2.1 Chapter 1: Into the Stolen Lands

Tassle running away to hide from danger is on brand, but being a spy is much less so. Tassle is... a bit chaotic in personal choices at times, but has been a loyal companion.

It is allas on brand to disappear indeed, but it is entirely possible that the crazy gnome has taken it upon herself to follow the stragglers of the black tears as well. Could you tell us more of these foul deviants. In the case we run afoul of them again, Milady?

"Fleeing on the cusp of victory?" The veteran Swordlord ponders the words of Dalia and Seline for a moment with a slightly lost look. "Perhaps for the best, it takes grit and honor to lead. No mater, we will find her eventually and answers will be had"

"Now these Black Tear are wannabes. A bunch of gangs up north in New Stetven and Port Ice joined together, so far dabbling in kidnapping, extortion, assassination, and the sale of illicit substances." She says drawing and examining one of the black tears' ebony handled daggers "We think they took a the raid job for a chance to bolster their criminal fame. It tough to get a straight story from the captured prisoners, the Tears are almost fanatically loyal."

"I have no worries ..." the lady says with a awkward pause "... yes, Lord of Poplicola, bold answers will be delivered."

She looks over to a new courtier holding a stack of papers. "Speaking of which, I have urgent matters to attend to." She says politely as guard impolitely motion you to leave.

Filbert and I will go take a look around for Linzi to see if they made it out safe after everything that we did in the rescue.

Octavius scans the crowd. Many adventures did not survive the attack, additionally there are some fresh faces that did not make the party last night. Those that remain seem to be loose adventures without strong affiliations. Groups like the Iron Wraiths, Hannis Drelev & entourage, and Maegar Varn's party have left already. These groups also did not stay the night at the mansion.

Notably you recognize;
Harrim, Cleric of Groetus
Jaethal, Inquisitor of Urgathoa
Amiri, Kellid Barbarian
Linzi, Bard Extortionate
Valerie, Ex-paladin fighter
Tartuccio, Sorcerer of 'great' power
There are also 10 other adventures that Octavius doesn't recognize

Tartuccio is busy recruiting with anyone who will listen about how he will be the more victorious. Almost anyone, he gives Octavius the stick eye.

Linzi is easy for Seline to find, she is quite loud. She tells an epic tale she and the others bravely swept the empty East Wing before coming back and acting as bucket brigade.

Linzi is overexaggerately impressed when Seline Filbert tells the tale. "You fought with THE Lady Jamandi Aldori?!? An another frost giant?" she squeals as she start franticly writing in her book

"You must be the real heros!" she exclaims, drawing attention of others and more stick eye from Tartuccio

Dalia sheepishly approachs Jaethal to apologize, once again about the healing, and to enquiry after her plans going forward, given the aggressive push back that we have already seen to Lady Jamandi plans.

You find Jeathal sitting alone, almost slinking in the shadows. With a deadpan tone she greets Dalia Smither "Oh, it is great to see you alive and well"

Jeathal seems unphased by the attack or Dalia's accidently heal, replying dismissively "It is not the the first time someone has tried to end me, with intent or not" pausing to reflect on her plans she replies with faint glimmer of hopeful emotion "I will go where I can find a home that can accept me, my best option seems to be carve one out in the so called stolen lands"

If a home is what you wish to find, then it would be a pleasure to help you find joy and a place of acceptance. The way may be dangerous, but I feel that given the chance you and I could become friends. So I would like to offer you a place among our band of misfits as we too seek our place within the wild lands and with any luck a semblance of security and friendship.

I mentally threaten Filbert with removal of talking if he doesn't tone it down a bit.

Jeathal gladly joins the group and Filbert scoffs at the implications.

I will approach Harrim and Valerie to invite them to join us as well. More hands make lighter work for group like us and both of them seem like a good fit for our friends.