CH. 4: False Gods

[BishGada]

"You want to come with us?" asks Kynaston, clearly confused. "Out to the wilderness?"

"I don't w a n t to come with you! I think it is dangerous and stupid! But you two are so stubborn I don't see any other way! I feel it will be shameful to risk our lives to save Daxia, only to let her throw it away again the next day!" before following the two, Tulbas quickly returns to take his pack, locks the shop and quickly double back after them.

[JadedDM]

Darga (Outside the mageware shop, Herbalist Street)
Darga hurries back to the merchant district, toward the mageware shop. It takes him a good half hour, which means it's now been 90 minutes or so since he first left the mageware shop. He hoped at least someone would still be there, but when he checks the door, he finds it locked. There is no sound coming from within. It seems the place is closed up. The gully dwarf seemed to have the worst luck at this kind of thing.

"Closed again?" asks a voice from behind Darga. "That Silvanesti fellow sure keeps odd hours, doesn't he?"

The voice belongs to a tall human male wearing black robes. Although his hood is up, Darga's short stature gives him a good view of the man's face. There's some kind of nasty scar or wound on his left cheek. He looks down at Darga. "Are you one of his patrons? Perhaps you know where the shopkeep has run off to this time?" His voice is pleasant, even conversational, but there's an undercurrent of coldness to it.



Kendra Synclair (2527 Market Street, Greylock's Gorgeous Gems)
Norris helps remove Kendra's undershirt, which sticks to her wounds, forcing him to actually peel it off her. He hisses when he sees her wounds up close; a light scratch and two stab wounds. One of the stab wounds looks worse than the other. He puts some of the ointment on his hands and starts to gently rub it into the wounds.

"That sounds like Holy Guard business," Norris comments. "Didn't you quit the Holy Guard? Don't tell me you've decided to become a lawless vigilante instead. If you wanted to do 'good things' why didn't you stay with the Holy Guard?" he asks.

Tulbas, Kynaston and Daxia (Grand Market)
Kynaston, Daxia and Tulbas spend the next half hour in the market, as the big warrior uses some of the steel he earned from the mine job to purchase food, sleeping bags, and other travel necessities for a long trip. Because they will be forced to go around Qualinesti, reaching the Tower of Wayreth will probably take a couple of weeks.

Once they are finished shopping, they start to head toward the Fair Gate. "Do you have a plan for getting out of the city?" Kynaston asks Daxia.

She nods. "Same way I got into the city in the first place. A fat bribe. And if that doesn't work for some reason, I have a spell that will serve as a good distraction." She pauses, then turns toward Tulbas. "You understand, though, that once we're beyond the walls, they won't let you back in, right? The city's gates are closed; you'll be turned away like all of the refugees."

[djhyland]

Darga looks at the stranger cautiously. While the man's demeanor is friendly enough, there seems to be something unsettling about him, and although Darga can't put his finger on it, he finds himself distrustful. Knowing that people listen best to what they expect to hear, he replies, "Not no patron, no. But sometimes, Master Elf has me carry stuff er deliver messages an' such. Gives me two copper coins fer it, he does!" Turning out his pockets to show how how much he needs those two coins, he adds, "I was hopin' he'd have somethin' fer me ta do today..."

[mgbevan]

"That'll go down a treat for breakfast thanks." Gregeddin replies to the bartender and pays the silver accordingly.

While he waits for the food to come he mulls over the parties before him.
He tried to remember how exactly the hierarchy of the Seekers worked. He knew there was a High Seeker who lead them, but other than that his knowledge of the rankings left him wondering what was the importance of a regular priest or priestess again? Were they respectable or noteworthy members of the community?
The cloaked and bandaged figures were rather curious, with the amount of attention that was paid to them, or rather intentionally not paid to them. In fact, had a similar person brushed past him at Raetmal's shop yesterday? Yes, if it was they were looking for some odd ingredients or had some obscure agenda I think Raetmal said.

Finding the elf more interesting than the dwarf, he strains to listen in on the first groups soft conversation between the human and elven man, from where he was stood waiting for his food. Detect Noise (1d100=12)

After concentrating on the table for a while he checks behind him in case he had zoned out of the bartender bringing him his breakfast.

[HorizonsDream]

"I didn't quit the Holy Guard," Kendra says. "In a way, they really wouldn't let me." She winces a little bit as she touches her wounds. "Take it easy. Though, in this case, the Holy Guard really wouldn't have done anything. Most of them are too busy trying to keep a very tentative peace throughout the city."

[BishGada]

Tulbas follows reluctantly the two. As they stop about fifty paces from the gate he looks at the guards quietly. "This is insane." he says almost whispering.
He looks at Kynaston's eyes, then Daxia's for a moment and asks, "We are all intelligent people here, so could you please explain to me why you consider passing a guarded gate after last night battle with the Ergothians which must be known to the Holy Guard by now that their squads are full with thugs of all sorts including hobgoblins which will enjoy tearing parts of you," he looks at severely wounded Kynaston, "Well, not much work left to do on you" and continues, "Then running for weeks, through the woods of Qualinesti which closed it's borders and might also hear of the event with the Ergothians, then if you make it close to Wayreth it will probably be guarded too, is safer than waiting one or two days, inside a highly warded house which cannot be connected to the event, keeping your head low, and then travel by magical means instantly to the Tower without leaving a trace the Ergothians could ever follow?"

"Same way I got into the city in the first place. A fat bribe."

"What are you going to bribe them with?" Tulbas snaps, "Dancing and singing? Theoretical property you might claim in years to come? Kynaston's sword? Oh... Kynaston's money??"

"You understand, though, that once we're beyond the walls, they won't let you back in, right? The city's gates are closed; you'll be turned away like all of the refugees."

"I do understand it." he looks at Kynaston, "Do you understand it? Do you understand the risk you are taking, not only for you but also for Daxia?" he looks back at Daxia "Look at the guards. It looks like they are looking at people for identifying marks. Do you understand you are getting straight to jail before lunch? Even if you distract some of the guards, they will call reinforcements and catch you before you get as far as a thrown stone range. The refugees outside might even help to catch you for some money." he says shaking his head.

He looks again at Kynaston, "Look, if you want to find your own way, I'm the last one to stop you. We don't know each other almost at all. In less than two days Daxia will be safe in the Tower of Wayreth, you will be better healed and can do whatever you want. You can stay with her until my uncle returns and protect her if the need arises, which is very unlikely." he looks at Daxia, "Besides, suppose you manage this dangerous journey and arrive the Tower, what did you think will come of Kynaston then? Fighter and a Mage together you still have a slim chance, but then what? You will send him on his way and forget all about him. Staying here is not only much much safer to you both, it is also the only course of action which is fair towards the man that risked and continue risking his life for you."

[Haahque]

Dagnnaggit, it would be easier if I could just remember the inn keeper's name.

Walking up to the bar Haahqae hails over the innkeeper. "As you most definitely know by now I've been helping folks out in my spare time, and right now I'm somewhat between jobs. Wouldja know if anyone's currently looking for an extra set of hands? Mebbe the woodsman who was here a couple days ago, know where he got to?"

Digging into his purse Haahqae also pulls out a sliver and a fistful of coppers. "And on more immediate notes, do you have some of your wonderful bacon today? How much would I owe you?"

[JadedDM]

Darga (Outside the mageware shop, Herbalist Street)
"I see," the man says. He reaches into one of his several belt pouches and removes a pair of silver coins, then hands them to Darga. "Here is something for you to do. You can deliver a message for me. When you next see Raetmal, tell him I am looking for him."

Gregeddin (Masked Dragon Inn, common room)
The server heads into the kitchen to retrieve Gregeddin's meal after accepting his silver coin. While he waits, he strains to listen in on the elf and man talking.

"...shouldn't press our luck," the human says. "We've made a tidy profit, we should move on before our luck turns."

"Nonsense," the elf replies. "Business is booming. And the city's big; we've only been in a few districts so far. Besides, technically we're not doing anything illegal. Remember the old Istarian proverb--caveat emptor."

"Normally, yeah, but there was a riot recently. This place is unstable. What if we get an angry mob on our hands?" the human asks. "The Holy Guard can't protect us, assuming they would in the first place. They can't even keep the peace anymore."

"It's going to be a harsh winter this year," the elf points out. "I should know, I've seen quite a few in my life. Do you really want to get stuck on the road when the snow starts to fall? As long as we're careful, we can stay until the spring, then move on. Maybe New Ports. Perhaps by then we'll have saved enough profit to get off Abanansinia altogether."

It's at this point the server returns and sets Gregeddin's order on the bar before him.

Kendra Synclair (2527 Market Street, Greylock's Gorgeous Gems)
"Keep the peace," Norris repeats thoughtfully as he begins to gently bandage up the wounds with some clean, white cloth strips. "Can they? During the riot, there was such chaos. There are 10,000 refugees in this city, and even more camping outside our gates. But only around 20 or so Holy Guard left, not including the mercenaries and goblins they've hired to fill out the ranks." He looks directly at her. "What's going to happen if the refugees riot again?"

Tulbas, Kynaston and Daxia (Grand Market)
"That's enough," Daxia says, getting angry. She spins on her heel to face him and points at him accusingly. "First of all, I want to point out again that I am not some helpless damsel. I am an accomplished magus, not some simpering apprentice. I've made it all the way from Southern Erogth to this city--by myself. The only reason--the only reason--I got captured is because you used magic to track me. So it's not Holy Guard or refugees I have to worry about, it's other mages. And your solution is for me to hide in the only mageware shop in the city, you know, the one place anyone with half a brain would think to search for me?"

Kynaston holds up a finger and opens his mouth as if to speak, but Daxia holds up her hand indicating she is not finished yet. "Second of all, I am not making Kynaston come with me. I did not even ask him to. He volunteered. And then I tried to talk him out of it. So don't you dare act like I am somehow putting his life in danger. He knows the risk, and he wants to come anyway. If you think you can talk him out of it, be my guest. If I can travel from Ergoth to Haven by myself without any trouble, the trip to Wayreth will be a piece of cake by comparison."

After a moment of silence to ensure she is finished speaking, Kynaston finally chimes in. "She's right, this is my decision. I'm doing this for myself as much as I am for her, or any other reason. There's nothing left for me in this city. I need to find my own path."

Haahqae (Steel Tankard Inn, common room)
The innkeeper nods his head. "Ah, yeah, the woodsman. He did say somethin' 'bout needin' help with...somethin' or 'nother." He looks around the crowded room. "Eh, he was 'ere a minute ago. Oh, wait, there he is. Way in the back." Due to his shortness, Haahqae cannot see over the crowd like the human barkeep can, and so will have to take his word for it.

"Bacon, sure, we got some left over. It'll cost a silver piece, though."

===============

Gregeddin pays 1 SP.
Gregeddin makes a Detect Noise check [20] (1d100): 12, pass.

[djhyland]

Darga sketches a messy bow for the black-robed man and takes the offered coins. "Thank ya fer yer kindness, sir! I sure kin tell th' Master that yer lookin' fer him. But if ya pardon me, I know he's gonna ask who ya are. What kin I tell him?"

[mgbevan]

Breaking his concentration on the pair talking he says, "Thank you kindly." to the bartender.

While their conversation had sounded most entrepreneurial, even with their mention of borderline legality, Gregeddin was less interested in the prospect of getting in with some fences that he was at the potential world of magic only a few tables away. Picking up his breakfast and water he begins to walk over to the table with the three heavily cloaked figures, intending to join them for breakfast.

On his way there, he thinks about the most polite way he can introduce himself and get a friendly conversation going, they were monks of an order Raetmal had said after all. Etiquette (1d20=17) .

Heading directly at their table in a brisk and confident walk, he rounds to the fourth space at the table and asks to the group, "Good morning friends, Gregeddin is my name, may I join your trio to make a quartet?"

[BishGada]

Tulbas listens to both Daxia and Kynaston. His face full with concern he says, "Well. I am really only concerned about you. No one would enter the mageware shop even if they thought looking for you there, and your leave wouldn't be through the door as you can imagine. Anyway, I have a suggestion you might consider helpful. It is true I copied some spells from your book. I don't regret it as it proved to be your salvation, but if you would like I can offer you in return to check my spellbook. Since you made up your mind on going the dangerous and long trek, it might help you on the way. And it would give Raetmal few more hours that he might come back, surprise you and just hasten the trip." he adds with a wry smile.

[HorizonsDream]

"I don't know," Kendra admitted. "These people aren't afraid to break the law when they aren't treated well," she points out.

[Haahque]

Handing over a silver Haahqae replies; "Well thank you very much kindly 'keep. I'm not quite in a good enough position to see the man you're pointing at, but giving me a direction will be helpful indeed. Here's to hoping I won't be held up helping this guy tonight."

Once Haahqae receives his bacon, he'll weave through the crowd in the direction the innkeeper indicated, hoping to run into the hunter he'd met a couple days before. Should Haahqae find him he'll open with: "Good day sir. But a few short days ago we had a conversation where I hoped to hire you killing some demons, but you refused as you had some of your own to deal with. I am here, and alive to tell you that I have conquered Bear's demons. Have you had as much luck with your own?"

[JadedDM]

Darga (Outside the mageware shop, Herbalist Street)
The man smiles coldly, as if he had been waiting for Darga to ask that. "I am called Magnus." He holds up a hand and waves it slowly before him. "Magnus' Mageware Shop. It has a good ring to it, don't you think?" He laughs slightly, as if he just told a good joke. "Make sure you deliver that message."

Gregeddin (Masked Dragon Inn, common room)
Gregeddin doesn't know anything about this particular sect, but he knows generally that monks call each other 'brother' but otherwise don't require any special etiquette to approach them. So he just walks up and asks to join them.

The entire common room goes deathly quiet. The other patrons, and even the staff, look at Gregeddin with surprise. Indeed, the three robed men seemed the most surprised of them all, each looking at the other two in confusion. It seems clear they did not expect this.

One speaks to the other quietly, but in a language Gregeddin has never heard before. He can't even identify what language it might be. It doesn't even sound like any other language he's heard before, not remotely. More strange, almost alien words pass among them, before one of them cuts off the other two with a gesture, then stands to face Gregeddin. "Certainly, you may join us, brother," he says in Common in a gravely voice. He gestures to an empty chair, then sits back down himself.

Tulbas, Kynaston and Daxia (Grand Market)
Daxia takes a moment to think over Tulbas' proposal, but before she can answer, there's a sudden flash of red light behind them.

Right in the middle of the market square, a figure in red robes suddenly appears out of nowhere. Once Tulbas blinks away the after images of the light, he realizes it is none other than his uncle! Before he can take the chance to tell Daxia that he told her so, however, he realizes something is amiss. Why would his uncle appear in the middle of the market square instead of in his own home? Raetmal always stressed the importance of not showing off magic around the common folk, after all.

Raetmal sees Tulbas and stumbles forward. He coughs, spraying blood on his hands. It trickles down from his pale lips. Tulbas realizes that Raetmal has been badly wounded; his red robes hid the bloody wounds on his body. "Nephew..," he rasps, reaching out. "They're coming...we must...everyone must..." He then collapses.

Already locals are starting to crowd around him, asking themselves aloud what is going on.

Kendra Synclair (2527 Market Street, Greylock's Gorgeous Gems)
"Treated well?" Norris snorts. "What more do they want? This city has a population of 5,000, and more than 10,000 of them just appeared on our doorsteps. We took them into our walls, but our resources are not infinite. They should consider themselves lucky we let them into our city at all, I say. And in return, they show their gratitude by thieving, killing, and causing riots."

Haahqae (Steel Tankard Inn, common room)
Haahqae hands over the silver and waits while the innkeep retrieves for him a plate of greasy bacon. Once procured, he heads to the other end of the inn, elbowing his way to the back. Sure enough, he finds the same huntsman sitting at a small table, nursing an ale while quietly brooding.

The man looks down at Haahqae. "Yes, I remember you," he says. "And no, I'm afraid not. I had hoped the Holy Guard would have assisted me, but it seems they have their hands full as it is. And no one brave enough has stepped forward, I fear."

============

Darga receives 2 silver pieces.
Gregeddin makes an Etiquette check [17] (1d20): 17, pass.
Haahqae pays 1 silver piece.

[BishGada]

"Uncle!!" Tulbas shouts an runs to the clooapsed body. He quickly takes out his healer kit from his backpack and tries to help him in any way possible. 'In the name of the old gods! What happened?? I hope he will make it. I'd better get him to a proffesional healer.' Tulbas thinks to himself horrified by the situation.

====================================================
(OOC: I assume there were natual healers and their location is known.)