Episode 1 Scene 1a : The Arrival

Feliani took in all that Shahadur was describing about Kezzel. On her part she had promised to bring something, so she made a note to do so if she had the chance. Jarret, her hawk, had picked up these thoughts of her and, because it didn't enter the fort with her, made himself useful by flying off to hunt oysters!

In the room with Kustaa the dwarf, Feliani kept silent first as it was obvious that Brindel had something for Kustaa.

After entering the room, Egret subtly - or he hopes that he does it subtly, - shifts behind others, trying not to catch much attention. Of course, there's no danger to be hiding from, but the druid reasons that he wouldn't want to alter Kustaa's first impression of the group. For a battle-worn veteran, seeing his lightheaded approach to fashion won't be a good assurance of their abilities, and while the guards seemed amicable enough, he still isn't sure if this dwarf would welcome a tiefling. Yeah, that's certainly the reason why he's hiding, not because he feels a touch claustrophobic.

To get his mind away from the places it was slowly wandering into - and give Brindel time to speak with Kustaa, - the tiefling walks up to the bookshelves, squinting at the spines and seeing if there was anything interesting to him. A book of local plants, maybe, or a scrolls of curious spells. He glances back to Shahadur warily for a second, not sure if he was allowed to check closer.

Brindel approaches and, in a typical dwarven greeting of respect, bows slightly to Kustaa. "Thank you for the audience, Kustaa," he says, then carefully unstraps his battleaxe and lays it on the desk. "My name is Brindel Truehand of Citadel Adbar. As a paladin of Gorm Gulthun, I am requesting special dispensation from the village's policy of no weapons within its walls. This battleaxe is crucial for me to follow Gorm's teachings and protect my companions to the best of my abilities. Just as importantly, the axe is an inheritance from my great-grandfather, Thearden the Shining, another paladin devoted to Gorm."

Katsmon steps over to Egret and softly asks, "Is there anything I can help you find?" The question is straight and helpful in tone.

Kustaa rests the side of his bearded chin on his left hand as Brindel approaches and introduces himself. He seems perhaps bored but his eyes are alert and piercing. He nods slightly to the mention of the city and Brindel's patron. When the axe is laid on the desk his eyes narrow some and he reaches out his right hand and begin tracing the symbols upon it which in turn all of them each glow a soft red. "Hmm..." he looks back up to Brindel as he pulls his hand back, "so you have not unlocked its potential yet I see. Can I ask why?"

Egret looks over at the human, giving him a friendly smile and answering quietly, to not disturb the conversation happening behind them. "No need, friend, but I appreciate the offer. I was just giving my companions a moment to go over bureaucratic details - master Truehand is way better at it, and I mostly rely on him to make sure we aren't thrown away from this here fort." His eyes shift back to the books, and then again to the knight. "I wondered if there were any books on botany or other natural studies. I'm a druid, you see," his smile gets wider, indicating amusement.

At Egret's question Katsmon stops and thinks for a bit then replies, "No I do not think so, those kind of books would be something your new friend Kezzel would have. Most of these are," he glances at the books on the shelves, "historical records, military strategies and tactics, and theological dissertations. Still if you want something to read while your friend sorts things out maybe..." he reaches up and pulls down a fairly thick tome, "you might find this of interest." He hands the book which has green leaf leather cover to Egret.

Brindel replies to Kustaa, "Unfortunately, any secrets of this battleaxe died with my great-grandfather. I only recently acquired it when I renewed my oaths in my furtherance ceremony. If the high priest knew of any powers it had, she did not pass that knowledge on to me nor to any in my family."

"Hmm..." Kustaa looks at the axe in thought while unconsciously drumming his fingers on his desk then after a bit says, "Well it would not have been the high priestess' duty to inform you about a family heirloom but then could there have perhaps been reason that your great-grandfather may not have wanted the axe used again."

"If you know something I should know, please tell me. After all, the more I know, the better I can help defend the village while we are here."

"I think I just did, did I not?" Kustaa raises his eyebrows a bit with his rhetorical question having just revealed that the axe had hidden powers, "I am just trying to figure out perhaps why your great-grandfather had not left any information concerning it. It could merely be that he wished to test the worthiness of the one that picked it up, or perhaps he was concerned about having its powers activated. If its the former I would be doing him an injustice by extending aid, if it were the latter perhaps there is a reason those powers ought not be activated or at least caution should be taken in doing so. The more I know the better I can understand if and-or how I might help."

How curious! Lex pipes in, standing right hehind the two of them. I've heard of fabled dwarven workmanship but I've never heard of hidden potential before. I'd love to help you unlock its secrets if I can. I could never resist a puzzle! (He speaks Dwarvish) He reaches a hand out to touch it and then pulls it back, realising he might be doing something culturally insensitive.

Brindel turns to his side. "Lex, I would be honored to have your help. The ways of arcane magic are not mine."

He then turns back to Krustaa. "This has been unexpectedly enlightening meeting. I appreciate the information you have given me. For now, I must trust in Gorm to reveal its mysteries at the proper time." He pauses while he picks up the axe. "My request for dispensation is still an open issue. May I ask for a decision, or shall I come back at a more appropriate time?"

"Thank you for the clarification. The issue was distracting me far more than it should have." Brindel looks down at the battleaxe in his calloused hands, examining the symbols that no longer glow red.

"Oath? Not meaning to be rude, but what's that for?" Feliani didn't ask the question in a confrontational voice, but with a curious tone. "Is it not enough that we are here and offer our services to aid in your endeavours? I'm not entirely convinced that I should be swearing to some god I don't worship, and if this means I'll have to stay in the village then so be it." Feliani was normally more accommodating in most matters, and sympathised with the need to keep the Garrison weapon free, but trivial oaths were not to be taken lightly.

Brindel looks back up at Kustaa. "I assumed these symbols were just decorative."

"My great-grandfather belonged to an army that defeated an evil priest who was building golems to attack a neighboring city. However, the priest, with his dying breath, cursed my great-grandfather, his sons, and his sons' sons with great misfortune if they ventured out of the mountains. My grandfather tried to buck the curse twice and almost died both times."

"Many have tried to remove the curse to no avail. I am the first paladin of Gorm in my family since my great-grandfather and I have the privilege of fighting for others, unrestricted to my beautiful mountain home."

I would also like to know a little more about this oath. I imagine, I won't have any problem with it. But I do like to know the particulars of an oath before I am asked to swear it.

Kustaa was about to answer Feliani when Brindel spoke up followed by Lex. He holds up a finger and says, "Okay I will get to the Oath in a moment," then he looks at Brindel, "okay then its worth looking into, for your edification those are Celestial runes which normally only come in sevens, the fact that there are eight and that your great-grandfather had been cursed most likely means one of those is not what it appears to be and most likely your great-grandfather or one of those that tried to remove his curse became aware of this. Which is to say most likely some how that curse got tied into that weapon. So I would venture to guess this might have been why your great-grandfather left nothing speaking to it. While I can read those runes, the mere speaking of their names could trigger one which might be the wrong one so you had best talk to ole Kezzel as he should be able to help you better understand what you need to do and perhaps more importantly what order to do it in." Kustaa gives Brindel a moment to absorb what was said and then glances at the other three, "Okay the Oath..."

A knock on the door interrupts Kustaa and he pauses while Katsmon opens the door to eventually let in both Kendra and Kroog.