greataxe on his shoulder as he looks into the tent. When Fiona begins to charm the guard, Mutt looks over and catches a glimpse. His face turns red and glances away. When the guard tells the group what Zincher plans to do with the sick, Mutt looks at the man and snorts. "*Hmph* What does he plan on doing with those bugs? Put them into more people?" Despite his normal blunt questions, Mutt tries to be a bit more diplomatic.
Knowing that it's not working, Mutt just shuts his mouth and lets Fiona do it.
At some point, when Ellesbeth and Mutt are alone in the same room, he feels like he should say something. He clears his throat and says, "So... um... how are things going for you so far? I noticed that you and Thaddeus have been getting along with each other."
"Hmm." Fiona wrinkles her nose in disapproval. "That sounds needlessly risky--what could he possibly want with them? I mean, such an effort seems to be more trouble than it's worth for his men, especially if it means putting someone as..." She sidles up to the guard with a sweet smile. "...loyal, as you in danger."
"Mutt!" Thaddeus calls out, very quickly and obviously turning and walking away from Fiona. "Feel like takin' a trip to th'cliffs 'n gettin' some salt water, 'dere? Got any rope on 'yeh?"
Variel
Ellesbeth laughs at Lash's statement, nodding in agreement. After a good, genuine laugh, she sobers, and addresses Variel directly.
"I wanted to reveal my true purpose here to you. My true allegiance."
She leans forward, whispering.
"I was sent by Shorafa, to be her eyes and ears. I understand you are in many ways your own agent, but as we serve the same Mistress,," She quickly makes a symbol with her hands indicative of a prayer to Calistra,"Glory to The Unquenchable Fire. Unfortunately, I was in fact actually waylaid by pirates. I was hoping that I could stick with you for a time, and we might investigate together?"
He regards her and adds, "It might have been simpler if you had just revealed that you were here for the same purpose as us. By pretending to know nothing of us or our mission, you may have sown seeds of mistrust that will be hard to weed out."
Variel:
Ellesbeth is visibly surprised by Variel's response.
"No, it was no mistrust of you, nor of your companions. The decision was mine. I felt it prudent to speak with you privately first."
She thinks for a moment, as though forming sentences in her head.
"Our paths were not meant to cross; rather Shorafa simply wanted a direct report of the activities on the island. Obviously fate has conspired that we be thrown together, and for that I am actually grateful. If the Lady Calistra deems we be traveling companions, who be I to speak to the contrary?"
She shakes her head.
"More importantly, and more to the point, do you feel you can trust these companions of yours? Or that matter, this Zincher?"
Ellesbeth chuckles.
"I don't know if getting alone is the right phrase. I think more likely it is that we are both at a loss as to how to contribute, and often end up with one another while the rest of you plot. Like this Zincher, for example, I know nothing of him, and as such try to stay out of the way. Thaddeus seems to be wherever I end up. That said, I would love being able to contribute to your...our...little band. I just hope I'm not stepping on any toes! But more to answer your question, I am fine, thank you."
She nods politely, a playful smile in her eyes.
"And how do you fare, what with the recent change in your...ah...relationship with Zincher?"
The man ignores Mutt, utterly captivated by Fiona.
"Zincher found monsters nobody's ever seen before and runs himself an arena. Good money made to watch them blue bastards fight. I think he wants the larvae to control breeding or something."
"Mutt!" Thaddeus calls out, very quickly and obviously turning and walking away from Fiona. "Feel like takin' a trip to th'cliffs 'n gettin' some salt water, 'dere? Got any rope on 'yeh?"
Mutt turns to Thaddeus. "Sure. Let's grab some salt water. I don't have any rope, though."
Ellesbeth chuckles.
"I don't know if getting alone is the right phrase. I think more likely it is that we are both at a loss as to how to contribute, and often end up with one another while the rest of you plot. Like this Zincher, for example, I know nothing of him, and as such try to stay out of the way. Thaddeus seems to be wherever I end up. That said, I would love being able to contribute to your...our...little band. I just hope I'm not stepping on any toes! But more to answer your question, I am fine, thank you."
Mutt nods. "Good to hear." He leans against a pole and crosses his arms.
She nods politely, a playful smile in her eyes.
"And how do you fare, what with the recent change in your...ah...relationship with Zincher?"
Mutt scowls and snorts. His hands clench his biceps furiously. "Doesn't change a thing. He wasn't controlled by the dark elves when he let a snake into the Goblin... or the Lucky Dog now... to sabotage us. He wasn't under their control when he tried to launch a raid on us. He wasn't under their control when his thugs attacked our ship at the docks. As far as I know, he's still a b*****d."
The camp is well-supplied, and with Zincher sulking in his tent there's nobody really to tell you what you can and can't take. The only off-guards place is the tent. Thaddeus and Mutt find some good buckets and some rope without issue.
"Ellie... assumin' yeh don't mind bein' called 'dat... Wanna come wit'? Me 'n Mutt 'r gonna go t'get some salt water. Should, ah... Help 'dose poor sods in th'tent, an' be a good weapon if'n we fight more of'em."
"Doesn't that strike you as being dangerous, though?" Fiona takes a step towards the infirmary's tent flap. "I mean, let's say that Zincher does manage to capture one for his arena. He's already seen what they can do to people, if he's got a pair of turning zombies in this tent--what if one of them escapes? What if one of them infects more of his men?"
The guard shifts uncomfortably as Fiona speaks to him.
"He's strapped down. Look lady - I's just following orders, all right? I ain't disobeying nothing."
==========
Thaddeus, Mutt, and Old Horn travel southwards to the cliff face and fetch some water. For once in their lives, they are unmolested and manage to make their way back to the camp.
Ellesbeth ponders Mutt's comment.
"Ah, that clears a lot up, actually. Everyone was so very tense, and I could tell it was from sort of history with the lot of you...but I wasn't sure. I...uh...can understand your frustration."
Thaddeus takes the buckets of salt water, and locates Akron.
"Say, uh, Akron, here's some salt water. 'Dem, whatchamallem's... Akatas, 'n de tounge zombies 'dey make don' like salt water. If'n yeh get bitten, 'dis should kill whatever parasites 'dey have on 'em."
"Actually, y'know anythin' else 'bout 'em? Gotta admit Ah didn't even know what 'dey were called, Ah just called 'em tennacle dogs. Mostly luck 'n a lotta pain 'dat taught us 'dey don't like salt water. Any info could be helpful."
Thaddeus, Mutt, and Old Horn travel southwards to the cliff face and fetch some water. For once in their lives, they are unmolested and manage to make their way back to the camp.
Mutt enjoys the time out in the wild. Not being attacked by the akatas or the zombies. During the trip, Mutt turns to Thaddeus and says, "Thaddeus. What are your thoughts on what we should do with Zincher?"
When they return to the camp, Mutt puts down the heavy buckets and waits for what happens next.
Ellesbeth ponders Mutt's comment.
"Ah, that clears a lot up, actually. Everyone was so very tense, and I could tell it was from sort of history with the lot of you...but I wasn't sure. I...uh...can understand your frustration."
Mutt snorts. "Yeah. He's a b******d. I hate guys like that. They make me so angry. I've worked for a guy like Zincher long enough to know his type."
"Thaddeus. What are your thoughts on what we should do with Zincher?"
"Y'mean right now wit' his brain wrapped 'round a Drow's finger, 'r in general? Oh, wait, did we tell yeh 'dat? Yeah, 'dere's an enchantment spell on Clegg. Actually, don't know who cast it, but Ah'm assumin' dat since we're lookin' fer Drow that probably don't wanna be found, dey got t'him first, 'n are makin' him do somethin'... Not sure what. Th'spell doesn't let yeh control a person, 'dey just treat'cha like yer 'dere bestest buddy in th'whole world."
"So, if yeh mean right now, Ah'm not sure. Fiona 'n Variel seemed t'have a plan, but Ah must admit th'finer details 'r lost on me."
"Now, if yeh mean in general, Ah can't say Ah have much of a beef wit'him. Ah never got th'sense 'dat he had it in fer us, even wit' all he's done. Like he said, jus' business. 'Dat, an' Ah'm gettin' th'sense we're gettin' swept up in somethin' big. Really big. Coal-skinned elves from unnerground tryin' t'drop a rock on th'planet? Somethin' 'bout recreatin' ancient history? Some crime boss 'dat don't even hate us personally is startin' t'look less 'n less important."
"Not t'say Ah like th'guy. His death... Or his capture, if what Akron's sayin' has merit... ain't gonna keep me up at night, an' will prob'ly be a net benefit to Riddleport... 'nless somebody worse takes his place. But compared to 'dese Elves, he ain't mah biggest worry."
"He's strapped down. Look lady - I's just following orders, all right? I ain't disobeying nothing."
Fiona arches an eyebrow. "Is Zincher really that frightening of an employer, then?"
Variel steps closer and peers into the tent. He looks at the guard and says, "Personally, I would be concerned about an employer who sees *that* as a reasonable thing to let happen to people. Who knows at what point he might decide that you are the best person to be the next 'host'? Did he give everyone a raise, or at least a hazard bonus for the added risk he's putting you all through?"
"Y'mean right now wit' his brain wrapped 'round a Drow's finger, 'r in general? Oh, wait, did we tell yeh 'dat? Yeah, 'dere's an enchantment spell on Clegg. Actually, don't know who cast it, but Ah'm assumin' dat since we're lookin' fer Drow that probably don't wanna be found, dey got t'him first, 'n are makin' him do somethin'... Not sure what. Th'spell doesn't let yeh control a person, 'dey just treat'cha like yer 'dere bestest buddy in th'whole world."
"So, if yeh mean right now, Ah'm not sure. Fiona 'n Variel seemed t'have a plan, but Ah must admit th'finer details 'r lost on me."
"Now, if yeh mean in general, Ah can't say Ah have much of a beef wit'him. Ah never got th'sense 'dat he had it in fer us, even wit' all he's done. Like he said, jus' business. 'Dat, an' Ah'm gettin' th'sense we're gettin' swept up in somethin' big. Really big. Coal-skinned elves from unnerground tryin' t'drop a rock on th'planet? Somethin' 'bout recreatin' ancient history? Some crime boss 'dat don't even hate us personally is startin' t'look less 'n less important."
"Not t'say Ah like th'guy. His death... Or his capture, if what Akron's sayin' has merit... ain't gonna keep me up at night, an' will prob'ly be a net benefit to Riddleport... 'nless somebody worse takes his place. But compared to 'dese Elves, he ain't mah biggest worry."
Mutt looks at Thaddeus and scratches his chin. "Hmm... You may have a point there. However, it doesn't change what he did to us. It still p****s me off, though."
The guard stares at Variel and Fiona, and quickly glances from side to side. He suddenly looks nervous.
"Uh... we're paid fine. Zincher's done all sortsa tough stuff. We know who we're working for. If you wanna be strnog, you work with the strong."
The guard wants to answer the question honestly but doesn't feel particularly safe standing in front of the tent in the open.