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Thorval goes at the egg with gusto, having no idea what it is. He is surprised by the pungent flavors, but doesn't let that bother him. He looks over at Echo's egg, and asks, "You gonna eat that?"
In response to Myani, he says, "Thousand-year eggs? Wow... would have thought they weren't a day over 100!"
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A group of house slaves clears away the table. At this point Lady Dacilane has not said much of anything other an an occasional "Mmmm" and some nods during the first course.
She looks at Echo and with a mild glare of disdain as she peers down nose while speaking to Echo, "Tell me...what made you so recently decide to stop being a humble peasant and join the Society? Clearly they do not pay you enough..." She trails off as the last of the food is placed in front of you. "Aaaah, the Coda Alla Vaccinara. We eat this to represent the relationship between Dis, the greatest city in Hell, and to subservience..." She looks again at Echo and pauses. "The subservience of the devils to Cheliax, and the subservience of the classless to the Nobles. Enjoy."
The course is a steaming bowl of thick stew of oxtail, entrails, and veal hide. Various vegetables fill out the broth, composed of massive amounts of celery and punctuated with carrots, tomatoes, and garlic. A thick scent of bay leaves, cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg, and black pepper fill the room. Beside your bowl is a small plate filled with raisins, candied fruit, and bittersweet chocolate. You see Lady Dacilane fill her bowl to taste with these accoutrements.
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"My name is Echo Miyamoto. I come from across the ocean from a land named Minkai. As a girl I heard stories about a land of sand and sun, very different from my own, where great pyramids were erected. There a civilization flourished; a culture unseen on Golarion until then."
"Being the second daughter after the second son, there was not much for me in the ways of our land's complicated social structure. I showed an aptitude with both blade and magic, though, so my Mother convinced my Father to let me study with the monks of Shizuru, the goddess of swordplay. It was in The House of Salt and Stone where I became one with my katana. This blade is my focus and its perfection my goal. The House of Salt and Stone teaches that armor is a crutch unskilled warriors use to cover their inefficiencies. By blending both martial and magic skills, I will be unparalleled in combat of any sort."
"My family's position in Minkai worsened. A perceived slight here, a direct insult there was enough to cause the Jade Regent to retaliate against my family. My first brother was slain along with his wife and children by cowards. My only sister disappeared. We do not know her fate. My second brother died defending our Mother and Father. The Jade Regent did not allow my parents the honor of killing themselves. Instead he caged them like wild beasts and allowed the predations of nature to slowly kill them while he watched."
"I needed to leave Minkai."
"It was then I remembered the stories of my youth about the great civilization: Osirion. I traveled to New Oppara and from there on to Goka seeking an opportunity to book passage on a ship bound for Garund. While in Goka, I performed a small deed for Amara Li, who afterward revealed herself as the leader of what she called the 'Lantern Lodge'. She told me I would make a fine Pathfinder. I was skeptical at first, but when she told me of the work the Pathfinders did in Osirion, I knew Shizuru's hand directed me. Many months later I arrived in Absalom where I studied and learned the arts of being an explorer."
"I will bear your insults upon my honor because I have been treated far worse by those far better than yourself."
Echo does not take notice of the bowl placed in front of her, choosing instead to stare at Lady Dacilane.
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Looking at the stew, and seeing what their host has done, Thorval dumps the entire plate of accompaniments into the stew, and proceeds to devour it quite quickly. It is quite tasty, though seasoned quite differently than the stews of his homelands. "MMm, quite good, ma'am. Thank you."
Again, he sees the bowl in front of Echo sitting there, untouched. He points at it, and asks, "You gonna eat that?"
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Lady Dascilane doesn't miss a beat, "My dear Echo..." She lets the name sit there, clearly not bothering with title or pomp. "A good telling indeed. I particularly enjoyed the part where the peasantry was formally taught its position by those in charge. A fine, if poignant tale over this course dedicated to Dis. I approve of your choice in stories."
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"Thank you. Me pappy always said, never let a bowl go uneaten, 'cause you may not know where or when your next one's comin' from. And he always made sure I thanked our host for dinner, or he'd cuff me in the ear!" He starts digging into the bowl.
'I am no peasant, at least,' he thinks. 'The blood of kings runs through my veins. Plus, I'm gonna be an Ulfen Guard. Got to work on my strength training, 'cause you get to haul off as much gold as you can carry... so that I can carry even more!'
Between bites, he says to Echo, "I think you got it wrong, though, about the armor and all. It ain't relyin' on armor that makes you weak. Well, maybe if you wear all that heavy steel plate and such, but a wee bit of chain ain't gonna hurt no one. It's the reliance on manufactured weapons that makes you weak, me pappy always said. If'n you canna rely on yer own two fists, then who or what can ya' rely on?"
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"I heard you quite well dearest Echo. Your family chose to insult the wrong people. Had you witnessed the history of the great house Thrune, maybe your family wouldn't have been as foolish in their actions of insulting those wrong people. Your story of how to best deal with those subservient to us, as Thrune does the devils was a masterpiece. Well done." She maintains a composure befitting the most practiced of negotiators.
She looks towards Idris and Thorvald and sighs at their clear lack of understanding of the brilliant war of words being waged.
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Idris smiles and sits up a bit more as Thorval and Echo talk.
"Fists, weapons, either way. They're just tools. It's just important to know how to use your tools - or how to make it without them," he nods to the lady of the house, trying to find a way to relate to the conversation. He slams his chest with his fist.
"Internal strength. That's what matters to me. I know what I am capable of and responsible for. No one else."
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Yahn sits silent for much of this. His face beet red and intensely focused on his stew. He occasionally glances over at Echo and Dalsine but if either seem to notice him his face will snap quickly back to his stew.
However he can't help but pipe up at this conversation about fists and weapons.
"R-r-r-really though...there isn't m-much more purity in a fist th-than a blade...if there's one thing I am proud of" his face grows hard as his voice grows louder "it's that my Will flows into the world directly from my most fundamental Self. So damn your fists and swords" he makes eye contact with Lady Dalsine. He's shouting now "and wealth and petty titles! It's all to make up for the faintness of your souls" he clears his throat and composes himself, turning back to his meal "I-I guess" he says, apparently to his soup.
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Lady Dacilane lets out a small snort over the scuff occurring between the members of the group and says quietly, but just loudly enough to be heard, "Pathfinders - thugs and ruffians all of them. But they're the only hope of finding my young Junia. Sad day indeed."
She straightens up speaking to the air rather than addressing Echo directly, "I can see it is quite an achievement that your tongue was not cut out from your mouth during the rest of your family's treachery. That has to be worth something when you have nothing but an artificial sense of honor I suppose."
The table is cleared and the next course arrives on lavish golden platters. The salad placed before you contains Almas golden caviar, Kerse caviar, Corentyn-caught langoustines, Mordant crab and lobster, atop Forette baby leaf salad tossed in premium olive oil from Taldor, and grated truffle. The bowl itself is hand-made and woven from thinly sliced edible courgettes, red peppers, and potato. The entire dish is decorated with edible gold leaf. "Our Erebus salad arrives, proof that even the most mundane and boring of dishes can be made as rich as the gold plated level of Hell."
Lady Dacilane turns her attention to Thorval, "This course would seem quite appropriate, much like yourself Mr. Thorvalson, wouldn't it? You seem to think yourself quite knowledgeable. What makes you think you're a good choice on an excursion such as this?"
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Mouth full of food, having just taken a healthy bite of his 'salad', Thorval quickly chews and swallows. "Why, thank you, ma'am! Well, me Pappy always taught me to keep my eyes open, and me mouth shut. 'Runnin' on with your mouth will do nuthin' but get you in trouble, son,' he always said. So, I try to not run off with my mouth too much, and keep me eyes open. Don't always help, but some times it does!
"Plus, I try to keep up with what's going on around town... though I gotta admit that sometimes that might be where the best place for an Ulfen like me to hang out and grab a few beers. Not every establishment in a town is happy to have a bunch of us Northerners around... nor are all of 'em set up for our... rigorous... activities.
"Also, I think I am good for an investigation. Me pappy always told me to not kill anyone unless i really have to. Mind you, that don't mean I am gonna go soft on the undead or other nasty critters like that, but you never know when a person that is your enemy today could turn into your friend tomorrow."
He sits back, looking pleased with himself. He waits a moment to hear Lady Dacilane's response before taking another bite.
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Yahn will pick out all the golden food and let it hang suspended in an aetheric pouch while he eats the rest of the salad. He isn't keen on eating hellish symbolism. He'll drop the gold stuff back into the bowl when he finishes his salad.
The socially aware might notice that he is a little less nervous and a little more surly after his outburst.
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Lady Dacilane chides Echo, "My dear child, being educated in the streets is no education at all, just look at yourself."
She watches with an air of detachment as you continue your discussion between yourselves but looks distinctly sad when Echo mentions the name Junia, "There will be plenty of time to discuss your questions over a much later course. For now, I need to know who you are, and who Mr. Dreng has decided is worthy to set foot in a place as sacred as the Tri Towers Yard. How about you Myani? Please tell me about yourself and why I should endorse this venture."
The plates are cleared by the servants as the next round of food comes out. Lady Dacilane again speaks with little emotion, "The Fugu Kara -age, or as you plebeians would say, pufferfish. Our next course brings us to Phlegethon, the great forge of hell, where the bodies of the unworthy are melted down into the weapons of the warriors. The dish represents those dangers. I doubt there is much to worry about in eating this dish, but if you're concerned with your safety, I'd understand why you'd be too cowardly to eat it."
The large plate fills the space before you. Ornate and expensive, it is clearly shaped in the symbol of a chrysanthemum. Atop the plate are five thin slices of fish, ranging from raw to thoroughly deep fried. They are only lightly adorned with a very thin sauce. No wine has been provided with this course, but a side of hot sace accompanies this dish.
The chrysanthemum is the symbol of death.
The pufferfish is known for its dangerous and deadly neurotoxin tetrodoxin. If prepared correctly there is no danger of poisoning.
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Thorval ooks at the spread, for the first time with some concern on his face. He tries to figure out what he can about the fish, but he doesn't know much. As he reaches for the first piece of fish, starting with raw, he says, "Lady Dacilane, is there some significance to the chrysanthemum here? As I understand the symbology, this flower represents death." He looks at the piece of fish that is on his utensil, and continues, "Me pappy always said, look death straight in the eye and give him a hearty laugh, if ever you do see him!" He gives a strained laugh, and starts to eat the fish.
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"You might see death yet - this pufferfish is known for it's deadly toxin. It can be safe to eat, if prepared correctly." Myani watches Thorval eat the fish, to see his reaction. She leaves her own plate untouched.
"I come from the Mwangi Expanse. Ardhi Kati Ya, 'The Land Between'," she says, addressing the Lady of the house. "I am... indebted to the Pathfinder Society, for they lent assistance to my tribe in a time of need. I came here with them in service to my people, but I work with them because... I believe in their goals."
"As for why you should endorse this venture... The Society puts the needs of people above their own. They had wished to study some of my tribe's most sacred artifacts. Did they steal them? No. In fact, they protected them along side us, saving my friends and family from sure defeat. Afterwards, they asked for permission to study them, when they could have tried to overpower us. Trustworthy are those who ask for what they could take."
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Thorval eats the first raw fish and chews while talking about his pappy. After about a dozen bites he begins to notice that his lips have gone numb. He's having a little trouble breathing, but not enough that he feels concerned for his life.
Echo searches her pockets for chopsticks before she realizes she hasn't bought any. As a result she begrudgingly has to use the fork set before her. Unlike Thorval, she seems unaffected by the fish. It is exquisite.
Lady Dacilane listens to Thorval and Myani before speaking, "Yes Thorval, you have seen the layered story of this course." She gives a quiet slow clap. "I see Myani, you feel that the Pathfinders do not loot graves, like your foes the Aspis Consortium? An interesting take on things. I think all of the families who mourn the loss of their children would all appreciate if the Tri-Towers yard was left in the same shape as you found it."
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Myani sees Thorval tugging on his lip, like something is wrong. He looks for something to drink, but seeing only water on the table, decides to pass. He sees Myani eyeing him, and replies "Ith good. No pwobwem eating it. You shwould twy it!" He tries to smile with his numb lips, and not wheeze too much.
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Lady Dacilane frowns at Myani, "While I appreciate your sentiment, it's unfortunate you do not have the manners to eat the finery placed in front of you. There are starving children starving in Galt that would kill, and considering their upbringing, likely have tried to kill, for this kind of a feast."
Idris can be seen shoveling fish in his mouth as well, but he appears to be cheerfully licking his fingers as the servants arrive to clear the table for the next course.
Lady Dacilane sits up, looking only vaguely interested. In a bored voice she describes the next course, "We next travel to Stygia, the fifth layer of Hell. This dish, Tori-sashi, represents the secrets and the poisoned waters. I assume you'll just skip this course as well, so there's no reason saying more. You Yahn, you seem bored with this meal, tell me of yourself and why you're a Pathfinder."
Before you sits two chicken wings skewered with leeks and dipped in a barbecue sauce. They have been seasoned with a red pepper salt, and there are the markings of a hibachi on the outside of the crispy skin. As a side for this course, you each receive a small glass of ale, barely a shot glass full from a very old and dusty bottle.
You know this dish well. It's a customary dish of the nobility of Tian Xia. The chicken is only very lightly grilled and will likely come out raw. While salmonella typically infests most raw chicken, the high-quality chicken used by the noble houses makes poisoning an exceedingly rare, but still occasional possibility.
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Echo's eyes grow large as disgust registers on her face. She does not even try to hide her anger under the veil of societal niceties. She stands, pushing her chair back. Towering over Lady Dacilane, the table hears a low moan, sensuous in tone with a violent undercurrent, sounding from her katana.
"I warned you. Do not mock me, my family, or their memory. Your insults have gone on long enough."
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Lady Dacilane stands and speaks with a booming voice you were not expecting from a woman of her age or stature. "You impenitent child. I invite you into my house for a dinner to learn of the agents being sent to walk atop the grave of my child and this is how you act? In her honor I provide a meal of finery that tells the story of our faith and you come here to mock it with your words, accusations, and actions by refusing to even partake in a meal in her honor while insulting her memory in the processes?"
She takes a singular breath, "How. DARE. You."
She sits again and regains all of her composure, again taking on an air of aloofness that you can now clearly identify as grief, "If your behavior are any signs of your upbringing and stock, your family deserved whatever fate befell them. Go ahead and leave, or stay, I do not care what you do. I already gave the Society the permissions they required, this was a mere formality. I though, will continue to enjoy this meal, and as I said before, I would like to hear more of Yahn here." She turns and starts completely ignoring Echo.
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If she were really concerned with starving children, this would have been a single meal, not course after course. But Myani keeps this thought to herself and instead silently takes a bite of the chicken. Spicy, and nearly raw. Was uncooked food common among nobility? First fish, now chicken.
Echo's outburst surprises her - how was this an insult? She says nothing as Lady Dacilane addresses the matter.
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Yahn seems to have been put a bit off balance by Echos outburst. He looks sidelong at her for a while before addressing Lady Dacilane.
"W-well heheh, I...grew up around here? In the I-Ivy district I mean. I w-wouldn't recognize anyone around here...u-unless I uh, saw the tops of their heads m-maybe? I, uh, used to run with the King Fishers." Yahn smiles nostalgically. "That's what we called ourselves. Like we were a real gang. There was just a few of us. Urchins. Went around on the tops of the buildings around here snagging hats and kerchiefs and whatever we could. Scraps of fine fabric are pretty valuable an' we sold 'em" Yahn is clearly far away, lost in memory and he's starting to slip into a weird accent. "'Til one day dis big scary guy grabs me line and pulls me down! He caught me an' went to drop me in front of the city guard but he 'ad this friend right? An' he gives me dis weird look 'an he says like Hafelfefer we gots to bring 'im to the society. Sos' they bring me an' plop me down an' this other bloke he says I have to stay but they'll feed me an' teach me how to 'control my gift' an' I couldn' turn down a meal ticket like that an'..." Yahn pauses for a good while. When he speaks again he's more present and he has lost that ridiculous accent. "Er...s-o I stayed with the society. They trained me and taught me e-everything I know. They pulled me off the street and p-probably saved my life. I'd do just about anything for the society now."
As he finishes his little speech his face is beginning to flush but he also seems a little...defiant in the face of the derision he's sure is coming.
After Lady Dacilane is finished with him he'll eat this course.
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Idris smiles at the next course. The randomness and change was good to him - variety, of course, being the spice of life. The irony of the law of the meals meeting the chaos of his heritage missing him completely.
He takes his time and enjoys this one, taking small sips of the ale, tipping his glass once toward Thorval as he does.
Let the nobles and wanna-be nobles fight - he would simply enjoy the good food.
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Lady Dacilane, looking pleased that the outbursts have finished nods off and on in a fairly non-committal manner to everything Yahn says. When he is done she speaks, "I know not of any groups of Urchins in this Ivy district, I suspect you mean you came from the Coins. But I can understand your confusion. So a Pathfinder by force. I see."
The table is cleared and the main meaty meal arrives. Lady Dacilane again describes your course, "In honor of Malebolge, we create our representation of the cloven hooved armies of Hell. Only the ferocious and stubborn boar would do for this course. Enjoy."
A fairly straightforward course of heavily seasoned leg of boar that appears to have been marinated in a wine brine with bay leaves, thyme, and black peppercorn sits before you. The strong scent of wood firing assaults your nose, from the meat that appears to fall off the bone. A side of red current jelly, boiled fingerling potatoes, and taro leaves accompanies the dish. You are each poured an impressive glass of Chelish Cabernet.
She turns to Idris, "I have not heard your story yet. Other than being able to stuff your mouth, and your lack of skills in napkin use, what do you bring to the table?"
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'Finally, this is a meal that makes sense!' Not being talked to, the Ulfen starts in on the fine dish. 'Better pace myself. Probably a lot more coming.' Nonetheless, he digs in with relish, trying out combinations of the potatoes, taro, and jelly together with the pork. He shrugs as he tastes the wine, 'this is probably wasted on me. Would prefer a good mead, myself!'.
He makes a big show out of wiping his face with the napkin, and setting it on his lap.
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Idris takes a few moments to admire the course before speaking.
"This meal reminds me of my home. In the Mwangi Expanse, I would often hunt. We would season our dishes with what we could find and move with us - plants, especially. This is very good, I thank you." He nods his head, as nicely as he can manage, and quickly attempts to wipe his face as he does.
"Besides my days hunting and my heritage in the jungles, I am a child of Chaos. My fathers side, we suspect, was touched by the elemental planes. The energy courses through me and gives me strength. I give this strength to the Society in order to continue my travels - I wish to see the world and all it has to offer. I am not one to stay still for very long, you see."
After a pause, he adds: "I might be considered the dumb brute on this mission, which I accept, even if I quietly take offense to it. I'll let them fear those they don't understand and those that are different. That is their place."
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Lady Dacilane sighs overly-loudly every time somebody makes a show of using their napkin. She responds to Idris, "So you are a self-admitted dumb brute born of chaos. Lovely. Asmodeus save us all."
The plates are cleared and a lighter cheese course arrives. You are provided a thick goblet of a golden Riesling ice wine and a baked brie wrapped in a puff pastry crust. When you cut into it the cheese is molten.
Lady Dacilane looks a little more pleased at this course, "We move on to the frozen wastes of Cocytus, the juxtaposition of its cold and the burning fires of hell. The paired ice wine was picked while the grapes still were frozen on the vine. This was always Junia's favorite."
She turns her attention to everybody, "So, before I bless your trip to the graveyard that is the Tri-Towers Yard, what assurances do I have that you will not act like the grave robbery the Pathfinders are known for?"
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"Ma'am. I can rightly say that I have never in my life robbed a grave. I did find a dead necromancer once, whose skeletons must have killed him. He was a pale sort of man, one that my traveling companions said was a damp-ire, or something. We did find a couple of items on him, but I don't think that was meant to be his grave. Besides, what he did to those poor gillmen wasn't right.
"Oh, and there was the time I went on the frozen ship, with the undead in it. Was from my homeland, unfortunately. But we did save a lovely lass from a frozen doom, and saved a friend of my Venture-Captain. Venture-Captain Hestrim thought it would be better to save his friend than have me as a sparring partner, so that's what I did.
"Me pappy always said, let the dead lie where they lie, and don't steal their stuff. They might need it some day!" Thorval looks pleased with himself when he says this. He then attacks his cheese with gusto, immediately burning his tongue.
"Thath's hotth! " he says, right before he cools his tongue with the ice wine.
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Echo stands outside glaring at the doorman.
What the hell is taking them so long? That old pompous windbag has no right to tell me how to act. Serving that dish to me.... Echo grinds her teeth just a little more. Realizing this might take a while, Echo decides to channel her negative energy into something positive.
She sits down and begins to meditate.