Bryon clapped and again it is as if this is the first she has heard. "A party, and I am invited? Oh Princess we will have such fun, dressing and I will do your make up for you. It will be such a wonderful..."

Then Titus explained what kind of party it was, and she laughed. "Back home that sounds like a fun Saturday night. Don't worry, I will not consider my behavior at all. It is likely I will end up naked, though, I tend to take my clothes off when I'm drunk."

When the meeting is done Druk will go back to his work.

In the night, as promised he will show Bryon to the Owls.

When Druk shows her the owls she will undertake the ceremony that will call one of them to be her new familiar.

Byron and Druk go owl watching that evening while Titus begins arranging a 'Bacchanalia'.

Generally, when one goes to look for owls, one does not go to see owls in a group, as one might when going to see ducks or pigeons.  One goes to a place Owls frequent and hopes to see an owl.   The Owls seem to have favorite nesting spots- these Druk was aware of, in part.  They also have favorite hunting spots, and by following a couple of owls they learn of one- the north side of Temple Ridge.  This area includes the “Olive Slope”, a steep slope on the north side of Temple Ridge with olive groves belonging to a few different owners.  Owls have plenty of trees to perch in here, olives attract rodents, and owls pounce in the darkness.  (Olives can help prevent heart disease in rats.  So the pests here are healthy.  Until an owl grabs them.  Then they are unhealthy).

Towards the top is an unkempt, gnarly cluster of old olive trees, a few dead, surrounded in brush- apparently an abandoned part of the field.  When they finally get here, Bryon is able to make contact with an owl.  Scrumff will have to be relegated to Pet status, if Bryon has a new familiar.

It is a Little Owl, a very common Eurasian species that adapts to a wide variety of habitats, but of course Druk and Bryon, not being trained in the arts of “Knowledge, Animal”, have no way of knowing that.  Nor do they know that it’s official species name is Athene Noctua, which is unfortunate because that fact might be very reassuring to them.

Meanwhile…

Titus makes initial arrangements for the “Bacchanalia.”

He gets some immediate feedback:  The Mercator home just isn’t “right” for this sort of thing, it’s very unlike the family, and they don’t want drunk strangers all over the place.  Such a fuss.  They recommend the nearby Pharo Cove Tavern.  Titus knows this place well, he was here recently.  It’s on a beach, and it is well equipped and ready for any festivity.  Plus, guests would generally be familiar with it already.  It’s a major watering hole and entertainment spot for the upper class.  The Clerics of Bacchus would certainly know the place, they would have blessed it.

Bryon sat in the grass and looked at Druk, "This will take a while, you might want to go and come back in a few hours."

Bryon performed the ritual, granting the Owl a greater sentience and knowledge of the world in exchange for being her personal familiar. With the owl's acceptance it came over and landed on her shoulder. It spoke, "Great Clan's woman of the Celts, I am named Thisbrand Calryle Grumactus the first, but you may call me Carl."

Bryon said, "It is very wonderful to meet you Carl. We are having a most spectacular adventure. We are going to lead a rebellion against the Orks, doesn't that sound like fun?"

Carl replied, "Actually it sounds rather dangerous, life threateningly so. Wouldn't you rather stay here, I will catch you some nice juicy rats."

Bryon shook her head and said, "Adventures!"

Carl sighed, "I am going to spend a lot of time being afraid for my life with you aren't I?"

Bryon just smiled and nodded, not really understanding.

Carl looked up into the heavens, "Why me?"

Bryon answered the rhetorical question as she often does, "Because you came when I called. Now let's go join the others and get some sleep, or I will sleep and you can just fly around or whatever you do."

Carl bristled and in a sardonic voice said, "Splendid."

Bryon clapped, "That is one of my favorite words. Splendid!"

In the meantime, Gondioque attends to any ambassadorial duties.

Titus is not surprised by the Family's reaction and while he never spoke the words aloud he had been thinking that Pharos Cove might just be the best venue for this party and since he is visiting the slave market with Fanclo Ancius that would be an opportune moment to suggest it.

He asks the family to provide a guest list, which he will add to as needed, as even if they do not wish to host such an affaire they might certainly see its potential benefits.

OOC: Ben, I fear I've lost our timeline, so I may have missed my date with Fanclo. Regardless, I'll pay the tavern a visit.

Druk goes back to his business working it with his employees he will gladly deliver and even produce the invitations at fair market value for Titus, making this the first Bachanalia to have consistent and effective delivery services. You can’t beat having an ancient sex party with new technology.

The lead up to the Bacchanaelia...

Druk finds... or rather, recognizes something he's always known.  The oft overlooked couriers and messengers of the city can put a slight thumb on the scales of society, because in any large event, there are a great many invitations going out, and it is always possible to misdirect a few.  A couple of random invitations redirected, and no one is ever the wiser.  If he wishes, Druk can have his messengers ignore a few people, and steer invitations to a few others.  It can't be done in mass, that's too obvious.  But no one ever notices a little bit of sleight of hand.

And whom might he invite or disinvite?  There are about 500 Humans in the upper class of Massilia.  That's actually more than the upper class of Orcs, because despite being in charge, the Orcs have a much pointier social pyramid.  To a leading Orc, other important Orcs are either servants or threats.  Sometimes both.  But Humans are much more complicated.  The upper class is spread across about twenty leading families, and by convention includes the important priests.  There are others who are borderline cases, mostly wealthy but not rich merchants.  As is often the case with Humans, there is great variety.  Some Druk knows to be willing allies of the Orcs, others quietly (very quietly) resist.  Some prize wealth, some knowledge, some fame, some a little of everything.  One aspect of the upper class that is missing here:  none seek military glory.  Orcs look very harshly on that sort of Human.

Bryon, meanwhile, initiates her new familiar and starts training in the ways of being a familiar.

It's harder than she expected, because every time she tries to tell the owl her own name, the Owl responds with "who?"

Titus catches up with Fanclo Ancius, master of the Pharo Cove Tavern.  Fanclo wouldn't be called "Upper Class" by most of the upper class, who would be hesitant to name an "innkeeper" as one of them.  But, financially, he could certainly fit in. And he knows their tastes better than anyone, because that's how he makes his living.

The two visit the Slave Market, where Fanclo was very curious to see the "exotic" slaves recently brought in.  They are similar to Elves in some ways, but in others, not.  They seem to have a certain glow about them.  Literally.  Their bodies are natural light sources- not as noticeable in daylight, but definitely so at night.  Soft, colorful light seems to come from within them, and hover around them.  They speak an odd version of Elven, no one is familiar with it.  The sellers aren't talking about their origin.  Possibly, they want to keep the location of this strange race a secret.

There are a half dozen of them here, both male and female.  Titus learns that only three have already been sold.  Fanclo speculates that people... even Orcs... might be afraid of slaves of unknown origin, who might be harboring secret magical powers.

"Still I am tempted,"  he says.  "They are exotic.  People like to have the exotic around, for parties.  Maybe debut them for your event.  What do you think?"

Bryon will head back to the Inn to find Gondioque so she can introduce her new friend.

Before he had been sent north to investigate events in northern Europa, Titus had never given much thought to slavery. It was simply a part of Roman culture and, as far as he knows, always has been. During the years in which he became so enmeshed in fighting the Emperor and establishing Theodoric's Kingdom he learned first-hand the influence of Demons and Devils and that many things that might first seem 'natural' might not be.

Slavery is has since decided is not. One of the most difficult things for him is coming to terms with his lack of influence here and how dangerous it is for him to express his 'evolved' opinions about such matters. Accordingly, he goes along to the slave market and does his best to hide his hesitation on the matter.

He finds himself captivated by the glowing elves. Titus has spent a good deal of time around elves of all sorts and these are... Weird. And beautiful. In the back of his mind he had thought since Fanclo had brought up the idea of attending the market that he might buy some slaves and with the intention of giving them back their freedom at an appropriate moment. These folk confirm that idea.

When Fanclo asks his opinion replies while watching one of the particularly fetching male elves, "What if I bought them and rented them to you for the evening? That way you would not need to undertake the expense and risk and I would get the fantastic creatures at my party.... Which, you know I MUST be the greatest Bacchanal the city has ever seen!"
This message was last edited by the player at 15:06, Fri 04 Oct 2019.

Bryon hurried to the Old Fornum and up to the Princess's room. She knocked loudly on the Princess's door, "Princess, Princess you must meet my new friend!"

Bryon passes a seated member of the messenger service.

Venetia, Gondioque's chamber maid, opens the door and offers Bryon a smile. Thought that'd be you. Wait a moment, she's with the merchant Alouisius.
...
Soon enough, the Ambassador and Alouisius—a florid, heart man—come to the door. He bows while saying Thank you, Ambassador Bourgogne. Your letter should prove helpful, and I'll give your regards to your family. He bows again and takes his leaves  (taking the first steps backward)...after pausing long enough for his roving eye to take in Bryon (well worth the looking) and her pet (unusual, interesting).

Gondioque turns her eyes toward Bryon.

Druk does indeed manipulate a few invitations here and there.  The Orcs get invited as directed. Many of the conservative Orc loving sycophants do get them close to on-time but some of those who he knows to be most duplicitous are left off and invited late. Thus he works to remove those most likely to notice the meetings Titus and the Princess wish to make at this party.

Druk also invites an alter ego of himself, an Orc disguise he has used in the past. He will be one of the few Orcs at the party and in his disguise he will be available if anyone wishes to curry favor by telling Orcs about unsavory people.

In reply to Gondioque Bourgogne (msg # 88):

Byron curtsies at the man, but clearly her attention is on the Princess. She did notice him as he took her in, and with a smirk said, "You can find me here. If you want to take me on a date or something...you know." Then she winked as she moved past him.

She took Gondioque by the hand and pulled her to her bad chambers, then closed the door. She walked around to make sure the were alone and then she began bouncing up and down on her toes the way she did when she was thoroughly excited. PRINCESS!PRINCESS!PRINCESS! Guess what? I have made the most amazing new friend. Please allow me to introduce Thisbrand Calryle Grumactus the First. Say hello Carl."

"Who?"

"You silly goose."

"Who?" If she didn't know better Gondioque would swear the bird is smiling.

"Ohh! He was talking and everything earlier. I think he is broken. Maybe I can fix him."

"NO! that will not be necessary. Ahem. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Princess Gondioque."

Here and there in the city, a few Orcs get unexpected invitations to a "Bacchanalia".

In the house of Speifmek, Chieftain of the Sharp Tusks, and lord of the south side of the city, Speifmek looks at his invitation with puzzlement.

"I do not wish to bother with reading, it should be spoken to me," the Orc grumbles, his way of saying "I cannot read, read this for me."

His Human slave obliges, and reads it.

"What is this thing for?" Speifmek asks next.

The slave explains the tradition.  Speifmek does not look thrilled.  "Humans, drunk," the Orc says.  "Not a happy thought.  Seeing them do... drunk human things.  Makes me sick. But they want me?  Is insult to them to go, or not to go?"

The slave considers this, in deep thought.  He knows Speifmek.  The old Orc has a high standing, gained the old fashioned way:  participating in many battles and somehow not dying.  Not generally fond of Humans, he prefers to stay away from them most of the time.  By human reckoning, he is not exceptionally bright, and certainly not cultured.

Which means he will probably not enjoy himself.  And the slaves, home with the master gone, certainly will.

"They expect you will refuse them, but send this out of respect," the slave says.  "If you show up, it might not insult them, but it will humiliate them and make them sad."

"Then I am going," Speifmek says.  "Do not reply, I will surprise them."

*****************************

At the slave market, Falco is surprised by Titus's offer to do the slave buying himself, but not for long.

"I will go along with that and rent them from you," he says.  "But if you are embarking on some noble cause here I do not want to know.  Be careful if you are.  Do not merely seek to bring them back home.  Right now, other slavers want to know where they came from.  If you should find out where that is, or your slaves do, you might accidentally lead other slavers back to their home, and then they can be cleaned out entirely."

How many does Titus want?

Gondioque, drops a slight curtsy. An honor, Master Thisbrand Calryle Grumactus the First. You have made your mistress even happier. I'm about to take some refreshment. Is there anything along that line you would care to partake with me, you and Bryon?

In reply to Ben (msg # 91):

Titus smiles and gives a little laugh in reply, "Of course, my dear! All you need to know is that I intend to become known for my extravagant Bacchanals and as we delightful libertine. Having such stunning exotics to decorate shall help me do so -- if it helps your business as well, then we have both benefited!"

Titus will buy all of them. Doing so will make it appear as if he is trying to do precisely what Falco warns him others might want to do. At the same time from a business perspective it will also make it seem obvious that he is trying to 'corner the market' on these exotic folk.

Bryon nodded emphatically, “Oh yes please. I am entirely famished!”

Titus brings home a dozen very peculiar looking Elves.

Not exactly Elves.  Elf-like, yes, but very different.  They shine with their own light, but unlike other pale lights that are easier to see in darkness, being under open sky and illuminated by the sun only makes them brighter.  As if they are drinking in the light around them, and re-emitting it.

They cast no shadows when they walk... they just bathe their surroundings in soft, colorful light.

There are a dozen of them, and they follow Titus back to his home in silence.  Titus can sense that they are very afraid, and in a place that is utterly alien to them.  At the same time, they are curious.  Their eyes dart around, they are alert and observant.  Sometimes, one may want to observe something hidden in shadow.. and with a gesture, it is illuminated with the light of their bodies.


********************

Druk has finishes the management of the message delivery, handling some himself, because the only mistakes he wants made are the ones he has decided upon.

Preparations begin- food and drink is ordered, decoration is decided upon and established.  One does not simply declare a Bacchanalia and have one.  It takes effort.

But in the time Titus has done his slave acquisition, most of it is done.

Titus has been told that the slaves speak a weird Elvish, but he will still attempt to speak to them and learn who is the eldest among them or whether there is anyone they think of as a leader when he gets them back to House Mercator.

Gondioque dines with Bryon and Master Thisbrand (except when if the field, princesses dine).

She makes ready for the bacchanal, wearing white, with two necklaces (one with the Burgundian colors: Blue, red, yellow; one that has transparent gems). Her dagger and rapier, both in sheaths, depend from her black belt. The rapier is peace-knotted

Bryon ate with her new friend and the Princess. She is merciless in her flirtatious teasing of Thisbane. Once it is time she stays and helps the princess dress and with her makeup. Bryon seeks here only to highlight Gondioque’s natural beauty.
12:57, Today: Bryon rolled 12 using 1d20+6.  Disguise - Used to enhance appearance, not change it.
+5 Minor Details Only
+4 Recognize on Sight
Total - 21
Of course the entire time she chatters on and on about inane things like men, men, men, and most importantly men. Carl the Owl sat on a window ledge, sleeping because one it is daylight and two he is bored nearly to tears. Then she leaves and goes to prepare herself.

Bryon wore her very best, including her new jewelry she received from the captain. It’s value actually means that her “good” dress now seems much more like a “Noble Outfit” than it did before. She carries no weapons, but she does have her owl, who will wake as the sun descends.

YEAY! I finally got to use the disguise skill the way I’ve always wanted to use it.

Gondioque submits to being made up and compliments Bryon on her appearance and ebullience.

Druk will prepare his own disguise - he will come to the party not as an Ook but as an Orc - Drecht Bloodrattle a persona he has used several times since gaining freedom. Drecht is a sailor and independent privateer who comes and goes from port and has a few acquaintances and rumors. He is considered weak but is tolerated by other Orcs because he may have recently liberated wares to give away.

He tells the others. I will act different at this party and have a different, if you see me, please don't tell my name Druk.