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[h2][color=6ecff6][i][b]Hugh Caphazath[/b][/i][/color][/h2][i][b][color=6ecff6]Half-Elf, Monk (Way of Shadow), Level 3[/color][/b][/i]
[color=6ecff6][i][b]HP:[/b][/i][/color] 24/24	[color=6ecff6][i][b]Armor Class:[/b][/i][/color] 17	[color=6ecff6][i][b]Conditions:[/b][/i][/color] N/A
[color=6ecff6][i][b]Location:[/b][/i][/color] Avonshire Township, Front Gates
[color=6ecff6][i][b]Action:[/b][/i][/color] N/A
[color=6ecff6][i][b]Bonus Action:[/b][/i][/color] N/A
[color=6ecff6][i][b]Reaction:[/b][/i][/color] N/A
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[right][img]https://i.imgur.com/4a0uP44.png[/img][/right]
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The Constable obviously had some less than positive feelings towards the party. This was fairly obvious to anyone with ears and two brain cells to rub together. Hugh’s poker face remained placid in the face of several less than subtly and mockingly emphasized words, but he made the executive decision to keep his mouth shut. After all, it was impossible to say if the disdain leveled against them was legitimate or mere prejudice. “Adventurers” could often bring as much harm as good where they went, so Hugh could hardly blame the man for caution.

On the other hand, the man’s instructions regarding “noninterference” were the sort to be actively detrimental to the team’s mission. Whether such suggestions -or rather, orders- were made in good faith with a touch of incompetence… or out of malice, Hugh could not say at this stage, and he rather hoped to not find himself to be proven correct in the latter case. The investigation was already hard enough without active malicious interference from a corrupt official involved.

What was clear, however, at the end of the day, was that they would all have to act with much more discretion than initially thought. For the time being, the best course of action was to silently feign acceptance, allowing the oaf to believe they accepted his so-called terms. Marita seemed to be of a similar mind, given her own holding of her tongue.

Hugh leaned against the cart, listening silently, as Kathryn said her piece and Victoria stroked the Constable’s ego sufficiently to apparently divert some portion of his attention and ire from the group. It seemed the latter’s social manipulation skills were continuing to show their chops, and Hugh could only begrudgingly nod in approval. It seemed, for better or worse, that the Bard was quite capable in the valuable realm of subtly, despite her loud exterior. Only time would tell if she’d continue to utilize such skill when and where it was appropriate.

As the Constable made his leave, and one of the civilians approached, Hugh hummed amiably at the offer of -possibly less than exceptional- lodgings and Marita’s acceptance of them. Having inroads to whoever this L’Rose family was could likely only pay off well. After all, according to this lady, they owned a vineyard, and there was typically very good money in wine and the associated businesses. And money typically came with connections and surprisingly high and low places, which would be greatly to their advantage. [color=6ecff6]“I see no reason why not,”[/color] Hugh responded amiably. [color=6ecff6]“And don’t worry overmuch about the quality of the lodgings, so long as they aren’t overpriced or particularly detestable, they should be agreeable.”[/color] And as a bonus, if the lodgings weren't particularly popular, that might help the group stay beneath the possibly corrupt law’s notice.

However… there was one thing bothering Hugh, and given they seemed to be in a good position to ask bluntly, given the Constable and his subordinates were no longer within earshot.

[color=6ecff6]“Have Adventurers or otherwise armed hires caused some notable trouble here in the past?”[/color] Hugh asked Cicily.  [color=6ecff6]“The Constable seems to have taken personal umbrage with our existence, despite our having committed no crime, and I’d rather hope he’s not the sort of fool to shoot himself in the foot for something as pathetic as pride or prejudice.”[/color] Folding his arms around the upper length of his still planted staff, he frowned. [color=6ecff6]“The law has limits, and as much as I’m willing to cooperate with it, we can hardly work with someone who can’t be objective or flexible when the time warrants.”[/color] Snorting, he added, [color=6ecff6]“And our work aside, I would like to hope that we’d receive the same fair treatment as any other law-abiding citizen on the daily.”[/color]

Shaking his head, he clarified, [color=6ecff6]“I suppose what I’m really asking is what kind of person he is. I’m new to the area, and that was one of the least friendly -and vaguely threatening- greetings to a locale I’ve yet experienced.”[/color] Granted, that was because he was on his own most of the time and, thus, rather too inconspicuous to be pegged for the likes of an Adventurer, but the point stood.