I think I had asked for tea and porridge some time ago?" - Medraut lift an eyebrow at the innkeeper.
My thanks... so, a worm hunt first, you know, wear the rust off, teamwork and all that... then off to my ancestral tomb eh?
He fishes out a gold coin and in an act of uncharacteristic generousity gives it to the young man.
Give this to your mother okay? Just in case she needs anything while youre away.
Sooo, he says turning to the rest, These works come with a bounty?
”I don’t recall the lad mentioning a bounty,” the knight admits with shrug.
Well, let's check the local scene for a bit of work... get the blood pumping, check out where we can improve as a team.
He waves at the innkeeper.
Ho there! Where would we find a bit of work suitable for aspiring hero's?
The knight accompanied Raff as he approached the innkeeper but she couldn’t help wondering about the rogue’s inheritance.
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Well, let's check the local scene for a bit of work... get the blood pumping, check out where we can improve as a team.
He waves at the innkeeper.
Ho there! Where would we find a bit of work suitable for aspiring hero's?
"I don't know ask the lord!" The peasant shouts back.
The innkeeper hurries over with the tea and porridge. "I'm sorry here you go"
The young man looks at the coin.
"Oh thank you sir. The worms come out at night. My mother will be pleased. I'll be right back." He runs off.
"Finally!" - Medraut scowled, making a mental note to remember NOT to tip the innkeeper.
Then his eyes went wide as Raff offered a gold coin to the lad - "Did you just give a gold piece to that boy?"[B] - the wizard chuckled - [b]"I wasn't expecting that"
Well... we did just agree to take him with us didn't we? Poor bugger might be dead soon.
He slaps the table.
Lets see this Lord Chappy eh?
"Lets go then"
The knight agreed, ”Aye.”
"Well I best come along to make sure you all don't get into too much trouble!"
The priest gathers up his robes and readies himself to leave.
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The knight agreed, ”Aye.”
Following directions from a peasant. The party makes it's way to the manor of the goat folk Lord Malbleat. Before you standings a two story mansion with a sloped roof covered in tiles. Strands of thick brown ivy run along the sides. A path of tile makes it's way to a 10 foot wall of thick wooden logs. The mansion is visbile through the large open gate.
Two half goat men, half human guards, one with small horns on his brown haired head, the other has a visible snout with long black hair, stand lazily outside the gate. They have padded armor and spears. They laugh as you approach.
"You baahh think you can see Lord Malbleat ha ha...What do you want?" the black haired one cries.
Why to serve the Great Lord in matters that he may require... expendable or deniable... factors to complete for him on local level and of likely near term duration my friend. I am sure that someone like Lord Malbleat would have occassion to NOT want his guards doing busy work so that they can stay SAFELY guarding his estate and august person.
The knight stopped, mouth agape, Raff, you silver tongued devil. She quickly recovered and added with a slight bow, ”Yennifer, of house Harrowmore at your lords service.
Brother Theodor shakes his head at Raff's clumsy attempt to get past the guards. He waits quietly to see how this brash technique turns out!
Medraut raised an eyebrow in contempt for the half goat men. Somehow he managed to stay silent, and not insult them.
”Yes, House Harrowmore. Now, I suggest you not delay us any longer good sirs.”
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”Yes, House Harrowmore. Now, I suggest you not delay us any longer good sirs.”
[dice=1d20]1d20
"Eh...ok"
The goatmen decide not to delay the party and led them inside. Following the goatmen, they lead you inside a richly furnished mansion. They point to a side room with three velvet sofas. A fireplace sits in one corner. Above the fireplace is a painting of a goat lord with a frilled collar.
"Sit" the guards cry. Walking away, the guard laugh as they leave. A few seconds later, a half human half goat woman walks in with a limp. Red welts are visible on her human arms. She's dressed in a dirty woolen dress and has hooves. But is other wise human save for the beard just poking from her chin.
"Can I help you?" she asks and then lowers her eyes.
The knight observed the wretched looking goat-woman and asked with visible concern, ”Perhaps good woman but first I would ask about about your unseemly condition. Are you in need of aid?”
The knight gave the goat woman a warm look and informed her, ”Very well then, we require an audience with your lord In regards to the worms outside of town.”
Or in fact in ANY matter where he might require outside... eh... specialist assistance. A bounty for the destruction of the worms is of course welcome, but if he has other matters? Why then we could assist.
He says nearly completely misreading the room.
Medraut offers the woman attentively, trying to understand what may have caused the bruises - a fight? An accident?
Brother Theodor looks around the room for any signs of this goat-man's piety. He wonders if this noble follows Father Church, or rather is a heathen.
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Brother Theodor looks around the room for any signs of this goat-man's piety. He wonders if this noble follows Father Church, or rather is a heathen.
The woman nods fetches the goat lord. A minute later a tall goat lord in fine clothing comes in. He matches the picture including the frilled wide collar. He uses a cane even though he doesn't have trouble walking.
"I am Lord Malbleat my wretched servant says you wish to speak with me. Make it quick. I am busy." He taps his hoof.
Before anyone else can speak, Brother Theodor steps forward.
"Good day to you my lord. May I ask, are you a pious man? Do you follow the tenants of Father Church within your realm?" He waits to see the goat-man's reaction and response.
Oh crap... he's God Bothering again!, he thinks, panicking.
His heart is in the right place m'lord! A holy man to be sure! But onto more temporal matters, we seek to help you in any personal requirements you might have, to wit the issue with the worms or perhaps any other issues needing a non personal and might I say a 'deniable' touch if matters go awry..., he blurts out, dreading the nagging that is doubtless going to follow... then he will need alcohol, lots of it... and if he's left without a job BECAUSE of his 'God Bothering', he won't have any money to drink...
Its a vicious cycle, he muses.
Yennifer’s stands their stoically waiting to see how the noble handles the friar’s question.
Before anyone else can speak, Brother Theodor steps forward.
"Good day to you my lord. May I ask, are you a pious man? Do you follow the tenants of Father Church within your realm?" He waits to see the goat-man's reaction and response.
Medraut chuckles.
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Before anyone else can speak, Brother Theodor steps forward.
"Good day to you my lord. May I ask, are you a pious man? Do you follow the tenants of Father Church within your realm?" He waits to see the goat-man's reaction and response.
"I am familiar with the Parson in the village. But I do not claim to be knowledgeable." The goat lords above such holy matters. He turns to Raff. "Yes, by all means deal with the worms. And there's a woman raiding my tax collectors. A bandit. Deal with her and I'll give you 150 gold"
As you will M'lord, Raff says with an obsequious bow.
Forgive me for my clarification but I do not believe I heard anything in regards to renumeration in regards to the worms? In any case it seems this bandit is foremost on M'lords mind. Is there an authority figure such as Reeve or Sherriff we can talk to about said bandit rather than consume your already very precious time?
Brother Theodor accepts the snub by the goat-noble and folds his hands into the wide sleeves of his habit.
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As you will M'lord, Raff says with an obsequious bow.
Forgive me for my clarification but I do not believe I heard anything in regards to renumeration in regards to the worms? In any case it seems this bandit is foremost on M'lords mind. Is there an authority figure such as Reeve or Sherriff we can talk to about said bandit rather than consume your already very precious time?
"My guards can give you details. The worms? Hmmm...will 20 gold suffice? The bandit is worth more to me!"
Let us prove our worth with this nefarious bandit first m'lord then we could revisit the topic of the worms, Raff counters smoothly. We will not waste more of your very valuable time... we thank you for your visit among us.
The gave a slight bow and turned to her companions, ”Lets speak to these guards about this bandit.”
"Yes...let us leave!"
The Brother seems to be barely keeping his anger in check as the group leaves the goat-lord's home.
Oh s%#*!, Raff thinks Here comes the religious lecture!
"Can't really say that was a pleasing meeting..." - Medraut grunted after they left - "As long as the reward is worth it..." - he shrugged.
”Not pleasant at all. I feel dirty just talking to the goat lord,” she agreed. ”However, he is the lord of these lands and bandits must be dealt with.”
Not like you Brother Theodore... have you taken a bow of silence?, Raff says as he accepts the sketch.
Anything more you can tell us? Like does she have friends? A road she targets more often than not... and so on?
Brother Theodor can be heard muttering in Liturgic. While most do not understand what is being said, the tone leaves no doubt!
"Parvus ille animo, caper nothus! Quomodo audet de suis sic agere."
He takes a moment to calm down, then looks sharply at Raff.
"Keep a civil tongue in your mouth or you might find yourself on the wrong side of a church inquisitor!"
The friar takes a deep breath and then turns back to the young man.
"Appoligies Rafferty. I am sorry for losing my temper but that..that..goat pays lip service to the church and feels he can get away with beating his servants and ordering us around! I swear I don't know how you can stomach it!"
”I agree good friar but it is his lawful right as lord of these lands to treat his servants as he sees fit… short of murder or rapine,” the knight offered pragmatically.