CH. 5: Vying Factions

[mgbevan]

Gregeddin chuckles lightly, "Ironic indeed, well as it suits you its just miriam, I'm Gregeddin and Haahqae here has forgotten everything anyway. This should be an excellent time to pursue your goals. And I certainly wa..." Gregeddin coughs, "We certainly want to find out what defines miriam beyond a baron."

[Haahque]

"Yes yes, indeed, pleased to meet you, sure, yes, ok." Haahqae answers absentmindedly. "I'm sure you're great at stabbing things or something like that."

[JadedDM]

Haahqae and Gregeddin (Cult Warehouse, back room)
"I'd appreciate that," Miriam says to Gregeddin. "Any other questions you have for me?" she asks.

[mgbevan]

Gregeddin looks over at the ambivalent gnome next to him, "I think we're all covered in the qualifications for our expedition, and perhaps the personal details should happen a bit later. We still have another candidate to see. It's been a pleasure." Gregeddin smiles, "Wedge would you invite the last person in please."

Gregeddin whispers to Haahqae "You tired or just missing that ferret? "

[Haahque]

"The ferret's name was Arcane." Haahqae replies. "She probably named it that because it's a familiar. Makes sense, a little simple but not too simple." With a bit of effort Haahqae pulls himself together. "Umm, right sorry Gregeddin. I'll make sure to pay more attention to the next candidate. Was the last one any good? I have a job to do here that I can't let... Ferrets... interrupt too much."

[mgbevan]

When it's just the two of them left in the room alone, Gregeddin replies to Haahqae, "Don't worry about it, I'm only poking a bit of fun. Yeah the last one was pretty, nice too. Only one more to see, then there's the rest of the afternoon to do some team bonding, if you fancy it, since you seem quite beset with that, ferret."

[Haahque]

Haahqae smiles and laughs; "She was a very pretty ferret."

[JadedDM]

Haahqae and Gregeddin (Cult Warehouse, back room)
Wedge escorts Miriam out. He returns with the last candidate, a human male dressed in black robes. Wedge keeps his distance from him, clearly unnerved. The man has a hideous disfiguration upon his face. It is as if a part of his cheek had been torn away, but never healed. He stands with authority and seems to radiate power.

"Uh...this is Magnus. No family name given," Wedge says nervously.

"No family to speak of, so no family name," Magnus explains casually.

"Right, well...he just joined last night, actually," Wedge adds.

"Yes, all hail the Master and what have you," Magnus replies with a dismissive gesture. "But let us get down to business. You are seeking to slay a giant, and as it so happens, I am a powerful magi of the Order of Nuitari. That should speak well enough for my credentials."

Indeed, of the three Orders of High Sorcery, the Order of Nuitari is well known for being quite powerful. They can often control the elements, such as fire and lightning and frost, control other people's minds and even reanimate the dead.

[mgbevan]

Something clicked in Gregeddin s mind though his face remains stoically calm.

Was this the mage Darga spoke of the other day, it may well be, dark robes, a mage, quite scary looking. Most probably. What do we do?
Gregeddin quickly glances down at Haahqae to see if there was any reaction on his part, and then blurts out "so it the third moon quite pretty?" to fill the silence in the room.

The bard s face cringes into a forced smile as he realises what he sounds like. "Actually, Wedge, could you give us a moment please."

[BishGada]

Tulbas thanks Kendra, "I appreciate it. I'll be back soon. If he stirs wipe his forehead with the towel next to his bed. Oh, and lock the door after me, and don't answer to anyone or open the door to anyone. When I'm back I'll knock on the far window over there," Tulbas points, "and you can peek behind the curtains to see it's me." Tulbas moves quickly to the door then stops for a second, "feel free to eat something. We have some fruits." with that Tulbas leaves the house, waits a moment to verify Darga and Kendra have locked the shop behind him, and goes to the market place to see Darewind performance.

[JadedDM]

Haahqae and Gregeddin (Cult Warehouse, back room)
"Yeah, no problem," Wedge says, more than happy to leave. "Last applicant anyway, so you don't really need us."

"Right," Biggs adds. "We've got stuff to do anyway, so..."

The two depart as fast as they can without actually running.

Kendra and Darga (Mageware shop)
Kendra and Darga are left at the mageware shop to look after Raetmal.

(OOC: Remember, nobody has told Kendra what happened to Raetmal at this point, so she has no idea why he's bed-ridden.)

Tulbas Erogund (Grand Market)
Tulbas steps outside and heads to the Grand Market where Darewind is preaching to a crowd of people. He stands on an overturned cart, speaking to them. A pair of Holy Guard stand off to the side, away from the crowd. They observe but do nothing and both look disquieted by the whole thing.

"And where are the Seekers now?" demands Darewind. "They care nothing for you! They seek only to line their own pockets and fill their own bellies! They are the purest of evil and not fit to rule this city!"

The crowd cheers, but one of the Holy Guards bristles. He steps forward, as if to object, but his partner puts his hand on his shoulder, stopping him.

"They lie to you of false gods to keep you placated," Darewind continues. "Because they know if you see the truth, you will not follow them any longer and they will no longer be able to use you!"

The crowd cheers again, louder this time. The agitated Holy Guard can take no more, though. "That's enough!" he cries, stepping forward. "The Seekers have done everything they can to help. They took you all into the city's walls and did what they could to feed and shelter you all! There's just too many!"

The crowd boos and jeers. Amused, Darewind steps down from his makeshift podium and approaches the two guards. "Were you gods real, you could find a way to help all these people. The Master is real, and so I can help them!" he declares.

"This man is lying to you!" the Holy Guard continues, pointing at Darewind. "It's all smoke and mirrors, just like the Belzorites! Open your eyes, people!" His partner doesn't say anything, but looks around nervously as if worried a riot is going to break out.

"Be gone, pawns of Evil," Darewind says dismissively. "You have no power here. Or perhaps you seek to arrest me again? Last time, it didn't seem to take!" The crowd responds on cue, laughing at Darewind's joke.

This only seems to outrage the Holy Guard, who turns red in the face. He reaches into his cloak. "You want proof?" he asks. "Then I'll show you!" he cries, pulling out a dirk. Before anyone can react, he slashes Darewind across the throat. Darewind gurgles and quickly covers his throat with his hands, as if trying to stop the blood from gushing out. He drops to his knees, spurting crimson onto the street.

"You see? You see?!" demands the Holy Guard, holding up the bloody knife. "He's just as mortal as the rest of us!"

Using one hand to cover his throat, Darewind takes hold of the bloodstone amulet around his neck with his other hand. He then stands back up as the wound seals itself entirely. There's not even a scar remaining when he's done. The audience watches in stunned silence. "The Master does not appreciate those who attack his faithful," Darewind states clearly, his voice restored.

The Holy Guard looks back at Darewind, shocked. The bloody knife drops from his fingers and clatters to the ground at his feet. Darewind, still clutching the amulet, holds up a hand at the Holy Guard as if seeking to grab him. However, he doesn't move forward at all. Suddenly, the Holy Guard begins to gasp and wheeze for no apparent reason, like he can't breathe. His hair falls out, his skin shrivels up, and within seconds he resembles a mummified corpse that has been dead for centuries. He drops to the ground lifelessly.

"Such is the power of the Master," Darewind says. He gestures to the dried out husk of a corpse. "Such is the fate to any who would question his power or oppose his followers."

The second Holy Guard, who looks ready to soil his armor, takes a few steps back in horror, then spins on his heel and runs away at full speed. The audience drops to their knees; some in awe, others in fear, before Darewind.

======

It is now Fifth Watch (11 AM).

[mgbevan]

"Now that the followers are gone I can be more open. Yes your credentials serve you well enough to be a valuable asset on this giant expedition, however I am curious as to what motivates you to take up such an endeavour? And on a slightly separate point, I have a suspicion that Darewind is a fraud, but I don't have the knowledge or experience to prove this argument in either way. Can you shed any light to verify this notion?"

[Haahque]

"Yeah, that's been puzzling me too. Darewind's healing powers seem so real, but I don't recall any stories in which Fis... er... 'The Master' possessed the power of healing. Or rather the power to bestow his followers with such. So where does he get it from?"

[JadedDM]

Haahqae and Gregeddin (Cult Warehouse, back room)
Magnus appears amused by their questions. "If you suspect he is a fraud, why are you involved with his followers? Why are you aiding him in slaying a giant? Do you blurt out your suspicions to everyone you meet, or do I just have a particularly trustworthy face?" He laughs. "As for Darewind's power, I can confirm it is not from a divine source. However, the power itself is real. He's quite dangerous, there's no arguing that. That is why I am really here--I was sent by the Conclave of Wizards to investigate this man. He is suspected of being a Renegade."

[HorizonsDream]

Kendra looks to Darga after Tulbas leaves. "What is actually wrong with his uncle?" she asks curiously.