Tend to the Gobbler.

Kemuel reaches down to assist the Gobbler. She rises to her feet, the wound in her back is serious but begins to recede when it is covered up with a cloth. Nevertheless, you will have to be careful, as she is barely clinging to life.

"It's true what they said, you know, I did steal gold. I did kill a man. What they neglected to mention is that I was captive, I was that man's slave. Those two Vasar... they were sent to track me down.

She breaks now into more "traditional" Gobbler speak,

"For your assistance, my thanks, how great.. for treatment this wound, it could not wait. Then I have a question for you, let's talk, should I stay with you or shall I walk away?"

One character from the party must decide,

1. Allow the Gobbler to assist you on your quest (she apparently has nowhere else to go?)
2. Apologize for the way she's been treated, but send her away, there is no more room in the party?

"Come, your kind once aided me as I will now do you" Exile whispered offering his hand

"For this many thanks stranger, Juma is what I am called, if call on me you should wish."

Juma has joined the party.

Kemuel has gained 4 XP. Lucas has gained 3 XP. Exile has gained 2XP.

The party has recovered 63 gold from Vasar 2. 31 gold each has been added to your inventories.

Exile: 43/53
Lucas: 53/57
Kemuel: 60/62
Juma: 04/59
_____________________________________________________________________


The Unstable Amulet of Valor on Kemuel's neck begins to vibrate and shake violently. Kemuel, would you like to examine the amulet?

1) Yes?
2) No, ignore it?

______________________________________________________________________


The party wishes to continue east towards Endirum but night is falling and you are all growing tired. Plus, Juma is injured and could use some rest.

ANY character may answer,

Does the party:

1) Take a short trip back to the Gobbler stronghold of Cioll Zweng and seek refuge there for the night?
2) Sleep in the desert?
3) Ignore your fatigue and continue traveling through the night?

Take the short trip

Cioll Zweng only has one inn, and the rooms are rather uncomfortable. Still, they happen to be quite cheap!

Any character may choose,

1) Pay 12 gold total - each of your characters will get their own room.
2) Pay 6 gold total - you can all share a room.
3) Pay nothing. They will let you sleep in their stock room. Not a very restful night sleep but better than nothing.
The Unstable Amulet of Valor on Kemuel's neck continues to vibrate and shake violently. Kemuel, would you like to examine the amulet?

1) Yes?
2) No, ignore it?

Kemuel reached into his pack and pulled out 12 gold. Juma would need the rest and the party would need to be fresh for tomorrow.

When he had a moment, Kemuel examined the amulet he was wearing. It hadn't stopped vibrating since the battle earlier. Now was as good a chance as any to perhaps find out why.

Your stay at the inn is restful enough, but you really wish the pillows weren't as hard as rocks! That's what you get for spending the night at a Gobbler inn!

12 gold has been deducted from Kemuel.

Exile: 53/53
Lucas: 57/57
Kemuel: 62/62
Juma: 31/59

Any character may choose,

1. Stay for breakfast at the inn? (Costs 8 gold)
2. Continue to Endirum?

____________________________________________________________________ Kemuel pulls the amulet out and holds it at arms length. Shockingly, the Unstable Amulet of Valor begins to change color... it now glows a bright blue!

As he looked on in confusion, Kemuel watched the amulet make another transformation. The material changed shape into that of a human hand!

The blue-colored hand, formerly a simple amulet, raised its pointer finger in the direction of Exile.

It then returned to its normal shape.

Watching all of this, you begin to question if you might be losing your sanity! The amulet has rewarded your courage in a rather odd way, you reason.

Perhaps you should ask Exile about this strange happening?

"Nah. Ogres" He laughed, digging out eight gold for breakfast

Breakfast was rather foul, compared to typical Human or Vasar fare. In fact, you feel queasier with each bite.

HP UPDATE

Exile: 49/53
Lucas: 53/57
Kemuel: 57/62
Juma: 29/59

There's a bright side, though! Before you leave you see the following posted on the HELP WANTED board at the Inn:

"HELP WANTED: Adventurers to clear the tunnels beneath Cioll Zweng of mysterious forces preventing passage to Cioll Mehirt. Great danger awaits but so do great rewards."

Quest unlocked: Five Faces of the Enemy. This quest will be added to the Legion of the Shield Guild Thread, and you can vote for it if you want.

____________________________________________________________________

The party arrives at Endirum shortly after mid-day. You may enter this port city now, or, you may choose instead to wait until nightfall.

If you enter now, you may have an easier go at it. After all, who would suspect you of foul play if you are not attempting to conceal yourselves. Yet it might be safer to wait until nighttime, to try and avoid detection altogether.

Any ONE character may decide, does the party:

1. Enter the Port of Endirum now?
2. Wait around until nightfall?

Enter the city now.

As they walk, Kemuel comes up alongside Exile.

"I'm not quite sure where to begin with this one but nevertheless, I've a feeling you may be handy", said Kemuel with a mischievous wink.

Kemuel then proceeds to pick Exile's brain about the amulet.

The perimeter of the Port is buzzing with guard activity, but you manage to slip into the city easily without being detected.

You begin to make your way to the docks, where you are to rendezvous with the Guild's Endirum contact.

The road ahead twists and turns as you enter one district, then another, then another.

After some time, you notice that a man has been following the party at a discreet distance from the very moment you entered the Port.

He seems innocent enough, he's a Vasar male of middle age, slightly balding. He does not conceal his face. He looks to be carrying a basket of fresh fruit. Still, he has been following you for a long time. What are his intentions?

Any ONE character may choose,

Does the party,

1. Confront the man. What can one man do against the 4 of us?
2. Run - try to get away, this guy could be trouble?
3. Continue to walk, but increase your speed... you want to be in a position to run if you have to, but you don't want to encourage more suspicion?
4. Act natural, continue to move at the same pace towards your destination. Maybe by acting innocent, he will think he has mistaken you for someone else?
5. Act natural, but change your destination - if this guy is after you, alright, but you don't want to lead him right to the Guild's contact in Endirum?

Change direction

You change directions, throwing the man off your trail for a short time, and hopefully diverting suspicion from your contact. However, he soon catches up to you once again! He follows you at a safe pace, but you can see him in the corner of your eye.

Any ONE character may choose, does the party:

1. Continue walking at normal speed, acting "natural"?
2. Run away?
OOC: Exile, are you going to answer Kemuel about the Blue Hand or are you giving him the silent treatment? LOL