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17:20, 28th March 2024 (GMT+0)

Chapter 2, Part 2:  Scarlet.

Posted by ZagFor group 0
Zag
GM, 400 posts
Wed 18 Jan 2023
at 05:10
  • msg #1

Chapter 2, Part 2:  Scarlet

Scarlet heads out of the palace, towards the tent city that is growing in the empty space surrounding the palace walls.  She wanders to the area she understands that the knights from Skopje are supposed to be staying.  The tents are clearly in groups, generally surrounding a collective cookfire.  She narrows her search down to three such groups, and then has to come up with a strategy for finding the right one.
Zag
GM, 407 posts
Thu 19 Jan 2023
at 18:16
  • msg #2

Chapter 2, Part 2:  Scarlet

Recap:  Scarlet's assignment is to learn what she can about the knights of Skopje who have arrived for the Olympic games, because Idalaiz suspects that one of them is a Gaulic assassin.  The three knights have traveled together and brought their retinues, including their families, and are living in the tent city outside the Palace.

The approach is to disguise herself as younger than she is, by a few years, and befriend a 10-year-old girl who travels with the group, presumably the daughter of one of the knights.  As part of the disguise, Idalaiz has arranged for Countess Brennalia Delfini to pretend that Scarlet is her cousin, from the island of Corcyra, where the Countess is originally from.  Scarlet has taken the name Naiada Penapolous as her cover, and now needs to find the young girl from Skopje and befriend her.
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:17, Thu 19 Jan 2023.
Scarlet d'Ardelle
player, 180 posts
Age:14 | Barton's bastard
"Naiada Penapolous"
Sun 29 Jan 2023
at 19:32
  • msg #3

Chapter 2, Part 2:  Scarlet

...Scarlet's stragegy boils down to wandering into one of the tents, randomly picked, and see if she can hear anyone speaking with the right accent, or any girls that fit the description. She herself is chafing under the tight corset that makes her look four years younger, hopefully, trynig to keep the big-eyed innocent face that she imagines she had when she was the right age. A lifetime ago!
Zag
GM, 419 posts
Mon 30 Jan 2023
at 04:09
  • msg #4

Chapter 2, Part 2:  Scarlet

Scarlet walks through the tent city that is rapidly become crowded.  As she loses sight of the palace gates, she realizes how vulnerable she is, with so many strange people from strange lands mixed in a chaotic mess.  She tries to walk confidently, but also to stay in sight of at least one of the palace's guard towers, as she listens for the nasal tones of a Skopje accent, and their tendency to turn a theta into a zeta.  Her knowledge of the accent is mostly from people making fun of it, holding their nose as they talk.  But she does recall one boy who was a page at the castle for only a few months, and she remembers that he was from that area closest to Gaul.  She thinks that's the right place.

Suddenly, she hears it.  It could be that boy she knew, some four or five years ago, it sounds so much like him.  There is a group of three large tents, all facing a common cook fire.  Behind the tents is a makeshift corral created by propping some posts out from the sides of a large wagon, with five horses tied up inside.  Two women are working at the fire, tending some rabbits or maybe squirrels roasting over it.  Two men are nearby, one cleaning armor and the other sharpening an axe head.  One of the women calls out, looking into a tent, "Etienne!  You go get ze water now or I will have your hide!"

I'm not sure what skill makes sense for recognizing accents.  I went with Knowledge (kingdom), which you don't have trained but you can always use it untrained for recall knowledge.  21 is plenty.
21:49, Today: Zag, on behalf of Scarlet d'Ardelle, rolled 21 using 1d20+2.  K (Kingdom) for recognizing accents

Scarlet d'Ardelle
player, 182 posts
Age:14 | Barton's bastard
"Naiada Penapolous"
Thu 2 Feb 2023
at 11:21
  • msg #5

Chapter 2, Part 2:  Scarlet

Scarlet, that is, Naiada, remembers to put on her Corcyrian accent as she saunters towards the tent.

"Lady! Can they come out to play? I'm soooo bored."

She tries her best for a childish voice. Gods of the Olympus, this is demeaning. She has wanted to be older, adult, a woman, so hard and for so long - and now she has to pretend to be a child! She'd rather crawl in the mud, for a less humiliating experience. But she is Idalaiz's agent now, and she will see her mission through.
Zag
GM, 420 posts
Fri 3 Feb 2023
at 04:21
  • msg #6

Chapter 2, Part 2:  Scarlet

Scarlet winces as she hears her own Corcyrian accent.  It just sounds overdone; hopefully they won't know, or won't care.

The woman who yelled for water a moment ago turns to see Naiada wandering into their camp.  "Alors!  Who zis is?"  She looks the girl over critically, "not a beggar, I see.  What want you, girl?  Looking for ze playmates?  Jeannette!"  she calls into the largest tent -- not the one Etienne had been in, "Jeannette, come out!"

A young girl, probably 10 or so and even shorter than Scarlet, comes sulkily out.  "What now?  I am NOT going to do YOUR work for you," she pouts.  She is wearing a fancy dress -- far too formal for the afternoon.  Her hair is clearly coiffed, it is fancier than Anne had ever had her own hair even for a fancy party.

The woman points to Naiada. "You have a visitor.  This is ..." she turns to Naiada, who supplies her name.  "Naiada Penapolous.  Naiada, this is Jeannette Lavigne.  I am sure you will have lots to talk about."  She turns back to the fire and starts to scold the other woman for neglecting the rabbits.

Jeannette looks at Naiada with a bit of a sneer.  "Your father must be, what?, a knight perhaps?  Or just somebody's squire?  Perhaps if he does well in ze games he'll be able to afford a nice dress for you."

Make some rolls.  Otherwise I have to do it.  :-)
22:00, Today: Zag, on behalf of Scarlet d'Ardelle, rolled 19,10 using d20+11,d20+8.  Disguise and acting.

This message was last edited by the GM at 20:57, Sat 04 Feb 2023.
Scarlet d'Ardelle
player, 183 posts
Age:14 | Barton's bastard
"Naiada Penapolous"
Sat 4 Feb 2023
at 19:48
  • msg #7

Chapter 2, Part 2:  Scarlet

Scarlet mentally signs Jeannette for her free emetic samples distribution list. She smiles to her like she's not planning on spiking her drink at the earliest chance she gets.

"My father is not interesting. What is interesting around here?"

She says it testily, as if questioning the possibility that Jeannette might actually know something interesting.
Zag
GM, 423 posts
Mon 6 Feb 2023
at 15:48
  • msg #8

Chapter 2, Part 2:  Scarlet

Jeannette gives Naiada a look as if to say, "It's on, bitch."  She say, "Interesting?!?  In this huge, filthy city full of corruption?  There is probably a lot that is interesting if you don't mind mucking about with the commoners."  As she speaks, a tall, powerful man comes out of the same tent that she was in.  She turns to him, "My father, here, is probably the most interesting person in the area.  He is very likely to win several events at the games."

09:45, Today: Zag, for the NPC Jeannette, rolled 17 using 1d20+5.  Diplomacy towards Daddy
09:46, Today: Zag, for the NPC Jeannette, rolled 5 using 1d6+1.  Diplomacy reduction

Diplomacy:  +0

I didn't bother to do an information roll here, because she is actually wasting this turn.  Daddy was already friendly.

This message was last edited by the GM at 15:49, Mon 06 Feb 2023.
Scarlet d'Ardelle
player, 185 posts
Age:14 | Barton's bastard
"Naiada Penapolous"
Wed 8 Feb 2023
at 11:15
  • msg #9

Chapter 2, Part 2:  Scarlet

Scarlet chuckles a little, obviously taking the suggestion to "muck with the commoners" as a very basic joke.

"Oh yes, there is always that. I hadn't even thought of it, but you have, obviously. Thank you for the suggestion."

She turns a charmingly blinking (she hopes) gaze at the man, and curtsies cutely.

"Ser, an honour to meet you. I have already met your lovely daughter. She speaks very highly of you?"

Scarlet d'Ardelle rolled 14 using 1d20+4.  Sense motive (the father).
Zag
GM, 425 posts
Wed 8 Feb 2023
at 14:52
  • msg #10

Chapter 2, Part 2:  Scarlet

Well, you picked the one fairly high level character.  He is a serious competitor in the games, after all.  However, I'm going to give you a bonus on Sense Motive against him because it is so very obvious.

The man walks straight to his daughter, but keeps his eyes on Scarlet, appraisingly.  When he does turn to look at Jeannette, his smile is beatific; he obviously dotes on the girl.  He kneels down beside her and gives her an air hug to avoid messing her dress or hair.  "Don't boast, darling.  There are many great athletes here, all very tough competition."

He is currently indifferent towards you.  He would likely be influenced positively if he believes that you are a friend of his daughter, or at least well-inclined.  Unfortunately, such an approach can easily be undone by her if she wants to do so.
Scarlet d'Ardelle
player, 186 posts
Age:14 | Barton's bastard
"Naiada Penapolous"
Thu 9 Feb 2023
at 11:06
  • msg #11

Chapter 2, Part 2:  Scarlet

Scarlet smiles, innerly surprised that the man should show such care with Jeannette's clothes... that a father, any father, should show so much interest in his daughter. He knows her appearance is important to her, and remembers to be careful around her, big wardrobe of a man that he is.

How would that feel, to have a father who...?

Besides the point, Scarlet. Concentrate on flattering her on what she likes.


Scarlet d'Ardelle rolled 13 using 1d20+6.  Craft Clothing 6.

"Oh, surely you can boast about other things, Jeannette. That dress, for instance -- is that Cathay silk? Gods of the Olympus, it's such a delightful fabric, and the cut is so exquisite..." she flatters, eyes wide with admiration.
Zag
GM, 426 posts
Thu 9 Feb 2023
at 16:31
  • msg #12

Chapter 2, Part 2:  Scarlet

Jeannette gives Scarlet a slightly sour look, but only for an instant.  "Oh, so very kind," she says flatly.  Then she turns towards the woman who is supervising the cooking, the same woman who called her out of the tent, earlier.  "Of course, it was Amélie who made the dress.  She is so talented."  Amélie looks at Jeanette with a raised eyebrow.

Two adults, probably a young married couple, come out of the third tent carrying assorted vegetables.  They head over to a small table and deposit their burdens.  The woman withdraws a large knife from her apron and starts chopping.  The man continues to where two other men are working on armor and weapons.

Oooo.  Right skill, wrong target.  I actually had a plan for you to use that one.  When you make a skill roll, please also roll d6+1 for how much that skill is reduced in effectiveness.  Of course, as I wrote that, I realized that I didn't do it.

10:23, Today: Zag, on behalf of Scarlet d'Ardelle, rolled 6 using 1d6+1.  Craft Clothing reduction.
10:20, Today: Zag, for the NPC Jeannette, rolled 13 using 1d20+4.  Diplomacy @ Amélie.
10:22, Today: Zag, for the NPC Jeannette, rolled 7 using 1d6+1.  Diplomacy reduction

Scarlet
Craft Clothing: +7 / +1

Jeannette
Diplomacy: +4 / -3

The Targets (remember that your goal is to influence three of them to friendly):
Jeannette's father:  Indifferent
Amélie (older woman, supervising cooking)
Man polishing armor
Man sharpening axe
Young man
Woman cooking rabbits
Young woman chopping vegetables

This message was last edited by the GM at 16:45, Thu 09 Feb 2023.
Scarlet d'Ardelle
player, 189 posts
Age:14 | Barton's bastard
"Naiada Penapolous"
Fri 10 Feb 2023
at 09:21
  • msg #13

Chapter 2, Part 2:  Scarlet

Scarlets attention flocks away to the older woman,  with a flattering smile of admiration.

Scarlet d'Ardelle rolled 19 using 1d20+7.  Craft clothing

"The craftsmanship is exquisite! Did you do the lace as well? I haven't seen such a sharply tailored piece since the wedding of the Duke! How fortunate is the lady Jeannette to have such an expert dressmaker in her employ!" she gushes.
This message was last edited by the player at 09:21, Fri 10 Feb 2023.
Zag
GM, 429 posts
Fri 10 Feb 2023
at 15:40
  • msg #14

Chapter 2, Part 2:  Scarlet

2 things you've missed.  Every "round" you get one Information roll, which is either Perception or Sense Motive, and then an action, which will be one of many skills.  Successful perception also gets you +2 on the skill it suggests, and successful Sense Motive will tell you where you are with that target.  And every time you use a skill, it drops in effectiveness, but every other skill you've already used improves slightly.  So Craft Clothing is currently at +1 rather than +7 because you used it last round.  After using it again this round, it's now down to -1.

I'm going to roll Perception for you on Amélie because the extra +2 will be enough for you to succeed, in spite of the -6 you're suffering from last turn.

I apologize for taking over your character a bit here.  I wanted to give an example of how you would use an odd skill for this sort of diplomatic purpose.


Scarlet notices that the older woman, Amélie, wears the apron of a professional seamstresses, containing pockets with thread, fabric shears hanging on a loop, and measuring marks along the entire hem.  She draws on the knowledge that she has on the subject, in spite of being tired of it already.  "It looks like it has a Persian hem! and in silk no less!  I can barely do one in wool and not leave it visible from the outside.  Tell me the whole dress is not reversible, that would be too much."

Amélie smiles genuinely at Scarlet, clearly pleased that someone has the ability to recognize the talent that went into her work.  "Yes.  Yes it is.  It is a deep blue on the other side."

Jeannette scowls, clearly seeing how Naiada has scored points with the older woman.  Turning towards Scarlet, she tries to use her superior attitude, "Pffft.  So, are you learning to be a seamstress, then?"  But her attack falls well short of the mark, because, as Scarlet knows, noble women -- even the Duchess -- are proud of their skill making fine clothing.

09:07, Today: Zag, on behalf of Scarlet d'Ardelle, rolled 20 using 1d20+9.  Perception on Amélie.
09:10, Today: Zag, on behalf of Scarlet d'Ardelle, rolled 4 using 1d6+1.  Drop in Craft clothing

09:32, Today: Zag, for the NPC Jeannette, rolled 8,2 using d20+5,d6+1.  Intimidation v Scarlet

Scarlet
Craft Clothing: +7 / currently -3

Jeannette
Diplomacy: +4 / currently -2
Intimidation: +5 / currently +3

This message was last edited by the GM at 16:00, Fri 10 Feb 2023.
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