In a secluded avenue of thatched villas, away from the hustle and bustle of the market place, (and away from the smell), the Old Manse occupies pride of place. It is the residence of Krothos Ironguard, youngest son of Duke Kell Ironguard of Aerik and heir to the Duchy since the untimely death of his elder brother. His promotion from 'spare' to heir though has not be favourably received.
A quarried stone built manse, complete with crenellated tower and a high courtyard stockade serving as a surrounding wall. The facade covered in vines of ivy creepers, the windows leaden glazed panes, the doors reinforced oak. The adjacent tower has a small barracks and stables and serves the village militia and formal Duchy military guards. The cellar doubles as a temporary gaol.
The manse serves both residential and administrative purposes. Lord Krothos has a chamberlain politico advisor by the name of Ollis who takes charge of his affairs.
A guard leans on a pikestaff by the porch entrance. He stiffens to attention as you approach down a gravelled drive then relaxes. An audience with the Lord may be granted here or even a summoning to appear here ordered by him.
Lord Krothos is also seen frequenting the Foul Pheasant Tavern.
Here is an overview pic of the building.
Attachments
Helix: Old Manse.
Headquarters_lvl_6-10.png (524.13 KiB) Viewed 1553 times
"My Lord. We have returned in triumph."Eddy formals bows and speaks to Krothos after being ushered into his hall.
You arrive back in Helix in the late evening, foregoing the taverns to report to the Old Manse, seat of officialdom and residence of the ruling Lord. Orgoth checks his weapons in at the gatehouse, prudently putting the spear aside and not wanting to appear as an armed threat in unfamiliar surrounds. Bloodied but not beaten, the entrance for the squires is an unheralded triumph. It is not so much the fact the squires returned at all but what they have returned with. The carved short staff, bear headed and unbroken, bearing the Covenant of the Mercians, a treaty between Dwarven, Elven and the Barbarian tribes in their war against the humanoids savages.
A few days earlier, Krothos had limped back, barely alive and clutching the gilded crown taken from the skeletal remains of Silas, while his erstwhile knightly comrades were hacked, stabbed, clawed and ravaged and indeed throttled and impaled, never to return. News of their deaths though had never broached past the Ironguard Citadel gates. QThe squires, bastard sons most likely of prominent merchants, apprenticed out to the knights were given the challenge to retrieve the artefact left behind and honour the fallen by returning their heraldic shields. A forlorn task one would think and perhaps with ulterior motives if they should ever fail in the attempt. Where knights, proven in battle and skilled in swordsmanship had failed, who expected these enthusiasts just past their first shaves and barely able to wield a silver spoon to conquer?
Dressed casually but with a cloak of office wrapped around his shoulders and broadsword buckled by his side, the Lord takes a seat in the chambers. Behind him stand two guards and he is accompanied also by a man in sandals and toga, Ollis his personal advisor.
"Amazing. Amazing. Words fail me to commend highly enough." Krothos is wide eyed, even more so when presented with the wooden sceptre. He stares at it, turning it over in his hands, softly stroking the best head. "You must regale us with your adventure." he insists.
At this point Eddy recites the lead up to the tavern then hiring Sven as a scribe to record the intricacies of the trip. "Orgoth was and his a man mountain, he bore our torch and safeguarded our passage.". The squire introduces you both and commends your part in the expedition. As the scholar among them, Sven retells the adventure, skipping the discovered entrance and the raptors chewing on Franc.
The audience drifts into many questions, hmms' and aarhs', recounting the Bear Mound in detail a few times. Your rehearsed stories aligning to not provoke any sign of disbelief.
The reward for the squires is a promise of promotion, a journey to nobility and knighthood. "It seems I was fresh out of knights now I am fresh out of squires. Though it will be a while before theses budding Sir's will need one. So I won't requisition you both into service but perhaps I may avail myself of your talents in another way." he says as goblets of wine are served and the audience winds down.
In recognition of your talents, Krothos will engage you both in some way. You can have a straight reward: he has no daughter you can ask the hand of, but you could ask for a weapon or a suit of mail as a gift, a horse? You get the feeling it is a but like asking a djinn for a wish as words may be twisted literally if you ask amiss
Wow. Might need a day or two to think about this one.
Sven shows as much respect and manners as he can muster during the meeting with Lord Krothos, though he finds that his attention is drawn more to his silent advisor than to the Duke. He nonchalantly watches the man in the toga and studies his actions with great interest, wondering if he is the real authority in the room.
“With all due respect my Lord Krothos, though I have seen smarter men, and stronger sword arms, I have never met the likes of anyone more brave and more dedicated to the cause than these five future knights of yours. Their sheer drive to prove their mettle and come back to proudly present you with this prized artifact was the catalyst to our mission being as successful as it was, sir. I would gladly adventure out with them again sometime, if your need should ever require of it.”
The boy mage looks to Orgoth next before giving any answer to his reward, hoping his friend has something awesome in mind to ask for first.
Attempting to be as formal and deferring as possible, "Thank you my Lord. I am but a humble servant of Cromm. I too would gladly adventure with your new knights if they should require our my aid. I am at a loss with what to request of you. Could I have a day or two to consider it?"
The evening audience draws to a close. Declining to opt for a instant reward, Orgoth and Sven offer to support any future endeavours the squires are engaged with.
"As you wish."Krothos nods, he holds his new implement, the sceptre. Ollis the chamberlain will take your future enquires and if your services are needed, he will be in touch." The two if you are dismissed while he receives the squires for some more chitchat until that too is concluded.
The squires attend the post expedition party in the Brazen Strumpet Tavern the following evening. (30th) and village festivities on the Mayday 1st. They may be contacted via the manse until the end of the week (5th) when they depart for Ironguard.
If the Duke is already off limits for conversation, this can be directed towards Ollis instead.
Sven clears his throat as the Duke departs.
"Excuse me my lord! I would like to make you a proposition. Orgoth and I would like to return to the mounds again. As you may be well aware of, there is another excavated mound close to the one where you found your crown, and we found your scepter. With your blessing, I would like to return to the mounds and investigate that unopened mound further. Being new here, I wanted to make sure that wasn't against any laws or any plans that you may have already had for that exploration."
"If the rumors of great magical treasures hidden inside some of the mounds are true, and you would be willing to support such a mission, perhaps if we are successful a second time, we can become full time treasure hunters under your banner, sir? Sharing all of the most precious of those items with the crown, my lord?"
At some point, Sven tells the squires about the healing mud in the jar they recovered together, telling them that he left it with the church and asking them if they are interested in the offer of gold that was offered in trade for it.
"I take a view that what happens on the Moor, stays on the Moor, unless it impacts the security of the region.
There are few of adventurous nature in the village, save those who trawl the fringes of the forest and moor hunting. Helix swells each season like a pregnant sow, birthing a litter of souls like yourself eager to find gold and treasure in the buried tombs. The offshoot is once enriched they swell the coffers of the town purse by plying their gold in the taverns. I am trying to encourage those burgeoning with coin to create enterprises and industry.
The mounds are numerous. I am sure Edbaldwin will follow you progress with interest. And the Crown will reward its most discerning patrons."
Eddy coughs at the mention of his birthname.
The squires will be able to give a considered response to any investigations into the trove you brought back before you leave again.
"Most excellent, sire!" Sven nods emphatically at the Duke's attitude towards his future intentions of exploration on the moors.
He tries not to laugh at Eddy's given name, but he cant help but smirk a little. "No worse than Teddy," he jokes to his squire friend after the meeting is over.
"I will let you guys know what we decide to do with the healing mud once our interactions with the church are complete. You fellas take care until we see you again. And take it easy on all that ale, would ya?" The young mage enjoys ribbing his excitable squire friends.
Sven makes a return to the Old Manse to see his squire friends.
“I have brought you fellas a share of the treasure we found in the maze. We didn’t have the same good fortune as our initial exploration, and we lost two friends who were ripped apart and eaten by ghouls, but we were able to manage bringing back a few spoils.”
He pulls out the glasses first, then the book, then the coin, handing them each over with some verbal fanfare.
Book of Jerome
Magical Glasses of Infravision
121gp and 17sp
“I guess this makes us square on that mud, which we ended up using after the jar cracked open. It was a bit of a mess.”
“What have you guys been up to recently? Hearing any good gossip from above lately?”
Ollis the chamberlain to Lord Krothos receives you at the door as you are escorted through the main gates by a pikeman guard. You are greeted formally, share your intention and the advisor gestures you through to the outer courtyard
The squires are about various tasks but eventually gather to hear your story and divide a share of loot each. On this day (6th) they are departing for a month in Ironguard before returning here. Learning how to be a gentleman includes such things as knowing which spoon to use at banquets and practicing formal bows and honorifics. The glasses are passed around, they debate who looks coolest wearing them rather than who's skillset they might enhance most. Leomane takes the book to study being the most scholarly amongst them. If he finds any interesting facts regarding the alchemist mage of yore, he will let you know.
They are glad the mud loam worked, checking out your faded scars from the exploding skeletons. Edbaldwin still wears the bear fur cloak. He has had it tailored to suit though he needs to put on a few pounds of muscle to fill it out proper.
Of course they have interest in the Barrowmaze maze and the security of the Mound. They share some rumours, which could be anything from the cook's gossiping to echoes from the privy council.
A) an envoy mission is being planned to contact the Elves in the Thornswild.
B) old man Ollis is screwing a barmaid.
C) The Vicar of St Ygg's threatened Krothos with excommunication from the church.
D)A farm on the edge of the village was burned out by order of Krothos as the residents were lepers.
debt honoured to the Squires
you can depart or fellowship longer though the Squires have no more rumours or information.
You can approach Ollis regarding your expedition or other audience requests
Sven hangs out with the fellas as long as it’s allowed, genuinely glad to see them all again. “I’ll see you loons when you get back then. Don’t get so well mannered that you stop singing, chugging ale, and banging your swords around once in a while.”
Before he leaves, he speaks with Ollis.
“Chamberlain Ollis, if you please. How is your taste in fine art, if you don’t mind me asking?”
If interested, he fills the man in on the details of the tapestry, emphasizing its value and that he thought of bringing it here first.
The whole time he has Smokie sniff the man up and down.
Sven details the tapestry enquiring regarding the decorations in the Manse and maybe it is a more appropriate place for it to hang.
Ollis seems interested, "Another relic from the barrow. My, you have been busy. I must visit Valeron at some point and see the craftsmanship."
He takes you into a formal office. A small room with a desk, plush chairs, book shelf. Piles of paperwork sit under a snow globe paperweight. Several peacock quills and inks peek from the desk wells. "Lord Krothos takes a keen interest in the archaeological surrounds, the history of the Duchy region, the past treatises, feuds and warmongering. The Mercian barbarians were an old race. Savage but noble. They held the land together against the tribal hordes. The Ironguards descend from that bloodline. There are more than relics to recover. Thrones too. Now he wields the chieftains staff and bears the crown, it is hoped that will strike fear into the tribes and subjugate them once more. In the brave new order we wish to carve, patriots to the Duchy will be rewarded.
Should ill wind ever blow Mazzah and his treetop away, then a new patriarch of arcane affairs may be sought." he says, not menacingly but provoking your thoughts in regard to future dealings.
“I believe I have proven my loyalty to the Duchy by my work with the squires. You might remember that I was involved in bringing back the staff. I too have a great interest in the history of these lands, and you seem to know more than most. I would be willing to listen to any serious offers of future work.”
“If you plan on razing the wizards tower, can you give me some fair warning first? I have some of my stuff stored in there and I would like to get it out first. I have agreed to hire on as an apprentice of sorts, so if you need any inside information on the man, I’m your guy.” He nods and winks, making it difficult to read if he is joking around or not.
“We are asking 10,000gp for the tapestry, and some of the merchants who saw it said we might be able to fetch that price in the auction houses in Ironguard, but I wanted to let you guys see it first, believing it would look amazing on the throne room wall right here in Helix.”
I must be about my business. These are the latest tax reforms that I am appealing Lord Krothos and his privy council to push through.
You do realise that as Lord of the Realm, all artefacts and relics rightly belong to his Lordship Duke Ironguard, recovered or hidden. The land is his and whatever it contains. But he is not without grace to those who mine the unchartered wildernesses in search of prosperity. So we may indeed levy a 20% customs tax on all appraised goods. Clamp down on black market smuggling and fill the coffers as it were. How else will roads be built and fortifications strengthened?
10,000gp. Well that must be 2,000 gold coming out way very soon. Yes I really must go see Valeron. Get an accurate appraisal. He is quite approachable, especially when you bring up exiling that mongrel-maid of his.
Still, maybe a new wall hanging in the banquet hall will be a real treat. Ossithrax, that will be a name to remember. I am sure we can come to amicable agreements."
Ollis grants Orgoth's request and he joins the militia cadets during their four day basic training, learning drill parade, pike formations, horseman's mace proficiency and earning +100xp.
After his chat with Vicar Othar, it was recommended that Golgarth seek out the village council in regards to seeing about the oversight and responsibility of maintaining the village cistern and wells. It would be a way that he can practically contribute to the community in Helix and raise Cromm's reputation (as well as his own).
He approaches the gated Manse and the pike wielding guards by the entrance.
"Good Sir. I seek an audience with his Lordship, Krothos Ironguard or his chamberlain Ollis in regard to assisting in a community project. ", he shuffles not sure of any protocols.
"Community projects. Hear that Arthur. This bloke has a community spirit and wants to do his civic duty? Do we let him in it send him down the road?" the pike-staff man leans on his pole to prevaricate your entrance while another's counsel is sought. The second man leers out of a guard hutch.
"Suppose Ollis can deal wiv' him Enry." You follow the guards who opens the door next to the Barbican gate. Walking in you pass under the barracks halls and the stable quarters. To one side are formal gardens and an archery target range. A junior clerk takes you to a reception hall and you wait until Ollis appears. The white haired man, approaching middle age has a studious look.
"How may I help? We have several areas of concern both here in Helix and the outer Duchy regions."
He engage in small talk, introducing yourself and giving as much or as little report if your expedition. The spider silk industry is if concern to the local economy and securing the ongoing production is one of those tasks.
