Ruhk opens one eye fully now.
"Dark and cold, icy you mean?
The one we fought had frosty skin, formed walls of ice and seemed especially malicious.
Ordinary fey change like that?"
"I'm not going to make any excuses, and I'm not going to claim what's being done to the forest is right.
But do you know WHY they are so eager for wood? I can tell you if you like."
"Creed and Payday" Belladonna said, trying to finish Ruhk's sentence. She twiddles her thumbs and frowns
"Well yes...they are sort of the fingers of the hand, but not the hand itself, nor the arm or the head guiding it.
The root cause is fear, and politics...but mostly fear."
"See, this land, what we call Andor used to be part of Cheliax to the west, and they want this land back.
And to the east is Taldor, which Cheliax used to be part of...and they want Cheliax, and by extension Andor back as well.
Both have a strong military, and both have a strong navy.
So Andor needs to have a navy big enough to potentially stalemate TWO empires.
Ships need wood, especially high quality wood like this.
So the government that's "supposedly" against tyranny, slavery and other such nefarious things turns a blind eye to the way Kreed runs this place."
Ruhk scowls a little and spits over the side of the Canoe.
"That's why I don't like politics, that's why I don't trust the shining knights, that's why I came here, to try and get away from all that...and my father of course."
His face slowly turning more and more dark, he begins to mutter under his breath.
"Lousy...good for nothing...arrogant...sum'a b+&+&..."
Zirren let a half smile rise to his face.
Caine sighed, taking a bit to respond to Zilka's question. "I'm alright. Just not used to this kind of stuff anymore. Too much drink and not enough hard work. I'm payin' for it now."
He listened to the others talk about why things were there way they were in the vale and rubbed his eyes. He kept his thoughts on the subject to himself. No use bogging down the discussion with a economics class or a political trieste. The whole issue was easier to tackle if it was allowed to be about the people who were impacted, and all of it took a back seat to the plague anyway. Until that was dealt with, it was all just words.
The faun with Ruhk and Belladonna nods slowly. "He has turned callous, but now that you mention it... I never realized it before, but his skin did feel cooler the last time I saw him..." He trails off in thought, but listens the Ruhk's explanation, nodding occasionally. "I do not fully understand all this talk of governments and politics, such concepts are alien to my people, but I think I am beginning to at least understand the why of my home being taken away from me..." He goes quiet again for a moment and focuses on his paddling. "To answer your earlier question, yes, fey can be changed like that. The queen's sister must be behind this... I only know the myths, but it is said that Queen Syntira's sister turned against her ages ago and was banished to the far northern wastes where the ice turned her cold and brutal. We have heard sittings about ice fey entering the woods from the north and Captain Xanostar's encounter with one seems to hint at such things."
Yala nods as he listens to Zirren.
"Oooooh, up north huh? That explains a lot actually.
I mean, if you look for power in the north, there is really only one source to beat all others.
Baba Yaga, or at least her daughters.
Half of what used to be my homeland is covered in ice due to Baba Yagas never ending winter.
I don't think they would mind much up in Irissen if another winter struck down here."
"I don't want your home taken from you!" Belladonna says just a little too loudly. Her passion getting the better of her. "Most of our people are good, but there are people in power who aren't. They sort of make slaves of us good people, and force us to do what they want. Now we're sick too, and the people in power don't care. All they want is money and power. Money and power. I just want everyone to be free, happy, and healthy. Fey too. I think fey are good people too."
Caine flipped a coin in his hand. "You got the right idea, Bella." he turned the coin over between his fingers, looking at the head, then the tail side. "Remember that thing we talked about when we first met? 'Bout how to topple a power structure?"
Ruhk opens both eyes and forces himself up on one elbow, giving himself enough balance so he can cup Bella's chin in his free hand.
"Don't be sad Bella, think about it.
Sometimes all people need to change is something or someone to rally around.
Why not some people responsible for brining a cure to a plague when the people in charge did nothing?
And better yet, we have extended an olive branch to the fey as well, and meet receptive hands."
"If we tell the story in the right way, it will plants seeds in the minds of people back home.
See, we can tell the truth, but if we tell it the right way, it can have an effect.
The Fey helped us right? Say the people are not ready to hear that, but we can drop hints, let people draw their own conclusions.
If someone thinks it is their own idea, it can be more effective."
Zirren could not actually believe that he was hearing this. "You're seriously considering this, aren't you?! You're not talking about just exploring a decrepit structure with some dangerous but seperate creatures. This is an organization, they have structure, resources, and man power. We're not some world changing heroes just waltzing in and changing how things work because we don't like them. We're a group of incidental people who may well become folk heroes at best. There'll be reprecussions of our actions and we don't have the power to just deny it.
Now don't misunderstand me, I was born here. I know how bad the current lumber consortium leaders are. But that's just not how to do things. We need backing, support, evidence that what they're doing is wrong. Charging in blindly is a good way for us to get killed. But Zilka and I, we're Pathfinders. It's a happy circumstance that we were here to help cure a plague and goodness knows I will sleep better knowing that that my mother and the rest of the town won't be getting sick any longer. But we have a task to complete... not an organization to overthrow!"
He looked over at Zilka hoping for some support.
Ruhk merely waves Zirren's objections off.
"And how do you know? Pretty much every story I've heard started with a rag-tag band of motley souls.
Besides, we live in a world where mortals can and HAS become gods.
And if you never try, then you can't succeed.
This seems like a good a cause as any."
Ruhk grins, and his face takes on an almost philosophical look.
"Besides, in the end, are we not all just chips in the great game of life?
Ante up my friend."
"You don't have to do anything you don't want to. You can always go back to the Pathfinders. You did good work. No one would fault you for leaving." Caine shrugged.
"The Lumber Consortium needs to be taken down. That's the end goal. You might not see it yet, but you will." Caine said tugging his hood down over his eyes to keep the sun out. His headache was not making the light feel friendly.
Ruhk grins at Caine's very matter of fact tone.
He has the wisdom, I got the smarts. Why, together we almost make up a half decent person!
Zirren sat back in his canoe his thoughts silencing him for the moment.
Well at least she agrees with me on the danger part. I'm glad she hasn't completely gone over to their way of thinking. Besides, I wasn't suggesting we go back to the lodge. Not before we've had a chance to fully explore that place. Although it would be a lot more dangerous if it was just the two of us. I don't mean to abandon the Valer's here but they seem idiotically determined to try and take down the consortium.
It would simply be easier... smarter even, to stay out of it past this point. Go our separate ways...
" I believe their thought process is that there are some people who just can't be reformed."
"It isn't the people making things corrupt. It's the systems they enforce. Getting rid of the bad apples isn't going to do a damn thing unless we clean out the barrel to get rid of the rot."
"Right now, axehands like Ruhk are paid next to nothing. They have to rent their lodgings, food and equipment from the company. If they have families, that's more bills. Wives and kids can work too, but they're paid even less, and have to rent their work supplies too. No one owns homes or land in the Vale. The Consortium owns it all, and they aren't selling. Everything is rented. People that can't pay take out credit with the company moneylender. That debt has interest."
"So most of the money workers make goes right back to the company. A system of fines for small slights like taking time off work to take care of sick family members makes sure that no one ever escapes the debt spiral."
"Anyone who tries to skip town is tossed in prison camps, where they're made to work doing the stuff that the company can't even pay folks to do."
"There's no competition and no overseeing government, so the consortium gets to set it's own prices and make it's own law."
"You can't reform a system that is designed to consolidate power and force people into indentured servitude."
"I especially "like" the axe tax. Being forced to pay extra for the axe you in most cases already rent from the equipment stores.
Oh, and it is up to you to keep your axe in good shape, but you have to use the approved specialists for that.
And then you can get fined if your axe has a nick on it even if you are on the way to get it fixed."
"They tried to fine me for Bethany, since she actually belongs to me, "not up to code" she was, despite me pointing out she is NOT for chopping trees.
When I wouldn't pay, they tried to confiscate her!"
Sounds, altogether, very confusing, and difficult to manage.
Ruhk chuckles and then winks at Nathaniel.
"Kind of the point we were trying to make Nat, it's pretty much impossible to manage for most.
A lot of the people around here, Kreed OWNS them in everything but name.
You are so deep in debt you can't leave, but the more you work, the more in debt you get, until you are trapped."
Caine scoffed. "But Zilka, how could you compare a wholesome, honest career to something as awful as slavery. Everyone working for the consortium is working because they choose to. For their families. If they can't afford their equipment, or a place to live, well, then the consortium is willing to help out, but you don't really expect the company to just give those things away, do you? They're a business, after all."
"And if a bunch of angry, anti-business nut jobs come in and try to take away people's livelihoods, then all we'd have is a bunch of unemployed folks. Then how would the government get it's Darkwood?"
Caine's scowl came back after his rant. "Financial corruption is the worst of all evils humans inflict on each other. Poverty. Slavery. Debt. Profiteering. Prostitution. Extortion. Usury."
"It all comes from financial corruption. A just financial system would protect against all of those things. A just system would make them unnecessary in the first place."
"It isn't supposed to be like this."
"Perhaps it's not, Caine. But not every system is created with equality and fairness in mind. Even most that start out that way aren't able to maintain it forever. It's often faster, easier, and simpler to do things in a self serving way. Someone strong enough to lead takes over and then implements their way of doing things. The way you think things ought to be changed can happen but there needs to be strong evidence that it's being mishandled. Even a bad system is better than no system. Anecdotal evidence is often not good enough on its own."
Zirren paused at this thinking. "The Consortium's been around long enough that most of the Valers are under it's thumb now. Those that complain are shot down and those strong enough to overthrow are either bought off or intimidated in some fashion into not acting. The largest problem for the common folk is that they don't really know how to go about changing the way of things for themselves. Perhaps, if I was able to get my hands on the original copy of the contract the consortium has with the Andoran government I could find some loophole... or given how sloppy Kreed is being, flagrant disregard for how things are being handled, and I could have this whole operation undergo a change.
The plague is making everyone's live harder and once we get the ingredients back to Falcon's Hallow we can end it. In a few weeks time hopefully there won't be any trace of it but the quality of life isn't going to change much for these folks. And yet... many will owe us their lives or be grateful for saving a family members life, perhaps we could get them to act when the time is right.
Your statement is sadly correct in this case, Caine. If we go about destroying the lumber consortium like a bunch of angry, anti business nut jobs" Zirren said, restating what Caine had said. "Then a lot of people will lose their way of life. We would be handing this place over to a time of chaos. The problem with most revolutions is the instigators often don't think of any consequences of their actions past the immediate goal of overthrowing their oppressors.
If you plan on overthrowing you must be prepared to take over yourself, temporarily at least, until provision can be made. As I said before, you'd need backing and resources. The treasure we collected is not an inconsiderable amount..."
The rest of the trip was pleasant and even almost relaxing as everyone took the paddle for an hour to allow the others to rest for two hours. There was talk about the current climate in the Vale amidst the fey and that there was currently a division about how best to handle the logging of their home. Some simply wanted to live their lives in peace and to allow the loggers to take a certain area and leave the rest to the fey; however, there were others who were less inclined to have their homes turned into logs and sent down the river to be worked into weapons of war.... There was one faction, becoming more vocal every day, that was attempting to raise the fey to action and declare a war upon Falcon's Hollow, to send a message to the rest of the area that their home was to be left alone.
About two hours from Falcon's Hollow the fauns guide the canoe to the east bank and bid their farewells. "This is where we must part ways. We will not go any closer to Falcon's Hollow. You may keep these canoes and utilize anytime you require. Farewell friends, be safe and go with our graces that perhaps you will be able make some sense of the madness before innocents become tangled in the middle." With that the fauns quickly depart for the distant forest barely visible on the horizon...
A few more hours later you can hear the distinctive sound of axes and saws and the clamor of civilization... Falcon's Hollow. You get a few strange looks as you approach from the river, but arrive unmolested. Where to now?
"Let's not waste any time, if our resident herbalist is as passionate as us, she'll work through the night anyway when she gets her needed ingredients.
So, to the herbalist store!"
Caine nodded, moving somewhat painfully. His overtaxed body had stiffened up from a few hours lounging in the canoe. After a few minutes of walking he listened up a little, but his protesting muscles reminded him with every step that he was seriously out of shape.
Zirren walked along silently with the rest of the group. He was eager to see this portion of their quest complete. Knowing the town would soon be safe from the plague that was spreading through it would certainly going to be making things easier for him to think on.
Belladonna took a moment to change from her armor into more citizen like attire. What a change it all was, coming back after such danger and excitement. She was very eager to save the vale from the plague.
The group quickly proceeded straight to Laurel's shop where they find the woman leaning against the counter in her shop, head leaned back, and her eyes closed while a cauldron boils nearby. The steam that rises from the strange liquid inside fills the small shop with a potent, earthy smell that is not quite unpleasant, but it leaves you all wrinkling your noses. Laurel looks exhausted, the dark circles and heavy "bags" beneath her eyes attest to a lack of sleep. She does not open an eye when you all enter her shop and simply states tiredly. "I've told you all, there is nothing more I can do until those fools return with the remedy." However when she hears six sets of steps she then opens her eyes to see you all standing there triumphantly. Her eyes suddenly widen and a rare grin shows her teeth. "You are back!" She pushes away from the counter and approaches eagerly. "Please tell me you have the ingredients! You do, don't you??"
"Right you are, we got the lot, right here."
Belladonna will keep watch out the windows, making a full rotation every now and then.
"My Hin senses are tingling. I think someone has followed us."
"Any idea who it is?
There are two likely candidates, either one of Kreed's thugs, or someone who heard what we were doing and wondering if this means a cure is in the makings."
Scratching his chin for a moment, Ruhk shrugs.
"It may not matter, once the cure starts getting distributed, Kreed will learn about it, and so will everyone else."
"No idea. I'm just getting a weird feeling."
"Well, keep those senses sharp Bella, they can save lives, your own or those you care about." Ruhk states with unusual gravitas.
He does ruin the effect a little by tousling her hair afterwards.
Caine's lips pursed. He'd long suspected this illness wasn't natural. That meant someone had a vested interest in preventing the cure from circulating, or in controlling how it was circulated.
"I'm stayin' right here until the cure is made an people start coming here to get it. I have a feeling we aren't done yet."
"We might as well all do that, tell you what. I'm still pretty fresh, why don't you take a nap for a bit Caine? I can wake you in an hour or two and you can take over."
Caine nodded. "Once Laurel's doing her thing, I will."
Laurel lets out a heavy sigh of relief. "Thank the gods... 18 people have died since you've been gone. The folks here were becoming terrified. And terror brings about other things... Quickly place them here on the counter-top, I will begin immediately." Despite her obvious exhaustion Laurel begins rushing around gathering up mortars and pestles, another cauldron. She hands mortars/pestles to the group. "We need to crush these ingredients into a paste. I will get some water to boil. It will take some time, but if we hurry I think we can begin handing out the cure by morning... We need to spread the word somehow."
Zirren blinked at Laurel's exclamation of their arrival, after revealing just how bad things had been in the day, the gravity of the situation hit him like a ton of bricks. Emotion began to stir within the young Half-Elf.
Just one day?
It was as fast as we could safely go.
So many people, gone, in just one day?
He shivered as realization dawned on him at just how cold he had been acting only a few hours ago, and it only had a little bit to do with the supernatural chill he felt.
You were instrumental in getting the ingredients as fast as you did. You are a Pathfinder, act like it.
I was willing to put so many people's lives at risk, just to explore old Dwarven ruins... I'd even been willing to stay and finish my task... ... And I'm not done yet, I have to go back and finish my task before Zilka and I return.
He looked back out towards the town.
"That shouldn't be too hard. I'll go convince a few people that we've returned with the ingredients for a cure and have them help spread the word. I'm not very useful when it comes to preparing or applying medicinal remedies or the like. You won't be done till the morning so we've got a some time to use."
"Since we're all staying here anyway, why don't I head over to the lumberyard?
I could spread the world there, and once Milton hears about it, he is sure to pass it on further."
"I think that is a bad idea." Caine said. "Spreading the word about the cure before the cure is ready will cause a mob to gather with nothing to do but wait and stew."
"It won't take long to spread the word, and once people start showing up we are going to need to organize them, give them what they need, and move them along as fast as we can."
"I hate to say it, but we should wait until the cure is closer to ready. Best way to avoid a panic or riot is to keep a lid on this until we are sure we have a cure."
Laurel nods sagely at Caine's suggestion. "That's a very good point. But we may need to take the cure to some who are too sick to come to us. And we should be prepared to sift through to determine who needs the cure before others just in case there is not enough. Based on the recipe and dosage, we aught to have enough." She stops short just before leaving her store. "Didn't you say something about someone following you? Sounds like something more is going on then what I am privy to. Perhaps one or two of you could escort me to the well?"
Caine nodded and stood up. "Sure. Any reason we can't just go to the well for you? You just need water, right?"
To say that Ruhk and Caine were friends would be a stretch so far that it wouldn't even fit one of Ruhk's tall stories.
More accurate would be to say that they were two men who has frequently found themselves on the same side in a fistfight.
However, Ruhk had a healthy respect for Caine's martial abilities, as well as his ability to apply a dose of (often cynical) common sense to a situation.
Besides, Ruhk himself was smart enough to know when to listen to others.
So he wiggles his eyebrows a little and chuckles.
"You're playing the long game again, eh Caine?"