Heroes of Westcrown

Game Master Moondragon Starshadow

The Lord-Mayor Aberian Arvanxi smiles as you approach. "Ahh, there he is, there he is! The clever spellcaster with wonderful acting credentials. Thank you so very much for coming. I want to make sure you meet everyone." He practically shoves you in front of the lady next to him. "Miss Rosdovain, please meet William. I thought he did an excellent job casting those mystical spells on stage! I'm glad I was able to host this event since I helped sponsor that play."

Miss Rosdovian looks a bit perturbed at the Lord-Mayor's overt push, but she says to William, "Hello. It is a pleasure to meet you. Are you a natural spell caster or do you study...uh, books?"

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (19) + 12 = 31

William offers her a bow as well. "Milady, I am a man of study. I am the eldest son of the Silverheart family. Relatively minor name among nobles, but they have served the House of Thrune for many years. My family has seen to my training."

William smiles softly. "Though I will say that unlike some of my house, I do not look down on anyone with magic. I find it to be one of the great wonders of our life, and as such I do not believe that any worker of the art is in a lesser status than another. Magical lineages run in various ways and means, be they rote or by our ancestry."

Diplomacy, Mayor: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (7) + 10 = 17
Diplomacy, Miss Rosdovain: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (16) + 10 = 26

"Jimmy is pleased to meet you!" Jimmy says as he joins the conversation with the Lord-Mayor and miss Rosdovain.

"Jimmy's honored to be invited to this wonderful party, and Jimmy's even more honored to able to meet you!" He bows at both the mayor and the lady.

Tea drinker: Chap, perhaps you should try to...

"Jimmy agrees with William! Jimmy thinks magic's a wonderful thing, as long as it's not used for things that aren't wonderful! Jimmy likes the sky painting by the way. Jimmy likes clear skies."

Tea drinker: For %*&$'s sake...

Updated Map

Tristain jumps in after Jimmy, hopeful of ride the coattails of the gregarious Jimmy...and possibly seeming a bit less crazy by avoiding referring to himself in the first person.

1d20 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 1 = 11 Diplomacy (Mayor)

"Greetings Mr. Mayor. You have a good house here," Tristain smiles.

Updated map. Moved people up. Feel free to move Tristain in...create room as you need it.

Diplomacy Mayor: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (7) + 9 = 16

Phaedra and Corey will move on up to great the Mayor as they enter the room. Then she will follow him to whichever part of the room he goes to next.

"Good afternoon Lord-Mayor. It is indeed an honor to receive an invitation to your lovely home. I hope that you enjoyed watching yesterday's play."

New Map

The Lord-Mayor and Ms. Rosdovain laugh a little at Jimmy's comment. The Lord-Mayor Aberian Arvanxi says, "I'm glad you like my ceiling. I think it goes well with the river running through the building. I installed that myself." Aberian smiles as he boasts while Ms. Rosdovain rolls her eyes.

Turning to Tristain and Phaedra, the Lord-Mayor says, "This is not a house or a home, this is a vaneo! One of the greatest vaneo's on the mainland! Indeed, I have toured many vaneos on the island and I believe this is the greatest by far. Perhaps you should mingle with the crowd." He turns away from Tristain, but takes Phaedra by the hand and says, "You and Jimmy should meet General Vourne." He walks both of you a few steps over and taps Vourne on the shoulder. "General, may I present a local actress and actor, Miss Phaedra Valerius and Mister Jimmy, uh, Jimmy Bodrick."

Vourne looks at both of you and says, "Hello." He has no expression. With that pass off, the Lord-Mayor directs his attention back to Miss Rosdovain.

From the banquet room, you can smell that the meal is nearly ready, so you might not have much time to talk to everyone before dinner begins. You can also see some slaves coming with drinks (these are done by the slaves in the corner of the room, but I will not be moving them around on the map. One slave seems to stick next to the Lord-Mayor and does not serve any drinks.)

NEW MAP

Corey will bow to the Lord-Mayor and proceed to mingle, scoping the layout as much as possible....and looking for any of his family.

Perception (layout and family) 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16
Perform (act) (to pretend to care while mingling and socializing) 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (18) + 14 = 32

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (4) + 10 = 14

"Jimmy thinks it's nice to meet you, General Vroun!" Jimmy bows again.

"Jimmy recognizes your name! Jimmy wonders if you're interested in acting, because the Lord-Mayor brought Phaedra and Jimmy to you?"

Knowledge (Local) What's known about Vroun?: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17
Knowledge (Local) What's known about Rosdovain?: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16

diplomacy: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (2) + 9 = 11

"Pleasure to meet you General, sir. Are you also a patron of the arts?"

I wonder if all the guests here were at the play yesterday?

...This will be a knowledge nobility check.......

Knowledge local informs you that these people are nobles and probably have money. If you wonder what you already know about them, it's a nobility check. A successful nobility check may have cued you into information that would have avoided what is about to spew from General Vourne's mouth.

General Vourne looks at both Jimmy and Phaedra coldly. Robahl cringes. "Certainly not. I don't waste my time with fantasy and role playing. Lady, we live in a world that has walls, and those walls have to be guarded by men with swords and bows. Who's gonna do it? You? I have a greater responsibility than you can possibly fathom. You have the luxury of working with pretend danger. My existence, while most likely grotesque and incomprehensible to you, saves lives! You don't want the truth, because deep down in places you don't talk about at parties like this, you want me on that wall. You need me on that wall. We use words like 'honor', 'code', 'loyalty'. We use these words as the backbone of a life spent defending something. You use them as a punchline in a play! I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to people who rise and sleep under the blanket of the very security that I provide! I would rather you just said "thank you", and went on your way."

CC, did you miss my replay to lady Rosdovain earlier?

Miss Rosdovain says to William, "You should reach down and touch the water running under the bridge. There's a surprise waiting for you if you do."

William chuckles at Miss Rosdovain. "I will take your suggestion under advisement, milady."

William walks over, making his way carefully to the woman on the other side of the room, in the far corner away from most of the group. When he arrives, he comes up to her, giving her a very formal bow, and would if offered her hand give it a customary kiss of greeting. "Milady Dorvenge, it is an honor to see you here today."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (4) + 12 = 16

1d20 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 1 = 16 Diplomacy

Tristain waits to get introduced to Miss Rosdovain, taking her hand and giving it a proper introduction (kiss? shake? fist bump?).

"Nice to meet you Miss Rosdovain. How did you find the play?"

Updated Map

Miss Rosdovain says to Tristain, "Actually, I found it rather interesting. I haven't seen battles like that before." She looks around, rather annoyed. "Your friend the spell caster didn't want to touch the water under the bridge. I'm wondering if you're a bit more...daring? Not much time left before they start serving dinner, so might not get another chance."

'Touching the water under the bridge'? What does that even mean? Is she coming onto me?!

1d20 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 + 2 = 9 Sense motive - sexual innuendo

Miss Dorvenge smiles at William's cute but inappropriate introduction. "Indeed." She chuckles at the venom being spewed by General Vourne. "It seems not everyone is amused to be here. Some come out of duty, like General Vourne. Some for curiosity. Why do you come here, besides being invited because you were in the play? You choose to be here, so I'm wondering why you are here."

(If you intend to lie to her, you will need to make a bluff check)

He smiles back at her. "Why else would a wizard actor attend a party offered by the Lord Mayor? To uncover all his secrets and explore the bounty of his venue."

knowledge local: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (16) + 12 = 28

'Touching the water under the bridge'? What does that even mean? Is she coming onto me?!

1d20+2+2 Sense motive - sexual innuendo

She probably means the water, that runs under the bridge. You know, the one you just crossed. Maybe, uh, go back and read the description or look at the map....should be rather obvious what she is talking about.

He smiles back at her. "Why else would a wizard actor attend a party offered by the Lord Mayor? To uncover all his secrets and explore the bounty of his venue."

[dice=knowledge local]1d20+12

As discussed, the rolls about them are knowledge nobility. Unless you can specify what you are trying to learn about local area information while talking to her, which I can't figure out. Furthermore, you have already rolled your knowledge nobility on her, and that information was relayed in a PM.

Sorry, was passing out when I typed that up. Was more trying to use that as a function to recall information about what normally happens at parties that the Lord Mayor holds at his this location, the reputation that they have. Recent events that have happened when he invites guests of this nature to his home.

Ms. Dorvenge giggles at your comment. "Careful what you wish for, so they say, you might just get it. Now, if you'll excuse me." She brushes you off and continues to talk with other patrons, clearly allocating time for more individuals to come to her.

"I certainly wish the danger was only pretend. Good day to you General."

Pretend danger my sweet ass. I certainly didn't pretend to get into a giant glass snake full of acid or pretend to allow some foul grub to burrow its way into my body. What the hell does he do up there on the Wall anyway? He can't be doing a good job if the city isn't safe to walk around in at night.

Phaedra makes her way around the room, trying to locate someone a trifle less unpleasant to talk to and decides to introduce herself to the man standing near Delour.

At least they are on the far side of the room from that disgusting Thesling...

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (7) + 9 = 16 +1 if Charming counts for him

"Good afternoon to you sir. I don't believe I've had the pleasure of meeting you before. My name is Phaedra Valerius."

new map

William bows to Ms. Dorvenge once again. "Certainly Milady." William takes his leave of her.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (12) + 12 = 24

William makes his way back around the table to where some of the others are standing. William gives Robhal a respectful nod of his head, and a more formal half bow the General. "General Vorne, you honor us with your presence. Let me express my gratitude for your continuing service to our nation's defense."

New Map

Yes, Charming will apply but his DC is much higher unfortunately. Some of these nobles...You all need to roll higher Diplomacy if you want to get good info, or work them into a longer conversation during dinner. You will have a chance to sit next to one of them at dinner. Based upon your conversations pre-dinner, you can determine who you'd like to speak with at length.

"Oh, hello Miss Valeriurs. The pleasure is all mine. My name is Eirstein Oberingo, head of the Oberingo clan. I see you met the most pleasant fellow in the room already, our light hearted General Vourne. He's here on official invitation as a courtesy. Maybe he'll be leaving soon."

Delour looks at you harshly, as you can see she is wearing a lot of makeup on her face to cover something, and says in a stabbing voice, "I bet you enjoyed playing a pal-o-dine of Aroden, didn't you Phaedra?"

NEW MAP WITH HIS FACE

General Vourne looks at you with his cold gaze. "Yes, well, I know it is appreciated, just not often mentioned. Thank you. Did I ever tell you about the naval battle of Hastings?"

Okay, since you knew to talk to him about military service, he will walk you away from the others to discuss the battle. You need to roll Knowledge History (DC20) or Profession (Sailor). Should you pass the roll, just make something up as if you knew about it and I'll go along. If you fail, you don't know enough about this battle to engage him in conversation. Should you pass, you might get a surprise.

REVISED MAP

FYI, I'm leaving for a wave pool at the Monte Carlo today. I'll post again this evening. We will begin dinner conversations tomorrow, so figure out who you want to sit next to so you can gather more info prior to all the combat rolls, etc.

Knowledge History: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13

William thinks for a moment, shaking his head. "The name of the battle seems familiar, but I do not remember the specifics of what happened there. I would be most interested in hearing about your account of what happened. By trade I am a scribe, and I would be honored to record an official account of the battle for you if you would like."

Stuff.

Tristain is unclear why the nobility would want him to touch the water under the bridge...to him, it's a pretty silly and pointless request...or it's a trick to be played upon him. He figured that it might have meant something else. I'll play on as if she was serious...with the resultant Sense Motive 9 check guiding his response.

Tristain looks at the water, then back at the Lady.

"Did you need some water? Or another drink? I can flag someone down for you...you shouldn't be drinking that stuff."

Jimmy shrugs when the general walks off. He then walks over to Nobahl.

"Jimmy wonders how you are doing, mister Nonon? Jimmy wonders if everything went well after the play, also with the others who were down or hurt?"

Updated Map

The grandfather clock makes a strange bell sound in the North East part of the room. The Lord-Mayor claps his hands loudly to get everyone's attention. "Dinner will be served in a few moments. Please, please, take your seats. The Cornucopia is about to begin."

General Vourne announces, "Thank you for your formal invitation since I was in town. But alas, the city needs me more than sitting around discussing fairy-tales and love-play. Good evening." He does a brief salute to the Lord-Mayor and leaves. A loud sigh of relief comes from most of the other patrons, with murmurs of "Good riddance" the most common phrase heard.

As the Lord-Mayor sits down, he requests (demands) that the lead actor from the play, Corey, sit next to him during the dinner. The other important NPCs sit at the table.

DINNER MAP

Besides the mayor, there are 4 other important NPCs remaining that were not in the play, and 4 PCs (as Corey is sitting next to the mayor). So, pick your position based upon whom you'd like to have an extended conversation with. This will be your chance to learn something that might be useful. You will get to make a Diplomacy check again since just about everyone failed (different NPCs have different DCs, some are very high). If you have knowledge nobility, you should probably roll it against whom you are speaking with prior to opening your mouth, as it can have consequences like what happened with General Vourne asking if he was interested in the play/etc. Lastly, you can choose to talk to one of the actors or the director. They've been to many of these events and could probably share information as well, without the difficult Diplomacy roll.

Knowledge nobility on Rasdovain: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17

Wanting to at least look at a friendly face during dinner, Phaedra takes a seat facing Corey, putting her sitting beside Rasdovain where she wracks her brain trying to think whether or not she has heard of the lady before.

New Map

See your PMs on what you know. Also, the halfling slaves assist everyone into their seats, so the NPCs have already been helped. Lastly, the table is pretty darn big, so it will be difficult to talk to the other person across the table. Certainly not impossible, but you will need a Diplomacy check (DC15) to do it in a polite manner (if you choose to care if it is polite or not is up to you, you could just yell easily enough). In general, where you sit will determine who you speak with the majority of the time, as the NPCs will be hesitant to yell across the table at the risk of failing their diplomacy check. Different NPCs have different Diplomacy DCs when you engage them in conversation, some of which are very high, but those NPCs have the most information that will be useful to your character. Again, you can choose to talk to the actors without a Diplomacy check, but their information is less useful. Once we've had enough time talking to gather information, your traditional Pathfinder exploring/rolling dice will continue. The Mayor's vaneo is quite large.

Tristain takes a seat near the top, his back to the wall where he can see everyone clearly.

He does take a moment to introduce himself to the stranger across the table.

1d20 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6 Diplomacy

"Yo. You like fancy parties like this?"

Updated Map.

Diplomacy for Rasdovain: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (11) + 9 = 20 I'm guessing charming doesn't apply here...

"Hello, looks like we will be seatmates for dinner. My name is Phaedra. You know, I simply can not get over how amazing this hall is. However did you engineer a river to flow through the room? This room is like a peaceful walk near a river without having to deal with the threat of any inclement weather or unwanted intrusions. May I ask if there are similar features elsewhere in the vaneo as well and if it would be possible to arrange a tour later to see them perhaps?"

A tour would be a nice way to scope out the house, even if it would be a guided one...

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (7) + 10 = 17

Eirstein Oberingo says to Tristain, "Young man, please come sit next to me, as I dislike yelling across the table. The party is bound to get louder as the night goes on." He motions for one of the halfling slaves to help you to the seat next to him and Corey. Once you sit down, he says, "Yes, I very much like these parties. I've been to all the Lord-Mayor's parties of late. My name is Eirstein Oberigo, and I am the head of the Oberingo clan."

NEW MAP FOR TRISTAIN'S NEW SEAT

(Sweet roll & roleplay)

Ms. Rasovain replies to Phaedra, "I'm so happy I get to sit next to someone polite. However, I don't think a tour will be possible. I'll tell you a bit more after everyone sits down."

William whispers to Jimmy before moving over to take a seat next to the Lady and Thesling at the south end of the table.

William then walks over to take his seat, smiling again. "Milady Drovenge. A pleasure to see you again." William smiles and also nods to Thesling. "Thesling, How are you doing this fine afternoon?"

William's seat Map

diplomacy: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (4) + 12 = 16

I will go ahead and put Jimmy between Sascar Tilernos and Calseinica Nymmis.

The halfling slaves come back with the first serving. The talking slave that greeted you earlier announces: "The Feast of the Gluttonous Wolf. This course consists of beef marrow fritters, boiled side of axebeak, loach flavored with spices and sage, eels in jelly, and smoked fillet of giant gar set in jellied aspic. We have paired it with some select wine from our cellar. Enjoy. The food and drink is served.

FINAL SEATING MAP

Diplomacy 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25

Thank you my Lord. It was a pleasure to play Larazod, but it couldnt have been success without the others on stage. Phaedra was phenomenal while Thesling was only a passable Magistrate....he actually had to try and kill me, just to bring some life to his role.

I do love the decour here, all of the oppulance is humbling to one such as I....perhaps an awe inspiring statue of Asmodeus watching over Westcrown with you at his right hand, could be added? Id be honored to find you a sculptor of skill.

William nods to Lady Dorvenge.

Jimmy gives William a nod takes a seat in between Sascar and Calseinica.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (4) + 10 = 14

He takes Sascar's hand and shakes it. "Jimmy thinks it's also nice to meet you. Jimmy wonders if you've been at parties like this before? Jimmy's never been at a party like this before. Jimmy likes the ceiling very much."

After the first course, the halfling slaves rush in and take your plates and refill your wine glasses, if needed. Then the head slave that can speak announces, "Our second course is titled: The Worshipful Hog. This course consists of roast peacock, thick broth with salty strips of worg flank, fresh chuul soup served with Chelish black bread, and a roast dire boar. Please excuse us as it will take all of us to bring in the boar." Indeed, all the halflings leave and carry forth a gigantic roasted dire boar, which they carve on the spot and put in your plate.

After Rosdovain's comment about the wine, Phaedra politely asks the server if she may have a light fruit juice with the first course instead.

As the second course is brought in, Phaedra cannot help but comment about its size. "Oh my. That is certainly the largest boar I have ever seen. I thought the slaves were just being dramatic when they said it would take all of them to bring the thing to us. The kitchen here must have truly huge ovens to roast such a beast."

Everything Ive seen thus far is phenomenal. Pray tell what other projects are under way?

William nods, sighing softly.

While you are eating, most of you are starting to get a bit whoosy in the head. Jokes become funnier and the laughter becomes louder. If you haven't been drinking, your NPC companion will have insisted you drink. The head slave comes up and says, "We will now serve the third course: The Fat of the Land. This course consists of honey-roasted hogfish, venison, sturgeon, and lampreys in hot sauce. In addition, a vast caravan of fruits and breads, olives, jars of curious pickles, huge stuffed peppers, figs, dates and honeycombs will be served as well. Please enjoy." More wine is poured and food served.

Okay, a few things. First, please use spoilers if you decide to reveal something that your NPC companion has told you. You can share that information later with the others if you so choose. So, use spoilers if you're going to do that. If you're just going to spew random chit chat, I don't care if it is in a spoiler or not. Second, it is rather apparent that the drink is potent. If you wish to pretend to drink instead of actually drink (as your NPC friend will insist that you drink), you need to make a bluff roll OR a sleight of hand roll with a secret DC maintained by me, as different NPCs have different sense motive and/or perception skills. An acting roll really isn't appropriate as you are trying to hide the fact that you aren't drinking. Anyone can pretend to drink and not drink, it's getting rid of the drink that's the problem that the skill is involved with. You can probably pretend to drink then pour it under the table when they aren't looking.

William is smiling as he talks with the Lady to his left. He blinks for a moment, shaking his head and setting aside his cup.