Eastern Hospitality

Gossip texts for the four guests:

Budding Artist:
Now, isn't this the place to be?
Touring unexplored corners of the world with likeminded fellows?
What could be better?
You:
Indeed! And how do you find the Commander, friend?
Budding Artist:
He's a bit animated for my tastes, but the world needs all kinds, I suppose.
Why do you ask?
You:
His troops, these guards... It all seems a little intense.
Budding Artist:
I see what you mean, I suppose...
You know, I'm just here because I want to expand my horizons a bit, see the world and whatnot.
I'm not terribly concerned with the goings on of others.
Nice to meet you though.

---

Refined Gentleman:
I say! Raise a glass, my friend!
Take in the sights here.
This entire region has been hidden away for ages, you know.
You:
What do you know of our generous host, sir?
Refined Gentleman:
Why, just look at the treasure he has accumulated!
I'm not always comforable with his methods, but there's no denying the results...
Best not to dwell upon unpleasant thoughts. It's bad manners, you know.
You:
Hmmm, well what is it that brings you to these parts?
Refined Gentleman:
Speculation, my dear boy!
Once our eager little furrier has unearthed enough treasure, he'll be one of Azeroth's most influential figures.
We'll all be properly positioned when that comes to pass.

---

Aspiring Starlet:
Exquisite waether here, wouldn't you say, <class>?
You:
Ahh, yes. How have you been enjoying your time here?
Aspiring Starlet:
Oh, it's been wonderful!
The commander is so confident, and that accent! I must admit, he's quite captivating.
Do you know if he's married?
You:
Uhhh.. I'm not sure. Anything else you can tell me about him?
Aspiring Starlet:
Word has it that some of the relics in these parts hold mystical power!
He seems to be fascinated with such things...
You:
What do you think about the troops he's arming? Seems a little excessive, no?
Aspiring Starlet:
I'm sorry , <class>.
I really don't know enough to discuss such things. And honestly, I would prefer to keep it that way.

---

Ambassador Laurent:
This is quite an operation here, wouldn't you say?
You:
Quite an operation, indeed. What do you think of our host?
Ambassador Laurent:
I must admit, I am intrigued by this ambitious little upstart.
I'm not rushing to judgement, mind you, but I've heard some unsettling rumors.
Time will tell if his motives are just.
You:
I've encountered some of his underlings out in the field. They've been quite hostile.
Ambassador Laurent:
I'm not surprised.
So many questions, I cannot ignore...
Why all these weapons for an archaeological dig? And what is being done with the unearthed relics? Under what authority is the excavatioin being conducted?
The answers don't seem to be forthcoming. I'll just have to find out for myself, I suppose.

Ambassador Laurent is in the building to the right.

The other three people are scattered about the camp.

For those of you who think this is a reference to Atlas Shrugged or "Southern Hospitality"...this is a reference to the attitudes of folks such as actors, artists, etc., in the late 1930's as Hitler was building up Nazi Germany (1937-8, specifically) where they looked the other way or didn't want to get involved as he annexed Austria via blackmail and threats, took the Sudetenland from the Czechs, etc. For a modern parallel see S. Penn in Iraq, H. Bellafonte and D. Glover in Cuba, etc.