Korkas caught up with the strange woman "Slow it down there. I'm the one that started this particular set of deeds. Don't you be leaving me out of returning that blasted book." he mutters after than as they walk to damn fast for his short legs.

With the party splitting up for the moment, the dwarf who had been driving the wagon all day turned the mare in the direction of the brewery to return the wagon.

Father Calmert smiles. "Lets step inside and discuss St. Cuthbert." he says.

link to a message in this game

Kossoth takes the time to head to the local jeweler to help break up the harder to sell pieces of treasure.

In reply to Kossoth Zan (msg # 59):

I am following my err lady as he follows Yaoti, a pillow talk is it and chuckles.

Korkas runs out the door of the in, only to stop in his track as he sees the sight. The rain was washing grime and dirt off Korkas as he stood there, and then he began moving closer first circling the bear and looking to see if he could tell what happened from a distance

"By the beard of Moradin!"

"That bear must weigh a thousand pounds.  How many did it take to lift it up?  The bear wasn't there 45 minutes ago.  I was looking at that area."

"Take a look for footprints or maybe evidence of wagon wheels under or near the body!"

He thought someone should run and get Jaroo, but he remembered all those stories he heard as a child of what happened to the one person separated from the group.

Whispering to himself, "This is how wars or riots get started."  And this was the perfect place for folk to get pitchforks and torches.

Korkas looked back and forth between the two approaching group of men, obvious tension was in the air. He debated on sides to pick, but he had no particular side he preferred, Father Calmert had aided him the day before though and he owed some debt for that. "Hey now all this rain ain't good for that armour and weapons. Perhaps ye may want to talk this over over an ale instead of beating each's others brains in?" Korkas called out towards the men.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:23, Tue 04 June 2019.

The dwarf was not in the middle, but he moved quickly to check out the scene before any battle erupted.  He in particular tried to take in observations of which he had already suggested.

Althiöf while checking around the base of the bear for any evidence can clearly see a trail of blood leading on the ground away from the bear and towards the direction of the church. From the tracks it looks like their were more than one person surrounding the bear though, and likely more than one that hefted the bear up off the ground to hang it. From the impressions in the mud under the tree.

Townsfolk have already started to come out of their houses to see what is happening. The rain continues to come down, the thunder echos across the nearby Kron hills, and lighting strike flashes illuminate the sky.

In reply to Dungeon Master (msg # 67):

Korkas moved forward to put himself in between both groups (R21) looking to both as he spoke loudly towards each group "Hey I like a good tumble as much as anyone else... maybe more. But let's not spill some blood today? Let's go inside for that mug of ale. Or if you prefer something stronger. I'll buy."

Father Calmert looks to Korkas who has positioned himself between the two groups. "This has nothing to do with you Friend!" calls out the Priest. "This has been a long time coming." he adds. Jaroo spits on the ground. "Only because you came into Hommlet and started demanding that people worship your god, the Old Faith was here before and will continue to be here. No one wants St. Cuthbert here. Especially a god that demands payment, and personal sacrifice." He says. Father Calmert grips his mace tighter, his white knuckles slick with the rain. "The Old Faith is no longer what the people what. The Old Faith has done nothing to protect them from the many wars this region has see, It's done nothing to protect them from Iuz and his followers. Your faith is unguided." he yells. Jaroo laughs. "And what has your god done, other than let its Priests demand the money from those that need it most, You make people pay to worship your god, and your god does nothing!, Nothing!, and now one of yours ends up killing my bear, MY BEAR!, Who I have had as a companion for years!" screams the Druid. Father Calmert doesn't deny the accusation other than say. "And your members desecrated our Church, and poured out curses all over the church grounds during our evening sermon. You started this war, and if we have to finish it we will!" he yells.

"Hey, it may not involve me but it does involve Hommlet and it's people. We have a funeral for a person who also cared for Hommlet and the travelers around here. Are you going to sully his name by spilling blood? If you both want good for Hommlet than you don't want this." Korkas yelled to the men, obviously annoyed.

Althiof daggers under his cloak are put back in their sheathes.  He the opens his cloak and removes it's hood, allowing himself to begin becoming wet.

"Jaroo and Father Calmert, I have something I need to talk to you about."  He walked away from the bear (to U16).  "I request a parley with both of you.  I have important information we should talk about momentarily and privately.  If you feel my words have no weight, I will get out of your way and remain neutral."

"Please, do not spill blood until you hear me.  Please come over here."

Kossoth was glad his cup was filled with water so the rain didn't dilute anything important.  Catching the end of the yelling he slowly made his way towards Korkas and when he got close _(R18) he simply let the one end of his double spear.  He wasn't about to add more talking to the argument but he might add something depending on how Korkas and the two sides acted.

Storm walks along the priest and stops when he sees his companions. He keeps his sword sheathed and walks near Kossoth.

The commotion down on the muddy street below drew Virius' attention.  He had been resting in his room after studying and scribing in is spellbook, but the raised voices of the holy men proved to be too much of a distraction.

He came downstairs and exited the inn.

"What's all this then!?"  He asked no one in particular, sizing up the situation.

He looked between the priest and the druid, sparing them equal time under his judgmental gaze.

"This is beneath both of you," The noble said, his voice authoritative.  "And it is certainly beneath the dignity of this fair village to see its respected elders act so."

"Would you allow your blind distaste for one another to so cloud your vision that you do not see what is going on?"

He paused for a moment to ensure they were listening.

"It is likely that someone has maneuvered you to this place — to this exact outcome.  You are being pitted against one other as pawns would be marshaled upon a chessboard."

"Would you draw weapons and see their plan fulfilled?  Or would you calm yourselves for a moment and ask the most obvious question ..."
This message was last edited by the player at 00:20, Wed 05 June 2019.

Storm weighs in using his limited knowledge of religion,"Sir Priest and Sir Druid! Both of you are well respected leaders in this town. Both I believe want to propagate your beliefs for the good of the people! both of you want the best for the people! Both of you want to do good I believe! By fighting each other are you not bringing pain to your followers? are you not bringing pain to the townsmen? Are you not destroying the town? I urge you to stop, talk and think before this beautiful town is crushed under the weight of the feud! The quarrel is long but nothing is too impossible to solve! I urge you both to listen to wish my companion has to say and parley before warring. To walk the talk of your beliefs!"'he says this with as much passion as he can muster..

In reply to Stormrider Truesight (msg # 75):

Ali stands back a pace, stating to no one but to have all here him, Well, by the looks and size of that bear, I say more then a few could have brought the poor bear down.  I see no true power in the priests physical strengths for alone it could have taken at least a dozen strong men to equal the bear.  Where I ask are the dead from the fight - how could the bear be hoisted up so quickly with so few in attendance? 

Hearing the others chime in Yes, do not be foolish, your both good respectful elders here, someone or thing is pitting you against each other so as to widdle the strong down and make the whole of Hommlet weak.

Sighs "Do not let an evil gain hold of your grove druid nor your church priest for if you both go to arms you will make the evil stronger and you weaker.  Parley and use your wisdom to work this out"

Ali then steps back to avoid any further conflict if it occurs then he looks about, in the shadows and around the whole village including roof  tops from where he stands to see if he can see anything out of the ordinary.  Maybe the evil is watching to see the outcome.

Father Calmert and Jaroo both back down. With the number of people stepping up and telling them not to bring violence, it allows them to take a moment to cool their heads. The two of them clearly hate one another, and the others beliefs, that much is easily seen. Father Calmert speaks up first. "You are all new to Hommlet, you did not see what this town looked like before the Church arrived. Before St. Cuthbert arrived and brought his divine grace to this village." Jaroo shakes his head. "You and your Elders, preyed on our people, we were fine believing in nature, and the old faith. You brought with you a religion that takes away the fortunes, and then when they can't pay you spread rumors throughout the community for others not to deal with them, you tell your congregation to shun them, ignore their pleas. What kind of God does that?" the druid asks, he is still keeping his head for now. Father Calmert glances to the bear and then back to Jaroo. "Now you know what it feels like to loose something that you love, your constant rebellion against our faith is a strike to all of our followers. You started this war, its not going to end over a few people from out of town trying to calm us down." he says. "They are right about one thing, we shouldn't spill the blood on the streets, My Acolytes are trained in martial combat, equip with weapons of quality, what do your's have, sickles, and scythes, shovels. It wouldn't even be a fare fight." he says. Jaroo on the verge now of starting up again is stopped by one of the men behind him. "Jaroo, please let us go, we can put to rest your bear in the grove. These people are right, we shouldn't fight here." he says. Jaroo looks to the bear and shakes his head. "This is not over Calmert, this is far from over." he says. The three then move towards the bear and untie it as gentle as they can, carefully lowering it to the ground. Jaroo and the others start figuring out a way to transport the bear back to the grove.

Father Calmert watches on for a few moments and then turns to the Acolytes. "Lets go back to the church and check on Brother Jaydon." he says. Father Calmert and the others start walking back towards the church.

[ Ali, Stormrider, Virius, Kossoth, Althiof, Korkas are all awarded 200 XP for preventing the St. Cuthbert / Old Faith Fight from happening. ]

Storm thinks through what was said. He feels that the church is indeed very extreme to have done what it did in ostracizing people who are unable to pay the dues and remembers the apprentice. He resolves to speak to the priest some day when he has more clout. For now, he asks his companions to retreat to the inn to discuss the next move

Korkas watches the men a moment and nods as Father Calmert turns to head back to his church. He walks over to those tending the bear "Perhaps I can be of some assistance? You got a cart or wagon?

The locksmith has been closest to the bear throughout the incident.  He looked to the senior druid, "Jaroo, my sympathies and condolences."

Hearing Korkas' offer and suggestion, the dwarf replied, "It might be difficult to lift the bear into a cart or wagon.  I think it would be easier to use a barn door or something as a sled."