Lady Dyrianna turns emerald eyes the exact shade of her elegant gown on Fung Xi, followed by a smile so sweet it is almost painful. "My, my," she laughs. "Are you always this hasty in seeking what you desire, Master Pathfinder? Some things are simply better savored, don't you think? Come, let us speak of other things."
She turns to her handsome half-elven consort. "Faelyn, would you be good enough to get us all some drinks?" He smiles knowingly and departs.
Dyrianna turns her gaze back to Fung Xi and slowly looks him up and down. Then, as if deciding something, she steps to his side and slips her arm through his. "Tell me something about yourself," she says, leading the monk to a small couch in the corner of the room, which forces them both to sit very close to each other.
"I'm curious what would cause a man of your talents to cross the face of Golarion to arrive at our shores."
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Dora, Kale and Ayaki surround Scion Lord Kerkis and also try the direct approach.
"Thank you," he says. "They are mere trifles my tailor put together for the occasion. I wear them to please the man. He can be so very emotional. You know how these tradesmen can get."
"As for your crusade, I believe that the noble houses of far Brevoy have much more to gain by such a venture than we sitting safe on the island of Absalom. Such a crusade would require a staggering expenditure, and be almost certain to return nothing compensatory to the coffers of state. I am sympathetic, but it is my solemn duty to look after the finances of Absalom, first and foremost."
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Oscar approaches Senator Augustyne Naran and engages him in conversation. Naran's gorgeous young wife stands by his side and smiles at the tough inquisitor, but the senator frowns, finishes a canape and dabs the corners of his mouth with a lace handkerchief.
"Well," he says. "It is always nice to press the flesh, as it were, of the common man. We don't get enough of that in the senate, I always say. Need to get out and speak with the man on the street. The salt of the earth! The common clay. Very good. Remember me in the next election. It's been nice talking with you."
He readies to move away from Oscar.
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Alphonse watches Lady Darchana speaking with various dignitaries, including Major Maldris, Dremdhet Salhar and Lady Vaelia. Despite her cold beauty and fashion sense, Alphonse intuits that this is a highly practical and intellectual woman.
"Ah was hoping to talk to you about the upcoming crusade. Being a supporter of such a worthy effort could be a big boon in that next election yer in." Oscar moves to walk with Senator Naran if he tries to move on.
Nobody's been dismissed. It's a conversation. He talks, you talk, he talks. It isn't just "hi, join us," and then a die roll.
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"Good Sir, we could hardly ask you to betray the trust you have been granted with the finances of this great city. In fact, by sponsoring this campaign, you would be saving the city from the eventual danger that will be at our very gates should this not be stopped far from here. Is it not better to invest in the defense of Absalom before we are besieged by demons on all sides, cut off from any allies? Alas, no one in this room is in a better position to know how much we have to lose than you."
Dora is passionate with her plea to the financier. She truly believes in this cause and it shows in her energy.
Alphonse listens to Lady Darchana and realizes that with the wardstones having fallen, there is almost nothing preventing the Worldwound’s demons from teleporting freely about Golarion. Given its
central importance to the Inner Sea region, Absalom is a prime target for invasion. Lady Darchana is receptive to logical arguments, and she feels a sense of duty to Absalom.
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Lady Dyrianna smiles wickedly at Fung Xi, placing her fingertips on his arm. "Now that is far more intriguing. What did you have in mind?"
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Scion Lord Kerkis inclines his head, listening to Dora, Ayaki and Kale. "There is merit in this argument about defense at a distance. But what of this opportunity to profit? Does the Pathfinder Society have a specific plan in mind?"
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Senator Naran, seeing that Oscar isn't going to let him alone to enjoy his wine and food, sighs, turning to face the Pathfinder. "I doubt it," he says, popping a sizable finger sandwich into his mouth and speaking around it, crumbs flying. "My constituents are far more concerned about the local timber markets than they are about some freakshow in a foreign land. Besides, we have had our hands full of Chelish devils for decades and no one has rushed to our aid. Let Taldor and Brevoy handle this, I say!"
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Back to you!
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Ayaki will sense motive on Mr. Moneybags (Scion Lord Kerkis) to see if he is looking for a bribe, or something else entirely.
Ayaki muddles over what the Scion Lord said and asks
"Surely it is not all about money? I believe sending agents here to talk to the most affluent and intelligent Absalom has to offer is the first part of the plan."
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Kale looks coolly at Lord Kerkis, she gives him the slightest hint of a smile. "You know full vell the many ancient and powerful things that have been lost to the Demon's taint in that land. Even a small portion of the treasure from these great ruins would more then pay for any expenditures. Not to mention vhat other boons could be gained by garnering the good vill of other nations who will be indebted to Absalom."
"We have had first hand experiences with them devils of Cheliax, which could provide vital knowledge for the other nations. And if we turn our backs on em now then why would they help us later. Taldor has plenty a reasons to hate Cheliax. Giving them a reason ta like us may give us an ally in the future we lack today. An if we move and save some behinds we can get better deals in the future. Which them loggers might be pretty appreciative of."
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Dora rises to the challenge.
"Profit you ask? Why the profit is the gratitude of every country not destroyed by the impending demon invasion. They will owe you, and Absalom by extension, for their very existence. I am sure leverage like that can make any trade agreements very favorable for the city."
Lady Dyrianna sighs, clearly not happy with the sudden turn back to business. "I don't -want- anything but to do what's right for me and mine. And those I like." she says. "I don't deal with organizations; I deal with people. With personal relationships. Tell me about yourself. Who are you? Where did you come from and what have you done in life?" Talk to -me- Fung Xi, not to whatever you think I represent."
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"No, Scion Lord Kerkis agrees, "It is most certainly not all about money. It is about what is in the interests of Absalom and her security. You make an interesting case."
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Fung looks a little flustered, never having met a woman quite like Lady Dyrianna, but then smiles and starts to feel more comfortable, "Thank the gods! I hate currying for favor. Let us forget why the Ten sent me, and just talk then... Who am I? I am Fung Xi, the Lion of Goka. When I was very young, my mother brought me to the Master of the Four Winds on ShiFoon Mountain in the Land of Heroes. Like many children that grew up in a monastery, I never saw my mother again, the other children became my family and my master became my father.
"After 13 years, dishonor left me outside of the gates with nothing but the robes that I wore. I traveled to Goka making a meager living as a healer in various temples.
"One day, standing up for a woman that was being mugged, I found that my thirteen years of training was not quite enough to overcome numbers. It turned out that the woman I stood up for didn't really need my help. Amara Li, it turned out, was a Pathfinder and an experienced adventurer. She saw potential in me and offered me a place in her Lantern Lodge."
A familiar smile broadens across the young monk's face, "So now, I find myself here."
Before explaining further, "Now, before I give you more, it is your turn. Who is Lady Dyrianna? Has she always been this refined woman, or is there a little girl in there that still enjoys the simple things?"
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Oscar realizes that Senator Naran has no interest whatsoever in the crusade. He is here to show of his beautiful young wife and stuff his face with expensive food.
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Scion Lord Kerkis seems impressed by your arguments. "I will think on this. We should talk more later. Now if you will excuse me."
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Lady Dyrianna follows Fung Xi's story with interest, her deep emerald eyes on his throughout.
"It has been a very long time since I was a girl," she says with a smile. "The lives of elves are not as the lives of men. Yet I would say that I have never ceased to enjoy the simple things. It is why I serve The Unquenchable Fire." Here she fingers the symbol of Calistria. "Love, beauty, desire, retribution. These are the soul of the elf, and for us, very simple indeed."
[ooc]
Senator Naran- Impossible
Lady Vaelia - Impossible
Lady Dyrianna of House Avenstar- 0 Influence
Lord Rothos - Success
Scion Lord Kerkis of House Damaq- 1 Influence
Lady Darchana of House Madinani- 0 Influence
Grand Ambassador Dremdhet Salhar- Success
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Fung Xi smiles, "All of these things are parts of life, and to be honest, I value some before others, but the Savored Sting she is an interesting goddess... My patron through my whole life has been Kofusachi, the laughing one. Sadly, I also have a tendency to resemble the god of luck and happiness more that I'd like."
The young man absently rubs his belly...
"It was so very nice to meet you, Fung Xi," says Lady Dyrianna, rising and offering him her hand as she notices that dinner is about to be served. "I do hope you enjoy the feast."
As the meet-and-greet concludes, Damien Blakros thanks the guests for attending, briefly speaks about the threat of the Worldwound, and then expounds on several lengthy tangents detailing the contributions of the Hellknight Order of the Godclaw during the First and Second Mendevian Crusades. As the Hellknight’s initially thrilling speech begins to dull the guests, Michellia Blakros interjects to announce that dinner will soon be served and requests that the guests be seated.
The feast itself includes seven courses of crisp greens, poached fish, seasoned game, and a selection of fine desserts. Servants continue to bustle about in the never-ending quest to keep goblets full and move discarded plates to the kitchen. The master chef Domeros Prinitar proudly announces each course as it arrives.
You must each choose which two guests you will be seated between during dinner. These will be the only guests whom you will have a chance to influence during dinner. You won't have a chance to meaningfully interact with anyone else during the feast.
Okay, so I have:
Salhar
Ayaki
Rothos
Kale
Vaelia
Alphonse
Darchana
Dora
Kerkis
Fung Xi
Dyrianna
Oscar
Naran
Round 3 - go!
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"Lord Rothos, please be telling me about the fine blade I see you carry. Surely a man of your accomplishments has a fine tale or two vhen it vas being used."
Kale looks very interested in the fine military uniform as well as the blade he carries. Probably more interested in him than the meal before them.
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Dora will smile politely as she takes her seat next to Lady Darchana and Scion Kerkis. She will go for influence on both if given the chance.
"M'Lady and M'Lord, it is my pleasure to be seated in your esteemed company. We are truly on the verge of making history in protecting Absalom from disaster. Are either of you fascinated by history? I wonder if those in power at the beginning of the Everwar knew their decisions would decide the fate of many? "