As the evening shadows grow longer until darkness descends, the old wizard approaches Brother Brodd.

"We bought a chest specifically for...tributes...to the bounty hunter and his men. They have started sending agents each day at noontime. How much of today's spoils shall we put in?"

In reply to Catweazel (msg # 39):

"I'll question him tomorrow, show the papers for the bail and ruling from the king, or leave us alone. We want to see the warrant also, proof that he is even wanted!"

In reply to Brother Brodd (msg # 40):

"Thank you, Brother Brodd. Nice to see someone take my ideas seriously. If this is legit, that is one thing, but I would hate to be the victim of a con, especially one that huge."

She is clearly pleased, and thankful that the good Brother is stepping up. He is certainly a good man. Unlike some drippy farts...
This message was last edited by the player at 16:42, Fri 07 May 2021.

"I'll come with you, Brother Brodd," growls Durek. "I would like to meet this so-called bounty hunter."

"Not without me, you don't," Paxton seconded.

The young woman sharping her weapon and muttering to  herself assumes the Good Brother knows she wasn't letting him go without her.

Dwarghar grunts
I’d just as soon kill them. This is stupid.

He seems unsure if he wants to go or not.

Did I heal?

There was much that had happened in Travis's life. Most of it led to poor choices, many where others were hurt or misused. Travis been part of a protection racket organised by infamous bandit Clark Sparrowheart. He had been bad but it seemed redemption was a choice and his companions offered freely their support.

"Ahem" he added to the conversation sheepishly "I've seen protection rackets close up. I met the infamous Clark Sparrowheart once, persuaded him to save the people in the valley when the Gnomish dam burst, bad guys can do good too" he tried to make things sound perhaps better than they were "anyway if we go tomorrow I'll come along to spot any tricks I know of."

In reply to Travis (msg # 46):

It seemed only right that Travis should go along, though she could understand if he didn't want to.

"Some day you will have to explain to me what a protection racket is." she said.

"Don't know if I'm useful coming with you, but I can come with you as well."

In reply to Alietra (msg # 44):

In reply to Dwarghar Stoneblood (msg # 45):

[Did either of the clerics heal you or are you just taking a full day's rest?]

"I've seen these writs before, I've even helped a few nobles with their spelling when they wrote them! I shall come with you to their camp, if it so pleases."

Given that she could barely read, Alietra was glad to hear about Catweazel's experience. She paused in her weapon care to give him a thumbs up.

In reply to DM (msg # 50):

I think they complained that they couldn't help against poison - so rest to start...

I would accept such if one of them can manage it

In reply to Dwarghar Stoneblood (msg # 53):

Brodd will give a healing spell.

08:07, Today: Brother Brodd rolled 3 using 1d6+1.  clw.

"Yes, come with us, Catweazel, by all means! I'll be going too, ready to conjure an illusion over their heads if they start a fight."

Paxton observed the effects of Brodd's spell, trying to weigh whether he needed to provide one as well, or reserve it for later.

OOC: If I can tell?

In reply to Paxton (msg # 56):

it was a sad CLW spell.

In reply to Brother Brodd (msg # 57):

Brodd gets to work building Fort Hope. Cutting timber and clearing the ground. They would need a mill, good thing the water was close, they could build one, possibly a gristmill too for food.

Durek...keen to return underground...will see to his weapons and armour, whilst chatting to Travis.

"We'd all be returning below regardless of you or this bounty hunter!" says the Dwarf, seeing that the guilt is weighing heavy on the scout, "That's why we all came here in the first place. Wiping the smug look off tha' bastard's face is just an added bonus! So don't you fret."

"Do yer remember anything else about this hall of bones?" he asks, continuing to sharpen the blades of his battle-axe, "Or the hall full of coins? What fell beasts we may find in there? You said you spoke to this Karrak'thrax and that you know her power? Anything you can remember might be of help?"
This message was last edited by the player at 16:07, Wed 26 May 2021.

So the King wants the dragon killed. Or the thief killed ...

Does Karrak'thrax really need to die? Does the Dragon and the scout have a common enemy?

What is the dragon doing? If it spoke with you once and let you live did you get any inclination it is willing to make deals?

"The dragon was a huge beast" Travis replied to Durek glad of the conversation and the support "evil I imagine but honourable in it's own way. It chose not to kill or eat me. I never saw it but in the wilds I've learnt to sense things through sound and smell. I smelt fire in its belly, heard its sharp claws scrape on stone and felt the wind of its large wings" thinking back Travis shivered then recalled the terrifying feeling of dragonfear, overcome he sat down. He gathering his thoughts then to calm his mind he sorted through his belongings and checked his arrows "there was a moment" Travis stalling finding the memory difficult "when flame erupted from Karrak'thrax's maw. I did see the dragon if only for the blink of eye, it was twice the size of a manticore. Small enough to squeeze through the tunnels in the hunt for prey or to chase away any would be dragonslayer"

"I don't know if Karrak'thrax has enemies besides the King. Like I said it possessed honour, we spoke, I traded my story for my life. Perhaps an exchange could be arranged, the dragon offered something to leave the caves or to provide some token we could show the King. What can you tempt a dragon with?" he asked the two dwarves.

Of the other caves Travis was less troubled, he talked with more certainty as he began to polish and clean his leathers "the halls were dark and wet. In the hall of coins you should search for the amphorae as they held more valuable coins, the amphorae are hidden behind the vast piles of copper coins. The hall of bones was limestone, I didn't spy any treasure there but didn't stop to search as it was a gruesome sight"

"To kill an honorable dragon to please a dishonorable bounty hunter and a questionable king. What a mess we have gotten ourselves in to."

Manaku listens Travis's tail with growing curiosity. "You traded your life for the story? I wonder why?"

After walking few steps in silence the elf frowns. "I can't help it; have a gut feeling it let you go only for progressing some plot of its own. Maybe it wants to lure some prospering adventurers like us to it. I was taught dragons can't be trusted. Especially the chromatic colored ones, never, ever, period.

What color does Karrak'thrax's scales have?"