Hoid asks Gaius, “Where should we be able to find your boot licking cousin? Some questions might be in order, particularly if our holy friends can discern the veracity of his answers.”
Hoid asks Gaius, “Where should we be able to find your boot licking cousin? Some questions might be in order, particularly if our holy friends can discern the veracity of his answers.”
"That depends," Gaius answers. "If you have work for him to do you will not ever find him. But, usually he is laying about in one of the fields or harassing the girls in the kitchen."
The rest of the journey to Harthall is uneventful. The road comes around a hill to reveal the manor house set amongst a small village on the shore of a small river. Gaius appears to be relieved upon finding no besieging force around the manor or the village. All seems quiet and normal.
Gaius leads you to the door of the manor. He is recognized by the house guard. Your mounts are taken to the stables for feed and water. You are shown inside. It is a smaller manor than Ravenshield but well kept. Gaius’ family is welcoming and you are brought into he main hall to join the household meal. Ale, wine and small beer are served with fresh dark bread, coarse mustard, roasted pork, hard cheese and a bowl of stewed greens. It is simple and well-prepared. Gaius’ elderly parents are there. His two older brothers, sister, aunts, uncles and several cousins. The mooncalf from the Duke’s court is one of them. He seems to not recognize you. The family seems closely knit and happy.
Gaius, let us quickly have the priest of Tyr, Kragen discern the truth that your cousin had no knowledge of the report given to the duke. I expect the drow impersonator did this all without any support or knowledge from any Hartstone But we must be sure
I am willing to subject myself to any questions under the same terms. I believe it would be prudent for you to as well. Though we have been together and protected one another, this gesture will offer a complete picture of truth for Garrent, the eyes of the duke in this matter.
From that point, we need to decide on our next action. Possibly either taking this news back to my brother to warn of the deception at hand and enter the crypts to understand more or return to the duke.
Trolkarl is recognized when he enters the hall with Trolkarl. There are some whispers amongst the family and some stares. Gaius' older brother, now the Count, greets Trolkarl and welcomes him to Harthall. "Will you be needing the taxes now, Master Ravenshield? Or, is it some other need that you brings you to our house?," he asks. Others try not to seem as though they are listening in on this conversation.
Garrent then draws attention as he enters the room. Most go quiet. There is now a tension in the air. Garrent approaches Gaius' brother, "Count Hartstone." He bows slightly to him. "I am most thankful for the hospitality of your home," he concludes. Gaius' brother bows in return, "The Purple Dragons are welcome here. Please sit, join us and enjoy our meal together."
Garrent sits after receiving the invitation. Meals are served to all and low conversation begins around the room again. Gaius' brother joins you at your table to hear tales of what his little brother has been up to. Gaius says he just went on a little walk to see the sights up north. That is where he met up with this group, saved them from a nasty ambush in a dwarven mining town. "Imagine my surprise to find a scion of House Ravenshield to have been among those saved, brother," he adds. His brother nods without smiling, "Yes, Gaius. Imagine it." You feel there is some unspoken sibling stuff going on here.
Garrent sensing the tension speaks up, "Count, how is it that the young cousin Gaius recognized at the Duke's court not two days past is now here with you?" Gaius' brother has a quizzical look as the young cousin reporting the attack is referenced. "At the Duke's Court?! Surely you must be mistaken Sir Garrent? He has been here, laying about Harthall, for his entire life. He has not been to Daerlun, ever, to my knowledge." He looks to Gaius and back again, "Could you explain why you thought he was there?"
Trolkarl steps forward and looks the count in the eye
I have not come to collect taxes or to make any demands. I am here for the good of the people of Cormyr and perhaps right what has set our families against one another before either of us were born. This divide was not of our making but perhaps we can make it right.
Looking around the room.
These matters are not for all ears. My friends and I can manage to fill our own cups. Dismiss your staff from this area for the time, please. I wish to speak in private
The Count responds, “Let us go to the salon so as not to disturb everyone’s dinner.” He leads you to a sitting room off the main hall. Once there he looks to Trolkarl, “How can I help you, Master Ravenshield?”
Trolkarl will truthfully recount as concisely as possible his belief that Alamnal has shaped the history of the two families and has made the lives of everyone worse for it. These events and discoveries have lead him to take the same concern to the duke, where yet another deception occurred.
He will truthfully answer all questions and conclude with
I would like to right all situations but in the end which house or individual is vassal to the duke means very little to me. To me than knowing that the individual in that position put their obligations in making lives better for the common people is all that matters. I tell you this so you may make every precaution until this is made right by elimination of Alamnal.
Marconius Hartstone, older brother of Gaius and the Count, listens to Trolkarl's tale. He sits back with arms crossed once the mention of the Alamnal comes out. His face is tight with pursed lips as he looks to Gaius. Gaius meets his gaze with a defiant one of his own. Clearly, the brothers have discussed this in the past. As the story unfolds he relaxes a bit in his posture, but still seems skeptical. "If all is as you believe it to be, Trolkarl Ravenshield," there seems to be a slight emphasis on the family name, "how do we prove something happened or did not when the only one who now lives from that time is the one you accuse?"
Hoid ponders aloud, “Count Hartstone, the Duke already possesses a diary implicating Alamnal. We found a note implicating Alamnal in the possession of one of our assailants on the journey here. Witnesses can place your cousin, or his likeness, here and at the Dukes court simultaneously. Alamnal is known to be able to disguise himself convincingly as anyone. I doubt your cousin possess the mystical wherewithal to travel that quickly or be two places at once. This is all evidence suggesting the guilt of Alamnal. If he could be captured, or his residence searched, there is likely more evidence to be had.”
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The farmers all look at you funny when asked about attacks. It is just another day in the fields, milord.
Hoid asks Gaius, “Where should we be able to find your boot licking cousin? Some questions might be in order, particularly if our holy friends can discern the veracity of his answers.”
Let’s head to Harthall then!
"That depends," Gaius answers. "If you have work for him to do you will not ever find him. But, usually he is laying about in one of the fields or harassing the girls in the kitchen."
Agreed, let's head out. Sounds like we already took care of the real reason we were sent here though.
The rest of the journey to Harthall is uneventful. The road comes around a hill to reveal the manor house set amongst a small village on the shore of a small river. Gaius appears to be relieved upon finding no besieging force around the manor or the village. All seems quiet and normal.
"Gaius, how do you want to approach the Manor?", "This is not intended to offend, however can we assume you are welcome here?"
Gaius smiles at Kragen, "This is my home, Kragen. I am always welcome. Let us go."
Hoid to Gaius, “I hope you are correct, but these are the times I endorse maximum paranoia.”
Hoid will be extra vigilant.
Gaius leads you to the door of the manor. He is recognized by the house guard. Your mounts are taken to the stables for feed and water. You are shown inside. It is a smaller manor than Ravenshield but well kept. Gaius’ family is welcoming and you are brought into he main hall to join the household meal. Ale, wine and small beer are served with fresh dark bread, coarse mustard, roasted pork, hard cheese and a bowl of stewed greens. It is simple and well-prepared. Gaius’ elderly parents are there. His two older brothers, sister, aunts, uncles and several cousins. The mooncalf from the Duke’s court is one of them. He seems to not recognize you. The family seems closely knit and happy.
Gaius, let us quickly have the priest of Tyr, Kragen discern the truth that your cousin had no knowledge of the report given to the duke. I expect the drow impersonator did this all without any support or knowledge from any Hartstone But we must be sure
I am willing to subject myself to any questions under the same terms. I believe it would be prudent for you to as well. Though we have been together and protected one another, this gesture will offer a complete picture of truth for Garrent, the eyes of the duke in this matter.
From that point, we need to decide on our next action. Possibly either taking this news back to my brother to warn of the deception at hand and enter the crypts to understand more or return to the duke.
Trolkarl is recognized when he enters the hall with Trolkarl. There are some whispers amongst the family and some stares. Gaius' older brother, now the Count, greets Trolkarl and welcomes him to Harthall. "Will you be needing the taxes now, Master Ravenshield? Or, is it some other need that you brings you to our house?," he asks. Others try not to seem as though they are listening in on this conversation.
Garrent then draws attention as he enters the room. Most go quiet. There is now a tension in the air. Garrent approaches Gaius' brother, "Count Hartstone." He bows slightly to him. "I am most thankful for the hospitality of your home," he concludes. Gaius' brother bows in return, "The Purple Dragons are welcome here. Please sit, join us and enjoy our meal together."
To Trolkarl “I would be pleased to administer Tyr’s divine powers of truth seeing. However I will need prayer and rest to do so.”
Garrent sits after receiving the invitation. Meals are served to all and low conversation begins around the room again. Gaius' brother joins you at your table to hear tales of what his little brother has been up to. Gaius says he just went on a little walk to see the sights up north. That is where he met up with this group, saved them from a nasty ambush in a dwarven mining town. "Imagine my surprise to find a scion of House Ravenshield to have been among those saved, brother," he adds. His brother nods without smiling, "Yes, Gaius. Imagine it." You feel there is some unspoken sibling stuff going on here.
Garrent sensing the tension speaks up, "Count, how is it that the young cousin Gaius recognized at the Duke's court not two days past is now here with you?" Gaius' brother has a quizzical look as the young cousin reporting the attack is referenced. "At the Duke's Court?! Surely you must be mistaken Sir Garrent? He has been here, laying about Harthall, for his entire life. He has not been to Daerlun, ever, to my knowledge." He looks to Gaius and back again, "Could you explain why you thought he was there?"
Trolkarl steps forward and looks the count in the eye
I have not come to collect taxes or to make any demands. I am here for the good of the people of Cormyr and perhaps right what has set our families against one another before either of us were born. This divide was not of our making but perhaps we can make it right.
Looking around the room.
These matters are not for all ears. My friends and I can manage to fill our own cups. Dismiss your staff from this area for the time, please. I wish to speak in private
Chadwick looks down at his empty goblet, then back to the departing servants sighing wistfully. He then gets up and refills his goblet.
The Count responds, “Let us go to the salon so as not to disturb everyone’s dinner.” He leads you to a sitting room off the main hall. Once there he looks to Trolkarl, “How can I help you, Master Ravenshield?”
Trolkarl will truthfully recount as concisely as possible his belief that Alamnal has shaped the history of the two families and has made the lives of everyone worse for it. These events and discoveries have lead him to take the same concern to the duke, where yet another deception occurred.
He will truthfully answer all questions and conclude with
I would like to right all situations but in the end which house or individual is vassal to the duke means very little to me. To me than knowing that the individual in that position put their obligations in making lives better for the common people is all that matters. I tell you this so you may make every precaution until this is made right by elimination of Alamnal.
Marconius Hartstone, older brother of Gaius and the Count, listens to Trolkarl's tale. He sits back with arms crossed once the mention of the Alamnal comes out. His face is tight with pursed lips as he looks to Gaius. Gaius meets his gaze with a defiant one of his own. Clearly, the brothers have discussed this in the past. As the story unfolds he relaxes a bit in his posture, but still seems skeptical. "If all is as you believe it to be, Trolkarl Ravenshield," there seems to be a slight emphasis on the family name, "how do we prove something happened or did not when the only one who now lives from that time is the one you accuse?"
Hoid ponders aloud, “Count Hartstone, the Duke already possesses a diary implicating Alamnal. We found a note implicating Alamnal in the possession of one of our assailants on the journey here. Witnesses can place your cousin, or his likeness, here and at the Dukes court simultaneously. Alamnal is known to be able to disguise himself convincingly as anyone. I doubt your cousin possess the mystical wherewithal to travel that quickly or be two places at once. This is all evidence suggesting the guilt of Alamnal. If he could be captured, or his residence searched, there is likely more evidence to be had.”