As the people talk and bicker, Vorelloex can't help but stare at the many meats in the market. His stomach churns, and his mouth waters.
"Very wise, Mr Garrek! I must concur. We have strength in numbers. Let Desna guide her swiftly and may her return be fortuitous. Shall we look around a bit? Maybe something is already afoot."
Calistria finds Bayan in the church and with a little persuasion gets him to come to Gelu house.
It takes a bit longer to get to the manor house with the increased traffic. But it is not a long walk. When you get there you see that the business of the village doesn't seem to have affected the Baron's estate. Though you do find Josep outside looking towards the village.
"Back to the hum-bug's house, I see..."
"Greetings Josep. We are back and not only have we brought the stolen goods. These men here are the bandits you sent us to stop."
"This one." Rois points to the prisoner that he took aside, "had the chance to help, but he was too fearful. He should have the same fate as the others. Perhaps more so because of his failed opportunity. "
"Greetings Josep. We are back and not only have we brought the stolen goods. These men here are the bandits you sent us to stop."
"I will see that these men are secured in the baron's dungeons until the morrow when they will be tried for their crimes. Follow me."
Josep leads you to an isolated building on the property, the building looks as if most of it is underground. He takes you inside where you can see that your initial thought was correct, the building is basically just an entry area and guard room for an underground prison. Josep introduces you to Sviato, a burly older man who is the baron's jailer.
"I will take the prisoners from here." Sviato says.
"We believe it is in the best interests of the Baron that we do." Calistria says, nodding in agreement with Garekk's words. [b]"Both the Baron and Father Bayan, here, should here about our findings as soon as possible."
"Come with me then, I have to get your pay anyway."
Josep takes you back to the house, lets you inside and immediately brings you into a room. From your brief look down the hallway, you can see a staircase leading up to the second floor and several paintings, statues and trinkets down the hall. The room he brings you to is a decent size, it can easily hold the entire party, Bayan and Josep without feeling cramped. There are seats for 8 people in the room with side tables where people could put drinks or food. There is a larger table with about a dozen glasses and some kind of alcohol in a stoppered glass container.
The one wall is dominated by a huge painting of a battle scene, it shows a grand charge by knights against a horde or orcs. Above the table with the alcohol is a mirror. The exterior wall has several windows looking out onto the grounds. The other short wall has three portraits.
"I will see if the baron can speak with you now," Josep says before leaving the room.
Bayan helps himself to a small glass of alcohol.
|
Hailey goes to the painting and studies it, silently musing.
These men, on both sides, rushed to their deaths on the orders of others. And for what? Mere territory. Claims of right and wrong when there was probably plenty of blame to go around. It is interesting what people are willing to do to each other. Interesting indeed. Quite a paradox. Death is painful and tragic, yet exciting and beautiful at the same time. One actually must examine the futility of this. After all, why bother? Even the survivors die eventually. So then there really is no point in doing much of anything - except the greatest thing: Mastering the sacred arts, she thinks.
Swift heads to one of the windows, clearly I'll at ease in the manor. He refuses the alcohol ("It clouds the judgment "). He tries not to touch anything and gets lost in thought while waiting for the baron to arrive.
"I've spent far more time than I would like to admit. But perhaps that is a tale for another day."
"It has been far too long... Those days seem like a distant memory."
Swift lets out a visible sigh, turns to Garrek and looks him in the eye, trying to see in to his soul. The monk determined that this one was trustable. A good companion.
"It's a story I promise not to hide for too long. You seem like the type that would understand. So, since we have some time, tell me a bit about your tribe."
Voryn pours himself a glass of the liqour and guzzles it down with great satisfaction.
"Ah. Just what I needed after that tedious walk. No one else wants? Fine. More for me."
He then pours another and takes a seat.
Darn I forgot about the market tomorrow! Maybe I can still make it if I go back to my hut after this. But it's so long, and I already made the journey once today. It'll be night when I get there and I won't have time to sleep, if I want to get back to Silvam in time for the market. If only I hadn't forgotten... If I get to keep this exquisite bow it won't matter. Let's see what happens. Maybe there's even more work for us.
|
"That is a tale that can only be told by living it.. but I will try to say what I have words for. We are a quiet people. My clan prefers peace, but not many of the humans allow themselves to see that, so there is almost always some trouble. Because of this, we keep to ourselves and must defend our borders vigorously, lest our neighbors decide to rid themselves of us. I will admit that once roused, orcish anger and honor is hard to pacify. But not all clans are as the stories say. We are a proud people but can be gentle as well. That is the point of my quest.. to learn good from evil, and the line we must walk to stay true to ourselves. We must be hard on ourselves and outsiders, but we must never go over the ridge into the evil acts that we are so often accused of. We must know true good and evil that we may see both within ourselves and each brother is beholden to the other to maintain that line and our honor."
Calistria falls silent, listening to the others as they talk and share stories. When Garrek shares his words she can't help herself. Beaming, she lunges forward and hugs the taller half-Orc.
"The joy of travel comes from discovery and sharing." the priestess of Desna says with fervent belief. "What you just shared with us will help us understand and help make the world a better place to be enjoyed by all."
After the priestess jumps onto Garrek, Swift says:
"The way of your people is one I can respect. I think men could learn a great deal from your kin. Perhaps one day I might have the honor of studying under your people?"
Swift is honestly interested in what Garrek has to say. He pauses slightly, then continues.
"If you don't mind me asking, is your tribe made up of full-blooded or are there many mixed such as yourself? "
|
|
"Good and evil are both dangerous extremes, as are law and chaos. A wise standard is that evil beings should not hesitate to cause harm. This, of course, is tempered by their respect for the rules as a means of self-protection, or in the sheer pleasure of boorish, thoughtless destruction.
"Conversely, then, good beings should hesitate to cause harm, even to evil beings. This doesn't mean they can't, but they ought to exhaust all other alternatives, first. The problem with good is that there are those who believe they are doing good, but are imposing their choices on people who desire something else.
"The most sensible course of action is to be wise and prudent, acting as the situation best calls for it. And the way to be sure that your action is the right one is by controlling your passions, and deferring to the discipline and rigor of the study of magic."
"On the other hand, I am quite impressed to learn that there are those who seek a better course than the vainglory of violence. The world would be a better place if all devoted themselves to study, instead of swordsmanship. No offense intended."
Vorelloex takes the liquor and ingests what seems like an excessive amount, but in the context of the other night, it's only a spot.
He utters something unintelligible in draconic while surveying all of the people talking, and talking, and talking...
He turns to Sir Rois.
"Rois, what will you do once this little quest of ours is over? Go back to your wall? You should come hunting with me one of these seasons... Get you some mammoth meats and some hair on your chest!"
|
|
"That is a valid question, my friend. We are a somewhat mixed community, but because we are dwindling in numbers, at times some, such as myself, are sent out to find mates elsewhere." Garekk turns to Hailey and states "Yes, and it is our goal to be true to ourselves.. to find that balance and to constantly measure that balance against the world.. hence my quest."
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Calistira pats Garekk on one of his oversized biceps.
"That's alright." she says with a laugh. "We're a band now. Well, at least until this undead business is settled. I'll teach you how to be used to it."
|
|
"You'll find that perfect balance and objectivity is utterly impossible. There is still the problem of one's own opinion, which is shaped by biases, experience, and what you know as opposed to what you don't know. Remember, your own view of things looks like common sense. Thus, the further, shall we say, left-field, someone else's opinion is away from yours, the more insane they sound to you. Bo when someone like me shows up . . . But conversely, you sound just as insane to them. Think about it.
"Just imagine what it sounds like for someone like me to hear all of you in the way you responded when I spoke of giving the undead loving care. To all of you, you perceive the undead as a horrible abomination, don't you? But to me, they have a rather different meaning.
"And as a counter-example, while so many people seemed horrified at the idea of that baby becoming a sorcerer, I prayed that he would, because in my eyes, that's a great honor, and the danger to the be would be that he wouldn't find a mentor or protector, and thus, not know what he is and be exposed to danger from the locals.
"The point is, perfect balance simply doesn't exist. Even I am more what one would consider fifty-one slash forty-nine. This doesn't mean we can't strive for it. In fact, I honor your struggle. Perhaps I should learn to emulate you more, Mr. Garekk."
Hailey then abandons the picture and turns to the others.
"I offered you all the opportunity to ask me questions back at your home. It wasn't taken up on. I revive it, but only one last time. I also suggest that everyone else make the same offer. That is, that everyone else agree to answer a few questions. Perhaps we should begin, not with me, but with you, Mr. Vorelloex. You see, for me, information is something there simply is never enough of. Except from bards. Can't believe a word they say . . . or sing."
"Alright." Calistria pauses, then fixes her gaze upon Hailey.
"I've never had sex with a gnome before. What's that like? I imagine you're both passionate and inventive in bed. Quite fun!"
Calistria seems utterly serious.
The kellid looks up from his bottle.
"What do you want of me, moxt conros? A little lore before we are paid by the hum-bug and part ways for life? Or to know my true name, so you may command my figure?"
Vorelloex, slightly amused by the pint-sized magician, pointedly humoring her.
He shakes his head at the talk of gnome interbreeding.
Swift face becomes rigid and he is obviously offput by the sexual comment.
"Well this is a conversation I had not envisioned for today."
Once Vorel pipes up, Swift takes the opportunity to change the current flow of the conversation.
"Apart from the stories of your brother, we do not know much about you Vorel. Care to share a bit more? You're shrouded in mystery. Want to clear the mists a bit?"
At mention of his late brother, the elfblood's eyes widen, and his mouth folds to scowl. The business of the day had kept thoughts of the recent past at bay, but the resurgence was all but kind. His glance veers sharply sideways for only a second, where none might see the sudden pain in his golden eyes.
"Chisohk... I'm, not no one really. Just a kellid from the Tusks who hunts for tusks."
He stoutly gestures to the several ornaments of bone in his garments.
"I've felled beasts almost as large as the inn we slept in without sweat or fear. Well, my brother helped out a bit, he always had the right schemes..."
His demeanor gruffs slightly; he folds his arms together and furrows his brow, as if straining to remember a small detail during a migraine.
"Before everything went to vobit, I traveled through the Tusks for many winters with a small band of hunters. There were four of us. My valiant kin Relthas, his latest lover, an elfblood named Selrisya, and an orc. We were a steely group. How I ended up here... Well, there were slavers that attacked us, and stole the girl. We chased them through the better part of Ustalav."
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Rois waves away the offered drink and sits down on one of the seats. Lost in thought, he doesn't hear Vorell speak his name, These ones are young. They have had much pain in their short lives. Yet, here they are...ready to take on the world. Ready to do good on the behalf of peasant strangers. But, they have not seen the wall. They still think of it as a fantastic mystery. A shining beacon...but, it is death. A glorious, honorable death, yes. A noble sacrifice, true. But, death all the same."
As Rois struggles with his unhappy thoughts, something in the gnome's prattling catches his attention. "Tell us your story Hailey, why have you come to Ustalav? I have seen only seen a handful of gnomes in this country...and I have been traveling this land for a long time. Why led you to this place?"
|
|
"There is nothing about you I would care to control, Mr. Vaecaesin. As for gnome sex, I wouldn't know myself. I give my heart to no one except Nethys, you see. However, I am sorry about the loss of your thre companions."
Then she turns to Rois.
"Well, it began when I was little, I suppose. As a little girl I was with my family, out wandering as was Father's way. But we got separated, and I got kidnapped by two big men. They kept me prisoner for days, and I cried. I also cried out for help. And no help came.
"But then held did come, in a most unusual way. I fell asleep, and then I dreamed of a lady who gave me a paper. She said if I wanted to be free, I would read the paper."
"When I awoke the next morning, there was, what I didn't know at the time, a scroll. I read it, and when I finished, poof, there was a monster. Only it didn't hurt me. I helped me.
"It helped me by leading me away from the big men who kidnapped me. And it led me straight into a beautiful courtyard. Then it disappeared and I, being a little girl, fell asleep from exhaustion.
"When I awoke, I saw the courtyard again, from a bedroom window. Then a nun came in and told me I had come to the church of Nethys. An attempt to find my parents was made, but they were never found.
"So, Mother Superior said I was to become a daughter of the church. And from that day, I was trained to be a priestess. Even before she said she'd take me in, I had decided to dedicate myself to Nethys, because I believe that it was he who saved me. Or at least, one of his servants.
"Magic fascinates me, as it fascinates all of us in the church of Nethys."
She then brushes back her hair.
"I know of few other gnomes, and none in this area. This is my first assignment. There have been rumors going around that the old curses here never died and are actually making a resurgence. Our Archbishop and those close to him know what that means, and know that such power must be handled only by those who have the wisdom to know when to use it, and when not to. Magic shouldn't be practiced by just anyone. Personal force and great intelligence may be the fuel, but without wisdom, you're playing fire.
"Necromancy is my specialty, you see, so they chose me. But before you all go saying 'But thats evil magic!' let me point something out to you. What good is a sword, truly, against sorcery? Only if it's a sword of Greater Dispel Magic.
"Kill the magician, if you think you can, but his spells endure. No. To truly control magic, or to destroy it the need should be, Nethys forbid, one must be ready to wield magic. Like speaks to like, and, conversely, only like can truly deal with like. Magic against magic, if you will.
"Besides, I come not to destroy, but to study, and, if needs be, to punish the abuse of power, as only a master magician properly can. Warlord can defeat warlord better than anyone, and the same is true of magic.
"My job is to report on the magical activities here, and, if I can, to capture, collect, and confiscate, if you will, whatever relics of the old days of horror there are. For only the church of Nethys can hold such magical things, or our allies in the Dark Archive, in perfect safety, without using them, or allowing them to fall into the wrong hands. More specific answers require more specific questions."
Calistria grins a bit as Hailey takes her words in stride and then moves on.
"That was a very interesting tale. It would have been better around a fire, though." Calistria paces around the room. Staying still doesn't seem to be one of the specialties of a cleric of Desna.
"You contradicted yourself, though, sister." Calistria points out. "Easlier, you said everyone should dedicate themselves to the study of magic. Now, you've said only those with wisdom should study magic."
Calistria pauses and glances over her shoulder.
"Which is it?"
"Oh, Hailey." Calistria says with a sigh. Yes, she noticed that almost slip of the tongue. "The world would be a very boring place with only one path and one deity."
Calistria comes to a stop exactly in the center of the room. She turns and draws up her shirt so everyone can see the purple butterfly mark at the base of her spine. At first, one might think it is a tattoo but careful inspection will reveal it to be a birthmark.
"I was born with this. Marked by Desna. One day, a member of the Order of Sacred Couriers visited my family's caravan. I'm Varisian if you couldn't tell. And when he left, I left as his apprentice. And now, I'm a member of the Order myself on the sacred mission to foster understanding and the exchange of information through carrying letters."