Jamandi Aldori's page

"As for my questions," She says as she goes through other riding options, "I would also ask if anyone knows what set the Centaurs off? Or is that something for Silas to fill us in on if anyone can?"

"No, we have no idea. I doubt Silas knows either as he sends us regular reports. That is the main reason for your expedition, to find the cause."

The next morning she meets with Harter's group at her warehouse. Tartuccio's group has already departed.

To avoid any unnecessary conflict on the road, you'll each take different routes to the Stolen Lands. Tartuccio will go through Nivakta's Crossing -- the garrison commander will provide him all the help he needs. You will travel to Oleg Leveton's trading post -- he's been complaining about the Stag Lord's bandits for a while now. There, you'll be able to get all the travel supplies you need."

Jamandi turns to Harter. "I'd like to believe you, but I know all to well how convincing traitors and spies can be. If you're truly innocent, I'll hope you'll forgive me this precaution."

She then addresses everyone. "While you're away, Kesten will investigate tonight's events. As soon as I know who was responsible, so will you. I warn you, there are several entities that would like to thwart this endeavor. Not only Pitax, but the Royal House of Surtova may interfere. I have tried to keep this a secret, but we see that has not been entirely successful. In my estimation you have no more than three months to complete your task. Any feats you accomplish beyond that time will be pointless. Good luck and goos fortune, do you have any more questions?"

The following morning, after the other two groups have left, Jamandi meets with you at her warehouse. She hands Pyros a leather sheaf.

"Inside are documents authorizing you to act as an envoy for me. I would like to resolve the situation with the centaur tribes peacefully if possible. The main tribe of concern, and the largest byfar, is the Nomen tribe."

She surveys the group.
"There is a smal settlement, really just an outpost that local farmers and others use to coordib=nate trade, called Varnhold. Travel there and you will meet a man named Silas Varn, yes the post is named for him, and he will help direct you further. I have sent some supplies ahead and they shoudl be there when you arrive. For now, take what you need from here. Good luck and good fortune."

she pauses,
"Any questions?"

"I'm still not sure which of you I can trust. The risk of entrusting the whole affair to a spy is too great. Here's what we'll do -- two teams will head out. One will be with Tartuccio, the other with Harter. That way I'll know at least one group can be counted on to serve my interests in the Stolen Lands."

"I will also send some of you with my chosen ambassador to the Dunsward to deal with the Centaurs. And a fourth group will go to the Glenebon Highlands as well, Baron Dreslov will need help."

Everyone can declare who they want to follow (obviously, PCs should not go with Tartuccio). I did post the proposed split. If anyone has a preference to change let me know. However, we do need certain splits so that both partyies are balanced.

"During the battle, unless directly and immediately threatened every one of Tartuccio's spells seemed minimally effective if at all. For someone who speaks as highly of himself as he does, it would seem that he is either useless...or trying NOT to harm the attackers." Elenaril says, calmly but pitched for all to hear as she studies the gnome.

[dice=Sense Motive]1d20+4

"Yet in battle many things can be mispercieved. I appreciate your observation though, it means I will have to get proof before assigning any blame."

Idly wondering if Kesten would be offended by Harter's suggestion - although a noble of House Garess in Lady Jamandi's guard was somewhat strange - Stanislaw spoke up, "Lady Jamandi, as a fellow servant of Erastil, I do not believe Harter would have committed such betrayal, but there might be a way to put your mind at ease. If there is...

Jamandi winces slightly.

As people start yelling back and forth, Jamandi raises a hand for silence.
Jamandi looks back and forth between Tartuccio and Harter.
"Yes, such a gambit would be typical of Irovetti and his henchmen... And yet, it still seems suspicious."

She sighs in exasperation. "There's definitely a spy among us, but who? Tartuccio or Halden? All I have is one word against another. I'm afraid you're both under suspicion."

"This is a delicate situation, and I imagine Lady Jamandi will want to conduct her own investigation independently. I submit to it and wish to aid in it however I can, to clear my name."

"Yes, I will have such an investigation. And we will find out eventually, but I cannot stall the expeditions for that."

"Someone already knows of our plans and is acting against us. This means your expedition will begin immediately."

"Yes, Kesten. it also appears that we have placed our trust in the right people for our little endeavor." Jamandi responds.
"However, it seems our plans are not as secret as I would desire. This is problematic."

"That is most of the information we have now, enjoy the rest of the day and night, tomorrow we begin outfitting and planning."

With that, both Jamandi and the Mayor exit. Kesten helps with room assignments and dinner. Tartuccio begins recruiting in earnest.

"We will absorb the costs of preparing and equipping your expedition. When you return victorious, we will allocate a significant sum to provide financial support to help establish your country. Essentially we will build your first settlement, your capitol. I hope such a reward is satisfactory."

"As for the rest, we have provided lodgings for all of you here at the mansion for tonight. Tomorrow morning you shall set out on your expedition. Thank you once again for answering our call."

The Swordlord's gaze is chilling as she responds, "Perhaps as we do have standards to maintain. This hall has seen many celebrations for adventurers, and even those who 'just got lucky.' But giving a noble title to a bandit leader? That's one thing that has never happened here. And it never will as long as I still draw breath!"

Responding to Both Daxiana and Sven, Jamandi says:
"I was speaking of groups when I mentioned the bringing of the Stag Lord's head, not a specific individual. The good Dwarf is correct, I expect each group to decide who would be the elevated noble."

"I've got a lot of questions,"[/B] Daxiana declares, "But the good dwarf here asked the first one about how you plan to parcel out the volunteers? What's the terrain like for each major area? Will you be providing horses? And, do you realize House Surtova is gonna explode when they hear of this? You ready for the hornet's nest THAT will bring?" She grins at the last "Mind you, the image is funny but it...

"Tartuccio is partially correct. I will select a few nominal leaders and then let the groups sort themselves out.

As to the young lady's questions, the stolen lands is mostly rolling hills, forest, and swamp. The Dunsward is almost exclusively plains. All groups will be out fitted from here, including hotses. And do not worry about House Surtova, they have been fully advised as to these expeditions.

And this leads to the second condition of this task. Time is a factor in this endeavor. You have three months to bring down the Stag Lord and solve the centaur . Any time after that makes the entire expedition moot."

"Unfortunately, one serious obstacle is in the path of such conquest. A den of bandits holds sway in this area and their self styled leader, the Stag Lord, claims ownership of the region and no one has yet been able to challenge his power. Bring me his head and you will be able to return to that land as its legal ruler. Any questions?"

She pauses for a moment and then continues.
In addition, I will be sponsoring an expedition to the East of the Tors of Levine to deal with the new threat of the centaur tribes of the Dunsward. For over a century there has been peace between Rost... er, Brevoy and the Nomen tribe of centuars, but recently there have been raids against settlemnets in the Dunswrad and even some into Brevoy. We do not know the cause, but this must be dealt with. As with the Western Stolen Lands, we are looking to have a more secure state in that area and would also recognoze any such entity."

"Thank you, Lord Mayor. Now, to the point, to the South of here, just beyond Brevoy's border, lies a region known as the Stolen Lands. This is disputed territory, claimed by several States. I won't bore you with the legal details, but suffice to say if someone had the courage to tame and seize these lands and name themselves ruler of them; well let's just say that the neighboring States would be in no position to oppose them. And Restov would be the first to recognize this new country as well as the noble title of its founder."

"Greetings all, I am Swordlord Jamandi Aldori and this is Lord Mayor Ioseph Sebellius, welcome to my mansion"

"Congratulations on your triumph. I knew I had picked well for this adventure. I also apologize for the situation with Tartuccio, but you must understand that such an important mission forced me to err on the side of caution."
Jamandi waves towards the half-orc.
"This is Kassil Aldori, my adopted son and apprentice. I'd like you to take him with you as my envoy to your new barony."

"All right, we have two teams. To avoid any unnecessary conflict on the road, you'll each take different routes to the Stolen Lands. Tartuccio will go through Nivakta's Crossing -- the garrison commander will provide him all the help he needs. Halden will to Oleg Leveton's trading post -- he's been complaining about the Stag Lord's bandits for a while now. There, you'll be able to get all the travel supplies you need."

Jamandi turns to Halden. "I'd like to believe you, but I know all to well how convincing traitors and spies can be. If you're truly innocent, I'll hope you'll forgive me this precaution."

She then addresses everyone. "While you're away, Kesten will investigate tonight's events. As soon as I know who was responsible, so will you. I warn you, there are several entities that would like to thwart this endeavor. Not only Pitax, but the Royal House of Surtova may interfere. I have tried to keep this a secret, but we see that has not been entirely successful. In my estimation you have no more than three months to complete your task. Any feats you accomplish beyond that time will be pointless. You set out first thing in the morning, good luck."

"Enough!" Jamandi's shout silences the squabble. "I'm still not sure which of you I can trust. The risk of entrusting the whole affair to aspy is too great. Here's what we'll do -- two teams will head out. One will be with Tartuccio, the other with Halden. That way I'll know at least one group can be counted on to serve my interests in the Stolen Lands."

Jamandi looks back and forth between Tartuccio and Halden.
"Yes, such a gambit would be typical of Irovetti and his henchmen... And yet, it still seems suspicious."

She sighs in exasperation. "There's definitely a spy among us, but who? Tartuccio or Halden? All I have is one word against another. I'm afraid you're both under suspicion."

"Someone already knows of our plans and is acting against us. This means your expedition will begin immediately."

"Yes, Kesten. it also appears that we have placed our trust in the right people for our little endeavor." Jamandi responds.
However, it seems our plans are not as secret as I would desire. This is problematic."

"I am sure you will do Restov proud." Jamandi responds.

We will absorb the costs of preparing and equipping your expedition. When you return victorious, we will allocate a significant sum to provide financial support to help establish your country. Essentially we will build your first settlement, your capitol. I hope such a reward is satisfactory."

"As for the rest, we have provided lodgings for all of you here at the mansion for tonight. Tomorrow morning you shall set out on your expedition. Thank you once again for answering our call."

As several in the crowd start contesting the gnome's statement, Jamandi cuts through the babble with a shout.
"Please! If I may answer the question!" The noise immediately abates.
"Obviously, whichever group brings me the head of the Stag Lord shall receive the prize. It is up to that group to decide who gains the title."

The Swordlord's gaze is chilling as she responds, "Perhaps as we do have standards to maintain. This hall has seen many celebrations for adventurers, and even those who 'just got lucky.' But giving a noble title to a bandit leader? That's one thing that has never happened here. And it never will as long as I still draw breath!"

"We no little beyond what the few surviving victims tell us. His bandits roam freely throughout the area and prey on travelers as well as exacting 'taxes' from the few people settled in the region. We do not even know the location of his hideout." Jamandi responds.

"And this leads to the second condition of this task. Time is a factor in this endeavor. You have three months to bring down the Stag Lord. Any time after that makes the entire expedition moot."

"Unfortunately, one serious obstacle is in the path of such conquest. A den of bandits holds sway in this area and their self styled leader, the Stag Lord, claims ownership of the region and no one has yet been able to challenge his power. Bring me his head and you will be able to return to that land as its legal ruler. Any questions?"

"Thank you, Lord Mayor. Now, to the point, to the South of here, just beyond Brevoy's border, lies a region known as the Stolen Lands. This is disputed territory, claimed by several States. I won't bore you with the legal details, but suffice to say if someone had the courage to tame and seize these lands and name themselves ruler of them; well let's just say that the neighboring States would be in no position to oppose them. And Restov would be the first to recognize this new country as well as the noble title of its founder."

The crowd hushes as two figures emerge from a side door and head to the dais. One is a tall, slender woman in her mid-30s and the other is a portly middle aged man dressed in expensive finery.

"Greetings all, I am Swordlord Jamandi Aldori and this is Lord Mayor Ioseph Sebellius, welcome to my mansion"