The Perilous Forest

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Feb 20, 2023 5:56 pm
Gregor is up for speaking with the mistress too.
Feb 21, 2023 6:04 am
"Your words will not be used against you, Cecil," Wolstan reassures the man. "We will use them only to begin to understand what is happening here. There are many others who know more, I suspect, and understand that some of them will not receive the same assurances."

When there is talk of interviewing the Earl's mistress, the older knight frowns. "It won't do for four of the King's agents to corner this woman; a milder touch will be required to learn anything from her. Would that there was some celebration or feast coming up. Such an opportunity would be perfect for prising facts from her, especially for a young and dashing knight."

Thinking further, he adds, "What of the Earl's wife? What does she know of this situation?"
Last edited February 23, 2023 1:49 am
Feb 21, 2023 7:46 pm
"You are very wise, Sir Wolstan. I was certainly not planning to go and meet her immediately, be it alone or with your company. Let's wait for the proper opportunity." answers Sir Wilfred quickly, a bit surprised by the thought.
Feb 21, 2023 7:48 pm
Gregor nods in agreement with Sir Wolston and Sir Wilfred.
Feb 21, 2023 8:32 pm
Naturally, Gareth's ears perked up at the mention of a young and dashing knight. He was young, dashing, and very handsome. Of course, behaving improperly could earn him a beheading thus depriving a multitude of ladies the delightful experience of gazing upon his attractive visage.

When Wolstan asks about the Earl's wife, he fears that the man is treading in delicate territory, knowing nothing about any arrangements that may or may not have been made.

"Is it wise to pursue that avenue of questioning? Some feathers may get ruffled in the process."

Cecil the Taxcollector

Qralloq

Feb 22, 2023 12:57 am
Cecil the Taxcollector
Cecil will politely suggest that the Earl's wife is a matter not discussed, but she has retired to the monastery to the north. As to the mistress, he again politely suggests that the Earl does not seem to mind if she has visitors, even male visitors. He whispers a small addition, "Unescorted."
Feb 22, 2023 2:11 am
This whole ordeal with the Earl and his mistress makes the man, Brandon of Angard, think of his former mentor the real Sir Gregor Gildon who he is currently masquerading as. He wonders if the knight was in fact able to find his mistress abroad and reunite with her. He truly hopes so.

He also tries to think what his master would do in this situation with the Earl.
Last edited February 22, 2023 3:41 am
Feb 22, 2023 10:09 am
Sir Wilfred ponders what he heard. "Then maybe a short stop at this monastery would be in order?" he proposes, always keen to visit places dedicated to the faith.
Feb 23, 2023 3:27 am
Sir Wolstan turns so that Wilfred can see his eyes, and the meaning in them, but the tax collector cannot.

"We'll leave the Earl's wife to her solitude," he lies. "Nothing to gain from troubling the woman with so many other rises we have yet to crest here."

To Cecil, he says, "Our thanks, my good man, and the thanks of your King, Arthur Pendragon. You have not slighted you lord, only allowed us to begin to unbind these threads that seem to tangle everything here together. His holdings and the King's subjects will only benefit."

Giving the tax man the impression it is time to leave, Sir Wolstan looks to his three companions. "We should discuss what we have learned, good knights. Perhaps a stroll in the gardens."
OOC:
Hope I'm not cutting this short. Just seems like we have tons to work with now and it feels right to advance things along...

And it's night by now, yes?
Feb 23, 2023 3:54 am
OOC:
Agreed. We have lots.
"A stroll to reflect and discuss before the hour gets too late is an excellent idea Sir Wolston."
Last edited February 23, 2023 3:56 am
Feb 23, 2023 9:52 am
Sir Wilfred nods politely, and says a few farewell words to the tax collector as well, with a smile. "Again, thank you for your help."
Feb 23, 2023 7:38 pm
"I agree there is plenty to discover but why not seek out the wife at the monastery later? She might have very loose lips if she holds the earl's mistress in contempt which I imagine might be the case."

While Gareth had no eyes for gardens, a stroll was a good idea to firm up their plans of what to do next.
Feb 24, 2023 5:20 am
The man from Glengrave smiles beneath his beard when they are alone and the Heath boy wonders about leaving the Earl's wide be.

"Misdirection, Sir Gareth," he says quietly, conscious of the night air carrying sounds. "She should be, in fact, one of the first people we talk to. But we don't need the Earl and this troop of men-at-arms knowing that. Now then. Shall we recount what we've learned, and decide which of us are suited for these different tasks?"
OOC:
So things I think we need to do... feel free to add to this list:

🤺 Travel north, pretending to be checking on the Picts / northmen, but actually going to the monastery to see the Earl's wife.

🤺 Check the lands to the southwest for the witch (Shezbaz?), and these brigands who seem to be in the Earl's employ.

🤺 Speak with the Mistress.

🤺 Speak with townsfolk, farmers, crafters, about the taxes and where they think the money is going. And who it is that's buying most of the Earl's possessions.

🤺 Find the whereabouts of John Alistair.

🤺 Before heading off, speak with the maid we rescued on these topics to see what she knows. Including the Earl's financial troubles that she didn't mention, etc.

I'm sure I'm missing some things...
Feb 24, 2023 11:33 am
Sir Wirlfred nods at the list enumerated by Sir Wolstan. "Quite right. Let's talk to the maid before anything else. She might find a way for us to meet her mistress without attracting too much attention..."
Feb 24, 2023 1:14 pm
OOC:
I vote for north to monestary and bring Maude and fenwick with us
Feb 27, 2023 1:13 am
I'll give you until tomorrow evening (say, 24 hours from now) to come to an agreement, otherwise, Sir Gregor Gildon's suggestion will stand as unanimous.
Feb 27, 2023 6:19 am
OOC:
Apologies if I've given us a bit of paralysis -- just wanted to list out the options. I think going north to the wife is key, and talking about what we've learned with the maid first is a grand idea.

I also support us splitting into two ground to cover more ground, but understand if my fellow players (or the GM) aren't down with that...
Feb 27, 2023 6:40 am
OOC:
No. Laying out the option was good I think. Now we just have to choose. We have many options, any of which will likely lead to more info and make things clearer. Certainly, I'm sure all will lead to more fun! I also support splitting if that is something our GM is up for. But staying together will work if splitting will make things too difficult.
Feb 27, 2023 2:16 pm
Sir Wilfred is of the mind of staying together, since the party is not that numerous in a potentially hostile environment. He will not oppose splitting though if that is the wish of the majority. As agreed an interview with the maid would be the first step. Then probably making a visit to the wife's monastery. Then at this point maybe we will decide what to do next?
Feb 27, 2023 3:07 pm
OOC:
The maid then the wife would be my vote.
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