Lucius watched Muktak's passage through the crowd with a chuckle. "It seems our new friends reputation precedes him", he said to the others motioning towards the parting crowd.
After waiting a short while, Lucius also got up from their table, collected his things and made his way towards the private dining room.
“That’s might generous of you innkeep.” Ragnik gives the innkeeper a cheery smile but says under his breath “don’t much like being locals entertainment though.”
Ragnik sits for a bit longer enjoying the show put on by the minstrel before following the others into the private dining area.
“That’s might generous of you innkeep.” Ragnik gives the innkeeper a cheery smile but says under his breath “don’t much like being locals entertainment though.”
Ragnik sits for a bit longer enjoying the show put on by the minstrel before following the others into the private dining area.
Loki,
Every time I see you are from Scotland, the old song "The Scotman" pops into my mind... LOL
As those of you heading for the private dinning area, you hear astonished and appreciative gasps from the adults and (surprisingly for an Inn) giggles from the adolescent children. You realize that they will talk about this night for generations. Although everyone watches, no one seems overly interested. The room beyond the door is a semi circle with a few small windows and several braziers providing light and heat. A few round tables occupy the room, and what little décor is all of a nautical (fishing) nature, including some decent, but amateur paintings of small fishing boats on the open water or hauling in the catch.
For anyone staying in the main room, now that there is a little space, and the group not so intimidating, the locals come closer and even welcome you, spending what little money they have on buying drinks and asking for news of the world beyond the village. In general, they are all well meaning and friendly, but have no news beyond what happens in the village. For them, the town a few miles south seems infinitely far away. Someplace they would only get to once or twice a year as fishmongers usually come from the town to purchase fish to sell.
If no other questions for the locals, I will proceed...
I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when it has gone past, I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where the fear has gone, there will be nothing. Only I will remain.
As you wait, you can hear when Glimmergem takes breaks, though the villagers and farmers continue to sing their own songs and the fishermen sing shanties. Eventually, even that dies to a murmur and soon the only sounds are the occasional scrape wooden chair on wooden floor.
It is long after midnight when the door opens. To your surprise a transformed Innkeeper enters. Gone is the smoke and jovial smile, replaced by a shirt of chain and a sheathed longsword. As he takes up position beside the door, his wife enters. She is dressed in a long teal cloak with silver embroidery along its edges , intricate bracers of silver run up her arms. She takes up position on the other side of the door as the Glimmergem enters. He, too, has changed. The garish clothes of a minstrel have been replaced by hunting leathers and a pair of short swords. On his chest is the badge of a Marshal.
"Well, your certainly an oddball group," he starts off with a hint of exasperation in his voice. "Must be the Captain's idea of a joke. Well, welcome anyway, welcome to Erias and welcome to the Marshels Service. As you've guessed, I'm Marshal Reli Cinnabar. No need for introductions, I've read your dossiers, and I'm sure your all fairly tired after your journey's."
"First let me introduce you to Marius and Selssa, his wife, and my contacts here. They'll help provide you if you come back around this way again, or if you need to leave something with me. Now you were asked here undercover, as King Melic (of Erias) hasn't been to fond us the Service since he took the throne. Sees us as a threat to his sovereignty. But the Service really doesn't get involved in Erias's internal politics." He gives Lucius a meaningful glance. "As long as a descendant of Lethern Erias and Altaira Eirlys sits on the throne, and they don't attack their neighbors, we are neutral."
"Our mission in Erias is," and he begins to tick off on his fingers, "Assist the authorities in the performance of their duties. Watch for and stop anyone embracing evil. Watch for and report signs of internal chaos and aggression. Watch for and investigate any signs the lands previous inhabitants. And provide aid, within the law, to any needing it. Unfortunately, the personal rule which goes on makes knowing what is and isn't lawful difficult."
"Now, for your first assignment, I'm sending you up north into the foothills. Since spring, a number of villagers and outlying farmers from a town simple called the 'Downs' have left the area traveling south. From what Maruis and Selssa have gathered talking to folks, the place is beset by bad luck. It might not seem much, but the people living up their are known for being hardy and stubborn. Over the last few centuries the area has waxed and waned with the fortunes of Erais, and until recently was growing again thanks to the new northern road. The town hasn't been there but for a generation or so, but the people have moved about the area for far longer. It may be just bad luck, but I've got an itch behind my ear telling me it isn't."
"Really, the Downs falls under Deputy Marshal Evan's area. But nobody has heard from him in many months. Even before, he rarely kept contact. I've a few suspicions he went rouge, but I'm too busy around here to investigate."
Muktak stands a little straighter when the Marshall walks in. He quietly listens until he is done talking, then speaks up. "So, when are we leaving?"
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when it has gone past, I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where the fear has gone, there will be nothing. Only I will remain.
Lucius also listened to the instructions from Marshal Cinnabar intently, giving Marius and Selssa a glance as he explained their real role here. Muktak seemed ready to head out immediately but he had some questions before he was ready to set off. He stroked his chin for a second before speaking.
"And are we to remain undercover throughout this assignment?", he asked looking at the rest of the group and then back to Cinnabar.
Eraleigh laughs at the mention of going undercover. “With this lot? Not unless we’re a traveling circus. Best you can hope for is discretion… now, why are you thinking a Marshal has gone rogue? What’s the benefit to him?”
Lucius nods at Eraleigh, "That was my point really, we are going to stand out anyway, why not get the benefits of being Marshals. I dislike hiding and am certainly not happy pandering to Shire Reeves!".
He sits back waiting for Cinnabar to answer all the questions.
Ragnik sits at one of the tables twirling one of his braids between his fingers listening to the introductions and their new assignment “What are your suspicions about this bad luck the region is facing?” He turns to Lucius and Eraleigh “though I agree with your point friends, we would stand out as a group but can simply be travelling companions. Once the cat is out the bag about our Marshall status our options may be limited.”
“At times, some might even just blend into the background”. As he says this he presses his hands down his shirt and out. Nadaar’s appearance changes to that of a human farmer. (Disguise Self spell)
Lucius watched Muktak's passage through the crowd with a chuckle. "It seems our new friends reputation precedes him", he said to the others motioning towards the parting crowd.
After waiting a short while, Lucius also got up from their table, collected his things and made his way towards the private dining room.
Nadaar also followed suite and made his way to the private dining room.
D&D since 1984
“That’s might generous of you innkeep.” Ragnik gives the innkeeper a cheery smile but says under his breath “don’t much like being locals entertainment though.”
Ragnik sits for a bit longer enjoying the show put on by the minstrel before following the others into the private dining area.
Eraleigh follows in Ragnik’s wake, watching behind them for overly interested parties.
Paladin - warforged - orange
Loki,
Every time I see you are from Scotland, the old song "The Scotman" pops into my mind... LOL
"ALWAYS GIVE A MONSTER AN EVEN BREAK!"
1st Edition DMG
As those of you heading for the private dinning area, you hear astonished and appreciative gasps from the adults and (surprisingly for an Inn) giggles from the adolescent children. You realize that they will talk about this night for generations. Although everyone watches, no one seems overly interested. The room beyond the door is a semi circle with a few small windows and several braziers providing light and heat. A few round tables occupy the room, and what little décor is all of a nautical (fishing) nature, including some decent, but amateur paintings of small fishing boats on the open water or hauling in the catch.
For anyone staying in the main room, now that there is a little space, and the group not so intimidating, the locals come closer and even welcome you, spending what little money they have on buying drinks and asking for news of the world beyond the village. In general, they are all well meaning and friendly, but have no news beyond what happens in the village. For them, the town a few miles south seems infinitely far away. Someplace they would only get to once or twice a year as fishmongers usually come from the town to purchase fish to sell.
If no other questions for the locals, I will proceed...
"ALWAYS GIVE A MONSTER AN EVEN BREAK!"
1st Edition DMG
(ready to proceed)
(ready)
D&D since 1984
ready
I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when it has gone past, I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where the fear has gone, there will be nothing. Only I will remain.
- Litany Against Fear, Frank Herbert
(Ready to continue)
(not sure what to think about that song! Best not pass out on my kilt lol)
Ready
Paladin - warforged - orange
Political correctness hadn't been invented when I was a kid. 😀
"ALWAYS GIVE A MONSTER AN EVEN BREAK!"
1st Edition DMG
As you wait, you can hear when Glimmergem takes breaks, though the villagers and farmers continue to sing their own songs and the fishermen sing shanties. Eventually, even that dies to a murmur and soon the only sounds are the occasional scrape wooden chair on wooden floor.
It is long after midnight when the door opens. To your surprise a transformed Innkeeper enters. Gone is the smoke and jovial smile, replaced by a shirt of chain and a sheathed longsword. As he takes up position beside the door, his wife enters. She is dressed in a long teal cloak with silver embroidery along its edges , intricate bracers of silver run up her arms. She takes up position on the other side of the door as the Glimmergem enters. He, too, has changed. The garish clothes of a minstrel have been replaced by hunting leathers and a pair of short swords. On his chest is the badge of a Marshal.
"Well, your certainly an oddball group," he starts off with a hint of exasperation in his voice. "Must be the Captain's idea of a joke. Well, welcome anyway, welcome to Erias and welcome to the Marshels Service. As you've guessed, I'm Marshal Reli Cinnabar. No need for introductions, I've read your dossiers, and I'm sure your all fairly tired after your journey's."
"First let me introduce you to Marius and Selssa, his wife, and my contacts here. They'll help provide you if you come back around this way again, or if you need to leave something with me. Now you were asked here undercover, as King Melic (of Erias) hasn't been to fond us the Service since he took the throne. Sees us as a threat to his sovereignty. But the Service really doesn't get involved in Erias's internal politics." He gives Lucius a meaningful glance. "As long as a descendant of Lethern Erias and Altaira Eirlys sits on the throne, and they don't attack their neighbors, we are neutral."
"Our mission in Erias is," and he begins to tick off on his fingers, "Assist the authorities in the performance of their duties. Watch for and stop anyone embracing evil. Watch for and report signs of internal chaos and aggression. Watch for and investigate any signs the lands previous inhabitants. And provide aid, within the law, to any needing it. Unfortunately, the personal rule which goes on makes knowing what is and isn't lawful difficult."
"Now, for your first assignment, I'm sending you up north into the foothills. Since spring, a number of villagers and outlying farmers from a town simple called the 'Downs' have left the area traveling south. From what Maruis and Selssa have gathered talking to folks, the place is beset by bad luck. It might not seem much, but the people living up their are known for being hardy and stubborn. Over the last few centuries the area has waxed and waned with the fortunes of Erais, and until recently was growing again thanks to the new northern road. The town hasn't been there but for a generation or so, but the people have moved about the area for far longer. It may be just bad luck, but I've got an itch behind my ear telling me it isn't."
"Really, the Downs falls under Deputy Marshal Evan's area. But nobody has heard from him in many months. Even before, he rarely kept contact. I've a few suspicions he went rouge, but I'm too busy around here to investigate."
"ALWAYS GIVE A MONSTER AN EVEN BREAK!"
1st Edition DMG
Muktak stands a little straighter when the Marshall walks in. He quietly listens until he is done talking, then speaks up. "So, when are we leaving?"
I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when it has gone past, I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where the fear has gone, there will be nothing. Only I will remain.
- Litany Against Fear, Frank Herbert
Lucius also listened to the instructions from Marshal Cinnabar intently, giving Marius and Selssa a glance as he explained their real role here. Muktak seemed ready to head out immediately but he had some questions before he was ready to set off. He stroked his chin for a second before speaking.
"And are we to remain undercover throughout this assignment?", he asked looking at the rest of the group and then back to Cinnabar.
Eraleigh laughs at the mention of going undercover. “With this lot? Not unless we’re a traveling circus. Best you can hope for is discretion… now, why are you thinking a Marshal has gone rogue? What’s the benefit to him?”
Paladin - warforged - orange
Lucius nods at Eraleigh, "That was my point really, we are going to stand out anyway, why not get the benefits of being Marshals. I dislike hiding and am certainly not happy pandering to Shire Reeves!".
He sits back waiting for Cinnabar to answer all the questions.
Ragnik sits at one of the tables twirling one of his braids between his fingers listening to the introductions and their new assignment “What are your suspicions about this bad luck the region is facing?” He turns to Lucius and Eraleigh “though I agree with your point friends, we would stand out as a group but can simply be travelling companions. Once the cat is out the bag about our Marshall status our options may be limited.”
“At times, some might even just blend into the background”. As he says this he presses his hands down his shirt and out. Nadaar’s appearance changes to that of a human farmer. (Disguise Self spell)
D&D since 1984
”Well, that is a neat trick. I can see why you were picked in spite of standing out.”
Paladin - warforged - orange