Session 67

* Cuthbert - Agent Provocateur, former Agent of Baroness Harriett, his current employer is unknown
* Harmony - Rabble-Rousing Bard, one of a group of three with fellow Bards, Melody and Lyric *(both of whom are mentioned only)*
* Slevren - Agent Provocateur, member of Cuthbert's group active in Lampkin, identifiable by major burns down his right arm and side *(mentioned only)*
* Bretta - Carriage Driver with a Secret (see below)

## And Now...

Leopold and Rast have discovered a plot against the Barony involving the creation of a populist movement dedicated to the overthrow of the current rulers. The branch in Port Vymoth is being run by Cuthbert, an old acquaintance of Leopold, who is using a trio of popular bards to rouse public sentiment... fairly successfully to this point.

Unfortunately, they don't appear to be the only ones who've noticed as Leopold spots a pair of potential assassins targeting Cuthbert and the young bard, Harmony, as she performs on stage. They've got to act quick, or this rally could turn into a riot in very short order!

### Chaos!

Anticipating trouble, Rast makes his way through the crowd towards an unsuspecting Cuthbert as Leopold calculates distances and directions to Harmony and to possible exits. A timely smoke-bomb proves to be excellent cover as both manager and performer are whisked away under cover of a thick cloud of smoke.

On a rooftop where they can overlook the chaos at the performance venue below, Leopold and Rath reacquaint themselves with Harmony and Cuthbert. Pleasantries are exchanged and, after some terse back-and-forth and mild reassurances, Cuthbert agrees to give us the rough shape of his operation so that we can avoid getting entangled in each others' plans.

### The Shape of the Conspiracy.

Having escaped the immediate threat and determining that we're not acting at cross-purposes, the various parties decided on a level of co-operation, our heroes and their uncertain allies repair to more convivial surroundings. To set their minds at ease, Leo and Rast agree to let Cuthbert and Harmony nominate the place. Once there, the plan is outlined.

Cuthbert informs us that he's part of a larger operation covering the whole Barony. He and at least two others are operating in outlying cities, seeking to create populist uprisings. Here in Port Vymoth, he assesses that he's maybe a week or two away from his goals and apparently, one of the other towns is pretty much a powderkeg ready to be lit when necessary. He's not certain about the third city, but it can't be too far off.

He imagines that the three outlying operations are largely a distraction for the main operation which is taking place in Lampkin, the Capitol. He informs us that the agent in charge of the Lampkin operation is named Slevren. He's an experienced agent and can be identified by the large burn scar that extends all the way down his right arm from the tips of his fingers to the lower corner of his jaw.

### News of the Pryors.

Meanwhile, in far more pleasant environs, Hugh is finding his old friend Phinneas a positive wellspring of gossip. Current word has it that, while the family home is in Corvid Keep, Baroness Pelgate is currently staying at a manor house just outside of town.

Phinneas also gives an update on the current status of the Pryor family as it stands. With Jane missing, her two sisters currently stand as the closest heirs. Alicia, the younger sister is currently taking care of the Baroness. She's somewhat of a homebody, though her marriage to Hitald, the scion of a once-prominent house fallen on hard times was something of a scandal. The older sister, Meare, is seen as something of a wildcard, preferring to spend her time travelling and adventuring with her long-time girlfriend, an elven adventuress.

The two groups come back together and exchange information. General consensus is that the turmoils and intrigues within the Barony are deep and complex and that we've only just begun to scratch the surface. Hugh arranges a cart to take us North to Lampkin via the small stop-over town of Tradecross.

### The Road To TradeCross.

As the morning arrives, our agents depart Port Vymoth en route to the small settlement of Tradecross, a wayside inn which provides a rest-stop for travellers moving across the Velvet Plains between Port Vymoth, Lampkin, Tamalir, Fort Rodric, Hernfar Island and others. Oddly, the young man scheduled to drive the cart has been replaced at the last minute by a young lady. She introduces herself as Bretta.

En route to Tradecross, Leopold notices two odd things about her. Despite her insistence that she's worked this route many times before, she seems to lack general knowledge about the area, and seems evasive on information about Lampkin. Also, he notices a plain but well-made ornament in the shape of a feather which, while she's not actively trying to hide it, is strangely reticent about.

The party arrives in Tradecross and spends a pleasant night's sleep. In the morning, they find their young driver missing. When the feather ornament is mentioned, Hugh recognizes it and indicates that he knows our erstwhile carriage driver's true identity...

### Continued in Session 68...

*10xp*

*(270xp Total)*