"Welcome to Castle Herrod sirs." The royal servant greets your party with a bow, his hands perfectly straight at his sides. The middle-aged man looks a tad ridiculous in his bright red tunic with puffy shoulders, but he appears ordinary by comparison to the court of Castle Herrod around him. Nobles, politicians, and the wealthy, all dressed in bright colors and extravagant clothing, converse with each other in the background, their voices filling the spacey chamber of the Lord's Hall. At the far end of the hall towers a large throne-like chair, sitting in which is a man, at least 50 years of age, speaking to an aristocratic couple in front of him, whose conversation can't even be heard over the many other voices. The aged man sitting on the chair gazes around the room, clearly bored with the two in front of him, taking little interest in their plights, whatever they may be.

A bearded man emerges from a circle of nobles and approaches you, a chubby face adding to his jolly demeanor, "Good, right on time! When Lord Ivan Steyus asked me to assemble a group of adventurers, I was fairly worried since I have little experience with this kind of thing, but I think you four will do the trick! Have you met Lord Ivan before? No? Well make sure you stand up straight, speak clear and politely, and the rest of that stuff. Ah, we're up!" Seeing the aristocratic couple leave, the bearded man guides your party to the rear of the room until the four of you are standing right before Lord Ivan. The Lord's eyes immediately perk up as he sees you, his lips stretching into a smile, clearly delighted at your presence.

The lord's face looks worn for his age, his hair almost entirely grey, clearly being affected by stress of some kind. His body is thin, not fattened like many of the other nobles in the court, yet he certainly was not a warrior in his past. Instead his eyes alone glow with a youth that the rest of him has clearly lost, bright in their complexion and filled with ambition. Lord Ivan briefly arranges his fur robes and turns to the bearded man, "Noble Benson, are these the adventurers?" Noble Benson quickly and cheerfully responds, "Yes my lord! Allow me to introduce!...umm...er, go ahead. Introduce yourselves!"


This message was last edited by the GM at 00:14, Thu 27 Mar 2014.

"Yeshua, hosanna." I pray quietly to myself with my head bowed, before raising it with a smile and taking a step forward bringing both feet together smoothly. I speak in a slight German accent "Herr Johannes, or Sir John, in your native tongue, I believe. Knight errant responding per your request." I step forward further with the left foot and bring the left arm up and forward while bowing my upper body down and putting my right knee to the floor. I hold my cape back with my right hand. (I bow to one knee). I step back from my bow and stand up straight, (shoulders back, chin up, chest out, gut in) with an air of serious confidence. "I am pleased to finally make your acquaintance in person Lord Ivan." I smile, glad to be about to begin an adventure.

"greeting sire, I am dwalin." I say rather gruffly.I am from the mountains to the north, from the kingdom of Dormania.

Blinking shyly beneath her fascinator (which slightly hides her face), a young lady sweeps a polite curtsy. "Pleased to make your acquaintance, sirs," she remarks as she lifts out of her curtsy. Her eyes, alive in the bluest of sea-blue, gaze at each one of them in study. "I am Lady Jacqueline Raynelde." Her hair sets in perfect dark auburn curls over her shoulder, to which her fascinator balances the other side of her face. Her lips curl cheerfully into a smile.

Martin looked around, peering at the crowds, to discern between them which people hold what positions, how they were holding themselves, and what other divisions there was between this lot and the rest. He quickly snapped his focus on the lord in front of him as the man spoke; he could tell why this man was put in charge of many, something in his eyes that defied the very thought of indifference or being stagnant.
"I am Martin Rolfe, a mediator and mere mortal with a cause, but resourceful with much." Martin gives a gracious bow to Lord Ivan.
"Distance is my friend, and discord is my advasary" Martin says as he show off his bow and quiver.

"Good, good! I must say, I'm quite pleased with the lot of you. I have some very important tasks that need doing, requiring the skills of adventurers like yourselves." Lorn Ivan's face brightens at ideas and plans only he can see, his aged face looking at odds with his joyful expression. His eyes suddenly dart beyond your party, and his jaw drops in surprise for a moment as many of the aristocrats in the room hush their conversations.

A woman donned in heavy armor, ornate plate, walks through the chamber and approaches the throne. Your party gives her a respectful distance, your minds in a state of awe. The lion heads crafted into the shoulders of her armor are of stunning detail. She glances at your party a moment with green eyes, red hair braided down the back, and turns her attention back to Lord Ivan, kneeling a moment in greeting before standing. Her very armor seems to glow with hidden power. Lord Ivan cries out, "Lady Versa, a pleasure to see you! It's been some time since your beauty has honored the city of Herrod. What brings you here?"

Lady Versa, glowing with radiance only the most accomplished adventurers could hope to achieve, responds, "Greetings Lord Ivan, and thank you for your hospitable welcome. I've returned from the nation of Cathyria with some tidings to discuss with you. Additionally, I'll be staying in the Temple of Torm the next couple months on a quest of my own, but that is another matter."

"You are of course welcome to stay as long as you like. A paladin of your renown is always welcome here," says Lord Ivan. "I've heard reports of your bravery at the Battle of Ascalon. Absolutely remarkable! I also hear tales of the other heroes involved. Some of them are almost too much to believe being as grand as they are. Regardless, what is it you wished to discuss with me?"

Lowering her voice so that only Lord Ivan and those immediately surrounding can hear, she says, "I've seen the lost one my lord."

Lord Ivan's expression turns serious immediately, his prior joy gone. His servants look some what confused at the response, unable to make heads or tails of Lady Versa's statement, but remembering their place, they quickly resume their countenance. Lord Ivan speaks, "Come with me my Lady, and we'll discuss these matters. Noble Benson, please take our adventurers to the war room, I'll be with them in a few moments."

Cheerful as ever, Noble Benson leads your party down a corridor behind the throne as Lord Ivan disappears with Lady Versa down another. The noble leads you through a door a short ways down into another castle chamber. Inside there are a few bookshelves along the walls and a large table in the center covered with papers, surround by luxurious leather chairs. Noble Benson says, "Take a seat, I'm sure he'll be right with you! This is where I take my leave, good luck!" The pudgy man closes the door behind you, leaving you to a moment of privacy to discuss your affairs...
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:27, Mon 07 Apr 2014.

(Personal thoughts: I am briefly stunned by what we have just witnessed (Lady Versa and Lord Ivan's conversation.) and heard from Lady Versa. I put the flurry of questions that have just manifest like a storm about what just happened in the back of my mind, for later, and remind myself of the importance of my task at hand. I regain my composure by the time we enter the room with the lord's aide.)

[I am letting you all know my thoughts for story line sake, perhaps you noticed the look on my face, "you would have it too if you knew who that was", I think to myself. This might be something your character would only know partially... Biff did it in the last chapter and I enjoyed it, so i thought I would too. If it bothers you let me know.]

I turn to the entire group, backing up in such a way that I am facing all present. I speak in a slight German accent, "I introduced myself to Lord Ivan, allow me to formally introduce myself to you all." I give a flourishing bow as before, respectful, but not as low or grand as to Lord Ivan, (it would be inappropriate for the size of this room with furniture) "I am Herr Johannes, or Sir John in this lands native tongue (I believe). I am very pleased to make all of your acquaintances'." I give a big smile to everyone, especially to Lady Jacqueline, briefly looking directly into her eyes. "Unless there was some kind of large mistake, I would take it that ve are all the group of adventures' that Lord Ivan had assembled?"

[to Ryan: how were we all summoned? could you p.m. each of us? I was going to ask how we were each summoned (a personal letter? hand selected? or a general call that many could respond to or some thing else? DM Ryan - Noble Benson was charged by Lord Ivan with assembling an adventuring group. The method of this, either by letter or any other means, can vary from person to person, and you are free to decide this for yourselves To Ryan: Thanks for the reply! So it was not a public call? or was this something posted and many could apply but only some were selected?or either? DM Ryan - Again, up to you. Noble Benson's method of recruitment was left unwritten and is therefore able to be written by anyone! ]

Also, what color had we chosen for speech like this in brackets? I choose goldenrod for now. DM Ryan - Just note Brackets are for Out-Of-Character; personal thoughts can be written as normal!]
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:06, Fri 18 Apr 2014.

I speak so all can hear in a kind, polite, and matter of fact way.

"If so, it would not only be pleasant to get to know you all better, it would be wise, especially if we are to fight side by side. Let us each introduce ourselves and then list our specialties to find how it is best our team should work together."

"I suppose I will go first, (I put my right hand over my chest briefly, before returning it to the handle of my weapon on my left hip) I introduced myself already so I will tell you all my areas of focus. I am a Knight, so I specialize in melee combat. I have trained in the mounted arts of war as well as fighting with 2 handed weapons."

[I speak all these things with a slight German accent remember]

[I also make a spot check (if necessary) to see what everyone is wearing. I feel I can see this simply by virtue of having sight, so i will take a 10, lol.]

[Herr Johannes Spot Check: 10, 10, 10, to see each persons attire.]

[ For the benefit of all, I will merely describe my current dress and add a few hints, especially for those newer to DnD. I will probably do this periodically with my posts to aide those newer to DnD and to all for the nature of us still figuring out forum based DnD.

I am wearing a deep read tunic, it almost shimmers because of how red it is. It is split down the front. Over that is a white sleeveless over tunic with a large red cross on it. I have a belt upon which hangs a weapon partially hidden (merely by the virtue of the cloak, not trying to hide it) behind the white light cloak I have on.

That is all the laymen can see/tell about my dress, a warrior would know more, a keen eye might be able to tell what weapon I have on my hip. The colors and symbol would mean more with the appropriate knowledge check.]

The lady returns the sweeping bow with a polite nod. She pulls out a fan to cover her face; only her eyes gleam over its brim. One could still see that her hair drapes gently over her shoulder, while part of it is pulled up neatly behind a fascinator, in which the veil softly covers the top right area of her visage. She wears a flattering jacket which drapes just past her wrists, but reveal a glimpse of an etched bracer on her left arm—just her left. The flattering dress she wears is custom: a deep burgundy, a Victorian taste, a flattering frame. Her coat almost seemed to disguise itself well to her dress. Thankfully, she quickly thinks to herself, this can all come off easily, if we need to depart soon. After Sir John introduces himself and opens up introductions to everyone, she quietly folds the fan closed and places its ribbon around her wrist. “Likewise,” she states, “you also know my name.” Lady Jacqueline makes her left hand into a fist and raises it before her face, her right hand pulling the sleeve down to reveal the etched bracer. “I specialize in archery, and what I like to call…” she drifts charmingly, leaning into the word, “treasure-hunting.” Her eyes gleam at the words. “You need not worry, though, sirs,” she says, politely stifling a small giggle. “Treasure-hunting comes with hunting from foes, or places not so easily attainable. Not my allies.”

In response to the others:"greetings sir John and lady Jacquelin, I am sit dwalin, a fighter from the mountains. I specialize in using my shield and axe" I am wearing a greenish brown shirt with brown pants and a dark green cloak

The door swings open as Lord Ivan steps inside, his regal robe dragging on the ground behind. "Alright, to the task at hand!" His eyes stare at the ground in front of him as he walks past you toward the other side of the desk, quietly muttering to himself as he goes over everything in his head. He mindlessly waves his hand toward you, beckoning you to sit, but he continues to stand as he merely rest his hand on a chair.

He continue stand beside his seat as he speaks, "As you adventurers may know, the City of Herrod is in a period of unrest. It's well known that a couple years ago, the fugitive Kelden Delcor escaped from the district prisons, along with many other dangerous criminals. Since that time, he's been hiding in the city, easy to do in a place of this size, and trying to turn people to his cause in order to seize the district and take power. It is your quest to halt this calamity before it starts!'

Looking at you more sternly, he continues to say, "This rebellious noble's son makes a claim to rule on the ridiculous notion that he was appointed by the King, as if the King had power anymore! The youth is idealistic, his head full of romantic notions with no grasp of modern politics. But that hasn't stopped him from gaining support and causing problems for the state. When he was first imprisoned for 'creating unrest', I anticipated he would continues to be a problem like this... Now I'll remind you of those contractual agreements you signed with Benson and the Discretion Clause at this point... I wanted to have the troublemaker executed, but that easily could have turned him into some kind of martyr. So at the time I asked Red Jack, the pirate lord of this district, to take care of this little issue for me. What a damned mistake that was! The good-for-nothing pirate sent one of his men into the prison to stir up a small riot and arrange an 'accidental' death, but the fool botched everything. Not only did the criminal survive, but he used the riot to successfully escape! And now I have an even bigger mess on my hands...'

"As if all this wasn't enough, the Larlben family is also now making a claim for Lordship, simply because they're the wealthiest! Many of the businesses and traders in Herrod must support them due to their financial ties. The result is that the city is being pulled apart into three factions: the Steyus, Delcor & Larlben factions so they say... So far there has been no open violence, but civil war will come if this doesn't end soon. A secret war has been waged beneath the eyes of the public for their very hearts and minds, there are spies everywhere, and the fate of the city is now fought in the shadows. This is your quest."

In his puzzlement, Martin spoke up.
"If I may humbly ask my lord, how DOES one become ruler and leader of a district or city-state fairly and justly?", Martin says in a soothing way with the up-most caution for coming off as indigent toward the lord.

CHA: 14+3=17 for smooth-talking

Lady Jacqueline's lips curl into a smile. "Lord Ivan..." she bows her head as he passes her, politely listening to his story as he goes on. At the mention of Kelden, her eyes glint-- though emotion doesn't present itself beneath the fascinator. She inclines her chin slightly, her fan fluidly blossoming open as she daintily fans herself. Charmed by Martin's words, the Lady lays her eyes upon him and for a moment hovers over the question. She knows the answer, but thinks it wise to remain quiet for the time being. Fluidly, her blue eyes find their way back to Lord Ivan to await his answer.

I happened upon invitation here, she thinks to herself. And until I gain some level of trust and understanding of everyone here, I will remain placid as a doll. Her eyes remain fixated on Lord Ivan, not faltering for even a moment.

Lord Ivan turns to Martin and slowly grins a smile [Charisma check: Success], something that seems to conflict with the deep wrinkles in his face, "By being the best for the job." Inwardly laughing at a joke, he continues to say, "Just like I hope you are! You all have class, that's for sure. Especially the young lady there. And this quest is going to need some class, as well as some brawn I wager!'

"Quickly smoothing out a fold in the robes with his hands, he looks at you all with a pleased expression, "Now to business. In one of the tavern's, the Boar's Tusk, is staying one of Delcor's lieutenants, we're not sure of his name, who's acting as a contact for his spies. Either on his person or in his room, we're told he keeps a list of all the 'signs' they use to identify themselves. Obviously, that information would be invaluable for ridding spies from our ranks! I need you to discretely recover that list, DISCRETELY. If we just arrest the fool or if they realize we've taken it, they'll change everything before we get the chance to use it, and it'll be useless. Cleansing all the spies from the keep is far more valuable than the one man. The Boar's Tusk I'm told is in a shady part of town, so you better watch yourselves!'

"Lastly, this will be the last time I speak to you all for awhile. From here on out, you'll be reporting to my Lead Intelligence Agent, Rielle. You won't need to know where to find her, she'll find you! Good luck adventurers!"

As Lord I van walks past me I give a slight nod, or bow with my head you might say. I smile at his compliment and look with serious thought at his statement.I move to a seat when he offers it. I stand As he seems to explain he is about leave and I politely speak.

"Thank you for your gracious compliment Lord Ivan. We are honored that you would speak personally with us. Thank you.

If I may, I had a few inquiries about our quest before you go."

He responds, "Details can be asked of Rielle, and I'm sure you'll be seeing her shortly. For now, I have to go as I still have a district to run! Farewell" At that, Lord Ivan Steyus disappears out the door as his flowing robe narrowly escapes getting caught as it shuts.

Noble Benson soon returned, accompanied by a few servants, and escorted your party from the keep. Your eyes took in the grand stonework and fabrics as you walked through the halls. This and the sound of lavish parties quickly diminished as the front doors closed behind you. Your party, now in the courtyard and surrounded by flowering gardens, are finally back in the open air outside the keep. The clear blue sky stretches overhead, and fresh air from the sea constantly replenishes the city. Built on a rocky rise, from here you can see not only the vast sea but the other vast sea, one of buildings and houses as far as the horizon, the metropolis of Herrod which may well be the second most populated city in all the Isles (the first being the capital of Harab).

While walking through the garden, Noble Benson, the cheerful but pudgy man, continues to speak (in fact he never stopped!), chattering constantly about a number of unimportant things. Right now he's reciting what must be the entire history of the gardens and listing every species contained therein. At first your party paid keen attention, but only after a few minutes did you decide to just zone this out, for your mind's sake.

Leaving the courtyard, passing beneath a great stone gate, you enter a clearly wealthy district. Expensive estates and mansions dot the hill on the slopes of the keep, noble families who like to keep close to the Lord's Court, as well as build their homes in the safest location in Herrod. The lawn are well kept; numerous well-dressed servants maintain the meticulous lawns and garden-beds. The hedges are perfectly trimmed, the wood freshly painted, and the streets completely clean. The buildings here are incredibly large, many 3 stories tall or more. Despite being made of wood and stone, noble houses are often kept in the families for many generations, passed from father to son, and for the ownership of any estate to change is big news. The only empty estate here now is the Steyus home, the members of which have now entirely moved into the keep, where they will stay until either their hereditary line ends, are removed by royal decree, or other reasons... Not every noble family lives in this district, only around half, but to have a house here is usually a sign of great prestige. The Delcor noble home is famously near the outer edge of the city, closer to the country, but this has not prevented them from have a historically large impact at court.

Your party passes beneath another great stone gate, another wall that divides one part of the city from the next. These walls are often cited as a form of protection, which may be true to an extent, but most of the time they only separate one class of people from another, and keep them there. Leaving behind the wealthy homes, you enter an open court of stone surrounded by buildings and filled will all kinds of people. You are now truly in the city. Stands have been set up around the stone court, and people are trying to sell nearly every kind of thing; buildings show off signs overhead and their windows are filled with items displaying what they sell. One could window shop here for along time. There are crowds and people everywhere!

Noble Benson hands each of a sack containing 50 gold. "Alright, this gold is for all the expenses you may need for your task. You know, equipment, foods, board...bribes, the usual business costs. Here's a map of the town, just to give you some bearing - no room for words on it as you see, you'll have to do that yourselves! Good luck... Oh, and one more thing! You should talk with Rielle before you go too far. To do that you should, er...' he looks around quickly and whispers 'I think you folks should get your palms read!" He points to a gypsy cart stationed across the stone court, giving a rather painfully obvious wink as he does. Then he takes his leave.

Your fate is now in your own hands.
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:07, Sat 19 Apr 2014.