Goriel and beyond

As we play, occasionally we'll close a thread and open a new one to keep the size of threads (and relative complexity) down to a dull roar. Here's where we store the closed posts from the history of Errant Road.
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Alberich
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Re: Goriel and beyond

Post by Alberich »

[OOC: Sorry to hear it, but life is like that. Have a good summer!]
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Drusia
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Re: Goriel and beyond

Post by Drusia »

"For you, I think both. But discreet. Trying to steal secrets or things, this is misconduct, where you could send her back to Duravsky for punishment. They are very good at punishment. If your friends want to get information out of her, they need to be discreet. Spying happens. But it is dangerous."

Okay, so don't go poking through drawers. That wasn't really my plan anyway - I imagine I'll overhear a lot just being present. And able to read. Besides, if my mission is to find Blaize, then any rumor of him would likely suffice. Rose and the others need a lead, not incriminating evidence or clan secrets.

"So I'll be housed with Duravsky's other Kept Women?" I ask by way of clarification. That would be helpful - I might learn of other rumors from them. Also, depending on how they act when alone, I might even be able to let down my acting a little. It would be nice to behave like a normal person for a little while. I can't count on that, though.

Oh, speaking of which. "How long are getera typically exchanged for?" I ask. "Will I be with Druasky for a week? Longer?"

-- Desiree
Alberich
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Re: Goriel and beyond

Post by Alberich »

"So I'll be housed with Duravsky's other Kept Women?"

Boris replied, "I think where you sleep, it depends on which man you are with that evening, or if any. I know there are lots of times the men send the women away, like right after a supper or when they leave the city, so I think you'll have plenty of time to talk to other girls alone." He spread his hands. "How much they talk alone, and what they say, this I do not know." She was starting to go further than Boris' knowledge extended.

"How long are getera typically exchanged for? Will I be with Druasky for a week? Longer?"

He shrugged expansively. "How long, it just depends. But I expect in your case they will want to keep you around a while, if there is not a problem with your friends. Probably your mission will not last so many days, and so you'll leave them wanting more, yes?"
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Drusia
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Re: Goriel and beyond

Post by Drusia »

Boris replied, "I think where you sleep, it depends on which man you are with that evening, or if any."

"So I will be expected to serve men besides just Duravsky then," I reply thoughtfully. That good - it will widen what information I can find. Being sent to sleep with the other women has certain advantages, but so does passing a night with my patron - I'm more likely to pick up useful information the morning after.

"How long, it just depends. But I expect in your case they will want to keep you around a while, if there is not a problem with your friends. Probably your mission will not last so many days, and so you'll leave them wanting more, yes?"

I smile. "I'll make sure of it." So around a week, or a little less. Father Boris makes it seem like a week is a long time for an assignation. That's likely for the best - I doubt I could keep this up too much longer than that.

I nod. I think that's just about everything I need to know. If Boris has more for me, or if the others wish to impart any special instructions, they have the rest of the evening and tomorrow morning to do so. For the moment, there are things I need to prepare.

"Is it possible to procure lilac oil?" I ask Boris. "I will need to be properly bathed and perfumed before leaving tomorrow." A massage wouldn't hurt either, but that might be a little more of a challenge on short notice.

Oh, and one last thing. "Is there a harp around here somewhere? I haven't played in some time, and should probably practice a bit before tomorrow." My mother taught me the harp years ago, but I haven't played since leaving Snamish, and not frequently then. Of the skills I'll be using in the next several days, that is probably my rustiest. Maybe I'll luck out and Argus talked up my dancing more than my harp playing. At performance dancing, I am one of the best in all of Snamish.

-- Desiree
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Jack Rothwell
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Re: Goriel and beyond

Post by Jack Rothwell »

Eli nodded at the approaching Tim with a grunt of aknowledgement. He turned and surveyed the scene around him with a disaproving expression.

"I don't know where your faith stands on such things." He began. "But does it bother you that the women here are being treated like semi-conscious furniture? It just seems a strange attitude to adopt for a species who, a few thousand years ago, were little better than slaves themselves."
Alberich
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Re: Goriel and beyond

Post by Alberich »

Father Boris answered Desiree. "If you mean Arman himself...yes, you might be assigned to another member of the clan, or even an honored guest. But a getera is not just for anyone. It implies some higher status. Or a reward for a special deed.

"The cosmetics - we do not keep here. It might be hard to find exactly the oil you want. But if your friends would escort you, I could have someone show you the way to a merchant to find the next best thing. For us, it is soap and water. Probably you are best doing the rest in Duravsky's hall, before being presented. They are the richest so they will have the most, things you cannot find in town.

"We do some music. No harp as such. I could lend you a psaltery. With some practice it is close enough, yes?"

[OOC: "Duravsky" refers to the whole clan - sometimes he calls them "Duravsky," sometimes "Clan Duravsky," - so you may wish to edit. The PM himself, the chief, is named Arman. Addressed by his nearest-and-dearest he'd be Arman Ilyich, assuming his father was named "Ilya."]
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Drannin
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Re: Goriel and beyond

Post by Drannin »

Argus nodded to Rose. "We may as well rest up. I have a feeling it'll be busy tomorrow, and the next few days." He paused. "...Woman of mine," he added imperiously, with a slight smirk.
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Drusia
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Re: Goriel and beyond

Post by Drusia »

Alberich wrote:[OOC: "Duravsky" refers to the whole clan - sometimes he calls them "Duravsky," sometimes "Clan Duravsky," - so you may wish to edit. The PM himself, the chief, is named Arman. Addressed by his nearest-and-dearest he'd be Arman Ilyich, assuming his father was named "Ilya."]
OOC: At the original meeting, the guy said: "I am Pyotr Duravsky, representing His Excellency the Prime Minister" - so since then, Desiree has been referring to the clan chief as 'Duravsky'. It is good that someone clarified her (and me) on that point, since she'd been using the Clan and the Head of the Clan interchangably. I don't think I'll edit - it makes more sense that Desiree was making the same error as I was - but she will use the correct name in the future.
Alberich
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Re: Goriel and beyond

Post by Alberich »

"I don't know where your faith stands on such things." He began. "But does it bother you that the women here are being treated like semi-conscious furniture? It just seems a strange attitude to adopt for a species who, a few thousand years ago, were little better than slaves themselves."

"Oh, by the good lord, yes!" responded Tim - glad to be on Church grounds, away from the heathen locals, where he could talk freely about this. "What these people do, it's as far as can be from the way our faith stands on this. Right now - we're not allowed to tell the hea...the locals what we think of it. Some kind of political reasons. But this is how people, err, human people, how they get when they stray so far from the faith. Can get, anyway. We believe women have dignity. And should have some decency. And be treated with due respect." And not sent off like sacrificial lambs into the temples of these savages. But raising the topic of you-know-who, this would embitter them both, he feared.

[OOC: I would actually like to finish this conversation between Tim and Eli before skipping to the next day, but will try not to slow things up.]
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Jack Rothwell
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Re: Goriel and beyond

Post by Jack Rothwell »

Eli nodded, glad he and the Brother were on the same page.

"Gods know my kind know something about repression, but this-" He swept an arm, gesturing at the city in the distance. "-is something else. And Desiree..." He swallowed his rising anger and forced his voice to remain level. "She was a Priestess... a woman who held respect but here... it's like she couldn't wait to subjegate herself, even to a bunch of hu- backward yokels clinging to some false ideas of 'honour' and 'respect' even as they stamp on the fingers of the people they consider beneath them."

He turned fully to face Brother Tim, a savage smile painted across his face.

"Have you ever felt the urge to take up the sword for your cause?" He asked. "Gather your best books, men, mercenaries... and come here to impose a fairer society on people like these? A holy crusade would be something for the history books."

Ideas of pure mischief were forming in the half-elf's mind at that moment like clowns leaving a car. It was just idle speculation, but appealing. He couldn't help but wonder how much chaos could be caused in a button down society like this with the right fire in the right building, or a couple of hours work painting the right symbols in the right area of town to unleash some 'little helpers' for a meal on stuck-up pretention.

Or maybe just one big one.

At that moment, the amulet under his shirt pulsed once, briefly, carrying a message from Eli's benefactor smoothly into his mind.

'There may be work for you here yet.'

Eli's smile grew wider.
Last edited by Jack Rothwell on May 17th, 2012, 2:56 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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