Teamwork & Planning

Josh said: the trees are going to get cut down any ways might as well burn them to deny them easy boats. Kraggan objects, "I don't think I'm on board with that, so long as we still have other options. A lot of plants and animals would be hurt." Josh  said: here's a little sketch, how do you want to do this? the trees are going to get cut down any ways might as well burn them to deny them easy boats. When you return from your scouting, the hour is late and the town guards have marshalled all the citizens into their homes per the siegetime curfew. You find the Deathwalkers at  The Harlequin's Goblet , having a few last drinks with your teammates before everyone's supposed to gather to recieve their orders for tonight from the Red King. Everyone looks at your map with interest, asking some pointed questions about the camp's defenses. "The central pavilions are probably where the leaders are," Oskar says, stroking his thick auburn beard, "But sounds like they're well-armored. You'd probably do the most damage aiming for one of the areas with dense concentrations of enemies." He taps a few spots where Limar's labeled the monstrous races close together. "I would aim  here ," Jonas says, pointing to the one just near the 'N'.  "There weren't any bugbears or hobgoblins in the attacks on Lang Bridge last night. Why?"  The others give each other puzzled looks, but Nell puts it together first. "They don't trust each other enough. The armies are fighting separately." Jonas nods, smiling. "Two different armies, different races, camping together for months... tensions would run high. Cause trouble where their camps intersect, and you add the issue of infighting to the chaos." Moonflower nods along slowly. "That sounds smart. Good thinking, Jonas. If we're going to attack though, we should do it now, before the night's positions are assigned. Limar, Hiskel, are you two ready for a quick bombing run?"

if hiskel has had the chance to recover her spells then yes. -extra ready is she's leveled up an can rain fire balls on them. though I thought we were going to hit the area where they have slaves building boats so we could free them.

Josh said: if hiskel has had the chance to recover her spells then yes. -extra ready is she's leveled up an can rain fire balls on them. though I thought we were going to hit the area where they have slaves building boats so we could free them. She'll get more than enough xp to level and have time to prepare spells before the attack, yes. Make sure to let me know what class she levels in, and if she's learned any new skills. "Freeing slaves would take a big time investment," Moonflower points out. "We'd have to be careful not to hit the slaves with our spells, but also take out or keep busy all their guards while they fled. They might be hobbled too, then we'd have to take the time to break their bonds... It would give them time to send reinforcements, and soon we'd be fighting the whole army." Jonas nods. "I have to agree with our lovely Moonflower. An airstrike can be fast enough for you to get in and out safely and deal some damage, but prisoners always complicate things. Besides, if we win the siege, we can force them to free everyone anyway."

it would also be a pretty big diversion to have their supplies going up in flames.  will anyone else be joining us?

Josh said: it would also be a pretty big diversion to have their supplies going up in flames.  will anyone else be joining us? "I shall fight this glorious battle!" Wyatt Ferris jumps in, but Oskar waves him off. "Your enthusiasm is appeciated, son, but we need to send people with long-range weapons. Nell, how about you?" Nell shakes her head. "My enchantments are more effective over time. I'll save them for the real battles tonight. But I'll come along to cast the fly  spell on the old man here. Do you need one too, Hiskel, is your boss gonna carry you?" She gives the kobold a playful grin. "Alright then," Zanean Fain says, setting a fistful of coins on the table and rising to his feet. "Let's get moving. 

any plan on replacing matt? he's been gone awhile. -have you heard anything?

Josh said: any plan on replacing matt? he's been gone awhile. -have you heard anything? I've tried PMing him but it seems like he's ghosted out, so I'm gonna drop him from the campaign and make Verne an NPC.

After visiting the magic shops in Waterwend, Kraggan gathers the party to discuss investing in magical items with the party treasury. There's currently about 950gp in the party's bank account, and about 10000 gold pieces in the vault at the Stone River Waypoint. According to Kraggan's research, these are the prices in Waterwend to have healing items made to order, per item, divided by shop:     Nerwenye's Oils and Elixirs: Potion of cure light wounds : 55gp, 1sp, 2cp Potion of cure moderate wounds : 330gp, 7sp, 5cp Potion of cure serious wounds : 826gp, 8sp, 7cp     Ziged's Wands: Wand of  cure light wounds  (50 charges): 826gp, 8sp, 7cp     Verrel and Arral's Quill: Scroll of  cure light wounds : 26gp, 2sp, 5cp Scroll of  cure moderate wounds : 157gp, 5sp Scroll of  cure serious wounds : 393gp, 7sp, 5cp Kraggan also suggests considering buying the Bag of Holding Type IV from Ryelly's Wondrous Vault for 11025gp, perhaps down the road a bit, and wants the party's feedback on these ideas.

A couple more healing potions wouldn't hurt for when the healers go down or Limar is flying out of range. some scrolls of false life an arrow protection could be helpful when facing those volleys from the goblins  I'd prefer not to waste so much on a glorified hand bag, if we ever need more carrying space Hiskel can summon up some floating disks last 8 hour an can hold 800 pounds I wouldnt mind tracking down a hidden tooth and some dragon slayer claws from limars +1 for down the road  -stocking the fort with some silver weapons might be a good idea if any of the werewolves decide to come seek revenge there. - we could also look into bigger investments now.

I also think some healing potion/scroll would be nice. So Xankoris can spend his slot for other spells too.

If we're working with the death walkers on this attack , how do they want to do this? they go for their nemesis grizzled boy an we handle gurrak? or focus our efforts on one before going to the next.

Josh said: If we're working with the death walkers on this attack , how do they want to do this? they go for their nemesis grizzled boy an we handle gurrak? or focus our efforts on one before going to the next. After the Red King has a chance to brief them, Oskar and Jonas meet with Limar, Xankoris, and Kraggan to decide just that. "We've discussed it among our Guild," Oskar tells you, "and most of us think it would be best to use this as a chance to settle scores. I know you have something of a history with Gurak, and Grizzled One has been harassing Strongtown for more than a year now..." Jonas puts in, "He only started coming after us on the orders of his master, Zanzibar the Mad, but he's made himself quite a thorn in our side. It's time we dealt with him once and for all. Then we set our sights on Zanzibar." "People fight best when they have reason to hate their foe. And we will need every edge we have, in the battle to come," Oskar says. "We'll rendezvous just north of the warcamp, move in together, then split our attentions to each deal with our own target. Sound good to you all?"

Sounds good to me. I've come up with the perfect battle strategy. once we've reach the inner ring Hiskel will summon one of her floating disks of heavy lifting. Xankoris will then fill it up with his water spell, Kraggan can then hop on an turn into a giant Octopus with its op 8 attacks. Hiskel with then dodge and run through enemies while the disk will follow her and then octokrag can full attack every round wrecking the bugbears. this frees up Xankoris to find a nice hill from which to paint the fall of Gurrak and me to go looting. -we may need to get a really big barrel will 8 holes if the disk can't hold enough water.

With my caster level, I can make 16 gallons of water per cast, and my 0-level spell slot is 6, I don't think it would be enough.

The only way to fill I can think is Torrential Rain spell, and it's in Magic of Rokugan not in Oriental Adventure.

There are a couple mechanical problems with this plan: 1) Tenser's floating disk  can only hold 2 gallons of water. Putting a larger container atop it is possible, but fighting out of a barrel or something similar would severely hamper Kraggan's attacks (though to be fair, it would give her a good defensive boost). 2) As when when fighting on a mount, a character riding on a tenser's floating disk  that's following someone has to share their move actions with the disk's caster. So Kraggan wouldn't be able to full attack in the same round that she was moved along with Hiskel.

I was joking but we probably wouldnt need any water since the battle would be over before the octopus ran out of breath from being out of water. -hiskel will however use detect magic an her knowledge of the alarm spell to help us avoid running into any of those. starting once we reach the outer ring.

Seems we got 20 days to work out our next move. assuming the standard away team will regather to raid Zoralls land. I suggest bringing 15 guards with us to establish a camp on the surface.   -5 for the day    - 5 for the night     - 5 to escort any freed slaves , loot back to the waypoint.  hopefully Kraggan can use her command plant spell on the wierd plant matter creature at the entrance, removing an obstacle and augmenting the camp in one move. -then raid as we will through his tunnels. fall back to the camp when we need to rest. -stay a week then trap the camp an find another entrance to set up on. I also recommend giving Limars trusy rogue Silaquin a 100 or so gold an sending her to waterwend to gather information on the Merchant lords an where each of them stand on the slavery thing. learn more about the flesh market, who their suppliers are, where they keep their slaves. -maybe send some letters to Euphemia to see if she'll help us. 

Josh said: Seems we got 20 days to work out our next move. assuming the standard away team will regather to raid Zoralls land. I suggest bringing 15 guards with us to establish a camp on the surface.   -5 for the day    - 5 for the night     - 5 to escort any freed slaves , loot back to the waypoint. Hamanap points out that you should also bring some support staff to help the camp run smoothly. She suggests Jarkel to build traps, Rebeka to help cook, Hannah with some of Kraggan's dogs to help keep watch and forage, and Alty to drive the supply wagon. "I will come as well," she announces. "You will doubtless need a highly skilled healer, and an advisor in such dangerous, unknown territory."

"Okay so ummmm, I know I'm new around here and all, but why don't we Animate the fallen? On both sides. If none of you are too severely against that, we can buff the numbers on our side, less of our soldiers will die, and they're already outfitted for combat(is saying this as the equipment starts being stripped from the dead)."  Spellcraft: 16(He said he'd like to concentrate the area, which made me think it might be desecrated. Check is to see if it is.) Diplomacy: 18

Ering looks a the prisoner sternly and shakes his head. "Playing with the souls and bodies of the dead is not a matter to be taken lightly. Even if they were our foes we will not stoop to that level."

"While that is most certainly a noble outlook, it is quite foolhardy. What will you say to the families of those lost in battle not as a necessity of war, but because we didn't use every tool in our repertoire to protect their lives? I do not take the souls of the dead lightly, they are the tools of my trade, after all. However, the lives of the living take precedence." (Will roll another Diplomacy, if printed)

The winged man simply stood for a moment, as though he were having trouble parsing what was just said. "...and you chose this method over all the other, less horrific methods, and you expect us to conform to such twisted ideals because it improves our odds? You're not making a very good first impression...if you wish to live, I suggest you steer clear of such foul practices with us."

“Many of the forces we are fighting are a result of the magics you are describing, corrupted by the influence that Tellaj had on this region. It is ironic that you are speaking about the lives of the innocents while working for Zorall.”

"Not only that Ms.Zhongshan, raising the dead is the way of Shadowland, a path to Maho, and also disrespect to the Celestial Pattern as well. If you want more people, I still can call my ancestors to aid us twice today."

((It is at this point that I I'm gonna need those rolls))

GaymerBoi69 said: Spellcraft: 16(He said he'd like to concentrate the area, which made me think it might be desecrated. Check is to see if it is.) Assuming you're casting a detect magic spell (I didn't see your spell selection on your sheet), you detect a faint magical aura on the Shrine of Tiamat , but can't determine what school it belongs to. It doesn't seem to extent beyond the Shrine itself, though. Knowledge (religion) applies. Next few quotes moved from Observations (Hamanap's suggestion should've probably been here in the first place actually): Dawi said: Ering leans against his staff, a few droplets of sweat beginning to run down his forehead. He catches his breath, clearly fatigued from the spells cast. "As long as the consecration doesn't take longer than a few minutes then you are absolutely welcome." He smiles at Hamanap. "It should take only a few moments to break the link, destroying the Shrine might take a bit longer... but the chaincutters should help, we saw what Avariel did to that door with them." Hamanap turns to Avariel and gestures to the heavy tool tied to Ering's haversack. "Once I break the link, could you use them to smash up the Shrine ?" Dawi said: "Catching one of Zorall's raidleaders would have been better, I doubt some soldiers or mercenaries know could tell us much about his plans." Hamanap pats her own small backpack. "If we do get the chance later, I have a set of strong manacles and a lock from Limar to hold them with. He wanted me to bring one back as a hostage if possible, perhaps to ransom... after the war, that is." She returns Ering's smile, with a knowing and friendly twinkle in her eye. Dawi said: "We have a few things to decide, I think we should start heading back to where we came from, we still have some fight left in us but it's better to be prepared for another fight while we leave, also, if our enemies have an once of wit they will be already regrouping and possibly heading to the entrance to cut us off, I wouldn't want to leave Kraggan alone against a second retaliation wave." He then points at the two prisoners. "I think we should lead them to our camp and then decide what to do with them, I'm sure we all have different opinions on that matter." "Who has Kraggan's Rod? It would be good if we made one last check, we might be lucky." "That makes a lot of sense," Hamanap says, nodding as she considers this military insight from the seasoned battle-commander. "Of all of us, Kraggan is probably the most reliable on her own, but she's still only one person. I'll heal everyone quickly, then use the Rod to check for treasures nearby before we go." She quickly and easily casts several of the same spell in a row, conjuring blue-white energy to her palm with a short prayer and touching Ering, then Avariel, and finally herself, to heal each for 10 hit points. Then drawing the Rod of Metal and Mineral Detection, she holds it out and concentrates for about a minute... then sighs, shaking her head. "No caches of precious metals nearby." GaymerBoi69 said: "Okay so ummmm, I know I'm new around here and all, but why don't we Animate the fallen? On both sides. If none of you are too severely against that, we can buff the numbers on our side, less of our soldiers will die, and they're already outfitted for combat(is saying this as the equipment starts being stripped from the dead)." Diplomacy: 18 Meloncholy's suggestion is made in the very reasonable tone of one used to such measures, but the Wayfinders are apparently not among such. Hamanap, a tall and beautiful dark-skinned woman with emerald eyes and long silver hair, looks horrified, and the expressions of the others vary from disapproval to shock to physical disgust. From Hamanap's features and accent, you guess she might be from Kingdom of Provincia like you--but a denizen of the arid southern deserts, a region called Egypt, rather than the Rokugani settlements in the temperate northeast. GaymerBoi69 said: "While that is most certainly a noble outlook, it is quite foolhardy. What will you say to the families of those lost in battle not as a necessity of war, but because we didn't use every tool in our repertoire to protect their lives? I do not take the souls of the dead lightly, they are the tools of my trade, after all. However, the lives of the living take precedence." (Will roll another Diplomacy, if printed) "Life is sacred, yes..." Hamanap says, after taking a moment to master herself. Clearly, the comfort this countrywoman of hers has with undeath is more unsettling, if anything. "But it is that very sacredness that undeath would defile. To create such an abomination would be worse than committing a murder, for a murder only ends one life... the reanimation of a body, twisting it into a foul inversion of the living, brings an evil into the world which will cause many more deaths." Ritt K. said: "Not only that Ms.Zhongshan, raising the dead is the way of Shadowland, a path to Maho, and also disrespect to the Celestial Pattern as well. If you want more people, I still can call my ancestors to aid us twice today." Xankoris, on the other hand, seems very familiar to Meloncholy--like her, he grew up immersed in the culture of Rokugan , and has the same distinctive eye shape of people whose blood derives from that southern continent. And yet, to one also from the long-established settlements in the northeast of Provincia , he bears the distinctive marks of that subculture: like Mel, he is what people often call a "PBR", or Provincian-Born Rokugani. The cosmology he refers to is familiar to her as well--the Shadowlands are the infamous part of their ancestral homeland blighted by extraplanar evil, while Maho is evil blood magic, the word itself almost a slur in their culture. The Celestial Pattern is the conceptual order of the universe in Rokugani thought, reflected in their caste system, religions, and philosophy. Of course, the Zhongshan family has its own way of thinking, within the systems of that culture. To Meloncholy, Maho has been a part of life since before she could remember, its power pulsing in the magical tattoos inscribed upon her infant body at birth. The Yǐngxì, most secret and powerful art of her clan, is itself a powerful form of Maho, binding the darkest parts of her soul into corporeal form through a link of blood. The Shadowlands are a place to learn greater techniques from mighty oni, and the Celestial Pattern a system to be used and manipulated for gaining more power in society... this shugenja clearly thinks himself righteous, but to people like the Zhongshans, he is only weak .

Meloncholy, facing strong adversity to her proposal, is quietly thinking to herself for a few moments. Afterwards, she looks up to the surrounding group and speaks. "Okay, animating the dead is too much for you all. However, I must insist on summoning some from the Negative Energy Plane. Otherwise, I will fail to be an effective ally." For a moment, it would seem like she was done speaking, but she wasn't. Midway through her next sentence, she would turn her head to look at the winged man, an obvious indication that she was speaking to him. "Oh and uhh, if you threaten my life again, I won't be the one in danger of dying."

The winged man appears unamused. "I'm sure you're confident in yourself, but unfortunately the world doesn't care how highly one perceives oneself. I would suggest you reassess your situation." He turns to the others. "I am not sure what beings dwell in the Negative Energy Plane, and I am sure they aren't pleasant, but by the nature of summoning it could be an acceptable compromise."

Ering nods to Hamanap and straightens his posture after being healed. He leans his staff against a wall and loosens the large adamantine bolt cutters from his haversack, holding them with both hands. “Ready when you are.” After that he looks to Avariel, shaking his head. He then turns to  Meloncholy “Just a few moments ago you were a mercenary working for Zorall. You turned on him because you were defeated and your dragon begged for mercy. As far as I am concerned you are our prisoner, not our ally.” ”And I am afraid I won’t make any concessions on the use of undead, whether summoned or raised; nothing but evil is brought to the world, even if your goals are noble. They are by nature the antithesis of life and trying to overcome obstacles with them is like trying to quench the thirst of a man by offering sea water.”

“So the negative energy plane is populated by undead? I really need to brush up on my planar lore...”

Dawi said: After that he looks to Avariel, shaking his head. He then turns to Meloncholy “Just a few moments ago you were a mercenary working for Zorall. You turned on him because you were defeated and your dragon begged for mercy. As far as I am concerned you are our prisoner, not our ally.” ”And I am afraid I won’t make any concessions on the use of undead, whether summoned or raised; nothing but evil is brought to the world, even if your goals are noble. They are by nature the antithesis of life and trying to overcome obstacles with them is like trying to quench the thirst of a man by offering sea water.” "I must agree with the Lieutenant Colonel on both counts," Hamanap says, standing strong beside Ering to face the foreign woman. "Your dragon submitted to us to spare your life, and we even healed you afterwards. But you were still an enemy soldier, and now you speak of your intent to deal in the darkest of magics..." She shakes her head at the enormity of it, and addresses the other Wayfinders. "We should use Limar's manacles to chain her for now, and bring her back with the dwarven soldier. Once we're settled in a secure location, we can discuss further what is to be done with them. Is that acceptable to everyone?" The Egyptian woman glances up at the shadowy black dragon uncertainly. "I take it we can still trust your oath not to raise arms against us, drake?"

p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Helvetica Neue'; color: #000000} Early this morning, as everyone is awakening, Kraggan suggests going in for a raid at dawn to try to catch the guards at the end of a long shift. However, this should mean Hiskel could not use ssearth on anyone when buffing them before the raid. Alternately, she suggests waiting the day and trying a predawn raid the following morning with the ssearth -buffed resist fire spells. What does everyone think?

how long was our first raid? no point in waiting for the double time one if we're not even going in for 90 minutes

Josh said: how long was our first raid? no point in waiting for the double time one if we're not even going in for 90 minutes From when you engaged the half-dragon shambler to when you left the caves was a little under 2 hours.

I would agree on a raid at dawn, even if it means that we can only have 1 hour of fire resistance instead of 2, after all they already know about our fire protections and it would be dumb for them to attack us with fire. Max, how many people did we bring back, including prisoners and liberated slaves? Ering would ask them some questions before the raid.

Dawi said: Max, how many people did we Bring Back , including prisoners and liberated slaves? Ering would ask them some questions before the raid. Four freed slaves from the kitchens, a dwarven archer from Raleigh's raiders, and Meloncholy Zhongshan--six people, all told. What do you ask and to whom?

He would mostly would like to know: Who is currently in charge of the cave system/dungeon they just raided and if it is the same person that gives military orders. How are the three levels organised (if there is a significant difference between them). A rough estimate of the number of slaves, mercenaries and raidleaders.  How often Zorall himself visits the complex. He'll ask the sames questions to the four freed slaves (together) and then to the archer and Meloncholy separately. 

Dawi said: He would mostly would like to know: Who is currently in charge of the cave system/dungeon they just raided and if it is the same person that gives military orders. How are the three levels organised (if there is a significant difference between them). A rough estimate of the number of slaves, mercenaries and raidleaders. How often Zorall himself visits the complex. He'll ask the sames questions to the four freed slaves (together) and then to the archer and Meloncholy separately. The freedfolk seem a little overwhelmed by the questions. "Well... Zorall's in charge, I s'pose," Jake says uncertainly, glancing at the others. "I've heard the soldiers talk a lot while they eat," Pam adds. "I think Leeman Kendling is Zorall's warleader, in charge of all the soldiers. Cunning and ruthless man, from the gossip. He took the spot from one of the dragon's daughters, a crow-woman named Akaze, and they say she carries a grudge about it. Supposedly the dragon gave Kendling some golden magical sword as a mark of his office, though word lately is he was mighty displeased about him losing Bowhery." "I'm afraid I haven't seen much of the other levels, though..." she admits. "I seen some," Carey pipes up, the young human boy small for his age, but brave. "When they sent me down to deliver bread and such. I don't think one level is much different from another though, everything's all over the place. Easy to get lost if you're not careful." None of them seem to have any idea as population sizes, but the general consensus is that Zorall is usually in his throne room at the lowest level.  The archer tells you her name is Artin Ungart, but she and Meloncholy refuse to say any more. You can roll Intimidate for each one to try to interrogate them, if you like. 

Ering smiles at the freed slaves and speaks with a reassuring tone. "Thank you, every little detail is important. If something else pops into your mind you can relay it to Axil or to that noisy raven, he's smarter than he looks." "Artin..." Ering looks at her with a stern face. "Do you realize the situation you are in? We both know that Zorall and his forces don't care about rescuing you. The way I see it you have two choices. You could keep doing what you are doing, refusing to help and to answer our questions, but when the time comes and our raid is over what do you think it's going to happen to you? Left in a cell to rot? Brought to a hasty trial in a Terolous court? Maybe you will even manage to escape and return to freedom, you may find your way back to Zorall's lands, but then what? Why wouldn't they treat you just like a traitor?" The wizard shrugs, pauses for a brief moment and then continues. " Or you could help us. Give us information about the caves and the soldiers inside. That would be a really generous gift, something that would be met with an equal kindness from our part. I hear the Red King doesn't discriminate on who joins his army. I'm sure he would be happy to accept you into his ranks, and I'm even more sure that with a little nudge from us he will offer you more than what you were being paid to be in those caves." "Does a second chance sound like a good deal to you?" Ering will order the soldiers to check Meloncholy possessions and to search on her person. (Anything that could help her escape, any weapons or magical items, he will assist with Detect Magic ). "Miss Zhongshan." Ering does his best to pronounce the foreign name. "It is obvious that your abilities and your name make you a very special type of prisoner, dangerous and valuable. When noble knights are defeated they are usually kept in comfortable prisons and held for ransom, I admit to be rather ignorant of your culture but I wouldn't be shocked if something similar happened in Rokugan. And since we are not at war with your family this would seem an appropriate measure, wouldn't you agree?" (I haven't rolled intimidation yet, but you can tell me if this sounds more like diplomacy or intimidation.)

Moved from Observations: Max  said: Josh  said: I never said "lets kill them", we're either going to have to split the party ( which is always dangerous) keep them with us or take them back. - its cause im a kobold isnt it? Hamanap lowers her long silver lashes dubiously. "It's because you're so often in favor of the quick and bloody solutions. To be honest, I do suspect your upbringing to be an influence, but that is no excuse--we must all strive to rise above our circumstances. Look at your master, Limar: he has done much to overcome the evil impulses of his blood and the teachings of his brutal mother  Kalemne ." She straightens her elegant purple robes, lamenting the bloodstains on their embroidered cloth-of-silver stars and dragons, then suggests "We seem to be quite overwhelming for most threats we've met here so far... Perhaps we could spare one or two of us to guard the prisoners while the rest of us explore close by? As long as we don't stray out of shouting distance, we can always call for aid or withdraw if we must." Dawi  said: Ering paces back and forth in the room, massaging the now healed wound, still thanking the Gods and wondering if the halberd had enough force to spill his guts on the floor if it weren't for the  Weapon Rack  that got in the way. "Splitting is an option... We just need to make sure one of the two doors is safely blocked, there are enough barrels and weapons in this room for that." Nate S.  said: OOC: TFW the GM suggests splitting the party... Avariel sighs, still scraping the remaining residue from the tanglefoot bag off his wings. (He seems a bit miffed that these bastards dirtied them.) “I agree with Hamanap on this one...though we must be cautious not to spread ourselves too thin.” Keep in mind there's a big difference between an NPC making a suggestion and the DM making a suggestion. ;) Hamanap nods, smiling. "Wise thinking, gentlemen. Avariel, can you help me move these water barrels and empty racks to block the other doors?" Adria is up on her hind legs sniffing in a barrel nearby, and with a sudden crash accidentally tips it over, splooshing weak ale across the floor before scrambling away to " wurf! " at the spilled liquid from a safe distance.

Ering smiles at the dog, stifling a laugh. Watching the ale advance on the dirty floor an idea pops into his head. He motions to the freed slaves and leads them to the adjacent room, far enough so that Zorall's soldiers can't overhear them. "I apologize for questioning you so soon after being liberated, but you might be able to help us with something, that ale..." Ering motions in the direction of the barrels with a small tilt of his head. "Is it drunk by everyone here in the caves or only by Zorall's soldiers and mercenaries? Do you know who supplies it?"

Dawi said: Ering smiles at the dog, stifling a laugh. Watching the ale advance on the dirty floor an idea pops into his head. He motions to the freed slaves and leads them to the adjacent room, far enough so that Zorall's soldiers can't overhear them. "I apologize for questioning you so soon after being liberated, but you might be able to help us with something, that ale..." Ering motions in the direction of the barrels with a small tilt of his head. "Is it drunk by everyone here in the caves or only by Zorall's soldiers and mercenaries? Do you know who supplies it?" Hamanap tags along into the nearby guardroom where you first found the slaves, to make sure you don't get caught without backup if there's trouble. There are numerous barrels in here too, as well as some stools, a wooden table strewn with dice and mugs, and a few wooden chairs.  "Glad to help the Breakers of Chains anyway we can, milord," Hikaru says, a smile on his smudged and weary face. He glances at the barrels. "Everyone, I s'pose... though slaves like us learn not to drink much of the stronger stuff until our shift is done. They brew some in the kitchens, but I think some is brought in by raiders, knicked from other towns and farms, and such, or bought from traders. Lots of ale, sometimes beer or wine. They have us water it down now and then, to make it last longer. And some folk just drink water, especially taken fresh from the wells and springs that run through the caves."

"Wait, your name is Hikaru? Are your parents Provincian? Your name is really Rokugani too."

Ering nods, somewhat surprised. “I didn’t think these caves were so self sufficient... What about food, can they grow it here?”

Dawi said: Ering nods, somewhat surprised. “I didn’t think these caves were so self sufficient... What about food, can they grow it here?” "Some, I think... mushrooms and lichens are harvested a lot, since they grow so fast," Cassie says, the human girl wearing a patched and stained roughspun shift. Aurora nods, adding sadly "But most of the food is stolen on raids. Zurello and his lizardfolk brought back half my family's harvest when they took me from our farm..." Ritt K. said: "Wait, your name is Hikaru? Are your parents Provincian? Your name is really Rokugani too." "I'm half PBR..." Hikaru says with a smile, and no real trace of a Rokugani accent. "My mother's parents came here to settle from the Kingdom of Provincia before she was born. My father was a sailor, native to Terolus for generations. But you have a strong accent, like my grandmother... were you born there?"

Max said: "Some, I think... mushrooms and lichens are harvested a lot, since they grow so fast," Cassie says, the human girl wearing a patched and stained roughspun shift. Aurora nods, adding sadly "But most of the food is stolen on raids. Zurello and his lizardfolk brought back half my family's harvest when they took me from our farm..." Ering listens with a bit of sadness in his eyes. "I don't know how dangerous it would be to go back t your farm, but we will get you out of here, that much is certain."  "Other than the kidnapping and the raid on your family, have you witnessed any crimes committed by Zurello and his men?"

Dawi said: Max said: "Some, I think... mushrooms and lichens are harvested a lot, since they grow so fast," Cassie says, the human girl wearing a patched and stained roughspun shift. Aurora nods, adding sadly "But most of the food is stolen on raids. Zurello and his lizardfolk Brought Back half my family's harvest when they took me from our farm..." Ering listens with a bit of sadness in his eyes. "I don't know how dangerous it would be to go back t your farm, but we will get you out of here, that much is certain." "Other than the kidnapping and the raid on your family, have you witnessed any crimes committed by Zurello and his men?" "Thank you, milord," Aurora says, bowing deeply as her eyes well with tears. "I've prayed every day for someone to come save me, and now Pelor has finally answered." Aurora seems too emotional to manage more for the moment. Hamanap offers her a hankerchief and a gentle hug, rubbing her back as she cries tears of relief. Instead, Cassie speaks up again: "They treat us slaves with a rough hand... if any of us are too slow to obey, or fail to please, a hard slap is the least we can expect. A few have been beaten so bad they couldn't walk or think right after, or even died, and some are sacrified to their hungry dragon gods." "They brag often of their raids, too," Hikaru puts in, his voice dark with long-hidden anger. "About raping women, looting crops, slaying guards and soldiers, even burning homesteads in sacrifice to Garyx. They're brutes through and through, without kindness or mercy in their hearts." Even the cautious Hamanap seems moved by these stories, her fine Egyptian features growing stony with righteous fury.

well we got more gold , prisoners and people to take care of maybe we should head back to camp?