Saphren closes to the sentry he has chosen and in a silent rush charges the man, sap raised.
The Camp - Surprise Round
20 Purple2 Guard (unaware)
19 Saphren
18 Magnus
17 Purple1 Guard (surprised)
13 Blue Guard (unaware)
13 White Guard (unaware)
10 Akron (unaware)
10 Trig
8 Reva
8 Orange1 Guard (surprised)
5 Orange 2 Guard (unaware)
Moving quietly, but deadly, Saphren crouches in wait behind a scrubby tree as the first camp sentinel comes near, suddenly and silently, the half-orc reacts, stabbing the man deftly, and dropping him with one stroke.
Trig will use Ghost Sound to create the sound of what sounds like a woman sobbing in pain in the woods as far away from her and Saphren as she can, hoping to draw away the sentries.
Reva lets out a low breath, realizing that there may be a larger fight from this. She remains hidden to see how the camp reacts.
Magnus looks toward Trig, potion at the ready.
The Camp - Surprise Round - continued
Magnus draws out his potion, readying for action and nodding at Trig to continue.
The gnome enchantress casts a spell creating an illusory sound trying to distract the camp guards from the assault by Saphren and Reva.
Reva stays hidden, not coming out of her hiding place near the camp as Saphren fells the nearest guard.
End of Surprise Round
The Camp - Round 1
20 Purple2 Guard (unaware)
19 Saphren
18 Magnus
13 Blue Guard (unaware)
13 White Guard (unaware)
10 Akron
10 Trig
8 Reva
8 Orange1 Guard
5 Orange 2 Guard (unaware)
Purple2 Guard still does not hear the Ghost Sound and does not react at all, still recovering from their foray into the island's interior.
If its dark enough for cover or if there is in general enough cover for a stealth roll Saphren will move at half speed around to the NW corner of E6 using stealth.
The Camp - Round 1 - continued
Still unengaged in general combat, Saphren is able to use the cover of the palisdae wall, the trees, and the big pavilion to position himself next to the corner of the large tent (area E6).
Magnus, ready to roll down and wipe out the brigands, stands still waiting a signal for the general assault to begin.
Despite the sounds made by Trig's spell, the guards in the camp remain unaware. The sounds of the fire, the wind, and their general fatigue keep them from noticing the crying sounds in the distance.
Akron Erix, however, is different. As you watch, he cocks his head to the side, catching the mournful wail created by Trig. Moving with alacrity, he calls a profanity-laden set of commands to his men, which you can hear easily, pointing up into the woods.
The men, grumbling, gather up their weapons and gear, and slowly form up, making ready to head up the hill to investigate. Erix brings up the rear of the column, looking warily about.
Trig keeps the ghost sounds going, making it sound like it's coming from a long way off, and increasing the pitch to make the screams sound more desperate. She also pulls out her scrolls in case she needs them.
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On his turn Saphren intends to cut a slit into the tent and have a look inside.
Realizing that the entire camp is now heading towards the ghost sound, Reva follows Saphren, creeping along behind him to look in the cages and the tent. She pauses to whisper very quietly to Saphren.
"Give a signal then attack from behind?"
The Camp - Round 1 - concluded
Continuing to hide in the tress above the camp, Trig makes the Ghost Sound more distant and desperate, trying to drive the guards even farther from their camp.
Seeing Saphren's intentions to enter the big tent, Reva sidles up beside him as she sees the big man lead the troop of guards toward Trig's distraction. She whispers a question, making sure they are on the same page.
Orange Guard, still unaware of the distraction, continues his circuit of the camp, keep a sharp eye on the perimeter as the day turns to night.
Orange2 Guard gathers his gear slowly and with obvious reluctance and starts to lead the others out of the camp, trying to follow the sound heard by Erix.
End of Round 1
The Camp - Round 2
20 Purple2 Guard
19 Saphren
18 Magnus
13 Blue Guard (unaware)
13 White Guard (unaware)
10 Akron
10 Trig
8 Reva
8 Orange1 Guard
5 Orange 2 Guard (unaware)
Purple2 Guard also grabs his discarded gear, including a short sword and bow (drawn) and moves off in the direction indicated by Akron Erix. He moves slowly, as if not really wanting to leave the safety of the partially completed camp and the warmth of the big fire.
Saphren shushes Reva with a signal and trying to be as quiet as possible, he slips his blade into the canvas of the big pavilion and cuts an entrance. Almost as soon as he does, a voice from inside startles the wily half-orc.
"I was wondering when you'd get around. Who are you working for and why did you come knocking on my door, eh?"
As his eyes adjust to the light, Saphren sees his old nemesis, Clegg Zincher, sitting cross-legged on a camp chair. Nearby, a trio of all flightless birds with large sharp beaks, circle. They keep a wary eye on the intruder.
"I cannot see a thing. Is there trouble?" Magnus says, with a curse. Magnus will take a double move toward the battlefield, making a token effort to conceal his approach.
Stepping lightly into the tent, but not in an aggressive manner, Saphren responds We work for ourselves now Clegg, ever since we had to put down Saul. But we might be for hire if the price is right. We know you did your best to keep other ships away from this island, but your efforts were not enough to dissuade us. And we are here now, in your tent, while your guards are off chasing ghosts. That should hint at our worth. Suppose you tell me what you are about here and that will let me propose a role for my team, and a price you should be glad to pay.
The Camp - Round 2 - continued
Magnus tires to move quietly to towards the enemy, breaking cover ,but his armored hide makes his movements clanky instead. The slow moving dwarf is easily spotted coming down the hill by the camp guards.
Blue Guard and White Guard both move forward, drawing bows which they train on the oncoming dwarf.
"Stop there!" shouts Akron Erix with authority from the edge of the camp. "Put away your weapon. What is your business here?" Erix looks a bit worried by the intrusion and you notice he keeps looking around the area, seemingly nervous as well. He takes point ahead of this bow-wielding soldiers.
In the tent
Zincher laughs at Saphren's reply. "You are either very brave or very foolish to come here. You should've heeded my warnings. It's not safe."
He sets his well-muscled jaw, gritting his teeth a bit. "Have you seen them? The strange beings on the island? Been trying to catch one for a few days, but their damned smart for dogs. Don't know what they are, but I've seen what they can do. Been bitten by one yet?" He says this last with a rude sneer. "Love to have one of them at my tournaments in the 'Port. Not so keen on their upright friends though..."
Saphren listens to the scoundrel trying to discern his true motivations. We've fought and killed your 'dogs'. And I have chosen not to be bitten. The trouble is not so much their bite but that they seem to come in packs.
Reva watches Zincher cannily, after having been struck speechless by spotting him.
Magnus and Trig. This plan could go very badly.
Seeing that Saphren has the situation in hand, she remains silent, knowing that negotiations aren't her strong suit unless those negotiations involve a dimly lit room and a prisoner with information.
She cocks her head to the side, trying to hear the situation with Magnus and Trig.
Both Saphren and Reva are experienced in reading tells and discerning untruths when speaking to people, but either Zincher is very convincing or he seems to be in a mood to just converse. Neither can sense any more motivation in him.
The big boss laughs a bit at Saphren's reply. "Yes, they do come in packs. Always to be more of them each time they're seen. Odd that. How'd you like to catch one of the unfortunate denizens of the island for me? I'd pay you 500gp for each you could catch?"
Reva half-listens to Zincher, straining to hear what is happening outside with the rest of the crew. She catches the shout of Erix, and knows the others have been spotted.
Seeing that this fight could go very, very badly, Reva makes the decision every inquisitor needs to make, even ones of Iomedae; the pragmatic one. The one which is of personal moral compromise for a greater good.
"Saphren, you negotiate. I'm going to head off a fight. Zincher, we've got others out there casing the camp."
Reva sheathes her sword and quickly rushes out, calling at the top of her lungs.
"IT'S REVA! HEY! WE'RE NEGOTIATING! CALL IT OFF!"
Saphren smiles a toothy smile at Reva's words. Yes, I see how you would want to hire us instead of fight us. We have the drop on your camp after all. You will need to speak to Akron about not being so easy to lure out of camp. No charge for that lesson. But when we came in we did not know this was your camp and did not specifically want a fight with you at this time either. So I propose we do work together as far as our goals will allow, if you are willing to compensate us for our troubles that were arranged by you. You pay us that 500 for each 'dog' we are able to bag for you plus, say 500 up front, for a retainer. That opens the door for us helping you in future matters as well. Deal?
Zincher grins at the shouting by Reva to her allies. "Akron Erix would've smashed your friends without you there to protect them. But for now, I guess I will tell them to stand down as well." The boss lets out a loud shrill whistle that makes you cringe a bit inside the pavilion.
Outside, the guards led by Erix stop in their tracks. After a few moments of looking around at each other, they slowly retire back to the campsite.
Back inside, Zincher is not smiling when Saphren makes his counter-proposal. "I will pay you the 500 crowns for one of the beasts, alive. More than that are not required. Second, you will help Erix defend the camp from the unfortunate denizens of this island. The zombies also keep coming. First night there were two, last night 4. The men are getting nervous. You can help calm them and keep me safe, and earn your "retainer". I will put up a tent in the camp for you to stay in while you are with us."
"Further", he continues "we came here for gods-damned skymetal and we've found precious little of that so far. I'll pay you 60gp per pound of any you recover while working for me. Deal?"
Saphren continues to negotiate.Makes good sense to help guard the camp so I do not mind earning the 500 gp retainer that way. But those funds still need to be up front. As for sky metal, that is why we came as well. If you are only paying 60 gp/lb we reserve the right to keep at least some of what we find ourselves IF we decide its useful to us. If we do sell any we will give you first rights. Saphren takes a first step towards Zincher offering his hand to seal the deal.
Once Trig comes in, she hears the offer, and whispers to the others, "I think we should take the offer, we're really here to look for you know what, and having more people to watch our backs would really help. Besides, that's not bad money."
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Magnus glances from side to side testily, ready to leap back into combat at any moment. He frowns deeply, not wanting to provoke Clegg to another attack by pressing him too harshly, nor be cheated by a known crook.
Zincher ponders what Saphren says carefully. He cocks his head to one side, squinting slightly. Finally, he jabs his hand in front of him and accommodates with a smile that is more frightening than calming. "Done!" he says cheerily. "I'll have the boys start putting up your new tent right away. Erix will deliver your gold before the night's over. Your folks can stand watch tonight, and tomorrow, you can start with the hunting or the mining, your choice. Now, leave me be. I am feeling quite weary."
The usually robust man is looking more peaked and drawn than usual, and he collapses into the camp chair heavily, a large exhalation of breath escaping him.
Akron Erix escorts you outside pointing to where your tent will be erected at the far end of the camp opposite the big pavilion. "Glad the boss brought you lot in. The zombies and the hounds have taken their toll and its good to have some trained hands instead of these bumbling fools around here. Maybe we can get this wall finished, the skymetal found, and get off this cursed rock soon." He seems to size up your mettle and sighs.
Sapphire nods as he shakes his hand. Its a good deal for us both. Better than fighting. Too much to fight here as it is.
Exiting the tent Saphren acknowledges Akron Aye. I'll help with the tent, and we can talk strategy, but first let me go see to your sentry that I, um, occupied a few moments back.
Sapphire move back to the sentry that he disabled and drags him back to camp to be attended.
"Vhy so qvick to trust us? Is the situation zat dire on the island?"
Erix looks like he has more to say, but in the end, he bites his tongue. To Magnus' question, he shrugs: "The more the merrier. Those dog-things and the zombies have cut down my men already. It's good to have some trained fighters to help when they come back. And be sure, they ARE coming back."
"Dinner will be ready within the hour, settle in. I'll need one of you for watch tonight also." The big man stalks off barking orders at the guardsmen who are struggling with the new big tent.
While you wait, you again hear the sounds of moaning and a strange scuffling coming from the sewn-shut tent on the south.
Saphren comes back with the stunned sentry and eases him into camp. I'll take that watch Erix. You mind if I have a look in the tent to the south? I get curious about such things.
"Well... We're probably safe enough to rest here, but I don't trust them. If they vant to rob us, is very long svim to the pawnbroker, I suppose." he mutters to the others, slumping into a chair by the fire and sharpening the blades of his throwing axes.
Reva nods wearily.
"If we're here, let's get some rest. We have a business arrangement, but we need to recover. Trig and I are almost out of spells and this has been the longest, worst day of my life. I must pray for Blossom."
Erix rolls his eyes as Saphren mentions the tent to the south. "Be my guest, but don't get bitten. Hate to have to put you down like a rabid dog." With that the big man strolls off to his own tent.
The dinner is not good nor readily identifiable, but it is food and the men of the company eat it without complaint, showing just how hungry they must be. The rest of the evening passes without incident, though the men look at you suspiciously and don't seem very sociable at all. Little is heard from Erix, who has dinner delivered to his tent, and less from Zincher who makes no appearance at all.
Looking into the south tent before he goes on duty, Saphren sees that four cots are lined up in this tent, with a stump in the center acting as in impromptu table. On the stump burn several candles, most of which have melted down to stubs. The flickering candlelight illuminates a scene of utter horror.
Lying on two of the cots are what remains of a pair of Zincher's men. Both are strapped tightly to their cots, and both squirm and moan around the bonds and gags. Each man has a huge growth protruding from his belly, at least the size of heavily pregnant woman, perhaps even larger. Whatever is in the belly seems to move around rapidly, the bulbous protrusion rippling with frequent movement. Both the men appear in a tremendous amount of pain, and both appear quite insane.
The sight is too much for even Magnus' hardy stomach, as he staggers behind the tent and retches up his dinner, just as unidentifiable coming out as it was coming in.
Saphren is tempted to just go in and put these men out of their misery. Its only their already tentative position in the camp that prevents this brash action. Reporting the scene back to any that did not witness it themselves Saphren adds This is a reminder of what the man we are now working for is capable of. I feel a little sick.
Reva turns pale as she hears about this, and she furiously whispers back to the others.
"We talk about this after we've had some rest. Zincher is an evil man!"
"I fear there is worse evil stirring on this island." Magnus says, queasily. "We must steel ourselves for the worst."
Trig stares at the horrific sight for a moment, then runs out, puking her meagre dinner in the mud. "Oh I can't, I can't... believe it..." she murmurs to Magnus, "How unspeakably cruel!"
Quickly sealing the infirmary tent back up after seeing the horror inside, the others begin to question what the hell Zincher is up to. Before they can make any new changes, it is time for rest however. As arranged beforehand, Saphren takes the night's watch strolling around the camp perimeter while the others bed down for a good night's rest. After a day of falling towers and attacks from strange dog-like creatures, the group is overly weary and starts to nod off as soon as they lie down.
Outside, the air is filled with the buzzing of insects and the many night sounds of the woods. The bonfire in the middle of camp is kept burning from the stack of cut wood. One by one, the guards drift off to their tents to rest and soon Saphren is alone on post, keeping an ear and an eye on the camp.
Trusting to his racial advantage of Darkvision Saphren moves with stealth at the edge of the fire light around the camp.
As he makes his quiet rounds around the camp, Saphren notices something stirring at Zincher's tent. Looking closer, he sees the broad-shouldered man quietly making his way out of the large pavilion.
Looking around to make sure no one is near, the leader of the expedition fails to see Saphren and with a bit of stealth, he creeps off towards the southeastern edge of the camp.
Too curious not to follow Saphre stealthy behind his new boss. As he moves he is already thinking about how he can claim to be watching out for the crime boss.
After a careful ritual of prayer and hygiene, Reva sleeps like the dead.