Chapter 2.2: First Encounters in the Dim

Chase will report all he found."This is definitely a cult of some sort. These people are so far into it they don't even seem to eat or keep themselves as they should." Looking at the pile of loot"We could build a second travois to haul the loot on." Looking at the condition of the group"We should travel a little farther today then make camp. It has been a hard few days for all of us. I will keep my eyes open for a good camp sight. We have the boar and these partridges to eat." Then he will move Aanbo to the side for a talk"Maybe after we make camp maybe I should come back here and backtrack this group and see where they came from."

Aanbo considers Chase's suggestion, rolling the prayer beads through his fingers. "I am hesitant to agree," he says. "I know you are skilled in tracking and comfortable moving through the forest, but I worry that this group was not the only one roaming around. The rest of us are too hurt to accompany you, and... well, honestly I'm not sure if we could even keep up with you if we weren't."

The monk clasps his hands together within the sleeves of his robes. "If you are confident that you can move as water flows through the earth, that your steps will not echo in the cavernous spaces between, and if you feel this is important enough to venture alone into danger, then gathering that information would be important. I would suggest that if faced with a rockfall, you would choose to flee instead of pushing through."

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Regarding the question of next steps, Aanbo suggests the party take Cecily's Road and find a place to camp near the thoroughfare. He is ambivalent about returning to the other campsite, finding no reason to agree nor dissent in that option, and only offers himself as a porter for anything that ought to be carried back to Hochoch.

From the spoils of the most-recent battle, Aanbo will take one (if not both) of the spiral medallions in order to show Olpert the mark of the cultists. Olpert and the other Dungeon Busters might have better results in researching the symbol.

Helpful Manthis will work hard with what is about to produce a means to haul loot effectively. Any one's help doing this effort is fantastic. He appears to be no expect at it. Looking heavy at the other means for aid in production.

Manthis portrays himself as countryside man. Easy to spot that he has had no schooling after you have been around him. Obviously from this local area or somewhere nearby one. He appears to be rather simple minded. You will not ever hear any complex plans from him. Despite being a no planner, he will be on to lead the direction decided.

He will toss that previous falchion that he has been carrying in there too with the loot. "We can pick up some more that we left at a previous site. No sense in leaving anything." and no doubt that he will be hauling it too so there will be no pan flute play while traversing the way.

Side note: Although earlier he had attacked the bandits to aide others but there as another reason as Manthis has hatred for bandits and their like. His past history has left a mark on him. To be sure he wanted them all dead. And surely would have refused any notion to keep any alive. The only good bandit/raider is a dead one.

Replying to Aanbo"Not to worry my friend alone I am the forest. We need all the info we can get,"

Before leaving the corpses, Myrtha stared for a while at the fallen cleric.

"Should we take this one’s head, to show back in Hochoch? Maybe people from the churches there might identify him."

Husky Manthis gladly accepts Myrtha's aid. Seems he was having troubles in creating it. He isn't dumb, he isn't exceptionally smart either. He just works to get it done and doesn't surrender up till he does.

He does some small talk with Myrtha as they worked together. Sword swinging Manthis been traveling with gorgeous Arya for some time now, but he appears to rather talk with down to the earth Myrtha. Seems he is taking a liking to Myrtha.

He does inform friendly her that he is also called "The Mask" before he joined Dungeon Busters. He was their star performer with the Fantastic Fearless Fireflies. He mentioned that did a little opportune preforming in Hochoch for fun of it last they were there. It had been a long time since he had such an opportunity, so he enjoyed it.

Jonel watches the two talking quietly among themselves as he responds to Myrtha.
"I'm not too keen on lugging a head back for several days. No doubt it will be rotting and stinking by the time we get there. How about we carve off the skin with the spiral marking?"

"Carving up dead flesh seems unnecessarily gruesome. A detailed drawing or the spiral medallion would suffice for identification," she added with a slight grimace, "and carrying around a rotting head is not something I would be comfortable with, especially if we are to travel together."

She continued, holding up the holy symbol of Merikka, "I believe these people were likely victims of some kind of brainwash. As Chase mentioned, their concern for basic human needs was absent. Merikka is a benevolent goddess of agriculture, not a deity of evil cults. Something has overridden their free will, whether through magic or twisted conviction, I cannot say for certain."

"Indeed, we should find a suitable campsite for you all to rest and recover. You've endured a great deal."

At the mention of Olpert, Theran shifts a little as not to lean so heavily on his staff. It's relatively subtle, but it speaks volumes for those listening.

He idles nearby until such time as the group is ready to continue their trek.

Rosemary takes a deep breath. "Well, I don't know about you guys, but I'm hungry and am ready to make some food."

"We have the pendants," says Aanbo, putting one of the green spiral medallions in his pack and holding the other out to Arya. "You seem to know about religious symbols, why don't you hold onto this one for future study?"

The monk considers Myrtha's suggestion. "If we assume this person was from the temple in Orlane, do you think Diana of Rao would know of him? If she is familiar with her neighbors, we can just describe him to her without the head. If she's not... well, I doubt a head will help."

Aanbo gives the long bow and quiver with 9 arrows to Myrtha. For himself, the monk measures the weight of Four's shortsword before tucking the scabbard into his pack. Since Jonel appears interested in a couple of the short blades, Aanbo doesn't question the interest in taking two of them; he does, however, hand both of the rings to Theran for safekeeping.

Chase will take none of the weapons he likes the ones he has. He will move off and find an good camping spot for the group. He will give Aanbo the boar meat. Then looks at his friends"I shall return shortly."

"Ya know, Rose. I think some food would definitely hit the spot. Plus I think this one might want to tend his wounds a bit." nodding at Theran. "Sorry, friend. Healing is a bit out of my wheelhouse."

"I am well enough to travel," Theran replies to the newcomer. "Truth be told, I feel better than when the fight started."

Jonel approaches Aanbo, turning away from Bradley as he speaks.
"Listen, friend. I know we're in no position to be placing blind trust in anyone. This kid over here, Bradley. How sure can you be that he's not some spy or zealot? Giving someone the benefit of the doubt can often turn sour."

"How can I be sure you're not the spy or zealot?" Aanbo asks in contemplation, mulling over the many possible answers. "You've helped us in battle... I think? But you have said so yourself; you are a stranger. Whereas Bradley (who is hardly a kid) is known to Hochoch."

He tucks his prayer beads into his robe. "Perhaps I am the spy. I am not known to you; all you have is the word of your recent companions, whom you've just met. Perhaps I am the danger that threatens your safety." Aanbo shoulders his pack, already laden with unclaimed weapons and ammunition, and looks at Jonel for his response.