Lars and the royalty of Modron

  Marcus shook his head vigoursly, "No, no my friend. I cannot in good conscience allow you to present yourself to the court without proper attire. I know you love your sharkskin but this calls for something more... More refined." The Gish merchant stroked his beard in thought. "Lars, I'm calling in the experts!"

  A few hours later and the combined talents of reknown halfling Haberdasher Poncey Stitchenhose and the barbering skills of the girls from The Squirming Knuckle reveal :

Fancy Lars

  "Yes!" exclaims Marcus leaping from his pillow, "Now you are ready to be received by the court of modron!"

  It had taken many weeks, patience and a few greased palms to finally get an audience with the King of Modron. However, Lars found that once inside the Castle itself there were still more hurdles to overcome. He waited for an hour in a small sitting room with only a stern faced guard and a cup of wine for company. At last he was ushered into a sparsely furnished foyer and met Drawlin the Kings Chamberlain.

  "So you are the one known to the dockworkers and sailors as 'The Shark'," Drawlin slowly circled Lars taking his measure of him. " I know you as Lars the honest, a title used in the streets and a song or two as well. You arrived here from the eastern village of Eros where you and your fellows escaped the predations of a tribe of Man-beasts." The Chamberlain bid Lars to a pair of chairs near a window. "You and your compatriots took advantage of the local legends and a fortuitous sea-tremor to lay your foundation of the "Sea-Queen" adventure. A story I quite enjoy myself." Drawlin leans in toward Lars and speaks softly, " I have been able to verify certain aspects of your tales. It has been a long time since the land has had "Heroes" if you will. The city could benefit from having Heroes of its own in these times. Your gift for the King has passed inspection, the Captain of the Guard approves as do I of your other gifts. In a few minutes you will be introduced to the King, you will present your gift to him, he will respond in kind. You will accept the Kings thanks and we shall be in touch."

  Drawlin stood and turned quickly as he met two aides, spoke quickly to each then disappeared through another door. Lars took a deep breath........ it was about to begin.

  The doors opened to the main audience chamber and a page motioned for Lars to enter, he was followed by a pair of footmen carrying the chest he brought for the King. Another footman spoke aloud to the room.
"Now presenting, Lars of Eros, Trader, Bard, Slayer of the Roglaroon Devil, and founding member of the Adventuring band the Heroes of Eros."

  The nobles whispered to each other as Lars entered striding confidently along the red

King Anoethin and Drawlin

carpet to the designated spot about 20 feet before the King. Anoethin listened as Drawlin spoke in the Kings ear, his eyes never leaving the approaching petitioner. The footman deposited the chest to right of Lars and stepped back a few feet behind the adventurer.

  "King Anoethin, I hereby present myself to you and your honored court on behalf of the Heroes of Eros. We have traveled far and encountered many dangers since our journey began. Evils plague the land and a darkness creeps into the light of our world. So my friends and I have answered the call of the Gods themselves to stem this black tide. Our endeavors have seen the destruction of Man-beasts that would have resurrected the foul twins of Chaos Felan and his brother Molan. We battled the Undead and locked them away in the depths of the blighted Tegal Manor, as well as rooting out a cult of worshipers of the tentacled One! The Emerald Enchanter has been slain at no small risk to our band. We answered the call of the Mer-peoples ancient Queen who was cursed to living death by a foul demon. The giant hammerhead called The Devil of Roglaroon shall trouble your waters no more. We do what we must not only at the behest of the Gods but to bring light to the darkness, to give hope where it has faded, to lay to rest the souls of those who have been defiled. King Anoethin, I present this chest laden with the treasures we have taken back from the forces of darkness, who stole them from the people of our lands."

 Lars knelt beside the chest and opened the lid revealing it's dazzling contents. Gold, silver and copper coins were a bed for varied gems of all sizes and colors, 2 fine vases, 3 solid gold eggs and assorted other bits. Lars picked up a velvet bundle and opened it revealing  finely jeweled scabbard holding a long sword of exquisite make, its golden hilt catching the light of the sun. "This sword I present to you as a token of our fealty to you and the people of Modron."

  A footman took the offered sword and handed it to the King. Anoethin drew the blade with the skill of a man who knows how to use a sword. He placed it back in the jeweled scabbard and then stepped towards Lars.

 "The people of Modron thank you most graciously Lars of Eros, as do I. Your gift is greatly appreciated. Not since the time of the Tharbrian Kings has Modron had Heroes to call her own." The King stepped down off the dias so he was directly in front of Lars who still knelt beside the chest. "But now our city and its people need fear no more! The Gods have delivered to us Champions, those we can rely upon in times of need, those who can aid us when all seems lost!" The nobles, guildmasters, priests and commoners who could crowd the audience chamber clapped and chittered in excitement. "On behalf of the people of Modron, we accept the honor the Gods have given us this day and by my authority as King I decree that from this day forward The Heroes of Eros shall be the Champions of the people of Modron as well as my own!" a great cheer erupted from the gathered crowd.

  Drawlin moved up and handed the King a scroll. "Rise Lars of Eros," Anoethin unrolled the parchment and read aloud for all to hear, " You shall be known henceforth as Count Lars, Kings Champion Adventurer & Hero. The Spire of Shadankin and the land within half a mile shall be yours. Yourself and the rest of the Heroes of Eros shall have the honor and respect due to those who now serve officially as our rightfully appointed Champions, and we look forward to a brighter future with you all at our side!"

  Bowing low, Lars turns and leaves the audience chamber. "Count Lars of the Spire." he said to himself smiling.

[GM]
   All current members of the party now have an effective Social Level of 10 as Gentlemen; while Lars has a 10 as a Noble, when in or around the immediate vicinity of Modron. This can become helpful when dealing with merchants, looking for certain items or even in legal situations. Look for more about Social Level in the House Rules Page.