Story I: The Rift

Ameera provides a running translation, trying to talk and think words at the same time, the result is faltering, but functional. Neph, we appreciate your concern, and I agree that it is unlikely that a lone archer would attack a group our size. It felt like a trap to me too. I have to talk to my friends about heading back the way we came, we are here to explore, and this walk seemed to hold promise of a old city. Ameera talks only aloud. "What do you think guys? I don't know if she means to go down that tunnel we passed or back to the cave, I kinda want to see a Dwarven city, but if it is full of hostile elflings, I'm not sure we would survive. She pauses as a thought seems to come to her and then turns to Neph

Neph turns back toward Ameera.After a moment she pivots again and continues back the way you came. Her body language is one of poorly-feigned indifference, as you can see that she peeks over her shoulder to see if you're following or not.

Let's see what's going on with this ShadowKinBaric begins creeping toward the fallen creature, watching the darkness for more of them.

"Wait, what? Ameera just told me not to touch that thing because it's a trap, but we're going back and doing it anyway?! And this is after all of Pyrrah's yelling loud enough for all the Underdark to hear?" Devanis grumbles, shaking his head.

"We may have trouble holding him back old man, Neph said that there is a city ahead. I think it may be a Dwarven city. It's just a guess." She shrugs "Dwarves are stubborn and most I knew spoke of their cities of old as if reclaiming them was the most noble thing someone could die for."
Then Ameera speaks in Baric's mind. "You oaf, if your going to sneak around alone, at least you could be quiet about it. Why don't you wait for the rest of us so you have someone to carry your body back?"

Returning, sticking to the walls and seeking to stay out of any line of fire, Baric replies to the protests. The intention was silence. And I just wanted to see if our friend was still here.

He's not.

Erran remains with his senses on high alert, "So, what shall we do? I'm comfortable with proceeding forward, but a hasty retreat would be best kept in mind should we stumble across more of those things."

Let me see if I can't get a clue about our...friends...based on the gifts they've chosen to leave.

At this, Baric begins looking farther back along the path for the arrow the Shadow Kin sent.

"I say we leave it be, find a less dangerous destination. Call me a coward if you want, but the risks look like they outweigh the benefits. We already know where we can find some quality artifacts. I'd rather not get killed because of arrogance and stupidity before I get paid... "

"I'm inclined to agree. But I also wonder, what if the answers I'm seeking lie there?" Devanis shakes his head.

"Let's go with Neph for now, we can ask her and her people if they have any news of your friends, Devanis. We also can learn from them what they like to steal from the Shadowkin, maybe we'll learn there is something worth sneaking in to snatch."

"Yes, that sounds reasonable. So who wants to convince Baric to come with us?" Devanis says, jerking a thumb at the dwarf.

After a moment, Neph, who hadn't gone too far, returns with a bit of an anxious look on her face. She looks as though she has something to say, and looks expectantly at Ameera.

Odd, I don't know what it means, Baric catches up as the group passes him looking at the arrow. Ranger, can you learn anything about these shadowkin looking at this. It looks like its fletched with fur.

Baric continues walking with the group into the darkness.

Pyrrah waits by Neph, annoyed and wanting to move on. She wanted to get out of here before anything else decided to take a potshot at the group. She waits quietly with her hands white-knuckled on her bow and notched arrow. She wants to get out of here, and the deeply set scowl on her face all but screams the message.

Underneath it all, she was as anxious about Neph as anyone. She didn't trust the "hospitality" of strangers. People have too many secrets to hide, a myriad of personal agendas that are hard to decipher unless you understand them well. She didn't want to be caught up in any of Neph's ulterior motives any more than she wanted to be caught by a shadowkin's arrow...

"Neph says that the Shadowkin may be gettin reinforcements. It's as likely as anything else, let's go with her for now but I am not in a trusting mood so let's see how far this goes."

"Agreed. "

Pyrrah sticks close to Ameera and Neph, alert for any further signs of disturbance.