Lord Xavien finds himself stymied.
Social Round 3 of ?
Dramatis Personae
Aurelia: Go
Corran: Influence Success (Dame Crabbe)
Ianthe: Go
Kenton: Go
Leo: Go
Xavien: Discover Angle Failure
Signed Up for the Joust:
Xavien
Kenton maneuvers his way over to the Baroness, snagging a pair of Zimaran wines on his way. My lady, he begins, we have yet to be introduced, for which I must apologize at once. Kenton Betany — second cousin, once removed of our late Lady Allis Betony, may her soul rest. My father was not close to the family, after all, but my mother insisted I come to fulfill obligations.
He makes to take a sip, but drinks rather deeper than he should, and does not pay close attention to her reactions.
the party continues to struggle as Kenton strikes out.
Social Round 3 of ?
Dramatis Personae
Aurelia: Go
Corran: Influence Success (Dame Crabbe)
Ianthe: Go
Kenton: Fail
Leo: Go
Xavien: Discover Angle Failure
Signed Up for the Joust:
Xavien
Aurelia continues attempting to make inroads with the baroness, bolstered by Kenton's presence.
Aurelia confirms that Diplomatic talk is not likely to get anywhere with the Baroness without a masterful display.
Social Round 3 of ?
Dramatis Personae
Aurelia: Fail
Corran: Influence Success (Dame Crabbe)
Ianthe: Go
Kenton: Fail
Leo: Go
Xavien: Discover Angle Failure
Signed Up for the Joust:
Xavien
Ianthe excuses herself from Gul and makes her way over to Aurelia, Kenton, and Baroness Voinam. Along the way, Ianthe grabs two glasses of wine, one for herself and one to offer to the Baroness.
She offers the glass to Baroness Voinam and begins talking about the recent troubles in the capitol and the vote to end primogeniture. She talks of her support for the vote and Princess Eutropia, trying to draw out the Baroness's opinion on the matter.
Lady Ianthe also confirms that diplomacy is definitely not the easy way into her good graces, at all.
Social Round 3 of ?
Dramatis Personae
Aurelia: Fail
Corran: Influence Success (Dame Crabbe)
Ianthe: Fail
Kenton: Fail
Leo: Go
Xavien: Discover Angle Failure
Signed Up for the Joust:
Xavien
Leo trails behind the others as they attempt to engage the Baroness. He listens and watches carefully as she rebuffs them, hoping to learn a better angle of approach.
Leo catches that what really catches the Baroness's attention is a robust conversation about Taldane history. [ooc]Easiest check to Influence her is Knowledge (History). I've updated the Dramatis Personae.
Unfortunately, the loud ringing of a bell interrupts any attempts to capitalize on the newfound knowledge.
-----
Various servants and pages begin ushering the guests towards a field with a pair of delights to entertain. The count’s servants have erected a list, a tilt, and stands for a joust, complete with colorful flags and banners, and happily supply heavy horse mounts, jousting armor (a breastplate, helm, and padding), and a metal ecranche for guests who wish to participate but neglected to bring appropriate equipment. They also provide frangible jousting lances fitted with metal sheaths to all competitors. The stands slowly fill with spectators, many bribed with food to come from nearby Lotheedar.
For those of a more genteel persuasion, a field is set
aside for trucco a short distance from the jousting list, complete with sandwiches and tea. The trucco field looks rife for socializing. The jousting field looks like it's all business...
"LAST CALL FOR THE JOUST!"
Given the single elimination and number of jouster, you expect this to take up the entire afternoon,
Each round, contestants ride to opposite ends of the tilt, turn, salute, and then charge on horseback at one another with lances, hoping to strike their opponent and, ideally, knock them from their horses. Each participant attempts an opposed Ride check and an attack roll. The character with the higher Ride check result gains a +2 circumstance bonus on her attack and damage rolls for that pass. A character struck must succeed at a Ride check (DC equal to the amount of damage dealt) or be unseated from his mount. Characters with the Unseat feat can apply this feat if the initial charge doesn’t unseat an opponent. In the interest of safety and thanks to the blunted lances, the attacks deal nonlethal damage.
Connecting with a lance scores 1 point, while unseating an opponent instead scores 2 points. A wielder who shatters her lance (which happens automatically if a single blow deals 20 or more points of damage) adds 1 additional point for the spectacle and the skill required.
The announcers call the pairs, ”Now jousting! Baron Nicolaus Okerra versus Baronet Fi Paben”
Match 1:
for
for
What an upset! Shockingly the Baron is unseated!
The announcers call the pairs, ”Now jousting! Lieutenant Marina Gortius versus Lord Titus Lotheed-Casava”
Match 2:
for
for
An even match!
The announcers call the pairs, ”Now jousting! Baronet Fi Paben versus Lady Mona Sittas”
Match 3:
for
MISS
A decisive win for the Baronet! The long shot continues to dominate!
The announcers call the pairs, ”Now jousting! Lord Titus Lotheed-Casava versus Lord Xavien Marendo Karthis”
Match 4:
➤Lord Xavien Marendo Karthis: Ride check!
STANDINGS
Baron Nicolaus Okerra: 1
Baronet Fi Paben: 4
Lady Mona Sittas: 0
Lieutenant Marina Gortius: 1
Lord Titus Lotheed-Casava: 1
Lord Xavien Marendo Karthis:
Pools of 6 (15 Bouts)
Jousters:
1. Baron Nicolaus Okerra
2. Baronet Fi Paben
3. Lady Mona Sittas
4. Lieutenant Marina Gortius
5. Lord Titus Lotheed-Casava
6. Lord Xavien Marendo Karthis
Xavien drains his glass of wine. "Right! Time to get knocked off a horse!" he says cheerfully, heading down to the list. With a sheepish smile, he thanks the stewards for the loan of horse, armor, ecranche, spurs, and lance. Just before donning his helm, Xavien quaffs a potion from a small vial, then mounts into the saddle.
On the field a moment later, the young lord beams an enormous grin and salutes. "Poor decisions!" He clangs his visor shut and begins to rumble a song.
"Arise! Arise! Brave Taldans!
Perform your loudest lays!"
He kicks his spurs thrice gently and urges his mount into a canter, hooves thundering down the list.
ADVANTAGE
"And join me in a chorus
To sing our nation's praise!"
As the last note rings out, the riders crash together.
Docked.
Xavien misses on his pass!
for
A clean point for Lord Titus!
STANDINGS
Baronet Fi Paben: 4
Lord Titus Lotheed-Casava: 2
Baron Nicolaus Okerra: 1
Lieutenant Marina Gortius: 1
Lady Mona Sittas: 0
Lord Xavien Marendo Karthis: 0
Pools of 6 (15 Bouts)
Jousters:
1. Baron Nicolaus Okerra
2. Baronet Fi Paben
3. Lady Mona Sittas
4. Lieutenant Marina Gortius
5. Lord Titus Lotheed-Casava
6. Lord Xavien Marendo Karthis
Players take turns attempting Dexterity checks. Characters proficient with light hammers gain a +2 bonus on this check, and characters with Weapon Focus (light hammers) gain an additional +1 bonus. A character scores 1 point with a successful DC 15 Dexterity check, and 1 additional point for every 5 by which her Dexterity check result exceeds 15. The first player to reach 7 points wins the round.
Turn 1:
Kenton Bowe: Go
Lady Aurelia Basri: Go
Lord Corran Clement: Go
Lady Ianthe Clement: Go
Cleomachus Trius Vulso: Go
Dame Crabbe: Scores
All other NPCs are awful
Scores:
Kenton Bowe: 0
Lady Aurelia Basri: 0
Lord Corran Clement: 0
Lady Ianthe Clement: 0
Cleomachus Trius Vulso: 0
Dame Crabbe: 1
All other NPCs are awful
Crabbe hits 7 on: 5 (Crit 4 and 5)
As expected, Xavien is immediately unseated! He collects himself from the dirt, cracks open his visor to reveal a joyous smile, and offers an elaborate bow to the crowd before walking off the field.
Corran remains quiet and tries to focus for the next turn.
Aurelia makes a half-hearted attempt at trucco, knowing full well that she's not particularly adept at games of this sort.
Players take turns attempting Dexterity checks. Characters proficient with light hammers gain a +2 bonus on this check, and characters with Weapon Focus (light hammers) gain an additional +1 bonus. A character scores 1 point with a successful DC 15 Dexterity check, and 1 additional point for every 5 by which her Dexterity check result exceeds 15. The first player to reach 7 points wins the round.
Corran and Aurelia both strike out, but the real game is in the socializing that comes whilst playing.
Turn 1:
Kenton Bowe: Go
Lady Aurelia Basri: 0
Lord Corran Clement: 0
Lady Ianthe Clement: Go
Cleomachus Trius Vulso: Go
Dame Crabbe: Scores TWO!
All other NPCs are awful
Scores:
Kenton Bowe: 0
Lady Aurelia Basri: 0
Lord Corran Clement: 0
Lady Ianthe Clement: 0
Cleomachus Trius Vulso: 0
Dame Crabbe: 2
All other NPCs are awful
Crabbe hits 7 on: 5 (Crit 4 and 5)
Dame Crabbe laughs at how the "agents" aren't very good at this "easy game."
Players take turns attempting Dexterity checks. Characters proficient with light hammers gain a +2 bonus on this check, and characters with Weapon Focus (light hammers) gain an additional +1 bonus. A character scores 1 point with a successful DC 15 Dexterity check, and 1 additional point for every 5 by which her Dexterity check result exceeds 15. The first player to reach 7 points wins the round.
Corran and Aurelia both strike out, but the real game is in the socializing that comes whilst playing.
Scores:
Kenton Bowe: 0
Lady Aurelia Basri: 0
Lord Corran Clement: 0
Lady Ianthe Clement: 0
Cleomachus Trius Vulso: 0
Dame Crabbe: 2
All other NPCs are awful
Crabbe hits 7 on: 5 (Crit on 5)
Turn 1 of 4:
Kenton Bowe: Go
Lady Aurelia Basri: Go
Lord Corran Clement: Go
Lady Ianthe Clement: Go
Cleomachus Trius Vulso: Go
Kenton makes sport of himself and his failure to impress during Trucco. I have displayed less ability in this than a court fool without a joke, it seems, he says with a chuckle. It seems I am playing the fool, at this point, hmm? He straightens out his waistcoat and, in the same motion, removes a small bundle of roses he had secreted inside before approaching: one white, one pink, and one red. With a smile, he offers these to Sepsina: Blooms for the young lady: fair as she, blush as her cheeks, and red as her heart within.
Dame Crabbe cuts Kenton off. "Excuse me, you're not trying to woo my daughter, are you? That would be gauche."
Hey... What is the Baroness's angle?
Dame Crabbe cuts Kenton off. "Excuse me, you're not trying to woo my daughter, are you? That would be gauche."
And regard her swayed by honeyed words, like a commoner? Hardly, my lady. A thousand pardons. Kenton bows his head in apology to Dame Crabbe. I meant no offense to your house or honor, or to that of the memory of your dear late Bertram. I may be playing the fool just now, but I refuse to play the boor. I merely wished to give your daughter a gift. Three, in fact. It seemed appropriate for such a lovely lady.
Corran accidentally whacks someone with his trucco stick, and it's generally embarrassing for all involved.
Menawhile, on the social remise Kenton warms Dame Crabbe up a bit.
Turn 1 of 4:
Kenton Bowe: Influence Success (Dame Crabbe)
Lady Aurelia Basri: Go
Lord Corran Clement: Faux pas
Lady Ianthe Clement: Go
Cleomachus Trius Vulso: Go
Ianthe engages the Baroness, going into the history of Trucco and it's influence in the Empire through the ages.
Aurelia bids the baroness adieu for now, instead moving to speak with a friendlier face.
"Honorary Tribune, a pleasure to meet you. Are you enjoying the festivities?" Aurelia begins with the appropriate niceties, moving the conversation to his family before shifting conversation to her current role. "I would love to learn more of your role as tribune for Stachys."
Lady Ianthe finally cracks the shell. He engages the Baroness in a conversation about history!
Turn 1 of 4:
Kenton Bowe: Influence Success (Dame Crabbe)
Lady Aurelia Basri: Go
Lord Corran Clement: Faux pas
Lady Ianthe Clement: Influence Success (Baroness)
Cleomachus Trius Vulso: Go
Lady Aurelia actually finds a good opening with the Tribune. She explains her role, but what Aurelia really gets is that she's worried that the aristocracy will forget about her little town entirely if she doesn’t participate in things like this, and they’ll lose what minimal support they have. While she wouldn’t mind staying on as sheriff, she would love to find someone else to handle the political aspects of her job.
Turn 1 of 4:
Kenton Bowe: Influence Success (Dame Crabbe)
Lady Aurelia Basri: Influence Success (Onora)
Lord Corran Clement: Faux pas
Lady Ianthe Clement: Influence Success (Baroness)
Cleomachus Trius Vulso: Go
Leo hovers near the Crabbes, but pretends to be watching the joust.
Leo determines that the Dame revels in... well, revelry. She is likely easily influenced by a dog and pony show.
Turn 1 of 4:
Kenton Bowe: Influence Success (Dame Crabbe)
Lady Aurelia Basri: Influence Success (Onora)
Lord Corran Clement: Faux pas
Lady Ianthe Clement: Influence Success (Baroness)
Cleomachus Trius Vulso: Discover Angle Success (Dame Crabbe)
Each round, contestants ride to opposite ends of the tilt, turn, salute, and then charge on horseback at one another with lances, hoping to strike their opponent and, ideally, knock them from their horses. Each participant attempts an opposed Ride check and an attack roll. The character with the higher Ride check result gains a +2 circumstance bonus on her attack and damage rolls for that pass. A character struck must succeed at a Ride check (DC equal to the amount of damage dealt) or be unseated from his mount. Characters with the Unseat feat can apply this feat if the initial charge doesn’t unseat an opponent. In the interest of safety and thanks to the blunted lances, the attacks deal nonlethal damage.
Connecting with a lance scores 1 point, while unseating an opponent instead scores 2 points. A wielder who shatters her lance (which happens automatically if a single blow deals 20 or more points of damage) adds 1 additional point for the spectacle and the skill required.
The announcers call the pairs, "Now jousting! Lady Mona Sittas versus Baron Nicolaus Okerra!"
Match 6:
MISS!
for
An unexpectedly close match!
The announcers call the pairs, "Now jousting! Lord Xavien Marendo Karthis versus Lieutenant Marina Gortius!"
Match 1:
Lord Xavien Marendo Karthis: Ride Check
STANDINGS
Baronet Fi Paben: 4
Lord Titus Lotheed-Casava: 3
Baron Nicolaus Okerra: 2
Lieutenant Marina Gortius: 1
Lady Mona Sittas: 0
Lord Xavien Marendo Karthis: 0
Pools of 6 (15 Bouts)
Jousters:
1. Baron Nicolaus Okerra
2. Baronet Fi Paben
3. Lady Mona Sittas
4. Lieutenant Marina Gortius
5. Lord Titus Lotheed-Casava
6. Lord Xavien Marendo Karthis
Slightly battered, but no less cheery, Xavien again takes the field, and again belts out a song to mix with the thunder of hooves.
"Once more the hero d'Encarthan,
Did seek to make gents and ladies smile,
ADVANTAGE!
Once, more Xavien starts out unexpectedly strong. He tips his lance...
"With another vict'ry on the file,
Oh brave Arnisant!"
Against the odds, Xavien (probably) stays in the saddle!
THE JOUST
Each round, contestants ride to opposite ends of the tilt, turn, salute, and then charge on horseback at one another with lances, hoping to strike their opponent and, ideally, knock them from their horses. Each participant attempts an opposed Ride check and an attack roll. The character with the higher Ride check result gains a +2 circumstance bonus on her attack and damage rolls for that pass. A character struck must succeed at a Ride check (DC equal to the amount of damage dealt) or be unseated from his mount. Characters with the Unseat feat can apply this feat if the initial charge doesn’t unseat an opponent. In the interest of safety and thanks to the blunted lances, the attacks deal nonlethal damage.
Connecting with a lance scores 1 point, while unseating an opponent instead scores 2 points. A wielder who shatters her lance (which happens automatically if a single blow deals 20 or more points of damage) adds 1 additional point for the spectacle and the skill required.
The announcers call the pairs, "Now jousting! Lord Xavien Marendo Karthis versus Lieutenant Marina Gortius!"
Match 6:
Lord Xavien Marendo Karthis: Ride Check = 13
Lieutenant Marina Gortius Ride Check = 10
Lord Xavien Marendo Karthis: ATK = 23, DMG = 15
for
Lord Xavien Marendo Karthis: Stays seated!
Two points for the Lord!
STANDINGS
Baronet Fi Paben: 4
Lord Titus Lotheed-Casava: 3
Baron Nicolaus Okerra: 2
Lord Xavien Marendo Karthis: 2
Lieutenant Marina Gortius: 1
Lady Mona Sittas: 0
Pools of 6 (15 Bouts)
Jousters:
1. Baron Nicolaus Okerra
2. Baronet Fi Paben
3. Lady Mona Sittas
4. Lieutenant Marina Gortius
5. Lord Titus Lotheed-Casava
6. Lord Xavien Marendo Karthis
Players take turns attempting Dexterity checks. Characters proficient with light hammers gain a +2 bonus on this check, and characters with Weapon Focus (light hammers) gain an additional +1 bonus. A character scores 1 point with a successful DC 15 Dexterity check, and 1 additional point for every 5 by which her Dexterity check result exceeds 15. The first player to reach 7 points wins the round.
Turn 2:
Kenton Bowe: Go
Lady Aurelia Basri: Go
Lord Corran Clement: Go
Lady Ianthe Clement: Go
Cleomachus Trius Vulso: Go
Dame Crabbe: Scores!
All other NPCs are awful
Scores:
Kenton Bowe: 0
Lady Aurelia Basri: 0
Lord Corran Clement: 0
Lady Ianthe Clement: 0
Cleomachus Trius Vulso: 0
Dame Crabbe: 3
All other NPCs are awful
Crabbe hits 7 on: 5 (Crit on 5)
***************************************************
Turn 2 of 4:
Kenton Bowe: Go
Lady Aurelia Basri: Go
Lord Corran Clement: Go
Lady Ianthe Clement: Go
Cleomachus Trius Vulso: Go
Corran spends a good deal of time lining up his shot--comically too much, with increasingly ridiculous preparations--tossing a small amount of grass to get the direction of the wind, too many wind-ups and practice swings and a lot of hip movements and clearing of the ball's path. Eventually, after he gets some laughter, he swings...
...And once he knows he missed, he continues the swing and lets it spin him around and around. He feigns dizzy-ness and stumbles over to Crabbe and Sepsinia, focusing on trying to bring smiles to his faces as he launches into an improbable story about a bee.
Edit: Adding Bling Bonus
While not a trucco master, Corran does now how to set a scene. He gets a genuine smile from the dame, and even a second glance from the taciturn Sepsinia!
Players take turns attempting Dexterity checks. Characters proficient with light hammers gain a +2 bonus on this check, and characters with Weapon Focus (light hammers) gain an additional +1 bonus. A character scores 1 point with a successful DC 15 Dexterity check, and 1 additional point for every 5 by which her Dexterity check result exceeds 15. The first player to reach 7 points wins the round.
Turn 2:
Kenton Bowe: Go
Lady Aurelia Basri: Go
Lord Corran Clement: Fail
Lady Ianthe Clement: Go
Cleomachus Trius Vulso: Go
Dame Crabbe: Scores!
All other NPCs are awful
Scores:
Kenton Bowe: 0
Lady Aurelia Basri: 0
Lord Corran Clement: 0
Lady Ianthe Clement: 0
Cleomachus Trius Vulso: 0
Dame Crabbe: 3
All other NPCs are awful
Crabbe hits 7 on: 5 (Crit on 5)
***************************************************
Turn 2 of 4:
Kenton Bowe: Go
Lady Aurelia Basri: Go
Lord Corran Clement: Influence Success (Dame Crabbe)
Lady Ianthe Clement: Go
Cleomachus Trius Vulso: Go
[dice=Lieutenant Marina Gortius Ride DC 15]d20+2
Two points for the Lord!
At the far end of the list, Lord Xavien dismounts and walks over to help the Lieutenant up from the dirt. "A fine hit, Lieutenant! I nearly lost my seat as well."
The Lieutenant is in good spirits. Clearly, every is enjoying themselves.
Kenton displays some ability at the game this time, guffawing heartily as he adeptly lands a hammer blow.
Forced to participate in the game, Aurelia remains frustrated by it. Confiding to Ianthe, she says, "This is an infuriating waste of time. I could be so productive doing anything but trucco."
Aurelia returns to speak with the Honorary Tribune, but spends too much time complaining about trucco to make any real headway.
Kenton scores! Lady Aurelia continues to struggle at the game.... and at making an impact on the Honorary Tribune
Players take turns attempting Dexterity checks. Characters proficient with light hammers gain a +2 bonus on this check, and characters with Weapon Focus (light hammers) gain an additional +1 bonus. A character scores 1 point with a successful DC 15 Dexterity check, and 1 additional point for every 5 by which her Dexterity check result exceeds 15. The first player to reach 7 points wins the round.
Turn 2:
Kenton Bowe: Score!
Lady Aurelia Basri: Miss
Lord Corran Clement: Fail
Lady Ianthe Clement: Go
Cleomachus Trius Vulso: Go
Dame Crabbe: Scores!
All other NPCs are awful
Scores:
Kenton Bowe: 1
Lady Aurelia Basri: 0
Lord Corran Clement: 0
Lady Ianthe Clement: 0
Cleomachus Trius Vulso: 0
Dame Crabbe: 3
All other NPCs are awful
Crabbe hits 7 on: 5 (Crit on 5)
***************************************************
Turn 2 of 4:
Kenton Bowe: Go
Lady Aurelia Basri: Fail
Lord Corran Clement: Influence Success (Dame Crabbe)
Lady Ianthe Clement: Go
Cleomachus Trius Vulso: Go
Ianthe commiserates with Aurelia. Indeed. With all that is going on, our efforts are much better spent on other endeavors.
Despite her prowess in trucco, Ianthe is thankful for the opportunity it affords to continue her discussion on the regional history with the Baroness.
The Dame is impressed, as it's rare someone has the skill (and gall) top beat her.
Lady Ianthe remains off the score board, but continues to make inroads with the Baroness. Indeed they get into other matters, mostly an examination of past civil "strife."
Players take turns attempting Dexterity checks. Characters proficient with light hammers gain a +2 bonus on this check, and characters with Weapon Focus (light hammers) gain an additional +1 bonus. A character scores 1 point with a successful DC 15 Dexterity check, and 1 additional point for every 5 by which her Dexterity check result exceeds 15. The first player to reach 7 points wins the round.
Turn 2:
Kenton Bowe: Double Score!
Lady Aurelia Basri: Miss
Lord Corran Clement: Fail
Lady Ianthe Clement: Fail
Cleomachus Trius Vulso: Go
Dame Crabbe: Scores!
All other NPCs are awful
Scores:
Kenton Bowe: 2
Lady Aurelia Basri: 0
Lord Corran Clement: 0
Lady Ianthe Clement: 0
Cleomachus Trius Vulso: 0
Dame Crabbe: 3
All other NPCs are awful
Crabbe hits 7 on: 5 (Crit on 5)
***************************************************
Turn 2 of 4:
Kenton Bowe: Go
Lady Aurelia Basri: Fail
Lord Corran Clement: Influence Success (Dame Crabbe)
Lady Ianthe Clement: Influence Success (Baroness Voinam)
Cleomachus Trius Vulso: Go