Imperia Voralius |
Money updated. Ziggip's a cheap date.
Imperia happily nibbled away on her kabob while Ziggip did his best snake impression and made efforts to eat it all in one bite. He had some table manners issues, but Imperia picked and chose her battle when it came to the little guy. It was starting to turn into a lovely afternoon.
Until she spotted the dwarf she had had to turn in earlier. And talking to Kellndra of all people. She looked down the dock towards the rest of the ships she was responsible for checking. They looked pretty standard as far as cargo went. At least nothing as interesting as the last two.
Is Kellndra's ship, or at least the ship whose gangplank they are chatting near, one of Imperia's ships she's supposed to inspect?
Imperia Voralius |
Imperia moved along to her next ships, giving the chatting pair wide berth. It was none of her business to investigate their chit chat and the dwarf probably didn't need to see her again to be reminded of his rather unfortunate day. Better to let them be. She knew part of the reason she didn't want to go say hello was that she didn't want to confront her own guilty conscious, but the other reasons were valid, too. Right?
On the way towards her docks again, she quickly finished off her kebab, disposing of the stick in the first available garbage can. At this point she realized she was lacking any sort of napkin and frowned. She licked them off best she could then wiped it on the side of her skirt. At least it wasn't a white outfit, anyways.
She paused at the bottom of the gangplank up to her next ship and sorted through her paperwork and prepared her inkpen before heading up.
"Good afternoon. I'm Imperia Voralius, Commissioner for the Ministry of Trade. I'll need to check your paperwork and inspect your cargo. May I please speak with the captain?" she says to the first person she sees on board. Hopefully these ships will be as mundane as they looked from a distance.
GM Mowque |
It is a long, dusty, boring afternoon for Imperia. The grains hips are short-haulers, mostly from other parts of Almas (a few from Taldor), making regular short runs to feed the massive city. The ships are big-bellied freighters and hold little of value outside huge tubs of dusty grain. The captains tend to be big-bellied, dirty men that have leering, ill-disciplined crews. Still, nothing happens as Imperia climbs, prods, pokes and scans grain ship after grain ship until her eyes and nose turn red due to the swirling dust. She finds nothing of interest and as the day winds down, finds herself finished searching ships.
As the shadows have slowly lengthened the bustle of ships has slowed, but not stopped. Many longshoremen are heading home for hearth and wife (or bottle and wench), with sailors starting to pour into local grog and gin joints. A few merchants hang on, wrangling final good deals or trying to unload one last item but legitimate business is fading away into the dusk.
Imperia Voralius |
Imperia returned to the office to drop off her paperwork. She sighed as she came into her office and remembered what a pigsty it was. She set today's forms and papers in a tidy stack beside the ones she had yet to sort. Tomorrow she'd continue plugging away at the mess. She closed the door to her office and quickly slipped into the outfit she had brought with her, thankful she had thought to come prepared. She wouldn't be caught off guard by a dinner date every again!
Once properly dressed, she ran a hand through her hair to smooth it out and stepped out. If Streve is still there, she gives him a good night and a see you tomorrow in parting, stopping for a few minutes if he has any words to exchange with her.
Once things are wrapped up in the office, she steps out into the evening streets. If her memory served, the messenger boy had said the Eagle's Nest was on the Field of Concord. She began retracing her steps from her morning route to find her way back.
Perception: 1d20 ⇒ 3
GM Mowque |
Are you going back via the ferry? Also, don't forget you have a locked and sealed diary from that hidden hidey-hole in the floor.
As Imperia leaves her office, dressed and fairly primed, Streve's eyes light up. He is already settling around a table with a few friends, and cards (and bottles) and being broken out. ”A big night out on the town?” he grins and a few of his friends take an eyeful but generally harmless (but more then socially acceptable). ”Well, just be careful. Some men are not to be trusted. Now go, and leave us old men to our cards..” he says, chiding the leering card-players.
The street is warm and romantically lit by the falling sun. All figures are merely gray silhouettes moving around ships, crates and buildings. The streets are still fairly active although now with merriment instead of business. Imperia hears music from this tavern or that open-air cantina. Hooting laughter and girlish giggles float down from hidden brothels, although most people try to ignore them. While not as brightly lit as the streets around the Field of Concord, they are regularly patrolled by polished Eagle Knights.
But the dark streets are very different at night and Imperia is soon turned around among the maze of warehouses and ale-shops. There is no-one else in sight when Imperia rounds a corner and is confronted with a very loud, very drunk man. It takes her a moment to place him as Leswoll, the salt merchant who tried to bribe her at the very start of her day. The man reels and leans against a burnt out lampost. Barely able to stand upright, he points a finger at her and suddenly yells, 'You! It's you...” He bites off a curse and lurches toward Imperia on unsteady feet. ”You ruined me..I'll ruin you!” he sounds, in a half-drunken stupor.
He is about 20 feet away, stumbling closer. Watch out, combat!
Imperia Voralius |
I'm assuming ferry since that'd the only way she knows
Imperia waves a dismissive hand at the idea of a 'night out on the town'. "Merely a dinner date, nothing fancy," she explains. She offers the men a polite smile, but the raised brow it paired with likely set it off in a rather unflattering way. "Good night, Streve. Gentlemen."
The sounds and sights of the city (and the smell of copious amounts of alcohol) were slightly unfamiliar to Imperia. Not that she had never experienced them before in her travels, she just didn't have much time to explore the ins and outs of it all. She wasn't even sure she wanted to after walking under a particularly lewd and gaspy sounding window. No need to guess what was going on there...
She rounded the corner and looked up the side street that was empty save a fellow stumbling about like a drunkard. Turns out it was a drunkard. "Leswoll...?" she inquired tentatively. Her question was answered pretty quick as he accused her of ruining his life. That was two lives devastated at her hands today, apparently. He started forward towards her, threatening words accompanying the already intimidating action.
When cornered, animals often resort to their more baser instincts. In Imperia's case, her instincts were always magic.
"Memoria lapsus!" she cried out, aiming a memory lapse spell in Leswoll's direction. Will save DC16
If there was another road a block back she could have gone up, she'll backtrack 30ft (back around the corner and out of Leswoll's sight). If not, she'll move up and past Leswoll, ending up behind him (hopefully out of sight and out of mind after that spell!)
GM Mowque |
Oddly Leswoll made the save but then I factored in a -2 due to being drunk. I think that would winder a will save...
The spell hits the drunken man like a brick wall. He stumbles in mid-stride, shaking his head. ”What...” and tries to regain his balance. Imperia moves backward to dash up a close side street. She makes it but behind her she hears the man vomiting in the middle of the street. Memory magic has that effect on some....
After her bit of fear passes, Imperia finds her way to the ferry. In what is basically nighttime, she dimly makes out the ferry at dock. A loud voice is calling from it, ”All aboard!” and the Commissioner barely makes it time (with Ziggup bobbing along).
The ferry is more emptier now then this morning, half-filled with a smattering of tired captains, tired merchants and a few richer bookkeepers. She doesn't see anyone she knows and the trip passes uneventfully. The same goes for the short walk to the Field of Concord from the ferry.
The streets are well-paved here and well lit, with mundane and magical lamps alight, casting blue and yellow light. These streets are not quite so empty with rich upper-class types heading to this party or that dinner. Quality inns and taverns serve romantic dinners by candlelight (and a few raucous clubs provide whiskey and gambling).
Perception check please.
After only the briefest looks she finds the Eagle's Nest, which is located literally across the street from the Succulent Eel. Unlike that sumptuous establishment however, the Nest has that odd look of acquired 'simpleness'. The doorways and steps are unpainted and rough cut wood, but of the finest quality. The lamps are simple white lights, but made of the finest iron with sweet smelling oil. And the people entering seem to be a much younger crowd then the Eel, military men and wealthier young sons (and their simpering dates). Annario is nowhere in sight. Imperia is, for once, right on time.
Imperia Voralius |
She cringed as she heard the man heaving behind her. Sorry, she thought, though for her sake and his she opted to not say it aloud. No use drawing attention to herself after she had just managed to sneak away. Quite counter productive.
She kept up a brisk pace as she headed down to the ferry; she had no idea what time the last ferry left at or how often they ran this time of day. She never found out either as she was hurried aboard by the ushers and crew just as it was about to head back out down the river. THe boat ride was pleasantly quiet and she took the time to empty her head of the day's turmoil. She wasn't making any friends, that was for certain. Ziggip sat quietly on her lap playing with his own shadow in the flickering torch light that kept the sitting area lit, particularly gleeful when he realized how large his shadow was on the furthest wall. He had a bad case of 'little man syndrome' in Imperia's opinion.
It was a quick walk from the ferry to the Field of Concord and just as blissfully uneventful as the ferry ride. Her attire fit in a little better here than it had in Portside and the streets seemed to play host to a more savory crowd.
Perception: 1d20 ⇒ 20
The Eagle's Nest was easy enough to find. It looked like a nice, clean little place, and much more her speed compared to the Succulent Eel across the street. And for once she was on time. Maybe the day was about to take a turn for the better.
GM Mowque |
Imperia’s quick ears and eyes note shadowy figures haunting her steps all the way from the ferry to the area around the Field of Concord. Short, stopped figures that could be gnomes or Halflings, but every time she tries to directly spot one, or even shout to them, they vanish. It is unnerving to be so obviously watched, but once she reaches the upper class streets, they melt into the soft dark.
Dress, hair and make-up intact Imperia walks up and into the Eagle’s Nest. It is a smaller restaurant then the Eel, with less prestigious patrons but that isn’t what arrests Imperia. What does is the odd furniture. Mainly, there isn’t much. The tables and bar are all built to accommodate standing people, and indeed all the patrons are standing. There isn’t a chair in the place, as far as she can tell. Along one wall is a raised stage, with a small podium and a few lights burning around it. The other wall has a small-well stocked bar, already thronging with people.
The crowd seems to mostly be made of young lovers on dates and a few groups of male students talking politics or foreign policy. Indeed, the conversation seems to be very high-brow and irreverent, debating matters that most people ‘leave to their betters’.
Imperia spots Annaro, standing at one of the fine oak tables, watching her closely. he raises his hand in greeting and waves her over. As before, he is dressed in best (if simple fashion) with the vaguely militaristic jacket, shining leather boots and even a polished walking cane.
Imperia Voralius |
Well, the shadows following her were creepy,but at least she wasn't the latest mugging victim. She should start leaving most of her gold at home, or perhaps with the Church of Abadar.
~ ~ ~
Scanning the crowd, her eyes landed on the rather dashing Annaro. She gave hom a wave in return, more than happy to see a familiar face in the room. Though she wants sure how she felt about standing. Perhaps she was losing touch with what was hip as she got on in years, but last she checked dinner was a time for sitting. Oh well, her feet would have to get a break later.
"So good to see you again, Annaro!" she said in greeting as she approached. "Hopefully work has been kind to you the last couple days?"
GM Mowque |
Imperia gets a few approving looks as she crosses the well-maintained floor, but not as many as last night. Ziggup catches a few odd stares though, now that Imperia has left Portside and it’s more tolerant denizens.
Annaro smiles and answers, ’Ah the usual. The lower ranked asking for favors and privilege and the higher ranked asking for obedience and submission. Nothing too new, really. But how was your first day in the exciting world of...Trade wasn’t it?” he asks then adds, ”Would you like some wine?” He waves to the bar, rather imperiously, to the bartender.
Imperia Voralius |
"A red wine sounds lovely," she said as he summoned the bartender. "So where do you fall in that order? Are you the favor-asker or the obedience-demander?" she asked, returning to the topic at hand. "I'm only teasing. I'm sure you navigate it all well. As for me, well, all the glamour of the docks with a side of ruining people's lives. Had to turn in a dwarf and put an end to an under the table smuggling deal..." she said with a sigh.
GM Mowque |
Annaro produces a dramatic shudder, ”Ugh. I can imagine the types you gt down there. The smell alone must be unbearable..” Then he stops, ”Where are my manners, speaking of such things. Actually, you have the advantage of me. I never did get your name after you saved me in that little brawl in the Trade Office. I could have found out but preferred to savor the mystery of my Chelish savior.”. His eyes light in amusement. The bartender leaves a fine bottle of Almas red on the table along with two glasses.
Imperia Voralius |
Imperia cant her head to the side, looking confused as she thought back on the matter. "Well, didn't my manners just up and disappear. I'm Imperia Voralius. You must be about the twentieth person I've said that to today. I can't believe I didn't introduce myself before..."
A touch of red colors her cheeks, more flustered than embarrassed. She wasn't exactly making the best first impressions.
GM Mowque |
Annaro takes the name in stride, giving her a light toast with his wine glass, ”I do hope you spend more time among the proper class. Almas can be quite a nice city, if you know where to go and who to meet. For example, the Eagle’s Nest is quite nice, doubly so when occupied by a pretty lady. It has a bit of a political reputation for attracting ‘young bloods’ but I find it a more honest atmosphere then the backstabbing of the Eel and the ilk.” He adds gallantly. As he talks a few people come out on stage, to tidy up, brush off some dust and obviously get it ready for someone.
Annaro watches in interest, ”Tonight was a good night to come, Imperia. A few times a month we convince old Gastor to come down from the University and give us some riddles. It is all good fun. Do you have a knack for them? He usually gives away a few prizes.” He swirls the wine than makes a face.”Ugh, what terrible stuff. Is yours as bad? They must think young people have no tastebuds.”
Wine seems fine to you
Imperia Voralius |
Imperial laughs as she raises her own glass along with A narrow, thinking of her own experience at the Eel. Particularly the woman who had come up to her livid about the dress. That was a moment she wasn't likely to forget for a long time.
"Ah yes the Eel was a bit... Well, I've never felt more judged in my life. Food was lovely though. Ziggy nearly died trying to finish a meal to himself. Oh, this is Ziggip," she said as she pointed out the imp who was perched on her shoulder.
"Gastor?" she asked with a quizzical tone. "Is he a professor at the University? I'm afraid it's been a long time since I've tried my hand at a riddle. Buy I suppose there's no harm in strapping on my thinking cap and giving it a go."
At the mention of the wine, Imperia inspects her own glass then gives another sip. "Er, it tastes fine to me. Perhaps request another glass? Occasionally contaminants from the glass itself will impact the taste of the wine within it."
GM Mowque |
Annaro is looking at the bottle, ”Ah, I know why. This is a terrible vintage. Really, I’m not going to pay for this…” His grumbling is cut off as an elderly man gets up on the stage, carrying a few sheets of paper.
Shouts and cheers rise from the crowd, ”Gastor, Gastor!” and ”Give us a tough one!”. Everyone seems to be quite excited and Annaro puts in, ”Yes, Gastor is a professor of Logic up at the University. He might hide it, but he enjoys slumming it here. I have no head for riddles but it amuses me to watch the people try…”
Annaro stops talking as the old man, Gastor, clears his throat and speaks ”Good evening, friends. I have a few new riddles here, let’s give them a try. Hopefully you’ll do better then my students did…” A knot of young men gently boo him from the bar. Gastor smiles, behind a gray beard and goes on.
”First one is a warm up. ‘Deep as a bowl, round as a cup, Yet all the world's oceans can't fill it up.’”. A bout of quiet thinking fills the Eagle’s Nest and Gastor scans the audience.
Got a guess, Imperia? Just speak up.
Imperia Voralius |
Poor Imperia, her player is horrible at these >.>;;
"Are you a wine connoisseur?" she asked, though her question was interupted by the arrival of tonight's esteemed guest. She looked up to the stage to see an older gentleman take his place on the stage. She reminded him of every professor she had ever had; they all had a certain... quality about them though she couldn't place exactly what it was.
Deep as a bowl, round as a cup, yet all the worlds water can't fill it up?
Imperia blinked, then frowned, then tapped her finger on her cheek, then strummed them on the table. Ziggip also looked to be struggling with the puzzle, stroking his beardless chin as if lost in deep thought. Imperia gave up with a frustrated shrug, knowing full well the answer would be ridiculously obvious once revealed.
GM Mowque |
The puzzled silence lasts a bit longer until a slurred, drunk voice from the bar shouts, ”A sieve, a colander!”. Turning Imperia can see a young, skinny, smooth faced student, reeling off the bar. He is surrounded by a bunch of fellow students, also moderately drunk. They slap their friend on the back.
Gastor, on the stage, looks disapprovingly. ”You must have heard it before you drunk!” but the crowd rolls in approval. The Professor shrugs and says, ”How about this one then, another easy ones..for the drunks.” A peal of laughter.
”My tines are long
My tines are short
My tines end ere
My first report “ Gastor says and the crowd hushes again, thinking.
Annaro snorts, ”What foolishness, I'm going to have to start re-thinking bringing my dates here.” he says half-himself.
Care to take a guess?
Imperia Voralius |
A groan of disappointment escaped Imperia's lips; the answer was so obvious! That was the way with riddles and word puzzles, usually.
Tines, tines... like a fork... a report? Like school? No! I got it!
Imperia's had shot up into the sky, reflexive training from her years in school. "Lightning! A lightning bolt!" she cried out, her eyes sparking with enthusiasm.
She turned back to Annaro, a big grin plastered to her face. Something about being right always gave her a particular rush, not to mention proving she had a brain in that head.
"Foolishness? No, never! This is brilliant!" she exclaimed to Annaro. She took another sip of her wine and turned back to the stage, ready for the next question.
GM Mowque |
Gastor turns to her, beard ruffling. ”Ah, excellent. One for the sharp lady up front. One more, as the people say, Third time pays for all.” He clears his throat impressively.
"It has a golden head
It has a golden tail
but it has no body.”Gastor beams at the crowd, ”A bit of a harder one…”
As the tavern ponders the latest riddle, Annaro looks a bit put out, but covers it well, ”Well, if you are enjoying yourself, then by all means..”.
Imperia Voralius |
Imperia blushes as she's pointed out as 'the sharp lady'. Flattering her intelligence and wit was the quickest way to her ego, and her ego did like to be stroked from time to time. Even more determined than before, she watched Gastor on stage as he read out the next riddle.
She blanked. "How can you have a head and tail with no body?" she asked Annaro more as a rhetorical question than anything else. She didn't exactly expect him to know the answer either.
She looked around the room at other puzzled faces and felt a little comforted, at least she wasn't the only one who was baffled by the conundrum.
GM Mowque |
Annaro shrugs at Imperia’s question, unmoved by the whole logical battle. Silence only reigns for a moment before the same, half-drunk voice calls from the back.
”A coin, a gold coin!” and Imperia spots the same, young looking student being cheering by his friends.
Gastor looks like he bit into a sour lemon as he waves the young man up. ”Come claim your prize.” he says and watches as the young ma, barely, makes his way up the stage. A small bag changes hands and a few quiet words. As the younger man staggers away Gastor turns to Imperia and says, rather loudly, ”And for our runner-up, a free lesson in Logic. Come by my class anytime,!” A small roar of jeers and catcalls rise from the crowd at the Professor’s suggestion, but he merely smiles and gets off the stage. He makes his way to the bar where the drinks are bought for him by every student.
The young winner, instead of following makes his way to Imperia’s table. Reeling a bit he clutches the table, steadies himself and says, ”So this is the ‘Chelish jewel’ you were bragging about at the club last night, Annaro? I don’t think you did her justice!” he says, politely enough, considering his state.
Annaro seems a bit amused and responds, ”Imperia, this is Bernard Allegar. A…friend of mine. He goes to the University something with math and magic or something right?”
Bernard makes a face and says, with utmost solemnly, ”Scared Geometry, as you well know.”
Annaro smirks, ’Ah yes, Sacred Geometry. Well, he is one of the best and brightest in the city, isn’t that right Bernard?”
”Quite right!” he says loudly and promptly crashes to the floor to Annaro’s laughter.
Imperia Voralius |
Imperia clapped her hand to her forehead and groaned again. Another obvious answer! Of course a coin had a head and a tail with no body! ANd they came in gold, too! Despite her disappointment at not coming to the correct conclusions herself, her smile was still wide across her face. Her worries of the day had been replaced with the evening's entertainment.
At the mention of coming by his class as a prize, she gave a courteous nod of acknowledgement. She'd actually been hoping to find a chance to stop by and see the University herself, and this was a lovely invitation to do just that.
As the winner made his way to the table, Imperia cringed, waiting for him to fall at any moment. She felt a little bashful about losing to someone who had probably drunk his weight in ale. How smart was he sober?
"You're too kind, Mister Allegar," she says, then gives Annaro a sideways look. "Chelish Jewel, huh? Quite the flattering nickname," she adds.
"Ah, that's the magic based on numeric values, correct?" she inquired. "I've only looked at it myself I've never-- Oh for the love of--!" And down went Bernard, right to the floor. Imperia scrambled around to the other side of the table and made a fuss, trying to help the drunk man up again. Not that she's particularly strong or built for this sort of thing.
"Had a few?"
GM Mowque |
The young man slurs out an apology as Imperia helps him up. At least he is a small, slightly built man. He shakes his head ruefully at Imperia’s question then says ”Nice meeting you, Emporia. And you too Annaro, see you at the club…” he shambles off to the back.
Annaro watches his go, an odd expression on his face. ”Weird fellow. Bit of a joke really, but odd to see his away from his books. They probably just bought him out to win the prize then weasel it out of him.” he shrugs.
”But enough about him!” Annaro says, his eyes lighting magnetically on Imperia. He reaches into some closed pocket and reveals a bouquet of fine silk flowers. Despite being fake a faint air of sweet summer rises from them. ’For you, my protector.” he says grandly.
Imperia Voralius |
Imperia grimaces at the butchering of her name, though for a drunk fellow it was actually pretty close. She couldn't really fault him for it. "Nice to meet you, too, Mister Allegar."
Imperia watches as Bernard makes his way back to the group he had come with to ensure he actually managed to get there. Preferably without falling right over again. "I thought he seemed nice," she said to Annaro. "I hope they don't swindle him out of it. He earned it. Managed to answer those questions while quite literally fall-over drunk. I've hardly had a glass and I only managed one!"
Imperia watches curiously as Annaro digs around in his pocket, then gives a surprised sound when he pulls a bouquet out. At first she thought it had been real, but closer inspection as she took the flowers from him revealed them to be fake. "Oh! How wonderfully clever!" she exclaimed with excitement. "They even smell nice!"
No girl can resist flowers. Cliche? Certainly. Effective? Always.
"They are lovely," she said with a warm smile for Annaro. "This is all so kind of you. What a lovely evening."
GM Mowque |
”Well, I try my best.” He says warmly. The date goes on for a while, with Annaro being his usual charming self. He chats that the whole 'standing' thing in the Eagle's Nest is a relic of the People's Revolt, a strange affection that has once again come in vogue with the young and political minded. After a few hours of conversation, the place starts to wind down.
”May I walk you home, mi'lady?' Annaro says gallantly.
If you have something you wanted to bring up, you certainly can
Imperia Voralius |
Well, this was certainly the most pleasant aspect of her day so far. She gladly engages in idle chatter with Annaro, particularly interested in the explanation for the lack of seating in the place. She enjoys the wine despite Annaro's misgivings about it. By the time the evening starts drawing to an end, the day's stresses seemed to be far off memories. Of course she knew she'd have to face them all again tomorrow, but for the moment that hardly mattered.
"Ah, such a gentleman. I'll gladly accept the escort home. You know, on my way in there were these halflings, maybe gnomes, following me. Didn't cause me any harm, just seemed to be ghosting behind me... Maybe it was my imagination," she added dismissively at the end. Maybe that beggar halfling had planted a seed at the back of her head.
"I'm staying with a friend. A new Councilor, maybe you know him? Jorhan. Lovely fellow. Went to school with him in Korvosa."
GM Mowque |
Annaro picks up his walking stick, that has a large silver eagle’s beak engraved on it. "Don’t worry. Scum will take a wide breath around you tonight, not with me walking at your side.” And he seems to take his role seriously, keeping her close and often looking around into the inky darkness as they walk the fairly empty streets. No sign of shadows, big or small.
As they walk Annaro ponders Imperia’s question, ”Jorhan, Jorhan... I rarely deal with the new members..” he thinks then says, ”Ah yes, I know the fellow. Very idealistic, young fellow.” Then his face grows a bit darker and solemn. ’I wouldn’t brag about knowing him, Imperia. He is already known as a rabble-rouser. Trying to start some foolish ‘Ethic Committee’. He isn’t the type you want to associate yourself with, not if you want to get ahead. If you will allow me, I can introduce you to the proper sort. Respectable, connected, firm-handed without any of that ‘populist’ propaganda so in vogue these days…” Annaro goes on to name drop a few prominent politicians as they approach Johran’s house.
Imperia Voralius |
Imperia frowned at Annaro. "I assure you that Jorhan is exactly the sort of person I want to associate myself with. He's a dear friend and a good person. I think an Ethics Committee is a brilliant idea. If my experiences today were any indicator, this place could use a few more ethics beat in to it," she said firmly. It was true, ethics seemed questionable from her experience so far.
"I can't see a reason anyone would be against an Ethics Committee."
She wasn't as passionate about it all as she sounded, but certainly she wasn't going to let others tell her Jorhan, of all people, was not who she wanted to affiliate herself with.
GM Mowque |
Annaro simply smiles and shakes his head gently, ”You think it is because we want free reign to commit crimes? Nothing could be farther from the truth. Do you not see the danger such a Committee could cause? For one thing, one man’s ‘Ethics’ is another man’s business. Having a puritan watchdog could constrain all sorts of compromises and deals that need to take place to make Almas run. Throwing that all into the bright light would simply make governing the city, and nation, impossible.” he stops, looks down at Imperia with a hint of a smile.
”Secondly, such a Committee would be a powerful weapon in the hands of it’s leader, used to cudgel any recalcitrant Councilor to his will. Its proposed ‘mandate’ is so broad and powers so ill-defined it could be used to attack anyone over anything. And who would run it? Your friend seems to think he should do so. Can you imagine that power in the hands of a green, radical Councilor? It would upset the entire nation and probably throw us into ruins.” Annaro shrugs then.
”It is a bold ploy, on his part. Making such a strong grab for power so soon. I admire it, really, I do. but he has reached too early and too soon for it, pushing aside other men who could help him. He would do better to start small, give the power to other more…seasoned men and then later, assume it himself. Ah well, he is young.” Annaro says with a cynicism seeming much older then he.
Imperia Voralius |
Imperia's mood took a sudden swing for the bitter. She was nothing if not defensive of her friend. Who was this fellow to judge him? Was it not a politician's job to make the change he wished to see happen?
"If one man's business depends on a lack of ethical control, then it's not a business, it's a scam. If Almas is built on the back of loose ethics, then the city isn't running in the first place. It's just a house of cards. And to top it off, any Ethics Committee would probably be a democratic group, the ethical route to deliberate what constitutes an ethical practice, not a ruthless individual at the top of a pyramid. I think the only part of the nation that would be upset by an enforcement of ethics in politics are the politicians who depend on abusing the system to get ahead."
Imperia ended her rant with her brows pulled into a tight frown and her lips pursed in frustration.
GM Mowque |
Annaro ponders her gravely in the dim light of a distant lamppost. ”Interesting. You have your convictions, I’ll give you that. But I think you need to spend more time in our city before you think you know all about it. But it is getting late, shall we continue this debate another time? I can send the page to set up another time and place convenient for both of us?” he asks, easily.
The street in front of Johran’s home is quiet and empty, and one light burns in a window. Someone, at least, is awake inside.
Imperia Voralius |
Imperia clicked her tongue in her cheek and hesitated a moment. Would it be a mistake to try to associate with both sides? Well, to be fair, she wasn't sure what side she was on in the first place.
"Alright. Perhaps we can do coffee sometime next week. You should come down to Portside and see my office," she added with a snort. She still had to get that cleaned up...
She glanced up to the light in the house and wondered if Jorhan was still up. Hopefully he wasn't waiting up for her. She hadn't told him she'd be out for the evening.
"It's been a pleasure, Annaro. Thank you for the evening. And the flowers."
GM Mowque |
Annaro grinned and bowed deeply, ”Coffee at Portside it is. Should be an exciting adventure among the seafaring folks. You can show me around, I've never been down there.”. He then turns and walks into the warm shadows leaving Imperia alone outside the house. Enjoying the wonderful weather.
Going to take a stab and say you go inside?
Inside she sees Johran at a desk, writing furiously by lamp light. He looks tired, angry and oblivious to Imperia' entry. A bottle of whiskey sits near at hand but unopened...yet. An untouched meal of chicken and potatoes (made by the servants) lies untouched. The furious scratching of the quill fills the whole house with slashes and stabs as he writes aggressively, nearly ripping the paper.
Imperia Voralius |
"Now, that's a good way to get lost. I look forward to it. Good night, Annaro."
With Annaro leaving, Imperia unlocks the door and heads in, only to be met with the most aggressive writing she's seen (or heard) since the last time she saw a student writing a thesis in the Acadamae. That writing had been her own.
"Er, knock knock?" she says approaching Jorhan's desk. "You know, you'll go through a year of quills writing like that." She takes the bottle of whiskey and sets it on a shelf out of immediate reach. Drinking and writing never went hand in hand. Usually made things worse.
"I imagine the day at the office could have gone better?"
GM Mowque |
Jorhan looks up, eyes flashing. ”Home a bit late? Out wining and dining with the upper classes?” he says bitterly, then instantly shakes his head and sighs heavily. His shoulders sag and he lays down the now dull quill.
”I’m sorry Imperia, I didn’t mean it. But yes, you could say it was a bad day. If, by bad day, you mean repeating beating my head on a brick wall made of ignorance, privilege and tradition. The People’ Council is not receptive to new ideas, doubly so from ‘raw recruits’ as they call us.” he looks around a bit confusedly. ”Where is my whiskey? I’m sure I had some out...” he asked bemusedly.
Imperia Voralius |
"Well, I can't entirely fault you. I was out literally wining and dining with the upper class," she says with an amused grin. "Annaro Kilest. From my Ministry I believe. And some fashion-savant family. From what he said, it would Seem you've already stirred up enough of a fuss that your name is making the rounds. I take it changing the world is a little harder than first anticipated?"
She moved his dinner to the side and hopped up to sit on his desk, then gave his hair a ruffle.
"It's what? Day two on the job? You're more persistent than that, from what i remember. And whiskey is hardly what you need right now," she says gesturing at the untouched meal.
Ziggip hovered nearby, waiting to see if Jorhan bothered to eat. If not, his belly always had room.
"If it helps, I managed to ruin two people's lives today. One of which tried to come at me in a darkened side road," she added. She'd almost forgotten about Mister Leswoll.
GM Mowque |
Jorhan looks at the food and nods ruefully, ”Good point. And the food does look good.” he starts to eat, eying Ziggup carefully. "I'm sure you did some actual good though. Those two people probably had it coming, right?" he nods while eating.
He laughs a bit at Imperia's remark about dark alleys. 'Yes, I have to say no Councilor tried to knife me in the cloakroom. He laughs until he sees his friend wasn't joking. ”What?! You were attacked, in Almas?” He jumps to his feet, sending gravy flying around the room and knocking over his bottle of ink. ”We'll call the guard right away...” and starts to make for the door, forgetting his cloak or even his boots.
Imperia Voralius |
"Well, one of them was trying to lure me into a dirty deal to ignore his smuggling like he had with the bloke I replaced. The other guy... well, he was just trying to help his family make ends meet. From what i can tell, he was being honest. Felt awful about it all, but the law is the law, regardless of intentions," she explained, looking a bit put off.
"Wait, no! You don't need to run off! It's fine. He was drunk and angry. I got away anyhow. Made him forget he even saw me. Heaved up when I wiped a bit of his memory. I think he's gotten enough punishment from that," she said in an attempt to placate Jorhan.
"Besides, you need to sit and eat. What's got you all riled up anyhow? Anything I can do for you? And don't say poor you a glass of whiskey."
GM Mowque |
”Anything you can do? Not unless you know a way to wake up a bunch of rich Councilors tot he facts out on the street?” He laughs, ”They should hang out at Portside with you for a day, you seem to attract rule breakers of every kind. In any case, unless you have a huge scandal, I don't think you can do much for me. I'll get over it. You are right, we have just begun.” He finishes his food, gets up and a stretches.
”I'm going to get some sleep. It's been a long day. Same for you I hope, you've had a busy day too sounds like.” He moves towards the door, quill and bottle both forgotten.
Imperia Voralius |
"That's the spirit, Jorhan," she said, giving his shoulder a squeeze as he eats. "I'll be sure to to keep my ear to the ground for the most scandalous of gossip, just for you," she adds with a grin.
She lets him wander off to his own room and hops off his desk. "He's got the right idea, hey Ziggip? ... Ziggip?" On the top of one of the bookshelves, Ziggip had already fallen into what could only be described as a coma. He usually catnapped all day, but today he had stayed awake most of it. She sighed and pushed Jorhan's chair under the shelf and climbed up on it like a stool. There we days she wished she was taller. She scooped up the little imp and carried him like an infant down off the shelf and into her own rooms.
She'll head to bed assuming no interruptions!
Sorry for the delay today. It was Thanksgiving here in Canada so I ended up doing the family thing all day!
GM Mowque |
It is a quiet and peaceful night, only broken by the odd snore from Ziggup. There is no more bad quill scratching or shadow rapping at the glass. When Imperis awakes, she finds Johran gone again leaving a note. Thanks for the words last night. Off today to do battle! See you this evening? Johran.
If you want we can just cut right to your office we can. Unless you have other plans?
Imperia Voralius |
Right to the office!
Perception: 1d20 ⇒ 16
For anything special along the way
Imperia smiled at the note from Jorhan and left one of her own.
'I should be here this evening. -Imperia'
The journey to the office was uneventful and it wasn't long before she found herself stepping into the Trade Office.
She was going to have to make her rounds, and with any luck find some time to keep cleaning that office. She offers morning greetings to anyone in the office.
GM Mowque |
You may or may not have seen more Halflings/Gnomes following you. Hard to tell.
Streve seems in an odd mood as Imperia enters. He is sweating, suspiciously looking out windows and yet has an odd smile on his face. He instantly whisks Imperia into an empty office (not his own) when she enters.
The austere office only has a desk, and a few moldy stacks of papers. No windows lightened the gloom, only a dirty lamp which Streve quickly lights.
”Good Morning Imperia. Big news, today. I had an…informant come in this morning. Says something big is going down at the docks this morning. He was cagey what about but he was clear it was big, really big. So big as to make our careers Imperia. Promotions Imperia! Something to make the boys upstairs sit up and take notice, instead of this penny ante stuff, smuggling dwarves and whatnot. “ his face shines in the sickly lamplight with something akin to rapturous greed. ”And you’ll be a big part of it. He said it involved that Captain you checked out yesterday, Felix Vandergoff. Apparently he has something juicy aboard, loaded last night. If we can find out what it is…big break for us, Imperia! Fifteen years of work, rewarded...” he sounds almost desperate as he paints a picture of moving up the ranks, to buying a huge mansion in the better districts, of having servants. He seems quite enamored of being rich and powerful.
Imperia Voralius |
"Er, sir? According to his papers, he can move pretty much anything he wants. Tidy little set up he's got going. He was bringing in Chelaxian weapons and I couldn't even inspect them, yesterday. All he needs to do is claim it's too dangerous and we can't even poke around in it. What makes this shipment so special?" she inquired curiously. His paperwork had been annoying, to say the least. No one should have that much free reign over imports and exports in her opinion.
GM Mowque |
Streve waves her concerns aside, ”It is supposed to be some big scandal, something that implicates some top people. I don’t know exactly, but not something he can just wave away. And even if it is something strictly legal, that doesn’t always mean the court of public opinion…” Streve adds suggestively.
Then he starts pacing the room, wringing his hands, ”Don’t let this chance pass us by, Imperia. I know you just got here, but wouldn’t you want to do something big, make a scene, shake up the higher-ups? We can’t let legal technicalities confuse us….Will you do it? It might require poking around his ship, even the more private sections…”
He stops and adds, looking Imperia directly, "In fact, you might even have to simply take the evidence or proof of it, without telling him. this might be too big to simply announce and confiscate openly."
Imperia Voralius |
"Wait, so you want me to steal something off his ship without informing him? Is that even legal?" Her mouth purses into a thin line of concern. What Streve was planning, she had no idea. Nor did she know what she was looking for. "We don't even know what it is we are looking for. Am I simply supposed to loot the entire ship for you?"
She sincerely hoped not, but the fervor in her eyes made her wary.
GM Mowque |
Streve suddenly grins triumphantly. I knew you’d say that. Wait here!” In a flash he is out the door and back, bearing a huge black and gold book. The shiny cover and unwrinkled spine speak to either Streve caring greatly for it, or never using it. The gold lettering stats it is the Laws and Regulations of Custom Work for Almas Ports.
The bearded official quickly opens to a marked page and reads, ”In the case of treason any Port Official may, in the course of inspection, confiscate any item, openly or secretly, to aid further investigation and or litigation.” he looks up, ’See? Even a law-abiding Chelish like yourself can see we have the right, no the duty, to do what we can. It is just up to you, as you are the ship inspector. I can’t do it, that would tip Felix off that we know something..”Streve looks as Imperia expectantly.