Characters settling down here should check in here.  Literally.  In the Foyer, on the 1st floor.


The Old Forum has a sense of timeless classic elegance that...

The buildings look really old, but they still look great.

They are richly ornamented stone facades, with imported marble from Italia and elsewhere; columns with capitals flanked by carved floral scrolls, bronze doors, window boxes, some of which still have flowers.  In the very heart of the city, it escaped the damage of the last round of warfare, the worst of which fell in the southeast corner.

Once, this was "the place" to be in Massilia, and the wealthiest people owned the buildings here.  Over time, many moved to the sprawling properties overlooking the sea and away from the busy, crowded harbor area.  But always, some of the rich preferred the atmosphere of the inner harbor area.

(Not at low tide, though)

They live in tall urban mansions facing the Old Forum.  The Braccia and Tetonus families have the two biggest townhouses here, and there is also the Fansanus House, and others.  Of the major guilds operating in Massilia, the Perfumers’ Guild (which also covers the soap makers), the Jewelers’ Guild, the Vintners’ Guild, the Shipfitters’ Guild, and the Tavernkeeper’s Guild have their Guild halls here.

The Cabreus family was extreme wealthy... up until about a half a century ago, and then, their best remaining asset, they turned it into a very upscale inn to support themselves. with the Visigoth invasion, their fortunes plummeted, as they lost almost all of the  extensive  vineyard and orchard properties they owned.  With their Old Forum townhouse
They maintain their house by keeping it as boutique tavern and lodgings for other wealthy families.

The national treasury of Burgundy has leased an entire floor, with services to be provided by House Cabreus as needed.  This is a very quiet, refined place that deals with a very wealthy clientele that does not wish to endure the common riff raff of ordinary taverns and guest houses.  It is commonly used by visiting official emissaries, rich merchants, nobles, and other high status travelers.

Bryon sat at the front desk, reading her book. Reading might have been a strong word because her book, titled Cosmopolitan, was really just a leather bound collection of portraits of beautiful woman in wonderful cloths. There were not many words, only the name of the model and where the portrait was painted. Still it was Bryon's most favorite book in the entire world. She loved to look at the pretty cloths and dream about what it would be like to wear them...to a ball...with an escort. Her escort would be a handsome young prince who would be madly in love with her and give her all sorts of pretty things, and most importantly he would make love to her thrice a day.

When the bell rang she was to stand and ask "May I help you?" She was to make everyone feel welcome and do whatever the butler asked her to do. Really he rarely asked her to do much. The fact was that she was gorgeous and many people came to the Inn simply to look at her, and sometimes they would bring her cloths. She loved it when tailors brought her new cloths. They always asked her to wear them for no charge. She never really understood why, but when she wore something it was a very short time before she noted that lots of other women were wearing the same thing.

She did not remember exactly how she came to be here. She knew she had been here for several weeks. As best as she could remember she was on her way to somewhere else...she was never sure exactly where...and that she had either gotten lost and ended up here or she had gotten tired and decided to rest. It was very likely the later since she could not remember where she had been going, resting here had been so delightful she had just decided to stay. After a few days someone asked her if she would sit up front and greet people. She liked the idea and they gave her money for this...why anyone would give her money just to sit and look pretty and greet people was beyond her but she liked it so she kept doing it.

Scrumff lay snoozing in her lap. Every so often she would stroke his fur. She loved the way his fur felt. Sometimes she would just hold him to her face to feel the softness. Scrumff loved those times best. Any attention from his mistress was good attention. So here she sat, waiting for the little bell above the door to ring and so she could stand and greet someone.

The “Patriarch” of House Cabreus, or its remnant, is Larzus Cabreus.  He’s rarely seen, though.  He is a bitter man of middle age, who never got over seeing his family and fortune brought to ruin over the years (although it should be noted, “brought to ruin” in this case means brought down from the dizzying heights of great wealth to the awful day to day existence of the upper middle class, the Inn is a prosperous business).  He handles the financial and legal end of things, but he is usually in the guest house, where he mopes a lot.    Most of the actual running of things is in the hands of his wife Emilia.  Their three children, son Fabio, son Martin, and daughter Persilla, (oldest to youngest) work as the Butler, Porter/Handyman, and Maid, respectively, along with a few servants.  Martin’s wife is the cook.  There is no room for the Cabreus house to sit back and enjoy the leisure of the rich anymore.  There are also a few young grandchildren running around, though they are usually kept clear of the guest areas.

Aside from the Kingdom of Burgundy having leased a full third of the Inn's guest capability, the rest of the inn is over 90% occupied, a fact that puts them well in the black, currently.  Larzus reluctantly attributes it to the hiring of their Hostess, Bryon.  She does very little, actually, and isn't asked to do much, and it may just be incredible coincidence, but things really did perk up after she came on board.

The most recent guest arrival before the current batch is the captain and owner of one of a very successful merchant ship, the Windreaver, based in Kition, Cyprus, and making a layover here as it waits for certain cargoes.

. Fortunately, you have succeeded anyway, but tread carefully. And, however desirable it is to rid Gaul of demons, that it not your objective. Of course, it would not hurt were the demons to fight among themselves. It’s more probable they will set a trap for yo or try to seduce you. Beware of foulness that looks fair...or looks foul for that matter.

“Be sure to offer our condolences regarding the death of King Gasalog.

“Amaric is young, but Half-Orcs mature early. His advisors may think you a good match.”]

When the boat stops at Lugdunum, Gondioque casts bread and pours wine onto to water. Rhodanum Pater, thank you for a pleasant voyage. May we treat each other gently and be at peace. She repeats the rite at Massilia.

At Massillia, workers are waiting to store Gondioque's “merchandise” in a public warehouse. And a carriage is waiting to take her party and the personal goods to the Cabreus House Inn. There she checks in and inquires about the Inn’s routines so the routine and her activities clash minimally or not at all.

The little bell rang. Bryon stood and spoke as her eyes moved up, "Welcome may I help..." her eyes fell on Gondioque, "you?" This woman seemed oddly familiar. People hardly ever seemed familiar, even ones she knew well. This woman though was oddly very familiar. "I'm sorry, have we met? I'm Bryon of Helvectia." She gave a short curtsy.

She shook her head, pushing the odd thoughts away. "Welcome to umm..." She looked down at one of the little cards, "Cabreus House Inn. A pleasure to have you here. We are nearly at capacity, but I'm sure we can find room. Will you be staying with us for very long?"

The well-dressed young woman smiled and inclined her head in acknowledgement of the curtsy. Perhaps, Mistress Bryon. I have been to Basilia. In any case, we are apt to be seeing each other often. I'm Ambassador Gondioque Bourgogne of Burgundy. I believe we have space reserved for us...for an indefinite, probably long, stay.

Bryon smiled and nodded right along with the nice lady. She had beautiful hair, like spun gold, and pretty eyes. Normally Bryon preferred men, but this woman was very pretty. Bryon began watching her lips, the woman's voice seemed to elongate as the music in Bryon's head began to play and she spun off into a fantasy involving being a handsome prince herself and dancing with the pretty woman who...

Ambassador Gondioque Bourgogne of Burgundy

At first these words hit the same barrier of fantasy that the others did, however some part of Bryon's brain began screaming. Of course Byron fought to hold the fantasy but the screaming eventually shattered the fantasy, which was rather flimsy because Bryon had to imagine being a boy which was nearly impossible.

The fantasy shattered Bryon was left with the screaming which once the words became clear it caused Bryon to focus. Her eyes got large as she made a connection and said "AH-HA!" She pointed at the woman, and shouted, "You are in my book!" She picked up the book and began flipping the pages until at last yes there was indeed a very well painted picture of her in a very pretty off white dress (see Gondioque's avatar). She turned it and pointed bouncing on her toes in the way she did when she was really REALLY excited about something. "See...SEE! It'syou. I'veoftenwishedIhadyour beautiful hairandwonderfuldress. You're a Princess. Iwanttobeaprincess. Iwanttodancewitha handsome prince whowillshowermewithattentionandgiftsand make love to me
three times day. Doesyourprincemakelovetoyouthreetimesaday? We must be friends! DoesyourPrincehaveabrother. Oh that would be splendid, then we could be sisters and friends."

OOC: The all together writing is to simulate her speaking very quickly. If you can't understand it, that is ok, it means your character probably doesn't understand it either.

Gondioque laughs. Quite a compliment to be recognized by a painting. So often the sitter fails to live up to the art. Like makeup in a way, I suppose.

I have no prince, nor husband King. I do have two brothers, both married, married to wives who would search their innards with a dagger if they strayed from the connubial bed...I tell no secrets. Wit Kings it is different, but my father is faithful to his vows...all of them.

She looks Bryon up and down. Your beauty differs from mine; be happy with it and that it is so. 'Tis said "For every lad there's a lass," and we women—men too— would be boring if we looked all alike.

Indeed, I shall be friends with you—and your enthusiasm.

Is our suite ready to be occupied?

Bryon frowned. Not married? Perhaps she just needed to meet the right fellow. Bryon smiled brightly at the lady's compliment, "Why thank you."

When the Lady agreed to be her friend, Bryon thought she might just burst. She bounced, reaching out for the Lady's hands "Oh that is just splendid! I do so love having friends, especially new friends, but then of course every friend is a wonderful thing."

The Lady asked about a room. Drat...Bryon had been off in her own world when the Lady had been talking. Well there must be a room and it must be ready so Bryon just smiled and nodded, though she obviously has no clue whether the room was ready or not. "I do not know. It is my job to greet everyone and make them feel welcome. Can you believe they pay me for that? I can't but I am not complaining. Perhaps Fazaboo will know." Obviously Fazaboo is Fazio, and he is lucky that she remembered the first three letters of his name.

She went to the proper rope and pulled the handle ringing the bell to call Fazio. "There, now Fazaloopa will be here shortly."

When Bryon reached for Gondioque's hands, the older woman accompanying the Ambassador stiffened but relaxed when Godioque laughed again. Amazing! One might think you paid them; such...enthusiasm is rare.

The group patiently waits for his "Fazaboo".

Fabio Cabreus, had he lived two generations ago, would have enjoyed a leisurely life as a son of a gentry family.  Not a senator, but certainly a respectable eques.  The things he had to do now, servants would have done.  And servants would have managed the servants, mostly, he'd spend his time politicizing and bartering goods and favors with peers.

He knew little of those times, the Empire was already teetering and unstable when he was born, and his entire life had been in the chaotic post-Empire order, or disorder, with various kings competing for the lands the Romans left behind- and more importantly, the people and resources of those lands.

Burgundians, Romans, Vandals, and two sorts of Goths, Visi- and Ostro- were the main powers competing, and the wars had cost the family dearly.  Still, Fabio knew.

Somehow, Bryon managed to live the life of a woman of the upper class, it seemed.  She did fairly little, and yet, the elder Cabreus saw the family's ledger book entries turn from red to black, and credited her with it.  Like a fascinating art display, she was mostly decoration, but a decoration capable of drawing people in.

This sometimes bothered Fabio, who considered Bryon exceedingly and undeservedly lucky.  So, knowing that most of her job consists of making guests feel welcome, he presses her to keep at it.

Upon his arrival, he informs Godioque and company that the Kingdom of Burgundy has leased the entire third floor for Gondioque's use.   Their belongings will be brought up for them, courtesy of Martin Cabreus.  Maid service is by Persilla Cabreus and their servant Donna.

He asks if this make-shift embassy is to be a publicly known or secret thing. If it is to be public, he puts Byron in charge of acquiring a Burgundian flag, or a reasonable facsimile thereof.  This, he says, falls under the scope of "making guests feel welcome".
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:34, Thu 23 Aug 2018.

Gondioque thanks Lord Cabreus for this solicitous welcome. (The use of "Lord" may startle him; she explains: "The times may be hard on a family, but in you the blood runs true. Who knows? Fortune may amend.")

She considers the flag idea. We most certainly are to be publicly known. I plan to host small events, and I can see the sense of having part of your fine establishment be known as, in effect, Burgundian territory. I think...if you approve...hanging a my colors against a third-story wall would serve best. I also suggest You place a Visigoth flag or standard somewhere prominent to show your loyalty. As it happens, I met somebody on the voyage who can create my colors in a proper size. ... Consul de Wildnis, after we settle in, please go to Master Pedlar and ask him to attend us here.

When Gondioque's small party is alone in suite, she tells Swift and Venitia to search floors, walls and ceiling for peepholes and such. Gongioque also engages in the search.

Bryon is not stupid or soft headed. She is actually rather intelligent and highly imaginative. She is so imaginative that she prefers her own inner world to the one around her. It is only by sheer coincidence that she recognized Gondioque from her book. Fazio, his name having gone through several transformations in her mind to names which she found far more interesting, asked her to find a flag for some country that started with a Bur.

The Lady added to the instructions by giving her a second name...Vis something and Pedlar. She tried very hard to remember this but the stew in her mind just sort of mashed it all together. She of course smiled and nodded as Fazobabloo gave her instructions and then as Gondioque added to them she even nodded to those. Then she headed out...

Women's Shopping District

[Oh, oh. Gondioque is asking Swift to go to Haakon Pedlar.]

In the well appointed common room of the Cabreus House, the old family atrium which is now the bar/restaurant/lobby for this little inn, one would also find a few of the current guests, often:

The man the Cabreus's keep referring to as "the Captain", evidently an owner/captain of a merchant currently waiting here for something.  Most merchant ships are not captained by their owners, the owners are wealthy traders who employ them.

Laeyix, a female Half Orc salt trader from Lugdunum, who stays here 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.

Danico, a Human adventurer/trader, 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.

The nearly seven foot tall Orcish looking fellow presents himself and with nods and smiles to Fabio who might wave him on as though wishing to not be bothered. He carries any luggage required by the new party. He keeps his eyes low or averted most of the time and has an air of gentleness about him.

Though he is large this Orcish bellman is dressed in a clean and respectable dark suit that almost looks like a coachman's livery dark brown almost shoe polish trousers and a pale blue lightweight blouse that is covered with a soft leather brigandine dark blue stained with small burnished bronze studs and open with a flap down the neck and upper chest to keep him cool while he works. The seaman's longcoat that he hung beside his walking staff is mildly faded in the back but no stray threads or dirt. He wears boots that have been folded in and cut to be more like the light shoes of some sailors and he walks quietly.

He lifts even heavy trunks and gear with ease carrying them up and placing them as directed. He speaks only when spoken to with a low almost shy voice.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:35, Mon 27 Aug 2018.

Druk gets thanked and receives four copper pieces.

When she's satisfied the room is secure and Swift has gone on her errand, Gondioque talks with Lord Cabreus, as she calls him. She inquires about the routine and the staff. She also inquires about whether a messenger service is available. Also, she inquires whether the bellman might serve such a role. (She has met Ooks before.)


Then she repairs to the lounge or dining are and meets (perhaps) three of the other guests. She tells them what diplomatic capacity she's acting in and that they can contact her for help in matters pertaining to Burgundy.

With each she swaps news of events near and far: Experienced or observed, on good authority, or rumored.

Druk bows with gratefulness at the gratuity and the person who gave it to him. He makes his way down stairs and seeks out other work to be done.

Druk and Bryon are the only available messengers here.  Bryon, of course, is risky- she tends to get lost, confused, or both.  They caution to never trust her with verbal messages.

Each evening, the Cabreus House Inn serves a meal for the family, and those staying here.  There's no menu, no choices, it is simply "tonight we are having chicken baked in a crust with herbs" and those who don't want it are free to make their own arrangements- the clientele here is generally wealthy enough so that this doesn't matter.

The servants get to eat this too, but at what is clearly the Servants' Table, because they need to be close to the dining guests, and the servants include the members of the family who are attending.  Cabreus House family members, depending on status, are both servants and masters of the house, a fact which explains why they are much more lenient and generous to "domestic help" than most upper class families are.

Once a week they do bouillabaisse, the traditional fish stew of Massilia, having been invented here by the fishermen. One can find it being ladled out into bread bowls in the little stalls around the harbor, but Cabreus House Inn uses a more elegant version.   Today is bouillabaisse day.

The other guests are here as well, even "The Captain", who claims this is "normal fare for any seagoer, thought I'd find different here."

Bryon managed to find some wonderful kabobs, chicken and beef roasted on wooden sticks with veggies in between, and offered some to Scrumff who waved her off. He planned to hunt mice this evening. She returned as the others were sitting down to eat. She found even the Captain was there. She had her sights set on him even when he first appeared. He was handsome and dashing and he had money, the prefect man for a short term romance and he was a sea Captain and that meant he would be leaving soon enough.

Finding him seated and getting ready to eat, she sat beside him. "Hello Captain, so good to see you. How has your time here been? I know a way I could make it more enjoyable." She ran her hand up his forearm, obviously flirting with him, but being subtle about it, at least as subtle as she ever could be. She batted her eyes, smiled, touched him in subtle ways, and generally gave off the "AVAILABLE" code women have given to men throughout history. She leaned it, whispering, "I could dance for you." Her smile and lifting her eyebrow, hoping the open ended way she way talking would lead him to conclude that dancing would not be all she would be doing...

Gondioque watches with quiet amusement.

Druk seems quite capable for carrying short messages, but for longer trips, he'd be wanted here. Massillia has no messenger or postal business?

Druk notices his name and also that he is not directly addressed. He says nothing allowing the principals their own discussion.

He seeks out the servants of the many guests at his table and seeks to discover for his own understanding the purposes these guests are here.

Are you all here together? On the Windreaver? He asks with childlike excitement of the servants he doesn't know.

Not sure who all the guests are besides the Captain. Or if the Captain is present with others.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:37, Wed 29 Aug 2018.

Gondioque smiles at Druk's manner. I'm Gondioque Bourgogne, daughter of Gundobad, King of Burgundy. He bade me reside here for a time as an Ambassador. As such, I have need of people who can deliver missives here and elsewhere.

[If/when the Captain is disengaged from Bryon} Captain...of the Windreaver and maybe other vessels, I take it...I'd like to hear any tales you have to tell.

Princess?  Druk whispers, he seems to shrink into his great frame  of  fear or embarrassment. He looks decidedly down at the Princess’ hands on the table his light smile of the anguish of nerves - Druk is accustomed to treating with the servants of wealthy travelers and sometimes the masters if they seek information or people hidden in the city. But he’s never met a princess.

Forgive me your ... highness? I am Druke He says making it rhyme with Luke, I can take your message. I can find anyone in the city even those who hide.

And guide. I guide your servants in the city
This message was last edited by the player at 08:53, Thu 30 Aug 2018.

Gondioque reassures Druk. Master Druk, I would forgive you if there were anything to forgive. You are an honest, capable person. "Highness" is correct in other places, at other times. For here and now, "Ambassdor Bourgogne" will do in formal situations, "Lady Gondioque" in more intimate situations as in this triclinium, "Godioque" when with me alone or with my personal associates.

Now, I guess there may be others in Massillia with your beneficent personality. Do you know some such who are capable and trustworthy?