Prologue: Paying Your Debts

Kaiakas nods slightly, not breaking eye contact or lowering his hands. "We apologize for the intrusion. We are merely investigating reports of ominous howling coming from this area. ... Would you happen to know anything about that?"
[OOC: Using Insight skill to determine the wererat's honesty.]

Wolfbloods. The paladin's demeanor softened a bit at the mention of the word. He slowly lowered his arms to his side and gave the wererat a small bow. "Thank you. Where might we find these wolfbloods?"

Kaiakas looked at the group and their armaments, curious what the wererat could mean. The connection between the disappearances and wolfbloods was grim. "It may very well come to that, yes. What would you suggest ... sir?" Realizing he had no name by which to call the wererat, he would make it a point to ask for a name before they left.

Upon mention of the silver compound, Zaris's eyes widened. He quickly sheathed his weapon and pulled his notes from his pack and began scribbling frantically. "I just read about a silver tincture made by Alezar the Aged from Waterdeep!" he added in obvious excitement? "How have you mixed them together?" The wizard opens his book to the page in his book and presents it to the wererat.

Busy inspecting the vials as Zaris conversed with the wererat, Kaiakas saw the new-found companion arm himself and so the paladin reached his hand out. "And by what name shall we call you, friend?"

"I don't recall what I was called before the curse, but the wolfbloods have taken to calling me Gnarl. So, you may do the same."

"Well met Gnarl, It'll be good to have your blade by our side for the coming battle. So gentlemen, and Reina, and... " he looks at Gnarl questioningly, then shakes his head and moves on. "Who's silvering their blade? I presume that vial only covers one. I'd be willing to enlarge myself and keep their attention on me if no one has a better plan. "

Zaris continued to press Gnarl about the silver compound. "But I could perhaps find a way to improve upon it. I don't think we have enough for all of us to use in battle, do we?"

Zaris wrote notes in his book frantically, oblivious to Gnarl's firm reply to his initial request.

Gnarl shakes his head again and simply ignores Zaris' argument. To the question, however, he responds, "No not enough. One weapon, or ten arrows or bolts. I should also mention, as you seem to be so inclined, that magic also bypasses the resistances of my kind. The wolfbloods will be in the clearing shortly, we should establish a plan and set it into motion before we miss the opportunity and have to hunt them."

Kaiakas motions for the group to make their way outside. When they are on their way, he walks beside Gnarl, discussing tactics and such. "How long will this vial affect my blade? I don't want it to fade away in the middle of battle. Ah, speaking of which, might you know the pack size? The thought of being outnumbered does not sit well with me."

"A splendid plan!" Zaris stated with glee. "Now how many companions would you like around you Corban? I could fit a hundred of them in a five foot space at your feet." Zaris caught himself and then frowned. "Perhaps just the illusion of a fire then?"

"Ah, good call. The fire might make the beasts hesitate long enough for me to be able to throw back the potion. So, if there are no objections, I say we get up there and get this done, so we can go tear up some other tavern with a less sadistic patron."

Zaris nodded in agreement and quickly pulled a piece of fleece from his pouch and began softly chanting the words of his spell.

Kaiakas looked at Corban, confused by the warrior's comment. "Surely you cannot think the gnome knew what we would be facing. Besides, one should be honored for protecting innocents." A bit more smugness came out than the Tiefling meant to convey.

Upon reaching the main floor Gnarl sniffs the air and nods, "They are near. They will be able to smell us, so don't count on an ambush. I small three, but the pack leader is amongst them and he's worth five of us in ferocity and power. And Zaris, the synthetic silver will last at least an hour. You've no worry about it wearing off. Come, let's prepare ourselves." He squeezes through the tower entrance and takes up a position around the side of the tower, "My scent is all over the clearing, they won't know I'm actually here. Hopefully that will play to our advantage."