Macavity stands against a wall observing with feigned disinterest, since this discussion is probably the most interesting event within a ten-mile radius.
|
Azaraunt seems to be pondering the possibilities of Lichdom for a moment before responding. No, dark forces are only one type of force that may be manipulated, if you have the skill. I see little to fear except extending oneself beyond one's skill level, would you not agree? And I am quite interested in the process of becoming a lich itself, academically of course. So many rumor and false information out there on the topic. Perhaps you could one day enlighten me? I am an elf, as I am sure you have noted, and quite young for my kind. If your wastes do not cut it short as you predict, I should have many years of "life" before I might consider your, er, path."I'd be happy to have a scribe make a copy of my notes for you, if you wish, for academics, of course." It's the Usurer's turn to turn a silvery tongue.
I look forward to the read. Please let me know when I might stop by to acquire your notes good sir. Azaraunt is unsure if the offer is genuine or not, but would never refuse knowledge...
- How long has the Usurer been in charge around here?
- Are there rumors about what he actually is?
- Did anyone know that the gnomes were robbing visitors and had stolen the Inn from the actual Bender Bros?
- Any information about the lost caravan?
- We've heard rumors of wolves or worse than wolves attacking, is that true?
After they're done, Elen will give him a couple servings of luglurch and promise to buy him a drink at the tavern in the indeterminate future.
- "He's been around longer than I have. I've been here about 3 years now."
- "Well no. I mean, no one really bothers to ask. Given what's out there, he is a lot easier to deal with."
- "Oh people suspect, but who going to call the gnomes on it?"
- "They hired some additional horses from me, and took off. The horses have started to come back on their on, so I'm guessing the caravan didn't make it."
- "I wouldn't know, I'm usually passed out by now."
The Usurer turns back to Calendir and says, "It's pretty straightforward, I think. You run the inn here, once you've made your changes, and I charge you better rates on exchange after a few weeks. We both pretend to like each other, and promise not to kill each other if it is not deserved." He turns back to Numair and says, "That is the gist of it, I believe?"
|
Calendir is not.
"Very well then, I believe the terms are clear for all the ones involved. Thank you for your.. hm.. Kind visit. Allow me to escort you outside" - Calendir says curtly, not even attempt to sound polite, which makes his words come off even more awkward and out of place.
He stands up motioning to the door.
Kallistiel remains seated with her feet up on the table, watching the exchange through half-lidded eyes. Although he must be doing something to mask it a bit, I still get the stench of decay off of him. Oh well, seems personable enough... she thinks before muttering, "and at least he dresses well."
"Ruul, I think that could have been handled better... sorry. Um, do you want to ask around of anyone else?"
As soon as the creature has left them, Elen says:
"So... is he what I think he is? I mean, didn't he pretty much just admit it? I cannot understand this. Lavinia, dear, have you ever heard of such a thing?"
|
Once the Usurer has exited the premises, Numair addresses the group.
"Well. I'm glad that's over. Regardless of his professed ambivalence, I think it best we sleep with one eye ope, so to speak, while we are in the Camp. Further information from the stableman or other sources notwithstanding, I think we have two items on our immediate agenda."
"First, with the extra horses returning to the stables here, the caravan has most definitely suffered some calamity. If we are to have any hope of rescuing them, we cannot afford further delays. We have a good information on the direction they left in, and with many horses, ogres, and wagons, signs of their passage should be obvious to those who know what to look for. I am not a tracker, but I know we have several in the party," he nods at Calendir and Langash, "and I hope to use your expertise. The mounts we brought from Nerosyan are still healthy and in good condition. I suggest we prepare to depart the following morning and rescue the merchants."
"Second, this inn exists in the safety of the Camp. Tenuous as that safety is, I would tend to rely on it more so than having our safe haven be some remote ruin in the Desolation. The inn will serve well as the other end of the supply line from Gudrun. While I think renovations can safely be delayed until we establish the 'resident' exchange rate without unduly irritating the Usurer, I don't want to leave the building empty while we venture into the wastes after the Caravan. While Simon would certainly be an effective choice for manager, I'm still of the opinion that his anonymity serves us better. That leaves us with three other choices. We could use the teleport circle to send Ally to Nerosyan and have her return with a Society-vetted contact. That could be the most reliable choice, but I hardly had time to network before we shipped out. The second option is to allow the Usurer to appoint his choice. That option fills me with distaste and unease. Any manager he chose would be temporary, to be replaced upon our return from the caravan mission. Lastly, and I realize this may not be a popular choice either, is to let Digory manage it. While his attack on us was ill-fated, he has shown courage and promise in the days since. Also, he is still far from recovered from the Harbinger's poison, so allowing him some weeks to recuperate here could do him well. I think he's capable of keeping this place from burning down while we're gone, if we can trust him not to split at the first opportunity."
"I'm very interested to hear what you all think."
"I agree with the idea of allowing Digory to manage it. If things go well, it could be a long-term profession for him. If he doesn't want to stay with it, at least we'll know where he is without having to drag him through the wilderness."
|
|
Tolvan listens to the discussion. He adds I agree that the longer we delay the more likely that this caravan will be beyond our help. Likely it already is, but we can at least find it and determine its fate. As to the Inn, I believe the Usurer wants no part of its operation including your second option so I do not see that possibility as viable. And I would never trust someone appointed by him anyway so it would not be an option for me.
As to Digory, if he wants the job I say let him give it a try, but do not force it on him. He's in for long boring days with a lot of free time on his hands if he does take it. This place is not exactly crawling with customers and it may be weeks or months before he has any business. He can only sweep the place so many times. I will council that Digory might not do well with idle time and the influence of this camp without your presence Numair. If Digory is not with us he looses both the benefit of our influence and the chance to do good deeds for us. Do not discount the redeeming virtue of selfless acts.
Azaruant pauses to ponder a moment, the finishes with I must council that we choose Simon. But hear me out. It can be done in such a way that his anonymity is preserved. The Usurer knows we must hire someone. Let us interview a few locals and choose one. If that one ends up being Simon, well who can fault us for choosing the best candidate. Simon gets an upgrade in living space and a salary, since he obviously needs coin, and we get a reliable innkeeper to look after our interest while keeping our party, including Digory, in tact.
"I've already asked Digory if he has ever managed an inn before, which was no. While he has not earned trust with me, exactly where could he go and how could this decision hurt us? It's almost a prison without bars here. Worst case, he ships out with a mercenary company. Best case, he earns our trust and respect. Simon will keep an eye on him for us, too."
|
|
Calendir shakes his head - "Probably none of the options ahead of us make sense to me, but if I had to chose one, I would leave Digory in charge. I don't really see the point of you staying back Ruul while we embark on perhaps the hardest part of our trip so far... I really don't get it... To make sure Digory is ok?"
"And I do agree with Azaraunt when he points out that staying here will probably get him back on his mischievous track, but that's his problem - truth is, he is useless with the group, a liability if anything, and he may yet have a last chance to prove his worth here, and his new ways, if they really come to fruition"
"Macavity has put it plain and simple - leaving him is the option that will probably causes us less grief, whether it runs well or afoul"
"I understand your plan Azaraunt, but I am sick and tired of sitting around in this place - take no offense friend, but I have no interest, and we do not have the time to interview candidates for running this here fine establishment - we are letting ourselves get wrapped with logistics when, if there are survivors from that caravan, they may be in dire need of our help"
"You and Ally did fine. It's disappointing the elf didn't have more information for us. Perhaps I should return again later and see if he can be convinced to be more helpful. Do you have another dose of Kindness?""
"Ruul, I think that could have been handled better... sorry. Um, do you want to ask around of anyone else?"
"I do, but I don't think Finnelaus would welcome it. What's the time? Hmm... I'm not sure we have time to visit any more people before we must go to meet the Usurer. Maybe we'll try questioning more people later. Considering how drunk they were, I'm sure some will still be hungover after noon."
"It might make sense for one or two of us to remain here and investigate things. There are mysteries here; the Usurer is only one of them. If he is indeed a Lich, it's possible he may have some connection, either as an ally or a rival, with Malerix, or at least know of him. He might even aid us against the dragon-lich, as I'm sure a creature like a Lich would see another nearby as a serious potential threat. But there are also those rumors we've heard of wolves or werewolves, and I'm sure that someone may know more of the Harbinger given what the gnome said before... err.. you know. Maybe if we get to the tavern before the denizens thereof are too deep in their cups, we can find their tongues more apt to wag? And I did promise Finnelaus a drink."
|
|
Oh he is a lich alright. He's going to loan me the manual on becoming a lich. Didn't you hear him? Again, I say its reasonable to offer Digory a choice of coming with us or taking the innkeeper job but I strongly recommend letting him choose. Simon is the better candidate in my view. And I see it as unwise to split he party just as we are entering the true area of threat.
"Well, if I were some sort of highly unusual non-lich undead creature and I knew a potential foe knew I was undead, I might totally give them a red herring to suggest I was a Lich. Just saying."
Macavity responds to Ruul, "Ruul, I don't recommend that you stay here. That caravan was protected by a hill giant leading a large band of mercenaries including ogres. If the giant double-crossed them, we probably would need your expertise. If the giant was defeated, then we probably also need your expertise."
"Yes," he says curtly.
Numair is too polite of a host to kick a guest out without provocation, but his cold smile and hard eyes make it clear the audience is over.
Standing up, he stretches a bit, joints popping in his knees and elbow. "Well, unless there's anything else, I need to make a couple of horseshoes for Finnelaus. Good day to you." With that, the Usurer turns to leave.
Calendir is not.
"Very well then, I believe the terms are clear for all the ones involved. Thank you for your.. hm.. Kind visit. Allow me to escort you outside" - Calendir says curtly, not even attempt to sound polite, which makes his words come off even more awkward and out of place.
He stands up motioning to the door.
As the two of you walk outside, the Usurer says to you, "After a few centuries, I can understand how...odd it seems to talk to a lich that doesn't automatically rip your head off and vomit down your gullet. Even the ones who don't kill undead outright find my existence odd. But honestly, the Usurer turns to look at you directly, I have no meat with any of you. I do need the inn to keep running, but it's mostly for the good of the Camp, the gnomes' proclivities notwithstanding. I may even have need of your services, since your group is so eager to explore the Desolation. For now, however, I wish you all luck in your endeavors." With that, the Usurer turns to walk down the path back to his house.
|
|
Calendir is almost left speechless by the upfront attitude of this creature - "There is no bad blood between any of us - As you surely understood, we are not the kind to run off guns blazing against anything that shines evil to our righteous eyes. Lets hope there will be no vomiting and no outright killing, or attempts thereof" - The half orc manages an half smile.
He is left staring at the back of that curious undead as he walks off.
know religion 1d20+18
Oh he is a lich alright. He's going to loan me the manual on becoming a lich. Didn't you hear him? Again, I say its reasonable to offer Digory a choice of coming with us or taking the innkeeper job but I strongly recommend letting him choose. Simon is the better candidate in my view. And I see it as unwise to split he party just as we are entering the true area of threat.
All of you hear screaming outside, a loud, almost inhuman warble, along with two others. It is coming from the north end of the camp, or perhaps even beyond that. It is very loud, but distant.
|
|
Numair perks up at the warbling screams, his relaxed pose changing to one of tense alertness.
"Sun on the Sand! Sounds like trouble."
He snaps his banner into place, steps out the front door, and readies his wand and scimitar. He waits while his allies ready themselves, then jogs towards the sound, keeping pace while peering ahead for the cause.
Macavity heads for the door and the noise.
Elen will run outside, retrieving her spyglass from her pack as she does so, and activate her Flight hex, flying up so that she can see above the buildings of the camp, and use the spyglass to peer around to the north. Ally holds onto her belt, coming along for the ride.
Kallistiel moves with the others to determine the cause of the noise.
Standing outside, Calendir tries to understand what kind of noise this may be - a cry for help, screams of combat, or anything else.
Lagash perks up his ears at the sounds.
The hill giant sees you in the street, screams in a rather high pitch for a giant, and starts runing towards you
Macavity was the first to join Calendir.
Macavity calmly says to Elen, "It appears that we've found our giant. Do you have a spell that can restore his mental faculties? He appears to have lost them." He then Vanishes and moves out of the way of charging giant drawing both swords.
Gurg's action is to charge Calendir. However, the distance, even with him raging, is to far to connect on this round.
Gurg's position is on the map in the square in front of the octagonal structure's door (i.e. the temple), almost dead center of the map. That is where is turn ends. Each map square is 10', but Gurg is large, and takes up the whole space.
|
|
Azaraunt moves out with the rest of the group, his familiar, already invisible, taking flight and moving ahead of him, gaining altitude.
Since the group is responding to trouble and is currently all together (a rare thing actually) the wizard will haste the party, catching all the party members but not familiars or animal companions.
Seeing the giant charging and knowing how effective they can be he attempts to drop him into a pit.
Elen lets out a vociferous series of curses in infernal and abyssal (wonderful languages for swearing in) that she forgot to do her morning spells today. She retrieves her extend rod from her pack and casts False Life . She also flies up 5 feet so she'll be out of the giant's reach
Ally draws her wands from her thigh holsters , and taps Elen with the wand of Shield. Success!
When Elen's ear-blistering curses emerge from the normally-demure elf's lips, Ally just laughs and adds, "And so's your mum!"