War for the Crown #3 - The Twilight Child

Game Master Kittenmancer

The four guards bristle at Lisa's nettling, but Master Mosle subdues them with a glance. "I can understand your concerns, miss. You can take a companion, and let's hope Araig is having one of his better days." He nods to Konstiantina. "He does recognize me, sometimes. In the beginning he loathed what he had become, but now the hunger is taking over more and more."

Konstiantina doesn't get he sense that he is being duplicitous. If anything, he's wary of the group forcing their way past him and killing the baron anyway.

"Very well. Two is an acceptable compromise to meet your Baron, Master Mosle. Would Rose--er, Lady Talbot, and myself of course, be acceptable?"

"What?" Lisa pouts at Marius' pointed comment before her eyes go wide at Marius' next suggestion.

Quickly, she leans in towards her friend and begins to whisper in her ear. "Oh my goodness! The young lord has invited you to accompany him alone further into this little haunted mansion! What a fantastic opportunity this is! The two of you together, alone, the general spooky atmosphere drawing you closer together, his many arms-" Lisa stops herself with a blush then smirks.

"Don't waste this golden opportunity is all I'm saying my dear Raesilia~" She adds with a wink and a squeeze of the younger woman's hand.

Quickly, she leans in towards her friend and begins to whisper in her ear. "Oh my goodness! The young lord has invited you to accompany him alone further into this little haunted mansion! What a fantastic opportunity this is! The two of you together, alone, the general spooky atmosphere drawing you closer together, his manly arms-" Lisa stops herself with a blush then smirks.

"Don't waste this golden opportunity is all I'm saying my dear Raesilia~" She adds with a wink and a squeeze of the younger woman's hand.

"Al- Alone?" Rose manages to Lisa, caught off-guard by such a sudden, outrageous suggestion for this situation and doing her very, very best not to blush. The room wasn't small enough for anyone to overhear that... right? At least everyone wasn't- oh Goddess. Everyone WAS, of course, watching her in that exact moment, waiting for some sort of response.

She recomposes and gives a pleasant smile. "That seems acceptable, Lord Erallan. Just one moment while I consult Miss Lombardi on something..."

The tailor turns to her friend, and leans forward to whisper back.

She seems to wink as she rises to meet Marius and Frater near the door. "All right, lead the way then. Let us hope the Baron is agreeable to company." She

"Good luck Lady Talbot! Lord Erallan, don't have too much fun now!" Lisa can't help but giggle as she waves the two off.

Master Mosle signals one of the guards, who fetches some of the horse meat. Frater himself lights a lantern and leads the way back to the chained and barred double doors. Master Mosle lifts the heavy bar, unlocks and removes the chains, and after a glance at Marius and Rose he unlocks the door itself and pulls it open.

Beyond lies a massive space, what was once an elegant entertaining space, but now the silk banners are frayed and the plaster crumbles from the walls. Several couches and chairs have been dragged onto the dais at the north end of the hall and stitched together with webbing to form a nest of sorts.

Master Mosle lifts the lantern, throwing shifting shadows on the walls, and calls out. "Araig, it's me, Frater. I brought you a snack. How are you?" The guard tosses the horse meat as far into the room as he can manage, then backs away hurriedly. At the far end of the room, something shifts on the ceiling, and the feeble light glints off a pair of eyes for a moment. The scraping and scuttling as a creature skitters along the ceiling towards the western wall, then down to the floor, approaching with furtive movements.

Once-fine clothing, now in tatters, covers a humanoid form, although parts of it are strangely shaped and dark-purple in coloration. One arm has morphed into an elongated three fingered claw, part of the lower face now has spiderlike mandibles and one leg ends in one huge claw instead of a foot.

Araig's mood, high is good: 1d100 ⇒ 8

A hissing sound that grows, gurgles, turns into a strange laughter. "Fresh meat, yessss. My dear Araig, you ssssspoil me ssssso."

Frater blanches, taking a step back and motioning frantically for Rose and Marius to get out. "Uhhhh, they're not... eat the appetizer first."

Marius gives Lotti and Konstiantina a questioning look as Rose and Lisa share some sort of hurried conference, and Lisa giggles of all things. Rose's expression and posture are completely opaque when she rises, so the nobleman transfers his puzzled look to Lisa before mentally filing that particular mystery away and turning to follow Master Mosle.

is generally horrifying and creepy

Eyes widening in alarm at the hissing, gurgling voice and the implication of what it's saying, Marius steps to interpose himself between Rose and the skittering thing that was Baron Telus. His left hand presses her back without taking his eyes off Telus, and the soft scrape of steel on leather can be heard as he loosens his falcata in its sheathe...but does not draw it just yet.

Study the Baron, hoping the suss out what did this to him. If IDing his new "creature type" is plausible Marius will just take a 10.
Knowledge Arcana: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (17) + 10 = 27

As Telus crawls across the floor towards the haunch of rotting meat, the inquisitor watches him closely, divinely-touched gaze teasing out the strands of enchantment woven around him. "Gods above and below, whatever did this was strong," he whispers half to himself. "One of the stronger variety of hag seems likely--perhaps even a night hag or--Heaven help us all--a pit hag. It's not a curse, at least not in the technical sense. More like a...malign polymorph of sorts. He's enchanted, and I don't know where we'll find a wizard or priest powerful enough to unravel it."

Arcana/craft swap once/day: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (15) + 16 = 31

Willsave vs horror, high is composed: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22

Continued tomorrow!

Rose freezes when the Baron comes into view, his viciously mutated body playing off his mental dangerement perfectly to form a presence so horrible it was hard to look away, and harder to move still. It was even worse than the moving heart that was left of Opilio - you could still see parts of the man among the moving mass, and that made it hit that much closer to home. "Goddess have mercy..." she gasps into her hands as she just stands there, very much like a vulnerable, very young woman rather than a hardened fighter.

"Gods above and below, whatever did this was strong "One of the stronger variety of hag seems likely--perhaps even a night hag or--Heaven help us all--a pit hag. It's not a curse, at least not in the technical sense. More like a... malign polymorph of sorts. He's enchanted, and I don't know where we'll find a wizard or priest powerful enough to unravel it."

Whether it was Marius' somewhat calm explanation of just what this thing was, or her own basic sense of self-preservation coming through just in time, she snaps out of her trance before the spider being was upon them. "Wh-what am I doing!?"

She reached into her pocket and threw a smoke pellet in the general direction of the Baron, hoping the harmless yet sudden black cloud would obscure them and halt his advance. He had just directly stated he was going to eat them, after all!

"Run!" She cries, taking Marius' free hand in the moment of confusion and dragging him out of the room as fast as possible, hoping the nervous Frater would also have the good sense to flee.

They make it out just in time and Master Mosle slams the doors behind them, hurriedly locking them and dropping the bar back into place.

"I... apologize for Araig's behaviour. Unfortunately, that's how he is most days." He looks at Rose with concern. "Are you alright, miss?" The suggestion of appealing to Count Lotheed for help elicits a shrug. "You could try, but I doubt the count does anything for free."

Remember that you have another possible source of arcane information at your disposal - Viscountess Octavia Nicodemus.

Did I manage to get a Detect Evil off on the Baron before they closed the doors?

Konstiantina flinches as the doors slam closed, though whether it's from the brief flash of evil she received or the violence of her friends' exit is impossible to tell.

She steps forward after Mosle's apology, her expression somewhere north of a frown and west of puzzlement. "Master Mosle, why are you and your companions still here? You know this curse to be potent beyond your ability to handle, and the Baron seems to be degenerating. Why this loyalty to a man who is now evil in the eyes of the gods? And what is your end game? To feed and placate him until...?"

Sense Motive on Mosle: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18

It occurs to Konstiantina that the men never answered their original question. "And what happened to the messenger whose horse you have butchered?"

Frater Mosle looks tired as he raises his eyes to meet Konstiantina's for a moment, then looks away. "We're his guardians, miss. We have a duty to keep him from harm, and we have a duty to keep others from being harmed by him. As to my end game, I suppose I don't have one. But that's the nature of hope, to persist against all reason."

He makes a wordless gesture at Konstiantina, Rose, Marius, as if to say "and well... here you are".

"Don't worry, the rider is alive... or was, last time we saw them. We don't feed Araig human flesh, if that's what you're fearing. Mostly we hunt, but lately it's been lean pickings."

If they're saving the horses for the nobility, what might these folks be eating themselves?

Lotti ignores Konstiantina's judgmental choice of words and instead pets Wobblekins. "So it was indeed magic that brought the baron to this, yes?" she asks Rose and Marius, tone inviting confirmation and calm reflection. "And you suspect it could be broken with magic as well? No other means? Yes, the young count did indeed offer the use of his libraries, and all sorts of things can be found in books..." Octavia might know something as well, and come with fewer strings...

"But please, tell us what you saw in there, or I shall simply die of fright from imagination!" She makes the warding sign against evil again and murmurs an indistinct prayer.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (10) + 10 = 20

""Are you alright, miss?"

"My... apologies. Thank you for asking. I was just... not expecting or hoping the Baron to be as he is now. I've faced the Iron Lash and similar monsters but a to be stuck in such a mutated, half-way form..." Rose shudders as she regards the door and her eyes fall to the bar holding the door. "It is a miserable fate. Truly, I'm sorry for both him and each of you.'

She looks up when Konstiantina adresses the servants, but can't find it in her to speak against the paladin. Who was she to judge abstract concepts as good and evil? And for that matter, was divine detection of such always flawless? If so, then why hadn't Konstiantina found out about the assassins traveling with them through the Senate Catacombs prior to attacking? Though it wasn't like she herself had, either... but did that mean there *was* a way to hide or mislead such?

From previous campaigns, I experienced that in Golarion, if you are turned into a certain types of sentient monster - even against your will - like an advanced undead or a werewolf, you count as an evil creature even if you aren't evil by character. But Rose probably doesn't know this. So, OOC, I think there's a lot of moral grey in judging monsters on their alignment alone.

"So it was indeed magic that brought the baron to this, yes? And you suspect it could be broken with magic as well? No other means?"

Rose leaves the description to Marius. "I... heard theories on such curses that a True Love's kiss can undo its effects. But unless one of the servants here truly loves Lord Araig in a personal way," She looks at each of them, silently inviting them to speak up if such were the case, "Or knows where we can find his true love if he had one, I think we will need to revert to a more powerful curse breaking spell or scroll. I know something exists, just not the name..."

Frater Mosle grows pensive at Rose's question. "I only know of Araig's sister, who lives in Cassomir."

Lotti is able to identify the baron from descriptions.

Lotti listens carefully, then nods slowly. “A web lurker - ettercap, they’re sometimes called. If he has also gained their ability to empathize with and command spiders, it would help explain the sudden infestation of the area.”

“My lady, if you want to search for a way to help the lord baron, perhaps you can send these brave guardians food and supplies until your return?” The older woman catches Rose’s gaze and holds it for a second, letting the noblewoman know she understands the risk of sending wagons to people keeping half of a messenger’s slaughtered horse in their larder. “It might help the poor lord baron to relax, having steady mealtimes again. And the more relaxed and peaceful he is, the less he’ll want to go make trouble.”

Bluff to Pass Secret Message: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (18) + 15 = 33

Mild sedatives in his food?

“But do let’s hurry from here - I’m afraid Mister Wiskers can’t handle the stress anymore.”

As if on cue, Wobblekins starts to moan piteously and make little horking sounds.

"“My lady, if you want to search for a way to help the lord baron, perhaps you can send these brave guardians food and supplies until your return?”

"I'm sure that can be arranged while we search for an alternative," Rose says, thoughtfully nodding at Lotti. "And perhaps sisterly affection would count as True Love? Though, has she ever come here to visit or shown some sort of clear interest in her brother's wellbeing?" She then asks Mosle.

After receiving an answer, she makes to leave with the gnome-pet pair. "I believe this is all we can do for now. But hopefully, we'll return soon with a better solution. Good fortune on your watch here, each of you."

One the way back to the boat, she turns to her and converses with the others. "So the idea is to sedate the Baron through the food we send him while we're gone?" She grins. "Well, I can't say I dislike the approach. I'll send Frater a note explaining the plan along with the delivery and leave the application to him. We don't want his men accidentally eating laced meals and falling prey to the other spiders or such. Hopefully that keeps them all safe long enough."

Back on the ship.

"Cassomir again..." Rose muses, leaning on the railing as she watches the castle disappear in the distance. "It's where the Convoy was Robbed, the Night Swan is active, where Lucrezia Marthane lives, and now where Baron Araig's sister can also be found. A good deal: three whole messes for the price of one! I say we go there soon and see what we can learn."

How long does it take us to get to Cassomir?

Frater Mosle thinks for a moment. "She has visited once or twice, I believe. I don't know much about her, but Baronet Vort in New Towne would, they were friends." He clears his throat, glancing to the side. "And thank you, for wanting to help. even if nothing comes of it, it gives me hope. Bless you all."

New Towne is about a day's travel to the southeast, near Gold Canyon.

Lisa shakes herself as soon as they leave the complex and insists that her companions search her for spiders. "Regardless, let's just leave this place post-haste. I can't stand bugs and civilization is where my skills truly shine."

As their group files out towards the barge, Marius rubs his temple and sighs. "Meratt County is lucky to have us, ye gods. Curses and hauntings and refugees and roaming beasts--what's next? Wait, don't answer that."

Retrieving a map of the county from his pack, he lays it out on a crate lashed to the barge's deck. "New Towne isn't far from here, do we feel that a visit to this Baronet Vort would be helpful? That's a name we've heard before, as I recall; something about 'going native' whatever that's supposed to mean" He quirks a wry smile at Raesilia. "Well--if it were easy to solve it wouldn't be a problem, would it?"

"Well--if it were easy to solve it wouldn't be a problem, would it?"

Rose gives a soft, genuinely amused laugh as she turns away from the fading ruin behind the boat. "Yes - with our luck, it might just be a splinter cult of the Green Faith, bent on destroying all of civilization. And if so, could we ask for a better way to make a name for ourselves? At the very least, there's rarily a dull moment here."

She takes a moment to admire the golden slow of the setting sun across the countryside. "I just hope things aren't as bad, or worse, in the other prefectures. All jokes aside, do you think troublemakers might be capitalising on the recent chaos and political tensions? If there are *this many* problems here, more or less in the middle of nowhere... it all feels a bit strange to me. Though, it could be that I am simply sheltered, and not used to everyday struggles so far away from Oppara. This sort of thing IS not normal, is it?" She wonders, a hint of doubt crosses her fair features.

“That depends who you ask,” Lotti sighs. “And what sort of message they want you to believe. Say it’s unusual and related to the unrest in the capital to unify people against the source of that unrest. Say it’s unusual and a sign of the gods’ displeasure to fill seats in churches. Say it’s usual and there’s nothing that can be done to prevent it to drive people to despair. The actual truth is less important than how your view on the situation affects your actions.”

She leaves the rest of her thoughts unsaid. Are these misfortunes really more important than how the children of Stachys had no shoes? Is the death of one man with a crown more important than that of a woman with a broken hovel slowly starving to death? Do you see these things now only because you personally are affected by them? I promise you that troubles are not limited to your immediate surroundings. She sighs again and sets the last thought aside. That is an unfair judgement. Be kind to others still learning.

Lisa puts a l=finger to her ruby-red lips thoughtfully, "And here I thought that 'going native' just meant strutting about in the nude. But your option does sound more interesting Raesilia darling. Not to mention, if we were to stumble across a baronet in her birthday suit I dare say young lord Erallan may just lose his head." Lisa chuckles before leaning in to whisper teasingly in Rose's ear.

"Whether that be to his reaction or to your depends fully upon where his eyes might linger, I suppose."

”(…) The actual truth is less important than how your view on the situation affects your actions.”

Interesting. So the point was that the message of real events was always altered to further one’s own agenda, or at least filled with bias which would lead to the same result.

”But… isn’t that precisely why we must strive to be aware of such twisting of the truth, and work to obtain an objective image of how things really are, before we determine our actions?” The Talbot Scion asks. ”If we don’t, we are at worst going in blind and at best being content with acting mostly or entirely based on nothing but personal feelings and convictions. I feel that without doing so, or accepting we can’t obtain such information, we’d be doing those who rely on us a great disservice. Intelligence networks exist for that exact reason,” She reasons, and takes a sip from her waterskin.

”…Not that the Lion Blades have done a particularly good job at such recently,” She dryly adds, reflecting on the Senate disaster. Sure, the matter had been discussed before, but it was still hard to understand how Taldor’s elite secret service could have made such a colossal blunder. Was it misled? Compromised from within? And more importantly: how?

“I fear the sight of a Baroness in her birthday suit might just make Lord Erallan’s head explode,” (and continues relentless teasing because why not :) )

”Well, so much for discussing matters of national security. It’s a good thing I can always count on Lisa to reel me back in,” She thinks, amused, and holds her smile throughout the entire near-suggestion and following whisper without blushing – probably. Of course, it would be poor manners to not go along with it.

”Really? It seems to me that particular issue is easily fixed with a blindfold,” She replies evenly, as she fixes her sapphire gaze upon the subject of this discussion. There was a hint of something in that look. Teasing? A challenge? ”Though perhaps we shouldn’t?” She then continues, turning back to Lisa, and the moment had passed. ”Yes, I can see it now: the famed Tragedy of the fearless Lord Erallan, who went toe-to-toe with the Iron Lash and emerged victorious – only to be done in by a Cult of Nudists and an elevated heart rate. Truly, a play for the ages.”

Marius purses his lips, thinking about Lisa's words. "It's easy for narratives to fill the gaps in our understanding, especially when we've only our own experiences to reason from--but there is a true answer out there somewhere. It can't always be found by mortals, and many don't care to try, but it's always there."

He returns his attention to the map, but is distracted by the giggling banter from Lisa and Rose--What's gotten into those two lately?--and glances up just as young Lady Talbot gives a look that certainly does things to his heart rate. Before he can muster a response, the moment passes and his imminent demise is predicted instead.

"I'll count myself fortunate the age of prophecy has ended, my brothers would never let me hear the end of it if I died in such ignominious fashion. As for the nudists--I was a naval officer, ladies. The things I've seen from sailors on shore leave would curl your hair." He grins wickedly at them both. "Or your toes." Then he turns back to plotting their course to New Towne as though the conversation were ended.

"We won't be able to go much further by barge, and we didn't leave with a carriage. We should push on through rather than try to rough it, we're not equipped for camping out."

Marius will also take 10 on Survival to predict the weather for the next 1-2 days; total of 18

The evening comes and with it a chilly weather with heavy cloud cover. Marius takes stock of the brisk wind and judges that the next day the clouds will clear and it will be sunny and warm, although the wind may make it seem less so. The day after that, however, there is a chance of the temperature dropping and some fog rolling in.

The road from Jambis and the Telus estate passes through a wood, then through flat open land dotted with small lakes and copses of trees, where the wind makes itself felt. As the sun begins to set, New Towne comes into view. Amidst a patchwork of cultivated fields and pastures, a collection of ramshackle timber and canvas buildings sits on both sides of the road.

The thorp is small, no more that five dozen residents, and it looks to be struggling - so far the most squalid and desperate-feeling place you've seen in the county and Meratt. As the group approaches, people take notice and stare warily. Unkempt hair, endlessly patched clothes, scrawny chickens pecking despondently among open cook fires, gaunt children who look on as warily as their parents as they pause in their chores, none of them playing or smiling. Utter silence with no word uttered - until a young female half-elf pushes her way to the front.

"Aye, and who might you be? If ye're here for taxes, ye can git lost."

Cooking: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (19) + 10 = 29

To its credit, Rose's enthousiasm for the group's first on-foot camping trip through unfamiliar lands manages to endure quite a while. From the excitement of managing to catch a pair of trout in the barge's nets, to forming the makeshift camp ashore, actually getting a fire burning for everyone to huddle around despite their poor lacking equipment - it was all so new, grand and adventurous .

Perhaps that was why she felt inspired to cook something special that night. The trout was fried in a layer butter, then joined by a mixture of wine, cream, shallots, and a variety of herbs as it was slowly baked in the sauce. Tender, succulent and deeply rich in finer complexities, it was more delicious than it had any right to be. Even the side potatoes and vegetables were good, if much simpler in delivery. F'rell am rèisleck, a Luxembourgh specialty.

Such was her mood that not even the cold winds or not very inpsiring contryside did much to hamper it. Yes, it was all starting to feel like a proper vacation.

...Until they were met with absolute misery.

Again.

""Aye, and who might you be? If ye're here for taxes, ye can git lost."

"Taxes? No, the furthest thing from such! We simply wished to meet our new neighbors. This is Lord Erallan, who recently inherited stewardship of Stachys, and the four of us are acting as advisors. We... admittedly have heard some rumors about Baronet Vort on the way, on wishing to 'go natural'? Is this his attempt to do so? If so, could we speak with him? Perhaps we can find some way to establish better ties and help eachother."

"Because, by Desna, this place looks like it's about to collapse, worse than most of the area we've seen, and that's saying something."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (3) + 21 = 24

Konstiantina wanders a half-dozen yards out wide, hand resting on the pommel of her sword, drinking in the sight of the thorp. The children, the hens pecking at the rutted road, the dogs with ticks as large as blueberries. She takes in the ramshackle nature of the buildings, the canvas siding, the desolate, miserable nature of it all, and tries to discern: is New Towne so desperate due to hard circumstances, or a lack of industry and focus on the part of the inhabitants?

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24

The half-elf's eyes go wide, and she laughs. "Lord Erallan? Thank ye for savin' me the trouble of trackin' ye down!" She sweeps an arm towards a side alley, invitingly.

"Right this way ta his lordship the baronet."

Is that a mischievous smirk on her face? Yes, that there is definitely a smirk.

Marius inclines his head as he is introduced, observing the village and its people with a carefully neutral expression that masks his concern at the state of things here.

"Very well, lead on Miss...?" he prompts the half-elf as he moves towards the alleyway. "Am I to understand that you intended to seek me out? To what purpose?"

Perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (16) + 10 = 26

"Oh, I'm Felsha. No 'miss' or nuthin'." She moves aside some damp laundry hanging from a line strung between shacks to make way for the rest. "I been asking for help for these poor people from the Lotheeds, the old lady, that other lady, from Lord Hot Dad... I f'get his name. Even them what live in Beggarwood, anyone who'd liss'n, really."

She turns halfway to grin at Marius. "You was gonna be next on my list, if I knew you existed." She actually winks at Rose before turning a corner and sweeping her arm again, this time with a flourish.

"Ahem. His Lordship, Baronet Vort. At yer service, I'm sure."

The baronet turns out to be a man in his late twenties currently splitting some logs. Shirtless. Clearly a few years of living rough in the countryside haven't managed to mar his lean, muscular physique, now glistening with sweat from the exertion. If anything, a little deprivation only enhanced the definition of his corded muscles. Long, dark hair is gathered atop his head in a messy bun tied with a somewhat faded velvet ribbon, and a well-kept beard lines his jaw.

As he hears Felsha, he pauses in his work and turns to look over his shoulder, then promptly drops the ax and dives for his linen shirt, hanging from a branch nearby.

Felsha! You could have warned me! Oh, myriad apologies, ladies! I'm not... I wasn't... expecting, that is..." He trails off as his eyes land on Marius, and he swallows. G-good afternoon, my lord."

Ah, so that's what Felsha was being coy about. That's a well built man, Marius suppresses the urge to smirk at the half-elven woman and instead sketches a shallow bow, not wanting to embarrass the baronet further.

"Apologies if we've caught you at a bad time. I'm Sir Marius Erallan and this is my entourage. We're your new neighbors, over at the Betony Estate." He hesitates, and this time does glance over at Felsha. "This isn't merely a social call, however. Is there somewhere private we might speak further?"

"Felsha! You could have warned me! Oh, myriad apologies, ladies! I'm not... I wasn't... expecting, that is..."

The far ends of Rose's lips curl up in mirth over the adorable - and not at all unwelcome - display. She eventually can't help but chuckle, and quickly covers her mouth out of politeness. "No apologies are necessary, Sir Vort. We came unannounced, after all. In fact, perhaps Lord Erallan should take a leaf from your book, as he has evidently been slacking in his excercises lately."

She glances between the Baron and Marius a couple of times, then spreads her hands to the latter in an apologetic gesture along the lines of 'Well, he has you beat', grinning along the way.

Baronet Vort wipes his hand on his trousers and offers it to Marius, then turns to bow to each of his 'entourage'. "Lord Erallan, what a pleasure to meet you, and you ladies. I'm Caphridius Vort."

As Rose makes her comparison, the baronet's gaze moves to take in Marius, then he shakes his head. "Oh no, my lady, Lord Erallan has nothing to be ashamed of." Clearing his throat, he finishes tucking in his shirt, then gestures towards one of the shacks.

"Please, come in, I'll make some tea. I'm afraid the inside is rather underwhelming, but... well, you'll see."

The place is indeed very small, and if everyone were to fit inside they would be quite cramped, but the baronet gestures them through the back door and into a little garden. As it is one of the last houses in the thorp, it has an uninterrupted view of the plains and the setting sun. The baronet waves everyone over to where a number of sawed wood sections are arranged around a huge, flat rock, then once everyone is seated he disappears inside again to busy himself with the tea preparation.

As the water is set to boil, he pokes his head out. Somehow, he has managed to comb his hair as well and plait it into a loose braid. "I'm afraid the tea is rather less fine than you are used to, to be entirely honest it's just some local herbs I've picked and found they make a passable tisane." He reappears soon with a thin wooden board carrying several crude fired clay cups and a matching teapot. As he sets the cups on the rock and pours the tea, he stammers embarrassedly. "I apologize for the state of the crockery, these were one of my first attempts, I keep wanting to make better ones but there's so much else to do..."

Once everyone is settled down and sipping at their tea, the baronet finally sits as well, lacing his hands over one knee. "So, Lord Erallan, you mentioned there was something you wanted to discuss?"

While the state of affairs was dismal here in New Towne Lisa's souring attitude immediately changed upon the great reveal of the Baronet himself caught in a state of semi-undress.

Lisa's eyes go wide as she watches the shirtless man chop his lumber, a bead of sweat rolling down his well-toned back and as he turns to face them, the courtesan can feel her heart racing in her chest as she catches sight of the man's angelic features.

Vort only makes the situation worse as he adorably stammers and shyly makes to cover himself, the poor fool, the damage had already been done and as Lisa bit at her lip she realized, she was lovestruck. This man had it all a sweet innocent personality much like her servant's back home, that was fun to tease, but with a far more manly physique than he had any right to have and a noble title, the only thing he was lacking was money which, admittedly, did lower her interests in anything lasting but... perhaps he would be a fun toy to play with for a time.

"No apologies necessary indeed your lordship, it is a rare pleasure to find someone that can humble our own Lord Erallan. This experience will be good for his character." Lisa giggles and twirls a lock of her wavey red hair between her fingers absently.

"Lisa Lombardi part-time songstress and full-time lover at your service." She winks at the young lord.

"Tell me, are you often out here playing with your wood? It seems to me that a man of your station would have more important things to do? Not that I'm complaining about the show, of course." Lisa teases before allowing the lord to escort them into his... 'estate.'

On the way in she does turn to mouth a silent, Oh my goddess. Thank you. To their cheeky half-elven guide.

Trying not to let the dismal state of their current surroundings get her down, Lisa intends to focus on the positive. That currently being the way the baronet's linen shirt clung to his sweaty muscular frame.

Is it getting hot in here?

Must just be the tea.

"Oh you made these yourself? My, my you must be good with your hands then." Lisa compliments the man on his poorly made crockery. "You simply must show me some time... How you made it, that is. I've always wanted to learn and you strike me as a man who could teach me a thing or two." She teases and adds later under her breath. "And perhaps I could teach you some things in return."

"In fact, perhaps Lord Erallan should take a leaf from your book, as he has evidently been slacking in his excercises lately."

Marius stiffens in surprise and unexpected hurt. Ah. Have I been too familiar of late? Consider me chastened, Lady Talbot. He straightens his back and lifts his chin as he firmly returns the baronet's handshake, offering an apologetic smile at Lisa's added commentary. His eyebrows do climb just a bit as Caphridius immediately compliments him. Sorry my lord, you're too late. Maybe. I hope.

Following the young nobleman into his abode, Marius takes in the crude furnishings not with judgement, but trying to read the story told there. There were uncountable examples of nobles living large while their people lived in squalor and their lands decayed--but to see the Baronet living like this spoke instead to decades of desperate poverty or a devastating crisis. Or perhaps both, the one reinforcing the other in a vicious cycle. Marius takes his seat and suppresses a smile as Miss Lombardi launches the opening salvo of her charm offensive. "Sorry about her. She's incorrigible," he whispers to Vort as he accepts his mug of tea.

"So, Lord Erallan, you mentioned there was something you wanted to discuss?"

"A few things, actually. We've just come from Baron Telus' domains. I don't know how much you're aware of regarding circumstances over their, but the Baron himself is suffering a hostile enchantment that has twisted his body and is drawing spiders to his domain. Nearly all of his people have fled, many of them now living as vagabonds and refugees in the Beggarwood. Master Mosle indicated that you and Baron Telus' sister know one another. We would like to find her in the hopes that she can help break the enchantment. Failing that, perhaps we can locate a priest or mage of sufficient power." Marius sighs and sips his tea, then presses on.

"The other thing concerns what we've seen here today. I say this without judgement or mockery, but it's clear that you and your people have been dealt a bad hand here. Since we're neighbors now, I hope it gives you no offense if I ask what has happened to these lands, and how we might be able to assist you."

Study Target vs Baronet Caphridius Vort
Sense Motive: 1d20 + 11 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 11 + 1 = 19
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (18) + 10 = 28

"”Do you think that was too forward? And what about class?”

"Tell me, are you often out here playing with your wood? (...) My, my you must be good with your hands."

"I should probably have known that when it comes to *Lisa Lombardi*, there is no such thing as being too forward. I wonder how long until this one caves?" Rose thinks, sipping her tea in deep amusement as she sits back and enjoys the spectacle. " Although..." She glances at Lord Erallan. "Hm... *was* that bit of teasing just now too much? Then again, am I really going to let it slide for just the puppy eyes?"

She took another sip to drink away that odd feeling of nerves and tried to focus on the actual meeting.

Lisa's introduction and teasing elicit a polite smile from the baronet, who then turns his full attention to Marius. As he mentions Baron Telus, a shadow of pain passes across baronet Vort's features, and he sighs.

"I... am aware of Ar- Baron Telus's condition, my lord. It is why these people are living here, instead of their homes in Jambis. Frater and I discusses it and decided that I go with them, and he stays there to... manage the baron's situation." At the mention of the baron's sister he frowns in puzzlement. "Arabella? As far as I know she's never studied the arcane. But yes, I can help you locate her, although that resurfaces another topic we've been struggling with - whether or not to tell her the truth. Frater wanted to, but I thought it would cause her too much pain. I kept hoping that we would find a solution, but..." He spreads his hands in defeat before setting them firmly on his knees. "You are probably right, we should let her know what has happened, at least. I've been deflecting her inquiries by claiming her brother is busy with projects, or travelling."

As the conversation turns to New Towne, baronet Vort takes his gaze away from Marius to look at the village, a rueful smile on his lips. "Well, what happened were our ancestors, if I was to hazard a guess. Like many other places in this prefecture, the land has been overworked, and now the soil is poor. The people wanted to be away from Jambis, although not too far away, and this seemed like a good spot, next to the road and with good farming. A few months later, when it became clear that crops were struggling, we talked about re-settling again, but the people were tired and wanted to rather try to make it work here than find another place. Also, we didn't know where we would get new seed from, we had little enough when we started out. We've been hunting for food - however, that source is also dwindling."

The shadow of pain is back. "I should have known better, they followed me and I failed them." He raises his gaze to Marius again, pleadingly. "My lord, you said you wanted to help, and I bless you for that. In the short term, the people here need food and supplies. In the longer term, a better place to settle, because I do not believe we can sustain our current numbers where we are now. I don't know if Stachys can take in this many, last I heard they were struggling as well, but perhaps some of the larger villages, if you can put in a good word with the other nobles/"

Ah, it's a shanty-town of other people from Jambis. That hadn't clicked for me earlier.

Marius listens quietly, nodding in understanding as the baronet's answers connect a few more dots for the image forming in Marius' head. "What's done is done, but it wasn't fair to keep Arabella in the dark--it hasn't helped poor Telus, and it could damage her trust in you during a time where you need every friend and ally you can get. But I don't mean to lecture."

"My lord, you said you wanted to help, and I bless you for that. In the short term, the people here need food and supplies. In the longer term, a better place to settle, because I do not believe we can sustain our current numbers where we are now. I don't know if Stachys can take in this many, last I heard they were struggling as well, but perhaps some of the larger villages, if you can put in a good word with the other nobles?"

Setting aside his cup of tea, Marius places a reassuring hand on the baronet's shoulder. "Yes, of course we will help however we can, that's why we're here in the first place. We can get new seeds for a crop rotation if your people don't want to move, or reach out to Dame Crabbe and Baron Okerra about possible resettlement for those who do--and naturally we'll keep searching for a way to break the spell on Baron Telus. But what of the Count? Have you not reached out to the lords of Meratt County for assistance? It seems a great many thorny problems would be solved if Jambis were restored, why has he let this matter fester?"

"I should have known better, they followed me and I failed them."

"Come now, none of that nonsense," Rose speaks up later, tone resolute. "You did the best what you could in a very bad situation. We've heard some of the other survivors were forced into banditry instead. Such a fate was spared these people. Instead you built a town that managed to last quite a while, and may yet endure. That's admirable leadership, at least."

"Besides, Lord Erallan raises a fair point. This reminds me of how Count Lotheed also let the Iron Lash go unchecked, until we happened upon it by pure chance. Despite frequent pleas to have it hunted and removed, or so we have been told," She adds, frowning. "While we managed to kill it, who knows how long this would have continued otherwise..."

"I suppose it can't hurt to start painting the Count in a bad light to the more distant locals. Besides, it IS the truth."

"Regardless, another option to solve the supply issue would be to repair the Canyon bridge," She adds, producing and opening the regional map and tracing the canals."...So that direct travel and trade with Stachys is possible. We have a newly re-established waterway connection with the nearby cities and could probably import whatever you need for you."

She adjusts her sitting and takes another sip of her rather refreshing, if simple tea. "On the matter of Arabella, I understand your reasoning for wanting to protect her from both strangers and the truth. We don't seek her for selfish gain, but rather need her cooperation to lift the curse. Which, hopefully, would greatly contribute to solving the other problems in the area. While she might not be a magician, we've determined that one of the ways to break this curse is through a True Love's Kiss. It no doubt sounds cliche'd, but it is true. We hope that her sisterly affection for her brother counts as such, but in order for any of this to work, she probably needs to know everything."

Knowledge: Nature once/day: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (15) + 16 = 31

As the matter of potential solutions is discussed in more detail, Rose suddenly sits up straighter, a light of excitement beginning to shine in her eyes. "Say... you say you needed new seeds? Which crops are you currently using? I might just have something that could help you!"

How expensive are crop seeds that would help these people? Is it less than 500 gold for Brilliant Planner? Definitely would be lower than the presumed weight limit.

Baronet Vort gives Marius a soulful look at the reassuring touch. "Oh, bless you, Lord Erallan, bless you truly. How fortunate we are - how fortunate I am that you are here." He clears his throat. "And yes, of course we reached out to the count, who said he would intercede on our behalf with his uncle, the duke. Duke Lotheed is a powerful spellcaster, and the count was hoping he would find a way to break the curse, but... I haven't had updates in some time."

He smiles at Rose's encouraging words gratefully, then a crease forms between his eyebrows. "Forgive me, I don't know what the Iron Lash is, or was, rather. Pardon my boldness, but you sound very capable - are you a bounty hunter?" there is uncertainty in his tone as he turns his gaze to the rest of the party, taking in the rather curious ensemble.

Giving everyone time to catch up a little.

Lisa's posture stiffens in response to the baronet's polite deflection. Lisa was a flirt sure and true, but even she knew enough to realize that she's barking up the wrong tree. Still, the life of a courtesan was one full of heartbreak and complications, this wasn't the first crush she had that didn't work out and it wouldn't be the last so the woman easily shrugs it off and returns Vort's polite smile.

It was a shame about the muscles though... Perhaps she would make Riftun begin to workout back at home so she would at least have something to look at, though he was similarly unavailable.

Speaking of sowing seeds."

"And I'm certain a man of your caliber shall remember this kindness one day and pay it back ten-fold but until that day let us focus on what we can do here and now to set you up for future success that we might both prosper together." Lisa smirks coyly with the implication of a favor owed.

"Now, why do you ask dear Lady Talbot if she is a bounty hunter of all things? Clearly she is a woman of impeccable class and breeding and as such surely such a lowly profession is beneath her station." Lisa amber eyes seem to glow in the dim light of the building's ramshackle interior as she lays out her pitch.

"No, my dear baronet, what we are is problem solvers. You see, the Iron Lash was indeed a fearsome foe, a terrible manticore that ravage the land and brought low its people. Lord Erallan, Lady Talbot, Lady Mokei, Miss Qeb, and my extremely talented self slew the creature, dragged its carcass out of the forest, and threw it at the feet of the count."[/b] She pauses to take a sip of her tea, wincing slightly at the taste before setting the malformed ceramic aside.

"Needless to say my lord, if you have a problem you need solving you needn't hesitate to ask. The House of Erallan plans to make big changes around here, for the better, after all. Just point us in the right direction and your problem will simply go away... for the proper price of course. Not to say that we require gold or anything so base, but you are a noble and as such I'm certain you are well aware that a simple favor can be worth more than a treasure-laden caravan."

"Now, tell me dear baron, what problem do you need removed?"

Lotti finishes pouring the teas and sets the pot back down before retreating behind Rose and Konstiantina. Illusions and veils won’t help these folks, she thinks to herself. They need food, shelter, clothes on their backs. Yes, they need hope, but you don’t make hope with misdirection. Good to hear though that they’ve already asked the count for help - there might be someone on his court as eager to solve this problem as we are.

"Lady Talbot? Sincerest apologies for my rude assumption!" Baronet Vort rises to his feet and bows to Rose, Konstiantina and Lotti as Lisa introduces them. "You slew a manticore? Extraordinary! You all seem very formidable, and I am very grateful that you are willing to help us. And, of course, I will do everything in my power to reciprocate the gesture." His gaze unfocused for a moment, he smiles ruefully. "Although at the moment I find myself in somewhat... reduced circumstances."

He clears his throat. "The problems we face here fortunately do not require any monster-slaying, and I like very well the proposals from Lord Erallan and Lady Talbot. Some assistance with supplies for the immediate future, the restoration of road towards Stachys and Lotheedar, and I shall write a letter to Arabella to inform her of the situation and ask her help."

His spirits seem quite lifted as the plan action is formed, smiling winsomely at the group, but then his expression abruptly changes. "Oh, it completely slipped my mind! We need to arrange for accommodations for you. That is... you are spending the night here, yes?"

"It's getting late, and we originally set out from Stachys by barge, so we would gladly accept your hospitality."

"Lady Talbot? Sincerest apologies for my rude assumption!"

"No apologies are necessary. I am simply happy to come to such a straightforward and swift arrangement for once," Rose says. "And as much as I like the rustic charm of our tents, anything resembling a bed would have my preference. Your hospitality is most welcome."

"But my lady! Wouldn't you prefer the comfort of your own tent to a stranger's bed?" Lotti wrings her hands worriedly, though her glance towards the taller woman is steady for the fleeting second it holds. "Though... I must admit it would be lovely to share our supper."

Bluff to Pass Secret Message vs DC 15: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (13) + 15 = 28

"Don't make someone give up their bed for you - or skip their supper to make you one."

Her gaze now drifts hesitantly to the baronet's, and she drops it quickly for a bowed head and a curtsey. "That is, if it pleases my lady."