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... plus the wizard might be able to lend a non-sage skills like Stealth if she has enough ranks to max it.Maybe useful at low levels, but stealth is obsoleted by spells way faster than knowledge is. It depends. I eventually took Stealth on my Int headband so my familiar could benefit from max ranks, class skill, Tiny size bonus, and also whichever of those stealthy spells I want to cast on her. Since my familiar has quite high Charisma and I also have maxed out social skills like Diplomacy, she also benefits from those. Don't tell her this, but she's slightly better at them than I am.
As a concerned diviner who has experienced more than my fair share of Thassilonian archaeology, I must point out that the Thassilonians in fact would not have created a sinspawn for divination, since it was not one of the 7 Thassilonian specialties. Clearly this matter is of the utmost importance and relevance to your illustration. For the return, some day, to a glorious Taldor,
Have fun! P.S Having one person being a full on Caster is super useful. Also Pet Pal is a really good trait though you'll find yourself scrambling to talk to rats.So I got this a few days ago. No chance to play it yet myself, but Linda is playing it and likes it a lot!If you liked Baldur's Gate, I recommend Divinity: Original Sin. It feels so very much like a spiritual cousin to the game.You know, my friend linked that to me a few weeks ago. Two people mentioning it can't be coincidence. I may have to check this out. I am the caster in this group of source hunters. And I do indeed agree that the Pet Pal talent is useful! For Taldor-equivalent in Rivellon
A letter arrives from the marches north of Ottavio's holdings: "Greetings good Viscount. I hope the year has treated you well and that you have been able to review the candidates I found for your hand in marriage. I regret to inform you that while I would love to attend, I will not be leaving my holy symbol of Shelyn behind. It is dear to me, one of the few mementos of my grandmother that I have left. If you will not be willing to relax that requirement, even for a simple symbol of the Eternal Rose, one of noble Taldor's most prominent deities, I'm afraid I cannot attend. I am not a cleric, but I am a woman of faith, and I do not consider myself welcome where the Eternal Rose is not. I hope to hear back from you on this matter. Sincerely,
It's nice to have +25 initiative unbuffed, or occasionally over +40 initiative fully buffed, just to make sure everyone knows which enemies are going to be dazed for multiple rounds before they choose their targets. Nonetheless, I find that when I don't want to use my best slots, going first usually means throwing up a buff or telekinetic charge on the barbarian before he goes all superstitious.
"Korvosa is already in my guide, Sven. Feel free to submit more material about Korvosa if you have it, but I will be vetting any information from an outside source carefully for accuracy or bias." *Cordelia turns her attention back to Gabrielle.* "Hmm...Oh I am rusty, my dear Gabrielle! I fear I could find you a Thassilonian clockwork construct faster than a husband these days. However, I might have some ideas, particularly since my main expertise in matchmaking is in the form of crafting strategic marriage alliances based on family trees. You are looking for a man with the pull to cement your claim, but what else do you prioritize? Age? Love of the theater? Affiliation with Eutropian elements of the political landscape? Martial or magical prowess?"
(OOC: I made it up to give her a name of a march to administrate) "Alastria is my family's ancestral holding, a border march located to the northeast of Cassomir and extending into the Verduran Forest. After I proved true mastery of the arcane, my father abdicated as Marquis, and thus became I the Marquise of Alastria." "Truly, I have not had much time to aid in Taldor's goals after writing my guide, and so I have been hoping that my fellow agents could do so by proxy, with my guidance and assistance in the form of the writings. I'm afraid I have been sent on a secret mission, and I'll say only that I seek to prevent a cataclysm anticipated by Groetus, after finding ancient prophecies from the Age of Legend that predicted the death of Aroden and proved accurate in our Age of Lost Omens. I fear I cannot speak more on the matter." (OOC: Not spoiling the name, but Cordelia is in "something sanctioned")
Perhaps I should invite you all to my next Party, maybe our combined efforts can move these Varisians. "Indeed, the time is growing short for us, but I believe we shall persevere and rise to the occasion, as we Taldans always have. I shall hope to appear at your next party, if I am available, and speak upon what I have learned. In case I cannot attend, do take a few copies of this text of mine and hand them out to whoever seem like promising candidates. Within are many pieces of information I have discovered or divined about our potential new allies, the fledgling aristocracy of Varisia." *Cordelia hands out several copies of the text, the content of which can be found here.*
Dearest friends, I thank you all for your correspondences throughout the year. I write now to inform you that I am attempting a special mission, on behalf of Venture Captain Heidmarch that is both secretive in nature and extremely dangerous. If I am not able to return from it alive, I hope dearly that all of you will carry on the mission for the last few months in Varisia and ensure that Gloriana Morilla and Princess Eutropia's vision for Taldor blooms into a beautiful truth. Please, even in the event of my demise, do not cease sending your return letters to this address, with tales of how you were able to achieve our goal and influence the fledgling aristocracy. I have instructed my chamberlain to collect them all and publish them in the fora dedicated to our fellow esteemed agents of Taldor. Yours in truth, Marquise Cordelia Livia Cassandra Elysia Perseis
My dear friends, I write now in joy to see the fruits of our labors beginning to blossom. We can still bring forth a golden age for Taldor, and I can see now after further conversation with Lady Morilla that we have nothing to worry about, at least for now. But friends, that does not give us the excuse to rest on our laurels! That sort of thinking is what led our great Taldor to its current state, from which all of us strive constantly to uplift our nation towards a new Golden Age. And so, it becomes even more important to pursue our goals in Varisia in these last few months before my contacts tell me the Society's focus shall be shifting eastward. Please, tell me if you find any other notes of interest so that I may add them to my ongoing work on the guide. It is my hope that with my manuscript in hand, you will easily find the hook you need to seek true through the sometimes murky waters of Varisian pseudo-politics. I am, as always, at the service of Lady Morilla, Princess Eutropia, and glorious Taldor. Yours in truth, Marquise Cordelia Livia Cassandra Elysia Perseis
Oh, and please let me know if you have anything else to add! I could always make some revisions or additions.
*Cordelia sweeps in carrying a bundle with several small pamphlets.* "Oh dear, it does seem that we have not been living up to our full potential when it comes to extending Taldor's influence. Let me hand out a few of these scrolls I just printed," she hands out a few, starting with people she recognizes like Viscount Ottavio and Lady Gabrielle, "And hopefully this information will allow us to achieve our goals together!" The pamphlet bears the title Marquise Cordelia Livia Cassandra Elysia Perseis's Guide to Influencing Varisia's Fledgling Aristocracy
Marquise Cordelia Livia Cassandra Elysia Perseis's Guide to Influencing Varisia's Fledgling Aristocracy My fellows in arms, It has come to my attention through the usual channels that we are not meeting with as much success as I would like in our goals for Varisia. It would pain me to see our glorious faction weakened or disbanded, so here I strive to put to ink all of the information I have gathered in the year thus far inasmuch as it will assist towards that goal. Know that if you find yourself in possession of one of the first printings of this guide, then I hold you in the highest regard for both your influence and your discretion, and I trust that you will make copies and send them to all those of whom you are aware who are worthy of such regard. My humble thanks,
I. Magnimar While Korvosa is larger, older, and more aristocratic, Magnimar is the seat of our lodge in Varisia, and it is the most likely place where you will have a chance to influence its nobles, such as they are.
Lord Mayor Haldmeer Grobaras is a selfish and arrogant man of enormous girth. His mandates are rare and sometimes disastrous, and he often ignores those of the Council of Ushers in favor of his own. It seems like stroking Grobaras's already over-inflated ego should make a greater nobility an easy sell for him. If you actually want to get something pro-Taldor done, though, policy-wise, it might be smart to befriend Valanni Krinst, the mayor's assistant, as well. The Council of Ushers has 117 members, many of whom I have mentioned below. Lady Verrine Caiteil is the executive moderator, which means that influencing her is a big step towards a pro-Taldor hearing before the council. Before you can actually meet with any of the council members, though, you will have to make it past Jacildria Quildarmo, the megalomaniacal Seneschal of Dates. Just be as obsequious as possible and you'll be fine--I'm sure she'll be thrilled to have a true noble kissing up to her. The Varisian Council's leader is Remeria Callinova, but I'm not sure she's a good candidate for influence. If you want to try, her most recent pet project is finding the Shoanti a place within the city's hierarchy. This will doubtlessly put her at odds with the Scarnettis. The head of the Justice Council is Lord Justice Bayl Argentine. You probably don't need to influence the Justice Council, but they might be useful allies, as Magnimar has few laws, so much is determined by the creative interpretations of the justices. The oldest noble family is the Indros family, who descended from Alcaydian Indros, the paladin of Aroden who founded Magnimar and its first Lord Mayor. Currently, their influence has waned and their role is mostly ceremonial, which seems like an easy inroad for an enterprising agent to exploit. The Kaddren family, another of the oldest families in Magnimar, is focused on the study of magic, and many of its members have studied abroad, though never in Korvosa. They are strongly allied with the Golemworks, so any accomplishments in the Golemworks are sure to impress them. I recommend approaching them if you are knowledgable in arcane matters. For instance, I was able to impress the matriarch, Zimandi Kaddren, and arrange a marriage for one of her daughters. Be sure to name drop how impressive you think Antholus Kaddren was (and make sure you know why--he died breaking the enchantments on the chardas that forced them to serve Riddleport, thus turning them back on their mistress in anger at being controlled). The Vanderale family is the third of the old elite families that descend from Magnimar's founders. Mivonis Vanderale controls the Merchants' Guild and owns plenty of ships. If you're handy in mercantile endeavors or know your way around a ship, try influencing the Vanderales. They're pretty proud of their family's founder, Nyssalee Vanderale, who beat a Korvosan prince in a duel for Magnimar's independence, so that's one useful talking point. Another is the two Vanderale twins, Cailyn and Romre, whose wizardry defeated all those shriezyx--the spider monsters that poured out of the Irespan a little under a century ago. The Nirodin family is headed by Cheiskaia Nirodin, a patroness of the arts with a likely-spurious reputation for ties to Korvosa.
The Mindurian family rose to the aristocracy from the most elite of the city's masons. The current matriarch, Filuvia Mindurian, loves gossip, so it should be easy to slip in some seemingly-idle gossip that predisposes her towards Taldor. The Valdemar family seems to be in the wane from former success in logging, fishing, and shipping, losing ground to the Scarnettis in many of these areas. The family has been having a hard time, and it's patriarch Ethram is dying. Perhaps some clerical assistance would be useful in convincing him that his interests lie with Taldor, but you'll have to go to nearby Sandpoint to find him or else deal with his son Kaleb instead. The Versade family are known for having the best parties in the city, and Savasha Versade seems amenable to discussion about how to keep it that way, rather than lose the reputation. Bards and other experts in performance could easily make inroads with her. The Derexhi family made their fortune through mercenary work, founded by Alcaydian Indros's bodyguard Aiten. so this is one of the best places in Magnimar for our martial agents to gain some influence. Their patriarch Randred is a member of the Justice Council. Luma Derexhi, an illegitimate young urban druid, seems malcontent with the way she is treated by her peers and might be an easy contact to use to ingratiate yourself with the family. The Deverin family are a bit quaint and laid-back, but they have shown an excellent attitude towards helping those less fortunate than themselves. Their patriarch, Hobart, is fighting a recurring fever, so healing magics might be one way to earn his favor.
The Shivarlu family is a minor Ordellian house whose current head, Lady Annsa, is the most influential of Ordellia's nobles, having served six consecutive terms in the House of Ushers. She is also a producer, director, and playwright, so those thespians amidst our ranks might do well to influence her. Despite her title of "Princess of Sails", Sabriyya Kalmeralm is more of a benign gang lord. Still, she seems fair enough from my interactions with her, so if you're not one of those people who can't stomach the fact that she is Keleshite, she could be a useful ally. If you can make it into the Osprey Club, take the opportunity--only the highest of Magnimar's elite are usually allowed entry, and the proprietress, Kayasi Zivatchi, surely knows secrets from all of them. This could be an excellent place to catch the nobles off guard, while they are relaxing. II. Korvosa Trosker ep Styrk--fidelity and strength in ancient Taldane (though I'm sure all of you knew that already). The fact that Korvosa even has a city motto in ancient Taldane should already be a good indication to you that we will be able to get some good traction in this city, Varisia's largest and the former colonial capital. House Arabasti has been the premier house in Korvosa since beating the Porphyria's for the monarchy. However, Eodred II, the last in the line, died childless, so there might not be much of a House Arabasti to influence. Perhaps lesser cousins. House Arkona is the only family to still live in Old Korvosa. They have grown wealthy through trade with Vudra and their whole estate has a Vudrani theme, so if you speak Vudrani, you can probably impress them. The Arkonas have strong ties to Korvosa's underworld and vices, but supposedly the new lord Glorio is a champion of the people, demolishing his own establishments to make room for tenements. House Bromathan is a minor noble house that gained its standing when its patriarch sacrificed his own life to save Waydon Endrin from Shoanti assassins. Many of the family serve in the Sable Marines and the Korvosan guard, but the current head of the house, Lord Valdur Bromathan IV, is actually a lesser priest of Sarenrae, so if you're one of those Taldans who can't stand the Dawnflower or are strongly in favor of Prince Stavian's ban, I wouldn't recommend a conversation with him. Perhaps you could talk to his other family members instead, who have always been upset with him for becoming a priest and not a warrior. House Endrin is small but influential, as it has a history of exemplary soldiers and sable marines dating back to Waydon Endrin, the ranking surviving marine to withstand the Shoanti siege before the colony was founded and the first commander of the colony's defenses. The Endrins have a tendency for heroics and often die in battle. Warriors and accomplished adventurers among our number stand a good chance of influencing them. House Jeggare is famous for its philanthropy and generous loans to other nobles. According to the priests of Abadar, the Jeggare family may own up to one quarter of all private assets. When talking to the Jeggare family, you could mention famous Pathfinder Varian Jeggare as an inroad.
House Ornelos controls the Acadamae and has many royal advisors and members who control the city's other powerful institutions. Wizardly specialists are probably the best choice to influence House Ornelos.
Magistrate of Commerce Garrick Tann is the master of all taxes in Korvosa. He works to destroy any attempts to clandestinely form guilds as well. Those with a pecuniary interest could talk to him, but be warned that most Korvosans hate his office due to the fact that he collects taxes. Magistrate of Expenditures Syl Gar spends the tax money on various projects throughout the city. Perhaps you could impress him with knowledge of engineering and the like. Magistrate of Regulation Lolia Perenne works to prevent cheating among the many merchants of Korvosa. Send clergy of Abadar, paladins, or any with impeccable morals to impress her. Bonus Section. A little bit about Kaer Maga Kaer Maga seems like a bizarre choice for influence, but it is by far the oldest city in Varisia. I wouldn't even bother with this section, but I happened to come into contact with some factions in the city, so I might as well give you some small guidance if you find yourself there. I'm not sure if any of these groups would make good nobles, but they seemed among the most influential of the ones I encountered: The Ardoc family are construct crafters who have a large amount of influence in the Balconies of Bis. They value arcane spellcasting but are unfortunately rather patriarchal and somewhat sexist. Still, I did them a favor, so maybe they will look on you favorably. The Troll Augurs might seem by their name to be an absurd choice for influence, but they are actually rather urbane and savvy--it seems that part of the reason for their excellent prophecies is that they have an extensive information network that could be of great use to you, as it was for me. The Dusk Wardens guide travelers up to the city, and they seem to respect competent adventurers. The Commerce League, headed by Dakar, is a powerful organization that has helped the Society once, though Dakar seems like he might be difficult to influence. The Arcanists' Circle is a powerful political group in the city, full of talented mages.
Cordelia, dear - I understand what you are saying, but tell me the story of how you accomplished this, and in what mission? Please, I await your answer with bated breath. Well, it seemed like an easy mission at first--just get settled in Magnimar for this new Thassilon focus and such. Sheila Heidmarch basically gave us all the day off. I received my letter from Gloriana Morilla as usual, and I found that it was a mission unworthy of her--a poison-gathering escapade that fits the temperament of that awful Jacquo Dalsine better than Lady Morilla's usual style of missions that are actually in Taldor's interest. So I tore the letter up and decided to promote Taldor in my own way. While the oafish Andoren barbarian was having a dinner party and the Qadiran was looking for illegal drugs, I paid a social call to the family in Magnimar that would appreciate my wizardly talents the most. Over tea and shortbread, we discussed the future of Magnimar and I made some suggestions for advantageous political marriages. When I returned home to take a shower, there was a dreadful fright with a goblin stealing our things, and I'm afraid I just can't tell you what corners I had to cut in order to be a part of that chase in a timely fashion. This led to the destruction of a guild of goblin thieves. Surely you heard of my exploits in the chronicles? I entitled that chapter "The Fall of the Goblin Guild."
I am at something of a loss to understand how a character is supposed to be able to advance the goal of Taldor........seriously? Anyone have any ideas? I guess I simply do not comprehend how a character can establish a pro-Taldor system of nobility; short of becoming King of Varisia - but within the limitations of PFS play? It's quite simple really. All we need to do is convince the extant upper class to align themselves with our grand Empire and generally act more like an aristocracy than a bunch of glorified merchants. I found Magnimar's upper crust to be eminently reasonable to such recommendations, and as a matchmaker, I made several profitable marriage alliances between Taldan noble families and those of Magnimar during my last visit. These should serve to increase our influence in Varisia substantially over the coming years.
One time in Magnimar, Gloriana Morilla sent me on a mission that was not befitting of her at all--more like one of those awful Jacquo Dalsine "Fetch me some teacups and also I want to have a torrid love affair with poison" missions. So I intentionally refused her and used my skill at matchmaking to arrange some political alliances tying Magnimar's noble families to Taldor's. I figured if the brutish Andoran barbarian was going to a dinner party at that point in the scenario, why shouldn't I? I later found the poison mold she wanted but just didn't gather it. She should be ashamed of herself for that mission; I thought she was bringing a change to Taldor.
Dears the fashionable title is Marquis. All true, but I'm afraid that one simply cannot be a countess and a Pathfinder. All those juicy interior regions are spoken for. So better a Marquise than a lackey viscountess, wouldn't you say? (OOC: Count/Countess are conspicuously absent on the list, though given the presence of generic 'lord', who knows if that is intentional. Still, for now count and countess are not legal titles for the Noble Title prestige award. I had actually wanted Cordelia to be a Countess, but I chose Marquise when it wasn't available.)
You accuse a Qadiran of being a Taldan? How can anyone take you seriously when you start with such a foolish absurdity?
I've had my wine and I'm feeling better already. Let me tell you that story I promised. Long long ago, when Qadira didn't even exist as a satrapy, let alone an enemy of Taldor, Kelesh was a smaller kingdom and Taldor stretched its influence from Cheliax in the West to Amanandar in the East. There lived a particular sultan in Kelesh whose prized possession, beloved beyond even his many wives and beautiful daughters, was a magical diamond of enormous size and great beauty. He took it with him everywhere he went, and it was the joy of his world. He was not an evil man, but the diamond meant everything to him, not unlike the love for coin that pervades the Kelishites to the present day. The sultan lived in happiness and his people in prosperity until one day, tragedy struck. While making a sweeping gesture, he knocked the diamond from its perch, and it fell to ground with a loud crack. Sure enough, a deep crack had formed, all the way to the diamond's heart. The sultan called for all the greatest clerics of Sarenrae, but since the diamond was magical and powerful, their make whole spells didn't work. Filled with grief over his loss, the sultan was inconsolate. He put out a call for the greatest jewelers in his entire kingdom, promising great riches. Three Kelishite jewelers, their hearts full of greed for the sultan's coin, stepped forward, each claiming to be the greatest in the land. The sultan promised them riches beyond their wildest dreams, half his kingdom, and the hand of his loveliest daughter if each could fix the diamond, but he warned that if in their greed they got his hopes up and failed to deliver, they would pay with their heads. Each of them in turn tried ingenious means to fix the fault in the diamond, but the crack was too deep, and one by one they failed and were beheaded. The sultan let forth a moan of grief. Even his greatest jewelers could do nothing to help him! He called his closest advisors and begged them to find him another way. They promised to search the land for any other jeweler that could help. They were experts in gathering information, and before long, they heard rumors of another jeweler, more skilled than the other three, a simple Taldan man, faithful to the Eternal Rose. They came to the man and asked him if he was the greatest jeweler in the land, and he denied it, saying that he was a simple man whose gifts were granted by Shelyn--for you see, in those days, Taldor truly was the greatest power in the Inner Sea, so Taldans back then had no need for the kind of compensatory arrogance our people show today. The advisors brought the man to the sultan regardless, and the sultan made the Taldan jeweler the same offer he made the other three. The jeweler shook his head and explained, "I have no need for such things. I moved to this kingdom so I could see my daughter who married a man from Amanandar and my son who is a soldier in Oppara by living halfway between. I have no need for riches. My family is what is important to me." The sultan was not an evil man, but he fundamentally could not understand the jeweler's worldview or believe his story, figuring that it must be a ploy for greater riches or an insult to the sultan's honor. So he sneered and replied, "So be it! If your family is so important, perhaps they will motivate you to help your Sultan in his time of need! Guards, arrest his family and hold them hostage until he fixes my diamond." The Taldan jeweler sighed and acquiesced to the sultan's demands, but he had a few stipulations of his own. He needed a month to fix the diamond and he must be able to work in secret without being disturbed until his work was done. The advisors begged the sultan not to allow this, figuring that the Taldan might sabotage the gem out of spite for the sultan's capture of the Taldan's family, but the sultan had seen the measure of the Taldan when the guards went out to take his family, the same look in his eyes as the sultan's own when his diamond was cracked, and he shook his head, "He would not risk his family's safety by attempting this, for surely he knows I would execute them if he intentionally sabotaged the diamond." So the sultan allowed the stipulations and waited extremely impatiently for a month. On the final day, the Taldan jeweler emerged from his workshop with a box. The sultan immediately lifted the box and stared in wonder. The diamond was more beautiful than ever before, even than before the sultan had dropped it. For you see, the jeweler knew he could not fill in the crack, so he had instead used it as the starting point of a petal and from there, in intricate painstaking work, sculpted the entire diamond into a rose of such immense beauty that the Sultan began to cry. He ordered the family released immediately and tried to shower the jeweler with riches. The jeweler shook his head and requested only that the sultan promise to respect the love for family as much as the love for coin and to establish a temple of Shelyn to thank the Eternal Rose for her inspiration on the project, a temple that, the stories say, still stands somewhere in Kelesh to this day. So you see, son of Kaleel, this is a story the Eternal Rose uses to teach us something important. We should not overlook people for their surface faults like the cracked diamond but instead see these faults as a chance to release the beautiful rose within. I thank you for listening to this story, and I hope it inspires you to change your mind on this matter, just as the sultan did.
A lofty and worthwhile goal, but not one that your first requirement aids you in pursuing. All that glitters is not gold, and one can find a diamond in the rough, things that might not be obvious to a Qadiran. In my journeys for the Society I have spent time in places where magic functions erratically or not at all. I also deem it wise to be able to function without complete reliance on magical items of a paper nature, which are less useful in certain situations, for example, when one is under water. I have seen a Pathfinder's life hinge on whether another agent of 'below-average musculature' could force open a door without magical aid. Thus, I stand by my suggestion that Lamplighters should strive to avoid physical deficiency. If you are underwater? That is why other Pathfinders that came before us developed the spell book ward. If they are a wizard such as myself, they can also use their bonded item to avoid paper entirely. I cannot quite cast fly or haste yet, but I have around 100 spells in my spellbook, all of them at my fingertips in an emergency. Should a warrior be denied entry to your Lamplighters because they can't provide a feather fall to save a falling comrade? As to forcing open the door, if the door was stuck hard, with or without average strength the wizard had no business trying to force it open if a life was on the line. Potential better choices included--training in Disable Device to open the door that way, casting knock off a scroll, bonded item, wand, or from memory, cracking out a crowbar to hand to the strongest Pathfinder available and then assisting that Pathfinder, summoning a monster with higher strength, using a spell to get to the other side of the wall like passwall, stone shape, or dimension door, etc. The very idea that the wizard with average strength has a best bet to use brawn alone when a stuck door is menacing the life of a fellow is a misleading one. For instance, my good friend Lasair is a priestess of Shelyn with poor strength, but she has been granted a touch of luck by the Eternal Rose that allows her to essentially double the chance of the best door-basher each time. It's called Bit of Luck I believe. This would be far superior to her own attempt whether she had average strength or below. Another situation that your first rule treats strangely is a girl I know who is young and slightly immature (OOC: Cha 8) but makes up for it with magic in such a way that she is strictly superior to an averagely charismatic person in all ways that could matter for her on a mission (OOC: she wears a Circlet of Persuasion, so she has +2 to all Cha-based skills). Furthermore, given your stridence on this point, it is strange that you accept kitsune, for instance, who have the same physical strength as a human you don't accept. Either such a musculature is a hindrance as a Pathfinder, as you believe, or it is not--why make an exception? Please understand that I hold you in the highest regard, and I hope one day to meet you in person. I plan on attending the Grand Convocation this coming Sarenith; perhaps we shall have the opportunity to converse at that point in time? I may well be at the next Convocation, but if you truly held me in high regard, you would not intimate that I am less prepared than a hypothetical slightly-less-gruff Ezren, who is well-known to be among the worst-prepared wizards in the entire society, simply because he has a different muscular structure. I think all this back-and-forth may take us nowhere. Let me tell you a story from my childhood that my mother told me, a parable of the Eternal Rose. Perhaps it will convince you where examples will not. But first, a need a glass of wine.
How typical for a Qadiran, to prefer a wizard to have muscle tone rather than look to what is truly important--that said wizard is prepared for any situation where lack of muscles would be an impediment. Give me a companion who was born with below-average musculature but carries scrolls of ant haul, touch of the sea, grease, and spider climb over one with merely average strength any day--the former is a clever Pathfinder who knows how to make the best out of what their bloodline has granted them at birth and is vastly more likely to succeed than the latter. When we learn to be inclusive of those less fortunate in their births than we ourselves by educating others how to be the best they can be with what they have, we follow the example of the Eternal Rose, who teaches not to shun those who are less beautiful, but rather to help them make the best of what they have to reveal their inner beauties. ~Marquise Cordelia Livia Cassandra Elysia Perseis
The root problem is still PFS's deviation from Core prices; this other issue is merely a symptom. I may not be high level, as I only just gained the ability to cast spells like Invisibility--I think you call them "level 2" spells? However, I have spent 2,200 gold on my spellbook. It would have cost 12,000 gold instead if I had paid for all of it through scrolls, which is vastly outside my budget, as I've only been on 6 Pathfinder missions so far. So that 22,000 is not a crazy number to throw around, if you never meet a fellow Wizard. If we were allowed to pay wizards who were not fellow agents for access to their spellbooks, it would have instead cost me 3,300 gold to acquire my current spellbook, which, while a good deal more than 2,200, is not the huge blow-up that 12,000 is. As it is, I owe a massive savings in my spellbook cost to adventuring with a far mightier wizard when we both were called to a horrible ship called the Throaty Mermaid...
*Cordelia smiles.* "I have excellent news Ottavio--both of the ladies in whom you are interested have agreed to meet you. The time and place are right here," she replies, handing Ottavio a handwritten note with two locations and times. (OOC: Yep--there's technically not a wife vanity, but a wife could perform the role of several of them. Seneschal is probably the most apropos, but a wife might serve as a Foreign Contact or as a Chronicler or perhaps even Herald (if she often gossips about her husband's accomplishments))
(OOC: Got it--that explains why I couldn't find it; I was checking the wrong sources, looking at Taldor rather than Absalom) "As for House Morilla, I don't know any more of it than you do, but I must say that despite their reputation, I've never seen Lady Morilla ask for anything but reasonable requests to restore our former glory, whereas Baron Dalsine's posthumous missives are filled with...unfortunate paeans to his love affair with such things. And I quote 'Assassination is an art, not unlike painting. To create a true masterpiece it is essential for one to have access to the right pigments and the clearest oil.' This was before asking a fellow noblewoman to fish around in spider guts for more poison to feed his obsession. I am sorry to say that I had to deliver a message that I'm fairly sure put out an assassination on someone masterminded by Dalsine while also collecting yet more poison paraphenalia. I think next time that happens, I'm just going to have to refuse and tell Lady Morilla to stop sending me on Dalsine's old fool's errands."
"It seems the gnome took care of it...I would have provided a prestidigitation myself, but I had best concentrate on my current spell in case it will be useful, for instance if anyone else wants a match and I need it again. I would hate to have to use my arcane bond so early in the day in case I am called by a Venture Captain for a mission again or some such. Honestly, last time they didn't need my help. Hmph, undead invaders who swore an ancient pact? They couldn't hit the broad side of a barn, and even then they were about as strong as a beggar recently out of his cups. I spent more time on that mission touching up my make-up than fighting." *She turns to hear the beginnings of Sarina's flute performance.* "Ah, but the music is quite pleasant at the least. Even the Ulfen is doing better at singing along than the actors and musicians in Oppara's last performance of Among The Living."
"Regardless, based on your lovely description, Cordelia, I think it would very good for both parties to have him introduced to Julia Alcestis. How soon we can make the arrangements?" *Cordelia blushes slightly* "My lady, I...those were matches for Visco--I will ask," Cordelia replies, a bit flustered but willing to flout protocol to help Gabrielle, "Though I will add that were your brother to meet with me personally, I could select a wider set of matches chosen for him, Julia Alcestis included--those aren't the only women on my list, just the ones that I believed to be the bast matches for Viscount Emilior."
Whisper:
"Plus, men aren't as good as we are at multitasking, so if you give them too many choices you can sometimes leave them paralyzed with indecision." "Let's see...I do have a nice young lady from House Morilla in here as well, though not the Lady Gloriana herself. In any case, I'm afraid that I cannot use my pre-arranged sending communication unless the person I am describing has already agreed to meet with the person receiving the sending. Then they sending me back with their choice of time and location or choose to pass on the date. When you have pre-established protocol, the 25 word limit is less of an issue. What I will do is send a letter to Julia Alcestis by carrier pigeon to ask if she would be interested in meeting with your brother. If affirmative, then you or I can go find him and ask if he is willing to meet her." *As the mule settles in with the gnome, Cordelia crinkles her nose and quietly adds to Gabrielle.* Spoiler: "Now this place has begun to smell of mule. I've no doubt the gnome has an honorary title, but just because he outranks the staff here doesn't mean he can or should just do whatever he wants, heedless of anyone else and the smell he has brought in with him. That devil may care attitude is why our great nation has fallen from it's brightest glories. Those who have privilege, like us, have a duty to the lesser folk of Golarion to help them and educate them, not to abuse our power."
I bow before you Cordelia. You do me a great service and I am grateful. If things work out I would hope that you would accept an invitation to my wedding, and I would ensure that you would be seated in a place of particular importance. *Cordelia gives an enthused smile and laughs gently.* "Oho, perhaps I should add patron deity to my list of criteria? I will not second-guess your choices in the least, but I will point out that many followers of certain deities are quite varied amongst themselves. For instance, I heard a tale of a Pathfinder cleric of Desna--not just a faithful but a cleric!--who laughed with glee as she burned some ex-druids to death. Some worshipers of Iomedae choose the goddess for her egalitarian view of women or races, or for her focus on bravery without being as reckless as Cayden or on combat without being as bloodthirsty as Gorum. Oh, but I do go on, and probably an unwanted mini-lecture. My apologies Ottavio!" "As to Julia Alcestis, things are not always as they seem--" Whispered:
Far from simple, I have heard that she's a polymath and speaks 6 different languages, though she is quite unfocused. However, she isn't good at everything. She is physically quite weak and performs miserably at any sport requiring heavy lifting or sheer power. "None of these ladies are members of the Pathfinder Society except for Creusa. Most of them are probably capable of passing the rigorous training regimen to enter the Society. Theodora would not be too reclusive to meet with a prospective match, but she is rather shy. You don't seem like you are the loud or boisterous sort who would overwhelm her, though, and that's part of why I thought you might be a good match." "As for Octavia--well, being married with a Pathfinder would give her the opportunity to travel throughout the Inner Sea. Your tales of adventure might qualify as excitement, perhaps? Remember that most of my clients of both genders are not Pathfinders, so even if you are not the most exciting Pathfinder, you are surely more exciting than most people she meets simply by virtue of being a Pathfinder. And a man of your accomplishments? Well, I think 'unexciting' may be selling yourself short." This talk of match-making sounds a little awkward sometimes you know. I think I'll be better at the next stage of actually meeting the ladies. "But of course you would. Theodora is certainly in Oppara right now, and Octavia is probably either at the Kith or visiting her father in Cassomir. I will have word sent by sending. Do you have a good 23 word description of yourself? Oh, actually, don't worry about it--I shall provide one. I will have your answer shortly, with a time and place if affirmative." (OOC: In case it wasn't clear (I say this because you asked if these were all members of the Pathfinder Society, so you may have been thinking they were all people's PCs), these women are all NPCs that I made up, as Cordelia has yet to meet any female PCs looking for a match--she meets plenty of female PCs, but it seems like the men are more likely to want matches. She has matched a local PC to his current wife (an NPC) though. That's what started her as being a matchmaker, actually. We can assume that all the women Ottavio picked will at least want to meet with him. He's level 12 and also a viscount, so at the very least, he's a mover and shaker! From there, you can decide how the relationship proceeds. One thing I've seen someone do is to represent their wife as one of the vanity characters so that they could actually have her tag along.)
*Having finished her first pass for Ottavio, Cordelia turns her attention back to Ursus and Gabrielle.* "Know any girls like that, Matchmaker?" "It's a simple matter of who I am and what sorts of men and women choose to employ my services that leads to the vast majority of my list of eligible bachelors and bachelorettes who wish to be matched being drawn from the upper classes of Taldor. However, while I can't arrange you an official meeting with a woman who will come hoping to meet you, I am still capable of pointing out to you any woman who matches your description that I may have met on my travels or heard of from my friends. The woman in question may well be uninterested in a relationship with you, but the only match I can think of is a woman named Rafarta Rannveig, a guard from Trollheim." *Cordelia waves her hand, and a tall muscular Ulfen woman appears. Rafarta is young and strong and, at odds with her profession, quite attractive. She does bear a few small scars on her chin and cheeks, but they seem to only add to her beauty rather than detract from it.* "If you are actually interested beyond a hypothetical, one warning to you though. Rafarta knows how men usually react to her—and she hates it. She’s always wanted to serve the people of Trollheim as a protector and guardian, and though women warriors are treated the same as male warriors in your society, Rafarta still finds it hard to do her job with the leers, stares, and off-hand remarks about her anatomy that are made daily in her presence. Compliment her weapons, her battle prowess, or even her scars, but for Shelyn's sake don't make an immediate pass at her about her body." *Cordelia turns back to Gabrielle.* "I have a few ideas about your brother, Lady d'Apcher. A lot of it depends on how engaged you can convince him to be in the matchmaking process. Ideally, he would come meet with me as the good Viscount did, and I could ask him about his preferences and criteria. Based on your assessment of his ennui, that may not be possible. In that case, if you like, I can at least put him on my list of bachelors if you give me some information about him that I can share, and preferably let me see him. That way, when I meet with young lady clients, I can do just what I did here today for Viscount Emilior and read off your brother's name in the list, complete with a lifelike image of his fine features. That way, even if he is too far gone to proactively make choices about his romantic future, he may feel touched if I find a woman who specifically asks to meet with him and perhaps he will be more likely to agree to it.*
*Cordelia looks through both her purple book and her shorthand notes for a short while. Partway through she looks up and assures everyone:* "I haven't forgotten you--this just takes time." *Finally, she turns to Ottavio first.* "Ottavio, I've found several potential ladies who might be good matches. Now you said you wanted to see them for yourself, yes?" *Cordelia carefully pronounces arcane syllables and traces gestures lightly through the air, and a lady appears, a brunette with shoulder-length curls and brown eyes, dressed in well-tailored finery. It seems like Cordelia's concentration is partly elsewhere as she speaks.* "This is Olivia Albercroft. The shrewd and enterprising daughter of a side branch of the Albercroft family, Olivia has dedicated her last few years to various business ventures and enterpeneurial endeavors. She wants a husband who can be her partner in business as in all of life, someone with whom to share both triumphs and setbacks, a risktaker who won't balk at a gamble or be disheartened if it doesn't always pay off. Her interests include economics, jewelry, clothing, dueling, and card games--particularly those that involve a good deal of bluffing and reading people." *With a wave of her hand, Cordelia transforms Olivia into a curvaceous woman, a striking beauty with long flaxen hair and green eyes, wearing a splendid evening gown.* "This is Julia Alcestis. The strikingly beautiful heiress of the Alcestis family, Julia is a cosmopolitan dabbler and a social butterfly who is always on top of the latest in the social scene. Unable to focus on just one experience for long, the one skill Julia has persisted with is cooking, and it is widely considered that she may some day rank among the finest gourmet chefs. Her dishes always make the best use of the famous high-quality vintages cultivated in the Alcestis family's many vineyards. Julia is looking to marry a man who truly appreciates the finer things but is not afraid of new experiences either. Willingness to be a guinea pig for her new dishes is mandatory. Her interests include cooking, parties, falconry, wine tastings, calligraphy, and whatever else strikes her fancy at the moment." *Another quick wave and Julia is replaced by a lithe and slender woman with short-cropped brown hair and piercing grey eyes wearing a military uniform.* "This is Fiona Bozbeyli. The clever tomboyish youngest daughter of Governor Bozbeyli of Cassomir, Fiona has followed in her father's footsteps by joining the Taldan Horse as a cavalier of the Order of the Lion. A lithe and agile warrior, Fiona values quick thinking and adaptability on the battlefield and in a husband. A worshiper of Iomedae, her interests include riding, raising, and training horses, military history, strategic games, swordplay, and jousting." *With another wave of Cordelia's hand, Fiona melts away, revealing a graceful, alluring woman with long dark hair and dark eyes, dressed in the light flowing silks of a dancer, wearing a small brooch bearing the symbol of the Kith.* "This is Octavia Coremont. The graceful and alluring middle daughter of Taldor's most famous corsair, Octavia is a recent graduate of the Kitharodian Academy, a dancer and floutist of some skill, capable of delicate yet powerful performances. She was trained to defend herself at a young age, as her father has a bounty on his head from Qadira, Cheliax, and at least three other nations across the Inner Sea. Somewhat mercurial, Octavia wants a man who can spice up her life with more excitement than the Kith had to offer, and she yearns for any excuse to travel across the Inner Sea. A worshiper of Desna, her interests include music and dance, sailing, thrill-seeking, and new experiences." *Just as before, Cordelia waves her hand to reveal another woman, this one with striking red hair and a spirited look in her blue eyes.* "This is Sabina Karthis. The fiery-spirited and fiery-haired daughter of a renowned senator, Sabina shares her father's passionate patriotism and hatred of Qadira. She is a trained orator and hopes to one day join the senate like her father before her, and she wants a husband who can keep up with her in a debate and who will share or at least support her political ambitions. Her interests include classic authors, history, rhetoric, swordplay, and politics." *Once again, Cordelia waves her hand, and the fiery Sabina shifts to a woman with the opposite demeanor, a demure starry-eyed young woman with long brown hair in a braid and big brown eyes.* "This is Theodora Pythareus. The shy reclusive niece of Commander Pythareus, Theodora spends most of her days in the library, dreaming of the fanciful tales she favors. She hopes to meet a man who will sweep her off her feet like in the stories, and she is particularly looking for a man who is well-read. A worshiper of Shelyn, her interests include poetry, visual art, singing, writing and reading, particularly stories and tales of far-off lands." *Cordelia waves her hand again, and the image shrinks down to a petite woman with short dark hair and blue eyes.* "This is Creusa Themis. The bold and adventurous first cousin of the Venture Captain of Cassomir, Creusa hopes to make a name for herself as a field agent of the Pathfinder Society so that she will no longer fall in her cousin's shadow and can be judged by her own merits. A skilled duelist, she fights with a falcata and an empty hand, rather than the traditional buckler, and she reads her opponent's every move in order to be able to anticipate and avoid their attacks. Recently returned from several missions in Varisia, Creusa was utterly charmed by the Heidmarchs' relationship, and she wants a marriage that can be just like that--two adventurers who cover each others' backs in every situation. The fact that she can drop her last name when she takes her husband's and hopefully quell the instant comparison with her cousin is only icing on the cake. A worshiper of Cayden Cailean, her interests include antiques, travelogues, swordplay, dueling, and drinking." "Ottavio, if you have any follow-up questions about any of these women or would like me to show you what they look like again, don't hesitate to ask. If there are some you wish to meet, I can contact them and arrange a date for you to get to know each other."
*Cordelia sedulously takes note of Ottavio's preferences in a large book with purple covers.* "Ah, I understand what you completely, Ottavio. Though for a man of your accomplishments, the most difficult may be matching you with a woman who can rival them. I will get back to you with the matches shortly after I determine the closest. Then I shall present you with brief details of information of each woman, and then, as you are quite correct that appearance is a subjective thing, I will let you take a look at each of them without even leaving this fine lounge. How? Well, you'll just have to wait and see, but I shall deliver. When you have selected those that interest you, I will make contact with their families and arrange for you to meet." "Lady Perseis?" She calls from across the room. "Would you care to join me? I may just have a need for your services." "Of course, I would be glad to help, Lady d'Apcher, and for a lady of your standing, Cordelia is fine if you prefer. The Eternal Rose smiles upon those who seek true love, and mighty Taldor's strength is built by those who forge marriage alliances. Now, tell me, are you looking for a match for yourself or for another?"
"A gentleman and a scholar I see. Please, I generally simply go by Lady Perseis or to a man of your standing, simply Cordelia." *Cordelia pulls out a stack of notes, covered in family crests, mostly written in shorthand.* "Allow me to examine my records for matches. In the meantime, how important do you find the following criteria in a perspective match: Purity of bloodline, Compatibility of interests, Compatibility of personality and temperament, Political influence of family, Physical attractiveness, Personal accomplishment." I was not alone in receiving such a title. AbraDuke Quintus Vespario was raised to similar station around the same time as I, though for what feats I know not. Indeed, from shortly after our parallel rise in rank some three years back, I have heard nothing of the Abraduke. "As it turns out, my friend Lasair, a priestess of the Eternal Rose who, being unfortunately non-Taldan, dedicates her time to Ollysta Zadrian's cause, spent a good deal of the 4712 Grand Convocation with the good Abraduke. He was well when last the shadows were banished from the Grand Lodge's halls."
"It seems we have here a perfect sampling of the hope of new glory for Taldor," an impeccably dressed noblewoman says softly with a smile as she enters the lounge with the other Pathfinders. Knowledge Nobility 20:
She is wearing a signet ring of the Perseis family, a family known for its arcane spellcasters that claims descendance from one of Aroden's apprentices. "Too many of our brethren use our glorious past and superior breeding as an excuse to be insufferable, oafish, and decadent, treating our lessers like garbage. Instead, I believe that our superior opportunities give us the responsibility to educate and assist them so that they may aid us in our return to the preeminent power in the world. It is only through admitting that we have fallen from that position that we can regain it, rather than sit in our villas and fan ourselves under the delusion that nothing has changed." "But I am preaching to the choir. It is good to see so many other followers of the Eternal Rose here today to represent Taldor, after hearing from a friend of mine about the scoundrel representing our nation as a suitor at the Grand Convocation." "I'm sure many of you have already recognized me from my ring. I am Cordelia Livia Cassandra Elysia Perseis, a scholar of magic and as of recently a matchmaker. If you desire a marriage, not just a political alliance but a bond with a partner you can love, particularly if you are interested in strengthening Azlanti bloodlines among our nobility, don't hesitate to speak with me, here or in private." |
