Test Post
Our adventure begins in the capital city of Oppara, heart of the Taldan empire.
Visitors flock to Oppara in the days leading up to the Grand Day of Exaltation. The populace of the city doubles during this time, making Oppara larger than any other city in the Inner Sea region, save Absalom. The self-importance of the already prideful Taldan people swells in equal measure.
Street vendors sell traditional Taldan foods—anchovy skewers, anglebobs, canal crossings, clamguards, jubilee pie, honeyflake, long wine, yonder tarts, and more—including regional delicacies from separated provinces such as Andoran mince and Chelish raven cake. Family banners and provincial flags drape the sides of most buildings, with merchants hawking heraldry ranging from replica banners of the old Armies of Exploration to wooden swords and handheld Taldan flags for children. Taverns offer themed drink and food, with varying bars adopting well-known nobles from the long history of the empire as their mascot or self-declared patron.
Alongside all the pomp and circumstance filling Oppara is a noteworthy moment in history: the imperial senate is poised to hold a historic vote to end primogeniture. The potential end of the millennia standing law of succession is the talk of the town. Streets and taverns are abuzz with conversations; some wish to see the law thrown down to pave a way for Princess Eutropia to ascend to the throne, while hardliners (especially elder nobles) believe the vote to be another wound in the great history of the empire, allowing not only the rabble-rousing Eutropia to inherit family power, but every ill-deserving woman. Regardless of the outcome, both sides of the debate agree that life will go on, and despite the serious ramifications of primogeniture’s potential end, the streets of Oppara hold no signs of unrest during the jubilant celebrations of the Grand Day of Exaltation.
Each of you has come to the attention of Lady Martella Lotheed, who wishes to meet with you at the Cafe Zaini, a few hours from now.
Minentte could still remember the panic that she felt during her first Grand Day of Exaltation. Her job was to keep the crowds out of designated areas during certain events, and she had never felt more overwhelmed in her life. It was as if the whole world had come to visit Oppara, and the constabulary was trying to shape their crushing masses to its will. Being from the boonies, "culture shock" wasn't nearly a strong enough word to describe her emotions that first year.
These days, the swell in population was something that she could adapt to quickly. She had just finished her shift today. Long and tiring though it was, she was in fair enough condition to enjoy the festivities a little before going home to rest. Besides, home was a long walk through streets that were sure to be crowded until evening, and it was encouraged that off-duty constables wander around in uniform during festivities to keep potential rabble-rousers from getting any ideas. To that end, she wandered between the vendors in full gear.
Although she liked to buy one or two interesting decorations every Exaltation, none of the knickknacks and souvenirs so far had managed to catch her eye. She wondered if it was because she hadn't eaten since the beginning of her shift. She stopped near a vendor's stall and looked around, hoping to find some snack to hold her over until the meeting with Lady Lotheed.
As you glance around, a few possible solutions present themselves.
A few stalls over, you spot a crowded sweetmeat vendor, the line approaching a full two score.
Continuing past him though, a rarer sight indeed! A Chelish Cart selling Contract Breads! You've heard of the spicy pretzels, expertly shaped into a pentagon while baking, but never had the chance to try one yourself.
For Valor, the Grand Day of Exaltation is a reprieve from the struggles of day to day life, a time when people care less about who you are and where you're from in order to celebrate together. He could spend hours just watching the bustling streets, and even longer browsing the wares of merchants only here for the event.
He doesn't usually have the time for that however, the event brings a flock of customers to his Alchemy shop. The busiest day of the year for the merchants of Oppara, and by far the most profitable. Jovial tourists here to celebrate the Grand Day are willing to pay more for wares, and Valor tends to take full advantage of that.
Today was different though, the Crimson Concoction is closed for the day. Valor has a meeting that could potentially be the chance he's been waiting for, and he doesn't want to be late. He heads to Cafe Zaini through the packed streets, stopping only briefly to look at a few Vendor's stalls that catch his eye on the way.
Harmony was used to big crowds such as this. The crowded streets and colorful banners made Oppara feel a little more like home. But of course, this wasn't home, and so he and his sibling walked through the crowds with their more fiendish qualities covered. But with Harm at his side, and Apollo resting on his shoulders, Harmony was hardly worried about being away from home, he was sure today was the start of something much better.
He sauntered his way towards the cafe, taking in the many smells and sounds along the way. Never one to rush, he stopped with Harmony near a crowd of hungry people waiting in line at some snack vendors. With almost an hour until the meeting they were sure they had time for a little music.
Following Harms lead, Harmony pulled out his gift from Lady Martella Lotheed. This finely crafted guitar, similar to Harms Keytar had a small magical reservoir that would alter and amplify the music they made. Harmony raised his hand, getting ready to strum. Together, they let out a long cord to get the attention of the crowd. Once the cord faded, they began to play the Taldan anthem, albeit with an unexpected, but not unpleasant sound. With the starting notes of the anthem he nods to his twin, and he throws back his hood, revealing that he is a shackle-born tiefling.
A few things seem to catch your eyes as you walk, with the vendors eager to hawk their goods to any or all that might seem interested.
It takes a few moments, but as the crowd notices the piercings and purple skin, even without any loud outbursts, there seems to be a circle widening as the two of you play.
Not everyone seems to be keeping back though. Pushing a bit forward is a pair of children, dressed in well-made, formal Chelish robes. The larger of the two's headpiece is slightly too large, and he has to hold it up with a hand. as his little brother pulls him right up to you.
As much as the smell of the sweetmeat vendor's wares called out to her, Minentte wasn't pleased by the size of the lineup. Despite herself, she wandered to the Chelish food cart. Within a couple of minutes, she reached the front of the line, holding up a finger in request for one of the contract breads. She wondered if it was a sin to the proper Taldane pantheon to buy what was essentially the holy symbol of a rival nation's patron deity. On the other hand, eating it was probably desecration of that symbol, so it likely evened out.
Once she had the pretzel in her possession, she offered a nod to the vendor and began moving through the streets again. The snack was hot, but buttery and flavourful enough to always tempt another bite. If this was the Asmodean experience, she understood how so many people could fall to sin.
Deciding to meander in the cafe area for the remainder of her wait, Minentte was pleased to notice a familiar face slipping through the crowd. When she first learned that one of the reformers Lady Lotheed requested was a familiar face, it made her a little less nervous about the highborn woman's invitation. She moved to a less crowded corner of the street and waved to Valor, attempting to get his attention. When she thought he noticed her, she began signing "You made it! I hope you're ready for trouble."
Valor, pondering whether or not he should browse the nearby stalls, notices his friend waving to get his attention. He decides to join her where it's less crowded, and quickly responds with a confident smile "I'm always ready for trouble!", before double checking all his pockets to make sure he was indeed ready for trouble.
Content he hadn't forgotten anything at home, turns to Minentte and says "We have about an hour before the meeting though, any thoughts on how we pass the time?"
Harmony used his tail to pull off his glasses to make a silly face for the kids. He always liked kids, they rarely shared their parents disdain for him and Harm. As Harm stopped playing he slid his glasses back on and focused on performing.
As she waited for Valor to approach her, Minentte took another bite of her contract bread. She watched as he checked his pockets for all of his bottles and vials and pouches and such. A part of her was worried that the tiefling's ingredients would explode if he got nudged the wrong way in the crowd, but she trusted that he knew what he was doing. He was a professional.
When he asked what they should do as they waited, she thought for a moment. "As far as I know, Lady Lotheed is-" Having some trouble signing with food in her hands, she held the now-incomplete pentagram in her mouth and continued. "Lady Lotheed is about as legitimate and trustworthy as we can hope for, so snooping around for the next hour probably won't lead to much. We might as well enjoy the festival-"
Her eyebrows furrowed as she heard something strange in the distance. Was it music? She hadn't heard instruments like that before. It could be trouble. "Do you hear that? I'm checking it out." She hurried into the crowd, toward the source of the sound.
Valor shrugs to himself as Minentte runs off towards the strange noise.
"Well, guess that's what we're doing." he mutters, following close behind.
"This better not make us late"
The smaller of the two glaces back at his brother, a slight tinge of alarm now apparent on his face. "But... But.. it's not Nico!"
The older brother grips the younger's hand. " Bero, I told you, Nico is at home. He's not here. You'll have to wait till we go home to hear the end of your story."
With that information, the younger boy now seems on the verge of tears.
"Hey, hey, Bero, it's okay. These yellows will play us some music, just like Nico does back home." He looks up at the two of you. "Do you know any story-songs?"
Harmony finished the anthem with a flourish. Though only a few people in the crowd seemed to notice the music at the moment, he took a quick bow anyway.
After Harm gives the signal, Harmony resumes playing. this
“Be sure to let me know when you want the key change this time”
Minentte furrowed her brow as she noticed a crowd arranged cautiously around the source of the music. She gently nudged her way to the front of the group, and saw two tieflings playing music in front of two watching Chelish children. One of the instruments was entirely unknown to her, and the guitar made sounds that she had never heard from one before. Still, it just seemed like an innocent musical act. No one seemed to be ensorcelled or hurt. In fact, the crowd's response was quite muted. The sight of the tieflings probably left them on edge.
She turned to Valor. "Is this music... cultural?" Despite having a co-conspirator of the race, she was woefully ignorant of tiefling tradition, or even if they had any. The nature of tiefling births would make it difficult to have any racial norms, she imagined. Glancing around at the crowd, she signed again. "I'm going to stay until the crowd disperses. A guard present should stop anyone from getting any funny ideas."
After a time, a hurried looking elderly human woman bursts through the crowd.
"Bero! Carlo! I have been worried sick! What have I told you about....
The woman trails off as she spots the two musicians.
*sense motive*
"Thank you for looking after the boys. This should compensate you for your time."
She tosses some coins your way, before bundling the two boys off.
*perception*
As they are lead away, you all realize that it is fast approaching the time that you'll need to be inside the cafe.
Harmony sighs "Everyone's a bloody critic."
With a roll of his eyes, Harmony packs up his instrument and gestures for his sibling to follow him.
"Better not keep the good lady waiting, whatever she wants to talk about must be important"
The band began putting away their instruments, and the crowd began to disperse. It seemed like there wouldn't be a crisis. Better yet, it was finally time to sit and have that meeting. Her legs were killing her. She gave an appreciative nod to Valor and they made their way to the cafe.
A few minutes later, she stepped through the door into Cafe Zaini. Being a guard in full gear, she stuck out like a sore thumb in this dainty atmosphere, but she did her best to act natural as she waited for a table.
Long, golden beams of the setting sun dance through the cafe’s smoky interior, highlighting breads, cheeses, and wine bottles behind the only counter. Martella sips casually from a steaming mug, dressed in an elegant but reserved gown—at least by Taldan standards. A hand-sized brass cricket buzzes quietly on the tabletop beside her.
“I’m so pleased you could join me this evening,” she begins. “Please order whatever you like; the fig jam is particularly lovely here. And feel free to speak candidly. I’ve taken measures to ensure our privacy.”
Once fully settled, Minentte nodded her head to Martella's offer, waiting for some serving staff to arrive before pointing to her menu orders. The noblewoman was acting casual enough that she doubted that even the most expensive purchases at this place would phase her, but in hopes of not seeming like a crass spender of others' money, she ordered middle-of-the-road items, including some fancy coffee, bread, and the jam Martella recommended.
Once that was done, Minentte turned to Valor and began to sign what she wished for him to say on her behalf. "Thank you for your hospitality, Lady Lotheed, and I hope that you've been enjoying the festival." May as well avoid talking business right away; Martella might be sizing them up still.