Round 1! (Theme ♬)
The Bold May Act!
_________________
__ Naughleck Lyre
__ Zokon (total defense? defensive fighting?)
__ Serena Delay
__ Balzeros Delay
__ Durgan Total defense
__ Fergus ("casting" though you can change if you like)
__ Alia
__ Illthir
__ Erevenywg
__ Ilvah
"Play, yes for I am at a place I should be able to call home and thus not expecting an assault. No they will not always be on hand, but that is not today."
"O-ho! And Zokon lands a blow! For if there were assassins in Stoneclimb, you would have failed indeed Master Lyre! Surely he was correct in assuming he would be safe here of all places?"
"I mean - he *is* getting 'play' assassinated right now!" Illthir points out and takes a step back to make sure Ilvah wouldn't get spooked/run away/real assassinated. Also because she figured trying to hammer Zokon's teacher wouldn't actually help anything.
Balzeros tries to size up the man. Is he for real? Zokon's teacher? But that swing seemed pretty serious to me...
________
"Enough!" Serena bares her blade and uses it to push Lyre's blade aside. "If you are a friend, sheathe your weapon and let us talk. If not, then prepare to defend yourself, for this man will come to no harm while I yet stand."
While Alia seems frozen with indecision for a moment, when she finally resolved to step in, Serena had already done so. As the two blades touch, she turns her head to look at the other guards, and how they react. Escalation would serve no one...instead, she moved next to Zokon as well, using her bare hands to try and keep people apart: "If you wish to test each others mettle, by all means, do that. But at a later time. We travelled far, are weary - and hoped for some hospitality and to inform the Lord of events in his realm. Instead we are greeted with Bare Steel. While it is true that Assassins may strike any time, it is also true that none of us would stand by and watch as one of our own is attacked. If you wish to spar with one of us, that can certainly be arranged. But not like this. Give us some time to rest, share a drink with us, then do a proper match if you wish to see what he learned. I would appreciate a chance to be schooled by you, as well - Zokon spoke highly of you. But it is not right or proper to do that at the gates, when we first meet."
Zokon just stands there a little dumbfounded humbled and glad at the ladies excellent efforts.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Durgan makes some popcorn.
Fergus leans in and whispers to Durgan. so, who would your money be on in a duel?
"Melee? Lyre. Give Zokon 30 paces and he can do it, I think."
Balzeros tries to size up the man. Is he for real? Zokon's teacher? But that swing seemed pretty serious to me...
"Enough!" Serena bares her blade and uses it to push Lyre's blade aside. "If you are a friend, sheathe your weapon and let us talk. If not, then prepare to defend yourself, for this man will come to no harm while I yet stand."
Before Alia can get too far in, Naughleck neatly trips the paladin, and points his blade at her neck.
"And how long will that be, Sarenite?"
Naughleck sheaths his sword, and turns to walk away. "The fight is over. I have my answer."
As the fighter leaves he says "As you were." to the men at that gate, Zokon, the party, or all of the above it is hard to tell.
Durgan moves to help Serena up.
"He's skilled."
"Hmm.. he's hmmmm, I think his heart was in the right place. At least there's one we can count on." Zokon also helps Serena up
"Let's keep going."
Serena, slightly reddened in the face, accepts the help getting to her feet. "I could have taken him if he hadn't cheated and instead fought like a man of honor." It is clear that more than the paladin's backside has been hurt.
"Can count on? We might have when we walked in here, but, frankly... I don't think so anymore..." Balzeros shares. He looks at Serena with pity. If you can only win an honorable fight, I fear you've only made it this far on luck... I must remember to stand closer to Durgan instead.
"Shall we continue? I don't wish to be callous, but it might be for the best."
"Mmm." Illthir winks and waves goodbye to the guards. Could pretend to be a good sport at least!
Once they're out of earshot she speaks her mind, though it isn't made up yet. "You've got odd friends Zokon. Do you think there will be more 'tests'?"
"And I agree; there's quite a few steps between 'but them on their back' and 'defeat them'. I'll admit it's a good start though ..."
"I think he's shrewd. He was sizing us up. Zokon was who he used for that...he wanted to see if we're likely to start trouble, and if he needed to keep his eyes on one of us. It was smart thinking of you to let him win, Serena. Otherwise we would likely have had each of our steps traced by some agents watching us.", Alia watches as Naughleck leaves. "It may have hurt our pride ever so slightly, but I think we're better off for it while we remain here."
"Balzeros, count on that we know his mind, he's straight up and in your face with his opinions, but I hadn't thought of that angle Alia, excellent thoughts my lady. Keep on our toes all, i'll need each of your insights." he says as discreetly as possible
He leads the way onwards
"Good point, Alia. I think restraint was a wise choice.
Zokon, one more insight... make sure they know that you are willing to walk away. We've spent a lot of time on this, and I hope it works out, but they have to know that you don't need this.
You could just roam the Stolen Lands solving problems. I would join you in that case.
And even if you wish to govern, you don't even need their assent, since you could in theory swear fealty to a rival Brevoy lord.
If they push too far, demand too much, or insult you too much, then they get nothing. That point is ultimately your call.
At the same time, recognize that they don't need you either. Neither side can dictate terms. Let's hope that reason prevails.
If things get acrimonious, I could speak up with a suggestion, to try to mediate, or I could stay out of it. Again, your call."
It is not long before word that House Santyev's wayward son has come once more to Stoneclimb. The Lord of House Medvyed, Lord Gurev Medyed, sends a page to greet them. The young page lad says he is to escort them all to the Mountain Lord's Hall in the Central Keep for supper (a couple of hours off) and informs them that they are invited to stay in comfort at an inn called the Arms Man.
Fergus tuts mildly as the man leaves.
Mayhaps I should have made his weapon to slippery to hold. Though, normally if one claimed they were an assassin, the assassinees would not live to tell it back home. Or, well, so they say.
After the invitation.
hmm. If you take their offer of room and board, they will surely try to hold it over you later. If I have learned anything, nothing in life is free. Usually. That said, a hot springs does sound quite refreshing.
"This is his gift to us and an opportunity for us to make ourselves presentable. Refusing hospitality is fraught with potential offense, thus it should always be accepted, but not without caution."
"We should potentially think about clothing, I would suggest good quality but not ostentatious, i'll want to go find some clothes that say i've made an effort but i'm a working type man... yes?" he says inviting comment
Zokon will set himself up in the room and then go have a bath.
The poster proclaims:
The SMASH HIT of the SAVAGE STOLEN LAND!!
A tale of the complicated life of a handsome apprentice temple oracle blessed with charisma, but also cursed with an overwhelming sense of duty. By turns he accepts an arrogant Elven noblewoman, her kid sister, a notorious Shackles harridan, her strange ship's pet, and an ageless, crazy, ex-Technic League gizmolotrix into his family home. When all the women fall in love with their host hilarity ensues. There's fights with demons, and cultural misunderstanding, and conflict between the women and lot's more. Come for a laugh, stay for the steamy hot springs spa scene. ;)
~A Highspire Production
Durgan sees the poster but pays it little mind.
He thanks the page for the message and tips the lad a silver. At the inn, he makes himself comfortable, cleans up, and discusses the goings-on of Stoneclimb with the staff and the other patrons. He is most interested in rumors, recent events, business, and so on. He'll buy a round of drinks at the tavern.
"Uhum. Hmm." Illthir quickly glances around to make sure none was watching too closely then deftly stole one of them. Once they're somewhat privately lodged in the inn she'll slam it on the closes table she can find and excitedly show the rest of the party. "Look! I think you might be famous now Alia!"
"... Do you think the lord has seen it?"
With talk of fine clothing, Balzeros waits to find a moment of relative privacy with Zokon. "I'm not the best with this sort of thing, nice clothes, that is," he begins, gesturing to his well-worn, mediocrely maintained garments. "Do you have any suggestions for me? I don't want to look a fool..."
Once clothing is squared away, he spends plenty of time soaking in a tub and scrubbing himself down. In fact, it takes a whole new tub of water to get him as clean as he thinks he should be for the occasion!
Serena will partake of dinner and will certainly enjoy the hot spring, and doesn't mind if anyone wants to accompany her.
To Balzeros he says "Same for me, I'll go with you and we can find a shop that will help us out."
To Illthir "Isn't that story a little scandalous? Are you ok with being recognised in something like this? Could it make us look bad as a group or could it help?" he says with curiousity
To Illthir "Isn't that story a little scandalous? Are you ok with being recognised in something like this? Could it make us look bad as a group or could it help?" he says with curiousity
"Aha yes. Being recognized might be awkward. But Scarlet isn't here and neither is hmm ... Can't remember her name right now. But Alia is ..."
Durgan has more coin than he did at his last formal function, so he will look for a clothier in Stoneclimb who can sell him an outfit befitting his status. Good quality but not ostentatious - "successful merchant" being a good tier of society to aim for.
Serena parts with a little coin to get a courtier's outfit. Her dress is dark green and over this, she wears a white tabard with the symbol of Sarenrae emblazoned upon it. She wears white silken slippers and her hair is brushed, washed, and braided.
Balzeros wears plain brown robes with golden thread holding it all together. Unlike typical robes, these have been hemmed in such a way as to allow plenty of freedom in his movements. To add to his ensemble, he has a dark green shawl resting on his shoulders. I feel like such a fool in this, but at least it is in the colors I like...
Ilvah looks at party's clothes in confusion.
Erevenywg grabs a book off a shelf and balances it on her head.
"There."
Zokon parts with some coin as well tog et an outfit based on nobility, but not ostentatious nobility.
Illthir will carefully unpack her courtier's outfit - a light blue dress of Restov style. True, it wasn't *quite* the latest fashion, but hopefully people up here wouldn't know! Where one would hang their sword, if one had the right, she accessorized with her pan flute and a short fancy baton/twirling stick completed the facade.
Then she tried to help her companions. Erevenywg seemed to have the right idea - but not quite. "Mm. Ilvah and Erevenywg - wanna go shop? We will have to wear something fancy, noble posture isn't all, but not too fancy so we outshine Alia." Plus she could use some new jewelry ...
Fergus wears silken robes of velvet red with gold and silver embroidery. He keeps his spellbook on him at all times, as usual. his beard is still braided with gemstone bands. He also sports a dwarven waraxe, though it appears more suited for ceremonial endeavors than practical ones.
The page returns with a small honor guard and leads the party to a group of small one-horse carriages designed meant to navigate the narrow streets.
After a bumpy ride up cobble streets the party is obliged to dismount and climb a switchback stair up to a sturdy door set within a barbican.
They are greeted at the door by a narrow-faced steward who Zokon remembers vaguely from a previous visit years before the man looks the same aside from his hair which is white now. He lead the party and an entourage of servants through and into a broad cathedral-sized hall with warm, mottle- beige stone walls broken by side halls and large fireplaces. Long benches fill the far end of the hall which rises like an altar dais to the head table where Lord Medvyed's grand chair sits at the middle.
A number of noblemen and their ladies dot the hall with more arriving. A group of them approach the party.
"Zokon." says a distinguished middle-aged nobleman at head. He comes forward and embraces Zokon and manly hug.
Oh no. They're a hugging people. Balzeros squirms a little as the man embraces Zokon. He looks to Zokon for guidance, not wanting to be the country bumpkin that spoils the city-dweller's fancy outing.
Alia, who took a room in the Inn with Ilvah, and enjoyed the bath when possible, is a bit surprised at the sudden need for new outfits.
But then, she had absolutely no experience with Brevoyan courts. If such was the custom...she will follow Zokons lead on what would seem proper for her to wear, assuming that he had the best grasp on the formal attire expected here.
When confronted with the Poster, she pales and swallows before answering Illthir:"Yes...it would seem I might be. I will have to talk with Esme when we are back in Avalon...urgently."
As they are lead into the grand hall, Alia stays near Zokon, also making sure that Durgan is near her and Ilvah. Zokon would need to be on guard, and was probably expected to have conversations with a great many people - it was unlikely he could coach or brief Alia while so focused on other matters.
Durgan seemed to be comfortable in the setting, and while he would no doubt attempt to extend his network as well, she hoped that he could help her avoid any social faux-pas that could cause issues for Zokon, later.
"Good to see you father." Zokon returns the embrace, glad to have this moment with his father.
He seems to release his guard almost completely, but he still seems to be observing and thinking.
Durgan seemed to be comfortable in the setting, and while he would no doubt attempt to extend his network as well, she hoped that he could help her avoid any social faux-pas that could cause issues for Zokon, later.
Durgan follows along with Alia, offering any minor insights he can. The elf's instincts seem quite good, and he has little to add.
Durgan stands back and observes the proper protocols (presumably bowing). "Lord Santyev."
"Well met! And now I believe some introductions are in order." says Lord Santyev. "I'm sure you remember your brother, my eldest son, Bythe...."
By his glower the tall Bythe seems to remember Zokon quite well and not in a good way. He snorts derisively in acknowledgement.