The first 48 hours are a bit of a scramble. The castle is letting in refugees but is also under siege by undead. Prince Raffolk has been slain by six unlikely heroes, or maybe villains. Prince Oron and Princess Breschka are now trying to take hold of the castle and its staff, all the while save the citizens of Dravens (and foreign nationals) who happened to be in Dravens’ Port for the event. Suffice to say things are chaotic. While the heavy rain has stopped, a light rainfall continues through the night and into the morning. Most people have little time to rest or sleep. Much of the castle is abandoned and hasn’t been used in decades. In some rooms, critters or even squatters have taken up residence. Events begin after a discussion with Oron and Breschka in their new den. The party then goes back to the study to finish divvying up the loot and getting things in order. After finishing, they all trickle out of the study one by one to begin their individual individuals. The party splits up over the next few days, but they all see each other on a regular basis. While they all step into different niches in the castle, the ongoing investigation about the undead, the dark goblin, the scrolls, and the mystery of the gargoyle continues. As the investigation continues, so does the rain and armies of undead. They say things get worst before they get better, and the next 48 hours are particularly terrible for guards, soldiers and defenders. The undead assault the city, the people, and the castle 24 hours a day. Meanwhile, scouts, priests, and militia members continue to bring refugees into the castle regularly. While the castle was nearly abandoned when they first arrived, now new areas are starting to be opened up and used as the main areas begin filling up with too many refugees. Urd While Ailekk is looking around for information, Cassius is fighting on the front lines, Urd first searches around vainly for a mage or someone who might be able to help him. Some of the Nard priests say they might be able to help him, but not today. They are exhausted from combat and don’t have the energy to do much. A Nard priest named Vudig who has been fighting out in the streets with Cassius takes a look at it and says, “Yep, that’s definitely cursed. I’m not sure by what though, likely it has a spirit bound or trapped in it. I can help you more once we get the living dead cleared out.” Satisfied that at least someone believes they have the ability to help him, and that the spirit seems to know the bad guys from the good guys (as of right now), Urd continues working on his agenda. He finds Behyla is still in the jail, using the back room of the torture chamber as him home base. While Oron has offered him an office and better accommodations, Behyla seems quite content. Plus, the secret passage to Raffolk’s study contained another passage that leads to a “Secret Prison”, further down under the castle. There Oron and Behyla are keeping the “upper level” staff of Raffolk down there, and only a handful of people are privy to that information, Urd is one of them. When he asks about the rebellion, Behyla’s face gets grim. Behyla leans back in his wooden chair and taps his fingers on a pile of papers on the table, next to a candle. Oron has left some of the “administrative coordination” to Behyla, this includes charting out a new command structure and identifying which of the captured prisoners might be willing to loyally swear allegiance to Breschka and Oron. Behyla quietly asks, “And what would you say if I said, yes I knew and didn’t tell you?” Urd responds, “You know my loyalty lies with our family completely. If you need me to act without full knowledge in order to expose or learn information about others, so be it. I trust in my capabilities. I simply do not like the possibility that this might put you in harms way. You are the head of our family, bringing us into more strength. As long as you have a plan I am happy to do whatever is needed.” Behyla sits back up in his seat and says matter-of-factly, “Regardless, I didn’t know so the point is moot. That is all, Urd.” And goes back to his paperwork. [Urd fails the insight check] Oron’s Offer Taking his brother’s last orders, Urd goes off to find Oron. He finds Oron in their new den, which has a fireplace and a giant bear rug (from a dire-bear of some kind) on the floor. Oron is in there with servants and some relatively roguish looking fellows he is talking to. Some of them are Nards, other orcs and a few are shady looking elves (who do not look like they are from Thrinegrove). Tolande and Elbrecht are there as well. As Urd walks in Oron approaches him, smiling. “One of my father’s killers, I’m surprised you haven’t decided to rest yet. You must have your brother’s work ethic. Either that or he has yours. What can I do for you?” He says, walking up to Urd and both shakes his hand and clasps his arm with his left hand. Urd offers his service, and Oron agrees. He introduces Urd to his current intelligence operatives: Tolande and Elbricht, diplomats from Dree who are quite interested in finding out who is behind the attacks. Lillineena, an elf refugee and escaped slave from Corrive, who managed to escape to Dree, where she was enslaved again. She managed to escape there as well. While she doesn’t seem to enjoy working with Tolande and Elbricht, if they are willing to help prove their kingdom’s guilt or innocence, Lily (as she prefers to be called) is more than happy to work with them. Arieth, a half-drow sailor who made her way to the castle. She is a storm-sorceress, but knowledgeable of many of the sailors. Ximdil the Nard, sewer scout and wererat liaison. He serves as a point of contact between the local thieves guild and the were-rat network. Oron talks to the entire group, Urd included: “I know you are not all friends, and don’t trust each other. You shouldn’t. I also know you are all interested in finding out where the undead came from. However, that concern is secondary to us spending the next 48 hours securing this castle and the people within it from an information standpoint. I am offering all of you to be at the ground level of my new information network. I promise you, each of you will be well rewarded for your work. However, the punishment for betraying me or this administration is death. Is that understood?” Urd says, “Prince Oron, My brother has asked that I help you in whatever way I can. I am here to do that. The alliance of our families will bring strength to this land, and I am at your disposal.' He pauses. 'As for being a killer - your father is only the most recent of a long line. I will do whatever it takes to bring strength to the Sahivas and now the Bonehammers' Looking at the others he again remains neutral, but tries to size them up and ascertain their true motives. They are all just looking at him. Urd turns back to Oron, “I agree. Information is most important now. The group I find myself in is busy helping, and between us all is covering a lot of ground. Tell me where I need to be and I will be there.' He nods. 'All betrayal should be punished by death.” One by one everyone except Arieth nods, one by one saying “I’m in too.” She says, “I am a sailor and I wield the power of the wind, and waves, and lightning. I’ve traveled with you before Oron, you know I am loyal to you. But I don’t know if I can be of service. I think this job is better suited to your… other contacts.” Oron smiles, walking up to her and putting an arm around her waist. “Oh no, Arieth, I need you most of all. For one, the drow might talk to you when they won’t talk to the rest of us. It is no secret they hate the Dree. Second, we will need someone honest and above reproach in our group. That will be you” he says and smiles broadly. Arieth’s face drops as she realizes what he is saying. “No, Oron. I’m not sure I can do this.” and pulls away from him. The smile vanishes from his face and he says, “You will, Arieth. This is not a discussion. I am not your companion or friend any more. I am your Prince.” He looks around at all of you. “Understand? Foreign national or not, from now on I own each and every one of you. The only one who actually proven anything to me is Urd, as far as I can tell the rest of you are worthless. So lets break down the plan.” Everyone is given a notebook and memorizes a series of coded symbols. Their job is to profile as many people as possible using the system. The system includes classifying people in the following ways: Objective Race-> Obvious. Nationality-> What kingdom are they from Profession-> Criminal Record-> Skillsets-> Magic, crafting, sword fighting, etc Experience-> How experienced are they? Religious Affiliation Wealth Subjective Loyalty-> Who are they loyal to, Popularity-> How popular are they Reputation-> Who are they perceived by others Likeability-> Intelligence-> Relationship-> How they feel about the new regime Obviously some of these attributes are facts, others are subjective observation. That’s why individuals will be scouted and vetted by two person teams. Two person teams can more effectively interrogate their targets, but must also come to agree on subjective terms. All of these factors do not need to be filled out for everyone they meet, instead they are targeting people who a) might be useful, or b) might be dangerous. Oron breaks the population down to the following categories: refugees, soldiers and fighters, Prince Raffolk’s senior staff, and the new administration. Oron himself is going to be responsible for vetting their new staff, starting with this team. They spend the next couple of hours as he teaches them how to profile each other, tell-tale signs, and he spends his time making observations but also teaching them how to do it themselves. He assigns Urd and Arieth to the soldiers, Tolande and Ximdil to the refugees, and Elbricht and Lillineena to interrogate Raffolk’s senior staff. Urd spends the next few days with Arieth at his side (or near by) constantly. She doesn’t seem to mind the constant rainfall, and he soon finds she’s as adept with wearing armor and wielding a sword as she is chatting people up. The two spend some time on the front lines, but obviously not as much as others. They spend more time in makeshift barracks, chow lines, and even Swell’s new gaming parlor. They manage to identify several dozen potentially useful or dangerous people, turning in reports to Oron personally (why not through Behyla?) regularly. Urd has little time alone, and he is instructed not to leave Arieth alone often as well. Some how, to the soldiers a half-drow and a half-orc seem more approachable than a couple of Dree diplomats and they fit in well. Over the next few days, Urd gets to watch as people are slowly being recruited into the new regime, from the ground floor up. Behyla continues to work out of his new office, just ajar to the torturer chamber. Sometimes he notices the jail is completely locked down from anyone coming or going, but usually it is open. Slowly, some of Raffolk’s senior staff have been released either into the population, or recruited to the new administration. Without knowing where a better place would be, Urd begins setting up his poisoner’s kit in his bedroom. Occasionally Nate comes in to micromanage, “No you OAF! Tharnberry doesn’t release toxins, it cures achne!” However, he begins to make progress. He finds himself falling into a routine after a few days. Fighting, talking with soldiers, canvassing new people, checking in with Swell and the rest of the gang, making sure Behyla and Oron are both alive and kicking, strangling a snake from the sewers, trying to milk its venom, say goodnight to Arieth, rinse and repeat.
