"Well lets see" replied Eutroipia to Triphylla, marking each country off with a finger on her hand, "Relations have long been cordial with Absolom but there are many merchants there who will profit greatly from a war. I expect they will play both sides. Quadria will likely remain neutral, in word and deed. That won't suit Pythareus, he may arrange a provocation under a false flag. Andoran will be greatly alarmed at the prospect of Pythareus taking the crown, and will promise us aid but any legislation to make this a reality will be mired in their senate sub comities until long after each of us have retired. Likewise the elves of Kyonin will make sweet overtures but no nothing. Moving father afield Cheliax and Galt may send agents, well assassins in truth, although whether they're for or against us we won't know until the daggers are drawn."
She nodded to Valeria, "Outcasts in the Night you say? Honestly I'd be a fool to turn down any aid, so long as it's well intentioned. While I do have access to those who whisper of events far and wide, I could always use more. Knowledge is power after all."
Eutroipia nodded to Julia, "Indeed the common folk are the key for the long term stability of any kingdom. The worst of it is, many of them will support Pythareus out of fear or habit, yet they are the very same ones his policies will harm the most. Doubtless they'll blame Pythareus's advisors rather than Pythareus himself. This often happens with a cult of personality."
She nodded to Triphylla's mention of the Brotherhood of Silence, "We'll see what happens with them. Their motive is profit unless I'm mistaken and well Taldor's finances haven't been great in a millennium. I'm sure it's not escaped your notice that all the gold leaf that was once on the capital buildings is long gone... It is my hope that they'll have more profitable business elsewhere."
"I do not like being the bringer of bad news, but the common folk is the most traditionalist and less forward looking in our country. Regretfully, many of them will bend the knee more easily to Pythareus than to a woman" Lope raises with a calm but troubled tone "To Eutropia's advantage is her royal blood and education. Common folk respect this more than more educated classes. If we can make them understand Pythareus will rule them as a tyrant, and we stress the claim of royal blood inheritance, I think there are chances we can win over large portions of the population"
"But let's take a step at a time. Is there anything at particular we could immediately help you with, your Highness?" there is a certain inflection at the title as if Lope found addressing Eutropia like that was of upmost fun.
Julia shook her head at the Aldori. "I think your being overly pessimistic, Lope. The peasantry may not be the most forward-thinking but the traditions of Taldor have more often than not been the very thing that's oppressed them the most and kept them low," she argues diplomatically, thinking back on her lowborn theatre friends and their less than pleasant stories with traditionalist laws and those who enforced them.
"But you're right that that's a bridge we'll get to later. Right now a more practical mission is order. Like finding allies." The bard turns back to the princess. "If the other nearby nations are keeping their distance and the peasantry are divided - for now anyway - then maybe we should call upon more readily available friends? You have to have allies in the other major noble families. The Zespires are notorious reformers and the Varmias prefer diplomacy to war. They could be gettable. And there's the Lotheeds too. Mayhaps Martella can plead your case to her kin?"
Triphylla nods to Julia and adds, "Right. We just haven't seen any difference from one Emperor to the next. Show us a better way and we'll follow it."
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"Show us a better way and we'll follow it."
Sounding sad, Eutropia replied, "We had a whole program of social reforms planned. Universal suffrage on the local level was the next project after female emancipation. Elections for local councils would allow local people to have a say in the way their towns and villages are run. I think you can guess what my father and Pythareus thought of that idea."
"Is there anything at particular we could immediately help you with, your Highness?"
"Indeed. I ah..." she sighed, "This is a little embarrassing and frustrating. Financing what could become a civil war shouldn't be a problem, but the thrice damned Ulfen Guard have locked down the imperial palace, and they won’t allow access to anyone, including me, until Taldor's succession has been settled. This is a problem because the vast majority of my families wealth is held in secure vaults inside the imperial palace."
"I came to this town house to say good bye to it. I spent a number of years here as a child, and now a sale has been agreed. I'm also selling off two vineyards, a shipping company and several parcels of forest land. That will be enough to tide things over for a while but not for the long haul. For that Martella has a plan, I'll let her explain the details."
Martella nodded, "So a few days ago I was examining Her Highness's family ledgers to see what could be done and it came to our attention that the Stavian family has another estate, the Palace of Birdsong. The estate has a large sealed treasury, one that fortunately the stewards are unable to access."
Eutropia interjected saying, "It's one of the few family holdings I've never actually visited, I'm told it's very beautiful. The problem is the current generation of stewards we entrusted it to don't exactly see eye to eye..."
Martella nodded, "The original stewards where the Betony family. The last of that line Lady Allis Betony died nearly a decade ago, leaving no heirs. Thorough rather questionable legal skulduggery Stavian gifted the title of steward to my half brother Bartelby. To be blunt I'm not sure what Stavian was smoking when he thought that was a good idea. Bartelby has never been good with money and sure enough he's been squandering the estate’s fortunes."
With a rather vicious grin, she explained, "We were thinking of using powers of eminent domain to repossess the building, but that takes a long time. As fortune would have it, we don't need to. It appears Bartelby lost a lot of money gambling and well he defaulted on a loan and the estate was put up for auction, and guess who bought it. To complicate matters Bartelby refuses to acknowledge the fact he is squatting and refuses to leave."
"While we legally have the authority to demand the estate’s return, we lack the power. If we could weaken Bartelby’s power base and woo some of his subordinates to support us, we could reclaim the Palace of Birdsong. That’s where you come in. I have taken the liberty of drawing up a few documents listing you as Betony family scions. You’ll be arriving just in time to make your debut at the annual Tanager Jubilee. The carriage and horses are yours to keep, as you can’t very well be seen walking to the jubilee; I’ll be riding on to Cassomir once we near the county border."
"Make friends, learn the lay of the land, and afterward do what you can to win the nobles’ and citizens’ loyalty. Undermine Bartelby, and wherever you can, try to improve peoples’ lives and engender loyalty and ultimately secure the palace and the treasury for the crown. For any overt actions you take, you’ll likely want to hide your identity to keep Bartelby from cracking down on you."
Triphylla purses her lips. "Scions of House Betony, we are? I may be able to make that work for a time, but it will be tricky."
"There must be ways into the palace. Through the sewers, perhaps?'
Martella shrugged, "No doubt. Still I think it would be more fitting if you won the social clout to go in though the front door. I'll leave the details up to you but if you make a good impression at The Tanager Jubilee you'll be off to a flying start."
"Don't think we can do anything about the Palace vaults Triphylla. They are famed for being essentially impregnable, with time locked doors that are actually portals to a pocket demi-plane and are supposedly guarded by adamantium golems and other ageless guardians." Lope explains what he knows about the Taldor treasury.
"Good good. So you want us to pretend to be distant members of the Betony family who found out about the state and bought it?" Lope soothes his mustache and smiles, this starts to be like one of those games where one piece pretends to be some piece that pretends to be and so on "It will be a pleasure to recover the Palace of Birdsong for you Princess Eutro"
Before she leaves, Lope will show some interest on Martella "Are you ok Lady Martella. You look in much better condition. I hope the dealings of the cultists have not left a mark."
Triphylla considers the information they've been given so far. Remarkably, she has a passing familiarity with the Tanager Jubilee. "I happen to know the Tanager Jubilee is an annual sort of founders’ day celebration. Local tradition claims that when Count Markolian Stavian broke ground for Birdsong Palace some eight centuries ago, a scarlet tanager landed on his shovel and sang his praises. It’s a day off for the lower classes, but the aristocracy celebrates with two days of feasting, games, dancing, tournaments, and a hunt. I've never been, of course, but when I sailed up through Cassomir with my father we would hear tales from local merchants."
She addresses the Princess and Lady Lotheed. "We're traveling to Meratt County, if I have my bearings right, a journey of some two-hundred miles! That's a very log way from the heart of things here. But if it is your only access to money, then we must take the chance things won't completely unravel while we are away."
Martella gives Lope a brave smile, "Just the occasional nightmare nothing to worry about."
Martella nods to Triphylla, "It's more than just money, we need to win the people over to our side. Meratt County is as good a place as any to start, there sentiment swings towards Pythareus but it's far from his heartland. We can win them back."
"Before you go, here's a little something..." Martella hands you a vial of an odd bluish liquid, "This is something I've been experimenting with, a memory-erasing poison called Styx oil. It might provide you with a second chance to correct a social faux pas or escape notice. However, the drug is expensive and time-consuming to produce, and I can offer them only 3 doses for now."
Note that Styx oil is a unique blend
made available only to agents serving Martella Lotheed and is not available in most markets.
Type poison, injury; Save Fortitude DC 16 Frequency 1/minute for 2 minutes
Initial Effect unconscious for 1d4 minutes; Secondary Effect confusion for 2d6 rounds; Cure 2 saves
It seemed that they had a good lead on where to start the process of reclaiming the throne for Eutropia, reclaiming Birdsong Palace. The name of the place stood out to Valeria and she couldn't help but ask, "Does the name of the Birdsong Palace have any connection to the worship of Shelen? If so maybe the temple could give us some information that might be of use."
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Princess Eutropia replied, "From what I've been told, the palace’s private chapel is dedicated to Abadar but it also includes many distinctly Shelynite motifs, such as blooming roses and songbirds. This harks back to the days of the palace’s construction when the two architects—worshipers of opposing gods—squabbled endlessly about the estate’s practicality versus its beauty. Apparently the chapel functions effectively as a holy site to both deities and has been permanently consecrated."
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Martella hands you a bundle of papers filled with beautiful illuminated calligraphy, and says, "These papers establish Lope and Julia as distant cousins of the Late Lady Betony with the rest of you as part of their retinue. With that I think we should get a move on, out carriage awaits."
Your new “title” also makes you tribunes of the neighboring town of Stachys—essentially investing you with the power and responsibility to act as the community’s mayor and judge. Martella briefly details the Betony family history dating back to the Shining Crusade, and reminds the you that they have rights as stewards to the Lotheeds, most notably the right to request audiences with Bartelby, but that their rule extends solely to their lands; openly taking any action outside their own demesne is dangerous and foolish unless done covertly.
After taking a look at Martella's falsified paperwork, Julia can't help but smirk. "Ha! I always wanted a brother. I'd like to think he'd at least be half as noble as you, Lope. Shelyn knows Taldor needs more honest men amongst the nobility."
While very much interested about learning more about Birdsong and its Shelynite roots, a sudden insight reminds Julia of some interesting facts and rumors surrounding Meratt County. "Meratt County borders the lands of Baron Nicolaus Okerra. I chatted with him for a moment during the Gala. He's one of the rare good highborn men of Taldor. Fair. Compassionate. He'd make a good ally... there's also talk of a vigilante of the name of the Night Swan. They've rather effectively been striking against Lotheed soldiers with acts of vandalism and theft. They might not be a conventional ally but could still be useful if we manage to make contact with them."
Lope smiles inspecting the documents "I always told my parents about having a sister. We can get some fun doing this work."
"Our goals are clear here, thanks Lady Martella, you will soon receive good news from Meratt County" the Aldori rubs his hands in preparation for the big events that are coming "Ok my friends, let's make of the next Tanager Jubilee something Bartelby Lotheed will not forget in decades..."
"But before we hit the county, why don't we just make a stop by Baron Nicolaus Okerra lands? They do stand at the edge of the county" Lope reminds the group about the man they met in the Senate "He’s generally regarded as fair-minded and compassionate man and would be a good ally. Pellegrina told me a couple of things she learnt about him the night we slept together in the Save Room"
---
During the days of rest and preparation for the travel, Lope profits to learn all the secrets from Diego's spellbook, transcribing the necessary notes to his own book.
He spends 110 golds in reagents for the transcription, but the work is fully completed after a couple evenings of dedication.
Aside from that, Lope will ask his caravan workers to setup the party new carriage for the trip, and maintain the horses well fed. Of course, he will also make sure supplies for the trip will be lodged on the carriage.
Additionally, he will profit this days to find buyers for the stuff they gained and will make a few purchases himself before leaving the big markets of Oppara.
Once Lope has completed his studies of Diego's spellbook, Triphylla takes a gander.
She successfully adds Tears to Wine and Invisibility to her formula book, and is lighter 30 gold pieces for her efforts.
She has a little more coin left than she thought she did, and considers if it should be spent or if a little spending money might be useful in the weeks ahead.
And during the voyage she will complete the alchemy tools for which she purchased raw ingredients.
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You spend the next week or so on the road in the relative comfort of your new carriage as you head north west towards Merrat County in Tandark prefecture (Map of Taldor). There's plenty of time for discussion and planning. To begin with Martella travels with you before heading off on a mission of her own, saying "Good luck! We'll be following your progress with interest!"
Near Oppara the road were well maintained and the surroundings built up, as the days rolled by, the roads where still good but the urban environs gave way to rolling farmland. Eventually you cross into Merrat Country and you notice an alarming deterioration in the quality of the roads, ruts and potholes abound.
You don't get far along the bumpy country road before the driver calls a halt saying, "Ladies, Gentlemen. There appears to be some sort of road block ahead..."
You spy a head a cart blocking the road surrounded by a bunch of yokel's for want of a better word.
The letter says, "Dear Cyrene, may I call you dear? I fear that I might if things continue... Wouldn't that be nice, or maybe not given your profession. As much as the idea galls me, I wouldn't want to become a bargaining chip used against you. I'm not entirely defenceless but neither am I stupid - we both know something like that could happen eventually.
Perhaps that's partly why I find you so exciting. Anyway, I gather you've been called away. If you have need of an escort for social occasions, you just have to ask. Although I understand entirely if you need to work from the shadows and if we never meet again. I don't like that idea one little bit, but I understand it and won't hold it against you. Although I'd much rather hold you tight...
M.
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On the road, when she's not busy with her craft or allowing her eyes to drift long over the endless countryside, she considers certain aspects of the mission at hand.
"Julia, Lope, would you ever entertain loftier aspirations? Now that you have titles that only a few people in this wide world know are illegitimate, who's to say you should not rise to greater prominence?" She hints at nothing; it is merely the wonderings of a halfling.
Then, in the next days...
"Hmm. The curtain parts before the cue. Ready or not..."
Triphylla steps out of the carriage wearing one of the courtier's outfits she purchased before leaving Oppara, this one in fine emerald and silver satin with gold piping. It brought out the green in her eyes and shimmered dully in the sun. A pair of polished leather boots with a tall heel made her look a little less unnoticeable among larger folk.
"Good day," she says in a strong voice while standing on the step of the carriage. "We are in procession to attend the Tanager Jubilee, with representatives of the Betony estate. I see you've all brought your wares for sale, and I happen to know that the Palace could use restocking of certain common items for staff use. If it pleases you all to aid in our passage, I'll buy the lot of what you have, and then perhaps you may share your concerns as well as those of your friends and countrymen, that we may begin to know the people in this fine land."
Triphylla will overpay by 50% and round up to the nearest silver piece for each and every merchant.
Extracting paper and pen from her satchel she pauses for a few moments and then drafts a response.
M, as always you intrigue me. Your eyes shine like jewels in the dark and your skin is a canvas beyond compare for my lash. Go forth and live, be yourself, shine and remember that the brighter you shine the more shadows there are for me to watch you from.
I will come back to you and on that day I want nothing more than to see how far you have risen. Be strong for the world Pretty Girl and then, when I can, I will return and make you weak for me once more.
With Trip taking the lead in speaking to the... whoever they are, and what with Julia and Lope being the officially 'important people' now, Cyrene remains content to watch and wait. If violence arises she'll step in but for now discretion will likely achieve good ends with less effort.
Though Julia figures Triphylla's question is just a good-natured joke at her and Lope's curious new roles, she can't help but wonder if the halfling has different plans in mind. Either way, Julia laughs the question off and focuses on getting hew story straight with her new "brother."
A few days later on the road...
Julia doesn't find any especially interesting or threatening about the countryfolk on the road and decides it best for now to leave it to Triphylla - who's already out and engaging with them - to sus out the local gossip.
Triphylla seems to set them at ease and when she mentions purchasing things, eyes light up. One female merchant by the name of Tessa shows their wears all neatly lined up in the back of the cart saying, "In addition to mundane things, we have some special items you might be interested in..."
Triphylla's angle is to spread a little money around in a lot of places, and she does not want to blow her reserves in one spot. She lets the others know about the scrolls, should they be interested.
"Thank you, Tessa, these are indeed special items, although perhaps better suited for adventurers, which we are most obviously not. I have conveyed your stock to my associates, should they wish to make a purchase. I wonder though, are you able to get other items of a magical quality? You will be a good person to have as an acquaintance if and when need arises, and I suspect we will entertain others who may have greater need for the goods you offer. From which township do you hail and how might I call on you?"
Before leaving Oppara, Lope will acquire an amulet of natural armor +1 and another pearl of power I in the market.
"Julia, Lope, would you ever entertain loftier aspirations? Now that you have titles that only a few people in this wide world know are illegitimate, who's to say you should not rise to greater prominence?" She hints at nothing; it is merely the wonderings of a halfling.
"An interesting thought" Lope eyes Julia and smiles, then turns back to the halfling "Believe me my friend, that there are more layers in the onion, and before the last one is peeled, things will be very changed here around. Oh, yes, very changed, I promise you. Stay tuned" he finishes with a mysterious smile.
The rest of the trip, he spends putting in line their roles with Julia and the others in the group "We have plenty of titles to choose from" he looks at Triphylla "What do you think about Chamberlain and Quartermaster? Surgeon maybe?" he looks at Valeria "The Steward or Recruiter perhaps?" and also has some proposals for Cyrene "Would you like to be the Constable or Bounty Hunter?"
---
Lope looks out of the carriage when this one is halted for a while, to observe the folk talking with Triphylla "Actually... the wand can really come handy... maybe I have the chance to duel with someone of worth to entertain the quietness of the countryside" he does comment to Triphylla, nodding in a sign of appreciation and thanks for her negotiations.
Standing up on the carriage so the folk can see him, he takes a general view and then addresses the people gathered "Why is it you have to sell your goods in the road? Has Bartelby Lotheed not seen the need of the good people of Merrat for having a proper market?"
Triphylla considers Lope's sly response to her innocuous question. Perhaps he did indeed have greater ambitions. Well, good for him. Better to have men of character leading than the current noble rabble. And Julia as well, for that matter, would be excellent in a senior position in the country, perhaps Senator? Why not.
To his question she responds, "Honestly, I hadn't given it any thought. The entire plan would have been preposterous to me only a week ago. But since you make the suggestion, I like Master Chamberlain. Official and haughty, and if I remember my civics lessons, the Chamberlain organizes parties and whatnot. Sounds like fun, and we might as well have fun!"
Tessa replies to Triphylla, "If it pleases you ma'am, I used to work on the Telus Estate as a seamstress. The baron, well I don't rightly know. I heard he had a bit of a funny turn. Anyway he became increasingly angry and unpredictable and he drove us all out, at the end we were more than a little scared of him. There's little work to be had else where, more's the pity, but so far we've been able to make do." She seems sad and perhaps a little bewildered at this turn of fate.
Triphylla shoots a look of concern to the rest of the group. "We'll be sure to tread carefully with the Baron; thank you for the warning."
The halfling looks into the distance, her eyes unfocused. Then she returns her gaze to Tessa. "The grasslands of the Tandak Plains are known to be lush, and a vital source of foodstuffs produced and shipped to Cassomir and beyond. If you're not thriving off the fat of this land then there is something or someone preventing your prosperity. If what you say about the Baron infects the rest of the management of this County then we may be able to help."
Triphylla extends a hand to Tessa to shake. "My name is Marianela Berberis, Master Chamberlain to the heirs of the Betony estate. It was a pleasure to meet and do business with you, Tessa. Spread the word, change is at hand." She offers her grandmother's name on her mother's side, an homage as much as an alibi.
Julia cracks a a smile as Lope goes over the over-important Taldan pastime of figuring out titles. "Oh I'm sure lord and lady will do for our causal purposes, Lope. We can wipe out the more specific titles when necessary. Tribunes for when we have to suffer some busybody with a nosy disposition."
The talk of Baron Tellus becoming mad perked Julia's interest. Everything she knew about the man through the grapevine told her that he was a well-liked and kindhearted lord. Such a change in character seemed curious... and ill-timed. "A shame that the Baron is in such an ill-mood," she says, returning Triphylla's look with one of her own before rounding back to Tessa. "Perhaps we'll visit him soon time and see what's been bothering him. For sake of all you fine people, of course. After all, a baron who is not kind to his people is no baron at all."
Seemingly uncertain of what to say Tessa simply nodded to Triphylla.
"Perhaps we'll visit him soon time and see what's been bothering him. For sake of all you fine people, of course. After all, a baron who is not kind to his people is no baron at all."
Tessa replied, "Please do take care M'lady, he developed a fearsome temper and is reckoned to be a fine fencer"
After spending a little more time perusing the available wears you push on without further incident. Later that afternoon you arrive at the palace of birdsong. The palace is a reminder of the excessive splendour of old Taldor, replete with beautiful carvings, stunning murals, artful frescos, and other breathtaking architectural features. It oozes wealth, taste, and fabulous opulence.
It seems a considerable number of guests have been invited, nearly 40 altogether, all being fussed over by an army of servants sporting bird masks. Bartelby 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.
Your arrival doesn't go unnoticed, Count Bartelby Lotheed himself approaches and introduces himself warmly while several servants unloads the baggage from your carriage. He says, "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."
Triphylla notes the lack of enterprising spirit in Tessa, and her unwillingness to share the source of her considerable store of magical items, or even to acknowledge the question feels like a rebuke. Perhaps it's a race thing.
She decides to tone it down a notch or ten at the Palace and let the humans in the group do most of the talking.
Once introductions are complete she wanders into the Palace, observing the usual and unusual alike.
If the opportunity presents itself she will swipe a bird mask for herself.
Tessa replied, "Please do take care M'lady, he developed a fearsome temper and is reckoned to be a fine fencer"
Lope's interest is taken by the two statements "A fine fencer? That would certainly a worth of a visit. Maybe we can even learn what happened to him for such a sudden change of temper."
Through their talk and haggle, Lope will decide to buy the mage armor wand the group is offering, which also will solve the group's needs of cash for more than a few months "I advise you use part of the money to buy seeds and work the fields so you are in a better position on the next season"
---
As the palace becomes on sight, Lope uses prestidigitation to quickly remove the road's dust from the party's clothes and their carriage, so the group seems to have just come out shiny from home rather than a long trip.
Coming to the palace, Lope awaits for some of the servants to open the carriage's door, then he proceeds to step out and help his sister to get down by offering his arm "Well met Count Lotheed. Indeed, I am Lord Lope Betony, and I am eager to present you my lovely sister Lady Julia Betony" the Aldori gives an overall look to the palace and the undergoing festival "The Palace of Birdsong really lives to the grandeur of its fame. But excuse me if we arrive at the wrong moment, we came directly to the Palace and have not had the chance to speak with the locals, except for a few beggars in the road. How is the Tanager Jubilee going, what are the plans for the day?"
and also has some proposals for Cyrene "Would you like to be the Constable or Bounty Hunter?"
"No need for anything like that, My Lord." Cyrene replies, bowing slightly from where she sits in the corner, a prim figure in a sensible black dress. "I am simply my ladies humble servant. There's no need for anyone to pay me any attention at all."
She's certainly acting the part, taking command of Julia's luggage and ensuring that it is appropriately packed and stowed at all times.
---------------------------
When the group arrives at the Jubilee Cyrene steps out of the carriage last and immediately turns her attention to the servants, directing the unloading of luggage and making sure that 'Her Ladyship's' trunks in particular are taken care of. Then she spares a moment to bob a curtsy to Count Lotheed and seems quietly pleased when he takes no notice of her what-so-ever.
I wonder though, are you able to get other items of a magical quality?
She shook her head, replying "No m'lady, these are family heirlooms for the most part. They won't do us no good when the autumn harvest runs out."
He blinked seemingly confused, no doubt wondering why he'd not heard of any Betony family scions. His confusion only lasted a moment, brightly he replied "Betony eh? By Abadar you simply must stay in the Palace Apartments! I won't hear of it other way, the guest outhouses are beneath your station. As for the entertainment, there's jousting layer. My money's on Titus naturally!"
Triphylla dons the bird mask and intercepts several drinks and a platter, after which she follows Bartleby around, always just where he's not looking, and eavesdropping on conversation as he has it, taking note of who he's speaking with.
The name Titus Lotheed-Casava rings a bell - a man of some renown for his expenditures and boastful whoring in the Arena. A loathsome fellow.
Cyrene blends in smoothly with the staff, keeping her eyes and ears open for anything useful she can gather.
{quote-Lope] he looks at Valeria "The Steward or Recruiter perhaps?"
Valeria hesitated as she considered the question but once she heard what Cyrene said she decided that it was not a bad idea to have a pair of servants. She moved to stand besides Cyrene and said, "I would think a lady in waiting would be a wise choice for me."
As Cyrene was doing amongst the servants Valeria did among the lesser nobility in attendance. Valeria began to move through the court's lesser ladies upon their arrival, at least when not attending Lady Lotheed, trying to find out what she could of interest to their cause.
Lope smiles at Bartelby, finding him more likable than what her sister conveyed "You honor us count with such a lodging. If you can assign some among your service to guide them, our servants can bring there our considerable luggage"
"Ah, your cousin Titus Lotheed. I wonder if someone will arise to match him in the joust. His... sternness has reached the circles in Oppara..." Lope silences a few seconds to let the name of the capital sink before continuing "The news from the Senate events have reached to Meratt County I suppose... how is the peoples spirit feeling through these more natural lands away from the mischievous plotting of the capital?"
At mention of the haughty baron's fencing skills cracks a smile. "Shame about the temper but perhaps he and I could find some common ground gossiping about our favorite fencers," she replies chuckling.
Now at Birdsong proper Julia was fast to try and ingratiate herself by going around and making her presence known and hopefully well-liked while her and the group's belongings are shepherded in the Palace Apartments. To that end she quickly starts chatting with the invited guests and even the hired entertainers. For the later she uses her gift of gab to win them over and subtly get them talk about the Count, warts and all. For the former she does the same except she slips a hundred gold or so to the artists for their efforts.
"If you can assign some among your service to guide them, our servants can bring there our considerable luggage"
"But of course!" he snaps his fingers and several servants jump to help unload the baggage.
Bartleby replied to Lope's talk of the capital with a sigh, "Indeed most distressing news. Still we can depend on Pythareus to set things right I'm sure.
Meanwhile Julia doesn't have much luck getting anyone to talk, everyone seems terribly busy... Likewise Valeria was having terrible luck too.
Cyrene's luck was a little better she overheard some servant talk "Sometimes you can hear Dame Crabbe weeping late at night for her late husband, it was a rare love match or so I'm told. Anyway she's as nosy as anything these days, I reckon it's to distract her from bad thoughts. Still she's busier still trying to find a suitor for her daughter Sepsinia, too bad she's got the nose of a hoarse!"
Lope takes profit of the attention their arrival has won over the Count and exchanges some conversation, quickly understanding his liking for Pythareus and interest on intellectual and magical stuff out of the common. He tries to hide his own feelings towards Pythareus and instead he shifts the conversation towards magic before the Count decides his interest is elsewhere "Things are looking bad, but I am hopeful the ancient and noble Taldor will find its way through these troubling times. But talking about more enjoyable things, I have heard my lord has a knack for the arcane. I am an initiate myself, no big things, mainly an illusion here and there to entertain an audience. But if my lord is interested on exchanging some knowledge, I would be most obliged to share"
Focused on his interactions with the count, Lope is too distracted to witness anything else.
While flitting about in the vicinity of Bartleby, Triphylla eavesdrops on the conversation with Lope.
Her companion talks a good game and is on to something, but what the halfling knows of the "Count" causes a surge of bile. His contempt for those he perceives as common is typical among aristocrats, especially the ones that are themselves common. She understands why Martella loathes him so.
Returning her attention to the room, she attempts to recall what she knows of the other dignitaries attending the Jubilee.
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Managing to not find a lot of success with carousing with the guests artists, Julia opts to see if she can get the Count himself to expose his own nasty little secrets. Waltzing up to the man while her "brother" Lope engages him, the bard tries to introduce herself more formally. "Count Bartelby! How wonderful to finally see you this fine Jubilee. I hope my dear brother Lope is keeping you good company." she says with a dazzling smile before giving out her hand for the Count to kiss. "Julia Betony. Charmed as ever."
It doesn't take Julia that long to realize that the Count is a Lotheed through and through. The man is obviously an intellectual when it comes to the arcane arts with little patience for idiots... he's also rather appallingly classist even for a nobleman, which honestly makes it all the easier for Julia to help bring his downfall.
Deciding to use both personality quirks to her advantage, Julia turns the conversation around to history surrounding the Lotheed's and their reputation as arcanists to butter him up and target his elitist pride. "Dear Count, I may not possess my brother's knowledge of the arcane but do know something about those who do," she says flatteringly, making it rather clear that she's talking about the Count himself or at least his family. "You Lotheeds are a esteemed clan. Filled with great archmages and the like. I'm positively envious. Mayhaps you could showcase some of your knowledge at the Jubilee? I'm sure it will scare some of the peasants but those slack-jawed fools are so often scared of their own shadows." Julia gives a rather stereotypical noblewoman's laugh after delivering her jab, hoping that the distinction will appease the classist Bartelby.
Julia is so focused on her performance that she - like apparently else - doesn't seem to notice much else going on at the Jubilee.
Bartleby smiled to Julia, "You flatter me my lady." He looks around and takes in the palace ground and sighs, "I'm so glad I wasn't born a commoner, my intellect would have been wasted. And I'd never have had a chance to appreciate the finer things in life."
To Lope he replied, "Mmm, perhaps we might indeed sir. Before you retire this evening, attend to me in my study and we shall talk." replied Bartleby. Behind you a man servant whispered something you didn't catch into Bartleby's ear. He sighed, "It appears I've been called away, until later sir."
With that he departed.
overwhelmingly of camphor and sugar. By contrast, her daughter is rail-thin and pale, looking vaguely surprised or frightened by everything. Parthena isn’t one for introspection, preferring to know everyone else’s mind. She is the embodiment of Taldan aristocratic hypocrisy—she eats, moves, and even sleeps correctly, but without any consideration for why. Beyond her interest in local and national gossip, she loves discussing
art, antiques, and fashion.
Parthena’s shallow judgment of others means appearances are what really matter; she’s predisposed toward anyone sporting suitably expensive jewellery. While she has a thick skin regarding her own physique, she is extremely protective of her daughter and holds a grudge against anyone who insults the girl.
You also know of Baroness Adella Voinum. Her Grace is a woman of discipline, a retired commander of the Taldan Phalanx. She is best known as the local grump—condescending, detached, and judgmental—but is also a font of knowledge regarding the region’s history. A woman of legendary stature in her youth, age has finally begun to bend the baroness, and she now stands merely 6 feet tall. She still proudly displays the scar left when an Andoren spear pierced her face years ago. Clever and scathing, Baroness Voinum wields considerable influence. The Voinum family has
been part of the county for a thousand years and proudly upholds Taldan ideals—harsh but fair by most standards. Baroness Voinum dislikes the wanton ways of youth and has a bias against any character younger than 25 years old unless they are lawful. In a strange juxtaposition she has a soft spot for wine and is far more amicable when drinking.
Triphylla circles back around to her companions. "I've spotted Dame Parthena Crabbe and her daughter over there, and that is Baroness Adella Voinum. You are all certainly more in-the-know than I , but I do recall a few facts about both women..."
Once that information is relayed, the halfling disappears amongst the trunks momentarily, donning her potion bandoliers under a vest and fine jewelry around her neck and fingers, then she consumes an extract of Disguise self.
Instantly she appears a foot taller, with a plume of golden hair -- and human! Between the magical disguise, hair and her boots she approaches five feet tall. Her courtier's outfit becomes a radiant gown, her jewelry a mesh of diamonds and rare gems, and oh, the makeup!
Returning to where the Count has recently stepped away from Julia and Lope she presents herself and speaks quietly, "It's me, Triphylla. If anyone asks, I'm your niece."
A nosy noble sounds promising, if utterly unsurprising, so Cyrene (having completed her duties in ensuring that her ladies luggage is appropriately stowed in the finest available chamber) hovers inconspicuously on the edge of the party. She makes sure to be within earshot of the Dame, and simply because she enjoys it, studies the daughter - Sepsinia as well.
Once the Count departs Julia gives Lope a knowing wink before heading back into the crowd and trying her hand once again at seeing if she can get some of the locals to open to her. Since the noble guests and artists aren't interested she'll reach out to peasant servants, asking courteous but probing questions about the goings-on at Birdsong and about the Count.