Emperor Sagan
Lord Commissar
Rudolf Friar nodded once again to the handsome young man as he introduced himself, and likewise to Rutu as she was introduced and spoke in turn. Her persona had elicited a sorcerous inclination, and he was pleased he seemed correct in assuming as much; though his first thought was one of shamanistic status rather than one with a title as 'war-witch.' It was a powerful name that stirred an even deeper interest. "A pleasure to meet you both, Captain Sulzbach and Miss Nax'ya, if I do say that correctly. We people of Vallach - and House Valentova - are quite attuned to matters of spiritual and ethereal nature," he said with a soft smile.
His eyes then narrowed in an almost coy fashion. "Regretfully, we make no claim to such... delectable titles of spirit oracle or war-witch these days as, well, the rumors of our lands are driven both by excited imagination and exaggerated history. Anyone calling themselves a Vallachian wizard would, I suspect, cause some panic hereabouts." It was of course taboo to make the mere mention of necromancy and other darker things, so Friar steered well clear of alluding to such things. "Still, we may find much common ground over such an intimate field of study. Vallach is a land of spirits."
The chamberlain turned his attention fully back to the gentleman. "I do speak on behalf of my Lady, but I am not here to press any such responsibilities upon yourself, good sir Sulzbach. I wished to make introductions with a house as venerable as yours in a less... formal fashion, given that my Lady is an energetic one and I am sure that a lord of your master's status is decidedly firm. There has been much formality in this day already, I believe. It may do us all well to speak on more level grounds without resulting to swapping masks for every person we meet."
"Our distance to your lands makes news of your domain somewhat sparse. The few Glyrran we have seen belonged to merchant caravans, and I am aware of no family in our registries of such people, though I vaguely recall encountering one within a prison-tower," Friar explained. "I suspect with the conclusion of the war there is relative peace in your lands now?"
It was a question he already knew the answer to, for he found underplaying the information he already retained allowed him to draw in other parties; it also provided a convenient opening to fast-tracking discussion on military and economic matters that could reach the ear of Lord Lazarus von Holt, even as a whisper. So long as the idea existed in some respect within his circle.
From the corner of his view he noticed the figure of a half-masked woman. It took him a moment to realize that she was most likely the stewardess of House Froste. He was well aware of the previous lord's passing and wished to offer his condolences, for House Froste was a fair house of good status, and another potential ally or - at the very least - a house to not be counted as an enemy.
Friar turned slightly towards the woman and bowed in a gentle manner. "Hello, madam. Would you care to join us? It may be a rare moment of respite in which we are not surrounded by the highest lords and ladies of the land, however brief our time may be. That is, of course, if you neither of you object, Captain Sulzbach and Miss Nax'ya?"
---
"Ah! Forgive my lack of introductions. I am Ser Karr von Babel, Lord-Margrave of Vallach. It is my honored duty to command the communal defense of my Lady Valentova's realm," the large satyr said, nodding in a curt but polite military manner. As far as his kind went, he was more goat than man, with thick black fur and metal-capped horns that seemed just as functional as they may have been ornate. He was dressed in dark plated armor over a tan buff coat, with a small crimson half-cloak resting over one shoulder. Upon him was not a sheathed sword, but rather a medium-length warhammer resting at his hip on a custom holster. For those who knew much of Vallachain knights, they prized themselves on masterful artistry dedicated to bonded weapons. While they remained proficient in various other common weapons - swords and spears in particular - there was a deep connection between a Vallachain knight and their bonded weapon.
"I wanted to say hello to you good folks. It is rare to speak with warriors of distant realms given my home duties. How goes the defense of the Wall? I am sure I could convince my Lady to send more bodies if you require them. Small crimes often face labor, while we bleed... well, execute our murderers. I expect you'd mostly get thieves, poachers, and lunatics from us. Perhaps some cultists, though we prefer to... deal with them, for all our sake," von Babel explained. "Some years ago I recall allowing a few wagons to go north with deserters, though I don't know if they ever made it. The wagoneers returned with more money than they left with and some souvenirs from territory they were not meant to travel through. Frankly, I would not be surprised if most soldiers given over to such duty drop the wagons in a river and go whorin' and drinkin' through the nearest towns."
His eyes then narrowed in an almost coy fashion. "Regretfully, we make no claim to such... delectable titles of spirit oracle or war-witch these days as, well, the rumors of our lands are driven both by excited imagination and exaggerated history. Anyone calling themselves a Vallachian wizard would, I suspect, cause some panic hereabouts." It was of course taboo to make the mere mention of necromancy and other darker things, so Friar steered well clear of alluding to such things. "Still, we may find much common ground over such an intimate field of study. Vallach is a land of spirits."
The chamberlain turned his attention fully back to the gentleman. "I do speak on behalf of my Lady, but I am not here to press any such responsibilities upon yourself, good sir Sulzbach. I wished to make introductions with a house as venerable as yours in a less... formal fashion, given that my Lady is an energetic one and I am sure that a lord of your master's status is decidedly firm. There has been much formality in this day already, I believe. It may do us all well to speak on more level grounds without resulting to swapping masks for every person we meet."
"Our distance to your lands makes news of your domain somewhat sparse. The few Glyrran we have seen belonged to merchant caravans, and I am aware of no family in our registries of such people, though I vaguely recall encountering one within a prison-tower," Friar explained. "I suspect with the conclusion of the war there is relative peace in your lands now?"
It was a question he already knew the answer to, for he found underplaying the information he already retained allowed him to draw in other parties; it also provided a convenient opening to fast-tracking discussion on military and economic matters that could reach the ear of Lord Lazarus von Holt, even as a whisper. So long as the idea existed in some respect within his circle.
From the corner of his view he noticed the figure of a half-masked woman. It took him a moment to realize that she was most likely the stewardess of House Froste. He was well aware of the previous lord's passing and wished to offer his condolences, for House Froste was a fair house of good status, and another potential ally or - at the very least - a house to not be counted as an enemy.
Friar turned slightly towards the woman and bowed in a gentle manner. "Hello, madam. Would you care to join us? It may be a rare moment of respite in which we are not surrounded by the highest lords and ladies of the land, however brief our time may be. That is, of course, if you neither of you object, Captain Sulzbach and Miss Nax'ya?"
---
"Ah! Forgive my lack of introductions. I am Ser Karr von Babel, Lord-Margrave of Vallach. It is my honored duty to command the communal defense of my Lady Valentova's realm," the large satyr said, nodding in a curt but polite military manner. As far as his kind went, he was more goat than man, with thick black fur and metal-capped horns that seemed just as functional as they may have been ornate. He was dressed in dark plated armor over a tan buff coat, with a small crimson half-cloak resting over one shoulder. Upon him was not a sheathed sword, but rather a medium-length warhammer resting at his hip on a custom holster. For those who knew much of Vallachain knights, they prized themselves on masterful artistry dedicated to bonded weapons. While they remained proficient in various other common weapons - swords and spears in particular - there was a deep connection between a Vallachain knight and their bonded weapon.
"I wanted to say hello to you good folks. It is rare to speak with warriors of distant realms given my home duties. How goes the defense of the Wall? I am sure I could convince my Lady to send more bodies if you require them. Small crimes often face labor, while we bleed... well, execute our murderers. I expect you'd mostly get thieves, poachers, and lunatics from us. Perhaps some cultists, though we prefer to... deal with them, for all our sake," von Babel explained. "Some years ago I recall allowing a few wagons to go north with deserters, though I don't know if they ever made it. The wagoneers returned with more money than they left with and some souvenirs from territory they were not meant to travel through. Frankly, I would not be surprised if most soldiers given over to such duty drop the wagons in a river and go whorin' and drinkin' through the nearest towns."