No more Sandstorms (GM)

[Sir Galahad]

BK would nod. The Knight however would tilt his head.

"Do... you want me to go back to Dirt and ask? None of our people are here except for you, me, and the Bandits. If you want the bandits to hear that offer would it not be better for that to come from their Leader?"

[Cynic]

Cynic would look at the Knight.

"I would just tell the bandits myself if that were the case. Take a cart back, a horse I don't care. We need diggers, unless you want to get in the dirt and start moving earth around?"

[Sir Galahad]

The Knight would nod and make his way back to Dirt. After a short while BK would come back.

"Alright, we found a small settlement just a little yonder that way."

He would say pointing off towards the left of their current location.

"Just over those hills. What're you thinkin?"

[Cynic]

"Well obviously they weren't hired to dig by their boss. They were sacrifices for this blood circle. So we can do one of two things. Attack and capture the people of the settlement, or hire them and sacrifice them when they get here. Either way, I want to see what this is about."

He would mull over the options.

"Does the settlement seem armed? Any report on Qi users, or whose territory they are technically in?"

He was however looking at the mountain as well. Rocks meant ore, vegetation, possibly something of interest. It obviously wasn't the primary goal anymore, but it was useful, and since they are here anyways, take advantage of it.

[Sir Galahad]

BK shook his head.

"Nah, me and mah boys have seen plenty of little settlements like these, they're most likely nomadic and they probably have a couple of decent fighters and at best 3 Qi users who are strong enough to scare away weaker bandit gangs, but are mostly there for show and either aren't super powerful, or they can't keep up with their own power. Point is we could probably round up a few of em for ya if that's what you want. Though, if this really is some kind of blood ritual shit, why not use those we've already got dying in the carts? They ain't gonna survive the trip back to Dirt anyways."

[Cynic]

"Keep some scouts on the settlement then. Let's see how many are still alive and if it will be enough for the ritual."

Cynic would go to the stash of the would be 'diggers' with the help of the bandits and bring them out to the area near the circle to be slaughtered.

[Sir Galahad]

After being killed their blood would be combined just like the previous individual and add to the incomplete rune, afterwards it was mostly complete but it still liked to be about 2 or 3 bodies shy of the mark. BK deduced the reason for this and turn to Cynic.

"Ah, I see now. The three leaders of this group knew about the ritual, but apparently only one of then knew about the ritual a little better than the others and planned to make off with the prize himself."

BK would whistle and a couple of scouts would run off.

"I got my boys going to round up a few people discreetly so we can finish up here without drawing it out longer than necessary."

[Cynic]

Cynic would nod, but he would watch for the men's return in case something goes wrong.

[Sir Galahad]

The scouts would arrive with two random villagers that were promptly executed and their blood added to the rune. But still one part remained unfilled. BK would walk over to the group of scouts and speak quietly for a moment before BK sent the group away and would begin pacing. Cursing a little.

[Cynic]

Cynic's eyes would watch BK, but he didn't ask any questions, there was a while before the possible volunteer diggers showed up.

[Sir Galahad]

BK would grow more and more agitated as time went on.

"Hey, kid, let's go."

He would call out to Cynic.

[Cynic]

Cynic would blink, but move to follow BK.

"What's the issue?"

[Sir Galahad]

"My scouts haven't returned. Normally that isn't a problem, but the scouts I sent after the first group are now missing."

BK clenched his teeth.

"Something's gone wrong. We need to go ourselves. I trust you can handle yourself out there, so for now let's split up."

[Cynic]

Cynic followed, but at the mention of splitting up.

"That's dumb. Everyone says that right before something goes wrong, someone dies, or is captured. If it's the settlement we will know when we get there. It's true we cover more ground, but we are stronger together."

Cynic puts in his two cents.

[Sir Galahad]

BK would smile as he looked back at Cynic.

"That's why I'm suggesting we split up! I'm hopeful something goes wrong."

He would say as he walked off.