CH. 1: Haven and Hell

[mgbevan]

Entering the group into Windwood's office, Gregeddin notes the introduction given by Haahqae and bows his head lightly with a "Captain" when pointed to. He then stands at ease waiting for the guards to discuss their business.

[JadedDM]

Haahqae, Kendra, Gregeddin and Kynaston (Captain's Office, Old Keep)
Orin sits behind his desk, but he immediately gets to his feet when the menagerie of adventurers tromp into his office. He does not appear amused. Then again, he has the look of a man who is rarely ever amused by anything.

"This is the street preacher I asked you to retrieve? Then who are the rest of them? His accomplices?" he asks, gesturing to the gnome, bard and fighter.


Coroccoco (Herbalist Street, South)
Coroccoco walks off on her own, heading toward the Steel Tankard. However, just as she's about to pass by an alley, two hobgoblins in leather armor with long swords on their belts--wearing the red and white tunics of Holy Guards--step out and right into her way. Should she try to maneuver around them, they continue to step in front of her. Two more step up behind her, effectively blocking any route of escape.

Behind the two hobgoblins in front of her, another man steps out of hiding--the same one she saw in the Haven Arms, who was hooded, cloaked and had his hands wrapped in bandages. He points right at her. "Why have you have forsaken the Dark Queen?" he asks, looking right into her eyes. Consequently, she can see into his and they are yellow and very inhuman. "She has returned to this world and yet you ignore her call and preach of a false god instead."

[NoTrammeling]

As the two hobgoblins step out of the alley in front of her Coco shifts her step seamlessly to the side, but comes to an awkward halt as she's quickly stymied front and back. Surprise, consternation, disbelief all flash across her face, finally settling on understanding when she recognizes the cloaked figure from her morning sermon. Tawny savannah meets bilious jaundice as the two lock eyes over the shoulders of the hobgoblin roughians.

Coroccoco takes a fleeting moment to asses the two bruisers to her front, little liking their hateful countenances and deadly-looking longswords. She subtly shifts her weight onto the balls of her feet, ready to make her run for it if necessary. She masters her face to buy herself time, bringing her chin up as she begins speaking in tones of chilly pride, "The Dark Queen holds not sway with me. It was the Plated One who came in my hour of need. Takhisis seeks to upset the balance of this world and I will be no part of her plan."

Edit: too many "speaking"s

[HorizonsDream]

Kendra glances over her shoulder to those that have gathered around before she lets out a sigh. "Honestly, I don't have a clue as to who they are," she admits. "While Kelryn here," she says, motioning to the man beside her. "Is the one that was speaking to the crowds, the others came along to convince you to allow me to clean out some mine, for a man, that says that is plagued with demons," she explains. "Apparently, it is so important that it is going to harm Haven itself if we don't clean out this mine. At least, that is what I have gleamed from these people."

[Haahque]

"Glad to make your acquaintance," Haahqae says, bowing low, his left arm neatly tucked in front of his chest while his right arm remains stretched out to the side and does a neat flourish. "My name is Haahqae and I am a juggler. I ask nothing of you but one person to aid us in this plight."

[Just_Ice]

Leaning against the wall and drip drying, Kynaston crosses his arms. He isn't hoping for much.

"People been sayin'," Kyne responds without introducing himself, "That demons are crawling out of a hole in the earth in there. I don't know what's true and what isn't, but the best thing for Haven right now is jobs and iron. The last thing it needs is devils and whatnot- if things get much worse I can guarantee everyone Miss Synclair brings in will be an accomplice."

[mgbevan]

"We particularly ask for Miss Synclair because we feel this could be mutually beneficial to Haven and the Guard. As Mr. Trench said, the mine is currently creating refugees, whereas if we intervene and restore it to be safe community where people can go to work. What better for boosting the Guard's public profile than being spotted taking a direct lead in improving the community?"

Gregeddin hoped this more flattering spiel might better appeal to Windwood than Mr. Trench's direct approach,
If nothing else, it may be a step towards his personal gains and positive relationships with people in positions of authority...

[JadedDM]

Haahqae, Kendra, Gregeddin and Kynaston (Captain's Office, Old Keep)
Orin looks between the four, his expression largely unreadable. He shakes his head. "We are spread far too thin to volunteer even one guard or hired sword for such a thing. We're at the foot of the ore-rich Kharolis Mountains; the loss of a single mine is hardly cause for great concern. Our main objective is dealing with the refugee problem and keeping heretics off the street. The Highseekers have assured us that the city is in no danger outside of these problems."

Orin shoots an annoyed look at Kendra. "Next time there are citizen complaints, I suggest you direct them to the front desk to fill out the proper paperwork, not drag them into my office, Synclair. Step out of turn again, and I'll dock you a day's pay."

To Kelryn, he asks, "You are the street preacher then?"

Kelryn tilts his head, as if listening to some voice. Then he nods. "I follow the Master, not the false Seeker gods."

"Fine then," Orin states. "Slap him in irons and take him down to the dungeon," he tells Kendra. "Then patrol the marketplace for any more trouble. And don't bother me further with such petty concerns."


Coroccoco (Herbalist Street, South)
The hobgoblins snort derisively at Coroccoco's statement. The man in the robes appears less than amused. "This world belongs to the Dark Queen by right," he argues. "And when she conquers it, she will reward her loyal followers beyond your wildest dreams. Only a fool would turn away from such an offer to instead support a made up deity. The time of the goblins is at hand; they will finally take this world from the undeserving humans, dwarves and elves!"

[NoTrammeling]

The priestess's lips twitch begging to bare her teeth at her agressors. With some small effort she keeps her face still as a woodland pool, though her eyes smolder beneath the brim of her hat. "I will not deny the oppression of our people. The so-called forces of good would unbalance the world just the same in seeking our destruction. The Plated One is no figment, for I have heard her voice just the same..." Her voice slows to the end of her statement, perhaps uncertainly? The whispers of the Dark Queen are far clearer and more persistent than communion with Weerschaal which requires days of fasting and meditation, or certain sacred herbs.

She cocks her head to the side, regarding the cloaked figure slyly. "But here I speak of 'our' people and you, you are no goblin-borne race I know."

[HorizonsDream]

Kendra purses her lips together tightly, as she knew that this was pretty much going to be the outcome. Though, she didn't think she would be the one to get into trouble for it! She took Kelryn by the arm gently, and lead him out of the office. "I'll try to see what I can do about getting Elistan to see you," she said while she places him in irons.

"Oh, and as for the rest of you," Kendra states, glancing over her shoulder to the people that followed her. "Thank you for make my day that much better!"

[Haahque]

"Not a problem Miss Synclair, Making people's days better is what I do best."

[mgbevan]

Well the atmosphere in here feels like news at a tavern that the ale has run out...

"As you wish captain, I shall respect our prerogatives may not align... Perhaps when our two moons do, we may be of service to you."

I wonder if the long words impress the captain, Gregeddin glimpses at the paperwork atop his desk, that looks important enough...

Turning to Haahqae and Mr Trench, Gregeddin speaks loud enough for Synclair to hear as she leads the preacher away, "A drink then? Miss Synclair may choose to have another dose of fun tomorrow."

[JadedDM]

Haahqae, Kendra, Gregeddin and Kynaston (Captain's Office, Old Keep)
Kelryn merely smiles, as if Kendra clasping him in irons had all been part of his plan this whole time. Kendra then leads the man down into the dungeon, leaving Haahqae, Gregeddin and Kynaston in the captain's office.


Coroccoco (Herbalist Street, South)
The yellow eyes beneath the man's hood narrow. "It's true, I am not Goblin. But I am a child of the Dark Queen nonetheless. Know this, traitor. Takhisis does not forgive easily. And when she turns her wrath upon you, your false deity will not shield you. Fair warning." He gestures, then walks off to the north. The four hobgoblins follow him--the two behind Coroccoco bump into her as they pass deliberately, shoulder to shoulder.

[HorizonsDream]

"I told them that he wasn't going to allow me to help," Kendra said as she walked Kelryn down to the dungeons. "I don't understand why they wouldn't believe me, and as a result, I got into trouble for it all."

[Haahque]

"Well I guess it is time for a drink. Let's go see if our hobgoblin friend hasn't drained the bar before we get there." Haahqae turns to the captain, bows, spins and exits the room.