As for you Brelander a question needs to be answered. That question is do you want to actully destroy the Aurum or do you want to control it? As your answer dictates the methods that will be needed to bring about the desired outcome.
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Kyndril doesn't even dignify Essar's question with a response, entering with Danir and Xov. He takes a moment to take the place in, green eyes darting around to take in as much as he can, before he settles down, resting his hand on the hilt of his scimitar. In general, he remains skeptical. The Brelish intelligence wanted to hire him, hm? Well, they'd better have a damned good reason.
[dice=Perception]1d20+3
You see Ressir incredibly embarrassed about Essar. He's got his face in his palm to hide his embarrassment. You get the feeling that Ressir is dealing with a bunch of misfits.
Xov rolls his eyes at Essar. Well, he though, the cult of blood is no crazier than the cult of money , at least the blood is supported by a real government...but,
Exacerbated, he opened his mouth:
"Essar, if you are going to be a spy, you need to learn to keep your mouth shut about your allegience."
Typical Karrns.
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As for you Brelander a question needs to be answered. That question is do you want to actully destroy the Aurum or do you want to control it? As your answer dictates the methods that will be needed to bring about the desired outcome.
"The King hates to talk about politics, but gave us power to hunt down the Aurum and to take the members into custody or kill them. Custody if they are in Breland, kill them if everywhere else," he explains. "Emo-boy."
You still have not answered the question, control or destruction. As remember the Aurum are a top down society, control their leaders and you control the rest. Or if you want to follow along in my scheme become the leaders. For faking ourselves as Aurum members can be done, if the approriate measures are taken to ensure that we are convincing.
You still have not answered the question, control or destruction. As remember the Aurum are a top down society, control their leaders and you control the rest. Or if you want to follow along in my scheme become the leaders. For faking ourselves as Aurum members can be done, if the approriate measures are taken to ensure that we are convincing.
Xov sighed.
"He answered the question! He said to hunt down and kill Aurum members."
I assume we will be adequetly compensated for our trouble?
othan doesn't really care who he works for as long as he gets paid and the work doesn't involve killing innocent women and children.
"Or capture them in Breland. I'm still waiting to hear more about the Aurum, and as to why I'm being sent to hunt them by a country that isn't my own."
Kyndril adds, though it is fairly clear he is becoming more interested. He arches a brow at the cleric. Well, at least one couldn't fault his devotions to his beliefs... blasphemous and vile though they were. It was also true that zealotry was a... minor problem, even in the Church of the Silver Flame.
Yes but why destroy them? Why not wield them as a tool to shield Breland from her enemies? Wasting such a valuable resource is the height of stupidity. This is if I am not mistaken something akin to fielding an army, at least where cost is concerned. Controling the Aurum could easilly pay back the costs of this task and serve to fund other projects.
Danir facepalms as well...
"And to get freedom, money, and back into my House I must work with this group?"
"Or capture them in Breland. I'm still waiting to hear more about the Aurum, and as to why I'm being sent to hunt them by a country that isn't my own."
Kyndril adds, though it is fairly clear he is becoming more interested. He arches a brow at the cleric. Well, at least one couldn't fault his devotions to his beliefs... blasphemous and vile though they were. It was also true that zealotry was a... minor problem, even in the Church of the Silver Flame.
"As far as I know, the Aurum are a group of wealthy plutocrats. Many of their lower ranked members know little of the organization, but its ultimate goal is to overthrow both the monarchies and the churches, and claim the world for those with the most wealth. Naturally, they are an enemy of the sovereigns of the Five Nations, hence why my Queen is willing to ally with the Brelish against them."
He added,
"I would imagine that the Aurum stands in opposition to the doctrine of the Silver Flame as well. They are a truly selfish lot.
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Yes but why destroy them? Why not wield them as a tool to shield Breland from her enemies? Wasting such a valuable resource is the height of stupidity. This is if I am not mistaken something akin to fielding an army, at least where cost is concerned. Controling the Aurum could easilly pay back the costs of this task and serve to fund other projects.
"You just don't get it, do you?" said Ressir. "Okay, let me enlighten it for you. What if the Aurum got control of the Exchequer in Karrnath?"
Danir facepalms as well...
"And to get freedom, money, and back into my House I must work with this group?"
Once inside, Ebran takes a seat and makes weighty glances at any fine booze he might see around. After all, what good conversation can come without wine "Well, I appear to be in the same boat as Danir here, although I can't say as I have found you lot altogether intolerable. The red priest is a bit... eccentric, but I can handle that. And as to the Aurum and their deep pockets controlling everything... well, I don't like it. I don't think one group should hold all the power, especially by virtue of wealth alone. But my question remains... Where does house Lyrandar fit in this?"
He added,
"I would imagine that the Aurum stands in opposition to the doctrine of the Silver Flame as well. They are a truly selfish lot.
Kyndril considers this. "Hm. That is true... I would not let some group of merchants take the power from those who rightfully hold it." He frowns. "Do the Keeper and the Cardinals know of this group?" If they did, he would much rather work under them than under the Brelish Crown, but if they did, and could confirm that the Aurum were a threat, he would be much more content dealing with the Citadel.
You deflect the question. So lets bring up a historical example of control over destruction. When king Galifar came upon these lands all those years ago he eventually happened upon the barbarian dwarves of what are now called the Mror Holds. He could have easilly destroyed them and settled the holds for himself, however he was wise enough to recognize that controlling them was the best course.
He by civilizing them and assisting them in the reclamation of their heritage made them loyal to himself and his descendants. By choosing to control them he made for his kingdom a foundation of gold. If you are wise you would follow that example.
"I think you misunderstand. These people are aware of such tactics, and probably utilized them themselves. I'm sure they would twist in your hand to bite you as soon as they could."
Kyndril rolls his eyes. "How like a member of the Blood. Believing one can use evil to a good end is folly." He makes a face. "As we in Thrane should have learned..."
You deflect the question. So lets bring up a historical example of control over destruction. When king Galifar came upon these lands all those years ago he eventually happened upon the barbarian dwarves of what are now called the Mror Holds. He could have easilly destroyed them and settled the holds for himself, however he was wise enough to recognize that controlling them was the best course.
He by civilizing them and assisting them in the reclamation of their heritage made them loyal to himself and his descendants. By choosing to control them he made for his kingdom a foundation of gold. If you are wise you would follow that example.
Then you are a fool. The Aurum itself originated from the dwarves of the Mror Holds.
Indeed, he though,something was off with Essar. Perhaps he would even sympathize with the Aurum--the selfishness of the Aurum matched the selfishness of the blood of Vol...just as suspicious, the shifter seemed only concerned with money. Of the people in the room with him, these two, Essran and Othan, seemed most likely to sympathize with the Aurum. Hmmm...
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Once inside, Ebran takes a seat and makes weighty glances at any fine booze he might see around. After all, what good conversation can come without wine "Well, I appear to be in the same boat as Danir here, although I can't say as I have found you lot altogether intolerable. The red priest is a bit... eccentric, but I can handle that. And as to the Aurum and their deep pockets controlling everything... well, I don't like it. I don't think one group should hold all the power, especially by virtue of wealth alone. But my question remains... Where does house Lyrandar fit in this?"Danir facepalms as well...
"And to get freedom, money, and back into my House I must work with this group?"
Ressir takes down some Brelish Pinot Noir wine and sets it down on the table. "We haven't contacted the Houses with this issue. Every nation is handling it in their own way. However, if you follow my orders, you can use adventuring as cover and work for the Dragonmarked Houses if you so desire."
"You mentioned free travel, so I'm guessing you expect us to be doing a lot of it, this leaves me with a few questions:
Will we be travelling under our own identity or fake ones?
Who all will know our true status, other than the Citadel?
If we are to go to Xen'drik, does your offer include a Letter of Marque for the group, to avoid any misunderstandings when we return?
Any incidental riches or treasures we gain, are they ours to keep?"
A question of note comes to my mind. If you must destroy the Aurum would it not be more efficent to raise ourselves to its leadership and thus get papers, notes, maps and other things detailing the Aurum membership? Destroying the entire organization from within not only destroys them, but it would leave any survivors hesitant to reform for fear of treachery.
"Essar, you have made the suggestion repeatedly of trying to take over the Aurum, we have all declined that course of action, so now let us talk of what we will do to stop the group..."
Danir then turns to Ressir and asks "Would you happen to have any strong tea perchance?"
A question of note comes to my mind. If you must destroy the Aurum would it not be more efficent to raise ourselves to its leadership and thus get papers, notes, maps and other things detailing the Aurum membership? Destroying the entire organization from within not only destroys them, but it would leave any survivors hesitant to reform for fear of treachery.
Xov was irritated. This was another reason he preferred working along side other Eyes members: they knew not to challenge the will of their Queen.
"Have you not considered the possibility that the situation of the Aurum has a complexity far beyond your understanding? Has it never occured to you that those with far more information may have already considered your simplistic plans, and noticed flaws beyond your understanding? Do you really believe that you, who learned of this organization mere minutes ago, understand its intricacies better than those who have spent years studying ways to destroy it? Are you that foolish?"
Ah elf you forget that you deal with a follower of the Blood, I have goals that I intend to pursue and chasing down Aurum won't help me fulfill them. My duty to the Blood supercedes any other allegiance, and those duties include finding a way to beat death that is not worse then death itself. Unless the Aurum have a horde of artifacts and magic that can help me in that cause pursueing them is a waste of time.
"But remember cleric, research is expensive and this work sounds very profitable.
Note the term "artifact", that means in magical terms an item so filled with power that its value it literaly is priced in astral diamonds and dragonshards. Even the Aurum don't have rings wrought of astral diamonds and dragon shards.
Ah elf you forget that you deal with a follower of the Blood, I have goals that I intend to pursue and chasing down Aurum won't help me fulfill them. My duty to the Blood supercedes any other allegiance, and those duties include finding a way to beat death that is not worse then death itself. Unless the Aurum have a horde of artifacts and magic that can help me in that cause pursueing them is a waste of time.
So there it is then. No need to try to guess his motives, he just flat out told us. He indeed must be a fool; he heard intelligence from high-level agents of multiple foreign nations, and then openly declared himself enemy to all of them. How at the Citadel chosen someone so incompetent? And for someone that foolish to be seeking immortality? I came so close to death in infancy before he was born, and I will still be young long after he dies of old age. That is, unless he dies sooner from stupidity.
Turning to Ressir, with these thoughts racing through his mind, Xov cautiously asked:"If I may ask, what lead to this death cleric's selection? He seems to lack self-restrain in his words, and seems indifferent to the goals of the Five Nations at best. Indeed, he seems to me to be the exact sort of person recruited by the Auru--wait a minute..."
His voice trailed off for a moment, then, turning back to Essnar,
"wait, how do you know anything of the Aurum's supply of artifacts? Who's spy are you?"
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Ressir brought in some tea. It was getting impossible for six men to play ball. They needed these six men to go around, playing the part of Adventurers until he thought they were ready. He might have felt better if they just given the men their papers and just be off with them. These men were the worst kind.
He sat down the tea and finally said, "Look, Essar was perfect because he was from Karrnath. However, I'm beginning to wonder myself. All he cares about is his religion and not his homeland. Essar's a fanatic, yep, but when the time comes he can get you into Karrnath.
"Here you go."
He placed 6 letters of credit, all worth 500 gold. "You guys are very, very green. You've forgotten to know how to work together in a group. So, these should give you enough gold to go buy and sword, find some work, and go out and hurt something. You need to learn teamwork so, from now on you are an Adventuring Company. Call yourselves anything you'll like."
"Ressir, can I speak with you for a moment, in private?
"So you have all our other papers, season train passes, etc as well? If that be the case... then, gentlemen, where shall we start? I am sure you are all very homesick, except maybe the Cyran? I am content to travel anywhere, with the stipulation that I swing by any House Lyrandar outposts we happen upon."
Save the letters of credit for Karnath, I have contacts in the Emerald Claw or whats left of it and the Blood who can get you all sorts of weapons and armour no "reputable" merchant would sell. Besides that though you will find the Blood to be good employers, as we of the Blood are concerned with results. We won't scream at you if you use methods that are "immoral", unlike the church of the silver flame and the idiots who run it.
Xov nodded.
He looked around uncomfortably. Ressir was right, they could not yet work as a team. This discussion had made him even more suspicious of Othan and Essar. Oddly, though, he began to feel a level of comfort with Kyndril. Yes, he was from hated Thrane. But he seemed to understand loyalty and trust--something which could not be said of many. He sighed. Perhaps the group should try adventuring together.
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** spoiler omitted **
"Not really, but you are all free to go as you please. If you go to Sharn, there will be certainly a lot of opportunities. But, I was thinking of you guys trying your luck in the wilderness. however, if Sharn's where you all want to go to learn how to work as a team I won't stand in your way."
"Well then, we have our papers, our letters of credit, and I can apparently consider myself still part of House Cannith- where would you all like to start?" Danir asks, having decided to give this a chance.
He had already been thinking of adventuring for a while to raise funds for a trip back to Eston and Whitehearth some day, and this might allow him to do so quicker.
Tell me Danir have you ever wanted the chance to study arts of magical crafting that not even house cannith knows? As the Blood does have a dedicated core of its own artificers who made the weapons and armor used by the Emerald Claw.
Danir, there is...one other place I would like to visit. However, I fear we are not yet powerful enough to go there...but it may interest you as well. For now, I am comfortable going anywhere--Sharn sounds fine.
"The more i hear talk of Karrnath from you, the more it sounds like snake oil."
Tell me Danir have you ever wanted the chance to study arts of magical crafting that not even house cannith knows? As the Blood does have a dedicated core of its own artificers who made the weapons and armor used by the Emerald Claw.
"Karrn, your efforts are wasted- save your words, I will never join your cult. I have my own faith, one that sustains and bolsters me while yours only sickens me. I will adventure with you, I may even someday trust you to an extent, but I will not join you so ask no more. You having nothing of value to offer me that I would accept."
Ebran agrees with Danir, "Your insistence only further disservices your cause. I would sooner brave the mind-thieves of Sarlona than pledge any fealty to Karrnath, given the choice."
Danir, there is...one other place I would like to visit. However, I fear we are not yet powerful enough to go there...but it may interest you as well. For now, I am comfortable going anywhere--Sharn sounds fine.
"If it is where I suspect it is, then yes I do intend to go there someday, and no- we are not ready yet!"
I'm not asking you to join the Blood, what im offering is simply the chance to learn some of its secrets regarding artifice. It would be more like you taking out a mercenary contract where the reward is knowledge rather then gold. As converting someone who does not want to be converted is pointless.
Besides though you need to consider something. If you are to take down the Aurum you must understand something, you cannot fight them conventially and without allies your task is that much harder. The Blood could be made to see the Aurum as a dangerous enemy, one that it might help you destroy. As the Blood unlike the Silver Flame is more then willing to ally with those who would otherwise be opposed to it. For the Sovereign Host is not our enemy unless they choose to be, a temple of the Blood won't attack another faith unless provoked.
"I care not for the flame or the blood. You're both kind of annoying. And both can be just as dangerous as a shadow cabal of rich men like the Aurum," Ebran counters, sipping on his pinot noir.
Dessir I require a map that is up to date, as I think I can find something suitable for all our tastes concerning "morality". As what I am thinking of raiding is a place with great piles of treasure and its fair share of valuable items and tools.
Dessir I require a map that is up to date, as I think I can find something suitable for all our tastes concerning "morality". As what I am thinking of raiding is a place with great piles of treasure and its fair share of valuable item and tools.
"And where would this place be? Are you certain that raiding and theft is acceptable to the rest of the group?"
Pausing, he continued"Visiting Sharn may be a good option--there is much to explore there.
And Essar, I suggest that you not push your luck. You have now repeatedly insulted the Silver Flame, but have ignored that an agent of that very flame stands right in this room. I have been watching you, and I know that none of your spells can hurt, they can only slow someone down. If you continue to harass us regarding the Blood, one of us may lose their temper and attack you, and you would stand no chance alone. I understand your loyalty to the Blood, and loyalty is important. But equally important is discretion: you must learn when to keep quiet. Otherwise, you may anger not only us, but people we attempt to deceive in the future. If you cannot learn to control your words, you may become a liability to our team rather than an asset. If this occurs, it may well permanently end your hopes of avoiding death, and end them quite early. Tread carefully. You have been warned."
Considering what I plan to raid is a vault of the Keeper I don't think any of you will have qualms with it. Well as long as you don't mind fighting undead and a few worshipers of the Keeper, as this is a fairly minor vault. It should be a simple matter of fighting our way through undead and claiming the treasure within. And if the Karnath intelligence reports were not falsified that treasure is great indeed.
Xov turned towards Ressir, he was done speaking to the human imbecile.
Ressir, I have one final question for you before we leave:
Do you intend to attempt to scry on us, and have you taken any of our hair to aid you in scrying?