Andre, overhearing the comment, scowls. "Our first order of business should be to report to our employer, of course. If that's possible and he's not left the city..."
Ihon nods but does not say anything, looking about the city while scratching the scars on his neck.
Sazu, after receiving a somewhat harsh reminder over their main mission, slumps and agrees.
"Sorry, a bit of tunnel vision there. Please, lead the way Andre. Hopefully, we're not too late."
You can find Nicolas in a somewhat small, but rather well organized office in the governmental quarter of Kintargo. He clearly doesn't intend to use the office for very long and he hasn't bothered to make it feel "homey" at all, just functional.
When you come in he motions for you to sit, even though there are only two chairs for guests, seeming not to care that the rest of you will have to stand. Good day. My imp tells me you have news and that you met with success? Please do tell me of your heroics.
He makes a waving motion and a small quill begins to take notes on its own nearby and Nicolas just sits back, relaxing as he listens.
Ihon idly scratches the scars on his neck as he looks about the room. Yes. We succeeded, he says, to no one in particular.
Sazu takes the lead here, pushing forward a lightly scuffed journal, wrapped in a thin leather hide.
"Here are the specifics for your later perusing. But as my arcanely talented comrade has stated, yes we succeeded. There was an attempt at summoning something nasty in a cave nearby the outpost, in the forested area, and with a bit of effort we were able to subdue, or should I say slaughter the perpetrators."
Nicolas nods as the quill writes and he seems intrigued. Who...or what...were the perpetrators? And those rangers weren't a problem for you were they?
The man leans forward and digs under his desk. He removes a pouch and opens it, pulling out a small brooch with the Chelish flash on it for each of you. He motions for you to pick them up as he speaks, In recognition of your service. Wear them proudly. He then pulls out another small satchel, handing it to whoever is closest without opening it. And this as well.
When opened, the small satchel contains 2,163gp worth of assorted precious gems.
Amideo smiles when the brooches are presented. He pins it to his tabard and salutes crisply, saying, ”I shall not dishonor the flag or the queen it represents! My word is my bond.”
Ihon nods and affixes the brooch to his cloak deliberately, seemingly taking great pains to place it perfectly.
Andre nods and takes the brooch, but seems more hesitant than the rest to wear it, simply keeping it in his hand for the moment.
"Thank you, sir. Might I ask--does the Crown have other duties for us now, or will that be all?"
Nicolas nods, The crown always has duties for us all. You next assignment is one that is a fair bit more...complicated. Provisional Governor Alterras has requested aid in Blackridge. I'm told that there are small villages that have been beset by rebels and Strix that would otherwise be loyal to Her Majesty. While Blackridge itself is defended by the Order of the Gate, they lack the numbers to solve the problems of small scattered villages, particularly with so many rebellious elements in the area. That's where you come in.
He leans back in his chair. It is quite a journey, but we will provide transportation. You have three days to yourselves to make ready.
Sazu can't help it as his mouth hangs slightly ajar as he looks into the satchel and see's the small fortune of gems. How many books....how many ancient tomes could he...
He does tear his gaze from newly acquired riches to accept the brooch and place it on his shirt. He'd be more careful with its placement when he could change in a nicer tunic, and perhaps after picking up a good traveling cloak. A well-tailored cloak would be perfect for a badge such as this.
"Three days then..." Sazu repeats, making a mental tally of the time left before departure.
Andre nods stiffly. "Very well, then. We serve at the pleasure of the Queen." Pocketing his brooch, he heads out with the others into the city.
Ihon frowns, Three days. He idly scratches the scars on his neck as he stares at the wall.
Sazu, having run from store to store, visiting a bookstore for breaks, believes he has settled on what he needed to procure. The fact was he would be conserving most of the gold he's earned and funnel it through his comrade Ihon to produce enchanted items that would boost his capabilities.
It would be a long process, but a beneficial one.
He had mailed back his two leisure books to his parents home for safekeeping and has picked up two new tomes in their place.
When the group gathers at the appointed time, you are all taken to an older woman who seems rather bored to be meeting you. Nicolas speaks before she does, and seems much more engaged with what is going on. Elia will teleport you to Blackridge. Once there you are to meet with the assistant to the Governor. You will be responsible for your own lodging and I don't know how long it will take you to complete your task, so manage your own time. When you have seen to the Governor's needs, send word back here and I will forward your next assignment.
With that, assuming you are all ready, Elia will begin casting teleport. Oh, Nicolas says as she casts, We've recruited a half-orc to join you and he will be waiting for you at your destination. Please bring him up to speed.
Once the spell is complete the group finds itself in a large stone waiting chamber in the Governor's Palace in Blackridge. Arrac is waiting there for you and there are plenty of chairs and small tables to wait at while you await the arrival of the Governor's assistant.
Ihon stands staring off into space as usual. He scratches the scars on his neck as a small reptilian creature peaks out from his hood, chirps, then retreats within he folds again.
Arrac is leaning against the wall when the group suddenly appears before him. He looks them over with a mild distaste, his eyes linger on Amideo. Hmph. At least he may prove useful.
He wears a cloak and vest that almost fully covers up an exquisite breastplate worn beneath. Laid across his shoulders is an Orc-DoubleAxe made of black steel, however this weapon seemed different from others as it looked as though its two ends could be pulled apart, and reattached easily. Resting against the wall next to him is a large, monstrous Butchering axe wrought of Cold Iron.
Finally, after a long silence he asks. So, you the group I'm to be working with then?
Amideo gives a crisp salute and says, "Greetings! I am Sir Amideo Caluzzo di Solva of Cermaine, Knight of Cheliax, Third to the throne of Cermaine, Protector of Duzzan, and emissary of Her Infernal Majestrix Queen Abrogail II of the Thrice-Damned House of Thrune!" Once finishing his title he smiles proudly, awaiting the man's response.
Arrac stands by idlely, letting Amideo finish. His face a blank slate, as he was used to such, after all, he's worked for nobles most his life. He steps away from the wall, still holding his weapon on across his shoulders.
Yes, that is all quite lovely. You can call me Arrac, or, you may know me as the Wolf of Cheliax. Mercenary and hired blade. I care not for your titles, I only care that you will be of use, and not get in the way. He pauses for second, leaning
Though most of you nobles do at least know your way around a sword, normally. What are you lot good at? Gotta be good at something to be here. he rubs his nose as he asks, showing little proper etiquette.
Ihon doesn't seem to be paying attention to the conversation at all. And, beside the old worn walking stick in his hand and a dagger more suited to cutting rope than fighting, he appears to be carrying no weapons.
Andre steps forward and offers his hand to Arrac. "The 'Wolf of Cheliax,' eh? Well I imagine I can glean what your particular skill set is, Arrac." Tapping the holy symbol that hangs in the middle of his chest, he says, "My name is Andre Karoxin, servant to Old Deadeye. This here is Ihon. Don't mind him, he's strange, but he's a talented diviner. Phaedra and Amideo are both skilled with blades, and Phaedra's a talented performer as well. Finally, this is Sazu--a bit of a scatterbrain, but a talented scholar and supporter."
While a little taken aback at Arrac's gruffness, Amideo regains his composure fairly easily. He says,"Well, I do have a bit of talent with the blade, but my true abilities lie in the honorable arts of mounted warfare, as befits a knight. My horse Mahouf and I fight as one. Let me say with full confidence that you do not wish to be on the stabbing end of my lance when Mahouf gets into a full charge."
Sazu scowls, though he knows Andre's introduction is correct.
"I'm afraid I'm not much one for the blade myself, but any problem that needs a flex of knowledge and I shall be at your service.."
Arrac smiles at Amiedeo's claim. He gives a small grunt.
Heh, well, we shall see.
He looks to Andre. So, you are an archer then? And capable of divine magic I presume? And yes... my skills lie in making problems... go away. he grins at the last part
He then looks to Ihoh
While what little I know of magic tells me that divination is not particularly powerful in combat, it can be useful in gaining knowledge before hand. he grunts a nod at Ihoh as well.
Hpmh, might be a useful lot after all.
Ihon doesn't seem to be paying attention to the conversation, just staring at the surroundings. Eventually he takes one of the seats and looks at Arrac. Nice to meet you, he says, before turning his attention back to the walls.
A young woman wearing noble's clothing eventually approaches from deeper within the palace. Good meeting you, she says, interrupting any conversation that is already going on. The Governor would like you to assist in the quelling of...rebellious voices. While it is not expected that you are nearly capable enough to remove all stains of treason from the region, it is hoped that you will find yourselves able to address some of the discontent. She hands whoever is closest a map of the region with a few red marks on it. Those are towns where we suspect rebellious activity. But I am sure that the activity is different wherever you go. You will need to collect more information on your own.
With that, unless someone stops her, she turns and leaves, clearly feeling she has more important things to do.
"Yes, that's correct," Andre says with a nod to Arrac. He looks like he's about to continue when the strange woman who--presumably--works for the governor interrupts them.
"Excuse me!" he calls as the woman starts to depart. "What kind of rebellion, exactly, is being discussed here? What are the malcontents' complaints?"
Sazu shook his head in confusion. How could so many folks be so against the powers that be which have helped them make a living? No sense at all.
Arrac grunts. Doesn't really matter the kind. All we need to do is find out who the leaders are, and remove them. Should be sufficient enough.
It is up to you to find the leaders. The Governor doesn't exactly have dinner with rebels and ask them their names, the woman responds to Andre as she walks away.
Andre sighs heavily as she leaves. "Helpful as petty bureaucrats ever are. Well then! Which of these locations are closest? We may as well start there." He turns to the map.
Welp. Thats that, Lets be off. What type of things can he divine, exactly? He asks the group pointing towards Ihoh as he hefts the large axe up getting ready to leave.
There are a few towns that appear to be of similar distance, but the closest is about a seven day ride on horseback. It is a small settlement named Greenfall.
You will be disappointed with their answer, Ihon says, almost distractedly. We will find answers here, in Blackridge. And horses. A muffled chirp comes from the man's hood as he stands and waits, looking toward the door.
Then let us be off. I'd rather not waste time. He says after giving the human wizard a hard stare.
Sazu will visit a couple local taverns, those by the edges of town that draw in thirsty and haggard travelers. With quick wit and a story, he begins to prod for information regarding any news or wary warnings on travel in the neighboring area.
Andre will split off from Sazu and use his time in town to visit any of the temples of lawful good and neutral deities in the city, where he makes discreet inquiries about these possible rebels--who they are, what they want, and where they might be.
Amideo will try to get in contact with some of the nobles of Blackridge to ascertain their thoughts on the rumors of sedition and any knowledge they might have about the rebels.
Sazu, what you find is that the most common warnings are about Strix. The roads themselves seem to be well-policed, but caravans and merchants traveling near the Strix lands often fall prey to Strix aerial assaults seeking supplies. You get the impression that it might be a good idea to steer clear of there.
Andre, you try to ask around, but people seem very reluctant to talk about rebels at all. In fact you are rather loudly rebuffed and told that as loyal citizens of Cheliax they wouldn't know anything about rebels.
Amideo, you speak to some of the minor nobles and you are able to find some information. They suggest a few things - first of all, as you might expect, the largest majority of the rebels come from the working class, not the nobility; second - the rebels have a habit of ambushing patrols or other signs of Chelish power that are lead by nobles whenever possible.
Reporting back to the group with his information, Amideo has a bit of a plan. He says once all are assembled, "I have an idea. We pretend that I am a young nobleman travelling somewhere with his entourage. I can fly my banner and that of Cheliax. Now, the rebels have a penchant for ambushing noble-led signs of Chelish power, and you have a nobleman right here."