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-----Gimplefwick gazes imploringly at the paladin, "It is our only hope that we can find a wizard mighty enough to change him back to what he once was. Yet so few mages are willing to work for the pittance that we can offer, for we are but humble merchants with only the one cart that you see here. If only we could raise the many gold pieces it would cost to help him...but it would cost more than all of our merchandise and probably everything that you and your friends have."
-----Gimplefwick gazes at the bound orc pityingly, then looks at the paladin, "But enough of our problems. The least we can do would be to help you with your problems. Slappy would have wanted it that way." Gimplefwick turns away and buries his face in his hands and his shoulders began to shake as sobbing and wailing sounds emanate from him.
-----Seth reaches over and grips Gimplefwick's Shoulder, "It will be all right. I am sure some pure and unselfless person shall come to Slappy's aid." Seth suddenly goes ridged and a look of amazement comes over his face. He smiles and then turns to the Paladin. "You know maybe we can help you, last week we camped with some traders heading east and they told us to beware of certain things. One was troubles at night from animals and the other was about a band of no good wagon jumpers. Now he even gave us a description of those no good brigands. He said 'They all wear leather and swords and ride horses. There is a dumb-looking one called Horace with big muscles, curly black hair and amber eyes, an evil-looking woman with short black hair, and another man with sandy brown hair and strange looking ancient eyes.' Anyway that’s what these traders said. They also said they were heading to Hearthorn. Something about desecrating a temple." Seth now turns to regard his companions, "Maybe I missed some of the detail about what that trader told us, but I believe we should support our temples and their Avatars!!"
-----Kazel adds, "Is the name Nodeus familiar to you? They mention those thugs are working for someone by that name, too."
-----As Gimplefwick relates his "Slappy" story, the paladin listens intently. At first, a grimace of annoyed disbelief passes over his face. Then as the Dread Pirate finishes with a sob, the paladin’s eyes reflect a look of suspicion.
-----However, as Seth gives forth his information, Lotley listens intently again and slightly nods. He then dismounts and answering Kazel, he says, "I have not heard of one named Nodeus before, but I thank you, MiLady, for thy and thine companions’ words."
-----He looks in the wagon to get a closer look at "Slappy". Suddenly, he exclaims, "By the Holy Redeemer! Thou art telling me thy companion now has the form of an orc?" His shocked expression is then exchanged for one of deep thought. "The only wizard I know of that might help thy friend of his plight would be the Lord Wizard Zepharon!" He then straightens and looks at the trio.
-----Gimplefwick nods his head sadly at Lotley's exclamation, "Aye, he has been turned into an orc. Why else would we travel with such a creature? It is my fear that we will never be able to take him back to his family. His poor wife and twelve children will be devastated. They can't possibly support themselves without Slappy's income. What little assistance we can render unto them won't even scratch the surface of what they need to survive. Without Slappy they will soon be destitute and starve or turn to a life of crime. And they were such a goodly and pious family, always going to church and tithing. What a terrible fate."
-----Gimplefwick looks hopefully at the paladin, "But you say you know of a wizard who can help? Surely he will demand some sort of payment though, at least to cover his costs for such a spell. And wizardly components are so often costly things, from what I've heard."
-----The diminutive halfling sighs and stares at the sky, "Yet we've bothered ye enough with our tale of woe. Surely ye have good and holy deeds to go and perform. Don't be troublin' yerself on our account. Or the account of Slappy and his family. I imagine that they'll make do somehow. Though it'll be tough, what with little Timmy bein' all crippled up and needin such close care from the physicians and clerics. If only some beneficient deity were to be lookin down right now, I know they'd send some sort of help for poor Slappy."
-----Gimplefwick buries his face in his hands again and commences making sobbing noises. While doing so, he discreetly plucks a few nose hairs, making his eyes water convincingly.
-----"The Lord Wizard? But how might we go about seeing him?" Kazel pats sympathetically on Gimplefwick's back, but with substantially more strength than it looks to get him to tone down the melodrama (and to help him cry better). "As my companion here is saying, surely he wouldn't see just anyone such as us commoners?"
-----"Ah, but my good people! Thou wouldst cut me to the quick! Know ye that the righteous arm of Joren dwells in the court of Hearthorn! All of Lord Lambert’s Court stands at the ready to provide aid to any subject in need! Perhaps I can partition the Lord Wizard on thy behalf!" Here the paladin, with his arms folded in front of him, stands tall before the trio, his eyes gleaming with strength and hope.
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