Time passes quickly and before long it is time to take the road back to Restov and be recognized by Brevoy as the barons of the land. It is an interesting bit of power for Jamarka Aldori to play host to King-Regent Noleski Surtova as he uplifts four mercenaries and adventurers into the ranks of the aristocracy. One can only imagine the words said behind closed doors for such an event to occur.

Still despite the cut-throat politics the event is scheduled as quite the extravagant affair. Nobility far and wide pour into Restov to feast and celebrate in the grand dining hall of the Aldori estate. Just seeing it brings back memories of the excitement of taking on the expedition in the first place...and the horrors of the night when assassins ripped through the expedition rooms murdering dozens of adventurers, servants, guards, and very nearly killing Jamarka Aldori herself.

The blood had long since been scrubbed from the floors and while hosting the expedition was a spartan affair now the Aldori estate was decorated top to bottom. Long flowing tapestries had been hung, gilded banners hung from the ceilings. Extravagant works of art had been moved out of storage and placed to provide talking points as well as to break up the otherwise open square room. A large dais had been constructed, presumably this is where the King-Regent would sit and recognize everyone.

By the time the adventurers arrived the hall was already nearly bursting with people and the tall ceilings echoes with the noise of dozens of conversations.

One of the first people to great the party was none other than Sellemius, Mayor of Restov.

"Greetings! Greetings my friends. I hope your travels went well. I apologize for not giving you time to freshen up before making your rounds but the King-Regent just pushed forward the ceremony so there isn't enough time. We'll take you to the side closet and you can do your best to freshen up before presenting you to the room. I'll try to help guide you as best as I can but there are three other expeditions to consider. Maeger Varn and Hannis Drelev are both here already."

He gives a nod in Borric's direction.

"They are your counterparts east and west of you, respectively. The last one, Jacab Bardeg, hasn't arrived yet. He was the leader of the Iron Wraiths and they would also be to your west I believe past Drelev's territory. Anyway take a moment, center yourselves, and we can get your grand entrance out of the way."

As part of your response consider the travel back to the place where the expedition was first formed and almost lost, what steps you took to prepare physically and mentally for meeting with the most influential noble houses, foreign diplomats, merchants and religious leaders. Finally what steps you take to get the long road's dust and fatigue out to try and attempt to fit in at the party.

Kael reflects on everything that has happened as they travel back to Restov. It's certainly been quite an adventure - giant spiders, owlbears, boars, murderous fey and more bandits than you can shake a stick at. Their task has been accomplished and their reward awaits them. But personally, what Kael is most looking forward to right now is a real bed, good food and fine wine. Once in Restov he excuses himself from his companions and heads to his family home, planning on staying with his uncle and cousins while he is in the city. They likely have a thousand and one question for him. He just wishes he had all the answers.

Kael is not really sure he is even invited to the ceremony, but he would not wish to miss Borric's big moment. So, after resting a bit, procuring some more appropriate clothing and generally making himself look less like he has spent the last month living in the wilderness, he makes his way to Aldori estate once more. Surely this affair can't end worse than his last visit there, right? But just in case, he leaves his fine mithral shirt under his fancy new outfit, wraps his new magical shawl over it all and makes sure his sword scabbard if free of any entangling clothing.

I'm buying a set of Courtier's Outfit (30 gp) + minimum appropriate jewellery (50 gp). I'm hoping for an appearance of restraint rather than poverty here.

DM, ok if I assume Kael picked up the Shawl that was waiting for him at the outpost? He certainly has the cash for it by now, plus he can sell that expensive gift potion as well.

Elena made the trip back to Restov with the same care and disciple she had brought to all of her travels since joining the expedition.  Armoured and alert at the head of the party, she nevertheless allowed herself a little daydreaming.  Unlike Kael or the others, she wasn't fantasizing about good food or comfortable beds or even glory and reward.  Her dream was something much greater: the chance to wear a fancy dress!

She had spent months on end marching and riding in her battered armour, reeking of metal polish and grease (and occasionally blood.)  But finally she could look forward to picking an outfit where the main criteria wasn't "How well does this stop an arrow?"

Arriving in the city, Elena split off from the party and returned to the temple of Shelyn that had been her home for several years.  There she rested, cleaned herself up, and got her hands on a dress that managed to show off her impressive physique without being scandalous about it.  After some internal debate, Elena strapped a sword to her waist before she left to meet up with the group and make their fashionably late arrival.

OOC: Also buying a courtier's outfit (30gp), and upgrading to a golden symbol of Shelyn (100gp).

Caramip was excited to return to the city. She could catch up on the latest stories and tales and for a bard that was like milk and honey. She knew though that they could not appear in court as they were. Borric especially needed to look the part.

She would take him aside on the road there, "You'll need proper attire m'Lord. You'll need a set of noble's clothes, a signet ring and at least a hundred gold in jewelry. That's what the noble's will expect. Anything less and it will be considered an insult to them. We should be able to get the items once we arrive in town."

She would also approach each of the others and tell them the same. If they wanted to be accepted by the nobility they would have to act the part. First impressions were important they needed to look proper for the ceremony.

Once in town she would make a beeline for the clothier and jeweler shops. She needed such attire as well. She picked out a nice blue dress that had silver and gem flakes embedded in it for her noble attire. It showed more skin than she liked but the part had to be played. She then had the jeweler make her signet ring. She chose to have a hand rising out of the water holding a rolled up scroll to be her symbol. The water represented Lake Tuskwater and the Scroll Knowledge. To ensure that there would not be issues she also had CS incorporated into the arm where it rose from the water for her initials. She then picked out a set of gold earrings and a gold ring to finish the ensemble. She then went to a hairstylist and had her hair done up in the latest fashion.

She found her accommodations and left her adventuring gear in her room. She wondered if they would be attacked again, but it was important to keep up appearances. It was important to meet expectations and showing up in armor and decked out with arms when she was a bard would probably alarm the nobles. She kept her dagger on her belt as almost everyone carried a dagger and her belt pouch and spell component pouch. She had her quarterstaff in her hands as a walking stick, she wished she'd had enough to get something a bit nicer but she'd spent much of her gold on the required items, required by custom. She took the two ioun torches and put them in motion about her head. It would add a dramatic flair to her appearance.

She made her way to the hall and politely nodded her head at those she passed that were of station. She even gave a smile and a wink to the guards standing guard. She hoped that they would not be needed. The little haunts followed her though blowing her dress as though it were the wind and the dresses and tousers of anyone who got to close to her. She'd become accustomed the haunts, they'd been haunting her since the academy she thought but had certainly become more prominent in recent times.

"Proper attire?" Borric asked incredulously. "I figured that the armor could use a proper polishing and maybe some repair." After a short debate where Caramip made it clear that he needed to be "proper" and this would be the first of many future functions Borric would require his attention.

Borric tried several different styles and materials. Of course, his preference was to wear a chain shirt with several different shirts and overcoats. However, the tailors always tried to dissuade him from the direction Borric wanted. Caramip's voice whispered in his ear that the other nobles would frown on this choice. Finally, he settled on a simple noble outfit of black and silver. The style was from the previous season but it worked for Borric. A new signet ring rounded out his attire for the ceremony.

"If I can't wear armor, then I'm going to carry by sword." Borric smirked as he thought about how Caramip would probably disagree with his choice of wearing his sword.

OOC
Subtract 180 gold from the bank :)
This message was last edited by the player at 05:39, Sun 01 Aug 2021.

Dominique greets the company as they arrive, looking almost like a new man with a fresh shave, washed hair, and new clothes. Gone are his muddied leather armor and rough linen tunic and pants and in their stead are a finely woven, white cassock under a white, silk chasuble with gold embroidery of keys, vaults, and parapets placed thick along the edges and up his chest and finally a golden stole draped over his shoulders with plates of silver in the shape of keys weighing down each end. Also missing is the simple wooden key he had used as his holy symbol, now replaced by a golden one with silver filigree hanging around his neck. But as he moves, walking on his new brown leather shoes, the subtle sloshing of chainmail can be heard under his chasuble--as elegant as this affair may be, they are still in Restov. As the party enters the hall, the inquisitor smiles and offers, "Welcome back to Restov! I hope the road was kind and I didn't miss too much excitement!"

The party was properly attired and ready for the ceremony and attendance. Mayor Sellemius gave them a run down of the agenda on their way to the grand hall. They first half of the celebration was set aside for socializing. Getting this many nobles together was always a grand affair so there was plenty of time for people to connect and reconnect as well as allow time for late arrivals to make their grand entrances.

Around the mid afternoon would be the ceremony itself where the King-Regent would recognize the four new kingdoms along their southern borders. Representatives of the surrounding nations were also here to provide their endorsement (or potentially express their objections) and then would be the evening meal, wine, dancing and further socialization. It was expected this party would go late into the evening.

All in all the party would have a just a few hours before the ceremony to meet all the movers and shakers and influencers and ambassadors in attendance.

OOC: The breakdown is that each "round" lasts about an hour

2pm: Introductions. See [INFO] Movers & Shakers thread
3pm: Party Action
4pm: Ceremony
5pm: Party Action
6pm: Party Action
7pm: Party Action
8pm: Party Action & Dinner
9pm: Party Action
10pm: Party Action
11pm: Party Action
12pm: Party Action
1am: Party Action

And beyond that everyone is too tired or drunk or "busy" to be effective.

As you decide what you are going to do I will track the results here.

Diplomacy Tracker

Elena met Dominique's smile with one of her own.  "Dom!"  She exclaimed.  "I hardly recognize you without all the mud and blood and leather.  Though I guess I'm one to talk, since this is my first time in months going anywhere without thirty pounds of steel wrapped around me.  The road here was kind for once, though the trading post has a new resident that...well, I'm sure they'll interest you."  Her smile took on a slightly impish quality with that last detail, before she quickly changed the subject.

"But there'll be time for that later.  For now, we have work to do!  Have you met Artanix, the wandering priestess of Sarenrae?  I've heard some very interesting things about her..."

---

After the initial rounds of introduction had been made, Elena sought out Artanix at a quiet moment for a more meaningful talk.  "I've been meaning to ask your advice, as a priestess of the Dawnflower.  Back in the stolen lands, we've run into more than our share of thieves and killers and traitors.  And once we've knocked the swords out of their hands, most of them swear up and down that they'll change their ways if you give them a chance.  I imagine Sarenrae worshippers run into the same problem all the time.  How do you tell who's worth the risk of redeeming, and who's too far gone?"

Using Knowledge: religion to learn Artanix's motives.
15:47, Today: Elena Sazikova rolled 24 using 1d20+6 with rolls of 18.  Knowledge: Religion at Artanix.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:17, Fri 06 Aug 2021.