"Nine in the morning. There are plenty of Inns in the city, and rooms are open - just go where you want, and I'm sure you can pay somehow." Della said. The human/tigress merely nodded slightly and inclined her head, then strode up the stairs in the rear of the room. It seemed your interview was over...
And, if you'd like, we can simply move on to tomorrow... or you can ask around for more information, et cetera. As usual, it's up to you!
She blinks. "I am sorry my behavior made you uncomfortable." she says in a clipped way, turns, and strides out rapidly, blinking.
She oscillates between fury, sorrow, and confusion. Monsters. She wasn't a monster. She wasn't a mortal. She wasn't an immortal. She was nothing.
1d4 ⇒ 2 1) she goes... hunting; 2) she goes dancing; 3) she goes to sleep, 4) hunting, then dancing
If she goes hunting...:
She stalks the streets angrily, taking every back ally, side road, and dark byway she can - anywhere that predators may lurk. And make no mistake - no matter how terrible things were, she knew some things about mortals, and she knew that they had their own predators. She needed them, now. She walks for a time before coming across an inn.
Perception:1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8 Hours Spent:1d3 ⇒ 1
If hunting, and she finds trouble:
Fae grins. Good. she thinks, savagely, as she watches the cretin(s).
"It took you long enough. I've been waiting on you." she says, coyly... and indeed, her face is welcoming... but predatory. Her lure had caught something - as it turns out a distressed female was good bait. She'd have to remember that.
Initiative:1d20 ⇒ 7
If hunting, and she finds no trouble:
Fae barges into the inn, angrily. She stalks, furious over to the Innkeep.
"Room." she says, curtly. "Services?" she demands.
If they have 'special' services:
"I need a man and a woman - both need to be disease free, clean, and willing. If they're not happy to be there, they can leave. Five gold each. Maybe something else for them individually if I really like them."
Charisma/Diplomacy with the companions:1d20 + 9 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 9 + 2 = 23or +10+2
Inns and hirelings - for 16 g (or about 160 silver), she gets an average suite; 5 g she gets one higher class (though not the highest) companion for the evening. In total, she would spend 10 gold and 160 silver on this. If she really likes them, she might give them a flawed ruby to remember her. If she finds them only adequate, she would grant them a silver. She isn't shy about giving one a gift and not the other.
Regardless of services:
"I need to be woken up early enough to get to the Countess' Embassy by eight."
She flings the money needed onto the counter and stalks to her room.
And cut to tomorrow, nine-sh, at the Embassy - Fae would be early, and be checking the broader area for traps or ambushes.
Fae hunts and asks around for the most active and harsh inn that she can... anywhere that dancing is encouraged... and if it's not... too bad for the inn.
When she finds the inn, she spends time in the tavern downstairs, and dances - thoroughly - to the music.
CHA/Perform (dance):1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23
She lets the rhythm flow through her and - regardless of theme or style, she turns it into an erotic and powerful melody in her own head, moving her body, and her hands across, drowning her anger, frustration, and rejection in movement and freedom.
**** **** **** anyone who says otherwise, and not in the good way, as this is for no one, but her. She doesn't care who's watching or who's looking away, or who's ignoring her, and she doesn't care if it's in amusement, delight, desire, fury, disgust, embarrassment, or shame. She simply needs an outlet, and here and now, she takes what she needs.
It's wonderful, this freedom.
After an hour spent in her own world and own time, she breathlessly and cheerily informs the Innkeep that she needs to be woken up early enough to be at the Countess' embassy by eight.
She sets the money needed onto the counter and happily bobs and weaves, dancing, to her room.
This should be about 2 gold, I think. And now, cut to tomorrow, nine-sh, at the Embassy - Fae would be early, and be checking the broader area for traps or ambushes.
There are no traps on the outside of the Embassy - they have no need to things like that, it seems. On the inside of the room is... a girl in a festive outfit, who's mostly paying attention to an annoyed-looking Della.
"Hey, c'mon, it'sh hic gonna be fhine!" the newcomer said, staggering slightly as she poured liquid from a large bottle into a big cup. "You're shuch a prude shometimesh, Dully. It'sh not like it'sh gonna go to your head."
"Save it, you drunk. The nutjob's here. Might need a drink by the time you two are done, though... take it outside, okay?" the beheaded girl sighed and waved slightly. "Have fun, or... something." she tells you.
"Mm? Ish Druli. Alsho, it'sh mid-morning 'n I've only had five bottlesh... shlow day." She begins glugging alcohol from the bottle she's carrying. "Anyway, chan't turn down a requesht fr'm Tio, sho here'sh what'sh up. You are gonna be... gonna be..." she trails off, distracted. "Erm, shomething or other by the time I'm dhone. Prob'ly drunk, though." She staggers down one of the side streets. "'Nyway, ligh'men's acshully real eashy onsh you undershtand it. It'sh gettin' there that'sh sho hard. Firsht shtep!" she paused and gestures animatedly with the bottle. "Gotsh t' accept yershelf. Or... whash that how vacashions begin...?"
"Hm? Oh, prob'ly nuthin'." the drunken young girl said. "'Coursh, th' thing abou' journeysh ish that if you wanna fin' yourshelf, you don' need t' go anywhere. Who are you, lhady, 'n who do you wanna be?" She looked at you, seeming... slightly less drunk than before. Something holds you back from an immediate response, though... and you realize that the question is an important one.
"... myself." she says, at last. "More than anything else, I want to be myself. That sounds terribly tautological - isn't one always inherently one's self? - but the fact is that I'm not. I'm incomplete. I want to find myself, and find all the parts of my essence that I once lost."
She paces. "I'm not out to be what I once was... but I've lost something. Something vital and important and me. And I want it back."
She thinks. "Who do I want to be? I want to be the woman who ****ed Elysium so hard the plane itself becomes my lover. I want to be the one who conquers the masked man. I want to seduce Fireshorts. I want Marmael to love me. I want to be whole. I want to bring peace. I want to be the mother I was denied - but never give birth again (I mean, I went through enough to get barren the first time). I want to be the one that restores my lost lovers to life. I want to be the one who claims her rightful place over her children... and I want to teach them that there is a better way. I want to redeem them."
She hesitates. "Not... not in the way that one angel was always on about. What's her name? Sarai? Sorry-day? Saranwrap? Solar-ray? ... anyway, that one. I'm not talking about being like her. I just... I want my children to understand that there's more than what they're made of. I want them to have freedom to choose something other than what is forced upon them by their point of origin. Just because they come from the Abyss doesn't mean they need to be like the Abyss, or stay there - you know?" she asks. "I want them to be free to become something else and to be reborn."
"I... I want to be a lover, a maker, and a friend. I want allies, and I want friends. And I want to be free. I want to be free from the boundaries and free from the powers that control me on all sides. I want to be the one manipulating and controlling. And I want to be whole. Both of me. Neither of me. I want to be whatever I want to be whenever I want to be it. And I want to be beautiful, desired, and nice."
She turns. "And... I want more. I know it's not all possible. And I don't care if it all comes true or not. But it's what I want. And, most importantly, who I want to be."
Druli nodded, taking a few swigs from her bottle. "Sho, you're greedy." she concluded. "D'you really think you're gonna be shatishfied when you've accomplished all tha'? When you're relying actionsh an' eventsh t' make you satishfied wi' who you are, when doesh it shtop? There'sh alwaysh a new prob'lem, or isshue, or deshire you've got. Take th' Drag'n Emp'r. Hic! D*** big drag'n. Getsh tributesh ev'ry year from th' worldsh. 'N sho what? Jusht keepin' shcore 'n a game nobody elshe 's playin'. Y're nev'r gonna be shatishfied if you can't focush on who you already are." she paused and clapped her hands together. "Sho why can' you be who y' wanna be righ' now, an' jusht do everythin' elshe after?"
"Hah! Clever!" she says with a quick laugh. "Sure, let's say I'm greedy."
She stops. "But... it's because I'm lonely and no one likes me. Or if they do, they still feel I'm fundamentally different than them. Which is true... but it's still painful. And... I'm missing parts of me."
"That said, I do like me. I like me a lot! What I've told you is what I want in the future. But more than greedy, I think I'm impatient and lonely. I've been asleep for a long, long time. My previous goals and dreams were stolen from me and taken at the moment of what could have been my highest glory. It wasn't to be, and I really don't care, much, who did it. I get their reasons, or at least I get their reasons enough. I may well have acted the same in their shoes. But I want back the true essence of what was once myself."
She turns happy again. "That said... I do enjoy myself. I'm not displeased with me save for missing parts, and those I can live without - obviously - so it's just weird. It's going to take a long time getting used to. Similarly, I don't want to fit in with the other mortals. I like them... but... too many rules. I'd rather just be me, and that generally comes off as monstrous or shun-worthy."
"Hence, I want to find someone who accepts me, even if they don't understand me. At some point."
Glug, glug, glug. ...Was that bottle even emptying? Going by how much Druli's drank throughout this conversation, she probably should have changed bottles two or three times by now, but it still looked full... "Well, of courshe it doesh." she said, quite matter-of-factly. "P'ple are differen', an y've gotta make shacrifices t' live t'gether 'n peace. Can' really complain 'bout bein' lonely if y're not willin' t' accept othersh. Relashunships're abou' what y' give to othersh, not wha' they c'n give you. 'F courshe nobody'sh gonna like y' if y're demandin' everythin' an givin' nothin' back."
"Wha-?" she asks, indignantly, actually quite scandalized. She never thought of celestials that way. "Sacrifices? Sacrifices?! I thought you weren't allowed to ma-" she cuts herself off, and blinks.
"... oh." she says. "Right. Riiiiiiiiiiiight. 'Sacrifces, yes, okay, I get it. Eheh. Yes. Knew that the whole time, I'm sure." Fae nods, glancing to the side.
"Anyway, moving on..." says Fae, "... that entirely misrepresents what I do. I may be myself, but I impugn on none. Similarly, I give to others! The **** **** **** ****, do I give to others! They never leave unsatisfied!" she boasts.
Then, "Well, okay, the one did, but xhe wasn't actually interested in anything anyway - entirely based off of mild curiosity. And so did the oinodaemon, but, you know, he was the oinodaemon. Also, he was quite satisfied right up until he tried to slaughter all my-" she cuts herself off, glancing at the woman. "... all those... people." she finishes.
Druli merely shrugs. "Ish ushually no' abou' th' shex." she pointed out. "Ish shticking wi' 'em when timesh are tough, givin' wi' no expectashion 'f reward, 'n puttin' their needsh ab've y're own." Her words remain slurred, but she seems surprisingly good at thinking on her feet. "Conshtantly offerin' t' othersh ishn't th' shame thin'." she belched. "F course, 'm jusht an old girl, sho wha' do ah know bou' your life?" she mused. "Shomething t' think abou', though." After a few moments, you realize your walk has taken you right to the front of the Embassy again. "Wan' a drink? Della'sh gonna be funnier if y' go in shmashed."
She smiles. "Thank you." she nods and offers a deep bow. "You're wise, and I apologize for my... impertinence. I appreciate your time and, whether I ultimately follow through with all the things spoken of here or not, I do not consider the time remotely wasted. Thank you."
She grins. "And... while I will gladly take a drink - it smells amazingly astringent, and it's been a very... long... time... I do not wish to be truly inebriated. Della may be funnier, but she'll also be less happy. If it does not offend, I will take but a small drink - one to honor you, and no more to honor her."
Fae accepts the bottle, and takes a single, if substantial, sip.
Charisma:1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24 to make friends Fortitude:1d20 + 9 ⇒ (8) + 9 = 17 +2, if "poison resistance" applies - I'm uncertain, though, if she even needs to make a save. Intelligence:1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11 to gain some measure of enlightenment
She bows and returns it to the lady, turns, and heads inside.
EDIT: to add ability checks I'd forgotten EDIT 2: to put them in alphabetical order as I usually try to do, unless it pertains to a specific moment of the post. Why no, I'm not distracted, why do you ask? ;p
"Shuit y'self." Druli said - but she was smiling and humming as you took the sip (wait, the bottle was still full!?) and she simply waved as she staggered back down the road and off to do... whatever it was she did in her life.
Della, on the inside of the building, merely stares at you for a few moments... "Honestly, I still don't believe a word of your story." she said. "So, what did you learn?"
"I'm greedy, impatient, and Druli has some great booze... and an amazing bottle that I'm envious of. You're apparently funnier when I'm smashed, but I abstained from imbibing too much in order to avoid offense. That I still really like you and the others - and that I'm still a monster and ill-suited to society, at present; perhaps I shall learn more. I learned to love myself as I am now, but to be willing to change to help others."
She breathes, once, slightly triumphantly, with fists on hips. "I want many things, and want more than I am likely to attain, and am okay with that."
Fae smiles at Della, a little sadly.
"I'm sorry you don't believe me," she starts slowly, before suddenly brightening, "but I'm even more sorry you missed me last night! I rocked the house! We could have had a blast dancing - that is, if you dance." she says.
She hesitates. "I really do not wish to be rude. I would like to apologize if mentioning the state of your head last night was... offensive somehow. I honestly think it's really kind of amazing - beautiful. The sheer utility of being able to move the housing for your central nervous system into locations that the preponderance of your system couldn't easily fit in order to- Er, sorry. I just... I get carried away with analyzing sometimes. What I meant to say is that it seems like it doesn't stay on, so it could be very problematic too, and I could understand if you don't want people... talking... sorry." she finishes.
"*er-ahem*" she coughs and clears her throat. "Regardless, I also wanted to reiterate my offers from before. They were honest, and I expect no payment. I can't leave them open indefinitely - I'll likely move on at some point, or I may well be too busy, or I run out of supplies, or lose interest, or whatever... but I do want to let you know that I'm willing to follow through with... any of those, if you like." she says, modestly.
"Not that I'm pushing!" she adds, hastily. "I'm not trying to get you to accept something you don't want! It's just... if you would like any of those things, I'd be interested in doing them for, with, or to you." she nods, confirming to herself.
"Any-way..." she says, "casual change of topic: what's going on today? What are we up to?" she asks, cheerfully.
A few moments pass as Della's body scratches a number of notes onto a sheet of paper - though, since it's behind the desk, you can't see what she actually wrote. She does, however, simply blow a tuft of hair out of her eyes at your comments on the state of her head. "I think you're getting ahead of yourself on the apologies, b****." she said. "I am a f***ing Dullahan - by definition, my d*** head is unattached to my f***ing neck, and it's hardly the weirdest feature among the Countess' subjects. We don't judge people by their bodies, however strange their forms may be - and that's something you'll need to learn if you're going to continue sticking with us. Which is good for you, because it sounds like you did learn something. If you hadn't, your a** would already be out the door. Instead, we've got a job for you. Charm seems to be your thing, so we want you to go settle a f***ing stupid argument some people are having about where humans and monsters are allowed to drink and have fun. If you're successful, then Tio has agreed to give you a letter of recommendation that will permit you an audience with the Countess - neither she nor we are in the habit of turning away qualified help. Further details are in the letter." Della's body holds out an envelope.
As Della speaks, an awareness tickles at the back of your mind - if you do decide to meet the Countess, it might go better if you learn more about who she is and what motivates her, though you're certainly not obligated to do so if you're confident in your ability to handle the discussion.
Della's Letter:
A group of wealthy patrons - mostly the sons of merchants - have taken to pushing out the monsters that are trying to visit the city's best taverns. Sharing drinks with people is one of the best ways of improving relations within them, and Ambassador Tio has decided that these events are unacceptable. You will go to the headquarters of these operations - a tavern known as the Cup of the Dragon, near the main markets - and negotiate a settlement that furthers the cause of mortal/monster integration and leaves those rich brats happy to have monsters around. If you leave the situation unchanged, don't bother coming back. If you make things worse for monsters - or hurt anybody - then it doesn't matter if you run or not, because I will find you and choke you to death with your own f***ing entrails. If you succeed, you get that letter of recommendation. Simple, right?
-Della, Ambassador of Trade for the Embassy of Countess Romalda
"Good." Fae says, decisively. "You should be proud of your unique and beautiful features. I just wanted to say that I could understand if I somehow committed a social faux pas in mentioning, since you don't take too well to the non-monsters. Thanks for the information!"
"Also, really starting to get turned on by how much you're obsessed with my anatomical features, and intimate engagements." she mutters, wryly, smirking.
She flips open the letter, talking as she reads.
"Anyway, I have to say - I'm curious about your Countess. Vampire, sure. Monster-protector, it seems. Again: new around here. Should be obvious, but... you're clearly loyal to her, and that speaks very highly of her nature, given your fierce mien and tenacity. So I'm curious: what makes her so awesome? I'm not likely to get good press from beyond the Embassy - I'm likely to hear every twisted, suggestive, subversive, mistaken, and outright false rumor out there, before I hear the truth. How long has she been here? What drives her? Why... "monsters"? I mean: you're both beautiful enough, that I would never have considered you a "monster" - so why is that an title? Where does it come from, and why? What counts as a "monster"? For example, what races and folk aren't monsters? Where's the dividing line? I'm guessing "mostly human" - but what about other non-humans?"
Finishing, she folds the letter, taps it to her head and on the desk, and continues.
"And, lest you think it's just idle curiosity: this is actually pretty important to my assignment (though it's also totally burning curiosity). I'm now an ambassador. So help me am-bass-a-date. Who or what is a "monster", why are "people" (who are not monsters?) so afraid of or disgusted by them, and what's the deal with the Countess? I mean, I can make something up - and make it sound good - but I'd rather have some facts to work with, first. Besides - lies are only good for short-term engagements. Long-term deceptions usually end poorly."
Della looks rather annoyed at having to continue talking to you, but her job seems to be more important than her personal feelings. "A little over two hundred years ago, the monarch of the time was nearly assassinated." Della said flatly. "The Countess learned about the attack during one of her feedings, from someone who was just a bit too eager to talk, and she decided to intervene. She spent more than two hours using her bare hands to hold back the assassins when all of the King's other guards had perished... and when her spawn finally arrived, they were able to finish off the attackers. A few were left alive just long enough to implicate the people behind the attack, and the Countess took care of them as well. The King was afraid at first, of course - but Tio was with the Countess back then, and the two of them managed to convince him that they had no intention of taking over the throne. Instead, they decided to create a refuge where any monster who wasn't evil could come live - so the King gave her a title and a lot of land, and she's been improving our lives ever since. The Countess is personally responsible for saving tens of thousands of monsters from lives of hate and persecution - from people too f***ing stupid to realize that all we really wanted was for them to stop being afraid of us and allow us to live out our lives in peace. That is why I serve her, and why she and Tio are among the very small number of people I respect. The humanoid races call us monsters because we're different, we're frightening, and we're stronger than they are. Monsters are the things you fear - but people, now, those you can accept."
"... so... you'd be people, and other humanoids would be monsters. At least to me." Fae says simply.
"But that, said, is it 'any non-humanoid'? 'Cause if so, they're using the term wrong, or there's a really weird linguistic aberration in two otherwise parallel languages..." she mutters.
She paces.
"But anyway, what I mean is - anyone that's strong, different or frightening? There are a **** ton of... well, humans, for instance... that fall into that category right off the bat." she says.
"But let's just parse this down. Dullahan - former human, now undead. Vampire, former... something? ... now undead. Tio, though, doesn't seem like an undead, and Druli certainly didn't seem undead. So... former... 'humanoids'? I mean, just going based off of what I've got, I'm guessing they're both just changed somehow. Right?"
She paces, thinking about it for a moment. "And these 'humanoids' - normal, mortal races, yeah? Untouched by non-material influences? So... humans, elves, halflings, orcs, dwarves, ratfolk, strix, kobolds, hags, giants, goblins, gargoyles, minotaurs, and the various mixes thereof. Also animals. And, of course, plants and aberrant creatures. Those kinds of things. But dhampir, gnomes, any sort of outsider (aasimars, tieflings, fetchlings, etc), wayangs, samsaran... those guys'd all be considered monsters?" she asks. "Well, actually, I suppose it depends on the classification of fey in general. I'll just presume they're monstrous, though. Freaky things. I love 'em."
She nods, pacing. "Okay, yeah. It's twisted, sure, and pretty stupid, but it makes a sort of sense. Holding its own kind of internal consistency." She stops. "Hm, no, best to presume the worst: aberrants would probably be rejected due to their name. Okay, yeah: aberrant, dragons (oh, I almost forgot those!), fey, magical animals, and outsiders would all be monsters, as would anything that used to be a non-monster that was altered or different from the norm. Animals, 'humanoids', plants, and vermin would all be non-monsters." she nods. "Great! Okay, I can work with that!" she says, pleased with herself.
"Nah, Druli's not a monster. She's just older than any of us." Della said, shrugging. "And I'm pretty sure she's been drunk since before Tarsel was even founded. Kobolds are monsters, though. So are ratfolk. Aasimar are accepted by society - anything of celestial descent is, really - but tieflings are still monsters. Anything usually evil, or seem as evil, or has some kind of relation to the infernal realms... they just limp it all together. Extra body parts, weird powers... if it's there, it's probably a monster, especially if they don't like it. That's just how humans see things." she didn't seem very happy about those views - but a lot of what the major forces in society did seemed insane anyway.
What eructs from Fae is a laugh that very few people can pull of naturally. In fact, it's exceedingly rare, found naturally only in those with deep seated sociological and pathological issues or a those with a tenuous grasp on reality... and most commonly only found in both.
Fae certainly looks the part - back arched, arms and hands turned upward and opened, eyes going from wide to closed... before collapsing onto the floor, and holding onto her stomach.
This disturbing evocation of personal mirth continues for a long time. Far, far, too long.
"No-" *huff, wheeze*, "no, rea- hahahahah! reallyplease-" *gasp* "MUWAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAH" *deep suck of air* "I-" *puff* "-Icn't-" *gasp* "breatheI" *desperate intake* "-onlyhve-" *hhhhhuuuuuuuggh* "tinyairholes~! AAAAAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH~!" she manages at last, before the maniacal laughter once again overtakes her.
After what seems like forever she finally settles down.
Panting, desperately trying to regather her breath on the floor, Fae lies, tears streaming from her eyes.
"Ehehehe..." she chuckles inbetween deep, heaving breaths, "oh, wow... th- they ac- actually- ehahahah~! - actu... actually define... ahaaaah~!... their... own kind... hahahahahah~!... as... 'not'... eeeheehee... 'not evil'... pffffffffffffff~t ahahahah!" she laughs again, though much softer this time - she couldn't take much more of the other.
"Oooohhh!" she moans, "Oooh, I don't feel so good - ahahahah - ugh. I think... I think I made... myself... sick..." she continues on the floor.
More may be coming later, feel free to post responses.
"Is it so surprising?" Della asked, her tone a bit cold. "We know that the planar realms are filled with countless creatures of every shape and size. Their forms and powers are different, and they recognize that others have a place. The societies of our worlds aren't like that. They grow up surrounded only by themselves, perhaps a small handful of races that are very similar to them, with only a few cosmetic differences to note. They begin their lives thinking of that as normal - what else would you expect? The big problem is the point of view they start with... and that's what we're trying to change."
Fae takes a long steadying breath from her place on the floor. "Honestly? It probably shouldn't be... the mortals always were easy marks back in the day." she sobers a bit. "It's just... it just seems like the opposite of any reasonable conclusion. Where do they think demons came from? They didn't just spontaneously start popping out of the Abyss one day..." her voice sounds distant and subdued. In pain.
Fae props herself up on one arm, looking at Della. "Frankly, it's stupid. What was the assassin? Surely she - or he, I suppose - wasn't the first in history, or else the word wouldn't have translated so smoothly. What are the petty crooks? The thugs? The gluttons? Who is it that charges usury? Who are they who rape and kill? Thieves? Adulterers? Who conjures the **** things that they're all so ****ing scared of?"
Fae pushes herself up into a half-sitting position. "I know who. I remember. Not that assassin, of course. I remember the others. All of them the scent of their sins, the weight, and heft. I remember the flavor and sensation. I remember them well - present even long before the beginning. It is beyond foolish to presume the ones who look less human are the evil ones. Granted many are. I'll give them that as the 'no duh' clause. But beauty is not only the exclusive province of a given viewer, but it is also only as deep as the spell or flesh that grants it. Succubi exist for a reason."
She slowly gets up off of the floor, holding her stomach a little as she does so - cramp not completely gone yet! even as it subsides.
"Ooohh..." she says. "I haven't laughed that much in a long time. And not since waking up in this body! See? This is what I ,ean about inefficiency! If my stomach could breathe on it's own, this sort of thing wouldn't happen." she steadies herself on the desk.
"Anyway, it's foolish." she says. "Understandable, but stupid. Typical hubris. The source of so many..." she says! starting off annoyed! but fading to thoughtfulness.
"Anyway, okay, so 'not'... heh... 'not 'evil' and yes pretty' - okay, fair enough. So give me something to work with. What do you like to do - in general, I mean, for fun?"
"I toss out people who can't get their jobs done." Della said pointedly. "My record is twenty-three feet, and I'm still looking to beat that. Unfortunately, the wall across the street is in the way, so I suppose I'll just have to start throwing people through it." More than anything else, she seems like the kind of person who respects accomplishments - and she still doesn't seem to believe your comments about the past.
"Gambling. Strutting around like they own the place, though thank goodness the King smacks them down if they go too far. Generally being obnoxious little twits." Della sighed and shook her head - a surprisingly impressive motion for someone who only had half a neck to work with. "Look, it's not like I spend time with them, okay? All I can really tell you is where they usually are and what they do when they're there."
The names, nature, etc. of the merchants' sons.
Diplomacy:1d20 + 9 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 9 + 2 = 31
... and - especially when learning of the merchant sons, does so... quietly and subtly.
Bluff (social stealth):1d20 + 10 ⇒ (15) + 10 = 25
Along the way, she makes as many new friends as she can...
Diplomacy:1d20 + 9 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 9 + 2 = 23
... and learns as much about the local feeling of monsters as she can.
Diplomacy:1d20 + 9 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 9 + 2 = 20
Beyond that, she wracks her mind for any myths, legends, or histories of 'monsters' and 'humans' working together for the benefit of both, as well as plumbing the depths of her understanding for mental, physical, and social benefits of integration.
Finally, she subtly spreads as many good rumors of human/monster relations that she can, those that she's heard, anyway.
Bluff:1d20 + 10 ⇒ (9) + 10 = 19 Diplomacy:1d20 + 9 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 9 + 2 = 30
Time:4d4 ⇒ (3, 4, 2, 1) = 10 EDIT: she ends the day at the Drunken Dragon, quite late in the day.
Feel free to interject other events, but that's the general plan.
The Cup of the Dragon is one of the more upscale taverns in the city, as it's frequented by young men who love both drinking and gambling. It's cleaner than most locations, and a bit larger as well - and their specialty is a drink that almost literally puts a fire into people's bellies.
It's easy to gain information on the Countess - quite literally everyone knows who she is, though most admit they've never even seen her. Apparently, despite the invitations she gets, she rarely comes to the capital - and when she does, it's usually only to meet her staff at the embassy or greet the current King - who, incidentally, is immensely fond of her (albeit not in a romantic sense).
There seem to be seven or eight sons of merchants that are at the root of the issue - most of them seem to think that wealth is what's important, and since monsters generally don't show off their wealth in the same way, none of the boys respect them very much. They also seem to be interested in creating and maintaining monopolies on trade, and apparently they actually would like to get products and services from the Countess' lands... but Della has refused to give them the ridiculously favorable terms they're looking for, instead demanding fair prices and no monopolies. That they've been spurned with impunity seems to be another force behind their behavior... and you can easily imagine the sharp-tongued Dullahan mocking a crowd of human boys.
The city's population of monsters is relatively low, no more than one or two percent, and most of them stay around a district near the Embassy. They seem rather irritated at the rich boys, and though rough by nature, they also seem to be trying extremely hard to behave themselves and avoid lashing out when insulted. They do realize that a violent incident would set their cause back quite a bit... and a few of them have noted that the Countess would personally come and beat them unconscious with her bare hands before locking them up and turning them over to human authorities if they actually hurt a human. None of them have any doubts whatsoever that she could do it, either, no matter what kind of monster they are. The Countess isn't treated as a god, but she seems to be the closest thing the monsters have.
Your knowledge, rather sadly, is incomplete... especially with all the time you spent in the infernal realms. However, you do recognize that this place seems to be something of an anomaly - it's not a case of one or two monsters being accepted, but an entire society working hard to integrate in ways that people usually don't. It certainly hasn't been easy - two hundred years in and there are still plenty of bad feelings on both sides - but it does seem to be working, and monsters from elsewhere are increasingly immigrating to Countess Romalda's lands.
Of course, the monsters themselves aren't entirely... civilized. Only the most stable ones tend to live in the capital, while the others seem required to remain away from humans (and elves, and the other common races) until and unless they can prove their ability to behave.
With all of that accomplished, you stagger into the Cup of the Dragon and are soon presented with a beer by a handsome young human wearing rich, imported clothes...
I just realized - 10 hours after 9 AM is 7 PM, plus whatever time she spent with Druli, and on other things.
She smiles, gratefully.
"Ooh, gods, yes." she says, accepting the intoxicant. She downs the whole thing in one, long, extremely necessary drink. It is glorious.
Fortitude:1d20 + 9 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 9 + 2 = 25
She breathes afterword.
"That was entirely necessary." she says.
She turns a gaze and a dazzling smile toward the young man who handed it to her.
Charisma:1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24
"So... they call me Fae. Yourself?"
She takes the moment to sweep the area, visually, ascertaining the who's, what's, and so on that are present... and more importantly, how they're all behaving and toward whom.
The young man is immediately - and obviously - smitten. It takes him a few moments to collect himself, with his friends looking rather amused at a nearby table full of cards and dice, but he speaks surprisingly well for someone of his age. "Vincent. However, I'm not sure I can remember your name, because the only thing I think when I see you is 'Beautiful'." he said - and one of his friends spits out a bit of their own drink, looking highly entertained. They seem to be in a good mood at the moment, and having quite a lot of fun. "Would you like to join our table? No need to join the games unless you really want to, but you do seem like great company."
Her grin only increases. "There is literally nothing I want more at this exact moment than to spend time with you and your friends!" she says, and then flounces toward the table, smiling at each of them in turn. "Hello, boys!" she chirps, as she acquires a seat, turns it backwards, and sits, leaning forward over*ahem* the back of the chair. She looks at the table. "Ooh!" she says. "So what'do a buncha good looking fellows such as yourselves with all of this?"
She's heard of this, of course, but "games" as played in the Abyss usually involve one or more parties involved being humiliated and - likely - dying in exceedingly painful and embarrassing manners. She was reasonably sure most mortals didn't do that (despite the memories in the souls she'd eaten). Reasonably. At least not here.
Or else this place got a lot more interesting and complex than she thought.
They seem quite welcoming - three of them do glance at your ears, but seem satisfied with what they see... though Vincent is the one remaining closest to you. If there's one thing they love, though, it's gambling... and quite a few bags of coins are sitting on the table.
"It's really something you have to learn." Vincent says, clearly happy about the opportunity to share his knowledge. "After all, the world would be a much simpler place if anyone could become a master gambler! What's money for if not using it, though?" he takes out his own bag of coins, and after a moment, the fellow sitting across from you on the table starts flicking out cards and rolling dice towards the players. After a moment, you realize that all of them are wearing short sleeves - they seem to consider that a mandatory component of the game, perhaps to help prevent cheating.
"Ooh! Do tell, Vincent!" she exclaims over him, taking his arm.
She stops when she sees someone looking at her ears. "See something you like, Sailor?" she asks, suggestively, pulling her hair back over her ears to display them more. "Feel free - looking's something anyone can do, so far as I'm aware." she grins.
Then she gets a wry look on her face - lips pushed to one side, in what was not quite a smile, with a single eyebrow raised suggestively. "Well... anyone but a lady." she adds. "That just wouldn't be proper." she says, amused.
Then she grins again. "Also, please do forgive my manners." she asks, jovially. "You can call me Fae." gesturing to herself. "Vincent, I know, now. Who are you fine-looking fellas?" she questions, looking around.
EDIT: Finally home from car place, so PC and dice-rolls, gooooo~! (Also clarifying some dialogue.) INT/Appraise:1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15The money they're bandying about, the style of the game: I'm guessing poker of three-dragon ante. Bluff:1d20 + 10 ⇒ (13) + 10 = 23She's so naive and adorable! Perception:1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13Keep a careful eye on what they're up to. Sense Motive:1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16To learn tells they each have while gambling. Sleight of Hand:1d20 + 0 ⇒ (17) + 0 = 17To subtly practice - in her mind, and with fidgeting fingers - playing the game, and tricks that can be done with it (with short sleeves). EDIT 2 and 3: No, I didn't forget, you are the forget! ... okay, it was me. General Charisma:1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24Toward the folk at the table in general. Diplomacy:1d20 + 9 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 9 + 2 = 15or +10+2; Enhanced Diplomacy to gather information from them on them. Diplomacy:1d20 + 9 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 9 + 2 = 29or +10+2; Enhanced Diplomacy to make friends and influence people. EDIT 4: Bluff:1d20 + 9 ⇒ (9) + 9 = 18to do so subtly
The other fellows introduce themselves and - though interested in you - do seem to be holding back rather well... after all, Vincent's already established a claim, and they're close enough to not cross onto each other's turf that way. However, the game seems to be a little more complicated than you're used to... though, with a slightly unpleasant shock, you realize that they're using Harrow cards for the game and that the rolls of their dice have some kind of impact on what they're able to play. Money changes hands quickly as you watch, though nobody seems to be gaining or losing very much - they all seem to be trying to appear thoughtful, rather than foolhardy, and the bets are fairly low... for now. Of course, the night is still young, and they have several hours ahead to enjoy... and the bartender has already prepared a number of mugs.
Fae chugs most anything they set in front of her, though playfully and happily. She makes small talk - asking them what they do, cooing over their obvious wealth and skill at "This game I don't get - clearly!", and mentioning what she does, herself: alchemy and potion-making, naturally.
She also uses tap inner beauty to add an additional +2 on all charisma-based checks, including a basic charisma check, like the above. She wants friends and is going to go all-out. She also will use Divine Inspiration to get cultural adaptation effect as well to add a +2 to Diplomacy and disguise checks. (See my post in Discussion.)
EDIT: that's a total of 15 fortitude, 30 bluff, 30 diplomacy, and 36 charisma!
EDIT:
She giggles at jokes, flaunts herself, flirts relentlessly, and, in general, is completely "enthralled" at their collective company, though especially Vincent.
It's apparent - very quickly and very obviously - that the game is a bit beyond you, and the other players have no trouble whatsoever beating you. They're grinning the entire time... but your behaviors have clearly put them in a good mood, and what little you put out to bet is eventually returned to you. They take their gambling seriously, and it's not like they object to milking a hapless mark dry, but they're also friends with Vincent... and Vincent, quite clearly, wants to stay in your good graces.
"Don't feel bad - most people take a lot of time to really pick it up. We've all spent years practicing, too." One of them says sympathetically. "People should take their hobbies seriously, you know? It's much more fun that wa..." he trails off as the doors open and a woman with brilliant orange hair and red scales on some of her skin strides boldly into the room. All of the merchant boys stand up - except for Vincent, who pales slightly as his friends move forward, his hisses to sit down going unheeded.
"Oy. Don't you know that this place is off-limits to your kind?" one of the boys asks. The newcomer just grins - lazily and completely relaxed, like a cat in sunlight.
"That so?" she asked, placing one hand on her hip. "Well, the place is called Cup of the Dragon, so it sounds to me like I've got more right to be here than you." A long tail coming out from her waist flicks slightly, even as a pair of orange wings spread a bit. Out of the corner of your eye, you notice everybody else scooting towards the walls. A sensible person would probably be backing down right now, but those merchant boys have been flattered and had their egos stroked for some time by a beautiful woman, imbibed a fair bit of alcohol, and been unable to move beyond the lowest stakes in the game they gathered to play... good sense isn't on their minds right now, and the most drunken one of them staggers forward slightly.
He's probably about to say something he really, really shouldn't...
"Oh! Oh, I'm so sorry!" Fae pops up suddenly, 'worried'.
"I didn't realize this wasn't a place for women!"
She hurries over, putting her hand out. "Oh my word! This is all my fault! I'm so sorry! I thought this place was open to us!"
She begins to sniffle, as she hugs the woman.
"Please, dear heart, these are fine gentlemen. 'Tender, if you don't mind - that is, if you are allowed - please give us two to go. My fellow female and I shan't bother your establishment any more!"
"What, wo-" one of them says, looking shocked. But that's all he has time for before you and the visitor are both heading out the doors... though she stops in place like an immovable rock as soon as the doors are shut and looks towards you.
"Well? If you have a plan for dealing with those pompous twits, I'm listening... but if not, I'm taking care of them myself." she said, her tail flicking back and forth.
"Call me, Fae, Cute-stuff." Fae says in the street, "You?" she asks.
Fae leans on her. "Here's the plan: make them want you, need you, crave you and your presence." Fae takes a step around her to look her in the eyes. "I know you're angry - who wouldn't be? But work with me, and we'll have them eating out of your palm - certainly better than them eating your fist."
"Let me put it this way: you're hot. They want you. They just don't realize it yet. It's like I told them - seduction, not slamming. Of course, we'll need to help them 'get' that. Also, I'm pretty sure Vincent's just plain terrified. We need to change that. However, first let's see if they follow in five... four... three..." she waits to see.
"I don't think so. I don't put out for my soldiers, and I'm sure not doing that for a bunch of self-centered brats." the dragon-lady said. "And more importantly, Tio and Romalda wouldn't approve of me doing that. It's 'conduct unbecoming an individual in your position'." she snorted slightly. "Besides, I'm not going to actually hurt them... much..." None of the boys have left the building - or are showing any sign of wanting to do so.
"Oh, sure. You never actually have to 'put out' - that's needless, unless you wish to do so. No, that's not the point, but rather they want you nonetheless. Need and crave you."
Fae steps out beside her. "Listen to me, and listen well: if you hurt those ignorant children, you will be doing them the greatest favor you can possibly do - a favor that will harm you and every cause you've ever wanted to succeed. As I think you're gorgeous, I'd rather not."
She smiles. "There are times when punching someone really hard is the right response. This is not one of them. Of course, maybe later..." she says.
"Here's the thing: when they want you, that is when you get to dictate things. Do you have to bow and scrap to them? Of course not. That's silly. But finesse - ah, now there's a weapon that can net you most anything."
The woman simply crosses her arms and looks at you - while she seems to agree that violence may not be necessary, it seems she's adamantly against the idea of personally flirting with them and using that to change things. Her tail flicks against the ground, chipping the stone. "General Conflaagar, Ambassador of War for Countess Romalda." she said calmly. "And quite frankly, considering the way that boys like that tend to behave, I wouldn't be surprised if they simply started resorting to kidnapping and assaulting girls. I'd rather have then thinking with their upper brains... such as they are."
"General, it's an honor to meet you!" Fae enthuses sincerely.
"Here's the thing: seduction isn't always about, by, or for sex. Flirting, fun as it is, isn't necessarily what I mean. I'll handle the flirting part. You handle the 'patient enough not to pop their little heads' part. You them want you in a way that leaves you your own kind of dignity."
She nods, then has a dark expression. "If they do resort to violence for their own pleasure, you will not be alone in taking your justice."
Her frown gives way to a shrug. "And, besides, if they do, then we won't have to worry about them very long, will we?"
Shaking off that dark topic, she continues, "Anyway, here's what I'd love from you: a list of product, preferably low-grade magical potions or alchemical goods that people either don't have or overcharge that your people - specifically your military forces - generally either need or desire. Any information you an net me is ammunition in our fight: more products and larger demand being ideal things to note, as well as niche items (and noting that they are, in fact, niche items). I'll look into the possibility of making them more common and less expensive. And in so-doing, make a few friends for you. Seduction. Allure. Desire. And if it doesn't work, what have you lost? You can take your time getting me the list. Della should be able to get it to me."
Fae winks. "Im doing this for us, General, not them. Ask Della: she'll probably tell you I'm a ***** or ***** or maybe a *****-*****, also that I'm not to be trusted and am more than slightly crazy, but, you know, that's just part of her natural charm." Fae smiles, sincerely meaning every word. "I think it's secretly because I'm likely insane, and, even worse, am terribly inappropriate, in addition to the fact that I really like her (which makes her uncomfortable). But that's just a guess." she says.
She smiles. "That's not really important. What I'm asking for is that someone with superior intelligence - that's you - give me time to work on these guys. I think I might have made an important discovery tonight, and I just need to to see if I'm right. If I am, then I can make things better in this city for everyone. Is that too much to ask for?" she says.
Diplomacy:1d20 + 9 + 2 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 9 + 2 + 2 + 2 = 31or +10+2+2+2 EDIT: clarified a few sentences, added a bit of descriptive text, and added a dice roll, now that I have access to a PC.
Conflaagar doesn't seem entirely convinced - though she does snort in amusement at your depiction of Della, clearly in agreement. She knows all too well what her friend is like, and her boisterous nature is impossible to keep down for long. "Low-grade products? We're actually pretty stocked on those - many of our citizens have at least some magical ability, and they've long since put that to use for the economy. Our trading agreements are actually far more reasonable than most people would expect - Della's a natural at making arrangements that benefit everyone, which is why she's the Ambassador of Trade to begin with. Quite frankly, the only demands we aren't meeting are those of Atlana - and they've been pushing for higher-quality supplies in the last few months to help in the war against the demons. They need the best they can get if they're going to shut that down once and for all." Her hands - and claws with them - flexed slightly as she spoke, as if she couldn't quite wait to get started and begin tearing demons apart.
The general raised one eyebrow. "Food. Weapons. Armor. Boots. Every other form of supply an army needs for fighting a constantly-reinforced foe. Even the best legion strategies are of limited use against demons, but they've adapted their tactics well enough. We're selling what we can, of course, but it takes time to produce high-quality equipment, especially for taking down demons. Quite literally, they can't afford to buy anything that isn't high-quality for their campaign, and our nation isn't exactly a bastion of holy power." Monstrous power, yes. Celestial? Not so much.
"Hm. Interesting. So... lacking in summons. Interesting. I wonder about importing gods..." she holds her chin as she thinks. "However, clothes I can do. Also, tell me: do your troops have sufficient entertainment while on-field?"
She paces for a few moments.
She turns back. "Also, I just realized - maybe one reason that you're having problems with the locals is that your economy's not integrated enough. Sure, yes, it's put to use... but is it put to use for monsters or for humans or both? If we want this thing to work out, I want to find something that can be given to your people - that you'll want instead of just need - so that these jerks can provide it at a comparative price. Because that way, what you're really buying is acceptance... a price well worth the payment, I'd say - presuming, of course, it's a fair payment. I won't see anyone cheated. Well, not in this instance, anyway..."
