[x] A meeting of all the Viona's minions, so they may tell of their progress.
Act 1
Scene 3: The meeting room
Viona enters the meeting room, with Enapay, still in his true form, behind her. Much like the downstairs, it is a large, white marble space with big windows on one side that let the light in through a set of gauzy net curtains that prevent anyone outside seeing within.
In the centre is a large light wood table covered by a white cloth. A masked servant woman pours a measure of red liquid.
Viona sits at the head of the table and looks between those already seated.
Enapay takes a seat on her left, and Munira on her right. Beyond Munira, sits Caroline, a pale skinned and studious brunette with black ebony rimmed glasses. Rather than a full length dress, she wears a short skirt and black thigh highs, with a black cumberbun. Her cufflinks are small silver skulls, and she is leafing through an ancient book as Viona enters.
On the other side from her is a Selena, a beautiful blond woman with flowing hair and a prominent golden sun symbol mounted into the flesh of her forehead. She wears a slightly transparent white and gold robe, with many lace add ons, and very red lipstick. She seems to be sitting in prayer.
Beyond her is Adam, a man in his early twenties, well fed and beautiful, with aristocratically pale skin and long, very dark hair. He wears an expensive green doublet and white hose, both laced with silver thread. He has a feathered cap on front of him on the table and is playing with it. As he sees Enapay, they exchange the smile of co-conspirators.
At the other end of the table is Adam's Father, Robert, who looks like an older version of his son, his good looks shading into handsome. He is in his early forties, though his eyes seem older.. His hair is shoulder length, with grey at the temples. He gives Viona a steaming look, which she returns with a coy smile.
On the third place on the other side is Meztil, a dark skinned woman with a long scar down one side of her face. She is wearing clothes which would probably code as male to a city dweller, hoses and a dress shirt, along with strange, blue glass armoured gauntlets. A sword hangs at her side.
Viona (To the audience): My loyal seven, and I make the eight, an excellent number.
Viona takes her seat and raises her glass.
Viona: To glory, to success, to our association. Loyal forever to none but one another.
All: To none but one another!
They drink back the liquid, and put down their glasses.
Viona: Alright, let's start by hearing your reports. Robert, let's begin with finance.
Robert: Profits from shipping, property rents, and from the spice trade that we control are all high this month, and I'm pleased to report we have regenerated the expense of the reagents which we have purchased for the ritual. Currently, our treasury consists of five thousand gold, our expenses are one thousand gold a month, and our income is four thousand gold a month.
In terms of less than legal activities, we have a good supply of dream dust, but no one to sell it too. Our agent suggests that she will require one thousand gold a month for a package, which we should be able to turn around for at least five or six thousand to a distributor.The problem is we don't have a distributor, and the pipeline is unlikely to last more than two months if we cannot begin to buy.
In terms of expansion of my above board businesses, I believe that as you become better placed in court, your open patronage could increase our output by around one thousand gold per month. At that point, I believe we will be approaching the top of what can be earned legitimacy against the existing royal monopolies and merchant guilds.
Viona: Very good. You've done well. Next, Munira, what's your report on the underworld?
Munira waves and Samantha young woman, obviously local in birth, thin and nervous and dressed as a maid steps in and bows.
Munira: Samantha has been my agent in this, as I am perhaps too eye catching. Samantha is a maid who has had, shall we say, a troubled past. She was in the thieves guild before she sort legitimate employment. She has found that the pay of a maid is insufficient to keep both her and her poor brother, so has accepted an additional job from us. She may have ferreted out a good prospect. Samantha, please.
Viona: Has she taken the sign?
Selena: Yes. Her and her brother too.
Samantha: Ah, yes, thank you, uh, lords, ladies. I spoke to the other maids, picked up gossip in the palace and on the street. They say that Prince Nicholas runs the thieves guild, he has since the war and the usurper, when they hid him. Still, there's more than one guild see. Like, there's the big guild, but there's a few other smaller ones, true thieves they call themselves, without royal patronage.
I've heard, well, I've spoken to one of the maids of Lady Janentis Winterhome. They say she can get you what you need, if you want drugs or anything. I did a little digging on the street, and I think, I think she's a high woman in one of these other guilds. I, I, I suppose I maybe even know which one.
Selena:: And which one is that, darling?
Samantha: Ah, well, I'm not sure you'd know it Highness. They call themselves the red hands, they sell drugs mostly. They're violent, if you cross them, you die quick, but if you're loyal, they'll help you out with anything. That's what people say.
Viona: I see, well, you've done very well. We'll see you and your brother are taken care of.
Samantha curtseys and almost trips over herself as her falling head catches Enapay's eyes and he winks at her. She hastily withdraws.
Viona: Caroline, Selena, what about the ritual status?
Caroline puts down her book
Caroline: Well, the ritual is still going. So far, the words are just general prophetic sounding horseshit. Cold reading stuff, intermixed with critic references to stuff we know will occur, or is likely to occur, or that we're making occur. If you want something more inflammatory put in, it's just a matter of putting it in the book.
Viona: Are you sure that it can't be traced back to us? This kind of thing is going to draw investigation.
Selena: The Sun Queen has the secret. Those trying to find it through mystic means will go blind. As long as the ritual chamber remains undisturbed, it can run indefinitely.
Viona: Alright. Do you have anything else?
Selena: I desire an introduction to the court, at a convenient time. I would like to see if I cannot convert a few nobles to our cause.
Caroline: And I need an escort to some ancient ruins I've found under the city. You could come too if you want. It'd be just like old times.
Adam: I believe I might have a likely prospect for a business opportunity. A client of mine, an artist, is looking for a patron. He is a fine artist, and you could gain status at court by modelling.
Enapay: I have found a certain royal guard captain who might be willing to help us. You should meet her.
Viona: Meztil, do you have anything?
Meztil: Not really. Noboby has tried to break in, and we don't have enough guards to really do anything. I'm at something of a loose end for now, though I'm available to bodyguard you if you ever thing you need it.
Viona: I'm not sure if I should do that anymore, but well, I suppose it could be good to keep my hand in.
She looks at the audience
Viona (To the audience): So, that's the situation, dealing with these issues will mostly take a day or an evening. The next major affair at court is not for four days, so I need to fill time till then.
If you think I should take Meztil somewhere, or assign her to someone else, then put:
[ ] Send Meztil on the task.
If you're happy for Carolina to explore on her own or with Meztil, then say
[ ] Let Carolina explore the undercity.
Just be careful. She could get herself hurt.
It's better if you don't do anything more than once. It'll come off as weird and clingy if we do.
What should we do tonight?
[ ] Go See Melinda
[ ] Go with Carolina to Explore the undercity ruins
[ ] Visit Enapay's royal guard
[ ] Go meet Robert's Artist
[ ] Go meet Lady Janentis Winterhome
What should I do tomorrow?
[ ] Go See Melinda
[ ] Go with Carolina to Explore the undercity ruins
[ ] Meet Enapay's royal guard
[ ] Visit Adam's Artist
[ ] Go meet Lady Janentis Winterhome
[ ] Patronize Robert's Business
What should I do the day after tomorrow?
[ ] Go See Melinda
[ ] Go with Carolina to Explore the undercity ruins
[ ] Visit Enapay's royal guard
[ ] Visit Adam's Artist
[ ] Go meet Lady Janentis Winterhome
[ ] Patronize Robert's Business
What should I do on the third day?
[ ] Go See Melinda
[ ] Go with Carolina to Explore the undercity ruins
[ ] Visit Enapay's royal guard
[ ] Visit Adam's Artist
[ ] Go meet Lady Janentis Winterhome
[ ] Patronize Robert's Business
Finally, what should I put into the prophecy
[ ] Leave it Vague and General
[ ] Impune the Royal Family
[ ] Promise a great disaster unless heroes step forward
[ ] Promise a great heroine will emerge.
