Hyacinth flashes a smile as they stand to greet the approaching stranger. "What can I say? I like to make an impression," They say, pulling at the lapels of the bathrobe as if it was a fancy suit coat. They extend a hand and take Kesili's before curtseying, pulling out the end of the bathrobe to their side like a skirt. "Enchanted to meet you, Lady Kesili! And if I may say, for someone who has taken a long journey, you look as radiant and pristine as a glass slipper on the steps of a palace. Hyacinth Hagsbane, at your service.
"I was just tellin' my chum here about the drinks, y'see!"They continue, taking a closer seat to the woman by the fire. "Must admit, champagne is not quite what I expected it to be. I'm thinkin' I may just stick to water. What do you both think? Oh, and you, too, you come here!" Hyacinth waves their hand at the woman who had just left her glass, trying to catch their attention.
Should they approach, Hyacinth says, "Hi, Hyacinth, charmed. Did I see you try some of those fancy sliced potatoes with cheese at the table there? Were they any good? Usually cheese doesn't agree with me, but I'm tempted to give those taters a shot..."
[allowing some time for characters to get to know each other]
As you, the guests, meet and mingle, the group will be approached by an older man that you each met earlier, when you first arrived. He is Hauss, the castle’s chief steward, an older gentleman dressed in the formal black-and-gold livery of the castle. His hair is kept short and is a venerable iron gray in color, his face clean-shaven and wrinkled enough to suggest a near-lifetime of service given, and his gaze seems to take in everything about you.
“It has been brought to my attention,” he says in a dry, near-emotionless drawl, “That the evening’s refreshments have, errr, not been to your satisfaction? Please, accept my apologies.”
The flat cadence of his voice does not match the tone of an apology, but he does offer a deep and graceful bow, and then he continues, “If you could inform me more on what you would like to drink, I could see to it that you’ll be adequately served at tomorrow’s banquet, at least….”
Taking the drink shoved in her hand by the bright stranger, unexpectedly double fisting champagne flutes, Cordimis quickly downs one glass and sets it aside. Her cheeks begin to warm from the drink and the friendly company.
She leans forward and clears her throat in the middle of Hyacinth's musings over the food. In a voice that hints at a rural upbringing, the words flow like honey, "May the dawn greet you tomorrow, but I shall say hello today; I am Cordimis. Hyacinth, I think it's perfectly acceptable to stick to water, drinks can get you in all sorts of trouble." Cordimis plants a hand on Hyacinth's shoulder, giving them a knowing smirk while taking another sip, but never finishing the drink.
She looks to the lithe and attentive human in front of her and offers an inviting smile with an extended hand. To Kesili, the handshake is unremarkable, but you note Cordimis' hand is warmer than you would expect, and there is a hint of a gold tattoo— no... birthmark?— that starts on the back of her hand as a sun with the rays disappearing under her sleeve. Maintaining confident eye contact, "The chance to see such great works and meet new people can really renew one's perspective of the world."
------------
After meeting the group, Cordimis is in high spirits and regards the chief steward with a sense of mirth, "Hauss, your hospitality has not been unnoticed, the bubbles tonight were a nice touch to kick off this week of both celebration and mourning. As for the banquet, I'll take whatever local wine you may have." Ever the gracious guest, she bows her head slightly to acknowledge his seemingly well earned rank and authority within the palace.
Kesili approached Hyacinth with a serene smile, her curiosity piqued by their vibrant presence and amused by the title wrongfully awarded to her. 'Appearances and impressions,' she thinks to herself, 'That's what truly matters'. When Hyacinth complimented her appearance with a playful flourish, Kesili's lips curved into a smug smile. "Well, one must always be prepared to make an impression, mustn't they?" she retorted, her eyes sparkling with amusement. As Hyacinth mused about drinks, Kesili nodded thoughtfully. "I agree. Water is a wiser choice. We wouldn't want to outshine the court's finest, would we?" she said, her tone light but her gaze sharp. Declining the food politely, she added, "The dinner was truly extraordinary and quite fulfilling and I couldn't possibly eat another bite."
When Hauss approached, Kesili listened attentively, appreciating his formal demeanor. She offered a graceful bow and replied, "It's not the quality of the drinks, which is outstanding, but rather my constitution after the journey. Rich beverages may be too much for me tonight. Your hospitality has been more than generous, I could not possibly think of a single complaint."
Her gaze then shifted to Cordimis, noticing the golden marks on her hand. As they introduced themselves, Kesili shook Cordimis' hand, lingering slightly as she admired the unique birthmark. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Cordimis," she said warmly. The marks fascinated her, sparking her interest as a calligrapher and painter. However, she chose not to pry, returning Cordimis' smile with genuine friendliness.
As the conversation flowed, Kesili's thoughts lingered on the importance of appearances. The colorful characters around her, each with their unique traits and stories, were a testament to the diverse world she had stepped into. While she maintained her composure and politeness, her mind remained ever vigilant, always assessing, always observing. Appearances were everything, and in this gathering, she intended to leave a lasting one.
[This was triggered by your comment in your last post “While she maintained her composure and politeness, her mind remained ever vigilant, always assessing, always observing.”]
[apologies, I haven’t done PBP for a bit and may be rusty about the nuances of posting. I think IRL that request would have been more natural]
You notice that Hauss was quick to address the issue with the drinks, even though none of you said anything to a servant. One of the servants must have tipped him off, and fast. You see that the servants are quite observant in general. You also note an underlying…. mood… in the castle as a bit somber, concerned? You can feel it in all the servants, a sort of crinkling of the eye, a darting glance, a heavy sigh at the wrong time. It’s hard to put it into context right now, as you’ve only just arrived, you can’t quite put your finger on it yet, but something feels a bit off.
Noticing the tension among the servants, Kesili decided to linger a bit longer in the dining hall, subtly shifting her position to be near high-traffic areas of servants. She pretended to admire the tapestries on the walls, all the while keeping her ears sharp for any useful snippets of conversation (Perception - 14). She moved gracefully, always trying to appear to be part of the scene, never out of place (perhaps Stealth? - 22).
At one point, she offered to help a maid struggling with a heavy tray, briefly touching the maid's hand. The maid's startled but grateful smile gave Kesili a fleeting moment of connection. "It's quite an undertaking, these festivities," Kesili remarked casually, hoping to prompt a response. When the maid nodded, did her eyes betray a flicker of the stress she felt?
Kesili continued her subtle reconnaissance, pretending to admire the elaborate decorations and occasionally engaging in small talk with the guests. She lingered by the kitchen door, where she hoped to overhear hurried, whispered conversations between servants.
“A pleasure to meet you, Cordimis, and thank you for bein’ a trooper with the double flutes an’ all! Really savin’ me life,” Hyacinth gives her champagne-ladened new friend a wink. But then they turn their glance to the steward Hauss and cock their head a bit. “Er, meant no harm, fancy man… appreciate the attention, probably the first time any concern of mine ever reached management, but…”
Well this is all just grand, ain’t it? Fine refreshments, fine food, and fine company! The least a feylost fellow like me could ask for,”They remark, linking their arms in Cordimis and Kesili’s if they permit them. “You needn’t worry about a thing, Steward Hauss, just shootin’ the breeze with these two! … Boy, you two got some muscles, anyone ever told you that? Impressive!”
Hyacinth then lets go of their arms. “Sorry if I got a bit too familiar, there - not a lot of boundaries where I’m from, save the ones that separate us from the mortal world! And vice versa, of course.”
(Hyacinth’s passive perception is 18 - do they notice the servants’ apprehension too, or would I have to make a check?)
Hyacinth can certainly pick up on an underlying uncomfortable vibe, quite vague and repressed. What’s more, Hyacinth can’t help but notice a stray twitch in Hauss’ eyebrow, a minute reaction, when they mention being feylost.
~ ~ ~
Kesili, the maid that you helped mainly seemed a little flustered or embarrassed to be helped by a guest. She will wordlessly bustle away. However, your covert sleuthing at the kitchen doors seems to yield a little fruit as you, unnoticed, are able to overhear an exchange between two servants just on the other side of the door:
(man) “Well, it’s finally caught up to us, hasn’t it?”
(woman) “Hmm? What has?”
(man) “I mean, we’ve been gossiping for months, speculating, but now it’s really happening.”
(woman) (hushed) “Oh, that… Yeah, and all the speculation came to naught.”
(man) “I’ve half a mind to resign, right before the coronation.”
(woman) (scoffing) “Arnie, you wouldn’t…!”
(Arnie) “…Nah, I suppose that’s a bit extreme, but I’ll always be uncomfortable, you know? I dunno if I’ll ever fully trust the Prince. I’ll always wonder…”
Hyacinth has been around the block in this area long enough to know a few things, and put two and two together. First, there is the Witchwood, which massively dominates the kingdom's Eastern side (please refer to the map). It is common knowledge that all manner of unusual things originate from there. The people of Threshwell have never really embraced that strangeness, have always kept it at arm's length as much as possible. They are a superstitious lot, but they find safety in that, sort of compartmentalizing the strangeness of the Witchwood into an almost silly zone of mere superstition -- in other words they don't have to take any of it too seriously, or it helps them to ignore the strangeness, pretend it isn't there.
Enter Hyacinth, with their purple skin and multi-colored hair, and it's obvious that they have some sort of connection to the fey. Well, the people of Threshwell would rather not remark on that, pretend that it's not real. Hyacinth's good deeds have actually done a lot to help them to be accepted in the kingdom, and yet there are those who still glance at them in that way. And then glance away uncomfortably. Hyacinth is a living, walking reminder of what the people are trying to ignore.
In this specific instance, Hauss has let slip a a tiny reaction to Hyacinth's blatant admission of a fey connection. It would normally be hard to guess Hauss' underlying feelings on the matter, but he doesn't fool Hyacinth, who instinctively knows that his reaction comes from a place of fear.
Trix sees the woman in the bathrobe gesture and walks over to group of women just in time to hear the rather stiff looking man apologize for the drinks. In her turn (a brief flash of remorse crosses her face) she responds “Oh, don’t pay me no mind. I’ve never had a taste for the finer things, although that dinner a minute ago was the breakers!” She gives Cordimis an emphatic thumps up and a wink.
“Don’t go makin’ any special trouble on my account, I’m sure there’s more than enough around here to wet my whistle!”
She turns to the women in the group and introduces herself to each, attempting to match handshakes as offered, albeit awkwardly. Her dark brown leather armor is clean, but well worn. The rapier at her side is elegant, simple, but clearly old and well used. Even a casual glance would tell you that everything she has is second hand in one way or another.
Lowering her voice a bit so that only the other women could hear she adds “They, uhhh…. don’t miss much around here, do they?”
OOC: I’m getting used to this forum as a PbP platform as well (most others were through Discord). But a couple of options for conveying information gathered through non-public means could be either DM’s or if you want to keep everything in here (I wouldn’t blame you) is to use the spoiler formatting so that the information isn’t readily viewable and kinda keeps it from blending in with your other narrative. It could look something like:
Hyacinth Insight Check:
Hyacinth has been around the block in this area long enough to know a few things, and put two and two together. First, there is the Witchwood, which massively dominates the kingdom's Eastern side (please refer to the map). It is common knowledge that all manner of unusual things originate from there. The people of Threshwell have never really embraced that strangeness, have always kept it at arm's length as much as possible. They are a superstitious lot, but they find safety in that, sort of compartmentalizing the strangeness of the Witchwood into an almost silly zone of mere superstition -- in other words they don't have to take any of it too seriously, or it helps them to ignore the strangeness, pretend it isn't there.
Enter Hyacinth, with their purple skin and multi-colored hair, and it's obvious that they have some sort of connection to the fey. Well, the people of Threshwell would rather not remark on that, pretend that it's not real. Hyacinth's good deeds have actually done a lot to help them to be accepted in the kingdom, and yet there are those who still glance at them in that way. And then glance away uncomfortably. Hyacinth is a living, walking reminder of what the people are trying to ignore.
In this specific instance, Hauss has let slip a a tiny reaction to Hyacinth's blatant admission of a fey connection. It would normally be hard to guess Hauss' underlying feelings on the matter, but he doesn't fool Hyacinth, who instinctively knows that his reaction comes from a place of fear.
[ Yeah that's cool, I just think that at a real table the info would have been spoken aloud to all, so I'm ok with just blurting it out there. If there's something critical to the plot somehow and player-vs-player sensitive then I may resort to DM's ]
Cordimis doesn't even attempt to read the room, she's outwardly an optimist with internal self doubt, but rarely has a doubt in others' intentions.
She returns all friendliness to her new companions, makes a few jokes, and leads with genuine and engaged curiosity to learn a bit more about those around her. She feels a tinge of disappointment when Kesili wandered off, but understands the rare opportunity to admire good art up close. Cordimis lets out a faint yawn. "This has been a real pleasure, but I must be up at dawn tomorrow. The secret to a good morning is to watch the sunrise with an open heart; if anyone wants to join, I'll be watching on the East side of the castle."
She rises to leave, setting down the nearly full flute of champagne. "Genuinely pleased you lot are who I get to spend the next week with, I must admit I was apprehensive before I arrived. If there's nothing more, I will be retiring to my room for the evening." She waits a beat for anything to happen, but if everyone says their goodnights then she'll exit the dining hall.
Casting light on a signet ring etched with a sunrise on her right hand, Cordimis uses the extra light to brighten up the dim corridors back to her room. She doesn't much care for the dark, although she's never had much trouble seeing through it.
Kesili chuckles at Hyacinth’s lively remarks, feeling a rare warmth from their camaraderie. “I’ll have to start taking style lessons from you,” she teases, a playful glint in her eye. She genuinely enjoys their company, appreciating the light-heartedness Hyacinth brings to the evening.
As the conversation flows, Kesili’s mind drifts back to the snippet she overheard in the kitchen. The servants' hushed exchange hints at underlying tensions, but without context, it remains a puzzle. She files it away, resolving to stay vigilant for more clues.
When Cordimis announces her departure, Kesili waves goodnight, her gaze lingering on the intriguing sun-marked skin. The intricate design fascinates her, and she hopes to learn its story one day. “Rest well, Cordimis. If I manage, I'll meet you at end of the blue hour.”she says warmly.
Sticking close to Hyacinth, Kesili remains alert, hoping to glean more information from passing servants. She leans toward Trix, responding to her earlier observation with a knowing smile. “Seems like there’s always something interesting going on in places like this, doesn’t it?”
As the evening winds down, Kesili times her exit with Hyacinth and Trix, aiming to keep their newfound alliance strong while continuing her quiet investigation.
Kesili will not turn up any further novel information as the night quickly winds down and the guests retire at last.
The guest rooms are indeed on the East side of the castle, affording a view of the sunrise. The sun appears over a seemingly endless sea of dark green leaf canopy that fills your vision. The Witchwood, hidden in darkness and unappreciated when you arrived last night, now looms massively before you. A buffer of calm meadow and clear-cut zone has been created between the dwellings of Threshwell and the forest, but then you can see the trees standing as sentinels, as witnesses, seeming to promise endless mystery and meanderings to any who would dare enter into their ranks.
Morning routines aside, you’re expected soon at breakfast where you are at last to meet the royal family who are your hosts.
[any nighttime or pre-breakfast shenanigans can be ret-conned in to this narrative, otherwise I’ll assume that breakfast is the next thing to do]
Back in the dining hall, you see that a large table has been elegantly arranged for you and the Threshwells. Striding into the room confidently and approaching you is a younger man, perhaps of no more than 40 years. He wears a crisp uniform of black jacket and slacks, with gold buttons, and golden trim swirling into intricate designs lining the jacket sides and sleeves. A golden circlet rests upon his brow, helping hold back a swath of straight brown hair. His clean-shaven face breaks into a smile as he sees you, and he raises his arm in welcome, brown eyes alight with the good mood of a new day.
“So here you are, the Heroes! I am so honored that you could come and stay with us. I’m Prince Karsted. Please, let us be seated and get acquainted. Mother and my father the King will be along shortly.”
Feeling refreshed after a night's sleep in one of the nicest beds she's ever been in, Cordimis is all smiles in the morning. She offers a bow when the prince approaches, "Dawn's greeting upon you, Prince Karsted. Your invitation came at a surprise, but I'm grateful to be here among these other fine folks. I am Cordimis Fay." She hastily adds, "F-A-Y, no relation to actual Fey, F-E-Y." She tries to hide the question "why me?" that bubbles just under the surface, masking self doubt with a layer of hope and optimism.
If the prince is not at the head of the table, she'll take a seat across from him and continue to engage in light conversation. Asking more about the week's events, if he enjoys a good sunrise, favorite memories about growing up at Threshwell, etc.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Rori // Phandelver
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Hyacinth flashes a smile as they stand to greet the approaching stranger. "What can I say? I like to make an impression," They say, pulling at the lapels of the bathrobe as if it was a fancy suit coat. They extend a hand and take Kesili's before curtseying, pulling out the end of the bathrobe to their side like a skirt. "Enchanted to meet you, Lady Kesili! And if I may say, for someone who has taken a long journey, you look as radiant and pristine as a glass slipper on the steps of a palace. Hyacinth Hagsbane, at your service.
"I was just tellin' my chum here about the drinks, y'see!" They continue, taking a closer seat to the woman by the fire. "Must admit, champagne is not quite what I expected it to be. I'm thinkin' I may just stick to water. What do you both think? Oh, and you, too, you come here!" Hyacinth waves their hand at the woman who had just left her glass, trying to catch their attention.
Should they approach, Hyacinth says, "Hi, Hyacinth, charmed. Did I see you try some of those fancy sliced potatoes with cheese at the table there? Were they any good? Usually cheese doesn't agree with me, but I'm tempted to give those taters a shot..."
[allowing some time for characters to get to know each other]
As you, the guests, meet and mingle, the group will be approached by an older man that you each met earlier, when you first arrived. He is Hauss, the castle’s chief steward, an older gentleman dressed in the formal black-and-gold livery of the castle. His hair is kept short and is a venerable iron gray in color, his face clean-shaven and wrinkled enough to suggest a near-lifetime of service given, and his gaze seems to take in everything about you.
“It has been brought to my attention,” he says in a dry, near-emotionless drawl, “That the evening’s refreshments have, errr, not been to your satisfaction? Please, accept my apologies.”
The flat cadence of his voice does not match the tone of an apology, but he does offer a deep and graceful bow, and then he continues, “If you could inform me more on what you would like to drink, I could see to it that you’ll be adequately served at tomorrow’s banquet, at least….”
Taking the drink shoved in her hand by the bright stranger, unexpectedly double fisting champagne flutes, Cordimis quickly downs one glass and sets it aside. Her cheeks begin to warm from the drink and the friendly company.
She leans forward and clears her throat in the middle of Hyacinth's musings over the food. In a voice that hints at a rural upbringing, the words flow like honey, "May the dawn greet you tomorrow, but I shall say hello today; I am Cordimis. Hyacinth, I think it's perfectly acceptable to stick to water, drinks can get you in all sorts of trouble." Cordimis plants a hand on Hyacinth's shoulder, giving them a knowing smirk while taking another sip, but never finishing the drink.
She looks to the lithe and attentive human in front of her and offers an inviting smile with an extended hand. To Kesili, the handshake is unremarkable, but you note Cordimis' hand is warmer than you would expect, and there is a hint of a gold tattoo— no... birthmark?— that starts on the back of her hand as a sun with the rays disappearing under her sleeve. Maintaining confident eye contact, "The chance to see such great works and meet new people can really renew one's perspective of the world."
------------
After meeting the group, Cordimis is in high spirits and regards the chief steward with a sense of mirth, "Hauss, your hospitality has not been unnoticed, the bubbles tonight were a nice touch to kick off this week of both celebration and mourning. As for the banquet, I'll take whatever local wine you may have." Ever the gracious guest, she bows her head slightly to acknowledge his seemingly well earned rank and authority within the palace.
Rori // Phandelver
Kesili approached Hyacinth with a serene smile, her curiosity piqued by their vibrant presence and amused by the title wrongfully awarded to her. 'Appearances and impressions,' she thinks to herself, 'That's what truly matters'. When Hyacinth complimented her appearance with a playful flourish, Kesili's lips curved into a smug smile. "Well, one must always be prepared to make an impression, mustn't they?" she retorted, her eyes sparkling with amusement. As Hyacinth mused about drinks, Kesili nodded thoughtfully. "I agree. Water is a wiser choice. We wouldn't want to outshine the court's finest, would we?" she said, her tone light but her gaze sharp. Declining the food politely, she added, "The dinner was truly extraordinary and quite fulfilling and I couldn't possibly eat another bite."
When Hauss approached, Kesili listened attentively, appreciating his formal demeanor. She offered a graceful bow and replied, "It's not the quality of the drinks, which is outstanding, but rather my constitution after the journey. Rich beverages may be too much for me tonight. Your hospitality has been more than generous, I could not possibly think of a single complaint."
Her gaze then shifted to Cordimis, noticing the golden marks on her hand. As they introduced themselves, Kesili shook Cordimis' hand, lingering slightly as she admired the unique birthmark. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Cordimis," she said warmly. The marks fascinated her, sparking her interest as a calligrapher and painter. However, she chose not to pry, returning Cordimis' smile with genuine friendliness.
As the conversation flowed, Kesili's thoughts lingered on the importance of appearances. The colorful characters around her, each with their unique traits and stories, were a testament to the diverse world she had stepped into. While she maintained her composure and politeness, her mind remained ever vigilant, always assessing, always observing. Appearances were everything, and in this gathering, she intended to leave a lasting one.
|| Oriace - Halfling Bard - Dragon Heist || Valerian - Elf Rogue - Wildnis || b'Reh - Stig Cleric - Humblewood || Rowan - Halfling Giant - Runewarren || Khazela - Spiritfarer Dervish - Tribute || Arista - Frost Sorcerer - Old Keep || Zephirah - Demonic Bard - Sands || Merry - Gifted Surgeon - Short || Marasatra - Blood Mage - Avernus || Lan - Dwarf Dragon - Wuxian ||
Kesili may make an insight check (this is not against the other PC’s )
[ soon it will be time for bed and the next day will be upon us ]
(Insight: 18, I'm unsure what it is related to, otherwise I would come up with some narrative that relates to the roll.)
|| Oriace - Halfling Bard - Dragon Heist || Valerian - Elf Rogue - Wildnis || b'Reh - Stig Cleric - Humblewood || Rowan - Halfling Giant - Runewarren || Khazela - Spiritfarer Dervish - Tribute || Arista - Frost Sorcerer - Old Keep || Zephirah - Demonic Bard - Sands || Merry - Gifted Surgeon - Short || Marasatra - Blood Mage - Avernus || Lan - Dwarf Dragon - Wuxian ||
[This was triggered by your comment in your last post “While she maintained her composure and politeness, her mind remained ever vigilant, always assessing, always observing.”]
[apologies, I haven’t done PBP for a bit and may be rusty about the nuances of posting. I think IRL that request would have been more natural]
You notice that Hauss was quick to address the issue with the drinks, even though none of you said anything to a servant. One of the servants must have tipped him off, and fast. You see that the servants are quite observant in general. You also note an underlying…. mood… in the castle as a bit somber, concerned? You can feel it in all the servants, a sort of crinkling of the eye, a darting glance, a heavy sigh at the wrong time. It’s hard to put it into context right now, as you’ve only just arrived, you can’t quite put your finger on it yet, but something feels a bit off.
Noticing the tension among the servants, Kesili decided to linger a bit longer in the dining hall, subtly shifting her position to be near high-traffic areas of servants. She pretended to admire the tapestries on the walls, all the while keeping her ears sharp for any useful snippets of conversation (Perception - 14). She moved gracefully, always trying to appear to be part of the scene, never out of place (perhaps Stealth? - 22).
At one point, she offered to help a maid struggling with a heavy tray, briefly touching the maid's hand. The maid's startled but grateful smile gave Kesili a fleeting moment of connection. "It's quite an undertaking, these festivities," Kesili remarked casually, hoping to prompt a response. When the maid nodded, did her eyes betray a flicker of the stress she felt?
Kesili continued her subtle reconnaissance, pretending to admire the elaborate decorations and occasionally engaging in small talk with the guests. She lingered by the kitchen door, where she hoped to overhear hurried, whispered conversations between servants.
|| Oriace - Halfling Bard - Dragon Heist || Valerian - Elf Rogue - Wildnis || b'Reh - Stig Cleric - Humblewood || Rowan - Halfling Giant - Runewarren || Khazela - Spiritfarer Dervish - Tribute || Arista - Frost Sorcerer - Old Keep || Zephirah - Demonic Bard - Sands || Merry - Gifted Surgeon - Short || Marasatra - Blood Mage - Avernus || Lan - Dwarf Dragon - Wuxian ||
“A pleasure to meet you, Cordimis, and thank you for bein’ a trooper with the double flutes an’ all! Really savin’ me life,” Hyacinth gives her champagne-ladened new friend a wink. But then they turn their glance to the steward Hauss and cock their head a bit. “Er, meant no harm, fancy man… appreciate the attention, probably the first time any concern of mine ever reached management, but…”
Well this is all just grand, ain’t it? Fine refreshments, fine food, and fine company! The least a feylost fellow like me could ask for,” They remark, linking their arms in Cordimis and Kesili’s if they permit them. “You needn’t worry about a thing, Steward Hauss, just shootin’ the breeze with these two! … Boy, you two got some muscles, anyone ever told you that? Impressive!”
Hyacinth then lets go of their arms. “Sorry if I got a bit too familiar, there - not a lot of boundaries where I’m from, save the ones that separate us from the mortal world! And vice versa, of course.”
(Hyacinth’s passive perception is 18 - do they notice the servants’ apprehension too, or would I have to make a check?)
Hyacinth can certainly pick up on an underlying uncomfortable vibe, quite vague and repressed. What’s more, Hyacinth can’t help but notice a stray twitch in Hauss’ eyebrow, a minute reaction, when they mention being feylost.
~ ~ ~
Kesili, the maid that you helped mainly seemed a little flustered or embarrassed to be helped by a guest. She will wordlessly bustle away. However, your covert sleuthing at the kitchen doors seems to yield a little fruit as you, unnoticed, are able to overhear an exchange between two servants just on the other side of the door:
(man) “Well, it’s finally caught up to us, hasn’t it?”
(woman) “Hmm? What has?”
(man) “I mean, we’ve been gossiping for months, speculating, but now it’s really happening.”
(woman) (hushed) “Oh, that… Yeah, and all the speculation came to naught.”
(man) “I’ve half a mind to resign, right before the coronation.”
(woman) (scoffing) “Arnie, you wouldn’t…!”
(Arnie) “…Nah, I suppose that’s a bit extreme, but I’ll always be uncomfortable, you know? I dunno if I’ll ever fully trust the Prince. I’ll always wonder…”
(voices drift away)
Hyacinth attempts to read into the twitch from Hauss. Was it out of suspicion, curiosity, animosity?
Insight: 12
Big roll!
Hyacinth has been around the block in this area long enough to know a few things, and put two and two together. First, there is the Witchwood, which massively dominates the kingdom's Eastern side (please refer to the map). It is common knowledge that all manner of unusual things originate from there. The people of Threshwell have never really embraced that strangeness, have always kept it at arm's length as much as possible. They are a superstitious lot, but they find safety in that, sort of compartmentalizing the strangeness of the Witchwood into an almost silly zone of mere superstition -- in other words they don't have to take any of it too seriously, or it helps them to ignore the strangeness, pretend it isn't there.
Enter Hyacinth, with their purple skin and multi-colored hair, and it's obvious that they have some sort of connection to the fey. Well, the people of Threshwell would rather not remark on that, pretend that it's not real. Hyacinth's good deeds have actually done a lot to help them to be accepted in the kingdom, and yet there are those who still glance at them in that way. And then glance away uncomfortably. Hyacinth is a living, walking reminder of what the people are trying to ignore.
In this specific instance, Hauss has let slip a a tiny reaction to Hyacinth's blatant admission of a fey connection. It would normally be hard to guess Hauss' underlying feelings on the matter, but he doesn't fool Hyacinth, who instinctively knows that his reaction comes from a place of fear.
Trix sees the woman in the bathrobe gesture and walks over to group of women just in time to hear the rather stiff looking man apologize for the drinks. In her turn (a brief flash of remorse crosses her face) she responds “Oh, don’t pay me no mind. I’ve never had a taste for the finer things, although that dinner a minute ago was the breakers!” She gives Cordimis an emphatic thumps up and a wink.
“Don’t go makin’ any special trouble on my account, I’m sure there’s more than enough around here to wet my whistle!”
She turns to the women in the group and introduces herself to each, attempting to match handshakes as offered, albeit awkwardly. Her dark brown leather armor is clean, but well worn. The rapier at her side is elegant, simple, but clearly old and well used. Even a casual glance would tell you that everything she has is second hand in one way or another.
Lowering her voice a bit so that only the other women could hear she adds “They, uhhh…. don’t miss much around here, do they?”
Character: Hastos, Ibahalii Vriwhulth, the Reaper of Glory v2: IC Thread
OOC: I’m getting used to this forum as a PbP platform as well (most others were through Discord). But a couple of options for conveying information gathered through non-public means could be either DM’s or if you want to keep everything in here (I wouldn’t blame you) is to use the spoiler formatting so that the information isn’t readily viewable and kinda keeps it from blending in with your other narrative. It could look something like:
Hyacinth Insight Check:
Hyacinth has been around the block in this area long enough to know a few things, and put two and two together. First, there is the Witchwood, which massively dominates the kingdom's Eastern side (please refer to the map). It is common knowledge that all manner of unusual things originate from there. The people of Threshwell have never really embraced that strangeness, have always kept it at arm's length as much as possible. They are a superstitious lot, but they find safety in that, sort of compartmentalizing the strangeness of the Witchwood into an almost silly zone of mere superstition -- in other words they don't have to take any of it too seriously, or it helps them to ignore the strangeness, pretend it isn't there.
Enter Hyacinth, with their purple skin and multi-colored hair, and it's obvious that they have some sort of connection to the fey. Well, the people of Threshwell would rather not remark on that, pretend that it's not real. Hyacinth's good deeds have actually done a lot to help them to be accepted in the kingdom, and yet there are those who still glance at them in that way. And then glance away uncomfortably. Hyacinth is a living, walking reminder of what the people are trying to ignore.
In this specific instance, Hauss has let slip a a tiny reaction to Hyacinth's blatant admission of a fey connection. It would normally be hard to guess Hauss' underlying feelings on the matter, but he doesn't fool Hyacinth, who instinctively knows that his reaction comes from a place of fear.
Character: Hastos, Ibahalii Vriwhulth, the Reaper of Glory v2: IC Thread
[ Yeah that's cool, I just think that at a real table the info would have been spoken aloud to all, so I'm ok with just blurting it out there. If there's something critical to the plot somehow and player-vs-player sensitive then I may resort to DM's ]
OOC: Also true!
Character: Hastos, Ibahalii Vriwhulth, the Reaper of Glory v2: IC Thread
Cordimis doesn't even attempt to read the room, she's outwardly an optimist with internal self doubt, but rarely has a doubt in others' intentions.
She returns all friendliness to her new companions, makes a few jokes, and leads with genuine and engaged curiosity to learn a bit more about those around her. She feels a tinge of disappointment when Kesili wandered off, but understands the rare opportunity to admire good art up close. Cordimis lets out a faint yawn. "This has been a real pleasure, but I must be up at dawn tomorrow. The secret to a good morning is to watch the sunrise with an open heart; if anyone wants to join, I'll be watching on the East side of the castle."
She rises to leave, setting down the nearly full flute of champagne. "Genuinely pleased you lot are who I get to spend the next week with, I must admit I was apprehensive before I arrived. If there's nothing more, I will be retiring to my room for the evening." She waits a beat for anything to happen, but if everyone says their goodnights then she'll exit the dining hall.
Casting light on a signet ring etched with a sunrise on her right hand, Cordimis uses the extra light to brighten up the dim corridors back to her room. She doesn't much care for the dark, although she's never had much trouble seeing through it.
Rori // Phandelver
Kesili chuckles at Hyacinth’s lively remarks, feeling a rare warmth from their camaraderie. “I’ll have to start taking style lessons from you,” she teases, a playful glint in her eye. She genuinely enjoys their company, appreciating the light-heartedness Hyacinth brings to the evening.
As the conversation flows, Kesili’s mind drifts back to the snippet she overheard in the kitchen. The servants' hushed exchange hints at underlying tensions, but without context, it remains a puzzle. She files it away, resolving to stay vigilant for more clues.
When Cordimis announces her departure, Kesili waves goodnight, her gaze lingering on the intriguing sun-marked skin. The intricate design fascinates her, and she hopes to learn its story one day. “Rest well, Cordimis. If I manage, I'll meet you at end of the blue hour.” she says warmly.
Sticking close to Hyacinth, Kesili remains alert, hoping to glean more information from passing servants. She leans toward Trix, responding to her earlier observation with a knowing smile. “Seems like there’s always something interesting going on in places like this, doesn’t it?”
As the evening winds down, Kesili times her exit with Hyacinth and Trix, aiming to keep their newfound alliance strong while continuing her quiet investigation.
|| Oriace - Halfling Bard - Dragon Heist || Valerian - Elf Rogue - Wildnis || b'Reh - Stig Cleric - Humblewood || Rowan - Halfling Giant - Runewarren || Khazela - Spiritfarer Dervish - Tribute || Arista - Frost Sorcerer - Old Keep || Zephirah - Demonic Bard - Sands || Merry - Gifted Surgeon - Short || Marasatra - Blood Mage - Avernus || Lan - Dwarf Dragon - Wuxian ||
Kesili will not turn up any further novel information as the night quickly winds down and the guests retire at last.
The guest rooms are indeed on the East side of the castle, affording a view of the sunrise. The sun appears over a seemingly endless sea of dark green leaf canopy that fills your vision. The Witchwood, hidden in darkness and unappreciated when you arrived last night, now looms massively before you. A buffer of calm meadow and clear-cut zone has been created between the dwellings of Threshwell and the forest, but then you can see the trees standing as sentinels, as witnesses, seeming to promise endless mystery and meanderings to any who would dare enter into their ranks.
Morning routines aside, you’re expected soon at breakfast where you are at last to meet the royal family who are your hosts.
[any nighttime or pre-breakfast shenanigans can be ret-conned in to this narrative, otherwise I’ll assume that breakfast is the next thing to do]
Back in the dining hall, you see that a large table has been elegantly arranged for you and the Threshwells. Striding into the room confidently and approaching you is a younger man, perhaps of no more than 40 years. He wears a crisp uniform of black jacket and slacks, with gold buttons, and golden trim swirling into intricate designs lining the jacket sides and sleeves. A golden circlet rests upon his brow, helping hold back a swath of straight brown hair. His clean-shaven face breaks into a smile as he sees you, and he raises his arm in welcome, brown eyes alight with the good mood of a new day.
“So here you are, the Heroes! I am so honored that you could come and stay with us. I’m Prince Karsted. Please, let us be seated and get acquainted. Mother and my father the King will be along shortly.”
Feeling refreshed after a night's sleep in one of the nicest beds she's ever been in, Cordimis is all smiles in the morning. She offers a bow when the prince approaches, "Dawn's greeting upon you, Prince Karsted. Your invitation came at a surprise, but I'm grateful to be here among these other fine folks. I am Cordimis Fay." She hastily adds, "F-A-Y, no relation to actual Fey, F-E-Y." She tries to hide the question "why me?" that bubbles just under the surface, masking self doubt with a layer of hope and optimism.
If the prince is not at the head of the table, she'll take a seat across from him and continue to engage in light conversation. Asking more about the week's events, if he enjoys a good sunrise, favorite memories about growing up at Threshwell, etc.
Rori // Phandelver