(Florian and Quiquises are here)

Slowly, House Palantus had been reducing its already small footprint in the city.  Now, only a few remained, and except for a few house slaves which had been granted their freedom, they would be leaving with the last shipments of goods, due to arrive soon from the north.  House Palantus was based in Alexandria, on the far side of the Mediterranean.  This had always been a small outpost for them, their toehold in Gaul, and with times and economies changing, they could no longer justify it.  They'd intended to simply pack up and leave... a few meetings with House Mercator had changed all that.

The house slaves were told that House Palantus's holdings here would be taken over and run by new "agents" who would be arriving from the north, with that expected goods shipment.  The slaves were free now, and would be welcome to stay on and continue to live either in the Palantus Townhouse in the Old Town area, or in the Servant's Quarters section of their warehouse in the New Docks area, either way as salaried employees of House Palantus, running things in their absence along with the House's new "agents".

The last few to remain are simply biding their time now, enjoying some leisure before it is time to sail east to Alexandria.  Elderly Daphne Palantus simply didn't want to leave home until now, but understands that elderly people who are not cared for and protected by their families don't last long with the Visigoths in charge.  Her daughter Envira, Envira's husband Armeus, their four children, and Daphne's bookish, timid son Seraphus are the rest.  They all live in the townhouse, but intend to move out soon.

For Florian and Quisquises, this is a promotion.  Now they are free men... err.. free Faun and Human Boy.  Of course, they are still in Massilia, so "free" is a matter of perception.  They are not slaves, at least.

Live in the manor he might, but it would never be 'his.'  It was a matter of convenience; House Palantus had a task they needed to see done, and Florian had to sleep somewhere.

If anything, being in the townhouse as a free faun made Florian more uncomfortable than he had ever felt as a slave.  His place had been clear, back then.  Now, every step he took was fleeing one corner of the suddenly unfamiliar place for another.  The presence of the last few members of the family made things even worse - what exactly was the relationship with them now?

His hooves absently and noisily slid across the floor as he walked, his slouch depressingly low.  He had three uncomfortable thoughts rolling around; the odd task he had been given, the uncomfortable and unfamiliar concept of money, and the sheer boredom that being free in the main home offered.  Each problem morphed into the next.

Quiquises held an unusual role in the Palantus household.

There were, Quiquises had heard, men who could call on... things, from somewhere other than this world to find out facts they needed to know. Facts on their friends, facts of their enemies, where people were, what they were saying- where certain things were. Things that were of shadow, not out in the light.

 Quiquises wondered if, should he meet those things, they would think of him as brother. He'd been in the House but never of it. Nobody spoke to him much. (Few were supposed to- he knew secrets, after all. And he mainly spoke when spoken to, by his betters.)

 Servants left food out, like you heard tell house-spirits of old got, but he neither ate with the household servants nor got served to dine.

And now, he was skulking about the now even-quieter House, staying out of the way and awaiting orders that might never come. He thought about his manumission ceremony. Bless them, they did it the Old Way- or as close as you could get in this city, with nothing the Palantus family considered a proper Magistrate.

Quiquises was- a rarity for him- called in front of what family were still in the House, as their evening meal drew to a close. And they addressed him, not as a shadow that brought secrets, but as a person.

They'd declared why they were letting him go. (Cold reasons though they were, they were real enough.) The master rose, held him for a moment, declared "I declare you a free man". Then he turned Quiquises round, let him go with a slight push, saying "...by my hand".... and that was it. He was freed. They'd even given him a small piece of paper he couldn't read, saying so. (Or so he trusted.)

 So... now what? he wondered.

The masters were still in the House, but no orders came for now. Quiquises had leisure time, and- a new thing- choice about what to do next... but both were strange experiences for him, and he surprised himself by how little he cared for either.

On it's own, his mind wandered back to see what he could remember before this time, this place, this role. Three feet of dirt in front of me, a million miles away, and nothing but weeds to pull. was the answer.

He dearly wished for the answers, and stared at the freedom in his hands.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:28, Wed 01 Aug 2018.

Lost in his boredom, Florian hardly noted Quiquises until he was nearly upon him.  Startled, the faun froze in his tracks and regarded his new 'brother,'  His alien, odd brother....  Shifting sheepishly, Florian bobbed nervously when he started to collect himself.  This was probably the first time he had been entirely alone with another person from the household, having attempted to remain either alone entirely or with enough others that he could remain forgotten in the background.

"So, we're free now...."  The embarrassingly obvious words didn't have much thought behind them, as they tumbled nervously out.  Nor were they alone.  "And adopted in to the family.  Is that weird for you, too?  I mean, I like them well enough, but it feels weird.  To be free.  And an extension of the House Palantus."

By the time his nervous rant was completed, Florian's cheeks had flushed with embarrassment, and mortified silence set in.  Well, there was always a corner to sleep in the family warehouse....

Florian and Quiquises are free, but they know that free is a very relative term in Massilia.

Some are free to leave the city, even they.  Men do every day, to work in the fields.
 But not the families.  The Visigoths do not let the children or wives leave.  Field workers return every night.  Other travelers are very restricted.  And it is not easy, and not safe.  If you have a stamped tax certificate- something the merchants get when they are traveling- or on a ship (which also pays its fees) that's one thing.  But, just walking along a road, you are fair game for anyone.  Or anything.  The wars have left the land of the Empire depopulated, and all sorts of dangerous beasts have moved in.

So even the free are kept in the city.

With slaves, there is a lot of variance among life styles.  The slaves who do the worst, most awful labor live horrible lives.  Others live fairly well.  Some even own property.  About a quarter to a third of the human population are slaves.  They are bought and sold, generally, at the slave market, which isn't open every day- just when a ship has come in, or the regular "swap meet and sale" is held.   The slave market is near to the Palantus warehouse.  It's just a short walk, and so Florian and Quiquises have seen it in action often.  For Florian, enough to get a fair handle on who is worth what.

Today, a slave ship has come in.  It is docked across the harbor in the Outer Harbor area, where most of the ocean going ships that do not belong to local families dock.  There is already buzz, even before they begin to unload, that it has arrived from a distant, exotic port.

It takes some doing to randomly trip on someone so keen on keeping out of the way. Even in the momentary discomfort, Quiquises was somewhat impressed.



"Yes. Very. 'New', y'might say.



Quiquises paused, in thought about what Florian just said. He had, of course, been told that the Palantus familiaris would be his Patron, and he their Client. Which was kind, but not unexpected- they weren't just going to abandon him, thankfully. But, until just then, he hadn't thought of himself as related to the household. More like a shovel that was no longer needed, and 'put away' in a shed.

"What will you do, do you think?"

In the mortified silence that followed, Quiquises added.

"...because I think I might take a walk, first. You?"
This message was last edited by the player at 11:48, Sat 04 Aug 2018.

Florian's mouth gaped, and then he managed to shut it.  Quiquises looked to be handling the shift to freedom far more gracefully; perhaps he had somehow known to expect it in advance.

"I...guess?"  He replied, the idea only slowly becoming his own.  Aimless wandering would likely only lead to further awkwardness, whereas leaving the home for a few hours would mean more effectively avoiding the family.  "Anywhere specific you want to walk to?"

As the faun settled down his posture stabilized into a sheepish one, but at least he stopped constantly shifting his weight.

Quiquises thought about the question, for a moment.

He liked that the faun came down to his level. That was nice. Towering over people was a thing people did to pull rank on you.

"Out in the sun?" Quiquises finally said, deciding it on basic novelty. It hardly mattered where- the idea of just being out in the open for a moment for no particular reason seemed novel, to him.

(You can use the map of Massilia to designate any place more specific you want to go, of course)


Out in the sun gives them a lot of opportunities.  From here in the New Docks area they can see across the harbor- quite a commotion where that slave ship came in, and that means, something exotic.  The poor souls, whoever they are, won't be sold off right there- they'll be taken to the slave market to be put on display.  Everything in Massilia happens at its proper place, by order of the Visigoths.

If it came from somewhere exotic, it might mean animals, too, and those will go to the Animal Market.  Once, people bought exotic animals sometimes just to show off wealth. Having a few strange colorful birds around your property was a sign of status.  Peacocks were very popular for this, and a few of the wealthy houses still have them.

Here in the New Docks, it is a slow, sleepy day.  A single ship belonging to House Mercator is loading up for a journey somewhere- it looks like bundles of cloth and furs, bound for the merchants of the east.

Otherwise, what they see while outside depends very much on where they choose to go.

"All right.  Maybe we can watch the sailors?"  Florian suggested.  He quite liked watching people work along the water, or play in it.  There was some deep-rooted attraction there, no doubt.

Florian's immediate reaction was to avoid the markets, especially the obvious.  There was no need to go near them and experience the sorrow farmed there.  The gates were a possibility, with the prospect of true freedom, but then their freedom had not actually been free, and a debt was owed.

Trying not to be bogged down by too many thoughts, the faun gravitated more towards the water, though away from the orcs whenever possible.

They don’t have go far to see ships and sailors, they are in the New Docks ward of the city.  This area is most commonly used by traders who live here locally- or at least, are property holders here.  Many of the trading families of the Mediterranean have scattered branches.  Trusting to family loyalties more than local hires, they will settle brothers, sisters, and cousins of the leading members of the household in different key ports.  The Mercators are a well known example, with Mercators across the Mediterranean.  Massilia is an old port city, and despite the Visigoths still has one of the best reputations as a port anywhere west of Italia.  Of course, most of the Mediterranean coast west of Italia is under Visigoth or Vandal control.

As mentioned before it is a slow day.  Sea trade is busy in Massilia, and sometimes a dozen ships may depart in a day.  Today it is only one, a ship of House Mercator.  House Narcidus is also making their ship ready, with sailors checking and caulking seams and otherwise inspecting the ship.  But they won’t begin loading until the hull has been checked, and so the ship will sail tomorrow at the earliest.

Orcs leave human mariners alone.  Orcs themselves seem to dislike sailing.  When at sea, they will fight, ramming and boarding other ships, but most of them have no talent for seamanship and no desire to gain any.  The Visigoths, as a result, have no traders of their own and hardly any navy.  Mariner is a human occupation.

Orcs also tend to leave the more important families alone.  The Visigoths collect taxes and tribute, and occasionally make a show of demanding some ritual of obedience.  Aside from this, their leaders get that if squeezed too hard, the major families, with their trading connections scattered across the sea, will leave.  With them will go a lot of tax income.

Put the two factors together, and this is why the New Docks, despite being next door to the Slave Market, is seldom visited by Orcs.  You can walk around the docks and warehouses here and almost never see one.

It also bears on why, along with freedom, you were specifically left as “employees” of House Palantus.  As long as you have that, you have some security.  They are less likely to find some random reason to abuse someone under the wing of a trading house.

You are both probably well known in this neighborhood, as it is where you have worked since arriving here.  Florian especially- being the only Faun around he is a novelty, and easily recognizable. And having a high charisma score he is well liked by many of the people who know him.  Along the New Docks, with the sailors and dock workers, you are among friends.

(Sorry for the delay- this all sounds, due to close location and Quiquises' willingness to just "Get out of the house", perfect.)

The two walk past the docks owned by one of the peculiar trading Houses:  The Honored Of Neptune Open Trading Society.  It's peculiar in that almost anyone can join it.  No blood ties, no long guild initiation, if you have the gold to buy in, you're a member.  Of course they don't have a big guild hall- just offices along with their warehouse next to the dock.

At the end of every voyage. the profits are distributed in accordance with the investment. It's a strange and new way of doing business, although they say it's been going in the Empire for centuries now.  It just hasn't been very popular here.

They have four ships, three of which are currently out on voyages to the east, and one running along the Narbonensis coast to Baelo, the north side of the Pillars of Hercules.  Right now, with none in, the "dock gang" is relaxing, making repairs, cleaning and generally having an easy time.

They are talking about a petition by a local tavern owner to be granted a license for gambling.  Mixed attitudes- a few of the workers are convinced it's only a scheme to suck out even more money for the Visigoths to collect.  Others think its just for fun, so who cares what you spend your fun money on, as long as you like it?

Florian knows them.  As mentioned before, he is well known here, and has a good reputation.

Florian sent Quisquises a glance, begging permission with his eyes, before directing them more towards the sailors and ships.  He was almost eager to introduce his fellow 'servant' to the friends he'd made.  Somewhat automatically, the faun produced his pipes - a set of a few crudely whittled reeds of varying lengths and widths - and gave the workers a tune.  A mournful one, to be sure, with a few teasing lilts that intentionally stopped just shy of scratching the itch left by the rest of the piece.

While Florian's music was commonly heard at the Palantus manor, he was usually discouraged from playing his sad songs or otherwise ordered to play cheerier melodies.  Beautiful as that music may have been, it hardly compared in scope or complexity to the heart-wrenching dirge he had selected.

Quiquises soaks in every last detail he can of the goings-on around him. As if he were going to be questioned on what he saw, and there was a trick to the tableau in front of him.

He bristled, slightly, at the prospect of being introduced to Florian's friends. Quiquises, typically was "some child" or "an urchin" at best. Names made that rather trickier. But... he did not object out loud, or make a scene. (Trying his best to take the route where he'd cause the least fuss.)

The music was a gift, in this regard- and Florian certainly performed well enough that Quiquises fell back into the scenery a little. Aside from a little awkwardness at the end (do you cheer such a song?), Quiquises enjoyed it a great deal.

Not enough to stop looking around like he was going to be graded on it, but sincerely nonetheless.

The Dock Gang applauds the flute music, and calls Florian and Quiquises over, having a few questions for them.

News of House Palantus “reorganizing” has reached the dock gang.  Officially, House Palantus isn’t leaving.  But word gets around quickly among dock workers.  They know already that all of the key people are leaving shortly, that a few slaves have been granted manumission, and that some “new people” will be arriving to manage the affairs of the house.  It’s plain to the dock workers:  House Palantus is making a run for it, leaving a few employees so they can still make some money here.

“It’s just like the rich bigshots,” one of the dock workers says. “If they’re heading for friendlier shores, they could have taken you along too.  Well, it could be worse, I’d bet if it was House Bastior leaving they wouldn’t give you a choice, just kept you on as slaves to whoever they picked to manage things.”

“Wouldn’t want to manage their things, the things they get mixed up in,” another says.  “Honored of Neptune is too big to keep secrets, everything they have is up and up, respectable, but Bastior holds their cards close.”

“Careful with that talk,” a tall, older sailor advises quietly.  "So, what’s it like now?  Are you going to be their manager now, give orders to the likes of us?”  The question is naturally directed more to Florian, because they don't expect that the young Quiquises, even though free, would be given any responsibilities more than  "apprentice clerk".

Given the circumstances, Quiquises listens to Florian and continues to learn.

It actually feels "at home" for him that he's sidelined and not-attended-to. And Florian might know something Quiquises did not.

Even moderate applause for the song one wanted to play was far, far sweeter than the brightest praise for one played under pressure and protest.  Florian basked in it, debating giving another tune before the sailors all bore down with hundreds of questions.  Florian expected as much, at least partially, and he was fairly relaxed with the rate of them.  If anything, the presence of another member of the house was the part that made him less comfortable.

"At least I - we - got our freedoms out of it.  I'd rather be here doing the a favor as a free man than the alternative of still being a slave, here or elsewhere."  Florian softly protested, slowly sliding his simple pipes back into his belt.  "Besides, if I want to be somewhere more friendly, I come here."

"I think they wanted me to stay and manage, but all I agreed to was to stay around long enough and help whoever it is they brought...sent? in to get situated.  After that, I don't think I have the taste to help run a merchant empire."

"I'll just have to make my own way." Quiquises says, quietly, so Florian can hear. "Maybe see you where to you're going?"

(He's sort of realizing Florian and he are in the same boat, and so is looking for common cause.)
This message was last edited by the player at 01:55, Tue 21 Aug 2018.

The dock workers and sailors are skeptical. How can someone not want a life as a trade clerk?  That's an easy life.

"There's a good many people who dream of such a chance, the tall old sailor says.  "Steady, good pay, you write things down in books, you tell the likes of us what gets put where.  Don't be so quick to dismiss a chance like that.  Someone like you..."

He looks down towards Florian's hoofed feet.

"Now don't take this wrong, I'm sure they work well where they are supposed to, but I don't think it's a sailor's life for you.  I wouldn't want to climb around rigging, or up and down ladders, wearing those.  No, I say you got yourself a fine chance and I know others who would gladly take your place."

"Hello?" calls Haakon.  "Anybody?"  He turns to the porter.  "Wait here please." He says, and with that he walks around the building, looking for someone, anyone to whom he can introduce himself.

Finding nobody for the moment, he sought out a room in which he can store those things he will not be taking to the market and from which he can easily access the roof should the insideness get to be too much.  He paid the porter giving him a tip larger than the fee so that more went to the porter than the porter's master.  "Thank you," he said, "What's your name.  I'll be sure to ask for you in future".

Having found himself a room with access to the roof, he moved to the entrance awaiting the return of whoever was in charge.  In the meantime, he sat in tailor's seat and began sewing the parts together with green thread as he worked to finish Swift's dress.

When Florian and/or Quiquises returned from the docks, he rose to his feet and offered his hands.  "Ave!", he said in Latin, "Pleased to meet you  I am Freiherr Haakon Pedlar, otherwise known as Haakon the Dressmaker.  I shall be staying here for a while.  I hope my presence does not place any burden on anyone."

House Palantus actually has two properties in Massilia, the townhouse and the warehouse.

Up to now, Florian and Quiquises, having been slaves, lived in the quarters in the warehouse in the New Docks District, rather than the Palantus Townhouse in the Old Town, which although very nice was considered too small for any servants but the principal domestics.

Who Haakon would meet depends on which of the two buildings he headed for.

OOC: Thank you! Huge help. Either didn't get  parts of that before or just missed it.

Having heard the dockmen speak, and Florian (for lack of a better word) "holding court", Quiquises subtly indicated to his 'travelling companion' that, perhaps, they should check out their new accomodations.

Floria snorted.  "Ever seen a goat climb a cliff?  They might as well be walking straight up."  He gave a friendly push to the sailon in question.  The comforts of affluence were an uncomfortable topic for the satyr, almost as much as tryig to put his own objections into words woud be, and he was eager to deflect them.  "The sea is where the nymphs bathe.  Apparently I'm to marry one, from what the stories say about my kind.  I don't figure any will wind up here for me, or that an untamed wild beauty would settle for a clerk and a slave both.  A sailor, now....."

Quisquises' subtle indication that they should leave made Florian worry that perhaps he had said something the other former slave found offensive.  He produced his pipes again and excused himsekf into another tune.  Not cheery, specifically, but a good rhythm to work to all the same.  There were words to it that Florian didn't actually know.  He remained a few paces behind Quisquises, using the distance and the music to avoid any awkward conversation.

OOC Haakon has gone to the townhouse.

Finding nobody there for a while, he explores the house fairly thoroughly from top to bottom.  He notes the benches in the courtyard and decides that would be almost as good for sleeping as the roof... not quite because it has walls beyond the pillars and walls have a habit of closing in.

He leaves his bedding in the highest room and then takes his stuff to the warehouse, hoping to see someone there.

The last of House Palantus hadn't left the townhouse yet,  perhaps they were out when Haakon dropped by.

(see msg 1:   Elderly Daphne Palantus simply didn't want to leave home until now, but understands that elderly people who are not cared for and protected by their families don't last long with the Visigoths in charge.  Her daughter Envira, Envira's husband Armeus, their four children, and Daphne's bookish, timid son Seraphus are the rest.  They all live in the townhouse, but intend to move out soon.)

But they soon get word that the "new agents for the House" have arrived, and word is sent back to the warehouse:  tomorrow, the house will have a long afternoon lunch for the official passing of the torch.  They can go over all the "business stuff" and whatever other topics emerge.

Florian and Quiquises are invited as well, now that they are no longer servants.

Eventually, with goods safely stored, Haakon returns to the townhouse, almost literally bumping into Lady Daphne on his return.  "Beg Pardon, Ma'am", he says on his return.  "Are you one of the household?  I'm sorry to have arrived unannounced earlier.  I am Freiherr Haakon Pedlar, often known as Haakon the Dressmaker.  I am in town to establish my name as a dress designer here in Massilia and to help defend the house against those who would do it harm."

Quiquises noticed that Florian was following him, but (lost in thought) didn't make much conversation about it.

The talk with the dockhands had something of an effect on the young man. It was easy to see that Florian- for example, he was right there- was going to land on his hooves. Maybe he'd be a performer, or a factor, or some other work that involved commanding attention.

Quiquises was a ghost. Professionally, not by nature. The servants of House Palantus would, in a pinch, find other people to serve. Those merely in the House's employ would find others to employ them. Quiquises' job, while more specialized, was also much harder to 'advertise', for the simple reason that his skill was in being a shadow. If he told everyone that's what he did, then he was no longer doing it.

This weighed heavily on him, very suddenly.

In any event, he wanted to see what these accommodations were. They weren't going to be forever. But it would be ungrateful to not even use them, or see them for that matter.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:48, Tue 28 Aug 2018.

Lady Daphne Palantus does a quick, cursory but experienced assessment of Haakon.
“I am the matron of the house, here, sister in law to Gaddexos Palantus of Alexandria.”

Her voice is a little weak with age, but still carries pride.

“I expected someone older… and a dressmaker?  I suppose it makes sense, for the cloth trade, you’d at least know what you are looking at when the imports come in.  Please excuse me, it’s kind of a peculiar feeling, meeting the people who are going to replace you.  Now that you’re here, there’s not that much left to do but turn over the reins, and head east.”

Haakon can tell that despite the problems, she is going to miss Massilia and is not entirely looking forward to going “east”.

“Tomorrow there is lunch planned,” she says, “now that you are here.  You will be introduced to the business here.  I’ve noticed… you have your things here already.  Are there others?”

"I sincerely hope there are." said Haakon.  "Taking over was not the job that I was led to believe I'd be doing.  I understood I would be one of several.  I've been here something like four hours and I miss my wife already."

Belenus bows to everyone in the party, smiling. "I am Belenus. Do you know where a temple is?"

"Everyone in the party", until others show up at the Palantus townhouse, is Haakon, and Lady Daphne Palantus.

Belenus had been with the group all the way down the river, but had been quiet.

He is one of those supposed to take over the management of House Palantus.

But of course from his very brief introduction, Lady Daphne has no way to know that.  Usually, when someone asks immediately for a temple, without any of the chit-chat prior, it means they are in very big trouble.

"Of course there are  temples," Lady Daphne Palantus says.  "Up there on Temple Ridge.  You probably want to steer clear of the Pandemonicum".

She points straight west, and says that from the Palantus townhouse, you can get to the arched entrance of the Temple Gardens at the end of the street in only a few minutes, depending on walking speed.

 See the map thread, MASSILIA MAP and Guide item 67 on the Map. You are in the Old Town, just to the east! 

Note, it is late in the afternoon, and will soon be early evening.

Haakon frowned.  "Belenus, you were on the boat down the river.  We met on there. Are you going to be part of the new household?"

In reply to Ben (msg # 32):

Smiling at Haakon, Belenus says, "Yes, I plan to be, at least until I have enough money to return home. I have someone there waiting for me, we want to marry soon."
This message was last edited by the player at 20:02, Tue 28 Aug 2018.

"Good to meet you, Belenus," Daphne said.   "Tomorrow there is a lunch, for all of us, we shall go over any specific plans.  Tonight, well, we have not moved out yet, so space will be a little tight until we do.  We still have a few guest rooms.  There are no servants left, but if you need help I will send my son."

"May I ask... why a temple?  It can be tricky, going there, these days.  You must be careful.  The Visigoths see our temples as... as a necessary good.  They tolerate only what they must, and what does not threaten them."

In reply to Ben (msg # 35):

"Why a temple? Well... I fell in love with my best friend, a young knight of Germania. The fact of both of us being men of noble blood... does not bode well with some. They want me to produce an heir with some woman... One to whom I will feel no attraction. That is why I seek the temple. To seek guidance, and the counsel of the gods and priests."

"That is for the Temple of Venus," Daphne says.  "They are still here.  They don't bother the Visigoths, the Visigoths don't fear them at all.  They just go about their business. And that is their business.  They live for problems like that."

She points down the road again.  "And we are practically neighbors, you're in luck.  The  Temples of Venus and Bacchus both open to the Temple Gardens.  Convenient.  One to get people into trouble, and the other to... no, they don't quite get you out of trouble... but they do try to manage it."

Haakon smiles.  "Well, I hope the temple of Venus can help you.  I suppose if the worst comes to the worst, you could become a Corybant and then marry him after your term as a Priestess."

In reply to Haakon Pedlar (msg # 38):

Smiling at Daphne and Haakom, Belenus says, "Thank you. I hope his father, a minor king, would let us marry." With this in mind, he says, "I will head up to the temple of Venus. I will let you all know what I find out, or if you want to travel with me, I can do that as well." He begins to head up to the temple.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:23, Wed 29 Aug 2018.

Belenus heads over to the Temple Hill Thread

Haakon smiled at Lady Daphne.  "Do you mind if I ask, what life has been like in Massilia recently?  Is it tolerable or intolerable or somewhere in between?"

Swift will go to the House Palantus. She will knock on the door and when it is answered, she will ask for Haakon.

Given it's Haakon and Lady Daphne in the house at the moment, it's likely to be Haakon who answers the door.

"Hello, Swift", says Haakon.  "Come inside and we can make sure your dress fits properly and perhaps have a bit of a gossip."

It's a broad question... Lady Daphne Palantus is planning on leaving soon anyway, so she shares some thoughts:

"It's been... stressful, lately.  You know... I hope you know... the Visigoths don't all support their new king.  Amalric is still young, and a Half Orc, and many of the Visigoths don't believe him to be a worthy leader.  The Over-Tyrant of Massilia, Harridog, is one of the most powerful Orcs opposed to Amalric.

"Now, you take that, add to it the wars with the Vandals and Ostrogoths... it's been a lot of Orc against Orc tensions lately.  In a way it's better for us, because with their attentions on each other they have less time for us.  But in other ways its worse, because when they have been much more random and arbitrary lately.  That's why we're leaving, the stress of not knowing what happens next can be worse than knowing that it will be unpleasant.. does that make sense?

"But the truth is, it's like a kind of gambling... and for those willing to play the games, and stick it out, and face the risks... people have made money, lately.  In spite of it all, the city is prospering... isn't that strange?"

Haakon grins.  "That's not strange at all Lady Daphne.  Do we know which of the orcish tribes is the strongest?"  He scratches his head and thinks some more.  "I don't suppose there's anyone here from the Red Toed Orc tribe?  I only ask because that's my cousin's tribe and it would be nice to catch up."

"Hello Haakon, glad to see you. The lady sent me to find you" she looks around and sees Lady Daphne Palantus "Hello, I am Swift."

She does a double take at Haakon "Your cousin is in an orc tribe?" she says surprised. "Oh, sure, we can work on the dress too"

Haakon shrugged.  "My cousin is a half orc.  Her mother is my father's sister."  He turns to Lady Daphne.  "Do excuse me Lady Daphne. I have business elsewhere." He collects his sewing bag and Swift's dress, and of course his bow and axe, before setting off to see Princess Gondioque.  "Shall we Ma'm'selle?"

Swift nods "Lets go, I am anxious to see how this dress looks. Lead on"

Haakon leads the way out toward ... "Are you staying with Lady Gondioque?" he asks. "Or do you intend to stay here?"

Florian's music grew progressively softer as the Palantus family home grew nearer.  After all, no doubt they would insist he play what they wanted to hear over what he was in the mood to produce.  He grew quieter still as voices wafted out, the music dying down mid-note.

"Can you hear that?"  He whispered softly to Quiquises, trying to catch a glimpse inside.  He rose high for a moment before ducking back down.  Did the lady mother have guests?  Or had the promised agents finally arrived to take over the family business?  While not usually one to be overly timid, Florian slowly inched closer, the clip of his hooves much more muffled than usual.

As Florian slowly let himself come in to view, his pipes slipped into his crude belt.  For a moment, the goatman fought the urge to bow ceremoniously, as had been his instruction for so much of his life, and instead offered a much more dignified tilt of his head at the newcomers, but said nothing to them right away.

Haakon nodded to Florian before shrugging and leading Swift to his rooms to fit the dress.  He had made the first fitting on the desk of a boat but now that he saw it on her he nodded.  "Looks real good Swift, My Lady.  Looks very good indeed."  he says.  "Why, if I weren't a happily married man..."

"Yes, I am staying with Lady Gondioque" she says as she slips off her armor down to her undergarments. She tries on the dress and looks at it. "It does look nice, I am not use to such finery." she grins as he says he is married. "I have not tried that yet, I like having fun too much"

Haakon smiled.  "I met my shadow in Tawna... we are not identical in interest but we compliment one another.  She's a wereweasel and so she has a certain reputation and yet she loves children.  She's a schoolteacher... in fact we opened a school but of course, the children are wereweasels so the school is also something more, just like my dressmaking.  We work together well."

He hands Swift her sword and makes a minor adjustment, showing Swift where the sword could be hidden.  "Here, put this on, let's see how well it's hidden."

Lady Daphne Palantus greeted Florian and Quiquises when they finally arrived.

Her first instinct was to set them to work.

"Florian, we have guests in the house, please..."  but that was instinct, she caught herself, and remembered.

"We're a bit short on kitchen staff and there's no way to accommodate so many, as we are now.  I'm going to see what we can find at the Harbor Market that's quick and convenient and will feed everyone.  Tomorrow I have arrangements made for lunch. I see.. we have a dressmaker here?  We'll have to introduce him to the Women's Market, get him registered.  Visigoths have their rules and they are strict about them.  I'll be back soon."

"Yes, I have yet to meet anyone like that. I am a werefox, so sneaking and scouting is my main interests. she continues to look at the dress "You are a wonderful dressmaker. I figure I am nimble a nuff to dodge well with out my armor if I am escorting the lady." she slips in the short sword and hides it.

Haakon stands back and examines his own work with a critical eye.  And let's be honest, married or not, he still takes in Swift's shape as he is doing so.  But of course, Haakon is a professional and so pride comes before lust in his vocabulary of sin.

10:28, Today: Haakon Pedlar rolled 15 using 1d20+9.  Hide the sword.
10:28, Today: Haakon Pedlar rolled 11 using 1d20+7.  Profession (Tailor).

He lets out something between whistle and sigh and says.  "It's adequate I suppose, but I can do better."  With sewing basket open and a needle in his mouth he began to make the adjustments to the dress as quickly and as carefully as he can taking care both with the aesthetic effect of the dress now that he has Swift's body to work with, and a more careful hiding of the sword.  "Over the months, I have learned to see as Tawna sees and it takes a lot to hide things from her but that has to be the standard, don't you think?"

On any task where you have all the time you need, you don't have to roll, it's just a "take 10".

But meanwhile...

We are going to move on to tomorrow, the Palantus Luncheon, since a lot begins there.


The Palantus Luncheon is set in the townhouse in the Old Town portion of Massilia.  The townhouse, like many others, is a three level structure, extended on the first floor to provide an enclosure around the atrium, which has an open roof above the small pool- the impluvium- which is both decoration and a catch basin for rain water.  The atrium is where the larger functions, like today’s luncheon, take place, being the largest, most accessible, and best overall space in the house.  Yes, it is open to the weather, but generally, here in Massilia, weather is perfect.  It can be cool at night but never gets down below freezing.

In addition to food, catered by two local establishments working together, there are several large books on the table, one being the inventory goods- current, thanks to the final work of House Palantus, assisted by Florian and Quiquises, the other being a ledger, of what has been paid out to whom.   This is important, as it lists the local buyers and sellers of goods.

A few are surprising.  Commerce finds ways across the lines of war, and House Palantus still has some contact not only with Human traders who come down from Burgundy, but Dwarves of the Dwarven Massif, and even a few who come from the Elven Savoy kingdom- though the latter do so very discreetly, not wanting to trigger the inborn hatred of Elves that seems common in Orcs.

The way it works is this:  unlike House Mercator, which has its own “distribution network” with Mercators posted to other cities, this is the “regional terminal” for Palantus’s  trade routes.   Traders who know House Palantus will come to visit periodically, buying and selling.  Of course, business will slowly trickle off unless some “schmoozing” is done, relationships maintained, and new buyers and sellers sought out, but then again, House Palantus is really just being maintained as a base of operations from here on out, making a profit is strictly and added bonus.  House Palantus buys local products, such as Dwarven iron, Elven cloth and wine, Burgundian wine, and food from Gaul, and sends it on ships to the east.  Ships coming from the east bring silk, rare spices, dyes, gems and cotton, which is sold to the buyers.  Quite simple.

Trading all comes down to schmoozing.    For those unfamiliar with the term:

Schmoozed or shmoozed; schmoozing or shmoozing
intransitive verb
: to converse informally : chat; also : to chat in a friendly and persuasive manner especially so as to gain favor, business, or connections

Of course, to keep up appearances, the existing clientele must be maintained. This includes some types that ordinarily, characters might not seek out to associate with.  Existing Buyers and Sellers include:

Halfcrash:  A reckless, chaotic Visigoth Orc chieftain who also happens to be a sorcerer.  No real schedule, drops in when he pleases, but pays well for Bitumen which is imported from the East.  Bitumen has a few important uses, but being an Orc chieftain he’s probably more into flaming weapons than waterproofing.  The less we know the better.

Pendlir:  An aggressive, eager young human male trader who likes to be treated like a prince, sells iron and buys all sorts of luxury goods.  Can be hard or easy to deal with depending on mood.

Sedla:  An Elf woman.  Keeps her visits quiet, buys gems and muslin cloth.  Probably spying, too, but on the Orcs.

Sinopus:  A Rhone River trader, a Human man who deals with Wine and Burgundian goods, and buys silks and spices.  Getting old and looking to pass his business on.

The remaining House Palantus members are here, but right after this, they get on their boat, and they are leaving.

Haakon will spend the party schmoozing everyone but particuarly Sedla (she's a spy and she has elven cloth); Halfcrash (he pays more for bitumen than anyone else, so he's a useful customer); Pendlir (iron is useful in the East).  He doesn't so much schmooze Sinopus but chat about Burgundy.  Haakon once had [ooc or still has, I don't know whether his sale of the shop was after the retcon] a shop in Vesontio and so they may have met.  He is also going to try to interest him in his own wares - silken garments rather than raw silk.

The buyers and sellers are not here, they are just on the list in the book, so the party knows who they are in advance.

The cast is here, and so are the Palantus's.

Swift will grin at Haakon "Its not like I have a lot of body to hide things on plus this outfit is a bit revealing. It is not normally something I would wear but I do like it" she as she looks in the mirror if there is one.

Quiquises looks a bit sheepish when called out by name- a bit like a stagehand caught onstage during a show.

He takes a quick look at the guests, and then prepares to see off the last of the House as they departed.

'Guest.'  That was not a word Florian found himself associated with himself often, and especially not in the Palantus home.  His purpose in social events such as these were typically diverse, but rarely had anything to do with anyone being interested in him beyond music or his knowledge of the family trade and business or whatever he was in the process of serving.  No polite chit-chat, no jokes - his knowledge of etiquette only involved silence until requested otherwise.

While social in the right contexts, this was a nightmare.

Clean and relatively dressed up, there was no mistaking Florian as a bearer of even moderate means.  His simple clothing was clean and repaired, but there would be no mistaking it as new, quality, or fashionable.  A nervous hand hovered awkwardly near an odd shape at the side of Florian's hip, and periodically his pipes would peak through the folds.

Eventually, the pipes came out in full, and Florian found a safe corner to amuse himself from with a medium-paced tune; not too bitter, but not too sweet.

At last Haakon is satisfied with his work.  "Shall we?" he asks, offering an arm for the return downstairs.  "And remember," he says, "Should anyone ask, it's a Haakon Pedlar original."

Swift takes Haakon arm "This feels weird, not that I am modest but I normally not so fancy." The dark blue dress she is wearing is like a halter top that wrap around her neck and crosses over her chest, barely keeping in her bust line.  The top flows down to a long flowing skirt, that is slit all the way up to her waist, showing off her leg on the right side.  She has on a pair of soft low black boots that allows her to more around quietly. Her long dark red hair hangs down her bare back in a long braid.

She will walk down with him, looking proud, like she always is.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:50, Wed 12 Sept 2018.

Gondioque arrives, having rented a horse. She introduces herself to her host(s) and/or hostess(es). Seeing what kind of group is here, she checks her rapier by the atrium.

She scans the group. Seeing Swift and dress (cloth and skin showing about half-and-half), she remarks Attractive. To Haakon she observes Skillful...and economical. Attend me at your early convenience, if you will; and well discuss something suitable for me.

She hears the faun playing and makes herself an audience of one. After listening a while, she asks House Cabreus, where I'm staying, has an attendant...she has a lot of moving parts...who likes to dance. Another patron of the establishment is interested in a musician who can do the music. Interested?
This message was last edited by the player at 13:19, Wed 12 Sept 2018.

Haakon nods and sketches a formal bow.  "Of course, My Lady."  Then to the others he said, "I am sorry I did not greet you as I should.  Please forgive me.  I am Freiherr Haakon Pedlar, known in too many places from Basilia to Lucimburic and beyond, as 'the Dressmaker'.  As you can see, I was a trifle busy.  I am proud of what I have produced and thank the Norns for the skills they have lent me."

Armeus Agris married into the Mercator family- a social step up for him, but one that had him taking orders from distant relatives in more senior positions.   He was never entirely happy with being sent to Massilia years ago, after marrying Daphne's daughter, and resents being among the last to leave.  But now, with the ship on the tide, he seems happy.

He enters, already a little tipsy, patting people on the back whether he knows them or not.

"Tis good that I leave this place of Orcs," he says.  "Orcs should not rule over humans, they have not the sense.  Even they know, we all prosper most when their hand is lightest.  Let us drink a toast to them, and to those who have to face them now that we are finally going back to the finer lands to the East!"

For a moment he looks for a servant... don't the servants generally pass around the wine?  But there is none, just the table set out with the bottles and cups.   He pours a big cup of wine.

"And may you prosper in our well deserved absence," he adds.  "I would curse the Orcs to the Infernal Abyss, but I have learned they actually look forward to that fate.  So I toast their prosperity, too!"

Gondioque says mildly Thank you for your good wishes and hospitality. Since you are so looking forward to your trip East, why not go and board the ship right away? It'd be a pity if you were to be left at the dock.

Florian let the tune end in a few rough, ill-fitting notes at the disturbance.  He let his irritation remain as a prickling of his hackles.  Even if he wasn't a slave anymore, he was not so barbaric as to allow himself to be rude when annoyed.  "I don't usually have accompaniment....  Perhaps it would better the both of us, and the dancer as well."  He replied in a practiced meek.

Armeus' abrupt, blatantly treasonous toast was rather alarming.  The orcs killed for less.  "A moment, missus."  He quickly bid Gondioque, and quickly made his way beside the drunkard, pipes at the ready.  Between the two odds were good for Florian's pipes to drown out the other, which was clearly what he intended to do.  For the sake of decorum, at least, the music he picked was joyful, light, and perfect for dancing.  Even if Florian was going a little ruddy playing it so loud.

Gondioque explains. Forgive me for failing to make myself clear. The person whom this attendant, a woman called Bryon, is to dance for wants he to be acdcompanied by a single musician. You sounded like a versatile player.

Swift bows and grins at Gondioque "Yes Mistress, he did a wonderful job. I am glad you like it"

She thinks for a minute "Yes, it is odd to toast orcs, it is hard to understand them and how they do things"

Haakon sighs, knowing as he does that orcs are people too and that not all are in thrall to demonkind but on this occasion, just for once, he keeps his big trap shut.  Tawna would be proud.

One of the Palantus children, Remus, has grown up here in Massilia.  Only fourteen years old, but he knows one does not speak ill of Orcs in front of strangers.

He intervenes.

"Why don't we talk about something more pleasant and exciting," he says.  "There are plenty of good things here our new... new House agents?... have to look forward to.  The traders and masters of the great houses all say Massilia is prosperous this year. The olive groves are good, and... so is the fishing, right?"

He steps in front of his father and continues, to whomever is nearest.

"Do you like to fish?  People go to the breakwater and fish in the dark.  They say the harbor lights draw fish.  Isn't that interesting?  Have you ever heard of fish being drawn to lights?
 But it's one of the busiest places in town after dark.  Street vendors and performers, too, very nice."

Haakon nods.  "That does indeed sound very interesting young one."

Swift looks at the kid "I have to say I have never been much of a fisherman. I don't think I could sit that still for so long." she says as she shifts back and forth.

Haakon smiles, "That is true Swift, but if entertainers and street vendors also gather there, then it may be a place to visit.  Perhaps they have Phoenician food.  I've heard it's lovely."

"Aye, I would not mind going to see it. Maybe we can arrange it sometime if the Lady approves. I do love entertainment. And to dance, not that I am particularly good" she says with a smile.

With the dangerous talk temporarily quelled by the boy, Florian let the volume he played that offensively cheery tune slack.  Even with the verbal insurgent temporarily distracted, Florian doubted very much that talks of fish would distract Armeus for long.  If luck was with them all, no prying ears had caught the earlier bout of dissent, but none who knew the city should take that luck for granted.

So, Florian lied, and yet he spun it so well.  He pretended to be genuinely happy.

Lowering his pipes, he gave Armeus's shoulder a jovial squeeze and flashed a wide - and rare - grin.  "I feel like music, sir.  They tell me it's rude not to pay the piper, so I would take my fee from you in dance.  There was a lady who mentioned dance to me...."

The faun quickly glanced around the room, finally gesturing at Gondioque with his pipes.  "There she is!"

Gondioque awaits a response to her possible gig question.

[What did they call a gig before the 1920s? I think the use comes from harpoon...to spear a fish]

The remaining family members of House Palantus do not understand what Gondioque is talking about, and defer whatever issue it is to the new members.

"Attendants are no longer our concern," Armeus explains, "and we shall be leaving shortly anyway, no time to make any new hires into the house."

They chose a luncheon for the event as the ship is leaving on the afternoon tide.  It's the start of a voyage that will take over a month.

Remus thinks that Swift and Haakon... and anyone else... should go to the Breakwater.  It's one of the nicer places.  There are other places to go to for fun in Massilia, but they are more adult fun and less young fun, so he doesn't see them as fun.  There's the beach just west of the Pharo, for example.  It has a big tavern with entertainment.  But it's a place just rich people to.  The Breakwater area is for everyone.  And the beach north of it, but that doesn't have the advantage of lighting.

Remus wonders if there is anything else he might tell about Massilia before he goes.  Not that he's been everywhere.. but he's had some time in the town.  So has Florian, really, but Remus has had it as a child of a free, upper class human family and has had substantially more freedom.

In reply to Florian (msg # 78):

She looks at Florian "I can dance a little if you want to strike up a tune. I am fine with going where ever everyone else wants to go too"

Seeing that time is short, Remus decides there are a few things he's picked up that he must pass on, other than the Breakwater area.

First, a lot of the poorer humans, especially those in the northeast area of the city, make offerings not at the temples but at the aqueduct reservoir.  They say that there are gods who listen here, and not at the temples, because the temples are controlled by Orcs.  They also say that people have signs in the water there, so they know it's true.

Pressed to elaborate on "signs" all Remus can say is "You know... things."


He also has some advice on the areas in and around old burial grounds and cemeteries.  The old ghosts there sometimes still watch over their families.  Therefore, if you want to go there, or even very close to one for some reason, especially at night, it is good to have someone along with an ancestor buried there.

Haakon makes a note to go to both the Breakwater and the Aqueduct.  He is not very religious but signs are important, in his experience, always.

"So are we going to the Breakwater then? That should be interesting" she says as she looks around.

Why not? Gondioque replies.

[I don't know about the availability of a horse or carriage to rent.]

Early afternoon, and a messenger informs the Palantus's that their ship is waiting.

"Fairwell, so long, goodbye!"

"Best of luck!"

"We left you some smoked duck in the pantry, and a few bottles of Italian elderberry wine!"

And then they are off, leaving the party in possession of the townhouse, the warehouse, the books... and the future of House Palantus trading operations in Europe.

DRAFT

Gondioque picks up the document that cedes all assets (and maybe liabilities) of House Palantus to those at the luncheon. She reads it aloud.

Haakon, you doubtless have some business experience. I enlisted one Druk, an able Oc, to start a messenger service...and maybe a conveyor of small packages. I think he should be involved in this. Also, we met Titus Mercator on the boat. He's quite able, and I think he should be kept informed. For now, that's all I have to say.

Haakon nodded, "I have some.  I used to run a shop in Besontio until I sold it.  I also set up the Burgundy Highway Patrol along with a gnome called Tinker Dee Tall and it was a while ago but I think Titus Mercator may have been involved as well.  I'm not that much of an expert though.  Couldn't we hire a Computantis?"

To Swift he said, "Let's go to the breakwater as soon as possible, but let's get the business locked down first, shall we?"

She grins at Haakon "Well, I am use to unlocking things but I can help. Lets get it done so we can head out."

OOC:

Some of the party would like to visit the breakwater!  So, it will be a new thread.  But all I need to know is the timing:

Would they be visiting:

As Soon as Possible  (Drop the luncheon and hurry over!)

Later on in the day  (Why waste the food?)

Evening  (That is when it turns into the fun hub for Massilia, especially at dusk)


Tomorrow  (Why rush?)

Gondioque thinks the group shoudl have lunch, discuss any business, and try to contact Titus (ties to House Mercator) and Druk (NPC). Then  Breakwater in the evening after discussing what to do in case of provocation or other trouble.

Florian tapped his hoof shyly at the stones.  With the family departing and hopefully the boisterous drunk settling, his role was currently coming in to function, or he would otherwise have been elsewhere.  "If you would like, after we lunch I can show you around....  I'm supposed to help you get settled.  But I won't rush you."

Despite any strain he may have felt from playing or especially playing loudly, the faun seemed quite...resilient.

Thank you, Florian. All this is quite a surprise, and the more information we can gather this afternoon, the better.

Those who've interacted with Gondioque probably notice that she's treating Florian, in this context, as a familiar colleague, an equal.

My plan is to visit the breakwater when it's the fun hub (evening) that's the point in visiting.

Anyone wanting to skip ahead to the Breakwater may hop on over to the Breakwater By Evening thread, which has been revised for said purpose.

Gondioque will suggest a carriage with instructions to wait. She also want to contact, if possible, Titus before the evening.

Gondikoque looks around her. Her question about finding Titus hangs in the air.

Sure, when ever everyone else wants to go.

Gondioque finds out that the business of House Palantus is bound up with that of House Mercator, so she goes to House Mercator along with whoever wishes to go. Finding that neither Paulus nor Titus is there, she goes in search of them.