"I agree with you on that Vlagras, graverobbers they might be, but if they are more than that, not much sense in stirring up a panic in the town"
Strange indeed being a graverobber and then go into a grave for 4 days, something is up, I know it. Finally the adventure I seek, though I'd rather fight in a less cramped spcae than a tomb, but hey, treasure!
A Slight grin appears on Rasim's face
Hearing your discussion, the theif speaks up:
Hey now... I didn't do no grave robbing, I was paid to keep the camp, now if someone else went in and stole somethings, that's on him, not on me... As fer these chick'ns ya... I stoled some of them, but we got to eat, we been out at that camp for many days, and we weren't prepared for a long stay, we got ta eat the same as e'rybody else ya know...
I tell ya what... I'll take yas to the site, and I make sure you get in safe and without a hassle from us on the topside, and then me and mine friends will pick up and move out. You can deal with the creepy guy that went down there, if the sucker is still breathin... I promise, you won't see any more of me or mine friends, we'll takes our money and move on to greener pastures. What ya say?
Wodin gives the thief a cold look, but then nods. "'at'll be acceptable. Bu' ya should choose yer employers be'er next toime, lad. 'is whole debacle could 'ave gone much worse fir all involved," the Dwarf states, easing up on his weapon.
"Those moneys you mentioned. Those are ill-gotten gains, and they make you a party to whatever the creepy guy was up to. Better fork 'em over or mayhap we will have to turn you in. Doin' the right thing and all..."
Wodin gives the hulking orc-like figure a harsh look. "I ain' lettin' ya extort the poor fool roight in fron' o' me face, boyo."
"What extorten'? I intend to take criminal funds and put them towards a better cause. Nuttin' wrong with that."
"I'm with Froth on this Wodin, at least let him pay the old man for the chickens, after all he could have bought them instead of stealing them."
Rasim tends not to act too inconspicuously as he said that last part, feeling a bit like a hypocryt.
"It would be fair to all parties, he pays the man back, we don't rat him out and he helps us put an end to the graverobbin' that's happenin'"
Wodin gives both of them a dark look, but then just shrugs, grumbling. "Wha'e'er, bu' don' think I don' see th' blackness o' yer motives, lads. I wa'n't born yes'erday," he says in a gritty voice.
"The way I see it, the man was hired for a job and received wages. As long as he reimburses the farmer for the chickens, I see no harm with him keeping the rest of the money. After all, he's just a guy doing a job - much like us?"
"My point exactly Gow. Our problem now is not the theft of chickens anymore nor the thief for that matter, we're now dealing with ,'hopefully', a normal graverobber that needs punishment."
Vlagras lets out a snort.
""Normal" grave robber. That is a laugh. This is not normal grave robbing. Encampment to steal a few personal trickets of the poor souls that live here? I think not.
Thief, a question. What do you know about the grave that you are sitting at? Anything you overheard?"
Diplomacy:
The thief speaks:
I got a couple gold and a few silver pieces on me, if you let me get out of here, I'll pay for the chickens, I'm pretty tired of eatin' em anyway...
As fer the tomb... far as I know, it's been un-discovered 'fore we got there. Big ol' stones in front of the entrance... Had to use some ox to pull those out of the way before the boss went inside. Little too scary for me to go in after 'em but he said he might be a while...
Gerlach is the leader of our little band, and he told us to stay out and wait for the other guy, I think his name was Rain, or Ran, or Ray, or sometin like that, din't care too much 'bout his name. Like ya says, I was just doin' my job, and a fellas got to eat, ya know?
"Best you pay the man then. Lets find out how many you stole!"
Froth turns to the farmhouse and cupping his hands he bellows,
The old man emerges from his meager home, in pajamas that are extremely awkward and goofy, yet oddly appropriate for the surroundings. He briskly walks up between all of you, searching the ground for a fox, and largely ignoring the captured prisoner.
Well? Where is the blasted thing, you already lose it?
Once things are explained, the old man still seems as grumpy and dis-shoveled as before, muttering under his breath something about 'damn foxes' and 'rookies.' He takes some coin from the thief and stumbles his way back to his home, slamming the door behind him as he yells:
The church has got yer p-p-payment, but i'd wait til daylight to collect.
Rasim eyes the the money being exhanged between the thief and old man, after that is done, he turns to the thief as the old man walks back into the house.
"Well, now that is over, how about you show us the way to that grave site hmm?"
"Come on guys, we need to get moving if we want to catch that graverobber soon."
"Robber'll be there after we get paid."
Wodin grumbles, shaking his head. "'e moight no' be, lad. I ain' lettin' 'im git away scott free a'er defilin' someone's grave. I say we go show 'im why th' dead is meant t' rest."
"The dead don't complain. And if he does somehow finish tonight, he'll be loaded down with his loot. Going nowhere. I did a job, I intend to get paid. You want to rush off without planning or help, I wish you luck."
"We could at least investigate it, I'd be happy to scout out a bit ahead for us. No sense in getting rusty in my skills"
"Nobody's stopping you, son."
"I thought our pay was just the free stay at the inn... there's more? Damn! HA! I've personally eaten more chickens on the church dime than this flunky and his crew stole, and they're gunna pay us on top o' that! Guess these guys ain't no bean counters, cause even I can tell that ain't gunna add up for 'em."
"Rasim, you want me to come along? Scare off the riff-raff? Present company excluded of course...."
"You're welcome to tag along Froth, but if the bandits clear out I might want to scout a bit ahead in the tomb, just to get some information perhaps who the tomb belonged to. For we can use every piece of information."
"I will go forth with you two. We must investigate this potentially evil act."
Wodin nods deeply. "I'll come, a' well. I won' le' 'is go unpunished."
"I must confess that I'm scared of tombs. What if the dead inside get angry and attack us? My magic holds little power over them, I'm afraid. I'd much rather wait until morning when they're maybe weaker, but if everyone else is going now, I'll follow along. Just don't leave me alone down there!"
Wodin rolls his eyes, saying to the Gnome, "Ain' nothin' t' worry 'bout, lad. Wha'e'er's in 'at tomb oughta be 'fraid o' us, no' th' o'er way 'round. 'specially th' big guy 'ere," the Paladin says, thumbing back at Froth.
"So you g$~+&+ fools are going to rush into a possible-undead situation at night? It's one thing to keep a watch to see if any try to leave. But to go down under with the sort that loot graves at nighttime? Dumb strategy."
Wodin scoffs, "Do as ya please, coward, but 'is ain' th' koinda thin' ya c'n leave be. If ya ain' willin', I'm sure yer noice warm bed is awfully appealin' roight now." The Dwarf speaks in a calm voice, but his gaze is razor sharp.
"What did you call me." It's more of a statement than a question. "Fighting smart ain't fighting cowardly. You want to win or you want to fight? Which is more important?"
"It ain' a foight I'm lookin' fir, lad. It's t' stop wha'e'er moight be desecratin' th' dead in 'at tomb. I ain' sayin' we gotta go chargin' in screamin', but e'ery secon' we ain' actin' is a secon' 'ey could be finishin' 'eir dark work and escapin' un'indered. An' I, sure as the groun' we stan' on, ain' gonna let 'at res' on me conscience. Now i' ya are so deadset 'gains' i', yer free t' leave," Wodin states, his eyes deadly serious. "I'm goin', an' i' yer wit' me, 'en le's go." The Toragian hefts his weapon over his shoulder and nudges the thief, pushing him to lead them to the site of the tomb.
"Well, imagine that. One of the damn fools that think the heavens actually give a s@%~ about us down here, well he just so happens to be a born idiot. What a coincidence! Enjoy your honor. I'll stick with results." The old man spits and turns to leave.
Rasim listens closely to the argument Wodin and the old man have.
"The old man has a point, but as Wodin said we ain't aiming to rush in blindly, we will go see what we can there, gather some info and try and stop that man or whatever he is. Besides I'd sleep much better if I know there wasn't any undead roaming around the village"
That being said he is ready to follow the thief as well
"Move it, worm food."
Froth gives the thief a prod.
The campsite that you are lead to is on the other side of the town, which would be a chore, if there were more to this small and forgotten place.
You should let me go ahead of ya, tell 'em whats happenin', otherwise, they might attack yous on sight alone...
With that, your prisoner starts to walk towards his compatriots, hardly waiting to gain your approval of his idea.
Froth hefts his sword a little to make sure it's not hung up on anything.
"Ya, that'd be a shame if they attacked us..."
Wodin readies his weapon as well, a dark look in his eyes. "I only wish I 'ad a smidge as much trust in 'im as I do in th' groun' beneath me feet..." the Dwarf mumbles.
As soon as the thief leaves, he gestures to Froth and Wodin, implying watch me if it's a trap or not. [ooc]How far off the group of thugs are we?
Rasim hides in the shadows, following him slowly, keeping a safe distance. Intent on watching if they go away or about to attack.
, weapons steady in his hands.
to listen or see depending on vision
Gow climbs onto Birdy NumNum's back and flies 30ft into the air. He looks around from this elevated position.
Ride Check:
Gow Perception:
Birdy NumNum Stealth:
Vlagras closes her eyes to see if she can pick up any unusual sounds.
Perception:
All of you see the thief converse with 1 'main man' while 3 others stand by and listen. As their discussion seems to end, the other 3 start to pack up their gear, as you are waved over.
The leader of the group tells you the same story that you have heard from his hired hand.
Froth will approach the group, his sword still held over his shoulder, gripped in one hand.
He looks around at the bandits and says, "Beat it; before we get an attack of conscience and decide to take you in after all."
After this, he moves to the apparent entrance to the tomb, while trying to stay somewhat aware of the vermin around him, so make sure he's not stabbed in the back.
Course, iffen they do, I get to kill them all.
Wodin watches Froth shoo off the bandits, shifting his dorn-dergar to a two-handed grip. "Well 'en, le's take a look down 'ere, why don' we?" he suggests, motioning towards the tomb with a movement of his bearded chin.
Rasim follows Froth into the tomb, looking around will probably not work so he'll listen carefully as he descends a bit further.
"We must be careful here. Froth, you can see in the darkness right? Can you be stealthy as well? Best if we can use every advantage here."
Gow directs Birdy NumNum to perch on top of the tomb like a strange-looking gargoyle. "I really don't want to go in there. What should I do, Johnson?"
"Quiet? Um, sure, I guess. Let's go."
Rasim shivers as he goes further into the tomb, the stench of the long dead is not something he is used to. He slowly walks a few steps further, hoping to find a glimmer of light further down the way.
If he doesn't see anything, Rasim waves the rest over and continues on.
Vlagras stays close to the group while going up close to the wall to check if there are any defining features.
Whispering Vlagras says, "Should I command a light to come forth or shall I keep things dark for now."
Perception:
Damn righteous fools. Nothing wrong with doin good; 'snot like the so-called gods will. But nothin wrong with doin it smart. Upon returning to town he checks to see if there's anyone around he could talk to.