I don’t know what accommodations are available near this town, but my tent is quite large. Should fit four of us if necessary. Beyond that...if some has another tent, Bess can haul it for us
Virid gestures toward the donkey that he has already begun harnessing.
Never thought to buy a tent, thought that would be provided by our higher ups in we needed them. How far away is the town I wonder?
(Trait:Possessed = can roll one Know check per day as if Class Skill)
Oalin packs up his not-so-meager-now belongings, "Hey, Virid, can Bess handle extra stuff? I mean, y'know, the stuff that would make the squad weighed down? I wouldn't presume to ask if she could carry everything, just sorta the extra things that would make our load lighter and make the march a little easier for us?"
"You got it, boss. I plan on letting our talkers do the investigating, and us more rustic folks can provide the backup. Just in case it's needed, of course. Any info on the man in question? Habits, peraonality, wife, lover, whatever you know could help us out."
Once back with the squad, Morgabir lays out their task.
"Subtle is the name of the game. We have to find out evidence before we can do anything, and any strongarm tactics or really aggressive actions are gonna block back on us in a bad way. I dunno if we can trick this fellow somehow, seduce him or blackmail him or what, but if we can keep b it quiet and get the swiped gold back, well come out looking like heroes. On the downlow, but heroes still."
Oalin's wheels start spinning...
"How exactly are the taxes collected, and for what?" He looks around at the others for answers, but continues before anyone can reply, "I mean, is it a weekly, monthly, season thing? Who is subject to the collection? Everyone who happens to be in the town, or just the merchants, or all the residents, but no visitors?"
Oalin screws up his face a little as he seems to think he might be on to something, "Who is the next highest in his command? I mean, who's job is it to keep tabs or audit his books? Seems we need a base of knowledge to move forward or we're just wandering in the dark and could tip him off by stumbling about with inquiries..." Oalin shrugs and tapers off, then closes his eyes and continues his monologue, "If I were a tax collector, and I were skimming coin, I'd know who audits me and how often. Hmm... Maybe I'd keep two books, one with false info for inspection, and the one that reflects reality that I keep totally hidden.
Or not. Maybe no second book, cuz it might be discovered and used against me. Hmm..." Oalins train of thought wanders again, until he suddenly has a fresh thought, "We definitely need to know if the tax is a flat fee. If it is, then its just simple math to discover the truth!!"
The naïve and physically underperforming youth shows a spark of inspiration, "Ummm... I think we need to know from the person he sends the taxes to what their numbers are, y'know, what was received by them, right? So we have a base to compare them to what we find out either by the book, a seconds set of books, or how the taxes are collected... Right? Oalin finally stops, searching the faces of his squadmates for evidence of approval.
Does seem like we would need some starting information to catch him for sure. We probably won’t find a diary that says “today I stole money from the tax rolls”. A copy of what he sent in to his superior sounds like the bare minimum we need. And how the taxes are calculated.
Virid pauses for a moment looking thoughtful.
And yes, Bess should be able to haul extra gear that we don’t need on our person. No point is lugging lanterns around during the day!
"Taxes are a sensitive subject for most," Daren points out. "But, once I meet with some of the nobles, I should be able to get some information out of them," he adds rather confidently.
"It seem you have several good ideas. We need a letter of introduction from Lord Markam to the superior of the tax collector and his location, so that we can get the information on what was paid and how it is calculated. If that superior can be trusted.
With those information we can take the next step.
Getting the letter seem the job for you, Daren."
Finn think a moment.
"If the money is sent directly to the Lord, we need the amounts received in the last years, to see if they have changed and when.
And we need some information on the mayor of the town, to see if he is involved. If not he will be a great source of information."
My very presence would be much more effective than any letter, Daren inwardly thinks. Then again, speaking with Lord Markam before leaving would cement my presence in the mission and help raise my prestige here. And with his thinking twisted completely around, Daren seeks out Lord Markam to quietly request a letter of recommendation with the nobles of the town and area.
Brock says, "If they were like our town, its a yearly amount. Collected by a single collector. Which then in turn hold the money until a armed caravan shows up then gives over his books and the money less expenses. They collect taxes from the sale of crops, and goods in town as well as a yearly "rent" on the land." he looks towards Oalin, and the rest. " Do none of you know how the Barron's tax system works?" Brock looks up. "The Baron would have already looked at the books, Oalin. So there's nothing there if he cant prove a crime has been commented." when Gweenth and some of the others look at him, he shrugs "What?, soldiers are stuck doing all kinds of stuff..... Guarding those things and whatnot."
@Daren , Lord Markam meets with Daren and after a few minutes of small talk tells him "Daren, I think you should be able to handle this. I got faith in you, You were my candidate for the Squad leader, but even though this is my army Father thinks that Feiram with his experience should be in charge. I would love to prove him wrong. Can you do this and not cause me any embarrassment?" he writes a quick note for Daren "This is a letter of introduction to the mayor. saying that your my representatives. Don't show him this unless you are certain he is not also in this." when asked about the other nobles in the area of town, Markam scoffs "I was lucky to have found one in your town. Daren, If your bloodline is true, don't expect finding very many nobles in these small towns."
Oalin goes redfaced at the rebuttal from Brock, "I never had to pay attention to any of that sort of thing before, so... well, it's new to me. I just got a little ahead of myself, maybe..."
Frya just listens to the briefing and makes herself a few mental notes.
"Nope, never had much use for coin or taxes or townsfolk in general. This is all new to me, which is why I figured our talkers and nobles in the crew would be of best use. Maybe we can show up as the "guardsmen" to take custody of the coin? Although that seems a little too overt. Maybe just normal folks passing through, adventurers or travelers or what."
@Daren- You cant think of anything more about the Tax system.
@everyone- if there is nothing else, we will head out the following morning. taking Gweenth.
"Finn, maybe a song to make trail lighter on our feet?"
Freya is ready, with Bjoern at her side to move out!
"Sure, a rousing marching song."
Oalin ponders aloud, "So... I suspect we get the lay of the town at first, but after that, what? Maybe we should not really make a plan now without gathering information first, huh?" Oalin thinks back to Brocks chastisement, "To stay away from assumptions, I guess..."
"Yeah, it's probably best if we enter the town as separate groups. Either that, or play it up as travelers just sticking together for road safety, rather than a squad on a mission. We're more likely to get on the locals' good side if they don't see us as an organized threat. "
Gweenth gathers her things, as Brock watches you get ready. Once he realizes no one is asking him to get ready he says "Hot Damn! I'm staying here....." he then lays back down and is swiftly asleep in mere moments.
Gweenth heads then outside the castle, with the others as the sun comes up the horizon. she asks as she is walking with the rest on you. "has anyone heard of this town? I've been asking around the camp but i haven't found anyone. "
Lowick is a small town only of about 40 people, divided in half by humans and Halflings, known for their farming. no inn or tavern in town.
the mayor of Lowick ,Mayor Shepton is a retired bard in a wheelchair, in his younger days he fought the witch-kings armies when the they invaded, also it was rumored that many years ago he was also a part of the "Great Dragon Compact"
Unsurprisingly, Oalin is clueless.
Why would anyone care to know about some backwater place like Lowick, anyway?
And, to know location, distance and routes to get there:
Virid shakes his head.
I guess I never thought I’d leave Knob’s Mine. And most of the stories I’ve heard were about the capital. But...a town is a town, right? How different could it be?
knowledge (geography)
"That's what I was thinking; a towns a town, right? Once you've seen one group of soft living merchants and craftsmen, you've seen em all. We'll just have to adapt when we get there."
"Well gentleman we can talk while we walk. Daylight is wasting!"
In no specific order your group heads down the road happy to have your freedom again after a month of hard training, soaking up the sunshine The sun barely two hours from sinking, on the third day of travel into the horizon. The setting rays reflect off a stream that parallels the main road. The trip has not been difficult, and in addition there has been no encounters on the road from goblins and only one or two farmers traveling.
When out of the quiet a echo makes it to your group of a heated argument, when you crest the rise you see that the two people arguing are none other than a Halfling child and a older man merchant on a wagon. They have not heard your group approaching, lost in their argument.
(you have a moment as you are walking up or hiding.)
@Daren and Finn- before you leave Fieram comes up to both of you and says remember our agreement you must send word one a week, no later than two to this castle or your holding and family will be forfeit, unless you hear different.
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"Finn, look! I've never seen such a small child speaking so well - and making arguments! They'll be a genius by the time their grown up!" An intrigued Oalin nudges Finn and whispers to him.
Daren sighs at Oalin's comment. Leave it to the commoners to take note of each other. What good will come of mingling with such these peasants without reason?
You see Finn face turning red after Fieram order.
"Some other impossible order?!"
Finn roll hup his sleeve.
"Put in your slave mark and go to Hell."
"look runt," shouts the teamster, rising from his seat atop the cart. "I don't need this, its been a long day already, and I don't need a lousy kid keeping me from supper. now get outta my way or I'm going to swat you. til you go home crying to mommy."
"But sir" the halfing kid reply's "I'm out here wondering if your from the Baron. he rote he might send somebody"
"Well it aint me, and if you ask me you deserve a good whuppen. bugging people on the road." with that the kid moves to the side. as the driver whips the mules to pull the wagon.
"Well isn't he just a ray of sunshine" Gweenth replies.
@finn- Firearm is please you decided to take this route. "Tis nothing personal, Son." as he takes you to get the brand before leaving. Brock happily speaks up, "I got two!."
@everyone- feel free to talk to one another you should be getting to know each other. not just saying what your characters doing. If no one reaches out, don't expect others to also. character can always talk to others just place spoilers, or a "-----------" to designate a conversation. they will be out of time from events. Remember YOU!, make the campaign as good as you wish it.
The word 'baron' does catch Daren's attention, though. "Seems they're already expecting someone here," Daren points out. "Might be a chance to find out something about the town."
"Ho, lad! What is it that has you so riled?" Daren asks, suddenly much less hesitant to speak to the commoner.
"So, what is so great about this mission that has you all riled up, boy?" Daren asks.
Surprised slightly by Daren initiating a conversation with him, Oalin admits openly, "You know I can't fight as good as any of you, and I can't do the physical stuff well like those exercises we've been doing at camp... To be honest, this mission is the least likely one that would see me killed or cause me to embarrass myself."
He gets a little more strident, "I'm not like you, this militia stuff and fighting does not come easy to me as it does to you. I get that I have to do my part, but if they provide a choice, damn right I'm going to push for the one that has the best survival chance for myself."
"I dunno, we'll see, I guess. I don't see much value in learning that kind of stuff, not for someone of my birth. I guess I just want to do my duty for now, maybe travel a little more round and about Damara and see where that takes me." Oalin gets serious with Daren and some determination can be seen in his eyes, "I know one thing, though, even if I am not good at fighting with swords and stuff, I won't let you or the others down like I did against those goblins that first march..."
Oalin takes a breath, about to continue, thinks better of volunteering what he feels might be too much, and makes the resulting silence awkward.
During the travels Freya nods to Finns new bandage.
"It was a good decision. They did blackmail and you stood up to it, but the moment your family was truly threatened, you choose the wise path."
Finn reply to Freya
"When people stack the deck to make you fail, you cahnge game."
"Indeed. Convictions make you strong,but pride makes you weak!"
“Freya, you seem to be in touch with nature even moreso than myself, could I ask your help in locating and harvesting some of the natural elements and plants I need for creating some helpful concoctions?”
The Halfling kid looks at Daren, "Geez sir, your not going to hurt me are you?" looking at the others on the road. and their weapons, "I was told to wait out here, are you from the baron? I've been waiting outta here for a long time." he looks at the group expectantly.
Freya nods at Oalin words and smiles.
"Of course. That is a very good idea and we should take a moment. This land is a treasure trove for potent herbs and roots.
If my nose is not lying to me over there should be some marigold."
"I don't think we're the one's you are looking or waiting for. My name is Oalin, by the way, who might you be?
"Who told you to wait for someone from the Baron out here? That seems like an odd request to make of a child..."
Fin draw Oalin back and say in a fake wisper easy to overhear:
"Denying it is no good, he has recognized us. Let's hear him"
Virid turns discreetly to Finn in passing, whispering,
Are you sure about this? Once word is out that we’re not simple visitors...it’s going to be hard to appear casual.
Continuing on, he stops by Freya.
Well, I don’t know what all the ruckus here is, but shall we continue?
Virid holds out his arm for his traveling companion.