Chat Log List - 2023 07 07 - Intermediate Era - Formatted - Story
BOB So you have the idea that you have to investigate why there are empty wagons heading south Talwin: Ahem, Diplomatic Mission to give tea
Talwin: So, literally everyone who want to investigate empty wagons to go north. We are also stopping at Border checkstations and Commerical waypoints to drop off the new legislative regulation
Talwin: Who would like to go with me?
Talwin: Diplomacy, Fancy Gifts, Capitalism
Talwin: Coughs
Talwin: Potential Massacres awaiting to happen?
Talwin: Mumbles
Daphene: I'm in!
Raelynn: It you want to AVOID a massacre, I can go for the diplomacy. N'laea is better for massacres.
Talwin: Waggles hand back and forth
Talwin: Eh
Talwin: We might want both!
Licornah: Ummm... I'm not so diplomatic - Capitaliasm? Is the capital that way?
Talwin: Er
Talwin: Not quite sure how to explain Merchantilism and Greed
Talwin: Forget I said anything
Talwin: But TEA!
Talwin: Let's take the finest we can afford to spare
Talwin: It's a Protectorate expense so we can write it off
Raelynn: Er, so are you investigating wagons OR meeting them?
Talwin: Why not Both!
Raelynn: So.... all of us?
Talwin: We may even kill them if they are malicious entities!
Talwin: Spooky!
Licornah: Do we need to split the group up in different directions?
Bixi Fizzlebang: Yeah, I feel like I better go. Some of us have less patience for conversation than others...
Talwin: I mean, we definitely want to play it cool, but it's....us.....so...yeah
Talwin: We'll wave the duty tax on this batch
Lanek Olenak: i'm sure i can infilterate some places and find some stuff out
Talwin: Honestly, other then the Tea, I'm not quite sure what would be of quality to bring them
Craigh: Mind if I tag along? If I won't slow you down or anything.
Talwin: This is the best Gods dammed tea i've ever had so.....
Talwin: You absoultely will accompany us! If you wish of course
Talwin: Bixi! Your sharp tongue and glitter will be most fun
Talwin: Three is not yet a party folks. Any other takers?
Bixi Fizzlebang: Maybe some of Yout's cookies
Talwin: Nods
Talwin: Good Idea
Talwin: They can go with the Tea
Lanek Olenak: I ain't doin' the prissy stuff. just the sneaky stuff
N'laea: If you're checking wagons, you'll need help. Your footsteps are too loud.
Talwin: Ah!
Talwin: Yes
Talwin: So to reiterate our plan
Talwin: We are simply doing good natured patrols northword, helping to spread the new legislation
Talwin: At the point we arrive at Quellcon
Talwin: We are now acting in official capacity as a Diplomatic representation for our Friends in the North
Talwin: We are simply being consiounious with our time and duties
BOB They are the Estate north of Dragon Fen, they are three times the size of Dragon Fen and have been in existence about 200 years more than Dragon Fen
BOB Wagon come south many times a year
BOB The taxes are paid on full wagons heading south
BOB The taxes agreed upon between Quellcon and Dragon Fen is that Quellcon (and other Estates traveling south) have to pay a tax on all full wagons heading south along the road in Dragon Fen
BOB The Treaty you all created (when you built the roads) was to charge anyone using them a tax, the agreement was to charge full wagons, so as to not charge the same rate to everyone walking down the road
BOB It is a tax you are placing on anyone using the road heading south. Quellcon being the Estate just north of you with mines to send ore south down the road you created that treaty
BOB Your Treaty never mentioned empty wagons, it only talked about full wagons because you wanted to tax them without reducing all the traffic coming south
BOB The mines are in Quellcon, they need to ship the ore south as 2/3 of Drillian is south of them
BOB They do still send full wagons south
BOB they are not only sending empty wagons
BOB and other people, farmers, etc are sending full wagon south and you are getting those taxes too
BOB Also remember that these Treaty talks were back before you ever started Plane Travelling, so more than 8 years ago, even if that was only 2 years or less for most of this group
BOB Standard tax rates for everyone, worked out with Quellcon becasue they never paid before to go south, and they are your (expected) biggest source of usage
BOB Until you built your own smelter you paid Quellcon to smelt your ore
BOB Now you have your own and do not pay them BOB So from what I understand you are waiting for an empty wagon to come south to travel with them and talk then talk with the people in Redfern Lake when you are south of Dragon Fen
BOB so the group is in Hourglass, at the tea shop, the shrine, the mines, etc. Talwin and Sundown have cleared up the back log on pay for the miners
BOB and Sundown has compiled the list of payments to widows and children for the miners killed over the last six months
BOB and then there is a new group of wagons heading south
BOB there are four of them one full of ore and three empty wagons
Craigh: I have a sudden need to go south, Lord Talwin. Think you can give me an escort?
Talwin: I most certainly can Craigh!
Talwin: Are you well?
Lanek Olenak: finishes up his tea
Craigh: As much as ever, I just can't travel well now, after that accident.
Talwin: Hm?
Duran Vernifelon: Walks into the tea shop
Duran Vernifelon: Hello there Raelynn,
Raelynn: Hello?
Duran Vernifelon: I would like to get another batch of that soothing tea please
Duran Vernifelon: It sells well in the south
Raelynn: Oh yes! Certainly. Let me get that ready for you.
Duran Vernifelon: How much can you sell me this time?
Raelynn: glances at Talwin
Duran Vernifelon: Just the leaves like last time
Talwin: Remains silent, watching carefully
Duran Vernifelon: I have two empty wagons this trip, glad to fill them up
Raelynn: Hmm, I think I have a good stock going.
Raelynn: At least a pound....
Duran Vernifelon: I do hope you can fill me up,
Talwin: Two empty?
Duran Vernifelon: Oh, you do need to get more of that in, I can make so much more in trade if you give me more
Talwin: I apologize sir for intruding
Talwin: Were you robbed?
Raelynn: Oh, yes! I just need to check my stock. One moment.
Talwin: Do I need to send militia men northbound?
Duran Vernifelon: Oh no, just keeping our options open
Raelynn: goes to backroom
Talwin: Options?
Talwin: Appears Puzzled
Talwin: I am afraid I don't have much head for trading sir
Duran Vernifelon: If Raelynn here can sell me some tea then I can buy that and sell it farther south
Talwin: Nods
Duran Vernifelon: Getting things here and there and making a profit is the way
Talwin: Was the ore not making enough for you?
Talwin: I don't mean to pry
Duran Vernifelon: We have one wagon of ore with us he says quickly
Talwin: Smiles
Talwin: I do see that
Talwin: I would hazard a guess that the Tea leaves must be bringing in more then Ore?
Bixi Fizzlebang: Is there anything we can do to help? Something to send tourists up that way to spend some extra money there?
Raelynn: comes out of the backroom with bags of tea
Duran Vernifelon: I tell everyone where I get my goods from, to help them know I am legitimate
Raelynn: Oooof. Perhaps I had more than a pound if this works.
Talwin: Nods
Duran Vernifelon: The tea brings in a nice benefit, but the ore is what makes us money
Talwin: Stares
Talwin: Then
Duran Vernifelon: No mines in the south
Raelynn: What else do you tend to grab along the way?
Raelynn: [SKILL] Persuasion [MOD:CHA] (vs. Target 17) [SUCCESS by 12] [d20 = 5]
Duran Vernifelon: Get to make a lot off of that need
Duran Vernifelon: I will grab anything I can...
Duran Vernifelon: winks then coughs,
Duran Vernifelon: Well excepting... looks over Rae's shoulder at Youtargrim staring at him
Duran Vernifelon: I have traded in books, in tea, in herbs, in quilts,
Duran Vernifelon: Just about anything to fill up the loose wagons
Raelynn: Oh you. I'd only be company, but those will at least make you money.
Raelynn: Even before I opened my tea shop? Were you doing this before that?
Duran Vernifelon: I did a lot of different things
Duran Vernifelon: Before you opened your tea shop it was more grains
Duran Vernifelon: flowers and herbs
Duran Vernifelon: Tea just grew out of that
Raelynn: And always with the ore? Do they make more than the ore at this point?
Craigh: Where are you headed, sir?
Duran Vernifelon: I am going south
Duran Vernifelon: Obviously Redfern Lake then Billingstone
Craigh: There are lots of souths. *chuckle* But one of them I might be interested in visiting, if you don't mind a paying passenger.
Duran Vernifelon: after that will see where they say the best prices are this month
Talwin: Playing along
Talwin: Are you sure Craigh?
Talwin: Worries
Talwin: Do you want me to go with you?
Talwin: I think your leg might still need some watching
Talwin: Turns to Duran
Daphene: Oooooh, I haven't been south yet! I'd love to go see what's down there!
Duran Vernifelon: I can take passengers
Talwin: I'd be happy to pay for myself as well
Talwin: And Dephene
Raelynn: Oh! Are we doing a roadtrip?
Talwin: And there is Raelynn
Duran Vernifelon: Well young lady you would need your father to tell me ok first but you can come if he says so
Bixi Fizzlebang: snickers
Duran Vernifelon: The deeper Mist is sometimes harch
Craigh: I can't ride a horse anymore, and this gentleman has a wagon with space. Solves two problems at once.
Duran Vernifelon: Harsh
Talwin: Heading that off at the pass.
Talwin: For all intents and purposes, I am her father
Raelynn: Wait wait
Talwin: Proudly
Raelynn: The DEEPER Mist? Why would you go there??
Bixi Fizzlebang: How many passengers can you take? I wouldn't mind a trip as well.
Talwin: Raises eyebrows
Talwin: The Deeper Mist?
Talwin: Puzzled at Duran
Duran Vernifelon: They are in the great swamp, no ore there to mine, so lots of customers
Raelynn: Oh, no thanks. You all can go if you want.
Duran Vernifelon: Same as here in Dragon Fen, I would guess you make good change on selling to the south
Raelynn: Well true... but who lives in The Deeper Mist?
Talwin: We can always look into that, thank you Sir. What do they need in the South and perhaps we can ramp up trade in that direction
Duran Vernifelon: Bopel, Ghostwood, Finefur, and of course the Royal Estates
Lanek Olenak: rumages around in his coin purse
Raelynn: Oh! I think Thistle was heading to Ghostwood... You really travel all that way? From where do you start?
Craigh: I'm actually originally from the Deep Mist. I miss it sometimes.
Duran Vernifelon: I go as far south as I need, then head back north with what ever I can find to make a profit on
Duran Vernifelon: lots of skins down south to bring north
Duran Vernifelon: wolf, lizard folk
Raelynn: That sounds dangerous. You do this on your own dime?
Duran Vernifelon: I own the wagons
Duran Vernifelon: So I guess I make the rules
Raelynn: Well sure, but do you have a sponsor for your trip? Seems quite a trip for a merchant.
Duran Vernifelon: There are different paths, sometimes not so deep into The Mist and back
Duran Vernifelon: I can go up to Loosend too if that is what is needed
Raelynn: How did you get in the trade? You're not the only one doing this, I'm sure.
Raelynn: You'd have to know quite a lot of road rules for places you go through.
Duran Vernifelon: Oh I expect there are others
Duran Vernifelon: You have to know the ins and outs of where the rules change
Duran Vernifelon: Used to have to pay quite a bit for this road
Craigh: chuckles musically.
Raelynn: What changed?
Duran Vernifelon: Farmers Turn was not a good space
Duran Vernifelon: Dragon Fen and Countess Branwyn the Mysterious
Talwin: Yes?
Duran Vernifelon: The Countess created a safe space, strict, death by fire, but understandable
Raelynn: Oh, well, she did change a lot. But what regarding this? I feel like if I do more business like this I should make sure I know things!
Raelynn: nods
Raelynn: The Countess does love her fireballs. I'm working on a tea to name after her called... Fireball.
Duran Vernifelon: Used to have to pay lots of gold for guards on this road
Duran Vernifelon: Oh
Duran Vernifelon: A nice spicy tea
Duran Vernifelon: Do tell me all about it
Raelynn: Yes! Similar to my other ones. They're a huge hit, but none are quite the right... mouth explosion.
Duran Vernifelon: I will have to taste it when you do
Raelynn: I look forward to it!
Duran Vernifelon: Well I suppose I should head out
Raelynn: But you'll pass word along to other merchants you come across, yes?
Raelynn: About the tea shop?
Duran Vernifelon: need to make Redfern lake
Duran Vernifelon: of course
Duran Vernifelon: I tell everyone where I get my goods from
Raelynn: Did you still need to get to Redfern, Craigh?
Raelynn: beams
Duran Vernifelon: Have to show I am an honest merchant
Raelynn: Honest merchants are the best!
Raelynn: Take care, Duran! Hope to see you again, soon! i'll have the new tea by then!
BOB So over the next four days only two sets of wagons head south, both full and paying their taxes
BOB Then a couple of days later three wagons heading south again all empty
Efar Deepwing: Hey, get out of the way
Raelynn: Who in what way?
Efar Deepwing: Get out of the way
Efar Deepwing: Coming through
Efar Deepwing: Moving here
Raelynn: How am I in your way??
Talwin: Moves up to Raelynn. Ms. Raylenn, is there a problem here?
Efar Deepwing: You need to be careful miss, standing there on the side of the road looking at Flowers can get you in trouble, some Ass might want to take a bit of your Ass
Talwin: Hand on Pommel
Efar Deepwing: Moving along
Talwin: Ah not so fast
Raelynn: And this ass *points to Talwin* will happily take yours!
Efar Deepwing: Laughs
Efar Deepwing: Do you like being called an ass sir?
Talwin: Sir, you just became subject to an Authority inspection. Here are my creditionals.
Efar Deepwing: Wait
Efar Deepwing: Why pick on me because she called you an ass?
Talwin: Please remove yourself from the wagon
Efar Deepwing: go after her
Efar Deepwing: Oh man
SIGH
Raelynn: For standing on the road?
Efar Deepwing: Gets down and hands the reigns over to Talwin
Raelynn: With PLENTY of room to go around me?
Efar Deepwing: I will go to the bar
Efar Deepwing: Call me when you are done
Talwin: Nods. I will do so.
Talwin: Calls over Roger
Raelynn: Pick up some manners while you're at it!
Walks over down the street from the tea shop
Talwin: Roger, please escort our merchantman tot he bar and see he is.....civil
BOB His other teamsters join him
BOB You have three empty wagons
Talwin: Craigh?
Talwin: Can you please discretely search through their paperwork?
N'laea: [SKILL] Observation [MOD:INT] (vs. Target 12) [FAILURE by 7] [d20 = 19]
N'laea: looking intently at the flowers
Talwin: Hey, those are some nice flowers
N'laea: [SKILL] Foraging [MOD:INT] (vs. Target 11) [SUCCESS by 1] [d20 = 10]
Talwin: Surprised at himself
Talwin: [SKILL] Observation [MOD:INT] (vs. Target 13) [FAILURE by 5] [d20 = 18]
N'laea: and finds some good ones to give Rae for tea
Talwin: [SKILL] Engineering [2] [MOD:INT] (vs. Target 10) [SUCCESS by 3] [d20 = 7]
BOB I will give Talwin a result that these empty wagons look VERY sturdy, capable of holding a lot of what ever
BOB They axels are VERY sturdy, meant to hold a LOT of weight
BOB No they are not currently bowed.
BOB If they had a full weight of ore they would not be bowed
BOB They are meant to carry that heavy weight
Talwin: Craigh? If no documents....does this Wagon look...I don't know. Off a bit?
Talwin: Shrugs
Talwin: As an engineer I can tell the Wagon is meant to hold a lot
Talwin: But....
Craigh: Can you feel anything in the bed of it?
Talwin: Sighs
Lorie (Licornah): :: watching the inspection from a distance, unsure what they are looking for
Talwin: No, because that would make sense now wouldn't it
Talwin: Hops in the back
Talwin: Upsie Daisy
BOB It is a very solid wagon
Talwin: Kicks the bottom of the wagon floor experimentally
Craigh: moves around to the side of the wagon where none of the Quellcon people can see him
Talwin: Kicks the bottom of the wagon floor experimentally
BOB Sounds solid, Craigh looks around and it looks solid
Talwin: More to himself, but loud enough the others can hear
Talwin: A wagon meant for this much weight....
Talwin: The cost must be extraordinary to use and repair
Talwin: Using it without any sort of materials or goods doesn't make sense
Talwin: What am I missing here?
Craigh: Detect Magic
BOB Craigh does not detect any active magic on the wagon like a pile of hidden ore in the bed of the wagon
Talwin: Anything Craigh?
Raelynn: Any ore dust or anything on there?
BOB No to Rae
Talwin: Huh
Craigh: Well, whatever it is, isn't magical. Where's Lanek, do you see him?
Raelynn: So they're brand new? No scratches or wear and tear?
Lanek Olenak: hm? somebody call me?
Talwin: Wagon or not, this is a damn beaucracy for the Protectorate. If they don't produce a shipping manifest I'm seizing these wagons...for being a pain in my ass
Craigh: I lost the skills. Think you can find a secret compartment?
Craigh: clicks loudly at Talwin
Raelynn: [CHECK] Wisdom (vs. Target 16) [SUCCESS by 5] [d20 = 11]
Talwin: SHrugs
Talwin: What you got Craigh?
Talwin: Can't hurt at this point
Lanek Olenak: [SKILL] Find/Remove Traps [PERCENT:Find/Remove Traps] (vs. Target 85) [FAILURE by 1] [d100 = 86]
Craigh: takes a dagger and pokes it into the side of the wagon
Raelynn: These are definitely brand new wagons. I wonder where they got them from?
-> Craigh: His dagger does not go into the wood as expected
Raelynn: And I mean BRAND new. Probably just made!
Raelynn: How lovely!
Craigh: chuckles and warbles
Craigh: Yep. I do believe you are looking at the very first metal wagon.
Talwin: [SKILL] Metalworking [MOD:DEX] (vs. Target 12) [FAILURE by 7] [d20 = 19]
Talwin: Hm
Raelynn: A metal wagon? Must be nice unless it's lightning outside.
Raelynn: Or get rusty...
Talwin: I can't see the cost benefit of using a metal wagon and then smelting it on the other side of the road
Talwin: Before trading back to a wooden one
Talwin: So...
Talwin: Hm
Craigh: Depends on how easy it is to make, and how heavy the taxes for this much metal would be.
Talwin: Still. Any shipping manifest?
Talwin: Draws his belt knife, and scratches the surface of the Metal, looking for any discolloration under the surface
BOB no discoloration, just the knife does not penetrate anything to scrape off
Raelynn: [CHECK] Wisdom (vs. Target 16) [SUCCESS by 0] [d20 = 16]
BOB Rae would remember they can smelt their own ore in Quellcon
Lanek Olenak: hm? somebody call me?
Lanek Olenak: shock and surprise
Talwin: Does this wagon look like the prvious one?
Talwin: The other group?
Talwin: Chuckles
Talwin: I found a loophole
Talwin: Sing Song
Talwin: Metal Wagons eh?
BOB No mention of what a wagon would be made of no
Talwin: No, they are doing exactly what we said, but I WAS wrong. Sorry about that
Lanek Olenak: they are pre-smelting the ore and shipping it as the mode of transport
Talwin: Hole in one Lanek!
Talwin: BUT
Talwin: There's a nifty glitch in the legislation
Talwin: There is no consitution of what is a wagon!
Zayden: I believe it's referred to as a loophole
Talwin: Hehehe
Zayden: when we're talking legislation
Talwin: Smiles and rubs hands with childlike Glee
Talwin: My quarters has a book of architectural diagrams
Talwin: And
Talwin: of Movable structures
Talwin: Mostly military in nature
Talwin: That book is the standard text for Architectural diagramming
Talwin: A CASE could be made, that when the treaty was signed, we based it off of standardized diagrams
Talwin: This is no longer a Wagon
Talwin: Beginning today with the Governess persmission
Talwin: We are ahem
Talwin: Smiles with Broad amusment
Talwin: Reclassifying any metal or non-wooden wagaon as a Luxery Land Yact
Talwin: It must have it's own Taxation assigned per Luxuery Import and Export regulations
Talwin: waits for it to sink in
Talwin: By Weight
Talwin: If this is a standard iron wagon, that luxery tax actually would roughly come out the same cost
Lanek Olenak: prolly gonner have to negotiate on the treaty fer that right?
Raelynn: ....what's a "Yact?"
Talwin: hehehe
Talwin: Do we Lanek?
Lanek Olenak: dunno
Talwin: We never signed a treaty for Land Yachts
Lanek Olenak: it sounds like politickin
Talwin: Let them come to us for this one
Zayden: Big animals you can milk right?
Zayden: soft fur
Talwin: Stares at Zayden before bursts out laughing
Lanek Olenak: yacht. yot. yaaaat
Zayden smiles
Talwin: Shrugs.
Lanek Olenak: sounds like a weapon for children
Talwin: Land Yacht it is
Talwin: Does'nt really matter.
Zayden: oh well that makes more sense then
Talwin: Kicks foot against the wheel
Talwin: That being said
Talwin: We will let this group go. Being an asshole isn't a crime. At least in the Proctectorate. However this will be drafted right away.
Zayden: so we got ourselves some nice new luxury wagons then?
Talwin: Shakes head
Talwin: No
Talwin: Technically, they haven't done anything wrong
Zayden: oh alright
Zayden: well that's good then
Talwin: They exploited a clever loophole, just like the Goblins
Talwin: And, just like the Goblins
Zayden: can't blame people for being clever
Talwin: We need to shore up that part of our legislation
Zayden: you can hit em, but you can't blame em
Talwin: It does inspire innovation Zayden
Talwin: Smiles
Talwin: But
Talwin: I think...I think they may have overplayed their hand here
Zayden: how so?
Talwin: Places his hand protectively over the wagon
Talwin: They sent these as a way to get around regulation
Talwin: Do you know what I see?
Craigh: Could always be sneaky back, you know.
Zayden: I don't
Zayden: they way you're storking that wagon, I certainly don't
Talwin: I see a machine of war
Zayden: stroking
Lanek Olenak: oh
Zayden: waaaaar?
Talwin: Look how sturdy this is? The weight it can withstand is off the charts from the size of those Axels
Talwin: Imagine it being covered!
Craigh: It's like fighting, but with hundreds of people, Zayden
Lanek Olenak: imagining
Zayden: Could it even carry Lanek?
Talwin: With a Ballistai mounted on the top
Talwin: Could you imagine seeing something like this coming your way?
Lanek Olenak: it could carry four of me
Zayden: wow that is strong
Craigh: I just see a wagon. Just like any other *wooden* wagon.
Talwin: It could carry you, and a massive mounted ballistae.
Talwin: In many ways
Talwin: This IS a Land Yact
Zayden: Ok, is this potential war our problem though?
Lanek Olenak: oh i think he means yak
Talwin: Remember our trip to the Fire Swamps?
Daphene: So you just tax it differently or what?
Zayden: that's what I thought Lanny
Raelynn: A catapult?
Talwin: Those military ships had ballistaie and other large mounted machines
Talwin: The difference is that this is more portable for land use
Zayden: regretfully I do remember that trip
Talwin: Excited so much he's turning red
Talwin: Steps back
Lanek Olenak: a land warship
Talwin: Nods with Grim satisfaction
Zayden: take a breath Tal, just a wagon...
Talwin: But also remember
Craigh: Sorry, I need to go sit down some. Let me know if you want to steal the next shipment.
Talwin: If I've had this thought
Talwin: Pauses
Craigh: starts limping off to the Inn.
Talwin: Do you think other kindgoms have?
Talwin: Quietly the last sentence
Zayden: You need any help Craigh!?
Daphene: I'm not sure I QUITE understand. Lanek and Talwin are just too wise. I will need to spend more time with you, so I can learn.
Lanek Olenak: there could be an armada of these things south of the border
Talwin: Perches up
Talwin: "What? What did you say Lanek?"
Zayden: Should we build a wall?
Lanek Olenak: if yer not the first to think of it
Lanek Olenak: and these wagons have been going for a while
Talwin: Pales
Lanek Olenak: i guess it's more accurate to say southwest of the border, since that's how the road goes
Talwin: Oh...
Talwin: Whispers
Lanek Olenak: but yeah, somebody could be making like a whole lot of those warships
Craigh: I'm fine, Zayden, just this leg is uncomfortable standing for long periods is all.
Talwin: All of you
Talwin: Tomorrow all hands on deck. We are going southward
Bixi Fizzlebang: Why?
Talwin: I'll send a note to Branwyn with the details of what we've found, potential risks southbound, and for new legislation to be drawn up for the new classification
BOB Yes to Quellcon finding a loophole and smelting down ore into planks to make wagons out of and using that to ship south
BOB to avoid any taxes
BOB Then when it does make it south the "planks" are melted down and into what ever swords, plowshares, pots and pans
BOB So they pay zero taxes to ship LOTS of metal south
Talwin: Craigh...I cannot believe I am saying this
Talwin: And it actually is making me hurt
BOB and I am stopping that Carissa and Michael, it is a GREAT idea, wonderful if we were continuing here in Drillian for the next few years, but I have to admit I did not envision that as part of this "semi-smuggling" bit for this encounter
Talwin: So
Talwin: Pehraps
Talwin: Calms himself
Talwin: That is simply an overstep on my part
Talwin: Deep Breaths
Raelynn: So you take care of the taxes, and send word to Branwyn to pass to the Queen if they think it's more.
Talwin: Nods
Talwin: Meanwhile
Talwin: ...
Talwin: Craigh?
Talwin: I need a favor
Talwin: How do you feel about planting....evidence?
BOB So yes you have come up with how they are avoiding the taxes and you can set up a meeting to have the two Estates add that to the list of things to tax for smelted metals
Craigh: moving his mask to take a drink
Talwin: Because I feel horrible even entertaining the idea
Craigh: Why would you feel bad about that?
Raelynn: Talwin, when I called you an ass, it was in jest. Don't ACTUALLY be one!
Talwin: ...
Talwin: We need one
Talwin: Just one
Raelynn: One ass?
Raelynn: raises brow
Talwin: What?
Talwin: No, the Wagon
Craigh: warbles amusedly
Raelynn: So you want to plant evidence....why?
Talwin: We would only borrow while we "investigate"
Craigh: Oh, that's easy, if you're willing to wait for the next shipment to come through.
Raelynn: Why do you need evidence? You're the authority. Just claim it.
Craigh: They won't even know it's gone, until later.
Talwin: Hm
Zayden: you know what they say "evidence smevidence"
Talwin: Does illero have any. Ahem...
Talwin: Scouts nearby?
Craigh: points to Lanek
Raelynn: rolls her eyes and joins N'laea in flower picking.
Lanek Olenak: you want me to take it, boss?
Talwin: Sigh
Talwin: I had hoped to just borrow it after planting evidence. Then, we could investigate and if we couldn't "find" the smuggler, then return it when they next come through
Talwin: Because, then
Talwin: There is no suspcions
Craigh: Oh, but then they know you have it, and where's the fun in that?
Lanek Olenak: hops up into the wagon
Zayden: follow Lanny into the wagon because it looks like fun
Talwin: Because they know some asshole screwed them over, and since we're going to tell them we know they didn't do it, we HAVE to hold the wagon for our investigation. The next time they come around, we'll give it back if we can find no evidence.
Talwin: Shakes head
Talwin: So, how do we play innocent since we are literally the only ones here?
Talwin: They'll suspect we took it
Talwin: Shrugs
Talwin: I'll go to the bar and say we found nothing, they can leave whenever they want
Craigh: Simply have a regular identical wagon ready to go for the next shipment and swap it out for one of theirs. Might need a little encouragement for the driver to not notice how it rides differently though.
BOB starting from scratch at the road, the teamsteers are in the bar and the group has discovered it is a metal wagon
Talwin: Lanek and Craigh. Find some illicit substances. We need to be able to provide evidence that if it wasn't them, then SOMEONE was taking advantage of them.
Talwin: We need to bring out the head teamster and show him. He's going to beleive it wastn' him, but we're going to believe him and say we don't think it was him, but his wagon was implicated in a crime and we need to hold it for a period of 120 days
Talwin: That is per our actual law for investigations
Talwin: If we find nothing it can be returned
Talwin: ...
Lanek Olenak: scratches his head trying to figure out what might be illicit here
Zayden: I could always distract them in the pub? With a song?
Talwin: He can retreive it after that period
Talwin: We give him his oxen
Craigh: I have aniseed on me, a stinky gel.
Zayden: Sure... it's the gel
Talwin: Craigh. I cannot believe I'm saying this
Talwin: But I'm going to have you find something so heinous it would make even the teamsters shit themselves if they knew it was in their wagon
Talwin: Sigh
Lanek Olenak: disbelieving glare
Talwin: Rae is going to hate me so much
Zayden: alright get in the wagon Lanny
Zayden smiles
Lanek Olenak: i'll make them shit themselves for sure
Lanek Olenak: but they won't believe i've been here the whole time
Zayden laughs
Talwin: Nods. I want to hear nothing else, and I will need to spend the next few days in a Church
Talwin: Whatever will be so illegal that they will panic that we found something like that, even without their knowledge. I'm going to bring them back out in 20 minutes. Is that enough time?
Craigh: whistles affirmatively
Talwin: Are you sure you can find it in 20 minutes?
Lanek Olenak: necromancers universally suck for everyone. can we find some necromancer crap?
Talwin: Nods
Lanek Olenak: or crap we can pass off as necromancer crap?
Craigh: Fire Drake scale, scrag talon, and a hill giant toenail, in an aniseed mix, in a small vial, glued under the wagon with sealing wax.
Craigh: Presto, magical poison.
Craigh: or necromantic ingredients
Talwin: Done
Talwin: I need to fetch several gaurds to show them and then bring them to the Inn in force
Talwin: Everyone act your part
Lanek Olenak: clears throat
Talwin: Nods head at Lanek
Lanek Olenak: OH. LOOK. WHAT HAVE. WE HERE?
Talwin: Holy Shit Lanek
Talwin: I need to fetch the gaurds!
Talwin: Searches frantically for Roger
Talwin: Searches frantically for Roger
Lanek Olenak: ZAYDEN. DO YOU. SEE. WHAT I. SEE?
Zayden: Typicaly Roger, never around when you need him
Efar Deepwing: What do you mean Look Here!!! It was an empty wagon
Craigh: is out of the way in the shadows.
Efar Deepwing: EMPTY
Zayden: I do Lanny!
Efar Deepwing: as in nothing in it
Zayden: And I can't believe my eyes!
Talwin: Turns to Efar
Talwin: Wrath on his face
Talwin: Empty! "Roars?"
Efar Deepwing: EMPTY as in you stopped us becasue it was empty!
Lanek Olenak: TAKE A KNIFE AND SEE. IF YOU. CAN SCRAPE LOOSE THAT. STUCK THING
Talwin: I STOPPED you because you almost ran a ctiizen over!
Efar Deepwing: You stopped us because we did not have anything in our wagon
Lanek Olenak: RIGHT. UNDER THERE
Efar Deepwing: What citizen?
Talwin: I'm ARRESTING YOU because you have Night Death Poison in your wagon you son of a bitch!
Zayden looks under there
Talwin: Guards!
Talwin: Guards!
Efar Deepwing: THis is harassment
Talwin: Draws Blade
Talwin: Wrath
Talwin: Are you resisting arrest?
Efar Deepwing: Teamsteers lives matter
Talwin: ..............
Zayden: whoa whoa whoa
Zayden: if we're gonna do this
Zayden: we should have some background music
Zayden: [SKILL] Musical Instrument [MOD:DEX] (vs. Target 11) [FAILURE by 3] [d20 = 14]
Talwin: Gaurds! This criminal scum is under Arrest! He's transporting Night Death!
Bixi Fizzlebang: Umm... maybe not the right time, Zayden
Talwin: Draws Sword
Talwin: You Dare in OUR PRotectorate!?
Efar Deepwing: How are you going to stop us from moving along with an empty wagon?
Zayden: Yea think you're right Bix, thanks
Efar Deepwing: It was empty that is what you stopped us for
Talwin: And that is resisting arrest
Talwin: Surrender or Die
Bixi Fizzlebang: Kind of sounds like your instrument needs a little... tuning
Talwin: Save it for the interrogation room asshole
Efar Deepwing: Why would I be interogatted?
Efar Deepwing: I am just here
Zayden: I think you're right again Bix, I've been 'lax' with it lately
Talwin: Points Sword
Talwin: The next syllabal, you lose a hand
BOB You do not have a town guard
BOB Just Sundwon and a couple of guards that help move things around the Protectorate
Lanek Olenak: HERE IS. THE EVIDENCE. STUCK IN THE. UNDERSIDE. OF. THE WAGON
Lanek Olenak: LOOKS. EVIL
Talwin: You have permission to speak to answer Lanek
Efar Deepwing: What am I answering for?
Daphene: Yes! Answer or I will arrest you right now!
Lanek Olenak: er i dont have a question
Talwin: Either YOU or someone else is using your wagon to transport Narcotics
Lanek Olenak: oh yeah
Talwin: Explain yourself NOW
Efar Deepwing: Answer to what? about what?
Lanek Olenak: HOW DID THAT GET THERE
Talwin: This is a class 1 illicit substance
Daphene: steps forward trying to look convincing
Talwin: People hang for this
Lanek Olenak: WHO IS. IT FOR?
Efar Deepwing: You accussed us of having an empty wagon, I admit to that
Talwin: I DON"T GIVE A SHIT ABOUT YOUR WAGON
Talwin: I CARE ABOUT THE POISON YOU ARE TRANSPORTING
Efar Deepwing: Very well
Efar Deepwing: I submit to the church
Efar Deepwing: Any church
Lanek Olenak: er its not narcarts. it's necromancer crap
Efar Deepwing: Let them judge me
Daphene: Yes, and then upon further investigation we saw this poision you were attempting to smuggle by hiding it under the wagon!
Talwin: Shrugs.
Talwin: Kenna is always willing
Talwin: Until then
Talwin: This wagon is evidence.
Talwin: Take it to Branwyns estate
Efar Deepwing: Kenna is a great priestess, I will be willing to go before her anytime
Talwin: She won't be happy about Necromancy. She might even come visit you in church
Efar Deepwing: She will judge me fairly
Efar Deepwing: She will use her powers to see into my soul and see if I am guilty
Talwin: It's not Kenna you should be worried about friend. Especially with that poison in your wagon
Talwin: Shrugs
Efar Deepwing: I have done nothing wrong
Talwin: Until then, you will be staying in prison
Talwin: I will send for Kenna
Efar Deepwing: I will go to Kenna willingly
Daphene: Sir Talwin, I would appreciate if you did not threaten my prisoner. He has submitted.
Talwin: Sighs
BOB You have a jail cell for drunks
Daphene: As a guard of the protectorate I must insist that you let this man be judged fairly
Lanek Olenak: what the heck is narcarts? transportin narcarts?
Talwin: Even if you are innocent, I would wonder who might be using your wagons as vehicles for smuggling operations
Talwin: Specutively
Talwin: I can't tell if he's innocent or now
Talwin: That's in Kenna's hands
BOB You have goblins living under your cathedral still after 10 years, you do not need a full jail
Daphene: Perhaps one of our preistesses here would like to find out, so that we do not detain this man unnecessarily
Talwin: Daphene, please escort this man to the Temple. The wagon is evidence. If nothing is connected to it in 90 days we will return it.
Talwin: Shrugs. Here there I don't care. The drugs is waht I care about
Efar Deepwing: Please send me to Kenna
Daphene: However, I do agree with you that the wagon must be held until we can find out the truth.
Efar Deepwing: I will go willingly to the church
Talwin: Sighs
Efar Deepwing: or to the Governess Snee, and her church
Efar Deepwing: I believe in them
Talwin: You believe in both churches?
Talwin: Puzzled
Talwin: Puzzled
Talwin: Shakes head
Efar Deepwing: Of course they are the same as in Quellcon Estates
Talwin: Sighs
Efar Deepwing: The Power of the Church is overwhelming
Talwin: Fine, as we are arresting you, I will allow you to pick your church
Efar Deepwing: They know the right of things
Talwin: I don't care
Talwin: But you must also answer all their questions
Efar Deepwing: I can pick any church?
Talwin: No, you may pick those two
Talwin: in this Protectorate
Efar Deepwing: I choose Kenna and the church at Otterville
Efar Deepwing: Countess Branwyn the Mysterious has funded that church and I know that Kenna will treat me fairly
Daphene: Bit of a journey. I will gladly escort the prisoner but will require a couple more hands for watches and nature calls, et cetera.
Talwin: Lanek, arrange for the Wagon to be transported to Branwnys estate. We don't have any place to park the damn thing. Please also send along a note of what was found. If there is Necromancy involved, I want Branwny to contain it. I'll send a full report shortly. Meanwhile, let's unhitch the Oxen, unless you are smuggling anything of them as well?
Talwin: Turns to Efar in Question?
Talwin: Please
Talwin: He adds
BOB You are IN Branwyn's Estate, the Protectcorate is part of Dragon Fen
Talwin: LIke, next to her tower, where no one would dare come near it
Talwin: Otterville huh? Well, you caught me in my words I guess
Lanek Olenak: you got it boss
Talwin: Nods to Daphene. I can arrange for Sundown to transport or we can as a group. While I don't think he's....dangerous, I don't trust anytone with those kinds of good involved
Efar Deepwing: If I was smuggling somethign that I just had to get past your town of Hourglass here, I would feed it to the oxen and then they would shit it out a day later
Talwin: Blinks
Talwin: Holy shit, that's how you do that?
Talwin: I need to remember that
Talwin: Lanek, let's hold the Oxen for a few days
Efar Deepwing: I do not do it, I am an honest merchat just moving things south
Zayden: sounds like something that comes from experience
Talwin: Let everything pass and we can expect the feces
Daphene: Ah, that would be great. Sundown would be an excellent escort, and that would leave me free to keep guarding the road here, on the lookout for more illicit goods
Talwin: Shakes head at Efar
Talwin: What are you on about? You have nothing in your wagon at all
Talwin: Except for some smuggled necromantic trash
Talwin: Spits
Efar Deepwing: YES that is what I have been saying nothing in the wagon at all
Zayden: ugh, law enforcement is such a drag
Talwin: I feel he keep willfully ignroing that Necromantic artificats were on his wagon
Talwin: Shakes head
Talwin: We'll let Kenna sort him out
Efar Deepwing: Glad to
Efar Deepwing: I know Kenna will judge me fairly
Talwin: He can stay in the Jail for three days so we can arrange for transport. Also I kind of want to see the Oxen crap with one of our botonists
Talwin: I think he just gave us a new way to find drugs
Zayden: nice
BOB So taking the wagon to Otterville
BOB and holding him here three days
Zayden: lemme know if you find any good ones Tal
BOB Otterville is the largest town in Dragon Fen and two miles from the Manor House
BOB You have the wagon there, then take him there
BOB it is a half day's trip
BOB Kenna will cast upon him
BOB Kenna says that he is telling the truth, that he has no idea about any necromantic drugs or anything about the wagon
BOB Kenna does say that he knows he was taking a full metal wagon south
BOB But there is nothing that he is lying about
BOB Copying the wagon design? you know the design, you just build it out of wood, and Quellcon is building some of them out of metal
BOB No particular metal Michael, just using what ever ore they are shipping south to pour into a plank shaped mold to make a new wagon out of
BOB Wooden wagon full of Ore? pay taxes, empty metal wagon, no taxes. Simple easy
BOB No need for anyone driving the wagon to know different just taking them south
Talwin: Approaches "prisoner" "Kenna has pronounced you clean. Although, she did have something interesting about not a...lie...per say, but a falsehood. A trickery perhaps. Care to explain?"
BOB He did what he was paid to do
BOB Is why he was happy to meet Kenna and be questioned
BOB She has lots of spells to question him with
Talwin: You are free to go. THe wagon has been sterilized. YOU might be innocent, but can you tell me about anything odd you've seen on the road? Now we have to watch for Necromancers. I don't know if you know the history of this place, but we take that sort of thing very seriously.
Talwin: And!
Talwin: As recompense for your trouble
Talwin: Holds up a Single Gold Piece
Talwin: Our apologies, but seriously, if you saw anything we need to secure the road
Talwin: Did you meet anyone suspicious in Quellcon or in our Lands that gave you pause, or scared you?
Talwin: Besides us of course
Efar Deepwing: I am hired to take a wagon where they tell me to take it
Efar Deepwing: It is not my wagon
Daphene: Who hired you?
Efar Deepwing: The people at the Quellcon Mines
Talwin: Alright
Talwin: That doesn't sound suspcioius, they send lots of goods. So no necromancers near there I guess? If that's all you've seen....May I ask where you were headed? We'll need to send along warning that we might be missing inspections
Efar Deepwing: I already missed my delivery, it was supposed to be there five days ago
Talwin: Sighs. We'll give you a note explaining the situation and to forward any complaints to my office.
Efar Deepwing: I told you earlier, I was going to Redfern Lake
Talwin: Redfern?
Talwin: Cocks head
Efar Deepwing: It is the first place south of Dragon Fen
Talwin: You were delivering your wagon to Redfern?
Efar Deepwing: Everyone heading south ends up there
Efar Deepwing: No you asked where I was going next
Efar Deepwing: I am going to Redfern Lake
Efar Deepwing: then to Billstone
Efar Deepwing: Like I said before
Efar Deepwing: you cannot trick me
Talwin: Trick you?
Efar Deepwing: You keep asking like I will make a mistake
Talwin: I'm asking where you were delivering the wagon. How is that tricking you?
Efar Deepwing: Kenna knows I am telling the tructh
Talwin: Yes. You are telling her the truth about the Smuggled goods. But I AM concerned about the Wagon. Why won't you tell me the end destination? While we do have a treaty with Quellcon, your "wagon" is actually a Land Yact in our lands. It is a taxable luxry item. I'm not charging you because you delivered this before that law went into effect. However I DO need to know where the Wagon was going, so we can direct envoys with our updated legislation. This is not an attemp tto trick you. I am only asking for the destination.
Efar Deepwing: I am going to Redfern Lake then to Billstone
Efar Deepwing: None of those places are in Dragon Fen
Efar Deepwing: Why does it matter?
Talwin: Efar. Are you delivering the Wagon to Billstone. If your wagon is leaving our lands, it is subject to the tax outbound as a luxery item. I am asking only if Billstone is the Wagon's final destination
Talwin: Sighs
Efar Deepwing: Are you claiming and collecting taxes for the Medipop Estates?
Talwin: No, I am declaring it because it is ours and is not subject to Medipop Estates.
Talwin: I can even have Kenna Question ME for that in front of you
Efar Deepwing: You are telling me that there is a tax for simply traveling through Dragon Fen?
Talwin: No, I am telling you, that if you don't have the mark for an import tax for a luxery item when you LEAVE our lands, you must pay an export tax. The free cities have similar agreements, and is common place here as well, in different capacitites. This much metal reclassifies your wagon into something different. Yes, you drive it, but it's no longer a wagon. It is a Land Yact. If you paid on entrance for the Land Yact, then you face no exit fee either. This allows for empty wagons to fill up with luxery items HERE for cheaper then they would have otherwise and make a bigger profit later. Does this make sense?
Talwin: Land Yacts can do the same filling up with Luxery items like Tea
Efar Deepwing: No, that does not make sense, it seems to me you wanted to charge me a tax on one things, then when you could not you changed to make up a new thing to charge me on
Talwin: Shakes Head
Efar Deepwing: I get it
Talwin: No, I already stated I am giving you a pass because this law was implemented two days ago
Talwin: I dont' know why you won't tell me
Talwin: But here is the letter
Efar Deepwing: that is what happens when an Estates needs money and they just start taking money from people
Talwin: This will grant you free exit this time
Talwin: Efar let me ask you an honest question
Efar Deepwing: Two days ago I was being questioned by Kenna
Talwin: You can answer however you want and I will listen
Talwin: Fair?
Efar Deepwing: You did not have that tax when I cam into Dragon Fen
Efar Deepwing: I am not answering any more questions
Efar Deepwing: you are just trying to take all my money
Efar Deepwing: fine I get it
Talwin: Shrugs. If it makes you feel better, it was the trader ahead of you
Efar Deepwing: but I will make sure to tell everyone that you are doing that
Talwin: He spoiled it for the rest
Talwin: You do that
Efar Deepwing: just makin up new taxes for you to take money from people
Efar Deepwing: Branwyn must need the money
Talwin: Laughs
Efar Deepwing: I will make sure that people know
Daphene: Good, maybe they will start taking the long way around and save us the trouble
Talwin: You are funny efar. We will also let people know that when we are cheated for free use of our roads, we will ensure that the taxes go up.
Talwin: Exactly Daphene
Talwin: I'll let Quellcon know that this trader is spreading the word on their behalf
Talwin: Have a nice day sir!
Talwin: Leaves
Daphene: also leaves
Daphene: Do you think I was convincing, Talwin?
Efar Deepwing: Shrugs, All I know is we entered Dragon Fen, paid the taxes at the border, then you bullied us into trying to pay more, held us for days on end, charged us for taxes you put in place while we were being held.
