The room has been decorated with passion, food and drinks are ready on one table, while the others have various games placed on them. There's four games in total, one is a tactical board game, One is a card game, One is a game of dice, and one is a game that combines cards onto a board game. Videl's at the entrance ready to welcome people.

Merek makes is way into the hall to find it decorated, while he adjusts his black dress attire, and his Eurusi scarf which he wears also. He bows to the others, while he finds a place to settle in and relax.

Having arrived just a bit before the events, Aerwyna smiles as she greets Videl at the entrance with a familiarity, her tone warm and pleasant, "Lady Videl, how wonderful to see you. I love the decorations!"

And somewhat out of place for a game night is the telltale sound of someone wearing full armor. He just wanted to come prepared, is all, and so that's why Sir Bhandn is decked head to toe with his helm under one arm. With his weapons bound, and his eyes curious, he glances around to take in the sights, but soon enough he too will make an approach to Videl to pay respects.

Ender, a Silver Gyrfalcon, Ursa, 2 Redrain Guards arrive, following Marian.

Videl smiles as people come in, "Hello Sir." She greets Merek, then turns towards Aerwyna, "Mistress Froic, how wonderful that you've made it." She offers warmly, "I do have some business for you, later." Then she turns to Bhandn, "The armour won't be necessary, but nonetheless thank you for coming."

Marian arrives at the party, quietly asking to a servant to point out her hostess. Once that information is given, Marian makes her way deeper into the party, giving a nod of greeting to other nobles as she passes. When she gets to Videl's side, she gives a bow, "Greetings from the Northlands." She straightens and motions to herself, "I am Princess Marian Redrain."

"One does try to be prepared for the unknown, my lady." Bhandn's deep voice, spoken while he offers a courtesy fist-to-his-chest bow, isn't particularly suited for attempts at mildness, but he does try. "It's kind of expected for a Knight of Solace to be prepared while in travel." Then, he turns to Marian and offers the same courtesy, a murmur of "Your Highness" accompanying his bow to Marian.

"Thank you for coming, your highness." Videl answers Marian and then gestures to the tables with games, "While originally the plan was simply to allow people to partake of games as they wished, my patron, Princess Liara Grayson was kind enough to provide a monetary incentive for people to do well, so I've mildly re-arranged the plans to arrange a series of miniature tournaments. Each game will have its own winner and second place, four thousand silver for the winner and a thousand for second place. For a total price pot of twenty thousand silver across said games."

Videl is overheard praising Liara: Generously raising the stakes

Aerwyna dips her head to Videl about mention of later business, "Indeed, you can let me know afterwards." She smiles softly then makes her way over to the tables, eyeing each one with the games

Marian murmurs a soft greeting to Bhandn, and then gives her full attention to Videl as she explains the rules. She nods thoughtfully, "Hmmm, seems fair enough m'lady." She does admit, "And I'm intrigued on all the different games that you've come up with." When she spies the seamstress, a nod of greeting is given.

Lygeia, a calligrapher and alchemist arrives, delivering a message to Marian before departing.

Merek nods a bit, as he finds a place to settle in to play for fun, and also to watch.

Aerwyna smiles when seeing Marian, her head dipping respectfully in greeting as she looks her over subtly from the game tables.

Videl gestures to the table at which boards have been placed. "The first game will be a simple board game. The pieces are already located correctly, and the rules are simple enough, on paper near you." It's a game somewhere between checkers and chess in complexity, and of that general nature. She gets her assistant to write down the names of participants and pull them out of a cloth bag, "First up we'll have mistress Aerwyna Froic against Sir Merek Black, and princess Marian Redrain against sir Bhandn Yvar."

Bhandn's eyes blink once or twice upon mention of the incentive, but he manages to keep his mouth closed. There's still a sound from his throat all the same, despite the lack of words. When Videl announces the first bout, and against whom, Bhandn glances at the Redrain princess just to gauge her reaction, and only after that does he direct his attention to the boards. This time, it's a grunt instead of surprise.

Marian gives smiles as the group is paired off, and when she's faced with the Knight of Solace, "This should be fun." She takes a moment to study the board, and get settled in. She motions to her opponent, "Why don't you go first."

Aerwyna's gaze shift around to look to her opponent and after seeing the Princess' own with her, she looks to who remains and smiles to Merek, "Sir." She dips her head.

Merek looks up while he nods to Aerwyna, and he offers an incline to Marian as he notes she is there, "Well, let's get this party started, shall we, ladies and gentlemen?" he uses to respectfully encompass all of them.

Bhandn checked intellect + riddles at difficulty 20, rolling 9 lower.

Bhandn checked intellect + riddles at difficulty 20, rolling 13 lower.

Bhandn checked intellect + riddles at difficulty 20, rolling 17 lower.

Marian checked intellect + war at difficulty 20, rolling 17 higher.

Marian checked intellect + war at difficulty 20, rolling 31 higher.

Marian checked intellect + war at difficulty 20, rolling 26 higher.

Merek checked wits + riddles at difficulty 20, rolling 1 lower.

Merek checked wits + riddles at difficulty 20, rolling 2 higher.

Merek checked wits + riddles at difficulty 20, rolling 9 higher.

Aerwyna checked intellect + war at difficulty 20, rolling 5 higher.

Aerwyna has rolled a critical success!
Aerwyna checked intellect + war at difficulty 20, rolling 36 higher.

Aerwyna checked intellect + war at difficulty 20, rolling 8 lower.

1 Grayson House Guards arrives, following Liara.

Merek is overheard praising Aerwyna: Astute mind!

Marian is overheard praising Aerwyna: Very strong competitor

Marian checked intellect + war at difficulty 20, rolling 31 higher.

Marian checked intellect + war at difficulty 20, rolling 41 higher.

Marian checked intellect + war at difficulty 20, rolling 17 higher.

Aerwyna checked intellect + war at difficulty 20, rolling 4 lower.

Aerwyna checked intellect + war at difficulty 20, rolling 4 higher.

Aerwyna checked intellect + war at difficulty 20, rolling 5 higher.

Merek loses well enough with such masterful skill in the second test, and isn't able to compensate. He nods then to Aerwyna in acceptance of defeat, "Well managed," he says, while he offers a smile for the woman.

"Needless to say, I don't play games like this," the Solace Knight says mildly to Marian when she crushes him soundly. Bhandn does give her a courtesy bow when she moves on to compete against Aerwyna, though his interest in this particular game isn't exactly enthusiastic. "I think the ladies are trying to make a statement," he asides to Merek, looking over at the darkly dressed man.

Marian quietly observes the moves that Bhandn makes, letting him know softly, "Well it was Duchess Calypso that first introduced me to a game like this." She thinks each move out, carefully crafting her strategy until she's able to corner him, "Being one of the brillant military minds here in Arx, I found her early lessons very moving." She pauses as it's determined who her next opponent will be and lets the seamstress know, "This should be interesting..." She takes a few moves, once again, being careful and deliberate. She manages to get to the victory and makes a point of letting her know, "You did well."

Liara shows up, wildly overdressed for board games. She brightens with a smile as she looks about, although rather than her routine exuberance at social functions, she manages to keep quiet, instead drifting through, gaze flitting over to the ongoing games.

Aerwyna plays against Merek, her teeth pressed to her lower lip to hide a smile when she bests him and she gently dips her head to him, "Well played, Sir Merek." Her eyes turn to watch Marian and Bhandn, watching the Princess best him before she approaches now to play against her, sitting down opposite her, "Oh.. this is the first time I've played something like it. It is interesting indeed. I wouldn't say I have a strategic mind, per say but I do sew and measure and have to figure out how to make the best use of what I have." She converses and wrinkles her nose when she loses, "Victory is yours, Princess."

Videl laughs bemusedly when Bhandn mentions that the ladies may be making a statement, "I don't think they are. At least, I myself am not particularly good at this game." When the first game is then finally done, Videl's assistant offers Marian a large sack of coin, and Aerwyna a smaller one. "Well played." She offers them both, and then Liara arrives and Videl smiles brightly. "Your highness, I'm glad you could make it. We just finished the first game, would you like to join us for the next?"

Marian gives a polite nod to Liara as she arrives and looks thrilled to have won the first game. She motions for her to join them, "Oh it's been a lot of fun. I can't wait to see the next game."

"Certainly," replies Liara, going to situate herself nearby, flashing the others a quick and ready smile. Then in mild query, "What's up next?" She settles with her hands folded in her lap, easing back in her seat.

Aerwyna is overheard praising Videl: A fun games night!

Marian is overheard praising Videl: Thanks for the games!

Merek is overheard praising Videl.

Aerwyna looks over to Videl, walking her way, "Thank you so much for the fun, Lady Videl. Please let me know how I can help you later." She smiles, dips into a curtsey before leaving.

Arwa, the seamstress' assistant, Pudds, the fluffy white kitten leave, following Aerwyna.

Videl offers some instructions to her assistant as people join and leave, "The next card is a simple card game." She offers, heading to the table with the cards, "Shuffle the decks, and deal both players three cards. Then look at the table to see which cards beat which, and for how much. Players play cards face down, and reveal once both have picked a card. Repeat three times." Her assistant reads out the names for the pairings after drawing them, Liara against Videl, Merek against Bhandn.

Marian also thanks her hostess, "Oh that was a lovely game. I'm afraid I can't stay either." She makes her quick goodbyes and follows in the direction where Aerwyna went.

Ender, a Silver Gyrfalcon, Ursa, 2 Redrain Guards leave, following Marian.

Merek is overheard praising Marian.

Merek checked perception + empathy at difficulty 20, rolling 4 lower.

Merek checked perception + empathy at difficulty 20, rolling 2 lower.

Bhandn takes his cue from Videl when Liara arrives, which is to say he offers his own bow and a murmured, "Your Highness," but the man doesn't offer much in the way of words after that. He's lurking until the matchup between Marian and Aerwyna ends, at which point he's glancing around curiously to see just which of the remaining setups are next. Then Videl announces the cards, at which point he glances over towards Merek and eyes him even as Bhandn himself carries his helm over towards one of the decks. There's a hint of a sigh that comes from the silver-haired and armored hulk, coming out all through his nose.

Merek has rolled a critical success!
Merek checked perception + empathy at difficulty 20, rolling 6 higher.

Bhandn checked perception + manipulation at difficulty 20, rolling 4 higher.

Bhandn checked perception + manipulation at difficulty 20, rolling 0 higher.

Bhandn checked perception + manipulation at difficulty 20, rolling 12 higher.

Videl checked perception + empathy at difficulty 20, rolling 40 higher.

Videl has rolled a critical success!
Videl checked perception + empathy at difficulty 20, rolling 52 higher.

Videl checked perception + empathy at difficulty 20, rolling 21 higher.

Liara checked perception + empathy at difficulty 20, rolling 15 higher.

Liara checked perception + empathy at difficulty 20, rolling 60 higher.

Liara checked perception + empathy at difficulty 20, rolling 17 higher.

Merek is usually a bit good with cards, but today not so much. He doesn't seem to mind, and while he does have a moment where it's easier, that changes up. He nods a bit to Bhandn with an amused little chuckle.

Videl checked perception + empathy at difficulty 20, rolling 26 higher.

Videl checked perception + empathy at difficulty 20, rolling 24 higher.

Videl checked perception + empathy at difficulty 20, rolling 35 higher.

Bhandn checked perception + manipulation at difficulty 20, rolling 10 higher.

Bhandn checked perception + manipulation at difficulty 20, rolling 7 lower.

Bhandn checked perception + manipulation at difficulty 20, rolling 6 higher.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, it turns out that the socially gifted Videl Igniseri is good at reading people. And perhaps it helps she's familiar with the game, she plays her cards well, getting a lucky read against her patron. "Well played, your highness, sir Bhandn." She offers, her assistant bringing a bag of money for Bhandn next.

Card games aren't usually Liara's thing, but she still takes to it with as much gusto as might be expected - who /smiles/ that much while playing cards, however simple the set-up? Liara does, that's for sure (perhaps it's deliberate, perhaps it's just her being her). There's an aside towards Bhandn, "I don't believe we have met properly, Sir Bhandn. I'm Liara Grayson."

Bhandn might have been able to pull a fast one on Merek, but it's obvious that the Solace knight is out of his depth when it concerns those who live and breathe the art of mind games. There's a slightly rueful face that Bhandn offers Merek, as if to apologize for winning, but it becomes an exercise in patience for the silver-haired man to not sigh as Videl shows him up in each and every round. "This is why I don't play these games either," he declares wryly. "My lady," he offers to Videl after she trounces him, dipping his head deeply.

When Liara speaks to him, Bhandn turns. "No, I do not believe we have, Your Highness," he says to her with another bow, "Bhandn Yvar of the Silver Order. Of Solace," he adds a tick later, the pause very brief.

"I hope you will find the next game much more to your liking, sir Bhandn." Videl offers the man with a slight smile. "This one involves barely any skill , may the luckiest player win." She gestures to the dice, "Throw five dice, reroll up to three once, then you may reroll one die once. The table shows scores." Her assistant comes with the pairings, Merek vs Videl, Bhandn vs Liara.

Videl checked luck + riddles at difficulty 20, rolling 6 lower.

Videl checked luck + riddles at difficulty 20, rolling 13 lower.

Videl checked luck + riddles at difficulty 20, rolling 11 lower.

Bhandn checked luck + riddles at difficulty 20, rolling 2 lower.

Bhandn checked luck + riddles at difficulty 20, rolling 10 lower.

Bhandn checked luck + riddles at difficulty 20, rolling 13 lower.

Liara checked luck + riddles at difficulty 20, rolling 6 lower.

Liara checked luck + riddles at difficulty 20, rolling 12 lower.

Liara checked luck + riddles at difficulty 20, rolling 6 lower.

Merek has rolled a critical success!
Merek checked luck + riddles at difficulty 20, rolling 1 higher.

Merek checked luck + riddles at difficulty 20, rolling 4 lower.

Merek checked luck + riddles at difficulty 20, rolling 4 lower.

"A pleasure, Sir Bhandn," Liara replies easily. She gives a little laugh as some of the dice start coming up in the following game - poor all round on her part, but not as poor as it could be, going by others' dice.

Liara checked luck + riddles at difficulty 20, rolling 10 lower.

Liara checked luck + riddles at difficulty 20, rolling 12 lower.

Liara checked luck + riddles at difficulty 20, rolling 4 lower.

Merek has rolled a critical success!
Merek checked luck + riddles at difficulty 20, rolling 40 higher.

Merek checked luck + riddles at difficulty 20, rolling 12 higher.

Merek checked luck + riddles at difficulty 20, rolling 12 higher.

Merek takes a moment to look at his dice, while he considers them, then he takes a moment to surpass all expectation and manages to roll it in just the right manner. Both hands move with speed to twirl the dice on the table, while he offers an amused look at the results. First it looks like luck when he faces Videl, but when it comes to Liara, it is as if he put skill and form within it.

Liara just rolls dreadful dice. The ones she even picks to reroll come up lower than they did in the first place. She takes it in good spirits all the same, settling back on her chair with a chuckle afterwards. "My goodness. It is just as well I don't try that too often."

Videl watches the outcome and raises an eyebrow at Merek's results, "You, sir Black, are either incredibly lucky or somehow managed to get loaded dice made that happen to match mine without knowing know you would need them. The latter strikes me as incredibly unlikely, so I'll just assume you're lucky." Her assistant hands over the bags with price money to Merek and Liara

Bhandn isn't too far behind Liara, in an almost literal way. He's right on her heels, with slightly worse rolls. It only makes him grunt when he sees the results, but he's eyeing Merek with his brows going high. Another grunt; no words pass those lips. Bhandn just stands there, occasionally shifting his helm from under one arm to the other.

Merek looks at the dice in thought, "There's a trick to rolling them, it's mathematics, but it is a bit of luck!" Merek explains, accepting the pot, "Thank you, m'Lady," he adds, while he shifts that into his coin pocket on the belt.

"Perhaps a game wherein the hope is to get an especially low roll might be more for you or I, Sir Bhandn," supposes Liara, with a flash of a grin. "Whatever it is, well done," she adds to Merek.

"I'm sure there's some skill to it, but I haven't ever seen anyone roll that well." Videl answers Merek, then directs the group to the final game, a board and a deck of cards. It's a simple concept, get to the finish line as soon as possible, but rather than rolling dice to move you play cards, some of the cards have special effects when played. "For this final game, we all play at once." She explains.

Videl checked wits + leadership at difficulty 20, rolling 14 higher.

Videl checked wits + leadership at difficulty 20, rolling 9 higher.

Videl checked wits + leadership at difficulty 20, rolling 9 higher.

Liara checked wits + leadership at difficulty 20, rolling 18 higher.

Liara checked wits + leadership at difficulty 20, rolling 12 higher.

Liara checked wits + leadership at difficulty 20, rolling 7 lower.

Merek has rolled a critical success!
Merek checked intellect + leadership at difficulty 20, rolling 22 higher.

Merek checked intellect + leadership at difficulty 20, rolling 24 higher.

Merek checked intellect + leadership at difficulty 20, rolling 9 higher.

Bhandn checked intellect + leadership at difficulty 15, rolling 3 lower.

Bhandn checked intellect + leadership at difficulty 15, rolling 0 higher.

Bhandn checked intellect + leadership at difficulty 15, rolling 7 lower.

Merek is a man of comebacks, managing to make it with use of his intellect as well as properly playing it would seem. He is good at leadership management, that much is a bit clear from the way he manages, taking a cigarillo from his belt pocket and lights that, while he takes a drag of that black cherry softly.

Merek is overheard praising Bhandn.

Merek is overheard praising Liara.

Bhandn, on the other hand, is determined to prove to anyone that if they want him to compete in a game and /succeed/, it will likely be a physically-aspected game. While he doesn't flip the table, he does shake his head as /everyone/ seems to be better at it than he is, or else able to better understand the special rules. He doesn't speak either, but from the way he frequently lets out air through his nose, sighing is in abundance at best.

Liara sort of fumbles her way along. She does all right, and certainly appears to enjoy the process of playing the game, but she mostly just lags behind. None Greater at Coming Third. She settles back, remarking to Merek, "Well done again," then she flashes Bhandn a grin, noting on observing his demeanour, "The things take practice. I do enjoy games, though not usually such a range."

Videl smiles when the game is done, getting second place this time more so due to familiarity with the game than any great talent. "Well done. I hope this was an enjoyable time, even for you, sir Yvar. I'm sorry there weren't games more suited to your strengths tonight." She offers in apology, while her assistant brings Merek another sack of price money.

Videl is overheard praising Merek: Great skill at games

Videl is overheard praising Marian: Well played

Videl is overheard praising Bhandn: A good sport

Videl is overheard praising Aerwyna: A good sport

A faint chuckle comes from Sir Yvar. "That is through no fault of your own, My Lady," Bhandn says, looking at Videl, "but I made promises and I keep those, even if it turns out to not be in my favor. Plus, I can hardly complain when I /did/ get myself a thousand silver from it, which will last a while for supplies I imagine."

Merek gets 4000 silver from a belt made with black leather, and small compartments.

Bhandn is overheard praising Videl: A gracious hostess.

Merek nods to the others, while he takes a moment to speak with Meeka, who comes to him and takes the money with instructions, while he inclines to the others, "Was fun, thank you for hosting it," he offers.

"I rather liked that. Thank you, Lady Videl," says Liara, settled comfortably on her seat, hands falling back to rest in her lap after the last game's done.

Videl smiles at Bhandn's answer, "It's always easier to feel good about something when you walk away with something, isn't it?" She agrees with bemusement, "Once again, your highness." She glances to Liara there, "Your contribution to add a price for success here is much appreciated, I'm glad you offered such." She seems quite pleased with how it went.

"There is that, my lady," Sir Bhandn replies. "Your Highness, my lady, thank you for the entertainment, as well as this." The bag of silver he was given jingles. "One hopes to hear of other such amusements to keep troubled minds off of unpleasant matters at least for a time. Which I must now go see about attending. Pray excuse me, and again my appreciation to you both." There he bows.

Bhandn is overheard praising Liara: For providing for an amicable occaision.

"But of course," Liara replies to Videl, with a flash of a smile, then she remarks to Bhandn, "Somebody had suggested to me a charity event for Solace at some stage. Perhaps I'll send you a note. Good to meet you, Sir Bhandn."

Merek stands up, waving to the others a bit, while he bows, "Was nice, I should be on my way," he says.