Grimbald will be particularly observant of Vincent and his interactions and body language with the staff in particular.
Grimbald notices all the staff are vigilant with themselves around all of the Gravelstokes, but Vincent is almost avoided. Any interactions the staff have with him are brief and it's like they can't wait to get away from him. His eyes follow some of the younger female staff, and he is not trying to hide that.
Another woman enters the room, dressed as a noble. She kisses Xander Gravelstoke, who is likely twice her age. Augustin knows her to be Lady Regan, Lord Gravelstoke's 3rd wife. Xander Gravelstoke introduces her to the party one by one. Her hand clasp is firm and cool and she looks directly at you with a smile as she greets you. Lady Regan repeats back your name. Her biggest smile is for Esa, and she asks Esa how she should like to be seated at the table. Lady Regan suggests a booster seat, but is open to any ideas. She would like Esa to sit next to her at the banquet.
Rustling leaves is keen to ask about the training he witnessed and why the guards are not as well trained.
Xander Gravelstoke fields that question.
"The training you saw is a family tradition. We are pleased to share our knowledge and train those who meet the criteria. It requires a certain tendency to discipline, an enquiring mind, and it takes much effort. The guards are recruited from the same population that Augustin's uncle, the Baron, recruits his guards. They are all offered a chance to train with us, but very few do. Most see their duties as a job, they finish their shift and then their time is their own. The people that train with us come to understand this training is a commitment to a lifestyle. I, myself, still train every day, more some days. Our training leads to health and, we think, a longer and happier life. My family are born into the tradition and so are trained from birth. They know no other life."
He waits to see if you have any further questions.
Rustling leaves is keen to ask about the training he witnessed and why the guards are not as well trained.
Xander Gravelstoke fields that question.
"The training you saw is a family tradition. We are pleased to share our knowledge and train those who meet the criteria. It requires a certain tendency to discipline, an enquiring mind, and it takes much effort. The guards are recruited from the same population that Augustin's uncle, the Baron, recruits his guards. They are all offered a chance to train with us, but very few do. Most see their duties as a job, they finish their shift and then their time is their own. The people that train with us come to understand this training is a commitment to a lifestyle. I, myself, still train every day, more some days. Our training leads to health and, we think, a longer and happier life. My family are born into the tradition and so are trained from birth. They know no other life."
He waits to see if you have any further questions.
Esa tells Lady Regan that a large cushion on the chair would be sufficient for her, and thanks her for her concern. She will gladly seat near the Lady, and adds that as this is their first time meeting, she would be honoured for the two to spend some time getting to know each other when the chance arises.
Xander smiles. "Worthy? I would say.. suited. To be suited, they have only to train every day where possible. Sometimes duties or illness or injury prevents them from training, we have no issue with that. I myself cannot say I have trained every day, but where it is possible, I do so. But whether they stay or go, it's always up to them.
"People find ways to exclude themselves. Sometimes people fall away, it's too hard, or they don't like the training, or they don't like the meditation. They choose to leave, we never have to tell someone to leave. We have people who have reached their ceiling in what is possible, and this is an amazing achievement for them and we welcome that and love having them continue to train with us. Being the best you can be is success. But we also have many who have few limits, who can always improve and strive to do so.
"And of you, Master Rustling Leaves. Do you seek to continue to improve, to be better than you were yesterday, to be good enough to achieve the goals you set yourself?"
Esa tells Lady Regan that a large cushion on the chair would be sufficient for her, and thanks her for her concern. She will gladly seat near the Lady, and adds that as this is their first time meeting, she would be honoured for the two to spend some time getting to know each other when the chance arises.
Lady Regan smiles with delight.
"That would make me very happy. You may ask me anything at any time. In return I would love to hear about your life up until this point."
Xander smiles. "Worthy? I would say.. suited. To be suited, they have only to train every day where possible. Sometimes duties or illness or injury prevents them from training, we have no issue with that. I myself cannot say I have trained every day, but where it is possible, I do so. But whether they stay or go, it's always up to them.
"People find ways to exclude themselves. Sometimes people fall away, it's too hard, or they don't like the training, or they don't like the meditation. They choose to leave, we never have to tell someone to leave. We have people who have reached their ceiling in what is possible, and this is an amazing achievement for them and we welcome that and love having them continue to train with us. Being the best you can be is success. But we also have many who have few limits, who can always improve and strive to do so.
"And of you, Master Rustling Leaves. Do you seek to continue to improve, to be better than you were yesterday, to be good enough to achieve the goals you set yourself?"
I do, and as I can take the shape of many animals anything that helps me understand the nature and movement of such beasts is highly prized.
Xander smiles again. "Exactly. A much different discipline but still the same philosophy. Always seek to improve, be better."
He looks up at the clock.
"We'll be sitting down to eat formally soon and conversation will be limited to the people we are sitting close to. If you have any further questions I would be happy to answer them. I have some for you, about your mission. Do you.. have a leader or spokesperson? Is that you?"
Xander smiles again. "Exactly. A much different discipline but still the same philosophy. Always seek to improve, be better."
He looks up at the clock.
"We'll be sitting down to eat formally soon and conversation will be limited to the people we are sitting close to. If you have any further questions I would be happy to answer them. I have some for you, about your mission. Do you.. have a leader or spokesperson? Is that you?"
Xander smiles again. "Exactly. A much different discipline but still the same philosophy. Always seek to improve, be better."
He looks up at the clock.
"We'll be sitting down to eat formally soon and conversation will be limited to the people we are sitting close to. If you have any further questions I would be happy to answer them. I have some for you, about your mission. Do you.. have a leader or spokesperson? Is that you?"
If you ask Esa or Augustin they would say they are the leader and who am I to argue. I seek no such titles, I strive to maintain the balance between all things in nature and do my part to protect the wild places.
Xander nods. "We also, believe in balance. You cannot trust people with money or power, humans are flawed that way. There must always be checks and balances. Now, Master Rustling Leaves, I will talk with Augustin I think, as my lady Regan seems to have Esa's ear.",
Xander walks over to Augustin who is putting another pastry into his mouth. Xander smiles and politely waits for the paladin to finish.
"It is time for us to sit for the banquet. Would you do the honour of sitting beside me? My lady," he nods towards Lady Regan talking with Esa, "is on my right as ever, but I would have you on my left, please."
Esa tells Lady Regan that a large cushion on the chair would be sufficient for her, and thanks her for her concern. She will gladly seat near the Lady, and adds that as this is their first time meeting, she would be honoured for the two to spend some time getting to know each other when the chance arises.
Lady Regan smiles with delight.
"That would make me very happy. You may ask me anything at any time. In return I would love to hear about your life up until this point."
Esa gets the feeling that the Lady is possibly a bit spellbound with her being a pixie, so she makes a show of fluttering as she speaks, pretending not to notice the fairy dust as it falls around her within perfect eyeshot of the Lady. She eventually lands, spreading her wings wide as she pretends to stretch.
She tells the Lady a bit about herself, how she grew up in the forest, going into detail describing the beauty of the fey and how they live. She embelishes some aspects, but is also careful about what she tells, knowing some of her customs and intel is not meant for unknown ears. She eventaully tells of how her search for knowledge and power led her out and into the realms.
Esa explains that the outside was not what she expected when she first arrived. It was messy and unclean, ugly and uncivilized. Many of the towns she first visited boasted nothing but strong-willed idiots who thought with their fists and not their brains. She even considered returning to the fey before she stumbled upon an unlikely muse. Esa glances towards Augustin, making sure he is out of earshot. She tells the Lady she had never met a magic user who wasn't fey, and more perplexingly, he seemed like a normal, bland human. But upon witnessing his magic, she knew she had to learn everything about him and his powers; how they worked, where they came from... so that she might obtain them for herself. It was frustrating, however, that he didn't know the answers to her questions. She's been studying him ever since, trying to learn as much as she can about him and the source of his magic.
Suddenly realising she may have spoken more nostalgically than she had planned, she laughs and jokes, "He seems to come close to death alot though, lately. Perhaps the source of his magic lies in his ability to walk the line between life and death so frequently!"
She tells the Lady she is happy to answer any questions she might have about her, but is also keen to hear from her herself. She wants to hear about her past and how she came to be here, and suggests they retire somewhere more private so that they can be free to chat as women do without being bothered by the ears of men.
Esa wants to pry into why there is such a big age-gap between the two, and if there is anything untoward happening, but she knows things would be better discussed away from the others in a more private setting.
Lady Regan smiles at Esa and the pixie notices Esa wrapping a short copper wire around her finger, then pointing the finger at Esa while keeping her hand below the level of the table. Then with Lady Regan's lips moving only slightly, Esa can plainly hear the woman's words in her ears. Esa knows this spell, message, and knows that only she can hear Lady Regan's words.
"We will talk after dinner. For now I must play the dutiful wife. My lord husband does not like me to upstage him with my magic."
Then she smiles and asks Esa about safer topics and they spend the meal talking pleasantly and easily.
The first course was the pastries and other finger foods at the low tables previously. Now you are all sitting at the large banquet table.
Xander Gravelstoke, as patriarch of the Gravelstoke family, sits at the head of the table. On his right is Lady Regan. On his left is Augustin. In between each party member sits a Gravelstoke family member.
The table seating looks like this.
Head of the table - Xander Gravelstoke.
Going clockwise around the table from Lord Gravelstoke in order - Augustin, Alesia Gravelstoke, Vakiel, Mikus Gravelstoke, Grimbald (who is at the other end of the table), Tovin Gravelstoke, Rustling Leaves, Vincent Gravelstoke, Esa, Lady Regan (who sitting next to her husband Xander at the head of the table).
The second course is Pottage - essentially a broth in which vegetables were boiled, then chopped meat, herbs and pulses added. It was only a small bowl, but it was delicious.
Alesia continues to engage Vakiel in conversation, or tries at least. She has stopped asking him about the past and instead tries to find out more about him, where he has been staying, what does he do for fun, does he have any family, does he like being a delver?
Mikus engages Grimbald and they chat about the forest, the types of trees in this part of the forest, what foraging can be found in what seasons. Mikus is surprising knowledgeable (for a human Harkenwolder) about these things. When asked Mikus says that part of their training is to be able to live off the land.
Tovin talks to Rustling Leaves and the conversation turns to the Iron Circle. "Oh the Iron Circle have been here," says Tovin. "They did not come all heavy handed though, they probably have heard old stories about our family and wanted to check us out first. Xander talked to some evil looking fellow called Nazin Redthorn at the gate to our estate. He wouldn't even let him in. 'Better to let him guess how many soldiers we have' Xander said. Makes sense. Anyway we're not having anything to do with them, so I think once they are done subjugating Harkenwold they'll be coming for us."
Vincent Gravelstoke, the youngest of the Gravelstokes, rebuffs any attempt at conversation from either Esa or Rustling Leaves. He just eats his pottage and listens to the conversation around him. While watching the servants coming and going.
While they waited for the third course, Lord Xander asks Augustin to tell him about the mission they were on.
"In case we have information for you," he said. "We live close to the Harken Forest after all."
Grimbald is initially wary and quiet with Mikus. But he opens up regarding the wisdom and adaptability of squirrels. He marvels at how often people are not even aware of their presence, or that they detect the smallest of changes in their environment. Wary and alert, they often outwit and outrun the fiercest of predators. "BE the squirrel" says Grimbald.
Mikus smiles at Grimbald. "Hmm.. I guess it makes sense to imitate the creature that survives and even thrives in the environment you find yourself in. You do seem to have taken that to heart. Thank you for sharing that wisdom with me."
Mikus seems a little more serious as he asks "You're heading into the southern Harken Woods. We know our part of the Harken Forest, but we don't go into the deep wood further south to avoid any conflict with the Woodsinger elves. They protect their hunting grounds, as they should, and are wary of outsiders. We haven't been told of your mission, but we would like to know, especially if you don't come back. Do you have a plan to overcome the elves' xenophobia?"
Grimbald will keep the mission in his cheeks and avoids the question. Not knowing what the word 'xenophobia' means, Grimbald pretends to understand. Do'nt you worry the Bag of Nuts, have a cure for all types of xenohobia, even the elven type. I'm sure we've got something in the bag for it.
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Grimbald notices all the staff are vigilant with themselves around all of the Gravelstokes, but Vincent is almost avoided. Any interactions the staff have with him are brief and it's like they can't wait to get away from him. His eyes follow some of the younger female staff, and he is not trying to hide that.
Another woman enters the room, dressed as a noble. She kisses Xander Gravelstoke, who is likely twice her age. Augustin knows her to be Lady Regan, Lord Gravelstoke's 3rd wife. Xander Gravelstoke introduces her to the party one by one. Her hand clasp is firm and cool and she looks directly at you with a smile as she greets you. Lady Regan repeats back your name. Her biggest smile is for Esa, and she asks Esa how she should like to be seated at the table. Lady Regan suggests a booster seat, but is open to any ideas. She would like Esa to sit next to her at the banquet.
Rustling leaves is keen to ask about the training he witnessed and why the guards are not as well trained.
Xander Gravelstoke fields that question.
"The training you saw is a family tradition. We are pleased to share our knowledge and train those who meet the criteria. It requires a certain tendency to discipline, an enquiring mind, and it takes much effort. The guards are recruited from the same population that Augustin's uncle, the Baron, recruits his guards. They are all offered a chance to train with us, but very few do. Most see their duties as a job, they finish their shift and then their time is their own. The people that train with us come to understand this training is a commitment to a lifestyle. I, myself, still train every day, more some days. Our training leads to health and, we think, a longer and happier life. My family are born into the tradition and so are trained from birth. They know no other life."
He waits to see if you have any further questions.
How is one found worthy?
Esa tells Lady Regan that a large cushion on the chair would be sufficient for her, and thanks her for her concern. She will gladly seat near the Lady, and adds that as this is their first time meeting, she would be honoured for the two to spend some time getting to know each other when the chance arises.
Xander smiles. "Worthy? I would say.. suited. To be suited, they have only to train every day where possible. Sometimes duties or illness or injury prevents them from training, we have no issue with that. I myself cannot say I have trained every day, but where it is possible, I do so. But whether they stay or go, it's always up to them.
"People find ways to exclude themselves. Sometimes people fall away, it's too hard, or they don't like the training, or they don't like the meditation. They choose to leave, we never have to tell someone to leave. We have people who have reached their ceiling in what is possible, and this is an amazing achievement for them and we welcome that and love having them continue to train with us. Being the best you can be is success. But we also have many who have few limits, who can always improve and strive to do so.
"And of you, Master Rustling Leaves. Do you seek to continue to improve, to be better than you were yesterday, to be good enough to achieve the goals you set yourself?"
Lady Regan smiles with delight.
"That would make me very happy. You may ask me anything at any time. In return I would love to hear about your life up until this point."
I do, and as I can take the shape of many animals anything that helps me understand the nature and movement of such beasts is highly prized.
Xander smiles again. "Exactly. A much different discipline but still the same philosophy. Always seek to improve, be better."
He looks up at the clock.
"We'll be sitting down to eat formally soon and conversation will be limited to the people we are sitting close to. If you have any further questions I would be happy to answer them. I have some for you, about your mission. Do you.. have a leader or spokesperson? Is that you?"
Grimbald remains silent, curious.
If you ask Esa or Augustin they would say they are the leader and who am I to argue. I seek no such titles, I strive to maintain the balance between all things in nature and do my part to protect the wild places.
Grimbald remains remains silent, curious, eating popcorn.
Xander nods. "We also, believe in balance. You cannot trust people with money or power, humans are flawed that way. There must always be checks and balances. Now, Master Rustling Leaves, I will talk with Augustin I think, as my lady Regan seems to have Esa's ear.",
Xander walks over to Augustin who is putting another pastry into his mouth. Xander smiles and politely waits for the paladin to finish.
"It is time for us to sit for the banquet. Would you do the honour of sitting beside me? My lady," he nods towards Lady Regan talking with Esa, "is on my right as ever, but I would have you on my left, please."
Esa gets the feeling that the Lady is possibly a bit spellbound with her being a pixie, so she makes a show of fluttering as she speaks, pretending not to notice the fairy dust as it falls around her within perfect eyeshot of the Lady. She eventually lands, spreading her wings wide as she pretends to stretch.
She tells the Lady a bit about herself, how she grew up in the forest, going into detail describing the beauty of the fey and how they live. She embelishes some aspects, but is also careful about what she tells, knowing some of her customs and intel is not meant for unknown ears. She eventaully tells of how her search for knowledge and power led her out and into the realms.
Esa explains that the outside was not what she expected when she first arrived. It was messy and unclean, ugly and uncivilized. Many of the towns she first visited boasted nothing but strong-willed idiots who thought with their fists and not their brains. She even considered returning to the fey before she stumbled upon an unlikely muse. Esa glances towards Augustin, making sure he is out of earshot. She tells the Lady she had never met a magic user who wasn't fey, and more perplexingly, he seemed like a normal, bland human. But upon witnessing his magic, she knew she had to learn everything about him and his powers; how they worked, where they came from... so that she might obtain them for herself. It was frustrating, however, that he didn't know the answers to her questions. She's been studying him ever since, trying to learn as much as she can about him and the source of his magic.
Suddenly realising she may have spoken more nostalgically than she had planned, she laughs and jokes, "He seems to come close to death alot though, lately. Perhaps the source of his magic lies in his ability to walk the line between life and death so frequently!"
She tells the Lady she is happy to answer any questions she might have about her, but is also keen to hear from her herself. She wants to hear about her past and how she came to be here, and suggests they retire somewhere more private so that they can be free to chat as women do without being bothered by the ears of men.
Esa wants to pry into why there is such a big age-gap between the two, and if there is anything untoward happening, but she knows things would be better discussed away from the others in a more private setting.
<scarred by the red wedding in the Game of Thrones> I'll be fitfully glancing around the room and exits.
Lady Regan smiles at Esa and the pixie notices Esa wrapping a short copper wire around her finger, then pointing the finger at Esa while keeping her hand below the level of the table. Then with Lady Regan's lips moving only slightly, Esa can plainly hear the woman's words in her ears. Esa knows this spell, message, and knows that only she can hear Lady Regan's words.
"We will talk after dinner. For now I must play the dutiful wife. My lord husband does not like me to upstage him with my magic."
Then she smiles and asks Esa about safer topics and they spend the meal talking pleasantly and easily.
The first course was the pastries and other finger foods at the low tables previously. Now you are all sitting at the large banquet table.
Xander Gravelstoke, as patriarch of the Gravelstoke family, sits at the head of the table. On his right is Lady Regan. On his left is Augustin. In between each party member sits a Gravelstoke family member.
The table seating looks like this.
Head of the table - Xander Gravelstoke.
Going clockwise around the table from Lord Gravelstoke in order - Augustin, Alesia Gravelstoke, Vakiel, Mikus Gravelstoke, Grimbald (who is at the other end of the table), Tovin Gravelstoke, Rustling Leaves, Vincent Gravelstoke, Esa, Lady Regan (who sitting next to her husband Xander at the head of the table).
The second course is Pottage - essentially a broth in which vegetables were boiled, then chopped meat, herbs and pulses added. It was only a small bowl, but it was delicious.
Alesia continues to engage Vakiel in conversation, or tries at least. She has stopped asking him about the past and instead tries to find out more about him, where he has been staying, what does he do for fun, does he have any family, does he like being a delver?
Mikus engages Grimbald and they chat about the forest, the types of trees in this part of the forest, what foraging can be found in what seasons. Mikus is surprising knowledgeable (for a human Harkenwolder) about these things. When asked Mikus says that part of their training is to be able to live off the land.
Tovin talks to Rustling Leaves and the conversation turns to the Iron Circle. "Oh the Iron Circle have been here," says Tovin. "They did not come all heavy handed though, they probably have heard old stories about our family and wanted to check us out first. Xander talked to some evil looking fellow called Nazin Redthorn at the gate to our estate. He wouldn't even let him in. 'Better to let him guess how many soldiers we have' Xander said. Makes sense. Anyway we're not having anything to do with them, so I think once they are done subjugating Harkenwold they'll be coming for us."
Vincent Gravelstoke, the youngest of the Gravelstokes, rebuffs any attempt at conversation from either Esa or Rustling Leaves. He just eats his pottage and listens to the conversation around him. While watching the servants coming and going.
While they waited for the third course, Lord Xander asks Augustin to tell him about the mission they were on.
"In case we have information for you," he said. "We live close to the Harken Forest after all."
Augustin may respond.
Grimbald is initially wary and quiet with Mikus. But he opens up regarding the wisdom and adaptability of squirrels. He marvels at how often people are not even aware of their presence, or that they detect the smallest of changes in their environment. Wary and alert, they often outwit and outrun the fiercest of predators. "BE the squirrel" says Grimbald.
Mikus smiles at Grimbald. "Hmm.. I guess it makes sense to imitate the creature that survives and even thrives in the environment you find yourself in. You do seem to have taken that to heart. Thank you for sharing that wisdom with me."
Mikus seems a little more serious as he asks "You're heading into the southern Harken Woods. We know our part of the Harken Forest, but we don't go into the deep wood further south to avoid any conflict with the Woodsinger elves. They protect their hunting grounds, as they should, and are wary of outsiders. We haven't been told of your mission, but we would like to know, especially if you don't come back. Do you have a plan to overcome the elves' xenophobia?"
Grimbald will keep the mission in his cheeks and avoids the question. Not knowing what the word 'xenophobia' means, Grimbald pretends to understand. Do'nt you worry the Bag of Nuts, have a cure for all types of xenohobia, even the elven type. I'm sure we've got something in the bag for it.