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Liam lets his friends report to Gandros, not trusting himself not to offend the mad chap. He does, however, report the following to the Venture-Captain (and probably more than a few drunks down at the tavern that night).
Now listen closely to my tale
Of madness, woe, and fear.
Top up your beers and settle down
To hear of prince so queer.
Our yarn begins in Andoran,
On dark and stormy night
Where lo! A prince called Gandros sat
(I fear he weren't all right).
The long-lost prince of Augustana
Had gone through quite a trial.
The victim of assassins bold
And monsters e'er so vile.
So tall, his tale, and yet some truth
May dwell within the lies.
And thus our heroes set off fast
To see with their own eyes.
The stench that came from our mad prince
Did send us to the sew'r.
Down there we met some thugs unwise
Who us they tried to skew'r
The Steel Wyverns they called themselves
Deluded by their past
Did think they owned e'erthing below:
Underground kingdom vast.
With Wulfren's gun and Ana's spear
Too soon we put them down.
No more to rob another soul,
They should have just skipped town.
No time to lose, we onwards pushed
And came upon a swarm
Our brains we used: with sewer gas
We made a fire storm.
To Almsman's home we moved on then,
To see what he might know.
More thugs there were who threatened him
And those who lives were woe.
Protection money did they want
From those without e'en food.
A trap we set to spring on them
Before they could intrude.
Most we beat with nary a scratch
Alas one got away
The coward ran and left his "friends"
To be our easy prey.
That task then done, we made our way
To our dear prince's lair
Yellowcap mushrooms did abound
'Tweren't all we did find there.
Though known not how, someone did have
A scroll to summon beasts.
Two demons came to eat their fill
Now that they were released.
Though magic used, they were no match,
For our teamwork so strong.
They tried their best, but we won out
And sent them soon along.
The truth now found, we returned home
And reported our finds.
Let Gandros' fate not you befall:
For drugs do kill your mind.
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Gert is able to finally coax Old Lace out of hiding after the dreach are dispatched with a bit of meat she takes from her pack. "Come on, you big coward. It's all safe now." she playfully scratches the dinosaur on the back of the neck as she feeds her companion. Heading back to the Pathfinder Lodge, Gert is torn. "What do we tell this crazy mushroom head? I mean, His Royal Highness."
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The Venture-Captain looks impressed by Liam's account of their exploration.
"So the tale had some truth in it. Interesting. Well, regardless of that, he's a Pathfinder's son, so we shall care for him and attempt to cure his mental affliction. That's the least we can do for the poor sod. Well done, agents. You've earned some rest... and a bath."
The Prince, catching up on the end of the conversation, adds enthusiastically "... And a title! You have served me well, my loyal subject. I shall grant you titles and land."
To Liam: "You shall be henceforth known as Court Poet of Augustana. Praise our nation well, friend, for Andoran deserves it."
To Wulfren : "I name you Grand Marshall of our armies. May you defend the state well."
To Gert : "You will be my new Kennel master, for your skill with animals is great in our eyes."
To Ic : "You're to be our Royal Archmage, and administer the magical portals with others world's. "
Finally, to Anaristiel, in a coy, admiring voice: "You, dear, could be my Queen, run this realm with me and be the mother of Andoran's heir to the throne! Truth be told, you are the fairest of them all, wise and fierce. Who else could reign at my side? What say you, Lady Anaristiel?"
-Posted with Wayfinder
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Anaristiel looks confused - shocked, even - briefly, then smiles and curtsies deeply. "I'm truly flattered, Your Highness. However, much as I might at times wish it were not so, I am sure my destiny lies elsewhere." Then, as she rises, "As time passes, I will look on fair Augustana fondly, and think of you. As to finding the mother to your heir, am sure that you will find another Queen, more well-suited to the task." She blushes, then curtsies once more and steps back.
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The Prince nods gravely, concluding: "Of course, fair Lady Anaristiel, I do understand. Woe is upon me for a heart's desire is not always shared! I understand that I have not proved myself worthy in your eyes yet, but that is bound to change. May you look upon sweet Andoran with love, and as you see it strive and flourish in the years of my reign to come, you will know that my endeavours are meant to show you how dear you are to me. Should you change your mind, you will find the doors of my palace and of my heart always open for you. For the time being, I name thee Baroness of the Verdure forest. Farewell, sweet Anaristiel." Gandros bows one last time, dropping a fleeting kiss on Ana's hand.
-Posted with Wayfinder