Doria claims a good sword and put it on her waist and a dagger would be nice both are more practical than a trident to travel with as weapons go. Not she is much of a warrior anyway. After she dresses again.

"Maybe we should turn them over to the river woman and see what they do with them. " she says with a smile. "Are there any bounties on you all to make you valuable to us"

The hunter throwed a dark stare at their prisioners and kept his spear at hand just in case one of them tried something. "We could also deliver them to the guards of the nearby village, so they can be judged for their crimes. They are certainly the ones responsible for the killings and disappearings in this area."
This message was last edited by the player at 09:07, Sun 19 Mar 2017.

"I agree that is likely," Eurenomes admitted, "but the river nymphs have a good claim on them as well - perhaps we should at least speak with them?"

Eurenomes flushed a little as he thought of the fair daughter of the waters who had healed him.

The prisoners ignore Aleta's question about whether they had any bounties on them and give the party sullen looks as they debate whether to turn them over to local authorities or the river nymphs.

Approaching, Dysis put in "I think it would be a good idea to ask the nymphs what they would do.  This is their domain - I believe we owe them the courtesy."

Of the party members, Itylus, Lysandros, are slightly wounded. Arthanos, Dysis, and Mugarod have taken hits as well that are more severe. Myrine is perhaps in the worst shape but she is not close to death. Only Aleta, Doria, and Eurenomes remain unwounded by the battle.

Doria has significantly drained her powers, as has Dysis. Eurenomes too had felt some strain with his spell, but certainly could take time to recover his power as well.

As Aleta is not hurt and not as tired as some of the others, she does what she can to help everyone.

Arthanos considers the two options, then looks at the prisoners.

"We need to bind their hands. If they have harmed the nymphs, then we should turn them over to them. The Nymphs may also have advise on their actions. If they haven't hurt the nymphs, then we turn them over to the local law..." He says, then pauses and looks at Mugarod, Myrine and Efimia.

"Who would it be best to turn them over to?" he queries. As he waits for their response, he looks at the pile of loot and notices the bronze key. Picking it up, he tries to figure if it matches anything in the loot before looking at the prisoners, finally answering the one who spoke.

"We will take you for trial. I would like to know what your exact intentions were...and I would also like to know what this key is for."
This message was last edited by the player at 07:25, Tue 28 Mar 2017.

Itylus immediatly followed Arthanos' suggestion to bind the bandits. He picked up the rope they had found among their belongings and tied, not too gently, their hands behind their backs, in a way so they would all be connected to each other through the rope. That way the party would be able to march their prisioners in a line.

While the hunter was doing this he said: "Independently of whom we handle this fellows to, we should go to the Nymphs first. We have several people in need of healing" he paused a moment his work to look at his most wounded companions. "Doria, do you think they would be willing to heal our companions?"
This message was last edited by the player at 15:03, Wed 29 Mar 2017.

"If I had the power available within me, of course, but I'm too drained to do so. So they will need to or find a human healer in the nearest settlement and take the time to heal.," she said dressing but seems a bit tired.

 Lysandros had been watching the entire time, keeping alert to thier surroundings. It was the Warrior in him that always assumed a threat was near to hand.

With Aleta as his assistant, Eurenomes goes about the business of tending to his party member's wounds, such as removing the arrow from Dysis' arm and bandaging it, as well as his other companions so as to at least stop the bleeding. He could then consider later who would best benefit from the Divine Vitality that his patron Hermes could allow him to bestow to spiritually knit together torn flesh and broken bone.

Itylus binds the prisoners so to prevent their escape, not that they seemed that inclined to do so. As he does so, Arthanos had begun his interrogation and questions to them.



The bandit that had spoken earlier looks back at him with a sullen expression. "... It goes... to a lock." he says sarcastically. He speaks. "Look, either you lot hand us over to the the river witches who will drown us, or we are executed by the villagers as bandits, thieves, and pirates. So, I don't see why I should tell you anything, matey, when we have nothing to gain by it."

Mugarod shifts uncomfortably. Although the arrow that had struck him had now been skillfully removed by Arthanos he was still in some pain from the blow. "In my opinion, you take them to the locals. Likely they are known and perhaps you'll even get a bounty." he says with a nod to Aleta. "If nothing else, it'll build you some goodwill with the locals here, I'd wager.

Myrine and Efimia had exchanged knowing looks, and shortly after Mugarod offered his opinion, Myrine offers that of her and her sister: "Our prisoners appears to be manhunters, looking for slaves to bring to market." She gives a wry grin as she considers them and they give her sullen looks in return. Myrine continues. "Although they outnumbered us, I bet this is only a small number of them. No doubt our prisoners here have a longboat or ship someplace within marching distance and probably a lair or hideout where the rest of them keep their slaves."

Given her background, Dysis had a particular loathing for slavery, and those who worked at perpetuating it.

"Those are good points.   It may well be that you are right, in that.   We need to find out, and free them, if so.   And, it may be that someone among their number will be more helpful in telling us something about that key. Or, that it may fit something within their hideout. Perhaps the master key to the slave pen, itself?"


She cast a dark look in the direction of the captive pirates.   "Do not think of bargaining, with the likes of these.  They'll lie, almost surely.   I still say the nymphs should be consulted first -- and, if they've nothing against it, then give them to the local authority." 
This message was last edited by the player at 19:12, Wed 29 Mar 2017.

"I have an idea we could sell them into slavery instead of the other choices if and only if you tell us about the key and if its a treasure chest then where it is, its better than death and more just to me, since they enslaved people its fair they are forced into servitude. If they are  helpful we will perhaps sell them to a noble or man with agricultural land to farm over a salt mine or other worse situation. Its at least a reasonable option and perhaps if they have a ship we can take that as a prize.," Doria said not caring for the scum but slavery might be a better choice for them than death.

"I agree, if anyone talks, we sell them into slavery. Otherwise we turn them over to the locals that might have a bounty on them"

"It's clever thinking, Doria --  but, what is to keep them from lying to us? We might end up in some danger, by taking their word.   And, how long must we keep them, until we find someone who is interested?  Were I a noble, I'd think twice about purchasing a bunch of cutthroats. Most of them would kill to regain their freedom, given the chance."     Her dark eyes moved again toward the captives, a frown on her lips.

"I would think if they are bought as slaves, its to the mines or something, not as house servants but it lets them live and have hope of escaping. I say we only let one go that way, who ever tells us the most"

"That is true."    It was worth playing along with, to see what they might get from the pirates, in any case.

"Well, surely you are not deaf," she turned and spoke to the pirates.

"You've heard the mercy proposed by our enchanting nymph friend.  Would you like to offer something, in return for it?"

The spokesman for the small band of surviving bandits gives Dysis (and Doria) an incredulous look. "Slavery is profitable, but it is no kind mercy, matey." he shakes his head. "You have not the look of slavers nor do you look like you know the markets that would consider taking scum such as us. I doubt you are prepared to transport us hundreds of miles south for a handful of silver a head, assuming we even survive the trip." The prisoner gives a toothy smile. "However, if you set us free, then perhaps we can offer something that may interest you." he gives a slight nod to he bronze key that Arthanos holds. "Such as information to what that key might go to, or maybe even about our captain and the treasure he holds and searches for."

Mugarod interjects, speaking softly to the other party members so their prisoners could avoid hearing them. "Sometimes the carrot works, but bargaining is a weakness with people such as this. Brutality is what they will respond to. If not their leader, then another in their midst." He darts his eyes from one person to another. "Allow me to play the role of the 'beast' here, even if it means killing one or more of them to make your point. They will then talk and you will learn whatever it is you want to know.

Aleta sighs "Go for it" she whispers to Mugarod .

This thread is now closed.