Crossed Paths - Part I

[Jarval]

"Aye, speak with the dwarf. You may be right, and that's good clear thinking you're doing. I will join you in your discussion, but first I'd better explain the nature of our mission to Octar's friend." Brioc responds to Nathaniel.

Beckoning over to the nearest barmaid, Brioc buys Marcus an ale before continuing to expand on his goal. "Some of our group's goals would be better discussed in private, but for now know that we seek something of great value that was lost many, many years ago. Helping the good people of Sevastopol is not a part of this quest, but I cannot refuse aid to them, least of all after having seen what the raids of the Wendol do." He falls silent a moment, the memory of the dead family still all too clear in his mind.

"Some of this you may already know from the townsfolk, and perhaps some from Octar, but ask me about that which you still wish to know more of. As I have said, some answers will have to wait for less crowded surroundings..."

 

[Guilt Puppy]

Nathaniel makes his way over to the dwarf, offering to buy a drink.

"You say your people have fought the Wendol before? May I ask in what context? You see, I have a suspicion that it will not take bloodshed to end bloodshed -- but we may need an army to threaten with. What these Wendol, as a whole, know of or think of these killings is a mystery to us... We only know that some have participated. Perhaps a direct confrontation, with a strong army at hand to enforce negotiation, will give us the leverage we need to make it their problem, whether their society has sanctioned these killings or failed to stop them... But before we know that's a good plan, I'd like to here more about your people's experience with them, how strong they are in battle, what had brought you to battle... To know as much about them as possible."

"And further, if we were to need an army, what chance would you give us that your people could band together in solidarity with these people, to battle for the common good?

 

[doghead]

Marcus, Ehldannis, Brioc | Tavern

Beckoning over to the nearest barmaid, Brioc buys Marcus an ale before continuing to expand on his goal.

"Ah, two ales. That must be an omen of good fortune I think."

"Some of this you may already know from the townsfolk, and perhaps some from Octar, but ask me about that which you still wish to know more of. As I have said, some answers will have to wait for less crowded surroundings..."

"The Wendol, tell me of them as they are the matter currently at hand. I know nothing of them, unless it is by another name. From the villages I gather that there was a battle, and some people were slain before you slew the Wendol. But from what I have heard in here, there are more, many more."

 

[Manzanita]

The barmaid refuses Brioc's coin. "For all you're doing for us, the least we can do is serve you freely. We are so afraid, sir," she shakes her head, "we are all close to death, this day. Only your brave company stands in the way."

Thorvald Ironsplitter answers Nathaniel's question. "These 'Wendol' as you call them, have come before, and we have beaten them. It's been some time, has it not, even for dwarves. The last time they were here was before I was born. I don't remember the details. That's why I suggest you visit The Hold. I've not completed my business here in Sevastopol yet, but I was planning to send my assistant Dhormuin back with a wagon of goods. You could accompany him and speak to the elders. I'm sure they could tell you how we got rid of them last time. They probably know all about these monsters. What do you say? I'm sure the townsfolk here could provide you with horses. My wagon will be ready in the morning."

 

[Inez Hull]

Ehldannis listens with increasing interest and turns to Brioc. "Whilst you realise I am logically in favour of dropping all ties to the Wendol and continuing our original quest, I..., well... I am intrigued to say the least at the prospect of visiting a Dwarfhold and speaking with their elders and perusing their histories. Purely for curiosities sake of course....., we do have bigger fish to.....fry? I do believe I used the correct idiom that time did I not?"

 

[doghead]

Marcus, Ehldannis, Brioc |Tavern

"I would be interested to see that as well. But as I know little of the original reason for this fellowship, I can't say whether it would be a good idea or not to do so."

 

[Thels]

"As wud I!", the young Dwarf joins in. "I've b'n told 'bout the raid'ngs, but ye lads seem to know a bunch 'bout em. Me name be Dhormuin Blackbeard, Dhorm for friends. Me, I seem to be returning to the Hold anyhow, but I wud like to know who wud be trav'ling with me. The Hold's a good place, not narry's big as the outside, but still be big." Dhormuin pauses for a moment to take a sip of his ale. And then another sip. "Are ye lads plan'ng on taking on those raiders? I'd gotta return the wag'n, but mebbe after that... If ye lads have a plan, that is! Me no wun to die fer naught. No, no, not me." After finishing, the Dwarf returns to his ale.

 

[Manzanita]

Rufus speaks up. "We would appreciate any help you dwarves can offer. With this group of heros, surely the wendol don't have a chance." He addresses the PCs, "We've always had good relations with the dwarves of The Hold, although we've never had a cause to have any sort of military alliance. I'm not sure if they...uh...well, we may speak of it more later."


You have several more hours of daylight tonight, if anyone wanted to do anything in town before leaving for the Dwarven Hold in the morning (if you go). As you've found out, the villagers will give the PCs virtually anything they can w/o charge. (any basic equipment not excessively expensive from the PHB. & if you're interested in something else, ask. The 'free' part at this point only applies to the original PCs.) I think a couple of you might have other things you'd want to do as well.

 

[Guilt Puppy]

"Whilst you realise I am logically in favour of dropping all ties to the Wendol and continuing our original quest, I..., well... I am intrigued to say the least at the prospect of visiting a Dwarfhold and speaking with their elders and perusing their histories. Purely for curiosities sake of course....., we do have bigger fish to.....fry? I do believe I used the correct idiom that time did I not?"

"The correct idiom, yes, but your logic I doubt... We have after all invested a good deal of time into this already, and a short journey to this Hold -- where perhaps we can get everything all tied up, or at least set in motion a process which can continue without us for as long as it takes to accomplish our other duties -- well, that doesn't seem like much more of a sacrifice. However, if we simply move on now, and forget all about this, first we have failed to meet the duties of basic decency, and beyond that we will have to explain to our employer, 'oh, apologies it took us so long, but we got tied up for a while thinking about helping out some people. I mean, we decided not to, but we decided it was the right thing to at least kill some time looking into doing the right thing.' This sidetrek may not put us in good favor in either case, but to see it through properly redeems us more to our employer, and is by far better to the people here."

"It's unfortunate, friend, if you are more commited to the cause of logic than the cause of good -- but by either cause, or course of action is clear. We need to go to the Hold, find out what we can there, and make whatever deal we need to make."

With that, he turns to Dhormiun.

"So, when will we be leaving?"

 

[Inez Hull]

"My logic you doubt? I'm sorry my friend but that statement makes little sense to me. Logical reasoning is either correct or fallacious. If you have doubts, perhaps you need to explore the process more fully and decide whether you agree or disagree with certainty. I will take the liberty of infering though that you believe me to be acting irrationally by having mixed interests. Quite the opposite I believe, I am merely in the process of weighing priorities through discourse and am even yet still to make a decision." Ehldannis grins at Nathaniel, "you see my desire for knowledge and my sense of curiousity are plainly at war with my sense of duty, and not possessing perfect self knowledge I am unsure yet which will win out. Even then I must consider what direction the rest of our company will be led and re-evaluate my still uncertain stance as each of your opinions are spoken aloud."

"That said, as I have already mentioned to Brioc, both objectives effect your peoples more directly than mine and I am willing to go along with whatever the majority chooses, regardless of my personal preference. I am of the opinion though that our original goal is of greater importance and I believe there is little that our company can do against the Wendol, that fate lies in the hands of an army or of diplomats. As it is we have driven off the Wendol attacks for the present moment and gained some knowledge of their nature and that I believe has been productive use of time, even if not in the order of our main quest. I do not believe the Wendol pose a threat to the Empire, whereas the formula conceivably does and therefore should be our priority. Is it any less good to protect all of Rome? I do not know, so I seek to use logic to guide me, and logic tells me that the greater threat should be given precedence. However, logic allows me to consider that if my companions seek first to resolve the issue of the Wendol, I should lend my aid in the attempt to speed that task, and if by assisting my companions I happen to fulfill my personal desires to visit a Dwarfhold then all the better", Ehldannis chuckles, "for you should know Nathaniel, that although logic guides me, it does not rule me any less than my curiousity."

Ehldannis blushes and smiles nervously at his companions, suddenly self concious after he ceases speaking.