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"I do not wish to be party to keeping prisoners. Free them from their bonds of rope or flesh as you will, but let us be sure we have asked all the questions we can."
[dice=Intimidate]1d20+7
She made the effort to put the fear of the Holy Flame into them and then asked her questions. Then she checked the Dossier before asking her questions."Who brought your tribe to this place?
What did your tribe do here?
Why come here? Did you summon demon? Why do this?
What happened to the abandoned village?
What other goblin tribes are nearby?
Do you know where the witches are?
What is the Silver Spire to the southwest?
What dangers are near the Spire?"
Once that was accomplished, she spoke to the group. "I will journey back to the vault where the goblin tribe was set on by the demon. Does anyone want to come along?"
The goblins are a bit more forth coming with Blaze as she speaks their tongue.
We live here. Drink. make fire.
We were chased by humans, boss took us away from humans.
Yes our spirit shamans summoned the demon with ritual from witch.
Witch said that demon would make us stronger. not dead, maybe we do ritual wrong.
the village went to the Blank, Black Fangs strongest goblin tribe. We from the White claw tribe.
There is also the green vipers and the Red Death.
The boss and witch lead us here and said they be back next full moon. They been to our tribe only a few times. But always on the full moon.
We don't go to the Silver Spire, boss and witch said don't go there or we die.
There are lots of dangers here. We had many more gobos when we came here. Panthers, vines, bity plants, moving trees, displacer beasts, all nasty things that kill goblins at night. We safe during the day. More panters and moving trees over by spire, not safe even during the day.
She will take the offered whiskey with a kiss, but stops mid kiss when Blaze starts speaking goblin.
"You are a miracle with language. I wish I was as gifted. All I got out of them was that there are a couple of things in the forest..."
Lilianne will not let Blaze go alone. She will travel with her to the vault, but will keep watch at the doorway.
Nor will Andrei allow both ladies go unaided. The varisian travels into the vault, with Lilianne and Blaze.
Thorn looks up as the trio heads for the vaults, he falls in step with them as his form ripples and his slim Elven form distorts once more into the fat man disguise he's being useing.
"What's the plan?"
"I think Blaze is going to ask more questions of the book there in the vault. I'm just going to make sure she's safe. Andrei's just going because he's making sure I'm safe, I'm sure. You should come too...to make sure Andrei's safe," she chuckles. "Who is going to protect you?"
"Well, that will be me then. Not getting you down there alone this time. The clockwork can handle the rest of the fence for now."
In response to Lilianne's question and Aramyros answer, THorn points to the man.
"I suppose he's to be my protector then. I can always wonder what the other questions Blaze wishes to ask."
Baahir announces, "And I will make sure Aramyros is safe... also you need my sword to get into the vault. Aukan will you be protecting me?"
Aukan announces with a grin for being included, "And I will make sure Baahir is safe!"
Then Sasha says, "We will make sure Aukan is safe! Plus having a better weapon than a dagger would be nice."
Andrei looks back at the group and smiles. " Âye love you bâşţârdş! We need țo fînd ă tăvern ănd drâîn îţ of âlcohol ăfțer dîș goblîn/măge țower fîâşco!"
Blaze merely shakes her head in wonder as everyone volunteers to come along. "Well, there is still a demon out there. Thank you, for the support."
As they began on their way, she explained. "Yes, I have the mephit's name now. So hopefully book can answer question."
The original weapon that opened the vault was Ethos' black sword. After Ethos removed his sword, Baahir's sword was put in to open it again.
Only one individual stays behind at the camp with the automaton as the rest of you go back to the original goblin camp and to the vault. With Baahir's sword the door opens easily enough.
The book is willing as you lose blood in asking your questions.
Thorn shakes his head as the book literally takes their blood for answers. Reminds him a lot of his demented family................
The first two hours of travel seems normal and without any threat.
The third hour you come upon a traveling merchant with all sorts of strange items in his overstuffed bags. He has like 8 back packs piled upon his interesting harness.
He sees your advancing group and leans back, his harness hits a switch and it takes all the weight off the old man. He is dirty, smelly, and rather unhandsome. He smiles at your troupe and asks, "You have time to buy a trinket?"
---
The last two hours seem normal too without any problems, about noon you arrive at the goblin camp.
Spotting the traveler in the distance, she will slow and let others know that there is someone there. If he seems friendly, she doesn't necessarily care about his appearance.
"That would depend on what you have."
She doesn't dare address the strange fact someone is out here in the middle of nowhere. She offers her hand to shake.
"I'm Callie, nice to meet you. You are?"
Thorn is glad that his disguise is up as he observes the peddler's wares.
"What do you have and from where did you travel from?"
"Oh you folks can call me Arden or Ard. Traveler and acquirer of fine antiquities. I travel from here to there, I have been so many places but my home is the open road. I have all sorts of trinkets that have helped many." He seems a little delusional or eccentric.
He seems to get a little excited as Thorn draws his attention towards him and twists his head rather far to the side as he states with interest, "What would help you my friend? Helf-elf in a disguise I see... Who are you hiding from? Perhaps a trinket to help with your disguise?"
He would walk up with a wide grin and asking, "Did you say trinkets kind sir?! I do enjoy the little mechanisms that others make!"
Alarmed, Thorn backsteps away as the odd tinker sees through his disguise almost instantly. Any who could do it was likely affiliated with one of his family members despite appearing genial.
"I do not think I have any business with you then. Even if your wares maybe something I require." the half elf states coldly.
He checks to see if the Ring of Sealed Souls has any reaction.
The crazy smelly man sneers at Thorn and looks to the others, "Surely you would be interested in something. Perhaps something to find someone. A contraption for your gentle giant... yes... here have a look at this." He pulls out a clockwork item that is small and offers it to Aukan. With a turn of the key it begins to dance and make music.
To her, it is not abnormal to be smelly and a bit odd if you are on the road for so long without a bath.
"Are you just a tinkerer or do you have other supplies? Having something akin to a simple bow out here would be nice, but I might have to make it myself at this point unless you have one." She seems to be putting on a face of someone far more kind and sweet than normal. It's not that she's being fake, but more like, since Ard hasn't seen someone in likely a long time, she's being gracious and gentle in her actions and words--as though he were a treasured guest.
"Also, do you have anything flower-related? I love flowers."
Blaze kept her hood up and her tail hidden beneath her cloak. Her burn scars were often enough to unsettle gentle folk, not to mention her tail.
She was interested in looking over his wares, until Thorn's reaction put her on edge. So she watched closely, looking for any warning that the peddler was not what he seemed.
"No... no..." He almost says to himself then adds, "No bow sorry. Trinkets, relics, magical totems, one use magical items and things like that... Yes! YES! I have something with a flower... here... no... Ah! here, YES!" He brings back a pair of black lace gloves that have a flower image worked into the lace on the back of the gloves. Then he also offers you a living flower that has its petals made of white crystal. "This is for you my dear, may it protect you." He makes sure to securely put it in your hand before helping the next person.
Sasha would step forward and ask, "Any loose clothing? Or something with a flame?"
Nima and Pharos would step up beside Sasha and ask as well, "A totem of healing or something to help me see my true potential?"
Pharos would ask, "Maybe a relic that can control flame?"
The man nods and begins looking he brings out a stark red cloak with a high collar, upon its back is a flame. He smiles a crooked toothed smile as he slips the cloak quickly and strangely nimbly over her shoulders. A clasp with several glittering studs of ruby red is attached to the cloaks fastener or it is the fastener.
He goes to find the other asked items and he brings forth a rod with a ruby on top of it for Pharos and a strangely familiar black stone which looks like lines of lava cross it.
"How much do I owe you for this, what does it do to protect me, and how much for the gloves?" She doesn't mind him putting the flower into her hand at all. That means if he has an illusion like Thorn's, it has the potential to be resisted since he interacted with her. It does make her nervous, however, that he has true sight and can see through Thorn's veil without interacting with his illusion. She is curious about this unique salesman and what he has just put into her hand.
"Hmmmm... normally I trade in gems but what would you offer me? The snow drop flower will protect you from witchcraft and dark magic. The gloves are from an old mystic, some would say they would warm your hands as others would believe they might grant you powers. Perhaps it is based on belief..." The last statement is said almost to himself as he looks up at the sky. He looks to the others and shakes his head. "Well if no one else wants anything I should get going..."
-----
The man seems to just blow spittle from his mouth after Pharos asks the question and then it seems like his mouth makes more fire sounds.
He then winks at Blaze and Lilianne... he moves back to his pack...
Nima is captivated by the stone, her eyes nearly light up as the stone is in her hands.
Pharos is the least ruptured by her item and asks, "We give you... for..." she points at the scepter not knowing the word in common.
Thorn simply watches the strange and likely dangerous old man speak to the others while he keeps away.
The old man seems to be giving away his items for free and when he speaks in Ignan as well, Thorn's keen ears catches what he says and can't help frowning as his words seem to be a harbinger of things to come.
Andrei looks dispassionately at the merchant. Though he had many colorful and fanciful knick-knacks and bobbles; none appealed to him. The cleric smiled as Lilianne smiled at her new flower.
Something dawned on Andrei; he was content. All the caydenite cared for was within his grasp. The love of a good woman, the taste of wine, a song in his heart, and a dance in his step. Few men ever achieve this feat. Andrei closes his eyes and urges himself to remember this feeling. Andrei was whole.
She and Pharos both bow to the traveler.
She bows to the traveler too.
The merchant steps back into his pack and secures it before hitting a lever. The wooden feet lift up and he begins to walk with a smile on his face. He bumps into Andrei as he walks in the opposite direction the group was going. Andrei sees that a pint was dropped into his hands. Inside of the cup there is a small hourglass item and a scarab brooch.
Andrei wanted to alert the merchant about the dropped bottle, but as a true-blooded varisian, Andrei knew a hand-off when he saw it. The merchant wanted to give the cleric something without the others knowing. The caydenite pockets the bottle to be looked at later.
Lilianne didn't need a flower or gloves. She was more desiring to be hospitable to someone who clearly had a lot of goods but not much wealth. Hearing that her item is enchanted, she feels more awkward, particularly as she is in mid discussion with him and he seems ready to leave. Even more surprising is when he just leaves before she can answer him, even vowing to return.
"He's a madman, I'm sure. I wonder if he has a connection to the tower?"
She will probably keep hold of the items for the time being, but won't wear them. She doesn't trust this odd traveler and usually will only buy her magical gear from people she does trust. When they get to the vault, she will have to see if they are cursed and if he was speaking the truth. Seeing him drop something in Andrei's hand, she will shake her head no. When the man is gone, she looks to the others.
"What the hell was that? I'd rather have run across a goblin war party. Who wanders around here? Who...? What...? I'm not using these until I know exactly what they do...At least it wasn't your witch," she says, looking to Blaze. "I purposely interacted with him to see if he was wearing a disguise and there was no such magical enchantment over him."
"I don't know but I like this cloak... to bad I didn't have any crystals or gems I could give him." she genuinely says. Then reading the group around her her eyes narrow and tries to understand why they would be suspicious.
Nima and Pharos go back to analyzing their gifts...
He sits off to the side enjoying the mechanism as it moves and makes noise. Some might think him a simpleton for his actions. He sqeals with delight at the items movements. Completely oblivious to the rest of the world.
Andrei wanted to alert the merchant about the dropped tankard, but also saw this occurrence as a possible sign fro his patron, Cayden Cailean. As the old man walks away, the caydenite hefts the tankard and silently cheers the merchant as he leaves the group. The cleric casts detect evil on the tankard, just be be safe.
The strange peddler did seem odd, possibly mad to Blaze as well. There were few things she needed and was just as happy to leave well enough alone, but when he spoke in Ignan, she decided to risk it and ask. "Do you have anything that can open magical wards?" She was on a quest to free her little fire mephit friend after all, so she would be remiss not to inquire at least. "I have gold to pay, but not gems."
"Phăroș", the varisian said in an even, practiced tone. "Ăye do noț meăn țo ălarm you buț ăye em dețecțîng ă şţrong evîl preşence comîng from your new cloăk. Pleășe seț îț down."
"All I know is that he is powerful.. I don't think I would have forgotten such a man in all my travels but he knew what I was in a single glance as well as giving out items as if he knew what would have being best for each of us. I'd say he's not a simple man at all." Thorn responds as he finally allows himself to relax a bit with the odd peddler gone.
"Andrei?" he questions as the varisian calls out about the cloak.
The half elf uses his own innate divine ability.
The odd man would present Blaze with a playing card and say in ignan, "I accept."
You have not used this ability before with the group to my knowledge.
Pharos puts the rock with glowing red lines on the ground but hovers over it protectively.
Andrei examines Pharos's rock without touching it.
Stepping near Pharos and the rock you sense heat coming off of the rock.