So this is a Servile village, huh? They've done quite better than I'd expected. I talk to the first ones I see, who look like farmers. They tells me nothing of importance (except that it was indeed a farmer), so i move on to what is apparently a guard servile. He is wielding an old, dented, but still sharp sword, so I assume there are more rogues outside this town. Grrr. It bows, asks if I need any assistance, and when I decline, it bows again and continues its rounds. I walk into the nearest building, and find it is a barracks of sorts. The servile here calls herself Sencia.
"I am Sencia. Sencia of the Awakened. I welcome you to our humble home, Shaper."
'The Awakened?'
"We are a sect of serviles, led by the mighty Ellhrah, who believe that we serviles must stand up for ourselves, be proud, claim our intelligence and our birthright, and look to you Shapers as our equals. We know that many of you Shapers will not approve of this. We will take the consequences for this. If you would like to learn more, you should speak with Ellhrah."
'And Ellhrah is...'
"He is founder of the Awakened. He is our creator. He is old now, and he was the first one to stand up and tell us that we should look out for ourselves. He said that you Shapers have abandoned us, and that made us free. You should speak with him. He lives to the east, in the fortress past Watchhill."
'So, what is your job in...Vakkiri?'
"Ellhrah asked me to stay here and look after the serviles here, to guide them. They are of the Awakened, but sometimes they return to their weak, old, Shaper-worshipping ways. Usually, it is simple, but sometimes there are difficulties."
'Difficulties?!'
"Nothing with the people here, its just that I suspect that there is a Taker spy here. The Takers are a dangerous rogue sect to the east, determined to foment rebellion against the Shapers. An ugly, pointless war that would get neither us nor you anywhere. Sometimes, they attempt to stir up trouble here. If you found the spy and brought him to my attention, the Awakened would thank you."
Interesting.The serviles have split into at least 2, more likely 3, sects. A rather independant, not likely to be tolerated group called the Takers, these oddly brave 'Awakened', and probably a group of normal serviles. Hmm. Well, either way, the kitchen is right next door, so I pop in, only to find that the servile wants me to pay it for food. Bah, I'm not that hungry anyway. Apparently theres a stolen, enchanted knife out there, though, I should watch out for that. It would make a nice weapon for me. But thats for later, apparently this servile here in the kitchen/dining room is the 'Leader'.
'I wish to leave this island. I require a boat. Where can i find one?'
"I would like to help you, Shaper. But we are a trading people, and we require your help as well. There are ways you can assist us. Sometime, you should speak with me of the dangers we face."
'Fine, what dangers do you
trading people face?' Ugh, I can't believe I've had to call the serviles
people! They aren't, and never can be!
"Hunger. Cold. Rogue creations. All of the many perils you Shapers abandoned us to." He pauses for a moment. Then he says, "But you know something? We serviles are not as foolish as you think. We can plan, and we can trade. I can't help but notice that you are lacking supplies."
'Fine, I will trade with you. What do you want...'
"The main road to the east passes south of Watchhill. It is the road to the fortress of Ellhrah, leader of the Awakened. And, recently, almost overnight, the area has become infested with rogues. We suspect that something or someone is creating them. There are too many there to be accounted for by random migration. Go there and remove the source, and we will pay you."
Great. these serviles think
they can just pay
me to help
them?
...Then again, they know more about this place than I do. I suppose it won't hurt to help the creations. He then tells me to go to a servile named 'Learned Pinner' if I wish to know about history, and then starts blabbing about the different sects. And I was right! There was three!
"All in this village are of the Awakened sect. We have been Awakened from the dark sleep of Shaper mastery. Our eyes are open. We wish to deal with the Shapers as equals, with friendship and gratitude. But we will not be slaves to you any longer.
Be wary. If you anger the Awakened, this town will no longer be open to you."
"They are the ones who wish to follow. They are the ones who worship your kind as gods. You will find them to the east, as obedient and pliable as you could possibly wish.
...We are not fond of them."
"They are the mad ones, the Takers of Free. They have been warped by the cruelty of their time here. They were made by the Shapers, and now they wish to overthrow them.
They wish to separate from the Shapers completely, and if the Shapers attempt to deal with them, they wish for combat.
They are mad. We have no worship for the Shapers, but we do not hate them either. We wish to be equal, that is all."
(Side note: people who have played the game, which side should we go for?)