|
Post by Nuke on Sept 29, 2016 5:49:34 GMT -8
"Nature abhors a vacuum, even in political power. Someone must eventually rise to power and control. Just another power struggle." Ryan responds. "They have some legitimate points, but the ends do not justify the means." He leans over and spoons more food into his mouth.
|
|
|
Post by Daos on Sept 29, 2016 9:41:12 GMT -8
Ladonna, Rivi and Ryan (Lonely Pony Tavern)"Maybe things aren't meant to change at all," Rebekah adds. "Maybe it's the will of Gonto that things stay the way they are. The church certainly thinks so. That's probably why they have declared an inquisition against the Equalists." Gerald shrugs. "Could be. Or could be they are just trying to protect their own interests. If the Equalists got what they wanted, the church would lose as much power as the gentry, if not more, no?" As they are talking, the reeve gets up and approaches the bar. She drops a few coins on the bar, in front of Rebekah. "You all should be careful about speaking of such things. If the wrong person were to overhear, they might think some of you were being sympathetic to the Equalists." Ser Derica Walls, the village reeve, is a veteran of the Battle of Buho and was, in fact, knighted for her performance in the war. Although in her early 40s now, she was still trim and well-built and carried herself as a warrior half her age would. She has shoulder-length brown hair, blue eyes and fair skin. She is, essentially, the real power in the village as the baron is something of a recluse and the council only handles the less important matters. Ser Walls is in charge of the village's defense, leader of the watch, and the best fighter in the town. Zurgrim Jarnvisk (Jarnvisk Residence)Zurgrim wakes up that morning in his one-room house, alone, as usual. He had slept in a bit today, as he was having dreams again about Dulina Zedar again. He was always reluctant to wake up when that would happen. His old bones creak as he sits up from his bed. It seemed to be a fine summer day, or so he surmised from the sunlight streaming through the window. He had the day off from work today, so he was free to do with it as he liked. He knew there was a Village Council meeting that evening at the Buho Inn. Most of the villagers would attend, to air their grievances and settle their differences before the council. Such meetings only took place twice a month, so it would be two weeks until the next one if he missed it. But that wouldn't be for another 10 hours. For now, he needed to decide what to do with his day.
|
|
|
Post by djhyland on Sept 29, 2016 14:26:09 GMT -8
"Dulina, why do you still torment me after all these years?" Zurgrim wonders. He hasn't spoken to her, much less seen her, for over two decades. He knows that she's likely forgotten him by now...so why can't he forget her too? But he knows that he's asked these questions many times before, and that he will certainly ask them again.
Just as there's a certain odd pleasure in poking at a painful wound, so too is there something bittersweet in remembering the past. But even though he doesn't have to work today, Zurgrim can't justify spending his whole day pining after lost love. Of course he plans to attend the Village Council, but that's not until evening. He's got the entire day before then, and he decides that he might go around town and socialize with his friends. But his first order of business is to find something to eat, as his rumbling stomach makes clear.
After dressing himself in his finest clothing and brushing out his hair and beard, Zurgrim steps out into the fine summer morning and makes his way down to the Buho Inn. He wonders what Hazel and Shanson are serving today, and wonders if he might be able to convince them to share some early rumors about what they might be discussing at the Council meeting tonight.
|
|
|
Post by HorizonsDream on Sept 29, 2016 16:55:55 GMT -8
Ladonna turns on the stool to look at the reeve with a bright smile. "Good morning, Ser Walls!" she says cheerfully to the woman. "I wouldn't say anything here actually supports or sympathizes with them. Now, I could see a few of us playing devil's advocate simply for the sake of a stimulating conversation."
|
|
|
Post by Nuke on Sept 29, 2016 18:21:31 GMT -8
"Just discussing the situation is not sympathizing. And of course the Church would be jeopardized if the revolt was actually successful. But, the Church's power stems from the will and blessings of Gonto himself. I seriously doubt the Church is in any real danger." Ryan responds
|
|
Rivi
Apprentice
Posts: 37
|
Post by Rivi on Sept 30, 2016 10:21:22 GMT -8
Rivi sits not engaging in the comments past that
|
|
|
Post by Daos on Sept 30, 2016 10:37:49 GMT -8
Ladonna, Rivi and Ryan (Lonely Pony Tavern) "Fair enough," Walls replies. "Just...as I said, be careful. You never know who might listen in and...misinterpret things."
"Will we be seeing you tonight at the council meeting, Ser Walls?" Rebekah asks casually.
"I have my duties to attend to. I'm sure the council can handle whatever squabbles the villagers bring them," the reeve replies. She gestures to Paul. "Come along, Locke." The young man wolfs down the last few bites of his breakfast then nods to his father goodbye before hurrying to join the reeve.
Zurgrim Jarnvisk (Buho Inn) After getting ready, Zurgrim steps outside and makes his way to the Buho Inn, the only inn in the village. It's a two-story frame building with a covered porch with rocking chairs that extends across the front and a grove of oak trees surrounding the place. This provides plenty of shade for visitors.
While Buho is a small village, it is on a major road to the capital city. As a result, merchants, travelers, pilgrims and adventurers usually pass through. Most never stay more than a night before moving on. Zurgrim was one of the exceptions.
Stepping inside, he spots the owners, Hazel and Shanson, speaking with a dwarven merchant and four human teamsters. It sounds like they are checking out. "We hope to see you again," Hazel says to him.
The dwarf nods. "We'll be sure to make the Sandon Festival," he replies. The Sandon Festival was in a couple of months. It's a celebration of the victory at the Battle of Buho and is named after Sandon Auger, the Hero of Buho, who gave his life to save the village. It's a day of music, dancing and eating (there's a giant potluck feast that everyone partakes in). And all of the veterans of the fight tell stories of that fateful day. Said stories get more exaggerated and epic with each year.
The merchant hands over the key to his room and some coin, then he and his entourage turn to leave. Hazel hands the keys to Kara Locke, the young woman who works there as a waitress/maid, so she can go upstairs and turn over the now empty rooms.
The place is otherwise empty at this hour. By now all of the customers have checked out for the day, but more will likely arrive later on. And the place will be packed tonight for the village council meeting.
|
|
|
Post by HorizonsDream on Sept 30, 2016 17:32:33 GMT -8
Ladonna waves to Paul. "Have a good day," she says with a grin towards the young man before she looks back to the rest of her little group. "Doesn't the church have a lot of political power? I don't think Gonto gave the Church that."
|
|
|
Post by Nuke on Oct 1, 2016 7:11:51 GMT -8
"The power of the Church has developed over the years through the efforts of many people. Their efforts have been aided by Gonto herself. If it weren't for her blessings I doubt the Church would be as it is." Ryan responds
|
|
|
Post by djhyland on Oct 1, 2016 9:01:31 GMT -8
Zurgrim nods to the merchant and the teamsters and steps aside to let them pass. "Safe journeys," he wishes them and smiles.
After the entourage has left, Zurgrim makes his way to the bar. "Morning, Hazel, Shanson! How ya doin' today? I don't suppose ya still have anything left for breakfast, do ya?
|
|
|
Post by Daos on Oct 1, 2016 10:48:18 GMT -8
Ladonna, Rivi and Ryan (Lonely Pony Tavern)"In a manner of speaking, Gonto is responsible for the church's power and influence," Rebekah mentions. "After all, it was Gonto who sent that squadron of paladins and clerics to Brianna the Uniter, the first queen of Tardiff, who helped her rebuild the kingdom. The church and the crown have always been intertwined as a result." "And in Picardie, the wizards hold all of the power, including the crown," Gerald adds. "Wherever you go, power is power, whether it is political, arcane, or divine. There will always be people with power over others." Zurgrim Jarnvisk (Buho Inn)"Morning to you," replies Hazel. "There's a bit of eggs and sausage left, and perhaps a bit of 'bubble and squeak,' too. Have a seat." She heads into the back while Zurgrim sits down. A few moments later, she brings him a dish with 'bubble and squeak', a single sausage, a pair of eggs, some back bacon and three fried tomatoes. "That'll be three silvers," she says.
|
|
|
Post by HorizonsDream on Oct 1, 2016 18:09:09 GMT -8
"But is it really about people having power over other people?" Ladonna asks. "I mean, when it comes to the Equalists at least, isn't it about being treated fairly?"
|
|
|
Post by djhyland on Oct 2, 2016 6:04:16 GMT -8
"Ah, thank ya so much," Zurgrim says as he gives Hazel his payment. "It looks delicious, just like always!" He takes a bite, then sets his knife down again next to the plate. "So, Hazel, ya wouldn't happen to know what yer gonna be talking about at the council meeting tonight, would ya? I'll be there, fer sure, but ya know...it's nice to know ahead of time, ya know?"
|
|
|
Post by Daos on Oct 2, 2016 11:27:06 GMT -8
Ladonna, Rivi and Ryan (Lonely Pony Tavern) "People can never be equal," Rebekah points out. "There will always be those with power and those without. There will always be the rich and the poor, the strong and the weak. Never in history has this not been the case. A farmer cannot be a king, any more than a king could be a farmer."
Zurgrim Jarnvisk (Buho Inn) Zurgrim pays the three silver. "I suppose it depends on who attends and what they want," Hazel replies. "I know the kohen is eager to say a few things, as he usually is. Probably another spiel about tithes."
These council meetings always go the same way. The villagers air their grievances to the council, and the council votes on how to deal with them. For example, if two farmers claim the same pig, the council will listen to both sides and then vote for who they think should get the pig.
|
|
|
Post by Nuke on Oct 3, 2016 4:22:26 GMT -8
"Agreed" Ryan says. He digs out some silver for his bill, plus one extra for a tip. "Good Day, I am off." With that he rises and heads out. He walks through the town, by the pillory, to the wood intending to go look for some herbs.
|
|