CH. 5: Vying Factions

[mgbevan]

Gregeddin looks on at Tulbas scurrying around getting things together. "To elaborate on Haahqae 's words, one of the recruits is the black robed mage Darga was contacted by, Magnus. The one who looks awfully spooky and that was trying to get in touch with Raetmal. He claims that Raetmal was attacked by Darewind or a follower or something and his purpose is to hunt down darewind because he is a renegade wizard. Magnus claims that Tulbas could be the next target and seeks to protect him."
Gregeddin pauses for breath, "Why aare we packing anyway?"

[HorizonsDream]

"He apparently confronted Darewind, in front of the masses, about his powers," Kendra explains. "Maybe it is partly my fault, but I asked if he could find out if Darewind was faking his abilities some how."

[mgbevan]

"Oh, how did that go for him? Our reception the other day was frosty at best"

[BishGada]

"My uncle's friend?" Tulbas snaps, "a Black robed mage?? No way!" he says in contempt. He stops packing and looks up, "You say Darewind attacked Raetmal? And that Darewind is a mage? That explains a lot and that was indeed the main argument I raised in the market square." He then returns to the packing, "Darewind is very powerful. And evil! No wonder he used Fistandantilus as his model..." Tulbas release a bitter chuckle, "The absurdity about it is the deception to make the people believe he is good and kind. Anyway I'm packing while debating where Raetmal will be more secured, here or maybe hided with Marvin the healer. I'm still not sure." He then goes quickly to check his uncle, "Oh! Why don't you wake up? I need your help! I need your counsel." When he returns he asks "By the way, it is good you found some help with the giant. What about surveying the ground and choosing where the battle will take place? Planning how to fight it? What illusions to use? Digging pits and so on? Did you manage any of these?"

[mgbevan]

"Friend may be a bit far, and we are skeptical of Magnus ' word, since I didn't think that wizards of didifferent colours would interact that much. But any way, Magnus claims that your uncle was his contact in the city when he arrived to hunt down Darewind, supposedly justifying his interaction. Was he ever in the shop? Did they meet? I don't know if there is any validity to Magnus ' words, but are you sure you want to move your uncle before seeing him tomorrow for the expedition? " Gregeddin asks Tulbas inquisitively, his tone of voice light but letting through a hint of concern that the elf may be acting in haste.

Who was the bard to judge though, for it was not his family and his life in apparent danger...

[djhyland]

Darga shakes his head in disbelief at Gregeddin. "Ya say that Darewind is responsible fer tryin' ta kill th' elf lad's uncle, an' then ya ask 'im ta wait until after he does Darewind's dirty work fer him ta make sure 'is uncle is safe? What kind a question is that?!" Fuming, he turns to Tulbas. "Ya still want me ta go an' talk ta Marvin 'bout all this? Mebbe see if he kin take in yer uncle ta watch fer a while?"

[mgbevan]

"No no I didn't mean it like that," the bard reassures Darga. "We're meeting early tomorrow morning, he can speak with Magnus himself if he feels like it, and then decide what to do. If he finds it clear that Raetmal is unsafe here he can then make arrangements for his protection. He can be flexible, like the branches of a willow tree, able to swing, sway, and adapt to the world around them. No matter how much snow falls in winter it's branches will never break, but even the mighty oak can be overcome when it's arms stand resolute" Gregeddin finishes with some elaborate gesticulation of his arms and trails off in apparent contemplation while looking out the Window.

After a moment's pause, he spins on his heels and adds, "Then again there's always the chance that Magnus is behind all of this and tries to kill Tulbas, in which case we can have a confrontation, get it sorted,then raetmal won't be in danger any more."

[Haahque]

"Woah, everyone seems to have the wrong impression these days. We aren't doing Darewind's dirty work. Darewind has kindly offered to help me, us with our slaying of this giant, and it's only connected to him in any way in that he's supplying us with warriors to help slay it. He won't even fight it himself!"

[HorizonsDream]

"Um, we are kind of doing his dirty work," Kendra points out. "We slay this giant, with followers of the cult, and when we return, the people are going to rejoice over the fact that the cult helped protect the city of Haven, which just reinforces their hold on the city," she explains.

[BishGada]

Tulbas looks at each person in turn as they speak. Finally he says, "Killing the giant might serve that worm Darewind, but we can't let it stop us from saving those refugees outside the walls. We will deal with Darewind immediately afterwards. I think I did manage to plant doubt in his followers hearts. That should delay him a little bit. At least I hope so."
He thinks for a moment, "Magnus is in no way Raetmal's friend but there might be truth in the information you just gave me. He was in the shop and talked with Raetmal. I also met him myself for a brief moment. I think if he wanted us dead he could have made his move already, although, maybe he tried with Raetmal and failed." He says quietly, almost to himself. Then he raises his head and comes to a decision.
"Darga," he answers the dwarf, "Yes, I'd still like your help. Please go tell Marvin what happened and check if he can hide or watch over Raetmal for few days. I've packed some of his cloth and some rare healing herbs that Marvin might be lacking." Then he looks at Gregeddin and Haaque, "Is there a chance you can track Magnus before tomorrow? I'd like to speak with him as soon as possible." He then looks again around, "We sill didn't made any plans regarding the fight we are going to face tomorrow. We said several times that we should choose the battle field that most serves us, set traps, choose spells and weapons. We have done nothing of that and we are short of time. Going blindly to fight a giant is a sure way to die. I'll do whatever I can to secure my uncle from Darewind intrigues in the next couple of hours, but we need to make some plans right afterwards. Start to pitch in ideas. And the huntsman at least should accompany this discussion if not others from the recruits you think fit for the planning."

[mgbevan]

The bard nods in agreement with Tulbas, helping the refugees being slaughtered was the initial purpose, politics should not diminish an ethically noble action, he rationalised internally.

Gregeddin places a pondering finger on his chin before responding, "Yes, I can try and find Magnus, He didn't mention where he was staying but perhaps someone at the warehouse will have seen where he went. However, I must again express my concern that he could attack, and if not all of us are present at the same time, he may well succeed. Nevertheless, if such a risk is acceptable I will do my best to find him. Haahqae, do you want to speak to the Huntsman, rather than the scary mage, since you know him better than I?"

[HorizonsDream]

"Do you want me to help with this giant?" Kendra asks. "Some of followers that are helping might know that I was a Seeker Guard."

[Haahque]

"Haahqae, do you want to speak to the Huntsman, rather than the scary mage, since you know him better than I?"

"Sure, I can talk to him to scout out the area or plan some traps. Do you have any bright ideas I should bring up in the conversation?"

"Do you want me to help with this giant?" Kendra asks. "Some of followers that are helping might know that I was a Seeker Guard."

"Mmm yes, I think a great hero of your caliber will help immensely against a giant. The recruits we got from the cult know that they're joining an existing group of heroes, and I imagine many of them are less attached to the cult then the majority of the rabble that follows Darewind's every word. One of them's a gnome, so you can be sure her allegiance is to Nevermind, another is a noble in hiding or something like that, so she shouldn't be weak willed either. Maybe the half ogre might be a bit dangerous? But I doubt he's smart enough to recognize you, even if he did he wouldn't act on it."

[BishGada]

Tulbas looks at Kendra, "If you change cloth, wear you hair differently, and put on a helm or a hood, no one will recognize you." To Haaque he says, "Well, usually having the higher ground is a benefit, but in our case I'm afraid the giant might climb quickly to the heights and we lose advantage. For us I think an open field will be best, where we can get advantage of our dexterity. We should attack from all directions with range weapons and whenever he gets close to one of us, the others cover his escape with heavy fire. I think we should all come with mounts too, so we can out run him if he chases us. Also this battlefield should have as minimum of boulders as possible. Maybe we can even clear it from ahead. Another thing... we established hill giants are usually vulnerable to illusions. We should use it as mush as possible, to scare him off from any area that we might lose our advantage, to block his way if he is chasing one of us, and to get rid of his weapons. Suppose he comes with a wooden club, let it looks like it burns and let the giants feel the heat. Suppose he comes with iron, create an illusion of lightning that strikes it and again heat it immensely. If he comes with sack of boulders of his own we must make him id of it as soon as possible. Maybe by putting illusionary snakes in it, or make it look like it has a hole and now is empty. I think you mentioned one of the recruits is an illusionist, you should speak with her, she might have some ideas of her own since she is experienced. I don't know what her power is but she might makes illusions of great magical power, or rival monsters and of nature disasters like earthquakes, fire, flood and whatnot that can strike the giant. She might even create illusions of those trap pits we don't have time to dig ourselves.
Regarding traps... I don't think we have the time to dig in pits, so either you find a natural one that need only little effort to complete or that the trap will be more like tripping him down with ropes. Soaking the land with burning oil and light it when he is in the middle. Maybe we can set up pikes which are flat on the ground tied with ropes that can quickly lift them, we run above them and when he chases someone already there pull the ropes and the pikes will raise and get him. Then of course he might use them as a weapon against us. I guess the huntsman might have better ideas regarding traps." Tulbas concludes.

[mgbevan]

"Oh Kendra, I have that helmet that I borrowed off that Cavalier the other day if it helps." Gregeddin chips in with Tulbas. "And we definitely need you there in case any of these recruits try something funny against us."