[TURN] Ivan
[TURN] Arco Arboros
Arco Arboros: [SKILL] Escape Artist [d20+2 = 22]
Arco Arboros: Hello again, Lady Glorianna!
[TURN] Valkian
[TURN] Edward
Edward: [SKILL] Knowledge (Nobility) [d20+6 = 12]
Edward tries to impress the nobles with his views on Taldor's noble past, and though their response to his views is positive, he doesn't manage to make a particular impression on them.
[TURN] Ivan
Ivan: I try to figure out the Countess.
Ivan: [SKILL] Knowledge (Nobility) [UNTRAINED] [d20+2 = 18]
[TURN] Arco Arboros
Arco Arboros: I have a letter for you, my Lady.
Lady Gloriana Morilla: Oh?
Arco Arboros: I produce the letter from within my shirt and hand it to her.
Lady Gloriana Morilla: Oh thank you so much!
Lady Gloriana Morilla: Would you be so kind to run this message back to Martella and this other one to Duke Centimus in the Archives?
Arco Arboros: Of course, my Lady, of course!
Arco Arboros: I take the letters and bow before making my way back over to the archives.
[TURN] Valkian
Valkian: Hey Kalbio, could you do me a favor? Could go to my buddy Ivan for me? He wanted to talk to you. He's upstairs though so it's a bit of a trip.
Valkian: [SKILL] Diplomacy [d20+2 = 16]
Kalbio of Breezy Creek: Did he say what for?
Valkian: Not really, he's a nice guy though so I'm sure it's fine.
Kalbio of Breezy Creek: Okay, of course. Back soon.
Valkian: Later.
Valkian: [SKILL] Disguise [-2] [d20+4 = 16]
[TURN] Edward
Young Reformer
Valkian: [SKILL] Knowledge (Local) [d20+7 = 25]
Valkian: Earlier in the evening, I had arranged for my some friends of mine to give me a disguise outside the line for the Senate Party. I snuck into a secluded area once I got rid of Kalbio and switched into the clothes.
Ivan: [SKILL] Perception [d20 = 1]
Martella comes through urgently on your badges with news of Malphene Trant.
Lady Martella Lotheed: The bully is in the Beldam II Waiting Room and has cornered Senator Dou with her sycophants. Go help the poor man!
Edward: I grasp the pendant and ask where the room is telepathically.
Ivan: I reply telepathically to Martella, asking her where the room is.
Valkian: I replied telepathically to Martella and told her I was a bit busy at the moment.
Arco Arboros: I await the Lady's reply to my companions' question.
Martella replies to all of you that the room is south of the gallery on the upper floor.
Ivan: I tell Martella telepathically that I'll head there straight away.
Edward: I move upstairs at a brisk pace, after quickly excusing myself from the throng telling them I'll be back later.
Edward: Once upstairs I look around and see if I can spot my companions.
Arco Arboros: I head upstairs to deliver the messages.
Ivan: I politely excuse myself from my conversation with the Countess and head over to the Beldam Room.
Kalbio of Breezy Creek: Hey you wanted me for something?
Ivan: Not right now, Kalbio.
Ivan: I brush past the man and continue quickly towards the gallery.
Edward: Hey Ivan, did you get the message? We should move together.
Edward: I don't know if anybody else is coming.
Kalbio runs after you, apparently wondering what the rush is about.
Ivan: I nod to Edward and keep moving.
Kalbio of Breezy Creek: Hey fellas, what're we up to?
Edward: Hi Kalbio we're going to check on somebody.
Kalbio of Breezy Creek: Yay, more friends.
Edward: I wouldn't say that.
The room is a 90-foot-by-80-foot area, with lavish white marble walls and sturdy wooden floors. The centerpiece of the room is a vast 10-foot-wide gold-trimmed window peering down over the city of Oppara. Chairs and tables are spaced throughout the chamber to promote socializing.
As you enter the room, you catch Malphene in the act of haranguing Senator Dou and shoving him around.
Neither she nor her sychophants seem to have noticed you.
Malphene is flanked by three friends, all bored, bullying sons of local aristocratic families.
Edward (Whispering): Kalbio, run and fetch some guards to oversee this quick!
Kalbio exclaims "Right away!", and storms off the narrow corridor in search of guards to summon.
Ivan (Whispering): Let's just hope the guards get here soon.
Ivan: I barge my way into the conversation, placing myself in between Malphene and the senator.
Edward (Jovially): Oh there you are Senator Dou! I've been looking for you, some of the guests have been asking for you.
Malphene seems incensed at the interruption.
Dame Malphene Trant: Who are you and what do you think you're doing here?
Edward: My smile turns to a frown.
Ivan: I brazenly ignore her and talk to the senator.
Ivan: We were wanting to talk to you about our ideas for a new defence budget for the city!
Your contemptuous behavior enrages Malphene and she lunges at you!
Edward: Like I said, I was just looking for the Senator, and here he is getting roughed up. What exactly is going on here?
Arco Arboros: Light
Arco Arboros: Light
Edward (Loudly): The guards are on their way, back off.
Edward: [SKILL] Intimidate [d20+8 = 17]
Malphene seems unfazed by your attempt at intimidation.
Edward: [SKILL] Perception [d20 = 19]
Edward notices that Malphene is slightly drunk.
Considering she's also visibly angry, it is a dangerous combination.
[TURN] Ivan
Ivan: Get a hold of yourself, woman!
Ivan: [SKILL] Heal [d20 = 8]
Ivan: [SKILL] Intimidate [d20-1 = 12]
Dame Malphene Trant: [d6 = 5]
Ivan's display of prowess and verbal threats seem to have calmed the raging woman somewhat, and she backs away from both him and the unfortunate young senator.
Her sycophantic friends take the cue, and back away too.
Dame Malphene Trant: You can have the spineless man-boy. We're going for a drink.
Senator Amadorian Dou: Thank you for helping me out! That crazy woman wouldn't leave me alone.
Edward: Are you alright Senator?
Senator Amadorian Dou: Now I am, yes.
Edward: Why was she harassing you anyway?
Her father wants my allegiance.
Ivan: Come with us, we should get you somewhere with more guards around.
Senator Amadorian Dou: I'll be fine, don't worry.
Senator Amadorian Dou: Drop by my office in the morning, and I'll have something for you.
Edward: Oh that's right, Lady Martella told us something like this could happen.
Edward (Patting Ivan on the back): It's a good thing you were here, I almost cast a spell.
Ivan: Alright, I won't insist. I doubt they'll bother you again.
[TURN] Arco Arboros
The senator shakes Ivan's hand with true warmth, and walks off.
Arco Arboros: [SKILL] Escape Artist [d20+2 = 17]
Arco Arboros: Hello again, Lady Martella. I return from Lady Gloriana with a message for you.
Arco Arboros: I produce the message and hand it to her.
Lady Martella Lotheed: Thank you, Arco.
Lady Martella Lotheed: Would you be so kind to also run this file folder I “borrowed” back to the archives as well?
Arco Arboros: Yes, yes, of course!
Arco Arboros: Now if you'll excuse me...
Lady Martella Lotheed: You're a sweetheart.
Arco Arboros: ...you wouldn't happen to know where the Senator has gone, would you?
Arco Arboros: Senator Dou that is.
Arco Arboros: Would you happen to know where Duke Centimus might be?
[Delete above three lines.]
[TURN] Edward
This handsome bear of a man stands a head taller than the crowd, and while starting to show his age with flecks of white in his black hair and beard, he retains a youthful smile and gentle eyes.
Edward: I approach the man in front of me with a wide grin and ask about what manner of noble house has raised such a fine figure.
Edward: [SKILL] Knowledge (Nobility) [d20+6 = 21]
You engage this striking man in discussion over various topics related to the nobility and he responds well to your advance.
You soon realize you've heard of this man.
A noble and hero in the county of Meratt, Baron Nicolaus Okerra is as equally renowned for his good looks as he is for his combat skills.
He seems terribly interested in discussing above all matters of law and order.
Baron Okerra harbors one shard of doubt in his heart: the impact of Eutropia’s successful bid to end primogeniture. As a defender of law and order, he believes strongly in tradition, and worries that the princess’s actions endanger the stability of Taldan law.
[TURN] Valkian
[TURN] Ivan
Ivan: I head straight back towards the Countess, looking out for Kalbio along the way.
On your way to the Countess you run into Kalbio heading your way with two guards on his heels.
Ivan: Kalbio, I need you to go and tell Lady Martella that the situation has been dealt with. Then meet me back at the Arcade of Triumphs, I have another job for you.
The guards look at Ivan and inquire what seems to be the problem. Kalbio's sense of urgency impressed them, and they seem concerned.
Ivan (to the guards): Everything's alright now lads, no need for alarm.
Ivan: Just some nobles drinking a bit too much wine.
Alright then. Enjoy the rest of the night, sir.
Kalbio of Breezy Creek: I could use some wine too, actually.
Kalbio of Breezy Creek: Where's Valkian?
Ivan: I continue on my way to Countess Abrielle.
Ivan: I smile and restart our earlier conversation.
Oh there you are again, she exclaims, somewhat half-heartedly. What was all that commotion and running about for?
Ivan: Just that Trant woman making some drunken commotion. Some argument about the primogeniture laws.
Ivan: I attempt to impress her by appraising the value of her jewelry.
Ivan: [SKILL] Appraise [d20+2 = 19]
The Countess seems very fond of her jewelry and is pleasantly surprised to meet a warrior capable of appreciating them.
[TURN] Arco Arboros
Arco Arboros: I head to the archives to find the Duke.
As Arco leaves Martella's side, he comes upon Kalbio approaching.
Kalbio of Breezy Creek: Hey friend!
Kalbio of Breezy Creek: Seen Valkian?
Arco Arboros: Greetings Kablio. I'm not sure where Valkian, maybe somewhere downstairs? I'm headed downstairs right now, actually.
Kalbio of Breezy Creek: Lead the way!
Arco Arboros: [SKILL] Escape Artist [d20+2 = 7]
Arco's either getting tired or Kalbio's cramping his style. Either way this latest missive will be delivered a little late.
[TURN] Valkian
After half an hour of disguising himself, Valkian walks ot of the little side room with his best attempt at passing as a human.
Using the servant clothes his friend supplied to him earlier in the night, Valkian is finally ready to take his best stab at grabbing that blasted wine and getting this sorry business over with.
Valkian: I grab a wet rag and wipe down a few tables while slowly making my towards the wine bottle.
Valkian: Finally, I arrive to the table with the wine bottle. I reach out and grab it while simultaeously pulling out the syringe I am supposed to inject into the bottle.
Valkian's disguise seems to hold, as none of the servants rushing back and forth in the kitchen has recognized him thus far.
Valkian: [SKILL] Disable Device [d20+8 = 19]
Valkian skilfully injects the putrefying agent in the wine with the syringe, and then replaces the bottle on the table, and smoothly slinks away.
[TURN] Valkian
[TURN] Edward
[TURN] Valkian
Valkian: I go back to the corner where I changed and I dump the disguise.
Valkian: I walk up to the clown and start a conversation about make-up, disguises, and general trickery.
Valkian: [SKILL] Disguise [d20+6 = 21]
Along with a host of other halflings, Wyssilka performs minor magic tricks, face painting, juggling, tumbling, and simple comedy skits to keep the younger attendees occupied while their parents hobnob.
Several parents and relatives come to check up on their children, nephews or nieces as they are entertained by Wyssilka. This gives you an opportunity to accost their relatives and try to get information out of them.
[TURN] Ivan
Ivan: I draw the Countess' attention to some feature of the senate building and agin attempt to impress her by appraising its value.
Ivan: [SKILL] Appraise [d20+2 = 7]
The Countess seems bored by talk of buildings and she appears to lose interest in you.
[TURN] Edward
Edward: I continue speaking with the Baron to find out more about him.
Edward: [SKILL] Knowledge (Nobility) [d20+6 = 18]
A celebrity in the tournament circuit and a kind but stern leader, Baron Nicolaus Okerra is considered one of Taldor’s chief defenders of law and order. He has little time for pomp and circumstance, secluding himself in the noble courts of the senate building to debate with aspiring nobles on the importance of law. His charming demeanor is only somewhat mitigated by his staunch devotion to order, even when he defends the shadier aspects of a lawful society.
Edward: I excuse myself, and let him know I'll be back shortly.
[TURN] Arco Arboros