Below the high mountains.

[X-Tuornen/LF (Geir)]

The Duchess column arrives at Croaker Norge, the largest town in Monsedge.
Both local nobles and traders from near and far have taken a strong interest in the gold rush that as swept the province.

As both the Duchess and the provinces regent, the Duchess vassal and close confidant, Maquis Braedonnal Tuare meet the local dignitaries a feeling of unease settle over the gathering. The Duchess has requested a report from persons of importance, be they noble landowners or prominent guilders.

(--- OOC: Will this do DMs ? May we adventure ?  ---)

[DM B]

Will start tomorrow.

[X-Endier & KoH/GdN (Joe)]

Sir Guy de Nichalier is present, along with a small retinue of bodyguards, having ridden to join the Duchess shortly after she left the Imperial City.

[X-Tuornen/LF (Geir)]

Minor nobles, local landowners, and prominent guilders have all gathered at the estate of Maquis Braedonnal Tuare just outside Croaker Norge.
A fine evening banquet has been arranged and all should be well as the Duchess has granted the province the honour of a visit. But the gathering is tense.
The Duchess did not come alone. Some hours after the Duchess column arrived another group of heavily armed knights entered the town. Sir Guy de Nichalier, Grand-Maester of the Knights of Haelyn, Count of Endier, also known as the Red Knight has come to Tuornen. 
Such men do not tread lightly, so the locals here gathered feel a strong desire to uncover what change will follow now.

As the whispering of rumours, true and false, grows to levels above modesty and good conduct the Duchess signals her Maquis. He stands tall and lifts his voice over the murmur of the room.

“All hear! All Hear!”

Silence fills the room, the anticipation and unease shifts in the eyes of the locals.

“The Duchess Laela Flaertes of Tuornen, liege of these lands!”

The Duchess steps forward, smiling, eyes on all and non.

“Our journey north has been a great joy. And indeed this joy grows more as Our Maquis have been able to gather such a room filled with hope, prosperity and potential. All present have Our good will this evening.

Sir Guy de Nichalier, Grand-Maester of the Knights of Haelyn, Count of Endier, a shield against Evil for all deserving, Our gratitude goes to Your Grace.

Before all will be allowed to present their views on matters important to Monsedge, as was Our request for these evening, Our heart will share with you all Our vision of the coming time.

It has become Our will that taxes should not be collected in Monsedge and Ghonallison until these provinces has been born again from the ashes of darkness. Our Maquis will rather be granted funds from Our court to rule these lands.

Great efforts have been set in motion to make sure any orog or brigand will be tracked down and slain. And that will also be the faith of any who plot, conspire or espier to hinder the healing and cleansing of this Our Tuornen.

Now who will be the first to claim the floor and speak of matters important in Monsedge? What is this news Our court tell of the precious metal found of late?”

[X-Endier & KoH/GdN (Joe)]

Guy de Nichalier observes the scene quietly, standing behind the Duchess and to the left.  His eyes seem to examine each person in the room, one at a time. 

OOC: Take 20 on a spot check

[DM B]

Guy notices an old crone standing alone in the middle of the room; no-one else seems to notice her - the do not look at her, but somehow know she's there and avoid her.

She notices Guy looking and then she winks at him.

[DM B]

Braedonnal Tuare, the Elf General of Tuornen stands to speak. He is quite tall, over six feet, but does not have the light build common to this people; instead he is broad of shoulder and strong of arm. He has quite a presence...on the level of the Duchess, but less subtle...and far more alien.

"The gold matter but little to me...save for the fact that it will pay for soldiers and thus secure our grand realm all the more. But first we must take care of goblins and orogs. We shall send forth scouting parties and mounted reserves to follow them. My knights know this land well, and traverse it well even on horseback, and our mounts are hardy and used to difficult terrain. Once the scouts sot trouble they will call for support while keeping the enemy either pinned or followed."

[X-Tuornen/LF (Geir)]

The Duchess walk among the gathered.
"Good good, Our Marquis is Our hope for order and law in these lands. But there must be someone that know of from where all this talk of gold finds comes. And what of raider and brigands? You have all sufered much, you deserve peace and prosperity, securety and trade.  Is there any here that can speak for the Source of Masiel trade guild?"
The Duchess looks at each in turn, smiling but willing them to speak. 

[X-Endier & KoH/GdN (Joe)]

Sir Guy smiles towards Braedonnal Tuare and speaks softly.

"It is a pleasure to finally meet you.  I had heard rumors that you were in Endier not long ago."

[X-Endier & KoH/GdN (Joe)]

Guy allows his eye to wander to the crone from time to time, concerned she may be a spellcaster, and wondering how many people a fireball would kill.

[DM B]

Sir Guy smiles towards Braedonnal Tuare and speaks softly.

"It is a pleasure to finally meet you.  I had heard rumors that you were in Endier not long ago."

"Yes, I was there briefly not too many months ago. A most...busy...city Endier is, even for a human settlement."

[DM B]

Guy allows his eye to wander to the crone from time to time, concerned she may be a spellcaster, and wondering how many people a fireball would kill.

As soon as you took you eyes away to speak to Braedonnal she slipped away; she's nowhere to be seen.

[DM B]

The Duchess walk among the gathered.
"Good good, Our Marquis is Our hope for order and law in these lands. But there must be someone that know of from where all this talk of gold finds comes. And what of raider and brigands? You have all sufered much, you deserve peace and prosperity, securety and trade.  Is there any here that can speak for the Source of Masiel trade guild?"
The Duchess looks at each in turn, smiling but willing them to speak.

A young man with dark hair and very fine garb steps up;

"I am Galdiel Endiel, envoy from the Source of the Maesil - and ambassador of sorts if you will. The guildmasters would like to extend their well-wished to the Duchess, and assure her that any major find will be thoroughly investigated and exploited, to the benefit of all Tuornen; they are certain that through taxes many gold pieces will enter the Duchess' coffers."

[X-Tuornen/LF (Geir)]

"Gretings young man, We are pleased you could make it to  Our gathering. So can you confirm that there have been a major find these last seasons? There are news of such a find, and that your guild is involved in talk with nobles on this mater." The Duches scans the rom to see how the others react and regard this man.

quote]
A young man with dark hair and very fine garb steps up;
"I am Galdiel Endiel, envoy from the Source of the Maesil - and ambassador of sorts if you will. The guildmasters would like to extend their well-wished to the Duchess, and assure her that any major find will be thoroughly investigated and exploited, to the benefit of all Tuornen; they are certain that through taxes many gold pieces will enter the Duchess' coffers."

[DM B]

"No Your GRace; no major find yet. But several promising minor ones. Together with local landowners we have been trying to find our way; but it is dangerous, with the orogs about and all.