From: jgreene@dorm.rutgers.edu (Jeffrey Greene) Newsgroups: alt.pub.dragons-inn Subject: [Ga] Advertisements and Allies Message-ID: Date: 8 Oct 92 19:44:52 GMT [Previously, in the Garriot thread: Garriot entered the Dragon's Inn with massive head trauma, but without memories. Kyleen, Khisanth, and Dusk (who brought along Zebron) came to his aid, retiring to a private room upstair. Khisanth and Dusk entered the dreamscape, finding out that the memory loss was at least partly magical in nature, that a bearded man is somehow behind it, and that "Hawksholme" is a place of importance, and maybe where answers might be found. Meanwhile, Kyleen has recruited Mardan and Kraska to the cause, but Zebron seems to have caught the attention of the town guardsman named Brent because of previous escapades. This post takes place right after Brent returns to the inn, buys breakfast for the party, brings along two other individuals, and gives a copy of the Generican Examiner, the local daily paper, to Zebron. It is revealed that someone, obviously Brent from his actions and newly accquired jewelry, used Zebron's alias as "Jaq Spayde," a gentlemanly thief, last night. Brent has explained his actions as taking the heat off Zebron, as he was under guard last night and did not commit any crimes. Brent has also redeemed his activities by donating a sizable portion of the stolen wealth to local charities, most notably that of Eilistraee, the faith of Zebron himself. (Pant.) The above was a recap/week-in-review/summarized-version/explanation-of- Brent's-post-that-didn't-have-worldwide-distribution message.] "Hmmmm...." mumbled Zebron. He knew Brent would be interested in his reactions so he tried to be as nonchalante as possible. He had noted the articles about the so-called "Jack of Spades" theft and the donation to the temple of Eilistraee. That small act alone had stopped the honorable drow from slaying the human right then and there for daring to impersonate him. However, Brent did have a point. Now that the dark elf was no longer a suspect, life would be easier on him. Until the Eel found him again, that is. And Brent _did_ show some guts and skill in trying to pull the theft off and going through it. And he _did_ have the good sense not to leave a Jack of Spades, or his own Ace of Hearts for that matter, as a signature. There was only one problem now, and that would soon be taken care of. He folded the newspaper on to a page that had an interesting advertisement, and gave it to Garriot to read. [Aside: The Advertisement S A L E ! The Cartographer's Guild of Generica is having it's annual "Outdated Sale!" Due to advances made daily in the studies of cartography and exploration, each year leaves me, Grumble Blisterthum, with reams of outdated maps that I _must_ get rid of. They can be yours FOR HALF PRICE! You only pay 50% for a map that's 75%-95% accurate! We have maps of every known realm, land, plane, and sphere, with detail from continents to individual rooms. (All maps subject to availability). And our 100% correct (according to current data) maps are still at our every day low prices. And now, back to our story.] Zebron turns to Brent. "Truly, sir, you have shown yourself to be acting only in the interests of myself and the Maiden. And you have illustrated on many occaisons your skill and resourcefulness. I could almost think of you as a brother in arms and other arts. However, _I_ would never sacrifice the loyalty of one oath for that of another. I recognized the name of the family who was burgled. That can mean only one thing. "You have expressed an interest in joining with us, or of gaining my friendship. However, I cannot knowingly pledge my alliegence to someone with a history of breaking vows and alliances selfishly, always looking to benefit himself the most at any time. "I am sure you understand, that by your actions to gain my trust, you have proven yourself unworthy of it." -jak