Tanith huffs a small laugh at Vinstromm's retort. Being in Inta on business places her in the position of formality, but there's years of work in the name of Calistria that has inured her to these types of exchanges. In other circumstances, she might even join in on witty banter. But her focus in this winter wasteland is the Baron.
Besides, there's no reason not to be convivial. Not yet, at least.
Tanith inclines her head to the Baron. "Baron. My appreciation for your invitation to this feast." Her smile angles slightly for his notice only. Then she graciously takes the seat as it is offered to her. "Thank you," she calls up over her shoulder to Vinstromm, with an amused glance back at the man before she turns her full attention on the Baron.
taking stock in where the exits are, as well as the men sitting with the Baron.
She's about to suggest that her focus on business only extends to her prospective client--and therefore to her escort only so much as he is acting on the client's orders, but Vinstromm opens the door before she can offer this reply.
At being made the center of attention as an honored guest, Tanith barely contains an eyebrow raise despite centuries of training to mask her expressions. She relinquishes her heavy coat to whomever is taking it, a gracious smile blooming on her lips first towards the Baron and then to Vinstromm. In a low tone, allowing him to take her gloved hand, she murmurs, "Indeed."
Her outfit for this casual event is born of the gown she once wore to greet the Baron in Stormfare 200 years ago (and ultimately, only the Baron’s minions, the Huntress and that…creepy little woman). She’s had no need for it since. What was once an elegant northern inspired fashion of furs and velvets has been modified to be a decorative surcoat. The narrow sleeves bell just before her wrists, lined with fur, and are long enough to appear to drape past her hands if let loose, but are gathered onto her forearms, the secured ties beneath invisibly holding them in place – a trick understood by tailors and individuals familiar with high fashion. A clasp made of baby owlbear talons secures the cowl drape of fur at her neck, sloping into a cuirass shaped bodice that displays open cross lacing before it flares open at her waist, the front cut so that it tapers smoothly across and down the body into a full length tailcoat skirt in back. This reveals the bone-white leather garments beneath – a trim, embroidery embellished jerkin over loose salwar that meet with over the knee boots. The entire set is fit to be royal hunting attire (and is exactly that, from another business excursion.) Her ebony hair is down, ties gathering it at several intervals beginning between her shoulder blades, the end reaching to the band of her skirt.
Perception DC 25:
The outfit is also very functional. The sides of the salwar are buttoned rather than sewn, allowing for a deft hand to easily access inside them, where pouches and weapons could be easily stored unseen due to the looseness of the drape yet firmness of the chosen fabric. The "skirt" of the surcoat can be buttoned back, or wholly removed, as well as the extended bell of the sleeve, which also could easily serve as a hiding place for any number of small items.
Tanith allows Vinstromm to lead her to whichever seat is meant for her. After a short glance about the room, her dark eyes fall on the standing Baron and effect a friendly mien, reminding herself that the Baron is a notoriously evil and conniving man, and she should trust nothing he says or does.
I trust nothing. Tanith trusts even less. Also, from before, gather information about this town and the people, their disposition, any local events/information/etc: 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (18) + 22 = 40 What are people saying about tonight's event, the Baron, etc.?
knowledge(Local) to know where this man is from.:1d20 + 20 ⇒ (6) + 20 = 26
She cannot help but appreciate the joviality of her escort, despite her certainty that this likely means he is all the more dangerous for it. His boots crunch in the snow, adding a pleasantly rhythmic accompaniment to their trek across the town. Tanith casts a sideways glance at the man past her furred hood, her mouth an angled smirk. "Certainly the north does have rare experiences to offer that I doubt I would find elsewhere. Including your company. Will you also be in attendance at the event?" Her gaze casually scans the lay of the town around them as they walk. "I imagine you know who I am – but we have not been introduced."
She exits the room, wrapped in her cloak, not answering the impertinent question. She follows the escort until they exit the inn, when she pulls up her hood.
gather information about this town and the people, their disposition, any local events/information/etc:1d20 + 22 ⇒ (18) + 22 = 40
Before dressing, Tanith spends time in the main inn tavern, listening to an amusing anecdote told by a couple of the locals. Noting to the barkeep that she is awaiting an escort, she returns to her room and dresses for the occasion, covering all of it with her heavy winter cloak.
When the sound at the door comes, she calls, "Yes?"
Yeeah, hearing that she is being followed will change things a lot. Having heard something nearby, blowing 1 ki to add 20 feet to her half movement, and 1 ki to keep her invisibility up. This hearing thing is kinda funky - it seems WAY too easy to know whether an invisible object is moving in the face of all the other sounds of a town. But going with it.
RETCON perception of hearing Azu land DC27:1d20 + 23 ⇒ (15) + 23 = 38
Tanith's dark eyes flicker in the direction of where Azu lands, seeing nothing, but now wary. She walks back the way she came at first, then changes her direction several times, pausing in silence in a wider open space before heading towards her final hiding place to give a report - out of earshot of that area.
DC 24 to to hear her leave, DC 46 to know where. IF successful at DC46 to know where she went to, varying her movement pattern quite a bit, then these other rolls apply.
Stealth for when she stops:1d20 + 62 ⇒ (17) + 62 = 79 Stealth while leaving standing still again:1d20 + 21 ⇒ (10) + 21 = 31 Stealth while moving to final place:1d20 + 41 ⇒ (14) + 41 = 55
Ah - I'm not as familiar with playing sneaky types - we always just add +40 if invisible, if I recall. Ok, so to break it down, ki spent, go invisible, pause for a round immobile=65 Stealth. Move half speed towards a chosen hidden space, which would be 18+20+3. (Although I kind of think the DC should be between 40 and 20 for moving when a ninja because you leave no trace, and thus environmental factors are not considered.)
Stealth Roll for movement:1d20 + 41 ⇒ (5) + 41 = 46
With any tail likely lost, all she requires is a tucked away place where she will not be heard - which isn't terribly hard to find in an outpost town like Inta. Tanith activates her mirror and communicates - in a mixture of elven and infernal - what she has thus far learned of the Baron and his predicament to the network. When she describes both his request and his offer to them, Tanith allows her misgivings to show. "The Baron knows not his own method of death or would not share any of the details. It is suspect in relation to his interests in knowing the names and where his assailants currently reside - one would consider he would offer more detail to ease the cost and the achievement of it. The job's goal seems of only moderate importance to him - he seemed to lack the motivation of revenge one might expect for such a request. His wealth and power are diminished, looking to assert dominance over his claims before they rise up against him. So to set the House on a fools' errand with such a grand scope that could cost him significantly while only achieving a collection of names and places feels contrived. Therefore, I can only query whether he is giving us something to keep us busy and distracted from something else. It is set up almost as a test as well as bait."
Tanith informs the network of the travel to be taken on the morrow, as well as the dinner this evening, requesting that a parcel be sent to her rooms (locked, of course) to prepare her for the business of travel in the morning, as well as this evening's gathering.
When the escort arrives, she is already in the main room laughing with several of the locals. Noting her cue, she bids the men at the table a coy farewell, pulling up the heavy white hood as she follows the man out back into the cold to attend the Baron's dinner.
I don't know if she's been provided accommodations at the Baron's or not. I am assuming not, and she will go to the dumpy inn.
Tanith's eyebrow arches upward at the word stained in what is quite possibly the oddest invitation she's received in a great while, and far from what she might expect from the Baron. Nevertheless, upon his attention moving towards the journal, the elven woman rises regally from the chair and heads for the door with similar boredom of a being centuries old, the gown whispering across the floor. The combined effect of their equally distant manner and lack of formal closure to the discussion creates an oddly casual atmosphere of things unfinished.
She exits to Stol outside the door. "Bring my coat. Please send a messenger to the inn half an hour prior to this evening's activities as escort." There was no use in hiding it - she was here at the behest of the Baron, and it made sense to utilize those resources to add a touch of public formality to her presence as well as remind the Baron of their business relations. Besides, it might keep Stol from leering as openly.
The inn leaves much to be desired by a Stormfare elite, but nonetheless, it is the best of the few in Inta. After reserving a room, Tanith asks the innkeep for directions to the supply shop and once again leaves the inn, heading as the innkeep directed, pulling her winter wolf cloak tightly about her. Within a short distance, however, she interposes herself between two barriers of view and winks out of sight.
Spend a Ki point to go invisible. I will write more tonight.
can I get a clarification: the dinner is one thing, then the travel is the next day, yes? Is he suggesting she dress warmly for the activity the next day or the dinner?
Tanith's head inclines towards her host slightly. "Ah. My apologies, Baron. I had not realized you were not acquainted with the manner of your own death. Generally, victims questioned have such details. So you do not know who killed you, but you are aware that they were recently in Stormfare with a child?" While the last question is stated with a casual inquisitive tone, there is no mistaking the conflict inherent in the phrasing. She continues, in summary of the services to be provided, "Do you therefore also seek the information regarding to the manner of your demise, or merely those that perpetrated it and their whereabouts?"
"With regard to payment, we are honoured by the return of your avid attention, Baron. As you'll note, I was merely asking for security, not payment. I believe you will find that you have never requested information of the House that was not supplied - or retrieved - for you.
"However, you cannot deny that your request is a substantial one: the identities and locations of an unknown number of people of any race, sex, or ethnicity, with no description whatsoever, that could have performed an act of aggression against you, the result of which was your death--the time, place and manner of which you are not providing." Her mouth rises in an amused smirk, black eyes twinkling. "Anyone in the Land could meet those requirements. I suggest you aim high in your estimation of cost."
Her hands part in an artful gesture, her demeanor softening to a more sensual fluidity with the indication that they might be nearing the end of their business discussion. "Still - Your offer is interesting. If it is your wish that I should attend tonight, I will be delighted to satisfy you."
question for DRA:
She's going to want to contact the Network between now and the dinner. I assume she would have some way to contact the Network from a distance to consult on the costs and availability of information, etc. Perhaps a magic item that only connects to them. I think the mirror of communication would be awesome for this, and could be keyed into various formal Branches of House del Covas. Mirror of Communication
Under the Baron's silent gaze, Tanith is the picture of placid social pleasantry, though her dark eyes remain sharply connected to his. It is only when he mentions 'money' that the corners of her soft smile deepen.
"The names and current locations of those that killed you." The elf gives a nod. Her fingers curl into her palm as her hands find a resting place in her lap.
"The task you set forth requires tapping the network, and since we are at some significant distance from a formal Del Covas outpost, we will require payment security upfront for the transaction. Now," she continues, a hand lifting to slice through the air to suggest an important point, "House Del Covas does indeed accept significant intelligence as currency, but it must qualify under scrutiny as rare to the House, and not to the public. I'm certain you understand the difference. Confirmation of the quality of your information also requires access to the network.
"So, if you wish to provide rare information as currency for this transaction, we will require monetary security upfront until the exclusive nature of the information can be confirmed of value to the task. At which point, your coinage shall be returned." Tanith flashes him a winsome smile accompanied by a promissory bow of the head.
Her brows rise, hands turning over to offer an alternative. "Of course, you could provide additional detail of your unfortunate demise, and that would go some distance towards mitigating the cost, since the task would be less extensive in nature. Perhaps a description of your assailants, their number, the method of your destruction - similar such details could reduce the cost significantly since I will not need to obtain it from the network."
"While some are still 'rushing to get their pieces onto the board', as you say, others have had them in place for centuries." The moue breaks, her lips arching into a small, dignified smile. "I expect that the House, and more specifically I, shall remain as ever: ready to meet your requests."
"On that note...Now that the personal questions are past, and you feel time is of the essence," Tanith gestures to the baron, "should you like to take your turn on the board? After all, as the rules state, once a piece is touched, you've committed to moving it."
Her hands spread before her, as though everything he could wish lay on a tray resting in her hands. "What information do you request of House del Covas? And how do you intend to pay?"
Tanith purses her lip into a moue of consideration, his words certainly persuasive. "Your question already contains the answer you believe is most wise, do you not think?"
"At the risk of dancing a philosophical edge, there must always be a center from which those above and below can measure themselves. Neutrality may be as much a choice as any other."
err, reading my response in ooc above, I meant, "perfectly ok with doing these rolls to get a sense of what's going on, or just running with RP. It IS fun to roll the high numbers, though. " Clearly, I forgot to add the rest of my thought.
Originally, Tanith was pretty much ALL social RP person, so those rolls were her main skill. I upped her battle ability for the boards, but really, she should be mostly social. So I'm perfectly ok with doing these rolls to get a sense of what's going on. Additionally, it keeps one from wholly ignoring someone's intent to intimidate, etc and tells clearly what's the intention is.
Are you intending to give her the Shaken condition? Or just for flavor, as you suggest?
Perception DC35:1d20 + 23 ⇒ (13) + 23 = 36
"You mistake me, Baron." Her tone has cooled in response to the man's intimidating nature, her voice falling into a tighter cadence as her fingertips touch to her chest. "I no more underestimate the Ice Lich than I underestimate you. I was merely commenting on your recent return."
Her elbows lift to the arms of the chair, fingers threading together to rest at her breast. Her dark eyes focus on the baron, the comely crinkle from her engaging smile smoothed to a blank slate. "Are these two questions a request for House Del Covas?"
Thank you for the info, both Dave and DRA. What is Pechora? Did I miss reference to that? I'm treating it as though he is sitting at his desk, even though there's also a mention of him being seated at the table. Perception for the cylinders at his waist:1d20 + 23 ⇒ (11) + 23 = 34 K(arcane) to identify cylindrical objects at waist:1d20 + 15 ⇒ (20) + 15 = 35 Bluff at being enamored of the Baron with the hope he will relax, be charmed and share more than required:1d20 + 23 ⇒ (20) + 23 = 43 Dang, I shoulda saved those 20's for something more important.
"An Ice Lich. I suppose next you'll tell me they come in different flavours as well?"
Tanith approaches the desk, clicking her tongue against her teeth as though a lich is such a bother. "Unfortunate, but not surprising I suppose. One cannot expect someone as notable as yourself to go unremarked by the hungriest denizens of the Land." She sinks into the chair opposite him with only a susurrus of the pleasing friction of lush fabrics to accompany her movement. Her gaze hoods with a brief downward glance at her hands in her lap --as though finding it an effort to control her excitement; she seems to finally gather herself with a press back of her shoulders. Her gaze slides back up to catch the Baron's eyes with her own, a slender hand rising to wave artfully with her words before gesturing to her host. "Besides, it is generally my will to be enchanted by more lively company--and here you are, quite filled with verve and eager to negotiate. Perhaps the intense cold invigorates the blood?"
moderate transmutation, abjuration and conjuration, faint universal. I was surprised bracers of armor were conjuration.
it occurs to me that I did not mention her pouches or backpack. Argh. She would have brought her potions and such. All of them are minor auras that would be covered by the other moderate auras.
See, this is where I sigh and say that I should have asked for more stuff from DRA, as I wanted to have items of nondetection, etc. Something Mask dweomer'd.
200 years later and only level 11. Clearly she was...distracted or something.
AND HOLY CRUD, WTF IS WITH THAT DIPLOMACY ROLL? LOL, you must tell me how to get that so that I can position her in that direction. At this rate, swooning is the only option. Do you get to add your oratory to your diplomacy? Is that a bard thing, or a general thing? (I want!) I'm not the best at the mechanics of character creation and always looking for some assistance there.
...And in having her basically describe her magic items, I realize how very underpowered she is in this situation.
K(Arcana) Robe:1d20 + 15 ⇒ (16) + 15 = 31 K(Arcana) Staff:1d20 + 15 ⇒ (11) + 15 = 26 Sense Motive: Can't even touch your diplomacy score with sense motive pumped to the max. Bluff: 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (19) + 23 = 42
She inclines her head slightly. "It should be quite a black mark upon House del Covas to answer a business request with assault, as it would also be upon you for the same. I can put you at ease, your Lordship."
Tanith lifts her left hand in a motion as though it were to be taken and kissed; a lump is visible beneath the glove. "A ring that transforms to bear the house seal." Her other hand lifts to join the other, a matching pair. "A ring that affords some protection from street thieves." Both hands lower to press onto the outer layer of her bronze dress and then cross her body to touch her biceps before she folds them together at her waist. "Additional protection from the cretin of the northlands who deem elves the great betrayers, and have likely not seen an elf with whom they could take revenge since the last Dragonflight wars. Besides, plate mail is so unforgiving to the figure," she quips at the last, offering the Baron a sly smile. "And that is the last of the information you will obtain for free, I am afraid to say."
Sense Motive DC42:
While what she has stated appears truthful, Tanith is withholding information.
Detect Magic:
On round one, Detect magic detects magical aura. On round two, there are 4 different auras. On round three, the location of the auras are centered around the middle of her person and where she indicates. Moderate strength. You can make K(arcana) skill checks to determine what the schools are if you wish. Difficulty here is that there are layers of auras over each other.
Can I get a better sense of what sort of building she's entered? A manse? A fort? Just for the sake of how unlikely it would be to have a study. Was the rest of the building in this sort of disrepair/dustiness? Was Inta within the Baron's ruling area?
Is this also a known place that the Baron had lodgings? Or is it surprising to be in Inta? Was there any sign of heraldry? There's Stol - were there many other servants or soldiers visible? Or signs of the passage of servants/people/soldiers (i.e., footprints in the snow, sounds in the hall, etc.)
Finally- the baron is wearing a kimono with cherry blossoms and cranes? That's...interesting, he doesn't seem the kimono type. Is it possible one could use knowledge checks to recognize the magic items he has without detect magic? And damn I want an otherworldly kimono for Mina. Or, hell, anything that raises spell DC.
[/ooc]
If we rule that the fan cannot be seen, then also Azu has not been revealed. If we rule that the fan can be seen, let's assume she has produced it and made some low comment about each side revealing hidden protections.
Stol may as well be nonexistent, or at best, furniture; Tanith's attention doesn't stray from the Baron. Her head tilts a fraction, her smile angling into a small, curious smirk as she takes in the man inviting her to this oddly well-comparisoned study in the middle of a frozen wasteland. One part of her mind scans memories of ley line maps, wondering if there wasn't something about Inta she'd missed in her review before arriving. The rest focuses on playing her role as expected.
Everything about the man seems renewed, refreshed, and Tanith is as equally intrigued by the improved personality as she is by his drawing of breath. "Indeed, I stand ready to receive your questions."
It says in the glove of storing that it is shrunk so small it cannot be seen. It would have to be suppressed or dispelled. thus True seeing won't work. So, just curious how he sees it-have I read it wrong?
Perform Dance1d20 + 12 ⇒ (9) + 12 = 21 Perform Oratory 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (14) + 13 = 27 Perception to see Azu/anything amiss/take general stock of the room and its denizen 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (6) + 23 = 29
Spoiler:
Her glove carries the Kiss, as it usually does.
With the characteristic creak of cold iron hinges, the door to the study opens and Stol's hand gestures within. A tall, lissome elven woman takes a step in for a pause of presentation. Her heavy white cloak and muff have been taken, revealing a bronze-hued taffeta traveling gown. The metal buttons trace the shape of her torso from the left collarbone across the body to her right hip where it fans out into a split skirt, creating an elegant overcoat similar to that of the entari of desert cultures. A line of black that trims the the uneven geometry of the neckline is actually a half inch of delicate black lace that graces the cuffs of the narrow sleeves as well as the skirt hem. Lantern light glints on the supple leather of a pair of riding boots that meet bronze breeches only visible in where the skirt parts. Fine handstitched gloves hug her long slender fingers that currently rest softly in front of her skirts.
Her pale flesh is barely adorned, the waist-length coil of ebony hair twisted into a lemniscate design fastened with an ivory comb decorated with calligraphy from the Empire of the Mist.
Her dark gaze arcs along the horizon of the room to rest on the man seated at his table, at which the corners of her mouth perk briefly upward. Pressing the door shut behind her with a coy smile to Stol, the woman glides further into the room to the appropriate distance before the Baron.
"Your Lordship, Baron Ormir." The elven woman effects a curtsy that manages to convey respect and command it in the same breath. Her voice conjures the sensation of dark velvet across flesh, her tone suggesting a failed effort to hide her awe to be in his presence. "I am Tanith Ser'Leri." A long-fingered hand splays upon her breast in self-reference. "You have need of House Del Covas?"
Tanith adjusts the winter wolf hood around her face, drawing it in closer. She might enjoy the opportunity to relish the delicious feeling of exquisite fur against her skin--a pleasure not often enjoyed in the sodden climes of Stormfare--if it were not for the utter waste of a town and the desolate expanse in which it was nestled stretching as far as the eye could see.
Another experience for which I would wish to repay you, Baron Ormir. She flashes a saccharine smile at some ancient hag of a woman futilely sweeping the front step of snow; it was a fine thing that now, 200 years later, she would have the chance to meet with him after his regard in the form of an assasination attempt began their little game. Since that time, Tanith kept abreast of the Baron's work, of his influence--and disappearance--even if it meant she paid for information from her own House. With the incomes of two wealthy deceased human husbands and her own private work, the difficulty lay not in affording the information, but in finding individuals still living with such secrets.
And now the Baron had reappeared. So here she was, a House Magistrate.
In Inta.
"Do people even speak common this far north?" she mutters under her breath, which comes in a frosty cloud. Her hands flex as she stretches her fingers in her embroidered kidskin leather gloves, tucked into a fur muff that matched the winter wolf trim of her icy-hued heavy cloak. The Baron would not have forgotten their tete a tete, so either he merely requested House Del Covas' assistance, or he requested her specifically.
Either way, House business first, personal business after. Again, her long fingers curl and flex.
Tanith's shoulders give an infinitesimal roll to straighten her spine, a pleasant mask of cordial service sliding over her pale elven features. The snow behind her is unmarred save for the boots of her guide and the drag of her elegant blue-white hide cloak. She would seem a ghost amid this frozen tundra if not for the dark eyes that flicker across her surroundings, drinking in detail as they might drink in light.
