Sorry for lateness- it’s a busy week.
If possible, slip away with Cullen and catch Edith Weston. She pulls a lot of weight around here, and if we can convince her, she might be a big asset.
Glad to go along, we could use the tune of the song as part of the excuse if needed.
Hans restrains himself from mouthing ‘That’s far from the worst of your many deformities’ 
Edith is charmed to hear about the Mandolin playing, but (very politely) stops you as soon as you mention the election.
She says “I must not only be fair, but also be seen to be fair. This is very, very important, because I have now given all the adults the vote, despite Sir Guy being against it. Of course he’s always thinking about security, but I’m sure I’m right.
So I will see you, and everyone else after lunch.
It will be a delightful meeting, I’m sure.”
It’s a good thing Hans restrained himself, because I’m enjoying the gnomish wit - which would be hard to continue when Gisbourne removes your head :eek:
Gawain announces he has interesting news.
Marian says she’s not sure if she should stay and hear it. After all, she is opposing Crumlin. (They smile politely at each other.)
“My friends Cullen and Cadogan are just having a quick word with the High Priestess - I’ll ask them what to do when they return. This town business is all foreign to me.”
Crumlin asks everyone if they felt there was an ‘atmosphere’ in the room. He continues “Honestly, I felt like someone walked over my grave.”
Salazar visibly starts at the ‘walking over grave’ line, and looks a little worried, “It wasn’t me!”
So we got that Detect Evil off, and now Gisbourne is pissed off at me.
Win-win all round, then.
Oh, now we see the violence inherent in the system!
Ergj smiles. “It was a good meeting. Short and to the point.”
Marian is waiting for **Cullen ** and Cadogan to return and advise her whether to hear Gawain’s news.
Crumlin and his supporters are waiting politely too…
(N.B. I will play Aciryas for a bit…)
Cullen returns from the brief but pleasant talk with Edith.
“I think we should listen if they don’t mind.”
Marian (looking relieved) swiftly agrees with Cullen, so Crumlin invites Gawain to continue.
Gawain lowers his voice (even Paladins like a bit of drama!):
“As you know, thanks to my Squire (he smiles appreciatively at Hans) and the quick wits of others (he nods at Salazar and Cullen), I was able to cast Detect Evil on Sir Guy Gisbourne whilst he was distracted.
There is nothing morally wrong in casting this spell on an unsuspecting target, even in a Temple of Heimdall. Why I remember the case in Nottingham a few years ago when…”
Aciryas can’t contain himself:
“Gawain! Please tell us what you found!”
Gawain looks disappointed, but continues:
“Firstly I found a constant emanation of Evil. :eek: Typically this shows an Evil Monster, or a worshipper of an Evil Deity.
Secondly, do you remember during the song when Gisbourne looked at Hans? Well the Evil level shot through the roof!”
(Turns to Hans)
“He must really hate you for some reason…”
Crumlin addresses Marian:
“By your leave, Druid. It is clear we must prevent Gisbourne from gaining any more power in this fair County. Does anyone disagree that ‘Curly’ Brown is in Gisbourne’s pocket?”
Hans makes a HEAR NOISE roll and hears:
- humming of ‘gotta pick a pocket or two’
- a whisper of “I’ll see what I can find out, Sire!”
- running footsteps
"Hate me? I’ve never seen him before in my life! I suppose he was bent on some knavery, and my interruption spoiled it. So, Gisborne is some evil monster or has an evil god? Alarming, but I can’t say I’m surprised.
“I’ll keep my ear to the ground for you. It’s nearer for me than most.”
Cullen says, "Crumlin, we believe that Gisbourne is also poisoning the Rutland Water with his mining operation. This not only endangers the local Kestrel’s and the fish supply and the creatures, including humans that rely on them, but also the entire area. If the operation is enough to poison that large of a lake, then it will poison the lands around and endanger the fields and eventually the town itself. He must be stopped and this mine should probably be investigated. I suspect the poisoning is just a bonus to an evil like Gisbourne, his plans are probably more nefarious yet. Where there is improper mining, I would always look for signs of illegal slavery and orckind.”
If “Curly” Brown is widely known to be connected to Gisbourne, we might do well show that Gisbourne is enslaving people in his minds- public opinion would turn against them both.
Marian thanks Cullen for his passionate protection of the land. 
However there is no sign that Rutland Water is being polluted yet.
Certainly the mine tailings are dumped in piles on the land, and then only weeds grow near them.
Also an abandoned mine is never cleared up, just left as an unhealthy eyesore.
We may get a lead on that, with a little luck. Meanwhile, I’ll cheerfully inspect the mines. I’m no professional, but among my kind, even amateurs are pretty good, yesno?
Crumlin says that Curly Brown works in Gisbourne Castle (that’s what Sir Guy calls it - to everyone else calls it Oakham Castle). Crumlin thinks he’s a porter.
Perhaps indeed Sir Guy has charmed Curly. Could we detect that in this afternoon’s meeting? How could we keep it a secret from Sir Guy?
Aciryas says one of his friends, Fundin the dwarf, works in the mines. The mines are closed to outsiders and even the miners have to show a pass to get in.
Fundin usually likes to drink in ‘The Old Plough’.
Crumlin adds that of course the mines are closed for both Market Day (today) and the County Fayre tomorrow.