desperate plans|Turdomin, New Morilanta

[tuo]

Nissar calmly strode into Turdomin with a few of his personal guardians while seeking out Zenobe, casually reading minds to help guide him directly to him.

[Kender Bard]

The little community was still little but there was a number of slaves running about on errands. Dissident Clears had heard of Turdomin and found a home there, but they weren't much larger than when they had started. Still, that just meant more slaves for every person. It wasn't paradise, but they were content to stay in Morilanta's shadow, living in relative comfort.

After the little incident with Saul, the past leader was replaced by a younger, less rash leader, Zenobe. He wasn't hard to find - relaxing in his home, being served by some comely young lady slaves while watching his males laboring around the house. He sat up more when Nissar approached, bowing his head. "Hail, my lord. What do I owe this sudden honor of your visit?"

[tuo]

Nissar glanced at Zenobe's slaves for a brief moment with an amused smile. "I have come to check on the condition of your people. Are you all doing well?"

[Kender Bard]

"Quite well, my lord," Zenobe responded. "We are more than happy to be proud citizens of Morilanta. I do hope you noticed we even erected a small temple in dedication to Evil." And the other Forces, of course, but they weren't the centerpiece.

[tuo]

"Good, good." Nissar gives a distracted nod. "But are you all content with your position here?" He looks Zenobe in the eyes. "What would your people be willing for more?"

[Kender Bard]

"Ah, well, we live to serve my lord," Zenobe replied, choosing his words with care. This was, after all, dangerous territory he was treading into and unlike his predecessor he would not go running wildly into it. "But if you could find the charity within you, we would appreciate some of Morilanta's finer artisans coming to make our city something beautiful, like in the days of Lacuna."

[tuo]

"How would you like living in the temple itself? Perhaps in the High Priests corridor?" Nissar maintains an outward calm, he was however murmuring mentally while preparing to use his mind powers as greatly as possible at the first sign of danger.

[Kender Bard]

Oh Forces, Zenobe thought. This was not what he had agreed to. "I am humbled, greatly," Zenobe replied. "But I am not a religious man." Or so willing to make myself that much of a puppet... "However I'm quite sure I can find an individual who would be more than happy to take up such a generous offer if you like."

[tuo]

"You have not yet heard the offer. I do not want you or any clear to be the high priest." Nissar spoke with a hint of impatience. "I just want to put the current high priest more firmly under my thumb. I have need of a little..damage control."

[Kender Bard]

"Ahh," Zenobe replied, an interested look coming into his eye. "I see, I see. Well, I personally would not like to have to live in the temple; but as I said, I am sure other men would. Would my lord like it if I found such a man and brought him to you?"

[tuo]

"That would be for the best I believe." Nissar spoke. "I shall wait for results here."

[Kender Bard]

"Then I will move with all swiftness while my slaves attend you," Zenobe replied, clapping his hands to get their attention. "You all will attend to the whims and desires of Lord Nissar." When they all bowed, he gathered himself up and strode off to fetch some sod for this thankless job.

The slaves clustered close to Nissar, asking if there was anything he needed, he wanted, but many of them had a look of pleading in their eyes and their voices sounded like they were begging him rather than querying after his needs.

[tuo]

Nissar considered leaving them unable to serve him and make them squirm but decided it wouldn't do to traumatize the property of a potential ally at this point so he gives simple orders to each of them to fetch him food or drink or other such things while he waits.

[Kender Bard]

After a short while, Zenobe returned with a middle aged man following him. The man was adorned in leather armor and had a spear strapped to his back as well as a round metal shield. Both bowed to Nissar upon their return.

"Allow me to introduce Cobus," Zenobe replied. "He's a good man; loyal and reliable. Old and experienced enough to contain your troublesome priest. I believe he wouldn't mind at all moving his family into the temple either."

"No sir," Cobus responded automatically.

[tuo]

Nissar gave Cobus and Zenobe a piercing look as he began to probe into Cobus' mind to learn of any possible deceit.