Act I: Heros Arrive at Addler Stop -or- License to Steal

Watching the gnome dash down the road, Arthas turned to Olek smiling happily "That went well don't you think? We get to help the town AND look for Master Weston's relic."
Arthas was practically bouncing down the road toward the crypt, smiling broadly at every passerby "Do you suppose the relic is the thing causing the dead to move around? Probably right? I hope so, that way the mayor will understand that we need to take it. We'll have to tell her of course."
Slowing slightly Arthas turned to Olek again, stating matter of factly. "Of course we need to take it back to master Weston regardless Olek; it's a danger to the town just by being in a crypt so close by. Brigands may hurt someone while trying to steal it and they wouldn't put it in a museum for everyone to learn about like master Weston, no sir! It's better that we take it away from here Olek, so don't you worry about that."

Olek dusted off his bleached tan leather, flicking a bug off of the embroidered drinking skull, and smiled at Arthas. "It went exactly as planned-- a good start." He paused, furrowing his brow.



"I do not know very much about magic, but it is quite the coincidence that the noble was buried with the artifact, and the dead started rising soon afterwards like these villagers say," he continued as he pulled out a cube of dense bread, and a small bit of cheese that seemed to have some sort of spice on it.



He began slicing the cheese and bread as he spoke. "It is hard to believe these tales of undead. Last I remember hearing about such things was years ago in taverns-- legends of men entering corrupt mausoleums with fine blades, shining armor, and heroic intent," he paused to chuckle, and continued. "Kind of like us, and coming out barely sane, wielding makeshift mauls and maces, muttering how only beating the barebones into fine powder stopped them, how the blades simply bounced off the bones and went between ribs, blows that would kill a man doing naught against these magical monstrosities." He handed Arthas a hearty piece of bread with the spiced cheese, and began munching on his own bit.


"Are you ready, priest, to slay these undead? You are trained to do this, no?"

Olek wolfed down the cheese and bread, pulled out his waterskin, and took a long swig. Sighing contentedly, he put away the remaining bundle of rations.

"Killing? Killing is very easy for necessity. Rabbits, foxes, deer-- you eat them or you die with them. Wolves, bears, and scarier things-- you kill them or be killed by them. You do it fast, so they don't suffer, and that is that. Humans?" A dark look comes over Olek's face, and then he brightens up. "We are not killing humans. In fact, we are not killing at all-- if it is dead already, how can we kill it? We cannot, we are simply destroying. It is like door-- if door is in your way, you destroy it," at which he chuckles. "This time the door will fight back with swords and darkness, but it is very much the same, I would think."

A pause.

"Fighting is instinct and skill. I never saw training as useful-- most of the time don't get hit and hit where it hurts are simple enough to remember even when you are stupid with adrenaline. That said, I am sure your training will prove useful to keep yourself together", he said as he grinned reassuringly.

Jaz takes a step back as Mercator stands and stretches, "Absitively things went well, and truth be told this gnome did take a look around the Mayor's office, but there was not anything of real value--not that stealing during a job interview would be appropriate." Jaz winks.