Loras walks as slowly and carefully as possible, quite aware that he is a better fighter than stealthy rogue. Brynden holds up his hand and Loras stops, crouching behind a tangle of wild vines and leaves.
He almost asks what the problem is when Brynden replies. "Someone on the path ahead. You check it out, I'll cover."
Loras smiled. Of COURSE he was the one who'd be stepping onto the road to be killed first if it was indeed a foe. Still, Loras couldn't blame his friend. He was injured and tired and was the only one with a long ranged weapon.
He steps gingerly from the trees and sees that it is a woman alone on horseback. Or so it seems. Loras hopes that Brynden is paying attention to the forest. “Good day, my lady. What business are you on?” he asks, as polite as an Iomedaean priest.
He gets ready to run like a human-shaped dog if she charges. Loras didn't train his entire life to perfect his martial skills only to be trampled into the dirt by a surprised lady.
He waits for her response.
initiative Loras 1d20+3 → [4,3] = (7)
knowledge religion Loras 1d20 → [3] = (3)
sense motive Loras 1d20+6 → [9,6] = (15)
Jaine, Loras & Brynden
Jaine of Riverton seems more focused on the trail than her surroundings and remains unaware of the two approaching strangers until Loras Martell steps out onto the path and addresses her.
Brynden, however, remains hidden behind the sprawling branches of a decrepit old tree.
Jaine, Loras & Brynden
Garruk
The dwarf’s eyes widen momentarily in surprise, then his face darkens and he stomps away from you. Leaving him to stew in his ignorance, you hurry to catch up with the elves before they completely disappear into the woods.
The one you encountered earlier is the first to notice your approach, and he stays his friends with a low, muted whistle. They turn in their tracks, eyeing you suspiciously.
After a moment, the young one takes a few steps towards you and holds his spear at the ready, his slight body half turned and ready to flee. Clearly ready to take their cues from him, his tribe-mates—a potbellied male and dark featured female—keep their bows ready but have yet to draw arrows from the small quivers you see poking over their shoulders.
Diplomacy check (CHA bonus, negative circumstance modifier)
Sensing the change in your attitude, the young leader straightens his back and relaxes the grip on his spear. He chirps a snatch of birdsong over his shoulder and his companions relax noticeably, though they do keep an eye on the guards still gathered in the distance at the Land Gate.
Jaine of Riverton sits tall atop her horse, and while it is difficult to gauge her height while mounted, she appears to be very tall for a woman, perhaps almost six feet. What is more striking about her appearance, however, is how strikingly her facial features, complexion, and hair color resemble those of the goddess Iomedae, while maintaining a softness that belies her inexperience. Adorned in full armor with symbols of Iomedae's faith emblazoned on her shield, she wears a longsword at her hip, and there is something in the way that she looks at Loras that suggest she knows how to use it.
She moves her hand to its hilt, though leaves it sheathed for the moment, and, with a surprising warmth given her actions, calls out "Well met, traveler!" in a sharp contralto voice.
Earlina lets out a snort, seemingly upset at being disrupted after finally getting some headway on this trail.
Garruk silently tells himself that he's still got it when he stumbles upon the elves, considering himself a master tracker. This will prove to be untrue.
Seeing the elf he bumped earlier relax, he takes this as a good omen (and is disappointed to not have any ale with him), and speaks to what he presumes is the leader.
"My apologies for earlier, friend," he begins, "I remained unsure of what was happening, and I had no intention of being trouble for you. I sense that you are in need of some sort of help. It just so happens that I am in need of aid as well. Perhaps we can figure something out that might be mutually beneficial to us?" He looks over to the guards gathered at the gate, and spitting (on the ground, in their general direction), he continues.
"Though, perhaps we should move deeper into the brush so as to avoid... notice?"
Garruk
The Ekujae don’t seem to take your meaning at first, but with a few gestures you seem to convey the general message and their young leader makes a great show of spitting towards the guards for you and his friends, though not so great a show as to attract their attention. A wide grin splits his face from ear to ear and he gestures eagerly for you to follow him.
After a brief period of time you are completely lost and realize your life might well be in the hands of these elves. The forest seethes around you almost seeming to be a single living creature and you can feel drops of sweat as they drip down your back, soaking your tunic. You can’t shake the mental image that you yourself are little more than a droplet of sweat on the back of the beast Mwangi.
Just as you start feeling truly nervous about your decision to follow these young warriors the leader calls a stop with a low hiss and addresses you in a version of broken common that is clearly more earnest than your own and is accompanied by wide gestures. His friends gather round, kneeling on their haunches and nodding gravely.
”Unclean... see...we... bad... see... find.”
Loras sees the woman on horseback put her hand on the hilt, but thankfully she doesn't charge him and attempt to seperate him into a dozen pieces of meat. "Well met, traveller," she said. Someone wouldn't say that if she didn't mean well, right? he wonders.
"Well met to you as well, my lady. But as you can see, there is no need for weapons. I am currently unarmed, and wish you no harm," Loras says, resting his hands on his head in a gesture of peace. "And it is for that very reason that I would caution you against venturing further into the jungle today. There are... Strange things afoot. Undead creatures travelling in packs, and that sort of thing."
Loras wonders whether he should reveal Brynden's presence, and decides that it would be best. If they are going to become friendly with this woman, he needed to take the first step in trusting her. "Me and my companion, currently in the trees, ran into some of the creatures and now require rest and healing before we continue our exploration of the jungle."
he got 15 on sense motive last round to assess her once she began talking
Brynden listens from the trees, bow still nocked, but becoming more and more certain that this woman--a very young and pretty one at that--was not an enemy. Still, he figured it was better just to wait it out and see what happened between the two of them before revealing himself.
"...and my companion, currently hiding in the trees, ran into some of the creatures..." Loras was saying. Well, he supposed that there was no longer any point in hiding in the trees. He puts the arrow away, but keeps the bow out. At the very least, if she attacked, he could throw it at her.
Brynden steps from the trees as Loras finishes. "Yes, we ran into a sizable group of undead creatures," he says. Loras raises an eyebrow at that, but he continues. "It wouldn't be safe for you to continue, not alone at least." The woman truly was a picture of Iomedae herself, the sword and the hair and the beauty all wrapped up some shining armour and riding a grumpy-looking horse. That was Brynden's impression of the creature, wrong as it might be.
"If you'd be kind enough to tell us your business, we'd be glad to tell you ours. And if you could do anything to help get us back up to full strength, that'd be a kindness as well," Brynden said.
That was a start, he figured. He wasn't willing to show Tchi'Ana's wooden dowel to just any pretty girl riding her horse through the jungle, uncommon as they may be, but if she was found to be trustworthy and friendly enough, maybe he'd give her a glimpse of it (to start... He had other ideas of what he'd give her a glimpse of, given the chance, but the bright sword on her shield and the sense of honor bleeding off her didn't bode well for his designs).
Brynden got 8 on his sense motive check last round.
I'm assuming his knowledge religion check of 14 would at least enable him to recognize that she is affiliated with iomedae.
Brynden & Loras Neither of you get the idea that there is anything fishy about this woman, but you don't get any strong sense about her really. Though she is clearly dressed as a representative of Iomedae, symbols can be faked.
It is perhaps best to take her at face value for now, and reserve final judgment for later after you've seen her in action. Sometimes paladins can be... troublesome (at least for Brynden).
Brynden looks over at his friend as they wait for a response. "Did you really need to tell her about me so soon?"
Loras smiles at the woman."It seemed prudent," he whispers back.
"Seems the exact opposite to me," Brynden says, quiet as a field mouse. "So if this b~~#$ tries anything, we get into the trees and hope she doesn't follow. If she does, well, there's two of us, and one of her."
Loras nods. "She doesn't look unfriendly though."
Looks can often be deceiving, Brynden thought, remembering the long-legged blonde who so happily brought him back to her room, drugged him, and left him naked and without a coin to his name. But that had been a long time ago, long before he'd become a ranger. Best not to think on that for the moment.
He looks at the woman again and puts on his most endearing smile.
The two parties are within comfortable speaking range, which I would guess to be about 30 ft.
even though I doubt a paladin with hair over her ears would hear a guy whispering to his friend from thirty feet away lol
"My apologies, travellers, but I've no equipment with which to tend your wounds. Though you should not fear for my safety. I am protected." She listens quietly as Brynden & Loras tell her of the events of their day.
---
At first giving a horrified look as Brynden & Loras tell of their encounter with the undead, Jaine quickly realizes that she has stumbled directly into her quest. Her eyes widen, and she asks: "Where did these skeletons come from? In which direction?"
She pulls out her map and shows it to the gentlemen. "Can you point out where you saw them on this map?"
She smiles at the men, hoping they will help her in her just cause.
Garruk mimes an extremely puzzled look, exaggerating so that they understand his purpose. His brow, furrowed as can be, hopefully helps them understand his confusion.
"Unclean? What? Where?" He speaks slowly and clearly, hoping they understand his accent.
Garruk
The Ekujae consult among themselves briefly, then put together a strange play act in front of you as you watch... two of them begin moving rather less gracefully than moments ago, their herky jerky movements accompanied by low moaning sounds and rasping squawks. It quickly becomes evident that they are stalking your new friend, who play acts a desperate fight against them but as he throws various weapons and mimes shooting arrows the other two are unaffected and keep pretending to attack him, undaunted.
Finally he succumbs to their attacks, then rises himself with the same strange movements, and they all stalk towards you. Just as you start to think they expect you to play into the act as well they stop as abruptly as they began and the young leader points deeper into the woods, his face a strange mixture of hope and fear.
"Unclean," he explains.
@Jaine
Loras looks over with map with Brynden, and they give each other a look. Brynden points to a spot on the map that looks vaguely familiar.
"I can see on your map the very clearing where the large battle we discussed took place. One of the Bloodcove rangers was found dead but nothing was left by the creatures."
Loras was unsure as to whether they should share their knowledge of the wooden dowel yet. Perhaps it would be best to travel along with her for a span first.
"We could show you were it is, if you're interested. But as we said, it may not be safe and the undead may return in even greater numbers at any moment. We would be glad to help, of course, but I am reluctant to head back into the same forest where we both very nearly perished only hours ago.
"If I might ask," Loras says, "Where did you get this map, and what is your current business in the forest?"
Brynden looks over the map and gives Loras a pointed look. He points out the clearing where Tchi'Ana was killed. He tries to show his friend that he doesn't particularity want to return there, but Loras offers anyways.Of course, this woman, beautiful as she is, has absolutely no way of healing them. Likely Story he thinks.
Still, if they did eventually decide to explore the area to find out what has happened, it would be best to have someone to soak up the attention of the baddies so he might actually have a chance to use his bow. That, plus the fact that the woman sitting on horseback looks really good.
Brynden begins to speak before the woman has a chance to talk. "I'm not feeling well, and I don't particularity relish the idea of walking till my bandages come loose and my guts come out, but we could show you the area quickly if you wish, my lady." The last bit he adds recognizing he isn't been extremely courteous. But he REALLY doesn't feel well. He looks her up and down again. "And yes, what IS a fully armored rider on horseback doing travelling through this part of the jungle on such a day as this?"
Should I just randomly be posting perception or sense motive checks as we go "Just in case" you may need a roll or just go about my business?
"And yes, what IS a fully armored rider on horseback doing travelling through this part of the jungle on such a day as this?"
"I'm on a quest!" She replies, a smile on her lips.
"There is a dark power creating undead in the jungle near Bloodcove, and I have been sent to investigate and eliminate the threat, if possible."
She looks Brynden and Loras up and down, and nods. "You seem like a capable pair, if you accompany me on this quest, I am certain that Iomedae will see fit to reward you."
She beckons in the direction of the potentially skeleton-infested jungle.
"Shall we?"
"Unclean," he explains.
Garruk ponders this a moment, then pulls out his hastily drawn gnomish map. He opens it and shows it to the elves. He points to his destination, and asks the elves: "Unclean there?"
Considering how full of unluck his last year has been, Garruk is almost certain that his fears will be confirmed.
She looks Brynden and Loras up and down, and nods. "You seem like a capable pair, if you accompany me on this quest, I am certain that Iomedae will see fit to reward you."
She beckons in the direction of the potentially skeleton-infested jungle.
"Shall we?"
Brynden looks at his friend, and wonders why they didn't spend the time developping a fool-proof method of hand signals to speak. Perhaps the woman is a bit hard of hearing. He did say that they could show her the area quickly, but he still didn't want to walk around until his guts fell out.
Making beautiful women happy is never a bad thing to do, but you can't take advantage of that if you're dead. "Let's take a look, but it's only going to be a quick look, then I need to head back to town. I need sleep, I need food, and I need some bloody healing."
Brynden points to the road ahead, "Ladies and gentlemen first," he says. He'd rather Loras talk to her while he takes up position as the rear guard to help keep them safe. That, and they'd take the brunt of any attack from the front.
Loras listens to his friend. "Ladies and gentlemen first," Brynden says.
Loras nods. It would be best if he took the front position the better to assess this mysterious woman's motives and to help determine what kind of quest she is actually on. That, plus the fact that a large gust of wind would likely knock his friend out of action.
He begins to lead her back towards the clearing. A thousand questions are running through his head, but he knows they need to get back to town as quickly as possible. A dead friend is no fun at all...
Seeing the worried look on her new companions faces, Jaine speaks in encouragement: "Fear not! Iomedae will be with us on this quest. She will watch over our blades and bows to ensure our victory!"
With that, she spurs Earlina forward, but then realizes her companions are on foot, so she pulls back on the reins, awkwardly.
Seeing the worried look on her new companions faces, Jaine speaks in encouragement: "Fear not! Iomedae will be with us on this quest. She will watch over our blades and bows to ensure our victory!"
Loras smiles as their companion pulls back on the reins. It was good to have an earnest companion. Brynden would no doubt appreciate having an Iomedian-powered shield to soak up damage in case of a frontal attack. If it wasn't a frontal attack, well, perhaps that was why he was checking their rear so often.
He did note that their companion hadn't asked Iomedae to bless his fists or his shuriken, but that was fine with him. His hands would do all the guiding they needed. He'd trained his whole life to get by on his own. No god was needed once you accepted Irori's principles of knowledge and the desire for self-perfection.He walked on and smiled encouragingly at their friend. Something was definitely wrong in the jungle, but they'd be fine. They'd always been before. He just hoped that they didn't run into any more trouble before getting back to a soft bed...
Garruk
The ersatz Ekujae leader wrinkles his brow in consternation as he regards your hastily scrawled map, then calls over his pot-bellied fellow to have a look. The two of them confer in serious tones, but you also detect an air of bewilderment. They turn the page first this way then that, pointing at various features then looking around themselves.
Just as you are starting to wonder if you made a mistake bringing out the map, their female companion lets out an exasperated huff of air, stomps over and snatches the paper form their hands. She looks it over briefly, points at you-know-not-what and barks a few words while pointing deeper into the jungle. Finally, she crumples up the map and turns on her heel, plunging into the trees even as she throws the paper to the ground.
With a quick gesture towards you, beckoning you to follow, the two hunters make haste to follow hey trail. Having no idea as to what you present location is, you wisely decide to follow.
The next hour is a fast paced slog through some of the worst undergrowth you have ever traversed, and the sounds of the surrounding jungle recede as your awareness gets filed down to the small space in directly front of you. It takes all of your concentration to keep pace with the experienced trackers, and you begin to wonder if they would even slow down, let alone stop, if you were to twist an ankle or gouge out an eye on a meandering branch.
Just as quickly as she set off, however, the female Ekujae chirps a signal that you recognize yet cannot yet fathom and before you can bring yourself to a skidding halt you rush headlong past the hunters and into a clearing.
Your suspicions as to what the Ekujae meant when they were referring to the “unclean” are horribly confirmed in a single glance: the clearing is littered with the remains of what look to be a dozen skeletal warriors and another form that you take to be a single dead zombie.
Momentarily stunned, you barely have time to gather your thoughts and recognize the jingling sounds of tack and harness. You look towards the noise and see a path not so very far away along the edge of the clearing, and just above the tall graze bobs the armoured helm of someone riding on horseback. Something pulls at your memory, but you don’t have time to worry at the knot of images.
You must taken action quickly, the rider is nearly upon you...
Garruk hastily picks up the hastily scrawled gnomish map, realizing that there is no such thing as useless information. Besides, the other side is perfectly writable, and he only brought three sheets of parchment along on this trip anyway...
---
His first thought after seeing the person on horseback is: "What sort of fool brings a horse into the Mwangi?"
His second thought is: "I sure hope I don't get trampled."
His third thought was a mental preparation of the beginnings of a magic spell, which he might need if this goes poorly.
Forming the beginnings of a plan, he beckons for the Ekujae to enter the clearing, and waits to see how this horsed traveller reacts.
Jaine, Loras, Brynden
As you approach the clearing Jaine is barely able to contain her eagerness and thus the two men on foot are periodically outpaced by the woman on her fine charger. The end result is that the three of you become aware of a half-orc standing at the edge of the clearing at about the same time. He is well within bow shot and looks like he has been bush wacking for the better part of the day.
Garruk
Though you beckon, the Ekujae make no response and most certainly do not enter the clearing.
Jaine, Loras, Brynden
As you approach the clearing Jaine is barely able to contain her eagerness and thus the two men on foot are periodically outpaced by the woman on her fine charger. The end result is that the three of you become aware of a half-orc standing at the edge of the clearing at about the same time. He is well within bow shot and looks like he has been bush wacking for the better part of the day.
Brynden notices someone standing ahead in the clearing. An ugly creature, vaguely humanoid, although it was quite clear that he'd been bushwacking for quite some time. He looked more like a plant than a person to Brynden. But is he alone? And what is he doing at this clearing? Brynden scans the nearby trees. Loras would never let it go if they were caught unawares again.
"Wonder what he's doing here," Brynden comments, keeping the arrow nocked but not yet ready to shoot a half-tree, half-something, monstrosity. "Do you know that fellow?" Brynden asks Jaine.
Loras listens to Brynden's questions and to be honest he is wondering the same things. Who or what is the thing in the clearing and what is its connection to the events that transpired here. Hopefully whatever it is is friend and not foe. Loras scans the nearby forest for others.
Perhaps it is best if I let the woman do the talking. After all, she was somehow able to convince two bedraggled and wounded idiots into following her back to this place. It wouldn't hurt to drag another one along with them. Who knows, maybe Loras could even learn a thing or two from the guy. Humanoid, but something a bit off. Half-orc, most likely.
Loras waits to see what Jaine will do, hoping to spot any other adversaries.
Replying to Brynden, quietly: "I've not seen him before..."
Placing her hand on her blade, she shouts forward: "Hail, traveller? What are you doing out in these wilds? This area is dangerous!"
Jaine, so focused on this new arrival, is completely oblivious to the tribal elves hiding in the forest.
'Oh, good. At least they're willing to talk. Time to lay it on thick,' Garruk thinks.
He lets out a low grunt, and says "I... hunting in jungle. Look... for road..." he points in the direction of the path he is tracking.
"What you doing here?"
I imagine both my guys see the Ekujae in the trees? Because I'm pretty sure they'll be a bit more skeptical about his story after noticing a huge squad of ekujae trying to stealth in the trees...
Both Loras and Brynden are aware that there are three Ekujae hiding in the underbrush. They seem to be watching, but haven't made any overtly aggressive move to flank the party or anything like that.
Clearly this half-orc's behavior is suspicious but neither of you are able to discern the true nature of what he is trying to hide... you both assume it to be the Ekujae.
Sensing something amiss about the half-orc, Jaine draws her blade and gives him a hard glance. After scanning his aura and seeing no ill intent, she lowers her blade slightly but speaks harshly:
"Traveller, I and my companions have no desire to be put-upon by some two-copper jungle bandit. If you wish us to answer any questions, you'd best start with telling us what you're really doing out here."
At the same time, she nervously looks back, hoping to see signs of Brynden and Loras willing to back her up if the need arises.
Brynden & Loras
As Jaine draws her blade, you both notice the tell tale sounds of bowstrings drawn taut... it seems the wild elves in the trees are prepared to defend this strange half-orc.
Jaine
Jaine remains unaware of the presence of wild elves in the trees, but it is clear to he that the half-orc is playing dumb.
Brynden & Loras
As Jaine draws her blade, you both notice the tell tale sounds of bowstrings drawn taut... it seems the wild elves in the trees are prepared to defend this strange half-orc.
Brynden takes a tentative step forward. He whispers to Jaine as quietly as possible while still enabling her to hear. "Uh, Jaine. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but it seems there's a whole tribe of ekujae out in the forest and it looks to me that they have bows. Now, I'm wounded already, and I only have one bow, so..."
Sensing something amiss about the half-orc, Jaine draws her blade and gives him a hard glance. After scanning his aura and seeing no ill intent, she lowers her blade slightly but speaks harshly:
"Traveller, I and my companions have no desire to be put-upon by some two-copper jungle bandit. If you wish us to answer any questions, you'd best start with telling us what you're really doing out here."
Loras takes a few steps forward to address the half-orc across from them. It didn't really matter if the fellow was telling the truth of not if they got filled like pincushions. "Friend," Loras began, "I really couldn't care less whether you're looking for the road or not. We aren't looking for trouble. We were attacked by undead creatures, and are simply here showing this young woman the scene to see if she might know anything. We'd be glad of any help you might offer."
It seemed a reasonable enough approach. If they were friendly with the undead, they were outnumbered and pretty sure to die anyways, and if they were looking for the same answers as them... Well, that would be a gods-blessed outcome.
Loras put Brynden's arrow back in its sheath and forced his friend to drop his bow. Brynden wasn't all stupid, so he complied. He hoped that their lovely new friend Jaine would catch the hint and go along with him.
A strong-looking humanoid stands before you. It takes a moment, but he is identifiable as a half-orc by his noticeable underbite. Other than his limb proportions, slight skin discoloration and his stature (he stands a few inches above six feet in height), however, he mostly appears to be a regular human.
Wait... I recognize that girl, Garruk thinks. Where's an ale when you need one?.
"Fine, I can see this act isn't getting me anywhere. You'll excuse me if I'm not immediately forthcoming with information when surprised by a rag-tag group in the practically uninhabitable Mwangi Expanse."
"The name's Garruk and I'm looking for an old friend who disappeared up this way a few days ago. Have any of you seen a gnome around these parts? About yay big?" Garruk bends down to properly demonstrate the gnome's height. "He was heading to Nightfall station."
Garruk notices Brynden and Loras' eyes darting to the bushes where the Ekujae lie in wait, and adds: "Oh, don't worry about them. They're guiding me through the jungle. Also, they led me to these 'unclean,' but as you can see, they've already been taken care of." He says this last bit while pointing out the destroyed skeletons in the clearing.
Seeing the half-orc be more reasonable, Jaine sheathes her sword, and upon hearing his question about a gnome, answers: "I've not seen any. How about you gentlemen?" She looks questioningly towards Brynden and Loras.
Seeing the half-orc be more reasonable, Jaine sheathes her sword, and upon hearing his question about a gnome, answers: "I've not seen any. How about you gentlemen?" She looks questioningly towards Brynden and Loras.
Brynden lets out a sigh of relief as the the half-orc, Garruk, reveals his decision not to butcher them with the help of his friends. When Jaine asks her question, he pretends to think carefully as he stares at her. The very picture of Iomedae herself.
But he shakes his head. "I might have seen a gnome during a puppet show, once, but I can't recall seeing any recently. I am, however, very familiar with the jungle and know that its dangers are formidable to all but the highly trained.""And the friends of the highly trained," Loras pipes up.
"Yes, exactly. We've been walking around this bloody jungle all morning and we've already been attacked once," Brynden says. Remembering that there is a woman nearby he quickly adds,"But we defeated them quite soundly. Still, I do hope that your friend is alright."
Seeing the half-orc be more reasonable, Jaine sheathes her sword, and upon hearing his question about a gnome, answers: "I've not seen any. How about you gentlemen?" She looks questioningly towards Brynden and Loras.
Loras listens to Jaine and Garruk talk, and then to Brynden's typical kind of response. "Garruk, I am Loras. It is a pleasure to meet you, although the times are dark when innocents are accosted in the jungle by undead creatures. Is there any way that we might assist you? I can't vouch for my friend here," he says, pointing to Brynden, "But I'd be willing to help you for the chance speak and perhaps train with you and your friends. But that is another thing entirely. Would you like my help? I can't promise I'll be able to stay with you, but in the short term I can promise my support."
Loras listens to Jaine and Garruk talk, and then to Brynden's typical kind of response. "Garruk, I am Loras. It is a pleasure to meet you, although the times are dark when innocents are accosted in the jungle by undead creatures. Is there any way that we might assist you? I can't vouch for my friend here," he says, pointing to Brynden, "But I'd be willing to help you for the chance speak and perhaps train with you and your friends. But that is another thing entirely. Would you like my help? I can't promise I'll be able to stay with you, but in the short term I can promise my support."
"Don't listen to my stupid friend here. Of course I'd be willing to pledge my services,"Brynden said. He hoped his chivalrous attitude would impress the lovely Jaine. Her religious inclinations didn't bode well though. "Normally I charge a fair amount, but in this case I am as curious as you as to the reasons behind these undead creatures. Not just because of the fact that they tried to slash me to ribbons, either." He tried to judge the reactions of the others. "So for the short term, I am with you as well."
The ekujae aren't cannibals, are they? he wondered after he'd pledged his support.
Garruk snorts. "Well it looks like we're all running around this jungle trying to find whatever's making these abominations. I say in that case, four heads (and four sword-arms) are better than one. Perhaps we can work together here so that we don't end up torn to shreds, like... er..."
He points at Brynden's torn abdomen. "You need help with that?"
Looking at the Ekujae, Garruk decides to press his luck. "We kill unclean. Can you help?"
Jaine becomes visibly excited by Garruk's proposal. "A group of four, forging into the darkness to face the depths of evil! We are as a Heroes' Group, as told in the Acts of Iomedae!"
She calms down and turns to look at Brynden and Loras. "That is of course... If you both agree with this?"