|
Glancing out the window, Lady Calliope peers at the new arrival before collapsing with disappointment back onto the very comfortable couch she was sitting at, booted feet on an antique coffee table much to the glaring disapproval of the serving staff.
"So damn boring around here! I get enough of this stuffiness at home."
She muses while regarding the goblet of wine in her hand.
"Then again, there's a reason I'm not welcome at home anymore..."
|
|
Torquat looks up from his sword, scowling as best as he can (a beak provides severe limitations as per facial expressions). Carefully resting his sword on the chair upon which he had been seated, Torquat stands up, strides over to the arrival, and extends his hand.
"Torquat "Kyojin-Kira", warrior indentured to the Veskel family. I dare hope you bring more than good looks and fancy introductions to the field." Torquat introduces himself, carefully scanning the young man.
The Veskel family is currently headed by Inspel Veskel Sr. an Accomplished Wizard who has done well to maintain family relations within the Inner Sea Region, and has two children currently active in the Pathfinder Scoiety; Inspel Veskel Jr., his first-born son and a capable Magi, and Mirana Veskel, a half-elf daughter from his second (and much more recent) marriage, who is a proven Summoner.
|
|
"Torquat "Kyojin-Kira", warrior indentured to the Veskel family. I dare hope you bring more than good looks and fancy introductions to the field." Torquat introduces himself, carefully scanning the young man.
Master Torquat, a pleasure to meet you, I met the Elder Vekel at one of those god awful Harvest Balls in Oppara once (You know the ones I'm talking about, yes? Those perfectly dry things Lady Biernbauer throws every year) He was an admirable chap if I do say so. Bit on the serious side though, tad dour for my taste.
As for my skills, I'm afraid that I am terribly useless. A vestigial limb, really. In fact I only joined this organization so that my dear Papa could have a place to stash me after I caused a bit of a mess in the homeland. Apparently if you push an agent of the Aspis Consortium off a clock tower and accuse a member of the royal household of being a traitor, people get so terribly offended.
And as for what I bring to the field, I can honestly say I've never actually been in a field, or a meadow, or even a pasture. Still, I would say I'm not a hopeless case, just not very useful.
But I do have this terribly bad habit of finding and eliminating Aspis Consortium agents, it's a bit of a bother really but I am trying to behave myself these days. Self improvement and all that.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
..a large scared Half-Orc dress in austere but subtly fashionable clothing enters with a frown "Some Fool Taldan's carriage is blocking the entrance like they own the place"
|
|
A sleek dressed human male with a rapier at his side, wearing a nice hat, walks towards the commotion of the new arrival.
Hm. This must be a new recruit to the society? Or just some guy with delusions of grandeur.
Oh, one of those. Hah, if they only kept it in their pants
Gean speaks up to the arrival, looking to see what he is about.
Excuse me, Mr D'Amore? You do know we have a proper place for everything here. Including offloading your belongings. Please try not to block an entrance when other, more important people, and that includes our fair Lady Gloriana Morilla. Not to mention any of our more famous, or should I say infamous members as well.
|
|
"D'Amore-san, I believe that Domiscuro-san was indicating that there is a separate entrance for bringing in personal belongings, as well as other larger objects that may not necessarily fit, or are too obtrusive or obstructive in the entrance hall. He was not indicating that you cannot bring your belongings into the Lodge, just that you were bringing them in the wrong entrance." Torquat says, feeling somewhat peeved that he'd need to explain proper protocol to someone raised in a noble setting.
|
|
"The proper use of the various entrances are not the "Servants Entrances" they are the proper ones to use according to decorum and protocol for unloading you personal effects that we do not need to see marched through the entirety of the lodge that we share with hundreds of our fellow Pathfinders of which you interrupt and interfere with their ability to function properly." says the Half-Orc from his seat gruffly.
"Secondly you should get used to commoners with no title, lands, or high lineage outranking you. Your Father's name and influence was used not to get you a cushy, easy, position but one that may see you or others killed for your actions or lack of actions"
|
|
"Indeed. We are all here for the sake for our society with Lady Gloriana. With being pathfinders a close second. And as Mr. Brightscar suggests, there will be people without titles that will tell you what they need you to do."
Gean touches his had and his outfit changes slightly to better reflect his allegiance with the society.
"So, please, be mindful of the ones around you. You may find yourself on the wrong end of a dagger." He lets out a sigh to relax, then continues speaking. "Well, while you are here, enjoy it. Because in our line of work, some do not come back."
|
|
"Those commoners or even lesser nobles amongst us also tend to have enough skill to raise above the positions of Birth and earn Title , Land, a Acclaim. I myself have risen far above the mere son of a tribal chieftain to become a landed Knight, a Lleidang of the Kingdom of the Linnorn Kings, and recently granted the title of Markgraf of the Northern Marches." the Half-Orc's clothing twists and flow becoming a set of Burnished Bronze Full Plate depicting scenes of Angelic Battles against Demon, Devils, and Dragons.
"We must also remember that Great Kings, Emperors , and even Gods that Pass the Star Stone's test lift up and Ennoble their allies and servants. Only the weak or most evil rely upon slaves and tyranny"
|
|
My, my, this is a serious room. Merci beaucoup Maître Reynard , votre aide est appréciée.
Now I recognize that you all have a lot of terribly high minded notions but, please understand, I actually have little interest in glory or breaking the grip tyranny or even in politics. I am here for much more practical reasons.
I am a practical man, which is why I chose the entrance closest to the street to unload my knick-knacks, which are now happily cleared, exactly as planned. I am terribly sorry but mindfulness, while terribly polite, is often a hindrance for my work (My work which, again, won't be at all useful to any of you strapping chaps). Unloading at one of those *yuck* "proper" entrances would've added ten extra minutes to the process.
(Wait, now be careful with that one it's an Alchemy set-)
Total loss by the sound of it. Ah, que sera sera, eh?
Now where was that champagne...
|
|
"Practical Reasons?! A practical person, no matter how concerned they are in saving time, should know better than to inconvenience others and break proper protocol, especially with the kind of people that reside here!"
Torquat huffs, his feathers ruffling. "And if you are useless to the Pathfinder cause, as well as the cause of those who work to progress the Sovreign Court, then, as Brightscar-san said, what is the point of you being here? If there is none, then you have caused a commotion with no reason, and thus I advise that you vacate the premises."
|
|
"If you are useless what point is there to you being here?You joined a cooperative organization with an established Hierarchy. This isn't a social retreat "
I'm sorry, I should have explained earlier: I consider my skills rather useless personally because I have lived with them my entire life but I suppose that chap who asked my father to send me here saw some kind of use for them. Something, something about "we would very much like to retain him", something, something.
I wasn't entirely paying attention.
(Seriously, where IS that champagne?)
|
|
The air throughout the room distorts for a few moments, before a young man dressed in the most recent fashions and an overburdened elderly assitant appear in the middle of the room from a dimension door.
"If I never see Geb again, it'll be too soon."
The new arrival seems somewhat surprised to see others present, and quickly handwaves his long suffering porter to take his leave.
"That'll be all for now Alfonso. Go and make the quartermaster aware of our return. I'll need her to restock before our next assignment."
Finally composing his etiquette, the youth nods politely at the assembled individuals.
"Apologises for my eccentric arrival, I've just returned to the city from a lengthy assignment and the prospect of some finer company was too tempting to resist. I hope I haven't interrupted anything."
Calmly sitting himself down, the spellcaster smiles at the gathered nobility, seeming to either forget to introduce himself, or choosing not to.
Given his age, appearance and magical ability, you recognise the newcomer as the well respected Pathfinder and diplomat, Lord Ardisen Greymore. Something of a child prodigy, Lord Greymore abandonned his family in Egorian in favor of pursuing his own training as an enchanter and spending the last four years of his teenage years within the Society. Ardisen's membership in the Sovereign Court was on the terms that Lady Morilla ensure his families noble title was once again recognised, elevating the wizard into the lordship.
While best known as an enchanter, diplomat and paragon of the Pathfinder Society, Lord Greymore also moonlights as an information broker, using his silver tongue and keen intellect to stay ahead of his competition.
|
|
A lithe tengu in typical Tien courtier's attire walks up the steps, examining a masterwork katana in his hand, turning it and feeling the balance. He quickly sheaths the sword as he reaches the top of the stairs.
To whom does the procession outside belong? I swear, if I have been left off the guest list of ANOTHER foreign dignitary, I shall become QUITE cross.
The tengu looks around at the newcomer inspecting some of his cargo.
Oh, it must be yours. Terribly sorry, where are my manners? I am Taiicho, eldest prince of the Kamihane clan of Kwanlai. To whom do I have the pleasure of speaking to?.
He bows his head.
|
|
Giovanni D'Amore, late of Taldor, etc. etc.
Positively charmed to meet you.
Same here, I'm sure. Come, let me show you around the headquarters whilst your servants unpack your things. The amenities here are . . . passable, I should say. Afterwords might I persuade you to play a game of Kemari? It's an game from Tien Xia, played by courtiers and nobles. I've been trying to get it started over here but alas . . .
The Tengu trails off.
Sense motive DC 15
Anyway, come, there is a fairly good library in one of the side rooms that has a genealogy of nobles of throughout Golarian. Why, my family is even there, though the information is woefully out of date of course . . .
|
|
...whew coming around, horrible awful day mare. Something about deficiencies and societal anarchy...thank Abadar that's over. Looking over to the odd assembly, so...where's the shrimp cocktails and rum spritzers? I do hope there's a masseuse available, I seem to have hurt my shoulder on the landing.
|
|
Same here, I'm sure. Come, let me show you around the headquarters whilst your servants unpack your things. The amenities here are . . . passable, I should say. Afterwords might I persuade you to play a game of Kemari? It's an game from Tien Xia, played by courtiers and nobles. I've been trying to get it started over here but alas . . .
I am indeed familiar with Kemari, though I have never played it. Perhaps it is time to broaden my horizons. When in Absalom, eh?
Anyway, come, there is a fairly good library in one of the side rooms that has a genealogy of nobles of throughout Golarian. Why, my family is even there, though the information is woefully out of date of course . . .
A library? Spectacular. I must ask since it appears you are the authority on this question, how is their selection of poetry from Minkai and Quain?
|
|
Ardisen nods his head at Giovanni.
"And the same to you. How are your affairs this fine day?"
The young noble seems to look around himself for a drink, before reaching over to a stray bottle of wine and calmly pouring himself a glass.
"I hope you're all managing to stay safe in these dangerous times? It would be a shame to build a court of like minded individuals only to see any of our number lost to any unpleasantness."
|
|
"Oh, is this the new noble I have heard of? Hm~" A woman with dark black hair, and skin with an orange tinge, and wearing light blue Vudrani outfit. Her tail flicks a bit behind her.
"Oh, you're Giovanni. It is nice to meet you." She looks at Giovanni in a appraising manner. "You look like you might be interesting company. But I have a feeling you might not like my company." Her tail flicks behind her again as she finishes speaking. Naomi begins to leave, but stops near Ardisen. "By the way, my name is Naomi. Maybe you should familiarize yourself with other notable people within, and definitely of those without our noble faction. Never know who might give you an edge over someone you may... Dislike." As she finishes, her tail snatches the wine bottle that Ardisen was holding, and she gives him a smile before she continues walking away.
|
|
Lord Greymore returns Naomi's smile, releasing the wine from his hand.
"And a pleasure to meet you too, Naomi. I am more than familiar with those within our number, it pays to be well informed. However, I'm afraid the number of people I dislike is few and far between. I find myself well disposed to most people I meet, and that same positivity is often returned in kind. Nevertheless, I'll take your advice on board."
The enchanter takes a sip of his wine, pleasantly regarding his fellow nobles.
|
|
Same here, I'm sure. Come, let me show you around the headquarters whilst your servants unpack your things. The amenities here are . . . passable, I should say. Afterwords might I persuade you to play a game of Kemari? It's an game from Tien Xia, played by courtiers and nobles. I've been trying to get it started over here but alas . . .
I am indeed familiar with Kemari, though I have never played it. Perhaps it is time to broaden my horizons. When in Absalom, eh?
Anyway, come, there is a fairly good library in one of the side rooms that has a genealogy of nobles of throughout Golarian. Why, my family is even there, though the information is woefully out of date of course . . .A library? Spectacular. I must ask since it appears you are the authority on this question, how is their selection of poetry from Minkai and Quain?
Excellent, I'll get Kemari started here yet! As for the library's section on poetry, it is . . . well, there are some decent enough attempts, but most are made by people from this side of the world trying to ape the style. While they are certainly noteworthy, I think they lose something in the translation into Taldane. However, if you are interested in Tien artwork, I recently acquired a painting by a famous Tien painter who portrayed several of your gods in Tien style. Fool merchant I bought it off didn't know what he had! I hung it in my room, here let me show you. Also, I have a reserve of sake secreted away there, if you are looking for some refined refreshment . . . I know it isn't champagne, but I never did care for that Galt stuff anyway.
|
|
A man in noble’s livery steps out and pulls out a scroll to read from.
He is followed by a Chelish woman wearing the a very fashionable Chelish evening gown, accented with gold and emerald earrings and a gold pentacle amulet. The cut of the gown reveals both a curious brand of a seven pointed star, and a resplendent Phoenix Tattoo.
She is followed by another man in livery carring a resplendent bronze shield in the shape of a lion’s head, and a silver flail.
”Renald, go see if there is anything of quality to eat and drink.” After this address, the man in livery rolls up his scroll and heads into the building in search of some Chelish Red.
Turning towards the rest of the folk assembled, “Ah, some of my other servants are setting up my quarters in Arliss Hall, so I thought I’d stop by and see how the refined portion of our society is today. I bring great news for our Court, my most recent activities have recruited some prominent people in Tien and more recently in Ustalav.”
Looking around the room and seeing a mix of familiar and unfamiliar faces.
“Lord Greymore, always a pleasure to be in your company. Reynard and Volgnaer, it is good to see both of you again. Baroness Blakros, it is a pleasure to meet you. I am sorry that I don’t seem to know any of the rest of you, but I’ll be happy to make your acquaintance. I have sometime to socialize, as I won’t be meeting with others to discuss the establishment of my Lodge for a few days.”
Renald returns with a glass of chelish red.
“About time, keep yourself handy incase I need something, Suli is still missing.”
|
|
The Tengu clearly doesn't recognize the newcomer.
Excuse me but a moment Master D'Amore
Ah, Lady . . . Henderthane was it? Apologies for not introducing myself sooner. I've been working judiciously to memorize all the nobles on this side of Golarion, but alas, there are so many new bloodlines to memorize and only so many hours in the day, even without the society sending me on errands beneath my station. He sneers annoyingly at the last sentence, but quickly regains his composure.
But that is neither here nor there. Allow me to introduce myself, I am Taiicho, Eldest son of the Kamihane clan of Kwanlai. Pleased to make your acquaintance.
The tengu makes a Tien-styled bow
Knowledge-Local DC 25 (or DC10 if from Tien)
If you are not too busy later, perhaps you would join the recently recruited Master D'Amore and myself for a game of Kemari? It's a courtesan's game from Tien that I am trying to get started here. It requires a degree of skill, gracefulness, dexterity, and poise that you might find . . . interesting.
|
|
"Oh, you're Giovanni. It is nice to meet you." She looks at Giovanni in a appraising manner. "You look like you might be interesting company. But I have a feeling you might not like my company."
*chuckles* Apparently you've heard of me and you still want MY company, so two bad reputations make one good friendship, I suppose.
|
|
Lord Greymore stands as Jasmine Henderthane enters, offering her a respectful bow and smiling as he notices the pentacle.
"And a pleasure to see you too, Venture Captain. Indeed, you honor us with your presence. It warms my heart to hear that you are being granted a lodge of your own, could you enlighten us with the location you have chosen, or was one thrust upon you?"
After allowing the lady to respond, Ardisen turns his attention to Taiicho.
"You believe the assignments that the Society sends you on are beneath you? Is that personally or professionally? While our positions and titles do and should offer us a measure of respect within the Society, we made the choice to join and must respect the tasks that the Ten see fit to send us on. Personally I have found my assignments of late most befitting of my position and skill set."
The young lord sits once again, continuing to listen intently to the conversations around him.
|
|
"You believe the assignments that the Society sends you on are beneath you? Is that personally or professionally? While our positions and titles do and should offer us a measure of respect within the Society, we made the choice to join and must respect the tasks that the Ten see fit to send us on. Personally I have found my assignments of late most befitting of my position and skill set."
The young lord sits once again, continuing to listen intently to the conversations around him.
No, no, I simply meant that my talents, and my bloodline, should accord me a higher status than having to babysit the local greycloaks because they can't be bothered to keep their own house in order. Recently though, I had a chance to make some decent inroads with a fey queen, so perhaps the society is starting to recognize my true worth after all.
|
|
Ardisen smiles, fondly recalling a memory.
"One of my earliest assignments after my confirmation saw me exploring the sewers of this very city, of course, that was prior to my noble heritage being formally recognised."
The enchanters smile gives way to a more pensive expression.
"I'm afraid that as long as we remain field agent we always run the risk of being up to our necks in it, literally and otherwise. But I have no doubt the Ten will recognise those of us who have made a difference, to the Society or otherwise. Much as they have done with our fair Venture Captain."
Rising from his seat, the youth places his glass down and adjusts his cloak.
"On that subject, I shall depart for a while. I should redress and bath before I'm despatched on another assignment. Hopefully I'll be able to attend a function or two before that happens, perhaps the opera."
Ardisen bows to the assembled nobility in turn before weaving his hands and muttering a few arcane phrases. As suddenly as he appeared, the wizard is gone.
|
|
A young Tien woman waits on the outside of the doorway. She seems pensive about being here. She looks around a bit before speaking.
"Go aisatsu. Watashinonamaeha Ayaki Metsumodesu. Watashi wa saikin, korera no tochi no watashi no chishiki o kakudai suru soburin saibansho ni sanka s*$&e imasu. Watashi wanode, watashi wa anata no subete to kaiwa suru koto ga dekiru nyūryoku s&@*e mo īdesu ka?"
She looks around a bit before speaking in Common.
"Ah, you must not have understood me, let me repeat myself." She lets out a sigh before continuing. "Greetings. My name is Ayaki Metsumo. I have recently joined the Sovereign Court to expand my knowledge of these lands. May I enter so I may converse with all of you?"
|
|
"Aisatsu, Metsumo-san wa, shuken saibansho pasufaindārojji e yōkoso. Watashi wa anata no shiriai o tsukuru koto o ureshiku omoimasu." Torquat replies in fluent Tien, bowing in a polite Tien manner, his Amanandari accent clearly exemplified to those who are fluent in Tien. "Kare o kinishinai, anata wa subete ga kangei sa re, shuken saibansho no hatten ni kenshin o shimeshite iru kagiri, watashitachi no rojji no ichibudearu to, sono yōna mono o motte suru hitsuyō wa arimasen."
"Greetings, Metsumo-san, and welcome to the Sovereign Court Pathfinder Lodge. I am pleased to make your acquaintance."
"Don't mind him, you are not required to possess anything like that to be a part of our lodge, so long as you show dedication to the development of the sovereign Court, all are welcome."
|
|
Ayaki bows to Torquat in the same fashion. She then smiles at the tengu before speaking in Tien. "Sore wa watashitachi no tochi no s!**a o hanasu ta no dareka o kiku koto ga subarashīdesu. Tabun hanabira chiku o nozoite, sore no nai, amarini mo ōku no nōhau,. Sore dakedenaku, Torquat-san ni oaidekiteureshīdesu. Dakara, watashitachi no ryōri o teikyō shi, koko de nin'i no jigyōsho o s&++te imasu ka?" Then Ayaki turns to Giovanni before speaking in common. "Mr Giovanni-San, greetings, but what is this... Champagne you speak of? Is it similar to sake?"
|
|
Ayaki bows to Torquat in the same fashion. She then smiles at the tengu before speaking in Tien. "Sore wa watashitachi no tochi no s#&!a o hanasu ta no dareka o kiku koto ga subarashīdesu. Tabun hanabira chiku o nozoite, sore no nai, amarini mo ōku no nōhau,. Sore dakedenaku, Torquat-san ni oaidekiteureshīdesu. Dakara, watashitachi no ryōri o teikyō shi, koko de nin'i no jigyōsho o s@&+te imasu ka?" Then Ayaki turns to Giovanni before speaking in common. "Mr Giovanni-San, greetings, but what is this... Champagne you speak of? Is it similar to sake?"