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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Kid Charlemagne" data-source="post: 210453" data-attributes="member: 93">Duke Alfric’s Castle, Kingdom of Caer Sidi, June 25th, AE 420As they enter the outer bailey of the castle, they take stock of the layout of the place.  The main keep is surrounded by walls, and is built on a an area of higher ground.  A winding, walled path leads down to the outer bailey, which is surrounded by the second set of walls.  The Captain of the Guard stops the group, nodding to Theodisius, and asks them their business.  Aris acts as spokesman.  He introduces the party, using their actual places of origin; they have decided that being truthful is the best policy here.“We’re searching for criminals from our realms who we believe have taken refuge here in Caer Sidi,” he says.As the Captain listens to their story, Soldago notices a bronze raven that at first he takes to be a statuette.  Then, its head turns, looking at the party.  When the party has finsihed their tale, the Captain whispers something to the Raven, and it flies off, heading towards the main keep.“The Duke will be notified of your presence, and will no doubt wish to speak with you soon,” the Captain says.  You may avail yourselves of the marketplace in the meantime.”Near the main gates to the fortress is a marketplace.  There are a good number of small shops here, selling everything from pastries and candies to carpets and tapestries.  There is an armorer/weaponsmith run by a hobgoblin but manned by dwarves wearing the collars indicating they are slaves.  There is an apothecary, run by a group of gnomes.  There is even a perfumer, which appears to be owned by a foppish looking kobold.  Free hobgoblins and wealthy looking elves mill about the marketplace, making purchases.Gavin’s eyes are drawn to a practice field where some of the elvish knights are taking jousting practice.  Lord Evan is among them, tilting at rings.  “Thinking about challenging someone?” Jovah asks.  “I could place some bets…”“Nah,” Gavin responds.  “They’d probably throw me in jail for having steel armor.”After an hour or so of milling about an shopping, Jovah has ordered a bronze dagger from the weaponsmith, and Brennen has attempted to test the quality of the bronze metal to see if its similar in strength to that back home.  A young elf in long robes bearing the griffon emblem approaches Aris and Jalea.  He bows to them, and addresses Aris.“Duke Alfric requests the pleasure of your presence in court…  now.”Aris bows back.  “We would be honored.  Lead on.He glances back at the others with a sly grin.“Come, underlings.”Gavin and Corwin glare back at the Bladesinger, who seems awfully pleased with himself.  They trudge on up to the main castle, and pass through the gates of the inner walls.Inside the inner walls lies the main keep, which is surrounded by a wide moat that runs from the keep’s edge to the walls.  A bridge crosses the seventy or so feet to the keep.  The water appears to be fed by a mechanism that forces water out like waterfalls from the base of the keep itself.  The water is crystal clear, with a tiled bottom.  It is also populated by a number of immense goldfish, each about fifteen to twenty feet long.“Well,” Gavin says.  “They do say that goldfish grow to the size of their container…”They enter the keep and make their way up to the Great Hall, which is on the very top floor.  The Hall is designed to appear like a forest glade, with stone pillars carved to resemble trees, leaves made of elborate grreen enamel, and semi-precious gems sparkling as flowers.  Mechnical nightingales chirp in amidst the gilded leaves.  Inside  are dozens of elves lounging about with orcish slaves serving them.  A solitary gnome flits about the room with a small step ladder, examining and occasionally repairing some of the mechanical nightingales.At the far end of the Hall, sitting upon a raised dias, are two thrones.  An elven man and woman sit upon them, dressed sumptuosly in fine fabrics and rich furs.  The elvish page who has brought the party this far leads them up to the dias and introduces them.“Milord and milady,” he says.  “I present you with Aris Lyrell, and compatriots.”  “This is Duke Alfric, and the Lady Meriven.”Aris bows gracefully, and explains the parties presence and tells the Duke of their reasons for coming here.  Duke Alfric listens politely, and when the Bladesinger is finished, he speaks.“I welcome you to the Kingdom of Caer Sidi, and grant you free right of passage within my realm.  While you are a guest here, you are under my protection.  Please accept my offer of lodgings for the night, and we would be honored if you would join us for dinner this evening.”“Thank you, your majesty,” Aris says.  “I am curious; have you seen these two people that I have described?  Their names are Arlen Kentfield, and Quinn.”“I must confess that all Thendar look much alike to me,” Duke Alfric replies.  “I do not recall seeing these individuals.”The party takes their leave of the Duke and Lady, and goes to the chambers appointed to them, led by the elvish page.  As they arrive at the chambers, which are situated in one of the four towers of the inner wall, Aris turns to the page.“Has there been anyone in the area matchign the descriptions I gave the Duke?” he asks.  “Have you seen those two men by any chance?”The young elf looks up at the Bladesinger.“Oh, yes!” he responds, and points to a nearby tower.  “They’re staying right over there!”</blockquote>

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