Corran begins a bardsong. Inpsire Courage and readies his weapons.
Corran digs deep to inspire the party, so close to safety!
Round 1:
Corran: Bard!
Ianthe: Go
Leo: Go
Aurelia: Go
Violet Fungus: TBD
Xavien: Will hit
Kenton: TBD
Martella: TBD
leo moves up with shield raised not really knowing what to expect!
He tried to prune the flower and end this fight!
Leo's blade cuts a massive filet out of the fungus, but he doesn't stop it from seeking a meal!
Round 1:
Corran: Bard!
Ianthe: Go
Leo: Hit
Aurelia: Go
Violet Fungus: TBD
Xavien: Will hit
Kenton: TBD
Martella: TBD
Aurelia incants a spell, waving her left hand in a series of gestures as three bolts of force appear before her. Completing the spell, she points at the fungus, releasing the magical missiles!
Load and fire.
Lady Ianthe isn't even listening to her brother now. Meanwhile Lady Aurelia fires her final spell!
The burning fungus shuffles forward and tries to wrap a tendril around Xavien's leg! but the lord dodges it!
Round 1:
Corran: Bard!
Ianthe: Jeff
Leo: Hit
Aurelia: MM
Violet Fungus: ATK
Xavien: Hit
Kenton: Go
Martella: TBD
Kenton moves to engage the creeping death, but is unprepared for how one must fight a plant.
Despite the easy target, Kenton finds his aim is off. Martella immediately begins directing the team.
Round 2:
Corran: Go
Ianthe: Go
Leo: Go
Aurelia: Go
Violet Fungus: TBD
Xavien: TBD
Kenton: TBD
Martella: TBD
Knowing that she'll only get in the way, Aurelia takes a defensive stance that she learned from her fencing instructor.
Wow I am *fantastically* unequipped to fight plants.
I'll make this attack with a dart.
Attack to Aid Another, chucking not to damage but to distract the plant. I'll grant Leo +2 to hit.
Maybe this'll be a thorn in YOUR side!
Corran's contributions continue with his bardic inspiration, and a little extra for Leo. Meanwhile Lady Ianthe makes a pun that lands about as well as her shot (which is to say it technically does.)
Round 2:
Corran: Aid
Ianthe: Hit
Leo: Go
Aurelia: The D
Violet Fungus: TBD
Xavien: TBD
Kenton: TBD
Martella: TBD
Leo tries to tumble through the enemy to the other side...
he attacks if the movement is successful or not
Leo tumbles across to the other side and cuts the fungus in half! It immediately begins to rot!
Xavien moves to check out the corpse. The body looks like it's been here for decades. The various fungi have consumed most of the corpse, leaving behind only a few metal buttons and well preserved belt with a large silver belt buckle fashioned in the shape of a tiger's snarling face. The spellcasters confirm that it's magical.
Aurelia takes a few moments to try and identify the magic within the belt.
Ianthe takes a closer look at the belt.
"Well, if the way is clear," Xavien suggests, picking out the belt from the muck, "then let us get gone. Down here?" he asks of Martella, to confirm the way out.
Kenton claps Leo on the back. Well done, sir! Capitally well done!
While the casters do their thing, Kenton motions for the erstwhile Senator's aide to join him in checking out the egress. Our job, after all, is to protect those who are to be the future of Mother Taldor.
While the belt remains a mystery, the path out is clear. With Wyssilka defeated and Martella Lotheed saved, you are finally in a position to rest and take stock of the new political scene in Taldor.
Let's hurry. I will pay for accommodations at the Silent Horse as I said. Let's lay low there, maybe just a few days while spies and agentscheck in."
For the next two days, you rest, recover, and process. It's been productive. You're not under house arrest, though you've been asked to stay low. Martella comes and goes a fair bit. She has specialist agents do your shopping. She even has someone identify your new belt as a Belt of Incredible Dexterity .
She is also insistent that you EACH take a 500 gold bonus for your service to Taldor.
It takes those days to take a final accounting of the dead: a total of 78 senators slain, alongside 102 aides, defenders, family members, and staff, as well as Grand Prince Stavian III himself, in what many Taldans are already beginning to call the "Exaltation Massacre".
The attackers appear to have been an assortment of mercenaries and killers from Andoran, Cheliax, and Galt—though arguments rage over who brought these assassins into the heart of Taldor’s government. While the Lion Blades believe Stavian himself hired these agents, much of the Taldan citizenry is less convinced, given the emperor’s own death in the violence. Many suspect Princess Eutropia or High Strategos Pythareus. With the empire’s central government in shambles, local governments are doing the best they can to fill the void.
Eleven major claims have been made for the throne by various nobles claiming relations to the Stavian line. Two candidates in particular—Princess Eutropia and High Strategos Maxillar Pythareus—stand above the rest, and various nobles and polities have already begun arguing that their chosen scion is the true inheritor of the Primogen Crown.
Kenton looks over the map. He doesn't recall the family trees well enough to know who's who, but knows enough of the High Strategos. Pythareus will never concede any legitimate claim on the crown to Eutropia, he observes. Or to any woman, for that matter. They are lesser to him, the poor sod. He will never loosen his grip that prejudice.
"It is very Taldan, is it not?" Xavien muses, lounging in the inn's common room. His tone is a vibrant cocktail of humor, excitement, and acidity. "Yet another civil conflict to pockmark our fine nation's history books."
He takes a bite out of an apple and sets it down, and takes a sip of wine. "Let us hope we can wrest some good out of this one, I suppose. Taldor always did like to ossify into some uncomfortable, stodgy rigidness, and these things are useful for shaking out of it."
"Say," he adds with sudden interest, "how many of my cousins died in the Senate Hall, I wonder? I might be the last Karthis heir left, for all I know. Ha! How my parents would hate that."
"Do we know how the dead voted on the bill? May they rest in peace, of course."
Xavien joins Kenton by the map that Martella has assembled, looking over the claims. "They do scrabble like rats, eh?"
He turns back to the food, disinterested.
After taking a third day to rest, Martella comes to the Silent Horse to invite you to a private meeting. A short carriage ride brings you to a tidy townhouse in the Aroden’s View district. Inside, a cozy fire and the scent of tea warm a small library. A friendly catch-dog trots over to investigate, wagging its tail, and returns satisfied to its hooded owner’s side.
Immediately, as he can't help himself:
Who's a good dog? You're a good dog! Yes, you, oh come here, and get scritches! Yes, good doggies get scritches, yes they do YES THEY DO!
Regarding the various claims
To himself: Ugh, it's always like this. An endless list of garbage families.
She takes a moment to compose herself.
The woman stands up and pulls her hood back. By the gods!
“My name is Eutropia Stavian I, firstborn of Stavian III, and I thank you for coming. I wanted to express my gratitude in person for rescuing my old schoolmate, Martella. She is a dear friend, and I am in your debt."
“You are bold and resourceful, yet apparently relative unknowns on Taldor’s political stage. Those are all incredibly valuable assets. Now more than ever I find myself in need of talented allies. My father—Pharasma rest his soul—seems to have been convinced my efforts at social reform were the precursor to usurping his throne. Some dear friends feared he would try to kill me at the exaltation; you may have noticed the Lion Blades on the scene in response. I had never imagined he could... That he had slipped so far.”
“Apparently, in his paranoia, my father formally adopted Maxillar Pythareus in a private ceremony to declare the general his heir. Or so Pythareus claims, and he has presented documentation to support his claim. There are even those nobles who believe the vote against primogeniture could not possibly have taken place, or was coerced by those same elements that attacked the senate. "
“The Ulfen Guard has sealed the palace and refuses admittance to anyone until the question is resolved. Normally this kind of issue would fall to the senate, but with the senate decimated and no emperor to approve new members... this situation is entirely unprecedented."
“I don’t know if I’m the best candidate for the throne, but I know Pythareus isn’t. He’s a warmonger and a regressive traditionalist. He preaches about waging war on the ‘upstart colonies’ and bringing them back into the empire by force. I won’t let him march us back into endless war, and I need allies of uncommon skill to ensure our nation’s future. I would be honored to have such noble allies as yourselves in this War for the Crown.”
Corran assumed that the matter was simple, but upon hearing that Grand Prince Stavian has--potentially--named Pythareus his heir, he curses and the sudden emotion brings him to his feet. Corran can be heard uttering damn under his breath. He pinches the bridge of his nose and closes his eyes, locked in thought, a debate betwixt his heart and his head taking place inside him.
Kenton marvels at the sight of the Princess, then listens intently to her words.
Eutropia is quite right about Pythareus; I recall a discussion he had with Uncle some time back about Taldor's "once and future colonies", after all.
He is unsure whether to address Eutropia directly, but determines circumstances demand such brashness. Begging my lady's pardon, and forgiveness for being so direct, he says with a sweeping bow. I am Kenton Bowe, only son of Rydik and Jallyn Bowe, Major of the Taldan Horse knights, and I am at your service.
I cannot agree more that the High Strategos ascending to the throne would, at the least, plunge Taldor into years of external strife. I have served with the man — an excellent commander, but rigid and intractable. He would see Taldor returned to its bellicose past, when truth will not support such a vision.
He kneels before Eutropia. You have my blade pledged to your command.
Corran turns and watches Kenton, his hand idly rests on the hilt of the Clement Falcata. Without turning his head, he looks to his sister. She is the smartest person he knows.
Kenton kneels before Eutropia. You have my blade pledged to your command.
"And mine, also," Xavien smiles pleasantly from his chair, tapping the heavy cavalry sword at his side. He stays seated, at least for the moment. "Though whether you truly desire to have a Karthis in your employ is, as they say, quite dubious. No doubt the rest of my brethren are huddled with Pythareus at present."
"Your Highness," Aurelia says with a curtsy. "I will also speak for myself and say that, like Lord Karthis and Sir Bowe, you have my loyalty."
"I was in the chamber when primogeniture was ended. To me, you are the future of Taldor. You are our window into change. Taldor needs your stewardship," Aurelia continues, a smile creeping into her expression. "It is time we instead referred to you as 'Your Majesty'."
That's right. It did pass, didn't it?, Corran asks, a smile suddenly breaking out. HA!, he says with a slap to his knee. Well, then that's easy! By Iomadae... Hey, that's funny. Aroden dies, he says gesticulating a holy and respectful sign with his hands, And a Lady ascends his throne.
Corran crosses to The Princess.
If by my life or death I can save you and Taldor, I shall.
He kneels.
My sword and my song are yours, Grand Princess. For Taldor.
Ianthe listens with keen interest as Princess Eutropia speaks.
Seeing all of the other pledge themselves to Eutropia, particularly her brother, Ianthe stands and curtsies.
The Clements stand united in their support for you, your Highness.
“You would work as my loyal agents to secure resources and allies, ideally without raising too much of a fuss when it can be avoided. Martella will direct you toward more specific goals; I have a great deal of work to accomplish myself in the meantime.”
“Now we rally our resources and allies. This is not a war we can win by swords; Pythareus commands the entirety of the Phalanx, and much of the rest of the military is fiercely loyal to him. This is a war we must win with words and guile and allies. We need the people of Taldor to unite behind a single monarch to dispel the military’s desire to settle this with force of arms. I don’t want the blood of common Taldans spilled to slake some petty squabble between nobles.”
"Oh, and Corran, His name is Taldogis. Father hates it... Hated it.”
Leo is lost in thought as he studies Lady Stavian as she speaks trying to figure out motivation...
"If you value the common man, My Lady, I will help you ascend the thrown." Leo says with a deep bow."However, I beg your forgiveness for any of my blood that has been spilt or will be spilled in aiding you in that task."
Who's a good founder and first Emperor? YOU'RE a good founder and first emperor of the Realm! YES YOU ARE! OH YES YOU ARE! Who can snap off a cockatrice head? YOU CAN!
Corran continues to give plentiful scritches.
Well, I think it's an excellent name for an excellent dog, Grand Princess.
The hopeful queen nods in assent to Leo.
Facets to be placed:
Aurelia: Done
Corran: Go
Ianthe: Done
Kenton: Go
Leo: Go
Xavien: Done
Book II: Songbird, Scion, Saboteur
The 7th of Calistril, 4718 Absalom Reckoning
Civil war is setting in! Oddly for many citizens, life goes on as normal. The wounds suffered in the Senate are fresh and the future is uncertain, but within Oppara proper the war is largely political.... for now.
"There is much to do. Normally, you'd go through a rigorous training program, but there's no time. For now, you've got to learn how to play the game. You each have something unique to offer Taldor, and it's time to spread your wings. I've got a mission for you in mind, and it's going to take me a week or so to put it into motion. Use that time to develop your public persona. A good agent can work in the light and the shadow. What you do is up to you, as you know what to do best."
Persona Phase 1 of 2:
Aurelia: Go
Corran: Go
Ianthe: Go
Kenton: Go
Leo: Go
Xavien: Go
Knowing that playing the game requires planting seeds and building a trustworthy persona long term, Aurelia decides to do the surprising thing: host a party.
With the Basri name and resources at her disposal, it seems that a party is exactly the welcome distraction people desired.
"Please, try the foie gras!" she says, beaming a smile at a guest. "My chef has a delightful take on it, which I'm sure you'll enjoy."
Aurelia moves about the party, marveling at the attendance. She had intended for it to be an intimate affair, the number of plus ones tells her a great deal about the mental state of Taldor's upper crust. They are shaken.
"Sauerton? Desna weeps, I'm not here to poison you," Aurelia replies to a guest, one she doesn't know. "The wine is Encarthan Gold, from an estate in Druma. My uncle knows the Kalistrocrat who runs the estate. It's good, right?"
Overall, she's pleased with him how the party is going...