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Male Gnome Bard (Demagogue) 4
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As attention is drawn Jonas retrieves his rapier and proffers it to Lucan, asking what might be done to protect it's edge against "Rain" giving the signal to Alazandaru to move in and retrieve the weapon. Jonas keeps his voice even and syrupy, drawing the men deeper and deeper into rapture.
Given AKs busy - can we assume he comes in for the switch taking 10 on Stealth for 21? - the shopkeeps should be at -4 to Perception due to fascinate.
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Male Gnome Bard (Demagogue) 4
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Jonas looks about the smithy to locate the sword in question and as he speaks moves into the shop so as to position himself in such a way to draw the gaze and position of the two men away from the entrance and provide Alazandaru means to follow and reach the sword without crossing their line of sight "I am Jonas, and sadly am in need of a new blade - what have you good sirs that would suit a man of my stature." beginning to lace his words with the weight of ensorcellment and bring the master and his servant under his sway.
Hopefully with the attention of the men and arc provided for Alazandaru to work.
Fascinate on both men: DC 17
Sense Motive: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (2) + 15 = 17 to verify that the men are under his sway.
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Male Gnome Bard (Demagogue) 4
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King Mark - there shall be no reprimanding... At times the muse is just gone despite best intentions. You're doing a hell of a lot better with this section than I ever managed, so nothing but kudos from me.
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Male Gnome Bard (Demagogue) 4
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Now that is indeed an idea worthy of executing in force!
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Male Gnome Bard (Demagogue) 4
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No real idea about the split between Iomedeans and Desnanians, it may be that I'd have to demonise a smaller sub-group (such as the soldiers and temple clerics) to get the majority up in arms. I'd have to think the Desnans (and other faiths) are in the minority compared to the Iomedeans.
The travelling troupe is Messr William Marlowe and friends - who will be coming to perform within Balentyne itself.
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Male Gnome Bard (Demagogue) 4
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Ok, best option that I can see for rabble rousing is trying to force the wedge of discontent between Desna and Iomedae wider. Cast the Desnans as the 'good guys' and use what we have to cast 'Iomedae', and by extension Balentyne in a very unsavory light. Attempt to fan that into full blown conflict.
Way to achieve that is maybe through making it appear as though the Iomedans are secretly Asmodean? Forgeries, secret letters, disguised people leaving a house where the remnants of a ritual were held... Bostarg can then fan the other side by lying and using sown thoughts. We can tie in a poisoning here and there, and such.
Could even make up the fact that the travelling troupe were demonic, leading the Iomedeans to kill them and serve as the catalyst for the great Desnan riot? Then while the people fight the guards and lose horribly we can sneak through the inn's tunnel and stab backs?
We'll need a few judicious executions / assassinations to thin out the leadership as well.
What do people think of that as a very general mudmap?
King Mark - one thread that Bostarg laid was the possibility of getting an audience with the singing saints (under guise of making a big donation) - did he spark any interest?
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Male Gnome Bard (Demagogue) 4
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Bostarg struggling to figure out exactly what his plans are too - and I most certainly have been too quiet - for which I apologize.
After baby wrangling is done for the night I'll read back over and frame some things with more specificity.
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Male Gnome Bard (Demagogue) 4
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Bostarg takes the signature and files it away in his folio for later study before nodding. He stands, settling into his persona as Jonas and follows the larger men out. Upon the walk he muses "Perhaps it is best if I enter alone first, with hope I can draw their attention away from our quarry. Enter stealthily when I make mention of rain." opening ears to see if the other two have anything to add before starting upon the gambit.
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Male Gnome Bard (Demagogue) 4
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More the former - where either average rolls or a DM roll would allow for resolution of some of the threads and we could move on. But resolving the latter way is also ok.
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Male Gnome Bard (Demagogue) 4
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Mulling "Aedorn - please go with Tatya to the farmhouse, I'll make use of your absence to take your face to visit temple in the guise of a Desnan."
After the pair have made for the widow's house, Bostarg departs the inn in the cloth of Jonas - before making a change out of sight of the populace and approaching the church with a sneer and distrustful look on his face.
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Male Gnome Bard (Demagogue) 4
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My original thought when I put that action plan together was to have a brief fast forward... but perhaps a little easier to play it out real time.
Post up in main thread imminently in that vein.
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Male Gnome Bard (Demagogue) 4
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Copy made Bostarg hands the original back into Alazandaru's care and begins to pore over it with mind turning to plot and plan. Initially he attempts to discern where the tunnel noted by Aedorn emerges...
Can Bostarg figure that, or is it still a question mark?
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Male Gnome Bard (Demagogue) 4
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Bostarg doesn't waste time with words, instead moving to draw up a serviceable and detailed copy of the pertinent details from the map.
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Male Gnome Bard (Demagogue) 4
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Bostarg will soon be on a short vacation to the land downunder for a whirlwind feast of familial visitation, bacon and egg muffins and iced coffee. Departure is scheduled for this evening at 11:55 PM GMT+8. Characterful service will experience a slight delay in response time during the period and if patience could be extended that would be delightful.
The Bostarg unit should be returned to normal function and reliability on the evening of the 23rd of April GMT+8.
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Male Gnome Bard (Demagogue) 4
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Alazandaru finds Bostarg within their room at the inn, seated within a chair and deep in thought.
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Male Gnome Bard (Demagogue) 4
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Pondering for a moment longer Bostarg shrugs "Of course I would suggest broad daylight as the best time for the swap... I could enrapture the staff with words while they are robbed behind their very backs."
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Male Gnome Bard (Demagogue) 4
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"I would caution first to get me a sample of the man's writing... that way if needed implications can be made to cover whatever is discovered of the theft."
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Male Gnome Bard (Demagogue) 4
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As they were all assembled and the threads of the town were beginning to be laid plain, Bostarg figured it was time for a recap. Standing and stretching the kinks out of his neck he reviewed what was known and what was still a secret.
- "William Marlowe is coming to perform a play within the walls of Balentyne, but will not arrive until the 29th and the performance itself is on 7th of Gozren. Halvor has no love for him, though may prove of benefit in matters of theater if information was needed. Later though, there are more pressing needs.
- Master Lucan is the unworthy owner of a blade that needs be liberated. And there were whispers of 'the society' that might be worthy of investigation. Morthos - might you be able to get a sample of their written word? - in case forgeries need be made to implicate them.
- Captain Varning patrols beyond the walls... and it would likely be to our benefit to remove him separately lest he bolster the defences. We should find out his likely route and perhaps if there is a way we might see him delayed or worse.
- The dwarven map would be of great help to us... it would be most beneficial if you could liberate it for the cause Alazandaru.
- There are wanted posters with our likeness upon them... we must be cautious to show our true faces lest we rouse suspicion... unless of course we wish to do so with intent.
- The brothel in town The Rusty Blade intrigues me. It hides by day as a pottery store to emerge as a den of iniquity at night. Aedorn - perhaps this is the time when you might whet your pen in ink and see what might be written in the aftermath?
- The discovery of the tunnel to the watchtower is perhaps the greatest yet... and also the most dangerous. We would not want to tip our hand early and risk it's loss.
- The church has promise also, the local Iomedites have some friction with the worshippers of Desna and others that share the shrine. I thought I might take sandpaper to the wound and see if I might provoke further bleeding. I shall need to go in a face that is not mine though... I am known as a faithful Iomedite.
- The talk of the singing spirits is dangerous... I am hoping that the threat of donation will be enough to afford me a visitation to them. I would feel better to know of what they are with certainty before we act in anger."
Suggested Actions:
All - rumors and innuendo in the common room at different times. As we hold different assumptions of status we should be able to get them from a wide range of society.
Bostarg - revisit Temple in disguise as a worshipper of Desna, intent is to provoke sign of exactly how much stress there is between the worshippers.
Tatya - find a run down farm that might rent it's barn for poisons working? - or an abandoned building somewhere in town.
Alazandaru - get the dwarf's map.
Aedorn - visit the brothel and discern what he can that could be incriminatory towards either the proprietor or customers.
Morthos - get a receipt from Master Lucan's for forging - and also try and drum up Varning's route and what not.
Anything else?
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Male Gnome Bard (Demagogue) 4
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I put my hand up and firmly claim responsibility. Mark has been busy and wrangling teething toddlers and such for a while and hasn't been able to let Bostarg sing as well as he should.
More words will come soonish, and I think almost a time break for a couple of days where we do some research (but don't necessarily RP every exchange) will help?
Plus I'll level to 4th soon... honest...
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Male Gnome Bard (Demagogue) 4
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FMG Kickstarter
Just noticed that Gary McBride has followed suit as have a number of other publishers and is using kickstarter to give his next AP (Throne of Night) a jump start. Worth a looksee if you're into Kickstarter and there are some discounts on offer.
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Male Gnome Bard (Demagogue) 4
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Mulling Tatya's words for a few moments Bostarg nods "Well I have left an impression with one of the brothers that I might be a donor to their church... I may be able to parlay that into an introduction with the saints if cards fall as I hope. As to a discreet location... perhaps we should liberate a farmhouse on the outskirts to our purpose?"
Morthos' warning of the barkeep gives Bostarg momentary pause before he waves it away "Coin should salve any concern the man has."
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Male Gnome Bard (Demagogue) 4
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Arriving back at the inn, Jonas moves above to find some of his companions in attendance. He is gladdened to see Tatya's chosen skin present and notes Aedorn's also... though does not disturb the halfling's slumber.
"A morning of worth... and troublesome the same. The senior members of clergy were not present, but hopefully will seek my purse strings soon enough. A slight rift between the Inheritor and those other of the pantheon given status. I also found that the whorehouse that trades by night is hidden by day... something for my brother to look into later? But there was also word of singing saints... a presence within the chapel of Balentyne that we would do well to find out more about."
Jonas then shares the description of the saints and what the brother said of it for Tatya to mull for insights.
Knowledge (Religion?): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9
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Male Gnome Bard (Demagogue) 4
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Keeping his smirk inwardly contained, Jonas makes a show of inspecting the wares with honest interest. To the half-orc he replies "Not really, I am new to town and wished to see what is on offer." blithely scanning the shelves and pottery with vague interest before taking his leave of the shop. Heading back to the inn when he is done.
Excellent... perhaps it is time for my brother to see the whores...
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Male Gnome Bard (Demagogue) 4
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Perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (6) + 10 = 16
Knowledge (Nobility): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23
Appraise: 1d20 ⇒ 19
Post later
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Male Gnome Bard (Demagogue) 4
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King Markadian V wrote: Passing by the next day, he notices his view from the alley that the sign itself has been removed, the door and window shutters closed. Moving around the block, the pottery shop side of the building is open, pretty curtains with a floral design covering the windows yet his wares not showcased. The sign above the doorway identifies it as the Cracked Vase. Smirking another lever with which to prise apart at the seams Jonas puts halt to his plans to return to the inn and instead moves towards the Cracked Vase. Placing his best and most innocent expression upon his face, he earnestly enters the shop and begins to browse whatever wares are on display.
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Male Gnome Bard (Demagogue) 4
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Jonas allows his passage back to the inn to weave and wend back past the brothel that he spied earlier... merely to gauge whether the den of iniquity hides itself during the day.
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Male Gnome Bard (Demagogue) 4
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King Markadian V wrote: "They don't normally allow visitors to see them perform. Mostly reserved for high ranking people coming through. You could of course head up and ask, but don't be disappointed if they say no." Inclining his head by acknowledgement Jonas states "Indeed, at any rate please let Mother Rynane know of my interest in your good works.. she may reach me at the inn if she wishes to talk further"
Jonas is good to leave the church unless held back / sidelined
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Male Gnome Bard (Demagogue) 4
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Masking his fear and concern with mock awe Jonas is pious in his query "Now that sounds like a scene worthy to be immortalized in glass... Would there be any means that a petitioner such as myself might be blessed with their grace?"
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Male Gnome Bard (Demagogue) 4
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When Addis speaks of the Singing Saints, Jonas' heart catches a moment and his palms go sweaty... an opportunity to be let into the heart of Balentyne if he played his cards correctly... and perhaps a threat also. Breathing back into composure Jonas responds piously "I have but little coin with me today" pulling out a purse and counting out ten gold pieces as a starter and to prove his intent "but I will say that you have my heart intrigued about the window... such an installation would be inspiring to see." a wistful turn taking his eye as he looks towards the wall where the stained glass might lie.
"You mentioned the Singing Saints of Balentyne? What praytell do you speak of? - is the chapel of the tower blessed by spirits?"
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Male Gnome Bard (Demagogue) 4
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Continuing upon the line of conversation and dropping the Desnan thread to be teased later Jonas replies "Arms and armor... though most of our fare goes to the government so we try to keep our profits manageable. Yet there is always coin available for works of worth... what does the church require here?"
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Male Gnome Bard (Demagogue) 4
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Sense Motive: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (13) + 14 = 27 Any additional hunch by crushing the DC?
Seizing upon the fragment of thought, though cautiously pursuing it "My apologies, I mean no disrespect... I am used to larger cities... but I would have thought with the Watchwall so near it would not be desired for the dreams of Desna to cloud the duty and dissuade..." stopping himself to shake his head and bow an apology "I am sorry, it is not my place... I have come to talk of what I might do for the church in Aldencross. Though my party is here on business, profits can always be tempered by investment in fine works." baiting the hook and casting it before the Brother... nonchalantly though eagerly awaiting a bite.
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Male Gnome Bard (Demagogue) 4
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Jonas smiles and nods "Indeed sister, I would be grateful." making entrance and gamefully resisting the way that the house of the holy makes his skin crawl.
To the arrived brother he touches hand to chest then bows "Brother Addis, I am honored... and I am Jonas. My company has recently arrived and I always make it a point to pay my respects wherever there is a house of the Inheritor that I cross... though I notice graven images of other deities also? Is but the word of the Inheritor echo in these halls? - or does sermon to others hold sway as well?"
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Male Gnome Bard (Demagogue) 4
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It's fine - my posts have unfortunately been brief as I've been quite choked up with work - I'll be rectifying that myself over the next wee while.
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Male Gnome Bard (Demagogue) 4
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Nodding Jonas responds "Indeed I have sister... Is the priest or priestess taking visitors?"
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Male Gnome Bard (Demagogue) 4
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Jonas is ready to move on to visiting the priest.
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Male Gnome Bard (Demagogue) 4
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Scout out sources of poison while ostensibly looking for 'tea leaves' as the halfling in charge of the merchant wagon gets stress headaches?
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Male Gnome Bard (Demagogue) 4
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Terrick Malthazar wrote: "I related all of this last night, Bostarg." Doh! - my bad.
Jonas finds the news of the passage most intriguing "Now this is a most promising discovery brother. Well done, well done indeed." rocking back in his chair as he puts his little grey cells to work.
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Male Gnome Bard (Demagogue) 4
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Noting his brother's smile, Jonas ponders questioning him on it... but figures that after last night's confrontation he will not spoil Aedorn's thunder. Instead after finishing his bowl of porridge and leaning back to drink his coffee Jonas ventures "I plan to visit the church today... Terrick, did you learn much of the blacksmiths last night? Skorm, any rumours or discoveries of note in the commons?"
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Male Gnome Bard (Demagogue) 4
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Stretching out his back from the relatively short night's rest, Jonas awakens for the day. An opened door and call downstairs is made to rustle up some of what calls for breakfast, along with juice and coffee. Thusly equipped with a repast - Jonas awaits the awakening of the others.
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Male Gnome Bard (Demagogue) 4
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I can just see Aedorn trying to prove a point to Bostarg by just slaughtering the entire tower while we sleep :P
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Male Gnome Bard (Demagogue) 4
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Bostarg-Jonas didn't have any further plans for the night - but I'm happy to wait if others are finishing up things... or want to challenge him to justify himself when he returns from the wandering ;)
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Male Gnome Bard (Demagogue) 4
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Roger that
Satisfied with his late evening's work, Jonas wends his way back to the inn and to the suite.
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Male Gnome Bard (Demagogue) 4
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Jonas smirks at the discovery, but does not press into the bordello's midst - merely noting it's location mentally. Perhaps my brother would be better suited to delve within those depths...
Out of interest King Mark - how far are we from Balentyne - and can Jonas see it from the town?
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Male Gnome Bard (Demagogue) 4
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Bostarg maintains the illusion out of habit... and just in case a serving girl needs to attend the room at any point. 'Jonas' relays the story of Halvor below, noting "An opportunity presents itself there... though there would be needs to wait to exploit it. Though I am sure there are many threads that might be frayed to damage the tapestry of Balentyne. Let us spend a day to see the whole of the village at work in light and dark... then we can talk more at length of our plans tomorrow. I have a wager with Sakkarot that I do not plan to lose."
"Alazandaru might you spend some time in the common room this eve? Merely to watch and see if there is aught of worth to notice. I have some writing to attend to and will walk the village in the deep dark of night... just to see and learn. On the morrow... I plan to go to church" smiling and chuckling to himself.
Jonas then lays out his folio and field writing desk and makes sure that the light is fair. He begins upon some documents implicating a person in corrupt dealings with Branderscar - correspondence from Blackerly... but he does not yet fill in the name.
Late at night when the common room grows quiet he retains the skin of Jonas, and takes a walk around the town at night. He merely seeks to note the activity and see what houses (if any) of ill repute are still open. He also etches a better idea of the town layout in his mind... in case it is needed.
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Male Gnome Bard (Demagogue) 4
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Halvor:
Jonas smiles "Chin up Halvor, perhaps the man will catch a chill on the way and lose his breath for the performance. As for me I fear the road is weighing heavier upon me than I had thought... excuse me sirs, I will retire above." shaking the bard's hand as he departs.
What time of day is it now KM?
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Male Gnome Bard (Demagogue) 4
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Halvor
Jonas listens with a calm and sympathetic ear, patting the bard on the back to salve his hurt soul "When is the pretender and his flock due to arrive?"
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Male Gnome Bard (Demagogue) 4
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Halvor:
Jonas shakes his head "No Halvor, I don't profess to be so cultured... though you have not yet explained why this Marlowe has caused you pain?"
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Male Gnome Bard (Demagogue) 4
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Halvor:
Jonas looks to Bellam and holds up a finger to request a glass, challenging the barkeep to either comply or speak to him on it. As he does, he asks of Halvor "Who is this Merliew which you speak of? Twice now you have mentioned his name, and it seems to pain you to do so." intentionally mispronouncing the name of the one upon whom information is sought.
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Male Gnome Bard (Demagogue) 4
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Halvor
Jonas smiles and proffers a hand to shake before introducing himself "Jonas. And I am surprised as you to find the Weave identified from my poor rendition. A fine opera indeed, though I've not had the pleasure to see it ably reproduced. Well met Halvor, and might I offer to refill your glass?" inviting Halvor to sidle up and sit beside him.
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Male Gnome Bard (Demagogue) 4
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Leaving the others to their own devices, but sharing a knowing glance at his brother, Jonas moves downstairs. He takes a seat near to Halvor, and as he passes the bard he hums a refrain from one of Talingarde's more famous operas... hoping to garner his attention surreptitiously. A red wine is requested from the barkeep when asked.
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