The Briarstone Tavern

[Keehnelf]

Yeah, I think the two priests of Falles have a few more restrictions in whom they can group with than they did before.

[Zhym]

"I apologize," says Ulf. "I did not describe my intentions clearly. It is my duty to visit the dwarven tombs to return something. Although my visit should be short, there will be no treasure to be had from the halls of the dead." He shakes his head sadly. "It would appear that although our needs are complementary and our destinations similar, our goals are not as compatible as I had hoped. A pity. The chances of success for both of our groups are worse because of it."

Ulf returns to the table with Seadu and Martin.

I thought the restrictions Seadu and Martin have about stealing from the dead didn't require them to stop other people from doing it. They didn't interfere at the end of the Visitor's quest, IIRC. Still, Team 'We're Only In It For the Money" and Team "Restore To The Dead What Was Theirs" would have formed a shaky alliance at best.

[Starbeard]

Seadu Erana

Ulf waits for Bromric to leave before speaking again.

"Something is not right with him," he tells Seadu in a low voice. "Did you notice how quick he was to take offense, to speak of 'his halls,' and how he ignored my questions about contributing to the Dwarvenheim fund? Almost like he thinks himself the king of old. Tell me more about that armor and axe he has now. We have seen enough people taken over by their weapons. It's happened to him before. I fear it may be happening now. If so, our mission would be in danger by allowing him to join us."

'He's been through quit a bit. I wonder if he can ever go back to his old self, after being possessed by the demon. It seems this is a time of new beginnings for many of us. His new equipment comes from the Finger's treasure vault. They radiate a lawful magic, so I'm not sure they are entirely to blame for his change in attitude, unless we are speaking of that basic, mundane corruption of moral fibre that magical power often brings to its wielders. Both belonged to founding dwarves of the Mountain, Horthrin Warbringer who tamed the halls and the nameless First King of the clan. The axe in particular appears to have some prophecy of awaiting its true heir, determined by his knowledge of its words of power.' He raises an eyebrow at Ulf, and wonders aloud whether the axe takes unkindly to being handled outside of the purview of the prophecy.

[Starbeard]

I thought the restrictions Seadu and Martin have about stealing from the dead didn't require them to stop other people from doing it. They didn't interfere at the end of the Visitor's quest, IIRC. Still, Team 'We're Only In It For the Money" and Team "Restore To The Dead What Was Theirs" would have formed a shaky alliance at best.

I haven't posted them to the Deities thread yet, but the three tenets of Falles clerics are:

One: To honor the boundary and the bond between living and dead, and to ensure that the relationship between the two remains proper.

Two: To respect the gifts and sacrifices of those who have gone before you, and not to benefit of their fruits without giving due honor.

Three: To balance the needs of one's self and one's heritage, in full understanding that the actions of today shape the future of our children and our civilization.

…along with a general agreement to 'keep the honor of the fallen dwarves of the Mountain as if it were your own.'

So the way I read it, Seadu and Martin do have some obligation to ensure that their party does not loot the dead simply for personal gain. However, they have the opportunity to join up with such looters by 'giving due honour'. In most cases, I think this would mean Martin and Seadu agreeing to take their share of money and items and use most or all of it to honour the dead in some way. In the case of joining up to tackle the emerald quest, I think the only way they would agree is if the other party members agreed to give one share of the treasure toward the dwarvenheim; Seadu, of course, would donate all of his share beyond living expenses.

In general, Seadu's preference would be to prioritize the emerald quest, then head to the Finger to investigate the rescue mission, maybe exploring a tower before or after that if it's already on the way. Others may join in the emerald quest by agreeing to let the dwarvenheim as an institution have a share, and if the clerics have the authority to decide which items may and may not be taken (very important in this case, because it's pretty clear now that taking any items from there is risky business). On the way to the Finger, anyone in the group can try to catch up with the rest of the dragon raiders if they like.

[Scott308]

Dorvar

While I would like to accompany you to return the item to the tomb, I am afraid our quest may be somewhat time-sensitive. If we saw the dragon leave, I'm sure others did as well. I can't imagine goblins or lizard-men or whatever else out there that may be interested in dragon gold sat around waiting for an arbitrary date to arrive before they set out to loot. We might already be leaving too late. As a result, we really should push on toward the mountain with whatever speed we can. I appreciate the offer, and though you say it may be a short quest, it would take us out of our way and delay our arrival even more than has already been done. I wish you well on your journey, but with there being no likelihood of treasure, it is a delay we shouldn't accept. I CAN NOT come back from another expedition without coin or treasure I can easily sell. If that happens again, I will not have money to feed myself, nor will I have money to ready myself for yet another most likely treasure-free journey. I know that there are people in town with money- some that have a lot, from what I hear. I can no longer accept not being one of them. I will not starve. If this expedition does not pan out, I will have to do something. Whether that means I do not return to Vaul, continuing to wander, alone if need be, until I die or I am able to find something of value or if that means I turn to more...drastic...methods of acquiring coin, I cannot say. I hope I will not need to find out.

I really had to think about how to proceed. In the end, it pretty much came down to the fact that two people would have to leave a character back in town, or have them go off on their own which would be almost certain death, and I didn't want to force them to take either option. They signed up for a four person (plus a couple mercs) trip to find dragon gold, and that is what they will get.

[Zhym]

'He's been through quit a bit. I wonder if he can ever go back to his old self, after being possessed by the demon. It seems this is a time of new beginnings for many of us. His new equipment comes from the Finger's treasure vault. They radiate a lawful magic, so I'm not sure they are entirely to blame for his change in attitude, unless we are speaking of that basic, mundane corruption of moral fibre that magical power often brings to its wielders. Both belonged to founding dwarves of the Mountain, Horthrin Warbringer who tamed the halls and the nameless First King of the clan. The axe in particular appears to have some prophecy of awaiting its true heir, determined by his knowledge of its words of power.' He raises an eyebrow at Ulf, and wonders aloud whether the axe takes unkindly to being handled outside of the purview of the prophecy.

"An ordeal like that would change a person," agrees Ulf. "The armor and axe might be influencing him, or perhaps the demon left a little bit of himself behind, or maybe this is just who Bromric is now. I suppose the cause does not matter if the effect is the same."

"I regret that he may have misconstrued my invitation to join forces as an offer to sign up under his command. It was not. I came to you because I believe we share a common goal. I ask you to join me in returning the emerald to its rightful place and seeking the fate of the bones of Fangir's son. As for Bromric..." Ulf's voice trails off and he sighs. "The quest does not promise to be a profitable one. As we have just seen, few are eager to sign up for a mission to return treasure but not take it. Perhaps everyone exhausted their reserves of altruism in the Battle of Vaul. So we need all the willing help we can get. And yet, if Bromric insists on acting as if we are his vassals, I will neither allow him to join our quest nor accompany him if he attempts to lead it. If he cannot treat others as equals, he is no help to us."

"Your 600 and my 150 appears to be all we can gather at this time. It is a shame that Bromric would not contribute. Let us take what we have to the builders and make ready to set off on our quest."

[Starbeard]

Seadu Erana

'Agreed. We should get moving as soon as we can arrange it. I'll do my best to make sure that everyone in the party knows that Martin and I have to be consulted before anything is taken, and that the goal here is for the greater good: there is little point in striking gold if no one in this country is left alive to profit from it.'

Seadu rises from the table and prepares to go find some contractors in town. 'Shall we go take care of business?'

[Starbeard]

Seadu leaves to find the town mason, conversing with Martin and Ulf about their goals and ideas for the dwarvenheim along the way. (see town business post)

[Zhym]

Ulf tracks down Orrin sometime during the French farce that is the comings and goings from the Briarstone on the 19th.

"Is that offer of support for the Dwarvenheim still open?" he asks. "We're ready to start building if so. It should be a grand hall—well, for a town, anyway."

[Zorroroaster]

Orrin grips Ulf by the arm, and pats him on one shoulder.

"Aye, happy to. Just wish I could be there to help. Heading out soon for some time. Was it 100 gold you were needing? Here, take it. Perhaps I can be of aid when I return."

100 gp deducted for the dwarvenheim.

[Keehnelf]

May 20, 1 VC - 5:20am

Before dawn, the halfling Largo Goodbarrel arrives quietly at the inn. He heads directly upstairs, returning with Bromric Wardigger in tow. The two depart without a word for the Wooden Keep.

[Marullus]

Bromric emerges from the Wooden Keep on the evening of the 20th, looking disappointed. He checks with the inn and tavern to confirm that everyone has left on expeditions. He asks around for those still in town, saying there's a rescue mission into the Finger that needs doing, some folks trapped under a cave-in that need some help and then treasure enough for on the way back, the mountain being in the state it is. He seeks out Harold Willoughby and Marge if he can find them, figuring they might be more inclined for a dangerous but charitable opportunity.

Currently in Town:
Harold Willoughby - male human - April 28, VC 1 - Vaul (zhym)
Marge - female human - May 16, 1 VC - Vaul (zorroroaster)
Melvin Bradenhurst - male human - May 12, VC 1 - Visitor exped (zhym)

Out on expeditions:
Kennit Buckthorn, Rhodri, Perthrin
Ulf, Seadu Erana, and Martin White
Varas Varkain, Dorvar Thduum, Odium Contemptous, Deliah
Lug, Orrin Lighthammer, Krysta Kane, Bertram Helgeir, Galen

[Zhym]

Harold has not been seen in the tavern since the Battle of Vaul. He can be found at the temple just about any time, however.

[Spartakos]

Gilgamesh enters the Briarstone, blinking in the dimmer light, and makes his way over to the bar. As he passes the massive stone table, he runs a hand along its surface and grunts approvingly.

At the bar, he hoists his wiry frame onto a stool sized for people considerably bigger than he. He eyes Grisela up and down with what seems to be an admiring eye, then winces with a twist to his mouth as if he'd bitten a lemon. Fishing a silver out of his purse, he says in a husky voice, "Beer. Please."

[Keehnelf]

Grisela, noting the look, doesn't smile, but instead nods and offers him the requested beer. "New in town, eh? Looks like you came in with a whole passel of dwarves--your kin?"

[Spartakos]

Gilgamesh drains half the tankard before replying. "Never laid eyes on any of 'em before I headed up the pass," he answers simply. "Though I guess they've got kin of some sort here. I saw 'em greeting some dwarf named Wardigger when we got into town."

"How 'bout yourself? Any other dwarf families up here?"

[Marullus]

After some time, Bromric enters and greets Gilgamesh, requesting the adjacent chair. "It is good of you to accompany my kin, and to come in these times," he says, deep sorrow suppressed only with great effort. "Tell me what brings you, and perhaps I can be of service."

[Spartakos]

Gilgamesh gives Bromric a sidelong look over the rim of his mug, then sets it down and wipes foam from his mustache. "I can take no credit for accompanying your kin; we just happened to be traveling the same direction at the same time. As for what brings me..." he considers the dregs of his tankard for a moment, then says, "A new start. I have some bitter memories south of the mountains, and thought them best left behind."

He looks Bromric over, noting his arms and armor. "I am handy with my weapons, and don't mind using them to make my fortune. You seem to be a warrior yourself; do you know of any opportunities for a dwarf who's bold and skilled?"

[Marullus]

"Your arrival with my family brings opportunity, indeed," he nods, "as for all dwarves.If you are strong in arms and willing to face dangers, I invite you with me. We will leave as soon as we are able. I have duties to pursue for the ArchDuke which will secure the place and future for our kind. First, to reclaim a dwarven watchtower as fortification and homestead for my kin, a place for dwarves to live among dwarves rather than under men. Then an excavation to rescue creatures trapped in the mountain and diplomacy with their queen in hopes that we can find aid and alliance on that border. Finally, he asks that I and my clan secure and inhabit a portion of the dwarf home of ages past which lies within the mountain, that more of our kind may come. I need able hands for these duties, if you are inclined." He pauses to gauge response.

"You'll find no other dwarven clans, but two other dwarven warriors of note. One left on expedition to find and reclaim dragon treasure, the other to return a gemstone and bury bones and thus end a powerful blood-curse on the last king of dwarves who remained in the hills to the east, now slain. They seek to build a Dwarf hall here among the humans - I spent the last week in laying it's foundations properly to assist them, as they have hired humans to labor in its construction in their absence. We all will find comfort and respite when it is complete and I am sure they'll ask you to invest some of your good fortunes in their effort, too, when we return."

[Spartakos]

There is silence for a moment, as Gilgamesh contemplates his empty tankard. Then he turns back to Bromric with a slighly apologetic expression.

"You seem a decent fellow, so I'll be frank with you. My family was never really welcome in dwarvish society; I've lived most of my life among humans and other folk, outside the caverns."

"Not that I've any real objection to aiding your cause, but if I do it shan't be out of solidarity with the dwarven people. What kind of rewards are like to come from these quests of yours? Comfort and respite are all very well, but I've found the best security is found in gold."