Riding the Franchise: A Festival in the Realm
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_At dawn a procession of the realm's leadership and guard mount ponies and horses (depending on the size of the rider) and heads north through the hills and farms of the Realm.
Throughout the morning they stop and visit with various families, businesses, and guard encampments throughout the realm. As the group makes its way along the borders of the realm, the size grows. Everyone from gray beards to young children follow along, with the hopes that the end of the ride will pay off to what the rumors have foretold.
The procession heads south first, where they round the lake south of the gates. Most of the smarter greenskin head for their hiding-places as they see the large group. The less intelligent are quickly taken down by the more senior archers in the group. As they reach the southern tip of the lake, the Chancellor deftly throws a specially made axe into the ground and pours a bit of dark ale over it. Nodding to his senior advisors, they continue back through the gates and northward.
Later, as they pass near the Dwarven Hold, Dwin dismounts and greets the armed Dwarven guards and dignitaries who have assembled for this ceremony. Dwin presents Koirin, Spiritual leader of the Hold, with a sack (assumedly of coins) and bows low before moving the procession on.
The group makes its way to the Crossroads, where the Lord Chancellor ceremoniously dismounts and strikes a small axe into the ground. He then toasts the group with an ale and says a few words:_
"The realm of Norwick has certainly been tested in recent history, but as always we have survived! The heartiness and strength of the realm is a tribute to all of you, the citizens of Norwick! Long Live the Realm! Whether the threat be greenskins, demons, bugbear or hobgoblin, we have persevered!
"Now, of course, this 'Riding of the Franchise' would not be complete without a festival. Please join me back at the Great Hall where our best stewards have prepared a feast fit for all of you, Princes and Princesses of the Realm!"
_Dwin nods to one of the closest guards who lifts a small child (checking the feet first to make sure its not a hin, of course) and places him on the Chancellors horse with him. The procession makes its way back a bit quickly, knowing that there is a feast in store.
Back in town, tables laden with Dwarven ale kegs and other goods from the realm are set up, and several musicians start making music.
The Militia sets up archery targets, a boxing ring, and other games and challenges… keeping close watch for talented young youth that can bolster the ranks. A table is set up where people can sign up for Militia training. it appears that each new trainee is given a small pouch of coins upon signing his or her name.
Finally, rumor has it that the Chancellor will be seeing banned individuals on this day who can be once again allowed within the realm for the mere price of swearing an oath of obedience to the Lord Chancellor himself. Whether this is true or just realm-banter remains to be seen._
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Rumors and buzz around the realm speak of another Riding of the Franchise Festival soon. MOst rumors have to do with the menu of the feast rather than the border-ride, itself.
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Mord might be seen on the hillside after the arrival back in town. He seems to scan over the people and faces but stays away from most of the crowd
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The man often seen in town clad in green and black doesn't seem to join the festivities but stays within eyesight of Lord Dolvak seemingly trying to take in faces and names of people conversing with Lord Dolvak.
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_After escorting the Dark Priest into town and being temporarily relieved of his duties, the bodyguard can be seen wandering about the festivities.
He stops to chat with vendors while browsing their wares and then can be seen making small talk with any locals he apparently knows, over a pint of Dwarven Ale._
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_Norwick's Ambassador, Ronan, is eager to make small chat with the residents and any who attends. Seeming to stay the entire time, getting to know the Norwick citizens even better.
To any who would wish to speak to him, he readily listens to anything they have to say, or attempts to answer any question they may have. Often having a small smile on his face.
At the arrival of the dark priest, he seems to pay not much heed… thinking him and his lackeys not at all a huge threat.. though Ronan does not seem to want to chat him or his bodyguards up.._
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A sickly looking woman with pale skin and black eyes, makes her way into Norwick and finds her way to the Town Hall to speak with Dwin
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_Wren is with the group for the first leg of the ride, but is taken aside by a guard and, after making apologies to Dwin, departs to go poke about a house in town.
She returns after several hours, looking a little unhappy, and resumes the riding._
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Colonel Mord can be seen riding not far from the Chancellors side. Arriving back in town he dispatches the guards to a casual and friendly town patrol often stopping and talking to citizens and strangers alike. At one point he can be seen nodding slightly to the priest and his escort then he dissapears into the crowd.
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Aramuil, resplendent in a shining white and grey suit and his usual white cloak, accompanies the Chancellor on the ride. He smiles and waves to the people they meet and pass and listens carefully along with the Chancellor to their concerns and questions, occasionally piping in with an answer. He excuses himself early from the festivities though, likely to take care of his pregnant wife and their daughter.
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_A brace of Norwick red cloaks escort the priest inside. Shortly afterwards the Chancellor, himself with advisors and a few gold-cloaked dwarven guards enter the Great Hall.
One of the Gold Cloaks steps back out a few moments later, barring any other entry to the building.
About 20 minutes later, the priest is again escorted out of the building._
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_Those rumors seem to carry some weight. Those with sharp eyes might have seen a certain priest standing on a bluff in the northern Rawlinswood not far from where the Lord Chancellor planted an axe into the earth and fed it ale during the first leg of the ride.
Shortly after the festival begins, this same priest, wearing a long tabard that displays a black fist squeezing forth green rays centered over his chest, marches slowly into town. He is followed by two men of similar attire who flank him on either side.
There is a brief pause when the trio passes by a group of reveling guardsmen, and the priest in front offers the Colonel of the Guard a polite nod.
Once he has found the Chancellor and started a dialogue, his escorts leave him and wander the festival, but their gaze seldom drifts far from their superior.
Those in the know, of course, recognize this priest without much difficulty._
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