OOC: Will Falan have time to consider the situation before he finishes casting?

Ronan: Cast Magic Missile at the slaver.
Thrall: Protect Ronan.
New Hiree: Guard Ronan.

In reply to Ronan (msg # 928):

We're your new friends." Angus says as he prepares to move forward. "Control your pets and surrender yourself."

 Fentinbrook saw the reaction  of the leader, the nodded in satisfaction. He walked over to the Slaver, and held out his hand for the cube." You no longer have need of that. I shall keep it safe for you,friend. We need to have a chat about a few things. Tell your underlings to stand down."

Deflated that Fentinbrook has so easily hired a middle manager, Ronan consoles himself doling out pointless tasks to his new number #2, Trandar. The exercise of his petty yet absolute authority soon cheers him.

"Hey, do you all think we missed a treasure room somewhere along the way?."

Jerking his thumb at Fentin's new hire, he says, "Maybe he knows."

Falan stepped forth. "So, what now?" He looked the slaver up and down, grinning at him.

"You all want to take your leave then?" Bernhard says to the orcs. "Unless you want to work for us for a while and clear out those bug creatures?"

The slaver snaps out of his daze, throwing the gem onto the table without much care. It comes down hard, but nothing seems to happen. "Forgive me, my friends, I lost myself for a minute there. I don't know what came over me." He grabs one of the weasels and calms its hissing with gentle strokes. "There, there. And you, orcs, drop your weapons, come on." They do so. He reaches for the gem [OOC: I assume this is what you're referring to when you speak of the cube, Fentinbrook] and hands it over to Fentinbrook when he approaches. "Of course!" You guess it might be worth about 500gp.

"Treasure room? Why, it's all over there. Take all you want!" He points to the crates at the side of the alcove. While you check them, he begins emptying his pockets and pouches onto the table.

The crates contain rations, chains and other supplies. Additionally, In one crate are bags of coins, 5,000 gp total. In another sack in a different crate are three pieces of jewelry, each worth 1,000 gp. There's also a crate full of wine.
On the table are the records of the slavers’ activities in the area (a ledger with logs of captured and sold slaves - it doesn't seem very interesting), and a map of what seems to be a caravan route with its stops on the way.

"Now? Perhaps I can offer you a meal - not much to speak of in terms of quality, of course, not a single chef around here worth a damn, but I managed to get the caravan to deliver some decent velunish vintage to me... Ah, of course, the caravan! What a great opportunity to present our business partners to you!"

Meanwhile, the orcs nod emphatically at Bernhard's first suggestion, but seem reluctant to make any comment on the second (which, given how scared they are of you, probably means no). You guess that the main reason they haven't left yet is that they'd have to cross the bridges towards your position and pass very close to you on the way to the stairs.

In reply to Dungeon Master (msg # 934):

Angus sheathes his sword and Nerrag secures his mace.

In reply to Black Angus (msg # 935):

Nerrag walks over to the 'boss' and helps relieve him of his treasure. "Nice weasels you got there!"

Ronan finds this proposition to be most disagreeable, countering that it would be better for these tunnels to return to their proper masters, theirs by right and might.

"In time, dear man, in time. Let us enjoy this Velunish wine and consider the proper disposal of these riches. It is only right that we should profit from the hard work of others."

OOC Is there an opportunity to buy regular and exceptional supplies before progressing to the slaver's stockade?

The spy gives Ronan a disgusted look, but speaks softly, so as not to invoke the sorcerer's ire. "Do you really think we can spare time for wine, when the slaves still wear their chains somewhere in this place? By Cuthberth's Cudgel, I can barely stand looking at this weasel of a man, let alone drink with him" He then addresses the slaver. "I for one will decline your generous offer. And what of Lady Alina? Where are you keeping her?"

OOC: Yes, you will have opportunity to rest and resupply. The destination on the map is some distance away; and you aren't really pressed for time anyways.
You aren't out of this place yet, though!

Bernhard lowers his sword and motions for the orcs to take their leave.

"The slaves that you have," he says to the leader. "They are being held back there?" He gestures back the way they came. "Perhaps we can see them?"

"Now, now, no need to call on Cuthbert's Cudgel. We'll be along soon, but we could use some rest. Pay no mind to Ronan's commentary, his heart's..." Falan paused, considering his next words carefully. "Well, he's on our side anyways, so try not to take umbrage."

"Indeed, indeed, precisely that is what I was talking about, my friend, the caravan leader is examining our goods right now - that's the perfect time to introduce you, you'll like him, he's a great guy, you'll see, he has a lot of clever insights on the proper handling and selection of slaves..."

In reply to Dungeon Master (msg # 941):

"Time to introduce him to steel so he can see the errors of his ways right before he dies." Angus says.

"Yes, please take us to the caravan leader. We do have much to discuss."

" A moment Gentlemen, he is my creature, as it were. There are a few questions that needs answers before we go charging into the breach. Allow me my questions, then we can go forth." Said Fentinbrook.

 The Mage and other things, regarded the Slaver.” Let us start with your name, my good man. That, followed by what that gem is, and how does one operate it.”

"Gem? Oh, that? It's just a regular old ruby. Nothing special about it. Well, if you can say that about rubies, of all things. But anybody will believe it's magical, if you say it with enough conviction. It's a nice trick to play on gullible foo... a harmless prank to play on one's friends, I mean."

In reply to Dungeon Master (msg # 945):

Angus chuckles at the way they were duped.

After helping himself liberally to the Velunish vintage, Ronan cocks his eye at the justice-mongering spy, "So you agree that these subterranean lands should be peaceably returned to their indigenous six-legged masters?"

 An odd look crossed Fentinbrrok's face, in response to his new "friends" words. " Tell me, what was the plan if we had agreed to your superior's offer? Was it a delaying tactic, so they might muster their forces, or a legitimate offer? Speaking of which, do they have spell casters counted among them? If so, how many, and of what kind? Yes, Priests count in that description. Also, what constitutes their muscle, types and numbers, if you please"

The spy looks about his companions for some help but then manages to find a suitable response, courage to reply or both."I'm all for the redistribution of these lands to peaceful settlers, but I assure you that the dwellers in this case are anything but peaceful. Man-eating (I've seen it!) insectoid horrors..."

"It was an honest offer. I mean it, I really do. You would be a lot less of a hassle if kept content with a satisfactory agreement. If anything, one can trust a Slave Lord to keep their word... Most of the time." The slaver strokes his weasels gently.
"The caravan brought a small army over. But there's only space for a dozen or so here, so we sent the rest off to waste their pay carousing. Keeps them coming back for work, you know. Most are common rabble. Save for the caravan master's lieutenant, she had the look of a veteran; and I think they also brought with them some kind of sorcerer. Or just some weird-looking fellow.
If you're asking about the Slave Lords themselves, you needn't worry about that. I don't either. They have more than enough muscle to protect their assets. It's only a matter of time until they bring enough of it down on whatever annoyance pesters them. You only have to worry about not letting them down. But I'm sure your performance will be more than satisfactory. I'm so glad we managed to come to an understanding. Wouldn't have liked for either of us to become one of those annoyances. A word of advice: they find failure very annoying."
This message was last edited by the GM at 08:54, Tue 13 July 2021.

In reply to Dungeon Master (msg # 950):

"Which means you have to move on?" Angus asked.