Myrosype is unmoved by Toral's comment about desperation, and merely looks amused, as if facing a ranting child.
"Business is business, dwarf, requiring compromises or taking opportunities at times. Someone answering to the capitalistic trade prince would be well aware of this. After all, he fills his pockets through endeavors you risk your lives -and die- for, all safe from his soft sofa. The decemvirate and your faction leaders are far from stainless."
"If you are not interested, my aide will return you to the event, perhaps another would take a lucrative deal when it is presented."
She looks at the others, to see if anyone takes her up on the business deal, while the aide slightly bows and awaits at the side of the door for those not interested.
|
Theophilus looks wistfully at Myrosype but slowly shakes his head, reluctantly deciding not to turn on his allies. "Today's not the day for our partnership. We'll have to find another project."
As soon as he's out the door, Theophilus beelines over to Irith and spills just about everything Myrosype had to say. "So you see, now's the time to strike; cement your legacy and begin a new era with plenty of black in your ledger."
Myrosype stays composed the entire time, even as the agents' words could potentially anger other people.
"Hmm. Well then, enjoy the event.", and she picks the goblet of wine and takes another sip.
The aide gestures with an arm.
"If you'd follow me please."
(Cue the group spreading out)
Ne pas du tout. ^^
Well, since there is no further information, I'll take a shot at reinforcing Irith in case I get a better result than Theo. Not attempting to aid, but a seperate check - then higher would apply?
Sheperd's small discussion with Irith seems to turn out more superficial than fruitful, but after the effort the team put in it, Sheperd's hopeful.
Meanwhile Molos was near Temel Passad, who was overhearing a hushed but heated argument between two other guests. As one of them tries to bulk up in the discussion, Molos sees Temel twitch in discomfort.
Maybe he gets scared easily?, is your impression.
Toral's boastful compliments seem of some effect on Cyran, as his neutral expression hints more towards thoughtful than not interested.
"Hmmmm. We'll see."
Irith is very much surprised at the revelation Theo brings her,
and her face reveals a hint of disgust.
"She did? That will not do. I will not let it fall in her hands. Thank you for bringing this to my attention."
The event lasts for a few hours after your brief conversations. Hopefully, you have achieved what you had set out to do.
Eventually, the auctioneer takes the stand, and is handed a ledger by the dwarf clerk.
*sounds of gavel*
"Ladies and gentlemen, may i have your attention please. The final results of the biddings for Alabasrine's districts, are hereby announced."
"The urban district known as the Courts of Abstinence, goes to Lady Myrosype."
"The Luminous Wharf, goes to lady Irith Nomazamo."
There is some surprised glancing from other attendees.
"The central district of Prophet's Burg, to lady Irith Nomazamo."
"The Scriptorium, goes to patriarch Vayde Patronax."
Who, to the keen observer, seems quite content with acquiring the district.
"And finally, the warehouse district known as The Working End, Lady Myrosype.
Ladies and gentlemen, on behalf of Druma, we would like to thank the investors for keeping this magnificent city alive. The official deeds will be ready for you to collect at the auctioneer's office in a few hours."
Much to her dismay, though she shows it not, and your own satisfaction at this outcome, lady Myrosype does not hold sway over the majority of Alabastrine, even competing with lady Irith Nomazamo on the amount of districts held.
As the event closes, Temel Passad approaches.
"Well well. I admit, this outcome was not one i was expecting.
Myrosype's taken an earlier leave even. But we should leave as well, it is getting dark."
Under a starlit sky, you are taken back to Passad's estate, where soft beds await you. Delayed, perhaps, if you wanted to indulge still in a drink and an evening snack of a kind.
=======================================
For a few days, until the next boat arrives to pick you up, Passad provides you with lodgings, and you eventually make your way back to the office of venture captain Brackett, who sits accompanied by the trade prince.
VC Brackett: "Good day, agents. I have received positive news of your endeavors. Myrosype did not get a majority of districts under her control, Myrosype will have to dedicate considerable time and effort to the intricacies of politics within Alabastrine."
The trade prince nods,
"Indeed. Congratulations are in order, for protecting the city’s port. You see, the Luminous Wharf promises to be a, if not -the most- profitable district in the years ahead as trade with Isger continues to grow."
He looks at Toral and Theo, and motions the two to follow him away from others' ears.
"Tell me, agents. Have you made successful attempts to persuade a bidder to become a trade partner?"
|
|
“Venture captain, it was a pleasure to be able to assist and I have to admit that our enemy was very intriguing and even tried to seduce us to go against the society and cooperate with the snakes! But we were all in the same boat!“
He looks at the group.
“Of course it was almost impossible to capture all district! I hope that is understandable for you!“
“We truly apologize but it was almost impossible to invest any time into the priorities of the exchange faction when so much was at stake regarding the auction itself! I hope you understand that we had to make a trade off here as we feared that we would fail at our mission!“ Toral says apologetically.
The society has been contacted by Lady Morilla, one of the faction heads of the society.
She calls upon you to travel to Brevoy, in search of a historical artifact.
At the audiance hall of Silverhall.....
A fire burns merrily in the large hearth of the audience chamber, casting warm light over the long wooden table and high-backed
chairs.
A pair of guards opens the engraved wooden doors, and a regal woman enters, her hair tied into a tight bun. The guards stay by her side as she scans the room and then takes a seat at the head of the table.
"You must be Lady Morilla’s Pathfinders. I am Dame Sarrona Lebeda, and I am well aware of your desire for the Horn of Aroden. I am sympathetic to the cause of the crusade, and am curious to learn whether the Horn’s magic can be returned; however, the horn has already been pledged to King Noleski Surtova as a fitting part of the dowry for my daughter’s hand in marriage, and such promises cannot be overturned lightly."
"Nonetheless, I am willing to find a replacement gift in exchange
for one kindness on your part: bring my son back home. As of late, my son Lander has been neglecting his duties in favor of playing the part of an adventurer.
His swordplay admittedly shows promise, but wielding a weapon is only one facet of being a proper lord. Worse, the style and legacy that he has become obsessed with is that of Baron Aldori, which many houses perceive as a sign that we are not as committed to a unified Brevoy as we may appear."
"The truancy of a second child may not seem much of a threat, but with his older sister spending her days in the capitol negotiating the web of Surtova politics, the increase of bandit activity and wolf attacks in our lands, and Lander neglecting his responsibilities within our holdings, I am concerned that he is as much a liability to our family as an asset.
You are adventurous types yourselves, and understand the hazards and difficulties of the lifestyle. Perhaps you could find Lander and convince him that the way of the sword is not the life he romantically envisions?"
|
Suussmaar is a muscled and agile man with red hair and bushy eyebrows.
”I see that you are a well informed woman Lady Lebeda! I see your face ... full of wonders promising more for your daughter ... and you! My name is Suussmaar.“
He has a greatsword on his back, a net at his side and a longbow in his hand.
He wears a mithral chainshirt that looks like it has been recently oiled.
Resting on top of his chest is an amulet showing the holy symbol of Grandmother Spider which looks like a Four-pointed hollow webbed diamond.
”I already want to kiss King Noleski Surtova a$$ but that might not help, right?“ he asks with a chuckle.
”Okay, if we have to find Lander then I’m definitely going to congratulate him for neglecting his duties as we need to bring a new kind of nobility into the ruling class ... like Baron Aldori!“ he says with a bow which shows what he thinks of her kind.
”But jokes aside. We’re committed to bringing your son back. You can then talk to him and hopefully he’ll stay here and play whatever game you want him to play. Okay?“ he says and bows.
He turns to his Pathfinder companions.
"I am glad to walk the road to the bag of holding with you. This I have heard, and heard once more, and so I think it true." he says in a crackling voice.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
In response to Suussmaar's flirting(?), Dame Sarrona Lebeda makes a short *ahem*.
"I do not, good sir. To each their own opinion, but let us be realistic. A country is only as strong as its people get it to be, and a country devided is a weakened country, open to more banditry and unwanted elements unknown."
"If i am to play fair with the Surtovas, to provide a stable future for my children and future generations, so be it."
Lander is the younger of Dame Sarrona’s two children. He is good looking, and has caught the eyes of several noble scions in Silverhall.
Lander has always been fascinated by stories of bravery and derring-do. When he was a child, he spent hours questioning soldiers, guards, and mercenaries about their campaigns and fights against monsters. His
collection of Brevic military histories is second to none in Silverhall.
Lander was seen recently slaughtering dire rats and other urban vermin with a finely made sword—hardly proper behavior for a young lord!
"My daughter is my first born, and a young lady i am quite proud of.
She has been raised in the finer skills of noble class, such as diplomacy, arts, and she has taken up an interest in the violin."
"Lander, he is a good young man at heart, but stubborn.
My son is a proud and headstrong individual. Each time one of the household retrieves him, he becomes increasingly resistant to persuasion. I am hoping that he might be more willing to listen to
capable strangers."
"The best place to start, well, Lander has taken to associating with a blacksmith named Marek Bogdan.
Marek is a retired soldier and a practitioner of the Aldori style, and Lander says he’s a fine instructor, but my son spends too many hours at the Three Tongs smithy practicing his swordplay when he should be overseeing our cottars and building alliances. He was headed to the Three Tongs when last I saw him, two days ago."
|
Dame Lebeda, it would be an honor to bring you back your son, if only to free your soul from sorrow, and maybe, hopefully, bring a warm motherly smile on your lips. Politics, diplomacy and powerplays can weight on your mind, but a son well being is an even greater torment to your noble heart. My name is Lukaas, Lukaas Penn. At your service, as if there were any doubt.
Lukaas bows with grace
We will see that blacksmith first, and get every tidbit of information we can, and we will gently remind your son of his more honorable duties, to take example on his sister. Sisters can be of a great influence on a young man, may I say, and as a dabbler in the arts myself, I would enjoy to hear your daughter playing violin, if you don't consider this confession too bold.
There is a tinge of deep sadness when Lukaas speaks of the brother and sister bond.
Be sure I will do my best to reunite you with your son, that I will go in this mission with all my heart.
Lukaas gives another bow
Lukaas is scoring points with his etiquette, as Dame Lebeda shows a faint smile at his enthusiasm.
"Thank you young man. Good luck."
A manservant lets you out, and gives you directions to where you may find the blacksmith.
=================================
Marek Bogdan owns the Three Tongs smithy and is a skilled artisan who specializes in making weapons.
Marek trained to become an Aldori swordlord for several years before moving south to Silverhall.
Marek’s maker’s mark is the sign of an eagle clutching a pair of
tongs. He has little respect for authority, particularly inherited authority.
Marek’s departure from the Aldori Academy was not voluntary—he
was discharged following allegations of sedition, and took up smithing out of necessity. When he drinks, he often mutters obscenities about Issia and a unified Brevoy.
=================================
Eventually, you find the smithy, where the sound of hammering and the heavy inhale of the bellows welcome you.
Racks of weapons and metalwork line the walls of the Three Tongs smithy, and the forge is visible through a wide door.
A pair of crossed Aldori dueling swords hangs on the wall opposite the front door. The antlers of several deer and elk decorate the walls. A staircase wraps around the eastern wall, leading upstairs.
As he turns to cool metal in water, he notices you enter. A bald man of middle age, with a dark beard, he rubs his hands on his apron, before coming over to the front.
"Good day, honored guests. How may i help you today?"
|
|
"Wow, people are really strange here! Whatever, I didn't want to talk to any of these posh or anti-posh locals anyway!" Suussmaar says slightly agitated and offended.
* * *
When the group arrives at the smith and hears the bald man speak he is eager to jump in.
"Hello, we were sent by the Dame. Where's her boy Lander? We have to speak to him." he says with slight disinterest.
|
|
It seems Lukaas gets all the necessary information about Bogdan, and more than a few women's adresses, just in case he needs more private informations, later…
He shares with the team everything about the blacksmith, but being a gentleman, keep the ladies adresses for himself
When they find the blacksmith, he listens to Sussmaar, looking at the blacksmith craftmanship.
I've heard of your talents, Master Bogdan, but your work is truly a marvel to behold. We are indeed looking for the son of Dame Lebeda, Lander. His concerned mother, while fully knowledgeable of his skills as a swordman, would like to see him back to safety, near her. I wouldn't be surprised if Lander has come to you, both for your own skills at the forge and with a blade in your hand. Have you seen him recently?
Bogdan's mood turns more neutral briefly, before back to a refreshed look.
"Ah, the young lad. Come on, follow me to upstairs, and we can talk."
He leads you up a stairs in the back, which ends up in a cramped and sootsmudged but comfortable room, with a number of sturdy wooden chairs set out around a small table and a quilt-covered bed built into a corner.
"If anyone has a dry throat, i can offer you a mug of mare's milk or liquor."
Have you seen him recently?
"I last saw Lander two days ago. He was headed out of town on the southwestern road. Over the past month or so, he’s been trying to put
his training to good use—slaying monstrous vermin in the outskirts of town, that sort of thing. With the recent attacks by bandits, Lander was convinced that he could stop them himself and live up to Baron Aldori’s legacy."|
|
I can't refuse such a generous offer. Liquor for me, please. I suppose bandits aren't your usual customers, they would probably rob you before buying for you, but has Lander asked you specifics things you might have heard about the bandits before planning his attack, if any planning was involved? Do you know if he went southwest by foot or horse?