"With respect, lady, if you stand with the baron, you stand as an accomplice to the murders he committed." Tolantra shook her head. "You have no authority over us, and, like the baron, must return to Daggerford with him to face justice."

She glanced at Celadhel before returning her gaze to the two humans. "I would prefer that this be handled peacefully, with everyone returning to town. There may yet be explanations offered, blood price paid. Far better than something final happening out of sight in the woods."

In reply to Dungeon Master (msg # 11):

Looking down, he notices that he doesn't have a Tabard on and feels almost sad to not be included.

Lady Bronwyn he says naively Your ladyship, we were told you were kidnapped, is that not so? Heluvianal was told that they were to find and return Lady Bronwyn as she had been taken against her will, if this wasn't the case, he was going to get a little confused.

The Lady sighs heavily, "The first I heard of a kidnapping was when those long shoremen started shouting it at us and shooting at us with crossbows. No I am not kidnapped!"

Everyone please make a Wisdom check.

In reply to Dungeon Master (msg # 17):

Heluvianal is certain that the Lady Bronwyn speaks true as he expected she would.

(ooc:  Failed by 6 but he'd believe her anyway as he had no reason not to)

((ooc: 8. Succeeded by 9.))

The check was to remember something, but if you want to interpret it this way, that's fine.



You recall that the Daggerford Guardsmen were shot with crossbow bolts and small blades like knives.  Some of the bodies still bristled with them, and there were several collected near the corpses.  In contrast, the Baron's men you just fought were armed with short bows and longswords.

It would be a strange thing to be armed with long swords but to choose to fight trained guardsmen with knives.  And where did the crossbows come from?

In reply to Dungeon Master (msg # 20):

(ooc: Oh, I remember bringing this up at the time. Sorry, tired and still got a bit of COVID brain.)

"Then we all need to return to Daggerford as quickly as we may, for your brother is certain that you were kidnapped, and is reacting accordingly. And it will need to be you; if we showed up and tried to tell him that actually you weren't kidnapped, we would be accused of being bought off by the baron, and disregarded. It will need to be you."

She paused, considering. "There's also an issue with the weapons, now that I think about it. The Daggerford guards were killed with crossbows. And you said you were shot at with them as well, so I assume the baron's men don't use them. Someone might be trying to start a war. Or at least a feud. We should all return at once."

The Lady sneers, "Just because I am not kidnapped doesn't mean that I'm not trying to escape my brother.  Baron Agwain and I have been in correspondence for some time, and he has asked for my hand.  I have given it, as is my right, but my brother forbids me! Will you return me to my oppressor so my future can be decided at his whim?"

Baron Agwain, adds, "It is true.  An Abbot awaits at my keep to perform the ceremony, but we are promised to each other.  I cannot let you take my bride, and I will not be delivered to her capricious brother!"

From all reports, the Duke of Daggerford is a young man that remains aloof from the affairs of state.  Like a lord from an older time, he practices the arts of chivalry, hunts boar, but mostly keeps his own counsel.  You don't know the Duke, but this doesn't match what you've heard of his character.  Caprice presupposes a vivacity of spirit that the Duke has seldom displayed.
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:48, Fri 29 Apr 2022.

Celadhel looks with derision on the couple, "Then you're nobles of the worst sort.  We are not afforded the same comforts and freedom of the small folk.  If you accept the privilege, you must also accept the obligations. Your womb is not your own, and your heart is for the people not for yourself. High marriages are made with minds, not with hearts.  Save your love for your paramours, and leave this selfish pride behind you. Remember yourself, and come with us Bronwyn."

"It is true, my lady.  No priest may wed a bride that is not lawfully given. Nor may blessing be bestowed on a union made in secret. For everything thing there is a season, and for each seed there is a place. It is the Duke that must set the purpose for your field, so that the harvest may bless the land and those that inhabit it.  Return with us, noble lady."

Then what Celadhel said processes in his brain.

"Paramours? My lady!"

If he had pearls, he'd be clutching them.

The normally quiet Edrie boils over, "What are you saying?!? She's a woman! A free woman!  She's chosen her man!  Good on you, sister! Walk your own road."

Tolantra rolled her eyes. "You are not just a woman. You are a noble, and what you do has larger implications than if you were not. If it were one of us, or one of the guards who were killed today because of you, sure. I would turn my head and let you go. But you bring war to the people of this region. The people you are supposed to lead and protect. Would you see your love's lands destroyed? Because that is what is coming for you if you persist in this course. Turn around, and let's solve this problem like adults."

Heluvianal was confused, the lady was a High Born, true, she was also not a young Maiden. Would this mean she could hold her own counsel and what did those big words mean?

I don't get it. Why would your brother order hired thugs to attack you and his own guards, what could he gain from such a war when Daggerford has all it needs and more by the looks of the derelict areas.

Why can't Lady Bronwyn marry who she chooses?  The Forest Spirit clearly approves the union, which is, I guess, the most important thing, a God had blessed this union.

"That's the problem of being a noble," Tolantra said with a shrug. "They're not as free as you or me. But you're right about the strangeness of the attack. It's out of character for the Duke, and if the baron didn't order it, then there has to be a third player. A third player who wants conflict between Daggerford and the eastern baronies."

In reply to Tol (msg # 29):

So really, this union would make the connection stronger, not weaker like what has been said.

I'll ask the Forest. with that, he leaps into a tree and disappear for a few moments.

Heluvianal no sooner leaves view than he is surrounded by his kin and their grave king, Melandrach.

The wild elves of Laughing Hollow are tawny skinned with limbs tightly corded with muscle.  Their limbs are extensively tattooed and their hairline is shaved back almost to the crown of their head, making a vertical line from ear to ear.  From their hair dangle feathers and beads, their arrangement and number telling something of their wearers.  Men and women alike are barely clothed and their feet are bare.  Bows reinforced with horn, strings of sinew, flint headed arrows, and fire hardened javelins are their armaments.

Melandrach, his face lined by long eons, his eyes filled with starry nights. His voice  is the sound of leaves in the wind and a snake slithering over dead leaves.

"We wondered when you would join us. The lands of men have dulled either your ears or your sense of respect. Boots on feet and coins in pouches dull ears and minds alike."  He squats on the balls of his feet, his hind end as low as his heels. This is a common posture for taking ones ease here. "What trouble have you brought us from your city? Why does the iron man trouble the forest spirits? Why does his woman love him with hatred?"
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:33, Sat 30 Apr 2022.

In reply to Dungeon Master (msg # 31):

Bowing deep to his kin, he knew they would be around or at least hoped this was the case. He felt chided even though he had returned the king and had been to the City often with his parents as a youngling. It mattered not because the king was right.

Neither be true, when I learnt that these would be heading this way, I chased after them with these people. One of the Wood Spirits brought them and the iron man, the Baron of lands not far from here, spoke with the Wood Spirit but I know not what of, he seemed placated.

He stands as tall as he could, his magical bow in his hand, his other, it's fist at his chest, My King, You sense the hearts of man, have they He gestures to Lady Bronwyn and the Baron spoken true? Yes these clothes restrict and the things we carry hide the sounds we should listen to. The iron man claims the lady as his and they both say she goes freely. Could the hatred you speak of be for her brother and not this man?

They are not here to interfere with the Forest. What would you have me do My King?I said that I would ask the Forest for the truth as I knew our people would be around and I ask it now.

Heluvianal would, at the behest of his king and the people, do almost anything, almost because he wouldn't harm the forest of the goodly denizens living there.

Melandrach raises his hand to forestall Heluvianal.

"Be at ease, Heluvianal Oakseeker. You have chosen to walk in two worlds.  There are two spirits in you. You walk among men, but you will always walk among us. Their book-magic fills your mind, but our stories must fill your heart. It is difficult to walk two trails at once, but this is your path."

Melandrach nods gravely.  "The children of the river in their den of stone seldom trouble us except in great need. Then the spirits of the forest take advantage of their avarice and greed and bind them tightly while they seem to give what they seek. They are a people that cannot know their own heart."

"But even among us a woman may take a man to spite another--a father, or a brother. As you say. Among our campfires a woman who has so betrayed herself can easily turn about and set aside a man. The children of the river do not so easily lay aside their burdens or right their ways. And with so few winters allotted to them, how can they? Our father loves his children and gives them long lives to learn of love and folly."

"The wise would wait until the fires in their breasts burn low and they learn what wood it is made of: quick burning pine, or long burning oak. She should return to her brother and make peace with him. The milk of their mother should not be spoiled in their bellies. If the iron man wants this woman, let him give the brother a gift so that he will be happy to see them joined. But with iron in hand, he will steal the lives of both. Then at the wedding, let all sit before the fire and pass between them a pipe, and let the smoke carry the cares of the past above the stars."

"They will not remain, though they would learn much if they did. They will not listen to the words of men that love life more than coin and stone. We seem as fools to them. You will be a fool to them if you give them my words. I think it will not be long before their people are swept away by storm and tide. They will not remain as we have remained."
This message had punctuation tweaked by the GM at 02:49, Tue 10 May 2022.

In reply to Dungeon Master (msg # 33):

He listens and understands some parts more than others So you feel that the lady is agreeing to this marriage out of spite but for the right reasons?  Once confirmation is given either way, Heluvianal says a prayer to the Tree Spirits and gives his heart felt thanks to the King. I shall counsel the iron man to offer a gift, not to buy the lady but to make good a peace that is within him.  I shall counsel the lady that her brother means well and can somehow be calmed as the heat in her body calms, so her thoughts and her feelings are one without gaining regret in the future.  That all can be made amicable and still have the marriage happen but when it should without rush, like waiting for the kindling to burn away so the slow burning log can keep them warm instead of the kindling burning too fast and not allowing the log to catch.

This I shall do.  With that, he bows and returns to the others.

Reappearing from the Forest like a leaf falling from a tree out of nowhere, I have spoken with my breathren, my king and the spirits, they have seen into your hearts and your desires.  They feel, Baron, that you want the Lady as your partner but a gift to her blood should be made, not as payment for in thanks.  Lady, your hurt with your brother or your father is strong but you can not take this into a union with the Baron or it will wane and bitterness ensue, a peace in your heart and mind is required, then you will be free to make this choice if you choose to so made it.

Do not be the kindling in the fire without the log to catch fire, be the log that uses the kindling to start the warmth and keep it going.  The kindling is a secure base, without it the logs sit there and go cold.

To him it is clear, he is not sure if they understand though he feels they should.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:30, Mon 23 May 2022.

With everyone in the party but Edrie united in the opinion that the pair ought to return--and them being so clearly outmatched, Lady Bronwyn quickly agrees to return to Daggerford.

There is more hesitation on the part of Lord Agwain Delantar.  He despairs of the idea of navigating the Laughing Hollow on his own, but insists on keeping his arms as he accompanies you all back to Daggerford.

How do you proceed?

In reply to Dungeon Master (msg # 35):

Heluvianal asks that whilst in the Laughing Hollow, that weapons be put away We are all protected, the Goblins got through because of the danger you were imposing, all is good now, my people  watch

Naive as he was, he was certain of this which he spoke.

Tolantra nodded. "It's always nice to have witnesses. And if this truly is a misunderstanding, then fleeing to your barony gives the duke the wrong impression. The best and cleanest option is to come back with us. Let everyone put all our cards on the table, and see if together we can't solve this mystery."

In reply to Tol (msg # 37):

I shall remain as I am until we are clear of the Forest, then I shall return to mouse form if that is ok with you Tolantra, walking and riding dependent on mounts.

Mouse form? At this point, Tolantra didn't want to know. She was focused on the baron. "Sure. Whatever you're comfortable with."