CH. 5: Vying Factions

[djhyland]

Darga nods and takes Tulbas's bundle. He listens to the arguing conversation for a little while longer to make sure that he's not needed, then unobtrusively slips out into the streets. Though he stays alert for trouble, he heads straight for Marvin's shop, intent on delivering the package as requested.

[HorizonsDream]

"Thanks Gregeddin," Kendra says. "And we are killing this giant tomorrow?" she asks.

[BishGada]

"Either that, or he is killing us..." Tulbas says sarcastically.

[mgbevan]

Gregeddin smiles at Tulbas' comment, "Quite"

"I had best be off to track down Magnus, hopefully he hasn't strayed too far from the warehouse" and with that, unless there is any further business to attend to, the bard bids his temporary farewells and makes his way out again towards the cult's warehouse.

[JadedDM]

Darga (Mad Marvin's place)
Darga heads toward Marvin's place and arrives without incident. Upon knocking on the door, Marvin himself opens it and peers down at the dwarf through thick lens. "Eh? Wait, I remember you. You were with the Erogundali lad...Tulbas, I believe. What do you want?"

Gregeddin (Cult Warehouse)
Gregeddin returns to the warehouse where the cult dwells. The place is packed, as usual. But there is no sign of Magnus anywhere. He would be easy enough to pick out of a crowd--tall, wearing all black and with a wide berth between him and everyone else, the bard would imagine. But he doesn't seem to be around at all, as far as he can see.

==========

It is now Eighth Watch (2 PM).

[djhyland]

Darga bobs his head to greet Marvin. "'M sorry ta bother ya, sir, but it's th' elf lad that sent me ta see ya. He's gotten inta some sort o' mess wit' Darewind, th' leader of th' cult that's causin' trouble here in town. He's afraid, fer 'imself but more fer his uncle, an' he wants ta ask if ya kin take him in fer a little while." He flushes with embarrassment, aware that he's asking a very big favor from someone he barely knows on the behalf of someone else. Holding up the bundle of clothing and herbs that Tulbas sent with him, he continues. "Th' elf lad sent me wit' some herbs an' such ta help...if yer willin', that is?"

[HorizonsDream]

Kendra watches nearly everyone leaves before she looks down to Haahqae. "Uh, do we have a time tomorrow?" she asks.

[BishGada]

As Gregeddin turns to leave Tulbas calls after him, "Wait, I'll come with you!" then he looks at Kendra, "Would you stay here for a while, I will return soon. Lock behind us." and then he goes with Gregedding.
As they get close to the warehouse Tulbas covers his head and stops. "I'd better stay out of the cult with all the mess I caused with Darewind. While you are there, can you also check if Nora, Wedge or Biggs are there? I'd like to know if they at least somewhat suspect that Darewind is deceiving them. I'll wait here."

[mgbevan]

Gregeddin pulls up to speak with Tulbas at the side of the street. "I wouldn't give Biggs or Wedge much credit for their intellects, but I'll check for you if it sets your mind at ease" the bard says with a little chuckle.

When the bard enters the warehouse, no black robed mage is within sight, even as he shuffles through the writhing mass of grey robes. Rather than cause a stir by asking after a black robed mage, Gregeddin decides it would be less conspicuous to go after Biggs and Wedge or Nora, killing two birds with a stone on behalf of Tulbas.

And so he heads back towards the part of the warehouse where the recruitment interviews were taking place to see if Biggs and Wedge are about.

[JadedDM]

Darga (Mad Marvin's place)
Marvin accepts the bag of herbs and pokes around in it. "Hmm...some good stuff here. And it would save me a trip to the woods to restock my supplies for awhile." He closes the bag and eyes Darga cautiously. "It's probably not a good idea to move Raetmal unless it's absolutely necessary. You think this cult is going to try and hurt him? If so, I'm not sure what I can do about it. I'm no warrior." He removes his glasses and wipes them clean on his sleeve, then replaces them. "I can't guarantee his safety if they come for him, you understand."

Tulbas (River Way, Outside of the Cult Warehouse)
Tulbas stands alone, out on the street, outside of the warehouse where the cult lives, waiting for Gregeddin. He suddenly gets the feeling he is being watched. Looking around, he spots a young boy, around 10, watching him carefully through one of the warehouse's windows. The window is mostly boarded up, but there's enough room between the boards for him to peek through. He immediately disappears within when he realizes Tulbas has spotted him.

======

Tulbas makes a WIS check [14] (1d20): 1, pass.

Gregeddin (Cult Warehouse)
Gregeddin makes his way toward the back of the warehouse, and sure enough he spots Biggs and Wedge. They are with Nora and Darewind, speaking in low tones. It's clear from his gestures, Darewind is angry. Nora occasionally winces at some harsh word here or there. Suddenly, a young boy--around 10 or so--hurries over. He bows to Darewind, then says something to him while pointing at the front door. Darewind nods and says something to Biggs and Wedge. The two then begin heading back toward the entrance, their hands on their sheathed swords' hilts.

[mgbevan]

Gregeddin was understandably at little alarmed by the menacing manor of Biggs & Wedge. The agitated nature of Darewind was odd too, the bard did not expect to see him so visibly rustled in public. Naturally, he was curious but conscious he didn't want to be on the receiving end of whatever Darewind was talking about.

At the sight of the two heavies approaching, Gregeddin turns his back and shuffled off to the side, out of their path. A plan was quickly formulating in his head. The large crowd would be an excellent barrier between Darewind and himself, where he hoped to get some information out of the two, he fancied his chances compared to the wits of the pair combined.

As Biggs and Wedge were about 3/4 of the way to the entrance, Gregeddin hurriedly scoots in from the side to intercept them with an extravagant tone "Wedge! Wedge! Oh and Biggs as well, perfect! Just who I was trying to find in this crowd oh my there are so many people here now aren't there? Yes yes. Well look guys, I just need a moment of your time if that's good, yes as I thought excellent wait are you two off somewhere? Where are you off to? Can it be put on pause for just a moment, lovely." The bard takes a deep breath and smiles widely and expectantly at the pair once his barrage of questions is over.

[djhyland]

Darga nods sadly in agreement with Marvin. "I don' think that movin' th' elf is gonna do him no good, either. But th' elf lad...well, he sounds like he's got some other plans than watchin' his uncle, an' he don't want ta leave him by himself. It ain't jes' you that can't make sure he stays safe, an' even if th' lad stays with him, mebbe bad things'd still happen. If ya don't feel comfortable watchin' 'im, I'll tell th' lad." He frets a bit, then mutters, "I suppose I kin watch him if it comes ta that. I don' think I want ta help 'em wit' what they're doin', anyway..."

[BishGada]

All alarms are ringing in Tulbas head as he understand he has been spotted. 'Maybe it's just a kid playing, but maybe Darewind is searching for me. Better safe than sorry.' Tulbas thinks to himself and quickly changes his location taking a course behind several houses and eventually climbing a roof where he can spot both the warehouse entrance, and his previous location. He then lays flat where he finds some cover, waiting to see if anyone comes after him and if not, wait for Gregeddin.

[JadedDM]

Gregeddin (Cult Warehouse)
Biggs and Wedge both exhibit surprise at seeing the bard in their way. "Oh, uh, Gregeddin...wasn't expecting you to be here still," Biggs says.

"Sorry, we have an important job from the boss," Wedge says. "No time for chitchat. Excuse us."

Darga (Mad Marvin's place)
"I don't mind watching over him, although I have no place to put him except back on the couch," Marvin says. "But if there are people after him, I'm not sure how safe he'll be here, to be honest."

Tulbas (River Way, Outside of the Cult Warehouse)
Tulbas climbs up onto a nearby rooftop and peers down at the warehouse entrance, waiting to see if anything noteworthy happens.

[Haahque]

Kendra watches nearly everyone leaves before she looks down to Haahqae. "Uh, do we have a time tomorrow?" she asks.

"Yep." Haahqae confirms, and goes back to his own thoughts for a few moments before he notices that Kendra's gaze is still on him. "Oh right, it's second watch at the main gate. Do you know much about girls?"