[IC] Death & Taxes (Session 2)

Tronus shuffles off to catch up to their horse and horse wrangler.

Nera double checks to ensure there are no villagers around. "Well, I was hoping to save the manor visit for when no one is awake, but it's always good to scout the locale before trying for the score anyways."

Hildar nods "Yes, I think my time would be best served investigating the documents at the mayors house. I'll head there momentarily."

Bressel Galbernost points you all in the direction of the center of town; he explains that you'll need to head south till you reach the mayor's manor; those of you interested in the trading post, he relates, should continue down the path from the manor, cross the bridge, and then follow the main road to the center of the village. The farmer has enough insect repellant in a jar for one of you ("We use it when the pigs get troubled by blood-suckers")—a gooey, foul-smelling ooze that has to be rubbed onto any exposed skin. However, his daughter, Lyssie, suggests that most villagers just use local soap. If you bathe once or twice a week, the soap has a natural repellant in it.The lot of you catch up easily to Rupert Wayland as he plods through the field along a footpath from the Galbernost farm. The man merely grunts at your arrival, gesturing forward to a house in the distance. As you get closer to the manor, you can make out some of the village beyond. It seems small but lively as folks putter about, presumably making last-minute preparations for the Founders Festival tonight.Rupert Wayland leads you to a house that, while larger than the others in the village, is certainly not as opulent as some of the places you've been, such as the Dribbage estate back in Nornholt. The clapboard structure sits atop a barren hill, overlooking the village beyond. It seems to be a two-story affair, with a centrally placed hearth. It seems inviting enough; it's certainly better maintained than the other structures you see in Buzzards' Ford.

Your large guide rummages through his pockets and produces a ring of keys, opening the large, wooden door with a creak.

As he walks Hildar applies some of the repellent trying not to baulk at the odd smell and surprisingly even worse texture. As they get to the manor Hildar nods at the man opening the door "Thank you Mr Wayland. Do you have a moment to answer a quick few questions?" before the man can respond Hildar presses on "I understand there was some upset whilst the tax collector was here. What can you tell us about that?"

Nekurr wanders round the village, trying to find that trade post to buy some soap, repellent and replace his ruined set of cards.

The mayor's brother regards Hildar for a moment with a stoic expression as if churning over the question. "I have work to do." His voice is surprisingly high and soft for someone his size. "I will say that the tax man was a bad sort. He thought he was in charge here. He got drunk, and Castor did what he had to do." He gestures toward the door and makes as if to leave.

As he and Nekurr set out into the village, Bruv tries to gather the cunning and guile of the creatures of the forest to assist him in his Investigations.And as Nekurr enters into the shop, Bruv will set about his flat-footing...

Nera looks...less then impressed by the size of the manor. She doesn't voice her disapproval, at least not until Rupert departs. "Well...not what I pictured. Shall we?"

Hildar blinks at Ruperts words "What....what do you mean by that Mr Wayland? What di he 'have to do'" Hildar starts thinking about a number of ways he could stop him leaving but opts to wait and see if the softer approach will work.

Rupert Wayland scowls and snorts at Hildar's question. "Ask my brother!" The big man lens forward. "Your tax man was bad. A thief. A bully. Brother trusts you. Don't you show him for a fool." He lopes toward the back of the house, leaving the door open. "I have work to do."

Hildar gets the impression the man meant that as a threat, but the attempt falls flat as the large man plods off.

"Mr. Erathnir cut the man some slack as you can tell he's not very versed in social protocol with officials, he has work to do and it's not his place to talk ill of the Baron's man even if he was shite... just let him be polite about it and get to his work lad." Tronus states aloud waving to the large man as he walks away.

"We've plenty of time to see what Isle has and hasn't done at the manor so lets get to it... I'm curious even if Isle was actually the real one that showed up or walking around still... so lets investigate and find the truth of the matters and hopefully let the people have a nice wholesome little festival..." Tronus states quietly next to Hildar before walking to the house proper to see what there is in the way of clues.