Ran watches Ronegan head towards the Marshfields and then looks back at Petal.

”This is the first he’s mentioned it that I know of. Ironhelm likely wants to be the power behind the throne and he probably wants Onyx to cut ties with anyone else who might influence him,” Ran says with a nod at Ronegan. “And he’s got more than most.”

Ran looks for the Marshfield champion. He and Kay might be able to fight back to back in the melee, but if they can add a like minded third, they would increase their odds of getting through the chaos of the opening minutes.

OOC: Point of order. Jasper Ironhelm told a school teacher to keep his noise out of family problems/politics reminding Ronegan of his station. While Onyx seemingly agreed it was more to not discuss sensitive matters in the boxes because of eyes and ears of spies. Bruised ego aside not really sure where Ronegan made the parallel between the grand inquisitor and the king's uncle. No one has done an insight check or a history check to know the man's intention or past. I told Ronegan that Jasper is a ruthless tactician and old guard dwarf best to think like an isolationist. Dwarves are better than everyone else. So uh fantasy racism? Anywho....

Ran, Petal, and the party sees Robegan approaching the Marshfield's but their champion is with Opal and thr grand inquisitor near the high table at the top of the room nearest Baelfire. They are all engaged in animated conversation.

Reaching the Marshfield's table Ronegan finds a dozen halflings with human, dragonborn, and gnome retainers as well was the same two paladins amongst their guard as before. Kay Tregallis smiles brightly.

"Come to try your politicking eh," Kay whispers to Ronegan giving him a sweeping bow as Aurora beams a pretty smile at him.

"Shall we introduce you?" Aurora asks still beaming as she gestures with her head to the halflings behind her deep in their cups and plates of appetizers that all look vaguely familiar. 

Lucinda's cooking permeates the air.

Elavor smiles: "I have no idea, Petal,  he didn't mention anything about it really. Seemed disturbed when we sat in the stands, but our conversation turned elsewhere."   

Petal shrugs, laughing, “You never know with Ronnie, it could be anything from correcting his spelling to outright murder. I do hope it’s not about the food though, I’m not a lover of the umm.. pastry I think they call it? The meat would be great on its own, and it’s pretty overcooked!” Petal giggles as she heads over to Ronegan, greeting Aurora and Kay.

Ronegan grins broadly at Kay and Aurora. "Sir Kay, I am but a humble academic led by my stomach. And my stomach just so happens to lead me here." He bows to Aurora. "Mistress Novak, I would be most pleased if you would facilitate the introductions. Despite my own status as a former subject and the...err, pending relationship between the Firstforges and the Marshfields, I find myself slightly out of touch with the Marshfield household. Their decision to employ my sister speaks well of their judgement if nothing else." He nods very briefly to the paladins standing guard. "And their presence suggests that there are more putative members of the little support society that we could form. Please lead on." He says, noticing Petal join them out of the corner of his eye.

"Ah, Petal! I'm glad to see you. I now have the opportunity to introduce you to some real cuisine. I believe you could pick up a few tips yourself, for your own little culinary...ummm, adventures."

As the others make their introductions to the Marshfields, Varen grabs a glass of wine from a passing servant, scanning the crowd. Time to play little miss noblewoman...

She sees Opal at the table, surrounded by her 'new order'. Once more, into the breach... Varen takes a sip of the wine. Hmm. Not bad.

Varen slips away from the others of the party and approaches the head table from Opal's side, careful not to cross the High King or Lord Baelfire on her approach. She speaks to Opal, applying an appropriate honorific for her station.

"Lady Firstforge, I wanted to congratulate you on your win! Very well fought. I wish my own bout had gone as well... but all the Houses know that nothing can stand up to your axe!"

Varen looks to those surrounding Opal, and bows in greeting. "Lady Varen Delisse of Deephallow Keep, at your service. I was hoping to meet Lady Firstforge's new companions!"

Charm charm charm, don't make an ass out of yourself V... Persuasion: 23

 Also pre-emptive insight into Opal's response, whatever that might be: Insight: 6

Ran joins Petal and Ronegan in going over to the Marshfields' area. He nods to the Kay and Aurora.

"Alright, Ronegan," he begins. "Where's this fabled food of your sister's?"

He looks at Kay and nods over at Varen at the head table.

"How did you scare her off already?"

Ran watches Varen for a moment talking to Opal and the others. She's got a soft spot for lost causes, he thinks to himself.

"They're trustworthy the lot except for the heir there," Aurora says looking toward the high table where the clergy and heads of the seven kingdoms sit. "Gilys was always too proud of himself," she adds with a smirk. "What did you want to ask them Ronegan," she then asks curiously.

.......

All the table stops talking and give their full attention to Varen addressing Opal.

OOC: I'd say Opal isn't hostile towards Varen but her companions are most definitely. Make that persuasion check with disadvantage.

....

Kay sighs loudly looking at Ran then towards where Varen went.

"I'm afraid she's pressing her luck my friend regardless of whatever former relationship she might have had with the princess. I haven't seen a bigger lion's den in my life," Kay adds anxiously. "The told me that the Marshfield heir has all but denounced his own house openly. He's seated their beside your princess and threw the fight with her for the draw," he adds in a lowered voice.

"So the Marshfield boy throws the fight but he's still their champion?" Ran says to Kay. He pauses for a moment. "I think that means we can cross him off the list of being anything but useless tomorrow. Listen, nothing is going to give more joy than beating you, but I'd like to delay that moment until the end of the melee. We should help each other be the last two standing. Now that would be easier if we can bring a third in to the mix. Given the Marshfield situation, I was thinking their champion, but I'd forgotten who that would be. Is there anyone in the other houses you trust right now?"

Ran grabs some food and a mug of ale pondering all that has happened, He looks at Kay and thinks how quickly an adversary can become a friend. And then at Opal and thinks how quickly an ally can turn.

"Kay," he begins again. "We should talk about what happened to your house on the road here and see how it compares to what happened to us. But," he nods at the Inquisitors guards, "there are a lot of ears around here. We should get everyone together later after the feast."

OOC: My roll was with advantage due to my mutagen. Disadvantage cancels that, so taking the first roll was a 12, for 16 total on my persuasion. 

Varen looks at her friend expectantly, a familiar smile on her face despite the glares the rest of the table throw at her.

“Well, if he threw the fight, then he and Varen have some common ground.” Petal winks cheekily at Kal before leaving the humans to their talk. 

”Yes Ronegan, I’d love to try the food but Aurora and I have umm.. gnome stuff to discuss.”

Petal natters with Aurora for a bit before her curiosity gets the best of her. “Your um..... abilities, how do they work? Can we talk without words? Do you know what everyone here is thinking? I’d love to know whats going through Opals head right now. Or who else here is like us! What’s it like?”

Elavor stays in his seat as the others run off to different tables... he eats his food, and whatever ale he can find. Political intrigue was never his area of expertise. 

He wonders about this feast. It would be a perfect opportunity to slip something unseen into someone's food or drink. Or steal something... And if he's thinking that, then someone else might be as well... 

Elavor scans the room for any foul play, paying close attention to the areas his companions have wandered off to. 

(Perception: 11 )

Ronegan grins at Aurora, a bit abashed. "Trust me, I have had my hand slapped for my indiscretion by everyone and their brother today. I shall be the soul of secrecy. I simply hope to chat with some of my counterparts in the Marshfield household to...let's just say to get acquainted. Perhaps even arrange a meet-up for people like us, and Petal....and perhaps those we trust like Sir Kay, Ran, and others. There is much to discuss, not least the change in attitudes of two of the heirs to Houses that seem to possess certain advantages." He looks at Varen over near Opal's table and leans in. "Varen, our friend Elavor, and I have also found something that might be of interest to you."

"Ran I have beem little outside the confines of my own house and the Turco family is frugal in their attachments to court. Beyond serving fine spirits, wines, and ales they have little to do with political intrigue," he adds. "As true as my initial mistrust of you and your house it was one of the Marshfield servants that confirmed my suspicions about everyone save the Pedryas family using magic to save their skins against the attacks. For us it was a mix of bandits with Firstforge arms and armor as well as Celaeno and the house Dhkar with gnolls to aid them. Terrible beasts that ravage their prey and have no mercy," Kay explains in a hurried whisper. "I think if rumor serves us we can assume it serves all. We must make contact with each house and riddle out their loyatlies to the high king and their own houses or the church. For I am certain a body can not serve all three masters at once," he finishes with a curt nod before casting a worried glance towards Varen.

.........

Across the rumor Varen's attempts are noted but not encouraged. The grand inquisitor leans over placing a hand on Opal's arm before the princess turn defender of the faith speaks which seems to steel her face, that once seemed sympathetic towards you against you, and Opal finally speaks up.

"My fight was a draw as I was impossibly well matched by Lord Gilys," she nods at the halfling paladin seated with her. "These are members of my order Lady Delisse and a great credit to guiding me to the path of the Lightbringer," she adds as Tigana smiles. "Grand inquisitor Prendergast you remember," she gestures at the pinched faced human woman who looks on Varen like a bug to be squashed. "Lors Gylis Marshfeild," she gestures at the halfling, "and Prince...yes just here," the Pedryas heir turns around to face Varen, "Prince Theodore Pedryas heir to the throne of Pedryas," she explains as her companions leer at Varen.

"Congratulations from you? She's hardly a fighter or a member of the faith as far as I've seen," Theodore begins with a smirk as the group, all but Opal, laughs. They all then notice Opal's silence and the princess then joins in half-heartedly unable to look at Varen. "Return to the swamp you crawled out of and know your betters lady of Deephallow indeed," he adds as another chorus of laughter ripples like a wave over the group. "As if such a place could produce such a thing," he adds as the grand inquisitor stares at Varen as if waiting for her to react!

........

Petal and Ronegan pull Aurora aside to speak. The gnome looks around anxiously but goes on to explain her gifts.

"I've heard tell of dragons in my bloodline," Aurora explains in a whisper with a proud smile. "It's a gift woman of my family have always had some better than others," she says before holding a finger to her lips. "Such talk in the feasting room is ill advised. Far too many eyes and ears of spies to report. They have means of reading minds as I have too without our detection," she then explains. "How about we listen around? These groups of big folk rarely thing twice about us wee folk or the servants," she offers. "I bet they've heard a tale or two," she adds next with a grin. "Maybe a bit of Turco's best will loosen thier tongues," she adds producing a small bottle of spirits.

..... 

Elavor doesn't notice any sort of clandestine machinations. The room is far too large with far too many people to notice. As for his party they are split into three separate areas and he would need a better study of all three to notice anything or anyone amiss!

Varen levels a gaze at the prince, her smile never wavering, her voice still sweet. "The good thing about being raised in a swamp is that you quickly learn how to slay the slimiest creatures of the world. Perhaps, Lord Pedryas, you may learn such talents and finally be able to defend a loved one once you spend some time fighting alongside Lady Firstforge. Make sure you stay behind her until then. She'll keep you safe."

She gives a gracious bow to the three, making eye contact with Opal, before turning and departing the table.

She rejoins Ran and Kay. "Well, that was a waste of breath and effort. That witch has certainly sunk her claws into Opal. I expect the Marshfield and Pedryas boy to be allied in the melee... and try to hand the win to the Grand Inquisitor, indirectly." She takes a sip of wine, and snags a delectable little pastry from a passing server's tray. "Though if either of you knock Pedryas out personally, you'd certainly have my gratitude. I really dislike that whelp."

"So if you two work together, and the Marshfield and Pedryas work together... what do we know of the other three champions?"

Incase it was needed for the insult: Intimidation 22

Pedryas looks livid but it takes the grand inquisitor's hand to keep him from pursuing Varen. She whispers something to him behind Varen's back and the youth giving him a sickly-psychotic smile before turning back to his companion disregarding Varen's slight. Varen also doesn't see Opal looking after her former friend with a forlorn almost wounded look before she too returns her attention to her companions. Kay and Ran see these actions however in their vigil of the high table.

Baelfire stands up toasting the day's champions and asking for a prayer to be said for the returned health of the high king who is not in attendance. He then announces the feast and tray after tray of entrees are brought out of the doors from the left side of the room into the grand hall filled with hot as well as cold feasting foods from all over Embera! As people settle in to dine others remain standing having conversations and drinking. The tables are mixed and not overly segregated by house or race. It seems a jovial occasion regardless of what is brewing in the shadows.

Ronegan cannot possibly suppress the huge smile on his face as Aurora explains about her bloodline. "Dragons, you say? Utterly extraordinary!" He examines Aurora carefully while scratching his bushy sideburns. "Yes! I can see it in the uh...coloration and the eyes. There is a saying in Elvish. It loses something in translation, but it basically amounts to 'Art is in the blood.' Remarkable that other things seem to be shared in the blood as well."

At Aurora's warning, Ronegan seems to remember himself and straightens up and tugs at his robe. "But err...I see the sense in your approach, Mistress Novak. If you or Petal can confirm any identities of the folk who utilized special gifts to protect their house, please take special note of it. I believe there are ways that we can help our fellows that do not require a physical exertion of the sort that I for one am not constitutionally suited." He sniffs the air. "I shall begin my investigation...at the buffet table."

Investigation: 18  (if you think Perception is more valid, minus six from the roll).

Not seeing anything amiss, Elavor stretches and stands as the feast is being layed out... There's an itch about this whole ordeal he just can't scratch... He slowly makes his way over to where he sees the majority of House Turco, approaching anyone that looks familiar. Or friendly. 

"So, they say Turco makes the best spirits around... is that true?? My travels haven't often taken me to Ararosa, so I can't say I've tasted but only a small amount. " 

Petal pops open a bottle of wine, “Well Aurora, let us serve our masters then, as we are both employed to do.” She winks at Aurora before calling after Ronnie as he heads towards food, ”Is his beneath you then master Ronegan, to serve wine as I have done for many years? 

Making her way around the tables, Petal serves the nobles to the best of her abilities, keeping an ear out for any information she might overhear. When she reaches Elavor she smiles politely. “Grain spirits are a ruined by the over-processing in the metal mash tun and distillation chamber, here, try a fortified wine, it’s made completely of fruit. The flavour is much purer.”

Perception check? For hearing gossp, let me know if different I will reroll. 18