Genisen's attention starts to waiver. Moral relativity made no sense to him.
After listening to his companions, Durnak thinks for a moment before responding:
Seems ta me, dat ya ain't got no d'lema. In da one case, da girl gonna be part of dem dats keep'n da rest as serfs. Iffn da quest'n be only fer da girl, den gett'n a free ride 'd be pretty good. But. iffn yas be talk'n 'bout good 'n evil 'n society, den dey both done be bad. Iffn da lord gonna let dem dat works in da fields die, den he ain't no lord, he be a devil. 'n da devil needs ta be done squished. Iffn dees people be so poor dat dey can't even get da help from a witch or a healer, den a lord be work'n to hurt em.
What ya wanna be ask'n be: Iffn we wants ta sell our soul to da devil, or let da devil make us slaves.
Durnak takes out his axe and tests the blade.
I gots an axe dat 'll choose option number 3. Fight da system til it done be fixed or til I kinnot fight no more.
"My stepfather would've said, 'if you don't like the sword or the spear, forge an axe'. If the choices available aren't to your liking, make a new choice." Anna quickly closes back up, offering just a small opinion.
"Your stepfather was a very wise man." Krol smiles as he admits he was struggling with being forced into two choices and looks up at her for a bit then back to the woman. "Forgive my rudeness, but why do you wish to ask us these questions? Is it a way to judge our character and decide if you wish to help us or not?"
"Seems t'me that we sell ourselves f'r wha'ver we're after wantin' 'r needin'; t'ain't nuthin' free. An' 'em 'at call others "whore" f'r it 'r th'blindest of 'em all. Th' one as 'comes mistress s'obviously th' better choice; a man 'r woman is one as takes care a' their own, bound 'r not. Leastaways, I ain't after lookin' t' have to judge th' ways a' others so long as it's their choice an' ain't none others t' be harmed by it," states Fearghus after much thought.
"I don' figure it matters all 'at much 'ere an' now anyways. We need t' be takin' care of 'em as too sick, an' goin' after them as made 'em that way."
"Greater good, that is a statement that befuddles many. For if she marries the lord, she may better herself, her family, and her children. And through them, their neighbors, the merchants, and many others through them. If she marries the farmer, she may better him, she may better herself, she may better her neighbors. The greater good must assume that either people are inherently evil, or good. For if she marries the lord and all those that could do good choose not, then the greater good has failed. If she marries the farmer, again, the choice remains that those she is with may do good, or not. She should follow her heart and hope that her personal behavior will be exemplary to others."
Serendipity takes a look about, and quirks an eyebrow, otherwise she watches how the others respond.
"Y'r pardon, miss Serendipity, but I'm after thinkin' as th' farmer was a drunk an' beat 'er in yon lady's story - where th' noble took care a' 'er an' all 'er fam'ly. I'm after thinkin' as ye've th' right a' things t'say th' only thing 'at matters 's y'r own choices and bein' 'zemplury t' others. S'what 'Rastil, the Blessed Elk 'imself, says, leastaways."
Iffn da lord done keep miss'tresses 'n lies ta his own wife. Den he ain't good. Ya don't lie ta da one ya prom'sed yer hand ta. Perhaps he done treats da girl right good, but why needs he ta keep 'er hidden?
'n as I done told ya. Iffn dis farmer been forced ta drink'n 'n beat'n 'is wife. Den why? Where be da priests a' 'rastil 'n Sarn'rae? Iffn der be no good priest 'r druids ta 'elp her, den der be a big probl'm wit da s'ciety. In da woods, it be kill 'r be killed. A good s'ciety 'd help da weak like da girl, 'n it'd try ta make sure da farmer didn't drink 'n beat 'is wife.
So, as I telled ya, da answer is option 3. Fix da problem so dat da lord cannot be cheat'n on 'is wife 'n da girl kin get help from 'er drunkard husband.
Serendipity notices that Genisen is completely uninterested in the conversation being the Swashbuckler that he is. His gaze and attention is far away.
Luther also knows why he didn't pay attention much to morals and ethics. It was to easy to overanalyze that stuff.
"Ma'am, thank you for providing us a sanctuary. I think this lot is itching to do more good and increase our fame and fortune in that order. Where do you suggest we begin our crusade? We want to pick the low hanging fruit, so to speak. The best reward to risk ratio, if you know what I mean."
Luther gets out his blade and looks at it. "I didn't even get the slightest dent in it. Well, tommorow is another day."
With talk of a reward Genisen turns his head in sudden attention.
Those who succeed an opposed sense motive notice that Krol is paying more attention to Annastriana than the witch now.
--The old woman pauses So you are all hell-bent on solving the problems of the city and righting the wrongs? So be it. First you need to understand you will all be wanted men, or all already wanted men. That said, the descriptions that the guards have of you are third hand, and so they can't identify any of you on sight. I'd suggest keeping to back streets and having a low profile
--The other thing you must find are allies. I'd suggest looking at the temples. Also, as you have seen, when you help others, mire will be attracted to your cause.
--Not all who serve Lord Redwall are unprincipled thugs. Some are simply self-centered career motivated by love of power and wealth. The most dangerous are the devout devil worshippers of Asmodeus. It is said that Lord Redwall fears the High Priest of Asmodeus. Perhaps this is an angle where you could cause a rift.
--There is also a small number of wild elves, which have suffered from the policies of Redwall,namely the burning of forests, and hunting of game. They could be very difficult to work with or even contact.
-- Redwall has a guard of 100 men, an army of 100 professional fighters, and Lord Redwall has an elite bodyguard of 50. You've already seen the guard is not much of a threat. But the army and bodyguard, the 'Brother Hood of Black Souls' will be your biggest threat.
She waits to see your response.
As the old woman began to rattle off advice and information, Fearghus grinned in anticipation. As she finished, he clapped his hands together in a mighty gesture of histrionics.
"Action at last! Round up th' good temples in indignation, stir th' pot a'twixt Redwall an' Asmodeus, contact th' Wood Elfs to create a diversion and draw out the Brotherhood so's we c'n finish th' job 'gainst Redwall an' 'en the evil temples. Redwall an' his minions done wi' an' Asmodeus' get scattered t' th' winds an' we set up a right 'sponsible, 'spectable gov'ment. Got it!" Fearghus plots, perhaps getting carried away with himself in imaginings of righteous grandeur.
"It sounds simple when you say it as such, but the fact of the matter is, it will be difficult to accomplish. Are you all so willing to risk your lives to free this city?" Anna seems conflicted by the proposition.
"An' are we s'pose' t' stan' by an' let th' likes a' ye t' be used an' used up til ye pass in misery an' grief? T'ain't right, an' all it takes f'r such to go on is f'r none t' take a stan' an' try an' put things aright. Aye, th' task may be too much for one 'r more 'r even all a' us, but I 'gree wi' miss Serendipity as t' live a 'zemplary life t' inspire good in others, miss Anna."
We fights da way ya fight in da woods. Like g'rillas. Ya strike where dey don't 'spect. 'n den ya dis'pear inta da shadows. We ain't gots da people ta be fighten 'n army a five, let 'lone one hundrid. We kin git help from da good folk a dis town, but don't wants da lord Deadball ta know dey help'n us. Iffn da Lord knows dat 'rastil 'r Sar'nrae done be help'n us, de wees gonna find da temples a burn'n.
Iffn we takes out a few guards 'n a few a dees profes'nal army, den da udders gonna think twice 'bout join'n. Iffn da pay done be less den da cost, den people gonna find somethin' else ta do. We makes it very 'spensive fer Lord Deadball ta be hurt'n dis city.
"Risk my life to free the city? Not really. But I may already be a wanted man, and I don't have much else going for me. Plus I get to show off my skills, and the chicks dig a freedom fighter. So I'm in for those reasons!"
"I see. I, I will help too, then. I owe you for saving me, and I would like to help others who have suffered the same fate. Though I'm not sure how helpful I will be."
"One place is as good, or bad as any other. I feel there is a lack of balance here. I'm in."
Serendipity smiles and shifts where she can keep a better eye on Anna and Krol.
--So be it I can trust you...The old woman says...
-To your shock she grows even taller, almost 6'4" and as she does, she ages by decades...she must be almost 100 years old. He body is thin, and bent, but her nails grow long and sharp. Her face melts into a line of warts and sores, her hair growing long and stringy.
-She cackles at you So now you see me as I really am, and why I aid you. A century ago, I saw a handsome young paladin, a man of pure heart, come to purge the land of evil. He attacked me, and my sisters in our coven. The poor fool was easily overmatched, and his broken body lay before us. My sisters said to cook him on the spot, but I dragged him to my home, and nursed him back to health. I used my powers to take the form of a beautiful wild elf maid, so he never knew what I was. Then one day, as he lay ill, and broken, he suddenly clutched at my hand. He was in a fever and raving. Yet I felt a strange feeling. Over time, I found myself interested in this man's well being. I had no word for these feelings. Mortals are pawns to be played with. Yet regret, shame, and emotions I never had grew within me. Finally the fever broke. It had been almost 2 weeks. I had brought him food and cooked soup, cured his wounds, and taken care of him. I had saved him from certain death, and had even fallen in love with his face.
-She looks at the two beautiful elves and smiles sadly,
--The fool cast a spell, called me EVIL and tried to brain me with a log from the fire. I ripped out his heart and ate it on the spot,his blood was warm, and trickled through my fingers. But I realized what I had done almost at once. Before his body stopped kicking, I felt a sense of wrong I had never felt before. I fled from that coven, and settled as a healer in Redwall. Few have the power to see through my disguise, and those who can respect me and keep my secret. I should hope I can include you among my friends...I call myself Bellinda the Healernow and my old ways are long changed...
--The old woman crosses her arms over her breasts, careful to make no eye contact. She seems ashamed.
Knowledge arcana:
Krol and ava, in surprise he reaches for a vail of acid and Ava gives out a hiss, but they don't nake the first move and listen to her story. Krol looks to her empathetically and understandingly.
"Some people have called Ava a monster, but she has a good soul as do you, despite the outwards appearence. Beauty is only skin deep afterall. What do you suggest we do to make life better in Redwall?"
Durnak looks over at the Paladin:
Whelp, done be she good 'r evil?
Durnak continues to hold his axe, but this time more at the ready.
Sense Motive:
Luther approaches the older lady and holds out his arms to give her a hug if she will let him. "Redemption is so easy. It is really a state of mind rather than a sum of your past deeds. You really do have to be sorry for your past evil acts to put them behind you. The acts of the paladin have no bearing on your own conduct. It may help if you confess to those who can grant redemption."
Hur, an' Luther said 'e di'n't know nuthin' 'bout 'ligion!
"Miss B'linda, t' be satisfied in 'r own minds, would ye be willin' f'r me t' see if ye've truly repented an' worked all 'ese years t' help others? I'm thinkin' as, as we seem t've passed y'r test, s'only fair we do th' same."
I'd suggest making contacts at the temples first, and then trying the taverns to find rumors of crimes taking place with the Lord's approval. I'd leave the elves to later, but you maybe more comfortable with them than I am.
"I think that is an excellent plan. Temples of good should be made aware. Are you ready to make a confession, I hear it helps?"
Luther takes out a wooden holy symbol of Iomedae and gives it to the old lady.
"This is a present. Good and justice are for everyone. I pray eventually it will mean as much to you as it does to me."
Fearghus hops in place and rolls his shoulders to ease his armor about himself, impatient with talking now that a plan of action had been formulated.
Whelp, den we gots ta get ter da temples. We be look'n fer 'rastil 'n Sar'nae first I s'pose. Iffn der be a temple ta I'mead 'r Shel'n, suppose dat 'd be good. Da more help we kin git, da bet'r.
"Going to the Shelyn temple. Then maybe the Abadar temple. I think we can convince Abadar to side with Iomedae this time."
Luther, after consulting with his new friends, puts a smiley face on his Shelyn card, and a neutral face on each of his Pharasma and Abadar cards.
Yep, da artsy goddess, she don't none like people gett'n hurt. Dat 'd be a good first choice iffn ya ask'd me.
"One good temple is better than none." She smiles and follows the others out. Walking next to Luther, "Those two," nodding to Durnak and Fearghus, "they are speaking common, aren't they?"
"Uncommon common." Luther laughs at his own joke.
"Uncommon common." Luther laughs at his own joke.
Luther will organize a trip just before dawn so we can arrive at the temple at dawn.
Durnak is not so good at disguising himself, but he is good at hiding.
I stay to the shadows as the others move, watching carefully for any threats.
Stealth:
Perception: <-- +2 more if Human
Fearghus is more of a lumbering oaf. It would be better to disguise him, than hide him.
Genisen hands over a one of the guard uniforms, "Here ya go, fool proof disguise" Genisen has a playful look in his eyes.
"Ha! Ask, an' ye shall riceive! A'course, th' problem 'en is what'n th'Burnin' Hells is a guard doin' in a' temple a' Shelyn?"
"Just tell them its none of their business! Grunt a little too with a sneer, that always seems to work for the guard!"
"I think I'm a little too small to be a guard." Krol shrugs as he looks at the unforms. "But they'd suit Ava's size and I could play at being a prisoner." Krol now mentions as he looks up to Ava who appears be looking over the uniform with interest, looking for anyway to have a hood to cover heself up. "Or we could just go out in the open and if anyone starts trouble, we knock them down or they'd be so thick not to notice us if we hide in plane sight."
"I'm after thinkin' as t'ain't no such thing as a female guard, there, Krol. No 'ffence 'r nuthin', jus' sayin' as y'r 'dea may'n't be th'bes'."
"My raiments are a bit on the light side," Serendipity gestures to the ragged linens she has been wearing since being rescued.
"I'm after thinkin' as t'ain't no such thing as a female guard, there, Krol. No 'ffence 'r nuthin', jus' sayin' as y'r 'dea may'n't be th'bes'."
Ava smirks as she listen's to Krol's idea.
"Never the less, I like the direct approch." she gives a grin as she looks over her claws. "We make our presence known and the towns people get to see the guard being made fools of again. We need to make a example of vile people."
I'm scouting and sticking to the shadows.