Tulbas' Vignette

[BishGada]

Tulbas sorts out and memorizes the information he heard so far, then trying to take the investigation farther, he settles himself at the bar and orders another tankard of ale and whiskey. After getting his drinks, Tulbas looks around to see if there are obvious Seekers in the bar and if not he asks the barthender, "Did you hear about this Kelryn Darewind? Are there any rumors about where is he kept now? Maybe you heard names of his followers?"

[JadedDM]

Not finding any Seeker priests, Tulbas tries the bartender. an ugly bald man of middle age. His nose is slightly crooked, suggesting it was at one time broken.

"Yeah, I heard of him," the bartender says. "Everyone's talkin' 'bout him. He's in the old keep up on the hill. That's the Holy Guard headquarters; they keep all their big prisoners there, boy. I only know one name of his followers. His second in command is a woman named Nora. Or that's the rumor, anyway."

[BishGada]

"Let me invite you for a drink..." suggests Tulbas as he passes two more silvers to the man. "Same as before..."

While waiting for the drinks Tulbas sorts out his thoughts. I should ask Raetmal what he knows about this god... The Master... In any case, demonstrating healing powers by cutting oneself hands isn't that smart. Maybe it was really a provocation. Much better demonstration would be to heal others that actually require it.

Maybe Keira heard about Nora... I should ask her and see where it goes.

After gulping the whiskey and waiting for the bartender to do the same, Tulbas asks, "Did you hear if this Nora was involved in the riot today? And besides, did you happen to catch her last name?"

[JadedDM]

The bartender brings Tulbas another ale and whiskey and considers the answers to his questions. "I haven't heard if she was or wasn't, but since she was Darewind's second in command, I figure she was probably there. Don't even know if she has a last name, though. If you're looking to join up, I heard they meet at a warehouse down on River Way, though."

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

Tulbas spends 2 silver pieces.

[BishGada]

Tulbas decides he heard enough and to lower suspicions changes the subject, "Tell me, do you know that redhead woman I was sitting with before?" he asks while gesturing towards the table he was seated with Keira, checking at the same time if she is still there. "Does she hangs here a lot? She is quiet something..." He adds with a wink.

After blubbering for several more minutes Tulbas stands up, "Well, I've had enough. Thanks for the drinks. Have a good evening sir." Tulbas says leaving the bar and walking into the crowd again.

Tulbas consider his options, I could continue investigating Keira, but since she already knows I can pay for information I guess she would hint that she has some if she actually did. I think I'll just try and ask her about Nora... Then I could either check the warehouse at River Way, or go and consult Raetmal opinion... I guess I'll go with the latter since I've enough time to go to the docks afterwards...

Having his mind set, Tulbas carves his way to the Steel Tankard doors, looking for Keira on his way out.

[JadedDM]

"Tell me, do you know that redhead woman I was sitting with before? Does she hangs here a lot? She is quite something..."

Looking over his shoulder, Tulbas notes that Keira is no longer at the table; indeed, she appears to have left the room altogether. The bartender nods a bit, wiping clean a dirty glass. "Yeah, she comes in here now and again, usually for drinks. Don't talk much to anyone, though."

Thanking the bartender for the drinks before him, Tulbas gets up and departs. Stepping outside, he looks around the numerous people wandering by for a flash of red. But if she put her hood back up, she would easily blend in with the crowd. Looking around, he spots no sign of her in the vicinity.

[BishGada]

Oh well... Maybe we will meet again when I'll grow hair on my chest... Tulbas thinks to himself in amusement.

Tulbas heads to his uncle store, avoiding the marketplace ground in case the enchanted guard is still there.

At the house Tulbas looks for Raetmal, "Uncle, where are you? I need your opinion on some matters I've learned about... Would you like me to make us herbal tea?"

[JadedDM]

Tulbas steps inside of his uncle's shop. When he does so, a small bell on the door rings, as always whenever the door opens.

His uncle steps out from the back. "Ah, nephew. You've returned. I suppose you've made progress in your 'investigation' then? Yes, some tea would be nice."

[BishGada]

"Yes, I've actually learned a lot in this short time," says Tulbas while preparing the tea in the kitchen. "The riot is a result of an arrest made yesterday by the Seekers of a prophet named Kelryn Darewind, he warships a deity which is referred to as The Master, and shows actual healing powers."

Tulbas humbly hands one of the cups to his uncle. "But the pieces are not falling into place... The prophet demonstrated the Healing Powers by cutting his own hands and regenerating them back, or so I've heard, although this is really astonishing after so many years without true healing powers in the land, this is a strange way of showing them. I thought it might be a provocation... The other thing that seem peculiar to me is that if this god is a new god, than it falls with the way of the Seekers, so why arrest this man and not enlist him to their own?"

"Anyway, Kelryn Darewind is kept at the Holy Guard headquarters and his followers demanded his release today, and thats what started the fight. Some people got killed. Apparently Kelryn followers are organized, he has a second in command and they have regular meetings and recruits."

Tulbas sips of his tea and thinks for a moment, "I also heard that the Holy Guard is planning on martial law and curfew, but the chances are slim for they don't have the manpower to enforce it...

Anyway, if I'm to do some change, I guess it must be with Kelryn followers, even if it is dangerous, but first I wanted to ask you if you heard of this Deity or prophet before? I also would like to hear your opinion of all that, and your suggestion as for how to continue."

Tulbas settles back, and waits patiently and politely to his uncle to answer. He is used to his teachings which are usually long and full of details, but Tulbas concentration almost never failed him before.

[JadedDM]

Raetmal listens to Tulbas throughout, sipping at his tea. His face grows more concerned as he continues to listen.

"You have only lived here for a couple of years, so you weren't here when the cult of Belzor the Scaled One nearly took over," he explains. "A human named Julian made similar claims; that he had the power to heal, that his god was real. It was later discovered he was a wizard, one of us, but a renegade who specialized in illusions. He was exposed by another of the Order, and later put to death. I would not be surprised if this Darewind fellow was doing the same thing."

He sets down his teacup. "As for the Seekers, they are charlatans, as well. Just ones with more political power. Something you will learn about humans, nephew; rarely are they earnest in anything beyond their own desire for power. The Seekers would consider this man a threat because he is a danger to their own grasp on the city. No, the only true gods were the old ones, and they abandoned us long ago."

[BishGada]

After listening at length, Tulbas sinks for a while in thoughts, "Illusions... How could I miss that option... I became too eager too soon to believe in the possibility of true healing powers..." he says quietly, than with louder voice, "I'm glad I came to speak with you first."

Shaking himself Tulbas says, "I think I remember reading something about the Belzorites... After Julian death his wife became the High Priestess, right?" his voice trails off again and his frown deepens as he tries to remember the details. "But Julian acted at the surroundings for long time before he established enough influence and started to work inside Heaven. Do you think Darewind's confidence means there are a lot more followers of 'The Master' out there???"

After few more seconds Tulbas continues, "So there are two options, it could be a fraud again, or it could be real, but no matter what's the truth, if Darewind will be executed without proof of him deceiving the people, his followers might become an army and the riots will escalate in level. Especially if there are more followers outside the city gates. Another thing worth considering is that Darewind might not be the founder of this new cult, but just one of the messengers of the true founder."

Tulbas feels reluctant to say his next sentence but also compelled to do so, "I think the best way to pursue the matter at hand will be to join Darewind followers. If Darewind will be executed, try to convince them to target only military forces and spare the innocents, and maybe from within the group I can learn more about this Deity and see if there is any truth to it, or help exposing the fraud. What do you think uncle? I know it is very dangerous, putting myself both threatened by the followers if I shake their beliefs and also threatened by the Seekers if I'm exposed as a follower, but my conscience won't let me leave the matter as it is."

[JadedDM]

Do you think Darewind's confidence means there are a lot more followers of 'The Master' out there???"

"I cannot say for certain. He may just be a very good showman. It's also possible he believes his own lies. Those who do are always very confident and charismatic," his uncle states.

What do you think uncle? I know it is very dangerous, putting myself both threatened by the followers if I shake their beliefs and also threatened by the Seekers if I'm exposed as a follower, but my conscience won't let me leave the matter as it is."

"You are right. It is incredibly dangerous," he replies. "I realize I cannot shelter you forever, though. You are grown enough to make such decisions now. I can offer you what little aid I can, but ultimately you will be on your own with this."

[BishGada]

Tulbas ponders the matter for some time, feeling uncertainty about how to proceed. There are so many unknowns and he is only one person without power or influence... But something must be done, and with that decision comes also determinism. The change takes over Tulbas mood and actions swiftly.

"Well, I guess I'll try to get into Darewind followers lines, join one of their meetings... Strange the Seekers haven't heard of these meetings and stopped them already... I'll be carefull not to raise too much suspicion. Any last recommendation or advice regarding the investigation?"

[JadedDM]

"My best advice is not to go in it alone. Is there someone you trust that can watch your back?" his uncle asks.

[BishGada]

"I've considered it in the 'Steel Tankard' when I thought of going to the docks, but no, I have no one besides you which I can trust my life with... Of course I've some friends here, but we never truly bonded. I also don't think it's appropriate to drag you into this. I guess I'll start investigating by myself. Maybe I'll even happen to meet one of my friends by accident there. Rolin is also a refugee and always striked me as having high moral values... Who knows." Finishing his tea, Tulbas raises up and says with a smile, "Well, I have my equipment on me, so I'd better be off on my way to the docks. If nothing goes wrong I'll probably be back in several hours, after all no one would expect the investigation to end in one day" he chuckles. "Wish me luck uncle, and thanks for your support and advices." Tulbas hugs his uncle, listens respectfully to his farewell words, gives a long look around at the little magic store which became his home and exists the store on his way to River Way.

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(OOC: Tulbas current equipment is a dagger, sling, and some money (not all of it since he knows he might get robbed, but enough in case he needs to bribe someone, so I guess the amount of 5 steel should be reasonable?).)