Affairs of State - Revision history

Johnm: /* Unravelling */

2015-03-19T16:53:40Z

Unravelling

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:53, 19 March 2015
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	[[Don Lau]] appeared at the cardinal's bedside, where he administered some herbal teas and powders to soothe his ailments whilst Maria filled him in on the current situation and the assumed conspiracy.		[[Don Lau]] appeared at the cardinal's bedside, where he administered some herbal teas and powders to soothe his ailments whilst Maria filled him in on the current situation and the assumed conspiracy.

	Meanwhile, [[Duchy von ~~Russ~~]] organized a seige-building on prince john's estate and attempted to have Malcolm help raise an army with the prince's monies.		Meanwhile, [[Duchy von Rus]] organized a seige-building on prince john's estate and attempted to have Malcolm help raise an army with the prince's monies.

	Don Lau sent message to Russo asking for an appointment, then shadowed the messenger out to Prince John's estate where he encountered Duchy and got filled in that he was indeed at Prince John's estate and that war between the brothers was brewing and that Russo was with the prince. He then stole the prince's steed because of it's elaborate and lavish saddle and began his journey back to St. Cuthbert to inform the Cardinal.		Don Lau sent message to Russo asking for an appointment, then shadowed the messenger out to Prince John's estate where he encountered Duchy and got filled in that he was indeed at Prince John's estate and that war between the brothers was brewing and that Russo was with the prince. He then stole the prince's steed because of it's elaborate and lavish saddle and began his journey back to St. Cuthbert to inform the Cardinal.

Johnm: /* The Plot Thickens */

2014-04-23T02:09:56Z

The Plot Thickens

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:09, 22 April 2014
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	</pre>		</pre>

	In the Cardinal's bedchambers, the scene is grim. The poor sod is erupting from both ends, and Agatha is doing her best to keep him clean with moist rags and warm water. Duchy ar one point avoids the spectacle of the Cardinal's seeping hindquarters by circling around the bed to address him face to face.		In the Cardinal's bedchambers, the scene is grim. The poor sod is erupting from both ends, and Agatha is doing her best to keep him clean with moist rags and warm water. Duchy at one point avoids the spectacle of the Cardinal's seeping hindquarters by circling around the bed to address him face to face.

	A bag of money in hand, the guys head to a rough-and-tumble bar called The Bleeding Heel while Francesca dines on tea and cookies at the Golden Rose a block and a half away.		A bag of money in hand, the guys head to a rough-and-tumble bar called The Bleeding Heel while Francesca dines on tea and cookies at the Golden Rose a block and a half away.

Johnm: /* Afterword */

2011-08-10T22:19:23Z

Afterword

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:19, 10 August 2011
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	=== Afterword ===		=== Afterword ===

	~~''In classic style~~, a ~~'whatever happened to' accounting~~ of ~~various NPCs.~~..''		When word gets to [[Anastasia]] that there will be no further payments, she releases the charms and dispels the illusions that created the perception of a massive and well-trained orc army. 800 confused orcs skulk back into the forest after some random pillaging of frontier homesteads. The mercenary trainers escape and/or participate.

	Duke [[James Vallis]] sends word to [[Pendathoway]] that he is pulling out of all trade and peace treaties pending a complete investigation of treasonous actions and possible acts of war. Pendathoway withdraws its dignitaries and merchants.		Duke [[James Vallis]] sends word to [[Pendathoway]] that he is pulling out of all trade and peace treaties pending a complete investigation of treasonous actions and possible acts of war. Pendathoway withdraws its dignitaries and merchants.

	Prince [[Edward Vallis]] ...		Prince [[Edward Vallis]] is exiled by his father, penniless and without any claim to the thrown or rights beyond that of a ditchdigger. He travels south to [[Camlin]] to seek a new fortune, in disgrace.

	Prince [[John Vallis]] ...		Prince [[John Vallis]]' health improves, and he and [[Emilia]] begin a ritual of weekly picnics.

	[[Tarn Wayloch]] disappears.		[[Tarn Wayloch]] disappears with a fortune.

	[[Charles Goddfrey]] is arrested and convicted of financing treasonous acts, and fined 1,000,000 gold pieces and caused to forfeit an estate and thousands of acres of productive land in the countryside. He retires in disgrace to an island fishing village in the north with a longtime occasional girlfriend 1/3 his age. She leaves him a month later.		[[Charles Goddfrey]] is arrested and convicted of financing treasonous acts, and fined 1,000,000 gold pieces and caused to forfeit an estate and thousands of acres of productive land in the countryside. He retires in disgrace to an island fishing village in the north with a longtime occasional girlfriend 1/3 his age. She leaves him a month later.

	[[Gregory Blake]]...		[[Gregory Blake]] is tried and convicted of treasonous acts and required to pay 500,000 gold coins and forfeit three of his best ships.

	[[Lord Byron]] and [[Celinda]] are granted vast tracts of new lands (forfeited from [[Charles Goddfrey]]) for [[Celinda]]'s help in ~~unravelling~~ the treasonous plot.		[[Lord Byron]] and [[Celinda]] are granted vast tracts of new lands (forfeited from [[Charles Goddfrey]]) for [[Celinda]]'s help in unraveling the treasonous plot.

	[[Nick Dye]] and [[Silke]]		[[Nick Dye]] and [[Silke]] seek their fortune in the wild [[Hills of Nimlith]].

	[[Mirabelle]] and [[Raven Angel]] are allowed to continue operating the Temple of [[Morrighan]], with the provision that they must offer food and shelter for ~~the homeless~~ at least 10 days every month.		[[Mirabelle]] and [[Raven Angel]] are allowed to continue operating the Temple of [[Morrighan]], with the provision that they must offer food and shelter for those in need at least 10 days every month.

	[[Koto]] and [[Xeref]]		[[Koto]] and [[Xeref]] disappear.

	[[Kondo]] and [[Chata]]		[[Kondo]] and [[Chata]] claim ignorance and diplomatic immunity and after two days in detention, allowed to travel back to Pendathoway.

	[[Zenia]] is found innocent of any wrongdoing but is dismissed from any royal bodyguard duties.		[[Zenia]] is found innocent of any wrongdoing but is dismissed from any royal bodyguard duties. She travels to [[Saint Norbert]].

	[[~~Emilia~~]]

Johnm: /* A Plot Laid Bare */

2011-08-10T22:08:24Z

A Plot Laid Bare

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:08, 10 August 2011
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	Families are evacuated to huddle outside tremulously, a bucket brigade is organized, and Don Lau sneaks out into the night.		Families are evacuated to huddle outside tremulously, a bucket brigade is organized, and Don Lau sneaks out into the night.

			There he sees that thuggish crossbowmen are skulking in the night just out of visibility. They have already taken down several of the Prince's bodyguards and are seeking other high-value targets.

			Don Lau approaches one on horseback, and then dismounts and uses the creature as an equine shield, gradually approaching. The pitiless thug buries his bolt in the brain of the beast, and Don Lau is nearly crushed by nearly a ton of descending horseflesh.

	~~torture~~, ~~fire~~, ~~battle~~		The thug charges forward, allowing his crossbow to swing back on its shoulder strap as he draws his blade. Don Lau slices through the charging horse's leading foreleg, toppling it and its brutish rider to the hard ground, subsequently ending him.

	~~horses slain~~		Meanwhile, with smoke filling the mansion, Duchy relocates Philip to the blacksmith's workshop across the stone-paved courtyard to continue the interrogation while Prince John and the ladies following shortly thereafter, not before a heavy crossbow bolt pierces the back of the Prince's chair and puncturing his feeble lung. [[Emilia]] screams repeatedly before falling into a shocked stupor.

	~~prince~~ injured, ~~nearly killed~~		Minutes later, Duchy has succeeded in extracting the complete story from a deliriously injured Philip, whereupon the now mask-clad Duchy bashes his brains out with an eight-pound hammer. The ladies tending to the Prince are stunned by his strange demeanor and violence.

	to the ~~duke~~		Don Lau ascends to the roof of the workshop and prepares for the advance of the final two crossbowmen. With timing, skill, and luck, both are defeated and one captured.

	~~rewards~~		The captive is dragged back to the city, where [[Celinda]] uses her charm and influence to arrange a late night secret audience with [[James Vallis\|the Duke himself]].

	* ~~fran~~ -- ~~commissioneed poetry~~		There, the plot is laid bare and corroborated by the captive thug:
	* ~~don lau~~, work with ~~minister~~ of ~~finance~~ on trade with the south
	* ~~duchy~~, ~~show me this~~ trebuchet ~~+ explosives~~, ~~you may have~~ a ~~job~~		* The government of [[Pendathoway]], frustrated with high timber prices charged by the state-controlled timber industry of [[Saint Cuthbert]], approved of, or least had knowledge of, a pilgrimage by leaders of the [[Triad of Power]] to the Dukedom.
			* The Triad wisely focused on attracting the wealthy elite of the city, and struck gold when none other than Prince [[Edward Vallis]] joined up.
			* Avaricious captains of industry including [[Tarn Wayloch]] and [[Charles Goddfrey]] participated in the planning of a bloodless coup d'état, in which the perception of a massive inland threat would create a vacuum in city defenses.
			* The inland threat would be accomplished by Wayloch's deep alliances with unseemly mercenaries, and consist of an orc army made to look much bigger than it actually was by a talented sorceress called [[Anastasia]], who would need to be be well paid for her services.
			* As insurance against any internal resistance, ships of Pendathoway painted to resemble those owned by [[Gregory Blake]] containing hordes of weaponless "merchants" would moor at Blake's dock, which is nearest a weapons-filled warehouse owned by [[Tarn Wayloch]].
			* Prince Edward was to publicly announce his claim to power, ensure the royal estate was secured and his father detained. Other captains of industry would be immediately granted lucrative ministerial posts and vast tracts of land seized from nobles too scrupulous or unlucky to have participated in the plot. Existing ministers would be imprisoned for unspecified treasonous acts.
			* Once the dust settled, a generous trade treaty would be signed by Prince Edward with the government of Pendathoway, guaranteeing cheap timber for 100 years.


			Though the telling of the tale was enough to widen the eyes of even a seasoned political leader like the Duke, the pieces fit together, and soon the Duke received unwavering corroborative evidence from his own sources.

			For their roles in unraveling the sinister plot, the Duke offered rewards to the primary participants:

			* [[Francesca Russo]] was granted a generous monthly stipend for 24 months to commission a lengthy poem exalting the deeds that revealed the sinister mystery. In addition, a 3 story apartment in a tower overlooking the sea, generally reserved for visiting dignitaries, would be at her disposal for the duration of the arrangement.
			* [[Don Lau]] was asked to work directly with the with Minister of Finance on trade with the south, with a clear understanding that he was expected to ensure that the most lucrative deals would be his own, with financing available from royal coffers.
			* [[Duchy von Rus]], after showing off the trebuchet constructed by common carpenters on the grounds of Prince John's estate, was hired as a military technology consultant responsible for inventing new designs for war machines that ere capable of hitting enemy ships further, more accurately, and with more destructive force.

	=== Afterword ===		=== Afterword ===

Johnm: /* A Plot Laid Bare */

2011-08-10T21:09:14Z

A Plot Laid Bare

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:09, 10 August 2011
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	On the way out though, Francesca spots [[Philip Lancaster]] in an alleyway, talking to 8 rough-looking men on horseback. She can tell from a distance that he is clearly directing them, and then tosses a heavy leather pouch into one of their hands, and they part company.		On the way out though, Francesca spots [[Philip Lancaster]] in an alleyway, talking to 8 rough-looking men on horseback. She can tell from a distance that he is clearly directing them, and then tosses a heavy leather pouch into one of their hands, and they part company.

			That evening, over a fine dinner with Prince John, Philip, and [[Celinda]], Duchy ends the polite charade with a blunt accusation that Philip is
			participating in a nefarious plot to foment war and topple the lawful government of Saint Cuthbert.

			John is ashen, Celinda agape, and the moments of tension rise and fall as Philip deftly parries Duchy's fluent jousting with diplomatic flair. Duchy keeps up his headlong bravado and soon pelts Philip into a rhetorical corner. Philip invents a reason to ride out, but the party prevents his escape and ties him up, to Celinda and John's great astonishment.

			The Prince faints and is taken to his chambers, while Celinda watches in mute horror as Duchy begins using fine silverware to extract confessions from the bound advisor to the Duke.

			In time, a defiant Philip announces that he has an extraction team on the grounds of the estate for exactly this purpose, twenty bloodthirsty thugs under orders to kill every witness whilst rescuing him.

			Fearing for the Prince's ill-trained bodyguards and the devoted laborers responsible for the day-to-day goings-on of the estate, men are sent to rouse every man woman and child and bring them together in one defensible position, John's house, while Duchy's "army" patrols the immediate vicinity.

			Soon, the house is filled with milkmaids, stable-boys, orchard-tenders, ditch-diggers, serving-lasses, and cattle-wranglers and their families.

			Then, upstairs windows are shattered, and screams of "FIRE!" fill the house.

			Families are evacuated to huddle outside tremulously, a bucket brigade is organized, and Don Lau sneaks out into the night.

	~~back for dinner, accusations~~

	~~celinda spellcasting~~

	torture, fire, battle		torture, fire, battle

Johnm: /* A Plot Laid Bare */

2011-07-26T19:50:53Z

A Plot Laid Bare

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:50, 26 July 2011
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	Having recovered from the organic laxative provided by Don Lau, the party dines with Prince John.		Having recovered from the organic laxative provided by Don Lau, the party dines with Prince John.
	[[image:~~philip_lancaster~~.jpg\|thumb\|250px\|right]]		[[image:Philip-lancaster.jpg\|thumb\|250px\|right]]
	During lunch, a pretty pink envelope arrives for Francesca; it's a letter from [[Celinda]], who wishes to become friends, and offers a small token of alliance, a simple elven charm on a silver necklace.		During lunch, a pretty pink envelope arrives for Francesca; it's a letter from [[Celinda]], who wishes to become friends, and offers a small token of alliance, a simple elven charm on a silver necklace.

	Francesca concocts a plan for a dinner party with [[Celinda]] and [[Philip Lancaster]] invited, and the Prince agrees to host it.		Francesca concocts a plan for a dinner party with [[Celinda]] and [[Philip Lancaster]] invited, and the Prince agrees to host it.
	[[image:~~feng_li~~.jpg\|thumb\|250px\|right]]		[[image:Feng-li.jpg\|thumb\|250px\|right]]
	Don Lau departs for town after lunch, but Francesca lingers to flirt with Malcolm, which results in him opening the Cardinal's intelligence files no a number of people. Francesca thanks the stableboy graciously and makes her way towards town as well.		Don Lau departs for town after lunch, but Francesca lingers to flirt with Malcolm, which results in him opening the Cardinal's intelligence files no a number of people. Francesca thanks the stableboy graciously and makes her way towards town as well.

Johnm: /* A Plot Laid Bare */

2011-07-26T19:50:11Z

A Plot Laid Bare

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:50, 26 July 2011
Line 234:		Line 234:

	Having recovered from the organic laxative provided by Don Lau, the party dines with Prince John.		Having recovered from the organic laxative provided by Don Lau, the party dines with Prince John.
			[[image:philip_lancaster.jpg\|thumb\|250px\|right]]
	During lunch, a pretty pink envelope arrives for Francesca; it's a letter from [[Celinda]], who wishes to become friends, and offers a small token of alliance, a simple elven charm on a silver necklace.		During lunch, a pretty pink envelope arrives for Francesca; it's a letter from [[Celinda]], who wishes to become friends, and offers a small token of alliance, a simple elven charm on a silver necklace.

	Francesca concocts a plan for a dinner party with [[Celinda]] and [[Philip Lancaster]] invited, and the Prince agrees to host it.		Francesca concocts a plan for a dinner party with [[Celinda]] and [[Philip Lancaster]] invited, and the Prince agrees to host it.
			[[image:feng_li.jpg\|thumb\|250px\|right]]
	Don Lau departs for town after lunch, but Francesca lingers to flirt with Malcolm, which results in him opening the Cardinal's intelligence files no a number of people. Francesca thanks the stableboy graciously and makes her way towards town as well.		Don Lau departs for town after lunch, but Francesca lingers to flirt with Malcolm, which results in him opening the Cardinal's intelligence files no a number of people. Francesca thanks the stableboy graciously and makes her way towards town as well.

Johnm: /* Afterword */

2011-07-26T17:51:57Z

Afterword

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:51, 26 July 2011
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	[[Gregory Blake]]...		[[Gregory Blake]]...

	[[Lord Byron]]		[[Lord Byron]] and [[Celinda]] are granted vast tracts of new lands (forfeited from [[Charles Goddfrey]]) for [[Celinda]]'s help in unravelling the treasonous plot.

	[[~~Celinda~~]]		[[Nick Dye]] and [[Silke]]

	[[Mirabelle]] and [[Raven Angel]] are allowed to continue operating the Temple of [[Morrighan]], with the provision that they must offer food and shelter for the homeless at least 10 days every month.		[[Mirabelle]] and [[Raven Angel]] are allowed to continue operating the Temple of [[Morrighan]], with the provision that they must offer food and shelter for the homeless at least 10 days every month.

Johnm: /* Afterword */

2011-07-26T17:37:29Z

Afterword

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:37, 26 July 2011
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	[[Kondo]] and [[Chata]]		[[Kondo]] and [[Chata]]

	[[~~Xenia~~]] is found innocent of any wrongdoing but is dismissed from any royal bodyguard duties.		[[Zenia]] is found innocent of any wrongdoing but is dismissed from any royal bodyguard duties.


	[[Emilia]]		[[Emilia]]

Johnm: /* Afterword */

2011-07-26T17:37:16Z

Afterword

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:37, 26 July 2011
Line 279:		Line 279:

	''In classic style, a 'whatever happened to' accounting of various NPCs...''		''In classic style, a 'whatever happened to' accounting of various NPCs...''

			Duke [[James Vallis]] sends word to [[Pendathoway]] that he is pulling out of all trade and peace treaties pending a complete investigation of treasonous actions and possible acts of war. Pendathoway withdraws its dignitaries and merchants.

			Prince [[Edward Vallis]] ...

			Prince [[John Vallis]] ...

			[[Tarn Wayloch]] disappears.

			[[Charles Goddfrey]] is arrested and convicted of financing treasonous acts, and fined 1,000,000 gold pieces and caused to forfeit an estate and thousands of acres of productive land in the countryside. He retires in disgrace to an island fishing village in the north with a longtime occasional girlfriend 1/3 his age. She leaves him a month later.

			[[Gregory Blake]]...

			[[Lord Byron]]

			[[Celinda]]

			[[Mirabelle]] and [[Raven Angel]] are allowed to continue operating the Temple of [[Morrighan]], with the provision that they must offer food and shelter for the homeless at least 10 days every month.

			[[Koto]] and [[Xeref]]

			[[Kondo]] and [[Chata]]

			[[Xenia]] is found innocent of any wrongdoing but is dismissed from any royal bodyguard duties.


			[[Emilia]]