Brother Loran stood and gave a simple polite bow "The Reverend Mother" he spoke her formal title with a slight edge to it she had worked tirelessly to be given it and no one especially a mayor of a back water town was going to call her by anything else but her respected title.

"...is well mayor and yes the skinny boy is now a a man and a man of the maker at that" he said with another slight bow
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:53, Mon 04 Apr 2022.

Richard sat a little more upright as the mayor approached and gave the man a friendly nod. His eyes scanned the mayor's clothes and possible scores.

Do I see a money pouch or something valuable?

"That you are, young man. That you are," the mayor says. "Now, by Miss Sally's gestures, you folks have need of my attention. Is there something I can do for you, either as a carpenter or as mayor?"

Richard sees a small pouch attached to his belt, but it's not a rich man's purse, and doesn't really appear all that full at that. Given that he's a tradesman, Richard surmises that any wealth the mayor has is more in goods and materials than in coin.

OOC: I made a minor edit to Loran's post, to correct Hannah's title (DA uses "Reverend Mother" instead of "Mother Superior," to reflect that only human women may become priests in the Chantry).
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:03, Mon 04 Apr 2022.

In reply to Erin (msg # 382):

Whispering silently to answer her question, he very quickly explained what Fost meant. "We used magic to seal up one of their surface entrances. It's more or less putting a bandage over the gapping wound, but that's why I want to send that information quickly to the Gray Wardens."

He stood aside as the rest of the group acquainted (or reacquainted in Loran's case) with the town leadership, standing awkwardly to one side as he let them continue their discussions.

Richard leaned forward, crossing his arms on the table and looked at the mayor with a broad smile and hushed tones "Would you care to sit with us for a minute? I think there's something we should mention."

"Master Mayor", Fost started a bit awkwardly, took a long breath, then blurted, "This town might be in danger."
Fost shook his head, irritated by himself. He took a breath and started again in a serious voice.
"Mayor, I am Fost, known as Longstrider in Western Hills Arling. More importantly", Fost retrieved the steel coin from Arl Eamon Redcliffe and placed it on the table, "I am the Arl's man, namely Redcliffe's Arl Eamon. This coin was given to me as a sign of trust and recognition to show that I am an honest man. I hope it raises sufficient consideration and thought that you will hear me out and not immediately discard me for a fool with a wagging tongue."
Once the issue of trustworthiness had been settled in Fost's view he told of their encounter with the darkspawn, about the three mercenaries holed up in a cave and freed by them, about them scouting for the menace from the deep labyrinths and about their fight against a couple of darkspawn, about the entry to the underground they had closed off at least temporarily and of his concern that more evil creatures might roam the region. He did not tell how the three men ended up in the cave, nor about Alistair's abduction or their own reason for being there.

Elfred joins the group at the table as Fost begins.

"That is serious, indeed; you're right to bring it to my attention," the mayor replies once he's heard the full story. "Even five days away is too close when it comes to darkspawn."

Pausing for a brief moment, he asks, "I don't suppose you're headed to South Reach next? No? Denerim?" Shaking heads produces a frown, and he adds, "The Bannorn, then. Okay, I'll send a messenger to South Reach. Erin, I'd send you down to Ostagar, but the bandits on the road make that too treacherous for a single person; we'll have to rely on the arl sending word there and to Denerim.

"You, my dear girl, I'll send with these young men, with full watchman's wages. You'll be my messenger to warn the bannorns of the potential danger," he says. To the men, he adds, "I'll pay you each 50 silver to escort her safely to your destination. Do you have a place to stay for the night?"

OOC: I figured that was a good way to ensure Erin joins the party. :) Erin will get 50 silver for her wages.

Fost mused, looking from the mayor to Erin and back again.
"We travel to Bournshire. Once we finish our business there we don't have any pressing obligations and may accompany Erin to warn others you may feel should learn first-hand from us.", he paused.
"Or, since it is reasonable that we return to Redcliffe, we could offer to escort your guard and messenger back to Lothering."
Fost shrugged his muscled shoulders.
"I thank you for your offer of payment, but I wonder if your town has Heavy Mail on offer instead to be purchased with what coins I do have and in exchange of my Heavy Leathers. Better armour will be of more use than coins to me."
This message was last edited by the player at 17:44, Tue 12 Apr 2022.

Erin stared in awe at the coin, Fost sure had to be a very important man to be granted such an honor. "Bandits, Darkspawn now. It didn't use to be this bad..." For a moment Erin looked a bit somber and just when it looked like her mood had changed, she stood from her seat, slammed the tabled with her palms and exclaimed. "Don't you worry, I'll get the word out before they get a chance to poison the crops!" How had she reached that point was a bit of a mystery but at least she seemed full of fiery determination.

"When are we leaving though? Do I have time to get home and pack my things?" There was no telling how long it would take her to get there and back, her mind was already set on making preparations for the journey. Normally it would be a bit daunting to travel far with a group of strangers, but she already knew one of them and another had an important coin, which made them trustworthy. More importantly, she would have a chance to gauge just how far and wide those foul rumors had spread. Perhaps it would be best to hide her identity...

Richard's ears pricked up as soon as the mayor mentioned 50 silver, he nodded and replied to the mayor's inquiry "Our good brother Loran has secured a place to rest at the chantry... I'm sure we wouldn't mind some extra rations for our important mission." he added with a smile.

The mayor looks around the room and seems to find who or what he was looking for, and he inclines his head. "Barlin, didn't one of those young adventurers trade his heavy mail for your last two healing potions?"

A man near the door to the kitchen replies, "Yes, and I still have it. Why do you ask?"

"Would you accept 50 silver and this man's leathers for it?" the mayor asks. Barlin comes over and gives Fost a once over.

"A little bit of wear, but they still appear to be in good condition. I can take that deal," he agrees.

Elfred nods. "I'll get you the coin from the village coffers later this evening," the mayor adds. "Could you let the lad use one of your empty rooms upstairs to change?"

Leaning toward Fost, he quips mirthfully, "Not sure what you have under your armor, son. Don't want to make the ladies blush, heh-heh."

OOC: Fost loses his heavy leathers in exchange for a suit of heavy mail.



"Oh, indeed," he says. "Barlin, I'll cover their meals tonight, and set them up with a week's rations each."

OOC: Each of you will receive 1 weeks of rations.

Barlin nods and heads away. The evening meal is good (a mutton stew), and the heroes eat their fill before returning to the chantry. As they enter, a templar and what appears to be a Reverend Mother are standing not far away, engaged in a heated discussion; the templar seems agitated.

“You must calm yourself, Ser Ragnall,” the woman says. “Ser Andra is only a couple days overdue, and you are needed here.”

“She’s not just on some patrol around the outer farms, Reverend Mother; she was investigating an apostate on the -” Ser Ragnall stops suddenly as he realizes the pair has an audience.

OOC: I’ll give you folks a chance to react. Erin is still with the others at this point.

Fost was very pleased, especially as he had offered some of his coins for payment but Barlin was willing to only take the mayor's coins and his leathers.
He thanked for the offer to change and was happy to see that the other fellow must have had a very simular physique like himself. He would need to find an armour to adjust the metal rings around the shoulders, though.

As he went back to the common room to ask for an address he could saw food on the table and forgot about the armour.

When they returned to the Chantry he meekly cleared his throat to get the attention, apologized and queried whether the apostate that was being tracked by Ser Andra might be a person called Fenwithe.
"For you must know that this Fenwithe had hired three mercenaries here in Lothering to meddle in the affairs of Arl Eamon. And therefore in our affairs.", again Fost did not mention just what those were, he prefered to leave the boy out of the picture.
"We have already taken care of those three men, but at time, must have been around 18th Bloomingtide, the apostate Fenwithe resided in some nearby manor here and he had at least two other henchmen."
"As is, my friends and myself have an open bill with the apostate. He is a threat and we would very much like to hear what news you may share. Indeed, I offer my help if it does not interfere with the task we have just been employed for."
He turned to Erin.
"Erin, this may be more pressing that the other matter we discussed.", he said seriously.
They had assumed that Fenwithe were long gone by the time tjey arrived in Lothering. But if he was indeed still around, it seemed clear that he still wanted the boy.
This message was last edited by the player at 10:22, Sun 17 Apr 2022.

Richard thanks the mayor and raises his mug to his health before following the others to the Chantry. He focuses his gaze upon the woman and the man as they’re talking but he lets the others retell their story.

The pair turn to the newcomers, Ser Ragnall apparently very interested in the information Fost provides. He says, "We don't know the name of the offender; it was only a report of magic use past the northern farms by someone who didn't look like a mage or an elf. Would this Fenwithe you mention have traveled to Lothering from the bannorn?"

The reverend mother places a gentle hand on the templar's forearm. "You said he may have stayed in Lothering for a time? I remember a trio were here a couple of weeks until recently; they were most notable by the unladylike manners of the elf girl. She seemed to lead both boys around by their chins, the little one especially. There was something off about the smaller man; I couldn't tell you what bothered me about him, though."

OOC: I know Fost is away for a while. Someone else, feel free to continue the conversation.

Richard yawns and stretches himself, a little annoyed he steps forward "Yes, yes. Do you have any news about this apostate? It seems you're missing one of your own or did my ears play tricks on my over exhausted mind? A Ser Andra If I recall correctly..."

"Well... an apostate... running around could be highly problematic." It took a great deal of effort not to look over to Brother Loran. Mikhail had nothing but good interactions with the Templars, and even had a schoolboy crush on one of them at one point. However, he also knew how effective they could be. This... would make things more difficult going forward, or at least gave them the possibility. And there was still the matter of Alistair to consider here.

Fost shook his head, though with quite some uncertainty included.
"I don't know of this Fenwithe came from the Bannorn or from somewhere else."

Fost listened to the revered mother and found himself nodding.
"We met those you describe, too. And I have to admit I share your... uneasy... feeling about them. Those three intended to head for Redcliffe, at least that's what they said. Fancy, Arlan and Tanner. That's the names they gave us. And if I recall correctly this Arlan had some... unusual... ideas about magic, or rather about mages in general."
Fost paused and it was obvious that he was in deep thought, his telltale frown a sure indication.
"Thinking back, I wonder if we have been too blind or too tired to question those more thoroughly. Arlan had some unnerving interest in our young companion, or that was my impression anyway. And those opinions about magic... some funny notion about employing it as a trade commodity or something. I quickly lost interest. Either way, maybe they gave us wrong names, maybe Arlan and Fenwithe were the same."
Fost scratched his head, then shrugged, somewhat helplessly.
"None of this would explain the absence of your templar, though."
This message was last edited by the player at 18:42, Tue 03 May 2022.

Mikhail had heard at some point during his training that templars could sense magic; he has never seen evidence of that power, even as he's seen some exhibit other abilities - including draining mages of their magical power and completely cancelling all spell effects within a certain radius. Still, if this Ser Ragnall weren't so distraught over the uncertain fate of his companion, he would likely scrutinize the newcomers more closely with a potential apostate running around.

"Nor does their earlier presence in Lothering," the reverend mother adds. "Do you think there's a connection between Fenwithe and this little trio? Compatriots? Could one of the men be Fenwith, perhaps?"

Before anyone can answer, Ser Ragnall interjects,"Reverend Mother, even if they are connected to the reports in some way, they've moved westward. Ser Andra went north, and north is where we should be looking."

The cleric nods and turns to the group. "If you are willing to search for Ser Andra, I am authorized to pay you a hundred silver now, and another hundred if you return her -" she briefly turns her eyes to her templar "- or her remains to us. Are you young folk willing to take on this task?"

Fost opened his mouth, paused, closed it and finally said with a wince in his voice added into the uncomfortable mix.
"Revered Mother. We already have some obligations we need to take care of."
"We are bound for Bournshire in the Bannorns to escort and deliver our young companion into the care of the monastery."
"A task I would rather not delay much longer as his arrival is already overdue."
"We have also agreed to accompany Erin on her way north to perform a task laid on her shoulders on behalf of the mayor."
"We cannot reasonably promise to take on yet another endeavour that certainly requires focus and diligence that we might be hard pressed to deliver. The disappearance of the templar is too important to be taken lightly or half-heartedly."
"What we can seriously offer is to keep our eyes and ears open and see what we can do if whatever we learn happens to be on our path anyway and would not delay us much. Also, on our way back to Lothering. But since Erin's journey is not exactly defined we cannot truly say when we will return."
He looked at his companions.
"Unless we decide to leave Alistair", he turned back to the revered mother, "in your care for the time being and search for Ser Andra."
Fost really did not want to make this choice. Too many stakeholders, all of which were important personages, or at least none he would like to disappoint. And he was an Arl's Man after all so his priority rested with Redcliffe.

Shifting his weight from one leg to another his eyes light up a little when hearing the promised coin. "Well, I'd say that we're already heading north after delivering the boy. Why not do two things at the same time? Perhaps a blessing of the revered mother and some coin beforehand will help us to survive the coming trials and shift our attention to Ser Andra."

Glancing intently between interlocutors, the moment things made some sense to her, or she thought they did anyway, Erin butted into the conversation. "Well maybe not much on the way there, since news have to be delivered, but certainly on the way back." Bandits, Darkspawn and now dangerous mages set loose. There had always been troubles here and there but it didn't use to be this bad, not at all. "Gosh! An apostate, here, now of all times." There was a bit of a pause as the gears in her head kept turning. "Could this be some kind of conspiracy? It seems too convenient that all those things would happen around here at the same time." Whose conspiracy and to what end was left unclear, even perhaps to herself. Templars were about the mightiest most capable people she knew of, the thought that one such person could go missing was mind blowing to Erin.

"I see. Perhaps, then, could you investigate along your journey to Bourneshire? If you don't learn of her fate before you reach your destination, then seek her out on your way back, while escorting Miss Erin?"
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:29, Mon 13 June 2022.

Fost nodded.
"We can certainly do that. And indeed: we will."

Clapping his hands together Richard smiles: "Well, this settles it, we'll see what we can find. Is there anything you can tell us about Ser Andra?" His eyes are resting on Ser Ragnall.

Ser Ragnall raises his hand to a level that’s a little higher than Erin stands tall. “She’s about yea high, stocky build, round face, light brown hair, and slightly darker eyes,” he says. “Her cheeks and nose are naturally a bit rosy, especially after she’s been out in the sun for any length of time.

“The sightings were said to be near the north road fork that goes to Bewick.”

Erin knows that split in the road; it’s more than a day’s travel away, beyond Lothering’s northernmost farm - owned by Master Dainan. He offers most folks who pass by his hospitality; it’s possible he talked with both the rumored apostate and Ser Andra.

The reverend mother adds, “Come to me when you are ready to leave in the morning, and I will give you the first half of your pay.”

OOC: Anything else you want to say before we move to the departure scene?