Malvoisin's Savage Tide, Act 1 - There Is No Honor

[stonegod]

Col silently curses at the ill fortune not to have prepared the Baccobian chant to reveal the words of others today, and does his best to try to identify any of the maps from his faded knowledge of the Blue Mistress. [KN: Geography] He suruptitiously gestures for Kalen to come over, whispering softly, "You be mak'n 'ead or tail of this?"

With payment completed, Lavinia gathers the ledgers of funds owed to her family, the strange journal ("Hmm, this is my mother's handwriting. It bears much investigation, thank you master Col.") and asks the party to carry some of the money back to the street above. That done, she approaches the clerk in Castle Teraknian's entry hall.

Col grins as he hands the book back, but internally grimaces and thinks a few choice words. "O' course, Lady. If you do be need'n 'elp with those documents, you be let'n me know, as words and secrets are my speciality. I know much 'bout many a thing."

Tramp prolly not be know'n if the buried secrets of the Secret One do be sit'n in 'er lap.

"Sir, has anyone else visited my family's vault recently?"

"Of course, your brother Vanthus has visited the vault several times over the last month. Why do you ask?"

Col shares a secret smirk with himself. They call me 'Mad', but once ag'in I be right. They no listen one day when it do be cost'n them, mark me words.

~~~~

Back in the carriage for the return trip to Vanderboren Manor, Lavinia has been silently lost in thought for quite some time. At last, she breaks the silence, asking of the party, "I would ask each of you something else, if you are willing. You've done so well, been so helpful. And now, with this turn of events, I fear I may need your help again. I would hire you permanently, if you are willing, as my agents...troubleshooters, if you will. I will pay each of you 100 gold pieces per month for your service. What do you say?"

"O'course, I be will'n. As I be say'n, there be archival work I could be do'n fer ya, and these blokes do be need'n someone w'a level head. Chongo 'specially, har, har!"

 

[GwydapLlew]

One hundred gold coins a month? Chongo would never have to work again with that kind of cash in his pouch. He grunts once in assent.

"Bosslady pays well. Chongo will work for bosslady."

 

[Legildur]

Bael thanks Lavinia as he accepts the payment. He sketches a short bow to her as his mind turns over the puzzle in his mind.

With the revelation that Lavinia's brother has been looting the family vault, the pieces all start to come together. And combined with the notes about exotic animals, the recent illegal activity with the Blue Nixie and said animals, Bael comes to the conclusion that there is a possible indirect threat to the city.

"Milady, I would gladly enter service with one so honourable," the elf says, secretly glad to have a way to pay the bills.

 

[Malvoisin]

Col silently curses at the ill fortune not to have prepared the Baccobian chant to reveal the words of others today, and does his best to try to identify any of the maps from his faded knowledge of the Blue Mistress. [KN: Geography] He suruptitiously gestures for Kalen to come over, whispering softly, "You be mak'n 'ead or tail of this?"

Even Col's prodigious knowledge of far shores and distant lands is not enough to allow him to recognize the place depicted in these documents.

As he shows the papers to Kalen, the elf nods. "Written in the sylvan tongue...looks like the journal of an explorer." Just then, Lavinia asks for the papers back, and no more can be learned now.

I took the liberty of borrowing Kalen for a sec, just to not leave that thread hanging.

 

[Rhun]

"So, m'lady, what would you have of us? What services can we perform for you?" Anar again smiles warmly at Lavinia. "We are yours to command."

 

[Malvoisin]

I'm going to keep things rolling, assuming that Kalen also accepts Lavinia's offer of employment.

Lavinia seems satisifed with the positive response from each person, then settles back in her seat in the coach, lost in thought.

When the coach arrives back at the estate, Lavinia asks for help carrying inside the chests brought out of the vault. When that's done, she bids farewell to the group and answers Anar, saying, "I have a new assignment in mind for you, but I need some time to think things through. Today's events have left me with much to ponder. Between the gold and IOUs we collected today, I have enough to pay the back taxes and set the estate in order. Still, with so much money missing, it will be rough year...especially if my aunt and uncle in Cauldron cannot lend me aid. Will you come back in a day or two, so we can discuss matters further?"

Assuming the group agrees, Lavinia says farewell and goes inside.

How will each of you spend the next couple of days? Let me know if you want to purchase anything, make any skill checks, etc. The next scene will open two days following, with a new audience at the Vanderboren house.

 

[Legildur]

"Well then," starts the (so far) distant Bael. "If I have it right, Lavinia will send us on some mission that will take us far and wide - judging by the journal. And in our hands we hold a sizable some of gold."

"If there is anything I learnt from the old stories is that adventuring is a dangerous business and people get hurt. Maybe we could pool some money to purchase something to alleviate that when it occurs?" he suggests.

Regardless, Bael will spend his time between registering with the Witchwardens (-20gp) [if required given his background] and maybe living it up a little with Anar.

 

[GwydapLlew]

"Chongo think magic stick good idea. Chongo not want to die."

[sblock=OOC]Will the arena fight take place during the next few days or later on?[/sblock]

 

[Malvoisin]

OOCWill the arena fight take place during the next few days or later on?

The fight can take place within the next couple of days. This is Chongo's initation fight, as part of his membership application into the Horns.

 

[Malvoisin]

Regardless, Bael will spend his time between registering with the Witchwardens (-20gp) [if required given his background] and maybe living it up a little with Anar.

Unfortunately, Bael must still undergo a review of his arcane abilites before a panel of judges. Most of them probably already are aware of his skills, but the formality must still be observed (and the 20 gp fee paid, of course!) Go ahead and subtract that sum from your gp total.