"Are you telling me YOU killed them Paddy? In cold blood?" Alphonse asks, aghast.
No, I didn't...but I wouldn't lose a wink of sleep If I had done so.
"They deserved a trial, a chance to repent their wickedness and save their immortal soul. How could you want to deny them that?
"If they'd died in battle, that's one thing, but this just wasn't right. Whoever did this has committed murder, a heinous crime in its own right."
Sir Alphonse, none of us, The Lord Humphrey included, knows precisely what happened. All we can do is guess or assume. For my part, I remind everyone this -- including My Lord of Gloucester -- both The Witch and Bolingbroke showed they both trafficked with Devils & Conflagratious, and used magic and arcane spells for fell purposes.
I agree in a trial and one can still come. Great Clerics of Odin, as well as your christian god, can Speak with the Souls of the Dead, or even Raise them for a trial if it is demanded. But the fact is that their souls, having left their bodies, is better a form of imprisonment, insuring the safety of the people from their evil; it is safer than binding their hands and putting them in The Tower where they can continue to voice their prayers to Hell and traffic with ghosts.
I don't know if they were slain from the justice of Odin or your god; I don't know if Satan sent an imp for collecting their souls because they failed The Enemy; I don't know for certain if some other creature for some other reason let their blood.
Lord Humphrey, I beg ask again -- you've seen the evidence; do you deem them guilty or innocent?
Sir Alphonse, none of us, The Lord Humphrey included, knows precisely what happened. All we can do is guess or assume. For my part, I remind everyone this -- including My Lord of Gloucester -- both The Witch and Bolingbroke showed they both trafficked with Devils & Conflagratious, and used magic and arcane spells for fell purposes.
I agree in a trial and one can still come. Great Clerics of Odin, as well as your christian god, can Speak with the Souls of the Dead, or even Raise them for a trial if it is demanded. But the fact is that their souls, having left their bodies, is better a form of imprisonment, insuring the safety of the people from their evil; it is safer than binding their hands and putting them in The Tower where they can continue to voice their prayers to Hell and traffic with ghosts.
I don't know if they were slain from the justice of Odin or your god; I don't know if Satan sent an imp for collecting their souls because they failed The Enemy; I don't know for certain if some other creature for some other reason let their blood.
Lord Humphrey, I beg ask again -- you've seen the evidence; do you deem them guilty or innocent?
Everyone! Lower your swords.... These men.... Speak truly. I know Iommi-Tyr, son of Magnus, to come from a true and noble house, and the same of House Vertitas.... The very name of your family means Truth, Squire Alphonse.... Humphrey glances at Paddy and nods.... You keep fine company, sir.... Any other group of armed men in this situation would be unarmed and taken to The Tower to stand trial for the murder of Bolingbroke and this Witch of Eye, guilty of black witchcraft though they may be....
Sheathing his sword, Hunphrey nods at Iommi-Tyr....
By the power vested in me as Duke of Gloucester and Regent of England, I do declare Roger Bolingbroke and Marjorie Jourdemaiyne, also known as The Witch of Eye, guilty of black witchcraft, and sentence them to be burnt at the stake until death.... Since they are already dead, their bodies are to be burnt, lest they rise as vengeful undead. Prior to carrying out this sentence, their corpses shall be conveyed to The Tower, where Cardinal Beaufort may use his divinely-granted power to commune with the deceased, that they may be questioned regarding their intents and purposes in worshipping in secret our evil Enemy, The Devil....
Alphonse still seems uncomfortable that the devil worshipers were killed before being sentenced, but tables that discussion for another time.
"Thank you, Your Grace. And I apologize for any transgressions we may have committed in this crisis."
Alphonse still seems uncomfortable that the devil worshipers were killed before being sentenced, but tables that discussion for another time.
"Thank you, Your Grace. And I apologize for any transgressions we may have committed in this crisis."
Humphrey nods at Alphonse and sighs....
Be warned, Lusty Fools: stronger and crueler mouths will bite harder if you persist in poking this beast you've disturbed.... You may find that going about your usual businesses and leaving this matter to the Church will serve you better.... You are dismissed, Lusty Fools. Godspeed you on your journey.
To his men-at-arms: Take the bodies to The Tower at once.
We will keep our ears open for news, as we travel south, that the bodies are indeed burned.
. . . . So, off to Italy to find Nero?
Does the party depart for Italy at once? Or stay the rest of 6/15 in London at The Boar's Head?
Once safely outside Hisao drops the invisibility and bows low to the others Much Forgiveness please for putting all in danger. Next time will wait until others are away to assassinate
The Lusty Fools stop at The Boar's Head for much needed rest and drinks after their harrowing brush with danger at Bolingbroke's manor. Iommi-Tyr receives his commissioned items, and the adventurers have an untroubled night's sleep in a warm bed and a good meal with strong drinks to wash it down.
The kitchen serves up roasted leg of lamb on the bone with seasonal vegetables and a wedge of cheese with warm bread, washed down with cold ale.
Paddy entertains a pair of lusty young wenches in his room, having noticed their willing glances and flirtations in the common room during the evening....
At dawn, the heroes rise, pray to their deities for guidance in the adventures ahead, pack for a journey to Italy, and set out on the road....
In the street outside The Boar's Head Inn, The Lusty Fools are confronted by a band of armed and armored riders bearing the arms of France....
In French-accented English: Salutations, Imbeciles Lusty! Tales of your deeds precede you.... His Majesty, The Dauphin of France requests your presence in his throne room, and we French cavaliers of the Royal Guard have been dispatched to escort you safely to His Majesty's presence....
With the captain are three other men.
"With all due respect Captain, we decline. The Dauphin currently on the throne is an impostor, and means us nothing but harm. We're currently on our journey in part to aid the true Dauphin."
"Please do not attempt to hinder us on our way."
Have you a document with the Dauphin's seal, out of curiosity?
Have you a document with the Dauphin's seal, out of curiosity?
Yes, of course....
The captain reaches into his saddlebag and procures a scroll bearing the seal of The Dauphin of France and holds it out for all to see.
"With all due respect Captain, we decline. The Dauphin currently on the throne is an impostor, and means us nothing but harm. We're currently on our journey in part to aid the true Dauphin."
"Please do not attempt to hinder us on our way."
You say our Dauphin is an imposter!? Impossible, sir. If you will just agree to come with us to Paris, I am sure you will see for yourselves that the one who sits on the throne of France is indeed the one true Dauphin.... If you please....
In spite of the polite words, you cannot fail to notice that the French men-at-arms are unanimous in placing gauntleted hands on the hilts of their swords....
"Please. You seem like reasonable and honest men, and I have no wish to harm you. Simply let us be on our way and no blood need be spilled this day."
A woman selling turnips from a cart throws a rotten one at the captain of the guards, and it bounces off his breastplate....
Let them lads be on their way, ye snooty frogs! Those be the heroes what killed old Brinegullet! Let 'em be!
M'name's Henry
Look here, lads. We're not to be messed around with. We have some important business to do, and it doesn't include going with you lot to some pretender in disguise. We can prove our claim, but it isn't going to happen today, comprenez-vous? Now, be a good bunch and sod off.
Paddy stands right in front of the captain and fixes him with a steely gaze. He looks at the other men in turn, trying his best to dissuade the men from any regrettable action on their part.
We know, my lady, and we are as appreciative as you are for their bravery.... But our Dauphin would very much like to meet them....
The captain looks irritated....
Ah, let me look at that, please
Knowing what I know about the Dauphin and French royal seals, and maybe even writing style and penmanship, is this letter a forgery and/or is there a way to tell if the true Dauphin wrote it (who is in hiding) or if the impostor who is on the throne wrote it?
Gentleman, and you milady and friends,... let us discuss this in peace and not hostility. We respect you are doing your duty, gentleman, and we appreciate your kind words, My Lady of Fine Turnips, but we have important business as well. We may indeed go to Paris but must discuss it among ourselves first.
The scroll bears what appears to be the authentic seal of the Dauphin.... It also seems fairly aged, at least a few years old....
I do not say out loud that it is a few years old -- I will tell my friends that as soon as we are out of ear-shot from the French guards.
A few more passers by become onlookers, and the common sentiment of the English townsfolk of London seems to be that a band of haughty French busy-bodies are accosting a band of folk heroes....
Let 'em be about their business, ye muckrakers! shouts an old man....
Go back to France, ye perfumed sissy-boys! calls a young street urchin....
Those are the Lusty Fools, ye twats! Let 'em do men's work whilst you nancy-boys from across the pond bugger each other! They're takin' care o' London's rat plague right now, don't interrupt 'em! shouts the captain of a squad of six London Bridge tower guards as they trudge up from a well....
"Fine folk, please stop harassing them. We appreciate your support, but these men are simply doing their jobs."
Well, Sir Alphonse, you just give us the go ahead, and we'll be happy to get these French maggots off yer backs, m'lord.
The English guard captain gives the French guard captain a deadly grin, and the other bridge guards laugh and nod agreement.
Cochon Anglaise stupide!!
The French guard captain is red-faced and scowling, gripping the hilt of his sword, but not yet daring to draw....
True enough, we'll let that work....[/ooc]
Tyr and Alphonse convince the English and French not to engage in bloody melee in the street....
But do the adventurers go with the Parisians, or no?
;)
Citizens great and small, please, peace:
I'm gonna pop some tags
Only got twenty dollars in my pocket
I, I, I'm hunting
Looking for a come up
This is fuking awesome
Walk in the club like what up? I got a big cock
Nah, Im just pumped up, bought some shi+ from the thrift shop
Ice on the fringe is so damn frosty
People like Damn, thats a cold ass honkey
Rolling in hella, headed to the mezzanine
Dressed in all pink except my gator shoes, those are green
Draped in a leopard mink, girl standing next to me
Probably shoulda washed this, smells like R.Kelly sheets, piss
But shi+, it was 99 cents!
Nacht simply watches assessing the beings, there were so many that needed be added to his list, these new ones were one of many. It is often easier if they slept.
" Leave, Pesky Beings... "
Composing himself after Tyr's and Alphonse's appeals for civility, the captain appeals to the heroes' sense of duty and empathy....
I beg of you, brave champions, to consider the repercussions we honorable guardsmen will face if we fail in our duty to our Dauphin.... Is Paris, perchance, on the way to wherever your quest has bound your company?
Meanwhile, as the Lusty Fools are parleying with the French soldiers sent by the false Dauphin to bring them to Paris, unseen eyes watch the proceedings from the rooftops of London.....
Another sneaky ninja stealthy on the rooftops
Another sneaky ninja stealthy on the rooftops
Another sneaky ninja stealthy on the rooftops
Composing himself after Tyr's and Alphonse's appeals for civility, the captain appeals to the heroes' sense of duty and empathy....
I beg of you, brave champions, to consider the repercussions we honorable guardsmen will face if we fail in our duty to our Dauphin.... Is Paris, perchance, on the way to wherever your quest has bound your company?
"We head for Rome, on matters of great importance. I am sorry for your plight, but I see no way to reconcile the two without compromising our quest, as it has an impending deadline for completion."
"Turning back to Paris is not an option for us."
"If there's anything else we can do that may help, please feel free to ask it of us."
Aye, as much as I would love to go back to Paris and the lovely Bettina, matters at hand call us to Rome. So we bid you adieu, gentlemen. Don't let the ride home alone get you down.
Each hider rolls a Stealth, and each potential observer makes a Perception check to notice each separate Stealth DC, I believe..... So four Perception rolls are in order, actually....