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Post by JMiskimen on Jan 29, 2024 19:10:33 GMT -5
Bosco: Securing the sponsorship of the church gives us legitimacy in the eyes of the nobility. We already have an 'in' with the clergy, so let's move on that firstly - and once we have our expedition sanctioned, we should make it known to the populous by either recruitment of volunteers or tithing requests to help fund the endeavor - that way it may further leverage the baron's desire to be seen as popularly involved and mayhaps generously loosen his purse-strings. <another sly grin ...> JM.
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Post by arjen on Jan 29, 2024 22:46:44 GMT -5
Roderick: I can see if I can plan the route and see if there are any road-way shrines on the route that need seeing to or checking an and offer to carry messages to and from churches, monasteries and convents along the way. If there are any other followers of Christopher or abbots that oversee his order I can ask them to bless us and provide us with errants for the order.
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Post by The Perilous Dreamer on Jan 30, 2024 3:27:49 GMT -5
Here is what Thomas knows of the local religious and political scene.
The Baron has an Adept (Quirinus) in house with a little Chapel within the walls of the Keep. This Adept is well aware of who butters his bread. The Baron is known for being greedy and corrupt. The taxes are high and he is not known for charity. Quirinus is the go between for the Baron and Andrijan. Quirinus is very timid man.
Within the Town itself there are three temples,
One for the wealthy merchants and other owners of property. This is lead by a Village Priest (Andrijan), he has accumulated quite a bit of wealth and it never leaves his grasp. As far as he is concerned the poor do not exist. It is known that he has no time for those not bearing gifts.
One for the average working people and lower tier small shopkeepers and such. This is lead by an Adept (Garlen), he is more dedicated and honest, but his means are modest and he helps the poor end of the average and what is left goes to help the poorest through Gereon. Garlen is follows the patron saint of tradesman.
One for the poorest people in town. This is lead by an Acolyte (Gereon), he is a true believer, what little he gets beyond his minimum needs, goes right back out to the poorest and he gladly accepts the help he gets from Garlen and they are both on very good terms. Gereon is loved by his parishioners and those other people in town who are moved to do good deeds always come to him. He is widely perceived to be a true Holy man and has from time to time performed some amazing acts of healing. Gereon follows the patron saint of healing.
A more in depth inquiry would reveal that a Vicar visits this area about once every five years and his visit is almost entirely with Andrijan who puts on a good show while the Vicar is there and of course with the Baron. It is at this time that a large purse of small copper coins is given to both Garlen and to Gereon as a show. Of course it is Andrijan who sends money east to the seat of the church each quarter. The Vicar is not a bad man per se, but he tends to see what he expects to see and does not look any deeper.
This area is the backwater of the kingdom.
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Post by The Perilous Dreamer on Jan 30, 2024 3:39:39 GMT -5
Roderick: I can see if I can plan the route and see if there are any road-way shrines on the route that need seeing to or checking an and offer to carry messages to and from churches, monasteries and convents along the way. If there are any other followers of Christopher or abbots that oversee his order I can ask them to bless us and provide us with errants for the order. |
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Post by arjen on Jan 30, 2024 18:24:49 GMT -5
Roderick: What do we know about the strange coins or even what was at the site of that dungeon. Any indications of enemies of the Church (based on the symbols of the coins or history of the region), any claim the Church or the Baron might have on that region or the site of that dungeon? Are there any en-route roads/path or site they have a lapsed claim on, want to reclaim or claim. At the least can I get leave to travel there in the exchange for more knowledge of roads or paths travelled, folks encountered and their willingness to come to the fold of the Church (or the Barony)?
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Post by arjen on Jan 30, 2024 18:41:33 GMT -5
Out of Character (OOC): I'm not a prose writer, excuses for that. Even as in person DM/Player I can't do expositions/monologues/voices/accents. I can do in character dialogue, but it's hard for me to do so in writing; I can riff of other people, in person. Just so you know, I love this but every, in person, writing takes , like 20 minutes per sentence and is stunted at best. Even if I write in my native language.
So, my responses might be terse and more aimed towards teasing out of creating situations or reacting to situations than in-person dialogue. I do love participating and reading the posts.
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Post by The Semi-Retired Gamer on Jan 30, 2024 19:29:53 GMT -5
Out of Character (OOC): I'm not a prose writer, excuses for that. Even as in person DM/Player I can't do expositions/monologues/voices/accents. I can do in character dialogue, but it's hard for me to do so in writing; I can riff of other people, in person. Just so you know, I love this but every, in person, writing takes , like 20 minutes per sentence and is stunted at best. Even if I write in my native language. So, my responses might be terse and more aimed towards teasing out of creating situations or reacting to situations than in-person dialogue. I do love participating and reading the posts..
Thomas: "Brother Roderick, unfortunately there are not temples or shrines on the way to the dungeon. All we have is the local clergy in this Barony. The only churches or temples all lay in the Eastern areas away from here. We have four options on the local church. Brother Quirinus can be considered the Baron's Priest as he runs the chapel within the walls of the Keep. He's a good man but very timid and very aware of who pulls the strings around here as he is the go between for the Baron and Andrijan.". Pausing for just a moment before continuing. "There are three temples in town. Andrijan runs the temple associated with the wealthier citizens and a bit too clingy with The One God's coin. He probably won't see us without a gift of some sort. The other two temples serve The One God by helping the less fortunate among society. Garlen runs a church for those that are just making it and those that are less fortunate. The humble Gereon serves the very poorest in town and he is seen as a true believer. Garlen and Gereon often assist each other in their services.". "The way I see it is pretty cut and dry. One one hand, we could peition Garlen or Gereon but they are men of meager mens so I'm not quite sure how much assistance they could provide. It looks like it's a choice between Quirinus and Andrijan. Each offer their own obstacles. Quirinus is timid and may not be able to push for any assistance from the Baron while Andrijan has tight purse strings and will most likely require a gift of some sort just to get an audience.". "It looks like one of two less than favorable choices that have the capabilities to entertain some sort of assistance. Does anybody have any thoughts on which one we should approach?". |
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Post by The Perilous Dreamer on Jan 30, 2024 22:10:35 GMT -5
Out of Character (OOC): I'm not a prose writer, excuses for that. Even as in person DM/Player I can't do expositions/monologues/voices/accents. I can do in character dialogue, but it's hard for me to do so in writing; I can riff of other people, in person. Just so you know, I love this but every, in person, writing takes , like 20 minutes per sentence and is stunted at best. Even if I write in my native language. So, my responses might be terse and more aimed towards teasing out of creating situations or reacting to situations than in-person dialogue. I do love participating and reading the posts. |
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Post by The Perilous Dreamer on Jan 30, 2024 22:27:38 GMT -5
Roderick: What do we know about the strange coins or even what was at the site of that dungeon. Any indications of enemies of the Church (based on the symbols of the coins or history of the region), any claim the Church or the Baron might have on that region or the site of that dungeon? Are there any en-route roads/path or site they have a lapsed claim on, want to reclaim or claim. At the least can I get leave to travel there in the exchange for more knowledge of roads or paths travelled, folks encountered and their willingness to come to the fold of the Church (or the Barony)? Thomas: "Brother Roderick, unfortunately there are not temples or shrines on the way to the dungeon. All we have is the local clergy in this Barony. The only churches or temples all lay in the Eastern areas away from here. We have four options on the local church. Brother Quirinus can be considered the Baron's Priest as he runs the chapel within the walls of the Keep. He's a good man but very timid and very aware of who pulls the strings around here as he is the go between for the Baron and Andrijan.". Pausing for just a moment before continuing. "There are three temples in town. Andrijan runs the temple associated with the wealthier citizens and a bit too clingy with The One God's coin. He probably won't see us without a gift of some sort. The other two temples serve The One God by helping the less fortunate among society. Garlen runs a church for those that are just making it and those that are less fortunate. The humble Gereon serves the very poorest in town and he is seen as a true believer. Garlen and Gereon often assist each other in their services.". "The way I see it is pretty cut and dry. One one hand, we could peition Garlen or Gereon but they are men of meager means so I'm not quite sure how much assistance they could provide. It looks like it's a choice between Quirinus and Andrijan. Each offer their own obstacles. Quirinus is timid and may not be able to push for any assistance from the Baron while Andrijan has tight purse strings and will most likely require a gift of some sort just to get an audience.". "It looks like one of two less than favorable choices that have the capabilities to entertain some sort of assistance. Does anybody have any thoughts on which one we should approach?".
To be clear, mainly the Baron, Andrijan, a few merchants and "the help" have seen the coins and "the help" would not want to be seen paying too much attention to them and would be loath to chance a description of the coins getting back to their "betters." As for Quirinus, I did not mean to convey the idea that he is a good man, only that he is timid and in full service to the Baron.
As for Andrijan, you all would have to earn a fair bit of money to make a suitable gift to Andrijan or the Baron, after paying the tax on said money. And consider there are other palms to grease between you and these men.
If you travel more than two days to the southwest, west or northwest of town you will be beyond the influence of the town and surrounding villages and the kingdom itself and be entering into frontier lands and wilderness.
Whether you visit a dungeon or take a job or something else, consider carefully what you disclose to various personages and how much of any future wealth you display. Things are a little different out here than they are in other areas of the kingdom due to the isolation and the focus of the king and his officials always be fixed elsewhere.
That said it might be worth your time to seek a blessing from Gereon before you leave, regardless of what you choose to do.
Ok, I'll shut up.  |
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Post by JMiskimen on Jan 30, 2024 22:40:24 GMT -5
Leaning inward to a small candle illuminating the table to spark alight another rolled smokeweed cigarello, the smallish man then hopped to the floor and began pacing around the table; weaving between Anexos and Thom as if they were pillars in a dim temple. He puffed quickly at first, slowly bringing his breath to a more measured rate with each small step. Then, as if stepping before a stone wall, he abruptly stopped - it had dawned upon him that Brother Roderick was not only a traveller, but new in town.
Bosco: Brother Quirinus is our man. All it would take is a new face and an imposing voice of the clergy beyond these slow, simple backwaters to inform Quirinus that word of the dungeon's existence has reached the Vicar or some such and a sanctioned expedition is to commence post-haste From HERE. Being the timid sod that he is, he'll likely pass Roderick - and the rest of us - off straight to the Baron. Well just have to massage his greed from there.
JM.
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Post by The Semi-Retired Gamer on Jan 31, 2024 3:53:31 GMT -5
Leaning inward to a small candle illuminating the table to spark alight another rolled smokeweed cigarello, the smallish man then hopped to the floor and began pacing around the table; weaving between Anexos and Thom as if they were pillars in a dim temple. He puffed quickly at first, slowly bringing his breath to a more measured rate with each small step. Then, as if stepping before a stone wall, he abruptly stopped - it had dawned upon him that Brother Roderick was not only a traveller, but new in town. Bosco: Brother Quirinus is our man. All it would take is a new face and an imposing voice of the clergy beyond these slow, simple backwaters to inform Quirinus that word of the dungeon's existence has reached the Vicar or some such and a sanctioned expedition is to commence post-haste From HERE. Being the timid sod that he is, he'll likely pass Roderick - and the rest of us - off straight to the Baron. Well just have to massage his greed from there. JM. Agreed. We should stop by Brother Gereon's and seek a blessing and guidance for dealing with Quirius before doing so. I know of Quirinus but Gereon will have more dealings with him. |
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Post by JMiskimen on Feb 2, 2024 12:24:57 GMT -5
  JM. |
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Post by arjen on Feb 2, 2024 12:50:44 GMT -5
Roderick: I will go to Brother Gereon's and tell him about the dungeon, the fact that this town is the closest civilized place to it and that we seek his blessing before we venture out into the wilderness. I'll hint that the Vicar will most likely recommend him for recognizing the opportunity to sanction an expedition like this before some ragtag group of impious privateers and mercenaries will.
I will also ask if he can recommend some, currently unemployed, but proper members of his congregation that would be helped with a job as porter, guide or camp-maker for our expedition.
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Post by The Perilous Dreamer on Feb 2, 2024 13:51:52 GMT -5
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Post by The Perilous Dreamer on Feb 2, 2024 13:53:56 GMT -5
Roderick: I will go to Brother Gereon's and tell him about the dungeon, the fact that this town is the closest civilized place to it and that we seek his blessing before we venture out into the wilderness. I'll hint that the Vicar will most likely recommend him for recognizing the opportunity to sanction an expedition like this before some ragtag group of impious privateers and mercenaries will. I will also ask if he can recommend some, currently unemployed, but proper members of his congregation that would be helped with a job as porter, guide or camp-maker for our expedition. |
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Post by JMiskimen on Feb 2, 2024 15:25:23 GMT -5
We should go as a group as often as possible as that will play to our strengths and advantage.
JM.
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Post by arjen on Feb 2, 2024 15:33:40 GMT -5
Roderick and Biswil have about 11 sp between them, I don't know whether that is enough for a 4 weeks to and 4 weeks back expedition.
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Post by JMiskimen on Feb 2, 2024 16:13:47 GMT -5
Roderick and Biswil have about 11 sp between them, I don't know whether that is enough for a 4 weeks to and 4 weeks back expedition.
 JM. |
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Post by The Semi-Retired Gamer on Feb 3, 2024 10:00:34 GMT -5
Thomas: "Yes, Brother Roderick. That's a good plan. I will go with you when you talk to Gereon. The rest of you should come along and be available. It may be a good idea to see if he has any brand new acolytes that need to fulfill their early travelling service requrement. They could meet a church obligation and assist us as well. It may help loosen up some coin to boot.".
I agree. We should most likely stay together as a group for most things.
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Post by The Perilous Dreamer on Feb 3, 2024 11:15:36 GMT -5
Just let me know when you are ready to approach Gereon.
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Post by The Semi-Retired Gamer on Feb 3, 2024 11:33:17 GMT -5
Just let me know when you are ready to approach Gereon.  |
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Post by arjen on Feb 3, 2024 15:11:53 GMT -5
I am ready but I do think I'm coming down with something (my kids just broke their 102F fevers and are doing better but I'm afraid it's my turn next)
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Post by The Perilous Dreamer on Feb 3, 2024 15:50:41 GMT -5
I am ready but I do think I'm coming down with something (my kids just broke their 102F fevers and are doing better but I'm afraid it's my turn next) |
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Post by JMiskimen on Feb 3, 2024 18:47:19 GMT -5
Yikes!
I hope you're both/all doing better.
JM.
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Post by The Semi-Retired Gamer on Feb 5, 2024 11:56:35 GMT -5
Thomas: "I guess it's settled then. Brother Roderick and I will approach Gereon and look for insight and hopefully some help with getting some tag along helpers and some sponsorship from the Baron. If you would let us do the talking with Gereon while the rest of you wait in the common area of the chapel we should be able to get something started.".
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Post by JMiskimen on Feb 5, 2024 12:41:41 GMT -5
With an arched eyebrow and a near finished cigarillo clenched in his teeth, Bosco spread his arms wide - which was barely the span of a man's shoulders - and took a short bow then gently gestured to the doorway to the street.
Nodding in stoic agreement, the young white haired mage stood ready to depart with his new-found companions.
Anexos: Aye - 'Tis settled then. Let us make haste!
JM.
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Post by The Perilous Dreamer on Feb 5, 2024 13:11:03 GMT -5
When you go to find Gereon, you find him in a garden caring for it, removing weeds and carefully mulching around each plant. When you approach he straightens up to look at you. A modest seeming man, around 30 years old, of average height and the lean side of an average build. He leads you over to a fountain and carefully dipping a pan into it, he proceeds to wash his hands with some rough soap and then pointing to a little well-tended arbor with some benches, he indicates you can talk here. There are birds flying around and a few come and land on his shoulder for a moment and then fly away again. Once the birds leave the bees come out and busy themselves with the flowering garden plants.
He introduces himself, saying, "Gentlefolk, we've not yet met, I am Gereon an Acolyte of the One God, what is it that you seek? Some healing perhaps?
You take note of the fact that, although he is not a handsome man, there is a quiet innate dignity about the man and there is something different about him, something you have never seen in a man before and you feel that you are truly in the presence of a holy man.
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Post by hengest on Feb 5, 2024 15:57:49 GMT -5
An Elf, black-haired and with a face either kindly or expressionless, walks up leading, without touching it, a draught horse laden with saddlebags. "Well?" he says, calling back to a figure still a ways back. "Do you miss your mount and gear yet?"
Behind him appears a young Man, blonde, bearded, and befreckled. He is weather-worn and in travelling gear, not limping, but moving as if he has walked a good deal farther than his legs were ready for. His backpack looks slightly mis-stowed on his back, the straps unevenly adjusted, his sword awkwardly hanging in its leather scabbard. He stops and seems to be about to say something, but then just continues breathing for a few moments. Anyone could tell he's letting his heart and lungs catch up a bit.
At last he steps forward, glaring for a moment at the Elf, but ignoring his words. "Sir," he says in Gereon's direction, his voice still faint with exertion, "we...I seek herbs. Garlic, wolfsbane, even rosemary. Whatever you may have. I can pay. I think."
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Post by The Perilous Dreamer on Feb 5, 2024 16:22:45 GMT -5
An Elf, black-haired and with a face either kindly or expressionless, walks up leading, without touching it, a draught horse laden with saddlebags. "Well?" he says, calling back to a figure still a ways back. "Do you miss your mount and gear yet?" Behind him appears a young Man, blonde, bearded, and befreckled. He is weather-worn and in travelling gear, not limping, but moving as if he has walked a good deal farther than his legs were ready for. His backpack looks slightly mis-stowed on his back, the straps unevenly adjusted, his sword awkwardly hanging in its leather scabbard. He stops and seems to be about to say something, but then just continues breathing for a few moments. Anyone could tell he's letting his heart and lungs catch up a bit. At last he steps forward, glaring for a moment at the Elf, but ignoring his words. "Sir," he says in Gereon's direction, his voice still faint with exertion, "we...I seek herbs. Garlic, wolfsbane, even rosemary. Whatever you may have. I can pay. I think."
Gereon walks over nodding at the elf as he passes him by and speaks to the young man, "Good Sir, what is your name and what is your trouble? Are you wounded or ill? Have you been bitten by some foul creature? |
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Post by hengest on Feb 5, 2024 16:42:35 GMT -5
The young Man swallows a dry swallow before answering Gereon. He avoids looking over at the Elf. "No, thank you, sir. I'm only weary. I have been afoot for the better part of two days, when I had hoped to ride."
The Elf's face begins glow with some unspoken thought. Gazing at and past the Man, he appears to be seeing something again in memory, and a private smile, showing amusement without malice, spreads across his face as if no one were watching.
The Man appears to feel this smile, but continues looking at Gereon. "They call me Sor. A good name for me today, as I'm footsore at best. I seek whatever herbs you have to repel the foul creatures, and a poultice for both my feet, I expect." He looks down at his boots, then back up at Gereon.
The Elf mutters very quietly to himself, still smiling, as if going over some bit of remembered speech.
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