Balthur's two masked guards stiffen as everyone rises to make their toast.
Durgan will of course raise a toast to their host. "To Ser Richard!"
Illthir, Serena, Alia - they all can handle themselves around this buffoon. But then, maybe he is not as buffoonish as he appears.
Durgan does make a point of glancing around the room. The Baron would be a great distraction for pickpockets, or in a situation like this, more likely those seeking to plant embarrassing evidence.
Illthir steps to the side to allow Dool to pass. Hmm. She wasn't sure what had angered the wizard. Was fairly sure it wasn't her, not *yet* at least. So she followed him a bit, at least until there were any hints she should make herself scarce. Once they're a few steps out of earshot she raises an eyebrow and invites the man to vent. "Not impressed by this gathering of intellects?"
Zokon raises his glass to the various toasts Here! here!"
Lord Longtooth, you will have to give me a few moments, I would not wish to tell a bad tale, but I also have to remember it all, there has been so much that we have struggled through that I need to gather my thoughts and maybe get a little help from my Lady." he looks to Alia with a little pleading in his eyes
Illthir steps to the side to allow Dool to pass. Hmm. She wasn't sure what had angered the wizard. Was fairly sure it wasn't her, not *yet* at least. So she followed him a bit, at least until there were any hints she should make herself scarce. Once they're a few steps out of earshot she raises an eyebrow and invites the man to vent. "Not impressed by this gathering of intellects?"
"BAH! So much political prattling! Time I could be spending in useful research!" he says storming across the garden and toward the gates.
Zokon raises his glass to the various toasts Here! here!"
Lord Longtooth, you will have to give me a few moments, I would not wish to tell a bad tale, but I also have to remember it all, there has been so much that we have struggled through that I need to gather my thoughts and maybe get a little help from my Lady." he looks to Alia with a little pleading in his eyes
"You can introduce me then." Longtooth says and smiles in delight.
The meal and discussions roll on into the cool evening, at which point everyone but Delev and his men return to their quarters and take to bed. Delev and company indulge in the seemingly unending amounts of high quality liquor.
The party awakens to the noise of workers' hammers as the mansion's construction continues.
That day sees the mid-morning arrival of the Lord Mayor of Restov, Ioseph Sellenius, and servants from town. He's a huge barrel of a man the party members can imagine taking up one whole side of his regal-looking carriage.
Sharing his carriage is his valet and Lord Solvis Orlovsky an advisor sent to represent the King-Regent and the Dragonscale Throne.
Both men appear tight lipped after their ride in. They greet everyone at Ser Iannuchi's manor including their host (with Orlovsky being much more formal about it), and then depart to their quarters with their entourages among the nearby estates, promising to be back for dinner.
That day also sees the arrival of a tall, wiry man called Rutgar Dag and his small collection of loud Ulfen ruffians. They make enough noise at the gate that they practically drown out the laborers. "What stinks in there so much that you need all those flowers, villain?" Dag says to head servant when the servant arrives at the gate.
Once the barbarian is settled the servant informs the party that "Mithter Dag ith--in thpite of hith appearanth a man of thome wealth, here to finance a dominion."
As mid-day a passes, Durgan's superior Archbanker Barasav arrives in a beautiful white coach decorated in gold leaf. The aura of civility he gives off is in marked contrast to the previous guest.
Like the others he checks in, makes some small pleasantries (in particular with Durgan--though the Archbanker keeps it brief), and then leaves to attend to his company's lodging before returning for the night's feast.
The manor remains half-empty, with the only explorers present being Zokon's and Drelev's parties.
Baron Hannis Drelev and company stagger down from their rooms near midday, missing the Lord Mayor and the throne's representative's arrival. The baron in particular curses the laborers outside, and "whatever all that shouting was just a moment ago." Which had been the commotion of Rutgar Dag's arrival and departure.
Illthir watches the other guests arrive and gossips with the party.
"Oh the mayor is here now."
"I've heard Orlovsky is half the reason the realm hasn't collapsed into civil war yet. Wonder what he thinks of this?"
"Hmphm. Longtooth's tales are better. But his aren't bad ..."
"They say his office is all lined with leaf gold. And it was all tax deductible!"
---
"Oh you are awake! I'm sure you'll love to meet mister Dag and his company later. Now, if you excuse me ..." The skald retrieved her violin, she needed practice, and tried one of the Longtooth tales. Yeah.
Illthir watches the other guests arrive and gossips with the party.
"Oh the mayor is here now."
"Yes, Illthir, the Lord Mayor of Restov. Restov is autonomous, as you know, and also quite large and wealthy. Lord Mayor Sellenius is a champion of this autonomy, which makes some in Brevoy's capital of New Stetven uncomfortable. The Dragonscale Throne's reach is not always as great as the monarch would like."
"I've heard Orlovsky is half the reason the realm hasn't collapsed into civil war yet. Wonder what he thinks of this?"
"That's what I've heard as well. I hope that his pragmatism makes him amenable to making deals."
"Hmphm. Longtooth's tales are better. But his aren't bad ..."
"If you say so. I haven't heard of the man myself. He seems a bit loud."
"They say his office is all lined with leaf gold. And it was all tax deductible!"
"It's a nice office. One must strike a balance between conveying an accurate impression of prosperity while not being too wasteful - solid gold would have been an unnecessary extravagance.
We will have to think about such things ourselves in Avalon. If our great hall is too expensive, we won't have money for roads and canals. But it needs at least some ornamentation to project an image of success in order to attract more settlers and investors."Durgan bows as the Lord Mayor arrives, and then makes small talk with his superior for a bit.
"Greeting, Archbanker. May your ventures prosper. Do you come here from Mivon, or have you most recently been elsewhere? We have been in Brevoy."
Durgan will just try to get a handle on the latest occurrences in the River Kingdoms and Stolen Lands, if there is anything of note.
"Yes, Illthir, the Lord Mayor of Restov. Restov is autonomous, as you know, and also quite large and wealthy. Lord Mayor Sellenius is a champion of this autonomy, which makes some in Brevoy's capital of New Stetven uncomfortable. The Dragonscale Throne's reach is not always as great as the monarch would like."
Serena nods her agreement with Durgan's assessment.
"That's what I've heard as well. I hope that his pragmatism makes him amenable to making deals."
"Mmmm. I'm a little concerned about his political leanings. His predilection for unity may prove... difficult for us."
"It's a nice office. One must strike a balance between conveying an accurate impression of prosperity while not being too wasteful - solid gold would have been an unnecessary extravagance.
Serena stifles a yawn. She had heard this previously and considered such a display of wealth to be ostentatious. All the same, she greets each visitor as protocol demands.
"A good fellow is the Mayor, looks after his people and sponsors their happiness."
"Hmm well i'll have to take your word for it, being an outcast has not helped my knowledge in this case, peace is good, but politics are these people blood, time to put our dealing faces on."
"Ahhh Rutgar Dag, good to see what i'd heard is true, a man cut from stern cloth."
Zokon smiles and nods at Durgans words "Yes well met Archbanker." .. "gah.. Durgan my mind has failed me, I remember nothing of what you have told me of him..i'll follow your lead."
Zokon remembers his last exchange with Solvis, back at poor dead Oleg's outpost that left the older man in a bit of pique for some reason.
The passes much like the one prior. Workmen and servants clamoring about the estate with purpose and noise, followed by a small (by noble-standards) banquette. The strange scarred, stooped and pop-eyed servant seems ever-present to aid his 'Mathter'th guethtth'.
"Not a stable boy." he says to himself.
Illthir first plays some songs about Longtooth. Then, carefully at first, she sings about the great Zokon Santyev and his deeds. Not to infringe of course, but they had their own deeds! Fought fearsome trolls and winter wolves; wicked bandits and evil necromancers. And surely none would be the wiser if she spiced it up a bit!
Late in the afternoon a group of riders arrive at the gates led by Lord Maegar Varn...
Among their train are a few familiar farmers from the region along the northern Narlmarches, and at their head a sour-faced Samuel Renault.
Durgan introduces Zokon to any of the nobility that Zokon may have forgotten about.
He will make a point of checking in with Lord Solvis Orlovsky.
"Greetings, my Lord. I hope the roads were safe and well-maintained for your travels. Roads are the arteries of a nation, it is written in the Manual.
Although there is also much to be said for maritime trade, as House Lodovka knows. May I ask if you have heard of any recent news from the Lake of Mists and Veils?"
Alia finds that she recalls information on the political figures almost perfectly well - she even remembered a bit about the Ulfen folk Hero - but knew precious little about the religious leaders.
She had little interest in other pantheons, having made her choice of a god to follow long ago, even if she was less vocal about it than others.
Alas, anything that needed to be said about the people was already noted by her companions, and she kept her own insights to herself, simply content that she remembered the lessons. Both as a foreigner and a woman, it would help to be unterestimated, not place all cards on the table.
She curtsies and says her hellos, presenting herself on Zokons side.
When he arrives, she does take note of Samuel Renaults sour face. If there was trouble in the village, it would be desirable to learn about it early - and Alia had no doubts that more trouble awaited their fledgling nation.
"Illthir or Serene, would you care to join me talking with Renault? I kind of don't want to go alone..."
Illthir puts down her violin and nods. "I don't think he'll enjoy this party. Kinda tramples over his dreams." This was a celebration for the end of the brevoy-less stolen lands after all. "Maybe we can convince him we'll do our best to play nice at least."
"Hm? But wouldn't it be the opposite? I mean, we will have ties to others, but we ARE independent. Certainly better than Bandits?", Alia is puzzled that somehow the prospect of them forming a nation would be a worse situation for inhabitants of this part of Telvurin than being oppressed by a bandit lord. With genuine curiosity the elf asks: "Do you think he is afraid of taxes?"
"People telling him what to do, me thinks." The skald cracks a smile. "Let's hope we can tell him it won't be so bad."
Serena nods to Alia and joins the other two women.
Zokon admires Illthirs performance not to be the one cheering at his own story he claps and approaches Illthir later "Well done, I forget sometimes that we have told quite a tale in our journies."
Zokon and Alia side by side greeting the newcomers
As to the conjecture about Renault
"I'm not sure my ladies, he will be well treated if he treats others in kind, ruthless determinism won't do him any good, we have the church of Abadar to keep us on the side of law and our own good intentions and mixed heritages."
Durgan introduces Zokon to any of the nobility that Zokon may have forgotten about.
He will make a point of checking in with Lord Solvis Orlovsky.
"Greetings, my Lord. I hope the roads were safe and well-maintained for your travels. Roads are the arteries of a nation, it is written in the Manual."
"Although there is also much to be said for maritime trade, as House Lodovka knows. May I ask if you have heard of any recent news from the Lake of Mists and Veils?"
Lord Solvis pauses for a long moment before responding. "Banker, I-"
But before he can utter more than two words Renault is off his horse and in the shorter man's face. "Solvis! You dog! I might have know you would be involved in this." he says spreading his arms and indicating everything within sight in a tone of disgust.
The two men fall into a snarling match which quickly escalates into shouting. Recriminations of past deeds and spittle fly through the air. Both men's faces redden with obvious animosity.
"I'm not sure my ladies, he will be well treated if he treats others in kind, ruthless determinism won't do him any good, we have the church of Abadar to keep us on the side of law and our own good intentions and mixed heritages."
"Nothing like a hard ride and a duel to start a dinner off right, aye? Though I'm sure everyone here would have hoped for more vigorous combatants." says a tall, wiry, haughty-faced warrior breaking through the press forming around the two elder statesmen like fire through a forest. Someone hands the newcomer a wineskin and he gladly takes a quaff. He is disheveled from an apparently 'hard ride', but he is scarred, and heavily armed and armored as well bespeaking a life of grim conflict.
Illthir gives the newcommer a brief glance, but he didn't seem to be the main issue. Well, maybe if they took up his suggestions. Oh no, they know each other ...
She felt that both of them would be much better off to not be in a room with the other, but wasn't quite sure how to drag them apart. "Ahm. This isn't quite pleasant is it..."
She felt that both of them would be much better off to not be in a room with the other, but wasn't quite sure how to drag them apart. "Ahm. This isn't quite pleasant is it..."
Both men turn and scowl at Illthir.
"...."
"...."
Durgan has a good deal of respect for Gorumites, having fought alongside many. Straightforward, as a rule.
He nods. "Chaplain Wagra."
"I do not think that a duel at this time would show proper respect to our host. The death of either one would deprive Ser Richard of the guests he specifically chose to invite.
And then he would be offended, with the right to challenge someone to a duel for this disrespect. I do not think any of us here would walk away from that duel.
So we should allow Ser Richard the opportunity to broker a peace and mediate disputes."
He turns to the two quarreling men, and says firmly but not angrily, "Lord Orlovsky, Mister Renault, you can show respect for our host, or you can leave. We are here for business."
"Thank you." Illthir did her best to channel some serene elvish grace. For all they knew, she might be old enough to be their grama!
Zokon steps forward at the mans entrance and offers a hand in greeting
"Clergyman Wagra, good to see you, your appearance precedes you, this will not be a duel, we will need to work together soon and I can only assure fair outcomes if we are clear headed." he says staring at Renault
Zokon steps forward at the mans entrance and offers a hand in greeting
"Clergyman Wagra, good to see you, your appearance precedes you, this will not be a duel, we will need to work together soon and I can only assure fair outcomes if we are clear headed." he says staring at Renault
"A shame and Iannuchi has such a fine sparing chamber." The cleric introduces himself and goes on. "There is nothing in life fairer than the sword. It comes like death for us all whether we are prepared or not, and the outcomes are always clear."
It is difficult to tell if he is being darkly serious or darkly mocking. He himself has a long-hafted steel mace hung at his belt.
Durgan has a good deal of respect for Gorumites, having fought alongside many. Straightforward, as a rule.
He nods. "Chaplain Wagra."
"I do not think that a duel at this time would show proper respect to our host. The death of either one would deprive Ser Richard of the guests he specifically chose to invite.
And then he would be offended, with the right to challenge someone to a duel for this disrespect. I do not think any of us here would walk away from that duel.
So we should allow Ser Richard the opportunity to broker a peace and mediate disputes."He turns to the two quarreling men, and says firmly but not angrily, "Lord Orlovsky, Mister Renault, you can show respect for our host, or you can leave. We are here for business."
"If you a think you are not here for a fight then you might be in the wrong house." Renault says with no ambiguity at all, and storms away. Orlovsky remains silent.
The servant arrives unexpectedly and sounds a handheld gong shattering the mood.
Once he has everyone's attention he announces that
Oh. Food. Illthir winces, wishing the gong had been played with more melody and less violence. A bit of a similar to the other issue. Still wasn't exactly sure what it was about...
Zokon moves over to Alia and Illthir "Wondrous ladies please enter with me, so that your light will distract the guests from my all too plain self. he says with a delighted smile
Serena takes her seat, feeling the weight of her sword at her left hip. She hopes that it won't be necessary.
"Walk thith way." lisps the servant before leading everyone to the pavilion in his shuffling gait.
Once there the party sees four more arrivals three new faces and one familiar to some. Shepherd Keegh of the Church of Erastil who the party remanded Faeria the mad bandit wizard to in Restov. He is speaking to a sparrow that is hopping, bobbing and twittering upon his shoulder. He looks disappointed by what he's hearing.
The others include a Taldan man, of average height but who seems to wear it taller somehow, dressed in an ornate military uniform. He boldly strides over to the party.
"I am Max, the first of my name, and you would be the members of the group that plumbed the Greenbelt. And this is Allisa Patrician of distant Amanandar."
"Though my path leads from Hongal." interrupts Allisa elbowing Max out of her way. She's so small for a human that you could easily mistake her for a child. She has a broad smile, and the almond-shaped eyes of a Tian Xian. Her dress is functional for someone living on a steppe and her skin is the tan of someone who spends a lot of time outdoors.