NOW LIVE! Today's the day you meet your new best friend. You don’t have to leave Wolfy behind... In 'Pets & Sidekicks' your companions level up with you!

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Message: <blockquote data-quote="gideonpepys" data-source="post: 6251340" data-attributes="member: 79141">Session 99b - Welcome PartyThe Royal DocksOn the 9th, the Freux Rouge,  captained by Rosalyn Taylor, berthed at the Royal Docks. It bore a  small party of dignitaries and a security detachment protecting the  Danoran side of Hotel Aurum. At 6 p.m. on the 13th, a second ship  arrives.  Lux Profectusque cruises into Flint Bay and makes a  grand impression. Two hundred Danoran sailors in crisp white uniforms  line the edge of its main deck, helping the ship seem to glow in the  afternoon sun. The vessel swings about and closes with the Royal Docks,  and with measured precision it cuts its engine and glides on momentum to  stop not ten feet from the prow of Risur’s own flagship, Coaltongue.A  company of Risuri marines flank the welcoming party in Fleet Square,  while across the bridge in Royal Square, several hundred Flinters strain  to watch. The king is not in attendance, having sent Governor Stanfield in his stead. A ramp is deployed and the line of crew parts to reveal, first, a small string and woodwind orchestra that strikes up the Danoran national anthem; and second, the head of state, Sovereign Han Jierre. He starts down the ramp as the elegant overture of the anthem  begins. Beside him walks his niece Lya Jierre, and behind him follows  the Danoran Minister of War Eloise Duffet, several bodyguards, and  attendants bearing gifts. As they step off the ramp onto the dock, the strings and woodwinds rise and are joined by previously unseen brass  instruments. Then, just as the sovereign reaches Governor Stanfield, the  anthem crescendos and is joined by a blast of the steamship’s horn. The  sound fades out, and Governor Stanfield formally welcomes the Danorans. He starts to introduce the party, but Lya Jierre slips in first and describes the PCs as “the good people I crossed swords with in Vendricce, and who helped us at Axis Island.”* To their surprise, Lya invites the unit to ride with her.  With a polite shake of her head she dismisses her bodyguards who have boken away from the main Danoran party to stand close beside her: the sneering half-elf Rush Munchausen, massive forearms folded over his narrow chest; and towering half-orc Merton Goncala, with his strange protective headgear and polearm wrapped in cashmere. As she clambers into the spacious carriage, Rumdoom mutters: "So we can't just kill her, then?" Dressing for DinnerRumdoom's comment provided a nice point to jump back in time a couple of hours when the four remaining unit members were smartening themselves up.  The barber had just left.  Rumdoom was having a lesson in etiquette -  specifically which cutlery to use with each course - from society expert Simeon Hinds, and an intense and seemingly mute gnome tailor was putting the finishing touches to the hem of Korrigan's tunic.  (He had been about to work on Uru, who simply transformed his clothes into a snugly fitting uniform with a brightly polished helmet).  The mood was sour: not wanting his men to find out second hand, Baldrey had already told them that he meant to leave the RHC once his family had been restored to him.  They were sad to hear the news, but couldn't find words to express themselves without it sounding selfish. Strain had also been caused by the disappearance of Malthusius, whose wisdom was sorely missed right know; worse still, Leon was imprisoned in the RHC basement, accused of the most appalling crimes. Korrigan  ad also brought them up to speed on the sticky issues of the day: they might encounter thorny discussions about Duchess Ethelyn of Shale, Nathan Jierre or Luc Jierre.  They might even encounter Luc himself, as Aodhan was considering a request from his bride-to-be that her brother be allowed to attend the gala.  Asked about his threat level, Korrigan had said that he thought it was minimal. Dima entered, interrupting Rumdoom's lesson and irritating Hinds.  He told them Delft was on his way and his mood wasn't good.  On top of all the above, he had to contend with bad news from dwarven accountants Groinly and Boinly:  Recent overspending (on the Avery Coast operation, for example) coupled with the withdrawal of Benedict Pemberton's funds meant that...  Dima paused, realising (not for the first time) that he was being terribly indiscreet.  It was too late: he pressed on and revealed  tipends for senior officers would have to be cut.  The only solution was what Dima described as 'operational salvage'.  At once, Rumdoom stood and reappropriated the neat bundle he had intended to take down to the quartermaster: Lorcan Kell's top hat and tailcoat, and his tiny wondrous carriage.  Warming to his gossip, the loose-lipped Dima confided that Delft had already had his uniform pressed, just in case he got invited to the dinner at the last minute. (Not that he expected that to happen, but it would be a shame if it did and he couldn't attend because his suit was at home unironed.) Delft entered looking fraught. He had forgotten his cane. He had come to remind the unit that they were attending the banquet as ambassadors for the RHC, that their manners and behaviour should be impeccable.   "Course, there's nothing to stop you from asking one or two rude questions. If you ruffle any feathers, Lya Jierre is to blame.  She's the one who invited you.  But no violence, do you understand?" Rumdoom's question had already been answered...*Verbatim from the adventure, used as read-aloud text to begin the session.  I find read-aloud text signals the start of something formal in a way that extemporized descriptions do not.  I almost always begin a sessions in this way, because it settles everyone down. Usually I just read the campaign recap.</blockquote>

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