The mysterious siltwalker does not look at Angati when the oracle sits down next to her. If Angati wanted to spend the evening in silence, it looks like she made a wise choice. But then the masked lady speaks in a voice with a heavy Alphatian accent. "I have always thought that life is like a house with many windows, and death prowling around outside. People try to keep all the windows closed, but there is always one that they forget to secure... Would you agree?"

So perhaps not a good choice then after all...

Angati looked at the woman for a while, "May be so... but asking a stranger about death while wearing a mask feels a bit like asking that stranger to open one of those windows to you... have you considered that ?". She chewed on her steak, it was juicy, but it had gone cold, so it was probably not at its best... being one of the last tables to be served had that kind of issues.

"Anyway, I don't agree, many of us, don't give a rat's piss about closing windows any longer and so, I probably have a dozen of them windows open at this very moment. I've seen death approach me far too fast to my liking, but there comes a moment when speed becomes relative, and you just perceive time differently, concentrating only on closing obvious immediate windows that would be akin to suicide not to do"

"Anyway, I guess in your line of work, thats probably a subject that stays in your mind... mind if I ask you why you wear your full costume though?"

OOC: And how in hell does she eat in case she does ?.

"Amongst my people there is a saying, 'live life like you are already dead'. Death is nothing to be feared, and not a topic to be avoided." Diamondback smiles... slightly. It is hard to tell with the mask hiding her upper face.



"Yes, my performance comes with an element of risk. And as for my attire, my craft is not just an occupation for me - it is my life. I am always Diamondback the silt walker, no matter where I am and whom I am with. So I am not wearing a costume. This is who I am."



OOC: Well, the mask only covers the upper half of her face, but since you ask.

The crazy Alphatian performer eats only the tiniest scraps of food and looks disconcerted when Angati starts tucking into her cold steak - "I eat the flesh of no beast" offers up the strange lady when the oracle looks at her empty plate. She asks for a green tea from one of the serving girls, and sips it as the meal continues on around her.

OOC: No doubt she will go home and binge eat when nobody can see her. <shakes head sadly> It is so sad...

Just as Angati is starting to get sick of her dinner companion (or perhaps a little bit after really), a small, elderly halfling lady approaches her table.
This message was last edited by the player at 07:45, Thu 21 May 2015.

"I am Kora Whistlegap, and I am looking for Angati Lidu. Are you her?" she asks hesistantly. The wizened old halfling looks even older than the oracle.

"Oh... I am sorry if this is disturbing you.. I had no idea" said Angati as she set aside what little was left of her steak to one side "And what is your people if I may ask Mme Diamondback ? "

---

Angati was surprised that her surname was mentioned, and looked at the halfling for a little while before replying, "Yes, I am her... pleased to meet you Kora. What seems to be the problem ?" she said looking around to see if anyone was watching.

The performer looks pleasantly surprised when Angati senses her distress and stops eating. "I come from the Empire of Alphatia, far to the north-east. When I heard that you had forced the Thyatians out, I decided that I needed to come and see such a remarkable people for myself."

OOC: You can make a DC10 geography check if you want more info about Alphatia.

OOC: Secret roll made.

The rest of the party is in full swing and Angati doesn't notice anyone else watching them.

The old lady smiles. "My misstress, Lady Venderboren, asked me to deliver this letter to you." The little halfling hands over a crisply folded piece of paper with a fat wax seal closing it.

"Hmmm... I don't think I know of your people, but it it's true, my geographical knowledge is really lacking. I have passed all my life here, confined in a Library for the most part. As a people however, I don't find that we are so remarkable, and I have yet to find someone that gives me a proper account on why or how the Thyatians  left... for all I know as a fact, they might have left of their own will".

---

Angati looked again at the halfling as she extended the letter towards her. Still stranged by the whole situation, she simply said "Thanks", and took the letter, opening it and reading it right away while she eyed Kora and her own companions.

Diamondback nods. "Yes, it is a mystery. The official story of how Sasserine was freed is clearly utter nonesense. How could the twenty-three leading Thyatians and all of their families be assinated in one night? Could the Scarlet Brotherhood really do that by themselves? They can hardly organise getting up in the morning. And why would they do that? It didn't help in their attempts to bring Sasserine back into the old Empire in any measurable way." Diamondback eyes Angati's left over steak with a strange look in her eye. The oracle swears that she can hear the street performer's stomach rumble.

OOC. Feel free to continue the conversation with her or drop it as you wish. You can take untrained DC10 knowledge checks on some of the points if you wish.

---

Angati breaks the seal and reads.

Dear Madam Lidu,

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

Geography was not her thing, but local history and knowledge was quite another thing, Angati's mind raced through the books she had read and looked at about that exact period of time.

She also looked at the steak and looked wonderingly at Diamondback, but mentioned nothing

10:51, Today: Angati rolled 21 using 1d20+4. Knowledge History. (The roll is actually 1 less.. I should have rolled Local which is +3)

---

She folded her letter and looked at Kora, "Have my companions been made a similar proposition or is this only extensible to me ?."

Angati knew a lot about it - especially since her father had been so heavily involved with rebuilding Sasserine after the end of the Thyatian occupation.

The Empire of Thyatis had invaded and held the city under its sway for almost ninety years. They were only pushed out after the 'Night of Swift Knives' when all of the major Thyatian nobility were assassinated along with their entire households - women, children, guards, servants, livestock, nothing was spared. That was ten years ago.

The organisation calling itself the Scarlet Brotherhood claimed responsibility. They are a strange order of stateless monks from far to the west who desire to remake the Milenian Empire that was broken a thousand years ago. They claim that Sasserine was the furthest eastern outpost of that empire and should re-join it when the time was right. Rumour had it that the Scarlet Brotherhood had finally managed to topple some of the city states in the far west and the Milenian Empire was being reborn right now.

Angati's father, Worrin Lidu was playing a careful game of diplomacy, and the Scarlet Brotherhood were permitted to maintain an embassy of sorts in the city, but made it damn clear that Sasserine would not be joining any empire after so recently kicking out the last one.

Now that she thinks about it, it had always seemed strange that the Scarlet Brotherhood would be able to accomplish in one night what the people of Sasserine had been trying to do for centuries. Twenty-three families and everything associated with them? It seemed even less credible since the Scarlet Brotherhood epitomised the traits that the Milenian Empire had been famous for. Clever with language and machines, but overly excitable and with a sense of logic as curly as their alphabet. Although they could no doubt manage the assassination of the odd public figure, they were famously poor organisers and she couldn't imagine them achieving so much in such a short space of time.

Maybe one day, the true story behind the liberation of Sasserine would reach the light of day.
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:26, Sat 23 May 2015.

"They will be mistress, I have envelopes for the other three right here. You were just the first one I slapped eyes on."

Angati nodded, and looking at Kora she said, "Please tell your Mistress I am interested in hearing out her proposition"... she paused for a second "And please feel free to let the others know that I am accepting this, and would much honoured to continue working in their company, please ask them to let me know of their intentions before we leave".

She was curious to know how the others would react, and she would feel much better if they decided to drop by. Also, she wanted to be assured that they were also in the communication and it was not just her that was being setup, and thats why she had asked for the confirmation.

Kora thanks the oracle, and says she will follow her instructions, then heads off towards Logan. Diamondback also says her goodbyes. "Fare well Angati Lidu. And keep your windows closed as long as you can..." she says with what almost looks like a smile touching her lips. The strange stilt walker heads off towards an exit.

Her departure leaves Angati alone and free to join another table if she wishes.

Angati saw in a brief space of time, the only two people she had been talking too leaving her along in the table. "Farewell you also Master Diamondback, I hope to see you again".

Angati stayed for a little while longer on her table, and then decided to go towards Amerilde's table if there was a spot open there.. she wanted to ask her about her aunt now, and see what kind of payment she was thinking of for their services.

Diamondback's back stiffens at Angati's farewell, but she says nothing and continues onto the door.

OOC: I said before that Diamondback is a chick. Or did you make that comment just to piss her off? :D I guess it is hard to tell with the makeup and mask on, and her body shape was quite flat and mannish. She probably gets that mistake happening all the time.

We'll follow up with Amarilde after Alohan has had his shot. What do you mean 'her aunt'? Lavania Vanderboren is Amarilde Vanderboren's first cousin...
This message was last edited by the GM at 09:56, Tue 26 May 2015.

OOC: Ah, no, thats an error on language... I thought Master could be used for both fem and masc.

I don't know why I had thought that it was her aunt though...  *scratching my head now*

OOC: I think it is funny so we'll leave it in as an final insult to Diamondback. ;)

Before Angati can move and find Amarilde, the bride walks over to the oracle to say thank you. "...I hear that without the assistance of you and your friends I would still be locked in a chest and one of those horrible beasts would be standing here in my place - to think of it!" The young noble lady is in a giggly mood and drinks directly from a wine bottle she is holding.

OOC: The only Auntie around here is Angati. Doesn't she tell strangers that she is Worrin Lidu's spinster Aunt if they learn her family name?

OOC: That we said yes... you will see that I have real trouble with memory. I forget things far too fast.... damnit.
No ideas at this point... will try to post tonight or tomorrow :)

"To think of it indeed...." said Angati, quite sober herself, it was clear that this was just a spoiled brat that was used to getting her way no matter what, so it was pretty much no use pushing her with talk about her reputation... "Now, it's your wedding day and it will be far from me to criticise you, you have been through much, and you need a bit of a breath, ain't that right ?".

She waited for the answer from the girl, and then went on "Anyway, it seems like you are an intelligent girl and that you have a certain knack for getting into trouble, so... I was thinking that given these two things, you probably want to consider throwing in some money for those of us that have helped you through this, as it seems rather likely that you might have use of us again...".

"In fact, it seems that your family in general feels this way, for just now, your cousin Lavania, has contacted us to aid her in some matter or other... would you know anything about her, or this matter she speaks of ? I know you are the image of discretion, but given that she is not present here today, I am not sure if there is anything between you two that might or should pose an obstacle for us to work for her... or just the opposite, that should encourage us to take on her work..."

"Oh yes," answers Amarilde. "You wouldn't understand what it is like, you are old and don't expect much from life... I mean, you have had your fun times and they are behind you now, but I want to LIVE. To get out and spread my wings a little." She raises her arms out either side of her body to emphasize the point, takes another swig from the bottle, and then leans in to whisper to Angati. "Soren is so boring. He never drinks and he is always in bed by nine o'clock. He says that he needs to stay in tip-top shape for the arena. That's why a have to go down to the mermaid's secret. It is the only place I can be myself, you know, have a drink, dance a little, snort a little powdered zzonga... Shhhh! Don't tell my husband!" Giggles the young lady. She seems relieved to be able to tell dear old auntie Angati everything.



"Well, I don't have any money myself - that is why I am marrying Soren. But I will help you in other ways as I can and if we ever need capable people like yourselves then you all are top of the list." It doesn't look like Angati is going to get paid by Amarilde... Again...

OOC: But at least you get the +8 local or nobility knowledge check thing, as explained in the other thread. Isn't that just as good as gold?



"Cousin Lavinia? I am surprised. The Vanderboren family has had the 'Jade Ravens' on retainer for many years, they normally handle that sort of thing for them." Angati has heard of the Jade Raverns, they are Sasserines' most famous and successful adventuring group. Probably Sasserine's most expense adventuring party as well. "I don't know specifically what she wants you for, but she has had her fair share of troubles lately. Both of her parents were killed when their boat exploded in the harbor last month - that is why she said she couldn't come to the wedding - she is still in mourning. And then her brother, Vanthus, is a lay about good for nothing. But no, it is nothing that I know about specifically."

"I had wanted to ask you, do you know why did he wanted to steal your dress ?" she went on much softer "Do you guys have something still going on ?... be careful because we heard some nasty things about a Jade Dragon... anyway, it all feels a bit too complicated and I am feeling quite a bit tipsy, even if I don't look it... age is a pain in the ass... hell even the ass is a pain if you get my meaning... but still, all that mess left me really buffled and I hate feeling buffled, at my age, I start thinking I am going senile, so if any light you could shed on this would very much settle my mind and I'd be much obliged"

OOC: Ahem *Lotus Dragons* Damn it, my fault for making the mistake first.

So we have the following:

Lotus Dragons - a thieves guild in Sasserine that Vanthus and Soller Vark are somehow associated with
Jade Ravens - an adventuring party in Sasserine
Crimson Fleet - pirates who prowl the Sea of Dread
Scarlet Brotherhood - nationalistic maniacs that want to reform the Milenean Empire

"You mean Vanthus?" Amarilde looks crestfallen. "It was just a silly mistake. I mean, a series of silly mistakes. He can be charming, and fun, but he gets into such rages. I told him it was all over - especially since I was getting married - and he said I would regret it. But having my dress stolen? What a pathetic and petty thing to do! That is just so Vanthus." She shakes her head sadly.

"The Lotus Dragons?" She screws up her face. "I have never heard of them. Honestly! I would tell you otherwise! But it wouldn't surprise me if Vanthus was trying to get into some sort of gang. He missed out on the inheritance when his parents died and he is the type of guy who wants to find a shortcut to wealth. <sob> I regret ever meeting him!"

"I am sorry that you are baffled, but I can't shed any more light on it. I don't think the taking of my dress was connected to the gang. That was just Vanthus trying to get back at me and using one of his flunkies to do it."

Angati  thanked kindly Amarilde and just let go her attention letting it wonder to whatever her next whim was.

Amarilde wandered off, her melancholy soon dissipated by another drink from the bottle of red wine.

The young couple, Amarilde and Soren Toregson lived happily ever after... mainly because Soren was a heavy sleeper and Amarilde was free to sneak out any night she choose to go party

THE END

OOC: And morale of this story is?... Heck, I don't know.

See you in thread 1A!