(1874-01-23) Help Offered
Help Offered
Summary: Avellino D'Cadry wishes to study the Qatunax
Date: 23rd Jan 2018
Related: Qatunax Stories
NPCs: None
Players:
Ludovic  Avellino  

Daemon's Hall
Daemon's Hall is a collection of stout thick walled buildings clustered within a cave. A narrow bridge provides the only obvious access point.
1874 jan 23rd

As the festivities of the tourney held in the area wind down most people seem inclined to return home. The travel has likely switched to going away from the lands around Daemon's Hall rather than towards it. However today a small group of knights bearing the banners of d'Cadri ride in. In their midst is a nobleman and his retinue, two personal guards and a servant. The noble is obviously not a knight, but there is a look to him that suggests he is no true stranger to combat. He is dressed in elegant yet still rather practical attire as he is shown into the hall with his retainers, the knights choosing to settle in while their lord does his business. A messenger will seek out Ludovic and announce the presence of his guest who waits patiently in the hall studying the structure with avid fascination.

"Lord Avellino d'Cadri is here to see you, Your Excellency. He says he wishes to discuss something with you relating to scouting the lands occupied by the Qatunax." The messenger delivers his message and then leaves with a bow.

In the meanwhile Avellino is studying the hall curiously. He looks to his servant and smiles. "I'm not sure about it being home to a Daemon in the past, but it does have a rather austere sort of charm to it doesn't it? There is likely much history hidden within these old stones." He muses mostly to himself as he wanders the main hall, waiting.


The servant returns shortly afterwards and leads Avellino further into the Keep. The servant stops at a side door, knocks and then pulls it open, inviting Avellino to head inside with a bow.

The room beyond the door is a fairly typical study, albeit one that represents the fact that the great wealth that the House enjoyed under the rule of Viscount Rosseau. Ludovic was standing at a single square window, looking out over the denuded hill that leads up to the front of the Hall, but he turns at the knock. "I was told you needed to see me Lord Avellino d'Cadri." He says as he measures up the new arrival.


As Avellino is lead down the hall he presses a hand to his head and winces. "Oh no…not again." He groans quietly. His brow furrows as he is led even closer to the source of whatever seems to be paining him. He nods to the servant as he opens the door and then it hits him, the smell. Magic and the scent of what smells like a damp cave. He grimaces and wishes he had brought his gloves. He shifts his hands to his side in what he hopes is natural fashion and steps inside. He puts on a polite face eyeing Ludovic carefully and glancing around cautiously. There is a sorcerer in here, but surely the Viscount isn't one? He studies the man with calm assessing eyes, measuring him up in return.

It only takes a second for him to push past the scent and the ache in his head, and then he speaks. "Indeed Your Excellency. I heard you plan to scout the areas overrun by those savages? I am a scholar of sorts, my father Viscount d'Cadri is willing to spare some of his more crafty and talented knights to augment your force. I also wish to ride out, they used some kind of obscure magic something most foul. I wish to learn more about them, why or even how they did this and how such actions could be countered or prevented in the future. If you are willing to permit such that is?"


"I'm grateful for the assistance, every man we have here makes the kingdom that little bit safer." Ludovic agrees as he moves over to a sidetable and pours out a couple of drink (malt whiskey from the late house d'mollari). The glass is offered to Avellino and then he moves back to his desk and half sits/half leans on the edge of the desktop. "But I have far grander plans than just scouting. I'm planning to spend the remainder of the winter in raids. They shouldn't be allowed to get complacent and besides, they have a good number of my people still back there. Normally i'd not worry so much about that but these creatures, they don't follow chivalry." He takes a moment to drink some of the amber liquor in his glass, again looking curiously over at Avellino. "You are talking about Mount Tharsis" he asks a little bluntly. "How are you qualified for that?"


Avellino accepts the glass with his left hand, keeping his right carefully out of sight. He takes a sip of the drink and considers Ludovic intently. He grimaces at the mention of the enemies lack of chivalry. "If they have any code at all, its vastly different than what we follow. That makes any dealings with them quite limited, especially if they see us as weak and feel no inclination to negotiate." As the man asks that rather blunt question he chuckles faintly. "I'm a historian, I study old ruins and search them for lost artifacts and forgotten knowledge of the past. However recently I added something to my studies." His bright blue eyes stare directly into Ludovic's. "Tell me Viscount d'Korbina is anyone else in this room with us? I know its an odd question, but humor me. For if I am to be honest I would like the same in return." He pauses a moment sipping from his drink, giving the man a moment to reply before asking. "Have you ever heard of Null Your Excellency? I suppose some might call it magic, but really its more geared towards defending against and tracking magical occurrences and people." He smiles faintly watching to see what the man's reaction will be.


"They must have been willing to talk at some point." Ludovic says, "Else those negotiations couldn't have been arranged to start with. Was a damn clever trick." He grimaces at that. "Can't deny it worked and the thing with Mount Tharsis was, kinda ingenious. Course, that just means we gotta be careful for traps you know?" He gives Avellino a cold smile. "So yeah, i'm pleased to help with studying them, much as I can. Heck it's something I've been hoping to encourage." He pushes up from the desk and starts walking - pacing really - in the limited space. "I know Null works against other types," He flicks a suspicious look at Avellino. "Yeah."


Avellino stands in place taking another sip from his drink. He calmly watches Ludovic as the man begins to pace. "Very true. They seem cunning in addition to ruthless from what little I've heard of them. We must take care that we are not fooled or lured into traps again. But we must also learn what exactly they did if possible. I can handle myself decently in battle, so I would like to accompany one of the first groups that go out. And I will happily share anything useful I learn with you if you wish? A gesture of peace and good intentions if you will." It's a subtle hint of sorts that he has no intention to press the issue of whether or not Ludovic might have sorcery…not yet anyway.


Ludovic pauses in his movements "Can't see why I'd say no to having a d'Cadri join us." He starts moving again, heading back towards his discarded liquor. "You're House has a fine reputation. Besides, You said you're here to study them yeah?" He lifts the glass but doesn't drink anything more for now. "I've been looking for someone who can spearhead that." He grins as he looks across at Avellino. "So, Avellino, take some time and then come tell me what you're gonna need for it? I'll see you get rooms inside the Keep."


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