It’s the age old dilemma – what do you do when the counterfeiters you wanted to use to destroy a merchant family have been corrupted by a gemstone tainted with the magic of some savage god of olden times and thereafter slaughtered by “heroic” adventurers?  Pegwhistle is going to be an issue as well since he saw me pocket said gemstone.  Thankfully that part at least can be easily rectified – as we came into town last night I invited him to have breakfast with me in my room at the Saber.  He was whistling quite a jaunty tune when he came bounding up the stairs – it almost made me feel bad Mary and Eormon were waiting in the closet for the ambush.

His grin was a league wide if it was an inch as I let him into my room – although I was in my dressing gown so you can hardly fault him for that.  He quickly ruined everything however –

“I have to tell you my dear that I was most impressed that you took the gem as you did, now we can claim the reward together!  I already stopped by the mayor’s office this morning and . . .”

Ugh.  He rattled on for a while as I decided if I should kill him anyway.  In the end I sat down with a sigh and knocked three times on the wall – the signal for Mary and Eormon to come out without killing.  The little man’s eyes nearly bugged out his head as they strolled out of the closet.

“Whoa.  I had no idea that’s what the plan was.  It’s a lot of ground to cover but back in the Shire they called me . . . hey where are they going?”

“Shut up.  What do you know about counterfeiting?”

“Nothing really.”

“Well then get the Hells out.”

“But I thought we were going to . . .”

“Yeah, yeah, we all thought a lot of things, now beat it.”

I’ve scarcely seen a man look more dejected- a wee little man to be sure, but still.   I have to assume that like many of his ilk Pegwhistle is all talk when it comes to the ladies.  Now I have to talk to the mayor?  Annoying.  First I had to disguise myself as my own maid to make an appointment – I really need to get a valet or an attendant or something of that nature on the payroll instead of just goons.  Maybe I can get a squire.  Or are those only for knights? 

I decided not to use my cap for a change and actually made myself look fabulously gorgeous the old fashioned way – it was kind of nice to take some time like that.  Allowed me to think.  I need to start carving out some time just for me – I do so much for others.  I had Berney and Eram clean up as much as they could and took them with me as my men at arms – footmen would have been better, but what can you do?  The mayor was your standard bald fatman but with the most outrageous muttonchops, which served well to distract from the horrible sky blue doublet he was squeezed into.  Nice enough fellow though – for a mayor.

I told him that Pegwhistle and his lowbrow companions had recovered the gem at my behest and I told him as well that my people have reported that a crimelord in Heathgrove was seeking the gem as well – although the word was that he was trying to get it back to pass it off Councilor Rseikharhl rather than to abscond with it.  And then I told him about the deleterious effects that the gemstone had on the smugglers.  He pondered for quite a while before speaking.

“That Councilor Rseikharhl has always been a rascal.  One wonders if maybe giving his dangerous gem to the Countess was his plan all along.  Do you feel safe with the gem in your possession madam?

“I’ve felt no effects so far your honor, but based on what I’ve seen I wouldn’t mind it leaving my proprietorship.”

“I’ll consult with my spiritual advisors on what should be done with it.  I’ll contact the Countess as well, she can decide what Councilor Rseikharhl’s motivations were.  For now do you mind holding onto the gem?  I’m not sure who can be trusted with it at this point.”

“Of course I will your honor.”

“If you feel even the slightest bits of its strange powers come to see me immediately.  Don’t be a hero madam.”

“I wouldn’t dream of it your honor.”

After that he invited me to stay for dinner with his bland wife, forgettable children, crabby old mother, and a couple of the insipid nobles of the area.  At least it was a nice meal – and the after dinner port was very fine indeed.

Walking back to the Saber I was so lost in thought that I didn’t notice the commotion until I was almost on top of it – the place was a warzone.  I saw Hereisa lying dead on the steps out front and there was fighting raging inside between the guard, my people, and the five adventurers – and by fighting I mean mostly that the dwarf and his friends were killing everyone.  Pegwhistle must have ratted me out and they came to confront me and things turned ugly – as they always do with adventurers.

I turned on heel and headed back the way I came – time to find a new place to stay.  I should have known better than to get mixed up with adventurers. 

____________________________________________________________

Funds: 7,580 gold

XP: 44,738

Inventory: Ring of Many Garments, Bag of Tricks (rust), Cap of Disguise, Secure Pocket, Resplendent Diplomat’s Palette, Secure Paypack, Skeleton Key, Brooch of Shielding, Pouch of Magic Stones, Masterful Grey Gloves, Black Marketers’ Bag, Biting Bracelet (Endless Ammunition), Boots of Escape, Bracers of the Glib Entertainer, Ring of Animal Friendship, +1 Falchion, +1 Greatclub, +2 Commanding Light Crossbow, Headband of Alluring Charisma +2, mysterious Korrok gemstone

Signet ring, noble’s outfit, candlerod (9), masterwork dagger, succubi carving, Domiel family ring, walking stick, masterwork playing cards, spinel and peridot holy symbol of Kralten, diamonds (14), silver crown

Potion of Invisibility (3), Potion of Spider Climb, Potion of Eagle’s Splendor

Silver ring, gold bracelet, gold and pearl pendant, gold ring, platinum necklace, mithril hair clasps (3)

Revenge List: Duke Eaglevane, Piltis Swine, Rince Electrum, watchman Gridley, White-Muzzle the worg, Percy Ringle the butler , Alice Kinsey , “Patch”, Heroes of the Lost Sword, Claire Conrad, Erist priest of Strider, Riselda owner of the Sage Mirror, Eedraxis,  Skin-Taker tribe, Kartak, Królewna & Bonifacja Trading Company, Hurmont Family, Androni Titus, Greasy dreadlocks woman, Lodestone Security, Kellgale Nickoslander, Beltian Kruin the Splithog Pauper, The King of Spiders, Auraluna Domiel, mother Hurk, Mazzmus Parmalee,  Helgan van Tankerstrum, Lightdancer, Bonder Greysmith, Pegwhistle Proudfoot, Lumbfoot Sheepskin

Rumors : Exiled noblewoman (Reoccurring), vigilante “Litheria”(Reoccurring), murderous Halfling (Reoccurring)

Graltontown Buildings – Mill