AvB - The adventures of Scribly

[Monodominant]

The day of the feast starts early. You are woken up at day break by the young maid as she knocks loudly on your door.

Already you hear voices from outside as the men "you" hired are waiting for your commands having just broken their fast in the kitchen.

The housekeeper is also present and looks at you with interest.

"Make sure you keep an eye on the Mr Jared. If I find any candlesticks or such missing when they are off rest assured the blame will be on you." she says.

You hear a barely audible whisper from one of the men "Moody crone, we are not here 10 minutes and she starts the bossing around...". The others grin widely but keep their mouths shut.

[Moranica]

"Yes, you hear that? If I get in trouble because of you, I will make it double as troublesome for you. Keep that in mind. Now let's get this feast on the way."

Scribly starts putting them to work, like he saw Jared do.

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Timeframe wise, I have 2 days to kill and replace him right?

[Monodominant]

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Timeframe wise today is the Feast.

Then you have 2 dies to replace him.

Two days after you replace him is the meeting.

Two days after the meeting you can suicide him.

The men you have hired are two servers and an extra hand for the kitchen.

You and your men spend the day preparing the house, cleaning what was cleaned once more, setting up the big dinigh hall and preparing the food that doesnt need to be warm.

You have a break during lunch and get a chance to see the master of the house returning from the barbers and tailors. He has new fine clothes of earthy colors and is clean shaven and with his hair trimmed. Generally his image is one of neat efficience.

Even though the 3rd floor is out of limits for the guests you are required to clean it as well and as such you fell fairly tired by the time the bell strikes five and the valet appears to inspect everything.

You and your "squad" have done a good job overal...

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Giving you chance to do anything particular before moving on.

PS> I am not stalling just want to make sure I dont pass you if you want to do something.

[Moranica]

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Frankly, it's Scribly's first time doing something like this, so he'll just try the basics for now.

"Good job everyone. Let's keep it up."

[Monodominant]

Almost half an hour later there is a knock on the door and your men, the maid and the cook all disappear in the kitchen.

Only you and the valet remain in entrance hall and the valet rushes to alert his master motioning to you to open.

There is a second knock on the door.

[Moranica]

Scribly opens the door, prepared to welcome any guests.

[Monodominant]

Two men dressed in simple, yet elegant clothes are standing outside.

"Good afternoon Jared. I hope we are not late" one of them says just as you hear footsteps behind you.

"Ah maestro Erek!" says the other looking past you.

"Gentlemen! Welcome to my humble abode!" you hear the voice of 'your' master behind you. "Please do come in! Not only are you not late but you are the lucky first guests!"

"Splendid" replies the first man and smiles.

[Moranica]

"Welcome, good sirs. Your not late at all, actually ..... ", Scribly (I almost typed Jared here..... rping within rping is confusing! ) stops as he hears his 'masters' voice.

"Can I take your coats from you?"

[Monodominant]

The men pass their coats to you along with their hats and then proceed to give a firm handshake to Erek.

They exchange a few pleasantries before they head upstairs as Erek informs them that since they are first they can enjoy a first drink at his study.

The valet turns back to you and nods.

"Jared I believe the master will not be coming down for each guest. Please make sure you take care of their initial needs and send them up the ladder and I will show them to the dining hall. Oh and remember Lady Regira is attending tonight so be careful!" he says and heads upstairs.

You do not recall being told about anyone of that name...

[Moranica]

WHat..?!?! Is she his bff or something?

"Will do."

Scribly takes care of the coats and resumes his doorman station.

[Monodominant]

In the next half hour you greet fifteen people. Only 3 come on their own, the remaining mostly in 2s or 3s.

Judging from their clothing, style and overall appearance they are all business and artisans. Most seem afluent but nothing extremely fancy or close to nobility.

And then she arrives.

As you open the door you see the man knocking with his cane and behind him two guards armed with halberds and armored in breastplate. Behind them waits a carriage made of fine wood and sporting a coat of arms showing a phoenix rising from a pit and the words "Morte Ascendo".

The guards stand at attention as the door opens and a gorgeous eladrin woman who appears to be in her mid-twenties. She is a vivacious buxom woman wearing a revealing and provocative red dress and strides towards the entrance leaving her guards behind.

As she reached the door she smiles at you.

"Pleasant evening to you Jared! How are you tonight?" she says and makes to enter.

[Moranica]

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Sense motive to see if she's acts like an old friend or a simple acquaintance. (1d20+10)[28]

[Monodominant]

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Acquaintance.

With this result you can actually see through the facade. The woman pretends to be friendly to one such as you but in reality she has a certain air of superiority and menace. Should she feel that you crossed the line she wouldnt hesitate to "sting" you.

[Moranica]

"Welcome, Lady Regira. I am doing well. Can I perhaps take your coat? I'm sure Master Erec will be delighted to see you've arrived."

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Taking her coat and hoping she does the: move along, nothing to see here thing.

[Monodominant]

"Off course you can take it darling" she says and drops her coat in front of her.

"But dont be so cold! Just a fine wont do! What misadventures have you gotten yourself since I last saw you? Any poor wench cries over her broken maidenhead or have you a been a good boy?" she asks and puts her foot right next to the coat but does not step onto to it.

The guards and her valet all maintain a neutral expression, almost blank, and stare ahead.

[Moranica]

With blinding speed, Scribly moves to the coat picks it up, and moves back to his original position.

"Nothing out of the ordinary, mylady."

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If manifesting doesn't show (especially a swift action), using hustle to move back in the same 'round' as getting it.

[Monodominant]

The woman smiles at your burst of speed or rather grace as it appears but your frowns at your once again cold response.

She hrumfs loudly and moves past you heading upstairs. The two guards follow behind her and the valet stops next to you.

"Good eve, would it be okay if Josua and Micah stay at your kitchens? I doubt her ladyship will want to have them at dinner and I doubt you want them snooping around the house..."

[Moranica]

"Sure, as long as they stay out of the way that's fine. Don't want the guests to have to wait for their food."

Scribly sighs in relief as the lady moves away.

[Monodominant]

The guards head to the kitchens and you dont hear any complaints from the rest of the staff.

Another half hour and all the guests that you had been expecting have arrived. A few more merchants and artisans, two musicians and finally a minor noble judging from the clothes and coat of arms.

All the guests there and the dinner begins. You are asked to attend the dining hall and you see the guests mingling and discussing while the musicians are playing a flute and a small wooden harp and singing merry, but quiet, songs.

The valet and the housekeeper indicate its time to start and you along with the other servants start to bring the food and drinks. The atmosphere is jovial and the discussions at this stage are more about life, culture and general politics of Aldhaven.

Then one of your new "colleagues" trips on the thick carpet and falls on the floor dropping the plater he was holding but thankfully not on anyone.

[Moranica]

"What, no you clumsy idiot. Quick, get to the kitchen and get something to clean this up with." Meanwhile Scribly get's on of the other servants to start cleaning it, while he apoligises to the guest.

"Terribly sorry, we'll get it clean in no time. I hope none of the drops hit any of you?"

[Monodominant]

None of the guests seems too annoyed. Some actually laugh at the misfortune and makes jests about the servants having tried the wine before the guests.

Erek looks towards the servant that did the "deed" with some annoyance but seems to quickly forget it as Lady Regira leans in closer and whispers something to him.

The offending servant has the notion to return quickly and he is slower but much more careful whenever he carries something.

Slowly as the night continues the main courses arrive and you spend quite alot of your time just refilling goblets of wine and mugs of ale depending on the guest.

You are passing by Lady Regira to refill her cup when she leans backwards and you end up staring at the enormity of her breasts that are trying really hard to escape from her tight bodice. The woman grins towards you and smiles obviously doing it on purpose.

[Moranica]

While in obvious awe, Scribly quickly pulls away his gaze, and quickly moves on.

[Monodominant]

She giggles and goes back to your master's ear whispering.

Generally the topics of conversation slowly change from general politics and affairs to more about trade and how there are many issues to be solved. Your host does not directly boast or make claims but he puts forward some very radical, yet it seems highly beneficial, ideas. Generally even to you, not highly aware of the intricasies of trade and social services you find that his ideas would greatly improve the life of the lower and middle class of Aldhaven and make good more affordable although some of the ways this would be done would mean they would need to change the City's foreign policy and ally with traditional enemy cities to create trade organisation and similar.

People become more serious despite the wine and ale consumption and the conversation turns to people of influence that would need to be convinced and how that would be possible.

Its not long before Lady Regira says what everyone is thinking.

"But perhaps, Master Erek, what this city's guilds need is a strong man with leadership potential and great ideas! I believe I would not be far off if I were to say that most at this table would welcome your candidacy!" she says smoothly and many voices call out "hear hear" or similar approval.

There are few that though not suprised obviously do not support the idea saying that he should work through a proxy as his connections to the lower class is too strong and would scare the other artisans and merchants away.

[Moranica]

Some interesting ideas this man has. I have to remember them, might come in handy one day. Pity he has to die. But it can't be helped.

"Some more wine, sir?"

[Monodominant]

You refill the cup and continue with the errands.

As more time passes, and you start feeling the weight of the day on your shoulders, it seems that the guests are also getting tired. Though there are a couple that are more than tipsy generally most of the guests are well behaved and do not go overboard or end up blind drunk.

Slowly as the desserts come and go there are a couple of final toasts and people start departing saying their farewells and final wishes and thanking everyone for the meal.

One of the older men,a kind looking patriarchical figure dressed in simple clothes though you heard he represents the interests of a number of cloth merchants, approaches you at an opportune moment and places a small pouch in your hands.

"For your fine service tonight, make sure you share it with all the staff" he says and moves swiftly away.

In the end there are only two guests left and they all rise take their drinks and head to the private study.

The banker you saw yesterday and the Lady Regira.

And then comes the next fun part of your evening, cleaning up.

[Moranica]

"My lord, that is most kind of you, but not necessary. Master Erec takes good care of us and your enjoyment of the evening is sufficient a tip."

If he insists though, Scribly will take it and share it with the others.

"Alright fellows, let's clean up. Might go and look for some leftovers in the kitchen afterwards."

[Monodominant]

The man insists or rather places the pouch in your hand and moves away before you finish your protesting.

All in all in the pouch there are 85 silver coins.

The next hour and a half passes with cleaning and the like. After you are done the valet and housekeeper thank all of you for your good work and tell you that you can retire, they will make sure Master Erek and his two final guests are seen to when the time comes for them to depart.

[Moranica]

I share the silver with all that worked this evening and go to bed.

Phew, that went well for my first day. I might get the hang of this stuff.

[Monodominant]

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Gah! Sorry! I thought I had answered this!

So take 150 xp for a well played replacement so far!

Your rest is restful and you wake up rested.

[Moranica]

Today, Scribly's goal is to get better acqainted with the housekeeper and valet, as they seem to have the most interaction with Erec. Trying to find out history and current standings.

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Thx for the xp!