Where the Winds Blow

Game Master theredmenace

"Well I don't want to have gotten this hair done for nothing, but I'm trash at telling lies. I really wouldn't mind eating expensive food again..."

She looks at Asmund. "We're far enough from my comfort zone that I think we need to follow any leads we see. Maybe something will come of this."

retroactive action
Ula! Ulo hands the vender the 12 silver bits and packs the leathers into his bag.

Let us go to this party, could it be worse then our first endeavor?
I agree with Ade it will be nice to eat high quality food, and have some drinks...

At the thought of food and drink Ula! Ulo's eyes gleam.

My friends, let us go feast, drink, sing, dance and be marry and perhaps we shall learn some things?

What if Asmund && I sneak in the back and pose with the help, we will be with in distance if you need aid, and can scout a few escape options should the need arise. Some how I doubt my dance skills would be welcomed at this party. plus we'd be closer to the food and drink

Ula! Ulo, elbows Asmund and winks at the muttering about food and drink.

Ula! Ulo, glances among his companions.
What do you fine folk thing? anyone have a better plan?

"Alright, Sayyid and Ade will try to find out as much as they can about this whole fiasco with the Magisterium. Ula and I will try to be as inconspicuous as possible but we'll be there if things go south."

Persuasion: 2d6 + 2 ⇒ (5, 5) + 2 = 12 + wild die: 1d6 ⇒ 4 = 16
Ula! Ulo attempts to sweet talk his way into the "back" saying he was told to help move some things with his strong friend.

Upon Asmund's agreement Ula! Ulo starts to ask a few questions in the taverns and drinking halls where a common worker might drink.

Along the way Ula! Ulo plays a hand or two of cards:
Gambling: 3d6 ⇒ (3, 3, 6) = 12 + wild die: 1d6 ⇒ 1 == 13
OOF! let me know what i won / lost

Asking about manual work for the preparations and specifically the evening of the masquerade.

Ula! Ulo, is a pragmatic man and knows that one must sometimes spend money to gain what they wish and as such is willing to part with a few silver if it will secure him and his friend the jobs they seek.
Persuasion: 2d6 + 2 ⇒ (6, 6) + 2 = 14 + wild die: 1d6 ⇒ 4 = 18

"Ade, you and I must meet my "friend" perhaps he can provide coin or appropriate clothing for the two of us, it also may be that we must play overs"
after a long pause...
"Is that something you can do?"

Ula! tells his compatriots hes going to look for information and heads of to browse the dockside taverns.

No idea what the rest of you are up to, guess your standing around in a huddle until I hear otherwise.

The taverns are all bustling, even during working hours. After a bit of searching you find a promising game of dice between some local workers and some sailors from a log haul freighter that just put in.

Once you show you have silver, they gladly welcome you to their game.

sailor1: ...So they tell me the election festival here is second only to the parties in Yeza, that true?

laborer1: My friend, you'll see it yourself soon enough. The entire dockside will be turned into one giant fair ground. They cover the harbor in torches that burn in different colors. They spend a fortune on rockets and other pyrotechnics, and we race two man sloops around the harbor, between all the merchantmen. You won't be disappointing.
He elbows the man next to him.
Unlike Belwa here, he serves up at the palace of blue and gold. He'll be stuck serving stupid snacks on stupid plates to every imbecile that owns a trading house all night. Well, not every imbecile. Guess they're all bailing for Selwen's affair this year.
The other man glares at him.
Belwa: Well, I may be missing your debauchery, but you should see how those a*&+!*+s tip when they're trying to impress each other. There's a reason serving at these parties is so highly coveted.

You win 2 silver bits and lose 3 by this point.

In response to the question Ade drops her hood, puts her hand on Sayyid's forearm and stares up at him seriously.

"Of course, babe."
Charm: 5d6 ⇒ (5, 4, 4, 6, 3) = 22

Then she smacks the front of his tunic.

"But absolutely not in those peasant clothes. Let's go find your friend."

Ula! Ulo watches and listens and waits for a moment to catch Belwa's attention. When the moment is right, or as close as he can judge it to be.

Rolling cultures, to try and gain a sense of how to appropriatly approach the man in this situation.
'Cultures': 2d6 + 2 ⇒ (3, 3) + 2 = 8 + 'wild die': 1d6 ⇒ 2 = 10

Belwa, I overheard you and that fellow over there talking about the upcoming festivities. Your tail of how the elite pricks tip caught my ear, being a man of no great fortune I was hoping you might perhaps know a way I too could help out at the upcoming party. I by no means wish to impede upon your coin, maybe a job in the back moving produce for cooks or something I can work my way up from?

YoRo you only roll once
'Persuasion': 2d6 + 2 ⇒ (5, 6) + 2 = 13 + 'wild die': 1d6 ⇒ 4 = 17

While you think about it, might i buy you your next drink my friend. I hope I can call you friend.

Ula! Ulo smiles broadly.

The man seems moderately into his cups at this juncture. He smiles knowingly.

plenty ask me that, you got some scheme your looking to propose to some wealthy merchant? Everyone does. It's not that easy I'm afraid. All the Manors in the gold quarter get their staffing through the same few agents. Until one of them trusts you, you won't get near those estates. It's hassle, but it cuts way down on poisonings.

Asmund follows Ula to the tavern and listens quietly to his conversation and gambling. He speaks up when Belwa mentions poisonings. "That common place at these sorts of events? Poisoning I mean? Maybe some of the wealthier merchants would be looking to hire security?"

Ula! Ulo tips his glass back the last few droplets of the cheap ale touching his lips.

'Persuasion: 2d6 + 2 ⇒ (5, 4) + 2 = 11 + wild die: 1d6 ⇒ 4 = 15
Well I for one need another, I'll get you one as well Belwa. While im speaking with the barkeep you can tell my friend here where we might find one of these agents. I assure you we mean nothing uncouth, just two old sailors looking for honest coin.

Belwa: Sure, we get the odd murder. Would be more but anyone worth murdering invests in their security. Where you from, Cimfell? Surely your chiefs have a go at each other every now and again, no? Same thing here, maybe a little more frequent.

Thanks friend, by all means. If you guys are good, you might even make it near the staffing list for these kind of events in a year or two. Worth the investment from where I'm sitting. Hard to make more money on land, and I don't have the stomach for the sea.

Persuasion: 2d6 + 2 ⇒ (6, 4) + 2 = 12 + wild die: 1d6 ⇒ 3 = 15
Well my friend, do you know which of these staffers I should talk to , to start my journey to that list?

Sure friend, if your committed. See Crewell's Personnel or Mulrest's Staffing Services. They're both on Three Winds Boulevard in the banking district.

Ula! Ulo makes small talk as to not seem rude for a bit, and then he and Asmund head back to the boat to rest, till the next day when Ula! Ulo will head to the mentioned staffing services.

Asmund and Ula head to Mulrest's first. "Alright, sounds like it we may be hard pressed to talk our way into this shindig. Worth shot though. If not it sounds like personal security isn't uncommon, perhaps we can slip in as guards for Sayyid and Ade"

The next morning you make your way to the address you've been given. You press through the throngs of people on the main thoroughfare, into a quarter of handsome stone buildings set among wide avenues of carefully kept trees. You find the name your looking for on a two story edifice of medium size, well maintained but otherwise unremarkable. You enter the building into a wide reception area. A few people are lounging around the chairs and benches arranged around the room. At the end are a couple of doors leading to what look like offices, and a prim, middle-aged women sitting at a long desk, running her eyes along several sheets of paper.

Ula! Ulo, takes a bit of a breath, and stows confidently up to the woman at the desk.

Looking around the place, Ula! Ulo keeps an eye out for anyone whom he recognizes, or seems more out of place then him.
Acumen: 2d6 ⇒ (3, 3) = 6 + wild die: 1d6 ⇒ 6 + wild die: 1d6 ⇒ 1 = 13

if no one strikes Ula! Ulo as suspicious...

Hello my friend! Belwa, a mutual friend recommended I come and speak to you, about some work opportunities, coming up with in the next few days
Ula! Ulo winks kindly at the women.
for two retired sailors who are still strong in the back if not in the sea legs as it were.

Persuasion: 2d6 + 2 ⇒ (5, 6) + 2 = 13 + wild die: 1d6 ⇒ 2 = 15

Ade, hood pulled low, follows Sayyid through the streets to meet his friend. Along the way she pesters him for details about the man and the proposed shindig, and tries out a few fake accents of varying quality.

She eyes you warily for a moment.

Name? Are you on our books? Have you worked through us before? Do you have recommendations? Qualifications? If your looking to learn a new trade, you've come to the wrong place.

Ula! Ulo draws him self up straight and tries hard to remember all the political niceties one must use in these situations.
Cultures: 2d6 + 2 ⇒ (3, 2) + 2 = 7 + wild die: 1d6 ⇒ 4 = 11

[ooc]YORO (you only roll once)[/dice}
Persuasion: 2d6 + 2 ⇒ (1, 2) + 2 = 5 + wild die: 1d6 ⇒ 6 + wild die: 1d6 ⇒ 6 + wild die: 1d6 ⇒ 1 = 18

Greetings and well met, I am Ula! Ulo, and I doubt highly that you will find my name in your books, for the last many years my friend and I, have been attenders to merchant royalty from the north. Alas we have grown weary of the salt spray, and the constantly moving deck under out feet. So it is with good fortune that we met a man in your employ, Belwa who having known of our work and skill has sent us here, with his highest regards and esteem. Now I know that you will not find a place for two men, no matter how skilled, who come in off the street in the center of the grand ball. How ever I also know that strong bodied and able men, with poor memory for things past, and no interest in the dramas and machinations of high society, are always in demand and of use behind the scenes at such events.

Taking a breath Ula! Ulo, continues.

I can assure you that should you put us to some test we will pass in a manor that will astonish even the most ardent of critics.

She looks at you expressionlessly.

I see. I can make an appointment for you to speak with one of our agents, but I must warn you, without relevant experience and recommendations from parties familiar to us, you've come to the wrong place.

We would greatly appreciate such an appointment, I assure you we are not in the wrong place.

Upon leaving the staffing building, and walking a distance away from it, Ula! Ulo turns to Asmund.

So it didn't go as poorly as I thought, but perhaps we should make secondary plans, either to sneak in the back, or even tertiary plans to visit this low brow party at the docks, who knows what words we might pry from drunken sailors lips. That said after such an investment of time I do not wish to give up on this plan yet.

After many wrong turns down the unfamiliar citie's streets and several less than friendly locals Sayyid finally leads Ade to the home of his "friend"
"We knew one another long ag before I was the man I am today, he knew me as a young and influential bureaucrat, decadent and free with women. I won't say we can trust him, but he knows my identity, or at least the one I had before. He is grasping... be careful"

Sayyid sighs,
"I do not know how this will end... but it may be our best chance."
Sayyid knocks on the main door.

"I'm not particularly hopeful that this will get us a job. It may be best to just settle for the docks and not draw any more attention."

Aye, that would be the wiser of plans, but the less interesting story, shall we see what comes of this meeting and move from their? You know these people better than I so I leave the ultimate call to you my friend.

Sayyid and Ade make their way to a handsome townhouse in an airy side street away from the harbor. It sits about half way up the hill that forms the overlook on the south of the harbor where the cities largest estates are clustered. The street is lined with carefully kept trees and expensive, but not extravagant, houses. You knock on the address you where given. After a moment, an elderly Paijan man in the formal coat of a Butler opens the door. He quickly looks you over, but is far too professional to give anything away with his expression.

May I help you good people?

"I believe your master is expecting me. Tell him an old friend is calling."
Sayyid relies on the butlers training to do the work.
Persuasian: 7d6 + 1 ⇒ (4, 2, 4, 2, 2, 1, 1) + 1 = 17Wild Die: 1d6 ⇒ 4 =21

Then please excuse me while I check if he is available.

He goes back in the house, and returns a few minutes later and invites you inside. He shows you to a sitting room, set out in a Paijan style with low couches arranged around table. Shortly thereafter Ardashir enters the room and greets you.

Sayyid, so glad you decided to come by. And who might your lovely young friend be?

"Ahh this fine lady is Greah, a fine northern lady, Greah my dear this is an old friend of mine, you will find hime quite the charmer"
after a moment of introductions sayid tries to mve the conversation indoors and towards invitations to the party.
Speaking: 6d6 ⇒ (2, 2, 1, 1, 5, 4) = 15Wild Die: 1d6 ⇒ 3 18 to subtly move the line of discussion.
"Youu seem to have done well for yourself in this city, How long have you been here?"

Charmed. If your travelling with Sayyid I must imagine you've been having some fine adventures.

To Sayyid.
Ah, you know me, I go wherever the most interesting people are throwing the best parties. As you know I represent my father in many of my families dealings, and I have arrangements with some of the trading houses we are allied with. So I travel the world in unearned luxury and amuse myself as I can. Brestlor is where the action is at the moment, so I've been here a few weeks and Ill move on again in a week or so. But tell me Sayyid, what sort of escapades have you been getting up to since you disappeared from our humble homeland in such fine fasion?

"HAHAHAHA, you know me, I traveld the world, got in a few scrapes lead ships as navigator, mapped the stars, mapped the seas, I won bets and much coin, and spent it all. Now I find myself here at your door. You offer me an invitation to this fine party how could I turn down such an invitation."

Happy to hear it. I had feared some assassin's knife may have found you, or worse, that you had opted to live a quite life in some backwater hoping to avoid being found.

The butler brings a tray with three glasses and unobtrusively sets it on the table. Your host begins sipping from one and gestures you to do the same.

Excellent. There are exciting times coming my friend, mark my words. Much opportunity for those who meet the winds of change head on, great danger for those who get caught up in their wake. You've heard the rumors of the wizard no doubt?

" I have heard a rumor, who knows weather it is the one you speak of. Which rumor is it that you speak of?"

He waves his hand.
There are a hundred rumors, likely all false. But what they all agree on, is that he's escaped. Thats enough. My father had men in the south when he had his fight with those priests years back, they saw him destroy the temple at Shen'Dun first hand. Earth shaking, purple flames that burnt the stone itself, the very air turned corrosive. No one in a hundred years or more has had that kind of power. That changes all the rules.

"Interesting, I don't suppose you are looking to figure out just where this Wizard is do you?"
Sayyid thinks for a moment.
"You are going to this party for buisness? Or perhaps you are looking to creat a bit of a stir? Perhaps i can be of help, but if you intened to invite me to such a fine party then i think i find myself underdressed."

No my friend, I will let bigger fish than I undertake that endeveaor. There are those who change the world, and those who react. I endeavor merely to be among the quickest to react.
To your other comment.
Both, Sayyid, there one and the same. As I mentioned, everything is on edge. Now is the time to probe for weaknesses. By bringing you, I wish merely to see what sort of reaction I may provoke among the allies of the good Vizier. And consequently, who else might smell weakness in such a reaction. Don't worry about presentation, I'll give you a letter for my tailor. Hell provide what you need, understandable that a man has greater concerns than fashion when fleeing his Homeland.

Asmund you really don't like this plan of trying to infiltrate the big party do you? Should we really try and enjoy our selves in a party on the docks?

"Suitable cloths are also hard to find outside our homeland" Sayyid looks to Ade,
"Perhaps we should move on to this tailor of yours, it may take some time to properly fit the two of us"
"Thank you old friend"

Ade, silent throughout most of the conversation, inclines her head respectfully and smiles.

"It looks like my friend wasn't lying about as much as I assumed. And I never pass up a chance for a good party. It's wonderful to meet you."

"It makes more sense. I don't relish the idea of splitting up again but the others can handle themselves. We'll fit in better at the docks and we'll cover more ground as well."

Fair enough...

Ula! Ulo looks off in the distance.

Probably for the best anyways.

Bookkeeping: Its currently early afternoon on the 12, month of the sun. The election will be on the 15th, assorted festivals will be that evening.

Indeed, I will let you get to that. It was a pleasure to meet you as well, I greatly look forward to our next meeting. Meet me here around the 17th hour on the 15th, my carriage will take us to the gala. Here let me write you a note for my tailor. My man can show you out.

He heads to a small desk at the side of the room, scribbles a bit, then hands you two pieces of paper. The first is an address, the second is a signed and sealed instruction letter for the tailor.

"Thank you my friend"
Sayyid and Ade depart.
"We should find our friends and decide what to do next"

Sayyid Searches the harbor looking for his friends so that he might explain the situation to them.

You make your way back to the harbor, and after a while meet up with ula! and asmund. You now have a way forward, the festival and the gala clearly representing your best chances to find some answers to the questions plaguing you and perhaps to find a way out of your predicament.

I recommend you recap what you've learned and identify the questions that need answering. A lot of background and hints has already come your way, the better a handle you have on all that the better you'll be able to learn something useful.