CH. 6: Nobody Expects the Occupation

[BishGada]

"Thanks," Tulbas says. "It's been a pleasure but now we are needed elsewhere." He gestures to Gregeddin and Haaque to come with him outside and once there he says, "I guess without any substantial leads we can only continue patrol the harbor district searching for traces of magic, or go to the library to find more information about the Belzorites. I myself prefer the latter."

[djhyland]

Arulia puts a hand on Kendra's arm. "I am sorry, Kendra," she says softly. "I should not have asked."

After a long and awkward silence, she speaks again--as much to fill the silence as anything. "What should we do? I still wish to help the Qualinesti, but he is right...we do risk everything if we do. Our families, our friends...I don't think that the army would be above punishing them for our deeds, either. But I can't just do nothing!"

She sighs, then points to Toom. "And what do we do with poor Toom? I do not want to just leave him here, but I don't want to draw attention by being the one to "find" him..."

[HorizonsDream]

Kendra shakes off the woman's apology as it wasn't her fault for being curious. "Um," she says as she rubs at her forehead. "There are probably a few ways to get into the army," she says. "But that choice has to be up to you," she adds. "As for Toom, I'm not sure. We have to get out of his house unnoticed, and carrying a dead body will certainly get us noticed."

[mgbevan]

At Tulbas' beckoning, Gregeddin knocks his drink back and lands the empty glass back on the table loudly, declaring "Good stuff! I'll see you around red-cheeks" and heads outside with the others.

After listening to Tulbas the bard suggests, "While I think that's a good plan, I suggest that we stop by the trade guild first since we are in the area. Those checkpoints are beginning to do my head in." He adds with a groan, "There's meant to be a meeting I'd like to see and there should be a high volume of people there which could increase our chances of picking up a hint in conversation."

[djhyland]

Arulia sighs. "I don't think I want to join that army...the Holy Guard was bad enough at the end, but even they still pretended that they were doing what was best for Haven. But if we're looking for information, I suppose we have to go where the information is."

On the subject of Toom, Arulia says, "We should leave here without being seen, then. Once we're safe, then we can go to the mortuary and say that this house smells like someone died here, and they'd send someone out. I don't want to leave him here, but I think that might be the safest way."

[Haahque]

Haahqae voices his agreement to the statements at hand. "Indeed I was hoping to read a book or two on Belzorites. It sounds like a good story. And now it might even help us in our little quest here too. But I'll agree with Gregeddin, it can't hurt to just hop over to the trade guild in case we can pick up any leads there. After all it's close by, and going through checkpoints is tedious and monotonous and I'd rather do less of it then more."

[HorizonsDream]

"Well, I don't really want to join the army either," Kendra admits. "But I'll figure something out. Though, maybe we don't mention this to Norris," she adds. "Let's get you to the market."

[mgbevan]

"Right away we are then!" the bard exclaims, "I think the guild hall is back up this way"
As they are walking, Gregeddin lets out a probing comment, "I wonder what state the library will be in when we're there later. I'm quite interested to know what this Dragon-Army's attitudes towards other cultures and ideas are like. They seem to get on fine having Draconians, Goblins, Mages, Priests and so on all all in a mix within their ranks." He thinks for a minute, "Then again, we did see defiers purged in a blazing fury of hell-fire in the middle of the market square..." Gregeddin makes a mental note to curb his optimism by reflecting on previous events.

[djhyland]

Arulia shakes her head. "No, we certainly don't want to tell Norris about this," she says. "I think we'd better go and see about getting someone to see that Toom is properly buried before we go to the market, though."

(OOC: JadedDM, I'm assuming that Arulia would know where to go to find someone to take away Toom's body. Perhaps near the cemetary? If she doesn't, please correct me.)

[JadedDM]

Haahqae, Gregeddin and Tulbas (Trade Guild Hall, Harbor District)
Fortunately, there is only one checkpoint between the Happee Ohgr and the Trade Guild hall. After the goblin soldiers check the party for weapons and make sure their papers are in order, they let them pass.

The Trade Guild hall is one of the larger buildings in the district, if you don't include the warehouses on the docks and the Old Keep to the south. It's certainly better maintained than most of the buildings in the area. As it's open to the public, there is nothing stopping the party from entering at their leisure.

The hall is spacious with a high ceiling. On the far end is a raised platform for speeches to be given. There are also a number of tables and chairs for merchants and craftsmen to discuss business. The place can double as a town hall for important meetings, as well.

Currently, a number of people are present, sitting in a circle and arguing passionately. Among them are Norris the jeweler, the innkeeper of the Steel Tankard, and Karn the Blacksmith. There are about a dozen others, none of which the party recognizes.

Kendra and Arulia (Toom's Residence, Farmer District)
(OOC: Yes, the cemetery is not far from their current position, just outside the south gate of the city.)

[HorizonsDream]

Kendra walks to a nearby window to peek outside to make sure that she doesn't see anyone watching the house. "We should leave one at a time," she says. "Where do you want to meet?"

[BishGada]

Tulbas eyes flashes for a moment when Gregeddin doesn't agree with him instantly. He thinks to himself, 'This bard always looks for opportunities to make money from dubious business...' but then he says, "Very well, but let's not waste too much time there."
When at the Trade Guild Tulbas looks around at the crowd looking for common folks who might seem out of place there. People like himself and his companions actually.

[mgbevan]

Gregeddin quickly surveys the hall upon entering. Noting the circle as the centre of activities he comments, "Let's find out what all this business is about, but best not to interrupt." And makes his way over, quietly taking a seat in the ring so as to not disturb the conversation.

[Haahque]

Seeing a familiar face, Haahqae wants to strike up a conversation with the innkeeper of the Steel Tankard, however he realizes that he’ll never be able to do this with the argument going on, so he finds a chair near the circle to listen in on the argument. That way his superior intellect might inform him of a good way to stop the argument, and thus give an opportunity to talk about the Belzorites.

[djhyland]

"The market is probably best...everyone has business there, regardless of who they are," Arulia muses. "You go ahead first, and I'll look for you outside the Fine Cobbler's Shop when I get to the market."