"Marilyn, you're looking better than before. Let's see if we can upgrade that to a 'well', shall we? We need to get some stone. It will cost between four and five thousand gold to secure. If only you were better, I'm sure you could have made a better deal for us. Stay as healthy as you can, and know that we're trying as hard as we can to get that Fountain restored."
The priestess of Calistra looks at him, "Why thank you for taking the time to visit me personally. I do hope that my condition continues to improve, it seems that I am needed in the field to garner some more income. I will do my best to alleviate the costs.
"I wouldn't fret too much over the cost, House Mindurian is as unmovable as the stone they quarry at times." Mistress Lavni's face clouds in contemplation.
"My friends, a name is a name, as "A rose by any other name would smell as sweet'. Lanvi is how you know me, and is who I am to you. As much as I am a student of others, my facade is who I choose to present to others. I prefer to keep it that way. Sorry I am not sorry." comes the straightforward response to the woman who always speaks her version of the truth.
Correct - no DCs on those spoilers. There will be spoilers with DCs, but these were more of the 'if you have it, you know it' types of skill checks. And nothing is more frustrating than seeing a spoiler and not making the DC to open it. Not that Ibid would know that feeling, but I digress.
Mistress Lanvi tries to sit up more, but instead squeals in pain. A string of curse words that would make a docksman blush quickly follow, while Khania simply rolls her eyes and exhales, before pushing back her chair.
Making her way to the bed, the priestess extends a hand to Mistress Lanvi. With grudging apprehension, Mistress Lanvi grips Khania's hand, and uses it to leverage herself up. Khania quickly darts a hand around Mistress Lanvi, and props a pillow behind her.
Laying back down much closer to a right angle, Mistress Lanvi nods to the priestess before addressing the companions. "I don't need to caution you. You have Gwen and I feel as confident in her abilities at navigating you through Magnimar's social scene as I felt aboard The Audacious with Captain Barbosa. And you have Malgrim to offer you wise counsel. Trust in his heart, as he has never steered you wrong. Arimar, I know what has wrought the change in you. These few days here with these people, these loving, kind people, is in its own way refreshing. Don't" she turns to Khania. "My heart belongs to another goddess so don't waste your breath proselytizing.
"But I must say, it is you, Benaiah, I fear for the most. Something is different about you. I sense a wrongness. You are not your father's son, though he may have sired you. Just like the handmaiden is not her mother's daughter, though I carried her to full term and birthed her amidst blood and pain. You must either find yourself, or find what you have lost about yourself. If you are to succeed." she holds up a hand. "I am no harrow deck reader, there is no crystal ball that I peer into, I just know people. That is what I do. And I see it. No mistake there.
"I agree that Arimar talks sense, and you are right to wonder about these letters, and the apprehension that the Houses felt for you before. Trust no one, listen much, talk less, and let wisdom will be your ally. Sadly there is little else I can consul you with."
As the Companions relate their tale of success, Mistress Lanvi's face clouds over as the full extent of the Handmaiden's treachery is revealed.
"It is always the ones you love the most that can cause you the most pain." she laments. "To say that I was a bad parent was an understatement. Yet I cannot seem to find any forgiveness in my heart. I shall mull this over for a time, perhaps I shall extract my own vengeance." Lost in thought, Mistress Lanvi laps into silence.
Mistress Lanvi groans as she barely turns her head and opens an eye. In a weak voice, she begins as only she can. "B~&&# of a daughter. Handmaiden. Tried to fool her. She knew. Raided estate. Tortured me." she ends with one of her all too familiar violent coughs. The attending cleric rolls her onto her side as she spasms, and gently wipes the blood trickling from the corner of Lanvi's mouth. Tipping Mistress Lanvi back, the cleric raises a clay cup to her lips, and drips some water into her mouth. "Make it wine next ... time.". Mistress Lanvi tries to smile, but her body is wracked with pain.
Moments pass and she opens both eyes before continuing her tale. "Couldn't keep it in. Had to give you up. No choice. Knew you are the best. Knew you'd make it. Tell me he cracked .... the ... code ... worth it ...." she ends with her eyes closed and slumping back into her bed. Khania and the cleric exchange a worried look before the cleric pulls the bedcovers back over Lanvi.
She listens to the man, keeping a stoic face. "We all have needs. I understand. Can you not take matters into your own hands?" Sighing in resignation, she counters. "How about after your time guarding the bookkeeper, we make it up to you? When I say 'we' I do not mean I, but others, more suited to the task?" She searches the man's face for signs.
"Very well, rent an additional room, let me know which one, and when you would like your guests to arrive. Preferences?" she gives an involuntary shudder.
Mistress Lanvi observes Malgrim's despondent mood, and Benaiah's unspent energy before a worried look clouds her face. "Friends, before this minor set back." she looks directly at Malgrim, "I had planned on you devoting all your available energy to restoring the fountain. If you plan on waiting a few days, for either the bookkeeper to crack the codes or a message back from the Mindurian dwarf, why not do something purposeful?
"We have the bookeeper in a safe house not too far from here. If you all took over guard duty, and keep him at a single location for a few days, handful at the most I would guess, that might give him enough time decipher these codes that are troubling us so much at the moment.
"It would also give you a bit of purpose and hopefully keep some of you out of trouble." she looks at Benaiah, "And snap you out of your apparent malaise." she looks at Malgrim.
"Both my estate, and I am sure Khania would agree, the Temple are poor choices."
Completely unnerved, Mistress Lanvi tries to bring her attention back to the problem at hand, the restoration of the fountain. Giving the priestess a sideways look, she turns back to the Companions.
She clears her throat before beginning, "Gwen, yes. The Derexhi family is supported by a very skilled band of family mercenaries. Luma Derexhi, the particular bastard that attended the party you were at, is rumored to have the ability to change her appearance at will. Some sort of 'power of the city' she has. Similar to what a druid can do by drawing upon the power of nature. I confess, it is a bit beyond me. She could have easily followed any of you without your knowing. We might want to come up with a word or phrase to make sure the person you are talking to is not an impostor.
"And Arimar, it is very unlikely that the Vanderale Family is involved in this. As the most influential family, they do not ally themselves with any Family, using each Family's skills as they need it. Families tend to come to them for favors. Usually.
"If I were to bet, I would guess the documents have something to do with the Vanderale Family, as they look like shipping records. Again, we would need the bookkeeper to really have time to break the codes, but you could convince any novice what they say, if you were convincing.
"Riddleport is a good backup plan. You could travel there if you wanted, but you have no allies. But you would be out of reach of our apparent enemies. Interesting thought.
"Malgrim, now is not the time to buy into despondency. You have just started your grand quest, and you must have known it would be a difficult journey. You never know what is going to happen. We need a healthy Malgrim, and one that is ready to give his all.
"And you, Benaiah. A daring plan, fraught with danger and unforeseen contingencies. Yet fortune favors the bold. I have placed my life in your hands on many occasions. I trust your judgement if that is what you want to do.
"So where do we go from here?"
Lots of options out there. Let's try to come up with a plan in a reasonable amount of time.
Pushing the priestess away, Mistress Lanvi's eyes shoot daggers at Khania. "You think your worthless prayers, pointless platitudes, and absurd concoctions will do anything?!" she hacks a bloody, mucus glob into her kerchief.
Mistress Lanvi's smile begins slowly as Arimar begins to talk, and it only widens as Gwen, Malgrim, and finally Benaiah begin to discuss options.
"You truly are an amazing group of individuals. Some brilliant plans and suggestions. I cannot say that a day goes by when I regret offering you all a position within my orginiat..." Mistress Lanvi never finishes the word as she begins another coughing fit. Doubled over, her body wracks in spams as she struggles to regain her breath. The Companions can see the handkerchief spotted with blood pressed to her mouth
"So what do you all think, wait to see if the bookkeeper can come up with some useful knowledge or should I make arrangements to meet with Old Filuvia Mindurian and see if we can't reach an agreement?"
Kn Nobility DC 14 w/ +2 from Lanvi:
The Mindurians made their fortune and name with their impressive skills at stonemasonry. Originally hired by the city founders to help design Magnimar's more important buildings, the Mindurians made the transition from hired help to aristocracy with ease and grace.
Kn Nobility DC 18 w/ +2 from Lanvi:
Old Filuvia Mindurian is a wellknown gossip among the nobility.
With an Aid Another from Benaiah and Arimar, that would give Gwen a +13, so yeah, why do I bother with these?
"It has come to my attention that not only has the Versade Family hired Hellknights to sweep the city looking for the lost ledger and bookkeepers, but apparently some or all of you have been made. How in the world this could have happened I know not.
"I am going to need you to go back and think about who was at the party where you acquired this ledger for anyone you might have recognized but failed to mention to me." She gives Gwen a pointed stare.
"In more bad news, it seems that the Versade Family has wind of this little project, and while they don't know what we are doing, they are trying to prevent it from happening. My sources tell me that they got to the Mindurian family and pulled in some favors. I am assuming that your follow up meeting fell flat?
"This leaves us in a precarious position. The bookkeeper hasn't cracked the code yet, I am too busy moving him from place to place, so we are still unaware of what we have, but we know that it is something valuable for the Versade Family to do everything but declare war on me. Which is not out of the realm of possibility. I don't even want to think about what would happen should they choose all out war. I fear that too few houses will step forward to help us and I don't have the resources to compete with them. Probably head back to Absalom."
A few moments later Mistress Lanvi sweeps in. As resplendent as ever, as provocatively dressed as possible, she fluffs what she has of a dress before sitting and raising a hand palm forward facing to Khania. "No 'Peace', and no food. I care not what your staff wastes their time preparing, priestess. We have much and more to discuss, I fear much of it bad news."
She looks at Gwen for a moment, a slight challenge to her expression. Her eyes grow cold momentarily before softening. "No. I did not know that my daughter attend a party a my largest rivals. For someone in my position this can be shown as a sign of weakness. And weakness is death.
"I do not know if the information you have given me shows the treachery in my own daughter's heart, though to be honest up until recently, that was a title in physiology only. She has had no material love growing up from me. Or rather it shows her promise and commitment to me as she acts as a double agent.
"What is most troubling to me is that I have said 'I don't know' more in the last few days than I have in the last few years." she ends breathlessly.
After hearing about Gwen's story, she looks genuinely surprised. "The Conservancy? I am only distantly familiar with that organization, but if rumors hold true, you shall be a valuable ally to our cause. Don't beat yourself up too much, if we never take risks, we never grow. I am sure it will all turn out fine.
"As for meeting the Collector, I know of no one who has. At times I think the Collector is just a figment of someones imagination, or a front for an organization. Who knows.
"But yes, I would like to converse with you more. Once things settle down a bit I will have you for tea and we can discuss many important things."
Mistress Lanvi looks askew at Arimar. "You say you were disguised? Were you all disguised as such?"
Gwen:
"Ah, I see. It might be best for you to keep a wide berth of this house in the immediate future. I would not like an astute guest to connect any dots. No matter though, you did nothing wrong nor should you feel bad. We women must stick together to keep these men on the straight and narrow."
She embraces Gwen in a genuine warm hug.
Moving on, please feel free to retcon anything at a later date.
Agree with both of you :) Regarding Reading the spoiler, take a weekend morning, hot cup of coffee, kids sleeping, and have fun.
"Ciphered documents you say? I have a rudimentary knowledge of bookkeeping, and a reliable expert when I need something done right. With your permission of course, I would like to take a look and if I can't make heads or tails, my bookkeeper.
"So let me get this straight, you were at Versade Villa, where you stole these documents, and you saw my Handma ... daughter, talking with a Vanderale womanizer? All the sons are womanizers, which one was it?"
"Any others that you had chance to meet? Remember boys and Gwen, we are in the information business." she ends with a smile.
'Bout ready to wrap this up. We can move along whenever you are ready. Let me know if you want to hit Khania and receive your quest or do something else.
Mistress Lanvi listens as half the companions weigh in. "Sound advice Benaiah. Sound advice. Problems, when they arise within a family, are always so complicated. Part of me wonders if I did the right thing." she leaves the thought unfinished as she muses out loud.
"In Magnimarian society, as all civilized nations, nobility springs from some distant common place man or woman who has the wherewithal to rise above their station and make something extraordinary with their lives. As you may know, ancient Magnimar had long been a favorite resting place for Varisian caravans, and at any time before Magnimar's foundation, explorers could find numerous such caravans sheltering against the Seacleft's walls. But by the dawn of the Age of Lost Omens, conditions in Korvosa had grown intolerable to those who did not want to live in a society many had taken to calling "Little Cheliax." They wanted something more-a place with the comforts and conveniences of a grand city, yet free from the traditions of an overly pedantic and close-minded government. Unable to change such institutions in Korvosa, dissatisfied citizens opted instead to leave. In the shadow of the great upheavals caused by the death of Aroden, hundreds of pilgrims traveled west, helmed by four visionary adventurers led by the paladin Alcaydian Indros and known collectively as the Wardens of the Eye. After these travelers had journeyed across nearly the width of Varisia, they came to the Seacleft and knew they'd found a new home.
One of the original caravan families was the Vanderale Family. Their hold on the Merchant's Guild is so tight it is seamless with the many heirs of the family, yet if they were exposed to deal in pesh ..." she exhales loudly. "Well that could easily tip society against them. Don't get me wrong, much of the nobility, like all other classes, partake in recreational drug use, and it must come into the city somehow, someway. But if they are the ones controling it, well it would be a secret that they would pay to dear price to keep unknown.
"The Versade family, to answer your question, Benaiah, offers similar services that I offer. They mainly stick to a more refined clientele, whereas I am a bit more liberal. For instance, you would never find them owning or sponsoring an establishment in Underbridge poorest section of Magnimar. They are more devoted to organizing parties with the nobility of Magnimar, and they own the Gilded Cage, the most exclusive establishment in Magnimar.
"So yes, we provide similar services; yet, they cater to a richer clientele. I deal more in the, ahem!" she clears her throat, "Horizontal as you put it. But yes, they throw society parties, girls coming of age, distant relatives visiting Magnimar, that sort of thing. They do contract many musicians, artists, and the like."
Nope - error on my part. All the correct info is on the Campaign Tab
"You were at a party at Versade Villa ... and my Handmiden was there ... you called her my daughter?" Mistress Lanvi stutters to respond to Arimar. "It seems that we have much to discuss. First, pray tell how you know she is my daughter? It is ... was ... meant to be a secret between us. I had her young, when I was too foolish to know any better. I had sent her away. She is only recently come back to me the last few years. I had hoped that one day she and I could come to terms. We all look to our progeny to carry on our legacy.
"But Versade Villa! The Versade family is and always be diametrically opposed to me, and what I stand for. Established as a noble house in Magnimar, the look to me as a young upstart, yet I am good enough to attract..." she interrupts her speech and doubles over in a sever coughing fit. Righting herself, she spits a bloody glob into a nearby vase. "Both their attention and ire." she completes the sentence. "Forgive me, I am not sure if it is getting worse or if I cannot tolerate this wasting sickness any longer.
"Regardless, she has much to answer to me for. What is it you were doing there and what did you learn? I am most intrigued to know."
After listening to the Companions debrief her and please do in character she turns to Arimar, and then Gwen, "I understand why you kept this ... this transgression of hers from me. Know I hold no ill will towards you. It is what I would have done."
It will take something other than Linguistics to unravel the books. Not to worry, we can always have an NPC do it off-screen. If you could all let me know any superfluous skills you took to enhance RP I would appreciate it. Thought someone had a skill related to this.
Mistres Lanvi bristles as Arimar utters the phrase in the interest of openness.
With a resigned sigh, "Yes, openness. We are open now, aren't we. No need to launder my clothing Arimar." she stares sideways at the newly transformed man. "The priestess Khania and I reached a business arrangement. The church of Seranrae is quite small in Magnimar, and without much power and influence. And they don't have the business vision of what this fountain will do. Magnimar, and their temple, will be the epicenter of healing on Gorlarion. For a fee, I will assist you and the temple with logistics, and once the fountain is working, provided you can make it work, I will help them with the administration of one of the wonders of this world. And we get to have Keoki and I healed first." She smiles a triumphant smile. "And since we are business partners, you will share in the riches of the fountain with me."
”Call me what every man has called me since I turned 14 and what every woman whispers behind my back? Save your hollow apologies for someone who needs it and cares. Right now I only care about curing this cough this … this disease. My men and Gwendolyn will perform this service for you, rebuild this fountain, restore its waters and place you on the map of Golarion as the healing capitol of the world. For a price. Keoki is first in. Then me. No exceptions. Or the deal is off, and I hire a troop of Hellkinghts to level this place.”
”Shove your platitudes up your ass. I need to be cured, and you are not powerful enough to do it. Which brings me to my original point. Your acquaintances, they are in my employment. Legal agreements. They do not have the authority to work for you on your quest to rebuild this fountain. You need to make arrangements with me.”
”Get off me! Now!” Mistress Lanvi cries, righting herself. ”You don’t think I tried that already. I have been to every … no you will not bait me.” tears forming at the corner of her eyes, she flashes an angry glare at Khania.
Ignoring the jab, Mistress Lanvi continues. ”You see I care deeply for these men, and now Gwendolyn. I initially hired them.” she begins a coughing fit, wracking her body. She pulls a handkerchief which she dabs at her mouth, coming away spotted with bloody spittle.
Mistress Lanvi snorts in derision. ”I come representing mutual acquaintances we share. Acquaintances isn’t really the word that applies to my association with them; rather, your association. It seems that you have meet my business partners, Arimar, Benaiah, Malgrim, and the newly recruited Gwendolyn. And I am lead to believe that my late employee Keoki still resides on these grounds in one fashion or another. Correct?”
Mistress Lanvi clutches her skirt in two hands, pulling the hem up slightly as not to brush the dusty road. She looks up from the road to the Temple of Sarenrae.
What a paltry temple to a paltry goddess. I can’t wait to get this over with. she muses in her head as she approaches the wide open double doors. The sounds of supplicants singing praise in high, clear voices greets her as she crosses the threshold. Releasing her hem, she tugs gently at her bodice exposing a half-inch more of her already ample cleavage.
A tonsured brother approaches her, Welcome to the Temple of Sarenrae. What can we assist you with today.” he intones as he tries his best to keep his eyes on eye level and not her large, exposed bosom.
”I wish to speak with your mistre … head priestess here. Tell her Mistress Lanvi wishes an audience on a most important matter.” With that the brother scurries off. He returns a moment later and says, ”Mistress. If you would follow me. Khania, the head priestess here will see you.”
Head held high, Mistress Lanvi follows the brother to a set of staircases before finally entering Khania’s sitting room. Taking a seat on a pillowed couch, she crosses her ankles, hands folded in her lap, and patiently waits for Khania’s arrival.
Mistress Lanvi takes her time looking over all the Companions. "Arimar, Benaiah, and Malgrim. I have entrusted you with my life time and time again. From our attack on the way to The Audacious, the mats, the hadozee. I know I can trust you, and I appreciate all your have done for me.
"Gwendolyn, though we have just met, there is something .... familiar about you. I can't quite place my hand on it yet, but I know I will. I rarely trust anyone, so know this is a once in a life time opportunity for you.
"Agreed. Let us meet tomorrow and discuss all you wish to, sign some papers as Gwendolyn suggests, and we can begin what I pray is a long and profitable relationship.
"Now you all look terrible, and I have my evenings business to attend to. If there is nothing else?"
The Companions can read a brush off when they hear it as Mistress Lanvi rises from her chair.
Ok, so it has been a long day, let me know what you want to do next, sleep then Mouth, or hit the party.
"I think that it sounds ..." as Mistress Lanvi rises from her seat and extends her hand to Arimar, she hears the hobgoblin finally break his silence.
Malgrim Stoneseer wrote:
"Now, there is one thing before we secure an agreement with you. No more lies, no more half truths, no more omissions. It might be against your nature to be open and honest, but being kept in the dark has nearly consigned us to a seamat grave and has brought ruin to everyone around us. Your health is literally in our hands. If you keeping us in the dark causes us harm again, it will be for the last time."
She turns to look at Malgrim. "Lies. Truth. What odd words. I see that I may have misjudged the importance you all place on this. I ask you what is truth and what is lies?
"Very well, if it means securing your aid, or not, then I will be as forthcoming as I can. But I will need assurances from you all. You will all have to give too.
"You will not willing aid any of my competition nor work for anyone else. This fountain of Seranrae, we should negotiate the terms with the church together. You weren't working for the church for your altruistic nature, where you?" Holding up a hand, she turns to stop Arimar. "And of course the church will heal all the sick and infirm they can. But only a a fool would ask nothing in return for restoring it.
"Also, you will work your best to further my interests in Magniar. For if I divulge all my secrets to you, I have lost all I have. You all and I shall rise or fall together.
"My business will become our business.
"Gwendonlyn, it is not too late to back out of this. Once you are in you are in forever. What say you?"
Basically she is asking for non-disclosure and non-competition agreements here.
