All About the Benjamins... Or Not(XP Part 2)
The sun was setting over the city of Athkatla, sending a hint of a yellow over the dingy orange and red brick that composed many of the structures in the city. It made for a fairly pretty sight, or at the very least, prettier than the usual color of the dirty city streets. Still, any sightseeing for this particular group of adventurers was on hold for the moment; their goal was firmly in mind, their path set before them. It had started with the capture of Imoen by the Cowled Wizards, then their subsequent recruitment by the Shadow Thieves.
Twenty thousand gold was their mission, Gaelan Bayle their contact. At first glance it was a princely sum, one which many would never see in their lifetime, though these determined warriors would see it gained in a matter of weeks, if even that long a time. Missions abounded, and wherever trouble reared its head, these noble figures would answer the call. Trolls were defeated, and Keeps were saved. Dragons were slain while damsels were rescued. Even disregarding the payment for so many of these deeds, scavenged and dropped equipment made for some fine profit, the fruits of enemies slain. Magical and enchanted armor, swords, charms, and countless other items with value were identified and sold to various peddlers and shopkeepers, all to raise the money they sought for a final, heroic rescue attempt.
Some called them brave as they swept through Amn, admiring how they faced even the most frightening odds. Some called them devoted, never ceasing in their pursuit of their stolen comrade. Others called them suicidal, considering the danger of the missions they undertook for such gold. Even now, the leader of their party, Khan, Bhaalspawn and paladin, had received a new quest from the town of Trademeet, calling the rest of the party forth to slay the darkness gathering there. Those who followed Khan did not call him any of these things: suicidal, brave, or devoted. They called him something completely different.
"Greedy, isn't he?"
"What?" Aerie asked, slightly confused as she turned to the one who had just spoken as they stalked through the hills towards Trademeet, the bounty hunter Yoshimo.
"I was just commenting on the nature of our fearless leader." Yoshimo remarked. "For someone who espouses such nobility and righteousness... he seems to have quite the passion for gold."
"I don't know what you're talking about." Aerie frowned. "We've gathered a lot of gold, sure... but all of it's for Imoen's rescue. It's not like he's hoarding it-"
"Have you looked through the money bag lately?" Yoshimo interrupted. "I did not mention it, because I assumed Khan knows what he's doing... but we have well over twenty thousand gold."
"I- well, um... maybe he wants to make sure we have enough to support ourselves in an emergency once we pay them the twenty thousand." Aerie mumbled, trying to hide the surprise she felt.
"Ah. Of course... I should have seen this myself." Yoshimo said with a not-so-subtle roll of the eyes. "Surely we will need three hundred thousand gold, should we find ourselves short for inn fares after we pay Gaelan Bayle his money."
The thief nearly laughed as he watched the Avariel's jaw drop, her eyes wide at the number Yoshimo had so easily tossed out. "You- you're... you're joking, right?" she squeaked, still trying to find her voice.
"About what, my dove?" Haer'Dalis' voice wafted into hearing as he sauntered up to the two, placing one arm around the shoulder of his erstwhile girlfriend. "I see the two of you have been conversing rather intently; may I inquire as to the subject at hand?"
"Perhaps we should enlighten our perplexed bard." Yoshimo grinned. "Aerie, care to tell him?"
"Khan... he... three hundred... Three Hundred thousand." she managed, still not quite calm yet.
"Er... forgive me dove, but I did not quite understand. Perhaps you could elaborate again?"
"Khan has filled our gold bag with over Three Hundred Thousand gold pieces." Yoshimo finished, awaiting the expression of the bard. To his disappointment, the tiefling did not show nearly the shock Aerie had done; instead he merely raised one eyebrow and nodded. "Did you hear me, Haer'Dalis? Do you not find it odd we have found so much wealth while Imoen still remains captive, knowing that a sparse fraction of our collected gain would be sufficient payment?"
"Not at all, bloodhound. You suspect our good raven of avarice? Surely his motives stem from something much deeper than mere greed." Haer'Dalis chuckled.
"Hmph." Yoshimo frowned, challenging the bard. "Then what possible reason should we have delayed for so long? Surely Irenicus and Imoen are at the forefront of his mind; why would he delay our confrontation?"
"He is a paladin, after all..." Aerie said, finally having recovered her composure. "Maybe he just can't bear to leave someone unaided when he hears about a need someone has."
"I think not. In fact, I have a good idea as to what stays our vengeance... though I haven't a clue what it means."
"What do you mean?" Aerie asked.
"Our raven mutters to himself; usually when he thinks others are not listening." the bard grinned. "I think he could care less about the gold... from what I have heard, he will not leave these lands until he has acquired all of something he called 'XP'."
Even as the three party members debated the possible meanings of this strange word, Khan stalked onward at the front of the line, mentally considering the coming events. Let's see... fighting the druids, driving off the djinn at the town, ending the feud between the noble families and encountering Reijek Hidesman again... that's got to be another level up or two.