CH. 9: Winter is Coming

[BishGada]

Tulbas wakes up aching. 'Gods below. These couple of weeks were terrible. And now this freezing cold to seal the deal.' He thinks to himself. His life were ruined. The great part of his family murdered. Yet, he is alive! Only hours ago he wouldn't believe he will survive the tortures of the Belzorites. 'Haaque and Gregeddin came to help me. It is true they were the cause for my torture in the first place, yet they didn't know that and their meaning to save me was true. And they almost got killed in the process.' Tulbas thinks to himself and his feeling for them warms up a little bit. Shaking the thoughts of the time he was captive, Tulbas think of his spells for today, but immediately that brings back the awareness of the need to face Magnus soon. 'Magnus. That murderer! How dared he be furious at ME? Scum of the earth. He should be the one buried in the graveyard and not Raetmal'. He thinks to himself and tears comes to his eyes.
Tulbas looks around at his small room in the attic. The fine decorations of the wood he became so familiar with. He then looks at the window. Only few weeks ago he stepped through this window to the roof to look over the riots. That was the beginning of all the troubles that came to pass. Staring at the window he sees the snow piles up on the window sill. He shivers and sighs. Collecting himself up he relaxes and meditates on the new spells for today. Then he readies himself to face Magnus, bend his back a little bit as he goes down the narrow stairs and walks to the kitchen.

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(OOC: Tulbas will learn Armor, Magic missile, Wall of fog, Grease, Acid arrow. He would then cast Armor on himself.)

[djhyland]

Arulia pushes down the urge to protest against her father's plan. At least he hadn't yet brought up her escapades of yesterday, and she would be happy if it stayed that way. "Oh," she replies, "well, I suppose that it won't hurt to at least meet him...as long as we have a choice in the matter. Maybe he won't be too bad." She looks around the table at each of her sisters, trying to judge their thoughts on the matter. She also looks to her mother. "Have you met this suitor, too, or will he be a surprise to you as well?"

[spyguy1503]

Ne-Chanz orders breakfast also, bacon, bread, butter, and tea. Always tea. "Wow" he grunts. "A little obvious, don't you think?" To the interloper, "Why does it concern you?"

[JadedDM]

Kendra Greylock (2527 Market Street, Greylock's Gorgeous Gems)
Norris frowns visibly at that last remark. "Do you think they might try? Especially if their commander is leaving today for the march? Perhaps it might be best to lay low for awhile, not draw any attention to yourself until things cool down a bit."

Tulbas Erogund (Mageware shop)
Tulbas descends the stairs and enters the kitchen to begin breakfast. By the time he is finished, Magnus has arrived and waits to be served. "Did you enjoy your little hiatus from your studies?" he asks. "Tell me, student, how do you expect to survive your Test in two weeks if you act so foolishly? What exactly was going through that lump of mass that passes for a brain in your head that led you to think wandering around a suspected cult's hideout, an area of multiple missing persons cases, after curfew, alone? Are you considerably more stupid than I suspected or was it that typical Silvanesti arrogance at work?"

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Tulbas casts Armor on himself. His AC improves 4 points until he takes 11 damage.

Arulia Seroth (323 Three Forks, Seroth residence)
"Oh, no, I know him and have even worked with him a little," Thoron says. "He's an armorer--the armorer, really, of Haven. His name is Osred. And recent events have made him pretty wealthy, to say the least."

Gobax, Felran, Ne-Chanz, and Shima (High Hand Inn, Common room)
Shima attempts to listen in on the conversation at the bar, but can't make out any specific words.

Ne-Chanz orders a much larger breakfast and so his order comes to 3 silver pieces. Green Tears brings it to him with haste.

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Shima Detects Noise [TN 45%] (1d100): 93, fail.
Ne-Chanz pays 3 SP.

[Chris1234]

Shima looks at the speaker. {OOC: and sees what exactly?}
He replies, "Why waste time? Got something to say, say it. So, you know a gnome, or not? And if your name's a secret, then fine."

***

If there's no 'bite', Shima gathers his things and heads off to the grotty tavern.

[TristenC]

Grubnick lets Ne-Chanz handle the conversation with the Dwarf and finishes his meal in silence. He then heads out to pick up some more bandages (6 rolls please) keeping an eye out for anyone following (like kapaks or a black-clad Dwarf...)

[djhyland]

"Osred?!" Arulia chokes, putting down her spoon to reach for a cup of water. "Oh, by all means, bring him here! Then let me tell him that if Camilla and Cassilda and I aren't fit to work at his forges and would just get in the way of his men working, then we're not fit to marry such an important man...we'd only be in the way in marriage, too!" She takes a deep breath to calm herself. "I will not marry that pig. Not after the way he treated us when we went to him looking for work." She glares at her father, as if daring him to say differently.

[HorizonsDream]

"I don't know if they will actually try to kill me," Kendra admits. "But two captains have died when I was around," she points out. "So they certainly won't like me. I think the most that I will get is being harassed. "

[spyguy1503]

"I know a gnome. My name's no secret, but you didn't ask. And no, I wasn't interested in your name." Ne-Chanz takes an instant dislike to the rude dwarf.

[chese780]

Felran sighs, the conversation clearly getting to him. "If you want his name, ask him." He looks around, finding Green Tears, "And, if you want him to be a little nicer, buy him some tea."

[BishGada]

Tulbas obeys and serves Magnus his breakfast. The plate he handed Magnus is the same plate Raetmal used to eat from. He can still imagine his uncle sits on the same chair, his long light brown hair ordered carefully in a ponytail, a touch of grey in it, sipping from his tea listening to Tulbas dilemmas and guiding him wisely, his light grey eyes kind and thoughtful. Now he has this... creature... sits there and mocks him. He tries to hold himself back and only says, "I admit I made a mistake." He tighten his teeth swallowing his pride. But the effort is too great. The murder of his uncle by Magnus too fresh. After few moments he blurts out "But I almost got them." A spark shines in his eyes, "I understood from Gregeddin that you sent him after me. If they wouldn't try to so called rescue me I'd have deceived Belzor and his believers. I already did it," his tone is triumphant, "but this rescue attempt ruined it completely." After a small silence following his declarations he adds, "Besides, in the Test I'd be alone, so I might get prepared and not count on others to save me when something goes awry, right?" he says a little bit defiantly but immediately lowers his eyes. Every time he looks at Magnus hideous face he is reminded of the face Magnus had when he murdered his uncle and can not bare it. Before Magnus replies Tulbas says "But again, I admit I made a mistake and I'll be more careful in the future. Is there anything you would require of me today?"

[JadedDM]

Kendra Greylock (2527 Market Street, Greylock's Gorgeous Gems)
"Well, do be careful," Norris says. "Those dragonmen aren't trustworthy even when you are on their good side, if you ask me." The two finish their breakfast and Norris begins cleaning up and preparing to open the store for the day.

Tulbas Erogund (Mageware shop)
Magnus chuckles. "Deceive them into thinking what? That you weren't completely incompetent. What would that have accomplished anyhow? The church wanted them wiped out, not deceived."

He shakes his head. "Yes, I do require something of you. You can go to the temple and tell them how you messed things up. How you failed to defeat the cult's leader and perhaps you can beg them for some healing, as well. You look awful. Oh, and do try not to get captured on the way there. I won't be sending anyone after you a second time."

Arulia Seroth (323 Three Forks, Seroth residence)
Thoron, Vera and Niniva look at Arulia with surprise at her sudden outburst. "What are you talking about?" Thoron asks, bewildered.

"We've met him before," Cassilda explains. "When we were looking for work. He said he wouldn't hire women."

"Ah, well...some people are old-fashioned like that," Thoron replies. "But that doesn't mean he wouldn't make a good husband. At least give him a chance before you decide you want nothing to do with him," he asks.

Grubnick (Grand Market)
Grubnick steps out into the cold and heads for the marketplace, snow crunching beneath his boots as he walks. He continually looks over his shoulder to see if he's being followed, but doesn't see anything suspicious.

Once at the marketplace, he purchases 6 bandages for 12 copper pieces. After making his purchase, he hears a commotion and can feel the ground rumble a bit. A squadron of ogres march through the square, heading for the Fair Gate. People scurry out of their way, watching in awe at the creatures passing by.

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Grubnick purchases 6 bandages for 12 copper pieces.

Felran, Ne-Chanz, and Shima (High Hand Inn, Common room)
The person Shima is speaking to is a 6'11" minotaur with pure white fur and a nasty scar across his nose. Minotaurs are exceedingly rare in this part of the world. Usually they are found up north, in the tropics, sailing the Blood Sea. They are rather infamous as pirates, conquerors and warriors and are said to have a code of honor that matches that of the Knights of Solamnia.

As they are talking, the goblin gets up and walks out.

[Chris1234]

Felran, Ne-Chanz, and Shima (High Hand Inn, Common room)
Shima nods to the elf, and says the the Minnoaur, "Well, thank you, whateveryournameis. Would you like a cup of tea? And what is your name?"

[TristenC]

Hmmm... I wonder... Grubnick follows at a brisk pace to see what the fuss is about, whether it is a group heading to battle far-off opponents or more local trouble just outside the city.

[djhyland]

"Fine," Arulia scowls. "Bring him over, then. I'll give him as much chance as he gave us."

The memory of Osred's leering expression and taunting voice angers Arulia enough that the idea of explaining her whereabouts last night no longer seems so bad. Still, she's not going to volunteer unless someone asks her. To change the subject safely away from both problems, she turns to Cassilda. "You look no worse for the wear," she says with a small smile. "How was your first day as Una's apprentice?"