"that is... Disappointing, but still insightful, still helpful" Goldsheaf says as she takes a seat, crossing her legs and leaning on the table.
"I believe we must speak with Master Goodall first" croaks Gore toward Muir directly whilst rubbing his chin in thought, "I would trust leaving the keepers involvement in rebuilding Hokum and protecting funds to Hirsi, and take up position as guardian of the portal myself, you mentioned that our tribe held that position long ago, we could make my presence there a term of their 'transaction', it may not help you in your quest for knowledge there but It would certainly prevent further calamity"
Vin looks ashamed. He doesn't understand at all. "I-I'm sorry. I... I thought we were helping them stop whatever was going on at Lyvander. What did we want to know? I didn't feel Ebb was hiding things from us. I'm sure we can ask him and he'd tell us." Nef nuzzles under his hand. Vin looks to the black hound as they communicate. Vin still looks confused why Muir is angry with him for trying to help Ebb. Nef glares at Muir her eyes burning red and menacing. She growls at Muir clearly not approving. Vin looks like someone put between two folks fighting as he's forced to relay "Nef..." she pushes into his side to encourage Vin to say something, "Nef is saying, Why didn't you ask better questions then? She says you can't blame me for..." She continues to glare at Muir. Vin looks to them and sighs in resignation "...for you're lack of understanding what you want to know."
Muir turns and nods in agreement with Gore "After all that has gone down, I agree that you should be the one there. What were the terms set in this transaction?"
Muir turns to face Vin and the always angry Nef. "Vin I am sorry, I let my anger get the better of me. Ebb does believe he is the speaker but as I said, he is not. He wants to help save Lyvander but at what cost? The High Priest very quickly named Ebb the Speaker of Hermes....Ask yourself why? Not everyone is out to do good for the realm....Some are interested in their own agendas.....You see Ebb left as soon as he got the information he needed and ignored all of my questions. You don't have any reason to trust this Ebb but every reason to trust us here and what we say."Muir shoot s a glance at Nef "If your hound was interested in anything any of us say outside of to you they would have heard all of my questions that went unanswered because Ebb got the information they were after. Thankfully Neferfox's hyper sensitivity to everything you say stopped you before telling them everything about the blood."
"It's okay Muir... I know I'm inexperienced. I just really thought we were sharing information..." a woof from Nef "Without giving that info. yes Nef. Thanks for stopping me." he sighs looking like a kid that messed up. "Didn't Te’louim just arrive and take him away? I didn't get the sense Ebb was avoiding answering questions as much as he was called away. Ebb answered Sam. He answered me. He answered Nef's question about the clerics being there or not... is... is he being setup for something? Do we need to warn him?" Neferox is watching Muir closely. She doesn't seem as mad now they apologized for throwing Vin under the carriage. However, they still seem to be paying very close attention to how Muir is treating Vin now.
Muir smiles at Vin "Inexperience is also a good thing...You can point out what the rest of us are not seeing because of our blind spots but in this case we have to be cautious of the Clerics. Your questions were in line with his vision....Think about what was asked....Sam was asking about Ebb's high priest's and their uppity attitude while mentioning the money Ebb left with. Your questions were in line with his vision....how do we help, can the vision be changed....The conversation always steered back to him getting answers and as soon as he got the answers, he left, with the help from Sam opening the door. He could have answered my questions but ask yourself why he chose not to and why he left quickly....He said I have all the information we need and quickly guided Te'louim out the door. The clerics will do everything they can to stop this vision of Ebb's without determining who gave him the vision.....this has become more dangerous now then simply defeating a hag....I hope you all realize this." By the end of Muir's speech his demeanor changes to one of worry, losing his smile, while his ears slowly slump to his shoulders
Vin seems worried now. Being forced to think why he isn't stupid just trusting. He seems to come up with something he doesn't like at all. "Umm... could it be they already have a portal?" Vin doesn't seem to like the line of thought this would make if true.
Muir claps Vin on the back "See young Vin, this is what I mean....Blindspots....It never occurred to me that they may already have a portal and are trying to unlock it or something.....worse perhaps....."
"Should we just confront them about it?" Nef grins maliciously to this question. Vin says "Not fight them Nef. Just, be direct. If they are avoiding answers why not be more direct with our questions?"
Elthana listens to Muir and Vin discuss. She hadn't thought much about the clerics in general, they were useful, that's true. But the thought that these visions Ebb was having was caused by something else... this worried her. She absentmindedly started to pet Neferox's head and scratch her under the ear...
"From what I know of Ebb, I don't think he purposefully held information back as we did. I mean, I could be wrong, but that's how I knew him. He really did seem overwhelmed by well, everything. Almost feel bad for the little green guy."
She looks to Gewyn, "Ready for that drink? I know I am."
As they walk out of the room and into the party in full swing, she sees Ebb. Turning back to the others, "Hang on, I'll be right back. Gewyn, you better have that drink ready for me."
As Elthana tries to pet Nef she seems almost startled by the sudden display of affection. They back off and away from Elthana. She goes to the other side of Vin looking at Elthana. Not with anger but more wariness and alert of her like she might grow an extra head. Vin looks down to Nef then looks to Elthana and seems puzzled. Unsure what just happened between the two a he was focused more on the conversation with Muir. Seeing that no one is being threatened by Nef he replies to Elthana, "He was like that. It's not nice to say but... I felt a little better knowing I wasn't the only one nervous when joining the group."
Meanwhile, Sam is outside taking in some air. Inside it was all... Politics. About the worst word Sam could think of. Everyone positioning and trying to get without giving. He was at fault as much as anyone but still. So infuriating!
Having gathered up the goat and the mastiff, Sam idly walks the streets a bit. Throwing a switch he's pick up for the mastiff to run after and bring back Sam is alone with his thoughts. So, pretty much alone. Still he does wonder if he is too worries about the clerics and their helping hand. They were helping, afterall. Perhaps it is as simple as that. They perhpas only seem like an invading force due to Sam's own wariness of orginizations in general. He did leap to a wary stance quickly. And the elf... Well, leaders are always pompous. As are elves. Elf leaders? That could explain everything.
Ebb troubles him though. He doesn't seem like the Ebb he knew, though just briefly. That Ebb was learning and young, like most of the others, but he had a confidence about him. This Ebb seems more subservient and nervous, like the dog of a man who is too quick to use his hands... Is it just his visions? And couldn't the defeat of the hag changed things for Lyvander?
And does any of this really pertain to him and the group, Sam wonders. We did our mission. We're due back home. This clean up stuff... That is someone else's job. The Council has people on the way already...
"Hey, thanks," Sam says with a head nod to one of the clerics or paladins he spots on the street. (Surely they're not all at dinner at once?) He saunters over to them and stands comfortably near them. "For coming and helping out Hokum and all," he says to be clear. "You're all but saviors coming in like you did and picking the people up in their time of need."
Sam does his best to be social and complimentary and subtle... He tries to just strike up a casual conversation of two down to earth types shooting the bull to waste time. Eventually he will probe a bit to see what this one thinks about what they are doing in Hokum and how long this mission is going to last. Sam will then be all like "But that Te'Louim, am I right?" with a bit of a look to try to get them talking about their leader in a hopefully "just between us" kind of manner to try and see what the boots on the street think of the guy. Finally Sam will bring up this new "Speaker" and ask if they really think he is being directed by Hermes. "I mean, I'm not one of you all. Obviously... But couldn't just anyway claim to have visions to get such a cushy role? If a god was speaking directly to him wouldn't it be more clear? Shouldn't that guy be the one in charge?"
((Hopefully I can argue this (or these if you want more than one roll) should be Deception checks since Sam is fwigning that he's just an average guy with no vested interest in the answers??? Huh?? Huh?? He's lying about who he is, the fact that he wants information and how important it is to him, that is so definitely deception!!! 'cause, you know, I have advantage on my charisma deception checks...))
After Sam is done pumping the random cleric or paladin for information Sam will either find another one a few streets off to try with (if he failed miserably the first time) or he will remember that they all were talking about drinks and will nudge the animals back towards the way they came and see if he can find where in this beat down town they may find such a thing (If Sam thinks he got good or true answers from ranom dude.)
Elthana rouses Gewyn from his thoughts. "You really think they will try to destroy the portal? Sorry- yes. Drinks. I'll see what I can scrounge up."
He turns to Muir as Elthana leaves. "If all you say is true, I may have misread Ebb. They can't be allowed to destroy that portal."There is a desperation in Gewyn's voice. "You seem to know more about their order than I do. If you and I can get a chance to be alone with him..." He glances around for anyone listening in. "I can make sure he answers your questions"
The group, slowly disbanding as Sam leaves the trade post building entirely and Elthana dashes off for her own purposes, are left to enter the arena where the surviving members of Hokum are celebrating their rescue, their survival and the reuniting of their families and what is left of their town. It seems that everyone is thankful for the intervention and support of the order of Hermes as everyone partakes in the food and drink on offer, and word has spread, word of the groups success in the mountain has been passed along from the towns people to the clerics.
As Muir, Vin and Gewyn exit there is a resounding applause for their efforts, Elthana makes her way back to the group, she leaves behind Te'louim and Ebb who look over the proceedings from a second floor balcony within the building. Goldsheaf holds both arms out quieting the crowd and begins to speak to her people,
"we have a hard road ahead of us, much to rebuild until we can stand once again on our own two feet as proud citizens of Hokum. But we also have much to be thankful for, this party of adventurers, of warriors, drove back the invasion that claimed our homes and our people, for that we owe a debt of gratitude that will never cease to be repaid!" Another cheer of appreciation rings out from the people, "with help from the guard and these clerics and the druids we will reclaim what was lost to us, we will protect our home from anything like this happening again!... And to this point, tomorrow the high priest will take a large portion of his assistance into the mountain to safeguard our future, but do not worry, we have assistance in our rebuilding efforts coming in from Marblestead, we have funds for our efforts and we will once again become the community we once were. I hope that you can have faith in me as you did my mother before me, she was mayor here for over 50 years before her death, she made trade negotiations and built this town to become a major player in the Northmorrahn landscape, together we will continue this legacy and improve upon it, for the legacy of Hokum itself!" Again a cheer radiates through the crowd.
Iver gives Muir and Vin a nudge and mutters, "I'm gonna try to secure us some transport out of here for the morning, I'll be back soon" and the guard stiffly walks off out of the arena and heads south toward the fields of the clerics tent encampments.
Sam chats up the bearded paladin for a while and gets nothing particularly revealing. Because this guy is a low level guy or because there is nothing to be revealed is of course unknowable... But Sam is of the opinion the little guy tends to know more than people expect - Even if they don't know details they tend to know if what they're being asked to do is legit or not, and this paladin seems sold on his mission.
"Maybe I just seen so much crazy lately that I expect nothing but, eh?" Sam asks the mastiff as they continue walking the streets of Hokum, now on their way back to find the rest of the gang, "I never knew Ebb that well and what do I know about talking to gods and what that does to you?" The mastiff has no answers, she merely walks along at Sam's side and looks up with a tilted head when he speaks feigning interest but probably just hoping for a treat. The goat can't even be bothered with that. Falling behind on a regular basis the goat is busy looking for their own treats. Even now as Sam pauses and waits for them to catch up the Half Orc sees that the goat has found an old shoe? It was happily chewy on it as it sauntered along...
With a sigh and a shrug Sm continues on hoping to find his way back to where the rest of the party is, he could use one of those drinks they were talking about.
Elthana heads back with the rest, grabs her ale and takes back a long swig. Wiping her mouth with the back of her hand, she smiles at Gewyn, "Thank you, I needed that."
"I talked with Ebb, and even though he is completely overwhelmed, I believe he knows what he is doing and believes it is right and just. He has been through a ton of magical scrutiny about these visions and from what anyone can tell are completely true and align with speakers of the past of Hermes. And he is right, even if they are from something else, isn't going to Lyvander to protect it still a good thing?"
She looks at Muir directly, "He said there was really nothing else about his visions other than pieces of horrible visions, monsters and the like. Even had a vision of me flying.." she looks to Vin, "Maybe that broom you have was really meant for me."she smirks a bit at this and for her, its as jovial of a voice she can manage.
"I told Mr. Stick Up His Ass to take care of Ebb... I think I might have scared him a bit." At this the smile reaches her eyes and she takes another swig of her ale.
Muir smiles “I have no doubt he believes he is the speaker but I assure you he is not. If some other entity is putting this in his head, the vision is worrisome, yes, but the actions taken that lead to this calamity is what worries me. The vision could push the clerics to take certain actions that cause this, what the entity that pushes these thoughts to Ebb, wants to happen. I caution Mayor Goldsheaf to watch the actions of the clerics. We are leaving tomorrow morning….be careful and good luck” With that Muir looks at Gore and mentions they should report to Goodall
"Is one of those for me?" Sam asks walking up to the rest and eyeing the drinks enviously. He signals to whoever is serving to bring more and then looks to Muir.
"And just how do you know Ebb is not speaker?" Sam asks. "I mean I don't know about gods speaking to people and all but isn't that a faith thing? How can you say so surely something that, I would think, is between a god and their followers when you are not even one of them? Do the druids have some... authority or oversight of such communications?" Sam isn't being aggressive or dismissive in his questioning, he is earnest and curious.
"The man on the street," he goes on to explain, "A paladin of Hermes... While he didn't claim to know the inner machinations or such, he seemed to have no doubts about the leadership of the higher ups. He didn't question Ebb or his position. What do the druids know he doesn't... and how?"
Muir smiles “When I was there And told to stay and wait for the high priest to return I had a lot of time to study in their library. They gave me free rein, being they didn’t want it to seem I was their prisoner, to their library. Hermes appeared and spoke to his speaker….their history is littered with mentions of Hermes talking directly to the speaker and the same story mentioned of time freezing, Hermes talking, etc. etc. not these vague visions….I just caution us to putting all of our trust into vague visions when we know visions are what a being wants you to see to force you into an outcome….”
"So all the stories of previous speakers were identical in the... trappings? Words and not visions? Time... freezing?" Sam asks.
"I am not trusting in anything, so no worry there. Still, I am not sure Ebb's visions are vague as much as his thoughts on how to prevent them from coming true are. Mind you, not saying i trust the visions but they do seem consistant and the fact he cannot recall them as easily as what he is looking at? I don't know, I guess you need a philosoph to talk about difference between visions and dreams and memories and who know what else..."
"Thanks," Sam says as he takes the drink and he fishes out too many coins to pay for the round but assures the server they can keep them.
"I think I'd perhaps be more worried if Ebb's story was identical to the others, perhaps," Sam says to Muir. "At least with differences we know he's not making it up to try to be speaker?"
“I don’t doubt he saw what he says he saw. He had this vision and the clerics will use it as a reason and a sign that they must cleanse whatever they think needs to be cleansed. Ebb is not lying about the vision. The belief that Hermes sent him the vision, this vague vision, is where the clerics are wrong, but do they care? I would gather that they do not because now they can assert their power and be heroes to the realm or by my calculations a calamity….”Muir trails off not finishing his thought
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"that is... Disappointing, but still insightful, still helpful" Goldsheaf says as she takes a seat, crossing her legs and leaning on the table.
"I believe we must speak with Master Goodall first" croaks Gore toward Muir directly whilst rubbing his chin in thought, "I would trust leaving the keepers involvement in rebuilding Hokum and protecting funds to Hirsi, and take up position as guardian of the portal myself, you mentioned that our tribe held that position long ago, we could make my presence there a term of their 'transaction', it may not help you in your quest for knowledge there but It would certainly prevent further calamity"
Vin looks ashamed. He doesn't understand at all. "I-I'm sorry. I... I thought we were helping them stop whatever was going on at Lyvander. What did we want to know? I didn't feel Ebb was hiding things from us. I'm sure we can ask him and he'd tell us." Nef nuzzles under his hand. Vin looks to the black hound as they communicate. Vin still looks confused why Muir is angry with him for trying to help Ebb. Nef glares at Muir her eyes burning red and menacing. She growls at Muir clearly not approving. Vin looks like someone put between two folks fighting as he's forced to relay "Nef..." she pushes into his side to encourage Vin to say something, "Nef is saying, Why didn't you ask better questions then? She says you can't blame me for..." She continues to glare at Muir. Vin looks to them and sighs in resignation "...for you're lack of understanding what you want to know."
Vin looks like he just wants to die.
Muir turns and nods in agreement with Gore "After all that has gone down, I agree that you should be the one there. What were the terms set in this transaction?"
Muir turns to face Vin and the always angry Nef. "Vin I am sorry, I let my anger get the better of me. Ebb does believe he is the speaker but as I said, he is not. He wants to help save Lyvander but at what cost? The High Priest very quickly named Ebb the Speaker of Hermes....Ask yourself why? Not everyone is out to do good for the realm....Some are interested in their own agendas.....You see Ebb left as soon as he got the information he needed and ignored all of my questions. You don't have any reason to trust this Ebb but every reason to trust us here and what we say." Muir shoot s a glance at Nef "If your hound was interested in anything any of us say outside of to you they would have heard all of my questions that went unanswered because Ebb got the information they were after. Thankfully Neferfox's hyper sensitivity to everything you say stopped you before telling them everything about the blood."
"It's okay Muir... I know I'm inexperienced. I just really thought we were sharing information..." a woof from Nef "Without giving that info. yes Nef. Thanks for stopping me." he sighs looking like a kid that messed up. "Didn't Te’louim just arrive and take him away? I didn't get the sense Ebb was avoiding answering questions as much as he was called away. Ebb answered Sam. He answered me. He answered Nef's question about the clerics being there or not... is... is he being setup for something? Do we need to warn him?" Neferox is watching Muir closely. She doesn't seem as mad now they apologized for throwing Vin under the carriage. However, they still seem to be paying very close attention to how Muir is treating Vin now.
Muir smiles at Vin "Inexperience is also a good thing...You can point out what the rest of us are not seeing because of our blind spots but in this case we have to be cautious of the Clerics. Your questions were in line with his vision....Think about what was asked....Sam was asking about Ebb's high priest's and their uppity attitude while mentioning the money Ebb left with. Your questions were in line with his vision....how do we help, can the vision be changed....The conversation always steered back to him getting answers and as soon as he got the answers, he left, with the help from Sam opening the door. He could have answered my questions but ask yourself why he chose not to and why he left quickly....He said I have all the information we need and quickly guided Te'louim out the door. The clerics will do everything they can to stop this vision of Ebb's without determining who gave him the vision.....this has become more dangerous now then simply defeating a hag....I hope you all realize this." By the end of Muir's speech his demeanor changes to one of worry, losing his smile, while his ears slowly slump to his shoulders
Vin seems worried now. Being forced to think why he isn't stupid just trusting. He seems to come up with something he doesn't like at all. "Umm... could it be they already have a portal?" Vin doesn't seem to like the line of thought this would make if true.
Muir claps Vin on the back "See young Vin, this is what I mean....Blindspots....It never occurred to me that they may already have a portal and are trying to unlock it or something.....worse perhaps....."
"Should we just confront them about it?" Nef grins maliciously to this question. Vin says "Not fight them Nef. Just, be direct. If they are avoiding answers why not be more direct with our questions?"
Elthana listens to Muir and Vin discuss. She hadn't thought much about the clerics in general, they were useful, that's true. But the thought that these visions Ebb was having was caused by something else... this worried her. She absentmindedly started to pet Neferox's head and scratch her under the ear...
"From what I know of Ebb, I don't think he purposefully held information back as we did. I mean, I could be wrong, but that's how I knew him. He really did seem overwhelmed by well, everything. Almost feel bad for the little green guy."
She looks to Gewyn, "Ready for that drink? I know I am."
As they walk out of the room and into the party in full swing, she sees Ebb. Turning back to the others, "Hang on, I'll be right back. Gewyn, you better have that drink ready for me."
As Elthana tries to pet Nef she seems almost startled by the sudden display of affection. They back off and away from Elthana. She goes to the other side of Vin looking at Elthana. Not with anger but more wariness and alert of her like she might grow an extra head. Vin looks down to Nef then looks to Elthana and seems puzzled. Unsure what just happened between the two a he was focused more on the conversation with Muir. Seeing that no one is being threatened by Nef he replies to Elthana, "He was like that. It's not nice to say but... I felt a little better knowing I wasn't the only one nervous when joining the group."
Meanwhile, Sam is outside taking in some air. Inside it was all... Politics. About the worst word Sam could think of. Everyone positioning and trying to get without giving. He was at fault as much as anyone but still. So infuriating!
Having gathered up the goat and the mastiff, Sam idly walks the streets a bit. Throwing a switch he's pick up for the mastiff to run after and bring back Sam is alone with his thoughts. So, pretty much alone. Still he does wonder if he is too worries about the clerics and their helping hand. They were helping, afterall. Perhaps it is as simple as that. They perhpas only seem like an invading force due to Sam's own wariness of orginizations in general. He did leap to a wary stance quickly. And the elf... Well, leaders are always pompous. As are elves. Elf leaders? That could explain everything.
Ebb troubles him though. He doesn't seem like the Ebb he knew, though just briefly. That Ebb was learning and young, like most of the others, but he had a confidence about him. This Ebb seems more subservient and nervous, like the dog of a man who is too quick to use his hands... Is it just his visions? And couldn't the defeat of the hag changed things for Lyvander?
And does any of this really pertain to him and the group, Sam wonders. We did our mission. We're due back home. This clean up stuff... That is someone else's job. The Council has people on the way already...
"Hey, thanks," Sam says with a head nod to one of the clerics or paladins he spots on the street. (Surely they're not all at dinner at once?) He saunters over to them and stands comfortably near them. "For coming and helping out Hokum and all," he says to be clear. "You're all but saviors coming in like you did and picking the people up in their time of need."
Sam does his best to be social and complimentary and subtle... He tries to just strike up a casual conversation of two down to earth types shooting the bull to waste time. Eventually he will probe a bit to see what this one thinks about what they are doing in Hokum and how long this mission is going to last. Sam will then be all like "But that Te'Louim, am I right?" with a bit of a look to try to get them talking about their leader in a hopefully "just between us" kind of manner to try and see what the boots on the street think of the guy. Finally Sam will bring up this new "Speaker" and ask if they really think he is being directed by Hermes. "I mean, I'm not one of you all. Obviously... But couldn't just anyway claim to have visions to get such a cushy role? If a god was speaking directly to him wouldn't it be more clear? Shouldn't that guy be the one in charge?"
((Hopefully I can argue this (or these if you want more than one roll) should be Deception checks since Sam is fwigning that he's just an average guy with no vested interest in the answers??? Huh?? Huh?? He's lying about who he is, the fact that he wants information and how important it is to him, that is so definitely deception!!! 'cause, you know, I have advantage on my charisma deception checks...))
After Sam is done pumping the random cleric or paladin for information Sam will either find another one a few streets off to try with (if he failed miserably the first time) or he will remember that they all were talking about drinks and will nudge the animals back towards the way they came and see if he can find where in this beat down town they may find such a thing (If Sam thinks he got good or true answers from ranom dude.)
Elthana rouses Gewyn from his thoughts. "You really think they will try to destroy the portal? Sorry- yes. Drinks. I'll see what I can scrounge up."
He turns to Muir as Elthana leaves. "If all you say is true, I may have misread Ebb. They can't be allowed to destroy that portal." There is a desperation in Gewyn's voice. "You seem to know more about their order than I do. If you and I can get a chance to be alone with him..." He glances around for anyone listening in. "I can make sure he answers your questions"
The group, slowly disbanding as Sam leaves the trade post building entirely and Elthana dashes off for her own purposes, are left to enter the arena where the surviving members of Hokum are celebrating their rescue, their survival and the reuniting of their families and what is left of their town. It seems that everyone is thankful for the intervention and support of the order of Hermes as everyone partakes in the food and drink on offer, and word has spread, word of the groups success in the mountain has been passed along from the towns people to the clerics.
As Muir, Vin and Gewyn exit there is a resounding applause for their efforts, Elthana makes her way back to the group, she leaves behind Te'louim and Ebb who look over the proceedings from a second floor balcony within the building. Goldsheaf holds both arms out quieting the crowd and begins to speak to her people,
"we have a hard road ahead of us, much to rebuild until we can stand once again on our own two feet as proud citizens of Hokum. But we also have much to be thankful for, this party of adventurers, of warriors, drove back the invasion that claimed our homes and our people, for that we owe a debt of gratitude that will never cease to be repaid!" Another cheer of appreciation rings out from the people, "with help from the guard and these clerics and the druids we will reclaim what was lost to us, we will protect our home from anything like this happening again!... And to this point, tomorrow the high priest will take a large portion of his assistance into the mountain to safeguard our future, but do not worry, we have assistance in our rebuilding efforts coming in from Marblestead, we have funds for our efforts and we will once again become the community we once were. I hope that you can have faith in me as you did my mother before me, she was mayor here for over 50 years before her death, she made trade negotiations and built this town to become a major player in the Northmorrahn landscape, together we will continue this legacy and improve upon it, for the legacy of Hokum itself!" Again a cheer radiates through the crowd.
Iver gives Muir and Vin a nudge and mutters, "I'm gonna try to secure us some transport out of here for the morning, I'll be back soon" and the guard stiffly walks off out of the arena and heads south toward the fields of the clerics tent encampments.
Sam chats up the bearded paladin for a while and gets nothing particularly revealing. Because this guy is a low level guy or because there is nothing to be revealed is of course unknowable... But Sam is of the opinion the little guy tends to know more than people expect - Even if they don't know details they tend to know if what they're being asked to do is legit or not, and this paladin seems sold on his mission.
"Maybe I just seen so much crazy lately that I expect nothing but, eh?" Sam asks the mastiff as they continue walking the streets of Hokum, now on their way back to find the rest of the gang, "I never knew Ebb that well and what do I know about talking to gods and what that does to you?" The mastiff has no answers, she merely walks along at Sam's side and looks up with a tilted head when he speaks feigning interest but probably just hoping for a treat. The goat can't even be bothered with that. Falling behind on a regular basis the goat is busy looking for their own treats. Even now as Sam pauses and waits for them to catch up the Half Orc sees that the goat has found an old shoe? It was happily chewy on it as it sauntered along...
With a sigh and a shrug Sm continues on hoping to find his way back to where the rest of the party is, he could use one of those drinks they were talking about.
Elthana heads back with the rest, grabs her ale and takes back a long swig. Wiping her mouth with the back of her hand, she smiles at Gewyn, "Thank you, I needed that."
"I talked with Ebb, and even though he is completely overwhelmed, I believe he knows what he is doing and believes it is right and just. He has been through a ton of magical scrutiny about these visions and from what anyone can tell are completely true and align with speakers of the past of Hermes. And he is right, even if they are from something else, isn't going to Lyvander to protect it still a good thing?"
She looks at Muir directly, "He said there was really nothing else about his visions other than pieces of horrible visions, monsters and the like. Even had a vision of me flying.." she looks to Vin, "Maybe that broom you have was really meant for me." she smirks a bit at this and for her, its as jovial of a voice she can manage.
"I told Mr. Stick Up His Ass to take care of Ebb... I think I might have scared him a bit." At this the smile reaches her eyes and she takes another swig of her ale.
Muir smiles “I have no doubt he believes he is the speaker but I assure you he is not. If some other entity is putting this in his head, the vision is worrisome, yes, but the actions taken that lead to this calamity is what worries me. The vision could push the clerics to take certain actions that cause this, what the entity that pushes these thoughts to Ebb, wants to happen. I caution Mayor Goldsheaf to watch the actions of the clerics. We are leaving tomorrow morning….be careful and good luck” With that Muir looks at Gore and mentions they should report to Goodall
"Is one of those for me?" Sam asks walking up to the rest and eyeing the drinks enviously. He signals to whoever is serving to bring more and then looks to Muir.
"And just how do you know Ebb is not speaker?" Sam asks. "I mean I don't know about gods speaking to people and all but isn't that a faith thing? How can you say so surely something that, I would think, is between a god and their followers when you are not even one of them? Do the druids have some... authority or oversight of such communications?" Sam isn't being aggressive or dismissive in his questioning, he is earnest and curious.
"The man on the street," he goes on to explain, "A paladin of Hermes... While he didn't claim to know the inner machinations or such, he seemed to have no doubts about the leadership of the higher ups. He didn't question Ebb or his position. What do the druids know he doesn't... and how?"
Muir smiles “When I was there And told to stay and wait for the high priest to return I had a lot of time to study in their library. They gave me free rein, being they didn’t want it to seem I was their prisoner, to their library. Hermes appeared and spoke to his speaker….their history is littered with mentions of Hermes talking directly to the speaker and the same story mentioned of time freezing, Hermes talking, etc. etc. not these vague visions….I just caution us to putting all of our trust into vague visions when we know visions are what a being wants you to see to force you into an outcome….”
"So all the stories of previous speakers were identical in the... trappings? Words and not visions? Time... freezing?" Sam asks.
"I am not trusting in anything, so no worry there. Still, I am not sure Ebb's visions are vague as much as his thoughts on how to prevent them from coming true are. Mind you, not saying i trust the visions but they do seem consistant and the fact he cannot recall them as easily as what he is looking at? I don't know, I guess you need a philosoph to talk about difference between visions and dreams and memories and who know what else..."
"Thanks," Sam says as he takes the drink and he fishes out too many coins to pay for the round but assures the server they can keep them.
"I think I'd perhaps be more worried if Ebb's story was identical to the others, perhaps," Sam says to Muir. "At least with differences we know he's not making it up to try to be speaker?"
“I don’t doubt he saw what he says he saw. He had this vision and the clerics will use it as a reason and a sign that they must cleanse whatever they think needs to be cleansed. Ebb is not lying about the vision. The belief that Hermes sent him the vision, this vague vision, is where the clerics are wrong, but do they care? I would gather that they do not because now they can assert their power and be heroes to the realm or by my calculations a calamity….” Muir trails off not finishing his thought