CH. 5: Vying Factions

[JadedDM]

Tulbas Erogund (Grand Market)
"I am only a vessel of the Master," Darewind proclaims. "I cannot bring this man back to life, unless it is the will of the Master; just as I could not have struck him down unless it, too, was the will of the Master. You speak of justice and 'Good' but these are social constructs created by men for men. The Master is a god. We are but ants, our narrow perspective only allowing us to see the tiniest bit of the universe. But as a god, he can see all, he knows all. He is the Master of Past and Present! While his actions may seem strange to us, it is because we are simple, inferior creatures who cannot possibly comprehend such a powerful being!"

He continues. "You should worship the Master, not because he follows some moral code you agree with! Not because of promises of food or wealth or prosperity! How dare you make demands on a god? He should be worshipped because of what he is--a god! The only true god! Do not doubt his power or you shall suffer the same fate as this heathen!" he adds, gesturing to the dried up husk of a corpse.

The crowd quickly bows down, some in awe and some in fear. Nobody dares to speak up against the murder of the guard. Darewind turns back to Tulbas. "You pledged yourself to follow the Master, child. Do you now seek to break your oath?" he asks ominously.

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(OOC: If Darewind used any illusions, they were over 1st level, because Tulbas did not notice anything amiss.)

Haahqae and Gregeddin (Steel Tankard, Common room)
After arranging things with the company they've built, Gregeddin and Haahqae head for the Steel Tankard. They arrive just during the lunch rush, so the place is packed. However, Haahqae spots the huntsman sitting at the bar, nursing a half-full ale.

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(OOC: Yep, Second Watch is 8 AM.)

[Haahque]

Noticing the hunter, Haahqae points him out to Gregeddin before heading over to chat with him. "See that man there? The man at the bar with the bow? That is the brave man who's informed me of this giant in the first place. I'm sure if anyone knows details about how to kill it, it must be him. Or maybe Tulbas. Or Ismene. But probably him."

Squeezing past a crowded room in the inn is absolutely nothing new to Haahqae, in fact he can remember quite a few times recently when he's done just that. So he expects to have no severe difficulties as he makes his way over to the bar to introduce his companion thus: "Hail huntsman. I have good news for you and I have better news for you. The good news is that this man beside me is Gregeddin, a capable warrior who's part of my band of heroes willing to help you slay the giant. The better news is that we've just come back from town square where we found five more volunteers to help on this valiant quest, notably including another gnome, who's prowess I expect exceeds even my own by a fair margin. This group shall join with mine to discuss the demise of our enormous foe at second watch tomorrow."

[djhyland]

"Has anyone came to look over him?" Kendra asks curiously. "I know that Tulbas mentioned Darewind, but I really doubt that he is going to look over him."

"I dunno fer sure," says Darga. "I was guessin' that th' healer that th' elf lad took 'im to woulda looked fer cuts an' stabs an' such before we brought him here. An' I don' think that this Darewind is gonna come an' help either, even if he kin really do th' healin' he says he kin."

[HorizonsDream]

"I kind of wish there was something I could do," Kendra admits with a small sigh. "So, hey, you showed interest in helping the thieves guild. Why are you interested in helping them out?"

[JadedDM]

Haahqae and Gregeddin (Steel Tankard, Common room)
The huntsman looks down at Haahqae skeptically, but seems surprised by Gregeddin and looks the bard over thoroughly. "Truly?" he asks. "That would be...wonderful news, indeed." He gets to his feet and offers Gregeddin his hand. "I am called Jaymes, Jaymes Green. Do you fully understand the nature of this mission? Giants are not named so out of irony; they are massive and dangerous."

Jaymes has black hair, including a vandyke beard, and brown eyes. A scar covers his left eye, but he seems capable of seeing through it just fine.

[BishGada]

Tulbas holds Darewind gaze for a few moments. Then says, "I truly believe in the Master. God may be beyond mortal people understanding, but it doesn't mean they should live in fear. Look at the people around us. They tremble in fear. You want to lead us to take over the city. This means murdering people who oppose. This is a great price you asks from all these fearful people here, to become murderers without ensuring this is the Master will. I do not doubt the Master, but please, I'm, like many around here, but a simple man. Can you explain to us how is it that you speak of better future you are leading us to and so far you keep healing only yourself and killing others? Can you explain how our future will be better if you make us live in fear?" Tulbas looks at the crowd and while speaking takes distance from Darewind, "I did all I could to help you people and indeed our group has increased immensely since I stepped in. I believe in our leaders, but even with the best leadership, every person still holds responsibility to his own actions. Don't follow us blindly. Think of the future for yourselves. Today you are overthrowing the Seekers, and tomorrow you might find yourselves slaves to a new tyrant. The old gods didn't take away the peoples free will. They didn't make entire populations live in fear. And their priests could explain their moral in terms simple people like us could relate to." Tulbas waits for a second then say, "Ahh... I feel divine intervention, please make room" Tulbas gestures with his hand to the crowd to make some room and casts 'Mount' quickly reciting in his old elvish dialect
'In urgent times indeed,
Where no transportation I have instead,
So great to move the need,
I summon here a glorious steed.'

Tulbas climbs the steed (hopefully a nice horse but if it is a donkey he will use it to explain that the gods are humble) and looks again at the crowd, "Do you feel the powers around us? Do you feel the awe?" he turns and moves in the crowd trying to make them forget Darewind's work and squeeze whatever theatrically he can manage. "Don't be afraid. Not everything beyond our understanding is evil or dangerous. Creatures appearing out of thin air! Isn't that amazing?!?" When he feels he has the crowd, he starts looking for Nora, then when close enough he looks around, hushes the crowd and says, "What you have just witness was not a divine power. It was magic. And in the same manner, everything you have seen in Darewind's performances so far can be achieved by magic. On the other hand, true healing of other people, a deed of true compassion and selflessness is a divine power" he then looks back at Darewind, "We believe in the Master. Don't make us lose our faith in you. Your actions so far contradict your proclamations of better future. In the last two years you only healed yourself and killed others. Don't drag the people to helplessness. Explain the nature of this better future you promise us and prove it is possible. Show your divine power extends to others who need it. Let us know you are not tricking us and misleading us only to accomplish your own schemes. Heal the wounded and misshapen people in the crowd, explain your plans for our future, show us that you will avoid killing and hurting is possible, prove that you won't deny our freedom and we will follow you as the vessel of the Master."

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(OOC: I know I'm stepping on treacherous steps here, but I can not hold myself. I guess live today to fight tomorrow won't work for me . Anyway Tulbas assumes the following:
1. Darewind is actually a priest, and then obviously it is within his capabilities to heal others. Doing so will remove any of his suspicion and he will follow the cult as far as its actions are reasonable.
2. If Darewind is not a priest, then his spells are limited and hopes that he can't kill more than one person a day.
3. Some powerful spells are distance related and he did find his way to get a large distance from Darewind.

BTW, when he tries to capture the crowd heart with the steed, if it doesn't works enough he will add a Cantrip to make it glow somewhat and his hoofs to fire sparks at each step.

I was debating a completely different course of action, instead of challenging Darewind, let him know Tulbas knows for sure he is a fraud, but still helps Darewind maintain his act. This could be very interesting especially since Tulbas is Natural and not a good character, but doing so is still dangerous, as Darewind might want to dispose of Tulbas as soon as possible and in the current course of action, if Tulbas convince the crowd that Darewind has no divine power over them, they will demand he will prove himself and otherwise might overthrow him. )

[BishGada]

(OOC: I forgot to ask... WHAT IS BAEROS DOING HERE??? )

[mgbevan]

"Aye James Green, tis true. Our numbers are more than ten and we are all ready and willing. While this is our first time to meet, Haahqae has been busy with organising this endeavour for days. We have arranged to meet at the main gate at second watch, in anticipation that it will give us ample time just as Haahqae said, and you need to be there to direct us to the giant. These are exciting times my friend!" Gregeddin says enthusiastically while shaking his hand.

[JadedDM]

Tulbas Erogund (Grand Market)
When Tulbas demonstrates sorcery and then outright admits he is a mage, a dark murmur runs through the crowd. Wizards have always been distrusted and even despised, especially nowadays. It is why Raetmal always cautioned Tulbas to be careful about revealing his talents openly to the common folk. They do not understand magic, and thus fear it. Darewind is quick to seize upon this opportunity. "Do not listen to this heretic!" he proclaims. "He is a wizard--he admits it! He is likely using his sorcery to try and poison your minds, to usurp your control of yourselves. Do not listen! Resist!"

Nevertheless, after hearing Tulbas' speech, many of the spectators begin to depart the square. Whether it was due to fear of Tulbas using his magic to charm them or realizing the truth of the young elf's words is not clear. The true followers among the crowd, those already wearing the grey cloaks, remain rooted to where they are, either out of fear or in faith.

Regardless, while Darewind maintains a cool demeanor, his eyes burn with rage as they glare at Tulbas. One thing is clear, he has made a powerful enemy this day. "And I will prove nothing to you or anyone else," he declares. "The Master does not require your consent, only your obedience. This city has been corrupted from within by the Seekers and their lies of false gods. Only the Master, a true god, can cleanse it and restore it to its former glory. Those who obey, those who have faith and do not question the Master, will be rewarded with bounty beyond comparison. But those who stand in the way, those who close their minds to his power, must be purged for this city to heal!"

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(OOC: The Mount spell, at Tulbas' level, would allow him to conjure either a mule or a riding horse, but they would have no gear (saddle, bit and bridle, etc.). Also, for future reference, it takes 1 turn (10 rounds/minutes) to cast that spell, so he couldn't have cast it with a simple rhyme.

As for the picture, I actually picked it out back when the game first started. I usually don't post pictures of characters until they reveal their name, though, so it's been sitting in my WotL folder for over a year now.)

Haahqae and Gregeddin (Steel Tankard, Common room)
Jaymes shakes Gregeddin's hand vigorously. "Excellent, excellent news!" he says. "I had nearly lost hope of finding any aid, but this is certainly more than I had expected even in my wildest dreams. Second Watch, you say? I shall be there, ready."

[djhyland]

Darga considers for a long moment. Should he tell Kendra about his gullibility, how he'd been foolish enough to have all of his money stolen from him by trusting the wrong people?

Finally, he says, "I been a lot o' places since leavin' th' ruined city, an' at some o' 'em, I had ta steal ta survive. Even before things got bad, lots o' people'd rather spit on me an' my kind than give me honest work. When I came here ta Haven, I got lucky 'nough ta fall in wit' you an' th' rest, else mebbe I'd a been back ta stealin'--weren't enough work ta go 'round here, either." He shakes his head. "Mebbe I should meet th' guild in case I got ta go back ta that. They usually don' take kindly ta people stealin' in their towns, ya know." After thinking a moment longer, he adds, "An' if Darewind's cult takes over th' town, mebbe it'd be good ta have someplace ta have my back."

[HorizonsDream]

"...Most of the dwarves that I have come in contact with are well respected merchants," Kendra says. "So I have never heard of any one really spitting on your people before." Really, that came to a surprise to Kendra. "But at least you are thinking along the same lines as I am, you know, when it comes to having a some people have your back if things really go south."

[Haahque]

Sensing Jayme's doubt, Haahqae feels inclined to retort. "I can understand why a big one like you'd underestimate me. It doesn't seem so common for common gnomish proverbs to reach this far from Nevermind, but there's one saying I heard about gnomes once. 'The smaller they come, it just leaves more room for heroism'. I think you'll find that there's much more to me then you guessed when we first met. Tomorrow we slay a giant. The day after, who knows what can happen? But today, let's have a drink to celibate a group well formed and the promise of heroic deeds to come."

[JadedDM]

Haahqae and Gregeddin (Steel Tankard, Common room)
Jaymes regards the gnome ponderously and then sits back down and nods. "Aye, I suppose I did underestimate you. And for that, you have my apologies." He orders a drink for the three of them, although it's just more of the Tankard's signature watered down ale. "To victory!" he pronounces when the drinks arrive, taking a long drink.

[djhyland]

Darga looks curiously at Kendra. Did she not know that he was a gully dwarf? If she didn't, he decides, he certainly won't volunteer it.

"So that's it? I was wonderin' why ya'd want ta meet wit' 'em m'self, since ya were probably at odds wit' em bein' a guard an' all."

[HorizonsDream]

"We used to be at odds with them," Kendra explains. "But once the refugees started to pour in, we had to focus on them instead. The thieves guild has gone unchecked for a long time now."