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Post by DM-Delfon on Mar 17, 2019 9:21:53 GMT -5
That flash of anger confirms the Guild Master's identity for Bogomil, but that means the steaks have been raised. Bogomil is now on the radar of the Shadow Hand. With a moment of uncertainty the Prince thinks, 'Perhaps this was unwise, perhaps this was too early.' Then the Prince dashes that thought with the confidence that only comes to the rightful ruler of an entire people, he mentally adds, 'No, this was the right step. I need to start in on the guilds if I am to get the Duchess to help me take back the Somerset Isles. It was either the Duchess, or one of the guilds, and by the Mistress of the Night I'm not letting these guilds worm their way into my homeland.'
The Embros part of the Prince soaks in the crowd, looking for the ones that don't celebrate with the rest or their celebrations seem forced or delayed. These are the henchmen, the first bread crumbs that will lead him to the Guild Master. 'Time to play the part' Bogomil thinks to himself while he stands up, turning to Old Boris, "You know I always try to bring you joy old friend, you've been so good to me here." Bogomil turns back to Guild Master Larry, and ruffles his hair as one would do for a child, "May the blessings of Lliira be upon you Larry." He says with a smile. Turning his back on the Guild Master, his stance changes to address the room, his eyes first bouncing face to face of those that seemed upset by when they lost some coin, "Let this be a lesson to all of you" He says playfully, leaving a small pause for effect, "Always bet on Bogomil." He winks then, laughing heartily himself, "For the faithful among you, enjoy the gift that Lliira has bestowed upon you."
Bogomil spends the rest of the night working the crowd, and chatting idly with his companions. At some point later in the evening, Bogomil sets his plans in motion. Perhaps he is paranoid, but when dealing with one of the most powerful men in the underbelly of the city it pays to be careful. He takes a few extra precautions when talking about anything that he doesn't want the Guild Master to know about. If possible he always speaks in other rooms, or only when his back is turned, and there is nothing reflective to reveal his face. Step one is to secure the Matron's safety. Cornering Goldie in the kitchen, he whispers, "The Wayfarer's Rest is no longer safe for the Matron. It's time to get her someplace safe until she starts work within the Palace." Speaking more loudly for the benefit of the kitchen staff, he adds, "So yes, I would like that brought out to my table please." After another amount of time, he finds Whisper, "I have a job for you my friend, I need you to follow Larry. Remain unseen, he is a very dangerous man with very dangerous allies. I need to know where he goes, and what he is up to when not here."
With the first moves of his long game in place, he makes his way home. Only part way home, he gets another tingle of paranoia and circles a block, doubling back on his own trail to see if he can notice anyone following him. If all looks clear he continues home without delay.
Rolls: Deception: 18+8=26 Larry is totally a simpleton, and totally isn't the guild master. Perception: 13+2=15 Am I being tailed?
(Hopefully that dissuades Larry, after all who would have the balls to ruffle the hair of someone they thought was the guild master?)
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Post by DM-Boneyard Ben on Mar 18, 2019 3:04:01 GMT -5
Another angry? (You're not so sure given the second reaction being the same as the first) outburst of "Larry!!!" follows your saying his name and the bar booms an echo of the name with laughter. A shout of "Bogomil!" bursts from the Inn's occupants at your line of always betting on Bogomil. Soon the bar is all singing "Righteous Fella" a simple song of joy usually reserved for heroes and the like proclaiming their excellence but everyone kinda breaks off between saying Bogomil or Larry in the insert righteous fella's name here part and in their slurred speech and everyone shouting over everyone it comes out at Bogary more often than not and most of them are drunk or getting there so soon the bar is in a foot stopping, hand clapping good old fashioned song and dance.
Who's the man who's finer than fine? Bogary! Bogary! Who fills our cups with the finest of wine? Bogary! Bogary! Who chases our woes and keeps us free? Who brings us joy with laughs with glee? Well, don't you know? Who Else Could It Be?! Bogary! Bogary! Bogary The Friend Of Me!
The sing along and impromptu musical makes it very difficult to talk as you can't have a very good conversation with everyone yelling over you and everyone you try to talk to is suddenly pulled out onto the Inn's floor for a dance. All the tables save for Larry's has been moved aside and everyone is doing very simple swing dances, many hooting and hollering. You do manage to catch up to Goldie and by that I mean she grabbed you from your stool and dragged you onto the floor for a dance, when you pass along your message she doesn't seem very worried and who can blame her given the atmosphere at current but she does promise that she'll get the Matron out and to safety, citing a few safe houses she knows. Whistler is easier as he hasn't left your side, at your word he's gone into the dancing masses and then just gone. Hopefully nothing bad happens to him, I mean your just sending this NPC you barely know to follow one of Clifton's (Possibly) most powerful and influential figures. I'm sure he'll be fine (*wink*). With all your ducks in a row (as it were). You head yourself off into the night via the side exit. You are part way home when you notice that through the minimalist crowds that make up Clifton's citizens of the night, a shadow-clad humanoid follows in your wake. Always seeming to appear right around the corner of the building as your about to circle the corner of another. What now, Your Highness?
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Post by DM-Delfon on Mar 18, 2019 20:42:05 GMT -5
(That song was fantastic Sir)
Bogomil continues along as he always does, glad handing folks and otherwise being friendly to everyone. Along his route he will keep an eye out for beggars, and once he finds one he will say, "Hello hello, and a wonderful evening to you." Pressing a gold coin into the beggar's hand, Bogomil will add in a very quiet voice, "I was wondering if you would do me a kindness as a friend of Baron Fred? You see, I'm being followed by a cloaked fellow and I'm going to circle the block and confront him there." He describes the location. "I'm hoping that perhaps you, and a few of your fellows would be willing to make sure I don't end up dead in the gutter." If the beggar agrees, I follow through with what I said I would. Circling the block as normal until I come to the place I described, where I stop and turn around to face the cloaked man, "Good fellow? If you're going to follow me, why not join me? It will be a lot easier to keep track of me that way."
Rolls: Persuasion: 2+8=10, get beggar to help. (16+8=24 if advantage because of gold or Baron Fred) Persuasion: 14+8=22, to convince the cloaked fellow to come talk to me.
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Post by DM-Boneyard Ben on Mar 22, 2019 8:22:07 GMT -5
The man, who wears a tattered, multicolored scarf that looks to be about the height of a giant in length, suddenly stops his prattling about how time is not like a river and accepts your coin with a serious nod before he begins again with his nonsensical talk. You move around the corner and hear a strange sound your unfamiliar with, when you round the corner your "attacker" is on the ground before you and the scarf wearing man is nowhere to be seen. Your stalker turns out to be the drunkard you were talking to before, still loaded beyond reason as his first words to you from the dirt of the street are a happy; "Bogarymil! There you *Hic* are. I been..." He stops suddenly his face turning from his drunken red to a sickly green in an instant and turns his head to the side to upchuck his dinner. He staggers to his feet, waving away any help you might offer and then proceeds his talk as if nothing had happened. He talks for a while about how working at the docks suck and how awesome a guy you are for always listening to his troubles and helping everyone out and why did he want to talk to you? Oh yeah! There was a guy who walked into your shadow like a pool of water... Okay, that was all, goodnight! With that he staggers off slurring the words to "Bogary" in an obscenely loud and key way. You then hear a quiet but deadly feminine voice like a knife through silk. "Well, he was certainly observant" You become aware there is a presence behind you and turn to meet your attacker. You find yourself stopping short when a long arm lashes out near your head and breaks into the cobblestone of the building your standing beside. "Call me old fashioned but I prefer a man gets to know me before gawking at my body" The woman says, almost flirtatiously but there is that sharp edge of irritation as she grinds her fist into the cobblestone, probably meant as a reflection of what she'll do to your face if you start 'gawking". Through your peripherals you can see from her elbow up to her wrist (her hand is currently buried in the house wall) and it seems to be wrapped in a long strip of bandage that coils around her arm covering it entirely, a bandage that shifts and ripples like a shadow on gentle waters. Magic of some kind? Probably how she blended into the darkness so well. Whats your next move Prince? Turn about and have your face caved in or let a lady have her privacy? Seems she's willing to talk whilst your at her "mercy".
(Its in quotations cause you can definitely take that punch. THAT punch, the other punches that follow might be another story. Anyway if you wanna see her face roll Init and don't get less than me, cause otherwise your waking up in the Church with some busted ass appendages, and an empty wallet (She does work for the Shadow Hand after all, so no murder, yay!). She's is a monk and if I rolled all 1s for attack damage your still going to be very hurt Mr. lvl 4 Rogue. (Yes, I did roll the damage, no I didn't roll 1s and yes it is more than 36.) not trying to railroad you, buddy. Just want you to be aware of your options ^_^)
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Post by DM-Delfon on Mar 23, 2019 8:02:31 GMT -5
(Since when does Bogomil get into fights?)
Bogomil slowly lifts his hands out to the sides, fingers spread to show that they don't contain a weapon. Bogomil seems as completely at his ease being held here, as he would standing in the Wayfarer's Rest, "He was indeed, I sure did not see you. Good on him, and well done to you." He begins to turn around, until she ever so subtly suggests that he doesn't, "In this context my dear lady, I wouldn't dare to gawk at your body. I would however love to have the opportunity to get to know you. New friends bring such joy on ones life." He smiles one of his brightest smiles, not that she can see it to it's full effect. "Since you could have taken me out at your convenience, I assume you want to speak with me, yes? How can this joydancer bring you you joy today?"
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Post by DM-Boneyard Ben on Mar 27, 2019 17:17:41 GMT -5
You hear her chuckle behind you, a very deep and throaty laugh. It sends a chill down your spine out of both fear and desire, the two emotions seemingly at war with each other. It kind of reminds you of being in the Duchess' presence as Prince Charles, the want and desire brought up by the woman and the dread her bodyguard cast over you. Your heart sings and soars of pleasures yet to be but your instincts are screaming at you to run for it. "I am known as Venus Midnight" She says and you feel the warmth of her lips as she suddenly leans in close to you ear. "But, you may call me Mistress Midnight" She purrs. Her hot breath cascading across your ear, causing you to shudder. You feel her lean away once again. "I am the one who looks after Larry" She informs you matter-of-factly "So, be a good boy and do not bother my charge anymore and perhaps I will come visit you in your bed and read you a story" She finds some amusement in that as she laughs at it, once again deeply. But, you hear nothing funny in that laugh. Nothing remotely close to joy or mirth.
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Post by DM-Delfon on Mar 27, 2019 22:23:09 GMT -5
"Well met Mistress Midnight." Bogomil says, slowly bowing. Careful not to make any sudden movements that might spike Venus' ire. "You are Larry's keeper? That's fantastic!" Bogomil says with genuine excitement, "I'm glad that Larry has such a devoted defender. You see, as I told Ruby back at The Rest. I had a friend like Larry as a child. My friend still liked to be a part of whatever was going on around him." Bogomil pauses here, changing gears, "I'm going to put my arms down now, I hope you see that I am no threat to you, and that this is all just a misunderstanding." Lowering his arms to his sides carefully, but being sure to keep them from his belt or potential weapon locations, Bogomil continues as before, "I asked Larry if he wanted to fill the Grail, so that Lliira could fill his life with joy. I was even going to cover the cost of the beverage. Mistress, I swear to you that I only wanted to make him feel welcome, and loved. The same joy I have extended to countless patrons of the Wayfarer's Rest. I mean Larry no harm, but I will stay clear of his table in the future if that is what would bring you joy?" He carefully avoids talking about anything to do with her in his bed.
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Post by DM-Boneyard Ben on Apr 9, 2019 5:19:21 GMT -5
As you lower your hands, you hear the fist grind into the stone as once again hot breath washes over your ear, though you stoically manage your body this time around as you anticipated such things, what you didn't expect was the words that followed that breath. "Thats it, prick-ear. Niiiiiice and slow" She says with the edges of a lover watching her partner but still with that dangerous sharpness. "Breaking a couple dozen beds with you is what would bring me joy, little prick-ear" She says in answer. Although you have the distinct feeling that she means using your body to break the beds. As in, physically picking you up and slamming you into beds till they break. Though your immediate thought is; How bad could that be? Then, it clicks, she did say a few dozen and you imagine that the process would be very rigorous and painful. You think back to your hand to hand combat days and getting slammed into the mats in the palace, then you can see how that happening a few dozen times would be quite dreadful. "Barring that, yes, I would find joy in resuming my lazy duties watching the Larry" She says almost offhandedly, seeming almost out of character for the intense woman.
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Post by DM-Delfon on Apr 9, 2019 11:06:29 GMT -5
Bogomil again carefully avoids talking about this woman and beds, whether she means to bludgeon them with him, or to sleep with him in one it doesn't matter a bit. "Well then it's settled. I will continue to bring joy for another day, while you resume your lazy duties watching The Larry." Bogomil speaks clearly, making sure that the capital can be heard in his words. "In future I will avoid your charges table. Once again, my apologies Mistress." He finishes with another slow half bow. 'Time to roll the dice' Bogomil thinks, saying aloud, "If I may ask The Mistress a question?" Once more speaking clearly to add the importance of a capital to his voice, "If I overstep, please forgive me, but I have to ask who Larry is to require such staunch protection? I have not grown up here, and do not yet know all the major players of Clifton." Bogomil is basically screaming humility with his every tone, word and action. His words are a mixture of pleading earnestness, tempered with not wanting to get his head caved in in an alley.
Persuasion: 14+8=22
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Post by DM-Boneyard Ben on Apr 9, 2019 17:05:49 GMT -5
You hear a single sharp and mirthless laugh behind you and the fist that was embedded in the cobblestone, slips back away from your sight. "He is the son of a big shot noble that wants to make sure he remains... Unbothered" She says adding a clear connotation that your the bother in the form of flicking your ear. There is a pause from her at that and you can swear you hear her smile again before you find yourself alone in the alley once again.
A time later as your making sure your alone for sure this time. A group of rag covered figures appear from various corners and even one wearing a shaggy green hat and scarf appears from a garbage barrel. Seems they had you covered. Its good to have friends in low places. What now?
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Post by DM-Delfon on Apr 10, 2019 13:57:09 GMT -5
Bogomil places a coin into the hands of each of the beggars, "Thank-you my friends. Knowing that you were there for me brought me untold joy." He takes the time to shake each of their hands, and share a few words with each of them before they head back out into the streets of Clifton. Mostly thanking them personally, but Bogomil is always on the lookout for rumor and information. With that crisis averted, Bogomil makes his way home for some much needed sleep. In the morning Ezra will be heading back to the Palace to finish up his work for the day, and go out and finish his investigation of the missing funds.
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Post by DM-Boneyard Ben on Apr 13, 2019 1:27:55 GMT -5
The hobos offer a few your welcomes and don't have much in the way to say, they seem more surprised that someone is actually thanking them for helping out. You assume the beggars have a hard time at it considering all the propaganda sensationalizing the homeless, making them out to be deviants or leeches on society. You know from your time as a Prince that this is a means to distract from other problems or give the people something to unite against in their anger. Y'know something that ISN'T the noble filching their pockets covertly by selling them things they need at a mark up. The noble realizes your upset about him hiking the prices of bread for no reason but look at the gross man on the streets, don't you hate that? He could be a killer or wanna steal your kids and sell them to Underdark Slavers! And to help you, every additional purchase of my breads comes with a ward that gets rid of homeless men! Buy in bulk! You'd probably be disgusted but you've seen the tactics as useful tools for vetting spies and taking away from people's worries. You wonder how you can turn this to your advantage as you arrive home and set yourself to sleep.
Ezra is up early and coincidentally punctual as is proper for the odd little scribe, you go about your usual book keeping in your mega sized room. The maid set to attend you; Today it is the Tiefling girl; Dove, who's skin is as white as milk. You note her face takes on a crimson hue whenever you address that she exists. Aside from that she is quiet but distracting as the bouncy maid likes to rock on her heels, and sway herself to some unheard tune as the quiet drags out. Your first encounter with the girl resulted in hilarity that you honestly had to stop as Ezra's trademark awkward mannerisms set off a chain reaction of apologies and "Its my fault for.."s from the ultra shy and easily flustered maid. Seems rumors reached her ears and she blurted out her concern that you'd seduce her like you did to the Head Maid. Although her face turning a proper tiefling red and a spouting of a million apologies and assurances that she doesn't believe you'd do anything unwarranted and so on and so forth. You pulled your princely charms for a moment to set the girls worry at ease and set her about her task of assisting you before long. After a time though Dove is called away and your replacement should be here any moment now but... That was an hour ago and you need a certain book of royal lineages to confirm a suspicions of this so called "New money" in the city where your jealous seamstress spends all her time. Your sure someone will be along soon, or you could go to the library yourself?
EVENT IMMINENT!!!
Decide wisely...
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Post by DM-Delfon on Apr 14, 2019 6:38:38 GMT -5
(The scene with Dove would have been several posts of comedic gold! Next time...)
The conversation probably ended with something along the lines of, "I'll tell you what we will do. Next time we meet, we will pretend we have never met before. We will introduce ourselves and everything. Okay?" Ezra says wearing one of the princes best smiles. "If you want to make a really good first impression next time, come prepared with a story. As I told Mistress Battlebeard, I love a good non-fiction story. A little embellishment is fine, but I prefer a true telling." He hunches down like he's trying to make himself as small as possible and whispers, "Palace gossip is always the juiciest."
Ezra pokes his head out into the hallway outside his room, looking this way and that for a servant of the palace. If he finds one, he asks if he can be led to the library. If not, he takes his best guess and heads to the library himself.
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Post by DM-Boneyard Ben on Apr 17, 2019 7:04:03 GMT -5
(Agreed XD)
With shenanigans successfully accomplished and more in your ever brightening future, you are sure. You pop your head out your study and try your best to locate a servant. You manage to find one fellow who's outside... 50 feet up... Washing the windows... Don't suppose he'd be much help. Assuming you don't decide to bother the fellow you head to the library.
Luckily your study is only down the hall from the library, a sharp left and little walk and boom! There you stand. You open the door. Ezra excited to see the sight and take in the smells of an old and well stocked library. And you, sir are not disappointed. Books from wall to wall, large wooden shelves of 20 feet or more and spiraling stairs to the upper floors and endless volumes of knowledge in every nook and cranny. However as much as Ezra tugs and pulls to his task, the Prince notices something different. An elf and a man, sitting in the center of the library. The elf flipping through volumes at a rapid pace, seeming frustrated while the human seems to leisurely read his book at his own pace. The human, by all appearances is a ship Captain. The coat and hat are dead give away however the gold band on his captain's hat with multiple shining gems seems out of place and your natural attunement to the Weave tell you its magical and Powerful. He has kind of a plain look to him as far as humans, not overly handsome or ugly in either sense. However you have an overwhelming urge to be his friend. A small gargoyle-like creature hops around him and flies on its bat-like wings seeming to try and see everything at once. It also seems to favor being closer to the women in the library than anyone else. The human... The Captain? That seems right. The Captain looks up from his volume when you enter and smiles, offering you a short and friendly bow. This man's eyes are deep and heavily knowledgeable. He reminds you of your Father, a glint in his eyes that make him seem like he has all the answers and is always wanting to help or make a situation better, however something lies below those eyes... Something darker... You also notice that he has a strange tattoo of a hooded skull with a scythe on the back of his hand, odd. You wouldn't think a nice guy like that to be part of a shady gang? The elf notices the movement of the nearby human and traces his line of sight to you. The elf (A moon elf if your not mistaken) smiles and looks like he's going to get up from his reading to greet you but his eyes narrow and you feel very... naked. His sharp eyes seem to take you in, rip you into tiny pieces, breaking you down to your core elements, gathering everything he needs to know and leaves you like that. When his eyes let up , he seems heavily dissatisfied and turns back to his book, grumbling something. The Captain pats his shoulder and laughs a little, seeming to try and comfort the Elf. Your eyes quickly find the elf has a couple of small oddly shaped wands on his belt. One of a snake, another of metal, and one of gnarled wood, they look like mini staves. However your breath catches when the elf raises his right hand to turn the page of his book. His entire hand seems to be made from some sort of blue crystal with black smoke writhing inside of it. The strange appendage moves as a hand should, it radiates some kind of white smoke as well and given how the light catches it you think that hand is made of ice and it probably goes further up his arm. The black smoke that seems to be inside the limb writhes and move in a distracting way. Like its looking for a way out and looking at it yourself gives you chills. Like the specter of Death itself is staring at you.
Seems you've met the two most interesting people of your life, however you recall thats not what your hear for and the volume you need is off to the left there, you could avoid them entirely, get your work done for the day? What shall you do?
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Post by DM-Delfon on Apr 17, 2019 11:03:15 GMT -5
Ezra steps into the hallway, not really sure what the social protocol is for wandering around in someone else's house unattended. Cocking his head to one side, he thinks about it for a moment, 'Well the palace is a public building for the most part. It just has restricted areas, which I have been granted access to.' Nodding to himself with the decision made, he heads down the hallway. Seeing the window washer hanging off the outside of the palace through a window, he just gives a small unsure wave. No protocol book has ever given the proper procedure for communicating with a servant that is literally hanging from the outside of a building.
As Ezra enters the library, he uncharacteristically shoves the rest of the personalities down. 'This moment is for me.' He thinks simply. He gawks openly at the rows of books, trailing a finger along their spines as he moves into the room. Although he does see the Captain and his companion, he outwardly pays them no heed just yet. Ezra circles the room once, stopping only to pick up the book he came here to find. When he gets back to where he started, he turns back toward the pair, "Oh, erm." He takes a deep breath to steady himself, "According to prevailing social protocol, I believe I was rude." He bows, whispering, "Acknowledge mistake, and offer an apology. Follow up with an explanation, corrective behavior and assurances that it will not occur again." When he straightens, he continues in a more normal volume, "Please accept my most sincere apology for ignoring you when I came into the room. This is my first time in the palace library, and I was overwhelmed by the scale of the gathered materials. I assure you that it will not happen again. Please allow me to make up for the slight by introducing myself now." Ezra awkwardly steps forward, extending his hand like he has seen others do, "My name is Ezra Quillier, personal scribe to the Duchess herself." The last is added purely to be informative, with no hint of bragging. The handshake is weak, and not aligned correctly so it just comes across feeling a little weird.
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Post by DM-Boneyard Ben on May 5, 2019 12:00:30 GMT -5
The Captain lets out a short dismissive chuckle and you feel immediately that any slight you may have stumbled upon was forgiven and forgotten. "Be at ease, High Scribe of the Illustrious Duchess, no offense was taken, we're in a library after all" the human says with a smile and a wink as he takes your hand, setting you more at ease. The captain's handshake is firm and defined, a man used to making deals and easily guides Ezra's hand through proper procedure. The Elf continues to mutter to himself. In elvish it seems, your acute hearing picks up on the Elvish word for Charlatan. Though because of the elvish language being one more akin to poetry its more direct translation is; "one who wears a face, not his own." "Forgive my companion here, he's not a very sociable type" He offers and then immediately goes wide eyed as if he'd realized something. "Ah! Where are my manners, my name is Captain Jonathon Smithe, of the Dawn's Horizon. Merchant of the Lawless Sea" He introduces himself, you catch a light in his eyes as he mentions his ship's name and profession. A man who loves his work and is talking about it. "The well read fellow to my left is called Ja'lian Whitescroll of the Luminous Cloud Clergy, we are here to record some rare books for their library". The Captain offers. From your knowledge of Elvish you know Ja'lian means Master Of Staves and the Captain makes the name sound like a title. So, Staff Master Whitescroll, but whats his first name? The elf offers a wave, you think. His hand barely left the book.
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Post by DM-Delfon on May 7, 2019 9:43:46 GMT -5
Ezra would turn an uncharacteristic glare toward Ja'lain, murmuring quietly to himself, "Social protocol dictates that conversation should continue in the language in which it was started." but the Captains words immediately smooth that social breach over with his explanation that his companion is not very social. Since Ja'lian spoke Elven, Ezra responds to him in Elven, intentionally changing the words to force the more formal title instead of calling him Ja'lian, "Well met Master of Staves Whitescroll. I'm not sure whose face you believe me to be wearing, but I can assure you this is the face I was born with." Ezra turns his attention back to the man shaking his hand, returning once more to the common tongue. "Well met Captain Smithe of the Dawn's Horizon. It truly is a pleasure to met you. If I can assist you in your search in any way, just let me know." Ezra realizes that he is still holding the Captains hand, and sheepishly lets it go. "I have not visited this particular library, but I have read a great many other books in the city." Once again not a hint of boasting, just a simple statement of fact. The Prince watches Ja'lian like a hawk. Anybody that is that suspicious of strangers can accidentally be very dangerous. The Captain seems familiar for some reason, like a character from a book brought to life...
Rolls: History 17+0=17
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