Boadicea replies to Gis, “That is part of our duty – to see Acolyte Crumlin safely through the election. Heimdall willing, we shall succeed. And perhaps we can work on slogans and speeches over a pasty and ale.”
Crumlin thanks everyone for being concerned about his safety and promises not to wander off. (Apparently he’s heard stories about absent-minded folk geting into trouble thay way.)
He would like to visit the villages (after Market Day and the County Fayre) and with Gislsson’s help he’s sure he can make new friends there.
He’s looking forward to learning some good slogans. He reminds his companions that most folk are straightforward around here, so the slogans should be short and to the point…
‘A fair day’s work for a fair day’s pay.’
‘A miss is as good as a mile.’
‘All roads lead to Nottingham.’
‘All that glitters is not copper.’
‘A ragged coat may cover an honest man.’
He stops, apologising for his keenness, and continues:
“I can recommend the beef pasty, the chicken pasty and the ham pasty. But not the offal pasty, even though it’s cheaper.
If we need to wait here for Sir Guy’s reply, we can send out for food and ale. Let me buy you all a pasty and a pint of Old Peculiar - it’s better than the name suggests!”
Hallstein isn’t too keen on freeing the fellow. The law is the law, after all. But something about his tale is of interest.
Hallstein says to the man in the stocks, “Well, sounds like a bit o’ bad luck at that. What can you tell me about those unthinking boors that went and left ye behind? Do you know who they were? Were you able to figure out where they were taking you, or what you were to do for them? If they were breakin’ the law, I’m sure I could get some payback for ye.”
If the fellow is not-forthcoming, Hallstein will try a bit longer…with his usual charm. If he still cannot get anything useful, he’ll get on back to the temple. He doesn’t want to miss out on the pasties!
Hallstein knows the rules about stocks (every town and city, including Nottingham, has them).
The people stuck in there have not committed a serious crime. Their punishment is to be pelted for a couple of hours.
Provided it’s not obvious, anyone can release a prisoner. If caught, the only punishment is to be stuck in the stocks yourself.
Bob the builder sounds hopeful. “Mister, if you get me out of 'ere, I’ll tell you everyfing you wanna know. I need a friend.”
Gis heads out to get the food and ale, asking Crumlin to stay safe and indoors. If I notice Hallstein, I will wander over to see what is going on and if he needs a hand.
Hallstein will give a wink to the fellow, and say “I’ll have you out of here in no time, laddy.”
Hallstein will check around for any obvious things that could be used for a distraction. If needs be, he’ll even tip a trollop to raise a ruckus. If no other option seems at hand, then he’ll use Phantom Force in the most useful way to draw as much attention as possible away from the stocks.
He won’t need long, but he’ll hide near the fellow in the stocks, and be ready when the distraction happens. Once he’s got the chance, he’ll free the fellow, and assist in getting him to a safe place where they can talk.
As Gislsson crosses the Marketplace, he catches a glimpse of Hallstein near the stocks, looking relaxed.
However Gislsson is then accosted by an enthusiastic Merchant Venturer (Freeman Dibbler), with a wide selection of pasties.
“Best leave the offal ones, Sir - gentleman like yourself needs to stay alert…”
Gislsson is unable to extricate himself and therefore carefully selects only the best.
He next visits the The Old Plough, gets a friendly reception and buys a quantity of Old Peculiar (despite its name, the most popular ale in Oakham). The landlord, Barliman Butterbur, is co-operative (‘do come back, Sir!’) and provides a tapboy (Hamfast, a young hobbit) to carry the ale back to the Temple.
They arrive back in the Temple, pausing only to admire a firework in the Marketplace…
Bob nods happily. He whispers “I’ve done a few runners in my time. I’ll follow your lead … either full-pelt or strolling, whichever you think best.”
Hallstein easily removes the simple bolt from the Stocks.
He looks round for a trollop, but can’t see one (he remembers that in Nottingham, they tend to work at night).
Muttering “Huh! They’re just like wagon trains: there’s never one when you want it, then three come all at once”, he assesses his ‘audience’ (who are almost all a bunch of excited peasants on a rare day off).
Hallstein makes an Alertness roll.
He casts Phantom Force and immediately a huge firework rockets up into the sky and silently bursts into an amazing pattern of coloured fire.
Knowing the spell will last one round after he stops concentrating on it, Hallstein leads Bob calmly into the Temple unobserved.
(He shrugs, thinking he could probably have ridden naked on a white horse through the Marketplace, and nobody would have noticed that either…)
Bob is quickly cleaned up and gives earnest thanks. He is keen to cooperate.
Suddenly there is a commotion in the Marketplace!
The party look out and see a strange procession of Gisbourne’s soldiers.
Two troopers are pushing a handcart with a dead body on it. Two more are keeping onlookers back, and a officer is in charge.
The group head for the Temple, where the officer salutes the Acolyte at the door, gives his name as Corporal White and asks to see the High Priestess on a matter of considerable urgency.
Edith swiftly appears and ushers the visitors in, asking the party to join her. Although the corpse is horribly disfigured, they all recognise the body as Lieutenant Grey.
Corporal White looks embarrassed but determined. He screws up his face, clearly focusing on remembering his precise orders.
“High Priestess, I bring news from Sir Guy Gisbourne, Knight of the Realm, the Lord of the Manor, the Lord …”
Edith puts up her hand and the Corporal nods.
He continues “Sir Guy wishes to inform you that he is terribly sorry to have to tell you that that a Worshipper of (he whispers ‘Loki’) has been discovered in the Castle.
Sir Guy was so enraged by this that he slew the man himself. He regrets that his over-enthusiasm means the miscreant is unable to answer questions, but is sure you will understand his actions.”
Edith looks sad.
“It is good that this terrible Evil has been exposed. We knew there was such a horror in Sir Guy’s retinue.”
She studies the body.
“I could have tried to Speak with Dead, but this poor soul’s body has been horribly burnt.”
Corporal White answers “Apparently Sir Guy was so annoyed that he inflicted the damage before he could contain himself.
High Priestess, would you like to see to the funeral arrangements? Sir Guy wishes to have nothing to do with this person anymore.”
Edith looks keenly at the Corporal. “I will perform a burial in unconsecrated ground.
Corporal, I know you are a good and worthy worshipper of Heimdall. Can you tell us any more about this?”
“High Priestess, I am in charge of a squad that guard the Castle Walls and Gate. I have seen no evidence of the Lieutenant, or anyone else worshipping such Evil.
Sir Guy called me in, told me what I have told you and sent me here.”
At htis point, Bob (who is peeking round the door, together with a couple of equally curious Acolytes) gets Hallstein’s attention.
He whispers “That’s the bloke! He’s the one that hired me and my crew for the secret job!”
Hallstein says, “What, the deader, or the talker?”
Bob: “The dead bloke. The one wiv grey hair. ‘e hired me an’ my mates!”
Bergthor makes a Religion roll.
He tells Edith that the burns on Lieutenant Grey’s body are consistent with an enraged Loki punishing a useless/dead Worshipper.
Boadicea says, “Though glad I am to see one who worshipped evil dead, I think it would be a mistake to assume that he is the only evil one amongst Sir Guy’s party. I hope that Sir Guy is himself simply duped by the evil ones – since we all know evil can masquerade as good.”
Presuming she’s heard Bob’s comments, she’ll ask Bob what Lieutenant Grey hired him to do. If not, she’ll make any appropriate signs against evil or to wish the spirit of the deceased on its journey.
Corporal White adds that Sir Guy is apparently in mourning, since he is staying in Oakham Castle and will not see visitors.
Bob states that Lieutenant Grey (who stayed anonymous when first encountered) hired Bob and his crew for some building work.
Grey promised a large bonus if the crew would agree to travel in seclusion, work in secret and not discuss the job afterwards.
After Bob sneaked out the wagon, he has not seen hide nor hair of his crew.
The High Priestess (looking rather upset) beckons to Boadicea…
Boadicea will, of course, follow the HP to whatever secluded or off-to-the-side spot indicated.
She’s thinking that it’s still possible that Sir Guy is duped, but not likely.
Gis to only party those protecting Crumlin, Crumlin & The High Priestess, “I would still like to see a Know Alignment or Detect Evil on Sir Guy. I don’t find him at all trustworthy and he feels foul.”
The High Priestess looks sad. She confides in Boadicea:
“I need to tell somebody this and of course you must then tell your comrades. I am so unhappy to hear that an Evil Worshipper has just walked into the Temple.
I have been ministering to this county for many decades (I was born near here). This sort of thing has never happened here before now.
Of course sometimes a band of goblins come a-raiding and we even had to fight a Troll once - but things have gone downhill recently.
As you know, Sir Guy (who bought the title of Lord of the Manor) is an important Noble, so we must be careful of making accusations.
It does seem, even to me, that he is over-anxious for his candidate to become Sheriff.
As the official in charge, I must rermain neutral. But I hope you all will help and protect Crumlin.
If I have evidence of an Evil-doer, no matter how well-connected, I will do my duty and inform Baron Thorgunby Wheldrake. I know he is a good man and a member of Heimdall’s Church. And he has the power to arrest anyone in Rutland.”
She leaves, fighting back tears.
Boadicea can tell Gislsson that accusing a Knight of the Realm of a crime can only be done by someone with equivalent social status (e.g. High Priestess, Baron, Lord of the Manor).
This also applies to casting spells on Nobles without permission…
When she’s back from speaking to the HP, Boadicea says, “I can Detect Evil, though one of my rank should not cast such a spell on Sir Guy. I fear, though, that he may have sensed when I cast it before he came into the negotiations and somehow arranged the death of the lieutenant to throw me off.” A slight, grim smile. “I can only pray Heimdall that Sir Guy continues to underestimate us.”
ETA: That’ll teach me not to wait for the GM’s ruling. I’ve edited her comment above as a result.
OOC: Boadicea doesn’t feel there’s much to tell her party, other than the last bit, that if there’s evidence of evil, the HP will do her duty. However, B also thinks that should be bloody obvious, so she has no outward response to this.
That’s fine - I was just giving some atmosphere (e.g. Edith both feeling out of her depth and also confiding her fears to another woman)