His posture shifts ever so slightly as a toothy grin splits his snout, "I haven't sounded the alarm. For one."

For someone who seems uncertain about how many other people are here, you are very confident that raising an alarm would actually be worthwhile.   Why are you lying to us?

"Lying?" his expression changes to reflect a bemused thought, "I guess a bluff could be called lying. But, you're right, sounding an alarm may or may not be worthwhile. It could also be that I genuinely do not care what happens to these people."

He crosses his arms and leans back against the wall, "Right now they're having a ritual. Likely making more twisted creatures or skinning some poor saps face off for the cultists to wear." he shrugs, "I honestly don't care. It's not my face, I'm not pretty enough." he nods towards Beuren and winks.

"After that, they make a meal with any leftovers." he spreads his arms wide, "I do not care if you believe me. A simple walk down that hall to a set of doors and a quick listen will settle it. As for me, I have done nothing to you or stopped you. We can part, go our separate ways, maybe have an ale or two if we see each other again, or..." his voice shifts into a measured, deeper tone, "...we can see what happens when you follow through with your desires."

In reply to GM (msg # 166):

Beuren blushes at the winking gnoll.  If we leave you alone, what are you going to do?  Also, any chance you would consider helping us?

"Leave this hole and find something else to do." he says matter of factly, "As for helping, no, I have some standards. They're crazy, but they haven't done anything to me."

“Sit.  I will bind and gag you.  I can not take the risk of leaving you free while we end these monsters.  When we are done.” He shrugs, “Then we will let you go get and clear. I would rather not discuss other options.  You’re a professional I am sure you understand.”

He mulls it over for a moment, "And if you fail, I have a convenient excuse, though I am left to your word or their whims..." he pauses, waiting for a response.

While the Gnoll was talking, Speaks put down Mossrock and was rummaging through her pack.  She pulls out 50 feet of hempen rope and hands it to Batri.   "I believe the man said 'sit'." 
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 14:04, Mon 24 Aug 2020.

"He did. I assume there is no guarantee you won't gut me the minute I am bound? Why should I agree to this?"

In reply to GM (msg # 172):

"Because I guarantee that you will die here and now if you don't."


09:24, Today: Speaks With Ghosts rolled 3 using 1d20-1.  Intimidation check.

OOC: I may not be Charismatic enough to be Intimidating, but the Gnoll is welcome to do an Insight check on how serious I am.

The gnoll's snout forms a cruel mockery of a smile, his eyes dead, like a shark circling prey, "That, would be a bad day indeed." he says as he takes a seat. Then, just as quickly the, cold menace is replaced with a much more relaxed and jovial one, "I shall await your return and my rescue noble knights."

After the gnoll is tied, Beuren pats the gnoll on the arm.  We'll be back buddy.  Promise.

“We will be back shortly.  Perhaps you should use this time to reflect on the choices that brought you to this moment.”  Batri returns to his place at the front of the group, “Let’s finish this.  I could use a drink.”

Before he leaves Batri studies the hands on the wall, “Art is so subjective.”

OOC: what are the weapons represented?

The wall is covered with examples of nearly every kind of single-handed weapon with some sort of blade, from daggers to sickles. Each in a state of disrepair and being held by a severed hand in a similar state of rot.

Each hand is a right hand and each blade is covered in hash marks in the style usually seen when marking kills.

Batri holds up his right hand and clenches it into a fist as he examines the wall, “What do people call you?  Other than butcher that is.”  He reaches out to an arbitrary dagger stopping just short of touching it.

He nods at the dagger, "Ah yes, that one took a while to finish." he takes a momen apparently following a memory, before responding, "These people call me 'One-Hand'." he wiggles his stump to illustrate his point, "Creative."

“Well, One Hand, if you are not here when we return I will hunt you down and take your other hand.  Otherwise perhaps a drink at a tavern.”

He turns returning to the previous path.

"We are such a diplomatic group," Sitra muses as he follows behind.

"I will be right on this spot." One Hand replies cheerfully.

Continuing on, your torches illuminate the pair of double doors that One Hand spoke of. The tunnel continues on a few more paces before ending. The doors appear to be much newer and sturdier than any doors you've previously encountered.

Map has been updated

Batri cautiously approaches the Edge of the door, listening carefully for sounds on the other side.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:11, Tue 25 Aug 2020.

In reply to Batri Shom (msg # 183):

I do?

The doors are made of a dark metal and carved with swirling symbols in patterns that are slightly nauseating.

Beuren retreats to the back in his role of rear guard for the group.

Batri steps away from the door and whispers to the others, “They are through here.  Chanting...  we might be able to enter quietly though it is hard to count on that.  I would say to burn them out, but there isn’t enough wood for that.”

"We probably don't have time for that anyways. We should disrupt whatever they're doing."