Aerodus finds Gregary petting his horse in the stables, cooing softly to the beautiful animal whilst stroking its snout. When the aasimar approaches, he turns, raising an eyebrow at the man's huge wings.
"Hello, young man. Is this your horse?" asks Gregary. "It's a beautiful animal. One of the strongest horses I've seen, and it's apparently got a rider to match." He steps forward and offers his hand. "Well met. My name is Crowley - Gregary Crowley. What can I call you?"
Raggo follows Aerodus quietly for a time before bursting out into an incredibly loud laugh when he stumbles.
(Edited some of my last post with additional info -- mostly thanks to all of Aerodus Aluain's edits ;P )
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Aerodus glared at Raggo when he laughed at him before he joined in. "Oh shut it you!"
When Aerodus found the man petting Valour he frowned, staring questioningly at the horse who rolled his eyes and brushed up against the mans hand. Aerodus laughed softly. 'Bloody great Warhorse you are!'
When the man called him young, Aerodus laughed softly and shook his hand warmly. "Greetings m'Lord Crowley, I am Aerodus Aluaine and this is my friend Raggo," He gestured at Raggo and stepped to the side, letting the men shake hands, before he continued. "And that is Valour. He is a wild breed of stallion from bear the Worldwound, hardy and resilient. Are you a breeder? You have a good eye!"
Cayosin's eyes narrow on Louis but remains cordial, "Thank you Mr Navrotescu for your hospitality, however I am running short on coin and need to look for work. I would not want to be a burden on you and your family."
Cayosin probably could live in the wild on his own but his evil dragon sickness cries out for gold. He then taps on his staff as a nervous reaction.
Gregary laughs, a resonant but quiet chuckle, before he answers. "No, I am no breeder. I do, however, have a passing familiarity with horses. My family owns a number of them, and I've learned about certain horse breeds. I've been trained in mounted combat as well."
He smiles and looks Aerodus directly in the eye. "It's one of many things that I know of." He gives Aerodus a quick once-over, noting the man's shining armor and weapons, and the fact that the warhorse behind him was Aerodus'. Then he does the same for the dwarf called Raggo, standing behind him. "And well met, Raggo. Who are you two? You look ready for warfare, and yet I find you in a small town's tavern. There are jokes about people like you."
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Aerodus frowned slightly, barely a creasing of his forehead, before he begins to speak. "I was a Crusader at the Worldwound, I have spent the last twenty six years of my life travelling and righting wrongs from Andoran to Ustulav, to the Worldwound and back. I came here to look in to the disappearances that are plaguing the town. And you good sir? What are you, a Noble, doing in a podunk town such as this?" He smiled, arching an eyebrow coolly.
"And to you Crowley. Ready for warfare, absolutely. You never know when Our Lord in Iron might choose to test our strength."
Aliesah follows Aeodus and Raggo out, and when she sees they are entering the stable she follows.
See Aerodus and Raggo in conversation, she takes the opportunity to see to Cutie, scatching her back. have you been a good girl
The Asino stretches with pleasure, wuffling under her breath.
Hearing Raggo's comment, she asks Have you being in many wars, Raggo? She turns to Crawly and says Oh my pardon sir, I am aliesah, Friend, Forester of the northern woods. I am afraid I didn't catch your name.
"Is that what you've been doing Raggo? After all this time it is no wonder I haven't learned anything." Wulf jokes. "I'm glad you came, friend. Most of these others are associates of Aerodus so I'll leave you all to get better acquainted. As for me, I am eager to learn more about why blue devils are suspected for the disappearances that occurred here recently and settle business before tending pleasantries."
Barring anything pressing Wulfrun bows to the group and grants herself pardon to head back into market to talk up the locals and learn more details of the rumor of blue devils and missing farm hands.
He stops tapping his quarterstaff after not progressing like he wants, "Mr. Louis Navrotescu, since you are a person in the know, have you heard any other rumors or facts besides in politics?"
Cayosin intimidates and is much better at aggressive diplomacy than peaceful diplomacy, and it shows. It also doesn't help Cayosin is a little anxious too and not getting what he wants.
Learning nothing more of the 'devils' or the two that disappeared Wulfrun seeks to meet with the Duc. After she is done seeking out information in the market, Wulfrun rides up to the Duc's keep's front entrance to request an audience.
"I am here to look in on some of my family's holdings. Or rather, that is why I was sent here. I'm staying for awhile for the exact same reason you are. It seems that one of my workers is one of the two missing, and that simply will not do." explains Gregary, his hand stroking his chin as he speaks. "What say you and I team up a bit? There's safety and strength in numbers, and if there really are "devils" out there (something which somehow, I doubt) then perhaps a group is called for."
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Aerodus paused for a moment, considering. He stared the man up and down for a moment before smiling. "Aye, strength in numbers. I know just the people too."
He turned to Eric, gesturing the boy over to him. "You are a resourceful young man Eric, how would you like to earn a few gold? I need a man to run and find some people for me. There is another Knight, freshly arrived to town," He walked over to Skylight and stroked the horse on the neck. "This is her horse, Skylight. I want you to run find her and tell her that Aerodus would like for her to meet him in the Stables when she can." He paused, frowning in thought.
"Also there is a woman, freshly arrived to the village, young and enchanting," He smiled at the boy as he blushed bright. "Aye that is the one. Her name is Terra, if you could find her also and ask her to meet me here, at her earliest convenience, I would also appreciate that!"
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Aerodus sticks his head out the door before roaring after the young man. "OI! ERIC! KEEP IT ON THE DOWN LOW WILL YA?!" He laughed softly, shaking his head before pulling it back in. "By the Dawn he means well..."
When he hears the line about the beautiful mature women, he bites back an oath. "BE QUIETER ABOUT IT MAN!"
Raggo doubles over with laughter as the young boy runs off with a little to much gusto.
"He thinks he's been given some heavenly quest!"
Aliesah smiles at the stable boy as he runs off.
I hope Terra doesn't hear him call her mature. Some ladies are sensitive about that. Oh well, I guess at his age, all adults are old.
She looks at aerodus. You know, if you need a squire, Sir Angel Knight, the boy would probably say yes. Who would say no to an angel? she adds with a laugh
While The Baron appreciates your sincere interest in Griffondale and its recent "trouble," he deeply regrets that he will be unable to make an appointment with you regarding, "an audience."You may get the feeling that this speech is well rehearsed.
"You are most assuredly carrying out your orders to keep your lord free from distractions, but where your lord grants you the write to speak for him in regards of his people, I think he may be perturbed at your neglecting of a Cavalier of the Star from Oppara and the party she represents in this issue regarding the disappearance of his people. What is your name Constable?"
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Aerodus sighs, moving to Valour and opening the stall door, stepping inside and beginning to brush the horse down. "Yeah yeah, laugh it up!"
"I'd take A Squire but I am not sure of how long I will be in Taldor. I'd hate to take the lad too far from home!" He grinned at Aliesah, before moving to his riding gear and pulling out the bag of oats. He pours the feed in to Valours bucket before closing the stall again.
"Mayhap you could take him as an apprentice Aliesah? He seems to like Animals and is eager enough."
He filled a bucket of water and made sure that the animals were properly watered, out of habit, before he pulled Valours barding across his knee and began to see to its maintenance with oil and cloth. "I learned about a Mage outside of the city, I was thinking about visiting him, after we have pooled our knowledge, maybe, if any of you would like to come along?"
Aliesah laughs out loud. not in his future, I'm afraid. But doesn't every boy want to be a knight?
Then she says
That sounds like a good idea. These "devils" like hunting in groups, over powering the isolated. Having a group counters that. Besides the company is good.
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Aerodus stopped, leaning on the barding with a far away look in his eyes. "Not me... I never wanted this, not really." He smiled, looking down at the sunburst emblazoned on the Armour, the symbol of the Dawnflower.
"I dreamed of working with my father. He was a Merchant Explorer. He worked as an acquisition agent for a large Merchant conglomerate, he traveled the world and brought home artifacts and trade contracts. They worked with some element of the Pathfinders, a shared interest. It is all I wanted to do and when I came of age... Well, needless to say, it didn't come to pass. So I did what I could, I channeled my anger in to making sure that people were as safe as I could make them." He laughed softly.
"It did not always work but... I try and will continue to!"
@ Wulfrun,
A Diplomacy or Intimidate check on "The Constable" is in order -- no need for a Spoiler, I know the magic number you'll need in order to get this guy to go against the orders of The Baron of Griffondale who pays his wage and gives him a pretty darn good life.
The Constable does agree, without effort, to relay your name and request to The Scarlet Knight, if that helps.
NOTE: Don't forget what will happen if you choose to use Intimidate, long term.
Having found little of real interest, Terra is returning to the inn when she hears young Eric calling for a beautiful, mature woman she finds him running up to her and telling her the Planetary wants her. Realizing what he just called her Terra is highly offended, "What did you just call me? I'll have you know I'm nowhere near being a 'mature' woman, I'm not that much older than you are." She gives young Eric a coy look, "Of course I imagine, a boy your age has no real experience with a woman to know such things. So, I assume I'm desired somewhere?" She has moved closer and her voice has become huskier as she teases the young man.
Constable's Office
A little irritated with his diplomacy skills and frustrated that Louis Navrotescu does not have an immediate need for him, his anger increases but know not to anger the clientele, Cayosin nods, "Thank you for your time Mr. Navrotescu." And with the stride of the horse, he is out of the tavern in a couple of strides. As he exits, he stops about 10 feet from the door and hits the ground with his quarterstaff. Then he looks around to see who would be hiring. He then looks at the constable office, "Maybe they have a bounty on someone one? With his huge stride, he makes it the constable office in half the time. He places his staff in his left hand to open the door with his right. He enters the constable's office looking for any bounties. If he does not see any, he asks one of the constables, "Excuse me constable, do you have any bounties or posses forming?"
Raggo scoffs in mock disgust. "Knights, I don't see the appeal of all the codes and fancy swancy what-have-yous"
"I wouldn't mid a bit of a hike, and if we run into the little buggers maybe we can introduce our selves."
Raggo slumps against a wall giving all of his concentration to running a wet stone up and down the blade of his sword.
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Aerodus snorted softly and shook his head with a grin. "Everyone has a code Raggo, even yourself. Are we any different, you and I?" Aerodus arched an eyebrow, setting down the barding which shone in the light streaming in through the open door.
"I am a Warrior just like you, I carry the same type of weapon as you!" He drew the mighty greatsword from his back, twisting it and driving the point down in to the ground, resting his hands on top of the pommel and staring at the man with am arched eyebrow.
"We wear the same Armour!" He clashed a steel clad arm against the breastplate of his Armour. "Is it just that you are afraid of horses?" Aerodus laughed softly and shook his head as he moved to his tack once again and began to saddle up Valour.
"I jest of course. But you are right, if we run in to these creatures, we will give them a stern talking to, Gorum style." He smiled as he worked, checking and rechecking each piece of equipment as he fitted it, making sure each piece was fully repaired and fitted tight. He lost himself in the fitting of the tack and barding, attaching the steel faceplate last as Valour brushed his head against his shoulder.
'Soon my friend, soon. We will get out in to the field soon!'
I appreciate your future endeavors. My name is Wulfrun Taverner, and since your lord wont have audience with myself, what of you? Could you shed light on the disappearances that have started a blaze of rumor consisting of blue devils no less?
It is apparent around the village of Griffondale that people are concerned.
It is also apparent that they have not the gumption to do anything actively about it.
Cayosin sighs and tries his hand at diplomacy again, "Do you have any extra information regarding these "Blue Devils or possible invasion. Lastly, what would be the estimate maximum pay out for this job?"
Wulfrun returns to the market speaking to her horse along the way, "Seems we wasted the journey here for naught. I know, it was much easier just following orders and edicts from my brother and his branch. We can head back to Cassomir tomorrow if you're up for it. Although it was good to see Aerodus again. Perhaps we should consult him, he would certainly know what to do."
"Right you are Aerodus, as per usual." The dwarf stands up straighter and taps an armored fist against his own chest.
He sheathes his heavy blade as he sees the boy approaching. "What's with this place and angels? Do I look like and angel?" He looks up and down his brutish frame "HA!"
"Angels? No boy. Fighting devils though, if that's what they are is exactly why we're here. As for ol' Jojo as long as he keeps to himself he'll have no trouble from me."
"Are these men currently in Griffondale and is there anyone else looking into this?"
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Aerodus straightens from cinching the last strap on the barding, brushing his hands off and stepping up beside Raggo. He smiled at the boy Raggo was speaking to and spread his wings out wide, stretching them to their full extent. "We may not be Angels, we don't need to be though. We are just good people here to help. And Raggo is one of the best of us!" Aerodus smiled before grabbing the Greatsword with one hand and twisting it, slamming it home in to the sheath on his back.
When Aliesah emerges from the tavern to speak to Aerodus and Raggo, Gregary takes notice immediately, not only of her weapons and arms but also of her...qualities. He smiles broadly and approaches, offering up his hand. "Hello, young lady. Are you an associate of these young men who I've just made the acquaintance of? Aerodus did just mention a woman, "young and enchanting", and sent a boy to find her."
He grins. "That boy must have gone the wrong direction."
If Aliesah offers her own hand, instead of shaking it Gregary will take it and press his lips into the top of her hand, murmuring "Well met."
ah, a gentleman. Enchanted. Aerodus, you could take lessons.
Aliesah laughs again. well since everyone seems to be coming back, perhaps we should ajorn back to the inn for a working lunch. Topic, blue devils and their removal.