The Bold Adventures of Poins--On the Town

[Bloodcookie]

Caradoc sweeps the coins from the table, and leaves his parents to discuss the finer points of business ethics. He heads to the shop at the front of the house, depositing the Inspector's generosity in the cash-box. After making a cursory inventory and preparing the accounting ledger, he unlocks the front door, hangs the "open" placard beneath the "General Store" sign out front, and goes to wait behind the counter for the day's first customer.

 

[Rhialto]

Weel lets out a relieved sigh and moves to join the old temple guardian.

"It's Weel, sir, and I could certainly use a little something to wash the road grit down," he confides, reaching to pour himself a drink, as well.

"I don't know how quickly the politics travel, but Inquisitor Melsea and the church of Vale took over Thraunos' management of Stawn a few years ago. I can't say I'm thrilled to lose Thraunos' name on a district, but I figure rulership is rather Vale's thing. Maybe it lets Thraunos' journeymen focus a little more on the work of building?"

Weel takes a drink of his own before continuing.

"Esroh, though ... well, he never would tell me what he thought of the whole affair. I have to say, he did strike me as worried when I brought it up, and when he tasked me with delivering your letter ... Let's just say I thought him unsettled. It's had me more than a little curious as to what he wrote you."

"Which reminds me," Weel finishes, reaching into his backpack to present the letter to Phandros. "This belongs to you."

Phandros takes the letter nervously. "The Inquisition's taken Stawn, you say..." His frown widened. "I warned them," he muttered darkly, with a shake of his head. "I warned them. Those damn sneaks would never be happy with just running things behind the scenes--they want to come out and start doing it proper. The next one to fall will be Guisen. The Laughing Maiden's a god as out of step with the rest of the Church as poor old Thraunos is." He clenches his fist. "Just you watch! Now that they've got a Hierarch who's behind them completely, they won't be happy with just the occasional priest! They'll smash entire Orders now that they think they can! Oh, Thraunos's Holy Trowel..." He whimpers, and then opens the letter. "Still--perhaps this is some good news." Phandros's eyes wander over the message. He grows pale, and drops it. "That fool. That brave, bold fool." A tear rolls down his cheek.

 

[Rhialto]

Caradoc sweeps the coins from the table, and leaves his parents to discuss the finer points of business ethics. He heads to the shop at the front of the house, depositing the Inspector's generosity in the cash-box. After making a cursory inventory and preparing the accounting ledger, he unlocks the front door, hangs the "open" placard beneath the "General Store" sign out front, and goes to wait behind the counter for the day's first customer.

It's as he's depositing them into the box that Caradoc realizes--these are Platinum Imperials. The most valuable coin the Empire mints.

 

[jkason]

"Just you watch! Now that they've got a Hierarch who's behind them completely, they won't be happy with just the occasional priest! They'll smash entire Orders now that they think they can! Oh, Thraunos's Holy Trowel..." He whimpers, and then opens the letter. "Still--perhaps this is some good news." Phandros's eyes wander over the message. He grows pale, and drops it. "That fool. That brave, bold fool." A tear rolls down his cheek.

Crying is definitely not a good sign, Weel thinks as he watches both tear and letter fall.

"Firstly: who in the name of Great Architect would want to smash a harmless Thraunian, let alone the entire sect? And secondly: I think it's time I found out what manner of brave, bold foolishness Master Esroh's been keeping from me."

With that, Weel reaches for the letter on the floor.

 

[Bloodcookie]

It's as he's depositing them into the box that Caradoc realizes--these are Platinum Imperials. The most valuable coin the Empire mints.

Once the value of the coins he'd tossed into the box sinks in, Caradoc first removes them from the box and stacks them next to it, so as to avoid accidentally using them to make change. Then, thinking better of just letting them lie about, he scoops them up and makes to go notify his father, and get the coins into safekeeping.

 

[mps42]

Moran Gull cackles. "Arch's Hard Hand, Graevel, I'm sure glad 'tain't you sittin' on the Golden Throne! We'd be bleedin' gold into yer hands." Most of the other patrons join him in laughter.

Goodman Brown seems less amused. "The way I hear it, that's how they do things in the Empire proper. But as for why he's not doin' it here--oh, Iron Hell, we all know, don't we? Gereint may be yer typical Syran ghit, but he knows there's a limit to how much squeezing we'll take--at least to start. But once he's got us used to it, he'll take a little more--and then a little more--and then a little more--until one day, the bastard's got everything we've got..."

"It may even be as you say, Goodman. All I know is the new taxes be lighter on my back an suren thats a welcome thing."

 

[Ranger Rick]

Alan Hale Rogue 1

While his men laugh for the most part, Helm regards Hale fondly. "Ignore them. Courage, lad, is the finest thing a man may own." He glances at Ventruli. "As for him, he is indeed a mage--but his hawk goes to look for--well, one we are trying to avoid."

Ventruli's eyes snapped open. "The Inspector has left, Helm."

Helm smiles. "Excellent. Tell me, Alan, care to join us? We're looking for brave lads like you."

Said with wide eyed astonishment "Could I, yes I would. My family will not miss me in the least. Who among you skillfull warriors will share their horse with me.?"

 

[Rhialto]

Crying is definitely not a good sign, Weel thinks as he watches both tear and letter fall.

"Firstly: who in the name of Great Architect would want to smash a harmless Thraunian, let alone the entire sect? And secondly: I think it's time I found out what manner of brave, bold foolishness Master Esroh's been keeping from me."

With that, Weel reaches for the letter on the floor.

"He is going to speak to the Hierarch. He is going to protest his decision. He is going to his death." Phandros takes a deep breath. "Lad, I know it seems hard to believe that any could want to harm our Order--but the Valeites do. The Order and the Inquisition of Vale are both hungry for power, and jealous of their position. We Thraunians are--an easy target. Respected, but not necessarily loved. And--we are different than them--more accomodating. This is not something they respect..." He shakes his head. "But I'm getting into an old dispute..." He glances at Weel. "Just be warned--the world is growing more dangerous for us..."

 

[Rhialto]

Said with wide eyed astonishment "Could I, yes I would. My family will not miss me in the least. Who among you skillfull warriors will share their horse with me.?"

The scruffily bearded man laughs. "Hell, Scrouse ain't ever been particular about his company. Jump on lad, and we'll take you into town." The riders quickly take off and head into Poins.

 

[Ranger Rick]

Alan Hale Rogue 1

While bouncing along on the back Alan ponders that he has no money, no sword, no armor.

"Sir, how to I acquire weponary and armor? Do I need to rob someone or fight a dragon or even plunder a dead man?"