Entry 9: Next Steps
As a friendly warning, this entry will likely be quite long as much has happened. Our first order of business was to safely remove the poison from the gold bars in our new mine. Because of that, I’m now sitting in an elaborate tent midway between the towns of Westbrook and Reese. Quite the chain of events led us here and I’ll do my best to sum up.
I spent an entire day going to Fennic’s study, den and library and made a number of interesting discoveries. First, he did craft the poison for Iudor and I found the formula for the poison and the antidote. It was actually derived from Oslo’s formula which Shane was quite familiar with. Fennic also made the items that Iudor used for his mine: the pallet, the winch, the wagon and something else we missed: a portable pit trap. We’ll be heading back there to collect that useful item at a later date. It seems Iudor commissioned all of these things while Fennic was living on the opposite side of Hammerfall Pass. According to Fennic’s journals, his old dwelling is still there!
After finding the formulae, Shane went into to town to discuss crafting the antidotes with Sheila, the cleric and to check around the town for available real estate. Since we planned to be in this area for a while, we wanted to make sure our new town was thriving. I had heard rumblings of how difficult it was to live in this region, but I’m starting to get ahead of myself.
Shane returned a number of hours later and informed us that we had a task to perform for Sheila in return for the antidote that she would mix. We were to take her reports to her superiors at the temple in Storm Guard and bring back anything that they had for her. Shane also informed use that there were a number of available buildings including, two shops (Tanner and Blacksmith) and a house on the hill to the south with pasture land.
It seems that Shane’s former group was responsible for the hard times that had befallen the town. (Who animates the town wall to carry your loot? And then doesn’t put it back?) Luckily for Shane, he was one of the only members of his group that had an ounce of nobility and consideration. He also found out that the primary reason that the town never recovered was that the local Baron and his Regent were charging outrageous taxes: 11% for farmers and 15% for merchants! No one was willing to pay taxes three to five times higher than that of lands only a week’s travel away.
Since we were traveling to Storm Guard anyway, we decided to stop again in Westbrook to gather some information about the tax situation. We needed to find out more about the nobles who were strangling the lifeblood from our adopted home and the Regent lived there in the Baron’s manor house. Unfortunately, the trip was chilly and damp and by the time we reached Westbrook, Shane and I were both feeling the beginnings of a cold. I swear - I don’t know if I will ever get accustomed to how wet this part of the world is.
Our first stop in town was to check on Winston, the weapons merchant. He was still there and seemed pleased to see us. He confirmed the tax situation and also informed us that trade with the dwarven city Hammerfell to the north had practically halted because there were no guards on the road. The only reason he was willing to make the trek to the Fair was that he was the only weapons merchant willing to do so. Taxes and bandits were worth it when you can corner the market. He also added that the taxes were the reason his prices were slightly higher than usual. The merchant was travelling to Storm Guard next so we arranged to meet him on the road to the south.
First, we decided that we simply had to pay a visit to the regent. If we could find information detailing his tax policies and any underhanded dealings, we could bring those to the nobles in Storm Guard and possibly get some changes made. The manor house was easily five times larger than any other house in town and obviously in better repair. It was also interesting that though there were no guards on the roads, there were at least well-equipped men guard the Regent: two at the gate, one patrolling the grounds and one at the front door.
Lily and I were going to enter the house by stealth while Shane and Fasa distracted the guards. And quite a distraction it was! They got into a brawl right outside the gate. Shane called for help from the guards while Fasa ran off. Showing some of the acting talent he must have learned while he was still a bard, Shane convinced the men to help and they pursued the dwarf while Lily and I entered the house. Well, to be fair, I snuck in. She may as well have been a gentle breeze or a shadow.
A clockwork butler passed by with a tray containing breakfast. It seemed that our esteemed Regent was a late riser. Taking a quick survey of the building, we figured out that the most likely place for his office would be somewhere beyond the large double doors directly off the entrance hall. This man wouldn’t want common folk moving through his house any more than was absolutely necessary.
Beyond the doors, we found what was obviously a throne room that was making its best effort to not appear to be a throne room. A large chair, that was definitely not a throne, sat behind a large ornate desk. Though there were no documents or ledgers to be found, there was blank parchment, wax and the Baronial Seal sitting there. Lily checked for secret entrances while I helped myself to some wax copies of the seal that could prove useful at a later date.
Lily spotted a door hidden behind a large tapestry and with some fiddling with the lock and trap (which she actually removed), we entered another room with a desk and bookshelves which contained the tax ledgers and various legal tomes. After collecting the most recent ledger, Lily searched the desk for anything of interest. I spotted some odd with the lower shelf which proved to have a false back. Lily disabled yet another trap and we found two pouches, one of which was magic, and a potion vial. I grabbed these while Lily went back to the desk and sprang a trap that almost took off her hand and my head.
Luckily, a heavy chair was in the way of a razor sharp disk. I removed the disk from the chair and Lily retrieved a plain leather-bound tome filled with columns of numbers. Hearing voices and footsteps somewhere in the house, we decided it was definitely time to leave. (It had nothing to do with me opening the magic pouch and releasing the incredible smell of a full spicy chicken meal contained inside.) Quickly and stealthily we left the grounds, met Shane and Fasa (who was now wanted to assault and burglary but under an incredibly vague and misleading description) and left town. After stashing the magic pouch and potion, we met with Winston and continued on our way to Storm Guard. In the rain.
Entry 10: Don’t stay at the Inn in Reese
The title of this entry pretty much says it all. We’re all staying at room in the town of Reese, but it’s definitely not the one I originally paid for. Reese is a tiny town and the one Inn they’ve got is called the Moldy Pillow – at least, that’s what it appears to be on their “sign”: an old pillow case nailed to a wooden board. In my travels, I’ve stayed in many places of varying quality and this place was vile by any standard. The only thing going for it was that the owner and his helpers seemed very eager to please.
But the food was inedible. The beds were filled with vermin. The owner was highly intolerant of our merchant companion. They couldn’t even draw a decent bath. We attempted to stay in the place. We really did, but it was just not worth it. Shane seemed most offended by their sign. So much so that he went to work on a making a new one for them and while he was outside, he was approached by the ostler across the street. According to Shane, the man seemed much more reputable (and clean).
While we were discovering just how bad this place was, I warmed myself by the fire from Lily’s room and looked through the Regent’s ledgers. The instructions from the Baron stipulated that he required 2000 gold annually, which is actually quite modest. Anything beyond that amount, the Regent could take fifty percent. According to the figures, the regent collected 2500 gold in the previous but kept a seventy-five percent share. He was definitely skimming, but the amount he collected only occurred because of the exorbitant tax rate. A plan began to form in my mind, about keeping the Baron and Regent in power, but controlling them and the tax rate by threatening to turn over the evidence to higher authorities. We still needed more information from Storm Guard first.
Though we had proof that the Regent was corrupt; by that time, we had also discovered just how unpleasant our evening would be if we actually slept there. We decided to check out the ostler and if that place wasn’t satisfactory, we could stay in Winston’s tent. As Shane distracted the owner of the inn with talk of the new sign, we slipped out and across the street. Lily helped herself to a refund from their strongbox before leaving.
The ostler was a bit a con-artist. Taxes and fees for an inn are quite a bit higher than taxes for an ostler, but the “room” he had in his hayloft was far better than anything across the street. It was nothing extravagant but the beds were decent and the food was quite good. I highly recommend staying there if you happen to be traveling through Reese – just keep it quiet. Maybe when we’re through with our efforts to revitalize the economy of the region, we can buy out the moldy pillow and have the ostler run it – just a thought.
So here we are, settled in the “hay loft” and getting some rest. Shane and I are drinking our mulled wine to fight off the colds we picked up. Tomorrow, we make press on to Storm Guard. It will take another week to get there, travelling by foot and unless something significant occurs on the road, I’ll likely be writing my next entry there.
Entry 11: Arriving in the Big City
As predicted, I am currently sitting in a wondrous place called the Silver Dragon Inn. After arriving in town (and having our expensive and highly taxed gear hidden away in a very clever, albeit disturbing manner by Winston), we came straight to this place. Having done a lengthy performance, our rooms and meals for the evening are free of charge, and the accommodations and food are well worth the effort! The place is bustling with travelers and has numerous bards performing on four different stages around the massive common room. Halfing servers rush around taking and delivering orders. It is wonderfully active.
As usual, the owner of the place, Irium (who I suspect may actually the reason the place is called the Silver Dragon) recognized Shane. His group’s antics caused trouble here as well and after learning that there was a warrant out for his arrest, he left with Fasa to clear matters up with the city guard. Lily was in heaven with all of the food and when she learned her room had a proper bath she retired for the night. I doubt I’ll see her again.
While I was performing, she did learn a few things and filled me in over a very pleasant dinner. First, was the Lord Knight – the man is a champion of the people and often goes out of his way, and his jurisdiction, to help them. I had no doubt that he would be appalled at the conditions in the villages around the barony. Second, she learned that the Count, to whom the Baron reports, is an honorable but ruthless man. If anyone could scare the nobles in charge of these taxes, it would be him.
She also discovered that mage-types have been disappearing around the city. Perhaps it is because of another band of Pasacha. I am planning to check in with the watch on the issue before leaving town.
The last thing of interest that she discovered is that the Baron is regularly seen drinking at the Silver Dragon on Thursday nights. Seeing as it is Tuesday, we could easily discuss the situation with him. Once we know a little more about the man, we can determine how best to proceed after that.
After Lily and I were eating dinner and discussing what she had found out, she went up to her room to enjoy her bath. Soon afterwards, Shane and Fasa returned, looking none the worse for wear. Shane immediately went to talk with the owner, about what I am not certain, but when he came back, he told us that we would be staying in the private suite on the third floor for the rest of the week. An unexpected, but very welcome surprise! I was pleased with the rooms we currently had, but according to Shane, the suite made them look like the rooms at the Moldy Pillow. I look forward to it!
Now I am going to go and get some rest in a warm, comfortable bed. I’m sure I will have more to write about tomorrow.
Entry 12: An Exciting Day
This morning started very nicely: a warm bed, breakfast and good coffee by roaring fire. The illness I picked up from our travels was finally subsiding. Once we were all up, we decided to take care of a few things. Shane needed to deliver the reports to Sheila’s superiors at the temple. Lily and I decided to sell off the gems that we liberated from the Regent’s office. We had to wait until tomorrow night to speak with the Baron.
Before going anywhere, we were shown to our new, temporary home – the suite on the third floor and I must say, if you have the means, I highly recommend it. There is a large common room with six individual bedrooms, each with their own door for privacy. The room was obviously designed for security and privacy but it lacked for nothing in comfort. The beds had firm mattresses stuffed with griphon down, silk sheets, canopies enchanted to be opaque from the outside, but see-through from the inside. I have never stayed in a place like this, but I could definitely get used to it.
Once our belongings were secured, I got into my nobleman attire and gathered up the gems for a day at the bazaar. Lily and I wandered through the booths. She kept her shrewd eyes open for any threats while we worked to find the best gem merchants to buy our goods. At one promising stall, we were haggling with a sour-faced man when something alarming occurred. It all happened so fast, there was no way to be prepared and looking back now, I’ve been able to recreate the string of events.
One man, a mage of some type walked behind me from my right and hit me with a paralysis spell while at virtually the same time, two men walked behind me from my left, carrying a large basket, into which they pushed my limp, unresponsive body before running off into the crowd. Lily, still haggling with the merchant didn’t see it happen, but luckily did spot the men moving away and gave chase. I was stuck in the dark for what happened next, but Lily told me that she hailed the first guards she found and gave the alarm.
She and the guards (who use some very ingenious enchanted whistles) caught up to the men and confronted them. And by “confronted”, I mean they attacked them and put them down like the barbaric scum that they are. The basket hit the ground with a thump and I began to regain control of my limbs. Extracting myself from the basket, I looked around but before I could enter the fray, Lily and the guards dispatched the last of my kidnappers, including the mage.
The guards thanked us for the help in catching part of the gang that was obviously behind the recent disappearances of spellcasters. They added that we should report to the guard station to file a report and receive a reward for our assistance. Lily was obviously nervous about that, but after selling our gems (for quite a nice sum I might add), we went to file our report. I did the talking while Lily tried to make herself less noticeable than usual. I gave her name as “Daisy”, thinking that is suited her but was still close enough to her own name to be easy to remember. They gave us a nice reward of thirty gold and sent us on our way.
Outside the station, a member of the wizard’s guild awaited us – a man by the name of Ash. (I suspect he just might specialize in fire spells, but that is just a guess.) He thanked us as well and rewarded us with twenty gold in addition. I think I might have found a new calling: bait for exposing and apprehending kidnapping rings. It might be risky and have a dubious retirement plan, but it is definitely lucrative.
Back at the Inn, we met up with Shane and Fasa again. They had delivered the materials to Sheila’s temple, which coincidentally happened to be the same god that Shane followed as well. (Strange that he and Sheila hadn’t caught on to that fact in their earlier meetings.) He had a package to deliver back to her which he stowed carefully away in our suite.
Well, that’s enough for now. We’re getting massages soon and then it will be time for dinner and some evening entertainment. Life is so hard…
Entry 13: Meeting the Baron
The day passed pleasantly, but uneventfully. The evening, on the other hand, was quite a different experience. We spotted the Baron enjoying a meal and a fine, but modestly-priced wine. He seemed very interested in the performers and watched them with an expression of fondness. The plan was to have Shane approach as a leather merchant/craftsman who was interested in relocating to the area.
The man was pleasant enough, but seemed confused by the request. He admitted that he had very little knowledge of finance or numbers and left all those dealings up to his regent. Shane asked about the taxes and the Baron assured him that they were in line with neighboring regions. Shane continued with questions of security on the roads and was told of a score of men tasked with patrolling the trade routes between Storm Guard and the dwarven city of Hammerfell.
At that point, I stepped in; brandishing the ledgers we had taken from the Regent’s office. He was angry at the intrusion and accusations at first, but his ire quickly turned to alarm at the evidence we provided: skimming money, inflating the taxes, pocketing the money for the guardsman and keeping the men for his own protection. He decided immediately that his Regent needed to be replaced and just as quickly, we thought of the perfect person.
We called for a messenger and a cheetah-person arrived. Shane paid the man to find and retrieve Winston. While we wanted, he told us of his plans to open a theater in the city and that the majority of his money was going toward that endeavor. The man was definitely a patron of the arts and seeing the plans he had and some of the performances he had planned, I must that say that I was impressed. The list of renovations needed was daunting but feasible and his story ideas were creative and interesting. If I were looking for a more permanent venue to perform, I would be tempted to join him.
Winston arrived and immediately turned down the idea of being regent, but he did have a good candidate in mind: a gnome who was a tinkerer, an accountant, and a member of the House of Justice. He sounded perfect, but the Baron realized that his people needed an immediate boost to the economy. He planned to sell off some family jewelry to fund a knight’s tournament to attract people and merchants to the barony and to generate a large sum of money. Winston was very excited by the idea and the two discussed the details well into the night. Before we parted ways, the Baron had one last item of business. He handed us a signet ring and told us to give it to Grusk with a message that the current regent was to be hanged. We gladly took the item and as soon as we return to Spearrow, we will deliver the message.
As I sit and write this in our suite, I wonder just how much we can help with the large sum of gold we have from the mine. I’ll discuss that with my partners in the morning. We still have time to make plans before we head back to our headquarters.
Entry 14: Changes on the Wind
There has been little time to sit and write in the last weeks and I felt it best to let events play out before recording them here. Suffice to say, it has been a tumultuous time for the Barony.
After finalizing arrangements in the city, (including a plan to involve the Lord Knight and his men to help with the organizing patrols and training guards for the roads) we travelled back to Westbrook along with Winston and the new regent, Janus. He was a shrewd business man and by the time the town came into view, we all realized that the barony was going to be in good hands.
We met an odd traveler on the way: a human tinker, dressed in gnomish attire and pulling an odd device. It folded out into a stage for puppets and could be wound up to play music. He had just been in Westbrook but could not afford the permits to actually perform. The soon-to-be-former Regent’s greed showed no signs of relenting. Janus told the man of the tournament and encouraged him to come back soon.
Upon arriving in Westbrook, Janus checked into an inn so he could get to know the town inconspicuously. We travelled on to Spearrow and after collecting out things and delivering the package to Sheila, we spoke with Grusk. The sheriff took great joy in the news and soon, we were all racing back down the road, riding borrowed horses, following the half-orc on his enormous worg. Luckily the wild ride was brief and we rushed into town, straight to the manor house.
Grusk charged past the gate (well, over it to be precise) and left us to deal with the guards. Lily went up and over the wall to sneak toward the house while the remainder of us engaged the men at the gate. I began calling out in my loudest and clearest voice that the Regent was corrupt and we were here to remove him, on the authority of the Baron. It took some time to finish off the guards but after we were victorious, we watched through the window as a raging Grusk, slaughtered the Regent in his “throne room”.
A large crowd was gathered then and I spotted Janus among them. Beckoning him forward, I called out to the people and announced that he was the new Regent. The people cheered as he proclaimed a new, extremely low tax rate and announced the coming tournament. Since that day, we have been traveling back and forth from Spearrow to our mine to retrieve the gold (after using the antidote potions that Sheila created).
We also traveled back to Westbrook to meet with the new Regent. We gave one of the bars and he immediately put it to good use, getting the message out to the surrounding regions about the tournament, before traveling back “home”, we bought mounts for each of us. I feel like we have made a positive impact on the barony and I’m looking forward to the next adventure, wherever it leads.
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