[center][h1][url=https://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=1432530][color=a2d39c]Marcus [img]https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/392744031378997248/394235344515760137/A-Marcus.png[/img] Lakeltia[/color][/url][/h1][/center][hr]Marcus had to admit this feast carried with itself surprises, especially the status of the resigned Duchess as she returned. Now, the Paladin was one to not judge people without reason, but the state the woman returned in was hardly befitting of a hero she would need to be tomorrow. His hand reflexively sought out the prayer beads under his vestments and his fingers curled into a ball around them. It would be a shame if he would have to invoke their magic of [i]Greater Restoration[/i] to have Ada capable of fighting the next day, but he could see that the former Duchess had already chosen her course of action for the night as she, perhaps overly comradely, headed off with a servant. Though perhaps sometimes it only did good for those 'beneath' one to hear how their work was appreciated.

As for others in this table, Marcus only nodded along as the fresher arrivals spoke their pieces. Despite his refined dining, he cared very little how others did it. He had grown up where there was little and with the common folk. His current status did not mean he would have grown to despise them, quite on the contrary. He was to be their sword and shield when need be, but merely their voice if he at all could. Change needed come from those who deemed themselves better than them, but when one's life was threatened it was only natural to bring out the force to protect.

Eventually everyone would begin heading away, but not before Marcus had had the chance to chat with both Lonett and Scrapmouse, the latter of which he met on one knee, closer to the floor. It was a sign of respect from the half-orc, but it would be left for the gnome to determine whether she would rather declare such obvious attention to her height as an offence. Nonetheless, he received two questions he should ask from Tyr, of the Ghoul Emperor and of the lair of the White Dragon. He had one or two of his own, however, and as the Ghoul Emperor's connection to Orcus had been all but confirmed, he decided it might not be among the most pressing of three things to ask. It could always be spared for another night.

In his room, the Paladin of Justice dug out an ornamental set of scales, where the middle was depicted as a warhammer in imitation of Tyr's holy symbol. He placed a stick of incense in each of the modified scale cups and placed his hands on the table under them, closing his eyes. He began muttering a prayer to Tyr's name, letting the magic flow through him and the scales alike. The powerful aura of the god of Justice arrived into his presence soon after, signing the time to ask his questions. This was the last time to second guess oneself, which it wouldn't be the first time if he did. Were the questions he would ask really the correct ones? Some needed to be left unasked for the more pressing ones to be assured to receive. It was times such as these he really hoped his mind was not partially that of an orc. With a heavy swallow and a parting of his suddenly dry lips, he got over the oppressive feeling and began.

"Should we seek the Ghoul Empire from Caelmarth?" he asked. Soon after he could feel the gentle touch of metal on top of his left hand, the scales having bowed to the side of 'Yes'. Their research had yielded fruit, it seemed. The half-orc almost smiled. Where there was a lead, there was a way. But there were still things to be asked.

The next question had taken some mulling over. Was it really of that much importance? Could he really skip asking the others for this? But if something was clear, it was the fact that Tyr's grace would not follow those on the expedition to the North. If  they wanted their answers, the time was now. Finally he would let loose the question, before another wave of doubt would come over him: "Is it feasible to seek to collapse the lair of the dragon in the North?" A long second passed. Then another. Three more would go by. Finally he realised that no answer was forthcoming. Tyr could not answer. He bit his upper lip and cut his losses, moving on to the third question.

"Should those journeying to North seek Vael Turog?" he used his last remaining inquiry. And once again he could feel the touch of metal on his left hand. This time, however, it would linger. A foreign sensation crept into his mind. There was a want of knowledge. And that was what those journeying should experience. If not for the divine's presence, Marcus might not have understood. But now he knew what that was about. It was at Vael Turog where the others would find more answers than he could provide to them now. And then scale shot up from its lowered position and the feeling of divine presence faded, leaving the half-orc alone in his room.

He packed away the scales and got rid of the topmost layer of his clothing, climbing to bed. It would take a long time before he could really relax and settle down for the night and until then it would be staring at the ceiling and wondering just where the world was going. But wherever that was, he would be there as the shield of the little people.

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Marcus has cast [i]Commune[/i]. Answers are to be found in the post.

TL;DR:
Q: Should we seek the Ghoul Empire from Caelmarth?
A: Yes.

Q: Is it feasible to seek to collapse the lair of the dragon in the North?
A: ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Q: Should those journeying to North seek Vael Turog?
A: Yes, for more answers.
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