The Duke nods and says, "If you wish to play, then I'm sure I can gather a few people that would enjoy listening to a song or two. Perhaps after sundown would be a fine time." He looks to the others in the group and says, "I can see you're not accustomed to high court, but I assure you that we're not so different. I've been blessed with great privilege, yes. That doesn't mean you must be afraid to talk when I'm in the room though. I do have to be going soon though. Is there anything you all need?"
Jonathan bows politely to the duke. "Your grace, it is indeed an honour to be here at your pleasure." He starts with. His tone is very formal and quite rehearsed, but his inner thoughts are wracked with how he hated etiquette lessons, and trying to recall all the nuances that he should be using. "It appears you are well informed as to our reasons and how we arrived here, so I will not reiterate those words." He pauses for a second, mentally trying to work out what to say or ask. "It is also kind of you to provide rooms for the night. If I had known where we were headed I would have brought a gift from my family home to present to you. Alas, the whims of the gods appear to not be in my favour. by your leave, I feel it would be better if we discussed in the morn, as you sagely advised. Some of us are weary from our travels and perhaps could use some rest." He subtly glances to his party, hoping they are not going to do anything disrespectful during their stay, as this could be a vital chance at having a moment of peace away from all the bedlam that happened around Holden Heights.
The Duke nods at Jonathan and says, "Perhaps you can bring it the next time you come for a visit. You say, the work of the gods? Do you believe this teleportation circle was made by man or by divine power? If divine, do you have any idea which god may have their hands within my castle?"
He seems a bit agitated at the idea of gods having secret entrances into his own castle. The thought that he'd have any control over their will is a bit laughable, but he does seem a bit upset at the idea of it.
He lets out a sigh before saying, "Yes. There is much to do this evening and I would prefer we save this conversation for the morning. I look forward to your performance this evening though so long as these next few appointments are completed timely. I swear that I would do it all myself if there weren't so much to be done in a day."
The Duke smiles at Falaine's offering. "You are too kind. A beautiful gift from a beautiful person." A vase is produced from somewhere by a servant and they rush to the Duke's side. The Duke places the flower into the vase and says, "I will always cherish this." The servant then rushes out of the room with the flower. The Duke seemed quite pleased with the offering and perhaps even more with Falaine.
Falaine,
Would assume that the Duke is flirting with her. He doesn't seem to be pushy like certain nobles are expected to be though.
[You can pursue trying to charm him if you would like; it isn't necessary]
"Perhaps I can make you more. I hear you have a vast library, perhaps you'd like the company of another scholar?" She'll say the last part with a wink.
"I personally am not wise to the whims of gods, but perhaps my counterparts can aid in working out any potential owners of the circle whilst we rejuvenate ourselves." Jonathan offers. He feels a little foolish for bringing up such parts in the conversation now, rather than waiting until the party has had time to make better thought on what they should and shouldn't say in the duke's presence. He seems ready to take advantage of the hospitality and get around to refreshing himself; it's finally a place where he can properly clean up and not walk around in sweaty traveller's clothing.
The Duke seems keen on Falaine's offer. "After the performance this evening, I can show you my library. I think you'll find it quite fascinating."
The Duke nods in response to Jonathan. "My mages will get to the bottom if it one way or another. If they're not able to, I'll just have to find some that are better in their trade. Now, if you'll all please excuse me, I have less interesting guests that I must attend to. I look forward to your performance this evening."Turning toward Falaine, he says, "And showing you the library. See you all soon."
The Duke turns and is escorted from the room by the guards that surround him. You hear their footfalls for quite some time until there is only silence.
Soon, you hear loud footsteps returning and a brutish half-orc woman enters the room. She's also wearing the clothing you've now grown to accept as servants garb. Tied around her waist is an apron that looks as white as snow. "I will show you to your chambers and to the baths. You will have one hour to make yourselves presentable for supper."The words come out of the half-orc with a bite though she's being as polite as she's able. Her hair is braided in a very ornate fashion giving her a look of high class that contrasts with the tusks protruding from her lower lip. She's not nearly as charismatic as the others you've encountered here.
You're taken back through the servants passages (which would seem a bit odd to those of higher birth in the party) and you descend several floors down the enclosed stone staircase. Candise opens the door showing a long hallway with doors on each side. She moves and unlocks a room for each of you. Looking into the rooms, you find that these are set up as servants quarters with clothes worn by the servants stored in the closets and drawers. The bed looks to be of rather high quality though lacking the frills one might expect in a castle.
After showing you the rooms, she leads you down to the end of the hallway where there is a large communal bath. You can feel the steam pouring from the room as you enter. The pool looks well kept and maintained with marble flooring offering and plenty of towels. There is little privacy here but the pool will do wonders for cleaning away the grime of the day.
"If you don't need anything else, I will return in one hour. The floor is yours, but please do not go exploring until Tyler has cleared the castle. His Grace would be most disappointed if one of his guests were wounded within his own walls. I will be staying in the first room by the stairs if you need anything."
[She will stay and answer any questions you want to ask before entering the first room on the floor. She leaves the door open in case anyone needs further assistance.]
"Thank you." Jonathan says, ready to dismiss the woman if the others have no questions.
At the sight and feel of the steam, Jonathan lets out a sigh of relief. Finally, a way to unwind and relax. Once the half-orc servant has left Jonathan begins to doff his clothing by the waterside. He doesn't care that the others are there. Normally sharing a bath with others is a past time, where you can discuss whilst you clean your body, a social occasion. Today, it is just to relish in its warmth and for the first time in a while feel suitably clean. He doesn't care for the modesty either for similar reasons; if there is one thing he holds over his siblings it is his physique, checking to make sure there are no marks from the minor battle wounds he received days earlier. It is one thing to have a strong body, but ensuring it is a strong and unscarred body is another matter. If he does have scars, perhaps they would be not too noticeable less he wishes to use them to brag about daring battles in the future.
Paren mearly nods before walking into Finan's room and placing his pack at the foot of the bed. As he walks out he gives Finan a deep bow before saying, "M'lord, when you have a free moment there is something I would like to ask before we return. In private if we might. Otherwise, if you have no need of me, I shall endeavour to make myself presentable before dinner." The others in the group would be able to tell that his tone has a slightly sarcastic bite to it.
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Gronk in Bastion, Kingdom of Medrin Elixisysin Talaveroth (Team 2) Uthal in Lost Continent of Theviranne
Falaine will smirk at the comments by Paren. She'll also begin taking part in cleaning up. While they are all getting ready, she will cast goodberry and dole out 2 to each member of the party. "These should fill your belly provided the meal isn't to your liking or we are pulled away prematurely." She seems very comfortable and confident in her elvish skin. Much different than when you saw her curled up in the wine cellar.
[note: I've been trying to slow down my posting in the thread a bit to make sure people have the ability to chime in on conversations and such. Let me know if the pace is working well or not.]
[OOC: Sorry for not posting yesterday, had a crazy busy day and when I finally got back home, all I could do was drop on my bed and fall asleep.]
Tanni drops her backpack to her room and, when she sees the bath, a wide smile spreads on her face. "Excellent, it has been a while." When Falaine offers her berries, Tanni looks at them in disbelief. "Thank you, Falaine" she says, despite clearly not believing that such a small berry could quench her hunger and pockets them before stripping down, throwing her clothes to a corner and entering the bath. She lets the warm water engulf her for a moment before she starts scrubbing herself vigorously.
Falaine turns to the group , when they are all settled in, and says. "I might have a date with the Duke... What should I do... What should I wear? Should I change my body in some way? Finan, Jonathan, what do Dukes like?"
"Ah, yes, boy. Please." Finan replies to Paren with an amused smirk, happy to continue the sharade despite the absence of any official courtiers or servants. He is only half-aware it is a good way to let off a bit of steam following some of the frustrating moments they had shared the past days.
He then takes a minute to simply stand in his room in silence, eyes closed. Just a minute of simple quiet was a welcome balm for his fatigued mind. He is still exhausted from the previous night, and in hindsight he now regrets offering to play a tune. He would have been much happier simply turning in early for the night, even in a foreign, possibly dangerous place like this.
When he comes out he is stripped from the waist up, and quickly discards the rest of his clothing before sinking into the warm water. He notices pockets of dirt and grime floating in the water already, but in all honesty he did not feel like he could get much dirtier than he was already. He cracks a laugh when Falaine expresses her concerns, even to the point of turning to him for answers. "They like it when you don't steal. Ah, and they prefer not to find out you've slept with their wife, or daughters. Or mother. Or if you pretend to be an expert hostler, or any other profession that you don't know anything about, keep up the lie if you can. I think I might have hurt a race horse or two this one time. It paid well, as long as it lasted, but that one did find out in the end. I definitely destroyed a sword once, a family relic of some kind, while working as a blacksmith. "Honestly, I think Jonathan is the one to ask about what kind of tea they prefer, though. All I can say is, be careful. You would do well as a nobleman's wife, even as a nobleman's mistress, but as far as I know you are not highborn, thus easily discarded. I wouldn't want you to get hurt." He says the last softly, his gaze averted. He can still feel how she felt, walking in his arms. He had noticed quite sharply that the noble might have been trying to flirt, but even so he tells himself he is still out looking for another. Besides, he isn't her type at all. He's not really anyone's type.
Paren comes and crouches beside the tub, taking a cloth and polishing the leather of his armour. He doesn't seem to notice that the rest of him could also use a wash. He gives a short laugh at Falaine's questions but then stops, realizing that was probably quite rude. He then retreats to his room and sits in the middle of the floor with his eyes closed, seemingly praying as he waits for Finan.
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Gronk in Bastion, Kingdom of Medrin Elixisysin Talaveroth (Team 2) Uthal in Lost Continent of Theviranne
"Quite a list of very specific guidelines, Finan, but I guess experience is the best teacher"Tanni then turns to Falaine, "Be pale as a ghost, thin as a twig and put on a frilly dress, isn't that what most noblewomen are like?" Tanni exclaims as she scrubs her muscular frame. She clearly doesn't have any problems with a mixed bath. She jams her face under the surface, scrubs it for a moment and straightens herself, sputtering and gasping for air. She then turns to Falaine with an impish grin "Though no man can resist a lady who's plump where it counts." The gnome lets out a short laugh, climbs out from the bath and starts drying herself up.
Falaine chuckles at Tanni's statement. "It's going to be hard to go with plump... He sees me as an elf now." She looks down at her thin frame before stepping out and drying off as well.
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Perception: 11
Insight: 14
Falaine bows deeply at the Duke's arrival, but otherwise suppresses any desire to blurt out questions.
Insight 2, reroll boogaloo: 15
The Duke nods and says, "If you wish to play, then I'm sure I can gather a few people that would enjoy listening to a song or two. Perhaps after sundown would be a fine time." He looks to the others in the group and says, "I can see you're not accustomed to high court, but I assure you that we're not so different. I've been blessed with great privilege, yes. That doesn't mean you must be afraid to talk when I'm in the room though. I do have to be going soon though. Is there anything you all need?"
Jonathan bows politely to the duke. "Your grace, it is indeed an honour to be here at your pleasure." He starts with. His tone is very formal and quite rehearsed, but his inner thoughts are wracked with how he hated etiquette lessons, and trying to recall all the nuances that he should be using. "It appears you are well informed as to our reasons and how we arrived here, so I will not reiterate those words." He pauses for a second, mentally trying to work out what to say or ask. "It is also kind of you to provide rooms for the night. If I had known where we were headed I would have brought a gift from my family home to present to you. Alas, the whims of the gods appear to not be in my favour. by your leave, I feel it would be better if we discussed in the morn, as you sagely advised. Some of us are weary from our travels and perhaps could use some rest." He subtly glances to his party, hoping they are not going to do anything disrespectful during their stay, as this could be a vital chance at having a moment of peace away from all the bedlam that happened around Holden Heights.
Falaine uses Druidcraft to create a flower for the Duke.
The Duke nods at Jonathan and says, "Perhaps you can bring it the next time you come for a visit. You say, the work of the gods? Do you believe this teleportation circle was made by man or by divine power? If divine, do you have any idea which god may have their hands within my castle?"
He seems a bit agitated at the idea of gods having secret entrances into his own castle. The thought that he'd have any control over their will is a bit laughable, but he does seem a bit upset at the idea of it.
He lets out a sigh before saying, "Yes. There is much to do this evening and I would prefer we save this conversation for the morning. I look forward to your performance this evening though so long as these next few appointments are completed timely. I swear that I would do it all myself if there weren't so much to be done in a day."
The Duke smiles at Falaine's offering. "You are too kind. A beautiful gift from a beautiful person." A vase is produced from somewhere by a servant and they rush to the Duke's side. The Duke places the flower into the vase and says, "I will always cherish this." The servant then rushes out of the room with the flower. The Duke seemed quite pleased with the offering and perhaps even more with Falaine.
Falaine,
Would assume that the Duke is flirting with her. He doesn't seem to be pushy like certain nobles are expected to be though.
[You can pursue trying to charm him if you would like; it isn't necessary]
"Perhaps I can make you more. I hear you have a vast library, perhaps you'd like the company of another scholar?" She'll say the last part with a wink.
"I personally am not wise to the whims of gods, but perhaps my counterparts can aid in working out any potential owners of the circle whilst we rejuvenate ourselves." Jonathan offers. He feels a little foolish for bringing up such parts in the conversation now, rather than waiting until the party has had time to make better thought on what they should and shouldn't say in the duke's presence. He seems ready to take advantage of the hospitality and get around to refreshing himself; it's finally a place where he can properly clean up and not walk around in sweaty traveller's clothing.
The Duke seems keen on Falaine's offer. "After the performance this evening, I can show you my library. I think you'll find it quite fascinating."
The Duke nods in response to Jonathan. "My mages will get to the bottom if it one way or another. If they're not able to, I'll just have to find some that are better in their trade. Now, if you'll all please excuse me, I have less interesting guests that I must attend to. I look forward to your performance this evening." Turning toward Falaine, he says, "And showing you the library. See you all soon."
The Duke turns and is escorted from the room by the guards that surround him. You hear their footfalls for quite some time until there is only silence.
Soon, you hear loud footsteps returning and a brutish half-orc woman enters the room. She's also wearing the clothing you've now grown to accept as servants garb. Tied around her waist is an apron that looks as white as snow. "I will show you to your chambers and to the baths. You will have one hour to make yourselves presentable for supper." The words come out of the half-orc with a bite though she's being as polite as she's able. Her hair is braided in a very ornate fashion giving her a look of high class that contrasts with the tusks protruding from her lower lip. She's not nearly as charismatic as the others you've encountered here.
You're taken back through the servants passages (which would seem a bit odd to those of higher birth in the party) and you descend several floors down the enclosed stone staircase. Candise opens the door showing a long hallway with doors on each side. She moves and unlocks a room for each of you. Looking into the rooms, you find that these are set up as servants quarters with clothes worn by the servants stored in the closets and drawers. The bed looks to be of rather high quality though lacking the frills one might expect in a castle.
After showing you the rooms, she leads you down to the end of the hallway where there is a large communal bath. You can feel the steam pouring from the room as you enter. The pool looks well kept and maintained with marble flooring offering and plenty of towels. There is little privacy here but the pool will do wonders for cleaning away the grime of the day.
"If you don't need anything else, I will return in one hour. The floor is yours, but please do not go exploring until Tyler has cleared the castle. His Grace would be most disappointed if one of his guests were wounded within his own walls. I will be staying in the first room by the stairs if you need anything."
[She will stay and answer any questions you want to ask before entering the first room on the floor. She leaves the door open in case anyone needs further assistance.]
"Thank you." Jonathan says, ready to dismiss the woman if the others have no questions.
At the sight and feel of the steam, Jonathan lets out a sigh of relief. Finally, a way to unwind and relax. Once the half-orc servant has left Jonathan begins to doff his clothing by the waterside. He doesn't care that the others are there. Normally sharing a bath with others is a past time, where you can discuss whilst you clean your body, a social occasion. Today, it is just to relish in its warmth and for the first time in a while feel suitably clean. He doesn't care for the modesty either for similar reasons; if there is one thing he holds over his siblings it is his physique, checking to make sure there are no marks from the minor battle wounds he received days earlier. It is one thing to have a strong body, but ensuring it is a strong and unscarred body is another matter. If he does have scars, perhaps they would be not too noticeable less he wishes to use them to brag about daring battles in the future.
Paren mearly nods before walking into Finan's room and placing his pack at the foot of the bed. As he walks out he gives Finan a deep bow before saying, "M'lord, when you have a free moment there is something I would like to ask before we return. In private if we might. Otherwise, if you have no need of me, I shall endeavour to make myself presentable before dinner." The others in the group would be able to tell that his tone has a slightly sarcastic bite to it.
Gronk in Bastion, Kingdom of Medrin Elixisys in Talaveroth (Team 2) Uthal in Lost Continent of Theviranne
Falaine will smirk at the comments by Paren. She'll also begin taking part in cleaning up. While they are all getting ready, she will cast goodberry and dole out 2 to each member of the party. "These should fill your belly provided the meal isn't to your liking or we are pulled away prematurely." She seems very comfortable and confident in her elvish skin. Much different than when you saw her curled up in the wine cellar.
[OOC:
[note: I've been trying to slow down my posting in the thread a bit to make sure people have the ability to chime in on conversations and such. Let me know if the pace is working well or not.]
[OOC: Sorry for not posting yesterday, had a crazy busy day and when I finally got back home, all I could do was drop on my bed and fall asleep.]
Tanni drops her backpack to her room and, when she sees the bath, a wide smile spreads on her face. "Excellent, it has been a while." When Falaine offers her berries, Tanni looks at them in disbelief. "Thank you, Falaine" she says, despite clearly not believing that such a small berry could quench her hunger and pockets them before stripping down, throwing her clothes to a corner and entering the bath. She lets the warm water engulf her for a moment before she starts scrubbing herself vigorously.
Falaine turns to the group , when they are all settled in, and says. "I might have a date with the Duke... What should I do... What should I wear? Should I change my body in some way? Finan, Jonathan, what do Dukes like?"
"Ah, yes, boy. Please." Finan replies to Paren with an amused smirk, happy to continue the sharade despite the absence of any official courtiers or servants. He is only half-aware it is a good way to let off a bit of steam following some of the frustrating moments they had shared the past days.
He then takes a minute to simply stand in his room in silence, eyes closed. Just a minute of simple quiet was a welcome balm for his fatigued mind. He is still exhausted from the previous night, and in hindsight he now regrets offering to play a tune. He would have been much happier simply turning in early for the night, even in a foreign, possibly dangerous place like this.
When he comes out he is stripped from the waist up, and quickly discards the rest of his clothing before sinking into the warm water. He notices pockets of dirt and grime floating in the water already, but in all honesty he did not feel like he could get much dirtier than he was already.
He cracks a laugh when Falaine expresses her concerns, even to the point of turning to him for answers. "They like it when you don't steal. Ah, and they prefer not to find out you've slept with their wife, or daughters. Or mother. Or if you pretend to be an expert hostler, or any other profession that you don't know anything about, keep up the lie if you can. I think I might have hurt a race horse or two this one time. It paid well, as long as it lasted, but that one did find out in the end. I definitely destroyed a sword once, a family relic of some kind, while working as a blacksmith.
"Honestly, I think Jonathan is the one to ask about what kind of tea they prefer, though. All I can say is, be careful. You would do well as a nobleman's wife, even as a nobleman's mistress, but as far as I know you are not highborn, thus easily discarded. I wouldn't want you to get hurt."
He says the last softly, his gaze averted. He can still feel how she felt, walking in his arms. He had noticed quite sharply that the noble might have been trying to flirt, but even so he tells himself he is still out looking for another. Besides, he isn't her type at all. He's not really anyone's type.
Lynn-Marie Verine-Wintercleaver, Human Bloodhunter - Adventures in Esyldien
Finan Caible, Human Bard - Joys of Balance
Yroc Grumbak, Orc Fighlock - Pizazz's ToA
Arell Peroan, Half-Elf Warlonk - Scattered Gods
ESC! | 10|33|5~
Paren comes and crouches beside the tub, taking a cloth and polishing the leather of his armour. He doesn't seem to notice that the rest of him could also use a wash. He gives a short laugh at Falaine's questions but then stops, realizing that was probably quite rude. He then retreats to his room and sits in the middle of the floor with his eyes closed, seemingly praying as he waits for Finan.
Gronk in Bastion, Kingdom of Medrin Elixisys in Talaveroth (Team 2) Uthal in Lost Continent of Theviranne
(OOC, me as a player meant for Falaine to ask Jonathan.) "Jonathan, what do noblemen like?"
"Quite a list of very specific guidelines, Finan, but I guess experience is the best teacher" Tanni then turns to Falaine, "Be pale as a ghost, thin as a twig and put on a frilly dress, isn't that what most noblewomen are like?" Tanni exclaims as she scrubs her muscular frame. She clearly doesn't have any problems with a mixed bath. She jams her face under the surface, scrubs it for a moment and straightens herself, sputtering and gasping for air. She then turns to Falaine with an impish grin "Though no man can resist a lady who's plump where it counts." The gnome lets out a short laugh, climbs out from the bath and starts drying herself up.
Falaine chuckles at Tanni's statement. "It's going to be hard to go with plump... He sees me as an elf now." She looks down at her thin frame before stepping out and drying off as well.