"Each event allows the house to submit up to three contestants. The Gauntlet I am told is especially harsh hence the allowance of eight party members to enter the maze," the dwarven man explains. "They've been constructing it for weeks now. The rules will be given at the events in total but I think one can assume if you are a knight I suppose you already know the rules of engagement..." he adds with a curiously amused look at Varen his left eyebrow popping up as he grins but when she turns to ask Kiran her question his expression becomes serious as he listens for the monk's response.

OOC: I am working on the design of the events. I had one worked out and my old laptop finally blue screened me after 15 years... the kick in the pants! I lost some stuff but not all. I am not working on a tablet and my mobile.

Kiran only

Kiran turns a serious face to Varen, "They will certainly examine all weapons and gear and keep a careful eye on everyone's actions. I would assume they would likely have someone to watch each contestant and another to watch the match as a whole. So there is no reason to worry about any of the other contestants cheating in combat. I would think most of the combatants would know this as well, and fear the consequences of the Church's judgement and will not take the risk."

"Of course. Sounds like everything will be fair and appropriate in the eyes of the Lightbringer. Thank you." 

OOC: Varen says seriously without sarcasm of ANY kind... *wink*

"If that will be all I will take your names to the lists," the dwarven man then says with a curt nod. "Are...there anyone else among you besides the royal family who wish to participate," he asks curiously looking around at the party gesturing to the lists with spaces for names.

OOC: Who's doing what? PM me please!

OOC: Sorry, had an additional question. Forum formatter was giving me trouble.

OOC: Also, Varen would never do anything suspicious at all, nope not at all ever. The best deception is the kind where you don't actually lie :D

She looks back to the dwarf. 

"What is the timeline of these events? Would someone who competes in jousting or the hand-to-hand be able to go into the next event fresh?"

OOC: Everyone check the PM and we can get this sorted out this afternoon.

"Ronegan, will Prince Onyx wish to participate in any of the more physical events? I can guess the events Opal will be excited to enter."

Ronegan folds up the quick map that Elavor sketched and slips it into his robes, and thus, he is distracted when Varen first addresses him. Ronegan will think back to the battle on the carts and Onyx's reaction to being nicked by the arrow. All of you seem him stifle a laugh. "Weeeellll... I believe the prince would only be interested in the Gauntlet. Given his father's condition, he may be of more use to his mother becoming involved in some of these so-called Council discussions. I myself will similarly not be taking part in anything but the Gauntlet. I will of course, be cheering you on, but I do not particularly fancy embarrassing myself in front of the most powerful people of the kingdom. I am best working on other tasks, if possible."

"Right. Then, my good dwarf, let us sign the register."

Varen writes the names as appropriate on the scroll. For jousting, Opal and Ran. Varen enquires about the armor requirements of jousting, and marks her name for the event assuming she can wear half-plate instead of full plate. For hand-to-hand, Ran, Kiran, and Opal. For archery, Ran, Elavor, and herself. For the gauntlet she puts all six of their names down, plus the prince and princess.

"Well then, if that's settled, I'm going to be heading to the guild. Does anyone else need directions?" Elavor says, a smile in his voice. Addressing Ran, he says...  "Ran, you know where to have everyone meet at later, then? The Blue Boar Inn, over in the Ochre District by the Union Bazaar..." 

"Oh, and Ronegan... I'm heading towards the Union Bazaar right now. If you'd like to join me, we can head out together. Up to you.." 

After settling everything with whoever has need of him, Elavor will ride Dust through the streets of Ospel to the Cartographers Guild. 

"Yes... I will get this to the tournament officials," the dwarven man replies curtly then leaves the party to their own devices.

There's a maid in the room building up the fire place.

The apartment itself has a barracks style rooms for the party with private chambers for the royal family. There is a communal wash area for the party as well. The stables are in another area not attached to the royal apartments. All areas of the palace are controlled. Even dining. The royal family will eat amongst the others in a great hall but the party will eat at a lower table amongst other minor household members.

OOC: Elavor leaves is he alone with someone? Alright, will you split the party? Venture together? Investigate other houses travels to Ospel? FYI remember the royal apartments are on an island. Ferry travel will be necessary for each direction of travel to other districts from the palace.

Kiran looks around at the others, "I'd be happy to accompany anyone who would like some company?"

As Varen signs Petal up for the gauntlet, Petal looks to Ronegan mouthing, “Are we.... allowed to do this?“ Though a maze full of monsters does sound like fun, and far closer to Petals comfort zone than navigating the city - she’s never been given responsibility like this in the household. “Am I helping to carry your equipment through the maze then?” 

Once the Dwarf leaves, and they are able to get to their rooms alone, Petal will turn to the others “So Ellie, do you think the guild will know something about the attack, or the package? I know we checked the place, but I’m still worried..... What else is on these Isles, the family said they were going to a temple, and we have the palace - so if the package wasn’t sent to one of those places... where else could it go? ” 

“Aye, we’ll see you at the Blue Boar later,” Ran says to Elavor.

He then ushers the others to move in a little closer so voices do not need to be raised quite so high.

”Assume everything you say in here will be heard,” he nods at the maid as he speaks. “That’s not to say there are spies everywhere but do not think you have any privacy. Now we need more information. We could ask the other houses directly, and I will see if I can find some of the other emissaries and see what they have to say about their journeys. But if another house is involved I don’t know how much we can trust them.”

He looks again at the maid and any other servants around.

”I think there are two groups though who see and hear everything. The servants and the city guards. A talkative maid or cook and a guard captain willing to share and we can probably learn more than we could possibly hope to from official channels.”

He then moves a little away and raises his voice a little to try not to make themselves look too suspicious.

”I served with several of the guards and trained a few others. I’m going to go to the barracks and see if I can track down any old friends. They would likely accept you as one of their own, Varen and they might see Petal as only a child and talk freely in front of her, if either of you wanted to join. But I suspect they will be tight lipped with you present, Kiran.”

He gathers his swords and his cloak and gets ready to set out but waits first to see if anyone will be joining him.

“Good idea Ran! I can come with! Then when we come back tonight, I can try to get in with the servants - I’ll help them out and see what I hear!”

Ronegan honestly does not know how to answer Petal's whispered question, so he raises his eyebrows and gives a big shrug. Later when he is only with the others, he will add to Ran's comments.

"I would also add that we are at the center of the Lighbringer faith here, so Petal and I will need to be particularly careful. One whiff of heretical magic and our wntire group could become suspect." He seemingly addresses this to Petal, but purposely looks at Varen as he speaks. "That said, we have other talents that may be useful. I shall travel with Elavor, if you do not mind. My sister Lucinda is here and she makes the most delightful culinary treat. It is a bit of fried dough sprinkled with cinnamon and sugar, and mmm...." Conscious that the others are waiting for him to get the point, he clears his throat and adds."She has indicated that she may have an "in" with the royal household. I would go seek her out. She may have some useful information. If not, I can travel to the Library and see if I can obtain a bit more information on the other players. I have some familiarity with the Marshfields, but I know more about the other kingdoms pre-Darkness than I do about the current state of affairs. Or perhaps this Dark Wanderer is some obscure bit of history not even I have knowledge of." He finishes doubtfully.

He does not mention that there other rumors he will also be pursuing in the meantime.

Kiran nods at Ran's comment about the effects of his presence, "Good point. So, Varen, it looks like you and Inare left. Do you have anything in mind to go do?"

"I can accompany you, Kiran. If others sought out healing after being accosted on the road to Ospel, they have probably ended up in the Church's care and might have useful information. I can speak to them while you converse with your peers at the Cathedral."

She looks to the others. "Very well, seems we all have an idea of tasks to get done. Shall we?"

Varen gathers her things, then looks to Kiran. "Lead on, Master Hallowedsworn."

"All right, Petal," Ran says. "Let's go see what we find at the barracks."

It was taking time, but he wasn't seeing her as a child as much as he used to. He was slowly seeing the strength in her. But there was a good chance many of the soldiers and guards would view her as a child and that could be an advantage. People don't tend to worry about what they say in front of children.

He leads the way out of their apartment and navigates their way towards the barracks.

Kiran leads the way to the Cathedral, but moving at a casual pace, doesn't want people to think he's rushing for some reason. As they walk along, he glances over at Varen, "I tried to take your advice, let the others see who I really am. I seem to have gotten mixed results..."

Varen walks alongside Kiran. Before leaving the palace, she had quickly changed in her room to a fine set of clothes, leaving her travelwear to be laundered by the servants in preparation for the tournament tomorrow. She still wears the Firstforge-emblazoned leather armor and steel-banded bracers and boots, but her blue tunic is a much finer silken material, and her pants are dark gray. On top of this she wears a navy cloak, hood down and her hair still in its braid. Much of her pack she has left in the apartment, and she just has the small belt satchel, bandolier, and her saber and shield.

"Well, I did tell you there were two parts to it. Back up what you have said with your actions. It takes more than a honeyed tongue to get people to really trust in you."