A Stitch in Souragne - La Danse de Mort

[Guzrath]

Vincent listens to the theories, nodding here and there and taking a sip from the wine, thanking Lucien for the refill by raising his glass.

As the girl puts a candle on the table, he reaches for his pocket, but before he can give her anything, she is gone.
He looks at the candle for a moment, lost in thought.

When the crowd goes silent he turns around, eager to see what the others are looking at. As the woman sits down and takes her cards out he turns back to the table. As Goren stands up to go to her he quickly catches his arm and presses a gold coin in his hand. "Be careful what you ask for" he says smiling. His eyes twingling a little, but betray him as well, he is not joking. He lets Goren's hand go and turns back to the conversation.
"I don't know much about magic I admit, but that shouldn't come as a surprise." he pauses "also, I must confess. I have seen quite a few phenomenons in my few years, but I've never actually been toe to toe with Zombies. We don't have much of them in Dementlieu" he smiles "I've only heard stories from the clergy and everything they have told me does not apply to those walking stitches we encountered this afternoon. Of course, since part of our problem is the stitched man, this relation is not completely bizar. Again, those creatures that attacked us this afternoon on the road were out of the orindary to say the least. I assume neither of you has no idea what both were?" He takes another a drink from his glass and smiles, his eyes a little glazy.
"The theory about the stone is reasonable and sounds logical seeing what we have seen. But as you say Lucien, why then is it so dry?" he falls silent as he realises that he has only repeated questions already said and actually has nothing to add.

After a moment he resumes.
"The only one who does not benefit from this is the church of Ezra." He holds out his hand unsteady as if holding a reply at bay "the inhabitants are not important in this, in the way of benefit, but they are the most important in casting out the final vote." he leans over lowering his voice "peasants are simple people" he says "I'm not talking about individuals here" he adds quickly "but they are also the most powerfull weapon for a man who wants power." he pauses as if thinking how else to formulate his thoughts and looks at his glass of wine "heat and wine don't mix well" he says.
"What I mean is this. If the people don't like what is happening they revolt and since people like to gossip and not think much, it is possible to create a new truth. In this case that the church of Ezra is the fault of the draught. A simple savior of the old "reliable" faiths and superstitions has to step up and solve the problem, thereby gaining followers. The Ezrites, having suffered losses in this are powerless to react to the new power, who is being backed up by the people." he says. "Of course, it could all be a coincidence, but I have seen how the powers in Dementlieu have used this trick many times. The question that follows is who or what sees the church of Ezra as such a threat and what would he do with his new followers." he sits back comfortably "There is also the possibility that the power behind this draught doesn't care, but I think, if memory serves me well, that only Ezrites and innocent bystanders are victims."
"This is just a thought of course, maybe either of you has another theory."

[Ail]

"Well", Zumba adds tentatively, his glass of wine now firmly put aside.
"You are right, I don't know anything about those Zombies."
He spies Goren as he walks to the girl, and keeps talking to Vincent and Lucien while looking at what the priest does with her in the corner.

That necklace intrigues me, that is for sure, he mumbles softly, but perhaps enough for the others at the table to hear.

"We have lots of Zombies in Souragne. Zumbi, in fact, that's what we call them. You could translate it as 'walking dead man', but I think you know that already. They are almost as natural here as the crocodile, except... that they're not natural, because they are dead... and they walk.

But now, Lucien says they're not dead. That confounds everything. In a way, I know it is odd, but I could conceive the idea of Zumbis. We've simply heard about them all our life, it's the Bokkoru, the evil spellcasters, that create them... The evil Voodan, I mean. Or the Lord of the Dead..."

He makes a protective sign at this mention.


"I can only guess... that somewhere in the swamp, someone is trying to gain power. Some Voodan, perhaps. But I can not see the connection with Ezra. Do you think these white men dress in Ezra's clothes to put Ezra to blame? But then, shouldn't they be out in the open doing bad things to hurt Ezra's fame, instead of only attacking us? 'Cause, you see, no one had heard of them until we showed up.

I think the answer is in the swamp. Most of Souragne is swamp, so that doesn't change much. The swamp is where the Lord lives, but there is also where the Maiden lives. She could help us, I'm sure. If we could get to her...
But I don't know how to do it. If the stories tell of it, I've never heard one of those."

He looks again at Goren, and by his gestures, sees him inviting the girl to the table. "I want to talk to that girl" he finally says in a soft voice, but clearly audible around his table.

[Ken of Ghastria]

Lucien smiles knowingly during most of Vincent's comments. "Yes, I've encountered that behavior, too, among the uneducated and terrified -- running together in one direction, without thought or reason, like a pack of rats." He chuckles and drinks more wine.

"But I think you have it about right, Monsieur Faussé," he continues. "From what Warden Sarosse has told me, the Church of Ezra and the local Voudoun priests will conduct a powerful ritual in a couple of days to end the drought." He pauses. "I believe it will fail. But such a spectacular, public failure will undermine belief in both of this region's main faiths. And yes, Monsieur Faussé ... I mean, Vincent, yes... the rabble will rage. And something else will step in to seize the spiritual reins."

After listening to any other comments, he looks over at Goren and the woman with the Tarokka deck. "He has no clue what he's dealing with, does he? Interesting and sad." He then says, "Excuse me, there's an attractive bard in the inn. Not only do I wish to buy her a drink, but bards do tend to know things that more sensible residents shy away from. I'll be back shortly." He gets up from his chair and walks toward the bard.

[Guzrath]

As Lucien leaves the table Vincent looks at Zumba and turns in the direction of Goren.
"It seems you are not the only one interested in her" he says.

"It reminds me, since it is just the two of us here at the table, you never did answer my question this afternoon." he says with a smile "before you ran off like a little child." gesturing with his hand something moving away.
"So, what is the reason?" he asks leaning closer to better hear the answer "Or do I have to pay someone for it?" he asks with a wink.

[Ail]

Zumba faces Vincent's gaze squarely and with determination. The haze from the wine is totally gone now, as this challenge strikes him deep.

He remembers the question.

"I have no human master, just like you I presume. You don't have to pay anyone for anything related to my person. And if you can't accept that, we'd better part ways here and now."

He looks steadfastly at the arrogant noble, without turning his gaze away.

[Guzrath]

Vincent looks at Zumba. "ah" he replies with a smile as if understanding and takes a more relaxed sitting position. He looks at the glass with the red wine in it and swerves it around a little to see how the wine moves in the glass.

He looks back at Zumba "What exactly does your answer mean?" he asks "You say 'not a human master'. Would that imply a non-human one or none at all?"

"If it is the latter then did you have a master?" he asks casually. "Or, if it is the first, why aren't you doing whatever you are supposed to do?"
"Oh and don't forget to breathe before you anser" he adds jokingly.

[Rock of the Fraternity]

Lucien:

The Bard continues to play while the half-elf approaches, but she gives him a ready smile and nods. Souragnien: "Good evening to you, Monsieur. Did you want to request a personal favourite?"

Goren:
The giomorgo girl gives Goren a cool, confident smile. Chondathan: "You are welcome to join me at this table, giorgio - if you desire a reading. Anything else, and you will have to convince me."

[steveflam]

Goren's eyes go wide at the sound of his own language. Chondonthan "You.... you speak my tongue. You are the first one I meet in this Souragne that speaks it. Now, if by reading, you mean that you will read the cards and tell me my fortune I guess you have divined partially correct. Will your cards give me answers to the questions I have? I have next to no fortune as I am not permitted to keep wealth of any kind. If need be I can pay with spells. Perhaps a healing or some divine knowledge?"

The priest thinks of the coin in his hand and holds it open for her to see. Chondonthan "Listen. I am not from here as you may already have surmised. I want to know how to get back to Waterdeep. Maybe you know of this or of others who have arrived here from other places and found their way back. I have never heard this word Giorgio before. Might I inquire as to what it means?"

Goren is still standing. He will not sit until she either invites him to sit or she asks him to leave.

[Ail]

Zumba leans back in his chair, still meeting Vincent's gaze.
"We all have divine masters, don't we? I have the Loah whom I worship to, and these are my only masters besides myself. And now, maybe you understand I've really been doing what I should be doing."

He relents a bit

"You seem to be imposing on this, so I'll say frankly what you already know and what you want to know. I was a slave, yes. But I escaped and made my own freedom, and for all I care, the man who claimed to be my master is still alive. Perhaps that will make you feel safer around me, since we may have to battle together for a while. But I expect you to treat me with dignity and respect!"

[Ken of Ghastria]

The Bard continues to play while the half-elf approaches, but she gives him a ready smile and nods. Souragnien: "Good evening to you, Monsieur. Did you want to request a personal favourite?"

"Good evening. Yes, now that you mention it," he says in an warm, humorous voice -- as he expands his senses to notice the emotions of those around him. "I was going to suggest a Darkonian love song, but most of those sound like dirges, don't they? Perhaps a romantic song from Richemulot, then? The more doomed, the better." He places a gold coin next to her. "That's for your performance and for the drink I wish to buy you when you're done tonight. I'm a traveler in serious need of information about your wondrous land, and for several minutes of your time, I'll reward any golden bits of knowledge with gold of my own."

______________________________
Lucien expends 1 pp to manifest empathy, 30-foot radius centered on him.

[Guzrath]

Vincent smiles warmly at Zumba and nods in understanding. "You expect quite a lot from others" he says, "but I won't bother you anymore for now. I'm hungry and I don't want to end up with a broken face before the night is over." he adds.

"You have never heard of this stitched man before have you?" he asks. "Lucien and I are from the core and have a different background and way of thinking then you." he says. "Goren doesn't seem to be from anywhere I know of, but the mists hide a lot"
"You on the other hand, being a native, you get the people here. How they think and react. From what we've heard so far from the people, how would you describe this stitched man? and where does he fit in the whole picture of things you worship?"

[Ail]

"Just because this is my land and I don't like it suffering, and because you are one of the few people currently able to do anything about it, I'll ignore your 'civilized contempt' for now.

Well, L'Homme Broché... I think it must be like another Loah. I dreamed of it a couple days ago, and I saw some men doing a ritual that looked like Voodan practices. But it is new, completely new. There are many Loah in Souragne, everywhere you can find a Loah. It's like the force of nature inside a stone, a plant, a stream. But some Loah are more powerful than that, and those are the ones we worship. L'Homme Broché must be one simple Loah that became envious and began asking of his followers to act more openly... or else, it's just plain fiction. But what matters, as you said, is what people believe it is. And if they believe it is a Loah like the others, and worse, more potent than all the others, then people will worship it and practice its cult... And only its followers know what the cult demands. It may not be pretty.

In my view, we should seek assistant of some Voodan, some worshipper of the good Loah. I'd seek for some Voodan of the Maiden."

[Guzrath]

Vincent seems genuinely surprised at Zumba's remark about "civilized contempt". He frowns questioningly, his eyes staring into nothing for a very small moment. It seems he is lost in thought. Do these people actually listen to a word being said? he thinks to himself, trying to comprehend the train of thought to such a reply.
He quickly regains his composure and seems to bite back a remark. A smile appears on his face, a created smile that does not confer joy, but rather disappointment.

"And would you know of any Voodan of the Maiden around here or do you know someone who might know where to find one?" he asks trying to change the nature of his smile.

[Rock of the Fraternity]

Goren:

The giomorgo girl laughs throatily and gestures for Goren to sit.
Chondathan: "I will take your money, priest," she says, "for a reading."
A quick sweep of her hand, and Goren is one gold coin poorer. The half-gypsy starts to shuffle the cards while she talks in a calm, authoritative voice: "These are no ordinary cards, giorgio - and to answer your question, that is a word for those who do not have Vistani blood, the blood of my father's people. By his contribution, I am giomorgo, a half-Vistana. Neither of your parents were Vistani, so you are a giorgio. Now; these cards are the Tarokka, the oracle of my father's people.
Tonight, they will not answer the questions you ask. They will tell you the things you need to know. The way home to Faerûn may be among the things you need to know this night - or it may not."

The first card the giomorgo girl puts down on the table depicts a woman with a grim expression on her face, who holds two books, each mared with a single glyph, while preaching to a group.
"The Two of Glyphs; the Missionary. This is you, for you are an agent of your god, and you strive to spread his teachings. However, this very same card warns that dark days are to come in connection with your work."[/i]

On the second card, a figure stands within a twisted wire framework, decorated with six glowing glyphs. Electricity crackles across the wires.
"This is the reason you are here. The Six of Glyphs signifies the Anarchist. The Anarchist always brings change, but it is not always positive or peaceful. This change, whatever its nature, gave occasion to your arrival, I believe. Let us seek greater clarity."

The giomorgo girl tries to draw a third card, but two flutter out of the stack and fall above the Anarchist.
On the left, a wiry, middle-aged man reads a book by the light of a star; he is unaware of the dark figure behind him, its hands stretched towards his throat.
On the right, a wizard crowned with flame stands on a hilltop illuminated by two stars. An apprentice holds a tome up to him that glows with a gentle, white light.

"Two cards from the House of Stars, two influences that have lead to the Anarchist's involvement in your coming here. On the right hand, the Diviner; someone who seeks vital knowledge for the benefit of all. But on the left, the Transmuter, card of dangerous and unexpected results.
Someone sought something good, but a terrible discovery was made. Let us now put a face to this discovery, which lead to change."

A man with a cruel face, a spiky crown on his brow, sits on a throne. In one hand he clutches a scepter, and a snake coils about his wrist. His other hand caresses the head of a wolf. A raven perches on his shoulder, a rat on his lap.
"The Dark Master. He is someone of power who commands others. Warrior, mage, deceiver? I do not know and the cards do not say. But he is the one who made the discovery, and it is he who has set the change in motion. Beware him, for he leads and others follow."

Lucien:
Souragnien: "Ah, so sorry, monsieur," the Bardic girl tells you with what seems like genuine regret. "I have been to neither of those places. I was born here and have never left the island..."
For just a moment, the girl looks glum, but her smile soon returns.
"Still, I dare say I know much of what is happening in our wondrous Souragne - people come and tell me their stories so that I might share mine with them, you see? I have another appointment after I am done here for the evening, but I can play so no one will overhear if we talk a bit at this spot - and you can put any gold you'd like to give me for my knowledge in the tip hat."
The Bard nods at a short top hat that stands next to the base of her harp. A few people seem to have already deposited a few pieces of silver and copper there.
"So, what would you like to know?" the girl asks with a wide smile that shows teeth as white as salt.

Goren is still standing. He will not sit until she either invites him to sit or she asks him to leave.[/quote]

[Ken of Ghastria]

Lucien smiles and says, "I'd like to know what is being said, openly or in whispers, about strange Voodan behavior in the swamps. I know that, to many, ALL Voodan activity may seem 'strange,' but a clever, experienced, attractive person like you knows better. I mean something out of the ordinary recently, perhaps going back to the start of the drought."

--------------------------
Lucien began the empathy power last round, so he should have a rough "blueprint" of what people around him are feeling. Unless he senses something unusual in the bard during the conversation, he'll drop the power at the end of this part to gain a bonus to a Gather Information check.