This week we kick off with a little adventure I am going to call Sugar and Spice. Tonight we have a desperate plea from the queen of a country as her son, the prince, has changed dramatically. What will the party find out this week as we dive into this new adventure.
So come and sit down, regale in a tale of change, deception and royalty in tonight’s adventure!
The sovereign prince of the Kingdom of Arelia has always had a strong connection to its people. The royal family are frequently seen amongst their people supporting them however they best deemed fit. However lately the prince has been making different decisions, straying away for what was best for his people and looking at something else.
The party witnessing one such interaction the party are unknowingly brought deeper into the kingdoms conspiracy.
Sugar and Spice
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The party had spent the last part of your journey moving towards the kingdom of Arelia. The kingdom was famous for the royal family and how the lower classes were treated. As they walked through the streets the people all looked well fed and in good health. Children ran along with small books and scrolls for reading or writing tied to their waists behind a maid or teacher.
The guard were all cheerful and helpful on one case where a wagon had tipped over the guards rallied around the wagon to right it and help sort out the cargo it was carrying. Everything seemed like a perfect oasis of tranquillity and the utopia people had said it was. However that reality changed fast.
As the party were moving out of the market district and towards their inn they came across guards in resplendent armour, the royal guard. All of them were expert warriors and carried themselves as such – however instead of the friendly and near jovial nature of the other guards these warriors of the kingdom were stoic, almost displeased. As the party drew near one of the guards spotted them and signalled to another to approach the party.
‘Hail, you are not of this kingdom are you not?’ she said curtly. When the party responded she gestured with her head. ‘You must be lost, you wish to take the road over to reach your destination. I urge you to change…’ she began before a voice called out.
‘Tuille, you do you speak to?’ a voice carried over. The guardswoman, Tuille grimaced and looked apologetically at the party, mouthing sorry before responding to the voice.
‘Some travellers your highness.’ she repeated. ‘They were in a hurry to their establishments to rest my prince.’
‘Ah, bring them over. I wish to see all those who have visited this kingdom, you must remember my request.’ the princes voice carried over again. Nodding Tuille beckoned the party to follow her. The prince was well dressed and sat next to what could only be a princess or noblewoman. He was sharply dressed with a well made short-sword on one hip. ‘You look like you are enjoying yourselves and what the kingdom has to offer. What do you think of it?’ he asked, a smile crossed the woman’s lips as he spoke.
As the party conversed with the prince, explaining what they thought of his kingdom he nodded along smiling. ‘Good. Don’t you think the best way to support a kingdom is to lift up its people. To educate, support and endear them to the place they live? It’s the motto of our family for generations and I live by it. However to support this we have to accept charitable donations from all visitors to the kingdom, a tithe of one tenth. It’s only fair that if you’re enjoying yourself and if you wish to see the children of this land flourish that you contribute to their health.’ the princes own smile reflected the unwavering belief in what he was saying. However the party felt something was off with how the guards around them were acting.
‘As the prince has requested, a tithe of one tenth of what you have on you is requested as a gift to his majesty and the people of Arelia.’ The captain of the guard said loudly as he walked forward with a wooden box. Opening they could see coins, jewellery and even magical artefacts that would be worth a small fortune. ‘As his majesty has proclaimed to reap the benefits of visiting and staying in a kingdom as fine as this one must be supported by those visiting. Those who do not provide well… We hope that it does not come to that. So please, one tenth a tithe of what you have in your pouches and we will see to it that the kingdom receives this donation to its people.’ The guard looked sick as if stricken as he repeated the statement like a well oiled machine.
The party may have tried to avoid paying but the guards were many and several gazes were drawn to them and the princes interaction. A payment of one tenth was taken and the prince counted the donation with calculating eyes. Before he could finish counting the guards urged them to move onwards with Tuille walking with them some ways.
‘Please friends, take this. It’s not the same as you have lost but I was not swift enough to prevent you being… stopped.’ she said as she slipped a small pouch into their hands. ‘My prince has a strong view on how to support the kingdom in the future, it is new and many have tried to avoid supporting the kingdoms request. Some have spent some time in the guards dungeon with the smallest of slights being deemed as treasonous or dangerous to the kingdom. But forgive me, I have let my tongue fly. I hope that we do not meet again in such a way and that the next time you have the good fortune of meeting our royalty that it is her highness the queen that you grant your presence with.’ she hesitated and looked the party over. ‘Where did you say you were staying again friends? I have a friend that may need some help.’
Thanks for visiting tonight for the start of what aims to be a big adventure. Don’t forget that each night this week we will be expanding this adventure to cover another aspect of this weeks quest. So make sure you come back each night this week so you don’t miss out on any content and lastly, as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe
Brazen Wolfe Tabletop 