Alessandra casually looks around to check if anyone is observing them with more than just a glance.
Alessandra doesn't notice anyone else at the docks. She spots a pair of small fishing boats on the river but the few people on them don't seem to care for whatever business is happening on the shore.
Seeing as Cimri is not about to execute justice on him Ingoe visibly relaxes.
"Not much of a religious man myself so I didn't really care too much about angelic proclamations and claims that theend is coming. The river still flows and freight comes in and out regardless of who's bowing to what, er, pardon my foolishness mi'lord." Ingoe says bowing slightly to Lucien, "mail comes through here to, and I can be certain their might be some, heh, incriminating words among them."
The towering tiefling takes out his coin purse and fishes out 25gp, and hands it to the dockmaster.
"Consider this a down payment on any and all information you can find out about this mysterious 'Angel Knight'."
"Your Archbaron thanks you for your service."
Draco watches from the side alongside Cimri, watching the business deal go down between them, the new hounds of the archbaron, and this Ingoe. Despite how far he was actually certain he could throw him, he know better than to implicitly trust the man either.
The mans eyes light up and the money disappears into the recesses of the mans jacket.
"A most generous donation sir! This should cover the relevant penalties, fines, and insurance on such things for the next three weeks. After all, good masters, people tend to notice when messages have been damaged but I can assure that, heh, the contents will be safely in your hands. You paid for them after all."
"I look forward to your first report, Ingoe", Jerax smiles confidently down at the dockmaster. "Unless anyone else has any questions for our dear dockmaster, let's let him be on his way."
Ingoe bows deeply while a small smile plays at the edge of Cimri's lips.
"Well, you and Draco had a real good idea, there." Jerax nods to Cimri as the group walks away from the dockmaster. "My knowledge of Longacre is ten years old. Any other places you recommend to try to flush out some for information?"
So we're at the "hurry up and wait" part of the AP where it's pretty much open for you to do what you want. Outside of events that happen either periodically or consequentially it's up to you what you want to do. Day to day petty crimes are beneath you as the archbaron said but otherwise you have quite a lot of authority. Caggan is still in the stocks looking surprisingly healthy, more than enough to hurl some baited insults particularly in Jerax's direction. You've learned nothing of thw angel knight this far except for the one bard apparently writing songs in her honor.
Jerax absentmindedly begin to patrol the town most days, visit the east gate often to make sure it stays closed.
Alessandra tries networking, civil like. She focuses foremost on the least grumpy people, those that endure over grudge and grumble.
Purpose: to present herself as a reasonable person, and maybe recruit someone or someones to act as local informants.
She eventually goes to find the bard, along with Jerax, ,
The rest of the day goes by relatively uneventfully. With Caggan in the stocks there's no one left with as much beligerence as before.
Early the next morning Jerax recieves a visit from Ingoe who drops off a letter of interest shipping out of town.The letter comes from the towns doctor to her noble cousin. Apparently, she had juat been informed she owes nearly 300 gold in back taxes. And while she can keep the hospice running for a few weeks yet, she will not be able to pay off the debt likely costing the town one of it's more available medical professionals.
By morning of the third day you notice that Cimri and Draco have gone missing. Before you can inquire into it a messenger from the castle tracks you down and informs you that the Archbaron has requested your presence.
You did not have to wait long before you were told to ride to Longacre and present the archbaron there with a letter of recommendation. While the idea of serving and impressing such a powerful noble was cause for excitement, the remoteness of his barony and the idea of running errands in the northern forests was not.
And so it was after a few weeks journey you find yourselves in the Archbarons office aling with his fiendish steward staring at an ominously glowing brimstone atop of a black iron plinth.
"I'm told it's not magically binding but it is a requirement of her highness if you wish to continue your service. Simply place your hand on it and recite the oath."the gaunt salt and pepper haired man says as if reading off a script, "your partners in this endeavour shall be arriving shortly. They have already taken the compact, as have I."
Slightly groggy, Jerax hands Ingoe 20 gps for his continued service, and takes the letter.
The towering tiefling walks fully equipped to The Archbaron's Estate, letter at the ready, and waits until the Head halfling allows the audience with Fex.
Alessandra returns to the Archbaron's Estate, meeting up with Jerax and Lucien outside.
"Gentlemen, i believe i have got one bit of useful information, regarding that bard. He frequents a hill just outside the west side of town. Apparently he goes up there just before dawn seeking inspiration as he likes to call it."
"An opportunity for a private conversation."
"It's Lord Akorius to you, Devilspawn. And my hair is white--not blonde." The color was wholly unnatural, the product of deliberate efforts at bleaching it. Max was undoubtedly vain, and the creature's insistence that some color yet remained was gallling. "Do not think that by swearing this oath, I accept you as some sort of equal."
The young man looks to Archbaron and nods. "It is an honor to swear the Hellfire Compact in service of the worthy." Whether Darellus Fex was worthy remained to be seen. Regardless, he placed his hand on the stone and spoke the words. "I, Maximillian Akorius, swear my absolute allegiance to Archbaron Darellus Fex, Her Infernal Majestrix Queen Abrogail II of the Thrice-Damned House of Thrune, and the Empire of Cheliax."
Withdrawing his hand, he clenches it to distract from the momentary pain. "Archbaron, how many others are in your service? Set me in command of them and I shall make quick work of any dissent that you may face."
The halfing domo leads Jerax to Archbaron Fex office to see the lovely Ms. Venici and two new people, a fellow tiefling by the looks of it and a snobby-looking human with pale hair.
Great. Another noble. The red-skinned tiefling grumbled inwardly.
As social rules dictate, the towering tiefling bowwed before Archbaron first.
In a deep booming voice, the red-skinned tiefling speaks. "Good morning, Archbaron. Ms. Venici."
The 6'6, red-skinned tiefling nods to the other unknown occupants of the office. He has two red horns jutting out from his temples, with long black hair. The native outsider is wearing black chainmail armor, with a tabard of Asmodeus draped over it, and has a holy symbol of Asmodeus prominently displayed on his neck, two sets of spiked chain hangs from his belt, one masterwork, one not. The tiefling's feet end in two heavy black hooves, with a narrow red tail swaying under a black battle kilt.
"Gentlemen. I am Jerax Hellfire, Knight of Asmodeus, serving under Archbaron Fex."
Escorted inside alongside Jerax and Lucien, two new faces come into view as they enter the room.
Another tiefling, and another human. Are they to replace the three lost?
She bows slightly to the archbaron.
"Greetings, Archbaron."
Alessandra is a half orc, with long auburn red hair. Her orcish features are not particularly sharp, but the light green skin and odd colored eyes still indicate one of her bloodlines.
She currently wears a studded leather armor, and carries a bow on her back. A pendant of a horned bow adorns her neck.
Eiseth, one of the Queens of the Night.
She carries herself with a modest, if inquisitive, air.
. Max appears satisfied by Apano's false deference to his authority.
He regards the others as the enter--a towering tiefling who appeared well-equipped for combat, and a slightly orcish archer of Eiseth.
Max is a young nobleman with his signature platinum blonde white hair and nobleman's finery atop his banded mail armor. He looks strong, if not bulky, and sports an array of weapons, most notably a bardiche--an axe-like polearm. His signet ring marks him as a member of House Akorius. Those who entered may have noted the heavy riding horse parked outside.
He looks over the well-armed folk as they enter. "Ah, very good. Two capable fighters--and god worshippers no less. Good to have some zealots among us. I am Lord Maximillian Akorius. I understand you have some peasants who need to be put back in their place?"
Max then looks over at Apano. "And what exactly are your talents?" he asks, confused.
Completing introductions, save for Lucien of course,
"My name is Alessandra Venici.
And yes, you could say there are some unruly people. Roused by a bard, with tales of one 'Angel Knight'. Identity as of yet unknown."
Max's eyebrows raise as his morningstar hits the ground by his foot. He stoops to pick it up, not letting his gaze away from Apano. "Take care. Best you turn your talents toward the enemy, and I will do the same." He is, nonetheless, suitably impressed at the tiefling with a sense of humor.
He then turns to the half-orc. "An 'angel knight,' you say? How uncreative--something an unskilled storyteller would invent. Have you found this bard yet? Let us nip this in the bud."
"As it just so happens, some questioning revealed he spends his early mornings out on a nearby hill. 'Seek inspiration', is what was said.
Though his inspiration must be like his singing, inadequate."
Alessandra looks at Jerax with a corner of her mouth arching up.
"We apprehanded the tavern keep for facilitating the bard's rousing songs. He was let go this morning, i reckon?", as she looks at the tall red tiefling, before continuing her answer.
She thinks with a focus on the first mention of this 'angel knight'...
People of Longacre! The time of your redemption is at hand. When the song of the Inheritor rises, you all must choose: live as complacent vassals of corruption and evil, or embrace honor and claim the glory that is your right. The Glorious Reclamation gives you a choice.’ “Signed, ‘Lencia Visserene, Knight-Inheritor of the Glorious Reclamation.’
“Friends, it is up to us to restore the worship of Iomedae to its proper place in Cheliax and reclaim our nation in the name of the Inheritor. But we have been given a sign—a sign that the ‘Angel Knight’ has come to Longacre to lead us to glory!
"Hold on Jerax, we -did- hear a name.
Back when we heard that preacher's sermon, she had a missive that was read out loud. A champion of sorts, of Iomedae, had sent a declaration, a call to the faithful to rise up, when the 'Glorious Reclamation' would come.""The name...what was it.....ah! Lencia Visserene, knight-inheritor of said Glorious Reclamation. Claims to have been visited by an angelic messenger of their goddess."
"Caggan can be released at your discretion. Razelago suggested a few days, but I do not hold you to it." the gaunt figure of the Archbaron says from the window. "I currently have 8 in my service including those in this room. Two I have sent off on errands up north. The priest requested leave to handle business in Egorian, which I granted.
Turning to the other two he addresses them. "You may decide among yourselves who is leading who. I care only about the results not whatever petty politics are sorted out among you. If you have no further business here I would recommend you take your banter elsewhere."
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"One more point of business, M'Lord", the towering tiefling steps forward to present a letter.
"My informant on the city docks has acquired a missive, which comes from the Longacre's doctor to her noble cousin. Apparently, she had just been informed she owes nearly 300 gold in back taxes. And while she can keep the hospice running for a few weeks yet, she will not be able to pay off the debt likely costing the town one of it's more available medical professionals. This may be a good opportunity to squeeze the Good Doctor for information about The Angel Knight and The Glorious Reclamation."
Max's ears perk up at Jerax's words. "That is interesting news indeed. Does this Doctor owe taxes to you Lord Archbaron? Perhaps we can exchange cooperation with allowing the doctor's business to remain operational? We are not here to deprive cooperative citizens of their doctor, after all."
Left unsaid is that uncooperative citizens would not be treated so nicely.
We are to track down and dispose of those angel knight, then? Or bring them here breathing? Is it something else that you would like me to do? Or can these er... Fine folk fill me in on the details?"
"Memory serves me well, i believe the archbaron would have them exposed, and disposed of in an appropriate manner."
"That said, archbaron, would you wish to question them as well, before she would be disposed of?
Your preference thereof was not mentioned at that time."
"Questioning them would be ideal if you believe it will prove fruitful or weeding out further malcontents. Otherwise as long as they are disposed of in an appropriately painful way I could care less."
"If you believe the good doctor might become a useful tool you are free to do with it as you wish. I will be sure to inform the tax collector of the situation."
Alessandra nods slightly.
"Very well. Then i shall take my leave.
Archbaron..", Alessandra leaves first.
But she will not wander off immediately outside.
Max also nods in agreement and bows--respectfully but not too extravagantly. "Thank you, Archbaron. Let us withdraw and leave you to your business."
Once everyone catches up, Max discusses further with the team. "Is there time enough this morning to apprehend the bard, then? The peasants of this town are not yet familiar with Apano or myself. The bard is less likely to flee at seeing us--a fact we should use to our advantage when we make our approach."
Is there time enough this morning to apprehend the bard, then?
"He might be at the inn again. But you are correct, the people here would be less suspicious of you, rather than us. We can observe from a distance."
Max nods in agreement. "Right, if it's too late to go to the hilltop, we can check out the inn again. Maybe I even check in as a guest--we'll see."
"Sounds like a good plan", Jerax nods. "May The Lord of the Pit bless your efforts."
We heading straight for the inn or do you want to tey and confirm hes there first in another way? Or otherwise complete some other business on the way?
"But the matter of the 'Good Doctor' remains", Jerax posed aloud. "I want to use this information to not only get leverage over her, but dominate. For my own purposes. But just how to go about it? I don't have the 300 gold. Just the information she owes the gold. Hmmm." The towering tiefling ponders.
Alessandra looks over at Jerax.
"Could you elaborate on the matter?"
"So she asks her cousin, of noble station, for monetary aid.
And since you are not in the possession of an equal sum of money, that leaves few immediate things."
"Somehow remove the source of the debt. Either the person of concern, or arrange some profitable deal with them, that benefits them and you."
"Or make the source believe she is dead, and she gets to know that news or her being alive is at your beck and call to let loose towards that source."
As she looks towards nothing particular to think a moment, she looks back at Jerax with a faint smile.
"And you know, i believe i could benefit from occasional discussions with a medical professional. My teachings in the medical field have only gotten me so far. The branche of inquisition i belong to, values etiquette and medical know how. With that in mind, i would aid you in this matter."
While medical knowledge is useful to cure ailings and help recover wounds, the particular knowledge of anatomy, has its uses for interrogators.
The knight of Asmodeus reads the full contents of the letter to the inquisitor.
Jerax reconsiders. "Bah! Nevermind! She has nobility for family. I don't need that kind of trouble. But the Doctor is a resource to be exploited. Just not in a 'fun' way."
As Jerax begins reading the full letter from doctor to cousin, Max starts waving his hand dismissively.
"Apano and I will go to the inn to investigate. If you want to pressure the good doctor, then by all means do so. Who does this Doctor owe taxes to if not the Archbaron himself? If you are his agents, then there's a deal to be struck--if she is cooperative."
"Yes--Jerax. I'm quite certain that the money is essentially owed to the Archbaron. After the tax collector takes his cut. And various other nuances of nobility that you need not worry yourself about." In truth, Max didn't know anything about those details either despite being a nobleman, but he was not going to admit it. "So you do have the power to save her business, for the right price."
With that, Max begins heading out. "Come, Apano. Let us introduce ourselves to the common folk of this town."
Alessandra will follow at a distance.
"Jerax, what do you suppose Lucien went off to do? I sort of see him doing a job at a minor court of law, perhaps."
Walking along side Alessandra, Jerax ponders aloud.
"Maybe. I've known many asmodean clerics to have their pokers in many fires. I hope we can meet him again someday.
As clerics go, Lucien was rather decent."
The towering tiefling smiles inwardly enjoying the discussion with the alluring inquisitor.
Alessandra nods slightly.
"As far as Asmodean clerics go, indeed. He was very much a sly rules lawyer in the educational institute, more executing the system over personal ego. At least he has held firmly to that attitude."
"Some others i have heard of, had been...shall we say, "kissing up", to their peers, with various results."
She lets out a slight chuckle. "Getting booted out of their station for example."