Lanarra seemed slightly sad that Darvin and Violet wouldn't be joining them. But shrugged her shoulders and led Violet toward her house idly talking about the weather and other such frivolities.
After a few minutes Lanarra unlocked a solid wrought iron gate set between a very tall and formidable stone wall.
"Your house seems quite... forboding."
"My grandfather was nervous about the sins of his past coming back to haunt him."
"Aren't we all..."
She smiled. "Truer words were never spoken..."
The house would be better described as a manor. It had two separate wings and was surrouned by a large garden.
"You live here by yourself?" Violet asked impressed.
"Yes, ever since my parents died and left the property to me." She led Violet down the path and into the main house.
The interior took Violet's breath away. The floor was an smooth marble, the walls were covered in paneled woods and the stairs to the bedroom were some kind of green stone that she could not recognize. The foyer opened up into three rooms. One was clearly a kitchen. The second room was a library, and the third held a piano, benches, and ornate chairs.
"Are you hungry? I have plenty of food to share with you.
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
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"I am ravenous. Please lead on." Violet replied, pulling her eyes with some difficulty from the furnishings.
ReplyDeleteLanarra led Violet into the kitchen and sat her down at a nearby table. Violet saw that a medium sized stew pot had been simmering for most of the day and the smell made her mouth water. She set a loaf of bred and a tray of cheeses in front of Violet before going down into the cellar and returning with a large bottle.
ReplyDelete"So... tell me about yourself Violet." Lanarra said while opening the bottle and sitting down across from Violet.
Smiling, Violet nodded, and began. "I am a woman of intrigue and deception, Lanarra. I have worn as many different names and faces as I can count places I've visited. I have studied alchemy and wizardry and other more shadowy pursuits, and I've been traveling with Darvin, Nym and Grumbleshanks for a day now." Violet paused in her explanation to gauge Lanarra's level of engagement, belief, and shock.
ReplyDeleteSense Motive: Roll(1d20)+5:
18,+5
Total:23
A few days actually... I am thinking two.
ReplyDeleteLanarra raised her eyebrows and sipped her wine. "That sounds quite exciting. My life here here is not nearly so humdrum. Why are you travelling with them, are you on some sort of quest? Are Darvin and Nym... an item?"
Telling Lanarra it has only been 1 day enhanced the storytelling. I can make a bluff check if you'd like. She's too secretive to be entirely honest with someone she's planning on spending a single night with. That would NOT be sneak-thief like at all.
ReplyDeleteIgnoring the last question for now, Violet replied, "You think your life is dull, Lanarra? Tell me a bit about yourself, please. I would love to hear what keeps an intelligent woman such as yourself occupied."
Not taking her eyes from Lanarra, Violet swirled the wine in front of her nose, taking in the full aroma of the wine. She slowly sipped the wine, her eyes locked on Lanarra's as she waited for the reply.
Ah, no need for a bluff check on that. Also, for point of reference. This village is near the edge of the border kingdoms and the shaar. It looks a lot like the palouse with small sections of trees, but not quite the savanah like terrain of the shaar.
ReplyDeleteShe blushed. "You are too kind. She said before sipping some more wine.
"Well, this is a little embarassing to admit, but my official title is margravine. I am nominally in charge of the security forces of the province. However..." She took another sip of wine and ate a bite of cheese. "In reality this area is rather peaceful an there are only the militia. I mostly provide legal advice for the village and the surrounding hamlets, and am ocassionally called up to Derlusk. Ocassionally I have to negotiate with the new kings who pop up and claim dominion over the neck of the woods. Usually they just leave us alone. This village isn't very exciting."
Thank you for the info about the lay of the land. I will make sure to make use of it.
ReplyDeleteViolet had not expected this woman to be a military leader. "How large is the province, and how many soldiers do you have? Do you need me to 'take care of' any of those kings for you?" She asked the last question, and ended it with a small chuckle and a half-smile that seemed to imply that she could be either joking or serious.
Bluff check on that please.
ReplyDeleteLanarra raised her eyebrow suspiciously.
"No need for that - they seem to do a fine job taking care of themselves." She looked thoughtful for a moment.
"It is a little hard to tell how big the province is as much of it is unused grass lands. However, generall it is anywhere between eight hundred to fifteen hundred square miles. In reality, I only have to speak on behalf of twelve hamlets, eight plantations, and five villages. I don't think I have any official soliders - but the province does have a militia of about five hundred men that can be called up. Certainly nothing all that exciting or powerful."
Bluff Check: Roll(1d20)+12:
ReplyDelete5,+12
Total:17
She takes it as a sign that you have done such things before, and are capable of it, but that you were not serious in this situation.
ReplyDelete"It's a rather unexciting job most of the time - your occupation must be much more exciting."
Violet listened to Lanarra's description of the woman's responsibilities, realizing she may have underestimated this woman because of her pretty face. I've been underestimated the same way. This woman could be dangerous if she wanted to be. Best be careful, Violet.
ReplyDelete"It is exciting, but if I could choose my path knowing what I know now? Probably... But being a Hunter does have its drawbacks, but it has its pluses, too. I get to travel to exotic places, see amazing sights, and meet incredible people." Violet had been looking at the ceiling for a lot of this last monologue, but as she said 'incredible people', she stared straight at Lanarra, obviously implying that Lanarra was not left out of this list. "Is your position inherited? How did you come to be trusted with such a large amount of the local power?"
Lanarra smiled at Violet's statement.
ReplyDelete"The title is inherited, as is my estate; however, the duties are only nominally inherited. Technically they could be handed over to another lord, but..." she said smiling. "There is no other lord anywhere in this province and none of the kings are all that concerned about raising a new one." She sipped some more wine.
"My grandfather was of distant royal line before he turned toward piracy. When he settled the village here the local King at that time granted it to him as his march and renamed him the margrave. My father was margrave for a short time before he died and I took over. The locals trust me because I keep involved in their life and help them out. The lords trust me because I do not attempt to disrupt their game of thrones in the capital. It is a life, though we do not get many visitors and in general it is rather peaceful."
"You keep telling me 'it is rather peaceful.' Are you trying to convince me, or are you looking for more?" Violet asked, running her finger around the rim of her glass.
ReplyDelete"Oh... it is usually very peaceful. I have very rarely had to dawn my armor and call for the militia" Lanarra said smiling curiously at her. "The daily concerns of a minor province and farmers and ranchers is not exactly Earth-Shaking. Isn't it a bit of human nature to wish for more excitement?" She sighed. "Especially after having grown up listening to my grandfather's stories. Such tales of adventure, treasure, and... you know."
ReplyDeletePlaying stupid, Violet answered, "You know what?"
ReplyDeleteLanarra blushes. "Nothing. Well, it's not nothing, it's just what pirates are known for..." as Violet continues to play dumb Lanarra blushes even more furiously. "Perhaps a walk, do you want to take a walk? My estate has some lovely gardens..."
ReplyDelete"But this wine is so wonderful. Let's stay in and enjoy ourselves," Violet protested.
ReplyDeleteChanging her tack, Violet decided to be more direct than playing stupid. "I saw you were eying Darvin a bit earlier in the square. I'd wager you're not the only woman who pines to plunder his booty a bit. I once paid my way across the Inner Sea as a deckhand on a pirate ship, you know."
If you want, I can do a bluff check for that. Violet didn't actually sail as a deckhand on a pirate ship.
ReplyDeleteNo need, unless the lies start getting more intricate.
ReplyDeleteLanarra looked quite abashed and her face turned bit scarlet.
"Well... he certainly isn't the most attractive man I have seen, but he isn't bad to look at and sadly none of the men in this town are."
She looked confused. "You worked as a deckhand on a pirate ship? I am surprised they weren't all over you all the time..."
"How do your tastes in men run? I prefer mine rugged, especially those with a couple scars. As for the pirates, once I made sure 3 of them were no longer able to touch me, they left me alone." After a short pause, as if she was thinking, Violet added, "They had more to fear from me being all over them." Violet winked, showing that she had not been too scarred by the situation.
ReplyDeleteBluff: Roll(1d20)+12:
15,+12
Total:27
"Well... this certianly isn't where I thought this conversation was going." She paused and sipped her wine.
ReplyDelete"Most of the men I have liked and loved have been calmer, sweeter, generally nice guys. They often put on a veneer of being tough, but I usually found that they were mostly loveable. Of course, I don't mind if that stand up for me and are willing to do stupid things to earn my favor."
"And where did you think this conversation was going, Lanarra?" Violet leaned forward, looking straight into Lanarra's eyes.
ReplyDeleteDiplomacy Check: Roll(1d20)+7:
ReplyDelete19,+7
Total:26
Finally nailed a roll when it counts. Still not a 20, but you can take that to the bank. :)
Her diplomacy check...
ReplyDeleteRoll(1d20)+5:
15,+5
Total:20
She is intrigued...
"Well... as you were the only one to join me I didn't think it would go this direction..." She paused for a moment looking at Violet curiously. "Where did you intend this conversation to go?"
"I was hoping to find someone in this village to hold for the night, if only to keep the emptiness at bay. The world is large, and one person can become lost if they do not have someone besides themselves to tie them down once in a while." Violet eyed Lanarra, gauging her reaction.
ReplyDeleteDo I need to make a check?
Lanarra looks a little confused at first. "I guess we could go out and find someone for you, but this town isn't that promising...".
ReplyDeleteViolet took her turn blushing and stammering. "I... I thought you and I might... I mean... You seemed..." Violet looked away, abashed, and after a moment of turmoil, turned back, gently folded Lanarra's hand in her two, and whispered, "Would you be interested?"
ReplyDeleteThat NEEDS a bluff check, in my opinion. Wow.
Bluff Check: Roll(1d20)+12:
12,+12
Total:24
Diplomacy: Roll(1d20)+7:
ReplyDelete17,+7
Total:24
"What... I..." Lanarra stammered said blushing as well. "I am really flattered but I... don't know what to say... I haven't ever really thought about... well, that is to say I have... but I haven't ever... you are kind to offer." She blushed an even deeper shade of pink. "I mean I didn't realize that you were a les... into women violet." She finally said.
ReplyDeleteRushing to explain herself and reassured by Lanarra's stammering response, Violet replied, "It's been quite some time for me, but as you said, this town isn't that promising, and..." Violet hesitated, as if weighing whether to say something, then whispered, "I could be anyone you want... I could help you enact your wildest fantasies... If you would be more comfortable with a man, I could be the most handsome man you've laid eyes on. I could crush you to a muscular chest with just the right amount of hair. I could be a pirate for the night, and take you as my slave for the night. Or I could be myself, and we could share a night as two women in a land with no men to match them." Violet ended breathily, looking hopefully into Lanarra's eyes.
ReplyDeleteDiplomacy Check: Roll(1d20)+7:
ReplyDelete8,+7
Total:15
Lanarra looked back at Violet's grey eyes with a peculiar expression.
ReplyDelete"I..." She then firmed up her lips. "Maybe..." She said touching her chin. "Methinks you are trying to rush things that should be rushed less, have you never tried to seduce a woman before? You can't just rush in like this!"
"I'm sorry, Lanarra. You're right. Let's take this a bit more slowly." Violet leaned back and eyed her hands, balled in front of her. She took a deep breath.
ReplyDelete"Let me tell you something a bit more personal," she said, looking back up at Lanarra. "Violet is not my real name. Would you like to know what my real name is, and how I came to be called Violet?"
Lanarra smiled, and refilled both of their wine glasses.
ReplyDelete"Sound perfect - we can trade secrets if you like. She said while taking another drink of the wine.
Violet smiled at this suggestion. "A trade it is. Nobody knows me by my real name anymore, but it is Pharylty Silaera. A secret for a secret. Your turn."
ReplyDeleteLanarra sipped her wine a bit more and then crossed her legs and leaned back in her seat.
ReplyDelete"I am not sure how wise it is to tell you of this, but as long as we are talking about names... let's just say that sometimes in the capital I find need of some alternatve names in order to calm some of the more restless kings."
Taking a sip of her wine and smiling at Lanarra's confession, Lanarra set the wine glass down and answered, "I hate my real name. I gave myself the name Violet to make it easier to gain a level of notoriety." Shaking her head a bit and taking another sip, Violet continued, "It came from a line in a poem written by the man that killed my father."
ReplyDeleteHer eyes became a little unfocused as she recited:
"Violet the night comes,
May the dream enfold me as ever."
Her eyes refocused on Lanarra, and she quaffed the rest of her glass of wine and poured herself another.
Lanarra finished off her wine as Violet told her the origins of her name.
ReplyDelete"Ah, notoriety... I often have more than I want, and less than I wish. To go forth and adventure like my grandfather would be sublime." She sipped a bit more. "But, I suspect that I would miss my estate and responsibilities. Thus, I find myself finding comfort and adventure in the arms of those who do it for me."
She pondered for a moment.
"I guess that is a secret of mine."
"I have made love to a woman before. But only 1." Violet offered in response.
ReplyDeleteAs she was telling this Lanarra reached her hand out and briefly held Violet's tightly before letting go.
ReplyDeleteIs she holding Violet's hand as Violet is telling about her name and her father, or as she's saying that she's only made love to a single woman, or as she is confiding that she finds comfort and adventure in the arms of those who adventure?
ReplyDelete"I... haven't ever had the chance. Not that it didn't cross my mind, but... let just say that I haven't found the right one to properly entice me. It has mostly been a the random encoutner with adventurous men." She said sipping her wine some more.
ReplyDelete"I keep something from every person I kill. A ring, a journal, or something they made. It doesn't matter," Violet said.
ReplyDeleteAs she talked about her mementos, Violet twirled a ring on her right hand.
ReplyDelete"I have a notebook of secrets that I keep in case I have to protect my lands from the kings and dukes of the border kingdoms." Lanarra said before nibbling on some cheese. "It is part of what has kept most of them out of our hair." She finished of her wine.
ReplyDelete"So... why are you interested in me?"
Violet played with her wineglass for a moment, before answering, "I find you to be self-possessed and attractive. You approached Darvin, Nym, and I, and gave us a friendly greeting before you had any idea who we were. I find your openness appealing, and I've always found those in positions of power desirable. Why were you so willing to invite total strangers into your home at first glance?"
ReplyDeleteLanarra let out a laugh. "Loneliness? I am also a very good judge of character - one doesn't do well in court without having some kind of insight into the workings of others." Lanarra's face was showing the usual flush of someone who was approaching tipsyness.
ReplyDelete"Darvin seemed like the usual amorously inclined traveler who wouldn't mind a brief romp in the hay. He seemed like the kind that jumped at a chance for a random amorous encounter. I didn't realize that he was chasing another. Alas, I moved on..." she took another sip.
"Plus, I am not afraid of outsiders I naturally have my own ways of protecting myself if things go wrong." She said before giggling.
Violet was feeling the alcohol a bit, but not as much as Lanarra. "Oh? You've got some tricks, do you?" Seeing that Lanarra was a giggly, Violet attempted to tickle her on the knee.
ReplyDeleteSleight of Hand check: Roll(1d20)+16:
10,+16
Total:26
Lanarra started to laugh. "Stop it!" Before pushing her chair back to get away from the tickling.
ReplyDelete"So... why exactly are you traveling with them?" Then, in a deeper and humorous voice she asked "What is your quest?"
"My quest, dear lady," Violet answered in her most heroic voice as she jumped up from her chair and stood with one foot on the seat as if posing and ready to climb a mountain, "Is a contract to kill a man named Ishmael. My companions have the lofty goal of destroying a god. I am merely after his servant."
ReplyDelete"I have heard of this Ishamel! Word is he has led the Lathanderian clerics astray! May your daggers find his vein and drain his life force away!" She said in mock toast.
ReplyDeleteViolet, while standing in her ridiculous pose on the chair, had started fiddling with the ring on her right hand again. At the mention of a toast, she reached to grab for her glass, but tripped on the chair, causing herself to fall and the ring to fly up in the air. She landed on her back, and the ring tumbled through the air, landing back on her finger. She instantly vanished.
ReplyDeleteAcrobatics to fake a fall: Roll(1d20)+16:
4,+16
Total:20
Sleight of hand to throw then catch the ring: Roll(1d20)+16:
14,+16
Total:30
The spell is simply "Vanish". Concentration check to time it right: Roll(1d20)+7:
1,+7
Total:8
Using a hero point to re-roll: Roll(1d20)+7:
12,+7
Total:19
Lanarra laughed.
ReplyDelete"I must have scared you off..." she said collapsing back into her chair.
From close to her ear, Lanarra heard a throaty whisper, "Not yet." as Violet reappeared behind her and leaned in to kiss her on the mouth.
ReplyDeletehmmm... bluff check?
ReplyDeleteBluff check for a kiss? That is weird. Not sure what I would use instead, but still. Weird.
ReplyDeleteBluff: Roll(1d20)+12:
7,+12
Total:19
Yes, that is why I said hmmm... before hand. The bluff is more about how she would respond to the disappearing act.
ReplyDeleteLanarra didn't resist and put her hands on Violet's waste. After a few more kisses she pulled away."
I do like your persistence... you seem eager... has it been a while for you?"
Violet blushed a little, and said, "It has been a little more than a year. Long enough to make me eager."
ReplyDeleteWalking back to her seat, which she righted, Violet asked, "How would you feel about a little show? I'm very good with my fingers." She winked at this last.
Lanarra took her seat and finished off her wine.
ReplyDelete"A show..." She said moving her fingers along her dress. "Why not, shows are always a nice form of distraction for the minor nobility..."
"Then may I borrow 4 small bowls?" Violet asked, walking over to the set of diningware.
ReplyDeleteWhen Lanarra nodded, she took 4 bowls and brought them back to the table. There she set them down face down, 3 in a row between Lanarra and herself, and 1 to the side. From her haversack, she grabbed 3 acorns from her rations. She set them down before Violet, and said, "These are three acorns. Feel free to verify that it is so, and select the one you think looks the most yummy."
Lanarra looked them over and selected the middle one.
ReplyDelete"That one looks the tastiest."
Violet picked up the nut Lanarra had indicated and quickly a black symbol spread across the shell of the nut. Before Lanarra had a chance to examine the symbol, Violet had picked it up and begun juggling all three of the nuts in the air.
ReplyDeletetesting out my new phone.
ReplyDeleteViolet entertained Lanarra with juggling, tricks, and legerdemain long into the night, until both of them were tipsy enough from wine and exhaustion to not be able to speak clearly, to say nothing of the quality of Violet's tricks toward the end of the evening.
ReplyDeleteThe night did not end exactly as either of them had hoped or planned, and the day broke over them snuggling and spooning in Lanarra's bed, fully clothed. Violet had a slight headache but was not too hung over, and Lanarra somehow escaped completely unscathed from the previous night's consumption of alcoholic beverages.
Violet woke first, and took great care not to wake Lanarra, who woke minutes later as Violet was investigating the personal contents of the room. Seeing Lanarra waking, Violet pointed to a small painted portrait of a man proudly standing at the prow of a ship. "Is this your grandfather?" She asked the now awake woman.
ReplyDeleteLanarra smiled and let out a small yawn.
ReplyDelete"Yes it is. It was painted before he had completely taken up pirating. How are you feeling this morning?" She said stretching out of the bed and looking down. "I see that I decided to sleep in my dress. Time to clean myself up and freshen a bit before some breakfast." She turned toward Violet and pointed a finger. "Don't go anywhere."
In an impudent, intentionally childish way, Violet stuck her tongue out at Lanarra's retreating back. She followed up the action by waving her arms around. A large grin split her face at her own silly actions, but she didn't leave the room. She did, however, set this portrait down and begin looking for her backpack.
ReplyDelete"I am impressed that you didn't sneak away in the middle of the night." Came her father's voice in the back of her mind.
ReplyDeleteViolet responded to her father's voice as if it was a normal occurance. She hung her head and somewhat sadly stared through Lanarra's picture of her grandfather to somewhere far beyond, lost in memories of all the people who, in all likelihood, she would never see again.
ReplyDelete