Manaku follows events silently standing by his friends. As Brodd asks Catweazel to verify authenticity of the bounty hunter, Manaku slightly tilts his head in anticipation.

The bounty hunter begins sliding the scroll...actually several sheafs of parchment out of the tube as he addresses the dwarf.

"Our Order has hauled in errant clerics before, of higher rank than the Brother here. It is nothing personal...you see, in my line of work, all are suspect."

He offers several sheafs of parchment to the old man, who holds them up to the light to examine them in order.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:01, Thu 20 May 2021.

"Hmm. The seal appears valid...I recognize the watermark...these pages are for the other bandits...this one is his entry...yes, yes, standard boilerplate...Oh! A codecil! The ink is fairly fresh on this one!"

In reply to Jarvak Amendola (msg # 26):

"It sounded pretty personal to me..." replies the Dwarf, not particularly inclined to be mollified, "The Brother here is a man of honour and integrity beyond reproach. So I suggest you take a little more care with what you say."

"Fresh ink? That doesn't seem right, what does it say?"

She isn't quite sure what a of code-of-sil is, but opts to hide her ignorance.

"A codicil? Is the signature on it correct? What does it claim? Why, pray tell, is the ink fresh on this codicil, dear Jarvak?!" He tugged on Catweazel's sleeve to allow him to take a look as well, nearly tripping flat on his face as he shuffled swiftly around Brodd and pushed in-between everyone there.

Paxton canted his head to one side and regarded Durek mildly.

"Nobody's beyond reproach," he said softly. "In the end, faith manages.  And love endures.  Stand by your friends, sir Dwarf."

Having rested, Dwarghar wanders a bit and finds Amalric then is directed or notices his companions on their way to the bounty hunter...quickly he checks that his shares are all secure where he left them. Once satisfied he’ll head out and see what’s going on.

In reply to Paxton (msg # 31):

"Stand by my friends? I could never do anything less...which is why I am here," the Dwarf replies, glancing over his shoulder at his companions.
This message was last edited by the player at 08:35, Fri 21 May 2021.

"The codecil is the piece of parchment tacked on the end. A messenger sent it to us a couple days ago. An extremely tedious assignment and a waste of time, in my opinion."

The old wizard raises his monocle and studies the scrap of parchment carefully.

"But useful to us nonetheless! If we bring back proof that we've slain the dragon, and testify that Travis took part in our success, all of his warrants will be cancelled and his bounty will be considered fully paid!"

In reply to Catweazel (msg # 35):

"Ahhh, Jarvak neglected to tell us that! In which case, we withhold further payments until we meet the dragon then. You Jarvak will give BACK the funds we've paid already if we produce the proof!"

Well this was news... though she doubted anyone ever considered 'all you have to do is kill a dragon' good news. Still, the bounty hunter seemed unhappy about it, that was something.

"Ah..." says Durek. "It seems that...in your eagerness to claim your bounty...you forgot to mention this little detail. Well...it will be our pleasure to waste some more of your precious time."

"Ha! A waste of time to a coward, maybe! We'll kill that dragon and split its body up amongst ourselves!" Pock spat at Jarvak, not quite stepping beyond the protection of his taller comrades. He wasn't quite himself today, or he would think about the prospect of fighting a dragon and give up on the adventuring life. Maybe retire, go back home, get married to that nice gnomish lady he was meant to marry a few years back...

But he wasn't quite himself today, so instead he insulted Jarvak.

As the news of the codecil circulated around the party Travis took a firmer grip on his treasure "so slay Karrak'thrax of the Crimson Wing or die trying" he voiced aloud "as a prospect doesn't really feel much fairer than paying the gold but I'm game to give it a go" he smiled "at least this way we get to keep the gold at the end" it was in a sense good news and the relief made Travis forgiving, he didn't jibed at Jarvak but grinned "I accept".

"As I told Durek.  Faith manages.  We'll find a way," Paxton said quietly.

In reply to Paxton (msg # 41):

Brodd collects the money he was going to pay and heads back to their fort. Fort Hope! He, with Paxton and Alietra, would build a church!

He took Alietra's hand in his as they walked back to Fort Hope.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:07, Sat 22 May 2021.

In reply to Brother Brodd (msg # 42):

She blushes at the overt public display of affection, but Alietra doesn't pull away. Build a church?

Jarvak raises his boot to lean forward on the chest.

"The amount already taken will be kept as colateral to insure your side of the bargain. And let me remind you that the time limit is still in effect. You have twenty-eight days to slay said dragon.

He gives a lazy version of the Brother's gesture.

"Peace be with you, Brother...and Victory. This meeting is adjourned."

In reply to DM (msg # 44):

Brodd leads the way back to Fort Hope, with Alietra in hand and Pock, his champion, at his side. "Back in tomorrow I guess, we need to slay a dragon."

Once back at the Fort, he helps with the building of the fort and new 'town'.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:39, Thu 27 May 2021.

In reply to Travis (msg # 40):

"... or die trying indeed." Manaku says. "Killing a dragon is a fool's errand. What is written there - that's a death sentence. Not necessary for Travis but for some who will join such mission."

The elf flashes sudden smile. Count me in."

"What an arrogant sod!" growls Durek as they walk back to their fortified camp. "You can count me in, too...I'd do it just to wipe the smug look of his face!"
This message was last edited by the player at 15:55, Mon 24 May 2021.

Their meeting concluded Travis walked away with his companions. He was quiet, his thought reserved, it was a heavy burden he carried. Would this adventure kill them all?

"You're all heroes" he told them for no truer name existed for those that would willing enter that dungeon and kill the dragon that would set him free.

In reply to Travis (msg # 48):

"Nah," says Durek, clapping Travis on the back, "Just doing what anyone would do for a comrade-in-arms and a friend. Besides...we need you."