(Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown

Aubrey would thank Mr. Fenwick and Mr. McKrinkoryn for their excellent company and hope to speak more during dinner before politely moving on, not wanting to neglect the other guests at the Duke's dinner, finding his way over to three younger guests and Grugga with another fluted glass of sparkling Frizzati, politely introducing himself when given opportunity and hoping to seamlessly join the conversation, curious also over where their tour would take them next and if they would be interested to honor Shelley with a visit to spread culture to the north. During the conversation he would glance over at Rohuzar, Guilim and Leelan to see if any of them would show interest in joining their conversation.

Rohuzar can take a hint, chugs the flute and joins Aubrey after finding another one to hold.

Leelan follows Rohuzar and goes to introduce himself to the people chatting with Aubrey.

"Good evening, gentlemen.", he readjusts his glasses. "Leelan Dapper, at your service. Terribly sorry for the late introduction. My collegue and I had a private matter to discuss."

"Oh yes, nice of you to join as Leelan, and this is our esteemed leader Rohuzar, been in the business long and knows all the ins and outs of guild bureaucracy, and is of course a fearsome fighter too." Aubrey says in a sincere and appreciating tone, taking a half step back to give Rohuzar some attention.

Picking up that Aubrey is nobility, the actor flatters your outfit and declares it would be an honor to tour Shelley one day, though his dedication to his craft requires that he remain completely focused on one show at a time, and trusts that the next performance will find him if his skills merit it.

The acrobat and the clown seem to have been enjoying a lot of Frizzati this evening and they have a slightly too loud whispered conversation about Grugga and Rohuzar's complexions, and whether or not which one is one of those 'virile' Orcs that the chorus folk are always talking about.

Rohuzar salutes Aubrey and the rest of the team with his drink. "I am nothing if not for the team. Very fortunate."

He also pointedly stares daggers at the clown and acrobat, but doesn't engage.

Aubrey casts some glances between the others, then turning to the clown and acrobat. "This Frizzati is truly exquisitly bubbly, but we mustn't enjoy it to excess or it will gravely impede our ability to make a good impression on the Duke, don't you think?" He says with a lowered voice, a stern look but a polite smile. 

Intimidation if necessary to get his point across: 22

Grugga frowns at the performers with a disappointed and slightly hurt smile. He tries to change the subject. "So, is this your first time in Bardstown? It's quite a city, isn't it? The nobles around here sure know how to make an impression."

Guilim groans at the nobles internally and carefully nurses his strong drink, so that he can keep his wits about him enough not to get into trouble. He moves to join the conversation but only adds a bit to it while mostly not offering up more then a few neutral comments. "These buffoons would be amusing if they did their jobs instead of partaking of spirits."

The two women pick up that they have caused some offense but don't seem to grasp how or why.  Their actor friend smiles through gritted teeth.  "Come, friends, let us get you some snacks to soak up a little of that sparkling wine."  His eyes beg pardon for his companions faux pas, but before another word is spoken, a servant enters the room and clears his throat.

"Ahem.  Would Citizens Aubrey Goldentide and Rohuzar, and good sirs Leelan Dapper, Guilim Nimbletoes and Grugga of Ravens Hill please be so kind as to follow me?  Your host, Duke Gavin Schmidt, has ordered dinner served in the rear dining hall and will be down to join you shortly."  He turns to the others in the room.  "The rest of you may remain here, and the staff will see to your needs.  The Duke will visit you all once the evening's business is concluded."  Turning back to the five of you, "Right this way, gentlemen."

He leads you out of the parlor and down a narrow hall.  You emerge into an octagonal room with a dining table set with service for six.  The walls are decorated with small marble statues between narrow doors and a chandelier dominates the space above the table.  Already on the tables are bowls of pepper and meatball soup in a thin broth, and a server quickly offers you all your choice of beverage (white wine, red wine, stout beer, or chilled water).

Grugga takes in the beautiful artwork in the corridors as he's led to the dining room. He occasionally nods or whistles in appreciation of a particularly fine piece; as a trained silversmith his gaze lingers on the quality of craftsmanship of precious metals. When they arrive in the dining room, Grugga decides to take a glass of red wine. He can probably safely handle another glass before getting moderately tipsy - something he'd like to avoid in the presence of the Duke.

The pressure of the situation finally settles on the Orc's shoulders and he begins to look a little nervous at the prospect of meeting the duke, the rumored eyes and ears of the Emperor. He straightens his costume's - er - suit's ruffle and places the napkin on his lap. While he and his party await the duke, Grugga returns to his comfort zone and begins pointing out facts about the beautiful artwork and furniture in the room. "See that motif on the chandelier? That's called a 'Humbert's Cross'. It was probably made in Fidelis in the late 20th or early 21st century. And the segmented breastplate on that suit of armor? That was popular in Valar a few hundred years ago, but it was weak to daggers, so everyone started carrying stilettos and they abandoned the design. Shame, because it's quite striking.... And the silver on that candelabra? It's actually called electrum and..."

He goes on and on, losing himself in random facts to avoid thinking about the current situation. He hopes he doesn't get himself into trouble tonight. As a disciple of Gel-Nagev, he knows he's on thin ice in this country...

Guilim lets his eyes travel over the various decorations as they are led to the dining hall, making sure to stay in step with the others as they are led along. As Grugga begins to talk about the various aspects of the things they pass he pays, close attention as he likes to learn about the armor and weapons of other areas. After all that type of information was good in his line of work.

Upon entering the dining room he takes some of the offered red wine and some of the water in order to mix the two to avoid intoxication. 

Rohuzar pays as much attention as he can to Grugga's observations, looking a bit like he's interested more in the status than the history

Aubrey too takes in the beautiful artwork, asking for the red wine, assuming it's a good year for it, then listening politely to Grugga's exposition, mostly to help the artificer feel more comfortable in the situation, smiling reassuringly to his teammates as he meets their eyes. 

(Not quite sure of what would be proper etiquette here but I assume we're not supposed to sit down at the table quite yet? If there's a risk there would be some kind of free seating Aubrey quickly tries to determine where Rohuzar would sit, maybe across from the Duke, while Aubrey would be happy to sit at his right side for some light conversation if that would seem appropriate at any point. :-)

Leelan follows the servant and his companions. It dawns on him that he is about to dine with a very important member of the imperial nobility. The gnome is starting to feel a bit of pressure, and looks around the room looking for something else to think about. He listens to Grugga’s expose, but doesn’t really quite know what to do with his hands. He takes off his glasses and begins frantically wiping them off with a handkerchief, not because they’re dirty, but mostly to keep his hands busy.

As Grugga dissertates on the furniture and decor, Aubrey gives the others some last minute pointers.  Seating has already been arranged.  Three chairs are unmarked, though one has a place setting.  Immediately to the left of that seat, going clockwise around the table, the seats are labeled = Leelan - Aubrey - Rohuzar - empty chair - Guilim - Grugga - empty chair.

Almost immediately, the servant clears his throat again.  "Ahem.  It is my privilege to introduce the lord of Toasted Oak Hall, defender of the riverlands, honored member of the primogen counsel, the Duke of Bardstown, Gavin Schmidt."

He steps aside, and a man in his early thirty's steps through the doorway.  

"Gentlemen."  He says this in a dry, formal tone.  "So good of you to join me this evening."  He takes each of your hands in short, light grasp, and then takes his seat (the unmarked seat with a place setting).  "Join me at my table."  A server pours him a tall glass of water and he samples a bit of soup, giving the all clear for the rest of you to begin eating.

"I am pleased to make your aquaintence.  You've attracted quite a bit of attention.  Do tell me something about yourselves."

Aubrey confidently takes the Duke's hand before finding his seat, glancing over his teammates with a reassuring smile. He listens attentively to the Duke, then looking to Rohuzar to see if he would prefer to start off as the leader of their team.

Rohuzar nods to Aubrey. 

"Ve are not attempting to draw attention. Ve are doing job. A good job. Red Band needs the sort of reputation that comes vith good job. Objective, and discreet. Retirement comes to patient men."

“Professional and direct,” the Duke says with a faint smile.  “Your time with the Legion has left its mark on you.  Such a shame the army could not retain a man of your talents.”

”But you should not be too humble.  It seems your actions of late have exposed a serious threat, and have made my city and it’s people safer and more secure.  Tell me something of your adventures?  I wonder at what you must have seen, what you have encountered in your travels?  I do so enjoy a good tale of daring.”

Rohuzar pauses and thinks for several moments. "I believe this sort of life is full of tales beyond the ordinary. Each of my team know such things, and have experienced them differently. I say... The mage ogre. That vas most interesting. Used runes. Clever magic. Difficult to defeat."