Kulan: Knightfall's Crisis in Bluffside Game [IC]
Knightfall
World of Kulan DM
Through the Streets of Old City:
Isabella wishes you good luck.
Mutt waits for Tuck to open the door before bolting out into the cool night air. The sun is setting over the city. The big dog follows the scent trail along the eastern wall of the Gardens down the cobblestone path. He doesn't go near the trees, although the sound of a small chattering animal distracts him for a second. He tracks all thee way to the other Garden tower where the other guard went missing from. No one stands guard in front of it, but one of the guards on the wall does watch Mutt and Tuck track all the way along the Garden's southern wall to the Gate of Lilies. At first, Tuck think the dog wants to go through the gate but Mutt, instead, tracks past it and down to the Garden's main gateway back into Old City.
Mutt track the missing guard all the way across the district to a large stone manor house that is quite posh. The sun has set and the lamplighters are out doing their work. The big dog circles the manor house and then stops and the back gate along a large hedgerow that is taller than Big Tim. Mutt scratches at the stout wooden gate than blocks his path. He looks at Tuck and then sniffs the air. He circles twice through the street before coming back to the kobold urban ranger and sits down in front of him with his tongue hanging out of his mouth. The dog is happy and he barks twice at Tuck.
A small patrol of Regulars appears and then watches them intently before one of them recognizes Tim. He signals the big man shouting out an acknowledgement. The guards are out hunting for troublemakers including the murderer* on the loose in Old City. "Let us know if you see anything!" He shouts.
The manor is dark. Either no one is home or its residents go to sleep very early. The streets have become nearly silent. The hubbub of the day is replaces by an eeriness. A light fog moves inland from the bay, obscuring some visibility (anything beyond 100 feet). The guards become misty shadows in the haze. Mutt sniffs the air again and then circles the gathered group of adventurers. He doesn't seem concerned by the guards' presence.
Mutt sniffs the tabard and then walks around the room before heading to the door of the tower. He turns an barks at Tuck. The big dog has Nathaniel's scent.
Isabella wishes you good luck.
Mutt waits for Tuck to open the door before bolting out into the cool night air. The sun is setting over the city. The big dog follows the scent trail along the eastern wall of the Gardens down the cobblestone path. He doesn't go near the trees, although the sound of a small chattering animal distracts him for a second. He tracks all thee way to the other Garden tower where the other guard went missing from. No one stands guard in front of it, but one of the guards on the wall does watch Mutt and Tuck track all the way along the Garden's southern wall to the Gate of Lilies. At first, Tuck think the dog wants to go through the gate but Mutt, instead, tracks past it and down to the Garden's main gateway back into Old City.
Mutt track the missing guard all the way across the district to a large stone manor house that is quite posh. The sun has set and the lamplighters are out doing their work. The big dog circles the manor house and then stops and the back gate along a large hedgerow that is taller than Big Tim. Mutt scratches at the stout wooden gate than blocks his path. He looks at Tuck and then sniffs the air. He circles twice through the street before coming back to the kobold urban ranger and sits down in front of him with his tongue hanging out of his mouth. The dog is happy and he barks twice at Tuck.
A small patrol of Regulars appears and then watches them intently before one of them recognizes Tim. He signals the big man shouting out an acknowledgement. The guards are out hunting for troublemakers including the murderer* on the loose in Old City. "Let us know if you see anything!" He shouts.
The manor is dark. Either no one is home or its residents go to sleep very early. The streets have become nearly silent. The hubbub of the day is replaces by an eeriness. A light fog moves inland from the bay, obscuring some visibility (anything beyond 100 feet). The guards become misty shadows in the haze. Mutt sniffs the air again and then circles the gathered group of adventurers. He doesn't seem concerned by the guards' presence.
JustinCase said:
Urban Tracking says you need to make a certain number of successful rolls in order to find your target. I've rolled and found the number of success you need and the book says I'm supposed to keep that number to myself, but for the sake of expediency, I'll tell you it is two more successful checks. Each check represents and hour of searching, I believe.
And yes, Mutt has the missing guard's scent, which gives you the bonus below for the next check. I think if you fail a check, Mutt loses the scent, but you won't have to start over.
And yes, Mutt has the missing guard's scent, which gives you the bonus below for the next check. I think if you fail a check, Mutt loses the scent, but you won't have to start over.
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Aust Thale
Adventurer
Falen: He slips an agate gem from a pouch inside his belt. Moving uncomfortably closer to the guard, and gazing dead at him, eyes ablaze with intent. He leaves his free hand against his chest within reach of his hidden magical knife. He speaks calmly and directly to the Guard Sergeant, clearing his throat and changing his demeanor to a man not to be trifled with, "Here is the toll you seek. I have business here, and I am expected. I have chosen to humor you in front of your men. But don't kid yourself. Your next action should be to take the agate from my hand. It's a handsome reward for the day. Do yourself a favor, take it and say "move along. I assure you, that's the best decision you will make all day."
Unseen seers typically loathe provoking drama. It rarely serves anyone's interest. However, if provoked, Falen had and would again leave bodies in his midst. Turning over his belongings, particularly the letter he carried, wasn't an option. It would become an open fight, and the first to drop would be this disgrace in front of him.
Intimidate = 8+1 (skill) + 2 (circumstance per DM) = 11; COre COliseum Battle Map
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Neurotic
I plan on living forever. Or die trying.
Akos finally gets interested as things start moving forward. He is not a creature of patience and investigating and looking for clues and such...not his thing. But this chase, slow as it is, and the chance to interact with people gets him involved again.
He nods amiably at the guards, speaks openly and enthusiastically with whoever is outside (including the guards) and in general distracts people Tuck questions with nice chatter so they are less likely to hold back because kobold asks the questions.
OOC: auto-succeed aid another for Tuck/@JustinCase
He nods amiably at the guards, speaks openly and enthusiastically with whoever is outside (including the guards) and in general distracts people Tuck questions with nice chatter so they are less likely to hold back because kobold asks the questions.
OOC: auto-succeed aid another for Tuck/@JustinCase
Knightfall
World of Kulan DM
Falen makes his way to Old City:
"Sir, we need to go," one of the other surly guards say. "They'll be along any minute now. We need to get back."
"Yeah, yeah," he moans. "That new commander is a horrible stickler." The sergeant doesn't give Falen another glance as he and the others walk away.
The youngest of the guards pauses for a moment. "I'm sorry for what Sergeant Vonner said and did. He's a brute and a bully,' he whispers to Falen. "Here, it's not much but it's all I can give you for that gem." He hands Falen six silvers. "If you want to make a report against him, go to the main barracks in the Military District and speak to-"
"Ducas! Get your ass moving!" Sergeant Vonner yells. "Make money on your own time, whelp!"
The Regular sighs and rushes to catch up to his patrol.
Falen finds himself alone for a moment, before another one of the lifts grinds to a halt and spills out more workers heading home for the evening. The sun has gone down and the lamplighters are out. Falen is forced to follow the throng for a block before splitting off to head to the district's gate that will lead him to the other 'pie' known as Old City. The guards there are polite and warn him that there was an attack on the road. "Be careful and get to Old City as quickly as you can. They'll be closing the gates soon."
Falen is forced to rush the entire way, but he makes it just in time. The guards are less friendly but do not 'accost' him in any way. The give him another warning. "I suggest you find an inn and get inside as soon as possible. There is a killer on the loose on the streets," a female guard warns him.
"Damn, fog, just what we don't need tonight," Another guard curses.
Indeed a light mist has billowed in from the sea. Falen is ushered through the gate into the foggy streets of Bluffside's oldest district. He pats the letter in his pocket and heads towards the Ticinum embassy. His instructions say that he'll have a place to sleep for the night after he delivers the letter. It takes some time to find his way there through the mist. Falen is completely chilled by the time he arrives, as two different guard patrols stop him and warn him to get inside for the night.
The embassy is a large three-story building with two banners of the Empire of Ticinum flanking the door, barely visible in the fog. Guards in the uniforms of the empire greet him at the gate. They refuse him entry at first until he explains why he is there.
"I see," one of them says. "He looks at his compatriot uneasily. "You best get inside and talk to Lord Sisenna. He can take you to the ambassador."
"Not that it matters now," the other guard says.
"We're not to talk about it in the open, Kaeso!"
The two guards usher Falen into the embassy and close the large double doors behind him. The unseen seer is bathed in warmth and light. A young scribe sits behind a desk in the embassy's large anteroom. He is embroiled in a mountain of paperwork and doesn't look up until the doors slam shut. He looks at Falen quizzically.
"Can I help you?"
The guard sergeant takes the gem greedily and inspects it with glee. Falen can see that he doesn't find it lacking in any way. Once he's pocketed the gem, he give Falen an angry look. "Your little speech might have saved your pride but be careful you don't push me to far. I will take the gem as your payment and let you go, little man, but I know your face and we will continue this chat at another time." He looks around at the streets. "Someplace less public. And then we'll see if you have any bravado."
"Sir, we need to go," one of the other surly guards say. "They'll be along any minute now. We need to get back."
"Yeah, yeah," he moans. "That new commander is a horrible stickler." The sergeant doesn't give Falen another glance as he and the others walk away.
The youngest of the guards pauses for a moment. "I'm sorry for what Sergeant Vonner said and did. He's a brute and a bully,' he whispers to Falen. "Here, it's not much but it's all I can give you for that gem." He hands Falen six silvers. "If you want to make a report against him, go to the main barracks in the Military District and speak to-"
"Ducas! Get your ass moving!" Sergeant Vonner yells. "Make money on your own time, whelp!"
The Regular sighs and rushes to catch up to his patrol.
Falen finds himself alone for a moment, before another one of the lifts grinds to a halt and spills out more workers heading home for the evening. The sun has gone down and the lamplighters are out. Falen is forced to follow the throng for a block before splitting off to head to the district's gate that will lead him to the other 'pie' known as Old City. The guards there are polite and warn him that there was an attack on the road. "Be careful and get to Old City as quickly as you can. They'll be closing the gates soon."
Falen is forced to rush the entire way, but he makes it just in time. The guards are less friendly but do not 'accost' him in any way. The give him another warning. "I suggest you find an inn and get inside as soon as possible. There is a killer on the loose on the streets," a female guard warns him.
"Damn, fog, just what we don't need tonight," Another guard curses.
Indeed a light mist has billowed in from the sea. Falen is ushered through the gate into the foggy streets of Bluffside's oldest district. He pats the letter in his pocket and heads towards the Ticinum embassy. His instructions say that he'll have a place to sleep for the night after he delivers the letter. It takes some time to find his way there through the mist. Falen is completely chilled by the time he arrives, as two different guard patrols stop him and warn him to get inside for the night.
The embassy is a large three-story building with two banners of the Empire of Ticinum flanking the door, barely visible in the fog. Guards in the uniforms of the empire greet him at the gate. They refuse him entry at first until he explains why he is there.
"I see," one of them says. "He looks at his compatriot uneasily. "You best get inside and talk to Lord Sisenna. He can take you to the ambassador."
"Not that it matters now," the other guard says.
"We're not to talk about it in the open, Kaeso!"
The two guards usher Falen into the embassy and close the large double doors behind him. The unseen seer is bathed in warmth and light. A young scribe sits behind a desk in the embassy's large anteroom. He is embroiled in a mountain of paperwork and doesn't look up until the doors slam shut. He looks at Falen quizzically.
"Can I help you?"
XP for dealing with the Guard Sergeant > 1,200
Aust Thale
Adventurer
His old mentor, Max, had sent him to get the missive for an man named Lord Cassianus Avitus, the current ambassador of Ticin to Bluffside. Why he had to go all the way to Tânger by ship to physically pick up the letter is a mystery. Magic would have been considerably faster. Max hadn't told him the reason why had to be this way, but he'd paid Falen well for the trip, up front. Max never parted with gold easily.
Falen:
Falen closes Ducas' palm gently upon the silver coins with his own hand, " No sir. I appreciate your integrity, and should we meet again, it shall not go un-noticed. I assure you, I do not confuse kindness for weakness. Be well. " Falen takes care to quickly memorize Ducas' face and Vonner's. Should Vonner get his wish, and he and Falen meet again, it will be the young Ducas' face he sees at the end. Falen proceeds to the Old City. As he walks toward his goal, he takes care to note his surroundings and listening for languages of which he is familiar. He slowly changes his features under his hat of disguise as he moves along, taking care to not alarm anyone, but acquiring a shorter and very much younger version of Max, his old mentor, albeit with darker, slightly unkept hair and 'five-o'clock shadow'. Under his hat, in the twilight of sundown, he would expect nobody to really notice.
Upon his arrival and being addressed by the scribe, he studies the fellow carefully before answering diplomatically in High Ticin, " Yes indeed, Master Scribe. My name is Falen; I come bearing a message for Lord Cassianus from Lord Max, Earl of Ravenhill. The message is both under Seal and time is of import. I am to remain, pending a response and at his disposal, at the embassy for such time as Lord Cassianus deems appropriate. "
Knightfall
World of Kulan DM
In the Fog in Old City:
"Careful. He's fierce," Tuck says.
"I believe you," the boy says. He pats Mutt gingerly on the nose, once. "You wanted to know something... what was it again?"
"Kojo, they asked about someone named Nathaniel," the other youngster notes while rubbing Mutt's neck. He's more at ease with the big dog.
"A young lord named Nathaniel Aceron to be precise," Vinccenzo adds. "He is also a tower guard."
"We've rode by it on our patron's wagon a few times," the other boy adds. "While on the road to Straftbridge. It's not the grandest country estate along the road, but does have an old tower next to the main house."
"You know a lot about them," Tuck says. "Why is that?"
"Lady Aceron has bought statues and paintings from our patron, Naida Amrouche," Kojo replies. "She is quite the art lover and buys a lot from Madam Amrouche."
The other boy looks around to see that the fog threatens to make it impossible to get home. "We really need to get going. It's a long walk from here to the dormitories."
"Right Essien," Kojo replies. "I'm sorry, but we can't stay any longer," he says to Tuck. "I hope you find the young lord. I think I met him once, but it might have been one of the other Acerons. If it was him, he was nice."
The two lads head into the fog as quickly as they can.
"They aren't wrong," a voice says in the fog. "But not entirely right."
"Who goes there?" Vinccenzo demands. "Show yourself!"
"No, I don't think so," the voice drones. Then there is mad giggling. "Ah, young Nathaniel Aceron. He is such a pretty boy... with bad habits. I saw him tonight, yes. I considered leaving my mark, but he already had fear in his eyes. It's no fun when I can't be the one to make them afraid."
"T-the killer," Vinccenzo stutters.
"You presume to much, Sectarian," the voice snaps. "Like those waifs and their mistress, I am artist. Blood is my paint. I would paint all of you, but there are too many of you."
Mutt growls and stands guard next to Tuck.
"Ooh, nice doggie," the voice shrills. "Aren't you a pretty thing, yes."
The voice seems to come from all around the group. It echoes in the streets and is muted by the deepening fog. There is something almost magical about it. Ethereal. Otherworldly. It is chilling and surreal.
"What do you want?" Tuck asks.
"To point you in the right direction. The boy went into the manor and he came out with a bundle. I trailed him, I did, yes. To the place where people leave. The soldiers didn't see me. They let him through without even a word. He is one of them, after all. Gone, he is. Gone into the wilds where the hunting isn't as safe as here. Too many monsters in the wilds. He wasn't good prey. I found several others this night." The voice becomes wispy. "Two old maids in a cart and a young buck in a stable," the voice laughs. "The maids are eating grapes. The buck shot in the rump, its leg broken from the fall. All three painted a lovely picture. The buck was still kicking when I left him. Maybe you will find him in time, yes. He is near."
The voice becomes a whisper and then manic laughing in the distance, in all directions.
The guards wave back but the fog soon swallows them up. The mist is growing thicker and soon it will hard to see anything more than a dozen feet away.
Tuck finds few people on the street, although the adventurers' presence does bring out a few onlookers. It takes some time to get anyone to talk to him and Akos. The Loremaster's words help sway a few young lads heading home from a hard days work at a nearby shop. As they stop to talk, Mutt takes notice of them and tries to get them to pet him. One of them looks at Tuck with his eyes wide.
"Careful. He's fierce," Tuck says.
"I believe you," the boy says. He pats Mutt gingerly on the nose, once. "You wanted to know something... what was it again?"
"Kojo, they asked about someone named Nathaniel," the other youngster notes while rubbing Mutt's neck. He's more at ease with the big dog.
"A young lord named Nathaniel Aceron to be precise," Vinccenzo adds. "He is also a tower guard."
"The Acerons," Kojo says. He looks at the manor house. "That's their family home here in Bluffside, but Lord Aceron is rarely uses it. They have an estate about dozen miles outside the city. If you're looking for any of them, you'll probably find them out there."Scotley said:
"We've rode by it on our patron's wagon a few times," the other boy adds. "While on the road to Straftbridge. It's not the grandest country estate along the road, but does have an old tower next to the main house."
"You know a lot about them," Tuck says. "Why is that?"
"Lady Aceron has bought statues and paintings from our patron, Naida Amrouche," Kojo replies. "She is quite the art lover and buys a lot from Madam Amrouche."
The other boy looks around to see that the fog threatens to make it impossible to get home. "We really need to get going. It's a long walk from here to the dormitories."
"Right Essien," Kojo replies. "I'm sorry, but we can't stay any longer," he says to Tuck. "I hope you find the young lord. I think I met him once, but it might have been one of the other Acerons. If it was him, he was nice."
The two lads head into the fog as quickly as they can.
"They aren't wrong," a voice says in the fog. "But not entirely right."
"Who goes there?" Vinccenzo demands. "Show yourself!"
"No, I don't think so," the voice drones. Then there is mad giggling. "Ah, young Nathaniel Aceron. He is such a pretty boy... with bad habits. I saw him tonight, yes. I considered leaving my mark, but he already had fear in his eyes. It's no fun when I can't be the one to make them afraid."
"T-the killer," Vinccenzo stutters.
"You presume to much, Sectarian," the voice snaps. "Like those waifs and their mistress, I am artist. Blood is my paint. I would paint all of you, but there are too many of you."
Mutt growls and stands guard next to Tuck.
"Ooh, nice doggie," the voice shrills. "Aren't you a pretty thing, yes."
The voice seems to come from all around the group. It echoes in the streets and is muted by the deepening fog. There is something almost magical about it. Ethereal. Otherworldly. It is chilling and surreal.
"What do you want?" Tuck asks.
"To point you in the right direction. The boy went into the manor and he came out with a bundle. I trailed him, I did, yes. To the place where people leave. The soldiers didn't see me. They let him through without even a word. He is one of them, after all. Gone, he is. Gone into the wilds where the hunting isn't as safe as here. Too many monsters in the wilds. He wasn't good prey. I found several others this night." The voice becomes wispy. "Two old maids in a cart and a young buck in a stable," the voice laughs. "The maids are eating grapes. The buck shot in the rump, its leg broken from the fall. All three painted a lovely picture. The buck was still kicking when I left him. Maybe you will find him in time, yes. He is near."
The voice becomes a whisper and then manic laughing in the distance, in all directions.
Knightfall
World of Kulan DM
In the Ticinum Delagacy:
The man nods once before looking down to finish scribbling on the document in front of him. He taps dust on the parchment and then blows off the excess. He drips melted wax onto it and stamps a seal onto before placing it to the side. Once he's done, he looks back up at Falen.
"I am Vel Faunus Amphion, but you may simply address me as Scriba Amphion. Your timing is terrible," he says leaning back in his chair. "Lord Cassianus Dovius Avitus is permanently unavailable, but I should probably let Lord Sisenna Romnius Casca explain the situation to you. He has taken charge of the situation until a successor can be named by the Emperor."
The scribe stands and stretches. He is very short but still taller than a halfling. He steps out from behind the desk and walks to a door to Falen's right. He opens it and motions for Falen to follow. "I will take you to him."
As the two walk down a long hallway to an expansive office, Falen notes that the scribe has an unusual gait. Just before entering the open double doorway, the scribe speaks, "When you speak to the praefectus, please address him either using his full name preceded by lord or simply as Praefectus Casca."
Entering the room, Falan notes a tall man in full military uniform standing in front of roaring fireplace, his back to the doorway. His uniform is blazoned in red and silver with a stylized eagle in black on his cloak. Scriba Amphion introduces the unseen sear.
"Lord Sisenna Romnius Casca, may I present," he glances at Falen. "Falen, a servant of Lord Max of Ravenhill. He has brought a letter for Legatus Avitus."
The praefectus sighs and turns around. The man is chiseled with a well-trimmed beard. "I was expecting a message from the Emperor not one of Legatus Avitus's friends." He offers Falen a place to sit on a chair by the fire. "If you had arrived sooner, the legatus could have seen your missive before he was killed."
He sits in a chair across from the one he offers Falen. He clasps his hands together and shakes his head. "He has been murdered. We're not sure by who but it seems to be related to the legatus's dealing here in Bluffside." He motions to a table behind him under a large window. "There are documents that show he has been forced to deal with a group of mercenaries known as the Rising Swords. They are quite infamous around Bluffside and the Aarzen Valley to the east. It seems the legatus was being blackmailed by someone, unnamed. This person was forcing him to smuggle in members of the Swords, as well as another group that the legatus referred to as Arreptitii. We don't know their origins, but I suspect it isn't good."
He sighs again and looks at the fire. "You might as well give the letter to Scriba Amphion."
As Falen's eyes adjust to the brighter surroundings, he notes that the young scribe appears much older than he first thought. And there is something odd about his appearance. It's not the large cap he wears or his puffy clothes. The man looks like he hasn't shaved in days. His hands are hairy too and his facial features seem exaggerated.
The man nods once before looking down to finish scribbling on the document in front of him. He taps dust on the parchment and then blows off the excess. He drips melted wax onto it and stamps a seal onto before placing it to the side. Once he's done, he looks back up at Falen.
"I am Vel Faunus Amphion, but you may simply address me as Scriba Amphion. Your timing is terrible," he says leaning back in his chair. "Lord Cassianus Dovius Avitus is permanently unavailable, but I should probably let Lord Sisenna Romnius Casca explain the situation to you. He has taken charge of the situation until a successor can be named by the Emperor."
The scribe stands and stretches. He is very short but still taller than a halfling. He steps out from behind the desk and walks to a door to Falen's right. He opens it and motions for Falen to follow. "I will take you to him."
As the two walk down a long hallway to an expansive office, Falen notes that the scribe has an unusual gait. Just before entering the open double doorway, the scribe speaks, "When you speak to the praefectus, please address him either using his full name preceded by lord or simply as Praefectus Casca."
Entering the room, Falan notes a tall man in full military uniform standing in front of roaring fireplace, his back to the doorway. His uniform is blazoned in red and silver with a stylized eagle in black on his cloak. Scriba Amphion introduces the unseen sear.
"Lord Sisenna Romnius Casca, may I present," he glances at Falen. "Falen, a servant of Lord Max of Ravenhill. He has brought a letter for Legatus Avitus."
The praefectus sighs and turns around. The man is chiseled with a well-trimmed beard. "I was expecting a message from the Emperor not one of Legatus Avitus's friends." He offers Falen a place to sit on a chair by the fire. "If you had arrived sooner, the legatus could have seen your missive before he was killed."
He sits in a chair across from the one he offers Falen. He clasps his hands together and shakes his head. "He has been murdered. We're not sure by who but it seems to be related to the legatus's dealing here in Bluffside." He motions to a table behind him under a large window. "There are documents that show he has been forced to deal with a group of mercenaries known as the Rising Swords. They are quite infamous around Bluffside and the Aarzen Valley to the east. It seems the legatus was being blackmailed by someone, unnamed. This person was forcing him to smuggle in members of the Swords, as well as another group that the legatus referred to as Arreptitii. We don't know their origins, but I suspect it isn't good."
He sighs again and looks at the fire. "You might as well give the letter to Scriba Amphion."
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Aust Thale
Adventurer
Falen:
Remaining silent through Praefectus Casca's description of events, he studies the Lord's facial characteristics. Yes, this one would make quite a lovely face to add to his repertoire. Falen's eyebrows raise upon knowledge of Avitus' demise. He had heard of the Rising Swords, and frankly, it's not particularly surprising that Avitus would find himself, by accident or on purpose, at their bidding. They had a tendency to be...persuasive. Something is obviously amiss. Thinking quickly, he addresses Casca, "Praefectus Casca, thank you for informing me of these matters. It occurs to me that I should inquire as to the manner, and perhaps some detail, of Legatus Avitus' demise. I can not presume your scribe to correspond with his personal acquaintance. I was unaware of their relationship. I beg of you to provide more detail if possible; Lord Max will certainly want to know. And candidly, the Lord of Ravenhill is known to be three things: a spendthrift, having a loyalty to his friends and retainers, and driven to some excess upon acquiring bad news. Would you or Scribe Amphion be willing to share with me something I might provide him to temper his...intemperance? "
Regardless of Lord Casca's response, Falen will defer to Scribe Amphion as the Praefectus instructs. He will study closely Scrive Amphion's facial expressions.
In closing, Falen suddenly snaps to, as if recalling something odd, " Praefectus Casca, is it in the habit of Bluffside's elite guardsmen or their regulars to "shake down" newcomers to Bluffside? I don't mean ordinary taking advantage; I mean overt threats for those without credentials to the city? I ran into a guard Sargeant, a 'Vonner' fellow, upon my reaching the city, intercepted me for a few minutes, demanding a toll. I complied as my mission was more important than my pride. However, as these Rising Swords or Arreptitii appear to be less than quiet about their business now, I wonder if this Vonner fellow or his ilk would be susceptible to their graces and charms? It has been my observation as a courier that external meddling nearly always relies on internal discontent or corruption."
Falen intends this latter query to simultaneously document his encounter with Vonner, if for no other reason than to cast suspicion on his sort of asshattery, but also to tease out more information from Lord Casca and Scribe Amphion about Bluffside and this situation.
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