3. New Friends

Current situation

Traci is seated with three women after introducing herself and striking up conversation with them. This follows on directly from the session in The Tavern.

Traci has found new friends it would seem, and is busy discussing what can done about the unseen presence that seems to have followed her out of the ruin. The three women claim they are just back from a lengthy 'ruin-raid' in a small village some leagues from here and aren't aware of any strange goings-on in the area, but they seem a little edgy and noncommittal, especially with regard to Traci and her current situation.

Options

Traci wants to push for more information from the women but it's tough going and they're actively evasive with regard to any mention of the oppressive presence she felt.

• One thought is that she could try to outdrink them. If they end up suitably inebriated they may spill the beans, if there are in fact any beans to spill. Of course this means she'd need to stay this side of sloshed herself, which given the way the evening's headed could be tricky.
• She could of course just continue to ingratiate herself upon them thus ensuring their ongoing friendship. It remains to be seen if her newfound friends continue to be as friendly in the clear light of day though. There's no telling how three hungover women will react when they wake up next to our oppressed heroine the following morning.
• Brutal honesty could also be an option here too. She could simply ask them to come back into the ruin with her and investigate the actual place the presence came from. Plenty of unexplored places in there. She did after all take the shortest route through the ruin in the first place. She would need to tell them about the beast though. 

Her decision

She decides to try and convince the women to join her in a return trip to the ruin. She feels confident of success because:

• They've already spoken of their recent 'ruin-raid', so it's very clear from the outset that a venture such as this wouldn't be anything out of the order for them. They're more than up to the task.
• Traci has been plying them with alcohol all evening and they seem to be perfectly receptive towards her. She's been very friendly and they've responded well enough to her.
• They're three women who're obviously in the same line of business as her and would probably be happy to have another experienced woman join them in any future ventures into the unknown.
• They seem aware of the presence that followed Traci out of the ruin and although they were a little apprehensive at first, it doesn't seem to be bothering them now. Perhaps they've encountered something similar themselves. Traci could be forgiven for thinking that it may not be much of an issue after all, and might actually be one of the common denominators that help bring them together.
• Since the women have just returned from a recent venture, it's possible they're on the lookout for another opportunity to make money, and by their own admission they've just raided a ruin so Traci's offer to accompany her into another ruin may well be seen as an attractive proposition.

The outcome

The three women are aware of the oppressive presence they noticed when Traci first entered the tavern, and there's a real possibility it might negate any thoughts of potential help that may be forthcoming. But it's also a fact that they are all very well matched in experience and choice of profession and are more than up to exploring this ruin with her. Unfortunately, having just returned from one expedition, they're certainly not likely to rush straight into another. And besides, as the conversation moves on Traci begins to get the distinct impression that they didn't just happen upon that ruin they raided by chance. This, along with that presence is enough to make Traci realise the futility of her current predicament.

So the women remain uneasy around Traci and reject her offer to return to the ruin with her.