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Post by sleepingdragon on Jul 27, 2013 17:45:46 GMT
Hogar: Hogar spent some time learning about Palania from a local teacher. Feeling still slightly shaken from his encounters with the undead in the Fields, he let Leofric exorcise his uneasiness - a process at the end of which he looked quite relieved. Edmund: For the first week, Edmund disappeared every day, returning bruised and exhausted from combat practice. When Leo had finished with the grimoire, Edmund retired gratefully with a glass of wine to wrestle with folk magic, a process he found a good bit more to his taste. Leofric: Leofric spent whole week inside, looking at the ancient black Grimoire recovered from the dark horror of the Fields. Still, after long arduous study, he managed to pick some spells from the Grimoire. He also studies some books on all aspects of knowledges from Geography to Politics to get a firm grounding. Never again, he will get caught ou by lack of knowledge and knowledge IS power. By the second week, he handed over the book to Edmund, but that is Edmund's choice if he want to tangle with dark powers. He was then approached by one of his most trusted people in this ugly and cruel world. He helped Hogar to get over his uneasiness and doubts over what have happened in the terrible Fields where dead walks by prayers and discussions. He was pleased with the result at the changes it seems to bought out in Hogar. Sleeping Dragon: several weeks passed as the party recuperated from their adventure in the Plague Fields. Deciding they would accept Synne's offer to live with her and Dunstan in Phalen. By this means, they were able to convince Lord Renweard to accept Ealdorman Durwyn's offer to wed Synne to Dunstan. The day was originally set for 22 May, but was put back to 1 June to ensure some of Dunstan's relatives from Peadaland could also come. Dunstan seemed uncomfortable with the process - but then Dunstan seemed uncomfortable most of the time.
The party alternated between the Werling estate and Middlemere, learning some of what was happening elsewhere in Palania while they were spending time in the town. They learned that the Council of Palania had held a fractious and heated meeting, unsuccessfully attempting to decide a strategy for a major offensive against the monstrous forces that still controlled much of Palania. The largest section, led by the Councillors from Middlemere, had argued for an assault on Kalmar Keep, which was held by goblin, orc, and human pirates who had sunk numerous ships full of Gaston settlers and preyed on trading ships up and down the western coast of Palania. Against this, the Councillors from Bluebrycg had argued for the reclamation of Grantun castle, held by dragonspawn, to free up trade routes to the eastern settlements. Still a third faction, led by the Councillors of Tarnemuthe, had wanted to push back the orcs on the eastern bank of the Saltanow. In the end, no side had a majority, and the Council deferred making a decision until the next meeting in six weeks time.
Meanwhile, the Festival of Awakening had begun. This was one of the two most sacred festivals of the Virian Way, the commemoration of the time when the Prophet had ascended Mount Maragar and God had there revealed the Virian Way to him.
Throughout Middlemere, Virian preachers from the Gaston settlements, and native converts, came together to celebrate. For weeks they would tend to the sick, treating any who would come to them, while exhorting the people of Middlemere to reject heathenism and return to the embrace of the one God. They also called for support for the plan to retake Kalmar Keep, for so long as it was held by pirates, the journeys of their fellow Virians from Gastony would not be secure, and those converts in Palania who sought to undertake their Pilgrimmage to Mount Maragar would face peril. There were many converts in this time, however not everyone in Middlemere appreciated the preachers. They learned that one had been set upon at night by a crowd, wearing masks of the face of Osoltan, king of the Gaston gods, and beaten the missionary badly. whispering to Leofric, The tales the Church and other learned men told of sorcerers, and how they came to learn magic, were always parables of temptation and sin. The sorcerer knew that God watched down on them in wrath, and the sorcerer chose to push on in stubbornness and pride.
As Leofric read the grimoire, it certainly felt as if someone were watching over his shoulder. Perhaps the Church was right, or perhaps it was simply his own anxiety made manifest. He could not take his eyes away from the grimoire. As with the other Scrolls they had found at Bexcheap, it was clearly the work of the strange sect, heretofore unknown to history. Throughout were tantalising hints at their beliefs and theology.
Their view of magic was radically opposed to that given in the Certainty of Purity. They believed that in the beginning of beginnings, the Lord God had sent down His Spirit to be the heart of the Earth, and He had granted to Men the Flame of Will.
The first step was to put forth the mind and enter the Void, the realm between the realms, which the book theorised was the remnants of the many Earths that God had made and destroyed. There, the mage could put forth their Will, and so create a resonance with the Spirit of God that would enable them to shape the world as they wished.
As with the other Scroll they had found in Bexcheap, the grimoire hinged upon a single central belief, one that the Church would doubtlessly condemn as a heathen blasphemy. The concept was so vast and alien that it took significant study before Leofric could grasp it in its true enormity. The writer insisted that God desired for Himself the Gift He had given Men, the potential for Change, and it was for this reason that He granted Men the Flame of Will. In perfect love, God had shaped and changed Man - and wished for Man to shape and change Him. To put forth one's Will, to cast a spell, was therefore an act not profane but sacred, a communion between mage and God. But it was just a pale shadow, a fleeting lovers' kiss, to the great marriage that was to come, when the Wills of Man and God were in perfect harmony. Then a Great Change would come, to Earth, Man, and God... whispering to Edmund, The tales the Church and other learned men told of sorcerers, and how they came to learn magic, were always parables of temptation and sin. The sorcerer knew that God watched down on them in wrath, and the sorcerer chose to push on in stubbornness and pride.
As Edmund read the grimoire, it certainly felt as if someone were watching over his shoulder. Perhaps the Church was right, or perhaps it was simply his own anxiety made manifest. He could not take his eyes away from the grimoire. As with the other Scrolls they had found at Bexcheap, it was clearly the work of the strange sect, heretofore unknown to history. Throughout were tantalising hints at their beliefs and theology.
Their view of magic was radically opposed to that given in the Certainty of Purity. They believed that in the beginning of beginnings, the Lord God had sent down His Spirit to be the heart of the Earth, and He had granted to Men the Flame of Will.
The first step was to put forth the mind and enter the Void, the realm between the realms, which the book theorised was the remnants of the many Earths that God had made and destroyed. There, the mage could put forth their Will, and so create a resonance with the Spirit of God that would enable them to shape the world as they wished.
As with the other Scroll they had found in Bexcheap, the grimoire hinged upon a single central belief, one that the Church would doubtlessly condemn as a heathen blasphemy. The concept was so vast and alien that it took significant study before Edmund could grasp it in its true enormity. The writer insisted that God desired for Himself the Gift He had given Men, the potential for Change, and it was for this reason that He granted Men the Flame of Will. In perfect love, God had shaped and changed Man - and wished for Man to shape and change Him. To put forth one's Will, to cast a spell, was therefore an act not profane but sacred, a communion between mage and God. But it was just a pale shadow, a fleeting lovers' kiss, to the great marriage that was to come, when the Wills of Man and God were in perfect harmony. Then a Great Change would come, to Earth, Man, and God... Sleeping Dragon: the party decided they would seek out the assistance of the wizard of Stencumb, of whom Leofric had heard some tales. Dunstan confirmed that there was indeed a wizard there, as he came from a small hamlet near Peada's Marsh, but he had never met him as he and his father had seldom travelled. Whilst in Middlemere one day Edmund met a traveller who had been in Stencumb a month before, and had seen this wizard. The man's name was Deogol, he said, though he appeared more like a warrior than a wizard, a burly man who carried a two-handed sword. He was renowned as a craftsman and loremaster, however the traveller had felt that the people of Stencumb were somewhat afraid of the wizard. Not long before the traveller was in Stencumb, a man had tried to murder Deogol in the night, but Deogol had overcome his attacker and slain him, and had left his head on a spike by the door to his tower as a warning to anyone else that might seek to end his life. Edmund: Edmund relayed the information to his companions. To Leo he spoke privately. Edmund: (whispering): "I would like to talk with you about the book and the scrolls. About the message therein." Edmund looked troubled. Sleeping Dragon: before the party departed, Dunstan spoke to Hogar privately, carrying with him several vials filled with a punguent light green liquid. "If any of you are injured badly, this should help," he said. "I'm hoping to set up a practise when we...I mean Synne and I ahh...when we go to Phalen." Leofric: (whispering): Leofric replied with a nod, looking troubled as well "Yes, It is very different concept of who and what God is compared to what we were taught. Just wondering, did you feel someone else watching over your shoulder?" Leofric asked him with a shiver. Hogar: Hogar thanked Dunstan profusely for the vials, obviously expecting they would eventually have need for them Edmund: (whispering): Edmund looked sharply at Leo. "Yes, I did. What do you think it was?" Leofric: (whispering): He looked thoughtfully and replied, "The most obvious explanation I can think of is that God is watching down on us disapprovingly." Leofric looked slightly shaken after admitting what they may be doing is against God's will. Sleeping Dragon: shortly afterwards Hogar ran into Synne, who gave him a wry smile. "I've heard Ealdorman Pecthelm is wroth with you," she said. "Try to avoid his men. The good Ealdorman can be a vengeful little shit when the fancy strikes him. Though it will hardly be a problem when we are in Phalen anyhow." Edmund: (whispering): Edmund shook his head slowly. "I don't believe God would act like a sneaking schoolboy. The book's magic is so... harmless too, compared to a sword or a bow. But the ideas, the view of God as mutable, dependent even. That is far harder to deal with." Hogar: "We shall see."said Hogar "I'm sure there will be other problems in Phalen, of course..." Sleeping Dragon: "Orcs. Filthy creatures, had they not killed my brother it's likely I'd not be marrying at all. But I've no great cause for complaint, Dunstan will serve, so long as he doesn't shame himself too badly at our wedding. I must be off. Enjoy your stay near the lovely putrid swamp of Peadaland, it will make you appreciate Middlemere more." Synne went away. Leofric: (whispering): "Yes it is... Even I find it hard to deal with it as well." Leofric admitted forcefully "It took me several times to actually understand it fully. But compared to our Church and the Faithful, both which opposed magic utterly.Personally, it does explain the magic and there are magic everywhere. They still will be around when we departed from this world. This sect have very different idea, which is still unknown to us and may still be active in this land. It may be worth finding more scrolls about this to get deeper understanding about this." Edmund (enter): 21:50 Attempting to assign the role of Player to (3247) Edmund... Leofric: (whispering): "Yes it is... Even I find it hard to deal with it as well." Leofric admitted forcefully "It took me several times to actually understand it fully. But compared to our Church and the Faithful, both which opposed magic utterly.Personally, it does explain the magic and there are magic everywhere. They still will be around when we departed from this world. This sect have very different idea, which is still unknown to us and may still be active in this land. It may be worth finding more scrolls about this to get deeper understanding about this. At very least, track them down at later date." Leofric: (whispering): "Yes it is... Even I find it hard to deal with it as well." Leofric admitted forcefully "It took me several times to actually understand it fully. But compared to our Church and the Faithful, both which opposed magic utterly.Personally, it does explain the magic and there are magic everywhere. They still will be around when we departed from this world. This sect have very different idea, which is still unknown to us and may still be active in this land. It may be worth finding more scrolls about this to get deeper understanding about this. At very least, track them down at later date." Edmund (enter): 21:52 Attempting to assign the role of Player to (3249) Edmund... Sleeping Dragon: Booting '(3247) Edmund' from room... Edmund (exit): 21:53 Sleeping Dragon: Booting '(3243) Edmund' from room... Edmund (exit): 21:53 Edmund (enter): 21:58 Attempting to assign the role of Player to (3251) Edmund... Sleeping Dragon: on 29 April 227 the party set out, though Tole, troubled by her experiences in the Plague Fields, chose to stay behind. The party headed east, past Middlemere, and towards the mighty Saltanow, the great river that ran all the way from Phalen on the south coast and up, through the towns of Tarnemuthe and Bluebrycg and into the foothills of the Old Mountains. Skirting the edges of the Plague Fields, they rested a night in a small village and then set out again. On 30 April, they turned northeast towards Bluebrycg, intending to travel to the outlying village of Aldastoc on the western bank of the river. Dunstan's last note had told them the family of his estranged friend Seward were to be found there, and may still hold a copy of the scroll Apocrypha of the Ancients, which he had thought contained information on Rhythwold of Redeburna and how he had cleansed the runestone of Stanstede, centuries ago.
As they came near to the river, they could see a fire away in the southeast, in the distant Gundergrad Hills, away beyond the village of Gastonford which was one of the two main Viiran settlements in Palania. They rode on, and shortly after mid-day they arrived at their destination. Aldastoc was a small logging village with a saw mill, to the northwest of Bluebrycg. Wood from the mill went to the great city and went into its many river boats, or it was sent on to Chepworth, Huncestre and Estenworthy in the east. Bluebrycg in the distance was a large walled city, with three great bridges across the Saltanow. Leofric: (whispering): "Yes it is... Even I find it hard to deal with it as well." Leofric admitted forcefully "It took me several times to actually understand it fully. But compared to our Church and the Faithful, both which opposed magic utterly.Personally, it does explain the magic and there are magic everywhere. They still will be around when we departed from this world. This sect have very different idea, which is still unknown to us and may still be active in this land. It may be worth finding more scrolls about this to get deeper understanding about this. At very least, track them down at later date." Edmund: Disconnecting from server... Edmund (exit): 22:02 Edmund (enter): 22:02 Leofric: (whispering): "Yes it is... Even I find it hard to deal with it as well." Leofric admitted forcefully "It took me several times to actually understand it fully. But compared to our Church and the Faithful, both which opposed magic utterly.Personally, it does explain the magic and there are magic everywhere. They still will be around when we departed from this world. This sect have very different idea, which is still unknown to us and may still be active in this land. It may be worth finding more scrolls about this to get deeper understanding about this. At very least, track them down at later date." Attempting to assign the role of Player to (3253) Edmund... Edmund: (whispering): Edmund nodded in agreement. "I do not believe God would want us not to find out more." Leofric: Leofric looked with a surprise at Bluebrcy, "I would not thought there is a city of that size! And it is only second largest!" Hogar: "That is indeed a proper city."said Hogar "Phalan will be even larger, though." Edmund: Edmund smiled at the sight. "Makes me feel almost at home." Leofric: (whispering): "I understand." Leofric almost looked relieved at someone to talk with about this complex matters and the dark secret they are both carrying which may destroy them both or change the world forever. Leofric made ready for long trip to see the Wizzard!" Sleeping Dragon: the party found the people of Aldastoc rather cold to them initially. A guardsman in the livery of Bluebrycg, sea blue and gold, came to speak to them, and Edmund convinced him that they meant no harm. "You're looking for Everild? She has a little farm further upriver. I never knew this husband of hers, but seems like he was some kind of scholar. Wudera was trying to purchase some of his books before she went away. Anyhow, be on your guard, if you have any trouble seek me out. The Ealdorman is no great friend to Virians and nor are most here in the North Riverland." Edmund: Edmund thanked the guard. "Who is Wudera by the way?" Leofric: Leofric nodded at the guardman with respect. His eyes became curious when Edmund's question was asked about Wudera. Sleeping Dragon: "Wudera is a priestess of Dunewyrd. Small mousy woman with a sharp tongue. She's been away for some time, she often travels but I've never known her to spend this long away without warning. She doesn't like to explain herself too much though, she's like to pop up in a week or a month and bite the head off any who question her." whispering to Arianhod, Arianhod recognised the name of Dunewyrd - the ancient Gaston god of lore and secrets. whispering to Edmund, Edmund was familiar with the name of Dunewyrd, the ancient Gaston god of lore and secrets. He lived forever in the shadow of Cenwulf the god of skill, his elder brother, whom even some scholars worshipped in preference to Dunewyrd. Dunewyrd was said to be without face and have a constantly changing form, and preferred to hoard knowledge for its own sake rather than put it to practical use like Cenwulf. Edmund: Edmund nodded. "She seeks knowledge." Leofric: Leofric smiled slightly at that short phase, "Sound like me then. I don't bite any head off though." Sleeping Dragon: the party made their way up the river and past the mill, and soon came to Everild's modest farm. She was a woman in perhaps her late thirties or early forties, a pretty, freckled woman with her red hair up in a bun. She was tending to a small flock of sheep with a young man who they guessed must be her son. She greeted them with a friendly wave of her shepherdesses' crook. Leofric: Leofric smiled slightly and gave her a friendly gesture as they made their way toward her. Hogar: Hogar nodded slightly in greeting as they approached the woman Sleeping Dragon: "Hail there Gastonlanders, any news from the south? My name is Everild." She took a few steps towards them and stood waiting, hands wrapped round the ashwood crook. Leofric: Leofric replied, "Not much news. All I heard is all the fuss about what the Council in Phalen will do. Can't seems to make up their mind where to launch an attack next." Server Administrator-> Kicking '(3249) Edmund' from server... Removing dead client Edmund (exit): 22:41 Leofric: EDIT: Count of Phalen Leofric: Council* Sleeping Dragon: "Old news. The Virians are insisting we need to throw our lives away for their sakes." Everild paused. "Present company excepted, of course. But I'm sure you didn't come here to speak about the Council. What can I do for you?" Edmund: "We were recently asked to find what had happened to a scholar named Dunstan," Edmund began carefully. "Although Dunstan had unfortunately died, he had left a letter for his family and for those who came after him. It mentioned your late husband, Seward? We came looking for information." Sleeping Dragon: "Dunstan? I remember him, from Middlemere. I'm sorry to hear that he's died. Are you in contact with Matlara? I should make contact with her, we've both lost our husbands who were too foolish to reconcile." Edmund: "I am sorry to have to tell you that Matlara in childbirth about six months ago," Edmund said gently. "Their daughter Vilia is safe and living with Dunstan's brother." Edmund: *Matlara died in childbirth Sleeping Dragon: Everild looked shaken. "The poor girl. She had only just been born when I saw her last. So you say Dunstan left a letter. He didn't...no, I shouldn't pry. What information did you want?" Edmund: "Dunstan mentioned a scroll, called Apocrypha of the Ancients. Would you still have it?" Edmund said. Leofric: Leofric glanced at Everild with interest in his eyes, curious a to what the answer is going to be. Sleeping Dragon: "I believe I do, Wudera wished to buy it from me but wasn't willing to pay the price. It's a very rare scroll, Apocrypha." Everild sounded wary. Hogar: "What kind of price would we be talking about?"asked Hogar Leofric: Leofric nodded, "Understandable." he replied with hint of learned man, someone who can read well, "Any scrolls are valuable in their own right. What price are you suggesting?" Sleeping Dragon: Everild eyed the party for a moment. "Seven hundred and fifty silvers. Seward spent years getting his hands on that scroll." Leofric: Leofric glanced around and nodded, "Done...." He agreed to it without battering his eyes. "Gold or silvers, whichever you prefer?" Sleeping Dragon: "Silvers," she replied. She went to speak to her son quickly and sent him inside to fetch the scroll. Leofric: Leofric went for his large backpack and ruffled through the bag for his coins and counted them out one by one carefully. After short period of time, he got his seven hundred and fifty silvers together and while waiting for her son's return. "I am curious, does your husband had many other books and scrolls?" He asked with interest. Sleeping Dragon: "Seward had many books, there were some Wudera bought from me and some I've sold to other scholars, but I still have many of them." Everild's son emerged a moment later with a long scroll. Everild unrolled it, examined it for a moment, and nodded. "Apocrypha." She handed Leofric the scroll. Leofric: Leofric looked seriously as he took the scroll with care and examined the scroll quickly to see if it is the right scroll after all. Sleeping Dragon: the scroll was indeed Apocrypha of the Ancients, by an unknown scholar who had written at the height of the Valing line of High Kings of Palania. It was in the modern Gaston tongue, though Leofric was not sure whether it had originally been written in such or whether it was a later translation, and it concerned the magic of the Forerunners, or Ancients. Leofric could see extended speculation on the nature of runestones, the most prominent of the Forerunners' artefacts. Leofric: Leofric smiled with pleasure and nodded, "That is fine." He handed over 1000 silvers in the end and replied, "I will love to examine other books." Sleeping Dragon: a short while later, they went away with the Apocrypha and several other tomes Leofric had purchased to replace some of those he had lost in the shipwreck.
The Apocrypha began with a short description of who the Forerunners were, which was a brief description for truly no one knew much. They had plainly been a clannish people, known to war against each other, which the Alanian Empire had exploited to their gain. Strangely, their society appeared to be dominated by women, who served as priestesses, sorceresses, and leaders, with bloodline and family based upon descent down the female line.
It spoke at great length about the runestones. No one knew how the Forerunners had made them, nor exactly how old they were, though some had been found that they guessed were at least a thousand years old. Whether the runestones had been made for religious purposes, for the recharging of magical energies, to allow all in Forerunner society to use magic, or some combination of all three was a matter of some debate amongst scholars. The writer appeared skeptical of the notion that they served a religious purpose, for he recounted a tale from what would now be six centuries ago, of a tribe in the Gundergrad Hills. Driven north by the Alanians, they had chosen to corrupt their own runestone, in order to cause problems for those who would seize their land. It seemed reasonable to the writer that as the Forerunners had possessed the magic to corrupt a stone, they might also possess the magic to cleanse them. There then followed a passage directly referencing the ancient sorcerer Rhythwold, who had been mentioned in Cantwine's Compendium.
In the early years of Gaston occupancy of Palania, when we were still subservient to the Empire, there was a tale of a sorcerer who successfully cleansed the runestone of a village called Stanstede, which is located approximately ten miles south of Wirtingas, upon the Rede River. The exact means by which this Rhythwold was able to achieve this are unknown. Those were the days before the destruction of the University of Cannock, and some claimants to the Empire were known to train mages, and it appears that Rhythwold was one of these. He appears to have served a General Kruhn, who served a pretender Emperor and based himself in the Great Forest on the upper reaches of the Saltanow, but later deserted. Unfortunately, many records from those days have been destroyed, but I believe it is possible that the mages of the Empire learned how to cleanse the runestones - the tale from Gundergrad indicates that the Forerunners were willing to deliberately corrupt their own monuments to attack the Empire, and the Alanians were adept at nothing if not war and defending themselves from attack. Sleeping Dragon: edit for clarity - the text means that Rhythwold later deserted from the service of the Empire, not General Kruhn Leofric: Leofric frowned as he considered the implications of this scroll and told others. "Just as difficult as I excepted. We have to find out more information about Alanian magics somehow or something. Will need to reflect on this." Leofric looked sullen as he considered more points in privacy of his mind. Arianhod: Disconnecting from server... Arianhod (exit): 23:48 Edmund: "So much knowledge lost..." Edmund said sadly. Sleeping Dragon: the party set out from Aldastoc and turned northwest, towards the Camber Hills and Ethelhelm's Gap.
After another day of riding, they began to enter the lands of the Gap. Away from the fertile Saltanow, Ethelhelm's Gap was a land of wide, rocky, barren plains. Lacking much by way of sources of water, it was thinly populated and they came across only a few travellers and isolated villages, which were invariably ringed round with pallisades. The Camber Hills, they knew, were home to many dangerous monsters, most notable amongst them the dragonspawn and also many cyclopes, though these latter were generally deemed too stupid to band together.
at mid-day on their second day out from Aldastoc, they suddenly noticed ahead of them what appeared to be a quite large party of people, at their ease and eating in the shadow of a huge red carriage pulled by half a dozen stunning white horses. The party numbered a little over twenty, and bore a yellow flag set with the sigil of a red moon. As the party came nearer they realised the party were dressed in the manner of those Palanians they had met who were of Fryderi descent. They were heavily armed, with short spears and tower shields, and armoured in boiled leather sewn with metal discs. A few were even better equipped, with hooked spears or long swords and round shields, with metal armour. whispering to Leofric, Leofric recognised the flag - it was the symbol of the lords of Krogsager. The Gastons of Palania named them simply as Ealdormen of Krogsager, but the current lord was said to prefer the title of King of South Fryddenland. Hogar: "An impressive war party."whispered Hogar to the others Leofric: Leofric warned others that the flag is the symbol of the lords of Krogsager. Gastons in Palania called them Ealdormen of Krogsager while current lord perfer the King of South Fryddenland. Sleeping Dragon: as the party looked, one of the Fryderi noticed them and called out to his fellows. A few moments later a short, severe looking woman emerged, flanked by several well armed guards and with a smooth cheeked man who appeared to be a eunuch hovering behind her. She called out to the party in an unfamiliar language. Sleeping Dragon: when they did not respond, she spoke in Gaston instead. "Are there none among you who speak a civilised tongue? Who are you?" Leofric: He replied, gesturing at the others. "We are travellers. Leofric, Hogar, Edmund and Arianhod." Leofric replied softly, "I have been meaning to learn High Fryderi in the past. I will endeavor to learn the language soon as possible." He gave his respect politely. Hogar: Hogar nodded silently at Leofric's words Sleeping Dragon: the woman nodded. "It is to the gain of all when savages seek to learn of the wisdom of a great civilisation," said her eunuch, stepping forward. "You have the honour to address the Lady Kasyra, emissary of the great Sweryn Dragonslayer, Favoured of the Spirits, Lord of Krogsager and King of South Fryddenland." The eunuch and the Lady Kasyra looked on, plainly expecting the party to bow. Hogar: Hogar bowed slightly to pay his respects together with Leofric "We are indeed honoured."he said simply Leofric: Leofric knew that he did not have a choice when facing such a war party who can beat him up and can do other meanie thing. He gave his best bow as possible. "I am very honoured." He replied most respectfully. Sleeping Dragon: "I would be pleased if you would stay a while and share of our meat and mead," said the Lady Kasyra. "Will you stay with us a while? We will not delay you long, but we would be interested in the news from the south, and I find that good company and good news makes for lighter burdens." Leofric: Leofric smiled back and nodded, "I would be happy to stay and accept your generous offer." He glanced at others, as if it is good idea.
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Post by sleepingdragon on Aug 3, 2013 16:19:23 GMT
Sleeping Dragon: Lady Kasyra led the party towards the shadow of the gold carriage, seating herself on a small padded stool laid out on a bearskin rug. Her eunuch, who was called Tolosar, sat beside her while two bodyguards stood watching the party. Lady Kasyra gestured towards the low portable table before her, on which was spread venison, duck, cheese, and fine bread with horns of golden mead on the side. "Eat and drink, and please tell us a tale or give us a song. In South Fryddenland we hear only a little news of what is happening in Palania," she said. Edivad: Hogar sat down with the others and slowly began to help himself to the food and drink. Though the victuals were obviously of excellent quality, he did not consume much as he looked slightly uncomfortable at being in the company of such exalted personages Edmund: Edmund smiled charmingly and chatted to Lady Kasyra of general happenings, carefully avoiding all mention of undead children and other horrors. Later he drew out his flute and entertained the party with some music. Leofric: Leofric merely glanced at Toloar, the eunuch curiously. Leofric: as he smiled and paid attentions to Ed and Lady's chats Edmund: Edmund looked at Tolosar, then raised an eyebrown at Leofric. Edmund: *eyebrow Arianhod: Arianhod sat quietly. She mainly partook of the venison and bread as she listened to Edmund talk. She winced slightly as he started to play but remained silent. Sleeping Dragon: Lady Kasyra seemed pleased with Edmund's news and song. "It's been some years since I've heard a Palanian musician. Do you know much of your Council? The King has sent me as emissary to them, some coordination between our kingdoms may prove necessary with the news from Krygarland." Sleeping Dragon: Tolosar looked impassively at Leofric, no emotion showing on his smooth, hairless cheeks. Hogar: Hogar thought he might be slightly more at ease trying to make small chat with the Frydery warriors of the Kasyra's escort Sleeping Dragon: Hogar had little luck speaking to the Fryderi, who seemed to find Hogar slightly uncouth, however one of them did challenge him to an arm-wrestling match Leofric: Leofric glanced at his fellow travellers and explained their positions; "My apologies. But we ourselves only arrived in this lands about two months ago." Most respectfully correcting her assumpation. "We are still learning the ways of the lands. However, you may already heard that the Council have voted recently on whom to target their might onto. The Council at the last meeting is divided into three fractions. Largest which included Counciller from Middlemere was to retake the Kalmar Keep, second is led by Councillers from Bluebrycg who wishes to recapture Grantun fortress." He frowned with thoughts and went on "Small third is led by Tarnemuthe Councillers who wish to reclaim the eastern bank of the Saltanow. They are due to meet again in few weeks time I believe." He looked at Lady Kasyra with hint of concern, "May I ask what the news from Krygarland is about? It sound like it could be something worse." Sleeping Dragon: Tolosar blinked. "Are you Virian settlers?" he demanded Hogar: Hogar accepted the challenge and took the Frydery warrior's arm. The two men strained and stuggled for a while, muscles bulging, but eventually Hogar slowly gained an advantage and was able to pin the man's hand. "You pit in a good effort, could easily have gone the other way."he said trying to be a friendly winner as he lightly massaged his own arm Edmund: "We are," Edmund replied calmly. "But we have had many experiences since arriving in Palania." Sleeping Dragon: "Experiences?" Tolosar smiled darkly. "There was a Virian missionary in Wuffingas preaching against the King some months ago, so we had him put to death. We don't allow blasphemy against the gods and spirits in our land." Edmund: "We are not missionaries," Edmund hastened to reassure the eunuch. "We just intend to make a life for ourselves here." Leofric: Leofric sighed grimly. "Beside, our experiences are mostly of magical kind. Bit different from seeing it in the books and facing it in front of you." Sleeping Dragon: Tolosar laughed. "If the barbarians here will allow you in then be it on their heads, but if you value your lives stay out of South Fryddenland. Your supposed religion is an insult to the spirits."
Tolosar might have said more, but Lady Kasyra interjected. "Silence! I will share this one piece of news with you, then you must begone. The...Ealdorman..." Kasyra filled the word with contempt, "of Madumflod has begged the King for assistance, there have been sightings of many hundreds of dragonspawn massing near Tenworth. They will likely invade Krygarland soon." Arianhod: Arianhod smiled slightly at Tolosar's response. "Not so different, in the end." She muttered. whispering to Leofric, Leofric suspected that the Palanian Council would consider the intervention of the King of South Fryddenland in Palanian affairs to be an act of war. Though Krygarland did not support the Council, it had still been part of the historical Palanian kingdom, as had Suthfryd. Hogar: Hogar grimaced at seeing the meeting go so sour Edmund: "Thank you for your hospitality my Lady, and for your news," Edmund said with a deep bow. "May your journey go well." Leofric: Leofric grimaced as well at this meeting and sighed regretfully. "I give my thanks for hospitality you have shown us. I do hope your meeting with the Council goes extremely well." He also bowed respectfully. Sleeping Dragon: "Thank you. Go with the ancestors' blessings," said the Lady Kasyra with a half-smile. Leofric: Leofric nodded as he mounted his horse and went on with his peers. Edmund: "By the Star, Leo, could you try to be a bit more careful what you say!" Edmund said when they were out of earshot. "The Virian Way is anathema to many of these heathen people. We could end up being burnt!" Arianhod: Arianhod gave a nod to Kasyra. "As with you." She replied before turning to follow the others. Leofric: Leofric looked sorrowful. "I know..." He paused for a moment, "I guess I am too used to speaking as I see fit. I will try moderate my thinkings from now on." He looked downcast at that point. Edmund: "Your thinkings are fine, just moderate your voicings," Edmund said with a laugh. "You're just too honest, which can be dangerous." Leofric: "Dangerous as pissing off Tolosar..." Leofric looked cheered up for a moment. "Beside I learnt some important lessons. First, learn their haughty language. Leofric: Leofric shared his suspicion that the Palanian Council would consider the intervention of the King of South Fryddenland in Palanian affairs to be an act of war. Though Krygarland did not support the Council, it had still been part of the historical Palanian kingdom, as had Suthfryd. Edivad (enter): 21:16 Attempting to assign the role of Player to (3314) Edivad... Edmund: "You would think the Palanians & Frydderi had enough to worry about with monsters on their doorsteps," Edmund said with a sigh. Edivad: "You would, but the world does not seem to be so simple."said a disappointed Hogar Arianhod: "People seem more interested in fighting for their beliefs than for their survival." Leofric: "Sometime, it is easier to fight for an idea you believe in rather than for the others." Leofric paused thoughtfully. Sleeping Dragon: the party rode on to the northwest, continuing on through the Gap. The land was wide and thinly populated, a wasteland of dry, rocky plains.
Towards the end of the day they drew nearer to Wihthrycg, the largest settlement in the Gap, and as they did they noticed more and more villages. The land here was more fertile than the rest of the Gap, though by comparison to the rich lands around the Saltanow and Cuto's Well it was still a hard, poor place.
The next day, they came to Wihthrycg itself. Scholars disputed whether Wihthrycg or Huncestre was the mightiest fortress in Palania, and though they had never seen the great castle of the Long Shore, they found it hard to believe it could be as formidable as Wihthrycg.
It was a fortress of white stone, built atop a huge ridge on the northern edge of the Camber Hills. From the north side, only a single winding path, up a two hundred and fifty foot slope guarded by two outer walls and watchtowers, led to the powerful fortress. But Wihthrycg was built to protect from threats from the south, not the north. The Camber Hills were infamously home to dragonspawn, cyclops, and other monsters. The long line of Ealdormen of Wihthrycg had slowly built up their defenses to the south. There was a near maze of winding earthworks leading slowly up the hill. Any creatures seeking to attack from the Camber Hills would need to go up in single file, running an enormous gauntlet of watchtowers, exposed all along to missile fire. It was hardly any wonder that Wihthrycg was said to have withstood years of siege without having ever fallen.
Though the land was dominated by the white castle, there was a large village of perhaps five hundred souls, the largest settlement they had yet come across in the Gap, on the low land north of the castle. As they approached the eastern edge of the village, they noticed that there were the severed heads of many monsters mounted on spikes. There were great cyclops heads, which were alone nearly as large as a human body. These had inevitably had their huge lone eyes gouged out, and the vacant sockets stared mutely at the party. The other spikes were mounted with the heads of dragonspawn, scaled and serpentine, with slitted eyes and wide mouths. These would have been full of sharp teeth in life, they knew, but dragonspawn teeth were often made into jewellery and these had all been removed. A sign indicated that there was a bounty of 250 silvers per cyclops, and 50 silvers per dragonspawn. Hogar: Hogar read the sign with interest "That's good money, and we would be doing God's work too..." whispering to Karma, Godwin, who stood taking a drink from his waterskin near to the sign, noticed four people on horseback approach. From the looks of them, they too were settlers - one had the copper skin of the Erse. Edmund: Edmund frowned. "Those cyclopes are big..." Hogar (enter): 21:31 Attempting to assign the role of Player to (3315) Hogar... Hogar: add: Hogar looked at the severed heads with hate and disdain "They are indeed huge."he said focusing on the cyclopes "But not very smart, they say. The accursed dragonspawn may be smaller but they have malice and cunning..."he shuddered Godwin: Having noticed the four horseman looking at the sign, a young man dressed in fairly earthy, unassuming garb approached the party and interrupted; "But still, mighty big!" Leofric: Leofric glanced them over thoughtfully and considered, "I wonder if they can be blind with light." He shook his head after careful thoughts, "They do have bad sights so stealth and ranged weapons would be useful, aiming at the head so it can be blinded." He sighed grimly, "No surprise about these damned dragonspawn, they are like flies over the bog. Endless." Edmund: Edmund smiled at the young man. "Have you experience of the cyclopes?" Leofric: Leofric glanced over at this mere man, carefully examining him from top to the end. Godwin: "Me? Oh no...." he said, shaking his head; "I'm no warrior. No, I'm afraid the only things I know about the cyclops is what the Knights tell. My task is merely to spread the Word of God." Hogar: "Are you a priest?"asked Hogar turning away from the remains of the dead monsters to approach the man Leofric: Leofric smiled at another churchy man respectfully, waiting for an answer to Hogar's question Godwin: "No, that would be too grand a title for one such as myself," said the stranger; "I'm merely a missionary. My name is Godwin, pleased to make your acquaintance." Edmund: Edmund nodded. "Where are you headed?" Arianhod: Arianhod stayed in the back of the group, and frowned when he mentioned his profession. Server Administrator-> Kicking '(3301) Hogar' from server... Removing dead client Hogar (exit): 21:46 Godwin: "I'm not really headed anywhere at the moment." said the missionary. Hogar (enter): 21:49 Attempting to assign the role of Player to (3317) Hogar... Godwin: The missionary observed the group, before adding further; "If you don't mind me saying, you have interesting companions. I gather, given you were looking at that sign for monster bounties, that you are perhas monster hunters of some sort?" Leofric: Leofric grinned at Edmund for a moment, as if he was never going to mention THEIR direction to see magic user. Hogar: "We hunt evil no matter where it is found, and monsters are one great - but not the only - source of it."said Hogar, obviously interested in what the man was going to say Edmund: Edmund winked at Leo, then turned back to Godwin. "We have been doing a bit of monster hunting, incidental to other things." Godwin: "Ah, well said!" smiled the missionary; "Those who seek evil in all its forms are welcomed by the Virian Way. Has anything you've fought been quite up to the stature of a Cyclops, though?" Edmund: Edmund shrugged. "Undead mostly." Hogar: "We have faced undead abominations, but no cyclopes yet. I have meant to face one for some time though..."said Hogar "Not a foe I would take lightly" Hogar: edit: change second face to 'fight', to avoid repetition Godwin: "But again, from your tone I can tell you don't fear such challenges. Perhaps you'd join me for a drink, and you can tell me about your adventures against the undead?" Godwin asked. Edmund: "Surely," Edmund replied. Hogar: "We would be glad to." Godwin: Godwin smiled; "Excellent! Perhaps in time, you may even tell me your names! I can only dream of such a possibility." Edmund: As they moved off to find an inn, Edmund spoke quietly to Leo. Edmund: (whispering): "Well done keeping our magical experiences from this one. If he's not careful will end up on the pyre!" Godwin: Godwin led the party to a small inn within the village. After entering, he ushered the party to a table to one side, and asked; "Well, I am but a simple missionary with meagre coin but I'm sure I could buy a round for guests. What would you be wanting?" Edmund: (whispering): *he will end up on the pyre Leofric: (whispering): "Agreed. The quicker we can get him off our track. The better. Hopefully, he would not be following us." He whispered back. Edmund: (whispering): "Indeed! But he seems the enthusiastic type. I have a feeling he thinks we're great adventurers." Hogar (enter): 22:08 Edmund: Edmund rolled his eyes at Leo, then turned to Godwin. "Really we can't take your small allowance. Please let us buy you something instead." Attempting to assign the role of Player to (3320) Hogar... Godwin: "That is incredibly generous - Bravery and Generousity in equal measure." Edmund: (whispering): "See what I mean?" Edmund muttered to Leo. Leofric: (whispering): He smiled slightly at that... "Too happy almost. Maybe we should say we are just travellers." He muttered back. Edmund: Edmund asked the innkeeper for ale and mead for the others. Server Administrator-> Kicking '(3314) Hogar' from server... Removing dead client Hogar (exit): 22:14 whispering to Godwin, around the inn, folk were mostly speaking of local matters. In response to an increase in monster attacks over the last year Ealdorman Waldric had reinstated the old bounty system on monster heads, however most were of the opinion he was not paying enough, as the Ealdorman was notoriously tight-fisted. One particular cyclops in the hills, who had apparently tamed two wild boar, had been raiding outlying villages for months, stealing livestock and occasionally killing those who got in his way, however the Ealdorman had been unwilling to set a specific bounty for that creature, as he had no way of telling one cyclops from another. Godwin: "So, my new friends, you were going to tell me about your exploits involving the undead?" asked Godwin. Edmund: "We took a trip into the Plague Fields, in search of a missing scholar," Edmund said. "It is a terrible place, full of dark horror, blighting the soul of those who travel there. We encountered zombies & skeletons, but the wights are far worse." Godwin: Godwin blinked; "Pardon? You took a trip into the Plague Fields, of all places barren of the light of the Virian Way?" Edmund: "We did, and we came out again, thanks be to God." Edmund looked to Leo. "Our companion is learned in the ways of healing soul sickness. Without him we would have been hard pressed to come out alive." Godwin: Godwin looked Leofric over; "I see.... and how did you come to learn of such things?" Hogar: "That is correct."said Hogar gesturing towards Leofric "We might not be here were it not for him." Server Administrator-> Kicking '(3315) Hogar' from server... Removing dead client Hogar (exit): 22:30 Edmund (enter): 22:36 Attempting to assign the role of Player to (3322) Edmund... Leofric: Leofric nodded and replied, "A book that I stumbled across in the past mentioned a way to deal with such unhealthy occurrences. I considered myself auspicious to know of it. Needless to say, it saved everyone." Godwin: "How unusual... sounds practically heathenly." Godwin sighed, before returning to his almost constant smile; "Still, that it allowed you to pass through the Plague Fields is good enough for me. Clearly God was on your side. Did you manage to save your quarry? What was he even doing there?" Hogar: "He had gone on...a quest for knowledge. We could not save his life unfortunately, but I think we gave his soul some peace."said Hogar grimly Godwin: "Hmmm. One does not idly leap into the Plague Fields. Such an expedition needs careful planning, and more importantly, patience." nodded the missionary; "Some would rather rush in brashly in pursuit of what they want." Godwin: He sighed, and then shrugged; "But that's what happens. I'm sure this scholar of yours was not a follower of the Virian Way, unless he happened to be a fellow Gastoner like yourselves and I?" Edmund: "The scholar was not, but he took with him a companion, a holy knight who even after dread undeath had claimed him retained his faith," Edmund said solemnly. "And in the end we were able to grant both of them peace." Hogar: Hogar nodded in agreement with Edmund's tale Godwin: "Ah! A warrior of unbreaking faith, did you happen to know what Order he was from?" asked Godwin. Hogar: "He was...not of your Church."said Hogar "Not everyone worships God the same way."he stated matter-of-factly Hogar: add:"But I don't think anyone could doubt his devotion." Arianhod: Arianhod paused in drinking her ale as Hogar replied, but said nothing. Edmund: Edmund nodded in agreement with Hogar. Godwin: Godwin nodded; "One of the Faithful, I see. Yes, not of the Church indeed. Thank you for your tale, my nameless friends, perhaps I could tell a tale myself? I fear it would neither be as interesting nor have such a grandiose ending as braving the Plague Fields, but it is a tale nonetheless." Hogar: "We shall listen eagerly."said Hogar "And perhaps might be able to help, if needed" Edmund: "Very well, but you should have our names first. I am Edmund, originally of Malagen." Leofric: "I am Leofric." He replied with his name. Hogar: "I am Hogar, from Malagen, too." Arianhod: "Arianhod." The woman introduced herself. "Of nowhere of consequence." Godwin: Godwin nodded, as he continued; "Well met, now named friends. My story involves a friend of mine, a Ser Drythelm of Withenwyld, a knight of both bravery and reputation from our land who had come to Palania. Gallant, he was, but admittedly like your scholarly friend lacking in patience. I was hoping to meet with him here, but alas when I arrived I heard he met a somewhat horrific fate." Hogar: "Bravely died fighting some terrible monstruosity, I take it?"asked Hogar grimly Hogar: edit: monstruosity to monster Godwin: "Of course." the missionary shock his head and briefly looked dour; "Had ventured off in to the Camber Hills to slay a cyclops - I can only assume the same cyclops that some of the locals here have been gossiping about - and then never returned." Server Administrator-> Kicking '(3311) Edmund' from server... Removing dead client Edmund (exit): 23:20 Godwin: *shook Leofric: Leofric looked alarmed as he replied, "Oh his own?!" Hogar: "Brave indeed."stated Hogar showing some admiration "Perhaps we could avenge his death at the hands of this fell thing." Godwin: "Why, of course" the missionary said with some pride;"Knights such as himself are far too brave to bring others into peril." Leofric: Leofric shook his head at the outbrust of pride Edmund: "Is he known to have died?" Edmund asked. Arianhod: Arianhod rolled her eyes. "Too prideful more like..." She muttered. Godwin: "I have not seen the body, so I couldn't say." said the missionary; "We can only assume so, unless Ser Drythelm has indeed learnt a thing or two about patience and is simply drawing the battle out." Hogar: "If the beast could be tracked down...I doubt cyclopes have the wits to hide or disguise marks of their presence...."stated Hogar Godwin: "I suspect that wouldn't tbe hard; just open your ears, this inn is practically alive with people talking about this particular cyclops; they even mention he has been seen with two wild boar as pets." Edmund: "He could have been injured and unable to return," Edmund mused. "Since Hogar is determined to kill one of these Cyclopes, we should take a look. But note Godwin, we go together, not try to take on a monster such as this single-handed." Hogar: "Of course. No reason to give such a beast the honor of single combat."said Hogar sounding slightly disappointed that Edmund would think him so foolhardy Godwin: "Of course. I would like to see the beas vanquished, and my friend's body put at rest personally." he nodded. Godwin: *beast] Godwin: He finished his drink, and put it down; "Can I count on you now, or do you need some more time?" Edmund: Edmund smiled. "I think we were already considering tracking down the Cyclops before we met you, but you've made our minds up. Maybe we should ask around for any more information about this particular Cyclops though." Hogar: "Might be a good idea."agreed Hogar Godwin: Godwin nodded; "Maybe try and convince the Ealdorman to increase his bounty for this particular beast, given its infamy. He seems to think he can offer such trivial bounties for the beasts, and not even a bonus for this one... " Godwin: "Not that I wish any of this bounty myself;" Godwin reassured them; "But I understand hunters like yourself would want to be paid for your efforts." Hogar: "Heroic deeds are good and admirable, but silver is useful."stated Hogar matter-of-factly Leofric: Leofric nodded sagely, "Indeed" In full agreement with Hogar Sleeping Dragon: it quickly became apparent that any attempt to convince Ealdorman Waldric to increase the bounty was fruitless - the Ealdorman was not noted as an open-handed man and spent most of his time holed up in Wihthrycg castle, which the party could not so much as be let into. Therefore, they strode off into the Hills.
With Arianhod taking point, the party soon came across signs of the cyclops' presence. From what Godwin had told them, the creature was often accompanied by two wild boars, and indeed after a half hour Hogar noticed a set of prints that matched this - huge foot prints flanked by two sets of hoof prints of smaller creatures.
The Hills were notorious for being filled with monsters, however the outermost areas were patrolled on an irregular basis, so most of the dangerous creatures were found deeper into the hills. The party were able to make good time, avoiding any possible enemies though at one point they saw old tracks that they thought belonged to a fair sized group of dragonspawn.
After about six hours of tramping through the desolate hills, the party thought they were coming near to their prey - Edmund noticed a very large and quite recent set of prints clearly belonging to a cyclops. They found themselves at the bottom of a large hill which curled round to what appeared to be a cave mouth, though it was hard to tell for sure
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Post by sleepingdragon on Aug 4, 2013 11:33:20 GMT
Sleeping Dragon: After about six hours of tramping through the desolate hills, the party thought they were coming near to their prey - Edmund noticed a very large and quite recent set of prints clearly belonging to a cyclops. They found themselves at the bottom of a large hill which curled round to what appeared to be a cave mouth, though it was hard to tell for sure whispering to Idris, Leofric, up ahead they could hear the sound of snuffling boar which appeared to be outside. From within what seemed to be the cave, they could hear the voice of what seemed to be quite a large creature, humming tunelessly to itself whispering to Arianhod, up ahead Arianhod could hear the sound of snuffling boar which appeared to be outside. From within what seemed to be the cave, they could hear the voice of what seemed to be quite a large creature, humming tunelessly to itself Idris: "I hear a boar up ahead," Edmund whispered to the others. "And something big... humming?" Hogar: "Humming...?"said a bewildered Hogar Idris: Edmund shrugged. "Not in tune." Sleeping Dragon: "The cyclops, most likely," said Godwin, who then muttered a prayer under his breath Leofric (enter): 19:20 Attempting to assign the role of Player to (3392) Leofric... Idris: "It certainly isn't a bard!" Edmund replied with a grim smile. Leofric: [1d100] => [7] = (7) Leofric: Leofric nodded his head seriously and drew his sliver longsword out, ready to impale the cyclop with it. "At least we almost managed to track it down." He whispered back to them. Idris: "Should we attack from different sides?" Edmund suggested. "Or set up an ambush & get them to come to us?" Arianhod: Arianhod readied her large axe. "Might try to get the boar away first without the cyclops noticing." Leofric: EDIT: his sliver coloured longsword Idris: Edmund nodded. "Maybe something to get its attention without raising the alarm. Food?" Sleeping Dragon: "The folk of Wihthrycg said the monster had two boars with it," said Godwin. Idris: "That might be tougher to trick." Edmund frowned. Hogar: "A single cyclops would have been enough of a fight..."muttered Hogar Sleeping Dragon: "Should I slip ahead and observe? God has granted me some skill at moving unseen," Godwin offered. Leofric: Leofric somehow found the question amusing. "A bait would be a bit tricky.... Maybe the boars could be dealt with directly while some of us could wound the cyclop by ranged weapons?" Idris: (whispering): "I have an idea. There was a spell in that book, to throw one's voice..." Edmund whispered to Leo, plainly uncertain. "Do you think it would be right to do so?" Hogar: "I have a throwing axe but I doubt I'd be able to hit it at a distance."said Hogar "If the boars could be driven away that would help immensely, we could focus on the cyclops, that's what we came here for." Idris: Edmund drew Leo aside and spoke quietly into his ear. Hogar: Hogar watched Edmund and Leo with some suspicion but said nothing Leofric: Leofric whispered back to Edmund. Leofric: (whispering): Leofric replied to him "It does make sense. At very least, the monster will try find the source of the voice. But it is worth the risk showing your abilities to other?" Idris: Edmund replied to Leo, turning his head away so the others couldn't hear him. Idris: (whispering): "I believe I can cast it in such a way that they will not realise. It can be done just with the mind" Sleeping Dragon: Godwin looked askance at Leofric and Edmund. "We might find somewhere to shelter ourselves and attack at night when the creature is asleep," he suggested. "Unless you have another idea..." Server Administrator-> Kicking '(3389) Leofric' from server... Removing dead client Leofric (exit): 19:42 Arianhod: "Can't imagine it's night vision would be any better than hours. Might work." Arianhod replied, nodding. Arianhod: *ours. Idris: "That sounds very dangerous," Edmund mused. "Maybe the boars could smell us. And we too will need light to fight by" Server Administrator-> Kicking '(3391) Leofric' from server... Removing dead client Leofric (exit): 19:45 Idris: "We could use a diversion, to draw them away from the cave & enter it ourselves, then attack the Cyclopes when it returns."4 Sleeping Dragon: "What diversion did you have in mind?" Godwin wondered. "Cyclopes are not noted for their wits, a trick is likely to work." Hogar: "As long as this isn't a genius by cyclops standard, that sounds like the best plan of action." Leofric: Leofric nodded as he replied to Edmund, "It seems the best way to do this." Hogar: "Of course...if we draw the boars away then enter the cave, then we might find ourselves trapped between the cyclops and the boars, should they return!"Hogar said sounding worried Idris: "I have trained myself to throw my voice. I could make it sound as if there is someone speaking on the other side of the valley," Edmund said. Hogar: "A devious trick."noted Hogar "But these beasts don't deserve any better. That should do!" Sleeping Dragon: Godwin smiled. "Show us your mummery then," he said, preparing his staff sling in case this did not work. Idris: "Is everyone ready to move into the cave?" Edmund asked. Arianhod: Arianhod nodded, gripping her axe. Leofric: Leofric nodded with hint of worry on his face, his Erse style longsword at ready. Idris: Edmund concentrated then opened his mouth, but instead of the sound coming out, a loud voice suddenly spoke out of the trees in the distance. "Come out you cowardly brute! Face me if you dare!" Hogar: Hogar gripped his throwing axe, eager to face the monster Sleeping Dragon: at the voice, there was a sudden snuffling noise as the boar rushed off to investigate, and several small sounding pigs began to grunt and squeal. After a moment, a very large creature bounded out of the cave, bellowing in a language they did not understand. Gazing up the hill they could see the back of it as it emerged - about ten feet tall, with a very large bald head, covered in furs and wielding a large club. It loped off in the direction of the voice. Leofric: Leofric closed his eyes and muttered a prayer, calling for protection. Leofric: EDIT: Quietly. Hogar: Hogar looked at the loping cyclops with disdain "What a horrible thing."he whispered Sleeping Dragon: with the voice as cover, the party scrambled quietly up the side of the hill. The ground underfoot was slightly uneven - looking, they thought perhaps the boars had burrowed into the earth. As they crept to the top of the hill, they saw that there were several small pigs in a crudely made pen against the side of the cave - one of them saw the party and squealed, but all the animals were doing so and the monster and the boars paid them no mind, continuing to thrash about in the small copse of trees on the other side of the valley. The party were able to make it into the large cave, which reeked of the monster and his two large boars. Near the centre there was a haphazard pile of furs on which it seemed the creature and his pets slept. There was a stagnant pool of dark water in the southeast corner of the cave, and a large boulder covering what seemed to be a medium sized hole in the rocky floor. Scattered about the room were the bones of sheep and pigs, and they noticed a torn scrap of what looked like a grey and white cloak on the eastern wall not far from the boulder. Hogar: Hogar looked at the cloak scraps silently, then glanced around, looking for a place that could be used to hide or launch a surprise attack Sleeping Dragon: "I could release those pigs, the boars might run after them," Godwin whispered as they entered the cave. Idris: Edmund nodded. Sleeping Dragon: Godwin attempted to move near enough to try this, but the pigs began to squeal louder as he did, and the pilgrim chose to retreat back into the cave rather than risk being caught by the monster. Arianhod: Arianhod chose a spot near the pool, trying to find a shadowed area to hide in. She leaned her axe up against the cave wall and got her bow out, waiting for the cyclops. Idris: Edmund drew out his sling & fitted a bullet into it. Arianhod: *and nocked and arrow. Hogar: Hogar placed himself on the cave wall opposite Arian, ready to sling his hatchet when the monster would approach Sleeping Dragon: the cyclops moved back to the pigs and bellowed something at them, while the boars continued to thrash through the trees, snuffling and burrowing Leofric: Leofric took a close look at the dark water, pursed his lips and shook his head, giving Hogar an understanding look. He strolled over to a position on other side of the cave, his longsword at ready. He grinned in the dark, ready to help Hogar with his quest. Hogar: Hogar glanced at the cyclops but held back his axe for now, waiting for a better opportunity Sleeping Dragon: the cyclops gave a bellow of frustration and began to stalk back towards the cave while the boars continued to dig amongst the trees Hogar: With a terryfing scream, Hogar hurled his axe at the cyclops, striking its head, though unfortunately not managing to blind the monster - but the beast was still grievously hurt and bellowed in pain Hogar: edit: terrifying, 'managing to blind it' Sleeping Dragon: Godwin brought his staff sling round and hurled a stone towards the monster, but the pilgrim panicked and the stone flew far wide Leofric: Leofric frowned as he glanced around, trying to see anything useful. Arianhod: Arianhod fired her bow, striking the cyclops in the belly with an arrow. Idris: Edmund swung his sling around his head and let fly a bullet stone that smacked into the cyclops' right leg. Sleeping Dragon: one of the boars looked back and saw what was going on, though the other seemed still distracted Sleeping Dragon: the cyclops rushed towards Hogar, screaming madly and raising a club the size of a small tree Hogar: Hogar stood his ground at the charging monster and readied his battle axe Leofric: Leofric knew that the surprise is now gone. In order to block Cyclops' escape, he moved to the entrance of the cave, keeping lookout for any boars that might be following Cyclops in. Confidently, he stood with both of his hands holding his longsword, its steel glistening in the glittering daylight Arianhod: Arianhod retrieved another arrow. Sleeping Dragon: one of the boars began to move back towards the cave, towards Leofric Sleeping Dragon: the cyclops held its club out in front of its face to deflect any blows Hogar might direct there Hogar: Hogar's blow barely chipped the cyclops' club, but then with a deft move he was able to slip under the monster's defenses and prevent it from reaching him Arianhod: Arianhod fitted the arrow to her bowstring. Sleeping Dragon: Godwin continued to reload his cumbersome staff sling Leofric: Leofric glanced at the gaint boar and he carefully made for it with his sword in his hand and executed a move so well that the boar's right hind leg was affected by a nasty slash. The boar squealed in pain. Leofric's face on the other hand was surprised by his attack. Leofric: Leofric then made another attempt at the boar. His sword however twisted slightly and missed the boar. Leofric muttered an oath. Hogar: Hogar fiercely struck again, raising his battle with two hands and lashing out at the cyclops' abdomen. Leofric: Leofric once again made an attempt on hitting this large screaming boar and yet still missed. He muttered another oath. "What wrong with me today?!" He whispered to himself. Arianhod: Arianhod moved forward, firing another arrow that just grazed the cyclop's head. Sleeping Dragon: one of the boars rushed towards the cave Idris: Edmund slung another bullet stone but this one missed completely. He groaned. Sleeping Dragon: screaming with frustration, the cyclops tried to back away from Hogar to allow it to bring its club to bear, but Hogar stayed close to the monster Hogar: Hogar screamed and lashed at the monster again. His axe bit deep into the creature's gigantic eye, wounding it grievously and leaving it blinded and almost helpless - yet the cyclops survived. Hogar: edit: and almost helpless, though still alive, if barely. Hogar: "Go and help Leofric!"bellowed Hogar to the others Arianhod: Arianhod dropped her bow to the ground and readied her axe. Leofric: Leofric stood back, his eyes frowned in concentration. He settled down, and gave his long sword a practice cut again before launching another major blow against this seriously wounded boar. Still, still, he missed. "Oh for God's Sake!" He sworn to the forest. Sleeping Dragon: the other boar rushed towards Arianhod as she drew her axe Leofric: Leofric calmed down, his eys turned steel and launched another attempt on the mighty beast, aiming at the boar's right hind leg. Finally, it found its mark and caused further opening in the wound. Hogar: Hogar gathered all of his strength with a scream and leapt at the battered, barely standing cyclops, burying his axe deep into the monster's thick neck and unleashing forth a stream of blood which washed over him. Sleeping Dragon: Godwin finally finished reloading his clumsy staff sling and turned to hurl the stone at the boar rushing Arianhod. The stone tore through the air and struck the charging creature with titanic force. It gave a choked off screech and fell limp right in front of Arianhod Arianhod: Shrugging, Arianhod simply brought her axe down on the felled boar's head, splitting it open. Sleeping Dragon: the missionary looked quite shocked at how effective his shot had been Hogar: Drenched in blood, Hogar jumped over the cyclops gigantic body and ran towards Leofric Leofric: Leofric was in the fighting position against the dying boar, his bloody face frowned as he made another attempt at the boar, but missed, clearly showing off his lack of skill in his longsword in both hands. Arianhod: Pulling her axe free, Arianhod headed towards the cave mouth to aid Leo. Sleeping Dragon: the maddened boar tried to rush Leofric and shove his sword aside, but the Erseman nimbly sidestepped the charge Hogar: Hogar rushed beside Hogar and with a quick, accurate blow struck the boar's severely wounded hind leg, severing an artery. The great beast collapsed, dead. Hogar: edit: beside Leofric Sleeping Dragon: "By God, we did it!" Godwin exclaimed. "That cloak, I suspect it may be part of Ser Drythelm's clothing." Idris: Edmund put away his sling and went over to examine the cloak. Arianhod: Arianhod took a cloth out and wiped what little blood was on her axe off and went to retrieve her bow. "Didn't see any human bones when we came in." She mentioned. Hogar: Panting with fatigue after his deeds, Hogar was trying to clean some of the cyclops' blood from himself with his hands, but had little success. Leofric: Leofric grinned through his bloody face at Hogar, "From your appearance, I hazard a guess that you managed to defeat your quest!" He asked him. whispering to Arianhod, Hogar, there appeared to be a large hole underneath the boulder in the northeast corner of the cavern. If they could move the boulder, perhaps there was something underneath Hogar: "I did well enough."said Hogar, not bothering to try and hide his pride "As did you - I thought you a man of words, not swords!" he added looking at the huge bodies of the dead bodies which Leofric had bravely fought Arianhod: Arianhod walked over to the boulder. "I noticed a hole under this." She glanced back to Hogar. "Might be something if we can move it." Hogar: "Alas, it seems the knight fared worse than us..."he added referring to Godwin's words. Hearing Arianhod's suggestion, he approached her to help with the pushing. Sleeping Dragon: Arianhod and Hogar were able to shove the boulder aside, revealing a crudely dug hole in which they found two smashed human skeletons, the bones of which had obviously been gnawed by the cyclops and his pets. Within they found a fine longsword and another more ordinary blade, a kite shield, a brigandine, and the smashed remnants of a mail shirt Leofric: Leofric glanced down with a hint of shame as he replied to Hogar, "Me too. I admit that I feel too brave when fighting. I do not take proper due care." He glanced down at the boar whom he spent so much effort against and smiled chillingly before glancing back at Hogar, "Let see how others fares!" He followed Hogar back. Sleeping Dragon: edit: there was also a small ring which bore a symbol of a setting sun whispering to Hogar, Hogar recognised the symbol on the ring as being that of the Order of the Penitent Sons, and a shiver went up his spine. The Penitent Sons had been founded during the Lordstrife to bring those who had become Faithful back to the fold of the Church, by force of arms if needed. After the peace had been made and the Faithful were permitted to practise in Gastony, their remit changed to the prevention of proselytisation, which was still banned, and they were notorious for holding a loose interpretation as to what constituted Faithful 'proselytising' Sleeping Dragon: "May I take the ring?" Godwin enquired. "Ser Drythelm's family would be relieved I'm sure if it was returned to them, and I have some contact with them." whispering to Leofric, the ring showed the sigil of the Order of the Penitent Sons, the order that had been formed during the Lordstrife to prevent the Faithful schismatics from spreading lies against the Church. Idris: "I think that would be fair," Edmund said, looking at the others. Hogar: Hogar took the ring to examine it more closely, and after a few moments frowned. "You...may have it, if the others have no objection."he said handing it over to Godwin whispering to Leofric, Leofric thought he saw a glint in Godwin's eye that quickly vanished as he examined the ring Leofric: Leofric smiled slightly at Godwin, "I recognised that sigil. I suppose you got connection with the Order of the Penitent Sons as well?" His eyes glanced at him curiously. Sleeping Dragon: Godwin put the ring in his pocket. "I know some of them, yes." He turned and began to murmur prayers for Ser Drythelm's soul Idris: "What is the Order of the Penitent Sons?" Edmund asked Leo quietly. Leofric: Leo explained the purpose quietly, "Formed during the Lordstrife, the Order's purpose is to prevent the Faithfuls from spreading lies against the Church. They tend to go in for suppression." Hogar: Hogar nodded silently overhearing Leofric's words to Edmund Sleeping Dragon: Godwin finished his prayer. "Should we be off then? God may be with us, but I would not want to test him by being caught in the Cambers overlong." Idris: Edmund frowned. "I would hear more of this. But not here and not now." Arianhod: Arianhod rolled her eyes when she heard the explaination. Hogar: Hogar nodded again at Ed. "Aye, best we leave this place quickly." he said as set out to take the cyclops' head as a trophy and proof of their deed Leofric: Leofric nodded thoughtfully as he replied, "Good idea! Hope we don't run into anything else!" Leofric: Leofric stood, ready to move out. Hogar: "We could take take some of the boar's meat as provisions, though."Hogar suggested Sleeping Dragon: after slaughtering the pigs in the pen and taking their meat and that of the boars, the party headed back to Wihthrycg. Having already found a good route, they were able to follow it back, and arrive in the village near to midnight. Godwin knelt and gave a prayer of thanksgiving once it was clear that they were safe. Sleeping Dragon: "What will you do now, my friends?" Godwin asked Idris: "Sleep!" Edmund said with a smile. Leofric: Leofric followed it with two words, "And Drink! Not necessary in that order" He smiled cheerfully at their victory over the monster and that damned boar Hogar: "I think we deserve a rest. Perhaps a bath, after beeing in the lair of that dirty monster. Then we'll want to let Waldric's steward know about our deed, I suppose."Hogar replied Sleeping Dragon: Godwin smiled. "We deserve it indeed. But where are you bound? Did you come to Wihthrycg for this reason, or were you on some other errand?" Idris: "We knew about the cyclopes in this area, but we are on the way elsewhere," Edmund said, cautiously. Hogar: "We have our own goals."said Hogar, obviously sounding like he did not want to reveal too much Sleeping Dragon: "I understand," said Godwin. "I will retire for the evening then. Good night, my friends." whispering to Arianhod, Hogar, Idris, partway through the night, there was a sound from the common room like a person bumping against a table. Idris: Edmund shook Hogar awake. "There's someone moving in the common room." Hogar: "I heard that!"said Hogar, who looked like he was about to get up on his own "Shall we go and check?"he said as he went for his axe Arianhod: "Could be a guest coming in late." Arianhod replied, already getting up. Hogar: "Or someone who's up to no good. Still, I'd want to check, who's coming with me?"said Hogar Idris: "Worth checking, better safe than sorry," Edmund said, creeping out of the door and making his way downstairs by moonlight. Idris: Edmund had picked up his sword and held it carefully beside him. Sleeping Dragon: It was quite dark as the party crept out onto the landing in front of their room and peered down into the common room. They caught a glimpse of Godwin, who rubbed his leg before slipping out the front door. Hogar: "There's something...odd with that man..."muttered Hogar Idris: Edmund signalled to the others and opened the door, peering round it to catch sight of Godwin. Leofric: Leofric slowly sit up, his eyes looked tired as he glanced around what is now an empty room. He got to his feet, took his new fine longsword out. He gave it an admiring glance glancing at the dead head mercilessly. whispering to Idris, Hogar, at the door, they caught sight of Godwin, moving quietly away from the inn with his cloak wrapped round him tightly, heading west. Leofric: EDIT: He then glanced at the dead head mercilessly. Idris: Edmund slid round the door and padded up the street after Godwin. Arianhod: Arianhod followed Edmund. Sleeping Dragon: Godwin was moving quickly through the quiet streets of Wihthrycg, glancing back over his shoulder briefly as he did so. Idris: Edmund slipped after him, finding cover where he could. Sleeping Dragon: the party continued after Godwin. As they came nearer they could see he had his belongings with him, and he made no move to stop as he came near to the western edge of the village. Idris: Edmund stopped to let the others catch up. "Looks like he's skipping off without paying the bill." he muttered to them. Arianhod: "Or doing something worse." Arianhod replied quietly. "Stop him now or keep following him?" Hogar: "I fear we must consider Arianhod's words...."said Hogar, sounding like he did not think the man was simply avoiding paying his room's bill Idris: "How far can we follow?" Edmund asked. "Give it a couple of miles then stop him if he's just walking on?" Leofric: Leofric muttered some words as he starts to wonder what happened to his best friends in this word. He decided to get dressed so he put on his fine heavy clothings on. His copper skins glistening in the dark as he put them on. After ordering his long hair out, he felt he was ready for anything!" Sleeping Dragon: Godwin continued on out of town, then climbed a medium sized hill and vanished down the other side Arianhod: "Either way, shouldn't let him out of sight." Arianhod concluded, heading towards the hill. Leofric: He critically evaluate his three longswords carefully as he need to decide which one to use first. Clearly, he opted for fine longsword which he collected and gave it a proper good clean until it gleams like all other swords in his possession. whispering to Arianhod, as they reached the top of the hill, Arianhod noticed that Godwin had hidden himself in some tall grass and appeared to be waiting for the party to pass him by Arianhod: "He's waiting for us." Arianhod whispered to the others. "In the grass." Sho motioned to where she had spotted him. Leofric: Loefric was pleased to see his longsword to be so well polished. It look good as new. He put the longsword down and trying to figure out the best way to carry all three longswords on himself. Sleeping Dragon: Godwin stood with a sigh. "If I wish to leave in the night why is it any business of yours? You plainly wanted nothing to do with me so what gives you the right to follow me?" Idris: Edmund frowned. "The right of all godly persons to find out why someone is creeping out in the middle of the night, presumably without paying his bill." Sleeping Dragon: Godwin blinked, then laughed. "Are you town guards or something? I actually paid my bill in advance several days ago, I have business of my own so I find I need to leave suddenly. If it pricks your conscience so much however," Godwin pulled ten silvers from his purse and flung them at Edmund. "You can ask the innkeep in the morning if I've paid, if he says I hasn't - I suppose if he's a dishonest man he'll pretend I haven't so he can make some more money - you can pay him for me. Do you have aught else to say, godly person?" Leofric: Eventually, Leofric came to simple conclusion when dealing with two swords of same style and a sword of one style. He managed to wear both of his orginal longswords on his back, one hilt protruding above each shoulder and new longsword on his belt within easy reach. Arianhod: Arianhod raised an eyebrow. "Bribery? That's not helping your cause." whispering to Idris, Edmund suspected that Godwin had actually already paid, and if anything his sudden departure seemed intended as a way of avoiding them. Edmund noticed Godwin had made no references to God at all since the party had accosted him. Sleeping Dragon: "You can give me my silvers back if you wish, I had hoped to stop you from robbing me any further." Hogar: "Now, now...There is no need to be so hostile. We are sorry if we have misdjudged you, but perhaps you should explain yourself..."suggested Hogar Idris: Edmund picked up the purse and held it out. "We had no intention of robbing you. What do you take us for? But you had behaved strangely and we didn't trust you, that's true. But maybe you have something to hide. It would not be uncommon." Sleeping Dragon: "Of course I have something to hide. What of it? You hide your business as well. When I asked what you meant to do next you put me off with vagaries, so I will do the same. Incidentally, where did you learn to throw your voice like that? I am an actor myself and I've never seen such skill." Idris: "You have been acting the part of a missionary then?" Edmund asked. Sleeping Dragon: "You're the mummer extraordinaire, why don't you tell me? Or why don't we simply agree not to cross paths again? We had a profitable partnership, we each got what we wanted, and now we can go our separate ways. Or I hope we are going separate ways, I had to guess as you didn't tell me where you were going." Arianhod: "And what did you want? Not to return a ring, I expect." Arianhod crossed her arms. Sleeping Dragon: "Why should I explain my motives when you don't explain yours? What do you know of the Order of the Penitent Sons?" Idris: Edmund shook his head. "Only what Leo told me." Sleeping Dragon: "Which is what? You two whisper together a lot for such honest, godly men." Hogar: "I know they are...not friendly to the Faithful. "said Hogar frowning "Something which I do not appreciate much, personally." Idris: "Leo used the word supression. It seems that supressing with fire and steel is a popular pastime everywhere." Sleeping Dragon: "The Order of the Penitent Sons suppressed my parents. Now that I have the signet ring of one of their high commanders, I mean to suppress their suppression. Are you Faithful? I generally assume the Virians I meet here are heretics, but perhaps I've misjudged you." Arianhod: Arianhod sighed. "Doesn't matter either way. I'm going back to bed." She turned and started back to the inn. "What a waste of time." She muttered. Idris: Edmund suddenly burst out laughing. "Do any of us know what we are any more? We have seen extraordinary things since coming to this land, things that make the differences between one sect and another seem... insignificant." Hogar: "A sad series of misunderstanding. "sighed Hogar "I am indeed of one of the Faithful, if not among the most devoted..."he said earnestly "I thought you might have been one at First, but when you wanted the ring I thought I had misjudged you. Still I think we could have let the knight's family have the ring back as a token of mercy..."Hogar traile doff Hogar: edit: Hogar trailed off Hogar: edit: and of course 'at First' is 'at first' Sleeping Dragon: "Why on earth would I give the ring back to the people who killed my parents?" Hogar: "You wouldn't, understandably. Neither would I, if the same had been done to my family. But I would have tolerated you giving the ring to the family, had you not been Faithful yourself and meant to do so. "Hogar sighed again "What dark times are these, that people have to hide their beliefs from each other..." Idris: "What good will it do?" Edmund asked. Sleeping Dragon: "It's a signet ring. The Penitent Sons back in Gastony won't know Ser Drythelm is dead for some time, so I can use it to send false orders and disrupt their operations. They will find it far harder to kill the Faithful if they keep blundering off in the wrong direction or falling into ambushes." Idris: Edmund looked at Hogar. "How do you feel about this?" Leofric: Leofric unsheathed his new longsword, ready to attack anyone that come through the room in his hand. On other hand, he is reading a small compact book he just bought from that woman seriously. Clearly, he is guarding the room, his eyes flickered at the door every so often. Hogar: "I can't say I am happy at the thought of Virians deceiving Virians, even if we Faithful have to defend ourselves...."Hogar said, looking uneasy "Yet Godwin is right. Perhaps if they find their efforts at 'suppression' harder, these Penitent Sons might decide to go back to fighting proper monsters rather than those who have a ...different understanding of the Faith." Arianhod: The door suddenly opened! Arianhod looked at Leofric in askance. "Planning on meeting someone tonight?" Sleeping Dragon: "I'm no zealot myself - it doesn't go with my particular profession. If people want to be droned at and believe whatever the Church tells them instead of thinking, then it's no matter to me." Godwin paused. "As you have no issue with what I'm doing then I may as well return to the inn and leave in the morning. I feared you might ask too many questions if I stayed, and if you were the wrong sort of person those questions might lead to answers that would result in me losing the ring or more." Godwin shook his head. "I'm obviously losing my edge. Now, seriously, how did you learn to throw your voice like that?" Leofric: Leofric's sword was at ready to attack anyone that come through the door. The book he was reading dropped to the floor. He smiled sadly, "Ah. No. Arianhod. Just on my guard since you all left me alone in bed. I was worried about all of you." He looked seriously, "So what happened? What happened that dragged almosy everyone from here?" Hogar: Hogar smiled at Godwin, obviously pleased that the misunderstanding had in some way been resolved Arianhod: "Heard a noise downstairs." Arianhod started to explain. "Ended up being a pointless misunderstanding about how Godwin belived in his god. Waste of sleep honestly." Idris: Edmund smiled as they turned back towards the inn. "That is one of the things I have learned since leaving my native land. There are many lessons to be learned here. No offence intended, but I know and trust Leo and Hogar. We were shipwrecked together, work together, fight for each other and look after each other's interests. We are not just companions but friends, for all our different backgrounds. If we get to know you and trust you as well as that, I'll tell you how I threw my voice." Sleeping Dragon: "Unlikely, I'm going to return to Gastony as soon as I'm able. Keep your secret then, wizard of ventriloquism." Leofric: Leofric raised his eyebrows, "Ah. You are not of the Virian Way then." As if it explained everything. "So all our talks about our faith must be a waste of time and boring for you. So whom do you follow then? If you don't mind me asking." Hogar: "As for me I wish you the best of luck, but I suggest you be very careful."said Hogar "Especially if you are returning to Gastony." Idris: Edmund laughed at Godwin's last remark, but agreed with Hogar. Sleeping Dragon: "I've been dodging Penitent Sons and various guardsmen since I was ten, it's too late to tell me to be careful." Arianhod: "Hmm?" Arianhod raised an eyebrow at Leofric's conclusion. "I follow whatever way keeps me alive. God has nothing to do with it." Idris: "There is a life to be made here, and many of the old differences can be forgotten," Edmund said to him, serious now. "Although you can be put to death by heathens for preaching against their gods, if you are so inclined." Leofric: Leofric nodded with a hint of understanding, "Fair enough. Back to your beautiful sleep." Leofric settled down against one of the walls that make up the bedroom and plucked his book up and went back into reading the book. Sleeping Dragon: "I already have a life, but it's a kind offer. Do you have any messages you want brought to family in Gastony? I may have to change my face to return to Meringas but..." Godwin shrugged. Idris: Edmund shook his head. "I have no family but some cousins in Malagen, but I doubt they're interested in news of my doings." Hogar: "I do have family...but perhaps it is not time yet for them to hear of me. Some day perhaps. Still, before you go..."Hogar went for his money-purse and took a decent-sized amount of silver coins to hand over to Godwin "You'll need luck in Gastony, but silver will help. Take care."
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Post by sleepingdragon on Aug 11, 2013 19:04:53 GMT
Sleeping Dragon: after the night's misadventures with Godwin, the party returned to the inn and slept. In the morning Godwin ate with them before quietly saying he was going to be heading to Bluebrycg, then south down the Saltanow to Phalen to find a ship to take him back to Gastony. "Good luck with...whatever it is you're doing," he said by way of parting. Edmund: Edmund smiled and nodded, then his face grew serious. "You also." Hogar: Hogar bid goodbye to the man, wishing him well Hogar: "We'll want to get our reward from the steward and sell some of that knight's equipment before we go."suggested Hogar to the others Leofric: Leofric nodded as he heard what happened from others and told Godwin, "Good luck and may you find some closure." Leofric: "Good idea." Leofric nodded, agreeing with Hogar Cosmichorror (enter): 19:57 Attempting to assign the role of Player to (3458) Arianhod... Sleeping Dragon: the party took the cyclops head to the steward. Hogar removed the eye and put it in a small jar filled with brine which the steward gave them - plainly he had dealt with others from the Bloodied Eye Brotherhood before, though there was no chapterhouse in Wihthrycg. After selling Ser Drythelm's remaining goods, they set out west on the last stretch of their road to Stencumb.
The country to the southwest of Wihthrycg was still barren, however as they came near to the marsh called the Peadawash they found the land grew wetter and they encountered more small streams and little ponds than before. With this, the land became slightly more populated, though it was a far cry from the fertile lands around Cuto's Well where they had spent most of their time since arriving in Palania. They stayed the night of 4 May 227 in a farmer's stable and continued on in the morning. Turning southwest, they passed the boundary between the regions of Ethelhelm's Gap and Peadaland a few hours after mid-day, marked by a small hamlet built round a marble statue to Peada, the ancient High King who had led the revolt of the Palanian Gastons against the Alanian Empire over three hundred years ago. This region had been the heartland of his kingdom, but after his death in battle it had declined, and the Gastons had warred amongst themselves until the emergence of the Valing High Kings of Phalen a century and a half later.
As evening drew near they finally arrived in Stencumb, a large village nestled in a narrow valley between a jutting spike of the Camber Hills to the east, and the great Peadawash to the west. Built on the ford across the Peada river, Stencumb was a natural place of meetings and trade.
Synne had been very dismissive of Peadaland, however as they entered they thought Stencumb was a pretty little village - though it helped that they were plainly preparing for some kind of celebration, with many colourful pavilions and flags erected, and the scent of cut grass heavy in the air. On the western edge of the village, not far from the marsh, they saw a round stone tower, and just behind that on a small hill they could faintly discern the shape of the village runestone. Hogar: "Now to find this wizard..."said Hogar glancing around, his eyes eventually focusing on the tower Edmund: Edmund nodded and started off slowly towards the tower. "We might think as we go how to start the conversation with this wizard." Leofric: Leofric looked thoughtfully at the runestone and asked, "We could start with the runestones? We are curious about them anyway and start from there? We can open up with the runestone on the hill" He pointed at the runestone in front of them. Edmund: "Good idea Leo." Edmund agreed. Leofric: Leo smiled at the preparation and asked, "I wonder what they are preparing. Maybe good chance to show off your flute playing." He told Edmund. Edmund: "We could go over and ask?" Edmund suggested. "Get some information about the wizard and the runestone before tackling him." Edmund: edit* And get some information ... Leofric: Leofric nodded and replied as he started asking other villagers about the wizard and the upcoming celebration. Leofric: "Good idea" Sleeping Dragon: they asked around amongst the handful of villagers that were still about now. The main thing everyone wanted to talk about was the contest. The most beautiful woman in Stencumb, Somerild the sister of Lord Scenwulf, had come of age and a trio of suitors were vying for her hand. Lord Scenwulf, who most seemed to believe would be the Ealdorman of Stencumb within the year, had elected to hold a series of competitions among the three men the day after tomorrow, and the winner would be wed to Somerild. People from all across Stencumb Weapontake had come, and some from elsewhere as welll, as one of the suitors was the son of the Ealdorman of Astlaw to the south.
They had a little bit more trouble finding people willing to talk of Deogol, the wizard, who by all accounts was a very reclusive and short-tempered man, though he was a skilled smith and loremaster and he had defended the village ably against incursions of dragonspawn from the hills and lizardmen from the swamp in his nearly twenty years in Stencumb. Strangers who spoke little if at all to anyone else in Stencumb would come and visit him, stay for a few days, and then disappear again. Deogol was unusual in how open he was about being a wizard, which, several months ago, had earned him the ire of a local Virian witch-hunter, who had tried to murder him in his sleep and had his head cut off for his troubles.
Few people knew the runestone - Deogol would often meditate there for hours, and this discouraged anyone else from going near it, though one farmer swore that after he had touched the stone one market day when Deogol was away he'd fetched the best prices in his life, outdoing everyone he had haggled with. Hogar: "Dangerous people, wizards..."spoke Hogar in a hushed tone "Let's be careful." Edmund: "We should look at this runestone," Edmund said. "If that's how it affects people." Sleeping Dragon: edit to add - after the attempt on his life, the villagers said Deogol had hired a mercenary guard, an extremely ugly man called Waltheow, who watched his tower during the night. Edmund: "How do we convince Deogol we mean him no harm but respect him?" Edmund mused. Leofric: Leofric merely looked concerned at the mention of a local Virian, "Hopefully, he would let the fact we are Virians against us. I am curious as to the Runestone as well. We could hint at the fact we are very interested in magic?" Leofric: "We should avoid annoying him as it seems that he disencouraged anyone else from touching it" Leo added afterward Edmund: "Wizard first before runestone then," said Edmund. Leofric: Leofric nodded, "Good idea." Sleeping Dragon: the party headed towards Deogol's tower. As they came near, they noticed with a start that the tower was not made of one type of stone, but several different. It was not, however, one type of stone laid atop another - rather, the tower was multicoloured, as if numerous stones had been liquefied and melded together. Hardly any mortar had been used, and the ground floor contained many strangely shaped protrusions and alcoves.
A small set of steps led up to a solid door of painted red oak, in front of which stood an armoured man they presumed was Waltheow. He was, indeed, a very ugly man - he had greasy black hair, a squashed in face, and piggish eyes, capped off with a huge, hideous red boil on his right cheek. Next to Waltheow was a skull driven atop a spike, and above that, over the door, there hung the very strange remnants of a sword. The blade seemed to have been turned in on itself, bent and folded limp, as if it were made of clay and not iron.
Waltheow held out a gauntleted hand. "Wizard's not interested in your fool's festival, be off," he called. Hogar: Hogar looked at the bent blade with worry and curiosity before turning to the man "We are not here for the festival..." Edmund: "We have travelled a long way to see Deogol." Edmund added. "He is known far and wide. We wish to speak with him about ... arcane matters." Leofric: Leofric eyed the misshapen sword and nodded Sleeping Dragon: Waltheow looked contemptuous. "When people come to see the wizard they tell him in advance. Unless you're one of his..." Waltheow let the word hang. Edmund: Edmund raised his eyebrows. "We're not one of his anything. If we had known we needed to make an appointment we would have done so. Look, we mean no disrespect. We have important questions which Deogol may be the one to answer. And we have information which he may find very useful and interesting. Just tell him we entered the Plague Fields and were not touched." Sleeping Dragon: Waltheow paused. "Give me your weapons and I'll go and speak to him." Edmund: Edmund handed over his sling readily enough. Edmund: Then he pulled out the sabre from his belt. Hogar: Hogar silently gave over his weapons for keeping. Arianhod: Arianhod handed over her axes and bow. "Got enough hands?" She asked idly, considering how many weapons the group was carrying. Leofric: Leofric nodded with a hint of understanding in his eyes. He took his fine sword off his belt and reached behind his back for his two Erse style longsword, silver coloured steel and silver itself and handed them over. Hogar: Hogar chuckled softly at Arian's joke. Sleeping Dragon: Waltheow grinned and took the weapons a few at a time, opening the door enough to let them see a small corridor ending in a banded iron door. Waltheow stashed the weapons behind the door and, once he was finished, headed inside, locking the door behind him.
About five minutes later, Waltheow returned with another man. As they had heard in Middlemere, Deogol looked more of a warrior than a wizard - a big, broad-shouldered man in a blacksmith's apron and carrying a large two-handed sword slung over his shoulder. He was in perhaps his late forties or early fifties, with greying hair and a long beard. "So...the lot of you went into the Plague Fields and came out unscratched. What possessed you to go there? And who are you anyhow?" Edmund: Edmund bowed and gave his name. "We were asked to find a scholar who had gone into the Plague Fields and not returned. Sadly we found him and his companions...changed. In our time there we also came across information which we wanted to speak to you about, concerning cleansing the Runestones." Sleeping Dragon: Deogol's eyes narrowed. "Hmmm. Is that the way of it? I can hear that you are Gastonlanders. Well, I'll warn you, this," Deogol gestured to the skull, "is what became of the last Virian who tried to...speak...to me. Am I to believe you are not so hostile to magic as your fellows? Though it has never made much sense to me, I must say, that a religion founded by a sorcerer has such antipathy towards magic." Hogar: Hogar's brow furrowed for a moment hearing the Prophet being referred to as a sorcerer but he said nothing Arianhod: "I can't speak for the others," Arianhod crossed her arms. "But I don't care what you decide to do with your time. If we wanted to end up like him," She nodded to the skull. "We'd have come by in the middle of the night." Hogar: "We...."Hogar paused for a significant deal of time before continuing "Happen to have found some documents which suggest that perhaps sorcery is not a force for evil. " Edmund: Edmund was taken aback but did his best to cover it up. "You have some interesting theories," he said. "We are a long way from Gastony and we have met with new ideas and widened our views somewhat." Sleeping Dragon: "What documents are these then? And what have these to do with runestones? You said cleanse the runestones, which ones do you mean? I have heard of runestones being corrupted in the distant past but I'm not aware of any now." Edmund: "I meant the runestones in the Plague Fields. We believe that the corruption of these is the cause of the plague, and that if they are cleansed the curse will lift." Leofric: Leofric grimaced as he added, his speech of well spoken "Acutally, not entirely. I surmised that in order to left the curse, the five runestones need to be cleansed in the Plague and destroying the one who is responsible for the curse which is to be believed to be Horsa. Only then, I believe that the curse is lifted." Leofric: He also added afterward, "I touched the runestone and felt it is corrupted." Hogar: "The Fields are an evil place and we want to do whatever is possible to cleanse them."said Hogar earnestly "We thought you might help." Sleeping Dragon: Deogol rubbed his chin. "Hmm...yes, that is quite possible, Horsa had hired those Fryderi mages. We had advised him against it but...well that is in the past. I have heard this theory before, but apart from the runestone in Wapanstede we weren't sure where any of them were, and no one was ever able to make it to Wapanstede alive." Deogol paused. "I do not know, immediately, how you would go about doing this, but I can do some research. You are aware, of course, that this would require spells to be cast on the runestones? Were you intending for me to do this?" Edmund: Edmund looked to Leofric. Leofric: Leofric glanced at Edmund in response and nodded as if it confirmed something, "I am aware that it does requires the spells which is why we are here. Indeed, we managed to track down Apocrypha of the Ancients which revealed some information about the runestones itself which may help you with the research. As for casting spell..." Leofric paused for a moment, "I am willing to learn such spells although it may be unlikely that I can cast it in spite of my extremely rudimentary knowledge of magic." He admitted that he does have magical ability finally Sleeping Dragon: Deogol looked interested. "So you mean to be a mage then? Show me." Hogar: Hogar looked at Leofric encouragingly Edmund: Edmund smiled at Leo, seeing his nervousness. Leofric: Leofric glanced around and chosen one of the objects. He spent some time focusing on it but eventually, strange light glowed from it, it give out enough light as a simple lantern. After sufficent amount of time, he stopped paying attention and the light faded away. He looked at Deogol and nodded, "Yes, I do want to be a mage." Edmund: Edmund stepped back as Leo showed his skills. Sleeping Dragon: "Hmm...you might do. Where did you learn that spell?" Deogol reached out with his hand and the light went out. Leofric: Leofric glanced at Deogol, clearly he is a proper one. "We found a grimoire in the village of Bexcheap in the middle of the Plague Field. After some reading, I managed to pick few spells." Hogar: "There is also..."said Hogar, sounding slightly sorry to interrupt "The whole matter of finding Horsa and destroying him. Well, what's left of him..." Edmund: "We have found magic has its uses," added Edmund. Sleeping Dragon: "You'd be likely to need an army for that, or at least one to serve as a diversion. There are hundreds of undead humans and dragonspawn as well around Wapanstede, you'd never reach Horsa without a large force." Deogol rubbed his neck. "I need to research this matter more. I will spend tomorrow doing this, provided you do a task for me. Nothing too major, but not something I'll be able to do myself if I'm reading." Edmund: "What kind of task? asked Edmund. Leofric: Leofric paid attention to what kind of task he have in mind for them Hogar: "We don't exactly have an army on hand..."sighed Hogar "Though perhaps if we could convince someone to lend us one..." Sleeping Dragon: "In my line of work I sometimes have need for mandrake root - do you know it? A powerful reagent. It grows especially under trees where men have been hanged, especially if the hanged man was a mage. As it so happens there was a village called Granstede to the east, in the foothills of the Cambers, where they hanged a necromancer two years ago. Sadly after that the dragonspawn came out of the hills and destroyed the village, for that reason Ealdorman Waldric came to me to awaken his magic sword and then drove the dragonspawn back. There should now be powerful mandrake root growing in Granstede. Dig them up for me, but be careful - you have to dig a furrow around the plant first, and then remove it whole. Do NOT damage the root, or it will be useless. I will give you some essence of nightshade to sprinkle upon the plants, sorcerous mandrake can emit an unpleasant yell when extracted, unless you suppress the spirit inside. Bring me as many as you can, preferably." Leofric: Leofric nodded and glanced at his friends, "We will be happy to perform this task for you." Edmund: Edmund nodded though he looked grim. Hogar: "Sounds like a simple enough task." Sleeping Dragon: Deogol looked up at the sky and squinted. "You probably will want to go tomorrow, you have to dig the root after dusk, and if you go now it will not be long before sunrise before you reach Granstede. I'd warn you - the dragonspawn were pushed out, but there might be other creatures lurking about in the ruins." Edmund: "Is there a decent place in the village where we can stay overnight?" Edmund asked Sleeping Dragon: "Quite a few, though you'll have to pay a mint I fear, there's a lot of travellers about for this contest of Scenwulf's." Hogar: "Since runestones were mentioned....What is the function of the runestone you have been meditating by?"asked Hogar "Could it be useful for us to visit it before undertaking this task?" Sleeping Dragon: Deogol grunted. "I doubt it. I meditate by the stone to restore my energies - I will show you how to do that when you return, incidentally," he said to Leofric, "as it wouldn't do for you to go mad. There are other means to restore your energies as well - potions using mandrake root, for a start. Those who are not true mages might use the stone to become slightly more persuasive - this place was presumably some kind of market village even in the time of the Ancients." Hogar: "Ah, I see. Not too likely to help us on our quest...though it might fetch us better prices on room prices, at least." Hogar: edit:quest -> task Edmund: "I also would be interested in learning how to restore lost energies," Edmund said. "But becoming more persuasive is very tempting." Leofric: Leofric nodded at the word "Mad" and replied, "Appreciated," Sleeping Dragon: Deogol looked amused. "Two Virian mages then? Well I'll leave the theological dilemma to you, it didn't seem to trouble Wulfric of Barthenfold. Or perhaps he didn't know what he was doing, though I doubt it. Waltheow, get their weapons." The guard nodded and began to recover the party's belongings Leofric: Leofric nodded as the revelation that the Prophet is a magican. Hogar: "I suspect that if magic will truly lift the Curse then quite a few of us Virians will give sorcery a second thought..."said Hogar sounding somewhat hopeful Sleeping Dragon: "I doubt it. Oh, I will get your nightshade." Deogol entered the tower and returned a moment later with a small jar of yellowish powder. Leofric: Leofric carefully accepted the small jar of essense of nightshade, packing it safety in the cloth, surrounded by scrolls and codex Leofric: EDITED: in his backpack. Sleeping Dragon: the party quickly visited the runestone, which glowed with yellow runes. When they touched the stone and summoned its power, they felt it stir under their hands, and they felt as though their tongues had been unstoppered, and their hearts were lifted and filled with the desire for music and song. Edmund: "Maybe they want musicians in the village," Edmund said with a grin. Leofric: Leofric felt cheered up as it is clear that it went well for them. It could be much worse. Sleeping Dragon: the party headed to one of the nearby inns, which was packed with travellers. At first the innkeeper refused them, however he agreed to allow Edmund to play the common room. Edmund played many pleasant songs on his flute and soon people were coming in from the outside, the ale flowing. In gratitude, the innkeeper allowed them to stay the night free in the common room. Leofric: Leofric settled down, glad to have one honest sleep slightly less worried about magic, Edmund: Edmund was delighted with the effects of the runestone. Leofric: During the discussions about the events, Leofric managed to explain that the sword was misshapen by a sculpting metal spell Sleeping Dragon: as they needed to extract the mandrake root after dusk, the party stayed behind for some time in the morning, speaking to people. They were able to learn the names of the three contestants for Somerild's hand - Eahfrid Ealthing, the son of the Ealdorman of Astlaw, a bard called Thunor of Langness, and Lord Garrick Olthoring. The latter name surprised them - after a moment, they recalled speaking to Dunstan on the Werling estate, when he had mentioned that his father had been the Lord of the Olthoring clan, until Dunstan had poisoned him and his title had passed to a cousin. Most seemed to believe that either Lord Garrick or Eahfrid would win, and some whispered this would make the difference between war and peace, for the Weapontake of Astlaw had a feud with its southern neighour, the Weapontake of Rulburna, and were said to desire to retake ancient clan holdings. Leofric: Leofric nodded and told others, "Hopefully, whoever win would be not be the one to go to war. Last thing this cruel lands needs is more fighting between people when there are ever present dangers from evil creatures." Sleeping Dragon: a little past mid-day the party set out to Granstede, following a path east into the Cambers. Granstede itself had been a village near the boundary between the Weapontakes of Stencumb and Wihthrycg. In the early evening they came near to the wreckage. The outlying farms and cottages had been completely burned - the only building that remained standing was a battered stone tower near the centre of the village. Though Granstede had fallen to attack, there were barely any human bones around - the dragonspawn were not fond of leaving bodies behind. whispering to Hogar, as they entered, Hogar noticed paw prints that appeared to belong to some kind of large quadruped, certainly much larger than a human or a horse. They appeared to have been made recently. Hogar: Hogar's eyes widened as he saw something on the ground "Some huge thing must have been here...and recently" Sleeping Dragon: the party examined the prints that Hogar showed them, which appeared to belong to a large quadruped. After a while they thought it must be the prints of a smilodon, a large saber-toothed cat. Looking around there appeared to be only one set of tracks, and smilodons were nocturnal so they could hope it had now risen and was away hunting, though they now knew to take care of where they left their horses. Edmund: Edmund stared around at the surrounding ruins, wondering if anything was lurking behind the broken walls. Hogar: "We could track the beast now to avoid it bothering us later...Or just go and get the root as quick as possible" Leofric: Leofric also glanced around with wariness. "I would get the root quickly as possible in muy opinon. If it bother us, we just deal with it like any other creatures we faced so far." Edmund: Edmund warily set off in the direction of the tower, sling at the ready. Leofric: Leofric followed Edmund and others, his newly accuired longsword at ready Hogar: "Keep your weapons ready..."said Hogar Sleeping Dragon: the party made their way to the stone tower, which had obviously been looted - looking through the shattered door, they could see that the walls and spiral staircase leading up were black with soot. The ground around the tower had been badly burned, but nonetheless they noticed a trio of mandrake plants growing in the grass near to a dying tree with a blackened trunk. As they looked, they also noticed the animal droppings on the ground near the base of the tree, which they thought would likely be those of the smilodon. Hogar: Hogar looked at the tree ominously Sleeping Dragon: there did not appear to be anything hiding in the tree, though they could not be entirely certain Hogar: "You can deal with the root while we stand guard around you."suggested Hogar to Leofric Leofric: Leofric nodded at Hogar as he dug out the jar of the essense of nightshade. "Arianhod, would you like to help me to dig it out?" He asked nicely Arianhod: "Sure." Arianhod nodded and walked over to help Leofric with the roots. Sleeping Dragon: the party were able to dig up all three roots. Arianhod dug careful trenches down to the base of the plant, whereupon Leofric sprinkled on the essence of nightshade. As the plants were pulled up there were low cries, but they seemed muffled and muted, as if through a pillow pressed to the face. The moon was high in the sky by the time they finished. Hogar: "Perhaps we should check out the tower before returning..."said Hogar Arianhod: Arianhod wiped the dirt from her hands and shrugged. "Why not?" Leofric: Leofric nodded at the successful task. "Hopefully" He whispered to the others, "We can deliver them undamaged". He glanced up at the tower thinking, "Who know what we may find up there." He carefully wrapped them away into backpack, most carefully. Edmund: "We won't get another chance, so yes," Edmund agreed. Sleeping Dragon: the party headed into the tower. At the bottom of the staircase was the wreckage of many tables, crates, chairs, and other items - presumably these had been piled against the inside of the door. Broken spearheads, swords, and arrowheads littered the ground. The walls were black with soot and ash, which continued up the spiralling staircase leading up. Sleeping Dragon: the party headed upstairs. The tower had three stories, and on the very top floor the ground itself was no more than a mess of ash, intermixed with a few blackened bones and shattered lanterns. After a while they realised the defenders had clearly chosen to immolate themselves, as a preferable alternative to being slain and reanimated by the dragonspawn.
The tower chambers had long been looted and there was nothing at all of value there, however as they searched Arianhod and Leofric realised that there was strange stone hidden within the spiral staircase, near to what they thought must have been the lord's own chamber. They pulled the stone back to find a hidden compartment. Within were six bottles of red wine that they recognised were of a vintage from Shara, back in Maseda. They also found a fine pair of riding boots, a fine black cloak emblazoned with the symbol of a crimson horse, a pair of longswords, and a small locked box, presumably some kind of jewellery box. Hogar: Hogar eyed the small treasure cache, pleased "What a find!" whispering to Hogar, Hogar recognised the crimson horse symbol - it belonged to the Martulfings, a noble clan in Wihthrcg. He thought he had seen a man in a cloak with such a symbol while they'd been in Wihthrycg, and suspected the man's family might pay for the object's return. Hogar: He eyed the cloak for a while before speaking "That's from the Martulfing clan. Think I saw one of them in Wihthrycg, he might be interested in having it..." Leofric: Leofric smiled at Hogar and replied, "Indeed, it is surprising just how much are hidden in this lands. Look how much we found already." Edmund: Edmund took some small wires from his pocket and worked on the lock of the box, but just couldn't get it right. One of the lockpicks snapped suddenly and Edmund swore. Leofric: Leofric looked at Edmund with concern and asked, "Could you try again?" Sleeping Dragon: Edmund was able to carefully pry out the broken remnants of his pick and try again, allowing him to open the box. Within were several small rings, an opal necklace, and a few vials of perfume. Sleeping Dragon: the party headed outside and remounted their horses, trotting off westwards back towards Stencumb. whispering to Leofric, Edmund, as they went, Edmund and Leofric spied a very large white shape stalking amongst the ruined buildings, watching them and trailing behind them. Leofric: Leofric glanced at the others and whispered to them, "Some pussy is following us." Edmund: "We're being stalked by the cat." Edmund muttered. Hogar: "Best to get that out of the way then!"said Hogar as his hand went to his axe Edmund: Edmund tried to trick the cat by magically throwing his voice again, but in the stress of the moment he was unable to get the spell right. Sleeping Dragon: seeming to realise that they had spotted it, the creature padded out of the darkness. It was a huge creature, about the size of their horses. Baring its teeth, it snarled a warning at them. Leofric: Leofric focused his attention but does not seems to do any damages to the beast Sleeping Dragon: the horses shied away from the creature, whinnying in panic. The creature appeared to be somewhat hesitant to attack them, however, as they outnumbered it significantly Arianhod: Arianhod looked down at her horse in irritation and dismounted, getting her axe ready. Hogar: Hogar hurled his hatchet at the cat, but as he was having trouble controlling his steed and thus badly missed his mark Sleeping Dragon: seeming to decide that the party were not easy meat after all, the smilodon gave a snap of its teeth and retreated back into the wreckage of the buildings. Hogar: edit: but he was having... Hogar: Eyeing the retreating beast warily, Hogar dismounted and quickly rushed to recover his hatchet before returning to the horse. Edmund: "It doesn't want to face all of us together," Edmund said. "Let's get moving before it comes out again." Arianhod: "Hmph." Arianhod returned to her horse. Leofric: Leofric sighed with a relief, at least they are safe for now. He pattered his beloved horse for he sense that it managed to hold on, sharing his bravery. "Agreed!" After waiting for others to mount their horses, he was on their way. Sleeping Dragon: the party headed back to Stencumb, arriving an hour past midnight. Due to the hour Edmund could not repeat his previous performance, however the innkeeper agreed to let them pay to stay in the crowded common room, resulting, in the end, in them sleeping standing up on the benches of one of the tables.
It was not an easy night, and people woke early as well, for today was the day of the contests to determine who would win Somerild's hand, which were to begin at mid-day. They ate their breakfast blearily and prepared to go to see Deogol. Leofric: Leofric yawned for a moment and checked his precious cargo. "We got luckly, did we?" He told others. Sleeping Dragon: *sitting down, not standing up! Edmund: "We did indeed. Could have ended up as cat's meat!" Edmund said with a laugh. Hogar: "Wish that bloody cat just charged us, then we'd be selling its pelt now."grumbled a groggy Hogar Leofric: "Or feeding on us as mere snacks... Still, I hope we will know more about runestones eventually." Arianhod: "Would have been a good challenge." Arianhod nodded in response to Hogar's statement. Sleeping Dragon: the party returned to Deogol's tower, finding Waltheow on watch, near the end of his night shift. He yawned, which seemed to only accentuate his ugliness, and went to fetch Deogol.
The wizard appeared not to have slept much of the night, but not to be much the worse for wear for it. He carried a leather bound book in his hand. "Hopefully I can sleep through this stupidity. We make a point of not meddling in politics, but this is sorely tempting my vows. What manner of vainglorious fool has a contest to decide who will take their daughter's hand?" Deogol shook his head. "Did you get any roots?" Edmund: "You have taken vows?" Edmund asked. Leofric: Leofric nodded and took them out of the backpack carefully, "Yes, we did manage to find three roots." Arianhod: "Fool is right..." Arianhod muttered quietly, staying near the back of the group. Sleeping Dragon: Deogol took the roots, examining them carefully to make sure the taproots had not been broken. "Well done, this is a superior haul. And yes, I have taken vows." Deogol seemed to consider a moment, and then shrugged. "I am part of the Conclave, the association of mages of Palania. We are not a secret society as such, but we generally do not advertise our presence. Personally I have tended to find our reclusiveness irritating, but then that is probably why someone tried to assassinate me." Leofric: Leofric listened to this paragraph, his eyes filled with great interest. "I never heard about the Conclave before until now. How interesting!" Sleeping Dragon: "As I said, we do not announce our presence, though we are not a secret and many people are aware of us. Do either of you wish to be real mages, or are you content to be dabblers?" he looked at Leofric and Edmund. "We could teach you, though there is still a matter to resolve." Leofric: Leofric nodded surely and he replied, "Yes I do.?" His eyes filled with steel confidence, "But what is the matter you were referring to?" Edmund: "I don't think my passion lies solely in magic," Edmund admitted. "Maybe I am cut out to be a dabbler." Sleeping Dragon: "So be it. The matter then, Leofric, is this," Deogol cast the book at Leofric's feet, and as it rolled to a stop they saw it was a copy of the Theophany. "You will need to decide whether you want power or nonsense. You can hardly expect the Conclave to teach you when you might turn against us at the first pangs of conscience. Would you abandon the Virian Way?" Edmund: Edmund took a step back and stood looking at Leo. Arianhod: Arianhod gave a short chuckle and waited, watching Leo. Hogar: Hogar watched Leofric intently, obviously very interested in his decision. Leofric: Leofric replied softly, "If I learnt one thing in this lands, it is the fact Virian Way is not correct. I seen scrolls from another Viran sect that magic was something to be embraced." Leofric replied, "I seen the power of nonsense as I used to protect myself and my friends from the dark curses of the lands. I seen the power of magic as it helped us or against us. For that matter, I would want both. If the Conclave is unwilling to teach me because I want both, then that fine. I would just have to make my own journey instead" Sleeping Dragon: Deogol smiled. "Good. The Conclave is not open to those who would abandon principle at the first push. You will need to agree to our vows, the Abjurations, but that being done, as far as I can see you have the wits and strength of character to be one of us. I am happy to teach you myself, or I can send you on to a colleague if Stencumb is out of the way for you or you wish to learn a different sort of magic to what I know. I will tell you more later." Edmund: Edmund clapped Leo on the shoulder. "Well done!" he said with a broad smile. Hogar: Hogar smiled slightly at Leofric's decision Leofric: Leofric nodded quietly, "Thank you." He smiled at others, relief that he made the right choice. Leofric: EDIT: certain
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Post by sleepingdragon on Aug 17, 2013 16:53:14 GMT
While you were in Granstede digging up the mandrake roots, Deogol has been researching. As far as he is aware, the runestones can only be corrupted by deliberate magical ritual. Some also say that there is a risk of corruption if too many people seek to draw on the power of the stone too quickly, but Deogol is not aware of any examples of this phenomenon.
In terms of cleansing a stone, Deogol has hit upon the same example that Dunstan did, that of the sorcerer Rhythwold of Redeburna. Deogol knows a little more of this man's history. Rhythwold was one of the first generation of Gaston settlers in Palania, in the dying years of the Alanian Empire when it was convulsed with civil wars. Rhythwold was the bastard son of the petty king of Redeburna. When he was thirteen Rhythwold was sent away to study magic at an Alanian school in a place called Krolnigen, which is now the Palanian town of Durleaht.
Subsequently Rhythwold joined a troop fighting for one of the claimants to the Alanian throne, but he deserted in his mid-twenties and fled into the Great Forest. He was not heard of for some years later, when he reappeared in Stanstede, which was part of what was now his brother's kingdom, and cleansed the stone. He fought a struggle for power with his brother which he at first lost, at the cost of a hand and an eye. He fled into the hills and spent a decade raising an army of bandits and deserters, which he used to overthrow his brother and put him to death by his own hand. His triumph was short-lived, however, as the Empire didn't want a kinslaying, turncloak sorcerer as their neighbour, and sent troops to put down Rhythwold's kingdom. Rhythwold ended betrayed by his own followers, though some apparently remained loyal and brought his body to a tomb somewhere in the Lands of the Lost.
Deogol is not sure exactly where or how Rhythwold did this, but his sources say that the sorcerer boasted of having learned some of the magic of the Ancients. He thinks it is more likely he learned gained the power to cleanse the runestones via the Ancients rather than through the Empire - Rhythwold would still have only been a junior mage when he deserted.
Deogol thinks you have three main leads, though he is doubtful about one of them:
1) Deogol is aware that there was a ruin of the Ancients found in Mollenmere, which he has heard has been untouched for many years;
2) You can search for Rhythwold's tomb in the Lands of the Lost;
3) Or you can go to Durleaht, however as Krolnigen/Durleaht has been inhabited for centuries, and sacked several times, he suspects that any documents from the Alanian magical school will be long gone.
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After explaining the organisation of the Conclave to Leofric, and giving him the name of a woman named Sigrun in Phalen, Deogol took Leofric and Edmund aside and showed them how to recover their magical energies through meditation at the runestones. The nearest to the Werling estate that he was aware of was in the village of Ashton, about ten miles south of the estate, though there might be others he did not know. Deogol also gave each of them a potion which they could use to recover more quickly or in a pinch, though he warned them they were not to be used often as they were potentially addictive. He also told them how the potions could be crafted, though they would need someone who knew potioncraft to do this for them.
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On 8 May 227 you head out from Stencumb and begin the return journey to Middlemere. A large number of people leave Stencumb that day following the festivities and you are able to join up with about a dozen others as far as Wihthrycg, and from there you make your own way. You find the Ealdorman of Saltanstede had mobilised men as a precaution against rumours of dragonspawn in the Cambers, and though no threat ultimately materialised the number of soldiers on patrol meant your return journey was safe and uneventful.
Seemingly in the wake of Lady Kasyra's party, news of the dragonspawn army massing on the borders of Krygarland are spreading. They are said to number several thousand, their ranks swelled with the undead. An emissary from the Ealdorman of Madumflod, the most powerful lord in Krygarland, is on his way to Phalen now to request aid from the Council, though due to Krygarland's remoteness and poverty it's uncertain whether this will be accepted.
You arrive back in Middlemere on 14 May 227 and return to the Werling estate, reuniting with Tole there. The estate is abuzz with activity in preparation for Synne and Dunstan's wedding. Lord Renweard is away, delivering invitations to various distant relatives and notables. Synne privately expresses doubts that her father will be able to draw many guests, however Ealdorman Durwyn is also at work so at least the event shouldn't be a complete fiasco. She will add with a sly smile that Ealdorman Pecthelm of Wannford has already made clear he and his Thegns and loyal Lords will shun the wedding, and he is still wroth with you for your role in allowing it to go ahead.
You rest for a few days, giving Hogar time to head into Middlemere and officially join the Bloodied Eye Brotherhood. On 19 May 227 you prepare to set out to Bluebrycg to catch the thief, Eada the Red, making sure you have plenty of time so you can be sure to be back in time for Synne and Dunstan's wedding on 1 June 227.
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Post by sleepingdragon on Aug 25, 2013 14:52:19 GMT
Sleeping Dragon: the party rested for several days after returning from Stencumb. Preparations were well underway for Dunstan and Synne's wedding, in a little under two weeks on 1 June 227. The party decided to head off to Bluebrycg to hunt for the thief, Eada the Red, as Bryni the watchman had hired them to do on the day of the Middlemere Festival. To make sure they would be back in time for the wedding, they decided to set out on 19 May 227. Leofric: Leofric withdrew back into the common room shared by him and his fellow friends and pored over the dark grimoire for an entire week. Occasionally, Leofric went for short walk around the estate looking deep in thoughts, clearly no wants to interfere with him and occasionally, he went down to Middlemere and managed to pick up some elements of High Fryderi speech and writing to ensure they would not be caught out should they meet the likes of Lady Kasyra again. Edivad: Hogar spent some time exercising and learning more about Palania before setting out for Middlemere, where he was welcomed into the Brotherhood of the Bloodied Eye. When he returned, just in time to travel out with the others, he looked hungover and a bit worn out - alcohol had obviously been involved in the initiation ceremony - yet confident and proud of himself, obviously ready to face new challenges. He also carried a new weapon at his side, a well-crafted, razor-sharp axe. Tole: Tole had spent much time reflecting over her time away from the group, learning more about the wilderness around her. She was still very uneasy about the group's acceptance of magic, but in her time away, had opted to continue to work with them, feeling that perhaps she could do more good with them than without, and understanding that she couldn't simply return to the quiet life of a servant. Edmund: Since Leo had taken the book to himself, Edmund went into town every day but he kept quiet about what he was doing. On their last evening before their departure for Bluebrycg he brought out a fine looking fiddle and proceeded to polish it lovingly. Sleeping Dragon: it was a drizzly day as they set out, and the rain grew heavier as they travelled, soaking them through. They were forced to stop early and take shelter at a farmhouse owned by an old widowed farmer and his three adult sons. The farmer was kindly enough to let them stay for free, asking only for some music from Edmund as a price.
They continued on towards Bluebrycg. 20 May 227 was a cloudy day, but the rain was only minor and sporadic, as if the sky's heart was not in it. In early evening, with the Prophet's Star only barely visible through the clouds, they arrived at the walls of the city. A trio of guardsmen in the sea blue and gold livery of the city stood at the open gate, looking fairly bored. One picked up his halberd and strode out to bar the party's path. "Who are you and what's your business in Bluebrycg?" he asked, sounding bored. Edmund: "We are here to meet with someone named Idmaer," answered Edmund. "Do you know where he might be found?" Leofric: Leofric nodded and sliently took out a silver coin from his money pocket and paid the due. Tole: Tole took a coin out of her purse and tossed it towards the guard Edmund: Edmund nodded politely to the guard and passed over a silver. Sleeping Dragon: Save for Tole, they had seen the city briefly when they were visiting Aldastoc, but it was different near to. Bluebrycg lay on one of the northernmost fords across the mighty Saltanow, and the city was divided into two halves, the West and East Banks, on either side of the river. Three large bridges, including the eponymous Blue Bridge, spanned the river.
Bryni had warned them that they should not approach the Guard, as it would prove unhelpful if people realised who they were working for, and therefore he had told the party to go to the Whistling Ostler inn in the West Bank and ask the innkeeper for Idmaer.
The West Bank was where most of the city's population of craftsmen, clerks, merchants, dockers, labourers, and servants lived. Bluebrycg was famed for pottery and glassware and there were many workshops turning out these products, though few were working now. The West Bank was a place of wooden houses, and the air was heavy with the smells of damp wood and thatch, smoke, and dung.
It took perhaps fifteen minutes for them to find the Whistling Ostler, which was not far from the southern gate which they had entered through. When they entered there was a reasonable crowd of maybe thirty people drinking and dicing, mostly, it seemed to them, of the poorer and rougher sort of Bluebrycg's people. Almost everyone in the inn turned to look at the heavily armed and armoured party. No one said anything, but they could tell people were watching them out of the corner of their eyes. Hogar: "Think Idmaer's one of them?"Hogar whispered to Edmund Edmund: Edmund looked around the room apparently casually. "No idea. We can ask at the bar, but he will probably guess who we are." Edmund: Edmund headed for the bar and asked for beer. Edmund: "We're looking for Idmaer. Would you know where we can find him?" Edmund asked. Leofric: Leofric took careful appraisal of the crowd and strolled toward the bar. As he moved, it is clear he had two longswords of unusual style strapped to his back, one hilt over each shoulder and and fine looking longsword on his belt. When he finally reached the bar, he asked for a mead. Sleeping Dragon: The innkeeper, a woman in her fifties with a harsh, sharp face, nodded. "I'll bring the drinks up to your room," she said. Without further explanation she picked up a room key from under the bar and handed it to Edmund. "Up the stairs, last on the left. I'll send your friend along, might take an hour." As this was being said, the party listened in on the talk in the room, but this was mostly on personal matters and of little interest to them. They heard a few grumbles about Virians, who were apparently seeking to gain control of the Council, but had thus far been frustrated by Ealdorman Heorot's efforts. Tole: Tole waited for her friends to go upstairs. She had heard small bits of gossip, and didn't want to bring too much attention to herself before going up. After waiting a while, she snuck unnoticed up to the room. Sleeping Dragon: the innkeeper brought them their drinks and food shortly afterwards. "I've sent him word, hopefully it won't take too long to find him. You'll be wanting to leave them swords and axes behind here, I'd say, unless you're wanting to draw everyone's eye for so long as you're in Bluebrycg." Leofric: Leofric frowned slightly at the mention of leaving their weapons behind and glanced at his fine collection of weapons. "Hmm, you do have a point." He settled down onto one of the chairs in the room and relaxed. Hogar: Hogar grumbled when there was mention of leaving their weapons behind "I'd rather not, if I can help it..." Edmund: Edmund took off his sword. "I don't use it anyway." Leofric: He sighed with a hint of regret and took all of three longswords off and stowed them away. Without them, he became a mere scribe, long, creepy and weak. Sleeping Dragon: it took a little over an hour before Idmaer, a large, dirty man with a powerful smell to him, entered. "Weren't what I was expecting," he said, rubbing his ear. "Bryni wan't sure you were goin' to turn up after all." Tole: Tole looked the oaf over, trrying to conceal her look of disgust. Edmund: "We have had some other jobs to do first," Edmund said, ignoring the man's condition. Leofric: Leofric finally finished his mead off and left his plate empty. He eyed Idmaer over and nodded, "The length of time is always misleading and subjective." He replied. Sleeping Dragon: Idmaer didn't seem to know how to respond to that. "Umm, yes. Well...you're huntin' the red thief. Bryni says I need to remind you a few things - try not to fight anyone unless you have to, and when you find the red thief, don't go after her. Come back here and let me know, and I'll get word to Bryni so you can go off with him to pick her up. Don't want her runnin' off again. Oh, and Bryni also said to stay away from Ulfas and the Widow." Hogar: "Who'd these people be?"asked Hogar Tole: "More importantly, why should we stay away from them?" interjected Tole. Sleeping Dragon: "Oh yah, s'pose you aren't from these parts. Ulfas and the Widow are the big bosses of the thieves and smugglers in Bluebrycg, most of the gangs answer to one or the other. The red thief, she used to work for the Widow, but she got tired of it and wanted to work for herself instead. They'd be likely to cut you up if they knew you were doing work for the Guard." Hogar: "Any story behind her being the 'red' thief?"asked Hogar "Red hair? Bloody deeds?" Sleeping Dragon: "She's got red hair, yah, she's s'posed to be right easy on the eyes but I haven't seen her myself. Haven't heard of her doin' much that's bloody herself, there was a big fight between some of her people and Ulfas' though, might be a month ago." Idmaer rubbed vigorously at his ear with his finger, which emerged slick with wax. He wiped it on his sleeve and continued. "Quite a few died, knives all over. After that she went back into hidin'. It's most like that she has Grimbold hiding her, though Bryni wasn't so sure." Leofric: "Who this Grimblod anyway? Another gang or a person?" Leofric asked Sleeping Dragon: "Some, yah, not near so many as Ulfas and the Widow. She's made a deal with Grimbold, he's a docker, real rough and mean sort of person, has quite a few lads that are handy in a scrap. Nick things from ships to make a bit of coin sometimes. The red thief stole from Ulfas' own house up on the Hill, months back, he wants back at her pretty bad for that, so she got Grimbold on her side for protection. Like I say, most like he's got her hidden somewhere. He don't go about now without at least a few lads to make sure no one gets into their heads to try to snatch him." Edmund: "How many does she have working for her?" Edmund asked. Sleeping Dragon: "Hard to say, Ulfas and the Widow put about that they have hunnerds and hunnerds but don't seem likely to me. Most folk in the underworld see, we don't do this like it were our lives, we just want to make a bit more coin as the world don't leave us much. The red thief, I hear, hasn't ever done a thing that isn't thieving, and her folk are more like that too. I'd guess she don't have more than thirty or forty, but they keep themselves hidden well so might be more or less. She used to work for the Widow before, might be some of her folk would know. Grimbold too." Edmund: Edmund nodded. "So currently she is in hiding, being protected by a gang, and has an unknown number of people working for her." He gave a short laugh. " Getting to her might seem quite a tall order!" Tole: "I find it strange that she has managed to get the better of both criminal networks." commented Tole. Leofric: Leofric frowned for a moment "It is strange indeed." Sleeping Dragon: "Like I say, think Ulfas and the Widow put about that they're stronger than they really are, though they're still hard types with a lot of folk doin' their work. Should say the red thief seems most interested in picking pockets and robbery, while for Ulfas and the Widow it's about smuggling. Lot of their people aren't always in the city, trying to find ways across the river and round the bridge tolls. They don't like having someone else on their turf, but they can't hardly tell all their people to drop everything and hunt the red thief either." Tole: "Where has she struck? Other than the territories of Ulfas and the Widow?" asked Tole. Sleeping Dragon: "She hasn't struck at them too much I know of, except the one right into Ulfas' own home. She's done the Hill a few times, makes sense as it's where the money is. She might have done other places without any knowing it's her, there's a few folk round in these parts that have had things took over the last few months. You'd want to get your hands on one of her people to be sure." Tole: "What's the Hill?" asked Tole Edmund: Ed leaned forward, interested. "What kind of things has she taken? Anything in particular?" Hogar: "That's an idea..."suggested Hogar "If we knew she was interested in something we might try and draw her into a trap." Sleeping Dragon: "She took a big jewel from Ulfas, nearly got herself caught I hear. I haven't heard that the red thief and her people are too particular about what they take, so long as there's coin to be made. The Hill on the East Bank is where the Ealdorman and the Lords live, all walled off. Never been in there." Leofric: Leofric sighed as he replied, "I wonder if you know the names of some of her people? Might be worth picking one or two up to find out more information about her." Sleeping Dragon: "Don't know them. Grimbold would know, and his men, they're on the docks here on the West Bank, by the Young Bridge." Hogar: "Doubt we'll get much out of them unless we are very....persuasive."said Hogar "And they'd know we're looking for her, then" Tole: Tole remained quiet. Leofric: "That is true." Leofric replied to Hogar, "Scratch that idea then" Tole: "So.... " spoke up Tole; "Know anything worth stealing in this town?" Sleeping Dragon: "Well you won't be wanting to go up bold as you please and ask, need a lighter touch..." Idmaer blinked at Tole. "You'd be wanting either the Hill, or maybe the Temple if you're looking for a big score. If you don't want to pay to cross the bridge you'd be looking at the workshops most like." Leofric: "How much is the toll on the bridge by the way" Leofric asked curiously and glanced back with Tole, "Sound like good idea." Sleeping Dragon: "Depends on the bridge. You'd want the Young Bridge to get into the East Bank - 10 silvers that is. Some folk you'll see wearing a little badge with three blue coins, them can cross free as it's part of their work. Don't know about the tolls for the Blue Bridge or the High Bridge, never would need to cross either of those." Sleeping Dragon: "Well..." there was a silence for a while. "I think I've told you all I know about the red thief anyhow, you need me again, tell Mindred and I'll come soon as I'm able." Sleeping Dragon: after Idmaer left, the party went out to seek out more information about their quarry. Having drawn quite a bit of attention to themselves in the Whistling Ostler, they left that inn and went to another, where they could blend more easily.
It was, still, difficult to convince people to open up to them - few people were interested in giving information about important figures in the underworld to strangers. Tole, however, managed to win the confidence of a group of gamblers, one of whom, it seemed, had done small work for the Widow and had crossed paths with Eada. "She was sharing her bed with another thief, fellow called Torold. She ended it with him but he's still running with her, heard he's been helping Grimbold's lads. Most of her crew went out with her. Only one I know who didn't was Grandison, he's got himself a family and can't exactly go underground should the Widow decide to come after them." Edmund: "He might be a weak link, if we lean on him a little," Edmund said to the others when they heard this news. Leofric: "A lead!" Leofric sound surprised for a moment, "Better than I hope for!"
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Post by sleepingdragon on Aug 31, 2013 15:19:00 GMT
Sleeping Dragon: after Idmaer left, the party went out to seek out more information about their quarry. Having drawn quite a bit of attention to themselves in the Whistling Ostler, they left that inn and went to another, where they could blend more easily.
It was, still, difficult to convince people to open up to them - few people were interested in giving information about important figures in the underworld to strangers. Tole, however, managed to win the confidence of a group of gamblers, one of whom, it seemed, had done small work for the Widow and had crossed paths with Eada. "She was sharing her bed with another thief, fellow called Torold. She ended it with him but he's still running with her, heard he's been helping Grimbold's lads. Most of her crew went out with her. Only one I know who didn't was Grandison, he's got himself a family and can't exactly go underground should the Widow decide to come after them." Sleeping Dragon: Edmund: "He might be a weak link, if we lean on him a little," Edmund said to the others when they heard this news. Sleeping Dragon: Leofric: "A lead!" Leofric sound surprised for a moment, "Better than I hope for!" Leofric: Leofric asked around, "So which one should we go after?" Hogar: "It's either Torold or this Grandison fellow."said Hogar Tole: "That depends." said Tole; "How dirty do we want to get our hands? I doubt we want to be threatening or conspiring agaisnt a family man." Edmund: "He has more to lose, he wil probably understand that without heavy handed tactics," Edmund said. Tole: "Hmm. Very well." said Tole. Sleeping Dragon: heading out into the streets, they went in search of Grandison's home. Edmund was able to wheedle the location of his home, in a crowded tenement block near the centre of the West Bank, out of a drunken labourer who knew Grandison vaguely. After confirming this with a more sober source elsewhere, the party headed off.
The dilapidated tenement block was four stories high, overlooking a forge though this was cold at this time of night. As they approached a night soil collector was emerging from the front door, bearing a large bucket of waste which he bore on his shoulder. He gave the party a friendly grin as he walked past, swatting at a fly with a cowhide glove covered in brown stains. Edmund: "Grandison doesn't seem to have done very well out of his life of crime," Edmund said quietly as he nodded back to the man. "Maybe he would be more amenable to a bribe than a threat." Tole: Tole nodded. Hogar: "Most people don't."said Hogar "And I agree, we can spare the silver." Leofric: Leofric nodded quickly, his nose wrinkled at the smell from the night soil collector Sleeping Dragon: the party headed inside to a small front room, where they found a young boy of about twelve seated on a chair. He had a club in his lap and was seated not far from a pull rope that went up into the ceiling. "Who are you?" he asked warily, putting a hand on the rope. Edmund: Edmund held his hands up to show he was unarmed. "We're not here to cause trouble. We want to speak to Grandison, to his advantage." Sleeping Dragon: "You sound funny...Grandison's on the second floor, fourth door on the right," the boy indicated a set of steps at the rear of the room. Edmund: "Thank you," Edmund said gravely. He moved towards the steps. Leofric: Leofric glanced over this boy and nodded at the boy with courtesy as he absently minded pulled back a lock of hair as he followed Edmund. Sleeping Dragon: the party made their way up the stairs. the tenement was very crowded - peering through the doors to each floor they could see the doors to each room packed tightly together, seven to each side. As they passed to the second floor and entered they could hear two men arguing over money down from the end of the left hand corridor, and as they passed the first door on the right there came the sounds of a frenetic coupling from within. Grandison's room had a red door, the top corner of which had rotted away leaving a little peep hole, though a tall person would need to stand tip-toed to reach it. Hogar: Hogar looked at Grandison's door silently Leofric: Leofric smiled at Edmund and others and gestured at the the peekhole and whispered to them, "Shall I take a peek?" Edmund: Ed nodded, a grin flickering accross his face for a second. Leofric: Leofric stood at tiptoed and took a peek, taking extreme care not to attract any attention whispering to Leofric, Leofric gazed in, seeing a small but neatly tidied room. Grandison's possessions were sparse - a few chests of clothes, a locked box in the far corner, and a few barrels with food and drink. A man Leofric presumed was Grandison was in a bed against the far wall with two young boys, who rested on either side of Grandison with their heads at the opposite end of the bed. As Leofric leaned against the door, Grandison raised his head, looking suspicious. He was a short, thin man, with a lined face. Grandison quickly pulled on a tunic from a nearby chair and stood up, carefully avoiding disturbing the children. Leofric: Leofric frowned as he stood down and immediately knocked the door politely but quietly. He muttered to others, "Got good eyesights." Tole: Tole sighed slightly. Sleeping Dragon: the door opened a crack and a man's lined face poked out. From his dishevelled hair he had obviously just been woken, though his eyes were alert. "Who are you, and why are you creeping around in the hall?" Leofric: Leofric merely looked surprised and replied, "We are not creeping around in the hall. We just want to talk to you." Hogar: "You might know some people we have an interest in."said Hogar, trying to sound as unmenacing as possible Sleeping Dragon: "I know all sorts of people." Grandison slipped out of the door and left it slightly ajar behind him. He was a thin, short man, clean shaven, with unkempt black hair. He carried a dirk in one hand though he had lowered it. "Who are you?" Edmund: Edmund introduced himself. "We are here in the city to make contact with a certain person. If you can point us in the right direction, it would be worth your while." Sleeping Dragon: Grandison looked wary. "Who is this 'certain person'?" Tole: Tole looked around, keeping an eye out for any eavesdroppers Edmund: "Walls have ears," Edmund said softly. "Shall we say, a certain lady who you used to work for?" Sleeping Dragon: "If you're referring to a red lady, then you can forget it. You can't make it worth my while enough." Edmund: Edmund frowned. "Why might that be?" Sleeping Dragon: "Is there a reason I should explain myself to you, stranger?" whispering to Edmund, Leofric, there seemed to be a warmth in Grandison's voice when he referred to the red lady Edmund: "No reason if you don't want to benefit from your connection with the lady." Edmund answered cooly. "We have heard she is something special." Hogar: Hogar looked confused at the man for a few moments "Well, we thought you might be interested in earning some extra silver...safely" Sleeping Dragon: Grandison looked disgusted. "You have five seconds to start explaining who you are and who you're working for, or you can piss off." Edmund: "Understood. We work for ourselves, & have so far been highly successful at it. We heard that this lady had experience some... problems recently, & it occured to us that she might be in need of the kind of services we can offer." Edmund said, looking the man in the eye. Sleeping Dragon: Grandison looked wary. "You need to work on your stealth if you mean to be in our line of work. But I can't help you. I'm not going to risk putting my sons in danger. Good luck, but you should go." Grandison turned for the door. Edmund: "You might be putting your sons in danger if you don't talk to us..." Edmund said, his voice soft. Sleeping Dragon: Grandison turned and looked Edmund in the eye for a moment. "I should cut your balls off and feed you them..." he growled. "I don't know where the red lady is. When she left the Widow's employ she didn't tell me about her plans because she knew I couldn't go underground because of my sons. You want to find those in her confidence, they'll be the ones who know where she is." Leofric: Leofric nodded softly and asked quietly "Then do you know someone still in her confidence?" His tone underline steel confidence and the fact he will never tell anyone where they got the information. Sleeping Dragon: "I know who her most important people are." Grandison hesitated. "I still have contact with one of them, I know how to get in touch with her. Give me some time and I'll arrange for a place where you can meet her the day after next, is that alright?" Sleeping Dragon: the hesitation and look in Grandison's eyes made it clear he was lying. He clutched the hilt of his dagger tightly. Edmund: Edmund sighed. "You really shouldn't try lying when you're so bad at it. Now give us the information or we will be forced to be unpleasant. Be useful to us and we will reward you." Sleeping Dragon: "Alright! I really don't know where Eada is, if I'd known the Widow would have found her already as I already told her what I knew. Eada's got four people she relies on - a man called Torold she used to sleep with, and three women called Golderon, Botild, and Stanflede. Torold is the muscle of the operation, Golderon the face, Botild has the quickest fingers, Stanflede is the brains, and Eada ties them all together. I know Torold is with Grimbold and usually goes about with people protecting him, I don't know where the others are." As he spoke a man came up the stairs and in through the main door to the floor. He gave the party a look, then shrugged and went in through the third door on the left hand side of the corridor. Edmund: Edmund smiled. "That's better. And where do we find Torold?" Sleeping Dragon: "I don't know exactly where he is, Grimbold's gang are down on the docks, western side. Torold moves around. Like I said, the Widow knows all that I do and she wouldn't mind finding Eada herself. If it was easy to snatch one of these four she'd have done it already." Edmund: "It seems strange that you would sell her out, feeling as you do..." Edmund said. Sleeping Dragon: "You threatened my children you cockless fucker. I care more about them than the red lady. Now will you fuck off?" Edmund: "Your loyalty does you credit," Edmund said. Sleeping Dragon: "The red lady will rape you up your arse with a jagged blade, and that will do you more credit than you deserve," Grandison replied, turning and heading back into his room. Leofric: Leofric looked at Edmund with a hint of disgust and made his way down. Hogar: "That...did not go as well as I hoped."said a disappointed Hogar as they descended the stairs Tole: Tole said nothing. Sleeping Dragon: the party headed off and left the tenement. By now, it was quite late. There were only a few people out on the streets. The clouds were thick overhead, all but completely obscuring the light of the Prophet's Star, which was a bluish-green tonight. They made their way in the dark, with only the occasional torch to light their way. When they had gone a few blocks from Grandison's tenement and were heading into a narrow alleyway a voice from the shadows said to them, "Well...fancy making your acquaintance again. It's been a little while, but at least these are more...amicable...circumstances than our last meeting." A short man with a gap-toothed smile and a nose that appeared to have been broken previously stepped out of the shadows and gave them a mocking bow. Sleeping Dragon: after a moment of adjusting their eyes the party recognised Deor, who they had uncovered as the spy for the bandits in Cranleaht several months ago while they were searching for Synne. He had made an attempt to disguise his features, but some of his powder had come off in the wet. Edmund: "Well well, if it isn't the failed spy," Edmund said gazing at the man with disgust. "Why is it not a surprise to see you here.2 Hogar: Hogar frowned at the man after recognizing him Leofric: "I agreed... This city is like a hive of wasps. Could be worse I guess..." Leofric shrugged Sleeping Dragon: "Why because I like to go to places where there are interesting individuals who are in need of my quick wit, winning smile, and ability to find out things that others cannot find out. Indeed, I have heard certain interesting rumours of a band of Gastonlanders who are seeking a particular, very interesting, woman. I might be willing to enter into a mutually beneficial relationship with said Gastonlanders - if they would seek to solve a problem for me, I would seek to solve a problem for them." Tole: "Heard from whom?" Tole interjected. Sleeping Dragon: "That is of little concern. Suffice to say that you have not gone entirely...unnoticed. Of course it helps that I knew you already. There are few coppery-skinned men in Palania and it sets tongues wagging, and when I heard who the coppery-skinned man was travelling with I knew it was none other than my dear bosom chums who are so skilled at seeking out attractive young women who none other can find. By the by, if any ask you, my name is Wulfric - I hope you will forgive me my little blasphemy." Deor grinned. Tole: "... and we should trust you, why?" further asked Tole. Hogar: Hogar glanced at the man in disgust "As she suggests, we don't have any reason to trust you." Leofric: Leofric frowned for a moment as he glanced over ink blotted hands and smiled slightly, "Just need to make sure there are lot more in the future" Sleeping Dragon: "You wound me, my dear friends. Did the information I gave you in Cranleaht prove false? I know it did not - on my way to Bluebrycg I heard a rumour that a certain young woman had returned home with some Gastonlander adventurers and Ealdorman Durwyn's pathetic nephew. At any rate, the reason you have to trust me is the same as before. You have something I want - a means to save my skin - and I have something you want - information, and the skill to get more. You are a stranger here in Bluebrycg. You do not know the right people to speak to. You do not have the correct connections. None understand your agenda. You stand out with your strange clothes, unusual accents, bizarre appearances, and unpleasant odours. I blend and disappear as I will and have many dear friends who are well informed about the goings on in the Bluebrycg underworld, even after my long time away from the city." Edmund: Edmund sighed. "You really are a most verbose specimen of slime. Cut to the chase." Sleeping Dragon: "And you are a truly wretched lot of foreign vultures. Is it your Virian God who commands you to lose all skill in the art of conversation, or are you simply a natural boorish bore? Fortunately, although you are clumsy and foolish, you are strong, and I more than make up for your lack of wit. Together, we are unstoppable. As I said, I was away from Bluebrycg for many years, but after our previous altercation I was struck with a fancy to return to the city and remake the acquaintance of certain admirable friends of old. Not yourselves, different admirable friends. At any rate, unfortunately there is a certain man by the name of Regnhere of the clan Rolming. He is a witless brute, quick to violence and slow to speak. Is he kin of yours, long sundered? That is by the by. This Regnhere seems to believe that someone called Deor owes him money - some foolish nonsense about having lost some card games many years ago. Clear rubbish, I never lose at cards. If you might persuade this invidious individual that this is a case of mistaken identity, and I am not this man who owes him many silvers, then I would be most grateful and would be happy to put myself at your disposal." whispering to Tole, Deor did not tell any lies, Tole thought, but he did not tell all that he knew either. whispering to Edmund, Leofric, Deor seemed to be, rare enough for him, completely honest Tole: "He is holding everything back." said Tole, addressig the party. Edmund: Edmund raised his brows at this, but he said nothing. Hogar: Hogar frowned "This is nonsense..." Sleeping Dragon: Deor looked affronted. "I hold back nothing that my dear bosom friends do not need to know...well...to be completely truthful, Regnhere wants both his money and some means of vengeance upon me. His sister, you see, she was a fine young lady when I was last in Bluebrycg. She was attracted to my suave demeanour and sexual prowess, and who can blame her? Nevertheless, you know the way these nobles are, with their womenfolk. They seem to believe they are more valuable when they remain innocent. Silly really - you would not want to ride a horse that has known no rider before, after all! At any rate, I am actually interested in finding this Eada the Red myself. I find the situation in Bluebrycg most...unsettling. It has changed since I last left, all the old bosses - Left-Hand Leofrun, Weohstan, Cynegels, Ethelric - they are all dead or fled, and in their place are two people I have ne'er heard of before, who seem to dominate to a degree unheard of before. I am displeased with this situation, as is, it seems, this reddest and boldest of thieves." Leofric: Leofric looked thoughtful as he nodded at this idea, "I am fine with it." as he told his peers. Tole: "Lets discuss this somewhere more discrete." said Tole. Edmund: "Indeed," agreed Edmund. Sleeping Dragon: "Superb! I would offer a toast to our understanding, but alas I am drinkless. Let us remedy that and we may discuss the finer details."
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Post by sleepingdragon on Sept 7, 2013 16:35:03 GMT
Sleeping Dragon: Deor led the party down a back alley to a small winesink which had but a few patrons, a foul smelling, greasy barkeeper, and his pet pig, a fat, spotted creature sprawled in a basket against the far wall. Deor greeted the barkeeper warmly, ordered drinks for himself and the party, and they retreated to a side table opposite the pig. "Here we may converse in more confidence. Would you care for a game of cards while we sort out the particulars of our business?" Deor retrieved a packet from a little pocket sewn into his sleeve. Attempting to assign the role of Player to (10679) Idris... Tole: Tole looked at Deor with an unimpressed expression. Edmund: Edmund gave a short laugh. "You expect us to trust you?" Hogar: Hogar did not look particularly amused with Deor's behavior either, but he let Edmund talk Sleeping Dragon: "Your mistrust is almost as wearying as your conversation, though at least it is more well advised. You may examine them to see if they're nicked or not, I haven't needed to resort to cheating to win at cards since I was as unlearned as you, and that was when I was five." Deor shrugged and put his cards down. "So I suppose you simply wish to discuss business without any of the niceties of social interaction that more civilised men engage in. Very well. Shall we discuss the business of the red woman first, or shall we determine how you will asssist me in my predicament with this brute Regnhere?" Edmund: Edmund looked closely at Deor then shrugged. "A hand or two of cards will entertain while we talk business. The red woman first." Sleeping Dragon: Deor smiled and began to split the cards, shuffling and dealing as he spoke. "Hmm. Very well. I have heard certain rumours that she is in hiding with Grimbold, but I suspect this is a ruse on her part. The best way to locate her is most likely to find her closest associates and speak to them. I have heard that her previous paramour Torold is with Grimbold. On the other hand I doubt she would entrust sensitive information to him if they have broken off their previous connection." Tole: "Isn't talking to her closest connections just alerting her to our presence?" asked Tole. Sleeping Dragon: "That depends on the nature of the conversation. But it is quite possible. We might alternately shadow them, see where they are going, perhaps peruse their belongings to see if they have left any clues about. Do you have information about who her associates might be? I have been preoccupied with my own problems and have not been able to investigate as thoroughly as I'd like." Deor took up his hand and examined it, frowning. Leofric: Leofric joined in the gambling, taking the cards up. Edmund: Edmund picked up his hand, looked at it and lay it down on the table without expression. Hogar: Hogar picked up his cards and looked at them, though he didn't seem to care too much for the game. Edmund: "So tell us about the red lady's associates," Edmund said, his hand resting lightly on the cards. Leofric: Leofric looked thoughtfully at the cards and nodded Sleeping Dragon: Deor cleared the party out easily in the first game, though Leofric gave him something of a challenge. "I don't know names at the moment, thought I can find them if you'd like. I hoped you had already done some investigation, though I suppose you have not been in Bluebrycg long." Deor shrugged and dealt out new hands. "I understand she previously worked for the Widow Wifrun. I can't imagine the red lady was happy to be shackled to someone who her position only through marriage and had never done a dishonest day's work in her life." Tole: "The Widow is not a professional thief?" asked Tole Sleeping Dragon: "The Widow is not a professional anything. Her principal asset is that her late husband was a well loved Thegn, Galmaric. Oh hells..." Deor's hand was utterly abysmal and he folded first of all. The party had much better luck, but ultimately Leofric took the pot. "Galmaric had many contacts, but more important he was considered a hero, so the Widow cannot be arrested without causing an uproar on Leofwaru's Hill. Ulfas, of clan Altaring, has much the same advantage. Of course they have another advantage too, that they are working for the greatest thieves in all the world." Hogar: Hogar seemed somewhat pleased by seeing Leofric's win."So she's too high up to be dealt with openly?"she asked regarding the Widow Hogar: edit: he Leofric: Leofric smiled slightly at the win. Sleeping Dragon: "Exactly. Her husband won himself a fine reputation even though he had come from the gutter himself, and was no stranger to the wrong side of the law. Between this, and the contacts he had won here and elsewhere...well. I have heard certain rumours from sources I consider quite reliable. The situation here in Bluebrycg has changed quite a bit while I was away. It is not unknown for the aristocracy to involve themselves in the affairs of those who seek gain through non-traditional methods. Certainly I recall Cynegels was of the nobility, though I believe his clan had disowned him. Anyhow, that is by the by, the situation has changed quite a bit. You see, previously the aristocracy of Bluebrycg has occasionally involved itself in criminal enterprise, but this is the first time that I am aware that outside forces have intervened." Tole: "Sorry, if I may ask... which outside forces do you mean?" Tole asked, trying to keep up with the political overview. Edmund: "And are you saying the Widow and Ulfas are both working for someone else?" Edmund asked. Sleeping Dragon: "They work for separate someone elses, yes. Or at least work with them. From what I have been able to piece together, the change occurred three or four years ago, just after Ealdorman Heorot was elected. The Council, you see, its current incarnation has always been dominated by the three cities - Bluebrycg, Middlemere, and Tarnemuthe. The last Ealdorman worked hand in glove with them, but Heorot...well, he has caused some problems. At the risk of offending you, my dear friends, he did not wish the league the Council has made with your own kingdom to be made at all. Bluebrycg is the wealthiest city in Palania, so when our Ealdorman speaks it has some effect. The power and wealth of Bluebrycg comes from our bridges and our position, so the chief criminal enterprise here has always been smuggling. I believe that when Heorot became Ealdorman, the clans in Middlemere and Tarnemuthe began to channel funds to Ulfas and the Widow, respectively. They have been given fairly free reign, but have been directed to ramp up smuggling operations along the river. This depletes the Ealdorman's coffers and damages his wealth and influence. The red lady, I believe, dislikes dancing on puppet strings and would prefer to strike her own course." Tole: Tole muttered to herself; "... not sure I blame her." Leofric: Leofric shook his head as if it is all foolish Hogar: "Politics..."Hogar shrugged off Sleeping Dragon: Deor and Leofric had a lengthy battle, but ultimately the scribe came out as the victor, Deor shaking his head. "Your thinking aligns with mine then. So we return to the question of how we find the red thief." Edmund: Edmund frowned. "Short of finding her associates... She never appears in public?" Sleeping Dragon: "Certainly not at the moment, no. She attempted to rob Ulfas' own home, and then there was a bloodbath of a battle between some of her own men and his, nine or ten men died I beileve and many others hurt. Presumably eventually she will come out of hiding, but I would prefer not to wait. If my dear friends do not regard it as too vulgar, might I ask why you are seeking her?" Tole: "You really expect us to say?" said Tole sharply Sleeping Dragon: "No, but I thought I might as well try. Do you wish to continue discussing this at the moment then, or shall we turn to my own predicament?" Hogar: "Your predicament being the matter with you and Regnhere's sister?" Sleeping Dragon: "Well, that and the money. I am not sure which troubles him more. Probably his sister. I believe that whole affair prevented Regnhere from becoming the lord of his clan, so he is displeased with me. At any rate...I received an anonymous note four days ago asking me to meet with a person who had 'important information' for me several hours past midnight tomorrow. This is what constitutes subtlety to a man like Regnhere. I quickly ascertained who had actually sent the note and have been seeking a solution to this dilemma since. From my understanding of some of the work you did in Cranleaht, with your assistance we may simply be able to turn up to the meeting and trounce the scoundrels there and then. Though that is not my usual style, I am happy enough to make an exception for dear Regnhere." Sleeping Dragon: "Although I will warn you, I am no warrior. When you are as amiable and lovable as I, you rarely need to resort to weapons." Edmund: "You don't need to make excuses for cowardice," Edmund said. "We would expect nothing else." Tole: "I'm sorry, I fell asleep. Do you ever say anything without having to ramble?" snarled Tole. Hogar: "You expect us to simply beat up Regnhere's people for you?"asked Hogar Sleeping Dragon: "Very well. I will endeavour to speak in a manner more suited to persons of your minimal intellects and attention spans. I help you. You help me. There are many ways we might deal with the bad man. Would you like another drink to help you stay awake? Have you ever taken a bath?" Tole: "Would you like your throat slit?" Tole threatened. Edmund: "We could just walk away and let Regnhere deal with you," Edmund said. "You had better prove your usefulness, aside from as an annoying insect buzzing about." Tole: "You apparently have little of worth to say about our problems." Tole: "You have done nothing but play cards and talk politics, and revealed nothing of worth." Tole growled. Sleeping Dragon: "I did not say I already had all the answers that you sought. I said that I had the capacity to learn such information. Perhaps, child, you should rest for the night as you are so tired, and I will go and see what I can learn in the night. I will return to your inn in the morning, and I will provide you with a sample of my information. Then, once we have formulated a plan to deal with Regnhere, I will give you the remainder of what I learned." Deor stood and picked up his cards. "You play well, you'll have to give me another game at some point," he added to Leofric. Deor sauntered over to the pig and scratched its ear before heading off with a sardonic wave. Edmund: "I think one of us is likely to kill him before ever Regnhere gets to him," Edmund sighed, slumping his head in his hands. Hogar: "Definetely possible."said Hogar "Yet for now he might be of some use to us, even if he is a...despicable character."he added, the distate evident in his voice Tole: "No tears would be shed." Tole muttered; "He would've been dead anyhow." Leofric: Leofric sighed for a moment and replied, "He does have a very silm point about the ease he could find informations. That said, might be worth pickig our own contacts in case we need to look for information. I do stand out after all." Edmund: "It bothers me that we should defend him when he has taken advantage of some innocent, owes money to her brother and we have to see he gets aways with it." Tole: "We do? I don't recall making that contract." said Tole. Tole: "He hasn't provided us any assistance at all; we already knew everything he said." Edmund: "Well," Edmund looked thoughtful, "the situation with Eada is more complicated than we were led to believe. She is no ordinary thief but has got on the wrong side of two powerful criminal leaders, and it seems both are playing the game for outside forces." Tole: "I'm not sure I feel inclined to solve it for them." said Tole; "Stop a thief to let other thieves continue what they were doing before hand? I say let her do what she wants." Edmund: "It would be interesting to hear her side of the story," Edmund said. "I don't trust anything we've been told about this situation." Tole: "I'd be delighted to hear what she has to say... " she paused; "... but that's the problem, isn't it?" Leofric: Leofric nodded, agreeing with Edmund, "Yes, it would be. And we do not know what is our guard's motive either. Hogar: "She might have been completely willing, of course."said Hogar "I suspect some would see him as charming. On the issue of the money he owes him, well, I'm less likely to give him the benefit of the doubt..." Tole: "Who might be willing?" Tole asked, oblivious to what Hogar was talking about. Edmund: "I think Hogar is still considering our contract with Deor," Edmund said with a grin. Edmund: "We were talking of Eada," he explained to Hogar. "Hers is the story we wanted to hear, before we continue with this jo b." Tole: "Ah." said Tole; "He rambled, I barely took in anything he said." Hogar: "Not sure how we'd contact her." Edmund: "He has that effect," Edmund said with a grimace. "Concerning Eada, surely we are going about it already, trying to get in contact with her. Perhaps we can get word to her that we just want to speak with her, to her advantage." Tole: "A thief would see that as a trap, and it would be." said Tole. Edmund: "I wonder if anyone in this wretched city isn't involved in some kind of crookery or other," Edmund sighed. "She could see us on her term." Edmund: *terms Tole: "We are not important enough to see. Just because you learn some heretical magic doesn't make you special to the rest of us." Tole grinned. Edmund: "We're being paid to catch her, or at least find where she is," Edmund said without humour. "If we don''t manage it someone else will, eventually. We could perhaps offer her a solution." Leofric: "And hopefully, not to step on too many toes. We seems to make a habit of that." Leofric mentioned with humour in his tone Tole: "Now you're painting her like some damsel in distress." mocked Tole. Edmund: "Hardly, but she has crossed some powerful people," Edmund said with remarkable patience. "Something about this job really doesn't smell right, and I don't see why we have to go along with it. Better to find out what's really going on." Tole: Tole smirked; "Well then, I guess the bartender should keep an eye on his pig as it might sprout wings. Cause we seem to be in agreement." Hogar: "True that, Edmund."said Hogar "And it's not like we're being paid that much for this, considering all the trouble and the risk."he added Sleeping Dragon: the party returned to the Whistling Ostler and rested for the night. In the morning, they found Deor waiting for them in the common room. He raised his wine glass in sarcastic greeting as they descended the stairs. Tole: Tole smled, and took a seat next to Doer. Edmund: (whispering): "I wonder if we could get Tole and Deor together. Those two would make a lovely couple, they'd deserve each other.." Edmund muttered. Edmund: Edmund looked over at Deor and muttered something to Leofric. Leofric: (whispering): "Ah, I doubt it. Such relationship would be quite terminal to one or both..." Leofric: Leofric replied in a whisper and then ordered a breakfast and mead from the bar. Sleeping Dragon: "Do I have your leave to speak like a civilised man, or shall I communicate in monosyllabic grunts for your edification?" Deor asked Edmund: (whispering): "It'll be terminal to that bastard if he goes on like this much longer." Tole: "That depends, do your want your breakfast inside your belly or would you prefer it to be falling upon the floor?" threatened Tole. Edmund: Edmund quietly replied to Leo then sat at the table, raising a hand to calm Tole as he spoke to Deor. "So, what have you brought for us today? Exciting and novel tidings of the red lady? Or just another stream of verbal diarrhoea? Hogar: Hogar ordered some breakfast and sat down quietly with the others Leofric: Leofric's eyes flashed with extreme annoyance and arched both of his fingers, ready to listen to whatever news that Deor bring. He told them, "Just settle down. We do not have time for insults nor discourteous conversation." He flashed a warning at Tole and Deor. Leofric: EDIT: hands Sleeping Dragon: "For you, my dear bosom friends, I will bring both," Deor replied to Edmund, ignoring Tole. "I have besought information about the red lady's associates. I have heard interesting things of one Stanflede, I have learned that by all accounts she occupies a similiar position in their band that I do in our merry group - the thinker of the operation. I have heard reference to some others as well - a thief, Botild, this Torold, and a lovely lady called Golderon - but I focussed my energies on Stanflede as by repute she is the least threatening of the group and perhaps the one most amenable to reason. All of them are now in hiding, however we might flush them out. This Stanflede - they say she looks so ordinary that the eye almost tries to past her, much as your minds when they seek to grasp complex topics. However, even she has some identifying characteristics - she has capacity for certain minor magics, for one thing - and I believe I may have wheedled out where she might be found." Deor took a drink. "Now, how shall we handle Regnhere?" Hogar: "Magic too?" Hogar said "This is more and more trouble..." Edmund: "Minor magic... How minor I wonder?" Edmund considered. "You take us to where you think this Stanflede is, then we can consider our plan for dealing with Regnhere. We should take a look at the place you intend to meet with him tonight, see what we can make of it." Leofric: Leofric looked interesting at the possibility of coming across magic. "Interesting " He stoke his chin with his fingernails. Sleeping Dragon: Deor drained his glass, raised an eyebrow, and called for a refill. When this was done he continued. "I would have your word that you will actually assist me then. You have already forced me to flee one comfortable situation, and I am not sure you would think overmuch of using me and then discarding me once you had what you wished. Will you swear by your honour and the Virian God that you will help guard me from Regnhere if I bring you to Stanflede?" Tole: "You start the day off by insulting us and ask us for vows?" snarled Tole Hogar: Hogar frowned, obviously in distaste at Deor's request of a sacred oath "You have been testing our patience..." Sleeping Dragon: "You are so incredibly boring. As you continuously ask me - why should I trust you? It would be an easy thing for you, for me to lead you to Stanflede, you to get what you want, and then for you to laugh in my face and leave me to face my enemy on my own. I have given you information that you wished for, and thus far you have given me exactly nothing. You appear insulted that I would even ask you to promise me that you will help. You are here in Bluebrycg, seeking a famed thief, and you have expressed some sympathy for her aims and ideas, so do not feign that you are noble heroes and I am scum. Promise that you will aid me, or I will go and settle my problems myself and you may locate the red lady with no further assistance from me. If you have the wit for it." Edmund: Edmund looked around at the others. Leofric: Leofric shrugged and replied, "I do not mind." Hogar: "I am willing to do this, but if you do not honour your part of the bargain or try to play any tricks on us, we will ensure you regret it."said Hogar Edmund: Edmund nodded. "Deeply regret it..." Arianhod (exit): 23:23 Leofric: Leofric gave his vow and promise on it anyway Sleeping Dragon: part way through his speech Deor's words slowed and he gave Tole a frigid glance. "Very well. Stanflede is currently in disguise as a merchant's clerk in a small shop which sells minor trinkets. I believe she has a small room over the shop. I can take you there if you wish." Edmund: "We do wish," Edmund said. "The sooner the better." Tole: "Good, was that so *hard*" smirked Tole. Sleeping Dragon: "Not terribly. Let us drink to our understanding..." he reached for his glass, but his hand shook slightly and the glass was knocked over, however Tole was quick and caught it with her free hand before it could spill in her lap. Deor smiled. "Ah, I can be clumsy sometimes. It is difficult to be extremely agile in both mind and body." Deor drank the rest of his wine. "Shall we go?" Tole: Tole did not move her arm; "No, no... I'm thirsty, we're still eating. We can wait." Leofric: Leofric ordered breakfast for Deor anyway. Sleeping Dragon: "Very well. Thank you, but I've already eaten," he added to Leofric. "Will you be cutting your bacon one-handed?" he asked Tole Tole: Tole took a slice of bacon in her unused hand and took a bite, smiling. Hogar: "That's better."said Hogar sounding slightly relieved "The sooner we get this out of the way the better" Leofric: Leofric finally finished his breakfast sated his hunger for another day Tole: "So are you going to start behaving yourself or you going to continue insulting us, Mr Deor?" said Tole, as she took another bite. Sleeping Dragon: "Oh, I have never behaved in my life and am too old to start now." Edmund: "If you two have quite finished flirting with each other, let's get going," Edmund said, with a slight smile. Sleeping Dragon: "If you will forgive me for being vulgar, I could do with a piss before we go. May I?" Deor raised an eyebrow at Tole Tole: Tole thought about it for a moment, sighed, before easing the blade, brushing it on the rogue's leg first. She found the nearest rag or cloth and secretly wiped it, before reconcealing it. Sleeping Dragon: Deor rose, gave Tole a mocking bow, and went to relieve himself. He returned a few minutes later and did not sit down again. "Shall we go?" Tole: Tole got up without a word, but watched Deor carefully. Leofric: Leofric stood up and nodded at the others and Deor. Hogar: Hogar said nothing but still looked wary of Deor, as if he expected him to play some kind of trick on them Sleeping Dragon: keeping as far from Tole as he could, Deor led the party towards the river. "We will need to cross the river, so I fear we will all need to pay a toll. It is only ten silvers to cross the Young Bridge, the guards will give you a token like this," he retrieved a small wooden chip with a peculiar set of notches carved into it, "so you can recross all of today. The notches are different each day so they can charge anew. Most people try to avoid crossing the Saltanow unless it is absolutely necessary." Leofric: Leofric nodded, "Make sense.", willing to pay the tolls. Edmund: Edmund took out ten silvers. Tole: Tole follows suit. Hogar: Hogar counted the coins for himself Leofric: Sleeping Dragon: Bluebrycg had three bridges that spanned the Saltanow. The northernmost was the High Bridge, a heavily guarded bridge wide enough to ride a carriage across, which ended in imposing double gates which led into the walled compound on Leofwaru's Hill, where Bluebrycg's nobility lived. The eponymous Blue Bridge was the central bridge and the widest, two carts abreast. It was the most ancient bridge, built by the Alanians before the Empire fell, of blue-clad stone though it was badly stained and appeared more grey in many places. There were two gates on the Blue Bridge itself, with towers to either side, from which archers looked down to feather any merchant foolish enough to try to cross without paying the toll. The party crossed the Young Bridge, the narrowest, newest, and most regularly used bridge. Messengers, servants, and those who crossed regularly had tokens in the shape of three blue coins which allowed them to pass without charge, but the party were not so lucky. The mighty Saltanow was wider here in the north, and even here at a ford was several hundred feet across, so it took some time before they were able to press across and emerge on the East Bank. As they walked down off the bridge they saw a bronze statue of a naked woman, holding a spear in one hand while the other was upraised in exhortation. "Leofwaru," Deor identified her. "The aristocrats say that in the old times the Alanian governor raped her, but her kin would not seek to avenge her, so she went among the clans naked to shame them, until they rose up to throw the Alanians out." Leofric: "Interesting" Leofric replied to Deor's explaining. Hogar: Hogar nodded, finding the story of interest, as he surveyed the bridges. Tole: Tole paid no attention to the story, and watched out for ne'er-do-wells. Edmund: Edmund looked up at the statue with interest. "Are there ballads about it?" he asked Deor. Sleeping Dragon: "Oh, dozens, the bards are always singing of the Rape of Leofwaru and the revolt. They named the hill for her, after all." Edmund: "I'd like to hear some of those," Edmund said thoughtfully. Sleeping Dragon: "I'm no singer myself, but if you ask about at some of the more well-to-do taverns you'll hear them soon enough. Myself, I don't know why anyone would want to rape a nobleman's daughter, Regnhere's sister was quite eager enough. More trouble than they're worth though, noblewomen. I imagine you taught Steapa that lesson." Deor shrugged. they continued on south along the river a ways, then across a square east and into an area of small streets. "We'll be coming up on the shop soon. It's a three storey building, usually the master sleeps on the top floor, servants in the middle, and the bottom floor is the shop itself. How do you want to approach this? Are you going to simply try to talk her into this, Sleeping Dragon: edit: "Are you going to simply try to talk her into this, or what? Someone might browse her quarters to see if she's left any clues around, or we might try a more subtle approach. She is calling herself Mildrith, by the way, and obviously not using her real name. From what I hear she has a sharp mind and good initiative when she thinks to show it, but she is one of those the gods shaped to be a follower so she'd never think to lead for herself. That might be played on somehow." Tole: Tole looked to Edmund. Edmund: "We can try talking. We'll need to think of a good way to get into conversation." Tole: "Failing that, " Tole cracked her knuckles; "There's always good ol' breaking and entering." Edmund: "Let's try the subtle way first," Edmund said with a wry grin. Leofric: Leofric asked, "What does the shop sell?" Sleeping Dragon: "General supplies. It is not a very successful shop in fact, which I imagine is why Stanflede chose it as a place to hide." Edmund: "Well we're obviously new to the city, and we can make out we need supplies for the journey back," Edmund suggested. "Then try to get into conversation and play it by ear." Tole: "Let's get to it then."
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Post by sleepingdragon on Sept 14, 2013 15:38:00 GMT
Sleeping Dragon: the party approached the shop, which was a three storey wooden building which backed onto a small, pleasant garden ringed with an iron fence. This section of the city was home to its more middling sort of citizens - glassblowers, potters, clerks, smiths, jewellers, and others. While the buildings on the West Bank were thrown up close together, these here on the East Bank were spaced apart. "There's likely to be someone else in there, they might try distracting you while Stanflede slips out," Deor cautioned. "Shall I slip round back and keep an eye out?" Tole: Before Deor could finish, Tole vanished from the party, unseen by all. Joe (enter): 19:38 Attempting to assign the role of Player to (11786) Joe... Edmund: "Looks like you've been forestalled," Edmund said to Deor with a grin. "Time to go in." Sleeping Dragon: "And so the quality of the company improves markedly," said Deor, once he got past his initial confusion. He made for the door. ** No match found Edmund: Edmund followed him closely. Hogar: Hogar stood close, eyes darting back and forth for any suspicious activity Sleeping Dragon: as they entered, their immediate impression was of a place that did not know quite what it was attempting to be. Within were many supplies for the outdoors - tents, bedrolls, waterskins, ropes, pitons, hammers, and spikes - as well as more immediate household goods such as metal and wooden cutlery, clothes chests, candles, buckets, barrels, lye, cloth, and so on. There was also a small selection of jewellery, and some furniture as well. It was clearly not a popular shop, as they entered to find themselves the only patrons. A bored looking man with a square jaw stood behind the counter, while in a small room behind him a very ordinary looking woman in blue sat examining a ledger. "Hail there my friends!" the man said, sounding uncertain. "Hunstan, at your service." The woman gave them brief glance, dipped her quill, and returned to her work. Leofric: Leofric smiled slightly and made way toward the small selection of jewellery and the chests and starts browsing them, eyeing them critically. Hogar: Hogar glanced idly around, though he did not seem really interested in any of the wares Edmund: "Good morning to you," Edmund said politely. "We are travellers passing through Bluebrycg & need to replace some of our supplies. I hope you don't mind if we look around." Sleeping Dragon: "Of course not, you're more than welcome. Where are you bound? If you're heading east you'll want to stock up, there's no safety from here all the way to Chepworth, and there's dragonspawn around Grantun." Leofric: Leofric answered shopkeeper's question, "South, we are heading to Phalen." as he eyed one of the jewels. Edmund: "Is anywhere safe?" Edmund asked. "We have met with many monsters since arriving in your land." Sleeping Dragon: "It's certainly safe enough here. The monsters will harass travellers but they've not had the numbers or organisation to try assaulting Bluebrycg in decades. But if you're seeking safety you're going to the wrong place, Phalen is a death trap by all indications." Edmund: "It should be an interesting visit then," Edmund said with a pleasant smile. "A good place to earn a living by killing monsters." Sleeping Dragon: Hunstan gave an uneasy smile. "Better you than me, Gastonlander." Edmund: Edmund examined a coil of rope. "We had hoped to find work here, but the person we were advised to seek seems to have disappeared," he said casually. Sleeping Dragon: "Sorry to hear it. Never a good sign when people go missing, my cousin up by Durleaht said their priest has gone missing. The man serves Bealdoric so I suppose it's not unusual for them to go haring off into the wild but..." Hunstan shook his head. "Were you intending to go to Phalen with this person then? Don't know why anyone would want to leave here to go there." Edmund: "No, hoping to get work with them." Edmund wandered over and leaned forward confidentially. "Not the kind of work we can say too much about," he said quietly, tapping his nose. Sleeping Dragon: "Ah, I see," Hunstan sounded very uncertain. Deor wandered over towards the window of the little room where the woman worked. "You shouldn't keep such a pretty girl stuck away in your back room. Though she'd look nicer in red," said Deor. "Mildrith has work to do," Hunstan replied sharply. He glanced at Leofric. "Looking to buy any of those?" Leofric: Leofric smiled slightly, "Indeed." He made his choice, two simple engraved styled gold and silver rings in same style. Hogar: Hogar threw a glance at some outdor supplies, perhaps wondering if they could be of any use, then walked over closer to Edmund and the others Edmund: Edmund waited while Leo spoke to the man. Sleeping Dragon: Leofric and the shopkeeper haggled over price for a time, but Hunstan was plainly more practised and won the bargain fairly easily while keeping an eye out on Deor, who was hanging around examining the goods nearest to the room where Mildrith sat. Edmund: Edmund watched the exchange with interest, shaking his head slightly as the man easily resisted Leo's attempts to beat him down. Leofric: Leofric smiled cheerfully, clearly he need more practise. He paid the great sum of 500 silvers for the two rings. Hogar: "Hoping you enjoy your purchase, but remember we need to save money for...some things."said Hogar in a hushed tone to Leo after the deal had been completed Edmund: "You should be careful with your money Leo," Edmund admonished him. "Since the red one proved so elusive we have to save our silver for the journey." whispering to Leofric, Hogar, Arianhod, at the mention of the red one, Mildrith muttered something under her breath and made a quick gesture, then a frustrated look came across her face Sleeping Dragon: at the mention of the red one, Mildrith muttered something under her breath and made a quick gesture, then a frustrated look came across her face Edmund: Edmund walked accross to the window. "Are you alright, lady?" he asked solicitously. Hogar: Hogar looked at Mildrith with worry Sleeping Dragon: "Yes, your friend was distracting me. Hunstan, I'm going to get something from upstairs." The woman put her quill down and walked over to a staircase near the back of her little room. Leofric: Leofric smiled at the two rings and pocketed them away absently minded. His eyes glanced at Mildrith with curiosity as she departed. "You know, Hunstan. There is something I cannot put my finger down about her." He told the shopkeeper. Sleeping Dragon: "Mildrith is only our clerk, a hard working woman," said Hunstan tersely. Edmund: "Wait lady!" Edmund called. "Was it something I said?" Hogar: Hogar frowned as he looked off in the direction Mildrith had departed, but he said nothing Sleeping Dragon: "She's a shy woman. It's a long journey to Phalen, did you have a tent? I have some fine strong ones, with a coating of beeswax to keep the rain out. Shall I show you one?" Edmund: "Yes, we have a tent. I'm sorry we upset your clerk," Edmund said, looking concerned, then turned to Leo and added in a stage whisper, "I'm sure it was when I said something about the red one, she nearly jumped out of her skin. Did you see?" Arianhod: Quiet until now, Arianhod stepped towards the man. "Enough with the lies. If she's really that shy, then she wouldn't have wanted to call attention to herself with magic. You know she's not who you say she is, so why not get her down here. We've got questions." Leofric: Leofric nodded at the Edmund's reply, "Indeed." He glanced at Arianhod and nodded, glancing at the shopkeeper warily. Sleeping Dragon: Hunstan looked thunderstruck. "You...who do you think you are? Questions? You've got cheek is what you have. You think my clerk uses magic? I suppose this is some Gastonlander thing, gives you an excuse to throw your weight around. That might pass in Gastonland but it won't in Bluebrycg." Arianhod: "I don't give a crap about where I'm at. We've been through the plague lands, we know magic when it's used in front of us." She crossed her arms. whispering to Tole, as Tole waited outside, hidden by a tree, she noticed a woman in blue appear at one of the windows of the shop. She dropped a rope down and began to climb down, but she was obviously not very agile and took some time about it Hogar: "Aye, she's right. You might as well tell us what we want to know."said Hogar gruffly whispering to Edmund, it seemed fairly obvious to Edmund that Hunstan was simply trying to distract them with an argument to give Mildrith time to escape Edmund: "Call her back!" Edmund demanded. "We mean her and her red friend no harm, but you will regret it if you stand in our way." Edmund: As he spoke he gestured to the others that they should stop the woman getting away. Tole: (whispering): Tole waited for the right moment, sneaking between trees, until the woman was half way down. Then, she swiftly rushed towards the rope, sickles drawn, and pointed one towards the woman - the point of the blade touching her ankle; "Down, now. You'll come with me." whispering to Tole, Stanflede looked down at Tole. "Surely we can be reasonable about this..." she made a gesture but groaned. "Fine, I surrender." Tole: (whispering): Tole stared at the woman; "That these aren't at your throat is me being reasonable. Let's go." With her sickle prodding her captive, Tole led her back into the shop. Sleeping Dragon: "I...she's coming back. Your friend caught her." Tole: At that moment, the door of the shop swung open, and Stanflede was marched into the shop. Tole was behind, prodding the woman with her sickle; "Surprise surprise, look who I found at back." Arianhod: "Hmph." Arianhod nodded and stepped back again. Leofric: Leofric suddenly looked interested at the notion of the telepathy and nodded Sleeping Dragon: "Lock up, Hunstan," said Stanflede. "You obviously know who I am. Who are you?" Edmund: Edmund shook his head at Tole. "No need for weapons. I am telling you true lady, we mean no harm to you or the red woman. You are Stanflede are you not?" Tole: Tole backed away, and put her arms around her back. Her sickles remained unsheathed. Sleeping Dragon: "You wouldn't ask unless you already knew. Who are you then and why are you looking for Eada? Are you mercenaries?" Edmund: Edmund frowned. "We get paid for what we do, but we won't do just anything for money. We want to speak to your red friend. There is something going on in this city and we want to get to the bottom of it." Sleeping Dragon: "There's lots of things going on in Bluebrycg. What's your interest?" Edmund: "We heard there was a thief to be hunted," Edmund said. "Now we're here it seems the truth is more complicated. We want to know more." Sleeping Dragon: "And why should I help you know more?" Edmund: "We found you within a day... How long will it take before your friend is hunted down, but people who are only interested in the money?" Edmund: *but by people Sleeping Dragon: "You haven't even told me who you are and you expect me to direct you to her? Who are you? Why did you come after her? Who hired you?" Tole: "She does have a point." said Tole. Edmund: Edmund nodded. "Of course. I am Edmund of Malagen," he gave a small bow. "We only arrived in Bluebrygc yesterday. A person we met some time ago suggested we speak to the city guard about a thief they wanted tracked down.Last night we started searching and today we found... you. But along the way we heard things which made us wonder what was really happening." Sleeping Dragon: "And now you what...want to help us? Why? What is it you've heard that makes you wonder what's happening?" Tole: "Well, are you suggesting that perhaps Edmund is wrong?" asked Tole. Sleeping Dragon: "No, I'm just trying to understand you. Are you some kind of wandering paragons, righting wrongs?" Tole: Tole tried to suppress a smirk, as she looked towards the others. Arianhod: "We're not out to make more wrongs that need righting." Arianhod commented, though that didn't really answer the question. Edmund: "We are just men, and women, who do the best we can," Edmund shrugged. "We are not perfect. In this case the apparent straightforward job became more complicated. Why are the guard so keen to catch the red woman when there are criminals operating openly?" Leofric: Leofric smiled slightly at the disbelief shown by Stanflede Hogar: Hogar nodded along with Edmund's words Sleeping Dragon: "I haven't heard that much of the guard looking for her. Who told you they were?" Edmund: "A member of the guard who we met at the festival in Middlemere," Edmund answered. Sleeping Dragon: Stanflede's eyes narrowed. "And he's the one you're working for? What's his name?" Tole: "Mmmm, yeah, nice try." sneered Tole. Edmund: "We may tell you, but we need answers first," Edmund said. "We were told the red lady was causing problems here in Bluebrygc, and it seems the red lady is hiding, but are you saying she isn't hiding from the law?" Hogar: "So are you going to assist us?"asked Hogar Sleeping Dragon: "She's hiding from the law and our rivals. And perhaps I might assist you if you assist us." Edmund: Edmund looked interested but said nothing. Sleeping Dragon: "If you'll do a few things for me I'll see about arranging for you to speak to Eada. All you need to do is write some things down and give someone a gift without them knowing about it. Are you willing to get your hands dirty?" Hogar: Hogar frowned slightly at the mention of a 'gift'. "You want us to frame someone, I take it." Sleeping Dragon: Stanflede sniffed. "Clever. Yes. There's a merchant called Swafred, he has a shop on the West Bank not far from the docks. I need you to forge an entry in his ledger to say that he sold a gold ring set with a large square set of jade to Lindhard, in exchange for twenty gold and a torc set with a ruby on...oh, sometime last January. While you're doing this I'll get this torc, and you'll have some night work ahead. Is this agreeable?" Hogar: Hogar looked at the others somewhat uneasily, saying nothing Tole: "And you're looking to frame this person... why?" asked Tole. Arianhod: Arianhod shrugged, not looking concerned about the prospect. Sleeping Dragon: "Is there a reason I should explain all of my motives to you? If you are looking to meet Eada then you are hardly clean or innocent. If it makes you feel better he is an awful man, Lindhard, he once beat a whore I knew to death for failing to give him enough pleasure." Tole: "Well, that seems like a good enough reason to frame him, I'd probably have gone one step further." commented Tole, dryly. Hogar: "Nasty piece of work, you say."Hogar actually sounded slightly relieved Arianhod: Arianhod chuckled at Tole's comment. "We agree on something. That's a surprise." Edmund: Edmund's mouth twisted with distaste but he merely asked, "That isn't the reason for taking him down?" Sleeping Dragon: "Dead men are not as useful as living ones. Botild would have liked to kill him for that, she was fond of Cerine but...well, someone will probably kill him if this goes off correctly. Do you want to meet me in the Rusted Anchor in, say, five hours? I'll have fetched the torc by then and that should be enough time for your task." Edmund (enter): 22:50 Attempting to assign the role of Player to (11836) Edmund... Edmund (enter): 22:52 Attempting to assign the role of Player to (11839) Edmund... Leofric: Leofric pursed his lips, thinking over this grey morality, he nodded at Edmund. Edmund: Edmund nodded and looked to the others. Tole: "Agreed." Tole said. Sleeping Dragon: "Hunstan, I'm feeling ill, I'll do my shift later," said Stanflede. The shopkeeper nodded as Stanflede muttered some words and passed a hand before her face. Her features twisted slightly, her lips thinning to a prim red line, her cheeks rounding out, and her nose lengthening. She seemed so plain to look at that their eyes seemed almost to want to slide off her. "See you shortly." Edmund: Edmund said goodbye to the shopkeeper and went outside. Hogar: Hogar looked somewhat nervous at seeing the woman perform her magic, but he said nothing and went with the others. Leofric: Leofric smiled slightly at seeing the magic and nodded. He gave his thanks to the shopkeeper and went outside Edmund: Edmund frowned as they moved away from the shop. "This is not what we expected when we signed up to catch a thief." Tole: "Quite." agreed Tole; "Though I don't object to doing this task. But after that, unless pressed for a good reason to stay.... I think we should leave this place." Arianhod: "Takes a thief to catch a thief." Arianhod mumbled quietly. "Could be worse. She could be asking us to break this guy's legs." Tole: "You saying that would be a bad thing?" asked Tole. Hogar: "I'm not sure that'd be worse actually..."Hogar trailed off "Anyway, we're doing this?" Arianhod: "Oh, just thought that if you balk at this, breaking legs would be worse, but I could be wrong." She shrugged. Edmund: "You're not happy about this are you Leo?" Edmund asked their companion. Sleeping Dragon: "You won't be leaving at least until you have helped me with my problem, surely," Deor complained. "I found you Stanflede, as I promised. You need to fulfill your side of the bargain. First, however, I need to sleep as I've been awake all evening." Edmund: "Go on then," Edmund said. Sleeping Dragon: "I'll find you at the Whistling Ostler then, around supper time." Deor headed off. Leofric: Leofric frowned for a moment, but replied, "Such is life. Beside, we already agreed to fulfill our side of the bargain with Deor. No difference from agreeing on a bargain with Stanflede really. But I agreed with Tole. The sooner we can leave, the better." Tole: "I see no reason to keep our bargain with him. He is only alive because of us." said Tole, sternly. Edmund: "This place is corrupt," Edmund stared round at the streets with dislike. "We should speak with Bryni. I want to know why they are putting effort into catching Eada when the other criminals walk free." Arianhod: "If we don't keep our word, what is it worth?" Arianhod asked, glancing at Tole. Tole: "Our word to those who help bandits doesn't matter." said Tole. Edmund: "If each time we make deals with those intending evil, what will we become?" Edmund asked. "I would rather walk out of this city, and leave all of them to sort themselves out." Arianhod: Arianhod shrugged. "What's evil?" She asked quietly, but didn't press the subject. Edmund: Edmund shrugged. "I actually feel worse about helping that slime Deor to avoid paying his debts. At least they are gambling debts. Ruining the sister is another matter of course," Leofric: Leofric sighed, "Tempting but at least we should settle all matters before we leave. Otherwise, this could cause unforeseenable consquences down the path." Edmund: "Indeed. I'm going to find Bryni to get some answers. Are you coming?" Edmund asked. Tole: "Do we really want to bother? It'd only be more corrupt doubletalk." said Tole, bitterly. Edmund: "Perhaps, but he may drop clues," Edmund said. "I want to try at least." Sleeping Dragon: the party crossed back over the bridge and set about looking for Bryni. After some questioning they learned he was briefly out of the city, but would be returning that afternoon and they were able to arrange to meet with him when he returned. On the streets, they heard some rumours about the man that had hired him - a merchant swore bitterly that he had let off a thief in exchange for a bribe, but had somehow avoided dismissal despite his corruption. while waiting they set about the task Stanflede had set for them. Tole was able to create a disguise for Edmund while Leofric prepared a fake entry for the ledger and applied the touches needed for it to appear authentic. Edmund made his way in disguised as a clerk. One of the serving women challenged him at one point, but he was able to trick her and let himself into the main office by picking the lock. After entering the forged record, he locked the door again and made his way out. Server Administrator-> Kicking '(11782) Edmund' from server... Removing dead client Edmund (exit): 23:35 Edmund: Edmund breathed a sigh of relief as they gathered outside. Sleeping Dragon: *the man that had hired them Server Administrator-> Kicking '(11836) Edmund' from server... Removing dead client Server Administrator-> Kicking '(11836) Edmund' from server... Removing dead client Edmund (exit): 23:37 Leofric: Leofric also sighed with a relief as it seems everything is going well. "Success..." Edmund: "Now to get some answers out of Bryni, although I suspect he wouldn't know truth if it bit him, from what we have now heard," Edmund said grimly. Hogar: "We shall see about that" whispering to Tole, as they made their way back, winding through a deserted backstreet on the way to meet with Bryni, Tole became aware that there were burly men in some nearby backstreets, watching them and moving in quietly. Tole: Tole muttered quietly, placing her hands on her concealed sickles and bringin them out slowly; "We have company. Brace yourselves." Edmund: Edmund quietly pulled his sling from his belt. Hogar: Hogar went for the hatchet he had concealed under his clothes Sleeping Dragon: "You can put those away, we only want to talk," said a man several inches over six feet, stepping out in front of them. There were two other men with him, and two other pairs came out of side streets to either side of the party. "I understand you've been looking for a red lady. We also want to find her, and we would be grateful if you'd cooperate." The man cracked his knuckles. He was several inches over six feet, with broad shoulders, a scarred face, and a shaven head. Leofric: Yeah just Might Arianhod: "Just talk huh?" Arianhod replied quietly, pulling her hatchet free as well. Hogar: Hogar kept his hatchet in hand as he sized up the man and his fellows "Quite an offer there..."he said Edmund: "We have no idea where she is, if that's what you're asking," Edmund spoke quietly. Sleeping Dragon: the man looked at Edmund. "You know something more than the usual rumours at least, I'm sure. You can start telling us, or we can just break every bone in your body until you start howling it out anyway. Your choice." The men around the party pulled lengths of chain out from under their coats. Tole: Tole sighed as she muttered; "I'm starting to miss the zombies... they were much smarter." Leofric: Leofric smiled slightly and closed his eyes for short period of time. Arianhod: "Tougher as well, I'm betting." Arianhod agreed, giving her hatchet a spin. Hogar: "Didn't seem to mind being hacked to pieces much, either."added Hogar Leofric: Leofric smiled slightly as he opened his eyes, more confident than ever. Edmund: Edmund stepped back. "This lot don't know what they're in for." Sleeping Dragon: "I've been told you're awfully mighty when you attack someone from behind, but this time..." the man snickered and pulled out his own chain.
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Post by sleepingdragon on Sept 20, 2013 22:49:58 GMT
Sleeping Dragon: "I've been told you're awfully mighty when you attack someone from behind, but this time..." the man snickered and pulled out his own chain. One of the others laughed as well. "Come on, Brunloc, let's kick their heads in!" he shouted. The thugs advanced, whirling their chains Joe (enter): 19:25 Attempting to assign the role of Player to (12919) Joe... Joe: Leofric smiled and touched Hogar, clasping him on the shoulder and smiled broadly. Tole: Tole twirls her sickles in her hand before firmly gripping them. Joe: EDIT: Leofric clasped him on the shoulder, whispered "Something little to help you" into his ear and smiled broadly. Hogar: Hogar quickly threw his hatchet at the big man who seemed to be the leader of the group. The weapon spun through the air and struck him in the right leg, sending him to the ground as blood started to pour from the wound. Sleeping Dragon: Brunloc swore and tried to staunch the bleeding with a hastily torn strip from his clothing, but it was useless Arianhod: Arianhod also threw her axe at one of the thugs, striking him in the chest and quickly causing blood to cover his front. Edmund: Edmund stepped forward and gestured towards his companions, declaiming in a loud voice, "If you have heard of us, then know that we survived the Plague Lands. Leave now and we will not treat you as we did the undead abominations we found there!" Hogar (enter): 20:04 Attempting to assign the role of Player to (12942) Hogar... Sleeping Dragon: save Brunloc, bleeding on the floor, the thugs backed away from the party in fright, seeming compelled by the power of Edmund's voice whispering to Edmund, over the sound of his voice, Edmund thought he heard something scrape lightly against the wall of the building just behind them Edmund: "Someone's behind me," Edmund whispered sharply to the others. Joe: Leofric with his dagger in his right hand frowned at Ed's warning and quickly paced around Ed away from Tole, Arian and Hogar, ready with his dagger at fighting pose, his eyes wary for any dangers coming toward him and Ed. His eyes are steely as he glanced around Tole: Tole swung round and followed Leofric, rushing in front of him with sickles drawn. Sleeping Dragon: Leofric and Tole moved back in time to see familiar figures moving towards them, having emerged from the rear door of an abandoned shop. Since they had seen them last in Cranleaht, the singer Coelhere and his brutish friend Wigred seemed to have lost weight, their cheeks hollow with hunger. There was hatred in their eyes as they advanced in complete silence - Wigred gripped a mace in his big hands, and Coelhere held two daggers that glistened wetly as well as a rapier at his waist. As Tole advanced round the corner, Coelhere drew back his arm and sent the dagger whirling towards her Sleeping Dragon: fortunately the dagger sailed just wide of Tole, struck the building behind her, and rolled to a stop near Leofric and Edmund. As the dagger lay on the ground it was clear the weapon had been coated with some kind of oily black poison. Hogar: Hogar swore, and his eyes darted back and forth Colhere & Wigred and Brunloc. "You handle them, I'll make sure the other one doesn't get away."he said as he rushed towards Brunloc Hogar: edit: back and forth from Colhere & Wigred to Brunlock Arianhod: Not sure who these new attackers were, Arainhod still moved towards them. They were still enemies. Edmund: "You filthy snake, using poison!" Edmund hissed at Coelhere, letting fly a bullet which hit the erstwhile singer hard on the elbow. Sleeping Dragon: Wigred advanced on Tole and swung his mace with ferocious strength, but Tole ducked beneath the blow Server Administrator-> Kicking '(12904) Hogar' from server... Removing dead client Hogar (exit): 20:47 Joe: Leofric snarled as he saw Wigred attempted to hit Tole with his mace. So Leofric quickly went around Tole and jammed his steel dagger into his cheekbone into his hollow mouth and left it there, smiling as Wigred starts sputtering out blood and slavia. Tole: Tole followed up on Leofric's bloody attack and slashed at the thug's face with her sickle. Hogar: "Wouldn't want you getting away like your friends."said Hogar as he stomped down hard on Brunloc's wounded leg Sleeping Dragon: Brunloc gave a howl of pain, but Wigred, despite the damage to his face, merely grimaced Arianhod: Arianhod stepped towards Wigred and grabbed onto the arm with his mace in hand. Edmund: Edmund leaned down and picked up the dagger carefully. Tole: With her other sickle, Tole span and slashed the bruiser in his grimacing face once more, blood shooting out and spraying on the ground. The wound was enough to force the man into unconsciousness. Arianhod: Arianhod let go of the man's arm as he dropped. Joe: Leofric glanced down at unconscious Wigred indifferently, eyeing his dagger and then glanced up at Coelhere, staring at him distantly, he walked away, leaving Arianhod, Tole and Edmund to deal with the last one. He went toward Hogar to give him any help in contraining or helping Brunloc. Tole: Tole slashed at the slimmer rogue, but her sickle was fended off by his rapier. Sleeping Dragon: Coelhere stabbed back with the poisoned dagger, but Tole avoided the thrust Hogar: Hogar grabbed Brunloc's wounded leg, looking like he wanted to drag him. He turned back for a second to look how the others were faring and was relieved to see them fighting well. Sleeping Dragon: Brunloc lashed out wildly with his chain, doing Hogar no harm whatsoever Arianhod: Arianhod stepped towards Coelhere and slapped the blade of his rapier to the side with one hand and struck it further down with the other, twisting the weapon out of his hands. Arianhod took a moment to hold the rapier by the hilt. Edmund: Seeing Coelhere at a disadvantage, Edmund slipped past Tole and thrust the poisoned dagger into the man's leg. "Now see what that feels like." Sleeping Dragon: Coelhere tried to parry the blow with his own poisoned dagger but could not catch Edmund's blow. The singer's face contorted with agony and his mouth twisted into a rictus of pain. Coelhere fell, clutching his leg. His mouth worked, but no sound came out but a hissing rattle. "Ok, ok, I give up, just don't let me bleed out," Brunloc moaned Joe: Leofric did try to help Hogar with frist aid for Brunloc but clearly his lack of experience shown though since he never really been wounded in fights. In the end, he decided to leave Hogar alone. "You know Hogar, I will find someone to teach me on how to do this properly." Joe: He told Hogar. Edmund: Edmund turned away from Coelhere in disgust and walked over to Burnloc. "Who set you on us?" he asked. Hogar: "Wasn't planning to, dead men aren't usually very talkative and we have some questions."said Hogar as he bandaged Brunloc's leg wound Arianhod: Arianhod pointed the rapier, with an obvious lack of skill, at Coelhere and looked to Tole. "I take it you know these guys?" Sleeping Dragon: "It was a guard! I wouldn't normally work for them but the pay was too good. He said to capture you and he'd come to find out what you knew about the red thief. He called himself Ganburh, I don't think it was his real name." Sleeping Dragon: "Coelhere had wanted to attack you after I found out you were in town but I wouldn't until I was sure we'd get paid for it," he added. Edmund: "What did the guard look like?" Edmund asked. Tole: "Yeah we do Arianhod. A pair of rapists." she said, as she walked over to the larger one; "We found Dunstan working with them." Sleeping Dragon: "Tall and lean, with a long knife scar under the right eye. Blue eyes, with dark hair." Hogar: "Can't say I'm pleased to see these two again..."said Hogar turning a moment away from Brunloc to face Colhere and Wilfred. "Been in a few scraps so I can deal with bruises and light wounds but not much of a healer otherwise. I'd be happy to teach you but I doubt I'd be good at it."he said replying to Leofric Arianhod: "Rapists, hmm?" Arianhod looked down at Coelhere and without pausing, drove the rapier blade into the man's neck. "They won't be missed." She muttered, and left the blade in the man's throat. Tole: Tole ripped out the dagger from the larger one's cheek, and slit his throat with it; "This is for Gudram and Freomund." Sleeping Dragon: "They hated you, that Ealdorman ripped their tongues out after you turned them over to him," said Brunloc. Coelhere gave a last rattling hiss and lay still. Joe: Leofric smiled back at Hogar, "Thanks for the offer. Might be better to find a doctor or someone instead who is better at teaching." After listening to Brunloc giving his description of the guard, he Leofric scratched his stubble and frowned, trying to recollect anyone that fit the description. Arianhod: Arianhod retrieved her hatchet and wiped the blood from it before returning it to her belt, then leaned up against a building, watching Brunloc being questioned. Joe: ah Hogar: "So we've got at least one guard looking for us..."said Hogar "Don't like the sound of that." Edmund: "I don't recall him from that description, but we should recognise him if we meet him," Edmund said. Tole: Tole walked towards Hogar and the others, handing Leofric his blade, the blood strill dripping from it; "We should leave, before we attract any more attention. I'm sure we've made more enemies than those two." Hogar: "Aye."nodded Hogar "Best not to waste any time. Think we can go." he said as he went to pick up his bloodied hatchet Joe: Leofric thanked Tole and carefully cleaned the dagger with some cloth before stowing it away among the fold of his clothings. "Indeed! Edmund: Edmund leaned down and fixed Brunloc with his eyes, "Keep out of our business and we will leave you alone. But be warned." Sleeping Dragon: the party looted Brunloc. At first they found a pouch with a little over a hundred silvers, and then in his boot a smaller one with five gold which he explained nervously had been their pay - he had intended, of course, to share the gold out with the others after the job was done, he explained in an obvious lie. After taking the remainder of Brunloc's belongings and looting the dead, they continued on to their meeting with Bryni.
The Guardsman was in disguise when he met them at a seedy pub, a large fake burn scar covering one of his cheeks. "I've heard rumours that you're making good progress," he said, disguising his voice with an unfamiliar accent. Joe: Leofric agreed with Edmund and told Brunloc, "Indeed, we do not want any troubles... But by the Prophet, we will ensure that anyone who oppose us will have very disagreeable resolution for themselves." His eyes was sheer steel as he finished his warning as well Arianhod: (whispering): Arianhod left a few (10) silvers with Brunloc. "I'd rather you not starve or die of exposure after we went to the effort to keep you from bleeding out." She explained quietly and followed the others. Hogar: "In a way..."said Hogar, though he didn't sound too convinced, and expected others to do the talking Edmund: "We are continuing with our enquiries," Edmund said non-commitally. "But more information would aid us in this task." Sleeping Dragon: "If you wish. What did you want to know?" Edmund: "The red lady... why is she so important to you? There are other criminals in the city who seem far more successful." Joe: Leofric relaxed into his chair, waiting for Edmund to ask his questions. Never to turn down an opportunity for a drink, he ordered for a mead. Sleeping Dragon: "There are other criminals in the city who are more successful because they're being given money by outsiders. The red lady isn't and she's still more daring and clever than Ulfas or the Widow, or both put together." Edmund: "How can she be successful when she is in hiding and being hunted all the time? What has she done that is so important?" Edmund asked. Sleeping Dragon: "She's carried out quite a few robberies - Ulfas' own home was the most famous, but there've been others on the Hill and several large shops as well." Bryni sounded suspicious. "Why did you think I was looking for her?" Edmund: Edmund frowned. "You have other criminals being paid from outside. This seems a strange situation." Sleeping Dragon: "We do, but not the red lady. She would rather make her own way." whispering to Arianhod, though he tried to hide it, the admiration in Bryni's voice was obvious. whispering to Hogar, the admiration in Bryni's voice was obvious. Thinking, Hogar suddenly realised that their instructions that Idmaer had given them for this job were not as obvious as he'd thought - they had been asked not to capture the red thief, but merely to find her. Hogar: Hogar smirked for a moment "So it seems. We'll see how long that'll work out for her." Sleeping Dragon: "Did you need any more information or do you want to let me know exactly what you've found out?" Edmund: "Do you know a guard who is tall and lean, with a long knife scar under the right eye. Blue eyes, with dark hair." Edmund asked without warning, watching Bryni carefully. Sleeping Dragon: "Not off the top of my head. There's a lot of guards with knife scars. Why, have you met one?" Bryni tensed. Edmund: "Not in person, just the thugs he had employed to warn us off." Sleeping Dragon: "Did he have a name? I can make some inquiries and handle him." Edmund: Edmund laughed. "He gave the name Ganburh but that's hardly likely to be true is it." Sleeping Dragon: "No, there's no guards by that name. In all likelihood he's taking bribes from Middlemere or Tarnemuthe and doesn't want us to find Eada." Edmund: "The situation here is very strange. Why is there so much outside interference in your affairs?" Sleeping Dragon: "There wasn't until a few years ago when Heorot became our Ealdorman and stopped cooperating with the Council. Of course Middlemere and Bluebrycg have long been rivals anyway - we fought a war you may know about. Bluebrycg is a wealthy and successful city and this gives Heorot influence that Middlemere and Tarnemuthe would prefer he didn't have, hence the interest they've taken in the underworld. They would prefer to do enough damage that the lords might fold and choose a more...complaint...Ealdorman." Sleeping Dragon: "Of course," he added, "there's also a good profit to be made in smuggling and theft." Sleeping Dragon: after their meeting with Bryni, the party went to meet with Stanflede again in the Rusted Anchor, where she provided them with a jewelled torc to plant in the home of the criminal Lindhard. While Hogar went out to find information, he learned that Lindhard ran a small, shady mercenary company and had a very unsavoury reputation. Learning the location of his home, Leofric and Tole impersonated possible clients while the man was away, taking advantage to infiltrate and learn the layout of the home. On their way out, Tole picked the pocket of one of the servants, taking a spare key to the master bedroom.
Later that night, they returned. Tole found them a good spot in an alleyway to sneak up, while Leofric cast a light spell which confused and distracted a guard long enough for Arianhod to climb up, enter the bedroom, leave the torc, and escape. With this, they stole away again to report their success and at last get the chance to meet the elusive Eada the Red. Hogar: When the party had a free moment, Hogar spoke up "You know, something I've been thinking about....seems like the guards we've been working with care a lot about finding this red woman, not so much about actually, you know, catching her. They're not paying us for that, and that one seemed to speak almost fondly of her..." Hogar: edit: red thief, not red woman Sleeping Dragon: when the party returned to meet Stanflede again, they found her at ease with Deor. "You needn't worry about me at all, dear friends, Stanflede here had some of her associates deal with Regnhere. No, don't trouble yourselves, I'm sure you're quite relieved to hear that I'm alright," said Deor.
Stanflede led Deor and the party away and down to the docks, where they surreptitiously boarded a ship they learned belonged to a merchant, Botolph. "Though he's useless, his wife Denegyth is the one who actually runs his business," Stanflede added. "The shop I was working at belongs to them, we use their ships and buildings to move around town unseen."
they sailed out overnight and in the morning came to a small village, Haelrune, north of Bluebrycg. They sailed up to a small manor house, at which was moored another ship. They put the plank out, wandered across to the ship, and went belowdecks. After entering a small cabin, they found a beautiful red-haired woman with a lithe build and a sly smile relaxing in a chair, drinking a glass of rich red wine. She raised her glass to Stanflede and the party as they entered. "A lot of people in Bluebrycg think you Virians mean to take over Palania, but you've done me a lot of help. We only need to wait a while now for word of Lindhard's crime to get out. Ulfas and the Widow will be at one another's throats, and will have more pressing concerns than me." Joe: Leofric nodded slightly, "Indeed. It seems so. Rivalry can only get worse over time and eventually weaken them." Sleeping Dragon: after a short conversation it became apparent what Eada's plan had been - the torc had belonged to the partner of one of the Widow's lieutenants, and once it was found in the position of Ulfas' man Lindhard the two main gangs would be fighting one another. "So this hiding will soon be done. I've heard you've been working for a bent guardsman. In all likelihood he thinks he can put strings on me...but we'll see. I'll make sure you get your pay - not that I don't like you fine fellows, but you haven't expressed a desire to work for me like Deor, and you know too much, so it would be mutually beneficial if you were to not go back to Bluebrycg for quite some time at least." Edmund (exit): 00:10 Joe: Leofric smiled, "That is highly agreeable. I do have an intention of not coming back here for long time. The atmosphere of this city is dangerous. Defeating dark monsters are far more simpler." Leofric sighed Hogar: "Think we've had enough of Bluebrycg for...a long time, so doubt you'll have to worry about that."said Hogar "I'm sure you will be able to sort your troubles...some way." Tole: Tole leaves without saying a word. Hogar: edit: change second part to "I'm sure you will find some way to solve your troubles..."
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Post by sleepingdragon on Sept 28, 2013 17:30:17 GMT
Sleeping Dragon: glad to leave Bluebrycg behind, the party made their way back towards the Werling estate. After a delay due to a torrential downpour on the first day of their journey, the remainder of their journey went smoothly and they arrived back at the estate on 24 May 227. At this point Tole, who had seemed sombre and downcast throughout the return journey, decided she had made enough money during their travels to be independent for the first time in her life, and was going to retire from adventuring. She left on 25 May 227, saying she would contact the party in Phalen if she changed her mind.
The estate was awhirl with activity as preparations were underway for the wedding. As Lord Renweard's estates were too modest to maintain all the guests and their entourages, he had decided the wedding would be held outdoors, in a field on the shore of Cuto's Well, about a mile to the south.
With the activity at the estate there was little time for news of the outside, however they did hear one tale from the capital that was of interest. An emissary from the Ealdorman of Madumflod, in Krygarland, arrived to call for urgent aid from the Council to repel the imminent dragonspawn invasion. The Council called an emergency session, and they also invited the Lady Kasyra, who the party had met on the road to Stencumb, as an ambassador from the 'Ealdorman' of Krogsager. Lady Kasyra suggested that a joint force was put together, under the command of a Council representative and a representative of King Sweryn, however the Council rejected this approach and the session was derailed in acrimony without a clear plan being put together.
Though most of the guests were not due to arrive until the day, some turned up early, Ealdorman Durwyn being the first. Synne was in her element, chatting to the guests and their entourages, while Dunstan alternated between bemusement and terror, and spent most of his time ensconced in his quarters speaking to Leofric.
Two days before the wedding, Lord Renweard announced a grand hunt to provide fresh meat for the guests, and invited the party to join him and Ealdorman Durwyn. Sleeping Dragon: traditionally, the hunt prior to a nobleman's wedding was the opportunity for that noble to go forth and take centre stage, showcasing his martial skills in advance of his marriage. In this case, however, Dunstan had no martial skills to speak of, and so Ealdorman Durwyn and Lord Renweard had obviously come to a gentleman's agreement to simply pretend this custom did not exist.
On the day of the hunt, the party waited out in front of the estate. Osfrid of the Bloodied Eye was chatting to his brother-in-arms, Hogar, while Ealdorman Durwyn conversed with the former mercenary Atol of Parwick, a tall, lean man who Lord Renweard had hired to be the captain of the guards for Dunstan and Synne when they moved to Phalen. After a short time, Brictmund the huntsman arrived, with Lord Renweard tailing him, engaged in a heated discussion with his daughter. Lord Renweard was obviously trying to keep the discussion quiet, but Synne was having none of this. "...why shouldn't I go instead? Do you think I'm made of fucking glass? You're happy to invite Arianhod, has she grown a cock at some point?"
"Enough Synne! I've made up my mind. They may have given women arms in Gastonland, but you are a Palanian lady, not a Gastonlander," Lord Renweard replied. Arianhod: Arianhod "Hmph"d at Renweard's comment. She looked content, however, to stay out of the discussion, then walked over to Edmund, talking quietly to him. Arianhod: (whispering): "The lord would be more likely to listen to you than I. Do you think you could raise the question of having Synne come with us, if simply to watch?" Leofric: Leofric on hearing Synne's discussion with her father, gave Arianhod a lingering glance, his eye looked merry before nodding to others in the group. His hands made some final adjustment to his fine sword on his belt. His other two swords can be found on his back, his two hilts showing over his shoulders. One hilt glinted in the dayylight, giving away its nature as silver. In comparsion, his dagger look small on his long thin body. His heavy clothings looked like it been recently beatened clean. Hogar: Hogar sighed, not amused by Synne's outbursts "Poor Dunstan, I don't envy the lad."he whispered to the others Server Administrator-> Kicking '(14075) Hogar' from server... Removing dead client Hogar (exit): 20:04 Leofric: Leofric looked thoughtfully and nodded and whispered back to the others, "Still, we got the future ahead of us and aim and hope for better outcome for Dunstan." He sighed for a moment with dissatisfaction with the loss of Tole. Edmund: Edmund, his hair and the short beard he had begun cultivating neatly trimmed, handsomely attired in dark green, with a short cloak over one shoulder fastened with a silver pin in the shape of a harp, walked over to Lord Renweard. "My Lord," he said with a bow, "the Lady Synne will shortly be making a new life for herself in the heart of danger. Under the circumstances, to be able to hunt is as important as being able to defend her home and her family, and does not detract from her position, but enhances it." Edmund bowed again, and shot a small smile at Arianhod. Sleeping Dragon: Renweard glanced at Edmund, a dangerous look in his eye for a moment, and then he sighed. "Fine! But if you need to rescue her again I'll expect you to do it for free this time." Renweard stomped away from the party muttering and then spoke to Ealdorman Durwyn quickly. Lord Renweard turned to the hunters. "To add a bit of spice to this...5 gold and a bearskin cloak for whoever brings in the most meat. 2 gold and 50 silvers for the second best, 1 gold for the third best. Brictmund, lead the way." The hunter bowed before his lord and led them on the way towards Darkholt. Edmund: Edmund nodded to Synne. Arianhod: Arianhod gave a rare, brief smile at Renweard's decision and nodded to Edmund before following the other hunters. Edmund: Edmund moved up beside Arianhod and spoke quietly to her. Edmund: (whispering): "if she accidentally shoots her father, don't blame me," Edmund said, half jokingly. Arianhod: (whispering): Arianhod chuckled softly. "Understood." She replied. Sleeping Dragon: Synne moved up and said something quietly to Atol, who chortled and shouldered his spear. Sleeping Dragon: they set out into Darkholt. Ealdorman Durwyn explained that with the information that the party had wrested from Deor previously, a force led by the Ealdorman's son (also named Durwyn) had managed to catch and hang many of the bandits in Darkholt, and those that had not been slain had, for the most part, fled. Their hunt, therefore, was relatively secure.
They thrashed through the woods, stalking after boar and deer. Arianhod quickly and clearly established herself as the most skillful hunter, using her long experience of woodcraft. Hogar and Lord Renweard also displayed great skill, and to the Lord's surprise Synne picked up a spear with clear familiarity and set out, taking several boars. She worked in a team with Atol, but he seemed rather distracted and in truth Synne proved herself a more adept hunter than the guardsman. When the sun began to set they reconvened at a meeting point to compare their hauls. Arianhod was the winner and took the bearskin cloak, with Hogar following her. To her great satisfaction, Synne brought in just a small hair more meat than Lord Renweard, and she leaned against a tree, smirking at her father and sharpening her spearhead with a whetstone Atol had lent her. Sleeping Dragon: "She is quite a strange sort of noble's daughter," Osfrid said to the party. Atol overheard them and came over, pushing back sweaty black hair with a grin on his hawkish face. "What, you don't like women with spirit?" he laughed and clapped Osfrid on the shoulder. Hogar: Hogar looked fairly pleased with the results of the hunt, and congratuled Arianhod. He did seem somewhat surprised by Synne's success however, and nodded along at Osfrid's comment. Arianhod: Arianhod gave only a slight hint of pride at winning, dismissing complements. "The family will be in good hands." She commented. Leofric: Leofric looked annoyed at his lack of skill in hunting and told others, "Hunting is clearly not my forte." His words cut like sharp blade as he grumbled. He personally congratulate Arianhod, Hogar and Synne. He frowned at Atol but his expression quickly disappeared. Edmund: Edmund went over to congratulate Synne, speaking quietly to her. Hogar: "Don't diminish yourself, we all have our talents."Hogar said to Leofric Sleeping Dragon: Synne held a finger up to her lips as Edmund approached and whispered to him quickly. whispering to Edmund, "Sshh. My father looks like he's going to shit himself with rage." Edmund: (whispering): "I knew you would do well. He should understand you will need all those skills in Phalen. But remember that Dunstan has his strengths, though they are not on the hunting or the battle field." Edmund said, speaking very softly. Leofric: Leofric sighed and smiled boardly at Hogar, "Maybe. But you never know the future. I might find myself in middle of nowhere, hunting for food, alone." He shivered at the thought. "But yes, I do have other talents but it is better for my health to be good at anything." whispering to Edmund, "I know, he's quite clever even though he does look terrified every time he looks at me. I hope he doesn't need you to hold his hand tonight, I don't mind you intruding on some matters but I don't want you near my bed." whispering to Edmund, "I know, he's quite clever even though he does look terrified every time he looks at me. I hope he doesn't need you to hold his hand tonight, I don't mind you intruding on some matters but I don't want you near my bed." Edmund: Edmund laughed at something Synne said and responded quietly. Edmund: (whispering): "Dunstan will have to manage this on his own," Edmund said. "He might even surprise you." Leofric: Leofric eyed Synne and Edmund curiously and looked around at other people, attempting to note everything of interest. Arianhod: Arianhod simply leaned up against a tree, arms crossed, occasionally glancing over to Edmund and Synne, but otherwise mostly looking at the ground. Sleeping Dragon: they made their way back to the estate without incident. The next day, guests continued to arrive - Dunstan's cousin Garrick, Lord of the Olthorings, who had been part of the contest in Stencumb when they had visited Deogol, came with a score of retainers. With him was he and Dunstan's aunt, Lady Aethelu, a twice-widowed woman in her mid-forties who retained something of a youthful appearance. With her was her youngest daughter by her second husband, Annis of the Marning clan, a fourteen year old girl with short cut hair and a mischievous look on his face. There was also Sulis of the Tolthering clan and half a dozen guards. Sulis had been betrothed to Synne's brother Renwald, but he was slain in Phalen before they could wed. She was a very beautiful young lady, but she had a sad, wan face. When she had the chance Synne let out some invective to the party about Sulis, who she obviously despised as an example of the kind of 'proper' Palanian lady that Lord Renweard would have wished her to be.
The day of the wedding, 1 June 227, rose bright and clear. They rose early and went out to witness the exchange of bride gifts. Dunstan, Synne, Lord Renweard, Lord Garrick and Lady Aethelu were witnesses. This was something of a farce - though Ealdorman Durwyn was paying for almost everything at the wedding, as he was not strictly of the same clan as Dunstan he was only permitted to witness, but not conduct, the exchange of gifts he had paid for.
Dunstan, looking as if he were in a haze, presented Lord Renweard with a chest filled with gold, silver, and gems. This was the handgeld, to show the Werling clan that the Olthorings had the werewithal to look after Synne and to recompense the Werlings for the loss of a daughter.
Lord Renweard then presented his daughter with the brydgifu, or dowry, to be held by Synne to ensure she could be cared for in case of premature death on Dunstan's part. Lord Renweard presented his daughter with twenty head of cattle, a shield which had belonged to her great-grandfather, and a golden chalice. Sleeping Dragon: *on HER face Hogar: "Quite the brideprice there."commented Hogar in a hushed tone when the chest was brought out Edmund: "Almost a bribe rather than a price," Edmund murmured with a grin. Leofric: Leofric was in rather fine clothings which look made him learned. On his belt is a fine looking sword which was liberated from a cave. His long hair was tied back in ponytail, dangling down his back. He clearly made an effort to appear presentable. His eyes was slightly mirthful as he witnessed the exchange of gifts and the wedding. He let his gaze lingered on Sulis and Annis before paying attention to his peers and nodded in agreement with Hogar and Edmund. Arianhod: Arianhod looked uncomfortable at the ceremony, though she had purchased a well-made vest for the occasion, and the cloak she had won in the hunt meant that she wasn't too out of place. Edmund: Edmund moved over to Sulis. "May I introduce my companions to you, my lady?" he asked, holding out his hand. Sleeping Dragon: Sulis gave Edmund a smile, though it didn't reach her eyes. "Of course you can, I'm eager to meet you. And when you've finished the introductions, would you care for a dance?" Edmund: Edmund lifted Sulis' to his lips. "I would be honoured my lady." He led her over and introduced the others to her. Edmund: Sulis' hand Hogar: Hogar had put on a simple but well-made tunic for the occasion, and carried at his side a razor-sharp axe which showed no sign of wear. "That was a very appreciated gift, although I haven't had the chance to use it yet."he said to Osfrid in passing Arianhod: Arianhod nodded stiffly to Sulis as they were introduced. She looked as though she were trying to avoid interacting with anyone at the wedding right now. Hogar: Hogar introduced himself to Sulis with the others, though he seemed a bit stiff, as if he did not feel comfortable interacting too closely with 'proper' nobles Leofric: Leofric gave his greetings and respect to Sulis, noting how cold Sulis is, "Honoured to meet you. Lady. It is a delightful day today." Sleeping Dragon: "I'm pleased to meet you all," Sulis said, though she looked at Arianhod, with her great height, burly arms, and bearskin cloak, as if she had just stepped from some dimension of hell. "It would be dreadful of me if you were to introduce me to all these interesting people while I just nod and smile." Sulis turned and scanned the crowd. "Benoic!" even Sulis' shouts seemed dainty and graceful. A tall, powerfully muscled man with blond hair emerged from the crowd. On his arm was a stout woman in brown with a pleasant smile. "Allow me to introduce you. This is Benoic, of the clan Nandering of Tarnemuthe. He was a friend of Renwald's, he was there when he...he..." Sulis trailed off, then remembered something. "And of course this is his wife Othili, formerly of clan Palding. Now, Edmund, while your friends and mine acquaint themselves, shall we dance?" Edmund: Edmund greeted Benoic and Othili, then took Sulis' arm and went with her to the dance floor. Leofric: Leofric grinned at Edmund and Sulis as he watched their back to dance and gazed downward at the Benoic and Othili, "I am curious, if you do not mind me asking." He gave his respectful nod."What is Phalen like? I have heard about the city of course, but it would be intresting to hear from someone who been there." Sleeping Dragon: Benoic grimaced. "A dangerous place. Renwald is far from the only person to go there and not make it out. There are thousands of orcs on the eastern bank of the river, and the situation is never stable enough to allow the Council to build proper fortifications along the riverbank, though there's certainly makeshift towers and row on row of stakes. There are monsters below as well...the Undercity Watch try their best but Phalen has been razed twice and when the Alanians had the city they had built a large sewer. From what Renwald said, Synne knows a bit about how to defend herself and I'm glad because she'll need it."
On the dance floor, Sulis broached much the same conversation with Edmund, though in different tones, as they danced. Edmund did well, though Sulis was obviously by far the superior dancer, moving with tremendous grace. "I have to beg you, for the sake of the sister that should have been mine, please do not go to Phalen," Sulis said to Edmund, her lip trembling. "It's a cursed place. The Council will never hold it. My dear Renwald was as powerful a warrior as any man alive, but it did him no good against those brutes. The orcs are bad enough when dealing with men, what they might do to Synne does not bear thinking about. Please, before it's too late, talk Lord Renweard out of this madness." Edmund: "It isn't Lord Renweard who I would need to convince," Edmund said as they danced round. "You know Synne well? I doubt very much if anyone could talk her out of going. " Sleeping Dragon: "Oh but you must! I don't wish to frighten you, but you'll die there!" Sulis squeezed Edmund's hand tightly. Hogar: Hogar listened intently as Benoic spoke, obviously interested in the man's opinion "Didn't expect the situation to be better. I suppose the city could still be fully retaken, if enough people were to work together. But myself, I worry more about dragonspawn than orcs, if what I've heard about their cunning is true." Leofric: Leofric frowned as he considered what Benoic have to say. He replied with a worried tone "This is vexatious." His tone then grew seriously. "It seems that the situation is more dangerous than I realised. But if worse come to worse, we can always leave Phalen." When he heard from Hogar and nodded, "I agreed. My past experience clearly shown the value of people working together, combining the skills and strength." Edmund: "Please do not fear for me," Edmund said gently. "My companions and I travelled in the Plague Lands and came forth unscathed. We have faced many dangers since arriving in Palania, and we will face more, but God willing we will survive and be stronger for it." Sleeping Dragon: "Aye, they are more dangerous, but there are few of them near Phalen," said Benoic. "When the dragon sacked the city his force had dragonspawn and orcs and more besides, but after Caragaur was slain they began to fight each other and the dragonspawn were driven east to Gundergrad. We still clash with them sometimes, near Tarnemuthe. Keep spread out if you fight them, they can breathe fire though they're not true dragons. And if you have to flee, try to take the bodies with you."
"This conversation is taking an extremely morbid turn," Othili interjected. She gave Leofric a smile. "I understand you are a scholar as well? Benoic, here, is a strong man but I've only just finally been able to convince him to learn to even read," she said, clapping her husband on the arm. "Leofric, I've recently reread the Theophany and I'd be interested in your opinion on something." Sleeping Dragon: "Oh, you fool Virians! You think you are invincible, but your God has no more power here than ours do!" Sulis finished her dance and pulled away from Edmund, her lip quivering. "I wish you the best, Edmund, but I hope you don't come to regret not listening to me." Sulis gave a curtsy. Leofric: Leofric smiled slightly and replied with hint of moderation, "Well, something like that. So what is your thoughts on Theophany?" He clearly looked interested. Sleeping Dragon: Othili pursed her lips, choosing her words very carefully. "It is...impressive. The Gaston gods, you understand, they are like careless parents. They say to you 'be good and do well', but they give you no details and cannot be bothered to truly help you understand anything. When I read what your Prophet has written, on the other hand, I see the mark of real inspiration. He was plainly truly interested in understanding the divine and how we should relate to it, and how we should live and treat each other. I have been considering conversion for some time..." Othili paused. "But I doubt Benoic here would follow me, or any of the rest of my clan. They don't understand why I find what I read in a book more compelling than the traditions of our ancestors. The Certainty of Ministry says that Virians are meant to seek to convert the heathen. While you've been here, have you been seeking converts, or do you think there can be respect between Virians and heathens?" Edmund: Edmund bowed, then spoke earnestly. "Faith has real power. We have seen it in action, things I would not have believed until coming here. Bad things happen, even in the safest of places. At least we know the dangers we will be going to meet." Sleeping Dragon: Sulis gave Edmund a sad smile and said nothing, walking away. Edmund: Edmund returned to his companions looking thoughtful. Arianhod: Arianhod rubbed her forehead and sighed. She stayed quiet though, but started tapping her finger against her arm, seeming impatient for the ceremony to get underway. Hogar: Hogar looked very thoughtful about this unexpected change of subject, and seemed curious about what Leofric's answer would be Leofric: Leofric considered this matter carefully and replied in measured tone. "No, I do not. While the Certainty of Ministry does point out that we all have duty to bring knowledg of the Wat to the heathens. We are not required to proselytise without interruption. Indeed, it is not a failing to not to convert someone and beside, the Virtue of Wisdom shown that not everyone have a gift for persuasion and God endowed everyone with different talents. I even accidently converted someone to the way through my action. The Church's interpretation is stricter. My personal opinon is that there can be respect between the Virians and heathens and I will gladly answer anyone who may have questions about the Way. If there is no respect, then any attempt to convert just feel demeaning." He gave a shrug. Sleeping Dragon: before Othili could offer a reply, there were several great horn blasts, and a number of criers began to summon the principal guests, in the name of the gods, to the central pavilion, where Dunstan of the Olthorings and Synne of the Werlings would plight their troth and be joined as one soul. Leofric: Leofric smiled slightly at Othili, making a promise to speak to her afterward. He made some slight adjustments to his clothing and weapon. More than strictly necessary. He followed the principal guests. Arianhod: Seeming a bit relieved and annoyed at the same time, Arianhod followed the others into the pavilion. Hogar: Hogar walked off with the others, though he looked like he hoped that conversation would continue someday Sleeping Dragon: they made their way towards the pavilion, where the noble guests had been gathering. As they entered, they noticed one guest, dressed in the garb of a Virian priest, stood pointedly near the flap of the pavilion while the guests entered. After everyone had come inside, the man, Father Cattergund, spoke quietly to the main crier, then finally entered the pavilion.
the pavilion was large and spacious, with the sunlight shining through. Dunstan and Synne stood in the centre, bathed in the light. In the ancient Gaston custom, the bride's father and the groom's mother would stand next to their children, but while Lord Renweard stood at Synne's side, Dunstan's mother had died giving birth to him. In the stead of the dear departed Inis of the clan Yenling, therefore, stood Dunstan's aunt, Lady Aethelu, with her own daughter Annis, who appeared quite bored, at her side. Lord Renweard was frowning slightly. Ealdorman Durwyn, whose position entailed a certain sacral duty though this was rarely called upon, stood to officiate. As the guests entered, Eoforhild and Ramund, at the far end, joined their voices together in a song extolling the infinite and eternal power of love. Ramund's voice had a certain eerie quality to it, an otherworldliness, a high pitch that hardly any man that had not been cut could ever have reached. Leofric: Leofric noticed Father Cattergund and starts to enjoyed listening to Eoforhild and Ramund although he examined Ramund carefully from distance. Sleeping Dragon: there was another blast of the trumpets. After a moment, Dunstan turned nervously to Lady Aethelu, who was unwrapping the bundle she held. Within was a sword. It was an old sword, blade scarred with nicks, the leather grip discoloured with sweat. Dunstan turned to Synne and spoke as clearly as he could manage, though his voice quavered. Sleeping Dragon: "My bride, I give you this sword which was my...my dear departed father's," Dunstan stumbled slightly. "And his father's before him. Take this blade for our sons to have and to use." Sleeping Dragon: Synne took the blade and leaned it against the altar while her father unwrapped the bundle he held. This was a much handsomer blade, newly forged in Middlemere, decorated with runes along the blade and in the pommel stone. In a ringing voice, Synne replied. Sleeping Dragon: "My husband, to protect us you will need a blade of your own. With this sword keep safe our children and our home." Dunstan took the blade and gripped it awkwardly, but promised to defend the family they would have. Sleeping Dragon: following this came the exchange of rings, which were set with rubies which were thought to open the heart to love, and Dunstan ceremonially gave Synne the keys to the home they would be moving to in Phalen. Following this, they knelt before Ealdorman Durwyn, and vowed to cherish one another, to be as one soul, and to allow no one and nothing to come between them until death parted them. "No man can put apart what the gods have joined," Ealdorman Durwyn intoned ceremonially. "Dunstan of the clan Olthoring and Synne of the clan Werling are now as one soul. Let all men of good will rejoice!" a cheer went up from the crowd, and the guests began to come forward to provide gifts for the newlyweds Sleeping Dragon: the guests came forward with their gifts - Othili gave jars of coloured ink, while her husband provided a fine whip for riding a carriage. The quality and nature of the gifts varied significantly - Atol of Parwick gave dice, carved with runes and made of blackened orc bone, Councillor Rypan of Phalen an hourglass filled with multicoloured sands, while Otha of the Burning Brand brought jars of spice from distant lands such as Tonelda and Fryddenland. Father Cattergund of Prestenbroc brought two gifts - prepared herbs from the Great Forest, for the creation of poultices to heal the body; and a silver bound copy of the Theophany to heal the soul. Throughout this, Lord Renweard stood looking pleased, though there was still a slight frown on his face. Arianhod: Arianhod stepped forward, carring a small, cloth-wrapped bundle. Opening it up before presenting it revealed a small lapis statuette of a nightingale. She handed it to whoever she was supposed to, still looking a bit awkward. Sleeping Dragon: Synne took the statuette and thanked Arianhod. As Arianhod was walking away, Otha of the Burning Brand, a thin red-haired woman in her early thirties, approached her. "You're one of the largest women I've ever seen," she said conversationally. "You are Arianhod, yes? I am Otha of the Burning Brand. I've heard you and your companions survived the Plague Fields for almost a week, is that right?" Leofric: Leofric came forward, holding a book which looked high quaility. Inside the book is extremely beautiful artworks and paintings of long gone age. A valuable gift. Within the book, Leofric inked in best handwriting he got, wishing the couple best of luck and hope. Edmund: Edmund brought up a box filled with straw, containing a fine glass bottle decorated with silver for wine or oil. Arianhod: "Uh, uhm, yes, I am." Arianhod replied, a bit nervously. "And that's correct." She was quiet for a moment before speaking up again. "If you'd like an account of it, Edmund might be the better person to talk to. I'm not much of a storyteller." Sleeping Dragon: "Your friend Ealdorman Balnoth has not arrived," Renweard said quietly to Edmund. "He was meant to officiate as he is a priest. I hope he is alright." Hogar: Hogar gifted the couple with a silver necklace of dragonspawn teeth - a grim gift perhaps, but obviously meant for grim times, considering where the newlywed were going to live. Edmund: "That is worrying," Edmund said, understanding now why Renweard was frowning. "Was he intending to travel straight from Stowecott?" Sleeping Dragon: Otha grinned. "Whenever I find I'm not able to speak then I know it's time to get a drink. Come walk with me, I'll get you some wine. Your group appears to be interesting and talented, so I'd like to make a proposition to you." Hogar: "We certainly hope he is..."said Hogar referring to Balnoth "Might be best to inquite about that..."he added sounding slightly worried Sleeping Dragon: "He was, he was meant to arrive today according to the letter I had from him a week ago, the day you returned from Bluebrycg." Before Renweard could say more, Father Cattergund strode purposefully over to where Leofric and Edmund stood. "God bless you brothers," he said in greeting. As he spoke, it was plain to hear that he was a Palanian convert, rather than a priest who had come over from Gastony. "Might I have a word?" Arianhod: Arianhod sighed, seeming a bit relieved and nodded with a slight smile before following Otha. "I'm just not used to fancy gatherings like this." She admitted quietly. "What sort of proposition? The Burning Brand is a trading company, right?" Edmund: "God bless you Father," Edmund said in reply. "Please excuse us for a moment, we have heard some worrying news." Leofric: Leofric frowned with concern for dear old Balnoth. He glanced at Edmund and nodded. He put his hand on the shoulder of Father Cattergund, "I am interested in whatever you have to say." Sleeping Dragon: "Trading and exploration. Since the dragon there have been parts of Palania that have been completely isolated. There are ruins there, legacies of our past, as well as opportunities to reconnect and turn a fair profit," said Otha. "You are going to Phalen, I understand. When you get there, seek out our chapterhouse and speak to Medwin. We sent an expedition to the islands of Coelney back about nine or ten months ago, many refugees fled there when the dragon attacked and there's rumours of old artifacts and books from the old times that have survived there. Unfortunately the expedition hasn't sent a report like they were meant to after the winter storms passed." Leofric: "God bless you Father." As he attempted to ensure that other two can confer in peace. Arianhod: Arianhod nodded. "I can't speak for the others, but I'll do that. Medwin at the chapterhouse." She confirmed. Sleeping Dragon: "I don't know anything more," said Renweard with a shrug. "I'll make some inquiries, I'll let you know if I hear anything."
Father Cattergund led Leofric away. "I understand you are going to Phalen," he said with a frown. "A place of great sin and heathendom. You should come back with me instead, to Prestenbroc, to be amongst fellow Virians. We have heard you have tremendous skills for tracking things down and surviving in dangerous places. You could be of more use to the holy Church in Prestenbroc than in Phalen. Do you know aught of Saint Thenghelm?" Sleeping Dragon: Otha smiled to Arianhod and handed her a glass of wine, her hand brushing Arianhod's lightly. She got a glass for herself and raised it. "To the happy couple then. May I never know their particular...joy," she said. Edmund: "Balnoth has enemies," Edmund said. "That was how we met him, rescuing him after he had been abducted. I hope he has not fallen foul of the wretches again." Arianhod: Arianhod smiled and raised her glass to the toast. "Not interested in marriage, I take it?" She asked, after a sip. Hogar: Hogar nodded along with Edmund "Hopefully he was delayed by something less hostile." Sleeping Dragon: "I'd sooner be torn apart by rabid dogs. I am only a common woman, so I was able to escape it without too much trouble. These noblewomen though...well that's a harder thing for them," said Otha. "And you? Have you ever wished to spend your life as a man's toy?" Leofric: Leofric looked thoughtfully and replied, "The first Virian missionarie that went to Palania for ten years journey before going missing in the Great Forest..." He asked with the question with bemusement, "I suppose you wish us to track him down in the darkness of the Great Forest?" Sleeping Dragon: "His remains, yes. Since we settled Prestenbroc we have been trying to discover what happened to him. The Vice-Priest has found information which pins his last known location to somewhere in the vicinity of Waldtun, in the foothills of the Old Mountains. He appeared to have been worried about something and was gathering those Virians he could around him for protection, though of course there were few of us in those days. It was a hundred and fifty years ago. It would be a wonderful victory for the holy Church if we could find his remains and learn what fate befell him." Sleeping Dragon: "I'm going to go and ask around to see what I can learn," Renweard said to Edmund. He paused, then put a hand on Edmund's shoulder. "I cannot thank you enough for returning my daughter to me and allowing this day to finally come. The Werling clan will live on thanks to you, Gastonlander." Arianhod: "I honestly hadn't considered it. Well, before..." Arianhod paused, having a sudden dark look on her face, but she quickly recomposed herself and took another sip of wine. "I'm sure every young girl imagines a fairy tale wedding at some point, but no, I don't wish to be tied down like that either." Edmund: "We are glad to be of service," Edmund replied with a suprised smile. "And if we can do anything to help Ealdorman Balnoth we will." Sleeping Dragon: Otha raised her glass and drained it. "That is definitely how you want to keep things. I've been able to travel far and see wondrous things because of it. I have never been to Gastonland, however. I have some people that I need to speak to, but would you like to come and see me later? We can have another drink, you can tell me about Gastonland, and I'll tell you about Suthfryd and Tohringland and Mollenmere and all the far regions of Palania." Leofric: Leofric smiled, his eyes sparkled with consideration for the Father, "Well Father. I and my friends are going to Phalen." He said it with such finality that it brooks no argument But this is something I am interested in..." He paused for a moment, "However, I am not sure about my friends and it would be foolhardly for me to go alone. Some incentives are always useful." Arianhod: Arianhod finished her drink as well. "I'd enjoy that. Though I can't say I've been to many places even in my homeland. I'd be very interested in your stories though." She replied with a more easy smile. Sleeping Dragon: Cattergund frowned. "Of course, industry should always be rewarded. When you reach Phalen, go to the Great Chapel, the priests there will know more of the details of Saint Thenghelm's last movements and will be able to point you in the right direction. And to negotiate your reward, of course. For finding the remains of a saint and recovering any relics he might still have, well I imagine that would be a task worth many thousands of silvers. Though I am only a poor priest and know little of coin." Sleeping Dragon: "Excellent!" Otha took Arianhod's glass and quickly told her which pavilion was her own. "I'll speak to you later." Otha gave Arianhod a last smile over her shoulder, then set off. Arianhod: Arianhod smiled and nodded to the woman and returned to the others. Leofric: Leofric looked surprised, "That is a relief. It is good to know there is proper place of worship in Phalen." He nodded with steel confidence, "I will ensure that we will give it proper consideration. God Wills It." Sleeping Dragon: after a short time, Lord Renweard returned and sought out Edmund. "One of Ealdorman Balnoth's Thegns has arrived, he looks exhausted and his horse looks like it's about to fall over. I've given one of the pavilions over to him so to not alarm the guests, could you gather your companions and go out quietly? This man Havarr has asked to speak to you with the greatest urgency." Hogar: "Not going to be good news I fear."said Hogar as he signaled to the others Leofric: Leofric thanked Father, glanced at Hogar and went over to the group, he asked softly, "What is going on?" Sleeping Dragon: the party headed out one by one and made their way to the pavilion Lord Renweard had indicated. Havarr sat on a chair, drinking an ale and some broth which Elswyth had hastily retrieved for him. When the party arrived, Elswyth bowed and left them alone with the Thegn.
There were dark circles under Havarr's eyes, the bone-deep fatigue of a man who has not slept for far too long. "Ealdorman Balnoth has sent me," he said, groaning with fatigue. "Forgive me, I've not slept since I left Stowecott. The Ealdorman has been imprisoned." Leofric: Leofric looked alarmed at the status of Havarr, "What happened?" He asked simply Sleeping Dragon: "I only know some of it - I was away from Stowecott visiting kinsmen in the west, and I came back oh...four days ago. That was the day we were meant to depart to come here for the wedding, but when I arrived I learned that the Ealdorman had been imprisoned in the night. He managed to sneak me out a message and a note for you two days ago, I rode here immediately." Havarr retrieved a tightly rolled scroll from his pocket. "You remember Svari, yes? Ealdorman Balnoth and her well...they have been having an affair for years, everyone in Stowecott knew. Supposedly, the day before we were set to arrive, the Ealdorman finally snapped and killed her husband Eldrid and a cousin of his in a jealous rage, in front of witnesses. It's madness! The Ealdorman would never do such a thing, and Eldrid has known about their relationship for years and has never cared." Sleeping Dragon: *set to depart, rather Sleeping Dragon: "Anyhow, the note explains more than I could, I wouldn't be able to read it even if I wanted to break the Ealdorman's trust. You must move quickly. The clans are meeting in four days to decide whether to impeach the Ealdorman." Havarr held out Balnoth's note. Leofric: Leofric accepted the note and read it, he then passed it around. Sleeping Dragon: 1:
Dear friends,
I am extremely sorry to have to contact you this way. I know I have no rightful hold over you and you have already been my saviours once, but I can think of no others who will arrive quickly enough and have the skill needed to help me now. Many of those I had thought my friends have abandoned me, including those who are holding me captive, but I am sure you are made of sterner stuff.
By some magic or mummery, someone has taken on my appearance and slain Svari’s husband Eldrid, as well as his cousin Andwaru, and this was seen by several people. The assassin must somehow have known my itinerary – I was at a secret meeting with only one of my Thegns as a guard. They have twisted this into a ridiculous story, claiming I was plotting to murder Eldrid and using the cover of the wedding of Lord Renweard’s daughter as a pretext to flee!
I will explain more shortly, however before I say anything further I must beg you in Bealdoric’s name – before you spare any thought for me, please make sure Svari is safe! Eldrid and Andwaru’s kinsmen and brothers-in-arms from Rulburna are on their way as I write, and I am terrified that they may murder Svari to cleanse the stain from Eldrid’s honour. Through no fault of theirs, in their eyes they will see her as a woman who cuckolded their cousin with the man who murdered him, and now she is defending me.
I have convinced my captors to send some men to keep a guard on her, but I am far from persuaded that they would actually hazard their bodies if it came to it. Our relationship has broken our customs, and Eldrid’s kin might well be able to justly claim blood feud if they killed her. Please protect her. If she wants to flee, please help her do so and do not risk her by wasting any time on me. It would condemn me, but if that is the price for her safety then I’ll gladly pay it. She is a brave woman though, and I will not cheapen our love by presuming I have the right to make her decisions for her. If she wants to stay, then help her stay and stay safe.
I don’t know how it was done, but I know in my marrow who is responsible for this – Cynegels. May the gods smite that wretched b@stard! It is bad enough for that base reprobate to seek his revenge on me, but now he has endangered Svari for the sake of his pride and ambition! I am innocent of Eldrid and Andwaru’s murders and I have never bloodied my sword save in self-defence, but by Bealdoric’s blade and die I swear I will kill Cynegels!
It is quite plain that after you thwarted that murderous rogue’s last plot to do away with me, he hatched a new plan. I ought to have acted against him immediately, but I have always believed Cynegels a craven and thought he would wait a while until he thought my guard had dropped. I couldn’t act against him without strong proof that he was behind my abduction, and I hoped I had the time to gather it. Sleeping Dragon: 2:
The whole reason that I was away that night is because I had gone to visit an informant – a widowed shepherdess, Tesu. She said that Cynegels’ man, Osbeorn, had hired her a year ago to keep him apprised of what was happening in Stowecott. In the weeks prior to my abduction she said there was a great increase in their requests for information and in her pay. She gave one particularly useful piece of information I had not known before, a name of a person she had seen that Cynegels was working with – Edlynne, who seemed to be based somewhere near Cuto’s Well. I don’t know who this woman is and neither did Tesu, but I would have had a perfect opportunity to investigate around the wedding had this new catastrophe not occurred.
Of course now Tesu has vanished – my captors are saying she was obviously an accomplice, and are ignoring the fact that Cynegels will now know she betrayed him and she must have fled for her life. I don’t know if it is worth looking for her – although her story will implicate Cynegels and corroborate what I’ve said, I imagine she is far from Stowecott by now, and if she’d known anything about this new plot I believe she would have told me.
I don’t know how exactly you should proceed once you’ve made sure Svari is safe – my heart burns to simply go after Cynegels and wring a confession out of him, but he has many allies and it could spark a war. The strongest lead I have is the meeting with Tesu – the assassin must have known I would be away from Stowecott without enough of an entourage to prove where I’d been. There were only a handful of people who knew of that meeting...
While I strive to remember exactly who would have known, I must ask you one thing as well – do NOT, under any circumstances whatsoever, even if it means my life, seek to break me out. If I must die then so be it – the gods will know me for an innocent man, and Stowecott will know the truth eventually, even if it takes years. I am too old to spend my life running from assassins and bounty hunters, and I will not drag Svari into such tribulations. If you are not able to prove my innocence before the clans meet to impeach me on 5 June, I will falsely confess to the crime. It makes me ill to think of it, but I would rather redirect the rage and retribution towards myself so that Svari can be spared.
Having thought of it now, I can only think of four people who knew of my meeting with Tesu – myself and Tesu herself, of course; my Thegn Astyrian, who accompanied me and has been imprisoned with me; and my serving man Fraomar, who brought me Tesu’s letter and to whom I told some of the contents. I trust Astyrian and Fraomar completely, and don’t believe either would have betrayed me (I suppose it is possible they gave the information away inadvertently, though I doubt it.) There is a possibility that Tesu only met with me at all to get me away from Stowecott in order to set up the murder, but my heart tells me she was not involved in this plot at all. I fear, therefore, that I have little notion of how the assassin knew where I would be, but it seems likely that this is the most crucial thing to learn.
I can think of no more information that might be of use to you. I pray you come soon. If it is at all possible I will try to contact you if I learn you are in Stowecott, but do not look for it - I doubt I will get another message out this way. For Svari's sake I beg - please come soon!
Balnoth
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Post by sleepingdragon on Sept 29, 2013 10:45:14 GMT
Edmund: As soon as they had read and digested the contents of the letter, Edmund went to Lord Renweard. "It appears that Ealdorman Balnoth is in serious trouble and his life is in danger. We beg leave to go immediately to assist him." Sleeping Dragon: Lord Renweard nodded grimly. "I guessed as much. What's happened?" Edmund: "It seems someone has set him up as a murderer, either by taking on his appearance or perhaps by sorcery," Edmund replied, and showed Lord Renweard the letter. Sleeping Dragon: Lord Renweard read the letter. "Cynegels...he's a rotten sort. His clan in Tarnemuthe disowned him but he somehow managed to get written back into his father's will even though they hadn't spoken in years. Not a man to cross lightly." Sleeping Dragon: Lord Renweard called over a servant and told him to ride urgently to the estate to saddle the party's horses and get their gear ready so they could depart without delay. Edmund: "He already tried abducting the Ealdorman, and would have got away with it if we hadn't stumbled on his men. By the star we won't let him get away with this," Edmund said. Leofric: Leofric looked with concern with Havarr and told him to give him some slight sense of ease, "You can rest, we will do our best for your Ealdorman." Hogar: "Cynegels will pay for this, even if we can't stop him in time. One never knows, when sorcery is involved..."Hogar trailed off Arianhod: (whispering): Before heading for the stables, Arianhod left to inform Otha that they'd have to find another time to talk, but assured her that she'd visit the chapterhouse in Phalen. whispering to Arianhod, Otha looked disappointed. "Come and see me when you return then. I'll look forward to it..." Edmund: Edmund excused himself and went to Synne and Dunstan, to explain that they must leave the wedding party on this urgent matter and to apologise for leaving the wedding party. Sleeping Dragon: as Edmund approached, Synne was attempting to convince Dunstan that the guests would think more of him if he put his alchemical skills to use. "Oh, come on love, I'm sure this mead could be stronger..." Synne was saying. Dunstan blinked and looked relieved at Edmund's approach, at least until he gave his news. "Shit. This will delay our departure to Phalen then...return soon then, and good luck." Edmund: "We will do our best. A man's life and possibly a woman's too are at risk," Edmund said. Arianhod: (whispering): "I will. Would I be able to find you at the chapterhouse?" whispering to Arianhod, "At the chapterhouse in Middlemere, yes. I'll come and visit you in Phalen sometime." Sleeping Dragon: the party borrowed horses and rode back to the Werling estate, where their own mounts had been saddled and their gear prepared for them. They quickly changed into their travelling clothes and prepared to depart. Fortunately, the weather remained excellent, and though it was now early evening it was still clear and bright. Mounting up, they prepared for a hard ride to Stowecott. Sleeping Dragon: the party tore across the plains, pushing their horses as hard as they could. They did not want to delay by stopping to rest, so they took turns sleeping in the saddle, with other members of the party guiding them as they dozed. Hogar led them on a short cut he had noticed during their journey to the Middlemere Festival, while Edmund sang a riding song to keep their spirits up.
At one point, they came across a treacherous stream, filled with sharp stones and a sudden drop in the water. Rather than wasting critical time finding a safe ford, Hogar and ARianhod dismounted and with frenetic speed hacked down several dead trees nearby, laying them down over the stones to form a makeshift bridge to cross.
By now over a day of hard riding had passed and their mounts were nearing collapse. Edmund went ahead and stopped at a farmhouse, begging the farmer to trade them fresh mounts to assist their urgent mission. Fortunately, the farmer was a Virian convert, and praised the Virtues of Fidelity and Honesty that the party were showing with their devotion to their friend. Promising that he would pray for their success, the farmer provided them with fresh mounts.
The party pressed on for the final leg of their journey, Edmund giving a stirring speech to keep them sharp and alert. Rather than stopping to eat, the party ate cold, hard rations in the saddle. When their mounts began to tire again, Arianhod and Hogar quickly rearranged the baggage, passing more weight to the less tired horses so they could continue to travel at an even pace.
They had flown like the wind across the plains, skirting the edge of Darkholt and turning south as they approached the river. After a day and a half of riding at such a ferocious pace, the weary party arrived in Stowecott in the early hours of 3 June, as the sun was rising in the sky above them. Edmund: As they rode into the village, Edmund looked around. "I think our first move should be to find Svari and get her to safety." Leofric: Leofric looked at him with slightly tired eyes and nodded, "I agreed, should not be too hard to find her. She might have some guards that might not let her go." Hogar: "We might want to avoid roughing up more people than needed."suggested Hogar "I'm sure there are ways to get past the guards once we get there..." Sleeping Dragon: it did indeed prove not difficult to find Svari at all. As the party approached the small farm belonging to her and her now late husband Eldrid, on the eastern edge of the village, they noticed a small crowd of about ten men standing nearby. The men bore swords and different types of armour, from boiled leather through to scale. A woman was with them as well, dressed all in torn black clothes. Several of the men beat wooden spoons against pots and pans while the woman called out in a voice hoarse from shouting. "Shame! Shame on the adulteress!" The chickens and cows on the farm were crying out as well, and the single guard who stood at the main door looked tired and irritable. Edmund: "So, how are we to get past that lot without roughing anyone up?" Edmund said, looking them over from a distance. "Can we make some excuse for entering the house?" Arianhod: "Say we're here to calm the animals down." Arianhod suggested, somewhat sarcastically, then, more seriously, "If they don't get in our way, then we don't need to come up with an excuse." Hogar: Hogar chuckled lightly at Arianhod "You have...talents of your own that might be useful there."he suggested to Edmund Edmund: "They are worked up playing rough music, they aren't going to want to stop that's for sure." Edmund mused for a few moments considering possible actions. Leofric: Leofric frowned for a moment and told the others, "Might be worth having a look around the farm, better make sure we account for more than a guard." Edmund: "We can probably sneak in the back. Better to save the fight for when we leave." Leofric: Leofric nodded, "Good idea." He frowned, "Shame we haven't got Tole with us" He sighed for a moment before continuing, "So a distraction then?" Edmund: "If two people stay at the front and engage this mob in conversation, two can sneak in at the back," Edmund suggested. "We can get Svari out that way if possible." Edmund: "Then if we're spotted or they smell a rat we fight." Leofric: Leofric frowned, stroking his unshaved stubbles Hogar: "Might work."said Hogar "But then, it might not." Edmund: "We can hardly rush the front door," Edmund said. "And it would be good to avoid any more deaths in this village if we can help it." Leofric: Leofric went forward toward the crowds, looking curious at what they were doing. Sleeping Dragon: Hogar and Leofric advanced towards the crowd, to provide a distraction while Arianhod and Edmund crept round to the rear of the farm to enter through a window. "Shame! Shame on the adulteress!" the woman in black cried again. As Hogar and Leofric came near, a shaven-headed man with a two-handed sword slung over his shoulder came out of the crowd. "Who are you, to come to the home of this murdering adulteress?" he demanded. Hogar: Hogar looked a bit at loss on what to say before he spoke up "What has this woman done that you bother her so?"he asked frowning Leofric: Leofric merely glanced at the shaven-headed man and asked, "We are travelling and we noticed all the noses from the road. Just wondering what the noises all about!" Sleeping Dragon: "You would do well to be away from Stowecott. I am Guthlaf of Rulburna. The woman in this farm was the wife of my cousin Eldrid. Her and the cursed Ealdorman of this village carried on an affair which ended with the murders of Eldrid as well as my brother Andwaru who was visiting. As they deny their crimes and refuse us weregeld, we will have their blood sooner or later." Leofric: Leofric looked appalled, "That's terrible! So what happened to the murderer? What happened if weregeld is refused. We don't have them back home." He asked curiously Sleeping Dragon: "I thought you were Gastonlanders. If weregeld is refused then it will be blood feud. Balnoth is being held by one of the local lords..." Guthlaf scratched his head. "Attor Tannling, that's his name. He will be impeached in two days and then handed over to us if he refuses to pay. He is probably looking to escape - already he was planning to flee on the pretext of some wedding or other, but was caught before he could go. So long as his mistress is here though, he can't run unless he is a complete coward." Sleeping Dragon: as the conversation went on, Arianhod and Edmund were able to creep round the back of the farm. They found the windows on the ground floor had been boarded up to prevent entry, but there was an open window on the second floor. Arianhod: "I could give you a boost." Arianhod suggested, looking up at the open window. Edmund: "I'm not the world's best climber.." Edmund said looking up. Hogar: "Handed to you?"Hogar asked "For execution? Couldn't he afford to pay, being the Ealdorman?"he added Arianhod: Arianhod nodded and started to climb up to the window, using the boards on the windows below it for foot-holds. Once she was there, she reached down to help Edmund up to the window. Sleeping Dragon: "He could, but he's refusing out of pride. I have already challenged him to single combat but Lord Tannling refused it, as Balnoth is this miserable village's leader." Guthlaf spat. "It's no wonder it's such a godsforsaken pit with such a man as its leader, and no wonder Eldrid never had any sons with that harlot in his bed." Edmund: Edmund scrambled up through the window and dropped to the floor. "Not keen on heights.." he muttered. Arianhod: Arianhod chuckled softly and looked around the room. Sleeping Dragon: Edmund and Arianhod found themselves in a small hallway with stairs leading up to a loft on the right hand side. "Who goes there?" a woman's voice called from a room to their left, the door opening slightly. "You have five seconds or I shout for the guard." Edmund: "We are friends of Balnoth," Edmund called softly. "Are you Svari?" Sleeping Dragon: a plump woman in her early forties emerged from the room, a dagger in her fist. There were dark circles under her grey eyes, and her round face showed a hint of Fryderi lineage. "I am. You're one of the Gastonlanders who saved Balnoth, aren't you?" Edmund: Edmund nodded. "He asked us to see you away safely. Is there somewhere, some relative or friend you can go to stay?" Sleeping Dragon: "See me away?" Svari shook her head. "The gallant fool. If I run then that will be as good as an admission that we did kill Eldrid. I don't mean to spend my life running for something I didn't do." Edmund: "He believes it was Cynegels who orchestrated the murders, and that they might try to do away with you." Edmund said. "Once you are know you are safe we can work on finding out what really happened." Edmund: "One we know you are safe.." Sleeping Dragon: "The only people likely to seek my blood are the ones outside, they've been banging away for a day. Haven't slept a moment." Svari tucked her dagger away and invited the party into her room, sitting at a small round table and offering them a glass of wine. "The main troublemakers are Andwaru's brother Guthlaf, and Andwaru's wife Wenyld. If you can isolate them somehow the crowd might leave. I know Guthlaf has been spoiling for a fight ever since he arrived, the damn fool challenged Balnoth to single combat, as if he were stupid enough to do that or as if Lord Tannling would allow it." Sleeping Dragon: *Lord Attor Sleeping Dragon: "You'll probably want to speak to Lord Attor, by the way. He is holding Balnoth, but previously he and Balnoth were always friends, at least once Attor got over losing the election. Lord Elfdane argued he should hold Balnoth when he was arrested, but Attor pulled rank and took him instead." Edmund: "We will try to see Lord Attor as soon as we sort this out," Edmund said. "Do you have any suggestions as to what would divide the group outside?" Sleeping Dragon: "If you beat down Guthlaf the others will back away. If you're not willing to fight him, then you might try telling them that their claim to blood feud will be stronger if it waits until after Balnoth is impeached. Guthlaf and Wenyld will ignore you, but the others might not." Hogar: "Sounds like bloody business. Are you really certain it was them two, though?"Hogar asked Edmund: Edmund nodded. "We'll do that, by whatever means it takes. And if you are going to remain here, please call on us for help at any time." Sleeping Dragon: "There were witnesses who saw Balnoth kill my cousin and my brother," said Guthlaf. "Eldrid had demanded that Balnoth step down only a few days before the murder, he was obviously worried he could be pressured into leaving and giving up his affair with Svari, and he wouldn't have that. He was fine while it was just Eldrid around, but once my brother came to visit he knew things would start to unravel. Andwaru would never have accepted such a thing happening to our family." Sleeping Dragon: "And you can come to speak to me, though in truth I've been holed up here since Eldrid died, so I'm not as well informed about what's going on as I might be," said Svari. Her face hardened. "Balnoth is right, I'm sure this is Cynegels' plot. Lord Elfdane is likely to become Ealdorman if Balnoth is deposed, and Elfdane and Cynegels are friends. We have to stop them." Edmund: "We will do everything we can," Edmund stated. He quickly told Svari what Balnoth had written in his letter in case there was anything she didn't already know. Sleeping Dragon: "I didn't know anything about this meeting he had," she said, "but then there was no reason for him to tell me. I would suggest going to speak to Fraomar, he's the only one who knew who isn't either imprisoned or fled. And I might look into Andwaru as well," she added. "The man hadn't visited for seven or eight years, and then suddenly he turned up on his own and unannounced. He said little to me but he was obviously needling Eldrid about Balnoth and I the whole time. I don't know what his game was but I don't think he just came here for a social visit." Edmund: "It sounds as if someone 'arranged' both Andwaru's visit and the meeting with Tesu," Edmund said. Sleeping Dragon: "It's certainly possible, but gods know who. Cynegels himself would use a catspaw, he couldn't come anywhere near Stowecott without Balnoth knowing." Edmund: "If there's nothing else we ought to know before we face them, we should go around and handle the mob outside." Sleeping Dragon: "Nothing I can think of. Good luck, and thank you. Please move quickly, I don't want Balnoth's life to be ruined because he feels some need to protect me." Edmund: Edmund bowed to Svari, and looked to Arianhod. Arianhod: Arianhod nodded in parting and slipped out of the house with Edmund. Sleeping Dragon: Leofric and Hogar made excuses and left shortly after Edmund and Arianhod slipped away. They regrouped at a spot out of sight of the farm and were able to share the information they had learned. Edmund: "We'll need to return and deal with Guthlaf," Edmund said. Hogar: "How?"asked Hogar "Challenging him to a fight?" Leofric: "By giving a speech and get them isolated nmaybe?" Edmund: "We could try with a speech but Svari said we should be ready to fight him" Sleeping Dragon: the party headed down to the crowd again, this time all of them coming. "What do you want now?" Guthlaf said irritably to Leofric. "And who are these two? Why are you nosing around, Gastonlanders?" Edmund: "We're travelling together," Edmund said calmly. "Our companions were waiting for us. They told us what was happening here. Why are you all outside this woman's house? Is there proof she was involved? Because if she wasn't, you should be showing her compassion. She is newly made a widow!" Sleeping Dragon: Guthlaf gave Edmund a hateful glare. "She broke her sacred vow to my cousin so that she could lie with the man who now has made her a widow! Do you think she is blameless in this matter? Our kinsmen died because of her lusts. And what business is it of yours anyhow?" Edmund: "We are friends of Lord Renweard, and were attending his daughter's wedding. Ealdorman Balnoth was expected but failed to arrive and we set out to find him, believing he might have been attacked. Instead we find this situation. Maybe the lady is party to the murder of her husband but either way we believe that guilt should be proved before punishment is handed out," Edmund said. "Plainly you don't." Sleeping Dragon: Guthlaf spat. "Why waste time on trivialities? There are witnesses who saw Balnoth murder my brother and my cousin, and this woman's adultery in not in doubt. I don't know how you do things in Gastonland, but in Palania it is a crime for a woman to deny her husband's marriage rights and instead have another man in her bed." Guthlaf took a few steps back, then slowly and deliberately drew his two-handed sword. "You are obviously here to free the murderer. If you have any honour, then come and face me. As there are two accused and two slain, it is meet that we should fight you two against two. Rathsige." Guthlaf gestured, and another man in scale armour came out of the crowd and stood beside him. "My kinsmen and I will withdraw any claim to blood feud if you win. If we win, then you will publicly admit your friend's guilt and leave Stowecott. Do you accept, or are you afraid that your false god is weaker than ours?" Edmund: Edmund looked to the others. whispering to Leofric, Hogar, Guthlaf's resolve was plain, however Rathsige seemed more uncertain, though it was plain he would fight if it came to it Hogar: "I shall fight for Balnoth."eyeing Guthlaf and Rathsihge without hesitation Sleeping Dragon: Guthlaf gave a blood Sleeping Dragon: *Guthlaf gave a bloodthirsty smile and nodded. "Will you fight me one against one, or do any of the rest of you have any courage?" Arianhod: Arianhod sighed and readied her heavy axe. "I'll fight, but not for God or Balnoth. You're just loud." Hogar: edit: Hogar said eyeing Guthlaf... Leofric: Leofric glanced at Guthlaf with hint of anger in his eyes on hearing false god, he stepped back, wishing Arianhod and Hogar luck. Sleeping Dragon: "Once I put this through your neck you'll never have to hear me again," Guthlaf replied. He and Rathsige retreated a short distance while some of their fellows roughly drew out a large circle in the dirt. As the banging of pots and screaming had stopped, the party noticed Svari appear at a window overlooking the scene. Wenyld shouted again "Shame on the adulteress!" but Svari paid her no mind.
"The fight will continue until both of those on one side are slain, knocked out, or yield. If anyone is killed, their equipment will be returned for the keep of their families. And there will be no interventions from the outside," said Guthlaf. "There are more of us than there are of you, remember that." He and Rathsige stepped into the circle and moved several paces apart, so each could engage one of Hogar and Arianhod each. Edmund: Edmund moved to stand next to Leo, watching for any untoward action on the part of the onlookers. His hand moved in the shape of the Prophet's Star. Leofric: Leofric muttered blessing prayers for God to look after Hogar and Arianhod. His eyes however ever piercing, looking for any slightest dangers. Hogar: Hogar moved forth and swung his razor-sharp axe at Rathsige, but the man blocked the blow with his shield Leofric: ... Sleeping Dragon: Guthlaf advanced on Arianhod, screaming a battle cry and holding his two-handed blade high. He made as if to make a great two-handed blow, then suddenly instead he stabbed out at Arianhod with the point, but she was able to steer it away with the head of her axe Arianhod: Arianhod spun with the momentum of her parry, bringing her axe down on Guthlaf's arm. In contrast to the raging man, she stayed quiet as she fought. Sleeping Dragon: Rathsige held his shield up across his body as he struck out at Hogar. Hogar deflected his sword away Hogar: Hogar hacked at his foe, and the blow lightly wounded Rathsige's unguarded sword arm Arianhod: Arianhod brought her axe down again on the same spot, the force of her blow knocking the sword from his hands and effectively, if momentarily paralyzing his arm. Hogar: With a quick and accurate chop Hogar too was able to disable Rathsige's arm and force him to drop his sword Arianhod: Guthlaf was able to deflect Arianhod's next blow such that it just glanced off of his armor, but it wasn't made with full strength anyway. Sleeping Dragon: disarmed, Rathsige yielded the match, trying to avoid Guthlaf's glare Hogar: Hogar nodded silently at Rathsige before taking a few steps back from him and concentrating on watching Arianhod fight Sleeping Dragon: "And you meant to fight Balnoth, you bastard? You're getting beaten up by a woman!" Svari taunted Guthlaf from the window Leofric: Leofric looked silently across the dueling field, not letting himself smile but looking moderately solmen. Arianhod: After making another light strike to his wounded arm, she switched her attack up, bringing her axe-head towards his neck. She stopped before it landed, though. "Yield." She said simply. Sleeping Dragon: though he had continued on past the point of obvious defeat, Guthlaf finally yielded the match. Cradling his wounded arm, he retrieved his sword and stalked away, ignoring the insults Svari threw at his back. Leofric: Leofric gave himself a slight smile and told Edmund, "I knew Arianhod and Hogar will win!" Edmund: Edmund smiled back. "I too. Let's hope Guthlaf keeps to his word." He gave a slight bow to Svari in her window. Hogar: Hogar looked relieved at their victory. He congratuled Arianhod on her performance before turning to Edmund "Hopefully. But we still have more to do, don't forget..." Arianhod: Arianhod lowered her axe and watched Guthlaf before walking back to Leofric and Edmund, not giving a sign of enjoyment at the victory, even looking a little grim. Sleeping Dragon: the warriors from Rulburna clearly meant to keep their word, as they began gathering their things without speaking a word to anyone. The guardsman strode over to the party. "I doubt they'll be back after this, but I'll stay here in case. Balnoth though...there are witnesses, he clearly killed Eldrid though I've no idea why he would after so many years." Edmund: "There are ways to fool the eyes," Edmund said. "We intend to find out what happened. We need to speak to the witnesses." Sleeping Dragon: "There were three of them, I can't recall who they were myself but I'm sure someone will tell you if you ask around. But it's not right for me to tell you any more, so I'll return to my duties." The guardsman returned to the door and stood watch. Sleeping Dragon: the party decided to go and meet with Lord Attor first, to get a better idea of the situation. They knew it would not be easy - Lord Attor could not be easily seen to be speaking to those trying to prove Balnoth's innocence. Hogar and Edmund asked around and learned the names of those members of Attor's household who would be most receptive to them. They were able to discreetly meet with one of his servants, with Edmund appealing to his sense of reason and justice while Leofric pointed to technicalities which showed Balnoth's imprisonment was not entirely in keeping with normal practice. At length, they were able to get an agreement to meet secretly with Lord Attor.
At around mid-morning, they were sneaked into Lord Attor's estate in a supply wagon and brought up under cover to meet Lord Attor in his study. Attor was an old man, past sixty, with grey, thinning hair, a lined face, and perceptive blue eyes. "So, you are here to try to prove Balnoth's innocence, yes? He certainly protests it strongly enough and a part of me is inclined to believe him, though I'm not entirely sure." Edmund: "There are some odd circumstances around what happened, and a possibility that sorcery was used," Edmund said. Sleeping Dragon: "Sorcery...a disturbing thought. One Balnoth raised with me, in fairness. So what is your plan, to hunt down this sorcerous assassin? You will need to be quick, the clans will impeach Balnoth in two days if they're not presented with very strong proof." Hogar: "From what I heard, skilled magicians can impersonate people quite convincingly, so this was likely the case. I'm not sure how we could provide proof unfortunately..."Hogar said looking to the others Sleeping Dragon: "My thought would be to drag the assassin back to Stowecott and force him to demonstrate his talent openly, perhaps in exchange for a promise of leniency. It's not as if whoever this assassin is will have acted of his own accord anyhow. I will say this however - stay away from Cynegels. Balnoth is sure he is behind this, but it would mean blood if you went after him." Hogar: "We have to find him first. That that is the problem. As for Cynegels, he must be stopped in some way, even if we are not the ones to do it...." Leofric: Leofric nodded at the Hogar's mentioning the skills and said, " It would be helpful to know who the witnesses were so we can explore their statements." Sleeping Dragon: "Once you have proof, then that might be possible. At the moment, it would only inflame the situation, I fear. I can tell you where to find the witnesses - they are currently laying low, they're sick of gossipers asking them about what happened but I'm sure they'll speak to you if you ask nicely. Angenmaer is one, the others are Ecgwynn and her husband Wihtlac." Lord Attor told them where they were staying. "They all give much the same account, however. They were out walking with Andwaru and Eldrid to the south of Stowecott, when Balnoth emerged from behind a tree and cut down Eldrid shouting "She's mine!". Balnoth began to run, Andwaru pursued, and Balnoth kicked the legs out from under him and slew him as well." Arianhod: Arianhod crossed her arms. "If they were with Eldrid and Andwaru in the first place, they may have been in on... whatever is going on." Sleeping Dragon: "I doubt it. I've interrogated them all myself and I believe they are sincere. You may be right and this was someone impersonating Balnoth, but such a person would surely want to keep his conspiracy as small as possible to prevent the risk of being discovered." Sleeping Dragon: Lord Attor paused, then sighed. "I can't stop the clans from trying to impeach Balnoth, but I will see what I can do to buy you time. I hold Balnoth so I might be able to push the date back a day or two." Edmund: "It would be good if we could find Tesu. Is there no sign of where she went, or if it was willingly?" Edmund asked. Sleeping Dragon: "She's obviously fled, some of my men searched her home in a hamlet to the south. Her son has no idea where she would have gone. We didn't find any sign that she was involved in this plot when we searched, I think she was involved in the previous abduction but not in this." Edmund: Edmund frowned. "How was she involved before?" Sleeping Dragon: "Cynegels was paying her to spy for him. I don't believe she knew about the kidnapping itself, but she told Balnoth she had passed on information about what was going on in Stowecott so they could abduct Balnoth. He was taken on his way back from visiting Svari, which he obviously tended to do unaccompanied, apparently Tesu was the one responsible for Cynegels knowing when Balnoth was likely to be doing this. I told him years ago that he should get a wife and stop this nonsense but he wouldn't listen to me." Leofric: Leofric nodded, thinking it over Edmund: "It was very convenient for the murderer that Balnoth was prevented from having an alibi because of his meeting with Tesu," Edmund said. "I think we have to consider that she was used deliberately, either with or without her knowledge. As Andwaru might have been, suddenly visiting his cousin after years." Sleeping Dragon: "A pity he was killed, though we could scarcely have detained him even if he hadn't been." Lord Attor paused. "Of course it's entirely possible that by now your sorcerer has fled miles away and you won't be able to reach him in time. I hope not, however. I would rather not see Elfdane become Ealdorman, he is likely to find the first excuse to involve us in some fight. He thinks himself a great warrior but was too young to fight to take Phalen." Edmund: "We will do everything in our power to find the truth of this matter," Edmund said.
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Post by sleepingdragon on Oct 6, 2013 10:50:25 GMT
Sleeping Dragon: having convinced Lord Attor to try to delay the date of Ealdorman Balnoth's possible impeachment for as long as possible, the party were sneaked out of Lord Attor's estate and let out on a small farmstead on the northern edge of the village, whose tenant was an old friend of Lord Attor's family. Edmund: "Should we interview the witnesses first or lean on Fraomar," Edmund asked the others. "I have a bad feeling about him and he might lead us to Tesu." Hogar: "I'd go for the witnesses."suggested Hogar "Perhaps the impostor's disguise was not perfect and they noticed something that might help us..."he added, though he didn't sound too hopeful Leofric: Leofric narrowed his eyes and replied, "I would go for the witnesses first. It should not take that long." Edmund: Edmund nodded. "Alright, witnesses it is then." Sleeping Dragon: the nearest set of witnesses were the couple, Ecgwynn and Wihtlac, who were staying with the family of one of Lord Attor's servants. They were also farmers, in their mid-fifties with many grown children and grandchildren, and had been Eldrid's closest friends in the village. "Even so, it was only due to chance fortune that Andwaru suggested that we walk with him and Eldrid that night. Eldrid himself was even more withdrawn than normal and had intended to go out alone with his cousin," said Ecgwynn. Edmund: "Were you surprised that Andwaru had come to visit?" Edmund asked. "We've heard it was the first time in years." Sleeping Dragon: "Eldrid hadn't known, he just turned up a week before the murders," Ecgwynn confirmed. "Eldrid had never made a warrior and was never close with his cousins." Edmund: "Did there seem to be any awkwardness between the cousins?" Sleeping Dragon: "Oh yes, though they were growing closer. Eldrid felt shamed about the situation with Svari and the Ealdorman, Andwaru hadn't known and wanted him to do something about it." Edmund: "So Andwaru only heard about the affair when he arrived here?" Edmund asked. Sleeping Dragon: "So far as I know. He had last visited...nine...years ago?" Ecgwynn scratched her head. "And it hadn't started then. The affair only began seven years ago, after the third stillbirth." Edmund: "So someone might have informed Andwaru and that was the reason for his visit..." mused Edmund. Sleeping Dragon: the couple looked startled. "I suppose, everyone in the village knew so any could have told him. Though I don't know anyone who's been to Rulburna lately," Ecgwynn said slowly. Edmund: "When you were walking with them, what did the cousins talk about?" Sleeping Dragon: "They walked ahead of us, I didn't hear much of it. Love?" Ecgwynn looked at Wihtlac. "Only heard a little. Andwaru said might be he should move here, Eldrid never had any sons and his brother died years ago. Would have brought his wife and their son, keep some company. Don't know if Eldrid wanted it though." Edmund: Edmund frowned in thought. "I wonder if they found out about the affair and thought Eldrid might leave them everything, rather than to his wife..." he said quietly to Leo. Edmund: "Did Eldrid act.. oddly in any way?" Edmund: Edmund asked the couple. Leofric: Leofric replied, whispering back, "It does make sense... Maybe he was not aware and have his own motive such as you suggested. Still, it is strange to appear out of the blue as it is." Sleeping Dragon: "He seemed to be acting fairly normally, he was quiet and sombre but that wasn't unusual for him." Edmund: "Can you describe what happened that night?" Sleeping Dragon: "Andwaru invited us to go out walking with him and Eldrid. We left...perhaps an hour and a half before sundown? Not the safest thing, but Andwaru was a strong warrior and there's not been any bandits or monsters that have come too close to Stowecott in some years. We went out walking south of the village, through the hills. We got about six miles south and were about to turn back when Balnoth appeared. He...he jumped out from behind a tree and shouted 'She's mine!' then stuck his sword right through poor Eldrid's heart, killed him outright. Andwaru, the blessed fool, he chased after him down the hill but Balnoth kicked his legs out from under him and killed him as well. I think we'd have been hard pressed to hold him if he'd tried but he ran off south and left us." Hogar: Hogar frowned "Are you truly sure it was Balnoth? Did the killer look exactly like him?"he asked "We suspect it may have been someone impersonating him...Why would he do that, out of the blue?" Edmund: "And it would take some strength, to kill two people just like that, & one of them a strong warrior," Edmund added. "Balnoth is not a young man." Sleeping Dragon: "He's a warrior though, he fought in the war and he's helped clear out Cenhyrst twice. And after he was abducted I've heard tell he was back to practising with his sword more." Ecgwynn shook her head. "Things had changed. Balnoth is getting too old to be Ealdorman and if Andwaru were to move here he'd not have been able to continue seeing Svari. Eldrid had called on him to resign a few days before before he gets himself kidnapped again, he couldn't handle being called out like that." Leofric: Leofric frowned for a moment and aksed "Was the route something you taken before. Is Balnoth known as having good tracking skills?" Sleeping Dragon: "It wasn't an uncommon route. If he'd been skulking around behind us it would have been possible, Andwaru was the only one with particularly sharp senses and he was at the front." Edmund: "You've both known Balnoth for a long time. If you hadn't seen what happened with your own eyes, would you have found it difficult to believe that Balnoth would commit such an act?" Sleeping Dragon: "He's been Ealdorman for years but we never knew him well, personally. I wouldn't have thought it in him, but things had changed and people can be worse than you can imagine." Edmund: Edmund smiled grimly. "We can imagine a great deal, believe me. Thank you for answering our questions." Sleeping Dragon: the party then travelled to speak to Angenmaer, a one-handed leatherworker with a round gut and bald head, who told much the same story, though when the party suggested that the killer may have been an impostor he said, "I don't think it is, but might be you're right. It was dark and the man only said two words, and everything happened so quick we didn't have a chance to get a great look at him." Edmund: "By we, you mean yourself, Ecgwynn and Wihtlac?" Edmund asked. "How did you meet with the group?" Leofric: "Just wondering, did you notice what direction this man ran away?" Leofric frowned for a moment Sleeping Dragon: "Andwaru invited me. I'd known him ten years ago, back when he helped drive the bandits out of Cenhyrst. Wasn't a bad warrior then, but one of the bastards poisoned his sword and..." Angenmaer waved his stump. "Had the chance to have a few drinks with him since he returned. I didn't know Eldrid too well, always kept to himself, but Andwaru thought he should try to make more friends." Angenmaer looked to Leofric. "He ran south, away from the village. He tried to sneak back with his Thegn later that night but the alarm had been raised by then." Edmund: "Did you have any idea why Andwaru had decided to visit Eldrid after so many years?" Sleeping Dragon: "I asked him but he wouldn't say much, just that he'd been neglecting his family duty. Might have been meaning to test the waters about moving here, there's been trouble up Rulburna way and maybe he wanted out." Edmund: Edmund looked interested at this. "What kind of trouble?" Sleeping Dragon: "Hadn't you heard? The Ealdorman of Rulburna's son tried to murder him months ago, caused quite a stir. That Leof was the best warrior in Rulburna - best in Palania, Andwaru told me - and lots of people were afraid they'd no longer be safe after he'd gone into exile." Edmund: "Why did he want to murder his father?" Edmund asked. Sleeping Dragon: Angenmaer shrugged. "Madness? Wanted to take over as Ealdorman himself? Some insult? Andwaru didn't know for sure, he said some of the Thegns thought the Ealdorman had done something to one of Leof's friends but I didn't get the details." Edmund: Edmund thanked Agnenmaer for his help. "Do you know someone called Telu?" Edmund asked. Edmund: * Tesu Sleeping Dragon: Angenmaer rubbed his face. "The name's not familiar, I fear." Sleeping Dragon: having interviewed the witnesses, the party then went to find Fraomar, Balnoth's serving man, who was the only person who had known of the meeting between Balnoth and Tesu that was not either imprisoned or fled. He normally lived in Balnoth's own modest estate, but as that was off-limits he was staying with his brother nearby. They recognised him a little from their earlier stay at Balnoth's home, a whip-thin man with sharp, angular features. "I guessed that Havarr had gone to get you," he said. "If anyone can save the Ealdorman, it's you." Edmund: "To do that we need to find out the truth," Edmund said. "Can you tell us what happened from the beginning? You brought a message asking Balnoth to meet with Tesu. How did that come about?" Sleeping Dragon: Fraomar steepled his fingers together and thought for a moment. "It was on the day that Eldrid and the Ealdorman had their argument that a boy of about twelve came to me with a message. I believe he was a friend of Tesu's grandson that she had hired, she feared to be seen as contacting the Ealdorman directly lest Cynegels become aware of her. She knew that the Ealdorman would soon be visiting around Cuto's Well owing to the marriage of Lord Renweard's daughter, and thought this afforded him an opportunity to look for this woman Edlynne, who Tesu said had played some role in the abduction that you thwarted. When the Ealdorman returned I brought him the letter in his study and he read it - I imagine it's still there. The boy came back the next day and the Ealdorman had me send a message to arrange that fateful meeting. So far as I'm aware the boy knew nothing of the contents of the letters, though perhaps I am mistaken. Certainly the one he brought us was sealed." Edmund: "Does Tesu's family nearby? Can we find this boy?" Edmund asked. Sleeping Dragon: "Her family are certainly nearby, I suspect you could track down the boy easily enough if you tried. Lord Attor, I know, has already spoken with one of Tesu's sons." Edmund: "Did any of her family know what she was planning?" Sleeping Dragon: "Not so far as I'm aware, I doubt they were aware she had been working with Cynegels at all." Edmund: "Do you think she might have still be working for him, drawing Balnoth away while the murder was committed?" Leofric: Leofric asked about the letter thoughtfully, "Could we read the letter? It might give more clue." Sleeping Dragon: "It's possible, I haven't spoken to her. I know the Ealdorman believed she was being genuine, but the Ealdorman is perhaps sometimes too trusting for his own good," said Fraomar. "The letter is in his desk in his study, in a locked drawer. I have a key, but his estate is under guard and entry is forbidden. I could show it to you, but only if you can persuade the guards to allow us to go in." Leofric: "Hmm... It might be worth trying. Just need someone very good at persuasion." Leofric glanced at Edmund. Hogar: "It is for the Ealdorman's good so...I don't expect it to be too difficult."said Hogar Edmund: "We can try." Edmund said, nodding in agreement. Sleeping Dragon: they set off for the estate, where Leofric was able to persuade the guards that they had no right to deny them entry to Balnoth's home even if he had been arrested, especially since Fraomar himself lived there. Winning entry, Fraomar led them to the study, which was towards the rear of the building on the ground floor.
Balnoth's study was a fairly sparse affair - there were shelves which contained about three dozen scrolls and books, and two chairs around a round, low table on which some wasps had alighted. There was also Balnoth's large oaken desk with a comfortable carved chair, which contained the locked drawer where Balnoth had stored the letter and other sensitive information. There was a window on the far wall, and Fraomar went over to draw back the curtains, swatting at a wasp with his free hand as he did so. "You wanted to see the letter then? I have the key with me." Edmund: "Yes. But where are all these wasps coming from?" Edmund looking askance at them. Leofric: Leofric nodded, although eyeing the scrolls and books as well. Before paying his full attention on Edmund's questrion and wonders Sleeping Dragon: "Oh, that. A hole rotted in the eaves a short time ago, they've been coming in over the last month or so. It's a fairly large hole I fear, the Ealdorman had been negotiating for a craftsman to come and fix it but he was imprisoned before this could be accomplished." Leofric: Leofrics nodded seriously, "Something to consider at a later date..." Sleeping Dragon: "Indeed, when the Ealdorman is free there will be more than enough time to fix that," Fraomar gestured in the vague direction of the hole, then retrieved the key from under his robes and went over to open the drawer of the desk. "I would ask that you only seek to read this one letter, there are many sensitive documents in here relating to the Ealdorman's work," he said. Edmund: Edmund caught Leo and Hogar's eyes but said nothing. whispering to Edmund, Hogar, as Fraomar gestured, they happened to follow his hand up towards the ceiling, where the hole was. As they looked, they suddenly noticed a strange thing. Not far from the hole, there was the faintest outline of a footprint - on the ceiling. Edmund: Edmund nudged Leo and out of sight of Fraomar, indicated something on the ceiling near the hole. Hogar: Hogar looked for a moment at the ceiling and muttered something under his breath Sleeping Dragon: on the ceiling, not far from the hole in the eaves through which the wasps had entered, there was the faintest outline of a footprint - on the ceiling. Leofric: Leofric glanced upward and looked faintly surprised. Leofric: EDIT: Leofric glanced upward and nodded Sleeping Dragon: it seemed likely that some manner of magic was responsible for the footprint - it was as if someone had stood suspended upside down on the ceiling Edmund: "Fraomar," Edmund said slowly. "Take a close look at the ceiling would you. Tell us what you see." Sleeping Dragon: Fraomar had been just about to put the key into the lock, but with a puzzled frown he glanced back up at the hole. "It's just the wasp hole, as I told you..." he suddenly stopped when he saw the footprint. "Gods above..." Edmund: "Not gods I'd say, but men," Edmund said dryly. "Who, and why..." Sleeping Dragon: "It must be the one who impersonated the Ealdorman! The letter was here in this room, and there were craftsmen we had negotiated with who knew of the hole. If this person was truly a sorcerer..." Fraomar put the key down on the table. "The letter was locked in here, myself and the Ealdorman have the only keys and I don't allow it out of my possession. Do you suppose the lock may have been picked?" Hogar: "Sorcery!"proclaimed Hogar "No other explanation of course." Edmund: "Has the letter or anything else been removed or tampered with?" Leofric: Leofric frowned with concern over this mattee, "No doubt there are spells to open locks as well!" Sleeping Dragon: Fraomar picked up the key, unlocked the drawer, and pulled the small letter out. "It's still here." Fraomar looked inside the drawer. "I don't think anything is missing though I don't know every letter that was in here." Edmund: "If they weren't here for the documents, maybe they had some other aim in mind, perhaps something to do with impersonating the Ealdorman," Edmund considered. Sleeping Dragon: "They needn't have actually taken the documents, if whoever broke in merely looked at the letter he would know about the meeting. Tesu herself suggested the date and time. We should search the room thoroughly, I think, we may find more to point us to the real killer." Edmund: Edmund nodded. "May we have a look at the letter first?" Sleeping Dragon: Fraomar nodded and handed the letter over. It was not a long missive - Tesu had explained she felt unsafe putting things in writing when they might be intercepted, but nonetheless she wished to meet with Balnoth on 27 May, to provide him with sensitive information about his earlier abduction which Tesu was privy to due to having worked with Cynegels. Sleeping Dragon: as they searched the room, they knelt in the corner not far from the footprint above and found traces of what appeared to be red clay dusted on the floor. Following this, they also noticed some located near the desk with the letters. "Tracked in on the killer's boots, most likely. But it's the wrong sort of soil to have come from Stowecott," said Fraomar Edmund: "Do you know where it might have come from?" asked Edmund. Sleeping Dragon: "Downriver. I remember...when the Ealdorman and old Fyron in Garstoc joined together to drive out the bandits in Cenhyrst, about ten years ago. The Ealdorman took an arrow in the knee that's troubled him ever since, when he lay down for the surgeon to look at him there was red clay on his boots. The bandits have returned now, I've heard. Since Fyron died the old cooperation we had with Garstoc has withered." Edmund: "So there is likely a connection between Cynegels and these bandits," said Edmund. Leofric: "Look like it." Leofric nodded in agreement with Edmund. Hogar: "Can't say I'm surprised. Of course, I doubt that's enough prove Balnoth's innocence..." Edmund (enter): 22:46 Attempting to assign the role of Player to (16662) Edmund... Sleeping Dragon: Booting '(16605) Edmund' from room... Edmund (exit): 22:46 Sleeping Dragon: Leofric: "Look like it." Leofric nodded in agreement with Edmund. Leofric: "No, we need to find the magic user or Tesu. But still, it does give us some ideas of what happening. The question is how to convice the others of that." Leofric looked glum on that Sleeping Dragon: Hogar: "Can't say I'm surprised. Of course, I doubt that's enough prove Balnoth's innocence..." Sleeping Dragon: "Tesu may know nothing, while whoever this sorcerer was who broke into this room is surely part of the plot. I would search for them. If you could bring them back as a prisoner, the Ealdorman's name could be cleared." Edmund: "We should write an account of what we've found here. Also see if there are signs elsewhere in the house. We need some clues to where this person went and how to find them." Leofric: Leofric smiled slightly at this and got one of his clean book and neat quill and started writing down the account so far. Sleeping Dragon: the party continued their search. Hogar and Edmund checked the lock on the drawer with Balnoth's private correspondence and found a small piece of what seemed to be a lockpick caught inside - clearly the lock had been picked open.
They did a quick search of the rest of the house, but they saw no signs of entry anywhere save in the study. By this time, they had received a message from Lord Attor, explaining he had managed to delay the impeachment hearing by a single day on some small technicalities involving the role of several minor lords who could not be present on 5 June. Edmund: Edmund frowned down at the papers in the drawer. "Why did they only open this? Just for the letter from Tesu or for some other purpose?" Edmund: "Could we look at the other documents? You may rely on our discretion," Edmund assured Fraomar. Sleeping Dragon: Fraomar grimaced. "Very well, but do not tarry too long."
The documents themselves consisted of letters or reports with other lords in both Stowecott and Garstoc Weapontakes, as well as a few others further abroad. There was quite a lot of sensitive information there - a note from a lord in Garstoc promising to keep an eye on Cynegels; a message to Lord Attor confessing that Balnoth would have gladly resigned his position if only this would not allow a friend of Cynegels, Lord Elfdane, to become the new Ealdorman; reports from a Thegn in Rulburna, saying he believed that the exiled Leof would seek revenge on his father by any means as the Ealdorman had maimed a close friend; correspondence from Councillor Hynsige of the Forlorn Coast about the doings on the Council - but none seemed relevant to the situation. if the killer had been interested in the letters, then the one from Tesu seemed the most likely Sleeping Dragon: the party decided to ask around Stowecott for more information before doing anything more. They had little luck - much of the village knew they were Balnoth's friends and were wary of them - but Arianhod, who had not been there before, was able to meet with a goat herder who thought he had seen Andwaru on the day he entered Stowecott. "My farm's up north, not far from Darkholt actually. I was out cutting wood and had taken a break when I thought I saw him and four other men come out of Darkholt. I kept out of sight, I didn't like the looks of them myself, looked like right brigands. When he come into Stowecott on his own I thought I was mistaken and I'd seen another man, but maybe not..." Edmund: "If it had not been that he was killed as well, I'd say the cousin was the murderer," Edmund said, puzzled. Leofric: "So maybe the cousin was duped into it somehow? We should go and hunt the bandits..." Leofric asked the others after coming out of the earshot of the goatherd Hogar: "Sounds like it."said Hogar "Even if it turns out they're not at fault for this, it can't be bad to take care of some bandits...." Leofric: "And hopefully to get information as well" Leofric said glumly Sleeping Dragon: leaving Stowecott, they saddled their horses and forced their weary bones south, along the river, towards Cenhyrst. Passing briefly through the small Virian settlement of Godham, they continued on, pushing to the border between the Weapontakes of Stowecott and Garstoc.
It was a strange feeling, to again be moving through the rocky hills of the Forlorn Coast, where they had first set foot in Palania after their shipwreck months before. The many caves and abandoned farms and manors had long been haunts of robbers, but Cenhyrst was on a different scale altogether. It had once been the greatest stronghold of the region, but seventy-five years ago it had been sacked by orcs and they had infested the area for years before they were at last driven out twenty-five years ago. The Ealdorman of Garstoc at that time had attempted to reoccupy the fortress, but finding it impossible he tore it down. Bandits had moved in again in later years, but Balnoth and Fyren of Garstoc had banded together to drive them out.
The sun had already set and a mist had settled over the moors when they came within sight of the ruin. They had crossed the south fork of the river, their horses leaving behind them red-tinged hoof prints, and now stood atop a hill about a mile distant of Cenhyrst. The fortress had once been strong, a formidable stone bastion not too unlike the castles of their native land, with a small market village nearby, but now it lay desolate. They could see the remnants of a few homes, strewn stones where the walls had once stood, a small handful of buildings that still stood in partial order, and the battered remnant of a tower, but nothing was in good repair. As they crested the hill, Arianhod suddenly frowned, dismounted, and examined the ground. Her breath caught. "Look," she said simply, pointing.
In the darkness they could see the track that she had found, and now that they knew to look they saw more as well, heading both towards and away from Cenhyrst, and recently made. The tracks were of humanoid creatures, but larger than most humans. They did not need any loremaster to know what had made these. All the children of Gastony knew what it meant to find the tracks of a large foot with six claw-like toes. These marked the passings of their bitterest enemy, beings of arcane and physical might, the hated foes of all the children of God - dragonspawn. Hogar: Hogar muttered a curse under his breath "As if bandits weren't enough. Guess it might be soon time for us to kill a few dragonspawn.". He didn't sound too afraid at the prospect however Edmund: "Bandits and dragonspawn together...strange," muttered Edmund with a grim took. Leofric: "Unlikely that they would ally together. I did heard that they are powerful melee fighters..." Leofric frowned for a moment. Hogar: "From what I know about them, they wouldn't work together."said Hogar "They're fond of killing people and reanimating them, the monsters."he added gimly Hogar: edit:grimly Hogar: "You'll want to avoid getting too close to them, and spread out to avoid their flaming breaths, but not enough that they can surround you. They're not very good with bows, luckily. " Leofric: Leofric started doing one of the spells he learnt to protect himself but sadly, he was unable to cast it. Sleeping Dragon: they made their way down towards Cenhyrst, thinking that the ruined tower was the most likely centre of activity for any bandits in the area. Arianhod led them, weaving from stone to stone and in the shadows between the ruined buildings. It was dark, but the Prophet's Star was high in the sky and gave them some courage.
As they drew near the tower, Edmund and Hogar suddenly looked behind an outcrop of rock, towards the wreckage of what seemed to be some manner of cellar. Silhouetted in the dark they could see the forms of the undead forming a semi-circle round the ruined building - two skeletons, and three zombies. The zombies wore ruined and tattered clothing and armour, carrying shields and spears or axes, while the two skeletons bore bows. There was no sign of any dragonspawn, but with the undead around they doubted they were far away. God was with them, however, and they did not think the creatures had seen them...
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Post by sleepingdragon on Oct 13, 2013 11:22:56 GMT
Sleeping Dragon: they made their way down towards Cenhyrst, thinking that the ruined tower was the most likely centre of activity for any bandits in the area. Arianhod led them, weaving from stone to stone and in the shadows between the ruined buildings. It was dark, but the Prophet's Star was high in the sky and gave them some courage.
As they drew near the tower, Edmund and Hogar suddenly looked behind an outcrop of rock, towards the wreckage of what seemed to be some manner of cellar. Silhouetted in the dark they could see the forms of the undead forming a semi-circle round the ruined building - two skeletons, and three zombies.The zombies wore ruined and tattered clothing and armour, carrying shields and spears or axes, while the two skeletons bore bows.There was no sign of any dragonspawn, but with the undead around they doubted they were far away. God was with them, however, and they did not think the creatures had seen them... Leofric: Leofric prepared himself for the fight. He admired his new fine sword before frowning, made some gesture to protect himself through dark powers. Edmund: Edmund moved to aim at one of the skeletons, firing off a silver bullet that smashed into its skull, shattering it into shards of bone. Hogar: Hogar advanced among the rocks, eyeing the zombies at his side and the skeleton archer behind, towards which he readied his shield Arianhod: Arianhod advanced as well, her silver axe at the ready. whispering to Hogar, Arianhod, as they moved forward, Hogar and Arianhod could hear deep chanting from within the ruined cellar Sleeping Dragon: the zombies advanced, wielding spears, axes, and shields, while the skeleton moved behind cover whispering to Arianhod, Hogar, there was more chanting within the cellar Hogar: Hogar frowned "Accursed dragonspawn, they're chanting some kind of spell."he muttered Leofric: Leofric frowned at Hogar's warning and ran carefully ahead from Edmund, his dark eyes glisten as he watches for any signs of dragonspawn, his fine longsword at ready. Edmund: Edmund loaded up another silver bullet, his ears strained for sounds of enemy action. Hogar: Hogar chopped at the zombie facing him, but the attack proved too slow and merely glanced off the zombie's shield Arianhod: Arianhod quickly swung her axe, beheading one of the zombies and turned to the other. Edmund: Seeing Arianhod and Hogar dealing with the zombies, Edmund ran lightly forward to a spot on the rocks, peering over to see what was there, but he saw and heard nothing. Hogar: Perhaps unnerved by the ominous chanting, Hogar missed again, his axe slashing air Leofric: Leofric realised that Edmund had an same idea and rushed toward the same piles of rocks. He settled down into hiding position, frowning with frustration as he cannot hear this chanting warned by his peers. Arianhod: Arianhod carried her swing through from the first one, slicing through the head of the second zombie. Sleeping Dragon: from out of the cellar came a big, scaled creature, over six and a half feet tall, carrying a javelin and a large shield on which was drawn a strange symbol - a five-pointed star within a seven-pointed star. Its muscles rippled as it advanced towards Arianhod, javelin hefted. A moment later, another of the creatures came out of the cellar, broadsword and shield at the ready, and moved towards Leofric and Edmund Leofric: Leofric frowned with annoyance and gave a loud cry as he charged at one of the Dragonspawn with his new fine sword. However his sword was parried almost with contempt. Hogar: Hogar cursed as the zombie fighting him blocked his blow again with suprising agility for a shambling undead monstrosity Edmund: Edmund ran out from behind the rock. Afraid he might hit Leo who was engaged with a massive dragonspawn, he fired off a bullet at another he could see inside the broken cellar wall. It was a good shot but the dragonspawn brought up its shield and deflected it easily. Arianhod: Seeing the dragonspawn leaving the building, Arianhod dropped her silvered axe to the ground and readied her heavyier axe. Sleeping Dragon: the creature moved up and hurled its javelin at Arianhod, which buried into her leg. The creature hissed in satisfaction, puffing smoke from its fanged mouth Sleeping Dragon: the skeleton raised its bow and fired at Edmund, who leapt aside. He avoided the arrow, but lay dazed and prone in the dirt Sleeping Dragon: the dragonspawn in the cellar came up to stand beside the one that had hurled the javelin, while the other slashed at Leofric. The scribe brought his blade up and deflected the blow, feeling the terrible strength in the creature's arm as he did Leofric: Leofric bares his teeth at the dragonspawn, his eyes filled with steel will and determination and started another attack at the massive dragonspawn. As he did so, he felt that the dragonspawn's hides are protected magically and smiled grimly Hogar: Face twisted by fury, Hogar raised his silver-edged battleaxe and chopped with all his strength across the zombie's neck, sending the head rolling to the ground Leofric: The dragonspawn's left arm was sliced, releasing bileful black bloods however it is not a true wound. Sleeping Dragon: laughing harshly at Arianhod's struggles to remove the javelin it had thrown, the dragonspawn drew its sword and advanced on the big woman Arianhod (exit): 21:20 Leofric: Leofric launched another attack, this time a truely dangerous one, only born of lesser skilled and luck, he slashed the dragonspawn's left arm even more deeper, turning it into nasty wound. Clearly this have more of the impact as the pain made it to drop the shield and seeming unable to make another effort for an attack for now. Leofric grinned terribly Hogar: Hogar viciously bashed with his shield at the dragonspawn facing him, but the monster blocked with its own shield Sleeping Dragon: the hobbled Arianhod and the dragonspawn exchanged blows, rapidly striking and parrying Sleeping Dragon: the skeleton dropped its bow as Edmund approached and unslung a spear Sleeping Dragon: the dragonspawn fighting Hogar opened its mouth and let loose a gout of flame, burning Hogar lightly across his body. The creature held up its shield protectively across the left side of its body, eyeing Hogar warily Leofric: Leofric launched another attack. However he became overconfident in his ability and while merely cutting the left leg, he tries to disarm the weapon but failed utterly. The dragonspawn was clearly superior. Hogar: Hogar hacked at the dragonspawn's head, drawing black blood through the creature's thick scales Sleeping Dragon: seeing that the dragonspawn she fought was slightly winded, Arianhod reached down, gritting her teeth, and yanked the javelin out of her leg in a spray of blood. Sleeping Dragon: the skeleton stabbed at Edmund, but it went just wide of his leg Leofric: Leofric launched another attack but still missed widely. He snarled in frustration as it remind him of that problem with a boar/ Edmund: Without a silvered sword, Edmund was unable to do much to the skeleton but he managed to hit it on the skull a couple of times, knocking a chip off each time. Hogar: Hogar hacked lightly at the dragonspawn's right arm, his silver axe glancing off the monster's scales but unbalancing it enough to prevent an attack Sleeping Dragon: summoning reserves of strength, Arianhod suddenly burst forward, swinging her two-handed axe in a huge arc. It tore straight through the creature's scales and sheared its leg straight off. It fell stone dead, pumping black blood over Arianhod's feet Leofric: Leofric frowned seriously and made another try but cannot make his sword to land on this enemy which is taller and wider than he is Edmund: Edmund swung his sabre and landed a blow on the skeleton which would have been perfect if the wretched thing hadn't parried it. Hogar: Hogar's axe dug deep into his foe's head, the silver edge of his axe now stained with thick black blood Sleeping Dragon: Arianhod advanced on the wounded dragonspawn, swinging her axe at it. As she did, the creature brought up its shield, sending up a spray of dirt into her face. The blow was parried, and Arianhod felt the grit in her eyes and was temporarily blinded Leofric: Leofric made another attempt at the dragonspawn but sadly his fine longsword was quickly forced out of the way. Edmund: Edmund lashed out at the skeleton again, and again it parried the blow. He swore angrily. Hogar: Hogar grimaced at seeing the monster blind Arianhod, and with a warcry hacked again at its head, which was now a bloody, grievously wounded mess Leofric: Leofric snarled once more with anger and raisee his longsword in the air, covered with slatter of black blood. He lunged down onto the left arm and this time, the dragonspawn was unable to block the blow. The left arm suddenly was tore away from its socket, large amount of blackened blood spurting. It collasped onto the shattered floor, its twisted life no longer exist in its dark form. Edmund: Edmund gathered himself and launched yet another attack on the skeleton. This time his blow landed, and as it staggered he tripped it and it lay at his feet, still moving but unable to hit back at least for now. Hogar: Hogar hacked at the abdomen of the only dragonspawn still fighting - the blow did not pierce the thick scales but unbalanced the monster, sending it tumbling to the ground Sleeping Dragon: wiping the sand from her eyes, Arianhod put the dragonspawn out with a heavy blow from her axe to its head. A few moments later, Edmund finished off the skeleton as well, and they were left alone in the ruins of Cenhyrst, panting heavily Leofric: Leofric glanced around and nodded at Edmund. He immediately made his way to Hogar and Arianhod, checking on how they are doing. "Everything alright?" His eyes filled with concern. Hogar: Hogar looked almost disappointed that he had not gotten the chance to finish off the dragonspawn. "I'm a bit scorched but should manage... I think Arian's leg might need some help, though."he added noticing the woman's bloodied limb Leofric: Leofric nodded at the sight of Arianhod's wounds. "Aye..." He glanced around, taking stock of the surrounding. "I am very glad that this battle went well" He told the others. Leofric: EDIT: Fight* Hogar: Hogar was able to patch up Arian's leg, fixing most of the wound in a few minutes Edmund: "Nice to know that dragonspawn are not invincible," Edmund said with a smile, though he looked tired. Hogar: "Definetely not invincible."said Hogar looking at the remains of the defeated dragonspawn "But challenging foes all the same" Edmund: Edmund nodded. "Shall we see what they were up to in the cellar?" Leofric: Leofric grinned for a moment before settling down grimly, "Yes... I got a great curiosity to know as well!" Hogar: "Nothing good, certainly" Edmund: "Well, we stopped them, hopefully." Sleeping Dragon: from appearances, the dragonspawn did not seem to have been there long - they could not find any signs of waste around the cellar or its immediate environs. Within they found a scattering of silver coins, a number of broken axes and spears, a bottle of white wine, and a small pile of rings and torcs. More distressingly was a human head, obviously recently severed, and a body that appeared to have been cut clean in half. Obviously not thinking it worth the bother of reanimating, the dragonspawn had eaten most of the body. There was none of the man's face left but a ragged scrap of cheek, and most of his arms and torso had also been gnawed away Hogar: "Monsters. But they won't be doing that anymore. At least these ones...."said Hogar looking with disgust at the scene Sleeping Dragon: Arianhod swallowed and left the cellar in disgust, and went out to examine tracks Sleeping Dragon: "There's a lot of dragonspawn tracks up here, I think the main group must have moved back into the hills and these were just left behind as guards," Arianhod called down after a short time Edmund: "Could these be the remains of some of the bandits?" Edmund suggested looking closely at what parts were left. Leofric: Leofric nodded in agreement with Hogar, his eyes looked away with disgust for a moment before settling down, "Maybe it is good time to get on with it." He replied to the others. Leofric looked thoughtfully at Edmund, "Worth a try to see." Leofric also exmained the body. Sleeping Dragon: a close look suggested this was probably the case - the zombies certainly had been humans, and appeared to have died within the last few days Sleeping Dragon: "Do we want to check the tower?" Arianhod asked, pointing to the remnants of the tower a short distance away Hogar: "A distinct possibility."nodded Hogar "We will want to ensure the bodies of the dragonspawn up there can't be reanimated, either. We never know, if there are indeed more they might come back..." Sleeping Dragon: Arianhod went and grimly hacked the heads off the dragonspawn, as well as their hands, so they would be of no use as undead Leofric: Leofric helped strip the cellar bare for the war efforts. "Let go to the tower?" He asked others Sleeping Dragon: approaching the tower, they saw more signs of recent habitation - the remnants of a square building opposite had obviously been used as an outhouse, with a few scatterings of human faeces around and streaks of piss down the wall. The tower itself was a squat, circular three-storey building, though it had obviously once been taller. There was little dust in the ground floor, further evidence of its recent occupancy. The first floor consisted largely of a single room, in which they found traces of broken arrowheads, chicken bones, broken bottles, and discarded tools. There was a second room along the south wall, which was kept apart from the rest by a stout wooden door, and there was a spiral staircase heading up on the north wall. Leofric: Leofric looked saddened for a moment, "Look like this tower is a hideout or a home. Look like it may be worth searching through the tower after all." He is ready to search the second room and then onward to second floor Hogar: "We should keep searching" Leofric: Leofric examined the wooden door and glanced at the other knowingly. Edmund: "Upstairs or through the door?" Edmund asked, looking at the handle. Leofric: "Door first. We don't want to be caught in the rear if we went upstair." Leofric replied Sleeping Dragon: within was a moderately sized semi-circular room with a broken bed in one corner. There was a weapon rack along the wall, but it was empty and rusted. whispering to Hogar, Hogar noticed that one of the large floor stones near the middle of the room was loose, though it had been carefully put back in place and could fairly easily be overlooked Hogar: Hogar pointed at the middle of the floor "There's a loose stone there...." Sleeping Dragon: as Hogar pointed they saw it - one of the large stones in the centre of the room was loose, but had been put carefully back in place Sleeping Dragon: Arianhod reached down and pulled up the stone, revealing what seemed to have once been a privy shaft heading down into darkness, just wide enough for a person to fit down Sleeping Dragon: she then pulled some rope from her pack and tied it to the weapon rack. She tied another rope from Edmund to her own and threw it down the shaft, hearing it hit the bottom. "Who's going down first?" she asked Edmund: Edmund stepped forward and took hold of the rope. "You and Hogar are injured. Leo and I aren't." Hogar: "I'm just a little scorched, nothing too bad. Do be careful though" Leofric: Leofric nodded at Edmund and others, ready to go in afterward whispering to Edmund, Edmund climbed his way down the shaft, into a hollowed out area about twenty feet by ten feet. On the far wall, he could see in the torchlight some kind of markings on the wall, as well as a small wooden box and a rack with several sets of clothing. Just before Edmund dropped down, he suddenly realised with a start that the stone directly beneath the rope was slightly raised, and he saw in the wall behind it a small hole just large enough for a spear to poke through. Edmund: Edmund swung out slightly before landing on the floor of the hollowed area. He pulled on the rope to signal all clear. Edmund: edit* He pulled on the rope to signal he had landed. "Watch out there's a trap right under the shaft!" Edmund called out. Sleeping Dragon: Edmund was able to disarm the trap after a few tries, and the party climbed down. Within the privy shaft was a hollowed out area about twenty feet by ten feet. Along the far wall, there appeared to be some kind of chalk markings on the wall, as well as a small wooden box and a rack with several sets of clothing. As they looked, they saw there were three sets altogether - ordinary traveller's clothes, some that would not seem out of place on a merchant, and another set that were more elaborate and nearer to a nobleman's dress. Indeed, they were of a quite similar style and colouring to things they had seen Ealdorman Balnoth wear before. Edmund: "Costume for the actor do you think?" Edmund suggested. "What do you think these chalk marks mean?" Sleeping Dragon: as they came nearer, they saw that the marks appeared to be a map of the local area, which was scrawled with notes in a strong, bold hand Leofric: Leofric frowned and took a closer look at the chalk marketings. Hogar: "Interesting find." Hogar said glancing at the map Leofric: Leofric settled down, took out his account and carefully copied them onto it Edmund: "Get A & E to leave 1 1/2 hours before sundown," Edmund read. "Who was it that talked them into leaving at that time? If we know we'll have the real murderer or their accomplice!" Leofric: Leofric looked at the two locations, "Shack Under Cliff and Waterfall Cave sound like hideouts" Leofric considered them. Edmund: "And 'Tell A to look for the tall stone & elm tree... that could imply that Andwaru was involved in some kind of plot with them, not expecting to be a victim himself." Hogar: "Possible."said Hogar "Now if only we could know who wrote all of this, we'd have the murderer...." Edmund: "They knew of Balnoth's meeting with Tesu." Edmund frowned at the map. "But it doesn't sound as though Tesu was involved." Sleeping Dragon: "The murderer must have been with the bandits, but they seem to have left," said Arianhod. "Maybe we can track them." Leofric: "Maybe... At least we can keep these two locations in mind... or three if we include Helven Hill." Leofric sighed for a moment as he finished drawing the map and closed it and put it away. "What are in the box though?" Edmund: Edmund examined it, checking for traps or other nasty surprises. Sleeping Dragon: Edmund was able to jimmy the lock after a short time. Within the wooden box they found a pile of silver, two empty vials, a copper retort, some nightshade, and what appeared to be three severed orcish fingers. Hogar: "Looks like the murder had been preparing..something. Poison, likely? I think we know someone who might help us with this..." Hogar: add:"Shame Dunstan isn't exactly close." whispering to Leofric, Leofric had heard rumours before of the use of monstrous parts in the creation of magical potions. Some traditions were known to use such things for the regeneration of magical energies, just as the Conclave used the magical plant mandrake along with other ingredients. Leofric: Leofric explained the possible purpose of minstrous parts. He told them, "I heard of rumours that they could be used in the creation of magical potions. Indeed, such parts are used for regeneration of magical energies. Remember mandrake for example." Sleeping Dragon: the party were able to search the rest of the tower, but they found little else - everything had obviously either been taken by the bandits or looted by the dragonspawn that had now left. By now, it was well past midnight, and the only source of light was the Star high above. Sleeping Dragon: the party were now badly in need of a rest - they had not properly slept since the night before the wedding, and the battle with the dragonspawn had exhausted them. Deciding that sleeping in Cenhyrst was a bad idea lest the dragonspawn return, Arianhod led them out and soon found a secluded hollow where they were able to sleep the night completely undisturbed. Sleeping Dragon: Leofric and Arianhod were able to find about a dozen sets of human sized tracks, maybe a few days old, heading north. "Do you think they went to the waterfall cave? That was north of here, and nearby," said Arianhod. Leofric: "I reckon so." Leofric replied Sleeping Dragon: the party continued north for several hours, following the tracks. At about mid-day, they came across a sheltered spot in a narrow ravine, which showed signs of having been used as a campsite. Descending down, Arianhod and Leofric found the tracks seemed to divide here. The main set continued north, but two or three people appeared to have headed off west instead. "Which way do we go?" said Arianhod. Hogar: "I suspect the murderers went west."suggested Hogar Leofric: Leofric suggested to others "I reckon the north as we might find more informations." Edmund: "A cave would be a good place to hold a prisoner," Edmund added. Sleeping Dragon: the party were able to make their way north - Leofric and Edmund followed the tell-tale signs of passage left on the trees and in the leaves, while Arianhod climbed trees to get a look at the landscape. In the early afternoon, they crested a small hill covered in trees and found thesmelves looking up at a waterfall. It cascaded down over sixty feet into a large pool. There was a rocky, winding path which led up near the waterfall to a large ledge. Off to the right there was also a tall outcrop of rock which ended in some kind of ledge, though it would be a hard climb and the ledge itself was shielded from view by large outcroppings of rock Sleeping Dragon: looking up, the party could see that there were two men in brown and green up on the ledge, surveying the area and holding bows at the ready. However, they were not the only people they could see. Up on the rock outcrop they saw a Palanian woman in sandy colours, with hair in thick braids, who held a beautifully carved yew bow. She was watching the two men on the ledge opposite.
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Post by sleepingdragon on Oct 20, 2013 10:32:56 GMT
Sleeping Dragon: the party were able to make their way north - Leofric and Edmund followed the tell-tale signs of passage left on the trees and in the leaves, while Arianhod climbed trees to get a look at the landscape. In the early afternoon, they crested a small hill covered in trees and found thesmelves looking up at a waterfall. It cascaded down over sixty feet into a large pool. There was a rocky, winding path which led up near the waterfall to a large ledge. Off to the right there was also a tall outcrop of rock which ended in some kind of ledge, though it would be a hard climb and the ledge itself was shielded from view by large outcroppings of rock looking up, the party could see that there were two men in brown and green up on the ledge, surveying the area and holding bows at the ready. However, they were not the only people they could see. Up on the rock outcrop they saw a Palanian woman in sandy colours, with hair in thick braids, who held a beautifully carved yew bow. She was watching the two men on the ledge opposite. Edmund: "Friend or another foe?" Edmund wondered aloud, looking up at the woman. Sleeping Dragon: though no answer was immediately forthcoming, the woman had obviously been watching the bandits for some time, and they did not appear to notice her from her sheltered spot behind the rock outcrops. Leofric: Leofric advanced his opinon on who the woman could be, "Its look like a friend but nothing is evers it seems." He replied softly. Edivad: "Perhaps we should announce her presence to her rather than try sneaking?"suggested Hogar Edivad: edit:our presence to her Edmund: "Without drawing the attention of the bandits?" enquired Edmund. " Leofric: Leofric mused on this for a moment, "We could send someone over to her quietly as possible? Not me though." Edmund: "Me or you, I reckon," Edmund said, looking at Arianhod. Arianhod: "Do we even know if she'll be friendly or not?" Arianhod asked in reply. "Assuming we get close enough to her, what do we say?" Edmund: "Ask her who she is? Say it looks like we're tracking bandits too?" Edmund suggested. Edivad: "We could offer some kind of alliance, I guess." Leofric: "I agreed. It would be helpful to have another archer as well." Leofric nodded in agreement. Arianhod: "Hmm, alright." Arianhod nodded and started to head towards the woman, attempting to stay hidden. Sleeping Dragon: Arianhod was able to make her way over towards the woman, signalling for the others to follow her as she found safe routes. Arianhod was able to make her way through the light cover of the trees, and positioned the party behind the rock outcrop where the woman was, so that the ledge completely blocked the bandits view of them. They found themselves at the bottom of a sheer rockface that rose twenty feet into the air, up to the ledge where the woman crouched. She didn't seem to have noticed the party's approach. Edmund: "We need to signal to her without causing her to react badly," Edmund whispered to the others. "A whistle or something harmless, as long as the bandits can't hear? Or I could even play very quietly on the flute? Leofric: Leofric smiled slightly, "I quite like the sound of flute playing..." Edmund: Edmund nodded and pulled the flute out of his pack. Putting it to his lips he played a few notes from a familiar tune, a song sung by children in Malagen. Sleeping Dragon: after perhaps a minute, the woman appeared above them, nocked arrow pointed in their direction. They could see she was a young woman, perhaps in her mid-twenties, of a lithe, athletic build. "By the gods, who are you and what are you doing here? There's some exceptionally unpleasant people in that cave behind the waterfall," she hissed down to them. Edmund: "We know, that's why we're here," Edmund whispered back. "We seem to be on the same side in this. Can we come up and speak to you?" Sleeping Dragon: [1d6] => [1] = (1) Edivad: Hogar looked relieved to see the woman not react with outright hostility Leofric: Leofric looked interested at this young woman. Sleeping Dragon: "I'll come down, I'd rather not risk you breaking your necks. If you'd wanted to attack me you'd have already done it instead of playing your flute." The woman snatched up a pack from somewhere on the ledge, tied a hempen rope to a rock outcropping, and climbed down. Along with her bow and quiver of about twenty green-fletched arrows, she also carried a curved sword at her waist and a round shield slung across her back. "I'm Estra." She paused. "You have the sound of a Gastonlander, if you don't mind me saying. While I was in Stowecott I heard that the Ealdorman there was previously rescued by some Gastonlanders. Would that have been you?" Edmund: "It would indeed," Edmund said, with a small bow. "My companions and I are trying to aid the Ealdorman once again." Sleeping Dragon: "We're hunting the same quarry then. Your friend is innocent of what he's been imprisoned for. I happened to be in the area and I heard the rumours, the whole incident seemed quite familiar. It was the handiwork of someone I know, an assassin. Scand is his name. He's in the cave, he's somehow convinced those bandits to follow him. He's killed four of my sisters. I meant to shoot him when he came out, but every time he does he has too many people around him and it's been too much of a risk. Now that you're here, perhaps we can take them." Edivad: "We could, especially with the advantage of surprise. How many there?"asked Hogar Sleeping Dragon: "Scand, and seven others, including the two out there on the perch now. Scand is worth at least two of them even without his talents." Arianhod: Arianhod frowned. "Four of your sisters? Does he have a vendetta against your family?" Leofric: Leofric frowned for a moment as Estra explained what happened and looked thoughtful. Sleeping Dragon: Estra winced. "You might say so. He was once part of it." Edmund: "Would you be willing to tell us what happened? So we understand what he's doing here, if that's possible," Edmund asked gently. Sleeping Dragon: "Scand is a renegade member of a certain order. He grew tired of the restrictions we placed on what he could do and murdered several of us to leave, then began to ply his trade as a freelance assassin. That, presumably, is what brought him here. We've made a few attempts to bring him down and he's always managed to kill the ones who went after him. I mean to return the favour." Leofric: Leofric sighed for a moment before asking her, "Is this certain order is the Conclave? We are aware of its existence." Sleeping Dragon: Estra laughed. "Why, do you fancy yourself a witch-hunter?" Leofric: Leofric replied with a hint of a smile, "No, quite the opposite actually..." Sleeping Dragon: "So you are a Virian mage then?" Estra sounded disbelieving. Leofric: "Not yet..." Leofric replied deeply. "But I am aware of the Conclave and its vows. But then, there may be another order which we are not aware of, of course." Edmund: "Not all Virians fear magic Estra," Edmund added. "We have seen many interesting and surprising things since coming to this land." Sleeping Dragon: Estra looked at Edmund for a while. "I'm glad to hear it. You'll see some more if you help me kill Scand." Estra closed her eyes for a moment, muttered something under her breath, and made a sharp motion with her hand. Hogar: "Still.."said Hogar thoughtfully "If we are to fight Scand, it would be better for us to know what tricks he has up his sleeve. We know something about his abilities, but I suspet he may have others..." Edmund: Edmund watched Estra closely. Hogar: edit: we suspect he may know have others... Leofric: Leofric followed Edmund's example Sleeping Dragon: it took Estra another try, but as she spoke the grip on her bow intensified. Her hands and muscles seemed to grow stronger, her legs more powerful. "I don't know exactly what talents Scand may have learned since he left us. But I know he is able to change his face, to blend into his surroundings and to enhance his senses, and to deliver powerful blows with his hands and feet. He can also squeeze himself into tight areas and to move like the wind. And we should do the same." Edmund: "He made use of his ability to change his face when he committed murder to incriminate Balnoth," said Edmund. Hogar: Hogar looked quite impressed - and perhaps slightly worrie d- by the woman's magical feat "And we know he can apparently walk on ceilings..."he added Edmund: "And he squeezed through an impossibly small space at the Ealdorman's house," Edmund said. Sleeping Dragon: "Some of us can do those things, but I think he learnt them since he left. Are any of you archers? I mean to climb back up to my perch and take aim, though we'll need a few to attack them hand-to-hand." Edmund: "I have to be honest with you," Edmund said to Estra. "I am only taking the first steps on my magical journey. But I can use a sling." Arianhod: "I'm good with a bow or axe." Arianhod replied. Hogar: "I'm not good at archery, though I can throw my hatchet if needed. Best for me to handle the melee, methinks."Hogar said Leofric: Leofric frowned with a hint of annoyance. "Me neither." He patted his fine longsword as to show that he can only fight close ranged. Hogar: "There is one issue however..."added Hogar, almost as an afer-thought "We need to take him alive." Edmund: "To prove that he is the guilty party," added Edmund. Leofric: Leofric made some small gesture. However, he realised what went wrong and did it again, this time successfully. Sleeping Dragon: Estra looked at them for a while. "I insist then on one thing as a compromise. Scand is a threat to us. To minimise his danger to us, and to recompense the lives he's taken, I insist on taking a hand or an eye." Edmund: "I have no problem with that," Edmund said, looking at the others. Hogar: Hogar nodded "I wouldn't object to taking both. He is going to be executed, after all..." Leofric: Leofric nodded, "Not a problem." Edmund: "If we want to confuse the bandits, I have a trick or two I can pull," Edmund said, smiling grimly. Hogar: "Try to stay behind me"Hogar told Leofric, obviously looking out for his safety Edmund: nice Edmund: edit*ignore last comment Sleeping Dragon: Estra murmured some more words and her form seemed to become slightly blurred and insubstantial. She helped Edmudn and Arianhod climb up onto the ledge and move to sheltered locations while Leofric and Hogar moved up with their melee weapons. Estra nocked an arrow and aimed at one of the bandits. She waited for Edmund and Arianhod to ready themselves. Leofric: Leofric nodded grimly, "Indeed, I have been luckly so far." He whispered Leofric: Leofric held Hogar by the shoulder and made some gesture, giving him better protection. "Hopefully this will help you this time." Hogar: Hogar thanked Leofric, although as always he looked slightly innerved by magic use Sleeping Dragon: Estra whistled some birdsong as the signal for attack. As soon as she did, she loosed an arrow from her beautifully carved bow with great force. It launched through the air like a thunderbolt and tore straight through the head of one of the bandits, killing him instantly before he could even realise they were under attack. His compatriot stared with horror. "Attack!" Edmund: Edmund swung his sling round his head and released a bullet, which hit the rock just in front of the surviving bandit. He muttered a prayer under his breath as he rushed to reload. Hogar: Encouraged by Estra's excellent shot, Hogar eagerly rushed forward, reaching the start of the winding path Leofric: Leofric found this as auspicious start of this fight and smiled slightly, Leofric also went forward, paying attentions to any danger, following Hogar. Arianhod: Barely before the last sentry finished his warning, Arianhod's arrow pierced his head, killing him just as quickly. Sleeping Dragon: "Fucking hell!" someone shouted from within the cave as the two sentries fell with arrows to the head. "Weapons! Get out there and stay low!" Sleeping Dragon: Edmund noticed one of the bandits crawl out of the cave and move near to the one Arianhod had shot. He had a spear in one hand and kept a shield up carefully in front of his face. "Two coming up the path, at least two more up on that ledge!" he shouted Edmund: Edmund pointed the man out then carried on feverishly loading his sling. Sleeping Dragon: Estra also finished reloading her bow Hogar: Hogar kept advancing on the path, looking upwards as he did so Leofric: Leofric followed Hogar, his fine longsword, glisten in the roaring droplet of the waterfall, ready for any attacks, mundane or magical. Sleeping Dragon: Arianhod, who had strung another arrow like lightning, fired another shot at the new man, but sadly this struck the side of the ledge and bounced down to land near Hogar's rushing feet Sleeping Dragon: "There's another one," Estra said, pointing to another man exiting the cave, this one holding a bow with arrow nocked and ready. Sleeping Dragon: Estra promptly aimed and let loose another deadly arrow. This one tore through the man's arm, piercing an artery, and he fell with blood pumping like a fountain from the wound Leofric: Edmund: Edmund waited with his sling ready, watching for an opening. Hogar: Hogar advanced up the path, occasionally glancing up. Suddenly he stopped, his attention taken by something "There's a trap there, Leo! Be careful!" Sleeping Dragon: there was, indeed, a man-trap hidden in amongst a pile of leaves near the side of the path, its rusty jaws open. Hogar was able to step round it and show Leofric where it was Leofric: Leofric made his move, carefully avoiding the trap warned by Hogar. "Thanks" He replied quickly. His weapon at ready, he also glance upward Arianhod: Arianhod nocked another arrow, looking for her next target. Sleeping Dragon: two more men emerged from the cave. These appeared to be bigger and tougher than the bandits they had slain thus far. One held a longbow, while the other had a wicked two-handed axe. Edmund: With a prayer, Edmund immediately fired off a well-placed shot to the archer's right arm, but at the last minute the man dodged away. Edmund muttered darkly. Hogar: "Another trap!"shouted Hogar for Leofric, having now reached the ledge Leofric: Leofric nodded as he made his way around the path and the trap itself. He was grateful that Hogar is going ahead of him Arianhod: Arianhod fired at the second man, but her arrow struck the cover in front of him. Sleeping Dragon: another bandit emerged, wielding a spear and shield, while the one with the greataxe advanced. The frontmost bandit moved on Hogar and stabbed at him with his spear, but Hogar was able to block the blow Hogar: Hogar swung his axe with wild strength at the head of the bandit facing him, but the man was fast enough to raise his shield and block, thus avoiding a grisly death Leofric: Leofric leaped past Hogar and attempted to land a blow on the Hogar's enemy but missed widely. Sleeping Dragon: the bandit who had just risen from the ground fired a wild shot at Arianhod, whle the other advanced and swung his huge axe at Leofric. The scribe managed to interpose his sword, partially deflecting the blow, and the remainder was absorbed by his armour and magical protection. The brigand blinked uncomprehendingly as Leofric was completely unharmed by his huge weapon Hogar: Hogar seemed somewhat worried by Leofric eagerness to be in the thick of battle, but relieved by seeing his spell protect him Sleeping Dragon: while another of the spear-wielding bandits moved up on Leofric, a trimly built man in a hooded cloak, perhaps in his mid-thirties, emerged from the cave, wielding a crossbow. He fired a bolt at Estra, which whirred through the air in a deadly looking arc, but mercifully it struck the rockface. "At last you make your appearance renegade!" Estra shouted at him. "You'll pay for betraying us!" Sleeping Dragon: Estra fired at Scand, but her shot also struck cover Edmund: "And for murder and incriminating an innocent man, malefactor!" Edmund shouted. Sleeping Dragon: the axeman swung at Leofric again. For a moment it looked as if his blow would take Leofric's leg off, but with a last burst of energy Leofric struck out with his sword. The brigand, thinking Leofric defenceless, was completely caught off-guard. Leofric's blade caught perfectly in the axe head, sending it spinning back. The back-head struck the brigand right in the chest, tearing into him, soaking his own weapon in his blood. The brigand gave a cry of agony. Sleeping Dragon: dropping his slow-loading weapon, Scand ignored Edmund and Estra's taunts and drew his broad-bladed sword, advancing towards the fray with cat-like grace Sleeping Dragon: Estra strung another arrow to her bow Edmund: Edmund fired off a bullet at the longbowman, and hit at last, wounding the brigand in the chest. The man staggered back as the stone smashed into his ribcage, winding him. Hogar: Hogar struck the head of one of the bandits threatening Leofric, wounding deeply - the man collapsed, barely surviving Leofric: Leofric knew that he is rather out of depth, only sheer luck managed to save his life. He decided to beat a retreat, smiling at the wounded axeman. He made his way behind Hogar. As he did so, his eyes carefully point out any possible events. Arianhod: Arianhod fired at Scand. Sleeping Dragon: Scand was able to duck and dodge the blow. The brigand Edmund had struck dropped to the ground in pain, while one of the bandits moved up and tried to bash at Hogar with his shield to knock him into the trap. Hogar brought his own shield up and caught the blow, pushing back against the bandit, muscles straining Sleeping Dragon: Scand advanced, also striking at Hogar with his sword, but Hogar had just pushed the bandit away and was able to interpose his shield Hogar: With a powerful axe chop, Hogar dealt Scand a deep bleeding wound to the head Leofric: Leofric frowned at Scand, finding he is unable to reach Scand with his sword. Instead, he made some gesture which appears to give Scand some minor cramp. Sleeping Dragon: one of the bandits stabbed at Hogar, but his spear failed to penetrate his armour and the spell Leofric had cast Edmund: Edmund muttered to himself as he reloaded his sling. Leofric: Leofric glanced around carefully and took hold of Hogar once more and granted him the magic spell that serve them both well Arianhod: Arianhod fired another shot at Scand, her arrow sticking into his arm. Sleeping Dragon: with an arrow deeply embedded in his arm, a bleeding wound across his face, and most of his men down, Scand looked to the side to assess his possible chances of running away. Perhaps he decided that a scramble down a sheer cliff followed by a flight across open land with archers at his back was not for him, as he put up his sword. "Fine," he said tersely. "You win." Sleeping Dragon: "Keep a blade at his throat while we come down, that man can't be trusted," Estra shouted, grabbing her rope. Edmund: Edmund followed her. Arianhod: Arianhod shouldered her bow and followed Estra once the woman was on the ground. Leofric: Leofric looked wary at the enemies in front of them. Hogar: Hogar looked at the surrendered Scand with contempt "We'll definetely be looking out for any tricks"he shouted back to Estra "Do be careful, there are traps on the path." Sleeping Dragon: "Are you a real Sister now, Estra, or still just a girl?" Scand asked her as she approached. "A Sister and a woman," Estra replied, stepping round the bear trap. "I see you're still a fucking idiot boy." Edmund: "What's the best way to prevent his tricks on our way back?" Edmund asked Estra. Arianhod: "Gag him?" Arianhod suggested, picking up a piece of dead wood to set the traps off as she climbed the path. Sleeping Dragon: "Tie him up, put a gag in his mouth, strip him naked, and keep a blade to his throat," Estra replied. "I'd suggest breaking his kneecaps but that might inadvertently kill him." "Before you do me any irreperable damage," Scand said, voice cold and calm, "I should say that as you've no doubt worked out, I didn't impersonate Balnoth off my own back. I have information that might be useful - assuming, of course, you are willing to promise me lenient treatment when we arrive at Stowecott." "And what about us?" the bandit who was least wounded shouted. "Do you mean to drag all of us back to face the rope? We're none of us as bad as him, and how're you to bring six people back with only five of you?" Hogar: "Keep an eye on him, we don't want him bleeding to death on the way back."Hogar said as he set out to stop the man's bleeding and pull out the arrow from his arm. He was not too gentle as he did the latter, and Scand winced in pain as the arrowhead shredded some of his flesh as it was pulled out. Hogar merely shrugged however. Edmund: "We can't leave them free," Edmund said quietly to the others. "They will just follow and attack us." Hogar: "We could take their weapons and armour."suggested Hogar "But...I'm not sure that'd be enough." Sleeping Dragon: "five of us Edmund: "We could leave them here tied up, and send a party from the village to collect them." Sleeping Dragon: "The dragonspawn would be like to get us first, I'd rather you slit my throat if you mean to murder me," the bandit replied. Edmund: "It would be nothing more than you deserve I expect," Edmund said grimly. Sleeping Dragon: "You going to give him what he deserves too, or will you give him lenient treatment?" the bandit replied. "He's worse than me or any of us, I'm just a farmer as got too far into debt and lost everything." Sleeping Dragon: *the bandit replied, pointing at Scand Edmund: "He will get justice, not leniency," Edmund said. "I suggest we take this mouthy one with us as well, and leave the wounded here." Sleeping Dragon: "If you want information, you'll provide leniency," said Scand. "Otherwise I may bring quite valuable information down with me into the ground, which you'll never have another opportunity to gain." Edmund: "We'll see," Edmund said. Privately he indicated to the others this was a bad idea. Sleeping Dragon: Estra kept an arrow nocked in Scand's face while the others consulted. Sleeping Dragon: "Please, do something stupid, it will give me an excuse to kill you," she said with a smile. Hogar: "The 'mouthy one' has a point, in a way. Just taking their armour and weapons or tying them would make them food for the dragonspawn. But we can't just let them go."Hogar said to the others Arianhod: "Who would be more lenient?" Arianhod asked, tossing the remains of the stick to the side and crossing her arms. "Attor and his court or your former brothers and sisters?" She nodded towards Estra at the end. Sleeping Dragon: "Leniency? I'm amazed you ever managed to even convince this one not to kill me outright, lest I reveal the Soiled Sisters and their precious secrets," Scand broke in. "Oh dear, Estra, I'm letting the cat out of the bag. Did you Virians know you'd made league with a witch who's a member of a demon-worshipping cult?" Edmund (exit): 00:30 Arianhod: Arianhod didn't change her look. "Does it matter to you right now?" She asked him. Sleeping Dragon: "No, but as you've somehow convinced Estra not to shoot me I may as well tweak her nose while I can. Have you made an offering to the Dark Sister recently, or have the rigours of the road..." Estra brought a knee up hard into Scand's groin, and he fell with a wheeze. Hogar: Hogar did not seem to care much for Scand's words, obviously believing them to be lies or exaggerations. "I wouldn't object to gagging him. He can speak in front of Lord Attor." Arianhod: "That seems to be the most lenient option." Arianhod agreed with a soft chuckle. "I'm sure he'd agree." Sleeping Dragon: as Estra had suggested, she forced Scand to strip naked, then gagged and bound him. "Even if he escapes, he'll attract some notice with no clothes on," said Estra. "So you know, I don't worship any demons, or worship anything for that matter. If the Dark Sister wants to grant me power then that's for her to decide - if she even exists and isn't just something we ascribe our own power to." She glanced at Arianhod and spoke more quietly, so the bandits could not hear. "You're quite a good shot and a strong woman, you don't take rubbish from liars like this one, and you don't seem to object to what most people would consider magic. Perhaps you would like to be introduced to my sisters?" Arianhod: "Perhaps." Arianhod nodded, though noncommittally. "One thing at a time though. Let's get this guy back to Stowecott first." Sleeping Dragon: "Of course."
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