[Audio/Visual] Dude where's our map? [Date TBD?]

[naturaltwohands]

[Drizzt's human hands are holding up some paper, his eyes focused on a note in neat Imperial Calligraphy:

I have your charts. If you want a chance of ever leaving this benighted island, bring me the Bando rebels’ box and give me safe passage back to the Empire.

K

Drizzt's gaze continues to linger on it as he speaks out loud, voice even but laced with anger. Yes, he's got a young teenager's voice. And yes, it doesn't do anger very well. Also yes, shut up.]

As the note says, our sea charts have been stolen. [You know, the ones Drizzt found after they didn't need them anymore?] I found this ransom note on the back of our charter.

Does anyone possess clues that might lead to the identity of the traitor? What course of action should we take? And where exactly would we meet this individual? They've neglected to mention a location with which to meet.

Comments

[naturaltwohands]

That is not what I meant! What has happened to people here is heinous and unforgivable.

[Now Drizzt is taking offense.]

But how do we know this individual is responsible for any of that? Is there proof that violence is the best course?

[loyalrebel]

They want something that will cause untold destruction and are willing to hold dozens of people hostage on an island to get what they want.

Are you willing to strand everyone's overlays here and risk their lives and the home others of them have built here when we can stop this individual and protect them all?

[naturaltwohands]

I was not aware the box contained a damned dragon. You could have mentioned that a bit sooner.

[Drizzt's voice grows heavy.]

Wanting such a weapon changes the intent of the theft entirely.

[loyalrebel]

I did not know the specifics, only that it was likely something very dangerous to go through such lengths to try to get back.

If we can create a fake scroll, I can place a spell on it that will cause it to explode when read. We put the fake scroll, or scrolls, in the box and exchange it for the charts for both ships.

[naturaltwohands]

I was not even aware of that much.

... And that plan is better than trapping the box itself. Far less likely to catch an innocent in its wake. The perpetrator will wish to view the scroll in private.

[loyalrebel]

...You do not have much experience with duplicitious people, do you?

It is about all I can do to help.

[naturaltwohands]

No, I do not. Most duplicitous people usually either attack me outright, spew vile hatred from their mouths, or run away from me because I am drow. And when I lived in the city of my birth, I was either too useful of a tool to be killed or too skilled with blades for others to attempt assassination. Even in that place I was inexperienced with treachery.

It will more than suffice.

[loyalrebel]

I suggest you begin learning then. Things are rarely as black and white as they seem, and everyone has a reason for doing something. Sometimes someone does something good for a bad or selfish reason and sometimes they do something you may see as bad for a very good one.

[naturaltwohands]

[Drizzt does give this serious consideration.]

I suppose this is one of the reasons why my father insists I am still a child. It is... hard for me to think in a manner suspicious of everyone and everything. It's easy back home to know my friends and enemies.

[loyalrebel]

It is not so easy here, and remembering that will keep you and others safer.

Doubt things, question motives, if something feels like there is more to it then there probably is.

[naturaltwohands]

It is not in my nature, but I... will try, to the best of my ability, to be a bit more cautious about putting trust in others.

This warning does not include other Travelers, does it?

[He's trying, only to immediately fail. Sigh, child.]

[loyalrebel]

Of course it does.

We all have our own beliefs and motives for what we do.

[naturaltwohands]

[The truth, according to the adults around him, brings only disappointment.]

Of course....