Astrid doesn't speak very often, preferring to dig into her hearty stew with wild abandon. Apparently, all of her grace and manners are saved for the serving of tea. She does grumble a bit about the rumors, though muttering, [smaller]"It's none of our business. We should lay low. I swear, if we get caught up in another one of those finagly intrigue things like we did in Karameikos, I'll go insane with all of the politeness and doublespeak."
Astrid's jaw visibly drops at the sheer insanity of the duke's new law. She roars over the crowd, before storming off in the direction of the Duke's palace.
"Someone must go to the King in Norrvik. The Duke has obviously gone insane, and the King should be notified before an army of Dwarves lays siege to this town!"
Astrid whirls around, eyes aflame. "We have NO time to waste on the game of bureaucracy and doubletalk and politeness and lies that convincing the damn king to act would require! We have to stop this at this source!"
Astrid's companions know by now that when Astrid becomes this furious outside of battle, it is not of any fault of her own: rather, sometimes the spirits that give her rage urge her towards rash action.
The dwarfs furious triade is brief as he needs to get back to his folk.
Shaving and stretching huh? I'd like to see them try. Give me thirty seconds with that addled brained duke and throw in Stormsailor as well - there's been too much comings and goings of folk that don't belong there at the barracks to be anything other than Draco Stormsailor!
Continuing to mutter, fume and bluster he hurries off. He can be heard for a few minutes as he storms off.
A man in a tattered cloak pulls up a chair and joins you.
Wisdom hides behind a bearded face I fear. I am Eric of Forsetta, and you, I believe, are adventurers. We may yet have a common purpose - definitely it is affecting your friend. The lady is right - you must stop it at its source.
Liam looks about, making sure the coast is clear and snags the coin purse and tucks it away as quick as he can.
He then heads back to the group's table.
Liam manages to snag the purse which has 5 coppers pennies and 7 silver shillings in it.
He is present for Astrids explosion of emotion on the streets.
Liam quickly pockets the coin. tossing the empty sack toward a corner.
as he looks up he hears Astrid's "explosion of emotion" Astrid?
Her hurries to her side Your gonna make a scene, come on, inside, we may have a plan. lets be smart about this. Please. Liam takes Astrid's hand and he has those pleading eyes that are so hard to say no to.
He tries to escort her back inside to discuss a plan.
Karl simply shakes his head at Astrid's outburts. He had seen this type of reaction often when livingbinbthe clans, and his friendship with the woman has exposed this side of her on more than one ocasion. He steps outside to join Liam.
Come now, lass, let's get some tea in you and figure out the best way to put a stop to this crazed Duke and whatever has him losing his marbles.
AH! You grow bold Astrid. Good, Good! I feared the tea had tamed the fires inside you. The Battle Spirits will be pleased!
Aukan eyes the newcomer suspiciously Why do you want this done?
Both Karl´s and Liam´s pleading calms the fires in Astrid´s eyes. She relaxes a bit, then shakes her head, getting rid of the remaining spiritual fury in her soul.
¨I... I apologize, my friends. It´s just that I saw too many other tribes subjugated by my own... and to think of humiliating an entire proud race like that? That stokes the flames in me.¨
Astrid then turns to Eric and nods. ¨As you said, stranger. Let me grab some tea and then perhaps I shall be of mind to talk civilly,¨ she says with a half-smile.
"Don't tell the king one of his vassals is going to start a war?? We have no jurisdiction here...the Duke is the legal ruler and only by the decree of the King may we act with any authority. Or are we to become rebels?? Which, if we are, is fine by me...I just like to know where I stand is all!", he says with a wry smirk!
Aukan eyes the newcomer suspiciously Why do you want this done?
Come sit and I will tell you my need, he says simply.
Later at the inn, where a man is vainly searching for his coin pouch and cursing his ill fortune, Eric buys you all a cup of wine and sets to telling you his tale.
He is a priest of the Order of Forsetta, normally known as the Lawful Order of Forsetta, well known for its support of the rulers of Rhoona. Lately however the Duke has withdrawn his support from the church as well as rejecting its advice or requests for audience - Draco Stormsailor has become Duke Stephens sole counsellor.
As you can imagine with all this chaos it's important that the church regain it's position as advisors to Rhoona's rulers but we are in a precarious situation - we must remain loyal to the Duke but we would be foolish to let affairs run this course without intervention. I have been travelling incognito for a band such as yours and I believe Forsetta has led me to you - you can see how it has affected your friend and the citizens of Rhoona alike... I believe the root of this lies with Stormsailor - I know he is not at the barracks at the moment but maybe he has something in his quarters that would give us a clue to what is at hand. The answers lie in the lair of the Dragon - what say you to being Rhoona's saviours?
A worthy cause! Certain to create a battle worth fighting! Something to please the Spirits yes! Aukan grins a toothy grin at the priest.
I too welcome the opportunity to aid in such a worthy task.
Astrid sips at her tea, savoring the delicious brew. At Eric's briefing she nods, but appears thoughtful.
"Interesting. But I have a few questions. The first one is, how would we be sure that the church would not use the duke's addled state of mind to further its own position and gain control of Rhoona? I'm sorry if this offends you, but I don't want to clear away another bad situation to make a worse one. Secondly, not many of my friends are sneaky types, including myself. Fairgrimm is the only one of us who is skilled in the art of stealth. Assuming that we take the job, how are we supposed to get in the barracks quietly? And last, what about payment? Although doing this for charity would likely improve your opinion of us," Astrid gives a smile as she sips more tea. "we do have to eat."
Astrid! You think too much! That tea makes your mind restless! Relish the chance to prove your Spirit is strong! Embrace the coming conflict!
"Hush Aukan! Astrid thinks just the right amount. I too was wondering this, as well as our compensation. Certain profitable trade considerations could go a long way to bring my interest to the table!"
As the fellow is searching for hi missing coin purse, Liam slips around to the other side of the table. He appears to be attempting to get a better view of the room as opposed to where he was. Well that is at least his reasoning.
anyway back to the briefing, I'll do it. I mean being sneaky, and stealthy isn't really a top priority for a warrior of my caliber, but I am willing to slip in and check this guy out for ya.
Liam seems rather exited as well as a little anxious.
Astrid sips at her tea, savoring the delicious brew. At Eric's briefing she nods, but appears thoughtful.
"Interesting. But I have a few questions. The first one is, how would we be sure that the church would not use the duke's addled state of mind to further its own position and gain control of Rhoona? I'm sorry if this offends you, but I don't want to clear away another bad situation to make a worse one. Secondly, not many of my friends are sneaky types, including myself. Fairgrimm is the only one of us who is skilled in the art of stealth. Assuming that we take the job, how are we supposed to get in the barracks quietly? And last, what about payment? Although doing this for charity would likely improve your opinion of us," Astrid gives a smile as she sips more tea. "we do have to eat."
Your questions are well reasoned - as for your first concern we are seeking some sort of information or clue as to Dracos plans in his counsel to the Duke. We seek to know if this is some sort of outside malady or even a military coup. As to our motives for weal or woe? It is hard for you to trust me perhaps but our faith has been at the bedrock of this realm as a force for good since the first of Rhoonas rulers. I ask you to trust that.
As for how to get in? You are adventurers - you will find a way, or cook up with some scheme I believe.
Payment - I could promise you many things at the end of all these woes but I suspect these promises and the gratitude of the Church, and eventually Rhoona's ruler would be seen as little value to such practical people. I offer 100 gold crowns each for this task and will offer additional payments if additional tasks are needed .
"I would take such gratitude of the church and the ruler of Rhoona as payment, so long as the current ruler is either healed of his insanity, or a new, more stable replacement was found! I agree to assist!"
You will bring me as prisoner! The guards will fear my mighty spirit and trust you to escort me down to the barracks jail. Then I will unleash the Battle Spirit among the guards and they will tell tales of my valor! Aukan's sudden inspiration seemingly coming form nowhere.
Astrid takes another sip of her tea and nods. "Sounds like it could be interesting. And legitimate-so much as any business that involves stealing into the barracks to steal some evidence can be so. I'm in."
At Aukan's sudden burst of inspiration, Astrid whirls around, looking ready to put down whatever Aukan's new harebrained scheme is. "That is... a surprisingly good plan, Aukan. Glad you thought of it," she begrudgingly admits.
"I could always just charm one of the guards to let us in and show us what we wanted. Would that help?", Magnus says while taking a sip of his wine and grimacing.
Possibly more expedient than a complicated ruse?
"Yes, but... Magnus, remember that merchant in Valken? Who, after the spell wore off, promptly set the guards loose on us? I mean, as I understand it, people remember when somebody messes with their head. And I don't want to be caught between two hordes of angry guards when the spell wears off."
Astrid pours a cup of tea for Eric. "Tea?"
Aukan smiles at the thought of being caught between angry hordes of town guards.
"Well I do not think they will be in much better attitude if we start cracking heads. And besides, that merchant was trying to cheat us first...I was just leveling the field...and Aukan scared them off anyway. It matters not to me, just thought it might be easier than sending Aukan against them."
Easy is not always best! Better to forge yourself in battle! I have fought in a hundred battles! My steel is tempered! Aukan boasts
"We don't need to crack heads. If we can keep them distracted for long enough by babbling about the proper forms and bureaucracy and red parchment for long enough, Liam and Fairgrimm can get in and get out quickly. By the time they finally bring us whatever papers they think we need, all we need to do is take a quick look over them, sigh in disgust, and come back the next day when they're ready for us."
There may be other ways, says the man who has given you your mission and sending in just two may not be enough for them to get out if they ran into problems or worse yet. Perhaps if you get some uniforms or as one of you said, some sort of paperwork authorising you to be in the barracks?
He rises to leave.
I will leave you to it
Liam sits in thought, munching on some chicken. so, Me and Fair over there sneak in. Sounds great. I am pretty sure I can get what we need.
Liam gathers his stuff, come-on lets get going. it will dark soon and we don't want to waste it.
Still here, but I am not sure what the plan is. We are suppose to make some sort of diversion while one of us sneaks in and looks for clues? Is that the general plan?
I will join the two of you, but I can approach the front door and ask to provide the aid, blessings and healing services of Frey. Others can join me as my assistants, and it will, at a minimum, provide a distraction while the others sneak in.
You approach the barracks, which has two gates to the front, one on each side and one to the rear. A quick walk around finds that the gates to the right are not guarded and open. Clearly the guards are growing complacent.
Dominating the center of the courtyard is the main building, to its south is something that smells distinctly of horses and to the far side of the courtyard is a squat heavy building with no windows that is barred.
The main building has multiple doors but the closest is one that leads to a section with barred windows. You may be able to find other doors with a reconnoiter.
I am your prisoner! Take control of me and shove me roughly forward! I will break free and prove my Battle Spirit is strong when the time is right! Aukan boasts while moving forward
Karl nods and leads Akan forward to the front door.
I told ya I would bring ya to justice for working with those Dwarves.
As he gets close to the main doors, he calls out.
I am Karl Gufstass, and me and my friends have a Dwarf sympathizer here for ya. I am a priest of Frey, and I come to offer my services to the troops.
There is some sounds of confusion from the left side of the building as you lead Aukan past it and towards the front... still (there has been nothing happening) leaving the way clear for Liam and Magnus to try to circle past the left side of the building to the rear
I am Aukan Knows-No-Fear! I will have my revenge on you Karl Gufstass! My Spirit will prevail! Aukan shouts his shaking his falsely bonded hands in the air. Is a good show yes? he whispers
Sneaking to the back of the building, Magnus can hear Aukan bellowing.
"I hope they know what they are doing! I hope WE know what we are doing!", he whispers to Liam.
Magnus and Liam can see a flight of wooden stairs leading up to the buildings second level.
Liam nods to Magnus, don't worry, I've been in lots of worse spots than this. he whispers back.
Liam indicates the wooden stairs, Up and in? he asks.