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Aerodus laughs softly and shrugs. "I am a talented Warrior, I am beautiful and I am a skilled diplomat. I couldn't be a good musician too, that would be unfair to you mere mortals. I'd like to see you look this good at 86!" He smiled, leaning forward and running a hand down his jaw, to emphasise the lack of scar, wrinkle or blemish.
Raggo chuckles "I think I'm giving ya a run for ya money Aerodus!" He runs his hand down his own face, emphasizing the numerous scars and wrinkles in his tough battle worn skin.
Terra Takes a seat after greeting Cayosin, crossing her leg at the knee, and gestures for another drink before repeating what little information she gleaned during her efforts. "So, what have I missed? Does anyone else have more information on the problem?"
Cayosin looks at Aerodus with a smile, "Ok, I agree with a skilled warrior and diplomat. Beauty on the other hand belongs with the fine ladies at this table." Cayosin gestures with wide arms to include the all of women at the table.
Having heard what all was found, and about Cayosin's failure to get any information from Laurent, Terra says, "Why don't I go speak to this Laurent and see if I can get anything more from him. I'll make it as fast as I can." Getting up she saunters out and down to Laurent's house. She largely ignores the dogs and, before knocking takes a moment to make sure she looks good, then knocks on the door. When Laurent opens it he sees perhaps the most attractive thing he's ever had the chance to lay eyes on. She gives him a smile and says, "Hi, I'm Terra, and I've come for some information. I hear that you have seen the blue skinned devils yourself. My friends and I intend to deal with the situation and need to know where to find them. Would you be willing to do so Mister Bellaiche? I'd be very grateful." She lets her tone imply just how grateful she might be but makes no definite promises.
Trailing a finger up the man's chin Terra says, "Thanks, I might just have to come back and let you know what we found out. If I see any truffles I'l make sure to bring you some." With that she turns to walk away, casting a lingering glance over her shoulder for just a moment.
Once she reaches her compatriots again, Terra gives Cayosin a slight smirk before she tells them, "I got directions. The location he saw the creatures was around thirty-five miles north and two east. He described several landmarks that will point the way to the area where he believes the lair may be."
Cayosin sighs, "Well since my best diplomacy skills involve physical leverage, I will remain here catching with with Mr. Beauty. Unless of course, he is leaving again? Besides, I think all of the contacts I have made dislike me in some fashion or another. However, I am ready to hit the road to Verduran at a moments notice! Regardless If we leave or don't leave tonight, I am taking Blarprymja out to sleep in nature and then meet you all here tomorrow."
The next morning, bright and early, you all set off from Griffondale to find the missing persons and discover the mystery of "the little blue devils probably from Cheliax."
As you leave you choose, finally, whether to go straight to the Verduran (and Jojo's is on the way) or if you want to veer off toward Nellus Alakart's keep. Alakart may know something now or he may just be another resource after you've found the creatures. You may even choose to stop by Rudwilla's, which is less out of the way than is Alakart's, and because there is a greater probability that she knows something different about the creatures (her source being Richard, the fur trapper now gone to Cassomir.
In any event, the wilds outside of the village, though they be made safe, sometimes contain a predator or bandit:
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His head dropped back and his wings stretched to their full extension, the tips bristling, Aerodus rode at the head of the group, a smile painted on his face. The
"It is bloody beautiful weather out. The Dawn has blessed us and today, we will have answer!" He glanced back over his shoulder, smiling at his friends.
"Cayosin, Aliesah, how about a song? Wulfrun and Raggo can keep the beat on their breastplates. Perhaps Lord Crowley and Terra can join in also? I'll refrain, lest I spoil the mood!" He turned forward again and tightened his grip on his lance, staring around him for a moment.
Wulfrun raises a brow at Aerodus before shaking her head in a slow refusal. "The information from the baker leads me to think that Jojo may know the location of at least one of the missing. Jojo being an isolated ogre doesn't mean anything good will happen when six armed individuals show up though. However, we had agreed on visiting Alakart, and I think we will be visiting him one way or another eventually so ... All I'm saying is I do not know anything for certain, and visiting both places serves a purpose."
"Which way should we go Aerodus?"
Laughing wickedly at Aerodus' suggestion, Terra replies, "I've never been one for singing Aerodus, I much prefer dancing, the kind that two, or maybe three, do in the privacy of the bedchamber." She looks to see if anyone has begun to flush yet but otherwise drops the subject.
"Oh wulf, what kind of an attitude is that!" Raggo starts up a solid beat on his breastplate and lets forth a little ditty in a booming voice.
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At Terras suggestion Aerodus laughs softly and shakes his head with a rueful grin. "Ah of course, my apologies."
As the song dies down and eventually stops, Aerodus coughs in to the silence. "Raggo... Sing that if we ever must needs face a pitched battle. It was inspiring." He laughs before looking back over his shoulder.
"Personally Wulfrun I favour the Mage but I see the benefit of the Ogre too. Mage first then Ogre?"
"Personally Wulfrun I favour the Mage but I see the benefit of the Ogre too. Mage first then Ogre?"
Still stifling her laugh at Raggo's performance as she dons her helmet, "Mage first then ogre it is then."
Cayosin looks at Aerodus, "Come on Aerodus, you know we can not sing unless we are drunk so we can easily all ignore the sounds that come out of our mouths." Then Cayosin looks at Terra with a smile but does not say more. Then he looks at Raggo and laughs, "Besides, Raggo sings better than us!"
"Aye, the Mage would be good to visit before the Ogre. Is this mage hostile or does he have more information or both?
Cayosin looks at Aerodus, "Come on Aerodus, you know we can not sing unless we are drunk so we can easily all ignore the sounds that come out of our mouths." Then Cayosin looks at Terra with a smile but does not say more. Then he looks at Raggo and laughs, "Besides, Raggo sings better than us!"
"Aye, the Mage would be good to visit before the Ogre. Is this mage hostile or does he have more information or both?
"Probably friendly enough that he hasn't been burned as a warlock or witch by the locals, but unfriendly enough to live in semi isolation. Of course that may be more of a bearing of his intelligence more than friendliness." Wulfrun says pulling up next to Cayosin. "Apologies for almost running you over yesterday."
Gregary graciously allows Aerodus to take the lead of the group, keeping silent at his directions but agreeing when the consensus comes about that they ought to head in the direction of the mage first.
When Terra makes her salacious remark, he doesn't blush, but he does meet her gaze and wink, replying "It's refreshing to meet a woman so forward. Is this what all Calistrians are like, or are you the exception?"
After an eight hour day of riding through the Spring morning into afternoon, you all see a rise in the topography, a significant hillock, crowned with a decent sized tower -- brick and masonry -- that looks more akin to a squat military fist punching up from the hill than any arcane repository of eldritch might.
At its base are a small stable, a chicken coup, a vegetable garden and a quaint gazebo overlooking a rose garden, blooming in the sun. Only a few small copses of trees are in sight, providing nothing in the way of cover from the tower.
The carriage path on which you stand lazily approaches the tower before it continues meandering east toward Castle Grenwald.
As you ponder the day's conversations with each other you also wonder if the keep's builder, the Duke's cousin Rustin Ewerwall, was a military man, having built such a pragmatic keep without regard for aesthetics.
It is roughly 3:00pm.
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Frowning distrustfully at the small stable and the Gazebo, Aerodus gives both a wide berth as he leads the way slowly up towards the building, keeping his pace to the others.
"I think We best approach the Keep itself. I don't like the look of the Gazebo. I'm afraid that if we go over there..." He frowned as he caught sight of the Rose Garden. "Aye... If I go over there I might stop for a drink and some food. I would be murder to move," He laughed softly, whistling quietly to urge the horse on.
Terra gives Gregary a once over as though undressing him with her eyes before replying, "Most are, though we can be just as submissive, it's all got to do with sating our lust in the name of our goddess."
Looking at the keep Terra says, "Well, not the most inviting place, but to each his own I suppose."
"That it is, but...ugly." says Gregary, somewhat disgustingly. "A waste of effort, if you ask me. This place is looked upon far more frequently than it's beseiged."
He rides on his horse up towards the front gate, then, encouraging the others to follow along behind him. "Come on then, we've a meeting to have."
He calls out towards the castle, "Excuse me! I am looking for a Mister Alakart, I heard that he takes residence here and would like very much to speak to him!"
Before@ Aliesah follows the group quietly, as she thinks about the path ahead. She would have preferred to see her contact first, but the groups wishes superseded hers for now.
Besides, this may be the best path. We can always visit the witch later, if we need to.
As she walks, beside her Cutie nearly prances, enjoying the travel, sniffing out new things.
Now@ A very solid place. Makes you wonder about the personality of one who rules here.
Cronk! Cutie ignores the encroaching keep, munching of some nearby grass.
Please tell me who approaches the Keep's main entrance and who merely stays at the base of the hill, along the path and near the stable, chickens, roses & gazebo.
There is a 40 foot (rough terrain due to the steep incline & tangled grass) climb from the base of the hill where lies the path and accouterments.
EDIT:
Cayosin looks at Terra with a smile obviously with his man brain gears turning...
The looks at the Keep and laughs, "For a wizard, I think it is a sign of compensation. For a lord, perhaps it is more fitting? I agree we should knock on the door first before getting near the gardens or stables and possibly appear to be thieves instead of a party of adventurers. In addition, I think one person with the best person skills should go up to the front door. All of us up there could be intimidating and I surely don't possess the best of social skills unless it involves violence."
Nodding agreement at Cayosin's suggestion, Terra looks at Aerodus, " I think he may be correct, and that mean's probably either you or me." She gives the group a quick look, "Unless someone else has previously unknown skills with diplomacy."
I think that after an evening together plus today's eight hour journey, not to mention your backgrounds, you've gotten to know who among you is pretty diplomatic and who is most perceptive, etc. You should be able to send your top diplomacy PCs up there if you want. Or you can all start to go.
Don't forget your two Perception checks; most should get the DC 9 but only one of you, coincidentally, can get the second with a nat 20. And if you have Geography....
Cayosin observes the Keep and Keep grounds to see if there is anything else to pay attention to more.
Partially distracted by the conversation, but Cayosin's eyes picks up on something else.
Nodding at Aerodus suggestion, "I think taking Crowley would be wise, my family name likely carries little weight anymore, Crowley's family doesn't have that problem to my knowledge. What do you think Gregary, are you coming?"
Aliesah Leafborn, there are two Perception checks. Your first is enough to get the DC 9 (like everyone else has/ probably will). You can Edit your post and attempt the second; mayhaps you will get that nat 20...
Raggo looks around trying to see if anything is out of the ordinary.
"Aye, i'm not so good with new people."
Wulfrun proceeds forward to the entrance.
"Indeed, I can go." proclaims Gregary. "I've been called personable before." He rides up towards the castle beside Aerodus.
He calls out towards the castle, "Excuse me! I am looking for a Mister Alakart, I heard that he takes residence here and would like very much to speak to him!"
Terra gestures for Aerodus to stay with the rest and proceeds towards the entrance with Crowley. Not expecting an answer to the yelled greeting of Gregary, Terra continues up to the door. When she reaches it she uses whatever is convenient to knock on the door and then waits to see if someone answers.
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Aerodus dismounts with practiced grace, before leaning up against the flank of the large Warhorse. Valour stared back at him reproachfully before snorting and bending to begin to munch on some grass.
"Aye. Behave now you two, wouldn't want to make a bad impression!" He grins quickly before turning back to his slow regard of the area.
Cayosin leans over to Aerodus and in a low voice with a smile, ::"Aerodus, you mean only Terra to behave herself? You imagine what would happen if she made one of her Calistria advances towards the wizard? The wizard would have a teenage accident at the door.":: Cayosin laughs in his low tone.
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You all arrive at the base of the hill near the stable, gazebo and such, where the path continues east, and quickly decide that Gregary and Terra Minora will climb the hill -- Wulfrun is heading up with them.
As the three begin the trek up, everyone except Aerodus (obviously concerned with the gazebo) hears the voice of a magic mouth, with perhaps just a hint of a ghost sound accompanying it:
Hear the voice of Nellus Alakart and respond before climbing the hill. Please say, travelers, "Friend" or "Foe" and briefly explain your intentions. Please hand any scripts, letters of introduction or scrolls to my assistant. I am watching.
.... Only six seconds later an Unseen Servant "appears" near the three who had just begun to climb the hill, hand outstretched in case any papers are forthcoming. Unusually, the illusionary being is "dressed" in the fashionable attire appropriate to Taldoran servants of nobility -- this Alakart must be interested in putting on the typical Taldoran airs, unlike so many wizards.
No one notices that there is something, ...odd, about the tower and the grass immediately at its base.
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Geography
Gregary stops when the servant appears, regarding it coldly. "Friend, Gregary Crowley. I have no papers to give to you, and would wish an audience with Mr. Alakart."