** Part I: Fire and Ash **

[TristenC]

Very well. idrys says, removing and handing the dwarf his armor but keeping his other gear in place. Payment upon completion, of course. he says congenially

[Nocturno]

"If you don't allow me some meditation time, don't expect me to save your sorry asses when the shit starts to spray." Delilah will give a small smirk to Idrys.

[TristenC]

if you had a mind capable of concentrating worth a damn you wouldn't need to keep reminding us that you're meditating... and you wouldn't be trying to do it at a party. he teased, good-naturedly

[Nocturno]

Having her jibe set back at her quite easily, Delilah will set to meditating with a HRMPF.

[spike]

The interior of the hut is very spacious with two levels, and many cots on the first level. You can take a corner and meditate in relative serenity.

John mutters to himself 'Good thing I thought to bring along some extra leather scraps' he was engrossed with the enhancement to Idry's armor on the upper level of the hut. He said to Kessa 'Go and get some quality metal and I can fix you a good spear-head, but I'd need an anvil and hammer for it, furnace too obviously. We'll see what sort of tools and such they have here, though I'm not overly optimistic'

Suddenly two bog-men (a man and a woman, youngish) knocked on the door and Narn answered. They whispered something to him discreetly and Narn's face took on a brief look of astonishment and fear, then he closed the door and came up to Delilah. He said 'sorry to disturb you, beautiful. I was just informed of a horrible discovery, another one of our people was found in the trees, hanging upside down and viciously slain. It was one of our perimeter scouts, with multiple trident wounds, ten in total. We first suspected this to be Lizard folk, but they don't prey upon bog men. Other humans perhaps, but not us. And they do not overly mutilate their meat once dead. Would any of your party be inclined toward a discreet look into the cause of this? We're not the best fighters but we can hold our own. I know it's much to ask, so do not hold a guilt in refusing the request. We will do our best to figure out the cause of these sinful tragedies of late'.

[TristenC]

I'll take a look. I've sharp eyes. Anything that poses a threat to your camp tonight might not distinguish between residents and guests. Idrys borrows his armor back for the moment and goes to take a look, keeping a cautious eye out for anything unusual along the way and once there.
[Ooc use any applicable observatory skills. Alertness, int 14, etc ]

[Nocturno]

Delilah will sigh, and get up.

"We should probably travel in pairs. All the warnings and all."

[spike]

Narn: 'My thanks, come'

Himself and two aids lead you along a circular railed walkway into a small one room hut.

Inside is a dead body of a man, perhaps not even 25 years of age. Multiple deep trident wounds on his back mostly. each were very deep. He most likely died with just one, especially unarmored.

Narn takes you to where they found the body, at the end of the circular walkway, suspended upside down by rope. 'There was a message attached"

Get 5,000 gold prepared by months end or you'll regret it. Enjoy your festivities. Further instructions will be delivered. A copper short and you'll need a new burial ground.

-the masked blades

[Nocturno]

"Masked Blades eh... someone you know?" she will look at Narn

Looking at Idrys "This seems to be an unfortunate turn of events for our hosts. I wonder if these blades had anything to do with our end goal."

[TristenC]

Perhaps, he said, noncommittally. Stooping down he inspects the expertise of the blows. With the note it seems his month was up and the excessive force was meant to make a point. Who knows this man best? Maybe they can shed some light on why he was called upon for 5000 gold... idrys also inspects the rope and note closely. When was he discovered and how long had it been since someone was here before he was found?

[spike]

Narn: "I only heard some scary stories of them, they're a gang of vicious outlaws who wear demonic looking masks, and are skilled fighters with the trident, their favorite weapon. The authorities from other towns and hamlets dispatched bountyhunters to wipe them out, but they got their heads in return. No one has caught any of em supposedly, and any witnesses always wind up dead, eventually or so my cousin from Harby said. He would know more than I, he's a thieving bastard but he only steals from the fat miserable flesh merchants in Harby. Sylver said she saw two of them in the Direwood before while camping, bloody girl nearly got herself killed. She said she saw them dragging a prisoner along and would have caught her too, they heard her sneeze but she got out of there quickly'

The blows don't reveal anything much about expertise, but if you had to hazard a guess you would say they were made with someone who trains hard with the trident.

Narn: "He's Darn, Gella's husband. His brother Belzor will want to avenge his death I wager. Whoever got the drop on him must be good, Darn was a paranoid and alert sort, could hear a squirrel fart or a bird sneeze. The other scouts aren't as weary. He's also has a bit of training and skill in survival, he's not someone you can take easily off guard'



'

[TristenC]

Witnesses wind up dead and you cousin saw them? idrys looks to Delilah, bait? They'll come for her anyway, we and others could lie in wait... Turning back to Narn, No offense of course...

[spike]

Narn said 'witnesses that they know of, they never actually caught her or knew she saw them. And that was five months ago. How can you suggest using her as bait? That's someone dear to me. These aren't lowly highwaymen wanting your purse, they're a bit more vicious and stealthy. They make traps I believe, judging by the number of bountyhunters they slew. So bet your worth in salt they'd see any traps or such on your part easier than that'

[Nocturno]

"Bait, they already smell the part." she will say dryly, while staring at the corpse. While a formidable fighter, her battles in her training rarely if ever ended fatally.

[spike]

Narn looked at her in indignation, 'I'd refrain from such...denigrations. There will come a time, perhaps not now or anytime soon when those you insult will be your saviors!' he said in a persnickety fashion.

Out of the corner of your eye you both thought you saw a an eye peeking through a hole in the roof,