In reply to Master of Fates (msg # 873):

"My skills are not to Heer high standards...I am only learning! At least as far as singing goes..."

I doubt you'll be asked to sing at all, they will just assume you are her guard as i ddi, a wise thing for a lady to have around here.

In reply to Master of Fates (msg # 875):

"I am her gaurd, true and I will defend her in whatever way I can. If using my voice is wiser than using my blade, so be it."

"It's fine," Roahfustion says, one hand gently, reassuringly resting on Troel's sword arm. "Well,  Master Jonas, until sundown, then.."

You might rest some, perhaps you will give us a song when you get back from the castle.

After the castle folk have departed, she replies, "We can see. If possible, yes. However, assuming all goes reasonably well at the castle,  wouldn't that give you an unimaginable advantage over your competition? 'As seen by the Earl himself..' and so forth. You may wish to ponder upon that. And what it's worth.." Leaving that hangin she smiles, obviously leveraging her worth while opporttunity presents.

Back in their room she prepares her companions, "If this goes well, then another set or two here in this inn may be all it's safe to try before pushing on. I have heard of those that are too important for their own good being found face down, never to rise.." She shrugs. "Of course, nothing to stop us coming back next time we pass through. Depends what we can agree with the Earl.

With eating, some practise and tuition, washing and resting, the time flies towards sundown..

Separately and provately she presses two silver shillings into Troels' hand with a gentle kiss and raised finger to her lips to not talk about it, and later a similar thingwith Blythe, this time whispering, "One for your father and one for yourself."
This message was last edited by the player at 19:54, Fri 01 Apr 2022.

About 30 minutes before sunset, the page and three guards show up to escort you to the castle.
Blythe and Troels are asked to leave their heavy weapons in the coat room on a table, the page assures you that they will not be touched. Small knives are allowed, but nothing bigger.

You ar then showninto a nice room off the kitchen and offered dinner.
About an hour later you are ushered into a room where the Lord, His Lady and several officiles are sitting drinking from stemmed glasses; small tables are arranged about with food on them.

Welcome, Your reputation has reached my ears and I would ask you to let us also enjoy your performance, please make your selves comfortable.

There are three chairs and a small table arranged for you. Troels gets a lot of notice.

Roahfustion bows, rather than curtsies, and replies, "Lord Hadrian, that is most kind if you. I would thank you for the opportunity." Focusing then on the lady of the area, she does curtsie this time, "Lady Hadrian, thank you for your most kind hostpitality." The bard straightens, and, still looking at Lady Hadrian adds, "Even the most polished of entertainers may have an off day, but I pray that mine is not today. But I am showing myself up with lack of manners. If you please, Lord and Lady Hadrian, allow me to present my protector, Troels, and my assiatant, Blythe."

She takes the middle of the three chairs and, with a nod and the slightest of shoulder movements, indicates to her companions to also bow. She then leads the three to sit. Happy to follow the conversation at the whim of their hosts, she fills the vacuum of small talk* and tries the odd probe as to current events, issues across the region**, weather. Roahfustion consumes very little food or drink herself. If her companions seem to be too generous to themselves with wine or other alcohol, she manages a discreet nudge and a glare. Getting drunk in a Lord's castle probably wouldn't be a good thing.

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OOC: *Roahfustion  has no penalties for either language nor Cultural Familirity.
*Here are some potentially relevant skill rolls for the small talk:
21:18, Today: Roahfustion rolled 11,10,12 using 3d6,3d6,3d6.  Current Affairs – Regional 12; Eidetic Memory 12; Public Speaking 15.
All successful.

**essentially this is keeping an ear to the ground for rumours/'quests' (aka adventuring jobs).

They all seem pleased and nod as well as engaging in some conversation.
There is to be a fair in Charron's Point in two weeks and the lord is expected there for that. [next castle to the right from Quartedec and on the Styx.  Trouble with Brigands up near the wall and Megalos is raising taxes again.
Spring has sprung and everyone is looking forward to warmer weather.

They bid you play..

They did provide Ale with dinner and now there is watered wine to wet your whistle.
Blythe was very careful to watch what and how much she ate and drank.

In reply to Master of Fates (msg # 882):

Troels takes a moment to remove the dagger from his shield in the cloakroom, taking it with him as his shield would be much to big. The large northerner is clearly uncomfortable and though he copies Roahfustion in her actions of bowing, something he is clearly not familiar with, he says little, though at the mention of bandits cannot help but suggest that not paying his troops may have something to do with that.

Knowing his own propensity to brawl when drunk, he avoids the wine altogether and has little ale.

Troels commnt immeditaely brings the Lord upright... What do you mean, not pay the troops?

In reply to Master of Fates (msg # 884):

"Well, sir, just a comment made by some brigands we met. They said they were deserters who had not been paid in months, so they were fending for themselves..."

Troels was not so sure he wanted to get into this conversation now...

Sensing the depths into which Troels could unintentionally be wading, she adds, "Of course, Lord Hadrian, there was no suggestion that coin was not being sent for payment of the wall's soldiers. Nor that the fellows did not wish to be soldiers. Merely that neither payment nor food were actually reaching them and they could not continue to be effective soldiers, nor, indeed, to be anything much longer, without any means of sustenance. After a brief confrontation in which we were not harmed.." She indicates herself and both companions. "..they seemed relieved and pleased at our offer of food and to join our camp. My belief is that these would be good soldiers and were driven by circumstance beyond their control. We parted on good terms and have neither seen nor heard from them since. I couldn't say where they are now." She smiles and gestures much as one might when talking about the weather, where none of those conversing were to blame for the things being discussed. She takes a bite of one of the oatcakes. "My compliments to your kitchens, Lady Hadrian, these taste simply marvelous."

Roahfustion remains focused on the food while she waits to see the lord's response and tone before even considering obliquely offering to investigate. If her companions start to chip in, she tries to politely as possible cut them off with a request for some particular food or drink beyond her reach to be passed (and possibly returned).

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OOC: 09:32, Today: Roahfustion rolled 13 using 3d6.  Diplomacy 16
This message was last edited by the player at 09:17, Sun 03 Apr 2022.

I see, thank you for that clarification, we obviously will look into that quickly, and I would appreciate your silence until we can get it resolved. Let us move to more pleasant things, please sing before this turns into yet another council meeting.
He says the last with a bit of a smile.

"Of course, Lord Hadrian," she acquiesces and bows to him, curtsies to Lady Hadrian and then excuses herself to prepare..

After a short while Roahfustion returns, her hair tied back and sporting Blythe's scarf, and without further ado sets out to play for the Lord and Lady. Nothing controvercial, just safe favoutites of time and of hers.

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OOC: 21:39, Today: Roahfustion rolled 8 using 3d6.  Performance 17 (incl +1 for Fashion Sense).
21:43, Today: Roahfustion rolled 11 using 3d6.  Savoir Faire (High Society) 12.

Trying it on here, but made an extra Savoire Faire skill check to try for a +1 bonus to the performance. That would mean success by +10, potentially a critical success.

The presentation goes very well and every one is foot or finger tapping as appropriate when a page brings a man to the door.  The lord frowns and holds his hand up to you (Stop), looks at the man and says What now?

The Man is obviously nervous and stumbles and stutters out that another full grown cow has been taken by the great birds from the Mountain, the Farmers are incensed and want something done as this is the 14th animal lost this way this month.

The Lord shakes his head We have tried without success, bring him the coin for his animal and leave us be.

Yes your Lordship, but the farmers says that they can't breed or milk a coin.

The Lord becomes  very angry and the messenger hurries from the door. Ungrateful wretches.

he looks up and shakes his head, My apologies, please play on, it is something most enjoyable for a change.

Roahfustion smiles, bows and curtsies to the nobility. She glances sidelong at both of her companions to see if there's a glimmer of interest in taking on the 'great birds problem', and then continues her performance.

In reply to Roahfustion (msg # 890):

Troels watches the show with interest. Great birds were a challenge for him, as his axe only reached so far, and his crossbow was powerful, but probably needed to be even more so for these critters.

Also of interest was the Lord's lack of empathy for those under him. He should definitely be treated in a mercenary fashion, and if they were to deal with the creatures, he would want to be well paid. Very well paid.

He enjoyed the rest of the show for now though.

The renewed performance lightens the mood and after another hour perhaps, the Lord then rises and thanks you, he hands you a small purse, which is fairly heavy and nods to the others, Do see that they get a bit for their time please. I am sorry about the interuption, I have not found a way to get rid of these blasted birds and the farmers do not want to go themselves but get angry when others don't care to go as well. I give them 8 schillings to defray their loss, but they are still displeased.

"Thank you, Lord Hadrian," replies Roahfustion with a bow. "That is always so. Pardon me for asking, but about those large birds, justt how large might that be?" Again she looks sideways at her companions with briefly raised eyebrows to ask 'Shall we?'

Taking Troels response as affirmation, after hearing the Lord's reoly she offers, "Perhaps we may be able to assist with at least one of those birds?"

Well they are large enough to carry off a cow. Were you going to sing to it so your guard could hammer it?  They are always seen from a distance but at least one farmer swears that it had a long tail. They fly from the tall peak and seem to fly very early or very late in the day.

In reply to Master of Fates (msg # 894):

"Finding their nests may help. You know where they are? How much would you pay for each one killed?"

I care not if you kill them, scare them away or whatever... But give us a respite of a Month or two and we will see you well rewarded in Gold.

In reply to Master of Fates (msg # 896):

"Sir, happy to try, but I cannot guarantee respite, as I am only one man, and I can only kill them one at a time. Perhaps payment for each one killed is better, else we risk our lives and still possibly do not get paid."

You will be paid, if you are dead, payment will resolve nothing. I do not pay in advance as too many have run off with my money.