2. The First Delve

As Ricard and Pickles return to the group, Gabbro asks again: "So? Now that we've tried being nice, do we try to grab one of them as they're leaving Kobold Korners, do we go back to the surface and confront them in their cave, or do we just continue exploring and find some treasure first to draw the robbers in to us for an ambush?"

Jessica does a quick head count. "Six of us, five who could be useful in a fight... no offense, Tiberious. I'm not sure that I like these odds."

Ricard nods in agreement with Sister Jessica,

"I always try to avoid fair fights, just don't like the odds. Picking this bunch off and beating the info out of one of them is probably our best bet, but we'd need a good ambush."

Pickles is a little deflated at the welcome, or unwelcome, of these Humans. The big guy with one eye, Zorrel Gnast he thinks the Orc Chieftain called him, was much nicer. If only he had been there, oh well. Pickles sighs as he joins the group, "An ambush is best I think as well. First we need bait for our trap, so some treasure would be good."

Kobold Market
One of the Ghost Beggars snatches a dagger from his belt, and lunges towards Ricard, snarling. His comrade just manages to restrain him. Within moments, two bugbear guards are on the scene to ensure the scuffle doesn’t escalate.

"We’ll see ya up top … we’ll be waiting!" the brigand shouts after the departing Ricard.

---
Day 2, 2:30 pm
Fenwick, Elf 1: 5/5
Gabbro, Elf 1: 7/7
Jessica, Cleric 1: 5/5
Pickles, Halfling 1: 4/4
Ricard, Fighter 1: 5/7
Tiberious, Magic-User 1: 5/5

Link to Gabbro's mega-maps ...
Link to Tiberious' mega-maps ...

"So we either follow them to find out where we can set an ambush - risky, because we'd probably been seen following them - or continue trying to find treasure, so that we can draw them out, like Pickles said." Gabbro smiles. "Which way do you want to look?" He refers to the maps. "I'm a little curious to know what is north of the market, myself, but there's lots of places we haven't explored yet."

In the back of his mind, Gabbro considers the thought that the Open Sore tribe attacks people who have collected treasure...which group is more likely to come after them when they have some valuables at last?

"I'm all for ambushing these jerks," says Fenwick."Not sure how we position ourselves to get the jump on them, though. From what they said it sounds like they're headed back towards the surface. We could try to wait along the path to the main entrance if we think they'd take it? Supposedly we can cut through the tribe's territory which is to our advantage, but I'm not sure we know enough about what's where for that to help us."

"Wonder if we could lure them into the magnetic cave our new friend mentioned..."

"Hmm. I like that idea, Ricard, but I don't see how we could lure them in without going in first ourselves...and pretty much all of our weapons are ferrous metal, so we'd just be disarming ourselves." Gabbro then considers Fenwick's suggestion. "There are just the pair of them here at the moment...though the others are probably not too far, as they were just here a little while ago. We could just try to get to the Grand Foyer first and lie in wait for them there..." Gabbro frowns, recognizing how vague that sounds.

Gnast was wearing plate mail armour when Pickles met him earlier. The two Ghost Beggars that you just encountered in the market are wearing leather armour.

---
Day 2, 2:30 pm
Fenwick, Elf 1: 5/5
Gabbro, Elf 1: 7/7
Jessica, Cleric 1: 5/5
Luther, Cleric 1: 5/5
Pickles, Halfling 1: 4/4
Ricard, Fighter 1: 5/7

Link to Gabbro's mega-maps ...

"So the problem I see is that we don't know where they're headed or what path they'll take-- otherwise, I would say we pick a location like the Forest room or the main stairs we think they'll pass through, " says Fenwick. "But a better plan might be to pick the location that suits us best and have someone lure them in by making them chase after. Of course, that puts someone in danger-- unless one of us is really good at illusions or the like?"

She looks around hopefully.

Pickles looks a little nervous as he speaks up, "I could possibly get them chasing me into the forest room, I have the best chance of hiding from them once in there. I am sure I could just keep talking to them until they become frustrated, but we need to figure out some bait first."

He pauses briefly before continuing, "Though that angry one did not take much to irritate, he could be a good target."

"I'm fairly certain they would chase me anywhere I ran in a blind rage," offers Ricard thoughtfully...

Kobold Market
As you deliberate on your next course of action, the two Ghost Beggars turn and start to head towards the south-westerly exit from the marketplace.

---
Day 2, 2:40 pm
Fenwick, Elf 1: 5/5
Gabbro, Elf 1: 7/7
Jessica, Cleric 1: 5/5
Luther, Cleric 1: 5/5
Pickles, Halfling 1: 4/4
Ricard, Fighter 1: 5/7

Link to Gabbro's mega-maps ...

Luther spies the group of adventurers from across the market. This must be the ones I have been being led too he thinks to himself. He has been traveling many days guided by a feeling he can only explain as divine. From what he has seen so far there is much evil in this place to be eradicated.
He approaches the group "Well met my good travelers, I am Brother Luther. I have been led to you."

"Hello, Luther...er, Brother Luther." Gabbro says, only mildly surprised that another adventurer has appeared. "Do you know anything about the Ghost Beggars?"

Pickles raises an eyebrow at the new arrival before shrugging, he was more one to believe in luck than divine intervention. "Welcome." he says warmly with a smile and an extended hand. "Nice of you to joins us, more the merrier my mom always said."

He turns to the others, "I’ll suggest we follow those two." He remarks as he points at the leaving bandits.

Luther address the Elf, "I know nothing of these Ghost Beggars you ask about. Also just Luther will be fine." Then looks to halfling," Howdy there my small friend."

"I'm game," Gabbro responds to Pickles' suggestion, then turn to address Ricard, "You ready? Let's reclaim our weapons and follow them...recognizing that they could be setting another trap for us." As they set out, Gabbro tries to fill Luther in on the situation, adding in a low voice: "Luther, the Ghost Beggars are a gang of bandits who extort a 'toll' from adventurers when they're leaving Stonehell. There's a bounty on their leader. Those two" he nods at the two that the group is following, "are Ghost Beggars, and they just tried to start a fight with us. We're going to see what we can see."

Luther acknowledges the elf. "May I have your name good elf?" he listens to the tale. "This will never do we can't have people doing this to others. I will do what I can to help." He thinks to himself though that this can't be the reason he was led here.