"Okay," Enrei says with a smile, patting Godrick on the shoulder before heading over to the Lord of the Mill.  "Hello!" he declares loud enough to be heard from where Titus and Godrick are standing.  However, his tone lowers to a dull roar after the salutation as he speaks to the man.  After speaking, he extends one open hand toward the lord and looks at him expectantly.

In reply to Enrei Omal'i (msg # 627):

The man is noticeably startled by the big islander, but he reclaims his composure quickly enough.

He says a few things to Enrei.


He turns away and goes back to supervising the repair work and the kitchen work, totally ignoring Enrei.

In reply to GM (msg # 628):

It would seem the reach of Lord Gent perhaps has not made its way to the Lord of the Mill.

Enrei, what did the man say to you? It would do us well not to offend his hospitality as we are more likely than not to need to make camp here for the evening.

In reply to Uldaf Asbjorn (msg # 629):

Titus watches the exchange with a slight frown on his face.

That was horrificly anticlimactic...  Uldaf is probably right, lets butter this guy up

He pushes himself off the cart with a flourish and stands in the group with Uldaf and Enrei listening to hear what the first contact with the lord of the mill was.

Enrei furrows his brow as the lord rebuffs him and reaches his still empty hand forward to place it on the miller's shoulder before speaking again, paying no heed to his companions. "No, no," Enrei states definitively, "We are collecting money now.  You have money, this is mercenary work, and I am very good at mercenary.  So, I am collecting money." He trusts his open hand at the lord again, apparently insistent.

((2x10 command+negotiate?))

In reply to Enrei Omal'i (msg # 631):

Titus and Uldaf shoulder up behind Enrei, listening in on the discussion.  Brennan stands not too far behind, just in earshot but out of reach.

"Unless you're threatening me," the Lord of the Mill replies, turning slowly.  He glances dismissively at Enrei's hand until it is removed from his shoulder.

"Is this my Lord's way now?  Sending large thugs to take money from his people?"

In reply to Titus Blackwell (msg # 630):

Prior to joining Enrei


Titus, we've finally run into a situation in which your silver tongue is necessary, and you instead sent in a blunt object?

If I didn't know any better, you were passing on an opportunity to tell a story..

Uldaf glares from under his wolf helm at the little lordling, before gruffly stating

"Every man is what you make him, and what he makes of himself. Are you intent on making me a thug, or have you decided from none of my actions so far that I am obviously a miscreant prone to a life of crime. Because it would be just dreadful if that's the conclusion you've come to. It's just so hard to change a first impression..

[Intimidate Fail]

"Yes, I will take money," Enrei declares happily, seeing the lord finally cooperating.  As Uldaf speaks and no money is produced Enrei leans back to Titus and speaks quietly, "What means 'threatening?'"

In reply to Uldaf Asbjorn (msg # 633):

Titus smiles at the man and attempts to salvage his comrades attempt at first contact.

You'll have to forgive my compatriots... As you can understand often times in this business you run into those who will look with a less than friendly eye upon those merely trying to gather the lord's due.  We are NOT here merely as tax collectors, but we also bring a great deal of assistance by our mere presence.

Enrei may not the best speaker or a philosopher in the party but he is strong as an ox and more than willing to help those willing to pay the Lord's cost.  He may appear threatening but I assure you he means well.  He patiently defines threatening to Enrei making it plain that the giant does not mean a threat as he has no idea what one is

Uldaf is a healer of no small skill he rolls up his arm showing expertly stitched wolfbites

Brennan is a great thinker and philosopher who can help write up contracts or legal documents as needed.

and I am an officially sanctioned actor with a writ of patronage who has a right... nay a duty to perform to entertain the good taxpayers of this mill.  he raises his voice as he says nay a duty to ensure that eveyone can hear this last part, turning public opinion to his opinion.  He also waves an official looking document at the millkeeper.  He keeps his voice raised

However if your people have no interest in music, a strong set of arms, legal documents, or need of healing then we will be of little use to you.  I assure you that you have never seen a performer the likes of me.

Titus smiles his most indulgent smile

So shall my friends and I set up shop?

In reply to Titus Blackwell (msg # 635):

Uldaf crosses his arms and enjoys the show.

In reply to Uldaf Asbjorn (msg # 636):

The lordling crosses stout arms across his thick chest, holding his stick loosly by one hand.

"So you say," he muses, chewing on his lower lip.  His vision goes from Godrick to Enrei, to Brennan, to Titus and then to Uldaf before returning to Enrei and Brennan again.

He squints up at the fading sunlight, then off behind you at the distant treeline, weighing the merits of something he does not comment on.

"Might be, if I had some more help I could find the time to turn out the purses of my men, ransack the larder and shake every daughter down for a few extra coin."

He uncrosses his arms and leans heavily on his stick, as if to emphasize his lack of youthful energy.

"Tell you what.  It's been a while since we've seen a proper show, and my crew are short-handed as it is.  If you'll perform for us tonight, and you," he points to Enrei, "will help finish the grinding early, and you," he points to Brennan, "will set watch over my mill with your bow tonight.  Then I think I can scrounge together the tax money by morning."

He scratches his beard and cracks a cruel smile.

"Oh, and I suspect it would be all the better a show if your 'thug' in the wolf skin were to take part in the mummery.  Aye, that would free up lots of my time, I think."

In reply to GM (msg # 637):

Titus smiles and shakes the Miller's hand and smiles broadly.

You're on.

Enrei, good job at mercenary work, because of you they now pay their taxes... but they need help in the mill.  </b> Titus points towards the mill and says in a stage whisper</b> its best if you give him simple instructions.

He shakes the man's hand and says with a smile

I may even be able to find a spot for our esteemed healer in my performance tonight if he is willing.  We do have one issue in terms of healing though... significant look at Godrik's arms and has scarred arm we ran into some... issues on the road and are a bit low on supplies.  If you did have some stockpiles we could utilize for your wounded it would greatly expedite the process.

He waits for the miller's response and bundles off his colleagues calling this a victory.  He walks next to Uldaf and whispers quietly

I was thinking the part in my play tonight you could play is the one where you turn into a bear and eat him.

"This is mill?" Enrei asks as Titus points out his new duty, "Where is water?" He's almost certain he hasn't finished the job of collecting money, what with no money having actually changed hands, but Titus calling the giant fan building a mill has him certain someone is making a joke he doesn't understand.

In reply to Titus Blackwell (msg # 638):

Oh if this is to be a mummer's farce, then we will make a true show of it.

Just make sure we've turned out the pockets before the show ends. Men like this one are unaccustomed to being shown up..

In reply to Uldaf Asbjorn (msg # 640):

Content in his arrangement, Uldaf pulls Titus aside.

Are you ready to scare an old overly priveleged man to death? Because I think you are.

In reply to Uldaf Asbjorn (msg # 641):

If Enrei is compliant, he is led into the mill.  There he sees wonders that his mind cannot possibly comprehend:  moving mechanisms, turning wheels, loud noises and strange words.

However, he does understand the tasks asked of him, which are lifting heavy sacks, pushing heavy wooden bars, and lifting other heavy sacks.

Godrick, sullen and silent, negotiates with one of the villagers for lodging, preferring not to sleep under the Lord of the Mill's roof, apparently.  Lump tends to him, and Arule rests beside the Miller's house.  He is careful, however, not to speak to the miller's daughters without permission.

The Miller continues to supervise, shouting orders to the teams fixing the roof, doing the grinding and the women doing the cooking/cleaning.

The rest of you are left to mill about the mill (ha!), prepare for your show, or talk to people as you choose.

In reply to GM (msg # 642):

Brennan chats with the locals about religion, strange happenings involving possibly winged creatures that may or may not be plaguing the local populace, and otherwise mingling with whoever has a story or song to share about theology, philosophy, linguistics, history, the sciences, etc. for a time. He takes food and drink early and rests a bit, as well, so as to be alert for his overnight watch.

In reply to Brennan Otthild (msg # 643):

Interestingly, the locals have quite a bit to say about "possibly winged creatures".

Turns out, the crew on the mill roof are repairing damage done in the night by... well they don't know for sure.  Most suspect it was one of the village boys getting into mischief, but others have their doubts. Possibly some large birds come down from the mountains before winter?

Brennan is told that one of the Miller's daughters supposedly saw who did it, but suggest that he not talk to her as the Miller would not approve.

"She's a simple-minded girl, y'see," one of them notes offhandedly.  "Has enough trouble getting her clothes on as telling ya' what happened any given night."

In reply to GM (msg # 644):

"Never the less, I would speak with her," Brennan says, confidently walking over to the proprietor to arrange the meeting.

"We saw damage similar to up the road a spell," Brennan explains to the man. "I would like to ask her a few questions, maybe ask her to draw a rough sketch for us to compare notes. You're welcome to supervise, if that would settle your mind on the matter. It would only be a few minutes."

In reply to Brennan Otthild (msg # 645):

The Miller fixes his stern gaze on Brennan, raising one eyebrow.  When the request is fully explained he bursts out laughing.

"Lilly?  You'd like Lilly 'ta draw you a picture?"  He wipes at his eyes with a dirty hand and chuckles.

"That girl's good for only two things, and drawing ain't one of 'em, but I'll make you a deal:  You Lord's Men are hassling me for a lot of money, the way I see it.  You leave me with three pennies toward my debts and I'll have the girls bring Lilly 'ta join you in the larder.  You can take your few minutes 'ta do whatever you like.  Ask her questions if that suits you, or if not..."  he gives a shrug and a lewd smile.

In reply to GM (msg # 646):

Brennan reaches into his coin purse thoughtfully.

"I really do only want information, and while it could be valuable, three pennies is a lot of money... especially since I hope to learn something that will help you defend your property in the future. The materials and the manpower needed to repair the roof amount to more than three pennies. Preventing it just once will pay for itself."

He withdraws a single penny from his pouch and places it in the man's palm.

"A penny for Lilly's time. If what she has to say lines up with what I suspect happened, I can teach you how to protect yourself and your property from similar attacks. If what she has to say is worthless... well, then you're still a penny better off, and none the worse for the wear."

[Negotiation + Empathy: 3x1]


Brennan smiles good-naturedly.

"What do you say?"
This message was last edited by the player at 20:40, Thu 04 June 2015.

In reply to Brennan Otthild (msg # 647):

The Miller narrows his gaze at Brennan and for a moment leaves Brennan's hand outstreatched.

Finally he turns his palm upward with minimal effort and allows Brennan to drop the penny into it.

"Seeing as your services were already contracted, I don't see how it's any more favor to me.  However, as Lilly is done with her duties for the day, it's no great loss for me."

He tucks the penny away in a pouch at his waist and gestures with a twist of his head toward the cottage.

Brennan nods and moves in the indicated direction.

"Harriet, Ginny!"  The Miller calls ahead toward the house.  "Show this... gentleman caller to the larder and go round back and fetch Lilly."

He leers again.  "To talk with him."

Brennan is greeted at the door by two brunettes and shown in.

In reply to GM (msg # 648):

Uldaf and Titus slink off to begin scheme hatching the play for today.

Those who get close enough will hear many interesting phrases from among the veiled whispers

"..transform from a trout.."

"..Like I'm going to maul him.."

"..Oscillating flames.."

"..Badger trap"

In reply to Uldaf Asbjorn (msg # 649):

Brennan does some "talking" in the house.

Enrei marvels at the inner workings of the mill.  While he can be convinced that is in fact the building's purpose, any explanations for all the mechanisms that turn wind into flour goes directly over his head.  His lack of understanding does not stop him from dutifully performing heavy labor.  He keeps quiet as he works unless approached by the other workers, apparently not excited about returning to hefting and pushing after his bout of heroism and partying.