Nodding at the words spoken, Pallius responds taking on a more serious tone: "Not to spoil the mood, but it bares mentioning. Gregor is to be buried tomorrow morning, with the Iomedeans doing the service, if you can please attend. There are things that need to be discussed then." Finishing his statement by draining the rest of the beverage.
"But enough serious talk, let us celebrate the good that has been done! Lou some of your finest!" Pallius calls out!
Lhuar orders 2 more beers, but takes his time with them. He fields any questions that are asked, within reason of course, and basically tries to be social.
Good to meet you, Jerod. You've a way with a tale my friend; what is it that you do? Save for slaying bugbears, that is.. His mood softens as he looks at Pallius. I'm sorry for your loss; was he a close friend?
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Jerod holds his hand up, waving away the thought as though it were crazy. "Oh, me? Slay bugbears? Heavens no, that's certainly beyond my humble capabilities; why, such a silly notion, that."
With that, he takes another sip of his beer, then sets the mug down decidedly. "No sir, I play many roles: the messenger, the king, the charming prince," and at that, he flashes a sly grin and wink at the waitress, "... the dashing pirate, the nobleman's son, the elder brother, and, last but not least, the dastardly, evil villain." He pauses, taking another sip and then catching a breath. With a finger in the air, he continues as though not missing a beat. "I am all of these and none of these are what I am, for I," and he pauses here for dramatic, "..am an actor," he finishes simply.
Tuktuk's eyes widen in fascination. Really? I've never met an actor before...that is, unless he was acting as someone else and I didn't know.. He leans toward Jerod, suddenly concerned. You don't do that, do you? I must say, I've never known of an actor who would fight for the common man; don't you work for the very Lords and Ladies that we shake our fists at?. He looks at Zeke quickly, his mouth snapping shut as if he thought he had said too much.
Jerod doesn't answer, but just smiles in return as he continues to sip his mug. After the second question, he speaks. "Acting has always been about the ails of man, common or noble; why, how else would we achieve such inspiration? I work for the betterment of all."
Shaking his head,"Only knew him for a day." Pallius admits. "But he was a good man."
At the gnome's accusation Pallius laughs and bangs his hand on the table. "Speaks his mind, I like this guy! That's the way it should be!"
Tuktuk nods quickly at Jerod. Of course...I meant no disrespect, I was just curious. My uncle has always told me that I ask far too many questions for my own good. My...gift...has made me question much of our natural and supernatural world, and I fear that sometimes carries over into everyday conversation. Uncle is always trying to hustle out customers before I can get to them.. He chuckles, and looks at his drink. His grin turns down. What customers we're still "allowed" to have, that is.
I'm truly sorry for your loss; sometimes a day is all one needs to measure the worth of a man.. He turns to Lhuar, perhaps seeking a change of subject. And you, Lhuar, do you work here in town?
"No. I live out in the woods, but I do come into town from time to time. I couldn't stand the condition of the city anymore, so now I am trying to do something about it."
The hooded girl slips into the inn unnoticed, taking stock of the party and smiling slightly at Jerod's working the room.
After a while she detaches herself from the wall and approaches the gnome.
"Master Bellawok....I am Naeli, party to the incident at the Levington's. Someone with your skills would be a most valuable companion. Sadly, as Pallius says, we lost one such to last nights events, a brave servant of Gorum...."
Nodding the new arrival: "Which is why I was saying..." as he slides the pouch of gold towards Naeli. "That you folks should attend his funeral tomorrow morning."
100g
"I will be there. He was a brave man, and I would not feel right if I did not attend the funeral."
Tuktuk blinks in open surprise at the appearance of the Tiefling girl, his mouth dropping open, then quickly snapping shut. Miss Naeli...of course; it's a...well, a delight...to meet you, that is. Are you...uh, with these men?
"That I am. Its hard to find good men about this city, so I stick with them when I find them."
She nods a thanks to Pallius and accepts the pouch. "Whose funeral?"
"Gregor's, tomorrow at nine."
Raising his mug in a toast, Jerod declares loudly, "To Gregor! For without him, we would not be standing here tonight! May he finally get the rest he deserves. A true hero! Here, here! To Gregor!"
Tuktuk nods at Naeli, though his eyes show a bit of wariness, perhaps due to her heritage. I know we just met, but I would be honored to attend the funeral of your friend. If he was your trusted companion and perished in the act of heroics, then he deserves such honor indeed.
He casts a glance at Zeke. Zeke, it seems you've some fine friends here; you have my thanks for introducing us. Will you be going to the funeral tomorrow, as well?
"Gregor deserves a better funeral than....other citizens have received recently."
She gestures to the pouch. "Pallius, if any of this can assist in giving him a proper burial..."
In a lower tone, "He is to be buried by the Iomedean's. They have also agreed to speak with his corpse so that we may honor his wishes for coming here......"
"If we are to be his only friends or family there then I would like to suggest the Jerod give a speech. I have learned over the years that while my ideas are noble, my ability to express them is not so good.
"Jerod if you don't wish to speak I understand. You are just so talented at it."
After the toast, a man wearing the dark clothes of a commoner approaches the storyteller. He wears a hooded cloak, though the hood is at the moment down. He is fine of feature, and his jaw and nose suggests some noble bearing. He carries a flagon of wine in each hand, and presses one of them into Jerod's hand. "For your excellent story, signore," he says with a sonorous voice. "A man with such a way for words should not pay for his vino." He raises a mug to the actor, and toasts to his health.
He wipes a gauntleted hand across his mouth, his lips as scarlet as the wine. "Did I hear you correctly as I approached? Gregor Arcadis has joined Gorum's invisible army?"
Nodding to the dwarf, Jerod agrees to speak at the man's funeral.
Then, he finds himself approached by another, a hooded man in commoner's colors. Accepting the flagon of wine graciously, he replies amorously, "Splendid my good man! The name's Jerod Winstrom, a pleasure I'm sure," he adds, extending a hand, ".. and you did indeed hear correctly. He was a good man, far better than I, and it is a shame to see him retire from life so early, he pauses then, shaking his head, "..but it is the way of things of late."
"Marcello, signore, pleased to make your acquaintance." Marcello accepts Jerod's hand and shakes it heartily. "And you speak the truth - there was a time that Westcrown was the jewel of Cheliax, and its citizens did not cower in their homes, frightened to walk its strade lest they be taken by creatures made of living shadow." He moves the flagon near his mouth, as though to take a drink, but stops short. He speaks lowly to the man. "[b]Or by those who were tasked with protecting them." He then drinks a mouthful of the liquid.
"I had met Signore Arcadis a few times here - in truth, I was to have met him here to discuss a few things with him. He had quite a taste for the fruit of the vine, so while I am saddened to hear of his untimely end, my coinpurse is not. He had talked of doing something to help the sons and daughters of Westcrown. He wanted to take bold action, make a large scene - I told him that was pazzo. Here in Westcrown, squeaky wheels get kicked. By jackboots."
Tuktuk glances at the newcomer and then to Zeke, his gaze questioning. Though his confidence had been raised by speaking with the heroes, he was beginning to feel less at ease with the brazen talk in the common room, particularly with newcomers joining in. He sits back slightly, sipping at his drink and waiting for some hint from Zeke or Lou as to whom he could trust.
They speak ill of the city so easily; don't they know the risks involved with such words?
Well, the rest of the day passes, as you catch up with friends and new acquaintances. The bar bill for Jerod comes out to 25 gp, as some of the patrons took advantage and ordered expensive wine.
16th day of Neth
The next morn, you attend the funeral of Gregor Arcadis, which is a beautiful but short service, as Father Carthon speaks of the nobility of sacrifice against a greater evil and the need for heroes to step up and lead the masses from the darkness. At the closing of the ceremony, he looks to Pallius and anyone else present and asks if they'd like to say a few words?
Tuktuk pays his respects as if Gregor was a fallen brother, not just as if he had just heard of the man only hours before and had never met him. The Father's right; his sacrifice means that he was a friend to all of us who would strive for change from what this place has become. He deserves the honor of one who would lay down his life for the rest.
Upon the request for a speaker, the gnome purposefully fades into relative obscurity, which he at times finds to be quite easy among the taller races. It's quite obvious that he has no wish to speak in front of even this small service.
With a glance a Pallius, in lieu of speaking aloud, Naeli approaches the casket. Laying a soft hand upon it, she kneels as whispers something....
Lhuar notices another seemingly brave man come from beneath the shadows and thinks to himself "For a city with so many brave people they sure do have a lot of problems, but then again maybe they just needed someone to show initiative."
Stepping forward Pallius nods towards Father Carthon: "I only knew him for less than a day, but what I do know of him is that he tried to do right by his fellow man. He did not run when asked for help, and gave his all that night to help those in need. Rest well Gregor. We will carry on for you."
It's a closed coffin service and he's being buried in the ground in the section reserved for commoners.
After the preparation of the corpse and the 10-minute casting time, the corpse answers: To find a way to make Westcrown a safer place for all its citizenry.
Very well, secondary question..."Who should know you are dead?"
Jerod nods and steps forth, taking the imaginary podium after Pallius has said his piece. Clearing his throat, he begins, a somber look about his face.
"Gregor Arcadis, for as long as I knew him, seemed a man of simple elegance. I recall with great detail the night we went drinking," he says, a smile and far away look visible for the briefest of moments, as though reminiscing on better times, "..it was supposed to be a simple evening to celebrate, but little did we know it would become so much more. He may not have been a man of many words, but his actions," he says, emphasizing the word and raising his voice, a finger in the air,"..his actions spoke for decades worth of suffering and fear. Without even so much as knowing the men and women for which he would later give his life, he rushed headlong to their rescue, despite great personal risk. How many amongst us would do the same, knowing the very outcome to be paid would be the final price? He is, and always will be, a far better man than I, or any I have known."
Jerod bows his head low, then looks out amongst the gathered men and women, his eyes piercing the crowd and meeting theirs each in turn. "Gregor Arcadis may have lived his final days, and he may be laid to rest here, but he will not die a man. No. He will live on forever in our hearts and minds, but not just as a man," he says with a pause, then emphasizes with both hands slightly raised, "..but a hero, and a symbol. A symbol...for the people, the very shining example of what one man's hope can do to rekindle the spark in each of you, and this city."
He then turns, as though speaking to the man in the coffin, but keeps his silhouette slightly to the audience, his voice still audible. "Gregor, dear friend, you may have done more now than you can ever know, but your legacy," he exclaims, adding a slight pause, "..your legacy... is one that can never be forgotten!"
After his last words, Jerod excuses himself to the wayside with a nod of his head, a determined look in his eyes.
With regard to the second question, the corpse answers: Marcello Lucani and my sister Lucia in Egorian. Good luck on your journey my friend. With that, the corpse's infusion of light disappears and Gregor is gone.
After Jerod had given his speech to the crowd, Marcello stands as well. "Amici, we have all come here to give our remembrances of a man who we knew in life, Gregor Arcadis. Signore Winstrom has already come closest to expressing what we all feel this day. A candle's flame burns brightest in the darkest of places, and the loss of it's light is most strongly felt in that darkness. I had hoped to have met Gregor one last time, but I understand he died a hero's death, making the ultimate sacrifice attempting to save a family from the creatures that run rampant through the Parego Spera. Do not mourn him, for his life ended as he wanted it to - fighting against an enemy that no one else would stand against. I had heard my friend once say that 'all that is required for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing.' Because of Gregor, evil did not triumph that day. Remember this, amici. If Gregor's death can show us anything, it is that there are those in this city that see beyond the present, and envision a brighter tomorrow."
He lays a hand upon Gregor's casket. "Che si combatte così forte nella prossima vita come avete fatto in questo. Requiescat in pace, amico."
Lhuar is silent the entire time, knowing his words can not match the others, but he silently vows to fight in honor of Gregor, and others would have died due to the corruption of the city.
After the ceremony Pallius gathers the others. "There is one more thing..." Looking around to see if there are any additional 'listeners'.
"Two nights ago, we struck out into the night to do good for our fellow Wescrani, and it cost us one of our own. Tonight there is to be a gathering of individuals looking to better Westcrown. No one is forced to attend, use the day to settle affairs and think of what you want to do. If you still want to help this city, then meet at the Crossed Swords this evening (dinner)."
Tuktuk nods with excitement, then quickly slows the movement as he looks around for others who may not be so apt to agree. He leans in, his face a picture of resolve. Count me in; whatever meager abilities I have I'd like to use to bring about change. Too long have the horrors of this city gone unnoticed.
Marcello meets Pallius' gaze. "I do wonder, signore, on what might have been different had I met Gregor for drinks last night. Would he still be alive? Would I? I can only wonder. This much has clear - his passing has brought me into contact with people who care about Westcrown's future as much as myself. I shall see you at the Crossed Swords for cena. Until then, arrivederci."
After the funeral, Naeli gives a polite greeting to Marcello (from the depths of her hooded cloak) and bids a fond farewell to Pallius, Lhuar, and Jerod, nodding at Tuktuk, and promises to meet up for the evening's meeting. She leaves quietly.