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<blockquote data-quote="Rybaer" data-source="post: 1406156" data-attributes="member: 118">While the introductions and family reunion continue, Yaren arrives and smartly salutes Iriana Truthspeaker.&nbsp; The sub-commander in charge of the scouts appears agitated.&nbsp; &quot;Permission to speak,&quot; she says.&nbsp; &quot;Of course, of course,&quot; Iriana replies with a dismissive wave.&nbsp; &quot;You know I've asked you to dispense with the military formality with me.&quot;&quot;One of my scouts working the plains to the northeast met up with some local litorian hunters,&quot; she says.&nbsp; &quot;The litorians spoke of a religious cult that has taken root in Grenveld.&nbsp; It's a small but noble litorian community some three days on foot from here.&nbsp; The hunters were deeply concerned by the rate at which this cult is collecting new&nbsp; followers.&quot;Iriana's eyes narrow.&nbsp; &quot;Grenveld?&nbsp; Isn't that your home town?&quot;Yaren's gaze flickers to the floor, but just as quickly returns to meet Iriana's.&nbsp; &quot;Yes...hence my concern.&quot;By now, everyone in the room is quiet and listening to the litorian's impassioned report.&nbsp; Osric, the human akashic and scholar of obscure religions, speaks up.&nbsp; &quot;Pardon me, but did they mention the name of the cult?&quot;Yaren gives Osric a hard look, but answers evenly.&nbsp; &quot;Yes.&nbsp; The cult refers to themselves as the Hopeful of Trythium.&quot;Osric closes his eyes for a moment, digging deep into his well-trained memory.&nbsp; &quot;Mmmm,&quot; he says, &quot;I've heard about them.&nbsp; Until now, they've been believed to operate only west of the Bitter Peaks.&nbsp; Little is known about them as their new adherents don't speak to outsiders.&nbsp; Some scholars believe that the cult uses magical compulsion to recruit.&nbsp; They aren't known for violence, but 'infected' communities tend to stop having children.&nbsp; No outsiders have yet to understand their true motives.&quot;Yaren looks even more concerned.&nbsp; &quot;You see, Truthspeaker,&quot; she says, &quot;I feel it is important that I go investigate this matter.&nbsp; I spoke with the Colonel, but he refused my request to take a leave of absence.&quot;&quot;His orders are final,&quot; Iriana says.&nbsp; &quot;While I direct the general focus of the operation, the Colonel has complete control over how his force is run.&nbsp; I cannot intervene.&quot;&quot;No, I understand,&quot; Yaren says, deflated.&nbsp; She then looks pointedly into Khajom's eyes.&nbsp; While holding his gaze, she speaks to Iriana.&nbsp; &quot;Perhaps if you had more adventurers answer your call for help than you need...some could be encouraged to investgate.&nbsp; The human seems to know quite a bit about the cult.&nbsp; And I believe Khajom here may have interests in that community's welfare.&quot;&quot;I'll take that under consideration,&quot; Iriana says.&nbsp; &quot;Please leave us now.&nbsp; We have matters to discuss.&nbsp; Bring me word straight away should any of your scouts return with word on the whereabouts of the rhodin force.&quot;&nbsp; Yaren nods, gives Khajom another purposeful look, and then departs.&quot;I know nothing of this cult,&quot; Iriana says.&nbsp; &quot;It may be harmless or it may grow to become a problem for this entire region.&nbsp; Such is the way of things.&nbsp; For now, I must keep my focus on recovering the Ebonring and secure this keep for the security of the region.&nbsp; Should a few of you wish to help, that's your choice to make.&quot;&quot;Cults and obscure religions are an area of interest of mine,&quot; Osric says.&nbsp; &quot;I'd be interested in checking it out, and I could probably be very helpful in breaking it up if necessary.&quot;Pyior looks up at Khajom.&nbsp; &quot;You're from that area, aren't you?&quot;Khajom sighs.&nbsp; &quot;Grenveld is just a short distance from where I grew up,&quot; he says.&nbsp; &quot;I have some family and many friends who live there.&nbsp; I'll admit, honestly, that I'm distressed by what I hear.&nbsp; My oath, however, is to protect you, and I won't violate that.&quot;Pyior looks a little glum.&nbsp; &quot;Well, as a magister, I'm still interested in finding this Ebonring.&nbsp; It's magic could be very interesting.&nbsp; Plus, I'd probably get to learn more about the rhodin by tracking them down.&nbsp; I don't want to get in the way of you helping your family, though.&quot;&quot;As an oathsworn, my feelings and needs are irrelevant,&quot; Khajom replies.&nbsp; &quot;Only fulfilling my oath.&quot;&quot;Didn't you tell me that if you undertake an oath that has no definitive end, you are only obligated for the span of one year?&quot;&quot;Yes,&quot; Khajom says.&quot;Well, you swore your oath to protect me nearly two years ago,&quot; Pyior says.&nbsp; &quot;I'm still alive and in one piece.&nbsp; And even though we're just now getting into some dangerous areas, I think you fulfilled your oath just fine.&nbsp; Consider it successfully discharged.&nbsp; In fact, I think you should swear a new oath - to go help the people of Grenveld against the intrusion of this cult.&quot;Khajom's internal struggle is plainly obvious on his face.&nbsp; Pyior decides to prod just a little further.&nbsp; &quot;Besides,&quot; he says, &quot;once we get the Ebonring back, I'll just pop on over to Grenveld and help you discharge your new oath.&quot;Khajom sighs and then grins broadly.&nbsp; &quot;You, my little friend, are a fool.&nbsp; However, you're about as noble and kind as any I've ever met.&nbsp; Alright, I will accept your discharge and swear a new oath.&quot;The litorian takes a deep breath and speaks in a voice that carries the strength of profound power.&nbsp; &quot;I swear to determine the true nature of the Hopeful of Trythium cult.&nbsp; Should the cult have a subversive nature, I shall see that their presence is removed from the village of Grenveld.&nbsp; Such is my oath, so am I sworn and bound.&quot;Khajom looks to Osric.&nbsp; &quot;You are going to join me?&nbsp; I'm sure your knowledge of this subject would be invaluable.&quot;&quot;Absolutely,&quot; Osric says.&nbsp; &quot;This sort of thing is what I set out on an adventuring career to discover and learn about.&quot;Pyrithanis the Steadfast steps forward.&nbsp; &quot;While I wouldn't mind trying my hand at a few more rhodin scum, my instincts tell me that the two of you may need some more muscle before your quest is over.&nbsp; If you'll have my sword, I would join you.&quot;&quot;Your presence will be welcome,&quot; Khajom says.&nbsp; &quot;That should be enough, though.&nbsp; I wouldn't want to deplete Iriana of her entire supply of adventurers.&quot;&quot;Who has the wine that the caravan driver gave us?&quot; Pyrithanis asks.&nbsp; &quot;I think we should drink the rest of it tonight, to honor the brief time we were all together.&quot;***********ooc: Let's assume that all of you spend the rest of the evening relaxing, getting acquainted, and saying farewells.&nbsp; Khajom, Osric, and Pyrithanis will depart early the next morning.&nbsp; I've got one more &quot;cut-scene&quot; to write for Ys-Baddaden's start down the path of the greenbond.&nbsp; If the rest of you wish to return to exploring, let's plan for that to start the following morning.</blockquote>

[QUOTE="Rybaer, post: 1406156, member: 118"] While the introductions and family reunion continue, Yaren arrives and smartly salutes Iriana Truthspeaker. The sub-commander in charge of the scouts appears agitated. "Permission to speak," she says. "Of course, of course," Iriana replies with a dismissive wave. "You know I've asked you to dispense with the military formality with me." "One of my scouts working the plains to the northeast met up with some local litorian hunters," she says. "The litorians spoke of a religious cult that has taken root in Grenveld. It's a small but noble litorian community some three days on foot from here. The hunters were deeply concerned by the rate at which this cult is collecting new followers." Iriana's eyes narrow. "Grenveld? Isn't that your home town?" Yaren's gaze flickers to the floor, but just as quickly returns to meet Iriana's. "Yes...hence my concern." By now, everyone in the room is quiet and listening to the litorian's impassioned report. Osric, the human akashic and scholar of obscure religions, speaks up. "Pardon me, but did they mention the name of the cult?" Yaren gives Osric a hard look, but answers evenly. "Yes. The cult refers to themselves as the Hopeful of Trythium." Osric closes his eyes for a moment, digging deep into his well-trained memory. "Mmmm," he says, "I've heard about them. Until now, they've been believed to operate only west of the Bitter Peaks. Little is known about them as their new adherents don't speak to outsiders. Some scholars believe that the cult uses magical compulsion to recruit. They aren't known for violence, but 'infected' communities tend to stop having children. No outsiders have yet to understand their true motives." Yaren looks even more concerned. "You see, Truthspeaker," she says, "I feel it is important that I go investigate this matter. I spoke with the Colonel, but he refused my request to take a leave of absence." "His orders are final," Iriana says. "While I direct the general focus of the operation, the Colonel has complete control over how his force is run. I cannot intervene." "No, I understand," Yaren says, deflated. She then looks pointedly into Khajom's eyes. While holding his gaze, she speaks to Iriana. "Perhaps if you had more adventurers answer your call for help than you need...some could be encouraged to investgate. The human seems to know quite a bit about the cult. And I believe Khajom here may have interests in that community's welfare." "I'll take that under consideration," Iriana says. "Please leave us now. We have matters to discuss. Bring me word straight away should any of your scouts return with word on the whereabouts of the rhodin force." Yaren nods, gives Khajom another purposeful look, and then departs. "I know nothing of this cult," Iriana says. "It may be harmless or it may grow to become a problem for this entire region. Such is the way of things. For now, I must keep my focus on recovering the Ebonring and secure this keep for the security of the region. Should a few of you wish to help, that's your choice to make." "Cults and obscure religions are an area of interest of mine," Osric says. "I'd be interested in checking it out, and I could probably be very helpful in breaking it up if necessary." Pyior looks up at Khajom. "You're from that area, aren't you?" Khajom sighs. "Grenveld is just a short distance from where I grew up," he says. "I have some family and many friends who live there. I'll admit, honestly, that I'm distressed by what I hear. My oath, however, is to protect you, and I won't violate that." Pyior looks a little glum. "Well, as a magister, I'm still interested in finding this Ebonring. It's magic could be very interesting. Plus, I'd probably get to learn more about the rhodin by tracking them down. I don't want to get in the way of you helping your family, though." "As an oathsworn, my feelings and needs are irrelevant," Khajom replies. "Only fulfilling my oath." "Didn't you tell me that if you undertake an oath that has no definitive end, you are only obligated for the span of one year?" "Yes," Khajom says. "Well, you swore your oath to protect me nearly two years ago," Pyior says. "I'm still alive and in one piece. And even though we're just now getting into some dangerous areas, I think you fulfilled your oath just fine. Consider it successfully discharged. In fact, I think you should swear a new oath - to go help the people of Grenveld against the intrusion of this cult." Khajom's internal struggle is plainly obvious on his face. Pyior decides to prod just a little further. "Besides," he says, "once we get the Ebonring back, I'll just pop on over to Grenveld and help you discharge your new oath." Khajom sighs and then grins broadly. "You, my little friend, are a fool. However, you're about as noble and kind as any I've ever met. Alright, I will accept your discharge and swear a new oath." The litorian takes a deep breath and speaks in a voice that carries the strength of profound power. "I swear to determine the true nature of the Hopeful of Trythium cult. Should the cult have a subversive nature, I shall see that their presence is removed from the village of Grenveld. Such is my oath, so am I sworn and bound." Khajom looks to Osric. "You are going to join me? I'm sure your knowledge of this subject would be invaluable." "Absolutely," Osric says. "This sort of thing is what I set out on an adventuring career to discover and learn about." Pyrithanis the Steadfast steps forward. "While I wouldn't mind trying my hand at a few more rhodin scum, my instincts tell me that the two of you may need some more muscle before your quest is over. If you'll have my sword, I would join you." "Your presence will be welcome," Khajom says. "That should be enough, though. I wouldn't want to deplete Iriana of her entire supply of adventurers." "Who has the wine that the caravan driver gave us?" Pyrithanis asks. "I think we should drink the rest of it tonight, to honor the brief time we were all together." *********** ooc: Let's assume that all of you spend the rest of the evening relaxing, getting acquainted, and saying farewells. Khajom, Osric, and Pyrithanis will depart early the next morning. I've got one more "cut-scene" to write for Ys-Baddaden's start down the path of the greenbond. If the rest of you wish to return to exploring, let's plan for that to start the following morning. [/QUOTE]

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