Investigation of the Warmongers pt 1 - RPLOG

Participants

• Angus
• Arimia
• Mirana
• Rogna
• Saibh
• Selena

Date

17/2/476

Log

Standing in the center of the square on a hastily set up stand, is a very offical looking german shepard. He is flanked by two horses for guards and waits for the call out to be answered. So far only a single vixen has arrived, and she sits on the edge of the stand, staff held in her lap. In the hands of the german shepard are some papers with the royal seal on them, instructions to give out to the brave adventures who would attempt this mission.

Arimia glances around as she walks up, looking over the stand. She shrugs and walks over to sit down in front of it, leaning against it, as she waits for others to show up. She fiddles with various bits of equipment as she waits, checking to make sure everything is in order.

Rogna strolls towards the center of the square, approaching first the gaurds who he gives a slight nod, then facing the german shepard says "Hello there, and how are you this fine day?" as he adjusts his cape. He looks over Arimia and Mirana with a smile before returning his gaze to the canine. "What form of assistance can I providie?"

Selena paces through the town square to the stand, a slight limp still apparrently in her stride, looking back over to Saibh. "Well, Ari wasn't around her usual places." She murmers, coming into earshot with the hungover marten. Upon noticing the sillhouettes of more official-looking figures and the raccoon herself, Selena makes a quick path along to the raccoon, greeting her with a hug and kiss. "Hello, Ari." She smiles, beckoning Saibh over. "Didn't want to leave a hungover marten stumbling out here alone." She explains, and nods to the guards.

Saibh has her hood pulled up and over her eyes and she's more or less staggering along. No limp, just lazy morning after sort of attitude. Lifting her eyes a bit, she offers a halfhearted wave to the gathered folk before hurrying to catch up with Selena and Arimia. "Morning. Afternoon. Whichever it is by now. Bright, bright's the right answer regardless"

Mirana walks over to Arimia and gives her a slight hug in greeting, making sure to abstain from anything that might not be interprated as one friend just saying hello to another. She does the same when Selena limps up and whispers to her, and greets Saibh with a curtsey. "How do you do today Miss?" she asks, never really catching her name. When Rogna shows up however, the guards and shepard bow low and Mira gives a deep curtsey to him, various 'Good afternoon My Lord' or 'Pleasent day My Lord' going to him. When asked what he can to to assist, the german shepard wastes no time. "The Good King has reieved word that a band of thieves and thugs who appear to be from Cliffside have been attacking and assulting our farmlands. While the Good King and his council do not believe that this is actually Cliffside's doing, they want a full investigation as soon as possible. Many guards have tried to find where and how these thugs opperate, but to little success. All we know is that they must be off somewhere to the west of our fair city. Reports also show that Cliffside has sent a band of troops and adventures themselves to attempt an investigation, and the utmost care is requested should you find yourselves having to deal with them. Thank you all, and good luck." He says. Mira then looks around and tries to get everyone's attention to talk to them a bit more privately.

Angus was late to the meeting it seems, hurrying along as he tightened the belt of his new sword and fixed the straps on his musket. Walking up to the stand he gives the gathered group a quick bow. "Sorry I'm late, what did I miss." Glancing around at everyone there he gives a wave to Selena and Mirana, a low bow to Rogna, and a slight smile to everyone else.

Arimia flicks her ears and smiles at Mirana, continuing to smile when she sees Saibh, though seeing Selena does cause that smile to flicker briefly. She sighs and says in her usual Cliffside gutter-trash accent, "You should still be restin', Selena. You may feel recovered but any aggravation an' it could prove too much." She listens as the situation is explained, but doesn't move to get up right away, as Mirana was indicating a desire to speak.

Rogna quickdraws one of his swords, holding it just back from the Sheperd. "I understand your wish to show me respect but please be more careful." he says to the guards. "Your duty is to protect, you may not allow yourself to bow so deeply, if you must at all, a split second is all one would need to down your quarry and then what would your respect have brought sweetwater?" Rogna sheaths his sword and moves over to Mirana, who seems to be trying to tell them something.

Selena shrugs to Mirana's whisper, murmering a quick response before she nods to Arimia. "I know, Ari." She replies honestly. "If things look like they'll get bad, I can head back early if you really want." the wolfess smiles, continuing on to note, "As far as I'm aware, investigations don't usually entail too much physical strain. Or, you could drag me back to your room." She jokes.

Saibh holds the top of her head, keeping the hood pinned down for the moment. Holding up her free hand, she says softly, "I came along to make sure she didn't melt in the sunlight or whatever the problem was" She then slowly stands up straight, looks to Mirana and says simply, "Saibh, my name that is" she then shakes her head and turns back to the commotion in confusion, entirely missing the point of the demonstration

Mirana eeps a little at Rogna's demonstartation and the guards look very humbled by it themselves. "Understood Sire, and we will be more prepared in the future." One of them has the pressence of mind to say as he draws it back. The shepard and guards make their exit and Mira looks to everyone, "Good to meet you proper Saibh." She says before continuing, making sure to give Angus a slight bonk for being late. "Here is what wasn't said. A represintivive from Cliffside came in the middle of the court meeting. He was demanding to know why Sweetwater troops had assulted one of their most prestigous acadamies. It was quiet the scene till he was able to be calmed down. After many assurances that it wasn't our troops, a talk was had. Right now, Cliffside is convinced it was Sweetwater who attacked, but are willing to go with an investigation before doing anything else." She says low and trying to make sure none other then those near hear. "I'm sorry, but I have to bow out for this mission, I ... shouldn't be making long trips right now if I can avoid it." she says. Looking to Rogna, she doesn't curtsey again, but says, "By your leave my Lord" and gives another slight hug to Arimia and Selena before heading back toward the inn before anyone can pose too many questions to her.

Angus starts rubbing his head as he is bonked. "Ow, hey I wasn't that late, sheesh." He starts grumbling as she speaks but it dies down slowly as she goes on. "So we where right, someone is trying to restart the war between us again....I wonder what they are trying to gain by causing more bloodshed."

Arimia listens to Mirana's words then gives a small nod. At Angus's words she speaks up. "Lots of things. Could be an independent contractor tryin' to get his mercenaries employed more. Or someone trying to sell weapons, somethin' that always works better in a war. Could be a subversive group trying to weaken one city, or both, with war being the most direct route. Not enough information to really get close." She gives a small shake of her head and glances at Selena before saying, "Fine. First sign of trouble though, you're hidin', and when things are clear you're headin' back."

Rogna frowns at the news recieved, shaking his head. "Whatever their motives we cannot allow them to succeed, more war is something we must prevent." he says, contemplating the information avaliable. "We should head west as soon as possible, but we have no way of knowing where this other group of 'investigators' might be. Is everyone here in able bodied shape for travel?"

Selena flashes a smile to Mirana as she departs. "I've heard of the saying, 'War is a merchant's dream'." She comments to the fox to add to Arimia's speculation, a slight shrug. "I'll be interested what the cliffsiders will think. A couple of us aren't exactly native to Sweetwater." She muses, loudly enough to be heard by most of the gathered beings save the guards, before speaking up a little louder. "Darn Mirana. We don't know what kind of representative we're even looking for." She grumbles. "And yes, Rogna, I can travel."

Saibh listens queitly, then rubs the back of her head and moves to settle down fr a moment as she slowly peeks out from beneath the hood. Sighing, she murmurs, "Could be a simple excuse to cause problems too.."

As the group talks among themselves the normal hussle and bussle of the square resumes. Soon there are many beings doing about their daily routine on this brisk, but sun shiny day. The gossip seems to be about what was just announced as well as rumors from the court, "Did you hear that they are going to send out Gifted to try and investigate?" One cow says to a collie as they pass by. ".. it was a wolf from Wirefur." a blue jay says as he goes by, and the robin he was talking to answers, "You mean the rep that they sent?" "Yeah, didn't look too happy eaither." the blue jay says before out of ear shot.

Angus starts rubbing his chin. "Either way we need to sort this out fast, tempers are flared already and the slightest thing could, and probably would, set off another war." His ears twitch swiveling to follow all the conversations around him as he mumbles something about it being to crowded.

Arimia gives a small nod of her head, turning and heading toward the western gates of the city. "An' you can bet that those behind this have eyes an' ears in the city. So we need to move fast. With how quick word is spreading maybe they'll be on the move to try an' find some place more well hidden than the one they're in. If we're lucky we can catch them while they move. If not we'll have to hunt for 'em."

Rogna nods to Arimia as he follows her towards the western side of the city. "I would rather not be forced to hunting, let us hope they have not been tipped off." he says as he looks to the group behind him, waving them to come.

Selena perks her ears at the mention of a Wirefur wolf. "Well, well. Yeah, we're going to want some discretion here. I might have to stay out of most of the discussions." She chuckles, nodding to Arimia. "It wouldn't make sense otherwise." The wolfess comments, keeping pace with the raccoon.

Saibh moves along with the rest of them, mostly listening and occasionally scanning the surrounding area. A glance over her shoulder, then she asks, "Wondering if it's safe to split up to check the crowd out or if maybe some of us wouldn't do well to uh.. scout out the area, watching for the sort of movement of people cutting and running?"

As the group, minus Angus, heads out of the city, leaving the noble fox to catch up once more, they would find little out of the ordinary. Going along to the west, in the grasslands, the group would have plenty of time to discuss things in relative private. As they pass by the gate guards, one of them would pull Rogna off to the side with many an appology, informing the hippo that he was one of the ones to return from the search. "Saw something odd out on a beach past the grass lands, south of the mountains. That might be a good place to start My Lord." the gater says.

Angus is once again left behind as he surveys the crowd. "I wonder how the cliffside investigation is go-....oh great left behind again." Sighing to himself he starts running to catch up with the group. Grumbling to himself he catches up with them at the gate. "Couldn't have told me we where heading out already?" He pants, clearly out of breath as he fixes the straps on his musket.

Arimia glances at the fox with a scowl and says, "You should pay better bloody attention! You claimed to be a scout. An' if you're any example of what Sweetwater's got we'd be in real trouble if a war came." She shakes her head and continues walking, just heading west to get past the farms, for the time being.

Rogna relays the information he recieved from the guard as the group travels, making note of the suggested place of investigation. "I do not wish to demean him, but he is not a good example of Sweetwater's finest." he says as he moves along, inspecting the group as they move.

Selena chuckles loudly at Arimia's outburst, shaking her head with a smirk. "Might as well take a look at this 'odd' thing, since it is our only lead." She shrugs, looking back across to the group for confirmation, giving Angus a sympathetic pat on the back. "He's got a lot to learn." She adds simply.

Saibh slips away from the main group without much fanfare, using the crowd to disappear for a bit. Of course, there's a downside in that she can't take a clean shot at the mouse either, so instead, she hurries to catch up even as she clutches at her head and mutters thanks for having worn her mantle today. Catching up after a bit of a jog, she gestures over her shoulder, clutches her hood a bit tighter against her head and says, "You guys are had, a gryphon just took off with a uh.. a mouse and bolted"

As the group travels along, the weather stats to chill a bit, winds picking up slowly. Just past the farms, it is clear that some clouds are rolling in. The group still has a bit to go before they will reach the beach indicated by the guard. The winds gently blow the tall grasses around.

Angus glares at Arimia and his scowl deepens at each comment, and by the time Selena is patting him on the back he's already putting his cowl. Today was just not his day it seems as he keeps walking. His ears twitch and he slows for a step as his hand reaches for his saber, seems something has spooked the fox...and he thankfully isn't reaching for a gun this time.

Arimia slips away from the group and disappears, moving into the grasses. As she moves she pulls a long, slender blade from a scabbard around her waist.

Rogna isn't sure what's going on, perhaps he wasn't paying attention but the others are acting strangely. He draws a sword and puts his hand on the other, stopping to look around as the others appear to be unwilling to proceed.

Selena folds her ears back slightly. "Well. The change in weather was natural..." She comments quietly, keeping herself close to the ground and as best out of sight as she can, an ear flicking back when she notes the raccoon had disappeared into the grass, readying herself for combat tentatively.

Saibh stops short of slipping way from the group this time and instead watches the other directions, ignoring the grass and in particular she scans the sky from time to time. Rogna's drawing weapons gets a bit of an annoyed look, but it's probably too late to keep them from noticing they've been spotted anyway and reaches for her bow. Then with a bit of thought, she makes her way a bit closer to Selena without making it entirely obvious exactly where she is

As the clouds roll overhead, some quick shuffling can be heard off to the left of the group, and Arimia is quick to respond. The hamster finding herself cornered looks at the coon who is about the same size as she is, then back to the group she was tailing. She then tries to make a break out in the direction of the beach the group was heading toward, no weapons drawn, nor any aggressive act other then trying to get away.

Angus keeps his hand on his sword but doesn't draw, watching the hamster make a break for the beach. Ducking down in the tall grass he starts running towards the beach as well, trying to intercept the hamster and help Arimia if she needed it.

Arimia growls and charges toward the fleeing figure, and once she judges herself close enough she launches herself in a tackle. She does her best to keep herself from getting hit too badly while not hitting back in turn, simply doing her best to keep the hamster in one place and on the ground until the others catch up and make further flight impossible.

Rogna rushes rather cautiously off torwards their intended destination, not going so far from the group that he is in any real danger but enough that he can clearly see what they were trying to accomplish.

The hippo adjusts his cape to hide the gleam of his sword, trusting his armor to protect him if he is spotted.

Selena flicks her spell into nonexistance as she approaches Arimia cautiously, a calm walk rather than the sprinting favored by the others - likely from her limp, which she manages to keep fairly well concealed, surveying the area for any others. "Okay, Ari. You can let go of the hamster. She's just a scout." She calls out over to the group. Once within speaking distance, she continues. "Sorry. We've been expectng some dissidents to come by here, not everyone here is familiar with the Wirefurs. Could you direct us to the emissary? We're supposed to be meeting with a wolf."

Saibh says softly ,"I'm going to go have a look around for something, I'll keep an eye out, you guys uh.. I"ll do my best to catch up alright?"

As she is tackled and held down the hamster squeeks and struggles, "Let go! Let go.. Lord Eldric isn't going to be happy when he hears.." Then she notices Selena walking up and mentions exactly who and what she is. She thinks a moment trying to figure out how this common wolf would be able to identify her so easily. Not coming up with anything, she just lays there a moment, "Lord Eldric is leading a group down at that beach, and told me to scout for any suspicous comings or going to the Sweetwater farms or towns, and you all looked suspicous to me." Saibh takes a moment and looks around, she holds her head and calls back, "I'm going to keep an eye out for more scouts..." and she moves a good way away from the group to do just that, mostly watching the sky.

Angus is once again out of breath when he catches up to Arimia, taking his hand off his sword he frowns. "Lord Eldric, of the Wirefur house? Don't think I've actually heard of him....but then again I haven't really been keeping up with the foreign nobility."

Arimia flicks her ears and sits up, moving to straddle the hamster and keep her pinned down. "I ain't never given' much of a crap about pleasin' anyone who calls themselves lord anythin'," the 'coon says in her Cliffside street accent. She looks toward Selena and says, "You know this Eldric name? It don' ring a bell for me but I don' know all the names. In fact I only really knew the name of one. She's gone now." She looks at Angus, giving a scowl at seeing him out of breath again and gives a shake of her head, turning her attention to the hamster.

Rogna proceeds back towards the party and says "Well they've come in moderate numbers, and I believe we should provide a positive interaction. They don't appear to have found anything from the looks of it." The hippo looks over the group before moving off to speak with the cliffside search party.

Selena scowls a little at Arimia. "Ari, you can get off of her." She comments firmly. "Yes, Lord Eldric, Angus. We don't need to be told he's a Wirefur. As for you..." She continues, looking back to the scout. "I think you don't understand what I'm saying. We were expecting a group to come and pose as us to incite war. We were suspicious of you as a result, and we're going to have to live with a misunderstanding. I don't want to see such a waste of time, life and resources." She sighs, offering the hamster a hand. "...Eldric does sound familiar, though. He might've come by college a few times to catch up with Lukas. Or... Cassandra." She notes, palpable disgust rolling from her tongue as the latter name is spoken, murmering something across to Arimia with a serious look on her face.

All the hampster does is scowl back at the group, "And a grand thing you are doing to right this misunderstanding, I'm still stuck on the ground here..." she says, and listens to Rogna as he lists off the information. Above some thunder roars out as it seems a storm starts to roll in. Down below the group continues its work on the beach, searching for anything that might indicate a hidden entrance or a cove, a few shouts heard from a very deep and rough voice, "They have to be here somewhere, Sweetwater hiding some cashe or ships around here. They claim it is these 'bandits' but I'll find proof it is them"

Angus notes that once again Arimia has a look of diaproval towards him, and just completly ignores it. "Ma'am, do you really think we would allow you to search this beach if we didn't want to right this misunderstanding? I mean if we really were the ones trying to start a war do you think we would be talking to you considering your not only being held down, but your surrounded as well?" He didn't really mean it as a threat, he was just trying to state the obvious.

Arimia looks up at Selena and says to her in a viciously sweet voice, "'Cause I am so completely incapable of diplomacy. Obviously. It's why Angus an' Mirana are dead. An' it ain't 'cause I have other reasons for keepin' her pinned here that she's still on the ground! It's just to spite a noble! Not to keep her from runnin' off an' warnin' them of somethin' we may not want them warned of, causin' misunderstain's. You can tell from how I've been punchin' her until she passes out this whole time." Her mouth twists into a snarl and she says to the wolf, "I would have thought you'd know by now to trust me when I decide to do somethin'. Apparently not." She then turns away and says to the hamster, "You're stayin' down until I decide lettin' you up won't cause any problems for us. It's a trust buildin' bit. 'Cause I trust you a lot more when you're stuck on the ground."

Rogna listens to the conversation behind him as he approaches the group on the beach, ignoring it as it fades into the distance. "Hello there!" he calls out, announcing himself ahead of time, moving until he is met.

Selena pins her ears back and looks aside. "Ari, that's not what I meant." She whimpers, shaking her head and backing up slightly. "I didn't say anything about killing anyone, just... just..." Her voice trails off a little. "Ari, I do trust you. But trust me when I say holding her down isn't helping anyone right now." She sighs raggedly. "I didn't mean for it to come out like that; I'm sorry."