In the morning, Logan asked the others over breakfast, "How do we want to approach house Jhaltero? We don't have an appointment so getting in could be awkward."
"I don't know what the protocol is. Is there a head butler or house manager to make an appointment with? I'm unfamiliar with these types of things."
"Well I suppose we could just make things up? Tell them we are a merchant house with deals for them? why are we?"
She colored with a blush. She had indeed been daydreaming in this case night dreaming about Her Jack. She wondered what he would say if she suggested they share room space.. you know to uh.. conserve space within the hideout.
"Damn it.. im suppposed to be the genious now that Melli has disapeared on us.. I really hope she found that bard she was looking for." Think Canacha think..."
She pulled out her abbacus and started to math... She liked doing figures it helped keep her mind.. straight.
"Getting us in the door should be the least of our concerns. The nobles we've met with so far have all had a senior servant administering their appointments. We'll simply ask to speak to that person, and use a little persuasion, magically enhanced if needed, to get us in to see the head of the house."
"Once we're in, we should plead our case to the head of the house, making sure to present our case so that our goals appear to overlap with those of the house. Here, a little research has proven most beneficial. Now, what do we know about house Jarvis...I think I had some notes here in my journal."
After listening to everyone share what they know of House Jarvis and Baroness Belcara, Mirabella feels quite confident about their little adventure.
"All right, let's make haste. We want to get this out of the way swiftly, so we can get on with helping the poor aquatic elves free their home from the evil aboleth influence."
"Right be charming, and win a new friend. Let's request and audience."
Once there, "Good morning. Our apologies for coming unannounced, but we're were hoping to speak with the Baroness Belcara Jarvis. If she can spare some time today."
Logan smiled and replied at once, sketching out a bow "Of course! I am Logan Tannnesen and my fellow concerned citizens and I wish to discuss the future of our noble city with Her Grace."
Jack grimaces at the guard's words to Logan. He briefly considers flashing his family-crested sword but decides that is something for the Baroness's eyes only. He puts a hand briefly on Logan's shoulder in a gesture of solidarity.
Logan scowled at the back of the guardsman, as ever his family's reputation had preceded him. Still perhaps his estrangement with his family wasn't unknown, time would tell...
"We can work with ever a brief meeting we just need a few moments of face time."
"hey jack jack. i was thinking... maybe we can save some space and you can move your things to my room later..."
She added as she fidgeted. She was pretty good with people ...well once they gave her a chance. It was the first impression part she always messed up. She pulled out her abbacus and started to calculate how to make the Baroness like her. . .
Jack actually blushed at Canacha's words; then the corners of his mouth tugged into the beginnings of a smile.
"That would indeed be...efficient," the disguised nobleman commented, grinning as he watched the lovely lady fiddling with her abacus yet again.
Well, that makes it a lot tougher for me to concentrate on getting Baroness Jarvis to invest in our little rebellion!
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After about 10 minutes the guardsman comes back with a young female human, barely into adulthood after him. "Please if you would follow me, her lordship will meet you in the atelier around back." she says leading you to an annex.
Inside the annex are sculptures and drawings of buildingplans displayed around the room you are lead into. The baroness sides at the end of a long table and the servant gestures for you to take place. Once ypu are seated the baroness starts speaking. "You are indeed a brave young man coming here and asking for an audience with me despite the history among our families. I can however see you are acompanied by an different entourage than the useal devil worshippers. What is you reason for coming here? Your answer determines how long you get to stay here."
"Yes as you may have heard our noble friends has different views than those of his family. And as you have correctly assessed we are not naturally inclined toward dibolism. This is in fact one of the reasons we are here today..."
Bicks pauses to read the woman face and give the team a change to chime in.
= 24 total - to see if her dislike of the devil's is sincere.
to convince her we are in fact good and worth taking too.
Logan nodded to the Baroness's and hesitated while Bicks sounded her out, assuming all seemed well, Logan said "Thank you for seeing us Lady Jarvis. Truth be told there's no love lost between myself and the rest of my so called family. To be blunt our noble city flounders under the devil worshippers's jackbooted heels. I feel it's high time we collectively kicked out the Asmodean squatter and all of his cronies, and I know I'm far from alone with this sentiment. Many citizens share our patriotic sentiment for Kintargo."
"We're well aware of the dangers that such a change in governance would entail. Until it gains sufficient momentum, a rebellion is a fragile thing. In secret we are gathering our strength within and without Kintargo. Several noble houses are waiting for the right moment, and furthermore we are nurturing relations with the aquatic elves that live nearby. We ask nothing of you at this time, but we hope that when the time comes you'll be ready. We need to ensure that the future government of Kintargo is run with everyone's best interests at heart, and are curious if you have any thoughts on the matter."
Bicks nods, "Hmm. Well said." trying to support the brash but brave plan.
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Bicks are sure she is sincere about not liking devils.
The baroness looks at Bicks, over to Logan and studies him for a few moments judging his words and composure. "You speak loudly of things that should not be mentioned out loud in a public setting. Had I had any love for Thrune you would have been in irons for those words alone. I had heard rumors of an unrulily son in the Tanessen household, but not one brave enough to stand up to his own father." she pauses for a moment weighing her next words. ”But there are some truth to your words, yet I can hardly put any consideration into your statements without a show of your skills. Why should I put my reputation on the line to help upcoming rabble such as yourself?” the baroness asks cocking her head ever so slightly as if to listen for sounds.
Canacha took out her pistol and set it on the table in front of her.
"I made that... and am currently making another bigger one."
She paused to see if there was any recognition in the baronesses eyes.
"I have studdied a lot of engineered and have grand plans for the city... should we get rid of its more terrible influences. I have some understanding that your ladyship likes things involving engineering? We could talk shop some time and make grand plans if you would like."
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The baroness looks at the firearm Canacha produced and seems confused. "What is that, some kind of decorative miniature cannon from the navy ships? What would you use that for, is it a talkative piece or an icebreaker for having naval offices join a banquet?" she responds not knowing what to do think about it.
Realising they'd dug a hole, Logan's eyes flicked to Bicks and Miri hoping one of them could sweet talk their way out.
Jack had remained silent to let the more diplomatic folk in the party take the lead, but the Baroness's words, especially in regard to Logan, began to rub him the wrong way. Taking a step forward (but keeping the Baroness's bodyguards between him and her), Jack dropped to one knee and slowly drew Zahria, saying the sword's name and revealing his family's crest.
"Please, Baroness, do not be so swift in condemning my friend Logan for his family name nor in calling us 'rabble.' And to answer your question about putting your reputation on the line...well, right now your reputation and accumulated wealth are all you have left. The Court of Coin is in ruins, and the lord-mayor's proclamations do nothing to restore our fair city to its former greatness. If you choose to do nothing, it seems likely that you'll lose those things as well, eventually. For how could you fail to lose your family's good reputation if you fail to fall in line and do the bidding of House Thrune and the Asmodean they've instilled as ruler of our city? Those in positions of power who still love Kintargo must unite or risk losing all!"
In a much quieter voice, he adds, "Remember the fate that befell House Victocora!"
"I understand the odd situation we have put you in. Our motley crew may not seem like the face of a revolution, but let me offer you two thoughts. First, what good group of people working against evil does not contain at least some rabble. So in that respect we are a near perfect group. Second, you rightly identify that we need to be able to have these conversations with nobels to be effective. So far we have talked politics and art with other nobels.
I myself am a horticulturalist and landscape architect. Our situation reminds me of the Triumph districts of Egorian. As I am sure you know that district is designed around nationalism and patriotism. That region has one of the most architecturally interesting gardens in the world. The key feature is the stark black roses. When Aroden walked through the settlement in centuries past, every red rose he passed turned white. The day Aroden died, every white rose in the city turned jet black. Those still faithful to Aroden claim that when Aroden returns, the roses will be white once more. The incorporation of natural aspects in architecture through landscape architecture can drive the key messages of the art. In this example the message that the hope that freedom blooms everlasting even when hidden by darkness mirrors our endeavor well."
+19 (diplomacy) or +20 (horticultural) 43 or 44
Logan spoke up next, "Truth be told Lady Jarvis, father never bothered to hire tutors for the arts he had no use for such things. I'm hopelessly out of my depth when it comes to the arts, but I've always liked certain paintings or buildings even if I can't put it in words why - how do you explain a feeling? As it happens the majority of the buildings I like best are in Jarvis End, the work of your family. This is part of why we approached you, your house represents the heart and soul of Kintargo."
"My friends are now my family and we all have various talents. Bicks is a healer and an impassioned speaker, likewise Miri has a way with words. Jack is a son Kintargo can be proud of..." His voice trailed off, Jack's secrets were not his to reveal.
"As for myself, I am what father made of me, a sword and an arcanist. Albeit one sworn to The Song of The Spheres not some beguiling devil much to his disgust. Every revolution needs it's teeth and that's my contribution. Words are easy, if you have doubts in what I claim I'm sure a demonstration could be arranged."
There was no showmanship or hubris in his delivery, just a quiet conference in his abilities.
"As you can see we are an eclectic group but we are not without capability. We each have a role to play in making the city what it is destined to be."
Mirabella added her voice in support of the others [ooc]+4 aid another to Diplomacy (should be auto-success)[ooc]
"And we cannot aid the city alone, which is why we have come to seek your support. Your are correct that we are bold in presenting ouc case so openly, but we do so to in demonstration of the trust that allies in such a cause need to place in each other. And we believe that an alliance would also be to your benefit. If we are to win a brighter future for Kintargo, the noble houses on our side would be invaluable in shaping that future. There is much risk, but we already have formidable allies and significant support. And with House Jarvis, our odds of success would be even better."
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Upon seeing you all scramble to try and save Canacha from her little mistake makes the baroness smile and clap her hands together. ”I see you respond well to my taunts and are not afraid to speak your mind, even if it could risk you a one way trip to the Kintargo Keep and most likely end up in a coffin if you are lucky. I see most of you have a bright head on your shoulders which is good for leading the city after it’s liberation. Your female friend might need someone to help her focus, I’m sure she is a clever soul but seems to haven’t really focused on getting to know the interests for this house.” She says pointing to Canacha and her strange device.
She nods to Jack with the show of his family crest. ”I see I have not only the unrulily son of the Tanessen household but also one of the Jhalteros. You must be a decent way up the hierarchy in your family, possible one setup to take over the household in the future? No need to deny it, we have had a few shared agents in the past, and I know either of them would give their priced swords to anyone but an heir. Especially since my niece and her soon to have been fiancé was found murdered some weeks ago in the old casino. It took awfully hard on my dear sister to loose her eldest in such a cruel way.” she says with a sorrowful look. ”You will have our house’s help come the right time, until we are sure it’s the point of no return for the city. I hope you can live with that.” she adds.
"Thank you! Your grace and diplomacy is this matter are greatly appreciated. Should you ever find need for assistance or in possession of information that can surreptitiously find its way to us we would not object, nor would we insist before you are ready."
Logan bowed his thanks at exactly the correct angle for a lady of her station and said, "Thank you, Lady Jarvis, we could ask for nothing more. When the day comes we will look forward to welcoming you and yours as brothers and sisters in arms!"
The dhampir sat there looking absolutely saddened that the baroness didnt see the fine craftmenship and exquistate details and knowledge needed to produce such a fine weapon. The amount of engineering in her pistol made the process of buidling the stupid walls and ceilings of this place seem simple. How could she not see how the designer of something so brilliant as this pistol could easily use the math involved to make a bridge or a road. Her shoulders slumped and she quietly pulled the pistol off the table and put it away. She kept meek as the others basically hopped in to save the day. Was this the best she could do for the group? Maybe she should just go back to her uncles smithy. At least she was useful there.
As they finsihed up their conversations she bid the baroness adieu following the others example and just quietly followed along.
Leaving the Jarvis estate, Mirabella suggested that the group make their way back to the Lucky Bones as swiftly as possible to discuss their next move.
Once there, she supports the notion of aiding the aquatic elves.
"I agree that we must help the aquatic elves free their home from the influence of the aboleth. Not only because it may win us valuable allies, but also because it is the right thing to do. However, we must prepare carefully. First and foremost, we must learn what we can from the elves we freed from captivity and also research on the strength and weaknesses of aboleth and their minions. From what I know, they are formidable foes."
Mirabella summons the elves, so they can take part in the discussion.
"Please tell us as much as you can about your home and the enemy that plagues it. How do we get there, what is the strength of the enemy, any special abilities and are there any allies who might aid us? Should we expect to fight underwater or can we lure the aboleth to a place more to our advantage?"
Logan considered what he knew of Aboleths...
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"We told you as much as we can about our village but the creature itself I think our elders can tell you more. Our village is however split in two a part underwater where our full blooded elves lives, which is also where are people are disapearing from. On the surface we have a village for our half-elven brethen lives, useally the parents of a half-elf go to live on the sueface untill a child comes of age since they don't inheiret our abilty to breath under water naturally." the elves tell you.
"What is the safest way to get to them? Is there anything we should know to make a successful introduction?"
"Sounds like more swimming or walking along the bottom," Jack notes aloud. "Maybe we ought to look into a magical solution to my underwater problem...," he whispers the last bit into Canacha's ear, "...my marvelous manta minx!"
"I can cast extended water breathing once a day. That is 28 hours split between us."
Logan nodded, "Yeah I think we'll need to take advantage of that Bicks. I can turn myself into another form, but only for a few minutes at a time."
"Sounds like more swimming or walking along the bottom," Jack notes aloud. "Maybe we ought to look into a magical solution to my underwater problem...," he whispers the last bit into Canacha's ear, "...my marvelous manta minx!"
Mirabella looks at Jack and Canacha and considers what Jack said about his lack of underwater mobility.
"Perhaps if we could find a way for Canacha to fire her gun underwater, she could let Jack use the cloak instead. Of the five of us, only Jack and Logan need to be in close combat, so you have the greatest need for mobility. Logan can transform into an underwater creature, so he should be good.
I know there is a spell that can cover a weapon in a bubble of air for a short time, allowing it to be fired underwater. You still need to be close to your target, as the accuracy is decreased by the water, but it should be more effective than just your tail sting."