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[Mlamlah]

You continue to make small talk with the wealthy merchant, and he patiently indulges you, plainly aware that you will get to the point of the meeting soon enough.
When the meal is concluded, you at last begin to speak earnestly and pointedly. "So I am sure we are both aware that there is quite a bit of potential for conflict between either of us, I however, see no point to perpetuating the potential for misunderstanding. An alliance between the two of us is as far as I am concerned the best chance to restore a semblance of order to Keshla and it's people. So I must ask you to indulge me in an exercise in trust. What sort of person exactly, do you think I am?"

Sekhon seems taken aback, and spends nearly a minute to gain his compusure and respond. "You are ambitious, of that I am sure. I do not think you would hesitate to sit the Keshlan throne yourself if you thought you could. I am a man of ambition as well, and I think that makes us both dangerous to one another."

[Thecard]

If we're dangerous to each other, who couldn't we overcome together?

[jaass]

"Indeed, I am ambitious but sitting on the Keshlan throne isn't one of my goal however preventing the eventual destruction of Analyssia primary trade routes is. That is why I seek mutual partnerships between the both of us so we can further our own goals, together."

[Weirdsound]

"Indeed, I am ambitious but sitting on the Keshlan throne isn't one of my goal however preventing the eventual destruction of Analyssia primary trade routes is. That is why I seek mutual partnerships between the both of us so we can further our own goals, together."

Lets be brutally honest. We would take the throne in an instant if it fell in our lap, but it is not worth pressing our luck over. Too many things could go wrong. Our main motivation for helping is winning the glory and connections to aid in the acquirement of the Analyssian Throne.

Once the topic is ready to be changed, bring up the following two issues.

1: "I have an audience with my father soon, and if I find his mood to be favorable I will implore him to grant a few titles to some of my Keshlan allies. Unless you prefer to not be weighed down by such a title, you will be first on the list. Who else in the guild do you think is worthy?"

2: "As you may know, a few merchants from the guild are heading to Adalbert to try and expand. On my previous trip to that land, I noted their economy to be much more warlike than that of my nation. Also I'm sure you have noted that the weapons market in town is flooded with Adalbert imports. The more of these importers we come to control, the richer we get when I make it fashionable for the nobility to provide support in the form of men and weapons to the cause. I think we would be wise to invest a bit of our own wealth, and perhaps some gold from the guild, into their efforts. What say you?"

[Mlamlah]

"I won't lie, If I thought the throne could be mine, I might consider seizing it if I also knew I could hold it. We both know that it's not so simple however, and realities must be attended to before all else. The reality is that if a merchant unfriendly faction manages to take control of Keshla;  trade in the bay of mirdas ,trade many of us depend on won't be a third as profitable for anyone, fleets will have to hug the coastline and do everything within their power to avoid Keshlan ships. My motivations are many."

Sekhon nods in agreement through most of your short speech. "I can respect that. I'd sit the throne myself if I could, but I don't plan on it. Speaking plainly, anyone we put on that throne will not survive the decade, we need to acknowledge and prepare for that, things are going to remain unstable for some time."

You drum your fingers on the table in thought. "I will have to think on that, but first, there are a few matters I would like to ask you about. Firstly, I am aware you and some of our mutual allies are attempting to secure Baronet titles, I may be able to help with that. I would appreciate your input on who else you think would benefit us most from the acquisition of a title, you are on the top of the list if you wish one for yourself."

For a second time, Sekhon seems put off gaurd. "That... would be appreciated my prince. It is hard to deal with some of the people here when they think of us as little more than refugees with money."

"Excellent." you give one of your charming smiles. "Send me a list, and i'll see what can be done. Also, you may know I am bringing two of your less influential guild members with me to Analysse. Their economy runs entirely on the resources of war which we lack, I urge you to give these men the support of as much of the guild as can be mustered in the acquisition of arms, the service of mercanary soldiers and of course of warmages, all resources you lack."

"I'm sure something can be arranged. I will do what I can to garner pledged money for our representatives, they will speak with the voice of our guild."

[Weirdsound]

Unless somebody else has something to suggest...

Serve desert, ask if he has any issues he would like to bring up, and send him on his way.

I have a good idea for a wedding gift now, but I'm not sure it can  be made in time. Before our next RP, lets ask around the metal-smiths in town to see if a chess set of precious metals and jewels can be put together in time for the wedding.

Sekhon's advice that the gift should give a message actually inspired me. The pieces should be styled after some notable features. The white King and Queen should be the new royal couple. You yourself should be featured on the white rooks. On the black side the Queen should be Erik's mother and the other pieces should be famous Analysseian war kings who would be hated in Adalbert. This invites Perod to take our side in the succession issue, and is subtle enough that it wont likely be noticed until your sister and brother-in-law sit down for a chess game or two. If anybody who we don't want to notice notices during the presentation of the gifts, we can just claim it to be a coincidental resemblance or a mistake by the smith who made it.

Anyway, I think our next RP should be with that War-Mage girl who fancies us. I don't think of her as marriage material, but I can see an immediate use for her. Assuming she thinks she has a shot, she should be easy to work with. We can talk her into helping Isvan with the enchanted spear so he can be sure to leave with us, and gauge her personality, devotion, strengths, and weaknesses and figure out where she fits in our long term plans.

[Mlamlah]

The remainder of your conversation is quiet and polite, and so it ends as it began, with meaningless pleasantries and unimportant bits of conversation. Sekhon leaves, and as he does an idea strikes you, one that you will have to spend the night on.

...

You take a visit to the best metal artisan in the city and tell him you will be gracing him with your patronage. He ushers you inside, seats you in a cushioned chair and pours you a glass of wine which you graciously accept. You explain that you want him to make a set of chess pieces, all of precious metal and studded with gems. You explain that the most important aspect of the set, is that it must resemble a number of people, historical and living. You have some ideas on who some of those figures should be, and leave with the artisan instructions on how best to depict these figures. They will probably not bear any physical resemblance to many of those figures, but the symbols and exaggerations present in the characters should tip off anyone with a knowledge of history. The chess set will *probably* be ready before the wedding, but there are no guarantees, and you may be cutting it close. You offer a bonus to the man if he can finish it on time.

With that business done you consider sending for Lysa, the warmage apprentice who you are fairly sure has taken to you. If you do send for her though, what will the setting be, and what will you do together? Without a pretext merely sending for her could be... awkward.

[3man75]

Do palaces have parks or walking grounds? If, SO let's have a walk with her around the that kind of area. Gauge her and ask her about what she knows about the nobility. She may have knowledge of politics we don't know of.

[Mlamlah]

You invite Lysa to join you for a walk in the palace gardens. As she's apprenticed to a court mage and therefore lives nearby it takes her very little time to join you, and you greet eachother politely.
She's brownhaired and wears her hair neither long or short, she's dressed in ornate red robes decorated with an imitation of splint armor. A quiver of crossbow bolts sits on her hip, though she has no crossbow in sight. A light smile plays on her face, and she seems happy to see you, though her eyes flick briefly to your bodygaurd and squire in displeasure. "You wished to speak with me my prince?"

[3man75]

Maybe we should ask bareck for a bit of privacy.

I think first we should move out of the formalities and more of a equal ground. but that's me thoughts?

[Mlamlah]

"Barick, Elwer, might we speak in relative privacy?" your attendants depart, and move out of earshot. Lysa seems pleased, and you begin to walk through the garden, engaging in brief and pleasant conversation about the wedding to come.

[Weirdsound]

Nod at the quiver, and ask if it is for the classic Missile Launching trick. That should impress upon her that we are fairly well read in magic. Small talk about Missile Launching on a technical level that would be feasible for a well educated non-mage to understand for a bit.

Then get her to help Isvan via the following steps:
1: Butter her up and subtly imply that you have feelings for her.
2: Tell her however that a Prince doesn't simply get to marry the woman he likes best.
3: Mention that the better she is as a mage, the better she will look when you have to force yourself to judge her impartially.
4: Mention you are willing to help her improve by loaning her books from your library while you are gone on your trip.
5: Tell her that all you ask in return is her discretion in the matter and a small favor for a friend who needs to complete a project before he can travel with you.

[3man75]

an also tell her about the assassin on your last trip and what happened. Ask her if she would be brave enough to go with you on such a trip. Tell her you'll remember her name when you can think of a reward for her.

[Weirdsound]

No. I'm sure we already tried as hard as we could without coming across as creepy to bring her along.

[3man75]

No. I'm sure we already tried as hard as we could without coming across as creepy to bring her along.

Sounds true enough i guess.

However, can we trust her? remember that it was a woman in the woods that tried to kill us. This could be her and well...maybe i'm paranoid but her looking at our library could expose our secret. Maybe we should try to make her a vassal/freind instead of a wife.