Rowyn greets Celene with a warm smile and introduces herself as an entrepreneur and businesswoman. The dainty lady is a strange mixture of contradictions. She is exquisitely well groomed and wearing an expensive silk dress that puts Celene's to shame, but the sorceress can see a cluster of dark green tattoos on each shoulder beneath the shear fabric. Her thick red hair has been beautifully braided and threaded with ribbons, but her face bears a few small scars that suggest she has been in melee. And despite the poise and sophistication of her manners, her arms are well muscled and she moves with the grace of an expert swordsman.

Celene tries not to stare blatantly, but shows an obvious positive interest in the veiled tattoos. "I can hardly claim to be an expert in noble habits and manners, but I cannot remember seeing such impressive tattoos on a noble lady before. But then again, you hardly seem or act the ordinary noble. Is it not a shame to veil them so? May I ask what they they look like?"

Rowyn chuckles. "No, I am most certainly not like your average noble - let alone a noble lady! I get out and work for my living." She appears very happy to show Celene her impressive dark green tattoos. "The one on the right is a sea monster, to remind me that the Sea of Dread is not only the source of my families wealth but can be as much our enemy as our ally. My father was killed at sea, so I never want to underestimate its strength. The one on the left is just a pretty decorative pattern from the Pearl Island. Do you like it?"

Before Celene can answer, Alohan sits on the other side of Rowyn - the large warrior still has a disguised look on his face from his final encounter with Vrinn.

"Wow! Look at the size of you!" the tough looking noble lady exclaims. She introduced herself to the good looking native and suddenly seems to forget all about the sorceress sitting on her other side.

OOC: Alohan, you are sitting on Rowyn's left and get a good look at her 'Pearl Islands' tattoo. Make a DC10 local knowledge check if you want to try and identify it.

The food has just arrived on your table.

Alohan nods to Celene as he sits, not expecting to completely interrupt their discussion. Rowyn's attention brought a much needed distraction and Alohan wasn't one to not pass up an introduction. "Yes, yes. Dey be putting someding in the water. And ta dink, I be small by Nuari standards." Alohan glanced at her hand, hesitant. He took it none-the-less -a pretty smile was enough to throw caution into the wind.

"It is a pleasure Rowyn Kellani." He said, bringing her hand to his lips. He hesitated slightly before kissing her hand ever so gently. "I be Alohan Nuari, of Nuari Island, child of de Pehleh and of de Moana." He leaned back in his chair to give his server room to plate while smiling warmly at Rowyn. "Da ink ya be havin' makin' me think you ain't no stranger to ma lands." He started, delicately tracing her Nuari tattoo with a finger. He didn't stop think if it was improper -for the Nuari, tracing another's tattoo was a show of respect, even if it was on the opposite sex. "I be recognizing dis..." he began, focusing on his finger outline.

---

14:19, Thu 21 May 2015: Alohan Nuari rolled 20 using 1d20 ((20)).
Knowledge(Local): Looks like I know a great deal about this lady's tramp stamp.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:12, Thu 21 May 2015.

OOC: Oh Alohan, when will you ever learn? :D



OOC: Was that a natural '20'? Gee, maybe Nuari tattoos is the one thing that Alohan actually knows something about.

Alohan tries to think back to the tuition he received as part of the preparation for his royal duties. The design of the hundreds of different types of tatau and their meanings had definitely been part of that training, but it was useless, he had daydreamed his way through those lessons just like everything else. All he could figure was that the design related to some type of aquatic flower - a lily? a lotus?

Then the native searched his memories again, and a thought was trigged - a girl that he had been with. She had been so wild about searching the tidal rock pools of his home island and finding plants and animals, and she had always tried to teach him about them as well. He had really loved her - at least for that week until he had found somebody new as was his way. What had she showed him? But he kept getting distracted by memories of his time with her and the type of exploration that HE had been interested in. He remembered her body, and the bit of it which had been his favorite...

A sea urchin! That's what the tatau's triangles and wavy lines were meant to be! An animal that lives under the sea, it symbolizes strength that lies under the surface of something, strength that maybe can't be seen.

Rowyn beams at him. "Yes, I spent a little time on Dwair. It was a... prosperous trip for us, but the time was far too short to learn much about the people. I got this work done her in Sasserine. So you are from there?" She chews on her lower lip. "Tell me... what are doing in Sasserine? Are you looking for work?"

OOC: Dwair is the south-western most of the Pearl Islands and the one closest to the mainland, and furtherest from the capital on Nuari.

Rowyn has twisted around so that her back is totally to Celene now.
This message was last edited by the player at 10:58, Fri 22 May 2015.

As delicate as he could, Alohan continues to trace the sea urchin. The many spindles of line work were done in fascinating detail. Not that the Nuari tatau was in any way complex but there were subtle angles and designs one could imprint on the skin to make the piece come alive. This was no different. He wondered if it was done by one of his people.

"Dey be my islands, yes," he said, after a bout of concentration. "Dwair be but a stop on my travels and I never be lingering." The port town had always been a thorn in the Nuari side. His father went to great pains to keep foreign influence to a minimum, at least, enough so that the Nuari people remembered what they were. None-the-less, foreign pressure had made Dwair increasingly difficult to govern. Even Alohan's adventuring spirit avoided Dwair.

Sensing the conversation shifting, Alohan ceased his tracing. He readjusted his seat, shuffled his vest, and picked up an unfamiliar eating utensil. He looked at the arrangement of food in front of him, unsure if it was proper to eat. "I be... I be lookin' for work. Yes."

Rowyn sees his hesitation with the unfamiliar eating utensil and rushes to his aid. "Oh you are in for a treat. They are going to serve Sasserine lotus urchin - they only grow in our harbour and are quite different to the urchins you get in the Islands... And here they are..." A row of black spikey balls arrive in front of all the guests and are greeted to applause.

She picks up the eating contraption and places it in Alohan's hand tenderly. "First rule is, avoid touching the spikes because they are a little poisonous. If you get pricked, you'll feel sick for a couple of minutes and then weak for a day or so. So, see, grip it with the tongs here, and then bring the serrated edge up to slice its belly open. You have to be quick! Those little fellas are still alive and they'll try and crawl of your plate! Then use the screw part here to apply pressure and cut the whole way round, then fish out its reproductive organs. That is what we are after."

The sensuous redhead pulls out a mucky yellow egg sack and feeds it to big warrior with her fingers. "What do you think? I know you have something similar in the islands, but these are bigger and the river water gives a different taste I feel."

Yuck, I'm not making this up, it is all true.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GsVDVM-3Sa0

Next course - live monkey brains a la Indian Jones style

We'll have to do a 'fade to black' at some point because there is only so far I am willing to roleplay this!!! Although for plot reasons I think it is really handy.


When Alohan says he is looking for work, Rowyn smiles broadly. "Great! I run a lot of businesses in Azure district. Import and export. Insurance. Security services. Asset relocation. But things are getting crazy over there and we need help. Between you and me, the harbour master is past his time and a fool to boot." Rowyn looks down the table at the old sailor who is talking animatedly to Logan in between coughing fits.

"None of his children are capable of taking over his position so he is trying to live forever, meanwhile nothing gets done and rival gangs are ruining everything. I need someone capable of persuading the tough guys that we are not easy pickings and they should go somewhere else. Think you can do that?"

Alohan listens intently as Rowyn goes about educating him in the ways of urchin preparation. His pampered lifestyle meant the urchin was plated already cut, harvested and prepared. Furthermore, the Lotus Urchin was one the largest he had seen! Imagine his surprise when Rowyn placed it delicately in his mouth. There was no denying it- these were the best reproductive organs he had eaten and he had eaten a lot in his youth.

The native nodded his head in delight, licking his lips to savor every bit of the lotus's gonads. "Dis be de best kahunas, I be havin'," he said with a smile. He continued to be a student, all through dinner. Admittedly, he had felt a bit guilty Celene had been left, neglected and all but excluded from Rowyn's attention. But Alohan had another appetite to placate and Rowyn seemed a suitable partner.

After monkey brains (which he didn't enjoy to much), a roasted parrot, and a curious salad made of seaweed, papaya, guava, & dragonfruit, Alohan had eaten his fill. He had enjoyed Rowyn's company and continued to pour as much charm as he could muster. He relied on his wit and humor, as he had countless times before, complimenting her on her physique and mind when appropriate and allowed.

When the topic of work re-emerged, and Rowyn offered him a job, Alohan had to pause and consider. He had no idea why he was in Sasserine -or what he wanted to accomplish- but one thing was certain -Alohan didn't want to hurt people needlessly, even if was good at it. Yet the idea of being close to Rowyn and helping her with her problems did appeal to him. Sure, he didn't know the woman but this would give him the opportunity to find out more about the city, its people, and its troubles, even if he had to crack some heads.

"I dink I would like dat Rowyn Kellani. But I be makin' friends here. Very resourceful people dat can be doing you well. Celene" he says, gesturing to the lady to her side. "And dat boy talking to da coughingmaster. Angati, an older woman but young at heart. And Remmi! My loyal retain- ahh. hoaloha. I be dinking we all could do ya some good. If dey be interested."
This message was last edited by the player at 17:01, Mon 25 May 2015.

OOC: :D Quite a feast! You almost make the reproductive organs sound tasty!



The tattooed noble lady shakes her head. "Oh, no. I don't need so many. The job offer is for you alone. You would be a sort of... personal assistant for me, well, unless the other team members have specialist skills? Can any of them use magic?"

The rest of Rowyn's questions are cut off as Amarilde comes over to their table and sticks her head on the other side of Alohan. The newly married lady seems in high spirits and her slightly slurred speech shows she has been enjoying the wine.

"I just have to steal him away from you Rowyn! For a second I mean!" The bride smiles broadly. "Alohan. I have had the days events more clearly explained to me and it appears that I owe you and your team a large debt of gratitude. First of all you save my dress... yes, admittedly you were responding to the request of one of those changelings, but still you went all the way into Shadowshore to get this fine garment back. And then you volunteer to investigate the false accusations of me being at that retched tavern - which lead to you saving me from a fate worse than death! Thank you, thank you, thank you!" Amarilde throws her arms around him and plants a kiss on Alohan's lips. The native looks over her shoulder, but the groom is too busy describing his latest match in the gladiatorial arena to his fighting buddies to notice.

"If there is ever anything that I can do for you, please just let me know," says Amarilde as she releases the hug and wobbles on her feet a bit. "Whoops! I need more wine to rebalance myself. Waiter!" Rowyn looks on with a bemused expression on her face.

OOC: Congratulations! The party now has been granted a BOON from this NPC. Amarilde can take local knowledge or nobility knowledge checks on behalf og the party at +8. She also has expert knowledge of what the nobility 'rat pack' are up to - these are the young nobles who prowl the hard drinking establishments of the lower districts in the city.

Amarilde's approach and subsequent eager behavior had caught him off guard. Tried as he might, he felt the lady was being deceitful. After all, all of his encounters with the woman were the product of Face Changer manipulation. Who could blame his hesitation? Furthermore, the uncanny resemblance meant either the Face Changers had done their research on the lady or Amarilde was as flirtatious as he was lead to believe.

Alohan allowed himself to be the recipient of her advances, casually turning his focus away from Rowyn as respectful as he could. "No problem, ko'u aloha," he began, calling her by a familiar title. "If only ya be askin' prior to being married, maybe da debt could be paid. Now it be to late!" He would never learn.

Amarilde leans in with a conspiratorial whisper. "Ah well, Soren is early to bed and a heavy sleeper to boot. Maybe we can find a way to repay that debt some day..." the girl trails off with a wink before leaving the table and heading over to Angati.

OOC: It looks like Vrinn and his life-companion weren't trying to make Amarilde look bad, they were just trying to act like her.

Rowyn smiles as the young lady leaves. "Oh Amarilde. She will never change I fear. So... you were explaining about your friends' abilities?"

The Nuari Prince lingered on Amarilde for a few seconds after she made her departure, watching her hips sway and her flirtatious behavior extend to other tables. He grinned at her proposition but didn't actually think anything would come of it. Rowyn was right, Amarilde would never change.

"Well, I not feelin' good talking for ma companions but yes-" he said, looking at Celene, "dey be havin' some magiks. I know not much of it. Ya be better servin' asking dem directly. I know Celene here and Angati be havin' the ability to put bad men ta sleep. And much more I suppose." Alohan shrugged, looking between Celene and Rowyn.

"I can't be speaking for dem -and if ya not be havin' dem. But I be interested in working for you Rowyn Kellani. But me kupunakane always be sayin'- sleep on de big decisions." He left the comment hang especially if Rowyn was interested in keeping him awake.

Celene sat pondering the entire event, finding it bothersome, too loud, and not her style. She could not help smiling and shaking her head in Wonder at Alohans antics, and the woman circling him, more than happy to play along. She was starting to get to know him, and understood that that was his way.

However, she certainly did not feel like being part of it. At the same time, she did not really like this woman, Rowyn. A growing bad feeling in her guts told Celene to avoid her. Pretending to not hear the conversation turning towards her over the din of the party, she pushed away the remnants of her curious meal, and strolled off. She passed by Logans table, nodding lightly to the half-elf who had found pleasant company in the old man.

Grabbing a goblet of some strange, sparkling fluid from a tray, she wandered around the hall, comtemplating in solitude.

Alohan notices that Celene has already left the table, so there is no risk of her discovering that he is gossiping about her.

"Hmm... so they speciallise is enchantments? Well that could be useful - they can be used to help persuade people as well as put them to sleep."
Rowyn looks over at the young sorceress thoughtfully, and ignores Angati. OOC: Because she is old...



The conversation is interrupted again by a small old Halfling lady that appears at Alohan's side.
This message was last edited by the player at 09:45, Thu 28 May 2015.

"Excuse me, I am Kora Whistlegap. Are you Alohan Nuari?" she asks. When the warrior answers to the affirmative, she hands over a sealed note that reads as below:

Dear Alohan Nuari of the Pearl Islands,

My name is Lavinia Vanderboren and I am the cousin of Amarilde who is getting married this very evening. I hear that she owes the success of her wedding to you and your companions, and that you helped her overcome some problems with Mister Vark. I have been having some comparable issues that I think you could help with. Could you meet with me at my estate on in the Merchant's District at eight o'clock tomorrow morning? I think I can present you with an opportunity uniquely suited to your skills. Please inform my servant, Kora, of your response to my invitation.

I hope to be speaking with you soon.

Lavinia Vanderboren


When Alohan finishes reading, Kora adds. "You companions Angati and Logan have already indicated that they are interested and will attend Lady Vanderboren tomorrow morning at the requested time. What do you say?"

Rowyn looks on in interest.

Celene's solitude is short lived as an elderly Halfling lady walks up to her from the direction of Alohan's table and greets her.

"Good evening Miss. I am Kora Whistlegap, head of household for Lady Vanderboren. Are you Celene of the Temple of Wee Jas?"

Alohan proceeded to read the note (yes, his royal blood could read) casually folding the piece when finished. It would seem his skillset was in demand by multiple parties, none of which particularly excited him. Sure work would be nice. He could make a bit of a name for himself, possibly new friends and allies here in Sasserine. But his idea of staying here in Sasserine was less employment and more enjoyment. "Guess one has to work hard to play hard," he thought to himself.

He was curious how Rowyn would feel sharing his employment interests but decided to leave the discussion for another time. He hoped she wouldn't have a problem with him meeting Lavinia in the morning, especially when his companions were involved. "Inform ya masta I be attendin'. And de oders if ya can."

He turned to Rowyn, leaning in close. "Where we be? Yes -my companions."

Alohan continued to discuss Logan, Celene, and Angati -albeit minor details. His reactions when meeting them, his first impressions, and even how he felt about them. Alohan took care to leave most of what they been through out. Any questions regarding the wedding dress and subsequent journey to Barge End was quickly met with a change of topic. Even his engagements with the Face Changers were left undefined. While he trusted Rowyn, he didn't want to betray his companion's more.

With the festivities continuing through the night, Alohan made sure to keep close to Rowyn, passing the time flirting and talking.

The night passes in a whirl of drinking and dancing, getting increasingly crazy as time progresses. When Rowyn finally suggests that Alohan come back to her mansion to see her 'pet sea urchin', the native enthusiastically agrees.

And FADE TO BLACK

Somehow he still manages to wake at dawn. Rowyn is lying beside him, sleeping deeply on her stomach with her red hair now unbound from its pony tail and spread out over the bed. Her room is peculiar somehow. It is cluttered with objects from her childhood all covered with a thick layer of dust as though she doesn't really spend much time there.

Alohan manages to extract himself from the room and her large house without waking her, with a polished ease that comes from many years of experience.

OOC: See you in thread 1A