"I'm sure you do!" Mikus says. The conversation turns to more general things like the food and weather. If Grimbald wants to ask any specific questions of Mikus he can.
While en route to meet with the Woodsinger elves in the southern Harken Forest you are staying overnight at the Gravelstoke estate. The Gravelstokes are being generous and respectful hosts, and seem to be interested in the party's mission and are offering to share information. While the thought of them being vampires has crossed at least one party member's mind, there is little evidence to support this. Several of the family have been seen out during the day in natural light. They seem to be eating normally at the dinner banquet. No long canine teeth are in evidence and none of them are looking longingly at anyone's jugular. Vincent seems to be odd, and it's plain the staff don't like him, but he could just be a jerk. Or something worse.
Any party member may ask anything of either of the Gravelstokes sitting either side of them.
Xander is still waiting for Augustin to respond to him.
It is plain to all that Alesia Gravelstoke is interested in Vakiel. Whether that means romantically, or interested in something else about him is yet to be established.
Lady Regan and Esa are planning to meet up after the dinner.
"Mikus, your family tradition is very disciplined, are you what I. would call monks?"
"Ours is a monastic tradition so I guess people would name it thus. You certainly wouldn't be the first to describe us that way. Our family somehow picked up this tradition many generations ago, I think maybe one or more of our ancestors were delvers and came by it that way. Or maybe they were monks who became delvers. I should know this, probably. I'm sure it's taught to us but I just have little interest in history. My opinion is the only reason we should look at the past is to avoid making the same mistake a second time. All the rest is just story telling. Anyway, we just think of what you would call a monastic discipline as our family tradition of training. Our way of.. being.. I guess."
Tovin leans in and continues talking in the same tone and voice as his twin.
"We tell you all this, and give you free run of our estate because we trust you. We know Dar Gremath trusts you and Xander trusts him. We would like to know what you are doing so we could help with information or more practical help if we can. But because we trust you we are also happy for you to keep your mission a secret if you think that's best, and we will not be offended. After all, you don't know us at all. Our elder brother Xander will say more on this at some point, but he's made it clear to us that we should think of you as allies. I think he's conferring with your leader," Tovin nods towards Augustin, "to offer assistance in any way if it leads towards freeing the valley from the grip of the Iron Circle."
Augustin snaps back to reality, as if in a bit of a trance. He has been quiet since their last encounter, having suffered another wound, however, his ego is a bit more damaged then his leg currently. He finishes politely stuffing his face (as any good big farm boy would). He begins to brief Xander on their happenings over the past few days. Augustin whilst not smart, is not dumb, and omits a few of the more spicy details (such as the shrine), and largely keeps it encounter focussed. He doesn't provide exact details up front but lets the conversation ebb and flow as Xander seeks information on specific events. He genuinely tries to spruik the group as a people just doing things that is needed.
If he can get a bead on Xander's allegiances he will go into more detail about trying to fight the good fight against the Iron Circle through guerrilla warfare currently, and would genuinely like some support in helping disrupt their operations if they can assist in anyway.
Augustin further enquires, where appropriate about the training and wanting to better himself and would like, where possible to demonstrate his skills and seek feedback from an appropriate person on how he may continue to improve on his journey. He also asks for someone to look at his leg as it looks a bit mangy.
Those within earshot don't initially take much notice in the conversation but notice that Augustin seems to sit up straighter and hold a bigger presence as he discusses his deeds with Xander, as if his recollection about his positive impacts on others bolsters his mood and resolve. He speaks more passionately as time goes on.
When he finishes talking, he spots some food he has not tried yet and begins loading it onto his plate and eating again.
"We have a common enemy in the Iron Circle. Our missions are varied, Our leaders can sort out how best to do that. We are just a small band, so we must use that to our advantage, Observe annoy and disrupt the Iron circle, put doubt in their minds as to how many we are, and where we pop up. Squirrel warfare. "
"We have a common enemy in the Iron Circle. Our missions are varied, Our leaders can sort out how best to do that. We are just a small band, so we must use that to our advantage, Observe annoy and disrupt the Iron circle, put doubt in their minds as to how many we are, and where we pop up. Squirrel warfare. "
Augustin laughs and corrects himself to squirrel warfare.
Esa notices Augustin finally seems to be engaging with our hosts and listens as he speaks. Seemingly returned to his regular self, she turns her attention back to the dinner at hand, letting the men handle the talks of battle. However, as discussions continue, it seems obvious to her that the group is in need of a pow-wow to go over what they have learnt this evening.
Esa wants to make eye contact with someone else in the party, perhaps whoever might be sitting across from her or nearby
"We are looking to see how we can help. We've had messages from Dar Gremath, and as previously mentioned, we've had the Iron Circle at our gates. So you say.. 'squirrel warfare'.. against the Iron Circle. How does going deep into the southern Harken Forest help the fight against the Iron Circle?"
Esa notices Augustin finally seems to be engaging with our hosts and listens as he speaks. Seemingly returned to his regular self, she turns her attention back to the dinner at hand, letting the men handle the talks of battle. However, as discussions continue, it seems obvious to her that the group is in need of a pow-wow to go over what they have learnt this evening.
Esa wants to make eye contact with someone else in the party, perhaps whoever might be sitting across from her or nearby
Sitting across from you is Augustin, next to him is Alesia Gravelstoke then Vakiel. On your left is Lady Regan, and on your right is Vincent Gravelstoke then Rustling Leaves.
Esa notices Augustin finally seems to be engaging with our hosts and listens as he speaks. Seemingly returned to his regular self, she turns her attention back to the dinner at hand, letting the men handle the talks of battle. However, as discussions continue, it seems obvious to her that the group is in need of a pow-wow to go over what they have learnt this evening.
Esa wants to make eye contact with someone else in the party, perhaps whoever might be sitting across from her or nearby
Sitting across from you is Augustin, next to him is Alesia Gravelstoke then Vakiel. On your left is Lady Regan, and on your right is Vincent Gravelstoke then Rustling Leaves.
Actually new plan. Esa gets up from her seat and flies to the other side of the table, to Augustin's side and say loudly, "Please excuse me, I'm afraid my arms don't quite reach this far! Augustin, can you please hand me one of those?" She points to whatever food item is closeby, and as he reaches for it, she whispers in his ear "I'm meeting with the Lady after dinner, can you arrange a party meeting in your room for later this evening for when I return?"
Augustin hands Esa the bread slice and gives a small nod.
The servants bring out the next course - an array of meat dishes - which turns out to be venison, boar, and mutton - with various herbs, gravy, and sauces to add. Each person is given a knife and a small board to put meat onto, cut if they desire, and eat from with the knife or with fingers. Finger bowls and towels are put next to each diner also.
Lady Regan gestures to a younger female servant who cuts small portions of meat for Esa and then enquires which sauces or gravy she might like, and then helps with that. Then the servant takes up a position behind Esa to assist when requested.
Grimbald recognises the servant as the younger of the two women who he was eavesdropping on earlier. Vincent has a smirk on his face and he tries to catch the servant's eye, but she keeps her eyes fixed on the floor.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Grimbald will exaggerate his existing dwarven style of eating, loud, sloppy. If a bit of food flings towards Vincent, that is good. He wants to test the tolerance of Vincent. If nothing else, draw his attention away from the servant. Grimbald will thank the servants in their turn and ask of their names. When he is finished, he will explain that it his custom that no one clears or washes his dishes , unless they are paid handsomely. Grimbald will prefer the company of the servants from this point, and strike up conversation with them in the kitchen. Grimbald will say to the younger servant "I may speak out of turn, but there is a mean spirit about that man Vincent, I sense a cruelty about him. You can speak truly to me lass, he has hurt you, tell me how? Persuasion 19
DM's Hat: I'll have to deal with this in stages. The young lady in question is currently attending Esa, but when the current course is concluded he can help clear away the food and talk to her in the kitchen.
Grimbald flicks his fingers and some gravy lands on Vincent's sleeve. His face darkens and his lips compress into a tight line, but he says nothing. He looks at Xander, his father, who is talking to Augustin.
Tovin and Mikus seem delighted with Grimbald's eating habits. They say they'd only ever heard stories of dwarven enthusiastic eating style and it was amazing to see it in action. Alesia seems less enthusiastic, but she is mostly focused on Vakiel.
"Elves, elves in the forest can hopefully lend some assistance, whilst they generally don't care much for us, hopefully they will garner some interest in what we are doing when they hear the goblins are working with the Iron Circle. I hear the two groups dont get along to well. Plus it gives us the opportunity to disappear for a few days and reappear somewhere else to cause some havoc. Squirrel warfare. If we stick enough thorns in their side the Iron Circle will never really have a good hold on the place and we can continue to mobilise ourselves without being too unwieldly to manage or organise ourselves."
Augustin takes a long drink before starting to load up is plate again.
"We would appreciate some assistance moving supplies around, and people, we often come across prisoners or dispossessed folk, some kids are separated from their parents. Could be good for morale to reunite folks, give them a bit of hope and normality. Cant fight a war if your looking for your kids you know."
Augustin finishes loading up is plate and has a good look around the table to make sure he isn't missing anything.
"I guess, if you want to be more practical and direct, like we are..." he points with a small loaf of bread at the group. "Be the squirrel yourselves, one cart of supplies going missing here or there isn't much, but if several factions do it, it becomes a major issue, one they cant stamp out because they don't know what's going on. Ya know?"
He starts to load food into his mouth again and beneath bites adds the last point.
"Some bloke with a really big book and I guess a big brain once said something like "...death by a few cuts..." or something like that I wasn't paying too much attention. Never really thought about it until now, I guess he was trying to say, if you stab someone 3 or 4 times, its gonna get the job done just as if you did it once."
"I'm sure you do!" Mikus says. The conversation turns to more general things like the food and weather. If Grimbald wants to ask any specific questions of Mikus he can.
DM's Summary
While en route to meet with the Woodsinger elves in the southern Harken Forest you are staying overnight at the Gravelstoke estate. The Gravelstokes are being generous and respectful hosts, and seem to be interested in the party's mission and are offering to share information. While the thought of them being vampires has crossed at least one party member's mind, there is little evidence to support this. Several of the family have been seen out during the day in natural light. They seem to be eating normally at the dinner banquet. No long canine teeth are in evidence and none of them are looking longingly at anyone's jugular. Vincent seems to be odd, and it's plain the staff don't like him, but he could just be a jerk. Or something worse.
Any party member may ask anything of either of the Gravelstokes sitting either side of them.
Xander is still waiting for Augustin to respond to him.
It is plain to all that Alesia Gravelstoke is interested in Vakiel. Whether that means romantically, or interested in something else about him is yet to be established.
Lady Regan and Esa are planning to meet up after the dinner.
"Mikus, your family tradition is very disciplined, are you what I. would call monks?"
"Ours is a monastic tradition so I guess people would name it thus. You certainly wouldn't be the first to describe us that way. Our family somehow picked up this tradition many generations ago, I think maybe one or more of our ancestors were delvers and came by it that way. Or maybe they were monks who became delvers. I should know this, probably. I'm sure it's taught to us but I just have little interest in history. My opinion is the only reason we should look at the past is to avoid making the same mistake a second time. All the rest is just story telling. Anyway, we just think of what you would call a monastic discipline as our family tradition of training. Our way of.. being.. I guess."
Tovin leans in and continues talking in the same tone and voice as his twin.
"We tell you all this, and give you free run of our estate because we trust you. We know Dar Gremath trusts you and Xander trusts him. We would like to know what you are doing so we could help with information or more practical help if we can. But because we trust you we are also happy for you to keep your mission a secret if you think that's best, and we will not be offended. After all, you don't know us at all. Our elder brother Xander will say more on this at some point, but he's made it clear to us that we should think of you as allies. I think he's conferring with your leader," Tovin nods towards Augustin, "to offer assistance in any way if it leads towards freeing the valley from the grip of the Iron Circle."
insight check 8
Augustin snaps back to reality, as if in a bit of a trance. He has been quiet since their last encounter, having suffered another wound, however, his ego is a bit more damaged then his leg currently. He finishes politely stuffing his face (as any good big farm boy would). He begins to brief Xander on their happenings over the past few days. Augustin whilst not smart, is not dumb, and omits a few of the more spicy details (such as the shrine), and largely keeps it encounter focussed. He doesn't provide exact details up front but lets the conversation ebb and flow as Xander seeks information on specific events. He genuinely tries to spruik the group as a people just doing things that is needed.
If he can get a bead on Xander's allegiances he will go into more detail about trying to fight the good fight against the Iron Circle through guerrilla warfare currently, and would genuinely like some support in helping disrupt their operations if they can assist in anyway.
Augustin further enquires, where appropriate about the training and wanting to better himself and would like, where possible to demonstrate his skills and seek feedback from an appropriate person on how he may continue to improve on his journey. He also asks for someone to look at his leg as it looks a bit mangy.
Those within earshot don't initially take much notice in the conversation but notice that Augustin seems to sit up straighter and hold a bigger presence as he discusses his deeds with Xander, as if his recollection about his positive impacts on others bolsters his mood and resolve. He speaks more passionately as time goes on.
When he finishes talking, he spots some food he has not tried yet and begins loading it onto his plate and eating again.
"We have a common enemy in the Iron Circle. Our missions are varied, Our leaders can sort out how best to do that. We are just a small band, so we must use that to our advantage, Observe annoy and disrupt the Iron circle, put doubt in their minds as to how many we are, and where we pop up. Squirrel warfare. "
Augustin laughs and corrects himself to squirrel warfare.
Esa notices Augustin finally seems to be engaging with our hosts and listens as he speaks. Seemingly returned to his regular self, she turns her attention back to the dinner at hand, letting the men handle the talks of battle. However, as discussions continue, it seems obvious to her that the group is in need of a pow-wow to go over what they have learnt this evening.
Esa wants to make eye contact with someone else in the party, perhaps whoever might be sitting across from her or nearby
Xander nods.
"We are looking to see how we can help. We've had messages from Dar Gremath, and as previously mentioned, we've had the Iron Circle at our gates. So you say.. 'squirrel warfare'.. against the Iron Circle. How does going deep into the southern Harken Forest help the fight against the Iron Circle?"
Sitting across from you is Augustin, next to him is Alesia Gravelstoke then Vakiel. On your left is Lady Regan, and on your right is Vincent Gravelstoke then Rustling Leaves.
Actually new plan. Esa gets up from her seat and flies to the other side of the table, to Augustin's side and say loudly, "Please excuse me, I'm afraid my arms don't quite reach this far! Augustin, can you please hand me one of those?" She points to whatever food item is closeby, and as he reaches for it, she whispers in his ear "I'm meeting with the Lady after dinner, can you arrange a party meeting in your room for later this evening for when I return?"
Augustin hands Esa the bread slice and gives a small nod.
The servants bring out the next course - an array of meat dishes - which turns out to be venison, boar, and mutton - with various herbs, gravy, and sauces to add. Each person is given a knife and a small board to put meat onto, cut if they desire, and eat from with the knife or with fingers. Finger bowls and towels are put next to each diner also.
Esa requests her meat to he cut for her, as the cutlery and meat are almost the size of her.
Lady Regan gestures to a younger female servant who cuts small portions of meat for Esa and then enquires which sauces or gravy she might like, and then helps with that. Then the servant takes up a position behind Esa to assist when requested.
Grimbald recognises the servant as the younger of the two women who he was eavesdropping on earlier. Vincent has a smirk on his face and he tries to catch the servant's eye, but she keeps her eyes fixed on the floor.
Grimbald will exaggerate his existing dwarven style of eating, loud, sloppy. If a bit of food flings towards Vincent, that is good. He wants to test the tolerance of Vincent. If nothing else, draw his attention away from the servant. Grimbald will thank the servants in their turn and ask of their names. When he is finished, he will explain that it his custom that no one clears or washes his dishes , unless they are paid handsomely. Grimbald will prefer the company of the servants from this point, and strike up conversation with them in the kitchen. Grimbald will say to the younger servant "I may speak out of turn, but there is a mean spirit about that man Vincent, I sense a cruelty about him. You can speak truly to me lass, he has hurt you, tell me how? Persuasion 19
DM's Hat: I'll have to deal with this in stages. The young lady in question is currently attending Esa, but when the current course is concluded he can help clear away the food and talk to her in the kitchen.
Grimbald flicks his fingers and some gravy lands on Vincent's sleeve. His face darkens and his lips compress into a tight line, but he says nothing. He looks at Xander, his father, who is talking to Augustin.
Tovin and Mikus seem delighted with Grimbald's eating habits. They say they'd only ever heard stories of dwarven enthusiastic eating style and it was amazing to see it in action. Alesia seems less enthusiastic, but she is mostly focused on Vakiel.
Augustin managers to stuff is face for a moment.
"Elves, elves in the forest can hopefully lend some assistance, whilst they generally don't care much for us, hopefully they will garner some interest in what we are doing when they hear the goblins are working with the Iron Circle. I hear the two groups dont get along to well. Plus it gives us the opportunity to disappear for a few days and reappear somewhere else to cause some havoc. Squirrel warfare. If we stick enough thorns in their side the Iron Circle will never really have a good hold on the place and we can continue to mobilise ourselves without being too unwieldly to manage or organise ourselves."
Augustin takes a long drink before starting to load up is plate again.
"We would appreciate some assistance moving supplies around, and people, we often come across prisoners or dispossessed folk, some kids are separated from their parents. Could be good for morale to reunite folks, give them a bit of hope and normality. Cant fight a war if your looking for your kids you know."
Augustin finishes loading up is plate and has a good look around the table to make sure he isn't missing anything.
"I guess, if you want to be more practical and direct, like we are..." he points with a small loaf of bread at the group. "Be the squirrel yourselves, one cart of supplies going missing here or there isn't much, but if several factions do it, it becomes a major issue, one they cant stamp out because they don't know what's going on. Ya know?"
He starts to load food into his mouth again and beneath bites adds the last point.
"Some bloke with a really big book and I guess a big brain once said something like "...death by a few cuts..." or something like that I wasn't paying too much attention. Never really thought about it until now, I guess he was trying to say, if you stab someone 3 or 4 times, its gonna get the job done just as if you did it once."
Dwarven belch with advantage to express Grimbald's satisfaction with the meal 14
that should echo