Game table

Interrupting the pluma weaver, the Pochteca and the shaman approach Xoch’ and greet him, "Cuatlici! Good morning. I see that that the party is fortunate to have someone versed in the pluma arts? That canoe does not choose just anyone to guide her. I do t know what these adventurers plan, but the Eagle Knight has left instructions for us to provision you all with rations and water skins for a long trip south. Huatzi suggests going as far as the refugee town of Turka to pickup a passenger of sorts. It is housed in the relocated temple of Zaltec there. Apparently this group has met the great Quetzalcoatl before.". They speak loud enough for all to hear, but they obvious owe a certain debt to Qotal in this realm of Zaltec’s influence and defer a great deal to the pluma master.

Hearing the trader thank Xoch’, Duke draws near enough to speak, "Aye. We know of it. Our dwarven warrior was the one who brought the egg to Baya where it was hatched and bonded to Huatzi for safe keeping. I understand why she might take it back to the refugees of Nexal for protection. But trader, surely you know that Turka lies off our path to the Pyramid for which we head? Does this not sound odd to you Storm, Kitty, everyone?"

Since she hasn't left Duke's side since falling in combat the day before, Kit hears all and feels puzzled a bit herself. She decides to see if the man is hiding something by means of deception. "I do agree, my love. Why don't I open a door and we can go ask Huatzi herself? I'm sure she can help settle our nerves."

"You can do tha..." Duke's foot gets a sudden pain that he has to attend to.

"Oh, no need to do that! I was with Huatzi and the girl outside the temple right before she left. She gave me direct instructions to send you to Turka at all costs. You trust Huatzi, don't you? She said to go past the pyramid to Turka first. Yeah, that's what she said."

My dwarvy sense starts tingling while listening to Quixti.

Oh really, is that the ticket? Do we need to hit you with a truth bomb?

I start slowly easing around behind ol Pochy...you know...just in case.

"You want me to jog his memory?"

Following Storm's lead, I'm sure that won't be necessary, Storm. Surely he is wise enough to tell us what he has forgotten while he still has all of his limbs.

Caine, feeling like everyone else, thinks he's not being forthcoming either. She's seen others try to lie and hide look and she feels like she's spotting the same tells on him. Ignoring the desire to let him come clean, she decides to give him some incentive to do so. Pulling out her dagger, she strides up calmly to him, giving it a little toss in the air before catching it by the handle and resting it against his throat. "I'm not one for patience," she says calmly as if she's not trying to make the gentleman fear for his life. "Why don't you try some full honesty before I decide you'll never be able to use your voice again?"

Okay, okay, o timeless one. I casually draw my axe and admire it while mentioning every few moments how easily it chops through flesh and bone.

The party has the merchant very nervous now. He shakes from the onslaught of intimidation. "Fellows. Friends! I, um, ..." He rubs his left wrist with his other hand and falters in his voice, "I must get you to go to Turka. It's ... I have to... He... "

Walking over to find a large rock within view of the old man, I casually lift it up, toss it about a bit, and then drop it onto another rock, which promptly splits into pieces from the impact. After which I turn back to the conversation, looking directly at the old man as I dust my hands off.

His throat at Caine's knife tip, a Dwarf breathing down the pits of his knees and a Goliath eating his breakfast of Fruity Pebbles, the merchant is shaking violently and clawing at his left arm in fright.

The shaman comes up incensed, accosts the party, "Gentlemen! Please! This is a respected Pochteca, flyer of Canoes, Friend of all Peoples. What kind of ruffians art thou to threaten him?"

"I'd say that we are the ruffians who just saved this little village. Or maybe I'd say that we are tired of hearing lies and deception. This respected Pochteca's words do not ring of truth, but instead suggest that he is being used to try to manipulate us in some way. If choosing to deliver a canoe back to it's rightful owners rather than use it to get to our destination makes us ruffians, so be it. But we deserve respect and honesty as well, after what we have done for you."

Shaman, what role did you play in this deception? You defend his lies? We have had enough of traps. Please just tell us and be be done with this nonsense.

Xoch' isn't persuasive but he is pissed.

I think we would be wise to be careful with that scroll, but given Quixti's reaction to it, perhaps it would best to not leave it in there care.

Xoch' will inspect Quixti for any readily visible signs of the rash or illness mentioned by the Shaman.