Finn try to remember if he has heard of Shepton.
"It is time to go to check the windmill. Thanks for your help."
Freya looks a little bit surprised.
"What happened, good sir?"
@Freja- the Stout woman named Poggo says "Sir? I'm a woman you harlot; Now you just back away now. We finally caught the vagrant that has been burning down the buildings , and we arnt letting him burn down another." As she says this you see five to seven other people running towards the house shouting. several with clubs, pitchforks and mismatched weapons. Poggo also draws a weapon, a rolling pin. shouts of "get the Sheriff!!!, are filling in the streets.
round 1- daren, freja, Poggo, Dunny. misc townfolk.
@group 2- The group says goodbye to Stump and head outside when you get outside you hear a ruckus in town with several people shouting. Thing is waiting outside and climbs up to Oalins shoulder.
"So what will your decision be, filthy commoner? Do you dare to continue to raise that against one of such standing as I?" Daren taunts, the slightest hint of a sneer tugging at his lips.
"Oh, what is going on over there? Seems like some kind of ruckus down the street. That's not our hundred year old bard, right?"
Morgabir begins to walk towards the commotion calmly.
"I'm sorry, Thing, I really did not know you'd be back so quickly. Thanks for the report."
Seeing Mor already starting out that way, Oalin falls in line, just as curious about the local excitement.
"It shouldn't be something about us, but maybe it is something relevant, let's go"
@daren- The Man brandishing the club hesitates before saying "My friends will be here any moment now, so I recommend putting your weapon down." you see he doesn't make a move towards you yet. but he has not put down his weapon and you can hear shouts outside.
@finn- Afternoon, partially cloudy.
Group#2-
your group follows the sound of conflict and you come up to a shop, freja appears to be standing outside. about seven other townsfolk are surrounding the building, armed with farm implements. shouts of
"Finally we got him!",
"down with that bastard...."
"he burned my horses..."
"Dunny? he caught him?".
Virid doesn't seem to be around. he must have run off. Freja seems to be stunned with the press of people.
"Aww, sheesh, what now?" Oalin hesitates for a moment, weighing the earlier decision to act as two separate party's, then makes a decision and moves to Freja, asking when close enough, "What's going on? Where's Virid? Where is Daren?"
Freya shrugs and answers."I do not know. I tried to get an answer. But maybe someone better to charm them is better suited to get a decent answer!"
"Good folk, calm down! What is happening?"
Finn try to exude an air of authority while he try to figure what is happening.
Burned down the horses? What the heck?
@daren- your Display seems to work because he isn't approaching you. He appears to be waiting.
@finn- one of the townsfolk, a broad woman with a club (rolling pin) says "My husband caught the flaming basterd that has been ruining our town. Caught him red handed inside the shop. Donnel, and Wilabe are watching the back door, and the rest of us are watching the front. Until the warriors get here."
Daren snarls, but decides the peasant wouldn't be worth his time. Besides, the man was trembling and holding a club. He was no threat. Lowering his rapier, Daren moves toward the front door he had come through. "To think that such a lack of decorum and respect would be in this desolate place. I will take my leave now."
"Is Daren or Virid inside? This seems like a strange coincidence, happening the moment we all arrive."
To Finn, "Maybe these warriors they are waiting for are the mercenaries that were hired."
Finn whisper to Oalin:
"I don't think so. It seem probable that the culprit is one of them."
In a higher tone.
"Let's us see who was caught."
Finn move toward the door.
"Oh, wow. One of them? If he's in there, that simplifies things..."
Learning the lessons from the first goblin encounter and militia training, Oalin follows Finn towards to door, calling upon his inner powers in preparation to support Finn by possibly Daze the perceived aggressor inside...
Morgabir draws his falcata, moving towards the door with a grim look on his face.
"Okay, then, let's have you out. No sense hiding in a home if you're gonna burn it down."
"Your not going anywhere son." the tanner says. "you get any closer and I'll get you. " he seems ready to swing if you get close to him.
outside while you are conversing you see among the townsfolk you see several soldiers heading up the street, at the lead you see A well dressed man in studded leather with a red cape. longsword at his side. with several soldiers following with crossbows and short swords. as he gets close he says "Make room... we will handle this...." several of the townsfolk make room for the new comers. woman and children are watching with interest. the leader draws his longsword and shield. the soldiers load their heavy crossbows. some of the townsfolk back away but appear ready to jump in.
heroes go ...
Morgabir holds his action for the moment, looking towards the more talky members of the group. He does not sheathe his sword, though.
Oalin steps back from supporting Finn and readying the spell, observing, "Looks like they can handle this," and duly makes room for the armed men.
To the others:
"Keep calm. Speaking of that, where is Daren?"
Speaking the last words, Finn look Freya.
With a growl, Daren flashes his blade out and whips it at the club, attempting to disarm the fool that dared to stand in his way.
Daren whips his Rapier out and brushes aside his clumsy attack, the club hits the ground. The man backs away with a shout, "HELP, he is attacking me."
"Stop. He did NOT. He disarmed you. Look folks, this makes no sense."
Freya tries to deescalete the situation.
Shouts of help! he is attacking me echo from inside the shed. soldier move in to surround the home. Dunny continues to yell from inside. "He has a weapon!, Don't hurt me!!!" the soldiers move to surround the house with two telling people to back away. the leader (sheriff you assume.) shouts out. "Drop your weapons and come on out. Before anyone gets hurt." Gweenth casts a spell after moving a little back.
heroes go. like I said this isn't technically a battle yet this is to see how things play out with turns.
As she never drew steel Freya holds up her hands. "I do not think you want to do this."
What is casting Gweenth? It is not the moment to start more trouble!
"Everyone, calm down. Beside a guy yelling there has been no damage nor fights.
It seem there has been some big misunderstanding."
To the (presumed) sheriff.
"Let me enter, maybe I can calm the situation and get some explaining."
Diplomacy to calm down the people:
I am starting to guess who is the moron that caused all this fuss.
With the upstart peasant taken care of, Daren pushes past the man back to the main doors ready to leave the rundown shack. I can see why they want to tax these people extra. And what is all that racket outside about, anyway?
When daren opens the doors he sees a large group of people infront of the building. you see a large man with a shield and longsword pointing his weapon at Daren telling him "Drop the weapon or the troops will fire." Inside the shed you see a man holding his arm saying Daren attacked Him. He sees several soldiers pointing heavy crossbows at him. during this time he can hear Finn telling everyone to calm down. The sheriff is telling Finn to back off. Oalin and Mor appear to be shocked to see Daren walk out, expecting the pyro.
@finn- Gweenth appeared to cast protection from evil on herself.
the townfolk are holding their actions.
heroes turn go.
"Bah ha ha ha, oh boy!"
Morgabir sheaths his blade and guffaws loudly as he sees Daren appear in the doorway.
"What did you do now?"
Daren looks startled to see so many people waiting for him, and not in the way he wanted, either. However, Mor's laughter brings him back to his senses. "I entered this shop to speak to the owner when he threatened me and tried to prevent me from leaving. Honestly, these filthy commoners have no decorum or mannerisms about them at all. I would expect such savage behavior from brigands, not townsfolk.
"And you people," Daren says, turning to the armed man in front of him. "How dare you point a weapon at one of such standing as I! Do you not know who I am? I am Sir Daren of the House Del'Him! As a representative of the local noble house, I am quite agitated at the fact that ever since I have arrived here, I have been turned away, looked down upon, mocked, and even accosted! Twice! Now lay down your arms or you shall know the terrors that the House Del'Him shall bring down upon you peasants."
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Oalin looks at all that is happening, perplexed for a moment then, "gets it."
"Mor, you have to stop them from shooting Daren."
Oalin bucks up and sounds off loudly to all, "That's Daren, he's no arsonist. He can't be the one setting fires, we just got here. Daren is a fierce warrior, I've seen him drenched in blood, suffering many wounds and still taking on foes... if he wanted you dead in there, he could have done it, so... well, that proves... well, he didn't, and he could have and then escaped, but he didn't."
"He is a bit insufferable, but he can't be your arsonist, he was on the road with us for several days and he got here less than a hour ago."
Finn speak with a calm tone, trying to convince the people.
The sheriff looks at Daren in the eye, and counts "I will be taking you into custody, Then we will discuss it, Fell, Driven, get over here, Once again drop your weapon, 1,2,........." you see the gaurds tense waiting for 3....
you hear Dunny Wailing in the background, "He attacked me. he broke in, my door was barred. I demand the headsman, he should go to jail......"
Diplomacy is generally ineffective in combat and against creatures that intend to harm you or your allies in the immediate future.Influence Attitude: Using Diplomacy to influence a creature’s attitude takes 1 minute of continuous interaction.
Finn raise his left sleeve.
Dam, thinking that this damned mark will even be useful. That is on your shoulder, Daren.
"Look, this it the militia mark, it was done a few days ago, you can see the date. Daren was with us the whole time so he can't be the guy that is burning the houses here.
And with what he would have done that? You see a torch? Oil? Any incendiary stuff?
The shopkeeper had an hysterical attack an started shrieking for nothing."
The sheriff looks to the side at the mark, and says " Ok he may not be the Scarecrow, but That doesn't cover breaking in, and attacking a cizizen. I have several witnesses. " you hear off to the side Dunnys wife saying that the door was locked, and he obviously attacked her poor Dunny look at him. Several people say they saw a Half orc running away from the scene. (lol, just came up with that, glad virid could be some help.)
He also says, "Glad you are here, to help me take in this trespasser. unless of course yall are deserters you should respect the barons laws." he looks towards the crowd and they start backing away from you.
Daren frowns, but realizes something needs to be done. "Your town has done little to earn my endearment, but should you swear to treat and respect me as a noble of my position, I will come with you to defend myself and actions as according to the baron's law."
"See, Sheriff? He ain't gonna cause more grief, now put your bolts down. Nobody's gonna swing for this, and you know it. Toss his poncey but in the pokey, and then we can talk about this arson guy, what'd you call him, Scarecrow?"
the Sheriff says "Agreed; surrender your weapons, and come with us you will be jailed until the magistrate decides to talk to you. There is of course back to the alternative. (he motions to the Crossbows) but either way you will not be armed until tried or until the magistrate decides the punishment. If you surrender peacefully there will be no need for restraints."
At Mors comments "The man that has been causing all the trouble has been disguised as a scarecrow from the fields, your welcome to follow us to see where your "freind" will be kept. "
"Oh, ho, ho. That's a rich one, Sheriff. This lad ain't no friend to me, that's for sure. He ain't a foe, neither, and he don't deserve to swing, but calling him a friend is just plain wrong. Maybe we can help with this fire starter, eh?"
Morgabir wipes tears out of his eyes as he walks with the lawmen, chuckling quietly about Daren being a friend.
Finn look the door.
"Just to point it out now, the door hasn't been forced. The store was open."
The sheriff waves away Finns objections, Daren throws down the rapier with disgust. "Once this farce is over sheriff; ill expect a apology." the sheriff and his men take Daren away. with still not a sign of virid. the crowd slowly starts to disperse. the sheriff gives you directions on where to find Daren later. you can hear Dunny talking to his wife about did she see him stand up to the brigand.
Whispering to Mor as the Sheriff takes Daren into custody, "I think Daren is holding true to us keeping the investigation hidden. We should get the letter from him in case we need it at the right time."
Gweenth looks at the retreating forms and says "If we go bug them it might draw suspicion. It might be best to wait and get it when we need it. knowing Daren, I'm sure he wont let it out of his sight with the authority it gives him." under her breath "He Probably kisses it at night......"
Oalin takes everyone aside and tells Gweenth & Freja, "Finn, Mor and I got a lead on a missing, presumed dead, citizen. This Stumpy guy is the one who wrote the Baron about the Tax Collector, Randor. testimony so far is he's charging some steep extra taxes for protection and hired some thugs, but the town is evidently not in any danger from outside enemies, and he does not have permission from higher authority to do so.
The citizens formed a group and started talking about how to handle this Randor and then one of the leaders, Rocerd, suddenly went missing, he ran the windmill. We were going to check out the windmill to see if Rocerd might have actually left on his own or if there is evidence he met a foul end. And then all this happened. We should continue to the windmill, I think."
"Sound investigation, there. Seems there's an arsonist roundabouts, as well. Local law enforcement calls him the Scarecrow, possibly on account of him dressing as one. Possibly just because they're superstitious, as well. Who can say."
"I agree about the windmill, but we need to tread carefully. If these mercs are good at their job, we could be in for a serious fight, and if this arsonist is connected, well, I don't wanna end up in a burning building any more than the rest of you I bet. We're down Daren, for the time being at least, and who knows where Virid has run off to, so keep a careful eye out."
On the way to the windmill, Mor pokes his head into the jail to see the place and snort a laugh towards Daren, then continues to the windmill with the othera.
"I think that the first thing to do is to check the area around the windmill for lookouts. I am not particularly good or bad at stealth. Someone is good at it?"
On the phone sorry for formatting, Gwen the is about the same as you Finn . Niegher good or bad she adhors violence so no armor or shield to slow her down .