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Gliding around the feast like she was born to it, Felicitas offers a wittys remark here, a charming word there. With great delicacy she tries every dish and every wine and, with her
she manages to eat the chuul dish without ill effects. Later she approaches Irith and speaks up. "Your feast is a marvel to behold and just an example for the extraordinary efforts you made for this city. No one is more fitting to rule the city and take care that it will grow and develops into the pearl it is. I took a few hours to walk the streets today and suddenly I understood a basic truth. I know you will win the working end and you should, as it is full of the rewards collected in the last years, but to really control the city, you need the wharf. A women of your understanding and deep wisdom knows that the wharf is the other great place to get revenue. To rent space is nice and good, but if you have the wharf you gain taxes, you control the shipping, who gets to set foot on this island. You will have a safe and steady income in the demurrages, the custom charges and transportation fees once you take care the dock workers work for you. You also will know who enters the city and have the best avenue to control it. I would say, no one but you has the experience and the goodwill of the city at his heart. Don´t you agree!"
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When the time arises to mingle and talk, Kel approaches Cyran and greets him again. "It is good to see you, Cyran, sir. This feast was a panoply of flavors I must say. But of course nothing outdid the chuul, which I'm afraid I was too intimidated to try, but many of my companions did, and without ill effects. Did you manage to try it yourself? I hope you are doing well, if you did, of course. And how are you enjoying the bidding process. I was thrilled to see your bid for the Prophet's Burg. Truly it is the district that suits you, for it is the one most suited to someone with your interest in the planes beyond our own. And really what is there to interest us in this mundane world when knowledge of the worlds beyond call us, eh?"
[dice=know planes]1d20+8+1d6[/doce]
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"Ah, Vayde!" Ramenhotep tries to start a conversation in between courses. "You are aware, of course, that I once served in a temple of Nethys in Sothis, are you not? No? Well yes, I chose to retire from that particular line of work but my devotion to the White and Black has not wavered." The old halfling pauses as new plates are placed between himself and the elderly priest. "Admittedly, we do not see many followers of the Prophecies in Osirion. In what ways do the Prophencies' views on magic differ from that of Nethys'?"
Once Vayde is much more comfortable, Ramenhotep asks, "So I hear that you are interested in the Scriptorium? Excellent choice! I think there will many interesting things to be found there, much to ponder! I surely hope that you get it and if you do I think there could be an ample opportunity for you to rent some of the scrolls and books to the Pathfinder Society and make a healthy return on your investment!"
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Ottilia used to eat unusual things since her youth in Sargava decided to try the tentacle.
She joins Ramenhotep in his attempt to convince Vaydento bid better on the Scriptorium.
I'm not a follower of the Black and White but I respect knowledge. And how better than a scriptorium to report the beauties of the World !
I agree with my friend here, having access to such a place will ease your mind to protect the knowledge you love master Vayde
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Bulgo watches the room.
Kel seems to be impressing Cyran with talk about prophets burg, while Ram is struggling with impressing on Vayde the importance of the scriptorium. Ottillia wades in with some very persuasive arguments thought.
Felicitas is in deep conversations with Irith around the importance of the docks.
That really leaves Bulgo to talk with Temel.
He sidles over to the merchant and engages him in conversation, trying to work out the mans keenest interests
"It looks like you are in a stronger position in the Courts of Abstinence. Why did you decide to go for that area.." says the young halfling.
Irith nods, seemingly appreciative of Felicitas's praise and wisdom. "I shall take your suggestions into advisement", she says in a rare moment of verbosity.
***
Vayde's skeletal visage twists into a sneer when Ramenhotep makes his pitch. "The Prophecies teach that magic is a tool in the pursuit of prosperity and wealth", he says in a surprisingly strong rasping voice. "As wealth is one of the few ways to stave off the inevitability of death - of the flesh rotting from your bones and worms devouring your eyes. Everything else is just a waste of precious time... much like this conversation. Wouldn't you say?"
Ottalia's words are short but sweet and though her flattery seems unlikely to work, Vayde smirks. "Of course, beauty. How could I forget the Scriptum's potential?"
***
"Finally, someone that understands my interests", Cyran admits when Kel approaches. "I had considered that district but I don't think I gave it quite as much thought or attention as it deserves."
***
Bulgo is a bit too distracted by the numbness creeping down his throat to get anything useful out of his Temel.
***
Eventually the lunch banquet comes to an end and the Bureaucracy representative reads from his clipboard.
"The current high bidders for each district are:"
- #1 The Courts of Abstinence: Myrosype
#2 The Luminous Wharf: Irith Nomzamo
#3 Prophet’s Burg: Cyran Androtus
#4 Scriptum: Vayde Petronax
#5 Working End: Myrosype
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"My, we don't seem to be making a lot of headway. Myrosype must have very deep pockets." sighs Bulgo.
"I wonder if we made a bad choice in trying to get Irith to go for two of the provinces. Well, the decision is made now. I think for the next round, one of us should work on Temel a bit. Reignite his interest in the courts of Abstinence."
He looks around the group. "Remanhotep... you have a good grasp of history, and Temel seems interested in that. Perhaps you could research some interesting historical facts about the Courts that might pique Temel's interest in the area?"
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Ramenhotep nods at Bulgo's suggestion. "I can do that. But I agree that we might be stretching Irith too thin. I think we should ask her to focus on just one district. That would leave one district open for Myrosype, but if we make sure she gets a dud her influence will be negligible anyways. I'd suggest leaving Working End to that Aspis good-for-nothing; it seems the least valuable to me."
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"What's so great about Working End? Sounds like a bunch of abandoned and run-down warehouses and whatnot to me. I would think the Wharf is much more valuable so we should make sure to keep it out of Myrosype's hands. Make sure Irith gets control of the Wharf and if possible Working End, but worst case scenario I say leave the dusty old warehouses to Myrosype and let her try to fill them without access to the Wharf! Ha!"
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"A good question. I thought our task was to deny the aspis consortium any quarter in the city. Now the aspis consortium are well known for their illegal activities, like smuggling. What part of the city is most interesting for them? Wharf and Working end. Also, if you check the quarters 2 are for commerce, one for lodging, a posh quarter and the librarys. Now she bid mainly on wharf and working end. Our duty is to deny those primarily from her. Docks and Working end are the moneymakers here, once the city is done and ready to do commerce."
Pondering the map for a moment Felicitas continues.
"The Courts of Abstinence,one should push Temel once more! The Luminous Wharf We should continue pushing Irith. Prophet’s Burg. Who wants to work on Cyran? Scriptum. Who wants to talk to Vayde?
Working End, again we should work with Irith to get it. "
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(updated the notes to remind you that Felictas has +4 on discovery checks for...eveyrone)
"I think if we have started pushing Irith for the two aeras, we shouldn't be encouraging the others to them. Lets go with where our focus is already. Best to stop Apsis getting three or four, and if we can mange all five all the better.. If we try to get one of the others to bid on the wharf or Working end we will be diluting our own efforts."
Unlike the others, it seems Cyran has no interest in hosting a vivacious feast as the bidders and the party are summoned to a spartan warehouse in Kerse’s small industrial district late in the evening, lit only by a vibrantly colored storm of magical energy within. Irith and Temel scoff audibly scoff at the musty interior of the warehouse only to be silenced when Cyran's aides usher their guests to the center of the warehouse, where the source of the arcane phenomenon is visible - a large elaborate magic transportation circle.
Instantly everyone is transported outside the warehouse and outside Kerse entirely. The drab warehouse walls are now formed from shimmering gold and the previously dingy windows now peer down into a planar metropolis below. Servants and humanoid-shaped constructs begin to offer a sampling of small foods and drinks from across the multiverse.
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Ramenhotep is not knowledgeable enough on legal matters to offer anything substantive on the contract, so he instead sticks to the plan and goes off to find Temel.
"My boy Temel!" Ramenhotep says, shuffling up to the Kalistocrat. "You seem to have an interest in bidding and you know that the Society would be pleased if you were to gain control of a district. But have I ever told you the Society's history in this country? It might give you some perspective. Many a merchant has come out ahead because they allied themselves with us and if you are willing to put a few more coins into the auction, you might find yourself leaping ahead. Let me tell you the story of one such merchant...."
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Felicitas takes one of the contracts and checks it. But unfortunately the planes presence is quite some discomfort to her personality.
She will approach Irith and try to convince her to also add the working end to her portfolio. "Your work in the past have shown that you are much more than a shrewd business woman. You are the force behind Alabastrine, you are the one who made her to the beauty it is now! As I have said before your greatest power lies in the combination of wharf and working´s end. Booth together are much more than the summ of it´s parts. You will have the monopoly on all trade and commerce. I can´t even start to imagine the rewards you might earn. I know you might think it will be a strain on your coffers, but you have to invest gold to make platinium! And you know how to make it. I know it! And you know it! And in know time you have the most prosperous parts of the prosperous city lead to a glorious golden, lacrative future. For you and your house!"
It takes her several minutes but Felicitas eventually learns a few of Irith's trade interests. It seems the responsibilities of Lord-Councilor haven't kept her from pursuing profit.
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"There are many ressources that offer an advantage for future business. Apart from a clever brain and the skill to understand when opportunity is knocking on your door, it is having the best contacts. The exchange has his eyes and ears everywhere and we manage to widen our net everywhere. The greater our net, the better our contact the greater our success. You have proven in the past that you have many many skills and a huge business acumen. We would be honored to have you join our netwerk! For profit and safer trade"
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Kel continues to talk to Cyran, congratulating him not only a surprising and fascinating gathering, but on a challenging conundrum to figure out as well. "The chance to examine and analyze a contract was very original, Cyran, thank you for the unique challenge. I do wish you the very best in your bidding and encourage you to continue to dedicate your resources to control of the PRophet's Burg, for surely you will make the most fitting manager of said district."
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Ottilia tries to play the game proposed by Cyran even if the law abbiding environnement seems to affect her thinking.
With a bit of luck she manages to find some flaws on the airtight contract Cyran gives her and eloquantly explain them to their host.
Then at her comrades request she moves to talk to Irith about Working End.
My Lady. I see order everywhere but beauty doesn't come necesseraly from it. It remind me of your excellent work in Alabastrine. Not as pure as law but as beautiful.
Later I have suggested you to bide on Working End. I think it still the best way to continue your good work in Alabastine.
Temel seems quite distracted by the exotic scenery but Ramenhotep's argument/storytelling proves compelling enough to get his attention.
"I can't say I've heard that one but I appreciate it. You've given me more to think about."
***
Irith and Felicitas spend several minutes finalizing the terms of a trade alliance - all thoughts of the coming auction temporarily forgotten.
The bard departs just as Ottalia arrives. The normally silent lord-councilor becomes quite chatty as she's inspired by the priestess's prodding. "Yes, the people of Working End will remember what I have done for Alabastrine. I can't let them slip away from me..."
***
The skeletal Vayde all but ignores Bulgo's spoken musings.
***
Kel's appreciation for the planar surroundings don't go unnoticed by the elven mage. "I'm glad we're in agreement", he says smugly. "It's rare a place on the Material gathers my attention like Prophet's Burg does."
"I believe I stand to make the most by controlling the Courts", Temel admits.