Tock says, "Listen, I am not here to antagonize you. I am here to make sure to explain the thinking of King Haddian in a way that conveys the meaning and intent of his wishes."
He settles in more comfortably and explains. "As you most certainly know then the character of a person develops based on two parts - the blood and the environment they are brought up in. How each part is weighed is up for debate, but that both of these play a major role is a certainty. Now there are some who claim that a noble blood is all that it takes to be great and the lack of a noble birth must surely manifest as a weakness of character. The King himself is an example of this being plainly false, no matter how many may believe otherwise."
He looks at Lord Kendall, "You may wonder where I am going with this. And I will get to that in a moment. The princess is very young and very susceptible to all kinds of new ideas. She is also of the very age where the why-questions are prevalent. This is why I am here right now - to prepare you for what you might be facing meeting the little princess."
Tock pulls out a long thin roll of paper and does a purposefully bad imitation of the voice of Gentoa, "Who are you?" He looks at Lord Kendall expectantly.
Lord Kemball stares at Tock after just the first question. As he opens his mouth to say something, the door flies open. Kemball's secretary, a midnight-black tabaxi woman, strides in. She is an impressive specimen of her species, most notably because she has taken on a traditionally male job assisting a Lord. She pads across the room, straight and with purpose. Her eyes look everywhere except at Tock. She bends down and whispers into Lord Kemball's ear. His eyes go wide and stands up, straight as a board.
"If you will excuse me," he says. "I...will be right back."
He leaves with no explanation or excuse, his secretary right behind him. Tock is alone in Kemball's room. The office door is open but nobody is in sight.
Tock, just to be sure it's nothing major, uses Sending to Dog, "Tock here. I'm at Lord Kemball's and he just got some news and stormed off. Would you know anything that would make him do so?"
While waiting for an answer he goes ahead and uses a different spell, to pass without trace and go look around for where the assistant and Kemball went, hoping to eavesdrop on their conversation.
(stealth check: 38)
(why did you roll with advantage? Not that you needed it.)
Dog receives the message now, while he is deciding what to do next.
Tock moves as silently as he ever has. He finds Lord Kendall talking to another man, perhaps a servant. The tabaxi secretary stands off to the side, a neutral expression on her face.
"Take that to Lady Reistroff immediately," he says and the servant bolts out of the room, past Tock without even noticing him, and out of the estate entirely.
Lord Kendall turns to his secretary. "The bastard really hung in there. I almost expected him to recover entirely," he says to her.
"How will you vote at the Senate?" she says in a soft, silky voice.
"I'll vote with the rest," he says. "We don't have enough support to make waves on this issue."
"And what about the Emissary?"
"We'll reschedule him," he says and his secretary begins to move towards the exit. "No, I'll tell him. He's probably rifling through my desk as we speak. Let him know that we can do the same to him."
His secretary nods. Both Kemball and the tabaxi woman move to exit the room, the library by the looks of it, in Tock's direction...
Martin travels hard, fast, and well past when he should stop. Marble Macy is going to need a break when it’s done.
(Going at a fast pace and doing a force marched AND casting your spell 7 times each day, I calculate 43 miles per day with 9 hour days, meaning 1 CON check per day for the first 9 days, none needed on the last day. Sound good?)
Day 1 CON check (he needs 1 each day, so DC 11): 18
Martin sleeps hard after an exhausting run (exhaustion reduced back to 0).
The encounter with the giant was a nice break for Macy and Martin.
Day 2 CON check: 20
Martin sleeps hard AGAIN after an exhausting run (exhaustion reduced back to 0).
Martin is pushing so hard, going so fast, that he passes through Pallaxus on his third day...in the morning.
Day 3 CON check: 20
No exhaustion the night before. He wakes feeling great!
The entire fourth and fifths days are spent galloping hard.
Day 4 CON check: 16
Day 5 CON check: 4
He awakes refreshed but knows the end of the day is hard on both Macy and himself. Still, his pace is strong.
On the sixth day, in the afternoon, he doesn't notice when a pack of three dire wolves jump out of hiding, attacking (2, 1, 2) Macy once and Martin twice.
(why did you roll with advantage? Not that you needed it.)
Dog receives the message now, while he is deciding what to do next.
Tock moves as silently as he ever has. He finds Lord Kendall talking to another man, perhaps a servant. The tabaxi secretary stands off to the side, a neutral expression on her face.
"Take that to Lady Reistroff immediately," he says and the servant bolts out of the room, past Tock without even noticing him, and out of the estate entirely.
Lord Kendall turns to his secretary. "The bastard really hung in there. I almost expected him to recover entirely," he says to her.
"How will you vote at the Senate?" she says in a soft, silky voice.
"I'll vote with the rest," he says. "We don't have enough support to make waves on this issue."
"And what about the Emissary?"
"We'll reschedule him," he says and his secretary begins to move towards the exit. "No, I'll tell him. He's probably rifling through my desk as we speak. Let him know that we can do the same to him."
His secretary nods. Both Kemball and the tabaxi woman move to exit the room, the library by the looks of it, in Tock's direction...
Tockhas heard enough. He rushes back into the office, pulls out the roll of paper he was holding earlier and writes "We need to reschedule. --Tock", leaves it on the table and steps out through dimension door to a place that would allow him the quickest way to where the Royal Family is.
(why did you roll with advantage? Not that you needed it.)
Dog receives the message now, while he is deciding what to do next.
Tock moves as silently as he ever has. He finds Lord Kendall talking to another man, perhaps a servant. The tabaxi secretary stands off to the side, a neutral expression on her face.
"Take that to Lady Reistroff immediately," he says and the servant bolts out of the room, past Tock without even noticing him, and out of the estate entirely.
Lord Kendall turns to his secretary. "The bastard really hung in there. I almost expected him to recover entirely," he says to her.
"How will you vote at the Senate?" she says in a soft, silky voice.
"I'll vote with the rest," he says. "We don't have enough support to make waves on this issue."
"And what about the Emissary?"
"We'll reschedule him," he says and his secretary begins to move towards the exit. "No, I'll tell him. He's probably rifling through my desk as we speak. Let him know that we can do the same to him."
His secretary nods. Both Kemball and the tabaxi woman move to exit the room, the library by the looks of it, in Tock's direction...
Tockhas heard enough. He rushes back into the office, pulls out the roll of paper he was holding earlier and writes "We need to reschedule. --Tock", leaves it on the table and steps out through dimension door to a place that would allow him the quickest way to where the Royal Family is.
Tock arrives in the square in front of the palace with a visual 'pop!' that startles a number of tourists and merchants. The guards allow him passage into the palace. Queen Duliani he know is in Delphendria for another 9 days. but he knows she will be returning today. (Even if Dog has not already told him Tock has deduced that Haddian has died.)
The kenku is able to confirm for himself with the butler of the palace before making his way to his office adjacent to one of the parlors. It is nice to be very close to the front door. It will be something of a hike to get to the guest quarters where Neventi and Gentoa are likely at, though.
His surly second in command is already waiting outside his office. Etas Murlat is a mage of some talent but terrible with people, including Tock. He sees the determination on Tock's face and the haste in his step. "You've heard, then," he says. Tock at least appreciates his frankness. "Well, get ready for a lot of requests to meet. The funeral and the coronation are going to be practically a bidding war for the best seats. It's going to be a nightmare."
His other two underlings are already waiting in his office for him. Vas is a young changeling who Tock has begun to groom for diplomatic work with the clergy. She has something of an interest in religious work, which is one reason he chose her. Javni Heatherbrow is a halfling currently embedded in Lady Reistroff's staff. She has proven herself to be a remarkable and loyal spy against the King's enemies.
"Hello, sir," Vas says with all the formality of an eager and naive young employee. "It sounds like things are going to get pretty crazy. How can we help?"
Dog replies to Tock’s sending with almost what he was going to send with the stone:
”Haddian died. I'm with Genny. Sad but well. Need to know threats, troublemakers, and helpers. Need Duliani. Senate voting soon, council gathering. Harvell’s gross. Coming?"
Just so I’m clear, we heard they might vote now or in four days, and then Harvell said they are voting now, right? If I have that wrong Dog would communicate to Tock correctly.
He waits for a reply for Tock and then once he is sure things are secure around Gentoa, he says he’d like to head to the council chamber to collect information. How far away is it?
Dog replies to Tock’s sending with almost what he was going to send with the stone:
”Haddian died. I'm with Genny. Sad but well. Need to know threats, troublemakers, and helpers. Need Duliani. Senate voting soon, council gathering. Harvell’s gross. Coming?"
Just so I’m clear, we heard they might vote now or in four days, and then Harvell said they are voting now, right? If I have that wrong Dog would communicate to Tock correctly.
He waits for a reply for Tock and then once he is sure things are secure around Gentoa, he says he’d like to head to the council chamber to collect information. How far away is it?
Gathering now. Will they argue for four days or get right to the voting?
Council chamber is in the palace, so about a 15 minute walk from the edge of the grounds where Dog is in the guest quarters.
Martin draws the Song of Vengeance, and whispers the words to mark the wolf that struck at Macy as his sworn enemy.
He fires two shots for either eye (sharpshooter) and a third at the wolf next to it (hordebreaker). He then has Macy keep running (attacks of opportunity are at disadvantage thanks to Saddle of the Cavalier, and Escape the Horde).
On the sixth day, in the afternoon, he doesn't notice when a pack of three dire badgers jump out of hiding, attacking (1, 2, 2) Macy once and Martin twice.
I was really hoping for a fire badger fight. Almost as good as a dire manatee fight.
On the sixth day, in the afternoon, he doesn't notice when a pack of three dire badgers jump out of hiding, attacking (1, 2, 2) Macy once and Martin twice.
I was really hoping for a fire badger fight. Almost as good as a dire manatee fight.
*innocent whistling* I have everything perfectly planned, even random encounters, and never change my mind at the last minute! Anyone says different is rolling for deception. Also, I never forget things, like rolling strength checks for dire wolves that land their hits. I DM perfectly! La la la la la la la la!
Martin draws the Song of Vengeance, and whispers the words to mark the wolf that struck at Macy as his sworn enemy.
He fires two shots for either eye (sharpshooter) and a third at the wolf next to it (hordebreaker). He then has Macy keep running (attacks of opportunity are at disadvantage thanks to Saddle of the Cavalier, and Escape the Horde).
Attack: 25 Damage: 2426 Attack: 24 Damage: 24
Attack: 8 Damage: 18
(pretty sure the first one is dead)
(Wow, a lot is happening there. It took me a few minutes to unpack it all! Also, you rolled a 1 and a 20 on that first attack! Thank you Song of Vengeance!)
Eight notes of an ancient druidic song sound as Martin's first arrow pierces the first wolf straight through its eye. It falls dead instantly. His second arrow also finds its target, piercing the thick hide of the beast. The third arrow is rushed, finding nothing to pierce but air.
Before Macy can start running, the remaining two remaining wolves both attack (3, 2) Martin.
Bite Attack: 10 Damage: 11
Bite Attack: 23 Damage: 12
STR(13) check or fall prone: 4
Macy turns and kicks the second wolf.
Kick Attack: 7 Damage: 11
She then bolts down the road, giving the other two wolves a chance to attack again, this time against her.
That's going to be a big post, so look for me to continue replies in about 10 hours.
(My 19 month old kept kicking me so here I am, posting in the middle of the night!)
Dog arrives at the council chambers to find Spymaster Merro (an elf) and Silverbraid (a goliath) in an intense but friendly discussion about politics. Admiral Kurvo (a human) is sitting quietly by himself, reading through the journal he keeps, writing occasionally a few notes about what is certain to be a momentous day. General Polititus (a human) has only just arrived as he is removing his cloak and hanging it up by the door. All four look up at Dog as he arrives, each giving an expression, nod, or wave to acknowledge his arrival. Merro and Silverbraid continue their conversation immediately.
Polititus, standing closest to Dog, says in his gruff voice and demeanor, "I'm going to miss his highness. He was a prodigy and his loss is a damned shame."
(Okay, so not a big post, but an involved one. I have a lot of NPCs to keep track of now. Whew!)
Ronis blinks, fork in the process of shovelling food into his mouth "My story?" The words are muffled, and he takes a moment to swallow. "Well, I'm afraid there's not too much to tell. I've had an affinity for fire-" At this he raises a hand and waves about the room, dimming and brightening any lanterns or candles with Control Flame, "-since I was young and, ah, how I came to acquire it is not a very nice tale. Let's just say that cultists were involved, I nearly died, and leave it at that." He waits a moment to allow the Captain to fill in the details himself. "As for the island, it's as I told your Quartermaster; I took a ship bound to Alciondria and it wrecked. My newfound friend, that dragon you saw, saved me: I'd been wearing the wrong cloak at the time. I was stuck there for a tenday until you came along. Had to fight off a surplus of irritatingly aggressive native creatures. The heat was nice, but I didn't exactly want the forced vacation." He takes a drink to wet his lips. "I was beginning to worry I'd have to try and swim to Alciondria if I wanted to make it in time."
Have any of the advisers in the room displayed signs of trustworthiness toward Gentoa specifically over the last ten months?
Dog rumbles back to the general, "we were supposed to play chess tomorrow, and I thought he might finally let me win. Gentoa is beside herself. Harvell stopped by like a hummingbird to a flower, to give condolences to Neventi and Gentoa. Told him I was impressed he was still standing with all the grief. He gave the princess a flower."Dog gives him an unimpressed look, and waits for a response.
He speaks up so the admiral can hear. "Speaking of which, she's still a princess, and not a queen until the vote, or until the coronation? Also I'm not sure if and when we pay our respects to Haddian. He mentioned which cask he wanted everyone to enjoy should he pass on, but he didn't say anything about his remains. Be gentle, this is my first regnal transfer of power, and I don't know the protocols."
Tock arrives in the square in front of the palace with a visual 'pop!' that startles a number of tourists and merchants. The guards allow him passage into the palace. Queen Duliani he know is in Delphendria for another 9 days. but he knows she will be returning today. (Even if Dog has not already told him Tock has deduced that Haddian has died.)
The kenku is able to confirm for himself with the butler of the palace before making his way to his office adjacent to one of the parlors. It is nice to be very close to the front door. It will be something of a hike to get to the guest quarters where Neventi and Gentoa are likely at, though.
His surly second in command is already waiting outside his office. Etas Murlat is a mage of some talent but terrible with people, including Tock. He sees the determination on Tock's face and the haste in his step. "You've heard, then," he says. Tock at least appreciates his frankness. "Well, get ready for a lot of requests to meet. The funeral and the coronation are going to be practically a bidding war for the best seats. It's going to be a nightmare."
His other two underlings are already waiting in his office for him. Vas is a young changeling who Tock has begun to groom for diplomatic work with the clergy. She has something of an interest in religious work, which is one reason he chose her. Javni Heatherbrow is a halfling currently embedded in Lady Reistroff's staff. She has proven herself to be a remarkable and loyal spy against the King's enemies.
"Hello, sir," Vas says with all the formality of an eager and naive young employee. "It sounds like things are going to get pretty crazy. How can we help?"
"Everyone is up to speed? Good."
Tock closes the door and does his usual routine where he takes out his Gem of Seeing, activates it and surveys the whole room before continuing. He is well aware of what it looks like if someone would be looking in on them with magic.
"The seating for the funeral and the coronation has already been decided. For both events we seat everyone by the order of the physical proximity of their estate the Alciondria - the closer it is the closer they get to be. For the coronation it is going to be in the exact opposite way. This way people from far away are going to be able to make it for the second event, hopefully."
He looks at Etas, "This will be your job to organize. The message will go out soon to everyone on how it's going to be done, but the actual doing will be yours. There are maps with the last known information and the most important part of this will be updating it with new information. It's essentially a census of the nobles where they will volunteer their information with all eagerness. I trust you are up for this?"
He turns to Javni, "Go back to your Lady and learn of unusual meetings and communication taking place in the coming days. I will use Sending to check in every midday and more if necessary."
Then it's Vas' turn, "Everyone of every faith, sect and cult will try to bless the new queen during the coronation. Or curse, depending on the sect I guess. We already have an approved list and procedure for all of this made in advance. I need you to handle requests for changes in these procedures and personnel as they come in. We want to know of sudden changes of rituals, worshippers and other aspects. There is no better way to invoke magic than to already be performing some kind of an approved ritual, so we need to be extra careful."
Tock takes a deep breath and summarizes, "We knew this day would come and it would be tough on all of us. So did everyone else and all those plans will now be set in motion. We know of some and suspect others and the time for preparation is over. Now we instead need to focus our attention on changes - things that are out of the ordinary. People who act differently or talk to others they have not spoken to before. Appearance of new people - there are Lords out there who have probably never been to the capital their entire lives. Or people pretending to be lords."
He sighs, "There will be time for personal grieving afterwards. I know I miss him with all my heart."
Ronis blinks, fork in the process of shovelling food into his mouth "My story?" The words are muffled, and he takes a moment to swallow. "Well, I'm afraid there's not too much to tell. I've had an affinity for fire-" At this he raises a hand and waves about the room, dimming and brightening any lanterns or candles with Control Flame, "-since I was young and, ah, how I came to acquire it is not a very nice tale. Let's just say that cultists were involved, I nearly died, and leave it at that." He waits a moment to allow the Captain to fill in the details himself. "As for the island, it's as I told your Quartermaster; I took a ship bound to Alciondria and it wrecked. My newfound friend, that dragon you saw, saved me: I'd been wearing the wrong cloak at the time. I was stuck there for a tenday until you came along. Had to fight off a surplus of irritatingly aggressive native creatures. The heat was nice, but I didn't exactly want the forced vacation." He takes a drink to wet his lips. "I was beginning to worry I'd have to try and swim to Alciondria if I wanted to make it in time."
The captain is amazed at seeing the display of magic, prods for more details during the story, and, when left hanging, asks the obvious question: "In time for what?"
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
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(Retcon)
Martin travels hard, fast, and well past when he should stop. Marble Macy is going to need a break when it’s done.
Paladin - warforged - orange
(why did you roll with advantage? Not that you needed it.)
Dog receives the message now, while he is deciding what to do next.
Tock moves as silently as he ever has. He finds Lord Kendall talking to another man, perhaps a servant. The tabaxi secretary stands off to the side, a neutral expression on her face.
"Take that to Lady Reistroff immediately," he says and the servant bolts out of the room, past Tock without even noticing him, and out of the estate entirely.
Lord Kendall turns to his secretary. "The bastard really hung in there. I almost expected him to recover entirely," he says to her.
"How will you vote at the Senate?" she says in a soft, silky voice.
"I'll vote with the rest," he says. "We don't have enough support to make waves on this issue."
"And what about the Emissary?"
"We'll reschedule him," he says and his secretary begins to move towards the exit. "No, I'll tell him. He's probably rifling through my desk as we speak. Let him know that we can do the same to him."
His secretary nods. Both Kemball and the tabaxi woman move to exit the room, the library by the looks of it, in Tock's direction...
(Going at a fast pace and doing a force marched AND casting your spell 7 times each day, I calculate 43 miles per day with 9 hour days, meaning 1 CON check per day for the first 9 days, none needed on the last day. Sound good?)
Day 1 CON check (he needs 1 each day, so DC 11): 18
Martin sleeps hard after an exhausting run (exhaustion reduced back to 0).
The encounter with the giant was a nice break for Macy and Martin.
Day 2 CON check: 20
Martin sleeps hard AGAIN after an exhausting run (exhaustion reduced back to 0).
Martin is pushing so hard, going so fast, that he passes through Pallaxus on his third day...in the morning.
Day 3 CON check: 20
No exhaustion the night before. He wakes feeling great!
The entire fourth and fifths days are spent galloping hard.
Day 4 CON check: 16
Day 5 CON check: 4
He awakes refreshed but knows the end of the day is hard on both Macy and himself. Still, his pace is strong.
On the sixth day, in the afternoon, he doesn't notice when a pack of three dire wolves jump out of hiding, attacking (2, 1, 2) Macy once and Martin twice.
Surprise round:
Bite Attack against Marble Macy: 21 Damage: 12
Bite Attack against Martin: 7 Damage: 16
Bite Attack against Martin: 6 Damage: 11
Initiative:
Martin: 12
Macy: 17
Dire wolves: 7, 14, 8 (averaged)
Macy kicks at the wolf that bit her and missed.
Kick Attack: 13 Damage: 7
Martin is up, then the wolves go again.
( cloak of elvenkind )
Tock has heard enough. He rushes back into the office, pulls out the roll of paper he was holding earlier and writes "We need to reschedule. --Tock", leaves it on the table and steps out through dimension door to a place that would allow him the quickest way to where the Royal Family is.
(thanks!)
Stealth: 31
Tock arrives in the square in front of the palace with a visual 'pop!' that startles a number of tourists and merchants. The guards allow him passage into the palace. Queen Duliani he know is in Delphendria for another 9 days. but he knows she will be returning today. (Even if Dog has not already told him Tock has deduced that Haddian has died.)
The kenku is able to confirm for himself with the butler of the palace before making his way to his office adjacent to one of the parlors. It is nice to be very close to the front door. It will be something of a hike to get to the guest quarters where Neventi and Gentoa are likely at, though.
His surly second in command is already waiting outside his office. Etas Murlat is a mage of some talent but terrible with people, including Tock. He sees the determination on Tock's face and the haste in his step. "You've heard, then," he says. Tock at least appreciates his frankness. "Well, get ready for a lot of requests to meet. The funeral and the coronation are going to be practically a bidding war for the best seats. It's going to be a nightmare."
His other two underlings are already waiting in his office for him. Vas is a young changeling who Tock has begun to groom for diplomatic work with the clergy. She has something of an interest in religious work, which is one reason he chose her. Javni Heatherbrow is a halfling currently embedded in Lady Reistroff's staff. She has proven herself to be a remarkable and loyal spy against the King's enemies.
"Hello, sir," Vas says with all the formality of an eager and naive young employee. "It sounds like things are going to get pretty crazy. How can we help?"
Dog replies to Tock’s sending with almost what he was going to send with the stone:
”Haddian died. I'm with Genny. Sad but well. Need to know threats, troublemakers, and helpers. Need Duliani. Senate voting soon, council gathering. Harvell’s gross. Coming?"
Just so I’m clear, we heard they might vote now or in four days, and then Harvell said they are voting now, right? If I have that wrong Dog would communicate to Tock correctly.
He waits for a reply for Tock and then once he is sure things are secure around Gentoa, he says he’d like to head to the council chamber to collect information. How far away is it?
Gathering now. Will they argue for four days or get right to the voting?
Council chamber is in the palace, so about a 15 minute walk from the edge of the grounds where Dog is in the guest quarters.
Ah fudge Tock can’t reply to a reply to sending nevermind.
Dog leaves Genny and Nev in capable hands, telling Nev to use the stone to summon him back should he be needed.
He heads to the council chambers, hoping to find out more, and solidify allies.
That's going to be a big post, so look for me to continue replies in about 10 hours.
Martin draws the Song of Vengeance, and whispers the words to mark the wolf that struck at Macy as his sworn enemy.
He fires two shots for either eye (sharpshooter) and a third at the wolf next to it (hordebreaker). He then has Macy keep running (attacks of opportunity are at disadvantage thanks to Saddle of the Cavalier, and Escape the Horde).
Attack: 25 Damage: 17 19
Attack: 22 Damage: Unable to parse dice roll.
Attack: 20 Damage: 19
(pretty sure the first one is dead)
Paladin - warforged - orange
I was really hoping for a fire badger fight. Almost as good as a dire manatee fight.
*innocent whistling* I have everything perfectly planned, even random encounters, and never change my mind at the last minute! Anyone says different is rolling for deception. Also, I never forget things, like rolling strength checks for dire wolves that land their hits. I DM perfectly! La la la la la la la la!
(Wow, a lot is happening there. It took me a few minutes to unpack it all! Also, you rolled a 1 and a 20 on that first attack! Thank you Song of Vengeance!)
Eight notes of an ancient druidic song sound as Martin's first arrow pierces the first wolf straight through its eye. It falls dead instantly. His second arrow also finds its target, piercing the thick hide of the beast. The third arrow is rushed, finding nothing to pierce but air.
Before Macy can start running, the remaining two remaining wolves both attack (3, 2) Martin.
Bite Attack: 10 Damage: 11
Bite Attack: 23 Damage: 12
STR(13) check or fall prone: 4
Macy turns and kicks the second wolf.
Kick Attack: 7 Damage: 11
She then bolts down the road, giving the other two wolves a chance to attack again, this time against her.
Bite Attack: 13 Damage: 11
Bite Attack: 7 Damage: 12
Martin is up!
DM shield:
77, 40
After Martin is knocked prone, Macy attempts to flee but is bitten severely by both wolves, falling to the ground unconscious.
(My 19 month old kept kicking me so here I am, posting in the middle of the night!)
Dog arrives at the council chambers to find Spymaster Merro (an elf) and Silverbraid (a goliath) in an intense but friendly discussion about politics. Admiral Kurvo (a human) is sitting quietly by himself, reading through the journal he keeps, writing occasionally a few notes about what is certain to be a momentous day. General Polititus (a human) has only just arrived as he is removing his cloak and hanging it up by the door. All four look up at Dog as he arrives, each giving an expression, nod, or wave to acknowledge his arrival. Merro and Silverbraid continue their conversation immediately.
Polititus, standing closest to Dog, says in his gruff voice and demeanor, "I'm going to miss his highness. He was a prodigy and his loss is a damned shame."
(Okay, so not a big post, but an involved one. I have a lot of NPCs to keep track of now. Whew!)
Ronis blinks, fork in the process of shovelling food into his mouth "My story?" The words are muffled, and he takes a moment to swallow. "Well, I'm afraid there's not too much to tell. I've had an affinity for fire-" At this he raises a hand and waves about the room, dimming and brightening any lanterns or candles with Control Flame, "-since I was young and, ah, how I came to acquire it is not a very nice tale. Let's just say that cultists were involved, I nearly died, and leave it at that." He waits a moment to allow the Captain to fill in the details himself. "As for the island, it's as I told your Quartermaster; I took a ship bound to Alciondria and it wrecked. My newfound friend, that dragon you saw, saved me: I'd been wearing the wrong cloak at the time. I was stuck there for a tenday until you came along. Had to fight off a surplus of irritatingly aggressive native creatures. The heat was nice, but I didn't exactly want the forced vacation." He takes a drink to wet his lips. "I was beginning to worry I'd have to try and swim to Alciondria if I wanted to make it in time."
Have any of the advisers in the room displayed signs of trustworthiness toward Gentoa specifically over the last ten months?
Dog rumbles back to the general, "we were supposed to play chess tomorrow, and I thought he might finally let me win. Gentoa is beside herself. Harvell stopped by like a hummingbird to a flower, to give condolences to Neventi and Gentoa. Told him I was impressed he was still standing with all the grief. He gave the princess a flower." Dog gives him an unimpressed look, and waits for a response.
He speaks up so the admiral can hear. "Speaking of which, she's still a princess, and not a queen until the vote, or until the coronation? Also I'm not sure if and when we pay our respects to Haddian. He mentioned which cask he wanted everyone to enjoy should he pass on, but he didn't say anything about his remains. Be gentle, this is my first regnal transfer of power, and I don't know the protocols."
"Everyone is up to speed? Good."
Tock closes the door and does his usual routine where he takes out his Gem of Seeing, activates it and surveys the whole room before continuing. He is well aware of what it looks like if someone would be looking in on them with magic.
"The seating for the funeral and the coronation has already been decided. For both events we seat everyone by the order of the physical proximity of their estate the Alciondria - the closer it is the closer they get to be. For the coronation it is going to be in the exact opposite way. This way people from far away are going to be able to make it for the second event, hopefully."
He looks at Etas, "This will be your job to organize. The message will go out soon to everyone on how it's going to be done, but the actual doing will be yours. There are maps with the last known information and the most important part of this will be updating it with new information. It's essentially a census of the nobles where they will volunteer their information with all eagerness. I trust you are up for this?"
He turns to Javni, "Go back to your Lady and learn of unusual meetings and communication taking place in the coming days. I will use Sending to check in every midday and more if necessary."
Then it's Vas' turn, "Everyone of every faith, sect and cult will try to bless the new queen during the coronation. Or curse, depending on the sect I guess. We already have an approved list and procedure for all of this made in advance. I need you to handle requests for changes in these procedures and personnel as they come in. We want to know of sudden changes of rituals, worshippers and other aspects. There is no better way to invoke magic than to already be performing some kind of an approved ritual, so we need to be extra careful."
Tock takes a deep breath and summarizes, "We knew this day would come and it would be tough on all of us. So did everyone else and all those plans will now be set in motion. We know of some and suspect others and the time for preparation is over. Now we instead need to focus our attention on changes - things that are out of the ordinary. People who act differently or talk to others they have not spoken to before. Appearance of new people - there are Lords out there who have probably never been to the capital their entire lives. Or people pretending to be lords."
He sighs, "There will be time for personal grieving afterwards. I know I miss him with all my heart."
The captain is amazed at seeing the display of magic, prods for more details during the story, and, when left hanging, asks the obvious question: "In time for what?"