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Dark Days in Sion - Act 3: Scene 2
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<blockquote data-quote="narayan" data-source="post: 6927666" data-attributes="member: 6677509"><p><strong>At Jabbar's Trade Shop</strong></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><em><strong>Ren:</strong> Flicks his whiskers in disdain <span style="color: #0033ff">"Noro embodies the phrase, 'no honor among thieves', a spawn of former ways when many roguish groups vied for dominion over these streets. After master Rasul unified them, promising greater-prosperity-through-peace, excessive violence and interguild-corruption was harshly punished, which, ironically put hedonistic thugs like Noro in high-demand. His willingness to spit in the eye of guild-law earned him silent-admirers who retained his services as an enforcer with hefty purses of coin and other bribes."</span></em></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><span style="color: #0033ff"><em>"Noro's reputation for backstabbing served him well. Each time Rasul called for a reckoning against Noro, demanding that he be brought before the council in chains to answer to a vote-of-execution, Noro's promise of retribution against any who dared to vote against him kept the council's tally under the required majority. What's worse, Noro made a mockery of any other form of punishment inflicted on him; be it lashes, torture, hard-labor, or public-humiliation. His hatred of GuildMaster Rasul is such that it only makes him stronger and more determined to endure such mandates."</em></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><span style="color: #0033ff"><em>"Noro revels in defiance of guild-law because he views GuildMaster Rasul as his arch-enemy & rival. Nothing Master Rasul says holds credit in his mind, regardless of how much sense it makes. The final straw for my master was Noro's complicity in another guild-leaders death. About a year ago Noro attempted to seize power over a murdered guild-leaders territory. By guild-law of course, he could only adopt a guild-leaders position with a majority vote of the council, a vote he had already arranged for with bribes. The only thing that stopped his ascendence was my masters staunch refusal to allow it. Master Rasul's vow against the council if Noro was not exiled on the spot was the only thing that forced Noro from the Thieves Guild Hall that night."</em></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"></span><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><em><strong>Ren:</strong> <span style="color: #0033ff">"Unfortunately Noro's exile, while dramatic, didn't accomplish much. Technically no one in the guild is allowed to shelter, aid or do business with him; but that hasn't stopped him it's only forced him further underground. Despite my masters best efforts, failing health and old age have weakened his grip on the council. With retirement long overdue, more than a few of the other guild-leaders view Master Rasul's seat of power with envy and scorn. It is obvious to all the guild is weakened with indecision about his successor. Noro obviously feels the time is right to launch an attack, but none of us imagined he was capable of the things Aust has seen. Association with the Cult of Vermithrax <strong>and</strong> drow-blooded killers is despicable to the extreme, even for him!"</span></em></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"></span><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><em><strong>Ren:</strong> Wrings his hands together nervously, eyes turned inward as your question entreats a vision of horrors. <span style="color: #0033ff">"If they are already here among us, I lament to call myself a rhat and faithful servant of my good master without knowing!"</span> He mutters, stepping over to lean on a chair. <span style="color: #0033ff">"We rhats take their evils quite seriously as so many of my kind end up in their numbers it's a constant struggle to maintain integrity within our families and good relations with the rest of our breed. Everyone of us are warned and educated about their evils from a very young age."</span></em></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><em><strong>Elloral:</strong> Creates a Magic Circle against Chaos around the talisman of Vermithrax, to help prevent any unknown powers it may possess (such as scrying) from working (at least for the duration which is 1 hour and 20 minutes.) As soon as that's complete, Ren reacts to the story about the deadly-encounter with Chuth,</em></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><em></em></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><em><strong>Ren: </strong></em></span><span style="color: #0033ff"><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><em>"Chuth the half-drow! Several enemies and rivals of Noro have died since his appearance in town a few month's ago, some of which were masters to my brother rhats. They were the first to speak to this dangerous cutthroat you describe. Myself and master Rasul put the word out to our informants around town to report his whereabouts and activities to us if they ever spotted him. We also learned Chuth normally lives and operates in Masaeus where he has a deadly reputation as a wildly-expensive assassin and master of poisons. If it's true he's now serving Noro, I'm frankly surprised Noro can afford him."</em></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #0033ff"><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><em></em></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #0033ff"><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><em>"Word is Chuth has been seen at The Goblins Goblet tavern on several occasions. That tavern is a regular watering hole for seedier patrons of the arena who aren't welcome at The Cursed Cup. The Cursed Cup is owned and operated by Dwarven followers of Vergadain, I doubt very much Chuth would show his face there! The Goblins Goblet however is run by a thuggish Half-Orc named Urgan."</em></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #0033ff"><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><em></em></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #0033ff"><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><em>"Urgan is known for his greed... always bragging about how the arena will make him rich. He tries to arrange betting schemes with some of the regular gamblers at the arena, but he's too foolish to realize they work for us! Urgan used to allow our pick-pockets in his establishment in exchange for a cut of their takings. That stopped after he decided it was more profitable just to lure his own customer into a back room and club them over the head instead. If anyone's willing to let someone like Chuth have regular meetings in their tavern, it's him, so long as there's a fat bribe in it for him."</em></span></span><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><em></em></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><em></em></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><em><strong>Jabbar: </strong>Scowls. </em></span><span style="color: #996600"><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><em>"Urgan is a piece of filth, but formidable. He's got street-smarts aplenty and his own thugs to back him up. If Aust or myself ever walked into his place he'd know right away to be on his guard. He expects a certain type of scummy customer; someone without honor or scruples."</em></span></span><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><em></em></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><em></em></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><em><strong>Avar: </strong>Speaks up. </em></span><span style="color: #999900"><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><em>"I could go. Sundered dwarves aren't known for high moral values."</em></span></span><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><em> He smirks.</em></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><em></em></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><em><strong>Ren: </strong>Shakes his head. </em></span><span style="color: #0033ff"><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><em>"Doesn't matter, you're a dwarf. Urgan lost a bet to the owners of The Cursed Cup recently and decided he hates dwarves. He won't serve your kind anymore."</em></span></span><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><em></em></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><em></em></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><em><strong>Elloral:</strong> Scoffs</em></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><em></em></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><em><strong>Ren:</strong> Turns once again to plead with Jabbar. </em></span><span style="color: #0033ff"><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><em>"I know master Rasul has a mind to make an ally of you Jabbar, and that desire should only get stronger once he hears about this plot. Can you really afford to shirk that idea now that we know whats at stake?"</em></span></span><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><em></em></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><em></em></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><em><strong>Jabbar: </strong></em></span><span style="color: #996600"><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><em>"It is not so much that Ren. Of course I will do whatever needs to be done to keep the town safe, but beyond the necessities of present circumstances I'm not free to make alliances with whomever I wish. I carry an ancient family name with ancestral expectations along with it. Besides that, my own network of clients and informants will crumble if they hear I am in league with a thieves guild; fearing I'll use their secrets to undermine and blackmail them the way thieves guilds frequently do."</em></span></span><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><em></em></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><em><strong></strong></em></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><em><strong>Ren: </strong>Frowns. </em></span><span style="color: #0033ff"><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><em>"None of that will matter if Kyser, King of the Wererats & lord of the Undercity of Masaeus, has a mind to sack this town!"</em></span></span><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><em></em></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><em></em></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><em><strong>Jabbar: </strong></em></span><span style="color: #996600"><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><em>"I'm not yet convinced that he does? We don't have any actual proof about this attack, yet... all we know for certain is the Cult of Vermithrax is up to something and they're likely in league with Noro. If King Kyser actually does have plans to sack this town it would lead to open war between himself and the Vul. Whether he succeeds or not, is sacking this town really worth that sort of risk?"</em></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #996600"><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><em></em></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #996600"><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><em>"I believe it's more likely the cult itself is behind this, autonomously. After all, they can't be completely beholden to King Kyser can they? Powerful as he is, he's still not their god correct?"</em></span></span><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><em></em></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><em><strong></strong></em></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><em><strong>Elloral: </strong>Interjects. </em></span><span style="color: #663366"><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><em>"Correct. Vermithrax would never allow his authority to be shared like that. Burrai has also just reminded me to consider the wisdom of keeping that unholy talisman here with us? I can't say I can think of any good reason to do so, but if we insist on it, we need another way to shield against its magic besides that spell I just cast which will only last a little longer than an hour from now."</em></span></span><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><em></em></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><em></em></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><em><strong>Jabbar: </strong></em></span><span style="color: #996600"><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><em>"I do have something that will do nicely for that purpose. Down in the cellar I keep a box enchanted with an anti-magic field to prevent Vulfear agents and their like from detecting any magic items I hide away in my cellar."</em></span></span><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><em></em></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><em></em></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><em><strong>Elloral: </strong>Nods. </em></span><span style="color: #663366"><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><em>"That should suffice, but why are we even considering holding unto it? Surely nothing good will come of it. More will come looking for it!"</em></span></span><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><em></em></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><em></em></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><em><strong>Jabbar:</strong> Shakes his head. </em></span><span style="color: #996600"><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><em>"They won't try anything tonight, not with the Vulkyrie stalking about in such a foul mood. This Chuth fellow is the one who should be worried, thanks to what Aust said to the sergeant. Between the Vulkyrie, their Vulfear informants and the town guard, I expect Chuth's gonna regret he ever saw Aust before long."</em></span></span><span style="color: #996600"><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><em>"We need to return to the smugglers caves, that much is certain. How long we wait and when we go back is up for debate. I say we make all the preparations we reasonably can to ensure we have the upper hand before we face a battle with the likes of wererats. I need time to call in some favors and ask some allies for help."</em></span></span><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><em></em></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><em></em></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><em><strong>Ren: </strong></em></span><span style="color: #0033ff"><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><em>"Such as Master Rasul!"</em></span></span><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><em> He blurts out on que.</em></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><em></em></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><em><strong>Jabbar: </strong>Nods. </em></span><span style="color: #996600"><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><em>"Certainly. Whatever help your master can offer is welcomed. Cabarda has been his home a long time, I'm sure he's as keen to defend it as I am. But honestly Ren, how can you be sure any orders he makes to his subordinates in the guild aren't gonna find their way to Noro's ears? That bastard obviously already suspects we've seen too much. That's why he sent his goons to burn us all alive! The last thing he wants to hear is rumors about half the city rallying to stop him. If that happens before we're ready to face him, he may launch his attack sooner than already planned, and whatever preparations we've managed to make up to that point might not be enough."</em></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #996600"><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #996600"><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><em>'In two days time there will be an eve of the full moon. If Noro is indeed planning an attack with the aid of the Cult of Vermithrax we'll know to expect him in the smugglers caves, overseeing final preparations on that evening. What we need to decide is what our plan is going to be to thwart that attack? We'll need to return to the smugglers caves, that much is certain. How long we wait is up for debate. I say we make all the preparations we reasonably can for a tactical advantage against the wererats before we chose to do battle. For now I say we rest and act tomorrow."</em></span></span><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"></span><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"></span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><em><strong>Avar: </strong>Speaks up to make a further point. </em></span><span style="color: #999900"><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><em>"One thing I know for certain is Chuth is not serving the Black Network. Surface goblinoids do not tolerate those of drow-blood, unless they are forced into servitude one way or another. I know this for a fact because there were no dark elves holding the whips at Skull Mountain when my clan was enslaved for two hundred years!"</em></span></span><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><em> He states while clenching his fist.</em></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><em><strong></strong></em></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><em><strong>Elloral: </strong>Gasps and regards Avar with awe. </em></span><span style="color: #663366"><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><em>"So it is true! Dwarves were kept alive at Mt Gythmora (original name of Skull Mountain) after the fall!"</em></span></span><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><em></em></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><em></em></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><em><strong>Avar: </strong>Nods bitterly. </em></span><span style="color: #999900"><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><em>"My relatives speak of those years as 'the centuries in chains'; as they were forced to maintain the stronghold and continue tunneling and mining for their monstrous overlords. These tattoo's..."</em></span></span><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><em> He speaks to the broken chains around his lower neck </em></span><span style="color: #999900"><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><em>"...are a reminder never to forget what they endured. Referring to is as 'forced-labor' is too kind a term, it was hell! Each one of them was brutalized and spat upon for almost half a lifetime."</em></span></span><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><em></em></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><em></em></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><em><strong>Elloral:</strong> </em></span><span style="color: #663366"><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><em>"I heard rumors about a clan who claimed to escape the dark halls of skull mountain long after it fell under the sway of evil. I could hardly believe it because I never got the chance to speak with any, until now..."</em></span></span><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><em> She swallows. </em></span><span style="color: #663366"><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><em>"Tell me, why have you not sheltered with the other clans?"</em></span></span><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><em></em></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><em></em></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><em><strong>Avar: </strong></em></span><span style="color: #999900"><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><em>"For two reasons. Firstly, sundered dwarves lack the respect of our hillfolk and mountain kin. There has never been room for us in your halls. We survive living on the fringes of society, taking shelter with men like Jabar who share our commitment to abolish evil! Secondly, we remember with despair how many mountain dwarves are still there _willingly_ serving the Black Network, betraying their own king, kin and kith! We've learned from bitter experience to only trust our own."</em></span></span><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><em></em></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><em><strong></strong></em></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><em><strong>Elloral: </strong>Frowns. </em></span><span style="color: #663366"><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><em>"Dwarves should stand together!"</em></span></span><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><em></em></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><em></em></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><em><strong>Avar: </strong></em></span><span style="color: #999900"><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><em>"Aye they should! If your clans had rallied again to a purpose after Torgrimm's defeat, we might not have suffered so long!" He states with a clear undertone of accusal. "It is only by great sacrifice that we eventually escaped, vowing to kill any creature of the black network we came across to avenge the deaths of so many who did not survive!"</em></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #999900"><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><em></em></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #999900"><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><em>"We took to raiding their camps and hideouts, killing dozens, for little purpose..." He states sadly. "The Black Network can afford to lose dozens of scouts everyday. Our victories changed nothing except to ensure they never ceased hunting us! We even tried dissuading their agents with acts of brutality after capturing them, making examples for those who might follow... but the truth is the Black Network does worse to their own who refuse to obey orders."</em></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #999900"><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><em></em></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #999900"><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><em>"Still we remained steadfast in our vow, hoping our example would motivate others to join our cause. We called forth for your clans to rally to our banners, but our emissaries were turned away with ridicule and scorn. Even after all that's been lost you are still too proud to consider shedding blood for our sake!"</em></span></span><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><em> He spits angrily, clearly getting heated.</em></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><em></em></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><em><strong>Jabbar: </strong></em></span><span style="color: #996600"><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><em>"Avar! Enough of that! Elloral and Burrai and are not to blame for those plights! They are strong allies, have you not seen and heard enough to realize that?!"</em></span></span><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><em></em></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><em></em></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><em><strong>Avar: </strong>Nods curtly. </em></span><span style="color: #999900"><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><em>"Forgive me. I speak from weariness, and a broken heart. At times I feel I must speak for the woes of the dead. A solemn duty for those of us left in my clan who are still living. I have nothing but respect and admiration for Burrai Steelborn and his wise advisor."</em></span></span><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><em> He states with deference.</em></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><em></em></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><em><strong>Elloral: </strong>Tightens her lips. </em></span><span style="color: #663366"><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><em>"Good! Burrai and I are not your enemies! We also know the shame of betrayal by our fellow dwarves, the pain of loss of friends and loved ones to the evil designs of the Black Network; and how it feels to be hunted by their beasts and their scouts. We're on the same side!"</em></span></span><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><em></em></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><em></em></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><em><strong><span style="color: #ff0000">__________________________________________________________________________________</span><span style="color: #daa520"></span></strong></em></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><em><strong><span style="color: #daa520"></span></strong></em></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><em><strong>[Everyone: </strong>What do you do? If it is your desire to simply bed down and rest... you can find space in the cellar below or the upstairs storeroom. There is plenty of bedding, candles, lanterns, food and drink stored away in the shops provisions. Tubs for washing are also available, with the means to heat water here on the hearth in the common room. I should not have to point out the wisdom of setting up a watch (preferably peeking from a window) in case any other foes decide to disturb your slumber.<strong>]</strong></em></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><em><strong></strong></em></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><em><strong></strong></em></span><span style="font-family: 'arial'"><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><em><strong>*Note:</strong> I need to go back to edit this post later and add the proper text-colors... unfortunately my list of text-colors-by-character was lost when I tried to transfer data off my hard drives so it needs to be recreated.</em></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'arial'"><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'arial'"></span></p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="narayan, post: 6927666, member: 6677509"] [b]At Jabbar's Trade Shop[/b] [FONT=verdana][I][B]Ren:[/B] Flicks his whiskers in disdain [COLOR=#0033ff]"Noro embodies the phrase, 'no honor among thieves', a spawn of former ways when many roguish groups vied for dominion over these streets. After master Rasul unified them, promising greater-prosperity-through-peace, excessive violence and interguild-corruption was harshly punished, which, ironically put hedonistic thugs like Noro in high-demand. His willingness to spit in the eye of guild-law earned him silent-admirers who retained his services as an enforcer with hefty purses of coin and other bribes."[/COLOR][/I] [COLOR=#0033ff][I]"Noro's reputation for backstabbing served him well. Each time Rasul called for a reckoning against Noro, demanding that he be brought before the council in chains to answer to a vote-of-execution, Noro's promise of retribution against any who dared to vote against him kept the council's tally under the required majority. What's worse, Noro made a mockery of any other form of punishment inflicted on him; be it lashes, torture, hard-labor, or public-humiliation. His hatred of GuildMaster Rasul is such that it only makes him stronger and more determined to endure such mandates."[/I][/COLOR] [COLOR=#0033ff][I]"Noro revels in defiance of guild-law because he views GuildMaster Rasul as his arch-enemy & rival. Nothing Master Rasul says holds credit in his mind, regardless of how much sense it makes. The final straw for my master was Noro's complicity in another guild-leaders death. About a year ago Noro attempted to seize power over a murdered guild-leaders territory. By guild-law of course, he could only adopt a guild-leaders position with a majority vote of the council, a vote he had already arranged for with bribes. The only thing that stopped his ascendence was my masters staunch refusal to allow it. Master Rasul's vow against the council if Noro was not exiled on the spot was the only thing that forced Noro from the Thieves Guild Hall that night."[/I][/COLOR] [/FONT][FONT=verdana] [I][B]Ren:[/B] [COLOR=#0033ff]"Unfortunately Noro's exile, while dramatic, didn't accomplish much. Technically no one in the guild is allowed to shelter, aid or do business with him; but that hasn't stopped him it's only forced him further underground. Despite my masters best efforts, failing health and old age have weakened his grip on the council. With retirement long overdue, more than a few of the other guild-leaders view Master Rasul's seat of power with envy and scorn. It is obvious to all the guild is weakened with indecision about his successor. Noro obviously feels the time is right to launch an attack, but none of us imagined he was capable of the things Aust has seen. Association with the Cult of Vermithrax [B]and[/B] drow-blooded killers is despicable to the extreme, even for him!"[/COLOR][/I] [/FONT][FONT=verdana] [I][B]Ren:[/B] Wrings his hands together nervously, eyes turned inward as your question entreats a vision of horrors. [COLOR=#0033ff]"If they are already here among us, I lament to call myself a rhat and faithful servant of my good master without knowing!"[/COLOR] He mutters, stepping over to lean on a chair. [COLOR=#0033ff]"We rhats take their evils quite seriously as so many of my kind end up in their numbers it's a constant struggle to maintain integrity within our families and good relations with the rest of our breed. Everyone of us are warned and educated about their evils from a very young age."[/COLOR][/I] [I][B]Elloral:[/B] Creates a Magic Circle against Chaos around the talisman of Vermithrax, to help prevent any unknown powers it may possess (such as scrying) from working (at least for the duration which is 1 hour and 20 minutes.) As soon as that's complete, Ren reacts to the story about the deadly-encounter with Chuth, [B]Ren: [/B][/I][/FONT][COLOR=#0033ff][FONT=verdana][I]"Chuth the half-drow! Several enemies and rivals of Noro have died since his appearance in town a few month's ago, some of which were masters to my brother rhats. They were the first to speak to this dangerous cutthroat you describe. Myself and master Rasul put the word out to our informants around town to report his whereabouts and activities to us if they ever spotted him. We also learned Chuth normally lives and operates in Masaeus where he has a deadly reputation as a wildly-expensive assassin and master of poisons. If it's true he's now serving Noro, I'm frankly surprised Noro can afford him." "Word is Chuth has been seen at The Goblins Goblet tavern on several occasions. That tavern is a regular watering hole for seedier patrons of the arena who aren't welcome at The Cursed Cup. The Cursed Cup is owned and operated by Dwarven followers of Vergadain, I doubt very much Chuth would show his face there! The Goblins Goblet however is run by a thuggish Half-Orc named Urgan." "Urgan is known for his greed... always bragging about how the arena will make him rich. He tries to arrange betting schemes with some of the regular gamblers at the arena, but he's too foolish to realize they work for us! Urgan used to allow our pick-pockets in his establishment in exchange for a cut of their takings. That stopped after he decided it was more profitable just to lure his own customer into a back room and club them over the head instead. If anyone's willing to let someone like Chuth have regular meetings in their tavern, it's him, so long as there's a fat bribe in it for him."[/I][/FONT][/COLOR][FONT=verdana][I] [B]Jabbar: [/B]Scowls. [/I][/FONT][COLOR=#996600][FONT=verdana][I]"Urgan is a piece of filth, but formidable. He's got street-smarts aplenty and his own thugs to back him up. If Aust or myself ever walked into his place he'd know right away to be on his guard. He expects a certain type of scummy customer; someone without honor or scruples."[/I][/FONT][/COLOR][FONT=verdana][I] [B]Avar: [/B]Speaks up. [/I][/FONT][COLOR=#999900][FONT=verdana][I]"I could go. Sundered dwarves aren't known for high moral values."[/I][/FONT][/COLOR][FONT=verdana][I] He smirks. [B]Ren: [/B]Shakes his head. [/I][/FONT][COLOR=#0033ff][FONT=verdana][I]"Doesn't matter, you're a dwarf. Urgan lost a bet to the owners of The Cursed Cup recently and decided he hates dwarves. He won't serve your kind anymore."[/I][/FONT][/COLOR][FONT=verdana][I] [B]Elloral:[/B] Scoffs [B]Ren:[/B] Turns once again to plead with Jabbar. [/I][/FONT][COLOR=#0033ff][FONT=verdana][I]"I know master Rasul has a mind to make an ally of you Jabbar, and that desire should only get stronger once he hears about this plot. Can you really afford to shirk that idea now that we know whats at stake?"[/I][/FONT][/COLOR][FONT=verdana][I] [B]Jabbar: [/B][/I][/FONT][COLOR=#996600][FONT=verdana][I]"It is not so much that Ren. Of course I will do whatever needs to be done to keep the town safe, but beyond the necessities of present circumstances I'm not free to make alliances with whomever I wish. I carry an ancient family name with ancestral expectations along with it. Besides that, my own network of clients and informants will crumble if they hear I am in league with a thieves guild; fearing I'll use their secrets to undermine and blackmail them the way thieves guilds frequently do."[/I][/FONT][/COLOR][FONT=verdana][I] [B] Ren: [/B]Frowns. [/I][/FONT][COLOR=#0033ff][FONT=verdana][I]"None of that will matter if Kyser, King of the Wererats & lord of the Undercity of Masaeus, has a mind to sack this town!"[/I][/FONT][/COLOR][FONT=verdana][I] [B]Jabbar: [/B][/I][/FONT][COLOR=#996600][FONT=verdana][I]"I'm not yet convinced that he does? We don't have any actual proof about this attack, yet... all we know for certain is the Cult of Vermithrax is up to something and they're likely in league with Noro. If King Kyser actually does have plans to sack this town it would lead to open war between himself and the Vul. Whether he succeeds or not, is sacking this town really worth that sort of risk?" "I believe it's more likely the cult itself is behind this, autonomously. After all, they can't be completely beholden to King Kyser can they? Powerful as he is, he's still not their god correct?"[/I][/FONT][/COLOR][FONT=verdana][I] [B] Elloral: [/B]Interjects. [/I][/FONT][COLOR=#663366][FONT=verdana][I]"Correct. Vermithrax would never allow his authority to be shared like that. Burrai has also just reminded me to consider the wisdom of keeping that unholy talisman here with us? I can't say I can think of any good reason to do so, but if we insist on it, we need another way to shield against its magic besides that spell I just cast which will only last a little longer than an hour from now."[/I][/FONT][/COLOR][FONT=verdana][I] [B]Jabbar: [/B][/I][/FONT][COLOR=#996600][FONT=verdana][I]"I do have something that will do nicely for that purpose. Down in the cellar I keep a box enchanted with an anti-magic field to prevent Vulfear agents and their like from detecting any magic items I hide away in my cellar."[/I][/FONT][/COLOR][FONT=verdana][I] [B]Elloral: [/B]Nods. [/I][/FONT][COLOR=#663366][FONT=verdana][I]"That should suffice, but why are we even considering holding unto it? Surely nothing good will come of it. More will come looking for it!"[/I][/FONT][/COLOR][FONT=verdana][I] [B]Jabbar:[/B] Shakes his head. [/I][/FONT][COLOR=#996600][FONT=verdana][I]"They won't try anything tonight, not with the Vulkyrie stalking about in such a foul mood. This Chuth fellow is the one who should be worried, thanks to what Aust said to the sergeant. Between the Vulkyrie, their Vulfear informants and the town guard, I expect Chuth's gonna regret he ever saw Aust before long."[/I][/FONT][/COLOR][COLOR=#996600][FONT=verdana][I]"We need to return to the smugglers caves, that much is certain. How long we wait and when we go back is up for debate. I say we make all the preparations we reasonably can to ensure we have the upper hand before we face a battle with the likes of wererats. I need time to call in some favors and ask some allies for help."[/I][/FONT][/COLOR][FONT=verdana][I] [B]Ren: [/B][/I][/FONT][COLOR=#0033ff][FONT=verdana][I]"Such as Master Rasul!"[/I][/FONT][/COLOR][FONT=verdana][I] He blurts out on que. [B]Jabbar: [/B]Nods. [/I][/FONT][COLOR=#996600][FONT=verdana][I]"Certainly. Whatever help your master can offer is welcomed. Cabarda has been his home a long time, I'm sure he's as keen to defend it as I am. But honestly Ren, how can you be sure any orders he makes to his subordinates in the guild aren't gonna find their way to Noro's ears? That bastard obviously already suspects we've seen too much. That's why he sent his goons to burn us all alive! The last thing he wants to hear is rumors about half the city rallying to stop him. If that happens before we're ready to face him, he may launch his attack sooner than already planned, and whatever preparations we've managed to make up to that point might not be enough."[/I] [I]'In two days time there will be an eve of the full moon. If Noro is indeed planning an attack with the aid of the Cult of Vermithrax we'll know to expect him in the smugglers caves, overseeing final preparations on that evening. What we need to decide is what our plan is going to be to thwart that attack? We'll need to return to the smugglers caves, that much is certain. How long we wait is up for debate. I say we make all the preparations we reasonably can for a tactical advantage against the wererats before we chose to do battle. For now I say we rest and act tomorrow."[/I][/FONT][/COLOR][FONT=verdana] [/FONT][FONT=verdana] [/FONT] [FONT=verdana][COLOR=#000000][/COLOR][COLOR=#008000][/COLOR][/FONT][FONT=verdana] [I][B]Avar: [/B]Speaks up to make a further point. [/I][/FONT][COLOR=#999900][FONT=verdana][I]"One thing I know for certain is Chuth is not serving the Black Network. Surface goblinoids do not tolerate those of drow-blood, unless they are forced into servitude one way or another. I know this for a fact because there were no dark elves holding the whips at Skull Mountain when my clan was enslaved for two hundred years!"[/I][/FONT][/COLOR][FONT=verdana][I] He states while clenching his fist. [B] Elloral: [/B]Gasps and regards Avar with awe. [/I][/FONT][COLOR=#663366][FONT=verdana][I]"So it is true! Dwarves were kept alive at Mt Gythmora (original name of Skull Mountain) after the fall!"[/I][/FONT][/COLOR][FONT=verdana][I] [B]Avar: [/B]Nods bitterly. [/I][/FONT][COLOR=#999900][FONT=verdana][I]"My relatives speak of those years as 'the centuries in chains'; as they were forced to maintain the stronghold and continue tunneling and mining for their monstrous overlords. These tattoo's..."[/I][/FONT][/COLOR][FONT=verdana][I] He speaks to the broken chains around his lower neck [/I][/FONT][COLOR=#999900][FONT=verdana][I]"...are a reminder never to forget what they endured. Referring to is as 'forced-labor' is too kind a term, it was hell! Each one of them was brutalized and spat upon for almost half a lifetime."[/I][/FONT][/COLOR][FONT=verdana][I] [B]Elloral:[/B] [/I][/FONT][COLOR=#663366][FONT=verdana][I]"I heard rumors about a clan who claimed to escape the dark halls of skull mountain long after it fell under the sway of evil. I could hardly believe it because I never got the chance to speak with any, until now..."[/I][/FONT][/COLOR][FONT=verdana][I] She swallows. [/I][/FONT][COLOR=#663366][FONT=verdana][I]"Tell me, why have you not sheltered with the other clans?"[/I][/FONT][/COLOR][FONT=verdana][I] [B]Avar: [/B][/I][/FONT][COLOR=#999900][FONT=verdana][I]"For two reasons. Firstly, sundered dwarves lack the respect of our hillfolk and mountain kin. There has never been room for us in your halls. We survive living on the fringes of society, taking shelter with men like Jabar who share our commitment to abolish evil! Secondly, we remember with despair how many mountain dwarves are still there _willingly_ serving the Black Network, betraying their own king, kin and kith! We've learned from bitter experience to only trust our own."[/I][/FONT][/COLOR][FONT=verdana][I] [B] Elloral: [/B]Frowns. [/I][/FONT][COLOR=#663366][FONT=verdana][I]"Dwarves should stand together!"[/I][/FONT][/COLOR][FONT=verdana][I] [B]Avar: [/B][/I][/FONT][COLOR=#999900][FONT=verdana][I]"Aye they should! If your clans had rallied again to a purpose after Torgrimm's defeat, we might not have suffered so long!" He states with a clear undertone of accusal. "It is only by great sacrifice that we eventually escaped, vowing to kill any creature of the black network we came across to avenge the deaths of so many who did not survive!" "We took to raiding their camps and hideouts, killing dozens, for little purpose..." He states sadly. "The Black Network can afford to lose dozens of scouts everyday. Our victories changed nothing except to ensure they never ceased hunting us! We even tried dissuading their agents with acts of brutality after capturing them, making examples for those who might follow... but the truth is the Black Network does worse to their own who refuse to obey orders." "Still we remained steadfast in our vow, hoping our example would motivate others to join our cause. We called forth for your clans to rally to our banners, but our emissaries were turned away with ridicule and scorn. Even after all that's been lost you are still too proud to consider shedding blood for our sake!"[/I][/FONT][/COLOR][FONT=verdana][I] He spits angrily, clearly getting heated. [B]Jabbar: [/B][/I][/FONT][COLOR=#996600][FONT=verdana][I]"Avar! Enough of that! Elloral and Burrai and are not to blame for those plights! They are strong allies, have you not seen and heard enough to realize that?!"[/I][/FONT][/COLOR][FONT=verdana][I] [B]Avar: [/B]Nods curtly. [/I][/FONT][COLOR=#999900][FONT=verdana][I]"Forgive me. I speak from weariness, and a broken heart. At times I feel I must speak for the woes of the dead. A solemn duty for those of us left in my clan who are still living. I have nothing but respect and admiration for Burrai Steelborn and his wise advisor."[/I][/FONT][/COLOR][FONT=verdana][I] He states with deference. [B]Elloral: [/B]Tightens her lips. [/I][/FONT][COLOR=#663366][FONT=verdana][I]"Good! Burrai and I are not your enemies! We also know the shame of betrayal by our fellow dwarves, the pain of loss of friends and loved ones to the evil designs of the Black Network; and how it feels to be hunted by their beasts and their scouts. We're on the same side!"[/I][/FONT][/COLOR][FONT=verdana][I] [B][COLOR=#ff0000]__________________________________________________________________________________[/COLOR][COLOR=#daa520] [/COLOR] [Everyone: [/B]What do you do? If it is your desire to simply bed down and rest... you can find space in the cellar below or the upstairs storeroom. There is plenty of bedding, candles, lanterns, food and drink stored away in the shops provisions. Tubs for washing are also available, with the means to heat water here on the hearth in the common room. I should not have to point out the wisdom of setting up a watch (preferably peeking from a window) in case any other foes decide to disturb your slumber.[B]] [/B][/I][/FONT][FONT=arial][FONT=verdana][I][B]*Note:[/B] I need to go back to edit this post later and add the proper text-colors... unfortunately my list of text-colors-by-character was lost when I tried to transfer data off my hard drives so it needs to be recreated.[/I] [/FONT] [/FONT] [/QUOTE]
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Dark Days in Sion - Act 3: Scene 2
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