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Post by TheBBEG on Nov 8, 2020 12:03:52 GMT -8
Replying to Alonzo's goading Flynn feigns offense. "I'll have you know brother, than my affections cannot be bought, nor will I stoop to buying affections. If I can't win the affection I desire through charm and wit, I'll certainly not purchase it with coin and gift. As for sneaking back in, that is true, but not because I was out after 'purchasing' affections.
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Post by Daos on Nov 8, 2020 13:36:06 GMT -8
"Wow, the duke was deposed?" Daos repeats, stunned. "The mayor of Ren must not have known that when he sent us here. Anyway, that seems like a really big deal. And everybody is just going about their day like normal? I would have thought it would have caused more of a stir."
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Post by GravityEmblem on Nov 8, 2020 14:03:32 GMT -8
Amelia makes a huffing noise. "Most people can't be bothered. Meet the new duke, same as the old duke, they say. In fact, I daresay most of the people in town haven't even heard about it. It's not really public knowledge yet, but Duchess Aerin is making a public announcement in a few days."
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Post by Daos on Nov 8, 2020 15:01:16 GMT -8
"People really don't care one way or the other who their duke is?" Daos asks. "He must not have been very hands-on, then, having any effect on their daily lives. What is the duke like, and for that matter, the new duchess? Is his being replaced a good thing or a bad thing, do you think?"
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Post by GravityEmblem on Nov 9, 2020 5:35:40 GMT -8
"People really don't care one way or the other who their duke is?" Daos asks. "He must not have been very hands-on, then, having any effect on their daily lives. What is the duke like, and for that matter, the new duchess? Is his being replaced a good thing or a bad thing, do you think?" Amelia takes a moment to think. "Well, it's a lot more nuanced then being a good or bad thing. On a personal level, he was pretty hard to work with. Abrasive, paranoid, arrogant--and he had this weird hatred of Halflings. Nobody hates Halflings. Sure, lots of people get annoyed by them, or don't respect their capabilities, but he was the only person I've ever known who hated them. But at the same time, he did a lot to help Parsall. He strengthened the army, bolstered the economy, and really quashed a lot of banditry, mostly around Capritol. On the other hand, he did all this while refusing to accept any help from other nations, or even other regions of Foccu. He would die before he requested military support or chartered a trade deal. He had an admirable goal, and did a lot to accomplish it, but his own arrogance kept him from realizing it. "As for the duchess, she's a nice girl. Some 11 years younger than her brother. A part of me can't see her as anything more than the rebellious teenager who'd throw off her public guards by pointing to a nonexistent puppy. But a larger part of me has to admit that she's matured, and that she's been preparing for leadership for most of her life--the duke didn't believe in marriage, so no heir on his side. It came a lot quicker than anybody expected, but she's taking it in stride. These past few days she's been holed up in the library, creating a plan for her reign. "So, is the replacement a good or bad thing? It's hard to say. Duchess Aerin is probably a better leader than he is, but even with her studies, it'll take some time for her to adjust. And, now that I think about it, I do have an idea of why Duke Matthew was imprisoned. He's been publicly speaking out against the King for the greater part of a year. So, Aerin getting the Duchy is probably good. But King Leonard making it clear he's not going to stand critics? Not so good."
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Post by TheBBEG on Nov 9, 2020 11:52:59 GMT -8
Waiting until he has a moment with just the group Flynn whispers to them and no one else. "Does uh... anyone else get the idea that we might soon become the unwitting pawns in a game where we don't know the rules, the players, or even the objective?" After a moment he continues. "I'm not saying we shouldn't request support and travel to beseech support for Ren at the behest of the Duchess to the King but, uh... I do think that we should make sure this isn't going to end badly for us. Perhaps we even find that we can do good here. Or we decided it is too dangerous and we have no choice but to move on. Thoughts?"
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Post by PotatoGolem on Nov 9, 2020 12:13:02 GMT -8
Alonzo nods cheerfully. "Oh, of course we are! That's a common dramatic trope. And a real audience-pleaser. But of course the heroes go out and do it anyway, because they're the heroes. You should probably open and re-seal the letter when we get it though, just to make sure it doesn't say we should be thrown in jail or executed. I don't love the idea of hiding a lockpick for a prison break scene- looks dreadfully uncomfortable."
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Post by Daos on Nov 9, 2020 13:15:44 GMT -8
"Interesting," Daos says, musing it all over. "But she has no heir then? Who would be next in line after her? I imagine she'll seek a quick matrilineal marriage to secure her claim. I'm curious about something, though. You said the former duke was openly criticizing the king. What exactly were his complaints?"
To Flynn, he says, "I'm not sure we're in any danger. All we're doing is relying a message from the mayor to the duchess, and then to the duchess to the king. Worst case scenario, the king denies the request, and we return to give the bad news, right?"
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Post by GravityEmblem on Nov 9, 2020 13:46:53 GMT -8
"Interesting," Daos says, musing it all over. "But she has no heir then? Who would be next in line after her? I imagine she'll seek a quick matrilineal marriage to secure her claim. I'm curious about something, though. You said the former duke was openly criticizing the king. What exactly were his complaints?" "If she dies before she has an heir, the King'll probably appoint some baron. But as for the marriage, she's too much of a free spirit to get hitched--at least not with the expectation of any sort of commitment," Amelia explains. "She probably has some man among her friends who's willing to help bear herself a child and then leave her alone for the rest of his days." "Anyway, Duke Matthew was making speeches about how the King's a hypocrite who cares only for Foccupolis, refuses to take responsibility for his actions, a spineless bastard under the thumb of his advisor-he called her a lot of nasty names. And he said it was his fault that Parsall was crawling with bandits and Sealand was a cesspool of crime and vice. And that the Church of Elshodi was bribing him to favor them in his policies. And that he was responsible for the moral decay that led to the whole business with the Northern Vale, which I'm not sure even started when he was in power. Oh, and there was something about a goat that nobody would tell me about." She pauses. "In hindsight, I probably should have figured out why he was deposed."
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Post by Daos on Nov 9, 2020 17:01:40 GMT -8
"Do you think the former duke's claims had any legitimacy, or was he just making them up?" Daos asks the guard.
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Post by GravityEmblem on Nov 10, 2020 5:47:43 GMT -8
"Do you think the former duke's claims had any legitimacy, or was he just making them up?" Daos asks the guard. Amelia shrugs. "Hell if I know. Maybe he hit the nail on the head, and the King thought he was too dangerous out and about. Or maybe he just got tired of the insults." She shakes her head. "Anyway, we should probably wrap up soon; I have to take over the graveyard shift in a few minutes."
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Post by Daos on Nov 10, 2020 14:50:36 GMT -8
"Of course. Thank you for the crash course in Foccu politics," Daos says. "It has been very informative." He then rejoins the group. "So, shall we be off to the Golden Halfpenny?" he asks. He decided he would continue investigating the matter on his own. Not that he believed he could really do anything about it, if the king did turn out to be corrupt. But the desire to know, regardless, drove him.
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Post by Igordragonian on Nov 10, 2020 16:20:10 GMT -8
Qurrak was about to explain the nuances of his culture, somewhat, his pride was hurt, when it was defined 'matriarchy'- though he didn't knew what this word meant. But drows were evil bastards. so.
He tried to follow the explanations. 'A fatherless child? But from where he will get...' he shake his head, and went along.
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Post by TheBBEG on Nov 11, 2020 8:19:57 GMT -8
"Why yes, let's be off. I'd have an ale. And a song."
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Post by Daos on Nov 11, 2020 17:34:18 GMT -8
Daos will lead the way. If it proves difficult to find, he will ask around for directions.
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