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-----The Dread Pirate nods at Zharta's words, then sighs and says "Aye, I don't particularly want to get meself killed either. But me and me friends have been sent by the Sun Lord, Jacian Dawnrider. And we're workin fer Lord Lambert as well. Our job is to clean up the evil happenins that're goin on in these parts. Now I appreciate that it’s yer temple and ye want to deal with it, but it looks like it’s somethin beyond yer ken. On the other hand, me and me crew are somethin of what ye might call specialists when it comes to situations like this. Unfortunately, I was somewhat burnt in our last encounter with some evil wizards here in yer town and could use some healin. And if ye could send a couple messengers over to our inn and fetch the rest of our crew, I'd appreciate it. And me friend, Kazel, here needs an item identified as to how it works. Now if ye still don't want our help, then I understand, and I won't force me help on ye, but it looks as though ye need it."
-----The Dread Pirate adds on as an afterthought, "And who's Ariella?"
-----Zharta looks at the Dread Pirate with changes of expression crossing his face. First the Priest looks at the Pirate with the same sorrowful expression as he begins, then there is a look of slight annoyance. When the Dread Pirate mentions Dawnrider and Lord Lambert, the Curate expresses shock and disbelief followed by intense interest.
-----Finally, Zharta replies, "Ariella is a priestess of the god of magic." Somewhat changing the subject, the Curate asks, "You have proof you are here on behalf of the Court of Hearthorn?"
-----Kazel looks about to say something but then decides to hold it off and see what the Dread Pirate will say next. Her hands are folded behind her back as she hums to herself while studying the guards and their weapons.
-----The Dread Pirate begins to look increasingly exasperated with Zharta, "Well, yer holiness, we had the misfortune to be separated from the rest of our party a little while back. Sadly, they had the Writ of authority from Lord Lambert, so we are left with no proof except our word and our willingness to put our lives at risk fer your temple. But I ask ye this, what would I possibly stand to gain by lying about such a thing? A chance to get meself killed while fighting a demon? I'd be just as happy to forgo that eventuality, but I swore a vow to help vanquish the evil in these parts and I mean to do so. So I'll swear by Joren himself that I and me friends are here by authority of Lord Lambert. Well, his chamberlain anyway, since he was at the royal court. As ye might have heard, the other half of our group was in town recently, but left before we could find 'em. Anyway, if'n ye still don't believe me, then I'll be more than happy to let ye deal with whatever is in there by yerself."
-----The disgruntled halfling prepares to move back to the inn and rejoin Seth and the mercs, if Zharta declines his help.
-----As the Dread Pirate turns to leave, Zharta’s voice is heard behind him saying, "Hold, please." Pausing, Gimplefwick, Kazel and Marast hear the Curate of Justice ask, "You were with the group from Hearthorn that rode out yesterday?"
-----With an uncertain glance, Zharta looks toward the temple tower. He then asks the Dread Pirate, "What do you need and what do you propose to do?"
-----The Dread Pirate turns and mutters, "Arrr, I was almost hopin' ye'd turn me down. Anyway, me friend here recently picked up an item that might allow her to turn invisible. We'd need to figure out how that works first of all. That'll allow us to go back in there and get a better look at what’s in there. If it be human, then I've got a plan that just might keep it from spellcastin long enough fer us to get in there and kill it."
-----Gimplefwick continues, "Once upon a time, when I was, ummmm...on the high seas, me crew and I happened upon a cargo of hot peppers. Well, we figured to sell 'em at the next port we came to, but got caught up in a horrendous storm and blown off course. We were lost for weeks and were starvin, so we started to eat the peppers. Well, I was bitin into one and its juice happened to fly up and hit me in the eye. It was the most excruciatin pain I'd ever felt in me life. It occurred to me then that it might be useful to blind somebody else someday with such a spray of pepper juice. It occurs to me now, that if a mage is painfully blinded, then she probably won't be able to target ye with spells. So me suggestion is this. Ye send some of yer folk to the market and buy up all the hottest peppers there are. While yer there, ye buy three or four pig's bladders. Take all this mess to an alchemist, and have him scrape the inside of the pig bladders til they're near transparent, but can still expand. Then he can crush the peppers and pour the juice into the pig bladders. Then either Kazel or meself, sneak up there, with the invisibility and me super boots, then nail the witch with the pepper juice. Meanwhile, the rest of me crew'll be waitin below fer her to scream. Which, if it hits her in the eyes, she definitely will. When she screams, everybody else rushes up there and beats the tar out of her. I recommend that I be the one to sneak up there and hit her, since we halflings are naturally superior at throwin rocks and objects."
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