Right I'm assuming Constantine isn't coming then, if he or his cohort is, they're teleported too should one say they want to come
"Right, please link hands." Argos tells the three next to him. Kyra spends a moment to pull out her swords and strap them to her waist where she can hide them.
Argos casts Dimension Door. A moment later, there's a flash and everyone is standing in a park not far from the Ambassador's residence. Argos takes a moment to catch his breath and perform some more gestures, and casts Dimension Door again a few seconds later, getting them the rest of the way to the palace courtyard.
...Where everyone is immediately greeted by the sight of almost a dozen lances lowered down and pointed at your direction from a nearby squad of mounted knights.
"Hold! It's the Princess! Form ranks around her majesty!" One of them yells, a man in slightly better looking armor who doesn't have a lance on hand. He dismounts and approaches the group as the knights reposition around the group. Another squad of Musketeers joins them, rifles at the ready. "Your majesty, we must get you to safety..." he starts to say, but is stopped when Argos steps forward.
"Captain Lexarius instructed me to give you this." Argos states, handing over the small sigil to the man, who takes it and examines is. His eyes widen with understanding as he looks to Kyra.
DC 25 Sense Motive:
The Sigil is probably a coded communication tool for the Captain that informs his second in command what is going on. You gather this one means he is protecting a decoy.
"I understand, you vouch for them then yes? We'll relocate inside." He says, before turning around and bellowing orders to the guards.
"If magic won't function within the palace, then I'll have no need to replenish my combat spells. I can return here and teleport a second group there as well if need be." Argos piped up after Kyra, before looking out to the city, then back to the group. "Whoever is going, speak up now, we're wasting too much time talking.
Hearing the shouting, Argos immediately casts Shield upon himself and draws his Falcata, stepping forward to stand between Kyra and the entrance to the room.
As the doors open though, he seems to relax his guard somewhat, though doesn't stow his weapon until Robert walks in and explains himself.
"Hmph, orphanages dedicated to bringing up die hard diabolists." Argos muttered under his breath and shaking his head at Valignatir's words. He did however manage to give a chuckle to Constantine's jest, nodding along. "Hmph, well, it would certainly be a start. But the interior is where the real troublemakers are, I'd say."
Looking around, Argos noted the time and the dwindling crowd of men, including some of their wives returning to drag them home. Sighing, Argos stood up. "Well gentlemen, that was quite the riveting political discussion, but I shall be needing to take my leave. It appears the Soiree is coming to a close and I shall be needed to return to my charge before my wits have left me. Constantine, it was good to meet you, I'll keep in touch - perhaps we should cross blades sometimes, I'd like to test your mettle." Argos gave him a thump on the shoulder with a smile before turning to his grandfather, and noting he seemed asleep, forwent any parting words. Rounding back on Valignatir, he affixed the man with a suspicious stare. "Abassador." He said curtly, declining any parting courtesies or insults in a professional manner before leaving.
"Perhaps you would find Chelaxian aid would not be met with such cold indifference were it not contingent upon taking Hell's hand?" Argos asked with a grimace. "The nobility of Taldor may not be righteous, but even it balks at such proposition. A Devil's aid always has a price. If one wishes to find safety in lawfulness, there are many other gods more worthy of appeal - Abadar, Torag, even Iomedae."
"You speak of Taldor's Army playing soldier, please then explain what the vaunted Chelaxian military was doing when Galt and Andoran so easily seceded from your Empire a few decades ago? Unlike Taldor you don't have the excuse of fighting a two front war. And you boast of Hell's protection, but how much of Isger burned down ten years ago during the Goblinblood Wars? As I recall your Hellknights needed the help of the Eagle Knights and you still managed to barely succeed, at great cost." Argos made it clear he wasn't impressed with Valignatir's claims.
Argos looks up as the Chelaxian Ambassador approaches, looking incredulously at his proposal with an obvious amount of shock. "W-what...what a preposterous proposal. Even were concerns of your nationality already enough cause to balk at such a proposal, accepting such 'help' from priests of Asmodeus would be not only morally abhorrent but reasonably shortsighted." As Argos spoke he found his words growing hotter, his hand clenching the chair.
"I imagine that would please your patron to no end to see Taldor burning the lands of Sarenrae worshipers down. Why, he might even approve of Chelaxian aid with no strings attached..." Argos finished, not even bothering to hide his glare as he rather overtly accused the Ambassador of having ulterior motives.
Argos raised a hand to decline the servant when offered in turn, and instead followed Constantine to sit down in a chair nearby, visibly relaxing the first time all night. As he was about to speak up, Lord Rook finally took a moment to say something, and Argos listened intently. "Your father speaks truthfully, I fear an adventure into Qadira like Lord-Senator Karthis wishes will gain little for Taldor but pride and a cold iron shackle to weigh us down - that's even if we won. Far more likely that we never see the end of the war at all, our armies are simply too evenly matched, and gods help us if the rest of the Kelesh Empire comes to their aid. You asked my opinion on our military? I am as concerned with the current state of affairs as you are." Sparing a moment, Argos looked around.
Perception:26 = 26Looking around to see if Karthis is close by
"Certainly funding is a problem, and will continue to be one so long as the senate refuses to tap the riches of the nobility. But I am more concerned with the infighting among the Phalanx, too many regiments answering to the squabbles of their feudal lords and bleeding our reserves. The Rubicons are luckier than most, we at least have the honor of dying at the border when the time comes, many others too often find graves in the interior. At least the Horse engages in productively clearing away the banditry plaguing the highways. Our infrastructure could use coin to revitalize it as well, and not just the forts. That was why my uncle Menelaus supported Emperor Stavian's constructions out East." Argos leaned back and steeped his hands contemplatively.
"Ah, you'll find that's the pickle. Very Great Grandfather Xander never won a major victory during the Grand Campaign, and the nobles hated him for it. But that was the genius of it, over a hundred and fifty years of Taldor and Qadira looking for some final, epic confrontation and it never came." Argos shrugged. "After one senseless bloody Taldan victory, Xander assumed command of his regiment from his deceased superior and decided not to press the attack after receiving orders from the Emperor to pursue the Qadiran remnants. Instead, he did as every great Rubicon has done...and built fortifications; which repulsed the eventual counter attack. First time in decades Taldor had gained ground and not lost it within a week. And that was how we won the war, consolidate and push."
"Too true. I feel like the Empire is going to be going through some tumultuous times soon, and everybody will be needing friends. Fortunately stability is something my family is well rooted in. Have you heard of Xander Rubicon? Magnificent General, depending on who you ask...hero of the Empire or coward who almost doomed it." Argos asked, though from his tone he expected an answer of no.
DC 20 History or 25 Nobility to recognize the name and its significance.
"Shame he never saw the end of the war, but his tactics won Taldor back the Zimar shrublands and a lot of small titles for our family." He explained, looking somewhat proud of his history.
Argos nodded to Kyra, stepping forward to Constantine's side. "Well met Ser Constintine, I'm Argos Rubicon, Kyra's cousin." Argos held out his hand to shake Constintine's as the males of the group rounded to the parlor. "I understand if you're not terribly interested in the family history though."
Argos nodded, "My thanks. His sister Kyra wanted a word with him, but it can wait until the festivities are concluded." Turning around, he rejoined the party, looking a little listless. Having been dismissed from his charge's presence he flitted about aimlessly.
Wait a second, hadn't he seen Lord Rook earlier? Things were usually exciting around him - he might as well try to get a laugh out of the night and began looking around.
Argos could only give Kyra 'the look' at both girl's plan, even he wasn't stupid enough to not figure out what they were doing. "Very well milady, just don't get yourself into too much trouble." Argos nodded to both women and left them both to the ballroom while he doubled back to find one of Eutropia's ladies-in-waiting.
"Good evening, I was wondering if Captain Lexarius is on the premises? I'm his cousin Argos." Argos asked.
"I wish you would take your safety with more concern Kyra, I don't appreciate the extra stress." Argos sighed with somewhat melancholy tones. "But yes, there have been...quite a few shall we say 'enthusiastic' fans of the Lady's that I have needed to turn away, sometimes with, shall we say 'a large helping hand.' The unfortunate curse of being the bodyguard to 'fame and skill' as it were." He said, a small smile and hint of sarcasm breaking his stoic face for a moment.
As Sevia's laugh waned into a chuckle, she took a moment longer to savor the sight of the retreating sky worm, whatever it was. She guessed it might have been a protector of the city, judging by its proximity, and how the ward or symbol that man at the bow had used to ward it off with. Sevia had seen many great things in her life so far, one did not live in the Shadow of Absalom, or brave the journey of Tian Xi, without doing so; yet she felt someone small in comparison to the shimmering city in the sky that grew bigger as they approached.
Finally having taken her fill in of the view, she looked around herself to the others on the railing near her. She spotted Iron Arm Ranky nearby, someone she'd seen and heard him in passing on the ship earlier as she'd been in disguise, his identity wasn't any kind of secret. What drew her curiosity more was the Tiefling he was holding up, a strange looking one to say the least, the glowing eyes were certainly intriguing. She watched as a...Catfolk approached them, from the way he spoke, it sounded as if he expected the Tiefling to perhaps know something.
Eyebrow perked in curiosity, she slowly padded her way closer, habitually adopting a cautious approach from her years of work and training. The Fetchling slipped in behind the Catfolk as the three seemed focused on the view, finding a space on the railing to eavesdrop on the small group.
Sevia had so far been comfortable to remain somewhat secluded in her quarters for the few days they had been in the air during the trip. She had not been a stranger to voyaging for long on ships, and distinctly recalled the long days at sea during her trips to and from Tian Xi. Each had been tediously long and with little to do within the cramp aboard the wooden sailing ships; much time she'd passed simply sleeping through her trip, or meditating above decks.
This sailing ship was much more wondrous however, both grandiose and offering exquisite views of the landscape all around them. The lack of churning water pitching the ship around like a bouncing ball was also a major plus in her mind, grateful for the calm.
So far her only interactions with the rest of the...colorful passengers of this ship had been somewhat limited. She'd used her innate racial ability for disguise to take the appearance of a normal, hooded human when she'd gone out for meals in the galley; and only spoken briefly to some of her compatriots, eating quickly and leaving. Sevia thought perhaps it might be her fear to commit herself back into society, remembering all too well her days in Shadow Absalom as part of a thieves gang. So she'd carefully watched the rest of them and tried to gauge their attitudes and dispositions.
So far they were quite varied.
Sevia had been at the moment rereading her Letter of Recommendation from Master Ip when she'd felt the hull tremors. Being familiar with ships, she'd immediately jumped to her feat and tucked the letter away, eyes turning to her window, widening as a large shadow passed the porthole. One second ticked by...then two...finally she'd gathered her wits and turned around, storming out of her cabin and racing up towards the deck.
She'd managed to arrive just after the large group from the gallery had bolted up the stairs ahead of her, bursting out onto the breezy sun soaked deck. She reached up to brush her black hair out of her face as the wind fluttered it about, wiping the hood off her head and giving the sun a good kiss to her face, before turning around to look for what caused the shadow. When she did she nearly fell down to the deck, though that might have just been the boat shaking. Staggering over to an unoccupied spot on the railings where most of the adventurers had lines up, she lined up with them to gaze at the great sky worm.
"They certainly don't have THOSE in Shadow Absalom" Sevia said aloud to herself in amazement. Her sight catches the city then, and it's just as magnificent, maybe as big or even bigger than Absalom, and certainly as grand a view. A loud whistling sound throughout the air brings her gaze back to the flying worm, her eyes widening in apprehension as she sees it charging the ship. A moment of guttural fear later and the beast swings aside of the ship at the last moment, rushing by the ship and blasting the deck with a gust of wind strong enough to catch her off guard and send her almost sprawling against the railing.
Finally finding her footing again, Sevia stands up and braces herself against the railing as she looks back at the retreating worm, a mix of emotions coursing through her body and making her shiver in delight. Dread, excitement, wonder, curiosity, apprehension, relief, foreboding, a whole mix until eventually she realizes she's grinning like an idiot and laughing out loud.
Sevia Sylandra - A Fetchling Ninja 5 http://paizo.com/people/Sevia/profile
Background::
Sevia grew up as one of many Fetchlings in the great city of Shadow Absalom, both a blessing and a curse for a denizen of the Shadow Plane. Her parents were simple merchants trying to scrape by a living within the seedier parts of the city; she was their third child, born fraternal twins with her elder brother, and one of 5 children. Sevia quickly grew to learn fear and respect for the social order of the city, but thankfully could rely on her siblings to both provide companionship and security from other children and shadier figures who stalked the neighborhoods.
Trade however, was a boring prospect for the Fetchling; and while she learned some crafting from her parents, and helped around their shop with her siblings to provide for the family, her work was never satisfying. In fact, Sevia found her true calling in intrigue, first starting with pranks on her siblings, then moving up to neighborhood children, and then to residents of her district. In poorer times, she resorted to petty thievery to help her parents, who both knew of and condemned her actions, yet could not afford to turn down her spoils. Soon enough in her youth she began to acquire a reputation as a little cut purse who was remarkable at 'acquiring' things her friend's needed. Until eventually she tried to steal from the wrong person and was caught, that person was the leader of a notorious street gang within Absalom; but rather than be angry with her, he was impressed by her skill. He proposed that she join his gang and learn to become an even better rogue. Excited, she accepted and began to undertake missions designed to expand his power, spying, thieving, and even partaking in brutal fights, she also had several petty relationships.
Her position within the gang concerned her family, and caused her to steadily become more and more estranged from them, especially her twin whom she had adored as a child. Sevia's turning point came just as she reached adulthood, when her boss and trusted confidant asked her to assassinate someone who'd been hassling him, offering a large reward for that person's death. Young, stupid, and blinded by gold, she accepted, not realizing what he'd had in mind. She was told when and where her target would be, and quietly prepared to end the Fetchling's life, only when she struck did she realize her folly.
'Sevia?' He gasped in shock. She had stabbed her own brother. Horrified, she held him as he collapsed, calling for help and sobbing. She threw his arm and helped him back to their shop, crashing inside and calling for her family, who rushed to help her brother. As soon as he seemed safe, she fled, and tracked down her boss to his hideout. When confronted, he explained that her brother had been hounding him about herself, and that he was tired with his interference; the killing was intended to be a test of her resolve. Enraged, she resolved then to kill him, burying a dagger in his gut and setting fire to his hideout.
Fearful to return to her home, Sevia left Shadow Absalom, gaining passage to the material plane with some of her stolen gold and from there, a ship to Tian Xi. A long voyage with much contemplation and soul searching helped her find some peace, and come to the decision that she wished to better herself. Arriving in the continent she sought out someone to train her into a warrior, traveling the continent for many months and enduring a hard transition not just from Fetchling to human society, but learning Tian culture. Eventually she did find a master to teach her the art of the Ninja, and she labored for many years transforming herself from a selfish cut purse into a disciplined warrior of shadow, harnessing her innate Fetchling abilities.
Eventually, she bid her master farewell and returned to Avistan, determined to see the world. Wishing to help her in her quest, he told her of a city she should visit, where she could find a guild that would show her all she wished to see and would promise her a future of much action. She has avoided Absalom and its gate to the Shadow Plane, fearful of returning to her family.
Personality::
Despite her troubled past, Sevia maintains a positive demeanor, determined to make the most out of the world around her; although this attitude also is to cover up her own self-doubt and loathing regarding her past. Though her attitude is friendly, she delights in sarcasm, quick wit, and general tricksterism, Sevia makes acquaintances easy but struggles with issues of trust, finding friends a harder subject, especially given her traveled history.
Greatest Fear::
The scorn and hate she imagines her family possesses of her.
Uncrossable Moral Line::
Sevia will never kill for profit, she is not a hitman and will no longer stoop to such callousness.
Physical Descrption::
Sevia is a Fetchling through and through, her skin is light grey, lighter than most but obvious to her heritage. She dyes her hair black, as is custom to her people, and wears it wavy and shoulder length. She has a scar on her face just below her green eyes. Although not strong by any means, her body is lithe and dexterous, and has been described as beautiful by her many lovers, with a narrow face, high cheekbones, and soft complexion. She stands at a short 5' 8" and weighs nearly nothing compared to most humanoids, at 92lbs.
Letter of Recommendation::
To the master or recruiter whom may receive this missive,
I am Master Ip Pei, a teacher of the arts from my homeland, Tian Xi. Though I am but an old man now, I remember fondly the days of my work as a member of your guild. It is because of this that I have recommended my student Sevia Sylandra travel to your employ in Chul'Galbrann.
I have taught her all I know, and I believe that her skill in the way of the shadow would be most useful under your employment. She is a capable fighter well versed in stealth and intrigue, with a wide skill set. Though not sociable, she is a determined and friendly woman looking to find her place in the world, which I believe now rests with you.
My wishes for yours and hers continued success, may your fortune increase with her service, and vice versa.
