An Unchanging Reality (Take two)

[stanleyindraven]

"Well then, I believe you know the way," Dromet says as he gestures the gnoll in the right direction.

[Man on Fire]

Serph moves to Eophyn and whipers to her, repeating what Gnoll leader had said.

[meemaas]

The party makes good time heading back to town, with the gnoll uncomfortably leading the way. About halfway back, when the sun begins to set, a soldier runs up to him from the direction of town, breathing heavily. "I'm glad i could find you. We found the man you were looking for." He coughs for a moment, taking a deep swig from his waterskin while waiting for an answer.

[shugyosha]

Eophyn

"Man?" she asks looking at the other two. "Which man is that?"

[stanleyindraven]

"The man with two swords," Dromet asks with a hint of rage.

[shugyosha]

Eophyn

The color runs from her face, "where is he?"

[Man on Fire]

"Eas guys. First we need to take Gnoll leader to negotiations with city's leaders, then we can go visit our bastard." Serph reminds his friends.

[meemaas]

The scout nods quietly, listening as the party talked it over, and then the party took off, heading back to town with their prisoner in tow. Devoid of any idea of what to do next, the scout quietly follows behind the party, slowing his pace so he doesn't overtake them. Night falls as the party pushes back to town, and they push to reach town before it is too late. Reaching town, they move straight for the captains office, but as they try the door, they find it has already been locked for the night. The scout speaks up at this point. "The captain is probably in bed by now. We could lock your prisoner up and go to bed. There's always someone at the prison no matter the time of day."

[shugyosha]

Eophyn

As they walk back Eophyn noticing the scout following asks, "So where did you find him?"

[Man on Fire]

"This isn't a prisoner, he's here to negotiate peace between the village and the Gnoll." Serph sclds the scout.

[meemaas]

During Walk

"He was heading in the direction of the Shrine of Angara, just walking slowly down the road going there."

Present

"Oh...uhhh." He looks incredibly nervous, and starts backing away quickly. "I'll just take my leave. I'll give my report to the captain in the morning and he'll call for me when you're ready. I hope" The scout then turns tail and runs, disappearing around a corner within moments.

The gnoll traveling with you scoffs once he's gone, and looks towards the rest of you, keeping himself from saying anything aggressive.

[Man on Fire]

"Hey, you wantto confront the guy who, we think, put you into this situation?" Serph asks Gnoll leader. "Jut promise to not kill him ,there's a line for that."

[stanleyindraven]

"And it starts behind me," Dromet says.

[shugyosha]

Eophyn

Present

"Is there something I'm not getting, why did that guy just run off?" she asks her friends before she realizes the local implications of bring the gnoll back. "Aaa... maybe we should take you to the jail for the night, It might be safer there." she says to the gnoll, "and I'll stay there with you."

Spoiler

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(1d20+8)[27] perception (low light vision)
just in case...

[stanleyindraven]

"I think the boy was nervous. Think about it, here we are, walking with the enemy back to town. He, no doubt, saw what we did in town and to further that, he probably thinks we would level anyone we had to, up to and including the innocent townfolk." Dromet tries to provide his personal insight without offending.

[meemaas]

The gnoll grunts under his breath for a moment and then nods a little. "If only for the sake of my people, i will." Eophyn leads the gnoll back to the prison, and unceremoniously locks him in before sitting back for the night.

Spoiler

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If you guys are ok with it, i can and will advance to the next day after this time tomorrow. If you have something to do though, go ahead.

[meemaas]

Eophyn

Before the break of dawn, Eophyn is woken with a start by the captain slamming the door open, drawing his sword as he turns on the gnoll. "I thought you were going to kill them, not take them prisoner."

The gnoll backs up to the wall, getting out of reach of the captain, as he readies his spear for the ensuing combat.

Spoiler

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Serp and Dromet, i assume, slept in the inn where they are provided bunks on the captains orders. You can roll a perception check with a -10 penalty to have heard the commotion, otherwise, i'm under the assumption that you'll have woken up later on. Of course, if you originally had plans to rest in the jail along with Eophyn, i trust that you'll be honest about that.

[shugyosha]

Eophyn

She moves to put herself between the captain and the gnoll. "We were sent here to stop the gnoll problem and we have. Now we are seeing to a longer term solution. He is hear to tell us exactly why they were paid to do this, they were mercenaries. That guard we stopped the other night was paying them and then yesterday a two sworded man kills him. There is something bigger and I want to know what is going on. He is also here to negotiate. They were on the loosing side and have surrendered, we are here to negotiate the terms. If you like captain you can represent the town, if not maybe someone else... or I might have to take this to the queen... Things are getting more complicated." her words drift as she recalls the bounty for gnolls in the other town.

Spoiler

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not sure if a diplomacy roll is needed but here it goes.
(1d20+9)[12]

[Man on Fire]

Spoiler

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(1d20-1)[4] to wake up earlier

[meemaas]

The captain roars. "That gnoll killed some of my best men!!!" He pushes forward past Eophyn in anger, but stops when he is in reach of the cell bars. Turning to follow his movement, Eophyn can see that the gnoll has dropped his weapon out of his reach and stood his ground unarmed, an action that has stunned the captain for a moment.

The gnoll speaks up in his most authoritative voice. "It was only soldiers we killed of yours. You would kill our women and children if you had the chance. Why can't we stop the violence?"

The captain sighs for a second, and drops his sword. Turning to Eophyn, he ignores the gnoll and speaks solely to her. "I don't trust that gnoll and i don't want him out of that cell without a proper escort. But I'll speak on behalf of this town. If only to get to the bottom of this."

[shugyosha]

Eophyn

"Thank you Captain," she says then asks, "Would it be possible to retrieve my friends, I'd like their help to make sure we are not interrupted by a certain two sworded individual."

She also wondered if when the guards would come that the queen said she'd send.

"While we wait for my friends I'd like to say thank you to both of you for speaking to each other and I admire both of you for your courage. Captain when I saw you on the battle field you show such bravery and moral fortitude to sand alone against so many to protect the town. And you," she says addressing the gnoll leader, "Your compassion to risk your life to be placed here to protect the families of your people."

[meemaas]

The Captain growls a little and makes for the door. "I'll send some men to escort...Him" He growls again putting emphasis on the word him. "shortly. You're free to collect your friends whenever you wish. We'll be meeting in my office shortly, so don't waste your time." With that said, he disappears out the door leaving Eophyn with the gnoll.

[meemaas]

A short while later, the party convenes in the captains office together. Sitting down in the corner with guards a fair distance away, ready to strike if he makes a hostile movement.

The captain sits at his desk, glaring intently at the gnoll and passing the party a glance when they come in. "Welcome. Get to talking."

Spoiler

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It is up to you three to lead the talks. Good Diplomacy checks will help.

[stanleyindraven]

"I am going to defer to E and Serp on this. If need be I will lend additional information," Dromet seems to be content standing at the door.

[shugyosha]

Eophyn

The young elf maid looks at her friends then to the other two. She had prepared something in her head to say but at the moment had forgotten it. An exhale passes through her lips as she collects herself. Taking a moment she reaches in her bag and pulls out a piece of paper and then an ink well and pen.
"Gentlemen I and my friends are here to serve the interest of the Queen. I fear that this dispute has ramifications beyond this town. What transpires here will be taken to the Queen as recommendations, for she has final say.

For the record, please introduce yourselves."

[Man on Fire]

Serph gets close to Eophyn and whispers into her ear "I may serve an advice, but better if I keep my mouth shut."

[meemaas]

The captain growls at the gnoll. "You can call me Pete."

In response, the gnoll growls back his answer. "Grock."

[shugyosha]

Eophyn

She looks at Serp with a smile and then returns to the mediation. Eophyn had expected more of introduction which each trying to out posture each other, instead with the minimal words suggested how hard this was going to be. "Grock, tell us about how you came about raiding this town. Tell who paid you, where you first met that person and if there were any other people you have made contact with that helped, cohered, or had any dealings with attacking this town."

[meemaas]

The gnoll spoke quietly. "The human with the tattoos. He came to us. Promised us power. Gave us money. We attacked the village, kept them scattered. Just long enough for war to start. Then we could have the land for ourselves. When war was won."

[Man on Fire]

"That worked out well." Seph mutters quietly, hoping to not be heard.