The Duke arches an eyebrow and glances at the bird owning advisor who tilts his head to one side and seems to give a facial expression that says, 'why not.'
The Duke claps his hands together, 'Dame Ida, as a noble of this esteemed court, I hear your plea and it pleases me. It touches me deeply, I want you to know this. I will accept your terms, the prisoners will be released into your custody on parole, and I better hear of no more trouble from.any of them or you personally will be responsible for their crimes.' he grins and begins to rise from his chair.
He pauses and raises a finger, 'but, one condition.' he taps the finger against his lips. 'One small act of community service, to show humility and grace before the Emperor's law. I can't have people saying that I let people go without punishment if one of my nobles asks nicely, after all.'
He then lowers his finger, 'unless anyone has an objection to either being in the custody of this esteemed knight or getting off with such a slight punishment?'
Darwin had the grace to look a little sheepish at the Duke’s words. He certainly was thorough, that was true. But he had spoken the truth, even if not quite all of it, so still didn’t think he was in the wrong.
”In truth the carnival moved on days ago, and won’t be back here for years, if ever. I am afraid I am stranded here now”, he said with genuine sadness, before perking up. “But I did always plan to start my own little enterprise. ‘Darwin Fizzlepeak’s Tiny Circus’” he said grandly, holding his hand up above him and placing each word in the air as he said it. “And I’ll need help setting it up if you are willing Ida?”, he added.
”I’d be too busy to get in trouble”, he said to the Duke with a broad smile.
He was so excited by the prospect he totally missed the fact there was a condition!
(OOC: Oops didn’t see the next page, reply still works though!)
The Duke raises both eyebrows at Darwin, 'well, that seems like one resounding endorsement of the plan.' he says happily, 'even if a tiny circus does sound a little bizarre.'
He shakes his head in amusement, a slight smile touching the corner of his mouth, 'and you two?' he asks, looking from Rowan and Hamish in turn.
The Duke's facial expression flashes bemusement for a moment before he regains his composure. 'I can't say that I have but to be honest young man, I highly doubt she's in the city if she survived the fire, otherwise she would surely have been looking for you too.' he says with a shrug.
'Well, I have pressing business to attend to, I'm sure my aides can find something for you to do that is fitting as payment for your crimes.' and the Duke leaves, leaving you with the bird carrying Elf and heavily armed and armored man.
The Elf clears his throat, 'We do have a task, as it happens. It appears we've got a strange infestation of an unknown creature reported at the docks. Likely something someone brought with them and carelessly released. Please deal with infestation, but bring me one of the creatures, I wish to study it. Head to the docks and find the harbormaster, he should be able to direct you from there. Good day.' his tone is stiff, cold and with his dismissal there is an almost callous waving of the hand as if to shoo you.
Both he and the larger man leave the room through the rear, following their duke.
Ida looks at the other three and smiles broadly, motioning for them to follow her to exit. She doesn't want to have any additional conversation in this room, as there is no telling who could be listening.
Darwin watches the Duke and his men leave and then follows Ida out. He wasn't expecting to become the city's pest control, but it could have been worse, at least he was being released. A grin comes across his face as the thought occurs to him that this creature might be just the sort of oddity for a tiny circus.
You are guided out of the palace by the same 9 guards, who release you from your bindings and return any personal effects you had on your person at the time of you arrest.
You exit the palace out into the Upper Ward, the home of the nobles and the wealthiest of the merchants who call Haukberg their home.
Darwin closes his eyes and breathes in the sweet air of freedom, holds it for a few seconds and let’s it out slowly.
”Not sure about you three, but I heard no timescales for this task we have been given. Anyone fancy a spot of breakfast?…or is it lunch time?…..or dinner even?”, he says with a big smile on his face.
"Glorious idea, but not here. Let's get out of this area before we attract any attention from curious guards who would throw us back in simply for our unkempt appearance. I know a few places in the Market District that would taste fantastic at the moment."
Darwin produces an elegant bow, bending one knee and sweeping the other leg backwards and doffing an imaginary hat. "Lead on Dame Ida", he says standing back up with a chuckle, teasing her good naturedly. He couldn't let her get away with being a secret noble without any teasing, after all.
The party heads to the market district and enters a tavern that Ida suggests. The mid morning sun hangs high above as you enter and find it a relatively quiet inside. A few dedicated drinkers sit at the bar while a few individuals are taking up tables with small parties for lunch.
'Welcome.' the Dwarf behind the bar says in a rough voice. 'What'll ye be having?'
Hamish follows quietly, still in a bit of shock at these people. They simply accepted him in? And are willing to feed him? He had killed someone, after all. His mind raced trying to make sense of why they would be doing this. Ida especially seemed motivated by nothing more than kindness, which Hamish had not seen in ... well, ever. Darwin was a strange halfling, but genuine and quick to laugh and jest. And Rowan, someone with a similarly rough origin, was still quick to accept everyone else and take responsibility for his past offenses. What have I gotten myself into, Lucy? Wish you were here to help me figure this all out.
As they enter the tavern, Hamish is overcome by the smell and his stomach practically roars in hunger. He had never even dreamed of eating in such a place, even one as humble as this seemed a feast hall of epic indulgence. His jaw fell open as he looked around the room at all the different people simply eating and drinking. He smiled slowly. If this was punishment for a crime, maybe he was going to be okay after all.
Darwin followed Ida back to the market district and as he walked kept an eye out for any stalls or shops selling anything that might be useful for his new venture. At the least he would need some small animals and some cages.
As they reached the tavern, he breathed a little sigh of relief that it wasn't the one from that fateful night that saw him arrested. He entered and looked about, pleased it was quite quiet, and then walked up to the bar and climbed onto a stool. "Hello", he said jovially, "I imagine we all want some ale and hot fresh food". He looked to Ida for confirmation.
"Yes, a gallon of ale, 4 cups, and a hot meal for each of us sir." She smiled as she pulled out 15 silver pieces and handed them to the dwarf. She tapped Darwin on the shoulder and said "let's go grab that quiet table in the back" and motioned to the back corner. She knew that she didn't necessarily want the barkeep to remember everyone's faces well, just in case. And she had a feeling Hamish would prefer to be tucked away in the back of the room for now. Plus it gave them a chance to talk and plan in private.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
"Right you are Ida", Darwin says and grabs as many cups as he can manage in his small hands and jumps off the stool, leaving the ale jug for someone stronger. He heads for the back corner, taking a good look at the other patrons as he wanders, just to see if he can see or hear anything interesting.
The Duke arches an eyebrow and glances at the bird owning advisor who tilts his head to one side and seems to give a facial expression that says, 'why not.'
The Duke claps his hands together, 'Dame Ida, as a noble of this esteemed court, I hear your plea and it pleases me. It touches me deeply, I want you to know this. I will accept your terms, the prisoners will be released into your custody on parole, and I better hear of no more trouble from.any of them or you personally will be responsible for their crimes.' he grins and begins to rise from his chair.
He pauses and raises a finger, 'but, one condition.' he taps the finger against his lips. 'One small act of community service, to show humility and grace before the Emperor's law. I can't have people saying that I let people go without punishment if one of my nobles asks nicely, after all.'
He then lowers his finger, 'unless anyone has an objection to either being in the custody of this esteemed knight or getting off with such a slight punishment?'
Darwin had the grace to look a little sheepish at the Duke’s words. He certainly was thorough, that was true. But he had spoken the truth, even if not quite all of it, so still didn’t think he was in the wrong.
”In truth the carnival moved on days ago, and won’t be back here for years, if ever. I am afraid I am stranded here now”, he said with genuine sadness, before perking up. “But I did always plan to start my own little enterprise. ‘Darwin Fizzlepeak’s Tiny Circus’” he said grandly, holding his hand up above him and placing each word in the air as he said it. “And I’ll need help setting it up if you are willing Ida?”, he added.
”I’d be too busy to get in trouble”, he said to the Duke with a broad smile.
He was so excited by the prospect he totally missed the fact there was a condition!
(OOC: Oops didn’t see the next page, reply still works though!)
The Duke raises both eyebrows at Darwin, 'well, that seems like one resounding endorsement of the plan.' he says happily, 'even if a tiny circus does sound a little bizarre.'
He shakes his head in amusement, a slight smile touching the corner of his mouth, 'and you two?' he asks, looking from Rowan and Hamish in turn.
Hamish wordlessly nods, still a bit stunned at the ease of his punishment and the offer from Ida.
The Duke's facial expression flashes bemusement for a moment before he regains his composure. 'I can't say that I have but to be honest young man, I highly doubt she's in the city if she survived the fire, otherwise she would surely have been looking for you too.' he says with a shrug.
'Well, I have pressing business to attend to, I'm sure my aides can find something for you to do that is fitting as payment for your crimes.' and the Duke leaves, leaving you with the bird carrying Elf and heavily armed and armored man.
The Elf clears his throat, 'We do have a task, as it happens. It appears we've got a strange infestation of an unknown creature reported at the docks. Likely something someone brought with them and carelessly released. Please deal with infestation, but bring me one of the creatures, I wish to study it. Head to the docks and find the harbormaster, he should be able to direct you from there. Good day.' his tone is stiff, cold and with his dismissal there is an almost callous waving of the hand as if to shoo you.
Both he and the larger man leave the room through the rear, following their duke.
Ida looks at the other three and smiles broadly, motioning for them to follow her to exit. She doesn't want to have any additional conversation in this room, as there is no telling who could be listening.
Darwin watches the Duke and his men leave and then follows Ida out. He wasn't expecting to become the city's pest control, but it could have been worse, at least he was being released. A grin comes across his face as the thought occurs to him that this creature might be just the sort of oddity for a tiny circus.
You are guided out of the palace by the same 9 guards, who release you from your bindings and return any personal effects you had on your person at the time of you arrest.
You exit the palace out into the Upper Ward, the home of the nobles and the wealthiest of the merchants who call Haukberg their home.
Where to?
https://inkarnate.com/m/MKynXW--haukberg/ heres the map again for easy reference
Darwin closes his eyes and breathes in the sweet air of freedom, holds it for a few seconds and let’s it out slowly.
”Not sure about you three, but I heard no timescales for this task we have been given. Anyone fancy a spot of breakfast?…or is it lunch time?…..or dinner even?”, he says with a big smile on his face.
"Glorious idea, but not here. Let's get out of this area before we attract any attention from curious guards who would throw us back in simply for our unkempt appearance. I know a few places in the Market District that would taste fantastic at the moment."
Darwin produces an elegant bow, bending one knee and sweeping the other leg backwards and doffing an imaginary hat. "Lead on Dame Ida", he says standing back up with a chuckle, teasing her good naturedly. He couldn't let her get away with being a secret noble without any teasing, after all.
The party heads to the market district and enters a tavern that Ida suggests. The mid morning sun hangs high above as you enter and find it a relatively quiet inside. A few dedicated drinkers sit at the bar while a few individuals are taking up tables with small parties for lunch.
'Welcome.' the Dwarf behind the bar says in a rough voice. 'What'll ye be having?'
Hamish follows quietly, still in a bit of shock at these people. They simply accepted him in? And are willing to feed him? He had killed someone, after all. His mind raced trying to make sense of why they would be doing this. Ida especially seemed motivated by nothing more than kindness, which Hamish had not seen in ... well, ever. Darwin was a strange halfling, but genuine and quick to laugh and jest. And Rowan, someone with a similarly rough origin, was still quick to accept everyone else and take responsibility for his past offenses. What have I gotten myself into, Lucy? Wish you were here to help me figure this all out.
As they enter the tavern, Hamish is overcome by the smell and his stomach practically roars in hunger. He had never even dreamed of eating in such a place, even one as humble as this seemed a feast hall of epic indulgence. His jaw fell open as he looked around the room at all the different people simply eating and drinking. He smiled slowly. If this was punishment for a crime, maybe he was going to be okay after all.
Darwin followed Ida back to the market district and as he walked kept an eye out for any stalls or shops selling anything that might be useful for his new venture. At the least he would need some small animals and some cages.
As they reached the tavern, he breathed a little sigh of relief that it wasn't the one from that fateful night that saw him arrested. He entered and looked about, pleased it was quite quiet, and then walked up to the bar and climbed onto a stool. "Hello", he said jovially, "I imagine we all want some ale and hot fresh food". He looked to Ida for confirmation.
"Yes, a gallon of ale, 4 cups, and a hot meal for each of us sir." She smiled as she pulled out 15 silver pieces and handed them to the dwarf. She tapped Darwin on the shoulder and said "let's go grab that quiet table in the back" and motioned to the back corner. She knew that she didn't necessarily want the barkeep to remember everyone's faces well, just in case. And she had a feeling Hamish would prefer to be tucked away in the back of the room for now. Plus it gave them a chance to talk and plan in private.
The dwarf takes the coins and smiles and places four cups and a gallon of beer on the counter.
'We'll bring the food o'er to ya, it'll be out in about twenty minutes.' he says.
You find a table in the rear corner unoccupied.
"Right you are Ida", Darwin says and grabs as many cups as he can manage in his small hands and jumps off the stool, leaving the ale jug for someone stronger. He heads for the back corner, taking a good look at the other patrons as he wanders, just to see if he can see or hear anything interesting.
Perception: 7