Don't Drink the Water!

[Volgathras]

From Alehkzan's eyes..

The Central Square of Val Miran

[Exits: north east south west up]

The Golden Banner of Val Miran blows in the wind here.

The official Tribunal Roll Call has been posted here.

A granite fountain is here filled with water for the thirsty.

Brak is here, sitting astride an elephant.

(Charmed) (White Aura) Hobbes is here, hanging around with Grum.

Grum is here.

Grum says in a whisper, 'Keep your voice down Hobbes!'

Alehkzan smiles warmly and says ' What is all the yelling for?

Hobbes blushes and whispers, 'Oh, right sir.'

Hobbes says 'Nothing citizen! Nothing to see here!'

Hobbes looks over his back a moment to make sure none of the citizens in the commons are watching too closely.

Grum pulls Brak closer into the huddle.

Alehkzan smiles warmly and says ' Secrets are not nice, you know. My Uncle taught me that.

Brak keeps his voice low 'How do we test it?'

They continue to whisper over the bag labeled 'EVIDENCE' while Grum frowns.

Alehkzan smiles warmly and says ' Tests? I like tests.

Brak glares over his shoulder at Alehkzan.

Alehkzan smiles warmly and says ' Maybe I can help?

Grum motions for silence. 'Hobbes, you take this bag to Rheydin.

Brak takes a small step backwards.

Hobbes says 'Sir my prize carrier pigeon will do the trick.'

Grum nods at Hobbes.

Grum says 'Fine. Call pigeon.'

Alehkzan smiles warmly and says ' Sounds too important to trust a third party. But that's just my opinion.

Hobbes produces a whistle from his belt pouch. He places it to his thin lips and blows on it hard for a few seconds.

Hobbes says 'Nonsense young man! Obviously you've never meet Dolly.'

Grum drops a bottle of milk.

A bottle of milk shatters into a million pieces!

Brak says 'A fine specimen I'm sure.'

Hobbes says 'Sir! Glass in the streets? REALLY?'

Hobbes sacrifices some broken glass in the name of Faith.

Alehkzan smiles warmly and says 'A fine carrier, I'm sure. But my Uncle always said if you wanted something done right, you're best bet is to make sure yourself it is done.

Hobbes smiles as Dolly appears from the skies above and lands gracefully on his shoulder. He feeds her a little treat and attaches the bag to her foot with a strong piece of twine.

Brak looks at the pigeon with interest.

Brak says 'Strong pigeon!'

Alehkzan rubs his swollen temple, being delicate around the bruise.

Brak looks at you.

Grum smiles as Dolly flaps her powerful wings and ascends into the air, heading towards Rheydin.

Brak says 'Someone hit you?'

Hobbes says 'Such a good girl that Dolly.'

Alehkzan sighs audibly, 'Eh, just a rafter that crashed down.

Hobbes examines Alehkzan's temple. 'Why that looks like the mark of an illithid's tentacle!'

Grum yells out his warcry.

Grum yells 'STONE FIST of the EMPIRE!'

Brak says 'Building a house?'

Alehkzan chuckles, 'No, that couldn't be. My Uncle told me it was a rafter.

Brak says 'Does your uncle hit you?'

Alehkzan shakes his head. 'Of course not.

Brak moves closer to Alehkzan

Alehkzan smiles warmly and says ' My Uncle is a fine man, he would not do such a thing.

Brak says 'He must keep close watch over you.'

Alehkzan smiles warmly and says ' He taught me the ways of a Paladin, he was always there for me.

You smile at him.

Brak says 'Was?'

Alehkzan smiles warmly and says ' Aye. I am sure if I needed him, he'd be there again. But, I am on my mission now.

You smile happily.

Brak nods.

Brak says 'Well you need to watch for those rafters!'

You smile happily.

Alehkzan fumbles a locket over in his hands, the gold chain dangling off his palms.

Alehkzan smiles warmly and says ' I will.

Alehkzan smiles warmly and says ' Is there more of what you're looking for in that fountain?

Hobbes glances at Alehkzan and then nods to the Marshall. 'Looks good sir.'

Grum says 'Fountain ok? Good Hobbes.'

Hobbes smiles at Alehkzan and says 'Everything is fine, concerned citizen.'

Hobbes says 'Though I would be careful in drinking from that fountain.'

Brak says 'I wouldn't recommend it.'

You nod.

Hobbes says 'You may use any of the others located in Val Miran.'

Alehkzan smiles warmly and says ' I will be sure to warn anyone who comes by.

[Volgathras]

Grum says 'Come Hobbes, we take break.'

Alehkzan starts to daydream and then absent mindedly take a long drink from the fountain.

You drink water from a granite fountain.

Your thirst is quenched.

Hobbes shrieks!

Hobbes says 'Wait Commissar!!'

Hobbes says 'Are you alright citizen?!'

You say 'What? What is it? ...oh, I don't feel so good.'

Alehkzan stumbles around the commons as if drunk.

Hobbes cringes in terror!

Brak rummages around in his pack.

Brak says 'This isnt good.'

Grum pushes off of the fountain and runs to Alezhkzan's side.

The pain gets you to your feet.

Your hunger grazes you.

Grum orders Alehkzan sharply, 'Sit down moment.'

Alehkzan collapses from exhaustion.

You rest.

Hobbes says 'Milk sir! It will help to coat the stomach!'

Brak leans in to take a closer look.

Grum nods at Hobbes.

Grum gets a bottle of milk from a sturdy backpack.

Grum gives you a bottle of milk.

Grum says 'Drink.'

Hobbes says 'It might help neutralize the poison!'

Alehkzan quickly consumes the milk, every last drop.

You drink milk from a bottle of milk.

Your thirst is quenched.

Brak looks at you.

Brak says 'Better?'

Hobbes notices a mob starting to gather around the boy. 'Brak help me control this crowd!'

Alehkzan tilts the bottle upwards, shaking it to verify every bit of milk is gone.

Brak stands up spreading his gigantic arms around.

Grum eyes the building crowd with caution. 'Citizen's of Val Miran. All well here.

Brak steps in front of Alehkzan to cover him.

A well-off citizen walks east.

Alehkzan shakes uncontrollably, projectile vomit spewing from his mouth.

A well-off citizen walks west.

Through Grum and Brak's efforts the crowd disperses.

Hobbes continues to monitor the young man. 'This is not good sir!'

Brak peaks over his shoulder to check on Alehkzan.

Alehkzan curls up into the fetal position near the fountain, a good sweat has begun to form on his brow.

Brak turns around quickly, dropping to Alehkzan's side.

Brak says 'We're going to have to move him'

Brrrrrrrrr.

Alehkzan cries, 'It's so cold.'

Brak says 'Hang on!'

Hobbes gets his hankerchief from his coat pocket. He wets it from the fountain and puts it on Alehkzan's feverish head.

Brak drops a large blanket onto alehkzan.

Brak says 'Did he drink the water?'

Alehkzan sighs miserably, 'Th-thank y-you....

Hobbes says 'Quickly let's take him to my cottage!'

Hobbes says 'My wife Helda will help nurse him!'

Grum nods.

Grum beckons for everyone to follow.

Grum says 'Grum know way.'

You now follow Grum.

Alehkzan manages miraculously to get to his feet with the assistance of a few able bodies and the support of the fountain.

Hobbes holds Alehkzan steady.

Grum says 'Ralos way, on the double!'

A quick trip to Ralos way ensues...

Ralos Way

[Exits: north (east) south]

Brak is here, sitting astride an elephant.

Grum is here.

Hobbes walks in.

Hobbes opens the door east of you.

Grum flies east.

Hobbes walks east.

You follow Grum.

A House in the Northern Ralos District

[Exits: west]

(Charmed) (White Aura) Hobbes is here, hanging around with Grum.

Grum is here.

Brak rides in.

Hobbes closes the door west of you.

[Volgathras]

A House in the Northern Ralos District

You are in a small house in the Ralos District. It's

small, but cozy. The residents are middleclass, and

seem to be well bed, if nothing else.

[Exits: (west)]

Brak is here, sitting astride an elephant.

(Charmed) (White Aura) Hobbes is here, hanging around with Grum.

Grum is here.

Hobbes yells 'HELDA, WE NEED YOU!!'

Brak peers at you intently.

Alehkzan slouches onto a nearby piece of furniture, sweat has saturated most of his clothing now.

A large but pleasant woman emerges from the kitchen with a look of concern. 'Yes dear? What is going on!' Grum answers the woman, pointing to the boy. 'He sick. Need your help!'

Brak steps out of the way.

Hobbes says 'Yes dear, no time to explain!'

Hobbes says 'We think this young man has been poisoned!'

Alehkzan begins vomitting again. He cocks his head to the side, attempting not to soil anyone near him.

Alehkzan cries, 'I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to.

You drop to your knees and vomit violently!

Helda frowns slightly to Grum, Brak and her husband Hobbes. 'I'll see what I can do. Let me get the herbs ready. Good thing I have some spare blue.. wait a minute..'

Helda gasps! 'Quickly Grum. Head down into the basement and get me my herbs!'

Hobbes opens the trapdoor below you.

Hobbes says 'This way Marshall!'

Grum flies down.

Brak rides down.

Hobbes walks down.

Grum flies in.

Hobbes walks in.

Brak rides in.

Hobbes closes the trapdoor below you.

Brrrrrrrrr.

Hobbes says 'Here my love, we got them!'

Alehkzan chokes now as he tries to speak, his airway beginning to close. 'All I eve..ever wanted.' His words seem to disappear. '...who...who I was...'

You are hungry.

Brak says 'Is he ok?'

Alehkzan passes out, his lifeforce beginning to wane.

You go to sleep.

You are hungry.

Brak wakes you.

You wake and stand up.

Alehkzan rolls over, holding his stomach. He grimaces, but is unable to speak. 'Uugngnghhh...'

Brak reaches over and holds Alehkzan's mouth open.

Brak says 'Now'

Helda quickly prepares the mix and hands it to Grum. 'No no! He'll have to inhale the smoke from this mixture. It's the only way.'

Brak says 'Oh my'

Brak leans over grabbing Alehkzan's arms.

Brak says 'Hey you!'

Brak says 'Wake up, for just a minute!'

You are hungry.

Your hunger grazes you.

She continues, 'He won't be able to hold anything down! Grum give him the mixture! Brak light the herbs!

Brak taps on Alehkazan's face.

Grum gives you blue dried leaves.

His eyes start to roll back in his head as Alehkzan's begins to lapse into a coma. 'Ugngnghghh....'

You light blue dried leaves and begin to smoke it.

You are filled with energy as your metabolism increases!

Your withdrawal pains subside.

You are starving.

Your hunger hits you.

Hobbes says 'It looks like it's working!'

Grum gets a bottle of milk from a sturdy backpack.

Alehkzan blinks once. Twice.

Brak rubs the sweat from his forehead.

Grum looks at you.

You are starving.

Your hunger injures you.

Brak gives a small pat on Alehkzan's shoulder.

'For Erana's sake Grum! Give him some milk!' Helda exclaims.

Grum feeds you with a bottle of milk.

You drink milk from a bottle of milk.

Brak says 'You're going to be fine there.'

Alehkzan breathes heavily, still unable to talk.

You rest.

Alehkzan begins to cry as he looks around the room at everyone hovering over him.

Brak peers at you intently.

Brak says 'Hey you, little fellow'

Brak says 'Wake up.'

'Now give the boy some time, he's lost a lot of fluid. Bring him the guest room, it's on the right Grum. Carry him will you?' Helda asks.

Grum nods to Helda, 'Of course.'

Hobbes mutters to himself and whispers 'If only I could get away with giving the Marshall orders like that.. why.. I'd..'

Brak chuckles politely.

Grum gently lifts Alehkzan in his massive arms and walks him into the guest room. He places the boy's weary body on the bed.

[Volgathras]

Alehkzan groans as his body is moved from the position it has been in for hours.

Alehkzan looks at Grum and tries to speak, but cannot. The look in his eyes is one of gratitude.

You are thirsty.

You are hungry.

The pain gets you to your feet.

Your hunger hits you.

Brak says 'A job well done!'

Brak says 'Saved that boys life'

Grum returns your look with one of compassion, one rarely seen on his stoic face. Helda pipes in once more from the other room, 'FEED HIM!'

Alehkzan manages to reach beside the bed into one of his backpacks.

Grum gets a bottle of milk from a sturdy backpack.

Grum feeds you with a bottle of milk.

You drink milk from a bottle of milk.

You smile at him.

Brak says 'Looking better already'

Hobbes shouts to his wife, 'Yes dear, we're on it! Why don't you go relax?'

Alehkzan gets his favorite blanket from a sturdy backpack and holds it close as he rolls over onto his side and into a more comfortable position.

Hobbes moves Brak and Grum over to the corner of the room as the boy rests. 'Something is wrong with that fountain..'

Grum says 'And boy memory..'

Grum says 'Wonder if.. fountain do that?'

Hobbes says 'No no, silly.'

Brak sits down and thinks deeply.

Hobbes says 'I mean sir!'

Grum glares at Hobbes.

Hobbes says 'Permission to speak freely sir?'

Grum says 'Granted.'

Hobbes says 'I think those watchers are up to something..'

Grum shrugs helplessly.

Brak says 'I will keep a closer eye on all our water sources.'

Grum says 'How can we tell?'

Brak says 'I will stand watch over them.'

Alehkzan groans again slightly but the fever seems to have dissipated at last.

Hobbes says 'Well.. that vial you found in the fountain.'

Grum glances at the boy.

Hobbes says 'It bears some interesting druidic runes.'

Hobbes says 'Such runes can only be from their encampment.'

Brak growls.

Grum thinks quietly to himself.

Alehkzan rolls over again in the bed. His eyes close as he drifts off to sleep.

You go to sleep.