She smiles and relays the locations of the others with warmth, "Ryada has been among one of the gardens. Delman is still sleeping in the room provided him nearby. Frank and Artemis were teleported last night back to New Faces by the red noble who helped us last night. Queen Adora is just leaving the castle, I gave her a ring last night."
Joe chuckled at the thought of Delman sleeping in late for some reason. "Well, let's find the gardens, collect Ryada, and explore the castle together. Delman will find us when he's ready I'm sure."
"Now you gave a ring to Queen Adora. Is that a euphemism or an actual ring?" Smirked the King."But before we go anywhere, I'd like to ask for The Mistress's blessing in my position as King of Avalon. Also, do you sense any.. afterlife energies you've sensed. I'm asking because in some traditions, Avalon was a final resting place for some druids or witches or believers in Arthurian Lore."
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"Okay!" she simply says in response as they head out of the throneroom. A bit confused she states the word, "euphemism? I gave her one of our rings of communication."
A bit taken back, then she giggles, "Joe you silly man, you called upon her already, she has blessed you already. Now if you want something official I can do that but should be done at a coronation."
"I will tell you should I feel any spirits."
The two of you find Ryada smelling the roses. She smiles and comes over to give each of you a hug. She asks innocently, "What is the plan?"
A bit taken back, then she giggles, "Joe you silly man, you called upon her already, she has blessed you already. Now if you want something official I can do that but should be done at a coronation."
"I will tell you should I feel any spirits."
"I would actually want you at the coronation", King Joseph agrees. "It may ruffle some feathers, but I would never slight The Mistress, especially at such a big event."
"I know you have barely known her, but what are your thoughts on Queen Adora", the paladin asks. "It must be positive to give her a communication ring.
Before they greet Ryada, King Joseph stops to ask Jellena another question. [b]"Listen. The reason why I asked about Avalon being a rest place..is..Avalon was one of the places I could look for Cyndy when we both died. She practiced druidism and witchcraft on Earth. We were both 'new age' students when we decided to date. I mean, Cyndy might be dead already on Earth. So I'm keeping my eye out, you know?"
The two of you find Ryada smelling the roses. She smiles and comes over to give each of you a hug. She asks innocently, "What is the plan?"
"Though I'm King of Avalon, my ultimate goal is to get back hunting Dark Souls", Joe admitted. "So far I've found out the vampire regent did a number on Avalon while in power. Hopefully in a day or two, Avalon will be stabilized enough for me to leave, but that is just a hope. Everybody sleep okay? Get something to eat?"
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"Queen Adora seems ernest in helping and wanting your help. It is more beneficial for me to have a ring on her than it being positive. Very similar to those that have pledged their loyalty to you, just in different ways."
"Interesting," she says at the situation brought to light.
They both nod to you.
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Frank does a few aerial acrobatics for the kid making sure they are having a good time. They land at the Rusty Cauldron. He sits the kid down. Pats him on the head.
"Thanks, buddy. I don't have any coin on me as I left my clothes with the princess here. Go back to the inn we came from. Tell the barkeep to give you five gold pieces on my behalf. I'm Frank Steal of the Nighthawks. I will return to pay him in the morning. If he gives you any trouble, look for the nobleman in red that came in right before me. Tell him the same. Thanks, buddy."
Frank enters the cauldron and makes his way back to the room they were in. He gives the door a knock if he doesn't see the princess on his way to the room.
King Joseph leans in an smells the roses Ryada was smelling earlier. As the friends walk around the garden, the holy warrior relates the events of this morning's throne room to the elven bard.
"This whole situation has been eye-opening. As a paladin, we often ponder the times we must sacrifice ourselves for The Greater Good. But for the first time, I'm thinking about life after The Dark Soul's destruction. I feel like Avalon has given me a purpose to try and live through the dangers ahead. I now have a legacy, and I want to do good by my new subjects. I want to improve their lives anyway I can. I may be 'burdened with horrible purpose', but I eager for the challenge."
"Oh! And I want to offer all the Night Hawks titles of nobility, if you want them. Again, I'll learn more once this get back to a form of normal around here."
Artemis you can see the mansion, easily getting back to it you find at least half of the people have gone home and the rest look to be leaving soon as well.
Artemis just frowns as he enters, raising an eyebrow as he looks around, soon heading over towards the bartender in order to get a glass of wine before the ball officially dies out, "The hell happened in the twenty or so minutes I was gone? Is it really that late?"
"Sorry sir but Bert wouldn't honor that maybe 5 copper. I will wait at the Crow's Nest as I work there for your return. Thanks for the fly it was fun." he says in reaponse. Then as he begins to walk away he thinks out loud, "5 gold, what will I do with so much. I will have to hide it or it will be taken from me."
Frank you find the door to the Rusty Couldron locked.
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The bartender pours you a glass of wine and then simply replies, "It is past midnight. Also after so many scenes and the drama has stopped there is no more shows to watch. Cayden's Den is closed to a private party. After Lady Kol's sudden departure and the rumor of Excalibur buzzing in her wake many decided to check on their investments. It could have been a distraction. Most of the adventurers were commissioned to collect information. Then there was the iron maiden brawl. Lastly Curse Giver had a vision, though I was in the John at that time." He takes a swig from a shot glass and offers you one too.
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With a smile and a knowing look, she offers, "Now you know how I feel about the faith. Yes, I have been selfish with my time but when I am near a temple I assert the power to Shepard our flock."
At the mention of the titles of nobility she quickly counters, "I stood before you at the beginning that you would recognize me and let me speak for myself. My strong point of self was pushed aside to merely be announced. I allowed it letting them see I would defer to you. Its done now but my hunch was right. Kings of Camelot must always have two advisors, of course you can have more, but you must have a white and a black advisor. Merlin or in this case Merlin's Apprentice is your white and you will need to appoint a black. I am willing to take that position, to be of the world and give you the hard truth. Some would say it is the devil on your shoulder as opposed to the angel but we know well that life is all shades of grey. With that title, I will have more power than any noble."
She nods in agreement to Joe thoughtfully. Then at titles she brightens up, "With that and land I could move part of my family down here!"
King Joseph smiles at the thought of his friends joining him on this new journey. "Anything else of note in this garden that you noticed, Ryada, or shall we continue to explore mythic Castle Camelot?"
Artemis just nods a little, giving a small whistle as he takes the shot glass, briefly giving the drink inside a glance before downing a swig as well, "Iron Maiden brawl?"
She shakes her head, "Everything here seems rather normal."
You spend two hours exploring the massive castle. A thorpe could easily fit in it.
At lunch Arelius appears and directs you to the banquet hall. There you find Midnight in small form, Delman, Queen Adora, nobles, knights, ladies, and merchants waiting for you. As you enter trumpets blare and Arelius announces you, "King Joeseph and ladies Ryada and Darkling." Those gathered stand and wait.
There are nine round tables and the largest is the center where no one sits.
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The bartender nods and says to Artemis, "Yes it was glorious, the iron maidens were coming to fistacuffs over some paladin."
Artemis just nods, "Some paladin huh? Well, uh... who won is my question?"
"Well you know how most brawls go, no one wins. They were a mess, nothing too serious but it drew in others to the fight too. They all seemed pretty tough. Someone cast calm emotions or something like that and ended the fight."
King Joseph slowly approaches the large round table in awe. Looking to Arelius, Joe asks, "Forgive me, but is this THE Legendary Round Table? Where the knights would sit with Arthur?"
"Yes sire. Here is Arthur's seat. Next to it is the current ruler's seat, yours." Then he goes around naming the majestic names of the knights of old.
Then collecting himself he says, "Sorry sire, I got caught up in the history. They are waiting for one of us to let them sit and eat."
Before he sits down, the paladin king touches Arthur's chair with reverence. "Wow.." "No need to apologize."
King Joseph sits down in his appointed seat, and nods to other to join him.
He shrugs and goes to collect a tray and plate of food for his king. Once provided he gets one for himself.
As the others leave their tables to join you, servants move around to move plates and other items. Several knights and the Night Hawks are the only ones to do this besides Queen Adora.
"We were able to feed all of the folk in the square in front of the castle. We will go out again and you should join us." She suggests.
Its a rather small inn. You remember no one downstairs when you entered. The door unlocks after a few minutes.
"We were able to feed all of the folk in the square in front of the castle. We will go out again and you should join us." She suggests.
"An excellent idea, Queen Adora", smiles the King. "Let's go."
Arelius offers up an opposition, "Sire do you wish to delay the requests until later, or handle them now. There is only four and once they are done you would have plenty of time until dinner to feed your citizens.
The new monarch sighs. "The noble houses have been patient with me on my first day. I shall hear the requests now." Turning to the royal guest and the king's friends, Joe decides. "Ladies, if the need is dire, distribute the food without me. I shall do my best to join your soon."
She shakes her head in response.
King Joseph nods, then turns to the nobles assembled. "Lords and ladies, every though my first day as your king has not ended, I am grasping the circumstances the vampiric regent left this country in. We shall all need to work together to forge Avalon anew and bring prosperity back to these shore."
"Arelius, please bring forth the first applicant."
Arelius stands and produces his ash white bo staff from no where. He taps it twice and announces, "King Joeseph will hear the first request between Sir Lancelot and Meister Vannard. Sir Lancelot when you are ready the floor is yours."
A man in chain armor stands, he offers up his drink in Joe's direction and drinks it. He walks forward that he is between the tables and faces the king. "Sire, I am sir Lancelot, yes from that line. I first must apologize that I was not able to swear fealty to you yet. Vannad has been keeping me busy with mercantile disputes and product. He was suppose to have the product of fifty, 100 gallon, barrels delivered to my estate and an equal amount to my thorpe."
Once Sir Lancelot sits and Meister Vannad is recognized the merchant stands and salutes you with his cup as well. "Sire, I am Meister Vannad. I hope you won't take a bias for the title of nobility and knighthood over that of merchants and common folk. Sir Lancelot did not include in our agreement that I was to be assuring travel. His thorpe is on the far Eastern reach of Avolon, and if I had known that in the first place the order would be halfway there rather than in the warehouses. I have the order here with both our signatures."
Sir Lancelot stands waiting to be recognized. As such he rebuttals, "I did not make such contract as it was a verbal agreement."
Arelius collects the contract and brings it to you.
King Joseph looks over the contract. "First of all, Sir Lancelot. Welcome to Court. I imagine there are few here that can understand the difficulty of living up to a Legend." The monarch lets the moment pass, then begins anew. "Second, what is the purpose for both sets of 100-gallon barrels?"
After the knight answers the questions posed, the paladin king turns to the merchant. "Meister Vannad, welcome. Are you a barrel maker or do you just sell barrels for others? And what is the remaining cost of delivering the merchandise on this contract?"
"Thank you Sire. Light sire. We use oil for our lanterns. My thorpe is poor in comparison to most and don't have magical lights." Sir Lancelot responds.
"I sell oil. And get barrels from several sources. Well honestly I don't know what the cost of delivering 100 of these barrels to Lancelot. I have them ready for him to transport. Hiring likely 5 wagons to transport them without protection would be... 20 silver. Then using protection could be anywhere from 20 to 200 gold depending on who you hire. Using my men I would charge Sir Lancelot... a total of 32 additional gold for the transport."
The paladin hands the contract back to Arelius. Still standing, King Joseph takes out his coin purse and begins to count out coin. Walking over to the merchant, Joe counted 47 gold coins into his hand, then walks back to stand before the throne.
"The Crown has paid Meister Vannad the cost of 47 gold coin for the delivery of 2 sets of 50, 100-gallon barrels to Sir Lancelot." Looking to the knight, King Joseph adds, "Consider it a token of appreciation for your line's continued support of Avalon and Camelot." Turning to the merchant, Joe charged, "Meister Vannad, if are to appear before me again seeing restitution, having a better fixed amount that you are seeking would be ideal."
"Now!" King Joseph voice raised. "If you both come before me under similar circumstances, you shall not experience the generosity of a king, but his annoyance. Understand?"
"The crown considers this case closed."
Artemis just nods a little, "Magic huh, a bit anticlimactic for sure, but well, if it ended it ended... wait, all- most of the adventurers were commissioned to collect information? Like, that's the reason the Ball had such a gathering?"
Meister Vannad realizes he has more gold than he surmised and looks pleased until the king gets angry. He looks a bit dismayed. Though he nods, bows, and leaves facing the king.
Lancelot thanks the king, bows, and leaves as well.
Frank you open the door and don't hear or see anyone. Once past the door it shuts on ots own and the bolt hits home. You go up the steps to the only door at the top which is open. You see her crouched upon the bed with her glowing eyes analyzing you.
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The bartender looks at Artemis with a knowing look and offers, "Most adventurers come to this ball to find work, one way or another. I still don't know who is behind it but information brokers hired a lot of them to find out information on Joeseph Waskalis the soul paladin of the Mistress and Lady Kol of the Dimond Dews. As excitement about excaliber was the main rumor."
At that a man walks up in a fine noble's attire and offers you a card, "For your time and more to come if what you know is as worthy as I think it is." You unfold the card and read 200 gold.
Arelius then hits his bo staff twice on the ground announcing, "Mayor Timble with a request for immediate aid."
A small middle aged man stands up in blue noble attire, he takes his hat off putting it to his chest revealing his baldness and fumbling with it in nervousness. His other hand holds a cup and he salutes with it before drinking. He then explains a few things, "Sire you may ask why do we drink to you. It is for the memory of the holy grail and to drink to your health. Now to my terrible news, my town of Filderson is under seige. I came with a dozen men to get here to get our message through, only four remain, one will never be able to walk right again. We don't know who the attackers are, they use bandits but are far too organized. Our town was blessed and have more food than we can handle so we have been sending carts of the ever ripening apples to other villages nearby. I beg the court to send aid and as much military might as possible. We have only so many guards and luckily adventurers in the area that took up the cause, the regent would not help and this is the sixth day of me being gone. I have sold everything I brought with me but my clothes on my back to hire men to go and fight. I sent them with my son and two able guards. Please help."
King Joseph walks over to the harried mayor, shaking his hand. "I'm sorry we had to meet under such terrible circumstances, Mayor Timble." Turning back to Merlin's Aprentice, the paladin asks, "Arelius, what is our current number of available soldiers for deployment. And do we have the means to teleport them to Filderson from here?"
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"Filderson has a waypoint but I likely only have a beacon attuned to it. Though it is above the town in the mountain, there is no telling what could be in the caves. I can only transport 7 at a time. We have 50 soldiers stationed within the castle. You could send out a call for knights available through the throne. Also we have 200 royal guards on duty. The other 100 could be mustered in hours. Filderson has also called for help nearly every month and it turns out to be but a handful of bandits. I assume that is why the regent chose to ignore them the last few months. Though they never had trouble sending messengers before, nor did the mayor come on his own before. I am sorry to say my hands were figuratively and literally tied to make no attempt at help before."
"Well, consider your hands are no longer tied", the monarch stated. Walking back to the throne, King Joseph adds, "Send 25 soldiers, and a call to knights around the kingdom." Turning around to face the king's audience, the paladin king looks on. "If any knight here whom volunteers to rid Filderson of it's brigards will earn the respect and thanks of a grateful king." Joe looks to the Mayor Timble for a response.
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She pulls out her obsidian bowl and dice. She makes a prayer, "Mistress, guide my way, should we take the waypoint to Filderson? Three weals and a woe,"
Then she stands up walking toward the king, in her authoritative voice she starts getting things going, "let's make this happen. King Joeseph go to the throne room and summon who you can. Arelius take those of us ready to go to the castle's waypoint. Ryada, Delman and I each have beacons, we can speed up the process and scout out the area."
"Lords and ladies", the King of Avalon spoke, "I shall return as quickly as I can. Please enjoy some more wine and hor'derves until my return."
With that, King Joseph exits the banquet hall for the throne room.
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"Sire I can't send a message to the knights of the kingdom. I will have the Callers send out messages." He taps his Bo staff three times and a servant in white rushes up to him. "Take a message to the Callers that knights and volunteer soldiers should go to Filderson. Bandits and other threats are there. Fly the flags of the lion and beware of forces there."
He then will lead the Night Hawks and any knights in the room to the garrison. There he speaks to the lieutenants and captains in a commanding voice, "Threat level orange. White Griffons are to follow the Night Hawks, Captain Werner is in charge. Green Dragons are to stand ready and secure the waypoint from this end." With that the leaders shout out commands to their soldiers. As they ready he walks down stairs to a door he unlocks it and the two guards open the weighted door. Two more staircases and two more doors until you find the waypoint in a very small room.
At the waypoint he looks at the 7 knights and says, "The Night Hawks and I will go through with 3 of you. Then we will return for the rest of you." He takes his beacon and touches it to the waypoint, everyone going touches the orb and then he touches it. He and the Night Hawks comes back in seconds. We wait for the White Griffons: Ryada takes 7, as Delman takes 6 and Jellena, and Queen Adora takes 7.
He then returns to the throne room to report, "Sire, we were able to send 23 soldiers and the Night Hawks to the waypoint. We need to wait an hour before travel can happen for them again."
"Jellena, I can't go", a defeated-looking monarch answered the oracle unspoken question. "That's why I'm sending the soldiers and knights. I want to go, but I have a responsibility to the realm. Please keep me informed of the situation."
Artemis just nods, ruminating over the information given to him by the bartender as he absently nods, finishing his drink. Briefly raising an eyebrow at the nobleman's attire and the card, Artemis would hastily fold it back up, nodding at the nobleman as he gets up to leave, a bit intrigued, "Well, it was a pleasure meeting you Mr... but I think my time here has come to an end." he says, holding out his hand for a handshake before warily following the nobleman, making sure to keep an eye on his rifle... and his ammunition.