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Post by GravityEmblem on Sept 8, 2021 5:36:17 GMT -8
The battalion marching to Deppsburg attracts a lot of attention from the farmers and merchants who live along the road. Whispering and pointing follow the group wherever they go. At one point, a small child runs up and asks, "Did you rob a bank?"
"Uh...no?" the Duke responds, confused.
"OK, I didn't think so. But I wanted to make sure," the boy says, before scurrying back to his parents. (Blackpool guffaws at this)
By the third evening, Deppsburg is in sight. The dirty walls surround an equally dirty city, with all manners of ports sticking into the Bay of Tempests. It looks like the exact sort of town which would be frequented by pirates. It probably is, given what you know of it.
The Duke clears his throat. "I, uh, propose that our adventurers go in first."
("Coward," Meine mutters.)
The General arches his eyebrow. "For what reason?"
"I was thinking that, while we take up the task of getting your army situated, they could ask about town for information on the assassins." He hands Daos a small bag of gold. "Here...in case anyone needs, er, persuading."
Blackpool laughs. "I doubt it! These noble citizens should be happy to help their Duke!"
He squirms. "Uh, yes....happy."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* (Daos can prepare new spells.)
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Post by Daos on Sept 8, 2021 13:04:28 GMT -8
Daos accepts the bag of gold and tucks it away safely into his belongings. "It's a large town. Any advice on where to begin our search, your grace?" he asks the duke.
============
(OOC: I'll keep my spells the same for now. Also, for the purposes of my inventory, how much gold is in the bag?)
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Post by GravityEmblem on Sept 8, 2021 13:06:33 GMT -8
"The taverns are a good place to start. Two disgraced nobles hiding out in town is an excellent source of rumors, is it not?"
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* (The bag has 50 gold in it)
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Post by Daos on Sept 9, 2021 14:25:15 GMT -8
Daos nods, then turns to the others. "Well, shall we? Let's start with the nicer inns; I doubt two nobles are going to want to slum it out in a dive."
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Post by GravityEmblem on Sept 9, 2021 15:36:56 GMT -8
Meine nods, and the three ride toward the city gates. However, they are stopped by the guards.
"Hold on, no one enters without paying the visitor tax," one says.
Meine grimaces. "The Duke didn't mention a visitor tax."
The other guard turns pale. "Uh, maybe we shouldn't--"
The first one scoffs. "Yeah, and I'm the Princess of Foccu."
"I'm the Princess of Foccu," Meine says icily.
"...you're bluffing."
"You wanna bet?!" she growls, apparently a second away from getting off her horse and decking him.
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Post by Igordragonian on Sept 10, 2021 3:54:14 GMT -8
Qurrak join along. He accompany the princess, clapping his shields together, and add a frown, TRYING to look intimidating.
--- Intimodation
CcKqZZ8h1d20+11d20+1
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Post by Daos on Sept 10, 2021 15:03:12 GMT -8
Daos places a hand on Meine's shoulder, silently asking her to stand down. He looks to the guards and says, "You may want to let us pass. The last person who demanded a tax on the minotaur now has to take all of his meals through a straw."
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Post by GravityEmblem on Sept 11, 2021 6:55:30 GMT -8
"Nope, nope, I'm outta here, you want to shake'em down, you're on your own," says the more timid guard. Even the more steadfast one backs down.
"Fine, go on through. You're more trouble than you're worth..."
Meine pats Qurrak on the back and says, "Nice one, buddy," as the three pass through the city gates. The image of Deppsburg Kurmok conjured up was accurate, if not an understatement. Gate opens onto a dirty cobble street, where the overpoweringly salty air masks the smell of grime. Despite this, the street is bustling with people, arguing, yelling, and purchasing goods from the shops along the way. Storm clouds loom overhead. In the distance, a crowd of people and the faint sound of singing mark a much more polished building as the premier tavern of the city. But much closer sits another, called the Smiling Wolf, with a depiction of the inn's name hanging next to the sign. At the entrance, an argument appears to be happening. A meek-looking Goliath holds up an extremely irritated Halfling, who is currently shouting vague threats at a tall, burly human, with a scarred but neatly-shaven face, and a certain sense of charisma about him. In fact, Daos and Qurrak recognize him as--
"Grawnem Draft, this is your last chance, I tell you!" the Halfling screams.
"That's what you said yesterday," answers an exasperated Draft.
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Post by Daos on Sept 11, 2021 14:06:19 GMT -8
As they are heading into town, Daos says to Meine, "It may be wise to not draw too much attention to your heritage. While name-dropping can be helpful at times, we don't want you to have a big target on your back. In a place as shady as this, hearing that a princess is walking around may tempt people to try and kidnap and ransom you, instead of do what you say. Just something to think about."
When they enter the Smiling Wolf, Daos recognizes Grawnem Draft right away--the bandit leader from their very first job. He had claimed he was taking his people to Deppsburg, and sure enough, here he is now. Hard to believe that was only a little over a week ago. Still, perhaps the bandit could be of use to them, if he was still feeling thankful for the party choosing to spare him and let him go.
For the moment, he watches the scene play out, not sure if intervening would be helpful or baneful.
==============
Insight check on Draft, to see if he needs help or has things under control: 8Stuw01w1d20+6 1d20+6
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Post by Igordragonian on Sept 11, 2021 15:21:17 GMT -8
Qurrak blushed a bit, rubbing the back of his head from this simple gesture of aprceation. "I... just.. figured.. it.. could.. help."
Qurrak blink. "Isn't that...?"
The minotaur try to access how seriouse the halfling is with his threats ---
Insight Tr|fHOLC1d20+21d20+2
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Post by GravityEmblem on Sept 12, 2021 8:13:12 GMT -8
Meine nods at Daos's warning. "Yeah, that makes sense. Thanks for the warning, Daos."
"Isn't that who?" she asks in response to Qurrak's inquiry. "You know him?"
Daos can tell that the situation is unlikely to devolve into violence now. It's hard for him or Qurrak to tell if the Halfling is going to respond to his flippant disrespect with an attack, or more idle threats.
"You should have more reverence for the Scarlet Dragons. They're the ones protecting you from--"
"From who?" Draft laughs. "The Night Hydras? They came here yesterday, telling me they were protecting me from you. Besides, Lurky Lowlen doesn't pay either of you, why should I?"
The Halfling gives an outraged squeal. "Lurky has held the respect of both gangs for thirty years. You're just an upstart!" he growls. (The Goliath is looking extremely embarrassed to be holding the Halfling)
Draft rolls his eyes. "Tell me, Rick. What side of town is this baby on?" he says, rapping the wall of the Smiling Wolf.
"The East side--Dragon territory."
"Wrong! It's in the middle, down main street. Now, I admit I've only been here a week, but I was under the impression the Dragons and Hydras agreed to keep main street neutral."
Rick looks like he's about to scream. "Yeah!? Well...why don't you..." He then screams.
"Relax, Rick. I could pay tribute in other ways...maybe name a drink after you? 'Rick Smimes--two shots of vodka, and a load of hot air.'" Draft smiles smugly. Smimes glares at him.
"We'll be back, Grawnem. Come on, Grunt."
Grunt grunts. The two storm off in a huff. As they leave, Draft turns around and sees the party.
"Well, if it isn't my adventuring friends!" he laughs. "And with a lovely lady with you, I see."
(Meine stifles a laugh)
"What brings you to Deppsburg? Checking in on me? As you can see," he gestures to the Wolf. "I made good on my word."
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Post by Daos on Sept 12, 2021 13:43:35 GMT -8
During Draft's conversation with the halfling, Daos quickly fills in Meine on who Draft is.
"Well met again, Draft," he says. "I see you made it to Deppsburg safely. But no, we are not here to check up on you. But perhaps we could use your aid now that we're here. Is there somewhere we can speak privately?"
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Post by GravityEmblem on Sept 12, 2021 16:04:02 GMT -8
"Of course! Come inside," he says, gesturing to his tavern.
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Post by Daos on Sept 13, 2021 14:43:33 GMT -8
Joining Draft, Daos explains, "We're searching for a pair of rogue nobles, who we believe may have gone into hiding somewhere in the city. Have you heard anything to that effect?"
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Post by GravityEmblem on Sept 13, 2021 15:08:56 GMT -8
The inside of the Wolf isn't quite ready for business, yet. The floor is dirty and stained, and it seems to lack the proper atmosphere. But the former bandits are hard at work cleaning it up--except for a woman with curly black hair, who is grumbling.
Draft shakes his head, then reconsiders. "Was one of them a man? What was his hair like?"
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