CH. 1: Haven and Hell

[Just_Ice]

Kyne couldn't do much but grimace. He'd got himself into another stupid situation again- any problem that started with a capital "G" was not his problem. Gritting his teeth, he looked at those who had spoke- A pretty young Seeker with a ponytail that looked entirely too tired, and a towering hobgoblin; even greater in size than he. Finally, a silent human with long black hair- were they man or woman? He'd heard before that there were those who belonged to neither category, and simply shuddered at the thought.

The first of them attempted to persuade him to voice his opinion. Why? he asked himself, Is she goading me? That can't be it, her tone sounded like she didn't really care. It seems she's wrangled some sort of preacher, or something- probably far more important to her God-fearing superiors, anyhow. Moving up in the group, he came to just behind the lead.

"Good day, Seeker," he greeted, nodding his head. "I'm not sure what is going on here, but something smells riper than a baby gully dwarf. I'd ask one of them, but you're quite a bit easier on the eyes, if you don't mind me saying.

His eyes narrowed and he continued to speak. "I'm gonna find out what's in that mine, and if possible, snuff it. I don't expect nothin' from the Seekers, but it doesn't take a scholar to realize it's bad news for you guys if the mine stays closed. If there's anything you can say to your pigheaded superiors to convince them, say it."

[HorizonsDream]

Kendra raised her eyebrows at Kyne's attempt at flattery, but she had a small idea as to what he was trying to do. Though, after having goblins watch her dress this morning, and having to deal with this so called prophet, she wasn't in the type of mood to give in to such pretty words. ~It is going to be a VERY long day,~ she thought to herself.

"Sir, it is very noble of you to want to help those that are less fortunate than yourself, especially during this time when a lot of people could use a lot of help," Kendra explains gently, clearly praising the young man for his desire to help others. She could understand the desire herself, and as a member of the Holy Guard, she felt she was doing some good. The people might not like them very much right now, but things like that happened during difficult times as laws tended to become more strict for the protection of the people.

"But your desire doesn't quite match up with the desires of the Holy Guard. We have the whole of Haven to protect, and if you haven't noticed, we have our hands full. One man, with one mine, isn't going to make the Captain blink because there are other mines, somewhere, that will eventually provide for Haven." Honestly, she wasn't sure how many more times she was going to have to explain this. It didn't matter what she said, they weren't going to spare one guard to help one man with his mine.

"Though, I did just finishing saying that if you wait until tomorrow, then I might be able to help," Kendra says. "After I have a short visit with my family," she adds thoughtfully.

[Haahque]

"Satisfaction in a job well done is reward enough for me, but I'm sure the mine owner would be glad to give more substantial rewards to those who help, once the job is done. It also turns out that I do like some steel every now and again. I would expect you do know my strengths, juggling and acrobatics! Or if you're talking about in a fight, I have a bow. I used to hunt back home." Haahqae was surprised how easily lying came to him today. He had almost finished his thought about hunting before he realized that he never had actually hunted before.

Listening to the conversation up ahead, he jogged to catch up and replied, "You may well have plenty to do today, but what about us? Do you expect us to twiddle our thumbs all day? Should we play group bonding games? Or should we just follow you around and serenade you all day? I had left today empty up until supper time, and now we look like we have a group that might be able to overcome the demonic spawn in the mines."

[Just_Ice]

At first, Kynaston felt like the woman was patronizing him. Once again it was a line about how busy the Guard was, all the while ignoring that any other mine they bought from would carry a hefty price, and not even considering what might happen if the demons attacked Haven.

The woman seemed pretty distant- that was the norm with those followed the Seekers. Suddenly, she said the last thing he expected: "I might be able to help."

Well, well, he thought to himself with bemusement, I wasn't even hoping that Seekers could think that much for themselves.

This thought process was interrupted by the gnome from before, who seemed just as gung ho as he was about solving the town's problems- although given that he was a gnome, it seemed pretty unlikely that he really cared. The strange little man chided the woman.

Careful, pipsqueak... I bet she could punt you over the wall. he mused.

Shaking off some of the curly wet hair, he voiced his opinion again. "Well, if you really mean that, miss, then we can make use of the time we have today to take a look-see what's in the mine. If we can find proof that there are demons, then the guard's "desires" might align with ours rather quickly. If not, we'll at least have an idea what we're up against. Wouldn't you agree, shortstuff?"

It's a little low, but he claps a hand on the gnome's shoulder.

[NoTrammeling]

It is all Coroccoco can do to hold on to her foul mood and anger in the face of the amusing little gnome before her, when a smile threatens to break through she clamps down her jaws and growls at the air through bared teeth. "Do not take my aid for given! Where is this mine? And where is its owner?"

Though pleased that she was not being immediately arrested for her worship of Weerschaal, it was clear that marching directly into the heart of the Holy Guard was not going to be an option especially if the false prophet was ungagged and free to hurl accusations at her that she would never deny. "I will speak with the mine's minder myself, to see if this is worth risking the wrath of these... demons..."

"And you there, man!" She makes that one word say everything about Kynaston. "What stake have you in this business? What do you know of the mine? Armored and little arms to speak of, do you plan to spear the 'demons' prettily from horseback with that stick?"

Building momentum, Coroccoco rounds on Gregeddin, "And you, silent one, why follow the muscled-one and the little juggler to your death? Good will?"

[JadedDM]

Kelryn smirks at Gregeddin. "I am proving a point--the Seekers are more concerned with myself than the hobgoblin, because I am the real threat--the Master is real and his power is real. Even the Seekers cannot deny this." He shakes his head. "I go with this Holy Guard knowing full and well what the Seekers will do with me. It is all part of the Master's plan. He speaks to me, even now, and I hear him clearly despite all of your group's incessant chatter."

It's a bit of a walk up the hill toward the old keep. Once, it served as an armory for the people of Haven and their militia. Now it is the headquarters of the Holy Guard. It finally comes into view after awhile, an imposing fortress in its own right.

[Haahque]

"Incessant chatter? It's more like friendly chatter... ah er... incessant conversation, or no I mean friendly planning." Turning to Coroccoco "The mine guy is at the steel tankard, nice place, not a full five stars off from a four star hotel. Anyways he's easy to spot, big guy, fur cloak, has plenty of problems to drown in drink."

[mgbevan]

Eyebrows raised after Kelryn's assured display, Gregeddin responds "I hope it is The Master's will that will keep your mortal body intact, as to match your apparent faith..." Gregeddin didn't take well to this 'prophet's' smugness, trying to keep his tone from becoming goading he retorts "But of course, how else would The Master spread the word of their omnipotence? Would you be so good to share, in what tongue does he speak to you?"

Now doing his best to lift his mood and address the intimidating creature and their enquiry, "Well, as you ask, I suppose it is to learn, to experience... Would you let fear becloud pleasure? Or the possibilities of excitement be restrained by preservation of body? Each will have their own resolution."
Making sure to look into the gold and orange eyes before him, he continues "Besides, these chaps seem like quality people, not sure how much the juggler can drink but we'll have to test that out. I think Windwood would be a reasonable man to see the merits of the Seekers involvement in such a noble pursuit".

Without looking at the others in the group, Gregeddin hopes the name drop might catch and sway the position of the female guard.

[OOC, can I run a legend lore check on "The Master" to see if I might have heard of this religion before or know anything about it?]

[HorizonsDream]

"If you think you have a group strong enough to take on demons in a mine, then by all means go without me," Kendra states as she looks down upon the entertainer of the group. "I offered my help, but it seems the only logical one so far is the hobgoblin, and perhaps this newcomer whose name I have yet to catch," she says.

Kendra fixes her gaze upon Haahqae ."You have barely given us any details about this mine. You don't know what the reward is, you don't know what these demons look like, and I seriously doubt you even know where the mine is at this point. You have vague details from some man you met today, and you expect people to jump on the chance to help this man simply because you think it is the right thing to do. Maybe it is the right thing to do, but there are a whole lot of other people in Haven that need help right now too. My duty, right now, is to them. Now, you could be a smart little lad, get the details needed from this man, maybe scout the mine out a little bit, and then come back to town for dinner. I think you need to learn to be a little more patient."

[Just_Ice]

The group was a cacophony of opinions, like a group of cats mewling at each other over two fish heads. Over the ruckus, he heard the hobgoblin chide him for his willingness. Sniffing the air, the source of a stench that overpowered even the rain could be traced...

"Oh," Kyne replied, cringing partially out of surprise and partially out of disdain, "Where I'm come from, generally anything that smells that bad has the good sense to keep their mouth closed. I'm from here, just so you know."

Giving a little bit of a crude look, he continued, "To answer your questions, jumbo, I don't need a reason to wanna keep demons out of my hometown, I went into the mine when I was a kid, and the stick's for show- no one's daft enough to ride into a mineshaft on horseback."

Finishing, he turned sort of between talking to Kendra and to the party, "You can call me Mister Trench. Haven's a mess right now, but if we start fixin' the tricky stuff I reckon it's salvageable."

[Haahque]

"I Travel, I juggle and I like to spend some of my spare time helping interesting people with interesting problems. The world's a big place, there’s no way I can fix up any place I go to before I move on. I guess I’m also in it to experience new places, see new things.” And to hope… his train of thought trails off to that often frequented place hidden deep in his mind.

[NoTrammeling]

Two predatory eyes simmer with a slowly dying rage as Coroccoco spits to the side. She snorts, clearly satisfied with something about the responses she received from the rest of the group. She lets her gaze drop onto Gregeddin, but clearly speaks to the entire group.

"I've no interest in becoming a guest of the Seekers, so it's the Steel Tankard for me. Any may follow, but I shall remain for some small amount of time if the mine's master's answers satisfy. If you return and I am not there, you may seek your deaths as you please."

Without waiting for a response the hobgoblin priestess turns on heel, starting off north with an energetic step.

[JadedDM]

"Indeed," Kelryn says to Gregeddin. "The Master gives me immortality. I do not fear death, any more than the Master does. The bard tries to remember anything he's heard about a religion surrounding a 'Master' but comes up with nothing--the term is just too vague, perhaps if he had more information.

Meanwhile, Coroccoco changes course and heads back north while the others continue south, toward the old keep. Those who continue with the group step into the massive main hall of the keep, out of the rain. Their steps echo across the hall as water drips off them onto the stone floor.

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Gregeddin makes a Legend Lore check [1] (1d20): 16, fail.

(OOC: If anyone does choose to accompany Coroccoco, let me know, before I continue her scene.)

[HorizonsDream]

"Mister Trench," Kendra repeats. "Well, I'm Miss Synclair," she adds as she steps into headquarters with this whole group. She leads them to her captain's office, or rather she leads the person that she actually arrested to her captain's office. "Uh, excuse me, Captain, but I have the man you told me to bring in," she said. It was clear she was feeling a little foolish at this point as she had a whole crowd with her.

[Haahque]

"That would be that guy. Not him, not me, and defiantly not her, but that guy." Haahqae clarifies for her quickly pointing around the room at the crowd that came in with them.