HotDQ - Marpenoth 23, 1489 DR

"I am no great deceiver nor do I have any magic that would be of assistance."

"Sah, in my experience it is easier to hide in plain sight than try to be sneaky."

"Well, I'm game. No reward for those who stay home, right?"

Bartholomew smiles a toothy Dragonborn grin and nods. "Then let’s go, Sah."

As you three are observing the campsite, you notice two figures approaching from different directions. Neither appear to be threatening in any way but are deliberate in their approach towards you.

You see approaching a humanoid figure.
Dressed in simple but sturdy travel clothes he at first appears to be human, though as he gets closer you see slighlty pointed ears poking out from behind his short brown hair.
"Hello the camp, do you mind if I join you?"

A figure dressed in dark traveling clothes approaches. His long, black, unkempt hair reaches his shoulders and his face is scarred heavily.
"May I join in as well? There is safety in numbers in these parts."

A tall Dragonborn looks ready to depart. He is talking to two companions. They are located just outside a large camp and the two strangers may have overheard him confirming they were going to stride into the camp boldly, using the established military strategy of ‘hiding in plain sight’.

The arrival of two strangers is unexpected, so he draws his sword. "We do not know you. Are you more stragglers?"

The man holds his hands up cavalierly, away from the weapons on his hips. "I'm not sure I know what you mean by stragglers, friend."

Infiltrators, or infiltrated? "Quick question, are you mercenaries looking to join a band of well paying reavers tearing up the countryside?"

Kel is a human, not wearing armour, and carrying a crossbow.

"I cannot speak for this one," Athas smiles, gesturing to the other newcomer. "But yes."

Athas is also a human, wearing no armor, and carrying a crossbow.

Is it possible he misunderstood me? "Excellent. So you're interested in rape, pillage, slaughter, and general mayhem all at the bequest of a evil dragon tyrant who will no doubt turn on his followers before their dreams of wealth come to fruition? Great. Initiation into that club is simple. Please place your head on that block and will say a prayer together." He gestures to Batholomew and more importantly Barthomew's axe as he laces his hands together to lead that prayer.

"While evil dragons do have a fair bit of coin, I do have standards. I had assumed you were offering coin for something I was already here to do." He gives Bartholomew an uneasy eye. "I'm afraid I'll have to decline your initiation.."

Kel smiles, "Well, that was the right answer." He points at the large camp. "Evil reavers bent on destruction." He waves at his own camp. "Heroic freedom fighters saving Faerun from annihilation."

Athas puts his hands down. "I appreciate the clarification. While I'm no hero, I do oppose destruction when I can... it's bad for business."

Bartholomew gives Kel a side glance at the suggestion of further beheadings. It is not a habit of his to offer judgement in such a manner, but on this occasion he literally had no choice. Their captives practically begged for death, and to deny that wish would have been dishonorable. Besides, they were evil, and worshipped Tiamat, a fact that is unforgivable.

But Kel seems to have the matter in hand, despite utterly confusing the strangers with his banter. Bartholomew is a paladin of few wasted words, preferring to focus on action. There is little doubt that reinforcements would be favorable just before raiding a camp where they are vastly out numbered. This must be a blessing of Bahamut. A sign he did good beheading the cultists perhaps.

He sheaths his sword. "Very well, Sah. You may join us, but forgive me should I watch you closely. Few can be trusted in these parts". He turns to Kel. "Sah, talking of the untrustworthy, what happened to Harold?"