Illthir lets out an impressed whistle. Fancy pavilions were always impressive, doubly so if they were magical to boot. And besides - 'quick raising tent' and 'magical rod' seemed perfectly on theme for the Baron. Might make a good song one day ... Heh *cough*
She was a bit torn between her curiosity to talk further with the Baron and the bother it would no doubt be to be alone with him. So when he crumbled first and invited the rest in, she was relieved and happily went to retrieve her flute.
"Oh I have been known to sing a song or two; the least we can do for our charming host!"
"But first; would you mind telling us a bit how things are going here in the fort? We are of course curious!" Illthir asked, leaving the Baron's question for those better prepared to answer it.
Using studied target on the baron
Zokon watches this "baron" with interest now, he makes sure not to make any aggressive maneuvers, he tries to give off an air of competence, but not one of defiance.
"But first; would you mind telling us a bit how things are going here in the fort? We are of course curious!" Illthir asked, leaving the Baron's question for those better prepared to answer it.
"Oh, you know, 'uneasy lies the head that wears a crown' and all that. It is all decisions and responsibilities. Not like the old days. Give me an adventure any day." He quaffs his drink and waves off rulership as a mere nuisance.
He turns to Zokon. "So you hold the charter to the Greenbelt?"
Scarlet's glad to sit down and eat some grub. "You used to adventure? You don't seem the type. Or maybe these days of rule made you tired."
Does the fact that he came with Serena get Durgan a seat within earshot of the Baron? If so, he will listen carefully while the Baron and others talk, offering polite but brief replies only if called upon.
If not, and he is with soldiers, servants, or other personnel, he will be a little more outgoing, trying to subtly ascertain the opinions of others about the Baron's leadership.
Does the fact that he came with Serena get Durgan a seat within earshot of the Baron?
Scarlet's glad to sit down and eat some grub. "You used to adventure? You don't seem the type. Or maybe these days of rule made you tired."
**SPIT TAKE!**
"WHAT!? NO! Of course not. Me 'tired'? Preposterous."
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"Might I see this charter?..."
"Of course, Banker. Just a moment..." Numalar digs around in his backpack for a while, coming up with a folded piece of parchment.
"Here we are... as you can see, Zokon is also one of the people under this charter. There are a number of other names and I'm afraid those people are no longer with us. These others," he nods towards Alia, Scarlet, and Illthir, "Are not bound by the charter but have assisted us and we have shared the rewards with them. There's actually quite a large bounty on the Stag Lord right now."
"We might have met. I did contract Scarlet...my memory is a bit hazy on who else was around at that time - an aftereffect of the elf-gate travelling."
Alia accepts the invitation, but makes sure to stay close to Scarlet at all times, following her lead. This was her world, and her friends - and she had no plans to make a bad impression or cause any sort of trouble for the bodyguard who had become a dear friend in the few months they had travelled together.
"Mhm. Not completely succumbed to the burdens of rulership then?" Illthir teases and giggles. The Baron seemed to have some humour, more then the sword lords at least. I wonder what makes him tick. Someone doesn't just accidentally find themselves with a charter to these lands rigth?
Surely there were some buttons to push that would open him up a bit? (And those to be avoided! Those were even more important.) Perhaps if she rummaged around a bit in her mind, some tale or rumour of his past deeds might contain a nugget of insight?
Most folks consider Drelev a bit of a joke in the way he acts, but you know by observation that that's but a clever bit of overacting. Yes, at heart he is a narcissist, but more than that he is a calculating opportunist with a bluff modifier of +17....
Answering the baron "Well as Numalar pointed out we hold the charter from Brevoy, to pacify the greenbelt region."
"So this Stag Lord rules over the bandits? The conclusion seems obvious. Cut off the head of the snake, and the body will perish." Serena pauses for a bite.
"Unless, Serena, this snake is more like a hydra, and cutting off a head means two more take its place. We may have to take care of would-be successors as well.
And what would happen to the body -- all those leaderless bandits? I think your goddess's focus on redemption may be of merit. Offering a second chance to those who are truly repentant is less wasteful than the alternative. Some resources are scarce in these lands -- like manpower.
Of course, the penalty for unrepentant banditry is death, and identifying who is truly repentant can be difficult... but there are steps we can take."
"Ah, there must be some interesting tales from the Hooktongue Slough right? Other then wet boots ... Or even the Worldwound! Come on Baron don't be coy; that would make a boring song." Illthir tries again to probe a bit, hoping to prod him into talking a bit about himself. With a bit of luck he'd never allow himself to be described as 'boring' (or 'tired'!). And she was a little bit curious about him, hopefully that'd feel like a compliment.
"Worldwound?"
Durgan says no more at the moment, but his curiosity is piqued.
Scarlet pauses, wipes some of the gravy from her face, burps, and puts her mug down. "There's at least one of his lieutenants that the bandits there would follow- he needs to be taken out, too. Or surrender. Whatever we need." She scratches herself, then continues eating.
"Mmpf. Alia, try the turkey leg. The seasoning's really good!"
"Yes, if rumors are anything to be trusted, that would be one of the scenes for 'the good old days' our gracious host mentioned!" Illthir beamed.
Zokon looks over at the baron and takes a breath that is almost a sigh before speaking
"So Good Baron, when our most recent endeavour is over, we may be responsible for an outpost in the greenbelt. Would there be any specific goods that your people would favour, just so we know in what directions to shape our potential industries?"
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"There's at least one of his lieutenants that the bandits there would follow- he needs to be taken out, too. Or surrender. Whatever we need."
"Indeed. If the Stag Lord falls and there is a clear leader who rises to take his place then we have taken two steps forward only to take one step back again. Though if there is not a clear leader and his lieutenants take to fighting amongst themselves, then that is even better for us than leaving the bandits leaderless. I don't know how we can make that sort of thing happen though without more information. Our intelligence is fairly sketchy."
"Worldwound?"
Durgan says no more at the moment, but his curiosity is piqued.
"Yes, if rumors are anything to be trusted, that would be one of the scenes for 'the good old days' our gracious host mentioned!" Illthir beamed.
"Those were the days...."
Zokon looks over at the baron and takes a breath that is almost a sigh before speaking
"So Good Baron, when our most recent endeavour is over, we may be responsible for an outpost in the greenbelt. Would there be any specific goods that your people would favour, just so we know in what directions to shape our potential industries?"
"Perhaps you could export some of your lovelies." he says looking around appreciatively, and puts his hand on Serena's knee, but then he seems to remember her 'cut the head off the snake' line and removes it.
"So if you are to be fighting bandits in the Greenbelt, what are you doing in the Slough?"
**munch, munch, munch, nom, nom. BUUUURP!**
"...."
Durgan keeps his Worldwound experience to himself for now.
I'm not going to try to impress him with who I know or who I fought with; better to keep that close to the vest for now.
He sees the fey woman and tries to be polite, although it is evident that he is not quite at ease talking to her.
"Greetings, Erevenwyg. What brings you to this place?"
"Oh, juuust enjoying the scenery..." Illthir grins at the baron and gives him a long look. Getting anything of value out of him was like squeezing a rock - a bit of payback felt fair!
"Plus, you know, free food." she added with a chuckle and turned back to her plate. Make a note - visit again! Unless of course we get thrown out head first ...
"Oh but mostly we are getting some supplies. Heard Mivon is nice this time of the year - compared to Brevoy that is." Illthir added a little half-truth. Maybe enough so that he felt he had gotten his?
He sees the fey woman and tries to be polite, although it is evident that he is not quite at ease talking to her.
"Greetings, Erevenwyg. What brings you to this place?"
"Erevenwyg understands Sylvan. So you'll do better if you speak the language of the First World and all- BUUURP. Man, this is some good grub, Baron!"
"We are hiring a mercenary group to come back with us and deal with the bandit kings goons while we deal with him." he addresses the baron
Sylvan:"Oy, Erevenwyg. He's asking what brings you to this place."
"Mal Scar-lets-karab ni care- vamme sinte! Enyal-? Oh lala! Na- mime enyalie catchime?" The tall fey woman suddenly looks aghast.
Seemingly, she begins re-introducing Scarlet to everyone at the table.
"Oh, juuust enjoying the scenery..." Illthir grins at the baron and gives him a long look. Getting anything of value out of him was like squeezing a rock - a bit of payback felt fair!
"Plus, you know, free food." she added with a chuckle and turned back to her plate. Make a note - visit again! Unless of course we get thrown out head first ...
"Oh but mostly we are getting some supplies. Heard Mivon is nice this time of the year - compared to Brevoy that is." Illthir added a little half-truth. Maybe enough so that he felt he had gotten his?
"Oh I'm sure that anywhere that you alight, my dove, is pleasant and sunny."
Seemingly, she begins re-introducing Scarlet to everyone at the table.
"How, err--charming?"
"We are hiring a mercenary group to come back with us and deal with the bandit kings goons while we deal with him." he addresses the baron
"Seems tactically sound. We of course dealt with our 'bandit problem' months ago."
"Man, this is some good grub, Baron!"
"Just a little something our cook whipped up I'm sure. We eat like this all the time. Have you tried our chocolate cake?"
**schnuff, schnuff, schnuff, nom, nom, nom.**
"I... yeah...I know... okay..." Scarlet seems a bit flustered as
Erevenywg introduces everyone to her.
Scarlet turns to Durgan. "Eh, sorry. Erevenywg's memory is a bit fuzzy, she she's traveling with us for now."
But she did not say if the fey woman understands other tongues, now did she?
"Dywedwch wrthyf, Illthir, ymddengys eich bod yn fyfyriwr o natur ddynol. Beth yw eich barn am ein gwesteiwr hyfryd?"
As she speaks, she surreptitiously watches the Baron for signs that he understood the question.
But she did not say if the fey woman understands other tongues, now did she?
"Dywedwch wrthyf, Illthir, ymddengys eich bod yn fyfyriwr o natur ddynol. Beth yw eich barn am ein gwesteiwr hyfryd?"
As she speaks, she surreptitiously watches the Baron for signs that he understood the question.
Durgan replies quietly to Scarlet. He is somewhat relived that the fey (apparently) doesn't understand him.
"Ah. I don't speak Sylvan. Even if I did... There are often miscommunications between the fey and the followers of Abadar...
Trade breaks down barriers and fosters understanding. And yet there a thousand tales warning against dealing with the fey. They have cities and gods of Law in the First World, yet here fey are mostly forces of Chaos and wilderness. It confounds me. I wish I could find points of common interest.
If she travels with you, and I am to join you, I would welcome your assistance in navigating these rough waters."
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"We are hiring a mercenary group to come back with us and deal with the bandit kings goons while we deal with him." he addresses the baron"Seems tactically sound. We of course dealt with our 'bandit problem' months ago."
"Glad to hear it! Of course, I wonder if all the bandits we are seeing nowadays in the Greenbelt were driven out of this area?" Numalar winks. "Nevertheless, you clearly have been at this much longer than us. 'Months ago,' we were still in Restov and hadn't received our charter yet. Clearly we have some catching up to do."
"...If she travels with you, and I am to join you, I would welcome your assistance in navigating these rough waters."
"I'm afraid none of us is a master pilot in that regard. We are simply improvising."
Numalar shrugs. "I speak the Sylvan tongue, as do many of my people. But that doesn't mean that I know what our fey lady here is about. But she seems favourably disposed to us, and has used healing magic on occasion, so we don't argue. We found her unconscious in a circle of stones, and she seemed rather helpless. We don't know what she wants, but she does seem to want to travel with us."
"If you wish to trade with the fey, well, I don't know. Bring goods like wine and sweets and colorful cloth. Things that are fun. But I still wouldn't assume you would earn a profit, though they would be friendly to you at least."
"Hey, Erevenywg saved me from an awful nightmare. She's good in my book." Scarlet grins at the fey before ripping a chunk of bread and downing it in a single gulp.
"Trade? You a merchant? You don't look the type." Scarlet takes a swig of ale. It's clear table manners isn't one of her strong suits. "What brings you out here, anyway?"
"Well, Scarlet, as I told your friend Zokon earlier, I have been doing Abadar's work in the Stolen Lands and border regions for the past five years. Bridges and roads, weights and measures, contracts, ledgers, and so on. And, yes, making some loans - there is a reason priests of Abadar are called Bankers - and conducting some trade. I helped Oleg get his records straight a few years back. I offer healing, either for coin or more often for labor on local infrastructure projects, recorded in this ledger of mine."
He shows a small leather-bound book with bronze clasps, titled Durgan's Ledger of Civic Obligations.
"What I do is the ministry of Abadar; works that spread civilization and encourage fair trade." And Law, he thinks, but that might take a while in these lands. "Over the course of my service to Abadar, I have learned most any skill a developing society might need, at least passably well. Accountant, architect, cook, merchant, woodcutter, sailor, all that and more.
But I think right now my martial skills are needed.
And you? Were you with these mercenaries before meeting the bearers of the Charter?"
"Seems tactically sound. We of course dealt with our 'bandit problem' months ago.""Glad to hear it! Of course, I wonder if all the bandits we are seeing nowadays in the Greenbelt were driven out of this area?" Numalar winks....
"Greener pastures no doubt." the baron says with a wink and a belch, and obviously proud of his Greenbelt pun.
"That's a mighty big book ye've got there. Reminds me of one of my members, Midnight. She likes writing a whole lot. And pretending she's royalty, haha!" Scarlet laughs.
"Eh, I've been a mercenary for quite some time. Alia here hired me as a protector, and she hasn't fired me yet!" Scarlet laughs.
Illthir shoots the Baron another grin and then takes an almost-Scarlet sized bite out of her food to give herself a moment to think. Serena's question was a good one. She'd love to discuss it at length but since he seemed to love elven women - he might too like the language.
"Tini yathēṣṭa nirdōṣa manē haẏa. Ēbaṁ bēśa sundara! Āmarā dāruṇa mānuṣa tuṣāra mānuṣa bā'irēradēra tārikha nirdhāraṇa karatē pārē nā..." Illthir shoots back after some thoughts. Hopefully she would pick up the emphasized word. And, if the Baron understood, maybe he'd react to the last piece? And if he knew enough about that culture to see the holes she'd be impressed for real!
"Forgive me, Baron, it has been long since I have heard my mother's tongue spoken, and with Illthir, I saw an opportunity to indulge. It was rude of me to speak such that others might not understand." She takes another bite of food.
"I had almost forgotten I could speak this ancient tongue, it took a few moments for me to translate what was said. Is that true about Snow Elves?"
Zokon says with a trace of amusement
"Gee, not you too Zokon!" Illthir giggles and hides briefly behind a large mug of ale. When she sets is down her face isn't as red anymore. "But yes - the traditions are *very* strict."
As Durgan expresses his...caution, regarding Erenvenywg, Alia is quick to agree:"I am not entirely convinced regarding Abadars agenda, but I share your concerns regarding Fey. We had prior encounters with such. Fickle creatures, and dangerous. This particular one seems to be tolerable, but I am not letting my guard down."
Enjoying some more of her meal, Alia listens to the chat about Snow Elf traditions - feeling comfortable with the topic, knowing her fair share of traditions, she turns to the Half Elf.
"I never quite had time to ask. If it is a sensitive topic, do tell. But it would seem your...mother did not quite follow those traditions, as far as I am familiar with them? I believed you were travelling as a result of that, rather than that you grow up among Snow Elves. Did you leave there for a reason? Or simply wanderlust?", Alia inquires of Ilthir, genuine curiositiy in her voice, trying to distract herself from the table manners of some present company.
Hearing Alias words Zokon replies
"I have heard of the Fey from some of my family members, the Medvyeds, they have some sort of goodwill with the Fey folk. That just makes them respectful though, they know not to mess with the fey."
"*Cough*" Illthir seems to need a moment to get ale out and air into her lungs before she can respond. Who will wouldn't want to talk about their mothers indiscretions at the dinner table? It is sorta my fault the half elf thought to herself, making a note not to use this excuse around people actually curious about snowcaster culture (or her mothers *uh* sex life). Thankfully they were usually rare. (Both!)
"It's *ah" complicated. And I wouldn't want to bother our host with such a dull story... Nope, definitely not." the skald eventually replies with a faint smile. Now, the half elf hadn't really shied away from talking about topics like this at the campfire, so that seemed mostly true.
"Oh!" she sets down her mug and changes topic. "I forgot I promised some song and music! Let me just get my flute and I'll get to it! Any wishes?"
Scarlet munches some more food. "Yeah, music! A battle ballad! Something to invigorate us for later!" Scarlet claps, seemingly oblivious to the conversation about heritage.
"A battle ballad hmm?" Illthir grinned and searched her memory. Most of her songs, of that genre, were of the swordlords and she wasn't sure how that would be received so close to Mivon. But she had a few more exotic songs, from Taldor or even Galt. But ... she knew just the one! With a smile she announced and then started to sing. "This is 'The Tale of Brave Sir Robin'!"
Scarlet claps along with the beat, sometimes slapping the table and pantomiming sword strikes. She's very enthusiastic.
"Nae bad fur a wee, peely waly half-elf lassie." **BURP!** Makdoon retrieves his nine-string baliset and begins to strum. "Thes is hoo it shoods be played. Ye can teel it's a dwarf ballad coz if it werenae it woods be guff."
Once he's done, after Terrion has draped his bowed and kneeling form with a cloak (and this time gotten it to stick) and people snap out of the trance wild applause in the form of coins start raining upon him. The whole camp seems to be crowded around the table. Terrion collects the coins for Makdoon and then helps the dwarf climb down from the big table. Wisps of smoke float upwards from the abandoned baliset--apparently still too hot to touch. You're pretty sure you all got more than a few drabs of sweat on you and your meal.
Durgan finds some loose coin in his drink and on his plate.
Clearly, the silver falling into Durgan's drink and onto his plate is a sign of Abadar's favor. It would be blasphemous to entirely refuse this blessing, but equally rude to ignore its intended recipient.
He pulls out his Ledger and makes a note of the date, and writes Durgan Far-Walker, Fort Drelev, one silver received in blessing from Abadar.
Durgan gives 3 sp to Bloody Angus, and keeps one for himself.
"Well done! I have never seen such a performance! Indeed, I've only ever seen such energy and passion once before, in a Gorumite priest on the battlefield."
While the respectable and polite Durgan is a far cry from the frenzied bard, he appreciates Bloody Angus debunking all the stereotypes about Dwarven charisma.