Arelius of the order of Merlin's page

He nods at the orders, "As you command my king." He then departs.

"We also can use the Order of Merlin, including the White monks and the mage's association since it will be in defense of the city. 23 monks and 45 mages. Using the Royal Giard to support them I can make about 15 strong squads. Merlynn will be helping, she plans on contacting Osirus as the battle begins. Apparently he is one of her apprentices. If you want to use official militia we can gather 30 squads of 5. Our present regimental soldiers number 400, a group of 10 typically is squared together making 40 more squads. We may get another regiment in time adding another 100 soldiers. So with Lord Wolfe's 50 squads. We could have 120 squads to my count with up to 130, and about 1000 men strong. We could also petition the adventurers guild and the merchants guild for support, we have the money to do it and if we pay a nominal fee we should get great support, I estimate another 500 bodies. Should I send a petition or send it as a bounty? My only problem is I don't know how to get them all up there!"

"As long as the doors are shut there is the basic magical protections that run throughout the entire castle. Now this may not be the most secure room. If that is what you want may I suggest one of the King's side rooms." The master butler replies and gives a great alternative.

He politely points out, "Lord Wolfe is one of the few diplomats that have stayed. I have a dozen maids making sure his entourage is pleasantly happy with their accommodations."

"I can go check to see if he would appreciate a visit? Though I am sure he would willingly have a visit." He asks before rushing off, to see about the appointment. He comes back promptly and offers, "Lorde Wolfe is open to a visit and waits in the Blue Library."

"Sire I have sent several messages to merchants I trust to inquire within their cities for more mounts but there just are not many for sell. We have a black mustang being flown in soon. Also Lord Wolfe has an alternative suggestion. He is waiting in the blue Library." He relays though you can see he has been stressed.

Arelius bows lower than Joe and quickly states, "As you have ordered it." With Amora following him, the Regent is escorted by two guards into the castle, towards the dungeon.

On the morning of the fourth Joe is woken up by Arelius, "Sir! SIR! A delegation from Khorvian has arrived. The first royal delegation to come from your summons!"

The next morning, the 3rd of October, he attends to Joe offering several trivial matters to be handled with the king's choices. Then learns that Joe would like to attend the tutoring as well. With the king's choice in mind the future mornings until noon will be blocked out for tutoring.

This entails having breakfast with Ryada on eating etiquette. The history of Avalon and Camelot with Ryada. Though as she goes out for blade training the tutors ask what else you would like to learn.

Lunch is with Ryada without the tutors, unless you want further correction. Ryada had invited the Night Hawks to eat with her, so you both get to have informal meetings with them.

He nods in recognition, "I will write up a formal letter of thanks for you to sign."

---

In between questions, King Joseph asks about the others, and smiles at the answers. The holy warrior-king also asks about the artists themselves, hoping to make them at ease, answering questions they might have, and finding out where they are from and where they trained. King Joseph also unsheaths Escalavar and lays the magic sword out for the artists so they get the sword correct in their works.

The questions from Joe does indeed calm the nerves of the artists. The three of them live in Camelot. The painter is the master and the other two are apprentices. One of the apprentices are from Valendor, a town to the east of Camelot. With Joe’s help they are able to find and define details.

Suggestions for the following?:
Avalon's national flower
Avalon’s colors
Etc.

”With our new funds from High Priestess Jellena I will check with the local churches. We dont have any in the armory but some cure light potions.” he responds with humility.
—-
Arelius is able to bring back a cure serious wounds and three cure moderate potions as he explains, ”Knowing that the potions are for the king, the temple of Apollo and the sun, gave us one cure moderate potion at cost. The temple of the hunt and Athena gave you the cure serious and sold the other cure mods at cost. I think the priests of the sun were holding out.”

"We have decisions for you to make. In the dinning hall the experts are waiting for you. I have tutors on hand for your enlightenment. King craft: Knowledge on nobility, etiquette, history of Avolon and such. Ryada has taken on these tutors yesterday for her future as a queen. Unless you are merely going to take her on as a consort?" He states simply and turns the last sentence into a question as they walk down the hallway. "Merlynn, no words be they magical or other to my knowledge. She must have her hands full."

"I will get to having a count taken with several servants, if I could have each of you fill a bag that you have and take the coins out, that would speed up the process." He states asking for help.

"Lord do you want me to find the exact value of your vault in coins first, or merely take 80% of the coins and record the value taken?" He asks with interest which you would prefer.

He aids those trying to identify the magical items, taking a 10. So +2 on your check.

He speaks to Jellena about merely holding positions in the court, any land or more would come later with more proclamations.

At Joe's direction, he leads the group to the king's wing. At the same time motioning to a servant and whispering to hurry up the information about the king's vault. He walks over to an ornate doorway with two dragon statues bordering it. Arelius stops 15 feet away and states, "This is the King's Vault. The two guards here make sure no one on accident approaches it. We are still waiting on information about it. I don't know if you have to be crowned or not to access it."

"Not of your scandal but of the regent's. I know that is not what you want. We could always hold off if you wish." He states humbly.

He quickly goes ahead if possible to announce the coming of the king. Though more likely stays at Joe's left and readies himself for the next proclamation.

Arelius of the order of Merlin wrote:

"A Knight's Quest then looking into the lost clerks. A 10% finder's fee will be awarded for the location and return of any stolen Camelot funds! Any activity that smells remotely of vampirism must be reported to the nearest court representative!" He agrees and nods pointing to one of the last two servants around them. He also then states to the king, "This would be disseminated much quicker if you send the message to the nobles and knights via your throne."

Are you sure that's wise?" Joe questions. "Will the Throne disseminate my edicts only the loyal knights and nobles? Or everyone is Avalon?"

Reluctantly he nods his head and states, "That is true it would send it to all knights with an active ring. Be it that it was active with the regent or yourself. All would know of the information: knights, nobles, and such. Though it can take up to several weeks for all knights to be looking for the problem makers without the use of the throne."

"Ok, so ol'Frank is playing a bit of catch up here. So the cities have amassed enough individual wealth to branch out on their own possibly? So are they refusing to pay taxes? If so is it because of loyalty to the Regent? They individual leadership is then possible dominated by him and quite loyal. Maybe finding and dealing with the Regent for good would move things along in a positive manner. So what's our next move then?"

"To put it simply, yes. They have the wealth to possibly branch out. They are not refusing to pay taxes but with our King's recent edicts it has run our coffers dry. Though the regent likely was funneling money away or flat out stealing it. Another area I was not suppose to nor able to check on without the kingdom being in dire monetary straights, thus the regent kept us afloat... enough..." You get the feeling that Arelius never liked the regent and was likely a thorn in his side.

"25 thousand gold will hold us out for easily a week with your majesty's edicts in place. Nothing as severe as official word that any city has plans of succession. Without having to ask them for a loan should keep them nicely in line. Your coronation should be done with 500 to 1000 gold and no favors needed, and it is needed to show you have power and can control your own house let alone the country! You did tell me to not hold my tongue." He smirks with the last sentence and nods approvingly at all the options set before the group. "With the wine and alcohol sold, it should bring in easily the price of your coronation if not double."

"The king's personal vault can only be opened by you... or the crowned king of Avalon. I don't even remember the process or the requirement. Let me send for the book on it." With that he looks to one of the servants following dressed all in white, with a flick of his finger indicating that servant he runs off ahead of the group. "It is separate."

He points to another servant and states, "We will look into if the price of a bottle will increase with your autograph. I know the Royal wine and alcohol stocks are quite full." The servant runs off after scribbling words down on parchment.

"A Knight's Quest then looking into the lost clerks. A 10% finder's fee will be awarded for the location and return of any stolen Camelot funds! Any activity that smells remotely of vampirism must be reported to the nearest court representative!" He agrees and nods pointing to one of the last two servants around them. He also then states to the king, "This would be disseminated much quicker if you send the message to the nobles and knights vis your throne."

"the 5% tax deduction will be immediately rescinded." He states pointing at the last servant.

"I will personally deal with discreetly discussing with any noble still loyal to The Crown, and negotiate quiet small loans to the Castle." He states with confidence.

On a bright note he brings up, "Queen Adora and Mayor Timble of Filderson, could be heavily depended upon. They still have not sent word of what supplies they have there. But they have begun transportation of food. The first wagons full of apples should arrive in the next few days."

He is a bit beside himself trying to collect all the news from Joe and determining the best way to explain. "Sire... how should I put it, plain and as simple as you said. The kingdom is broke. Our coffers are dry. The accountants have vanished. Many of our leading clerks are missing. Open court is not advisable and your coronation is taking far more favors than it was foreseeable. Most of the staff on hand are staunch loyalists or being paid to be eyes and ears within the castle.
We can look through the museum or the king's personal vault for such a medal.
Nothing else as foreboding as the Overlord. Though I have seen a few bank representatives with lesser accountants, and if we don't find some major resource soon. Cities might succeed from us via the banks. The only thing I can think of is vampires, the regent, he must have turned many of our clerks. Then used them to funnel money, make loans, and such. It was such a mess as we were ordered away. I was forced to stand by his side and only advise him. My suggestion is a 'knights quest' or bankruptcy."

He meets you in the barracks with the heavy wooden shield. Then he says, "Good luck, farewell!"

He offers to take the tray and follows.

To the North is mountains and then the wilderness.

To the South of Camelot is the great lake, then the King's Forest, then farmlands or highlands, then the plains of oblivion.

To the East the Great lake continues to spread to the Mist.

To the West the Starlight cities, the Golden dwarven mines, the Sheer Coast and the Dark Ocean.

Avalon is massive compared to any other established country. In Earth terms it is Asia. You would think there would be many different countries but the previous kings were very successful at keeping it all.

Stonehenge exists just not how you might envision it. It is in the center of ruins. There are tens of thousands of land marks.

City states commerce with each other but everyone pulls their weight and when needed we help our neighbors.

Humans are about 70%, dwarves, elves, halflings, gnomes, half elves 5% each, then 5% other. Most communities keep to their own but welcome visitors and guests.

He sets up many creature comforts that he can in the map room including pillows, food, drinks, and a harp that seems to be playing a quiet melody.

As Merlin, Arelius and Joe enter into the castle passed the courtyard, he states, "Merlin my master may I introduce the newest king of Camelot, Joseph Waskalis!"

"Oh you mean you don't know, that's Merlin! She can find the King of Camelot whereever he is located... just saying. Shall I introduce you?" He says quietly.

He begins casting the spell with the question prepared. Once the 10 minutes pass he reads the question he wrote down and then quickly begins to write something down on the paper beside him. Once done, he holds it up and reads it, "Steel and flesh have not met yet. If the crown does not present itself the lance shall be broke. The tide will be bloody if help does not come."

Then he suggests what it means, "the forces have not met yet. If you dont go Lancelot will be lost. Only if help goes, we will then not lose as many soldiers."

He relays what the spell does specifically and then poses the question to you, "divination spell can provide you with a useful piece of advice in reply to a question concerning a specific goal, event, or activity that is to occur within 1 week. The advice granted by the spell can be as simple as a short phrase, or it might take the form of a cryptic rhyme or omen. If your party doesn’t act on the information, the conditions may change so that the information is no longer useful.

What is the condition and location of the Avalon platoons sent to the Northern passes of Avalon with sir Lancelot?"

The servant nods and rushes off.

The spell takes 10 minutes to cast but first he asks, "what do you want me to divine? The condition of the Avalon platoons sent to the Northern passes of Avalon?"

"I have one spell prepared, I will see what I can find out about Lancelot. Most of the gardens have fountains." He replies.

1d6 ⇒ 3

"I would say no more than 30% of our military forces are going to Filderson. We have a few platoons working with our navy taking care of a pirate issue in the East. The King's Forest has two platoons on the search of a murdering trio. Apparently the Regent sent your champion, General Lancelot, and 8 platoons separately to the Northern passess, none have checked in by normal means in a month. It seems like using the waypoint to get to Zeal's fort pass would be ideal to find out what is going on up there. Likely when the Night Hawks return."

"I have found a waypoint in all of our provinces, Zeal's waypoint is close to its pass." he says as many lights emerges on the map. Then one changes color to blue to indicate Zeal's.

He nods in agreement to be on his way to do his tasks.

There is not much else to do, until a few hours later he returns with a knight. "I present sir Micheals." He introduces.

"Sir Micheals is the knight in good standing that I put in charge of Aswald, the boy Frank left here."

"I think the Regent had something invested somewhere and Filderson seems to be the only logical spot or at least the obvious one. I am sure that there is a carriage with his coffin heading there right now or going to his real hideout spot. I would suggest having a daylight spell with you at all times. I can hire a few aasimars to be your aides."

"Sire, besides myself and your group, I only know a handful of people who have beacons. Also I was one of the few who had access to Filderson's waypoint location. I had hoped you would say so and it has already been done. Would you like sir Micheals to come see you? All of those requests are easily handled. I just hope that Queen Adora can handle a vampire. The Regent is still unaccounted for and I am sure he will be traveling there when he can. No other instances of banditry has been reported in weeks." He offers stoically.

Within an hour you are halfway to the waypoint. Within another you are upon your throne. Jellena went to New Faces to join the meeting with the rest of the Night Hawks. Arelius has been busy and has only two things for you to make decisions on. The first is a boy, left by Sir Frank, who wanted Galahad to Apprentice him. Galahad is off heading to Filderson and who knows when he will get back.

The second is the orphanages, they need food, the building restoration, healing of diseases, and funding. We can make a budget cut of military, roads, or cancel your coronation for another month. They each have their own problems but if the orphanages don't get help soon it will be bad!

"Something about bandits, that are much more organized than normal. I would say the Regent has a hand in it." Arelius responds. "I can ask Sir Galahad on your behalf and until he is settled I can put him up in a servant's quarter. Come along I will take you to the waypoint."

Then he takes those wanting to go down through the castle from the banquet hall, through a garden, through a ballroom, outside into a courtyard, then over to the barracks within the castle. Down three flights of stairs and having the guards at the three large doors open them. At the bottom several guards and soldiers stand at attention. Arelius looks at them and states, "I am taking Frank Steel, Princess Bridgett Loadumn and Artimus Eule to the other side to have them join the king. I will take four soldiers with me to escort them. Step forward please and touch the waypoint." Three of them step up and touch the waypoint as the last two look at each other. One of them steps up as Arelius touches the waypoint after the three of you.

Upon arrival you are in an eerie dark cave that is only illuminated by the blue light of the waypoint.

Arelius waves as the soldiers take point traveling through the only tunnel out of the room. They point out the chalk marks and writing as they follow them. After a half hour you reach daylight. Emerging onto a cliff that looks out over the valley. Walking down the switchbacks to the meadow beside the village you see that there is a camp of tents setup between the village and a wall set in the pass to the South. The guards point out the flag of the green dragon, their squadron. So the tents are likely where you will find the king. Where do you go?

The clerk at the buerctatic hall hands each of you a seal that can easily be attached to your clothing.

The councilor added, "The waypoint is in a cave network above the village. It should be cleared out and marked, then down the mountain path. If you want to go there by horse it will take over three weeks."

You remember him vaguely and he quickly introduces himself as you enter the banquet hall, "I am Arelius of the order of Merlin, councilor to your friend Joesph Waskalis. King Joeseph has taken the waypoint to a village in the northern region of Avalon, if you wish to follow I could waypoint you there?"

"First off Lancelot is not a knight yet. His father is a knight and noble. He requested I call him sir. He really has a two face."

He takes a moment to be sure, "Yes, I think with you on the field it will be an inspiration to the troops and it reminds me of Arthur."

"I totally agree, I would have led with it but Lancelot pulled rank. And as his request came in first by the by laws he would be seen first. I agree some of the laws of the regent seem very burecratic. It seems we see eye to eye, and you have untied my hands. I will try to use wisdom and kindness as tools to temper my interactions from here on out. If that is what you desire, Sire?"

"I will also not be holding my tongue in the future. I don't like that Lancelot boy." he says with a slight sneer at the name of Lancelot, then he speaks less formal with you. "You are an adventurer with the blessings of a goddess who calls you her personal paladin. You can't die! Also you will be away from the throne for weeks at a time. You should lead the other 25 soldiers into battle. The royal guards can handle any threat. This is urgent, I will tell the other nobles to stay as long as they want but this is an urgent business. And it rekes of the Regent."

He then returns to the throne room to report, "Sire, we were able to send 23 soldiers and the Night Hawks to the waypoint. We need to wait an hour before travel can happen for them again."

I hope the others can catch up if they are going to.

"Sire I can't send a message to the knights of the kingdom. I will have the Callers send out messages." He taps his Bo staff three times and a servant in white rushes up to him. "Take a message to the Callers that knights and volunteer soldiers should go to Filderson. Bandits and other threats are there. Fly the flags of the lion and beware of forces there."

He then will lead the Night Hawks and any knights in the room to the garrison. There he speaks to the lieutenants and captains in a commanding voice, "Threat level orange. White Griffons are to follow the Night Hawks, Captain Werner is in charge. Green Dragons are to stand ready and secure the waypoint from this end." With that the leaders shout out commands to their soldiers. As they ready he walks down stairs to a door he unlocks it and the two guards open the weighted door. Two more staircases and two more doors until you find the waypoint in a very small room.

At the waypoint he looks at the 7 knights and says, "The Night Hawks and I will go through with 3 of you. Then we will return for the rest of you." He takes his beacon and touches it to the waypoint, everyone going touches the orb and then he touches it. He and the Night Hawks comes back in seconds. We wait for the White Griffons: Ryada takes 7, as Delman takes 6 and Jellena, and Queen Adora takes 7.

He then returns to the throne room to report, "Sire, we were able to send 23 soldiers and the Night Hawks to the waypoint. We need to wait an hour before travel can happen for them again."

His eyes get big, with astonishment in his voice he questions, "Wait you each have a beacon!?"

Presently we are in the banquet hall. The next room is a waiting room. Then your throne room. The throne is not in the same room.

"Filderson has a waypoint but I likely only have a beacon attuned to it. Though it is above the town in the mountain, there is no telling what could be in the caves. I can only transport 7 at a time. We have 50 soldiers stationed within the castle. You could send out a call for knights available through the throne. Also we have 200 royal guards on duty. The other 100 could be mustered in hours. Filderson has also called for help nearly every month and it turns out to be but a handful of bandits. I assume that is why the regent chose to ignore them the last few months. Though they never had trouble sending messengers before, nor did the mayor come on his own before. I am sorry to say my hands were figuratively and literally tied to make no attempt at help before."