Once Upon a Time in Golarion

Game Master vayelan

Addison Lane introduces herself to the baker as a seamstress. She is not the Vixen. Only a talented dressmaker who's had the good fortune to make clothing for the marshal, and other women in Ahto's inner circle.

She goes to visit one of them now.

Wonky's Study...

Addy knocks on whatever door Wonky tends to seclude herself behind. If gnomes have a strong sense of smell, Wonky might note the aroma of freshly baked bread.

"Wonky? Can we chat a bit?"

Wonky hasn't established any specific quarters in Horace as of yet, as she hasn't spent much time here. As such, she probably has been sleeping outside somewhere - under the stars if the weather has been decent.

Wonky sees Addy coming. "Greetings, Addy!" she says enthusiastically. "Have you had a chance to try the spiced plums that Jhod brought along from his temple? It would seem that gentleman has more talents than just ecclesiastic ones."

"Not yet," Addy replies. "I've a fresh loaf from that new baker, if ye're interested. It's fresh out o' the oven—still warm!"

If Wonky wants to, Addy lets her break off the first piece.

Her visit does have a bit of an agenda, so Addy gets right to that.

"I think I owe ye an explanation about the other day. The Archers' Day celebration obviously means something to ye, and I get that ye just wanted to let the Vixen in on the fun. But the reaction ye got was... not exactly an Archers' Day cheer."

She gives Wonky a chance to get a word in.

"Mmmmm....thrss is delirrshssss...." Wonky mumbles after tearing off a hunk of the still-warm bread. She chews thoughtfully at Addy's words and then swallows.

"Yes, I noted that you seemed less than excited about the proposition of the archery contest. I also seemed to have intruded upon a previously-extant conversation. For that, I apologise."

"No apology necessary, Wonky. I like that about ye—yer spontaneity. Even as the Vixen. But part o' the Vixen's game's blufffing. It's why I don't carry a blade. Remember Sams thinking I was a sorceress?"

Addy grins as she takes a bite of warm bread, reminiscing on the day she and Wonky first met.

"None o' the assassins knew what I could do either. And those feuding clergymen? One called me 'that Red Hellion.'" Addy is apparently proud of this nickname, or perhaps just amused by it. "The men don't know what to make o' me. They only know the Vixen's not to be trifled with. And they don't know why."

While that alone admittedly doesn't make contests a bad thing...

"Me ability to bluff works best if I don't get overly familiar with the men. Sharing a drink was only to ease 'em into not feuding. The Vixen making it clear she wanted no part o' the contest—that probably helped me whip those men into shape. I just don't like that me play maybe came at the expense o' yer feelings or yer fun."

Addy's emerald eyes do show a degree of remorse.

"So I think it best to clue ye in on a couple things that're... new.

"First: Addison Lane and the Vixen're two totally different people far as all the new faces're concerned. Oleg's was too small a settlement with too few ladies for me to bother trying that. Here, everyone knows the Vixen. Only the baker sees me unmasked face and puts a name to it. And... this explanation makes it easier for Ash, I think. She fell in love with the Vixen anyway."

It isn't clear whether Addy's feigning a hint of jealousy as a joke, or whether she's not jealous... or not joking.

She takes out her sketchbook.

"The other thing's that, while I'd rather not enter contests as the Vixen—hard to bluff when ye go around showcasing yer tricks—for you, I've no issue revealing what's in me hand.

"So I'd like ye to be the first to know what I'm working on."

She opens her sketchbook. Unlike some of the other drawings that depict the Vermilion Vixen in action poses, this one seems to be symbolic of... well... something.

The image is the Vixen with her arms spread wide. Dark, feathered wings spread from her back (of course the fashionista depicts VV in a backless gown). All around the Vixen are a variety of seemingly-unrelated drawings: a barking dog, a man with a moustache at a podium, the wheel of a cart kicking up dust, and a little red-haired girl with Harmond's creepy ventriloquist dummy on her lap.

The drawing is not yet finished, but it has a title:

MOCKINGBIRD

Addy deepens her voice. She sounds like a woman trying to sound like Ahto. "My new tactic is not quite ready." She then speaks in her own voice, and her lips don't move at all when she says, "Mrrmrmmmrrm mrrmmm mmrrmmrm... erm, shrt." Then, cupping her right hand by her cheek, she says to Wonky (in her own voice, moving her lips), "It'll be more impressive when I finish the drawing."

When Addy says that last bit, it sounds like her voice came from her left armpit.

"Happy birthday, Lady Wonky," Asham announces, surprising the gnome with a cake upon a wooden platter. "Our apprentice baker, Miss Tanith sends this gift, along with her own well wishes. She was quite happy for the chance to bake some gingerbread rather than the loaves of rye that usually fill her oven."

Asham sets down the gingerbread cake, just large enough to serve the leaders of Tamlyn.

"Speaking of booming businesses, the tanner is so busy, she has already begun looking among the younger settlers to recruit apprentices. Don't worry, you won't need to involve yourselves there. I just wanted to let you know that folks are sharing in your success. Plenty of artisans and tradesfolk eagerly wait to hear what projects you might sponsor next."

Before we move onto this turn's Edict Phase, I need to know what settlement buildings, terrain improvements, or hex claims you might want to make.
After the Upkeep Phase, you have 9 BP in the treasury to work with.

"A hundred two! Ye don't look a day o'er seventy-nine," the Vixen says. She has no idea how gnomes age. Maybe they don't?

"Lord Ahto, I was discussing the matter of roads with Oleg," Asham begins, laying out one of Wonky's maps of Tamlyn and the Greenbelt, "And he was not keen on the idea, to say the least."

The councilor traces her finger across the map, down from the plains and through the hills, crossing the rivers. She highlights the more than sixty-mile stretch to emphasize the issue.

"As he explained it, since we do not have control over this stretch of land, it would be dangerous to send laborers to lay down stones for a road. Of course, he seemed more skeptical of the cost. To see any benefit, we would need to carve a long road across the Greenbelt, and we don't have the funds for such a project right now."

Every 4 hexes of roads increases the kingdom's Economy score, and every 8 hexes increases the Stability score. However, roads cost 3 BP per hex, so it would probably be better to save up for when you can build a full-length road.

"On the bright side, Oleg laid out his ledgers and showed them off proudly as though they were his children. I didn't think that man even knew how to smile. It was a little shocking, really. Anyhow, to call the tannery and the mill successful would do them too little justice. What's more, I think your talk with the feuding religious folks has paid off. The Erastilians have agreed to let the Abadarans provide them with advice on managing the money they make selling hides, pelts, and meat. This cooperation is most definitely benefiting everyone."

This turn's poor Stability check has been offset by an incredible Economy check for income.

Ahto nods thoughtfully at Asham’s counsel.

”Perhaps something less ambitious for the time being, then.” He rubs his chin a moment, considering. ”We don’t currently have a jail here in the capital, and it stands to reason we should, if we intend to keep the city free of criminals. Also, we would attract more trade if we had a proper inn for travelers to rest. Are either of those feasible at this time?”

Eunomia checks her own notes. "Building a proper jail would be pretty expensive. I don't think we have enough money in the treasury to handle it right now. We could probably house any criminals in the castle itself, or maybe the barracks; enough of the rooms are sturdy and have good locks." She starts mentally doing the math on potential projects.

"An inn seems like a much better idea, and we could technically afford it. We'd almost completely wipe out the treasury though, which could be a problem if next month is a bad one for income." She rifles through a few more pages of her notes. "Some of the soldiers have said they'd appreciate a smithy to help with the upkeep of their weaponry. That would be a cheaper project, and we should probably build one soon anyway. Perhaps a smithy this month, then an inn next month if there's enough money for it?"

"A smithy would certainly be practical," Ahto replies, "sharpen the axes before starting the work of cutting, as the saying goes...and we certainly want to make sure our soldiers weapons and armor are in good repair. Is there any objection to a smithy being this month's project?"

He looks to his assembled advisors for their input.

The little gnome stands up on her chair in order to make a formal address.

"I would very much like to build a library," Wonky proposes. "Establishing Horace as a centre for lore collection and scholarship would pay distinct long-term dividends to the settlement at large and attract a different sort of immigrant to our lands. Who can estimate how a sapiocentric nation would transform its environs, not to mention the lands surrounding?"

"I realise that this is not a practical aim at present, given our budding nation, but I would be untrue to my own background and aims if I were not to speak up here. I will not speak for others, but I hope that there are sympathetic minds amongst you all."

"Just give me a moment, I'm trying to recall all the numbers that Oleg was throwing around," Asham says, clearly trying to calculate the matter in her head. "Okay. I know we can afford to construct an inn, but I believe that we could also pursue either a smithy or library and still have funds left over to support some more farms just to the north here, by the river crossing," she suggests, pointing a finger to Tamlyn's northeastern verge along the Thorn River.

All three options (Smithy, Inn, and Library) would increase the Kingdom's Economy modifier, as well as providing other bonuses.
Farms reduce each turns' Consumption by 2 BP.

The Vixen is incredibly proud of Ash. She wouldn't mask this feeling if she could.

She says to Ahto, "We mark the redeemable, and those who rape or kill or do harm to children get no second chance. I'm thankful it hasn't come to that yet. If it does and what I said don't sit right with ye, y'know any I catch meself'll be taken alive."

To sum it up: "I trust all o' y'are better suited then meself for making the rules. Ye can trust me to enforce 'em when I'm needed for that."

Not wanting to cop out of a peacetime contribution, she backs up Ash. "Any option that leaves room for a farm works for me."

”A smithy, with support for the farms would be the most practical, foundational option. Once they are up and running, an inn and library should be within reach. Would you agree?” Ahto inquires.

”In lieu of a jail, I may personally requisition some lumber and tools, and erect a gallows to match those at the Post, perhaps some stocks as well,” he adds in a tone so dry it is difficult to tell if he is being serious.

Sense Motive: 1d20 ⇒ 10
The Vixen can't tell, but she is joking when she says, "Maybe I shouldn't take 'em alive then. It'd save ye a bit o' trouble."

Harmond agrees with Wonky "Oh yes! A library! We could import books from all over the Inner Sea. That's a wonderful idea!" When Ahto mentions the gallows Harmond reacts with much less enthusiasm. "Maybe we could just impose fines until we have a jail instead? A gallows just seems a bit...extreme at this point. Crime has been pretty low, and none of it has been anything deserving of a hanging. Right?"

"We desperately need more farmland at this point. Importing food from Brevoy simply costs too much for us to afford it long-term. While a library is an excellent project, unfortunately I think we need the smithy more right now. So my vote would be for the farm and the smithy. As for the gallows," she looks at Ahto for a moment.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (4) + 10 = 14

Eunomia can't tell if Ahto is being serious either. It's so hard to tell when he's joking. For now she decides to assume that he is in fact serious.

"It's not actually a bad idea. There may not have been any crime deserving of hanging yet, but there will be. It's impossible to have a city without it." She grimaces. "I don't like it, but we're going to need something like a gallows eventually. Better to build it early so it can serve as a very visible deterrent."

Sense Motive Check: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10

Wonky considers Ahto's suggestion with a furrowed brow.

"It would be odd to see the ruler of the kingdom erecting their own gallows and blocks," Wonky says. "It might be interpreted badly."

She smiles at Harmond's words.

"I believe that there are two votes for a smithy and two votes for a library."

She blinks at Vixen and Asham.

The Vixen says, "Oh, I'm gonna defer to our Councilor, since if we vote differently it'll just be another pesky tie.

[b]"Besides," she says to Ash, "ye've really though this through. For me to cast the tie-breaker'd just be forcing me own opinion on the masses. Ash, I know yer vote'll have the people's best interest in mind."

She does offer a thought on the gallows. "I do agree having our Ruler build a gallows might put a sour taste in people's mouths, especially since we don't have a crime problem. An axe and a stump'll do if we need to kill a man in a hurry, and on the day we've our first execution, we play it as a day o' mourning—that we hoped we'd never have to kill to enforce our laws, but a murder or a rape forced our hand.

"In that case, we show we're protecting the innocent, and doing what we must. But to build a gallows without the need preventing itself... I see it as prudent. But the people might think we look forward to the first hanging. It's not a perception I'd want to risk."

Ahto moves his shoulders as if chuckling, but makes no sign beyond a slow exhalation.

"If our citizens would be shocked at seeing their Sovereign building gallows, imagine how shocked they will be the first time they see him strike the head from a murderer's shoulders."

"Nevertheless, I acquiesce to your counsel. We shall refrain from building gallows until they are required." Again, his response is extraordinarily dry.

"They'll see justice.

"No one wants to see another human suffer or lose his life. Not until he's caused suffering, 'til he's taken a life. Then he deserves it, and all those people who'd normally cringe at the sight of a gallow... some'll volunteer to build it. Some'll want to help ye pull the rope. Some'll wish they could dig the bastard up again and kill him a thousand more times."

The Vixen's mind is somewhere in the past now, deep in that dark place she's been careful not to—

"Me point being," she says as if totally calm, "people will appreciate the execution when there is a need for one. Until then, it is healthy to keep one's mind away from suffering and death and ropes."

The Vixen pictures Vikki's ice-blue eyes. The sound of a rope swing echoes in her mind.

"Sure," Asham agrees, momentarily blushing at her own eager reply.

"I mean, if the decision comes down to me, then I definitely will need a moment or two more to think it over."

Before departing, she turns back to Ahto and the rest of the ruling council and offers a modicum of insight.

"For what it's worth, every village I've ever marched through had itself a hangman's tree. I believe that's what you'd call a grim reality. If you erect a gallows, it may spook some folks, but it would hardly be out of the ordinary."

The Vixen assures the others, "I promise I'll give Ash some quiet think time so she can cast a tie-breaker. We won't discuss that vote on our walk though. If I had a strong opinion, I'd vote and own it."

The Vixen is not at all shy about holding Ash's hand as they walk off together.

When Asham returns, she voices her support for a smithy.

"If our fortunes continue to rise, then perhaps we can begin importing books and scrolls for a library on the following month."

The coming of autumn proves auspicious for Horace, at the heart of Tamlyn.
Just before the close of Arodus, a visitor arrives.

He's an elven man carrying a heavy leather satchel. His pale hair is long and unkempt, and his clothes are so trail worn that they threaten to fall apart with his next step. His mien is that of a wild man, but this belies the glint of knowledge in his eyes.

"I come seeking Eunomia Verto," he declares. "I'm fulfilling a debt to Commander Parsall."

When the man shows up with the satchel, the Vixen has her guard up. The man announced himself, so it may be a friendly visit. Or maybe he's calling Eunomia out. The Vixen makes no assumption. She simply responds to his words.

"Commander Parsall. I heard the name—paladin o' me goddess, Milani. I'm known as the Vixen... and speaking o' names, I don't believe I caught yers."

Eunomia's in her study, trying to decide on what she wants to vote for as their next building project. An inn would make the most sense, but Wonky and Harmond seemed really keen on a library and it would be good to start establishing Tamlyn as a place of scholarship... She's lost in thoughts of this nature when a passerby mentions that someone's asking for her at the front gate.

She makes her way to the gate and eyes the elven man there. "I'm Eunomia Verto. How can I help you? Do you bring word from Commander Parsall?"

Trail worn clothes, an elf, we don't have many of those in Liberthane...in Liberthane no, but elsewhere in the River Kingdoms they're fairly common.

She's suddenly extremely excited. Could he be from Sevenarches? I did ask Achille if he had any contacts there.

The elf purses his lips and remains silent for a while, appraising Eunomia and any other members of the ruling council that accompany her. He sets down his satchel and rummages around, searching for something.

"Do you want my introduction, or can I let Commander Parsall do it for me?" he asks petulantly. He withdraws a letter from his bag and offers it to Eunomia, allowing her to notice that the wax seal upon it has been broken.

"In short," he speaks before Eunomia can share pertinent details from the letter, "I'm your new smith. You should feel honored. I was trained by the finest masters in Kyonin, and I even learned to work sky metal under the Technic League in Numeria. Now I'll be shoeing horses and hammering plow blades. Such a delight."

If his skill in the smithy matches his sarcasm, he will surely be a boon to Horace.

This elven smith's arrival is tied to the event that we rolled for this month.

While Eunomia reads the letter, the Vixen, who of course still does not know the smith's name, says, "Delighted to have ye here, Mr. Smith."

She is actually intrigued by the phrase 'sky metal.'

Harmond frowns at the Smith's rudeness, responding with obvious sarcasm. "Only the best skymetal shoes for our horses.

"Welcome," Ahto says in a polite tone. "Your arrival is fortuitous, as we have recently finished construction on a new smithy, and your skills will be greatly appreciated, especially by our soldiers and garrison commander."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (13) + 9 = 22

Wonky's eyes blaze with excitement.

"You have worked with sky metals? I have longed to work with djezet! In my perusal of the arcane secrets surrounding sky metals, it appears to be the only such substance that would be useful in enhancing the enchantments necessary to partner life essences to inanimate matter!" She looks around briefly with a start, winking at Harmond with no level of surreptitiousness.

"My name is Wonky. Prong. Junior," she continues, pumping the elf's arm with the inclusion of subsequent parts of her name. "I am a poor weapon-smith, to be sure, but a quick learner. I am particularly pleased to meet you!"

She then pauses to let the poor man state his name.

*************************************************************************** ************
During this month (Arodus), Wonky will return to Oleg's for the first week after celebrating her birthday (1 Arodus); she will then return to Horace for the remainder of the month. She will keep vigil on the Day of Silenced Whispers (9 Arodus) in honor of the (temporary) defeat of Tar-Baphon and celebrate that day with any other citizens of Ustalavic descent. She will prepare a feast-day for Armasse the week later (16 Arodus) in an attempt to firmly establish this day as one of the holidays of Tamlyn - she'll go so far as making a social planning Profession check for that event.

The time that she spends in Oleg's will largely be spent on alchemy as her lab has existed there. As part of her relocation to Horace halfway through the month, she's going to duplicate her lab as part of some building - this, along with holiday festivities will be the better part of her second week in Horace. The remainder of the month, she will work on weapon-smithing (hopefully attracting the attention of the new smith) and mapmaking.

Oleg's:

Days 2-6 - taking 10 to brew alchemical weapons:
Craft Acid (4/day x 5 days), Free Inspiration: 10 + 9 + 1d6 ⇒ 10 + 9 + (3) = 22 - 5 days' work for 20 acid flasks; 66gp, 6sp, 7cp

Days 10-16 - Preparation for Armasse celebration
Knowledge Religion (Milani/Iomedae), Free Inspiration: 1d20 + 5 + 1d6 ⇒ (8) + 5 + (1) = 14
Profession (social/party planner), Inspiration: 1d20 + 3 + 1d6 ⇒ (12) + 3 + (1) = 16

Days 17-24 - Weapon-smithing (full week) on masterwork mancatcher
Weapon-smithing Check (20), Inspiration: 1d20 + 9 + 1d6 ⇒ (13) + 9 + (3) = 25 - 71.43gp/105gp cost

Days 25 - 31
Mapmaking Business (Knowledge Geography), Inspiration: 1d20 + 11 + 1d6 ⇒ (12) + 11 + (3) = 26 earned gp

Net loss of 40gp, 6sp, 7cp taken from quartermaster petty funds.

*************************************************************************** *************************************
Wonky's enthusiastic (if not completely accurate) celebration of the Armasse Holy Day, complete with puppet show, parade of artistic floats, and juggling contest seems to go over well with the local population, representing a high point of the gnome's birthday month. Her nascent relationship with Taured (if that's his name) seems to be more of a challenge. Though the two personalities enjoy the scholarly collegiality, it's quite clear that oil and water doesn't mix extraordinarily well.

And Taured's a bit of a jerk.

Eunomia flushes. While Taured may be rude, he has a point that she'd neglected proper introductions in her eagerness to get word from home. "My apologies. As I said, I am Eunomia Verto." She offers her hand for a handshake, although she doesn't really expect him to take it. "It is a pleasure to meet you. I am certain your smithing expertise will be of great use to us." She quickly skims the letter, noting the broken seal with some amusement. It seems whoever this man is, Achille knows him well.

If Taured doesn't state his own name, she introduces him to the rest of the party.

Somehow forgot that Armasse was in Arodus, so I wanted to backtrack a little and post what Eunomia was doing back then.

Ahto's diplomatic welcome, not to mention the offer of a brand new work space, earns a nod of approval from Taured - even if his face refuses to smile.

"You seem like the one in charge around here. Come, have a look," he says to Ahto, beckoning him closer. "If I'm going to be working in this dusty town for a good long while, I want everyone to know just how 'fortuitous' my arrival is for them."

Taured withdraws a number of small, strange objects from his satchel. Most of them are thin ingots of dark gray metal, but one is an oblong crystal, pale green in color.

"My time with the Technic League may have been cut short because samples of skymetals went missing. What you're looking at here are ingots of Glaucite and a raw lump of Noqual. Now, wouldn't a symbol of office made from skymetal make a real statement, both about your status and my talents?"

"They are extraordinary metals," Ahto replies, nodding. "A crown or circlet made from them would certainly be impressive. How is their weight, comparable to other metals?" he asks, clearly interested.

I have taken a few liberties here, GM. Please pardon me if I have overstepped.

Knowledge Arcana, Inspiration: 1d20 + 10 + 1d6 ⇒ (10) + 10 + (6) = 26

Wonky answers Ahto's question excitedly.

"When the phrase 'Numerian Steel' people are usually, knowingly or not, referring to the alloy called glaucite. This dark gray metal is extremely difficult to work with. I understand that it isn’t much better than steel for forging weapons or armor; scavengers have, by and large, left the remains of that skymetal buried in Numeria because it is simply easier towork with normal iron or steel, or so I have heard."

At a glare from Taured, Wonky continues to the others.

"Noqual on the other hand, this pale green crystal, can be worked as iron despite its appearance. It is associated with abjuration magic. It is light—half as heavy as iron, yet just as strong. More importantly, noqual is strangely resistant to magic."

Wonky shoots an eager and near-manic eye at Taured.

"I am so very excited to see how we can make use of these items, but a badge of office seems far too pedestrian for how wondrous they are, I would think."

Taured's face stretches into a blank expression, but his eyes bespeak how impressed he is with the gnome's knowledge.

"You're correct," he confirms. "Of course, glaucite's rarity and the fact that it contains adamantine at all ensures that it maintains a high value. Especially for buyers who don't know about its failings. I wouldn't dream of foisting it off on you."

He shoves the glaucite ingots back into his satchel, then holds up the greenish noqual.

"Now, a ruler's crown seems like a fitting use for noqual - especially if he has the sense, and ability, to have it enchanted."

After the initial introduction, Taured settles into his new smithy, stowing his meager possessions in the loft-like room above the workspace. Over the course of Rova, he establishes his twin reputation for workmanship and cynicism.

Vekkel, after a visit to see about a new hatchet head, comes to describe Taured as "The feel of sand in your britches and boots, given the form of an elf."

Regardless of how many or how few friends he makes, his work proves an invaluable boon to the community. Hunters insist his arrowheads fly farther, and Garess' soldiers state that the tangs of his blades sit more securely in their hilt.

The Outstanding Success of Taured's work gives Tamlyn +4 Economy until the next Event Phase, as well as +1 Fame, -2 Unrest, and adds d6 BP to the Treasury.

Treasury Windfall: 1d6 ⇒ 6 BP

"Would a crown of noqual resembling leaves and vines be a fair representation of a nation that seeks both prosperity and the preservation of the natural world? Perhaps we eventually could have it enchanted to make the wearer resistant to poisoning or assassination in some fashion," Ahto suggests.

"A crown does seem like a suitable use of the material, and I like the idea of fashioning it to resemble vines." Eunomia considers the second part of Ahto's statement. "Unfortunately if the material is resistant to magic, enchanting it would be difficult. I think I have some idea of how it could be done, but I'm nowhere near talented enough to do it myself. I'd need a lot more practice. Speaking of which, if you have any magical items that you think would be useful, let me know and I'll see if I can craft them for you."

Harmond nods along and gets excited at Wonky's speculation.
"Mrs. Prong! I think you might be right! I can't say that I have any experience, or even theoretical knowledge of working with sky metals, but I think Its about time I rectify that. Mr Taured, I look forward to observing some of your work, and maybe procuring some of the sky metal from you if you are willing to part with it." He looks to the rest of the party."It sure would be nice if we had a library full of tomes to study on the topic of skymetals." He says with a good natured smile.

Wonky blushes at Harmond's words.

"I have never been subject to a matrimonial proposal, Master Orlovsky," she titters.

In Arodus, Asham uses the Armasse celebrations as a recruiting ground, looking for women and other common folk interested in learning to fight. Many of the local trappers and hunter volunteer, long used to being tough to survive. Fewer of the farmers and herders or their children jump at the opportunity, but of those who do, a surprising proportion are women.

"Evidently, stories of the Vermilion Vixen have been spreading, and she's becoming a bit of a folk hero," Asham laughingly confides while at the side of the source of inspiration herself.

The rivalry between the Abadarans and Erastilians almost vanishes without a trace amidst the raucous celebration. Unfortunately, in its place blossoms a rivalry between the two groups and Captain Garess' soldiers who desperately struggle to keep the peace among the inebriated, excitable celebrants.

Rova finds Horace and the surrounding countryside busier than ever. Many local woodsmen and artisans joke about how they plan to save up money to commission copper or pewter tankards from the "sharp-tongued elf" in advance of next year's Armasse. The farmers work to coax the quick-growing crops sown, having planted late in the growing season, to ensure a stable food supply as autumn creeps forth.

It is during this month, when the Greenbelt's heat finally begins to abate, that Asham escorts a farmer to the castle. He clutches a straw hat in his hands and gapes at the tall, sturdy walls in awkward awe.

"Mr. Welkin here has a farmstead just south of the river crossing," Asham explains, encouraging the jittery man to step forward. "He's lost a few heads of livestock in the past few days. He was unsure about bringing the matter to you, but I assured him that we could help."

The Vixen gives Ash a kiss, then hearing how her former boss really sucks at keeping order, the "folk hero" decides to intervene. If any of her students wish to observe from a safe distance, they are invited to.

"Gentlemen...," she starts.

Loyalty: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (19) + 12 = 31
(I credit Ash for this amazing loyalty-check streak.)

"Mr. Welkin, please tell us what has happened. Are you losing your cattle to a thief, or a predator of some sort?" Ahto asks.