by greyarea » Fri Jan 18, 2013 4:45 pm
The half-elf breaks in, still making eye contact with no one, Their friend was right, this is Ogreish. I don't see anything here about ogre magi, but i can see why their friend might have thought so. Ogres other than magi usually aren't literate. Usually that is. My friend at Sir Accipiter's keep on the borderlands tells me that they have encountered intelligent ogres there. Perhaps the inbreeding with the giants is improving the stock.
Let's see, he says reading further. It looks like they're meeting at a manse somewhere here on Sir Taris' outreach. No name is given but they were to meet a 'Vera', whoever that is. There's really nothing else there.
Grüber considers this. It could be the old Hawkesworth Manor. That place has been abandoned for years. The land reverted to Sir Taris when Lady Hawkesworth died a few decades back. We never granted the land to anyone else. It's a dying estate: once large and majestic, it's probably mostly rubble by now. Children have been frightened by tales of ghosts there for a generation, but we've sent a few parties out there to investigate with no luck. The place is picked clean, either by looters or worse, but it's never been haunted to my knowledge.
They could also mean the old Erdea estate, next to the land we just granted you all. The Erdea haven't been heard from in quite some time, but that's not too unusual. Some of the estate holders do all of their business without any contact with Wolford or Sir Taris and as long as their taxes are paid up, we don't care. We received a lump payment from them a few decades ago to pay up through the next decade or so. Old Erde was an odd coot with his own ways: a very strange man. Refused even to meet Sir Taris. We accepted the money gladly. It helped pay for some improvements in town including a sewage system that the Gemfarers and Pumilio Clans helped us build. It's why Wolford doesn't stink like some of the other towns in the region.
That said, it could also be the Trentham or Crawley manors. We've not heard from either of them in quite some time either. The Trenthams came upon hard times in the 30's and we haven't heard from them for some time. Bizarre folk. It's said that they were breeding with orcs or somesuch and rumor has it that the banker's assistant is a Trentham cousin. He's an ugly man, I'll grant you that, but we have no problem with half-orcs or other mixes, so long as they abide by the laws of the land. Law rules here, my boys. Crawley, on the other hand, is a proud man. He has come to a number of events at the Shrine, but, come to think of it, the old chap hasn't been in Wolford in ages. I wonder how they are getting along. Both families also prepaid their taxes for quite some time as well, so we don't bother them.
The huge door opens a bit and you can see the large, armored man beyond. If you're done with the history lesson, we still have business to do, booms a deep, baratone voice from beyond.
Grüber apologizes. Actually, you might want to meet these people, Sir Taris. They are the ones who rescued your son.
The door swings open the rest of the way and through it enters the armored figure. Both the Captain of the Guard and the half-elf sage reading the papers stand at attention, the half-elf knocking two pages to the floor. The armored man, Sir Taris, waves them down and the Captain relaxes while the half-elf bends down to pick up the spilled vellum and rearrange the papers on the desk before sitting once more.
Sir Taris is an imposing man. He stands over six feet tall and his hair and beard are nicely trimmed and their blonde color nearly matches the golden brown eyes beneath his brow. His whole presence speaks of great charisma and strength. He is dressed in impressive white-enameled field plate with the blue stars of his family crest (which match those given to you by Jayson earlier) as well as the same holy symbol you saw in Einar's room in the center of his chest. He has hard leather boots and a blue cloak that billows behind him. All are covered with dust and splatters of mud from a hard ride in to town, it seems. He is wearing a mighty sword which you identify as a Holy Avenger by the symbols on its hilt. He raises a gauntleted hand in greeting.
I would like to thank you all on behalf of me and Lady Taris, he indicates the woman in the room behind him (unnoticed by you until now) with a wave: she is dressed in a gown of the same blue with white highlights, for rescuing our son, Aiden. We got news of his kidnapping and rescue just before we set off back to Wolford from the Capital. We are most appreciative. We invite you to dine with us sometime soon, so you can tell us about your adventure. I understand there was a lizard cult and a dragon involved. It's been ages since I slew a dragon myself, so I would be happy to live vicariously through your tale. I'm just not too thrilled with the tree-hugger who's been filling Aiden's head with nonsense of neutrality and balance and all that. Druids have no place as tutors, in my mind. I appreciate their views but we must operate by Law and by Good if this land is to survive.
Thank you again for your assistance. Once we get resettled in after our extended absence, I will have someone come around to you with news of the feast we set.
Now, Grüber, we have town business to attend to.
Grüber apologizes and goes back to the back room with Sir Taris. Apparently they are done for now.
Jayson turns to you and says, We will investigate this ogre business further and let you know if we need your assistance. As the seneschal noted, we aren't sure of this but appreciate whatever you might accomplish on your own. He gently leads you from the room and back down the hall, where hustle and bustle still happen in preparations for whatever is going on here. The Captain is seen conferring with the half-elf over the documents as Jayson closes the door. You are lead out of the Alderhall and into the street. I imagine you are staying at The Rat and Pig? We will send for you there if needed.
He leaves you in front of the Alderhall and in the street.
Actions?
OOC: I'm planning on launching the next adventure with the two new guys soon. Don't wait for Grüber to come to you. I'd suggest either staying at The Rat and Pig or The Pikeman, or starting on your new estate near/around Skull Mountain.