Petal barely listens to the nobles, as she insists they drink more natural beverages. She does however judge their character based on their reaction to her, who is hiding something? Who really cares about the people they claim to care for? 13 insight

Ran looks back at Varen and nods towards Opal. 

"There may still be some lingering loyalty to Firstforge in Opal. She looked torn when you left." Ran says to Varen. "But not likely much you can do about it unless you find her alone."

He then looks around the room, searching out the Dhkar champion, Tamara Nygaar. Once spotted he'll start making his way over to her, inviting Kay and Varen to come with him.

"Perhaps. I'm... disappointed in her. But I'm not going to roll over and show my belly to those other vipers just because she's there. Perhaps during the gauntlet, she is more likely to speak freely."

Varen will walk with Ran and Kay to find the Dhkar.

Is Tamara one of the Dhkar members that she encountered at the ferry the previous night?

Ronegan ignores the jibes of Petal. Why serve as an individual spy when you could potentially employ a whole team.

He walks over to one of the friendliest looking servers. "Hullo there. Is Mistress Gallowglass present at the hall today? I would imagine she would be in the kitchen personally supervising the wonderful delicacies that are flowing out of the kitchen tonight!"

Varen doesn't recognize many of the dragonborns at the Dhkar table but does spot Tamara from thw hero's circle of hand to hand. There's half dozen bronze scaled, two silver, and a gold scaled dragonborn in Lightbringer vestments. They have mostly human companions among thier retinue. Looking over at the table she however catches the eye of Tamara, one of the silver scaled dragonborns, whom nods at Varen but doesn't seem able to approach. Tamara is surrounded by her house the subject of their admiration!

.....

"Hello sir," the sever says to Ronegan. "Mistress is here in the kitchens sir. Shall I pass on your compliments of the meal sir," a thin human boy asks looking anxious to go about hua business as people all around call for more wine as well as other various feast items.

The boy is a young, about thirteen, with groomed brown hair, pale skin, and is wearing Vahar house colors.

Elavor accepts the wine from Petal, "Thank you, Petal"... and sniffs it. Then gulps it down in one go.  "Yeah, I see what you mean about the flavor. I guess I may have to pass on the whiskey for now... "

Slowly, Elavor scans the table nearest Petal and him... looking for any thing laying out that he might pick up.  "Not that I would" he tells himself... just in case though, it won't hurt to look. 

He's going to try to be very subtle about this ... 

(Stealth: 18 )

(Perception: 6 )

Ran sees Tamara, the silver dragonborn, nod to Varen and also that she is surrounded by her house.

"Well, I don't suppose we'll get anywhere by being shy about it," he says to Varen and Kay.

Ran grabs a bottle of whatever happens to be near by in one hand and as many goblets as he can manage in the other, trying to find ones that are at least cleanish, and then starts wading into the Dhkar circle, motioning for the others to follow.

"Champions coming through," he says in a loud but friendly voice. "House champions coming through. Champions coming to toast a champion."

Not pushing hard, but not being timid about moving his way through the crowd with a smile and a bump, he places a goblet down in front of Tamara, hands one to Kay, fills them and one for himself with what is hopefully not vinegar, and then raises his in a toast.

"Well fought today. I can see why Dhkar is proud to have you. To Tamara Nygaar. Champion of Dhkar."

Varen smiles as Ran charges in, and hooks her arm in Kay's as she pulls him to follow. "Social butterfly or battering ram, both seem to work. Come, Kay!"

She joins in the toast for Tamara.

Ronegan beams delightedly at the boy. He had...seen this before, and he thought he might be able to use his foreknowledge to really focus his appeal to the boy.

"Bright lad! You will go far, my boy! Far indeed. I am a representative of House Firstforge and I have business to discuss with Mistress Gallowglass." He leans in. "Business that would be quite advantageous to her. Apparently, King Onyx is QUITE taken with the food she has produced. He wishes to arrange for some...private catering. And as the lad who brings this to her attention, I am CERTAIN you would be handsomely compensated yourself. Can you take me to her? Or, as I can see you are busy, at least direct me to her and share your name, so I can be sure she knows who dug up this lucrative piece of business."

Ronegan uses his Portent roll of 14, so with charisma bonus its a total of 15 (Deception or Persuasion).

The dragonborns and their mostly human companions part for Kay and Ran. They look on curiously but composed. No one seems to speak as Tamara takes up the goblet and holds it aloft.

"To champions," the silver scaled dragonborn says with a curt nod clanging her goblet against that of Ran and Kay nodding at Varen before downing the contents.

"Fancy bit of fighting between the two of you...could you he twins," Tamara asks grinning at the men. "You Lady Delisse seemed to be holding back however. What say you? Known to keen to display our rumored talents in front of true proficient," she adds with a cocked eyebrow with a healed but visible scar.

.....

Petal attempts to overhear anything value but finds nothing but idle talk. People comparing their robes and jewels to others. The handsomeness of others int the court but nothing of interests.

......

Elavor doesn't see much of value to swipe. He could take silverware or giblets but nothing of great value.

........

"Right through that door there sir," the boy points a far set of doors guarded by two high king's guard where he sees servers going in and out. "My name is Thaddeus Young," the boy informs Ronegan. "I'm sure mistress would enjoy the comments sir," the boy nods before going about his business.

"Ah, you spotted that too," Ran says to Tamara looking over at Varen.

"There are some here," he says as he nods towards some of the inquisitors guards, "that jump to conclusions when your fighting style is less traditional."

He leans in a little closer. "That's another reason we've come over to talk," he says turning an looking back at the high table where Onyx and Pedryas sit by the inquisitor. "There appears to be an alliance forming that's not exactly in our best interest. We're not proposing any sort of cheating, just watching each other's backs a bit until we're the last ones standing in the melee tomorrow."

Ran takes a drink of the wine, watching how Tamara reacts to what he's said. If she takes this well, they might be able to talk more about Dhkar's views on the likes of Petal, Ronegan and Aurora.

OOC: I'm assuming Varen was able to watch all the bouts during the time skip.

Varen gives the taller Dragonborn a smile. "I'll be honest, I prefer hunting in the mountains and old forests of home. Can let some of the civility go, compared to these "honorable" duels. Could really let my hair down out in the wilds, if you know what I mean." She pauses, assessing Tamara. "Your own fighting style seemed unique, and your bout was quite exciting to watch. Where did you learn it?"  

Insight: 4 How receptive/friendly does Tamara seem, both to Ran's comments as well as Varen's? Also what assessments can Varen make of her as a warrior?

Edit: I cannot, for the life of me, roll well on Insight.

"Ah, I should have known. I shall be sure your Mistress knows who assisted me and provided a very valuable business lead."

He looks for some discarded plates of food to carry back to the kitchen so as not to draw attention from the guards.

Perception: 5

OOC: Onyx is with the other leaders close to Jubel. He's no where near the grand inquisitor and Opal if that's what you meant.

Ran roll an insight check for Tamara.  By dragonborn nature their faces aren't as expressive as most humanoid races.

"Please friends so many interesting questions...and observations about the company we keep," Tamara says in a lowered voice to Ran glancing at the golden scaled dragonborn as well as the bronze scaled who all look on st Ran with a cocked eyebrows or hard expressions. "It's certainly a gift to be among so many defenders of the faith," she then says getting up ushering you farther away. "I think a glass of Turco finest is in order," she then blusters loudly. The table seem to study you three as well as Tamara but allowing her to leave amongst other the champions.

Once well away from ears and most eyes Tamara begins again reaching up to touch a small gem near her neck as she speaks.

"Allies are in short supply yes," she adds before glancing at Esrah at Onyx's side at the high table and clearly smiling at him. Esrah nods in return but does not change his stoney expression. "I am not certain who to trust but you seem to keep better company than others," she adds. Looking to Varen next. "I was taught by my father whom died in the service of the Lightbringer and our prince who was sadly injured on the road but thankfully will pull through. We...we lacked a familial bond he and I unsure of my talents..." she pauses but then continues, "but I always felt close to him with a sword in my hand," she explains with a smirk.

You're not sure what her style is but it certainly was less traditional than you've seen.

......

Ronegan finds nothing. The kitchen and service staff seems highly efficient. Thaddeus didn't seem overly curious about the halfling going into the kitchens so Ronegan can assume he won't be stopped if he chooses to venture there.

Varen gives a nod at the response. "I understand. My father taught me as well... I spent a lot of my childhood in the cold mud after a missed parry or legsweep. But he also taught me to stand back up after, no matter the hurt. The bonds of iron and blood are the strongest, he'd say. So when I fight, I'm reassured by his lessons."

Varen traces Tamara's gaze to Esrah. "Ser Esrah seems like a good sort. He and Lady Juno kept watch over the Firstforge tent while we prepared today, after..." She pauses, glaring at the Grand Inquisitor. "After the inquisitor made her display. Thank the stars for Lord Baelfire. Have you had much interaction with him or Ser Esrah?"

Varen Arcana 23 - any markings, etchings, runes, or other things that might imply her gem is magical or similar to Varen's amulet? Or if Varen might recognize it as similar to some other magical item?

Ronegan follows behind one of the servers as they enter the kitchen area. "Lucinda, my dear! I knew the moment I smelled those pastries at the tournament that you would be the root of this. My felicitations on the building of quite the empire, culinarily speaking, of course!" He announces as he enters the kitchen area, looking for his older sister.

Petal regruos with Aurora, sighing, “Well, they really do talk about some dull things”

Spotting Ronegan running plates she chuckles, before heading over to Jasper Ironhelm.

“Sir Ironhelm, would you care for some of this wine, it’s a Turco specialty? I’m Petal, and with you being part of King Onyx’s family it is my duty to serve you as best I can. How have you found the rest of the royal entourage sir? Have they treated you with the respect befitting such a beloved, important member of the royal family?

Practicing the flattery that the other Fistforge servants had encouraged in her in her many years of service, Petal delivers a beaming, welcoming smile to the uncle. 

 Ran's Insight Check: 22 

"This place is a series of traps and pitfalls," Ran says to Varen, Tamara, and Kay. "The more like minded people we have watching each other's backs the better off everyone will be, I think. The front line soldier never comes out well when they get caught between two competing commanders, "he adds as he looks at Tigana Pentaghas and then at Baelfire.

He looks around at the rest of the people enjoying the celebration.

"I just want to get us all out of here in one piece when this competition is finished."

"Lord Baelfire made a point to shield the actions of myself...and well other members who I had no idea were talented in ways outside the Lightbringer's teaching," Tamara begins. "As for Esrah...well we grew up together. He is one of my family's closest neighbors. He was called for service to the Lightbringer. He's...he's trust worthy," Tamara replies sipping her wine.

Varen can tell it's a spell focus of some kind.

.......

Now in the busy kitchens Ronegan does spot his sister who looks surprised to see her younger brother.

"Ronegan? I...I heard you were in the palace. I heard a lot of other things too," Lucinda replies with a smirk holding her arms out to him to embrace.

........

"Ah a member of the household," Jasper replies with a cocked eyebrow.

OOC: Petal roll persuasion or description whatever you think fits.

........

Ran finds Tamara hard to read.

"Allies are in order but as for the melee only one can stand. What's your strategy," Tamara asks curiously.