“Am I to be summoned at the griping of a handful of lazy peasants?”
The Cheery Baron is an OrlesianNoble who lives in Serault. He was a good friend of the Marquis of Serault's mother as they often hunted together. This however led to rumors of impropriety between the two.
The Cheery Baron manages to capture the Elusive Iconoclast outside one of his hunting lodges and hands her over to the Marquis of Serault for judgement.
Available actions[]
1.
Go hunting with the Baron People mistake his cheer for ignorance. They're wrong: nothing happens in his fief without him knowing, and he has a keen nose for intrigue.
Difficulty: Woods-wise*60/Freedom
Success: Replete The hunting's good. A fleet doe. An outraged boar. Two pheasants, stupid and fat. The Baron is in an effusive mood as you make your weary way back to his hall.
+7 clues
Failure: Poor sport The deer in his woods are understandably canny. You catch nothing more than a glimpse of rustling bracken. The Baron is surly, but you pry what you can from his grumbles.
+3 Clues
2.
Give him the names and locations of revolutionary sympathisers He knows what to do...
Result: When the Baron comes a-calling "Fetch my sword!" he barks at a servant. "Saddle my horse! We're going to remind a few people who rules in Serault, and who serves!"
-(100-Rumors of Revolution) in Clues, -10 Rumors of Revolution
3.
Learn how to win his favor
(Requires Freedom > 20) He's always liked you, but that doesn't mean he makes things easy on you.
Result: Frank counsel "Look, the Maker knows I held your mother in high regard, and you're pleasant enough. But you're too soft. I can't help you until you harden up. Serault's no maiden; she's a beast. You master her or she eats you whole and shits your bones." You must decrease Serault's Freedom to 10 or less to begin earning the Baron's favor.
4.
Attend one of his feasts
(Requires Freedom < 21) He doesn't respect anyone who doesn't have appetites the rival of his own.
Result: Indulgence The meat is rich and red, fresh from the forest. The wine sears your throat. His musicians are the finest in Serault. The Baron toasts your presence and contribution. His laughter shakes the glass-eyed hunting trophies that crowd his walls: hind and hare, wolf, boar, bear. He brandishes a dripping haunch like a truncheon. His beard glistens with fat. Tonight, he has ordered his servants dressed as lords of Tevinter. They serve you in cumbersome, flaring robes of black and silver, their faces painted white.
-1 Viand, +1 Favor
5.
Invite him to become your counselor He's a firm hand, and his soldiers will be useful - wily hunters and grim veterans every one.
Result: A true ally "Marvellous idea! Bloody marvellous! You and me, we can make Serault everything she was meant to be. Strong. Independent. Proud." His thick finger stabs the table with each word. "When I look at you, I see a bit of me looking back. Only a bit, mind. There's a lot more of me than there is of you. But don't worry, we'll fatten you up," he laughs. "Life's a swift flight through a narrow room, Huntress/Scholar, and outside the night is cold. Eat. Hunt. Live. Love. That room's only as warm as you make it."
-2-3 Favor, Baron becomes Counselor with +20 Derring-Do, The Baron comes to stand at your shoulder
