Jengren steps inside the door remaining quiet but observant.
His eyes have a difficult time adjusting from the daylight to the inside room lightning.
Silena has heard of Harpy but only in common folk lore no real understanding... other than ugly, filthy, bird-women of mean spirit. What Silena could not wrap her head around was why an obviously intelligent woman possessed of her own dignity and sexuality as THIS... Undrella took no better care of herself? Had she no self-respect of her own femininity and appearance? Maybe the womanly appearance was more appearance than similarity?
"I have heard of Harpies.. but not in detail. I thought at first you might have been an Erinyes - an evil outsider, but they are a bit more... refined in appearance and bearing. Likely would have immediately attacked with magic I think."
She smirks, "..but it is refreshing to met a woman possessed of her own passions and practical mind. You say the Gnoll leader is a ?"
When Undrella approaches Calian with such forwardness Silena frowns slightly.
The petite pretty half-elf moves to slip herself between Calian and the dirty bird-woman her back pressed against his solid chest, "..alas, , I believe our mountain of rage here has set his eyes upon a different fragrant desert flower... not you or I for that matter - for shame. But you say the Gnoll tribe is named ? I would think there would be a powerful female shaman of Lamashtu as the leader? Have you noted many clerics or shaman-witch docters of her faith among the Kulldis?"
Then smiling conspiratorially at the Harpy, "..and why are YOU really here? From the shape of your wings I'll assume is not a... gentle lover despite the dark attraction to a less conventional 'rearward intimacy'. By your own words - 'it is not a matter of passion' with ... so why do you stay here? You would not betray him without getting something in return... and we must fear the same... its only practical. You would betray your current lover/toy why should we trust you not to betray us in return? Are you not a worshiper of the 'Mother of Monsters' as well?"
Her tone is friendly and darkly tinted with the tone of a naughty womanly jest... but practicality. As usual, in a tone as if no men were present to hear the ... quiet lusts and dark desires of a free woman's heart.
Though... Silena can't help but notice the solidity of Calian's hard chest she leans into... stirring a curiosity within her and a dark delight at how he towers over her plus his obvious great strength...
It takes an effort to keep her mind on the delicate conversation with Undrella...
Calain looks around the room while, Silena makes her pretty words to the harpy, in Calains eyes a grotesque mockery of human and bird. A monster.
He was hoping to find some clue to her heart's morality. Though he doubted and did not care enough to change his course.
He drops his Nodachi a reaches across to grab at the harpy's neck with one hand and pull her into a rear chokehold with the other.
Successful, he speaks as he holds her in too strong strong hands.
I did not come here to chase f*€king snakes. You will go limp or I will break your neck. Now.
The speed at which Calain moved catches Jengren off-guard slightly, "Damn it", doing the only thing he could quickly think of he speaks with authority,
"Woman...stop your chattering and listen before my friend snaps your worthless neck."
add +1, if she gets the air subtype due to her wings.
Sonya smiles to herself genuinely impressed to see this group make an attempt at civil discussion with this monster, only to have the moment ripped from her as Cailin grabs the beast. Sonya's mind is reeling trying to decide what to do.
"I do not wish to shed any more blood than necessary. We will not hunt your snake for you; but I do not wish to see you dead either all I ask is you tell us a way to save the captives and I will aid you in escaping this mans grasp.
Silena.. smirks at Calian's forward boorish 'manliness' and admittedly is a little excited by it as well- she continues a hint of lasciviousness in her voice, "...then again... maybe he does favor your... 'fragrance' of desert flower Umdrella? I like my men flavored with a bit of forcefulness as well... it's more fun if you make them struggle a bit to hold you down for the eventual consummation... but Calain dear... we were talking! NO MORE FLOOR-PLAY... until business is taken care of!"
Silena's tone is not one of anger mere dark amusement.
Adressing Calain, "Now have a sense man! Were Umdrella a threat she would have fled or attacked. I know not the full threat this... harpy 'woman' represents - other than those wickedly sharp feet talons of hers, but I think we can come to an agreement if you do not molest her so. She is already in something of a disadvantage if you keep your overly large blade at hand with all of us present."
Addressing Umdrella, "..you must be patient with him. To much violence and not enough tenderness in his life. You say Kardwann is cruel to you, Calain is just simple... perhaps a bit hasty. Fear of the unknown... a primitive point of view, you know. What can you tell us of this snake you want killed and why is it important to you?"
Then smiling evilly, "...plus, before we were interrupted you did not answer my questions. Why should we trust you if your willing to betray a lover~, admittedly a cruel lover, with such ease? What do you expect to get out of us? Mere vengeance upon a overly forceful lover of convenience?
Calain wreches one arm uncomfortably around the Harpy's back and has his bicep under her chin and her other wrist in hand at an acute angle. Any struggling and he would flex that bicep and cut off her oxygen.
If I considered her a threat, Maiden. She would already be dead. As it stands, she's going to have to try VERY hard to remain alive. We needed a captive with knowledge of the Gnolls and we found the chief's whore. She either talks now or we take her back and MAKE her talk. You are good at that yes? Now pass the rope, please.
Silena's mirth at the situation drops immediately. Possessions are seriously dangerous effects and not just a simple clan of barbarian gnolls...
"Wait... what, Umdrella?!? You mean Kardswann IS a Genie... possessing a Gnoll... or a Genie leads the gnolls and is possessed by some other evil spirit? Where is this magic-sealed door and ruined church crypt?"
"I've heard stories of genies but I thought they were just myths, bedtime stories for little girls. Sonya considers it for a moment thinking of how best to go about this.
Sonya speaks a silent prayer. Dawnflower is this door why you brought me here?
Cailin, let's consider this, a magically sealed door is sure to contain a number of riches. Well beyond whatever the princess is offering per head.
The talk of genie garners Jengren's interest, "That power surges through my blood heritage and flows within my veins. What do you know of his transformation... what pillow talk has he revealed?" He waits a moment, staring at the harpy before continuing, "What type of genie does he claim to be?"
Keep talking. I am starting to feel less inclined to kill you. We could be friends yet
Having her pinned securely, Calain eases of the tension at her throat to allow her to tell her story.
Silena ponders Undrella's words carefully...
"So your saying this Kardwann is recruiting low-lifes and cut-throats as a Bandit Army... not just gnolls? Can.. anyone join up? Could we not just walk into town posing as such 'ner-do-wells', "undesirable-folk" and act like we're wanting to join his banner, learn what we want then slip away?"
"How do we know you will not turn on us as soon as my big friend releases your neck?" Jengren stares at the crone, "Are you going to provide us with a guarantee of no treachery on your part?' His voice softens a bit.
What and who is contained in the next building over the water mill? Is it occupied?"
Silena smiles and says, "Oh.. I'm pretty sure we can 'trust' her.."
At which point she looks the Harpy woman coldly in the eye and continues, "..because if she does betray us... we'll make sure that knows that SHE hired us as assassins to kill him in revenge for his forceful amorous attentions! I'm sure, Kardswann, being such a 'kind' and 'understanding' tyrant he'll be more than willing to make her previous abuses seem like a little bit of soft fore-play."
Then she smiles a very frightening and vicious cruel expression, "We might even let slip that rumor she has hired assassins to kill him in the if we are... 'mistakenly' careless? I 'trust' we understand each other Umdrella?"
Sounds like fun.
Calain maintains his hold for now but waits for a sign from his allies if they are satisfied with her story.
"Peryton...great. This day's getting better and better."
He focuses on harpy then nods to Calain to lessen his hold.
"Since you are so...cooperative, is there someone in the battle market that we should visit for assistance or for that matter avoid?"
Silena listens ... and seems satisfied and also amazed at the description of the beast, "'Deal with Kardswann', I think we have an agreement. A Peryton...what an odd sounding creature!"
Turning to their pit fighter, "Calain... please let Umdrella go. Having at least one 'neutral' contact in the city will help our scouting greatly. Let's not antagonize her anymore.. our objective is to oust the Gnoll leadership and control of the city. As that control has been usurped... our approach will need to be modified, slightly. A mad Genie is not the same..we could use assistance as we can find and ally with."
After giving it much thought, Sonya finally speaks, her tone cold and focused. "how many others have you made this deal with?
I can not imagine at a glance we look special enough to deal with this, my guess is you convince any you see to this task. So, I ask again, how many others will we have to contend with to complete this task and how many have already been captured or fallen attempting it."
Silena speaks up, "Consider this Sonya... we ran across no patrols.. but I expect that has only changed due to the recent change in leadership. I conjecture as Gnolls are large creatures - they need to eat a lot compared to us. So we should have seen large hunting parties if there were such a large number of them. Since we didn't a possible reason is that their hunting parties have 'culled' this immediate area of easy prey and must now range far out to find game.. or humanoids to cannibalize. There likely have not been many visitors with skill and luck enough to get this close. There is also the possibility that with the change in leadership... recently I can only guess at.. that not many know this region can be entered as previously gnolls are known to be killing everything in the area and not looking to recruit mercs and criminals... a good incentive for most to stay away."
She smirks, "I'm not saying we should trust as 'gospel' everything Umdrella tells us.. but I don't think she would act out of her best interests... which currently do not clash with ours. She has good reason to want Kardswann dead. ... mine is for certain! Monstrous as Umdrella may seem.. I think her desire for vengeance is stronger than her natural.. potentially evil, proclivities."
Then her voice takes a very naughty and lascivious tone, "... besides... I think she rather favors Calian...! Careful Umdrella.. he's not tame yet!"
Calain grunts.
Like my smell do you? Yours is interesting too. Smells like carrion. You are a monstrous creature, who vomits crap from her mouth. Sonya is right. I cannot trust you. I told you I was not here for snakes. You'll scream for help as soon as I let go.
Still with an arm around her throat, Calain flexes hard and closes off her windpipe.
Go to sleep now. Maybe you'll wake up.
Silena frowns... obviously put off by the party's insistence on brute force... for everything!
Though she looks ready to give an earful of harsh words.. she remains silent. She rolls her eyes and walks away from the situation, slipping her artistic..if grusome silver morning star back into her weapon belt loop.
Silena moves around the inside of the hut searching for anything of value..casts a detect magic to make sure... then takes up a position at the doorway watching the nearby potential abode of the Peryton.
As the harpy goes limp, Calain releases his hold. He'd killed men with similar moves in the past and knew not to hold too long or they would never wake.
He stands and tilts his head to the side for a bit. Like a dog.
She has given us enough. This battle market sounds like it could be a start. I say we drag her carcass back to the merchant princess and see if it's worth anything. At least she will lend weight to our claims that this is alot deeper than simply slaughtering the gnolls.
Calain finds a sheet and grabs some rope from his pack.
Sil. Ropes and bindings are your specialty, aren't they? Tie her tight and gag her so she can't call out when she wakes. Let's take her back while the light is good. Your tricks might get even more out of her. Loot whatever can be gleaned from here and let's go. If she is the genie's plaything we could even get to see a security reaction like we planned. I doubt the bottle dweller will care overmuch.
Calain does look to Sonya. Then the Sorcerer.
You decide if she lives. I am not good with moral questions. I see a beast woman and smell rotten flesh. That is enough for me to end the life of a wretched predator.
One who knows our faces and f××ks the enemy leader. She is too dangerous to trust and a threat if left behind.
Her tongue was loose and flapping...lies, truths or a mixture of half-truths I'm not sure. It is best that we question her or let others do so, under less stressful circumstances. Gag her mouth to prevent her from squawking, tie those hand and bind her wings." He looks around, "She lives I assume? lets take her back to the merchant princess."
"Well, looks like you get your wish to head back to the caravan." he comments for Silena's benefit.
He then detects magic and scans the room.
Calain smiles at his friends reply.
Friend?...
Was Calain starting to think that way?
He'd had several 'friends' amongst his brother gladiators. Had to kill several as well. Both because he had to in the arena and other times his rage had grown so strong.
It was a developed talent.
Many gladiators had to learn to tap that inner monster. Calain had. So much so that once he'd taken a life in the arena he did not stop till all were dead. Whips did not matter.
His master would have killed him had the crowd not LOVED the spectacle. Calain the monster. He who kills all, even his allies. So the lannister simply entered him in single matches or free for alls where it was understood only one gladiator would survive. The life of a slave.
Silena does not move to assit, "...this is foolish and ill-advised - I do not support it. You want her taken prisoner - You tie her up! She is~... was likely the only being in this town who would have helped us in our goal! She wanted the same thing - Kardswann dead. Take her back if you will but I do not torture for pleasure... I believe she was telling the truth... torture will not tell us anything new and a potential ally is lost. Umdrella was perfectly positioned here in this town to help us... remove her from here and she will be missed by her - rapist and should she return she would not be trusted as before. She might even be out-rightly killed if she did. You do not respect or even consider my wisdom... why should you regard anything I might 'claim' to glean from torturing her? You should look in the mirror more closely Calian.. the monsters you see everywhere will be looking back at you! Do not call me Sil again, you are not and do not wish to be friends of anyone!"
Silana looks about outside the structure to make sure nothing has changed, "...I'm going to retrieve . If we are returning to the Princess let's be about it."
With that she exits the building making her way back to the hill where she hobbled to make ready to leave.
The grin falls from Calain's face.
You said you preferred Sil. Very well, MAIDEN it is. As to your wisdom, I will listen when you offer some.
The gladiator rolls the harpy up in the sheet like a rug, then stuffs her mouth and ties more sheet around it to keep it in. Then cuts a makeshift bag over her head so she cannot see and ties other strips around the feet talons. She was not going anywhere
He helps look about for any valuables.
Why not rob her? It would make it seem like a robbery when the village learned she was gone.
He shoulders the Harpy.
Ready?
We play the hand dealt. Unfortunately, Calain was too quick to act with nay a thought of the future. His instinct, most certainly. Silena was, more than likely, correct in her assessment. However, a lover to the madman is beneficial tool to have.
"Don't toss the place...when she is looked for, it will look like she simply went out in the market or hills for meal. Once the merchant princess is done with her, this creature may very well return without her cover blown."
Jengren states, "I've little interest in robbing Undrella, especially if she'll be released later." He notices the key around her neck, "What does that go to?'
He would point out the items to the others but he takes no action to secure the loot. The ring of ram could prove beneficial but no need to steal from the living...at least not until she's served her purpose.
"It would be nice if we could ask what that key goes to, but I doubt she will be willing to answer now even if I revive her. Sonya states with mild annoyance. Where to next? I would like to go to the church next and see that door.
"Well with a prisoner, in hand, it would seem prudent to vacate and circle back to our employer." Jengren shakes his head, "Forgot she got choked out."
"It'll be hard to fight with her wrapped up and slung over one shoulder. Though Calain would probably use her as a club."
Now your thinking like a warrior, Jengren. Everything is a weapon in the right hands.
Sonya does her best to hide the disappointment in her voice as she does understand the reasons why, "I understand, then let us not waste any daylight and set off now. Silena, may I ask we use your steed to carry our passenger? It would hasten our journey and free Cailin's hands should we need him in battle.
As the party arrives at the backside of the hill where Silena hobbled her steed... she is already adjusting her saddle to accommodate the winged prisoner.
Silena turns toward the party, her expression one of annoyance, as the group gathers, but at Sonya's gentle words she smiles, "It was always my intention 'Desert Flower' to carry Umdrella upon Nightscream."
She chuckles lightly, "...you have no need to use charm upon me, amusing and enticing as your charms are, you need only ask my friend.. and YOU may call me Sil, sweet Sonya."
She frowns glancing at Calian and Jengren but turns her gaze back to Sonya concluding, "This action is unwise and likely counterproductive to our mission of intel gathering... but it seems no one else shares that opinion, so I will comply with the party's wishes and support the effort under strong protest. But what is done IS done.. best be away from here."
"Sil.." the sorcerer pauses so the name floats a moment longer, "the Keseshite have a saying," he grins, "When given only prickly pear cactus juice to drink you make cactus jack liquor." He shrugs, "You know make the best of the situation."
In other words, quit your B!+ching and let's go. You joined US, remember? Nobody asked you to come here, Maiden. You can't sneak, can barely fight and Sonya is as good, if not a better healer and doesn't rub half the party the wrong way with attitude. Right now the most useful thing you bought is the horse.
Calain HAD attempted, albeit briefly, to get on with the half-drow. No longer. He was here to kill Gnolls and had no time for befriending monstrous Harpies. If the cleric didn't get that, to the hells with her.
Silena turns anger clear in her gaze, "SHUT UP you foolish mongrel! You obviously don't have the wits to understand past you own boorish brutality... be quiet when you betters are speaking! I was SENT here by order of the Princess to assist in the effort... part of that is giving my opinion when I believe the party is making a mistake! This action is a mistake!! I was making progress getting information from Umdrella and reaching an 'agreement' and understanding - perhaps even securing our chances in continuing our scouting in the Battle Market... but THIS mindless violence has forestalled that and plus very likely made an enemy where there was not one before, you smelling mindless FOOL!! Its obvious you think with your sword so mimic it a little more and be silent like your equally mindless steel and only friend!"
Turning to Jengren, "Yes Jengren I will make the best of this, but this barbarian is going to ruin everything if he keeps thinking violence is the answer to everything! He will get you all killed... making enemies that we don't need to make.. we already have enough of them."
"Now let's get out of here before we attract unwanted attention...!"
With Umdrella secured upon Nightscream's saddle Silena will lead him by the reins back into the hills testing the wind on occasion with tossed sand to try to stay down wind of the city using the low gullys of the dunes for concealment as they leave the city behind...
Sonya's breath catches as soon as Cailin speaks those words knowing the torrent of rage it will unleash. She listens in silence as silena tears into him, she waits not disagreeing but knowing interparty fights will solve nothing.
Jengren just chuckles at the exchange. This is a fine group. He quickens his pace keeping an eye out on the landscape for any unwanted eyes.
Calain chuckles at the half-drows outburst.
He speaks low, still considered of the closeness to the Gnoll town.
I did not imagine one who had endured such torturous hardships would have so much pride to wound. She is a evil monster and deserves death. Were I mindless and given to my emotions she would already be dead and so would you Beartrap. Haha. She lives because she may prove useful, despite being an evil monstrous cow. You may yet be useful as well.