So frustrating! I wrote I huge post and it disappeared when I dropped my phone!
There is no time
I will sum up
Druk takes Gondioque’s ideas about the name and logo to his partners as they work that day.
He knocks out some minor requirements.
He also recalls the idea of getting a Burgundian security person the chance to see the business and meet some of the team. Ambassador, you said you may wish to have someone speak with us to ensure confidence. he says meekly. Please send that person at your convenience.

Druk keeps talking with people as he sets up and delivers his opening announcement and messages.
During the day he seeks out a number of rumors and interesting facts.
22:23, Today: Druk rolled 25 using 1d20+14.  Gather information
Find rumors
When he learns of the party later he decides that it would be a good place for free food, and a chance to learn more. So he checks his sources to identify an Orc minor official that would be invited but would not go to the party.
If he can figure out a person to disguise himself as he will go to the party as that disguise.
22:26, Today: Druk rolled 25 using 1d20+14.  Identify a mark for disguise


This message was last edited by the player at 09:05, Mon 24 Sept 2018.

Druk would learn several things:

First, the Palantus Luncheon is not a party for outsiders, it is a quiet passing of the business torch within House Palantus.  Visigoth would most definitely not be welcome. The presence of ANY Orc would be a concern- people would have to stop talking about the one thing the luncheon is most focused on, the Palantus business network and how the new "agents" will handle it.

Second, setting up a courier business becomes the rumor of the day on the Massilia street.  It is the perfect job for the poor but streetwise youngsters of the city, and there are lots of them.  Within hours of the word getting out, Druk has dozens of human youngsters knocking on his door and asking about courier jobs.

And so Druk spends his day, not at a party but instead choosing a very few to hire for temp duty then organizing youngsters to deliver announcements of the business opening. He teaches all comers how to initiate and pay for a new message so they can tell any potential clients.

In the Cabreus Inn, the wealthy trader known as “the Captain” watches Bryon dance… for a while.  She must make a performance check to impress him, and with him being a seasoned traveler he is not easily impressed.  She will have only one chance- his ship will soon be ready to depart, and he is in and out, making arrangements, seeing to a few purchases and hiring a few extra hands over in the foreigners’ quarter.

Druk organizes his courier service, eventually settling on three children.  The children of the lower class Humans in Masillia have a hard time.  There is no school or organized care for them, and parents are generally both working hard.  Many tag along with their parents, helping them do whatever they do, but if they cannot (or will not) they are often simply let loose for the day.  Hopefully they will find something useful to do, and turn up for dinner.

“Messenger” is a coveted job for them.  Legally earned money.  The pay is generally in copper pieces, but for a child, it is enough to put them in a special class of “kids with money”.

The first thing they must do, of course, is let people know that there is a messenger service here, and that is actually something The Captain can come in handy for- he needs to have information delivered.  He needs to send word to the various sailor’s hangouts in the Foreign Quarter that he is looking for a few men, and he needs to send word to a few merchants that he’d like to arrange a meeting.

He suggests to Druk:  “Have you thought of employing Bryon?  There are times someone might want to deliver a message by way of pretty girl instead of a boy.  That’s a message in itself, don’t you think?  Sometimes it’s important to think about the bottle and not just the wine, right?”

Roll = 22

When Byron focuses on a person even without magic, she can make them feel like center of the universe, As if time and space itself is focused just on that person. Her dance is the oldest in recorded history, used to seduce Kings and Poor men alike. Her hips sway slowly, her arms move out one at a time, she stomps barefoot on the wooden floor. This is the dance of the Middle East, the Belly Dance, and she uses it on the Captain, because he asked her too. She ends with her hands on the back of his chair, her cleavage at his nose, and her eyes fixed on his own.

Bryon succeeds in impressing The Captain, who knows the rules that govern these things.  He's a mature man, and isn't at all interested in rushing.  When he invites Bryon, it is for the night.

Bryon also knows the rules.  He says nothing about payment except a vague reference to her being "worthy of gifts".  Anything more specific would be rude, for a courtesan of the upper class. So the offer is made, discreetly and indirectly:  Bryon to be his companion for the evening, and thereby entitled to unspecified "gifts".

Bryon is all too happy to take his arm and let him lead her to his room. ”I think that if you can keep me entertained all night, it is I who must be gifting you.” She giggled at her joke.

Fade to Black

Druk will return to the Inn as evening comes - he will of course make his messenger service known and available to the guests at dinner.

We began hiring messengers today and some deliveries are complete. I am happy to work on this - many people are working hard. Do any here have messages to deliver?


He will tell of the idea to get Bryon's involvement to her if there is a moment while the guests are not present.

I was eh ... I mean someone .. suggested I ask... what it would cost to have you deliver a message? I mean it only a message but with you - he thinks sending you is a message but I don't know, you would want more and others get for delivering ...

he asks unsure ...

Bryon actually finds Druk’s attentions endearing. Shy men at least in her experience, could turn into real stallions if properly coached. She stood and slowly...slooowly...stalked him. She purposely swished her body, wanting him looking at her as he was finally giving her the attention she desired. At the “close enough” mark she reached out and gently ran her fingers over his cheek and chin. ”Three things,” She held up three fingers and put them down one at a time, ”Same money you pay any other messenger.”

A step closer and another finger down, ”Something pretty but inexpensive, like a scarf or whatever, something simple.”

One last step and she is actually touching him body to body, except for the clothing, ”Lastly, and most importantly. In fact if I get this one I don’t need the others, ok? A kiss, you, not someone else, you and only you must kiss me full on the lips until I break the kiss. Take it or leave it.” She smirks, waiting for his answer.
This message was lightly edited by the player at 18:03, Sat 06 Oct 2018.

Druk’s face scrunched when she says same pay because each messenger gets different pay. Then he drops his chin in surprise at the kiss request and a look of confusion passes over his face then something dawns on him and he says.

Yes, I will mark it down when someone requests you will get what you want.

Druk continues his duties to support any other guests.

The Druk/Bryon exchange is assumed to be the day after the Bryon and the Captain affair, as even Bryon cannot be in two places at once.  Though she might try.

Bryon has been gifted with two things by the Captain... well, other than that.  He leaves her with a pendant made of carved lapiz lazuli on a gold chain.  And, a little inside tip:  Things are going well for the traders now because the Orcs here are gearing up for a war.  So, they are too preoccupied to clamp down on people.  They are not asking about ships, so it will be on land.  And they are buying weapons.

This is odd, because the Orcs generally make their own- they are very proud of their abilities as weapon makers.  But they have asked shippers to bring them heavy crossbows, which are made by the Byzantines.  The Captain is convinced that "something is coming".

When The Captain leaves, Druk's messengers get employed as porters, hauling his things to his ship.

It is early in the AM when Bryon goes to Princess Gondioque door and pounds on it insistently until someone answers.

The door opens and Valentia, Gondioque's personal maid looks out. Bryon cannot see her left arm. Yes? she asks.

Bryon is very agitated and speaks louder than she should. " I am Bryon a friend of Princess Gondioque of Burgundian-Wine. It is urgent, I'll forget soon and someone who is important should know. "

Valentia calls out It's Mistress Bryon. She's says it's urgent.

Gondioique calls back Come in Bryon, please.

What news?

Bryon is worried, an unusual emotion for her. "I was with the Captain. He told me the orks are buying crossbows from Byzantium. He says they will march soon, by land. I was afraid I would forget, but you will remember. You are so very smart, and you know what to do with this. So I brought it to you."

Gondioque smiles warmly. Thank you. Let's hope we are smart enough. Have you had breakfast, or would you like some refreshment? If you care to, please tell me about yourself.

Later she writes two missives to send to her father, to go on two different boats traveling north. She entrusts them to Druk.

Tsishlatah mamooks halohaulopitkaghs kopa yakachakoilahee. Wawawawa ikt klatawa kopa lapea pight halo klatawa chuck.

Bryon brightened up at the mention of breakfast. ”Oh yes, please. I am ravenous. The Captain was an exquisite lover, the only problem is that I did not get much sleep, if you can call that a problem.”

Her eyes went large, ”About me? You are a Princess, why would...I don’t suppose it matters greatly why does it? Alright then. I am from Helvectia. My father is a master jeweler, an artist with gemstones and precious metals. People come from all over to buy special things for special people. He is very important a member of the counsel of elders for Helvectia. My mother is a woodlands nymph. She capture my father and kept him for ten years.” She gives a mischievous grin at this, because it is clear why she kept him for ten whole years, he must have been an excellent lover. ”Their union produced me. Da says he loves me as much as his children by his wife and I believe him. Mum sent me to him after I was weened. I was returned to her on my tenth birthday, and I spent many years learning magic. I am not a wizard, all those spellbooks are just plain silly. I feel magic, it is in my blood I suppose. So then I went to the Elven Court and learned to be a Coutrsan, that is like a woman who is very...well...friendly for royal men. I know how to make people feel at ease, I have excellent manners, and...well I know about make up and cloths and such.”

As is typical Bryon becomes sidetracked, ”Speaking of cloths, you have very pretty cloths. My bosom wouldn’t fit in most of them unles I bound them very tightly, and even then they probably would not behave. I have a very difficult time with my bosom being naughty.”

She shifted back to the previous topic as if she had never left it. ”Well I decided that I wanted to marry, but not an Elf. They are nice and all but they lack stamina. I need a man who can make love to me at least three times a day, like The Captain!”

Gondioque makes sure breakafst if on hand, and ample.

"Ambassadors are nosy people. Besides, you have done Burgundy a favor.

"An unusual background, one to be proud of. Can you speak Elven and Sylvan? And have any of your half-siblings followed your father's trade? I'd hope so; such taste and skill should be passed on."

Gondioque's face is grave when she learns of Bryhon's magic abilities. "Be careful. You may run afoul of the Visigoths if yo use magic."

Gondioque laughs at mention of Bryron's breasts. "Have a mind of their own, do they? Mine are well-contained. Yours, They are ample for a man—or babe—to have comfort on. I'd call them "enticing"...for men, heart's ease; for babes, two founts of life.

"I'm expected to have nice clothes. Some of them are snug, like some roles princesses are expected to play.

"I've heard young men have the stamina; older men, the skill...if they play one a gir's body like a master of the lute.

"You and Druk have talked about the messenger service being set up?"

Bryon smiled, "Elven yes, Sylvan no. Mum refused to speak it with me. I can speak Ork, but I dislike the taste of it."

She nodded, "Oh yes, both my brothers are apprentices to Da." She nodded at the warning on magic. She had been told the before. She wouldn't forget.

Her mischievous grin returned when topic turned to men, "Alll true, and sometimes you find a man who is old enough to be patient and young enough to have stamina. I do so love men!" Her grin is one of conspiracy, "Oh yes he did. I tell you now I will have him, he is just too delicious."
This message was last edited by the player at 16:50, Sat 13 Oct 2018.

[Beach Le Clos. This beach is near the French town Marseilles, at a salty lake called Etang de Berre. This is not really a lake; it is connected to the sea by a small channel. This lake has the most shell beaches located in one place. You can find various black and white shells, and that is not all, the nature is amazing, especially bird life. It is very easy to reach, here are the coordinates for this beach 43°28'56" N; 5°7'35" E. Oyster shells are around too.]

Gondioque somberly says Druk is a serious person whose feeling run deep. Suppose you bed him, what then?

On a lighter note, she speculates Maybe someday we can open a trade route with Basilia for good such as those your family makes.
-----
When Gondioque is able to gather as many as seems good and are willing, she takes the floor.

As you know, my Father has tasked me with helping make Massilia strong, strong enough to withstand attacks by, say, Ostogoths or Vandals...and to do what I can without antagonizing the Visigoths...she smiles...or at least they will thinks the benefits to them outweigh any annoyances they may feel.

Now, thanks in good part to our friend Druk, we've started a messenger service that employs some people who are underemployed or whose lives are irregular. In particular, we has children running around on the streets. I've learned of a nearby beach covered with various types of shells and littered with molted feathers, and I know Massilia has oysters. I conceive building up a trade, shipping goods to the East mostly. Painted, arranged shells for things lid candlestick holders, jewelry boxes, necklaces, maybe even things like mosaics...whatever we can think of. There are all these street urchins; some of them have ambition, drive, and talent...and I hope sufficient honesty.

Some may have the impression that the Princess has mor in mind than she is disclosing.

[II"m thinking that this, if approved, woould almosst entirely be handled offstage.]
This message was last edited by the player at 03:41, Mon 15 Oct 2018.

Bryon giggled at Gondioque’s question. Her answer is said as if obvious, “If he has the stamina for it, I shall bed him again. I’ve tough many a man to be good lovers for the women they marry, he shall be no different.” The princess went into territory she is unfamiliar with. Thus her question, “Is that not already possible?”

Not as easy or profitable as it could be, but al lthat's a matter for another time.

Bryon wa confused with Gondioque’s explanation. She promptly forgot. Instead she asked another question, ”What did you mean by me doing you a service?”

While I'm here, It's important for me to know as much as possible about what's going on. You told me, passing on the Catain's words, something quite important for the future of Massilia. Now I can think on what to do when war comes.

Bryon, if the Visigoths here are arming, I would think that some other orcs are arming also.

Gaondioque pauses and looks at Bryon. How is she taking this?