Lazlow said:
Swipe walks around to face the woman in the chair. "Good evening, madam," he says, with an elegant bow. "I am called Swipe. My companions and I have answered the prince's call for volunteers. Are you a volunteer as well?" He's fairly certain that she is not a volunteer; his question is aimed more at making her comfortable in the situation and therefore more inclined to offer information.
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OOC: Let's see if this helps - Knowledge (Local) +4, to see if I recognize the woman (maybe she's a relative of Duke Baerd?). And what the heck, Diplomacy +2, too, if possible, it may help sway her attitude towards us.
The woman turns to you and smiles a quiet little smile. You would know this woman anywhere, as would nearly all persons living in Melinar. This is Princess Xar
{pronounced shar}, betrothed of Lenric and crown Princess of former Ovamar. Her dark tan skin, raven hair and glass-like complexion are a startling contrast to her piercing green eyes. Somehow you feel as though there is not a single thing in the whole of the kingdom that could escape that gaze and, at the same time, the part of your brain that would normally go 'gaaaah' at the sight of a beautiful woman has quietly shorted out.
"Greetings to you, brave souls" she says in a dulcet voice. "I am Xar, and this," she says quietly motioning to a haggard looking man who has just enetered the room, "is Lenric, who you are the first to meet today." She quietly walks over and gently touches Lenrics' hand in one of those quiet gestures that speak volumes about the involved parties.
Lenric is a man of powerfull build, probably nearly six feet in height with a barrel chest, legs like tree stumps and arms the size of a prize ham. He looks to be in his mid thirties with dirty blonde hair and the beginnings of a beard. He is wearing a simple tunic emblazoned with the crest of the kingdom (you immediatly notice it is niether that of Messar or Ovamar, but a combination of both), heavy breeches, a very capable-looking Longsword and a mantinance cap.
Lenric sits heavily on the ornate chair, seeming very out of place there, and says in an almost converstional tone "Greetings and well met. You have no idea how glad I am that there are still some brave souls who are willing to support their kingdom. I hope you have been informed as to the nature of this request?"
After assuring him that you have, he then asks "And you have also been informed as to the pay offered for this task?"
Once again you assure him that you have.
"Excellent. Before I give you your advance of 50 hawks each, I would require a vow. The vow I require is this: If the Duke is alive, you are to ensure that he remains so until I would speak with him. He is still a family friend, or was the last time I knew, he is to be afforded every reasonable courtesy.
"If, however, the Duke Is NOT alive," Lenrics' voice comes to a frightfull intensity "I charge you to bring his body, and the body of his killer, to me if at all possible.
Returning to his former tone, "And one thing more, there is a small library in Duke Baerds' estate. There is, or was, a book there title 'plagues of the antiquities' that both I and my scholars would be most interested in seeing. If you find it, bring it and there will be an extra boon for you.
"What say you?"
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OOC: As noted on the RG and OOC threads, I have posted character sheets on the Portraits page of the Website. Please review and let me know of any errors.
Sorry for the slow start, we're gettin' there.
