CH. 4: False Gods

[HorizonsDream]

"Any specific instructions on how to prepare these herbs?" Kendra asks as she takes them. "And why exactly are you doing this for me in the first place? You know I'm a Holy Guard."

[BishGada]

Tulbas quickly wooshes the owl off and closes the window allowing only a small gap to let the air in. 'Damn. How could I be so careless, with the black robed mage interest in the shop. That owl could be his familiar.' Tulbas nervously thinks to himself.

[JadedDM]

Gregeddin and Haahqae (Cult Hideout, Harbor District)
Gregeddin takes in Kelryn's appearance, paying attention to small details. His eyes are specifically drawn to the pendant, first. It is an oval bloodstone gem that is three inches in diameter and green in color with blood red flecks in it. The gem is set in silver and hangs on a silver chain.

Kelryn's arms, however, are well hidden within the sleeves of his robes. "I am not the Master, merely his prophet and vessel," Kelryn says. "He speaks to me and sometimes through me, but I am not Him."

Kendra Synclair (Common Room, Grinning Goat Tavern)
"Just take them at least an hour before the act," Crystal says. "And yeah, you're right. You are a Holy Guard. And you can imagine how useful it would be to our little business to have a Holy Guard owe us a favor, right?" She smiles widely.

Tulbas Erogund (253 Herbalist Street, Erogundali Mageware Shop)
The small owl flies away, rather indignantly, hooting in annoyance. It does not appear again after that.

[HorizonsDream]

"Which usually requires me to turn an eye to whatever it is you are doing," Kendra pointed out. "We haven't even paid attention to any of you since the refugees showed up."

[Haahque]

"No silly, he's much too young to be The Master. The master is a true god, and therefore has been around since the cataclysm. He probably did some pretty important stuff before the cataclysm too. Stories worth telling I'd wager. Wisdom worth learning."

[BishGada]

Tulbas considers what else can he do. A thought occurs to him and he tries to remember all he have learnt about psychic related spells in the past, such as mind reading and influencing emotions. He also researches the shop library for such spells and finally he tries to use a cantrip in order to check on his uncle mind and support him mentally, in hope to calm and encourage him to hasten his healing.
'Dear uncle, close to me,
Hear my thoughts and at ease you shall be,
Mend your consciousness, embrace you heart,
Open your eyes to a fresh new start.'

==================================================================
(OOC: Tulbas uses cantrip in an attempt to create mental connection with his uncle. If in his research he stumbles on spells he can add to his book, he will try to copy them.)

[djhyland]

Darga keeps a guarding hand on his coin pouch and pushes his way through the crowd until he finds a place to wait until Cassandra can spare him a moment. He smiles for her when she does, and asks, "Are ya doin' all right, m'lady?" Fishing through his coin pouch, he pulls out the non-steel coins left over (but keeps the steel to give back to Tulbas) from his shopping excursion and gives it to her. "Ya kin take what it costs fer a flagon o' ale an' keep th' rest, m'lady. Ya look like ya need it more'n me."

[JadedDM]

Kendra Synclair (Common Room, Grinning Goat Tavern)
"No, you haven't," admits Crystal. "But then to be fair, we haven't really done anything worth watching. We're in the same boat as you, really. All these refugees clogging up the city, and we don't have enough manpower to deal with them all. Our protection rackets have failed due to all of the independents. We can't steal anything, because there's nothing really left to steal. But, once this problem clears up, we'll be back in business again. Hopefully."

Gregeddin and Haahqae (Cult Hideout, Harbor District)
"Indeed," says Kelryn. "Well, I suppose I'll see you at the celebrations tonight. But keep this in mind. Attempt to make me look a fool again, and you will come to regret it. I hope I make myself clear." He leans forward, looking at the two darkly.

Tulbas Erogund (253 Herbalist Street, Erogundali Mageware Shop)
Tulbas does some research into spells that influence emotion and allow one to read the thoughts of others. He finds quite a bit of information, particularly in the Enchantment/Charm and Divination schools. There is even a spell that lets you communicate with someone in their dreams. However, all of these spells are far beyond his ability to cast. Only Tested Magi would be allowed to use them. Besides, even if he could cast them, Raetmal has all magical items in his shop, including scrolls and spellbooks, locked up. Tulbas cannot access them.

Tulbas tries to use a cantrip to form some kind of mental connection between him and his comatose uncle, but it doesn't seem to work.

Darga (Common Room, Steel Tankard Inn)
Darga hands over his non-steel coins--7 silver and 3 copper--to the woman, to her obvious surprise. She accepts the coins and quickly pockets them before anyone else notices. "Thank you, sir," she says. "Your generosity is...unprecedented." Her normally morose mood seems a bit improved, and she scurries off to the kitchen. When she returns, she brings Darga a cold, frosty flagon of ale. What's more, it's good ale--not the watered down slop that is usually served in this dump.

==========

(OOC: Darga spends 7 SP, 3 CP for a good mug of ale.)

[djhyland]

Darga shakes his head at Cassandra's surprise. "If'n fair money an' kindness is...how did ya say? Unusual?...then things're really in bad shape 'round here. But ya were kind ta me las' time I was here, an' if ya don't mind me sayin', it don' look like things are goin' easy fer ya here. I wanna help ya if'n I kin."

[Haahque]

"Well that sounds like no fun. I make myself look like a fool on a regular basis, shouldn't I apply a similar outlook to all people? How else is a simple juggler with a heroic-community-service outlook supposed to get a giant killed, or oust demons from a mine, or uncover long forgotten secrets?" Haahqae grins a wide grin to contrast Kelryn's dark look, but soon buckles a bit under the pressure. "I mean I could write a skit describing how you aren't a fool if you want. Or I could find a bard to write a song about it. I think I knew someone with somewhat of a singing voice recently. That is if not looking like a fool means that much to you."

[HorizonsDream]

"I don't see the problem clearing up anytime soon," Kendra says. "Unless you know something that I don't."

[mgbevan]

Gregeddin smiles along with Haahqae and chimes in, "Not to worry there, if you listen carefully he said 'attempt to make a fool'. That means there can be as much unintentional tomfoolery as you like! Haha!" Gregeddin's sides crease up as he gasps for air, trying not to audibly laugh at his own one liner.

Gathering his composure again, Gregeddin continues, "No you don't have to worry about that, or any other little escapades from us in public, I'm Gregeddin by the way and this is, Oh!" Gregeddin turns to Haahqae and energetically taps the arm of Haahqae's chair saying, "Haahqae we almost forgot about Tulbas!" Turning again to address Darewind, "Yes, so, Tulbas is the one who introduced us to the Order, and did some stuff for someone called Nora, which was pretty significant in granting your release she said. And yeah, he would be one to enjoy some healing power right now, which maybe explains why I asked if your power works on others, hmm, subconscious, but anyway you don't have to worry about us since we've got a vested interest in being in your good books."

[JadedDM]

Darga (Common Room, Steel Tankard Inn)
"Kindness is in short supply in these parts," Cassandra admits. "Those who are kind learn to be cruel, lest they be taken advantage of by everyone around them. People only have so much kindness, I suppose, and it eventually runs out if they're pressed too hard. The Seekers used to organize charities, feed and clothe the hungry. They were a real force of good in the world. That's why they let the first thousand refugees into the city, and the second and the third. But after the tenth thousand, they shut the gates. They don't have the manpower or the energy to help all these people. And after awhile, they started caring more about keeping the city in one piece than helping others."

She sighs. "Same's true for everyone else. No matter how nice you are or how much you want to help, you get overwhelmed eventually. There's just too much evil and suffering in the world, and not enough to balance it out."

Gregeddin and Haahqae (Cult Hideout, Harbor District)
"Tulbas," Kelryn says, stroking his chin. "Ah, yes. The elven child that Nora spoke to me about. She said he was quite useful in helping to finance our little movement. You say he is injured?"

Kendra Synclair (Common Room, Grinning Goat Tavern)
"Well, nothing lasts forever," Crystal points out. "Sooner or later, things change. Then they change again. Now, as for how they are going to change...that I can't be sure of. But sure enough, it will happen. And you can bet that we will adapt to it and survive, like we always do."

[mgbevan]

"Tulbas is effectively bedridden, although not by any harm of his own." Gregeddin laments, "The last of his family... Haahqae was there to witness more of the events than I so he would be better to explain, but Tulbas is in dire straights indeed."

[HorizonsDream]

"You know," Kendra says thoughtfully. "I think, maybe, it might be a good idea for me to meet your boss." After all, the big change that was suppose to happen in just a few days time was coming up, at least according to what she remembered being told. It would be good to have allies in that situation, whatever that change might be.