Kara Juniper's page

"If there are no further questions, here are your starting tables. At Table one, Kasit, Bridget, Ionacu, and Medifier. Ast Table two, Jorgas, Llewellyn, and Sir Bredwir. At table three Sonira, Sir Mevinter, Sariah and lastly Lord Kent. You may decide among yourselves who will bet first. You each start with one hundred chips. May Lady Luck be kind to each of you. Let us begin."

"What you do with your chips outside of official matches is your business. But if you do not appear and participate in a session you are disqualified from further play."

Once Lord Kent has taken a seat Kara stands again to address the contenstents. "Thank you Lord Kent. Now to the rules of the contest. The official contest will be done playing Harrow. You will each be given an equal allotment of chips to use for betting during official tournament play. You are responsible for maintaining your allotment of chips, I will not be tracking your winnings. Each session you will be sorted into tables based on the number of chips you can present. If you cannot produce any chips at the start of a session you will be disqualified from future play. You will still be allowed to stay here at the keep for the remainder of the tournament, but you will be a spectator only. The final session of the tournament will be between the six contenstents with the highest number of chips as determined at the start of the season. The final session of play will continue until there is a winner. There will be no prizes aside from the winner's reward of one thousand gold pieces.

Now, are there any questions?"

"I appreciate your concern. Lord Kent is aware of the matter. If you'd like you can bring it up with him. Now, I really must be going." After taking a few steps she hesitates. Turning back to the girls Kara says quietly, "Be careful what you say to the Lord, he... Well he can have quite the temper. But, if you approach him the right way you may find him receptive. He has more reason that a simple pleasure in putting on this competition. He may be impressed you noticed the smell behind that door." Then before either of the girls can say more Kara leaves them.

Glad to have you back Sorina, are we ready to skip forward a bit in time to noon and the start of the competition? I feel like Kasit has wrapped up his current endeavors.

Sorina
Kara stops, lifting here eyes from the ledger, a look of annoyance on he face. Still she listens to Sorina's complaint. "What is behind that door is none of your concern. Your are a guest in the Keep, the food you have been served so far has been acceptable has it not? The door is locked and therefore you are not permitted entry, that is all you need know.

Now if that is all I must be going, the contest will begin soon. I must make the final preparations. I'll see you at noon, please don't be late." She then moves to leave walking to the great hall at a brisk pace.

You could try to stop her thoigh if you want.

"That is good to hear. Dinner will be rather informal tonight, the keep is not used to so many. It is difficult to serve a large number of guests along with the usual staff, so the cook as prepared a stew and bread. Feel free to take some back to your rooms. People will be coming and going for the next hour or two I expect. As for me, my room is through that door, then the first one on the left, knock and if I am there I will answer, otherwise I may be elsewhere in the castle attending to my... duties." Kara gestures to the door behind as she speaks, the last word bitten off bitterly. After a short pause she brushes a loose strand of hair back and continues in a light businesslike tone, "Later this evening I can send Mia up with some warm water and cloths for you once everyone has finished eating."

Sorry, busy day today, I'll try to get Jorgas's response in soon.

The corners of Kara's mouth turn up subtlety in a brief smile. "If your luck can keep pace with your tongue then I'm sure you'll do quite well." She then takes the bags from the three of you and gives the bags a very brief inspection. "Follow me and I will show you to your rooms.” She turns and walks through the courtyard, beckoning you to follow.

You enter an open courtyard. (Area 11) Looming beside the keep’s main gates and dominating the courtyard is a large clock tower. It towers high above the castle’s walls and is capped by a pointed tiled roof. Also towering above the castle’s walls are the north and southwest wings. Elaborate stained glass windows decorate the upper level of the southwest wing, while arrow slits serve as the windows of the north wing. The ground of the courtyard is laid with colored bricks, set to portray spiraling, knotted designs. The courtyard also contains a stone well near the gate, and many doors. Two armored sentries bearing spears guard the gate.

Setting a brisk pace, Kara strides across yard. Gesturing to her right she explains, "Those two doors lead to the grand hall. That is where meals will be served and where the competition will take place."

Kara leads you to a large oaken door which groans as she pushes it open. Beyond is a dim hallway lined with ornate tapestries depicting strange creatures and ancient battles.

Kara removes a torch from its sconce and beckons you to follow her into the depths of the keep. The hallway turns eastward and continues past several doors before coming to a spiraling stone stairway. “You are expected to compete twice a day, once at noon and again at eight in the grand hall, which I showed you.” Looking back as she leads you up the stairs she continues, “The clocktower in the courtyard chimes on each hour, and can be heard throughout the entire keep, so you should have no trouble keeping track of time. If you are not at the tournament at the scheduled time, I shall fetch you. But please don’t make me…”

The stairwell opens to another tapestry-lined hallway, and Kara leads you past several more doors before stopping near the end of the hall. She hands a key to Kasit and to Sorina.

To Kasit she says, "the last room on the right will be your chamber." (Area C) To Sorina and Sonira she apologizes, "I am sorry, the castle is bursting at the seams with the contestants, you and your sister will have to share a room. Second to last on the right." (Area D)

Glancing at Kasit furtively she continues, "You are free to wander the grounds, although there are some areas that are off limits. Such areas are locked, and if you have any questions as to where you are allowed, feel free to ask the guards. There is food in the kitchens if you are hungry. Tomorrow I will explain the rules of the competition when we meet at midday.

I don’t need to tell you that you are expected to be on your best behavior during your stay at the castle. Lord Kent is not generally a patient man, and it is rare and quite generous of him to open his home to strangers. ” Kara curtsies and turns to take her leave.

Following an indifferent grunt the guard says, "Wait here." He turns and knocks on the doors. A small grate opens and after a short conversation passes with a guard on the other side, you hear calls for someone named Kara. A few moments later they open the doors and wave you inside.

The walls of the keep block the light of the setting sun casting the figure before you in shadow. After a moment your eyes adjust to the dimming light. A woman of slight stature and long black hair moves to greet you. A large set of keys jangling from her belt, she walks with her shoulders squared, her manner that of one who knows her position commands respect. “Welcome to Castle Blackstone, I am Kara Juniper, Lord Kent’s Master Servant, and the contest moderator. May I have your entry fee?" Hand extended, she waits.