(Casual D&D III) The Man in Black

[Festy_Dog]

Nurthk is eager to find something to keep him occupied for the time they'll be here.

"I'm with Fendric, I'd like to have a look around and get familiar with the place," he mentions to Aesop before continuing casually, "And in case you're interested, seeing as we have a few days to fill, prior to joining up with this lot I made a steady living from bounty hunting and a bit of mercenary work. If there's anything I could assist the Free City with... but if not I'm happy to play tourist."

 

[Guilt Puppy]

"I'm sure I can find you a job like that, if you need one," Aesop offers in response to Nurthk. "But I'd prefer for you to stay safe for now, until we have a chance to discuss that letter... In the meantime, I can foot the bills that need footing, as long as your tastes aren't too decadent."

As decadence goes, Aesop's tour of the city leans more toward that than utility... Judging by it alone, it would seem that Eivanrach's principle features are its restaurants, tea parlours and theatres... Aesop's first bit of entertainment is a somewhat aggressively suggested trip to the tailor, for garments "more suited to leisure."

Aerda, meanwhile, finds his host to be far less accomodating. Amre is a humorless, affectless man, more interested in getting the job done right than in the job itself, it seems. He works alongside three apprentices; two older gentlemen, and a young elven woman who explains her mentor's aloofness as such:

"His greatest contribution to the arcane arts is Amre's Paradox: Simply put, that any question worth divining an answer to, is equally worth misleading, to another party. The only question is which party is more skilled: If it is the divining party, the answer should be trusted, and if not it should not. Unless you know a great deal about the other party, you have to assume that there's an equal chance of being mislead as of not -- so you may as well just flip a coin, and make your decision based on that."

"Of course," she continues, "it doesn't mean divination is a useless art. But Sage Amre is of the opinion that, as a general rule, divinations should only be trusted when they confirm independently held suspicions, and disregarded otherwise. As a general rule."

...

(OOC: Feel free to backtrack as necessary, but I get the sense that there are no big plans for this time, so continuing onward: )

After three days, the inquiry returns a result which Aerda has every reason to feel confident of: The letter is genuine, whatever else it may be, and free from any magic but that which confirms its authenticity, and one spell -- secret page -- which is presumably intended to conceal its content from anyone but the intended reader.

With everyone assembled in his home, Aesop heads into another room to read the letter privately, and after only a few short minutes returns.

"Well," he begins, "I can't say it was very world-shattering. It merely recommended that the Jury of Sages, to the extent of its influence, make sure that the Free Cities remain free and ununited should foreign war reach our region -- that if we thin our positions of strength in defense of the weak, all should fall... Which, I can tell you, would be the Jury's position anyway."

He seems, nonetheless, displeased.

"What troubles me," he says, stroking his beard roughly, "is the author. It was not signed by Exantrius. It was signed by Lord Thedoric."

He sits after this, almost hiding in his chair.

"So, what do you make of this?"

 

[dpdx]

"Well, Sir Exantrius did tell us at the very beginning that Lord Thedoric was once of the same order as he, before his soul was..."

Fendric hesitates.

"I do not wish to say, 'corrupted,' or 'tainted,' but Exantrius made it clear that an abrupt shift in Thedoric's outlook was responsible for the strife and discord sown hence, the likes of which destroyed Hedrogura. But he made it seem as if chaos was responsible for the transformation, instead of evil."

"It could have, therefore, been written by Thedoric before this... transformation. When Thedoric was loyal to the Realm."

"May Pelor Blind Me for my stupidity, I have not the head for such political intrigue!"

Hiritus chimes in: "And me, even less so, I'm afraid. But the basic premise seems clear enough - war is coming - defend, or get sacked - but what I don't understand is why the Free Cities should be, what'd he say, ununited? Abandon the weak? Why, so it would be easier for Thedoric to raze them? Pfeh - far be it for me to judge, but if that isn't evil, it is most unknightly. Maybe it is the transformed Thedoric after all, and Sir Exantrius wished to deliver the letters as evidence of the division and... strife?... in Thedoric's heart.

I might have known, had I joined this company before it arrived in Bethel. Right now, my head hurts, and Justice probably needs feeding."

Fendric looks at Hiritus with a puzzled expression on his face, before it dawns on him to whom Justice refers. Satisfied, he returns his gaze to the Counsel.

 

[Festy_Dog]

Nurthk's eyebrows arch in surprise at the mention of Thedoric's signature on the letter.

"Hmm... Well, this creates more questions, but I may have a little insight, I've taken part in a bit of politics in my time. There must be an element of cooperation between Exantrius and Thedoric for Exantrius to be distributing documents written by Thedoric. This then begs the questions: Was Exantrius himself walking in the light during his time with you? Was he even Exantrius? Or is their an element of good to Thedoric's actions that would cause him to warn others of his coming, however little that may help? And if Thedoric wanted to give ill advice, why would he sign with his name?" Nurthk asks, and strokes his goatee in further thought, "Any answers that Exantrius had, he took to his grave. Aesop, your first reaction to the letter was finding it redundant, was it not? What could be the purpose in distributing redundant information?"

 

[DrZombie]

"Games, games and more games. I fear we're just spreading confusion as well as these letters, Fendric. Wich might be the purpose of sending us on this trip, for all I know. Maybe you can ask your patron if it is His wish for you to continue delivering these letters or not, I don't really know what to think anymore. There's a reason why I love staying in the wilds, and this is it."

[ooc : did raven get to locate a bowyer or another weaponstore for Hiritus' bow?"]

 

[dpdx]

Fendric looks at Raven, solemnly. "I shall prepare an augury on the morrow, then, to ask that question. Unfortunately, my questions of the Light do not always meet with answers, so it is a gamble."

"As for whether Exantrius was Exantrius, I have only the evidence on my own that he entered my Temple."

Hiritus looks over to him and interjects, "That proves nothing, Brother Fendric! You just saw for yourself tha-"

"-Thank you, yes, you are right, Brother Hiritus! All right, then: Niccolo, did you not recognize him at once when he entered Caval's Horde?"

[Presuming Niccolo, were his player around , would nod his assent, Fendric continues

"Right, then, what if this is a charade? What if we have been played for fools?

We still know that Hedrogura has been under siege since before we crossed the pass and arrived here. We know that a group of brigands is responsible for that activity, and they seem to be organized under a leader, whether that is Thedoric, or not.

We still know that Visach Cheraul, whether he flew into a blind rage upon receipt of his letter, or was in league with evil from the start, dismissed the Heironian Guard from its watch over Bethel, and precipitated the events that led to Father Premule's kidnapping, presumably before Father Premule had got a chance to return to Jance and read his copy of the letter.

Finally, we know right here and now that we have remained in Eivanrach for over a week without having to man the battlements, that Counselor Aesop has read the letter without any ill effects, and that the letter, while not of world-shattering import, and penned by none other than our alleged adversary himself, was examined and found to be safe under both the Jury's and our own supervision.

Knowing these things, what do we do, then? Do we deliver the letters as before, knowing that they are safe, do we warn the other cities and kingdoms of the Realm of the pestilence we know without delivering the letters, or do we make a stand somewhere and wait to confront Thedoric and his hordes?"

 

[wings]

Hmmm

Aerda nodded as he once again met with the others, he had seen one or the other over a drink over the days they were seperated, always a thoughtful expression as he digested new arcane theory, the amre's paradox of divination. Once he even met Fendric as he was sharing a drink with an elven wizardess, apprentice to Amre, that he had been working with over the days.

When he sat with all in Aesop's reading of the letter, he sank down into his chair and thought about the situation.

"I think we simply don't know enough to solve this puzzle..."

 

[Guilt Puppy]

Hiritus: "Unknightly?" Aesop responds. "Leave it to knights to be knightly -- a city is responsible first and foremost for the welfare of its people. I admire selflessness in men, but in government it represents dereliction from duty."

He shrugs. "It's something Thedoric understood, better than I. I know it may not sound like the way we'd like the world to be... But it is for the best."

Nurthk: "Why sign with his name? Because, ill or not, it would assure that his advice would be followed... There are few names more trusted, in this world."

"As for its redundancy...He may have had his doubts about the Jury's dedication to the common sovereignty... He may have even known something I don't. In either case, he apparently felt it was too important to be taken for granted..."

Raven: "I'm sure you know well that strength doesn't come without first enduring pain... So too must confusion come before knowledge."

"Whatever else, though, the meaning of this letter is fairly straightforward -- if it was meant to be confusing, without your help, then it was very poorly designed."

(OOC: PHB prices for bows around the city, and they are available in a variety of places... Hiritus spent pretty much all of his cash on his horse, however, so it becomes something of a non-issue -- not to mention it's up to dp now whether or not Hiritus wants Raven to do any buying for him, now that he's taken Leadership.)

Fendric: Aesop listens to your oration carefully, though it seems to be directed little at him.

"If you see it fit -- I'm curious, who else is meant to receive these letters?"

(OOC: Note, this should be the start of your sixth day in Eivanrach: The day of your arrival, the day of your meeting with Kester and Aesop, then three days of research and leisure before today. So not quite "over a week," but we can chalk that one up to -- oh, this never gets any less funny -- a clerical error on Fendric's part.)

Aerda: "I'm not sure I'd call it a puzzle, just yet... But I may be able to share one or two, ah, illuminating bits of insight..."

He grows momentarily awkward, fidgeting in his chair.

"You see -- and I apologize for not bringing this up sooner, but it seemed wiser to wait, for a few reasons... But, you see, Thedoric and I... you could say we were traveling companions, for a time. Many, many years ago, and not for a very long stretch... But long enough that I got to know him reasonably well. Well enough to raise an eyebrow at talk that he had fallen... but also well enough that I wouldn't dismiss the possibility."

 

[DrZombie]

"It may not allways sound like it, Fendric, but you have my full support, whatever it is you decide. I've gotten involved in this mess, and I'll stick to it untill the end. You can count on me to watch your back, but I feel it is you who must decide."

 

[dpdx]

"Which I presume is from a time when Thedoric was above reproach, Counsel, so you need not feel uncomfortable about your prior association with him. Exantrius rode proudly with him, as did the other Knights of the Greater Kingdom, so your situation is shared with better men than all of us, it would seem, May the Light Shine Upon Us All.

As for who the letters are addressed to, the majority remaining are located in and around the Free Cities. An inn proprietor, a Princess of the Glades, who I suspect is of my own heritage, and a Chief of Affairs.

Which is why I imagine Hiritus objected to the content in your letter that stated you should not join together in the common defense of your mutual freedom, or abandon the weak.

If one can meet the forces arrayed against him with greater number, it often improves the odds. Some of the most successful gladiators in my town used to say sometimes, "Men can stand together, or die separately." The common hope of the Free Cities would be that they remain Free, I suppose. That hope stands a better chance united than not.

So I must say that if by 'the weak,' Thedoric meant 'the poor,' I might share in both parts of that criticism. For it is the poorest who are most susceptible to turn against this City, if it is indeed to do nothing for them. Men will often join the host that provides for their basest needs, good sir, and if... Thedoric, or whoever it is... can promise them food, plunder and a chance at glory, could you not see them taking it?

Better to offer them what you would, first, since you are among them."

"It may not allways sound like it, Fendric, but you have my full support, whatever it is you decide. I've gotten involved in this mess, and I'll stick to it untill the end. You can count on me to watch your back, but I feel it is you who must decide."

"I appreciate that, Raven, as does the Realm, I believe. I wish to do whatever will render peace unto the land, again.