CH. 10: Hard Choices

[djhyland]

Arulia blushes in embarrassment at the man's grim humor. "I didn't say that they were good plans," she says defensively. "I don't want to set a fire or cause a riot either, but I can't think of anything else that would even delay the brothel. Maybe I'll think of something better, but I'm not exactly experienced in defying a whole army."

After she listens to his considerations, she shrugs uncomfortably. "The Dragon Queen's army is everywhere in town; I think they'd notice any large group. But we don't have to speak to everyone at once. If we talk to enough of the right people, maybe they can spread the message. As for the building itself, maybe there's a better way of making it unusable that doesn't threaten the rest of the city?"

[Chris1234]

"Well, to be honest, I was looking for a way to make a decent amount of coin. I don't suppose you knwo of any 'difficult' jobs that pay well?" answers Shima.

=========

If the lady answers in the negative and without any hint of a pause, Shima say in Cant, "Sorry to have bothered you," and if there's no sign of understanding, just adds in Common, "Thank you", and leaves, making for the High Hand and wondering if it's time to leave the city.

[HorizonsDream]

"I'm not really...motherly," Kendra says. She wrinkles her nose at the very idea of having a kid. "And, I wouldn't want your grandchild stealing attention away from my brother and sister," she adds.

[JadedDM]

Kendra Synclair (2723 Crooked Road, Synclair residence)
"I used to say the same thing," Garnet says. "I would regularly claim I'd never have kids. And well, here we are now. I've never regretted it, not even once."

The bells of the old fort ring, indicating it is now Third Watch. If Kendra doesn't hustle, she's going to be reporting in late this morning.

Arulia Seroth (Thoron's Blacksmithy)
"This is my first insurrection, as well," the man says. "I guess we're both new at this, but at least we have each other to rely upon now, instead of fumbling in the dark alone."

He adds, "Do you know the right people we could speak to? Ones we could trust? As for the building itself...some kind of sabotage, maybe?"

Gobax, Felran and Ne-Chanz (High Hand Inn, Common Room)
The dwarf turns around to face Gobax and answers, "Just my ugly face." He whips back his cowl, revealing his shock of red hair, wild eyes, and the numerous scars on his face--many of which he earned from Gobax's companions. Delharn gives a mischievous grin. "You should consider doing the same, Grubnick," he adds, crossing his tree trunk arms.

Shima Longfoot (The Blind Chandler)
"You must be new in town," the woman says to Shima. "There are few jobs at all left, difficult or otherwise. Time are really tough now, and there's little work to go around. I've had to let go of all of my apprentices because I can't afford to pay them anymore. I run the whole shop alone, but I get so few customers these days, that's not really a challenge." She adds, "I heard the army is always looking for more soldiers. And the weapon and armor smiths have their hands full equipping them all, but they are only looking for experienced smiths and won't accept amateurs."

When Shima mutters something in the cant, she blinks in confusion. "I beg your pardon, sir?"

[Chris1234]

"Nothing. And, yes, indeed. I seem to be getting that message. I was _so_ hoping not to have to join their army though. Maybe I have no other choice though," replies Shima. "It was nice to meet you."
He turns to leave and, unless stopped, will go to the High Hand (earlier than he'd expected.)

[Haahque]

Now that Haahqae has a plan, he's not going to let idle threats detur him. "Well I shouldn't have to worry about that, I haven't run across a better juggler in years, and I'm also pretty good at not getting beeten to death, not that that has any correlation to my juggling skills, rather I found that out with the other help-the-poorer-people-out acts that I did so many of. Some of them ended up with a giant or demons trying to beet me to a bloody pulp and I'm still alive. I think I can handle a few soldiers."

Haahqae always operates best with a plan, and he's always the best person around at creating great plans quickly. It really baffles him how long he's been floundering around without a plan. Maybe that's why things weren't going so well recently.

"Hey Tulbas, come along and we can talk while I travel to the barracks." Haahqae gets up and makes his way towards the door of the inn.
(OoC: Does Haahqae know where the nearest barracks is?)

[TristenC]

Delarn! he exclaims is shock. Grubnick gives his mentor a quick but firm embrace, whispering I've been going by Gobax Redbug for a little secrecy. He steps back and takes the Dwarf in completely, unable to keep a silly grin from creeping onto his face. By the sun's fire, I never expected you to show up out of the blue! What brings you here?

At his mentor's remark about hiding his own 'ugly face' the goblin nearly laughs. Yeah, but the humans around here expect a goblin to be ugly as a week-dead skunk. he quips. I guess my new leather hood doesn't hide the big scar as well as I'd hoped, he allows. His demeanor quickly turns somber. The inkeep here is trustworthy enough, her tribe was wiped out by the dragon armies. She just told me the Dwarven lands are the next target... we have to find some way to warn everyone... Wait, why are you here? They haven't attacked already, have they? An edge of worry creeps into his voice.

[BishGada]

"Please wait a minute Haaque." Tulbas asks the Gnome. He turns to Zoya, "I too was a victim to great treachery when we went on the expedition to kill the giant. Magnus, if you remember him, kidnapped me and murdered my uncle and now I'm forced to work for him. I sympathize with your ache. What I had in mind, and this might interest you as well Keira," he turns his look to Keira before continuing, "is much safer work. No weapons are required and no fighting what so ever." He waits a moment to see indication he got their curiosity. "But maybe we should go to sit by a table to have some privacy. I'll will buy the next round for you two." He offers and moves to isolated table where no unwanted ears are around, not before making sure the women joins him.
Once seating by the table with the drinks Tulbas says, "We" he throws a look at Haaque meaning they both are in it together, "are looking for two women whom we have business with. For some reason our meeting is delayed. I assume something made them to lay low, but I must expedite this business for several reasons. I don't know why they delay but they might be in trouble and be hostile to anyone they don't recognize. If you can ask around and use your connections to help locate them you will be rewarded twenty steels each. This money can buy you time, open some doors, and give you that choices you mentioned before Keira, and we might find later more safe jobs for you." Again, Tulbas waits a moment to let the women assess the opportunity in his suggestion. "So what do you say? Keira, from the beginning I tried to help you and make it mutual. Zoya, I don't expect you to forget what happened to Mateo, I also cherish life and grief in its lost, but it doesn't negate the value of the opportunity you have here. And it doesn't mean any disrespect to your deceased comrade." Tulbas finishes and waits for their answers. If it comes to that he will let Haaque give an exact description of the two ladies who robbed them.

[Haahque]

Haahqae looks rather impatient with Tulbas's holdup. He's still mad at Xyleena and Yvette, but after a week of searching none of them have found any clues. Not even one. It appears the crooks have won and Haahqae's only hope to ever see them again is the possibility that they might be trapped in Haven still for the winter. Maybe random chance can have them meet once again.

But Haahqae shouldn't be mad at Tulbas for trying. He'll help the elf find them if he can, for he'd want to make them pay for their irrational selfish behavior. And if they have any of that money left, maybe Haahqae would have something to pay those involved in the trip something at least, especially Ismene. It just seemed like Tulbas is looking for a needle in a haystack now.

(If requested, Haahqae will give physical descriptions of the girls to those present)

[HorizonsDream]

Kendra decided not to point out that when she first had kids, things were pretty normal in the world. "Well, I need to go," she finally says. "I'm glad all of you are doing okay." She gives her mother a hug, along with the rest of the family members (though her father's hug is awkward at best), then takes her leave to go to work.

[mgbevan]

Gregeddin's face remind motionless as he processes the Prefect's information. The seeds of doubt were beginning to creep into his mind but he could not show this or he would surely fail. After a moments pause for thought he counters, "I see your concern for the here and now, and while I maintain the my original suggestion would be the best move over the longer period I believe we can still find something to help the people of Haven here and now. I will offer two suggestions, or rather requests for you to consider. Firstly, is it not possible to simply mint more money? Yes it will devalue the value of steel after quite some time, but the war will be gone by then and it will allow you to cover the Dragon Army's expenses before anything negative happens. Secondly, would is be possible to defer payment of the troops or offer loans? Since your ultimate victory is so assured I am confident that the morale of soldiers will not falter if they wait some months before payment." The bard furrows his brow and rubs his chin in thought, "Finally, I have one last suggestion if your heart is feeling quite charitable, but I shall hold it for you to consider these two first." Gregeddin's voice is softer with this last sentence, the Prefect seemed to be in high spirits so far this meeting so they was at least a glimmer of hope to reach out to some kindness in this man.

[chese780]

Felran turns to the Minotaur, "We're going to need to earn money..."

(OOC: http://www.padnd.com/forums/viewtopic.p ... 019#p79019 )

[JadedDM]

Haahqae and Tulbas (Steel Tankard Inn, Common Room)
Tulbas spends a steel piece to buy Zoya and Keira new drinks. After he speaks to them, Zoya says, "Twenty steel, huh? Yeah, okay...that will buy us another month before we're shipped off to the slave mines. Sure, I'll do it."

Keira adds, "The fact that you can throw forty steel around just to try and find people really proves my point about how privileged you are." She smirks. "But I'm never one to pass on easy coin, so I'll keep an eye out for them, as well."

(OOC: All of the soldiers are currently housed in the old fortress in the middle of the city.)

Kendra Greylock (Old Keep)
After saying her goodbyes, Kendra heads to the Old Keep for today's orders. When she arrives, though, she finds Mouna leading a large squadron of troops inside. They have clearly just returned from battle as they are splattered in blood (not all of it their own) and fatigued.

"Ah, Greylock," she says when Kendra approaches. "There you are. No troubles while we were gone, I hope?"

Gregeddin (Prefect's mansion)
"We have minted more coin," Tethys replies. "You may have noticed the new coins in circulation, bearing the Dragon Queen's emblem. But it hasn't been enough. As I said, war is expensive. Especially against all of Ansalon."

He chuckles darkly at the bard's second suggestion. "You have obviously never led troops before. But even if they were willing to forgo payments, which I assure you they would not, the coin is not going to their salaries alone, but also to pay for their weapons, armor, healing, and supplies. As well as helping them care for their own families." He dips his quill into the ink vial and scratches some more notes on a scroll of paper. "If the Trade Guild needs money and has nothing else to do, perhaps they should think of picking up a sword and joining the cause. They'll get well paid, their families will be provided for, and the war will end all the quicker with the additional troops."

Gobax, Felran, Ne-Chanz and Shima (High Hand Inn, Common Room)
Shima arrives at the High Hand to find very few people here. Aside from the bartender behind the counter, he also sees Gobax speaking to a red haired dwarf, and the minotaur and red-haired half-elf he met before.

Delharn chuckles grimly. "Warn them of what, lad? That dragons are coming? What kind of defense does one make against that?" He shakes his head. "Doesn't matter anyway. Hillhome is in ruins. The dirty Theiwar attacked it about a month back. They had it coming, though. Turns out they were secretly making weapons and selling them to the Theiwar, who were in turn selling them to the dragonarmies. When they find that last part out, they refused to make any more weapons. So the Theiwar burned the city to the ground." He shakes his head again. "Really now, what did they think the Theiwar were doing with those weapons? Damned fools, the whole lot of them, if you ask me."

[Chris1234]

Shima stands in the High Hand looking as though he's waiting for someone or something.
(Actually he heard the word Hillhome and is eavesdropping, wanting to know about his place of origin but reluctant to face further rejection from a member of the clan he was born into. He has few friends, less of them still alive, and none of them dwarven.)

[TristenC]

Grubnick shakes his head in shock. By the gods... he breathes the words hoarsely. We have to dind some way to work against them... I have some ideas, but I can't carry them out alone... The church has announced a reward for info on 'heretics'... 5 thousand steel and permanent weapons permits... How long have you been in the city?