Heldrath smirks. But the chairman of the Dawn Council is not finished yet.

"Very well. But then there is the matter of choosing a new first family for the Azure District. I propose... family Cadogan."

Heldrath's jaw drops. It was unheard of for the second family to not take over a district when the first family was unseated. "Outrageous!" she exclaims.

"Motion seconded!" says the head of the second family in the Merchant District, Lavinia Vanderboren!

The head of the Cadogan family moves out from where he has been standing in the assembled crowd. He is Alston Cadogan, a merchant of good standing in the Sunrise district and owner of many plantations, and also Kassius' grandfather! (He is Kassius' mother's father, and since Kassius gets his orc heritage through his half-orc father, Alston is fully human.)

A vote is held - only a majority is needed to carry out the motion and it is easily reached. It seems that many of the other noble families in the city feel that the Kellani family should be punished for their trouble-making, although this is not exactly punishment, just not promotion.

After this is complete (yay! Kassius is now a direct member of a noble family and should be addressed as 'Master Cadogan' or at least 'Young Master') the council moves onto the next order of business.

Each of the party members are called up and awarded the 'Spire of Sasserine'. When this medal is worn prominently around their necks, they get a +2 circumstance bonus to Diplomacy and Gather Information checks made in Sasserine (except in Shadowshore where wearing it just pisses people off).

Oh. Are you guys still here? Sorry, I went all fan fiction there for a second. It sort of had a 'Phantom Menace' feel to it, what with all the political stuff and it was about as exciting.

Compulsory role-playing session:

Alohan has to talk to Tolin Kientai, leader of the Jade Ravens. (I'll make a new thread in a second)

The rest of you are free to mingle and show off your new medals. Which NPC's would you like to talk to?

Logan wants to ask around and see if he can use his new recognition in the city to upgrade his mother's accommodations.  I guess starting at the same temple where she is already housed, and then moving on from there.

As Alohan is mingling he is accosted by Tolin Kientai, the flashy leader of the Jade Ravens. The native barbarian notices that the ranger is also wearing the Spire of Sasserine.

“Congratulationz,” says Tolin, his arms crossed over his shinny breastplate and his elbow bumping against the ornate guard of a rapier that looks like it wouldn’t be much use in a fight. “You have joined a very prestigiouz club, there aren’t more than a dozen of us in the city who have been awarded the spire. Of courze, me and my crew took down a fully grown red – not zome zort of mutant midget dragon variety – but if the council thinkz you’ve done enough to dezerve this then who am I to argue with them?”

Angati ends up talking to her older sister, but Zelina drags her over to where the Lidu patriarch is holding court with a typical group of important looking men… and then demands that Worrin makes some introductions.

“Oh, yes,” hesitates the leader of the Dawn Council. “This is my…” he pauses. Will he do it? Will he recognise her as his daughter publically for the first time since she was seven? “This is my sister, Angati Lidu – heroine of the hour!” Well, ‘sister’ is at least better than ‘aunt’, isn’t it?.

“Charmed, I’m sure,” says a smarmy looking man with very peculiar hair. Does he have some sort of rodent on his head? No, it is a very poor wig trying to masquerade as natural hair. Something about his face and bearing seem uncomfortably family to the oracle though. “I am Zebula Meravanchi,” he says, reaching for and grabbing her hand before she can jerk it away. “I am enchanté to meet you Madam Lidu. Where has your brother been keeping you stashes away? I cannot believe we have not meet before.” Angati feels Zelina stiffen beside her. And then hears a chuckle from behind her.
This message was last edited by the player at 13:46, Sun 24 Jan 2016.

”I believe that Madam Lidu has at least made the acquaintance of your youngest son before... Avner...” says Victor Saint-Demain, Sasserine's self-proclaimed greatest sleuth. “It happened during my investigation and subsequence solving of one of my many great cases – the Mystery of the Missing Mistress.” Whereas Zelina had stiffened at Lord Meravanchi’s comment, she clenches her fists and sets her jaw when she hears Victor’s voice.

The sleuth is dressed in his usual purple clothes and cap, and holds strange cane in one hand. The only change compared to the last time Angati saw him was that he now also wore the Spire of Sasserine around his neck.

Logan spots Karthach Feldspar-Ash in the crowd. The dwarven cleric is the head of the Shrine of Liir where the rogue's mother is now living - in the cheapest room they have. Perhaps it would be possible to move her out of the attic and into a room nearer the beautiful gardens? It was hard to tell, what with his mother now being totally catatonic, but he sensed that the gardens gave her some peace at least.

The stocky cleric was deep in conversation with a small, wrinkly man with sparse black hair fighting a loosing battle against a receding hairline. The man has Karthach almost pinned against the wall and is telling him something in an animated tone.

"... I tell you, how could it be? A dozen cities wiped from the map in a single day in a tide of savagery. How could that be natural? And what empire could survive that? We need to be alert and ..."

Karthach takes Logan's arival as an opportunity to escape. "Ahh! There you are my good boy! No doubt you want an update on your mother? Ambassidor Alresian. Please excuse me, but duty calls." He grabs Logan's arm and wisks him away.

"Thank the goddess! You saved me! That crazy zealot is the ambassidor from the Milenian city states in the west and has some crackpot theory about why the Milenian Empire fell apart one thousand years ago. Giant green gas clouds of evil my artistic ass! The empire fell apart because its people were disorganised, unmanageable, melodramatic drama queens. Traits which their descendants still exhibit today."

Logan asks about his mother and if it would be possible to improve her accommodation. Karthach has no good news to give in regards to Tessara's condition - she is the same as when she moved in a couple of days ago. He is apologetic about her living quarters. She is in Angati's old attic room and it is the most remote room in the shrine, but moving her down to the garden would be expensive - it would cost twice what Logan is paying now ie 200 gold crowns a month. Basically, Logan needs a pay rise if he is going to manage that.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:17, Sun 24 Jan 2016.

Alohan spent most of the ceremony wondering if there was any resemblance between Rowyn and Heldrath. Sure, the redheaded beauties looked the same but he wasn't referring to their looks. Had Alohan not been attempting to turn a new banana leaf, he may have attempted to 'get to know' the mother as closely as he knew her daughter. As the ceremony continued -and his boredom mounted- his thoughts turns ever more exotic. It took the memory of the pain Rowyn had caused his friends for him to finally shake the thoughts of a mother/daughter game of find the native.

Upon the council's conclusion, Alohan mingled as best he could, targeting the unmarried daughters of the families of Sasserine. He was all smiles and charm, doing his best to work a crowd when Tolin' targeted him. His mood soured for he was on the verge of a breakthrough with the distant cousin of an 'healthy' looking second family. The Jade Raven's leader ruined all that.

Alohan picked up the spire and shrugged. "I not be havin' much use of dis ding. Maybe I be tellin' dem ta take it back." He chuckled obnoxiously. "Now dat ya patron be favoring' me and me friends, de Jade Ravens be finding' much work?" he asked.

Oh man, that would  be out of the frying pan and into the fire... :D



"Ha! Zhowz what you know. The Jade Ravenz have a new patron. One much more zmart, powerful and... better looking. Ha!"

With that the surly ranger flounces off into the crowd.

Celene wanders through the crowd, hoping to see her mentor from the temple, Magnus Eseriel. She bumps into the back of a tall woman dressed in black. When the lady turns the sorceress sees it is the matriach of the Kellani family - mother of Rowyn.

"Oh. It is you, little cleric. I have been meaning to thank you - although it is painful I think it is good that Rowyn's terrible plans were discovered and stopped before things got any further. Thank you." Heldrath takes Celene's hand and shakes it. Then the tall red headed lady notices Celene's dress. It was one of the two recovered from Rowyn's lair - Celene had worn it because as a poor novice of the temple of Wee Jas she had nothing else suitable.

"Is that... Was that one of hers..." Heldrath struggles back a choked sob, then her look hardens, as does her grasp of Celene's hand. "Oh, I am going to thank you little cleric. I will definately pay you back one day for what you have done." Her grasps is so strong it is close to crushing Celene's fingers.

Kassius seeks out his grandfather. When he finds him the two men face each other, neither saying anything for a couple of seconds.

"Oh, don't look at me like that lad," Alston finally says. "I wasn't able to talk to you about it before because Worrin only asked me if I would do it earlier today - and you were out and about arranging to ship those critters home. Oh, by the way, as harbourmaster I will be needing to see some papers for those things," he says with a wry smile.

Alohan watch the peculiar man leave, not at all interested in his new patron, his success, or what he was doing with himself. What the native found awkward was that HE was singled out and spoken to when having met the man only once. His culture wasn't a stranger to boasting -quite the opposite- but the manner of which he bragged was something to be desired. 'just come out and say it you coward' he thought to himself, losing sight of Tolin in the fluctuating crowd.

Alohan searched the crowd, stepping up on his toes to easily see above the heads of those gathered. "There she is," he thought to himself, finally spotting Celene. 'And who is that she is talking to?' Alohan made his way over, easily making a path due to only wearing a cloth. He closed the distance, leaning in to catch the tail end of Heldrath's subtle threat.

"...payment not be needin,'" Alohan interjected before Celene could speak. "Removin' ya troubled child be reward enough. Knowin' de people of Sasserine can sleep in peace wid out de Rowyn Kellani dwelling bellow is payment enough." He shuffled closer to Celene, lending her his strength in sticking up to bullies.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:19, Sun 24 Jan 2016.

Celene was nervous when she was approached by Rowyn's mother she was pleasantly surprised when she had only kind words. She was about to utter an apology to Kellani when the women noticed her dress.

In the moment she had forgotten just what she was wearing. The woman's sob brought her fashion choice frighteningly back to her mind. Celene appreciated Alohan lending his aid though it wasn't necessary she was capable of dealing with threats as well as any of her companions. Without hesitation she responded to Heldrath "You're welcome. I only wish we had been able to bring her before the council; she deserved a fair trial after all." she said trying and failing to return the handshake in kind.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:13, Mon 25 Jan 2016.

Angati didn't bother even commenting to Tolin's remarks, she just nodded to him with a smile that said it all, and turned to face the other more important people that her father was presenting her to, pointedly giving a cold shoulder to Tolin.

Bowing her head at Nebula Meravanchi, as he grasped her hand, Angati smiled a cold smile at the man "I try not to mingle with the city political affairs, no doubt, that is why you have not noticed me. You see, I do my best to not be noticed by family's with great reputations such as yours, although when I fail at that, I make quick amendments and correspond in kind". - Did that great have a touch of irony in it ? if so, it was ever so slight, hard to interpret as a fault .

She turned a bit to look at Victor as he spoke "Ah ! Victor, your news reach this conversation a bit late, I am afraid. You do however present them with such flair, that its most entertaining to hear them. You are with the Jade Ravens now ?".

"Looking at you like what grandfather?" Kassius asks, his voice calm and dry. "Business venture or not, I'm still quite satisfied with our deal. You can deal with all of this politicking, and have Brutus as your perfect heir. I'm just as happy not dealing with it. I do congratulate you on your success though, and I suppose this will make dealing with all of the paperwork and hirings and nonsense for the ranch easier.


Speaking of which, now that I actually have something to raise, I'll need to start doing some construction and hiring. I'll do a lot of it myself, but some extra hands, trained or not would be helpful."

Kassius also looks around, wondering if his old hunting companion, Penny Evergreen was anywhere around here. It's not really her crowd, but with his mind still on thoughts of business, it occurs to him that she might be able to assist the ranch.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:01, Mon 25 Jan 2016.

Heldrath eyed up Alohan, and then released Celene's hand. "That's right, she wasn't captured, was she? Perhaps she will turn up... one day." Without another word the tall lady leaves the council chambers.

If Lord Meravanchi detected any irony he showed no sign that he cared. "Madam, Worrin is fortunate to have an older sister as wise as yourself. Woman should be in the background, seen, but not heard as it were. Some of the younger ladies these days do not seem to understand that. Why, you should see the fuss that Lavinia Vanderboren is kicking up just because my youngest, Avner, has been awarded courting rights to her. Outrageous! She should consider herself lucky that a family in such dire financial straights and with such a troubled recent history is even considered as a match for my own prestigious lineage."
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:41, Tue 26 Jan 2016.

"Bah! Work with the Jade Ravens? That bunch of second class losers? Never! Anyway, did you hear the way that Tolin was talking just now? Heh. Heh. I don't think things are what they seem with that group right now. Oh! Mistress Zelina, I had not seen you there, please allow me..." Viktor moves in to kiss her hand, but Angati's sister is way too fast - she probably knew what was coming - and hides her hand behind her back. Viktor has to make do with an awkward little half bow instead.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:42, Tue 26 Jan 2016.

"Chop, chop," said Worrin in a business like tone. He holds out his hand and clicks his fingers. One of his men gives him a small folder. "This is not just a social visit. Viktor, I also you here so you can help us track down the last of the top fugitives in Sasserine. If we can manage to bring them to justice the city will be a much safer place." Worrin takes out a series of hand drawn sketches and shows them to Viktor, but of course Angati leans over her father's shoulder and takes a good look herself.


Sasserine's Most Wanted

Srimshaw the Ivory Gargoyle
"Of course you captured this albino gargoyle just recently Viktor. The city thanks you for it! He sits in Castle Teraknian, awaiting shipment to the Hellfurnances."

Rrregla the Gasping Strangler
"This little lady is a choker - a type of subsurface monster that plagues the dwarves but she has become very comfortable above ground. She has been preying on sailors in the Azure district after dark. Very fond of cigars we hear."

Durok the Bugbear Brute
"I hear he used to work for the Lotus Dragons! He was their enforcer and was responsible for collecting protection money, but he got too sloppy and the Lotus Lady had all his teeth pulled out - nasty piece of work that Rowyn Kellani. But he escaped and has been living in Shadowshore drug dens ever since. Apparently he is addicted to Zzonga juice and needs it for the pain. We think he is behind the recent attacks on gondolas where they are pulped with a warhammer - since he has no teeth he needs to mash them up before he can eat them... Very sad in a way."

Mange the Cowardly Shifter
No-one would expect this towering mass of werewolf to be a scaredy-cat, but he is deathly afraid of alchemical silver. He stands seven feet tall and nearly four feet from shoulder to shoulder so he must stand out in a crowd. Last seen in the cudgel district robing houses.

Vrinn the Chandeling Cyclops
"Ah-ha! Another one of your successes Viktor! Due to be transport to the prison mines very soon."

Grimgraj the Failed Monk
"This is a strange on. This hobgoblin was a member of a monastery near cauldron, but thrown out due to his prodigious vicious streak. He is obsessed with piercings and has bits of metal all over him and in him."

"So that is it. You have your work cut out for you young man!"

Alohan watched Heldrath disappear into the crowd before turning to Celene. "Dat is one crazy lady. Now I be knowin' why Rowyn went so astray." He shook his head in disappointment picturing Rowyn growing up in such a hostile environment. Poor girl never had a chance at a normal life. Vindictive bitch was ingrained in her since birth. Still, Alohan couldn't stop picturing how adept both Rowyn and her mother would be between the sheets. He shook the thought from his mind. As Remmi always said- 'Dont let your eel swim up crazy stream.'

He turned back to Celene. "Kassius be asking me to help him out of da city. Someding to do wit a camp of animals or someding. Will ya be okay for a bit?" he asked. "Ya be havin plans...? Wit Logan?" Alohan shuffled his feet and adjusted his belt.

Celene turned to Alohan and smiled "Thank you for the support. I doubt we have seen the last of the Kellani's." Celene watched Heldrath depart wondering if she could make good on her threat. Her musing was cut short when Alohan mentioned leaving with Kassius "Yes. I think so. I'll spend more time in the library than is healthy I'm sure. I don't know what Logan intends beyond helping his mother; but I'll be interested to find out." she said.
This message was lightly edited by the player at 16:51, Wed 27 Jan 2016.

Angati nodded at Lord Meravanchi, "Ahh... yes la jeunesse" she said loving the rhyming sound of it  and her private joke "It must be because of those unfounded rumours about your son molesting women, people do talk about those things, and young girls with more scruples than a level head, tend to be influenced by such things".

She paused "I wonder however, if your son has got to know Lavinia, it might be that once he does, he changes his mind or that he is not really willing to pursue this venue... your son... well... he is also young after all, and not entirely free from the fickleness that you so accurately describe" said Angati thinking of beating Avner down to a pulp to make him change his mind.

"Unforgivable though, that she should make such an insult to your house... tsk tsk" she said negating with her head. "She has a point though, and while I have your attention and my brother's I think it might be in the best of your interests that I do clarify. You see, while investigating the... as Viktor here colourfully and aptly named 'Missing Bride Case', we ended up in this most disgusting place... what was it's name Viktor?... ahh yes, that very same. Anyway, to make things short, your son apparently had an appetite for older women, and while I do not deny him his good taste, I did not really wish to get involved in that way... and he decided to rape me... for that, he needed the help of his friends, and had it not been for Viktor here and a few of my friends I might have ended up carrying your grandson..." she chuckled and paused.

"If I was not this old, at any rate... Anyway, things stopped there and that was lucky for both of us and our families, I am old enough not to make a big fuss about a hot headed young Meravanchi, but... Meravanchi he is, and I...  Lidu. Rumours are rumours, and it is probably in both families best interests to make proper amendments. I do not think anyone but the five of us currently here know of this, in all this detail, so I am sure that you and my brother will work something out". Angati hoped her father would see this as an opportunity, and if he didn't, at least he'd see it as an affront but she had made it so that he wouldn't be forced to take a strong hand into the matter, and by pulling the punch and the affront as she had felt it, he left him the choice of deciding how to handle it without being too much bound by honour..

She eyed both of her sisters, Anansi, was raging as if trying to pull out the old man's eyes out, and Zelina's cold stare said a lot by itself.
This message was last edited by the player at 08:15, Wed 27 Jan 2016.

Logan quietly thanks Karthach for the news about his mother, mind already churning.  The rogue was happy his mother had been moved to a better spot, but still wished he could improve her situation further.  Still, what he had done so far seemed to be working - maybe he could just continue it?

He half-heartedly agreed with the cleric, not understanding half of what he was even saying.  "Green gas clouds?  Sounds unlikely, I'm sure you're right."

In reply to Angati (msg # 37):

I think you get the last word here. :D It's not my intention to have a deep level of political intrigue in the game, just to identify you all to some of the characters so if you happen to meet them on the battle map they will be more than just a letter.

OOC: Here is my new tactic - sometime I will drip feed the information in when it is relevant rather than dumping everything into these threads ahead of time and then you guys all forget about it by the time it is important six months later...

Worrin notices one more sketch in his folder.

"Hmm. One more perhaps. This sketch is of a man called Larcos Dengrin - he was a Paladin of Kord... oh, about fifty years ago. Highly respected. Best swordsman in the city they say. Then one day he just goes nuts, slays over a dozen of his fellow clerics and takes up with a criminal gang."



Victor shrugs. "Fifty years ago? Ancient history, so?"

Worrin continues. "He has been spotted back in the city, handing around his old haunts as it were. There is a reward for him - 30,000 gold crowns dead or alive. The priests of Kord are not the sort of people who ever forgive or forget."


"Come now Lord Lidu! This sketch is how he looked fifty years ago? He must be one hundred now if he is alive. I don't hunt down geriatrics!" scoffs Victor.