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Hanlin, Lord Braggett, and Nina deduce that Zeb has recently been under some sort of magical control, and now he is definitely drunk. In his current state, you're pretty sure diplomacy is a lost cause. Other options might be more successful.
Escaping the grasp of his daughter Reya, Zeb is stumbling toward you. He almost falls over, when he winds up for a roundhouse punch...
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Hanlin takes another step back, not wanting the man to hurt himself, especially if he tries punching him and his spiked armor. "Woah now man. Its pretty obvious that someone or something put a spell on you and got you drunk. The good news is that spell has worn off and the bad news is you'll have a heck of a hangover in the morning. Maybe he just needs to spend some alone time to sober up."
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Seeing the crowd gather and get nervous, Hanlin heads over to calm their worry, whispering to Iomedae for help as he goes. Please don't let this turn into a s*!+ show, we've come so far to be set back now!
"Don't be alarmed everyone, someone thought it would be funny to get poor old Zeb drunk and now he's feeling the oats of his youth. We're only trying to keep him from hurting himself or anyone else, getting him to the drunk tank to sleep it off. Please get home and get yourselves some rest!" Hanlin smiles, doing his best to keep the crowd under control.
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Witnessing the PR nightmare unfold in front of his eyes, Lord Braggett tries his best to help the others salvage the situation with the crowd. "Yes, everything is fine, no harm will befall Zeb. The poor fellow just needs a little time on his own to calm down and sober up." He holds his hands up in an attempt to placate the crowd. "He's currently a danger to himself and others." He glances back at Inky with her paws wrapped around the drunk. Good grief! If word gets out that I was involved in a drunken brawl, my reputation will be ruined...
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Pathfinders or not, I do so wonder why we care so much about this drunkard...
Erlathan sighs loudly. "Riff raff, eh? While Inky has him grappled, why don't we rope his hands together so he can't try that again? Of course... I've no rope... I left that behind with all of the other useful gear. All I need is my spellbook, really," he smirks.
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"Fear not people, for we are experienced in dealing with the devilry that has befallen this good man! We have everything under control..." Lord Braggett shouts confidently to the crowd, even though he has no idea what to do. He turns to Reya as Erlathan starts binding the drunk's wrists, "My Lady, we must get your father back home where we may start exorcising the devil that has taken his mind in relative safety. Do not be alarmed about the restrains, but until he has regained his senses, we must take every precaution for his own good. Now, if you would be so kind as to lead the way..." He trails off, hopeful that she will agree. "Furthermore, if you allow us to search the property, we may be able to find evidence of how this happened and prevent it from happening to any more of the fine people of this town."
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"That's right! Not only do we fight monsters and escort civilians but we're also part-time exorcists too," Nina adds, stepping in to help Lord Braggett. "We definitely need a better place to do an exorcism than in the middle of the street, though."
She moves to help Erlathan carefully bind the drunken and confused Zeb, while Inky continues to sit on the man.
"Now, hold still sir! The power of Sarenrae compels ye!"
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After you've pacified Zeb without causing him permanent harm, Deputy Naia Volsson steps forward. "Well done, Pathfinders." She turns to Reya, "Let's get your father home, where he can sleep this off in his own bed."
Zeb continues to grumble about hellspawn and to vent his ill feelings for Vegazi.
You carry the bound Zeb to his small cottage, where you install him in his bedroom to sober up. Before you leave, Reya holds out her hand, presenting you with a homemade necklace. "Thank you for your help. I cannot imagine what got into my pa. This is not like him at all."
Reya smiles, "I promise to have you over for dinner anytime you'd like."
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Volsson asks you to accompany her to the armory where she occupies a small office. "I was impressed by your relatively peaceful execution of the law." She grabs a quill and a piece of parchment, scrawls a quick note and scoops up some coins from her cashbox. "Here, I've requisitioned a small reward for you. It seems Terrin Shaw's trust in you is not misplaced."
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"Ha! The promise of a fine, homemade meal and an extra bag coins..." Lord Braggett cheers once the group has left the armoury. "That went rather well, I'd say. Nicely done Inky! Now, to resupply for our secret expedition beyond the walls." He says, a little louder then he really should while this close to the deputy, and strides cheerfully in the direction of the Red Archive. What with the praise and reward, he seems to have completely forgotten about the mysterious cause of Zeb's condition, eager to get onto the next heroic deed.
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Deputy Naia Volsson gives Lord Braggett a hard look. "The mayor has ordered the gates closed until help arrives from Vigil. Don't place yourselves on the wrong side of the law, gnome."
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Gallus Crevac answers your knock at the door of the Red Archive. "Ah, Pathfinders." His tone is abrupt, his expression harried. "What brings you to my home this evening?"
Behind the Chelaxian elder, you can see into his impressive study, where a young gnome woman is frantically pulling books from the shelves of his library walls and building haphazard towers of tomes in the center of the room.
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Erlathan gazes at the bookshelves in awe. "Can I have a look at your books? Can I, can I, can I?" He bounces excitedly on his feet. "Oh, I'm Erlathan, by the way. Apologies for my er, enthusiasm, but books and I are as one, you see. Knowledge is power and all that other stuff you hear from your father as a child." He rolls his eyes.
Father, psh. Some father.
"We were to told to seek you out for some information on perhaps... A way out of Arwyll Stead without using the city gates. For casual, general interest of course. Nothing more. Nope!"
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"Please, do come in." Gallus Crevac ushers you into his home.
Books, scrolls, and arcane miscellanies litter this expansive, cylindrical library. Floor-to-ceiling shelves cover the walls of the three-story repository, and a few hallways branch off to other chambers. Chairs, couches, and other furniture are positioned throughout the room, except in its very center, where several stacked piles of tomes have been precariously assembled.
Gallus responds to Erlathan, "The books cover a wide range of subjects. I can't bring myself to give any away and I can't stop collecting them. We share that passion, sir elf."
"I've operated the Red Archive by myself for many years, but I recently took on a young apprentice named Lilli Flaga. Miss Flaga, please say hello to our guests."
Lilli’s desperation and Gallus’s confusion and frustration are mounting. Obsessed, the gnome searches through the shelves selecting some books, discarding most, and placing those she picks up on top of the towers she's constructing.
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Lord Braggett greets the two occupants of the Red Archive with a bow. "Good evening Sir Crevac, Lady Flaga." He waits for an appropriately courteous period of time for a response from Lilli Flaga, then harrumphs when none is forthcoming. Rude! A little put back, but mostly curious at his fellow gnome's obsession, he turns to Gallus and enquires. "May I ask what you're both working on this evening? Whatever it is, your young apprentice seems quite taken with the task." He wanders over and takes a sneak peek at some of the titles on the books. "Not many people know this, Sir, but we gnomes are a very passionate people. On very rare occasions, we have been known to get a little carried away with certain activities or collections."
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Hanlin pauses to watch the little gnome with everyone else, whispering to Iomedae for some help in figuring things out I didn't think you dealt with Gnomes much, but maybe you do... what the hell is up with this one?
He shakes his head Ya, me neither. He thinks, as he turns his attention to Gallus "Good evening. A fine, and well stocked library you seem to have here. Do you specialize in any field in particular? Maybe some information on local Devils or the Orc tribes? They are making life difficult for sure."
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"Of course, even in those rare circumstances, a gnome would usually have the courtesy to return a greeting." Lord Braggett muses while observing Lilli's peculiar behaviour. "I say... Lady Flaga... What are you doing?" He raises his voice, hoping to get the obsessive gnome's attention. "We were rather hoping that you and Sir Crevac might be able to furnish us with some supplies and information. Would you be so kind as to stop for a moment and speak with us?"
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"Um...hellooooo?" Nina asks, waving her hand in front of Lilli's eyes in an attempt to get her fellow gnome's attention. "I can understand obsession for sure but Lord Braggett is right - not saying hello is pretty darn rude!"
"...nothing? Hmph! Your parents apparently didn't teach you any manners," Nina huffs upon getting no response.
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"Sir Talks-A-Lot?" Lord Bragget harrumphs, "I'll have you know that I talk a perfectly adequate amount, thank you very much. Neither too much, nor too little..." He puts his hands on his hips and gives Inky a nod, as if that's put an end to the matter, but then he continues. "Why, poets and bards are constantly telling me how I use the perfect number of words for each and every sentence that I utter. Not once have I ever spoken too much."
With his little rant over, the 'taciturn' knight turns to Gallus Crevac. "May I ask how long has she been at it, Sir?"
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"EXCUSE ME!" Lilli barks, as she dodges Nina standing in her way. She slams the book on top of the pile and heads back to the shelves, searching for another.
Erlathan glances at the tome's binding, The Devil You Know: Uncle Screwtape's Illustrated Pop-Up Book of Infernal Critters, A-Z embossed in gold on the cover.
Gallus Crevac answers Lord Braggett, "Not long, maybe a half hour."
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Lord Braggett is growing increasingly concerned for the fetching gnome. He looks at the books Lilli is practically screaming about and at the titles in the pile, realising that they all seem to reference infernal critters of some kind. "You don't suppose Lady Flaga is suffering from the same affliction that drove Zeb to drink, do you?" He picks up a book from the pile and tries to read it. "Some kind of green-eyed obsession devil running amok on the townsfolk, perhaps?"
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Lilli protests violently when Lord Braggett removes a book from the stacks. She grabs a book from the shelves and throws it at him. "Do NOT get in my way!"
Gallus Crevac shakes his head. "My Red Archive looks like a tornado blew through it. Do you think you could restrain her without hurting her, while we try to figure out what's going on?"
"Maybe the answer's in these books she's stacking in the middle of the room."
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"AAgh!" Lord Braggett lets out an undignified scream as he shies away from the incoming tome. *Ooof!* The brave knight quickly regains his composure, however, and puffs out his chest. "Now now Lady Flaga, that was entirely uncalled for!" He nods a Gallus, brushes himself down, and strides towards Lilli. "In light of recent events, I do not believe you are in your right mind and are in dire need of our help. Now, I must insist that you desist at once, or I will be forced to restrain you as Sir Crevac has suggested."