War for the Crown with DM Vayelan

Game Master vayelan

Loot Log
NPC Tracker
Stachys and Loyalty Tracker

Map: The Betony Estate
Persona Tracker
Persona Subsystem Rules

Tanager Jubilee Tracker

Encounter Map: Palace of Birdsong


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Female Half Elf Superstitious Urban Barbarian 6| HP: 71/71| AC: 14 (11 T, 13 F)| CMB: +8, CMD: 19| F: +9/14, R: +2/7, W: 2/7| Init: +8| Perc: +8/10| Speed 30ft| Rounds of Rage: 17/20| Active conditions: Good Hope, Prayer, Align Good.

Greenly grins at Titus. "Oh, that's why you put up such a poor show at the joust, you were worried about your outfit! Silly me, I was too busy earning my place at the table by, like, winning and saving the life of our distinguished host. Why are you here again?"

Intimidate?: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 17 If Linguistics would be better suited for an insult add 5 to the roll

She refuses the bath, scowling at Olivia and muttering, "I ain't missing dinner," before waving her hand above her head and chanting "bippidy-bobbidy-bibbidy-baddiby," sending sparks across her form that magically clean her.

Casting Prestidigitation, which I get once a day from my trait Wealthy Dabbler

She doesn't acknowledge the tacky march of peasant servants dressed as food, except to look over the food with excitement.


Human Arcanist (Harrow Student) 4 | HP 18/18 | AC 11 T 11 FF 10 | Fort +1 Ref +2 Will +5 | Spells L1 5/5 L2 2/2 | Arcane Reservoir 7/7 | Active Effects: none

Photinè scoffs and gives Titus a withering look, speaking pointedly to Greenly in another language as they take their seats. Ne vous inquiétez pas de cette bite d'huître.

The parade of servants dressed as food is disturbing and certainly not to her taste, but she watches silently and offers no immediate criticism of the gauche entertainment.


Female Half Elf Superstitious Urban Barbarian 6| HP: 71/71| AC: 14 (11 T, 13 F)| CMB: +8, CMD: 19| F: +9/14, R: +2/7, W: 2/7| Init: +8| Perc: +8/10| Speed 30ft| Rounds of Rage: 17/20| Active conditions: Good Hope, Prayer, Align Good.

Understanding enough Galtan by this point to get the gist, Greenly giggles and whispers back, "I love oysters but ain't nobody gonna slurp that down."

Sipping at the wine, she piles food high on her plate and turns to the Baroness.

Dip, Joust Bonus: 1d20 + 10 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 10 + 2 = 32

"Your Grace, how have you been enjoying the evening?" she starts, polite and cordial.


Senate Dossier | Loot Log | Female Human Druid (Swarm Monger) 4 | AC 16 T 13 FF 13 | HP 31/31 | F +8 R +3 W +6 (+4 vs. pois/dise) | Init +2 | Perc +11 | Active Status:: -none-

Before the group is swept inside the Ballroom, Chana takes a moment to mill about with the other guests - ostensibly to ask if everyone is doing OK after seeing something so awful. In truth, she keeps an eye on Lady Marthane and eventually ends up next to her. Quietly, she offers "Lady Marthane, how very terrible, wasn't it? It looks like those 'peasants' and their protector are at it again. Thankfully, I'm sure the Count's guards are all over the grounds of the palace as we speak, and probably the surrounding countryside as well - all looking for the perpetrator."

"Better we all stay together and out of their way?" Chana pats her on the shoulder. Not trying to bluff or pass any secret messages explicitly here - but I'm hoping Lucretzia gets the message.
----

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 11 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 11 + 2 = 20

Chana grimaces behind her mask at the parade of dinner animals. Sure, the animals here were food. Nothing wrong with that. But the way this little march mocked the beasts was twisted. Chana idly wondered how the Count would like to be marched around a table of wolves while they licked their lips.

When Titus speaks out, Chana leans over the table to give him a long look. "Hands off Miss Finch-" She considers how to make her hostility polite for noble society, and adds "-if you would, Lord Titus."
"You know, when I met you earlier today, I had the impression you were a polite, noble gentleman." She pauses for effect, then tries a simpering voice "Don't tell me that was an act?"

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (20) + 0 = 20


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Chana:
Lady Marthane offers a frightened, confused expression. She again dons the mask of the ingenue and drops no visible hint that she understands your meaning.

Lidia's chastisement leaves Lord Titus tight-lipped and stone-faced. However, Greenly's more pointed rejoinder causes a sneer to cut across Lord Titus' face, which would be handsome if not for the pickled brain hidden behind it.

"A thick arm and being able to treat your body like a pincushion does not make you the hero of the county," Lord Titus declares, raising his arms to the side. "Dinner would be served and grow cold before I finished recounting my exploits. Meanwhile, you could scribble your merits on a ripped handkerchief - assuming you know how to write more than your name."

Count Lotheed rises from his chair. He remains wordless, but the groan of his chair leg dragging across the floor punctuates his mood loudly enough. He is visibly displeased by this spectacle, but his free-loading cousin knows well enough to close his mouth and retreat to his own seat.

Despite the host's displeasure, Tribune Onora offers an open, beaming smile as she watches the petulant Lord Titus snatch a glass of wine from a passing servant's tray and stomp away to his chair. She even stifles a chuckle seeing him taken down a peg as Chiara Betony offers one last polite jibe to send him on his way.

"About time someone delivered his foot back to his mouth and spared our ears any more of his trite," Baroness Voinum mutters quietly, within earshot of Greenly.

One influence success is lost with Count Lotheed, but one success each is gained with Tribune Onora and Baroness Voinum.

"Now that the libations have replaced the animals," Baroness Voinum's eyes dart both to the door through which the livestock were led and over to Lord Titus as she replies to Greenly, "The evening grows more tolerable."

Another influence success on Baroness Voinum.
Greenly can still take 2 more social round actions during dinner. The rest of the party can take their 3 social round actions.

Sovereign Court

Active Effects:
Lidia Espinosa Paladin (Shining Knight) 5 | HP 44/44 | AC 24 T 11 FF 23 | Ft +7 Rf +4 Wi +8 | Init +3 | Perc +5 l CMD 18 l Smite 1/2 l Lay 4/4

Lidia spends the first round trying to talk with her neighbour, Sepsinia. She doesn't know much about her, but a pale girl who's scared as a mouse probably isn't interested in politics or nobility, so Lidia tries to talk about adventure and heroics. She talks about her time in the military, focusing on some of the more heroic parts, and less on the gruesome and depressing parts.

Profession Soldier: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18

Not expecting much. Just want to give it a shot and see if she reacts.


Human Arcanist (Harrow Student) 4 | HP 18/18 | AC 11 T 11 FF 10 | Fort +1 Ref +2 Will +5 | Spells L1 5/5 L2 2/2 | Arcane Reservoir 7/7 | Active Effects: none

Photinè compliments their host and chats to him politely about the latest discoveries in arcana, ingratiating herself and getting a feel for his personality before delving into any deeper conversations.

K Arcana: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (12) + 11 = 23


Female Half Elf Superstitious Urban Barbarian 6| HP: 71/71| AC: 14 (11 T, 13 F)| CMB: +8, CMD: 19| F: +9/14, R: +2/7, W: 2/7| Init: +8| Perc: +8/10| Speed 30ft| Rounds of Rage: 17/20| Active conditions: Good Hope, Prayer, Align Good.

Greenly grins and grabs herself two glasses of wine, offering one to the Baroness's, but draining it if refused. She keeps the other to sip with her food.

Ride, Joust Bonus: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 6 + 2 = 201d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 6 + 2 = 27

"I found your, uh, horse advice, like, helpful, by the way. Thank you. Do you have any more stories about like, cool battles on horseback, Your Grace?"

I will use both my actions to talk about horses with Voinum


Senate Dossier | Loot Log | Female Human Druid (Swarm Monger) 4 | AC 16 T 13 FF 13 | HP 31/31 | F +8 R +3 W +6 (+4 vs. pois/dise) | Init +2 | Perc +11 | Active Status:: -none-

Satisfied that Lady Marthane is not going to flee immediately, and get herself killed in the process, Chana turns her attention to the woman sitting across the table from her - Tribune Onora.

She adjusts her mask a little so she can eat by passing food underneath, but not so far that anyone can clearly see her face. As the table snacks are laid out, she grabs a small piece and brings it up to her mouth - simultaneously trying to be stealthy and dainty. Its a frustrating experience.

'This is gonna be a real unsatisfyin' meal, eh Snips?'

Looking across the table, she waves a baked twist at Onora. "Hullo again. How has the evening been treating you, Tribune Piscum? I tried a little earlier, but these good folks just aren't opening up to you. I'm not about to let Stachys' problems fall on deaf ears. But I know people are counting on you too. Maybe I can help give you some pointers on how to get them to let you into their circles?" She waggles the snack. "Its just like... fishing. You bring something tasty to talk about. And suddenly you've got an audience frothing the waters around your lure."

KN Local?: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (4) + 10 = 14
Bah. I'll try again the following round. If this advice should be KN Nobility, decrease the result by 3.
KN Local?: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (13) + 10 = 23


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DM Screen:

Amandine Sense Motive: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (9) + 10 = 19
Amandine Diplomacy: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (8) + 11 = 19
Amandine Diplomacy: 1d20 + 11 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 11 + 4 = 35

Olivia:
Sepsinia listens to your tales with a deaf ear. She sits with her chin propped in her palm, her eyes unfocused. She closes her eyes and scrunches her lips just as you reach the part where you deflected a bandit's arrow with your sword, but her reaction seems utterly disconnected from your exploits.

"Please just leave me alone," she sighs.

In stark contrast to the younger Crabbe's melancholy, your other neighbors at the table seem enrapt by your tales.

Photinè:
"It is such a relief to speak with someone who can appreciate the highest art," Bartelby says, hazarding a rare smile. "Magic is the true mark of distinction. Put a paintbrush, a sword, or a lute in any simpleton's hands, and with time, he may eventually learn to at least feign a talent. The same cannot be said about magic.

"Consider your bodyguard there," the Count says, surreptitiously aiming a finger towards Greenly. "She proved her physical might in the tournament, and with some grooming she could even pass for a courtly beauty. However, give her a wand or spellbook and a century, and she would never produce even a spark of magic."

The Count leans back in his chair, luxuriating in his self assurance.

"In Taldor as a whole, but especially here in Meratt, magic finds appreciation because it singles out the truly exceptional. Those born and bred to be sharper, more cunning than the common rabble. Surely you've felt it, too? How your own talent sets you not apart but above those who would call themselves your peers?"
Influence check successful!

Greenly:
Baroness Voinum drains the last drops of red from her own wine glass before accepting the one you offer. The ghost of a smile creeps across her face before her stern jaw quashes the expression.

"Of course my advice helped. Unlike every lordling and mercenary who manages to swing their leg over a saddle, I know to appreciate the several thousand years of equestrian tradition seemingly buried beneath 'modern' Taldor. I saw it out on the jousting list. I knew not to bother asking where any of you learned to ride because it's clear the answer is 'nowhere.' Let me tell you something."

The baroness pauses to trace a finger sharply along the scar that runs across the bridge of her nose, from above her right eyebrow and to the opposite cheek.

"I took this from some Andoren whelp's spear during a border skirmish outside the Verduran. If he knew how to properly hold that weapon, he might've unseated me. Instead, he only took my lance to his chest. Those eagle-decked liberals are a hair's breadth from the anarchy consuming Galt. They threw away centuries of tradition and security for an 'experiment' just because it made them feel all warm and fuzzy. No ideals about freedom can teach you how to hold a spear or how to hold your boot against the stirrup."

Despite the judgmental, condescending words that fall from her lips, the fact that Baroness Voinum speaks so freely and at length with you is a sign that you have made something of a connection with the imposing old noblewoman. Either that, or she's simply enjoying the count's wine.

Nevertheless, she launches into a lecture about the proper boots to wear when riding, the right way to grip different polearms, and other "time-tested" battlefield techniques to enlighten you and pass along her wisdom.
Both influence checks are successful!

Chana:

”Thank you for your support,” Onora sighs. ”Also, you have my apologies for treating you rather coldly when first we met. You seem to be a rare exception among the rest of these nobles. I’m beginning to suspect that you may actually care about Stachys. I just hope you can preserve that care once you’re confronted by the problems that need tackling.”

”It’s funny that you should compare working these nobles to working a fish. Unlike any of these highborn folks, a fish can feed a farmer’s family. I wouldn’t mind seeing one of these ‘sportsman-like’ nobles row out onto the lake at Pensaris to go fishing, only to get gobbled up by the General.”

Both influence checks are actually successful!

Amandine continues to chat with Baron Okerra, both consoling him while also praising his performance in the joust. The talk turns to the Exaltation Massacre, and the baron confides in Amandine how the event has left him far more affected than he dares let on to most of his peers.

"In my life, it's always seemed to be a constant: obedience and service is rewarded with goodness. But," he says in a hushed tone, "To hear that Stavian himself may have orchestrated such bloodshed against his own people...I just don't know anymore."

I've updated the Jubilee tracker with your influence successes.
Olivia and Photine can each take two more social rounds, and Chana can take one more, before the next event - the Great Halfling Chariot Race.

.....

Once the feast is finished, the servants clear away the tables and chairs, opening up the ballroom for the next spectacle of the evening. A fanfare of trumpets announces the arrival of six halflings dressed like Taldan heroes of yore. They ride atop miniature, gaudily painted chariots pulled by dogs. The charioteers pause to caper and cavort for the noble audience as the servants lay out a racetrack within the ballroom, marked by pennants and whitewashed arches.


Human Arcanist (Harrow Student) 4 | HP 18/18 | AC 11 T 11 FF 10 | Fort +1 Ref +2 Will +5 | Spells L1 5/5 L2 2/2 | Arcane Reservoir 7/7 | Active Effects: none

Any admiration Photinè may have for Bartleby is muddied after his underhanded jibe about Greenly, a woman she has great respect for, and her distaste for the man only grows the longer he speaks. Even so, she smiles demurely and appears to listen with rapt attention. Monsieur, I do try to remain humble. I think highly enough of myself as it is… But you’re quite right, of course. There is, for example, a reason the Betony heirs sought out a magician of my talents. Few others could guide them as I do in matters of the arcane or the mundane.” She smiles with self-satisfaction and looks up at him through her lashes, as if to share a moment of understanding between equals.

Bluff?: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (10) + 11 = 21 Round 2 action

The arcanist goes on to explain a bit of what she does for the Betonys, cleverly introducing her more esoteric abilities into the conversation; her studies into the occult and success at incorporating a deck of the Harrow into arcane magic are some of her favorite and most practiced topics.

K Arcana: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (16) + 11 = 27 Round 3


Senate Dossier | Loot Log | Female Human Druid (Swarm Monger) 4 | AC 16 T 13 FF 13 | HP 31/31 | F +8 R +3 W +6 (+4 vs. pois/dise) | Init +2 | Perc +11 | Active Status:: -none-

Chana leans forward across the table to speak to Onora with her voice lowered. "What General are you talking about? Some... thing? In the lake? Pensaris?"

Sense Motive; is this a reference to Pythareus that the player behind Chana is too thick to realize?: 1d20 + 11 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 11 + 2 = 22

"Whatever problems Stachys 'as can't be much worse than running backwards down a vomit-slick alley at night in the middle of winter while a bunch of dog-faced leg breakers try to-" Chana cuts off, realizing the analogy would probably be lost on anyone not from the Narrows or a place like it. And given the party... probably not the best time for it anyway. She clears her throat "I mean-"

'Do nobles even 'ave ta deal wit that shite?...'

She focuses on speaking more 'educated' as she continues "-Nevermind. What kinds of problems are you hearing about? Other than the ones you mentioned when we met earlier? I figure wolves and taxes aren't the only things bothering you out there."

KN Local to influence Onora: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (9) + 10 = 19 Round 3 action

Sovereign Court

Active Effects:
Lidia Espinosa Paladin (Shining Knight) 5 | HP 44/44 | AC 24 T 11 FF 23 | Ft +7 Rf +4 Wi +8 | Init +3 | Perc +5 l CMD 18 l Smite 1/2 l Lay 4/4

Lidia sighs and thinks a small blessing for this troubled girl. She relaxes a bit and continues to eat while paying attention to what Lady Marthane is up to.

Discovery check. I'd like to discover an influence skill, then a bias.

Sense Motive R2: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24
Sense Motive R3: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18


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Photinè:
Your show of proud humility ingratiates you further with the arrogant Count.

"To keep you on retainer, our new neighbors, the Betonys, clearly possess rare taste," Bartelby offers with a cloying smile. "In fact, if you find that their halls are not befitting one of your gifts, I might offer you more worthy patronage. Please, tell me more of your studies."

Your explanation enthralls the Count, who fails to disguise his curiosity about your more esoteric magical techniques. When you describe your use of Harrow, he takes a particular interest. Although some jaded nobles in Oppara have grown dismissive of those "Varisian cards," Bartelby is more amenable to your talk of Harrow. In fact, he interjects and draws connections to his own dabbling in working magic into his swordplay.

Both of your influence checks are successful!

Chana:
"Trust me, as you settle in around Stachys or any other town in the county's east, if you take the time to talk with any locals like you're talking to me, you'll hear plenty of tall tales about the General."

Onora regales you with the local legend of "The General," a catfish of prodigious size that has eluded anglers on Lake Pensaris for nearly a century. Whenever an angler goes missing, the folks on Baron Okerra's lands, where the lake is located, like to say the General "conscripted" them - right into his gullet.

"The most popular of these 'big fish' stories claims that he sank a visiting duchess' pleasure barge, either because he could smell the wine onboard and wanted a drink or because he fancied the duchess' beauty, depending on who you ask and what they themselves have been drinking."

The tribune's eyebrows raise in surprise as you slip into your comfortable Narrows-speak, but this soon subsides. In fact, the tribune herself seems even yet more at ease speaking with you after this slip.

"The biggest problem facing Stachys is that we're dead broke, to be right direct. You saw the condition of the fields and houses. You saw how the mill is good for nothing right now but a bonfire. Without Lady Allis, your late kin, to provide some investment, there's no way for folks to fix things up."

Almost as an afterthought, Onora also soon brings up the matter of law and order in the village. As tribune, she serves as arbiter over matters of drunken assaults and thefts, but she readily admits that she doesn't carry the same authority as a proper noble.

"They don't rightly respect me, I guess. Can't say I blame them. Hard to take verdicts seriously from the same woman who was pouring their cups just the previous night."

Your influence check is successful!

Observing Lady Marthane, Olivia - as Lidia - catches the quiet woman listening intently when neighbors at the dinner table discuss future travel plans or delve into their hobbies and frivolities. Almost akin to Dame Crabbe, she shows a particular interest in what business everyone else is up to. However, she also takes notice of small, expressive hints that might betray Lady Marthane's inclinations. Indeed, she seems to dislike those are are overly traditional and dogmatic.

Knowledge (Nobility) is an influence skill for Lady Marthane, and she is biased against Lawful characters.

.....

As the servants finalize the impromptu chariot track, Purple Finch walks over to the Betony party. Her arms are overflowing as she juggles carrying a dozen or so silken sachets. She passes them out to you, three apiece, as she explains.

"The charioteers will race for three dogged laps. You can use these to try and distract the other racers to ensure that your champion finishes first and does not come up short."

A sudden, pained look of anxiety crosses Alista's face - visible even beneath her Purple Finch mask - as she worries whether making a "short" joke about halflings is crossing a line too far.

Pick a racer to back: Red, Blue, Green, Gold, White, or Black. Each round, you can throw one of the sachets (filled with brightly colored powder) as an improvised weapon at the passing racers. Make a ranged attack vs AC 14 to simply hit the driver, or vs AC 18 to blind them.
You will also have one additional social round during the race to interact with NPCs.


Female Half Elf Superstitious Urban Barbarian 6| HP: 71/71| AC: 14 (11 T, 13 F)| CMB: +8, CMD: 19| F: +9/14, R: +2/7, W: 2/7| Init: +8| Perc: +8/10| Speed 30ft| Rounds of Rage: 17/20| Active conditions: Good Hope, Prayer, Align Good.

Do we make the choice to hit or blind them, or is it a hit if 14-17 and blinding if it's 18 or above?


Senate Dossier | Loot Log | Female Human Druid (Swarm Monger) 4 | AC 16 T 13 FF 13 | HP 31/31 | F +8 R +3 W +6 (+4 vs. pois/dise) | Init +2 | Perc +11 | Active Status:: -none-

Does it look like everyone is participating? Because this "game" seems nasty and mean spirited.


Greenly Baerdóttir wrote:
Do we make the choice to hit or blind them, or is it a hit if 14-17 and blinding if it's 18 or above?

I believe you have to choose whether you are just trying to hit the racer or if you are trying to make the harder shot.

Chiara "Chana" Durante wrote:
Does it look like everyone is participating? Because this "game" seems nasty and mean spirited.

Very astute observation! Not everyone is participating, and abstaining from abusing the halfling racers will have a positive effect on certain NPCs.


Senate Dossier | Loot Log | Female Human Druid (Swarm Monger) 4 | AC 16 T 13 FF 13 | HP 31/31 | F +8 R +3 W +6 (+4 vs. pois/dise) | Init +2 | Perc +11 | Active Status:: -none-

Chana sets her powder sachets aside, scowling behind her mask at this Count Lotheed's idea of a "fun after-dinner game". She instead watches Baron Okerra through the event. He had seemed a fairly reasonable fellow back in Oppara, but after seeing his behavior so far, he also seemed like a stick in the muck. The kind of person that might stay with the way things are, just so that there isn't any change.

'If I got a read on 'im, he's go' enuff of a backbone ta not play this load of b%++&%$s.'

She crosses her arms, waiting to see if she's wrong.

Sense Motive; Okerra to determine biases and see his reaction to the game: 1d20 + 11 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 11 + 2 = 19


Female Half Elf Superstitious Urban Barbarian 6| HP: 71/71| AC: 14 (11 T, 13 F)| CMB: +8, CMD: 19| F: +9/14, R: +2/7, W: 2/7| Init: +8| Perc: +8/10| Speed 30ft| Rounds of Rage: 17/20| Active conditions: Good Hope, Prayer, Align Good.

Greenly talks shop with the Baroness about proper chariot riding and how these poor halflings don't know what they're doing as she attempts to bean the riders in the eyes, aiming for Titus's team.

Influence Baroness, Ride, Joust Bonus: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 6 + 2 = 22
Go for the Eyes!, DEX Rage: 1d20 + 7 - 4 ⇒ (8) + 7 - 4 = 111d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 141d20 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 = 18

Sovereign Court

Active Effects:
Lidia Espinosa Paladin (Shining Knight) 5 | HP 44/44 | AC 24 T 11 FF 23 | Ft +7 Rf +4 Wi +8 | Init +3 | Perc +5 l CMD 18 l Smite 1/2 l Lay 4/4

Lidia holds onto the sachets, but completely forgets to use them as she cheers on the Gold chariot with all her heart.
Honestly, I'd like to forgo an influence round to just be present in the race, and provide encouragement to Gold team.


Human Arcanist (Harrow Student) 4 | HP 18/18 | AC 11 T 11 FF 10 | Fort +1 Ref +2 Will +5 | Spells L1 5/5 L2 2/2 | Arcane Reservoir 7/7 | Active Effects: none

Though she privately thinks the game is cruel, it would appear rude and questionable not to play the host's game. Trusting in her inability to actually hit anyone, Photinè tosses her satchets at Baron Okerra's team, and gasps in surprise when one of her satchets actually makes contact.

Ranged, DC 14: 1d20 + 2 - 4 ⇒ (1) + 2 - 4 = -1 Please tell me this accidentally hits Titus or something.
Ranged, DC 14: 1d20 + 2 - 4 ⇒ (20) + 2 - 4 = 18
Ranged, DC 14: 1d20 + 2 - 4 ⇒ (12) + 2 - 4 = 10


Lidia cheers for the Gold racer, finding herself in fellow company with Dame Crabbe.

Greenly's first throw lands a sachet in the path of an oncoming chariot, its wheel sending up a thin cloud of red powder. Her second throw merely impacts against the side of her target's chariot, but her third throw lands true. The sachet erupts in a crimson cloud, sending Lord Titus' driver into a coughing fit.

Photinè's first throw is not strong enough to reach the crowd on the far side of the track, where Lord Titus stands with his cronies. However, her throw does intercept Lord Titus' own sachet in midair, foiling his aim at the Gold charioteer as both silken bags flop to the ballroom floor. Her second throw catches the Blue racer, backed by Okerra, in the chest - leaving a smear of red powder upon the halfling's replica of a phalanx breastplate.

Chana:
Baron Okerra remains quiet during the chariot race, keeping his emotions are hard to read. He throws not a single sachet. Instead, he keeps one perpetually clenched in his fist, squeezing it so tightly that streams of powder leak out like a broken hourglass.

As best as you can tell, he does not care for this surprisingly crass spectacle, but he holds his tongue lest he insult his host or peers.

"This is an insult to the Phalanx and the Taldan Horse," Baroness Voinum growls. "But I wonder if my arm's still strong enough to hit that braggart over there," she says in an even lower voice, eying Lord Titus.

DM Screen:

Red, Lap 1: 1d10 - 1 ⇒ (8) - 1 = 7
Blue, Lap 1: 1d10 ⇒ 5
Green, Lap 1: 1d10 - 1 ⇒ (3) - 1 = 2
Gold, Lap 1: 1d10 ⇒ 2
White, Lap 1: 1d10 - 1 ⇒ (9) - 1 = 8
Black, Lap 1: 1d10 - 1 ⇒ (8) - 1 = 7

Red, Lap 2: 1d10 - 1d3 ⇒ (6) - (3) = 3
Blue, Lap 2: 1d10 - 1 ⇒ (10) - 1 = 9
Green, Lap 2: 1d10 ⇒ 9
Gold, Lap 2: 1d10 - 1 ⇒ (9) - 1 = 8
White, Lap 2: 1d10 - 1 ⇒ (8) - 1 = 7
Black, Lap 2: 1d10 - 1 ⇒ (5) - 1 = 4

Red, Lap 3: 1d10 - 1 ⇒ (10) - 1 = 9
Blue, Lap 3: 1d10 - 1d3 ⇒ (10) - (1) = 9
Green, Lap 3: 1d10 - 2 ⇒ (5) - 2 = 3
Gold, Lap 3: 1d10 ⇒ 10
White, Lap 3: 1d10 - 2 ⇒ (2) - 2 = 0
Black, Lap 3: 1d10 - 1 ⇒ (6) - 1 = 5

Red = 7+3+9 = 19
Blue = 5+9+9 = 23
Green = 2+9+3 = 14
Gold = 2+8+10 = 20
White = 8+7+0 = 15
Black = 7+4+5 = 16

After the final lap, the Blue charioteer crosses the finish line first, eliciting cheers from Count Lotheed and others, as well as the hint of a smile from Baron Okerra. Gold finishes in second place, followed closely by Red, the racer supported by Lord Titus' drunken voice.

.....

The halflings, their chariots, and their canine steeds are ushered out a door to the gardens. Sir Gusairne summons a new cadre of servants armed with push brooms to sweep away the dusting of powder from the sachets. Count Lotheed's right-hand man grumbles about the way his halfling servants were abused by the nobles, shaking his head in impotent frustration.

Several of the dining tables, freshly cleaned, have been moved to adjoining entertaining spaces, and decks of cards have been laid out upon their surfaces. Meanwhile, a troupe of musicians enters from the topiary garden. Purple Finch grinds her teeth as she watches them set up and tune their instruments.

"Should we hire the flutist for the musical performance? No, let's slap a mask on her and call her a jester," she fumes not-so-quietly.

Meanwhile, Dame Crabbe quickly turns her head, looking first to the card tables, then the soon-to-be dance floor, and then back again, clearly caught in a dilemma.

"Oh, phooey. They are setting up for Last Azlant," she says, gripping the hem of one of her petticoats, "But I need to play steward for Sepsinia's dance card."

The first evening of the Jubilee concludes with dancing and cards.
There will be 4 social rounds during this event. You can decide whether to play cards or seek one or more dance partners.

Sovereign Court

Active Effects:
Lidia Espinosa Paladin (Shining Knight) 5 | HP 44/44 | AC 24 T 11 FF 23 | Ft +7 Rf +4 Wi +8 | Init +3 | Perc +5 l CMD 18 l Smite 1/2 l Lay 4/4

We just learned something about Gusairne. It ain't much, but it's something. He doesn't like having his servants abused.

At first, Olivia gravitates towards the card game, but when she hears Dame Crabbe's complaint, she realizes that Sepsinia is about to be forced to dance with any man who professes interest. This weighs heavily on her, since she's quite aware that men tend to be less than interested in keeping their hands to themselves. That's when she makes a decision, her own little rebellion against the system.

Lidia approaches Dame Crabbe and says "My Lady, may I ask for a dance with your fair daughter, Sepsinia? I must profess my attraction to such a beautiful, and talented woman."

Rolling: 1d20 ⇒ 8
Bluff is +2, Diplomacy is +8. Olivia is sexually attracted to women, but... women who aren't clearly in horribly deep depressions.


Senate Dossier | Loot Log | Female Human Druid (Swarm Monger) 4 | AC 16 T 13 FF 13 | HP 31/31 | F +8 R +3 W +6 (+4 vs. pois/dise) | Init +2 | Perc +11 | Active Status:: -none-

Now, is that because he doesn't want damaged property, or because he actually cares about them, or because he sees damage to his servants as reflective of himself?
Sense Motive; What's the motive for Ser Gusairne's irritation: 1d20 + 11 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 11 + 2 = 27
----

As the abuse of poor halfling servants is replaced by a more palatable entertainment, Chana dives right to the card tables. Cards were something she knew, from filthy rundown taverns in the Narrows to the Durante estate, she'd had enough practice at most games of chance that she wouldn't embarrass herself.

'An not 'aving ta dance is a lucky break, eh Snips?'

She pats at the vest under her dress.

When Purple Finch starts complaining, Chana internally wars between her sympathy for her downtrodden nature and her indifference for people who complain rather than act. Eventually she steps up and whispers "You're pretty good at the flute then? Even if you hate this job, maybe my cousin Amandine, or Lady Michele would want to hire you on as a musician. You should ask them."

Any mechanics for the card games? Or is this just social round rules?


Senate Dossier | Loot Log | Female Human Druid (Swarm Monger) 4 | AC 16 T 13 FF 13 | HP 31/31 | F +8 R +3 W +6 (+4 vs. pois/dise) | Init +2 | Perc +11 | Active Status:: -none-

Chana looks around at the various card tables, trying to determine who she wants to match wits with. Not sure if anyone is fair game for these social rounds, or if its just people playing cards. If so, I'm wondering what that list is.


Human Arcanist (Harrow Student) 4 | HP 18/18 | AC 11 T 11 FF 10 | Fort +1 Ref +2 Will +5 | Spells L1 5/5 L2 2/2 | Arcane Reservoir 7/7 | Active Effects: none

Photinè doesn't ask Bartelby to dance just yet, preferring to remain a bit coy and aloof toward him rather than risk appearing overeager. She sashays up to Greenly and Voinum, armed with a glass of fine wine to appease the Baroness. "May I cut in? I'd like to be the first to dance with the hero of the hour."

She smiles, extending a manicured hand to Greenly.

Diplomacy, Baroness Voinum: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (8) + 14 = 22


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Female Half Elf Superstitious Urban Barbarian 6| HP: 71/71| AC: 14 (11 T, 13 F)| CMB: +8, CMD: 19| F: +9/14, R: +2/7, W: 2/7| Init: +8| Perc: +8/10| Speed 30ft| Rounds of Rage: 17/20| Active conditions: Good Hope, Prayer, Align Good.

After dinner, Greenly quickly heads back to her quarters to change. Keeping with the black and gold she's been wearing all day, she returns wearing a beautiful dress with a plunging neckline, fully displaying her myriad cuts and bruises from her afternoon of horseplay. The barbarian has also taken the time to redraw her kitty whiskers and pink nose from much earlier.

Champion of the joust or no, she is entirely taken aback by the offer, having been just about to sit down to play a hand with the Baroness. Regardless, she accepts eagerly.

Perform, Dance: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

"I know roughly how to dance, but I've never, like, done it before," she mumbles, apologizing as she steps all over Photinè.

"It's all cause, like, my family were real sticklers about my place in society. I've a, er, hereditary knighthood, right? And my mom was all like so excited to use me to sort of catapult herself back into legitimacy, and she tried real hard to like, educate me and get me to know manners and magic and history and dancing and shit, but I really, really just didn't want to. And then on the other hand, my cousins are all like, 'you and your mother're here by the grace of the family, you could be nothing and nobody but here you are, so even though lots of us are equal in status to you, you gotta clean the house with the maids and cook in the kitchen or serve with the servants whenever we're throwing galas and events'. So even tho I learned how to dance, I, like, never had the opportunity to do so, and ever since I became a bodyguard, like, sure I been to parties and stuff, but I always been working. This whole event is my first real chance to celebrate by myself."

She purses her lips and frowns, aware that she's babbling. With a sigh she straightens her face out and fixes her posture, standing tall. "Thank you for asking me to dance with you," she says, holding the older woman close. "How, ah, how has your night been, Teeny?"

Later, First Social Round

Dip, Joust Bonus: 1d20 + 10 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 10 + 2 = 26

After her dance with Photinè, she goes up to Lady Marthane, the as-of-yet unknown (to her) woman she impulsively and groggily dedicated her performance at the joust to after getting poisoned.

"Howdy, uh, I-I'm Greenly. What's your name?"


Olivia:
We'll treat this as a Bluff check but with an additional +2 bonus as synergy from your diplomatic approach.

A spark of energy courses through Sepsinia, clearly shocked that anyone would take an interest in her. Her face wears the aspect of a frightened hare, as though looking for a place to run - but there is no escape.

"She would be delighted!" Dame Crabbe coos, pushing her waifish daughter into Lady Espinosa's arms.

Sepsinia offers no resistance, but likewise offers no enthusiasm. Dancing with her is akin to dancing with a straw doll. Nevertheless, there is a light, a life in her eyes that has been absent thus far in the day.

Chana:
Sir Gusairne is a quiet, humorless man. However, he saves his critical, judgmental eye for the noble guests his master has invited. In stark contrast, he demonstrates actual concern for the servants under his command. In fact, the empathy he shows for them is not terribly dissimilar to the way you might treat an urchin in the Narrows. This suggests that Sir Gusiarne has lowborn roots that he is not completely disconnected from.

Dame Crabbe sashays to the card tables, carrying herself with all the pride of a victorious general. It is not hard to guess that she managed to foist her daughter off on some hapless dance partner, freeing the noblewoman for gossip over hands of cards. She drags along Lady Marthane, insisting that “she simply must teach her the game.”

Baroness Voinum cracks a smile, the closest that the face of this “iron maiden” comes to beaming happily, upon trading Greenly for a glass of Lingian Red. On the whole, the exchange further improves the noblewoman’s opinion of the Betony heirs’ party.

…..

After her dance with Photinè, Greenly finds Lady Marthane seated at a card table, opposite Dame Crabbe and Chiara. She tears her eyes from the cards in her hand and looks up at the bodyguard with a concerned look.

”Lady Lucretzia Marthane,” she replies, offering a hand with her palm down. ”You are a most impressive warrior. In a single day you won a tournament and saved the count’s life. How dashing!” she adds with a coy smile. ”I hope our host ensured that your wound was properly treated.”

Sovereign Court

Active Effects:
Lidia Espinosa Paladin (Shining Knight) 5 | HP 44/44 | AC 24 T 11 FF 23 | Ft +7 Rf +4 Wi +8 | Init +3 | Perc +5 l CMD 18 l Smite 1/2 l Lay 4/4

As they dance, Lidia waits until her lips are close to Sepsinia's ear. Into them, she whispers "Lady Martella sends her regards." Then smiles playfully and winks.

Dancing: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 1 = 18


Female Half Elf Superstitious Urban Barbarian 6| HP: 71/71| AC: 14 (11 T, 13 F)| CMB: +8, CMD: 19| F: +9/14, R: +2/7, W: 2/7| Init: +8| Perc: +8/10| Speed 30ft| Rounds of Rage: 17/20| Active conditions: Good Hope, Prayer, Align Good.

Greenly squeezes the Lady's hand and releases it, cordial, polite. Suddenly embarrassed, she pulls her hand back to rub the back of her neck, not making eye contact. "I mean, like, just between you and I, I feel like the wind could blow real heavy and I'd just fall over. Like, sure, he certainly stopped the poison from gettin any worse, but like, I hardly been taken care of at all. Some hospitality," she snorts, plopping herself down beside the woman. "You save a man's life and he can't be assed to heal you. What I wouldn't give for a steam-bath, a right massage and three or four days of bedrest."

She leans in close to continue gossiping about their host. "With nobility like that, it's a wonder he has any subjects left at all. Did you see that display at dinner? Total disrespect for those below his station. Including me, I might add." She clicks her tongue, shakes her head and pulls away.

Dealing herself in to the game they're playing, Greenly changes the subject some.

"Whereabouts do you find yourself, like, lodging, Miss Marthane?"

K. Local, Joust: 1d20 + 11 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 11 + 2 = 21 Discovery check, biases? Influence skills if not appropriate.


Senate Dossier | Loot Log | Female Human Druid (Swarm Monger) 4 | AC 16 T 13 FF 13 | HP 31/31 | F +8 R +3 W +6 (+4 vs. pois/dise) | Init +2 | Perc +11 | Active Status:: -none-

re: Guisarne- very interesting! Is Count Lotheed our only definite enemy here?

Chana takes a seat with Dame Crabbe and Lady Marthane, picking up a deck of cards and starting to shuffle them. Mash shuffling of course. She'd never got the hang of a riffle shuffle, no matter how hard Sophia had tried. "Dame Crabbe? Pleasure to meet you. Chiara Betony. And fancy meeting you here again Lady Marthane." She makes a show of hiding a laugh.

She starts dealing. "So what did you two think of our host's choice of entertainment? I appreciate the effort, but pelting servants with colored powder is more than a little crude. Surely he could have managed something more interesting? Something more befitting his important station. I'm sure you two would have some excellent ideas on that front. "

Trying to continue the appeal to Lady Marthane here.
Kn Nobility to influence: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13


My apologies for the delay in updating.

DM Screen:

Amandine Diplomacy, Influence Baron Okerra: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (9) + 11 = 20
Amandine Diplomacy, Influence Baron Okerra: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (11) + 11 = 22

Olivia:
A brief flash of confusion plays across Sepsinia's face, before shifting into a flicker of clarity.

"Martella?" she asks, her voice unsure, as though wrestling with her memories.

The glimmer of enthusiasm flees her face again, and she casts her eyes to the floor, blankly watching your feet move across the ballroom floor.

Lady Marthane has proven to be far from the most talkative guest at the jubilee, and it is even harder to coax information from her with Dame Crabbe dominating the conversation at the card table.

"Count Lotheed is putting me up in one of the guest cottages on the estate," Lady Marthane replies to Greenly, finding a break in Dame Crabbe's explanation of the rules for Last Azlant. However, she offers no further elaboration. Eliciting conversation from Lady Marthane proves to be more arduous than a barber extracting teeth.

"I find myself agreeing with Sir Gusairne," Marthane replies, flipping through her cards. "I overheard him muttering about how tasteless the spectacle was. He seems rather protective of his staff, perhaps even drawing upon even more than simply the concern of an employer," she says, directing her eyes to Dame Crabbe.

This veiled insinuation lights a fuse in Dame Crabbe, who again seizes upon the conversation and invites gossip from Chiara and Greenly, asking whether they think Sir Gusairne may be intimate with any of his halfling servants.

Sense Motive DC 20:
You suspect that Lady Marthane is intentionally using Dame Crabbe's eagerness for gossip as a shield to deflect the conversation away from herself.

"Oh dear, please pardon me," Lady Marthane practically whispers. She makes a token gesture of excusing herself, but it is hard to hear her over Dame Crabbe's voice. She sets her cards down, rises from the table, and moves towards the adjacent library.


Senate Dossier | Loot Log | Female Human Druid (Swarm Monger) 4 | AC 16 T 13 FF 13 | HP 31/31 | F +8 R +3 W +6 (+4 vs. pois/dise) | Init +2 | Perc +11 | Active Status:: -none-

Oops! Missed we had an update here.
Sense Motive: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (10) + 13 = 23

Chana excuses herself for a moment to go to the bathroom shortly after Lady Marthane splits away. She heads to the nearest quiet hallway and taps at her vest to get Snips' attention. The rat peeks his nose out of her dress, and she does her best to point him in the direction of Lady Marthane and send general sensations of curiosity toward her familiar.

(Chana doesn't yet have a direct telepathy with Snips, just an empathic bond, but I'd like to try to get him to follow after Lady Marthane and keep an eye on her. Not sure what kind of skill check could help convey that. I'm going to drop a Wild Empathy, but let me know if I should do a different one)
Wild Empathy to relay instructions: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20
Snips Stealth: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (16) + 18 = 34
---

Once either Snips is on his way or Chana gives up on trying to get him to go after Lady Marthane, she returns back to sit with Dame Crabbe. "You seem very well connected Dame Crabbe." She lowers her voice "What can you share about Lord Titus? Somehow a rather unpleasant fellow. Beyond the ill treatment he's given some of mine, I've heard the most awful rumors."

KN Local to influence: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (2) + 10 = 12

Sovereign Court

Active Effects:
Lidia Espinosa Paladin (Shining Knight) 5 | HP 44/44 | AC 24 T 11 FF 23 | Ft +7 Rf +4 Wi +8 | Init +3 | Perc +5 l CMD 18 l Smite 1/2 l Lay 4/4

"What's wrong, Sepsinia? She said you were a good friend of her's."


Olivia:
"I haven't spoken with Martella in years," Sepsinia muses ruefully. "I wrote her a letter last year. I needed advice, but she never replied."

What little strength remains in her limbs ebbs away. She grows limp, more akin to a puppet than a straw doll, and moves effortlessly in your arms, though with no vigor or will of her own.

At the Card Table:
Dame Crabbe looks around the parlor before leaning in and speaking with an excited, conspiratorial whisper.

"Oh, I'm certain the rumors you've heard about the rakish Lord Titus are all frighteningly true," she replies to Chana, speaking with more morbid fascination than abhorrence. "He's a braggart and a bully, even before taking in a libation or three. I daresay, it would be no surprise to find an indiscretion of his in every village in the county.

"Suffice to say, he is well and truly beneath a lady as refined as my Sepsinia," Dame Crabbe says, leaning back in confident satisfaction as she shuffles the deck of cards for the next hand. "Let us please turn talk to more pleasant matters than Lord Titus."

Dame Crabbe pauses her card shuffling to turn her neck and look up. Someone or something upon the ballroom's dance floor has caught her curiosity.

On the Dance Floor:
A murmur rises from the gently swaying guests within the ballroom, and the rhythm of their movements skews as they part both to make way for and observe a new arrival. An aging noblewoman of uncanny beauty and impeccable accoutrements sashays upon the dance floor. Her eyes carefully rove across the assembled pairs with rapt curiosity, taking in every face that looks upon her.

You can identify this new arrival with a Knowledge (Nobility) or Perception check.

This is the last event for the first night of the Jubilee. Greenly can take one more social round, while everyone else can still take two more.

Sovereign Court

Active Effects:
Lidia Espinosa Paladin (Shining Knight) 5 | HP 44/44 | AC 24 T 11 FF 23 | Ft +7 Rf +4 Wi +8 | Init +3 | Perc +5 l CMD 18 l Smite 1/2 l Lay 4/4

Nobility: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (9) + 11 = 20

"If there's any way I can be of service to you, Sepsinia. I would like to help you."

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10
Does she happen to be under an enchantment?


Olivia:
If Sepsinia is under any sort of enchantment, you have not the senses to detect it. She is clearly depressed, and whatever the cause, it is sapping her enthusiasm for life.

Olivia recognizes the noblewoman as Duchess Veleto Lotheed, aunt to Count Bartelby Lotheed and wife to the absentee Duke Lotheed.

Although for the moment she merely strolls the dance floor, her body language makes it clear that she awaits someone brave enough to ask her to dance.


Senate Dossier | Loot Log | Female Human Druid (Swarm Monger) 4 | AC 16 T 13 FF 13 | HP 31/31 | F +8 R +3 W +6 (+4 vs. pois/dise) | Init +2 | Perc +11 | Active Status:: -none-

Chana follows Dame Crabbe's gaze toward the dance floor, trying to suss out what exactly has the woman's attention. When she spies the newcomer, she starts racking her memory for who they might be.

Perception vs. newcomer: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (4) + 11 = 15

Whoever it is, Chana reckons that anyone who can turn that many heads is likely either a potential ally or potential trouble. She leaves dancing with the woman up to one of her allies - 'Prob'ly Greens, I figga' - and instead scans the woman and the crowd to try to gauge everyone's reactions to her appearance.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 11 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 11 + 2 = 24
Sense Motive: 1d20 + 11 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 11 + 2 = 19
So, once Sense Motive here is for gauging the crowd's reaction and the other one is for analyzing the woman's initial behavior - hopefully to pick up an influence skill in the process.

Sovereign Court

Active Effects:
Lidia Espinosa Paladin (Shining Knight) 5 | HP 44/44 | AC 24 T 11 FF 23 | Ft +7 Rf +4 Wi +8 | Init +3 | Perc +5 l CMD 18 l Smite 1/2 l Lay 4/4

Olivia doesn't have the means to let anyone know what she's discovered. She continues dancing with Sepsinia until the music stops, feeling a little down herself.


Investigator 6 / Swashbuckler 1 | HP: 59/59 | AC: 21 (T: 15, F: 18 | CMB: +5, CMD: 18 | F: +5, R: +10, W: +6 | Init: +7 | Perc: +10, SM: +11 | Speed 30' | Inspiration 8/8 | Panache 6/6 | Phrenic Pool 3/3

Amandine apologizes to Baron Okerra for Greenly's behavior during the joust. While he doesn't seem particularly offended by her rudeness, she doesn't want to appear to not understand how ghastly Greenly's behavior has had been. When he mentions Greenly's great favor among the common folk, Amandine replies "She is certainly good at what she does, otherwise she would hardly be worth bearing. I suppose I am fortunate her very narrow range of talents happened to be what this contest highlighted."

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Despite her pique with Greenly, Amadine can be nothing but impressed by the warrior's fast action in protecting Count Lotheed.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

It takes only a few moments away from the party before dinner for Amandine to change thanks to her sleeves of many garments. She opts for a dark color for the evening, an unusual choice for her. Evening Dress in Dark Blue

Amadine sympathizes with Purple Finch and finds Lord Titus's behavior toward her abhorrent. But, with others among her compatriots defending their bard, she sees no benefit in adding her voice to them. Better if one among us burns no bridges with the man right now.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

When the dinner begins with the disturbingly dressed servants arriving with food, Amandine preoccupies herself by making her introductions to Dame Crabbe and her daughter. She takes particular care to compliment Sepsina's beauty to Dame Crabbe, and then directs the conversation toward a bit of gossip, asking about local eligible bachelors.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (2) + 11 = 13

K Nobility: 1d20 + 8 + 1d6 ⇒ (14) + 8 + (6) = 28

Amandine later greets Onora, asking after her and seeking advice on how to navigate the dinner and evening, who among the other guests will be at least passably pleasant to spend time around? She notes to the Onora that she has already struck Titus from her mental list and he need not be mentioned.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (11) + 11 = 22

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

When she's given sachets for the truly bizarre chariot race, Amandine decides to opt out of participating at all. She feigns a sneezing fit brought on by the powder and briefly excuses herself.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Amandine opts for dancing over cards. When it begins she approaches Baron Okerra and asks for a dance. While they dance she notes to the Baron his graceful movement, "so soon after such a rough sport as jousting and you move as if you had spent the day at rest. Your physical prowess is extraordinary!"

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 11 + 1d6 ⇒ (6) + 11 + (6) = 23

While she finds spending time with Baron Okerra to be much more pleasure than work, she can't ignore work. Besides, she doesn't want to cling too tightly to the Baron, even if they have a mutual pact. Amandine excuses herself explaining "Before the evening concludes I must make my gratitude known to our host."

Amandine finds Count Lotheed, and asks him for the pleasure of the next dance.

Spending 1 point of inspiration for Diplomacy on Okerra.


Female Half Elf Superstitious Urban Barbarian 6| HP: 71/71| AC: 14 (11 T, 13 F)| CMB: +8, CMD: 19| F: +9/14, R: +2/7, W: 2/7| Init: +8| Perc: +8/10| Speed 30ft| Rounds of Rage: 17/20| Active conditions: Good Hope, Prayer, Align Good.

Did my Discovery check not succeed?

Greenly ignores the new arrival on the dance floor, inviting the Baroness over to fill Lady Marthane's spot in their game. She orders drinks for everyone at the table, pushing liquor at Chiara happily and toasting with Dame Crabbe and the Baroness.

"Your Grace," she begins, half-drunkenly, "my, like, mother told me when I was little of these riders, far up north, who command huge, furry elephants the size of mountains. In your time in the Horse, have you ever ridden or commanded great beasts?"

Ride, Joust Bonus: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 6 + 2 = 20


DM Screen:

Photinè, Know (Arcana) to Influence Count Lotheed: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (5) + 11 = 16
Photinè, Know (Arcana) to Influence Count Lotheed: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (5) + 11 = 16

Chana:
Eavesdropping on the guests' whispering, you hear confirmation that this newcomer is Duchess Lotheed, your host's aunt. Paying attention to the crowd, you also glean two details regarding the duchess' reputation. First, she is seldom seen at social engagements, being even more elusive than her absentee husband - thus, her appearance at the jubilee takes the other guests by surprise. Secondly, and this is a particular topic of gossip upon the arrayed tongues, the duchess is known for frequently taking lovers that catch her attention.

As you observe the duchess, her countenance and movements bear out these reputations. Indeed, this aging beauty acts like a noblewoman half her age out on the hunt like a lioness.

Amandine:
Over dinner, Dame Crabbe gleefully launches into another round of gossip, showing boundless energy for this pastime. At one point, she digresses from suitors of a noble bearing.

”Baroness Voinum had the gall to suggest that my Sepsinia should be courted by Sir Gusairne,” Dame Crabbe huffs more quietly, leaning in close to share her indignance. ”Could you imagine such a scandal? How dare that iron maiden cast about such insults? Even if I could put aside his lowborn heritage - the bastard of minor Lotheed cousin! - there’s the matter of his warped personality. I do not speak ill of our host, but his family has not been kind to their seneschal. The former count, in particular, abused the man like a cur, and yet he remains unflaggingly loyal. What could be rattling around in his mind?”

Later, when you approach Onora, your question prompts her to sweep her eyes across the long table with a grimace.

”There are so few friendly faces here,” she groans. ”Baron Okerra seems to be the best among them. One of the servers suggested I might get along with one Lady Marthane, but deviled if I can even find her. I don’t recognize the name. On the whole, passing the evening with this crowd is little better than having to deal with Lucinia Mag back home.”

If pressed for details, Onora explains that Miss Mag is a notorious local drunkard and sneakthief from Stachys. However, she quickly dismisses the subject when she notices neighboring nobles casting judgmental eyes your way.
…..

As the evening winds down in the ballroom, Baron Okerra proves an amenable albeit stiff dancing partner.

”I appreciate your praise, but as you can imagine, I’m more at home in the saddle than on the dance floor,” he offers with a smile. He nervously watches his feet lest he step on yours. ”What’s more, it has been quite some time since I’ve had a partner to even prod me to try.”

”Please let me know if your woman-at-arms, the tournament champion, has any difficulty recovering from her wound. I can try to rummage up a proper cure from my estate. That Night Swan is a menace,” he rues, shaking his head softly yet showing a clarity of purpose. ”Forgive my macabre musing, but it is refreshing to have a clear cut adversary to deal with. I may volunteer my services to the count and offer to track down this villain and bring him to justice.”

Greenly:
Sorry. I overlooked your discovery check.
Lady Marthane is a difficult book to read. As demonstrated by her quick escape from the card table, she avoids getting too close to anyone. However, you have noticed a few times during the evening - such as during the mock chariot race - that she shakes her head in clear disapproval when she sees someone abuse their authority.

….

”The Taldan Horse is a shadow of its former self,” Baroness Voinum scoffs, shuffling through her cards. The latest round of wine has made her amenable enough to join your game. ”Whether atop horse or elephant, its riders are good for scarcely more than parades to reassure the Opparan elite that they have any glory left.”

She pauses to flex her muscles of historical knowledge, explaining that the Taldan Horse’s elephants - rather than the mammoths of the north - descend from breeding stock brought back from Garund thousands of years ago by the Sixth Army of Exploration.

”The only good to come from that ill-fated venture,” she practically spits. “In the Phalanx, I rode swift riding horses. I never saw a need to go wading into battle atop an arrow sponge just to make a statement. Far better to have a steed that can outflank Andoren spearmen or Chelish hellknights.”

Despite her venomous tongue, the Baroness clearly enjoys having someone to whom she can vent her numerous opinions.

.....

On the periphery of the ballroom, you observe Photinè just barely managing to keep the count's interest. Bartelby remains polite, but he seems quite distracted and does not offer his full attention, unlike their previous discussions of arcane knowledge.

Just as Olivia feels her own spirit quailing in the presence of the lifeless Sepsinia, she feels a new presence looming behind her. Turning around, she discovers the Duchess Lotheed standing before her with a warm, slightly impish smile.

”Good evening, Lady Espinosa. I’d hoped to claim you for the next dance,” she states, her rich voice carrying on the thinnest tone of this being a request.

Sovereign Court

Active Effects:
Lidia Espinosa Paladin (Shining Knight) 5 | HP 44/44 | AC 24 T 11 FF 23 | Ft +7 Rf +4 Wi +8 | Init +3 | Perc +5 l CMD 18 l Smite 1/2 l Lay 4/4

Lidia is fairly surprised by the Lady's request given the circumstances, but it isn't like she isn't used to being asked for a dance. She bows respectfully to Sepsinia, then turns and takes the Duchess' hand. "It would be my pleasure, your Grace."

One thing that Olivia is particularly pleased with in this scenario is she's pretty free to play the role of leader or follower in the dances, which isn't normally the case.


Senate Dossier | Loot Log | Female Human Druid (Swarm Monger) 4 | AC 16 T 13 FF 13 | HP 31/31 | F +8 R +3 W +6 (+4 vs. pois/dise) | Init +2 | Perc +11 | Active Status:: -none-

Looks like just two more actions for this day and both are for you Olivia!

With every eye and whisper centered on the Duchess, Chana feels comfortable enough for a moment to lounge back in her chair and rub at her scalp with the bony nub sticking out of her wrist. She feels for her connection to Snips, hoping he hadn't got himself in trouble.

'Weird as 'ell 'ow a load ov talkin' and sittin' can tucker you in.'

In this post, I mentioned trying to get Snips to follow Lady Marthane. Not sure if there was any chance of that working, but you might've missed it.


Chana:
Oops, sorry. I did miss that.

As the evening deepens, there are many shadows for Snips to hide in as he follows Lady Marthane. You can sense him periodically pause and hide either when his target also stops, or simply when some servant passes near. Lady Marthane apparently does nothing that raises a rat's interest, and she seems merely to tour the palace interior, examining objects on display.
.....

Scarcely a moment passes after receiving Lady Espinosa's reply before Duchess Lotheed snatches up her knightly partner's hands. She takes the lead at first, but readily cedes control of the waltz to Lidia if she seeks to lead. It seems simply enough for the duchess to be the center of attention in the ballroom. However, judging by how the older woman's eyes rove across Lidia, it doesn't hurt that she has an attractive partner.

As Amandine approaches Count Lotheed, however, she observes that he quietly seethes at the sight of his aunt dancing with Lady Espinosa. Nevertheless, he maintains decorum and does not make a scene. He holds his tongue and lets the pair dance.

Once the song ends and the bodies stop their swaying, Bartelby marches across the ballroom floor towards Lidia and the duchess. He quietly shoos his aunt back to her room, urging her to cooperate without making a scene. When she acquiesces, he turns his eyes - full of contempt - towards Lidia.

"My dear aunt is aging and easily confused, and she shouldn't be taken advantage of," he states in a calm patrician voice that thinly conceals his ire.

Count Lotheed returns to Amandine and apologizes for his departure. With a bow, he politely accepts her request for a dance, evidently very keen to put the previous exchange out of mind. However, he does offer Lady Betony a warning to keep an eye on her companion's behavior, confirming his vexation.

Count Lotheed will now be snubbing "Lidia." She cannot influence him, although she can still make discovery checks against him.


Investigator 6 / Swashbuckler 1 | HP: 59/59 | AC: 21 (T: 15, F: 18 | CMB: +5, CMD: 18 | F: +5, R: +10, W: +6 | Init: +7 | Perc: +10, SM: +11 | Speed 30' | Inspiration 8/8 | Panache 6/6 | Phrenic Pool 3/3

Amandine nods gravely to indicate her understanding of the Count's warning.

"I apologize for Sir Lydia's overstep Count Lotheed. And I will see that Sir Lydia delivers her own apology to you personally tomorrow. If I may ask though, please do not look too harshly on her. I feel I know Sir Lydia as well as I know anyone. She upholds her chivalric vows with the utmost sincerity. I can say with complete confidence she was motivated by those vows alone. Sir Lydia would be compelled to see a Lady's, your aunt's, request fulfilled. She would feel bound to do no less."

"This unfortunate episode brings to the fore an awkward reality. I, my cousin Chiara, and our people are newcomers to the County of Meratt. We are in an unfamiliar place, with new people and new circumstances to navigate. We would like to settle here with as little turbulence as possible. Would you grant us the kindness of your guidance so we can avoid further ill-will or embarrassment? Whether it be here, at your generous fete, or in the future as we take up our position and responsibilities in the county?"

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 11 + 1d6 ⇒ (11) + 11 + (5) = 27

Using 1 point of inspiration for diplomacy on Count Lotheed.


Investigator 6 / Swashbuckler 1 | HP: 59/59 | AC: 21 (T: 15, F: 18 | CMB: +5, CMD: 18 | F: +5, R: +10, W: +6 | Init: +7 | Perc: +10, SM: +11 | Speed 30' | Inspiration 8/8 | Panache 6/6 | Phrenic Pool 3/3

Oops, forgot to copy this portion in and then my editing time ran out. Obviously this takes place place before Amandine's dance with Lotheed.

Amandine purses her lips in sympathy with Dame Crabbe as she describes Baroness Voinum's matrimonial suggestion. She leans forward and with a lowered voice tells Dame Crabbe "I have yet to meet Sir Guisarne myself, but by his manner he seems stern and humorless. I very much doubt, even leaving all other things aside, he would ever preside over a warm and happy household. Although what you say about Sir Guisarne's treatment does bring a pang of sympathy to my heart for him."

To move the topic in a sunnier direction, Amandine feigns a sudden inspired thought, her face suddenly brightening. "Have you ever considered summering with Sepsinia in Oppara? Perhaps a bigger pond with many more eligible, and tasty I might add, fish would inspire her to find her match?"


Senate Dossier | Loot Log | Female Human Druid (Swarm Monger) 4 | AC 16 T 13 FF 13 | HP 31/31 | F +8 R +3 W +6 (+4 vs. pois/dise) | Init +2 | Perc +11 | Active Status:: -none-

With a wave to her allies to let them know that she's OK, Chana gets up from the card tables and heads in the general direction of where she expects Lady Marthane might be from her emotional link with Snips. It seems Marthane doesn't have any immediate plan to flee any longer, but Chana figures it would be good to at least plan out a way to meet up with the woman later.

If she finds Snips on her wanderings, she roughly scoops the rat back up and places him in her vest once more.
'Bloody good work Snips. Got'a treat you ta some nice stuff when we get back.'

Since this is the end of the night's activities, I'm thinking maybe if Chana comes across Lady Marthane, she invites the Lady to come to the Betony estate at some point.


Amandine's entreaty pries Count Lotheed's mind from his aunt's antics. Being treated as such an authority in Meratt plainly pleases Bartelby, and a handsome smile returns to his face.

"It would be my pleasure, Lady Betony," he replies courteously, nodding his head in lieu of a full bow. "Some might call it foolish to seek out the grandest authority in the county to be your guide, but I see it as wisdom. I can see the way to restore Meratt to greatness, so it is quite the relief to find new neighbors willing to cooperate."

The smile flees his face, and his expression returns to subdued severity.

"I appreciate your apology on behalf of Sir Espinosa, but you should not be afraid to rein her in. Even if she is not explicitly your servant, if she has any sense of loyalty, she should know her place. She should know how her actions reflect upon more than just herself."

Chana:
Your emotional link with Snips leads you to the gallery that dominates the entrance hall of the palace. Unsettlingly white walls flank this otherwise opulent grand hall. The walls are decorated with portraits, and four carved columns support the ceiling. A soft, plush carpet provides traction on the shiny marble floors - and off to the side, Snips enjoys squeezing pawfuls of the material.

You find Lady Marthane touring the paintings, running fingers along the elaborately carved frames as though to savor the texture. Your approach does not surprise her, but your request does. Nevertheless, with a quiet, polite reply, she accepts your offer.

"It would be a delight to visit your estate," she says, hazarding a rare smile.

Once the dance is finished, with the moon hanging low in the night sky outside the broad ballroom windows, the attendees retire to their lodgings. Most of the noble guests are escorted by their personal "jesters" to cottages along the palace's rolling grounds. The Betony party, however, is guided to guest rooms in the palace's west wing. In addition to Purple Finch, you are led by Sir Gusairne to a pair of rooms along the wing's main hallway.

"The sauna and public bath are right across the hall," the mirthless seneschal says, pointing to the doors opposite your rooms. "And there is a sitting room at the end of the hall."

His appraising eye lingers upon you for a moment of two before he turns on his heel and marches away without so much as a "goodnight."

Olivia:
Through the night, you are plagued by a vivid nightmare.

You find yourself back upon the jousting list, being again unhorsed and knocked to the dirt by Greenly. The stands erupt not in cheers but in jeers as noble and commoner alike laugh and point at you, laid out upon your back. You turn your head towards the count's personal box and discover a shocking perversion upon the day's events.

Your father, Earl Vernisant, now sits beside Count Lotheed. He shakes his head in disgust and leans over to whisper into the count's ear, yet you hear his words as loudly as if they were shouted right in your face. They are hardly new insults, but they burn the same as always.

Will Save: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23

Despite the unpleasant visions that dominate your sleep, you wake in the morning without succumbing to fatigue of either mind or body.

Sovereign Court

Active Effects:
Lidia Espinosa Paladin (Shining Knight) 5 | HP 44/44 | AC 24 T 11 FF 23 | Ft +7 Rf +4 Wi +8 | Init +3 | Perc +5 l CMD 18 l Smite 1/2 l Lay 4/4

Lidia has a fair bit of fun dancing with the Duchess as they play around with leading and following. She's aware of the roving eye, and it's a little awkward for her, but nothing too out of the ordinary. When the dance ends and the Count rushes in, Lidia is quite stunned. She can't find any words to reply with, and kind of stands in the ballroom reeling and aimless.

Olivia wakes up covered in a cold sweat, but she's prepared for handling nightmares since her time in the war. She kneels beside her bed and holds her sword across her legs while she meditates. The sword of Iomedae parries all evil from her body, mind, and spirit.

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