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Darga nods half-heartedly to Tulbas and mumbles his thanks as he enters the mageware shop. With a sigh, he explains, "We didna tell 'em nothin' they didn't know already. They know what way th' wind's blowin', an' they know that there's a lot more o' them cultists than the guards they got." With a look to Kendra, he continues, "If'n th' cult takes over, things're gonna be bad. People're right mad, an' wit' th' chaos, a lot o' people're gonna die jes' fer bein' in th' way. I seen what happens like this before, an' I don' wanna see it happen again here."

Darga shakes his head, apparently lost in thought for a moment. "I think th' only way ta stop th' cult now is ta make th' members turn 'gainst 'em. I don' trust Darewind...I don' think he's tellin' th' truth. D'ya know if there's a way ta show 'im up as a fraud?"

"Proving will help lose a lot of his followers, but it should help stop the take over of Haven at least," Kendra says

Haahqae and Gregeddin (Cult Warehouse, back room)
"Oh, she's a she," Ismene says, patting Arcane on the head. "I got her two years ago, when I completed my Test. She's my familiar! Oh, did I not mention yet that I am a member of the Order of Lunitari? It's...amazing. The Tower of Wayreth is soooo fascinating and my Test was grueling but incredible. Oh, but I'm not allowed to talk about it. I mean, they literally put a Geas on me so I can't talk about it. They were worried I'd let something slip, because full disclosure? I kind of talk a lot. I specialize in Illusions. They're super fun and really let me be creative in my own way. When I heard you guys were going after a giant, I thought, wow, this would be a great opportunity for me to really test out my skills and really prove myself to the Conclave."

Tulbas listens to Darga and Kenra intently, then thinks for a while before answering.
"Well... I suspected Darewind from the beginning. Especially when Nora told me that over a year or two that she knows him, she never saw him heal anyone but himself. And there are a LOT of people need cure among the cultists." Tulbas raises his thin brows.

"I had a lot of time to ponder on this matter, being here most of the time... This is very strange behavior of a healer. That's the reason I asked you if you can arrange a meeting with him when he was in jail." Tulbas tells Kendra.

"But since I never had the chance to talk with him in length and never saw his performances, I can't tell for sure." Tulbas pauses to collect his thoughts and continues,
"So far, even if he is not a healer, he did help the refugees which is much more than the Seekers did. Suppose the cult takes over I can see two major dangers, first,innocent people will suffer a lot during the first period when there is a chaos all around, second, after a while when Darewind rules and he will see the city have no means to sustain high life quality to all the people he will stop helping the refugees and only Fistandantilus" Tulbas smiles absentmindedly, "knows how he will handle the refugees." his face turns grim again, "It might be worse than the Seekers, especially since Fistandantilus was an evil mage." Tulbas adds in a grave voice.

"But if we can fit into high command in the cult we might be able to prevent both scenarios. I think Nora is reasonable and won't let innocent people get hurt for no reason.
Besides, Darewind might be the true thing. Nobody proved otherwise. I still hope he can help my uncle, even though he didn't show up yet. That could be one test to prove him a true healer." his face lights up for a moment.

"If he is a fraud, then if during his performance someone will actually hurt him, supposed by shooting an arrow at his stomach, he won't be able to heal himself and that would be prove enough, although he could turn it over somehow and make himself a saint and the riots begin again.
Nora told me that when she met him, she put a sword through his torso and he healed himself, but maybe she missed and he used an illusion to make it like he is bleeding.
Another possibility is that someone who is actually severely wounded or sick will go up the stage and beg for mercy. I'm sure the crowd would like to see him healed and if Darewind will fail, well... he will lose the crowd confidence.

My uncle told me that in the past there was someone acting very similar to Darewind, claiming he is a priest of a true god. Balzor or something. Anyway he was a wizard an while he performed his so called divine powers in front of the crowd, another mage started performing ridiculous illusions and that broke the spell of the so called priest. We could try to use the same idea, test Darewind with illusions. Again, I never had the chance to see him performs."

"Anyway, we need to consider the alternatives carefully. Even if he is a fraud, would proving it will really prevent the takeover? Won't another one of the cultists just light the spark of chaos and it will be unstoppable. With Darewind, at least he could rule the cultist and maintain order, assuming he is a decent person. And if Darewind will fall, what will happen with the Seekers? Will they gain power again and then might want to take revenge at the cultists?"

"I myself think that if Darewind is a fraud, we should expose him, but at the same time we need to raise someone reasonable to power, maybe Nora, and convince them to negotiate with the Seekers." Tulbas concludes.

"Tublas, he is out in the middle of the market showing a demonstration of his power," Kendra says with a sigh. "And, once again, I have only seen him heal himself. Darewind is not a true healer. If he was, don't you think he would be here, right now, helping your uncle instead of performing for the masses?" she asks. "And he isn't a decent person. He killed the guards in the prison so that he could escape."

"I'm not sure how shooting an arrow in his stomach is going to prove him a fraud if he only heals himself," Kendra adds thoughtfully. "We have to get him to perform this so called miracle on someone else."

"Isn't she a cute one. Oh you're an illusionist then? And you get cute ferrets when you do the test? I always thought they just took you, gave you a bunch of ugly robes you had to wear that don't have nearly half enough pockets and gave you a ton of annoying rules to follow if you do the test. I wasn't sure why anyone would ever want to. But if you get ferrets, I see at least one reason why."

Standing back up to his full height, Haahqae continues the conversation.

"I don't understand why they won't let you talk about it, it's those kinds of annoying rules that I always hate. What's the point in amassing so much knowledge if you're not even allowed to talk about it? What's your favorite illusion to cast? Can you show me? I think a great illusionist like you would be a great addition to our team and you seem very fun to have around indeed."

"Oh an illusionist?" Gregeddin speaks up, "That is most fascinating, and what a coincidence the the three of us should meet. I concur that this giant expedition will be an excellent opportunity to hone your skills. Some of those answers I think will have to wait, but I eagerly await to see what you can conjure, welcome aboard!" Gregeddin concludes extending his hand.

"Oh, illusions are great," Ismene agrees. "They really let one be creative on the spot. Also, they aren't just fake images and sounds. Some illusions are so powerful, so lifelike, they can even kill!"

She shakes Gregeddin's hand. "Well, thanks for meeting with me. It was a pleasure to make your acquaintance!"

Wedge escorts her out then checks his list. "Okay, two more. Here we go." He steps out again and this time returns with a human woman. She's tall and muscular, with a long sword at her hip and a shield on her back. She wears plate mail and keeps the helm tucked under her arm. She holds her head high and walks with her back straight. Her face is a complete mask of stoicism. She has brown hair, braided so it can be easily tucked under her helm, green eyes, and fair skin.

"This is Miriam Langtree," Wedge announces.

Gregeddin recognizes the emblem on her shield and armor; that of a blue phoenix. The Langtrees are a noble family originally from Solamnia. After the Cataclysm they fled to Blödehelm and started their own town, which eventually grew into a full blown barony. The current baron of Langtree, Ivor, was often called the 'Mad Baron' because he still worshiped one of the old gods. Despite his madness, he was considered a brilliant tactician and a good and honorable man. His army, while small, is well trained and often sells their services to other nations--but only if the cause is just.

Miriam salutes formally then speaks. "I have heard you are seeking to slay an evil giant who is terrorizing innocent men and women. I wish to assist in this endeavor."

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Gregeddin makes a Heraldry check [15] (1d20): 11, pass.

Haahqae appears to have lost all words, and stands staring at the point Ismene left from. He hardly even recognizes that a new applicant has entered.

"Yeah, I can keep an eye on him," Kendra says with a shrug. It wasn't as if his uncle was going anywhere considering that he was apparently in some sort of coma.

Gregeddin stands and nods his head lightly, "Lady Langtree, we thank you for your assistance, it will surely be a great help to the cause. "
Gregeddin looks a little more intently at her face and armour, "May I ask if Ivor trained you in martial tactics, and if you have seen any experience in the field? You certainly appear to take care of yourself on face value."

Haahqae and Gregeddin (Cult Warehouse, back room)
The woman's stoic resolve falters, and surprise covers her face. "You know of my father?" she blurts out. She then takes a deep breath and tries to regain her composure. "I mean, yes, I was trained by the baron himself. I've participated in a number of battles, both formal and informal. I've led men into battle. I've defended a fortress from a siege and also helped besiege a fortress. Not the same fortress, of course. I am skilled in blade, in lance, and in mace."

"Forgive my imprudence lady Langtree, but the name and crest are enough to place a person in the world. He had a fine reputation in combat, therefore placing you in high esteem as a student." Gregeddin replies formally, but then softening his tone with a hint of concern, "Do you need any assistance being so far from home? I cannot deny there is some novelty to find you in haven of all places."

Haahqae and Gregeddin (Cult Warehouse, back room)
Miriam flushes ever so slightly. "Thank you for your concern, sir, but...in truth, I came to Haven because I thought my father would be unknown here. I'm hoping to prove myself worthy of being his heir, by becoming a successful warrior in my own right, out from under his shadow. I want no special treatment, but in Blödehelm, nobody could see me as anything other than the baron's daughter. I was treated too gingerly by whomever I worked for, as if they feared incurring the baron's wrath if I fell or was hurt. So I decided that in a faraway land, I could seek work as an unknown." She looks down at her feet. "How ironic that the first employer I find here is so well-versed in heraldry."