Port Torvin

[GreyWolfVT]

Roan moves his chair out of the way and drinks the next rink that is brought to him having remembered he signaled for the buxom lady to bring another prior to the Counts arrival. The dwarf then watches and waits for the count to get his answers from the 3 questions. This time being quite silent for a change.

[Spearmint]

Gordansk

He would undoubtedly flinch a little at the swords thrust inches from his pulsating artery and overly sweaty brow. Certainly it has turned very warm here by the fire hearth!

He takes the bowl from the Count's hand, gives it a swirl, closing his eyes and saying a brief prayer. He looks into the remaing tea leaves and stutters an interpretation to what he believes he can comprehend.

Ask these of your Raven Queen:
One - Are these men and women, Dwarves and Elves, to be trusted with my mission?

He flips a coin on the table, spinning on the edge until it rests heads up. "None here are oath sworn to you but each is loyal to the face on this coin. Pay them in coppers and they will stab you in the back, silvers will buy their feet to follow, gold will turn their hearts but capturing their minds takes platinum pieces." he references that each of the group (himself included) are quite mercenary and can be trusted according to the level of reward the Count offers.

Two - Is the child indeed my own?

"My Lord has bastards in many ports
but has Fathered one here." he stutters, saying that the child the Count had brought up is indeed his own. He actually discerned something else but offers this revelation looking deeply into the Count's eyes as he speaks.

Gordansk: Charisma check vs >6 [1d20]=3

he is lying. The child in question is not his. The question about paternity is a long standing one, unresolved in his mind for the child was conceived during his absence. The child and the Count do share one trait however, they both came prematurely.

Of course the Count may actually know the child is not his but Gordansk would not speak that truth out in the presence of the guards or crowd so tries to bluff the answer with a sincere and convincing look.

Three - Should I hang this preacher of doom?"

"I am not innocent of shedding blood. Guilt shrouds me as dark as this cloak. Though one innocent did hang today. It is in your favour to take me to the gallows so that I can ask him why." he says in a pragmatic kind of way.

He thinks the Count has little need for evidence of crime before he orders a man to swing, so whether he protests his 'not guilty plea' or justifies himself, none of that is going to persuade Tydan that he should or should not do anything he predetermines.

So instead he offers that of the three men hung for crimes of murderous sedition and allegiance to the Scarlet Brotherhood, two were indeed martyrs to the cause while the third was not. Yet the man willingly took the place of another who now roams free. As a domain spell or gift of the Raven Queen, Gordansk can cast 'Speak with the Dead', albeit on a very limited basis.

[gurusql]

Zan

Zan is quiet after the Gordansk's reply and awaits the reaction and wonders what this mission is the Count refers to.

[GreyWolfVT]

Roan having heard the answers doesn't wait long enough before asking the count "Mission? What mission ya talkin bout count?"

[Darklin2]

Sai

Dips his fingers in his pouch feeling the sand in his fingers. Thinking to himself. Six guards are nothing compared to the Hoards of Orcs back in Great Wall. This uppity Count should know better than mess with mercenaries.

He takes a sip from his cup surveying the surroundings. Sand in fingertips below the table.

[Rex]

Fahima

Watching the count and insane priest, Fahima starts thinking about what she has gotten herself into.

[Karaunios]

Vilana seems to remain impassive, but her body is tense and ready to jump into action under her cloack.

[Monsieur Rose]

Cassius

His hand touches his blade, more out of reflex than anything as the guards draw their own. His eyes meet Sai's and he subtly shakes his head. "Does anyone else feel like things are being left out? Like there's some history here or something?"

The act of divination and willingness to partake unnerves Cassius. "You are a for-real soothsayer? That must really suck, no wonder you're so sour."

His attention is on the count as an apparent opportunity for pay has somehow come of all this mess.

[GreyWolfVT]

Roan in reply to Cassius "O aye, I think there be some information we're lackin but I hope the good count ere is gonna fill us in. That is if we have earned his trust yet." he chuckles at the remark about the soothsayer being sour.

[Rex]

Fahima

Unable to keep her mouth shut any longer, replies to Roan, "We haven't actually done anything."

[GreyWolfVT]

Fahima

Unable to keep her mouth shut any longer, replies to Roan, "We haven't actually done anything."

Roan nods his head agreeing with Fahima keeping his thoughts to himself for now.

[hedgeknight]

When the Count asks his three questions, it becomes very quiet in the Merry Moose. The rain continues to pour outside and the fire crackles as flames find pockets of resin, but other than that, it seems every patron and guard is holding their breath. Then Gordansk augurs the answers one by one.
"None here are oath sworn to you but each is loyal to the face on this coin. Pay them in coppers and they will stab you in the back, silvers will buy their feet to follow, gold will turn their hearts but capturing their minds takes platinum pieces."
The Count smiles and for the first time in a minute or so, looks around at the faces of the newcomers to his port. He nods and Gordansk continues.

"My Lord has bastards in many ports but has Fathered one here."
Several in the tavern gasp, but the soon-to-be companions can't tell which part they are gasping at. The smile on the Count's face fades and he purses his lips and his gaze seems to harden a bit. But again, he says nothing.

"I am not innocent of shedding blood. Guilt shrouds me as dark as this cloak. Though one innocent did hang today. It is in your favour to take me to the gallows so that I can ask him why."
"Is it now?" the Count barks, so abruptly it causes several to flinch. "We shall see."

"Mission? What mission ya talkin bout count?" Roan says, unable to remain silent any longer.
"One I have been requested to take, master Dwarf. Or find some...loyal men...and women to go in my stead."

Zan and Sai sit quietly, waiting for something to happen, waiting for answers. Vilana remains impassive as well, but her body is as taut as an acrobat's wire. Cassius, however, shakes his head and pipes in:
"Does anyone else feel like things are being left out? Like there's some history here or something?"
The smile returns to Count Tydan's face. "You are standing in history, my young Elven friend. This port has a rich history and there is still plenty of time to make more."

Then in typical Cassius fashion, he turns to Gordansk. "You are a for-real soothsayer? That must really suck, no wonder you're so sour." Several patrons laugh and hoot and even Count Tydan smiles a little bigger (if that is possible).
"O aye, I think there be some information we're lackin but I hope the good count ere is gonna fill us in. That is if we have earned his trust yet." Roan speaks up, chuckling at the "sour" remark.
Finally, unable to stay quiet any longer, Fahima blurts out, "We haven't actually done anything."

The Count turns to Fahima as if seeing the cute Halfling for the first time. "Oh, but I have a good feeling you will soon be doing many things in the service of Port Torvin, my dear," he croons.
Count Tydan stands up a bit straighter and says, "Tonight all of you will join me for dinner at my estate. I want you sharp, so please don't imbibe too much of the Moose's liquor. I'll expect you at 6:00. Don't be late. I promise to answer any questions you have."
The Count wheels and walks back through his men, back out into the rain. As soon as the last of the guards follow out the door, the patrons erupt in discussion, many glancing at those who will be guests at dinner tonight.

[GreyWolfVT]

Roan chuckles "Well if I dun knew I was gonna be dinnin' with a count I woulda packed some better clothin'." he says looking at his stained armor and clothing. Shrugging he downs the rest of his drink and signals for another from the buxom lady. Once sure the count is gone along with his men the dwarf says to the others at the table "So, how much of them answers were true Gordansk? I understand if yah can't say in our present locale." he says with a wink. Then proceeds to drink.

[gurusql]

Zan

Zan will make sure the street urchin is not near his person, I have had enough stolen for one day. Unless she has something very quick and very important Zan's kindness to her is over.

[Rex]

Fahima

After Roan's comment she looks over her dingy travel worn clothing. "Not much I can do about that."

[Spearmint]

Gordansk

"As you wish." he replies to Count Tydan. He figures dining at the Count's is more an order rather than invitation. He doesn't check but expects that he and the others are noted and guards may enforce the invitation should they try to leave the building.

Packing away his divining tools, he doesn't answer the question as to how accurate his foretelling is. He begins to wonder what a group of random strangers might be entrusted with; a task of great import yet seemingly not one worthy of the Count's own men. Is there some distinguishing feature that those who are 'oath sworn' to the Count might have that we don't? A tattoo, a mark, branding?

The request that he cannot or will not attend to himself personally. Is it too dangerous, perhaps unworthy of his talents? So much to think upon and maybe ask about at the reception.

He suddenly realises what was spoken.

"Oh, but I have a good feeling you will soon be doing many things in the service of Port Toli, my dear,"

He knows a little history, garnered from his travels ...

House Toli (Toli Armada)
His Exalted Highness, Prince Varek IV of Port Toli; Earl of Sasserine; Protector of Jeklea Bay; Lord of All the Jungles.

His Peerless Nobility, Adolphus Grayfin, Commodore of Flotsam Isle; Terror of the Densac Gulf, Captain of the Paragon.
His Valiant Lordship, Edrin Hollister, Commodore of Fairwind Isle; Vanguard of the Armada, Captain of the Sea Hammer.
His Indomitable Nobility, Gavin III, Archbaron of Galeside, Captain of the Courser.

"This is Port Torvin. He wishes us to infiltrate and spy on his rival corsairs?" he whispers, alarmed at the speculative revelation.

[Rex]

Fahima

"I make maps, never done any spying. Sounds risky."

[gurusql]

Zan

"I will reserve judgement or assumption until we hear his proposal."

[GreyWolfVT]

Roan says in a lower tone "Hmm, spyin ain't gonna sit well back home, then again Urtcheck may not care what I do ere."

[Karaunios]

Vilana

"Let's wait what he has to say first. We'll know this evening. I don't have any problem with it. We have something to do and money to gain."