Each deputy had:
Masterwork club
Sap
Light Crossbow
Leather Armor
10 bolts
44 gold (pays to be a deputy, I guess... wow)
"You are most welcome my dear Rayiza, as always."
He leans in and whispers in her ear "You can repay the debt with helping make sure I don't drain these deputies dry. I am feeling the thirst hard right now, the little bite on the one who hurt you did nothing but wet my appetite"
Doing his best to hide his tension Karik re-adopts his usual air of nonchalant indifference. "As for while you were out, As I'm sure you guessed half a minute is more accurate than the supposed near half a decade. Though Eris appears to be madder than usual today, even her clerical energies seemed to be ...odd... At least I assume that was why Brogol and Cimri slashed themselves right after she channeled."
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Karik keeps what he sees to himself for now.
Vivia gestures expectantly at the ex-deputy "criminals" and steps back to stand with the rest of the group (maybe near the notice board). She keeps a close eye on the ex-deputies and is ready to step in should they misbehave.
To her allies she whispers "Eris, how about you put a little damper on whatever you did to Brogol and Cimri?"
"And as for the rest of you, anyone else notice that the Archbaron's been a busy boy?" She sticks a thumb at the notices already on the board.
”Above our pay grade on what the Archbaron does.” Ingrid said. ”More important is how well this day is going. Anyone know a good fence? Because all of this gear is going to mean that we’re getting paid twice.” She finished with a toothy smile.
"Only Cimri and Brogol? Interesting... If she can control it, or if we can be protected against it, then there might really be a reason to put up with her lunacy."
As they walk towards the church square, Brogol slides up to Eris, fidgeting with his scarf as he walks beside the priestess. "Uh, ah, Eris? What happened back there... what was that? It was like my mind went blank, and hungry, impulsive, and babbling all at once."
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Nodding in agreement to Vivia, Brogol scowls. "Busy making enemies for us. He squeezes the grapes, we clean up after him. This better be worth it."
Prodding one of the former deputies in the back, Brogol hisses. "Get on with it then, bumblefife."
The deputies exchange glances while a few of the townspeople slow down with lingering stares, sensing something is in the offing but not sure what. Prodded by Brogol, one of them coughs and then says, "I, uh, that is, we assaulted the archbaron's servants and we're very sorry for it."
It's not a particularly loud apology, and one of the townsfolk actually calls him out on it, "Hey now, what's that? Speak up!"
"I said we're sorry for assaulting the archbaron's servants!" The other two keep their gazes low to the ground.
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Eris responds to Vivia and Brogol as they walk to the square.
"You know, you're right--you said exactly what my dad said," she says, patting the skull. "'Leave your friends out of it,' that's what he said. You'd all get along splendidly. But you're right--I'll be so so so very careful from now on. Ha!"
She chuckles. "As you know, Brogol-- madness is like gravity…all it takes is a little push. I didn't have to push you very far! Haha!"
Once one of the former deputies speaks up, Eris peers at the other two looking at the ground.
"Oh, come on now! YOU'RE not sorry? Just him?"
Ingrid watched with arms crossed. She wasn’t in the habit of calling too much attention to herself in public, and it seemed like her comrades were more than happy to fill that role.
Raziya smirked and took up a hammer and nails while the former-deputies were making their apologies.
As one deputy fumbles through an apology and Raziya goes to mount the notice, Cimri keeps her distance from the whole lot, silently watching the scene play out.
The second deputy adds her own apology, "I'm sorry, too. I shouldn't have taken arms against the archbaron's servants, and am grateful for their mercy." It's clearly said a bit begrudgingly, but is said nonetheless.
The third, however, stares at the ground for a moment, then looks up and yells, " Support the Glorious Reclamation! No tyranny in Longacre! Better to live free than die on your knees!"
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Unperturbed, Vivia clanks her scythe head-down to the ground and rests her hands on the end of the handle. She cuts off the third deputy before he can say anything more. "Oh boy-o, is that the lesson you took from this? That you'd rather raise your sword against your sisters and brothers, that you'd rather DIE, all because you don't like some rules." She levels a flat look at him "Seems to me you're just a baby looking to suck the tit of the Reclamation."
"We all know they'd be happy to bathe this town in blood to win."
Ingrid began making her way closer to the now doomed man. She wanted to see how the crowd reacted before she went in with her claws...
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Karik quickly moves past the man to address the crowd, gesturing to Ingrid to wait.
"And so speaks the man who tried to kill me in the street. This man beat my friend here to the ground though she held no weapon. Is this the voice of this town? I have not been here long but you seem reasonable people, you do not seem like the sort to support a man who attacks someone just doing their job. he spreads his hands wide in gesture of disbelief. "We were put up a poster! We didn't write it, we were just following orders of those who pay our wage. We were simply put up a poster when this man-" Karik points an accusatory finger at the deputy "-tried to murder us like some violent thug. I don't think this the sort of town were it is seen as okay to beat people to death because you don't like what they say. You tell me, what sort of town is this? Are actions like this acceptable? He stand, quietly, looking to the gathered locals for an answer.
More of the locals pause and the crowd grows a little as Karik orates on the merits of the Glorious Reclamation. Most of the folks are nodding as Karik proves rather persuasive, but an older woman steps forth out of the crowd.
"You speak wisely, sir, but I am wondering if we might know the nature of this 'poster' you're putting up that caused Deputy Saster such distress. If they're to be posted anyway, surely you can share the terms with us?" She looks at Karik with a calm affect but sharp and intelligent gaze.
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Eris looks like a small child about to open a present. She tries to conceal her excitement at everything that's happening.
Giggling, she puts a hand over her mouth so that she doesn't draw too much attention to herself.
"Okay, I've got this, Dad. I'll be good," she whispers.
Abruptly, she has a straight face, and she takes one of the notices over to the doctor.
"We have been commissioned by Archbaron Fex to hang these notices," Eris says, handing one to the doctor. "It appears some temporary closings and limitations on our personal freedoms are in order for the protection of the Empire. We must remember that our rulers know more than we do--they have all the information, and they are surrounded by experts. Once the immediate crisis has ended, Archbaron Fex will surely put down this increased authority. We were just hanging these notices up, when these deputies attacked us without provocation. You can ask around--there are a lot of witnesses."
By Order of His Lordship Darellus Fex, Archbaron of Longacre, and in accordance with the wishes of Her Infernal Majestrix, Queen Abrogail II of the Thrice-Damned House of Thrune, the following decrees are now in effect:
Longacre’s western gate, known as the Castle Gate, is closed until further notice. All travel into and out of Longacre must employ the north or south gates and be officially sanctioned. Only the archbaron’s agents, sanctioned local businesses, or those displaying a writ of passage bearing the seal of House Fex, will be granted passage. All others must obtain a writ from the Longacre notary or do business elsewhere.
Longacre citizens shall not congregate in groups numbering greater than six in private, or in numbers greater than twelve in public. Exceptions will be made only for families with more than six members or for individuals undertaking the natural course of their business. Gatherings for the purposes of celebration, education, or religion are not exempt from this order.
A curfew is now in effect. From the hour after dusk to the hour before dawn, no citizen of Longacre is allowed upon the town’s streets without a writ of exception bearing the seal of House Fex. The archbaron’s agents and sanctioned local businesses are exempt from this order. Those seeking a writ of exception may apply at the Longacre Notary.
Any persons found in violation of these mandates or any other laws and sanctions of Longacre will be considered seditious agents and are subject to questioning, imprisonment, and summary judgment by the Archbaron of Longacre and officials of the town government.
For the prosperity of Longacre, the protection of the Empire, and the glory of House Thrune,
Darellus Fex,
Archbaron of Longacre
As quietly as possible Ingrid moved to block any escape path for the offending deputy.
She also knew that her mere appearance would put the crowd on edge. With the group taking the reasonable approach, she kept her mouth closed and her hands hidden inside her cloak. The less “evil” or “demonic” they looked as a whole, the happier the crowd would be.
Brogol grits his teeth as Saster flaunts the group, his hand reaching for his scarf. At the beginning of the day, Brogol would have done everything he could have to avert bloodshed, but now, after a long day, these damned deputies constantly being fooking problems--
And then Karik steps forward, and calms the crowd a bit.
"My compatriot has the right of it!" Brogol yells. "Don't make these temporary - but necessary - pains drag on, with seditious activity like Saster here! Do the best thing you can do: be a patriot, and mind your Archbaron!"
Shifting next to Ingrid and Saster, Brogol scowls. He'd never killed a man before - never even drawn another person's blood, even with the events at the tannery and by the gate. That would change today.
For now, though, Brogol had to content himself to see how the crowd reacted...
With this deputy's proclamation I might get a drink today after all
Vivia shrugs at Doctor Rohalendi "Well Gerya, you can see for yourself. The notice has some strict rules, but they're probably for making sure the Reclamation doesn't start running loose, causing trouble."
With her own words not making much of an effect on the populace, Vivia doesn't offer much more than her shrug to the Doctor. Rohalendi was a right reasonable lady, as far as Vivia had seen.
Vivia moves to the side and eyes the crowd for any others that might end up making trouble about the notice.
"As we've seen, the Reclamation is behind recent violence in our streets. New measures will be required, for now."
Doctor Rohalendi accepts the proffered copy of the notice and reads through it while listening to the archbaron's agents. When she's done, she respectfully returns the notice and says, "It is not the first time the archbaron has issued such edicts, but I do have a few questions, if you don't mind..."
"Will those who break curfew to see to a medical emergency be arrested? And, as some of you know, half of Longacre is related -- what does 'family' mean in this context if two brothers and their families gather with the grandparents and wind up having more than twenty people? And, is a group gathering at the tavern assisting the establishment in 'the natural course of its business?' How can those from outside town obtain a writ of passage if they’re not allowed in to visit the notary? I just..." She pauses and sighs. "It's just very confusing to a simple country physician like myself, I apologize."
Saster chafes at the bit and looks like he's ready to yell some more invective to incite the crowd, but Vivia seems to have threatened him back into submission (mostly) and he just nods angrily as Rohalendi rattles off her questions.
”Hey there.” Ingrid piped up, coming out of the crowd. She was annoyed, and couldn’t hold back. She kept her hands hidden behind her cloak and did her utmost best to keep her teeth hidden by opening her mouth as little as possible.
”What’s with all of these questions? This is a nation of laws. As you said this isn’t the first time such notices have been made, so precedent should apply. And why are you asking these questions to people just hired to put the notices up? You think you’re talking to barristers? A new sheriff should be in place soon who can answer all of these questions. If real questions they are! You should know how things were handled before.” Then, for the sake of the crowd she said ”It’s bloody simple. Follow the law. Don’t attack people. Go to work, take care of your families. Show some common sense. And if you make a mistake? Say sorry and move on. It’s not that hard, unless you want to make it so.”
Rohaldeni seems a bit taken aback, clutching at her collar nervously, "Well, I... I'm sorry, it's just... you're the archbaron's agents, aren't you? And judging by that," she glances at the three deputies, "the sheriff and her deputies have been sacked, so, that more or less means you're in charge, yes? Who else should we ask? The archbaron doesn't exactly take visitors from the likes of us."
Ingrid shrugged. ”A new one will be placed soon. In the meantime, how about ye tell us yer name and place of business? We can stop by later once we have yer answers. As I said, just told to put the notices up.”
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"You think you’re talking to barristers"
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Eris sniggers behind her hand. But when Rohaldeni asks additional questions, Eris speaks up with a remarkably straight face again.
"We may be agents, but we have limited information. For now, we're just 'notice-hanger-upers.' I'm sure more will be coming soon, but we don't have anything else to add. The Archbaron's orders speak for themselves. As before, we simply need to follow orders until they tell us something else. Keep the peace, people."
I know, dad! That was good, huh?!
"Things are moving quickly, as you can see." Brogol nods towards Saster. "Troublemakers always push the envelope, and then righteous authorities have to respond. It is the way of the world, as we both know. I wish it weren't so, but it is."
The driver's words, while logical, are belied by anger. Brogol spits his words, hostile rather than empathetic.
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Raziya seizes upon the simpler questions where she is far less likely to be contradicted at a later date, speaking smoothly and soothingly but with her voice pitched to carry to the crowd.
"These are excellent questions, and are precisely why the exceptions to these directives rest in the capable hands of the notary. Appropriate, trustworthy physicians and healers should absolutely acquire such a writ with all haste to better serve those in their care. Outsiders would do well to contact their friends or family within Longacre so that they might have a writ awaiting them upon their arrival, or if they are truly strangers to us all, then they should be glad for the chance to make their good intentions known to the Baron in advance, lest they be caught up alongside those invaders and insurrectionists who are working to tear apart the peace of our town."
Karik once again tries to wave his companions down from violence.
This is not the time nor place! Keep them happy and settled. Like the cattle they are let them eat the grass and stay calm. Even sheep have horns
With a friendly smile, keeping his fangs behind his lips, Karik waves the people down once more.
”Yes, we will be, for want of a better term, ‘In charge’. But we are not power hungry idiots. We are just doing a job, and that job is to keep the peace. We are not so stupid as to try to keep the peace with an iron fist, that’s not really peace at all. The notice specifically calls out families as being a seperate matter. This is not banning Sunday lunches with the grandparents.
The Archbaron just doesn’t want fools or trouble makers like this man to sit around a table and bounce violent plans off one another and stir themselves in to a froth of poor judgement. More than that the Archbaron doesn’t want troublemakers to lure innocent and trusting young people to them and twist them and us them to carry out reckless and pointless acts of rebellion.
I don’t know if you have children but as a physician you surely know most of these people and I’m guessing you can think of a few young hotheads who could be led astray by bad company.
Families will look out for their own, open public spaces allow for wiser heads, like your own I’m sure, to act before people do things they come to regret.
The more I learn of this town the more I like of it and I want to see you safe and happy. If my orders were to threaten that I would be reticent to carry them out.”
Vivia is pleased to hear Raziya and Karik laying out some sense for the people in the square, even if Karik's comments verge on the edge of saccharine to her ear. She turns to Rohalendi "There you have it Gerya. I can't imagine who'd arrest someone sick who needs immediate help. That and, if there's someone sick, its probably for the best they stay where they are and you as a sanctioned uh, local business, go on house calls."
She grunts "Plenty of loopholes in these rules anyway. Like you're pointing out."
Rohaldeni casts a gaze that is alternatively wary and deferential towards Ingrid, Eris and Brogol, but relaxes a little as Raziya, Karik and Vivia chime in. She nods but sighs, an expression of resigned acceptance, and adds, "T'is confusing but, as you said, not the first time. Thank you for explaining it to me." She walks away and is quickly approached by other locals, with whom she speaks in a calm tone and with soothing gestures.
Yet, Saster appears not quite content to leave things be. "They lie! Mark my words, the baron won't stop until you're ground beneath his boot!"
Cimri unhooks the sap from her belt and begins to circle the crowd, trying to stay unobtrusive for now, but she is too well known by the locals and everyone is far too on edge. She tries to keep a lid on things by winking at people; instead they just don't consider her much of a concern.
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Eris clucks her tongue at the still-defiant deputy, then speaks to him quietly.
"You remember what I said about your family being disappointed? We'll make sure they know what you've done. I, for one, don't want this to be an unpleasant experience for them. But they really should know," she smirks.
"You may as well tell me where you live to save us the time tracking everything down."
Addressing Saster, Vivia says "Oh come on now, now you're just fearmongering. I doubt the Archbaron's got any bone to pick with most people. At least no one that doesn't go out of his way to stir up trouble." Rather that try to be menacing, she just states it matter of factly. Saster's grasping for straws and there was no need to antagonize anyone. Especially not someone who might be serving drinks to the group later.
Cimri catches Vivia's eye with her poor sneaking, and Vivia raises an eyebrow at the scamp.
Raziya shakes her head softly at Cimri. Not in front of everyone.
"Saster, you were the one who broke the peace of our town today. We have not offered violence to any who did not attack us in the street, and then, we did not demand vengeance, only asked that you stand with the rest of your cohort and admit your wrongdoing.
"Why, I'm certain that though they tried to shield you at first out of some misguided sense of loyalty, your former colleagues would admit that you were the one who led them to try to murder the Baron's agents."
Cimri catches the looks from Vivia and Raziya and hangs back, actually somewhat near the church’s fence.
Saster half-sneers at Eris, ”I’ve got no family, you batty wench! You can’t threaten them!” But as the others speak calmly and don’t rise to the bait, the crowd gradually loses interest and a few of them turn on Saster, ”Stop making an arse of yourself. Ya shouldn’t have been fired, you did a good job, but get yer head screwed back on!” As they go back about their business, Saster seems deflated and falls silent.
We'll see Saster again... But that's not necessarily terrible.
A little subtle tormenting should leave him too riled up to make friends or serve as a stable figurehead, and provide a wonderful scapegoat for any necessary escalations... There must be some sort of paperwork back at the sheriff's office, that and whatever else I can dig up on him should be quite sufficient.
Smiling to herself over schemes to come, Raziya glided over to Cimri's fence, one gauntlet tucked into her belt. "You look a little hot under the collar, Cimri. You shouldn't fret so much over trifles like the deputy; you'll get worry lines." She gently tapped Cimri's forehead with a bare finger, the sizable dent in her skull helm only making the death's grin seem more askew. "Let them see you smile - We're winning."
”She’s right. We’re walking the line right now. Of being reasonable enough for people to want their normal life, and scary enough to not rock the boat. So far everything is going as well as possible.”
Vivia crosses her arms as things seem to settle and people start to disperse. This whole talking to people to calm them down wasn't the kind of thing she was typically hired for. Thankfully it had gone well enough that their paychecks would still be in one piece.
She whispers "That Archbaron better be thankful." to herself.
To the others, she adds "Saster's washed up after that. We might as well hit the Tavern and get this job over with."
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Eris puts a hand on Saster's shoulder.
Looking at him solemnly, she says "Why are you the way that you are? Honestly, every time I try to do something fun or exciting, you make it not that way. I hate so much about the things that you choose to be."
She winks and blows a kiss at him. "Bu-bye now. Haha!"
Brogol leans in close to the two deputies distancing them from Saster. "That was hard to do, I'm sure. But you've saved your lives, and your families' and that's the important thing."
"Expect to see you two gone by morning, as agreed."
Brogol turns to Saster, and touching the top of his cloakhood as if doffing a hat, murmers, "Suppose we'll be seeing you around, eh?"
Vivia raises an eyebrow at Brogol, but lets him push on Saster. As far as she's concerned, the man's welcome to throw himself at the group if he wants. The sharp edge of a scythe will be waiting for him. She pulls the last notice from her pouch and starts heading for the tavern.
On the way to the tavern Karik lowers his voice. "Do you think we could make it look like Saster ran away to join the reclamation? I'd like to bring him home for dinner. There's a lot I'd like to get out of him... but I'll start with information on this so called Glorious Reclamation."
"What a marvelous way for Saster to vanish once we're done with him."
Vaelor beams with pride.
”He might not b quite as tricky as you when it comes to politics but my master has good ideas.”