Stopping The Addiction

[*Selebius]

"If we run something similar we need to make sure the food is not poisoned, too. But it is a good idea I think.

As for that mage.... he never told us much about himself or where he came from. But he seeked out filth and drew power from blood and... those seals and glyphs."

[*Selebius]

Eman nods and climbs out of the hideout, once again trying to find some volunteers- people brave or desperate enough to face the darkness that lurks in the Hive.

Seja and two of Khari's guards stay and there is a bit of silence before the woman asks:

"So what next? Try to find that spellslinger? Or do you have another target in mind?"

[*DarkArc]

Khari was no expert of the Arcane, but her druidic knowledge was good enough to know this wizard was not one to take lightly if he was tapping into such dark powers.

"I want to go check on those two addicts we recovered. After that, I'll want someone who can run the soup kitchen for me. I'll provide the food and pay while the ones at the kitchen will be responsible for passing out the food and guarding it from getting contaminated if the Putrid Hand tries anything."

[*Selebius]

One of the guards speaks now: "My sister in law worked at an inn for some time. In the kitchen. She could do the cooking. I mean.. could ask her."

With this he leaves quickly, leaving Khari and the last guard alone with Seja.

"Shall I show you to the addicts?", the last guard asks.

[*DarkArc]

Khari nodded. "Let's go." The ranger went to the old cellar where the addicts were kept.

[*Selebius]

Arriving there she sees the guards had to bind those victims- the rope coiled several times around the limbs to lessen the pressure and decrease the possibility of damage whehn they struggle.

"Withdrawal", one of the guard says. "They started hurting themself whenever they want the drug it seems." He looks down at the whimpering creatures. "Not much we can do here."

[*DarkArc]

Khari sighed, never seeing such a violent withdrawal before. "The best we can do is try to lessen the symptoms until their bodies completely purge themselves." The ranger handed the Hivers a jar of poppy's milk, a poultice of peppermint for soothing cuts, and a few other pain-lessening herbal remedies.

"I just hope they don't die from their symptoms. I'll check back with all of you soon."

With that done, Khari would rendezvous to see Eman.

[*Selebius]

The man takes the supplies and nods. "Will do what I can. But can not promise they will survive. Eats away their bodies, you know."

Still Khari feels they do their best- trying to fight this drug which properties they can only guess about.

Eman was quite successful and proudle shows Khari the 'warriors' he gatherd- hard men and women, some even with real weapons and parts of stolen or salvaged armour.

"The best we can get. But they are strong- more than a match for the Hand's thugs."

[*DarkArc]

Khari looked at the warriors Eman had brought and nodded her approval. "Good." she said. "Let's get to work then."

The ranger had them split up in groups of three and start scouting the Hive. They were looking for more of the Putrid Hand's hideouts or other distribution areas. The ranger also sent two to check on Durwin and his wife, see if they needed anything. The scouts were to report back to the Slags within twenty four hours.

In the meanwhile, Khari told Eman to get the kitchen up and running. The ranger had hoped to attract more able-bodied Hivers to the little gang she was forming.

[*Selebius]

It is a busy day and on the evening Eman returns, telling her that the kitchen will open tomorrow and some people are spreading the word about it already.

Khari's scouts report back as well and indeed they found something.

-Durwin and his wife left with a priest of some sun god (some say Pelor, some say Heironeus some say it was neither).

-The Putrid Hand runs a pit fighting business close to the Night Market. Drugs are sold there as well but the manager has been missing for some time.

-Somebody hunts the Hand- and dismembered some of them cruelly in some cellar. Even the Harmonium was involved somehow.

-A stronghold of the Hand is under assault by some strange but powerful forces! Demons might be involved!!

There are also some more recruits- but Eman takes care only the best are chosen.