"Of course, sir, forgive me - i wouldn't wish to compromise you." Said Kemuel, tilting his head towards the well dressed man ever so slightly.

"And yes, I would very much like to examine it if I may. Could we persuade you to part with this rock at all? I think you will find you will have new friends - especially within the uprising, if you catch my meaning...", he added slowly, allowing the weight of his words to sink in.

"What, this old thing?"

"Hmm," he mutters, "I could give it to you, it is of no importance to me. But I will require a little, how shall we say.. 'deviation' from your original mission."

"First, I must insist that you execute their leader, not capture him. I know this is much to ask for, and consciences may be hurt. Yet I suspect he will not go down without a fight anyway, so he may leave you with no choice. Fact: he is too dangerous to be allowed to live."

"Second, I must request that one of my associates aid you in this endeavor. He knows the way to this man's hideout. I'll give him this... Crystal Rock. When the task is completed, he will hand it over to you."

"So. Is it a deal?"
"I have an associate. He will guide you to your destination, if you will have him."

"...an interesting proposition, sir. Naturally we will need a moment to discuss this amongst ourselves."

Kemuel simply looked at Exile and Lucas with a wry smile. Things were rarely as simple as they were often made out to be.

"If he turns on us, we can kill him." The Shadow Knight muttered, tapping his longsword, his dark eyes on the contact, "But I trust this man not. I wish White Elk was here, he would be able to read the man better."

"I suggest we don't trust this guy. I'm still annoyed by getting used by those children at Northbrook," Lucas said Kemuel, making sure the contact didn't here him.

"Mm. Agreed Lucas. I hear those children were wholly untrustworthy. And Exile, do you mean that we should perhaps try to rouse this man to attack us? If only Vir were here, he could make this a lot smoother", said Kemuel thoughtfully.

"It seems to me that we can either; attack this chap and simply take the Rock of Endirum; go along with his deal and decide for ourselves whether to kill the Mark; or fully go along with the deal and just kill the Mark - no questions."

"Then again, perhaps we ought to at least find out why this man wants him dead. He might turn out to be an ally of sorts".

40 seconds have expired since the Vasar last spoke.

Growing nervous, he says, "Very well, I can see that requesting an assassination has ruffled your moral fibers. I can see why. You may instead bring him back to me, alive. He will have a trial and no doubt, be imprisoned for life by the rebels."

"However, I will still send my guide with you. Is this acceptable?"

"We will deal with him cousin, as we see best at the time. Send your guide." The Shadow Knight spoke softly, his blue eyes sparking with the Shadow Magic he wielded

"As Exile says, we shall have to deal with the situation as it transpires, but that sounds very fair, sir" said Kemuel, warmly. "I assume then that it is okay for us to take the Rock back with us?"

And, after sensing an cloud of distrust from his right, whispered subtly, "We'll keep our eyes on this guide whenever possible my friend." to Lucas.

"This gem shall remain with my colleague. He will escort you, and then hand it over once Fox has been safely captured. You will then return Fox to my custody at a location known only to my colleague. Agreed?"

"Agreed/" The Shadow Knight stated, the veteran of the team as he sighs softly, "Just remember cousin, the battle of the invaders well when we hand him over." The Man had lost his two comrades, his team, The Wanderers. Hero and White Elk.

Back to SINGLE VOTE MODE

The party meets the Vasar's ally in an alley just before sundown. It is another Vasar male, cloaked in black robes. He carries a backpack which you presume to hold the Rock of Endirum and there is a machete attached to his hip.

He regards you sternly, assessing your capabilities,

"For reasons previously discussed, my name cannot be revealed.

"Fox may be found in a camp due southeast. It is from there that he remotely operates the Endirum government which so brutally represses its own people.

"I am here to escort you to this camp, and help you bring him to justice. At which time, I shall give you the Rock of Endirum.

"Let us be off, follow my lead.


Any character may choose,

Does the party,

1) Search the Vasar's backpack to verify that he carries the Rock?
2) Remind him that he is here only to assist the party, and he must obey your orders?
3) Offer him a friendly welcome and tell him you are ready to make the journey?

"Remember cousin, you are here to assist us. Obey my orders, I do not trust strangers so well." The Once-Thief stated to the new male, before turning to head towards the camp.

The Vasar squints, then relents,

"Understood, but do not cross me, cousin. If you should need to speak my name, you may refer to me as 'Guide.'

You leave the city and travel quickly in the light of the full moon, but the party soon reaches a location in the marshes where the water has risen to dramatic heights.

One character must choose,

1.) You may bypass the water, but it will extend your journey until dawn. By then, you will lose a small amount of HP each due to hunger (unless one of you has "hunt" or "gather" - I don't believe any of you do but tell me if so.)

2.) You may travel through the heightened waters, but you will get soaked - leaving you vulnerable to sneak attacks from solid ground - and a bit slower afterwards, when you finally confront Fox.

"Let us bypass the water."