Germon looks at the shaft with annoyance. "Arg! Climbing is not one of my strong suits." He paces back and forth for a bit. Barrett moves forwards and climbs down
Barrett Climb1d20 + 5
After passing in a frustrated fashion for a bit, he take the chain and then hooks his grappling hook too it. He then ties a rope to the hook and then ties the round himself. Germon proceeds to climb down.
Climb 1d20 + 1
Barrett doesn't have hands to climb down a rope but you can lower him without too much trouble.
Germon unfortunately slips on his way down and looks like he is about to fall.
I bend down and feel for what I found under the water.
Strenth check:
I reach pull out my sword and reach in the mire with my free hand into the water and grab whatever is "soft". I would prefer being able to see it first, but if I can't see it, I will just grab it. If I CAN see it, let me know what it is... if it some sort of hole to an evil dimension, I probably WON'T be touching it... :)
In either case, as I hold my sword, my other hand reaching in the water, what is it, what do I see/feel?
I bend down and feel for what I found under the water.
Strenth check: 1d20 +3
Logarth when you reach down you feel what is unmistakably a humanoid arm. When you pull it up, a bloated man with a vicious ragged cut across his throat stares up at you. Lance as Logarth pulls up the corpse you spot a badge of office on his chest, barely visible through the muck and rotting flesh. The symbol on it is two crossed quills over a moneybag.
Logarth when you reach down you feel what is unmistakably a humanoid arm. When you pull it up, a bloated man with a vicious ragged cut across his throat stares up at you. Lance as Logarth pulls up the corpse you spot a badge of office on his chest, barely visible through the muck and rotting flesh. The symbol on it is two crossed quills over a moneybag.I bend down and feel for what I found under the water.
Strenth check: 1d20 +3
I look up at the chasm above us.
Looks like the lad with the cut throat... wonder what he was trying to say... and why what that was needs be said even so hard that he tries saying it after he be dead?
As I don't fancy rifling a corpse, I walk down the tunnel a few feet, so that there is room for the rest of my companions that decide to climb down. And for those who want to linger up there, well, that's their choice too, I suppose.
"Seems the bloak with the slit throat we saw in down here in my arms. There seems to be some official looking badge on his chest."
Logarth not being squeemish about dead people pulls the badge off and searches the body.
Maybe someone in town will recognize this stuff and be able to provide me with a few answers.
I will then wait for the rest to come down before going further and perhaps help out on their climb check (I do have a climber's kit if that will help out).
Germon attempts to catch himself.
Reflex:
Germon attempts to catch himself.
Reflex:1d20 + 2
You are able to catch yourself on the chain as you are going down, avoiding what would have been a very nasty fall. You are able to make it down to the bottom without any more incident though you are a bit shaken up at the experience.
Listening intently to the things called up about the discovered body, Darnail's expression will grow a shade darker and more serious.
"Logarth, Lance, please attach the rope to the body so we can haul it up here."
Assuming they do so, Darnail will haul it up to the top here, look it over himself, and then wrap it in his blanket after making an abbreviated last rites over it.
"Alright. Down it is then."
The Slice will bring up the rear descending the chain.
Climb
"Ahhhhhhhhhhhh!"
Reflex Save
"Never mind". "I'm OK"
Cael will take 10 in climbing down which is good for a 16. Also I will attempt to aid Darnail in his climb.
Assist climb
Cael will take 10 in climbing down which is good for a 16. Also I will attempt to aid Darnail in his climb.
Assist climb 1d20+6
Listening intently to the things called up about the discovered body, Darnail's expression will grow a shade darker and more serious.
"Logarth, Lance, please attach the rope to the body so we can haul it up here."
Assuming they do so, Darnail will haul it up to the top here, look it over himself, and then wrap it in his blanket after making an abbreviated last rites over it.
"Alright. Down it is then."
1d20-3
"Arosi, take him into your white bosom right proper,"I mutter, even while waiting for a rope to be lowered, as the priest above is asking for it.
Logarth ties the rope to the body and sends up his climbing kit to assist Darnail with his decent. Then Logarth begins to pace until all have arrived.
Perhaps this is what that false smiling man didn't want us to find.
Darnail with the wall and the rope you are able to make it down without incident...barely.
You all manage to get the body up and into the room so that it does not get washed away with all the water coming in.
You are all at the bottom and as I said are in two foot deep water. There is only one exit from the shaft down the tunnel. What is the order you all are proceeding in and who has light sources?
If memory is correct, there are still glowing coins with the "light" spell cast on them, correct? Hmmm... wait, scratch that idea.
"Much thanks for yer plan on casting the spell that gives the light, but, begging yer pardon, ye don't mind casting that on something more handy, eh? It be a fine thing to carry a light in the palm of yer hand, if it's a small as a coin... Why, yer hand cover half the light! And if she try to grip the coin the better, it'll most likely be covered complete."
I draw out the length of my sword, and tap the edge gently.
"Don't suppose any be casting their spell on that..."I ask, indicating the blade. "If I need to cover it, I sheathe it fine, otherwise I see just as well, so long as my weapon be pulled out clear."
I wait until one of the spellcasters aknowledge my suggestion, and when they have, I'll proceed from there.
It wasn't an intent to shed a huge amount of light sailor. It was meant to give me an idea of depth to know we could also safely get down. I was looking out for your safety as you always seem to be blindly leading us into the bowels of the earth. Cael says abruptly as he hears the sailor again, this time feeling a we bit insulted. You want to walk down with the glowing sword. Fine I vote you to be the fodder then. So Lance is on point!
Once again I shall do my best to ignore the barbarians attitude and shall instead wait for someone in the party who has a light spell to cast it.
My actions shall be dependent of whether a spell caster obliges my request, or does not. When I know more, you'll know more :)
Germon takes the lantern off his back and uses it to scan the room. Barrett will start to sniff around for anything interesting
"Does this help?" Germon asks as he uses his lamp to help the others see.
Perceptions:
Barrett's Per:
"Here take one of these scout" , Slice takes a Sunrod and tosses it to Lance.
"Thanks, mate,"I say flatly to the knife man.
I catch the sunrod deftly and strike it; it is now ablaze with a glowing radiance.
I glance to the size of the chasm; it seems like a narrow tunnel in which only one or two may pass unapposed. Recalling my time in Charter House I seem to remember in similiar situations that basic military strategy would suggest a strong shield move forward with range weapons behind to offer cover fire...
Woudln't that be wise now?
A better question may be: why should either of the two demand I move forward after deliberately chastising me for doing the exact same thing above? They seem enraged by me doing that above, and now they seem enthusiastic that I should do it now... Can it be a strategm, or is it possible that it is their basic emotions which color their judgment so easily? Hmmm...
Strange, too... why would the barbarian demand I advance before him? Perhaps he has never learned basic combat and tactics in his tribe... For it would seem that he would be the strongest person in the group, the one that could withstand the most punishment, if it moved to assult him, and range weapons behind him would be an advantage to both of us. But then, perhaps it is NOT a lack of tactics that keep him from advancing...
It is little consequence to me. The narrow confines of the tunnel will no doubt cause the radiance of the sunrod to become focused and shine farther from me. As for being silent? Ridiculous! The explosion of the gunshots will echo for miles in the caves, and this coupled with the chattering between all of us will also echo. Stealth is a foregone conclusion. No, the clear thing would be to assume that there is an enemy below and is waiting for us with murderous intent. Just be prepared for it.
Why we couldn't stop at the church yard before all of this and speak to the priest first... But it was the knife man himself who told me to come with them right away and that missing children needed our help; else I would be on the way to the priest to arm myself with true weapons against spirits and phantasms... And through his own request that I offer help was I prompted to look more carefully for the children in these damp tunnels.
The thought of the missing children, who we are now searching for, rouses me from my musings. I look up at the barbarian's imperious glare, and consider his demands that I lead them down the tunnel. I wonder if I refused if he would jerk me off my feet again, or simply offer insult to me. Prefering neither, I shrug at his request.
Then I hold the sunrod aloft and keep my sword drawn and advance down the tunnel as carefully as I can. Looking down the tunnel I keep my body close to the wall, and if I see the passage twist to the side or open to the left or right, I will pause and try to see if there is anything hidden there.
Darnail would still have the light cast on his medallion, so the bottom area would be well illuminated when he arrived.
"Thank you both for the assist." He will say to both Cael and Logarth, landing lightly into the water at the bottom. He will look at Lance and ponder.
"Do you need both hands free Lance? I can carry that back here if you like, and give the spell you ask for for the front."
Darnail would still have the light cast on his medallion, so the bottom area would be well illuminated when he arrived.
"Thank you both for the assist." He will say to both Cael and Logarth, landing lightly into the water at the bottom. He will look at Lance and ponder.
"Do you need both hands free Lance? I can carry that back here if you like, and give the spell you ask for for the front."
I pause and turn, looking back to the priest.
"Ye're a bloody lafesaver, mate. I'd be well-pleased for a bit of your prayers to light my blade,"I add, so that I can keep my weapon out and my other hand free. With the caves being the way they are, it would be wise to have at least one hand free, I'd think.
As he prepares the spell, I speak to him in Elven. Though it is likely that others may speak the language, I don't care if they hear or understand the words; it is a courtesy to a countryman.
"|The one who has perished and thus recieved thy last rites; before the blessing fully cast and his soul committed to the Celestial planes aright, wouldst thou examine the flesh for the length of decay? The townsfolk have suggested these tunnels are haunted by such spirits; such phantasms may have eloved from the mortal flesh of this one who has fallen. Else, such tales may be yet inspired from another corpse not yet discovered that is beyond, and worse things besides. Yet the rumors of the haunting from that one,"I say indicating to where the body was taken "would be as fresh as the body itself. If the man has perished recently, then the rumors of his spirit haunting the mines would not likely reach the town. And if he has not perished recently, we would know it if a wise healer could read the signs aright on the erosion of his flesh.|"
I add the last with a courteous bow.
"|I do not ask thee to reclimb the metal links to the stones above, if thou hast left the body lay there still. Yet, if thy can recall... how did it fare to thee when thy put him on his final journey? Did it seem as though he had laid here long? Or were there signs the death happened fair recently?|"
It may seem like nothing, but if the priest has knowledge of this, I'd like to know. There may be more severe spirits under the mines, and this one is only a precurser to the others.
If no answer is immediately forthcomming, I shall bow again to the priest and return on my "point" position... All the same cautionary tactics will be used in my post previous to this. And of course, if the GM needs me to make a roll, such as Perception or Stealth, please let me know and I shall happily oblige. Otherwise I will just try to "play it out" by writing about it.
"|I have my suspicions, unfortunately.|"
Heal
"|Those four fellows we met just outside had a strong air of deceit around them, and the speaker was clearly lying to us. The body still had flesh, so we would be looking at weeks not months.|"
Switching back to common:"May i see the badge he was carrying?"
edit:
"|I have my suspicions, unfortunately.|"
Heal 1d20+7
"|Those four fellows we met just outside had a strong air of deceit around them, and the speaker was clearly lying to us. The body still had flesh, so we would be looking at weeks not months.|"
Switching back to common:"May i see the badge he was carrying?"
edit:
Darnail will keep pace with the group however, so as not to have everyone seperated.
As you proceed down the tunnel the water gets steadily deeper until you reach what you would guess is about 4 feet deep. You move through without too much incident until you come to a chamber that is higher than the others and the water is only about a foot deep in here. The chamber is approximately circular and is about 40' in diameter. you are at the southern most point of the chamber and there is another tunnel leading away on the far side. Also on the other side are 8 hobgoblins and what look to be a group of very small hobgoblins clutching two of the larger ones that look like they might be women. There is one very large hobgoblin with a greatsword over his back that is holding a knife to the throat of a young human boy.
Come any closer and I will cut the boys throat! He says in a guttural snarl. He is speaking the common tongue.
What I wouldn't give for a finger-wiggling spellcaster to toss up a Sleep magic on that lot... Well, maybe in another world that'll happen, but not today...
My thoughts are rappidly dancing back and forth. I don't want to try a fight here, one flick of the wrist and the boy be dead. On the OTHER hand... thats' what we came for. Hmmm... if it weren't for that boy, I'd probably charge in there and put 'em all out of my misery.
Bad luck...
I hope the rest of the lads behind me can hear what's being said by these creatures. But this lad be speaking in Common, so maybe a wee bit of politicking may do me well...
"We just want to the two boys; don't want no more trouble or killing. We take the boys and leave you to it; but if ye be killing them then we all be fighting hard, and more'n likely we be killing both yers and ours... Neither of us wants that. Ye send the lads to us safe, and we be getting the hell out o' here and not fighting ye neither. We don't want to piss on yer leg any more then ye do ours... Looks like ye got young'ns and woman folk there ye don't want killed dead neither, and if we DO fight, well... the wrong folk get deaded fast. So just turn 'em loose, and we'll leave ye safe, AND yer youngin's and woman folk, and ye can keep yer folk alive, and we'll keep OUR folk alive... everyone be real happy then, eh?"
What I wouldn't give for a finger-wiggling spellcaster to toss up a Sleep magic on that lot... Well, maybe in another world that'll happen, but not today...
My thoughts are rappidly dancing back and forth. I don't want to try a fight here, one flick of the wrist and the boy be dead. On the OTHER hand... thats' what we came for. Hmmm... if it weren't for that boy, I'd probably charge in there and put 'em all out of my misery.
Bad luck...
I hope the rest of the lads behind me can hear what's being said by these creatures. But this lad be speaking in Common, so maybe a wee bit of politicking may do me well...
"We just want to the two boys; don't want no more trouble or killing. We take the boys and leave you to it; but if ye be killing them then we all be fighting hard, and more'n likely we be killing both yers and ours... Neither of us wants that. Ye send the lads to us safe, and we be getting the hell out o' here and not fighting ye neither. We don't want to piss on yer leg any more then ye do ours... Looks like ye got young'ns and woman folk there ye don't want killed dead neither, and if we DO fight, well... the wrong folk get deaded fast. So just turn 'em loose, and we'll leave ye safe, AND yer youngin's and woman folk, and ye can keep yer folk alive, and we'll keep OUR folk alive... everyone be real happy then, eh?"
You talk nice enough human! We want the gold that be in that village this boy come from. 2000 pieces of gold and we will let the children free and be on our way, but not before that!
Germon is still just out of sight in the tunnel behind Lance and is able to pick up the main point. He turns to Slice. "Stay out of sight. I'm not sure what we can get these fellows to agree too but I want your stealth in case we can't come to an agreement." Germon heads up to join Lance at his side. "This doesn't have to be that difficult. I am curious though. Maybe we could come to an agreement. I challenge you? The leader. To a duel. If your convictions on your actions are strong enough and you win, then you can have my gear, my dog, and all the wealth on my person, in addition my companions will get the gold for you. If I win, then you return the boy. What say you? Do you have the strength to contend with me? Or is holding a young boy hostage your only skill?"
Diplomacy for Challenge:
Perception cause you said so:
Perception Roll;
Germon is still just out of sight in the tunnel behind Lance and is able to pick up the main point. He turns to Slice. "Stay out of sight. I'm not sure what we can get these fellows to agree too but I want your stealth in case we can't come to an agreement." Germon heads up to join Lance at his side. "This doesn't have to be that difficult. I am curious though. Maybe we could come to an agreement. I challenge you? The leader. To a duel. If your convictions on your actions are strong enough and you win, then you can have my gear, my dog, and all the wealth on my person, in addition my companions will get the gold for you. If I win, then you return the boy. What say you? Do you have the strength to contend with me? Or is holding a young boy hostage your only skill?"
Diplomacy for Challenge:1d20 + 7
Perception cause you said so:1d20 + 4
You have guts for a human. Very well I accept your challenge. I am Talks-with-fists and I will destroy you. If you give your word that your companions will not interfere I will give the same for mine. He turns and looks at his companions and says something quickly and forcefully in Goblin. After he says that he looks back at you. He gives the boy to a companion with a knife to keep at his throat. He turns back and shrugs off his cloak. You see the dull gleam of a black breastplate with the symbol of Lamashtu on the front. He reaches behind his back and pulls forth a dark bladed greatsword that he whips around with practiced ease. It is beautifully crafted and looks like the work of a master. He steps forward a few feet into the middle of the room and waits for your response.
You have guts for a human. Very well I accept your challenge. I am Talks-with-fists and I will destroy you. If you give your word that your companions will not interfere I will give the same for mine.
Darnail will look very unhappy at being 'volunteered' into a binding agreement without his consent, and will eye the situation wearily.
Quietly, to the others.
"I suggest we rush them now, since only a lesser one has the child."
Germon pulls out his Drow emblem and kisses it. He then sets down his lamp aiming the light at the duel zone. He then pulls out his shield and moves into the battle zone reading for combat.
Initiative:
Germon moves to engage the hobgoblin leader.
Attack: For:
"|Don't be a fool, friend. That one has yet the boy's throat to knife; one wrong move and a flick of the wrist ends his life, no matter how swift we be. Moreover, though I too wouldst end the farce that has been engaged in, it would not be meet for our hands to break tryst with a bond of clean combat and given word. There is no honor in that; let the scum be the first to sunder oath, and we shall fatten the black crows with their ruined flesh, but until that time our hands are honor bound, though we like it not.|"
I am gambling the goblins don't speak elven at this point, but in either case I shall speak it still, as a matter of courtesy. I lean in and speak softly to Darnail, though.
"|Yet, I stand with thee on the matter of doubt. I think they shall not be as true to their word if their captain falls, moreover, it is written; the gods favor the bold. I will not let them go without contest, should they prove false.|"I add the last as I slide my pistol from under my jacket. My glowing sword is in my off hand, and I am being as discreet as possible, and keeping it under my coat and ready, should they prove treacherous.
"|Don't be a fool, friend,|" I say to the elf in his language. I am gambling that the goblins don't speak it, but it doesn't matter either way, I will still say what I am saying.
"|That one yet has the boy's throat to a knife. One wrong move by our part, no matter how swift, shall end his life. Moreover, it is not meet that we break tryst with these brutes over given word of oath of bond. I would not have it so, for it was a fools challenge to these scum; but the oath is struck. We cannot be the one's to sunder that word, not against such as these. Yet, if their captain falls, I doubt that they will hold true to the faith given. If the boy is harmed, let us feed their carrion flesh to the black crows, should they prove false.|"
I slide the sword gently to my off hand and with my good hand remove the pistol from its holster in my jacket and keep it ready in my good hand, though hidden under my coat.
"|Yet I stand with you in spirit. I doubt they are trusty, and suspect treachery, and see no reason why we should not prepare for it. Therefore I remind thee that it is written: fortune favors the bold. Thus I say; ready thyself. For if this one falls to their captain, we must leave by honor. Yet if he stands victorious I feel there will yet be a contest of steel verse treachery.|"
You have guts for a human. Very well I accept your challenge. I am Talks-with-fists and I will destroy you. If you give your word that your companions will not interfere I will give the same for mine.
Darnail will look very unhappy at being 'volunteered' into a binding agreement without his consent, and will eye the situation wearily.
Quietly, to the others.
"I suggest we rush them now, since only a lesser one has the child."
Yes it looked like they understood what was being said in Common.
Germon pulls out his Drow emblem and kisses it. He then sets down his lamp aiming the light at the duel zone. He then pulls out his shield and moves into the battle zone reading for combat.
Initiative: 1d20 + 6
Germon moves to engage the hobgoblin leader.
Attack:1d20 + 6 For:1d10 + 4
Talks-with-fists moves to meet you, greatsword flashing in a wicked arc.
Germon succeeds in striking the first blow, slashing across Talks-with-fists unprotected thigh. Blood wells up from the wound but he does not look to be too wounded. He snarls and responds with a heavy downward slash.
With a vicious slash, Talks-with-fists powers through Germons chainmail laying him open with a nasty gash across his chest. Germon falls into the water and lays motionless.
Talks-with-fists looks at you coldly and says Take your companion and go get my gold. He turns and goes back over to the rest of his group and waits for any response you have.
Darnail will step past the others, walking determinedly up to Germon where he will lean down and place a hand on his still breathing chest.
"Talks-with-Fists, was it? I am Darnail Sunsworn, bearer of the Word of Brith. I recognise your alegiance by your symbol, do you understand mine? As Brith does not believe in deciet, so shall i not use it on you as well."
"Firstly, the human you defeated here is young, and brash, and promised things he does not have the authority or power to grant. He is not the leader of us." Darnail will make a simple gesture taking in the others.
"This will be a good learning experience for him. Secondly, there is nothing preventing all of us from killing you all. We may, or may not lose one or more in the process, but you are already wounded, and at the very minimum YOU will die. Your weakened numbers will be easy pray for any others that come after, and there WILL be more."
"Thirdly, your terms are rediculous. Two Thousand pieces of gold, for the release of a destitute human child? The town he comes from is impoverished and lucky to have food on their plates, let alone enough gold to take a bath in. I would be better off kidnapping a child myself were such a sum available. No matter how much you wish for it to be, that is a hollow dream."
"This is not without solution however. As leader you probably have the wisdom to see the truth that i speak. I will pay you for the boy myself. Eight pieces of gold. One for each of your subordinates, and four for you as the leader. Accept it, and we shall take him and leave you be. The villagers will not have reason to come here in waves until you are wiped out completely in revenge."
"Your choice, Talks-with-fists?" Darnail will pull out the coins he offered, and let the light glint off them, readying a Command spell should any action be taken towards the child.
Diplomacy roll if needed, tho i hope he just accepts.(everything was truthful, so i don't consider it a bluff.)
+ the Rose shift.
Darnail will step past the others, walking determinedly up to Germon where he will lean down and place a hand on his still breathing chest.
"Talks-with-Fists, was it? I am Darnail Sunsworn, bearer of the Word of Brith. I recognise your alegiance by your symbol, do you understand mine? As Brith does not believe in deciet, so shall i not use it on you as well."
"Firstly, the human you defeated here is young, and brash, and promised things he does not have the authority or power to grant. He is not the leader of us." Darnail will make a simple gesture taking in the others.
"This will be a good learning experience for him. Secondly, there is nothing preventing all of us from killing you all. We may, or may not lose one or more in the process, but you are already wounded, and at the very minimum YOU will die. Your weakened numbers will be easy pray for any others that come after, and there WILL be more."
"Thirdly, your terms are rediculous. Two Thousand pieces of gold, for the release of a destitute human child? The town he comes from is impoverished and lucky to have food on their plates, let alone enough gold to take a bath in. I would be better off kidnapping a child myself were such a sum available. No matter how much you wish for it to be, that is a hollow dream."
"This is not without solution however. As leader you probably have the wisdom to see the truth that i speak. I will pay you for the boy myself. Eight pieces of gold. One for each of your subordinates, and four for you as the leader. Accept it, and we shall take him and leave you be. The villagers will not have reason to come here in waves until you are wiped out completely in revenge."
"Your choice, Talks-with-fists?" Darnail will pull out the coins he offered, and let the light glint off them, readying a Command spell should any action be taken towards the child.
Diplomacy roll if needed, tho i hope he just...
Talks-with-fists seems to think about your offer for a moment. Then he says The boy offered terms and as such must live by those terms. If he has no honor and had no plans to give that which he promised then his life is mine. But I am in a good mood. A fight always gets the best of me in such things. You bring me 1000 gold pieces and I will give the child to you. You sense that he doesn't think much of you all after that fight and is willing to take his chances.
I eye the unconcious body of my companion and stifle a curse at his poor fighting...
He who lives by the Drow... well, you know the rest. If he wants to pay homage to the Drow, those base masters of treachery, it is likely he'll be getting this as his reward...
"Ye're a right, one, lad,"I say to the chief of these scum.
"Sharp 'un, I'll grant ye that. Right now ye got a prisnor, aye. And we don't truck with that. We'd want the bitty lad back safe as can be. So let's make a deal, eh? Why not be swapping the young lad there, he's had his share of hurting, for the lad you done cut hard? Keep HIM as yer hostage,"I indicate to the wounded Germon "so we know the boy be safe. Now, we don't want our mate to be in this here hole any longer then needs be, so we're sure to come back for him and bring yer gold then. Just be trading yer piece of hostage; boy fer the fool ye cut down clean. I know ye got no fear on him that ye mangled hard; and we want the boy back safe and sound; ye want the coin which'll be paid fer fair and true when we get our man back safe. Everyone wins... ye keep yer hostage fer the gold, we have the boy back, ye KNOW we come back fer our man who we truck with fer certain, and then ye win easy fer yer gold ye asked fer."
I put every ounce of logic and reason into this deal. Trading one hostage that we know and stand with (Germon), who has proved himself a weakling may seem a better deal to the Hobgoblin chief. And I want the boy away from that damn knife blade!
"Oh, and one other thing... where be the other lad lost in these caves, eh? We done hear there be two lads lost, not just the one, ye know? Mind fetching him out, too, when we make the switch? The bugger ye sliced'll be payment fer the both of 'em, until we get his gold back."
I turn to Darnail...
"|Once we do have the safety of the boy secured I shall take leave of this one here; he prays to Drow, he has met such a fate. Yet it rankles me to leave him here, unaided. If we take the lad and do return thusly to the village with him safe and sound, it may be best if thou would stay here with our friend and make sure he does not perish or suffer harm from these villians. Moreover, thou may yet give him succor as he lays here in agony. I shall, myself, see to it that he be aided in the village and try to earn coin for the release of this one; should they acquiesce to my request... When I leave, perhaps thy may also keep some of our companions with thee, as a vangard from a sudden attack. Though it seems unlikely they would assult the very hostages they have taken; it is not impossible for me to believe they may mete out some sort of... mischief that keep you alive yet in poor condition. Mayhap some of the others behind us can assist thee in thy protection... but that is their choice. For now, I would save the life of the boy and the other who is yet lost, though it may cost us much at this time.|"
As usual I prefer to the words get the job done. But I shall make what rolls the GM ask for, if necessary.