“I assume they will all be Orlaelia‘s students, and would be very surprised if all of them didn’t claim the name Aldori. Only those who have made the Swordlord’s pact may take the name and receiving the name brings a level of social standing and prestige with it.”
“I’m not clear on all that is involved, but my understanding is that to get someone to instruct you in the Aldori sword fighting style you must agree to the pact. Part of that pact limits who else you can teach their style of fighting to.”
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Stitch nods in acceptance of the lack of information "Guess we'll all find out soon enough." He leans against the wall, resting his back a bit "So what nice inn has the Society put us up in for the night? My back is starting to go numb from all the traveling. Could use a good feather bed, maybe a nice massage too."
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"Huh...that's actually kind of interesting," Fran muses. "T-taking the same name, so they're all one big family. Sort of like the 'Cooperate' part of our motto."
While they await the arrival of Orlaelia and her students she quietly strokes Mister Midnight's fur.
Cantrips - Daze, Detect Magic, Shield, Telekinetic Projectile, Wash Your Luck
1st - Ill Omen, Mage Armor, Soothe
2nd - False Life, Telekinetic Maneuver
When Stitch asks about an inn, Marcus laughs and says “Why ever would we pay for an inn when we have a perfectly functional lodge right here?”
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Bella and Khiari emerge wearing each half of a horse costume. You notice Khiari's horns sticking out of the horse head, while Bella attempts to maintain her dignity while wearing the lower half.
"A good dusting is necessary." Bella reveals a series of handbrushes while Khiari swings a broom to and fro.
Marcus considers this a moment, then says “You are absolutely right! Let’s see how much cleaning we can get done before our guests arrive.”
Having said that, he goes and finds a broom. Broom in hand, he starts sweeping out the sitting room.
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When Stitch asks about an inn, Marcus laughs and says “Why ever would we pay for an inn when we have a perfectly functional lodge right here?”
"Oh. You have a point there." He says, a bit downtrodden, his hopes of staying at a cozy, high-end inn dashed. "It could use a bit of upkeep.. I'll see about fixing anything that needs a bit of oil." He moves around the room, examining anything with moving parts that may creak or stick, applying a healthy dose of recycled oil as lubricant.
Meat Wagon mean while sneaks into the room, doing its best 10 point turn impression to try to avoid ruining the chairs and table.
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Clover starts up a garlicky chickpea soup in her pot, and then starts savory beer muffins baking in the lodge's ovens. "If we have guests coming, we'll have to feed them." While things cook, she makes sure all the dishes are washed, and the tables nicely polished. If this means moving Mister Midnight, she gently carries that cat elsewhere.
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Fran laughs loudly when Bella and Khiari wander in with their costume on, surprised in the best possible way. "Oh my gosh, where did you two find that?? That's so funny!"
Still giggling, she ceases petting Mister Midnight and gets up to help with the cleaning. "Sorry kitty, but I can't let everyone else do all the work and not help out too."
With the sweeping already being taken care of, Fran grabs a dust rag and sets about dusting off the furniture once any lingering dust kicked up from the sweeping settles.
With all of you helping, the basic cleaning goes pretty fast. You are done with the sitting area and the conference room and done a basic sweeping of the other areas when there is a loud knocking on the front door.
Marcus quickly puts his broom back in the closet while loudly calling out “Be right there!”
He quickly asks all of you to accompany him to the sitting room and be on your best behavior— but also try to look impressive. He stalls slightly, allowing you to get in place, before opening the door.
A party of five waits outside, led by a middle-aged woman with her dark hair pulled back into a simple knot. She wears woolen trousers beneath her sensible skirts and a thick leather jerkin with an emblem embroidered on the right side. Catching sight of Marcos in the doorway, she grins widely and greets him with a firm handshake; one that goes on a little too long. The four students behind her wear similar jerkins. All carry a distinctive Aldori dueling sword strapped to their hips.
“Orlaelia, so nice to see you again.” Marcus greets her, returning an equally firm handshake. They aren’t quite at the point of it being a competition for who has the better grip.
Smiling, the woman says “It has been quite a while. I think it was just the one time we met in Nerosyn?” Marcus nods his agreement.
Marcus invites her and the people with her into the sitting room. Orlaelia Has each of her students introduce themselves.
The first to introduce herself is Dura Aldori, a half orc woman with long black hair in an intricate braid. She wears her school jerkin partially open to reveal a spotless white blouse underneath. Her pants are a light brown linen and don't show a crease out of place. She wears black leather shoes with silver buckles. As she introduces herself, she winks at Bella.
A human man with short brown hair steps up next, introducing himself as Halran Aldori. He looks to be in his late twenties. He completes his school jerkin with riding pants and boots and wears a single pearl earring in his right ear. As he introduces himself, he gives a fancy bow.
The ysoki beside him with white and gray fur is a bit more standoffish, though not unfriendly. They introduce themselves as Rhenei Aldori. It is hard to guess their age due to the natural gray fur. Their school jerkin has a few extra pockets sewn on and they wear colorful layered skirts along with wraps around their back paws, leaving the toes open. They curtsy to you while introducing themselves.
The final student, a gnome with golden hair in a bowl cut that looks as if she performed it herself, practically thrums with energy. Her introduction is very swift, and she looks ready to explode into a thousand questions, but it does come across that her name is Thisnabel Aldori. Her school jerkin looks as if it had several minor accidents with various substances and bears odd stains. She wears practical leather pants laced up down the sides and leather boots which have seen better days.
As the door knocks, Khiari removes the horse head and inspects it - where did those tears come from? - And stuffs it into one of Bella's pouches. Bella grins in anticipation and stuffs the horse legs.
Khiari stands up straight and to attention as the crew is introduced. That handshake takes a bit too long, Khiari can't get a good read on it. Rivals? Friends? Warriors? Former lovers?
As Dura winks at Bella, Khiari turns to note Bella's polite yet curt nod. So Khiari elbows her sister in the side. "Thank you Dura. Don't mind Bella, she's nice once she gets to know you a bit better." Bella sighs.
"I'm from House Sidare, back in Galt. I'm Khiari, younger sister to Bella. Pleasure to meet you all."
She leans down to Thisnabel. "Especially you!" Khiari is glad to answer any and every question the gnome has.
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Bella responds to each member with her own curtsy. "As my sister stated, I am House Sidare, first name Bella. It is an honor and pleasure to meet all of you." She resumes her proper pose: Hands lightly cupped, back straight, head tilted ever so slightly forward. Nonthreatening yet from a position of power and authority.
"I for one cannot wait to clash blades, on the battlefield and the stage. I wish you all the best of luck." Bella smiles while subconsciously patting the stuffed satchel on her side.
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"Hello. Name's Stitch. Stitch Steeltoe." He offers to the group before introducing his trusty steed "That's my invention: Meat Wagon." Who puffs out some steam and smoke in response?
Stitch looks over the ysoki, not something he's dealt much, but is well aware of their reputation, at least in his mind, as light fingered and untrustworthy.
Dura smiles and nods to Khiari then moves to the side. When Clover offers food she looks to Orlaelia for guidance before acting.
The gnome Thisnabel grins brightly at Khiari and eagerly nods, then becomes distracted by the sound and sight of Meat Wagon. When Clover offers food, she immediately moves over and grabs a bowl to get some soup and muffins. She thanks Clover for the food when accepting it and again after she has had a chance to taste it.
When Nicole mentions having cleaned Halran gives a puzzled frown, looking towards some of the furniture you had not yet dusted. He makes no comment but it is obvious from his expression that he thinks the place needs more cleaning.
The other two students also look towards Orlaelia before going for food. Noticing this, Orlania steps forward and grabs a muffin saying “The competition hasn’t even begun and already you are trying to win points with your hospitality!” Looking to Marcus she says “Soldiers march on their stomach!”
Marcus gives another of his bellowing laughs and grabs a couple of muffins for himself.
That breaks the ice and the rest of Orlania’s students take their turn grabbing some grub.
Thisnabel Does position herself where she can easily speak with Khiari and between bites starts asking her questions. “Is it common for one of the fae to be part of a group of Pathfinders?” She does shoot a couple of questions across the room at Stitch about what sort of construct Meat Wagon is and where Stitch found it. In time she asks each of you where you are from.
Dura seems most interested in those of you that look like you are trained in melee fighting — Bella, Roark and Stitch. She isn’t rude to anyone, but you can tell her interests run towards melee battle.
Rhenei notices Stitch watching them, so once they have their soup and muffin they move over to him and ask about Meat Wagon. They profess to having relatives that would love to talk shop about such a creation.
Halran is the last of the Aldori here to get some food. He is polite but a bit reserved.
Orlania and Marcus sit beside each other and eat while chatting. It seems they mostly know of each other by reputation.
Once everyone has had a chance to chat and eat, Orlania stands and says “Thank you for your hospitality. Now it is time to discuss our duel.”
“This is to be a friendly competition between the two sets of students. I propose we make it a set of three challenges, with the final challenge being in battle.” Gesturing towards Marcus she says “The two of us will be the judges.”
Looking towards Marcus she then says “I have six other challenge types, and will allow you to choose which two of those we will do.”
Marcus immediately says “If you don’t mind, I will allow the agents to decide that.”
She nods her assent and then describes each of the possible other challenges.
Marcus nods, saying “That seems a fine selection of challenges.”
He then looks to your group to decide which ones you will choose.
Thisnabel grins and says “Rhenei, I think Bella may be a good match for you!”
The ysoki doesn’t say anything, but does look at Bella with an appraising eye.
Orlania smiles as she shakes her head and says “We get to pick the cat.”
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During lunch Stitch as usual spends most his focus on consuming Clover's food, but stops mid chew as Thisnabel questions where he found Meat Wagon "Found it? I built it from the ground up and top down! Its a masterpiece of blended steam technology and Dwarven explosive combustion!" He looks miffed at the gnome.
He makes small bits of small talk with the ratfolk between bites of muffins, wondering the best way to incorporate whiskers with tail feathers for cat toy 2.0.
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When talk of the competition surfaces Stitch immediately barks out "Medic and Tug of War" lingering a bit on the third choice, not having any particular preference, he throws up his hands and shrugs.
Adding Insult to Injury 3 Bella, Roark, Clover
A Rose by Any Other Name 3 Bella, Fran, Clover
Tug of War 3 Nicole, Roark, Stitch
Medic! 3 Nicole, Stitch, Fran
Cat-calling (Bella) (Nicole) (Roark) (Fran) (Clover)
Sight Unseen 0
At Clover’s comment about cooking, Orlania says “I would prefer something my students can compete on.” as she reaches over and grabs another muffin. Given the student’s positive reactions to the food, it doesn’t appear any of them are going to disagree with the statement.
Marcus takes a moment to double check the results and then does a face palm. “Really, a four way tie? About all you agreed on is no one wanted to do the last suggestion. Cat-Calling was acceptable to almost all of you but none of you made it your top pick.”
“Find two options you can agree on, or I will choose.”
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"Let's try full ranked choice voting," says Clover. "If we give everyone's first choice 3 votes, everyone's second choice 2 votes, and everyone's 3rd choice 1 votes, that might change the numbers, right?"
The little gnome starts counting. "Bella has 3 votes to Poetry, 2 votes to Insults, 1 vote for Cat Calling. Nicole gives 3 votes to Medic, 2 votes to Tug of War, 1 vote for Cat Calling. Roark gives 3 votes to Tug of War, 2 votes to Insults, 1 vote for Cat Calling. Stitch gives 3 votes to Medic and 2 votes to Tug of War. Fran gives 3 votes to Poetry, 2 votes to Medic, and 1 to Cat Calling. So let's tally that all up first before I add mine."
Poetry 3+3
Insults 2+2
Cat Calling 1+1+1+1
Medic 3+2
Tug of War 2+3+2
Clover's tongue sticks out of her mouth a bit as she calculates, and then she smiles. "I like Poetry as much as I like Insults, so I am going to trade my votes. That leaves us with nine votes for Poetry and seven votes for Tug of War. Everyone gets one task that they don't favor, and one that was a first or second choice for them."
With obvious impatience, Marcus quickly says “Done! Tug of War and Poetry it is.”
“It shouldn’t take us very long to get set up in the garden.” He waves Orlania to follow him, and heads towards the back of the lodge. Over his shoulder he calls out “I will yell when we are ready.”
It really is only a couple of minutes before you hear Marcus bellow from the back door “Ready! Come, let’s start this first competition!”
They have a silk rope stretched across the path in the garden with a red ribbon tied in the middle. They have marked off two equidistant lines with chalk on the pavement.
“Right, everyone on one side or the other past the chalk lines. When we give the signal, start pulling. No rubbing out the lines or any other such chicanery. When the ribbon crosses one line or the other, we will call the winner.”
Once everyone is in their place, Orlania says “Begin!”
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Bella and Khiari giggle over the voting game Clover has thought up. "A delightful way to make politics entertaining."
"Sister, hold onto my satchel. Just in case..." She tosses her bag overhead as Khiari snatches it from the air.
Bella plants her feet at just the right angle to anchor herself and not give up any slack. "If someone wishes to practice our victory theme, be my guest."
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"What? Poetry?" she exclaims in disbelief but she has no choice but to participate for the mission. She just makes herself ready for the first challenge, stretching his body as her warm-up activity.
Once the pulling begins, Nicole makes sure she is holding the rope tight and plants her feet steady on the ground. "Pull!" is all she can say.
Bella is quick on the mark, giving a strong pull just after Orlania calls for the competition to start.
Nicole wasn’t quite ready as Bella pulled.
Clover and Roark work on inspiring their team. Clover’s little cheer inspires the team. The dance just makes people wish that footwork was put into handling the rope.
Khiari dances for the team, matching her stomps to Clover's theme. "That was incredible!"