Chelonia smiled at the Half-Elf as he began asking her questions and she answered each in kind:

"My mentor is on an important expedition to retrieve a number of religious relics and artifacts for our church from within an elaborate cave system not far from here.  He sent word to me that he had found what he'd been searching for and has requested that I come to assist him in its extraction from those caves.  Unfortunately where we are going is not overly hospitable as the cave are filled with a variety of unsavory and rather hostile inhabitants.

Those who accompany me are being employed to assist me in navigating those hostilities found within the caves.  Your keen eye for danger will most definitely come in handy...of that I am sure."
This message was lightly edited by the player at 16:33, Mon 17 Feb 2020.

"Cave dwellers.  A nasty sort, those."  Berdari spits on the ground, his distaste palpable.  "I've had run ins with dark-dwellers in the past and can't say I've ever enjoyed the experience.  It is a good thing your mentor has summoned us.  Should the underground filth catch wind of his discoveries, only the gods know how they may react.  Theft...or worse."

"I am sorry about your mentor, I understand the loss mine was killed several years ago now." as he continues to look after and make sure his heavy crossbow is ready for action. "I am skilled in survival and ranged combat with bows or crossbows, preferring the crossbow for its power.I offered my services to your cause for equal shares in whatever we find and recover."
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 02:45, Tue 18 Feb 2020.

Cril listened to the others talk about why they were there. Like the others he had been hired on to deal with the cave dwellers. I was a task he didn't mind. Dwellers didn't hold to societal laws and were more trouble than anything. "What sorts of artifacts has he located? If you don't mind a curious inquiry on them." Cril was a bit taller than your average halfling. Being just under four feet in height. The dark chain mail he wore spoke a little to his role, as did the sword at his hip. His sheild while as black as his armor carried the holy symbol (twin crossed short swords) of the Halfling god Arvoreen.

Chelonia blinks a few times and turns to Gryphon, "You are mistaken sir.  My mentor is fine, I'm sorry if I've somehow got the impression that he wasn't.  He is waiting for me as we speak as he is on an expedition in the very caves we are going to.  He has discovered something of great importance to our church and our faith.  This is not a time for sadness but rather for joy and celebration."

"Forgive me then, I meant no harm or to cause you any worry. With the unknown dangers from within this cave system, may we find him in good health then. Again I offer my services and prayers for his safe return as well as the relics he was searching for."

Chelonia offers the man a smile accompanied by: "Nothing to be forgiven for as no harm was taken nor worry had.  My mentor took several skilled at protecting, as I have with you...I'm sure that he is fine and in good health.

Both your services and prayers are greatly appreciated.  To which of the gods will you be sending those prayers too?"

"I send them to whichever one will listen, but if it was to be only one I guess it would be Aegir. I am also glad that he brought some reliable and skilled people to protect him. I will want to talk to you more about your mentor, the more knowledge I have the better it will be to try to discern where or what he might do  under different situations."

In reply to Cril Atwal (msg # 6):

"I honestly don't know.  He was very vague about it before he left on the expedition, and didn't offer me much information in his missive short of my coming to help him."

Anders was still a bit new to long journeys and was pretty tired of being on the 'open road', though he tried not to openly show it often. He let out a small sigh of relief when the Keep finally came in to sight. Still, the prospect of fighting monsters, raising them back to unlife and saving people appealed to him greatly, so the journey was just an obstacle to be overcome.

He listened to the conversations among the others as they traveled. The Tortle was nominally in charge, having brought them together, at least in Anders' mind. So he paid the most attention to what she was saying usually.

He looked lost in thought for a moment even as he spoke quietly, "Fascinating. Relics and artifacts...perhaps lost knowledge is waiting to be found as well? That would be most excellent." He seemed to come back to himself and smiled. "Regardless, however, ridding the world of monsters, helping people, finding interesting things, all will be good." He winked. "Though right now I would be happy with some wine, a good meal and a bed!"

Clearly, the road was still a bit new to the noble, though he looked clean enough most of the time whenever he remembered to cast a minor spell on himself that rid him of dust, dirt and anything else unwanted.

Cril nod at the answer. It was as much of an answer as he expected. Whatever power these artifacts had, would have to wait until they found them. "Were there any reports as to the sorts of cave dwellers? I'd like to know what to expect should we need to engage them. Tactics change depending on the enemy we face." And some could be bargained with and brought into servitude Cril mused to his self.

Chelonia responds to Cril's question: "My mentor didn't give any indication in his letter as to what we might expect to encounter in the caves.  It would likely be a good idea for us to ask around once we arrive at the keep."

"I'm sure I can find a few people that will have information on the dwellers and such." Cril says as he looks up towards the gates to the keep. It had been a long enough journey and he was looking forward to finally getting started with the real work.

"Ask around we shall.  If I have one bit of advice for the lot of us, it's that we prepare.  It is easy in a moment of security to be less diligent than one should.  Let us not fall into that trap - I make no exaggeration when I say it may cost us our lives."  Berdari takes a moment to look at the others, each in turn.  "Are any among us feeling unsure or uneasy about the journey into the caves?  It is better that we air our concerns now and squash them rather than waiting until we find ourselves in the darkness, only a torch between it and us."

Anders listened to the idea of asking people at the keep for information. He gave a sort of half-nod of agreement with a half-shrug of his shoulders. "I have no problem with that. I like meeting new people. And..." He smirked but then looked down. "Well. Let's just say that keeping secrets is something that many nobles have to learn early on. All the while you have to be appear friendly, coax out the information you are looking for without revealing your own secrets in the process." He nodded. "Yes. I'm familiar with the idea unfortunately.."

He took a breath and looked up again. "Oh, did mean bravery in going forth to the cave, that no one lose their nerve therein?" He waved a dismissive hand. "I am determined to see what this cave has to offer, and help those we can along the way."

Lago had spent most of the journey scouting ahead of the main party.  She had just reached the group again and was approaching them from the road in front of them.

The keep is ahead... the keep is ahead... she exclaimed excitedly, only a few hours March and we'll be there... it is atop a rocky hill... surrounded by woods... with a long trail snaking up the hillside.

She paused a moment, her ear twitched as she glanced back the way she had come

Others have passed this way... quite some time ago... clawed three-toed footprints ahead... some tracks are much bigger than the others... possibly pack animals of some kind...

She was talking loud enough for all to hear but her attention was upon Chelonia as she was addressing her directly.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:49, Fri 21 Feb 2020.

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This message was last edited by the player at 03:08, Wed 04 Mar 2020.

Chelonia listened to Lago's report and replied with the slow tortle-like drawl and heavily considered words that her kind are known for: "Thank you Masteress Lago for risking your safety once again and bringing back to us that which you have learned from your scouting mission.  Your efforts to ensure our safety are greatly appreciated.

---

As they continued toward the keep a woman appeared ahead on the trail offering words of welcome along with an inquiry as to whether they were hiring.  She pondered the woman's words and then responded: "Well met, friend.  My companions and I are heading to the Keep behind you before heading to explore some nearby caves.  We are not hiring in the likely intended meaning of the word...though, any who accompany us into the caves will be offered an equal share of anything we find within."

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This message was last edited by the player at 03:09, Wed 04 Mar 2020.

Cril watched as the elf approached the group. His had rested lightly on his sword and his eyes were hard set. At her greeting the hardness in his eyes softened, but his hand stayed on his sword hilt. He held his tongue as the woman spoke to Chelonia.

You now move up a narrow, rocky track. A sheer wall of natural stone is on your left, the path falling away to a steep cliff on the right. There is a small widening ahead, where the main gate to the KEEP is. The blue-clad men-at-arms who guard the entrance shout at you to give your names and state your business. All along the wall, you see curious faces peering down at you - eager to welcome new champions of Law, but ready with crossbow and polearm to give another sort of welcome to enemies.

"State your names and your business, or be on your way."

A short stout gate guard asks the group, his voice gruff, though eager to see new arrivals. The walls of the keep are tall, built of black stone, thick and old. No flags or banners fly at the walls of the keep and the guards were no coat of arms. Looking over the edge the rock face goes straight down and does so all the way down the path all around the walls. The road leading up is just wide enough for a wagon and open up enough for a wagon and two men on horse. The Keep would be easily defended from attacks and would need magic, or advanced engineering to overcome its defensive capabilities.
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:36, Mon 24 Feb 2020.

At the command to provide names and to state business by one of the blue uniformed guardsmen, Chelonia responded in a strong, authoritative tone and in the slowed speech of her kind:

"I am Sister Chelonia of the Testudine Order of Tortle clerics.  I am here in response to a summons made by my mentor, Father Tartaruga, a Cleric of the same order and an archaeologist who is in the area on official church business.  With me are those who I have hired to aid me in locating Father Tartaruga who is exploring a nearby system of caves.

If you need further introductions, those with me can speak for themselves."

Berdari immediately recognized Angel as she approached, though she didn't seem to give him more than a second's glance.  He kept quiet as the Tortle welcomed her to the group, instead opting to allow himself to fall a step or two behind as they ascended the road so as to better keep a watchful eye.

He kept his jaw clenched tight as the road became a trap of sorts.  With the sheer cliff face on one side and the steep drop on the other, there was little escape if the guards found them to be undesirables.  With a low voice, he spoke to his fellows.

"This place is quite defensible...for them.  Should they decide they don't like the look of us, however, there is nowhere to flee and no one to stop them.  It seems we've placed our lives in the fingers of men upon a wall."

Louder for the guards to hear, he followed up Chelonia's introduction with his own.

"I am called Berdari Amiakir, here to defend this priestess as she convenes with those of her faith.  It is honest work of a good nature."

(deleted)
This message was last edited by the player at 03:10, Wed 04 Mar 2020.

Raising his polearm and likewise, the crossbowman stop aiming their weapons are each of you.

"Very well, hard to forget Father Tartaruga don't see Tortles often. Nice enough fellow, very enthusiastic."