The Fall of a Kingdom {Game Thread}

After the death of Basil Darkbranch Sir Nikolas Stoneclaw had become suspicious of both his fellow council members and strangers that would show up in Cloudgate, so when several citizens had noticed a small group of more or less strangers enter Stoneclaw's mansion they couldn't help but wonder what was going on. Upon hearing from one of the guards stationed at the entrance that the strangers had been invited to a 'welcome dinner' the citizens couldn't help but wonder if they leader was planning something. 

"I must sincerely apologize for calling you all here on such short notice, things have been rather chaotic as of late and I doubt that it'll be calming down any time soon. That being said, I hope you didn't run into to much trouble on the way here but if you did..." There was a momentary pause as Sir Stoneclaw glanced down at the glass in his right hand and took a breath, "then I will reimburse you any gold that may have been stolen or assist in replacing any items or weapons that may have been destroyed, stolen or lost along the way." As he finished speaking he placed two bottles of wine down on the table before taking a seat. After a couple seconds two servants entered the room, one had freshly baked rolls while the other was carrying a tray with bowls of soup with noodles, a few types of vegetables and what looked to be meat in it.

"I hope that the food is to your likings, it's been years since I've hosted a dinner party." Nikolas said with a soft chuckle before shifting in his seat ever so slightly. He forced a small smile to his face as he looked around the table at his guests before hesitantly reaching for his glass. As he picked it up he looked it over for a couple of seconds before pouring some wine into it. "I have something I'd like to discuss with you all but I'm sure that you'd probably like to eat first... correct?"

{Please, introduce and describe your characters}

Sevrin arrives without announcement, not late but just after the others have settled. As he moves, his attention drifts across the room: the spacing between chairs, the servants who avoid eye contact, the guards at the door standing a fraction too rigid, watching the guests instead of the entrances. He chooses a seat that keeps both within view.

His features are pale and composed, his hair kept neatly in place by a simple dark band. Nothing about him is ostentatious, but nothing is careless either. His clothing is understated, tailored just enough to suggest status but not flaunting it. He does not reach for the food immediately. Instead, his gaze settles briefly on Sir Nikolas and the manner in which he presents himself, the pause before the apology, the glance at the glass, the chuckle offering more of an explanation than polite acknowledgment.

Sevrin folds his hands loosely in front of him. “Generous,” he says, not loud but enough to carry. A slight tilt of his head follows, almost thoughtful. He lets the word linger, allowing the silence to do its work. His eyes pass once around the table, measuring reactions rather than faces, before returning to Nikolas. “I arrived without incident.” A shorter pause this time. “But I suspect the journey may not be the actual concern.”

He doesn’t offer any additional insight. Sevrin doesn’t reach for the wine. He simply waits to see who may fill the silence, and who doesn’t.

"I am at ease in the wilds," replies a young human male.  His green eyes glance around, not nervously per say, but not entirely comfortable either.  Thorn has shoulder length brown hair, pulled back and tied with a thin strip of leather.  His clothing is well made, if not a bit worn.  Boots and pants are made of soft leather, both his shirt and cloak are green, although the shades are slightly different.  He carries a staff, carved with delicate leafy vines, which looks equal parts weapon, walking stick, and art piece.  

"Gratitude for your hospitality, my name is Thorn" he says while taking a seat.  He sips the wine, more out of remembered politeness than a desire to drink it.  He does enjoy the meal, eating more vegetables and fruit than anything.  Anyone who watches him closely see that he fidgets a bit, perhaps more comfortable sipping water from a clear steam and eating a  hand full wild berries than clinking glasses with the nobles.

When the initial pleasantries have been spoken and the dishes cleared, Thorn turns to Nikolas.  "Thank you for the meal, it was very good, but most certainly not why you gathered us here."  He said no more, but he held the man with his gaze.  Anyone who looked into those eyes saw the same thing, wisdom beyond his short years, compassion, determination, and a haunting sadness.  

Samael enters with immense curiosity - unused to being invited into places where their healing is not the primary purpose for their invitation. They are happy to take a seat at the table and join everyone, though it's difficult to determine such an emotion dressed as they are. It isn't very easy to determine what Samael is on first observation. They are dressed in an all-black mourning gown with minimal decorations. Draped over their head and covering any exposed skin is a black mourning veil that hangs to around their chest. Samael carries with them a shield and a mace - and one can hear the occasional clink of metal that signals that they also wear armor beneath their outer clothing.

Curiously, the veil hangs far above what should be the top of their head - and through the sheerness of the veil, one can see that it's draped over what seems to be horns that extend far above Samael's head. 

Despite the dourness of their dress - which signals them as a clear widow - there's a faint golden glow that seems to permanently emanate from them, shining even through the black clothing. 

Samael doesn't speak much - or even frequently move, content to listen as they occasionally reach out a hand to bring their glass of wine underneath their veil to take a small sip, or eat a morsel of food. Their head doesn't turn to follow the line of conversation that follows Sir Stoneclaw's apology, yet there is still the sense that they seem to be watching everyone seated around the table all at once. 

"You need not make any sort of apologies, Sir Stoneclaw. I am more than happy to attend when aid is requested. And it is a pleasure to make so many new acquaintances who are of the same mind. I am Samael Walters. Please, Sir Stoneclaw, speak your worries so that you might be unburdened."

 Their voice is gentle and reassuring - though possesses little in the way of inflection. 

Tozah misreads the hesitation and glance that Sir Stoneclaw gives his glass as suspicion of poison. But then he drinks and Tozah realizes it was something else, probably struggling with some decision that has nothing to do with poison.

"The only thing I lost on my way here was a little of my appetite from all the trail rations I ate. And as for the rations I would rather not be reimbursed thank you very much."

Tozah is a black furred harengon standing only 2 foot 6 and wears traveller's clothes underneath black studded leather with the studs stylized as small black spikes He looks at the food hungrily but wonders if it might be poisoned... then quickly dismisses such a silly notion. Sir Stoneclaw has nothing to gain and politically, everything to lose. Who would trust him after poisoning his dinner guests? No, it was safe to eat.

Tozah reaches for a couple of the fresh rolls, "It's good to have real food and a welcome change... what I wouldn't give to have fresh rolls on the road." he then uses the rolls to soak up the liqueur of the soup before eating all the vegetables and most of the meat, it requires more than two rolls to finish the soup and Tozah takes more rolls as needed.

Once finished he raises his glass as if to make a toast out of the suggestions around the table and signal that Sir Stoneclaw should share why he chose now to have a dinner party after so long without one.

Sevrin watches the small harengon finish, noting the way the last of the broth is taken without hesitation. His attention returns to Sir Nikolas, then shifts back around the table, measuring who leans forward and who remains still.

“Sevrin Veyl.” No title follows, no explanation offered. “I tend to listen first.” His fingers settle lightly against the stem of his glass, still untouched. “Please… go on.”

(OOC: It would be nice to know the main color of Elderwatch/Espar's military because his armor has a more muted version of it.)

Albus arrived in his horse without issue and entered the room after leaving it in good care.

He carried himself like any strict soldier would, great posture without unnecessary movements. However, for those with keen eyes could notice his clear blue eyes darting around the place more than a regular soldier would. His dark black hair hanged to his shoulders with only a portion of it tied at the back so that his face wouldn't be covered by it. His red skin had a scar near his eye from one of his battles as a soldier, and any other scar was coverd by a short beard and mustache of the same color of his hair.

"Albus Fionn. Representing the Espar kingdom at your service Counselman Sir Nikolas Stoneclaw." said the solider while giving the military salute of his nation as soon as he arrived at the table. His tone of voice was serious, yet also more inexperienced than what anyone would expect a representative of another kingdom would have.

Sitting down with the rest of the guest at the request of the host, the people that knew the Espar's military armor, could notice that Albus wore a similar version of it only with a slight 
discoloration and no simbol of his nation. However he did have a pendant of the Espar's national coat of arms.

Albus took his time eating and drinking the wine, feeling every detail of the food, almost as he had never eaten something this exquisite. People with a keen eye would notice multiple scars in his lef palm.

He still paid attention to everyone at the table, making mental notes about the personalities and capabilities of everyone in the room.

Sir Nikolas Stoneclaw's gaze shifted between the guests as he listens to each of them speak. A low chuckle escaped his throat as he shifted in his seat before taking a sip from his wine glass. He barely touched the food on his plate as he thought about the real reason that he'd invited his guests to this dinner party. He took a breath before looking at the group with a slightly nervous expression.

"You're all quite right in thinking that I invited you for more than just a simple dinner party. There have been a few peculiar incidents that have been happening around Cloudgate in the past week and while the guards have been doing their best to keep things under control..." Nikolas trailed off slightly and looked down at the table as he tried to keep his composure. His free hand shook slightly as he tried to compose himself before speaking again. "My son... Xavword went missing two days ago, the last time anyone saw him he was heading towards 'The Lilac Badger' Inn with a hooded Dragonborn. The witness said that they were talking about the recent sightings of ghouls."

Thorn

Thorn's lip curled a bit, resembling a dog or wolf about to growl, at the mention of ghouls.  "Ghouls," he hissed.  "The dead should stay dead."  He recoiled slightly, as if assaulted by a foul odor; shakes it off quickly and looks at Sir Nikolas.  "Very sorry to hear about your son, Sir Nikolas. I will offer my aid in finding him.  It would be helpful to have a small portrait of Xavword, it will help with our," he pauses for a moment, looking at the others assembled at the table, "investigation."  

Thorn chews on his bottom lip for a bit, brows furrowed in contemplation.  He listens as the others share their thoughts and ask questions.  When a lull in the conversation presents itself, he leans in a bit closer to Sir Nikolas and asks, "Uhm, say, did you son have any, uh, hobbies?  Not like darts or gardening, like late night hobbies....  Would you know if he were in any sort of debt for gambling, or, uh, companionship?  No offense, don't much like askin', but the more we know the better our chances of finding him."  Not being particularly comfortable with other humans (or other humanoids for that matter), Thorn did not much enjoy asking personal questions to a stranger about his missing son.  But, Thorn was nothing if not practical.  They needed to know if anyone would benefit from his absence, or if he were upside down to any shady, back-alley sorts.  

Sevrin lets Thorn’s questions settle before speaking, his attention returning to Sir Nikolas rather than the answers already given. The Dragonborn detail is curious, it has the potential to be information planted to guide the room. His fingers rest lightly against the stem of his glass.

“The Lilac Badger sees a lot of traffic,” he says, voice calm. “Most people would pass through unnoticed. Based on your eyewitness account one did not.” He pauses briefly, watching Nikolas. “Your son may not have been there by chance. He was accompanied. That suggests the meeting wasn’t unexpected.”

Another small pause follows. “The Dragonborn, do you believe they were just passing through Cloudgate… or arriving with purpose?” Sevrin shifts his gaze to Sir Nikolas. “Travelers from places like Lastview tend to stand out. People remember them.”

He lets that settle before finishing, quieter. “I’m trying to understand whether this is someone your son chose to meet… or someone already known to you.”

Insight Check [13]
To gauge whether Sir Nikolas knows more about the Dragonborn than he is openly sharing. Specifically watching for reaction to the mention of Lastview.

"Please forgive my bad manners, I am called Tozah," said as he pockets a couple of the fresh rolls, "and I am quite the Bounty Hunter if I do say so myself."

Tozah can't help but think if there are undead involved then it may already be too late for Xavword, especially after two days but until it is confirmed one way or the other he will proceed as if Xavword is still alive.

And if he is still alive then he could be in quite the fix. Turning his attention to Sir Stoneclaw, "When we find him, he may be in some trouble or danger that we have to get him out of right quick. Is there something we can say, a word or phrase that would prove we were sent by his father to rescue him, or even a trinket of some kind that he would recognize as coming from either you or his home. It would serve to establish trust and prove we are not strangers."

Looking around at the others gathered Tozah asks, "Any of you from around here, do you know where 'The Lilac Badger' is located?" turning back to Sir Stoneclaw he adds, "We may need a map."

"Ghouls", a word that Albus is very familiar. And if there are ghouls, there are necromancers, which can only mean danger and evil actions are coming.

Albus thought for a moment. Nikolas's son talking about the sighting of ghouls sin't inherently an odd thing, having a council member as his father means that he had most likely heard that kind of topic been referred to more than the average citizen. However, that still doesn't explain why he would talk about it at a tavern, so there's definitely something else going on.

The warrior then looked at Nikolas. "Is there any information about where they would go next? I know that if you had that information, you would start looking for your son there. It's just hard to think that after two days anyone on that tavern may remember much more." Albus pauses for a second. "We will go there regardless if you have any additional information or not about your son's possible whereabouts to make sure we know everything."

Quote from Brian_Avery >>

And if he is still alive then he could be in quite the fix. Turning his attention to Sir Stoneclaw, "When we find him, he may be in some trouble or danger that we have to get him out of right quick. Is there something we can say, a word or phrase that would prove we were sent by his father to rescue him, or even a trinket of some kind that he would recognize as coming from either you or his home. It would serve to establish trust and prove we are not strangers."

Looking around at the others gathered Tozah asks, "Any of you from around here, do you know where 'The Lilac Badger' is located?" turning back to Sir Stoneclaw he adds, "We may need a map."

 "That is indeed true. We will need a quick way to make your son Xavword trust us." The Blood Hunter then nods in agreement to Tozah's idea of needing a map.

Quote from Naiya_Varma >>

Another small pause follows. “The Dragonborn, do you believe they were just passing through Cloudgate… or arriving with purpose?” Sevrin shifts his gaze to Sir Nikolas. “Travelers from places like Lastview tend to stand out. People remember them.”

He lets that settle before finishing, quieter. “I’m trying to understand whether this is someone your son chose to meet… or someone already known to you.”

 Lastview? Why is he droping that name in particular? There are many places where a Dragonborn might come from. "Is there a reason you think of Lastview first? The Dragonborn could be from Ebonpass, other Espar cities like Rockwell or Boulderbreak, or from the Arath nation. Do you have an idea of who could be the dragonborn?" He realizes that Sevrin might have some distrust towards Nikolas and thinks he may have a darker secret that he isn't telling, but Albus let's it play out.

Sevrin lets Albus’s question settle before answering, his gaze shifts to Albus. “Because it narrows things,” he says, voice calm. “Lastview has a high concentration of Dragonborn. If we’re working from probability, it’s a sensible place to begin.” He lets that reasoning stand for a moment before continuing. “But probability wasn’t the only consideration.” His eyes drift, back to Sir Nikolas before continuing. “Specific names tend to draw clearer reactions than broad ones.."