Raider's Camp

"Clarice, can Zsa make out how many are in the tower?"

"I don't see why not."

Zsa, please investigate the guard tower and let us know how many guards are there. Return quickly and be safe.

Zsa toddles off like she doesn't have a care in the world. She walks into the camp like she owns the place, and even pauses to let a cultist scratch her chin.

She avoids the kobolds, who are known cat eaters, and takes a good long look at the west tower. Then turns around, and heads back.

She curls herself around Clarice's ankle, and with an arched back and a purr, says

"there is no one there darling. But the smell is still ghastly..."

Well that is a break. Let's go rescue some prisoners.

A troubling thought.

Does she know what a ghast smells like?

"Probably…"

"…but in this case I’m pretty sure she’s just describing how bad things smell."

I'm aghast that the ghastly smell is not a ghast.....

"I guess that's what I get for asking a cat for help.."

"Any ideas? Maybe we could draw the guards away somehow and deal with them quietly. Then, by the looks of things, the prisoners could walk out."

"Zsa and I will act as bait, see if we can't get those guards to chase us. If they bite I'll lead them to you guys."

Clarice and the wee cat simply stroll out into the open, ready to bolt as soon as they gain the camp's attention.

thats
when......

NOTHING happens.

No one pays them any attention at all, everyone just going about their own business, much to do after a successful raid.

The camp is a hive of activity from the inside, it's impossible to tell who's who. Even an interloper with a cat just blend into the throngs of cultists, mercenaries, bandits, and slaves.

When he sees the lack of reaction Linston tries to look tough and saunters in to camp, after saying a quick prayer of apology and stuffing his holy symbol under his shirt.

Elceran follows suit, laying his staff across his shoulders and walking in like he belongs there.

Somewhat stunned by the lack of reaction to her presence, Clarice takes a moment to gather herself and then continues towads the prisoners that are chopping wood near the base of the tower.

Stay back, Zsa. If something happens, find the others.

She walks up right besides one of the Kobolds guarding the prisoners and without addressing it or even looking in its directions she calls over to the prisoners.

"I need four of you to come with me. There's work that needs to be done and you've had it too easy just chopping wood all day!!"

without even looking up at her, the prisoners drop their tools and walk towards her. They are truly broken of spirit.

No one else, guards or cultists seem to take any notice whatsoever.

Leading the prisoners outside of the camp Clarice will look towards any of her friends that happen to be in view and motion with her chin towards the guard tower where four of the prisoners remain. Once she feels that it's safe she will stop the group outside of the camp.

"Stay low and try to stay out of sight. If you're heading back to Greenest, avoid the gully on the main trail. It's being guarded by these creeps.

She fumbles with her belt and ammunition pouch and hands them to one of the prisoners.

"It's not much, but it's easy to use and it might come in handy."

Linston decides to give it a go.

He heads to the remaining four prisoners with a busy, no time for questions look on his face.

The wood can wait. The four of you, with me. Now!

He takes them to where Clarice had let the other prisoners free.

Are there any other prisoners?

Linston looks over the prisoners as he talks to them.

He doesn't see the monk they are looking for in the group. But the prisoners move quickly, they seem to know what's going on, Linston is here to save them. And they trust him completely. As they shuffle past him, one whispers;

'there is another.... tied to a stake.... being tortured, on display'

he indicates with his eyes the far eastern area of the camp, close to the large tent.

Grim goes to meet up with Clarice and Linston. Is that all the prisoners? he asks I'm sure that they are bound to notice something wrong soon. So we better hurry up