Sherwoodshire roleplaying

[glee]

Count Percival smiles at Aislinn. "I'm sure our Ballista crew would welcome visitors! Although they have an important job here in the Keep, they are rather ... remote from passers-by. Unlike our gate guards (the Count points towards the two guards at the Keep Side Gate) ... who are just as watchful, but have far more conversation during their shift of duty."
The Count now adds “So you will get a tour of the Ballista Tower and the Battlements – but first I have a surprise for you! Follow me to our Kennels and Stables.”

As the party turn the corner and see the stables, the hounds in the kennels all start barking.
“One of my security precautions”, explains the Count, grinning. “Any strangers approaching the stables set off a warning by my trained dogs.”
Bedivere the Huntsman appears, turns to the dogs and quietens them with a friendly command.

The Count now turns to the Northernmost stable, where a stallion is housed. (There are six other stables, with several other brown stallions and mares peering out over the stable door.)
The Count explains “You may know that I like to breed horses and this is my pride and joy - my superb brown stallion, Argent Blaze. I named him that as you can see that he has a narrow white marking down the front of his face.”
Argent Blaze whinnies and moves restlessly in his stall.
“Aha” says the Count “He is unsettled because of your presence. Only five people can handle him safely: myself, Steward LittleJohn, my Huntsman, my Jockey and my Stablegirl.”
At this point, an elderly, efficient female Elf and a servant appear. The Elf is carrying a large toolbox, which she opens to reveal paint pots, paintbrushes, charcoal sticks, a palette and a canvas. The servant holds an easel, which he erects facing Argent Blaze’s stall.
Next Jockey Maria and Stablegirl Violet arrive.

The Count smiles at the party and remarks “I hope you don’t mind a small surprise. In honour of your achievements, I have commissioned a painting to remember you all by. This is Mrs. Hudson, my Keep Artist.”
Mrs. Hudson organises everyone into position. The Count, LittleJohn, the Huntsman, the Jockey and the Stablegirl stand in a row just in front of Argent Blaze’s stall. The Stallion is easily tempted by a carrot from the Jockey and leans his head over the stable door, in between the five humans. Upon the Count’s request, the party kneel down in front of the others and Mrs. Hudson swiftly makes a preliminary outline sketch in charcoal.

[choie]

Thoughts of the ballista fade when Aislinn sees Argent Blaze and the other horses. She can hardly fathom how thrilling they must be to ride. If she dared she would ask leave to pet any of the horses (other than the Count's loyal steed, of course).

When the surprise is announced she doesn't pay much attention, only absently following directions and kneeling as ordered while still admiring the stable residents. Only then does her gaze focus on the artist. A wave of anxiety crashes over her. While she has grown more used to having her face bare, especially among a small group such as this, the thought of her likeness hanging on a wall...possibly visible to anyone...

With her tattoos hidden, random strangers wouldn't know her from any other unremarkable girl. But it's not beyond the realm of belief to fear that someone else, someone who knows her--knew her--and whom she wouldn't want tracking her--could one day appear at the Keep.

Aislinn bows her head slightly, hoping to obscure her face at least a little, but if the artist's skill is true, this won't make much of a difference. Swallowing, she decides she has to speak up. "Begging your pardon, my lord, but may I ask the... the destination of this work? Will it be somewhere... private?" Desperately she searches for some reason for the question. "It's a great honor, it's just... we're already a noticeable group. Especially with a bear and--" And a woman who wears a bear's head for a hood. "And so on. We're trained for stealth, most of us anyway, but it might not be to our advantage to be revealed as... doing what we do."

She darts a look at Walker beside her, then looks back at Kitty with a silent plea.

[glee]

Upon hearing Aislinn’s plea, Count Percival looks concerned. “Dear me!” he says with an embarrassed air. “I’m not doing too well, am I? Of course you are right – your identities must be protected. Littlejohn, Kitty – any suggestions?”

Sir Littlejohn remarks “Well the party could be left out of the portrait – but that would be a real shame. Perhaps instead a disguise … how about Mrs. Hudson paints them all wearing masks?!”

Mrs Hudson nods “Yes, I can do that.”

Kitty agrees “Now that’s a good compromise. We celebrate their achievements, but help them in future endeavours. How about animal masks? Wolves, bears … even a shark?!”

Count Percival invites the party to each pick a disguise and asks Walker if he would like one too.

[choie]

Aislinn is so relieved she gives a rare open smile, and looks at the others to see if they're as pleased as she. She then turns back to Count Percival. Of course her inclination is to pick a wolf, but something prevents her. She's shown herself able to summon a wolf, and will likely do so again. Being too identified with the animal might not be wise. Still, she picks something not too far from a wolf, a creature known for cunning. "I should like a fox mask, Mrs. Hudson, if you please. And if the others haven't any desire for it."

[ping]

Hearing the Count's "surprise", Walker is indeed surprised, bemused, and marginally terrified at the thought of a portrait, but also quite likes the idea, actually. He never thought to be sketched, though he knows that in the Keep there are portraits of his father and grandfather, so it would be certainly an honour to join them for all to see! Ah. He immediately looks to Aislinn, wondering how she will take to this idea, knowing that she has only just revealed her face at all so recently. It will be a huge jump to have her face not just revealed here without her bandages, but put up on a portrait and displayed to everyone......

He doesn't have to wonder for long as she almost instantly blurts out a very clever excuse to get around it, hah. Aside from generally finding it a bit pretentious, Walker doesn't really mind sitting - kneeling - for a portrait. After all, his face is generally well-known anyway around the Keep and the surrounding villages, and it would be quite nice to have three generations of Walkers up there for posterity... but Aislinn clearly doesn't feel comfortable, and makes a fair point. Hmm. What mask to pick?

"That is a very good idea, hah! Thank you for this portrait opportunity, Sir. And I think," [he nods to Druid Kitty] "that it would be most fitting for me to have a hawk mask. For obvious reasons! And with Eye beside me as well, if that would be permitted? She will be on her best behaviour of course, and I am sure the horses are familiar - hah - with her by now."

He does raise an internal eyebrow at Aislinn's choice. A fox would look good, for sure, but why would she not go for a wolf? Baffling. It would be the obvious choice, being her sort of spirit-animal almost. Hmm. Maybe she just likes foxes? Maybe she really does just want to conceal her identity? Is a wolf too recognisable? Maybe we should all be foxes?

[Eluned]

Eluned is surprised and flattered by this opportunity, having never considered being immortalised in this way. And especially as she hasn't actually done anything heroic as part of this group yet.

"Sir, my lord. Thank you. I will assume that Denzil will not be partaking, so I would like to have my mask to be a bear. If, Mrs Hudson, you need a reference, he is just outside by the tree. If you could make the mask in his likeness that would be much appreciated."

She looks to the others. "This Walker's choice is obvious, as his hawk is clearly visible up in the rafters watching them as it was before in the hall. The woman - Aislinn - hmm, a fox. Perhaps a cunning and wily creature? A reflection of her character? Or maybe she just likes foxes." - she thinks, unaware that her thoughts are almost identical to Walker's, and that wolves were anywhere in the equation! "What will Lydia choose? Probably another damn bear. Or maybe, it wouldn't surprise me, she will just wear that stupid head-dress and won't have a mask."

She smiles sweetly at the large barbarian, "Lydia, friend. What mask would you choose for this honour? I was thinking that you would look good as a hamster, perhaps?"

[choie]

It takes too long for Aislinn to realize that she's been selfish. The others might wish to have their portraits painted. And they deserve to be commemorated. At least, Walker does. The other two are being treated as heroes without having done anything yet. Then again, Aislinn feels like an imposter herself, so she can hardly judge. Maybe the Druid woman and Ocean Barbarian are being feted for some past achievements.

She says quietly to Walker, "If you three would rather have portraits, you ought to have that chance. As for me... I suppose it would look odd for just one of us to be masked. I can back out. I'll pretend to be ill. But you've earned a place of honor, after all you did to vanquish the dragon and the soldiers. Your face should be seen. It would look well on a canvas."

[ping]

"What? No, I like the mask idea!" Walker says, somewhat stunned, then quickly assesses her thought process to change so quickly from wanting masks. "Does she think a mask isn't enough? It can cover her whole face, she won't be recognised. Or maybe she thinks she doesn't deserve it for some reason? No, she fought a darn dragon, she deserves to be in this."

"I think this is a wonderful gift and you deserve to be in it... plus," [he lowers his voice] "I think it would be quite fun to see what this Mrs Hudson can do given the challenge, hah! She was far too quick and confident in her sketching, I would like to see what she does with our masks!" [raising his voice to normal levels he addresses the whole group] "I think we can all agree that we would be good in masks? Perhaps I could just have the type that cover your eyes, like for a masquerade ball - I went to one of those once, here at the Keep, actually! I had a very dashing (in my opinion) highwayman style mask, you know the type they wear just covering the eyes but everyone knows who it is really? It was black silk. Maybe I could go with that, but I think I'd prefer the fun of having a hawk, hah! Mrs Hudson, please could you make it perhaps just the top part of my face, so that I am sort of mysterious and yet still will be recognised up alongside my family?" He tries not to sound a little bit hopeful at the last part.

[Eluned]

Eluned looks between the other party members with a rather bemused look on her face, not sure what underlying tensions are going on here. There's clearly something. Aislinn so quick to ask for her face to be concealed, and then to try to back out all together, it seems, if the small clips of her words to Walker that she caught seemed to convey, and now Walker trying to push her back into it. Curious. And he muttered something to her. Trying to convince her, perhaps? Hm. "I don't know what's gone on in this group. Did they do something bad that they need to hide, that the Count is unaware of? Or has maybe just one of them done something they need to hide, or has some past history they don't want shown? Walker seems to be oblivious to Aislinn's discomfort. If she doesn't want a portrait then why should he push her into it? Can he not see that she is uncomfortable? He just blusters on through with no regard to anyone's feelings; it seems he is quite self-absorbed. And clearly wants his own portrait even when others do not. Typical man."

She just adjusts her clothing and puffs up her hair a little, just to be ready in case this sketch is going ahead.

[Jareen2]

Lydia who mostly just stood there, unsure really what to do, nor this fortress would be a good enough protection for what was surely about to come their way would finish her last drink and turn towards Elund who asked her about an creature mask. "Tarrasque" She would easily reply without to much thinking and not even caring if it was an valid awnser and then looked to Aislinn who seemed less excited by the idea

"I doubt you would end up here for being good at cleaning the floor after our battle." As she swings her axe on her shoulder. "So what is your strenght besides feeling you aren't worthy as it seems from my point" Sure this might not be the best way to comfort anyone, but it is the best Lydia could do. And quite rare for that.

[glee]

Count Percival looks a little bemused at the party’s reaction to his portrait idea. Are they just bantering? An idea comes to him.
“Mrs Hudson, let’s have two portraits! One can be of the Dragon Slayers – I know you met Marron and Saradoc, so you can include them. Walker, that one can be full-face for all as I will hang it in my room.
The other will be the one I envisaged in front of Argent Blaze with this new group all wearing masks. That one can hang in public.”

Mrs. Hudson nods. “No problem my Lord. So for the stable portrait we have one fox (she indicates Aislinn), one hawk - Master Walker, I will make that mask in Eye’s image, thus killing two birds with one stone.” Mrs Hudson giggles, then continues “A bear for you (she gestures at Eluned) and a Tarrasque … err what is that?”

Sir Littlejohn suggests it is a fearsome but legendary monster.
Count Percival offers Lydia a Dragon mask instead.

[choie]

Aislinn nods at the Count's ideas, grateful that she hasn't been too forward in asking for favors.

The words from Lydia do not come across as supportive, at least to Aislinn's ears. It sounds to her as if the other woman is mocking Aislinn's weakness. She can't think of what she said or did to imply that she doesn't belong--admittedly, it's not far from her secret belief. And an angry heat bubbles within her, burning her cheeks with a flush.

Once the nobles and so on are otherwise occupied with preparations for the portrait, Aislinn snaps her gaze to Lydia and asks quietly, "What strengths have I, madam? Enough so that I was one of Master Lestrade's first three choices to found this very guild. I expect he had his reasons." She takes a steadying breath. "More than that, I will have to show you later."

[ping]

"Hah! An excellent solution for everyone, I think. I will not lie, I was quite hoping to one day have my portrait up alongside my family who served you. So thank you for that.

"And a separate portrait for our new group, with masks, sounds fantastic. Thank you so much for this, it is a double-gift now, thank you for your generosity. And thank you Mrs Hudson, for the extra time this will take you. And the skill for the animal masks, hah!

As Lydia's comment and the reply filter in, he turns to her, "So, Ms Lydia, you must tell us more about this Tarrasque! Was that the name of a dragon you encountered, perhaps? ..... Hmm........ Thinking on that, we didn't really get a chance to ask the name of the one we met... We probably should have asked... We think it was young. Would have been good to know its name. Even if it's a beast doing evil, it still deserves its name to be known."

Walker pauses for a moment. "Wait. Do we even have a name for our own group? I suppose I should have checked, but there must be something to put on the portrait...?"

OOC I genuinely don't know if we have a group name already, but either way it seems we have changed significantly enough as a party to give ourselves a name...?

[glee]

After Mrs Hudson signals she has done enough preparatory work to complete the Stable portrait, Druid Kitty, Bedivere (Hunstman), Maria (Jockey) and Violet (Stablegirl) leave the party.

Meanwhile the Count leads LIttleJohn and the party up a winding staircase on the inside of the Northern Ballista Tower. Sir Littlejohn remarks "You will note as we ascend that these stairs wind clockwise. This means a right-handed attacker coming up has their sword arm hampered by the inner wall. No such difficulty for the defenders."
The party duly arrive on the battlements and have a marvelous view across the fields. The Ballista crew nod in turn to the Count, but stay alert and watchful.
It is clear that reloading the Ballista will require all four of the crew.

The Count leads the party out onto the walkway around the Battlements. There are delightful views of the surrounding countryside and the Count points out Druid Kitty’s Grove and the south-facing Ballista Tower.
As the wind whistles, the Count looks grave. "I would like to explain some more about why I am so focused on defeating Empire Patrols - and why I perhaps appeared so callous earlier. My father, Count Versifal, who built this Keep, was foully murdered by such a Patrol."
The Count pauses for a moment and sighs heavily.
He continues "Versifal's Keep had only just been completed and my father was inviting recruits to be trained to work as soldiers, cooks, gardeners and so on. He led out a Keep Patrol personally - and they ran into one of the first-ever Empire Patrols. Without realising that the countryside was not covered by the diplomatic agreements of Freeport, my father approached in a spirit of peace ... and was cut down."

Sir LittleJohn puts a hand on the Count's shoulder. "I am here, my Lord."

[Eluned]

Following the others up the tower to the battlements, Eluned half-listens to the Count's explanation but is mainly looking at the spectacular views from up here. The forest and grove are beautiful always, but seen from this perspective are stunning. Nature is always so surprising and beautiful. She looks out across the orchard, which is even more impressive when viewed from above... so neat and well cared for. Peering over the edge, she tries to spot Denzil and sees him at his tree, slumped slightly in a grumpy or bored manner. She hops up and down a little to catch his attention and then when he notices her and looks up, she gives a sort of apologetic shrug and a "I'll be back soon" wave. She then realises that she's been completely ignoring the conversation and leaning over the battlements and waving at a bear while it seems the Count has been saying something rather weighty and serious. Oops.

She stands back down from the edge and turns to try to catch the end of what she missed, as Sir Littlejohn appears to comfort the Count. "Oh. Count Versifal. I think I recall hearing something about that." She nods along solemnly and hopes that it didn't look too disrespectful, jumping up and down and not paying attention.

[ping]

Walker raises an eyebrow at the small druid jumping up and down and waving over the parapet, then listens closely to the Count, and bows his head respectfully. When he has finished speaking he says,

"Sir. You father was a great man. I know my father and grandfather served both him and you, and I know he was greatly respected in this whole land for his fairness and generosity to the people. I had heard of the ... circumstances... of his demise, and I understand your feelings towards the Empire because of that. I just think that myself and Aislinn here, and..." [he glances over to see the druid paying no attention] "...well, the two of us encountered a patrol and I don't think we were quite prepared for them to be prepared to die rather than surrender, hah. Hence our earlier comments. My apologies if they brought up memories you would rather not have had to think about. We just... I think we were both just unwilling to take a life, whereas they seemed to have no such qualms, and they seemed to care little for their own lives either. ........ I still wonder about that sheep though............

"Anyway, this is a fine machine!" [he pats the ballista and surreptitiously tries to peer over to see who the druid was waving at] "Does it get much use?"

[choie]

Appreciating the strategic good sense that went into building even the stairs around the tower, Aislinn, lagging a little behind, surreptitiously practices a swing of her right arm, then her left. She regrets trying the latter immediately, since it brings her a little too far to the edge of the stairs. Quickly she leans to the right again, scurrying up to the top with the rest.

She's gapemouthed at first the massive weapon, and then more astonishingly, the view from such a height. Then the Count speaks of his loss, and she immediately pays respectful attention. Walker speaks most elegantly offering condolences and an explanation that does, pretty much, express her own reason for wishing they hadn't killed quite all the soldiers.

When she can, Aislinn murmurs her agreement with Walker's apology, and adds "I am truly sorry for such a senseless tragedy, Sir. Your father Count Varsifal met the enemy with goodwill and noble conscience, and surely was rewarded by the High King you worship."

If she is free to look at the ballista without being rude to the Count, she'll try to figure out how the thing works. She'd love to see it shoot at some target, but, needless to say, doesn't ask. Such a weapon would only be used in dire emergencies. And perhaps practice, if there are new guards to train.

She is interested in Walker's question to Lydia, having a very vague recollection of hearing the word 'Tarrasque' before, maybe even seeing a picture somewhere, but as soon as she tries to imagine it, it eludes her. She shrugs and listens, and in the meantime tries to see what Eluned is looking at. She'd be curious to see her bear companion.

Finally, making her way to the south side of the battlement, she pauses and relishes the feeling of the wind in her hair, blowing around her face. She imagines that at one time, she would probably have found this annoying, her hair tossed around like wild feathers and blocking her view, needing to be pushed away from her eyes. But now it's a blissful sensation.

Smiling, she tucks her hair behind her ears and leans over to look down toward the bottom of the winding stairs. And soon regrets it. Seeing them from so high up--when she'd only just been standing there thinking of those huge horses--fills her with both awe and unease. The tower's height seems more unnerving when a place she's just been now seems so very small.

Placing a hand on her stomach to, somehow, settle it, she turns away. "How often have these ballista been used?" she asks, clearing her throat. "I hope there's been no use for them recently."

[glee]

During his emotional explanation, the Count has not noticed Eluned’s lack of attention. However Sir LittleJohn gives the Druid a careful look, but decides she wasn’t being rude.

The Count thanks Walker and Aislinn for their sympathy and says sadly “Yes, my hatred of Empire Patrols must have come as a shock. Your party’s thoughtfulness and mercy does you credit.”

As Walker catches a glimpse of Eluned’s Bear in Druid Kitty’s Grove, Sir LittleJohn answers the party’s Ballista enquiry. “Our crew practise a lot, but thankfully we have not needed to fire a large spear much … we did once hit an attacking White Dragon, which then crash-landed, so we were able to finish it off. Also I’m sure just having our two Ballistas acts as a deterrent to marauding Bandits or Ogres – not Woody, of course!“
Sir LittleJohn continues “When convenient, I would be happy to show you a Ballista in action! I’m sure our crew would both gain from the practice and also enjoy the attention. Although they can aim it themselves, if they had an experienced Fighter in charge (he indicates in the direction of Walker and Lydia), they would do even better.”

The Count pauses again, this time for much longer.

DM: Lydia makes a Hear Noise roll.
She hears a Ballista crewman call out “Are you seeing this too? It’s coming straight for your gate!”
(Looking back towards the Ballista Tower they just came from, Lydia sees a crewman leaning over the inner wall, presumably speaking down to the gate guards.)

Count Percival continues "Since then there have been more such attacks - it makes us realise that Sherwoodshire is a border province. We face Empire Patrols, monsters from the Badlands and even Pirates. Still we endure - and having you Scouts join with Walker means a lot to the folk who live here."

[choie]

At the prospect of seeing the Ballista at work, Aislinn nods and looks with encouragement toward Walker, then Lydia. Since the latter appears to be focused somewhere else, Aislinn suggests Walker lend a hand, if he's a mind to. "It never hurts to practice. I've never seen anything like this. I don't believe," she adds honestly. She turns back to the Count. "Milord, how often do Pirates make landfall? I only thought of them as sharks--restricting their hunt for prey to the sea. Have you ships patrolling the nearby shores?"

[Jareen2]

Lydia would turns to Walker crossing her arms in the process thinking back to all the stuff she knows from an Tarrasque and the dragon they fought, it was no easy battle but way more easy then if she had to fight an Tarrasque.

"A Tarrasque is a creature so horrible no one who fought it lived to tell the tale. It has..."

She would stop as her attention move to the person shouting. Without to much to think and not caring about fancy chit chat right now she grabbed her great axe and half shouted to everyone

"We are about to have company!"

[choie]

The words are simple enough. It's the Ocean Barbarian's tone--and especially that great axe now wielded in her large hands--that turn Aislinn's stomach into a knot. Without a word, she twists around to look over the barrier toward whatever Lydia Day is seeing.

[glee]

Count Percival replies to Aislinn. "You ask good questions!
Firstly the Pirates do indeed mainly infest the Empire Ocean. However occasionally they raid the Crow Coast. I also remember a unique Pirate incursion up the Empire River ... that actually reached Cardiff Bay before being defeated.
You see I have no ships myself and the Empire only use Galleys - which means the Pirates battle with the Ocean Barbarians."

Next, hearing the Barbarian's warning, the Count and Sir Littlejohn immediately spin round looking for who or what is coming.
However they and the party are on the West side of the battlements and therefore cannot see whether anyone is approaching the gate on the east side.
Sir Littlejohn speaks urgently to Lydia "What is happening?!"

[Jareen2]

"Something is coming right at the gates!" She would rush towards the Ballista side readying her greataxe in battle position and even as possible go up the wall as fast as she can to get a better look of what danger is coming using her handaxes as climbing tools. Even though stairs might have been quicker. She hates ladders and stairs...
"What do you see?" She would yell to the guards near the Ballista as already the bloodlust of war enters her body as if it was poured down her face like she did with the goblets.

[choie]

Aislinn watches Lydia in alarm, and glances at the others before following in that direction--only far enough to try and figure out what the other woman might be seeing. She looks up at the guards, since they seem to be what Lydia is reacting to. Then she turns to Walker. "Can Eye notice anything out of the ordinary?"

[ping]

Hearing Lydia's warning Walker immediately communicates to his familiar, mentally asking her to take off from his shoulder and fly up to get a better view from above where Lydia had gestured to. He then flicks his eyes to Eye's eyes, seeing what she sees, steadying himself with his hand on the parapet as his vision shifts.

[edit: he is aiming to see if he can spot what Lydia called out about]

[glee]

Lydia runs back across the battlements, drawing her two Hand Axes as she approaches the Ballista crew.
Lydia sees that two crewmen are looking out to the east of the Keep, whilst the other two are looking down into the courtyard by the Side Gate.
Spotting that Walker has sent Eye to fly above the Ballista crew, Lydia decides to study the courtyard, leaving the keen-eyed bird to observes events to the east of the Keep. (The crewmen hastily make room for the Barbarian / Scout.)

DM: Lydia makes an Awareness roll (so can interpret the gate guards’ behaviour.)
Lydia sees a brown stallion galloping out through the open gate, whilst the two gate guards cower in terror. Although there is clearly a ‘rider’ on the horse holding the reins, there is nothing to be seen on the stallion’s back!

Violet (Keep Stablegirl) is near the gate as the stallion thunders out. She screams ““Argent Blaze is loose! ‘Ghost Rider’ is stealing him!” and faints.

[glee]

Aislinn carefully walks after Lydia and finds a spot where she can see down into the courtyard and the stables.
Whilst waiting for Walker’s report on what Eye sees, Aislinn notices that Mrs Hudson is not in sight (although her easel is still in place.)
The northernmost stable (which housed Argent Blaze) has its door wide open. All the other stable doors are shut (and there is no sign of any horse within peering into the courtyard.)

[glee]

Walker in turn follows Aislinn, making certain that he does not slip off the battlements whilst viewing events through the eyes of Eye.
Eye sees a brown stallion with an invisible rider (!) racing towards the forest east of the Keep.
Looking ahead of the animal, Eye spots a horsebox parked on the edge of the forest. There is a gnome lying on the ground next to the horsebox. As the gnome shakily gets up, the brown stallion suddenly disappears!

[ping]

Shaking his head to get his bearings as his vision comes back to himself - it's always slightly disorienting to go from Eye's almost zoomed-in birds-eye view to his normal vision - Walker calls out to the others, "It's Argent Blaze. Some invisible rider... horsebox near the forest... the horse is gone! Invisible! There's a gnome down there, possibly injured?"

He turns to the Count and says, "Sir, it seems your horse has been stolen. We should go to check if the people in the stables are ok."

[choie]

Aislinn nods and notes that checking on the staff and the stable is a good idea, since Mrs. Hudson isn't where she was before. "And I'm not sure where the other horses are, either. I can't see them from here, at least." As she jogs down the winding stairs, she is overwhelmed to consider what level of magic one must probably possess to perform invisibility, not just on oneself but on a huge horse!

[glee]

The Count and Sir Littlejohn lead the party down the ballista tower stairs, arriving in the courtyard.
Almost at the same time, Mrs. Hudson, Druid Kitty, Bedivere and Maria also appear.

Count Percival orders the gates to be shut, muttering "Shutting the stable door after the horse has bolted - but I'm not risking any more of my precious horses!"
As the gates are closed, the Count continues "Everyone, please keep the courtyard clear - there may be evidence like tracks showing what has happened."

He thinks for a moment as everyone stands still, then announces "This is a worrying matter. It must be investigated! But I will not have spells cast on my loyal staff - at least until there is evidence to support it."
The Count turns to the party. "Since you were with Sir Littlejohn and myself, I know you are not involved. Therefore I wish you to find what happened and recover Argent Blaze. I hereby appoint you all Sheriffs of Sherwoodshire. This gives you the power to ask anyone in Sherwoodshire questions and to arrest anyone if there is evidence to justify it."
He sends a servant for Sheriff badges and tells everyone to stay nearby, ready to assist the party.

Aislinn notes that there are horses in some of the other stables.

At that moment, the door to Argent Blaze's stable slams shut - although there is no sign of anyone...
One of the gate guards gasps "Ghost Rider did that!"

Count Percival says grimly to the party "You have your work cut out for you. May Arthur and Nimue protect you."

The servant returns and the Count hands out the Sheriff badges.

[Eluned]

Eluned turns away from the parapet where she was waving at Denzil to see what the commotion is about. Seeing Walker's eyes snap back from their rolled-back state - which she assumes means he was looking through his familiar - she listens to the others but focuses on the mention of a possibly-injured gnome.

"You all seem competent. You go to the stables. Check out whatever is there. I will go to the edge of the forest and see if I can help this gnome. Perhaps they will also have something to say."

She glances over to where Walker had gestured, accepts the Sheriff badge with a half-distracted nod of thanks to the Count, then says, "I have some abilities with healing, if this gnome is wounded. Also, there might be other evidence out there to check on. Denzil has a keen nose as well."

Without a glance back or waiting for the others to respond, Eluned leans over the parapet in the direction of where Denzil was leaning dejectedly against his tree and gives a distinct whistle *weee-woo-weh* and watches as the bear, seemingly more cheerful, gets to his feet and heads towards the gate. Eluned, still not particularly bothered about what the rest are doing, heads down to meet him and then they would head together towards the spot where Walker had indicated the horse-box and gnome.

[glee]

Eluned's whistle brings Denzil out of Kitty's Grove and the Druid speaks in Bear to bring the bear to the side gate.
As Denzil arrives, Count Percival orders the gate to be opened briefly to let Eluned out.

One of the the Ballista crew calls down to Eluned "That gnome seems to be all right now. He got thrown in the air by some invisible being!"

As Eluned and Denzil approach the gnome and the horsebox on the edge of the forest, the gnome moves to stand on front of the carthorse which is in the shafts of the horsebox.
The gnome calls out "Please don't let that bear eat my carthorse - I've already lost my mount to the Ghost Rider!"

[choie]

"'Ghost Rider,'" Aislinn repeats, looking around at the others. "Have any of you heard the like?" She turns to the guard who spoke, trying not to let her discomfort for soldiers outweigh the secret disbelief (and no small sense of irony) that she's among those being tasked with upholding the law. If there's already some local legend about this... person... there must be other incidents to have cause the tales. What you you tell us, sir?"

[glee]

After Aislinn's enquiry, everyone looks to Count Percival.

The Count, Sir Littlejohn, Druid Kitty, Bedivere and Maria all reply in turn that they have never heard of a 'Ghost Rider'.
Violet says "I've definitely heard of 'Ghost Rider' - it's an Invisible Being that steals horses!"
Two of the Ballista crew call out from above "That gnome out to the East first mentioned 'Ghost Rider' - he yelled the name when he was thrown off his horse."
(The two other Ballista crew say they only heard the name just now.)
One of the Gate Guards says he heard Violet say 'Ghost Rider'.
(The other Gate Guard says he only heard the name just now.)

[choie]

Aislinn scowls at the variety of answers, and naturally turns to Violet. "Has this... rider... been known to steal other horses? I wonder how long this person has been performing such bold deeds--especially from the Count himself. With so many potential witnesses."

She mulls over how such a theft might be accomplished. Fairly certain that she's performed such 'tricks' in her distant past, but surely nothing that would be nearly as complicated or audacious. Especially since she wouldn't have had the capability back then.

Expanding her focus to the other staff as well as Violet, she adds, "I wonder if one or more of you might help us search in ways we cannot. Can you share if you have any magic skills yourselves?"

GM: In post 531 you mention that Bedivere, Hudson, Maria and Druid Kitty "appear." Where did Aislinn see them appear from?

[glee]

As Violet prepares to answer Aislinn's question, the party naturally turn to look at her.

DM: Aislinn makes an Alertness roll (she notes that Violet is extremely nervous)
DM: Lydia makes an Alertness roll (she notes that Violet glances at the stable next door to Argent Blaze's)

Violet stutters "I ... don't remember where I heard about Ghost Rider. I can't think of any other horses ... it has stolen."

[glee]

In answer to Aislinn's request, Kitty speaks up immediately. "I am the only Keep spell caster here for now. I can currently cast these spells that should be useful: Detect Magic, Identify and Speak with Animals."
She adds "So I can talk to the Count's horses and dogs, as well as Walker's Eye and Eluned's Denzil."

Although Aislinn has politely turned to face Kitty, Lydia has kept watching Violet.
DM: Lydia makes an Alertness roll (she notes that when Kitty mentions the Speak with Animals spell, Violet goes pale and looks briefly again at the stable next door to Argent Blaze's.)

[glee]

Aislinn saw:

- Mrs. Hudson and Bedivere appear together from the South. Bedivere is holding a can of paint (so they probably came from the Workshop.)

- Maria coming from the North. She finishes chewing something and swallows it.

- Kitty came from the South (she is carrying some plants, so presumably visited her Grove.)

Keep (ground) https://btcloud.bt.com/web/app/share/invite/IbZx8W5sP1

[choie]

Biting at her lower lip, Aislinn glances around, very curious about Violet's overall demeanor. "Mistress Kitty, this may seem an odd request. Could you... well, ask the stable horses if they saw anything? Or if they're not that talkative, just discern their state of mind? Frightened? Confused?"

She turns to the steward. "Sir Littlejohn," she says, intimidated by his size. "I know the gates are closed, but I should very much like to look at the Gnome's horsebox. Very much," she adds with slight emphasis. She'd like to take a look in the stable, but for the moment, whichever horses remain in there are not likely to leave with the gates shut.

[Eluned]

At the treeline Eluned quickly checks over the gnome to make sure he is ok, while reassuring him that Denzil is a friend.

"Are you ok, sir? Do you need any aid?" [She would offer him a Goodberry.] "...Don't worry about Denzil here, he won't harm you. Please, tell me anything you remember. From my companions in the Keep it seems that an invisible rider stole a horse? Can you give me anything you recall? Maybe anything strange from earlier today? Or past rumours, even?"

Turning to the bear, and conscious that he is probably making the horse and gnome both uneasy, says in Bear, "Denzil, be a love and go sniff around. See if you can find any trail we might follow."

[ping]

Following Aislinn and Lydia downstairs to the stables, Walker listens carefully to the exchanges between them. He is well used to picking and learning traits in conversations and something here feels a bit off... a bit *not* like how people speak unless trying to hide something. Something he is aware that he's not good at - yet - but he can recognise it when he sees it. As the others question the staff and the Count, Walker's vision transfers through to Eye and he mentally asks her to give a quick flight over the other stalls to check that the other horses are all present and healthy. (Assuming he might have been part of the alertness rolls Ping will edit this when she finds out what Walker saw and whether or not he would be asking Eye to focus on a particular stall. If not, just assume Eye is scanning over all of the stables with no particular scrutiny of that one)

[Jareen2]

Lydia has already put her two hand axes over her shoulder as she just stands back and listens. It might be odd indeed that an person just randomly dissapears with a horse. But how could this be? How did they get in. People don't just show up out of thin air. Something is not right. Either they have a mole or someone here is not telling us the truth.

[glee]

Kitty nods at Aislinn and casts Speak to Animals (choosing horse.)
The Druid starts on the stable next to Argent Blaze's.
After a brief conversation, Kitty blurts out "What?! Where's your marking?! Who did?!" - then spins round to the party and demands "Arrest Violet!"

Violet looks panicked and prepares to run - but seeing Lydia is on guard, the Stablegirl surrenders.

[glee]

Meanwhile Eluned sees the gnome only had a slight injury and offers a single Goodberry.
The gnome thanks the Druid, eats the berry and his wound is cured. He replies to Eluned's questions. "Well you do seem in total control of the bear - most impressive. Here's what I remember."

The gnome thinks for a bit, then rattles off a sequence of events. "I brought my brown stallion in this horsebox to the Keep in case the Count wanted to buy it. I led the horse out of the horsebox to show how well it rode. However before I even got my feet in the stirrups, I was pulled off by an invisible being. It was the Ghost Rider!
Ghost Rider rode my horse towards the Keep - I could do nothing except shout that Ghost Rider was stealing my horse."

The gnome pauses for breath, then continues. "As Ghost Rider rode my stallion into the Keep, I was thrown into the air and took a little damge when I landed. It seems there are two Ghost Riders! "
The gnome shudders at the thought.

Meanwhile Denzil has been sniffing around the horsebox and the route from the horsebox to the Keep.
DM: Denzil makes a tracking roll.
The bear tells Eluned (in bear, naturally) "This is very odd. The only horse I can smell is the large one pulling the horsebox. There is no scent of either the brown stallion from the horsebox, nor Argent Blaze."

[choie]

Aislinn thinks a moment before turning to Druid Kitty. "Mistress, what did the horse, or horses, tell you? I thought I heard you say something about a marking...?"

Unless there is something to immediately follow up with, Aislinn will take a peek into Argent Blaze's stall and perform a Detect Invisible. And if possible, she'll repeat her request whether she may go to the gnome past the gates.

[Eluned]

Out near the edge of the forest Eluned hears what Denzil says to her and seeing the gnome healed bids farewell to the him, and then without thought of consequences gestures her bear to follow her back to the Keep as she talks to him to clarify what he had said.

"So, you can't smell anything different here? Just the same scent of the horse puling the horsebox? You've been here at the Keep before and seen the Hunts go out - even if they didn't want you too close! - so you know the other horses here, and just horses in general, and you don't sniff out any of them? You know it's the Count's prized mount. Nothing?"

As they walk back and talk together in Bear language, Eluned would be trying to be alert to tracks, knowing what the cart-horse and cart would look like, and also probably what a large stallion's prints would be like, and also obviously be able to pick out her own and Denzil's (one should hope).

[glee]

Kitty smiles at Aislinn "An excellent idea of yours to use magic."
The Druid explains to the party that Argent Blaze never actually left the Keep! Instead, when there was some shouting outside the Keep, Violet led Argent Blaze from his stable to the one next door. She then used some 'brown stuff' to cover his silver marking.

Mrs. Hudson interjects "That must be why I suddenly ran out of brown paint and had to go to the Workshop for more."

Kitty turns to Violet and says sternly "Tell us everything you know."

[glee]

Violet is mesmerised by everyone looking at her (especially the Barbarian) and blurts out her confession.

"Earlier I was exercising a horse as usual when a gnome came along near the Keep with a horsebox. He told me I could be rich if I helped him.
I know I shouldn't have done it but his plan seemed foolproof.

He coached me about a non-existent 'Ghost Rider', who would be blamed for everything.

I was to steal Mrs. Hudson's brown paint (this luckily was easy when there was a portrait being painted) and then listen for the gnome shouting "Ghost Rider is stealing my horse!"
At that moment (with everyone distracted) I would lead Argent Blaze next door (leaving his stable door ajar) and paint over his marking.
Next, as soon as the 'Ghost Rider' came into the Keep, I was to scream "“Argent Blaze is loose! ‘Ghost Rider’ is stealing him!” and pretend to faint.
The gnome said that immediately afterwards a 'fake' brown stallion would leave the Keep ... then simply disappear outside.
Oh, and as a 'finale', Argent Blaze's stable door would slam shut.

Then when everything had calmed down, I was to lead the disguised Argent Blaze out of the Keep and hand him over to the gnome."

She sobs and says to the Count "I'm so sorry."

[glee]

Aislinn casts Detect Invisible and sees an Unseen Servant relaxing in Argent Blaze's stable.

(This is a widely used spell and Aislinn recalls that the Servant is harmless. It just does simple tasks - like riding a horse or shutting a stable door!)

Meanwhile the Count states that a plan must be made to deal with the gnome - who may not realise that his nefarious plan has been discovered. (He thanks Aislinn for offering to do this, but adds that there may be danger...)
He quietly tells the Ballista crew to calmly signal to Eluned outside that she (and Denzil) should come back to the Keep, then turns to the party and says "I'd like you lot to capture the gnome - obviously you'll need to be subtle!"