Tana looks over at the baby whilst everyone is reuniting, taking note of her healthier complexion. She nods at Mother Clay as she approaches, "How is she?"
Valor nods his thanks to Mother Clay and the others. "Thank you for taking care of the child. She is in good hands."
He gathers the party, that are nearby, inviting Lady Angela and Sir Olvar as well, "What think you? I think Hotspur's idea has merit. Your people love you," he says to Olvar and Angela, "They would rally to your cause. In my experience, numbers win conflict far more than training. Especially if we offer amnesty to the sellswords, and tell them we are only interested in Le Cloche. We send word to Baron Aldred and wait them out?"
Valor nods his thanks to Mother Clay and the others. "Thank you for taking care of the child. She is in good hands."
He gathers the party, that are nearby, inviting Lady Angela and Sir Olvar as well, "What think you? I think Hotspur's idea has merit. Your people love you," he says to Olvar and Angela, "They would rally to your cause. In my experience, numbers win conflict far more than training. Especially if we offer amnesty to the sellswords, and tell them we are only interested in Le Cloche. We send word to Baron Aldred and wait them out?"
Sir Olvar nods in agreement, " You speak truthfully, Dear Cousin-in-Law. But that is part of what gives me pause, I would not have my people come to harm on my account....if it comes to blows we must keep them out of it."
" Shall we make a show of force and see what we can do about convincing Le Cloches friends to move on?"
" Angela, My Kestrell. I would have you remain here with Mother Clay and our child to keep them from harm."
Lady Angela looked about to object but nodded.
Sir Olvar made his way to the door, his face was drawn and haggard and he obviously hadn't slept for some days but he was determined.
He took up his blade and shield, " Shall we have your Herald make the opening address?"
Hotspur suggests they send runners to gather the villagers together.
When a crowd has assembled, the bard steps up before them.
"Gentles, I have an epic tale to tale, but no time to tell it, not yet at least, for it is not quite finished. You see myself and my companions here before you, weary and bloody, for we have fought all night against foul beasts and fey spirits. And yet, the time for rest is not yet. You may have heard the rumor, but if not, I am here to proclaim: It is true! Your own beloved Sir Olvar, along with his noble cousin Sir Valor Dayne and his retinue have defeated the White Witch! It was a mighty struggle, with the life of his own child hanging in the balance! But they were victorious, and Maiden's Vale shall never again fear for their little ones each full moon. I promise you all the details at the tavern tonight, but for now there is no time!
"As you know, during Olvar's absence, the usurper Le Cloche cast his lady and newborn infant out into the cold! This craven interloper now sits in yonder manor house, drinking your lord's wine, and fouling the jewel of your village with his stink! Join us now as we march there to cast them out, and restore your valiant Sir Olvar to his ancestral home! We march to the manor! For Olvar! For the babes, now and in the future that he delivered! For Maiden's Vale! Onward!"
Argyle had to stop himself from nodding as Hotspur finished his address. He knew the man could wield his tongue like he did his blades, but hearing it like this was another thing.
He cleared his throat and straightened himself. Not that he'd ever admit any of that to the man.
Hotspur suggests they send runners to gather the villagers together.
When a crowd has assembled, the bard steps up before them.
"Gentles, I have an epic tale to tale, but no time to tell it, not yet at least, for it is not quite finished. You see myself and my companions here before you, weary and bloody, for we have fought all night against foul beasts and fey spirits. And yet, the time for rest is not yet. You may have heard the rumor, but if not, I am here to proclaim: It is true! Your own beloved Sir Olvar, along with his noble cousin Sir Valor Dayne and his retinue have defeated the White Witch! It was a mighty struggle, with the life of his own child hanging in the balance! But they were victorious, and Maiden's Vale shall never again fear for their little ones each full moon. I promise you all the details at the tavern tonight, but for now there is no time!
"As you know, during Olvar's absence, the usurper Le Cloche cast his lady and newborn infant out into the cold! This craven interloper now sits in yonder manor house, drinking your lord's wine, and fouling the jewel of your village with his stink! Join us now as we march there to cast them out, and restore your valiant Sir Olvar to his ancestral home! We march to the manor! For Olvar! For the babes, now and in the future that he delivered! For Maiden's Vale! Onward!"
The villagers of Maidens Vale raise a cheer and a number of them snatch up brooms, loom sticks and tools as makeshift weapons as they gather in the town square....
As the companions and villagers approach the manor, the last of its window-shutters are slammed shut. The sturdy doors of the old house are securely closed, and you can hear the sound of furniture being dragged across stone flags to barricade it.
Sir Olvar sways slightly as he stands at the front of the group, " Come now, Cousin! Give up this foolishness and even now you may find forgiveness!"
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Valor nods at Hotspur. "Announce me cousin." Then joins his voice to Olvar's, "I recommend you take his offer. He is much more forgiving than I am. And we are both more forgiving than Baron Aldred."
"For you sell-swords, I give you a further offer. Leave your weapons, and you may walk away from this place unharmed. Baron Aldred may decide not to spill Le Cloche's noble blood, but think how he will treat you after how you dealt with Lady Angela and her young child. She is his representative here in Maidens Vale. Your disrespect of her is as though you had done it to him. Do you think HE will give you this mercy?"
(I assume Intimidation? 20. If Hotspur helps, then advantage? 18)
As the villagers gather in the town square and Sir Olvar and Sir Valor address the men barricaded in the manor house, Thatch slides up to Sir Valor “I will just take a quick peek and see if I can find another way in, or find out if they are hiding anywhere else.” He slips away in the crowd and circles the manor quietly, looking for any sign of the sellswords to determine their defenses and for any other potential ways into the manor house.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Hotspur croaks, "... Throat... Dry... need... wine..." and looks around hopefully. If no one responds to his request, he shrugs and clears his throat.
Muttering to himself a moment, he calls upon the extra lung power he has developed through countless hours of singing to speak quite loudly. ( thaumaturgy with the following effect: Your voice booms up to three times as loud as normal for 1 minute.)
"HEAR ME, YE UNFORTUNATE SOULS IN THE MANOR HOUSE! I pity you! I pity you because you, through foolishness or desperation, have chosen a lost cause, a hopeless endeavor, a tragic ending. You have chosen to follow a trickster, a fake, a hollow man, this Le Cloche, who thought he may appear fair and noble outwardly, is nothing more than a swine in a wig and fancy clothes! And now, for your choice, you will pay with your lives!
"Here before you stands Olvar, rightful lord of the manor, and his renowned and his noble cousin, Sir Valor Dayne, scion of his house, and son of the Baron! Their conquests in battle are well-known, but so is their mercy! As you have just heard, you have been offered one final chance and choice. Renounce Le Clown... pardon me, Le Cloche, and you will receive fair treatment and possibly retain your lives! Leave this hopeless doom you have brought upon yourselves, and lay down your arms. Unless you do this, you shall suffer the wrath of these two mighty lords and the host of loyal followers that fight for them. Your defeat is certain, your deaths unavoidable unless you surrender now and claim this mercy which has been offered! Do not throw your lives away for Le Clown... sorry, Le Cloche. You have seen him up close. You know he is not worthy of your loyalty, and that when your usefulness to him is finished, he will cast you aside like an empty wineskin, to be burned with the garbage.
"This is your last warning! Choose wisely, friends. Choose to surrender yourselves to our benevolent lords and claim mercy, and live! Otherwise, this night your souls will burn in Hell!"
Persuasion 14 (If advantage applies, second roll: 15 )
The villagers of Maidens Vale raise a cheer and a number of them snatch up brooms, loom sticks and tools as makeshift weapons as they gather in the town square....
As the companions and villagers approach the manor, the last of its window-shutters are slammed shut. The sturdy doors of the old house are securely closed, and you can hear the sound of furniture being dragged across stone flags to barricade it.
Sir Olvar sways slightly as he stands at the front of the group, " Come now, Cousin! Give up this foolishness and even now you may find forgiveness!"
There are muttered sounds from behind the shutters...
Valor nods at Hotspur. "Announce me cousin." Then joins his voice to Olvar's, "I recommend you take his offer. He is much more forgiving than I am. And we are both more forgiving than Baron Aldred."
"For you sell-swords, I give you a further offer. Leave your weapons, and you may walk away from this place unharmed. Baron Aldred may decide not to spill Le Cloche's noble blood, but think how he will treat you after how you dealt with Lady Angela and her young child. She is his representative here in Maidens Vale. Your disrespect of her is as though you had done it to him. Do you think HE will give you this mercy?"
(I assume Intimidation? 19. If Hotspur helps, then advantage? 12)
As the villagers gather in the town square and Sir Olvar and Sir Valor address the men barricaded in the manor house, Thatch slides up to Sir Valor “I will just take a quick peek and see if I can find another way in, or find out if they are hiding anywhere else.” He slips away in the crowd and circles the manor quietly, looking for any sign of the sellswords to determine their defenses and for any other potential ways into the manor house.
Stealth: 17.
Perception: 22.
.
Thatch sees no sign of the mercenaries outside the manor, and determines that all those capable of fighting are contained within. Examining the shutters and doors again he determines that the only really hidden sign of ingress would perhaps be via the chimney....
Hotspur croaks, "... Throat... Dry... need... wine..." and looks around hopefully. If no one responds to his request, he shrugs and clears his throat.
Muttering to himself a moment, he calls upon the extra lung power he has developed through countless hours of singing to speak quite loudly. ( thaumaturgy with the following effect: Your voice booms up to three times as loud as normal for 1 minute.)
"HEAR ME, YE UNFORTUNATE SOULS IN THE MANOR HOUSE! I pity you! I pity you because you, through foolishness or desperation, have chosen a lost cause, a hopeless endeavor, a tragic ending. You have chosen to follow a trickster, a fake, a hollow man, this Le Cloche, who thought he may appear fair and noble outwardly, is nothing more than a swine in a wig and fancy clothes! And now, for your choice, you will pay with your lives!
"Here before you stands Olvar, rightful lord of the manor, and his renowned and his noble cousin, Sir Valor Dayne, scion of his house, and son of the Baron! Their conquests in battle are well-known, but so is their mercy! As you have just heard, you have been offered one final chance and choice. Renounce Le Clown... pardon me, Le Cloche, and you will receive fair treatment and possibly retain your lives! Leave this hopeless doom you have brought upon yourselves, and lay down your arms. Unless you do this, you shall suffer the wrath of these two mighty lords and the host of loyal followers that fight for them. Your defeat is certain, your deaths unavoidable unless you surrender now and claim this mercy which has been offered! Do not throw your lives away for Le Clown... sorry, Le Cloche. You have seen him up close. You know he is not worthy of your loyalty, and that when your usefulness to him is finished, he will cast you aside like an empty wineskin, to be burned with the garbage.
"This is your last warning! Choose wisely, friends. Choose to surrender yourselves to our benevolent lords and claim mercy, and live! Otherwise, this night your souls will burn in Hell!"
Persuasion 14 (If advantage applies, second roll: 15 )
As Hotspur finishes talking there is a shout from within and the sound of a heavy wooden bar being thrown down onto flagstones. Followed by the sound of spears and warhammers hitting the same.
A tall bearded man in a grey tabbard over a gambeson stepped out from the door, he held a fine looking espée out before him.
" Monsieur Chevalier Olvar. Monsieur Chevalier Valor. I thank you for the lives of my men and for my own."
" I am Arnaud de Cervole, leader of this band of routiers, Les Renards Noirs."
" Please accept my apologies for this......misunderstanding."
" Monsieur Chevalier Olvar. If you seek your cousin he has been upstairs drinking brandy since we got word that you had returned to Maidens Vale."
" Monsieur Chevalier Valor, I had another half dozen men.....you would not know their whereabouts would you?"
" With your leave we will depart. Men! Form up!"
Reaching into his purse he threw a gold coin Hotspurs way, " Le Clown. Le Pitre. Most excellent."
Valor nods. The commander had earned a modicum of respect for his concern about his men. "You've made a wise decision. As for your other men, I must say one was killed when he attacked us at the gates, the other was still living when I saw him last, though knocked unconscious. And there was a man we rescued from the witch's house who no one here recognizes. He may have been yours as well. The two injured men were taken to the tavern. Of the other three I know not."
"I am afraid to say we left the dead man, as we did not have time to retrieve him. Will you take his body with you or should we have him interred here?"
Valor nods. The commander had earned a modicum of respect for his concern about his men. "You've made a wise decision. As for your other men, I must say one was killed when he attacked us at the gates, the other was still living when I saw him last, though knocked unconscious. And there was a man we rescued from the witch's house who no one here recognizes. He may have been yours as well. The two injured men were taken to the tavern. Of the other three I know not."
"I am afraid to say we left the dead man, as we did not have time to retrieve him. Will you take his body with you or should we have him interred here?"
Arnaud nodded, " I will go alone to the tavern and retrieve these men. If they are mine. My men will wait for me at the stocks and then we will be on our way, I hear Earl Montombre pays quite well."
" As for the rest perhaps they deserted, their was talk of witchery and ghosts about. The dead care not where they lay, I remand him into the care of Maidens Vale."
Hotspur deftly catches the coin and pockets it. "Oh, we will meet again. Every night, in every tavern, around every hearth, and whenever friends who have not seen each other in a while reunite, this tale of our meeting will be told and retold, for months and years to come. But, thanks to your wise decision, instead of your men laying broken and bleeding at the end of story, they will ride off into the forest, and disappear mysteriously. All things considered, not too shabby of an exit. I'll make sure of it. And I thank you, ahead of time, for the many flagons of wine telling this tale shall earn me."
" Right as rain, she is."
Valor nods his thanks to Mother Clay and the others. "Thank you for taking care of the child. She is in good hands."
He gathers the party, that are nearby, inviting Lady Angela and Sir Olvar as well, "What think you? I think Hotspur's idea has merit. Your people love you," he says to Olvar and Angela, "They would rally to your cause. In my experience, numbers win conflict far more than training. Especially if we offer amnesty to the sellswords, and tell them we are only interested in Le Cloche. We send word to Baron Aldred and wait them out?"
**By the Light of the Sun, you will burn!**
Previously BENEFICENCE
DM: Storm Lord's Wrath || Syr Valor Dayne: Sleeping Gods || tooltips | guides | dice |
Sir Olvar nods in agreement, " You speak truthfully, Dear Cousin-in-Law. But that is part of what gives me pause, I would not have my people come to harm on my account....if it comes to blows we must keep them out of it."
" Shall we make a show of force and see what we can do about convincing Le Cloches friends to move on?"
" Angela, My Kestrell. I would have you remain here with Mother Clay and our child to keep them from harm."
Lady Angela looked about to object but nodded.
Sir Olvar made his way to the door, his face was drawn and haggard and he obviously hadn't slept for some days but he was determined.
He took up his blade and shield, " Shall we have your Herald make the opening address?"
Hotspur inclines his head. "I'd be honored, Sir Olvar. But will I be addressing your loyal followers, or the ruffians in the manor?"
" Perhaps one and then the other."
Hotspur suggests they send runners to gather the villagers together.
When a crowd has assembled, the bard steps up before them.
"Gentles, I have an epic tale to tale, but no time to tell it, not yet at least, for it is not quite finished. You see myself and my companions here before you, weary and bloody, for we have fought all night against foul beasts and fey spirits. And yet, the time for rest is not yet. You may have heard the rumor, but if not, I am here to proclaim: It is true! Your own beloved Sir Olvar, along with his noble cousin Sir Valor Dayne and his retinue have defeated the White Witch! It was a mighty struggle, with the life of his own child hanging in the balance! But they were victorious, and Maiden's Vale shall never again fear for their little ones each full moon. I promise you all the details at the tavern tonight, but for now there is no time!
"As you know, during Olvar's absence, the usurper Le Cloche cast his lady and newborn infant out into the cold! This craven interloper now sits in yonder manor house, drinking your lord's wine, and fouling the jewel of your village with his stink! Join us now as we march there to cast them out, and restore your valiant Sir Olvar to his ancestral home! We march to the manor! For Olvar! For the babes, now and in the future that he delivered! For Maiden's Vale! Onward!"
Persuasion 9 (If advantage applies (maybe someone helps?), second roll: 25 )
(Hotspur will wait until the plan of attack on the manor is more clear to determine how to address Le Cloche and his minions.)
Argyle had to stop himself from nodding as Hotspur finished his address. He knew the man could wield his tongue like he did his blades, but hearing it like this was another thing.
He cleared his throat and straightened himself. Not that he'd ever admit any of that to the man.
Sterling - V. Human Bard 3 (College of Art) - [Pic] - [Traits] - in Bards: Dragon Heist (w/ Mansion) - Jasper's [Pic] - Sterling's [Sigil]
Tooltips Post (2024 PHB updates) - incl. General Rules
>> New FOW threat & treasure tables: fow-advanced-threat-tables.pdf fow-advanced-treasure-table.pdf
( Theres enough backup and goodwill here for advantage.)
The villagers of Maidens Vale raise a cheer and a number of them snatch up brooms, loom sticks and tools as makeshift weapons as they gather in the town square....
As the companions and villagers approach the manor, the last of its window-shutters are slammed shut. The sturdy doors of the old house are securely closed, and you can hear the sound of furniture being dragged across stone flags to barricade it.
Sir Olvar sways slightly as he stands at the front of the group, " Come now, Cousin! Give up this foolishness and even now you may find forgiveness!"
Valor nods at Hotspur. "Announce me cousin." Then joins his voice to Olvar's, "I recommend you take his offer. He is much more forgiving than I am. And we are both more forgiving than Baron Aldred."
"For you sell-swords, I give you a further offer. Leave your weapons, and you may walk away from this place unharmed. Baron Aldred may decide not to spill Le Cloche's noble blood, but think how he will treat you after how you dealt with Lady Angela and her young child. She is his representative here in Maidens Vale. Your disrespect of her is as though you had done it to him. Do you think HE will give you this mercy?"
(I assume Intimidation? 20. If Hotspur helps, then advantage? 18)
**By the Light of the Sun, you will burn!**
Previously BENEFICENCE
DM: Storm Lord's Wrath || Syr Valor Dayne: Sleeping Gods || tooltips | guides | dice |
As the villagers gather in the town square and Sir Olvar and Sir Valor address the men barricaded in the manor house, Thatch slides up to Sir Valor “I will just take a quick peek and see if I can find another way in, or find out if they are hiding anywhere else.” He slips away in the crowd and circles the manor quietly, looking for any sign of the sellswords to determine their defenses and for any other potential ways into the manor house.
Stealth: 17.
Perception: 22.
.
Hotspur croaks, "... Throat... Dry... need... wine..." and looks around hopefully. If no one responds to his request, he shrugs and clears his throat.
Muttering to himself a moment, he calls upon the extra lung power he has developed through countless hours of singing to speak quite loudly. ( thaumaturgy with the following effect: Your voice booms up to three times as loud as normal for 1 minute.)
"HEAR ME, YE UNFORTUNATE SOULS IN THE MANOR HOUSE! I pity you! I pity you because you, through foolishness or desperation, have chosen a lost cause, a hopeless endeavor, a tragic ending. You have chosen to follow a trickster, a fake, a hollow man, this Le Cloche, who thought he may appear fair and noble outwardly, is nothing more than a swine in a wig and fancy clothes! And now, for your choice, you will pay with your lives!
"Here before you stands Olvar, rightful lord of the manor, and his renowned and his noble cousin, Sir Valor Dayne, scion of his house, and son of the Baron! Their conquests in battle are well-known, but so is their mercy! As you have just heard, you have been offered one final chance and choice. Renounce Le Clown... pardon me, Le Cloche, and you will receive fair treatment and possibly retain your lives! Leave this hopeless doom you have brought upon yourselves, and lay down your arms. Unless you do this, you shall suffer the wrath of these two mighty lords and the host of loyal followers that fight for them. Your defeat is certain, your deaths unavoidable unless you surrender now and claim this mercy which has been offered! Do not throw your lives away for Le Clown... sorry, Le Cloche. You have seen him up close. You know he is not worthy of your loyalty, and that when your usefulness to him is finished, he will cast you aside like an empty wineskin, to be burned with the garbage.
"This is your last warning! Choose wisely, friends. Choose to surrender yourselves to our benevolent lords and claim mercy, and live! Otherwise, this night your souls will burn in Hell!"
Persuasion 14 (If advantage applies, second roll: 15 )
There are muttered sounds from behind the shutters...
( Mercenary Morale reduced by 2)
The muttering within stops and silence reigns...
( Mercenary Morale reduced by 3)
Thatch sees no sign of the mercenaries outside the manor, and determines that all those capable of fighting are contained within. Examining the shutters and doors again he determines that the only really hidden sign of ingress would perhaps be via the chimney....
( Mercenary Morale reduced by 2)
-1
As Hotspur finishes talking there is a shout from within and the sound of a heavy wooden bar being thrown down onto flagstones. Followed by the sound of spears and warhammers hitting the same.
A tall bearded man in a grey tabbard over a gambeson stepped out from the door, he held a fine looking espée out before him.
" Monsieur Chevalier Olvar. Monsieur Chevalier Valor. I thank you for the lives of my men and for my own."
" I am Arnaud de Cervole, leader of this band of routiers, Les Renards Noirs."
" Please accept my apologies for this......misunderstanding."
" Monsieur Chevalier Olvar. If you seek your cousin he has been upstairs drinking brandy since we got word that you had returned to Maidens Vale."
" Monsieur Chevalier Valor, I had another half dozen men.....you would not know their whereabouts would you?"
" With your leave we will depart. Men! Form up!"
Reaching into his purse he threw a gold coin Hotspurs way, " Le Clown. Le Pitre. Most excellent."
Morseth has a look of surprise as the mercenaries leave. "That was amazing Hotspur. Shall we head in as Le Cloche should be alone now "
Valor nods. The commander had earned a modicum of respect for his concern about his men. "You've made a wise decision. As for your other men, I must say one was killed when he attacked us at the gates, the other was still living when I saw him last, though knocked unconscious. And there was a man we rescued from the witch's house who no one here recognizes. He may have been yours as well. The two injured men were taken to the tavern. Of the other three I know not."
"I am afraid to say we left the dead man, as we did not have time to retrieve him. Will you take his body with you or should we have him interred here?"
**By the Light of the Sun, you will burn!**
Previously BENEFICENCE
DM: Storm Lord's Wrath || Syr Valor Dayne: Sleeping Gods || tooltips | guides | dice |
Arnaud nodded, " I will go alone to the tavern and retrieve these men. If they are mine. My men will wait for me at the stocks and then we will be on our way, I hear Earl Montombre pays quite well."
" As for the rest perhaps they deserted, their was talk of witchery and ghosts about. The dead care not where they lay, I remand him into the care of Maidens Vale."
" I hope we do not meet again, Monsieurs."
Hotspur deftly catches the coin and pockets it. "Oh, we will meet again. Every night, in every tavern, around every hearth, and whenever friends who have not seen each other in a while reunite, this tale of our meeting will be told and retold, for months and years to come. But, thanks to your wise decision, instead of your men laying broken and bleeding at the end of story, they will ride off into the forest, and disappear mysteriously. All things considered, not too shabby of an exit. I'll make sure of it. And I thank you, ahead of time, for the many flagons of wine telling this tale shall earn me."
Tana watches quietly as the men depart, shaking her head lightly with a smile at Hotspur's words.
"The path ahead should be clear now, the time to advance is upon us."
Noire Havensong | Harengon Archfey Warlock 6/Lore Bard 4 | Westmarch - Guild of the Phoenix (Discord)
Tanatari Crelieu | Kalashtar Druid 2 | Damian_May's Sleeping Gods
Jynx Starrkeep | Changling GOO Warlock 2 | Astien's Tyranny of Dragons
DM | Eberron Eternal (Discord)