| DM | On the morning of the
28th of Kaldmont, the last day of the thousand and first year after the
crowning of the first Thyatian Emperor, you arrive at Darokin City.
To those of you who have never seen it before, it is shockingly large. You
can see rooftops stretching into the distance and a large region of wooden
shacks outside the city walls. The docks on the riverside are clearly visible
from top of the last hill as you ride down. Passing through a bustling town of
cheap merchants and half naked children you reach the wall and the gates of
the capital.
The enormous wooden gate hangs open as crowds of people pass through it and
you can see that the city only becomes more crowded within. A bored looking
guard wanders over to you. He is dressed in the livery of the council and
carries a stout truncheon. He beckons you to dismount. |
| Guard | Ho there, what's
your business in Darokin City, travellers? |
| Dreylin | Good Morning my
good Sir, I am Dreylin Willowbark of the Shire, and these are my travelling
companions, and we are here to sample the delights of your fair city.
|
| Guard | [Looks looks
down at you as though you are mad]
Fair city eh? It's more crowded than last year and the procession tomorrow
will just make things worse. Anyway, 1 daro a piece to enter the city and
sharp weapons have to be wrapped with cord. As it's a festive time the cord's
included with your entry fee.
[Looks expectantly at you] |
| Dreylin | [Searches for
his purse] Festival, of course, well that is good timing on our part! Here
it is... [Pulls out his purse and starts rooting through it] ...now, 1
Daro you say... Ah, here you go. [hands him the closest approximation to a
Daro he can find] |
| Guard | [Takes it
without much appreciation] Tod, bring some cord for this axe.
[Looks at the rest of you] You coming in as well? |
| Narond | [Steps
forward] Narond Mael, Trader. [Hands over a single daro] |
| Guard | [Accepts it and
hands Narond a short length of blue cord] Bind anything sharp. |
| Narond | [Pulls his
dagger out of his pack and binds it with cord] Thankyou. |
| Berillia | This is more
flat and hard than sharp. So, unless you want me to tie a small fluffy cushion
over the end... [Grins and hands a coin of some description
over] |
| Leanna | [Smiles, hands
over a daro, along with a sword for binding, and also profers a horned
shield] Want to wrap something round that too? |
| Guard | [Shrugs]
Nope, sharps only. Points and weights don't count.
[Pauses] Try not to hit anyone with them though. [Takes your
money] |
| Shianara | [Brings
forth a near-daro piece of coinage, wrapping his sword using any returned
cordage] What about arrows? |
| Guard | Arrows should be
bound as a bundle.
[Looks at Habib] The quiet Alaysian coming in too? |
| Leanna | [Asks for more
cord for her arrows] |
| Guard | [Hands some out,
and stares suspiciously at Habib]
Quiet begger isn't he? |
| Leanna | We've brought a
prisoner with us to be tried for a variety of crimes too numerous to list
here... must we pay to bring him in too? [Pays for Habib] |
| Guard | [Takes the money
and passes some cord to Habib]
[Looks behind you to where Rahib sits tied to a small horse] Prisoner
eh? What's he done? |
| Dreylin | [Smiles
thinly] Well, it's quite a story really... |
| Leanna | We have here a
signed affidavit of his crimes against the Siswa and the villagers of Merisa.
[Summarises] We have also had some previous experience with the
accused. |
| Dreylin | As has Princess
Argenta of Harren in Thyatis, who I'm certain would like to see justice
served. |
| Guard | [Takes the paper
and looks it over] Tod, take this prisoner to the holding cells. |
| DM | Tod, a large young man,
wanders forward and helps Rahib down from his horse. He pauses as the smell of
pigs wafts across the gatehouse then steers him through a door into the city
walls. |
| Guard | A magistrate will
deal with him. I'll need to know where one of you is staying so we can contact
you if need be. [Pockets the affidavit] |
| Narond | [Turns to the
group] I suggest we stay in the Silver Stag, as it is a good inn that I
have frequented a number of times before. |
| Guard | [Looks faintly
surprised] Hmm. Not a bad choice. The Silver Stag it is then. Move along.
[Waves you through the gate] |
| Narond | Follow me to the
Silver Stag, and we can get rooms and set up shop before we do anything else.
|
| DM | Leaving the guard you
make your way into the city. The streets are packed with people and you have
to walk your horses as riding would be impossible.
The inhabitants of the city look a little better off than those in the wooden
town outside. The smells of food and ale drift by as Narond leads you through
the city streets. The streets of Darokin City, although filled with people are
surprisingly wide. On each side the buildings are three and sometimes four
stories high. Many of them are brick and plaster and, on the largest of them,
the windows are filled with glass.
You pass a market on your right and notice the main compound for the United
Churches of Darokin at its far end.
Eventually you arrive at a medium sized inn. Stabling your horses at the back
you wander into the main room. It is well lit and quite clean. There are long
benches and, even though it's morning, there are a lot of people crowding into
the space. As you move towards the long bar a middle aged man sees you and
wanders over. |
| Harry | Why it's Master
Mael's son isn't it? How are you lad? |
| Narond | Greetings Harry,
it is indeed Master Mael's son. Narond is my name.
I am well, thanks though, how about yourself? |
| Harry | Oh doing well lad.
Inn's packed as you can see. Picked up a few friends have we? [Eyes the
party but not in an unfriendly way] |
| Dreylin | [Wanders
forward and proffers his hand] Dreylin Willowbark at your service, and may
I just say what a fine establishment you have here. |
| Harry | [Bows] Why
thank you, little man. Always a pleasure to meet one of your people.
[Turns back to Narond] So are you looking for a place to stay then lad?
|
| Narond | Yeah, I was
visiting Darokin City, so I knew where best to come to, to find a good inn,
and fine food. Any chance me and my friends could have a set of rooms for a
few nights? |
| Harry | [Thinks for a
moment] Well, thank you for the compliment. As you can see we're almost
full, what with the celebrations. I'll tell you what, I can find two rooms for
the lot of you. They're not the best but they're all I've got. 3 Daros each
and that includes breakfast and a meal in the evenings. |
| Narond | That will be fine
thanks, unless anyone has any objections... [Looks back at the group]
...but I will be staying for certain. |
| Harry | [Smiles
appreciatively] Good good. I'll show you your rooms. Any of you choosing
not to stay... [Smiles more broadly] ...well, that's your loss.
|
| DM | Reaching into a pocket
he takes out a couple of ornate metal keys.
He beckons you to follow him and leads you up to the third floor. It is clear
that the hotel is packed and several of the rooms look very full. After
wandering along a corridor he opens two doors, hands the keys to Narond and
then poddles off down the stairs.
The rooms are small and spare but dry. There's no glass in the small windows
but the shutters seem sound. There is a large bed in each room. They should
just about fit three of you. Candles are provided and there is a cupboard in
each room and rugs on the floor. |
| Narond | Volunteers for
those two who will be sharing a room with me... the others can have the
remaining key. |
| Habib | [Places his pack
in the corner of one room, strips off his armour and slips a dagger (still
wrapped) into one boot]
[Nods to the others, then vanishes downstairs] |
| Dreylin | [Offloads his
pack] Right, I'm off to explore the city, anyone fancy joining me?
|
| Leanna | I was thinking of
going to the marketplace for a look around, and maybe searching out some bars
later on, so if that's the sort of thing you're after, I'd be happy to
accompany you.
I wonder where Habib has gone? |
| DM | Leanna and Dreylin
wander downstairs and, despite years of television history, find that Harry is
not drying a glass with a dirty rag. Instead he sits by the bar, regards the
enormous crowd and looks pleased with himself. |
| Berillia | [Heads
after Leanna and Dreylin] |
| Dreylin | [Wanders over
to Harry and attracts his attention] A fine place you have here, Harry. I
was wondering if you knew of any other Hin in town at the moment? I promised
my Mum that I'd write to her regularly, you see, and I'd be in no end of
trouble when I got back if I haven't! So I need to track down someone heading
Shirewards who'll deliver it for me... |
| Leanna | It'd have to be a
strong Hin, mind, to carry the weight of letter my friend is probably
intending to write! [Smiles good-naturedly and winks to
Berillia] |
| Dreylin | [Grins]
Come now, you don't think I'd write about everything that happened... then I'd
have no stories to tell when I got back! |
| Leanna | Oh, I'd taken
that into account... |
| Harry | [Laughs] Ah
yes, the Hin. Famous for their terse prose.
[Looks down at Dreylin] If I were you little man, I'd head for 'Bungo's
Hearth'. It's the best inn for your people in Darokin. Tell Bungo that Harry
sent you and you'll be fine. You'll find it on Fifth Street near the river
end. |
| Dreylin | Many thanks,
Harry! [Turns to the others] Shall we? |
| Leanna | Mind if we go to
the market now while the stalls are open and then onto said tavern for a spot
of lunch? |
| Dreylin | Sure, I'm in no
rush. I want to have a good look around town anyway.
[Grins at a sudden thought] I'll warn you though, Hin lunches don't
come in 'spots'... |
| DM | You head out of the inn
and retrace the route Narond took you back to the main market. It's heaving
with people and, as you skirt its edges, you see that the tables are piled
with fruit, grain, cloth, meat and seemingly more things than you ever
envisaged existing. You continue around the market almost in a daze at the
sheer scale of it.
The market is a large rectangular space with fencing around it. There is a
single large entrance on the western side and it leads onto Market Street. A
small entrance to the north leads onto Seventh. There are also two small
entrances on the other two walls. They lead to Attleson Ave (east) and Fifth
(south).
The market space itself is filled with stalls, most of which have thick hide
awnings over them. There is a large stone building roughly in the centre of
the market.
It is edged with eateries of varying style and sobriety. You notice cuisine
from Darokin, Ierendi, Thyatis and even one that claims to serve Sindhi food.
|
| At this point the party
split up to do various different things. The journal recommences again on the
evening of the same day. |
| DM | Darokin City, 28th
Kaldmont 1002AC
As afternoon fades into evening you all find yourselves back at The Silver
Stag. It gets dark early and you watch the street torches being lit through
the front windows. Harry provides an excellent meal of roast pork and
vegetables.
As the last night of the year progresses, more people arrive at the inn for
the ensuing party. The pipers play late into the night and, at midnight. The
town criers anounce the New Year for all the residents of Darokin.
Darokin City, 1st Newmont 1003AC
After drinking until the early hours you collapse into your cramped rooms and
fall asleep.
It is mid morning when you wake up and gather downstairs for breakfast in the
inn. Bread, cheese and a few cold meats seem to suffice as even Harry seems a
little tired from the night before. He wanders over to your table as you
finish. |
| Harry | You'll have to
hurry if you want to see the procession. |
| Dreylin | Come on guys,
we don't want to miss this! I know a good spot... |
| Narond | Damn straight,
and I know a good spot too, where would yours be? |
| Dreylin | Well, the route
passes this very pleasant Hin Inn... |
| Leanna | Indeed, it is
rather good. |
| Narond | Low ceilings,
this wouldn't be Bungo's Hearth would it? That was recommended to me as a good
view and hospitality but with low ceilings... |
| Dreylin | Bungo's Hearth
is right, but I haven't noticed a problem with the height of the ceilings.
|
| Leanna | There's a good
reason for that... they are low but it's not too bad - I'd certainly be happy
to go back there - they do do a nice lunch, and Bungo's quite a character.
|
| Narond | Well, who can
argue with two recommendations, shall we go? |
| DM | You do so.
It takes you some time to push your way through the crowds thronging the
streets of the city. The New Year's Day party is well underway and you see the
city's inhabitants drinking, shouting and generally having far too good a
time.
Dreylin leads you down towards the river end of Fifth Street, which is decked
out with flags. Eventually you arrive at a building with chairs and tables
outside. Above them a sign reads
'Bungo's Hearth - hospitality at all times'
Stooping to enter you find yourself in a huge room with a low ceiling. There
are many hin wandering around and a few humans as well. One side of the room
is taken up with the largest hearth you have ever seen and a fire roars in it.
A slightly overwight and balding Hin wanders up. |
| Bungo | Dreylin, welcome
welcome. Glad you could make it. |
| DM | He casts an eye over you
all and calls out into the pack of hin behind him. |
| Bungo | Six ales for the
front.
[Turns back to you] I've reserved a table for you out at the front so
you can watch the procession. Did you have a good night last night? I haven't
actually got to bed yet.
[Laughs and leads you out to the front] |
| DM | Bungo sits at the table
with you for a short while as you settle down and watch the people passing by.
Evey now and then carriages with various liveries pass down the street.
|
| Bungo | [Stands on a
chair and looks up along the length of Fifth Street]
I think they'll be here in about half an hour. Ah ha! Here are your drinks.
|
| DM | Six ales arrive at the
table and Bungo hands them out. When Habib protests that he doesn't drink ale,
Bungo looks a bit surprised, shrugs his shoulders and downs the tankard in one
go. |
| Bungo | I'll send you a
goat's milk in a bit then. |
| DM | He vanishes back into
the inn and the goat's milk arrives a short time later.
You sit and chat for a while until you hear cheers and music farther up the
street. The sounds come closer and you can begin to make out brass trumpets
and drums.
You stand on your chairs and look out over the crowd as the procession
approaches. It is a long line of carts, each decked out in various colours.
There are juggles and entertainers both on and alongside the carts and the
noise around them is deafening.
At the head of the procession is a team of eight men carrying an open litter,
in which a middle aged woman is sitting. She waves regally to the crowd as she
is brought ever closer to you. |
| Leanna | [Scans the
crowd for potential assassins in a randomly suspicious mood] |
| Dreylin | [Watches the
jugglers] |
| Leanna | [Points out two
men who appear to be having a less good time than everyone else, who have just
nodded to one another and started to make their way into the centre of the
street] Hey, guys, do those men look suspicious to you? Come on, let's see
what they're up to! |
| Dreylin | Not too fast
Leanna, we don't want to be mistaken for troublemakers ourselves! |
| Leanna | [Pushes her way
through the crowd towards them, cursing her prescience...] |
| Dreylin | [Remembering
his axe is bound, grabs his tankard and sets off after Leanna, only more
casual like] |
| DM | Leanna is no more than a
few feet through the crowd when the litter reaches the two men who resolutely
stand in its way and pretend not to notice the litter, the eight men carrying
it, the carts behind or indeed anything else.
The leading litter bearer, who wears green and gold livery showing an eagle
and scales, does not improve the situation. |
| Bearer | Oi! Numbskull,
move your arse! |
| DM | One of the two men
deigns to notice him. |
| Man | It's a free street.
I can stand where I like. |
| DM | The crowd has gone very
quiet and the procession is beginning to bunch up as those farther down the
line fail to realise that the front has stopped. |
| Bearer | This is the
procession you bloody idiot, move! |
| Man | Bloody Hallonicas,
you think you own the street. Let the bitch walk like the rest of us.
[Gestures at the woman in the litter, who is almost sweating with the
effort of ignoring what is going on around her] |
| Bearer | Don't push it,
whelp, there's eight of us. |
| Man | What are you going
to do, put her down first? [Pushes the litter bearer quite
hard] |
| Bearer | [Leaving his
pole, steps forward and cracks his knuckles...] |
| Leanna | [Wonders
whether she wants to help after all... but on balance decides to continue
moving toward the front of the crowd, but with rather less
urgency] |
| Dreylin | [Decides that
whatever is going to happen will probably have happened by the time he got
anywhere near and returns to a viewpoint to watch] |
| Narond | [Follows Leanna
towards the front of the crowd so he can get a better view of the
incident] |
| DM | The lead bearer takes a
hefty swing at the first of the pair of procession baiters. The baiter leans
back from the blow and lands a nasty kick on the bearer's ankle.
The other baiter leaps for the other lead litter bearer and rugby tackles
him. The litter wobbles considerably as the six remaining bearers try to
adjust to the new weight distribution. Several of them look like they want to
join the fight. |
| Dreylin | Hey Narond,
I've a Daro says they drop the litter. |
| DM | Members of the crowd are
now starting to shout for one side or the other.
'Up Hallonica, kill the bastards!'
'Topple the bitch!'
'You'll ruin the procession you idiots!'
'Call the militia!'
And the like...
As you watch more people run into the street and the fight looks like it is
becoming a brawl. Two more bearers are attacked and the remaining four put the
litter down a little faster than they have been trained to do.
From your right a group of about 15 men in black and red livery push their
way through the crowd onto the street. They produce stout looking truncheons
and set about separating the two fighting parties. It takes some time but
various members of the crowd join in to help them. Eventually the street is
cleared and the bearers return to the litter. They pick up the woman, who is
not looking happy, and start off down the street again. The procession slowly
starts up behind them but everyone seems less enthusiastic. You can see no
sign of the two men who started the fight.
Several of the large blokes in red and black hang around to stop any trouble.
|
| Leanna | Well that was
fun. Looks like Sarah Hallonica isn't the most popular of folks. |
| Dreylin | I wonder what
she'd done to upset them in particular. |
| Leanna | [Decides to
have another drink before going for a walk] |
| Dreylin | [Decides to
have another drink before staying for another drink] |
| DM | You order a drink from
one of the Hin waitresses who had stopped to gawp at the fight. |
| Leanna | I suppose they
could be from another of the houses, being jealous that House Hallonica had
got to sponsor the procession this year? But it rather seemed that she
personally or House Hallonica in general had injured them rather more
specifically than that. |
| DM | One of the men in Black
and Red passes near you. He looks at your party suspiciously for a time then
passes on into the crowd.
The rest of the procession continues to pass as the crowd settles down from
the earlier entertainment. Bungo wanders over to join you. |
| Bungo | Well that was bit
unexpected wasn't it? |
| Dreylin | Was it? I got
the impression from the crowd's reaction that there was a fair amount of
discontent... |
| Bungo | [Looks
thoughtful] Well yes I suppose, but it's not normally like this, and I've
never seen the procession disrupted before. Lucky the Toney House retainers
were around to cool things down a bit, there could have been a riot. |
| Dreylin | Were those the
chaps wearing red and black? It was quite fortunate that so many of them
happened to be in this area... |
| Leanna | Very fortunate.
So what exactly do Hallonica and Toney do, and are they usually friendly
toward each other? |
| Narond | Seems a bit weird
that they were willing to do that in the middle of a large crowd of people,
just asking for trouble if you ask me... |
| Bungo | Toney House is the
smallest of the nine great houses. There's no public alliance between them and
Hallonica but this does seem to imply that some sort of arrangement has been
reached. I mean the last thing Bertram Hallonica would want is his retainers
bashing crowd members over the head with truncheons. [Chuckles]
Wouldn't make for a very popular procession would it? |
| Narond | Probably not,
Bertram Hallonica might not want his retainers bashing crowd members, but
Toney doesn't seen to mind having his do so. Presumably trying to gain favour
with House Hallonica, I wonder why... [Muses] |
| Bungo | [Looks
thoughtful] Well, Mendel Callister, the present head of Toney House, has
always been more popular with the people. Hallonica's old money tends to breed
resentment. I'd be more interested to know who was causing the trouble in the
first place.
[Takes another tankard of ale from a passing waitress] |
| Dreylin | Well, the
instigators appeared to get away, and they didn't look like the sort who stop
at just one incident... |
| Bungo | Maybe not. Anyway,
they're gone for now. I ought to start on lunch. Good to see you all.
[Drains his ale and wanders back into the inn] |
| Dreylin | Well, I'm
staying here for lunch if anyone fancies joining me? |
| Narond | Probably not a
bad idea, very pleasant place that it is here. |
| Leanna | Much as I'd love
to I think I'm going to go for that walk now. What are people planning to do
later on, I'd be happy to meet up a bit later? |
| Narond | Well, have fun on
your little walk, we might as well meet up for evening meal at the Silver
Stag, since we are all staying there... |
| DM | Leanna bids you goodbye
and heads off into the crowd. |
| Dreylin | I thought I'd
take a wander around town and see if I could find out any more about Elyas and
the Siswa. Oh, and I thought I'd check and make sure our 'friend' was feeling
at home... |
| Shianara | Sounds
interesting... don't suppose anyone knows where the diplomatic core compound
is? [Takes out his streetmap] |
| Dreylin | I'm certain
that Bungo would be able to point you in the right direction.
[Rummages through his bag to obtain writing implements and paper, and
starts composing a letter to his family] |
| DM | As if by magic, Bungo
appears. He peruses the map for a while and points to 'Chancellor's Way'.
|
| Bungo | The entrance is
around there. The compound is huge though and there's quite a lot of it that
you're not allowed into. Make sure you find the reception. |
| DM | Before Bungo leaves you
order some lunch.
A tiny and yet remarkably buxom hin waitress shows up some moments later
carrying a tray. It contains several bowls of a particularly nice stew and a
large hunk of bread for you to share. She asks that you leave 3 tendrids each
before you go.
The tail end of the procession passes you. |
| Berillia | Narond, what
was going on back there? I'm feeling a bit lost... |
| Narond | What, with the
procession or the bunch of toughs in the crowd? |
| Berillia | The latter.
I'd guess that the procession would be due to the new year's celebrations...
|
| Dreylin | [Looks up
from his letter]
Well, the procession is being sponsored by one of the major trading houses,
House Hallonica. That was Sarah Hallonica in the litter, and by the looks of
it someone's not happy with them and took the opportunity to highlight their
discontent. |
| Narond | The house is run
by Bertram Hallonica. I was chatting to a guy who said that it is Bertram's
son, Anders, who is not liked very much, and he will presumably be the next in
line for head of the House. |
| Berillia | Hmm. Did he
say why he's unpopular? Maybe he's just not a people person... |
| Narond | I think he was
referred to as a bigoted slob. So probably not a people person no. |
| DM | You hang around for a
while as you finish your various drinks and meals.
After a while Leanna turns up again.
You start to make your way towards one of the gate houses as that seems to be
a sensible place to find out where Rahib is being held.
You arrive at the main Darokin Gate (at the top of Seventh Street) and ask
where prisoners would be taken to. They point you to a large fort a little way
around the wall at the top of Daro Road.
You make your way there and explain to the guard that you brought a prisoner
in yesterday and are interested in checking up on progress.
He asks for a tendrid before he'll see his superior about it. |
| Leanna | [Makes a face
and provides him with one] |
| DM | The guard vanishes for a
moment.
He returns and asks you to follow him. You go in through a side door and are
taken through a well lit corridor. Eventually you are shunted into a small
office. You huddle together on one side of the counter while a middle aged man
with a drooping mustache leans back in a chair on the other side. |
| Guard | Can I help you?
|
| Leanna | I hope so. We
recently brought a prisoner into the city and turned him over to the
authorities - he is known as Rahib, or Catharandamus. We would be interested
to hear how his case is progressing, whether you need any further information
to proceed with the prosecution, and to ensure that you have him under
adequate guard - he is quite dangerous. |
| Dreylin | [Speaking
over Leanna] Good morning, my name is Dreylin Willowbark. On the request
of the Siswa Abbot of Merisa we delivered a rather dangerous prisoner to one
of your guards a couple of days ago, and wanted to find out when he was likely
to go to trial? |
| Guard | [Looks from
Leanna to Dreylin and back again]
[After considering for a moment addresses his response to Leanna while
looking lazily 8 inches below her chin]
Rahib you say? Well, I don't deal directly with remand prisoners' cases. Only
with keeping them in. Although I don't know the prisoner in question I can
assure you that all prisoners are adequately guarded irrespective of any...
special circumstances, shall we say.
If you want to see how the case is progressing I can give you a slip to see
the prosecuting magistrate's secretary... for a small fee. |
| Leanna | And how much
would your... small fee be, might we ask? [Smiles sweetly] |
| Guard | Three tendrids and
I'll fill out a form for you. |
| Leanna | [Sighs]
Here you are then. [Dips once more into her wallet] |
| Dreylin | [Speaking
over Leanna] Here you are... [Sighs and looks at the
others] |
| Leanna | Let's go Dutch
shall we Dreylin? |
| Narond | Ahh yes, the
Dutch, well known all around Mystara. |
| Leanna | Let's go
Karameikan shall we Dreylin? |
| DM | You produce 1 tendrid
and 5 coppers each.
The man pockets them and searches for a piece of parchment on his desk. He
fills it out, signs it and hands it to you. |
| Guard | Take this to the
Capitol and ask for the Secretary to the Prosecuting Magistrate. [Leans
back in his chair and closes his eyes] |
| Dreylin | Off we go...
|
| DM | The Capitol is only a
short distance into the city, off Capitol Road. It is a large domed building
on the top of a hill. As you approach up the enormous carriageway you see that
it has two wings. There are a large number of guards spaced around the
perimeter. A small group approach you. |
| Guard | Can we help you?
|
| Dreylin | We're here to
see the Secretary to the Prosecuting Magistrate...? |
| Guard | Oooh. S to the PM
eh? Got the right papers? Good. That'll be 2 tendrids for me to move my arse
and go and find her. |
| Dreylin | [Heaves a big
sigh and hands over the money...] |
| DM | You hand over a daro and
he drops 8 tendrids into your hand.
Several guards check your weapons (of which you are not carrying many) are
still bound while he goes into the Capitol.
After a couple of minutes he returns and leads you into the building. The
marble corridors echo with your footsteps. Every now and then you see a well
dressed clerk walk past you. Most look slightly alarmed at your appearance but
seem comforted by the presence of the guard.
Eventually you find yourself at a door with a plaque that reads 'Secretary to
the Prosecuting Magistrate'. The guard knocks briskly and enters, beckoning
you to follow him. Once inside he stations himself by the door.
Behind a large desk sits a woman in her thirties. She has dark hair and sharp
features. She regards you for a moment. |
| Secretary | So, you paid
enough people to be sent to me did you? Well, to what do I owe the pleasure?
|
| Dreylin | We certainly
did! I don't suppose you offer refunds for persistence? [Grins] I'm
Dreylin Willowbark and these are some of my companions. We delivered a
prisoner into the gate guard's keeping a couple of days ago on the request of
the Siswa Abbot. He's a tricky customer who we've come across several times,
and we were concerned to see that justice is served. |
| Secretary | [Leans back
in her chair and thinks for a moment] This would be the rogue cleric
Catharandamus. I recall seeing a mention that the Siswa were involved when I
read the file yesterday. So you would be the witnesses we were going to
contact. Well thank you for dropping by. |
| DM | She stands and wanders
over to a large wooden cabinet that seems to have no doors. She places a hand
on the front of it and mutters a few words. The wood cracks vertically down
its centre and the two halves pull back to reveal piles of paper, one of which
she selects. |
| Marita | My name is Marita
Corun-Rubius. As you are part of a state prosecution I will be your point of
contact with the prosecuting magistrate. Normal procedure was that we would
call you in the next few days but since you are here...
[Places a piece of paper in front of each of you] ...the state requires
that you write a full statement of the accused's activities. |
| Dreylin | Do you want us
to confine our statements to his activities within the borders of Darokin,
since our first encounter was in Harren in Thyatis? Either way, I think we'll
need more paper... |
| Marita | Thyatis?
|
| DM | She returns to the
cabinet and leafs through a leather-bound book inside. |
| Marita | Harren. Small
agricultural princedom subject to imperial law. Under the auspices of the
Barony of Biazzan. [Turns back to you] Yes, I think we'll have
everything you can give us on that.
[Gives you more paper] |
| Dreylin | [Starts
writing...] |
| Narond | [Also starts
writing...] |
| DM | After you finish your
statements, Marita persuses each of them for a short while. |
| Marita | Yes, very useful.
|
| DM | She produces a small
pouch from somewhere and proceeds to count out 30 daros. |
| Marita | 5 daros each is
the standard payment for a favourable prosecution document. I take it you
don't intend to contact the Defending Magistrate? |
| Dreylin | I think we'll
pass on that one, don't you guys?
We're staying at the Silver Stag if you need anything further. |
| Marita | Good. I'll let
you know when the case is coming to court so you can watch if you like. Can I
help you with anything further? |
| Leanna | No, but I for one
would certainly like to watch the trial. |
| Marita | Well I'm certain
that can be arranged. If there's nothing else, I need to get on. |
| DM | The guard steps forward
and shows you out without a word. You find yourselves back on the streets of
the city.
Pleased with your money (and of course with helping to prosecute a criminal)
you wander back through town. Since it is just after midwinter, it is going
dark already. You waste no time in heading back to the Stag and spend the
evening relaxing and eating with Harry who joins you for dinner.
You spend the time mulling over the day's events and Harry explains how the
story about the brawl was reported as a near riot. Eventually you leave the
smoky atmosphere and head up the stairs to bed. |
| Back to the final section of Rahasia
Next section |
![[Mystara Campaign Journal]](./mystara.gif)