(Casual D&D V) The Tourne

[dpdx]

"They're a mercenary army, intent, it seems, on plundering the whole of the continent. They started in the southern kingdoms, and took part in a revolution in Dalmar, but as far as I can tell it was only out of opportunity. They broke off not long after and began working their way North up the coast... No political aim, that I can estimate. They haven't made any effort to hold territory, they've just ransacked and continued forward. They've made some ingress upon the Free Cities, but the mountains have kept that slow. Their ships have stopped at the edge of the Morel - they don't dare challenge our fleet directly." He slows down, realizing he is saying much quickly. "They are a small force, all things considered. But they've had a lot of opportunities - revolutions in Dalmar and Bethel, the heir conflict in Oreskes, and the stalemate among the Free Cities... We don't want to expose any opportunities here, so we are being very protective of the Crest. Again, I hope you'll understand."

Fendric looks disappointed, but understands.

"We certainly do, Sir Arrich. We can wait until it is safe to deliver the letter to Sir Rienne safely. But it is also possible that our message from Thedoric may be of assistance to the... Crest in their efforts against the Blue Sails."

 

[Festy_Dog]

The list of locations troubled Nurthk, who once again felt the claws of doubt in his chest regarding the nature of the letters. Now they were being prevented from personally delivering the final letter. Was it for the best?

"Music man," he addressed the man on the piano, "Can you play Ten Stones or something like it?"

He needed some thinking music.

 

[Guilt Puppy]

The man on the piano obliges at Nurthk's request, playing a rendition of Ten Stones that is a touch unnerving. Something in the tuning of the thing; the notes sound clean at first but resonate in this tinny, ascending way.

Sir Arrich, meanwhile, responds to Fendric. "I'd be more than happy to carry the message for you - unopened, if you'd wish it. If it has Thedoric's seal upon it, I'd trust it to be free of enchantment," he offers.

 

[doghead]

ic - Casual

The music grates, even to Xiao's untrained ear. And its not just that its weird foreign music. There is something off about it. A glance over to Oliver to confirm the monk's feelings.

Xiao gets a tingling in his extremities. He is overcome by a sudden and compelling urge to kick one of the Tournians in the goolies. Of course the monk resists the temptation with little difficulty - one of the benefits of a lifetime spent mastering mind and body. Still, Xiao can't help wondering if their squeals would ring truer than this music. Xiao gets the feeling that they would not. A shiver runs down the monk's spine.

 

[Sparky]

Oliver grimaces as Ten Stones is hammered out woodenly by the strange serving folk. He looks at Fendric, and then back at Sir Arrich. "I hope you'll understand that we wish to deliver the missive into his hands with our own."

 

[dpdx]

The man on the piano obliges at Nurthk's request, playing a rendition of Ten Stones that is a touch unnerving. Something in the tuning of the thing; the notes sound clean at first but resonate in this tinny, ascending way.

Sir Arrich, meanwhile, responds to Fendric. "I'd be more than happy to carry the message for you - unopened, if you'd wish it. If it has Thedoric's seal upon it, I'd trust it to be free of enchantment," he offers.

To Fendric's wooden ear, Ten Stones does not hold the creepiness it might for someone of a more discerning musical taste. Facilely, he responds to Sir Arrich:

"Your offer is very much appreciated, but Oliver is correct, Sir Arrich. We could not travel this far without seeing the letter into Sir Rienne's hands, personally, may the Radiant Light Shine Upon the deed. I also cannot vouch for the letter's lack of magical aura, although it has been my experience that the letter did contain magic such that only the addressee could read the complete contents of the letter."

Hiritus, having been silent and vigilant out of alarm at the tainted aurae of the room's occupants, moves next to Fendric, and squeezing tightly on the half-elf's arm, whispers in his ear: Perhaps it might be prudent to defer the letter's delivery and stay in town until Sir Rienne is available.

Fendric, taking this in, reiterates his request. "We would indeed be willing to wait to deliver the letter until such a time as Sir Rienne could be made available. So... may we show ourselves the door, or should we require an escort?"

 

[Festy_Dog]

Not much a musician, Nurthk wasn't entirely savvy to what was wrong with the rendition. He did however, find himself not able to think as he normally would with this particular song playing in the background.

He became frustrated, but held his tongue as he wasn't sure what the problem was.

 

[doghead]

ic - Casual

Xiao finds himself nodding vigourously in response to Fendric's suggestion.

"Yes! Go now and come back later," he blurts out before realising that his mouth is still in gear. Resisting temptation had distracted him.

Xiao blushes, and bows deeply.

"With most possible respect owing to eminent personages, of course," Xiao adds.

 

[Guilt Puppy]

Sir Arrich nods to Fendric's suggestion amiably, even cracking a smile at Xiao's addition.

"Yes, that will be fine. I'll see that you are lodged finely in the interval, seeing as you are," he pauses, looking over your various and heavily-travelled numbers, "diplomatic emissaries, of a sort. To that end, might I examine the letter's seal first? It would be a great aid in arranging a meeting with Sir Vaustus if I could vouch for its authenticity."

 

[Guest 11456]

Cylantro : Female Human

The young woman saunters over to where her feline companion has stalked off to and picks the patchwork cat up. Then she returns to the comfort of the group. "Are we ready to go, then?" She looks expectantly at Hiritus, but then turns toward Sir Arrich. "Or do we have additional business here?"