Affairs of State

Concept: Set in Drannor, this is a tale of political intrigue in which the party begins in a behind-the-scenes investigatory role, but may rise to prominence, or not, depending on their decisions, which will affect the future make-up of societal powers.

Background

The Duke of Saint Cuthbert, James Vallis, has been enjoying the prosperity of his region for a decade, and sunk into refined debauchery. His son Prince Edward appears set to take on the mantle of rulership, having assumed honorary control of the defense forces a year ago.

Edward's half-brother Prince John, while being older and wiser, is lame, sickly, and a recluse.

Setup

One party member will need to have a long relationship with Prince John, have an adventuring background, and be currently employed in some sort of security role on his rural estate, like Captain of the Guard, or Personal Bodyguard, or Security Chief, or "Fixer", or similar.

Prince John will summon this party member, and ask her/him to gather a few trusted cohorts for an undercover investigation, which may require stealth and possibly violence, but will certainly require secrecy and political/diplomatic maneuvering.

Character Creation

150 points total:

• max 100 in attributes
• max 50 in disadvantages

Prince John's employee gets a 15-point Patron advantage for free.

Everyone might not need them, but given the setting and circumstances, putting points into Diplomacy, Social Regard, Status, Contacts, Administrative Rank, Charisma, Favor, Merchant Rank, Wealth, Patrons, Reputation, Area Knowledge, Security Clearance, Signature Gear, Acting, Sex Appeal, Fasttalk, Carousing, Detect Lies, Economics, Politics, Current Affairs, Heraldry, Leadership, and so forth, may come in handy. That's not to say an expert swordsman, cranky mage, or slithering rogue won't be useful -- it all depends on the decisions the party makes.

Everyone should know the one party member who works for Prince John and a long-term trust relationship, even if it's from "back in the day". He or she would not have contacted you for this mission otherwise.

Standard demi-human human races (elf, dwarf, halfling, half-orc) must take a 10-point Unusual Background for developing a long term trust relationship with Prince John's employee.

Characters

• Reft Taliborn, played by Jess
• Francesca Russo, played by Melissa
• Cardinal Francesco Maria of The Org, played by Dan
• Duchy, played by Brant

= Lay of the Land

The scene opens with Reft and Duchy sitting in a tavern in Saint Cuthbert, chuckling and drinking and reminiscing glories of years gone by. A messenger boy enters, threads his way through the bar, and delivers a letter, bearing the red wax seal of the Cardinal. It seems that the Cardinal requires Tarn's presence, and asks that he bring along any trusted friends suited to sensitive work.

Reft and Duchy leave early the next morning for Prince John's estate ten miles east, passing through rolling hills of spring grain and knee-high corn fields along the way. Upon arrival in the charming village of Wolverhampton, the pair turn south along the lane that soon becomes the entry avenue for the Prince's 5000 acres of orchards and pasture.

After showing the letter at the guard house along the north edge of the property, Reft and Duchy ride into the Prince's compound of stone buildings and are quickly greeted by a servant lad, from whom they request strong wine. The lad delivers them to a meeting hall, where the Cardinal greets them and silver goblets are filled.

Francesca, in her guest quarters not far away, is notified that the meeting is about commence, and gracefully glides across the courtyard to join the rest of the party. Introductions occur, with Duchy wondering out loud if Francesca is for their "entertainment". She handles the question with aplomb.

As the second decanter of fine red wine is being drained by Reft and Duchy, a door opens and Emilia pushes Prince John's wheelchair into the room. After formal introductions, the prince expresses his deep trust for the Cardinal and Francesca, and then explains the matter at hand.