(Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown

Leelan nods at Rohuzar’s suggestion for lodging and begins heading there as soon as the group is ready, looking forward to a bit of shut eyes before going back to the Umn residence to complete their contract.

Steak & Ale Tavern and Kilkarney's House of Risk are both nearby in Umbridge.  Both have food, drinks and lodging available, though rooms at the House of Risk are said to be pricey.

[Feel free to socialize in character for a few days IRL.  I have trial for the next few days and my wife is out of town so I will be playing single dad until Sunday.  My posting will be few and far between until then.]

Aubrey too follows along, hoping for some good food and wine and perhaps some resting on a soft bed.

He has no particular plans other than waiting for to be able to move back into the family town house and to attend to the dinner at Toasted Oak Hall with the Duke of Bardstown.

At the inn, Grugga kicks back in a chair and binds his relatively light wounds while the group waits for their food and drink.

"Well, I certainly wasn't expecting that! We did a good thing back there - those spirits had been unrestful for a long time... It doesn't do to think about how long that hag had been torturing their souls."

"Yes, I suppose it is not of relevance any more, but I'm wondering if the hag couldn't leave the building or if she simply was very patiently waiting for someone to move in again." Aubrey says, taking a seat by Grugga, ordering in a fine bottle of wine and the menu from a nearby barmaid.

Rohuzar takes them to the Steak and Ale, and attempts to absolutely glut the team on both. 

He digs into his steak with enthusiasm, and the ale washes it down, relieving the stress all the way down to his bones. 

"I think the latter. Hag could leave. Shrine and Mirror could not."

"Hm. Aubrey, you are Citizen. Things like the mirror, they are normal? Every Citizen family has a thing like this?"

"Well, I suppose you're right Rohuzar, but she must have been very patient if she didn't continue with her deeds during all those years, taking hapless people from the street for her vile sacrifices, or maybe she did and was never discovered. Oh well, I suppose it doesn't really matter now." Aubrey says, then starting to eat his own bloody steak with relish.

"Well, not that I'm aware of. I suppose many families might have their secrets, but I doubt many of them possesses something like this mirror. To me it seemed the mirror belonged to the hag rather than the prominent family that lived there, but I don't know of course. I think one of the temples would be more likely to be able to take good care of the mirror." Aubrey says as he finishes his steak, then taking a sip of his exquisite wine while leaning back in his chair.

Rohuzar nods. "I don't disagree. But ve are looking to be... Less politically troublesome for Red Band. Ve must not step out of line, or jobs vill stop. Especially coming off our last job. If Ve must deal vith mirror, ve must lead the client to taking the advice."

"Guilim has experience vith guild politics, maybe explain better."

"My experience with guild politics is that the higher ups argue amongst themselves and look to constantly make sure the group has a shining reputation. Other then that they do cover ups in order to make sure that as few people as possible learn about any contracts that go bad and who they favor."

"Well that was certainly no flattering description of guild politics, but a fair assessment I'm sure." Aubrey chuckles."I'm afraid I'm not quite sure how this pertains to how we are supposed to deal with the mirror though. If you're afraid dealing with the mirror might tarnish the name of the Red Band couldn't we just leave it with the Bonnaduccis and be done with it?"

While listening to the conversation, Leelan neatly eats the hot meal that was brought to him and sips quietly from his water.

"I feel uncomfortable leaving this mirror in the hands of our employer. While I don’t doubt that he’s an upright citizen, we know very little of this mirror, other than the fact that was most assuredly used for nefarious purposes. If it were up to me, I would have the damn thing destroyed. But maybe a careful study of the book we’ve recovered can reveal more information about this whole sordid affair."

Rohuzar grunts and nods to Leelan. 

"I understand every... the concerns. But dealing vith mirror and telling citizen what to do vith it is not good for us. Ve must be low profile. Else, ve invite undesired attention. Including from hags."

"Hags. Every place, hags. Hmph."

"They have been quite bothersome lately, haven’t they", said Leelan, noticing a pattern.

"But regarding the mirror, we could present our case to Lord Bonnaducci without telling him what to do. Call it a ‘professional opinion’, if you will."

OoC: I think we told him it was dangerous and gave a recommendation for clerics etc, yeah? I might be missing something if you think we need to explain something more. I have .y doubts the Bonnaducci will just do what we say, but I think we're too small time yet to influence a Citizen to do what we want, yet

OoC: You’re right. Nothing really more to explain. I just figured we could stress how dangerous it could be for him and his family, but let him take the decision. I understand Rohuzar doesn’t want the Red Band to get involved in politics cause it’s bad for business. 

"The mirror... Hopefully it'll only be a problem in a hundred years. It would be nice to know it won't cause any more problems in the future, but we've bought a lot of time for this town to recover from that hag's evil-doings. I'd be happier with it in a cleric's hands... plus maybe we could learn a bit about it.

I've been realizing just how little the College of Applied Divinity prepared me for being a Battle Smith. I thought that it would all be perfecting my machines, but there's a lot more to it. Knowing what to do when the cow patties hit the windmill... trying not to be manipulated by politicking and evil supernatural entities... this has been quite a ride."

He takes a sip of his ale and rests a foot on his knee. "But we seem to be handling it as well as anyone could expect. Saving Malia, surviving a forest hag's realm, securing a necromancer's phylactery, knocking an evil cult down a peg, and banishing an ancient evil living in the shadows of the city... I'm not sure what I expected of mercenary work, but it wasn't this."

He takes a big bite of steak. "I didn't know we would be dealing so much with extraplanar creatures and older varieties of magic ((he means non-artificing)). I think I'm going to need to read up on all these subjects my classes skimmed over. Leelan, would you like to join me at the library for the few days before we have our dinner with the nobles? I'd love your insight on some of these things..."

"That might be best. If you vish to change Bonnaducci's mind, go in vith information, sure and solid."

"I think I'd like to talk to Aubrey about... Protocol. Ve must put best foot forward. Must look the part. Represent guild well." 

"I'm all ears." Aubrey says and nods.

Rohuzar pauses. "... I vas hoping you'd take the lead, rather than listen. I am not accepted in many circles. The team may need your help to navigate this dinner and make good showing."

"Certainly, you mean the dinner with Duke Schmidt then I assume. Was there any specific favors or advice I should try to procure from the good duke then? Are you saying we should bring up the matter of the mirror at this dinner?" Aubrey says curiously, taking another sip of his wine. "I assume the Duke will be intersted to hear about our recent missions, but he will also likely be in need of our services in some fashion. There could be an opening for gaining a favor with him which will likely be more worth than a sum of gold, some political protection should the team happen to end up in more intrigues at some point."