>>5647403

You had a lot to do, but thankfully it was quite early so you might have the time for everything before the meeting. So you thought about where to start and there really was only one option.

Heading into the dungeon while surrounded by your knights, you walked past a couple guards and servants. Rest of Durnholde Keep was still fast asleep and for a reason, yesterday was an awfully hectic day and everyone was dead tired.

Thankfully the guards in the dungeon were alert and after getting the key, you entered Sahvan’s cell and closed the door behind you.

"Good morning Sahvan." You said to him and kicked his leg. The Syndicate assassin from Brill you had captured and had proven helpful woke up with a welp.

"P-prince Perenolde." Sahvan muttered as he saw you standing in front of you.

"I will make this short, Lord Blackmoore wants to hang both you and Pai. We still haven't found the fourth assassin and if I can’t find anything new to present to him, either one of you or both will hang." You said to him as Sahvan pushed himself up from the cold cell floor and sat with his back on the wall. "If you have anything you could tell me, that would be great for both of us."

"I have told you everything I know. How can I help you if I can’t tell you anything new?" Sahvan said and had concern in his voice. "I betrayed my comrades and told you everything about them. Isn't that enough?"

"To me yes, but to Lord Blackmoore? Maybe not." You said with a sigh and pinched the bridge of your nose. This was frustrating. "Alright, let's start from the beginning. Maybe we have missed something."

"I don't think we have…" Sahvan said back to you.

1/2

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>>5647407

Sahvan and you went through everything. What their mission had been, how they arrived into Durnholde, the planning, failures and so on and so forth.

You probed Sahvan about Pai, about the fourth Syndicate assassin, about the organisation itself and how decentralised it was. And while Sahvan couldn't say anything new about their mission in Durnholde, one bit did catch your attention and got you thinking.

"You told me how you really only know your team and who your superior is." You said. "I know that there are several power blocs within the Syndicate, could it be that the fourth assassin is from the opposing bloc to yours?"

"Maybe? How could that help us? How could we even know that?" Sahvan asked you. He had served Lord Creedy, one of the two strong lieutenants of your brother.

"It might be beneficial to the fourth assassin to have seen you fail. If the assassin knows that you serve the rival lord to theirs, your failure can be used as a tool within the Syndicate." You mused aloud.

"That sounds… plausible?" Sahvan said back.

"You served Lord Creedy, maybe this fourth assassin or an agent or whatever they are, serves Lord Falconcrest?" You continued musing aloud. "Maybe they should know that we think so…"

"Prince Perenolde, are you suggesting that you should call the assassin out? Would they take the bait?" Sahvan asked.

"I don't know, but I don’t have that many leads." You said back. You didn’t really have any new leads. "Could be worth a try or a huge mistake."

It came to your mind that it could tell the assassin that you had no idea who they were or to make them think that you are close in finding who they are and forcing them to react in some way that could end up helping you. Or the assassin opts to do nothing and sits the snowstorm out and leaves with the rest of the guests with you being none the wiser.

What a gigantic pain in the ass. You pinched the bridge of your nose again and closed your eyes. What should you do? Would calling the assassin out be too dangerous or too prone to fail?


>Call the assassin out by spreading a rumour that you are very close to finding out who they are. See if anyone within the Keep reacts to this in any way.
>Call out should be done in public. Gamble that they serve Lord Falconcrest and tell them that you want to talk with them. Be the bait to lure the assassin out.
>Blackmoore is adamant at hanging both assassins. You should talk with him before the meeting and see if his mind could be changed and argue for saving one or both of your prisoners.
>Troubridge had taken a senior position in the investigation. Go through the details with him one more time before the meeting and try to get him to be on your side regarding the prisoners.
>Other, write in.

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>>5647410

QM: The Quest is back. Thread 20 let's go! I needed this unannounced break. I have changed jobs into a much better place than before and due to that I moved yet again. The past few months have been a whirlwind and I think I finally have the time and energy to sit down and write. So let's go and have some fun.

And as it is a new thread and it has been a few months from the previous one, if you have any questions about the quest, characters or events, please go ahead and ask them. I will try to answer them as best as I can.

>>5647410
This is the plan
>Call out should be done in public. Gamble that they serve Lord Falconcrest and tell them that you want to talk with them. Be the bait to lure the assassin out.
But first
>Troubridge had taken a senior position in the investigation. Go through the details with him one more time before the meeting and try to get him to be on your side regarding the prisoners.
>Blackmoore is adamant at hanging both assassins. You should talk with him before the meeting and see if his mind could be changed and argue for saving one or both of your prisoners.
We gave our word to Sahvan, but Pai hangs.
>>5647417
Nice to see you back Medivh. Good to hear that things are better

>>5647417
Welcome back, OP, it’s good to see & hear that you’re well. Be sure to stay that way.

>>5647410

Hmmm. If we want to bait the assassin, we’d have to make sure they get the message that we are about to do something that will thwart them. Maybe we could drop hints that we learned something from the captured assassins? But for that we’d have to have good enough idea of who we’re dealing with…
I wonder if Blackmoore could be convinced by pointing out that the assassin we’re missing was ready to murder him alongside us…

>>5647417
saw this quest throughout the years, finally decided to read through it all and participate. Ill be back once ive read it all.

>>5647417
Well ain't that something, first time I check in on qst in a while and this happens. Good to have ya back buddy. Got a little to catch up on and remind myself of before I start making dumb votes

That vote was more or less a formality as in the previous thread both Troubridge and Blackmoore were included in the winning vote. So now we shall go with Troubridge next.

Give me a roll to see if Troubridge is alone or if he has company.


>1d10
>Taking the second roll


>>5647464
Welcome aboard. I wish you have fun going through the archives.

And thank you for the warm welcome everyone!

Rolled 3 (1d10)

>>5648117

Breaking my lurking streak to say it.

We're so back bros.

Rolled 10 (1d10)

>>5648117

Rolled 3 (1d10)

>>5648117

holy shit, we're back

You had some ideas how you could call the fourth assassin out, but you weren't sure how you would do it. What kind of bait would be effective and work? How would an assassin think that their position was in danger and their identity about to be revealed?

Not an easy task to do, but making yourself the bait could be a way to do it. Maybe it would be as easy as asking politely if they were willing to talk?

"Prince Perenolde?" Sahvan asked you as you had gotten lost in your thoughts.

"Just thinking." You said and stood up from the stool you had been sitting on. "I might have something to work towards now."

Walking to the cell door you turned back towards your prisoner.

"You won’t hang, but I can't probably protect Pai." You said.

Sahvan didn’t say anything and instead just nodded. He had saved his own life by betraying his comrades, but he probably knew that they would betray him in an instant as well.

When you get back home you would have to keep Sahvan safe and alive. Your reputation would get tarred if yet another prisoner of yours was killed. And when the word spreads within the Syndicate, getting more of their members to defect could become a bit more difficult.

…

>10

Commodore Troubridge was in his room. A servant had brought the naval officer his breakfast and he invited you to share some of the grapes and cheese with him.

"I wasn't expecting you to come see me so early Prince Alric." Troubridge said.

"I want to do some things before we have the meeting." You said back to him.

"What did you have on your kind then?"

"Mostly just the details and the status of the prisoners."

There was a knock on the door and it was opened and a now familiar lady stepped into the room.

"Lady Jandice, a pleasure for you to come see me." Troubridge said and smiled.

"Commodore Troubridge." Lady Jandice greeted him. She was wearing a long purple robe of Dalaran which hid her purple and black dress underneath it. "And Prince Alric, I didn’t expect to see you here."

"Neither did I expect to see you here either Lady Jandice. Good morning, it is nice to see you." You said back and pointed to a chair for her to sit. "Did the two of you have a plan to discuss something in private? Am I interrupting your plans?"

"Just normal business, the Barovs have things the naval base could find useful and use." Troubridge said. "Nothing that we can’t discuss on a later date."

"And why are you here?" Jandice asked you.

1/2

>>5648209

"Our troubles." You said and sighed. "I wanted to go through the events and details one more time before the meeting. I have already talked with Sahvan and I didn’t learn anything new from him. Only new idea I got was to use myself as bait and publicly call the fourth assassin out."

"How would that even work?" Jandice asked and seemed curious about the idea as she raised her brow and gave you a questioning look.

"I don't know." You said and sighed.

"It is not the worst idea, but I am not sure if the assassin takes the bait. If they were even the one who did the poisoning. After all, weren't the remaining poison vials and the cloak found in the rooms used by our assassin trio?" Troubridge said back.

"You are correct, very correct." You said and nodded.

"We do not have leads." Jandice said to both of you and took a bite of a slice of cheese. "We won't find our fourth assassin. Mark my words that the poisoner will get away."

She gave you a glance that was easy to interpret. Even if the two of you had a good cooperation going on yesterday, she still seemed to blame you for these events.

"That is a likely possibility." Troubridge said. "But it won't hurt us to go over the events again before the meeting."

…

There really was nothing new to be found or discussed. All angles had been covered at least once so the discussion turned towards the meeting.

Lord Blackmoore wanted to hang both Sahvan and Pai, but you had promised to keep Sahvan protected and alive. While both were your prisoners, you weren't home nor your jurisdictions reached here.

From the discussions it was clear that Troubridge was the neutral party in this. Acting as the representative of the Alliance and the Alliance Navy, there were certain expectations on how he should act. After all, if there are mistakes or he left bad impressions, it would reflect back to the Alliance. He would look at this and try to get an end result that is positive for the Alliance.

Jandice wasn't as neutral, not at all. You were fairly certain that getting her on your side wouldn't be easy, but she was a shrewd businesswoman and an archmage. There was a definite possibility of getting her support in some way if you could get her to see the benefits to her, her family or Dalaran. Otherwise you think that she would be glad to see both hanging.

Now though the topic of allowing Sahvan and Pai to live wasn't easy. Sahvan would be way easier to save as he was a turncoat after all and had helped you. Pai meanwhile as the more experienced veteran would be way more difficult to protect, but it could be worth it. Pai knew way more about Syndicate than Sahvan did and you had barely scratched the surface of what you could potentially learn. Keeping her alive as well could be a tremendous boon in the long run. That is at least what you thought.

Though achieving that would be difficult.

2/2

>>5648211


Choose one:
>Argue in favour of protecting Sahvan from the noose. Pai can hang.
>Argue in favour of protecting both Sahvan and Pai.

Favours and benefits:
>Offer to share intel from the interrogations with the Alliance.
>Offer to share intel from the interrogations with both the Alliance and Barovs.
>Offer a favour to Commodore Troubridge if he supports you during the meeting.
>Offer a favour to Lady Jandice if she supports you during the meeting.
>Offer to support Dalaran if they require your help if Lady Jandice supports you during the meeting.
>Offer to negotiate with Barovs regarding Strahnbrad Hills. You can't promise land, but maybe some resources could be theirs.
>Other, write in

Arguments:
>Other, write in. A good write in might give you a small bonus.

QM: Will you try to save both of your prisoners and will you attempt to make Troubridge and/or Jandice to support you with offers and promises.

>>5648213
>Argue in favour of protecting Sahvan from the noose. Pai can hang.
>Offer to share intel from the interrogations with the Alliance.
>Offer a favour to Lady Jandice if she supports you during the meeting.

Omg you're back! I thought the QM curse got the best of you. Im very glad to have that proven wrong.

>>5648213
>Argue in favour of protecting both Sahvan and Pai.
More of a negotiation tactic than an actual goal. Sahvan is out the question and Pai is ultimately expendable but we shouldn't let her know that. Saving Sahvan is a must and getting Pai as well is a bonus.

>Offer to share intel from the interrogations with both the Alliance and Barovs.
I don't want any swords of damocles hanging over our heads so this is what is reasonable to me.
>Offer to support Dalaran if they require your help if Lady Jandice supports you during the meeting.
Though this could be reasonable as well. Medivh, what does "support" mean here exactly?

As for arguments, I don't know what would be effective so I'll just use the argument I would make if I were in Alric's position which would be to question the purpose of this whole affair.

It seems more like an action born out of impotence rather than that of retribution to the killer. Why not leave them in our care? They tried to kill us so why would you deny us the agency to decide their fate? Scapegoating them because we have no suspects does not deliver justice in Maleb's murder.

Something like that. I'd write more but phoneposting is bothersome.

>>5648420
I left the support quite open and vague on purpose. Dalaran might require services and help in things they can't or won't do by themselves.

Alric isn't exactly sure what they could ask for him to do, but knows that Kael'thas wants to cooperate with you and Alterac.

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I will update tomorrow as two votes just isn't enough for a daily update. Only thing I can see an agreement upon is sharing the intel from the interrogations with the Alliance, everything else has a single vote.

>>5649215
Anons are probably rereading last thread to remember what was going on before the break.

>>5648213
>>Argue in favour of protecting both Sahvan and Pai.
although it's true this is not our jurisdiction and at the end of the day, Blackmoore's word decides here, these two were here after us - it's the extra we are looking for that has poisoned Blackmoore's drink, making HIM a target, and the two have been - albeit so far unsuccessfully and with some obstinacy - cooperative in figuring out what went down. Allowing us to make use of them to further pursue the faction that didn't hesitate to poison Blackmoore in his own home would be to his benefit as well.

>Offer to share intel from the interrogations with both Alliance and Barovs
this is not ideal, but justifiable considering what happened.

I'm kind of low iq and can't keep up with the layers of intrigue
are there any risks with sharing the intel? can someone spell it out to me

>>5649231
well if I recall, the interrogations so far yielded some insight into faction layout within Syndicate, though with not much specifics. Jandice already knows something because she was there when we interrogated Pai so she already has us by the balls in that respect...
As for the consequences, well, potentially sharing that information could limit our maneuvering space when we next interact with someone we know has ties to syndicates, it could give Alliance an advantage that could lead to them making a move against Syndicate or its internal politics in a way we would rather they did not (such as, I don't know, moving against a faction more friendly to us and making it more difficult for us to reintegrate the rogue Alteracis into our realm)

But realistically our ability to play cloak and dagger without alliance involvement is slim, especially given how deep Blackmoore and Jandice are already involved.

>I'm kind of low iq
we all are here, friend, I'm afraid

Vote still isn't closed?

Ok I'll confirm my vote to
>Offer to support Dalaran if they require your help if Lady Jandice supports you during the meeting.

And I'll add a method to the argument I presented. Alric should make the matter personal to him and Jandice, appeal to her pride and more subtly to her interest in him. Basically, apply the socratic method to her opinion and when she is unable to provide an answer beside "they're syndicate assassins" use the methods I outlined in the previous post and this one. Maybe use Troubridge as social proof if he is convinced before Jandice.

>>5649231
Basically what >>5649284 said. It's nothing really juicy, mostly just a description of Syndicate factionalism.

>>5648213
Welcome back Medivh.
>Argue in favour of protecting both Sahvan and Pai.
Pretty sure i said this last thread but we need to protect sahvan from both the alliance and syndicate as protecting a turncoat would prove powerfull incentive to other would be turncoats as it would prove we CAN protect them.
>Offer to share intel from the interrogations with both the Alliance and Barovs.
Troubridge seems reasonable about this and Jandice is the one who needs more enticing.
>Other, write in. A good write in might give you a small bonus.
Remind them that the Syndicate is the enemy in all this. A force that operates mostly and effectively from the shadows and that killing them both would deny us all important information and make further turncoats harder to get.

>>5649284
>>5649285
thanks, lads
Couple of other things
Can we actually bargain with intel? Would Troubridge be insulted that we didn't freely share that kind of thing with the Alliance and expected something in return?
Of course not a fan of owing a favour, but is the other stuff too much for us to offer? If I remember right, we got called out for unilaterally committing to big things without consulting them

>>5649316
consulting our officers, I mean

>>5649316
>>5649318
I really doubt that Troubridge really gives a shit about something like that unlike the sperg kings in the Alliance and that promise to Garside was a mistake.

>>5648213
>Argue in favour of protecting Sahvan from the noose. Pai can hang.
Pai is not long for this world, got to give something to Blackmoore as well.
>Offer to share intel from the interrogations with both the Alliance and Barovs.
Barobs will probably find out anything we tell the Alliance regardless, may as well work closer since they have interest in the same region as us. Kind of have to at this point since they have the whole scoop. Troughbridge hopefully goes for this.
>Offer a favour to Lady Jandice if she supports you during the meeting.
She can use her favor for influence in the hills or Dalaran if she chooses to. She is someone influential that we can buy off here, so we should do so.
As for the argument, honestly it’s Blackmoore’s decision, but Sahvan only attacked us and it’s the fourth assassin who is truly nefarious and bloodthirsty.

Protecting both of them, sharing intel with both Alliance and Barovs and offering a favour to Jandice wins.

Could I have another roll for a random event.


>1d10
>Taking the second roll

Rolled 2 (1d10)

>>5650149

Rolled 5 (1d10)

>>5650149
What was the effect of a 10 on the second roll >>5648139 here do btw?

Rolled 8 (1d10)

>>5650149
Still no rollers? I'll roll again then, Medivh can refuse it if he wants.

Rolled 6 (1d10)

>>5650149

“My goal is to protect both Sahvan and Pai from the hanging.” You said after a pause in the discussion.

“Both? Sahvan I understand, but Pai?” Troubridge asked you. “The turncoat isn’t too much to ask, but their leader?”

Jandice gave Troubridge an acknowledging nod. She didn’t like what she was hearing.

“Sahvan needs to live, he betrayed his comrades and when the word gets out and spreads, my reputation of not executing my enemies is going to help me a lot.” You said. “And if I now go and execute him, will anyone else want to surrender to me?”

“And that is a smart move, but…” Troubridge started to speak.

“But Pai is their senior, their leader, someone with way more knowledge and information about the Syndicate than Sahvan.” You said and turned to speak to Jandice. “We interrogated her, we know that we only scratched the surface in what we could get out of her.”

You continued after a pause.

“We need that information. The Syndicate is an organisation working in shadows and behind our backs. I know damningly little about them or their operations so every bit of information could help me to cover my own back… and to protect the Alliance from their machinations.” You spoke to them. “Not forgetting the risks they pose towards peace and trade across Hillsbrad and Lordaeron.”

“It is true that we need information…” Troubridge mused aloud.

“And it doesn’t help us if we cut our source of information just because Lord Blackmoore wants them to hang.” You said and put an emphasis on your words with a deep sigh. Going against your host's wishes like this was a bit brazen, but your arguments were solid.

Jandice who had stayed mostly silent, shifted on her seat.

“Prince Alric, what are you suggesting?” She asked you.

“I want the support from the both of you during the meeting to ensure that both Pai and Sahvan survive.” You told them.

“Sahvan can avoid the noose…” Troubridge started to speak again.

“And I will offer to share the information I get from Sahvan and Pai with both the Alliance.” You said and turned again to speak with Jandice. “And with the Barovs. It doesn’t have to be just Alterac who benefits from the intel.”

“It seems that you have more to say to us.” Troubridge said back.

“I am also willing to… discuss some terms and favours with Lady Jandice on a later date.” You said to her. “A further cooperation between Alterac and Barovs… and of course through Lady Jandice, Dalaran as well would be beneficial to all of us.”

Jandice gave you a curious look and then nodded.

“I won’t promise you anything Prince Alric, but what you just said is quite interesting. We do need the information and I don’t think we can’t really decline the offer.” Jandice said and looked at Troubridge.

The naval officer thought about your words and then gave a nod to Jandice.

“I agree, I will support you. We need that information more than Lord Blackmoore needs his vengeance.” Troubridge said back.

1/2

>>5650230

“Thank you Commodore.” You said back to him.

“Don’t thank me yet, the meeting hasn’t happened and we do not know how it will go.” Troubridge said.

“In that case, I think it would be time for me to leave.” Jandice said and stood up. “See you in the meeting.”

The archmage left Troubridges room leaving the two of you alone.

You continued to speak with him a bit about the meeting, but when it was clear that you had said everything you wanted, you too left his office.

The meeting would happen soon, so you opted to speak with Blackmoore briefly before it.

…

>5

You had made your way back towards his study while being flanked by your knights when you bumped into someone who would be most likely joining you in the meeting.

“Good morning Langston.” You said to Blackmoore’s second in command.

“Good morning Prince Alric, beautiful weather isn’t it.” He said.

“Weather? Has it stopped snowing?” You carefully asked him.

“You would be correct.” Langston was practically beaming with happiness. “This wretched weather has finally cleared.”

“And now people can start leaving the Keep…” You mused aloud.

“Yes, but not yet. We need to clear the yard properly and see how full of snow the roads are first.” Langston said to you.

This was wonderful news, you could finally start planning to leave Durnholde, but at the same time this means that the potential fourth assassin can leave as well. You were running out of time and fast if you wanted to catch them.

Langston noticed that something he said had caught your nerve.

“What is it?” He asked.


>Have Langston realise how little time you have if you want to find the fourth assassin. When the guests start to leave, so can the assassin.
>Order Langston to make sure that the work to clear the yard from snow is done slowly on purpose, you need more time and you can’t exactly bar the gates.
>Ask for his support to prevent Sahvan and Pai from hanging, even if it means going against the wishes of Lord Blackmoore
>Ask if he has had time to talk with Lady Edith and Hilde yet?
>Other, write in

QM: >>5650163 "Give me a roll to see if Troubridge is alone or if he has company."

>>5650231
Yes but I thought that that was the effect from the best of the three dice with the second dice having a different effect. If all that matters is the second roll then why roll 3 times instead of 1?

>>5650231
>Have Langston realise how little time you have if you want to find the fourth assassin. When the guests start to leave, so can the assassin.
>Ask if he has had time to talk with Lady Edith and Hilde yet?

>>5650231
Hmm I feel like asking him about the women could yield unexpected insight… I also wonder if we should try and to gauge his response to a probing statement, maybe something to the effect “Falconcrest’s man will soon be revealed to all.”

>>5650233
Well I just wanted a random 1-10 roll and asking for the second roll gives two players a chance to roll and participate. I could ask for just a one roll, but that cuts participation, even if it is just rolling some dice. When I ask for 1d10, taking the second roll, I am not asking for three rolls. Just two are required.

>>5650231
>Have Langston realise how little time you have if you want to find the fourth assassin. When the guests start to leave, so can the assassin.
>Order Langston to make sure that the work to clear the yard from snow is done slowly on purpose, you need more time and you can’t exactly bar the gates.
Still have no idea who the assassin could possibly be, hopefully another day of searching will turn up results. Risk pissing off the other guests, but hey.
>Ask if he has had time to talk with Lady Edith and Hilde yet?
We can at least pretend to be interested and friendly with him.
>Other
I want to go over that new servant girl with him one more time, if Falconcrest is out to kill us and/or Blackmoore, I think she's a strong possibility.

“Can we talk in your office?” You asked Langston. His office was just right there.

“Yeah, sure.” Langston said back and went to open the door.

You left your knights outside the door when you stepped in. They wouldn’t have to be part of this discussion.

“So what is it Prince Alric?” Langston asked you.

“You do understand that with the snowstorm having ended and the weather having cleared, the fourth assassin can leave with the guests.” You told him a bit bluntly.

You could see the happy mood switch to annoyance immediately on his face when you said that. He clearly hadn’t thought about that.

“You are right… the assassin can leave now.” Langston said. “I could have the guards close the gate?”

“No, we can’t keep the guests here locked like prisoners.” You said back to him somewhat disappointed. “We are running out of time to find the fourth assassin.”

“Then what can we do?” Langston asked you.

“Have the guards check who is leaving and when and keep track of them. That is the least we can do.” You said and sighed.

“There really isn’t that much that we can do…” Langston sighed.

A thought did come to your mind, what about the new servant girl Langston had scouted and who had apparently caught the eye of Blackmoore. Could she be part of this?

“There really isn’t.” You said and deflected. “Have you had time to talk with Lady Edith and Hilde?”

“A moment ago in the mess hall… we did plan on spending some time later today.” Langston said back. “While the grand feast has been cancelled thanks to our unpleasant events… we still have loads of food and drink to serve to those willing.”

“I see, well I hope that your plans work…” You said back and thought about Langston's attempt to betroth the young Hilde. Your own knight Sir Gravis was another possibility, but you might have to arrange some things for that to happen.

You had some ideas in your mind though, you couldn’t get the servant girl… Annabel was her name out of your mind.

Maybe you should bring her up, but you aren’t sure how Langston will react. After all he was the one who vouched for her. Maybe you could ask something from Langston before you talk with Blackmoore?


>Ask about Annabel, you find her suspicious.
>Talk about Annabel the servant girl, isn’t it curious how after Langston scouted her, she ended up with Blackmoore? You aren’t sure how Langston would react to that.
>Ask what Langston is planning to talk with Lady Edith and Hilde.
>Cut the talks short and thank Langston for arranging the guards to keep watch over the guests. You need to go and talk with Blackmoore next.
>Other, write in.

>>5651212
>Cut the talks short and thank Langston for arranging the guards to keep watch over the guests. You need to go and talk with Blackmoore next.
He is going to be very angry at trying to save both

>>5650245
Seems rather pointless to me, why have a person make a roll that has no chance of affecting anything?

>>5651212
Ugh... I fear that making a wrong step will add another headache on our ever increasing amount of trouble.
>Ask about Annabel
>Talk about Annabel the servant girl, isn’t it curious how after Langston scouted her, she ended up with Blackmoore? You aren’t sure how Langston would react to that.
It's one lead, might as well see if it amounts to anything.

This was really frustrating. Everyone seemed to have an alibi or someone else vouching for them which would make accusing them a much harder task. And you couldn’t get Annabel the new servant girl out of your mind and Langston vouched for her, after all he was the one who had scouted her.

“I do need to ask about someone we have already cleared to not be the fourth assassin.” You said to Langston and continued. “The new servant girl, Annabel was her name?”

“Yes, what about her? I told you I don’t think she is an assassin or an agent.” Langston said back to you.

“How would I say it… but it feels somewhat fishy how fast she managed to catch Lord Blackmoore’s eye…” You said to him carefully. “I have heard the rumours, so you must have as well.”

This seemed to sting Langston somewhat. It was quite clear that he didn’t like the rumours of Blackmoore having taken her as an another mistress. Was Langston annoyed that his boss had taken the woman he had scouted and hired? It seemed like it.

“I have heard the rumours yes…” Langstons said and sighed. “But have you seen her?”

“I can’t say that I have.” You said back to him.

“As I told you, she have certain… assets that Lord Blackmoore finds attractive.” Langston said. “You would understand if you saw her.”

“Really only because of her… assets?” You asked back. It can’t be the only reason.

“Alric, she has big breasts and a large ass.” Langston said and laughed and tried to show how big they were with his hands. “Her place wasn’t in Southshore or in the village inn, so I brought her here where she could be more appreciated.”

“Alright… alright, I trust your word about her and her assets.” You said back to him. “But you do know that doesn’t mean that she couldn’t be an assassin. Pai does have assets of her own as well.”

“And that is why you want to keep her protected?” Langston said and laughed. “I jest, but you are right in that it does look suspicious how fast she ended up with Lord Blackmoore, but I don't believe she is our fourth assassin.”

The annoyance was back in the voice of Langston when he finished what he said.

“So not her then… we really do not have anyone to point our fingers at.” You said with a deep sigh.

“We really don’t.” Langston said. “But if you want, I can introduce you to Annabel.”

You waved the suggestion away, chasing her didn’t feel that smart of a thing to do. And what would it do to the rumours circulating around you. Another young and beautiful lady being in your presence wouldn’t exactly help you.

1/2

>>5652334

“Then I think I will go and talk with Lord Blackmoore next before the meeting happens.” You said and stood up from the chair. “I bet he wants to decide the fate of the prisoners as fast as possible.”

“You are right Prince Alric.” Langston said and stood up as well. “After the meeting I could try to look into our guests one more time.”

“I don’t think we can learn much more about them.” You said back. “But it is better than nothing.”

“Do you have anyone in mind I should look more closely at?” Langston asked you. “I probably have time for one or two.”

You weren’t sure if this was going to help you or find the suspected fourth Syndicate assassin, but hey you didn’t exactly have leads. Maybe you should just push Langston towards Lady Edith and Hilde so that they could spend some time together and for Lady Edith to see if Langston is a suitable husband for Hilde. That would clear that out of things for you to do. And if Langston doesn't find anyone or anything new to be suspicious, this could make the fourth assassin to react and maybe even reveal themselves.


Choose one for Langston to investigate:
>Annabel, the new servant girl who was a courtesan before she was hired by Langston. You just can't shake her out of your mind.
>Sir Foecourt, petty noble living in an old tower north-west of Durnholde Keep near the mountains and Thoradin’s wall.
>Sir Gorman, the man technically in charge of the village next to the keep and who is Lord Blackmoore’s drinking buddy
>Lady Edith Imswit, the head of a house that has been in decline. Langston could talk with her and Hilde, two flies with one strike.
>Remaining petty nobles in Durnholde, one of them could be the fourth assassin.
>Burghers and traders from Hillsbrad and Southshore. Being an outsider who travels a lot could be a great disguise for an assassin.
>Servants and guards of Durnholde Keep. Going through the recent hires for the second time could be useful.

>>5652341
>Burghers and traders from Hillsbrad and Southshore. Being an outsider who travels a lot could be a great disguise for an assassin.
It's one that the syndicate used before

>>5652341
>Burghers and traders from Hillsbrad and Southshore. Being an outsider who travels a lot could be a great disguise for an assassin.

>>5652341
>>Sir Gorman, the man technically in charge of the village next to the keep and who is Lord Blackmoore’s drinking buddy
Drinking buddy... hmm...

>>5652341
>>Burghers and traders from Hillsbrad and Southshore. Being an outsider who travels a lot could be a great disguise for an assassin.
uhmmmmmmmmmmm

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"The traders, they are outsiders after all and it would make a great disguise for a travelling assassin or an agent." You said.

"There are quite many of them, but I can look into them." Langston said with a sigh.

"And even if you don't find anything, maybe us being persistent spooks the assassin and forces them to act." You said and shrugged. "Not much else we could do."


"You are right Prince Alric." Langston said. "I will get into it immediately after the meeting is over."

"Thank you Langston." You said back to him.

You didn’t like the man, but you could get along with him. And he was quite a hard-working person on top of that. It wouldn’t hurt being polite towards him.

…

You had left Langston and with just a couple steps walked to the door to Blackmoore’s study and opened the door and stepped in.

"Ahh, good morning Prince Alric." Blackmoore mumbled between bites of chicken and some bread. "The other's haven't arrived here yet."

"Good morning Lord Blackmoore. And that is a good thing, I first wanted to talk in private." You said and noticed that Blackmoore wasn't drinking wine or anything else alcoholic. He was as sober as he could be.

"Talk? I presume about the prisoners of yours." Blackmoore said and put down his utensils. "They will both hang, I cannot allow assassins to act in my keep freely and do what they want. They need to be punished and a message needs to be sent."

He seemed serious and adamant about his position and what he wants to happen.

"So what of them? You want to keep them alive or what?" Blackmoore asked you and sipped something that looked like herbal tea.


>Yes, you don't want it to be a surprise to Lord Blackmoore what your intent is. Both Pai and Sahvan are to live.
>The intelligence gained from them is worth a lot more. Maybe Durnholde could get their own share of what you learn.
>Hanging them won't bring back Magistrate Maleb, it will harm us more than help us.
>Blackmoore’s want of revenge and retribution is a mistake. Be adamant and clear that you think that he is wrong about wanting to hang them.
>Be very clear that you think that hanging either or both of them is a huge mistake and supporting said idea is foolish and stupid. Don't even try to be polite about it.
>Other, write in.

>>5653338
>The intelligence gained from them is worth a lot more. Maybe Durnholde could get their own share of what you learn.
>Sahvan is important to maintain my reputation of letting enemies surrender, which has been a boon agaisnt the syndicate so far, and we have yet to get all the information from Pai. If she doesn't squeal even after all this trouble, she can die for all I care

>>5653338
Yes, we want them alive, and present the arguments.
He is right to be outraged, in his position we’d be livid as well. But neither of the two was responsible for the poisoning, the fourth one is, the one that belongs to a rival faction to them. Executing them works in favour of the person that poisoned Blackmoore’s own private stock.

(If someone can formulate our case in such a manner that Blackmoore ends up thinking it’s his own idea to extradite those two into our hands, that would be even better.)

>>5653338
>Yes, you don't want it to be a surprise to Lord Blackmoore what your intent is. Both Pai and Sahvan are to live.
>The intelligence gained from them is worth a lot more. Maybe Durnholde could get their own share of what you learn.

>>5653338
>>The intelligence gained from them is worth a lot more. Maybe Durnholde could get their own share of what you learn.

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"Yes, I want to keep both of them alive." You said to him. "You have the right to be outraged and I would be livid as well if I were in your shoes, but they are more worth living than dead."

"A message needs to be sent to your brother that this kind of action is unacceptable." Blackmoore said back to you and raised his voice a little. "We cannot allow assassins and agents to waltz into our homes and lands freely."

"And yet we do not know who our fourth assassin is." You said and sighed. "We have just barely scratched the surface of what we could learn about the Syndicate from Pai and Sahvan. If we learned more, we could try to prevent their moves and thwart their plans."

You could see Blackmoore being conflicted as you said that. He was a smart man and could see the benefits in what you just said, but could he let his want for revenge go?

There was a knock on the door and a familiar person walked in carrying a tray with a pot on it.

"Good morning Prince Alric." Taretha Foxton said to you and gave you a gentle smile. "Lord Blackmoore, I brought more tea just like you asked."

Blackmoore nodded and allowed Taretha to fill his cup before she left the pot on the table.

"My Lord, is anything else required?" Taretha asked him before turning towards you. "How about you Prince Alric?"

"I am fine, no need for anything." You said. "And good morning."

Even though Taretha had been "given" to you for the duration of your visit, she still had a lot of work to do. You could see how she carried this masquerade of confidence and stiff upper lip as she served Blackmoore. You have seen how conflicted and confused she has been. Poor girl.

"Nothing, you may leave." Blackmoore said and watched as Taretha left the study with an empty tray. "She is a fine girl, I hope you have liked her."

"Taretha is a fine servant." You said and avoided answering his question directly.

"That is good to hear." Blackmoore said. He seemed pleased with that answer.

"To get back to what we were discussing, Alterac is willing to share the information we get out of the assassins with Durnholde." You told him.

Blackmoore opted to stay silent for a moment as he sipped the tea.

"Tell me Prince Alric, what would I do with the potential information you could get out of those assassins? How would it benefit me?" Blackmoore said and continued. "Most importantly, what do you think the Syndicate and your brother could have planned for me?"

Well you had some ideas, but you weren't sure how much things like insight into their organisation interests Blackmoore. You are probably going to need something more, something substantial. You probably need to hit somewhere close that is important to Blackmoore, but maybe not too close.

1/1

>>5654107


>Insight into the Syndicate as an organisation and how they work.
>Ability to find and recognise their agents and assassins.
>To protect yourself from plots and intrigue.
>Syndicate could interrupt trade and send bandits to cause chaos.
>Syndicate infiltrators could work from within to cause havoc and harm to you.
>Syndicate could attempt to assassinate you and your guests again.
>Syndicate could attempt to free the orcs from the Internment Camps.
>Other, write in.

QM: Choose as many as you want. Good write ins can work wonders in this case.

>>5654109
>Insight into the Syndicate as an organisation and how they work.
>Ability to find and recognise their agents and assassins.
>Syndicate could interrupt trade and send bandits to cause chaos.
>Syndicate infiltrators could work from within to cause havoc and harm to you.

>>5654109
>Insight into the Syndicate as an organisation and how they work.
>Ability to find and recognise their agents and assassins.
>To protect yourself from plots and intrigue.
The sabotage options literally should just be one thing instead as syndicate could cause great harm from within and without.
>Syndicate infiltrators could work from within to cause havoc and harm to you.
>Syndicate could attempt to assassinate you and your guests again.
>Syndicate could attempt to free the orcs from the Internment Camps.
>Other, write in.
Appeal to hes pride and greed. The alliance leaders are aware of the syndicate and blackmoore aiding against the syndicate could bring him prestige and some good PR with the alliance and be seen as a good stabilising force in the region.

>>5654109
Well, we now know they have presence here and are not afraid to attempt assassination, including high profile target such as yourself. What other operations can they interfere? The tournaments? Orc camp operations?
We need to know what plans they have for Durnholde to be able to counter them. Maybe some other noble is looking to displace you?

"How they work, recognising the patterns and common ways they accomplish their goals. We have a lot to learn of how they act outside of hiring bandits and fighting us directly." You told Blackmoore and continued. "If the absolute basics are known to us, then they have to put more effort in their operations beyond their core territories."

Blackmoore didn’t say anything to you and he allowed you to continue without interrupting your argument.

"If their actions can be interrupted, thwarted and completely stopped, we could prevent so much harm that could happen to us." You said.

"And what exactly would that be?" Blackmoore asked you. He probably already knew what you would be saying, so you needed what you were going to say to be as convincing as possible.

"Syndicate has already infiltrated Durnholde and they had no qualms in attempting to poison and kill us. If they aren’t above assassinations, you can bet that they could try a second time." You said to him and continued. "We know that they have their presence here so what else could they attempt to do to us."

You sat down on a chair by the table to be able to talk on the same level as Blackmoore.

"Bandits and robbers to raid and interrupt trade. I have faced such men before and I will face them again in future. What would stop them from striking at Durnholde?" You said and continued. "What other operations can they interfere? The gladiator tournaments? Internment Camps?"

That caught his attention. Blackmoore was on shaky ground and more or less thanks to his good work at running the Internment Camps, the perceived issues the Alliance has seen aren’t enough to strip him off his position.

"We need to know what plans they have for Durnholde to be able to counter them. And if we can’t counter them, we could face direct threats towards you and Durnholde. And if these threats are successful, what can stop the Alliance from stripping you from your position?"

Blackmoore finished his cup of tea and put the cup down before standing up himself. Now it was your turn to listen as he talked to you.

"Prince Alric, you make good points and I agree with some of them, but there is a big difference between you and me." Blackmoore said to you as he walked past you. "It is our reputation. People talk of you as this Prince with a bleeding heart, as someone who is ready to imprison and forgive bandits while others think that they deserve the rope."

1/2

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>>5654775

"My reputation is that of a warrior, I fought for this position and I didn’t give an inch to my enemies." Blackmoore said and raised his voice a bit to make what he said as clear as day. "I cannot look weak and letting the prisoners go would be a sign of that. Because think about it, how will the people see all of this? Two assassins caught alive, but not made to hang after they killed Magistrate Maleb. Southshore alone will be mad that their leader is now dead and mark my words that they want retribution."

You watched as he walked to his work desk to take out a small flask of something, most likely alcohol, and took a small sip of it before turning to speak with you again.

"I won't take that chance Prince Alric, I won't show weakness like how you have dealt with the bandits and now want to deal with these assassins." Blackmoore said to you. "That weakness will be the end of you."

You stood up and nearly opened your mouth to speak, but opted instead to stay silent. You didn’t like how Blackmoore had talked to you, but raising your own voice wouldn't help you here at all. He definitely noticed that you didn't like what he had just said.

"Prince Alric, let's make a compromise then. I do not care for the man so you can have him, but the woman. She hangs today." Blackmoore said with a smirk. "Let's make this official before the meeting then, we don't need to waste time with further arguments or voting."

There it was, he was ready to allow Sahvan to live while you wanted both of them alive. A small compromise which got you wondering if he wasn't sure he would win a potential vote. With you were Lady Jandice and Commodore Troubridge, against you was Lord Blackmoore while Magistrate Burnside and Captain Alphonse were unknown. Three votes to one vote with two unknowns, it could end up as a draw or maybe you had enough support to win the potential vote?

Are you sure that you have enough support if it goes to a vote or will you take his compromise?


Choose one:
>Compromise, Sahvan lives while Pai hangs
>The meeting and the potential vote will decide, don't take his offer.

>>5654777
>Compromise, Sahvan lives while Pai hangs

>>5654777
>>The meeting and the potential vote will decide, don't take his offer.
Fuck it im doing it risky.
If it fails we got a good excuse to distance ourselves from blackmoore.

>>5654777
>>The meeting and the potential vote will decide, don't take his offer.
Acknowledge his stance, but don't take this deal. Aside from chance to save Pai's life (for now) we already made our case to the commodore - should we go back on our word?

Another question is what implications will be for our other objective of saving Taretha. If we take the deal, will he consider it a favour to hold over us? Or will he be even more mad at being pressured to giving up both of the assassins by the impromptu loot council. But by the same token, if he's urged to relinquish them for the benefit of the Alliance and against the syndicate, he will not have to be worried about his "warrior" reputation - he is simply being a gracious host sidelining his personal preference for the Alliance.

>>5654777
>>The meeting and the potential vote will decide, don't take his offer.
trips

>>5654777
>>Compromise, Sahvan lives while Pai hangs

"I will have to decline. While I see and understand where you are coming from, I can’t accept your offer." You said to Blackmoore.

You could see the frown appear on his face immediately.

"I see…" he said with a tone full of displeasure. "Expect that many will share my opinion on the assassins… and you."

"I have nothing against you Lord Blackmoore, I just don't agree with you regarding this."

Blackmoore frowned again and looked at you.

"So be it, meeting it is." He said. "I will be in my bedroom."

"I will wait here then." You said and sat back down.

…

You didn’t have to wait too long for people to arrive to study. Commodore Troubridge and Captain Alphonse were first to arrive and the two naval officers after greeting you started to chit-chat about mundane naval issues.

Lady Jandice Barov was next and after she had greeted all of you, she told that Mayor Fowley wouldn't be participating in the meeting. He apparently wasn't feeling well with the death of his good friend and stomach problems having returned affecting him. Magistrate Burnside followed shortly behind her and with Karramyn Langston coming right behind him, everyone who would participate in the meeting was here.

Blackmoore made his timely return and asked you to find a place to sit around the table. Knowing that you and him were in disagreement, you didn’t sit down next to him like it was maybe expected, but opposite of him.

This wasn’t left unnoticed.

"Thank you for coming." Blackmoore greeted all of you. You weren't sure if he had been drinking more.

"Lord Blackmoore, it is our honour to be here." Commodore Troubridge said back to him.

"Yes, let's get this over with. The fourth assassin and our prisoners…" Blackmoore started to say.

"I call a vote on the prisoners Sahvan and Pai." You interrupted him.

"Already?" Blackmoore asked back.

"You did say to me that you wanted to get over this quickly." You said back and turned towards Troubridge who understood your intent.

"This isn't a normal situation, so the vote is allowed." Troubridge said. "The prisoners were captured by Prince Alric and with his status as a member of royalty, he has a right to call a vote. If we tried to decline his request, it is well within his rights to demand the Kingdom of Lordaeron and King Terenas to intervene on his behalf."

Blackmoore glared at Troubridge as he explained the legalities.

"Though we are not in Alterac and I am the Lord of this Keep." Blackmoore said.

"Tis true, but you don't understand his status. He might be a Prince of a ruined kingdom, but it doesn't remove his legal status." Troubridge explained. Blackmoore seemed to accept the situation through gritted teeth. "Prince Alric, what are your demands?"

1/3

>>5655643

"Prisoners Sahvan and Pai are to be moved fully into my custody and any claims by other parties on them must be dropped." You told him. "They won't be hanged."

"Noted, anyone in opposition?" Troubridge said.

"Aye, I demand that both prisoners hang." Blackmoore said. "Revenge needs to be served and an example needs to be made. We cannot allow the Syndicate to escape without a punishment."

"Also noted, anyone else?" Troubridge said and as no one else said anything he continued. "Then if no one has anything to say, we can continue and vote. Mayor Fowley who isn't here would have had a vote and Karramyn Langston doesn't have a vote. We will start with Prince Alric."

That evens out the situation. You were fairly certain that Fowley would have voted for you and Langston would have supported Balckmoore. It made sense to not allow second in commands to vote after all.

"I support myself of course. Hanging the prisoners won't bring back Magistrate Maleb and we would lose an important source of information." You said and Troubridge counted your vote and signalled to Captain Alphonse to vote next.

"I support Lord Blackmoore, a signal must be sent and while information is valuable, two low level assassins won't have the access to valuable information." Captain Alphonse said back.

Blackmoore smirked as it was his turn to vote.

"I support myself. I have made my point clear." Blackmoore said. He now had two votes to one of yours. "Please Magistrate Burnside, it is your turn now."

"I abstain." Burnside said.

"What? You aren’t voting?" Blackmoore said in a surprise. "I thought you would like to see justice served?"

"While Magistrate Maleb was my friend and I would like to see justice happen, nothing will bring him back." Burnside said and gave a nod to you. "I abstain."

"Abstain it is." Troubridge said. "I vote in support of Prince Alric. The information is more valuable to us than a pair of bodies."

You wanted to smile, but kept your cool this time. Blackmoore meanwhile wasn't happy about this. The votes were two to two now, the next vote would decide it.

"Lady Jandice, your turn and final vote please." Troubridge said to her.

"I support Prince Alric." Lady Jandice said. "That is all."

You could see how Blackmoore couldn’t believe what he was seeing or hearing. Jandice had been furious and very accusatory towards you due to the poisoning. Blackmoore probably had been banking on that and now he was quite surprised about the result of the vote.

"Three votes to two. Prince Alric wins the vote and as the senior representative of the Alliance Navy here, I will declare that the result is under the protection of the laws of the Alliance." Troubridge declared.

"If you would excuse me." Blackmoore said and stood up as he walked away from the table and out of the study.

2/3

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>>5655646

"Why didn't you vote in support of Lord Blackmoore?" You asked Magistrate Burnside. "You had the reason to do so."

"Prince Alric, I do think that you are a walking troublemaker, but I don’t think that you are a bad person." Burnside said. "And besides, your acts of leniency solved Hillsbrad Fields' problems with the forest bandits. I am betting on that leniency again."

"Thank you Magistrate." You said and gave him a polite nod.

"Now then, the voting is done. Shall we discuss the overall situation?" Troubridge asked all of you.

"Commodore, what is there to discuss? We haven't found anything new?" Langston who had sat down on the seat Blackmoore had been sitting said to him. "Me and Prince Alric thought that it would be smart to look into the traders once more, but outside of that we have nothing."

"Better than nothing." Jandice mused aloud. "Didn’t you have something in mind Prince Alric?"

"Yes, I thought about trying to bait the fourth assassin out. If Langston starts going through the traders and I make enough noise, they might react to it, maybe flush them out." You said and shrugged. You had no idea if it would work.

"How did you think you would do it then?" Burnside asked, he didn't seem that enthusiastic about the idea. "How will the guests react if you publicly call the assassin out?"


>Call out the fourth assassin publicly and ask for an opportunity to talk with them. You want to know why they did what they did.
>Leave a message to the assassin asking to speak with them. Try not to make a scene out of it.
>Spread rumours amongst the guards, servants and the guests that you are close to finding the assassin. See if you can flush the assassin out this way.
>This plan to bait the assassin out is too uncertain and prone to fail. It is not worth trying, especially if the guests realise that you really don’t have anything else.
>Other, write in.

>>5655647
>Leave a message to the assassin asking to speak with them. Try not to make a scene out of it.
Let's leverage our reputation for lenient. The assassin could see it as us being soft and try to kill us again.
Third time is the charm, right?

>>5655647
Hmm... well, let's see. Calling the assassin out explicitly is virtually guaranteed to reach them, but they will also have no reason to honour such request, or not expect it's a trap set for them (it would be).
Leaving a message discreetly could work, but we'd need to have something to offer the assassin to lure them out while not making it too obvious as a trap.
Spreading rumours is kind of dangerous in whether it would even reach the assassin in time, but if we plant a correct rumour, we may compel the assassin to make a move, although there's also risk they will see through the trick, plus we'd need to come up with some story to spread... maybe some confident remarks about us knowing just who to write a letter to in order to turn the situation to our advantage?

I'm currently leaning towards
>Spread rumours amongst the guards, servants and the guests that you are close to finding the assassin. See if you can flush the assassin out this way.
but if we could come up with a suitably vague message to address to the assassin directly, that might be better. Perhaps something along the lines "Your secret is safe, for now, but I have a proposal you might find preferable to me writing to two people that could make your life much more difficult." or so.
And then we'd need to be careful about who approaches us as it might be the assassin in their civilian identity, and we'd have to catch them before they realize our bluff.

>>5655647
>>Leave a message to the assassin asking to speak with them. Try not to make a scene out of it.
Offer them safe passage with the Cloak so they can get out undetected.

>>5655647
>Other, write in.
Can we detect magic in use or magical items?
What if we detected someone inconspicuous that has magic emitting from them that probably wouldnt?

Could we perhaps find someone disguised as someone else? Like stolen their identify?

If we cannot detect magic, and our magical lesson so far can't help us then perhaps we can call in our spymasters mentor? The dragon lady to help us out? Like do we have a way to call her over long distances? What of that ring we received?

>>5655925
You don't have the ability to detect magic yet and calling Lady Nalice to come help you would take way too long. By the time the message goes out and she arrives here, all guests have already left. Now Lady Jandice is an archmage and she can detect magic, but she would have to either get awfully close to the items or the items themselves need to be very potent in nature.

The fourth assassin most likely is wearing a false identity, but you have already went through the guests and people working in here and haven't noticed anything that would indicate that this person is false.

So if the assassin is wearing magic items and we could get Jandice next to them, yeah she has a change to probably notice something. But would the assassin even allow her to get close?

>>5655647
>Leave a message to the assassin asking to speak with them. Try not to make a scene out of it.
I dont think spreading rumors would help its too obvious.

Leaving a message wins. Give me a roll.


>1d10
>Best of three, taking the second roll

Rolled 3 (1d10)

>>5656214
rolling in my grave.

Rolled 5 (1d10)

>>5656214
for justice!

Rolled 3 (1d10)

>>5656214

"I will write a short message to the assassin and put it up somewhere public." You said to them.

"Will that work?" Burnside asked.

"No idea, but I have a vague idea of what I should write." You said and sighed. "And if this doesn’t work, then we have tried everything."

"Couldn’t Lady Jandice use magic to find the assassin?" Langston asked carefully.

"I am a master of illusions, I am not a tracking dog Mr. Langston." Jandice said as she leaned lazily on her chair.

"What about sensing magic? Could the assassin have anything magical on themselves?" Langston continued.

"I can sense magic, but I would have to be very close to it if I were to spot a magic item." Jandice said back.

"We do not even know if the fourth assassin has magic items on them." You said. "And I would make a bet that they know to avoid Lady Jandice like a plague."

"Well it was worth asking." Langston shrugged.

"Then I think this meeting has served its purpose." Troubridge said to you. "Langston will look into the traders while Prince Alric writes a short message to the assassin. Magistrate Burnside could you please go check how Mayor Fowley is doing?"

"I can, what about you?" Burnside asked.

"We will make sure that the guards are up to date about the situation and that they report everything unusual they see." Troubridge said. "If that is fine Mr. Langston?"

"It is, just do what is required." Langston said.

"Then Lady Jandice, could you please stay with Prince Alric. You did manage to find the cloak, maybe the two of you succeeded in finding something else?" Troubridge finished.

"It is not like I have anything else to do…" Jandice said and gave the naval officer a polite nod.

…

As everyone had left to their own duties, you stayed in the study with Jandice and took out some paper, quill and ink and wrote a short message.

"Your secret is safe, for now, but I have a proposal you might find preferable to me writing to the two people that could make your life much more difficult."

Jandice read your message and gave you a curious look, but didn't say anything. She probably knew who they were, but chose not to ask you any questions.

Then it was just a matter of putting the message somewhere in public and you had a good place in your mind.

…

You had asked one of your knights to lend you a knife that you then stabbed through the paper and nailed it on the door to the mess hall.

Everyone would see the letter now, but only few would understand its message which suited you well. The knowledge of the letter would spread fast and sooner than later the assassin themselves would come and read it, or have someone else tell them the contents of it.

Then it was just a matter of waiting and you took a seat in the mess hall and ordered some lunch with Jandice, it was after all nearly midday.

1/2

>>5656360

>5
>5

People definitely had noticed the letter and the murmur of gossip and rumours was intense. Everyone realised that it was you who had put it up and they also realised that you probably didn't have much leads or ways of catching the assassin available.

This wasn’t optimal or what you wanted. Getting the guests and servants concerned could be counterproductive with your end goal of catching the assassin. This got you nervous.

Jandice noticed it, but again didn't say anything to you. You wondered if she was still mad about the poisoning and accusing you for having it happen in the first place.

"Prince Alric, what is the letter about?" Lady Malevus Silverthread asked you.

Your squire who actually was part of the renowned Silverthread family in Quel’Thalas, a family full of skilled couturiers, had left her family duties to get away from them and to become a paladin. Her dream had brought her to Alterac and into your service.

"Lady Malevus, I see you have some friends with you." You said with a jest as you know that Malevus dislikes being called a Lady. "Lady Edith, I hope my squire has kept a good company to you?"

"She has Prince Alric." Lady Edith said and kept her niece Hilde close to her. She still seemed slightly embarrassed of the request she had asked from you. "We found her returning from sparring."

"So that is where you had been? Did you at least win?" You asked Malevus.

"No Prince Alric, the Sergeant who trains the soldiers here is a great warrior." Malevus said back and sighed. You could see that she was tired and her red hair was a mess.

"Doesn't matter, I hope that you learned something new." You said to her.

Jandice and Sir Gravis kept watching the two of you talking with some amount of amusement.

Well this got you thinking. Lady Edith and her niece Hilde were here as was Sir Gravis. Maybe you could offer Sir Gravis to escort Lady Edith and keep her and her niece some company. This way Lady Edith would get to know if Sir Gravis would be a fitting husband to young Hilde.


>Tell Malevus about the letter and what your plan is. It doesn't hurt that Lady Edith learns about the plans as well.
>Ask Lady Edith what she thinks about the letter you nailed on the door.
>Offer Sir Gravis to escort and provide company to Lady Edith and Hilde. Maybe he could be a husband candidate for Hilde?
>Ask Lady Jandice what she thinks about the marriage and husband issues of Lady Edith. Maybe she has something useful to say about it.
>Other, write in.

QM: Rolls were to see how the guests react to the letter and who finds you in the mess hall.

>>5656365
Hmm... we need something suitably vague and ominous, I think. How about something like this?
>There are things, and people, that assassins fear more than death. I'd like a chance to discuss such with this one.

>>5656365
>Ask Lady Jandice what she thinks about the marriage and husband issues of Lady Edith. Maybe she has something useful to say about it.
remember we still need to talk to Blackmoore to get Taretha out of here. otherwise I have no idea where to go from here regarding the spy.

>>5656365
>Ask Lady Jandice what she thinks about the marriage and husband issues of Lady Edith. Maybe she has something useful to say about it.
>Offer Sir Gravis to escort and provide company to Lady Edith and Hilde. Maybe he could be a husband candidate for Hilde?

>>5656365
Could we have secretly watched who read the notice?

>>5657107

You could have, but it wouldn’t have helped you that much or not at all. Even if you kept track of who reads it, you have no idea if the fourth assassin was amongst them.

You invited the three ladies to sit down and join you for a moment. Amongst the guests there was a sense of nervousness and boredom as the jovial mood of these gladiator tournament feasts had been replaced by assassins and snowstorms. Now that the weather had cleared, you could feel the urgency of wanting to leave and get back home.

This meant that many of the guests were just loitering and having a smalltalk amongst each other as there was nothing better to do.

"Lady Jandice, have you heard of the marriage and husband issues Lady Edith is having?" You asked the archmage who had zoned out. Your words brought her mind back into the mess hall.

"Huh, excuse me, but I haven't heard about these issues." Jandice said and was a bit surprised. "My apologies Lady Edith."

"None taken, they aren’t important enough for a Lady and an archmage of your status to hear." Lady Edith said back to her.

"I think due to that Lady Jandice could have an opinion or a point of view we haven’t considered yet." You said to Edith. "Go on, tell her your story."

Lady Edith was somewhat reluctant to start, but then started to tell Lady Jandice about the misfortunes of her family.

"I feel sorry for the House of Imswit." Lady Jandice said to her. "While I cannot help you, I wish that you can find a good husband for yourself and for young Hilde."

"Thank you Lady Jandice." Edith said to her and gave her a polite bow.

"Do you have someone in mind?" Jandice asked.

"I did… I do have a few people in mind." Edith's eyes quickly darted at you and then back to Jandice. Edith really was still embarrassed of her suggestion. "But the list is short due to our situation."

"I see, then who are they?" Jandice continued asking the questions. It seemed like she had warmed up to this discussion.

"Karramyn Langston, Prince Alric helped to broker a deal that could bring our families together." Lady Edith told her.

Jandice seemed to think about what she was going to say very carefully before giving you a glance.

"I do not like that man." Jandice finally said. "I will leave it to that. But who else?"

"Sir Gravis of Knott." Edith said and your knight and bodyguard nearly choked on his cup of watered down wine.

"That reminded me. How about Sir Gravis keeps you and Hilde some company. Malevus can go and get herself cleaned up before taking his spot guarding me." You said.

"That sounds like a good idea." Edith said back and understood your intent. This would be a good opportunity for her to see what kind of a man Sir Gravis was.

"Well if you order so." Sir Gravis muttered. He was slightly less enthusiastic about the idea.

"Then Sir Gravis, lead on." Edith said and stood up, offering her hand for Sir Gravis to take. "Thank you for the company Lady Malevus, Prince Alric, Lady Jandice."

1/2

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>>5657325

The both Imswits gave you a polite bow to which you responded with a nod.

Now you just need to wait for the fourth assassin to read the letter and to see if you get a reply.

…

You had sent Malevus to clean herself up before she would join you. You didn’t want a smelly and tired looking squire to follow you.

The hallways of the Durnholde Keep were busy as servants, guests and guards moved about. You had learned that while the grand feast was cancelled, there was still a lot to drink and eat in the kitchen, and there would be a more informal feast later this evening. The cooks didn't want the foods they had prepared to go bad and the guests weren't too spooked by the poisoning to avoid whatever would be served to them.

"Prince Alric, I didn’t expect you to be trying to solve… marriage issues." Jandice suddenly said to you as the two of you walked down a hallway.

"Neither did I when I arrived here. I thought that this would be just a nice, fun, little week to spend away from the daily work and to relax a bit." You told her as you stopped. "I didn't expect any of this."

You felt that Jandice wanted to say something, but the tight-lipped archmage instead glared at you with a questioning look.

"Prince Alric, what will we do next?" Jandice asked you.

Yes, what will you do next? You had plenty of time to kill as you waited if the fourth assassin took the bait or if anyone else found something new.


>Go and find Lord Blackmoore. You probably should talk with him before he drinks himself into stupor and your disagreement with him festers.
>Go check your prisoners. While you don't think they can help you, they probably should learn the news of their survival.
>You had planned to talk with Lady Jandice in private and now could be the time for it. The deal regarding Strahnbrad Hills is still on the table.
>Thank Lady Jandice for escorting you and keeping you company. Go find Taretha and retreat into your bedroom. You need to talk with her as well.
>Investigate someone/something, write in.
>Other, write in.

>>5657326
>Go and find Lord Blackmoore. You probably should talk with him before he drinks himself into stupor and your disagreement with him festers.

Blackmoore seems like a good choice, but I'm also a bit concerned about the prisoner safety. If the assassin learned we're taking them, they may choose to arrange their premature demise.
But maybe we should also talk to Jandice some since she's right there.
I think I'd go with
>Thank lady Jandice for her assistance and forbearance in this gruesome affair, maybe ask if we could arrange a meeting?
>Go check on prisoners

>time to kill
what a turn of phrase for this game of amogus

>>5657326
>Go and find Lord Blackmoore. You probably should talk with him before he drinks himself into stupor and your disagreement with him festers.

>>5657326
>>Go and find Lord Blackmoore. You probably should talk with him before he drinks himself into stupor and your disagreement with him festers.

Blackmoore it is. Going to squeeze in one more update today so could I have a roll.


>1d10
>Best of three

Rolled 10 (1d10)

>>5657532

Rolled 10 (1d10)

>>5657532
Other rolls are just a formality now

Rolled 10 (1d10)

>>5657532

>>5657545
Good job though!

>inb4 combo breaker

>>5657557
You got a combo finisher instead.

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>>5657540
>>5657545
>>5657557
Holy shit... we've done it again but as a success! If triple 1 made such a fucking mess then what godly shit is this gonna do!

>>5657557

Well damn, those are some good rolls. While I don’t do crits as a rule, I can’t go and let such good rolls be wasted with a normal ten roll result.

>Writing!

>>5657562
Blackmoore suddenly change his mind and becomes glad that we spared Pai, he decides to hand Taretha to us permanently, so we don't even need to ask or the assassin tries to kills us, but trips and lands face first in front of everyone.

>>5657565
the assassin revealing themselves or better yet us walking in on blackmoore getting almost assassinated and saving his life would be probably best we could hope for, or?

>>5657590
Probably, two birds with one stone.

>>5657590
That second suggestion sounds the best.

>>5657540
>>5657545
>>5657557
Kek 3 10s. the dice gods favor us today.

"We should talk at some point, but I think I should talk with Lord Blackmoore first." You said to her.

"Hmmm, you are right." Jandice said back.

Both of you knew that leaving Blackmoore alone could cause more trouble than it was worth. You shouldn't allow the disagreement between you and him to fester. Because if it does, then all this work to try to get a cooperation going on between Alterac and Durnholde would be for nothing.

You could also imagine Langston's despair as he tries to fix and solve the perceived issues Blackmoore is seeing.

"Then see you later Lady Jandice." You said to her and gave her a polite bow to which she answered with her own.

Now it was time to find Blackmoore.

…

>10

Finding him wasn't hard as a servant knew exactly where he was.

Lord Aedelas Blackmoore stood on the battlements above the gatehouse and watched into the distance. A thick black coat kept the man warm and with a fur hat on his head, he looked quite different from the Blackmoore you had learned to know. He now looked like a soldier and not a drunkard Lord.

You wrapped the black cloak that you had found in Gerard the assassin's room tighter around you and pulled the hood on. It would keep you a bit more warmer here outside on the battlements, but it also would keep you out of people's sight, including Blackmoore’s.

"I am wearing the cloak I took from the assassins." You said to Blackmoore as you walked next to him. "It is too cold out here without it and I don’t want to get sick on top of all of this."

"I didn’t notice you approaching." Blackmoore said and scoffed. "Second time you have used that cloak to deceive me."

Blackmoore reached into his own pocket and took out a flask from which he took a sip before offering it to you. Feeling that you would disrespect the man if you didn't take a sip, you took the flask and tasted what kind of a drink he had put in it.

The moment the liquid got into your mouth you realised how strong it was. This wasn’t your normal spirits.

"What is this stuff?" You asked as you handed the flask back to Blackmoore.

"Homemade moonshine made by local farmers, very potent." He said and took another sip. "We confiscated their products last summer due to the brewer's guild complaining about it. Of course I couldn't throw the good stuff away."

Blackmoore put his flask away and continued looking into the distance.

"Prince Alric, you are a stormcrow. Fel, your whole family are stormcrows." Blackmoore said to you. "Wherever you go things are going to happen be it good or bad."

Blackmoore gave you a curious look.

"Aren't you going to say anything back? Didn't I just insult you?" He asked you.

1/3

>>5657653

"I am waiting to hear everything you say before I know if it is worth even answering." You said to him carefully as you didn’t like the tone of his voice.

"Exactly, it is that. You do your things your way and through that cause trouble to the rest of us." Blackmoore said to you. "Even if I called you a stormcrow, you wouldn't react until you could act on your own rules."

Blackmoore passed the flask to you again and you took a sip of the moonshine. The alcohol burned inside you and you could feel the warmth coursing through your body.

"And I can respect that, because you and I are alike." Blackmoore said as you handed the flask back to him. "You know, my father was a General in Alterac. But due to collecting a sizable gambling debt he decided to sell state secrets to Stromgarde to pay them off."

You had heard that Blackmoore’s father was a disgraced officer who had sold out his country, but that he was an Alteraci or what his story was?

"I didn't know your family was from Alterac, you don't have the accent." You said back.

"We are not from Alterac, but my father served in the Alteraci army as an officer nevertheless." Blackmoore said. "You know the rest of the story and how I got here in this position."

"Through valour in combat and hardwork." You said back to him.

"That sounds all good, but in reality it was because I didn’t give a rat's ass what others thought about me. I got them results and I did it my way. And even if they didn't like me, here I am. The Lieutenant-General of the Internment Camps." Blackmoore said with a fire in his voice before turning to face you proper. "And here you come, announcing your presence to the whole world. Fighting bandits, gnolls, orcs and whatever else. Winning tournaments and bedding ladies everywhere you go."

The last bit caught your attention and Blackmoore noticed it.

"I do listen to the rumours, it isn't just Langston who is the rumourmonger here. I bet the innkeeper in Tarren Mill is a lovely lady and I bet you had noble ladies tripping and falling all over you in Stormwind after winning that tournament. Or that Proudmoore girl or your squire, are they more than just friends?" Blackmoore said to you and continued with a smirk. "Or our Taretha, every single night spent fucking her while you are here. You wouldn't believe the words she has used to describe you."

The way Blackmoore talked about Monica, Jaina, Malevus and Taretha disgusted you, but you managed to keep your stiff upper lip. Though it did give you a bit of amusement that he had taken your and Taretha's plan hook, line and sinker.

"What is your point Lord Blackmoore?" You asked him and gave him a not so pleasant glance.

2/3

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>>5657656

"You probably take in account what others think about you, but still you do all these things, many of which a lesser man wouldn't do due to fearing a failure or a backlash." Blackmoore said and continued. "How often outside of a war do we see someone campaigning and fighting so often? How many men wouldn't have known what to do after the poisoning?"

"I am just doing my duty towards my people and to catch those responsible for that crime." You said as a matter of fact.

"A duty to chase an assassin down a shitter into the snow and then argue against the Lord of the Keep to protect her? That is far from an ordinary duty Prince Alric." Blackmoore said to you and laughed. "You really do what you want to achieve your own goals. That is what I respect about you, even if it causes troubles to the rest of us around you."

"Respect? Well thank you." You asked him and used a bit more unpleasant tone due to how he was talking to you. Blackmoore knew that he was insulting you. "What do I gain with your respect then?"

"I will forget yesterday and this morning. It requires some balls to go against me and get Troubridge and Jandice to vote in your support. I don’t know what you promised to them, but whatever it is, it worked." Blackmoore said to you. "Keep the prisoners, do whatever the hell you want with them as long as you take them away from my sight."

"Understood Lord Blackmoore. It is good to hear that we are on the same page regarding them." You said with a jest.

Blackmoore laughed and passed you the flask again. The moonshine yet again burned inside you and even with these few sips you started to feel a bit tipsy.

You disliked the man, you detested him as a person and as a nobleman. He had no honour nor associating with him would bring you any. The way he talked about your friends and how he has treated Taretha made you sick. Blackmoore truly was a disgusting and abusive human being. Only things common between you and him were your black long hair and that both had a father who became a traitor, nothing more.

But he was someone with whom you could cooperate with and benefit from. Durnholde was a valuable ally in a world that didn't really offer you many allies. Even with Blackmoore being who he is, it might be worth working with him at least for some time.

"Do you have anything else to say or are you planning on freezing your balls off?" Blackmoore asked you. "Even though we clearly don't like each other, we can still cooperate. So if you have something in mind, I might be able to help you with it?"

3/3

>>5657658

>Ask for Taretha, he clearly thinks that the two of you are lovers. Maybe now is the time to ask for her.
>Supplies, arms and armour for your soldiers. The campaign to capture Strahnbrad Hills isn't over yet. +2 Wealth, +10 Supplies
>Dawnholme needs workers. Ask Blackmoore to send his unemployed workers to Alterac. +? Peasants
>Tell Blackmoore that you have changed your mind. You want that orc prisoner they offered to you.
>Other, write in.

Total Resources:
0 Wealth, +18 per season
22 Supplies, -6 per season
5 Peasants

QM: A normal roll of 10 wouldn't have gotten you all this. Only Blackmoore letting the disagreement go and be forgotten. Now you have his strange respect and one time offer to ask something from him.

>>5657659
>Ask for Taretha, he clearly thinks that the two of you are lovers. Maybe now is the time to ask for her.
Now is our chance.

>>5657659
I thought we'd get more than this desu, triple 1s got Maleb killed and made a giant mess and triple 10s get us a favor from Blackmoore? The two don't seem equivalent.
>Ask for Taretha, he clearly thinks that the two of you are lovers. Maybe now is the time to ask for her.
And the whole deal about her not leaving without her family and all that jazz. Get this issue sorted out.

>>5657659
>>Ask for Taretha, he clearly thinks that the two of you are lovers. Maybe now is the time to ask for her.
>>5657832
he might give us something after this.

>>5657659
>>Ask for Taretha, he clearly thinks that the two of you are lovers. Maybe now is the time to ask for her.
I really hope that's not a trap, because it certainly feels like a bold request. On the other hand, he has a new girl so he may be willing to show magnanimity this way.

RIP the new girl though. Hope she's at least enjoying it more than Taretha was. And at least she's not in continuous threat of decapitation, at least unless she's the assassin.

>>5657659
>>Ask for Taretha, he clearly thinks that the two of you are lovers. Maybe now is the time to ask for her.

>>5657659
>Ask for Taretha, he clearly thinks that the two of you are lovers. Maybe now is the time to ask for her.

Quite unanimous, could I have a roll for something in background.


>1d10
>Best of three

Rolled 6 (1d10)

>>5658409
trip nat 1 coming right up

Rolled 1 (1d10)

>>5658409
This will have been a day…

Rolled 1 (1d10)

>>5658409

>>5658410
>>5658412
>>5658419
This was too close to a triple 1.
Must be a message from the dice to not get too cocky.

“Taretha, I would like to have her.” You said after a moment of thinking. There probably wasn't going to be a better time to ask for her.

“Taretha? Hmmm.” Blackmoore said as he seemed to be a bit surprised about your request.

“Yes…” You said. “I have grown somewhat fond of her.”

Blackmoore seemed to think about your words before he nodded.

“I understand.” Blackmoore said and smirked. “Anything else?”

“Her family, I don’t think she would leave without them.” You said.

“Done.” Blackmoore said back and smiled. “I wouldn’t have expected this from you.”

“I wouldn’t have expected this from myself either, but you know how things might go.” You said to him and smiled.

Trying to keep your cool and play your part in this wasn’t easy, not easy at all, but you had learned how to act and to keep up the character you were playing. And it seemed like Blackmoore was convinced enough of your act.

“Then let’s head inside to finish this.” Blackmoore said.

…

You headed into Langston’s office and found it empty. Though you didn’t need the man for this as Blackmoore walked to the bookcase that held the books and contracts with all the workers of Durnholde Keep.

Blackmoore went through the papers until he found the contracts for Taretha Foxton, Tammis Foxton and Clannia Foxton. Taking quill and ink, Blackmoore spread the contracts on the table and was prepared to sign them, but he hesitated for a moment as he glanced at you looking at him.

“Are you sure you want Taretha and her family?” He said to you.

“I am.” You said back to him.

Blackmoore shrugged and put the quill to the paper.

In just a few seconds Taretha and her family were released from their work contracts with Durnholde Keep and with Lord Blackmoore. They could leave with you and come to Dawnholme.

“There, it is done.” Blackmoore said.

“Thank you Lord Blackmoore.” You said to him and took the contracts from the table. “Pleasure to do business with you.”

“Business?” Blackmoore said and laughed. He seemed to like your joke. “This isn’t business Prince Alric, call it diplomacy or maintaining nation to nation relationships.”

“Well said.” You said as you stashed the papers away into your pockets.

“Now Prince Alric, shall we drink for this, or do you have something… else in mind?” Blackmoore asked you. What he implied was clear as day, he expected you to have some quality time with Taretha now that she was free to follow you.


>Drink for this, Blackmoore seemed quite content and easily approachable now. Maybe you could get something else out of this?
>Decline the drink, you have the news to tell to Taretha. And to have some “quality time” with her.
>Decline the drink, you still have work to do. The fourth assassin is still out there.
>Decline the drink, you want to go and check the prisoners. You want to know how ready they are to be transported to Dawnholme.
>Other, write in.

QM: Second set of triple 1s would have been fun. Because as you know the Dwarf Fortress motto, Losing is Fun.

>>5658574
That went much better than expected, harrowing rolls notwithstanding.
>>Decline the drink, you still have work to do. The fourth assassin is still out there.
As appealing as the offer is, it would be doing a disservice to ourselves and our host. And we probably should include
>checking on the prisoners
depending on how confident we are in their current safety.
Maybe one toast/glass out of courtesy before we go, at most.
>>5658574
>Losing is Fun.
so it goes, but only because you can embark with another party to try better the next time

>>5658574
>Decline the drink, you still have work to do. The fourth assassin is still out there.

>>5658574
>Drink for this, Blackmoore seemed quite content and easily approachable now. Maybe you could get something else out of this?
still curious about annabel, the new servant girl
now seems like a good chance to find out more about her

>>5658574
>>Drink for this, Blackmoore seemed quite content and easily approachable now. Maybe you could get something else out of this?
we must drink. out of respect to even consider this and to solidify our alliance between us.

>>5658579
>Losing is Fun.
Implying I don't have plans for the case of Alric kicking the bucket.

>>5658574
>Drink for this, Blackmoore seemed quite content and easily approachable now. Maybe you could get something else out of this?
glug glug

Guys, are we really gonna go binge drinking with the assassin still around and with us baiting him?
I don't think "maybe you could get something out of this" means a courtesy drink and goodbye...

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>>5658674

>>5658574
I think I'd like to have a courtesy drink, ask about Annabelle and then ultimately go work on the assassin issue.

>>5658674
No. We WILL grow old and have 5 children. We WILL Reconstruct Alterac.

>>5658674
>>5658727
>>5658782
Alric will marry the love of his life Calia and have 8 kids then bring his heir into rulership then die of natural causes. All of this after leading his people to victory in a time of crisis and forming the Alteraci-Lordaeronian Commonwealth.

This statement has been fact-checked by true Alteraci patriots.™

“How could I say no to a drink?” You asked Blackmoore.

“That’s the right choice!” Blackmoore said back as he walked past you and beckoned you to follow him.

With his study being right next to Langston’s office, you quickly entered it leaving your knights guarding the door.

Blackmoore reached into his liquor cabinet and took out an unopened bottle and pair of glasses.

“Alteraci Brandy, I know you like this stuff.” Blackmoore said and poured you a glass.

“It feels like everywhere I go Alteraci Brandy could be found, even though I know a proper Alteraci Brandy hasn’t been made since the fall of Alterac.” You told Blackmoore and took the glass before sitting down on one of the couches with Blackmoore deciding to sit opposite of you on another.

“Such a shame, it is a great drink.” He said back and looked deep into his own glass before raising it up. “To Alterac.”

“To Durnholde.” You said back.

“To Taretha.” Blackmoore replied.

“To Annabel.” You finished with a questioning look and took a sip.

“Oh, you have heard of her?” Blackmoore said back to you.

“You and Langston aren’t the only ones who dabble in rumours.” You said to him and gave him a smile.

“A smart move Prince Alric, you learn so much, but still so little with rumours. You have to see the truth first hand.” Blackmoore said to you as he walked past and opened the door. He asked your knights to find a servant to get you and him some cellar cold beer and something to eat.

“There we go. Now let's enjoy the brandy while the servants bring us what I asked for.” Blackmoore said and grinned.

…

The Alteraci Brandy definitely was genuine and the buzz you had gotten from the moonshine grew stronger as you enjoyed it. It was good stuff.

“What have you thought about doing next?” Blackmoore asked you.

“With spring comes the campaigning season, Strahnbrad Hills won’t conquer themselves alone.” You said back and this time you weren’t lying to him. The campaign wasn’t finished and everyone who had kept their ears open had learned that you had a job to finish.

“The men released from Durnholde are going to be useful then.” Blackmoore said back.

“Yes they will be.” You answered. With the deal with Durnholde ending, you would have twenty more soldiers at hand. Twenty more mouths to feed, clothe and arm.

You sipped the brandy as there was a knock on the door before it was opened. A pair of servants, a man and a woman, stepped in carrying a tray of food and a keg of beer which they placed on the table in front of you. The man excused himself, but the young woman stayed.

Blackmoore motioned her to come closer to him before pulling her to sit on his lap and holding her by her waist.

1/2

>>5658799

“This is Annabel.” Blackmoore said to you and then spoke to her. “This is Prince Alric Perenolde, please greet him.”

“Pleasure to meet you Prince Alric.” Annabel said and giggled as she looked at you.

You saw what Langston had meant by ‘having a certain assets’ and now you understood what he had meant by that.

Annabel had silk smooth black hair that blended with the black skirt, shirt and robe she was wearing. Her clothes put an emphasis on her figure that was alluring if you were to use that word. Her hips, buttocks and breasts were quite well defined for someone of her age. Only sixteen summers old and this beautiful?

You had seen some beautiful ladies before and she definitely was one of them.

“Nice to meet you Annabel.” You said to her. “You are a new servant here in Durnholde?”

“Yes Prince Alric.” Annabel said obediently and smiled. “I joined Durnholde last summer.”

“Serve us some beer.” Blackmoore said and gently pushed her off his lap and she did as told as she poured a glass of beer for Blackmoore and for you.

When she brought the glass to you, she bent down and presented the glass for you to take. There was also no mistake in her bending and presenting the open neck of her shirt. When she gave you the glass, she made sure that you saw everything she wanted you to see.

Annabel either was a really good courtesan turned into a gold digger or an exceptional assassin who used her looks to get close to her targets, and now your vote would be with the former. It was painfully obvious to see why Langston and Blackmoore had fallen to her.

“Thank you Annabel.” You said as you took the glass of beer from her and gently placed it on the table as you still had the brandy to finish.

“Annabel is a very good servant as you can see.” Blackmoore said to you. “Annabel my dear, come here.”

Annabel did as told and she walked back to Blackmoore who pulled her back to sit on his lap. Annabel could only giggle as Blackmoore held her by her waist.

You finished your brandy and took the glass of beer, this had turned to be a bit more than just a celebratory drink or two. Not just a courtesy drink.

“Drink Prince Alric, the assassin isn’t going anywhere.” Blackmoore said to you. “To be honest after not having the prisoners hang, I don’t think we will end up catching the assassin.”

“We don’t know that.” You said back to him.

“We don’t, but how likely is it?” Blackmoore asked back.

Blackmoore was right, what leads did you have? None! Now just your message nailed on the mess hall door was your plan and if that doesn’t work, what will you do? You were running out of time to find the assassin, if they even existed in the first place.

You took a sip of the beer and watched as Annabel giggled on Blackmoore’s lap as his hand gently rubbed her side.

“So Prince Alric, what do you think of Annabel?” Blackmoore asked you. “Isn’t she quite pleasant?”

2/2

>>5658800

What did you think of her? Well she was certainly beautiful. Her form was alluring, her face was cute. It would be a lie to say that she wasn't beautiful. But the question probably was, what does Blackmoore want to hear? Is he expecting normal compliments as he presents his latest concubine, or does he think that praising here more than required is the way to go? After all you have the rumours and supposed reputation as a lady killer circling around you. Maybe the right thing is to play towards that? But do you want to feed the rumours even more than before?

Then there was the question of do you think that you could get more out of Blackmoore? He is certainly expecting you to drink with him as he has resigned to the fate of not finding the fourth assassin. Maybe if you were to drink with him you could get him to open? Maybe you could get more than just Taretha out of him? But on other hand you still had a lot to do, maybe keeping drinking with him wouldn't be the right choice.


>Praise Blackmoore for finding Annabel. She is quite pleasant and servants like her don’t exactly grow on trees.
>Tell Blackmoore that Annabel is quite beautiful. Praise her a bit more than maybe it is necessary.
>Compliment Blackmoore for finding Annabel and thank him for meeting her. Be modest and don’t praise her too much.
>Other, write in.

>Keep drinking with Blackmoore, you think that he requires more warming up for further talks.
>Finish the beer and excuse yourself from further drinking, you still have plenty of other things to do.

QM: Please vote on both.

>>5658808
>Compliment Blackmoore for finding Annabel and thank him for meeting her. Be modest and don’t praise her too much.
>Finish the beer and excuse yourself from further drinking, you still have plenty of other things to do.

>>5658808
>Praise Blackmoore for finding Annabel. She is quite pleasant and servants like her don’t exactly grow on trees.
>Finish the beer and excuse yourself from further drinking, you still have plenty of other things to do.

>>5658808
>Compliment Blackmoore for finding Annabel and thank him for meeting her. Be modest and don’t praise her too much.
>Finish the beer and excuse yourself from further drinking, you still have plenty of other things to do.
Jobs done.

>>5658808
>Compliment Blackmoore for finding Annabel and thank him for meeting her. Be modest and don’t praise her too much.
>Finish the beer and excuse yourself from further drinking, you still have plenty of other things to do
good

>>5658808
>>Compliment Blackmoore for finding Annabel and thank him for meeting her. Be modest and don’t praise her too much.
I'd like to give honest assessment that she's a pretty girl without coming across like suggesting we want to deepen our relationship as, I believe the term to be "tunnel buddies"? beyond what he already assumes to be the case.

>Finish the beer and excuse yourself from further drinking, you still have plenty of other things to do.

>>5658808
>Compliment Blackmoore for finding Annabel and thank him for meeting her. Be modest and don’t praise her too much.
>Finish the beer and excuse yourself from further drinking, you still have plenty of other things to do.

Compliments and finish the beer. Give me an yet another roll.


>1d10
>Best of three, taking the second roll

Rolled 6 (1d10)

>>5659291

Rolled 7 (1d10)

>>5659291
nat 1

Rolled 6 (1d10)

>>5659291

>7
>7

"You have done a good job in finding her. Servant's like her can't be found everywhere." You told him and nodded in agreement.

"It is good that you like her, shame that you couldn't be here for longer, I would love to get the two of you to know each other better." Blackmoore said with a grin. "She is a smart girl behind her beauty."

"Oh, there is no need for such words Lord Blackmoore." Annabel said and giggled, she seemed to enjoy the compliments. "It is such a shame that we couldn't spend more time together Prince Alric. The other servants speak highly of you."

"We all have our duties." You said and sipped the beer. "And mine are in Alterac."

Annabel nodded in agreement.

"Annabel, go sit with Prince Alric." Blackmoore said and allowed her to move first before he stood up. "I need to go and fetch something."

"I hope it isn't more spirits or brandy." You said back to Blackmoore who waved your concerns away with his hand.

"It is not." Blackmoore said. "In fact it is something better."

Blackmoore walked and opened a door you hadn't seen to be used before. You knew that there was a tower next to the study and your current bedroom. Blackmoore had something to fetch from there?

Annabel meanwhile walked and sat right next to you before wrapping her hands around your left arm and leaning to your side. You gave her a curious glance as you sipped the beer and you could smell the fine fragrance she used.

"I have heard rumours about you Prince Alric. That you have bested many foes with your sword." Annabel said to you.

The innuendo in her words was blatantly easy to understand. Was she now trying to seduce and ensnare you as well? She probably was and if this was the way she had approached Langston and Blackmoore, you could easily see why both of them had fallen for her.

"Rumours are sometimes just rumours." You said to her. Your current state of buzz made it a bit hard for you to concentrate and you allowed your eyes to wander a bit accidentally. Annabel of course noticed that.

"Do you like what you see?" Annabel said with a playful tone in her voice as she carefully allowed her robe to slip off her shoulders and she pulled her shirt slightly more open for you to see her bosom.

Alric, you need to keep yourself together. You aren't here to be seduced by a courtesan turned into Blackmoore’s latest mistress. Sure she was an alluring lady, but not now. This isn't the place or time for this.

You put the nearly finished glass of beer down and gently removed yourself off her before standing up.

"Annabel, you are a fine, beautiful looking lady, but there are more concerning things going on in here than just dilly dallying together." You said to her and pulled her robe back over her shoulders.

"Oh thank you for the kind words Prince Alric." Annabel said. You could see that she was maybe a bit disappointed that you wouldn't take her bait. "The rumours also tell us that you are a kind and considerate person, I can see that now."

1/2

>>5659358

You answered with a gentle smile and a nod. When you did that, Annabel put her hand on your shoulder and leaned closer to say something to you.

"Prince Alric, if you want and have the time… we could do some dilly dallying together." Annabel whispered to you.

At that moment the door to the study was opened and Langston stepped in. When he saw Annabel leaning closer to you, he paused momentarily. It was plain obvious how this would look like.

"Prince Alric… Annabel…" Langston said before collecting himself together as Annabel moved away from you. "Prince Alric, I checked the traders and burghers again and I found nothing out of the ordinary. I even talked with a few of them."

"Thank you Langston." You said and finished the beer. "Shame that you didn't find anything."

"Well we didn't expect that I would find anything." Langston said as he was still looking at you and Annabel who stood next to you.

"Annabel, would you mind to leave us?" You asked the courtesan.

Annabel did a deep curtsy before she spoke with the same playful tone and giggled.

"It was my pleasure to meet you Prince Alric."

She walked past Langston and left the study. Langston meanwhile walked past you and poured a glass of beer for himself.

"What I was saying… ahh yes, any news regarding your message?" Langston asked, he still seemed a bit taken back after having seen that.

And that didn't really surprise you. Langston had scouted Annabel and knowing him probably with a goal of bedding her and making her his mistress. But things didn't go as planned and now she was with Blackmoore. And now he saw her approaching you.

"Nothing, nothing yet." You said and brushed your hair with your hand. "We just need to wait and see."

"Hmmm, you are right. But where is Lord Blackmoore, I heard that you were with him?" Langston asked you.

"He went to fetch something, I don’t know what." You said and pointed at the door where Blackmoore had gone.

"I see." Langston said and kept looking at you. "What were you doing with Annabel?"

There was a hint of accusation in his voice. Was he really that peeved about what he had seen?

"What do you mean?" You asked him.

"I saw her leaning closer to you. Don't play coy with me Prince Alric, I know what I saw." Langston said back.

There definitely were accusations in the tone of his voice. Was he really thinking that you were now chasing Annabel? That now it was you who was taking the girl he had scouted? What a gigantic pain in the ass. Langston probably thinks that you took Taretha away from him as well, which to be honest is true and he didn't know about that yet, as he did fancy her a bit.

Oh bother, this is getting ridiculous and now you are getting annoyed. What the hell is Langston thinking?

2/2

>>5659360


>Set the record straight. Tell Langston what happened and make it clear that you aren’t chasing Annabel. Be polite above all.
>Explain to Langston that whatever plans he had with Annabel didn't go awry because of him. Tell him how Annabel had made the advance towards you.
>Tell him the news about Taretha. She will be coming to Alterac with you. Langston probably needs to know.
>Tell Langston that it isn't his business and that you don't like the tone of his voice.
>So what, if Langston wants to believe that you and Annabel are going to be a thing, then so be it.
>Other, write in.

QM: A background roll and a roll to see who came through the door.

>>5659362
>Set the record straight. Tell Langston what happened and make it clear that you aren’t chasing Annabel. Be polite above all.
>Tell him the news about Taretha. She will be coming to Alterac with you. Langston probably needs to know.

>>5659362
seconding >>5659377

I feel sort of bad for Langston, despicable as he is. Wonder if it would be possible to straighten his spine out a bit. Perhaps if he's successful with or while courting.

For now, though, let's take a breath and calm ourselves, we do have ongoing situation that is still dangerous...

>>5659362
>>Set the record straight. Tell Langston what happened and make it clear that you aren’t chasing Annabel. Be polite above all.
>Tell him the news about Taretha. She will be coming to Alterac with you. Langston probably needs to know.

>>5659362
Kinda annoyed, but no point burning bridges over a misunderstanding.
>Set the record straight. Tell Langston what happened and make it clear that you aren’t chasing Annabel. Be polite above all.
>Tell him the news about Taretha. She will be coming to Alterac with you. Langston probably needs to know.

>>5659362
>>Set the record straight. Tell Langston what happened and make it clear that you aren’t chasing Annabel. Be polite above all.
>>Tell him the news about Taretha. She will be coming to Alterac with you. Langston probably needs to know.
.........
Alric face right now :
(>_>)

Unanimous vote yet again. Being straight with him wins. Give me an yet another background roll.


>1d10
>Best of three

Rolled 8 (1d10)

>>5660236
We gotta have faith in our friends

Rolled 10 (1d10)

>>5660236

Rolled 8 (1d10)

>>5660236

>>5660260
based

Uh oh, you got a 10. Due to that could I have yet another set of rolls for things in the background.


>1d10
>Best of three, taking the second roll.

Rolled 2 (1d10)

>>5660300
I really hope that roll was not FOR the assassin or something unpleasant like that.

Rolled 3 (1d10)

>>5660300

Rolled 1 (1d10)

>>5660300
I have a bad feeling about this

>>5660356
kek

>10
>3
>3


You pinched the bridge of your nose and closed your eyes. You really didn’t want to deal with this right now, but it was better to set the records straight immediately.

"Karramyn, nothing has happened between me and her. Blackmoore and I were talking and Annabel brought us food and drink." You told him and sighed. "When Blackmoore left to fetch whatever he was looking for, he asked her to sit with me."

Langston listened to your words without saying anything back.

"Annabel was the one who tried to make the advance and I declined them. I have no interest in chasing her or doing anything with her." You continued speaking. "And now after seeing her, I understand your words, how you described her."

"I see…" Langston said. "Well, I am sorry, I shouldn't have jumped into a conclusion."

"No problem, I know how it looked." You said back to him in an assuring voice.

"Thanks, sorry about that." Langston said and drank his beer. "But why were you drinking?"

"I went to talk with him and he wanted to share a drink with me." You told Langston. "I also asked him if I could bring Taretha and her family to Alterac."

You dropped that bombshell to Langston and he nearly spit out his drink.

"You did what? Lord Blackmoore agreed?" Langston asked in a surprise.

"He did." You said.

Langston seemed to think what to say for a moment.

"Light be damned, I didn’t expect that to happen." Langston said and shrugged. "Blackmoore really… took care of her."

"I would imagine that Annabel might play a part in this." You said to Langston.

At that moment the door opened and Blackmoore stepped back into the study.

"Annabel plays part in what?" Blackmoore asked the two of you. "And where is she?"

"When Langston arrived I asked her to leave, nothing more." You said back.

"Nevermind her." Blackmoore said and put several scrolls on the table and opened one of them. "Here, look at this."

"It is the map of Durnholde." You said back and looked at the man that clearly was quite old. Not everything matched with the current day.

"Old map depicting the eastern border of the Kingdom of Alterac." Blackmoore said to you. "Durnholde Keep was once part of Alteracs defences against Stromgarde."

"I know that, Alliance for all purposes annexed these lands after the war." You said back.

1/2

>>5660407

It had been a murky annexation with Stromgarde wanting the land for themselves, but King Terenas had stamped his foot down and declared that Durnholde should be the centre of the Internment Camps. There were still some questions regarding the legality of the annexation due to the rest of the Alterac still having been left unannexed. Maybe you could call Alliance the caretakers of Durnholde, Strahnbrad and the old King's Road.

You noticed Langston's face turn pale as colour left it.

"Lord Blackmoore, you have something else than just the map, don't you?" You asked the now somewhat drunk, but still highly functional Blackmoore.

He took out another scroll and gave it to you.

"Lord Blackmoore, is that wise?" Langston asked him.

"Shut up Langston." Blackmoore said. "Prince Alric, please open the scroll."

You did as told and started reading the old parchment. And you couldn’t believe what it was.

It was the claim of Durnholde by the Kingdom of Alterac. It told the history of the claim by your ancestors and the King's that followed them till near the present day. It described the landmarks, borders and people living there who would be under Alteraci jurisdiction and protection.

A more recent addition to it told you that whoever ruled the lands from Durnholde Keep answered to Alterac and was the representative of the King ruling in Alterac City.

You had to read the parchment twice because you couldn't believe this. You couldn't believe this at all. This paper was a proof of Alteraci ownership of Durnholde. A strong claim to the region for your family. There most likely was a copy in Alterac City, but who knows in what shape the archives are after all these years. So knowing that this claim exists, it would be a hugely powerful tool for whoever has it. Especially as there are parties other than you who would want it, if only to prevent it from being in the hands of your family.

"Why are you showing this to me?" You asked Blackmoore.

"Not only to show you, but to give it to you Prince Alric." Blackmoore said and grinned.

WHAT?!


>Ask Blackmoore to explain himself immediately. Why does he want to give it to you?
>You can't take it, if news got out that you have a legal claim to Durnholde, your enemies in Alliance could use it as an example of your ambition and how power-hungry you are.
>Blackmoore is the ruler of Durnholde Keep, so technically according to this he is an underling of your family. Is his intent to declare fealty to you?
>Alliance and especially Stromgarde most likely don't want this parchment to exist. Does Blackmoore think that it is in danger here?
>Other, write in

QM: In the background things keep happening...

>>5660408
>Blackmoore is the ruler of Durnholde Keep, so technically according to this he is an underling of your family. Is his intent to declare fealty to you?
It could be useful once we get the city but not for now

>>5660408
>Ask Blackmoore to explain himself immediately. Why does he want to give it to you?

>>5660408
>>Alliance and especially Stromgarde most likely don't want this parchment to exist. Does Blackmoore think that it is in danger here?

Wew lad.

Well, situation being what it is, we are probably not going to be in position to act on this document, however that would work and amidst whatever kind of intrigue.
Because it means not just claim, but a committment as well. Especially with all the orcs.

We should reiterate that "Alterac stands", and we are resolved to ensure her people have safe and prosperous home.

But still, this document needs to be kept safe, it may play a crucial role in the future.

btw the paper could also be valuable in, idk, advocating our legitimacy over our siblings.

>>5660408
>>Alliance and especially Stromgarde most likely don't want this parchment to exist. Does Blackmoore think that it is in danger here?
....yes, i accept this gift.
Put it in our own clothing ASAP, i am cutting heads for keeping this paper in our hands. This returns with us back to Dawnholme, we will use it in the future of course not now.

>>5660408
>Ask Blackmoore to explain himself immediately. Why does he want to give it to you?
>Alliance and especially Stromgarde most likely don't want this parchment to exist. Does Blackmoore think that it is in danger here?
Hon Hon Hon Hon.
Excellent not like we have to act on this immediatly but we definetly should keep this.
But we should ask for blackmoores intent with this.

>>5660408
>Ask Blackmoore to explain himself immediately. Why does he want to give it to you?
>Alliance and especially Stromgarde most likely don't want this parchment to exist. Does Blackmoore think that it is in danger here?
What the fuck? Is this actually Blackmoore? Not the spy impersonating him?

>>5660408
>Blackmoore is the ruler of Durnholde Keep, so technically according to this he is an underling of your family. Is his intent to declare fealty to you?
>Alliance and especially Stromgarde most likely don't want this parchment to exist. Does Blackmoore think that it is in danger here?

You immediately took the map from the table and folded it along with the claim before putting them inside your jacket.

"Why?" You asked with a firm voice. "Explain yourself immediately."

"I have realised how easily I could be replaced and whoever replaces me would be an Alliance lapdog or even worse from Stromgarde." Blackmoore told you. "Either of those two would be bad news for you as well."

"Continue." You said back.

"Prince Alric, I am the best neighbour you can have. Whoever could replace me wouldn't be as useful to you as I am." Blackmoore said to you and took a few steps away from you as he looked at his study. "Don't get me wrong, without the Alliance I wouldn’t have all this, they have been good to me. But I am thinking long term, I know I have enemies who would want me gone."

"So you gave me the claim because it is insurance for you?" You asked him.

"Yes, with that claim you can declare these lands yours. The Alliance loves their bureaucracy and laws, you saw how Commodore Troubridge used it to your advantage, so they would have to verify your claim." Blackmoore explained to you. "And then because that claim is legitimate, they would either have to honour it or face far ranging issues because mark my words the nobles can be petty assholes when it comes to their neighbours lands. The moment the Alliance nullifies your claim, there is going to be a line around the Capital City full of nobles asking for their neighbours' claims over their lands to be nullified as well."

You weren't sure if that would happen, but you somewhat saw his point. Alliance and Lordaeron can't allow a precedent to happen, that is why King Terenas didn't want to split Alterac amongst her conquerors.

"You do understand I don't have to do any of this? I am not required to act if they want to remove you Lord Blackmoore." You said back to him.

"Of course Prince Alric, but you aren’t going to have a better neighbour than I am." Blackmoore answered.

So that was his reason, insurance in case the Alliance wanted to remove him. At that point you would reveal the existence of your claim that would throw the region into a bureaucratic mess that would protect Blackmoore at least for a moment. And as sad as it was, he was probably right. Blackmoore even if he was a disgusting, detestable person, cooperation with him had been useful to you. Further cooperation could help you even more.

"Is this your intent to declare your fealty to me?" You asked him. "I am the second heir of Alterac and I have a stronger, better supported claim to the throne than my brother has."

"But you aren’t the King nor do you rule from Alterac City." Blackmoore said back. "Prince Alric, I have read through the claim carefully, I know what is in it."

1/2

>>5660684

He wouldn't bend the knee, not now, maybe only if his position was threatened. Even then you wouldn't need to accept it, you could just throw him out of Durnholde Keep if required. Did he take into account that what if you want him gone and replaced by someone else who is more competent and knows how to act like a decent human being?

"You are putting a lot of trust in me Lord Blackmoore to help you if you ever get ousted." You said. "You do understand that you just gave me a lot of leverage over you."

"You can't be sure that my successor is as helpful and cooperative as I am." Blackmoore said back and continued. "And I am sure that you would make the right choice."

So that was it, nothing more? He gave you this claim just to protect his own position if he was ever attempted to be removed. And at the same time he gave you a huge leverage over this whole region and himself as well. All based on trust that you would do the right thing and help him, if that day ever comes. It did feel flimsy to you, but Blackmoore feels more threatened than you think he is.

"Do you believe that this claim is in danger?" You asked.

"Yes, if others were to learn about it. But only three of us know that it exists." Blackmoore told you. "We found it here in this Keep. It was hidden under the wooden floor in this very room by the previous ruler of this place."

"Then I will keep it hidden." You said.

"Good, safeguard it well." Blackmoore said with a grin. "Prince Alric, we don't like each other, it is easy to see, but we can still cooperate together and build a better future for Alterac and for Durnholde."

You didn’t say anything back to him and instead let him speak.

"When I said that I respect you, I did mean it. And when I said that we are alike, I did mean it." Blackmoore told you. "So how is it, are we in this together, partner?"

Blackmoore extended his hand for a handshake. It was clear that he expected you to shake it.


>Decline, you have no reason or requirement to shake his hand.
>Demand that he declares his fealty to you, only then you will shake his hand.
>Shake his hand, tell him that you are willing to help him if he needs help.
>Shake his hand, thank him for this great gift.
>Shake his hand, promise him that cooperation between Alterac and Durnholde will make both of them prosper.
>Other, write in.

>>5660685
>Shake his hand, promise him that cooperation between Alterac and Durnholde will make both of them prosper.

File: 1536520394167.jpg (98 KB, 1280x720)

98 KB JPG

>>5660685
>Shake his hand, thank him for this great gift.

>>5657246
Yes, but we could then start building patterns and remembering faces. We can possibly "notice" something, since we don't even have a vague idea of who to try and pay attention to, so it would be a start.

It could also help if we saw that person leave with some of the nobles, after all that is likely the time when the assassin will leave the place and the last chance to truly catch them.

>>5658788
Trust The Plan.

-A

>>5660685
>Shake his hand, tell him that you are willing to help him if he needs help.

>>5660685
>Shake his hand, promise him that cooperation between Alterac and Durnholde will make both of them prosper.
>Other, write in.
If we ever needed to make the claims public I would likely need you to swear fealty to me as well.

>>5660685
>>Shake his hand, promise him that cooperation between Alterac and Durnholde will make both of them prosper.

>>5660685
>Shake his hand, promise him that cooperation between Alterac and Durnholde will make both of them prosper.
This is meta, but I just realised that Annabel has black hair, unnatural beauty, is apparently smart, and has slithered her way close to Blackmoore... surely not black dragonflight... right?

>>5660685
>Shake his hand, promise him that cooperation between Alterac and Durnholde will make both of them prosper.
I don’t much like committing ourselves to Blackmoore personally, but in fairness his deals with us have been forthright. As long as this will be the case he can expect us not to stab him in the back.

I suspect we will see our commitment tested by orc before long. Luckily we do have an ace up our sleeve for that right now.

>>5660685
>Shake his hand, promise him that cooperation between Alterac and Durnholde will make both of them prosper.
>Other, write in.
If we ever needed to make the claims public I would likely need you to swear fealty to me as well.

Cooperation. Give me yet another background roll for events out of your knowledge. Stats and Social pastebin updated with a few minor bits.


>1d10
>Best of three, taking the second roll.

Rolled 2 (1d10)

>>5661115
A good roll here would either be great or catastrophic to us.
It's probably the latter since I'm assuming that the background character is the fourth assassin working against us.

Rolled 5 (1d10)

Rolled 7 (1d10)

>>5661115

>7
>5

You let Blackmoore wait for a couple seconds before giving him an assuring smile and shaking his hand.

"To future cooperation Lord Blackmoore." You said.

"Future cooperation." Blackmoore repeated your words. "Shall we drink to this?"

"I will have to pass this time, day drinking could be fun, but we do have more pressing concerns." You said back to him.

"You are right, then I will let you go." Blackmoore said to you. "Langston please stay, I need to talk with you."

"Yes Lord Blackmoore." Langston said and nodded before speaking to you. "Prince Alric, I hope you have a plan, because I think we are going to run out of time."

Yes… your plan... you really don't have a plan other than waiting and seeing what could happen.


Gained:
>Claim of Durnholde

…

Three of your knights and Malevus were waiting outside the study for you with Sir Gravis being with Lady Edith and Hilde.

"Prince Alric, have you been drinking?" Malevus asked you. She had washed her hair and face and seemed quite refreshed compared to you who had been up and running from very early and still had the buzz from the drinks with Blackmoore.

"Yesh… I've been drinking with Blackmoore." You said with a jest and laughed. "Just a couple, he wanted to celebrate our cooperation and I couldn't say no."

"Remember to drink water Prince Alric." Malevus said back with a smile.

"Thank you, I will keep that in mind." You answered. Your dutiful squire making sure that you remember to stay hydrated.

"What will we do next? Sir Gravis told me what was going on." Malevus asked you.

Yes, what will you do next? You guessed that you could just wait and see if something was to happen, but maybe you could do something productive?


>Go check your prisoners. Their guards should have been already informed, but better to double check.
>Find Taretha and tell her the news of her release from the service. She and her family are coming to Alterac with you.
>Maybe now is the time to talk with Lady Jandice about Strahnbrad Hills.
>Find Annabel, she is a courtesan who knows what she is doing, but there is something fishy about her.
>Ask Malevus what she thinks you should do now? Outside perspective could be useful here.
>Other, write in.

>>5661178
>Ask Malevus what she thinks you should do now? Outside perspective could be useful here.

>>5661178
>Find Taretha and tell her the news of her release from the service. She and her family are coming to Alterac with you.
>Go check your prisoners. Their guards should have been already informed, but better to double check.

>>5661178
>Find Annabel, she is a courtesan who knows what she is doing, but there is something fishy about her.

>>5661178
>>Ask Malevus what she thinks you should do now? Outside perspective could be useful here.

>>5661178
>check on prisoners

Two for Malevus, two for prisoners, one for Annabel and one for Taretha. I will ask for rolls in about 3 to 4 hours so could I have more votes and/or a tiebreaker before it.

>>5661854
>>5661178
>Go check your prisoners. Their guards should have been already informed, but better to double check.
Pulse Check.
>Ask Malevus what she thinks you should do now? Outside perspective could be useful here.
Asking malevus shouldnt really take alot of time but if you want a tie breaker so bad just ignore malevus.

>>5661912
Going to check the prisoners wins and asking Malevus what she is thinking. I wanted the tiebreaker due to both options being time consuming when done.

I will ask the roll now. Background events yet again.


>1d10
>Best of three, taking the second roll

Rolled 8 (1d10)

>>5661919
1

Rolled 3 (1d10)

>>5661919
4am bro making me do this lol.

8

Rolled 10 (1d10)

>>5661919
sorrow overtakes me.

>>5661957
Second set of rolls overtake you, because that roll was just what I have been waiting for!


>1d10
>Best of three

Rolled 6 (1d10)

>>5661959

Rolled 8 (1d10)

>>5661959
Ominous background noises intensify
But we shall not falter

Rolled 3 (1d10)

>>5661959
uh oh.

>10
>3
>8


There were more guards in the dungeon than before. Pair standing at the door, then three more in the 'office' and two more standing by the cell doors. The only occupants currently in the cells were just Sahvan and Pai.

One of the guards who was acting as the superior to the rest of them spoke with you briefly. The prisoners were both secure and alive with Pai still unconscious. The doctor who had saved her life had come and visited her to check and change the bandages. According to him if Pai isn't moved too much, a strong fit woman like her should survive her wounds.

That was good to hear. All the negotiations, talking and voting would have been half-useless if Pai was dying, because you wanted to know what she knows.

You didn’t need to go into her cell, instead looked through a small barred window and saw her lying motionless on a bed. She was alive as you saw how the blanket that covered her moved as she breathed. There was no point in attempting to wake her up and tell her the news, but Sahvan should know about them.

"I have good news for you Sahvan." You said to the man as you stepped into his cell.

"Prince Perenolde, what is it? Are we safe?" Sahvan asked you while sitting on the floor.

"Yes, the two of you will be transported to Alterac." You said to the assassin. "You are still going to be put into a cell, do not think that you are a free man."

"Thank you Prince Perenolde, thank you." Sahvan said to you as he shifted to be on his knees and bowed deep enough to hit his head on the sand floor. "I don't know how I can repay you for this."

"First of all by telling everything you know, even the smallest details to my scribe. I want everything recorded." You told him.

"I will tell the scribe everything I know." Sahvan said and continued to bow.

"Good, that is the first step…" You started to say as an explosion rang out outside the cell and dungeons.

You immediately turned around and went for the door. Opening it you saw a scene of carnage. Something had blown the door to the dungeon into pieces and killed the two guards standing by it. The guards who had been in the office had been thrown around and were collecting themselves and pushing each other back up.

1/2

>>5662053

"Protect the Prince!" Empleton the knight shouted as he, Joe and Thomas formed a wall between you and where the explosion happened. Malevus meanwhile was behind you in front of the old cell Thrall had once inhabited.

Suddenly there was an explosion of smoke at the door. The smoke filled that part of the dungeon quickly and engulfed the guards in the office.

There were sounds of combat that were over in an instant. The two remaining guards backed up and joined your knights in front of you as you drew the Cinder Sword. The grey blade shed a few embers as you moved it around.

You cursed yourself for not wearing your full armour. You had thought that it would be too cumbersome to wear through daily tasks and opted for only the arming jacket and trousers. Though you had your leather jacket and the robe over them for some extra protection.

There was silence in the dungeon. To the left of you was the cell where Sahvan was, to your right where Pai was. The assassin either was here for them or he had arrived to get you.

Suddenly something flew at your knights from the cover of smoke and a loud bang and light blinded and deafened you. A flash bomb! Your mind raced into conclusion as your eyes tried to recover and you couldn’t hear anything other than ringing.

Another bomb flew from the cover of smoke and landed on the feet of one of the two remaining guards. Different coloured smoke came out of it and the guard started to cough immediately.

"Cover your faces!" You shouted and we're quite certain that no one could actually hear you as you reached down into your pockets and took out the orange bandana you had taken from Sahvan.

It would be better than nothing as your ears still rang like hell and now your eyes started to water as the smoke got to them.

Then you were faced by your assailant. Or assailants would be the correct term. Four men all wearing identical black clothes, robes and headgear with goggles came running out of the smoke. They all had their orange bandanas and they carried two short swords.

In an instant the one in front of them had disarmed the disoriented and coughing Joe before kicking him against the well, as the three remaining engaged Empleton, Thomas and the guards. You locked eyes with the one who had disarmed Joe and as soon as you did it, he disappeared.

As quickly as you could, you turned around and brought the Cinder Sword up just in the right moment before the assassin would have cut you down. The Cinder Sword grinned and shed embers as it touched one of the assassin's blades.

With a quick push you made yourself some distance between you and him.

2/3

>>5662054

Two short swords was something you hadn't trained against too much, but the man must be very lightly armoured. One well placed cut should bring him down.

But the issue was that you still couldn't hear shit, your eyes were irritated from the smoke and flash and the bandana couldn't completely prevent you from inhaling the smoke. You felt your mouth and lungs burn and you knew that you were in disadvantage at least momentarily. Malevus was on the ground as she had nothing really to protect herself from the irritating smoke, and her elven sight and hearing probably made the flash bomb even worse for her.


>Fight defensively and avoid getting hit. Your goal is to survive and stay in one piece.
>Slow the fight down and purposely attempt to buy some time. You know your knights can handle their opponents.
>You need to finish this fight fast. Longer it goes, the more likely you are to get wounded or worse.
>The assassin doesn't expect this, attempt to grapple and disarm him.
>Other, write in.

>>5662055
>Fight defensively and avoid getting hit. Your goal is to survive and stay in one piece.
Do we need to add to our votes to always wear our full armor?

>>5662055
>>Fight defensively and avoid getting hit. Your goal is to survive and stay in one piece.
Well the last ones revealed themselves

>>5662057
I think we decided to go like this for, avoid to spread too much panic among the feast participants. We weren't always in armor.

>>5662081
Oh yeah, that's right.
I had forgotten about that.

>>5662055
>put on the Robe of Obfuscation
You need to finish this fight fast. Longer it goes, the more likely you are to get wounded or worse. Use the robe's properties to give us an opening, can't defend against something they can't perceive.

>>5662130
The robe only works if people don't know that you are there. In this case the assassin knows that are there and even if you were to properly wrap the robe around you, it wouldn't do anything to hide your presence.

I forgot to include that bit in the pastebin, but it was explained in the previous thread.

>>5662055
>Fight defensively and avoid getting hit. Your goal is to survive and stay in one piece.
Learn hes moves first how he fights before we commit.

>>5662055
Fight defensively, but don't let them disengage in case they decide to focus on our men (or woman) instead.

Fuck, they are out in force today. Was it just our message that provoked them into action?

Fighting defensively wins.


>3d10, best of three
>DC 16, Crit 28

Rolled 10, 9, 6 = 25 (3d10)

>>5662196
Light please

>>5662196

Rolled 1, 9, 2 = 12 (3d10)

>>5662196

Rolled 4, 5, 6 = 15 (3d10)

>>5662196

>25, Success


You placed the Cinder Sword between you and him and waited. The ringing in your ears was replaced with near silence as your eyes darted between the assassin's short swords and your hands were ready to react to the slightest move. The world grew awfully small, just you and him.

And you thought about this. You are Prince Alric Perenolde, one of the best young duelists in Lordaeron, and you weren't going to allow some upstart assassin wannabee to defeat you.

And then he moved and you moved in response. The short swords cut air in an attempt to cut you and you had your hands full of work to keep them away with your own. The dance continued for a couple moments before you found a chance for a quick riposte.

Though as you planned, you didn’t commit to the strike fully and allowed the assassin to block it. But now that the assassin was on defence and forced to react to you, it became easy to dictate where this fight was going. While as much as you wanted to take a risk and cut the assassin down, more importantly you wanted to stay in one piece.

So you went on offensive, your attempts to strike at the assassin were blocked and you countered a few good riposte attempts in return. Using the full length of your arms and the Cinder Sword, the assassin couldn't get close enough without taking a risk and you weren't sure if they were even ready to take it right now.

Another attempt by the assassin to get through you that you blocked easily and just as easily it blocked your riposte. You were really close at cutting the man as you pressed and pushed past the prone Malevus until the assassin suddenly lunged at you.

Not at you to kill you, but to distract you to get past you. One blade was aimed at your throat that you pushed away with your sword, but the second one was a wide slow slash towards your abdomen. It was very easy to avoid getting hit and in return your riposte was pushed away with both short swords as the assassin dashed past you.

You followed the man with your eyes and saw the remaining battle in the dungeon. The assassin who had fought you avoided your knights and the guards as he left the three other awfully similar assassins to continue their fights.

It did look like your knights didn't have much trouble keeping the assassins away, it was like the assassins weren't trying to kill them.

Strange.

But you had to make the choice, do you chase the assassin who had attacked you, or do you stay here to secure the prisoners and help your knights?


>Chase the assassin, you want to catch him for questioning or if that fails to kill him.
>Help the knights to win this fight as quickly as possible. You want the dungeon secured.
>Check on Malevus and be ready for any further tricks. Your and prisoners safety is paramount.
>Other, write in.

QM: Those last two rolls were bit worrisome, but thankfully the first roll did happen.

>>5662295
>Chase the assassin, you want to catch him for questioning or if that fails to kill him.

>>5662295
interesting, are the others illusions or something
>Chase the assassin, you want to catch him for questioning or if that fails to kill him.

>>5662295
>Help the knights to win this fight as quickly as possible. You want the dungeon secured.

>>5662295
Praise the light.
Well, as tempting as it is to go after the assassin, can we really afford to leave our people behind in pursuit that could lead into a trap?
>help the knights

Of course there is a question of what mayhem the assassin can do when out of sight, even though now we have more things to investigate like the explosives…