With much fanfare and adulation, Michellia Blakros proceeds down the aisle, followed by an entourage of doting attendants who maintain
her elaborate dress and 6-foot train.
The bride takes Kastner’s hands as the Abadaran high priest again takes
the pulpit, now espousing the importance of adhering to the contract of marriage and the significance that such a long-lasting agreement holds.
As the sermon draws to an end, Vroclaw of Brevoy looks over the assembled witnesses and asks,
"Do any here object to this union, sanctifed by the great Judge of
the Gods, or know of any reason this contract cannot be entered into by either party?"
A hush overtakes the room, and for a brief moment it seems that everything is all right, until a voice breaks from the crowd. "I do!" The protester is Alexander Bedard.
"Be not fools, friends! This is not a marriage of love, and the sacred oath this pair will soon take is but a means to a political end. Michellia Blakros doesn’t loves this man, and what the groom feels for his bride seems immaterial to these proceedings.
The great nation of Andoran has shown in its short existence that every man or woman should be free, and this wedding spits in the face of that belief. This couple should not be bound to one another over a lie for mere political gain. I, Alexander Bedard of the Andoren People’s Council, protest!"
At this point, he sits down and the crowd starts to murmer.
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With a sigh as he uses his Touch of Glory, Harlis then stands upon his seat to reach a height that he can speak to the crowd. "Marriage can begin for reasons beyond love alone and then grow. There are other motives such as honor, duty, and leadership for two people to bind to each other. Marriage provides a stable base for two equals to build a start upon. The start is what we are here to witness today and wish it a positive growth."
Berdard's finding it hard to believe his ears, when Harlis speaks up.
Well enough, the situation has been defused for the general audience, but the man seems very upset that his objection falls onto deaf ears, the sole other speaker not backing him up.
He seems to frown upon Harlis' words.
The high priest coughs to draw the attention.
"If there are no further interruptions, we'll proceeed with joining these two in holy matrimony."
The two takes their vows, and shortly thereafter, are officially wed. Cheers and shouts of congratulations erupt from the crowd of guests, with the sole member not doing so being Alexander Berdard.
He takes his leave before anyone is even close to pulling him aside.
The guards escort the guests back to the reception pavillion.
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The investigator approaches a knot of Hellknights, "Many of you I have not met recently, but you am for knowing my speaking is strangely to your ears. It is because of all the languages I have learned to speak. In all of them, love has many different meaninglys. It can be romantic, it sometimes meanings physical. For some cultures it am duty to family. As to marraging? Many peoples having sameness of reasons; marriaging of heart, of passion, or to bring two families or evening nations together. These bonds should be allowed to growing and see who am brought together by them. Me am happiness to be here for this."
Enora is now walking around and tries to get some more information on Tancred to gain influence with him later!
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Garrapata bawls loudly during the wedding. Great gasps and sobs and sniffles from the big blue fellow. When the protester makes his pleas for romance, Garrapata cries louder, nodding vigorously.
At the after-party. Garrapata seeks out Nigel. He gives the man a huge hug, lifting him bodily off the floor. "Mawwige, should be for wuvv, not status! You poor, poor man."
Enora recalls secretly looking into a private report of a VC, now remembering what problms the chelish man had with the Aspis Consortium and the society.
His brother, Aglorn Desimire, was a member of the Aspis Consortium, and was killed by a team of Pathfinders on a demiplane.
He expressed no ill will towards the Society for this act, but was very upset that VC Dralneen's agents afterwards left behind a piece of the paracountess' ire, and he has voiced the society he is convinced the society planted a false letter on his brother's corpse, in attempt to put house Thrune in a difficult position.
---------------------------------
El Garrapata & Sele
The elf is not at all pleased with huggings, and is barely able to gauge El Garrapata in the eye to let him go.
(dusts himself off)
"Any sympathees can be expressed with words, big blue one, i am not one for hugs. That aside, your statement is not completely accurate. Some do for love, yes, but some do indeed marry for other benefits."
After more than one successful attempt at conversation, Nigel seems less uncomfortable with speaking to more than one, by the time Sele comes to join the talking.
"Wonderful....i'd call it adequate and formal. Much is, with the Blakros family."
Nigel seems to slightly scoff at 'politics'.
"Pah....it's not much to look at. The nobles want to stay friends to the Blakroses, it's what nobles do. The hellknights....i think it an unusual picking, frankly. I don't know what the Blakroses could have to gain that would be of major significance. Apart from that, well, you'd have to ask your leaders, if it comes to political agendas. I wouldn't put any money on them telling you anything beyond a shallow surface, though.", as he slightly shifts his look towards the faction heads present.
-------------------------------
Harlis:
The chelish man is calm.
"Indeed. Their influence is wide, so i'd not be surprised if this would lead to business opportunities or expeditions in the future."
It's just small talk on that topic afterwards, but Harlis left a good impression there.
--------------------------------
Kivuli:
The armor clad men stick together mostly still, with two talking to Damian Kastner instead.
The hellknight who seemed to have done an ID scan on Sele does so with you.
"Surprising, despite his appearance he gives off a law abiding aura."
Other hellknights don't seem to give much for the topic of love in other languages. "Happy for them, are you? Heh...oh i'll be sure to tell that one to Damian."
There's sudden laughter between them....
Enora shares everything on Tancred with the others and approaches Tancred.
"Hello dear Sir, I have seen you here in the audience and am well aware of your renown in the Pathfinder Society and in Cheliax. I want to express my condolences to you regarding your brother Aglorn. I have to admit that I was ashamed to hear rumors that the Society acted agains the law and that a Pathfinder team allegedly placed false evidence there. I am very honest: If I find out something like this really happened I would be very upset and hold the persons responsible for their actions." Enora says shaking her head.
"Attention everyone, would you all please be seated.", Matriarch Blakros speaks from the musicians' stage.
You are directed to a table along with lady Gloriana Morilla, Trade Prince Aaqir al’Hakam, and a group of their aides.
The Paracountess sits at a different table with a detachment of Chelish
dignitaries, including Tancred Desimire, who seems perturbed at having to share a table with her.
After everyone is seated, the head table arrives—a delegation of Blakros family members and important relatives.
The most important among them being matriarch Hamaria and the bride & groom, Michiella and Damian.
The matriarch stands up.
"It brings me joy to see my eldest daughter wed. A daughter so well learned and well traveled. Wed to a fine man of reputation, who has shown much respect to our family, Damian Kastner."
*crowd claps*
This is followed by several other family members, likewise praising the qualities of both. Eventually, word is from Michellia Blakros herself.
"I wish to thank you all for coming. While the Hellknights of the Order of the Scourge have lost a loyal and noble soldier, the Blakroses
have gained a new member of our esteemed clan—my husband, Damian Kastner.
As a symbol of this union, I offer you, Damian, the Blakros name, so that you will ever be known as a member of our elite, illustrious family. Let it be known forever more that your name shall be Damian Blakros, should you accept the honor."
*more clapping*
The groom then stands and speaks himself, raising his glass toward Hamaria and the rest of new family.
"I, of course, accept this honor, and am proud to know my children shall bear the name as well. I am not good with words, however, so I shall keep this brief. There are few gifs I could give in response that would parallel the honor I have just received. Even so, I shall offer something that my new family will hopefully find valuable. To my wife, Michellia Blakros, I offer my family’s long-held manor of Ostergarde."
What follows is an instant commotion among the crowd. Audible whispers and speech drown the pavilion, as assembled guests show mixes of horror and satisfaction at the proclamation made by the groom.
Ostergarde Manor is an abandoned site in the Chelish mountains, where diabolists once conducted secret rituals long before the death of Aroden and the rise of House Thrune.
Tancred Desimire rises and leaves with haste, his face perhaps a shade paler, before anyone has chance to stop him.
"Oh guys, you won't believe this! Ostergarde Manor is an abandoned site in the Chelish mountains, where diabolists once conducted secret rituals long before the death of Aroden and the rise of House Thrune." Enora whispers.
The groom seems to genuinely feel it's the best gift he can give a member of the Blakros family. Given the family's reputed history of collecting and researching, that line of thinking isn't so much of a stretch.
Not all family members express what they may or my not be thinking right now. Those that do, seem to be pleasantly surprised, or looking intrigued.
A boat for a sized manor. ;)
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Kivuli approaches the groom, "Congratulations Damien Blakros! Me am Kivuli Greyfeather of the Pathfinder Society and am honored to be being here. You am gifting is goodly." Thinking for a moment, the wayang switches to the Infenal tongue. "Please forgive me. Being my least fluent language, I find my conversations in Common to be rather clumsy. As I was saying, Ostergarde Manor as a dowry is inspired. Truly, a magnificent gesture. I wish you and your bride many decades of happiness and just rewards."
Enora goes to the Matriarch
"Oh hello! I have to admit that you really have a great authority. To be honest I do not capture the room as you do. From woman to woman! You are a role model!" Enora says with a smile.
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Harlis gives Enora and El Garrapata some room. He asks the Pathfinders remaining at the table of any consequences they see from these events of the dowry and Tancred before heading to the matriarch also.
"Congratulations again Lady Blakros on the expansion of territories and family. Many blessings upon the happy couple and their futures growing."
Enora:
It would seem you hit a good one there, as a faint smile decorates the matriarch's face. "A result of much experience and dedication. Perhaps you aspire to found a family of your own?"
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El Garrapata:
As Enora has successfully chatted with matriacrh Hamaria Blakros, you reckon that with your luck so far, your current attempt will be just as easy. It turns out to be the contrary, however.
As you approach her arms wide, half sobbing, for a hug, a few Blakros familymembers step between her and yourself.
"Wouldn't be doing any sudden unwanted physical contact would you?" They keep a watchful eye on you currently.
---------------------------
Harlis:
After the results of your two companions, you seem to be extra careful, which pays off considerably. The genuine well wishes for her family's success falls on no deaf ears among her and her family.
----------------------------
Kivuli:
Whether Damian Kastner is surprised to be addressed in the devil speech or not, he doesn't show. His own reaction is much more surprising...
"I prefer taldan, mr. Greyfeather. You must have earlier spoken to my colleague, Luciano Fuegho, if you think it relevant hellknights prefer that speech."
"He is much more devoted to that aspect of the order than the others present are. But your congratulations are welcome, nonetheless."
-------------------------------
Sele:
The one you speak to looks to be a particularly scholarly type, and he nods.
"Indeed so. I think it likely there is much we can learn from that site." His interest in the site is apparently dominating right now, and you've fueled it well.
Damian approaches you shortly after, speaking in a hushed tone.
"A moment.
With all the socializing going on, i hadn't noticed but, my wife is missing from the people present. Would you please search for her, discretely..."
"Wha ... what??? Your wife is missing?!? Of course we will look for her!" Enora says totally flabbergasted.
She starts to discretely look for her in the crowd.
Damian responds to Sele's question quickly.
"I suspect she may have gone to their old summer estate, it on the western side of the isle."
"The old estate??? Why would she go there? The place was completely deserted! Did she mention anything to you regarding the estate?" Enora asks Damian astounded.
"None whatsoever.", Damian says with a mix of surprise and concern.
Harlis doesn't get the impression, looking over Damian's expression, that the man is lying.
The group departs from the wedding scene, taking a good long walk towards the ruins of the summer estate. Once there, you take a look around, and El Garrapata finds a trail in the sand. A trail indicating someone dragging something, and it leads to the beach further west.
Enora follows and keeps an eye open for any danger!
!
!
When you get through the forest, you peer across the beach, and in the distance, you see Michellia standing near a boat with a group of hardy looking men.
As you come closer, the bride speaks.
"You were worried about my absence, no doubt. I will explain. You see, my sister has returned from her exploring trip, and needed a private place to catch up.
At some point, she suddenly attacked me, and in our struggle she hit her head and fell unconscious."
She sighs.
"She was dropped off by these men and, given her state of mind, i think it best they take her away from here for the time being, before she disrupts the wedding before it comes to a close."
Enora looks at the men to see if they seem to force the women to comply.
The men stay passive, Enora doesn't get a read from them.
While the men now seem to carefully eye everyone, 'Michellia' motions for a wait.
"We're not going over there. Since you're not going by my word alone, i'll indulge you. I am Michellia's twin sister. Michellia is obviously not happy with the marriage, doing only so for the family, and my warrior friend Olaf here has had a vision of a great catastrophy. My twin sister was by his side in it, and he fervently believes she is key to avoiding it. But she must go with him at once."
"I have studied her new husband, Damian Kastner. I would take her place, Michellia would not be pressed into an unhappy marriage, and the disaster my friend here had seen would not come to pass. Nobody save us here would be any wiser."
She looks at you with the question hanging unspoken...