A couple of hours of winding the time away, enjoying a hot bath, and walking about town giving about two hours before curfew arrives. At around the same time a desheveled bard in slightly ragged entertainers clothes makes his way to the small stage
Despite the undeniably small crowd he treats it with the same respect and due to a larger audience. Unlike the rest of him the ling necked theorbo he carries is in fine condition. Taking up a stance to comfortably hold the instrument he addresses the crowd directly.
"Thank you patrons of the arch and lark for having my humble performance for the evening! I pray the day has found you well and I hope my songs may provide comfort for your aches and soothing memories from which you may dream peacefully tonight. To start I would like to regale you with a song of my own composition, the ballad of the angel knight!"
Plucking the strings of his instrument briefly he goes into his song. The song rhat follows is, adequate. Okay.
Max is well-dressed for the early evening festivities. He bears no weapon, but keeps his armor on underneath his clothing as he knows he's looking to cause trouble. He's undeniably delighted when the bard arrives.
.
So this is what passes for entertainment in Longacre. Pah. The bard is obviously lovestruck, and yet lacks inspiration.
He listens carefully to the song for any seemingly useful details. And he's also particularly interested in whether anyone in the audience shows unreasonable support for the music, perhaps indicative of treason.
When the music is done, he stands and makes his way outside for some momentary fresh air--and to give the signal that the bard has indeed arrived.
The towering tiefling takes the dsignal from the nobleman, and immediately gets up and marches up to the stage.
"Alright, Bard! We are taking you into custody for questioning! Come with us willingly and we won't have to injury you!"
Jerax tries to take the lousy entertainer into a grapple.
Alessandra lets her stare do the talking for her, calmly glaring into the bard's eyes.
"Let's have ourselves a chat elsewhere."
Should Jerax somehow have trouble to restrain the bard,
Having returned to his seat, Max watches for everyone's reaction as the arrest is made.
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The reaction of the room is a mix of bemusement and bewilderment. The tavern owner at her customary spot behind the bar is caught between respecting authority and dealing with the disruption in her bar.
The bard for his part looks utterly surprised. "What is the meaning of this!? I've committed no crime, I'm here on request of the owner I don't understand!"
If he resists its minimal at best under the warm embrace of Jerax.
Maximillian takes a long sip from the glass of wine he's holding. Really, this was just extra entertainment for him.
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Jerax marches (carries) the bard out of the bar and all the way to the jail if need be.
Alessandra holds open the door for Jerax.
Once outside,
"So, you seem to know rather juicy bits about the angel knight.
We are intrigued, tell us more about her, please."
If he refuses, she takes one of his fingers, and with her bit of knowledge of anatomy, puts pressure on the nerves in his finger and hand.
"Ow!" the bard grimaces, "I don't know what you're talking about! I'm just inspred by the sermon of the good priestess! That's my profession! Artistic expression and nothing more!"
Her stare grows piercing.
"See, the thing about inquisitors, is that we are trained to detect lies."
She smiles faintly, "And i am a girl trained to do so."
She repeats nerve pressure, but constantly, lightening only if he seems willing to talk, and even then not completely letting him off the hook.
"You are still withholding information. Spill the beans, and your hand stays in working order, to do what you like so much. Being a writer and performer, after all."
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"..or we can merciful and just break your legs", Jerax continued the inquisitor's thought.
Max is rather disappointed that the interrogation has returned outside.
He gets up, stretches, and approaches the owner. "I must say, this Glorious Rebellion -- excuse me, Reclamation -- has really complicated our evening's entertainment. Let's hope this all comes to an end soon."
The bard yelps as further pain is inflicted. "Lencia Visserene! She told me her name when I met her outside of town! She was praying on a hilltop at dawn when I saw her! I know nothing else!"
Inside rhe bar the owner shakes her head. "Apologies, he's the only working bard in town. We used to get more traveling through but they have not come into town for a while since the good archbaron levied his restrictions on travel."
Alessandra sighs with some disappointment.
"That much we knew already.", she puts the pressure point under some strain, then lightens it.
"Last question, bard, which hilltop did you meet her at?"
Once he answers the question, she lets go of his hand.
"And there you go, you will find your hand unimpeded for further composing."
She pokes him in the chest with an index finger.
"I make good on promises, be they deal, or retribution.
But you will find me and my compatriot far more preferable company, if not provoked, than the sort of thugs officials more often employ. You know, the type that actually do break limbs and don't pay the shop keeper. Cooperate on your own volition, and all is well."
She pats his cheek with her gloved hand.
"Now, you can go back to playing your music. Unless Jarex here has a question or two for you.", she aims a glance at big red.
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"Now, you can go back to playing your music. Unless Jarex here has a question or two for you.", she aims a glance at big red.
"No. I occur he's told us all we can. That being said: Damn woman! You are amazingly sexy when you inquisit! If I held the bard any lower, he'd no doubt feel my appreciation of your talents poking his back", Jerax winked slyly at the half-orc.
Max nods in apparent understanding with Fordaneil Cembers's predicament. "Well, if the bard gets arrested, I may be able to help. I may not be lord of these lands, but I do have some sway."
He glances toward the door, wondering if he should find some excuse to go out there. But he shakes his head--he had to trust his new comrades to be capable in their interrogation abilities.
No. I occur he's told us all we can. That being said: Damn woman! You are amazingly sexy when you inquisit! If I held the bard any lower, he'd no doubt feel my appreciation of your talents poking his back", Jerax winked slyly at the half-orc.
Quite the sadist, that one. The first i ever heard saying he got wood after seeing an interrogation. His enthusiasm may be of use, somewhere in the future.
She doesn't say anything immediately, but a corner of her mouth slowly creeps up eventually.
"Then be careful not to soil your vestments if we have a lengthy interrogation to do. I have yet to match that woman's skill, so i have plenty of refining to do, and methods to work through."
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At the mention of Jerax's atousal the bard feels very discomfitted and makes an effort to pull himself from the offending appendage as hard as he can manage.
When he's finally released he returns to the stage throroughly humiliated. And he continues his performance with far safer, and far less impassioned songs ocassionally wincing as some residual pain licks in.
Max is a little surprised to see the bard return. "Ah, good fellow. Glad that business is done with. Let's carry on with the show!" He is perhaps a little too delighted to watch the bard force his way through the remaining performance.
If allowed to do so, he finds another moment to step outside and converse with his allies. "I trust you succeeded in your questioning?"
As the performance concludes, he offers a gold coin for the Bard's efforts.
With Maximillian exiting and asking the question, she slightly shakes her head.
"He knew her name, but so already did we. He met her early in the morning, praying on a hilltop."
Max nods. "We shall have to visit this hilltop in the morning, then. Let us meet before dawn."
He looks to Jerax a moment for any final comments.
Otherwise, he seems more than happy to retire for the evening once the festivities conclude.
Max nods. "We shall have to visit this hilltop in the morning, then. Let us meet before dawn."
He looks to Jerax a moment for any final comments.
Jerax shrugs. "Sounds like a plan. I will held back to Ash House and try to get some rest."
Come morning you spend the day visiting the aforementioned hill.
Sadly you find little of interest beyond a mice view of the surrounding forest. The debris around suggests that this place is frequented but setting up ambush only catches a young couple seeking privacy, a hunter taking a lunch break and a very frightened husband terrified that his wife caught him drinking in his one private spot.
The day more or less wasted you return to the town to see that in the shwriff's place, the house guards have taken to a brand of justice unique to men barely literate, whose main job is to escort people to various places, look sharp, and threaten violence. For the most part they simply ignore complaints of minor crime, those they don't usually result in the collection of "fines" or the beating of the percieved offender and sometimes the victim.
You hear all of this from the small mob gathered in front of the jailhouse, some sporting the fresh black eyes of arbitrarily delivered justice.
Caggan from his place in the pillory, sneers. "Don't be botherin them!" He says to the crowd sarcastically. "They're far too busy lickin boots and puttin theres up good mens backsides to care.:
"Bah, what a waste," says Max, trudging back to town in disappointment as the ambush does not find any success. But as they approach the jailhouse, it's clear that things are getting lively. "Oh good, I was worried that I'd be bored for the entire day!"
Having at this point been unquestionably associated with Alessandra and Jerax, Max gives up any semblance of being unaffiliated with the archbaron and his lackeys.
"How convenient of all the rabble to assemble by the jailhouse, so that we might arrest them!" he shouts, clearly wanting to be heard. He takes his halbred and points it at the crowd, slowly panning from one side to the other. "Who speaks for you dirty lot? Not the pilloried man, I hope?"
The towering tiefling walks through the crowd, parting it in his wake. Jerax comes to stand next to Bolgart at the pillory.
Listening to Caggan, Jerax sighs. "Well. If you insist. We'll leave you in the pillory another day. I would have thought you wanted to reopen your restaurant. The Arch and Lark will certainly be pleased to know their competitor is still 'on vacation'."
The knight of Asmodeus turns to the crowd. "When I was younger, I spent a lot of time in that pillory. One time, I refused to shut up and Sheriff Staelish kept me in for three days straight. Three straight days of pissing on myself, mosquitos I couldn't swat, and the barest minimum of sleep. Looks like Caggan's on the 'troubled tiefling plan'", Jerax laughed, slapping the barkeep's rear in jest.
The towering tiefling's tone then became serious and threatening. "Go home. If you have a problem with house guards, avoid them. Like most of your neighbors. I've seen harder measures to crack down on insurrections in other communities. Archbaron Fex is being lenient."
Alessandra looks at the angry crowd, before Jerax and Maximillian address them.
In infernal to Jerax,
"...the exact sort of thug i spoke of, to the bard. Precisely the sort that require some disciplining themselves. They neglect their duties and are brigands with a permit."
"Maybe we aught have some words with them. After all, their behavior is clearly inciting chaotic tendencies with the locals."
If Maximillian doesn't object either, Alessandra adresses the crowd.
Having put effort into networking, and promoting herself as a woman of reason and civility, , she speaks up.
"Ladies and gentlemen. It has come to our attention, that the ones supposed to handle regulations in an orderly manner, have been not diligent in their duties. As representatives of the Archbaron, we cannot tolerate brigand like behavior such as this.
You will, of course, not vandalize the prison, while we are going to have words with these thugs."
Either take 10 for 23 on intimidation, guidance included.
Or
In a low hushed tone to Jerax and Maximillian, before they would enter the prison.
"If this goes well, then the locals would have more reason to work with us in our future efforts, i would say. If we fix this issue, they owe us. Plus, people tend to cooperate more with the side that is best for their situation. We are the better alternative here.", a corner of her mouth curls slightly up.
The towering tiefling nods the affirmative, then looks for confirmation from the noble.
The tavern keeper snickers at the somewhat contradictory responses from the trio. A middle aged man steps forward much less timid and more confident than the others.
"It's all we can ask your masters. Business is hard enough under the archbarons edicts without his house guard beating half our visitors ans shaking down the rest."
Alessandra gives but a slight nodge in confirmation.
Sure enough, she could understand where the crowd got their beef, and she could certainly come up with some creative solutions.
She heads for the jailhouse door, casts a guidance on herself, and a shield of faith for good measure.
In infernal:
"Gentlemen, are you up for venting any tension on a root of civil unrest?"
”I favor getting the Archbaron’s house guard in line, but that is a matter for later, at the Archbaron’s mansion. Our situation is more immediate.”
With that said, Max addresses the crowd and their apparent leader. ”The Archbaron’s edicts are essential in this time of rebellion—disparage then not!” insists Max. Then, speaking to the man whose willingness to step forward earned some respect. ”Your lawful complaint is noted and will be met with a lawful response. Now, return to your homes! Curfew is upon us, and as such, loyal citizens shall roam these streets no longer.”
The crowd only lingers momentarily before they begin to meander off and disperse some casting wary glances to one another as they leave.
And so Jerax, Alessandra, and Maximillian walk up to Fex Manor in hopes of having a conversation with one or more of the House Guards.
Assuming the manservant/butler opens the door,
Alessandra nods to him. "We would like to speak to the House Guards, are they present currently?"
As the three of them would almost walk in, and the manservant/butler leaves them alone, she speaks calmly, but you notice a twinkle in her eye.
"Do you know what gets an unruly dog to cooperate faster?
Provide it with a toy or a bone, that it can vent energy on. What would you say if we hand a bound house guard over to the townsfolk?"
"Sure, the archbaron might raise an eyebrow, but i am positive i can convey the benefit of doing so."
"The Archbaron might do a lot more than raise his eyebrow."
Max considers his own understanding of how Archbaron Fex is likely to respond to Alessandra's plan.
.
He's not shy to share his thoughts.
"Hmm.", she acknowledges that for a moment.
"Well, we'll have to wait and see if reason can be put into their heads. Any follow up action required, could be done with approval of the archbaron of course."
The head of the house guard is a serious looking man in polished armor bearing the red and black of the archbaron's colors he meets you in his office, an austere place with little in terms of decoration save a broken ranseur displayed on the bare wall behind him. As you enter the dimly lit room he looks up from the papers he was looking over.
"Ah, the archbarons special officers. I take it you have news regarding thugs trying to bring disorder into the barony?"
Alessandra, before opening the door, reconsidered her in hindsight brazen way of approach. Hmm, it could incur resentment, Maxwell is right about the archbaron's likelyhood of being displeased.
Alessandra slightly nods, a stern gaze as an opener. "In a manner of speaking, yes.
Your men have been acting as such. Now, i have my own job to do, and as a result of their behavior, dissent has grown, they even organized into a mob. Easy fuel for potential rebels."
She lets it sink in for a moment.
"The archbaron wants his citizens to be lawful and loyal, yes? A better mindset towards following the archbaron's rules, would require your men to stop robbing, harassing and such."
"Still, the misconduct has created an opportunity for the both of us. If you can get your men to ease up on the locals, they see us three as people who can arrange normalcy in their lives. People who make things better are more easily cooperated with. Think about it, common folk are quicker to obey and follow, if they are content. You, we, and the archbaron all benefit, and the locals would even be less inclined to silently leave and join that rebellion."
"Occurrences 'happen' everywhere in the world, but if they become more of an infrequent 'incident', that benefits us all."
Jerax quietly nods, allowing Miss Venici's reason take hold.
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.
"To put it another way, make sure they're breaking the law before your men break their bodies. We want the peasants following the rules and paying their taxes. That means following the rules ourselves, so they know that obedience is better than rebellion."
The guard captain's expression remains unmoved as you plead your case. As macimillian finishes he goes through the papers on his desk hefore pulling one out and reading it aloud.
"Twenty four instances of public drunkeness, twelve instances of violating curfew, forty seven instances of failure to pay back taxes, seven instances of breaking and entering into the militia armoury (under investigation), six instances of violating the gate edict, four instances of assault on an officer of the guard, two instances of breaking and entering of a private residence, on instance of malicious lingering, one instance of public performance without a permit, and one of entering the city without a permit. This is a broad listing of the crimes committed in the past week punished and/or ignored per the guidelines you set forth. I have made note of and kept the names of all such violators for you to look over and decree justice upon at your will.
Glory to the Queen, honor upon my baron's house,
Your captain Gersias Paltry"
Setting the paper down he looks back up.
"Our orders are to enforce the will of the archbaron in the way he has instructed until which point you have removed the threat to the barony that is the root cause of the dissent. I have my orders and I have been following them to the letter. I am only disappointed that you have seen fit to perform an audit upon my men whose loyalty is without question, as opposed to an ungrateful populace which is in doubt."
The summary of violations is impressive, Alessandra would give him that.
Alessandra displays no hostility, and keeps a neutral, if businesslike tone.
"Quite a list, and i agree that such chaotic behavior should find consequences. I do not doubt your men's readiness to maintain the order, but the severity of the physical punishment, pushes the rabble's mindset towards rebellion."
"Stocks, imprisonment, gibbets, public humiliation, a whipping.
All proven means to suppress troublemakers."
"I am not concerned about the happiness of the populace. A rebellious mindset is my concern.
Captain....would you happen to have the names of the ones who have started the violations?"
Max was duly impressed by the list. Seems like the house guards had a point. Was the guard captain genuinely indignant at being accused of being unlawful, or just covering for his men?
"Is it the severity of the punishment? Or the lack of severity?" interjects Max. Suddenly, it's not clear who's side he was on.
Though as he listens to the litany of recent activity, one thing catches his attention in particular. "Breaking and entering into the military armoury you say? We can't be letting this rabble arm themselves." He picks up the papers that the guard was looking through. "Do we have any suspects? Perhaps a house search is in order. Whoever has the gall to snatch these weapons will undoubtedly be at the heart of this rebellion."
Jerax silently nods with the noble's suggestions. "Yeah! Let's get 'em!"
"Of course." Replies the guard captain.
Opening a drawer he pulls out a sheath of papers and a large keather bound book. With one hand he pulls over an ink pot and quill and with the other he opens the book to a page deep within it.
"You'll need to make a copy if you need to keep anything. I meed to deliver these records to the archbaron by the end of month. As for the armoury, Bo and Dent Gramel, the old couple that used to watch the south gate, have been seen sneaking into the armoury at night. We've been told by the house advisor not to act against them unless we either catch them in the act or find where they're taking the weapons. Searches on their home have turned up empty, so we suspect they're being delivered somewhere in the woods. So far I haven't had the manpower to rally a proper ambush on them in the armoury itself."
"I have a sharp memory," insists Max as he examines the notes. "It's also possible that someone besides a doddering old couple is behind these thefts, which is why your house searches have failed."
His finger reads along the page, multitasking as he continues. "But if your suspicions are correct, we should have no trouble apprehending them in the act. What kinds of items have been lost? And who in this town has the wherewithal to wield these weapons or armor?"