Sapphire:Sessions:20181103
Scout slips into the tunnel. Lighted torches are mounted on the walls every 10'. The first 30' is freshly dug, 7' high and 7' wide and ludicrously steep (45°). The next stretch is timbered and the earthen walls have been partly turned to stone. Then the floor levels out slightly (30°) and after 150' there is a platform covered with live moss in front of an ornately carved oak door, 6' wide. He feels a tingle in the base of his spine and the torches momentarily flare.
Chalker checks Sonya's aura: normal willpower, "a large reservoir of energy" (meaning she tires less quickly), greedy, callous, and morally grey. She has been touched by demons, and harbors regrets from her past.
The heads of the other four factions look on with suspicion as Sonya negotiates with the newcomers. Sonya comments, "In the Troubled Lands I have a bit of a reputation." She asks, "Are we inviting the others?" Chalker replies, "Certainly. We will invite the leaders." He checks their auras:
Otto - Double-crosser, morally dark, greedy, obsessive, has made and broken deals with demons, and is just a nasty person. Part of his aura is shielded. He commands the largest troop, about 50. Wears scale mail.
Dinah - Naïve, strong-willed, has an air of "purity"; she is reverent but not connected to any of the First Chosen; somewhat greedy, extremely curious. While she is not perfect, she is a good person. She wears enchanted leather armor, bears three swords (two shortswords on her belt and a longsword strapped to her back), and carries a longbow and quiver.
Valor - Leans toward evil; has a strong psi shield and a low level of magic resistance. He told Chalker not to trust Sonya. There are 15 in his group.
Boran - Aspires to be like Otto; stubborn; has the demon taint (though no 'hook'); basically a shady mercenary. There are 24 in his group.
Chalker tells Alastor to keep an eye on Otto, "and if he does anything, stop him." Alastor evaluates Otto as a trained fighter, and carefully notes the chinks in Otto's armor.
Otto greets Shawna in "perfect" elven (though his speech lacks refinement), then in Common he says "It is an honor." He assumes a parade-rest stance. Behind him, his men "go on war footing" including saddling their horses.
Dinah has a vague memory that she had seen Chalker once in a port city in the Coastal Kingdoms. "You were with a dwarf and an elf, maybe two elves." Chalker: "I want something in Pitern. We'll have to talk." Dinah: "I'm an explorer... from here I will head up the trade route to Alpina."
Scout quietly reports to Shawna and Chalker, then trots down the hill to look for poisonous plants.
Otto and Valor have been down the tunnel already. Valor: "I advise you to be prepared. There is someone in the first room." Otto: "I burned the door down, but it was intact when I left."