Dawn takes this moment to ask, "Thank you for your generosity. I was wondering, a couple of the bandits did surrender, though they ended up trying to run or killing themselves. Not Todd, apparently even the bandits didn't like him. I'm curious as to what would have happened to them if we had brought them here."
Nayeli Considers the question; then, on understanding your curiosity, she looks at the journal, then back to you. "I'm afraid, they'd have been hanged. There's only so much even I can do to control the people Crom's Hold, and once word of these deeds spread - which I'm sure it's already begun to - there'd be no stopping the lynch mobs that would show up in droves from the entire region as far as Daggerford, I expect. So, to spare ourselves that, and to spare the region that, they'd have been quickly and immediately hanged."
"Ha!" Feydon snorts, derisively, but says nothing else. He doesn't need to. His expression says it all. It reads: "I told you so".
Nayeli looks at you sympathetically. "With a guide like that... you'll hardly be needing enemies," she says softly.
"A pleasure to have rid the land of such a threat. I would hope you'd pass word on of our deeds. I don't do this for the fame, but a good reputation helps when finding employers."
Well, not solely for the fame. With luck any bards telling this tale will add ten bandits and an ogre to the enemies they faced, maybe even a troll.
"I don't suppose you'd know any places in town with honest merchants we could get a good price for our goods from? And we'd of course be looking to spend our coin if there's anything worth buying."
Hopefully the thought of the party enriching the town with the bandit's loot will result in some worthwhile recommendations.
Nayeli smiles at you for a moment - she reaches for your hand and gives it the slightest of shakes, trying not to be rude - it's clear that she's not used to the gesture. Then her smile clears. While her gaze is upon you, you feel oddly uncomfortable - like she see's everything about you, and you sense vague disapproval. But her tone is warm when she speaks. "Indeed. I'm sure the people of Crom's Hold and the surrounding region will be singing your praises by the next tenday. Word of these kinds of things tends to spread on its own, you see. As for places to purchase supplies or to sell things, I'm afraid we're much more of a military installation than a... town. There's a makeshift 'tavern', for the soldiers, when their off-duty. I wouldn't highly recommend trying to buy goods or sell goods there, it operates on pay stubs. However, we of course have a blacksmith. A pair of them, if fact. They operate out in the middle of the courtyard - you can't miss them. I'll instruct them to trade with you, and I'll tell them to be fair," she smiles.
The guards relax now entirely as Nayeli gestures for the group to follow her into the hold. The courtyard bustles with activity as the day winds down—stablehands tending to horses, smiths finishing their work, and guards patrolling the walls.
Inside, the adventurers are shown to a modest but comfortable set of rooms, and servants bring fresh water and towels to wash away the grime of the journey. Nayeli promises to meet them in the dining hall for supper, where they can discuss their mission in more detail.
As the group settles in, Feydon sits quietly in a corner, his usual bravado replaced by a haunted silence.
+100 XP for meeting Nayeli Goldflower, for discovering and seeing Crom's Hold, and for diffusing the situation at the gate. I added it already - you all should be at 1145.
(ooc: Anticipating your desires to sell the unwanted things, and to fully fix the Half-Plate as well as resize it, I'll assume you use the chance before dinner to go into the courtyard and engage the smiths before they close. You could see they were about to on your way to your rooms).
Dawn and Geren move out of their rooms and look into the courtyard, seeing the smiths still working, but clearly wrapping things up for the day. You exchange glances and briefly discuss your goals and plans with each other, then, Geren, looking at the attendant that is posted outside your rooms, instructs him to have the groups horses led into the courtyard so that unloading them for sale or trade will be possible. The attendant nods his understanding, and disappears. Hnefa steps out of her room, and offers to help with the unloading.
The three of you walk up to the two smiths, operating back-to-back with regard to their forges - essentially, it is a single forge, with a divide in the center, and two openings that can be accessed by each smith. One is clearly a dedicated armorsmith, and the other a weaponsmith. Exchanging glances, Dawn engages with armorsmith, while Geren goes to the weaponsmith - given that most of the equipment are weapons.
The armorsmith, a human male of about 45, offers his greetings and stops pounding on the sheet of metal he'd been pounding on when you approach.
"So - you're with the 'bandit killers' then I take it? My thanks to you for getting rid of those crazies," he says, nodding and catching his breath. "How can I help you?"
Showing him the suit of Half-Plate and explaining your desire to have it refit and fully fixed, he nods. "Aye - I can do that. It won't be ready before you leave though, I'm afraid. But it'll be here for you when you get back. I'll just need... heck... let's just call it 45 gold for the labor, aye?"
Hnefa arrives with the other suits of armor and places them down. The smith looks at their poor condition and starts to shake his head, but before he can say anything, Dawn begins to cast a chain of Mending's on each. His eyes widen. Not that's he's never heard of that ability, he's just never seen it done in person. He watches with interest as you mend them to the best of your ability. Once finished he looks at you, a little confused. "You... want to sell these then, I take it?" Seeing you nod, he looks them over with more scrutiny. "Well... I suppose I can see these suits of chain being worth 12 gold maybe. We'll call it 25 for the pair. That's more than what most smiths would give you, but Nayeli told me to give you a good deal. " Looking at the scale mail, he frowns. "For that... 8 gold I think is fair." Then he blinks. Then when he sees the two shields, he starts to add up their value, then stops. "Ah, heck, why don't we just call it even with the plate repairs, eh? If that sounds fair - is there anything else, you need?" Dawn will note there are full suits of nearly every type of metal armor on display around his workshop, and full suits of several light armors as well.
Meanwhile, while Dawn is engaging with the armor guy - Geren approaches the weapon smith, a stout middle-aged dwarf with blond hair; with Hnefa's help you produce the pile of weapons - arranging them as neatly as possible around his workshop so he can get a good look at them all. Seeing your intent straight away, and having heard his fellow smith's exchange with Dawn, he doesn't need much prompting.
"These are the weapons from those bandits then?" you nod and give your best sales pitch for their worth. "No need for that, friend - Nayeli made it clear. You'll get the best price I can afford. Just give me a moment to add this all up in my head."As he stands there thinking, looking over the goods, thinking some more, you can almost see smoke coming out of his ears. Numbers aren't his strong suit it would seem. "Eight thousand, four hundred and thirty-seven and a half copper pieces," he says at last. "Sound good?"
You and Hnefa exchange a glance. He frowns. Then he seems to suddenly understand. "Oh! Right. That's probably not the best coin to do this with. It's just what I'm mostly used to with all these cheapskates around here. So, right. Gold, I take it then?" You nod, and smile. "Well then, I guess that's 84 gold, 3 silver, and 7 and a half copper. Agreed? Oh, fine, well make it an even 84 gold, 3 silver, and 8 copper. Fair is fair. OK! We'll call it 84 gold and 4 silver, final offer, take it or leave it."
Geren doesn't feel like haggling so he's inclined to take the offered amount.
"Done and Done," the weaponsmith shakes Geren's hand, and barks at his apprentice to collect it all up. You get the sense that any attempt to haggle with this guy would've fallen flat anyway.
Gus and Cleo will find a comfy spot in the court yard, until the party gathers back up he'll set and study his spell book while Cleo roams the grounds.
Gus and Cleo will find a comfy spot in the court yard, until the party gathers back up he'll set and study his spell book while Cleo roams the grounds.
Noted. Cleo finds plenty of small rodents to chase, and is generally well received by the denizens of the hold.
Eltra looks around for a magic shop or jeweler to pawn the gems off
As Nayeli had mentioned to Geren before, there are no other shops but the two smiths - it's very definitely as she said, a military installation, not a town,
(OOC: I’m going to advance things to the dinner - what happens at the smith with Dawn, or what anyone else would have liked to do in the ~30-45 minutes beforehand, feel free to add in but it shouldn’t affect the start of this scene)
After not even a full hour had passed, the group is summoned to dinner by a pair of attendants - a boy and girl that look to be in training themselves to become soldiers. It’s a short walk there - the entire Hold can be transversed in five minutes, less if walking fast. Coming to the double doors on at the far end of the courtyard and swinging them open with none of the practiced flair that Hendan, the butler from the ducal castle, had possessed.
The hall of Crom’s Hold buzzes with the warm hum of a feast in full swing. The long oak table, laden with roast meats, fresh bread, vegetables, and steaming bowls of stew, stretches beneath the flickering light of chandeliers. The Baroness sits at the head of the table, in the same attire as before. Though she wears a serene smile, her sharp emerald eyes flick occasionally to the group of adventurers seated before her as you take the seats pulled out from the table by the two attendants.
Your reputation already bolstered by your victory over Todd and Meredith, you are welcomed by warm smiles from the others at the table - a small selection of men in plate armor or half-plate that you take to be knights, or squires of knights. Weary from the efforts of the day, you find the hard chairs to be a welcome relief despite having none of the luxury from Morwen’s hall. Introductions are made, in a much more intimate and less formal manner than at the ducal castle, Nayeli just having asked for your names and that’s all. Afterwards, Nayeli encourages you to dig in, and following the hungry knights at the table’s lead, you do so, unable to resist. Hnefa tears into a turkey leg with gusto, her laughter rumbles like distant thunder as she regails the battle from before to the younger knights near her, who listen with interest and poorly concealed but polite amusement.
At the far end of the table, and to its side, sits Feydon, the notorious pirate now bound to the group by geas - unshackled by any physical restraints, but nonetheless looking nearly crushed under the weight of the vastly more powerful chains around his very soul. His eyes, however, still retain some sharpness, betraying some measure of shrewd calculation in the mind behind them. About what, it’s impossible to say, but he eats little, focusing most of his appetites on the decanters of wine that hold a mixture of wine and the juices from several fruits.
Shortly into the meal, Nayeli sets down her goblet and gestures to the man seated beside her. Clad in gleaming half-plate armor polished to a mirror shine, sits a human male of perhaps 25, looking every bit the storybook knight. His dark hair is impeccably styled, and his piercing blue eyes sparkle with charm as he rises to his feet.
"Adventurers," Nayeli begins, "before we continue, there is someone you must meet. Sir Jory has agreed to accompany you on your mission at the request of Lady Morwen of Daggerford."
Recalling what Morwen, as well as Reyna, had said about seeking help from the Baroness, the message you delivered earlier must have already mentioned your need, freeing you from the need to convince her yourselves.
Sir Jory stands and bows with an almost theatrical flourish. "It is an honor to meet you all," he says, his voice smooth and confident, though just a touch nasally. "I am Sir Jory of Daggerford, knight-errant and loyal servant of Lady Morwen. I’ve fought lizardmen in the Lizard Marsh before and know their tactics well. Rest assured; you’ll find no better blade at your side."
Hnefa raises an eyebrow, sizing him up. "Plenty of experience, huh? Hope you’re not all talk, shiny boy."
Jory grins, unperturbed. "I assure you; my actions speak louder than my words. But I do enjoy making a good first impression."
Feydon snorts derisively. "Do you always talk like you’re in a bard’s tale?"
Jory laughs, still unbothered, a rich, melodic sound. "Only when the company is as distinguished as this," he says, gesturing to everyone but Feydon.
Nayeli clears her throat, bringing the room’s attention back to her. "Sir Jory will be an additional guide and sword arm. Feydon’s knowledge of the marsh will get you where you need to go, but Jory’s expertise in battle will ensure you make it back - should worse come to worse - and he’s familiar with the area leading up to the marshes; a knowledge I harbor doubts that Feydon shares."
In response, Feydon offers no argument, only sighing while looking at the literal knight in shining armor, before returning his attention to his goblet.
Sitting back down, Sir Jory nods. “Aye - I’ll be wearing lighter armor, and the extra boots that were sent along with you by Kelson, tucked away in Feydon’s saddlebags. There were a few pairs, and I took the one that best fits me.”
Nayela nods. “Indeed - I’m sure that Morwen didn’t state everything that was in her message, but that was part of it. The other part was in reply to my message of warnings about the increase in attacks on the Hold by Lizardmen warbands. Something that hasn’t happened for many years. And now, having read her reply, it all makes sense. It can only mean the thing I think we’ve all already been fearing but have dared not give voice to - Redeye is back, and he’s uniting the tribes once more.”
The knights at the table, along with the guards posted around the room, shift uncomfortably, but say nothing. Clearly, it's been a subject on all of their minds.
She starts again. “If you’re able to find his phylactery or not any information you can return to us with will be useful, as I’m sure you’ve been instructed. Most specifically, his precise location within the Marshes - where is his current lair? Where are the tribes gathering? And what kind of numbers do they have? Morwen already made it clear that the group understands these goals, but I just want to remind you. Once you have collected enough intel, please return here before moving on to Daggerford. It was also mentioned that you have a detailed map of sorts, with some specific locations you need to scout. It would be best if, along with Sir Jory present, that you come up with a plan as far as which direction you’ll be heading first, second, third, and fourth. There may be some details or advice that our collective knowledge can provide you with.”
(OOC: It's probably better to have them in the form of gems/jewelry up until you need the gold for something as they'd be lighter that way anyway. Not sure if coins have weight or not, come to think of it. But, even if they don't, they should have 'role-playing weight' - meaning, there should be SOME limitation to the amount of gold you can just walk around with. Gold being what it is - heavy as shit - I'm going to put some limits on how much you can carry at once. Not to worry though, you're nowhere near those limits. And there's vaults and banks all over - multiple in the Gate, and there was even one in Daggerford.
Edit: besides it'd be crazy to walk around with literally thousands of gold on your person. That kind of thing is hard to conceal and would definitely attract attention from increasingly powerful and increasingly large groups of bandits - the kind that would make Todd and Meredith seem like inept buffoons. Which... they kind of were. But even more so.)
Gus tearing off a chuck of turkey and passing it to Cleo, then perhaps after the meal we should come together and work on that plan? he picks up his mug and raises it, to one last glorious meal and the comfort of a warm bed.
Sir Jory hems. "Certainly - if thou hast this map on thy person now, be all means, produce it, so that I can see these four locations mentioned."
Feydon sighs. "As much as I hate to agree with 'Sir Chivalric Cheese Dick' over here, I'd like to see it too. I'm not invested in your success, I'm invested in getting this over with," he blurts, starting to slur a little from the wine.
As Feydon begins to speak, Nayeli, not listening to the pirate whatsoever, but in response to Sir Jory's remark, gestures to the attendants and has them clear a portion an area in the middle of the table. Then she looks at the group expectantly, gesturing to the cleared area as a place to unfold the map onto.
(OOC: I think Bree has the map that Reyna gave you guys, but anyone can produce it if you want - when rolled out its large enough that everyone at the table would be able to see it.)
(ooc: Anticipating your desires to sell the unwanted things, and to fully fix the Half-Plate as well as resize it, I'll assume you use the chance before dinner to go into the courtyard and engage the smiths before they close. You could see they were about to on your way to your rooms).
Dawn and Geren move out of their rooms and look into the courtyard, seeing the smiths still working, but clearly wrapping things up for the day. You exchange glances and briefly discuss your goals and plans with each other, then, Geren, looking at the attendant that is posted outside your rooms, instructs him to have the groups horses led into the courtyard so that unloading them for sale or trade will be possible. The attendant nods his understanding, and disappears. Hnefa steps out of her room, and offers to help with the unloading.
The three of you walk up to the two smiths, operating back-to-back with regard to their forges - essentially, it is a single forge, with a divide in the center, and two openings that can be accessed by each smith. One is clearly a dedicated armorsmith, and the other a weaponsmith. Exchanging glances, Dawn engages with armorsmith, while Geren goes to the weaponsmith - given that most of the equipment are weapons.
The armorsmith, a human male of about 45, offers his greetings and stops pounding on the sheet of metal he'd been pounding on when you approach.
"So - you're with the 'bandit killers' then I take it? My thanks to you for getting rid of those crazies," he says, nodding and catching his breath. "How can I help you?"
Showing him the suit of Half-Plate and explaining your desire to have it refit and fully fixed, he nods. "Aye - I can do that. It won't be ready before you leave though, I'm afraid. But it'll be here for you when you get back. I'll just need... heck... let's just call it 45 gold for the labor, aye?"
Hnefa arrives with the other suits of armor and places them down. The smith looks at their poor condition and starts to shake his head, but before he can say anything, Dawn begins to cast a chain of Mending's on each. His eyes widen. Not that's he's never heard of that ability, he's just never seen it done in person. He watches with interest as you mend them to the best of your ability. Once finished he looks at you, a little confused. "You... want to sell these then, I take it?" Seeing you nod, he looks them over with more scrutiny. "Well... I suppose I can see these suits of chain being worth 12 gold maybe. We'll call it 25 for the pair. That's more than what most smiths would give you, but Nayeli told me to give you a good deal. " Looking at the scale mail, he frowns. "For that... 8 gold I think is fair." Then he blinks. Then when he sees the two shields, he starts to add up their value, then stops. "Ah, heck, why don't we just call it even with the plate repairs, eh? If that sounds fair - is there anything else, you need?" Dawn will note there are full suits of nearly every type of metal armor on display around his workshop, and full suits of several light armors as well.
Dawn says, "There's one other thing I need. For the current mission we need to be quiet, but this armor is a bit on the noisy side. Do you have any quieter armor I could borrow using this armor as payment and the Half plate you're repairing as collateral? Maybe a breast plate? Or a chain shirt?"
Dawn enjoys the meal. While not as fancy as yesterday's supper, this was closer to what she was used to, though still more variety and larger servings. Even with all the food available, she eats only a moderate amount.
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Nayeli Considers the question; then, on understanding your curiosity, she looks at the journal, then back to you. "I'm afraid, they'd have been hanged. There's only so much even I can do to control the people Crom's Hold, and once word of these deeds spread - which I'm sure it's already begun to - there'd be no stopping the lynch mobs that would show up in droves from the entire region as far as Daggerford, I expect. So, to spare ourselves that, and to spare the region that, they'd have been quickly and immediately hanged."
"Ha!" Feydon snorts, derisively, but says nothing else. He doesn't need to. His expression says it all. It reads: "I told you so".
Nayeli looks at you sympathetically. "With a guide like that... you'll hardly be needing enemies," she says softly.
Nayeli smiles at you for a moment - she reaches for your hand and gives it the slightest of shakes, trying not to be rude - it's clear that she's not used to the gesture. Then her smile clears. While her gaze is upon you, you feel oddly uncomfortable - like she see's everything about you, and you sense vague disapproval. But her tone is warm when she speaks. "Indeed. I'm sure the people of Crom's Hold and the surrounding region will be singing your praises by the next tenday. Word of these kinds of things tends to spread on its own, you see. As for places to purchase supplies or to sell things, I'm afraid we're much more of a military installation than a... town. There's a makeshift 'tavern', for the soldiers, when their off-duty. I wouldn't highly recommend trying to buy goods or sell goods there, it operates on pay stubs. However, we of course have a blacksmith. A pair of them, if fact. They operate out in the middle of the courtyard - you can't miss them. I'll instruct them to trade with you, and I'll tell them to be fair," she smiles.
The guards relax now entirely as Nayeli gestures for the group to follow her into the hold. The courtyard bustles with activity as the day winds down—stablehands tending to horses, smiths finishing their work, and guards patrolling the walls.
Inside, the adventurers are shown to a modest but comfortable set of rooms, and servants bring fresh water and towels to wash away the grime of the journey. Nayeli promises to meet them in the dining hall for supper, where they can discuss their mission in more detail.
As the group settles in, Feydon sits quietly in a corner, his usual bravado replaced by a haunted silence.
+100 XP for meeting Nayeli Goldflower, for discovering and seeing Crom's Hold, and for diffusing the situation at the gate. I added it already - you all should be at 1145.
(ooc: Anticipating your desires to sell the unwanted things, and to fully fix the Half-Plate as well as resize it, I'll assume you use the chance before dinner to go into the courtyard and engage the smiths before they close. You could see they were about to on your way to your rooms).
Dawn and Geren move out of their rooms and look into the courtyard, seeing the smiths still working, but clearly wrapping things up for the day. You exchange glances and briefly discuss your goals and plans with each other, then, Geren, looking at the attendant that is posted outside your rooms, instructs him to have the groups horses led into the courtyard so that unloading them for sale or trade will be possible. The attendant nods his understanding, and disappears. Hnefa steps out of her room, and offers to help with the unloading.
The three of you walk up to the two smiths, operating back-to-back with regard to their forges - essentially, it is a single forge, with a divide in the center, and two openings that can be accessed by each smith. One is clearly a dedicated armorsmith, and the other a weaponsmith. Exchanging glances, Dawn engages with armorsmith, while Geren goes to the weaponsmith - given that most of the equipment are weapons.
The armorsmith, a human male of about 45, offers his greetings and stops pounding on the sheet of metal he'd been pounding on when you approach.
"So - you're with the 'bandit killers' then I take it? My thanks to you for getting rid of those crazies," he says, nodding and catching his breath. "How can I help you?"
Showing him the suit of Half-Plate and explaining your desire to have it refit and fully fixed, he nods. "Aye - I can do that. It won't be ready before you leave though, I'm afraid. But it'll be here for you when you get back. I'll just need... heck... let's just call it 45 gold for the labor, aye?"
Hnefa arrives with the other suits of armor and places them down. The smith looks at their poor condition and starts to shake his head, but before he can say anything, Dawn begins to cast a chain of Mending's on each. His eyes widen. Not that's he's never heard of that ability, he's just never seen it done in person. He watches with interest as you mend them to the best of your ability. Once finished he looks at you, a little confused. "You... want to sell these then, I take it?" Seeing you nod, he looks them over with more scrutiny. "Well... I suppose I can see these suits of chain being worth 12 gold maybe. We'll call it 25 for the pair. That's more than what most smiths would give you, but Nayeli told me to give you a good deal. " Looking at the scale mail, he frowns. "For that... 8 gold I think is fair." Then he blinks. Then when he sees the two shields, he starts to add up their value, then stops. "Ah, heck, why don't we just call it even with the plate repairs, eh? If that sounds fair - is there anything else, you need?" Dawn will note there are full suits of nearly every type of metal armor on display around his workshop, and full suits of several light armors as well.
Meanwhile, while Dawn is engaging with the armor guy - Geren approaches the weapon smith, a stout middle-aged dwarf with blond hair; with Hnefa's help you produce the pile of weapons - arranging them as neatly as possible around his workshop so he can get a good look at them all. Seeing your intent straight away, and having heard his fellow smith's exchange with Dawn, he doesn't need much prompting.
"These are the weapons from those bandits then?" you nod and give your best sales pitch for their worth. "No need for that, friend - Nayeli made it clear. You'll get the best price I can afford. Just give me a moment to add this all up in my head." As he stands there thinking, looking over the goods, thinking some more, you can almost see smoke coming out of his ears. Numbers aren't his strong suit it would seem. "Eight thousand, four hundred and thirty-seven and a half copper pieces," he says at last. "Sound good?"
You and Hnefa exchange a glance. He frowns. Then he seems to suddenly understand. "Oh! Right. That's probably not the best coin to do this with. It's just what I'm mostly used to with all these cheapskates around here. So, right. Gold, I take it then?" You nod, and smile. "Well then, I guess that's 84 gold, 3 silver, and 7 and a half copper. Agreed? Oh, fine, well make it an even 84 gold, 3 silver, and 8 copper. Fair is fair. OK! We'll call it 84 gold and 4 silver, final offer, take it or leave it."
Geren doesn't feel like haggling so he's inclined to take the offered amount.
"Done and Done," the weaponsmith shakes Geren's hand, and barks at his apprentice to collect it all up. You get the sense that any attempt to haggle with this guy would've fallen flat anyway.
"Now - anything else?"
Gus and Cleo will find a comfy spot in the court yard, until the party gathers back up he'll set and study his spell book while Cleo roams the grounds.
Noted. Cleo finds plenty of small rodents to chase, and is generally well received by the denizens of the hold.
Eltra looks around for a magic shop or jeweler to pawn the gems off
As Nayeli had mentioned to Geren before, there are no other shops but the two smiths - it's very definitely as she said, a military installation, not a town,
(OOC: I’m going to advance things to the dinner - what happens at the smith with Dawn, or what anyone else would have liked to do in the ~30-45 minutes beforehand, feel free to add in but it shouldn’t affect the start of this scene)
After not even a full hour had passed, the group is summoned to dinner by a pair of attendants - a boy and girl that look to be in training themselves to become soldiers. It’s a short walk there - the entire Hold can be transversed in five minutes, less if walking fast. Coming to the double doors on at the far end of the courtyard and swinging them open with none of the practiced flair that Hendan, the butler from the ducal castle, had possessed.
The hall of Crom’s Hold buzzes with the warm hum of a feast in full swing. The long oak table, laden with roast meats, fresh bread, vegetables, and steaming bowls of stew, stretches beneath the flickering light of chandeliers. The Baroness sits at the head of the table, in the same attire as before. Though she wears a serene smile, her sharp emerald eyes flick occasionally to the group of adventurers seated before her as you take the seats pulled out from the table by the two attendants.
Your reputation already bolstered by your victory over Todd and Meredith, you are welcomed by warm smiles from the others at the table - a small selection of men in plate armor or half-plate that you take to be knights, or squires of knights. Weary from the efforts of the day, you find the hard chairs to be a welcome relief despite having none of the luxury from Morwen’s hall. Introductions are made, in a much more intimate and less formal manner than at the ducal castle, Nayeli just having asked for your names and that’s all. Afterwards, Nayeli encourages you to dig in, and following the hungry knights at the table’s lead, you do so, unable to resist. Hnefa tears into a turkey leg with gusto, her laughter rumbles like distant thunder as she regails the battle from before to the younger knights near her, who listen with interest and poorly concealed but polite amusement.
At the far end of the table, and to its side, sits Feydon, the notorious pirate now bound to the group by geas - unshackled by any physical restraints, but nonetheless looking nearly crushed under the weight of the vastly more powerful chains around his very soul. His eyes, however, still retain some sharpness, betraying some measure of shrewd calculation in the mind behind them. About what, it’s impossible to say, but he eats little, focusing most of his appetites on the decanters of wine that hold a mixture of wine and the juices from several fruits.
Shortly into the meal, Nayeli sets down her goblet and gestures to the man seated beside her. Clad in gleaming half-plate armor polished to a mirror shine, sits a human male of perhaps 25, looking every bit the storybook knight. His dark hair is impeccably styled, and his piercing blue eyes sparkle with charm as he rises to his feet.
"Adventurers," Nayeli begins, "before we continue, there is someone you must meet. Sir Jory has agreed to accompany you on your mission at the request of Lady Morwen of Daggerford."
Recalling what Morwen, as well as Reyna, had said about seeking help from the Baroness, the message you delivered earlier must have already mentioned your need, freeing you from the need to convince her yourselves.
Sir Jory stands and bows with an almost theatrical flourish. "It is an honor to meet you all," he says, his voice smooth and confident, though just a touch nasally. "I am Sir Jory of Daggerford, knight-errant and loyal servant of Lady Morwen. I’ve fought lizardmen in the Lizard Marsh before and know their tactics well. Rest assured; you’ll find no better blade at your side."
Hnefa raises an eyebrow, sizing him up. "Plenty of experience, huh? Hope you’re not all talk, shiny boy."
Jory grins, unperturbed. "I assure you; my actions speak louder than my words. But I do enjoy making a good first impression."
Feydon snorts derisively. "Do you always talk like you’re in a bard’s tale?"
Jory laughs, still unbothered, a rich, melodic sound. "Only when the company is as distinguished as this," he says, gesturing to everyone but Feydon.
Nayeli clears her throat, bringing the room’s attention back to her. "Sir Jory will be an additional guide and sword arm. Feydon’s knowledge of the marsh will get you where you need to go, but Jory’s expertise in battle will ensure you make it back - should worse come to worse - and he’s familiar with the area leading up to the marshes; a knowledge I harbor doubts that Feydon shares."
In response, Feydon offers no argument, only sighing while looking at the literal knight in shining armor, before returning his attention to his goblet.
Sitting back down, Sir Jory nods. “Aye - I’ll be wearing lighter armor, and the extra boots that were sent along with you by Kelson, tucked away in Feydon’s saddlebags. There were a few pairs, and I took the one that best fits me.”
Nayela nods. “Indeed - I’m sure that Morwen didn’t state everything that was in her message, but that was part of it. The other part was in reply to my message of warnings about the increase in attacks on the Hold by Lizardmen warbands. Something that hasn’t happened for many years. And now, having read her reply, it all makes sense. It can only mean the thing I think we’ve all already been fearing but have dared not give voice to - Redeye is back, and he’s uniting the tribes once more.”
The knights at the table, along with the guards posted around the room, shift uncomfortably, but say nothing. Clearly, it's been a subject on all of their minds.
She starts again. “If you’re able to find his phylactery or not any information you can return to us with will be useful, as I’m sure you’ve been instructed. Most specifically, his precise location within the Marshes - where is his current lair? Where are the tribes gathering? And what kind of numbers do they have? Morwen already made it clear that the group understands these goals, but I just want to remind you. Once you have collected enough intel, please return here before moving on to Daggerford. It was also mentioned that you have a detailed map of sorts, with some specific locations you need to scout. It would be best if, along with Sir Jory present, that you come up with a plan as far as which direction you’ll be heading first, second, third, and fourth. There may be some details or advice that our collective knowledge can provide you with.”
(Ah I missed that part....he will just hold onto them and follow along)
(OOC: It's probably better to have them in the form of gems/jewelry up until you need the gold for something as they'd be lighter that way anyway. Not sure if coins have weight or not, come to think of it. But, even if they don't, they should have 'role-playing weight' - meaning, there should be SOME limitation to the amount of gold you can just walk around with. Gold being what it is - heavy as shit - I'm going to put some limits on how much you can carry at once. Not to worry though, you're nowhere near those limits. And there's vaults and banks all over - multiple in the Gate, and there was even one in Daggerford.
Edit: besides it'd be crazy to walk around with literally thousands of gold on your person. That kind of thing is hard to conceal and would definitely attract attention from increasingly powerful and increasingly large groups of bandits - the kind that would make Todd and Meredith seem like inept buffoons. Which... they kind of were. But even more so.)
Gus tearing off a chuck of turkey and passing it to Cleo, then perhaps after the meal we should come together and work on that plan? he picks up his mug and raises it, to one last glorious meal and the comfort of a warm bed.
Eltra nods in agreement as he continues slupring up the stew and dunking chunks of bread shoveling up the bits and pieces into his mouth.
Sir Jory hems. "Certainly - if thou hast this map on thy person now, be all means, produce it, so that I can see these four locations mentioned."
Feydon sighs. "As much as I hate to agree with 'Sir Chivalric Cheese Dick' over here, I'd like to see it too. I'm not invested in your success, I'm invested in getting this over with," he blurts, starting to slur a little from the wine.
As Feydon begins to speak, Nayeli, not listening to the pirate whatsoever, but in response to Sir Jory's remark, gestures to the attendants and has them clear a portion an area in the middle of the table. Then she looks at the group expectantly, gesturing to the cleared area as a place to unfold the map onto.
(OOC: I think Bree has the map that Reyna gave you guys, but anyone can produce it if you want - when rolled out its large enough that everyone at the table would be able to see it.)
Dawn says, "There's one other thing I need. For the current mission we need to be quiet, but this armor is a bit on the noisy side. Do you have any quieter armor I could borrow using this armor as payment and the Half plate you're repairing as collateral? Maybe a breast plate? Or a chain shirt?"
Dawn enjoys the meal. While not as fancy as yesterday's supper, this was closer to what she was used to, though still more variety and larger servings. Even with all the food available, she eats only a moderate amount.