RPG Chapter One... In the Court of the King

[Rando]

**just hop in as you wish, and forget all the other stuff I put out months ago. I'm going back to my message-boad RPG roots of making it up as I go...mostly**

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In all the lands of the world, there is no king as loved by his people as Victor III of Geirstaad. He rules with compasion and with dignity towards even the lowest of his subjects.

Victor's castle lies at the heart of Ildarain, a magnificent walled city of richness and splendor. Ildarain is called "the gem of the west" in all other lands, and it's wealth in both commerace and art is not matched in any land outside the palaces of the southern shieks.

Early into Victor's rule, he instituted an open court at his castle. All of his subjects are allowed to come to his throne at any time, for any purpose. Also, once every season, he holds a ball and feast at his court, and he sends out his riders to every town and hamlet to select invitees. It is in this way that all of you have found yourselves in the castle at Ildarain on the night that Victor III is having his Spring ball.

You are all, at this time, seated in the grand ball room at the king's castle. It is a hug room, at least 100 feet square. There is a set of tables aranges in a "u" in the center of this marble hall, and at the center of this arangement is the king's dias. Good ol' King Victor III is there, with his much younger wife, Queen Maylis at his right side, and his court wizard and sage advisor Ragnold on his left. Next to the queen are Steven and Anthony, the 15 and 10 year old princes of the realm. Next to the wizard is Caplon, the general of the King's armies.

All around the room are over 100 guests of the king, each chosen by Victor himself. Some are nobles and merchants who sit in at every ball and feast, but most are those commoners that were selected by chance by the king's men.

The super is now over, and the tables are being taken away. "Let us have music!" cries the king, and all begin to dance...

 

[Spiderman]

(Dancing? Is Whimsy in the house? )

After the adventures with the dragon, I was busily trying to establish a new monk order in what turned out to be a "forgotten" corner of Victor's kingdom. Being the only dwarven monk around for miles and leagues, I was viewed with skepticism at best and suspicion at worst. For the moment I was content with building a new abbey although with one dwarf working, it was slow and tough going.

Apparently someone forgot to tell the king's heralds that this was a "forgotten" corner of his land, as I was surprised one evening with the dance invitation. So taking this excuse to stop building for a while, I journeyed to the capital to partake in the festivities.

Unknown to most outsiders and even to most of my friends, I was light and quick on the feet and hearing the strains of a galliard beginning, I stood up, wiped my mouth on the cloth of the table, and asked the nearest female (who happened to be a human female in her mid-forties) if she'd like to take whirl on the dance floor.

 

[Prince RXI]

' A little about him.
Race: Half-Human, Half-Elf
Class: Multi-Class: Druid; Barbarian'

Mother was a druid, father was a Barbarian. What am I? I have called myself A druidian for the longest time, yet I am not truly sure. I stronger and have much better use of weapons than most other people in the woods, yet I have the ability to talk to animals and shape-shift into a wolf. I am not truly sure WHAT I am. All I know is that, here I find myself sitting in the castle of the king of the country my family's woods lie in. An I know that, even now, I am looking at a roast boar that is sitting on a plate right infront of me. I have never seen such an animal. I try to talk to it, but it just stays still, not answering. Then someone stuck a knife in it and starts to slice through it... and I faint at the sight of the barbaric actions (Druids have been raised to only eat plants, seeds, roots, and berries). When I come to, I see that the roast boar was dead all the time and think to myself "Why was t that some people try to eat the already dead?" I then see that a druid that I knew from my woods had also been had been invited to the Ball. I get up and walk over to her and ask her to dance.





Prince RXI, druidian

 

[EricBess]

I, Aarian, second prince of the nearby land of Galstein, have travelled to this land at the invite of the King. My father, noble high ruler of Galstein, sends me as an emissary. After all, my brother is to take over rule of Galstein when the time comes and my father thought it would be prudent to accept the invite with hopes of an alliance should it turn out that King Victor have a suitably aged daughter.

Personally, however, I find it appalling how Victor treats his subjects. How can you expect to have your people truely respect you as a ruler if you behave like a commoner yourself. Barbaric!

 

[EricBess]

**** Just a comment/reminder. These RPG threads have a tendency to get a bit long. Anyone posting should probably disable their signature lines.

 

[Rando]

**Yes, thank you..I forgot to say that. **

 

[Melkor]

The garish and brightly clad Adar A'Bornia is quite at home in such surroundings, although he is the youngest son of a family that is just barely noble. While his father still had to work to maintain their noble lifestyle he was spoiled by his mother, spending all his time on fencing, dancing, and other generally useless noble pursuits. He loves this festival because it is his chance to mingle with the court and truly experience what it is like to be a high born man.

 

[Daggertooth]

Far south of Ildarain lies a great forboding swamp known to the locals as Necrasomphos. Named thus for the dead youth that seem to litter it's edges. None know whom these are or why they are there, but recently strange reports of a previously unknown Magi Civilisation have emerged.

Thinking this a good way to Great a new friend, or check the tactical position of a new enemy, King Victor sent 3 of his best knights and 2 mages to discover the sorce of this rumor and posibly to establish relations with them.

Thus the nzúmbe People were reintroduced to the world after 600 years of self imposed isolation. AS a show of good faith the Head of the nzúmbe Magi council sent a Representative to the ball. Deyja of the Leoht Clan was chosen to represent them.


So there he was, Sitting at the far corner of the ball. Dressed in one of the blackest robes you'd ever see. He wore Boots that had strange Black, Brown, and Dark Green paterns to it. He had Gloves made out of the same strange leather. His hood was pulled back revealing long black hair and a strangly pale complextion.


I just sit there staring with great interest at the festivities that are going around. Plesently eating the strange food.

 

[Spiderman]

* I'm not sure how much action we can take in our own hands, although doing it in this intro seems harmless enough *

I'm immensely enjoying myself on the dance floor. Most ladies accepted my invitation to dance, despite being a head or so shorter than most of them (and a dwarf to boot) but (hopefully) found themselves pleasantly surprised at the deftness of the dances and not getting their feet stepped on. And I'm learning some new steps along the way too....

 

[Rando]

**To keep in good standings with "the powers that be", I will be posting only twice a day, once in the morning and once in the afternoon, so try to ask all that you want to ask at once**



The dancers swirl around the grand ball room, weaving in and out of each other. The King takes his Queen's hand and steps down from the dias. All the ball-goers nearby make a clearing for them as they take to the floor. Meanwhile, the two princes, the wizard and the King's general stay at the dias and look extreemly bored.

When the first dance is over, everyone in the hall aplauds. The King and his lady step back up on the dias. She sits while the King remains standing.

"My good people!" says the king, taking a sip from his chalice, "I am very pleased to see you all having such a good time in my home. As you know, I have a ball at every season. but the spring ball has always been my most favorite." Victor plays with the braids in his beard as he smiles to himself. "But, this year's spring ball holds even deeper meaning, for it is at this ball that my daughter Gertrude shall take her rightfull place in society. All please welcome Her Highness, Princess Gertrude!"

The doors at the front of the Ball Room, the ones that lead into the grand entrence hall, swing open with a flurry of trupets and the flying ribbons of two dozen dancing girls. All in the room stand as the dancers poor through the doorway, leaping and cavorting, and when they clear into the gathered crowd, there is the princess.

Princess Gertrude is 16, and resembles her mother more then her father. She is of greater the average height, and her black hair hangs down to her thin waist. Tonight she is dressed in the most luxurious of white gowns. She glides down the path the revelers have created for her. As she passes, the ball-goers bow deeply, and then whisper to each other about her perfect beauty.

When she reaches her father, she bows to him, and he takes her hand. They turn to face the crowd and all cheer.

"And now", says the king to the crowd, "I shall have the honor of having my daughter's first dance as a true Lady of Geirstaad!"

Everyone in the ball room clears out to form a wide circle for the king and the princess. The orchestra starts up a merry waltz, and father and daughter dance.

Allthough the king is approaching his 50th year, he is still light on his feet and easily keeps up with his daughters perfect steps. The two of them are quite the sight to behold, his deep purlple robes intermingling with her white gown, her pitch black tresses flying about her father's white head. The music flows to the end of the song and the pair end thier dance. Everyone chears as the King raises his daughter's hand and they turn to see everyone in the room, he smiling like an old fool, and her blushing slightly.

They turn to eachother and embrace, causing everyone to chear again. But the embrace lasts a bit too long, and the princess' smile fades.

"Papa?" she says, as she begins to slump under her father's weight. She backs off from him, and King Victor falls face first into the floor.

"Papa!" Gertrude screems, and the Queen stands and looks at her husband in shock.

General Caplon leaps over the dias' table and onto the dance floor, as the wizard Ragnold follows down the steps.

Caplon scoops the king into his arms and turns him over. All in room gasp as they see the king's face. His skin has gone to a blotched red, and his swollen tounge pokes out his blue lips. His eyes are blood-shot and rolled back in his skull. The princess swoons, but Ragnold is there to catch her. They queen rushes down from the dias and falls to knees next to the king. All the while, the two princes look on in stunned disbelief.

"He his dead!" says Caplon.

"He has been poisoned." says Ragnold, dryly.

"Seal off the city, the castle and this room!" cries Caplon, jumping to his feet. "The king has been murdered and we must discover by whom.!"

**didn't mean to end it with a cuplet, but it's cool, so I'll leave it! **

 

[Spiderman]

Amid the pandemonium, I weave and thread my way through the crowd of people until I reach Ragnold and Caplon.

"I would like to offer my services to assist in finding this foul poisoner."

 

[EricBess]

I speak to the guards, "Round up the people over there," the word 'people' is spoken as one might say 'cattle'. I approach the queen and offer her a letter that my father prepared, suggesting an aliance and potential merger of family. Fortunately, the daughter is rather appealing. If her personality matches her beauty, I might actually find the idea appealing on more than just a political level.

"Your highness, I am Prince Aarian of Galstein. In the light of current events, I am prepared to offer my services to discover which of these," a pause to suggest the unspoken 'vermin', "is responsible for this act of high treason."

In the back of my mind, the possibility of a coup enters in, but I must wonder that someone so open in his hospitality might not have been inviting such an event. I keep my opinions to myself as is proper.

 

[rkoelsch]

"Dorgath!!! I didn't know this is where you had disappeared to?
I had only just arrived myself, you see there is this artifact that is supposedly hidden in the hills to the northwest.... Oh nevermind."
Turning to Ragnold,"Allow me to introduce myself, I am Roland Dodo a collector of artifacts. If I may be of service, let me know."


Onlookers would see a small human of slender build. Long black hair braided down his back, a neatly trimmed black mustache and goatee. He is dress in a bright blue tunic with a silver belt. There is a small wallet on the belt and he has a pair of beaver skin knee high boots.

 

[Spiderman]

"Roland! It's good to see a familiar face. Yeah, after our adventure with the dragon....

<yadda yadda yadda>

.... and then the king just keeled over, right on the dance floor! It was rather shocking, to say the least... I'm hoping to assist in the investigation."

 

[Daggertooth]

I frown slightly at the reaction of the croud. C'mon, weeping for the dead? Ah well, i guess it's excusable, afterall he was a beloved king.

Seeing some offer aid to the investigation I feel it would strengthen relations between my people and theirs if I offer my aid.

I approach Caplon
"sir, I am Deyja of the Leoht Clan, How may I be of Service?"

 

[Rando]

To all players -

Caplon calls to a pair of guards who are nearby. "You and you, escort the royal family back to their quarters. Once they are safe, maintain a constant guard in the hall outisde. Now move!"

The princess and her two brothers are gathered up and ushered away by one guard.

When the other guard tries to help the queen up, she turns and shoves him away with more force then she looks to be capable of. "You could not DRAG me away from my husbands side, let alone escort me." Caplon gestures for the guard to join with the royal children as the queen kneels by Victor. She does not weep, and her face shows more signs of anger then sadness.

To Dorgath, Roland and Deyja - Caplon and Ragnold look you over, and then at each other.

Ragnold speaks, "I have never seen any of you in the court before. Why do you wish to offer you services?"


To Aarian -
The queen looks up at you as you aprouch and takes your father's letter without any thought as to what it may be. She still has not looked at it when she responds to your offer. "I thank you good sir." It seems that she is begining to lose her stiff upper lip, and tears are starting to swell. Even so, her voice does not sway. "Caplon, Ragnold. This noble gentleman would like to offer his services to our search for my husband's murderer."

To all players -
Ragnold and caplon look at each other again. Caplon says to Ragnold, "It seems there are many kind people at the ball tonight."

Ragnold retorts, "And at least one not-so-kind."

While this is going on, guardsmen are moving the ball-goers back to the edges of the room. The chief steward, not wanting the revelers to get upset, calls for the orchastra to start back up, and calls for a round of fresh wine to be served, calm everyone's nerves.

You can all hear, even over the music, the whispers of hundreds of suspicious voices.

 

[Daggertooth]

It is as a representative of the Nzumbe people That I extend my hand in friendship and offer my services to aid in this horrific crime.

 

[Melkor]

Adar

This is terrible, terrible. The party is simply ruined, and it is also most unfortunate that the King should pass in this manner. Abominable really, and poison, such an ignoble weapon, I'm just shocked.

Adar says all this to no one in particular as he takes out a rather large white handkerchief and begins dabbing his forehead and allows himself to be herded to the side gladly accepting the wine that is offered him.

 

[EricBess]

Obviously, the queen seems to have a good head on her shoulders, even if her husband was a bit loose with his rule. She is clearly greaved, but manages to keep herself in check. If her daughter has an equal temprament as well... Then again, the there is the case of the greaving widow herself... But now I must focus on the matter at hand.

"Caplon. Captain of the guard, yes? You obviously have the crowd under control. Let none leave and yet avoid a panic. Ragnold, I do not presume to tell you your job either. I'm sure you have already realized that a statement must be made. The people should not know that their King has been murdered. He has merely grown faint and is recovering in his chambers, perhaps... You were wise to keep your posture during the incident. I have seen advisors panic at far less. Astonishing what that can do to a populace.

"If you like, I can help with the recruits. I see we have an emmisary from nzumbe with us. Your reputation as a people for astute observation will prove most invaluable indeed. We should begin questioning those in attendance, see if any noticed anything that might be useful. Caplon, perhaps we can provide lodging for those who have any information. Have someone clean out the stables for those who do not fit in the common rooms should there prove to be enough with information."

 

[Prince RXI]

RXI

Damn. Now I wish I had chosen to follow mother and learn about antidotes. Blast! Now then, can I be of assistance? I have a good knowledge of poisons. I just hope it's not one of those "Leaves The System After Death" poisons, that would suck.

RXI is then questioned about what he was doing.

Well, sirs, I was dancing with a girl that also got an invitation from my home. She's right over there if you want to know. Anyway, I think that the people you are looking for would have slipped him the poison earlier, because most poisons are not instant action. If you must know, I'm a druid, so I have some knowledge about posions. I think I can help you guys.