The Scattered Ones

[Hollowtree]

Tomas continues to eat his cheese, and grabs a waterskin from his pack. After taking a few sips, he addresses the dwarven soldier.

"Captain Bolnor, your offer seems most reasonable on the surface.

After all, to journey to the tower and return could take a day,
perhaps less if we push our horses to the limit.

There is the problem of Durzh's guards and the tower's defences.
While I am reasonably certain that your word will be a sufficient safe-conduct to the tower's defenders, a plan of the tower would be quite useful if other means are required to get the medicine.

Speaking of which, how large is this medicine shipment going to be? Are we going to need a cart or wagon to bring it back to Ironforge??"

Not waiting for a reply, he asks Namfoodle:-
"Namfoodle - I have addressed you correctly, I hope?
Are you *asking* or *telling* our redoubtable captain here about others that he may have sent off on this errand, which led to their deaths??"

 

[Malin Genie]

The gnome swivels his head so as to face Tomas, and replies with exaggerated slowness (well, exaggerated slowness for him, which involves speaking only slightly faster than the halfling...)

Namfoodle. Quolem. Halfreud. El-Plyckzyf. Also. can. calling. me. by. shortname. "Whatsit"

He tilts his body forward in a curious rolling bow and reverts to his former delivery style.

IwasassumedangeranddeathsissotocreatelargepaymentamountbutnowIhearingCaptainexplainthisisnotsofordangerbutspeed.

He moves back to Bolnor, moving with surprising grace and quietness for his rotundity, and asks the obvious question

Diseasenotamcuredbyspellsofclerics? Iarehavingabilitytogrant "boccobsmarvellouspathogenspecificcurestratagem" spellwouldthisnotalsoamhelping?

 

[Morbidity]

The captiain starts to regard Tomas with some suspicion.
"What do you want a plan of Durzh's Tower for? You probably shouldn't even need to enter it. Are you planning on helping us obtain some medicine or sacking the Tower and thieving from us?"

Having caught the word 'cleric' in Namfoodle's speech, he now turns to Namfoodle,
"Thank-you for your offer of assistance. The outbreak is too great for our clerics and your assistance here though valuable could not save all that many more. The best way of saving my people is to get the medicine, which we know works from Durzh. Please he is only a day's travel to the west. I'd go myself, but I don't wish to spread the contagion further. The medical supplies could be bulky. We will loan you a donkey if you wish to help transport the medicine back. "

Bolnor turns back to Tomas, "With regards to your ridiculous assertion that others have been sent to their deaths ... it is simply untrue. The plague broke out again only 2 days ago. We exhausted the medical supplies yesterday and you are the first suitable people to come along, whom we could send for more."

 

[dorin]

"Captain. I have not introduced myself - I am Seebor of Onwald, a traveler through these parts. I am glad to make your acquaintance.

Now that you explain it your offer does seem more reasonable, although earlier you mentioned that four of us may not be enough. Surely one could do this task? A party moves as fast as its slowest members ..."

At that Seebor looks around at the other characters in the room and raises his eyebrows when he gets to the gnome and halfling.

Smiling Seebor adds "Perhaps offering a single able rider 750gp would be a better option. Also ..."

He then looks intently at the dwarf.

"this plaque - does it affect only dwarves?".

 

[Morbidity]

Bolnor starts to look restless at Seebor's response. The greed of the adventurers before him when he and his people are facing tragedy and death is clearly starting to annoy him.

"Seebor, let me ask you a question. If you and your people were dying and were dependent upon complete strangers to deliver a message and then return with medicine., would you entrust the task (even one so simple as this) to just one person? Greyhawk can be a dangerous place to travel about in. People get sick. Perhaps more profitable enterprises can come across individual's paths. Who knows? This task is vital to me and my people and I have chosen to minimise my risk. I would have liked 5 people, as I think that would have given me a reasonable chance that one of you will deem the 500gp a reason to deliver the message and return with the medicine."

At this point he stops to briefly remove the scarf and display gleaming white teeth. After replacing the scarf he continues ...
"Plaque? Plaque doesn't effect dwarves. Look at my nice white teeth. You humans have teeth problems, not good, strong dwarves. Now the plague, it can affect anyone but with the precautions taken, I am confident you do not have it. "

 

[Amaryllis]

In waiting room

Amaryllis looks around the room seeking a sense of who else will sign on. This isn't the most exciting undertaking she has ever signed onto; but, hey, its something to do and she is a bit short on spending money.

Out loud she says to the dwarf, "I am happy to help fetch your medicine. Is there anything else we should know about before heading off?". She glares at the rude human, stating, "Your childish suggestions are not helping; you are presumably a novice at adventuring or extremely arrogant if you do not understand the benefits of travelling in a group."

[Diplomacy check to dwarf = 24]
[Diplomacy check not even attempted for Seebor]

 

[Malin Genie]

Bolnoryousaythatyouarethinkingplaguegonebutthenplagueamcomingbackandnowcityhasnomedicine?

Allowing the non-gnome processing time he continues

Howamtheplaguestartedbackinfirsttime?

 

[dorin]

Seebor doesn't even flinch at the snide remark, and instead grins at the halfling.

"No harm in some light banter. I'm never one to turn down a good cause. I'm in."

Then he turns to the non-non-gnome.

"Good question ... I think?".

 

[Amaryllis]

"I agree; would you mind also telling us a bit about the symptoms of the disease?"

 

[Morbidity]

Bolnor stares fixedly at Namfoodle as if trying to extract sanity from the strength of his gaze alone. It has been a long day though and despite his best efforts, he has no idea what the gnome is going on about.

"The plague ... well I'm not a cleric or a healer, so I don't know how much information I can give you here. Surely the gnome there would be a better person to ask about the plague. From what I gather those who have it get fevers, feel tired, develop boils and things like that. Don't worry, you're not going to get it."

Bolnor's face brightens at this point. He clearly thinks he's got a fantastic idea.

"Of course, if you are worried, then the best thing to do would be to go to Durzh and get the medicine. I'd be more than happy to let you have a dose of it. It does taste rather like the scrapings off some orc's toenails mind you."