Kolo stands up on his chair and squints through the smoky room to try and identify the fellow in question.
Kolo isn't sure. He looks like a nobleman of some stripe. Kolo has seen quite a few of them in town for the nuptuals.
Daris gestures Kolo down. "A bit more subtle, if possible..."
Daris' Knowledge - Nobility check. Should get different results than Crystal's given that Daris is coming from an adjacent culture.
Daris gestures Kolo down. "A bit more subtle, if possible..."
Daris' Knowledge - Nobility check. Should get different results than Crystal's given that Daris is coming from an adjacent culture.
1d20+7
Daris:
Kolo plops back down in his seat and shakes his head. "I don't recognize him. May just be a visitor to the wedding? I didn't get a very good look at him, though."
Crystal watches the figure walk out of the tavern, her eye narrowing in thought,
"Ahh, I think I remember hearing some information about..." Crystal leans forward to talk quietly with the group.
Crystal remembers seeing that particular gentleman in a large party of Garonan noblemen during one of her performances. Being a curious soul, she had chatted up other members between sets, and discovered that they were from Novorom, Garona's capitol. Although she hadn't gotten the man's name (he hadn't joined in the chatting) she knew that the group was part of a court delegation sent by Garona's King, Rollo IV.
..."My cousin says that ravens are disarmingly clever, and the only thing keeping them from being full fledged hazards is that they're relatively easily bribed. On the other hand, his kept trying to drop tortoises from a great height to get at the meat inside them."
Eaoden gives a hearty laugh at this as he can picture with his mind's eye the raven dropping the tortoise. " They are mini beasts of burden at times but I tell you this" at this point Eaoden switches to elven " Saesi air bai oli Ai tar ei shaeraes thol sal Valael caesi"
Taking a break from speaking to eat a bit and wash it down with a drink from his goblet, Eaoden gives a look around the tavern and after swallowing continues " I myself have only recently come to town. I am in need of advice from the council but it seems there's a big to do here in town and I've been unable to get the help that I need"
Sondergang ponders the matter for a while.."I will speak to our comrades...mayhap they have plans that will keep them in the area if so we can begin this campaign against the orcs as soon as we can..Eitri is right we do not have a written agreement with the caravan ..still I do feel some responsibility for their safe journey but I'm sure I can arrange for other guards to join them"
He bids the Elders farewelll and sets off back to Lumberton
Sondergang ponders the matter for a while.."I will speak to our comrades...mayhap they have plans that will keep them in the area if so we can begin this campaign against the orcs as soon as we can..Eitri is right we do not have a written agreement with the caravan ..still I do feel some responsibility for their safe journey but I'm sure I can arrange for other guards to join them"
He bids the Elders farewelll and sets off back to Lumberton
Fombur sends them off with a blessing
"May Torag's Hammer smite your foes! Good luck!"
Sondergang and Eitri make the walk back to Lumberton in good time. They know that the rest of the party has been congregating at the Eagle's Aerie. They head there and see them chatting with several new folks.
Navorn continues on Drinking, singing and wenching till the wee hours of the morning
The group makes their acquaintences durning the evening's entertainments. They get a decent night sleep at their respective beds, and awake to a fresh cool mid-Spring morning. Today Lumberton is abuzz as workers descend on the streets like ants, preparing for the town festival that will coincide with the nuptuals of Baron Vladomar and Lady Arianna. In honor of the bravery the party has shown, Lady Arianna has sent invitations to the actual nuptuals to the party. . Daris has a private invitation to a meeting the next day after the wedding to meet with the Baron himself.
Merzhan frequents the many tailors that have also come to town chasing the spike in demand. He manages to get his clothes in order
"We're going to a wedding!? I'm going to need some better clothing!" says Eitri as he heads out to find a tailor.
Awakening to the buzzing town Crystal enjoys a light breakfast in the common room along with any of her other adventuring companions, young Mellie also at Crystal's side.
After breakfast Crystal takes Mellie off into town, the better to add to their new clothes in such a way as to make the pair more presentable for the comming events.
So, thinking of adding 40 Gp worth of trimmings (each) to Crystal's and Mellie's currently brand new clothes. That should hopefully be enough to be fashionably attired for the wondrous Lady Arianna. ^_^
While spending the day shopping and perusing, of course keeping a weather ear and eye open for gathering gossip that is also buzzing about the place.
Gather Information:
Daris wakes early in the morning; it's still lambant gray, and unpacks her outfits for the wedding, hanging up the embroidered coat with the high collar by the window, letting the wrinkles hang out of it. It's of green velvet with the same silver-and-gold interwoven squares embroidered into the edges. The gown it goes with is two layers of silk, an undercoat of forest green and a sheer outer layer of shimmering gray, and will take a good stretch of time to hang loose.
Her murmurs to herself boil down to "If I'd known I was going to a state wedding, I'd've brought more to wear...". As it is, her hairnet with the seed pearls and opal headband will have to do.
She locks her jewelry up again, and puts the case in her pouch, tips one of the serving girls to keep an eye on her clothes, and heads out of the inn before breakfast is ready, into the gloaming of the dawn, a long package under her arm and dressed in her riding outfit.
If anyone follows at this awful hour of the morning, she's out to the archery butts, and is putting in her daily four score arrows into the hay bales to keep her skills sharp and to avoid losing her shooting callouses. Perhaps that fellow with the raven might have some of the local gossip to share?
GM Spoiler
Hmm, I have to go to the wedding? Well, at least I'm going with those adventurers instead of my mother! I'd better get out the good clothes... Kolo thinks to himself as he gets up in the cold grey morning.
He rummages around in his wardrobe for a few minutes, muttering to himself, before pulling out a suit made of soft grey silk. "Yes, this should do nicely. Not too fancy, but nothing to make anyone think, 'who let in that ratty halfer, anyway?' either." So saying, he wriggles his way into the suit (Either it's shrunk or I've grown ... I hope it's the latter!), carefully secretes his feather tokens, a tindertwig, his thieves' tools, and his spell component pouch in various places under and around his costume, and heads off to eat breakfast then rendezvous with the other party members.
Borondon also grudgingly buys himself an outfit. Not wanting to spend the gold on a courtier's outfit (or to be seen wearing such gaudy garb), he settles for a nice new traveller's outfit. He also bathes himself for the first time in weeks, combing the knots and lice out of his beard. When he is done he is hardly recognizable.
Corvus returns to the temple overnight.
The following morning, as is befitting someone who follows the Dawnflower, she decides to wear a fresh , long white chasuble and tunic, decorated with red and gold thread depicting images of the sun.
Having eaten as basic breakfast, she heads to the tavern to met up with the party of adventurers.
"Them Garonan's are a haughty bunch," One farmwife tells her over a wagon of fresh produce "Even the footmen walk about with their noses in the air." It's an odd statement considering technically the farmwife is a Garonan.
A victualler from a local butcher shop tells Crystal, "The baron's spending big coin on this wedding. I hear the presumptive Lady Tallifer is a Mellifleur, one of the most ancient Garonan noble families. He'll be travelling to King Rollo's court before long."
A hunter bringing over his game bag to the victualler, tells her, "The local Fey clans are none to happy with the marraige. They're already unhappy because the baron snubbed the Dalesman's Chieftan by passing over his daughter to marry Lady Arianna. The Dalesman and the local elves have many ties, both economic and marital. There'll be trouble."
Daris:
The local elves are a hard-bitten bunch by elvish standards. They are 'folk of the wind', dwellers in the high alpine forests and eagle riders. They are much more blunt and martial than most elves. They are rumored to be unhappy with the match and the implications that Lumberton and the surrounding barony looks over the Tharkad Pass for alliance.
The Dalesman are not in force at the wedding: There has been so many orcish incursions that they have not sent many men. The Black Dale is especially hard hit. A quieter rumor is that Himself was furious that his daughter was snubbed and that Tallifer had looked towards Garona for alliance.
Daris meets with Gemeselle Bright Hawk first. The well-built elf strides in with the peculiar gait an eagle rider gains after days perched on their avain friends. He wears a military kit to the meeting, crisp sky-blue elfsilk uniform with a shiny scale hauberk shaped like a coat of aspen leaves. A longsword hangs at his thigh. He turns his wind-burned countenance to Daris and bows.
"Lady to'Evaryth it is a pleasure to make your acquaintence"
Navorn awakes about the crack of noon, His eyes adjusting to the brightening room, which is in a disarray of clothing, tankards and overturned furniture. Reaching over one of his sleeping companions, he drains the last of his wine from the tankard, and promptly misses the table putting it back.
Cursing the sunlight, as only someone who had to good a time can he makes his way out of the bed. "Up, me lovelys" He says as he reaches for clothing "Burning accursed daylight we are, and I sadly have things to attend" He says caressing every inviting bottem.
Soon he is out into the town, grimacing at the sun "What one, does for his art He mutters as he makes his way toward the clothier And the jeweler
GM
He will be trying to have clothing made, if there is time. courtiers outfit, and trying to fine jewelry that matches. If he can not let me know I'll go with plan B
Navorn's companions flounce off to their tavern jobs and he discusses prices with the local tailors. Since he is performing at the festivities he is given preferential treatment
Sondergang has no time for fancy fripperies..his smiths apron and armour will suffice as always
To Gemeselle Bright Hawk:
She looks the commander in the eye. "It is not my job to sell our people down the river. It is understandable that he turns to his own kind and culture; he is not one of us. It is not permissible that his ties to Garona compromise our security, encroach past the borders established with his great grandfather, or disrupt our alliance against the Orcs and Goblinoids."
"So, speak freely of what he's doing, what you think he may be planning, and what justifications he may use in our meetings. You are closer to his words and deeds than I am, and I need to know how the man thinks, how his men think of him, and how the Garonans see him."
[Insert description of Garonan noble who Daris detected evil on.] "Any information you may have on this Garonan is also likely to be of use. In particular, his motives, aspirations and goals."
To Gemeselle Bright Hawk:
** spoiler omitted **
The eagle rider nods as Daris speaks
It is good to make yours as well, Gemeselle. Your words and deeds are known to many." She pauses, takes a sip of water. "It is words and deeds I concern myself with; as a courier for the Council, I'm here to bring their pledge and troth to the Baron Tallifer, and to bring back news of what he's doing here back to them."
Gemeselle smiles thinly.
"It is about time the Silver Council took an interest in the Darkridge Mountains."
She looks the commander in the eye. "It is not my job to sell our people down the river. It is understandable that he turns to his own kind and culture; he is not one of us. It is not permissible that his ties to Garona compromise our security, encroach past the borders established with his great grandfather, or disrupt our alliance against the Orcs and Goblinoids."
Gemeselle sighs
"I knew his great-grandfather. I fought by his side when the Snow Queen brought the Winter Horde down upon our clan. Only his bravery and the Hearthknights of Vesta kept this whole land from being overrun with evil. "
He sighs again
"However, the current baron is not his great-grandfather. He desires to be more than a marchwarden in a frontier land. He has grown accustomed to owning this place, as humans often do. They buy and sell land as if it were a handfull of grain."
"So, speak freely of what he's doing, what you think he may be planning, and what justifications he may use in our meetings. You are closer to his words and deeds than I am, and I need to know how the man thinks, how his men think of him, and how the Garonans see him."
Gemeselle frowns
"Vladomar Tallifer, 4th Baron Lumberton, is a greedy, fat grasping human. He constantly tests the parameters of the original enfeoffment agreement. He brings in Garonan settlers from over the Tharkad Pass. They spread ever further along the hills and vales of this land. He has no concept of honor or balance."
Gemeselle pauses and sighs
"That may be overdramatic. He is, after all, a human. They all desire more and more, it is the blessing and curse of their race. I will say that he is desirous of strong ties with King Rollo's court. He has distanced himself from the Dalesmen.
"The Dalesmen have lived in their valleys since my grandfather's day. They are closer to our way of thinking, indeed, many have elven blood running in their veins. We had hopes that the newcomers would merge with the Dalesmen, but the current baron has reversed this trend. His own men are torn. Those native to here are worried, those from Garona are in line with him. Many Garonan adventurers and mendicants now seek the shelter of Tallifer's patronage."
Gemeselle leans closer and whispers in Daris' ear. A pleasant smell of woodsmoke and bird clings to him.
"There are rumors that the Garonan crown wishes to claim control of the Tharkad Pass as their sole domain. To do that, they will need Lumberton as a staunch vassal. Thus, this wedding. The bride is a scion of a cadet branch of the royal family. She would not be travelling to Lumberton unless there were deals in the offing."
Daris describes the short swarthy man in rich robes with the unibrow and three moles on his cheek to Gemeselle
"Any information you may have on this Garonan is also likely to be of use. In particular, his motives, aspirations and goals."
Gemeselle frowns thoughtfully
"I am afraid I do not know this Garonan by your description. I will endeavor to find out more."
Gemeselle looks at Deris, his silver-streaked violet eyes wide
"Lady to'Evaryth. Do you think that the Silver Council will go against the baron if he breaks his great-grandfather's pledge?"
Navorn is delighted to find a suitable clothier and commissions fitting attire in the latest fashion for the occasion, he picks a rich burgundy fabric, then makes his way toward the jeweler, there he picks some tasteful, if eye catching accents for his new cloths
Courter outfit and the jewelry to match 80 gp
Navorn gets some nice new duds and some fairly decent silver jewelry. Sondergang and Eitri ready themselves, and find that the dwarven priest Fombur they had introduced themselves to is coming to town for the festivities as well. The two are invited to the dwarven party at the Lumberton Temple of Torag. Fombur speaks to them in private.
Fombur:
"We dwarves of Dwisby have not had a good time since the Golden Days of Tharkad. We are worried that this new alliance the baron is entering into will drive all hope of recapturing our ancestor's halls again. If the humans take over the pass, they will never let it go."
DM
"Then perhaps it is time for us to issue a legal challenge..who is the Barons overlord?"
DM
** spoiler omitted **
Fombur:
Daris looks down. "I wish that I could. But the Silver Council is the Silver Council. Human problems will solve themselves on our own if we're patient enough. I can only reinforce what was in the original oaths and point out that he did swear to us."
"I do not know what would cause the Silver Council to take action against him."
The mountain eagle-rider looks at Daris
"I am sorry to hear that once again the Silver Council will stand by and let the humans gain even more purchase on our ancestral lands. "
He rises and bows
"May the wind always bear you aloft and may the skies always be blue when you fly."
Gemeselle makes his exit
Daris has another meeting with Thane Jorrik. The meeting is curt. The Thane is not happy with the elves or the dwarves. He is also upset with the Garonans taking more and more land. He feels the Dalesmen are being squeezed out between their supposed allies and the Tharkadian orcs. He reminds Daris of the many ties the Dalesmen have to the elven realm. Not much is accomplished, and he leaves unhappy.
The day of the festival dawns bright and clear. The Spring has advanced, and the trees all along the gentle hills surrounding Lumberton are in full flower. The mallorns shed last years' leaves and their golden flowers burst forth in a riot of color.
The town is excited. It is packed to bursting, the baronial guard trying their best to help the city watch maintain order. The actual wedding ceremony is talking place in the Baron's castle.
The party arrives in good fettle. The entertainers are whisked off to prepare and the others are escorted to their seats. The ceremony will commence shortly.
Sondergang looks upon his comrades old and new and chuckles.."You know my friends..this is the point in a Bardic tale when the evil wizard steals the blushing bride and makes off with her to his dark fortress...mayhap we should be watchful"
Corvus looks at Sondergang, her face suddenly ashen. "By the light, you don't honestly expect anything like that in the presence of a priest of Serenrae. Do you?"
She casts nervous looks around before closing her eyes to settle her nerves.
"Ehh Lass..I meant it in jest..my apologies for alarmin' ye on what should be a day of joy"
Sondergang is dressed in his priests regalia..which off course means he is fully armed and armoured..
Borondon is cleaned up wearing a new traveller's outfit, and is almost unrecognizable. However, his chain shirt is under his clothes, and his axe is at his side.
"Wheres the drink?"
|
Merzhan sits with Cinda, his eyes scanning the room to take in his comerades. He sees the tension on the face of the young warrior and a small voice in the back of his head warns him to be prepared. He looks over to the lovely priestess of Sarenrae, and leans in to whisper.
"Perhaps it is simply the nerves of one who has faced much darkness lately, but I feel that we should be prepared for something ...eventful."
The ceremony goes off fairly well. Lady Arianna is radiant in her wedding dress. Baron Tallifer is dressed in silk and vair vestments. It is the first time most of the party have actually seen him. He is a red-faced beefy man in his middle age . He is wearing a florid scabbard crusted in jewels. He is fairly crusted as well.
The couple say their vows, and the wedding is moved to the festival hall. Daylight is fading after the long service. OUtside in the town the bells are ringing, and the sounds of revelry fill the air.
In the court, long tables are set up, groaning with food. The party is well below the salt, but there is lots of good eats to be had. Entertainers wander back and forth, juggling balls, doing flips and making jokes.
At the wedding table, the couple sit in state. The festivities are about at the halfway mark when Navorn and Crystal are set to entertain
-_-
Kolo somehow manages to keep from fidgeting or talking overmuch during the ceremony, but as soon as the party moves to the festival hall, all holds are off. He puts away an astonishing amount of food for a three foot tall person and starts to mingle among the guests.
yarting
Navron takes the stage, and strums his Yarting," here is a lovely song I composed for this most lovely occasion, to the happy couple" He says as he lifts his vorice with the melody of his yarting
singing
Corvus mingles amongst the guests. Despite Sondergang's explanation that he was just joking, she remains on edge.
Despite this, she makes every effort to be charming and say the right thing to the right person. This is not in any effort to win friends or influence people - but because of her faith and the fact that the marriage was officiated by a priest of the dawnflower.
The two entertainers manage to come off with good performances, although Crystal's nerves made her high notes a bit flat.
Corvus mingels and meets many Sarenrae followers. The Dawnflower is one of the most popular gods in Lumberton. Kolo manages to fill his belly full, no mean feat for a halfling.
The baron rises from his seat and calls for attention
"Citizens, friends, honored guests. Thank you for attending this blessed wedding and the alliance between House Tallifer and House Mellifleur. "
Polite clapping
"We stand at the edge of the Western lands, forever vigilant against the Orcish menace of the Silent Halls. With this alliance, the time has come to rid ourselves of this perennial threat. I call upon my Garonan comrades to join me in raising an army capable of sweeping the humanoid trash from our pass once and for all!"
Cheers from the Garonans in the audience, less from the dwarves and elves in attendance.
"A toast! To the cleansing of Tharkad-Kûl !"
Amidst cheers and toasts, the baron downs his drink. He suddenly clutches his throat and croaks. A gasp arises from the guests as he falls to the ground, blue-faced. A cry goes up
"POISON!"
The first thing Navron does is put down his wine. The second thing he does is rush over to the Baron to see if he can help
"We could really use a healer here!" He yells
Knowledge skill