Rogue Trader - Masquerade

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Montresor
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Post by Montresor »

Garrius Amphael wrote: "The ultimate goal lies towards the Warp Shoals, though the next stop is somewhere in the Prethian system. For reasons I'm sure you can appreciate, to say more would be inappropriate. Yourself? Any voyages planned for your near future?"
'Prethian?' Galen's fingers clasp his chin with interest. 'Isn't that an irradiated system somewhere out in the depths, towards the Heathen Stars? I think I've heard of it. From what I've heard, there's nothing there, not anything nearby. Interesting. I'm sure you have good reasons, of course, but I'd like to caution you that the closer you get to the Heathen Stars, the closer you will get to envious Rogue Traders seeking the fortunes of the civilisations hidden away there.

'As for my own destination . . . I am repairing to Winterscale's Realm myself. Simply seeing to some of my own interests there, ensuring things are running smoothly and so on'.

The young Rogue Trader pauses to think. Leaning forward, he lowers his voice and speaks again to Garrius. 'If you're going to the Heathen Stars themselves you'll find no limit to the missionaries who would be willing to pay small fortunes to be ferried there. There are a lot of human civilisations out that way from the time before the Imperium, and the Missionarius Galaxia send their preachers there in veritable floods. I'm sure you'd find some members of the Ecclesiarchy at this Ball who could be dealt with'.
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"Yes," I said, "for the love of God!" - Edgar Allan Poe, The Cask of Amontillado.

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Andrea Chan-Gauthier
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Post by Andrea Chan-Gauthier »

"Little else we could wager? Why, simply the knowledge that I have bested you, my Lord. And I will best you, I have no doubt. There is much value in such a thing. But, in addition to that, we will get to see each other in some degree of poor composure. And perhaps we will learn something of one another that can be used later in negotiations between our two concerns. So, this is acceptible."

Andrea reaches out a hand to Gabriel's arm, letting the touch linger for a time. "Do not worry, my Lord. I won't abuse what I learn. Now, let us consider these hooligans and begin the game."

"I will have to say that they are... the spoiled children of influential nobles from this sector. They are used to their power, and as demonstrated by the Lord Inquisitor, they are NOT used to considering the idea that there are others in the room who are more powerful still. Their costumes are similar, suggesting a group planning process. So, clearly they associate with only each other... I would guess they're all in the same school, or recently out of school... and they do not actually participate in proper courtly affairs with their parents' generations. If they had, they would know better than to flaunt their power in such a large gathering, even if they WERE untouchable. Which the Inquisition just proved not to be the case."

"I say they're nobles because, as you said earlier, wealthy merchants would have costumes as exquisit as theirs, but only a noble would act so crass in public. Young merchants, or the children of them, would be very aware of appearances and wouldn't wish to seem 'common' by acting that way. Only actual nobility can get away with such behavior. Ironic, isn't it?"
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Montresor
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Post by Montresor »

Andrea notes Gabriel shy away from her touch a little. She cannot be sure why he does so, though the reaction is understated, and does not convey the impression of revulsion. The young nobleman does not betray any discomfort when he replies.

'No, we stick to the drinking, Andrea. No cheating. You've made a vague enough description, but I'm going to hold you to the particulars'.

Gabriel strides to the group, who try their best to ignore him at first. However, Gabriel appears adept enough at socialising, and soon has the men and women talking, even laughing. Less than five minutes later he is beckoning for Andrea to join them.

'Your close, Seneschal. I had to explain the game to them to get the information . . . now they want to play,' he chuckles. ‘They’re not all so young . . . well . . . anyway, young nobles is basically correct, and I think what you said is rather true but - ’

One of the men interrupts in a gruffer voice than the others, ‘We’re on a bit of a pilgrimage actually. Only, not a religious one. We’ve a fortune to spend, one we all found together, and we’re using it to see the stars and shoot every damned xeno-predator we come across. Looking for game in Koronus actually. None of this arena riff-raff. We want the real thing – creatures in their natural habitat, and no expense is to be spared. Great fun, really’.

Gabriel quickly grabs a glass of amasec from a nearby waiter and downs it in one backward motion.
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"Yes," I said, "for the love of God!" - Edgar Allan Poe, The Cask of Amontillado.

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Andrea Chan-Gauthier
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Post by Andrea Chan-Gauthier »

Andrea claps her hands and lets out a small squeel, like a young girl. "I won! Now it's your turn. Whom shall I choose? Knowing that I will need to approach this person to confirm, the question is really... to whom do I wish to speak?" Her eyes skim across the crowd, looking for the most interesting costume she can spot, while excluding those who seem to project hostility.

Finally, she spots a very commanding and tall looking woman in exquisite regal blue colthing, thigh high boots, and the mask of a wailing woman. Leaning in closer to Gabriel, she gestures to the figure and says "Her. The one in the boots."
Last edited by Andrea Chan-Gauthier on Tue May 11, 2010 4:49 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Garrius Amphael
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Post by Garrius Amphael »

"Thank you for the advice " Garrius nodded his thanks to Galen, before looking out over the ballroom floor.

"Such local knowledge is certainly prized by one strange to this region, such as myself." Garrius took another sip of his drink."Tell me, what else happens at these parties? Whilst I would much rather be seated here sharing good discussion, I rather feel as if I am missing the point. Whats your take on the whole thing?"
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Post by Montresor »

Andrea Chan-Gauthier wrote: "Her. The one in the boots."
'Hmmm'. Gabriel cups the chin of his masque, turning bodily to face an study the woman. Hangers-on mill about her, others watch her while pretending not to, and others yet do everything they can to avoid her. 'Someone powerful. Someone from wealth, and who is used to acting with confidence. A powerful lady indeed, judging by the presence she commands. The Governor's wife. Yes. That's it'.
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"Yes," I said, "for the love of God!" - Edgar Allan Poe, The Cask of Amontillado.

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Montresor
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Post by Montresor »

Garrius Amphael wrote: "Tell me, what else happens at these parties? Whilst I would much rather be seated here sharing good discussion, I rather feel as if I am missing the point. Whats your take on the whole thing?"[/i]
'This is all a very clever play by our absent host. He'll be saving his entrance for last . . . probably any moment. Since we're all in disguises,' Galen looks down at his discarded masque briefly, 'we're all the anonymous ones. Deltael is making a statement. There'll be no mistaking who he is when he enters, but we're all faceless, unknown entities. Subordinates. I would not be at all surprised if Deltael will use this event as the pretext or launching platform for something . . . grand'.

While Garrius listens, he notices the figure in black walk down the entry stairs again, taking a position near a small group of revellers, standing straight, still, and silent. Garrius cannot be sure if this figure is even the same from the lift.
"For the love of God, Montresor!"
"Yes," I said, "for the love of God!" - Edgar Allan Poe, The Cask of Amontillado.

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Andrea Chan-Gauthier
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Post by Andrea Chan-Gauthier »

Andrea looks to Gabriel with respect. "That's quite a specific statement, my Lord. It seems you play to win." She pauses, "Or perhaps to lose? At any rate, you do not lack for confidence. Let us confirm this."

Andrea approaches the bold and intimidating woman in blue.

[As we would say in America, but not the parts of America where I live... 'I gotz no game.' So I'm honestly not sure how one would walk up to someone in this context and start up a conversation like this. Let us assume that Andrea is less socially inept than her player is, and call it an extended Fellowship roll or whatever is more appropriate. Gabriel took five minutes to talk to the Xenos types, right?]
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Montresor
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Post by Montresor »

Andrea Chan-Gauthier wrote: [As we would say in America, but not the parts of America where I live... 'I gotz no game.' So I'm honestly not sure how one would walk up to someone in this context and start up a conversation like this. Let us assume that Andrea is less socially inept than her player is, and call it an extended Fellowship roll or whatever is more appropriate. Gabriel took five minutes to talk to the Xenos types, right?]
[You're in luck. The same thing would happen no matter how you approached this person]

As Andrea draws herself nearer the women, a clutch of men close in on her, physically blocking her person from getting too near their charge. From beneath matching steel masques, three men say in militaristic unison: 'State your business'.

The woman, watching from a short distance, waves the men to relax, and takes two steps closer to Andrea. Andrea can see, judging by the lined skin of the woman's throat, and the white hair which cascades about her neck that the woman is old. Her posture and bearing, however, betray no infirmity.

In a cold voice of impeccable diction, the woman addresses Andrea: 'This one is bold, ill-informed, or unschooled. Young thing, don't you know that I am not to be simply approached?'
"For the love of God, Montresor!"
"Yes," I said, "for the love of God!" - Edgar Allan Poe, The Cask of Amontillado.

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Post by Andrea Chan-Gauthier »

Andrea holds up her hands in a vague surrender, to the minions. When spoken to by the lady, she switches to a deep respectful curtsy, and on rising replies, "Your pardon my Lady. I do not know your identity, so I could not judge the feasability of approach. If you would be so kind as to grace me with your name, I'm sure it would become clear to me that I should apologize for troubling you and depart post haste."
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Post by Montresor »

The woman strides close enough to Andrea so that the Seneschal can almost touch her chest with her chin. She stands a full foot above Andrea, being naturally tall, and astride great-heeled boots.

'You are in sore need of a lesson in civility, little girl'. A tense silence passes before the woman speaks again. 'You are the one who introduced that Rogue Trader . . . what's-his-name? . . . no-one important. If you expect me to give you my name, it would be polite to give your own first. Or maybe you could run along and ask anyone near here who I am. Fast-as-you-can now'.
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Post by Andrea Chan-Gauthier »

"My Lady, I am Lady Andrea Chan-Gauthier of Malfi, Seneschal-Majoris to the Rogue Trader, Lord-Captain Garrius Amphael."
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Post by Montresor »

There is an amused scoff from the woman. 'Malfi? The capital which never was. And you are servant to a Rogue Trader of no known consequence to me. I,' she touches her finger tips to her shoulder, in a delicate backwards motion, 'am the Rogue Trader Moriah Heale; revered, feared, and worshipped. Fetch your Anphael. I should like to talk with him. Or if you're his mouthpiece, you can tell me what it is he thinks he is doing in Footfall, precisely'.
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"Yes," I said, "for the love of God!" - Edgar Allan Poe, The Cask of Amontillado.

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Post by Andrea Chan-Gauthier »

Andrea breaths an audible sigh of relief. "Heale? Then I'm safe. I was worried for a moment, there."

"But, as to what precisely my Lord Ampheal is doing here in Footfall, I'm not his mouthpiece, but I have little difficulty believing that he would be comfortable telling you that he's doing whatever the hell he wants to do, though he'd probably inquire as to why you think you're entitled to an opinion on the matter."

"And, as I suspected My Lady Heale, now that I know your name, I must apologize for intruding upon your time. I shall remove myself from your presence with all due haste."

Andrea doesn't really stop to hear a response before turning to return to Gabriel.

[Let's see if she's allowed to return...]
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Post by Andrea Chan-Gauthier »

Without further glancing back, Andrea moves back to Gabriel's location with the Xenos hunters. On arriving, she turns back towards Heale and gestures grandly towards her, "My dear friend, that woman over there is none other than the, in her own words, 'revered, feared and worshiped' Rogue Trader Moriah Heale. She is not to be approached, she tells me, belying her own words."

Gabriel bows his head in defeat again, and quickly downs another amesec. The potent stuff seems almost not to effect him, though since his face is covered, one can't really tell. Still, he begins to look around the room for another target, but before he can choose one, the lights to the hall begin to dim. Conversation stills as all eyes look around for whatever event is about to be seen.
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Post by Garrius Amphael »

Garrius nodded as he listened.

"Yes, Deltael struck me as that type. Forgive me for my change of subject, but have you noticed the black figure over there? I could've sworn I have seen that same person enter the hall several times tonight."

Garrius looked around the room. He was thankful he had befriended Galen, as here, far from home, he was certainly the new blood. So much politics went on here it was like a giant game of checkers, and he didn't even know the players yet.
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Post by Montresor »

Garrius Amphael wrote: "Yes, Deltael struck me as that type. Forgive me for my change of subject, but have you noticed the black figure over there? I could've sworn I have seen that same person enter the hall several times tonight."
Galen looks around, and follows Garrius's eyes to where the figure in black stands. Revellers pass by singly or in groups, for the most part obscuring the tall and still form.

'Strange. Yes. Now that you mention it, I saw someone just like that before you arrived. The same?'

The lights dim. The orchestra round their notes out, tensing the strings and horns of their instruments until they match an electronic wheeze humming a monotonous tune. Dancers cease their motions, and look about themselves at the fading light. A general buzz of excitement and anticiption mingles with the confusion.

The stage, raised above the dance floor, is illuminated with igniting candelabras, which gradually become the only source of light within the Hall. In the darkness, few notice that all exits are sealed mechanically, though the sound of the doors slamming shut is audible to all.

The central dais of the stage begins to retract, and a brilliant pillar of golden light shoots upwards, touching upon the Deltael family crest far above in the ceiling. As if the touch of this light kissed every arch in the Hall, a dozen crests glow with brilliant opulence.

The orchestra begins a slow and steady tune, their notes reaching to the ceiling, summoning a vast metal effigy from the bowels of the Maiestas. Crennelated peaks emerge from the dais, glowing in triumphant gold. Carven cherubs hold thick copper and gold cables which snake down and around the emerging structure.

Gasps steal from the throats of scores of Ball guests as the realisation of what is emerging grabs them. Cyrus Deltael sits upon a vast throne of gold, criss-crossed with numerous cables feeding into his masque. His body is naked, though he is hemmed in a skirt of cords and cables. Deltael's arms stretched to either side affect a mockery of the most sacred image in the Imperium. Deltael emerges on a reconstruction of the Golden Throne itself, and he poses as none other than the God-Emperor himself.

The audience is still, confronted by such audacious and fearless basphemy, none know how to react.

[This is a brief chance to write your character's reactions, though I will make another update in a day or two]
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Post by Andrea Chan-Gauthier »

Andrea watches, rapt at the grandieur of the speactle in front of her. But after a few moments, when realization dawns as to what she's seeing, she averts her eyes. Then she looks around the room at the crowd, trying to spot Garrius and Gabriel.
  • The man proclaimes his heresy in front of us all, including a Holy Inquisitor. There will be reprecussions. We must all be prepared to leave, or at least to seek cover when weapons fire begins.
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Post by Montresor »

Nervous anxiety is almost as perceptible in the Hall as the bright glow from Deltael's throne. Exodus and riot hang in the balance.

A beam of light sweeps through the revellers, cast from the Throne, and searches amongst the crowd. It comes to rest upon a lone man, standing in a sphere of emptiness created by his own presence. Inquisitor Angste Stavram is illuminated, and all eyes turn immediately upon him.

A fearsome symbol of Imperial might and ideology, all expect the Inquisitor to be fixed with rage upon the audacious spectacle of Deltael. His arms unfold, and raise from the elbows to chest level. With force, his hands slam together. Repeatedly, Stavram claps his hands with ferocity.

'Superb! Superb!' Stavram cries, and his resounding applause stuns others into following suit.

[As previously, I will update tomorrow night, but I'll give you the opportunity to react. Andrea is shortly joined by Gabriel, and they both see the silhoettes of the couches where Garrius would be seated]
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Post by Andrea Chan-Gauthier »

Andrea, like most others present, is shocked... not sure how to respond. Since Stavram is clapping, her hands sort of follow the gesture on auto-pilot, though there's no real enthusiasm there.

Speaking to herself, not even really knowing her thoughts were audible, "The spotlight... Delteal must have known ahead of time what the Inquisitor's reaction would be, and the light was so we wouldn't... wouldn't something."

Recognizing the form of Garrius' Orc helmet, or whatever that thing was, Andrea begins moving towards the couches, noticing Gabriel in her wake.
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