[Monday, Spring 24, 09:00, -9.5, Blizzard Conditions continue][I presume this time has been busy and no actual rest has occurred yet. Except for Ashley Panther.]

Nestled under the bows of pine branches, warmed by an impossible fire, the male bandit from the wall wakes first. Realizing he's been caught he struggles to break free but that's impossible given a well endowed, large Barbarian is watching over him.



Alice looks for any creature she could catch and attach the whistle to, as absurd as it appears in this blizzard to dispose of the whistle.

[Hunting 1d20=6]

Alice finds rabbit tracks after some effort and follows it to a small bush, unable to surprise it, she doesn't manage to get it attached to the whistle before it bolts off. [Tell me where you left it ultimately.] Alice returns to the tent to find Ashley Panther lying peacefully and looking at her smugly. A simple blink is all she gets, something of a 'hello, I'm glad you're not (or we're not) dead.' Yes indeed, such high praise from Ashley or Ashley Panther is rare, savor it.

But- But... SheShe said everyone we faced was an enemy! I had wanted to parlay with them seeing they were human but it seemed pointless after this divine intervention. I hope the bandits will tell us about this man and why he was here. Oh God Freya will be mad at us again!

Thoughts fill her mind, even neutral beings can be on opposite sides of an issue.

Yulya decides to thoroughly investigate the other belongings of the Beastmaster. Additional investigation without new information yields no additional results.

A low rumble comes from a certain Panther's stomach.

[One bandit is up, the other is still unconscious, remember the warnings, gods and other beings are watching.]

The bandit looks around and sees one of his companions looking dead and asks Cat, "is she dead? Where's the druid and the other crossbowman? What are you going to do with me? What do you mean by 'get outta here'? Where are we now?"

The bandit sneers at Alice, "so then go on, if you're so civil, state your name. If you think you're entitled to a fair parley then untie me first and we'll talk like civilized people."

A growl is heard from the tent, and a chill runs down your collective spines.

[INTIMIDATION DC16 vs CHA 1d20=6]

The bandit shifts uncomfortably, "wha- what in the nine hells was that? Who are you people?"

The bandit sighs and rolls his eyes, again struggling against the restraints momentarily before giving in to his predicament. Mostly grumbling to himself he says, "defeated by children! Girls no less! What irony befitting of  Malar, I'm sure he's laughing... even Auril isn't this cruel!" He grunts in a fit of frustration and kicks pointlessly at the dry pine needles. "And you'll give my symbol back, I might as well die than return without it." He seems desperate already, shifting nervously and periodically looking back at the tent. Rest eludes him for now. "hey! Hey!" He whispers and bumps his companion. She doesn't stir.

[I presume you looted him which would include his brooch which he called his symbol.]

[Optional Responses]

[Monday, Spring 24, 10:00, -9.5, Blizzard]

By now everyone's been fed, and Ashley Panther is asleep peacefully, now at 9/23HP. You've rested an hour, Yulya has 2MP as well as the ability to cast 2nd tier spells. Alice has recovered 3HP for a total of 9/17 and has 7THP, as well as recovering all her Ki points but still has 0/3 reflect actions and will require 7 more hours to recover the rest of those. Cat has 22/35 HP now and recovers her rage point. The female bandit is still out and will require healing to recover sooner than a couple more hours. The Male bandit is healing despite the stress.



[Interactions required]

The bandit sighs and rolls his eyes, again struggling against the restraints momentarily before giving in to his predicament. Mostly grumbling to himself he says, "defeated by children! Girls no less!

Cat's ear rotates over to the bandit while she continues cooking.
Nyaa what was that Nya?
The girls and children already defeated your troll and druid Nya. Pipsqueaks like you better be quiet Nya!

With Yulya returning and the female bandit waking up, Cat enters Rage and begins her interrogation with a show of Intimidation. The tall Barbarian moves in front of the bandits and shows off her claws



Alright Nya nap time is over Nya! You either answer our questions Nya and be released unharmed Nya - or you'll regret being born Nya! And I won't start with you Mister Nya but with your girlfriend here Nya!

Cat points a claw at the female bandit with a grin showing her fangs
You won't get a lady bonus here Miss Nya because we're all girls Nya! On the contrary Nya! The monster in our tent is always hungry Nya!

Cat steps aside and lets Yulya ask the questions

The female bandit looks up at Cat, "I'm willing to say what I know given your conditions that I be released unharmed given I have my suit to survive this tempest."

Yulya looks down at the bandits with an unreadable expression. She tries to act as cool and serious as possible to overplay her anxiety and prays this is enough to make the captives talk.
So it shall be if - and only if you answer our questions and speak the truth! What you do upon your release is up to you and I cannot say what fate awaits you then. But I can tell you that if you return to join those still in the mine this will be your certain demise. Take the hand I am offering you and I shall do my best to bolster your chances of survival!



Now let me introduce myself! I am Yulya, Peace Cleric of Eldath, Adventurer of Neverwinter, leader of this party, here on behalf of the town of Phandalin. We did not come here to slaughter humans so I would like to avoid that if possible. Yet Alric Edmond chose the wrong side and was judged by the Gods accordingly. What a shameful end to a former hero! You shall be judged depending on your answers so choose wisely. Know that no lie will escape me. Answer briefly and on topic!

Yulya casts Zone of Truth on the bandits and asks them 10 questions. They have a minute to answer each. As Danielle appears to be willing to cooperate (much to Yulyas relief) this is mainly to test if they are attempting to lie or evade answering.

- Who and how many are inside the mine and for what purpose?

- Who are the Cloaked Wolves?

- Who is the Black Spider and what are his goals?

- Why are you so afraid of him?

- What nobility is involved in your organization?

- What is the significance of your Symbols and why are they so important to you?
Yulya holds up a brooch

- What was Sir Alrics role in your organization and why did he side with bandits, What vision did he have?

- Are you aware of his equipment and abilities? If so what abilities did his rings and mantle grant?

- For what purpose do you use the Whistle of the Lost Sailor and where is the counterpart of the one Sir Alric had?

- And finally - what do you plan to do upon your release?
Yulya pays close attention to both of the bandits reactions as one is speaking and tries to estimate their intentions even if one passes the CHA test of Zone of Truth

I'm Alice! I healed you back to consciousness, you were pretty mauled and out for a while. I'm surprised you survived that!

She edges back at the oddly cheerful and unerving mask.

You appear surprisingly reasonable compared to the other bandits we had the pleasure of interrogating. I like that!

She relaxes slightly, "They say your true nature comes out in times of highest stress." She appreciates the slightly looser constraints.

The Cloaked Wolves? Do they have wofl cloaks like mine as well?

The male bandit chuckles, "Who's this, comic relief?"

A while ago we cleared out a certain goblin den and there was a painting of a giant spider on the wall. I defaced that on a whim. I hope the Black Spider knows that too!

He rolled his eyes, "Those goblins don't even wipe their arses, I'm surpirsed it was intact this long."

So what's with that guy? Why are you so afraid? I can respect if you are loyal because of your ideals and convictions - but out of fear? You will probably get killed as well if you return there, right? So what's the point? You're given a genuine chance - a last chance here. You can do as you please after we release you. But if I ever catch you doing bandit things again...

The male bandit spits, "Then let's get this over with!"

Cat steps aside and lets Yulya ask the questions

Yulya casts zone of truth causing a 30 foot zone affecting everyone within.

[CHA vs DC15 1d20+0M,+2F=Male succeeds:5,9
Female succeeds:2,3,5,6,7]

[Follow up questions will be allowed within the 10 minutes, let's say 3.]

The male [M-] bandit responds first in every case, then the female [F-].

Question 1: Who and how many are inside the mine and for what purpose?

M-"There are a bunch of us, and The Black Spider, more than you can handle. Save yourselves and give up on this foolishness. If they capture you, they'll nulify that magic of yours and..." he smirks "you'll fetch a good rate even after they keep you a while. Purpose? I don't know everything, it's a good place to get out of the cold."

F-She looks away at his response then, looks at Yulya, "Yulya, he's right about one thing, you fought well but you can't defeat us all, I don't even know how many are in there, the mine is very large with a lot of levels. We aren't told more than we need to know for obvious reasons, we were a cell of four plus Harvey Epstein and Alric's other pets. I don't know what we're doing here in particular, again we weren't told, Alric would have known more."

Question 2: Who are the Cloaked Wolves?

M-"We are, and make note of the name because it'll be the last you hear!"

F-She agrees, "they will find you, we're everywhere."

Question 3: Who is the Black Spider and what are his goals?

M-"Who knows? We're just handling security."

F-"I only know Alric's vision, he was my lieutenant and..." she glances over at her partner nervously. "I don't know anything about the Black Spider's goals."

Question 4: Why are you so afraid of him?

M-"Isn't it natural to have a fear of death? It's what makes us human."

F-"He's much more powerful than any of us, including even Alric."

Question 5: What nobility is involved in your organization?

M-"Hahaha what are these questions? You don't need a spell on me to get me to say the truth, fuck nobility, they're an open purse and nothing more."

F-"There is involvement, I've seen Alric speaking to them, I don't know who they were but you can't miss them."

Question 6: What is the significance of your Symbols and why are they so important to you?
Yulya holds up a brooch

M-"You'll give me mine back, I had to buy that! Without it we're nobodies."

F-"It's like our identity, a pass to verify membership, but they're registered magically, so don't think you can use it for infiltration, you guard it with your life if you value your life, there's only one option if you lose it, get it back, and they will come for them."

Question 7: What was Sir Alrics role in your organization and why did he side with bandits, What vision did he have?

M-"The hell do I know? He was just a powerful guy."

F-Appearing apprehensive, she answers, "the greater good." Oddly, she appears to be telling the truth.

Question 8: Are you aware of his equipment and abilities? If so what abilities did his rings and mantle grant?

M-He sneers with a shrug indicating he doesn't know and thinks the question is preposterous.

F-"There's an old saying, 'never show your hand'."

Question 9: For what purpose do you use the Whistle of the Lost Sailor and where is the counterpart of the one Sir Alric had?

M-He laughs, "if Alric is dead, you'll find out soon enough."

F-She nods with a consoling look to her companion, "if they capture you... it wasn't all bad, a little rough in the beginning, but I worked my way up and I had a path forward. I earned their respect," she looks down and shakes her head.

Question 10: And finally - what do you plan to do upon your release?

M-"I'm opening a market stall, what do you think I'm going to do? Look, I got a deal for you, give me my 'brooch' and I'll forget you exist, you won't see me again and I'll say I was sick of the cold, which is almost where I was at anyway. If you don't, then I'll get it back or die trying." You can tell he's being 100% honest, without a doubt.

F-She looks saddened, and glances at her companion, "Yulya, I would like to speak with you privately." She tilts her head to her companion and shakes her head.

M-He saw that and said, "she's dead. No one rats out the Cloaked Wolves and lives, she's dead for talking and you're dead for listening. But as far as you and me, I'll keep my word, give me my brooch and I'll be out of your hair forever, no one will know anything from me." You can tell he's telling the truth about that. "I answered all your questions, now I'll take my brooch and be out of your hair."

Ashley steps out of the tent with a stretch, fully clothed of course, "Who are these losers?"

He rolled his eyes, "Those goblins don't even wipe their arses, I'm surpirsed it was intact this long."

Yulya asks additional question #1
Why were you involved with the goblins in the den? What does the Black Spider need them for?

M-"There are a bunch of us, and The Black Spider, more than you can handle. Save yourselves and give up on this foolishness. If they capture you, they'll nulify that magic of yours

Yulya asks additional question #2
How can they nullify magic?

F-"It's like our identity, a pass to verify membership, but they're registered magically, so don't think you can use it for infiltration, you guard it with your life if you value your life, there's only one option if you lose it, get it back, and they will come for them."

Yulya asks question #3
Can the brooches also be tracked like the whistle? How does the registration work? Can you tell which brooch is yours?
Yulya holds them both up

You know a lot of influential people are interested in your brooches - or rather in apprehending those who carry them and a bounty has been set! Your organization does not appear to be well-liked. Which should not come at a surprise. We just recently took out a group that tried to rob a traders carriage. You may think to be part of something large and powerful but eventually you became too bold and made yourselves powerful enemies. This can be no longer overlooked. So rest assured this matter will be dealt with from multiple sides not just us.

F-She nods with a consoling look to her companion, "if they capture you... it wasn't all bad, a little rough in the beginning, but I worked my way up and I had a path forward. I earned their respect," she looks down and shakes her head.

The respect of criminals
Yulya adds drily

Ashley steps out of the tent with a stretch, fully clothed of course, "Who are these losers?"

Excellent timing Ashley! I hope you are well! I have to introduce you to someone!

F-Danielle looks saddened, and glances at her companion, "Yulya, I would like to speak with you privately." She tilts her head to her companion and shakes her head.

Yulya nods.
Certainly. I also have a few more questions for you. Alice please release her! Come with us into the tent! Ashley this is Danielle. She has agreed to cooperate with us. Please hear what she has to say!

M-He saw that and said, "she's dead. No one rats out the Cloaked Wolves and lives, she's dead for talking and you're dead for listening. But as far as you and me, I'll keep my word, give me my brooch and I'll be out of your hair forever, no one will know anything from me." You can tell he's telling the truth about that. "I answered all your questions, now I'll take my brooch and be out of your hair."

Yulya turns to the male bandit before entering the tent with Danielle and Ashley
So it shall be. Excuse me while we talk to Danielle in private before your release.

Inside the tent Yulya puts on a stern face
Danielle I know you are skilled. You avoided my spell half of the time. I do not know your circumstances but I will give you one more chance to tell the full truth and briefly summarize everything for Ashley. Tell me about Alrics vision and the so called 'Greater Good'. How did a silver rank adventurer end up with bandits?
I also need to know what other monsters he had and what effect his death will have on them. And any other information you deem useful for us. To be clear we have a mission here. We will clear this mine.

Yulya is surprised by her own bold actions. Is this a spark of the Divine? Or just overplaying her own insecurity?