Mysterious Island IC

[Gray Mage]

Things were going well, he had just entered the island and was already proposed a job."I suppose I'm in, but I'd like to know a bit more about this 'mission'. First is why do we need to escort the researches? It would be easier to go just us. And second, and most important when discussing a job I'd say is how much are we getting for doing this?" As he finishes he'll try to see if Griff has something to hide or not.

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Sense motive (1d20+3)[13]

[Critical]

Neil

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You don't find what he's speaking to be suspicious.

[Private-Prinny]

Arbil turns to face the bard.

Now now, Neil, there are plenty of reasons to bring the researchers along. Barring, of course, you knowing both the way to where we're going and what to do with the metal once we get there. Besides, with the amount of people we have, protecting a group of three should be easy enough.

He looks back to the main researcher. He does raise a good point, however. I would like to know what I'm getting out of this before I go diving into trouble.

[Da'Shain]

After the man had answered the delicate questions of payment, Feth assessed the others. Unless one of them had hidden depths not apparent from their appearances, he surmised that he was the only tracker of any experience. If they did, no doubt they would chime in.

"The researchers should be safe with us, provided they can move quickly," he began, his voice brisk and businesslike. "You say the 'north' side of the island. Do you have any sort of map or trail description from them, or were they one of the first exploring parties sent? Also, we'll need descriptions of them and the equipment they carried. And what kind of 'big game' were they hunting? Big enough to ensure their disappearance?"

His brow furrowed for a moment as if a thought had just occured to him. He added, "Will travelling with researchers make the lawless explorers here more or less likely to attack us?"

[Critical]

"Yes indeed, the researchers are needed for the exact reasons mr. Arbil mentioned. The pay..." Griffiths took another pause. Seems like he was running calculations. "Would six thousand gold for all of you suffice? That would be the minimum - all in all, it depends on how this mission is going to end. Bare in mind though - it's not a walk in the park."

He then turns to Feth, listening to what he has to say. It seems, he is kind of annoyed, noticing that the gnome is, clearly, a hunter. "Unfortunately, the island is still being mapped out. Besides - it's hard to do that with all that dense jungle. These gentlemen were just hunting, not researching, and the only thing we got from them about the place's description is "north". Descriptions..."

Griffiths scratches his head and looks, clearly trying to remember their description to the fullest. "A red-bearded dwarf along with a black-haired elf, the elf, in particular, had quite a lot of scars on his face - Giras and Verion are their names. Both dressed into leather armor, the dwarf was carrying a crossbow while an elf was carrying a longbow. They had two dogs with them, for battle purposes, it seems. How big game? There are some dinosaurs on the north side of the island, and, well, in general, you just might meet some planar creatures out of nowhere, as, perhaps, anywhere here. Researchers making you safer? Most of them wouldn't, however, I bet that some might. Anything else?"

[Gray Mage]

At the mention that the researchers would be needed and that they'd be safe, Neil will just shrug"If you all think that there'll be no problem, then I don't have any... objection, I'll say."

"I believe that this amount is... enough for us and none has any complaints." With this he'll wait for Feth to lead, only talking in case someone need to convince Griffiths of something.

[Cheetah109]

Derik

The halfling speaks up to say: "I have no objections. Kord shall be pleased when we conquer the dinosaurs, save the hunters, and assist the researchers." Derik pauses for a moment and looks down at his armor, "I'll...guard our rear or something. Really anywhere except scout is fine by me."

[Da'Shain]

He takes a moment to scrutinize his compatriots more closely. "I'll be scouting," he says, in a tone that all but spells out that he's the only one suited for it. "The rest of you can divide up duties as you see fit. No doubt the researchers will be happy to have such a guard."

He turns back to Griffiths. "Unless you have any more information or suggestions on equipment we should pick up, we should head out before the trail gets any colder."

[Gray Mage]

The man ponders for a while of what he can do "Actually, I'm a bit of a Jack of all trades, I can help you scout if needed, I can sneak around, also know a thing or two about magic" -he points at his components pouch-"and could try to convience the others hunters to leave us alone as well."

[Critical]

Griffiths nods. "Good. Follow me." He stands up from his seat, making his way out of the tent going to another one, a few tents after the main one, finally stopping and calling out to those located inside. "Hey, back to work, you lazy bums! Go with these brave adventurers and collect the metal! And be quick!" - he yells at the researchers. You hear a lot of noise of, what it seems to be, packing bags. Griffiths turns to you, smiling, and says: "Well, my part right now is done. See you. Oh, by the way, you might want to go and buy something from Wizzle with the money I gave you." He's about to head off to his quarters, but in the last moment, he turns back as if he remembered something, looking at Calidor: "Oh, and... Mind spells don't work on the mindless." With that, he gone off.

In a few minutes, the researchers are done and ready to go. All three were humans, perhaps, the most popular researcher race on the island, as you noticed. Two of them do not appear to be very pleased with having to go, seems like they went because they just had to, but one seems to be especially excited about this. "Ready when you are!" - the excited one says cheerfully.

[Gray Mage]

Neil will gladly follow Griffiths towards the tents, but won't aproach them, dangerous creatures seemed to inhabit them regulary here and he liked his blood unpoisoned, thank you very much. He won't object to go shopping at wizzle's and might even buy something himself if they go, but won't propose to go there himself.

He'll take a good look at the researchers, not exactly "adventurer material" he'd be the first to say, but his companions proven themselves quite capable. Still, he couldn't help but think that this little incursion wouldn't end well. "Glad to see that someone is looking foward to this."-he says, looking at the exited one, a minor grin and a chuckle in his face.

[Cheetah109]

Derik

The halfling looks the researchers over, a slight feeling of anxiety washing over him. This was not going to be easy. Two of the researchers seemed to be fine, but Derik had a feeling that the cheery one in particular might get into trouble.

Approaching the cheerful researcher, the halfling introduces himself: "Derik, disciple of Kord. I'll be keeping you alive with the powers my lord has granted me, as well as with this," Derik says as he puts a hand on his greatsword. Motioning toward the other adventurers, Derik advises the researcher: "Inform your companions that they should try to stay near one of us. Unless they want to become fodder for the wildlife."

[Da'Shain]

Surveying his new charges, a term which for him definitely included his fellow adventurers, Feth decided to treat it as though he were a wilderness guide. He's fulfilled that function a couple of times before, and it looked like he'd be falling into it by default here, too. Still, it'd be useful to have others around, if only to draw the animals' attention away from him.

"If you don't have trail rations or sleeping gear," he says to the rest of the gang, "get it now. There's no telling how long we'll be out there, and my supplies are too small to share. With anyone except you, that is." He motions at Derik, the only other one his size in sight.

He already had all he really needed, even though he felt uncomfortable wandering with so much loose gold in his pocket. The thought of the lawless "adventurers" outside the camp made him wary, especially if any of them had overseen he and the others receive such a generous commission. Looking over the researchers, he asks quietly, "How often have you three been outside camp?"

[Gray Mage]

Heeding Feth's advice, Neil will excuse himself for a moment to buy rations and a sleeping bag.

[Critical]

"Yes, sure, whatever you say. We've been around here for about... two weeks I think? Maybe more, the time passes fast here." - one of the grim ones responds. You slowly head out to the camp's gates, where you're waiting for Neil to come before you go off.

Neil

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So, buy how many trail rations and sleeping bags you need, add them to your sheet and deduct the gold, then roleplay returning to the gates. If you want to buy anything else - tell.

[Gray Mage]

Neil will swiftly buy what he needs before running to the gates again. In between pauses for getting his breath back he'll say:"Sorry,*pants* for the *pants* lateness, guys.*pants and coughs*"

[Cheetah109]

Derik

Derik approached one of the guards at the gate. "Excuse me sir, we're leaving to assist with the research of the island. I was just wondering if there's anything we need to do before going out, like paperwork or whatnot. We're currently waiting on one more before we go, and I'd like to get trivialities out of the way as soon as possible."

As Neil approaches, Derik says "Oh, speak of the devil. Nevermind then, I guess we'll be off."

[Critical]

The dwarf guards playing some kind of card game at the gates look confused when you ask if you may leave the gates. He throws the glance at the sighing researchers and smiles. "Ya didn't need to have meh permission, but aye, move along." Calidor, for some unknown reason, slips away from everyone.

...

Finally, the jungle. You travel across it for a few hours, the enthusiastic researcher leading you, enjoying the view but still trying his best do do his job, with the other two staying back. Nothing really interesting happened along the way, expect, well, the actual jungle which was rich with it's plants and the occasional bugs or birds most of you didn't see before - bright colors and various interesting patterns could be seen on them and it definitely catches your eye. After some time, you come upon a fairly clear area and the researchers suggest a rest, but the main decision is up to you. What do you do?

[Gray Mage]

Neil was in the back along with the other researches, making small talk or whistling to himself. When they reach the clear area, he'll wait for the others to make the decision.

[Cheetah109]

Derik

When the group reaches the clearing, Derik gladly agrees to rest. After all, who knew when they might find another such opportunity to take a break? Derik turns to the researchers to ask them, "So, how much farther do we have to go?"