Heirs to the Burning Thrones

[Dark Nemesis]

As the others debated the situation, Tariq was content to listen, having decided to go along with whatever the decision was. Finally, when it looks like they had come to a decision, he jumped to his feet, ready for some action. "Excellent! Then let us make haste to arrange a meeting with our good host. I have no doubt that with our combined efforts, we shall convince him of the worthiness of this cause."

Mentally, he sorted through his arsenal of spells. More than one of them could be useful to help... convince Kadar to see things their way.

 

[Isida Kep'Tukari]

*The group, plus or minus a few, exits their tent and walks over to the central one. The guards halt them politely and ask their business. When they learn that they must speak with Kadar, a slave is summoned to take the message to him. Within moments they are admitted back into the central room in the large tent, where a slightly puzzled-looking Kadar is reclining at his ease upon a pile of silk cushions.*

"My gracious guests, what brings you back here during your time of virtuous rest?" he inquires, his face slipping into a pleasently neutral expression.

 

[Rystil Arden]

OOC: If the answer to my question on the OOC Thread is positive, Shalah leads with an 11 PsP Endowed Attraction which she manifests without a display unless she rolls a 1 on the Concentration check (Concentration DC 16, bonus +14). This causes her to burn her lifeforce a bit and take 1d8 damage. The DC on the Attraction is 27. Otherwise, she doesn't cast Attraction. Shalah knows whether or not Kadar's saving throw failed, so let me know before I continue, since she'll need to bluff-and-cover if it goes wrong.

 

[Keia]

Jibril a'Mussan (Human, Windwalker)

On the walk over to the tent, Jibril motioned with his eyes and subtle movements the placement of everyone, trying to casually keep the more martial types in a semi-circle behind, protecting Shalah and those others less martial. Jibril himself walked close to the front, expecting that he would have to make introductions.

Jibril was concerned whether Marid was coming along for this discussion, but allowed the son of Kadar to make his own decision.

"My gracious guests, what brings you back here during your time of virtuous rest?" he inquires, his face slipping into a pleasently neutral expression.

'Oh, how I dislike pleasantly neutral,' Jibril thought, the exact same expression coming over his own face as well. He then smiled and gathered himself, drawing attention briefly to himself (allowing Shalah to work).

"Most gracious host, first allow me to apologize for our gathering and the disturbance of your own virtuous rest," Jibril stated. "But matters have come to our attention that, as honored guests, we felt we needed to bring to your attention. Having better knowledge of the situation, I humbly request that Shalah continue to explain the situation to you."

Jibril bowed ever so slightly and extended his arm in her direction, taking a step to the side to allow her to speak. Jibril remained ready to defend Shalah from any attacks from front of the tent, if anything were to happen.

 

[Rystil Arden]

*Since Samira wants her mind to be alone, Shalah chooses to send messages to Jibril alone.*

--Many thanks for the distraction, honoured guardian. All that is left is to wait and see if my manifestation had any effect upon Kadar. If so, we can rest easily, for my telepathy combined with our skills of persuasion should be able to bring an openly hostile foe to a helpful friend who wishes to do us a favour--

*Or turn a helpful friend into a fanatically-loyal sycophant who would think nothing of laying down his life for her, Shalah adds to herself, but the others do not need not concern themselves with such things.*

 

[Isida Kep'Tukari]

*Marid has opined to stay behind, as previous discussions with his father have come to naught with him present.*

*When Shalah manifests her powers, Kadar seems to gaze at her in deep appreciation.*

 

[Rystil Arden]

--Excellent. It worked.--

"Most-honoured Kadar, our gracious host," Shalah susurrates sweetly, smiling at him as she turns, shifting her silks to quickly expose and then cover naked flesh in ripples across her body, "We have heard from the flowers the mystery of your son Marid, who seems to have no love at all for women, and thus he disobeys you in your desire to see him married. But yet, we have solved that mystery and have come to bring you the solution."

Hoping to tantalise Kadar with the swaying curves of her intimations just as she would do with her body in a dance, Shalah left Kadar hanging on that assertation, like the vizier's daughter who interjected her stories, hoping to survive the night with a mad sultan. "You no doubt have heard tales of the beauty of the fabled Samira. Indeed, there is no flower in Keldev who can match. Perhaps what you do not know is that Samira's extraordinary beauty is the result of her heritage, and of the love between her mother, a fire nymph, and a human man of Keldev, a rare and beautiful bond that can only happen for a chosen few among mortals, for truly the fire nymphs are as queens among queens in their domains, independent even of the ancient rule of the gen, and able to take their pick of lovers from among the immortals. Surely then, an opportunity for a love as rare as that of Samira's parents, the love between a human and a desert goddess, is a wonderful thing to be cherished, cherished as much as Samira herself, a beauty among beauties more valuable than a hundred rubies."

"Surely you agree, for any less would make me cry in sorrow and think that perhaps you are not the great and wise man for which I immediately took you upon seeing you."

"But you must think me too sentimental, to wander wistfully away into talk of immaterial dreams and things that cannot be. But joyfully for your family, your son Marid has brought your family a miracle beyond measure, but which he has found himself unable to tell you because of his insecurity stemming from your disapproval towards him."

"Indeed, Marid has won the heart of a fire nymph, a love that if allowed to come to fruition would bring about great joy and prosperity for the house of Kadar, as well as regal descendants as beautiful as Samira, who shall live on as testament to the prosperity to your family when all of your rival merchants and their children, and their children's children have since turned to dust and visited Oram's halls. How, then, can a mere trading agreement compare to the untold fame, riches, and social standing that awaits a man with such granddaughters--and such a wife for his son?"

*Shalah readies all the stops for her conclusion.*

"For your son's happiness, for the warmth that you will bring to my poor heart," at the word heart, Shalah puts her hand over her heart and presses inward while slightly dragging her hand down, causing the upper flap to open and expose additional cleavage, "And at the very least for the long-term of your own self-interest, please I beg of you to allow your son to follow his heart!"

Bringing tears to her eyes as she opens them wide in a pleading fashion, she drops in supplication before Kadar and gently kisses his foot.

[OOC: While in the midst of speaking, I use Sense Motive to determine his initial attitude towards me and my proposition (Indifferent, Helpful, etc). If it turns out to be below Friendly despite the Attraction, I manifest Telempathic Projection as before, which raises his attitude by one step and gives more Diplomacy bonus. Diplomacy check is at +47, or +51 if I used Telempathic Projection]

 

[Brother Shatterstone]

Samira: Flamekissed Half-Nymph/Female (Gestalt: Unfettered/Rogue/Seductress)

* Though she had wanted to be left alone, with her anger still fresh still wished she was, Samira eyed Marid curiously from her pile of silk pillows as she delicately placing another date in her mouth. *

“Most gracious Marid, tell me more of your beloved Malika… As Shalah mentioned I’m half fire nymph, yet never knew my true mother, so I would find even the most mundane things interesting.”

OOC: Are we alone?

 

[Isida Kep'Tukari]

*Kadar first looks astonished, then angry, then thoughtful, and finally avaricious as Shalah makes her plea. He waits several minutes before answering, clearly picking his words carefully.*

"You bring to me the answers to many questions, as well as making many new problems. I am pleased that my son has found love, and with such a powerful and beautiful being. This explains much of his behavior. However, I have contracted for his marriage to the eldest daughter of the merchant Kasir. The contract has been drawn up, the dowery is arranged, the ceremony is in place. I could not break such a contract. Kasir has been promised trading arrangements with me, and his daughter has been promised a husband. Marid would have to take them both to wife in order to honor both his obligations and his love," Kadar says. He obviously seems pleased at the prospect of such an exotic bride, but his reputation is at stake if he breaks the marriage contract. Polygamy is normal in Keldev, but unless the man is strong-willed and able to quell arguements, or rich and able to afford separate houses, it would be best if the brides get along.

~~~

*Marid and Samira have been left with the stoic Omran to see to their safety. Like most Atiik, he will shut his ears to any actions or conversations around him, and take any secrets with him to the grave.*

"I met Malika one evening when I was out on the sands. I had heard of my father's contract for my bride, and I was taking the time to think of my responsibilities to come. A kind of walking meditation. I saw the glow of a fire oasis on the horizon, and wished greatly to see it. Slipping away from my bodyguards, I approached with caution, only to see a beautiful maid with hair of flame bathing in a fire-fountain, attended by fiery serpents.

"I came to see her closer, and she spied me. I saw such sadness in her eyes that I wished to comfort her, and when she gestured me closer, I came. I told her my name, and she told me hers. I asked her of her sadness, and we began to talk deep into the night. She told me of her first love, and I told her of my marriage to a girl I had never seen nor heard of. We talked about growing up, her tending to the fire-fountains and fire-creatures, me to my father's slaves and flowers. Before the night was gone we both felt we had much in common.

"Now she goes from fire oasis from fire oasis, following my father's trade routes, staying as close to me as she can. I steal away every night to see her, and our love has grown over these past several months," Marid says.

 

[Rystil Arden]

*Shalah had expected that this might be the response, but before answering, she sends a message to Samira*

--Dear heart, I sensed your frustration and so did not wish to intrude upon your privacy until I had found a way to make it up to you. But I need you to speak to Marid for me. I humbly request that you tell him that I have convinced his father to accept and approve his love for Malilka, and ask if he has a problem with wifing both Malika and Kasir's daughter, if it means he can be with his beloved.--