Return To The Ruins (Warlords Palace)

[shaidar]

Xenos

"And on our way back we found a new friend who wants to help us." he gestures to the large Esquimaux-Ixian warrior "This is Sik."

I'm assuming by now we've taken this discussion inside.

[OGRE MAGE]

The Brothel Basement

The growing group sits around on the basement floor, discussing all manner of affairs, most importantly, where they will go next. Kain mentions they bought a house in town, not something anyone likely expected, though all seem affable to the idea of better accommodations at some point.

Ceana is still convinced that her visions will guide her path, suddenly even more eager to get out and see these dangerous ruins for herself.

Though Kain believes they should bring this mission up to the Satrap for possible funding or rewards, both Xenos and Sik are visibly reluctant to get any authorities involved.

The group is shocked for a moment at Cyril’s doppelgänger-like display, showing off the magical power of their new amulets commandeered from the snakemen priests they killed.

After introducing their new friend and native Xambaalian Sik, the next order of business is finalizing plans before morning . Though the possible dangers of this mission seem overwhelming in number, perhaps with this larger group of talent along, they may be overcome more expeditiously.

Great stuff here everyone!

Go ahead and finalize any last minute details or plans before morning.

If you are injured and resting through the night, you can make a Hit Die roll to recover lost hit points.

[Rex]

Drest

hp recovery from rest [1d6+1]=5+1=6

[Monsieur Rose]

Kainaxarthos

... not something anyone likely expected...

Kain nods at the wisdom of keeping an undiscovered fortress/temple/hideout secret from the authorities. "Ok. Your find, your call. We need to tap into the resources of the Satrap to get paid for all of this work we're doing for the town, though. They won't commit soldiers to the task if they can hire expendable mercenaries." He shrugs. "Maybe next time. Or, we do the work and then tell the Satrap about the problem."

[Rex]

Drest

"I think telling the authorities is up to Xenos and Sik. I will back them on the decision."

[Monsieur Rose]

If it's a concern about more delay, it's possible that OM would let Kain be in two places at once. Running the ruins mission while running a prequel mission to deal with the authorities. If it's a character decision, I respect that.

[Rex]

Drest

Sorry, I thought you knew. Xenos and Sik are in hiding from the authorities.

[The_Wanderer]

Drest

Sorry, I thought you knew. Xenos and Sik are in hiding from the authorities.

True but the rest of us are not...I do like the idea of getting paid for the work.

[shaidar]

Xenos

"It looks like some of the slaves, not just the cannibal ones, are using it as a place of safety, that's why I'm concerned about telling the Satrap."

[Ahlmzhad]

Taibhse

Taibhse takes it all in then begins to rattle off questions as he tries to get a handle on such a complex problem. "So we have snake people..."

Cyril
"One small adjustment...they were disguised snake people..." As he says this, he focuses on his amulet and changes his physical appearance to match one of the dead snakemen. "When they died their formed changed to look like this...but when they still lived they looked like normal humans." As he finishes speaking, he lets his disguise fade back to his normal appearance.
"The slaves did not know that they were dealing with snake people."

Taibhse

"Those are worthwhile, it might be worth the trip just to get some more. The escaped slaves are a problem that should be dealt with forcefully."

[Ahlmzhad]

Xenos

"It looks like some of the slaves, not just the cannibal ones, are using it as a place of safety, that's why I'm concerned about telling the Satrap."

Taibhse

"While I agree that officials add little worthwhile to our endeavor, but strange your concern for runaway slaves. I don't want to bring them back, but I'm not inclined to aid them, particularly if they are cannibals."

[Belkregos]

Belloc, previously content with keeping to himself, now steps forward to share his thoughts.

"Forgive the interruption. I, too, have only recently become acquainted with this group. it was so fortunate that our paths crossed while exploring the Mausoleum and the prospect of venturing into the discussed ruins is undeniably captivating."

"my name is Belloc and if the rest of the group is agreeable i would like to join in the efforts, i can be ready as soon as a departure is agreed upon"

[silifi]

Sik growls at the talk of telling the Satrap. "We will not tell the Satrap's men of any of this! There are indeed slaves there that had no choice in the matter. We escape to survive, and the True Allattaasitoqaq provided a way to fight back against our captors. These men and women are innocent, and you will not sell them back into slavery while I still stand."

[Monsieur Rose]

Kainaxarthos

He looks from Xenos to Sik, noting their appearance. "Ah. You both were slaves and escaped. And both slaves here, in Xamballa? Why are you still here, your appearance can pass for Ixian like mine. I'm not pure Ixian either."

"But you misunderstand. I'm not trying to recover escaped slaves, although that would be profitable. Though most likely their masters have long since forgotten them. I was focused on the snake cult. That would be worth telling the Satrap, the rest can be left out."

Kain shrugs and waves it away. "Like I said. I don't even know where this place is. Your call. But I would like to say that getting involved in helping escaped slaves is a bad idea. Like disrespecting the Witch-Queen bad."

He gets a gleam in his eye and seems to look off into the distance. "Although, if one were so inclined, you could claim ownership over the recovered slaves. Then you could treat them how you wish, including as free men working in a forgotten fortress with you as the leader. Maybe, I don't know."

[hedgeknight]

Drest "All true. But the escaped slaves were knowingly eating people and roasting them alive on a spit. We killed all the dwarves we encountered but there is a lot more to explore there."

Ceana's mouth drops open as she tries to find the words to express her horror at Drest's statement.
"Th-the first law of my people is 'Thou shalt not eat the flesh of men.' Yoon'Deh help us all!"

She sits quietly as the others talk, silently praying to Yoon'Deh for guidance.

[Rex]

Drest

To Ceana, "I do not like cannibals either, filthy rite."

[shaidar]

Xenos looks horrified at Kain's comments

"You are lucky I'm not easy to anger with disgusting accusations like that, otherwise you would be in trouble. It is true that I have enemies here in Xambaala that I wish to avoid, and as soon as I have the coin I will be finding passage on a ship away from this place. I have no interest in a slave revolt, I'm aware of the witch-queens iron fist, the streets of Yithorium are well known to me."

[Monsieur Rose]

Kainaxarthos

He nods in deference to the angry man. "No offense meant, but just so I know, what was the insult? Ixian, or slave? I don't mean either as an insult."

Or was something else disgusting?

[shaidar]

Xenos looks at Kain

"slave." he says simply.

[The_Wanderer]

Drest

To Ceana, "I do not like cannibals either, filthy rite."

Cyril
"I mean if you have no other food..." He lets this trail off, having apparently become distracted.

His eyes focus again and he says, "So slavery is a hot button among our crew. That is understandable. There is a point to be made on telling the Satrap about this Snake Cult however. Presuming of course that the Satrap is not among them...But anyway should the Satrap rightly feel threatened by a cult in the area, he would likely be most willing to pay for its demise, should we be able to prove it. Is it reasonable to propose a head cost for every snake head we bring him? That way we do not have to disclose their base of operations but could still receive some monetary reward...And those of you who may not be welcome in the palace could go in disguise. I am aware of at least two terrific amulets for that purpose."