You use invisibility to cross the chamber unhindered and proceed forward.
The next area is truly immense and seem to be the home of a multitude of creatures. Orcs, ogres and gnolls can be seen roaming here and there keep apart from each other.
You coming from 8 your objective is towards 11.
Speaking through his message spell Ilithial mentions Perhaps a show of force is in order. We march through like we own this cavern, keeping our distance from other groups, but ready to put down any challengers. Thoghts?
"We will need to show that we are strong enough to make challenging us unpleasant, but we need to avoid making them feel too threatened. A silver tongue would help us here." The last is spoken in the direction of Aurora. "The rest of us must make sure that we appear imposing."
He will also pick up a piece of rock, backtracking a bit if needed. He's looking for something about 100 lbs. or so, though he can take one up to 1,000 lbs. if needed. If possible, he'd like one with an interesting shape that can be distinctive as it tumbles and whirls around him telekinetically. When the group enters, he will be flying with his rock moving around him with dramatic flourishes and twists. It should make it obvious that it is controlled, and not simply orbiting.
Ahmose grins.
I can be imposing.
Zoren grimaces, "It would appear that way. Though I would prefer stealth we must do what we must do".
Zoren casts Stoneskin before the group heads into the cavern.
Ayla replies to Zoren's words
"I can agree with that as no point starting a fight you know may cause death of your comrades."
Name: Shady
Whispering to her companions, I rather prefer sneaking about for an advantage of surprise if you don't mind.
With that is moves away to blend in the shadows.
I am comfortable either way.
Ahmose takes up his position, leading the second group.
Z'dim checks in "My magic will work. Do we have enough resources for everybody? Do we need to rest before passing through here?"
Rest after we pass this area, whether we fight or not. I shall provide an extra-dimensional space of safety for our rest.
Zoren replies, "I agree with Ilithial, it is more dangerous to rest anywhere near here then it would be to pass through. We'll seem much more formidable on our feet than on our backs".
You enter the cavern and the first group to confront you is a group of gnolls. They regard you curiously but do not attack yet.
"Who..Are...you...with" speaks one of them.
Without slowing Ilithial responds We are with ourselves, but our services might be for sale...
Ayla thinks to Ilithial's quick wit
"A nice and quick save."
Ahmose glares at the stupid-looking gnolls.
He roughly shoulders pass the biggest one.
Be a good lad, and fetch me something to eat!
Z'dim simply hovers with his boulder orbiting in twisty patterns around him. He doesn't speak.
"More mercenaries...I am Marrow...I lead Marrows Reavers! You get own food and stay out of our way!" he says and he eyes the rest of the group and the boulder. He makes a signal with his arm and they move away to a nearby cavern letting you pass.
Looking both confident and unconcerned Ilithial move on. Shimmer watches for treachery behind as the group moves forward. <<Too Easy?>> he sends though the message spell.
Ahmose grunts as he continues by.
The Monk then peers around, expecting an ambush.
Name: Shady
She looks at the caves as she moves with stealth through the last cavern. Never trust those who can be your enemy.
Zoren keeps his eyes glued ahead to their destination on the far side of the cavern. One foot in front of the other is the only way to go now.
The blade throbs in anticipation of sooo many, victims nearby. Zoren's hand clenches and unclenches tightly as he resists the urge to pull it and slay and slay and slay....
Z'dim keeps a view of the threats as the winds propel him through the air. His head is always moving to keep aware of everything without staring at any one group long enough to be a challenge.
The gnolls give you a few nasty looks but don't look like they are going to attack.
A male drow walks up to the group next.
"Mercenaries? I don't recognise your group among those we contacted. However you seen competent enough that we can include you as a special strike force. You don't get paid upfront and you final payment will be 1/12th of the loot from the crusader camp and a bonus pay will be given to particularly useful groups as well as first choice among magic items. The raid is in three days time understood? The raid is in three days time in the meantime keep to yourselves and don't cause trouble. If you do it will be dealt with swiftly and harshly. The drow points to a nearby corner were a group Duergar and human man of have been hung by their necks. The man has a sign nail to his chest that says Thief. "If you need anything to eat or drink or equipment a few merchants are set up over there. he points to a few wooden shacks that were quickly built near the middle of the cavern.
Zoren's eyebrows raise, "Is there enough value there to make it worth our while for 1/12th? Aren't these Crusaders fools that tithe money to their Church elsewhere, what if all we find are holy items only of value to these humans and their backwards religious followers?"
Ilithial says noting to the drow but regrets the commitment to the mission that prevents him from killing much of this host.
"The camp holds a significant amount of supplies and your pay will be more than adequate considering the hill giants will be doing most of the work" replies the drow.
Z'dim will nod. "Your terms are acceptable."
You linger in the cavern trying to decide you next move. One building hastily constructed seems to be a tavern a small sign reads: The sips of blood tavern.
"I'm going to sneak into the tavern to see if I can overhear anything that will help us to get these guys fighting each other."
Ilihtial renews the message spell and reminds Z'dim Take care. You only need ask and I shall come to your aid.
Ahmose continues to exude aggression and confidence.
Zoren joins Z'dim, "We should at least venture in pairs".
Perception
Zoren will listen in as well to any rumors and begin some once he has the gist of who the factions are and if there are any rivalries.
You go into the Tavern and explore the outlying area listening for rumours and information.
You come to understand there are around five factions at work here (the drow, the gnolls, the hobgoblins, the whitefist orcs and the skullcrusher orcs) and that this whole thing was put together by a group of mysterious Drow who managed to unite all the local orc tribes under the banner of the White fist orcs.
There are a few discontents however. The skullcrushers who were at war with the whitefist until recently, a war they feel they lost because of drow interference. (their previous chieftain and their only shaman were murdered by unseen assassins)
A group of Hobgoblins are unhappy to have orcs (who they view as less intelligent and less disciplined) should be in charge and they only agreed to this alliance because they believe the drow are the real masterminds in charge. The gnolls don't really get along with anyone and keep to themselves they only agreed to join because their leader has a personal grudge with someone in the camp he hopes to kill.
Z'dim will relay this information back through the message spell. "We can play the orcs off of each other. Start a rumor that the drow are going to let the others get the glory. Play up to the hobgoblins that the drow see them on the same level as the orcs. No offense Ahmose. The gnolls aren't going to be persuaded easily since it's personal. And manipulating the drow ..." he leaves that part unsaid.
"Shady and I can misplace some valuables to help create discord."
Ahmose nods with a smile.
Zoren nods to Z'dim and whispers, "We are here now, shall we get started with commencing the chaos?"
Name: Shady
Interesting proposition you have. Have not done something like this before. Going to be fun., with a slight smile forming.
She looks about to see for potential victims, before setting off on her task. She ensures she gets rid any item that she gains, so party can't get blamed for thievery.
Z'dim will also take items. He's going for identifiable items that he will then place in other camps. Assuming all goes well, we'll have to have out social types claim that we've had items stolen too.
Ilithial stays alert and ready to act at the Inn but Shimmer slips out to see what mischief she can get into. Receiving an extended invisibility from her master Shimmer casually moves bobbles from one pack to another in the camps, over salts cook pots, ties a shoe laces together, loosens pack straps, cuts cords here and there and genuinely is a nuisance, always doing things that one rival group might blame another for.
She is constantly detecting magic to learn what she might learn and is on the lookout for valuable and opportunities.