Upon this spot, on the 25th day of November, in the 16th Year of Exile, was fought the Great Battle of Alam's Isle between the Exiles of Dreyfus, Lexes, and Calbrough, and the Forces of Darkness. Over one thousand Exiles perished in the defence of the Isle

Here fell Aldemus the Captain of the Exiles of Dreyfus. Upon his death command of the Exiles of Dreyfus passed to his cavalry commander Alsman the Gallian.

Faustus: "Odd that Alsman is seen as a coward, even by some in his own group," Faustus mused, "From this is would suggest he was anything but."
Faustus: it would*
Sir Richard: "All it says is he took command, not that he did anything with it."
Edward (whispering): Edward continued moving down along the tracks, even after he heard voices. He moved more carefully, working to not make any noise and pausing every few moments to try to understand what was being said, or determine if the voices are even human.
Belladonna: "Courage in combat is diferent than in the seat of power."
Faustus: "They won the battle, and Camron said he rallied the forces to attack the Salians after Aldemus fell."
Sir Richard: Richard shrugged, looking bored.
Faustus: "I'd have thought it takes less courage to be a bully like Manto seems to be, than a leader who considers his people."
whispering to Edward, Edward very carefully crept close. He could hear three voices speaking, arguing about a battle, and they were plainly all human. As he approached two hills he saw that there were five people there - a short, pale Adacian man, a very beautiful Adacian woman, and a large, scarred Galdic man with a maul were the ones arguing. Near to them was a bespectacled Adacian with a crossbow and a lithe Gallian with a sheathed rapier. The bodies of several very large furred creatures lay in the snow near them. Up on the hills were very elaborate, large snowy walls. In the valley between the two hills was a standing stone memorial, and up on the hill were several others - the three people arguing stood around the nearest one.
Sleeping Dragon: a third memorial was near the middle of the larger hill
Sleeping Dragon:

Here the merman commander of the Enemy was slain by the blade of Valentinian Junius of Calbrough.

Edward: /w 577=Edward smiled when he heard the voices in their conversation. Humans, clearly. Those corpses may have caused the tracks I saw. Still, he settled down to listen and observe them for a little while longer. Humans could be monsters to he knew. Or worse.
Faustus: "Valentinian Junius?" Faustus said, "Could that be Needle Val, the man everyone seems to be so afraid of?"
whispering to Sir Richard, glancing back behind him Richard noticed a person standing watching them, garbed in the same pathetic rags as they had when they had first arrived.
Sir Richard: Sir Richard stood up, looking nonchalant. He coughed, sidling in one direction. Then he suddenly raised his maul in the air and called, in a harsh voice, "Who are you, and why are you spying on us instead of announcing yourself?!"
** Belladonna sighed. "Maybe because whoever it is, if there is someone there, doesn't want us to know about them." **
Faustus: Faustus peered in the direction Richard seemed to be facing, "They're not likely to be a stinker, hiding like that."
Edward: Edward stood, coming out of hiding. They saw an about average hieight man with dark hair, though the distance was too great to be sure of its exact color. As he stood, Edward tried to control his shaking, but failed miserably. I am but a weary traveller, who would know more of the people he is about to approach before he walks into a camp full of better armed, better dressed, and more numerous strangers. My apologies if I worried you."
Edward: Edward seemed to be wearing clothing in the same consdition as yours had been when you left the ship and even from this distance the Mark shown clearly on his skin.
Sir Richard: Sir Richard snorted derisively. "The smarter thing would have been to enter a town instead of spying on some travellers. I suppose you're no threat, though."
Faustus: "How did you come to be out here? And still in the shitty rags they give you when they throw you off the ship?" Faustus said, eyeing the man.
** Belladonna said nothing, keeping her eye on the stranger **
Edward: Though he usually preferred to not offend people he first met, Edward twas too cold to really care. "A town you say? What a brilliant idea, I wonder why I didn't think of that. Oh wait, I remember. Because we're in the middle of nowhere!." Turning to the second man who spoke, he replied. Edward didn't move any closer as he replied to the second man who'd spoken to him. "That I am. You have the advantage over me, iI'm sure. I "arrived". earlier, catching the end of a blizzard and have been wandering since.. The tracks of those beasts were the first I'd found, following some holder human tracks. I thought there may be a town at the end of the human tracks, so I followed them. Here"
Sir Richard: "Lucky thing you didn't run into the stinkers before we did, or you might now be a red stain in the snow."
Faustus: "There is a town, but it's two days away. I doubt you'd make it dressed like that in this cold." Faustus looked the man over, "I've got some spare stuff in my pack you could have, it wouldn't be as warm as these but a lot better than the rags."
Edward: "Who are you?"
Sir Richard: "I think you should give a name first."
Faustus: "Faustus Marcus Sidonis," Faustus said with a little bow, "Ex-citizen of Adacia, now of nowhere in particular."
Faustus: "He's one man Sir Dick, he's just been chucked off the boat like we were a few days ago, I don't think giving him our names is going to be much of a risk"
Belladonna: The woman introduced herself as "Belladonna."
Sir Richard: Sir Richard rolled his eyes, but said "Sir Richard Antonus. And I don't like being called Dick."
Faustus: "That's why I do it Dick," Faustus said with a grin
Sir Richard: Sir Dick scowled.
Faustus: Hancir introduced himself as Hancir the Gallian
Pan: "Panayotis."
Edward: "My name is Edward Armenius, for all the good it will do you. Names mean nothing. BUt I guess they are sufficient for now." Internally, Edward grinned at the bickering. Internal group problems meant that at the least they may not be a united front against him. Edward came closer to the group, moving warily. As he steps forward, you see that he has light brown skin and bown eyes, with deeply black hair. He is clearly Qarakheen in origin."
Edward: A dagger is through his belt and a familiar cloth sack hangs over his back.
** Belladonna said something in a diferent language, though "Edward", "Armenius", and "Qarak" could be heard. **
Faustus: "Welcome Edward," Faustus said in Qarakeen, "How did you get a name like Edward Armenius?"
Belladonna (whispering): "Edward Armenius doesn't sound like a Qarak name."
Sir Richard: Sir Richard narrowed his eyes and leaned forward suspiciously, as if doing so would somehow allow him to understand Qarakeen.
Edward (whispering): My mother named me for my noble father. I take after her though.
Edward: Edward answered them in the same tongue.
** Belladonna nodded, but didn't reply **
Faustus: Faustus said something to Edward, including the words "Sir Dick"
Edward (whispering): I would never claim them.
Faustus (whispering): "Well, there's no titles here, whatever Sir Dick might wish. It's a new world" Faustus said (repost)
Sir Richard: Hearing that name, Sir Richard's face reddened slightly. "You'd better not call me that," he said, looking at Edward and tapping his maul, which still had patches of blood.
Edward: Edward ignored him and spoke something to Belladonna in a new language, including the words Adacia.
Faustus (whispering): "Don't mind him, he's just a bit frustrated as there's no peasants to bugger here." Faustus said with an even broader grin
Faustus: Faustus said a few more words to Edward, with a broad grin and a sideways look at Richard
Belladonna (whispering): "It's not."
** Belladonna replied very simply in the same language. **
Edward: Edward laughed in respone, also glancing at the knight.
Edward (whispering): and Belladonna. Hardly a typical Adacian name.
Sir Richard: Sir Richard's face grew even darker. Wordlessly he turned and stalked off, continuing in the direction of the town.
Faustus (whispering): "Who cares what we call ourselves here, like I said, it's a new world. We can leave out pasts behind."
Faustus: Faustus spoke in the same language, with a shrug.
Belladonna: "We should follow him. He's not bright but he's strong." Belladonna said, switching to Salic.
Faustus: "Let's see this last memorial then" Faustus said, heading in its direction
Edward: Edward nodded agreement, to both of them, though he was confused by her simple admittance and nothing more. "Of course. Might I have the clothing you offered first?"
Faustus: Faustus dug the clothes he had been given by Old Jer out of his pack and handed them to Edward,"Lucky they weren't made to fit." he said
Sleeping Dragon: the fourth and final memorial was on the northern slope of the hill:
Sleeping Dragon:

Here Andreas Cesenius the ‘Iron Hero’ of Lexes placed his standard upon arriving with five hundred reinforcements of Lexes and Calbrough.

Edward: Edward pulled the clothes on, then followed them to the memorial. I"I heard you talking of a battle. What is this place? Why are you here?"
Faustus: "There seemed to be a lot more people around in those days" Faustus said when they reached the memorial
fdskjffbhg (enter): 21:01
Faustus: "There was a battle here between the people of the towns and the fishmen." Faustus explained, "We met one as soon as we arrived, took a bit of killing too"
Attempting to assign the role of PLAYER to (624) fdskjffbhg...
Edward: "Fishmen. Are they one of the monsters they say this land holds?"
Faustus: "Yes, they're a kind of merfolk. There are supposed to be demons up north too."
Edward: "What a wonderful place." Edward shivered, not because of the cold.
Faustus: "Oh yes, it's wonderful. We've been attacked twice since being in town, by men this time. It's not a good place to be on your own." Faustus thought for a moment, "There's no reason you couldn't travel with us to Dreyfus, that's another town."
Edward: Edward frowned thoughtfully after the departing knight. "He worries me, but he won't turn against me so long as I travel with you will her?"
Faustus: "I doubt it, he's rather nervous of us, for some reason."
Edward: "You don't know why?"
Belladonna: "Think it has to do with our... herritage."
Faustus: "That and a few other things," Faustus said, with a grin at Belladonna, "but don't worry about it."
Edward: "Why would your heritage scare him? Just the two of you or the other Adacian as well?"
Edward: oops, ignore that
Edward: Edward decided to do just that. It was clear that they knew what bothered the man, but it was just as clear they weren't going to tell him. Not yet at least. If he pushed it, they might push him for some of his story and Edward wasn't sure what he was going to tell them yet.
Edward: "Very well then. Lead on to this town."
Faustus: Faustus moved off in the direction Richard had taken, "The Iron Hero is still around I think, living in Lexes."
Sleeping Dragon: the party headed off westwards towards Dreyfus. After a short time they came to the ford in the stream that Camron had spoken of and crossed over. They continued on westward for several hours, passing into a fairly heavily wooded area. That night they stopped to make camp.
whispering to Edward, as the party stopped Edward thought he heard sounds of movement coming from a copse of trees to the north, and turning to look he saw about fifty feet away a man watching them. He was short, thin, and looked ragged and unkempt. Edward thought he had a Galdic look about him, though from this distance he could not tell of which type. The man saw Edward's glance and began to creep away northwards quickly but quietly
Edward: "Traveller!" Edward called out. "We would not harm you, and I would not try surviving in these woods alone after dark."
Faustus: "What is it?" Faustus whispered, "I can't see anything there."
Belladonna: "Huh?"
Sir Richard: Sir Richard grabbed his maul and looked about warily.
Sleeping Dragon: there was a slight scuffle of someone moving in a copse of trees about fifty feet away to the north. "I'm very good at surviving in the woods alone after dark, thank you," came a reply.
fdskjffbhg: "Whoever you are, show yourself!"
Edward: "A man, there," Edward said quietly. "He does not look dangerous."
Faustus: "This place is getting crowded," Faustus said, "And not looking dangerous is no guide to not being dangerous." he smiled to himself.
Edward: "Indeed. But unless he has friends, I daresay we could handle him together."
Sleeping Dragon: "I'd really rather not until I knew who you were. Who are you?" the man called. Able to hear the source of the voice, they looked and saw a thin man leaning against a tree. He began to move about from tree to tree to make it difficult for the party to locate him by the sound of his voice
Faustus: "We're just travellers, on our way to Dreyfus. We won't harm you." Faustus called
Sleeping Dragon: "You certainly won't."
Belladonna: "Then move along, we arn't looking for a fight." Belladonna called to him.
Faustus: "Move along? We don't own these woods." Faustus muttered to her
Sleeping Dragon: "Alright. Bye!" the man headed off north
Belladonna: "What does that have to do with anything? If he's not looking for a fight, he will. If he is, he won't."
Faustus: "We're out in the middle of shit-knows-where and he's a lone traveller. We could have asked him to share our fire." Faustus said
Belladonna: "Don't trust him."
Edward: "He's unarmed, but he's plainly not new to the isles. Either way, he seems to be leaving to the north."
Faustus: "I don't trust anyone, and he might have had useful information."
Belladonna: "Might want to follow him. Could be Francioa."
Faustus: "He could be Charl, and I don't know that I want to follow an assassin into a forest"
Edward: "I would put little stock in us being able to keep up with him if he does not want us too. HE seems the type to know these woods and be a fast traveller, even with dark coming on."
Faustus: Faustus shrugged and curled up to rest.
** Belladonna was about to say something, but just shrugged instead. "I suppose you want to set watches." **
** fdskjffbhg shrugs and takes the first watch **
Edward: [1d100] -> [100] = (100)
Edward: "Do you trust me to take a watch?
Faustus: "That's a point, but do we trust any of us?"
Sir Richard: "No," said Sir Richard simply.
Sir Richard: "I trust you others enough not to cut my throat, but Edward hasn't earned that yet."
Edward: "I don't know that I trust you, but I also doubt that I have a choice. You do. I'll stand a watch if you want, or no."
Faustus: "For now, stand watch with another of us," Faustus said with a sigh, "Will that satisfy you Sir Dick?"
Sir Richard: Sir Richard shrugged. "Fine."
Edward: "Very well."
Belladonna: "I'll keep a watch out. May as well keep an eye on him too." She finished off saying something in another language.
Belladonna (whispering): "Takes a thief..."
** Panayotis grinned **
Belladonna: "We'll go first then?"
Faustus: Faustus smiled at Bella's comment, "I'll take last watch, don't wake me up before then unless the world's ending."
Sleeping Dragon: the night passed without any incident, and they continued on their journey to Dreyfus.
Edward: Edward sighed. "First watch it is then."
Belladonna (whispering): "Why were you sent here?" Belladonna asked Edward partway into their watch.
Edward (whispering): Sent here? Oh, you mean crime. Heresy without heresy. I got involved with the Faithful, but they did not think me Faithful enough and betrayed me to the religious authorities. Here I am.
Belladonna (whispering): "Not neccisarially crime. Some people are sent here without doing anything wrong." Belladonna said, then after a pause, "Do you consider yourself faithful enough?"
Edward (whispering): "How do you mean? There are many definitions of faithful enough," Edward replied carefully.
Belladonna (whispering): "I'd like to hear your definition."
Edward (whispering): "My definition...I have beliefs, to which I am faithful. What they are are my own."
Belladonna (whispering): Belladonna nodded. "Similer to many. Usually a good idea to keep those beliefs to oneself, a lot of people arn't very accepting of certain things."
Edward (whispering): "Indeed. And sharing them at the wrong time can bring...problems. Religion to me is unimportant, as are a great many other things. Friendships, knowing people are the true tties of importance in this world."
Belladonna (whispering): "Well said. Just curious as to why somone to whom religion is unimportant to, would get involved with those for whom it is their life."
Edward (whispering): When I first met them, I did not know of their religion. After that, as I said. The ties of friendship are most important."
Edward (whispering): And you? why are you here?
Belladonna (whispering): "Which reason would you like to hear? I have a couple." Belladonna said, smiling.
Edward (whispering): Would it help if I said the truth?"
Sleeping Dragon: the next two days were uneventful. They passed through an increasingly wooded region, noting a high number of birds heading northwards. The weather began to take a turn for the better, and after a day the snow on the ground was very minimal - plainly the blizzard had not hit this area as it had Calbrough.

In the early hours of the 30th of May, the fifth day of their journey, they came upon a small wooden cottage. There was a large Colvod man with red hair standing out in front of the building dressed in thick clothing and cutting down a tree with an axe. There was no sign of other buildings very nearby. The man glared at them with open suspicious and called out in thickly accented Salic. "Oy, who the hell ye be and what are ye doing here?"
Faustus: "We're just travellers on our way to Dreyfus." Faustus called out
Edward: Edward stood quietly to the side of the party.
Belladonna (whispering): "Lets see... I was going to have a man murdered. Didn't work out."
Sleeping Dragon: "Travellers? Faugh! What's yer damned business? No travellers come here, ye daft bastard, we're not on the way ta any place! If yer be bringing in one of yer gods-damned plots from the outside then yer should pack off back to Calbrough or wherever yer be from and bugger yourselves!"
Sleeping Dragon: yerselves
Sir Richard: "You should learn to watch your tongue," responded Sir Richard.
Sleeping Dragon: "Shove it up yer arse ye bastard!" the woodsman snorted
Faustus: "If this isn't on the route to Dreyfus then we've missed the path," Faustus said, ignoring the man's rudeness, "Maybe you could tell us where it is?"
Edward (whispering): "You admit it so openly. Many would deny it even here in the hopes of establishing a better reputation."
Sleeping Dragon: "Didn't yer hear me ya brainless arse bandit? This here is tha start of Dreyfus. Keep goin' on that way and ye'll be finding more of it. And if yer be bringing in troubles from tha outside then yer may not come back out again, folk round here are tired of ye damned outsiders coming to hide yerselves here."
Belladonna (whispering): "It's no secret here that everyone has done something... less than noble." Belladonna said, tracing the mark on her face with a delicate finger. "Diferent people seek diferent reputations. Some seek more than one."
Faustus: "We're not hiding anywhere. Thank you for being so helpful." Faustus said, and walked off in the direction the man indicated
Edward (whispering): "More than one? Are you one such? You mentioned different tales of why you are sent ehere."
Sir Richard: Sir Richard walked past the man, but called back "You're lucky I don't want to make any enemies around here. If you're this rude next time I see you, I won't let that hold me back."
Sleeping Dragon: "Be so helpful as to not cause any problems ye addlebrained cockgobbler, and ye'll not have any caused fer ye," the woodsman growled in response.
Edward: "Well...that was excellently handled. I only hope the rest of the people in this town are so charming."
Belladonna (whispering): "A simple name can change you from one person to another. Belladonna the thief... or the sorcerer? Or both? Send people looking in the wrong place, and it gives you some time to prepare. I got careless though."
Sleeping Dragon: the woodsman hawked at spat at Richard. "Hold yer shit-stink breath well away from me ye ugly wanker, afore I go to put me axe in yer fat arse and get confused and put it in yer poxy face by mistake!"
Belladonna: "You wouldn't happen to know a Joran Visenia would you?" Chrys said to the man after the others had moved on a ways.
Faustus: "Dammit, he's going to end up with a maul through his brain if he goes on like that," Faustus muttered to the others
Sir Richard: "I'm surprised it hasn't happened yet," said Sir Richard, gritting his teeth. "If this were back home, I'd have killed him already."
Faustus: "He's just some ratty old bastard," Faustus said, "You can't kill people for being rude. Or at least you shouldn't."
Edward (whispering): A sorceress? I can see how it would be helpful to send people in the twrong direction, but a sorceress? Is that the truth or merely a disguise to scare people?"
Sleeping Dragon: "Hmph, Visenia, what yer be wanting with that knob-gobbler I dinnae know. He dar be living in tha East Town, just keep yer path on that way and ye'll come upon it. Big lot of wood buildings all gathered round like one big merry firetrap. Ask around there when yer get there and ye'll find out exactly where he be, I dinnae know or care ta know where Hanno's little piss-drinker be."
Edward: "Yes. He owes you no obedience, and no nicities."
Sir Richard: "And I owe him no pity."
Belladonna: "Thank you." Chrys said nodding, then following the others.
Faustus: "If he'd attacked us it would be different."
Edward: "Did he ask for any?"
Belladonna (whispering): Belladonna gave a quick laugh. "It's the truth. One of the reasons I was sent here."
Edward (whispering): "Is that why he fears you so?" Ed asked, naodding towards the slump that was Richard.
Sir Richard: "If someone doesn't do something about him, it gives license for everyone to act that way. The way to deal with those sorts is with a weapon. But this is an isle of men who deserve to be dealt with that way, so I'm holding back - for now."
Belladonna (whispering): "Probobly. Think he's afraid of anything he can't clobber, and it's rather hard to clobber some mystical energy."
Faustus: "Deserve? They're just words, and words can't hurt you. How can that deserve to be repaid in injury or death?"
Belladonna: "If you go around killing everyone who insults you, you're eventually going to run up against someone stronger and when that happens, don't expect any help." Chrys cautioned Richard.
Edward: "If he angers everyone, he'll be dealt with in the right way. When he needs help, he'll recieve little, shelter, the same. Killing people who insult you will only turn everyone against you."
Edward (whispering): "I can see that. And Faustus, he is a suorcerer too? What an interesting group."
Sir Richard: "To be part of a society, you're expected to behave a certain way. When you don't, you have to be dealt with. That's all that keeps anarchy away. And I don't plan on needing help. I'm not an idiot. I won't be going to challenge Needle Val - but if he deserved death, I'd do what I could to bring him down in other ways. And I've had enough of this discussion."
Belladonna (whispering): Belladonna nodded. "He seems quite interested in turning people inside out. Wouldn't want to be on his bad side."
Faustus: "So who decided what way you should behave?" Faustus said, not having had enough of the discussion, "What right has one man to say how another man should behave, as long as he isn't harmed by them?"
Faustus: *decides
Edward (whispering): Edward laughed. "Inside out. I'll have to remember that. So do you prefer being called Belladonna, or your real name?"
Belladonna (whispering): "Depends who I'm with. Belladonna for now."
Edward: Leaving Faustus to continue the discussion, Edward turned to Belladonna. "Needle Val? Who is he? I heard him mentioned at the monuments."
Sir Richard: "I said I've had enough," snarled Sir Richard, glaring back at Faustus with more force than he'd shown before toward the sorcerer. He quickened his long strides to move ahead of the others again, shaking his head.
Edward (whispering): "As you wish."
Belladonna (whispering): Belladonna smiled. "We'll see what happens. Think it's time to wake the next person."
Faustus: Faustus stared at Richard's departing back, then turned to Edward, "Needle Val is someone back in Calbrough. He's reputedly an extraodinary fighter, lightning fast, and has five women. That's about it, apart from that he murdered someone after raping his wife in front of him. We've never met him. Probably just as well."
Edward: "Indeed. I would not wish to fight such a man.
Faustus: "I wouldn't mind, as long as I won." Faustus said, "He's a man who seems to be asking for someone to kill him."
Sleeping Dragon: the party headed on deeper into the town. The forest began to thin out as they went, as the Exiles had obviously cut away the trees around their homes, but there were still a very large number about, giving Dreyfus a wild feel to it. Universally wooden homes were scattered haphazardly through the woods. Unlike Calbrough, which was all tightly packed into one place, Dreyfus was widespread, and they'd often walk for a minute or more without any sign of homes. Luckily there were obvious paths which had been taken many times leading in. They soon came to what they assumed was the East Town, built upon a large hill which was mostly clear of trees. Asking around about Visenia they were soon directed to a small, lonely house on the north side of the hill. It was easily recognisable from the very large number of plants around the building - they were told that Visenia was a gardener. In front of the house was a very slight, small man with a watering can going over some plants and humming to himself. He stopped and looked up as they approached.
Faustus: "We're looking for Joran Visenia" Faustus said as they reached the man
Sleeping Dragon: the man nodded slowly and apprehensively. "That's me. Who are you?" he could not keep a somewhat fearful quaver out of his voice
Faustus: "We're investigating the murders of Lorsicus and Aldan," Faustus said, "We were told you might be able to help us."
Sleeping Dragon: "W...why would I know anything about that? I barely know them, they ar...were in Calbrough! I swear I didn't have anything to do with it!" Visenia's eyes were wide as tea cups
Faustus: "We didn't think you had," Faustus tried to reassure the man
Sir Richard: Sir Richard chuckled, shaking his head.
** Belladonna walked forward. "We are looking for a man here who likly did. We were told you could help us. Hanno recomended you." **
Sleeping Dragon: "Then what do you want with me?" Visenia looked positively stricken, visibly backing away from Richard until he heard Hanno's name. He sighed with relief and sat down heavily on the step to his house. "Oh, oh, you're with Hanno, good, I'm sorry, misunderstood you," Visenia wiped sweat from his brow. "Wh...who are you looking for? You think that the killer might be...here?" Visenia looked frightened
** Belladonna looked around to make sure there was no one nearby before speaking. **
Faustus: Faustus stepped back and let Chrysanthe speak, as he seemed to be scaring the man so much.
Sleeping Dragon: Visenia noted Belladonna looking around. "Oh, oh, please, do come inside, and we can talk," Visenia opened his door into a small, comfortable looking home. Flowers were artfully arranged around the main room, and there was a lute lying against a wall. "I...I'm afraid I don't have many chairs, I don't have many visitors," he said apologetically
Sir Richard: "Cry me a river," muttered Sir Richard, but he leaned against a wall.
Belladonna: "That's alright. Nice flowers. Anyway..." Chrys shook her head. "Do you know a Charl Oserus?"
Sleeping Dragon: Visenia looked like Richard had punched him in the belly, but he offered the two chairs around his table to anyone in the party that wanted a seat, remaining standing himself.
Edward: Edward followed them inside, and went to stand near a window, looking out. He kept an ear on the conversation, but Belladona semed to be handling it well.
Sleeping Dragon: "Y...yes, I know the name. Is he here?" Visenia's eyes darted about as if the assassin might be hiding in one of the flower pots. "I...I haven't heard about him being here, I suppose he could be. I know he has some friends in Dreyfus."
Belladonna: "We were told he was headed here. We might have gotten here first, though. Do you know someone who would be better informed about him?"
Sleeping Dragon: "I...well, he could be with some of his friends. Let's see, who did Hanno say to keep an eye on here?" Visenia's eyes rolled up into his head as though he was trying to look at his brain. "Umm...let's see, there's Demetrios, Harven, Arwinias and Corwen, Nalbaracht, and Lucius Marcius that I know he's friends with." Visenia blinked a few times. "The Citizens Coalition people keep a very close eye on who comes in and out, they don't like outsiders much at all...I don't know if they'd want to tell you anything though."
Belladonna: "Who is that?" Chrys asked, regarding the coalition
Sleeping Dragon: "They're a...ah...a group around here. Marius Adrianicus is their leader. They don't like people from the outside - like Charl, or like Hanno for that matter, or anyone that's not from Dreyfus - interfering and trying to influence what happens here."
Belladonna: "Where might we find Marius and the others in the group?"
Sleeping Dragon: "Umm, well, Marius lives in a big building down on the west side of this hill, really easy to find. Uhh...for any others...well...if you see anyone looking at you very suspiciously then it's probably one of them, ha, ha," Visenia's eyes darted about nervously as he laughed at his own joke
Sleeping Dragon: "They don't like Hanno very much though, or me, or anyone that's not one of them. They're not really bad people, though, just a bit uh...xenophobic?"
** Belladonna smiled at the attempt of a joke. "They might be able to help. We'll see." She looked to the others. "Any of you have any other questions?" **
Edward: "Do they dislike all strangers or just ones that meddle in their affairs?"
Sleeping Dragon: "They'd say the latter, but I think the former is more true, depends on which of them it is really," Visenia shrugged, his narrow shoulders looking like some kind of crawling insect as they rose and fell
Edward: "What about others in this town? Do most dislike strangers or is the Council a minority?"
Sleeping Dragon: "Uhh...the Coalition are a minority, yes, not everyone's with them, but they're a plurality, yes. That's a...uh...well you probably know what that means, right?" Visenia laughed nervously. "Uhh...there are a lot of people in town like me, that work for people outside, like...uh...well, all the people in Calbrough, and Lexes, and the Point. Few from outside. Bit more independent here than Calbrough, there are small groups called Fyrds - that's a Greton term - that join together to defend themselves, usually about six to twenty in a group. Then there's the Great Fyrd, they're more...uh...open to outsiders I suppose. Their leader Alan Origen is really friendly with those democrats, Cesenius and Alsman, clash a lot with the Coalition."
Faustus: "Is there anyone who had any connection with Lorsicus?" Faustus asked, "Or maybe had special reason to hate him?
Sleeping Dragon: "Uhh...to Lorsicus? I don't think so. He lived in Calbrough all the time he was here, except when it was destroyed, and he was in Lexes then. Don't think he ever came here."
Faustus: "How about connections with other people in Calbrough, apart from the democrats."
Sleeping Dragon: "Uhm...uh, well, there are a few. Hanno's not really liked here, though a lot of what the Coalition thinks is similar to what we do, really. They want peace and order and such too, just like us. Uhm...well, Manto has a lot of people here, he's always trying to expand his control and take things over. There's one fyrd, led by Nalbaracht, that I told you about earlier - about twenty-five people, quite large, and they've sort of stopped pretending to be anything other than his hand in Dreyfus."
Sleeping Dragon: "Oh, yes, and there's the mercenaries of course, they're sort of connected to everyone and no one."
Faustus: "Mercenaries?" Faustus said enquiringly
Sleeping Dragon: "Uhm, yes, mercenaries, people who fight for money?" Visenia tilted his head slightly. "Oh, right, you want to know who they are, right. Well some of the fyrds are just mercenary groups really, but the main mercenary group is led by that heretic Steff Volenko, the one who says there's no gods. Some people will believe anything, won't they?" Visenia laughed nervously. "They work for whoever will pay them. About fifty in Volenko's group, and there are other groups of about a dozen, some less. They often wander about, go to Calbrough and particularly Lexes a lot. I know Volenko's worked for us before, and then the next week for Manto, then for us again, and then...well, you get the idea."
Faustus: "They work for anyone who'll pay them," Faustus nodded, "What kind of work do they do then?"
Sleeping Dragon: "Whatever you'll pay them for," Visenia shrugged. "Kill someone, burn down a building, some spying, stealing...they take the job and the money, do what they're supposed to, and then stop." Visenia made a sound that was as close to a growl as he seemed able to produce. "People say I'm a coward, and I...I suppose they're right, but at least I believe things and will stand up for them. Sellswords are all the real cowards, they don't care to try to make anything better."
Faustus: "I suppose they see making money as their aim, nothing much else matter to a mercenary," Faustus said, "So might one of these men have been hired to kill Lorsicus do you think?"
Sleeping Dragon: Visenia's eyes widened. "Well...well...I suppose so. Umm...I don't remember any that came back into town a few days after he'd died, of course if they did they might have gone off to Lexes, or stayed in Calbrough, or just hidden in the wild for a little bit, people can do that if they're good enough. Of course when people want to hide they usually come here, we're uh...rather out of the way and spread out."
Faustus: "We saw a man on our way who might have been heading here, but I can't give you a good description - he was thin, and kept hiding among the trees. Seemed a bit strange really."
Sleeping Dragon: "Umm...well...that's strange. Might have been one of those bandits up in the mountains I suppose."
Faustus: "His accent was Falcian," Faustus added, "He didn't seem like a bandit, more like a traveller himself, He was suspicious of us, and headed north."
Sleeping Dragon: "Uhh...I don't know, there are plenty of Falcians about I suppose."
Edward: "Yah, I doubt he was a bandit. He didn't even have a weapon. Clothes were about the same quality as mine. Dark hair. He seemed drirty all over, like he hadn't been clean in a while."
Sleeping Dragon: "Well...uhh...could be anyone, some desperate person out in the wild. Hah, maybe you saw Alam Terweed, although he wasn't a Falcian I suppose, he used to like going and wandering around aimlessly in the woods. Not that I was here then or anything, just what I've heard."
Faustus: "You said 'used to', that's an odd turn of phrase if he can be met wandering about." Faustus remarked
Sleeping Dragon: "Well, uh...no one's seen him for a long time, about thirteen years or so, he vanished. Probably dead. That was long before I got to the Isles though, like I said."
Faustus: "Well, the person we saw didn't look dead," Faustus said, "Although it's possible...." he let the sentence hang.
Sleeping Dragon: "W...what do you mean?" Visenia looked frightened
Belladonna: "You're going to scare him... more than he is already." Chrys whispered to Faustus.
Edward (exit): 00:19
Faustus: "I know, that's why I didn't say any more," Faustus whispered back, "The man we saw was probably a bandit like you said, or just a traveller." he added out loud to Visenia
Sleeping Dragon: "Yes, yes, of course," Visenia sounded like he was trying to reassure himself. "I...is there anything else?"
** Belladonna looked to the others. **
Faustus: Faustus shook his head, "I can't think of anything."
Sir Richard: Sir Richard shook his head.
Belladonna: "I guess not. Thank you for your time."
Belladonna (whispering): Belladonna waited for the others to leave before asking Visenia "Do you know a Artemus around here?"
Edward (enter): 00:25
Attempting to assign the role of PLAYER to (703) Edward...
whispering to Chrysanthe, "Umm...Artemus? Yes, I know Artemus. He's a woodcrafter, fletcher. Think he's with the democrats, lives in the West Town."
Belladonna (whispering): "Thank you." Belladonna said leaving.
Edward: Do you know what Charl looks like, where he's from?
Sleeping Dragon: "Charl? Uhh...well, I've never seen him, but he's supposed to be a very big, tall man. Uhh...mixed up Gald and Adacian, I think. Not sure where he's from exactly. Told he has a few scars, shaven head. Very dark eyes, almost black."
Sleeping Dragon: "I'm fairly sure he knows how to disguise himself though...he is an assassin."
Edward: "True. Well, I don't have anymore questions. But if anyone asks you about this conversation, it'd be best for all of us if you said I didn't participate. I will probably be able to gtalk to more people if they don't think I'm part of some group trying to "meddle int heir affairs," he finished with a smile.
Sleeping Dragon: "Umm...yes, yes, of course, of course, right. Never talked to you at all." Visenia laughed nervously
Edward: "Oh, and is there a tavern that would be busy this time of day?"
Sleeping Dragon: "Umm...yes, there are a few. Uhh...there's the Two Hills not far from here, where the Coalition people tend to hang out, I wouldn't go there unless you want to get in a fight. There's also Alam's Staff, people are a bit friendlier there."
Faustus: "I think that might be the best place to start, rather than getting into a fight straight away," Faustus said, with a smile, "Thank you for your help."
Sleeping Dragon: Visenia looked very pleased to have been thanked. "You're welcome, you're welcome. Good luck."
Faustus: As they left the house, Faustus spoke quietly to Edward, "That man in the woods, did you say he was covered in dirt?"
** Belladonna lagged behind the others and asked Visenia a few questions before following the others. **
Edward: "That's what it seemed like," Edward remarked.
Faustus: Faustus walked along, thinking about this.
Edward: "Why do you ask?"
Faustus: "Just the possibility of him being a dead man walking," Faustus said
Edward: Edward let out a laugh. Then he apaused to look at Faustus' face. "You're...you're serious?"
Faustus: Faustus nodded, "Death isn't the barrier people think it is, it can be circumvented, reversed."
Edward: "You...you know this? You've seen this?"
Faustus: Faustus paused, "I've seen the dead walk, although they were mindless things, but I know it's possible for a person to cheat death as well, if they use great magic."
Edward: Edward seemed visibly shaken, his step interrupted and off-blalance, but hre recovered himself quickly.
Edward: "But...that man...he may have been dirty, but he talked to us, he had a purpose. That hardly seems mindless. And if he was mindful enough tot alk to us, could he not have cleaned himself so as to not be dirty?"
Faustus: Faustus shrugged, "I never saw him, and he seemed alive. And he didn't try to harm us."
Faustus: Disconnecting from server...
Faustus (exit): 02:05
Edward: Edward waited for him to continue. When he didn't, Ed didn't ask anything eslse, deciding he'd heard enough.
Belladonna: "I'm going to check around town for information about Charl." Chrys said. "Edward, you seem to have a sharp eye, would you mind acompanying me?"
Sir Richard: Sir Dick nodded to Belladonna and headed off with the others toward Alam's Staff.
Edward: Edward came out of his reverie and blinked at her. HE considered her suggesteion for a few moments before replying, "It would be my honor, milady," and givin an over-embellished bow.
** Belladonna laughted at Edward's motions. "No need for formalities here. I tried to discourage that back..." She stopped and shook her head. "Anyway, lets find some people." **
Sir Richard: Disconnecting from server...
Sir Richard (exit): 02:16
Edward: "As you will"
** Belladonna nodded and started walking. "I must be slipping." She muttered to herself as she walked. **
Edward: Edward laughed and whispered quietly, "I won't tell...too many people."
** Belladonna looked at Edward impassivly for a few moments before nodding and returning to her path. **
Sleeping Dragon: Belladonna and Edward wandered around the West Town and other parts of the scattered town of Dreyfus, asking questions of those they met. More than a few watched them suspiciously as they went about their business, asking questions about Charl Aldicus.

Edward discovered only that a man of Charl's description had been seen a few times in Dreyfus over the last few days, sneaking about. Belladonna had much more success - a woodsman had noticed Charl in deep conversation with one of Steff Volenko's mercenaries. One man said he had stayed for a night with someone called Arwinias, but another said that two days later he had emerged from the home of one Lucius Marcius. As they went, Edward and Belladonna both tried to make friends among the populace, and both were able to leave a generally positive impression in those they spoke to.

They were about to head to Alam's Staff to meet the others when they overheard two men speaking. "This isn't bloody good, but it's to be expected. Some damn outsiders bringing in more trouble. Shame they burned the place down, Artemus' shop was nice," he shook his head, and the other man murmured in agreement.
Belladonna: "Just a moment." Chrys said to Edward, walking over to the men. "Excuse me, but you know Artemus?"
Sleeping Dragon: "Umm, well, we knew him, yes. Can't really say you know a dead person," the man was tall and thin, with greasy black hair and a glint in his eye that was not entirely friendly.
Belladonna: "What happened to him?"
Belladonna: "If you don't mind my asking."
Sleeping Dragon: "Someone killed him, about an hour or two ago I hear. Burned his shop down and everything, real furore about it over in West Town at the moment as you can imagine."
Belladonna: "Really?" Chrys said, looking down. "Thank you. Sorry to intrude." She said, leaving.
Belladonna: "I'd like to head over there. Someone told me Artemus would be helpful. If he has been killed, it might be by the same person we're looking for." She said to Edward.
Edward: "Sounds good. I think we've learned everything we're going to learn from talking to these people."
** Belladonna nodded. "Should we get the others?" **
Edward: "May as well," he answered and began heading to the tavern.
Sleeping Dragon: Sir Richard and Faustus headed away from Edward and Belladonna and towards the inn Visenia had called Alam's Staff. It was easily identifiable, a large timbered building with a sign out in front with a beautifully drawn picture of a man leaning on a staff. The person looked more ancient than anyone they had seen in the Isles, even Old Jer, perhaps eighty, yet still hale and hearty, leaning upon a carved wooden staff. The sound of pleasant music and general merrymaking floated out from within.
Sir Richard: "I need a drink," grumbled Sir Richard, pushing open the door and entering.
Faustus: Faustus stood back as Richard entered the inn and then followed him, looking around carefully as he did so.
Sleeping Dragon: Within was a great spacious room with over a dozen tables, at which were presently seated a motley collection of seventeen woodsmen, and one woman. There were three guards scattered about the room wielding handaxes. Behind the bar was a thickset and balding man with a round face.

But all of the patrons of the inn seemed far less interesting than the back wall of the room. Where the other walls were solid wood, this one was a great mural clearly painted by an artist of great skill. It depicted a very large number of scenes - they could off-hand see two battle scenes, one set upon a pair of hills which, at a glance, appeared to be the Battle Hills were they had been a few days previous. Upon one side of this battle were humans, and the other the fishmen they had battled upon arriving in the Isles. The second battle pitted human against human. It was set within a great and twisted city built beneath a very tall cliff, and the combatants were weaving their way through narrow, winding alleyways. There were other pictures upon the wall as well - a lean, smiling man upon a ship's deck, three men battling beasts with soot-gray skin, one man fighting a great horde of the same beasts, another plunging down a cliff, and finally a regal, dignified man at the head of a great column of warriors.
Faustus: Faustus was fascinated by the paintings, and couldn't keep his eyes off them as he moved forward towards the bar. "Your round I think," he said to Richard
Sir Richard: Sir Richard gave a quick glance at the paintings and went to the bar as well. "Drinks," he said severely, without clarification.
Sleeping Dragon: "You like them, eh?" the barkeep said proudly to Faustus as he approached, seeing that the necromancer was looking at the paintings. As the pair came near they saw that the barkeep had a wooden leg.
Faustus: "They're wonderful," Faustus exclaimed. "I recognise the Battle Hills, but these others..." he indicated the rest of the mural, "What battles are those?"
Sleeping Dragon: "That other one there is the Battle of the Leap. New to the Isles, or just never been to the Point?" he asked. "Wine, ale, something harder for you?" he asked Sir Richard
Sir Richard: "Ale is fine," he said, waving his hand. "Drink enough, and you can get drunk with anything."
Sleeping Dragon: The barkeep grunted and fetched Sir Richard some ale. "You?" he asked Faustus
Faustus: "I'll have wine thank you," Faustus said, "That city, is there really such a place in the Isles? A city that big?"
Sleeping Dragon: "There's a fair number of people in the Point - ten thousand at least, but usually twenty, lots of people float in and out. Were more back in the Point at the time though, maybe...twenty or thirty thousand," he said, fetching Faustus wine.
Sir Richard: As he drank, Sir Richard finally took some time to look over the paintings, though he also glanced around at the patrons supsiciously.
Faustus: "Can you spare the time to explain the other pictures?" Faustus asked the barman.
Sleeping Dragon: Sir Richard noted that the patrons seemed to be clustered into different groups at the tables - they kept well separate from each other and looked over at those at other tables very warily. "Well certainly," he said with a beaming smile. One of the nearby patrons overheard and groaned loudly as if he had heard what was to come a number of times before. The barkeep waddled over to the paintings, absently smacking his complaining customer over the back of the head as he went. As they came nearer to the paintings Faustus could see the level of detail that had gone into them - all the people depicted bore the Marks of the Exiles, and most of the people in the pictures had unique and individual features. He pointed up to the ship, whose prow was painted with the word BRAZEN in Adacian script. "That happy fellow there is Bragacio, the sailor. If you've seen a map of the Isles anywhere, he either drew it himself, or more likely someone copied his original."
Faustus: Faustus nodded, "We've seen a map back in Calrough. That must have been one of his."
Faustus: *Calbrough
Sir Richard: Sir Richard had soon gulped down his first mug, and gestured toward the barkeep for more.
Sleeping Dragon: the barkeep nodded and pointed to the three warriors. "Those are the First Three. Andrew Solimer, the Hairbow - Armon Gretzel, that is, and Jurgen. Appropriate heroes for the Isles, a traitor, a murderer, and a pederast," the barkeep laughed. In the middle scene, the two men he identified as Andrew Solimer and Jurgen were fighting off their foes with clubs, while the person he called Hairbow was leaning over one of the fallen creatures and tearing at its scalp with his hands. The barkeep glanced back at Sir Richard in annoyance and went to refill his mug.
Faustus: "I know the Solimers were rebels," Faustus said, "Hairbow is a strange name to give a man, how did...Gretzel was it?....get that given to him?"
Sleeping Dragon: "He got it because of that scene," the barkeep said, returning. "The Hairbow is a great archer, at the time they didn't have anything appropriate to make bowstrings of, so they killed some smokelings - those are the creatures there, unpleasant lot of bastards, avoid them if you can - and the Hairbow tore out a great wad of its hair and used it to make bowstrings." The barkeep snorted. "Not very practical, he told me that it messed his aim up something awful, but it was better than nothing."
Sir Richard: Sir Richard was staring vacantly at the wall in front of him, holding his half full mug - though he was partly listening to the conversation.
Faustus: "You painted them all from life?" Faustus asked
Sleeping Dragon: as they looked they could now see that the other three scenes were related to the First Three - each one depicted one of them. Jurgen the pederast was fighting at least eight of these smokelings, bloodied and bruised, his greatsword turned utterly red. The Hairbow plunged down a precipice, seeming to slam down into the side of it as he fell. Andrew Solimer, in the final picture, bore no crown, but his bearing was that of a particularly imperious king as he commanded a host of men. "Well, no. Only ever knew the Hairbow, and only insofar as I talked to him at a bar once or twice when I lived in the Point - Hairbow still lives there. Solimer and Jurgen are dead though."
Faustus: "Hairbow is still alive, after falling down that cliff?" Faustus asked, surprised
Sleeping Dragon: "Falling? Nah, the Hairbow JUMPED off that cliff," the barkeep said with a grin. "Back in the early days, those three were among the first dropped off, with three or four other green fools that died quickly. They fought like madmen to stay alive. For about a year there were only the three of them in the area that's now the Point, had to fight for their lives every day. The War of the Inches, they call it."

"Anyhow, after a year or so some more people showed up, and Solimer led them up in an attack on a little fort some of those smokelings had, the First Forge. They took it and held out waiting for more people, and the defenders all died off again til it was just the First Three and one other fellow. Hairbow went scouting around, hoping more people would show up, and half considering just going off on his own, he told me. That cliff there - which is right smack in the middle of Solimer's Point, you can see it there in the picture of the battle - overlooks the sea, and from up the top of it he happened to see about twenty people down on the shore. He also saw a pack of those smokelings sneaking towards them a distance away.

He couldn't think of any way to warn them - would have shot an arrow but the wind was blowing in his face - and the path he knew down would take too long, so he did the only thing he could and tossed himself off. As I said I used to live in the Point, and that cliff is a hundred foot high at least - Hairbow broke both his legs falling but he managed to crawl the rest of the distance and bring those other folk to the Forge."
Sir Richard: Sir Richard, having finished his second drink, banged the mug once on the table to get the barkeep's attention for another refill.
Sleeping Dragon: "Well I'm glad he bloody appreciates it," the barkeep muttered under his breath, heading back and filling up two mugs for Sir Richard.
Faustus: "Then he is a true hero, whatever he may have done to have been sent to the Isles," Faustus said, gazing at the mural, "And you are a true artist. I never thought I would see such things here. Somehow I expected the Sundered Isles to be all wilderness and wild men, not civilisation and art such as this." He smiled at the barman, "But we haven't introduced ourselves, I am Faustus Marcus Sidonis." He held out a hand.
Sleeping Dragon: "Heh, tell him that sometime, he'll find that real funny," the barkeep laughed. "Name's Joseph Marcellus."
Faustus: "And the man who likes your ale so much is Richard Antonus, known to his friends as Dick." Faustus said with a sideways look at his companion.
Sir Richard: "Sir Richard Antonus," he called, though he'd shown no sign that he'd been listening before.
Sleeping Dragon: "Nice to meet you Dick," said Joe. "Anyhow, more and more people showed up and Solimer took over leadership, eventually drove out the demons and founded Solimer's Point, then other places nearby, expanding outwards. About twelve years ago they discovered that there were other people in the Isles and Solimer went off and led an expedition that discovered the Sea Cities. Was away for a couple years." Joe started to head back towards the painting, indicating that of the Battle of the Leap.

"While Solimer was away he put his friend Josef Armanicus in charge at the Point, but more and more folk showed up and didn't care for how Solimer was running things like he was an emperor. Rallied around this bloke here, Hermann," he indicated one of the men in the picture of the Battle of the Leap, a mighty, shaggy Galdic looking man with a two-handed axe. "Hermann got lots of support, and when Solimer got back from the Sea Cities about two years later, he tried to go back to giving orders the same way he had before. Hermann told him to piss off and so they fought this battle." He indicated a number of people in the picture, first, Andrew Solimer himself, wielding a greatsword, locked in combat with a hugely muscled blond man. "That blond fellow fighting Solimer is Jozain de Lentement, might have heard of him. One of the big men up at the Point." He indicated two others - a lithe, olive skinned Qarakheen wielding a dagger, and leading men to crash into an enemy flank, and a thin, mousy man with a crossbow leading a dozen people stealthily through an alleyway. "Those two are Ibraheen and Cassius Cosio, Hermann's other lieutenants. Now that Hermann's dead, those three have split up his base between them and are fighting amongst themselves, and with others. That's Armanicus there," he indicated a man in chainmail and wielding a warhammer and tall shield. "He and Solimer lost this battle, but Armanicus got revenge for it a couple years ago, killed Hermann in a quick raid."

He indicated one last man, not in the battle, but rather standing up on the cliff, watching the battle, long golden hair streaming behind him, a rapier in his hand and a look on his face that somehow managed to combine joy and horror. "That's Flavius Aresces, used to be one of Solimer's men, but they disagreed over the way things should be run, Solimer wanted another Empire and Flavius wouldn't settle for anything less than a total democracy. Sat up on the cliff and cried as he watched the battle, they say." Joe coughed. "Flavius didn't make it a secret that he...uh...rather liked Solimer a bit more than one man usually likes another, if you understand me, but Solimer didn't lean that way and they couldn't agree on the politics."
Sir Richard: Sir Richard stood up, slightly unsteadily, having finished both drinks set before him. "Thank you, Joe. Good ale, good story." He walked over to Faustus, having to lean on a table, and patted the sorcerer on the back. "You should drink some, my friend. It's good." His voice was still somewhat gruff, and he still was gazing (with rather unfocused eyes) suspiciously at the other patrons, but his manner had lost most of its usual hostility.
Faustus: Faustus listened to the man's tale with fascination, "Yes, we've heard of Jozain. And the name Armanicus is familiar, something about pissing Hanno off by mentioning him I believe."
Sleeping Dragon: "Hmm. Yes, it might well."
Faustus: Faustus watched Richard weave his way over, and prepared for trouble, so he was dumbfounded by the sudden change in Richard's demeanour. "I'll stick with the wine, but you carry on. The ale seems to agree with you."
Sleeping Dragon: "Solimer didn't take the defeat well, told the people in the Point that they'd made their bed and could sleep in it, and then went off to Porcaeus with the Crusaders. After a year or so he got tired there and vanished. Don't know where, but he's not been seen since."
Sir Richard: Sir Richard patted Faustus on the back again, gave a belch, and weaved his way back toward the bar, saying "Another, if you would," to Joe as he went.
Sleeping Dragon: "Your money," Joe fetched Sir Richard another ale.
Faustus: "So he could still be alive somewhere? That's the second person we've heard of who disappeared. Alam was the other."
Sleeping Dragon: "They're both dead," Joe said. "Solimer went missing eight years ago, Alam longer. Lots of people wander off into the wild and never come back again, they're just the most famous around here. Often their bodies get found a couple of years later."
Faustus: Faustus pondered this. "Alam looks like an old man, if your inn sign is anything to go by. How did he come to be sent to the Isles?"
Sleeping Dragon: "Heresy, he worshipped nature."
Faustus: Faustus shook his head in disbelief, "Men are exiled for such strange things," he said.
Sleeping Dragon: Joe shrugged. "It's a mad world."
Sir Richard: Sir Richard didn't seem to be listening. He was now going between laying his head on the bar and sipping from his mug.
Faustus: "The empire certainly is," Faustus said. He studied the murals again, "All these battles, and men fighting. I'm surprised there were no sorcerors taking part."
Sleeping Dragon: Joe raised an eyebrow. "How many sorcerors do you suppose there are about? I don't recall meeting any, though I suppose there must be some."
Faustus: "Magic is forbidden in the empire, at least for us ordinary folk." Faustus shrugged, "I thought there would have been sorcerors sent here over the years."
Sleeping Dragon: "Well there have been some. I think Mayyid was a sorceror, and the Hairbow said to me that one of the people he, Solimer, and Jurgen got dropped off with was one. Caught a smokeling sword in the neck I seem to recall."
Faustus: Faustus nodded, trying to appear as if the question held little interest for him.
Sleeping Dragon: by now several hours had passed since they had left Edward and Belladonna. The inn door opened and a tall, thin man stepped through and headed up to the bar. "G'day Joe," he said, glancing at Faustus and Richard. "Ale please. You hear what happened?"

"Not sure what you mean, Yan," Joe replied.

Yan shook his head. "Been some murders, only an hour and a bit ago. Artemus and his workers. Someone set his shop on fire."
Skyman: Disconnecting from server...
Skyman (exit): 23:37
Faustus: "Murders?" Faustus said, "What happened?"
Sleeping Dragon: Yan glanced over at Faustus. "Like I said, Artemus and his workers just got offed. Who are you anyway, never seen you in here before."
Faustus: "We've just arrived, came in from Calbrough today. It just seemed strange as there'd been murders in Calbrough too, before we came there."
Sleeping Dragon: "Heard that, one of Hanno's and his kid. The Citizens Coalition will be in an uproar about this."
Faustus: "We've heard of the Citizen's Coalition," Faustus said, "Were the men who were killed members of it then?"
Sleeping Dragon: "No, Artemus was with one of the small fyrds. Came here from the Point a few years ago, the Coalition will say that he brought this trouble after him."
Faustus: "Why would that be?" Faustus asked
Sleeping Dragon: "Because they like to blame problems on people from outside Dreyfus," Yan shrugged. "Truth to be told, lots of problems around here have been caused by those from the outside," Joe added. "Dreyfus is out in the middle of nowhere. It's not on the road to anywhere. We've not got lots of iron like they do up at Lexes, and we're not a port like Calbrough. So why does anyone come here?"
Faustus: "Can I tell you something in confidence?" Faustus asked
Sleeping Dragon: "Certainly," said Joe.
Sleeping Dragon: Joe headed over to a secluded and private corner of the bar. "What is it then?" he asked
Faustus: "We, that is myself and Richard over there, and a few others who arrived with us, were given a job by Hanno, to try and find out who killed Lorsicus and his boy, the two murdered in Calbrough. We came here looking for a man called Charl Oserus, who is a likely suspect. Now it seems there are more murders here. I wondered if the two were linked. And whether you know where Oserus is right now. I didn't want to speak openly in the bar - there seem too many factions who might take our working for Hanno amiss. We're not his men - but he did offer us a chance to work and survive when we got here with nothing." Faustus watched Joe to see what his reaction would be.
Sleeping Dragon: Joe looked at Faustus for a moment. "Hmph. Charl Oserus? I know of him. Works for Jozain, but then him and I weren't on the same side so I don't know him well."
Faustus: Faustus sighed, "There are so many sides, we don't know who we're likely to cross. So far we've been attacked twice by men wanting to kill us, one of those just for trying to find out what really happened."
Sleeping Dragon: "Well, yes. I'm not on anyone's side, I stopped caring about things like that after this happened," he indicated his peg leg. "I can't really help you, except to say that you should be glad I'm not with the Citizens Coalition. If you said what you'd just done to one of them, you'd be done and stabbed to death by now."
Faustus: "I had the feeling they might not be very understanding," Faustus grinned, "We're having a hard time avoiding trouble, but it'll come no doubt. Do you have any rooms by the way?"
Sleeping Dragon: "Yes. Do me a favour and don't bring any of that trouble down on me and my inn. I'm too tired to have to deal with assassins and such anymore."
Faustus: Faustus raised his eyebrows, "You had to deal with them in the past?" he asked
Sleeping Dragon: "A bit. Life here is rough. Think I got this because I fell over or something?" Joe indicated his peg leg again.
Faustus: "No," Faustus said, "I thought maybe it was the local wildlife. We've had some fun with the stinkers, and a fishman and some droplets when we were first here. But it seems some of the men here aren't any less vicious."
Sleeping Dragon: "Wait til you meet sticks and deadwoods. People that can't fight don't survive here, just the way it is."
Faustus: "Sticks and deadwoods?"
Sleeping Dragon: "The local wildlife you just mentioned. Deadwoods are big tree like things, not entirely hostile like the stinkers are...well, unless they see you carrying a weapon, or anything else that shows you're from a civilisation more advanced than...well, any civilisation. Tough hides, hard to cut into. Why we all carry these," Joe reached in under his shirt and pulled out a handaxe. "Sticks are their little irritating cousins, sneak in, break things, steal food, occasionally kill a person that's unlucky or unwary."
Sleeping Dragon: "Should definitely get one of these for your big friend there," he indicated Sir Richard with the handaxe. "That maul will bounce off a deadwood, anything but an axe will, and anything bigger than this will get you attacked on sight."
Faustus: "I'll mention it to him, when he's a bit more...normal. He likes his weapons big though, it might take a bit of convincing to get him to carry one of those."
Sleeping Dragon: "Hmm. Well, first deadwood he meets will either convince him or kill him." Joe shrugged and waddled back over to the bar
Faustus: Faustus returned to the bar to wait for the others.

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