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The Reaver's dauntless expression stayed rigid at the threats of Harley. ( give me investigate/arcana/religion/wisdom/intelligence rolls for the lights guys, which ever apply to your character)
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Thank you for your passive it does matter, but I was asking for insight not perception.
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I'm not sure what the light is, but the Reaver seems bolstered by it's presence, and that's unacceptable.
"So I'm guessing 'You'll soon join them' are the last words you're going with? Not bad, all things considered. Know that you were braver than most."
I kill him.
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As Harley reaches back to deliver the killing blow the Reaver falls to the ground bellowing and weeping, all pretense of bravery lost as he cowers on the ground. Marek begins to have a inclination that the light seems divine in nature, but unclear what kind of divine intervention has happen.
I stand there, amused.
"That was it? 'You were braver than most' is what did you in?" I heave a long-suffering sigh and lower my hand.
"Start talking."
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Marek asks Brill, Sir Ryan, and the squires:
"Do any of you know what that was? It looks like it came from Summit Hall..."
The Reaver says to Harley "The Crushing wave Priest, Crushing wave Reavers, and Fathomers will keep this river way free from all who don't belong or pays tribute. We patrol, keeping the ways free from bandits, raiders, and those trying to prevent commerce on this river!" [ Harley can roll a insight].
Brill, Sir Ryan, and squires have no idea themselves, but all express worry for Summit Hall. After looking more closely as the light fades from the night Marek realizes that the light seemed to originate from the monastery in Summit Hall. The light has cut open a hole in the clouds above the Hall and the shockway seems to still dance across far into the night.[Marek you want to roll insight for their reactions].
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Harley can tell that the Reaver is intimidated by his presence and is lying. He seems to be attempting to bluff his way out of the situation.
Marek notices that Brill is not being entirely truthful with him about not knowing something about the light.
Marek approaches Brill.
"We're headed upriver to save your companions and have fought to rescue you. Have we not earned your trust?"
I grab the Reaver by the throat and lift him off the ground. "Truthfully, this is my fault. I should have specified. Talk, like your life depends on your words pleasing me."
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Brill say "why of course you have, why do you not think I trust you?".
The Reaver with a worried face starts talking fast, " Ok ok, don't hurt me. If you promise to let me go I will tell you what ever you want to know."
Marek sighs with exasperation, mumbles under his breath, and asks:
"I can tell you know something about that light coming from the monastery at Summit Hall. What. do. you. know?"
Marek's voice isn't raised, but he makes it clear he isn't playing around as he stares down Brill. At the word "know" the ground trembles. The mumbling was the verbal component of thaumaturgy.
Brill, looking unimpressed, says "I didn't mean to hold anything from you, just not completely sure about it. This is merely a theory mind you, but I have seen something similar when a circle of high standing druids have prayed to Mielikki for a favor. They prayed for a great boon to deal with a blight that was destroying the land. All I am sure of is that something powerful happened in Summit Hall."
Marek knows nothing about such rituals.
"Do you have any theories about what they might be praying for, or why high standing druids would be gathered there?"
I put him back down. "I can't speak for my companions, but telling me about your operation couldn't hurt your chances. How many of you are there, are there more waiting to ambush us between here and the keep, and where is your base. Additionally, my friend asked you what you were doing with the prisoners. For starters."
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The Reaver tells Harley "The slaves are nothing but a commodity, we are just transporting them for a fee. We are many, I don't know how many we have. I would say enough to hold down the river and our base The Scarlet Moon Hall in the mountains to the west of here. You will most certainly run into more of our patrol ships, we are told to look out for you specifically since you attacked our barge. You were lucky these past two encounters, we will be prepared for you. You surely would not stand a chance against our base.
Brill tells Marek "I don't think it is a druid circle casting it this time, all the powerful druids I know are with the others at the Emerald Conclave. Not only that I was the only druid at the Hall before we left. It must be one of the other priests that where there or ones that have just arrived. But this is all speculation."
"Does anyone have a way to get word from Summit Hall, to find out what is going on?"
The squires, Sir Ryan, and Brill shake their heads solemnly.
I do not know of a way to get word back to Summit Hall without physically sending someone there...
I turn my attention to our captive, walking behind the fully shifted Harley and leer over his shoulder with intense eyes which pierce our captive's. Do you have any idea what the slaves have been ordered for in that monastery? Under what guard are your slaves kept in Scarlet Moon?
Midnight is still under the cover of what foliage is available away from the shoreline
The Reaver glares back unflinching "I am a River Rat, what use would I have for that knowledge! I just control the river with my brothers and follow the priests commands!"
Not pleased with the results, I continue my gaze upon the Reaver; and say gently and coldly to Harley, 'He's of no use but in wasting our time. He said it himself that he's no more than a knowledge-less grunt for these slave drivers. We should be done with him and go our way as quickly as possible.'
I stalk closer, ready in case he starts to run. With claws out and a somber expression, I ask, "Have any final words braver than last time?"
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The Reaver clearly shaken my Harley's presence jumps at the offer by Princess pleating " Yes, yes I should be treated like valuable property place me in the bag".
"He said property. Nobody said you were valuable."
I knock him out.
"So what do you guys think. New mascot?"
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Marek is relieved that the man wasn't killed.
"These soldiers were able to hold their breath for a long time in the river - he may actually be able to survive in the bag for quite some time... Though I don't know that we should test it. We could tie him to a tree in the woods out of earshot of the river, by the time he gets free he should no longer be a threat."
Hmmm. I'll counter with him being secured out of view of the river and gagged. Putting him out of earshot will delay our journey too much.
What do you think we should do about that flash near that horrid monastery? We definitely need to free those captives as quickly as possible, but I strongly feel we need to investigate that flash - potentially with reinforcements...
"If we don't have any intelligent plans for the captive, we should kill him. He'd have absolutely killed us given the chance, and the plan if leaving him tied up could backfire horribly. What if he gets set upon by a wild animal and eaten, or simply starves? Your mercy doesn't seem so merciful then. I spared him because it sounded like he would be valuable as a prisoner, either for knowledge it ransom of some sort. If that isn't the case, he should be killed quickly and cleanly."
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I agree, Harley. I believe he'll be nothing but a detriment if we keep him. Although, I can understand the intended kindness of the cleric.
I turn to Marek. I know it is your vow to help others and not to end lives, but this Reaver tried to kill all of us and has probably killed countless others. If there's a chance he gets freed, he'll no doubt rejoin his group. Divulging information about us. He'll continue in helping them recruit people, trafficking slaves, and murdering the innocent and helpless who happen to cross his path.
Perhaps you could just pray that his soul can redeem the evils he has committed in this life in a future life?
Sir Ryan offers up manacles to bind his feet and hands, also a 30 foot chain, rations, and lock to bind him to a spot. Sir Ryan says "While I agree with Harley to purge the evil from the world, I offer you means for a alternative way of dealing with this."
Brill smiles at Sir Ryan visibly happy to spare the prisoner's life.
The squires are not so pleased themselves though.
Sir Ryan pulls Harley to the side to talk in private.
That seems rather an odd thing to do. I attempt to hear what they say.
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"I know it's not a perfect solution, but I prefer not to kill a man who is not an imminent threat. If you choose to do so I will not take part, but neither will I fight you over it."
Szuki over hears Sir Ryan say " I need y..........calm now..........convince you.......bound......trust me" and Harley " ....Squires......stealing......party....intervene".
Brill speaks up "I am partial to chaining him to the tree with rations. when we come back we will take him to answer for his crimes, and" she turns to the Reaver glaring "if we die saving the slaves then he starves slowly and painfully. So it would behoove him to give us all the advantage he can"
After coming to something resembling an agreement Marek chains up the unconscious prisoner to a tree. Sir Ryan leaves him rations and we begin to march North carrying the boat. Brill (in bear form), Princess,
Harley, and the squires lift the boat while Marek poses as a figurehead on the bow (since he is the slowest in the party).
After some time Sir Ryan stops the march and accuses Ted of theft. Ted is found to have a number of stolen items from various party members, however is able to deny the theft while in a zone of truth cast by Marek. Sir Ryan and Brill both resist the effects of the spell, leading to suspicion that Sir Ryan may be framing Ted. After a spat with Princess Sir Ryan is ejected from the party and he begins to walk to get reinforcements from the Emerald Enclave.
Shorty thereafter we make camp. As we near morning Harley apparently senses something, and wakes Princess who flies into a rage and wakes the rest of us. Harley, Princess, Szuki, and Kleah sprint off into the woods after it. Marek snacks on some rations and keeps an eye on camp.
Eventually the party regroups, and we are informed that we have new allies waiting for us at the river. Those of us that are able to complete our rests do so. Brill nearly leaves the party to escort the squires, boat, and manacles back to Summit Hall. However, we decide to have her hide the boat in vines so that we can come back for it later and keep the party together.
We hike out to the river where we meet Temerity, Feward, Maan, and Aswad. Temerity is in charge and looks like a noble with some demonic ancestry. Feward is a halfling, whose role we are unsure of. Maan is a capable sailor. Aswad is the scout that we chased the night before, and appears to only be capable of repeating/imitating speech. Brill mistrusts Temerity due to his demonic ancestry, but we are able to calm her to some extent. Temerity proposes that his crew infiltrate the keep and open the gates for the ship to enter with the rest of us.
As we get underway toward Rivergard Keep Marek catches the squires having Aswad forge documents to relieve them from duty and take a portion of their parents' fortunes. Later, these documents mysteriously fly out of where they had been stashed. Szuki and Marek see this and investigate. After some discussion we are reasonably certain it is not one of us attempting the theft, but Temerity appears unconvinced that his crew is involved. This tension is unresolved as we sail closer to the keep.
Marek keeps an eye out for any other unusual occurrences, along with frequent patting of pockets and checking of gear to make sure everything is accounted for. Too many run-ins with theft on this particular trip...
After what seemed to be a rapid sail to Rivergard Keep, you all are but a 30 minute sail away from it. Temerity asks Ba'an to shore the ship and help mask it from view. He then requests everyone to come to his cabin for strategic discussion, but stops Aswad and asks him to scout the keep at night for them. HE turns to all of you and says "from what I understand so far I believe our best course of action is a three prong attack. One group will go in through the front either by trickery or strength to distract the main guards so that a second group can infiltrate and raise the water gate for the third group on the ship to enter in for the slaves. Once in Third group must find the slaves while the second group sabotage the ships for pursuit. The first group will look for the commander of the keep and take him out, while getting information about what they are doing here. The people in the third group on the ship should be ranged attack proficient, Ba'an will lead them. The second group will need to be stealth and sabotage proficient, Aswad will lead this group. And finally the first group needs to be good at either deception or stout fight, I will be leading this vanguard allowing the others to do what is needed. If anyone has a better idea, or if Aswad finds another way, please speak up. If not let me know which of the groups best fits your abilities. Oh, one more thing. Your little squires will stay on this ship in the barracks till this is done, they are of little use and more likely to get in the way from what Aswad tells me." Brill speaks up then and volunteers for group three.
"I am most at home in the thick of the fight, and couldn't be more pleased to see you leading the way, Temerity. Count me in for the vanguard, alongside you."
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"Well I believe, I would be most suited for the third group."
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"I would also prefer to stay on the boat in the 3rd group."
Princess would like to be in the second group where she can draw the bigest audience. It's important to protect her image.
Midnight and I can be as quiet as the night and as fast as the breaking sun. That and my longbow would be best suited to quietly infiltrating the keep to find and extract the slaves. We will join 'group 3.'
Harley casts a disapproving glare around the group upon hearing that he will be the only member in the vanguard.
"Temerity, besides you and I, who will the vanguard be comprised of?"
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"True. 3 groups with a team this size does spread us pretty thin."