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Frunthpyllin wrote:
“One last thing. The priests you mentioned, were they local? Devoted to a particular god?”
No, they were more like soldiers, but they said they were priests. They had dogs, large black hounds, and they were very unfriendly. I wonder what they wanted with the girl?
A very shy woman, barely out of her teens, snd much younger than the rest asks you Sir Elf, is it true you don't have hair down there?
I'm well aware of the dangers invovled, but think they are the best source of information. Remember as Asmodeus worshippers, they seldom feel a need to lie. They are evil, but up front and in your face with it. Murder your own child to save the city, or to gain secret knowledge. They aren't likely to murder a possible cultist...
As strange as this sounds, why not send of the best actors among you to the temple of Asmodeus and see if you can hear the arch-diabolist's take on the matter. I'm sure he'd be a good source of information. For obvious reasons the man makes me uncomfortable.
-She pauses and continues A task? You want to fetch my missing muffin? Actually, if you wish to help the people of the city, why not ask the guards about any unsolved crimes or wanted persons? Perhaps they could point you in the right direction.
--I can offer you my personal support, but that is all. I can not speak for the temple, of the people who come here, officially. I'm sure that words of your dramatic rescue of the women will spread and people look kindly upon you. That said, until I know you can defend yourself, I will not endanger my fellow priests and worshipers.
--Let's make it simple. The temples helps you, Lord Redwall finds out, 15 men come riding up, take us priests as hostages, and burn the temple to the ground. You really think you can defend us against the whole city?
--Secondly, if we do aid you don't you think it would be better to try to keep things secret? I'm a priest of Shelyn,after all, we prefer to try to redeem evil, rather than destory it by force. Surely one of you must have a system, an approach that uses some guile and charm and wit, and not just a bunch of blades
--Third you must win the support of the city, the poor and the powerful, before you think of overthrowing the Lord. Afterall, do you want to bring anarchy and civil war to this place?
Actually I think his Father was a devil...not sure of the details...
Hilda smiles at everyone, to the gnome she adds
--I'm sorry I have never seen a gnome before, they are not to common in these parts. In fact except for elves and dwarves I don't think I've seen anything worth talking about.
--About the women, I'm glad to help with their wounds or illness as we can. Think nothing of it. But let's move on the the practical side. I think some of you don't seem to understand. I don't know how to say this except...well
She pauses and continues nervously
--Lord Redwall is of devil taint and hell-spawn. He considers Asmodeus as his foster father. His devotion to the Prince of Devils is not typical, bored, power seeking but it's genuine, almost fanatical devotion. Considering he has actually spent money, and sacrificed the lives of his men to 'rescue' Devil worshipping cultists, you are not likely to last long going at him directly. He is powerful enough to blind a cleric like myself just by being near him.
--Also I'm from the city. How do I know you aren't just going to get some innocents, or perhaps yourself killed. Lord Redwall let's us worship, and create things of beauty, and even pays for this temple. Why should we go against him?
-A human woman, dressed in long purple robes comes down the stairs and greets you. I am Hilda, a priestess of Shelyn, and at your service. What can we do for you this day?
-Hilda is about 5'6" and has long red hair, worn in two braids. She is an attractive woman, about 30. She smiles at you, especially the cute little Krolmnite.
-What a handsome child, whose is he?
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.
--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.
--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.
--Long ago, many years I used my powers to do great harm. I've long since seen the pathetic powers of dark magic are simply chains to bind the soul of virtue. What is better? To blind and sicken a group of people? Or cure their ills and be worshipped as a god? Good and Evil are nothing to me, but to be needed and usefull are the measures of an old crone's worth.
-The old woman takes you to her home, which is decorated with many strange things...
-She pulls open a trap door in the floor, and quicklu jumps in, waiting for you to follow. The house is a single floor, single room dwelling, so you have no chance of being ambushed.
-The old woman pauses, then speaks in a shocking young voice So, first, I admire you for working where so many would bend over, but you are a strange lot. Many, if not all, are brought to this town seeking adventure, glory, and wealth. If you seek moral goodness, truth, or even beauty, it will be the ruin of you. Think of this question, a young woman has a choice. She can be the mistress of a rich lord. He pays her every need, enough money to buy her family a small farm, and pays for their offsrping to have every advantage of nobility save the title. He pays for his bastard's education and training, and one day that son could become a noble in his own right
...or she can marry an unread, unwashed serf. He will get drunk, and maybe beat her. She will work in the fields. Her beauty and health fades. Soon, because she is too poor and uneducated to find a real doctor, she dies in childbirth, with some drunken serf sow cursing her. Which course of action is the greater good?
--As the guards leave, the old woman who had spoke suddenly raises her voice again.
Come to my house, and you can hide there. I think it would be better if you lay low for a few hours...They will be sending a large number of guards when they see Captain Julius leave the city...
So dear, slumming are you? Well it looks like some out-of-town folk have decided to do your job for you. Seems the city guard is in the slaving business...or something worse. Of course, seems like you, are a little out numbered...hehehehThe old women laughs...a harsh cackle.
1d20 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9
--The two guards drop their polearms, and start backing away from her, shaking in their boots...
-The crowd that assembles numbers 15. Half of whom are women and children. They look on, mostly confused. They have been living among these wrecked homes and gutters, these lawless streets, and corrupt ways all their lives. They cheer in response to the words of the party, but one woman, bent over wearing a cloak says,
--Your words be mighty fine strangers, but if you're trying to incite a riot, we're either too old, too sick, or too poor. Staying alive is all that interests most people in this district, and the crime that saps this city's strength, is the same crime that gives us a living. Think back to The Ogre's NoseThat brute didn't lose his limb working in the forest, that scarred beauty made plenty of coin before she was mutilated, and that fop Luc used to have enough coin to import the finest liquors for his personal consumption. We've nothing against you, strangers, and your words bring hope and courage to the young and idealistic. But after 100 years, you will see things differently...evil is not evil, but a need to survive, to dominate, and above all, to live. To live if even at the expense of others.
--
--After this speech, the woman draws back into the crowd, which still listens respectfully, waiting for the arrival of the Guard Captin.
Ava attacks the thug in front of her
1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21 hit
1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9 miss
1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19 hit
-She bites him on the arm, and claws at his face
1d6 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7
1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
-He looks undsteady on his feet...almost blinded by blood in his eyes...
Well yes, slavery is illegal in the city, so is pimping, murder, and extortion. I think you can see how well law is enforced around here.Eliza draws a finger across the scar on her face. I didn't get this in a kitchen fire, did I?
Eliza laughs and says It would be easier to kill every man woman and child in Redwall than stamp out the evil here. It is here, even the name of the city is bloody. A red wallShe laughs again, and is taken over by a coughing fit...and spits into her apron.
--The two women, Babette and Eliza, get up and decide to sit with the gnome. Eliza says Thanks for ending that situaion,while Babette simply starts rubbing the gnomes shoulders.
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