"Have you seen traces of them hunting or gathering food? Roots, fruits, or the like?"
«Euh, what? I don't know. I assumed they were hunting. There were signs of bones and fur in the ashes of the campfire, even though they must have burried most of it.»
Thadeus nods, "Where is Arlaine today? Do you know?"
She just came back with us. She would be unpacking outside.
"Good," says Thadeus, rising, "I will speak to her and sort this out. Thank you for bringing it to my attention."
He follows Oswald to find Arlaine, letting the ranger go seperatedly and waiting a few moments before approaching her. "Arlaine, I'd like a word with you please," in a soft but firm tone.
As he did with Oswald, he will speak with her at a relatively quiet place where few will be listening to them. "How are things going? Are you finding the work we ask of you to your liking?"
She looks a little puzzled. «Master Thadeus, well yes. Life here is good. Much more comfortable than in the camp.»
She looks pleased enough, but Thadeus has enough folk ken to see that she does not say everything at first. When he asks again, she admits that, «I miss my friends in Galloway, of course.»
"I can understand that. Do you think any of your friends would like to join us here? We are always looking for good people to contribute to our community. And, as I'm sure you've been able to discover from your time here, we offer a good life for hard working folks."
«Euh.» She drops her jaw. «I suppose. If we can find them. I am sure they have moved the camp by now.»
Thadeus just looks at her, raising an eyebrow and the corner of his mouth lifting a bit in a slight smile. He waits for further reaction from her.
She looks back, sheepishly, at first. After a minute or two, her feet gets a bit restless.
Do you want to roll leadership (intimidation) + Presence 6+, for that maximum discomfort-inducing look, before she asks if there is something else?
(Pre -1 + Leadership 1 + die roll 16 for a total of 16. Lucky roll. Thadeus isn't trying to intimidate her, but rather to inspire trust so that she will come forward with whatever she may be hiding.)
OK. That is a different kind of look, and maybe better as a charm roll, but the die has spoken and I don't think it cares about such distinctions.
Euhm. Maybe they will find us.
Arlaine blushes and hesitates.
I think I have seen someone roaming the hills lately. As if they were spying on us.
She looks at Thadeus.
Ih-it just might be them.
1 Like
Thadeus nods, with an understanding expression, "If you think it is them, perhaps you should seek them out and speak with them on my behalf? Just be careful to make sure it really is them and don't put yourself in danger."
"After you speak with them, if they don't wish to join us that is fine by me. And should you decide to leave with them, just let me know beforehand, so that we don't go looking for you out of concern for your safety. The same goes for Glenn as well." (That's the name of the other one we 'recruited' at the same time as Arlaine.)
Thadeus rises, "Is that good with you?"
«Euhm,» she says wideeyed, before she resumes the somber and neutral expression. «Sure. I shall see what I can do.»
When she is dismissed, she walks slowly back to her work, looking down at her feet. She resumes her work, doing it slowly and with excessive care.
1 Like
Thadeus will detour to speak with whoever is in charge of the turb in Hamish's absence, giving him or her a summary of the discussion. "We either will have a few more recruits coming in, or we will lose those two. Either way, I'd rather have people loyal to the covenant than keeping those unsatisfied with their lot here."
He then goes back to see Elric, knocking at the door of the guest quarters.
1 Like
Hamish left Jack in charge, and he acknowledges the instruction and promises to be alert to any changes.
1 Like
Elric had time to bathe, trim his hair a bit, and change into a new set of robes when Thadeus came knocking on his door. He makes his way to the door and opens it, with a smile upon his face. "Salve Sodale, thank you for the hospitality. How may I be of assistance?"
1 Like
"If you feel up to it, I thought I could give you a quick tour of the covenant. Although several of our sodales are away at the moment, this should allow you to get a feel of the place." Thadeus smiles, "You can also tell me more about yourself."
1 Like
"Having that bath refreshed me, and I'd be more than happy to take a tour of this place, and talk about our experiences." While He was eager to please, and get accepted, he also was bright enough to know that he needed to know who these folks are. "As I said, my name is Elric, of House Bonisagus, and I was apprenticed at Castrum Antiquum, and was on my way to explore the countryside when it was destroyed. I have fled down south and hid, and have recently heard that this place was active once again, and came to see for myself. What about yourself?"
"I am originally from East Anglia and started my apprenticeship in Cad Gadu under Casper Ex Miscellanea, from the lineage of Pralix. Before the war started, however, my pater travelled with me to the lands in the east of the Rhine Tribunal. I spent the rest of my apprenticeship moving from one place to another, as my pater was investigating the magical traditions of Pomerania."
"I was Gauntleted five years ago, and came back to England a year ago. It was said that Ungulus was the place to gather to fight the remnants of the enemy, so this is where I came. This is where I met the others, and we went north together to look for the missing magi of Ungulus, any signs of the enemy, and a possible place to set up our own covenant."
"Our foray failed to locate any Diedne; we found the remains of two of our sodales, as well as that of a redcap, and rescued another redcap from giants living in a castle in the clouds. We also investigated several potential sites, finding one which is suitable to establish another covenant, though somewhat remote in the Penine Mountains."
"When we came back for the winter, some of us decided to revive Ungulus, since the only remaining maga has been missing for over a year now. The others are looking at setting up at the Oak Circle. Considering that the existing tower was crowded, we decided to raise another one."
After the rather long-winded explanation, while they were walking up the stairs to the council chamber, Thadeus opens a chest and takes out a medallion. He presents it to Elric. "Here you go, this token should let you act without problem within the Aegis. But first, I have to ask," here he takes a more formal tone, "Are you a member of Renounced House Diedne, or do you consider yourself its ally?"