HP: 11/30 (-12 from otyugh, +7 from Anselm, -10 queen, -9 queen, +5 Mama D)
AC: 19 (+1 mithral chain shirt +5, ring of protection +1, Dex +2, Nimble +1)
Touch: 14
Flat-footed: 16
Fort +1; Ref +7; Will +5 (+2 vs enchantments, +1 vs mind-affecting)
Initiative +6 (Dex +2, Elven Reflexes +2, Swashbuckler Initiative +2)
Speed 30
Load 31.5/100 lbs (33 is light. Buckler 5 lbs. Backpack with items 5.5 lbs)
BAB +3
CMB +3
17 CMD (14 Flatfooted) +2 vs. disarm of rapier
+1 MIthral chain shirt
+1 Ring of Protection
Rapier +8 (+3 BAB, +2 Dex, +2 weapon, +1 weapon focus), 1d6+2+3+2 (Dex for Str from feat & Precision & +2 weapon), 17-20x2 (anatomist)(Quick draw, Weapon Finesse, & Weapon Focus for rapier only)
Masterwork Dagger +3, 1d4, 18-20x2 (anatomist) - Always hidden. Take 10 Hidden Blade is DC 23 to spot.
Sap +1, 1d6 nonlethal, x2
Koriana’s Blade: +2 defending rapier. Once per day, the wielder can trigger the white gemstone as an immediate action to absorb and negate all darts targeting her from a magic missile spell.
When the wielder transfers at least 1 point of the weapon’s enhancement bonus to her AC using the defending special ability, she also chooses one creature other than herself within 10 feet to gain a +1 bonus to AC until the wielder’s next turn. This additional bonus is always +1, regardless of how much of the weapon’s bonus the wielder transfers to her AC.
Kamari hears the comforting voice of of Mama D. She's not sure if she would back up if she could. She'd rather stay and fight. However, the choice is not hers. She continues to stand in the muck, hoping no one knocks her over face down into it. She continues to draw on the protection of Koriana's Blade and shares the protection with Elen.
Round 9, Init 11
Kort takes a full round to fire and reload his crossbow, at purple.
to hit; (+PBS)
magic cold iron damage;
hp: 28/28
AC: 15/13/12
Saves: F2/R6/W7 +3 vs. enchantment, +1 vs. illusions +2 vs. poison
Lowlight. PBS.
Aroden's Verve: 0/5 used
Adhere to the Law: 0/1 used
Extend GammaRadiation: 0/0 used
Quantum Leaps used:
Pathfinder Carry: 0/0
Staff of Courage: 0/0
0: (create water, detect magic/poison, light, stabilize,read magic)
1: 0/7 used (CLW*0,Shield*0,PfE*0,DF*0)
2: 0/3 used (Inv*0,RE*0)
[ dice]1d20+2[/dice] to hit;
[ dice]1d6-1[/dice] damage.
[ dice]1d20+6+1[/dice] to hit; (+PBS)
magic cold iron damage;
Kamari continues to protect herself and Elen even as her joints begin to loosen and her muscles become her own again. Mama D drags Kamari out of harms way and into the safety of the fog. Anselm misses with the wand (charge held?) while his elemental moves up and clobbers the Queen again, yet she remains. Major Kort plugs the ghoul once more, sure it will be enough, but it lingers! Elen clobbers the Queen after tumbling out of the way, and then yells at her.
"Sooo, ua le manuia le Paladin?!"
The Queen without a Face indiscriminately looses it. Screaming and yelling (me thinks she doth protest too much), she leaves Anselm behind and rushes Elen, intent on finishing her!
She fails to avoid AoOs in her anger. Free swings by the elemental, Elen, and maybe even Anselm will result in her collapse into the marsh, defeated!
Purple takes advantage of its height to continue on Anselm, ”My Queen!”
and Fort DC 13 vs disease and Fort DC 13 vs paralysis
and Fort DC 13 vs paralysis
and Fort DC 13 vs paralysis
It stuffs blood and flesh into its mouth from what it can scrape off Anselm as it lashes out in a frenzy.
Anselm freezes in place, while his minion squeezes into his space and strikes at the ghoul.
Round 10, Init 20
Elen glides to the base of the stairs and swings past Anselm and his Rock.
for
But alas, the stairs aren't wide enough for her first approach.
Round 10, Init 11
"C'mon, let's end this charade!" Kort grouses stiffly, annoyed at the muck, mud, and ambush.
Kort takes a full round to fire and reload his crossbow, at purple.
to hit; (+PBS)
magic cold iron damage;
hp: 28/28
AC: 15/13/12
Saves: F2/R6/W7 +3 vs. enchantment, +1 vs. illusions +2 vs. poison
Lowlight. PBS.
Aroden's Verve: 0/5 used
Adhere to the Law: 0/1 used
Extend GammaRadiation: 0/0 used
Quantum Leaps used:
Pathfinder Carry: 0/0
Staff of Courage: 0/0
0: (create water, detect magic/poison, light, stabilize,read magic)
1: 0/7 used (CLW*0,Shield*0,PfE*0,DF*0)
2: 0/3 used (Inv*0,RE*0)
[ dice]1d20+2[/dice] to hit;
[ dice]1d6-1[/dice] damage.
[ dice]1d20+6+1[/dice] to hit; (+PBS)
magic cold iron damage;
The last poor ghoul is destroyed by the various powers of the party. It really had no chance without its queen, and already heavily wounded. In a few moments, Anselm comes out of his paralyzation as well as the marsh grows quiet.
The Queen without a Face has little left of her gear, most of it having rotten away living in a swamp.
Silver and agate holy symbol of Arazni (worth 250gp)
Ring of feather falling (2,200gp)
When you search her however, you’ll note she did not decompose as the ghouls did upon destruction. Their bodies are held together with sheer unholy power through undeath. When that power fades, so too does the body - and quickly too in most cases. The Queen is still fresh however. Defeated, and not healing, but un-destroyed as well.
Further, when the battle dies down, you easily spot a nook near the pump house stairs, within which is quite the hoard!
300gp, 170pp, an engraved silver compact (500gp), and a platinum and diamond necklace (1,000gp)
Trident +2 (8,315gp)
Buckler, +1 arrow catching (4,155gp)
Oil of Obscure Object (x2 @ 300gp ea)
Wand Protection from Evil (5 charges) (75gp)
An unusual ring (Spellcraft DC 22)
The golden ring appears pristine on the outside, but the inside shows centuries of wear, leaving the inner band perpetually polished to a lighter hue than that of the ring’s outer surfaces. A family crest adorns the front, depicting olive branches encircling two crowns, seemingly indicating a house dedicated to ambassadorship and diplomacy. You cannot identify the crest however - likely some long lost house.
"Good fighting, Elen. That was impressive," Kort notes with the stiff air of an experienced officer who knows a good fighter when he sees one. "That was fine bladework."
"Now lets go have a look at Anselm. I'd complement him on his summons, but I don't think he'd hear me," Kort will check on the paralyzed man.
Kort will tend to the wounded and then help sort out the re-dead, though he lacks the strength to push the otyugh into deeper waters and doesn't even try.
"Might be we should drag it into deeper waters lest the body bloat and fester, causing harm to our ability to get people to repair this station," Kort ponders aloud.
If he gets the chance to examine the ring, he will.
Spellcraft
Kamari shudders with relief as the faceless queen drops.
"Thank you Mama D and Anselm. I surely would have fallen without your assistance."
Kamari ponders the faceless queen, the crest on the ring, and the state of Meratt County.
"I wonder from where this thing came," she says as she pokes at the remains. "Is something unnatural like this a natural occurrence?" Kamari looks about to see if anyone knows of such things.
"Two ancient things, my rapier and the ring, in such a short time here. I wonder what else might be just beneath the surface of this area ready to be found or to emerge like these atrocities."
Major Kort investigates the ring, and as Kamari suggests, it is truly a powerful item!
The ring grants its wearer a +2 competence bonus on Diplomacy, Linguistics, and Perform checks. Once per day, the wearer can speak a command word to transform her appearance and clothing, as per disguise self. The appearance of her clothing automatically matches the customs of the dominant culture around her, typically that of the local nobility or ruling class. Her physical features don’t match those of the local people, but features that would make her stand out - such as elf ears in a settlement where no elves live - diminish. This lasts up to 24 hours but can be dismissed at any time. The caster level of any spell effect generated by the ring is 3.
The ring can also be activated to use charm person (DC 15) and comprehend languages, each once per day.
You move up the stairs (eventually) to investigate the pump house. The first chamber, or Well Room, once contained supplies and machinery for repairing the pump and cleaning the well, but these have long since rotted to mulch.
The well in the northeast corner of the room goes down 60 feet into the local water table, but the water within is stagnant and fetid. The pump mechanism has clearly been modified to accommodate a rope that once passed through a small slot carved into the wall.
- - -
Moving on to the next chamber, the pump room, you see that a large, arcane mechanism fills much of this chamber: the remains of an ancient magical engine the likes of which were often built in Taldor’s heyday for mundane tasks like canal maintenance. The device hasn’t run in a century, and many of its valuable components have been scavenged, requiring extensive resources and specialized knowledge to ever repair or replace.
The small office to the north was once used by the local canal maintenance official, whose responsibilities included logging the passage of ships, performing minor maintenance, and requesting larger-scale repairs. It now serves as the den for the Queen Without a Face, and she has lined most of it with rotting vegetation and the waterlogged remnants of what must be her coffin. Holy symbols of the long-dead goddess Arazni are painted on the walls.
"You're welcome, Kamari. It's my duty and pleasure."
Anselm heals up her remaining wounds, then his own. His ears perk up as Kort describes the ring's properties.
"If I may, this ring would certainly aid my work as an envoy. And a fitting heirloom for my family as we continue to serve the throne."
After examining the Faceless Queen's hovel, his attention turns to the her corpse. With no church nor temple immediately available, he considers what should be done with it.
"Whatever foul necromancy has befallen her, she served an honorable cause in life. It would be a shame to leave her trapped in suffering."
Kort follows the party into the pump house, the first time he has been in such. He looks around, and studies the pump mechanisms.
Know (engineering,+Aroden)
"I'm not entirely sure, but I think this pump was modified to be used by an animal, or animals, whereas it was originally magic driven," Kort offers tentatively. "I wonder if we could get a new team or teams of animals to make it go. Or, M'Della, would you have some magical thoughts about how to make it work?"
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"I'm not entirely sure, but I think this pump was modified to be used by an animal, or animals, whereas it was originally magic driven,"
"Good catch, Major. Elen had learned of it in village, but I couldn't see how they would make it work until now."
Keeping the rest of the part in sight, Kamari looks around at the feasibility of using animals again.
"I still like my windmill idea, but this might be quicker. Of course, then there's staffing the place, and caring for the animals, and..."
Sigh. Is this what ruling is really like? I'm almost ready to head back to the streets of Oppara.
Elen watches the final ghoul fall head first into the swamp. Splash!
She dusts herself off (despite the lack of any actual dust), then goes to assist Mama D with Kamari and Major Kort with Anselm if necessary.
"Thanks everyone for what you all did here, I think we make a pretty good team. We'll have some stories for Muri, when we're re-united!"
"Might be we should drag it into deeper waters lest the body bloat and fester, causing harm to our ability to get people to repair this station,"
Elen looks at Kort, then at the otyugh remains. She holds forth her exotic looking glaive and with it shoves the cor
pse further into the marshes as if it were a shuffleboard disc."Somehow I doubt it is capable of bloat, it's like it is part of the marsh itself."
She turns her attention to the Faceless One.
"This was a fallen paladin, I'm sure of it. Why is it that she's not decomposing? Is there something we need to do so that she can complete her journey to Pharasma?"
~~~
"I like the windmill idea too. Maybe we can use Anselm's friends for starters to help us at least drain the place enough to bring in animals, then we can work on a windmill? We could probably use some of this treasure to finance the pump's rehabilitation."
Elen looks over the loot. "Nice Trident," she says, regarding it politely before putting it back on the pile.
"When we're done here, maybe we can go back to the house and prepare for the Jubilee. Maybe we can find something out about that crest there, or in the Library at 'home'."
”This was a fallen paladin, I'm sure of it. Why is it that she's not decomposing? Is there something we need to do so that she can complete her journey to Pharasma?"
You know of a few tricks that will enable you to assist in the fixing of the pump house, reducing the cost dramatically in exchange for a few days work.
- - -
Major Kort would also know that there’s some basic work that needs to be done first, before the magical layer can be applied (I’ll expand on this later).
The party spends an hour or so, at least, examining the pump house. Structurally it’s pretty sound, and the canal looks to be in good shape here, just an extremely low water level. Too low for the canal-barges that travers the waters in Meratt County currently. You have a good measure of what needs to be done as the sun approaches its zenith.
You can head back at this point, and putter about the estate, helping to prepare it for proper residing for the afternoon. You don’t expect Muri back until late (likely after 8pm), assuming everything goes to plan. You’ll pass through the village, of course, on your way home (you need to drop off the boat after all) in case you want to make any stops.
Mama D peers at the pump house, nodding as other point out things such as the modification for animals "Oh goodness, is that what they've done? I wonder if...Yes, I think we should be able to put it to rights. A spoonful of sugar bit of magic here and there and it should be right as rain. Well, it will help, at least.
If Kort doesn't object, Anselm takes the ring with gratitude. His expression is almost reverent as he puts it on. "Well, that was a bit more than we'd planned on. Shall we return and get ready?"
He gathers up any loose items that seem to belong to the Queen Without a Face, considering what he knows of Arazni's burial rites — before her fall, that is.
Kort, of course, seems delighted to pass the ring off to Anselm, thinking that there would be no better home for it. "Of course, it's yours," Kort says breezily, with an ease.
"Oh goodness, is that what they've done? I wonder if...Yes, I think we should be able to put it to rights."
Kort smiles at the good news.
"Good, let us plan on doing this when we get a few spare days. Seems like this could be an easy win for us, for only a few days of work. Let alone the chance to make magic work for us," he notes stiffly, trying to plan out the logistics of working for a few days here, along with the upcoming harvest.
Kort will speak to Kamari on the way home.
"What was it like?" Kort asks. "The stiffness. The inability to act. Was it like fear? Or something else? I would try to find a way to counter it in the future, and knowing how it felt might help."
Elen ponders a moment over the still not decaying corpse. "They say, souls like this should be properly put to rest, so they can complete their way to Pharasma."
She runs into the pumphouse and starts gathering the remains of the warrior's coffin.
Returning with pieces of the coffin, she states, "For Shelyn's sake, how does this happen? This coffin is all water logged! Did she fall from grace, get buried here in the marsh -- then recently become undead!?" She looks to the deeper water of the marsh. "I wonder what else we'll find down there when we pump out all this water."
She spies a nearby dry berm and puts the coffin pieces on it, then puts the faceless one's corpse on it, piling it high with what tinder can be found.
"Is it like this? Do you think we can get it to burn?"
~~~
"May you find your way to Pharasma, and rest in peace forever."
She looks around at the ghoul corpses strewn about. "Oh, huh. Yea, maybe we should clean the rest of this up, too." She heaves ghoul corpse after ghoul corpse onto the pyre, occasionally pausing to overcome the stench.
"Oh, I do hope someone has a very strong prestidigitation..."
The party, lead by Elen and supported with a few religious words by Anselm cremates the Queen without a Face. It takes quite a bit of tinder, but eventually the coffin lights up. When the flames reach the body though, they intensify dramatically, and swirl around in an unseen wind, forming a vortex of fire for a time as the body burns. It provides plenty of heat to also cremate the decrepit ghoul bodies as well.
You take what’s left of the ashes and scatter them on the slightly deeper (but hopefully much deeper in time) canal side of the berm. Mission accomplished!
With that, you return to Stachys, and return the boat rental. The old man who rented you the boat, asks in curiosity, ”So, did you make it all the way to the pump house? Is it true its defended by the ghosts? We lost an engineer out there last year. She went out with an assistant, but no one heard anything from ‘em.”
Anselm nods at his elder. "Yes, good craft, that. It was indeed haunted. The ghost of a hero from the Shining Crusade. Her soul has passed on to the Boneyards, thank the Incorruptible. We'll get the pump house back in operation soon."
He asks for the old man's name and commits it to memory. Again, the noble's usual formal poise relaxes. Though he's learned to navigate courts adeptly, they do not speak to his soul.
"What was it like?" Kort asks. "The stiffness. The inability to act. Was it like fear? Or something else? I would try to find a way to counter it in the future, and knowing how it felt might help."
Kamari considers how to explain nothing.
cough, cough
"Have you ever been skulking about, perhaps scouting the enemy, and you hear a sound? You freeze, trying not to move, trying to not even breathe lest you be noticed. It was like that, but involuntary. I've heard of some poisons doing the same thing, but not so quickly."
cough, cough
Kamari rests her head against the side of the carriage as they return to Betony Estate, but her mind runs through the tasks before them.
"The canal is important, but it will take much time and resources. Not that we can't work on multiple things at once, but our resources are limited at this point. I think the people would appreciate something more immediate--and safe. Someone mentioned the condition of the roads earlier and I think this would be a good start. After that, we could pave the village square so our entrepreneurs would have a place to gather. Stachys needs a good foundation if we're going to help it grow."
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Anselm nods at his elder. "Yes, good craft, that. It was indeed haunted. The ghost of a hero from the Shining Crusade. Her soul has passed on to the Boneyards, thank the Incorruptible. We'll get the pump house back in operation soon."
”Oh, aye. That’s all right then.” he says by way of acceptance. He also shares his name.
You return to the estate and spend the balance of the day cleaning up, opening boxes and crates left over from when the place was mothballed. You remove the sheets all over everything, open the heavy drapes to let in some light, and pry loose the boards keeping most of the doors securely closed from the inside. You even water the few plants to survive in the conservatory.
The domovoi, pretty much all in cat form, watch you work, occasionally cleaning up a pile of dirt here and there with their magics. They seem to enjoy watching you work.
Though you’re stuck with rations for supper (which does annoy the domovoi), all in all the house is beginning to take some sort of shape by the time Muri and the wagon returns from Pensaris around 8pm. It takes some time to unpack everything, and while there are no beds as yet, you at least now have bedding, blankets, pillows, etc. to go with all the sheets. You also have plenty of foodstuffs to get the kitchen going, though little time in which to actually cook anything - at least tonight.
You turn in as early as you can manage, in anticipation of an early start the next morning out to the Jubilee! Myrna expresses some concern about fatigue, specifically with the pair of horses she took to Pensaris. The carriage really needs four, and you’ve two tired horses and two fresh come morning.
It's ~5am on Pharast 20, a Toilday and the day of the Tanager Jubilee!
"Don't worry, Myrna. We've magic to keep them fresh." Anselm bandies the restorative wand about. "I shouldn't worry about pressing them, if we need to make quick time."
"The ghost of a hero from the Shining Crusade. Her soul has passed on to the Boneyards, thank the Incorruptible."
Kort smiles at Anselm's affability, not necessarily having it himself. He is used to either giving orders or taking them, the tone and friendliness of them not allowed to be measured.
* * *
"It was like that, but involuntary. I've heard of some poisons doing the same thing, but not so quickly."
"Ah, of course. Poisons, but from a bite," Kort nods stiffly, trying to understand. "That is helpful, thank you. It will help me figure out how to better respond if that happens again. It's both good and bad to know that you are aware of your surroundings, and that both knowing and not-knowing is worse. Thankfully, M'Della was able to find a way to rescue you. She's a treasure."
* * *
Kort will work as best he can, using his cane to move about the estate. He will clean and rest, rest and clean, only occasionally stopping to rub his old knees. He's clearly energized by the prospects of the place, but also limited in his energies.
He will again sleep in the library, amongst the books and cats. As usual, he will awaken very early and be ready to leave well before first light.
Muri takes a silent headcount, used to marking every head in the herd. Seeing as those returned from the pump house are well, Muri turns in early, knowing they're planning on an early early morning start for the Jubilee. He leaves the bedroom door open, sensing the sheepdog's restlessness.
Underfoot goes to bed later, patrolling the house, looking for cats. She eventually loses interest, and returns to the bedroom on the first floor, circling two times, before coming to rest in the doorway. Her ears twitch for a good half an hour, before the sheepdog finds a deep enough sleep.
...
Early to rise, Muri grooms Underfoot, before carefully equipping the sheepdog in barding and saddle. He dresses for the later occasion, nicely, and packs the masquerade attire, just in case it's required in the same day. He goes looking for a fast breaker for himself and the sheepdog, making sure Underfoot will be able to keep up with the carriage once they take to the road.
"We lost an engineer out there last year. She went out with an assistant, but no one heard anything from ‘em.”
Elen turns and looks out the window, a look of sorrow upon her face. So many lives. There need to be many lights...
"Someone mentioned the condition of the roads earlier and I think this would be a good start."
Elen frowns. "I'm not so convinced. We need to generate a need to use roads here. They're not decaying because of use," she pauses, lost in a daydream. "All of the medians and circles need to be shored up for the roadside gardens anyway! What better way to bolster the import of supplies for the road and -- other improvements -- other than use of the canals? It might be more expensive to start, but it might be less costly in the long run."
"Whenever we do renovate anything, we should consider giving the townsfolk notification -- you know, so there's no surprises."
~~~~
Elen rests in the conservatory the night before the Jubilee, sharing peace and vitality with the vegetation while dreaming about the lush green and flora it will some day be.
...and we will sleep here beneath the starlight together... Zzzzzz zzzzzz zzzzzz...
She rises the next day and with the provisions brought by Muri, Myrna and Virgil she whips up some 'Power Cakes' -- muffins with berries and ground cacao seeds, as well as some liver snacks for Underfoot.
"Careful, a little bit goes a long way," she announces, making the breakfasts available to all.
Kamari drags herself from bed in the morning and dresses in her jubilee attire befitting her new station. She's found that the practice of wearing such beautiful clothes has not lived up to the expectations, but she also knows it is expected of her.
"These cakes are good, Elen. Family recipe?"
Muri lets the smell of baked goods guide him to the kitchen. He is pleasantly surprised to find the elf lady doing the baking, and not surprised to see Underfoot sitting attentively at her feet. When he spots Kamari already partaking of the baking, Muri sidles up and samples a muffin.
"My rump is a little sore from riding so much yesterday. Four hours to Pensaris. A nice little fishing town. Another day of travel, and I'm not sure how easy it will be to deal with the other nobles at the Jubilee." The first couple of bites passing inspection, the halfling indulges in the warmth of the newly-created muffins. He notices Underfoot is getting something different, so he doesn't toss the sheepdog a muffin.
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The party manages some breakfast muffins, and perhaps a little coffee or tea before heading outside. As usual, your carriage is ready - Myrna and Virgil on top and looking, well, if not fully alert, at least awake enough to manage. Myrna points out the two horses most in need of aid, and Anselm, presumably, obliges. The horses are immediately in high spirits and ready to go!
You all, excepting Muri, pile into the carriage once again. It seems like you were just here, though a day and a half have passed since you were - the uncomfortable several days before that still weigh heavily on your mind.
You’re off in ample time. Myrna takes it easy as you head away from Stachys in the early dim light. The roads here are indeed rough, and she doesn’t want to lame a horse, or break a wheel, this early in the trip. I mean really at all, but especially at the start.
She avoids the worst of it and speeds up once you reach the Oppara Highway, a better maintained roadway by far. You’re also well into morning by then and the light is good, so Myrna really opens up the horses. Muri, on the slower mount - but a mount unburdened by an entire carriage and multiple riders - easily keeps up, and can even act as a scout for some of the hills you encounter. He might also drag behind once or twice to see if you’re being followed. (Let me know.)
It’s nearly 11:30 when you arrive in the town of Lotheedar. Situated on the banks of Lake Stavian and named for the Lotheed family, Lotheedar is the largest town in the county of Meratt and supports a variety of industries, from timber and brewing to trade and smithing. Wide paved streets, clean. Clearly the people of Lotheedar are doing well compared to the village of Stachys. You can see where some of the Stachys rents have been spent you suspect - for it certainly hasn’t been in Stachys!
You pass through the town quickly enough, for it is still a small town, and approach the Palace of Birdsong. Your carriage slows, then stops, and Myrna leans over, ”We’re nearly there. If you want to change into your finery for the first events or prepare or whatever.” She sits back up and stretches, waiting for the signal to proceed the last little way. You know from your invitations approximately what is to happen and when.
Tanager Jubilee
Day 1: jousting or trucco (a game like croquet), speech, feast, halfling chariot race, dancing and cards (The Last Azlant)
Day 2: garden breakfast, grand hunt, feast, masked ball
Day 3: breakfast in bed and a quick departure
So those of you who wish to, may joust presumably, or watch. Others may play trucco, or watch. These events are scheduled to begin after 2pm to give people time to settle into their rooms and prepare. So you should be dressed to meet the Count, then change into whatever gear you may need for jousting or trucco or watching.
Let me know what preparations, if any, you may be making at this time.
Anselm smiles wryly at Muri's saddle sore woes. "That's quite a battle you had with your saddle. Do you require healing? We have some left after the ghast and ghouls..."
He weighs in on the discussion of priorities. "You make good points, Elen. Perhaps a public meeting with the townsfolk after we've returned and spent time helping with the harvest. We can ask for their wisdom and test our own recommendations. Though it may also be wise to reassure them our improvements will not mean an increase in their taxes nor rents, until such time as prosperity is more generally shared."
After considering for a moment, he concludes, "I may know an artist or two from my visits to Eagle's Head* who could help us beautify the town with murals. Perhaps teach any interested townsfolk while they're here."
With a history stretching back over a thousand years, the grand amphitheater at Eagle’s Head has staged nearly every major Taldan theatrical work—ballets, operas, and plays alike—since Aroden’s apotheosis. Under the sprawling beak of the structure’s eponymous eagle’s head, performers from across the Inner Sea conduct concerts
declaim orations, and enact dramas and comedies in the hopes of catching the public consciousness and becoming their generation’s cornerstone of Taldan culture.
Each summer as the performance season swings into gear, artisans and merchants set up their carts and tents for a mile in any given direction, creating an ever-shifting town of vendors and lesser performers competing for visitors’ coins. Artists and minor nobles frequently meet here to arrange patronages. — Taldor, the First Empire
. . . . .
The noble gratefully accepts Myrna's offered pause. He changes into his new court outfit, fastens a stag pin to the lapel (given to him by one of the Erlking's children), and dons his magic wig. It forms something of an overlay on his outfit, smoothing wrinkles and adding a note of luster to its hardware. The wig itself takes on the appearance of a lovely ribbon tying back his hair.
"I should enjoy a game of trucco. It resembles a rather more dangerous game we played in the Seelie Court."
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"That's quite a battle you had with your saddle. Do you require healing? We have some left after the ghast and ghouls..."
Muri looks towards the fey man, his mouth full of muffin. His eyebrows purse together, while he masticates quickly, mushing it up a little with his half-cup of kahve. When his mouth is clear, he speaks.
"What?"
...
Muri lets Underfoot take the reins, mostly. When the sheepdog wants to explore, the pair distances themselves, then returns to carriage-side. They only fall behind once or twice, but only when the dog scents something interesting, and lingers to examine it.
...
”We’re nearly there. If you want to change into your finery for the first events or prepare or whatever.”
Muri looks down on his finery, appropriately crumpled for the day's ride. He shrugs to himself, less to Myrna, and waits to see what the others want to do before heading up.
He speaks to the carriage-riders. "Jousting sounds fun. I've never watched a tournament. This should be fun."
Anselm relates to Muri the tale of the Queen Without a Face, including the treasure found there. "I hope you don't mind my claiming this ring. It seemed a fitting new Basri family heirloom."
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"Whenever we do renovate anything, we should consider giving the townsfolk notification -- you know, so there's no surprises."
Kort smiles at Elen's thoughtfulness.
"You make an excellent point. We need to be clear with our people about what we intend so that we do not interfere with their daily efforts with our good intentions. It might be good to fix a bridge, but that benefit will be denied if some farmer traveling to market cannot sell his goods that day. We should be cognizant that we are still new here and might not be aware of how much we are upsetting the balance of things," he backs up Elen's thought.
* * *
On the road, K'Aldrian has little changing to do. He's used to hard marches and long walks in armor, and today is nothing different. He's stiff and unyielding, clean and proper, and handles the transit well.
At the party, he will not joust (he is way too old to risk a broken leg or hip) but may play trucco once he understands the rules and impact. Mostly, he's content to watch and meet people as he walks about on his cane, and in his parade armor.
"I hope you don't mind my claiming this ring. It seemed a fitting new Basri family heirloom."
Muri listens raptly as the fey man describes the horrors stumbled upon, here, in this quaint part of Taldor. His mind picks over all the times they must have narrowly missed a regiment of undead on their way to and from Pensaris, and the halfling grows quiet. He hardly acknowledges Anselm's claim to a ring.
...
Muri actually reins Underfoot in more than once on their way to Lotheedar. In fact, he never lets the carriage out of his sight, spurring the sheepdog to turn around, or speed up, so that the hillsides won't cut off his line of sight. Who knows what might suddenly appear, and he doesn't intend to be far from the trouble, should it arise.
...
The halfling checks the sheepdog's pads for signs of wear and tear, thorn or thistle, making sure Underfoot will be presentable, and not easily irritable among strangers.
"Are we spreading out among the activities? Is this like our time in the Senate Hall? Or are we keeping close by each other, so we present ourselves together with each new person?"
”Splendid! Should anyone wish a freshening up, let me know. I know my dress could use a bit of a magical pressing before we go on.” Mama D changes, then casts prestidigitation to freshen up everyone’s clothing, should it be needed. She will also put it to work upon their horses and carriage as well so that they may be as presentable as possible upon reaching the end of their trip.
"Are we spreading out among the activities? Is this like our time in the Senate Hall? Or are we keeping close by each other, so we present ourselves together with each new person?"
Hmm, that is a good question. Certainly, we should present to my cousin as a group. Afterward, I would think small groups would be best.
The party makes themselves presentable in a few quick moments, and rides the last several hundred yards to the Palace of Birdsong.
The entire palace is vast, rambling, and magnificent; one of the few places in Meratt preserved in its original splendor. The walls feature elaborate frescos, and most of these have been recently whitewashed. Paintings stare from every wall, depicting previous Grand Princes and Lotheed family members, while fancy chandeliers enchanted with continual light illuminate most rooms. Objects are garish and decorative. The place is designed to show, not defend.
The two-story structure is built around a central gallery containing entertaining space and offices, with the eastern wing outfitted for servants (and the grand ballroom) while the west wing is reserved for noble apartments and formal guests. In addition, a tower rising behind the west wing contains royal apartments exclusively for the use of the emperor and his family. Unless otherwise stated, ceilings are 20 feet high, walls are magically treated superior masonry, and the good wooden doors are left unlocked. The windows are kept locked and are made from magically reinforced glass.
The lush palace gardens (image) extend for over a mile in every direction, consisting of flower gardens, low hedges, fruit and nut orchards, and vineyards. A number of swans and peacocks roam the grounds freely. These birds rarely attack visitors, but they tend to follow alongside people, honking and calling to demand handouts. Among the caged birds are an extensive collection of brightly colored Tanagers, after which the Jubilee is named.
A dozen outlying cottages for guests line the western edge of the property, each a well-appointed, cozy affair with comfortable rooms.
Fine laburnum trees blossoming with wonderfully smelling draped yellow flowers flank the drive leading up to the palace, with a large fountain and several statues providing ostentation.
You approach the palace and meet with an astonishing array of guests, nearly 40 altogether, all being fussed over by an army of servants sporting bird masks. Count Bartelby Lotheed has hired additional staff, and the normally quiet palace throngs with chatter and laughter. Numerous entertainers - ferret-jugglers, fire-breathers, stilt-walkers, and other amusements - keep guests occupied as they arrive.
You see a few people bestow gifts upon the Count before heading inside or down the hill to examine their quarters. Upon seeing new guests, the Count himself approaches you (image, though he’s not actually drawing his sword of course) and introduces himself warmly while servants unload your baggage. “Well met, newcomers. I am Count Bartelby Lotheed, steward of the county of Meratt, landgrave of the Hyden Marches, and tribune of Lotheedar. We understand you are the new heirs to the Betony lands. It is quite the honor to be our new neighbors, we’re sure.”
Count Bartleby Lotheed is a handsome and robust man, full of energy and, in his own superior way, charm.
Anselm happily accepts Mama D's ministrations. Before the new lords and ladies arrive, he suggests, "Perhaps a gift would be fitting for our host. The holy symbol of antebellum Arazni, perhaps? A relic of the Shining Crusade might have special meaning. Or something with more arcane relevance, given his proclivities."
. . . . .
He nods with a slight bow as Count Lotheed introduces himself. "It is an honor, Count Lotheed. I am Lord Anselm Basri, onetime envoy to the Erlking's court and, yes, with your confirmation, tribune of Stachys and landgrave of Stachys Canal. I pray we will do honor to you and the county."
Kamari exits the carriage and tries to carry herself with grace befitting the setting. Surely, she won't be as elegant as Elen, but she will tone it down from her usual strident posture.
"Thank you for the honor and your hospitality," Kamari greets Count Bartleby warmly. "I am Lady Kamari Everly."
Kamari lingers while everyone is introduced and sees if they are given direction as to how to proceed. If not, she will seek out the game of trucco with Kort while trying to asses who has received the privilege of attending the jubilee.
- - -
Anselm happily accepts Mama D's ministrations. Before the new lords and ladies arrive, he suggests, "Perhaps a gift would be fitting for our host. The holy symbol of antebellum Arazni, perhaps? A relic of the Shining Crusade might have special meaning. Or something with more arcane relevance, given his proclivities."
"Ooh! I should have thought of that! A gift, certainly, but you are right that something more arcane is more likely to speak to the Lotheed in him. A spellbook, perhaps? I have been carrying this one for awhile, and I've scribed all of the spells into my other book for convenience sake. Perhaps it will do? Oh, it's not quite right, though. Perhaps if I scribe another spell. no, no time for that, but but even so...He will appreciate the book more than the holy symbol. I don't believe he is very religious, that one.
Here, Anselm, you tell a much better tale than I do. You should gift it to him with an appropriate amount of the story of how we came about it." Mama D offers the spellbook to Anselm, completely confident in his diplomatic skills in such a situation.
....
“Well met, newcomers. I am Count Bartelby Lotheed, steward of the county of Meratt, landgrave of the Hyden Marches, and tribune of Lotheedar.
K'Aldrian will move forward (stiffly, of course) to pay his respects to the Count.
"Greeting Count Lotheed. I am Lord K'Aldrian Kort, Tribune of Stachys, Landgrave of Stachys Canal, Knight of Taldor, Major 1ATD Retired," Kort says with unpracticed ill-ease, having very little opportunity to fully name himself until now. "I'm sorry to burden with you with that title, but it is new to me and I am just growing into it."
Kort then moves out of the way for the others to introduce themselves.
Muri bids Underfoot heel, then stay on the line, as each of the Agents of Eutropia introduces themselves. His initial impression of Bartleby is 'impressed', as the man stands in front of his opulent estate. It doesn't hurt to be handsome and welcoming, either.
"Nice to meet you, Count Lotheed. I'm Muri Daybreaker, same titles as my friends here. You have a beautiful home, and I'm grateful for your hospitality. Oh, and my companion is Underfoot. She's well-trained, you have my word."
Muri returns to the line, and waits for introductions to peel away, revealing the next activities of the day.
"“Well met, newcomers. I am Count Bartelby Lotheed, steward of the county of Meratt, landgrave of the Hyden Marches, and tribune of Lotheedar. We understand you are the new heirs to the Betony lands. It is quite the honor to be our new neighbors, we’re sure.”[/b]
"It is truly an honor and a pleasure to meet One of your stature, Your Grace."Mama D curtsies, balancing the appropriate demure niceties with the maturity of her years.
Anselm steps back forward once everyone has made their introduction. "My count, on behalf of my fellow lords and ladies, and the townsfolk of Stachys, I would like to present these gifts."
He turns to Mama D, accepting from her the spellbook of Dagio the Great. "We recovered this spellbook from a wizard whose research resulted in the death of his body. His soul and arcaane power survived, though, housed in the flesh of his familiar. We hope that you might find the personal notes within of interest."
He then produces the ornate holy symbol. "You may recognize the ancient emblem of Arazni, herald of Aroden. Just this last evening, we encountered a member of the Shining Crusade. Like Arazni herself, this hero had fallen in battle and was corrupted by the taint of necromancy. We hope you might accept it as token of our commitment to serve and protect the people of Meratt County."
"These cakes are good, Elen. Family recipe?"
"Oh, no -- I'm afraid I don't have anything like that. That's just a recipe I found in this cookbook, which I found in the library. 'Butter of peanut' -- see? It's all right here."
~~~
You can see where some of the Stachys rents have been spent you suspect - for it certainly hasn’t been in Stachys!
As the carriage enters town, Elen signals for the Shepherd to ride up near the window. She mutters to anyone in near the window and in the carriage, "Something's rotten in Lotheedar. Still, if we make good impressions, we might be able to get supplies sent to us, or something..."
~~~
"I am Count Bartelby Lotheed, steward of the county of Meratt, landgrave of the Hyden Marches, and tribune of Lotheedar."
Elen curtseys, then confidently states, "Lady Mallë-o i Otos Elen, Tribune of Stachys, Landgrave of Stachys Canal, Knight of Taldor, Ballet Dancer, Principal."
And I'm not sorry at all.
He nods with a slight bow as Count Lotheed introduces himself. "It is an honor, Count Lotheed. I am Lord Anselm Basri, onetime envoy to the Erlking's court and, yes, with your confirmation, tribune of Stachys and landgrave of Stachys Canal. I pray we will do honor to you and the county."
Anselm sets the tone as the Count smiles lightly, pleased with the formality.
"Thank you for the honor and your hospitality," Kamari greets Count Bartleby warmly. "I am Lady Kamari Everly."
The Count returns a warm smile and nods.
"Greeting Count Lotheed. I am Lord K'Aldrian Kort, Tribune of Stachys, Landgrave of Stachys Canal, Knight of Taldor, Major 1ATD Retired," Kort says with unpracticed ill-ease, having very little opportunity to fully name himself until now. "I'm sorry to burden with you with that title, but it is new to me and I am just growing into it."
”Ahh, yes, of course, the soldier. If you are worthy of your title, you’ll certainly grow into it. If not, there are plenty of nobles who are beneath their titles. Let us hope you are the former!” he ends with a wink.
"Nice to meet you, Count Lotheed. I'm Muri Daybreaker, same titles as my friends here. You have a beautiful home, and I'm grateful for your hospitality. Oh, and my companion is Underfoot. She's well-trained, you have my word."
”I’ll take you at your word good Lord Daybreaker. We’ve heard something of your family, up north along the border correct?”
"It is truly an honor and a pleasure to meet One of your stature, Your Grace."Mama D curtsies, balancing the appropriate demure niceties with the maturity of her years.
He turns to Lady Lotheed, ”And you must be Lady Lotheed. You’re down the Devrick Lotheed line are you not? A strong faction, and we heard you were a wizard of some small ability? We shall have to discuss arcane matters later as time permits. Welcome cousin.”
Elen curtseys, then confidently states, "Lady Mallë-o i Otos Elen, Tribune of Stachys, Landgrave of Stachys Canal, Knight of Taldor, Ballet Dancer, Principal."
He nods curtly, and though he seems to linger over the word, ‘Principal’, he does not ask…
He gestures for yet another servant from the pool, several already burdened with your packs, bags, and other gear. ”Please take them to the ballroom.” He turns to you, ”Your things will be placed in a cottage for your use, but as time is short, please join us in the ballroom to meet your jester who will explain more. Perhaps we can meet,” he glances at an ornamental sundial nearby, ”In an hour. You can present yourselves to me formally then.”
With that, he releases you, and begins to turn aside to other business while he awaits further guests, when Anselm stops him and continues with a tight little speech of his own. He bestows the parties gifts on the Count, who accepts both graciously, but who is clearly interested in only one. ”We are pleased with what you’ve brought us.” he collects the tome first and, as an afterthought, the symbol. ”I look forward to discussing what lies within with Lady Lotheed.”
He then turns and heads off to great another later arrival. The servants with your gear have long left, but the remaining lad guides you within the elegant house.
And what a house! Oof! Why they must have an army of servants here that rivals the whole of the village of Stachys. At least for the festival anyway. You’re lead into the main building and to the eastern portion leading, eventually, to the grand ballroom. It’s a glorious room with several heaving crystal and magic chandeliers. As you enter, you are lead to a group of jesters. Another servant, checking off a list, pronounces the ”The Purple Finch is yours good Lords and Ladies. She’ll be your guide for the festival, and can answer any questions you may have - help you with your chambers and whatnot.”
A vibrant woman steps up dressed in bright colors and looking a bit like ‘a sparrow dipped in raspberry juice’ approaches you. She curtsies saying, ”I’m Alista Cragus, the Purple Finch, and I’m at your service. Let me show you to your cabin and we can talk on the way.” She begins to lead you back out of the main house and toward the cottages a short distance away.
Kort nods stiffly, yet politely, and heads to the ballroom. He is happy to leave his gear to the servants.
"Greetings Miss Cragus. Yes, please, show us the way," Kort answers as he follows along, clanking his cane. "Tell me what you do here?"
Kort keeps his eyes open and tone friendly.
Anselm takes a moment to duck into a private space. He sends his thoughts out to Shelyn and her servants. Please, reveal to me those who mean others ill.
He walks back out into the hall, ready to follow his companions. As he moves, he attunes his senses to whiff of evil.