Act 2 Scene 2: “In Search of The Crown” (Game Thread)

[TristenC]

Merrick responds to Jerry's question, It was fascinating. It's some kind of advanced magic-theory; far beyond my understanding. I get the feeling pieces are missing or at least a lot of things are glossed-over as if assumed the reader understands them already. Others are in a cypher of some kind... I can't help but think the 'Tannis journal' Rautant has might be a piece to understanding some of it... I don't know if he'll part with it, but perhaps he'd allow me to make a copy...

Fenrir stays nearby, fliting a little ahead and keeping to the air as he watches the group. You are my flock. the raven responds simply.

The road makes easy travel, and an hour or so after what feels like midday (the clouds still obscuring the sky) the northern edge of Harmonia comes into vies. A rushing river borders the town North, high redstone cliffs to the East, and a stout wall to the West and South. As the party approaches from the North, they pass between a pair of tall stone watchtowers towards the lone bridge into the city.

The Whirling Bridge of Harmonia [Area 8], a squarish tower of moss-covered stone sitting atop a tiny stony foundation in the middle of the river, stands with its drawbridges down. The top is decorated with ornate carvings of gargoyles and monsters. The exposed tips of two sets of portculli protrude from the ceiling of the tunnel running through the tower like the iron teeth in the maw of some gaping monstrosity. A guard haults them and gestures to a sign nearby listing the tolls for the bridge. A clerk sits nearby to take their names as well.

===
Mira, Merrick and Adrastia can read the sign and relate the tolls to the group.

Cost, Condition
1cp, per resident
1sp, per animal (except mount)
5sp, per person (non-resident)
+1gp, per person armed
+1gp, per mount
+1pp, without the Pledge of Harmonia

[Nocturno]

"That seems rather steep! I mean we spent a good time here! We should be residents!" Pyros will present a handful of coins to help pay the toll. If anyone is going to be speaking to the guards he will just dump the coins in their hands.

Cross will just take in the surroundings.

[TristenC]

[Merrick will count as a resident, he has lived in Harmonia a couple of months. Mira could probablg make a case for herself as well, being a member of the bardic college and having lived here a full month. Normally resident would meam having permanemt residency.]

[Jenara]

"I was expecting this." Mira mumbles if only to herself, "I'm a Resident, so is Merrick, the rest of you.. I need you all to do something with me, there is this song, its like a Pledge, Adrastia, I guess you've heard it, but if you can sing after me, I think we can avoid paying that ridiclous payment." Approaching the gate she pulls her shawl over her shoulders and strides up with a smile.

"Greetings, two residents, and my friends, we'd like to enter if thats ok?" Offering her Harmonic Hall Scroll she places her hand on her heart, "Its nice to be back I have to say, Harmonia feels like home."

(Once he replies she gets the group together, Singing each line and waiting for them to repeat, she recties the Pledge)

"Oh Harmony, oh Harmony,
a city grand and truly free.
Oh Harmony, oh Harmony,
'tis thee I always long to see.
To Harmony, to Harmony,
I pledge eternal loyalty."

[Chris1234]

Jerry follows Mira's lead.

[Nocturno]

Pyros and Cross both follow as close as possible.

[mltillis]

prior conversation with Jerry:

Pytor takes a tea when it is offered. "Thank you, Lady Jerry." Sipping on the steamy dark liquid he listens closely. "So, you are not like the servants who flock to the monasteries then." Taking note of the recipient of her affections, he reaches up to stroke his now missing beard. "Mmmn... a tasty pleasure at that I see."

"Change? Not that I am aware of, but little do I remember." Pytor shifts uncomfortably and answers in a whisper. "My days and nights feel haunted... My dreams become maddening... Sometimes I am able to keep some semblance of my wits. Other times I run madly through the countryside."

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Upon reaching the city. Pytor eagerly joins into the chorus with a loud booming voice.

[thawizkid]

Adran hands over the requisite amount of money and tells the clerk that he is applying for residency. He asks the clerk do all the cities throughout this land charge for entrance?

[TristenC]

The clerk gets their names, and begins to tally up the toll.

Mira directs the group in the short pledge of Harmonia, which Merrick helps the others along with. The group is a little disorganized and several members off-key, causing the clerk to wince througout.

Adran pays and inquires about residency, to which the guard seems confused. There isn't an application, really. He says, in Elven. A resident is someone who lives here for an extended period of time. Either because they own property here, or because they have moved here permenantly. The Red Gypsy there has been here over a month, and she is a member of the Harmonic Hall as well, as her scroll shows. As for tolls, Harmonia and Skald both have toll bridges when crossing the river into town. The overland gates don't have tolls. The tolls go to help maintain and man the bridges, and to the town's upkeep.

Elsa, Artanis, Adrastia, and Merrick (who pays for Jerry as well) pay their respective tolls. Once the fees for the group are paid, the party is allowed to enter the town.

===
Tolls:
Adrastia: 2 gp 5 sp (Non res, armed, mount)
Adran: 1gp 5sp (Non res, armed)
Artanis: 1gp 5sp (Non res, armed)
Cross: 5sp (Non-resident, lathest 'weapon' is a dagger so not counted)
Elsa: 1gp 5sp (Non res, armed)
Jerry: 1gp 5sp (Non res, armed)
Merrick: 1cp (resident, not armed)
Mira: 1gp 1cp (resident, armed)
Pyros: 5sp (non resident. They don't recognize the hoopak as a weapon apparently)
Pytor: 2 gp 5 sp (Non res, armed, mount)

[I'll do the payments from char sheets later]

[Jenara]

Mira leads the group back into the City, going round the loop towards the Wayfarer, everything felt like home..

[Chris1234]

Catching his eye, Jerry smiles a 'Thank you!' to Merrick and then follows Mira.

[mltillis]

Pytor checks his nigh empty pouch remembering the heavy night of drinking that preceded his arrival in this land. "Two gold and five silver, you say? I appear to be at a monetary disadvantage. My hope was to find some honest work within the walls of your city. Is the route around to the overland gate long? Or perhaps there are arrangements of some sort which can be made to pay for entry?"

[Chris1234]

Jerry excuses herself from Merrick's arm for a minute and says to Pytor, "I'll cover what you can't."

[mltillis]

Pytor smiles at the cleric's offer. "I fear that would be all but 6 coppers, milady, far too much for me to accept from you as charity. Would you accept a repayment at a later point in time with interest? Or perhaps some service that I may perform for you in return for payment of my passage?"

[Jenara]

(Overhearing the conversation Mira pays for Pytor with a small smile)