"You can't loot ash."
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"Sounds like an excellent plan Vasily. Delfey, Taras and I shall accompany you and your men to Oleg's. He's far to gruff of a man, and wanted to outright kill Taras." GM Sothal: Devlin telepathically tells Delfey to lag behind, stealthily leaving signs for the group should they be heading for Oleg's along the route they're taking.
If asked why we're coming with them, Devlin says, "That's a simple one to answer. If I'm there, I'll be able to get Oleg, or his pretty little wife Svetlana, to open the gate and let us all just ride right in."
"Friends?! Ha! The only one that I actually half-way got along with was the paladin, surprising as that may be." Devlin laughs some more. "As for where they are? I have an idea. They headed off to fight some mites, to get some statue back that has some importance to a tribe of kobolds in the area. I imagine that if they survived the mites, they went to the kobolds, assuming they found whatever statue the kobolds want. I'm hoping they used the statue to get past any guards the rats have, and slaughter them from within. Kobolds are nasty little creatures." "As for undermining them, I'm okay with that, just not yet. I hope to use them to soften the drunkard before I end him myself. We have a....history between us. He's forgotten, but I haven't."
"Who am I? As I've already said, I'm Devlin Medvyed, bastard son of one of Brevoy's ruling families. They tossed me out, so I find myself here. I wear the family name to that I may sully it, dragging it through the dirt they tossed me to." "In truth, I am currently acting as if I am a member of a group granted a charter by the swordlords of Restov to explore this region. I am doing so on the orders of the Stag Lord himself, handed down during one of the rare moments he wasn't drunk off his ass." Devlin grins a little after saying this, and then continues, "Sadly, I was unable to prevent the rest of the explorer's from tracking Kressle's band back to her camp, and slaughtering most of them. Taras here attempted a tactical retreat, all the better to spread warning about the presence of a somewhat formidable new force here. He was chased down by an elf who is faster than he looks. They also captured Dimitry, but the boy was all to happy to be 'rescued'. We can take care of him at a later date." "I'm sure some of you are possibly wondering as to how Taras her is still alive, and in good health, yes? That would be because I was able to sway the group into letting Taras and Dimitry spend five years, effectively, as slaves." "In short, my mission is to use the resources of the swordlords of Restov to consolidate power for the Stag Lord. But," Devlin gives a quick wink to Taras, "I plan on consolidating power for myself, and using the resources of the swordlords, and that drunken fool to build something that would give us all what we want. Freedom, and enough coin to enjoy it." Devlin pauses and looks in the eyes of all the bandits. He then asks, "So, who here would be interested in having enough gold to build a mansion out of it?"
"Demon? Far from it! I'm not certain, but I believe Delfey's existence began in the realm of the fey, The First World. He has a will of his own, and can do as he wishes, unless I require something specific of him." Devlin pauses for a moment. "As for the mission Taras and I are on, we'll talk of it after I have determined you and your men would be of use." He winks good naturedly and grins at Vasily. "Please, each of you tell me a little about yourselves, and where you'd like to see yourselves in a few years time."
Devlin hops down from the cart and says, "Why yes, my oldest and dearest of friends and I do share a bond that breaches the boundaries of the planes themselves. Delfey has yet to truly let me down, though he has fallen a time or two, but only in my defense." He looks around at Vasily and his group. GM Sothal:
"Taras, I guess that since we are among our peers, we can drop the appearance of simple travelers. Do you think your companions would be interested, able, and available to assist us in our mission?"
Devlin says, "Well, if neither of us knows them, then we shall introduce ourselves." After being hailed, Devlin pulls the cart to a stop and stands. He has on foot braced against the seat and the front of the other boot hanging over the front edge, all to help maintain his balance should he need to get the cart moving quickly. He keeps the reins in one hand. He then yells, "GREETINGS FELLOW TRAVELERS! MAY WE JOIN YOU FOR A FEW MINUTES OF CONVERSATION AND REST FOR OUR HORSES?"
"Well, perhaps we should approach and see if they're worth knowing." With that, Devlin steers the cart towards the group of people.
To Taras, "Do you recognize them?"
GM Sothal: Devlin is using exploration and mapping as an excuse to try and find the temple Father Kavken is looking for.
Devlin says... Sylvan:
"Nice trick my little friends. Please, join us for a meal if you are hungry." Then explains to Taras, "We encountered some fey on a previous trek in the area. I'm almost certain it was their work that caused our fire to go out and created the ash cloud. I just invited them to have breakfast with us."
Devlin mutters a few words and the head of his morningstar lights up.
Having made his way out of the ash cloud, Devlin looks around again to see if he notices anything.
Meanwhile, Delfey falls to his knees and attempts to catch his breath and clear his vision.
Devlin and Delfey stumble their way out of the smoke cloud, Devlin trying to figure out if some sort of magical effect caused it.
"Very well then. Taras, if you like, you are more than welcome to accompany Delfey and I. We'll be heading out to do a little exploring and mapping while waiting for the rest of the group to make their way back here. How's that sound?"
Devlin approaches Taras and says, "How're you liking things outside of your old profession? Adjusting well?"
Once we've returned to Oleg's, Devlin will seek out Hobson and say, "Hobson, I plan on riding out for a few days to do a little exploring before the group finally makes their return. Do you feel I can trust Taras enough to bring with me, and would you be willing to let him accompany me?"
Seeing Father Kavken quickly grow tired, "Father, I apologize for asking you to exert yourself too much. Let us return to the trading post so you can rest."
Devlin sets Delfey to unloading Xanda's cart as he figures the woman wouldn't mind him making use of it a little.
"Well Father, when we find ourselves in the Narlmarches again, we'll be sure to keep our eyes open for your lost temple. Would you like to accompany myself and Delfey for a walk outside the walls? I haven't really had time to properly enjoy the views I'm certain there are to be seen here."
"Interesting father. What else can you tell me about this lost temple? Why has it become 'lost'?" Outside, Delfey is walking the walls, watching for anything worth noticing.
Devlin shakes hands with Jhod and says, Greetings Father. Yes, I am part of a group chartered to explore these lands. What brings you to these parts?"
"Good to see you again as well. The rest of the group has gone off to take care of the mite problem in the region. Has anything of note occurred while we've been away?"
"Queslin, I understand your fear of dragons, but Kardok is no good to us dead. Xanda tossed him a spear so he could protect himself. If you don't like it, fine, but there are those of us who would rather have a live guide and potential ambassador than a dead "prisoner". I see it as simple as that."
Devlin yells out, "DELFEY! GET BACK HERE!" Once Delfey has reached Devlin, Devlin cast's shield on Delfey.
"While I too am not fond of Agerron and Ern, specifically Ern, I feel that we shouldn't just let them ride to their possible deaths when we possess the knowledge and capability to assist them. If Xanda is willing to leave her cart behind for a day or two, I think it would be best if we hurry tomorrow to catch up to them and do our best to help those who want nothing to do with us."
Draconic:
"Kardok, please understand. Majet, Xanda, and myself have no objection to you having a weapon, but Queslin doesn't want you armed until we reach the mites. Personally, I think he is afraid of you and doesn't want to give you the chance to show him up." Devlin smirks and winks at Kardok.
"Kardok,
"Yes, most among us have a charter from the Swordlords of Restov granting us official right to explore, map, and pacify the Greenbelt region of the Stolen Lands." Noticing Xanda's sword, he continues, "That is a fine blade you have. I admit, I wish I was better with weapons, but I have Delfey for most of my up close and personal fighting." Delfey while walking beside Devlin's horse.
"Agreed, Bran, we should be heading for the mites." Devlin looks the woman up and down and says, "Xanda, this land is rough and full of both man and beast that would do you harm. Please, accompany us, both for your safety, and our peace of mind." Devlin mounts his horse, offers a hand up so Kardok can ride in front of him, and point the way. Draconic: "Kardok, care to ride with me?" "Kardok, care to ride with me?"
"No need to worry yourself with your proficiency at the common tongue of humans, there are those among us who have spoken it their whole lives and still struggle with it." He looks in the direction of Agerron and Ern. He continues, "Please miss, walk with us as we go to slay some vile creatures plaguing this land. We can share our tales and you can share yours." Devlin bows courteously. He then motions to Delfey, who starts leading Devlin's horse, and packed gear, over to the group. Seeing Kardok standing there with a questioning look on his face, Devlin says, Draconic: "Kardok, please stay close to Delfey. We should be leaving for the mites soon."
Seeing Michael and Queslin heading to talk with the woman, Devlin heads over as well, leaving Delfey to finish packing their gear. Draconic: "Kardok, please reamin here for the moment."
"Kardok, please remain here for the moment." Once he reaches the woman, he says, "Greetings. I apologize for those two, they lack tact when meeting new people. Consider yourself lucky they didn't draw blades and attack when they first noticed you. I am Devlin."
Devlin summarizes, "The kobolds had a statue representing their deity, Old Sharptooth. The mites stole it. The kobolds want it back. We get it, return it and Kardok to the tribe, maybe have a better chance of forging an alliance with them instead of having to slaughter more things." After Kardok's request, Devlin asks the group, "Would anyone be opposed to giving him one of the spears? He seems very enthusiastic about fighting the mites, and would be happy to lead us to their lair." He looks over to Agerron and Ern's camp and sees them already departing. It's easy to see he's debating whether or not to tell them they have a guide to the mite lair.
"Mites. Retrieving the statue of the kobold deity would be another tool we could use to gain their trust and assistance." He continues in draconic... Draconic: "Kardok, I meant no offense with my question to you last night. I simply wanted to know more about your people. Nothing more, nothing less. I think, perhaps, it would be a good idea for us to retrieve the statue of Old Sharptooth before returning you to your people.""
Draconic:
"Kardok, tell me more about the social interactions in your tribe, please."
Devlin translates what Kardok said about the mites, then says, "I would seem fate has plans to keep our group together. Perhaps it would be best for us all if we accompanied those two to the mite's tree, retrieve the statue, and then return Kardok and the statue to their tribe?"
"I view mites as irredeemably evil, and therefore have no issue with assisting Agerron and Ern massacre the homicidal little bastards. I say we all catch up with them, and work together to fight the mites, after which we should see to returning Kardok to his tribe. What say the rest of you?"
Devlin says, "Kardok, yes. He asked why Queslin didn't got with Agerron and Ern." He then turns to Michael and asks, "Okay boss, what's next?" and he grins.
Devlin says, "Agreed. I nominate Michael." Delfey says, "I second the nomination."
"Very well, we shall part ways to fulfill the charter. One group killing what must be killed, the other, exploring and making allies. Agreed?"
Draconic:
"We have been granted a charter by the human kingdom of Brevoy, it is to the north of here. The charter is the explore and pacify this region of the world. I would much rather make those already living here our allies instead of enemies.
While exploring, we just happened to come upon your group, and the less diplomatic in our party felt like attacking first and forgetting to ask questions." Devlin stands and offers his hand to Kardok to help him stand. "Agerron, none of us have been declared leader of the group. If we, as a group decide that all 'evil' creature we encounter are to be killed instead of given a chance to join us, then so be it. Until then, I shall conduct business as I see fit. I shall take Kardok as my responsibility, just as Delfey is my responsibility. If you don't like this, I'm okay with that. I wasn't okay with the attempted slaughter of all the kobolds we stumbled upon. I stood back and let you have your fun, now please, stand back and let me have mine. In the event Kardok is found to be completely unable to join our society, then I will step aside and let you end him, until then, all I ask is what I gave you. Freedom of choice."
Devlin unties Little Dragon and says... Draconic: ...He continues in common, "Little Dragon isn't to be harmed while amongst us. I ask you to trust me and not kill him." "You are free, I recommend you remain at my side. I don't want to see any harm come to you."
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