CH. 6: Nobody Expects the Occupation

[HorizonsDream]

"Apparently, they are always hiring with the army," Kendra says. "Not that I want to join the army. I only know what everyone has told me about it. They are raising taxes on merchants, but I doubt too many people fought back on it."

[BishGada]

Tulbas hears the mission and think to himself in contempt, 'Of course he would think he is above it... But the Belzortians are still active? That seems impossible.' Surprising himself Tulbas feels no anxiety toward the new mission. He feels bored and sad. He looks at Magnus with hate and thinks, 'Why did you murder him? Why? I am but an empty shell now.' Then he thinks to himself, 'There, there Tulbas. Self pity doesn't become of you. Raetmal wouldn't want you to go that path.' but he is not cheered up at all.
"So... where do we begin?" Tulbas asks Magnus flatly, "Does the priests have some leads?"

[Haahque]

Well, Haahqae first found Ismene near the marketplace, so maybe that's where he can find her again. Besides, it's rather chilly and Haahqae could perhaps pick up some heavier clothing while he's at it, like maybe a jacket, or possibly a coat. Maybe a jacket-coat or a coat of jackets.

Hmm.. a simple endure elements spell would do just as well, but Haahqae hasn't learned how to cast one. Maybe he should add that to the list of things to do. The list just seems to get longer and longer each passing week. And all those questions haven't been answered yet. Damn goblins and lying all the time.

[mgbevan]

Gregeddin put Tulbas' bluntness down to shock, he was an emotional fellow after all and it must be quite traumatic for him, Gregeddin remembers how distraught he was trying to persuade Daxia to stay, back when all this started it seemed like...
"All right, feeling productive, good good. Let's get cracking, yes any leads? Or else we'll start digging." Gregeddin says enthused, "And I'm presuming dead or otherwise disposed?"

[JadedDM]

Haahqae (Marketsquare)
Haahqae makes his way to the marketsquare. He heads south on Herbalist Street and is stopped at the big checkpoint set up there. He has to show his ID papers to the Baaz guards before they let him pass.

The marketsquare is still a tad damaged from having a massive dragon land in the middle of it, but there has been some effort to repair the damage. Some of the destroyed stalls have been repaired. There's still a large black scorch mark from where Darewind was killed on the ground.

The mood of the place is muted. People go to the vendors, make their purchases, and then hastily exit. There is no small talk about the weather, or vigorous haggling. Nobody seems interested in being out any longer than they have to. Cultists no longer wander the area, but the soldiers are everywhere. The entire place seems very orderly, but lacking of any cheer or charm.

Nobody in the city ever makes clothes for gnomes. There are a couple of dwarf merchants, but even their clothes are too big for him. His best bet is usually to find someone who makes young children's clothes. He finds one such merchant and discovers he can get a nice cloak for 3 STP or a full cotton jacket for 12 STP.

He doesn't spot Ismene anywhere in the area, however.

Kendra and Arulia (2527 Market Street, Gorgeous Greylock's Gems)
"The rumor is, they are want extra troops for an upcoming attack on the elflands," Norris interjects, revealing he is eavesdropping. "I wonder if the elves can defeat them."

Gregeddin and Tulbas (Mageware shop)
Magnus nods. "The temple is probably a good starting point. Maybe you can even persuade them to loan you one of their true clerics. Magical healing would no doubt be useful," he says. "And you can try to take them alive if you like. Perhaps turn them over to the Temple for judgment. Although likely they'll just execute them anyway. It's up to you."

[BishGada]

Tulbas looks at Magnus and then Gregeddin. "Well, let's go. I wouldn't want such mundane subjects keep me from training for too long." He says sarcastically.
Once outside the shop Tulbas says quietly as much to himself as to Gregeddin, "Belzorites... Who cares! No one heard of them for so long."

[mgbevan]

Gregeddin steps outside with Tulbas, as they walk towards the temple he comments, "The Belzorites were in their prime when I was just a boy, too small to remember properly. But my parents told me about the riots and the unrest, it was quite bad for the city I think. But all magic and illusions to deceive people...surprising how well they did."
Gregeddin broaches this next subject with a hint of caution, "Say Tulbas, I've been feeling ququite a few feelings of resentment and revenge for Mateo's murder, now I don't imagine I will ever see Raena and burzan again so nothing will come if it, but what are your feelings towards Magnus?"

[djhyland]

Arulia looks between Kendra and Norris, horror clear on her face. "I...I hadn't thought...of course the army must be here for a reason, but the elven lands? That's terrible! No, I don't want to join them either, especially if that's what they're doing. By the Old Gods, there has to be some way to stop them...doesn't there?"

[HorizonsDream]

"There really isn't anything we can do to stop an army," Kendra points out. "Though, we can try to send messages to the elven lands," she adds. "And hope that they don't get intercepted by the army."

[BishGada]

Tulbas eyes snaps towards Gregeddin. Obviously with much effort to restrain himself he only whispers, 'Magnus...' his eyes shine, his features unrecognizable. He holds Gregeddin gaze for few heartbeats and then says quiet and relaxed again, "It doesn't matter."

When Gregeddin and Tulbas arrive at the temple Tulbas tells one of the acolytes "We are here on behalf of the wizard Magnus. We need to speak with the authority handling interrogations. Let them know we are here to discuss an urgent subject."

[mgbevan]

Gregeddin appears unconvinced by Tulbas' words but decides not to press forward, "I take it you don't feel much like talking about it right now. Understandable. But if you feel like getting some thoughts off your chest I'll listen." Gregeddin offers sincerely .
Changing the subject the bard rubs his hand and picks up his tone of voice, "Let's find these hidden Belzorites then" and the pair press on towards their lead at the converted temple of Thaksis.

[Haahque]

Well fortune favors the prepared, so Haahqae will go all out and buy the cotton jacket, and well he's at it he might as well ask the tailor if they've seen any other gnomes around. There certainly aren't many shops which sell clothes in gnome size, so there's a fairly high chance Ismene would have gone to this one if she wanted to buy any clothing.

[JadedDM]

Haahqae, Gregeddin and Tulbas (Marketsquare)
Gregeddin and Tulbas head south on Herbalist Street, to the marketsquare on their way to the temple. The guards are suspicious of Tulbas, but after seeing his papers and identifying him as Magnus' apprentice, they let him past the checkpoint without any further trouble. As they continue south toward the temple, they spot Haahqae wandering the market.

Meanwhile, Haahqae purchases the jacket for 12 steel coins and then puts it on, feeling much better. He questions the vendor on if he had seen any other gnomes, but he had not. As he considered his next move, Haahqae spots Tulbas and Gregeddin entering the marketsquare, discussing something. Perhaps one of them knew where Ismene was?

Kendra and Arulia (2527 Market Street, Gorgeous Greylock's Gems)
"Even if there was some way to get messages to the elves without being caught, I'm not sure what we could tell them that would make any difference," Norris points out. "Unless they have dragons of their own, I don't think they stand much of a chance."

[Haahque]

Seeing his friends nearby Haahqae decides to greet them, perhaps they know where Ismene is, or maybe they have leads on this dragon knowledge, either way he should probably catch up.

"Hail friends! Have you seen Ismene around? I was looking for her, but then I got cold. It's very cold outside, so I went here to buy this coat. Do you like my new jacket? It's very comfortable and warm and fashionable and it doesn't even fit poorly. It fends off the cold and Ismene should probably see it, maybe she'll like the merchant I was talking to. He said he hadn't seen her before, so I'm going to guess she doesn't know about his wears yet. It can be hard finding gnome clothes that fit in big people lands. How are you doing?"

[HorizonsDream]

"Well, that doesn't mean they shouldn't be warned," Kendra says. "Maybe it will give them time to run or something."