In reply to Brennan Otthild (msg # 51):

So we do have time for a bath before we introduce ourselves.  I'll find a good spot.  You keep Enrei in check, also please make sure he understands what a secret is.
In a voice designed to carry
Bryce, Deev!  To me!

Titus melds into the crowd to ask some of the more well-heeled of the observers about accommodations and a bath.  Privately to Deev and Bryce

I don't suppose either of you has ever had opportunity to serve a lord have you?

In reply to Titus Blackwell (msg # 53):

Asking around, Titus learns that the wedding came as quite a surprise to everyone.  Apparently, Lord Torrence was generally expected to never marry.  Rumors abounded as to why, ranging from impotence to pride to homosexuality.

That all changed just a few days ago, when he announced that he would indeed marry, and a commoner at that.

Nobody in the crowd knows anything for certain of the girl he is marrying, apart from the fact that she's a commoner.  There are rumors she's a mill girl from the south, rumors she is a Nor princess run away from home, rumors she was a scullery maid in the Lord's house, and rumors she was a common whore.

In reply to GM (msg # 54):

He changes his tactics as the information is becoming more and more murky.  He begins to ask about what Lord Torrence is like, his habits, family and anything notable that he has done for his people.  Is he well liked?  Is he businesslike, warlike, ambitious?
This message was last edited by the player at 14:48, Wed 26 Oct 2016.

In reply to Titus Blackwell (msg # 55):

Brennan lowers his cup back to his belt, looking stricken.

"We... need to talk to the Sheriff," he says quietly. "It's sounding more and more like perhaps Lord Torrence's bride is more than she seems. He may have seen something he shouldn't have."

In reply to Brennan Otthild (msg # 56):

Almost on cue, the ex-sherrif rouses from his slumber.

He rolls over and largely ignores the crowd.

Rising to his hands and knees, he appears to be preparing to mount one of the sows, which proves too much for the farmer who owns it.

"Oy, get off that!" the man shouts and begins to enlist the help of those around him to haul the man out of his sty.

Enrei, ever helpful, vaults the sty fence and picks the sheriff up by his coat at the farmer's request for help. He hefts the man over the fence and deposits him in front of Brennan before finding his own way back across the barrier.  He looks at the nearest villager, "Do you have bucket of water?  I have friend and when he wake up with pigs my other friend throws bucket of water at him to make it better."

In reply to Enrei Omal'i (msg # 58):

Enrei is able to easily heft the man out of the sty and into the mud.

"Thank you... friend..." the farmer comments, as if not entirely sure how to talk to Enrei.

Water is provided, and if doused, the sherrif sputters and coughs appropriately.

As the "festivities" in the sty end, the crowd mostly disperses.

In reply to GM (msg # 59):

Brennan looks at the man carefully, then inquires about whoever the new sheriff is and where they might be. He also asks the former sheriff for his name, asks where he lives, if he has a family, etc.

"I have helped my friend out of pigs before," Enrei assures the farmer as waits for the water, "He was bigger than this man." Once the water is proffered Enrei takes the bucket and slings its contents directly into the former sheriff's face before Brennan commences his interrogation.
This message was lightly edited by the player at 17:58, Wed 26 Oct 2016.

In reply to Enrei Omal'i (msg # 61):

Titus huddles Bryce and Deev as they walk.

OK you two.  Here's the deal.  In last town I had all of the women in a complete tizzy making us clothing.  It is now time to use it in this town.  This lord is rich and IF I can milk him for a patronage and a large sack of coin I fully intend to do so.

My biggest concern is Enrei.  He could blow this whole thing so I need both of you and Brennan to babysit him.  For the rest of the trip I am to be referred to as Lord Fastbender.  Savvy?

I am your lord.  Brennan is my primary advisor, Enrei is his hired muscle.  You two are going to be my attendants.  Meaning that you are going to have to scrape a little.  If you play this right... and keep your nose clean....

This with a withering look at Deev

Then we might make it out of here in much better shape then we entered.  If not...

He tails off. 

Any questions.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:04, Wed 26 Oct 2016.

In reply to Titus Blackwell (msg # 62):

The muddy man blinks at Brennan.

"I'm Richard, if it matters to you.  I WAS Sherrif in this town, but I've ah... lost interest in that.  Turns out the job didn't suit me."  He wipes at his face with the back of one hand.

"I've chambers in the Lord's home, but I may not return there.  Not enough mud y'see, and the ladies do love mud."  he makes eyes at one of the sows in the sty until the farmer brandishes a rake.

The ex-sherrif stands, pulls up his leggings and starts to wander down the street.  "If you'll excuse me, I've others to woo."

By asking the crowd, you find there is no replacement sherrif as of yet: the town and Lord being overly busy with wedding preparations.

Titus continues to corral you all toward the pair of large towers, the Lord's home.

In reply to GM (msg # 63):

Brennan watches the former Sheriff wander down the road for a moment, torn between following after him and getting on with their other duties in town.

"I feel confident we'll come to regret leaving this be," he mutters to Titus. "Humor me. Is this just a fanciful tale, or does it ring true to you? A pretty girl dreams of becoming a princess, so she learns how to make love potions or a love hex. She tests it on the town's Sheriff, who had been nosing around her work or for whom she has no respect anyway. This forces the Sheriff to believe pigs are actual women, and for him to fall madly in love with them. Emboldened by this, the woman next casts the spell on the local bachelor lord, who arranges a rapid wedding in response."

He smiles slightly.

"I'm not certain of any of this, mind you, but it is my hypothesis. What do you think?"

In reply to Brennan Otthild (msg # 64):

If you feel that way then lets persue it.  I've learned that your hunches are better left listened to.

RICHARD!  HOLD THERE!

Titus smiles.

I was thinking the same thing... only mine involved about 90% more spirits and succubi.

He pauses a moment.

Oh and explosions.  Gotta have explosions.

He says as he pivots away from his initial course.

DEEV BRYCE!  Come on!

In reply to Titus Blackwell (msg # 65):

Enrei, you too.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:12, Thu 27 Oct 2016.

In reply to Titus Blackwell (msg # 66):

That's... a terrifying prospect. We must ward ourselves."

In reply to Brennan Otthild (msg # 67):

Why do you think we are walking this way. 

Titus says as he picks up his heels to accost Richard.

In reply to Titus Blackwell (msg # 68):

"I... what?  Oh, right!"

Deev follows closely on Titus' heels.

In reply to Deev (msg # 69):

The muddy man slows, then turns on his heel reluctantly.

"What is it?" he asks, more out of disinterest than annoyance.

In reply to GM (msg # 70):

You look like you could use a drink.  Can you tell us a bit more about when you started to become... such a....

He glances at the pig.

A ladies man?

In reply to Titus Blackwell (msg # 71):

The muddy ex-sherrif pauses and frowns.  He thinks hard for a moment and purses his lips.

"I don't know... I just... I never realized... 'beauty' isn't the word but, I just never realized how much I LOVED pigs until a few days ago."

He refocuses.

"Maybe it's God speaking to me, maybe a midlife crisis... all I know is that now I'm sure.  I love pigs."

"I love pigs too," Enrei confirms from the back of the small group, having followed with no great certainty about what the plan was, "They are delicious."

In reply to Enrei Omal'i (msg # 73):

Did you talk to anyone new in those days?  Anyone come into town?  It seems awfully strange, don't you think?

In reply to Titus Blackwell (msg # 74):

"Does it?"  the muddy man asks in a very serious tone.

"I suppose I never gave it much thought.  More of a realization... after that nothing much else mattered.  It's a shame the good people of this town can't accept that."

In reply to GM (msg # 75):

It truly is.

Titus says looking around for a bar.  He flicks a penny to Deev.

Deev go get us two drinks please. 

As he deftly navigates the man towards the exterior of the bar.  He doesn't bring him inside just wants to have the drink on porch as it were.

Your witness.

He says in an undertone to Brennan.

In reply to Titus Blackwell (msg # 76):

"Thank you for humoring us," Brennan says. "My friends and I, well, we're concerned. We've just come from a town quite a ways south, and there was a man there who, er, also came to this realization. So to speak."

He nods gravely.

"Thing is, when the townsfolk looked into it further, they realize it was the result of the man being poisoned. There's a particular concoction known to certain alchemists that can damage a man's mind, make them think whatever the chemist wants them to think. It alters their behavior in ways so subtle that the subject thinks it was their own behavior."

Brennan looks carefully at the Sheriff.

"It is also possible that you just suddenly received an epiphany regarding your love of pigs. But... the man I spoke was poisoned by a rival who used his confusion to his advantage. To make matters worse, the poisoned man died as it damaged more and more of his brain, I feel like it's worth being certain, yes?"

His voice hardens.

"Think carefully. Do you remember the day you decided you loved pigs? Do you remember what you were doing when realization struck, or who you were with? It is very important. You were a respected, important man in this town. Are there any who bore you ill will?"