CH. 7: The Viper's Nest

[djhyland]

"I'm not having much luck finding work, either," Arulia admits as she leads her mother inside. "I...I couldn't make myself go into the temple to join the army. I guess I'd rather starve than serve Her."

Once inside, Arulia shakes her head to Niniva's question. "I didn't have any luck finding work," she explains, "and I don't think that my luck was going to get any better for the rest of the day. Maybe tomorrow will be better." She sighs, then adds, "But don't worry. One way or another, I'll make sure that we stay warm and have enough to eat. Somehow..."

[HorizonsDream]

Kendra fixes her gaze on Norris, and shakes her head at him. "You live in a completely different world than I do," she says in disbelief. "I can't tell if you are blind to what is going on around you, or you are purposely ignoring it all and living in a state of denial."

"People, as we speak, are most likely getting fired from their jobs because of the tax hike," she explains. "Which means that all of your other job options most likely aren't hiring. That only leaves the army and the brothel," she points out. "So, if you are done bringing out hypothetical children that I haven't even decided I want yet into this conversation, I'm going to go join the army." She turns on her heel, and walks out of the shop to seek out the woman that told Norris about the tax hike in the first place.

[JadedDM]

Kendra Greylock (Ivy Inn, Common area)
"What does that even mean?" demands Norris in bewilderment. But Kendra doesn't deign to answer, and instead just storms out, not even bothering to grab her new cloak.

Doing her best to ignore the cold, she heads to the nearest checkpoint and asks the draconians there where to find Mouna, their leader. She is directed to the Ivy Inn, the nicest and most expensive inn in this district, if not the whole city. It's a beautiful, two story building with ivy climbing up the walls. It's probably the last bit of green in the city, with winter coming.

Inside is warm and clean, with a roaring fire in the massive hearth. Kendra spots Mouna sitting in a padded chair, her feet propped up on an ottoman, and drinking wine from a glass. The Khurish woman smiles when she notices Kendra approaching. "Well...fancy meeting you here." She gestures to a chair next to her. "Do join me. Care for some wine?"

Mouna.jpg (94.05 KiB) Viewed 5820 times

Arulia Seroth (323 Three Forks, Seroth residence)
Niniva sighs. "I tried looking for work myself this morning," she admits. "Inns, taverns, even stables...anything, really. There's no unskilled labor left in the city. The army is hiring soldiers and smiths and that's about it. And I can neither fight or forge. But what are you doing home so early, mother?" she asks.

"Well, uh...I...it was slow, so I decided to come home early," Vera lies. "And...spend some time with my girls."

Grubnick (Deserted Building, Guard Lounge)
Grubnick starts to push the bookshelf back into place when an arrow strikes him in the shoulder. Looking down, he sees the archer has moved to the base of the stairs and fired at him. Quickly recovering, he grabs the bookshelf and pushes it closed entirely. This will only buy him a few seconds, though. He spins on his heel and tries to run, but exhaustion from his wounds keeps him from pushing himself too hard. Still, he manages to jog across the room, out the door and about thirty feet down the street. He hears the bookshelf being pushed back open just as he steps outside, but once he's thirty feet away, he looks over his shoulder and notes that there is no sign of pursuit.

On his way down the street, he spots Haahqae sitting on the steps of another building. An old human with a bushy white beard is talking to him. There is no sign of the other human, Gregeddin.

==========

Initiative
Grubnick (1d10): 8
Histachii (1d10): 9
Archer (1d10+7): 1+7 = 8

Round 3!

Archer moves 20 feet to the west and fires an arrow up at Grubnick who is wearing hide armor (+2 hit) [TN 17] (1d20+2): 18+2 = 20, hit for (1d8): 3 damage. Grubnick is now critically wounded (25% HP).
Grubnick closes the secret door. He makes a STR check to run [TN 11] (1d20): 16, fail. Grubnick jogs (x2 movement) 60 feet out the door.
Histachii moves up the stairs and reopens the secret door.

[TristenC]

Hello fellow pin-cushions. Why don't we move this party to a more populated area before someone adds to our collection...

Grubnick moves out of view of the brothel door. Perhaps we can find a place to rest and discuss our mutual... situation...

Grubnick removes the arrow and begins binding his wounds.

[Haahque]

Haahqae hops up and joins Grubnick in his jog.
"I'm sorry Max, but it appears that I'm wanted elsewhere right now, not much time for discussion. So goblin, I don't know about you, but I'm thinking we need a bit more firepower to be able to deal with that den of snakes. Magical firepower specifically, since magic IS power. And I know just the person for the job."

Haahqae's plan, it turns out, is to head towards the Masked Dragon.

[TristenC]

Grubnick begins to follow the gnome. Remembering how well Haahque's last plan worked... Maybe, but we won't be doing any fire-starting today... not in our collective condition. Do you know any people you can trust? Fighters would be good against those deformed lizard things. I get the feeling you two are more... distance combatants...

As they walk a bit, something occurs to Grubnick. I left a message for their leader to release your friend tonight... or else... The messenger was reluctant to carry it, but I'm sure it will come out when he has to explain what happened to his boss... Where are we going, exactly?

[Haahque]

"Oh yes, I know lots of people I can trust. This mage went with us on our last trip together, along with the friend who's stuck in the snake den there. I think Tulbas will be quite safe with this powerful wizard."

"Yes I'm a distanced combatant, was it the bow that tipped you off? I'm also proficient with the sling, very useful for keeping wolves at bey. We might also be able to call on the help of the ex-seeker, she's quite good with swords and pretty trustworthy too, but I don't know where she is."

"We'll be going to the Mage's place first. So who are you? And why are you here? Why did you heal me? What's your relationship with the Belzorites?"

[djhyland]

At Niniva's mention of the forge, Arulia sits up in attention. "The forge? Maybe we should see if we can find work there. Maybe we can't swing a hammer well enough to do the actual metalwork, but we've all helped father at the smithy. We probably know more about stoking the fires and working the bellows and such than most of the other people looking for work, right? Even if only one of us finds work at the forges, we'll be better off than we are now."

Arulia looks meaningfully at her mother, but says nothing about her lie.

[TristenC]

Hmm. I'm not terribly... comfortable... around most magic-users. The ex-seeker sounds like she has potential... Do you know any other fighters? For how I came to meet you two... let's just say I was exploring my job-options when I met your friend and got caught up in the... situation. I wouldn't feel right just letting you two bleed to death there. As for the Belzorites... I've really only heard rumors. What do you know about them?

[HorizonsDream]

Kendra takes a seat in the chair offered to her, and looks to Mouna. ~She's certainly living the higher life,~ she thinks to herself. "I suppose a glass wouldn't hurt," she says. "I assume you have an idea as to why I'm here? It seems I might need to join the army."

[spyguy1503]

"Hmm... I will have a glass of water for now, please." To Felran "I'm not sure... maybe there is some sort of "unofficial" mercenary work we can do."

OOC: What would he know about 'unofficial' mercenary work, or black market type stuff?

[JadedDM]

Haahqae and Gobax (Masked Dragon Inn, Common area)
Using the last of his bandages, Gobax patches himself up the best he can. The pain doesn't relent, but at least now he doesn't have to worry about bleeding all over himself.

The two head for the Masked Dragon Inn, one of the nicer inns in the city. Normally there are at least two bouncers standing at the front gate to the courtyard at all time to keep the riffraff out. And a goblin and gnome covered in blood would likely qualify. But luckily, they find no guard at all when they arrive. The courtyard is walled off and within it are a number of tables and chairs where people can eat and drink outside, if they like. As it's fairly cold out, nobody is currently out here. But they can hear the music wafting from inside.

The common area is spacious and clean. Lunch is currently being served and minstrels play music for the few people who are currently here, eating and talking.

(OOC: Gobax performs a healing check [TN 14] on himself (1d20): 15, fail.)

Kendra Greylock (Ivy Inn, Common area)
"Well, I assumed you didn't come by just to have girl chat, but you never know," Mouna says. She gestures to a barmaid who brings more a glass of wine for Kendra. Although Kendra is no wine expert, she can tell it's fairly expensive stuff.

"So, you wish to join the Fire Snakes after all. It's a good unit. I have three companies of 150 draconians each serving under me. Mostly we're just patrolling this area of the city, but not to worry. There will be plenty of action to see soon enough. We'll need to test you, first. See what you're capable of, before I consent to let you join us." She sips her wine. "Any questions so far?"

Arulia Seroth (323 Three Forks, Seroth residence)
"I suppose we can ask your father when he gets home this evening," Vera says. The thought seems to bolster her somewhat. "Yes, he's a smart man. He'll know what to do."

"Ugh, sounds sweaty and gross," Niniva says. Then she sighs and shrugs. "I guess it's probably our only option left, though."

"What are we going to do until then?" asks Camilla.

Felran and Ne-Chanz (High Hand Inn, Common room)
The barlad frowns at the request for just water, but turns to Felran next. "And you, sir?"

Ne-Chanz has heard rumors that there is a thieves guild that is trying get off the ground and find ways to work around the occupied forces. If that is true, they might need enforcers and other strong warriors to help them.

[TristenC]

Along their walk, the goblin asks a couple more questions. Maybe we could hire a couple fighters or something. People have to be desperate, so maybe they won't charge much... By the way, when you tell this mage-guy about your friend, is he going to want to rush in right now rather than waiting? I'd prefer to just take a small group of truated individuals tomorrow and take care of this rather than hauling out the army or the temple... Don't forget, I left a message for them to release your friend by tonight. They may decide it's the safer option to free him and try to hide elsewhere...

Once there, Grubnick stops the gnome just inside. Hey, listen. Why don't you talk to the mage alone, and I'll wait here. Then, more quietly I'd appreciate it if you didn't mention the healing thing to anyone. As far as other people are concerned, I just bandaged you up. Ok?

He picks a seat in an unoccupied corner not too-far from the door and takes a load off.

[Haahque]

"Hmm, a goblin that has a conscience? Learn something new every day. Yeah, we could hire a couple of thugs to help us out, it shouldn't be too hard to find someone who can pick up a stick and hit someone else with it. They won't be entirely trustworthy or reliable, but it can be done." He continues, muttering under his breath. "the thing is I'm trying to actually make money at some point, not spend it all on a mission that I'm not even sure if I'm going to get a reward for it."

Hey, listen. Why don't you talk to the mage alone, and I'll wait here.

"Sure, that sounds good."

I'd appreciate it if you didn't mention the healing thing to anyone. As far as other people are concerned, I just bandaged you up. Ok?

"That's the strangest thing. You're the second goblin that I've run into that's had miraculous healing powers. I have no idea why the gods keep on selecting goblins to commune with, personally I think that choice is rather ill advised."

Haahqae will walk over to the innkeeper and ask to visit Ismene. "I'm a friend of hers and I'd very much like to see her."

[djhyland]

"Sweaty and gross is much better than starving and cold," Arulia points out. "It is an option, and maybe one that will bear fruit. I will see what else I can find, though, if you're worried about looking delicate and ladylike," she laughs. Despite the joke's grim subject, it does feel good to smile.

"Until Father comes home, what would you like to do?" Arulia asks Camilla. "You could tell us about your day, or we could run errands if you need to. We should probably see to dinner, and I'm sure there's things to do around the house. Or maybe we could go and talk to the blacksmith shops that Father doesn't work at. If the demand is there, I'm sure that all of them need people to help, not just his."