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[IC] The Trouble at Durbenford
- Thread starter michael_noah
- Start date
michael_noah
First Post
As Konstantine approaches the stage, the rest of the party goes about their meal. He is seen leaning in to whisper in the Bard's ear as she pauses between songs. Quickly, she lets out a charming laugh, "I'm Yieria, handsome. And if you can sing as well as you can talk, you're welcome to do so, just don't get any designs on stealing my audience from me."
The pair proceed to weave intricate harmonies, their voices carrying over the gentle strumming of the lute. After a few songs of lovers meeting in the fields and other universally liked themes, Konstantine retires from the stage to a furious round of applause.
"Make sure you catch up with me later, sir," Yieria calls, "I'd love to hear news from outside Durbenford."
Padraig makes his way to the stables and finds them in good repair, his horse well off. Occupying them at this time is also a warhorse wearing accoutrements matching those of the Captain inside. The stable-boys seem to have snuck inside for a bite of food, and the outside is still but for the light strings of music and conversation coming from inside.
The bard approaches a surprised Captain, who stands to greet him, "Hello there sir. You and your friends have certainly settled in quickly. I'm Harold Trindel." After introductions are done, he comments on your employ with the prince, "I had heard he was coming here... I suppose I can't upbraid you for stepping in with that situation earlier then. Normally I'd insist that such matters be left to the watch, but they obviously weren't getting there in time. It's hard enough keeping the peace without monstrous plants about..."
As the night gets on, Konstantine is able to break open the captains steely exterior and he opens up with more candid thoughts on the city and recent events. "I don't pry much into what Lord Durben does, it's not my place. He wouldn't be in power if good king Ulrich didn't want him there. But I'll be damned if he doesn't let things go to far... He keeps pulling more watch from the places that need it! What you've heard about the Fat Man and the Grey Rook guild is true. They're both up to something... some of my men report that they're really in league with each other, or even one and the same. The Fat Man has always kept his thieves under control, though..."
He occasionally pauses to continue his ale, but responds well to more prodding, "I don't know much about the giants in the mountains, as I stick to the city for the most part. You probably have more knowledge of events outside Durbenford than I do. In fact, you may have more information about what goes on here... Have you heard about peasants in the poor quarter taking some sort of concoction to allow them to work longer hours? The poor folks have it so hard they'd be willing to do anything to make ends meet."
[sblock=ooc]Vigwyn, let me know which name you plan to keep using for Padraig at invisible castle, this one was different than the last.
Let me know if there's anything specific you'd like to ask the captain about now that he's talking...
[/sblock]
The pair proceed to weave intricate harmonies, their voices carrying over the gentle strumming of the lute. After a few songs of lovers meeting in the fields and other universally liked themes, Konstantine retires from the stage to a furious round of applause.
"Make sure you catch up with me later, sir," Yieria calls, "I'd love to hear news from outside Durbenford."
Padraig makes his way to the stables and finds them in good repair, his horse well off. Occupying them at this time is also a warhorse wearing accoutrements matching those of the Captain inside. The stable-boys seem to have snuck inside for a bite of food, and the outside is still but for the light strings of music and conversation coming from inside.
The bard approaches a surprised Captain, who stands to greet him, "Hello there sir. You and your friends have certainly settled in quickly. I'm Harold Trindel." After introductions are done, he comments on your employ with the prince, "I had heard he was coming here... I suppose I can't upbraid you for stepping in with that situation earlier then. Normally I'd insist that such matters be left to the watch, but they obviously weren't getting there in time. It's hard enough keeping the peace without monstrous plants about..."
As the night gets on, Konstantine is able to break open the captains steely exterior and he opens up with more candid thoughts on the city and recent events. "I don't pry much into what Lord Durben does, it's not my place. He wouldn't be in power if good king Ulrich didn't want him there. But I'll be damned if he doesn't let things go to far... He keeps pulling more watch from the places that need it! What you've heard about the Fat Man and the Grey Rook guild is true. They're both up to something... some of my men report that they're really in league with each other, or even one and the same. The Fat Man has always kept his thieves under control, though..."
He occasionally pauses to continue his ale, but responds well to more prodding, "I don't know much about the giants in the mountains, as I stick to the city for the most part. You probably have more knowledge of events outside Durbenford than I do. In fact, you may have more information about what goes on here... Have you heard about peasants in the poor quarter taking some sort of concoction to allow them to work longer hours? The poor folks have it so hard they'd be willing to do anything to make ends meet."
[sblock=ooc]Vigwyn, let me know which name you plan to keep using for Padraig at invisible castle, this one was different than the last.
Let me know if there's anything specific you'd like to ask the captain about now that he's talking...
[/sblock]
Konstantine, after beginning conversation with the captain, makes sure to buy the captain drinks as he needs them. "Well, Harold, it's very good to meet you. As for keeping the peace, it is, in fact, largely what I do best. My friends tend to do most of the less peaceful work," Konstantine says in response to the captain's comment about the animated vine.
"Its interesting that you bring up King Ulrich. I am, techinically, an agent of the Prince, but, naturally, information tends to flow between the two. Do you happen to know what reason the King actually might have for wanting Lord Durben in place? Aside from sheer stability, of course." The bard shrugs his shoulders. "And the watch, I bet you know quite a bit about. If the patrols aren't where they really need to be, where are they instead?"
After getting a response, Konstantine segues yet again. "That business about the thieves is one of my primary concerns here. You may end up catching wind of me being seen with them. I'm going to try to get into their graces so that I can give the Prince a good brief on their goings-on. Can you give me any more specific information about them that might steer me in the right direction? Or, perhaps even better, get me a line on someone to see?"
Konstantine soaks up all the information he can, and returns follow-up questions as needed. Once he has his fill, he excuses himself from the captain's company. "Well, there is surely a host of things going on that need to be examined. But between the work of the watch, and anything I can find out, we should be able to get things running well again. If you need me for any help in the future, I'll likely be found here when I'm not working."
Following that, the bard attempts to touch base quickly with Shubryn. Nothing lengthy that would attract attention, just a chance for him to pass a message if he needs to.
Once that's done, Konstantine tries to enjoy the rest of the night. He socializes with folk, and flirts with Yieria during her breaks.
"Its interesting that you bring up King Ulrich. I am, techinically, an agent of the Prince, but, naturally, information tends to flow between the two. Do you happen to know what reason the King actually might have for wanting Lord Durben in place? Aside from sheer stability, of course." The bard shrugs his shoulders. "And the watch, I bet you know quite a bit about. If the patrols aren't where they really need to be, where are they instead?"
After getting a response, Konstantine segues yet again. "That business about the thieves is one of my primary concerns here. You may end up catching wind of me being seen with them. I'm going to try to get into their graces so that I can give the Prince a good brief on their goings-on. Can you give me any more specific information about them that might steer me in the right direction? Or, perhaps even better, get me a line on someone to see?"
Konstantine soaks up all the information he can, and returns follow-up questions as needed. Once he has his fill, he excuses himself from the captain's company. "Well, there is surely a host of things going on that need to be examined. But between the work of the watch, and anything I can find out, we should be able to get things running well again. If you need me for any help in the future, I'll likely be found here when I'm not working."
Following that, the bard attempts to touch base quickly with Shubryn. Nothing lengthy that would attract attention, just a chance for him to pass a message if he needs to.
Once that's done, Konstantine tries to enjoy the rest of the night. He socializes with folk, and flirts with Yieria during her breaks.
Bloodcookie
Explorer
TiCaudata said:
"Not at all. These, however," Ruathen says, tapping one of his travel-worn boots, "had seen better days, and were allowing my feet to meet the road much more intimately than I like. The cobbler in Dyer's Hamlet does good work."
"Oh, now, that wouldn't be a bit of sarcasm, would it?" he says with a wink. "I can't remember the last time I noticed something before yourself, or another of our more alert companions."
Vigwyn the Unruly
First Post
Padraig, Male Human Veteran (Fighter)
After checking on his horse and getting his fill of the fresh night air, Padraig returns to spend the rest of the evening with his companions.
After checking on his horse and getting his fill of the fresh night air, Padraig returns to spend the rest of the evening with his companions.
michael_noah
First Post
"Well, my friend, I don't know much about the relationship between the prince and Ulrich. All I know is that Ulrich has done well for his countrymen, kept us safe, and not taxed us too heavily. As for Durben, he was put in power around 10 years ago and has done well for most of that time."
"It's only recently that things have been getting out of hand. My men are expected to patrol the nobles quarter day and night, and the residential quarter to a lesser extent. After keeping the folks with money safe, there just isn't enough time to make a difference in the poorer quarters."
"The thieves I can't tell you much more about, I wish I could. The Fat Man is in charge of most of them, though, and he's just what he sounds. A 500 pound monster of a thing, most likely a half-orc."
As Konstantine passes Yieria with a wink, he senses a bit of tension. She steals a furtive glance at the captain, and being the observant, diplomatic sort that he is, the bard realizes that he could easily undo the work he's done with the captain by spending too much time with the young lady.
The rest of the night passes uneventfully, and you find the Ox as pleasant in the morning as it was the night before. The first of you downstairs notices Helen straight away, waiting for you.
As you take the time to gather together and begin the day, she approaches you with the following, "I've arranged to use the meeting room here so we can talk in private, if you'd follow me..." Once seated there, she begins to speak, "Thank you again for the chance to speak with you. My employer has found my description of you and your actions yesterday to be exactly what he needs. I'll not hide any more details from you now, but know that you'll be expected to be quiet about this if you choose not to accept the offer of employment."
"One week ago, an angel visited Prince Geoffrey, the second son of the good King Ulrich, in a dream and warned him of a danger threatening the whole of the Northern Kingdom. The celestial spoke of a relic’s corruption by Orcus’ foul will, and the danger its corruption posed to the lands of light. An old sanctuary, deep inside Mount Rynas, houses a relic known as the Nanoc. Some call the place the Whimpering Depths, for the occasional cry or mutter that emanates from the rents on the mountainside. Near these fissures, a pair of golden doors stand closed in the Mountain’s face. This sacred item is the remains of holy Rynas, he who gave mortals the means to better themselves, to bring them out from the darkness of ignorance and into the light of learning. The angel, and Prince Geoffrey believes her, says the Nanoc is in danger of falling into the hands of unspeakable evil. Darkness has overtaken the former sanctuary, and as commanded by his faith, must sequester this relic and place it into the hands of the church. This is no desiccated husk that he wants you to find. In fact, the remains do not even appear to be a body. As far as I know, they were fashioned, reformed perhaps, into the likeness of a long rectangular box."
"Geoffrey wants you to retrieve this item and bring it back to Durbenford. Here, the church may find a more fitting place for its keeping. If you agree, you are to travel up the slopes of Mount Rynas, plumb its depths, and find the relic. Once you retrieve it, return here. You are to take every precaution to ensure the Nanoc remains concealed. Make no mistake; there are those who seek to take this item for themselves. One of the Prince’s agents will meet you in the town. He should identify himself as a prospective buyer for an interested party. Know him by his dark eyes and blue tattoo of three stars on his upper left cheek. Provided the relic is safe, he will then contact me, and I in turn will contact the Prince, so that he can at once set out to claim the item, and pay you your reward. Once the Nanoc is in the Prince’s hands, your business is concluded. In exchange for your efforts, he shall give each of you 5,000 gold pieces and bequeath onto you land grants of an equal value.
Finally, anything encountered in the Whimpering Depths is suspect for the festering evil has seeped throughout the former sanctuary and corrupts everything it touches. Therefore, trust nothing and noone. Orcus’ taint can affect anything… even you."
It is clear that she is sincere in her concern for the situation at hand and awaits your response anxiously.
[sblock=ooc]I'll be rolling some things for you in reguard to the above (lore, sense motive etc.) as you respond, have time to think, etc. (and when I have access to the adventure and dice)
If there's anything else you'd like to do before morning, let me know.
The rooms, at least the private ones, are moderately expensive if you choose to stay here:
Common barracks style room: 5sp
Private room (sleeps 1): 2gp
Suite (sleeps 2, includes hot bath, sitting room): 30gp/week
Just make sure you remember to pay... (mark it on your character sheets) FYI - I won't be too concerned about this sort of thing, just try to make the necessary adjustments.
[/sblock]
"It's only recently that things have been getting out of hand. My men are expected to patrol the nobles quarter day and night, and the residential quarter to a lesser extent. After keeping the folks with money safe, there just isn't enough time to make a difference in the poorer quarters."
"The thieves I can't tell you much more about, I wish I could. The Fat Man is in charge of most of them, though, and he's just what he sounds. A 500 pound monster of a thing, most likely a half-orc."
As Konstantine passes Yieria with a wink, he senses a bit of tension. She steals a furtive glance at the captain, and being the observant, diplomatic sort that he is, the bard realizes that he could easily undo the work he's done with the captain by spending too much time with the young lady.
The rest of the night passes uneventfully, and you find the Ox as pleasant in the morning as it was the night before. The first of you downstairs notices Helen straight away, waiting for you.
As you take the time to gather together and begin the day, she approaches you with the following, "I've arranged to use the meeting room here so we can talk in private, if you'd follow me..." Once seated there, she begins to speak, "Thank you again for the chance to speak with you. My employer has found my description of you and your actions yesterday to be exactly what he needs. I'll not hide any more details from you now, but know that you'll be expected to be quiet about this if you choose not to accept the offer of employment."
"One week ago, an angel visited Prince Geoffrey, the second son of the good King Ulrich, in a dream and warned him of a danger threatening the whole of the Northern Kingdom. The celestial spoke of a relic’s corruption by Orcus’ foul will, and the danger its corruption posed to the lands of light. An old sanctuary, deep inside Mount Rynas, houses a relic known as the Nanoc. Some call the place the Whimpering Depths, for the occasional cry or mutter that emanates from the rents on the mountainside. Near these fissures, a pair of golden doors stand closed in the Mountain’s face. This sacred item is the remains of holy Rynas, he who gave mortals the means to better themselves, to bring them out from the darkness of ignorance and into the light of learning. The angel, and Prince Geoffrey believes her, says the Nanoc is in danger of falling into the hands of unspeakable evil. Darkness has overtaken the former sanctuary, and as commanded by his faith, must sequester this relic and place it into the hands of the church. This is no desiccated husk that he wants you to find. In fact, the remains do not even appear to be a body. As far as I know, they were fashioned, reformed perhaps, into the likeness of a long rectangular box."
"Geoffrey wants you to retrieve this item and bring it back to Durbenford. Here, the church may find a more fitting place for its keeping. If you agree, you are to travel up the slopes of Mount Rynas, plumb its depths, and find the relic. Once you retrieve it, return here. You are to take every precaution to ensure the Nanoc remains concealed. Make no mistake; there are those who seek to take this item for themselves. One of the Prince’s agents will meet you in the town. He should identify himself as a prospective buyer for an interested party. Know him by his dark eyes and blue tattoo of three stars on his upper left cheek. Provided the relic is safe, he will then contact me, and I in turn will contact the Prince, so that he can at once set out to claim the item, and pay you your reward. Once the Nanoc is in the Prince’s hands, your business is concluded. In exchange for your efforts, he shall give each of you 5,000 gold pieces and bequeath onto you land grants of an equal value.
Finally, anything encountered in the Whimpering Depths is suspect for the festering evil has seeped throughout the former sanctuary and corrupts everything it touches. Therefore, trust nothing and noone. Orcus’ taint can affect anything… even you."
It is clear that she is sincere in her concern for the situation at hand and awaits your response anxiously.
[sblock=ooc]I'll be rolling some things for you in reguard to the above (lore, sense motive etc.) as you respond, have time to think, etc. (and when I have access to the adventure and dice)
If there's anything else you'd like to do before morning, let me know.
The rooms, at least the private ones, are moderately expensive if you choose to stay here:
Common barracks style room: 5sp
Private room (sleeps 1): 2gp
Suite (sleeps 2, includes hot bath, sitting room): 30gp/week
Just make sure you remember to pay... (mark it on your character sheets) FYI - I won't be too concerned about this sort of thing, just try to make the necessary adjustments.
[/sblock]
Bloodcookie
Explorer
Ruathen sits back in his chair with eyes shut and brows arched, as he takes in the scope of the circumstances Helen describes.
"This is certainly no mean task you propose, Ms. Dunsreisch; I believe I understand why the Prince sought to address it with a group possessing more specialized skills than the general militia might possess," he says, looking around at his companions. "In any case, I cannot help but feel some affinity for the cause - I would not see the memory of any patron of enlightenment made a mockery by a demon's designs."
"This is certainly no mean task you propose, Ms. Dunsreisch; I believe I understand why the Prince sought to address it with a group possessing more specialized skills than the general militia might possess," he says, looking around at his companions. "In any case, I cannot help but feel some affinity for the cause - I would not see the memory of any patron of enlightenment made a mockery by a demon's designs."
[sblock=OOC]Precisely as you anticipated, bardic knowledge and sense motive are certainly being used. Add in some more diplomacy, too.[/sblock]
Konstantine waves a dismissive hand at Zagnak. "Oh please! No need to insult Miss Dunsreisch."
As if completly ignoring his own advice, the bard inquires delicately. "I do need to ask whether there is some way that you can ease my mind, though. I understand, of course, the need for secrecy in this matter. But can you in show us somehow that you are, in fact, the prince's agent? I'd hate to get led on this hunt only to later learn that our employer was not as represented to us.
"Additionally, while your description of the prospective buyer is certainly detailed, I also wonder if there might be greater precautions to be had. I presume this will take some time for us to acquire the item. What if your man is... compromised in the meantime?"
Konstantine waves a dismissive hand at Zagnak. "Oh please! No need to insult Miss Dunsreisch."
As if completly ignoring his own advice, the bard inquires delicately. "I do need to ask whether there is some way that you can ease my mind, though. I understand, of course, the need for secrecy in this matter. But can you in show us somehow that you are, in fact, the prince's agent? I'd hate to get led on this hunt only to later learn that our employer was not as represented to us.
"Additionally, while your description of the prospective buyer is certainly detailed, I also wonder if there might be greater precautions to be had. I presume this will take some time for us to acquire the item. What if your man is... compromised in the meantime?"
