>>6105746"You know, wouldn't it be better if you guys started looking for cultists now? Me and my team will meet up with Black Maria in your stead."
Millie nods, then smiles.
"Sounds good! Her camp should be northwest of the road mark, you know, stacked stones?"
"Huh, I think I might've seen them before."
"Anyways, when you do meet them, the challenge phrase would be 'Black art a raven's shadow', and the passphrase would be 'Blacker still a sinner's heart'. Remember this!"
Huh, that's quite poetic.
"Huh, what's this about looking for cultists?"
McDowd's interest gets piqued. As Millie briefs him on their job, you motion for your team to head out, and wave goodbye to Millie.
Not long afterwards, you've reached the road marker. You first smell, then see a smoke towards the northwest - a little bit deeper into the pines.
"Right, I hope that's where Black Maria's camping."
Your guess is confirmed, as your team stumbles upon Black Maria herself... and several members of the Ravens.
"Hhh... Black art a raven's shadow."
Black Maria's voice rolls deep in gravel and tar, going into the intimidating part of hoarseness. Right, passphrase.
"Blacker still a sinner's heart."
She nods, tension relaxing a bit.
"Yeah, that's correct. Jonah, you can come out in the open now."
To your surprise, a tall goblin you didn't detect before stepped forth from behind you, sheathing his guns. You've got a vague feeling you've seen him somewhere before - which is highly likely, as half-goblins are uncommon in Goblinton. Could he be related?
"So, you're with Millie, huh? You look familiar..."
Black Maria studies your face carefully.
"Anyways, what is it she wanted with us? Can't wait to wreck a cult."
"We need you to cause a distraction, so we can catch the cultists unawares."
"Hrr, 'distraction' is a pretty wide word. You gotta narrow it down, girl."
>CHOOSE ONE>□ By making loud noises somewhere north of the cave>□ By making a lot of smoke somewhere west of the cave>□ By blocking the road to the north of Pinewatch>□ By starting a bar brawl in town>□ Other (fill in)>ALSO CHOOSE ONE>□ Ask her about her crew>□ Ask her about Jonah>□ Ask her about how she met Millie>□ Ask her if she knows where the Northern reality anchor is>□ Ask her about our encounter with her near Gongalla>□ Other (fill in) 