Skoll and I awake in the morning, collect our things for the day and venture back into the common area to see if anyone else is awake yet. I hear Shaco holler and walk over to him. "Good morning, how did you sleep last night?"
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"If Arkis agrees, I support that decision"
"I'm for forming an alliance with the foxes, since spending the day with some, they have gained my trust. If I'm not mistaken, I believe Caerlin offered up the safety and hospitality of his home." Turning to Caerlin, "I would like to take you up on that offer if it still stands, assuming that you also have room for my companion," I say, motioning an open hand in Skoll's direction.
I see Shaco call for Arkis, but decide to follow myself. I want to know what he's up to.
"I have spent my day getting to know a few of your group members and feel more than comfortable forming an alliance with you and your people. We are, however, currently in investigation regarding the Prince of Pestilence- Appolyon and his connection to the Hellknights. If we were to align with your group and assist you with your mission, would you in turn be willing to offer your help with our investigation?"
Surprised, I calm myself by taking one deep breath. I then place my hand on Skoll, he looks away from Zhoron and visibly becomes calm again.
When Shaco arrives I brief him on the information I have just fed to Arkis, we then continue down the road. I remain silent through the greetings and the tour, only giving a slight nod in response to his formal invitation, allowing Arkis to lead the discussion as he sees fit. I do accept the offered wine, A drink is just what I need after the day I've had, I think to myself, and sip it slowly. "This wine is delicious, though I am curious as to how you get such a color. Other white wines I have had have been much lighter."
After meeting and befriending the Seven Foxes, I know that I need to alert the group this new found information. The sun is beginning to set, leaving me just enough time to reunite with the group before our scheduled meeting. I click my mouth signaling Sköll to track the others, he picks up Arkis' scent and leads me to a Vineyard. I spot Arkis as soon as I arrive and quickly brief him on the information I've collected, as we wait for the others to arrive.
"I think we should meet up at the Bailey in the morning, it is close to the citadel and an open area off the road." I look to Shaco and Zhoron for confirmation. "As for tonight, I am going to see if I cant find a healing potion for sale around this town, before we meet up with the old guy"
"Buy the Contract it is then. We will break up the cost as discussed earlier; that would be 22 gold from me, and 21 gold from you, 5 has been offered from Shaco, and 2 has been offered by Zhoron." I say with an open hand motioning over the table. "I will agree to have Sköll scout the perimeter while we meet, he will howl if anything fishy is to occur." I then turn to Sköll, looking him in the eyes and nodding, he understands.
"The note said all of us, I say we all go. We're safer in numbers, as for the contract who's in and who's out?"
I spread open the Warrant long ways across the table so we can all see. As I read, the last few lines leave me feeling uneasy, "30% of our goods!? And on top of that the guard at the gate stated that there is a 10% tax on all purchased and sold goods. And it's bound by blood? Sounds like we're giving a lot to gain just a little. What happens if we deny this warrant? While I was walking around the fort alone, I managed to pick up a couple scraps of gossip which paint a very disturbing picture when placed together: Within the Echo Wood, a large contingent of Hell knights are standing guard over a quarantine location. Apparently, over the last several weeks, people have been randomly contracting diseases from all over Golarion, not all of them natural. All confirming what the bar maid has just told us. From what I have heard thus far, it sounds like these Hellknights are not to be trusted, what makes us think we can trust them? As for now, we should probably look into protecting our health, Do any of you have healing abilities that would benefit us as a whole? If not, we should probably look into purchasing some potions."
I look back at Arkis and respond, "Rather than paying for the majority of the contract on your own, why don't we split the remainder of the cost? That would be 22 gold from me, and 21 gold from you, 5 has been offered from Shaco, and 2 has been offered by Zhoron. This will, of course, mean that each of them owes us a favor in the future." I notice that Zhoron is blabbering on with no apparent reason, and I worry that he might be plotting something. I decide to phish for information, "Why are you blabbering?"
I continue to scan the room, not being able to shake my first observation that no one is drinking water. This could be a just a coincidence, we are in a pub after all. But just to be safe I respond to Shaco, "When it comes, its yours." I pull todays rations, along with my waterskin, from my backpack and split them between myself and Sköll.
With a nod I respond, "Agreed. Great idea, we should definitely sit down and go over this contract together so we all are aware of what we are getting into. Those of us who agree and would like to move forward will contribute to the cost of the contract and those who do not contribute will not be included. I have enough coins to pay the remaining amount, if needed. I saw a Tavern near the fountain over this way." I turn and head toward the Tavern I saw just next door to Tsador’s Arms.
With an exaggerated gasp of fear, I attempt to find a way to make that unnecessary and ask, "Collectively, how many gold pieces do you all have? I may have enough to make up the difference."
Disliking what I have just heard, I whisper to Shaco, "What's going on". to figure out how the conversation got this dark. A deal with the Devil is never a good idea.
Kamali: I watch the half-orc place three wrapped cloth bundles on the countertop and unroll them before me. I see 5 beautifully carved bone throwing daggers, this is exactly what I had in mind. I have no issue parting with my 5 spears and a few gold pieces to receive these in return. I wait for him to complete his tale before speaking "An art this truly has become, these daggers are beautiful. I would be honored to trade my spears and 5 gold pieces for these." With that, I place four of the daggers into the bottom rungs of my bandolier, I place the remaining dagger in the top rung, next to my left shoulder, and my gold is distributed between the three remaining pouches. I take my leave of the weapon shop with a slight bow of thanks to the half-orc weaponsmith, and once outside, I give Sköll a specific nod and whistle, and then he is off Tracking our colleagues.
Kamali: The half-orc seems to be pretty cordial, I reply with ease, "I can tell. I am in the market for a new weapon and hoped you may be able to assist me with this? Your work is impressive, I was hoping you might also be skilled in bone weaponry. Though I don't have a lot of money, I do have a few spears you may find of interest."
A weapon display out front of a shop ahead catches the sun, along with my eye, Sköll and I wander over.
Quiet, I observe the situation at hand.
"My plan is to act as things may come, no use trying to prepare for something we have no knowledge of. The way I see it, our best bet is to stick together. An alliance will most likely keep us safer than not. Sköll will keep watch while we rest, were going to need all the strength we can get after all." and with that I lay on my side, still by the fire, taking one last look around before closing my eyes for the night. I trust Sköll will stay awake and alert us if an shenanigans may arise.
Realizing Arkis is on our side, I reply, "My wolf and I will join you on your journey to stop Apollyon."
Startled by the sudden turn of events I sit quiet trying to puzzle together what just happened. Feeling as if the goblin attack and the prisoners death are some how tied together. Breaking from my thoughts I turn my attention to the others, maybe they have some insight on the matter. I hear Arkis speaking to Tiberious and butt in "What do you mean, religious lore? What is the story behind this?"
Waking from my meditative state, Sköll now by my side, I don't forget the grin received from the prisoner. I haven't unraveled his mystery yet, but Im left feeling real uneasy.
Startled by the explosion, we take a quick assessment of our surroundings
After Sköll finishes his snack, I signal him to circle the camp searching for additional threats. As he moves off, I quickly make my way closer to the fire, informing Tiberious that my wolf is securing the perimeter of the camp. I take a seat cross legged near the camp fire and enter a meditative trance, combining my senses with Sköll's, allowing me to use Sköll's senses as my own.
Done observing, I signal to Sköll to attack South at the nearest goblin.
I first throw my spear but miss when the goblin, on the defense, dives right into the path of Sköll. He picks up where I leave off, biting the head of goblin and crushing his skull. With one Quick chomp, the goblin's eyes burst and the guards nearby get splattered with Goblin gunk.
My spear hits the dirt as the goblin that tripped rolls to the left swiftly getting up to join the others and charge. Within all the chaos, I quietly slip back to join Sköll in observation. After all, we are still scouting.
We hear shouting coming from the caravan direction, curious, we attempt to sneak closer.
As we pull to a stop and the fire gets started, Sköll and I draw back into the shaddows, well be safest here. Together we observe our surroundings, continuing to scout. We see the hired guard captain, who might be of some use to us down the line, various guards (more like minions), A man in shackles and a hooded man, both a mystery to untangle.Im not sure yet who can be trusted, but I don't think we'll be getting very much sleep tonight.
Hollllla! Kamali in this hiiiiisouse!
ello! Kamali in da house!!! |