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Zimran sighed, ignoring the barbs from the half-orc perched atop the Doctor's wagon while he addressed the good, and beautiful, Captain Westbrook.
"I am sorry Westra, but I just don't see this as a worthwhile risk of my life," The bard continued. "It's not worth the risk of your lives either."
"I understand you want to find your brother, I really do, otherwise I would not have come this far, but we're no closer now than we were a few days ago. We only have more scratches to show for it. If it wasn't for Euron here, you would likely have met the same fate as your sibling." Zimran's voice holds a very real tinge of emotion. He isn't just worried for himself.
"If there really is a mad scientist, whatever that is, or a necromancer, or whatever name you want to give this evil, let's take this information to people who are equipped to deal with werewolves and their ilk. Let's warn the good people of Sunderwood before it's too late. You saw how dusty that room was. Going further into the forest does not help warn those people of the looming threat." Zimran could still see the determination on Westra's face, along with the disapproving looks from the others.
"If nothing else, let me go warn them and others. If you're unable to follow the half-orc's nose anywhere useful at least those people will be alerted to the real threat they face."
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Zimran supposed the Doctor low-balling his chances as her way of saying she cared, but at least she seemed to see his point. What were they doing out here?
The bard rolled his eyes at the half-orc's jab towards his bravery. The fact that Zimran believed he had better chances alone than going deeper in the forest following Wolfe's nose seemed lost on the brute. Then came the plan that wasn't a plan and half-elf decided to speak up in response.
"So then you don't have a plan. We're just supposed to follow your nose? Who is this Sera? Why would she know what's going on? How many of these werewolves are there anyways? They may have bested a Flaming Fist patrol, but that doesn't tell us anything. Could have been a well laid trap executed by a few, or maybe there's a whole pack of beasts waiting deeper in these woods? Following some drunk half-orc around a forest isn't bravery, it's foolishness." Zimran stopped himself from unleashing a stronger set of vicious mockeries at Wolfe. Now wasn't the time.
Instead the bard moved to gather his things from the wagon. He didn't see the need to convince them of their fool's errand. He warned them this was a bad idea. The known threat is to Sunderwood and they have a job to do in Luskan.
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At least the Helmite priest and the good doctor understood why Zimran's faith in their forest trek had flattered, even if they believed him to be foolish to travel alone.
When Westra spoke up Zimran gave her his full attention. He may have flights of fancy, but when the captain spoke, he listened. His reactions however weren't always agreeable. When Westra brought up Wolfe's instincts, the bard gave her a befuddled look. He had yet to see any instinct in Wolfe beyond a natural affinity for the blade, followed by avarice, poor planning, and a volatile temper. Those were not instincts Zimran put much stock in. Westra's experiences with the half-orc prior to meeting Zimran must have been vastly different. Still the captain spoke true to her beliefs, something the bard admired among the many attributes the woman has, which caused him to question whether he should leave or not. It was hard to not be inspired by Captain Goldbrook.
When Doctor Wicker spoke up again, Zimran's eyes grew in disbelief. He never would have thought the meek doctor would stand up Wolfe, and yet here she was, reminding the half-orc of her place and then to Westra as well. Turns out the young half-elf woman had some more fire in her than he thought before. She seemed to be looking for more information, much like he was.
As soon as Wolfe spoke up however, the bard's confidence in following this plan began to waver again.
"So this whole time you've been looking to make contact with this werewolf friend, you never thought to tell us your connection to all of this?" Zimran grew visibly frustrated, not out of anger, but as if this had proved all along that the bard was right; Wolfe was not to be trusted.
Zimran gestured towards Wolfe while he looked at the others, "This is the nose you all choose to follow? A drunk looking to find some runaway? And not just any runaway, but a werewolf from another continent? How do we know she isn't the cause of all of this? That she wasn't the reason Westra's brother and comrades succumbed to this fate? That Wolfe isn't holding something else back from us?" The bard's shoulders slumped in resignation. This was all a waste of time to the bard.
He looked to Westra, genuine sadness in his eyes, "I cannot follow you to where this half-orc leads you. I'm sorry. None of this threat makes sense to me beyond the people of Sunderwood deserve to be warned. I will go and warn them, help defend them if need be, then move on to Luskan. If I do not see you all in a fortnight's time I will assume the worst."
"And don't worry about me not being there to aid you, both the Doctor and priest can do what I do, just not as fabulously," Zimran tried to finish with a half hearted smile, but the energy behind his usual humor wasn't there.
Explanation time!
Yo! First things first, you guys are all awesome. Also I love Zimran. However I'm not sure if I'm having a good time playing Zimran. He's a bard built to be charming, fun, and witty. However, so far Zimran's been stuck in a mine and now stuck in a forest, which leaves Zimran stuck in rut. As you can tell I love to RP the bard, but I just don't feel the current adventure plays to any of his strengths which leaves me bored and listless during game nights. That's not fair to you guys.
I half discussed with our illustrious DM on Friday how I was feeling about Zim and his place and considered the option of stepping away for a brief time, letting you guys finish up this story arc and then rejoining the party in Luskan. There's also the possibility of just rolling up a new character (should for instance the party no longer want Zimran around, what with abandoning them and all) but I'd rather not for now. If everyone is cool with that, then great! Otherwise let me know. We can discuss these revelations on Discord.
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Zimran arched his brow when Euron praised the half-orc's honor. Who was this Wolfe that the Helmite priest spoke of? In the bard's short time with the party he had not seen honor, selflessness, or sacrifice in the half-orc warrior. Perhaps Zimran viewed faith differently than Euron. The bard had little faith in people, except that people would do whatever it took to survive, hence why Zimran was leaving with his life while he could. Still, he did not wish to offend the strange priest's faith, so he kept his own philosophies to himself.
The one person who seemed to understand the bard was oddly enough the eccentric doctor. Knowing he would be missed warmed his heart during this bitter discussion. Zimran had learned so many new words to rhyme with because of Doctor Wicker. The half-elf hoped he would see her again.
Westra's request to say a prayer over Zimran broke his heart. Perhaps he should have made a stronger case for them to all leave while they could, but the religious fervor of the two Helmites and misguided judgement of the half-orc simply drowned out his passion to live on and make music. The bard still admired Westra's conviction, no matter how misguided he saw it to be. Zimran nodded his head in approval for the prayer nonetheless.
The half-orc's tirade fell on unsympathetic ears. In fact when Wolfe brought up the comical song he made up while escorting the bound beast of avarice a few weeks ago Zimran was unable to contain his smile. It was a good song that earned him good coin in Neverwinter during his short stay in the city. Still it seemed Wolfe was not only unable to take a joke, but held onto any slight made of him. This caused him to worry that the beast would be leading the others into some sort of werewolf trap in some misguided revenge. There's a reason why orcs and their kin were often bloodthirsty villains in tales and not heroes of renown. Why the others could not see this in Wolfe was beyond Zimran.
After the half-orc put some distance between himself and the others, Zimran reached into his coin pouch and counted out fifty gold pieces worth of wealth which he handed to Westra.
"This should cover the cost of his horse. I'll take good care of the steed should you all want it back if... when, you continue on to Luskan. I usually stay at The Rose and Crown in Luskan, ask for me there," Zimran stated simply while wearing a warm smile for the paladin. He waited patiently to allow the Helmite warrior to pray over him.
When done with her prayer, the bard took the warrior's armored hand and kissed it, "I hope to see you in a fortnight's time, even if it means proving me wrong. My epic tale of yours isn't finished yet."
Moving on to Doctor Wicker, Zimran also kissed the back of her hand, "Should we... When I see you again, perhaps we can talk about making improvements to my yarting while you fill me in on what you found out here. I have many more words to learn from you yet!"
The bard merely shrugged then nodded to Euron, "May Waukeen bring you all good fortune, and Helm protect you."
Farewells said, Zimran gathered his belongings and mounted up before departing back the way they had come through into the forest.