Amala is balling her fist and looks at Fellzir the Mysterious.
“You should get vengeance for this kind of treatment! If I were you then I’d give them a proper beating for this slight!“ she says and turns away towards Aurelius.
“Yes, let’s get this over with … “
Fellzir impassively takes note of Denton's rage and Amala's temper. "Perhaps later," he seems to say to both the door and Amala.
He then turns and follows Amala to Aurelius and the rest.
Octavonius watches the display from afar and sniffs. "Our enemies are rallying through shows of power. I think they will only respond to such, in time. For now let us continue with these small gestures of goodwill to our benefactors. I'm fine with following young Aurelius' suggestion."
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Moving onto the next area which marks your return to the church square where you are passingly familiar, A fifteen-foot-tall wooden post, scarred by nails and plastered with faded pronouncements, rises from a bed of posies in the church square. A verdigris- stained copper archer swivels atop a squeaky weather vane at the post’s summit.
The square is fairly bustling with activity with several dozen people engaged in various activities, whether it be socializing or conducting business affairs. Your attention does draw a few glances but nothing untoward here.
Fellzir the Untrained tries to make a Knowledge Local check...
"Alisa is watching over us..."
Hear Hear Aurelius speaks as the puts the decree on its proper place.
Certain incidents He continues giving a pointed glance at the church.
Have resulted in Archbaron Fex making his will known.
Given that open rebellion has just been preached, in full view of his agents, by people who should absolutely know better, this is a relatively mild answer, which I am certain the good and intelligent people of Longacre appreciate. He pauses
Who will also appreciate precisely whom they have to blame for this turn of events. As he glances at the church again.
After all, what could possibly go wrong with openly oneself a rebell, publically, seeking to implicate in this as many good citizens of Longacre as possible, with the very obvious hope for a heavy handed response hitting those innocent of any rebellion in particular. He continues.
Now, as you notice from the decree, there are plenty of exceptions to be had at the notary. I would get there quickly before the big rush.
these people dont know how hard it was lobby for a relatively mild response such as this Aurelius whispers to no one in particular, but in a easily heard way for people, including NPCs in his immidiate surroundings.
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As you finish hammering the Archbaron's decree to the post it draws the attention od a group of a dozen or so townsfolk. As they each peruse the contents, several of them immediately get upset and start complaining about the injustice of a curfew and being treated like prisoners, to one another. While most of them do not look up at you one of the townspersons does - a rather severe elderly woman - approaches you, "I am Doctor Gerya Rohalendi and I have several questions about this decree...namely 'Will those who break curfew to see to a medical emergency be arrested? Half of Longacre is related—what does 'family' mean in this context? Is a group gathering at the tavern assisting the establishment in 'the natural course of its business?' How can those from outside town obtain a writ of passage if they’re not allowed in to visit the notary?"
Greetings Doctor Rohalendi Aurelius speaks.
To be frank I share your concerns, several of them at verbatim as a matter of fact. But as I myself have been informed, "I am not a lawyer", nor am I currently entrusted with the legal power to interpret the archbarons will in the matter. I would strongly suggest to approach the notary with your completely valid concerns. As a matter of fact.
He Takes out a page and starts writing in infernal.
Dating it, signing it, and giving it to the Dr. with both hands.
From: Aurelius Flavius
To: Longacre notary
To whom it may concern:
I am requesting that you expedite resolving Dr. Gerya Rohalendi's, main medical professional in Longacre, legal requests as a priority compared to other tasks originating from Longacres citizenry, until the :One week from now:.
Signed, Aurelius Flavius, enforcer.
This should expedite things, somewhat.
Fellzir is quietly very impressed with Aurelius's level of manipulation.
Amala remains silent and smiles in the background.
But she watches the crowd for any trouble makers.
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Octavonius makes a mental note on the statue's significance. His eyes dart in the direction of Whisperwood. If things got bad enough in this town, he could find himself having to survive out there in the wilds. Even with his meager magics he doubts he'd survive long.
"Good job!" Ohd squawks in Infernal in regards to Aurelius' performance. "Good talk!"
Though he knows the bird dosent mean it, Octavonius can't help but infer meaning from the croaked words. Yes, they will need to do a lot more 'good jobs' here to avoid a very messy end. He staggers over to stand just beside Aurelius. The boy was quickly growing to be a very important piece of the puzzle. Though the old man couldn't protect him much physically he had at least one or two spells that could help defend him in a pinch.
Aurelius acts, elevating some of his targets above others, turning foes against each other, and he clearly does it by intuition, rather then brainpower or wisdom. Exactly like a Succubus would, an intelligent and capable one to be precise. Intuitively, without particular forethought, playing it by the ear. Perhaps the rumors of his Abyssal ancestry are correct?
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The doctor takes the proffered parchment from Aurelius and starts to look it over...as a confused look comes over her face. "Wait a moment...I cannot read this, how do you expect me to..." before she stops abruptly, shrugging helplessly. "Well, I suppose the notary can understand this..." she mutters to the others as she slowly moves off with the crowd.
No one else raises any fuss here so with this task taken care of you head over to the next place on your agenda...the Last Stand Tavern. As you approach the building you take note of the colorful wooden shields and weathered antlers hanging upon the deck girdling this rustic public house. Overhead, a sign carved with crenellations bears the name “The Last Stand Tavern”—the letters “L” and “T” formed with painted green-fletched arrows. Fortunately there are ample places to hang the archbaron’s decree upon the supports of The Last Stand’s porch.
Fellzir checks both sides of the building for any surprises before we post the sign.
Hallidan keeps a lookout for any more potential troublemakers or townsfolk who might challenge their sign. ”Bad enough we gotta be the bearers of bad news. Not having no answers just makes things worse. Let’s just tack the thing up and move on.”
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Not seeing anything untowards here you proceed to start hammering nails into the tavern’s porch post...which does attract some attention. The front doors of the tavern bursts open and you see the tavern’s owner, cook, and most experienced drinker, Bolgart Caggan, holding a sturdy wooden spoon and, under his other arm, a half-full pot. The look on his face is one of agitation as he gazes upon you, "What is this? What are you doing to my porch here??" He bellows while waving his spoon around wildly, "Let me see what you are doing..."
As he reads the decree the look on his face turns to fury, "Take this...this F***ING decree back to the Baron and you can shove it all the way up where the sun doesn't shine!! While you are at it, take your filthy, disgusting bones off my porch! NOW!!" he yells at you in a furious tone, and it is clear he will brook no delay in complying with his wishes as he continues to wave his spoon around.
Hmm, I wont be able to manipulate that one into compliance.
That good Sir would be an incredibly poor idea for a variety of reasons. The law is the law, and it is rather obvious whose actions triggered this unfortunate turn of events.
I for one am known for my relative benignness, several of my comrades He looks at Guillaume and Amala in particular, are not
Amala looks at Aurelius with understanding in her eyes and then focuses on Bolgart Caggan and starts moving towards him with a stern look on her face.
"Hold you tongue or we have to cut it off! If you disturb the decree or allow anyone else to disturb the decree then you are done! We will come back regularly and you, your customers and anyone else you are associated will be punished!" she shouts at him.
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The words spoken by Aurelius and Amala seem to have little effect...indeed they have the opposite effect, as his face grows a mottled shade of purple, veins bulging from his neck. "GET AWAY FROM ME!" he bellows as he flings his pot, still full of spicy chili at the tiefling!
The spicy chili pours out all over the porch yet Amala manages to avoid the worst of the mess, only suffering a few splatters all over her clothing. As Bolgart releases the pot from his hand his anger seems to deflate as he stares at his handiwork and he he regains his composure.
Spicey Premature culinary ejaculation in public? Almost humiliating enough to be punishment in itself?
Aurelius attempts to give things a humorous spin.
Amala grimaces and immediately moves to the man and simultaneously draws her dagger.
"You are going to regret this! A lot!" she says with a crazy look on her face.
In a menacing whisper, Fellzir hisses, "Sir, you have attacked a lawfully appointed agent of the baron and thus forfeited your life. <pause> The only possible way to save you from a violent and painful dismemberment would be to pledge your service to the baron immediately. Amala, could you stay your hand if he does that?"
"I will hurt him ... really badly! Now!" she thinks and ignores Fellzir and continues to attack.
Hal draws his own blade at the outburst, the sword gleaming in the sunlight. He doesn’t directly attack the tavern owner— it was just chili, after all— but more to keep any others from stepping in.
Perhaps, with appropriate incentives, it could be argued that this was more akin to unsanctioned and unwanted advertisement, made manifest by attempting to hand over foodstuffs to legally appointed law enforcement personel, and epically failing on account of non existing hand eye coordination, inflicting a degree of olfactory and optical damage on the clothing in question, then an actual attack?
Pretty hard to talk a Callistrian like Amala out of vengeance hmmm.
A fine, of 10 times the value of the damaged gown would be appropriate in this case? Aurelius offers.
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Initiative
Amala shrugs off the warnings from her companions, her thoughts filled with vengeance upon this lout who has gravely offended her. She advances upon him with her blade drawn...
_____________________
Round 1 Status:
Amala 12/12 hp
===============
Bolgart: ?/? hp
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Current Effects: NONE
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Current MAP.
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Octavonius remains at the back of the group, wishing simply to see how Amala holds her own in battle. She could certainly talk the talk, now it was time to see if she could walk the walk.
"Loud sounds!" Ohd dryly whispers in the old wizard's ear. "Many eyes!"
"That is why you will keep an eye on our surroundings while I keep an eye on the fight," Octavonius whispers back. "Now be silent!"
Guillaume doesn't attack just yet, but he moves to a menacing position behind Bolgart.
Held:
Fellzir rolls initiative begrudgingly. He will attempt to knock out Bolgart.
She moves towards the man and ducks to push her dagger right between the idiot's legs and pull to make him fall!
"Kneel before me an apologize! Or I will cut off the finger that you used to slight me!" she shouts with anger.
Thats pretty reasonable.
Aurelius remarks, as if quite surprised.
F#+@ing take that offer you fool
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Octavonius (along with his trusted set of eyes) and Guillaume watch the bystanders eying the affair with a note of trepidation, yet none of the bar customers seem inclined to intervene instead preferring to observe Amala as she dextrously knocks Bolgart on his oversized keister! However Bolgart fails to take the hint here as he springs back to his feet...
The blow narrowly misses the lady and Guillaume is ready for this, his blade slashing deep into the man's side, eliciting a cry of surprise and pain!
"OK Enough! No MORE!!" He falls back onto one knee, arms raised to ward off any further blows here.
Amala sees that the man is standing up and almost smiles!
"The finger it is then!" she says and aims at Bolgart's hand when he stands up ...
... and she cuts into his flesh!
When he tries to hit her again and misses, she is almost sad.
But seeing Guillaume take action really surprises her ... as does the wound that opens up on the burly man.
Hearing Bolgart give up on the other hand shows his weakness.
"You are pathetic you ugly man! Be glad that your hands were not able to touch me or I would have taken more than just a finger!" she says and turns around to leave.
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The burly man glares at the triumpant lady as he slowly bends to his knees, blood dripping from his wounds, and the glare does not leaver her as she strides away from the tavern. The rest of you hurry behind Amala eager to put yourselves at some distance from the other bar patrons.
Now you move to the final place on your itinerary, the jail. With its unevenly mortared stones and barred windows, this squat structure looks like a miniature fortress. Despite the row of horseshoes hung beneath its sign, nothing can make the plain word “Jail” look welcoming. Two wooden pillories stand empty in front of the building.
"He's lucky to still have his head on his shoulders " Hal sniggers after they leave. His sword is back in its sheath and the hood of his cloak is up to partially conceal the ruined side of his face. "What's the next place?"
"...Oh." Even though he himself has never had the honor of residing here, simply being near the jail is not what he would call a pleasant experience. Hal hopes the group can accomplish this quickly and without being accosted.
Recalling her earlier reticence, Guillaume sticks near Cimri.
Good CopAurelius points at himself
Bad Cops He points at Guilleaume and Amala
Soon ex Cops He points at the jail. This happens before they enter.
Malacoda, Lord of Bastards, grant me, a bastard but to my knowledge not yours, they cunning and guile He silently invokes Malacoda for some guidance.
Fellzir looks in any of the windows that are at first floor height.
Octavonius' eyes scan the building. How long had it been since his release? A few weeks? Didn't seem like much time had passed at all. In the decades spent rotting here his body practically missed the cramped and stiff accommodations. The beds at his new hideout were a poor imitation.
"Not that it is any different from the norm but myself and the bird will hang back at this juncture. Some...strings had to be pulled to allow my release from these confines and I'm sure the masters here would be eager for any excuse to throw these old bones back to where they belong."
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As you approach the jail, Amala still trying to clean the stains off her clothing, you slow your steps with some trepidation...which is not mirrored by Cimri, who strides up to the porch and quickly begins hammering the decree onto one of the posts.
The noise draws some attention, as Sheriff Rhona Staelish and four of her junior deputies come outside in a group. She nods in greetings to Cimri, who does not respond to the Sheriff instead silently finishing the job of hammering the decree into place. As the Sheriff moves to examine the decree a displeased look grows on her face, mirrored by the deputies as they look over the parchment who all get troubled and angered look on their faces, muttering darkly amongst themselves.
As Cimri hands over the letter to her aunt, again without saying a word, Rhona reads the letter once...then twice, her face growing upset, and finally a third time. Barely glancing at the rest of you she turns and walks back into the Jail and removes her black vest — embroidered with the symbol of Cheliax — and slaps her ebon-handled longsword on her former desk, muttering under her breath, "Looks like the archbaron is being too much of a coward to do his dirty work himself". She then retrieves her personal crossbow, as well as a few effects from her desk. As she turns to leave she finally addresses you, "“I’m not worried about me, I’m worried about what the townspeople are in store for with thugs like you in charge.” She then leaves quietly, her eyes refusing to make eye contact with her niece Cimri the entire time.
However the deputies have other ideas...as one of them draws and loads his light crossbow pointing it at you. “This ain’t right. You can’t just throw out this town’s only justice. It ain’t right!” The other deputies nod in agreement yet do not draw their own weapons...yet.
Dont do that. Think about what happens next if you fire at me and miss me, and then about what happens if you fire at me and hit. And what happens with an accidental discharge? You do see that I dont have my weapons drawn? Aurelius is as diplomatic as ever.
Thugs? He adresses the seargent with a raised eyebrow, disregarding the crossbow pointed at him.
The effing sword knight went ahead and tried to start a civil war, literally yesterday. What have you been doing in response?
Amala grins.
"Two can play this game. Put the weapon away or you are going to get hurt!" she says and takes a step forward to bully the man.
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Amala stares down the hot-headed deputy who raises his crossbow up to fire at her...before he lowers it, glancing at his compatriots for support, yet receiving none. One of the deputies, Ertha, motions to the others, "Put down your weapons," as she takes off her own vest and throws it to the floor. One by one, Staelish’s deputies resign, leaving the jail to you.
Guillaume turns to Cimri ”So boss, should we check the cells, see if there’s any prisoners that might need their sentences reevaluated?”
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Cimri nods in agreement here, eager to put the recent experience behind here. A quick examination of the jail reveals no prisoners being held in the two cells at the back of the jail. However the three cabinets, two in the common room and one in the sheriff’s office, are locked and amongst the deputies former equipment you do see several keys...and a sturdy lockbox behind the ex-Sheriff's desk, also locked.
Amala is again just shaking her head because of the weaknesses that she has to witness!
She looks at the others.
”Let us open everything!“ she says and uses the keys to investigate what they can salvage.
Waste not, want not!
Oh Malacoda, Lord of Bastards, direct me towards the loot
"Now that they're outta the way, I don't see a reason why not." Particularly interested in the lockbox, Hal goes through the keys looking for one that fits.
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Locating the keys for the cabinets and the lockbok proves no problem here, and the contents of the cabinets hold an assortment of weapons and armor, none of which radiates magic:
You also find six clearly marked potions of Cure Light Wounds with the symbol of Iomedae along with two potions of Remove Disease. One of the cabinets also holds a key etched with the word “pillory”
The lockbock reveals an assortment of what looks like contraband here with a wand that radiates magic, a masterwork bronze scizore decorated with a sculpted skeletal lion, 1 dose of blue whinnis (which draws an exclaimed mutter from Cimri "So that is what happened to it!"), 10 doses of pesh, a collection of 17 pornographic Taldan quartos containing scripts for two-performer “plays” (including “Her Highness’s Tea Service” and “The Guardsman’s Fine Salute”) worth 2 gp each, seven skull-shaped onyxes (worth 25 gp each), and a pouch containing 10 pp along with a bill of ownership marked: “Halfling, male, 20 years, service-trained. Missing toe on left foot. Responds to the name ‘Ardin.’”
Once you have satisfied your curiosity here Cimri urges, "We need to return to see Razelago here. It's almost noon!" As you all move out to collect your companions, Guillaume turns to face you all. "I hate to take my leave of you but I must...my true master has need of me elsewhere..." he gives Cimri a wink, "I take it you will stick with them?" "For now, Guillaume!" She laughs and plants a kiss on his cheek. "Until our paths cross again!"