The Last Days of Askess

[TigerHunter]

"Hm. If there aren't any magical wards on it, I could pull off the sheet and let everyone have a peek." Ras sipped his wine. "Probably better to just wait until they properly unveil it, though."

Ras grinned wickedly, and quickly raised his cup to hide it. "Although... if you could tell me whether there are any wards on it, I think I may have an idea."

[phoerix]

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so I'm not just seeing things :P

Phoerix smiles broadly Now that's wisdom and ingenuity thinking at once, I am having a good influence on you He gestures at the cloth-bound object with his glass I could have done the same thing, or close enough, and yet, I doubt it would be very appreciated, and hardly inconspicuous. Still, lets see what we can find Phoerix winks at his friends.

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I use my detect magic at will power while muttering to myself and twitching my fingers(do I need to make a concentrate check) And I'll keep doing so for the full three rounds if possible

[Fawkes]

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I make a Listen check to see if hear any interesting conversations around me.

[phoerix]

Phoerix's eyes light up. Nothing I can find, do you still want to try something?

[Zarah]

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Since there's some focus on the secret object...

The object in the center of the pavilion, still covered by the white sheet, stands about 12 feet tall, and is about six feet wide at the base. The two guards standing next to it look bored, and somewhat put out that they couldn't enjoy the festivities themselves, but they remain fixed in position nonetheless.

[TigerHunter]

"I'd have to wake Inezar to do it. He always bites me when I do that." Ras shrugs. "Probably wouldn't have worked anyway."

[Zarah]

After a short time, the man dismisses the conversation with the Count and Endran, then steps back to the front of the stage before clearing his throat.

"Men, women, and others from all corners of Errion. I welcome you all to Lerulia and to today's event," he announces with open arms. "As most of you already know, today we have come to celebrate the retirement of a hero. A hero who has served the Askess Empire for nearly thirty years, and come across some of the greatest achievements known to man. He has sailed across the entire Merrin Sea, putting his mark on every speck of land that he stepped to. He has become a nemesis of piracy upon the waters, sinking countless ships in the name of Askess, including the Serpent and even the infamous Devil’s Nightmare.

"His repertoire of skills and accomplishments is long enough to be spoken of for hours, but of course, that's not the reason why you've all come here. So without further ado, I present the hero of the tales and man of the hour himself, Endran Taradom!"

The entire pavilion erupts with applause and cheering as the crowd shows their enthusiasm. With open arms, the man takes a few steps back as Endran takes his place. He spends a few seconds waiting for the noise to die down, then places his hands behind his back and continues with his own speech.

[TigerHunter]

Ras downs the last of his wine. "This promises to be less than entertaining."

[Fawkes]

Noah lets out a small chuckle as the people around him cheer. He doesn't applaud.

[phoerix]

But profitable, take notes on his speech; its sure to go down in history and he'll have been preparing for it for months now. You could learn much from it I'm sure Phoerix advises his young student, falling into the role of teacher momentarily. Besides, after that is done is when the real party starts Phoerix winked at his friend.

[Glyphic]

Lyra clearly hesitates for a moment, before threatening to burst the eardrums of those around her with a zealous cheer.

Yeesh. Can she trade her smite evil for a Smite Apathy?

[TigerHunter]

"Educational? One studies history in order to learn from the mistakes of others. I've read near every account of the Admiral's adventures. What could I possibly learn from listening to him drone on about patriotism and a hollow story about the importance of one particular virtue or another?"

[Zarah]

"Thank you, thank you," he begins, taking a small bow. "It's an honor to be here, and is certainly amazing to have so many people here merely to celebrate my retirement. I told Darien I didn't want a big celebration, and this is what he gives me."

After a few chuckles from the crowd, he goes on, "I cannot think of anything I would rather have done with my life. I love the sea, and I love this Empire with all of my heart. That may explain why I never married...

"Anyway, I don't want to spend too much time yapping up here, so let me just keep it short and say that it's wonderful to see you all here, and I thank you all."

More clapping rises up from the crowd as the first announcer returns to his place.

"Just be happy I didn't invite the entire Empire," he retorts with a wide smile. He then nods toward the guards protecting the covered object.

""Now, in honor of today's event, we would like to present Lerulia with this statue," he lifts his hand, gesturing toward the center of the pavilion as the sheet slides off, revealing a huge marble carving of Endran standing heroically, eyes fixed on the horizon and sword in hand. "May it stand in this city forever, even while Endran himself may not."

Once again, clapping and cheers stole the silence from the air. After the noise settles, the band begins playing another tune, while the Count, Endran and Darien then meet up, descend from the stage and proceed through the crowd to the statue.

[Fawkes]

Noah briefly looks at the shrieking woman, then turns back to the admiral. He shakes his head in disbelief, and a small smile can just barely be seen under his beard.

When the statue is unveiled, he shakes his head again, laughing quietly to himself.

[TigerHunter]

"He spent months preparing for that? He could have just had a servant write a few corny jokes for him. They might have been funnier."

[Glyphic]

Automatically, Lyra stands to salute as three men pass. Her words fall softly from her lips, ringing with disillusionment, "...That was all?"

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Sense Motive, going for the 'Hunch'.
(1d20+5)[21] There is no +5 bonus. I made a mistake.

[phoerix]

Its learning how to take something great from the people, and give something back and still come out on top. Phoerix explaines He made a short and sweet speech, fulfilled his duties and still managed to keep the masses attention on him and happy with him Phoerix frowns slightly Though maybe this was a bit too brief...

[Fawkes]

"That's all you need."
All of a sudden, Noah's smile fades. He looks up at the admiral, and repeats Darien's last few words to himself.
"While Endran himself may not?"

[Fawkes]

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I'm going for the sense motive as well. (1d20+1)[9]

[Zarah]

As they make their way through the crowd, Endran shakes hands and gives thanks to those who wish him congratulations. It seems everyone in the vicinity wants to meet him in person, and were each trying their hardest to make sure they could at least shake his hand.

The Count, meanwhile is suddenly swarmed with the two children who were seen running about earlier. He ruffles their hair and picks one of them up to see the statue. Another figure joins him, dressed in bright colored clothes and wearing the mask of a jester. The Count, still smiling widely, begins exchanging words with the new figure, often being interrupted by those around them. Their path toward the statue, however, remains unaltered, albeit slow.

[Fawkes]

"Who the hell is that?" Noah says half to himself.

[Glyphic]

"There's something I must do." says as she sets her jaw, and hands her weapons and pack to Rilan, "Please, Watch after these. I will return shortly."

Picking a spot ahead of the throng, Lyra courteously weaves her way through the crowd, ending up near the cafe. She tries to still her shaking hands as she waits for the Admiral to approach.

Assuming she does get there..

Lyra wraps her hands around the Admiral's outstretch hand, sqeezing gently then immediately releasing. Meanwhile, she twitters faster than a hummingbird's wings, "Admiral Endran Taradom; Prestigious Hero with the heart of the Noble Manta Ray. I sing my sincerest wishes for a well merited retirement. But it is with heavy heart that I see you accept them! Tales of your grandeur let my soul fly, knowing there exists in Gelantrafell a hero, in flesh and blood, who's eyes smile with the very glitter of the Bractea themselves.."

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...She will talk more if he doesn't shut her up. >.>

[Fawkes]

Noah looks Rilan up and down, then returns his gaze to the Admiral's contingent.
"Your friend seems nice."

[Zarah]

It seems as if he was trying to listen to you speak, but every time he would look at you, someone else from the crowd would snatch his hand, or yell something else at him. He could barely focus on one person for more than a few seconds at a time. Before you can say much more, everyone around him had rushed him ahead.

[phoerix]

Phoerix mutters to himself Who is this new character?(the jester)Lets see if we can't find something out them.

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I use detect magic in the direction of the statue and the two men with the kids walking towards it. I also try my hand at sense motive the hunch

[TheCountAlucard]

Averi smiles as his long-time friend speaks to his acquaintance. He is slightly tuned out, only paying light attention to their conversation. He has placed his sketchpad on the table, and is drawing the unveiling of the statue, the picture still fresh in his mind.

(Profession (artist) check: (1d20+8)[24])

[phoerix]

Averi, you are a genuis at drawing; that is amazing!Phoerix notes after staring intently in the direction of the statue Forgive me, but you two will have to excuse me for a short while, I'd like to go take a look at those two men headed toward the statue. Ras, Message me if you notice something strange going on or something out of the ordinary happens. Phoerix heads off in the direction of the two men, trying to remain relatively unobtrusive.

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I continue to use detect magic and combine spellcraft and knowledge: arcana in an attempt to find more about the masked man, if I can. Optimally I'll get to about 10 feet of them and hang at about that range

[Fawkes]

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Can I sense motive on masky? You can never trust a man in a mask.

[TigerHunter]

Ras watches Averi's drawing with mild interest. "What's got you riled up? It's a Fool. My dear Lady Mother has ten of them running around the estate." Nevertheless, Ras sets his cup down and straightens up. After two years of making trouble with Phoerix, Ras has learned better than to ignore one of his mentor's hunches.

[TheCountAlucard]

Finished with his drawing, Averi looks up. "Thanks, friend," he murmurs, and then looks in the direction that Phoerix was headed.

(Can I get a Sense Motive as well?)