Pvp Campaign, Section 1. Spyro’s Party

Raedurg: "I am Raedurg, a... Mercenary also hired as a bodyguard."

 

He turns to Para’s character, obviously being the guy in charge

 

I elect to tell him a somewhat abridged truth.

"I am Natasha, the last survivor, to my knowledge, anyway, of the city of my birth, after it was razed by Mind Flayers and its people enslaved. My personal quest has brought us to this land, but as you can easily see, we are strangers here, and know not where to begin."

 

At about the moment Natasha mentions mind flayers, Anafenza frantically moves back for a moment before regaining composure.

 

I'm starting to think Anafenza is afraid of things like mind control and other mind-altering powers...

 

I take mental note of that.

 

Zilt begins to write:

“How didn’t travelers get in the middle of this desert? You are far away from any port?”

 

Natasha: "That is what is so strange about our circumstances. I do not wish to disclose it in full, but suffice to say we are not here by choice."

 

The man nods and writes, slightly hesitantly.

“Forgive me for asking this. You have stated who you are, and I don’t wish to call you liars... but from that description you sound more like escaped slaves.”

 

Natasha: "I see... what might we show you to convince you otherwise?"

 

The man writes. “Well, you don’t wear the garb of a slave, nor am I familiar with slaves who can talk without talking. Tell me, what is the punishment for a slave who speaks out, and tried to inspire other slaves to rebel?”

 

Natasha: "In this land? I would not know. My own time enslaved was not by humans, but Illithids, and under their particular brand of captivity, dissident thought is simply an impossibility."

 

The man nods. His page is filled, so he turns it over to the back. He then writes another question.

“Your... Illithids as you call them... you don’t seem to like them. Or their slaves. Tell me, what would you do if you saw a slave escaping? Would you help it, or turn it over or it’s owner?”

 

Natasha: "Good question... it is a circumstance I have never encountered. In large part, that would depend on who the 'owner' was."

 

“Humor me. You don’t know who the owner is. But it doesn’t matter. He owns the slave.”

 

I'm beginning to think this guy is an escaped slave...

 

Natasha: "Having experienced what I did years ago, I do not think I could in good conscience force it upon another... if any asked me later, I would have seen no escaping slave."

I sense that the tone of this conversation is changing. I shift my psychic focus to Displacement, giving disadvantage on all ranged weapon attacks against me.

 

The man sighs, and writes.

“You said you do not know the punishment for an uprising slave. In the city of daggers, the slave owners cut on the tongues of any slave who tried to inspire an uprising, to silence them and make sure they never do such a thing again.

The unfortunate truth is if the slave still manages to escape, they can not only no longer talk, but also never again tase food or drink. The sweetness of tea and exotic fruits always lie beyond them.”

 

Raedurg: "And, perhaps, is that what happened to you?"

 

I nod and give a sympathetic smile, as I understand.

"Why, then, do you return to the place of your torment, with a company of guards?"