An Act of Hubris or Guile

Oriys rushes out and the militia greet him with pointed blades. He raises both his hands "I live here and I am on your side. I trained with guard Bethran. Remember I am the one who fell flat on my face 5 times during training"

One of the militia men, Veruth,  let out a chuckle "Yes I remember little Ori now who is this beside you" The militia men sheathe their weapons.

"They are friends here to aid us." says Ori

"Strangers, name yourself and is it true you came to aid us" says Veruth.

There are wrecked homes and buildings around you, but the prominent fortress still stands. The streets are mostly empty except for the militia.

Duncan follows after the others, and says, "My name is Duncan Tabr. I've trained at the Swordmaster academy and am sworn to protect this knight. Though we have found our way to your city, so will lend my aid." Then looking around the soldiers asks, "May I ask if there are any glaives in your weapons stores? Mine was taken from me below..." Then looking our any windows asks, "Are the fires under control? How can we be of assistance?"

Kasbis steps forward saying “And I am Sir Kasbis.  We travelled here through the Kavic desert and helped young Oriyas here.  I have a feeling that I know why you are being besieged and I need to speak with your Elder right away.  We wish to help you thwart this invasion and I have valuable information that may be helpful.  They are here for your Chiracki tree, and I have a feeling that I know why.  Please, if you could guide us, we would like to speak to those in charge.”  His head lines up with Veruth, his eyes locking with his, almost in a mesmerizing gaze as he reports this information to him and asks for his compliance with the request for the audience.  

"Most of the fires are out, but some still burns. If we have a glaive its probably being used. This siege has laid waste to most of the town. You lot seem decent and you seem to bear important news. Come follow me" says Veruth.

The inner gate still stands, but it is heavily splintered with several workers trying to shore it up and repair it with whatever they can find.

He leads you into the fortress and the main hall is filled the moans and cries of wounded men, women, and children. Bloody white sheets covers several corpses.

Near a group of wounded militiamen stands an imposing women holding a dead bird. She hands it to one of her attendants and then turns to Veruth. "What have you brought to me today Veruth" she says with a steadfast tone. She gives the party a piercing gaze.

Veruth offers a short bow. "Elder Bruth, they are friends of little Ori and they bring important news as to why we are facing a siege from an unknown force"

She gestures for the party to come closer "Tell me, why are we being besieged?"

A truly rare sight that the party will notice is an Air Genasi tending to the injured militiamen.

Kasbis notes the air Genasi out of the corner of his eye, but comes forward when beckoned by Elder Bruth.  “Elder Bruth, my name is Kasbis, the son of Kurta and Caobis.  When my father Kurta passed away, I was left a patch of land in the Kavic desert, and I have travelled here from there.  Our path has been complicated, so forgive me if it takes a moment to recount, and how our stories are intertwined.  My father did not pass away by natural causes, he was killed, under the machinations of Viscount Marish in Widoze.  You see, (he pulls a Zamaruud emerald sample out of his pocket) Viscount Marish wishes to gain power based on a magical crown of Zalanthi legend, made of Zamaruud emeralds, mithril, Fayden stones, and wood from your Chiracki tree.  My father was killed over the emeralds.  They are trying to kill all of you to obtain the wood from your Chiracki tree.  That is why they are laying siege to this area.”  

He stands tall, jutting out his jaw.  “This is Duncan, my good friend, battle master and strategist.  He is always at my side, has been with my family for longer than I can remember.  Young Oriyas here has led us to you, we saved him from a giant scorpion that had attacked and he has kindly led us here, through a well and a secret passage.  I’m here to stop those who are laying siege to you and those who are in league with them.  For what they did to my father.  To prevent them from obtaining such power, and using it for their own dark purposes.  How can I assist you, does any of this make sense to you?”

"Yes that make perfect sense. Those scoundrels. I will never give them any part of the Chiraki tree." says Elder Bruth. She looks over to the party. "Well if you made it here then your skilled enough to help. The biggest problems are the siege weapons. Our gate will not last long. I need the trebuchet and battering ram destroyed. It will be a night operation and I know just the person to aid you." 

She looks over to the air genasi "Aisha, I need you to aid them so they have a chance making it back alive. Now I won't force you, but will you go?"

Kasbis says, “Can you tell me more about the Chiracki tree, what it does, why it is so magical?  Do you have it protected?  We must prevent them from obtaining it at all costs.  Do you know Viscount Marish?  Do you know those that are at your gates?  We can talk more after this operation if you wish, but the more information we have, the better.  I like to understand the who and the why of what is going on…”

"No I have no dealings with Viscount Marish and I do not know who leads the enemy forces at my gate. The tree is the lifeblood of this land. It created the verdant forest. It is hidden in the cloud garden. There is an illusion in place that makes it resemble a regular tree." says Elder Bruth. She closes her eyes in concentration and after a moment slowly opens them. "Yes the Chirack Tree is safe for now."

"You look a bit tired. If you need rest then just find an empty spot somewhere. I am sorry all the rooms are occupied."

When ready everyone can take a long rest as you wait for nightfall. 

Hands freshly washed after attending to the wounded Aisha approaches while drying her hands. Her long white hair currently pulled back out of her face into a ponytail. She gives a gentle smile to the new comers, a smile that doesn't quite reach her tear drop shaped birthmark. With a nod to Elder Bruth. "If they are brave enough to enter a city under siege to help, I'm sure they will be able to deal with the siege weapons.  Giving them aid is the best way to do the greatest good."
Turning to the two strangers, "I am Aisha Stormborne Cleric of Elestine, thank you for coming."

"I will gladly lend my strength to destroying their siege." Duncan says. "Before we rest I would like leave to check your weapon stores. My glaive was destroyed by a monster reaching this town. And while I can fight with anything, am more efficient with a polearm of sorts." Then looking to the Cleric says, "Your assistance in our mission will be greatly appreciated." though he is too focused on the mission at the moment to deal with pleasantries.

Kasbis walks over and meets Aisha, nodding to her with respect.  “We could use your help.  A healer would be welcome among us. Gaz, what do you think of her?”  A snake comes up out of the top of Kasbis’ shirt and peers at the newcomer, appraising her.  Gaz turns his head back to Kasbis and moves near his ear, seems to be discussing with him.  Then he retreats into he cloak in an inner pocket below.  “Yes, I agree, I think she will do nicely.  I’m exhausted after all of that creepy crawly goo in those passages down below.  I need a rest.  Can you show me where we could get a bed to lie on, or something that will come close to that?  I need some good sleep before nightfall.”  Kasbis walks along, in search of where he can take a long rest.  

Eventually the party finds an empty sitting room. 

"Your welcome to look, but I am not sure if we have any glaives that are not in use" says Elder Bruth to Duncan

Spending a bit of time looking through the stores, Duncan comes up empty handed and then finds his way up to where Kas is resting. Plopping himself down on the sofa he looks to the boy who is fully asleep. Pulling Shai out of his pocket now to run around the room a bit, he says, "Sorry boy! Tonight do you wanna run around with me? Promise to keep close?" and then gives the little sand dog a hand pull of salt.

"Oh! Hello Gaz it's a pleasure to meet you too." Looking around at some of the soldiers, "I thought those men were being crass, but do all men actually have a snake under their clothes?"

"Whenever I reach the point of needing rest, kinda like now I just wander until I find a spot." Aisha then shows Kasbis and Duncan around until they find the empty sitting room.

Seeing Duncan return from an unsuccessful search Aisha says, "Perhaps we'll find you something during our mission." When Shai gets pulled out she exclaims, "A puppy! You two have such wonderful creatures! Can I pet him?"

Duncan places a few pinches of sand in Aisha's hand to hold our to Shai and says, "Still not sure what kinda dog he, she? actually I never checked, is, but he likes salt and gems. Build for the desert it seems." Looking at the little pup with a grin he says, "Reminds me of a pup my bunk mate smuggled into the Academy. We managed to keep him hidden for a good month from the Sarge. And even once he found out, though he put on one helluva show of anger, running and pushups for a week, he couldn't stop sneaking that mutt treats."

Aisha holds her hand out to Shai offering the salt. "I always wondered if the big tough guards and soldiers actually had a soft side." When Shai comes to eat the salt she will attempt to give them scritches behind the ear. "Does the fact that your Sargent couldn't stop sneaking the pup treats mean he let you keep it?"
Animal Handling: 20

"If by 'let keep' you mean 'pretended he didn't know to cover his own ass' then yes. We could keep the mutt." Duncan says chuckling, then asks, "So what brings you to this town? Just traveling through or are you a part of the retinue?"