[3.5] Answering the Call

[Arkhandus]

Lars greets the gnome when he joins them at the table, saying "Welcome! I am Lars Crichton, servant of Heironeous. My companions and I just finished ridding the area of a dozen or so hobgoblins the other day, so we're here to celebrate our victorious return! To many more!" he toasts.

His mood noticeably darkens after Kyl mentions the fey sword/dagger. He whispers "Indeed? Well, at least that saves me the trouble of asking everyone in town. If you wouldn't mind, could you keep on eye on that dwarf until I get back? I need to see the Curate. Distract the dwarf if he tries to leave the city before I return, so I can confront the knave." Lars sighs in disappointment at his merriment being ruined. And he'd been thinking of treating Vadara to a drink or three. The paladin takes one last sip of his ale before heading out the door.

He heads to the temple of Heironeous and seeks out Curate Anselm, apologizing for wasting the Curate's time on an outside matter, but then proceeding to explain his meeting with the fey in the forest, and the discovery of the stolen fey blade on that irksome dwarf. "Heironeous showed me there was no evil in those fey creatures' hearts, and I believe their tale. I pledged to right this injustice and return the stolen blade to the kin of its slain owner, and I would like to bring formal charges against that dwarf who appears to be the culprit. What must I do, Curate? Borderland Keep is, of course, your jurisdiction, sir," he finishes with.

 

[Rhun]

Orinar looks at Kyl. "Kyl, would you mind? I'm a bit on the large size to follow that dwarf without being seen..."

 

[Mark Chance]

Kyl nods and heads out to keep an eye on the dwarf and his party. Lars departs to seek out Curate Anselm, leaving Menno and Orinar with their new friend Tiax.

Lars enters the Temple of Heironeous. A haunting tune floats through the air, immediately recognizable as the Requiem for the Righteous Fallen. The aged Curate sits on the stairs before the altar, piping the mournful dirge on a 16-hole wooden flute made of highly polished darkwood.

As Lars approaches, Anselm dips his head, eyes closed, and the hymn changes from mournful to triumphant, representing the sacrifices of Heironeous's faithful. After a militaristic crescendo, the mood changes again, softening to a deft mixture of dread about the next conflict combined with hope of eventual victory.

Even after the hymn ends, it is as if the notes haunt the air. Curate Anselm rises slowly to his feet, wipes a tear from his cheek, and smiles at Lars.

"Yes, my soldier?"

Lars explains the encounter in the wood, and about what Kyl and Tiax saw in the tavern.

"I shall notify the guard," Anselm says, "but I cannot act just yet. First, I must have testimony from your comrades. If they speak the truth, action must be taken. We cannot risk angering the fey of the Silent Wood. Our position here is precarious enough."

 

[Rhun]

Meanwhile, Orinar chats with Tiax. "So little one, what skills do you have that would be of aid to a group of stalwarts such as ourselves?"

 

[hellrazor111]

"Well, I'm good with traps and locks, and I'm a bit sneaky. And can be diplomatic if I'm need, and I'm not easily fooled. Oh, and I'm fairly good wit a bow." Tiax replies. He then asks "So what about you? And the others?"

 

[Neurotic]

"That is fortunate as our scout and trap specialist just announced to us that he's leaving. That following may be last thing Kyl will do as part of the group. Tough, I don't doubt he will be friendly if we ask him to do something within city limits.

You should know that we are gobbo hunting and it can be fairly dangerous. That's why Kyl's leaving.

I am a sorcerer myself, Lars and Orinar are two warriors of different persuasions."

 

[hellrazor111]

I like magic, may have become a wizard if me family could have paid for it. Any way ye could teach me some, on the road? I'm fairly smart. As fer the goblin hunting, I've been hunting before, but never against something that might try to kill me, but it don't sound bad. And I'll be in the back, with me bow and all.

Tiax thinks for a moment before saying. "So those guys are bad eh, glad I didn't join em, don't like bad people."

 

[Arkhandus]

"Very well, sir. I will gather my companions and return," the young paladin replies. He salutes and turns around, heading out to find the others back at the tavern, then to search for Kyl.

When he gets to the tavern, Lars tells the group "Curate Anselm requires our testimony on the fey blade and the dwarf's possession of it. We should search for Kyl so he can testify as well. Booze will have to wait a while longer, I'm afraid."

 

[Neurotic]

"I said I'm sorceror, not wizard. Being smart has nothing to do with it, the magic is in my blood. I'm sorry, but I cannot teach you, except for some theory if you're interested."
replies Menno

To Lars he answers, already rising from his seat
"Ah, well, I'm not the one for getting drunk as a celebration. And I'm done with my wine."

 

[Rhun]

Orinar is more than happy to explain his role as a warrior to Tiax. "Basically, I just cut down the enemy with my sword. Though, I also possess some inherent abilities of the mind, which come in handy from time to time. I believe some refer to them as psionics"

When Lars shows to ruin the pary, Orinar merely grumbles at him. "Ah, Lars, you know how to spoil everything!" says the half-giant, who then downs the remnants of his mug in a single gulp. He stands, towering over the rest of the companions. "But I'll happily give my testimony. That dwarf would be best behind bars. Come, let's to it."