Episode 14 - Smooth Talkers

Recap
The team had a standoff with Limbo as Norman baited Carmine away from the group, Zippy befriended a seagull and Dariun stood on lookout. They found Colm on Limbo's ship and the team reunited. They met an albino elephant name Kendula and a bronze dragon named Odin. After giving the team some information, Odin and Kendula gave them each a scale which they asked the team to use to contact them if they ever found Felix, the number one greeder. After taking Colm and leaving, they saw Carmine who died due to the wound inflicted upon him by Zippy.

Episode Summary
Dariun, Zippy, Norman in company with an unconscious Colm, Stubby, Denmark and Tealeaf, are riding towards Aurum and discuss a plan. They decide it would be best to play an angle that they don’t know who Colm is then find a way to bring him back to the castle. Dariun brings up that he and Norman accepted a bounty for Colm but Zippy thinks they may be able to make a deal allowing the royal guard to take credit for saving Colm instead of a couple no names. The team move off the road and discuss their made deal with Turi about convincing Colm to worship him. Zippy proposes a plan to have Dariun in a fight off Norman who will be disguised as a Limbo member, showing Colm that they are to be trusted. That will mean Norman can ride away to the castle and talk to Yogi to make the deal. Dariun and Zippy will try to convince Colm about some religious changes and they will meet at the castle steps.

Norman transforms into a dragon born Limbo member with his left side soaked in blood while Zippy uses Balm of the Summer Court on Colm. Colm wakes up confused, recognizing Zippy as he warns Colm to stay back. Dariun runs and body slams Norman and pulls out his sword, fake slashing at Norman. Limbo Norman grabs some dirt and throws it at Dariun before jumping on his horse, stumbling over some lines and riding off to Aurum. Colm is thankful to Zippy for coming back for him as Dariun does a perimeter check. Zippy introduces Colm to Dariun and vice versa as Dariun uses healing on Colm. Zippy and Dariun act that they don’t know Colm and ask what his importance and Colm introduces his royal title. They learn in their conversation that Colm does not know that Pontas is dead so Dariun and Zippy break the news to him.

Norman is riding to Aurum on Denmark and drops his disguise self and puts on his Greeder's guild cloak. Once getting into the city, Norman makes a quick pit stop to Jezzy's bakery named Light as Air Goods. Norman rings the service bell and a well-built elven man tells him Jezzy will be right out. Jezzy comes out and Norman asks for an assorted pack of donuts. She also puts in a green coloured donut intended for Dariun as well as two cups of coffee before leaving and heading towards the castle.

Norman offers a donut to the two guards on the staircase, one of which is Tommy who he recognises from the last time they went to the castle. He heads up the stairs and towards Yogi, waving to Christopher as he approaches Yogi's office. When Norman gets to Yogi's office, there is a sign that reads there is an important meeting in the main hall. Norman learns from Christopher that the meeting is for the nobles and is in regards to the election but Christopher tells Norman he can't take him in. Christopher does show Norman a map as to where to find the hall and in thanks, Norman gives him a donut. After he leaves, Norman disguises himself as Christopher and walks towards the great hall. When he sees the doors, he bolts towards the doors and storms through, urgently asking for Yogi.

Meanwhile, Dariun and Zippy are with Colm who has taken a second to gather his emotions. Colm further explains the process of the election between the three families and he tells them he wants to become king and to bring change to the kingdom. Colm wants to fight the system and turn Aurum on its head. Through his time of travelling around the world, Colm feels he has found better ways to rule. Some of his inspiration comes from Tocool near Leeks Garden. Zippy praises his ability to take on ways of other places and both he and Dariun tell him about their philosophy in their adventures which is to bring joy.

Colm is starting to feel the words he is hearing from Dariun and Zippy and is connecting to creating a happy and caring society, Zippy describes it as bliss and even tells Colm that they used to call Pontas the Blissful King in The Bramble Patch. Dariun warns Colm of the possible risk of shaking the system and that he will need to surround himself with people he can trust. Colm asks who the other candidates are and does not believe Ferryn would be a candidate as she is more a free spirit and doesn't have desire for anything. Dariun and Zippy do not confirm for him that Ferryn is the sorcerer candidate.

Colm explains to Dariun and Zippy the religious influence of the king and tells them about the lore of the founding of Aurum. When the original three Greeders found the first grand treasure and made Aurum, they were greeted by Salem and their tether, their form still unknown. They were each given a blessing and one was to become the ruler of Aurum. Now, when elected, the king or queen is given the blessing of Salem. Dariun questions if the blessing of greed would be good for Aurum and Colm feels it is not but the blessing still remains within him.

Zippy expresses his sadness for the way things are and Colm relates and also agrees something should change. Colm gets becomes more motivated about tearing down the greed god they worship. Dariun, still subtly nudging Colm towards the idea of Turi as the newly worshiped god, advices Colm that if they get rid of Salem, they need something to fill that void. After some thought, Colm comes up that they can replace greed with bliss. Everyone in Aurum would be happy and joyful in the streets. Colm, after the slow and subtle hints from Dariun and Zippy, comes up with the idea to replace Salem, the God or Greed, with Turi, the God of Bliss. Colm, after his revelation, gets up and is ready to get to the castle to claim his right for election. When he jumps on Tealeaf, Zippy and Dariun have a very quiet celebration, thinking about the seed they have successfully just planted. They ride to the gates and Colm confidently claims a horse and gets the happiest horse Colm names Peace Bringer.

Norman has just slammed open the doors to the great hall and sees a bunch of nobles and in the center is the elven woman with silver hair, Ferryn Rise, yelling at Turi with Yogi trying to break them up. Norman also notices Bradley in the corner, sadly eating his chicken nuggets. The crowd freezes as Norman, disguised as Christopher, asks for Yogi. Norman can sees Turi grow a large grin when he sees him run in. Norman convinces Yogi to come out due to a very important financial situation. Yogi leads Norman to his office while Yogi vents to him about what issues are going on as Norman drops his disguise self. Yogi is confused but recognises him as the guy looking for Colm. He tries to leave but Norman informs Yogi that they had found Colm.

Norman tries to convince Yogi to up the price and in exchange, it would be known that it was the royal guards who found Colm and not a couple of no bodies. Yogi is unconvinced and even with Norman transforming himself into Colm, he doesn't buy it. Norman tries again to convince Yogi that Colm will be here soon with Dariun but he walks away, not convinced of anything Norman is telling him. Norman follows him and nudges Yogi with the stick of bliss he received from Turi causing him to become uncharacteristically happy. With Yogi in a happy state, Norman tries once again, playing the side of helping Yogi save face. This time, Yogi is convinced and will give Norman another 300 gold and ensures Yogi will take the credit for Colm's rescue and will not tell anyone about the deal they had. As Yogi goes back into the hall, Norman looks at Turi and gives him a wink.

Norman walks to the castle steps and he hears, coming up the stairs, are a large number of followers lead by Colm shouting joy. Dariun and Zippy are next to Colm and pretend to just be meeting Norman. Norman offers them both a donut and Dariun grabs the green doughnut and when he takes a bite, he is reminded of one identical to one his mother used to make when he was growing up. The continue on into the castle, spreading the message of joy before Colm with Norman playing his accordion. Colm walks on into the castle with Zippy, Dariun and Norman following behind, still playing his accordion. Turi comes to the hall and as he enters, Ferryn's jaw drops and Yogi looks in disbelief. All the nobles, with an obvious aversion to Colm, are shocked. Dariun pats Colm on the back and offers some more words of encouragement before the three of them saty outside of the doors, out of view while each eating another donut.

Ferryn seems shocked and not happy with Colm's return and asks about where he was. Colm explains he was kidnapped but is confident that the sorcerer and cleric candidates would be happy for Colm to take the position of king but the room is silent. Ferryn informs Colm he is not going to be the king as she is running for the position along with Bradley. Colm is shocked that she is wanting to even run for it as growing up, he was the only one being groomed for the position. Ferryn begins to tear up and informs Colm they are no longer friends and she needs to run for the position. She asks Turi if they can begin the election and he agrees. Outside of the door, Norman feels a burning in his hand as a message from Turi appears, telling Norman to meet Turi at the Speak Ease Speak Speak ASAP.

Quotations

 * Adam "This would be a great spot to take a break so I can get some advice from the other players!"
 * Colm "We are a spotlight in the world of Ome."
 * Zippy "Change comes to the hearts of those who can see those who can who have not seen..."
 * Zippy "When you dig a hole for a carrot, you gotta put a seed in. Or else nothing grows."
 * Zippy "You plant to seed…"
 * Dariun "... And think of the roots..."
 * Zippy "… the roots go deep!"
 * Nobles "Oh. My. Salem."

Main Cast

 * Norman D
 * Dariun Branch
 * Zippy Westborrough

Returning Characters

 * Tealeaf
 * Denmark
 * Stubby
 * Jezzy
 * Tommy (Golden Guard)
 * Christopher
 * Ferryn Rise
 * Turi/Carol
 * Yogi
 * Bradley

New Characters

 * Jezzy's Husband
 * Peace Bringer (Colm's horse)

Locations

 * Aurum
 * Light as Air Goods (Jezzy's bakery)
 * Aurum Castle