A Faerie Affair - IC III: In the Court of the Faerie King

[WindStruck]

Astra flew forward next. "Greetings, King Soren and his esteemed court! My name is, uh," Oh crap, what about pseudonyms...? Astra hadn't really given much though to it as they journeyed thus far, since talking briefly with Hefeydd. Well whataver. "You may call me Ruby Diamondheart!" she said, thinking of Opal who just went.

"Or, uh.. I guess.. just Astra is fine..." she said blushing. This was so stupid! "I'm a wizard... healer... at your service..." she ended, mumbling and so uncomfortable, looking at the king and everyone.

[Majin]

Kor isn't so enthusiastic about the hug, but he endures it as gracefully as possible. It was a weird gesture, better fitting for humanoids.

Kor flies forward and prepares to introduce himself to the court. All the unexpected excitement of the past day had made him forget about the whole court thing. Also, the king was way more familiar than he'd expected. Well, being himself would have to be enough. "Hello... I mean greetings! I am Korialstrasz, druid from the forest of Wealdath" Kor says. "Umm, nice to meet you all?" Was that proper introduction? Would have to do. Besides, the king seemed relaxed.

[tgva8889]

Orianna, who is still rather tired, spends a rather large amount of her mental energy taking everything in, such that she's mostly caught by surprise when they enter the dance, and then again when King Soren hugs them each. Introducing herself last proves to be her only saving grace, and she says, "You may call me Ori" as she is introduced.

Her tiredness is not quite enough to miss the sarcasm in the King's voice, and she makes a note of it as she is pulled around the room by the etiquette, making sure to meet eyes which each fey she introduces herself to. Frankly the entire thing spins her head around, and she makes a sort of pleading gesture to someone else to maybe try and get them out of this situation so she can at least sit down somewhere and put her thoughts in some form of order.

[Ninja_Prawn]

The King clears his throat...

"I extend my welcome out to you
Ye ragtag and a-motley crew
Who do so well my ears surprise
With such creative alibis
I wonder though, what gifts you bring
To buy the favour of this King?"

His eyes glitter.

[Stan]

Opal looks around at the others. Duh! A gift. Maybe the others can whip something up. Opal is also tired but does her best to avoid getting them immediately exiled. She tries to summon up some rhymes and deliver them with her rockslide grace.

"Ori has letters for your highness from Lydia the Queen.
Secrets from Royal to Royal, if you know what I mean."

Opal quickly fishes something from her bag. She quickly gets on her knees and extends both hands together, palm up. In her hands is a shiny white stone, worn smooth as you might find in a stream bed. It's a fine specimen of such stones, but it's still just a rock.

"True, we are but simple Fey on the Road.
We could never hope to match the glitter of your Gold.
I have a simple treasure to present in my Hand.
It holds the magic of my distant Land.
It's as purely white as the the grace of your Highness.
Without imperfection, it shines lightly with an inner Shyness.
It carries the strength of the peak, the swiftness of the Stream.
With it, you can say in truth that your jewels outshine the Stone of Gleam."

Opal then waits awkward on her knees until someone reacts or takes the stone.

[Pyon]

Kyu thought hard what she could possibly gift the king. They hadn't even thought of that had they? She scratched her head, and her hand touched the glasses she had made for herself. With a sigh she poked her chin as she thought of a rhyme.

"I said that I could work with glass,
They are fashionable and practical for blocking the sun.
If the court enjoys them I could make them in mass
But right now they are the only pair that is certain!"

She reluctantly took the glasses from her head and presented them to the king.

"A pair of sun blocking glasses made by Kyu
And now gifted to you."

[WindStruck]

Astra waits a bit for the king's response to Opal and Kyu. She flies backward trying to find Orianna without turning her back to the king, and she whispers in her ear, "What about that stuff from Count Chen?"

[Ninja_Prawn]

"My, my, what heartfelt gifts
Opinions sure to shift
A rock from nymph of stone
That was her very own
And stylish pixie-craft
Made by Kyu's hard graft
Whatever shall I do
To make it up to you?"

You notice that he reaches for the letters first, though.

Spoiler: Astra/Ori

Show

Count Chen's chests are in the mule cart.

[WindStruck]

Astra begins a sort of poem, indicating for Ori to get that box Count Chen said, and she also vaguely references Kor.

"A fitting gift for a great king,
Would come no less from a dragon's horde.
Alas all that we could bring,
Is a generous gift from a noble lord.

From lands to the south,
On ships we sailed,
Up a river's mouth,
A treacherous tale.

But now we're here,
To cheer or jeer,
We volunteer this souvenir."

Astra finishes with a bow.

[tgva8889]

Rather than speaking, as she's a bit too tired to even come up with proper paired couplets, Orianna instead collects the various gifts as they're mentioned and she figures out exactly to what everyone is referring. She hefts the chest from Count Chen carefully from the cart and presents the letters for King Soren to take at his own leisure.

[Stan]

Opal stands and takes a chest from Orianna, waiting for instructions from the king or somebody on what to do with it.

[Ninja_Prawn]

"Ah, excellent," says King Soren. "I do enjoy getting things from humanoids. Let's take a look, shall we?"

Goldfeather steps forward and opens the chest with a magic spell. Inside is a smaller box, carved and painted in a nautical design. The King picks it up and opens it, causing the box to unfold itself into what would be a small canoe by humanoid standards, but could probably fit a decent crew of faeries. The King beams and declares: "take it to the Vault!"

"Well, I do believe you five have earned yourself some credit. Have you lodgings in my sanctuary, yet?

Suddenly, a noblewoman demands:
"Your Highness, please excuse
This interruption rude
And let me share my views
For to improve the mood

My doors I would open
To these good strangers five
Until the time is when
They wish to leave our hive"

Almost before she has finished, Cloverfield is insisting:
"Listen not to her
All sources do concur
Her style went out last year
It's true, not just a slur

Instead I'd house them here
Your Grace would have their ears
And then you need not fear
What secrets they might hear"

"Nonsense!" Storms a new voice, without any hint of tune. "These are clearly artisans and traders. Look: healer, holy man, glassblower... wish-granters all. Clearly they fall under our domain; housing them is council business."

Pondering for a moment, the King's face takes on a cat-like cast. "It seems you have a choice, my dear ambassadors."

[WindStruck]

Astra tries to speak in pros again...

"Ah, the king's secretary!
Offers room when we are weary.

A great offer I wouldn't mind,
But who are these folks who are also kind?"

Feeling rather restricted by these protocol, Astra really has to fly backward and still nearly turn her back to the king to address the one who interrupted.

"Who might you be, madam?
An introduction would be ... grand?"

Oh boy. And then trying to find the voice of the last person, she said,

"And you sir, you have great timing!
Cause I really wonder, do we have to keep rhyming?"

[Ninja_Prawn]

"You need not rhyme with me, young pixie. I am not the Court and what we are doing is talking, not addressing," says the councilman, who is decorated with all manner of chains, symbols and livery. Several of the nobles sneer and huff. The one who spoke before sings...
"You may call me Gingerlily
But my name is Applehoney
Fam'ly name both great and storied
Yes, I'd say we're classy indeed"

[Majin]

Kor whispers to the group: "So who should we go with? It sounds like Cloverfield wants to keep secrets from us, but I'm not sure because all this rhyming is sort of confusing..."

"One question before we decide, fair lady,
have you someone making sweets... fresh daily?" Kor says to the noblewoman. The woman's name sounded tasty after all.

[Ninja_Prawn]

Lady Applehoney replies:
"Making? Nay! Why, I shudder at the thought
Such things are below us of noble line
But if sweet treats are ever by you sought
My cooks can sate that appetite of thine"

[tgva8889]

Orianna has a bit of trouble following everything that's said, but she looks between the three and attempts to discern for herself whether any of the three seems to have any sort of particular motive for keeping their house. Unfortunately, her own tiredness causes her to miss some potentially obvious ways the particular fey rhyme, speak, or present themselves, and so she's stuck with no true sense. Shaking her head to clear it a bit, she looks to Lady Applehoney.

"If such kindness you would show to us,
We may be so inclined.
But if it's not presumptuous,
How would you change our mind?"

Spoiler: Skill Check

Show

Insight (Wisdom presumably) (1d20+3)[18]
Disadvantage (1d20+3)[5]

[WindStruck]

Astra speaks up and says,

"Well I can't speak for everyone.
It sounds like staying with you will be fun.
But I'll do my best to represent my fellows,
If it means departing with one who's not so mellow."

Astra was hinting at splitting up to go with the council man. Would he behave a bit nicer when not in this court? Perhaps so. It seemed like he hated all this rhyming too. It wasn't quite Astra's thing either... at least, not yet. But she did know one thing.. if she had to do it all day, it would drive her crazy!

[Stan]

"Others may go their way to see what it will yield.
I shall stay at the kings' home at the pleasure of Cloverfield."

[Ninja_Prawn]

"Very good," says the secretary. "I will have one of our larger rooms prepared for you." She hurries off.

Lady Applehoney summons up a porter and bustles over, keeping her eyes on the King as she approaches. "Is it the three of you, then? I suppose I'll have to stable the donkey, as well..."

[Pyon]

"Kyu wants to make some glass,
because the lass...
Uhm.... Uuuuh..."

Kyu tried to find another rhyming word but just stuttered until she pointed a finger at the councilman and stated frustratedly. "I'll be staying with him."

[tgva8889]

Orianna observes the decisions being made and then offers a nod, not really minding where she stays enough at this point to refuse some kind of lodging.

[Majin]

Kor pats Dumpling on the head.

"She's called Dumpling,
And she's done a lot of traveling.
She needs a place to rest,
because... She's just the best".

Well, as long as it rhymes, Kor thinks. He hesitantly adds "Uh, and a mule, actually... My lady".

[Ninja_Prawn]

Kyu tried to find another rhyming word but just stuttered until she pointed a finger at the councilman and stated frustratedly. "I'll be staying with him."

He seems pleased, asking "are you ready, then? Please come with me."

Spoiler: Astra and Kyu

Show

He leads you out of the King's palace, accompanied by a large entourage of grandees, each seeming to wear more chains and medals and carry a bigger sceptre than the last. You all cross the manicured garden in the centre of the enclave and enter another massive palace, all marble and stained glass. "Now, I'm sure you're sick of protocol and paperwork, so I'll just assign you both to the Special Department for Miscellaneous Business for now. Fortunately, I happen to be chairman of that Department..." he extends a hand... "Jasper Sandyshore, pleased to meet you."

Spoiler: Opal

Show

Cloverfield whispers in your ear: "you must be the smart one, then. Is there anything else you need with the King, or would you like to get settled in now?"

He hesitantly adds "Uh, and a mule, actually... My lady"

Lady Applehoney waves her arms to beckon you over...
"Of course, of course, come, come, come, come
Half-nymph and dragon and pack-mule and all
Shake off that frown, don't look so glum
You'll come with me and we'll all have a ball!"

Spoiler: Kor & Ori

Show

The Applehoney house is up in the trees; your host has an attendant Levitate Ori and Dumpling up to it. Everything in the house is beautifully carved - seemingly out of the living wood - and decorated with glittering gemstones, but it feels positively modest when compared to Soren's palace. The Lady hustles you in and sends young faeries, pixies and petals scattering with a flurry of instructions, such that you find yourselves plonked into big, comfy chairs being offered a selection of sweet-looking fruits before you know what's going on.

"Is there anything I can get for you, friends? Something to drink? A change of clothes? Or perhaps we could get some music started in here??"

An acidic edge to that last one tells you it was directed more at the servants than at you two.

[WindStruck]

"Ah thanks! I couldn't stay there and rhyme all day or I would go completely bonkers! It's nice to meet you, Jasper. By the way what do all those medals and chains mean?"

[Majin]

"Oh, I would like something to drink, maybe something sweet wine", Kor says and pierces a piece of fruit with his claw.

"So... What's the situation here? Have you heard about the drow attacks", Kor asks Applehoney. Kor decided to be blunt, since he knew so little about courtly intrigue that if he tried any finer manouvers, he'd just end up crashing into a tree, so to speak. Maybe her reactions would reveal something.

[Stan]

Spoiler: Opal's response

Show

Opal gives a thin, tired smile and talks to Cloverfield as they go. "Thanks. I think rest would be best now. That will also give his Highness time to digest whatever was in the letters from Queen Lydia. I do want the King to appreciate that drow and ettercaps are behind the disturbances, though. I have seen them first hand and, from a distance, the Wolfjaw Towers looked like a military base."

Opal walks a bit and considers further.

"Of course, the court was aware of our imminent arrival, powerful Fey must be aware of their domains. But the details may have been sprung upon you all. Rather than trying to force the King's hand while all eyes are upon him, I'd prefer to give his Highness a chance to arrange a scene to his liking, whether a private consultation or a public display, as he sees fit. I'm sure that you'll do as you choose anyway, but feel free to convey all of this to your King. My friends and I are not trying to gain a position in any court or see anyone rise or fall. We just want to protect our fellow Fey from the evil welling up from below. I see no advantage from us being overly coy."

Opal is trusting by nature but she's aware that courts can be full of nasty deception. But she has little to hide and little to lose. An apparent mismatch between what she said and what the king appears to know tomorrow would at least let her know where she stands with Cloverfield.

[tgva8889]

Orianna nods emphatically. "Some wine would be fine, yes." Then, thrown into the mix, she shakes her head. "Oh, actually, nevermind. I'll pass for the moment." She looks at the fruits carefully, though doesn't partake in anything. "If you have someplace I can change and keep my belongings, I would appreciate it."

[Ninja_Prawn]

Spoiler: Astra & Kyu

Show

Jasper goes through each adornment in turn, and they quickly blur into gibberish... "...this one signifies my membership of the Bureau of Frivolity, this is the Pin of the Chairman of Special Department for Miscellaneous Business, this chain means that I am a trustee of the Shadowy Council of Ominous Mystery..."

It feels like hours later when another faeries comes and stops him. After a brief discussion, Jasper informs you that "your rooms are ready now; I hope they are to your liking. Please take your time and come back down here if you need anything else."

Your rooms, which are next to each other midway up the structure, overlook the centre of the enclave. They smell faintly of frankincense thanks to small incense burners on the nightstands. Astra's room includes a heavy wooden desk stocked with ink, quills and parchment, as well as a statue of an old (and very oddly dressed) faerie. The bed is a bunk above the writing desk, with no ladder of course. Kyu's room is dominated by an ancient-looking painting. A vanity mirror is accompanied by brushes, combs and powders on a small round table, opposite a big bed with a fluffy-looking mattress.

Spoiler: Kor & Ori

Show

"Of course, madame." Says your host. You are shown to a spacious guest room with a human-sized bed (Applehoney emphasises how rare it is to find such things here) and an airy veranda. A copper tub is quickly procured, filled with water and heated, should you need it.

Meanwhile, the noblewoman is answering Kor's question. "Situation? I hadn't heard about any drow attacks. Hmm... but if there have been drow in the woods, I'd wager they're mercenaries hired by Reena's cowardly dogs to do the fighting for them. That's why Lydia sent you, right? She wants to make an alliance against those lily-livered scum?"

Spoiler: Opal

Show

Cloverfield smiles and sits on your shoulder as she directs you to your rooms. "You... really mean that, don't you? You folks really aren't what I expected from Lydia's emissaries." You turn left at the top of the stairs. "Make sure you rest up. I foresee a big day for you tomorrow!"

The walls of your room are hung with selection of weapons; gleaming bronze blades and silver hammerheads catch the faerie-light and scatter it artfully all around; and a human-sized suit of plate armour stands in a corner, its arm propped up to serve as a cloak hook. The four-poster bed is closed off with dark velvet curtains and would probably be big enough to sleep three of you...

[WindStruck]

Ah! Paper, ink, quills! This was great. Astra took in the room for a bit, then set down her stuff, got comfortable, and set to work. Getting the Common/Sylvan dictionary out, she tested out her new cantrip to copy each page, letter by letter in blinding speed!