Alex saw Kendrick by the door as he entered, and recognised his as one of the few likeminded people here.  There was Cyrus, of course, but he was busy with his wife and doing ‘noble’ stuff, but Kendrick was an old friend.  Her father had given him Nugget, a war horse that she had trained, and she had spent a couple of weeks with them, making sure that the two got along, before returning home.

Then she made he made her way through the crowd.  At 5’4” she would be difficult for him to see, but it was easy to keep track of the tall knight in his smart white uniform.  She wore a simple ankle length dress,  it was pale green and was decorated by a few cross-stich motifs.  Stepping out from the crowd, she approached and called to attract his attention.  “Kendrick.”  Her voice was strong and the call clear as she closed the distance, “How are you?  I am sure father would have sent his best wishes …  actually, I suspect he would have found a reason to come down here himself, if  he had known there was going to be a party.    How’s Nugget?” she asks in a sudden switch away from courtesies.

Kendrick turned to find the person that called his name. He scanned the small group, until he saw the auburn haired woman approach. He quickly lowered his glass, "What a surprise." He quickly recovered his composure, "Lady Ledkno, happy to see you here." He tried to bow gracefully. "I'm sure that the newlyweds would appreciate Lord Ledkno's blessings during this time. I'm well all things considered. We all let out a sigh of relief when the conflict in Brevoy didn't lead to anything major..."

"Nugget? He is doing quite well. He is a formidable force in battle." Kendrick answered with a smile. "How are you? What brings you to Tusk?"

“Alex.  Alex is fine.”  She says with a slight frown.  “I came down to look at the Kenson ranch.  Always good to keep an eye on the competition,” Then, with an obvious air of satisfaction, she adds  “Not a patch on the stock we produce, of course.  And not up to Zorah’s standards either.”

Draining the last of the wine from her glass, she looks around for a servant, and then takes another glass as it is presented.  “Stopped in to see Bai and the youngster on the way home, and picked up an invite.  Can’t miss a party when it is on your doorstep. Eh? …  Had to pick this dress up in town and they didn’t have time to do much with it.  No chance to get anything more suitable.”  She leans in slightly and confides, “And these bloody shoes are killing me.”

Then, resuming a more public tone, she continues,   “I hear you are Marshal of this place now?  Maybe I should be calling you Lord Kendrick?” She asks with a twinkle in her eye.

Alisa spotted Lord Marshal Kendrick, chatting with the red head, in a sidelong glance and smiled to herself.  She also caught sight of another familiar figure, and opted to make her way over to him.

"Hello Bishop de Lebeda," she hailed him.   He was of course also the Chancellor-Dominus of Tusk.  But herself a cleric, his religious station held greater significance in her perspective.

"A pleasure to see you again.  I wanted to tell you, I was much impressed by your insights and approach at the Midmarch Religious Council.  Your thoughts were both well reasoned, and well presented." 

In reply to _ Alex Ledkno (msg # 11):

Kendrick didn't take a second glass when the servant switched drinks with Alex. He gave the servant a nod as the servant took his empty glass. He didn't make a comment about the dress. Be it from a fancy shop or otherwise, it seemed the same to him. "Sorry, you should change the shoes if they hurt. It's the same as you would any horse." His betrayed the fact that he would be concerned about proper footwear.

"Please, Kendrick. Lord Kendrick can be reserved for my men and those that seek titles to hide behind. Kendrick is fine between friends." He accepted a few hors d'oeuvres on a plate. He offered an item to Alex, "This is interesting." He said as he picked up an item.

Robert arrives at the celebration dressed in his finest, which at the moment included a short vest in the military style. As the wedding itself had taken place in his (and Lord Adoven's) Sword School it had seemed only right to invite him to the celebration. Adoven had recently gifted him with a new wardrobe 'as befitted his station', which seemed an odd turn of phrase to Robert. Almost as if he were being groomed for something better. When he saw the smiling bride, and the equally joyous expression on the normally dour groom, he left such musings behind him as he went forward to offer his official congratulations to the pair. He nodded to the Bishop as he passed nearby, promising himself to attend services when he wasn't juggling about a dozen responsibilities.

"They're new as well." she says referring to her shoes.  "I didn't have anything suitable with me, and no time to get something made.  They'll do.  Just so long as I don't have to muck out a stable in them ..."

Alex takes the nibble offered to her, and eats it in one mouthful. "That reminds me that I missed lunch."  She looks around to see that the buffet is open.  "Come on, we might be able to get something more filling there ...".  With a glance over her shoulder to Kendick, the horse woman starts to weave her way through the other guests towards the food.

Andalon smiled at Alisa's greeting.

"Greetings to you too, Priestess Medvyed-Solanus, and congratulations again on your marriage. I hope you and Domitius are blessed with a long and happy life together.

"Thank you for your kind words regarding my contribution to that discussion. Lets just say I realised how important it would be to back the winner, but even I didn't realise it was a three horse race. I shall be eternally grateful for Henry's instinct to protect what we have all built here in Midmarch and Tusk.

"But you deserve as much credit, if not more, for the way you stepped forward at that duel. That took more courage than any speech I ever made."

She smiled, nodded.  "Courage is the nice of way putting it.   So thank you for that.  You know, the fellow who became my husband, there's some list of things he's very, very passionate about.  The Aldori cause and code, and his personal honor, are fairly high on that list.  So I don't think anything less would have swerved him." She smiled again. "Sometimes, things do unfold as we hope. And I'm grateful this was such an instance." She took a sip of her own wine.

"How fares Abadar's church?  Business as usual? Or have you undertaken any new projects?"

"New projects?" Andalon responded thoughtfully. "I will tell you where we are up to and you can decide what is new to you.

"The cathedral in Tusk is complete and our bank is well established here too. We have established a regional market already in Cheapside and intend to see that grow to a great market as soon as possible. We have established a shrine at Kunlun in Midmarch and will probably build a chapel there in the next year or so, if Henry is agreeable.

"Beyond that we have no firm plans but I think it would be appropriate to establish a network of other shrines or chapels in other settlements in Midmarch, over time."

"One other idea I have been giving thought to recently is to build a museum here in Tusk - somewhere to collect and display items that remind us of the significant events, battles, journeys and discoveries that have helped to shape Tusk and Midmarch. Perhaps that should be located close to Iomedae's Library in the College District to facilitate study and research?"

Andalon paused and looked at Alisa.

"But what about you? Do you have further plans for Sisters of the Moon, or will you be turning your attention in a different direction now that you are wed?"

She'd gone for something a little more reserved- after all, one didn't go upstage the bride at a celebration of her marriage, after all- but it might have been a little daring, all the same (though it wasn't the most daring dress in her wardrobe by a long shot, that was for certain).  This was Alisa and Dom's party, their occasion, and well... it would be rather rude to try and upstage her family like that.

But still, it was blue, and she felt that she did look pretty good...

Swiping a glass of wine off a passing server's tray, she simply let a breath out- and tried the wine.

...it was an okay vintage- maybe a little too dry, a little too tart- but at least it would keep her from going too deep- and besides, it was usually her time to mingle- that, and maybe see what else was going on and who else was here.

Though she did get a bit of a chill- with Alisa off the market, so to speak, what did that mean for her...?  Thoughts of a day much like this but for her flickered through her mind... and she couldn't say it was altogether unpleasant... but... still...

She would find a nice little space to wait- people were in conversation, and the last thing she wanted to do was just barge in... and people much, much more important than her seemed to be ahead of her.

The half-orc looks impressive.  Not particularly attractive, his tusks and flat nose get in the way of 'attractive', but certainly impressive - tall and well muscled, he fills his traditional style suit very well.

His suit is a bit old-fashioned though, and might even be second hand - and it looks like he has put on a few pounds since it was fitted for him.  But even that is impressive if, perhaps, for the wrong reasons.  It is purple with yellow frogging and trim - Big Job certainly stands out from the crowd.

Alisa listened while the bishop briefly described the church's most recent endeavors. Then smiled again once he concluded.

"I'm most fond of that little library.  For it was there by chance - or maybe providence - that I first met Domitius.  And I agree; a museum nearby would be wonderful!  I very much hope you go ahead with that."    Then answered his question:

"My plan is to continue to expand Sisters, yes.  I somewhat recently acquired an aide whose position it is to manage the business.  She has a better mind and background for it than I do.  Sisters was founded to serve a purpose - beyond magical supply to the community -  and that purpose has not changed with my being wed.  Will never change."  She put her hand over the holy symbol that hung at her throat.

"We are both clerics, bishop, but my situation is much different from yours.  Many consider the goddess I serve to be dead. If they even remember her at all.  But I can attest she still exists, and wields influence.  I will see a temple reared in her name -- that is the purpose and the plan I have held for years, since I first came into her service. To the east of Tusk lie untamed lands which Domitius has plans to civilize.  He suggested the western shore of Lake Silverstep as the temple's locale, and it struck me as very perfect.   Sisters of the Moon is a source of capital for this; as will be any other business I might start."    She smiled a bit diffidently and wryly.

"Dedication and passion aside, and even with Domitius' considerable aid, I'd be a liar to claim I'm not in over my head.  And you are bishop of the most prominent faith and church within these lands.  Needless to say, if at some point you've got any particular advice, then I'm all ears." 
This message was last edited by the player at 01:27, Tue 29 Sept 2020.

Pipre seldom failed to rouse herself from the vapors of her laboratory when she receives an invitation from Bai. She felt she could get away with her peculiarities and sometimes antisocial behavior as long as she kept on Bai's good side. She had no idea if she was managing that, after all.

The knife-edge problem of guessing how she should dress was made harder by the fact that she did not know the bride. In the end she decided to sidestep the question all together and wore a very fine, long-tailed coat with wide lapels and collar, embroidered cuffs, and big shiny buttons. She pulled her ink black hair into a braided and wound bun and gave herself a clean and fresh application of cosmetic. Under the coat is a neck ruff to hold her shirt collar together and up against her neck, an underbust corset, and tight, tailored trousers tucked into expensive leather ankle boots.

She didn't tone down her usual texture of jewelry and piercings. She finalized her look with a fine ebony cane with a hematite hand-cap.

After saying her requisite hellos and nodding to those who needed to be nodded to she dropped off an envelope with the appropriate valet.

Pipre is happy when she has a chance to try the drinks. As suspected the wine was much improved by an infusion of brandy from a flask hidden in her coat. Perhaps she suspected Kiera's expression was from the wine, as well, since Pipre makes eye-contact with Kiera and offers a clandestine pour from her flask. "Good day, I don't believe we've been acquainted. I'm Pipre, nice to meet you."

Deciding that a martial look was appropriate, given his new standing in the community, Adoven, accompanied by his stunning wife, arrived in a carriage. Despite his elevated station, the carriage was unadorned by gilt and brocades, but was nonetheless clean and sharply painted. He decided against an ostentatious display of wealth, just as he downplayed his burgeoning skill as a duelist. His military style short coat was vermillion, with grey trousers sporting a blue stripe. His ruffled shirt was adorned by tasteful jewelry, enhancing the picture he presented without overshadowing his adored wife. He entered the busy party, murmuring to his wife "see? Not too late, but late enough to be noticed and noted. All brides should be the center of attention at their own party, but you shine as a full moon on a cloudless night." They entered the milling crowd, seperating todo their individual hob-nobbing. Adoven drifted towards the military and explorer cliques.

Maple had never worn something so pretty. She'd never worn a dress before, there were always more important things to spend their money on. The pale yellow dress contrasted nicely with the half-elves bluish tinted skin as she wrung her hands in gingham skirt nervously. It was nothing fancy really but to her it was the prettiest thing. Walking in and seeing the nobles and their splendour and glamour she shrunk even further. Did she underdress? Would they even take her seriously? She smiled nervously at her sister and entered the wedding.
They had not been in the area long and figured that the perfect opportunity to make new connections for their plans would be this event. And so she'd left Duke at home to watch the cows and bought a dress. She glanced around and recognized Pipre, curtseying towards the lord in his fancy dress as he came out of his carriage she quickly absconded towards the familiar face.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:30, Fri 25 Sept 2020.

In reply to Maple (msg # 24):

Minia followed her sister as she often did, looking positively scrubbed. She luxuriated for most of the day, cleaned and washed and combed until she was sure she was looking as well as could be. She'd polished her sword and buckles and boots, she'd braided what hair she had and dressed in a modest but well made dress, looking like a particular favourite lady's maid more than an attendee in her own right.

She felt naked without her weapons or armour, and often clutched at her side as if to rest a hand on her blade only to find an empty scabbard.

When her sister curtsied she went to bow, but remembered herself and curtsied after a moment, the whole motion horrifying to watch.

"So, shall we try and meet these nobles? Together, or separate, you and I?"

She looked to Maple

"Seems to be a lot of rich foods going round. Hope I don't get an upset stomach, I can't well run to the privy in this."

In reply to Adoven Lodovka-Sud (msg # 23):

"Well I certainly enjoyed being late, dear lord husband."

Viktoria was dressed in blue to contrast her husband's vermillion, with a silver belt and necklace both accented in green bloodstone carved in the shape of crabs. Her short hair was up in a chignon (trickery with her shorter locks that might confuse some of those unused to noble ladies' hair,  but not most) and instead of swords and axes she carried a small wood box.

Viktoria moved among the guests with some grace even in these uncertain clothes, a time spent in motherhood and ladyship keenly training her to moved in her skirts, as she separated from Adoven with a peck on the cheek to place box on a side table for Thaddeus. The silver holy symbol of Iomedae was not anything lavish or ornate, the date of the wedding in the duelling salon inscribed on the back in the Brevoy style. But a small gift to the officiate was expected.

A younger, more impetuous Viktoria would have quaffed ale and challenged all and sundry to boasts, challenges of strength and games of words. She'd have intoned the name of Gorum and insisted a wedding without a fight was a dull affair, but the elder Viktoria knew better. Besides, Gorum would have his fill soon enough, and there was always a fight at a wedding anyways.

Filtering to Pipre the Lady of Lodovka-Sud moved beside her former partymate and held out a wine glass just a finger below its normal fullness

"You still have any of the stronger stuff?"

Tatyana stepped into the large hall like she was supposed to be there. Which couldn't have been farther from the truth. But she'd learned that ninety percent of fitting in at things like this was about making everyone believe you belonged. So when she heard of the party of the year to celebrate a wedding, well she wasn't going to miss it, was she?

So she dressed in the best finery she could manage. A low cut strapless number that showed just a little too much cleavage (not to mention thigh and bicep), with a fur cape and matching boots. She even had her nails done and hair died a vibrant shade of purple for the occasion.

So when her eyes met Big Job's she knew her game was up. She rolled them and scoffed, then walked up to the big half-orc and rolled her eyes at him.

"You know, you're making it very difficult to crash the party of the year. Seeing as you know me and almost certainly know I wasn't invited. But it would be just so cliche for us to cause a scene, two half orc fighting as one throws the other one out. So I suppose you'll just have to play along. Want a drink? On me?"

She hoped it was an open bar.

Without a question, she holds out her glass for the addition.

"Heh.  Looks like we already agree about one thing.  I should have brought a little applejack, or something- anything to improve the wine.  I love Ali, I really do, but I wish she would have taken me up on the offer to let the Nectar provide at least some of the booze."

She'd nod, taking a sip of the resulting mix, and nodding approvingly.

"Thanks for that... Kiera's my name- Kiera Raincutter-Solanus.  I think we're kind of competitors, hehe- I run the Nereid's Nectar, out in Lakeside."

She'd give the suited woman a sly grin.

"And I do think I'm more than a little familiar with your place of business, yes."

"Maple, Minia, what a lovely pair of flowers you are. A helianthus and a rhododendron I would say. It's very good to see you." Pipre presents an easy smile.

Pipre turns her head and extends her smile to Vik as well. "Of course, darling. At the very least I could spike a punch bowl by dribbling in it. I won't have to go to those measures, though," she says, emptying more of her flask into Vik's glass. "And how are you and your husband?"

With a good natured laugh Pipre responds to Kiera as well, "No no, I wouldn't consider us competitors. A slackening appetite for one thing can be whetted with the sampling of another. I'm happy just knowing there are enough revelrous people to go around and, in any case, I've been spending more of my time in the laboratory than the Bottled Undine. A master alchemist once said that there is no reward for half-measures in alchemy but a practitioner who masters the art has everything to gain."

"I'm not sure I am supposed to be here, either" Big Job replies quietly "But I know all the top guys well enough that they won't chuck me out. And what is a party without a gate crasher or two?"

Then the half-orc stops a passing server and returns his empty wine glass.  "Bring me a Mug of ale, will you.  I never did go much on wine.  There's not enough of it in the glass.  What do you want, Tatyana?  I am pretty sure they will have it.  Won't you?" He says turning to the hapless waiter, not really giving him a chance to respond. The waiter just nods resignedly.

When Tatyana has ordered, and the waiter has left to collect their drinks, Big Jog starts telling Tatyana who the people are.  "That's Dom and Alisa,  the bride and groom.  It was a bit of a crossbow-wedding.  He was just about to start a duel when she walked in and announced that she was pregnant.  They got married then and there in the duelling salon.  She is a priestess of some dead goddess, and he is a merchant and businessman.

Henry and Bai, they own Midmarch!  I think he was a viscount now.  Nothing but a merchant when he came out here.  She was one of his recruits, who finished up marrying the boss.  He's not a bad sort, he didn't have me killed when he could have.  Gave me this instead."  He holds up his left hand to show a scar in a cross shape. "You should have heard Lex squeal when we was branded," he adds with a chuckle.

"Now that Pipre,  she owns the Bottled Nymph and is my boss.  She is also an alchemist and a city councillor.  She's talking to Kiera, she's a bit of a newcomer, but she has set up a pub called the Nerid's Nectar over in lakeside.  Not as classy as our place, but going along the same sort of lines.

Adoven and Vik are the most successful merchants in the city, and almost as rich as Lord Henry.  Andalon is also on the town council and is Bishop of Abadar's cathedral.

Oh, and I saw Kendrick earlier on.  Marshal-Dominus of the city council.  He went off into one of the quiet rooms with a redhead that I don't know."

When the waiter returns with his ale, Big Job quaffs about half of it down, almost as if all this talking is thirsty work.

Only newly arrived in the area, Rana wasn't completely certain whether attending the celebration of marriage for people she didn't know was considered bad form or not.  However, where she was from, everyone in the town would have been welcome at such a celebration - whether they were resident or just passing through - so the decision to attend was made for her.

Rana knew that nothing which she currently owned would be suitable, so she had gone in search of a shop where she could buy something new - or second-hand without spending too much of her savings.  With regard to the fashionability of her choice, she couldn't say for certain, but it fit well, wasn't too expensive (Rana thought it was probably several seasons out of style) and was the most beautiful pale peach in colour.  The dress was high-waisted and straight, the hem skimming the ground without quite touching it, but with enough fabric so that Rana's movement wasn't restricted.  It had a square-necked bodice, which fit snuggly over her chest, but not obscenely so, and the sleeves were cap-style, leaving her arms bare. There were no embellishments on the dress itself, although the only adornment which Rana had let herself be talked into was a contrasting shade of ribbon, which was wrapped around the dress, at the join of bodice and skirt, tied in a small bow.  Rana had been tempted to purchase a pair of light court shoes, but because the dress was floor length she had opted to wear her comfortable riding boots instead.  Rana had toyed with putting her hair up, but had decided on leaving it down, her brown locks flowing in natural waves to just past her shoulders.

It felt like there were butterflies in her stomach as she arrived at the hotel for the party.  Rana was used to meeting and mingling with a variety of people whom she didn't know and did her best to keep reminding herself of this fact and that she knew how to speak to strangers of all stations.  With a deep breath, Rana entered the hotel as if she was supposed to be there and followed the noise to where the party was taking place.  Taking a steadying breath, she opened the final door and entered the room, pausing momentarily on the threshold to take in the scene before her and scanning for anyone she might know.

Luckily one of the wait staff was passing close by, allowing Rana to claim a glass of wine for herself before she proceeded further into the room.  She spied Tatyana and Big Job to one side and decided to make her way over to them.

Her smile shone brightly as she greeted the two of them.  "I love what you've done with your hair, Tatyana.  It suits you."  She turned her attention to Big Job, "Looking good as well."

Adoven spies Robert and crosses over to him. In low tones they greet one another and after a few seconds of conversation, Adoven claps his hand on Robert's shoulder and says "you're doing fine, lad. Try not to be so nervous. Just a couple of years ago, I was of lower station than you'd believe. One day I'll tell you about it, but for now..." He joins Robert in a drink, then shoos him away to mingle. Adoven spots Andalon and saunters over to him. He tells Andalon "Cayden's Blessing on the open bar..." as he spots Alisa standing behind the prelate. "ah, the lovely bride. When I heard what you did in my School, I nearly fell over laughing. I don't think I've ever heard of a duel being stopped so abruptly and uniquely. My congratulations" he says, aware of the double meaning of the phrase. "I couldn't help but hear something of your plans. You plan a venture near Silvertop Lake? I myself hope to establish a keep, possibly a shipyard, in Candlemere. I had wondered if any were going to establish settlements to the east. Save for the cyclopes, I don't know what cities or civilizations exist out that way. Do you?"

Minia smiled broadly, nodding at Pipre's words before a quizzical look came across her face and she whispered to her sister

"Those . . . are flowers, right?"

She gave another curtsy

"And you look as radiant as a rose mallow, Miss Pipre. Fine work on all that corseting. And a lovely coat besides."



Keeping the smile, Minia moved slightly back to allow Pipre and Vik the chance to speak, and let Maple take the lead from here.