CH. 1: Haven and Hell

[djhyland]

Darga wonders about both Kynaston's boasting story and the Seeker's reaction to it. Why did the man's brother not just go and find the girl when she was swimming in the river or washing or any of the other times she'd be likely to be without clothes? Why should the girl give him a black eye? And what was the big deal, anyway? Surely, people saw each other naked occasionally? But then, maybe not. Thinking back, he can't remember the sort of relaxed attitude of his people in any of the other folk he's met since leaving home. Still, it seems like a strange thing to be worried about. But he keeps his mouth shut; he doesn't imagine that these people would be interested in the finer points of Aghar culture.

Instead, Darga nods in agreement with Gregeddin. "The sooner we git away from the riot, the better."

[NoTrammeling]

Coroccoco keeps to herself, her face an undisturbed woodland pond. The group's antics do cause a twinkle of amusement to flicker in her eyes as she revels in the all of the individual little stories of Haven. The amusement wanes while her resolve waxes, determined to preserve the right for each story to end on its own terms. "The wise kite takes flight when sparrows wing to war."

[Just_Ice]

Kynaston rolled his eyes. It seems his recollection had caught more attention than he'd expected. He tried to get his thoughts back on track- while still keeping the ladder from wobbling, of course.

"Sorry lads, not much else to the story. I never got to see anything- I was the bottom, after all. We never got black eyes, but the lady sure boxed our ears pretty good. The lesson of the story comes when some of the middle blokes got broken arms when someone lost balance" he explained.

[mgbevan]

"That's a wonderful proverb Coroccoco"
Gregeddin had noticed he was in the company of some witty and talented speakers, he thought he should take note of some of the poetry and story telling around him, should always be learning...

[JadedDM]

"Ah, nothing," says the kender with a dismissive wave. "Just a haunted house--with ghosts, zombies and maybe even a vampire! Anyway, see ya!" He then darts off, disappearing around a corner.

The group takes the long way to the main gate, avoiding the marketplace entirely. This eats up some extra time, and it's third watch by the time they reach the gate. But on the plus side, they don't get involved in the riot (although they certainly hear things breaking and people yelling, and can see smoke rising up from the marketplace).

There are several Seeker guards at the main gate; more to keep people out than in. Nevertheless, one approaches the group when they get close. "Going somewhere, citizens? Quite a large group here. Do you intend to return, and if so, when?"

[Haahque]

Ghosts and ghouls are boring, and a little creepy but vampires can be interesting! Oh well, he's gone now and I've already got a quest.

(We arrive at the main gate)

"Yes sir, we're here to clear this man's mine of demons! We should be back by supper I hope, doing good works usually works up a good appetite."

[NoTrammeling]

Coroccoco dips her head, briefly closing her eyes in acknowledgement of Gregeddin's words. Once the party reaches the gate she keeps her hat low and her arms tucked into her sleeves, not wanting to draw any attention from the seekers though she's dying to amend the gnome's words.

[HorizonsDream]

"Yes, we do plan to return," Kendra says to her fellow guard. "And hopefully it doesn't take too long, but while my friend here likes to boast of our skills, it might take longer than that," she explains.

[JadedDM]

"Uhhh, right. Demons, sure," the guard says. "Well, if you intend to get back in, you'll need these tokens. They're proof of your citizenship. If you try and return to the city without them, you'll be turned away with the rest of the refugee rabble, understand?"

He hands each one of them an iron token with a unique sigil carved on both sides. "My advice, watch out for the refugees. They might try and steal them from you, then you're up the creek."

[Haahque]

"Right, keep the sigil hidden. It'll be so well hidden even I won't know where it is." Haahqae laughs as he flips the token and pockets it, pulling out a sling bullet. "Hey is it a good thing that mine became round, and made of lead? I think it shrunk too." Haahqae feigns being puzzled for a moment, then laughs and pockets the bullet. "Just kidding."

[mgbevan]

"Thank you sir."
Gregeddin looks over the small round token, he hadn't before considered the frailty of Haven's plight could be reduced so small. For many this would be freedom or life itself resting in the palm of his hand.

[NoTrammeling]

The priestess accepts her coin, holding it up before her eyes between two large fingers. A scowl tears at her features, she had no desire to strike down any refugees who might accost the group for their tokens. She places it carefully in one of the buttoned pouches that can be found inside the sleeve of her robes.

[djhyland]

Darga takes his token from the guard and tucks it into a pocket beneath his armor without looking at it.

While Darga certainly wants to be let back into Haven once the business at the mine is done, the idea of living with the refugees is nothing new to him either. He has everything he needs in his pack, he's lived that way before, and he can certainly think of worse things than ending up as a refugee again. Like being killed by a demon, maybe. But he shakes his head--he'd given his word to help, and help he would.

[JadedDM]

Once everyone has their tokens, the guards open the gates and allow them to exit the city. Once they are outside, the gates are quickly shut again behind them with a resounding and rather ominous sound. There's just something rather final about it.

Outside are more guards, who have set up a small barricade around the gate to keep the refugees at bay. There are a couple hundred of them, at least, camped outside the city. It's already cold out, and it's unlikely most of these people will survive the winter out here. But they have come all this way, and have nowhere else to go, most likely. Many are wearing tattered cloaks, are completely filthy, and huddled together for warmth around small fires they've managed to build. There are quite a few elderly and children among them, as well.

All eyes are on the party. These people are desperately waiting to get inside, and none have failed to notice the gate opening and people leaving. Many have eyes full of hope. Will they be opening the gates again soon? Will they let people in to replace these people who are leaving? It's plain upon their numerous faces.

"Five miles up this road," the barbarian says. "Best keep your wits about you. Try not to make eye contact, if you can."

[HorizonsDream]

Kendra had seen the refugees outside the city before, and she wasn't eager to look upon them again. She tucks away the token she was given, and turns her gaze to the road instead. The last thing she wanted to do was make eye contact with these people. "We should probably hurry. These people are desperate."