Wedding Bells - IC Thread

[jaydude]

Kasumi nodded at Moretta's words. "You may be right about this protest being of little concern for now, but at the same time, I want to look into its source. Are people just angry with the economies the Realm has taken lately, or is there another party trying to encourage sedition?"

"Still, I am sure we can hold off on such matters until the formalities of our arrival are over and done." she said to Moretta.

Spoiler: Kasumi Stats

Essence: 2
Personal Essence: 13/13
Peripheral Essence: 28/33

Committed Essence: 5 (Kirameku Namida)

Willpower: 7
Join Battle: 5 dice (5 successes for 5m through Breath and Essence Control)
Health Levels:
-0: [_]
-1: [_], [_], [_], [_], [_], [_], [_], [_]
-3: [_]
Incapacitated: [_]
Resolve 3, Guile 2

Attacks
Kirameku Namida (Withering Attack 13, Decisive Attack 10, Base Raw Damage 15, Overwhelming 5)

Actions
Rush: 7
Disengage: 7

Evasion 3, Parry 6
Soak/Hardness: 8/0 (Lamellar Armor, +5 Soak, -1 Mobility Penalty)

 

[Sherwood]

After taking some time to bathe and refresh yourselves, the members of the V'neef family are finally ready to make their formal appearance at the palace and meet the king and getting Arissa introduced to the courtiers and public. Arissa is a very stunning young woman as she makes her way to the foyer in a beautiful form-fitting green dress that both shows off her figure and still keeps her modesty intact. The young Exalt doesn't walk, but instead she glides along, very much the prim and proper image of a scion of House V'neef.

How are the rest of you dressed? Are any of you openly wearing any armor or carrying weapons?

Ambassador Goren has his carriage waiting for you out front, with two dozen mounted soldiers as your official escort through the city streets, and he is also dressed to the nines in robes that prominently display the House Mnemon coat of arms.

This part of Abalone consists of very large manor houses owned by the rich and powerful of the kingdom, and many of these people are also making their way to the palace to be a part of the party, hoping to get their first look at their new princess-to-be and her entourage from the Realm. Thanks to your military escort, there is no trouble getting through the streets to approach the palace.

From the looks of things, it is going to be quite the gala. There is a line of other carriages making their way to the front entrance to deposit their passengers. When your carriage pulls up, several people are casually waiting for Arissa to come out into the open to see her. Ambassador Goren is the first out, and he extends his hand to the lovely ladies to aid you in climbing out, being the perfect gentleman for you.

 

[jaydude]

Having enjoyed a nice bath followed by a meditation session, Kasumi made her appearance in a relatively plain - by Dynast standards anyway - midnight-blue kimono. She didn't want to upstage Arissa here, after all. The kimono was a gift from a princess of a nearby satrapy, whom Kasumi had saved from pirates during her Merchant Fleet days; if anyone asked about it, she'd have the perfect excuse to use it to reinforce her claims of being an ally of the Threshold, despite her Blessed Isle origins.

She also wore Kirameku Namida on her hip, figuring that such a thing would be excused at the palace by her being one of the greatest swordswomen on the Blessed Isle. If not, she'd just find a fountain or other source of water to store it in until she needed it.

She gave Arissa a fond smile when she saw her again, glad to see that the girl was doing okay after how she'd reacted to the betrothal on the Blessed Isle. She then gave Melati a concerned look, hoping the Wood Aspect was alright following the earlier scene with the crowds.

When the time came to exit the carriage, Kasumi allowed Arissa to follow Goren out, keeping an eye on the young Air Aspect. She followed Arissa, allowing Goren to assist for the sake of politeness if nothing else, before turning to wait for the others.

Spoiler: Kasumi Stats

Essence: 2
Personal Essence: 13/13
Peripheral Essence: 28/33

Committed Essence: 5 (Kirameku Namida)

Willpower: 7
Join Battle: 5 dice (5 successes for 5m through Breath and Essence Control)
Health Levels:
-0: [_]
-1: [_], [_], [_], [_], [_], [_], [_], [_]
-3: [_]
Incapacitated: [_]
Resolve 3, Guile 2

Attacks
Kirameku Namida (Withering Attack 13, Decisive Attack 10, Base Raw Damage 15, Overwhelming 5)

Actions
Rush: 7
Disengage: 7

Evasion 3, Parry 6
Soak/Hardness: 3/0 (Formal Wear, +0 Soak, -1 Mobility Penalty)

 

[Psychie]

Moretta will use her Infinite Resplendence Amulet to make a lovely blue dress with gold trim, with an elaborate dragon embroidered on the back. The Exalt is not carrying any weapons other than her own Charms and spells, trusting in the ability of the Circle and their guards to keep things under control if there is any trouble. Not to mention the watchful eyes of her familiar, Riku, curled up on her shoulders, assuming she can get the little scamp to pay attention to something besides the food.

Before getting into the carriage to go to the palace, Moretta gives Arissa a once-over with a critical eye, making minute adjustments to her dress to get everything perfect before pulling the younger woman into a hug. "You are going to shine tonight, and I am so very proud of you. Lets go make your grand entrance, and remember, you are one of the Chosen of the Dragons, a scion of House V'neef, and you are not alone here, and you are very much loved by all of us." She finishes up with a peck on Arissa's forehead before taking her hand and walking with her out the doors to their ride.

At the palace, Moretta reaches out to take Goren's hand and let him aid her in getting out to look around at the waiting audience. She does her best to take in the feel of the place, looking for anyone that strikes her as being out of place. This wedding is an important part of the treaty, and not everyone is in favor of having it go forward.

 

[Sherwood]

Random Word Do you wish to add to this before I move forward?

 

[Random Word]

What does it take to mend a fractured mind? If a hot bath with lillies, loamy soil beneath feet and between toes, and a sumptuous gala full of dancing and drink won't do it, they'll respectably paper over the cracks. Melati beams at Kasumi, radiant in a swirling pattern of deep green leaves and bright purple petals held together by spider silk treated with glistening endless dewdrops, collectively masquerading as a dress. It looks like an ill-timed light breeze might lead to a terrible wardrobe malfunction, but the spider silk is surprisingly strong and the outfit proudly displays the supernaturally radiant vitality of her skin.

Melati carries nothing, though Kemuning is coiled around her neck, and Melati must periodically feed the elemental small fruits to keep her from munching on the dress. The servants have delivered her instruments to the hall, as she is scheduled to perform later in the evening.

"Auntie Moretta is right, as always. This prince can scarcely imagine his fortune at having grandmother declare him worthy to give his hand to you. Knock him dead, honey."

 

[Sherwood]

With her escorts walking beside her, Arissa heads into the foyer of the palace, every inch of her the proud daughter of the Realm and Child of the Dragons. You are all met by Gaul, the majordomo of the royal palace. "Welcome! Welcome! It is such an honor to have so many Exalted here this evening! Please, come with me. The King wishes me to share with you what is planned for this evening. There will be a quick private meeting with his Majesty before the 'formal' introductions in the throne room. He wishes to have a few moments to get to know his future daughter-in-law before the dinner. If you would please come with me, I'll guide you there now."

As you walk, Goren asks, "How is the King this evening? I know he has been feeling under the weather."

"He is doing his best to maintain his strength, but to be honest, his health is not the best. He may not say up for the entirety of dinner, so please don't be insulted if he leaves after a short time. King Roland has lived a very long life and is simply in the autumn of his days. I do hope that he can live long enough to see the wedding take place."

Taking in everything around her, Arissa is quiet as you walk.

Gaul leads you through a well concealed door into what looks to be a very warm and cozy sitting room. Bookshelves line the walls, and there are several large portraits of past rulers in the royal family hanging in the remaining open spots. Besides the furniture in the room, there are three people here, two of which you've seen before - the prince and his mother. The third person is a very old man, seated in an overstuffed chair, and from what you've heard of him, this is clearly the king. He is not looking well, even for a man of his age.

He motions for you to come in and sit. In a weak, quiet voice, he says, "Ah, our guests have arrived. Please, forgive an old man for not standing to greet you. Come closer so I can see you better."

 

[Psychie]

Moretta is no physician, but even she can see that this man does not have many years left to him before his return to the Dragons. She gathers up the edges of her gown and offers up a deep curtsy, saying, "It is a honor and a pleasure to make your acquaintance, your Majesty. I am V'neef Moretta, and I bear the warmest messages of good will from my mother, V'neef." With this said, she finally stands up straight, offering the family in front of her a warm smile. After all, once this wedding takes place, these people will be family to her.

 

[Random Word]

Melati is a physician. Technically. She has the extracurricular certificate from the Spiral Academy that qualifies her to practice medicine and everything. Not that she has a great deal of cause to use it, what with the most serious injury suffered by a member of the Thousand Scales in the regular course of business being a paper cut or a headache from eye strain and overwork.

It's never been her passion, but a family simply does not permit the blessed of Sextes Jylis to go through secondary school without finding out if they're a medical prodigy. She proved perfectly serviceable and scored in the upper third of all her medicine classes, which naturally left the family deeply disappointed. Thankfully the healing power of her music made her mere adequacy in the medicinal arts immediately irrelevant - no amount of preparing herbal tinctures and warding off spirits of rot could ever hope to outweigh the effects of a single song on a legion fresh from the field.

Potent though it is, even her magic may not be enough to save this man. She bows at exactly the proper depth for greeting a Threshold monarch as a scion of a Great House of the Realm. Which is to say, not particularly far at all. That a foreign monarch in their own court is even considered her social equal is a polite fiction entertained by everyone for propriety's sake. She smiles politely, "V'Neef Melati, Majesty. I bear intercessions for good health and filial piety crafted by the monks of the Verdant Brink monastery. The gods assure us your family will be considered favourably in the heavenly design."

She gives the King a surreptitious and cursory medical examination while she half-listens to Kasumi introduce herself. There's only so much one can do from a polite distance, and with the patient fully clothed, but she has studied with - and disappointed - some of the greatest masters of the Realm.

Spoiler: Mechanics

No Charms, just rolling
Medicine 3 + Perception 3 + Stunt 2 = 8; 5 hits

 

[jaydude]

The Water Aspect did her best to mimic Melati's bow to King Roland once the time came for her introduction. "V'Neef Kasumi, Majesty. An honor to make your acquaintance. May fortune favour you, your family and our people well in these tumultuous times." she said in elegantly accented Seatongue.

Spoiler: Kasumi Stats

Essence: 2
Personal Essence: 13/13
Peripheral Essence: 28/33

Committed Essence: 5 (Kirameku Namida)

Willpower: 7
Join Battle: 5 dice (5 successes for 5m through Breath and Essence Control)
Health Levels:
-0: [_]
-1: [_], [_], [_], [_], [_], [_], [_], [_]
-3: [_]
Incapacitated: [_]
Resolve 3, Guile 2

Attacks
Kirameku Namida (Withering Attack 13, Decisive Attack 10, Base Raw Damage 15, Overwhelming 5)

Actions
Rush: 7
Disengage: 7

Evasion 3, Parry 6
Soak/Hardness: 3/0 (Formal Wear, +0 Soak, -1 Mobility Penalty)

 

[Sherwood]

Looking over at the king gives both Moretta and Melati a bit of concern. While Moretta doesn't have any formal medical training, she has studied the effects of poisons and diseases and how they work on the human body. Melati actually has actual medical knowledge, and what the two women can see from their cursory examination of the man is that he's under the effects of a wasting condition that could be attributed to an exotic poison. It is also just as possible that he is just fading away as he draws closer to the end of his life. Without a more thorough examination of the king, you just can't say for certain.

As everyone makes their greetings, King Roland looks to each of you with a keen eye that shows his mind is still very active and aware. He motions for you to relax a bit. "Ah, the honor is mine that your great House and nation would agree to such an arrangement with Wavecrest and my family. Now, young V'neef Arissa. Please step forward."

She walks over and stands before the king as he looks her over.

Roland says to his son, "Ah, my boy. You will have your hands full with this lovely lady. I can see that the mettle in this one is strong. You will have to keep your wits about you." This garners a blush from both the prince and Arissa, and a wheezing chuckle that falls into a nasty cough from the king, making Queen Alma move quickly to his side in concern. Roland gets his coughing fit under control in a moment, and places a reassuring hand on his wife's arm. "Don't worry so, my dear. I still have some life to me."

 

[Random Word]

Melati has trained her whole adult life for this moment. Grandmother has entrusted her with this responsibility. She's finally a diplomatic envoy, and she must do everything she can to ensure Arissa's safety and security are a priority for the natives. She sweeps forward, gracefully offering Queen Alma a small enamel box of finely ground fragrant herbs. This woman has a vested interest in the prosperity of her son, and thus his new wife. She will outlive the King, and securing her unwavering support will help assure Arissa's rise to power is smooth and uncontested.

"Your Majesty, this is a medicinal tea blend our family has perfected, bringing together the finest herbs of the far East and West. It is a most potent panacea, and soothes aches of the throat and irritations of the lungs. It's also quite delicious, if I do say so myself," she says with a smile. "Please, take it with my blessings. We use it to salve the suffering of even the most stubbornly independent of our beloveds."

Spoiler: Mechanics

Rolling retroactively to instill a Tie of Respect in the Queen during her introduction, and rolling now to instill a Tie of Friendship. Taking a Socialize Specialty in Wavecrest from Friend of all Nations.

I don't think I need to spend much in the way of motes here. The Queen is likely severely outmatched socially. I'll add one success to each roll for 2m each.

Instill Respect:
Charisma 4 + Socialize 5 + Specialty (Wavecrest) 1 + Appearance Bonus 3? (App 5) + Stunt 2 = 15 dice; Queen is at -1 Resolve from leveraging Minor from Impeccable Purity Lavations.
11 hits. Yeah, I think that one was a success.

Instill Friendship:
Charisma 4 + Socialize 5 + Specialty (Wavecrest) 1 + Appearance Bonus 3? (App 5) + Stunt 2 = 15 dice; Queen is at -2 Resolve from leveraging Minor Respect + Impeccable Purity
5 hits. That one's weaker, but the -2 to Resolve should help land it.

After this Melati is out of stuff to do this scene.

 

[Psychie]

Bump?

 

[Sherwood]

Sorry I have let this game slide past. I'll have an update in a bit.

 

[Sherwood]

The proffered medicinal tea is taken by Alma with her thanks. Then, Roland says, "We should probably end this before I run out of what strength I still have so I don't start any nasty rumors among the gentry. Come my boy. Let us make our way to the throne room to receive our guests in front of the court. Then we will enjoy our first meal together."

With the private meeting with the royal family wrapping up, everyone is escorted out to the main throne room where the more 'formal' welcome will be made in front of the assembled courtiers. As you go, Goren quietly says, "The King is not looking well. I fear that his time will come sooner rather than later, and that will be a real shame. He is a good man, even with his few flaws. I just hope he will live long enough to see the wedding take place."

The formal introduction is pretty much as expected, with Arissa being presented to King Roland and her fiancé, Prince Rupert. She stands before the royal family, in full view of the gathered guests, looking quite regal, standing much taller than her slight frame would suggest is possible, every inch a scion of House V'neef. After a few short welcoming comments are made, the introduction is complete, and everyone is being led to the large dining room where the formal dinner will be held.

As the chaperones of Arissa, the group is escorted up near the head of the table to be close to Arissa as she is seated next to Rupert at the right side of the king. From her seat, Melati can see that the king is being served the tea that she had given to him, and after he takes his first sip, he looks to her and gives a slight nod and smile in thanks for the gift.

It does not take long into the meal before King Roland signals that he is ready to go. He says, "Please continue to enjoy your meal. I am just in need of rest. My son will continue as host of the evening's festivities." A pair of servants come up to him with a rolling wheelchair and carefully aid him into it, then he is rolled out of the room. After his father is gone, Rupert then shifts himself over to sit at the head of the table, taking his father's place.

The meal is finally complete, and as the last of the plates are being whisked away by the servants, the various guests make their way over to the head of the table to meet Arissa and spend a few moments talking to her. Ambassador Goren stays at her side, quietly murmuring the names and titles of the approaching guests as they walk up.

There is one small group that does catch your eye as Goren signals to you to be alert. It is a trio of two men and one woman, all wearing dark colors, and you can see that they all have the coat of arms of the Silver Prince, ruler of the Skullstone Archipelago, embroidered on their chests. None of the three are (visibly) armed or armored. The three are being escorted up by Prince Duncan, the younger brother of the King. He looks quite chummy with the three.

Goren smiles, saying, "This is Ambassador Ram, my counterpart from Skullstone, and two of his aides. How are you doing, my friend?"

The one named Ram says, "Well enough." He turns to look over at Arissa, saying, "So this is the new princess-to-be. How lovely."

What do you do during this?

 

[jaydude]

Kasumi instinctively moved to protectively stand next to Arissa when the entourage from the Skullstone Archipelago approached her. Being a Dynast of the Blessed Isle who'd lived under the Immaculate Philosophy her entire life, the Water Aspect distrusted those associated with the unreincarnating dead on principle.

And Duncan seemed awfully friendly with them, she thought, narrowing her eyes at him while his attention was elsewhere. Now she really didn't want to see him get any grasp of power here, if it meant he could hand Wavecrest over to Skullstone.

Spoiler: Kasumi Stats

Essence: 2
Personal Essence: 13/13
Peripheral Essence: 28/33

Committed Essence: 5 (Kirameku Namida)

Willpower: 7
Join Battle: 5 dice (5 successes for 5m through Breath and Essence Control)
Health Levels:
-0: [_]
-1: [_], [_], [_], [_], [_], [_], [_], [_]
-3: [_]
Incapacitated: [_]
Resolve 3, Guile 2

Attacks
Kirameku Namida (Withering Attack 13, Decisive Attack 10, Base Raw Damage 15, Overwhelming 5)

Actions
Rush: 7
Disengage: 7

Evasion 3, Parry 6
Soak/Hardness: 3/0 (Formal Wear, +0 Soak, -1 Mobility Penalty)

 

[Psychie]

Moretta eyes the emissary from the Deathlord's holdings with distaste, looking close to try and discern exactly what the being in front of her is, be it a mortal man or some sort of walking dead. The presence of the King's brother next to them and obviously enamored by them is not lost on her, either. Another reason for them all to be especially cautious as they go about their business.

OOC Here is an Int + Occult roll to try and identify what this guy is.
5 successes

 

[Random Word]

Melati puts her wine glass aside - these Western wines are... rustic, but variety is perhaps the best spice of all - clasps her hands, and bows her head slightly to gratefully acknowledge the King's praise.

Skullstone. She's read the reports. A bunch of ancestor-worshipping madwomen who have proven stubbornly resistant to all attempts to spread the Immaculate Faith. The Order is ill pleased. Too many missionaries go missing. There are hush hush rumours some even converted to their heathen religion.

Well, if this Duncan has been taken in by ignorant backwater savages, that says all she needs to know about him. The company one keeps speaks volumes.

She whispers to the wind, which dutifully carries it to Arissa's ear, "Polite disinterest. They are no friends of the family, but we aren't here to make enemies. Yet."

 

[Sherwood]

Moretta eyes the emissary from the Deathlord's holdings with distaste, looking close to try and discern exactly what the being in front of her is, be it a mortal man or some sort of walking dead. The presence of the King's brother next to them and obviously enamored by them is not lost on her, either. Another reason for them all to be especially cautious as they go about their business.

OOC Here is an Int + Occult roll to try and identify what this guy is.
5 successes

The thought that this man might be a Deathknight is quickly dismissed in Moretta's mind. The body appears to be more of a construct instead of a flesh and blood one, even one that is dead. That fact brings to mind the probability that this is a ghost known as a Nephwrack, using its abilities to animate the construct body instead of turning to use a recently dead body.

You can also see that Arissa almost has to physically restrain herself from taking a step back from the trio, and it is only briefly that the distaste of the emissaries from Skullstone is visible on her face before she schools her features to a pleasant smile once more. She offers up a polite smile, saying, "I thank you for your greeting. I must say that I am surprised to see ambassadors from Skullstone here at this occasion. With the tensions between our nations being what they are, I would have thought you would not wish to be here at all."

Ram waves a hand dismissively. "We are neighbors and trade partners to Wavecrest, so events that affect them also affect our relations with them. You will be taking a pivotal role in the monarchy here soon enough, and I wished to get a measure of the person that House V'neef has selected to take the hand of Prince Rupert in marriage."

Arissa tilts her head to look at the Ambassador, and asks, "So what conclusions have you come to? I am curious to hear."

The smile she gets in return is almost predatory. "It is still too soon to come to any conclusions. I look forward to learning more of you."

The young Dynast meets his eye and says, "Be careful in what you wish for. You may not like what you find."

With that, Ram, his two assistants, and Duncan seem to sense that they have pushed their luck enough for the moment, and as such, they offer up some polite noises as they head off to speak with other guests of the dinner party.

Arissa lets out a quiet woosh of breath as she looks over at her escorts. "That. Was unpleasant. Having to sit there and be polite to that thing was almost enough to make me gag."

 

[Psychie]

Moretta smiles at the younger woman and says, "That, my dear, is what we call 'politics'. You have done well."

 

[Random Word]

"A little too much politics and altogether not enough diplomacy, I dare say," remarks Melati dryly, but with an undertone of indulgent warmth, as she casually passes the head of the table. "You are grandmother's face in the West now. Do try not to start any wars she wouldn't approve of."

 

[jaydude]

Kasuma cleared her throat, before looking at the other three women and speaking quietly. "I think we can all agree that it's probably not in any of our best interests to allow Duncan to become regent, if he wants to cosy up to those kinds of people."

Spoiler: Kasumi Stats

Essence: 2
Personal Essence: 13/13
Peripheral Essence: 28/33

Committed Essence: 5 (Kirameku Namida)

Willpower: 7
Join Battle: 5 dice (5 successes for 5m through Breath and Essence Control)
Health Levels:
-0: [_]
-1: [_], [_], [_], [_], [_], [_], [_], [_]
-3: [_]
Incapacitated: [_]
Resolve 3, Guile 2

Attacks
Kirameku Namida (Withering Attack 13, Decisive Attack 10, Base Raw Damage 15, Overwhelming 5)

Actions
Rush: 7
Disengage: 7

Evasion 3, Parry 6
Soak/Hardness: 3/0 (Formal Wear, +0 Soak, -1 Mobility Penalty)