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Every year, the empire of Taldor celebrates the Grand Day of Exaltation. On this prestigious day, the Grand Prince is empowered to elevate a commoner to the ranks of nobility. The event itself is the embodiment of formality, with the elevated commoner selected months or years in advance. What makes the day truly special is that the preceding week is a holiday throughout the empire. Nobles, senators, and hopeful petitioners fill the capital city of Oppara for galas, performances, and parades. This flood of visitors swells Oppara to almost double its size, and many view the lead-up to the Grand Day of Exaltation as harking back to the glory days of the empire. To the nobility, the week before the Grand Day of Exaltation is a time to conduct important business deals, issue noble proclamations, and hold private parties. With so many prominent politicians arriving from across the empire, the Taldan senate uses Exaltation Week to vote on matters of nationwide importance.
This year’s Grand Day of Exaltation is poised to mark a historic shift in the governance of the empire. Princess Eutropia, daughter of Grand Prince Stavian III, has forged a powerful coalition of noble bastard children, reformers, and—perhaps, most importantly—senators to vote down the ancient law of primogeniture. The law states that royal power can pass only to a male heir—a succession that cannot be enacted due to Eutropia’s status as the current Grand Prince’s sole heir. Rumors have circulated about the princess’s quest to strike down primogeniture for years, and the nation remains divided on the vote, with several nobles viewing it as a shameless power grab by Princess Eutropia. Others see Eutropia as a stabilizing force that could unify the empire and usher in a new golden age for Taldor.
Princess Eutropia is the firstborn child of Grand Prince Stavian III. She stepped forth into the political arena only following the death of her younger brother 20 years ago. Prince Carrius II, like Eutropia, was beloved by the people of Taldor, and many hoped the boy would succeed his ineffective father and usher in an era of change. When the prince died in what was reported as a riding accident, Eutropia’s grief uncovered a deep well of empathy. More understanding of death and suffering, she became a crusader for the poor and for the basic rights of every Taldan citizen. As her work repeatedly ran up against the old-fashioned values of Taldor, Eutropia became a crusader for women’s rights as well.
Calistril 19, 4718 (Moonday, Morning) (Oppara, Taldor)
You find yourself sitting at an isolated table in a high-end coffee house on Senate hill called Lion Noir. A gold-trimmed sign bearing an ebony-maned cat marked the entrance. The interior is decorated with opulent marble tiles and dark mahogany tables. The smells of freshly brewed coffee and sweet pastries fills the air. Being the first day of Exaltation Week, the coffee house is packed with customers, mainly senators and young nobles, all gossiping about the events to come. Across from you sits a finely-dressed dark-skinned woman with long brown hair. Her Qadiran heritage is obvious. In front of her is a pair of porcelain mugs of fresh coffee and a hand-sized brass cricket that buzzes quietly on the tabletop. The low droning seems to lower the roar of the bustling café to a dull whisper. You know this woman is Lady Martella Lotheed. Although you’ve never personally met before, you received a letter from her, delivered to you by a nondescript halfling courier the day before which said only that she wished to discuss a matter with you here at this day and time. With your curiosity piqued, you decided to attend the meeting to hear what she had to say.
Martella smiles and takes a sip from the warm mug. “Thank you agreeing to meet with me this morning, Mister Tilneros. Your employer recommended you to me. He knows about some of my work and said that you were reliable. As I introduced myself in my letter, I am Lady Martella Lotheed, and I wish to hire you as one of my covert agents. You could say that I’m a scheming young noble hoping to topple and take control of the arrogant family who rejected me. And what I’m offering is a sizable payment in addition to the extraordinary access and prestige granted by attending one of Taldor’s most exclusion and high-profile political events. In return, you would need to do a simple task for me during the course of the night. The rest of the time is free for you to enjoy. I encourage you to use this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to make connections, make an impression on prominent guests, and otherwise try to kick-start your own political career.”
Martella appraises you with her eyes. “You are a true Taldan Patriot, aren’t you. You love your country as I do. For you, I have a simple task. One that wouldn’t tarnish your patriotism in the slightest. On the night of the Grand Day of Exaltation, there will be a historic vote to end primogeniture. In case you haven’t been keeping up with politics, it is a millennia-standing law of succession stating that royal power can pass only to a male heir—a succession that cannot be enacted due to Grand Prince Stavian III’s sole heir being a female, Princess Eutropia. Ending primogeniture would allow Princess Eutropia to succeed Grand Prince Stavian III once he passes, which would be an event never before seen in Taldor. Some say it’s a shameless power grab by Princess Eutropia. Others see Eutropia as a stabilizing force that could unify the empire and usher in a new golden age for Taldor.” Martella shrugs.
“All I’d like to know is how each senator plans to vote. I’m not a fan of surprises. I have a fairly good picture of how the votes are going to go but there are two prominent senators that I haven’t been able to get close enough to in order to find out how they are leaning. These senators are Duke Centimus and Countess Abrielle Pace. It is unknown if either supports Eutropia’s bid to end primogeniture, and while their votes will be apparent after the senate convenes, I’d like you to discover their positions in advance, as well as the reasons each of them holds that position.”
“Now to discuss payment. First off, up front, I’ll arrange for you to receive a thirty gold line of credit at my favorite tailor shop, Thread Rare. This should be enough for you to purchase something decent to wear to the gala. It would not do for you to attend in the likes of what you are currently wearing. Then should you successfully complete this mission I have assigned to you, you shall receive a payment of 150 gold the next day.”
“If you agree, meet me here one week from today at noon. You will have an opportunity to familiarize yourselves with my other agents and I will answer any remaining questions you may have.”
Martella waits expectantly for a response.
Calistril 19, 4718 (Moonday, Morning) (Oppara, Taldor)
You enter into a high-end coffee house on Senate hill called Lion Noir. A gold-trimmed sign bearing an ebony-maned cat marked the entrance. The interior is decorated with opulent marble tiles and dark mahogany tables. The smells of freshly brewed coffee and sweet pastries fills the air. Being the first day of Exaltation Week, the coffee house is packed with customers, mainly senators and young nobles, all gossiping about the events to come. A bald, dark-skinned man cloaked in a long robe brushes past you to leave out the portal you just passed through. Your eyes follow the path that he came from to spot your contact sitting at an isolated table. You know this woman is Lady Martella Lotheed. Although you’ve never personally met before, you received a letter from her, delivered to you by a nondescript halfling courier the day before which said only that she wished to discuss a matter with you here at this day and time. With your curiosity piqued, you decided to attend the meeting to hear what she had to say. She is a finely-dressed dark-skinned woman with long brown hair. Her Qadiran heritage is obvious. In front of her is a pair of porcelain mugs of fresh coffee and a hand-sized brass cricket that buzzes quietly on the tabletop. She spots you and calls out, motioning you to sit with her. The low droning seems to mute what she is saying until you sit down.
You take a seat and Martella smiles and takes a sip from the warm mug. “Thank you agreeing to meet with me this evening, Sir Kastner. I manage a web of influence that interweaves with many of the noble families of Taldor and I recently learned about you and wanted to meet. I too was born under scandalous circumstances, being born the bastard daughter of Count Mercater Lotheed and a visiting Qadiran emissary. I am Lady Martella Lotheed and I wish to hire you as one of my covert agents. You could say that I’m a scheming young noble hoping to topple and take control of the arrogant family who rejected me. And what I’m offering is a sizable payment in addition to the extraordinary access and prestige granted by attending one of Taldor’s most exclusion and high-profile political events. In return, you would need to do a simple task for me during the course of the night. The rest of the time is free for you to enjoy. I encourage you to use this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to make connections, make an impression on prominent guests, and otherwise try to kick-start your own political career.”
“On the night of the Grand Day of Exaltation, there will be a historic vote to end primogeniture. I’m sure you know what that is but just to reiterate, it is a millennia-standing law of succession stating that royal power can pass only to a male heir—a succession that cannot be enacted due to Grand Prince Stavian III’s sole heir being a female, Princess Eutropia. Ending primogeniture would allow Princess Eutropia to succeed Grand Prince Stavian III once he passes, which would be an event never before seen in Taldor. Some say it’s a shameless power grab by Princess Eutropia. Others see Eutropia as a stabilizing force that could unify the empire and usher in a new golden age for Taldor.” Martella shrugs.
Martella stares at you uncomfortably long over the lip of her cup. “Those eyes really are something, aren’t they. I know you are a child of Oppara, so I know you want to steer Taldor on the right path. My task for you may seem a little distasteful but I assure you it is for the greater good and I would only entrust it to someone who I knew had the skills to pull it off. On the night of the gala, I need to discredit a few prominent senators backing primogeniture—not necessarily to sway their votes, but to undercut their influence after the vote. I would like you to create a scandal surrounding one of the major opponents to the repeal of primogeniture. I will leave it up to you to identify a target once you are mingling with the attendees. Once you have a target, manufacture and spread some rumors that would hurt their reputation. I know you know all about the effect a nasty rumor could have.”
“Now to discuss payment. First off, up front, I’ll arrange for you to receive a thirty gold line of credit at my favorite tailor shop, Thread Rare. This should be enough for you to purchase a new outfit to wear to the gala, although I can see your fashion sense is already quite impeccable. Then should you successfully complete this mission I have assigned to you, you shall receive a payment of 150 gold the next day.”
“If you agree, meet me here one week from today at noon. You will have an opportunity to familiarize yourselves with my other agents and I will answer any remaining questions you may have.”
Martella waits expectantly for a response.
Calistril 19, 4718 (Moonday, Afternoon) (Oppara, Taldor)
You find yourself sitting at an isolated table in a high-end coffee house on Senate hill called Lion Noir. A gold-trimmed sign bearing an ebony-maned cat marked the entrance. The interior is decorated with opulent marble tiles and dark mahogany tables. The smells of freshly brewed coffee and sweet pastries fills the air. Being the first day of Exaltation Week, the coffee house is packed with customers, mainly senators and young nobles, all gossiping about the events to come. Across from you sits a finely-dressed dark-skinned woman with long brown hair. Her Qadiran heritage is obvious. In front of her is a porcelain mug of fresh coffee and a hand-sized brass cricket that buzzes quietly on the tabletop. The low droning seems to lower the roar of the bustling café to a dull whisper. You know this woman is Lady Martella Lotheed. Although you’ve never personally met before, you received a letter from her, delivered to you by a nondescript halfling courier the day before which said only that she wished to discuss a matter with you here at this day and time. With your curiosity piqued, you decided to attend the meeting to hear what she had to say.
Martella smiles and takes a sip from the warm mug. “Thank you agreeing to meet with me this afternoon, Sir Marcaius. I heard through my network about this scrappy young crossbowman who’s been righting the wrongs of Taldor and I just had to meet this young reformer. I am Lady Martella Lotheed, and I wish to hire you as one of my covert agents. You could say that I’m a scheming young noble hoping to topple and take control of the arrogant family who rejected me. And what I’m offering is a sizable payment in addition to the extraordinary access and prestige granted by attending one of Taldor’s most exclusion and high-profile political events. In return, you would need to do a simple task for me during the course of the night. The rest of the time is free for you to enjoy. I encourage you to use this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to make connections, make an impression on prominent guests, and otherwise try to kick-start your own political career.”
Martella discretely looks you over. “Yes, I think you’ll do nicely. On the night of the Grand Day of Exaltation, there will be a historic vote to end primogeniture. In case you haven’t been keeping up with politics, it is a millennia-standing law of succession stating that royal power can pass only to a male heir—a succession that cannot be enacted due to Grand Prince Stavian III’s sole heir being a female, Princess Eutropia. Ending primogeniture would allow Princess Eutropia to succeed Grand Prince Stavian III once he passes, which would be an event never before seen in Taldor. Some say it’s a shameless power grab by Princess Eutropia. Others see Eutropia as a stabilizing force that could unify the empire and usher in a new golden age for Taldor.” Martella shrugs.
“While I have spies for more discrete tasks, I also have need of an aide to run communications for me. It may sounds simple but during the gala, the senate floor is going to be packed. It’ll take a strong and agile man to make his way through the crowd with haste. And don’t be afraid to give a pompous noble a hard push if he can’t see you beneath his upturned nose. Should you accept my offer, the next time we meet, I’m hand you a sealed letter to deliver to Count Orlundo Zespire. After that, I may have additional letters to be delivered throughout the night.”
“Now to discuss payment. First off, up front, I’ll arrange for you to receive a thirty gold line of credit at my favorite tailor shop, Thread Rare. You can’t show up to the gala looking like that.” She tilts her head at the grim clinging to your clothes. “Then should you successfully complete this mission I have assigned to you, you shall receive a payment of 150 gold the next day.”
“If you agree, meet me here one week from today at noon. You will have an opportunity to familiarize yourselves with my other agents and I will answer any remaining questions you may have.”
Martella waits expectantly for a response.
Calistril 19, 4718 (Moonday, Afternoon) (Oppara, Taldor)
You enter into a high-end coffee house on Senate hill called Lion Noir. A gold-trimmed sign bearing an ebony-maned cat marked the entrance. The interior is decorated with opulent marble tiles and dark mahogany tables. The smells of freshly brewed coffee and sweet pastries fills the air. Being the first day of Exaltation Week, the coffee house is packed with customers, mainly senators and young nobles, all gossiping about the events to come. A young man with sandy brown hair and a thin beard brushes past you. A noticeably large crossbow is strapped to his back. Your eyes follow the path that he came from to spot your contact sitting at an isolated table. You know this woman is Lady Martella Lotheed. Although you’ve never personally met before, you received a letter from her, delivered to you by a nondescript halfling courier the day before which said only that she wished to discuss a matter with you here at this day and time. With your curiosity piqued, you decided to attend the meeting to hear what she had to say. She is a finely-dressed dark-skinned woman with long brown hair. Her Qadiran heritage is obvious. In front of her is a pair of porcelain mugs of fresh coffee and a hand-sized brass cricket that buzzes quietly on the tabletop. She spots you and calls out, motioning you to sit with her. The low droning seems to mute what she is saying until you sit down.
You take a seat and Martella smiles and takes a sip from the warm mug. “Thank you agreeing to meet with me this evening, Master Livara. I’ve done some research on you. You’re an ambitious noble just like me. Our families share some commonality as well. House Lotheed is also a family of magicians. I am Lady Martella Lotheed and I wish to hire you as one of my covert agents. You could say that I’m a scheming young noble hoping to topple and take control of the arrogant family who rejected me. And what I’m offering is a sizable payment in addition to the extraordinary access and prestige granted by attending one of Taldor’s most exclusion and high-profile political events. In return, you would need to do a simple task for me during the course of the night. The rest of the time is free for you to enjoy. I encourage you to use this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to make connections, make an impression on prominent guests, and otherwise try to kick-start your own political career.”
“On the night of the Grand Day of Exaltation, there will be a historic vote to end primogeniture. I’m sure you know what that is but just to reiterate, it is a millennia-standing law of succession stating that royal power can pass only to a male heir—a succession that cannot be enacted due to Grand Prince Stavian III’s sole heir being a female, Princess Eutropia. Ending primogeniture would allow Princess Eutropia to succeed Grand Prince Stavian III once he passes, which would be an event never before seen in Taldor. Some say it’s a shameless power grab by Princess Eutropia. Others see Eutropia as a stabilizing force that could unify the empire and usher in a new golden age for Taldor.” Martella shrugs.
“Perhaps you are a senatorial hopeful yourself? If so, the Exaltation Gala would be an excellent foot in the door for you. My task for you involves interacting with one of the gala’s attendees. I’ve managed to sway a great number of reluctant senators, but to maintain that, I require a vast web of influence. To that end, I would like you to make a strong impression on Baron Nicolaus Okerra and remind him of certain debts he owes me. While Baron Nicolaus Okerra isn’t a senator, his war record and general popularity make him an influential figure—one whose reputation helped sway a number of otherwise neutral votes.”
“Now to discuss payment. First off, up front, I’ll arrange for you to receive a thirty gold line of credit at my favorite tailor shop, Thread Rare. This should be enough for you to purchase a nice new suit to wear to the gala. Then should you successfully complete this mission I have assigned to you, you shall receive a payment of 150 gold the next day.”
“If you agree, meet me here one week from today at noon. You will have an opportunity to familiarize yourselves with my other agents and I will answer any remaining questions you may have.”
Martella waits expectantly for a response.
Calistril 19, 4718 (Moonday, Evening) (Oppara, Taldor)
You find yourself sitting at an isolated table in a high-end coffee house on Senate hill called Lion Noir. A gold-trimmed sign bearing an ebony-maned cat marked the entrance. The interior is decorated with opulent marble tiles and dark mahogany tables. The smells of freshly brewed coffee and sweet pastries fills the air. Being the first night of Exaltation Week, the coffee house is packed with customers, mainly senators and young nobles, all gossiping about the events to come. Across from you sits a finely-dressed dark-skinned woman with long brown hair. Her Qadiran heritage is obvious. In front of her is a porcelain mug of fresh coffee and a hand-sized brass cricket that buzzes quietly on the tabletop. The low droning seems to lower the roar of the bustling café to a dull whisper. You know this woman is Lady Martella Lotheed. Although you’ve never personally met before, you received a letter from her, delivered to you by a nondescript halfling courier the day before which said only that she wished to discuss a matter with you here at this day and time. With your curiosity piqued, you decided to attend the meeting to hear what she had to say.
Martella smiles and takes a sip from the warm mug. “Thank you agreeing to meet with me this evening, Lady Karthis. I’ve heard many good things about you. In fact, if you got to know me better, you’d probably find that you and I have many things in common. You know me as Lady Martella Lotheed and I wish to hire you as one of my covert agents. You could say that I’m a scheming young noble hoping to topple and take control of the arrogant family who rejected me. And what I’m offering is a sizable payment in addition to the extraordinary access and prestige granted by attending one of Taldor’s most exclusion and high-profile political events. In return, you would need to do a simple task for me during the course of the night. The rest of the time is free for you to enjoy. I encourage you to use this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to make connections, make an impression on prominent guests, and otherwise try to kick-start your own political career.”
“Sitting across from you now, I can see it in your eyes. There’s a young reformer in you. You believe in Taldor, but perhaps not in some of Taldor’s traditions. You know the system is broken and you want to fix it. So do I, Lady Karthis. So do I. I’ve also heard that you are not about a little roguelike behavior.” She winks. “On the night of the Grand Day of Exaltation, there will be a historic vote to end primogeniture. I’m sure you know what that is but just to reiterate, it is a millennia-standing law of succession stating that royal power can pass only to a male heir—a succession that cannot be enacted due to Grand Prince Stavian III’s sole heir being a female, Princess Eutropia. Ending primogeniture would allow Princess Eutropia to succeed Grand Prince Stavian III once he passes, which would be an event never before seen in Taldor. Some say it’s a shameless power grab by Princess Eutropia. Others see Eutropia as a stabilizing force that could unify the empire and usher in a new golden age for Taldor.” Martella shrugs.
With a smirk, she says, “I’ve been a naughty girl. I have been secretly trying to influence some of the senators’ votes. Unfortunately, some senators are too powerful or too stubborn to influence. But that doesn’t mean that they’re beyond some petty revenge. I would like to extract some retribution against my more powerful half-brothers, who have contributed a large bottle of rare, 150-year-old red wine from family holdings in the Opparos province, now held in the senate’s kitchens. If you agree, the next time we meet, I will provide you with a single syringe filled with a putrefying agent to render the wine embarrassingly undrinkable. But I warn you, do not steal the bottle and conceal any signs of tampering. It must be drunk at dinner and appear to be of terrible quality or—even more scandalously—a forgery.”
“Now to discuss payment. First off, up front, I’ll arrange for you to receive a thirty gold line of credit at my favorite tailor shop, Thread Rare. This should be enough for you to purchase something decent to wear to the gala. Although I’m sure a lady such as yourself already has something nicer in her closet. I am extending this offer to all of my agents. Then should you successfully complete this mission I have assigned to you, you shall receive a payment of 150 gold the next day.”
“If you agree, meet me here one week from today at noon. You will have an opportunity to familiarize yourselves with my other agents and I will answer any remaining questions you may have.”
Martella waits expectantly for a response.
Calistril 19, 4718 (Moonday, Evening) (Oppara, Taldor)
You enter into a high-end coffee house on Senate hill called Lion Noir. A gold-trimmed sign bearing an ebony-maned cat marked the entrance. The interior is decorated with opulent marble tiles and dark mahogany tables. The smells of freshly brewed coffee and sweet pastries fills the air. Being the first day of Exaltation Week, the coffee house is packed with customers, mainly senators and young nobles, all gossiping about the events to come. A dark-haired noble who is dressed like she fancies herself an adventurer gracefully crosses your path on her way out. Your eyes follow the path that he came from to spot your contact sitting at an isolated table. You know this woman is Lady Martella Lotheed. Although you’ve never personally met before, you received a letter from her, delivered to you by a nondescript halfling courier the day before which said only that she wished to discuss a matter with you here at this day and time. With your curiosity piqued, you decided to attend the meeting to hear what she had to say. She is a finely-dressed dark-skinned woman with long brown hair. Her Qadiran heritage is obvious. In front of her is a pair of porcelain mugs of fresh coffee and a hand-sized brass cricket that buzzes quietly on the tabletop. She spots you and calls out, motioning you to sit with her. The low droning seems to mute what she is saying until you sit down.
You take a seat and Martella smiles and takes a sip from the warm mug. “Thank you agreeing to meet with me this evening, Miss Inkweaver. I must admit it’s not often one comes across a vishkanya in Oppara. Your presence intrigued me and decided that I could make use of your skills. I am Lady Martella Lotheed and I wish to hire you as one of my covert agents. You could say that I’m a scheming young noble hoping to topple and take control of the arrogant family who rejected me. And what I’m offering is a sizable payment in addition to the extraordinary access and prestige granted by attending one of Taldor’s most exclusion and high-profile political events. In return, you would need to do a simple task for me during the course of the night. The rest of the time is free for you to enjoy. I encourage you to use this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to make connections, make an impression on prominent guests, and otherwise try to kick-start your own political career.”
“On the night of the Grand Day of Exaltation, there will be a historic vote to end primogeniture. In case you haven’t been keeping up with politics, it is a millennia-standing law of succession stating that royal power can pass only to a male heir—a succession that cannot be enacted due to Grand Prince Stavian III’s sole heir being a female, Princess Eutropia. Ending primogeniture would allow Princess Eutropia to succeed Grand Prince Stavian III once he passes, which would be an event never before seen in Taldor. Some say it’s a shameless power grab by Princess Eutropia. Others see Eutropia as a stabilizing force that could unify the empire and usher in a new golden age for Taldor.” Martella shrugs.
“The task I have for you should present no difficulty to you. I need someone to keep tabs on political rivals and update me if they change their tactics, most notably High Strategos Maxillar Pythareus. You must stay close to the military commander, watching for unusual behavior or listening for snippets of conversation, and warn me if he takes any unusual actions, all while remaining unobstrusive. You need not stand over the commander all night. There will be plenty of time for you to attend to your own business. Just a few check-ins will do.”
“Now to discuss payment. First off, up front, I’ll arrange for you to receive a thirty gold line of credit at my favorite tailor shop, Thread Rare. This should be enough for you to purchase a new outfit to wear to the gala, although I can see your fashion sense is already quite impeccable. Then should you successfully complete this mission I have assigned to you, you shall receive a payment of 150 gold the next day.”
“If you agree, meet me here one week from today at noon. You will have an opportunity to familiarize yourselves with my other agents and I will answer any remaining questions you may have.”
Martella waits expectantly for a response.