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Brimley bows low with a sweep of his hat, "Grimley Greybeard at your service, madame. We are trying to recover the lost origins of the Pathfinder Society. Rumors of a Pathfinder lodge in this area generations ago, led us first to Artume, then to the wilds surrounding your fair town, and now to your welcoming doorstep. Information we have found leads us to believe you may be an ancestor of Pavo Crispin, one of the original Pathfinders in this area. We come inquiring about your family, in hopes of piecing together our own history."
Aula gives Hornietelle a [redcted] look, unsure what to make of the elven priestess speaking their home tongue...
Returning your hero point to you. (But, see below).
...her cheeks blush a little, however, at the charms of Brimley Greybeard "If you look here" she points to the painting with the Pathfinders on horses "You can see that my great ancestor - the man of whom you speak: Pavo Crispin - also wore a handsome eyepatch" she winks at the gnome.
...she addresses the bold-faced lie that Duncan tries to embelish "Has Marcos Farabellus retired? I should send my grandson to you if such is the case!"
"I think I may be able to help" she says...
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The blacksmith narrows his eyes in suspicion "These "bandeets"" mimicking Mimi's accent a little "tell me about them" he adds a question "Did one of them share your funny way of speaking?"
It quickly becomes apparent to Mimi that the rebels she slew were quite likely aligned with this very blacksmith!
She quickly makes up her mind to either tell the man - who name she suddenly notices on a placard on the wall: - the grim truth of her deeds, or, to tell him what she thinks he needs to hear to help.
With a hot poker in one hand, Ryan Crispin eagerly awaits Mimi's response...
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Madam, you think me far to accomplished at such a young age. Caprain Farabellos remains the master. I provide some small tutelage when I am between tasks. If you send your grandson now I would likely tutor him at some point, provided his preferred style was akin to mine, but he would learn from others as well.
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Mimi's smile freezes on her face momentarily as the realization sinks in that she was doubtless face-to-face with someone in league with the rebels if not a rebel himself. And on top of it all, a member of the Crispin family from whom at this very moment, her colleagues were likely in the process of trying to extract valuable information pertinent to their mission.
She mentally runs through the limited choices available to her. She could either: (1) Kill the damned blacksmith - presumably a fine upstanding citizen of the community and member of the revered Crispin lineage - thus endangering their mission here and risking the wrath of the authorities; (2) Knock the fellow unconscious and high-tail out of there; or (3) Try to sweet-talk her way out of the situation by whatever means necessary. She quickly decides to try these options in reverse order until one of them gets her out of this predicament with her skin intact.
From the man's comment, he clearly knew who Belen was and that she'd run into trouble last night. If Mimi came clean about the whole sordid affair, it was hardly likely to improve Ryan Crispin's disposition toward her. She would have to lie like a dog and make it sound convincing. "Pas de problème! I am after all, a master of mendacity," she thinks to herself with confidence.
Mimi frowns in (mock) confusion, and with a little umbrage in her tone, says, "Hrumph! I reallee do not know vat you mean by 'funny', monsieur blacksmith, and as ve onlee exchanged a few vords vith von of our assailants, I could not tell you vat dey sounded like. As I said previouslee, ve vere returneeng to town last night ven vithout varneeng, ve vere ambushed by a group of 'bandeets' een de dark. Dey demanded our valuables and den attacked us ven ve declined to produce dem. After a short skirmeesh, ve managed to deesebel a couple of dem and de remainder dropped deir veapons and fled. Dey chose de vrong people to try and rob, let me tell you. Ve Pathfinders are no slouches ven eet comes to swordplay."
Once again indicating the weaponry, she adds, "Deez are de veapons dey dropped. I beleeve dat de armure and de sword vith de rune, belonged to deir leader. I could not see 'eem vell een de dark, but 'e appeared to be a rather scrawnee, dark-'aired man vith an evil glint een 'ees eye; de rest of 'ees fece vas covered vith a bandana. 'Ees men... deed I mention dey vere all men? Yes, vell, dureeng de fight, 'ees men referred to 'eem as 'Calvera'; at leest dat ees vat eet sounded like. Vatever de case, de vorld ees a better plece vithout 'eem, let me assure you."
Mimi ends it there, before her story becomes too outlandish. It was a good story she thought. If she survived this encounter she would have to tell the others about it, though not before upbraiding Duncan for putting her in this situation in the first place; 'Grab their stuff' indeed! What a fine mess he'd gotten her into here.
Spinning, out of a partial truth, a well concealed lie by omission, Mimi watches as the scrutinizing gaze of Ryan Crispin slowly melts from suspicious to unconcerned, as slowly, his nose unfurls by parts, his left eyebrowm followed by his right eyebrow, return to a resting position on his handsome face, the fingers around the hot poker unclench one by one - even the poker itself cools - as he slowly lowers it from pointing at her to simply pointed away from both of them, safely.
"I'm sorry that happened to you. I thought you might have had a run in with my true love and her friends, but I see I am mistaken. You remind me of her" it takes him one second longer than it should to realize that his comment was perhaps inappropriate - he makes an embarrassed look, then quickly shifts the awkward silence back to business "I can have the rune transferred for you in exchange for the weapons, as requested" he looks towards her rapier now, as if expecting Mimi to produce it for him...
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Mimi is relieved to find that her story has the intended effect of calming the man and making him somewhat less murderous. She would not have enjoyed giving him the same lesson in swordsmanship that she'd given his fiancée last night. "What are the odds that Belen's lover is the very man to whom I am attempting to sell her equipment, ha ha? Small world, I suppose." She smiles inwardly at the thought.
Then it hits her. The blacksmith could well have been the one that forged Belen's shortsword; the besotted fool may even have engraved her name or some proclamation of his love on it somewhere; in fact, he probably forged all these shortswords, and possibly the hatchet as well. "Merde!" Thank goodness the man hadn't had a good look at what she'd brought it yet or the jig would be up. She had to get out of here before it was too late.
Trying to control her rising anxiety, she feels her smile beginning to slip. Rather than fight it, she decides to go with it and switches to a look of concern. "Vas your eenamorata also assaulted last night? De von you say speaks 'funny' like me? Dat ees terreebel. I do 'ope dat she ees all right. Eet vas veree likelee de seme gang dat assailed us. If so, den you need vorree no more; after vat ve deed to dem, I doubt dey veell be terrorizeeng anyvon for a long vile."
Making a show of glancing out the window, she switches to a look of surprise, and says, "Oh, look 'ow late eet ees getteeng. Unfortunatelee, I 'ave some presseeng business I need to attend to presentlee and as eet veell likelee require my rapière, de rune transfer veell 'ave to vait until tomorrow."
Reaching over, she takes the +1 shortsword. "I may also 'ave need of dees, but de rest I veell leeve een your care until I return for de rune transfer. I bid you adieu monsieur blacksmith, and I veesh your Bel.., um, beloved de best. Pleeze tell 'er dat 'er compatriot Mimi sends 'er best vishes for a speedee recoveree." And touching her hand to the rim of her hat as a parting gesture, she heads out the front door and disappears as quickly as possible into the nearest shadowy alley in case the blacksmith decides to follow her.
After making sure she isn't being followed, Mimi makes her way to the Crispin farm to rejoin her friends. She has no intention of returning to see the blacksmith tomorrow, nor any other day. The more distance she can put between herself and those cursed rebel weapons, the better.
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Hornietelle seeing the woman discomforted by her words, but seemingly having a relaxed discourse with the Brimley and Duncan, smiles and let's her companions get on with getting the information. I have seen thing go badly wrong when someone else interrupts negotiations that are going well, back in Ustalav.
Ryan Crispin's eyes watch Mimi's hand as she retrieves the runic shortsword, but he says nothing. As she makes her exit tipping her hat, he approaches the pile of weapons...
...with the coast clear for now, she makes her way across town, taking her chances walking down shady alleys, occasionally double-backing to make sure he is not following her!
You are certain you are not being followed by the blacksmith!
You are certain you are not being followed by the blacksmith!
...she eventually makes her way to meet up with...
Aula Berthaneld Gloriana Crispin returns carrying several items "Here is Pavo Crispin's journal - my gift to you for keeping his name alive, maybe seeing it installed into the Records and Keeps of the Society" she hands it to Duncan "And these" withdrawing a bag that makes a clanking sound "Are the last of the trinkets he collected during his travels - I think they might also be of interest to the Society"
The PCs inspect the items, and while not sublimely valuable, they are effectively antiques from a lost time of cultures dotting the globe, and indeed belong inside a museum. And as conversations wrap up, the party eventually excuse themselves - turning down having been invited for dinner! - and heading outside, meet up with Mimi, and rejoining her, walk now to meet back up with...
Aside from telling him to "shoo" nobody notices the old man - but he notices everyone who goes in and who comes out in work shifts, hanging outside the facility nearly the entire day... including the remaining Rebels Gustavo, Belen, Jezebelle, and a Seventh Rebel!
By closing time, most of the other workers who went into the Waterworks have also left at the end of their shifts, while it is evident to Clem that some who had gone in had not - most notably those Rebels that Clem was able to recognize - but also a few more who failed to reappear from the same entracne they had gone in.
...and as the sun begins to set on this day, it is then that Mimi, Brimley, Duncan, and Hornietelle join Clem near the outskifts of the Waterworks Factory!
...
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Mimi ducks into one alley, then makes her way quickly down to another, and then a third, before stopping and checking to make sure she was alone...
... "Ouf! Looks like I dodged that bullet... for a while at least."
She arrives at the Crispin farm just as the rest of her companions are leaving from their successful dealings with Aula. "Ah, excellente. I am 'appy not to 'ave to meet any more Crispins today. Von vas more dan enough for me. Shall ve go find out vat Clem 'as deescovered at de vaterworks?"
"Vell, vell. So de backstabbeeng blackgarde from last night ees vitheen. Perhaps I veell get my revenge on 'eem after all." She considers the waterworks building from the outside for a moment. "I do not teenk dat de rebels are 'ere because of some grande interest een 'ydraulique engéniereeng. I suspect dat dey are more interested een useeng de path between de vaterworks and de keep dat..." She snaps her fingers a couple of times, but the name doesn't come to her. "...dat fellow on de docks told us about ven ve first arrived, 'Ees neme escapes me."
Mimi pauses in though for a moment. "To be 'onest, I am of two minds about dees 'ole situation. Our main meession 'ere vas to gather information about Kerinha Napsunar and find out vat 'appened to de old lodge. Dees ve 'ave don. Besides keepeeng de ears open I do not beleeve dat interfereeng een de local politiques, or takeeng sides een dees deespute, ees part of our meession 'ere."
Pausing for a breath, she continues, "I personallee do not geeve a rat's derrière about Artume, de rebels, its keeng, de people, or deir concerns. I see leetel reason to get involved, and much reason not to. On de other 'and, I vould like notheeng more dan to track down de deessolute scallywag dat blind-sided me last night and teach 'eem a lesson een manners. De rebels do not seem amenebel to reasonebel conversation at de best of times, and after last night's leetel fracas, even less so vith us. If ve enter deez vaterworks, ve do so een de certain knowledge dat ve veell come into violent conflict vith de rebels."
While Mimi expresses ambivalence torn between apathy and a petty desire for revenge, Duncan worries that the party's intervention would likely escalate given the circumstances of yesterday's meet, and Brimley suggests a new course altogether...
...the party continues discussing, trying to decide what their best course of action might be!
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"Bramley, I must agree, that is a course of action that might bring a better result, at least the King can 'Have what he Holds', if he can hold out against the rebels. I do not trust the rebels, if they are all like Chops, then they are untrustworthy and with no real allegiance, only in it for himself. The people have no real gripes with this King, so best give him a chance first."
At Hornietelle's mention of the King, the party looks up towards Gildtmede Keep looming over the cliffside, posing like an impenetrable spectator over the Busy Docks, the Three Pier Keel, the church, the Waterworks factory, even distantly over the dilapidated Lodge and the Rebel Camp from the day before, as if casting a shadow upon all from it's position of elevation.
The party then watches as the sun crosses tangent with the horizon, the beginning of it's reddening sphere to cross the threshold, casting into the sky a beautiful array of colors within that adjacent spectrum.
It is here that the party decides their next course of action!
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It seemed to Mimi that most of the group felt it would be in the best interests of the Pathfinders, and themselves personally, if the current king remained on the throne and the rebels were defeated. She could not disagree.
"If ve are intent of varneeng de keeng, den ve better 'urree. I expect dat de rebels veell also be calleeng on 'eem veree shortlee useeng de secret passage between de vaterworks and de Keep; eet seems de only possibel reason for deir interest een dees édifice."
She shrugs. "Either vay, ve veell almost certainlee run into de rebels and I veell 'ave a chance to claim my vengeance. To de keep ve go, den?"
By the time the party summits, the sun is but a sliver over the western horizon.
The towers and walls of Gildtmede Keep are designed to offer tiered defenses, locking the main keep back behind multiple "layers" of defensible shells - walls with turret and arrow slits, a system of moats and portcullises, cauldrons looming over sloped inclines that funnel through singular passages. Over all, the white stone interiors are clean and lean more towards practical needs than ostentatiousness.
At the outermost entrance that connects to the trail that winds up the cliffside, two guards loom from high positions in patrol towers, stationed it seems to keep watch of the front and surrounding area.
...
Brimley w/ dagger @ Avoid Notice while Trapfinder
Clem w/ nothing @ Scout
Duncan w/ cape @ Search
Hornietelle w/ longbow @ Search
Mimi w/ rapier & gauche @ Search
...
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Mimi looks up at the guards in the patrol towers and after waving to get their attention, she calls out, "You-hoo dere monsieur garde! Ve need to speak vith de keeng, or perhaps vith de 'ead of de keep's garde. Ve 'ave information concerneeng un imminent rebel assault on de keep. Time ees of de essence; dere ees not a lot of time to prepare."
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With a quick determined step, Hornietelle approaches the keep. She pulls back her head. her hair hangs loose and free, blowing slightly in the breeze. Her shapely figure, accentuated in the close fitting clothes for the guards to 'enjoy'. She speaks up, "Gentlemen, we ask for an audience with King Edryd, we have news that will strengthen his hold on the kingdom, and not have it taken from him by his enemies. We shall impart this information to the King, we shall say what we must as free men and women of the Kingdoms as provided in the Freedoms. If you want proof, come down that I may show you what is found and let us gain entry and an audience." she nods, before combing back her hair and smiling at the guards. "I, Hornietelle of House of Yvestian, daughter of the Kyonin envoy to the Princes of Ustalav, give my oath to speak the truth to King Edryd in relation to the information we have uncovered."
The guards seem to talk amongst themselves, and one of them leaves the post from on high, and within a few moments, the draw bridge is lowered, and an equal force of soldiers are revealed on the other side, plus the guard from tower who says "We shall escort you to see the king" but as the party crosses, he holds his hand out "Milady, please put away your bow" and looks towards Brimley and Mimi as well. The other guards point their crossbows! But, realizing their mistake, the party stow their weapons, and are allowed to proceed into the royal premises.
Crossing a first then second moat, and passing through three different gates, the party is escorted into the main keep, up few flights of stairs and across a couple hallways, until finally reaching the throne room. A wide red carpet runs across this hall of white stone, leading from a pair of iron doors to a dais with two thrones. Several statues and trophies line the walls of the hall as chandeliers light up the room. Light from outside shines through skylights set in the ceiling.
Upon a larger throne sits a hefty human man flanked by a half-elf in monastic robes; upon a smaller throne sits a slender human woman. Nearby, standing and fully armed, is the Royal Guard.
The king calls out addressing the guards.
Then unsure who to look at so as to address the group. While the party responds, the man in the monastic robes whispers into his ear.
...
Brimley @ ?? @ ??
Clem @ ?? @ ??
Duncan @ ?? @ ??
Hornietelle @ ?? @ ??
Mimi @ ?? @ ??
...
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With hat in hands Brimley crosses halfway as instructed. He bows low and politely addresses the king, "Yer majesty, forgive the intrusion. We be members of the Pathfinder Society visiting Artume on official business. But Fate has led us to discover what we believe is an imminent attack on yer person and yer throne. Yer kingdom and yer subjects have been so kind and welcoming, it seemed only proper to warn ye."
he says, then leans over to hear the Queen whisper into his ear...
Unable to pick up anything of what the Queen said...
You observe the Queen's nose snarl at the mention of "imminent attack"...
As above, but you also see her speak the word "rebels"... or was it "revolt"?... or both?
The Queen whispers to the King "I told you those rebels were going to be a consistent problem - they are probably planning an attack as we speak! I bid you that you brook no mercy and snuff out this little revolt swiftly and decisively, lest we repeat the fate of King Waike! I do not want to go into hiding again!"
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Brimley @ King Edryd to Make an Impression (Diplomacy) @ (3)+8 = 11
Clem @ ?? @ ??
Duncan @ ?? @ ??
Hornietelle @ ?? @ ??
Mimi @ ?? @ ??
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Mimi takes a step past Brimley and speaks. "Your majesté, my neme ees Mimi de Valence. Me and my fellow colleagues of de Pathfinder Société are 'ere to geeve you varneeng of un impendeeng rebel assault on de keep."
Having dropped that bomb, she takes breath and continues. "Last night ve crossed swords vith a band of rebels, and before ve drove dem off, dey told us dat dey expected to, <ahem>, 'Take de Trone' today. Ve vatched them as dey gathered at de vaterworks dureeng today, and ve suspect dat dey veell attempt to enter de Keep by vay of a secret passagevey dat ees mentioned een von of our old chronicles."
Mimi's voice rises slightly and hardens as her eyes flash in defiance. "Ve 'ave no interest een permitteeng dis dishonorebel rebel scum to usurp de rightful ruler of Artume by force. Ve 'ave come 'ere, your majesté, to join forces vith you and 'elp put down dees upriseeng."
Mimi has decided to go all-in against the rebels. After what she and her fellow Pathfinders did to Chops and his friends last night, it was clear that if the rebs were to prevail, the Society's interests might suffer irreparable damage in Artume. If they joined forces with the king and managed to help put down the rebellion, it would raise the Society's influence in the region, and secure their own safety. Also... her interactions with the rebels to date had all gone sour, and she was beginning to despise their fanaticism.
When she hears them talking amongst themselves, she suruptitiously leans in for a better listen...
... but fails to pick up anything of interest.
the King glances at the Queen with a raised eyebrow momentarily shifting in his throne here, he turns to his Advisor in monastic robes who whispers into his other ear...
Unable to pick up anything of what the Advisor said...
You observe the Advisor's shoulders shrug at the mention of "as we speak"...
As above, but you also see him speak the word "rebels"... or was it "reform"?... or both?
The Advisor whispers to the King "Perhaps we should give the rebels a seat at the table. I mean, there is a longstanding tradition of usurping monarchs, as you and your mother well know. So why not seize this opportunity to reform your royal governance?"
...
Brimley @ King Edryd to Make an Impression (Diplomacy) @ (3)+8 = 11
Clem @ ?? @ ??
Duncan @ King Edryd to Make an Impression (Diplomacy) @ ??
Hornietelle @ ?? @ ??
Mimi @ King Edryd to Make an Impression (Diplomacy) @ (11)+6 = 17
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Clem notices this place is definitely out of his pay-grade, but in his inner monologue he creates a conversation for the Advisor in the style of a poorly dubbed kung-fu film. The Advisor is commenting about how Clem looks super smart and handsome and how they should totally trust him.
"I saw first hand many comings and goings in the Waterworks, and noted several of our attackers among those that entered said building but never left. That is where they were planning to meet before setting out to depose you. "
Clem pulls out a receipt for the purchase of a chair from 26 years ago.
"I seem to have left the note in my other bindle, did one of you have it?"
The King gives Clem a paranoid look! Looking back and forth between his Queen and Advisor, he declares still trying to decide what he thinks of the party of five before him.
You are unable to get a read on the situation...
You are unable to get a read on the situation... but is that a sound coming from ? Scratching mice perhaps?...
As above, but no, that sound is definitely coming from instead! Too big to be mice...
As above, but it clearly sounds like someone manipulating the mechanism of a secret door from the inside!
You may immediately use a single action (◆) at your option!
...
Brimley @ King Edryd to Make an Impression (Diplomacy) @ (3)+8 = 11
Clem @ King Edryd to Make an Impression (Diplomacy) @ (17)+7 = 24
Duncan @ King Edryd to Make an Impression (Diplomacy) @ ??
Hornietelle @ ?? @ ??
Mimi @ King Edryd to Make an Impression (Diplomacy) @ (11)+6 = 17
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Clem looks towards the wall
"Rat problems? I can tell your advisor there is really concerned about them digging around 'as we speak', but I know a guy who can get rid of an infestation in a hurry. Really knows his stuff, let me find his info for you. Don't want to leave a rat-infested keep for the next guy that comes along to depose a ruler, seems common out here. This whole 'have what you hold' thing really needs to be thought out more, why can't we all just get along?"
Clem will dig around in his pockets and bindle, pulling out nothing.
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Mimi is trying to figure out which way the king is leaning to determine the best way to influence his attitude to the group. As her friends make their pitches, Mimi keeps her eyes and ears open to see if she can catch what those around the king are telling him.
Mimi catches a word here or there, but nothing of much use, so she turns her head slightly to get a better angle.
This time she does not catch any words, but instead hears a strange noise behind and to the right of the throne dais. "No Clem, mon ami, dose noises are too big to be rats, at leest of de normale variété."
Turning back to that dais, she points to the corner behind the throne and with some urgency in her voice, says, "Your majesté, I 'ear noises comeeng from dat corner; eet sounds like more dan juste rats. I suggest dat your guards investigate; eet may be de rebels vorkeeng deir vay along de secret passagevey."
Check the Influence Tracker!
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Hornietelle bows deeply when they first entered the room, she has already introduced herself to the King Edryd as Hornietelle of House of Yvestian, daughter of the Kyonin envoy to the Princes of Ustalav. She gives an oath to speak the truth to King Edryd in relation to the information we have uncovered. Then explains how yesterday they found the rebels, who where at first generous to the party, letting them eat and take refuge with them.
During the early part of our engagement with this group their leader Chops said and I quote "Tomorrow is a big day. Not so sure we'd be having overnight guests" before he started to feel my charms and continued, "Tell me lovely one - what Roads have you Walked down and what Rivers have you Floated to get here?" After I assured him we were not the King's spies, which we are not, I asked him "is the King able to have what he holds? And I wouldn't want to spoil you big day, whatever that is?" to which Chops answered "That depends on who you ask - what you mean to ask is Who has the Strength to Take it?" though he continued to dance around the answer, you can imagine his attitude. That is until he addressed us and his men, "Tomorrow the People will Take the Throne - So tell me Pathfinders, What Side of History will You be on?"
"My lord, we were not here to choose sides, but Chops then stated to his men." as Hornietelle quotes for the King, Chops' actual words, "If you're Not Sure what side you're on My Dear, then History has chosen For You!" "The group of rebels then drew their weapons and attacked us. We defended ourselves and in the eschewing fight, we killed Chops their leader, who had on him this letter." she bows and in a quiet voice asks, "May I approach you and your throne, my most gracious king, for this note is for your eyes and those of your most trusted advisors."
On a nod and wave from the King, she approaches with Chops note, l Goto the waterworks at sundown tomorrow.May the brand guide you. They won't see us coming. Signed N. "My lord, we know not of who is the signer 'N', but hope you and your advisors might shed some light on this and may take the appropriate actions to defend yourself and your throne." she bows again and retreats a step.
Your ears are finely tuned, able to detect even the slightest whispers of sound. As long as you can hear normally, you can use the Seek action to sense undetected creatures in a 60-foot cone instead of a 30-foot cone. You also gain a +2 circumstance bonus to locate undetected creatures that you could hear within 30 feet with a Seek action.
You were raised among the nobility or have learned proper etiquette and bearing, allowing you to present yourself as a noble and play games of influence and politics. You can use Society to Make an Impression on a noble, as well as with Impersonate to pretend to be a noble if you aren’t one. If you want to impersonate a specific noble, you still need to use Deception to Impersonate normally, and to Lie when necessary.