MARIUS
Party:
"Umm, Arvana, understand that I'm not trying to pry. But Dram indicated you're not what you seem. Given his comments about the desert and the place where we found you...are you one of the people we fought under Maran? If not, would you tell us what you are? If you have strengths or weaknesses, we can use them or help you if we know. You want be...discarded...for what you are. Unless you're a necromancer."
At first, the woman seems fueled by doubt, but a memory stirring behind her eyes is enough to loosen her tongue.
"I suppose you should know, indeed..." - she proceeds at a slow pace, looking over her shoulders. "My people lives in the Sea of Memories, far beyond anyone's reach. We live under the waves, and we are capable of trailing the continents as well as the abysses underneath the oceans, no impediments restraining us. I was sent to the coast because of my inclinations towards... questionable war tactics. One might say that I'm quite adaptable. I have learned enough to conceal myself among others, spy and improvise sabotages and ambushes, and I have some magical knowledge as weli, although on a lesser extent than those exercised by our new companion..." - she gestures towards Shayuri.
"As for our current situation... I've worked with many a nobleman amidst my people. I might be able to summon some help´, although I can't guarantee they'd be willing to enter the fray. I can say, though, that we have a common enemy. The Old Crown of Myrash..."
Monks:
"Yes, troubled. Right now I would welcome a master of shadow shadowing, pardon the pun, my every step. We're going to the troubled parts and we're surrounded by mercenaries. What do you know of mage Dram? What happened at Mouth of Fire? Are you staying now that you delivered these people?"
The monks speak in hushed tones about their host, following the etiquette taught at the Temple.
"We know little of Dram. For now, he's been willing to help us feed and shelter the refugees. Odrosans aren't so helpful these days. They accuse the lords of the valleys of treachery, and will have no business with 'maranan supporters', or so they say." - the first one asserts.
"He does seem too shady, though..." - the second one continues. "Whatever he does on that manor remains a secret, and a well-protected one, for that matter."
"In fact, we were hoping that
you could tell us more." - the other one repeats, showing clear intentions of investigating his activities. "At first, when the Mouth of Fire erupted once more, we were happy to bring the people of the valleys here. Their local counterparts moved from the Peak of Sorrows ages ago, as far as we understand, and we figured that at least some solidarity would be possible. We found less than expected, but still, it is better than the option."
"Indeed. Back at the Peak, elementals rampage and giants descend from the slopes, as if leaded by an unseen force. The Mouth of Fire explodes, ashes and stone covering entire fields. The areas closer to the Peak are lost, and its people..." - he pauses in respect, and never finishes his sentence.
After a moment of somber reflection, the other one goes on.
"People have been saying that Talos, the Titan, has returned from his journey within the bowels of the volcano. Some claim they've seen his fiery eyes flickering within the black clouds that now cover the Peak's summit..."
"As for staying... Well, we are bound to uncover what is happening, even though we'd find this task easier for the Shadow School..." - suddenly, Marius realizes his own plans for them are the same they had for him. "Do you think
you could sway Dram to help a bit more?" - the first one ends the sentence.
"Or at least uncover what are these experiments he conducts?" - the second one completes.
[The price of a failed test, hehehe. Also, no worries about the number of questions: it'll give the game proper pacing...]
MORGRYM
“Wot’re ye all daein’ ‘ere doon the mountain?”
The girl accepts the beverage, seating a stool away from Morgrym and staring suspiciously at the mug before drinking from it.
"Peak of Sorrows spits fire once more. Rumor is that Talos has returned." - Morgrym remembers the legends. When the first dwarven colonists faced the hill giants, they uncovered, deep in the mountains, the lair of enemies even fiercer. They were served by metal golems, zealots willing to give their very existences to defend the deepest paths within the stone heart of the land. After many battles, the masters came forward, revealing themselves: giants of fire and steel, their faces blackened by heat and time, the titans marched forward, leaded by Talos himself. Much blood was shed, but in the end Talos retreated to heal his wounds and gather his strength at the Mouth of Fire. As he disappeared within the burning seas of light and stone, he swore to come back someday, retrieving an even greater army of elementals from another planes of existence. It seems this day might have come, at last...
"The Valley of Brogla and the Belt of Ter are gone.... Vanished under a storm of ashes..." - her eyes are sorrowful as she reports such occurrences. "I guess no one has escaped it, except for the lord's son-in-law. He warned us about the wave that came from the mountains. Lord Brogla himself returned to warn the other valleys but..." - she falls silent, considering the size of the tragedy.
"Now they've given us leave to settle in a few side caves around here... But already there are those greedy enough to profit from our misery. The owner of the local brothel pressures the arrivals, charging to 'protect' them and harassing girls to join his crew..."
HAGADARK
"My name is Hagadark. I just recently returned from the south. I heard about the trouble, but you probably know more than I do. I will ask the tribe when I return. I am willing to trade information. How about you tell me what you know, both about Mouth of Fire and the desert. And I'll tell you in detail what my people saw."
"Trust me, shaman, everyone knows your name 'round these parts by now..." - the short one says. Indeed, even for gnomes and halflings, this one seems short. And also, he seems unusually stubby. Maybe that has something to do with his attitude.
"What I know is what the scouts know..." - his fair share of scars suggest he's one of them, probably on momentary leave. "A city shows up in the desert, matching the descriptions of the illusory city of dreams, as some call it. Soon after, lizards everywhere! Odrosan caught wind of their presence - a caravan leader barely survived the first attack, I think... - and now the bastards march west, unwilling to join us!"
"Sum it up with the volcano awakening up north" - the other one continues, bitterly - and you've got the valley filled with homeless dwarves. If we are to face war, this is a bad time to go gathering fugitives..." - his glance to the mountaineers is filled with contempt.
"Not to mention the fire elementals. The scouts that brought the fugitives mentioned fire serpents descending from the mountains,melting snow and scorching fields... Wanna know how it'll get as they arrive here?" - his stoic manners give him a pragmatical view of things, but fear still permeates his features.
"But thankfully we've got you orcs to save us..." - the other one starts again, sarcastically. "Or that's what your captain, Gorak, said."
"Yeah, yeah... We actually thought you gone."
"True, true... He's been all high and mighty, saying 'war times demand a warlord'. Took your people to the mountains, he did."
"He's been scouting beyond. I'm fine with it. I get to come here and drink for a trade. Tired of getting my face in sand and mud. But I heard he's been quite lenient with his duties to Dram... A couple of villages burned in the last few days. Some people got whisked away as slaves... Some gold vanished. Nothing too noticeable, but if war really comes - and it'll come - it's bound to get worse." - he smiles, studying Hagadark's face. Smart little fellow. He never intended to get information. He wanted to
give it away. "And you, shaman? What can you tell us?"
[MENTION=24380]Neurotic[/MENTION] [MENTION=6801311]KahlessNestor[/MENTION] [MENTION=87106]MetaVoid[/MENTION] [MENTION=4936]Shayuri[/MENTION]
