CH. 6: Nobody Expects the Occupation

[djhyland]

Arulia proffers her papers at the checkpoint. Although it's been only a few days, she's used to the procedure--it's annoying and unnecessary, but of little consequence. When questioned about her belongings, she replies truthfully. "It's just bandages and such--I do a bit of healing when needed. I'm going to see to one of my patients." Remembering her parents conversation, she cocks her head to the side in curiosity. "Do you know of any of your fellow soldiers that are wounded? I'll only charge enough so I can eat, but I'll see to their injuries if I can."

[JadedDM]

Haahqae (Steel Tankard Inn, Common Room)
Haahqae, now appearing like a Baaz guard, steps back into the room and confronts the drunken draconian.

The guard mulls over Haahqae's words, which appears to be no easy task in his current state of intoxication. "You know...you make a lot of shenshe, random person I've never sheen before," he finally says. He releases Cassandra, who slumps down to the ground, breathing heavily and cradling her neck. The guard turns toward the barkeep and points at him. "You heard my friend here. From now on, all ush shoulders drink for free!"

"W-What?" the barkeeper objects. "The tax hike is bad enough, but I can't afford to give you all free drinks! I'll go broke!"

The Baaz narrows his eyes eyes menacingly and pulls out a sharp looking dagger. "What did you shay?" he demands.

"N-Nothing!" the barkeep replies, quickly filling up a mug with ale. The liquid is much browner than what is usually served in the bar. Satisfied, the Baaz picks up the fallen table and one of the chairs, sits down and starts to down the drink like he was dying of thirst. Once done, he slams the empty flagon on the table. "Keep 'em comin'...or elshe!"

Defeated, the barkeep begins filling up another mug.

Kendra Greylock (2527 Market Street, Gorgeous Greylock's Gems)
Mouna shakes Kendra's hand. "Hmm, firm grip. Ever used a sword?" she asks casually. "Anyway, the tax hike is temporary. I'm sure a family as wealthy as yours won't dry up in a short time." She runs a finger along the counter, then examines it. "These are difficult times for us all. We're all required to make sacrifices for the good of the city, after all." She looks to Kendra and smiles. "Failing that, I'm sure we can work out a way for you to work off the debt, if it comes to that."

Gregeddin (Karn's Blacksmith)
Gregeddin looks around Karn's shop idly. None of the items on display are weapons of war. Rather, they include things like nails, horseshoes, and simple tools.

Karn nods. "Zoya is much better. In fact, she went back to work today at the Masked Dragon. You just missed her a little while ago. I'd rather she wait another day or two, but...to be honest, we need the money. The tax hike is a problem. Me and the other members of the Trade Guild are putting together an official letter of complaint to deliver to the Marshal...or the Prefect, or whatever he's calling himself." Karn tosses the now dirty rag aside. "He's a military leader, so probably doesn't understand businesses and how they work. I'm sure we can get this all cleared up soon. Hopefully before winter sets in."

Tulbas Erogund (Mageware shop)
Tulbas heads upstairs, cracks open his spellbook and spends the next half hour readying his spells for the day.

Arulia Seroth (Three Forks Checkpoint)
The first Baaz, the one looking over her papers, snorts. "The temple takes care of our injuries, and better than any blood-letter or bonesaw can," he mutters. He hands over the papers to her. "This looks in order, you can pass."

"Whoa, not so fast," objects the second Baaz--the one who asked about the contents of her bag. "Maybe we should consider her generous offer. As it so happens, I have a growth in my pants. Perhaps you'd like to rub some ointment on it?" He flashes her what would be a lecherous grin on a human's face--but on a draconian's face, it's nearly terrifying, as he bares his razor sharp teeth.

[mgbevan]

"Ah that's fantastic to hear! Yes, yes, a day or two but I'd like to catch her eventually." Gregeddin exclaims regarding the news about Zoya.
After thinking for a moment the bard offers, "Hmm, well if you know when the next meeting will be taking place I can offer to help put the writing together, or suggest some persuasive points to further our cause. Indeed the winter seems like it will be harder than most." Gregeddin says grimly as he glances out the window. "Right, I'd best be off home to put this lot away," He says picking up his groceries.

Bidding farewell to Karn, Gregeddin walk up along blade street back to his home, stocks the shelf and heads out on his next order of business for the day. Winding his way to herbalist street, to rap upon the door of the mageware shop...

[HorizonsDream]

~Oh, no, don't tell me she is looking to recruit me,~ Kendra thinks to herself. "I know how to wield swords, yes," she says. She looks to her husband for a moment then sighs. "And how does one pay off their debt, if it comes to that?"

[BishGada]

Tulbas goes down stairs. He doesn't want to see Magnus but knows that sneaking on him would only anger the mage, and he already learned that when the mage is angry, his acquaintances are those who suffer.
Reluctantly he knocks quietly on his office door. "I've finished studying my spells. I'm ready to continue practicing unless you need something else of me."

[djhyland]

Arulia takes her papers back from the first...dragon-man and pushes her way through the checkpoint. Looking back over her shoulder, she sneers at the second, the one who harassed her. "Maybe you should go to the temple and ask them to rub ointment on your "growth". I'm sure they'd be willing to help a good soldier paying such diligent attention to his duty!" Not waiting to see his reaction, she hurries off and makes her way to the jewelers, trying to draw as little additional notice to herself as possible.

[Haahque]

Haahqae goes over to Cassandra to get her up. “And yew go fetsh me one too.” He orders, then proceeds to a table near the hallway he came out of.

If Cassandra goes to fetch him a beer, Haahqae will slide enough coin across the table for two drinks and use the opportunity to whisper something in her ear in his normal voice. “Sorry that I couldn’t talk sense into him completely, you’re just lucky I had my Baaz costume on hand. I suggest you get him so drunk he forgets today altogether.” Then leaning back he gives her a wink.

[JadedDM]

Haahqae (Steel Tankard Inn, Common Room)
Cassandra hurries to get Haahqae a drink--a good one--as well. She seems surprised by the show of coin, but takes them nonetheless. She looks blankly at him, as if not understanding what he's saying. It's clear she doesn't recognize him, but simply nods and hurries away before he does anything violent.

The real Baaz continues to pound back drinks. He seems content, at least, for the time being.

(OOC: Haahqae spends 2 coppers.)

Kendra and Arulia (2527 Market Street, Gorgeous Greylock's Gems)
Mouna shrugs. "Well, we're always looking for new soldiers, and the army pays very well," she says. "Well, I've taken up enough of your time. I'll send someone to collect the new taxes later. Have a good day." She turns to leave, then stops and looks over her shoulder. "Oh, and if you need to find me, ask for the commander of the Fire Snakes. That's what we call our brigade." Then she steps out.

"Well, that was...something," Norris offers lamely, unable to find the proper words. A moment or two later, the door swings open again. It's not Mouna, but instead Arulia, who is flushed and breathing heavy a bit, as if she had practically run the last bit of distance here and was slightly winded.

"Ah, Miss Seroth, good morning," Norris offers. "As you can see, your patient has stubbornly left her bed again." He gestures to Kendra.

Gregeddin and Tulbas (Mageware shop)
Magnus steps out of his office, but before he can respond to Tulbas, the front door opens and the bell attached to it rings. "Ah, a customer," Magnus says.

When the two go to the door, they find it is Gregeddin. "Ah, it's you," he says. "Have you put some thought into my offer?"

[mgbevan]

"Hello to you both!" Gregeddin says eagerly stepping inside to the warmth. "Straight to business then eh? Yes I've thought yes I accept, I'd like Tulbas to help too if he feels up to it, but how are you both doing anyway?" Gregeddin wanders around the shop browsing aat the changes Magnus has made, boy he was quick, and keeps chatting, "And I was in the market today and there is the great big new tax the baaz are levying on all the vendors and everyone's up in arms about it because they can't eat and it's going to be a hard winter and say have they come here and levied the tax on you too? "

Gregeddin looks Tulbas up and down, "But more importantly than that, how are you holding up? Are you eating properly?"

[djhyland]

Arulia smiles at both Kendra and Norris as she enters, making sure to close the door tightly behind her. She shakes her head at Norris's complaint. "At this point," she explains, "it will do Kendra good to move around, as long as she does nothing overly strenuous. She is all but recovered from her ordeal--her remaining injuries are but bruises and almost-healed cuts. As long as she does not re-open them, she can move about as she wishes, I think."

After she finishes telling Norris that his wife is not made of delicate crystal, she turns her attention to Kendra. While changing the woman's few remaining bandages, she says, "You seem to be feeling well, Kendra. You will soon be able to return to your normal life, I think." After she unnecessarily unwraps and re-wraps an almost-healed cut, she nervously asks, "What do you plan to do? There is no Holy Guard to go back to..."

[Haahque]

Haahqae drinks his liquid breakfast fairly quickly, the spell won't last more then a few minutes so he should get back to his room before it wears off.

Once he's in his room he'll close the door and read over the change self spell in his spellbook to see if there's any details he forgot about it while he waits to transform back into a gnome. He'll also peck at some of his rations to fortify himself for the day, then set out again on his quest to find Ismene.

[HorizonsDream]

"See?" Kendra says to Norris with a small smirk. "I'll be fine," she assures her husband before looking to Arulia. "Well, I don't really know," she admits. "I mean, I guess I don't really need to work anymore."

[djhyland]

"Oh," says Arulia, somewhat crestfallen. "I suppose you wouldn't." She shakes her head and tries to put on a cheerful expression. "I suppose there's got to be some kind of work out there for me, then. After all, I don't think I'm going to need to come here for much longer."

[BishGada]

As Gregeddin appears in the door Tulbas frowns. Magnus might have noticed it, but then again Magnus was almost as disappointed as Tulbas himself. But usually keeping grudge against Gregeddin for long is difficult. After Gregeddin inquires about his feelings, he somewhat warms up toward the fellow, but then all his chit chat makes him angry again he is almost tempted to bluntly reject the offer to join the job. Only almost as he is both curious regarding the mission and still would use any opportunity to get away from Magnus for a while.
"I'm fine." he says shortly, then look at Magnus to see what will he say to Gregeddin.

[JadedDM]

Haahqae (Steel Tankard Inn, Common Room)
Returning to his room, Haahqae eats a breakfast of some of his dry rations. Around the time he has finished, the spell wears off and he appears to the world once again as a dashing gnome. With that settled, he heads back downstairs and steps outside into the cold. An involuntary shiver runs down his spine, as he has no cloak or coat to ward off the elements.

Guards patrol the streets in numbers much larger than the Holy Guard ever did. This has become expected now, since the occupation began. For now, the gnome needs to decide which direction he wants to begin his 'quest.'

Kendra and Arulia (2527 Market Street, Gorgeous Greylock's Gems)
Norris frowns at Arulia's prognosis but doesn't argue. Instead, he goes back to the counter in case any customers arrive this morning.

Gregeddin and Tulbas (Mageware shop)
Gregeddin glances around the mageware shop, but doesn't see any significant changes. The good stuff is still locked up in the back. The stuff on display includes things like blank scrolls and books, ink vials, spell components, vials and flasks, and other bric-a-brac that might prove useful to a sorcerer.

Magnus chuckles. "Ah, yes. The new tax. No, it won't affect me any. The new prefect is a mage, too, after all and he wouldn't want to see the only mageware shop in town close down. Although in return...well, that brings us to why you are here."

He leans back against the counter and crosses his arms. "The clerics at the new temple are claiming that the old cults weren't completely wiped out. The Seekers are gone, as are the followers of the so-called Master, to be sure. But there was a third cult that remained well hidden this whole time--Belzorites. I would have thought they were completely wiped out after their leader was exposed six years ago. Well, I suppose everyone thought that. Perhaps that is how they have avoided detection this whole time."

He continues, "In any case, the clerics' divinations have revealed that there is still a small number of them operating within the city. They want them gone, as expected. And they went straight to the new prefect about it--it is, after all, illegal to worship false deities. The prefect could have sent the army to search for them and wipe them out, but here's the caveat--the clerics believe the Belzorites are once again following a renegade mage. So I was approached instead."

Magnus shakes his head and makes a dismissive gesture with his hand. "I can't be bothered, to be honest. I have too much on my plate as it is to chase down some second rate renegade with delusions of godhood. So I offer you the chance to have at it. You seem...street-wise, so you could probably track them down easier than myself anyway, as I am still new to the city. And it would be good experience for Tulbas, who will need more time on the field if he is to be ready for his upcoming Test. And so, if you agree to take care of this for me and get the church and the prefect off my back, I will teach you that new spell you want, free of charge."