Bryon is confused. "War? But I thought that all the gothy types had settled down. I don't want any more war."

Glad to hear you don't want war. But you tell me the Visigoths are buying weapons. What for if not war. It's like this: When you feel the wind pick up and dark clouds gather, it's not too hard to predict rain.

Last night, I was at the Breakwater. A lot of the people looked tired. I hear the Visigoths here have  been pushing for people to work longer hours than before. When a person works longer and longer each day..and is tired to the bone...they make mistakes. And that leads to trouble.

Bryon seemed genuine worried. “Oh dear. War and trouble, let me help. If either or both are avoidable, I think it best to do so.” Then she stood and went to the window, “But good news, I see no storm, so at least we won’t have to deal with that along with the war and trouble.”

Gondioque laughs. A funny picture came into my mind. Suppose the Visigoths are fighting and a big storm drenched them with rain and struck them with lightning. Probably put a stop to the battle.

Gondioque becomes serious. Bryon, I also want to avoid war and trouble. At least, if war and trouble come, I want some people to be safe. You can help at least in two ways: Tell me things you think are important for me to know and males carry messages from me as part of the NPC service. Now, a serious question: You like having sex with males. How choosy are you about which males?

[In this game, any actual sex is offstage. Gondioque is assessing whether Bron can be used as an infiltrator. "Pillow talk" Gondioque is also aware that Bryon can forget or can  be lied to.]

Bryon laughed, ”Choosy? DO they have penises? Even if not maybe, because I’ve been known to like the occasional female.” She looked right at the princess, pretty much saying she would sleep with her too.

Bryon notices that Gondioque's maid, Valentia, is checking her out. The princess nods that she understands. Something for you to know, Bryon. Princess are people, but we also are like marketable goods. My father King has much to say ab out whom I'll marry, and why. I have to be careful not to be damaged goods. But it's nice to know you are so catholic in your tastes.

Bryon leaned a little closer and spoke in her "seductive" voice. "The most fun about being with another woman is how easily we understand each other's bodies. I could do things to you that would drive you mad but not damage your virginity." Then she leaned back and returned to her regular voice, "I'll bet your maid knows what I speak of, don't you?"

Then she just changed the subject without precursor. "What does my choosyness  have to do with stopping war and trouble?"

Gondioque returns I'll keep that in mind.

A person you are friendly with may say things that, if I know about them, will turn aside trouble. Or such a person may be willing and able to do a favor for a favor. Let's put aside the topic for now.

When do your duties begin today?

Bryon thought before answering, ”Uhm, well...some time after breakfast and sometime before lunch.”

Swift will walk into the room with Gondioque "Mistress, are you to join the others yet?" she looks over at Bryon "Hello, It is good to meet you"

Yes, thank you, Swift.

Bryon, we'll talk again*. Thank you for having breakfast with my. Now it's time for me to go out to see and be seen.

When they leave, Gondioque intends to visit the Gnome and Imperial quarters first.

*Gondioque was about to say "keep in touch", but decided otherwise.

[Druk, not sure about how, as a player, Gondioque can get Druk involved.]

Bryon grinned and curtsied. “Thank you kindly. This is my first breakfast with a Princess. I’ve had one with a Prince, but there wasn’t much eating done. Or was he a Duke? I cannot remember, but he was a superb lover.”

Bryon helped clean up, then went down to her duties at the front desk.

Druk gladly works his new employees making back just a little of Bergundies money.

He also gets to know the other guests in the Inn.

19:42, Today: Druk rolled 16 using 1d20+14.  Gather information .

Swift will follow Gondioque to where ever she goes, watching her back.

Druk realizes something.  Humans... and pseudo-humans like Elves... don't seem to naturally open up to him sometimes.  It's not that he's the stereotype of rude, crude half orc, in fact quite the opposite.  He's about as extroverted as Half Orcs get.  But today... he's off his game.

Now, if he had Bryon doing this... she's the exact opposite.  Both are appealing, in opposite ways- Druk, when he speaks, Bryon, when she stops.  So it stands to reason that if Druk isn't getting anywhere with gathering information, Bryon would.  He learns nothing about the inn guests beyond what he already knows.

He does learn that it is going to be another day, or possibly a few days before someone is scheduled to arrive here, so The Captain's room might be vacant for at least a day.  Travel being the strange and unpredictable thing that it is, travelers sometimes arrange for places to be reserved for them in advance, sending word via courier.  A river vessel is on its way south with a Halfling merchant!

Bryon is just sitting up front and would be happy to help...if she knew what was needed...

But she doesn’t know so she is looking at Glamour again

I’ve been confused about timing and where people are but I suppose I should just keep posting as if it doesn’t matter. Been sick too but we’ll now.  I hope others are enjoying themselves

Druk goes to Byron. And sits quietly for awhile. Do you know about the other guests?
He says after a minute. Just wondering their business...but well maybe it isn’t important

He thinks about the new delivery business- it has a good start but is still just a novelty.

At first Bryon pretended not to notice Druk. She leafed through her book, and came across a particularly fetching painting of a woman sitting on a rock which was situated on the shore of a beach. The Spray of the ocean behind her set off her fine features and the lute in her lap signified that she was a bard of some kind.

When Druk spoke she turned and smiled at him. "Other guests? No but I can try and find out." She cocked her head to one side as he spoke again. She reached out and put her hand on his, to emphasize their friendship. "If it's important to you it's important to me. I'll see what I can turn over." She closed her book and stood, starting to walk away but paused, "My price hasn't changed, one kiss. I hope you'll have it ready when I return."

06:24, Today: Bryon rolled 21 using 1d20+4. Gather Info.
Will use Charm Person too, as needed.
This message was last edited by the player at 12:25, Fri 30 Nov 2018.

Druk and Bryon learn what they can about other guests.

By the amazing magic of narrative continuity, it takes them exactly long enough to put them in sync with the other thread.

The Captain has left, but Laeyix, a female Half Orc salt trader from Lugdunum, is still here.
 Bryon already knows she has stayed here a few times before.  She prefers this place because, though she is closer to the Orc culture than Human, and is well connected in Lugdunum, she finds conditions for Orcs traveling, especially females, disgusting.  She has some human preferences:  rats in the bedroom are disgusting pests, not late night snacks.  Laeyix is calm and aloof, enjoying the polished patrician style, here.  She gives the impression that she would have made a good human... provided she was a rich noble.  She doesn't talk much.

Danico, the Human adventurer/trader, is a Helvetican, who apparently had both good and bad luck recently, having acquired a lot of wealth but being injured in the process.  He's taking it easy for a while.  Massilia is a good place to spend money, lay low, and think about what's next.  He came here because among adventurers, Massilia is a place where one can sell anything no questions asked.  It will be heading out on a ship across the sea, where no one will ever follow a dangerous trail of "Where did you get this?" back and cause unwanted complications.

But that in itself says something.  If Danico came to a place known for trading without questions, that implies he didn't want questions.  There were, of course, other places he could have gone.  So perhaps Bryon cannot work the logic, but Druk can:  some of the things he sold might well have owners eager to get them back, but the trail ends here.  Danico also spent a day buying new clothes and gear- this, Bryon might notice.

The most recent arrival is appearing just now, moving into the room recently occupied by the Captain.  He is a middle aged, large and somewhat round man, a trader, a writer, and an artist.  Not a hugely known artist or writer, heck, who reads these days?  But from appearances, the kind of rich man who considers himself wise for engaging in these intellectual hobbies.

He's here for slave trading.  He's heard about some unusual slaves who have recently arrived, and wants to make offers on a few interesting ones.

There were always so many interesting people here at the Old Forum. Danico, a fellow Helvectian, seemed to have things he wanted to trade. She inquired if any of his things were "Magical Baubles" and if so could they work out some kind of arrangement where she would stay with him in his room...at night...in exchange for something that was magical. She had always wanted a magical bauble of her very own.

Even more interesting was the nameless fellow who was an artist. She had gone into great lengths about her experience as a model, a newd model, and how she had been painted and sculpted. She thought being a model was a lot of fun, because she got paid to sit or stand around naked and generally she ended up being made love to by the artist, which was a bonus. She suspected Danico would be a better lover, but she always wanted to be painted again.


When they were done she pressed herself against Dunk, "My agreed upon payment?" She wrapped her arms around him and gave him one her best slow soft and sensual kisses, the kind that generally left men panting.

Gondioque is trying to get people, including Titus, together for a meeting.

Druk is lost in Bryon's affections for a few moments. He enjoys it with a hungry mouth, his posture is stiff and he looks around when she stops, eyes shifting under a sloped brow.

Druk considers Danico, Laeyix and the new trader. He says to Bryon, I want to know about Danico, maybe I can help him sell what he wants? And I could help the new trader find what he seeks, but he is more the kind you would like to know. ... maybe?

Bryon took a step back and looked Druk over. She smirked and nodded. ”You want more, eh? Well you know it will take more than a mere kiss. For this...I will name my price when the deed is done.” She grinned, eyes shinning. Clearly they both know what her price will be, but she is playing coy. ”So you want me to pry information from the Half-Ork woman? The artist is mine as well. I have something special in mind for him.” Her smile wanes into a distant look as she imagines what the painting of her might look like.

Totally not into clingy Bryon Druk backpedals Uh ... I was .. thinking out loud is all. Maybe we have different goals is all I’m saying. I will uh.. do my job here and go follow up with the parcel delivery guys. He helps Danico with luggage or whatever is needed and tries to find out if he is needing anything from the city.

Druk started talking but Byron was already lost in fantasy. "Do you think he will make love to me if he paints my portrait as a neud? I think he will, he won't be able to resist." She grinned as her fantasy became more lurid, and giggled, "Oh but sir, no clothing? Are you sure?" She giggled again, "Well I suppose if you are naked as well." Then she sighed.

Even in her daydream she went back to work, if you could call her job work. She waited for the little bell to ring, knowing it would disturb her fantasy but still...new people meant new adventures!