Johenric stops his speech as he recognized the loud and proud voice of Aramis. Johenric enters the room and leans against the door chase.
Interesting, Ivy, isn't it? The big male peacock and tries to impress the females. To all others seeing the scene, the behavior of Amaris is somehow unsavory. So far nothing new. Now the interesting part begins, especially when we consider the behavior of the Countess and Solaric during the theatre show. The first interesting question is how Aramis and Solaric will compete with each other. The second question is by far the crucial one: how the female will react respective if she did already decide which would mean that the competition is more or less a show.
Ivy says something in a secret language.
You are right; the naive observer recognizes the alpha male as the key position but in fact it is the Countess...
Johenric gazes again towards the scene...
@ Johenric:
A nearby opera visitor, who thinks you spoke to him, pipes in
Ha, I wonder if Sir Zekkaran will return the unfriendliness, he is known in Karcau for his chivalrous demeanour. However, men have changed their temperament for minor women than the countess.
As the opera visitor starts talking, Ivy scurries under Johenrics cloak and squints to the man.
Stealth
This makes sense. Your thought of changing behavior should be considered. Because of what you have said I assume you know Sir Zekkaran. What do you expect him to response? Will he adapt to the rude behavior?
"What? You ask me, Aramis de Voisseur, what heroic deeds I have done? Your question should rather be, where I did not do a heroic deed...pff. Just for your information . . . I could go on like this for all day, you...gimp. "
At the pompous peacock's remark, Solaric smiles calmly and turns his head to look him in the eye incredulously. "My good knight. I am sorry to hear it, but did you just dishonor yourself by calling me . . . a gimp? A true knight would clearly not treat a brother in arms with such rudeness, and I most certainly would not expect him to lower himself to such standards of pompous incivility. I do pity you and therefore will excuse such a remark for you clearly suffer from some inferiority complex. However, I simply must ask you kindly to leave us alone, for the countess most certainly deserves a greater knight that you! I suggest you be gone and return to your howling with the werewolves that you are clearly so proud of!"
Turning to the Coutness Livgrace, Solaric comments, "I do beg your pardon, your Highness, that I did not see this arrogant man coming. Furthermore, I am most sorry that you must be subjected to his rude manners. Please take my arm and we may retire from this place and put this sad memory behind us. Shall we take a lovely walk down by the lake?"
Solaric offers the Countess his arm, and he smiles kindly as he patiently waits for her to take it.
Victoria looks dispassionately but fixedly at her hors d'ouvre as though examining its content, or checking if it might be secretly alive. She is merely listening in to the banter between the two knights, wondering should she interject or let Solaric play his hand and show worth in the Countess' eyes. Calculating there could be more room for damage to reputations if she interjected, she instead lets the matter slide.
As he returns from his rounds with Kirk, a bit disappointed to not find any assassins lurking in the shadows, Harl catches the end of the posturing between the knight and Solaric. Stepping up next to Victoria he says,"Everything appears to safe for now, Vic. What are those two all fluffed up about?" he says pointing at the pair.
"You know how it is for the Knightly types, all rattling sabers and punched out chests. Seems young Solaric has found himself face to face with another who would be the Countess' suitor, and so we have a bit of a spectacle taking shape. I suppose there's no point delaying the inevitable showdown for her attentions, I just wonder if I should be providing a helping hand... sadly these things never end well for any concerned, as both will disguise ego with words like duty and chivalry and there will be tears and tiaras by bedtime"
Victoria now appears to be inspecting her fingernails, but on closer inspection she is actually studying the head of a small black serpent poking up through her sleeve. Naga is likewise studying her.
"I have to hand it to them. Back home someone would have bloody nose by now. Best to let them figure it out, lass. Who knows what will happen ifin' another lady becomes involved. Back home it would have been the girl that gave the bloody nose, hahaha. Dwarven love is the only thing more dangerous than dwarven politics."
Nodding along with the sense of Harls words...
"Yes well the new contender is a blowhard and a headswell. I am not sure whether he would have us half impressed with him as he is of himself, but as you say, best let them sort the matter between them. Shouldn't brag about making omlettes out of Black Dragon eggs, never know who might be listening eh?"
There's a look in her eyes and a hardness to her tone that suggests a mean streak malevolence. Clearly her mind is calculating away, but whatever the sums are, the answers are probably nasty.
"True enough, lass, true enough." he says nodding in solemn agreement.
Before the countess is able to take Solaric's arm, Aramis pushes the half-drow aside and offer his own arm.
Well, I heard they need kitchen boys, maybe you find employment there, close to the oven or the fireplace, where everyone looks like you, ha!
The countess nervously gazes from one knight to the other, unsure what to make of the situation.
Victoria looks at Harl, the look is one of 'dismay' meeting 'crushing inevitability'.
Hex-Fortune on Victoria
Bluff
Bluff
Victoria walks indirectly towards the stand off, avoiding drawing attention to her advance. She coughs gently and touches Aramis on the shoulder, but it is just a cunning ruse and distraction, a feint.
When he turns to see what is going on she is gone; she has instead used the moment to her advantage and moved to gently to offer the Countess her own arm, politely leading her away from the 'spectacle'.
"Forgive me your Highness, but perhaps you and I could go for some air, away from the behaviour of the coarse and ill mannered" The last is stated disapprovingly in Aramis' general direction
Following Vic's lead Harl moves toward Solaric placing his massive hand upon the elf's back saying, "Come now , lad, I wouldn't think of lettin' ya put this scruffy pup's mother out of a job. Let us leave the washer woman work to the poor folks kin." offering a toothy grin to the insolent knight.
Solaric, stunned at the audacity of the knight, agressively steps forth as a calm, polite but clearly unstoppable force.
”Sir , you have not only insulted me, but an entire race. Furthermore, you have as well as confessed your support of slavery! You are cleary a clod and a stain upon the title of knighthood. I know little of who you are or where you come from, but you are an obvious vexation to all good and just people. Step aside right now and leave her Highness alone! I, Solaric Zekkaran, will permit you to leave unchallenged, but I do not want to ever see you slinking about, bothering us ever again.
Touch of Glory
Intimidate
Victoria uses Solarics reply as further cover to spirit the Countess away... a wink to Harl also flicks out momentarily.
After the situation develops further, Johenric keeping a certain distance to the scene says more to himself but as well to the nearby opera visitor.
I witnessed such situation quite often in the past. Well, I have not and I will never understand why such a situation develops like this and the participants tend to offend each other and to bother each other. Why everybody concentrates on the opponent, as in fact the most important matter in this context is the female...
Johenric moves his hand towards his chin and lets his thoughts go by...
A bit confused Aramis turns around to see no one, only to notice that the countess has also left him - however, the annoying half-drow is still there!
You call me a racist? Me, who speaks fifteen languages fluently, who is called "truest friend" by numerous folks of Golarion? And you let me leave unchallenged?! Listen up, GIMP, I will challenge you...
Suddenly Countess Livgrace joins the quarreling knights again, her face red with hot anger
Enough! This was supposed to become a nice evening and now it is spoiled! I announce that this year's tournament, annually held in honour to my father, will be moved up/preponed/advanced to next weekend.
During the tournament both of you will have a lot of opportunities to show how heroic you are!
Obviously annoyed the countess ends her tirade, but all around her begin to cheer and celebrate, since the tournament is one of the city's biggest events each year.
Theory has been proven into reality! The power is with the female being obviously annoyed, who instead of taking the decision to choose between one of the two on their own, has actually postponed the decision and let the males continue their conflict at a later point in time...does she pretend to be annoyed by the behavior of the males...
Suddenly Johenric realizes that he is speaking to himself.
Ivy, I guess we should go to our friends and stay at Solarics side.
As Johenric face expresses some kind of irritation, he does not share the cheering of the attendees. Without a word he moves at Solarics side, shrugs his shoulders and nodes with an encouraging expression on his face towards Solaric.
Well spoken my friend.
Determined not to lose his calm and even temperment, Solaric replies politely,
”Your Highness, I humbly apologize for the quarrel. I had no desire to spoil such a perfect evening, and If I have brought offense to you, I sincerely apologize. If it is your wish, I would be honored to compete in the tournament. I am guided by the light of the Inheritor and have no fear. I eagerly look forward to putting myself up to the challenge.”
While Solaric speaks, Aaramis apes the half-drow behind his back to the delight of his friends.
Countess Livgrace is not so amused and replies to Solaric
Sir Zekkaran, I know that you didn't cause this unpleasant turn of events. I will keep my fingers crossed for you during the tournament. It is about time someone shows Aramis that a knight does not behave like that.
Some paces away, Swan nods to Aramis and muses
Strange, this guy reminds me of someone...
"Sir Zekkaran, I know that you didn't cause this unpleasant turn of events. I will keep my fingers crossed for you during the tournament. It is about time someone shows Aramis that a knight does not behave like that."
"Your highness, I thank you for your kind words. I am here to serve, and I will do what needs to be done! In the meantime, please let me know if there is anything I can do for you. I sincerely look forward to our upcoming time together!"
Johenric turns his head to Aramis and tries to recognize a symbol or emblem mentioned on Aramis clothes.
@ Johenric:
Indeed, Aramis wears a tabbard with a coat of arms on it showing a red lion in front of a white background.
The family Voisseur is an old lineage from galt. About two hundred years ago, Pierre de Voiusseur followed a call for mercenaries and so a branch of the family move to Sinaria. Their castle "Griffon Roc" lies to the southeast of Karcau. Aramis is the youngest of three sons.
Knowledge, Nobility
Know: Nobility
Some paces away, Swan nods to Aramis and muses, Strange, this guy reminds me of someone...
Pitr raises an eyebrow. "Really? Who? He's kind of an ass."
Kirk stands several paces away, watching with a smirk the stand-off between Solaric and Aramis. His hand rests lightly on the hilt of a dagger in his belt as he imagines plunging it into a sleeping Aramis' throat. Solaric would probably never forgive me if he found out, but that would be a rewarding kill... he thinks to himself.
Swan grins and caresses your cheek
Oh nevermind, let's get home, I'm freezing...
She grabs your hand and pulls you out of the opera.
The countess nods gracefully to Solaric and says
I will arrange everything for the tournament, but I guess, I was too fast in announcing it will be held this weekend. Tomorrow I will officially proclaim that the tournament is going to be in two weeks.
Anyway, I would like you and the Chosen to meet me tomorrow at Swansong House.
With that she departs and accompanied by two servants leaves the opera...
Aramis and his brutish-looking gang of knights stay and try to exploit the alcoholic supplies of the opera.
Solaric walks up to the Countess Victoria casually, "You better hold me back, for I am doing everything I can to stay my sword and refrain from teaching that young arrogant Voisseur a lesson! He is such a disgrace to his order of knights. I wonder if they all act as such? Aside from that knight, I thought the night at the opera went very well! But look at him there with his hooligan friends, drinking up everything they can find at the bar. He makes Pitr look like a shining light of inspiration!"
"Well, her Highness has asked that we all meet her tomorrow at Swansong House. I look forward to seeing the lovely Livgrace once again, especially without that Voisseur intruding!"
"He is a fool and an ape, and yes I will hold you back. I question the timing of his arrival, I question the veracity of his claims, I question everything about him. Whats even more concerning is that if his claims are true, then not one of those claims was of chivalry, not a single one suggested service to anyone other than himself for his own selfish ends. I wonder that a man such as that would not be beyond deception, cheating, and outright betrayal simply to win. Simply to have more hot air to blow in his own sails"
"We shall meet per the Countess' request tomorrow, and in the meantime we will find out what we can about this man"
Shrugging a little,Harl says "He didn't seem all that different from most humans I've met,haha."
Solaric glares at Harl's comment and finally laughs. "What about Pitr? Oh, never mind, I guess your're right!"
"He is a fool and an ape, and yes I will hold you back. I question the timing of his arrival, I question the veracity of his claims, I question everything about him. Whats even more concerning is that if his claims are true, then not one of those claims was of chivalry, not a single one suggested service to anyone other than himself for his own selfish ends. I wonder that a man such as that would not be beyond deception, cheating, and outright betrayal simply to win. Simply to have more hot air to blow in his own sails"
"We shall meet per the Countess' request tomorrow, and in the meantime we will find out what we can about this man"
"He certainly does not act like any knight that I have ever met. He is far too self centered to be a knight of the Inheritor! Do you think he is a spy or an evil fiend?!"
Solaric takes his time and casts Detect Evil upon the knight.
"Let his alignment be known!"
Victoria quickly intervenes...
"Hold that Solaric, should you be seen to cast in his direction any of your blessings, he may rightly take offence at the action as either an invasion of his privacy, or even claim you have dishonourably used sorcery or even claim some kind of black magic being used. Unfair as it is he would seek to use such an action to sully your name, and spread lies about how it shows that the drow are evil, deceptive, and malicious, and that you are using some sort of black sorcery upon him. The very things I would reckon a man such as him would probably not be above, as I sense he is an evil hearted hypocrite"
"Both you and I know he is an evil man just on his words and deed so confirming it by magic will tell us little but leave you open to criticism, all we need to ensure is that everyone else knows he is a dirty rodent. For you, your behaviour must remain humble, gracious, and to not give in to strong emotional outburst but instead remain tempered and balanced against moral outrage. Think only of the tournament, and think only of your good deeds... and the Countess. Strike this cad and bounder from your mind until then, and until we can ensure a fair fight is held should you not bear to suffer his insults and slights any further"
Solaric halts casting upon Victoria's cue.
"Think only of the tournament, and think only of your good deeds... and the Countess. Strike this cad and bounder from your mind until then, and until we can ensure a fair fight is held should you not bear to suffer his insults and slights any further"
"Your Grace, you have always calmed my emotions when they are about to get the best of me! I thank you again for assisting me in the ways of grace and subtlety! Now, how shall we proceed in investigating this knight? I am not as well versed in the ways of stealth and shadow work."
Last scrolls were:
- Bungle (Johenric)
- Sleep (Johenric)
- Stone Fist (Zahur?)[b[yours now[/b]
--Acid Arrow (Johenric)
--Darkness (Johenric)
--Whispering Wind (Johenric)
---Vision of Hell (Victoria)
---Daylight (Johenric)
---Ape Walk (Johenric)
----Secure Shelter (Victoria)
----Share Senses (Johenric)
And Spell books
Level I
Alarm
Shield
Protection from Chaos
Endure Elements
Level II
Book Ward
Protection from Arrows
Help yourself, you can copy the books no probs, and finish off the scroll
"Well not that I am versed in stealth and shadow, of course, but I am thinking I know people who are. Obviously I would personally turn my research to the courts and the people amongst it, the gossip is often quite delicious. We must remain above reproach for a while though, both of our futures are on a precipice. With the Countess blessing holding, we shall both find our situations improved. That idiot can wait"
Angry and annoyed by the knight's show, you return to the academy, the temple or whatever other place you sleep at the moment.
The next morning is one of a crystal clear blue sky and large flocks of geese travel over the lake.
Children play in the streets and since it's a market day, lots of stands line the alleys as you walk up the cliff to Swansong House.
You meet the countess in front of it while she has a look at two powerful steeds a local horse breeder has brought to her. As you approach, the man bows politely and steps back.
With a beaming smile, the countess turns to you and says
Ah very good you have arrived. I need the experience of someone who has mounted a lot of of fine horses, since I just can't decide which one to buy.
"I am happy to offer my services, your Highness. I have learned a great deal from the Cavalier, Zahur of Wellsbottom, and indeed I have learned a great deal by simply riding Dart, one of the most magnificent steeds of the realm. Please kindly let me know what you are interested in using this horse for."
Solaric does his best to inspect the two horses and determine which one would serve best.
Handle Animal
Retcon
Overhearing Victoria and Solaric discussing matters of stealth and shadow, Kirk's ears perk up. "Where can we find somebody like that?" he says quietly, smiling darkly to himself.
Now
Kirk follows the group to Swansong House, pausing to look out over the city he grew up in as the Countess has Solaric help choose a horse.
Ivy sits on Johenrics shoulder and eats an insect. However Johenric remains quite during the discussion about the horses. His hand moves towards his chin and everybody can see that he is drawn into the scene and thinks - but somehow you get the feeling he does not think about how to give an answer to the horse question...