Rubaani seems a little uncomfortable and out of place among the guests, but she seems to visibly relax with your company, her muscular form swaying with the movement of the boat. A warrior among the nobles! Well met, Adamus. She measures your tall figure with her eyes as you converse.
Raeng-Woo and the nobles with him are impressed with your detailed knowledge of Golarion and the Tapestry and seem quite interested in the trade agreement you suggest. Yes, there seems to be much profit in the Tapestry. I look forward to the mutual profits working with the Pathfinder society will provide.
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Adamus returns the measuring look. "I gotta admit, my reason for approaching you was not all personal. I would have spoken to a beautiful and strong woman like yourself anyway, but I was asked to talk to you by Miss Zadrian. We both believe in doing the right thing and she would like your support against the cult of Lissala. Having met you, I would too. Maybe after you agree to this partnership, we could form one of our own?" Adamus winks charmingly at the last part."Even if you don't want to work for the Silver Crusade, the other offer still stands." He grins widely.
Nigel purses his lips and removes his hand from Rosham's grip. I wish to be alone. A bit of seasickness. We can speak more later. Nigel retreats to his quarters on the boat and is rather scarce for the rest of the trip.
And so she sends you to approach me with this offer? Tell me, Adamus, of the glorious deeds that have granted you this honor. The two of you start to aimlessly walk the boat as you converse.
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"Well, being part of the Crusade isn't all about glory. Though I do have a few tales. For example in my second mission, I put to rest the tortured soul of a former pathfinder named Maurit. She was cursed with undeath and too far gone to turn back, so I did the merciful thing. And got a few scratches and bites for my trouble. She wasn't the first woman to deliver them to me, but not the last either."
Adamus smiles before pausing for a moment of silence for the fallen agent before continuing. "Not all exploits involve the supernatural though. Have you heard of the Umbral Carnival? I was just there not too long ago, the games are extraordinary. While I was there, some folks got murdered which killed the festivities. Me and some others helped figure out who it was and I made sure they got put away. They won't be hurting anyone anymore."
"I don't know if it's my deeds that have granted me the pleasure of talking to you, I'd like to think my natural charm had a little to do with it. What do you think?"
She smiles somewhat awkwardly. I'm not big on social graces. Oh, here are my quarters. Come, have some ale with me. I have a private stash.
After drinks are poured, You know, my grandfather had a couple tale worthy exploits in Varisia. There was this noble of... She continues on with the tale periodically asking you to fill in some details of the story. She is not so subtly testing your knowledge of the history of the area and who holds the power there.
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Alexander
It feels great to meet a fellow Andoran. Tell me about your exploits and what is happening in Andoran and I will entertain you with stories and adventures as pathfinder and hero.
And please - don't mind Bishop. Isnt it what sets us apart from Cheliax that we treat even the poor woodsman as an equal. He might not be good in conversation - but I'm sure he will enjoy to hear news from our loved country and how democracy is spreading.
I know - political life can be hard - I guess even harder as my adventuring - as that tends to be fun. So I hope you endure Bishop as well.
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While Adamus tries his best to fill in the blanks, it is painfully obvious that knowledge is not his strong point. After a little while he gives up and decides to be himself. "Listen, I honestly don't know much about that sort of thing. I'd rather hear your expertise on the subject. You are obviously intelligent as well as beautiful and strong." He smiles and winks.
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Erin crosses her arms and takes on a lecturing tone, trying to keep her voice to a low level where only Rosham can hear her.
"First off, I am not your dear. As for Nigel, no one likes to have their faults thrown in their face. The anger people respond with to such a statement seems to be roughly proportionate to the size of their ego. Look at the way you just reacted when I informed you of a misstep. I doubt anyone on this boat has a larger ego than yourself, but if there was one to rival yours in Absalom, I am sure this is where we would find it."
I'm certainly open to the working with the Society. I will need to confirm that your local commander has the knowledge to coordinate our forces in Varisia if I am going to commit my people there. But for now, I can see you are a man of action. Let's have less talk, She slides closer, and more action.
The boat is not the only thing rolling on the waves this night...
When you arrive at Pariol Island, the docks are patrolled by several of the Blakros' Guards. They insist on peace-bonding all of wedding guests' weapons, and testing all wands to check their effect.
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Erin crosses her arms and takes on a lecturing tone, trying to keep her voice to a low level where only Rosham can hear her.
"First off, I am not your dear. As for Nigel, no one likes to have their faults thrown in their face. The anger people respond with to such a statement seems to be roughly proportionate to the size of their ego. Look at the way you just reacted when I informed you of a misstep. I doubt anyone on this boat has a larger ego than yourself, but if there was one to rival yours in Absalom, I am sure this is where we would find it."
You seek lecture me on oversized egos, yet your own words and actions betray yours. Ironic, no?
I'll be happy to let you take the lead next time, my dear. Just be sure to say something worthwhile. And rest assured, this conversation is NOT over.
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Yandu seems to cause a slight ruckus when his wands are tested. It's not that he carries any harmful ones. But his wand of CLW, CSW and Grease is intermixed with a dozen carved sticks that all can be easily mistaken for wands - especially as he in his gnomish fashion insists they are wands just that he hasn't figured out yet himself what they do.
[ooc]Sorry - but he is a carver and I had this picture in my mind for a while. It was mainly ment as being different / gnomish - not to cause issues.
Brute - feel free to confiscate the 'sticks' - worst that happens is a -2 on Spellcraft / collector. [/b]
The guards do not notice your concealed weapons, and let Bishop keep his quiver if his bow is unstrung.
You are ushered off the boat and guided to a pavilion tent. The guests gather for opening festivities. There are musicians providing dancing music at one end and a seemingly endless stream of servants providing various kinds of food and drink. The evening is still young and it seems that party will will be going well into the night.
Several important members of the Blakros family are in attendance, including the matriarch, Hamaria Blakros, an elegantly dressed woman with copper skin and long, black hair. Her piercing gaze continually scans the crowd as she keeps tabs on her guests.
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Amira briefly informs the Trade Prince that Mr. Rae-Woo is interested in his offer. Amira, now free of Satrapy-related business, will run damage control on the Taldan.
"Mr. Aldain? I am Amira El-Amin, representative of the Society. I would like to apologize about whatever offensive thing the Viscount decided to bring to your attention."
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Bishop is clearly uncomfortable, and he waffles back and forth between striking out on his own to cover his companions and standing next to Yandu (he seems oblivious to Yandu's unintended sleight). Yandu looks like he has Bedard in hand. Leaning down to whisper, "I'm going off on my own. Let me know if you need...back up."
Bishop turns his attention to the party goers, looking to take stock in the situation (as well as people with hidden weapons, or passing hand signals, or even Aspis agents he's had run ins with before. (Additional +4 if human.)
Nigel - ?
Bedard - Yandu
Blakros - ?
Desimire - Rosham
Raeng-Woo - Amira
Shafar - Adamus
The lady Blakros is likely out of my league for politicking and talk. Bishop will seek out Nigel. Treating this like a hunt, he wants to reconnoiter the elf before going in for the shot. What am I looking to do for his weakness?
Rumors abound about the Chelaxian. Tancred Desimire is ambitious to a fault, and while he has moved quickly up the ranks of the Thrune government’s bureaucracy, he can be easily angered if you bring up certain reminders at how far he has left to climb. He seems to not appreciate anyone bringing up the Paracountess Zarta Dralneen or his brother, Aglorn Desimire, a member of the Aspis Consortium killed by a team of Pathfinders in the isolated demiplane contained within the Hao Jin Tapestry. Tancred seem to not hold ill will against the Pathfinder Society for his brother’s death. He does, however, blame Dralneen, whose representatives among the Pathfinders left behind a token of the Paracountess’s ire. Furthermore, he believes that the Pathfinders planted a letter on Aglorn’s body decrying the House of Thrune, and putting Tancred at risk of reprisal.
Alexander: I doubt there is any quiet place on this island tonight! Yes, some food and drink would be nice. I heard they are serving a Hellfire Brandy that sounded quite interesting.
Nigel measures you through his small, round spectacles. Ah, yes, friends of yours? And I suppose you want something from me as well?...
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Amira locks gaze with Nigel through her own glasses. "You were a Pathfinder once, so you should know precisely what I mean when I say they are assosciates." Amira look ever so slightly upward and pushes her glasses back to her face with her forefinger. "We're here to make sure the Society's reputation is bolstered, and I figure the best way to do that is to make a few friends and minimalize... damage."
"I've heard the the Blakros have made bold steps in Varisia surrounding the Thassilon discoveries as of late. I've been reading up on the Runelords as of late as well, and..." Amira continues discussion of more academic direction than that of the standard dialogue of the party.
Though Nigel continues to fidget with his apparel, something that makes him stand out among the other refined guests, he engages you in talk of artifacts from Varisia, as it is a topic he seems to be interested in.
While the Blakros family has spared no expense on security to ensure the safety of their family and guests, Hamaria seems to still be anxious that the Onyx Alliance will strike during the weekend, as they did during the Grand Convocation.
While talking with a couple of the mercenaries, they tell you that the Blakros matron made no small point about their expected level of vigilance against attacks from the Plane of Shadow.
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Adamus ponders the information for a little while as he figured out a plan. Knowledge of the Shadow Plane was not a strong suit of his, but people were. As he casually walks up to the Blakros matriarch, he grabs two glasses of wine from a nearby waiter and offers one to Hamaria. "Evening, Miss Blakros. I know that overseeing an extravagant party is an intimidating task, but something well within your skills. My name's Adamus, I'm a member of the Society. Have a drink, you deserve it."
He pauses to let her take a sip. "You seem a little rattled like you expect something bad to happen. It's your duty of course, I understand more than most. But no one, not even the Onyx Alliance would be dumb enough to attack with this much security. And if it makes you feel better, I would personally like to offer my help, and maybe my friends' in making sure nothing goes wrong. It would be the least I could do for a lovely, vigilant, mature woman." He gives her a reassuring smile.
I missed you back there. We can go with Diplomacy.
Jeon seemed fairly enamored with Amira. She looks to have him in her back pocket already.
The day stretches into evening. Some of the other guests are loosening up with the food and drink. A good number of them take to the dance floor. Hamaria Blakros moves through the croud with purpose, personally welcoming many of the important guests, while making sue the mercenaries she hired are also doing their job.