Uh yes, but perhaps the guild will not want to see me. I did say some bad things about them.
Jarcal shrugs, Well as I've said, I want to speak to both parties eventually...and I will admit that so far the Merchant's Guild has been more upfront with us. I'm fine with heading to meet with Gurrham first."
He then turns to Jen, "That true my dear, but they will remember little more than an outspoken cleric of Erastil at the riot today and that's not who they will be meeting with. You're already wearing one disguise as it is, it should be easy enough to fashion you another."
"Visiting both right away have there favors, either way we will be making a promise to one side without fully knowing what the other side says. I almost think we should go see Lita first and capitialize on Jen stopping this riot while its still fresh in there heads, but one thing I know which ever way we go we go it all together." He gives a smirk. "Also it might be too risky to keep calling ourselves by our names maybe we should come up with some fake ones know so we don't give ourselves away."
Vorannia nods at Baron's wisdom.
"I have thought of that as well. I doubt that I shall be able to hide my noble nature, however, so I will continue to play that part, as Lady Veronica Tredevaine."
Okay, I need you folks to pick a direction. Majority wins
Go to Lita's
Go to Gurrham's
I will post the next step once I have a unified decision.
"I figure we give the merchants time to forget me. Even in disguise."
"Alright, Lita it is. Even if only to tell her that her compatriots should consider how they treat strangers in her name and honor, because my first impression of her organization was pretty damn low."
Jarcal nods, "Sounds good, I'd like to make sure the damn Chamberlain is actually going to give us an audience before we try making arrangements with the merchants."
Tars has also expressed his desire to meet with Lita. So Lita it is. I will post the next segment as soon as I have a moment.
Okay so you all head back to the Torallas capital building. Inside you meet with the chamberlain. Well done. Finally a riot that ended in our favor. People will be happy to know that Lita is in control. Now I have your payment. 20 gold coins each and another assignment if you wish to continue serving Lita. We have procured evidence of black market goods being shipped to a merchant name Kein Boraskas. I want you to retrieve these goods. They are using and underground passage to deliver these goods. We cannot send guards to do this because only the merchants guild members and members of the collective know where this passage is. I need you to ask around, find it, and recover the goods and arrest all involved. If you can do this there will be 100 gold in it for each of you. Now best of luck." The chamberlain gets back to his paperwork
I know you guys aren't going to be happy with that. Go ahead and voice your complaints. I look forward to seeing how this debate will go hehe.
Leon holds up his hand to the gold as it is handed to him, "Now look. We're not your errand runners, and we're not taking jobs from you. Don't start thinking we're on your side, because we're not on any side. We side with the people, not some politician or group of thick-headed rich men. That riot was a threat to the people, so we took care of it."
"What we need, instead of money, is an audience with Lita. We need to speak to her about this situation, and seek the most simple solution that will cause the least amount of harm to the people. You are on the brink of all out war with the richest men in these parts while an enemy army of Orcs is steadily overrunning all of Borallas. I'm sick of seeing innocents suffer because people like you are beating around the bush, trying to treat the symptoms instead of admitting you're afraid of the cure.
"Give us an audience with Lita: prove me wrong. Until then, your actions show only disdain for the people you claim to protect."
Diplomacy
Gold? %#^@ your gold! If everyone served on the whims of those that had gold, then the merchants guild would rule all of Boralles. She throws the gold on the ground.
Serving Lita? Serving Lita?! No, we stopped the riot for two reasons. It would've done more harm to the people of the city and to prove that we are trustworthy enough to see Lita. And let me tell you something. The merchants guild has been willing to meet with us, even with someone as unsympathetic to their goals as I am.
I know that you sent us because Lita does not have enough power to do anything about things in the city. She has the power of law, but the lack of power behind that law is making it a mockery. And I know that if we decided to support the merchant guild, Lita's government cannot stand. And do you know why?
For those that base their decision on economic means, the merchants clearly control that, meaning they will be supporting them. For those that base their decision on power, the merchants clearly control that, because they have the money to pay their guards. Those that base their decision on simple decency and morality are all that remain, and if you drive them away, there will be none that remain in your camp.
So are you sending us away or are you going to let us speak with her? It is your choice.
Baguta looks down at the gold on the ground, back up at Jen, and then back into the distance, resuming his "post".
Jarcal stand resolute beside Jen and Leon but is content to let them take point for the time being.
Baron stays back with Jarcal as well waiting for a prime chance to fix the situation.
Vorannia supports Leon's diplomacy.
"It is true that we are not this Lita's errand runners. And I support my compatriot here. We have done what you asked in order to receive an audience with Lita. If you are unwilling to support your part of the bargain, perhaps we can find those who might be more willing to listen to advice and reason."
The Chamberlain leans back casually in his chair listening to you voice your complaints. After you finish he takes a breath. "I said I will use jobs to judge you. So far My guards have reported you collaborating with the merchant after he stepped off his stand. Another reported that you accepted payment for the job in on sight. This really hurts your standing with us. If you want too gain enough trust to talk with Lita, you need to keep doing assignments until I deem you worthy. Otherwise you can leave. So far your aid has been minimal at best and for all I know, you could be an agent of the merchant guild looking for another chance at taking Lita's life. I will not have it. I have shown you your next assignment. Take it or leave. Good day." The Chamblain is sitting calm and quite relaxed.
Jen looks around to see how many guards there are:
Sighing and turning finally, to Jarcal. Baguta speaks just loudly enough for everyone to hear him.
"The guild was probably right. Whoever is pulling Lita's strings must be a complete idiot. I mean they let this guy represent her. How easily the title of 'chamberlain' is given these days!" As he says the word 'chamberlain', he holds his calloused hands up daintily, in a very mocking manner.
"Maybe we can find someone else who can actually get us in to see Lita. This guy is a joke."
He gives Jarcal a sly wink at the end, and waits for a retort.
Carlov leans forward in his chair and begins writing on a parchment.
There are six guards in the room.
At this point it is obvious he is ignoring you.
Leon, ignoring what the chamberlain says, puts his hands on the edge of his desk and leans over. "Is Lita here right now?" he asks, looking around.
Diplomacy (Gather Information)
Sense Motive (in case he lies)
Chamberlain simply contiues to write. "I am not entitled to share that information."
Vorannia looks around at her companions, wondering if they really do seem intent on attacking the guards. Her eyes grow a little wide in hunger and anticipation.
She crosses her arms under her chest.
"As I said, we can find someone more willing to listen to advice and reason. The nobility in this town apparently does not care one wit for the common people, or for the interests of stability."
She turns away as though prepared to walk out.
"The chamberlain probably doesn't even want to find out who actually tried to have Lita assassinated."
Carlov snorts. "We know who was responsible. We have a man on the job already. You civilians need to leave now before I have you thrown in jail for loitering on government property. If you don't do the jobs I ask, then you have no business here. Good day." Two guards move in between you and the chamberlain while the other four are looming just waiting for the command to seize you.
"No problem sir, we will look into your problems and get back to you. Though if you wish to save all that coin, all we will want is a meeting with Governess Lita could that be arranged? I realized that everytime we ask we don't realize she is a busy women running the district an all. So if you agree to arrange a meeting for us with the Governess for reward for your second job then we will finish it post haste. What do you think my lord?" Baron ends with a bow holding his hands in pleading motion.
Carlov stares at you. "No. No one will see Lita unless I trust them fully and with every ounce of dejectable behavior you lot display, I begin to feel we'd be safer with you all behind bars. Now this is your last chance too leave."
Jen leaves the building and talks to the party. Maybe we should go see the merchant guild then?
"You lost yourself powerful potential allies today, friend. We're here to make changes, not do the work of errand-running grunts. Maybe if you'd treated us with some respect, we'll remember this meeting a little more kindly. Now, when the time comes that Lita realizes she needs our help, our work won't come free. And you know what's on the top of my list of favors?"
Your job. And somebody else filling it. You hurt a lot of people today, I hope you'll realize that someday and seek forgiveness. And I hope you find somebody more understanding than yourself when that time comes."
He turns to the group, "Let's go, our efforts here are over. Lita can keep her pompous underlings and try to salvage this mess herself."
Once outside, Leon reminds the group, "Don't forget we have a meeting with Gayland we shouldn't miss."
As they step outside the building, Jarcal grimaces, "That man is seriously infuriating. I'm starting to get the impression that he doesn't want us, or anyone to actually get to see Lita. I doubt the Chamberlain is the kind of man who would be content to follow anyone's direction, especially not someone as inexperienced as Lita. Anyone else get the feeling Lita might not actually be as responsible for the actions of her government as people believe?"
Baguta shrugs his response to Jarcal. "That's the way it goes, yeah?"
Tipping his head to Vorannia, he asks "Still think royalty is the path this city needs?" The question seems only half-joking.
Just waiting on you to decide to head out.
Baguta shrugs his response to Jarcal. "That's the way it goes, yeah?"
Tipping his head to Vorannia, he asks "Still think royalty is the path this city needs?" The question seems only half-joking.
"Yes. But obviously not someone as incompetent as Madame Lita. The Merchants' Guild may have a better hold on the district."
"This chamberlain leaves me ever more curious if she even exists anymore? Maybe he is using her image poorly to help himself take control of her postiion and fix all the things she did wrong. Only a thought, but I wonder if his house is seperate for Lita's keep I wouldn't mind taking a tour in it." He snickers as he thinks about it. "Though maybe we should ask around if she has spoke in public recently or at least been see by people other then the Chambermaid or lain hehe." As he chuckles about his little joke.
"So should we try to find out the info on the black arms, and try to trade that info for a visit with Lita or go to the Merchant Guild who looks better and better every visit we make to the chamber maid? I'm up for any of them."
Vorannia chuckles at Baron's delicious joke. "Or Chamber pot, even."
Let's go to the merchants guild. I'm starting to think that they will make the answer to a good government around here.
Jarcal chuckles at Baron and Vorannia's joke, "I think the merchant's guild is the way to go for the moment but we should definitely do some more digging into Lita's recent appearances. I'd like to find out where she is supposed to be staying and take a low profile wander past the guards to talk to her one on one. I think you'd probably be able to keep up if you want to come as well, Baguta?"
Baguta smiles at Jarcal. "Naturally."
"I was going to suggest a recon mission. I don't trust the chamber pot one bit," Leon grins at Vorannia and Baron, obviously appreciating their sense of humor. "But if this fool is keeping us from her this diligently, it might be difficult to get past her security, and it might be considered a threatening action by the law."
"I'll be right back."
Leon turns from the group and wanders into the hubbub of pedestrians, trying to learn a bit more about Lita's presence in the city.
"Have you ever seen or met Lita?"
"How often does Lita address the people of her city?"
"Do you know when Lita is speaking next?"
Diplomacy (Gather Information)
Pesants respond to Leon. "Last time Lita was seen in public was just before the attempted assassination. No she will not make a public appearances until the people who hired the assassin are dealt with. They aren't letting anybody see her. We all have to report to the Chamberlain but no one gets to see Lita unless he approves. You should ask Lord Varon Bon Tarkin. He was supposedly the last person to meet with Lita. Just a couple of days ago. I hope Lita and that Chamberlain can put an end to the merchant's guild corruption. If you have questions about Lita Lord Tarkin is who you want he lives an hour from here in the estate district."
If Leon reports this info to the group, you will recognize the name Tarkin. They are acquaintances of your family. You know Lord Tarkin to be a trustworthy man.
Vorannia paces back and forth impatiently as she waits for Leon to return from his gallanting. She turns to Jen.
"I am of a mind to agree with you. However, I think we should get at least a small understanding of which way the nobles of the city are likely to turn, if the conflict became more violent as one power emerged as an obvious central authority. Without this understanding, the potential of the public power pyramid remains incomplete."