Ameliya's eyes ran across the large wooden post, but found nothing of interest that caught her attention. When Doctor Gerya came around to ask annoyingly fair and measured questions on the possible technicalities of the Archbaron's new laws she watched and let Vade use his legal expertise on the subject to handle the situation.
"All those issues are under the purview of the Archbaron," responded Jerax as the group walks back to the jail. "His Lordship made those decrees. His Lordship must have a means to carrying them out."
The psychic would only pipe up once they started to make their way back to the jail. "But if that were the case he likely wouldn't have need for us." Ameliya shrugged causally, "Either way, it wouldn't hurt for us to look for hirelings of your own. If only to help supplement the Archbaron's forces. There are plenty of veterans here who will be in need of work. We simply need to find the means of paying them and encouraging to see the value of working for our illustrious Archbaron."
"Listen, Doc", the tiefling interjected. "We are not authorized to comment or have greater familiarity with the new edicts the Archbaron has set down. I would see the Archbaron's notary for further clarification."
The doctor looks between the reverend and the knight silently, but her arched brow conveys much. The reverend is speaking quite authoritatively on the archbaron's pronouncements, yet the knight professes ignorance and impotence. She does not push the matter further. When additional explanations and rationales -- contrived or otherwise -- are offered, she simply smiles and nods, "Thank you for trying to explain. I'm just a simple country physician, not a barrister, and this is quite confusing to me."
"These are uncertain times. House Thrune needs loyal servants. Can I trust that you will be among them?"
She maintains the same, inoffensive smile and nods, "You're a very smart young man, and kind to take time to answer my questions. I'm no rebel, just a simple Chelish citizen. You'll have no trouble from me."
The reverend's diplomatic words combined with the doctor's calm questions and responses seem to blunt the crowd's irritation, though there is still plenty of murmured resentment about the conditions.
"I will meet you back at the jail soon. I want to swing by the Notory to make certain they are aware they are mentioned in the Notice as well as see how they intend to comply."
With that the halfling sets off for the notory.
=== At the Jail ===
Those who return to the jail find Cimri reclining in the chair at her aunt's old desk, feet up, and sharpening the blade of her kukri on a whetstone. As the door opens, she hollers, "We're closed!" Then she looks up and continues, "Oh! It's you. Our friends are resting in their cells. Everything go okay at the Last Stand and Church Square?"
=== At the Notary ===
Slenk continues past the jail and around the corner to the notary's office. The single-story brick building has faded paint around the trim and the windows have iron bars. An old slate roof covers the top, and a sign swings from a post reading:
W. Brakenbol, Esq.
Slenk steps inside to the smell of parchment and ink. Light comes in through the windows and is aided by several crystal lamps. A wizened man well into his years sits at a desk, his fingers stained with ink. Slenk remembers this man from when his freedom was made official; it is Wenbrade Brakenbol, a persnickety bureaucrat, utterly indifferent to the personal costs the laws of the realm inflicted on its citizens.
As Slenk enters, he looks up from a book he is reading, peering over some rimless spectacles, and his lips purse slightly as if he'd just tasted a persimmon. "Ah... Slenk." Though it took a moment, the old man's memory was sharp. His gaze pauses briefly on the sash, then he continues, "What brings you back to my modest demesne?"
=== At the Jail ===
"Well..the notices have been posted on time, at least", Jerax replied with a small smile.
Slenk smiles genuinely at the old gentleman and states with a bow, "Hello Master Brakenbol, I hope you are well. I did wish to make sure you are aware of the notices that the Archbaron has issued. They mention you in your role as Notary, so I wanted to be sure you were aware and to see if you have had any questions or customers for related services? Also, to let you know that the Archbaron's agents are currently working out of the former Sheriff's office should you require assistance."
===In the Slammer===
Alixus nods at Cimri and says, "Well, our friend Jerax had a pot of chili dumped over him by an indignant barkeep, but we sorted it out. I have been wondering something however. Our prisoners were the only law enforcement in town. Seeing as we are the new enforcers of justice, I was looking to recruit some lackeys to serve as muscle. Know any dim but pliable characters?"
Lily nods to Cimri when she enters. She goes over to the cells to look at them. She frowns and says, "Cimri, if ya want to take a break I'm gonna be here a while." Lily begins to go over any records the sheriff has looking for anything that might be clues to the whereabouts of her father.
===At the Notary===
Brakenbol fixes a hard stare at the halfling in his office and it drags on for several seconds, then he lowers his book, removes his glasses, and nods, "Yes, Archbaron Fex did inform me. As it happens, I helped him draft the notices." There is a hint of irritation, but it mellows after a moment. "But I -- appreciate the courtesy of you coming to let me know," he wasn't quite going to say 'thank you' to a halfling, but it seems he genuinely did appreciate the thought. "I doubt I'll have any trouble with these rubes but, if I should, I'll direct them your way."
He puts his spectacles back in place, lifts his book, and glances at Slenk once more, "If there's nothing else..."
===At the Jail===
When Jerax comments with a wry edge about the notices having been posted, Cimri already has one brow arching in curiosity at something being slightly off, but when Alixus says Jerax had a pot of chili tossed at him, things click into place, including the way Jerax was just slightly favoring his shoulders and adopted a more relaxed posture than usual.
"That pig-faced fat little sheep f+$*er!" she spits, slamming forward in the seat. "You didn't bring him here, so I'm guessing he's dead, yeah?" She walks over and, despite her relatively diminutive stature, does her best to look at the back of Jerax's neck and shoulders, grabbing him by the back of his collar and yanking with surprising strength. "You've got a huge bruise... and burns!" She lets go, the whipsaw yank-and-release wobbling Jerax while she fishes for a potion from her satchel.
"...Yeah, yeah, lackwits, thugs, but compliant, uh... Where in the hells..." She rummages about a bit more, "I'll give it some thought, but wait an' see what the archbaron says. No point spendin' your gold when... -- AH HA!" She yanks out a vial with an iridescent white liquid inside it and slaps it into Jerax's palm, "Drink that, you dullard."
When Lily offers to watch the deputies, she half-sighs/half-groans with relief and looks like she's about to hug the half-orc. "Oh, gods, yes, please, it's so boring in here! They whined for a bit until I threatened to cut their cobblers off, then they shut up right quick." Indeed, two of the deputies are passed out, apparently exhausted from their injuries, while the third just looked at Lily and spat on the floor.
"You may not like it, but we let him live. Jerax exercised admirable restraint. He was the first, in fact, to suggest we offer mercy. Emotion must be restrained, as is the dictate of Asmodeus."
===At the Jail===
"That pig-faced fat little sheep f%~!er!" Cimri spits, slamming forward in the seat. "You didn't bring him here, so I'm guessing he's dead, yeah?" She walks over and, despite her relatively diminutive stature, does her best to look at the back of Jerax's neck and shoulders, grabbing him by the back of his collar and yanking with surprising strength. "You've got a huge bruise... and burns!" She lets go, the whipsaw yank-and-release wobbling Jerax while she fishes for a potion from her satchel.
"You may not like it, but we let him live. Jerax exercised admirable restraint. He was the first, in fact, to suggest we offer mercy. Emotion must be restrained, as is the dictate of Asmodeus."
"We had a timetable", explained Jerax, while the rogue climbed over the towering tiefling to examine his wounds. "I knew beating the living sh|t out of Bolgart would eat up more time we needed to post the notices. BELIEVE ME. That fat fu<ker's gonna get his real soon!" The knight of Asmodeus inwardly smiled at Reverend Vade's compliment.
"...Yeah, yeah, lackwits, thugs, but compliant, uh... Where in the hells..." She rummages about a bit more, "I'll give it some thought, but wait an' see what the archbaron says. No point spendin' your gold when... -- AH HA!" She yanks out a vial with an iridescent white liquid inside it and slaps it into Jerax's palm, "Drink that, you dullard."
Jerax growls as Cimri insults him and hands him the vial of white liquid. The tiefling then pops open the vial and drinks it, per the rogue's instructions. "Yeeack!" Jerax's face twists in revulsion. "What the Hell was that? Tastes awful."
Cimri rolls her eyes slightly as the potion begins to work, "Troll piss, what do you think?" Jerax's burns heal and the bruise fades.
She sighs, sheathes the kukri, then crosses her arms and suddenly looks a bit embarrassed. "Uh, sorry. That was..." Various? Varied? Full- Folger... "Um, rude of me. I'm glad you're okay, all of you."
Jerax smiles as he again sees Cimri's softer side as his burns disappear. "Thank you, Cimri," the tiefling answers in a softer tone.
===================================================
At the Notary:
Slenk simply smiles, bows and says "Thank you, please do let us know if there is anything that you need. Always at your service." He then returns to the Jail
===================================================
At the Jail:
Slenk returns and reports "The Notary understands the role he plays in the Notice and even said he helped draft the notices. Good to know loyalty lies somewhere."
Having caught up with the group he adds, "I know Barrister Vade has brought it up, but perhaps you have more insight Cimri. Does it appear that our Employer expects us to act as town guard in this affair? If so, should we plan to man this office in shifts?"
Veda finds a seat and plops down onto it.
"Won't be easy to find people if you're looking for any quality. There are veterans around but they're mostly gimped up or worn out. The younger crowd around here is dirt stupid, take it from me. So following orders? Better keep them real simple."
Cimri winks at Jerax, a sort of non-verbal “you’re welcome,” then replies to Slenk, ”I really don’t know. If I did, I’d tell you but seems like so far he’s either insane or has a plan.” She chews on her lip, then decides it was best not to guess. Maybe both.
”We should probably report back. Lily, you coming or going to stay here? And, I guess.... what do we do with those three? We gotta feed them and clean the slop buckets now?”
"I was thinking of getting lunches from Last Stand, but fu<k that idea forever. So some quick lunches at Arch and Lark are my thoughts", Jerax began. "And since we are all here, I think this office has a crossbow. Someone can hold the prisoners at bay with the crossbow, while I get the slop buckets."
Slenk eyes the crossbow dubiously, "I will join you in gathering food, as I think handling that contraption is not within my skill set."
Lily considered making a rude gesture at Cimri but she needed to collect her hammock. "Alright I'm comin'. Let's go see Mr. Razzmatazz." She heads back to Ash House with Cimri.
You are able to get some food and check-in on the deputies. It's hard to see how they would escape while you're gone unless someone else had a key.
Upon your return to Ash House, Razelago is waiting in his office, the "panther" sunning herself by the window. "So, how did it go? You all look healthy enough and I see no smoke on the horizon."
"Nothing in this business seems to go without incident. The sheriff took well enough to her dismissal but her deupties were not so cooperative. Our hand was forced into relieving them of their duties with more...conflict than should have been necessary. The public postings went without incident."
He chuckles as he says, "Well, with the exception of a pot of chili being hurled at ever dutiful Jerax. In any case, certain more fundamental questions arose, most notably the matter of enforcing these dictates. The deputies have been un-deputized, and any other town forces seem absent. Do we have authority to appoint deputies ourselves? Though our group does not lack for muscle, it is better spent in pursuit of the Archbaron's continued efforts as opposed to policing the town."
Slenk steps forward and gives a matter of fact report,
"The Sheriff went peacefully though remains worth watching, the same with the Gate Guards. The former deputies tried to organize resistance at the gate which was quickly quashed. The survivors are locked in the jail. The Innkeeper was quite upset and acted out, but that posting was mostly peaceful. The last posting was mostly uneventful, with some citizens expressing appreciation for our activities. There is some question as to who is to act as the Town Guard referenced in the Notice, escorting people through town. We also confirmed the Notary is prepared for the role he must play. In all, task accomplished efficiently and with no casualties."
Once Alixus was finished his report, Ameliya spoke up, directing her vivid blue eyes towards obscured Razelago. "Alixus is quite right in that," she says emphatically. "Are we to be the new law in Longarce, or can the Archbaron spare some muscle for the task? He does have more hands at his disposable, yes?"
Razelago listens and chuckles slightly at the recounting of the incident with the chili pot. "So, it got a little... hot." More of the raspy, high-pitched laugh. He listens to the rest of the report, then the head of the silhouette nods. "Alright, very well. In truth, you could have killed Caggan and that would be fine, too, but restraint can be an admirable quality. I've increased your payment by half, you can find it in the parlor downstairs as usual."
He temples his fingers before him, then says, "As for the Archbaron's plans for policing the town, you can ask him yourself. Tomorrow morning at dawn. You have an invitation to his manor, the Scarlet Crown. You're welcome to stay here again tonight, or at the jail, though if you're keeping prisoners, it sounds like at least a few of you will be heading back into town before long."
His chair squeaks slightly as he leans back, "Is there anything else?"
If not, as promised, payment is waiting for you in the parlor: another 150gp each.
Alixus raises his eyebrows, "We are to meet the Archbaron himself? It seems that we are moving up in the world."
Razelago temples his fingers before him, then says, "As for the Archbaron's plans for policing the town, you can ask him yourself. Tomorrow morning at dawn. You have an invitation to his manor, the Scarlet Crown. You're welcome to stay here again tonight, or at the jail, though if you're keeping prisoners, it sounds like at least a few of you will be heading back into town before long."
His chair squeaks slightly as he leans back, "Is there anything else?"
Jerax quietly said, "No sir", then turned with the others and walked downstairs to collect his payment.
"Lily, will be returning to the jail to doing some more research?" The towering tiefling asked the former pirate. "If so, will you be willing to guard the prisoners tonight? I'll buy some some lunch at the Arch and Lark for you if you'd like?"
Lily nods to Jerax, "Yes, if they try anythin' they'll pay for it." She hands him 5 silver pieces, "Lamb if they have it and some ale." After collecting her payment she headed out towards the jail.
As the bloodrager exits Ash House, Jerax turns to the others and asks, "So, what is everyone else doing with the rest of their day, now that prison guard duty if taken care of?"
"I'll stay at the jail tonight too."
She smirks and continues in a joking tone.
"Never got to do it the old fashioned way, so I don't want to miss my chance at the experience."
She also personally isn't sure she could make it to a sunrise meeting without some help.
Alixus raises his eyebrows, "We are to meet the Archbaron himself? It seems that we are moving up in the world."
Razelago chuckled at this, "It seems that way, yes... That, or you really have bungled it and he wants to kill you personally, but I suspect it's the former." A pause. "Probably," followed by more of the odd laughter.
=================
Back downstairs, Cimri pockets her share, the pouch just a little heavier than everyone else's, and waits while others discuss next steps. "I'll probably stay here. Lily, long as you've got it covered, and you too, Veda, then I'd just assume not spend another night of my life in there. Too many already. But... a girl's gotta eat." She looked at Jerax with a grin, "Arch and Lark?" The grin gets just a little bit wicked, "I'll behave, too... no loud toasts."
"I'll stay at the jail tonight too."
She smirks and continues in a joking tone.
"Never got to do it the old fashioned way, so I don't want to miss my chance at the experience."
Jerax chuckles. "I suppose not. I will likely spend a few hours with you and Lily at the jail. Help with outhouse breaks, play some cards, that sort of thing."
Back downstairs, Cimri pockets her share, the pouch just a little heavier than everyone else's, and waits while others discuss next steps. "I'll probably stay here. Lily, long as you've got it covered, and you too, Veda, then I'd just assume not spend another night of my life in there. Too many already. But... a girl's gotta eat." She looked at Jerax with a grin, "Arch and Lark?" The grin gets just a little bit wicked, "I'll behave, too... no loud toasts."
"You damn well better", remarked Jerax, in low-but-not-threatening tone, with a smirk. "I hope the evening will go better than this morning."
When all others have commented, Slenk does inquire:
"The only other question is the ultimate disposition of the prisoners. Is there to be a judiciary process that we are holding them for? If not, I do not know that the jail is a reasonable permanent solution. Perhaps this might be a question for the morning with the Archbaron as well."
After:
"I will join Lilly at the jail as well. Best to focus our strength where it may be needed."
Ameliya took a moment to mull over her next move. The idea of sitting in a jailhouse as a mere guard was certainly not the most appealing choice she had forced in her life, but there was the oft-chance that the idiots that had attacked them could achieve some kind of escape if all or most of them weren't there to guard them.
"I'll meet you all at the jailhouse whose I've made some arrangements at the Sweet Caress. I can stay there for a couple hours, but if we are to meet the Archbaron tomorrow I'll have to return there so I can properly prepared for such a meeting," she says, already having taken her gold and preparing to leave for the Sweet Caress.
"The only other question is the ultimate disposition of the prisoners. Is there to be a judiciary process that we are holding them for? If not, I do not know that the jail is a reasonable permanent solution. Perhaps this might be a question for the morning with the Archbaron as well."
Razelago snorts, then begins a hacking, rasping cough until something else pops out of his throat. "Uuuugh." You hear it flicked onto the floor.
"What? Oh, the prisoners. I don't care and I don't have instructions. Kill them. Release them. Hold a trial. Don't. It's up to you, or you can ask the baron if you're so inclined."
Events unfold relatively smoothly that evening. In contrast to the Last Stand Tavern, the proprietor of the Arch and Lark is positively thrilled to have your business and company. The establishment is a bit dour -- one might say 'dead' -- compared to the Caggan's more lively tavern, and the food not quite as good, but the selection of liquors and wines is certainly superior, although there is a noticeable dearth of ale. If the topic of the Last Stand or Caggan comes up, his nose wrinkles in disgust, "Feh. He is an oaf who caters to oafs." He confesses on the side he saves the "good stuff" for only the best class of people, which you clearly are.
He even gives Cimri a friendly clasp on the shoulder, "You're making something respectable of yourself, Miss Staelish; good for you." Cimri seems relatively relaxed but can occasionally be caught chewing her lip, as if she was about to say something and thought better of it. Otherwise, she is happy to enjoy Jerax's company.
Ameliya finds business at the Sweet Caress has dropped off noticeably as the curfew takes effect.
At the jail, the deputies growl about what is to become of them. "Ye can't keep us here forever, you know? This is a jail, not a prison."
Lily ignores the prisoners asks the preacher matter of factly in front of them, "We gotta give em a trial or sompthin'? Or can you judge 'em? I don't trust that this ain't a setup from our friend who say just to kill 'em. Fear and misery's great to keep people in line but you can only push people so far, fore they fight back. I've seen mutiny."
Veda snorts mirthfully at the prisoners. "Jail? Prison?"
She makes a mock-exaggerated attempt to locate a dictionary, looking all around the place including up at the ceiling.
"Sorry, I just don't know the difference. New at the job you see. Don't really have a good handle on the finer points of it."
Sighing and shrugging in pantomimed embarrassment she tells them helplessly "You'll just have to to be patient as we figure things out, we're all in this together you know. I guess you're in whatever we say you're in until we know better. Har har!"
Veda finds a place to get comfortable and settles in.
Enjoying the more quiet atmosphere of the Arch and Lark, Slenk nods at Lilly, "From the sound of things we are largely being left to our own devices. Rather than ask the Archbaron what to do, I would suggest that we figure out how we approach these challenges as a group. We can then present our solution to the Archbaron to approve or disapprove. For these deputies, the question is whether they committed treason or assault. If it was treason, I believe they are to be drawn and quartered. If it was assault, assess the 50 gp fine or enslavement if they cannot afford the fine to alleviate the cost."
Slenk then begins feeding some of the greens from the table to the rabbit that peeks out of the pouch at his hip.
Alixus sips a glass of red wine and smiles, "My, this is far better than the swill they serve at the Last Stand. On the matter of the deputies, I believe the charge of Interfering with the Representative of a Noble will suffice for them. A 300 gold fine, along with 4 weeks of imprisonment. If they do not have enough, then an equivalent amount of unpaid labor in the public interest will suffice."
He takes another sip, savoring the flavor before lowering his voice and saying, "Indeed, my hope is that they do not have enough to pay. Showing the people of this town the consequences of their action, but also the mercy we can show."
Events unfold relatively smoothly that evening. In contrast to the Last Stand Tavern, the proprietor of the Arch and Lark is positively thrilled to have your business and company. The establishment is a bit dour -- one might say 'dead' -- compared to the Caggan's more lively tavern, and the food not quite as good, but the selection of liquors and wines is certainly superior, although there is a noticeable dearth of ale. If the topic of the Last Stand or Caggan comes up, his nose wrinkles in disgust, "Feh. He is an oaf who caters to oafs." He confesses on the side he saves the "good stuff" for only the best class of people, which you clearly are.
He even gives Cimri a friendly clasp on the shoulder, "You're making something respectable of yourself, Miss Staelish; good for you." Cimri seems relatively relaxed but can occasionally be caught chewing her lip, as if she was about to say something and thought better of it. Otherwise, she is happy to enjoy Jerax's company.
Despite the fact that their meal was joined by Reverend Vade and Slenk, Jerax enjoyed his meal and time with Cimri, along with the halfling and his superior. Both lovers sat on one side of the table, the tiefling covertly wrapping his tail around the rogue's waist. The antipaladin was pleased with the high spirits of the Arch and Lark proprietor, seeing how now they both share the same opinion of the Last Stand. "If Caggan keeps acting out with agents of the Archbaron, he may find his tavern closed indefinitely. And wouldn't that be a real shame..", Jerax smiled knowingly at their host.
Addressing the concerns of both lawful-minded fellow agents, Jerax chimed in. "If I remember properly, when I was young, a roving magistrate would follow a circuit around the local providences, and come to Longacre once a month. Until then, the sheriff had near total authority to mete out justice as she saw fit. Personally, I would prefer the prisoners to be shipped off to Egorian; either to be sacrificed on asmodean alters, or take a ride on the Tines, or both."When the empty plates were taken from their table, the host brought out Lily's lamb special in a medium paper bag with a bottle of ale. Turning to Cimri after placing a generous tip on the table, the knight of Asmodeus spoke in a low tone, "Cimri, I promised Veda and Lily I'd help out at the jail for a few hours. Lily needs her meal, too. And since now Longacre's nightlife has been sanctioned, can we meet up later at Ash House?"
Slenk nods with agreement at Jerax. "The magistrates would make it easier, but we don't have the resources to wait or guards to escort them to Egorian. Perhaps we should request that the Archbaron designate Alixis to act as Magistrate Temporalis so that our jail does not end overcrowded our ourselves overburdened while we await another magistrate."
Alixus claps Slenk on the shoulder, ”My, you seem to be a font of good ideas!”
Slenk smiles uneasily at the compliment and adds, "I only aim to be of service to our group and the Archbaron. I am hardly physically imposing, so ideas and intellect are what I may offer."
Slenk smiles uneasily at the compliment and adds, "I only aim to be of service to our group and the Archbaron. I am hardly physically imposing, so ideas and intellect are what I may offer."
"At which, you do admirably", Jerax smiles, raising his tankard.
With a lack of ale and disliking mead, the had opted for some Nidalese whiskey. Though it clearly burned the back of her mouth, she seemed to appreciate it, grinning after each sip. Cimri smiled a bit as Slenk comes up with the suggestion of Vade acting as some sort of judge. It sounded hideous to her but seemed to make the others happy. "Slenk has always been one of the smarter ones in this town." The camaraderie had her reminiscing about her last few years in Longacre, but she shrugged it off and focused back on the present. She nodded at Jerax, "Actually, if you don't mind, I might stop in briefly with you at the jail. But yeah, come back to Ash House tonight."