Search Posts
"Well, I guess that forces our hand, then." Graves says, with a dissatisfied frown. "Let's see if we can't keep Cyran on board, at least." He goes to find the man, and strikes up a conversation. "Well, it would seem this all nears an end finally. I imagine the process is quite a bit different than some planar negotiations." "Though no less convoluted." He adds, with a slight grin. "You've probably done well to avoid working with the Consortium. Can only imagine what sort of thing they'd get into with a solid trade route into the outer planes." "You should be able to do just fine on your own, I'd say. Your experience will no doubt be invaluable. The Wharves will do you well there, though if you really want to move product, having the storage warehouses in Working End would probably go a long way." "Myrosype might try to wrest that bid from you, just to force you to deal with her." He adds. "You've already invested a fair amount to acquiring both... a few more coins for the End can't do any harm, and might make cross planar trade all the more lucrative."
I'm torn. I'm a little worried she might have more tricks up her sleeve, and where we think we've sewn up 4, she will manage to knock one of them off the leaderboard... which would mean we should try to go all in. But the bit about having her with just one district, and the least desirable one, being a drain on her resources, and time, seems hard to pass up too. Given Irith's success rate, with all 5 districts, it seems unlikely Myrosype (or whoever she's bidding for) will be able to even make a prophet with just the one area, before it all goes up for bid again). Either way, someone do something =)
So, do we want to try to cut Myrosype out of all the districts (by further influencing Cyran) ... assuming we can get him high enough with just one more check. Or do we wan to let her have the least desirable district, and all the overhead/costs that come with it, as per a comment made earlier in the scenario. As it stands, there's just one person to influence, which Kat can easily do with her class bonus stuff (I'm guessing we need a double success DC for that one, if its possible at all). So not much need for the rest of us.
So we just need to decide if we want to actually make that roll. =)
Graves snorts. "The woman started this thing with rudeness, lead off with insults, then devolved into a petty temper tantrums when she didn't get her way." He adds. "I've seen shiver addicts with better diplomacy skills." He glances at Katswiri, with obvious disappointment. "Were you not paying attention? That bastard that handed her the cloak she used to try to bribe Cyran. He was the leader of that attack on the Lodge. The very same group that killed Aram Zey."
"They are most definitely connected, we saw it with our own eyes." "And even if they were not, the misery, exploitation, and abuse that the Consortium propagates, as common business practice, would be reason enough to put a stop to any scheme of theirs." He shakes his head. "It is clear you have never been to the Expanse, to witness their atrocities first hand. Though they do little better elsewhere... they merely put more effort into hiding their true faces."
Graves continues chatting with Irith, on the topic of their host. "Still, seems like he might make a valuable ally, more like to allow those who know the intricacies of Druman politics to do so." He nods in her direction, to indicate he believes she to be just such a person. "Less likely to interfere in such things, anyway." "But I think you might be underestimating the Aspis presence here. Their representative there, has already outbid and negotiated down a few of the others." He adds, switching focus to Myrosype, with a frown. "You might do well, to tighten your hold on the Burg, going into the final day. I would not hold it past her, or those she deals with, to have the influence and support of many of your political rivals. The capital she is investing can't all be hers. I'm sure many are hoping to feed off her good will for their generosity... but that would only work if she manages to secure the political hub of Alabastrine... a position that should be in your more capable hands."
Graves is going to approach Irith again, since they seem to hit it off so well the last time out... or at least he didn't appear to cross her, and she seemed impressed by his showing at her own party. "Not exactly what I was expecting, for an evening soiree." He says to her, with a respectful bow. "Though, to be honest," He adds. "I feel a little less fish-out-of-water at this sort of thing, than the fancier affairs." "Given the fantastic job you were doing, getting the entire city up and running as a unit, I'm sure you are no foreigner to these fancy contracts that Vayne is showing off like fine art?" "I do hope you've managed to secure the bid for the Burg." He glances at her, trying to assess her mood. "The intricacies of running this city will need that sort of leadership, soon enough."
Graves takes a moment to examine the contracts as well. GM: Not at all an expert on such things, he can still see differences in the language choices and sentence structures that he assumes are important. "Those there, read far more like a normal conversation." He says, indicating the competition's work. "Though I'm no barrister, I can only assume that is not entirely desirable in a legal document." "This one here, however." He again examines Cyran's own work. "This one is written very exactly, and the sentences very precisely laid out to draw the eye to the important parts." He glances up and grins. "Probably quite useful in an official text."
As they arrive in the new location, Graves glances around, intrigued. "I do believe we are in Axis." He finally says, as a strange centaur-like mechanical creature walk by, on one of the streets outside. "And that there..." He indicates the impossibly high spire at the city's center. "Is Pharasma's Spire. It is a honor to get a chance to see it in person!" "Be careful here." He adds, glancing back at the others. "The inhabitants of Axis are a bit um... uptight... about rules and regulations. Hopefully, as guests of Cyran, we'll have a little leeway... but one never knows." He doesn't seem at all affected by the planes powerful lawful nature.
Progress Report
We need to be cautious in these last two parties. Myrosype's bribe might have made it impossible for us to get Cyran on two properties. Dunno how many successes we need for each person, but if we can only influence them once per party... then we're limited in how much we can boost it. Vayde seemed to max at 4. if the others are similar... it will take both remaining shindigs to get Temel and Irith there (unless we get a big result on Irith).
(Again, assuming 4 influence needed... not sure if this is true, as we've not hit the max with anyone else!) I'd suggest Katswiri, who's almost guaranteed to get the 2 influence roll with her focused trance ability, use it on Cyran again, for the Wharf. The rest of us try to get the best Temel and Irith result.
Dunno... lots of unknowns on the inner workings here. =)
So far, I think we have this, for skills that are optimal(?) Irith: Bluff, Diplomacy, Knowledge (nobility), Profession (merchant)
And this for progress (Unknown how many successes it takes for each, though Vayde seemed to max out at 4, and its possible we hit a snag with Cyran due to Myrosype)
So go use a social skill to persuade Temel or Irith to put up more cash! Kaepora's decent at those! (though there's a event -'ve on diplomacy, so perhaps use bluff? Or get hard-nosed?) You made the tentacle check, I think, so have a +2 with Irith at the moment... so perhaps some Bluffing on her would be optimal for Kaepora?
"Unstoppable? Ha." Graves tries not to laugh too loudly. "That's the thing with these Consortium folks... they want you to think that, so they can walk all over you." "But if the Society has proven anything, over the past few years, it's that they are anything but." He goes on to describe a number of past incidents where the Aspis' plans were thwarted, often quite dramatically, despite their confidence that they were in a superior position. "Push her bid a bit more, I'm sure you'll be another example in no time."
Graves gives Temel a companionable chuckle. "Even the Consortium's pockets have a limit." He offers. "I suspect she's overextended herself already, especially now that the others are getting more serious in their own attempts." "Look how she slowly loses the lead, one by one." He adds. "She's not getting those coins back, nor has she retaken the lead in any of them."
Graves settles in beside Temel, as he passes off the remainder of the strange tentacle dish to a server clearing dishes. "So, how goes the bidding on your side of things?" He asks, quietly, his mouth making strange motions as he tries to get used to the leftover tingling sensations from the meal. "That Aspis woman must be rolling in coins, to be bidding on so many areas in such volume." "You still think the Courts are your best bet? I can certainly see your ideas for it, working out."
Graves looks at the long rubbery tentacles on the plate, with a dubious look. "I think I read about these once." He says, with an unreadable look at Temel. "Why anyone would think these are good things to chew on, I'm not so sure." He grins slightly, then tries to remember the right way to eat the things, without hampering his ability to talk properly.
Graves frowns at the crowded nature of the event, not sure why each guest would need their own personal serving team.... or at least that's what it seems like to his untrained eye. He tries to get a seat by Temel, hoping to chat with their ally about the upcoming auction.
"At least there are no costumes this time." He mutters.
c'mon guys, get to influencing =)
And we're still short any discovery info on where Temmel is leaning, or what skills might work to influence him. Graves is all done for this round.
Graves only shakes his head slightly at Irith's frustration. "The system does, more or less, beg for that very sort of chaotic outcome." He says, quietly. "And then even if you do manage to make something of it... you are then forced to spend it all to keep it going a few years later. Seems more like a fancy gilded money pit." "I'm not sure how anyone would ever deem this a sustainable venture." He pauses for a moment, then adds. "Well, unless they concentrated on a few of the more influential areas. Like the Burg... and slowly worked up from there." "You are, of course, in the right, Lord-Chancellor. You should not give up." He adds, earnestly. "But perhaps focus your efforts to ensure you do get the influential cornerstone of the city, where you can use all that you know, to make sure things continue in the direction you envisioned."
Petronax via GM: "Ah, well done!" Graves replies to Vayde. "Not many would be familiar enough with the ushers to pick out that specific one."
"As you already know, I came up as caretaker of the Gray. My job, to see the dead to their final resting place, as well as to take care of that same resting place." He grins slightly. "Vavaalrav task is much the same, as guardian of sacred sites of Pharasma... just a little higher in scale."
"Perhaps the discomfort is the point." He commiserates. "People do tend to be less on guard, when they are uncomfortable." "I had heard about Petronax joining the bidding this year. Though his interest is far less alarming than that of the Aspis representative." He nods towards Myrosype. "Have had dealings with that one before, and very much doubt her interests are those of Druma." He shakes his head at the idea, trying to gauge Irith's thoughts on the matter.
"Given all the efforts you have put forth to make the city shine during your tenure. It is a shame it all goes back to a chaotic bid once again. I'd have thought having a cohesive governing body would lead to far greater opportunities for profit than wiping the slate clean and forcing everyone to start all over. Especially given your efforts were finally coming to fruition." "I do hope you intend to keep at least the governance stable during this transition. I can't imagine anyone but you heading those in Prophet's Burg, if they intend any sort of prosperity in the near future."
|
