|
"Perhaps the discomfort is the point." He commiserates. "People do tend to be less on guard, when they are uncomfortable."
"I had heard about Petronax joining the bidding this year. Though his interest is far less alarming than that of the Aspis representative." He nods towards Myrosype. "Have had dealings with that one before, and very much doubt her interests are those of Druma." He shakes his head at the idea, trying to gauge Irith's thoughts on the matter.
"Given all the efforts you have put forth to make the city shine during your tenure. It is a shame it all goes back to a chaotic bid once again. I'd have thought having a cohesive governing body would lead to far greater opportunities for profit than wiping the slate clean and forcing everyone to start all over. Especially given your efforts were finally coming to fruition."
"I do hope you intend to keep at least the governance stable during this transition. I can't imagine anyone but you heading those in Prophet's Burg, if they intend any sort of prosperity in the near future."
"I've got it! Vavaalrav, yes? Tell me, is there something special for you with this particular Usher?"
She settles down a bit, but not before you can her attachment to the city: She hates being reminded of what she's losing. With a bit of encouragement you think she'll pour everything she has into keeping a piece of it. She's scared that she doesn't have enough for even one district. But if your plans work, Myrosype might be spread thin enough for Irith to win one.
She takes a breath before continuing, "Well, as they say, volatility creates profit potential for those smart enough to use it. Guess I'd better get smart enough. As you say, Prophet's Burg is my best chance to continue guiding the direction of Alabastrine. I certainly don't intend to just give up on everything I have started."
"Ah, a pleasure to speak with you again Miss Ela. Has your chaperone really left you to wander alone? Some creepy old man might offer you candy..." (He glances towards Petronax, then chuckles.)
"But anyway, let's see what we have here..."
"Aha...red bat-like wings like any imp might have, but a reptilian head. A rarer resident of Hell, but you must be a 'Mage Wretch', hence your hint. Formally known as Crepitus. An excellent choice."
|
|
"As you already know, I came up as caretaker of the Gray. My job, to see the dead to their final resting place, as well as to take care of that same resting place." He grins slightly. "Vavaalrav task is much the same, as guardian of sacred sites of Pharasma... just a little higher in scale."
|
|
Graves only shakes his head slightly at Irith's frustration.
"The system does, more or less, beg for that very sort of chaotic outcome." He says, quietly. "And then even if you do manage to make something of it... you are then forced to spend it all to keep it going a few years later. Seems more like a fancy gilded money pit."
"I'm not sure how anyone would ever deem this a sustainable venture." He pauses for a moment, then adds. "Well, unless they concentrated on a few of the more influential areas. Like the Burg... and slowly worked up from there."
"You are, of course, in the right, Lord-Chancellor. You should not give up." He adds, earnestly. "But perhaps focus your efforts to ensure you do get the influential cornerstone of the city, where you can use all that you know, to make sure things continue in the direction you envisioned."
|
Katswiri mingles with the crowd, avoiding any potential dancing that may be occurring. Eventually, she winds her way over to Vayde Petronax, swishing her black feathery wings behind her.
"This is quite the event master Petronax! Such a variety of divine servants represented. As a rather indirect servant of the divine myself, I've always been fascinated with the gods and the impact they and their servants exert on the world. Seeing so many well done representations here is simply wondrous."
|
|
With little else to do in regards to Myrosype and Temel, Kaepora decides to observe the crowd and watch for an opportunity where he could possibly help influence someone.
He moves up to Cyran and greets him with a deep bow. "My my, your outfit is most impressive. Tell me, have you ever considered the options for having a double step in for you from time to time?" His shadow leaps up from the ground and steps by Kaepora's side. "The manifestations of presence could certainly go a long way in the art of entertainment of a crowd."
"Erenyes are very loyal servants indeed. Tell me, in your experience with the gods, do we not also influence them?"
|
|
"Like all shadows, they are truly a part of us, but cannot be made to manifest without light. A balance, if you will. Might I suggest a balance that will let you manifest in such a way? Consider the Luminous Wharf. If you control both that and the Working End, you would have full reign over the trade and labor of this city, and thus need not submit to anyone else. You would be like I and my shadow; able to walk freely without the need of light from somewhere else."
|
|
"My name is Katswiri, and it is a pleasure to meet you! Indeed, Erinyes are quite loyal. I have always found the story of Eiseth and their creation to be tragically sad, and a warning that our nature is never truly fixed for good or evil. Plus, I like the wings." Katswiri smiles, running her hands along the feathers.
"In a way, of course, we do influence the gods. Theologians disagree on the extent, of course, but it is clear that the influence of the gods is greatly influenced by the influence of their followers. If nothing else, the worldly influence of a god's followers sways the final fate of mortals, sending additional souls to one plane or another, providing support, power and creating additional outsiders to further the cause of the gods. In such a way, the influence of the gods and mortals flow back and forth to write the destiny of existence."
(Kaepora steps in...)
"Oh a denizen of the Shadow Plane, very impressive. I have a servant or two that originate from...elsewhere. Although...at the moment it would be me who is 'shadowing' them." He laughs at a joke that he's the only one that understands.
"The Wharf? I didn't think anyone wanted that. Well that would make it inexpensive to pick up, I guess. If I do get the Working End then I suppose being my own harbor master would...simplify...certain exports." He seems deep in contemplation as he absent-mindedly wanders off...(is he related to Kreighton Shane??) As he heads through the crowd, you notice someone dancing bumps into Cyran. A bright flash of light envelopes the elf. When your eyes readjust, there is a massive mechanical humanoid of gold and stone, pointing a sword menacingly at the dancer, "Cease contact with my client IMMEDIATELY!" (The dancer faints.) Cyran speaks up, "Easy my friend. This was my own fault. I should be paying better attention to where I am walking. But as always, I greatly appreciate your dedication." You see him hand the creature a velvet pouch, like one a jeweler might carry precious gems in. It nods and disappears.
DC22 Planes:
Finding a place to sit down, Shi tried to work out an optimal way to get the merchants to work together to prevent Myrosype from winning the bid but had no idea. More use to field work as a courier, he was not use to this level of merchanting.
[dice=P:Merchant]d20+9
[dice=P:Merchant]d20+9+1
I'm not sure who this is directed at.
--------------------
Currently:
- no one is talking to Temel.
- Katswiri, Jon are talking to Petronax, tho this is just the event-specific costume discussion. Neither is required to spend their action on him. Aid is still possible.
- Irith and Cyran have been Influenced. 'Discovery' is possible on either.
- Graves,Ela,Kaepora are finished. (except costume check, Ela/Kaepora)
"Hrm...odd fur, pink nose...oh, a smock, I get it. You're a Muldnal! A rare and obscure choice, I love it. Tell me, why you selected this? I want to know what motivates these choices." he smiles with a devious grin.
"Ah, a Crepitus, yes? Tell me, why you selected this? I love to know what motivates these choices." he smiles with a devious grin.
"Hrm, you're tengu?...but wearing an owl costume? A rather convincing one indeed. Uhm, a Plumekith Aasimar perhaps? No?!? Please tell me what your costume is and why you selected it."
...or bluff.
|
Well, to be honest it, seemed somewhat relevant to my own studies and profession. Crepitus are often used by devils of higher standing as foils to wizards, because of their intuitive knowledge of magic. In fact, Chelish wizards also regularly bind them as servants for these same reasons. They're smart enough to know how to mess with wizards, for example by trying to find and destroy their spellbooks. So, it's also something of a reminder that there exist planar adversaries that won't take my abilities for granted.
The whole time her tangent is deepening she doesn't realize that her gaze is trailing off, and she's not doing the best job engaging her audience directly.
|
|
"Haha, oh but of course. My costume is a creature known as a Xaursi, where legends are told of their ability to project lights. In my case, I may project shadow. They are only told in myths in some parts of the world, however. As for why I chose it, I have always been one to enjoy the hidden myths and legends of the world."
It is getting late. You notice Hegio saying goodnight to a few people, he is clearly preparing to leave. You know you have time for one more quick point before this event winds down...
|
|
Jon takes a moment to find Temel at the party. "I want to thank you, Temel, for working with the Society and bringing us along. I look forward to the other events we have lined up, but already I'm remarkably impressed with the festivities that you and Petronax have arranged for us." He inclines his head lightly, as he imagines is polite in such high society. "So thanks for that, again. We haven't really had much time to speak of your goals here. Which districts interest you? If this bidding goes perfectly for you, what does that look like? What's the makeup of that Alabastrine?"
|
|
"Thank you." Kaswiri nods sagely. "So, bidding on the Scriptum? I'm impressed. It is by far the district I'm most interested in visiting. I am a seer, gifted with divine power but not from a specific deity. The amount of lore that has been stored in the Scriptum is positively staggering! I've seen signs, taken small peeks with my second sight to get the barest glimmers of what it holds. If you're interested in the relationship between mortals and the gods... Katswiri's second sight flickers, omens taken earlier in the day suddenly bestowing a flash of clarity, whispering a name to drop to entice Vayde's interest. "...there are some exquisitely rare tomes there. I am particularly looking forward to reading Adventures of the Great Beyond, as I've never been able to find a complete copy."
"I'm hoping to stop by and visit while traveling back after the bidding finishes, I was on too tight a time table on the trip up to make the stop."
"Hrm, using your parlor tricks to read my mind perhaps? I must learn to keep my desires better hidden. You have put me in a predicament...one I must tend to. Adieu!"
He turns (quite quickly for an old man with a cane). You see him approach Hegio, say something then leave the room in haste.
Hegio will announce the current state of the auction before welcoming everyone to meet at Nomazamo's estate at noon tomorrow.
Courts of Abstinence: Myrosype
Luminous Wharf: Cyran Androtus
Prophet’s Burg: Irith Nomazamo
Scriptum: Vayde Petronax
Working End: Cyran Androtus
Myrosype's normally jovial expression suddenly becomes tense and contemplative.
You learn that Cyran Androtus and Irith Nomazamo are the only bidders who are members of the guild.
You also hear a rumor that Temel Passad bid on the Courts of Abstinence, but was immediately outbid by Myrosype.
When you arrive at Irith's estate, everyone is ushered into a huge banquet hall. The architecture is white marble with gold accents. Nearly as many waiters and servants occupy the room as there are guests. The waitstaff continuously brings course after course of exotic and expensive delicacies from all over Golarion. (16 courses in all throughout the afternoon.)
|
|
Graves frowns at the crowded nature of the event, not sure why each guest would need their own personal serving team.... or at least that's what it seems like to his untrained eye.
He tries to get a seat by Temel, hoping to chat with their ally about the upcoming auction.
"At least there are no costumes this time." He mutters.
One of Irith’s most unusual
offerings is a plate of poached chuul tentacles. Even
after cooking, these tentacles contain a minor amount
of paralytic venom. If eaten correctly, the poison is only
enough to provide strange sensations on the inside of
the mouth as a part of the dining experience. However,
a PC who does not eat the tentacles correctly risks losing
the ability to talk without slurring her words for several
minutes in an unseemly display of inexperience.
|
|
Graves looks at the long rubbery tentacles on the plate, with a dubious look.
"I think I read about these once." He says, with an unreadable look at Temel. "Why anyone would think these are good things to chew on, I'm not so sure."
He grins slightly, then tries to remember the right way to eat the things, without hampering his ability to talk properly.
Irith notices Graves chewing on the and is by his grace.