(Casual D&D V) The Tourne

[Sparky]

Oliver steps forward. "We have these to vouch for our own authenticity." He nudges Fendric, "Show him the letters from Brich and the rest," he murmurs.

"The letter for Sir Vaustus must be delivered directly. I hope you can forgive our insistence upon that matter."

OOC:

Diplomacy: 13

Woo! Get in there Fendric! Save us from Oliver's not-so-stunning diplomacy!

 

[Guilt Puppy]

The man at the piano turns a cold eye on Oliver as he steps forward, but his tune continues uninterrupted. Arrich leans away, holding up his palm.

"I apologize, good sir, if I have offended! I meant to insinuate nothing upon your character, I assure you. It's just not the circumstance to act on trust alone..."

He exhales, looking around the room briefly before finding new words.

"Why don't we go ahead and get you set up with your lodgings, then? I'll draft a Mandate of Service for you, and then you can find a place you like. We can proceed when Sir Vaustus is ready to receive visitors again. Does that sound good? Let me escort you out, then..."

The serving man in the corner holds the door open wide, face impassive, as Arrich stands, looking about for a response.

[sblock=Xiao and Oliver]Based on his glance around the room, you get the sense that Arrich is feeling nervous about the two apparent servants present.[/sblock]

 

[Sparky]

Hmm... that wasn't how I meant to come across. Still, effective.

Oliver stops short of the cold-eyed doorman and glances away only to give his companions a nod to spur them through the door. He tries to keep his face smooth as he watches the strange servant, looking for any sign of aggression towards his comrades or his own person. He scours his memory for an inn the group would have passed on their way to the formidable fortress. One that he might hint for Sir Arrich to meet them at later... hopefully sans his unnerving escort.

OOC: Gather Information check +6 = 14

 

[Guilt Puppy]

Arrich steps forward, leading the group out the door and back through the loose nest of corridors to the place where you had entered. The serving-men remain behind, eying your exit silently.

[sblock=Oliver]Oliver thinks back; the estate they'd stayed at had been on the outskirts so they'd never been through the city proper, but he does remember Sturt mentioning that the inn Andhourt's was a good place to catch local music, although that might not be a great sign about the quality of its lodgings. And Koehl's family estate would almost certainly welcome the group to stay longer, although how long would be difficult to gauge.[/sblock]

 

[dpdx]

As Fendric felt through the letters to produce the One that would contain Thedoric's seal to show Sir Arrich, he grew increasingly uneasy with every second that passed. Hiritus' look of somber but resolute determination only sealed that emotion.

Oliver's nudge and suggestion sent his hand in a different direction, for the letters from Brich and the other Lords of the West, those he had first met at the Tourne. Fendric's intersection with an actual letter came only in time to meet with Sir Arrich's hasty acceptance of Fendric's offer to meet at a better time.

Hand stayed for the moment, Fendric moved toward the door, Hiritus acting as vigilant escort, eyes boring into the pianoman and the servant. Fendric, seeing not much amiss, turned to offer to Sir Arrich as they headed for the door:

"Your offer is much appreciated, May the Radiant Light Shine Upon You. And if I might trouble you once more to send word to us when it might be safe to have even a supervised visit to Sir Rienne Vaustus, we could resolve this matter with minimal bother and tantamount respect and safety to the Crest!"

 

[doghead]

ic - Casual

Xiao ponders the meaning of what he thinks he saw. Why would Arrich be nervous of the servants?. The stranger from a strange land doesn't like the situation one bit. It was easier when everyone seemed equally suspect. Now it would seem that there are two camps and in the castle, suspect and also suspect. Xiao sighs softly. Perhaps Xiao is misunderstand situation.

Xiao resolves to pass on what he saw, or maybe saw, to the rest of the company once they can talk freely again.

 

[Sparky]

Oliver scours his memory for inns and comes up with a place whose reputation he can't vouch for, he ponders briefly Arrich's seeming unease and hobbles quickly to head of the column, "We're new to the city. Where would you reccommend we stay? Somewhere with music and private accomadations. Somewhere friends might sit and talk." He looks meaningfully at Arrich, hoping the man catches his meaning.

OOC: Diplomacy 1d20+6 = 10

Good grief.

 

[Festy_Dog]

Nurthk quietly plods along amongst the others, increasingly frustrated and feeling as though nothing had been accomplished.

He grumbles to himself, something about Arrich and inept servants. Nurthk looks like he wants a drink or three.

 

[dpdx]

Once they have traversed the long corridor of murder holes and ambush spots in the castle, Hiritus looks around to make sure no one of taint is nearby (and that Arrich's taint remains faint or dissipating, and is therefore explainable from proximity to the servants).

If the coast is clear, and the party is out of earshot and eyeshot of the servants, Hiritus turns to their escort, Sir Arrich, and looking him in the eye, asks softly and politely:

"Are you well, Sir Arrich?"

 

[Guilt Puppy]

Arrich considers Oliver's question only briefly.

"The Farlund is a fine place, on the Northern end of the city. Plenty of privacy, and fine entertainments in the dining hall. It's where the wealthier merchants usually lodge, as well as foreign dignitaries. Such as yourselves," he offers, with a smile.

To Hiritus:

"Quite, young knight. And yourself?" he asks, measuring with a glance. "You don't look poorly for how far you've traveled." He still radiates the same faint evil.