"I hope we can, Makari. But from the looks of that queue, our friends here are not the only ones seeking the safety of Bargewright. We have seen them this far; we should see them safely inside. And it may be we can learn something here that will make this less of a detour." The halfling spoke in hushed tones so as not to offend the refugees with his bluntness.

As they crest the last rise before the gates of the town Gorm plops herself down on a comfortable looking grassy spot that overlooks the approach to the town without being close enough to any roads to be visible to anyone much closer.

Ehrendil's eyebrow raised in surprise at Makari's remarks. He was about to admonish the warlock for his lack of empathy when he recalled the crystal ball in the water temple and the half-elf's story of being enslaved.

"We had to get them to safety, Makari. But wiping these cultists from the very face of Faerun is certainly a goal that I support!"

Faith had a smile and look of relief on her face as the town came into sight. Even though it was small, and she had stayed in larger, to her the sight after being captured was heavenly. Even the line did not dampen her spirits.

"I am all for finding an inn, and maybe we rest the night with a bath, meal and sleep." She looked at them all. "...after that, if you'll have me, i'm all for coming along to teach thiese cultists a lesson. water or earth doesn't matter, though earth is kinda my pick as they were the bastards that had us. But, if the water is as bad as them, i'm all for destroying all of them.'

As the group approaches the line into Bargewright, several fellow travelers give the ragged appearing former slaves a sharp eye, though no one makes a comment.

The line into the small walled city moves quickly, and the group finds itself at the front of the line in a short time. "All of ye sign here," the bored guard intones, gesturing to a weathered wooden table and large book of names. Several guards stand around looking the new arrivals over, and several other figures dressed in black loiter just inside the walls.

"I am but a humble creature of the forest," Zeb demured, emphasizing his bare feet and missing arm. "And mangled, besides. Not much for writing, I'm afraid."

---

Zeb rolled 1 using 1d20 with rolls of 1. Deception. Don't sign government lists!

Faith decided to take the lead on the suituation. "Humble sir - my frineds and i were attacked and taken prisoner. Had it not been for these fine folk, we would still be at the mercy of those creatin's!" She indicated the party and the dwarves.

She looked at the soldiers. "As you can see, the dwarves are part of a delegation from the north - and my malnourised friends are in need of food and rest. I beg that you skip this and allow us in to rest them so we can discuss the suituation with your captain - or even better, the leader of this fine place."

---

<OOC: Faith rolled 23 using 1d20+5 with rolls of 18.  persuasion check.>

The guard eyes Zeb with suspicion, but relents after Faith's plea. "A delegation you say? Fine fine," the guard says with a yawn. "Hing, take this lot through the inner gate to The Old Bargewright. Chalaska will be at the tavern this time of day.

One of the guards peels off the wall and motions for the group to follow her inside. A second wall inside rings a cluster of 10 to 15 rickety buildings, and a cluster of activity just outside the inner wall surrounds a set of market stalls, packing up for the encroaching night.

The guard leads the procession among the buildings to the far left corner of the Inn, where a weathered wooden placard above one of the largest buildings proclaims it to be The Old Bargewright. Upon entering, Hing turns left into a busy tavern, as nearly every table and stool is occupied. Wiry serving men and women scuttle between tables bringing heaps of food and drink.

A large table in the back is occupied by leather clad woman and several aides, whispering among themselves. Two unobtrusive guards stand beside the table, eyeing anyone who moves or looks in their direction.

Hing proceeds directly to the back table, saluting fist to chest. "A delegation has arrived to meet with you, Master Muruin," Hing says. "I, uh - actually, what are you all a delegation from exactly?"

"Representatives from Goldenfields and Mirabar." Ehrendil replies to Hing, hoping to satisfy the guard.

Zeb stood silently by Ehrendil's side, trying to look Mirabaran.

Chalaska exchanges glances with several of her aides. "Interesting. I can't think of many locations in the west further away from each other than Mirabar and Goldenfields, politically or geographically. What brings you to Bargewright Inn?"

Makari tried to do his best to hide his mounting frustration. This was taking more and more time. There were other prisoners that needed rescuing as well - or at least there had been. They might have been killed by now for all he knew. He stayed silent and stared down at the ground so no one would think he was glaring at them or something.

Ehrendil looks around, but goes ahead and answers. "The delegation from Mirabar was waylaid and imprisoned by cultists before they could reach Goldenfields. The abbott, Darovik, sent us to find them.

We managed to rescue them and this was the closest place of safety. They need to rest and recuperate. The rest of us need to rest before we return to look for more prisoners."

---

This was the backstory I had from when Ehrendil and Zeb joined the game.

The tiefling stood by with a half-smile, dirty, signs of bruises on her arms and hands and dried muck and blood. "the delegation, which i was with as entertainment got caught some weeks ago, and as yu can imagine we are all tired, hungry and in need of a taste of civilization."

She sighed and looked at her. "I for one, as partial payment can offer to sing for your patrons while i am here - after i have had a bath and meal of course. It would be very unseeming to perform how i look."

Chalaska nods thoughtfully, and grants leave for the entire party to stay for up to a week at The Old Bargewright in the common rooms on her, or 5 silver per day for each private room. "But the ale and food ye'll need to pay for, mind," she admonishes. "And in the meanwhile we can discuss an accord between your groups and the... mine." she finishes.

"If I may interject," Bruldenthar says, sidling up to the back table after excusing himself from a nearby conversation. Bruldenthar had spent several minutes upon entering the tavern conversing with its various occupants, and now introduces himself to Chalaska and her advisors.

"Your pursuit of power and influence aligns with the calculated steps I've taken throughout my scholarly endeavors. I propose not merely an alliance, but a convergence of minds — a merging of my wealth of information with your organization's strategic might.

"As a dwarf who has navigated the labyrinth of secrets and truths, I understand that your organization seeks not just dominance but a reshaping of the very fabric of the Realms. Together, we can unravel the mysteries that elude our enemies, exposing vulnerabilities and securing advantages that extend beyond the immediate.

Consider me not only an ally but a steward of knowledge, a guardian of secrets. In return for my insights, I ask for the shield of your organization, a sanctuary in which my intellect can flourish, and from which we can sow the seeds of our shared destiny.

Let our goals intertwine like the threads of fate, weaving a narrative where your organization's influence expands, and my intellect illuminates the path forward. Together, we shall carve our mark upon the annals of history," Bruldenthar concludes. "Let us forge an alliance that benefits us both. You and your organization will find in me and my associates steadfast allies, and I, in turn, will find in you a powerful and influential partner." The dwarf ends his soliloquy with a brief bow.

Chalaska positively beams at Bruldenthar, immediately dismissing the rest of the party and her own aides, and invites Bruldenthar to a back room for further conversation.

---

Whence next?

Makari just shook his head again. He arranged for a room and then went up to it and closed the door.

Morg blinks, then tries to quickly get cleaned up and eat something.
He asks the party and those rescued if they're okay with him going back to Gorm outside, to wait for the party there.

Ehrendil will bathe if possible, and eat a meal before retiring for a good rest.

Over dinner he will ask, "When we leave in the morning will it be to the monastery to look for more prisoners or to Rivergard Keep to avenge the halflings?"

Faith smiled at her dwarven friends efforts, and as he left, she smiled and nodded.

When the time came, she looked at them. "I don't know about you, but i need a warm bath, a hot meal and some wine before we even think of moving on." She looked at the wood elf and nodded. "Lets say we meet down here at dawn, have a quick breakfast, then leave - gives us time to rest and clean up."

At Morg's question, one of Chalaska's guards sniggers. "No one's allowed in or out during the night," the greasy-haired man says behind a thick, bushy moustache. "'Les you want to get hauled up and down t'other side on a rope-slung chair. T'ain't cheap neither, as the guards don't like hauling ropes at night."

After some time, Bruldenthar reappears from a back room, and eyes the slowly dwindling population of the common room. The revelry has died down and been replaced by multiple hushed conversations in the darkened corners of the irregularly shaped room.

"It turns out," Bruldenthar begins quietly to the group, as he gestures toward the back room with a hand holding a glass full of green liquid, "that although Bargewright Inn is largely under the direct control of our good friend Chalska Muruin back there, for several years now it is deeply connected to an influential group known as the Zhentarim." His eyes flicker around the room once again, to ensure no one is too close to hear his words.

"Now while I am hesitant to ally myself with a somewhat shadowy group full of spies, cutpurses, and the like, we are rather serendipitously aligned in our goals, and least in the short term. They are interested in working with me to recover my books and rescue the rest of our ill-fated delegation, as well as furnish myself and my fellow escaped prisoners with a regular salary. In exchange, I am working to improve the Zhent's relationship with Mirabar, which could be quite lucrative in trade alone."

"In addition," the dwarf continues, "If your group is amenable to continuing your investigations of the cultist incursions on behalf of the Zhentarim, they will assist you in your efforts to recover the delegation. This could include providing supplies, equipment, information, and so forth. There is an intimation that certain special favors may be required from time to time, but I doubt those would be terribly burdensome."

"In that vein, Chalaska did mention that the Bargewright has recently encountered delayed and short changed barge orders from up river that is impacting their profits, and they believe intrigue in Yartar may be the cause. If you find yourself with any information relating to this, or even have the opportunity to visit Yartar to investigate, they will make it worth your while."

"So," Bruldenthar finishes, "you have an option before you that may require discussion, though no immediate decision is necessary. If you do decide to work with the Zhentarim I of course would remain your humble servent and point of contact, as I am forever in your debt from rescuing me from that pit of despair." Bruldenthar then seeks out the barkeep to take care of the group's food and drink.

---

XP Award, rescue of Black Earth prisoners: 1,800 XP
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:55, Thu 30 Nov 2023.

Once Bruldenthar takes his leave, Ehrendil lets out a soft sigh. "It seems that we will have to postpone our sleep!"

Looking around the table, the elf lowers his voice. "I will not entertain the offer. For many years I have been part of a...group...that has been, occasionally, at odds with the Zhentarim.

Still, I would still deal with these cultists with all of you, regardless if you choose to accept Chalaska's offer."

---

I don't think it ever came up IC, but Ehrendil is associated with the Emerald Enclave.

"I am with Ehrendil," Zeb declared, puffing out his tiny chest. "And with our erstwhile companion as well," he added as Makari walked off. "We have done our duty to these prisoners and should be back to the Earth temple."

"While I've had dealings with members of the Zhentarim who weren't bad," Morg whispers to the party, "I've also heard horror stories of what their members have done, so I'm also with Ehrendil."

"As for tonight, I'd prefer sleeping in a common room with shifts of someone always standing guard."

Faith looked at the others and smiled. "While i haven't had the experiences as you have, i will bow to teh wisdom of the whole." She nodded and smiled at each. "And as for location of rest, anywhere is good, just as long as i get a bath to wash the blood and dirt off me, a warm meal and some place not on rock or mud."

"I understand your position," Bruldenthar says evenly upon his return to the group, somewhat disappointed. "Even so, I'll arrange for your room & board this evening, and I'll see about transport back to the vicinity of the Standing Stone monastery. Find me in this common room in the morning." Tipping his non-existent cap, he proceeds to join another small group huddling in a dark corner of the room.

---

Anything else before presumably long-resting?