CH. 4: False Gods

[JadedDM]

Kendra Synclair (2527 Market Street, Greylock's Gorgeous Gems)
"Well then," Norris says, "what is it that you want? It is your wedding, after all."

[mgbevan]

Responding to Darga, Gregeddin says, "Indeed honest work seems harder to cone by these days, though I'm sure there will be plenty of tasks albeit less noble to be found around the various taverns here. I think the real question is how far into the spectrum you are willing to venture. For example, I got talking to two con men yesterday about scamming refugees, if that's of any interest. There was another dwarf up the masked dragon yesterday thinking about it, I didn't get the chance to speak with her but she seemed honest enough and perhaps has a more respectable line of work."

"Or we could go out searching for more." Gregeddin muses, "Thinking about it, the risk of death and even leaving raetmal and the shop unprotected while we're out of town would be disastrous if the attacker or that black robe are lurking still. Hmm. Anyway, what did you learn Haahqae? "

[HorizonsDream]

Kendra seemed to think about the question as she started washing the dishes that they just ate from. "Um," she starts. "I guess I've always imagined a big wedding," she says. "Like in Solace, with all those huge trees surrounding us." She knew that she wouldn't be able to get that kind of wedding, but that was what she wanted.

[JadedDM]

Kendra Synclair (2527 Market Street, Greylock's Gorgeous Gems)
"What do you mean by 'big,' though?" asks Norris. "Your family is attending, and I have no family to attend. Who else did you wish to invite? And Solace? That little village in the middle of nowhere? I didn't know you've ever been there," he admits.

[HorizonsDream]

"I've never been there," Kendra admits. "But everyone has heard of their beautiful trees," she points out. "Every girl dreams about their wedding. I know that I'm not getting my dream wedding," she points out. If she was, she would have had more friends so she could invite them to her wedding.

[JadedDM]

Kendra Synclair (2527 Market Street, Greylock's Gorgeous Gems)
"Well then...let's do it. Let's get married in Solace," Norris says. "There's a Highseeker there, I believe. I can rent a wagon and some horses, hire a few guards. We can load your family up in the wagon and probably arrive in a couple of days, depending on the weather. Hmm, I may even be able to sell an item or two while there, if we're very lucky, which could help in paying for the whole thing."

Tulbas, Darga, Gregeddin and Haahqae (253 Herbalist Street, Erogundali Mageware Shop)
Haahqae fills the others in on the details he learned after speaking with the hunter.

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(OOC: Haahque hasn't logged in three days, so I decided to step in for the sake of moving things forward.)

[djhyland]

Darga looks aghast at Gregeddin's suggestion to scam the refugees. "Ya mean, like steal from 'em? All o' 'em that've come here 'cause they got nothin' anywhere else? Them that've got next ta nothin' here?" He shakes his head angrily. "If it weren't fer fallin' in wit' th' lot o' ya, I'd be out there wit' them. Matter o' fact, if'n ya go through wit' these crooks, I'd rather be out there wit' them again than wit' you!" Sighing heavily, he continues with a bit less anger. "Fact is, I've done some pretty bad stuff wit' you. I killed folks that don't deserve what I did. But I kin say that I did it ta help someone else, not that I feel good 'bout it still. But I ain't gon' do bad things jes' ta help me."

[Haahque]

"No no, you shouldn't hold regrets. I've been around and I can honestly say that Kobolds are up to no good, they attack innocent people, they're vicious, filthy and consort with demon-summoning goblins. Plus we got to start up the industry of mining near the town again, extra jobs like that are sorely needed at a time like this.

"Not sure much about this scam, I'd have to hear more to figure out if it's good or not, but it kinda sounds like a waste of time with so many people to save and secrets to learn. Besides I do have a day job, it just doesn't seem to be paying much with everyone around so poor.

"I can't really think of as many jobs created by killin' this giant. But the point still stands that it's offin' innocent people and it we should do something about it, since it doesn't seem like anyone else here can. They're all busy with keeping each other out of trouble, or getting in trouble themselves or something like that. That's why we should lay a trap for the over sized oaf."

[mgbevan]

"Well there is a contract with exchange of coin for goods, just not everyone gets what they bargained for..." Gregeddin replies airily leaning back in a chair "Though, it's interesting what you say about the motivation for your actions. Is it possible to do things for the sake of the thing itself? If we do not act out of self interest will we ever be satisfied? With so many questions, can a man be blamed for exploring all the paths?" his voice trails off inviting a reply.

"With the strength to toss a boulder 200 yards, I dare say we may need 200 men. Or indeed the master of all traps."

[HorizonsDream]

Kendra's mouth kind of drops open once Norris mentions actually going to Solace. "Are...are you serious?" she asks.

[Haahque]

"Well usually one does something for their self interests, but sometimes people have an interest in helping others out, and consider that a just reward for their actions. And yes, that's why I dare say it's a good thing that we have not one, but two geniuses in our group. Geneii? Geneusii? What I'm saying is that if wit were a weapon, the giant would already be dead we're so sharp."

[BishGada]

Tulbas listens to the exchange of words. He silently loughs at the dwarf innocent but appreciates his sentiment. "Gregeddin," he starts, "I was a refugee myself. Were not my uncle to help me, I'd probably be dead by now. It's true that some of the refugees themselves cheat and steal, but stealing from the poor is highly immoral. There are better ways to make profit."
He then turns to Haaque, "Since the giant suppose to be stupid, I agree that traps, placed carefully and with some aid of magical illusions, would prove the best way to deal with him. I think the refugees can easily help with digging the trap, and crafting lances to spike him at the bottom of the pit, but we must make sure he will step into it. Making sure he won't take another path. And later, than he won't be climbing out of it.
Trying to surprise him in his layer while he sleeps sounds to me like suicide mission. On the other hand, if we find his layer, we might find some prisoners there, and also his belonging. Do you know from stories, by any chance, if giants holds treasures? You should ask the hunter if the giant took live prisoners before, and also if he can track his layer without the giant actually leading him there."
Tulbas stops for a while, looking towards his uncle bed. Then he looks back at the others, "But this giant issue shouldn't distract us from more pressing matters, first I must see to my uncle recovery, second, we need to learn what attacked him, that might be the greatest danger to us all, third, we need to deal with that black robed mage, forth, we need to continue our interrogation within the cultists." he says in grievous tone. "As I suggested before, I think you, Haaque, should go to speak with Nora. If she mention Daxia rescue, act as you know nothing of it, but ask her if she heard about the giant. The cult already have thousand followers, if they help us with the giant it will help them with recruitment and make us take more solid positions within their ranks. Also investigate how they are going to use the ransom to rescue Darewind. You can tell her I asked those questions, and explain why I'm not coming in person."

[djhyland]

Darga's face darkens at Gregeddin's suggestion, and his voice holds real anger when he speaks, a heat that wasn't there before. "Contract? Don't contracts make th' people involved responsible ta each other? Ain't that what they're for? There ain't no contract when yer rippin' someone off an' stealin' their money. You say 'self interest', but all I hear is hurtin' others jes' 'cuz it's th' easiest way ta help yerself."

Darga shakes his head at Haahqae's words. "Killin' kobolds an' th' like ain't what I'm talkin' about. I don' like killin' them, but they were killin' others. An' I suppose that if we hadn't murdered 'em, them Ergothians would've killed th' elf lass, or at least helped in killin' her. But jes' 'cause I know why killin' them helped people don't mean I like doin' it."

[JadedDM]

Kendra Synclair (2527 Market Street, Greylock's Gorgeous Gems)
"Of course," Norris says. "I want you to be happy, and this is our wedding, after all."

[BishGada]

Letting the others process his words and consider their next actions, Tulbas goes to the kitchen to prepare soup with a lot of garlic and onion. He then attends to Raetmal's wounds and then lean his upper body on a pile of pillows and even that he is unconscious Tulbas tries to feed him soup, quarter spoonful at a time.
"You are all invited to the soup. There is enough for all." after some time he asks, "What about Kendra? She might want to help with the giant."