In the Name of the King - A Dark Fantasy RPG (Sign ups open)

[Anann]

Countess Alyssane Camren, Chancellor

Countess Alyssane stares silently at the commotion and drama unfolding before her, lips pursed, when Torrhen approaches her. Raising a bony hand to forehead in exasperation, she takes a moment before replying.

"The melodramatic little worm arranged this all very nicely. Would he honestly have us believe the spymaster of the kingdom of Anchor would leave a detailed description of his supposed crime in uncyphered letters in the hands of a merchant? Only a fool of the most severe magnitude would entertain this ridiculous spectacle."

A weary sigh emerges from Alyssane's lips, and the signs of age are heavy on her face as she continues.

"Which means, of course, that half the court is already utterly convinced. Even were we to expose Reddington's embarrassingly inept deception, rumor and hearsay would follow Lord Fayden to his grave. Any measure of trust between he and the king would be impossible - even were his majesty wise enough to see Fayden's innocence, every upjumped baronet and scheming burgher with delusions of brilliance would be constantly supplying him with new rumors of dastardly schemes and betrayals."

"No doubt Lord Reddington is aware of all of this, and is relying on it. I've no idea what he hopes to gain from this bad theater, but if he aims to take Lord Fayden's place, I fear the kingdom will soon suffer the consequences of his stupidity - unless he is much more clever than present circumstances would suggest. And yet, for now, we can do nothing more productive than allow the farce to play out. For now, Torrhen, make the appropriate noises of shock and dismay. Fayden is doomed one way or another, and no good will be accomplished of our joining him."

 

[PoptartProdigy]

Reddington smiled. "Yes, let a traitor of low moral standing bring his completely false fabrications of his defense. Let him bring forth his testimony, uncorroborated by anyone of standing. If there is indeed a poison that would make a man sick before dying like His Majesty, may he rest in peace, let that stand as my testimony and proof."

If he was any sort of spymaster worth the name, Fayden would have no alibi. If he had one? Well, that would be fascinating in and of itself, the sort of friends the spymaster would be making.

That said, the poison would still be where Raymond had left it, and that would be hard for Fayden to deny.

At around that point, one of the servants pouring Torrhen's cup placed a note under that cup.

"Torrhen,
Be glad I don't have eyes on your job, or there'd be more than wine in this cup.
-R"

Click to shrink...

Torrhen raises his eyebrows and sighs. "Going to be that kind of Council."

He shows it to Alyssane, but doesn't make a fuss of it.

Countess Alyssane, Chancellor

Countess Alyssane stares silently at the commotion and drama unfolding before her, lips pursed, when Torrhen approaches her. Raising a bony hand to forehead in exasperation, she takes a moment before replying.

"The melodramatic little worm arranged this all very nicely. Would he honestly have us believe the spymaster of the kingdom of Anchor would leave a detailed description of his supposed crime in uncyphered letters in the hands of a merchant? Only a fool of the most severe magnitude would entertain this ridiculous spectacle."

A weary sigh emerges from Alyssane's lips, and the signs of age are heavy on her face as she continues.

"Which means, of course, that half the court is already utterly convinced. Even were we to expose Reddington's embarrassingly inept deception, rumor and hearsay would follow Lord Fayden to his grave. Any measure trust between he and the king would be impossible - even were his majesty wise enough to see Fayden's innocence, every upjumped baronet and scheming burgher with delusions of brilliance would be constantly supplying him with new rumors of dastardly schemes and betrayals."

"No doubt Lord Reddington is aware of all of this, and is relying on it. I've no idea what he hopes to gain from this bad theater, but if he aims to take Lord Fayden's place, I fear the kingdom will soon suffer the consequences of his stupidity - unless he is much more clever than present circumstances would suggest. And yet, for now, we can do nothing more productive than allow the farce to play out. For now, Torrhen, make the appropriate noises of shock and dismay. Fayden is doomed one way or another, and no good will be accomplished of our joining him."

Click to shrink...

"He doubtless hopes for Fayden's position," says Torrhen, waggling the note. " But still, well spoken." He settles back on his heels. "Little we can achieve here. We'll need to keep an eye out."

He then lets things proceed to their inevitable conclusion.

 

[Anann]

Countess Alyssane Camren, Chancellor

Alyssane examines the note Torrhen passes to her.

"Oh for - he just as good as confessed and signed with his real initial!"

The countess allows her forehead to fall to the table in utter disbelief. Hopefully the lemmings of the royal court will misinterpret the gesture as grief and shock at the wicked scheme that's just been exposed.

"Dragons preserve me from the stupidity of fools who think themselves clever."

 

[PoptartProdigy]

Countess Alyssane Camren, Chancellor

Alyssane examines the note Torrhen passes to her.

"Oh for - he just as good as confessed and signed with his real initial!"

The countess allows her forehead to fall to the table in utter disbelief. Hopefully the lemmings of the royal court will misinterpret the gesture as grief and shock at the wicked scheme that's just been exposed.

"Dragons preserve me from the stupidity of fools who think themselves clever."

Click to shrink...

"But now we know," murmurs Torrhen, pretending to comfort her for the benefit of the observers. "We bide our time. We consider our options. We've handled worse."

 

[BlackBishop]

"Let Lord Fayden make his case. Drawing conclusions from one side's words are unwise, as much proof can go. It can easily be falsified nowadays. Do not let your own prejudices decide the fate of the life of a man." said Maria, her voice was a bit less friendly than it is used to. Justice is what she will stand for. No matter what. That is what her faith and her heart told her to follow.

Click to shrink...

"Rest assured, your Eminence," Godfried said as Fayden was dragged away, "Baron Fayden will get a fair trial and given an opportunity to make his defense. For now, it is only prudent he be held until these heinous accusations against him can be investigated in full. Lord-Commander?"

Sir Samuel, lord-commander of the King's Guard, saluted to the seneschal. "My lord?"

"Take some able men and investigate the Baron's manor. Ride out to his castle afterward. Leave no stone unturned."

The grisly old knight frowned, his expression saying it all. Who knows what foul things will be uncovered investigating that serpent. With a stiff bow, the knight departed from the thrown room, several of his knights trailing after him.

Godfried turned to address the crowd, having grown disorderly and aghast at the recent events. "Order! Order! Come to order in the name of the King!" Declared Godfried. Slowly the court quieted, whispering among themselves from the unsettling events that transpired before them. Just like that, they were bereft a spymaster. The seneschal sighed. "Perhaps now would be a good ti..."

A knock upon the oak doors drowned out the seneschal's words. The door opened, met by a shrill scream and gasps. The courtiers parted as six men, clad in mud laden linens and leather jerkins walked through the hall, each pair holding aloft a troll's head, skewered upon a spear, three heads in all.

A herald's voice rang out above the court. "Presenting to his Royal Majesty, King Morcar of Eafold, King of Anchor and the Dagger Coast, Captain Weiland of the Order of the Hunt, vanquisher of beasts and monsters, and avenger of Prince Edwin of Eafold!"

The shock of the court gave way to excitement as the lumbering heads of the beasts were brought forward before the king. Their skin was a dull grey, their eyes a pale white, and black tongues drooping out of their great jaws. Their leader, Captain Weiland, gave a sweeping bow toward the king. He was of a queer sort, that much was plain. He was tall, wide of shoulder, and a steel cuirass emblazoned with the head of a bull beneath his muddy cloak, and a beard fashioned in three prongs, dyed purple and adorned in golden rings.

In a sort of deranged melody, the captain suddenly burst into song, dancing around the severed troll heads.

"Praise be to Bane, the prince is avenged!
On our own survival a lot would depend!
On the cunning of the huntsman
to find the troll den!
Praise be to Bane, the prince is avenged!"

The court stared in wonder at the great dancing man, finally stopping his jaunty tune to stand before the king with another sweeping bow. "Hail and well met, your Majesty! I am Weiland Trollbane, captain of the Order of the Hunt! Famed monster hunters that have plied their trade from the Broken Arm to the Ashlands! Before King Harrad the Great departed, he bid us to go out into the Griefwood and slay the beasts that robbed your brother of his life so young!" He made a sweeping motion toward the severed heads. "You see, Huntsmen always fulfill their promise!"

Godfried visibly grimaced. It was clear what these men expected, 1,500 dragons when the coffers were already nearly exhaused after the coronation.

 

[PoptartProdigy]

"Rest assured, your Eminence," Godfried said as Fayden was dragged away, "Baron Fayden will get a fair trial and given an opportunity to make his defense. For now, it is only prudent he be held until these heinous accusations against him can be investigated in full. Lord-Commander?"

Sir Samuel, lord-commander of the King's Guard, saluted to the seneschal. "My lord?"

"Take some able men and investigate the Baron's manor. Ride out to his castle afterward. Leave no stone unturned."

The grisly old knight frowned, his expression saying it all. Who knows what foul things will be uncovered investigating that serpent. With a stiff bow, the knight departed from the thrown room, several of his knights trailing after him.

Godfried turned to address the crowd, having grown disorderly and aghast at the recent events. "Order! Order! Come to order in the name of the King!" Declared Godfried. Slowly the court quieted, whispering among themselves from the unsettling events that transpired before them. Just like that, they were bereft a spymaster. The seneschal sighed. "Perhaps now would be a good ti..."

A knock upon the oak doors drowned out the seneschal's words. The door opened, met by a shrill scream and gasps. The courtiers parted as six men, clad in mud laden linens and leather jerkins walked through the hall, each pair holding aloft a troll's head, skewered upon a spear, three heads in all.

A herald's voice rang out above the court. "Presenting to his Royal Majesty, King Morcar of Eafold, King of Anchor and the Dagger Coast, Captain Weiland of the Order of the Hunt, vanquisher of beasts and monsters, and avenger of Prince Edwin of Eafold!"

The shock of the court gave way to excitement as the lumbering heads of the beasts were brought forward before the king. Their skin was a dull grey, their eyes a pale white, and black tongues drooping out of their great jaws. Their leader, Captain Weiland, gave a sweeping bow toward the king. He was of a queer sort, that much was plain. He was tall, wide of shoulder, and a steel cuirass emblazoned with the head of a bull beneath his muddy cloak, and a beard fashioned in three prongs, dyed purple and adorned in golden rings.

In a sort of deranged melody, the captain suddenly burst into song, dancing around the severed troll heads.

"Praise be to Bane, the prince is avenged!
On our own survival a lot would depend!
On the cunning of the huntsman
to find the troll den!
Praise be to Bane, the prince is avenged!"

The court stared in wonder at the great dancing man, finally stopping his jaunty tune to stand before the king with another sweeping bow. "Hail and well met, your Majesty! I am Weiland Trollbane, captain of the Order of the Hunt! Famed monster hunters that have plied their trade from the Broken Arm to the Ashlands! Before King Harrad the Great departed, he bid us to go out into the Griefwood and slay the beasts that robbed your brother of his life so young!" He made a sweeping motion toward the severed heads. "You see, Huntsmen always fulfill their promise!"

Godfried visibly grimaced. It was clear what these men expected, 1,500 dragons when the coffers were already nearly exhaused after the coronation.

Click to shrink...

((...I am guessing that we did not in fact end up switching to land grant rewards.))

 

[BlackBishop]

((...I am guessing that we did not in fact end up switching to land grant rewards.))

Click to shrink...

((You could try granting land instead, but these roaming adventurers probably prefer gold.))

 

[Anann]

Countess Alyssane Camren, Chancellor

Before one over-dramatic spectacle could fully conclude, another sauntered in to take its place. Turning to a nearby aide, Alyssane whispered a terse instruction:

"Make a note for a proposal to be put forth at the next council meeting; that we begin vetting the king's petitioners prior to granting them an audience. At this rate we'll have a troupe of jugglers and tumbling fools in motley in here claiming to be Bane incarnate and his assorted children."

Making a (perhaps vain) attempt to restore some semblance of order and dignity to the day's proceedings, Countess Alyssane rose to her feet and raised a hand to call for the silence with which to respond.

"Good captain, his majesty's thanks for the noble deed you have accomplished in ridding his fair kingdom of these foul beasts." Yes, yes, that's it, the proper tone of affected admiration, then a feigned flinch at the grizzly sight of the decapitated heads, that should appease the swaggering peacock's obvious ego. "The destruction of monsters such as these is always deserving of just reward. Have you any proof that these are indeed the trolls responsible for the death of the late crown prince, however? Come, tell us your tale, so that we may determine how best to honor your valiant accomplishment."

That should buy them some time, at least. Alyssane did not envy Lord Cicero the task of placating this one - these adventuring types would no doubt be unsatisfied with anything less than payment in full; an expense the treasury could ill-afford.

 

[BlackBishop]

Weiland's dark eyes light up behind his purple beard.

"You wish for a tale? Aye. Aye! Do not tempt me!" Weiland pulls a lute from his belt, his thumb deftly springing across the strings. A slow smile forms behind his pronged beard as notes fill the air. He is plainly skilled, yet there's something else to his melody. It seems soothing. He puts down the lute, the notes seeming to hang in the air. "What you really want is this." He swipes another item from a pouch about his breast. It is a wooden box, nearly the size of his palm, etched with a strange rune. "You know what that is? Found it among the trolls. You familiar with Fae Magic? That's what that is. What would trolls be doing with a thing like this, you might ask. A very good question."

The captain's smile lingers as he puts the box back in a pouch. His eyes focusing on the chancellor. "As I said, we huntsmen always keep our promises."

 

[Anann]

Countess Alyssane Camren, Chancellor

Ignoring the crass insinuation, and remaining the picture of polite interest, Alyssane turns to lady Maria - seated nearby and still pondering the day's troubling events.

"Your Eminence, would it be possible for you to confirm the nature of this mysterious magic the captain has brought us? I'm afraid I know precious little of such things."

Beckoning once more to the flamboyant mercenary, the countess bids him to speak.

"Pray continue, my good captain Weiland, and do not keep us in suspense! What were the trolls doing with such a mysterious object? How and where did you find them? And how did you manage to make the connection between this curiously enchanted container, and the death of Prince Edwin? Surely there must be some greater plot afoot, for I confess I cannot yet see how one relates to the other."

((Once again, let me know if I'm stepping on anyone's toes by talking too much. Jump in and interrupt me, guys!))

 

[Romulus]

Cicero mentally groaned... Oh please for the love of everything that is holy end this stupidity... As much as he wanted to palm his face, it would be 'improper'. Baron Raymond showing his ploy to get a seat on the Council, the crowd falling for it, and now this, this, Order of the Hunt and their antics. By the Dragons this is a travesty.

Hopefully they can accept something else other than gold considering how low the Royal Treasury is, 1500 gold is a very large chunk of what we have at the moment. Although... perhaps we could spin this around. If these really are the heads of the trolls that killed the Prince, we could spin this to get people to show their appreciation for the heroes who got the kingdom their revenge for our dear Prince by donating the money for the reward...

He glanced over at the other Council members and he isn't surprised the Countess seems to be absolutely exasperated with everything, although he doesn't know what was on the piece of paper Torrhen showed her was. Though from her and his reaction it wasn't something good.

 

[PoptartProdigy]

Weiland's dark eyes light up behind his purple beard.

"You wish for a tale? Aye. Aye! Do not tempt me!" Weiland pulls a lute from his belt, his thumb deftly springing across the strings. A slow smile forms behind his pronged beard as notes fill the air. He is plainly skilled, yet there's something else to his melody. It seems soothing. He puts down the lute, the notes seeming to hang in the air. "What you really want is this." He swipes another item from a pouch about his breast. It is a wooden box, nearly the size of his palm, etched with a strange rune. "You know what that is? Found it among the trolls. You familiar with Fae Magic? That's what that is. What would trolls be doing with a thing like this, you might ask. A very good question."

The captain's smile lingers as he puts the box back in a pouch. His eyes focusing on the chancellor. "As I said, we huntsmen always keep our promises."

Click to shrink...

Torrhen's lips thin at the blatant evasion. After Alyssane finishes providing the velvet glove, Torrhen stands to give his own piece. "Soldier. Report. We are dealing with the matter of retribution for the death of our Crown Prince, His Majesty's late brother. Have respect for the gravity of the matter, and tell us your tale."

And hey, if the mercenary refuses so direct a request, then they can probably get away with chucking him out, unpaid, as an obvious charlatan.

 

[Romulus]

Torrhen's lips thin at the blatant evasion. After Alyssane finishes providing the velvet glove, Torrhen stands to give his own piece. "Soldier. Report. We are dealing with the matter of retribution for the death of our Crown Prince, His Majesty's late brother. Have respect for the gravity of the matter, and tell us your tale."

And hey, if the mercenary refuses so direct a request, then they can probably get away with chucking him out, unpaid, as an obvious charlatan.

Click to shrink...

And there goes Torrhen going the hardened soldier route. Thinking back the Countess was being considerably... gentle, with these hunters when she addressed them. Mailed fist in a velvet glove perhaps?

Hmm... if the hunters could get provoked enough considering this one seems to have an ego we could throw him out and we wouldn't need to pay him.

Guess we'll have to see.

 

[Terran Imperium]

"Your Eminence, would it be possible for you to confirm the nature of this mysterious magic the captain has brought us? I'm afraid I know precious little of such things."

Click to shrink...

((Maria with the High Priests' assistance will inspect it. What are the results? @BlackBishop ))

 

[Teloch]

((Poor granny. I can almost feel the cringe))

 

[BlackBishop]

((Maria with the High Priests' assistance will inspect it. What are the results? @BlackBishop ))

Click to shrink...

((Marie, over the course of learning draconic during her priestly education, had come across the faeri language, and has a passing familiarity with the runes of the old tongue. The box is indeed marked with a faeri rune. The jester of a mercenary could indeed be telling the truth.))

Torrhen's lips thin at the blatant evasion. After Alyssane finishes providing the velvet glove, Torrhen stands to give his own piece. "Soldier. Report. We are dealing with the matter of retribution for the death of our Crown Prince, His Majesty's late brother. Have respect for the gravity of the matter, and tell us your tale."

And hey, if the mercenary refuses so direct a request, then they can probably get away with chucking him out, unpaid, as an obvious charlatan.

Click to shrink...

The motley demeanor of the captain withered away in the face of Torrhen's hard stance, much to the approval of the court.

"Oh do forgive me, my lord!" Weiland said in yet another sweeping bow. "My men and I walked the Griefwood, faced down a pack of murderous beasts, and came out the otherside. For we have cause to sing and dance! Yet you, my poor lords and ladies, know only mourning."

The captain tucked his lute back into his belt, standing beside one of the great severed heads. "We tracked the prince's hunting party up the Grael River. Your prince had gone deep - perhaps deeper into the wood then he realized. It is an easy thing to lose all sense of time and become lost, yet there tracks seemed purposeful - not the meanderings of the lost.

"We tracked them to a clearing... A most horrid sight. The ground was awash in the blood and what little remains were left that escaped the hungry jaws of these monsters. From there we set upon the tracks of the creatures. It is a curious thing... Trolls are solitary, but these three, thick as thieves they were! And cunning! They led your prince into a trap, you see, led his party like lambs to the slaughter. I mean no offense!" Insisted the mercenary as members of the court voiced their indignant revulsion. "I only tell you what I see! We found their den, and laid a trap of our own. One by one the trolls meandered out to investigate our ploy - a bleating fawn afixed to a chain. There we slew them, at great cost, but our dead are buried, we saw to that. As for them, trophies for the new king!

"Alas that's not all we found. Someone was living in that cave. Yes, yes! A bedroll, a dead campfire, and a desk - all tucked in that cave in the middle of nowhere with a pack of trolls that should not be! Upon the desk was this simple box, etched with a magical rune. A curious thing is it not?" Winked Weiland. "Now you know my tale, and in full. Do you doubt me, my lords and ladies? Will you honour the promise of your late king?"

 

[Anann]

((Well, the plot thickens - these guys might actually be legit. I feel I've hogged enough of the screen time for now, so I'll wait for the rest of the council to chime in. I'm afraid the matter of their payment will fall to our Lord Steward to decide - it's a lot, but I think we should pay it; keeping up appearances is VERY important. Naturally, we'll also want to keep this mysterious rune box.))

 

[BlackBishop]

((@Terran Imperium I have a google doc started for your meeting with the king. Come and contribute when you have the time.))

 

[Terran Imperium]

"Your Eminence, would it be possible for you to confirm the nature of this mysterious magic the captain has brought us? I'm afraid I know precious little of such things."

Click to shrink...

"I can confirm that it is truly fae runes. That is not something one simply stumble into, however," said Maria. She eyed the Hunter suspiciously.

"We tracked them to a clearing... A most horrid sight. The ground was awash in the blood and what little remains were left that escaped the hungry jaws of these monsters. From there we set upon the tracks of the creatures. It is a curious thing... Trolls are solitary, but these three, thick as thieves they were! And cunning! They led your prince into a trap, you see, led his party like lambs to the slaughter. I mean no offense!" Insisted the mercenary as members of the court voiced their indignant revulsion. "I only tell you what I see! We found their den, and laid a trap of our own. One by one the trolls meandered out to investigate our ploy - a bleating fawn afixed to a chain. There we slew them, at great cost, but our dead are buried, we saw to that. As for them, trophies for the new king!

Click to shrink...

"That doesn't seem quite right. Prince Edwin died a month ago and that was confirmed. His corpse was brought back to Anchor and buried. There is no way a remain would have been left there by the one who recovered the corpses of the dead ones. The blood would have been absorbed by the soil and it will ultimately fertilize it. Any remains left that would have been small enough to escape the ones who recovered the corpses wouldn't have lasted either eaten by the wildlife or in a state of decomposition that is beyond recognition. Even if the blood somehow was still there, it would have dried up. The scene you are describing is one as if you chased the trolls right after Prince Edwin died, as the scene was still fresh. You can understand my suspicions. Great Hunter." said Maria. Her studies of the natural wildlife had served her here. It was one of the major studies she had to go through as it is related in so many ways to Magia. It also helped her uncover the inconstancies in the Hunter's tale.

 

[BlackBishop]

"I can confirm that it is truly fae runes. That is not something one simply stumble into, however," said Maria. She eyed the Hunter suspiciously.


"That doesn't seem quite right. Prince Edwin died a month ago and that was confirmed. His corpse was brought back to Anchor and buried. There is no way a remain would have been left there by the one who recovered the corpses of the dead ones. The blood would have been absorbed by the soil and it will ultimately fertilize it. Any remains left that would have been small enough to escape the ones who recovered the corpses wouldn't have lasted either eaten by the wildlife or in a state of decomposition that is beyond recognition. Even if the blood somehow was still there, it would have dried up. The scene you are describing is one as if you chased the trolls right after Prince Edwin died, as the scene was still fresh. You can understand my suspicions. Great Hunter." said Maria. Her studies of the natural wildlife had served her here. It was one of the major studies she had to go through as it is related in so many ways to Magia. It also helped her uncover the inconstancies in the Hunter's tale.

Click to shrink...

"You doubt my tale, priest?" Asked Weiland, putting his hand over his heart as if suffering a great wound. "My colourful words lending to the tale aside, it was how I say. Maybe the blood had blackened, but signs of it permeated the grove. And correct me if I'm wrong - your late king described this to me in mournful detail, but all that was brought back of Prince Edwin was a severed arm." Members of the court gave pained cries. "I mean no offense! And indeed what was left was rotting, yet bones and maggots there were. Tell tale signs of the horrid account of what befell the Prince of Anchor."

 

[Terran Imperium]

"You doubt my tale, priest?" Asked Weiland, putting his hand over his heart as if suffering a great wound. "My colourful words lending to the tale aside, it was how I say. Maybe the blood had blackened, but signs of it permeated the grove. And correct me if I'm wrong - your late king described this to me in mournful detail, but all that was brought back of Prince Edwin was a severed arm." Members of the court gave pained cries. "I mean no offense! And indeed what was left was rotting, yet bones and maggots there were. Tell tale signs of the horrid account of what befell the Prince of Anchor."

Click to shrink...

"You insolent man! You should refer to her as Your Eminence! Still your tongue lest it speaks more foolish words than it already has! The simple fact that you cannot even recognize her Eminence speak of your ignorance and heretical thoughts!" said of one the High Priests. His head has red from anger at the rudeness the man has just displayed to the Archpriestess. Her Eminence, a simple priest? What an insult! If the High Priest had his way, the man's head would be on a stake alongside the Trolls. Maria simply raised an arm and the High Priest reluctantly stood down. She looked apologetically at the Hunter.

"You did not disapprove my concerns, Great Hunter. Let it be said that the next time you make your case in front of the Royal Court and His Majesty. Do not emblazon your tale with false descriptions and overexaggerated. Colorful as you might think it is. This is not an inn but the Royal Court. This will only make your tale less legitimate." explained Maria.

 

[BlackBishop]

"You insolent man! You should refer to her as Your Eminence! Still your tongue lest it speaks more foolish words than it already has! The simple fact that you cannot even recognize her Eminence speak of your ignorance and heretical thoughts!" said of one the High Priests. His head has red from anger at the rudeness the man has just displayed to the Archpriestess. Her Eminence, a simple priest? What an insult! If the High Priest had his way, the man's head would be on a stake alongside the Trolls. Maria simply raised an arm and the High Priest reluctantly stood down. She looked apologetically at the Hunter.

"You did not disapprove my concerns, Great Hunter. Let it be said that the next time you make your case in front of the Royal Court and His Majesty. Do not emblazon your tale with false descriptions and overexaggerated. Colorful as you might think it is. This is not an inn but the Royal Court. This will only make your tale less legitimate." explained Maria.

Click to shrink...

The mercenary looks upon the high priest with a look of bemusement, but bows toward the archpriestess. "My humblest apologies, your Eminence."

 

[PoptartProdigy]

((Hm. Something something, "To fit the magnitude of this achievement, this court has long since decided to make the reward commensurate with the deed. To slay such an evil is a service that cannot be compensated by any singular reward. His Majesty would not dare disgrace your achievement by miserly behavior. This is a truly noble deed, and deserves a truly noble reward." Cue the land grant. If they refuse, they're directly insulting the King's generosity, and can be sent away with minimal or no reward for that insult. Say, an outraged Martial, impulsively ordering the, "cur," out of the court in an impassioned defense of his King's honor. This way we can make him a knight, raised from common birth, in the middle of nowhere. Of no influence, with no great power, and in company with nobles who, in principle, hold him in contempt. Neutralized. Thoughts? Sanity checks? ))

 

[Terran Imperium]

((Hm. Something something, "To fit the magnitude of this achievement, this court has long since decided to make the reward commensurate with the deed. To slay such an evil is a service that cannot be compensated by any singular reward. His Majesty would not dare disgrace your achievement by miserly behavior. This is a truly noble deed, and deserves a truly noble reward." Cue the land grant. If they refuse, they're directly insulting the King's generosity, and can be sent away with minimal or no reward for that insult. Say, an outraged Martial, impulsively ordering the, "cur," out of the court in an impassioned defense of his King's honor. This way we can make him a knight, raised from common birth, in the middle of nowhere. Of no influence, with no great power, and in company with nobles who, in principle, hold him in contempt. Neutralized. Thoughts? Sanity checks? ))

Click to shrink...

((Great idea to get rid of this guy without giving up 1/3 of our treasury.))

 

[Anann]

((I'd prefer not to give away land, if only because it's worth much more than the upfront coin in the long run. The treasury situation isn't quite as dire as it seems - if some other expense brings us below zero before the taxes start rolling in, Alyssane has at least one solution up her sleeves. Still, I'm happy to let the land grant pass without objection if everyone else disagrees, and ultimately it's up to the steward to decide.))