Every year, the empire of Taldor celebrates the Grand Day of Exaltation. On this prestigious day, the Grand Prince is empowered to elevate a commoner to the ranks of the nobility. The event itself is the embodiment of formality, with the elevated commoner selected months or years in advance. What makes this day truly special is that the preceding week is a holiday throughout the empire. Nobles, senators, and hopeful petitioners fill the capital city of Oppara for galas, performances, and parades. This flood of visitors swells Oppara to almost double its size, and many view the lead-up to the Grand Day of Exaltation as harking back to the glory days of the empire. To the nobility, the week before Grand Day of Exaltation is a time to conduct important business deals, issue noble proclamations, and hold private parties. With so many prominent politicians arriving from across the empire, the Taldan senate uses Exaltation Week to vote on matters of nationwide importance.
This year's Grand Day of Exaltation is poised to mark a historic shift in the governance of the empire. Princess Eutropia, daughter of Grand Prince Stavian III, has forged powerful coalition of noble children, reformers, and -- perhaps most importantly -- senators to vote down the ancient law of primogeniture. The law states that royal power can pass only to a male heir -- a succession that cannot be enacted due to Eutropia's status as the Grand Prince's only heir. Rumors have circulated about the princess's quest to strike down primogeniture for years, and the nation remains divided on the vote, with several nobles viewing it as a shameless power grab by the Princess. Others see Eutropia as a stabilizing force that could unify the empire and usher in a new golden age for Taldor.
Before the week of celebration starts, you are each called to a meeting with someone who has been your behind-the-scenes benefactor in some way, the Lady Martella Lotheed. Whether by private note, a dead-drop, or courier you have been invited one evening, several days before the events start, to a small quiet flat not far off the main square of Taldor's senate. You are each ushered into a small sitting room, where wine and bread is available, but your hostess has not yet arrived. Each of you is deep in your own thoughts, wondering about the summons, and the mix of strange folks who share the room with you. But you owe Martella, and plan to pay off in whatever way she asks.
As others enter the room, a woman is there to greet them. Her jaw is strong, eyes a steely grey, her shoulder-length hair is brown and straight.
"Greetings," she bows, gesturing each to the seats around the table with a hand in a leather gauntlet. "I am Sir Peris Fomeni, lady-in-waiting to Lady Martella. Please make yourself comfortable."
Sir Peris doesn't strike the look of a lady-in-waiting. She wears a reinforced blue tabard instead of a dress. Is she a bodyguard? Maybe? There's no sword at her hip, and her hair is too long for a soldier. But then, it's too short for a proper lady at court, either. And no lady-in-waiting you've met has called herself "Sir."
In any case, she smiles softly and gestures gracefully.
The door opens and a cloaked figure glides into the room, stopping a stride away from the table. After the door clicks shut, strong calloused hands gracefully lower the hood to reveal a thin, unadorned face with cold blue eyes that are framed by neck-length black hair, sporting a short intricate braid on her left side. Taking in the room, the smooth glances around shift her hair enough that the fine points of her ears can be made out.
She bows her head deeply towards Sir Peris, and responds in a clear lilting voice, "Greetings - I am Aria, known by some as Bladesinger. What is this place?"
As she waits, Aria shifts the cloak over one shoulder to reveal well-used leather armor, the sharp metal studs oddly contrasting with the tight armor covering the lean frame underneath. A sheathed short sword hangs on her left hip, and the bulk of the cloak covers a bulge on the right, an oddly coiled thing with a worn handle grip.
The impressive looking human female glides briskly into the room. She was wearing noble’s finery and jewelry, looking like she belonged in the Senate herself, with a few years more seasoning. If things changed in Taldor, that is.
She looked around for someone to pull a chair back for her to be seated, but seeing no one coming to assist, does the task on her own.
”I’m Uraisa, of the Ridonport Ellsworth family. My father is a current Senator. I’ve also come to know Lady Martella and am here at her request. Pleasure to meet you,” she politely nods to the others congregated.
She didn’t carry any weapons with her, quite sure the Lady wouldn’t have called them into any dangerous situation. Uraisa did carry her spell book however, not trusting it out of her sight, no matter how short a meeting happened.
Taking in the finery and the grooming of her companions Aria offers, "I've only just arrived from my latest - engagement - and didn't have the facilities to prepare to fit in better."
She also then sits and helps herself to the bread and wine rather eagerly. "I was handed this cloak and a letter of introduction then sent on my way."
Before she sets to eating, Aria asks "Do either of you have an idea of what this is about?" Glancing over at Sir Peris, "One would hope a Lady-in-Waiting would know why strangers were invited to a small party."
Peris smiles warmly toward Aria. "This is one of Lady Martella Lotheed's sitting rooms, and she and I are grateful for your attendance. All will be clear in time. We still have a few more individuals we are waiting for, and then I'll fill everyone in at once."
Glancing towards Uraisa, she adds to Aria, "And although Lady Martella does appreciate the extra effort at gentility, she does recognize skill foremost. Your outfit will not cause concern here, Aria."
She finishes with a bow toward Uraisa. "And it is with utmost pleasure that I meet you, Lady Uraisa. May the hospitality be to your liking."
Continuing to munch away on the bread washed down with frequent sips of wine, Aria says between bites, "This is the first I've heard of Lady Martella Lotheed, and now I'm dining with a proper Lady," she nods towards Lady Uraisa then towards Sir Peris. "And with an elegant lady-in-waiting."
"Any chance of getting some cheese with this?", Aria winks and adds conspiratorially.
Thinking back to her time with her mother and harkening to her teachings, Aria reflects on the lesson that every new situation is a potential fight - prepare yourself and gather as much information on your opponents as you can.
A young half-elf woman strides into the doorframe, halting as she notices others have already arrived. She is an oddity to most, with her white hair and greyish-blue skin, though some will recognise her drow ancestry. She's dressed in a set of flashy and loose-fitting clothes and has a Lyre strung over her back.
Briefly raising an eyebrow, she gives a shrug before moving across the room to take a seat. If she needs more than one or two of us I guess that means it's a big job. Peris. Will the Lady be gracing us with her presence or does Grand Day have her giving you all the errands?
Uraisa tried to keep from revealing her shock at seeing a blue skinned elf receiving the same invitation that she herself had received. Whatever the lady has planned is strange indeed, she thinks to herself.
Out of habit, she looked around for a servant to pour her a glass of wine, but seeing no one, she picked up the carafe rather clumsily and poured herself a healthy portion of the wine before taking her seat again.
”So, is this everyone’s first occasion to visit on the Grand Day of Exaltation? It is my first time to witness the celebration…”
After all the guests have arrived, and availed themselves of the light refreshments, a curtain in the back of the drawing room parts briefly, and a young well-dressed woman enters. "My friends, please be seated," she says in a voice that is pleasant but firm at the same time. This, for those who have not met her in person before, is the Lady Martella Lotheed.
Martella is surprisingly young for the web of espionage and secret-gathering she has woven in the upper levels of Taldan society. Her hair is a dark raven black, with a slight wave to it (unlike most Taldan gentry). Her skin is also more olive than the pale white associated with the noble classes. Her eyes are dark and wide, but there is a prowling intelligence there that is obvious at once. As you are taking her measure, you feel sure she is also taking yours, despite the smile and pleasantries.
"Sir Peris, please sit as well. The cleaning up will wait. And this is important." The Lady waits until you are seated in the comfortable couches, settees, and overstuffed chairs provided. She remains standing in the center of the room. She wears a fine robe over simple attire. A lump of some kind on her right hip, perhaps a weapon in hiding?.
"Thank you all for coming. I took a chance bringing you all together tonight, even thought most do not know each other before now. Many of you I have worked with in some manner before, either as friend, patron, or perhaps through more discreet means. But with the week of Grand Exaltation upon us, I have need of your services in a different way. You see, I have arranged for each of you to attend the senatorial gala and festivities on Grand Day itself. During these events, you will perform a service for me. Those services are varied based on each of your special talents and abilities. Completing these services will be met with a handsome reward. However, the details of each of your missions are a secret -- you may share them if you wish but like most secrets, they are best held close. Therefore, you must agree to perform the mission now, before you know the details."
She looks at each of you in turn, measuring your resolve and interest and nodding minutely at each of you in turn. Satisified, she asks the group, "Will you accept my terms and enter my service?"
"Not the sort of arena in which I'm accustomed to performing, but a change of pace will be welcome and interesting. Assuming we'll have appropriate attire provided, I'm in," Aria lets a wry smile show before finishing another healthy drink of wine, finishing her glass and moving to pour another.
She takes a sip of the new glass, and sits up straight in her chair. "And there are a some details mentioned in my invitation that I'd like to clear up, in private, before we set off. If you don't mind, My Lady," she finishes with a seated bow towards Lady Martella.
A wicked smile crosses Vylora's face. The gala itself. This was important. A handsome reward indeed. I accept of course. Will I be "entertaining the guests"? She unhooks the lyre from her back and plays a few notes.
Shifting her gaze and picking up on the few notes Vylora played, Aria sings along with a few bars of an elven melody, her pitch melding perfectly in tune with the instrument. "How wonderful to be working with someone else with an ear for music! Where did you learn?"
Society check for Marcella
Uraisa’s sharp eyes and knowledge of nobles didn’t notice anything out of the way about the Lady. She was very impressed by the entrance, though.
”It is simply wonderful to see you again, Milady. I had hoped to have the opportunity to make an appearance at the Gala. It is beyond time for the Senators to get themselves acquainted to seeing powerful females in their hall,” she sniffed, as she made it clear that she was in on the plan.
”As that one, Aria I believe, asked, will there be opportunity to have our wardrobe cleaned and pressed before the event? I will not be seen appearing as a common ne’er do well, of course.”
Entering the room only moments behind the shorter elven woman, whom he assumed to be his contact this time, Volt was taken aback by the gathering of women to which the one he was following was introducing herself. He stopped just short of intruding into the woman's space and smiled in greeting as her gaze moved past him. Closing the distance to those assembled already, he made a formal introduction. "Hello ladies, my name is Voltario Levinus, please just call me Volt. I'm pleased to meet you all though I must confess, I was expecting someone else."
The room's flickering light reflected off his shaved head as Volt bowed toward Uraisa and pivoted to include the others before he rose, revealing a sincere smile. He stood tall and strong while his smooth movements, and the ever so slight bounce to his stride, revealed time spent aboard the ships. His leather armor seemed to weigh nothing as he moved freely and the waist-length forest green cloak that hung from its shoulders flowed in a way that made him seem to be wearing only fabric. At a closer distance, it could be noticed that what had looked to be a bandolier across his torso was a chain which the cape covered most of. Plain, dark brown pants and black leather boots covered the man's legs and feet beneath matching pieces of leather armor; rings of salt on his boots, from sea water drying out of them, reaffirmed his time aboard ships as of late.
Before any could respond to his greeting, their host entered the room and commanded everyone's attention.
He had never met Lady Martella Lotheed; it was always a different messenger with the requirements and offered pay. Nice to finally meet the one that's been paying the bill. Hoping this request stayed in line with their previous dealings, Volt confidently agreed. "Certainly Lady, as ever, I am at your disposal."
I'm Self-taught, for the most part, had some lessons towards the beginning. Not from anywhere or anyone specifically, just whatever artist I could afford for a day or two. I'm guessing you're professionally trained? You sense some contempt in her question.
Lady Martella smiles at each of you as you offer acceptance into her service. She turns to Sennos and Sir Peris. "I assumed you would be the first to accept. Shall I assume your agreement and just move on, or is there more for us to discuss?" She says this last in good humor, expecting that her lady-in-waiting, and one sporting her house colors are probably already in the bag, so to speak.
Peris smirks. "Of course you have my service, as if that were ever in question."
Patting a pocket or bag underneath her coat, she adds, "Once we have consensus, I'll distribute these."
"But of course. Mother would not have had it any other way.", Aria responds while waiting a moment to gauge Vylora's response, then dismissively turns her attention back to Lady Martella.
"Very good," says the Lady Martella with a sly smile on her face. "Some of you may fit into the senate parties without the need, but I have arranged a line of credit for each of you at my favorite clothier's, Thread's Rare. If you don't know it, Sir Peris can provide directions. There should enough for each of you to choose attire appropriate for the setting, including costume jewelry and other accoutrements."
She looks around the room one more time, then continues. "Now, I have taken the liberty of preparing some mission briefings for the work I want done during the gala. Some of the work is straight-forward, but some may take some investigation or preparation before the event -- that's why we are meeting a week before. Sir Peris will pass out the briefings when we are finished here. I will reward you with 20gp and my favor should you be able to successfully complete your assigned task."
She gives a small nod of satisfaction, then finishes with "Are there any questions?"
”I do not have further questions at this point,” Uraisa says, waiting on the missions.
Hidden behind his dark beard, Volt gritted his teeth in a grimace at the offered pay. 'This better not be anything more than the usual services for such a sum.'
Lady Martella's gaze scanned those gathered and stopped briefly as it locked with Volt's own. He nodded once in solemn acceptance of her offer; never having met her personally, before today, he did not intend to sully the otherwise profitable relationship.
"I have no questions at this time," Peris responds, "But if any come up, I'll see that the appropriate people are asked."
She then reaches beneath her coat to pull out a series of sealed envelopes, and passes them around by name. She has a sealed envelope of her own, as well.
As the notes begin to get passed out, Lady Martella says one final thing. "Thank you for passing the notes, Sir Peris. I will convene you all again, one week from tonight, the night before the gala, to cover some other details and see if you have any questions before we begin. Otherwise, prepare this week as you see fit, and I will see you again soon. Thank you for your service!"
She whisks out of the room and into some of the chambers beyond this drawing room, leaving you alone with Sir Peris and the other agents.
”What sort of tasks have the rest of you been assigned? Apparently, I am to curry favor with an influential Baron. Nicklaus Okkera, is his name. I don’t suppose any of you have made his acquaintance prior, have you? That would probably be too unlikely to exist in the realm of possibility,” she trails off, as she looks around expectantly at the others.
Volt responded to Uraisa's question showing no sign of his feelings toward his letter's contents. "I am to locate a very old, very expensive, bottle of wine and ensure it is ruined for the enjoyment of a select few at the upcoming festivities." He leaned back and pondered his assignment as he listened to hear how the others had been tasked.
Standing briefly to catch the Lady Martella, Aria opines after she leaves, "Hmph, that was a rather abrupt exit on our host's part. And I didn't get to ask my personal question."
She gently sets herself back into her chair, swirls the half-full cup of wine and utters, "Typical for a busy noblewoman, I suppose." Turning to look at Sir Peris, "Would you be able to get a note with it to her, if you please?"
Standing briefly to catch the Lady Martella, Aria nimbly moves across the room, asking as she goes, "My Lady, a brief moment before you go please. There is a quite puzzling mention in my note here," she waves a small, double-folded piece of parchment in front of her, "that has me quite confused - I'd like to ask before I undertake the mission."
She leans in to whisper softly to Lady Martella:
Volt took a measure of each of the women around him and gleaned what he could about them from their dress, speech or manner in which they carried themselves. 'What an interesting group indeed.' As Uralsa had been the only one to share details so far Volt prodded the rest. "Well ladies, it seems we have a decision to make first here. As we all have the same deadline to hit, we can either split up and take care of our assignments or, if it helps, we can team up to complete these tasks. I, for one, would not like to let the Lady down and a helping hand could make all the difference."
Vylora briefly looks over her job, before giving a curt nod and hiding the note away in the folds of her clothes. A simple enough task. If a little dull... If we are going to work together, I suppose a proper introduction is in order. I am Vylora. An artist hopeful, who appreciates the Ladies continued patronage. She points knowing smile towards Martella. Speaking of patronage. With a line of credit kindly bestowed upon us, perhaps we should meet at this Thread's Rare at some point in the coming week?
”Yes, well, Vylora, as I mentioned earlier I’m Uraisa, of the Ridonport Ellsworth family. My father is a current Senator. Pleasure to make your acquaintance ,” she repeats.
”I’d be happy to assist all of you in the Lady’s requests so that our common goals can be met. There’s always a chance that some of us might be better equipped to assist another’s task.”
"There is good chance that many of our individual goals can be met in tandem," Peris replies to Uraisa. "Mine is information gathering, simply to determine what two senators are planning to vote and why. Would you happen to know Duke Centimus or Countess Abrielle Pace?"
Standing briefly to catch the Lady Martella, Aria nimbly moves across the room, asking as she goes, "My Lady, a brief moment before you go please. There is a quite puzzling mention in my note here," she waves a small, double-folded piece of parchment in front of her, "that has me quite confused - I'd like to ask before I undertake the mission."She leans in to whisper softly to Lady Martella:
** spoiler omitted **
While Aria whispers something to the departing Lady Lotheed, the lady responds quite audibly to the rest of the group. "Well, I am sure I have no idea what you are talking about, and I am not sure you do either." She spins on her heel and leaves the room crossly.
Peris approaches Aria and gently places a gloved hand on her shoulder. "If there is anything further you wish from Lady Lotheed, please feel free to let me know to arrange it for you."
"Yes, that's what I thought too, Lady Martella," Aria says to the Lady's back as she leaves.
As the gloved hand settles on her shoulder, Aria glares at it then moves her gaze up to meet the eyes of Sir Peris and shrugs it off, strolling over to the table to refill her glass of wine.
After taking a deep drink of the dark liquid, she asks, "Is anyone familiar with the Arcade of Triumphs? I didn't get to explore the city much before arriving here."
All of you know the Arcade of Triumphs is the entry lobby area of the Senate House itself. Invaluable artifacts and other items of arcane, military, or historical interest from Taldor's glorious past are stored here. Those entering the senate, pass through this museum-like lobby.
Countess Abrielle Pace...? Pfft. I remember her well, covering one's self with that much jewellery, she was practically begging to be robbed. Well, it's not like she missed the bracelet. Ah yes, I met her briefly at a small soiree I played at. She's an ambitious one and dresses... in a unique way, I suppose she enjoys showing off.