Gormenghast

[Yair]

OOC: I understand that you go to the Jew, as that was the only solid opinion offered.

With but a few inquiries, you are able to reach Annan’s residence easily. He seems to be well-known. While the Jewish quarter is not walled off the Christians around it, Annan’s house turns out to be large walled compound at the outskirts of the quarter, complete with armed guards. Jewish children leer out of a nearby window as you approach the residence. The streets are a maze of short crowded alleys and low-walled courtyards, of shoddy design and obviously poor inhabitants. In contrast, Annan’s walls are well-kept, impressive tall walls, and his guards’ equipment looks expensive and well-kept.
The guards are clearly surprised to see such a large, armed, party. The household is informed of your arrival, and in short order a person steps out to greet you.
Greeting, travelers. I am Yacov, son of Annan. What brings such an esteemed party to our gates?

 

[Maerdwyn]

"Greetings, Yacov; thank you for coming out to meet us. We have come today from an associate of your father's, to seek his counsel and his hospitality. I am Sofia Maratkova." She looks to the other magi, allowing them to introduce themselves if they so choose. Sofia uses that time to study Yakov's reactions, hie bearing, etc., then produces the letter from Andereine. "Would you please convey to your father our greetings, as well as this letter of introduction?"

 

[Yair]

Yacov is somewhat startled to hear you speak for your party, but quickly recovers. He takes the presented letter, though somewhat timidly. I will convey this messege to my father. Please wait a little longer; I will return shortly.
He doesn't, actually. After several minutes the door opens from within into a small courtyard before the main building. Yacov is standing there besides a women, and in front of them stands a third man who you can only assume is Annan.
Shalom aleichem, honored guests he says. He opens his hands, and intones something in a strange tongue - perhaps Aramaic, perhaps Hebrew. Hanotea ozen halo ishma, im yotzer ain halo yabit. He pauses for a moment, and smiles. Come in peace onto my house, as my guests. He looks over you, and seems to pause when he looks at the three magi. It has been a long time since I have heard from Daniel, and I was happy to learn of your arrival. I am sure we will have much to talk about, to the benefit of us all. But I know you could use a good meal, let us retire first and converse later.
He mumbles something to Yacov and the woman, who step forward to talk to the other characters as he addresses the magi directly - in a halting but functional Latin no less. It is an honor to meet so many peers of Ambrosius - I hope we can reach a similar understanding. Please, follow me to the main hall while my companions see to your grogs.

Annan leads the three magi to tha main hall, where a group of people are already seated before a large table. He points Sofia to a chair near the head of the table (which is clearly reserved for him). Yacov soon joins the table, and Eo (a young somber fellow dressed in dark cloths) and Ibrahim (somewhat older than Yacov and Eo, and seemingly rather friendly) are also present. Annan retires shortly, to bless the other's meals, before returning to the main table, blessing the food, and the eating commences.
Eo spends the meal carefuly dissecting a capon one-handed using only a knife, cleanly seperating the flesh and bones into seperate piles before eating. Yacov and Ibrahim are less preoccupied with their food.

Meanwhile Yacov and the woman show the males to a sidehall to eat with the menfolk and the women [if there are any?!] to the kitchen. There are about 20 of each gender amongst the household's residence.
The men are not armed, and clearly none are soldiers. They seem intimidated by the armed men.
The women are chatty, but they don't chat in Slavic. There is little enough work betweent them that most times they sit, eat, and talk, with a few constantly working in the kitchen and many serving or clearing the occasional platter. Only a few are left with no toil, and these are clearly respected by the others.

Victor: Annan clearly identifies the three magi as "special" - Gentle Gift and all - and you suspect the (Hebrew?) intonation was some sort of meditation. There is also a sense of greed about him; you are pretty sure the meat-laden meal is a rather rare occasion in this household. Oh, and Eo is definitely not quite sane. [Folk Ken 4+1 townfolk+1 Per+5 roll=11]

 

[Someone]

After finishing with the meal, and in their way to the main hall, Chronius turns to Annan. "We hope to return to Gormanghast soon -many of us are anxious to return to work there. To make things short, we´ll surely save a lot of time if we find Ambrosius soon. You mentioned you had an ´understanding´ with him."

 

[Yair]

After finishing with the meal, and in their way to the main hall, Chronius turns to Annan. "We hope to return to Gormanghast soon -many of us are anxious to return to work there. To make things short, we´ll surely save a lot of time if we find Ambrosius soon. You mentioned you had an ´understanding´ with him."

"Yes, indeed. I was deeply saddened to see he hasn't come to continue our transactions in the past two years. I do hope your coming is a sign that Gormenghast, at least, will pick up his slack, hmm?"

OOC: The meal is in the main hall; do you speak during it or wait till it's over?

 

[Someone]

(I´d wait until we´re in the main hall, as Annan said. If something happens before, then ignore this post and the other one)

"Mmmmmaybe." doubts Chronius. "Those ´transactions´ may have to do with our mission here. You know what? We´re truly exhausted by the trave, and we´d like al comfortable place to rest while you tell us all the details about Ambrosius."

 

[Strahd_Von_Zarovich]

Victor is quite during the dinner, He puts an Eye on Eo during the eve, but he is too tierd and wants to sleep

 

[Yair]

(I´d wait until we´re in the main hall, as Annan said. If something happens before, then ignore this post and the other one)

Aside from the talk, which I gather is after the meal (the meal IS in the main hall), the only thing out of the ordinary that happened during the meal was that a white dove flew in threw the window and onto the table. It then proceeded to walk up and down, occasionally pecking at a dish or shyly peering into a character's face. Annan looked displeased but says nothing until Yacov makes to strike the bird. Annn then interjects in a harsh voice, and Yacov recoils. Ibrahim then nervously coos the bird and places some crumbs into the dish near to him; the dove hops over, eats, and then flies off.

 

[Yair]

"Mmmmmaybe." doubts Chronius. "Those ´transactions´ may have to do with our mission here. You know what? We´re truly exhausted by the trave, and we´d like al comfortable place to rest while you tell us all the details about Ambrosius."

Annan looks confused. Eh... if you are too tired, perhaps you would like to retire for the night? We can pick this up tomorrow. He looks to Sofia, awaiting her decision.

 

[Maerdwyn]

Sofia takes the indicated seat, aware that her presence at the men's table challenges the norms of the household, but too eager for her first acceptable meal in a month to let it bother her overmuch. When everyone is seated, she says "Thank you for welcoming us so graciously, Annan. Your generosity," she continues, indicating the meal, "is beyond expectation." At appropriate times she praises the food and the wine, but is relatively quiet the rest of the meal unless actively engaged in conversation by Annan or one of the others. She is tired. And while she will not be bound by the segregation of men an women in the household, she has no wish to purposefully flout it further by dominating the dinner conversation.