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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 nobility. The event itself is the embodiment of formality, with the elevated commoner selected months or years in advance. What makes the 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 the 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 a powerful coalition of noble bastard 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 current Grand Prince’s sole 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 Princess Eutropia. Others see Eutropia as a stabilizing force that could unify the empire and usher in a new golden age for Taldor.
Princess Eutropia is the firstborn child of Grand Prince Stavian III. She stepped forth into the political arena only following the death of her younger brother 20 years ago. Prince Carrius II, like Eutropia, was beloved by the people of Taldor, and many hoped the boy would succeed his ineffective father and usher in an era of change. When the prince died in what was reported as a riding accident, Eutropia’s grief uncovered a deep well of empathy. More understanding of death and suffering, she became a crusader for the poor and for the basic rights of every Taldan citizen. As her work repeatedly ran up against the old-fashioned values of Taldor, Eutropia became a crusader for women’s rights as well.
Calistril 19, 4718 (Moonday, Morning) (Oppara, Taldor)
You find yourself sitting at an isolated table in a high-end coffee house on Senate hill called Lion Noir. A gold-trimmed sign bearing an ebony-maned cat marked the entrance. The interior is decorated with opulent marble tiles and dark mahogany tables. The smells of freshly brewed coffee and sweet pastries fills the air. Being the first day of Exaltation Week, the coffee house is packed with customers, mainly senators and young nobles, all gossiping about the events to come. Across from you sits a finely-dressed dark-skinned woman with long brown hair. Her Qadiran heritage is obvious. In front of her is a pair of porcelain mugs of fresh coffee and a hand-sized brass cricket that buzzes quietly on the tabletop. The low droning seems to lower the roar of the bustling café to a dull whisper. You know this woman is Lady Martella Lotheed. Although you’ve never personally met before, you received a letter from her, delivered to you by a nondescript halfling courier the day before which said only that she wished to discuss a matter with you here at this day and time. With your curiosity piqued, you decided to attend the meeting to hear what she had to say.
Martella smiles and takes a sip from the warm mug. “Thank you agreeing to meet with me this morning, Mister Tilneros. Your employer recommended you to me. He knows about some of my work and said that you were reliable. As I introduced myself in my letter, I am Lady Martella Lotheed, and I wish to hire you as one of my covert agents. You could say that I’m a scheming young noble hoping to topple and take control of the arrogant family who rejected me. And what I’m offering is a sizable payment in addition to the extraordinary access and prestige granted by attending one of Taldor’s most exclusion and high-profile political events. In return, you would need to do a simple task for me during the course of the night. The rest of the time is free for you to enjoy. I encourage you to use this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to make connections, make an impression on prominent guests, and otherwise try to kick-start your own political career.”
Martella appraises you with her eyes. “You are a true Taldan Patriot, aren’t you. You love your country as I do. For you, I have a simple task. One that wouldn’t tarnish your patriotism in the slightest. On the night of the Grand Day of Exaltation, there will be a historic vote to end primogeniture. In case you haven’t been keeping up with politics, it is a millennia-standing law of succession stating that royal power can pass only to a male heir—a succession that cannot be enacted due to Grand Prince Stavian III’s sole heir being a female, Princess Eutropia. Ending primogeniture would allow Princess Eutropia to succeed Grand Prince Stavian III once he passes, which would be an event never before seen in Taldor. Some say it’s a shameless power grab by Princess Eutropia. Others see Eutropia as a stabilizing force that could unify the empire and usher in a new golden age for Taldor.” Martella shrugs.
“All I’d like to know is how each senator plans to vote. I’m not a fan of surprises. I have a fairly good picture of how the votes are going to go but there are two prominent senators that I haven’t been able to get close enough to in order to find out how they are leaning. These senators are Duke Centimus and Countess Abrielle Pace. It is unknown if either supports Eutropia’s bid to end primogeniture, and while their votes will be apparent after the senate convenes, I’d like you to discover their positions in advance, as well as the reasons each of them holds that position.”
“Now to discuss payment. First off, up front, I’ll arrange for you to receive a thirty gold line of credit at my favorite tailor shop, Thread Rare. This should be enough for you to purchase something decent to wear to the gala. It would not do for you to attend in the likes of what you are currently wearing. Then should you successfully complete this mission I have assigned to you, you shall receive a payment of 150 gold the next day.”
“If you agree, meet me here one week from today at noon. You will have an opportunity to familiarize yourselves with my other agents and I will answer any remaining questions you may have.”
Martella waits expectantly for a response.
Calistril 19, 4718 (Moonday, Morning) (Oppara, Taldor)
You enter into a high-end coffee house on Senate hill called Lion Noir. A gold-trimmed sign bearing an ebony-maned cat marked the entrance. The interior is decorated with opulent marble tiles and dark mahogany tables. The smells of freshly brewed coffee and sweet pastries fills the air. Being the first day of Exaltation Week, the coffee house is packed with customers, mainly senators and young nobles, all gossiping about the events to come. A bald, dark-skinned man cloaked in a long robe brushes past you to leave out the portal you just passed through. Your eyes follow the path that he came from to spot your contact sitting at an isolated table. You know this woman is Lady Martella Lotheed. Although you’ve never personally met before, you received a letter from her, delivered to you by a nondescript halfling courier the day before which said only that she wished to discuss a matter with you here at this day and time. With your curiosity piqued, you decided to attend the meeting to hear what she had to say. She is a finely-dressed dark-skinned woman with long brown hair. Her Qadiran heritage is obvious. In front of her is a pair of porcelain mugs of fresh coffee and a hand-sized brass cricket that buzzes quietly on the tabletop. She spots you and calls out, motioning you to sit with her. The low droning seems to mute what she is saying until you sit down.
You take a seat and Martella smiles and takes a sip from the warm mug. “Thank you agreeing to meet with me this evening, Sir Kastner. I manage a web of influence that interweaves with many of the noble families of Taldor and I recently learned about you and wanted to meet. I too was born under scandalous circumstances, being born the bastard daughter of Count Mercater Lotheed and a visiting Qadiran emissary. I am Lady Martella Lotheed and I wish to hire you as one of my covert agents. You could say that I’m a scheming young noble hoping to topple and take control of the arrogant family who rejected me. And what I’m offering is a sizable payment in addition to the extraordinary access and prestige granted by attending one of Taldor’s most exclusion and high-profile political events. In return, you would need to do a simple task for me during the course of the night. The rest of the time is free for you to enjoy. I encourage you to use this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to make connections, make an impression on prominent guests, and otherwise try to kick-start your own political career.”
“On the night of the Grand Day of Exaltation, there will be a historic vote to end primogeniture. I’m sure you know what that is but just to reiterate, it is a millennia-standing law of succession stating that royal power can pass only to a male heir—a succession that cannot be enacted due to Grand Prince Stavian III’s sole heir being a female, Princess Eutropia. Ending primogeniture would allow Princess Eutropia to succeed Grand Prince Stavian III once he passes, which would be an event never before seen in Taldor. Some say it’s a shameless power grab by Princess Eutropia. Others see Eutropia as a stabilizing force that could unify the empire and usher in a new golden age for Taldor.” Martella shrugs.
Martella stares at you uncomfortably long over the lip of her cup. “Those eyes really are something, aren’t they. I know you are a child of Oppara, so I know you want to steer Taldor on the right path. My task for you may seem a little distasteful but I assure you it is for the greater good and I would only entrust it to someone who I knew had the skills to pull it off. On the night of the gala, I need to discredit a few prominent senators backing primogeniture—not necessarily to sway their votes, but to undercut their influence after the vote. I would like you to create a scandal surrounding one of the major opponents to the repeal of primogeniture. I will leave it up to you to identify a target once you are mingling with the attendees. Once you have a target, manufacture and spread some rumors that would hurt their reputation. I know you know all about the effect a nasty rumor could have.”
“Now to discuss payment. First off, up front, I’ll arrange for you to receive a thirty gold line of credit at my favorite tailor shop, Thread Rare. This should be enough for you to purchase a new outfit to wear to the gala, although I can see your fashion sense is already quite impeccable. Then should you successfully complete this mission I have assigned to you, you shall receive a payment of 150 gold the next day.”
“If you agree, meet me here one week from today at noon. You will have an opportunity to familiarize yourselves with my other agents and I will answer any remaining questions you may have.”
Martella waits expectantly for a response.
Calistril 19, 4718 (Moonday, Afternoon) (Oppara, Taldor)
You find yourself sitting at an isolated table in a high-end coffee house on Senate hill called Lion Noir. A gold-trimmed sign bearing an ebony-maned cat marked the entrance. The interior is decorated with opulent marble tiles and dark mahogany tables. The smells of freshly brewed coffee and sweet pastries fills the air. Being the first day of Exaltation Week, the coffee house is packed with customers, mainly senators and young nobles, all gossiping about the events to come. Across from you sits a finely-dressed dark-skinned woman with long brown hair. Her Qadiran heritage is obvious. In front of her is a porcelain mug of fresh coffee and a hand-sized brass cricket that buzzes quietly on the tabletop. The low droning seems to lower the roar of the bustling café to a dull whisper. You know this woman is Lady Martella Lotheed. Although you’ve never personally met before, you received a letter from her, delivered to you by a nondescript halfling courier the day before which said only that she wished to discuss a matter with you here at this day and time. With your curiosity piqued, you decided to attend the meeting to hear what she had to say.
Martella smiles and takes a sip from the warm mug. “Thank you agreeing to meet with me this afternoon, Sir Marcaius. I heard through my network about this scrappy young crossbowman who’s been righting the wrongs of Taldor and I just had to meet this young reformer. I am Lady Martella Lotheed, and I wish to hire you as one of my covert agents. You could say that I’m a scheming young noble hoping to topple and take control of the arrogant family who rejected me. And what I’m offering is a sizable payment in addition to the extraordinary access and prestige granted by attending one of Taldor’s most exclusion and high-profile political events. In return, you would need to do a simple task for me during the course of the night. The rest of the time is free for you to enjoy. I encourage you to use this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to make connections, make an impression on prominent guests, and otherwise try to kick-start your own political career.”
Martella discretely looks you over. “Yes, I think you’ll do nicely. On the night of the Grand Day of Exaltation, there will be a historic vote to end primogeniture. In case you haven’t been keeping up with politics, it is a millennia-standing law of succession stating that royal power can pass only to a male heir—a succession that cannot be enacted due to Grand Prince Stavian III’s sole heir being a female, Princess Eutropia. Ending primogeniture would allow Princess Eutropia to succeed Grand Prince Stavian III once he passes, which would be an event never before seen in Taldor. Some say it’s a shameless power grab by Princess Eutropia. Others see Eutropia as a stabilizing force that could unify the empire and usher in a new golden age for Taldor.” Martella shrugs.
“While I have spies for more discrete tasks, I also have need of an aide to run communications for me. It may sounds simple but during the gala, the senate floor is going to be packed. It’ll take a strong and agile man to make his way through the crowd with haste. And don’t be afraid to give a pompous noble a hard push if he can’t see you beneath his upturned nose. Should you accept my offer, the next time we meet, I’m hand you a sealed letter to deliver to Count Orlundo Zespire. After that, I may have additional letters to be delivered throughout the night.”
“Now to discuss payment. First off, up front, I’ll arrange for you to receive a thirty gold line of credit at my favorite tailor shop, Thread Rare. You can’t show up to the gala looking like that.” She tilts her head at the grim clinging to your clothes. “Then should you successfully complete this mission I have assigned to you, you shall receive a payment of 150 gold the next day.”
“If you agree, meet me here one week from today at noon. You will have an opportunity to familiarize yourselves with my other agents and I will answer any remaining questions you may have.”
Martella waits expectantly for a response.
Calistril 19, 4718 (Moonday, Afternoon) (Oppara, Taldor)
You enter into a high-end coffee house on Senate hill called Lion Noir. A gold-trimmed sign bearing an ebony-maned cat marked the entrance. The interior is decorated with opulent marble tiles and dark mahogany tables. The smells of freshly brewed coffee and sweet pastries fills the air. Being the first day of Exaltation Week, the coffee house is packed with customers, mainly senators and young nobles, all gossiping about the events to come. A young man with sandy brown hair and a thin beard brushes past you. A noticeably large crossbow is strapped to his back. Your eyes follow the path that he came from to spot your contact sitting at an isolated table. You know this woman is Lady Martella Lotheed. Although you’ve never personally met before, you received a letter from her, delivered to you by a nondescript halfling courier the day before which said only that she wished to discuss a matter with you here at this day and time. With your curiosity piqued, you decided to attend the meeting to hear what she had to say. She is a finely-dressed dark-skinned woman with long brown hair. Her Qadiran heritage is obvious. In front of her is a pair of porcelain mugs of fresh coffee and a hand-sized brass cricket that buzzes quietly on the tabletop. She spots you and calls out, motioning you to sit with her. The low droning seems to mute what she is saying until you sit down.
You take a seat and Martella smiles and takes a sip from the warm mug. “Thank you agreeing to meet with me this evening, Master Livara. I’ve done some research on you. You’re an ambitious noble just like me. Our families share some commonality as well. House Lotheed is also a family of magicians. I am Lady Martella Lotheed and I wish to hire you as one of my covert agents. You could say that I’m a scheming young noble hoping to topple and take control of the arrogant family who rejected me. And what I’m offering is a sizable payment in addition to the extraordinary access and prestige granted by attending one of Taldor’s most exclusion and high-profile political events. In return, you would need to do a simple task for me during the course of the night. The rest of the time is free for you to enjoy. I encourage you to use this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to make connections, make an impression on prominent guests, and otherwise try to kick-start your own political career.”
“On the night of the Grand Day of Exaltation, there will be a historic vote to end primogeniture. I’m sure you know what that is but just to reiterate, it is a millennia-standing law of succession stating that royal power can pass only to a male heir—a succession that cannot be enacted due to Grand Prince Stavian III’s sole heir being a female, Princess Eutropia. Ending primogeniture would allow Princess Eutropia to succeed Grand Prince Stavian III once he passes, which would be an event never before seen in Taldor. Some say it’s a shameless power grab by Princess Eutropia. Others see Eutropia as a stabilizing force that could unify the empire and usher in a new golden age for Taldor.” Martella shrugs.
“Perhaps you are a senatorial hopeful yourself? If so, the Exaltation Gala would be an excellent foot in the door for you. My task for you involves interacting with one of the gala’s attendees. I’ve managed to sway a great number of reluctant senators, but to maintain that, I require a vast web of influence. To that end, I would like you to make a strong impression on Baron Nicolaus Okerra and remind him of certain debts he owes me. While Baron Nicolaus Okerra isn’t a senator, his war record and general popularity make him an influential figure—one whose reputation helped sway a number of otherwise neutral votes.”
“Now to discuss payment. First off, up front, I’ll arrange for you to receive a thirty gold line of credit at my favorite tailor shop, Thread Rare. This should be enough for you to purchase a nice new suit to wear to the gala. Then should you successfully complete this mission I have assigned to you, you shall receive a payment of 150 gold the next day.”
“If you agree, meet me here one week from today at noon. You will have an opportunity to familiarize yourselves with my other agents and I will answer any remaining questions you may have.”
Martella waits expectantly for a response.
Calistril 19, 4718 (Moonday, Evening) (Oppara, Taldor)
You find yourself sitting at an isolated table in a high-end coffee house on Senate hill called Lion Noir. A gold-trimmed sign bearing an ebony-maned cat marked the entrance. The interior is decorated with opulent marble tiles and dark mahogany tables. The smells of freshly brewed coffee and sweet pastries fills the air. Being the first night of Exaltation Week, the coffee house is packed with customers, mainly senators and young nobles, all gossiping about the events to come. Across from you sits a finely-dressed dark-skinned woman with long brown hair. Her Qadiran heritage is obvious. In front of her is a porcelain mug of fresh coffee and a hand-sized brass cricket that buzzes quietly on the tabletop. The low droning seems to lower the roar of the bustling café to a dull whisper. You know this woman is Lady Martella Lotheed. Although you’ve never personally met before, you received a letter from her, delivered to you by a nondescript halfling courier the day before which said only that she wished to discuss a matter with you here at this day and time. With your curiosity piqued, you decided to attend the meeting to hear what she had to say.
Martella smiles and takes a sip from the warm mug. “Thank you agreeing to meet with me this evening, Lady Karthis. I’ve heard many good things about you. In fact, if you got to know me better, you’d probably find that you and I have many things in common. You know me as Lady Martella Lotheed and I wish to hire you as one of my covert agents. You could say that I’m a scheming young noble hoping to topple and take control of the arrogant family who rejected me. And what I’m offering is a sizable payment in addition to the extraordinary access and prestige granted by attending one of Taldor’s most exclusion and high-profile political events. In return, you would need to do a simple task for me during the course of the night. The rest of the time is free for you to enjoy. I encourage you to use this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to make connections, make an impression on prominent guests, and otherwise try to kick-start your own political career.”
“Sitting across from you now, I can see it in your eyes. There’s a young reformer in you. You believe in Taldor, but perhaps not in some of Taldor’s traditions. You know the system is broken and you want to fix it. So do I, Lady Karthis. So do I. I’ve also heard that you are not about a little roguelike behavior.” She winks. “On the night of the Grand Day of Exaltation, there will be a historic vote to end primogeniture. I’m sure you know what that is but just to reiterate, it is a millennia-standing law of succession stating that royal power can pass only to a male heir—a succession that cannot be enacted due to Grand Prince Stavian III’s sole heir being a female, Princess Eutropia. Ending primogeniture would allow Princess Eutropia to succeed Grand Prince Stavian III once he passes, which would be an event never before seen in Taldor. Some say it’s a shameless power grab by Princess Eutropia. Others see Eutropia as a stabilizing force that could unify the empire and usher in a new golden age for Taldor.” Martella shrugs.
With a smirk, she says, “I’ve been a naughty girl. I have been secretly trying to influence some of the senators’ votes. Unfortunately, some senators are too powerful or too stubborn to influence. But that doesn’t mean that they’re beyond some petty revenge. I would like to extract some retribution against my more powerful half-brothers, who have contributed a large bottle of rare, 150-year-old red wine from family holdings in the Opparos province, now held in the senate’s kitchens. If you agree, the next time we meet, I will provide you with a single syringe filled with a putrefying agent to render the wine embarrassingly undrinkable. But I warn you, do not steal the bottle and conceal any signs of tampering. It must be drunk at dinner and appear to be of terrible quality or—even more scandalously—a forgery.”
“Now to discuss payment. First off, up front, I’ll arrange for you to receive a thirty gold line of credit at my favorite tailor shop, Thread Rare. This should be enough for you to purchase something decent to wear to the gala. Although I’m sure a lady such as yourself already has something nicer in her closet. I am extending this offer to all of my agents. Then should you successfully complete this mission I have assigned to you, you shall receive a payment of 150 gold the next day.”
“If you agree, meet me here one week from today at noon. You will have an opportunity to familiarize yourselves with my other agents and I will answer any remaining questions you may have.”
Martella waits expectantly for a response.
Calistril 19, 4718 (Moonday, Evening) (Oppara, Taldor)
You enter into a high-end coffee house on Senate hill called Lion Noir. A gold-trimmed sign bearing an ebony-maned cat marked the entrance. The interior is decorated with opulent marble tiles and dark mahogany tables. The smells of freshly brewed coffee and sweet pastries fills the air. Being the first day of Exaltation Week, the coffee house is packed with customers, mainly senators and young nobles, all gossiping about the events to come. A dark-haired noble who is dressed like she fancies herself an adventurer gracefully crosses your path on her way out. Your eyes follow the path that he came from to spot your contact sitting at an isolated table. You know this woman is Lady Martella Lotheed. Although you’ve never personally met before, you received a letter from her, delivered to you by a nondescript halfling courier the day before which said only that she wished to discuss a matter with you here at this day and time. With your curiosity piqued, you decided to attend the meeting to hear what she had to say. She is a finely-dressed dark-skinned woman with long brown hair. Her Qadiran heritage is obvious. In front of her is a pair of porcelain mugs of fresh coffee and a hand-sized brass cricket that buzzes quietly on the tabletop. She spots you and calls out, motioning you to sit with her. The low droning seems to mute what she is saying until you sit down.
You take a seat and Martella smiles and takes a sip from the warm mug. “Thank you agreeing to meet with me this evening, Miss Inkweaver. I must admit it’s not often one comes across a vishkanya in Oppara. Your presence intrigued me and decided that I could make use of your skills. I am Lady Martella Lotheed and I wish to hire you as one of my covert agents. You could say that I’m a scheming young noble hoping to topple and take control of the arrogant family who rejected me. And what I’m offering is a sizable payment in addition to the extraordinary access and prestige granted by attending one of Taldor’s most exclusion and high-profile political events. In return, you would need to do a simple task for me during the course of the night. The rest of the time is free for you to enjoy. I encourage you to use this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to make connections, make an impression on prominent guests, and otherwise try to kick-start your own political career.”
“On the night of the Grand Day of Exaltation, there will be a historic vote to end primogeniture. In case you haven’t been keeping up with politics, it is a millennia-standing law of succession stating that royal power can pass only to a male heir—a succession that cannot be enacted due to Grand Prince Stavian III’s sole heir being a female, Princess Eutropia. Ending primogeniture would allow Princess Eutropia to succeed Grand Prince Stavian III once he passes, which would be an event never before seen in Taldor. Some say it’s a shameless power grab by Princess Eutropia. Others see Eutropia as a stabilizing force that could unify the empire and usher in a new golden age for Taldor.” Martella shrugs.
“The task I have for you should present no difficulty to you. I need someone to keep tabs on political rivals and update me if they change their tactics, most notably High Strategos Maxillar Pythareus. You must stay close to the military commander, watching for unusual behavior or listening for snippets of conversation, and warn me if he takes any unusual actions, all while remaining unobstrusive. You need not stand over the commander all night. There will be plenty of time for you to attend to your own business. Just a few check-ins will do.”
“Now to discuss payment. First off, up front, I’ll arrange for you to receive a thirty gold line of credit at my favorite tailor shop, Thread Rare. This should be enough for you to purchase a new outfit to wear to the gala, although I can see your fashion sense is already quite impeccable. Then should you successfully complete this mission I have assigned to you, you shall receive a payment of 150 gold the next day.”
“If you agree, meet me here one week from today at noon. You will have an opportunity to familiarize yourselves with my other agents and I will answer any remaining questions you may have.”
Martella waits expectantly for a response.
You enter into a high-end coffee house on Senate hill called Lion Noir. A gold-trimmed sign bearing an ebony-maned cat marked the entrance. The interior is decorated with opulent marble tiles and dark mahogany tables. The smells of freshly brewed coffee and sweet pastries fills the air. Being the first day of Exaltation Week, the coffee house is packed with customers, mainly senators and young nobles, all gossiping about the events to come. A bald, dark-skinned man cloaked in a long robe brushes past you to leave out the portal you just passed through. Your eyes follow the path that he came from to spot your contact sitting at an isolated table. You know this woman is Lady Martella Lotheed. Although you’ve never personally met before, you received a letter from her, delivered to you by a nondescript halfling courier the day before which said only that she wished to discuss a matter with you here at this day and time. With your curiosity piqued, you decided to attend the meeting to hear what she had to say. She is a finely-dressed dark-skinned woman with long brown hair. Her Qadiran heritage is obvious. In front of her is a pair of porcelain mugs of fresh coffee and a hand-sized brass cricket that buzzes quietly on the tabletop. She spots you and calls out, motioning you to sit with her. The low droning seems to mute what she is saying until you sit down.
Trevor Kastner smiles instinctively, practiced, as he enter the Lion Noir. The young cleric of Cayden Cailean walks through the busy coffee house to meet his new contact, nodding to a few young noble he knows as he passes.
You take a seat and Martella smiles and takes a sip from the warm mug. “Thank you agreeing to meet with me this evening, Sir Kastner. I manage a web of influence that interweaves with many of the noble families of Taldor and I recently learned about you and wanted to meet. I too was born under scandalous circumstances, being born the bastard daughter of Count Mercater Lotheed and a visiting Qadiran emissary. I am Lady Martella Lotheed and I wish to hire you as one of my covert agents. You could say that I’m a scheming young noble hoping to topple and take control of the arrogant family who rejected me. And what I’m offering is a sizable payment in addition to the extraordinary access and prestige granted by attending one of Taldor’s most exclusion and high-profile political events. In return, you would need to do a simple task for me during the course of the night. The rest of the time is free for you to enjoy. I encourage you to use this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to make connections, make an impression on prominent guests, and otherwise try to kick-start your own political career.”
“On the night of the Grand Day of Exaltation, there will be a historic vote to end primogeniture. I’m sure you know what that is but just to reiterate, it is a millennia-standing law of succession stating that royal power can pass only to a male heir—a succession that cannot be enacted due to Grand Prince Stavian III’s sole heir being a female, Princess Eutropia. Ending primogeniture would allow Princess Eutropia to succeed Grand Prince Stavian III once he passes, which would be an event never before seen in Taldor. Some say it’s a shameless power grab by Princess Eutropia. Others see Eutropia as a stabilizing force that could unify the empire and usher in a new golden age for Taldor.” Martella shrugs.
If offered Lady Lotheed's hand, Trevor takes it and kisses it. The aasimar slightly grimaces at the rumors still swirling about his birth. Well, it did add to his mystique, at least.
Trevor leans in. "I, too, believe Princess Eutropia would be a calming influence on the throne."Martella stares at you uncomfortably long over the lip of her cup. “Those eyes really are something, aren’t they."
Trevor sips the cup before him, matching her gaze. "You should see what the rest of me can do, dear lady."
"I know you are a child of Oppara, so I know you want to steer Taldor on the right path. My task for you may seem a little distasteful but I assure you it is for the greater good and I would only entrust it to someone who I knew had the skills to pull it off. On the night of the gala, I need to discredit a few prominent senators backing primogeniture—not necessarily to sway their votes, but to undercut their influence after the vote. I would like you to create a scandal surrounding one of the major opponents to the repeal of primogeniture. I will leave it up to you to identify a target once you are mingling with the attendees. Once you have a target, manufacture and spread some rumors that would hurt their reputation. I know you know all about the effect a nasty rumor could have.”
“Now to discuss payment. First off, up front, I’ll arrange for you to receive a thirty gold line of credit at my favorite tailor shop, Thread Rare. This should be enough for you to purchase a new outfit to wear to the gala, although I can see your fashion sense is already quite impeccable. Then should you successfully complete this mission I have assigned to you, you shall receive a payment of 150 gold the next day.”
“If you agree, meet me here one week from today at noon. You will have an opportunity to familiarize yourselves with my other agents and I will answer any remaining questions you may have.”
"Well, as a man of faith, I don't normally go in for social assassination...but considering it is for a good cause, I hope Cayden will see the h8mor in the situation, at the very least." Trevor nods
Tychus looks around uncomfortably, obviously ill-at-ease amongst the coffee-goers. He nurses a black coffee between his calloused hands. His gaze lingers on the brass beatle, as a quick smirk crosses his face.
Martella smiles and takes a sip from the warm mug. “Thank you agreeing to meet with me this afternoon, Sir Marcaius. I heard through my network about this scrappy young crossbowman who’s been righting the wrongs of Taldor and I just had to meet this young reformer. I am Lady Martella Lotheed, and I wish to hire you as one of my covert agents. You could say that I’m a scheming young noble hoping to topple and take control of the arrogant family who rejected me. And what I’m offering is a sizable payment in addition to the extraordinary access and prestige granted by attending one of Taldor’s most exclusion and high-profile political events. In return, you would need to do a simple task for me during the course of the night. The rest of the time is free for you to enjoy. I encourage you to use this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to make connections, make an impression on prominent guests, and otherwise try to kick-start your own political career.”
"No need for the honorifics, I'm hardly deserving of Knighthood. I'm not exactly a sword for hire, but your aims are a noble one, and a goal I share as well. For Abadar knows, a change is necessary if Taldor is to make it out of this century in one piece. My crossbow is at your service ."
Martella discretely looks you over. “Yes, I think you’ll do nicely. On the night of the Grand Day of Exaltation, there will be a historic vote to end primogeniture. In case you haven’t been keeping up with politics, it is a millennia-standing law of succession stating that royal power can pass only to a male heir—a succession that cannot be enacted due to Grand Prince Stavian III’s sole heir being a female, Princess Eutropia. Ending primogeniture would allow Princess Eutropia to succeed Grand Prince Stavian III once he passes, which would be an event never before seen in Taldor. Some say it’s a shameless power grab by Princess Eutropia. Others see Eutropia as a stabilizing force that could unify the empire and usher in a new golden age for Taldor.” Martella shrugs.
He peers of his shoulder cautiously.
"I'd agree with the latter. Princess Eutropia is the ideal candidate to succeed Prince Stavian. I think primogeniture has run it's course. The people need a champion, and I can think of no one better."
“While I have spies for more discrete tasks, I also have need of an aide to run communications for me. It may sounds simple but during the gala, the senate floor is going to be packed. It’ll take a strong and agile man to make his way through the crowd with haste. And don’t be afraid to give a pompous noble a hard push if he can’t see you beneath his upturned nose. Should you accept my offer, the next time we meet, I’m hand you a sealed letter to deliver to Count Orlundo Zespire. After that, I may have additional letters to be delivered throughout the night.”
"Seems like a straightforward task. As I'm sure you're already aware, there is no love lost between the nobles and I. You have my word that I'll accomplish this with the utmost haste and secrecy."
“Now to discuss payment. First off, up front, I’ll arrange for you to receive a thirty gold line of credit at my favorite tailor shop, Thread Rare. You can’t show up to the gala looking like that.” She tilts her head at the grim clinging to your clothes. “Then should you successfully complete this mission I have assigned to you, you shall receive a payment of 150 gold the next day.”
Tychus nods sagely at this idea. He is all too aware that his appearance isn't gala worthy.
“If you agree, meet me here one week from today at noon. You will have an opportunity to familiarize yourselves with my other agents and I will answer any remaining questions you may have.”
"As Abadar as my witness, you have my word. I hope this Count Zespire is trustworthy enough. All it takes is one bad egg and this would thing could collapse in on us."
Trevor sips the cup before him, matching her gaze. "You should see what the rest of me can do, dear lady." Diplomacy (charming): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (16) + 10 = 26
Martella blushes but you get the sense that her flattery is part of her recruitment tactics and she is not interested in anything further.
Any Knowledge rolls for info on him?
Although he learned the fundamentals of governance from his parents and uncles, as the third-born son of his family, Orlundo stood little chance of inheriting much more than a title. He joined Taldor’s military and traveled widely, first as an ambassador’s guard and later as the leader of a pirate-hunting unit along the Jagged Saw, the most treacherous stretch of Taldor’s coastline. His orders to track and capture a particularly nefarious pirate led him all the way into the River Kingdoms in pursuit, and it was there that his tenacity and sheer skill on the rivers earned him his nickname, “the Iron Gar.” The expedition made him a minor hero back home, and Grand Prince Stavian III appointed him to a vacant seat in the senate, where he represents central Tandak’s interests.
"I would join you, Lady Martella," she says a bit slowly, "and perform this rascally task for you, but first I must ask-- in what direction do you attempt to influence the vote? For I should let it be known to you that I am one of those who do side with the princess in this matter. I have, let us say, personal reasons to loathe and hate our country's tradition of men inheriting over women. I will not act against my own interests, but I would gladly work with you in concert."
If Lady Martella confirms they are on the same side, Henrika will give a show of considering further, and then break into a broad smile and accept. "As our business is so base, let us confirm our alliance as the common folk do, with spit and a shake of the hands!" she suggests gleefully, and quickly proceeds to put her plan into action, extending her moistened palm across the ostentatious table.
"I would join you, Lady Martella," she says a bit slowly, "and perform this rascally task for you, but first I must ask-- in what direction do you attempt to influence the vote? For I should let it be known to you that I am one of those who do side with the princess in this matter. I have, let us say, personal reasons to loathe and hate our country's tradition of men inheriting over women. I will not act against my own interests, but I would gladly work with you in concert."
Martella glances around to make sure no one else is listening, "I would be pleased if the votes went in favor of Princess Eutropia's bid to end primogeniture. Seeing as that we've just met, I'll keep my reasons to myself for now."
Martella copies you and spits in her hand and shakes yours without any disgust.
Of course, engaging in a little skullduggery might be useful as well. Familiarizing with the various important people could help him better discharge his duties.
Madam Lotheed, you indeed are correct that I have an interest in what is happening thes days, such an vent is an excellent chance to expand my awareness of this country. I accept your offer and will begin what investigations I can.
After leaving, Icabhod decides to brush up on his knowledge of the duke and countess
Day 1
Day 2
Icabhod visits the Kitharodan Academy. No doubt they have excellent records.
Icabhod:
An attending duke of Grand Duchess Cisera Tiberan of Tandak prefecture, Leonard Centimus is an intellectual and tinkerer whose head for systems makes him a good administrator, if a little awkward with people.
A countess and member of the senate from the western borders of Taldor, Abrielle Pace seeks to advance by any means available.
Trevor:
None
Tychus:
Although he learned the fundamentals of governance from his parents and uncles, as the third-born son of his family, Orlundo stood little chance of inheriting much more than a title. He joined Taldor’s military and traveled widely, first as an ambassador’s guard and later as the leader of a pirate-hunting unit along the Jagged Saw, the most treacherous stretch of Taldor’s coastline. His orders to track and capture a particularly nefarious pirate led him all the way into the River Kingdoms in pursuit, and it was there that his tenacity and sheer skill on the rivers earned him his nickname, “the Iron Gar.” The expedition made him a minor hero back home, and Grand Prince Stavian III appointed him to a vacant seat in the senate, where he represents central Tandak’s interests.
Xallis:
Henrika:
None
Liraela:
“Thank you agreeing to meet with me this evening, Master Livara. I’ve done some research on you. You’re an ambitious noble just like me. Our families share some commonality as well. House Lotheed is also a family of magicians. I am Lady Martella Lotheed...
...this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to make connections, make an impression on prominent guests, and otherwise try to kick-start your own political career.”
"It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Lady Lotheed." Xallis offers a polite bow before sitting down, making himself comfortable. "It's good to see someone else in this city who can appreciate a dedication to the arcane arts. All the better to meet someone who's willing to offer such a beneficial partnership."
His smile is bright and his posture is relaxed, though the last few words are slightly exaggerated. In truth, this isn't just a beneficial partnership, but the first one from a person of worth that's been pitched his way.
He curls and uncurls his toes, doing his best to keep his nervous fidgeting to parts of his body that are hard to see.
“On the night of the Grand Day of Exaltation, there will be a historic vote to end primogeniture...
...Some say it’s a shameless power grab by Princess Eutropia. Others see Eutropia as a stabilizing force that could unify the empire and usher in a new golden age for Taldor.”
"My dear, I would be hard pressed to say there's any shame in a power grab of that scale." He chuckles, then leans forward in his seat. "But I won't doubt her sincere intent to help the people. House Livara is the sort to reward magical merit more than circumstance of birth."
He smiles at and offers a reassuring nod, then he pauses to purse his lips. Did that 'circumstance of birth' comment come off as a gender thing, or a sorcerous bloodline thing? Because the former makes it a witty comment, but the later turns it into laughable hypocrisy.
Just drop it, Xallis. He silently admonishes himself in his own head. Thank Calistria that Lady Lotheed has more to say, preventing an awkward silence.
“Perhaps you are a senatorial hopeful yourself? If so, the Exaltation Gala would be an excellent foot in the door for you...
...While Baron Nicolaus Okerra isn’t a senator, his war record and general popularity make him an influential figure—one whose reputation helped sway a number of otherwise neutral votes.”
"So I get to make two new friends out of this deal, then?" A mixture of playful curiosity and restrained excitement mingle within his tone. "Everyone loves a war hero, after all. The common folk like the idea of a great protector, and the merchants appreciate someone who can protect their investments."
"And from what I've heard, being easy on the eyes is doing him no shortage of favors on that front."
“Now to discuss payment. First off, up front, I’ll arrange for you to receive a thirty gold line of credit at my favorite tailor shop, Thread Rare. This should be enough for you to purchase a nice new suit to wear to the gala. Then should you successfully complete this mission I have assigned to you, you shall receive a payment of 150 gold the next day.”
“If you agree, meet me here one week from today at noon. You will have an opportunity to familiarize yourselves with my other agents and I will answer any remaining questions you may have.”
Xallis pauses for a moment, sipping his tea in contemplation of the deal. Not to consider the deal, but to fill in some time and make him look less desperate. Two hundred gold's worth is exactly what he needs right now, and he can't help but wonder if the noble can read his excitement through his veil of polite hesitation.
"Well. This is an opportunity that's to good to pass up." He sets the tea cup down and offers a hand. No reason not to show at least a little excitement for a job that's he's genuinely happy to take."Very well. I'm interested. But please.... do indulge me on the Baron's debt. The more I know, the more convincing I can be with my reminder."
"Well. This is an opportunity that's to good to pass up." He sets the tea cup down and offers a hand. No reason not to show at least a little excitement for a job that's he's genuinely happy to take."Very well. I'm interested. But please.... do indulge me on the Baron's debt. The more I know, the more convincing I can be with my reminder."
Martella replies, "I doubt you are familiar with the County of Meratt where my family hails from, but Baron Okerra is my closest neighbor. Coming from a military background, Nicolaus is more suited for the battlefield than the senate floor and a number of times I have provided him with council that helped him avert political disaster or negotiate favorable terms for his lands."
Martella smiles, ”Excellent. I look forward to a mutually beneficial partnership with you. Now go, enjoy the rest of Exaltation Week, and I’ll meet you again before the gala.”
You get up from the table and work your way through the crowd. On your way out you brush against a man who catches you eye. He is a handsome, finely-dressed man, with ivory skin and iridescent eyes. Before you can say anything, you can see that he is already preoccupied and making his way towards the same table you just left from.
You make your way back to your home. As you do, you take in the sights and sound of the festival filling the streets of Oppara. Street vendors selling traditional Taldor food line every major walkway. Family banners and provincial flags drape the sides of most buildings. Bardic music overflows out of the taverns and into the streets. During the days leading up to the Day of Exaltation, the population practically doubles as visitors from all over flock to the city to experience the event.
That night, an amazing fireworks show fills the air with explosions of light and thunderous booms. Some fireworks are even enchanted to explode into glowing outlines of mythical creatures like dragons and griffons. Even with so much excitement going on, you manage to get a decent night’s sleep.
Martella smiles, ”Excellent. I look forward to a mutually beneficial partnership with you. Now go, enjoy the rest of Exaltation Week, and I’ll meet you again before the gala.”
You get up from the table and exit out into the street. You make your way back to your home. As you do, you take in the sights and sound of the festival filling the streets of Oppara. Street vendors selling traditional Taldor food line every major walkway. Family banners and provincial flags drape the sides of most buildings. Bardic music overflows out of the taverns and into the streets. During the days leading up to the Day of Exaltation, the population practically doubles as visitors from all over flock to the city to experience the event.
That night, an amazing fireworks show fills the air with explosions of light and thunderous booms. Some fireworks are even enchanted to explode into glowing outlines of mythical creatures like dragons and griffons. Even with so much excitement going on, you manage to get a decent night’s sleep.
Martella smiles, ”Excellent. I look forward to a mutually beneficial partnership with you. Now go, enjoy the rest of Exaltation Week, and I’ll meet you again before the gala.”
You get up from the table and work your way through the crowd. On your way out you brush against a man who catches you eye. He is a man with a short-trimmed beard and hair pulled back into a ponytail. A veridian cloak is draped over his shoulders. Before you can say anything, you can see that he is already preoccupied and making his way towards the same table you just left from.
You make your way back to your home. As you do, you take in the sights and sound of the festival filling the streets of Oppara. Street vendors selling traditional Taldor food line every major walkway. Family banners and provincial flags drape the sides of most buildings. Bardic music overflows out of the taverns and into the streets. During the days leading up to the Day of Exaltation, the population practically doubles as visitors from all over flock to the city to experience the event.
That night, an amazing fireworks show fills the air with explosions of light and thunderous booms. Some fireworks are even enchanted to explode into glowing outlines of mythical creatures like dragons and griffons. Even with so much excitement going on, you manage to get a decent night’s sleep.
Martella smiles, ”Excellent. I look forward to a mutually beneficial partnership with you. Now go, enjoy the rest of Exaltation Week, and I’ll meet you again before the gala.”
You get up from the table and exit out into the street. You make your way back to your home. As you do, you take in the sights and sound of the festival filling the streets of Oppara. Street vendors selling traditional Taldor food line every major walkway. Family banners and provincial flags drape the sides of most buildings. Bardic music overflows out of the taverns and into the streets. During the days leading up to the Day of Exaltation, the population practically doubles as visitors from all over flock to the city to experience the event.
That night, an amazing fireworks show fills the air with explosions of light and thunderous booms. Some fireworks are even enchanted to explode into glowing outlines of mythical creatures like dragons and griffons. Even with so much excitement going on, you manage to get a decent night’s sleep.
Martella smiles, ”Excellent. I look forward to a mutually beneficial partnership with you. Now go, enjoy the rest of Exaltation Week, and I’ll meet you again before the gala.”
You get up from the table and work your way through the crowd. On your way out you pass by a woman with skin that is an unusual shade of deep purple. Your eyes briefly lock onto hers and you notice she doesn’t have pupils. Before you can say anything, you can see that he is already preoccupied and making his way towards the same table you just left from.
You make your way back to your home. As you do, you take in the sights and sound of the festival filling the streets of Oppara. Street vendors selling traditional Taldor food line every major walkway. Family banners and provincial flags drape the sides of most buildings. Bardic music overflows out of the taverns and into the streets. During the days leading up to the Day of Exaltation, the population practically doubles as visitors from all over flock to the city to experience the event.
That night, an amazing fireworks show fills the air with explosions of light and thunderous booms. Some fireworks are even enchanted to explode into glowing outlines of mythical creatures like dragons and griffons. Even with so much excitement going on, you manage to get a decent night’s sleep.
Martella smiles, ”Excellent. I look forward to a mutually beneficial partnership with you. Now go, enjoy the rest of Exaltation Week, and I’ll meet you again before the gala.”
You get up from the table and exit out into the street. You make your way back to your home. As you do, you take in the sights and sound of the festival filling the streets of Oppara. Street vendors selling traditional Taldor food line every major walkway. Family banners and provincial flags drape the sides of most buildings. Bardic music overflows out of the taverns and into the streets. During the days leading up to the Day of Exaltation, the population practically doubles as visitors from all over flock to the city to experience the event.
That night, an amazing fireworks show fills the air with explosions of light and thunderous booms. Some fireworks are even enchanted to explode into glowing outlines of mythical creatures like dragons and griffons. Even with so much excitement going on, you manage to get a decent night’s sleep.
Day 2
Calistril 20, 4718 (Toilday, Morning) (Oppara, Taldor)
The next morning, you wake to the sounds of a parade marching through the streets. Even though the actual parade is too far away to see from you home, the sounds of the drums and trumpets and the stomping of feet resonate around you.
It shouldn’t be too hard to follow the sounds to locate the parade. Or, Martella had told you to go visit Thread Rare for a new outfit. Or perhaps you want to make your way to tavern or a library to learn more about Exaltation Day or the people involved. Or maybe you want to experience Exaltation Week in your own way.
Waking up bright and early, Tychus sees to a few daily chores at the Abadaran church in the Grandbridge district, but wastes no time in venturing out to Thread Rare, in dire need of some gala-worthy clothes. He stops at a few vendors along the way, keeping mental notes of any extortionate pricing he sees, and buying a few apples for his morning travels.
"Ah, Lady Lotheed, it's good to see you in person finally." the vishkanya says politely, offering a hand for a firm handshake before taking a seat and hearing the noble out.
Noticably intrigued by the prospect of at the very least making connections among the higher levels of nobility so quickly upon her return to the capital, she listens eagerly to the proposition.
"As someone who was also left behind by her family, I deeply sympathize with your plight. I will help you in this goal, and I imagine I will have an easy time sticking to the High Strategos. I can peddle my art skills or voice to him and his company."
At the mention of payment, she laughs quietly.
"Fear not, I am not one whose loyalty is bought solely with gold. I will peform the task you set to the best of my ability, and will use the reward wisely. I'm almost more excited about the prospect of the new outfit than the extra payment, it will be good to get myself back among the current fashion trends."
The next day, waking to hear the parade outside, Liraela decides to make her way to the tailor for her new outfit. She was going to get something green this time, she decided.
Along the way she stops and visits a local food stall, and purchases a delicacy she particularly enjoys: roasted meat on a stick. She takes the kebab and swallows the entire bouquet of meat and vegetables at once in front of the stall owner, laughing and giving him a wink before slipping back into the crowd towards Thread Rare.
Today was going to be a good day.
Xallis suts in the shade of a tree on the grounds of House Livara. His face is nearly stuck in the visage of his barely contained excitement.
"New work, neeeew work~" sings Navia in her munti-chambered voice. She sways back and forth as she hangs upside-down from a tree branch.
The noble regards his eidolon with a nod. He reaches up and playfully bats at the eidolon's hair tendrils, much to her amusement. "I've even got enough paid forward to pick up a respectable outfit. And once we finish this, we'll have enough to get you something nice."
"Then go get it!" Navia makes an exaggerated dismissing motion with both hands. "I want to see you dressed to impress."
Xallis stands, brushing himself off."Alright. I wanted to get that sooner than later. I'll wear it today, just for fun, then I'll put it somewhere safe until the big night."
Navia waves farewell as Xallis dismisses her back to her home plane, then he begins to make his way to Thread Rare.
Waking up to the sounds of celebration, Icabhod had a quick breakfast of porridge and tea before heading out to get a new outfit at Thread Rare.
Said outfit was made for such a high profile event of course, but Icabhod still preferred muted hues made in such a way to break up his outline and allow him to be discrete. A good shirt, pants and coat would indeed be just the thing.
Afterwards, he headed off to the city records to check up on those he was going to monitor.
Icabhod
Icabhod finishes his breakfast and heads straight to Thread Rare. Street vendors accost him from all side trying to sell him food and souvenirs but he continues towards the tailor with a singular purpose.
Thread Rare is located down a side street in Canal Row offering a minor respite from the general crowd. The tailor’s shop would be easy to miss if not for the large wooden hanging sign out front bearing a dark spool of thread and the shop’s name written in gold leaf script letters.
A muscular middle-aged man with a dark curly mustache warmly welcomes you when you open the door. ”Welcome to Thread Rare, where we handle all your tailoring needs, my good sir. What brings you here on this fine day? Do you have anything that you’d like tailored or cleaned? Or perhaps you are looking for something new? We have a large selection of outfits tailored to the current fashions of the courts.”
Icabhod informs the tailor that Martella sent him and he responds. ”Ah yes. Martella did tell me that a few agents would be coming by and she paid in advance. Please take a look at our selection of courtier’s outfits.” Icabhod picks out a new suit and jacket in muted hues that meets his tastes and the tailor takes him off to the side for measurements.
----
Xallis
After dismissing Navia, Xallis giddily makes his way toward Thread Rare. The excitement of new work nearly blinds him from the commotion outside. However, Xallis is quickly snapped back to reality when he is whacked in the shin by a child who was just sold a wooden sword.
Nursing his bruised leg, he steps into Thread Rare. Inside, a tailor is tending to a slim bald man who is trying on a new outfit. He calls out to someone in the back room. ”Julia! We have another customer!” A modestly dresses brunette woman emerges from the back and greets Xallis. ”Welcome to Thread Rare, where we handle all your tailoring needs. Are you looking for an outfit as well? I can show you to our courtier’s rack. Or should I be showing you the noble’s outfits?”
----
Tychus
Tychus stops at a few food stalls and peruses their wares. All sorts of regional favorites are being sold including such foods as jubilee pie, honeyflake, and yonder tarts. But Tychus decides to just buy a few apples and move on.
While stopping at the vendors, he possibly overhears a rumor.
“My uncle is in the Lion Blades, and he says the Qadirans are planning to kidnap Princess Eutropia at the gala to ransom!”
Munching on an apple, Tychus steps away from the crowd and finds the street where Thread Rare is waiting. When he opens the door, he spots a figure that he recognizes from the day before. The cloaked man he spotted talking with Martella is now browsing a clothing rack with the aid of a female employee. Another man that he doesn’t recognize is being helped by a male employee. The man calls over. ”Welcome to Thread Rare, I’ll be right with you.”
----
Lireala
Liraela also decides to grab some food from a vendor this morning. Meat on sticks is in abundance. Anchovy skewers and turkey legs are being hawked on every corner. She purchases a kebab and surprises the vendor who audibly gasps when she swallows the entire stick in one bite.
While stopping at the vendors, she possibly overhears a rumor.
“High Strategos Pythareus is back in the capital. I guess that means the marriage between him and the princess is back on. He’s so handsome; he’ll make a lovely emperor.”
Finding Thread Rare is easy enough. By the time she arrives, the shop appears to getting crowded. Two men are being helped while a third waits in queue. You don’t recognize any of them but the first two seem to be wrapping up their purchases.
You overhear the tailor trying to offer additional services. ”I don’t mean to suggest that you don’t have your own jewelry, but if you don’t, Martella also arranged for us to lend you out some of our high-quality costume jewelry to complete your outfit. You don’t want to look like an out of place commoner now, do you?”
Day 1
Henrika goes home with a spring in her step, riding one of the coaches that takes people visiting the festivities out of the center of town. She walks the remaining distance to her estate, and to avoid seeing her uncle or the guards that he posts at the gate (they have been instructed to harass her and always call him to authorize letting her back in) she sneaks in through a break in the haha where the gardeners enter and leave, feeding the dogs treats to keep them quiet. She pauses at the stair to her room, suddenly feeling guilty that she hasn't visited her mother today. She sleeps, surely-- she thinks, and so I will stop by tomorrow.
She sighs, resting her hand on the stone before ascending. Her mother was non-verbal and slept most of the time now, but when she was awake she still had the ability to concentrate on her psychic magic, though she could not transmit coherent words, only feelings. Confusion, worry, the feeling she has lost something, and over and over again the image of Father as a young man. Spending time with her was difficult. But, taking care of her was, at least according to her uncle, her job-- the only thing a daughter was good for.
Things would change.
Thankfully, once she completes her evening preparations and sinks into bed, she falls asleep quickly and has a dreamless night.
Day 2
She had intended to sleep in past the first bells, but the sound of the parade wakes her. She glares at the window and tries to ignore it, but it is no good. She finally rouses herself fully and dresses for another day of errands. She would need to visit the Lion's Head today, to ask Falchion if he and his friends would be able to help her with her little assignment. But first, she decided, she should see about what she would wear to the gala, to make sure there was time to make it. Lady Martella had suggested she visit a particular clothier, and as that was where she had established credit, Henrika had no objections to going to Thread Rare. To keep in practice, she slipped through the side gate when the guard left to refill his drink, and kept behind the hedges until she was out of the compound and on the main thoroughfare.
Diplomacy DC 15 (with +9 bonus)
Munching on an apple, Tychus steps away from the crowd and finds the street where Thread Rare is waiting. When he opens the door, he spots a figure that he recognizes from the day before. The cloaked man he spotted talking with Martella is now browsing a clothing rack with the aid of a female employee. Another man that he doesn’t recognize is being helped by a male employee. The man calls over. ”Welcome to Thread Rare, I’ll be right with you.”
Tychus gives the man a grunt of acknowledgement. He opens his coin-purse and gives a dejected sigh. A simple Coutier's Outfit will have to do.
He wraps his dirty cloak tighter around himself, trying not to touch anything while waiting for his turn. He notices a fourth person enter the shop. He attempts mask his surprise at her appearance, but gives her a polite nod all the same.
Icabhod nods to the tailor. Indeed, something that will let be appear respectable but not too eye-catching. Icabhod makes his selections and patiently allows the tailor to take his measurements.
A bit of costume jewelry does sound appealing, perhaps a ring and cufflinks. The sound of the door opening draws his eyes to the newcomer. Hmm.. seems that today will be a busy day for the tailor.
Henrika stealthily makes her way to Thread Rare. By the time she arrives, the shop is packed. She is a little distracted and accidentally bumps into a woman waiting by the doorway. The woman turns around and Henrika is shocked to see it is the same unmistakable purple-skinned lady that she crossed paths with at Lion Noir.
My goodness! Would it be better to make an appointment for later?
”Well, good morning everyone!” Liraela calls out to the group gathered at the tailor’s. ”No need to be so dour, you know, this is a week of celebration! A little bit of excitement and grandeur will do you all some good!”
The purple scaled Vishkanya claps her hands in delight as the tailor goes through his many magnificent options, and she eagerly opens her purse to grab what only she knows is the last of her coin before handing it to the man bustling about the stacks of clothing and accessories.
”I want something delightful, this should do the trick, no? Give me something with a rich emerald green decor, with golden accents perhaps? Have to look my absolute best when I attend such events as the ones that will happen this Grand Day of Exaltation.”
Liraela leans forward a slight bit to whisper to the tailor ”Preferably one that is plenty gaudy and distracting, I need to wear armor under it.”
She gives a wide smile to both the tailor and the other occupants of the room, which reveals most of her just a little bit too sharp and shiny teeth. ”The names Liraela, I’m a somewhat notable inkweaver and less known singer. And you are?” she asks of the group, her fierce yellow eyes darting over the rest of the group.
Xallis nods to the tailor's assistant. "Something from the courtier's rack, please. I'd like something comfortable, with wide sleaves. Something that flows." He pantomimes smoothing out some invisible set of robes on his person.
Then a voice catches his attention. The chelaxian noble turns towards Liraela. He seems pleasantly aurprised by her unique appearance. "Oh? Hello, there. Xallis, of House Livara, at your service." He bows slightly. "Pardon the rough attire. I've been... preoccupied with matters that have kept my usual tailor busy."
Yes, his "usual tailor." The tailor he totally has. Because he can totally afford one.
"Might I call you.... Lady? Miss...?" He trails off, leaving room for her to say a surname. "I do adlre the sound of such a lovely name, but I woulsn't want people to make assumptions."
”Oh, don’t worry about that, we all have…business that needs taken care of. I understand perfectly.” she replies, smiling towards the Chelaxian.
She tilts her head for a second, seeming to think about it before finally replying.
”I suppose my surname is still Varima. A family of Vudran heritage, that technically is still mine. Lady Liraela is fine, as I don’t tend to use my surname much, for various reasons.”
Henrika tries to avoid giving offense to the vishkanya by bowing amiably and turning away quickly, but she finds herself staring after her when she goes into the shop. That woman was meeting with Lady Martella! she realizes. She moves about carefully once inside, waving off the staff, and keeping an eye on her quarry to confirm that she and herself are about the same business. Pursing her lips, Henrika decides that the woman's announcement about attending the gala is enough to risk revealing herself, but with some care.
"Excuse me, Liraela," she says with a pained smile. "For I was trying to recall where I know you from, though I do not believe we have been formally introduced. I am Henrika Karthis. Did we not see each other at the Lion Noir yesterday? I believe we have a mutual acquaintance whom we both were there to see. In fact, she recommended this shop to me, and-- may I presume-- to you as well?"
Henrika watches Liraela carefully for signs of recognition, and likewise those listening nearby to see if there are others present who know the lady about whom she is talking.
Liraela eyes the newcomer up and down, and her eyes glow with recognition.
”Ah, I think we have met, at the exact place you think we did. I suppose we have something in common, then, if you too were referred here by the delightful acquaintance we share.”
”It’s good to meet you, Ms. Karthis.” she continues, a bit of a smirk on her face as if she knows neither of them want to speak so openly about even the small trickery they’ve been put up to. ”I don’t believe our mutual friend mentioned you, but it’s good to know we have friends, isn’t it?”
"Indeed," Henrika says, with an uncomfortable look around the crowded business. "I am here to purchase a gown to wear to the gala as well. May I ask, are you also attending in the service of the lady in question? For if so, it may be that our interests run somewhat in tandem. Perhaps when we are finished here, you would be willing to accompany me to someplace a bit less... commercial? It would seem that we have subjects to discuss that might be mutually beneficial, to ourselves as well as to our patroness."
To the tailor who has been hovering, she directs an imperious look. "I will require something appropriate to my status as a lady of an important noble family, for I will be representing House Karthis at this event. Not too ostentatious-- after all, our titles come from the military, so our dress can be more subtle and severe-- and I think Lady Liraela has an excellent suggestion that it might be wise to fit it so that it covers a suit of light armor. In red, perhaps? I suppose you will have to measure me, but let us be quick about it."
The male attendant is nearly aghast at Henrika's request. "You...you would wear a dress as beautiful as this over armor?" He regains his composure and pulls on his collar. "Well no task is too difficult for Habillus of Thread Rare." He breaks out his measuring tape and begins some additional measurements while Henrika talks.
He mentions, "As long as you are wearing light armor, I suppose you should be fine. But you know anything heavier than light armor isn't allowed in the senate, don't you? Don't tell me you were planning on attending the gala without even knowing the senate rules. Well don't worry, your friend Habillus will fill you in. I've been dressing nobles for the event for years, so I'm quite acquainted with what's allowed."
The tailor provides you with the following senate rules:
• Breastplates, ceremonial armor, and light armor may be worn inside the senate building, but no other armor is permitted for anyone except guards.
• Potions, scrolls, spell component pouches, and wands are permitted inside the senate building, and in fact, many senators are themselves spellcasters. However, spellcasting is not permitted within the building without written approval (often issued to entertainers).
• Only light and one-handed weapons are allowed inside the senate building; ranged weapons and two-handed weapons are not allowed inside the building. All weapons brought into the senate building must be peace-bound—secured in a sheath with a length of decorative cord. Drawing a peace-bound weapon requires a full-round action. Guards do not need to peace-bind their weapons.
• Animals are generally not permitted inside the senate building, excepting familiars and service animals. Animals larger than an average member of the senate guard are not permitted within the building under any circumstances.
• While guests are free to roam the senate building when invited, individual senators’ offices are off-limits and locked. No one but the senators and a single aide for each is permitted on the senate floor during a vote.
Lireala laughs, understanding why Henrika doesn't want to stay here for too long.
"Of course. I'm sure there is a suitable location for us to discuss these matters, here isn't the place for business."
She listens to the tailor explain the rules of the senate house, thinking of how hard it will be to get her less accepted weapons through. The shuriken will be hard to hide, but the blowgun might be able to be hidden amongst her inking supplies...
"Those rules sound strict but fair. I am glad to hear they are taking security serious, for such a momentous occasion." she says, just trying to make conversation.
"Master Trevor," a stern voice broke the silence. "It's time to wake up."
Trevor slowly opened his eyes and was met by the disapproving gaze of the elderly maid, Mrs. Abernathy. She stood at the door, her silver hair pulled tightly back into a bun, and her apron crisply pressed. Her disapproval was clear, and her gaze bore into him.
Trevor blinked, trying to clear the sleep from his eyes. ”You normally knock before entering”, the nobleman yawned.
”I did, Master Kastner. Several times”, Mrs. Abernathy explained. ”I thought something might have been wrong. Little did I know, you were deeply in Desna's embraces. Among others..”
Mrs. Abernathy's eyes narrowed as she glanced towards the other side of the bed. There, nestled in the sheets, were two young women, their hair mussed, thankfully still covered by the blankets.. Trevor's memory from the previous night returned, and he offered an embarrassed smile. "Ah..Mrs. Abernathy. Please meet..”
”I do not care to know their names”, the old maid interrupted. ”I do care that they leave the premises before your mother sees them. Master Trevor," Mrs. Abernathy scolded, her tone laced with disapproval. "You know your mother expects better from you."
Trevor sighed, acknowledging her chastisement. He had always been a bit of a playboy, and his mother, Lady Kastner, constantly reminded him of his responsibilities as the member to the family estate. He swung his legs out of bed, the cold wooden floor beneath his feet a rude awakening.
"Very well, Mrs. Abernathy," he said, getting to his feet and attempting to gather his disheveled clothing. "I'll get ready."
"Your mother is waiting for you in the solarium," Mrs. Abernathy informed him, her tone softening slightly. "She requested that you join her for breakfast."
”Please tell Mother I shall join her after morning prayers”, Trevor agreed, making a shooing motion with his hands.
Her disapproval still lingering in the air, Mrs. Abernathy closed the bedroom door.
One of the young ladies in bed huffed, her formally quaffed brunette hair in disarray. ”She should know her station better. I understand she was concerned, she did not need to barge in her and interrupt us.”
”Come,Belle”, the other lady spoke. ”We need to get back home and think of a good lie to tell our parents. Thanks for last night, Trevor.” She climbed over the bed to kiss Trevor on the cheek, her blonde hair draping over his shoulder.
”Thank you, Aurora. Thank you both. And may Cayden bless your day”, Trevor answered. Then young noble pointed to the far side door of his bedroom. ”Through that door, down both stairs. Out the side door. Follow the gravel road to the alley gate. And away your go, ladies.”
As Belle and Aurora quickly get dressed, Trevor sits down at his small bar/altar on a leather stool. The caydenite fills a golden chalice with wine. Next to the chalice is a small painted wooden bowl. The bowl has been painted with four different colors inside the bowl evenly divided. Trevor takes the small wooden ball resting inside the bowl and tosses it back inside the bowl. The wooden ball swirls around the bowl to eventually rest in the blue painted area. ”Hmm. Noble's Wineskin, it is”, Trevor whispers to himself, pleased with the divining method to choose his place of worship today. The Kastner noble drinks the wine down, waving farewell to the two retreating noble ladies, and begins to receive his clerical spells for the day.
One quick bath and dressing later, Trevor Kastner comes downstairs for breakfast. It is very clear that Exaltation Week is underway. Multiple members of House Kastner are busily walking to destinations within and outside the manor proper. Trevor greets his uncle, Lord Remilliard Kastner, in passing as he walks to his large home office. The cleric walks through the glass doors and into the solarium, where the large table is set with two places, one of it being already occupied by his mother, Lady Balvantia Kastner. The noble woman has a more mature look, but still does well to hide time's trepidations. Despite, his uncouth birth, Lady Balvantia still receives suitors from time to time. Of course, being a member of one of Oppara's prestigious families does help socially.
”Good morning, Mother”, Trevor smiles, as he approaches the dinning table and kisses his mother's cheek.
”Good morning, Trevor, dear”, Lady Balvantia said. ”It seems you got in late again, last night.”
”Yes, Mother”, Trevor explained. ”The Gatehouse received a very late shipment of wine from Zimar. I was asked to assist their storage before Exaltation Week began in earnest.”
Lady Balvantia smiled. ”Son. I know you have experienced spiritual fulfillment as a caydenite. I just wish your faith allowed you to keep better hours.” Trevor's mother took a spoon of rich porridge, just served by an nearby butler.
”Well, Mother. You know how it is. Caydenite services can go into well into the night”, Trevor smiles. ”But I am keeping myself fed and watered as I toil.”
”Oh! Speaking of toil!” Trevor interjected. ”I have good news! I have gained an invite to The Exaltation Day Gala! After a few hours of work at The Noble's Wineskin, I'm going to go get a new outfit for the event. Isn't that exciting?!”
Lady Balvantia's eyes bulged to hear such news. ”Trevor! And how did you get such an invitation?”
”I will be the guest of Lady Martella Lotheed. She assures me she has some very important senators to introduce me to”, Trevor explains.
”Well. My son. Becoming a mover and shaker as well as a cleric. You work too hard as it is”, Trevor's mother chided.
”Um, my business there also involves Princess Eutropia. To her benefit”, Trevor replies conspiratorially.
Lady Balvantia considers this information and nods. ”Well..good. Nothing to get you throw in jail, I hope.”
”No”, Trevor simply answers, digging into his own freshly served porridge.
Lady Balvantia sighs with resignation. ”Well, my son. May Cayden keep you. And please be careful. Politics in Taldor is a dangerous sport.”
”I shall endeavor, as all Kastner”, Trevor smiles back at Lady Balvantia.
"Those rules sound strict but fair. I am glad to hear they are taking security serious, for such a momentous occasion." she says, just trying to make conversation.
Leaning in the back of the room, Tychus decides to finally chime in.
"I should hope they are taking extra measures to ensure the gala is safe. The word on the streets is that Qadira is looking to make a power move, and their sights are set firmly on Princess Eutropia."
He makes his way towards the rest of the group, carefully avoiding the clothing racks. He turns towards the tailor.
"Once you have some time to spare, I'll take an outfit worthy of such an event. But don't make it too lavish, I prefer not to stick out. And make it form-fitting, I don't want to get snagged on anything."
He turns his attention once again to the group.
"It's not happenstance that we are all here at the same time, while also having been to the Lion Noir." He nods towards Xallis. "You were also meeting our benefactor. I think it safe to say we are amongst allies, at least for the time being. The name is Tychus. My last name is of no import, for I doubt any of you has spent enough time in the Narrows to recognize it."
"I should hope they are taking extra measures to ensure the gala is safe. The word on the streets is that Qadira is looking to make a power move, and their sights are set firmly on Princess Eutropia."
The tailor grumbles, "Taldor and Qadira were at war for 5 centuries and while the two countries have been technically been at peace for over a hundred years now, the enmity between our peoples runs strong. If you have credible evidence, you should take it to the City Watch. Otherwise, it may just be some Taldans' racism showing."
"Those rules sound strict but fair. I am glad to hear they are taking security serious, for such a momentous occasion." she says, just trying to make conversation.
"You know, they kind of have to be." Xallis ponders out loud, grinning slightly. "It's less about stifling rules for the guests, and more about what it says if he allows them to carry weapons." He makes a sweeping gesture. "It says 'I am incapable of ensuring the safety my guests within my own domain, and require them to provide their own protection. Please do not take me seriously.'" He chuckles at his own impersonation.
"It's not happenstance that we are all here at the same time, while also having been to the Lion Noir." He nods towards Xallis. "You were also meeting our benefactor. I think it safe to say we are amongst allies, at least for the time being. The name is Tychus. My last name is of no import, for I doubt any of you has spent enough time in the Narrows to recognize it."
"The Narrows..." he says, trailing off. That certainly caught him off guard. Xallis considers what he wants his next words to be. "I suppose a selection of diverse perspectives are necessary in matters of House and State."
He nods to himself and puts on a smile. "Mister Tychus. It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance."
Later that day, at The Noble's Wineskin.
✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩
Lord Trevor Kastner enters the service's entrance of The Noble's Wineskin in Canal Row of Oppara. A well used coat stand stands sentry as the Kastner noble removes his outer finery and takes one of the available aprons. Trevor rolls up the sleeves of his button tunic to put on some available bartender armbands on a nearby shelf.
"Oi! Master Kastner! You working here today?" A small, but familiar voice came from the nearby sinks. That voice belonged to Vren Brightsong, an older halfing worker in the Dish Room.
"You know it, Vren", Trevor smiles. "Cayden wants it. Not too crazy out there, has it?"
"Typical Exaltation Week crowd", the halfing smiles dully. "So yeah!"
"I'll be out there shor..", the cleric stopped himself. "..soon."
The older halfing wagged his finger at the nobleman. "Ah. Ah! Almost! I think Mr. Simmons is in his office right now."
"Thanks Vren. Cayden be with us!" Trevor answered as he walked toward the main office.
✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩
Albert Simmons, the bar manager, was going over some invoices when a familiar knock rapped on his office door. "Hello?"
Trevor Kastner quickly came in and shut the door. "Good morning, Mr. Simmons."
"Lord Kastner. Greetings!" The taldoran human stood immediately from his desk. "Looks like you're here to work. For how long today?" the bar manager immediately turned to begin to open the large bar safe in the corner of the room.
"The rest of the morning and up until mid afternoon" the aasimar figured. "I will need to leave to purchase a new outfit. I'm going to the Gala this year!" Trevor said with surprise in his voice.
"Really, now!" Mr. Simmons answered as he opened the large safe door. "Lucky dog, or unlucky dog, depending on how it goes."
The bar manager stepped out of the way, while Trevor took of his rings, save his family signet, wallet, and coin purse and put them in the safe. Mr. Simmons quickly closed the safe door. "Please let me know when you are leaving so I can get your affects. If I'm not here for any reason, Mrs. Simmons should be able to open it for you, but I'm not expecting any delivers. Hopefully we will not run out of anything we'll need today. Market's are The Maelstrom! Now, please relieve Firfum on the East Bar. He's had a busy morning and needs a sit down."
"You bet, Mr. Simmons", Trevor quickly nods and exits the room.
Albert Simmons takes a moment to stare at the closed office door. Still can believe it most days, the bar manager thought to himself. I've got a Kastner as a temporary barman. A cleric to boot. His family could buy and sell my a$$ several times over. Still one of my nicest guys. So strange!
The bar manager sat back down and returned to his paperwork.
Icabhod listens to the others speak amongst themselves as he is fitted. Rather than be gregarious and fill others in on who he is, he prefers to soak in the details and perhaps tailor his responses to match.
Julia the tailor declares, "Alright! Everyone's measurements are done. We'll have all of your suits and dresses ready by tomorrow morning. You can either pick them up yourselves or if you'd like to leave your address, we can have a runner deliver them directly to your estate. Now if you wouldn't mind taking your conversation outside, we are expecting to be quite busy all day."
Habillus the tailor chimes in, "If you need a suggestion, the Lion's Head Tavern is hopping this week. They are offering King Cyricus themed food and drinks that pack a punch. I was there last night and they even had someone dressed up in a Gorilla King costume. You just have to see it for yourselves."
Henrika is slightly distracted by the preparations for assembling her gown, but nods absently to Lireala when she proposes finding a suitable location. She only half-listens to the bearded man discussing Qadiran politics, as the subject immediately brings to mind her uncle. As a young man he married a Qadiran woman, though she died almost immediately after. This was before Henrika was born, but still she has always associated the culture with him because of his former wife's influence. The thought strikes her that perhaps his wife was not pleased with the match, and that her death may not have been entirely an accident.
Her reverie is interrupted when she hears the words "Lion Noir"-- and she turns sharply. The bearded man had mentioned the name of the establishment where Lireala and she had met Lady Martella Lotheed, and she also noticed that he was addressing another man who had escaped her notice. When names are dropped, she catches them with a nod. "Tychus. Xallis. Greetings, I am Lady Henrika Karthis." She winced as she inadvertently added the "lady" part of her name, and hoped emphasizing her title didn't give offense to these potential allies.
Once the tailors are finished, she nods in thanks. "I will come tomorrow," she says. She didn't like having packages delivered as it was always possible her uncle would confiscate them, or they would "go missing" through other means. Questions might be asked. Better to handle this herself, she thinks.
She manages to keep the surprise from showing on her face when Habillus mentions the tavern that is the favorite haunt of her friends. They never seemed to do much trade when she visited, but then again she was usually there in the evening when Falchion and his rogues gallery assembled for some hilarious purpose. And generally the old soldier was there day or night. "Very well," she says as if thinking about it and agreeing with the tailor's recommendation, "Let us go to the Lion's Head then! You must allow me to buy you each a drink, and we can discuss our plans for the gala."
You make your way north along the canal up into Lion’s Gate. Following Henrika’s lead, she leads the group to the Lion’s Head tavern. As the tailor said, the place is bustling with activity. Outside the tavern, a man in a tattered, ill-fitting gorilla costume with a dented tin crown jumps and shouts at all who pass by. He holds a large posterboard sign that says Come celebrate the life and death of Grand Prince Cyricus at the Lion’s Head!
Making your way past that attraction, you push open the tavern door and are greeting with the loud rhythmic beat of a trio of bards on drums and flutes. Almost immediately, a table of drunken nobles shouts out, ”Ho, look who it is! Lady Karth-Ice has appeared!” Followed by a round of cheers and whistles.
A busty wench intercepts your party and guides you to an empty table. ”Welcome to the Lion’s Head, m’ lords and ladies. We have a number of specials on the menu this evening. For drinks we have a Worldbreaker, a spicy shot of tequila mixed with a hint of pineapple or a Leaping Lion, a coconut rum with bitters. As for food, we have fried plantain chips or a grilled chicken with mango salsa, as well as all of our regular dishes. Wave me over when you are ready to order. The name’s Wendy by the way.”
Once you are alone, you get a better look around the interior. The Lion’s Head is filled with a good mix of Opparans from all walks of life, including commoners, merchants, nobles, and even a few Ulfen barbarians. This would be as good a place as any to gather some of the information you are looking for.
Meanwhile, Trevor finally arrives at Thread Rare. The shop is busy but there is no one there that Trevor recognizes. When Martella is mentioned, the tailor says, ”Oh, I thought I had taken care of all of her guests earlier. One moment.” He pulls out a ledger and reviews it. ”My apologies. It does appear that Martella did pay for one more. Please, come right this way and we’ll get you outfitted in no time.” After picking out an outfit and getting measured, the tailor mentions, ”If you’re looking for your friends, I heard them saying that they were heading to the Lion’s Head tavern in the Lion’s Gate district. If you’re quick, I’ll bet they’ll still be there.”
A busty wench intercepts your party and guides you to an empty table. ”Welcome to the Lion’s Head, m’ lords and ladies. We have a number of specials on the menu this evening. For drinks we have a Worldbreaker, a spicy shot of tequila mixed with a hint of pineapple or a Leaping Lion, a coconut rum with bitters. As for food, we have fried plantain chips or a grilled chicken with mango salsa, as well as all of our regular dishes. Wave me over when you are ready to order. The name’s Wendy by the way.”
"Give me your darkest ale and a plain chicken. I'm afraid my palette isn't very refined..."
Tychus awkwardly sits down at the end of the table, clearly ill-at-ease amongst his new company. He taps his fingers on the table absent-mindedly, taking in the room. He gets up unexpectedly and turns to the group.
"Before we get into anything serious, I just want to canvas the room a bit. I'll be back before the food gets here. You best not conspire without me." he ends in a whisper. He gives the party a sly wink and heads into the crowd.
Thank you for help. Icabhod says to the tailor and nods to the others.It seems that fate has brought us together, I agree that a more relaxed get together would be best.
Traveling to The Lion's Head, Icabhod arches an eyebrow at the gorilla but settles himself in. Some white wine and the chicken and salsa please. He then looks to the others. I agree that brushing up on any local news would be best.
Xallis follows along as they make their way into the tavern, looking over his new associates. He was expecting to start making friends and gathering contacts at the gala, but here he is surrounded by new faces before he even got his new outfit! Highly fortunate. "Thank you, Miss Wendy." he nods politely towards the wench.
"It looks like Lady Lotheed's been rather busy." he speaks as he leans back in his seat a little bit. "While we're here, we should get a better idea of what we're after. Where we're coming from. Mainly, making sure our houses don't happen to have any obnoxious entanglements that could complicate this."
He waves is hand dismissively. "House Livara usually stays out of peoples' business, but they do push the younger scions to be more ambitious. Maybe take on some individualistic endeavors. And you know how crazy siblings can be, am I right?" He plants his palm on the table and lets out a laugh. Xallis begins to wonder if the joke landed, but he continues speaking before his mind can wander that way. "Besides that, I'm looking to find potential partners in trade, magical or otherwise, and for fellow visionaries who seek to make this city even better for its civilians. Noble or otherwise, of course."
Tychus excuses himself to talk to a crowd of upper class patrons to inquire about Count Zespire. Unfortunately, he isn't able to make any headway with the group and is shooed away without gaining any information. "Go away, son. Can't you see we're having a private conversation here? Go bother someone else with your questions." replies a disgruntled party-goer.
Icabhod on the other hand has a golden tongue. He merely turns around and whispers into the ear of the man sitting beside him and returns with a wealth of information. The man informs Icabhod, "The Grand Day of Exaltation is the one day every year when the emperor can elevate a commoner of unusual skill or service to the ranks of nobility. Because people travel from all over the empire to witness the exaltation, many balls and political events take place in the preceding week, and the senate usually votes on matters of national importance immediately beforehand. This year’s noble-to-be is a wide-eyed weaver from the village of Breezy Creek, named Kalbio, whose beautiful tapestries have adorned the royal palace and many other royal homes for a decade."
Liraela follows Henrika to the tavern, excited about the prospect of finding a group that will accept her. If only for her value to them, it will be better than the rest of the people in her life that's for sure.
Putting those thoughts aside, she walks into the bustling inn and her eyes brighten at the prospects in front of them.
"Well, come on then. We have a lot to do, and a lot to discuss!"
"I'll take a shot of the tequila and the grilled chicken with salsa." she says, noting the reaction Wendy has to her unusual race. Hopefully it wasn't too extreme, she had enough of that on her first stint in Oppara.
"I think, after I get a bit of time with this chicken and tequila, that I'll do a tour of the crowd to see what info I can find on my assigned mission. 'High Strategos Maxillar Pythareus', you ever heard of him?"
After the conversation, the vishkanya will make the rounds and attempt to slide her way into any circles she thinks may have some information for her.
Meanwhile, Trevor finally arrives at Thread Rare. The shop is busy but there is no one there that Trevor recognizes. When Martella is mentioned, the tailor says, ”Oh, I thought I had taken care of all of her guests earlier. One moment.” He pulls out a ledger and reviews it. ”My apologies. It does appear that Martella did pay for one more. Please, come right this way and we’ll get you outfitted in no time.”
Trevor merely smiles to see the potential mixup resolved. The aasimar laments that his did not receive his stipend to get an upgrade to a new noble's outfit, but perhaps appearing more reserved, more humble, with assist with his mission and overall acceptance at the Gala. Master Kastner chooses a scholarly draped look, with Cayden's colors of silver and tan being most prominent.
After picking out an outfit and getting measured, the tailor mentions, ”If you’re looking for your friends, I heard them saying that they were heading to the Lion’s Head tavern in the Lion’s Gate district. If you’re quick, I’ll bet they’ll still be there.”
"My friends.."
Ah! My co-conspirators, Trevor surmised."Oh, yes! Thank you. Despite how busy you all are, this was a very efficent yet enjoyable experience. Cayden be with you all."
Trevor leaves the shop and make a bee line for the Lion's Head tavern. The caydenite has heard both good and bad things about the tavern. One of the most premiere wine tasting establishments in Oppara, yet the clientele leaves much to be desired. Oh well.
After the conversation, the vishkanya will make the rounds and attempt to slide her way into any circles she thinks may have some information for her.
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 7 + 9 ⇒ (14) + 7 + 9 = 30
Liraela makes her way through the crowded tavern. Half the people she talks to are surprised by her appearance and the other half thinks she is part of the entertainment, but either way she manages to get the information she is looking for.
Nearly every Taldan recognizes commander-in-chief Maxillar Pythareus as Grand Prince Stavian III’s right hand and a fanatical supporter of the throne. He believes in political might and economic stability through military supremacy, advocating for new wars of conquest against wayward colonies like Andoran and Cheliax, or even Qadira.
Trevor makes his way over to the Lion's Head tavern. His opinion of the place certainly isn't elevated by the shabby mascot behaving like an ape out front. The inside is a higher quality with pleasant music and smells of tropical food and drinks. He looks around for anyone he might recognize. The only clue he discovers is the bald man he spotted talking with Martella in the teahouse.
Almost immediately, a table of drunken nobles shouts out, ”Ho, look who it is! Lady Karth-Ice has appeared!” Followed by a round of cheers and whistles.
Henrika gives the table a cold little nod at their recognition, and smirks at her companions. "It seems these drunken fools know who I am," she murmurs quietly. "Let me speak to them, and perhaps I can learn something to aid our endeavors." She briefly concentrates-- an ominous feeling of a spell manifesting comes over those paying attention as she casts a spell on herself-- before she sidles over to the group and politely endures their ribbing, asking mild questions to keep them talking as much as she can. She tries to steer the topic of conversation to the emperor's health if possible.
She looks around for her good friend Falchion, who often haunts the Lion's Head after he wakes up in the afternoon, but she doesn't see him anywhere. This bustling noise isn't really his style, she muses. He was probably hiding somewhere until the festivities died down. She goes over to the host and asks for a pen and a piece of card, and writes him a short note.
My good man—
I have a task that you may be interested to undertake on my behalf. Can you bring your crew to the gala at the end of this week? I am sure they will be hiring people to staff the event, and it would be beneficial to our plans if they were on hand to assist us. I will look for you to-morrow at sunset to discuss the details.
Yours, etc.
Ren
Afterwards, she returns to the table with her new friends from the tailor's and similarly listens to them speak. She buys a round of drinks but refrains from partaking herself, perhaps to ensure she keeps her wits about her.
"Oh dear, what does our patron lady have in mind for the High Strategos, I wonder?" she asks in response to Liraela's question. "I can only imagine that she does not support his goals concerning the royal succession, at least."
Trevor makes his way over to the Lion's Head tavern. His opinion of the place certainly isn't elevated by the shabby mascot behaving like an ape out front. The inside is a higher quality with pleasant music and smells of tropical food and drinks. He looks around for anyone he might recognize. The only clue he discovers is the bald man he spotted talking with Martella in the teahouse.
A tall taldor man with beautiful iridescent eyes walked into The Lion's Head. he's finely dressed, much like all the other clientele. He looks around and seems to see a familiar face. This individual walks toward the seated noble and her bald companion, his symbol of Cayden Cailean occasionally thumps his chest as he walks.
(She casts Hermean potential, Spellcraft DC 16 to recognize it.)
Gather Information (Grand Prince Stavian III): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13
Gather Information (Grand Prince Stavian III): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8
Henrika learns from her acquaintances the following information:
Grand Prince Stavian III is the emperor of Taldor. Grand Prince Stavian III has no male heir, and he has refused to have any further children since the tragic death of his only son, Carrius, in a riding accident 20 years ago. With the emperor getting on in years, some people worry how this will affect succession. The emperor has made no secret of his disdain for Princess Eutropia’s social crusades, especially her efforts to overturn primogeniture so she can inherit the throne, but he has been uncharacteristically quiet about it this past year. Rumors abound that his health is slipping and he has accepted her efforts.
She looks around for her good friend Falchion, who often haunts the Lion's Head after he wakes up in the afternoon, but she doesn't see him anywhere. This bustling noise isn't really his style, she muses. He was probably hiding somewhere until the festivities died down. She goes over to the host and asks for a pen and a piece of card, and writes him a short note.
The host slips the letter Henrika wrote into his sleeve and gives her a nod acknowledging that he'll make sure it gets to its intended recipient.
Afterwards, she returns to the table with her new friends from the tailor's and similarly listens to them speak. She buys a round of drinks but refrains from partaking herself, perhaps to ensure she keeps her wits about her.
When the server returns with the round of drinks, Henrika spots a familiar face approaching. His holy symbol to Cayden Cailean dangling from his neck.