Dahme'dre regularly waves to Aio hoping for updates on any changes, though she's confident her ally will warn them of danger. If Aio lands with the party at those times she'll grant her Guidance before she takes to the air again.
As the party approaches the gate, Valen will keep his shield pulled in close and a hand on his sword.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Characters:
Grishkar Darkmoor, Necromancer of Nerull the Despiser Kelvin Rabbitfoot, Diviner, con artist, always hunting for a good sale Bründir Halfshield, Valor Bard, three-time Sheercleft Drinking Competition Champion, Hometown hero
As the party approaches the gates, the guards stir slightly. Neither of them are the woman who spoke to you upon the road, but you now distinctly recognize them as having traveled with the caravan you overtook. They appear to recognize you as well, hailing you when you come without shout distance.
"You approach the gates of Arion during a Ducal Seating," one shouts in what appears a well rehearsed greeting, "state your business and know that Imperial Law binds all who walk these streets." His voice is gruff and loud. Dahme'dre, your more refined upbringing well used to the intrigues of court detects the faintest hint of a sardonic irony, almost imperceptible in the man's tone.
"Our business is none of yours, ineffective little guard." Kuori sneers at the guard.
Intimidation: 10
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Horatio Hirschfeld - Squire imbued with fae powers, in the Coliseum of Conquest (W2/L1) DM for Reavers of Harkenwold, and sometimes The Fighting Grounds of the Coliseum
"We intend to resupply and pass through." Dahme'dre answers assessing the situation as she looks the guards over with a critical eye.
Has Ducal always had such failing attempts at administrating this town? Do they have a reputation for abusing power? Why would they need a contingent of imperial guards, and why would the imperial guard protect Ducal interests? (History:(1)19)
"The failings of this system are evident" she says to the party "Each house easily abandons their problems to the next... Stay sharp."
(I believe by "Ducal", its meant as a thing relating to a Duke. Since it was mentioned before about a rotating leadership, this could be something of the inauguration of a new leader.)
Valen steps up ahead next to Dahme'dre, "I apologize on account of my fellow retainer here," Valen nods to Kuori and passes a quick wink to play along, "We travel with My Lady here and are only passing through." He motions a hand toward Dahme'dre.
If/when the guards take their eyes off the party, Valen quickly turns to everyone else "Best to keep a fitting profile. Nobility are recognized by name and banner, so best to place some of us as persons of note, but not status. The rest of us should act simply as retainers. Not mercenaries nor exemplary warriors, just some protective aids."
Grishkar Darkmoor, Necromancer of Nerull the Despiser Kelvin Rabbitfoot, Diviner, con artist, always hunting for a good sale Bründir Halfshield, Valor Bard, three-time Sheercleft Drinking Competition Champion, Hometown hero
The guards appear singly unimpressed with Kuori's growl, though the more distant guard does remove a small whistle from a pocket. "Too many blows to the head?" asks the closer guard rhetorically, raising a sardonic eyebrow. "During a Ducal Seating, all visitors to the town must declare themselves or be barred entry."
To Dahme'dre he says, "Passing through is good, especially if it swift. Resupply may be more difficult, but you are welcome to that the merchants can part with, provided you keep your bargaining fair, your tongue civil and your blades sheathed."
The guardsman with the whistle adds wryly, "Or simply wait a fortnight and do as you will." This earns him a stern glare from his companion and he quietens, looking slightly chastised.
Dahme'dre, the term Ducal Seating is familiar to you from recent history. As the Withering drained the Empire dry, various schemes were trialed and abandoned to mitigate or sidestep its foul curse. The Seatings were among the least unsuccessful. The Emperor's Court offered great reward and the assistance of the Royal Guard for any nobility willing to take upon themselves the management of a town or province on a rotational basis. Traveling from the shielded capital, adventurous nobles would govern as long as they dared and then return with all haste, seeking never to linger long enough to feel the Withering's dark touch.
Your knowledge of history reveals these to have been a mitigated failure at best. The severe shortage of nobles willing to take the risk meant Seatings, even in towns comparatively adjacent to the capital like Arion are inconsistent in the extreme. Short periods of order, followed by significant periods of lawlessness as noble and Guard withdrew to the capital.
"Who has taken on the seat of Arion?" Dahme'dre asks the guard "How long has passed since the last seating?"
(sorry, I mistook Ducal as the name not the title. Also, I didn't realize there were periods with no sitting ruler between successions. I presume this Duke has sat for all of one morning.)
(( Sorry Valen, our posts crossed swords and I missed yours. could you roll a deception check please?
Dahme'dre, if you want to play along with Valen's ruse, can you roll one too? Keep in mind you haven't bathed since your fight with a monster inside a tower filled with rotting plants so you're not quite at your noble best, just in case you want to throw in a flourish or two to sell it.
((Sorry, I had a crazy week and wasn't able to post much. It was the end of the fiscal year, so work was insane. Anyways....))
Erdan is standing towards the back of the group. If things do not look they are going smoothly with Valen's deception, he will try to discretely cast charm person (Wis 13) on the main guard who is talking to them, hoping that the menacing barbarian is drawing all the watchful guards attention.
Dahme'dre is up early. ... she's taken time to brush her hair and wash, taking care to maintain her appearance.
A bath, no, but she looks as well as she can manage given she's been on the road.)
Dahme'dre cleans her dress with a snap of her fingers and consciously perfumes the air with rose to lend to her nobility. She will help her party pass as more, or less, than her companions whenever they wish.
Grishkar Darkmoor, Necromancer of Nerull the Despiser Kelvin Rabbitfoot, Diviner, con artist, always hunting for a good sale Bründir Halfshield, Valor Bard, three-time Sheercleft Drinking Competition Champion, Hometown hero
The guard freezes at the mention of Dahme'dre's title, and takes a fresh look at her bearing, which is unmistakably noble. This instantly puts even Kuori's aggressive posture into context as the natural arrogance of those who guard nobility. Arrogance the man, as a Royal Guard, finds oddly comforting in a comraderly fashion.
"My apologies Lady," he says to you with a half bow, "we were not aware of any other nobles travelling in this area. Had you but identified yourself yesterday upon the rode I have no doubt the Duke would have considered allowing you to ride to Arion in comfort more befitting your..." he pauses, taking in your cleaned but still not entirely spotless appearance, "...station."
He nods over his shoulder at the town, "You are welcome to the peace of Arion, but I must insist you call upon the Duke. He will want to greet a noble visitor, so rare out here beyond the walls of Thar." He moves aside to let you pass, clearly intending to escort you directly to the Duke.
((Erdan, since the deception appears to have worked I'm assuming you cancel your Charm spell.))
"Very well." Dahme'dre replies. She hadn't intended to make a scene, and she could see Kuori was discomforted by the prospect, but she thought it unwise to refuse.
As they enter, Valen passes between Dahme'dre and Kuori. He leans in a moment to whisper to Kuori, "Keep that blade close and these two closer." He then motions for Erdan to come up next to Dahme'dre. (If Aio is with us and not airborne, Valen fall to the rear with her)
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Characters:
Grishkar Darkmoor, Necromancer of Nerull the Despiser Kelvin Rabbitfoot, Diviner, con artist, always hunting for a good sale Bründir Halfshield, Valor Bard, three-time Sheercleft Drinking Competition Champion, Hometown hero
Erdan will be concealing everything that might give him away as a spell caster, currently. He will awkwardly be clutching his light crossbow (unarmed) to his chest, as if he's a retainer unaccustomed to it. Erdan will move forward up to Dahme'dre at Valen's urging, with his nose upturned toward the guard.
He will lean in towards Dahme'dre and say, in a loud whisper (making sure to be overheard) "My Lady, we have a schedule to keep. I'm not sure we have time to meet with this...." He will turn and look toward the guard. "Who was it you said has taken up the seat here?"
The guard moves slightly ahead as the party falls in behind him, leading the way through what little remains of the gates into the town proper. Within, dank and dusty streets stand largely empty. A few citizens, moving quickly and keeping their heads down, move about on errands or between the few visible shops. You spot a number of them maintaining a white knuckled grip on their possessions, their gazes flickering around as if scanning for danger.
Some of the buildings look abandoned, while others appear to have been fortified with makeshift defenses. No occupied dwelling you can see has ground-floor windows unbarred or blockaded by planks of wood. On several of the rooftops, small makeshift fortifications indicate a blind for an archer or crossbowman.
The Guard does not interrupt upon hearing Erdan's whisper, clearly noting the remark far too well trained to interject into a whispered conversation between a noblewoman and her retainer. In answer to your question he says, "Why, as you would be well aware My Lady, Duke Milles holds the Arion Seating," he says to Dahme'dre, not quite masking his surprise at your lack of knowledge.
"Oh would I?" Dahme'dre gives him a mild withering glance. She taps her chin reflecting. "We did see Duke Milles crest on your caravan, but I couldn't be sure if he was traveling himself."
She tries to recall what she knows of Duke Milles. (History: (2)Unable to parse dice roll.)
Dahme'dre, the guard offers a half bow at your withering response but still looks slightly surprised. "Yes, yes, of course M'Lady," he says uncertainly, before continuing to lead the way into the town. Curiously, he does not appear to be heading to what was clearly the city hall in better times. The building now stands abandoned and looks to have been thoroughly looted. Instead, he makes his way down a side street, past a checkpoint of vigilant and visibly tense Royal Guards you recognize from the caravan and toward a squat, one floor building.
The windows of this squat, redstone structure have been boarded up neatly with redwood planks and the crest of the Milles family flies on a small banner above the door, which is guarded by the female Guardswoman you spoke to on the road.
While your historical knowledge doesn't reveal anything about the current Duke Milles, the family name is known to you. Interestingly, the line of Milles, at least as it appears in the recent history texts you have read, it is marked as an Earldom, well short of the Ducal title the current occupant apparently holds. There is nothing in the books you have read indicating an imminent rise, suggesting a fairly recent elevation.
What your recollection does bring to mind is not hugely flattering. The Milles were minor, rural nobility, in the eastern reaches of the Empire until a mine on their land, long thought exhausted, yielded several significant seams of silver. The wealth this brought was spent liberally in the capital, elevating the Milles standing in society through masquerade balls and other entertainments for the elite.
(( I love that you roll consistently above 20 for History and then fail saving throws against necrotic death rays. ))
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
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Dahme'dre regularly waves to Aio hoping for updates on any changes, though she's confident her ally will warn them of danger. If Aio lands with the party at those times she'll grant her Guidance before she takes to the air again.
Extended Signature
As the party approaches the gate, Valen will keep his shield pulled in close and a hand on his sword.
Characters:
Grishkar Darkmoor, Necromancer of Nerull the Despiser
Kelvin Rabbitfoot, Diviner, con artist, always hunting for a good sale
Bründir Halfshield, Valor Bard, three-time Sheercleft Drinking Competition Champion, Hometown hero
As the party approaches the gates, the guards stir slightly. Neither of them are the woman who spoke to you upon the road, but you now distinctly recognize them as having traveled with the caravan you overtook. They appear to recognize you as well, hailing you when you come without shout distance.
"You approach the gates of Arion during a Ducal Seating," one shouts in what appears a well rehearsed greeting, "state your business and know that Imperial Law binds all who walk these streets." His voice is gruff and loud. Dahme'dre, your more refined upbringing well used to the intrigues of court detects the faintest hint of a sardonic irony, almost imperceptible in the man's tone.
"Our business is none of yours, ineffective little guard." Kuori sneers at the guard.
Intimidation: 10
Horatio Hirschfeld - Squire imbued with fae powers, in the Coliseum of Conquest (W2/L1)
DM for Reavers of Harkenwold, and sometimes The Fighting Grounds of the Coliseum
"We intend to resupply and pass through." Dahme'dre answers assessing the situation as she looks the guards over with a critical eye.
Has Ducal always had such failing attempts at administrating this town? Do they have a reputation for abusing power? Why would they need a contingent of imperial guards, and why would the imperial guard protect Ducal interests? (History:(1)19)
"The failings of this system are evident" she says to the party "Each house easily abandons their problems to the next... Stay sharp."
Extended Signature
(I believe by "Ducal", its meant as a thing relating to a Duke. Since it was mentioned before about a rotating leadership, this could be something of the inauguration of a new leader.)
Valen steps up ahead next to Dahme'dre, "I apologize on account of my fellow retainer here," Valen nods to Kuori and passes a quick wink to play along, "We travel with My Lady here and are only passing through." He motions a hand toward Dahme'dre.
If/when the guards take their eyes off the party, Valen quickly turns to everyone else "Best to keep a fitting profile. Nobility are recognized by name and banner, so best to place some of us as persons of note, but not status. The rest of us should act simply as retainers. Not mercenaries nor exemplary warriors, just some protective aids."
Characters:
Grishkar Darkmoor, Necromancer of Nerull the Despiser
Kelvin Rabbitfoot, Diviner, con artist, always hunting for a good sale
Bründir Halfshield, Valor Bard, three-time Sheercleft Drinking Competition Champion, Hometown hero
The guards appear singly unimpressed with Kuori's growl, though the more distant guard does remove a small whistle from a pocket. "Too many blows to the head?" asks the closer guard rhetorically, raising a sardonic eyebrow. "During a Ducal Seating, all visitors to the town must declare themselves or be barred entry."
To Dahme'dre he says, "Passing through is good, especially if it swift. Resupply may be more difficult, but you are welcome to that the merchants can part with, provided you keep your bargaining fair, your tongue civil and your blades sheathed."
The guardsman with the whistle adds wryly, "Or simply wait a fortnight and do as you will." This earns him a stern glare from his companion and he quietens, looking slightly chastised.
Dahme'dre, the term Ducal Seating is familiar to you from recent history. As the Withering drained the Empire dry, various schemes were trialed and abandoned to mitigate or sidestep its foul curse. The Seatings were among the least unsuccessful. The Emperor's Court offered great reward and the assistance of the Royal Guard for any nobility willing to take upon themselves the management of a town or province on a rotational basis. Traveling from the shielded capital, adventurous nobles would govern as long as they dared and then return with all haste, seeking never to linger long enough to feel the Withering's dark touch.
Your knowledge of history reveals these to have been a mitigated failure at best. The severe shortage of nobles willing to take the risk meant Seatings, even in towns comparatively adjacent to the capital like Arion are inconsistent in the extreme. Short periods of order, followed by significant periods of lawlessness as noble and Guard withdrew to the capital.
"Who has taken on the seat of Arion?" Dahme'dre asks the guard "How long has passed since the last seating?"
(sorry, I mistook Ducal as the name not the title. Also, I didn't realize there were periods with no sitting ruler between successions. I presume this Duke has sat for all of one morning.)
Extended Signature
(( Sorry Valen, our posts crossed swords and I missed yours. could you roll a deception check please?
Dahme'dre, if you want to play along with Valen's ruse, can you roll one too? Keep in mind you haven't bathed since your fight with a monster inside a tower filled with rotting plants so you're not quite at your noble best, just in case you want to throw in a flourish or two to sell it.
Aio, Kuori, Erdan, no rolls required yet.))
((Sorry, I had a crazy week and wasn't able to post much. It was the end of the fiscal year, so work was insane. Anyways....))
Erdan is standing towards the back of the group. If things do not look they are going smoothly with Valen's deception, he will try to discretely cast charm person (Wis 13) on the main guard who is talking to them, hoping that the menacing barbarian is drawing all the watchful guards attention.
(Ruse!? The d'Lyric name may not carry the weight it once did, but we are not completly without notoriety.
A bath, no, but she looks as well as she can manage given she's been on the road.)
Dahme'dre cleans her dress with a snap of her fingers and consciously perfumes the air with rose to lend to her nobility. She will help her party pass as more, or less, than her companions whenever they wish.
Extended Signature
(Deception: 10 plus Guidance(?) 3)
Characters:
Grishkar Darkmoor, Necromancer of Nerull the Despiser
Kelvin Rabbitfoot, Diviner, con artist, always hunting for a good sale
Bründir Halfshield, Valor Bard, three-time Sheercleft Drinking Competition Champion, Hometown hero
Dahme'dre is pleased to take on Valen as a retainer. He's proven capable and well mannered in these few days. (Deception: (3)9)
Extended Signature
The guard freezes at the mention of Dahme'dre's title, and takes a fresh look at her bearing, which is unmistakably noble. This instantly puts even Kuori's aggressive posture into context as the natural arrogance of those who guard nobility. Arrogance the man, as a Royal Guard, finds oddly comforting in a comraderly fashion.
"My apologies Lady," he says to you with a half bow, "we were not aware of any other nobles travelling in this area. Had you but identified yourself yesterday upon the rode I have no doubt the Duke would have considered allowing you to ride to Arion in comfort more befitting your..." he pauses, taking in your cleaned but still not entirely spotless appearance, "...station."
He nods over his shoulder at the town, "You are welcome to the peace of Arion, but I must insist you call upon the Duke. He will want to greet a noble visitor, so rare out here beyond the walls of Thar." He moves aside to let you pass, clearly intending to escort you directly to the Duke.
((Erdan, since the deception appears to have worked I'm assuming you cancel your Charm spell.))
"Very well." Dahme'dre replies. She hadn't intended to make a scene, and she could see Kuori was discomforted by the prospect, but she thought it unwise to refuse.
Extended Signature
As they enter, Valen passes between Dahme'dre and Kuori. He leans in a moment to whisper to Kuori, "Keep that blade close and these two closer." He then motions for Erdan to come up next to Dahme'dre. (If Aio is with us and not airborne, Valen fall to the rear with her)
Characters:
Grishkar Darkmoor, Necromancer of Nerull the Despiser
Kelvin Rabbitfoot, Diviner, con artist, always hunting for a good sale
Bründir Halfshield, Valor Bard, three-time Sheercleft Drinking Competition Champion, Hometown hero
((Yes, he's going to cancel it.))
Erdan will be concealing everything that might give him away as a spell caster, currently. He will awkwardly be clutching his light crossbow (unarmed) to his chest, as if he's a retainer unaccustomed to it. Erdan will move forward up to Dahme'dre at Valen's urging, with his nose upturned toward the guard.
He will lean in towards Dahme'dre and say, in a loud whisper (making sure to be overheard) "My Lady, we have a schedule to keep. I'm not sure we have time to meet with this...." He will turn and look toward the guard. "Who was it you said has taken up the seat here?"
The guard moves slightly ahead as the party falls in behind him, leading the way through what little remains of the gates into the town proper. Within, dank and dusty streets stand largely empty. A few citizens, moving quickly and keeping their heads down, move about on errands or between the few visible shops. You spot a number of them maintaining a white knuckled grip on their possessions, their gazes flickering around as if scanning for danger.
Some of the buildings look abandoned, while others appear to have been fortified with makeshift defenses. No occupied dwelling you can see has ground-floor windows unbarred or blockaded by planks of wood. On several of the rooftops, small makeshift fortifications indicate a blind for an archer or crossbowman.
The Guard does not interrupt upon hearing Erdan's whisper, clearly noting the remark far too well trained to interject into a whispered conversation between a noblewoman and her retainer. In answer to your question he says, "Why, as you would be well aware My Lady, Duke Milles holds the Arion Seating," he says to Dahme'dre, not quite masking his surprise at your lack of knowledge.
"Oh would I?" Dahme'dre gives him a mild withering glance. She taps her chin reflecting. "We did see Duke Milles crest on your caravan, but I couldn't be sure if he was traveling himself."
She tries to recall what she knows of Duke Milles. (History: (2)Unable to parse dice roll.)
Extended Signature
Dahme'dre, the guard offers a half bow at your withering response but still looks slightly surprised. "Yes, yes, of course M'Lady," he says uncertainly, before continuing to lead the way into the town. Curiously, he does not appear to be heading to what was clearly the city hall in better times. The building now stands abandoned and looks to have been thoroughly looted. Instead, he makes his way down a side street, past a checkpoint of vigilant and visibly tense Royal Guards you recognize from the caravan and toward a squat, one floor building.
The windows of this squat, redstone structure have been boarded up neatly with redwood planks and the crest of the Milles family flies on a small banner above the door, which is guarded by the female Guardswoman you spoke to on the road.
While your historical knowledge doesn't reveal anything about the current Duke Milles, the family name is known to you. Interestingly, the line of Milles, at least as it appears in the recent history texts you have read, it is marked as an Earldom, well short of the Ducal title the current occupant apparently holds. There is nothing in the books you have read indicating an imminent rise, suggesting a fairly recent elevation.
What your recollection does bring to mind is not hugely flattering. The Milles were minor, rural nobility, in the eastern reaches of the Empire until a mine on their land, long thought exhausted, yielded several significant seams of silver. The wealth this brought was spent liberally in the capital, elevating the Milles standing in society through masquerade balls and other entertainments for the elite.
(( I love that you roll consistently above 20 for History and then fail saving throws against necrotic death rays. ))