Marisol stands in the midst of the set up to greet those that have come to speak out and about a more covert portion of the crisis currently enfolding the Lyceum and Oathlands. A faint smile on her lips she begins to pace back and forth near the entrance. Her lavender brocade is given a slight smoothing as the light tossed around so late in the evening is something dim and foreboding despite the candles lit around the room and fire filling the hearth.


Renault, the fluffiest Velenosan cat, Athenais, a dreamy apprentice Whisper leave, following Selene.

Striding inside with Sir Floppington is Scout Rowenova who joins up with the meeting people, getting seatuated somewhere where she can effectively hear along with potentially contribute. The Good Boy sits down just adjacent, but without actually using any chairs, of course. Unlike the other day, though, Nova has her wolf pelt properly worn with it actually framing her rather than covering up her sleep-deprived visage.

Eddard is QUICK to tuck his flask away after getting a large cup of tea and carrying it with him towards wherever he will be sitting for the evening. A quick wink towards Lady Anabelle before he goes to find a seat before the chatter begins. Oh. The chatter. Doom and gloom.

Renault, the fluffiest Velenosan cat, Athenais, a dreamy apprentice Whisper arrive, following Selene.

Azolla enters the dining hall at her usual slow and steady pace offering a polite bow of her head to all present. "Greetings," Azolla says gently and finds a place to sit and listen in to the conversation


Marisol offers a smile to each and every one that enters, most she is not quite familiar with but Azolla receives a smile. "Lady Azolla, welcome." She says and motions. "Welcome everyone, please do find yourself something to eat and drink..I am hoping we will have a concise vision for our portion but do put forth suggestsions as they come to you once I have outlined what we are going to do." She waits for everyone to find seats and settles her hands behind her back while remaining on her feet.


Upon taking a quick message just outside the doorway, Selene enters the room exactly at the moment she meant to. Ahead of her walks her apprentice, there to lay claim to a seat before the petite Radiant Emeritus of Whisper House debuts in a scorch of copper and moonstone. Light as she is upon her feet, every measured pace clicks a certain steady pace. Once in, she pivots to Marisol and sinks into a pitch-perfect curtsy controlled in degree to the hostess. "Your Highness, thank you for arranging such an important meeting," she enthuses in that warm voice. Another dip for the assembled nobility is essential before she progresses to take her seat.

Anabelle is on the early side this time at least as she strolls into the Dining Room in a simple gown of purple and gold. Blue-grey eyes sweep the room and catch Eddard's wink as it goes, deepening the smile on her lips as she nods her head very slightly in return. Seeing Marisol, she curtsies demurely, "Thank you for arranging this meeting, your Highness." Straightening, she moves on towards the refreshments and grabs a glass of wine before finding a seat near to Eddard if she can.


"It is my pleasure. Thank you for coming." This is said back to the Whisper and Lady Anabelle as she pauses a moment and then nods, moving out into view a little beter when the group has settled.

Marisol gives a brief look across the assembled as she stands beside hearth. The Valardin Princess does not appear like she would have a commanding voice but that which she has is pitched to fill the room. "I would first like to thank all of you for coming to this meeting. I do not know most of you but I look forward to doing so. The troubles now facing the Lyceum and the Oathlands is being approached from many fronts and this meeting specifically will be to assemble those who have the wish to work towards undermining Aramis by turning his men against him."

"I would first like to see a show of hands of who would like to be joining myself in the effort of persuading his followers to abandon or even turn on him."

"Then for those interested and those present I would like to briefly discuss how we should approach our portion to help bring and end to this crisis. We are going to need someone to locate and manage to get us with some of his people without him knowing."


Ronja is among the last to filter in. Her usual swagger is tempered by how she keeps looking around at the trappings of the house, like a tourist. From the neck down, she looks like she belongs here. Blue leather armor sits under a blue winter cloack adorned with fur and fine seasilks, with a House Valardin dragon decorating the clasp. It's like something a stylish young noblewoman would own. From the neck up... Well, yes, she's a pretty young woman and all, but she has an absolutely wild mane of red hair, with beads and braids woven into it here and there, making her look like some sort of wild girl fresh off a distant island.

When Ronja enters, she takes in the fine attire of those around her and lets out a low whistle. "Your Highness," she says to Marisol, and nods to the rest of the room as if she can somehow transfer that formal greeting to the rest of them to spread around, before she takes a seat.

With Sir Flop chinning her skirtted lap, Nova speaks up. "Aye, thank you."

Eddard's knee flashes bare underneath his very fine brocade skirt. Then he tugs up his flannel socks before crossing his legs. Teacup upon his knee. Leather jerkin over flannel shirt and.....why is he wearing a weird red turban? "Lady Peri sent me this thing." He takes it off and hands it over to Anabelle BEFORE speaking starts. A quick nod at the thanks from Marisol, High Princess of Class. And a hand up for volunteering immediately.

Putting her hand up is near to unknown for the Whisper. Selene sits first, pulling a seat out for herself. She barely manages to land in a flutter of tigrine silks around her before the adjustment is needed. A nod will suffice, setting swaying earrings to chime in a plaintive tone. The high peals add their delicate melody to the proceedings. A respectful pause lingers and then she says, "If it pleases you, I would offer Whisper House's assistance." The curious look to Ronja isn't judgmental, more teasing out the unique aspects of her appearance.

Raising her hand when Marisol asks, Anabelle settles into her chair with a quick glance in Eddard's direction, raising a perfectly shaped brow in the direction of his turban. "It looks good on you," she replies with barely held back mirth dancing on her lips before blinking at being handed the thing. "What am I supposed to do with this?" she asks before handing it right back to him in confusion. Settling her hands, clasped together in her lap, she turns her attention to more serious matters.


Ronja lifts her hand. She actually sticks her arm straight up in the air, which might be a bit more than most are putting out there.


Ronja's entrance receivess a smile from Marisol, "Mistress Ronja. How good of you to come and thank you for so eagerly volunteering," she admits and then lets her gaze sweep over each in turn as the hands go up in the air. "The aid of Whisper House would be most welcome in our attempts. I did not catch your name?" She begins to gather names and faces that go with the raised hands. Her eyes then slip towards Anablle and gives a nod of her head, "Good, thank you and you are?" Eddard does not get left out in her assessing gaze as she motions to him as well to speak his name.

"I suspect we are going to need each of you. I have conscripted Sir Gawain Blanchard and a few others to play escort in case our endeavors fail but we do need someone to help us LOCATE them to find the most opportune to wayleight or meet with them." Her eyes slide from one to the next. "Do any of you have a talent for tracking and shadowing?"


Rowenova says, "Sir Floppington and I are prime scouts."

Nova lightly ruffles those floppy ears on her canine companion after saying so.

"I would only be of good possibly helping in swaying the men to our side but otherwise I am not skilled in combat or much else other then I could heal anyone in need of it as well," Azolla says gently


Ronja keeps her arm straight up until she looks around and realizes that others have already put their hands down. She tries to lower her arm slowly, which just makes it even more obvious that she's doing it. "Er, tracking ships on the water, Your Highness. Not so much men on dry land, if that's what you're after."

"Selene Whisper, the Radiant Emeritus," supplies the petite brunette. She offers that telling, warm smile without hesitation to Marisol.


"Lord Eddard Clement, Minister of Coin for Clement. Bard of the Bard's College." Eddard introduces himself to Marisol. They've apparently missed each other.

"Sorry, Highness," Anabelle says as she realizes she hadn't actually introduced herself, "I'm Lady Anabelle Lyonesse, younger sister to Marquessa Demura. I don't know how much help I can be, but I would like to try. I have some skill in most social contexts."


Eyes hold upon Rowenova when she speaks and there is a slow smile, "Perfect. Do say your name," she bids of the scout. Marisol's gaze flit to Azolla, "Lady Azolla added weight to voices and a ready healing hand is always welcome. We would appreciate Northern help in any form." She lift sher chin and moves on to the next to Ronja, a soft curl of a grin for the Mistress, "Aye, but how good are you at making them listen with something pointy?" As she sifts through everyone, placing them quickly into needed slots she continues. "Selene Whisper, and honor to have your help. We will defintely be glad of your aid." That said she lets her eyes settle on Eddard. "A pleasure to meet you, Lord Eddard." She pauses a moment at Anabelle, "Ahhh Lady Anabelle. You are the one that found Aramis. We have you to thank for this meeting."

She clasps her hands before her. "It seems like all of you would play a rather vital role in this endeavor. With the added weight of a few knights to offer protection through the lands I feel confident we might accomplish our goal. I would hear suggestions you all have for this more covert endeavor."


Rowenova says, "Scout Rowenova of the Ranging Wolves, a scouting party in the Halfshav Military, under the direct command of Lord Arik Halfshav, who is also my liege lord. For my House, I am also known as a scribe and servant. Proud Protege of Baroness Lucita Saik, too. In my spare time, I presently maintain a presonal library as well as an alchemy laboratory. This soulful hound is Sir Floppington, and he is a Very Good Boy Indeed."

"Of course if you are in need of someone with combat skill I can ask my older brother Lord Ahmar, I am sure he would aid if he can," Azolla says gently

Sir Floppington does not move his face from Nova's lap (where her ringed hands continually pet him), but he happily wags, probably whapping the next peson with his hound tail.


"Oh, I don't even need something pointy to make them listen, Your Highness," Ronja says, her lips curling into a smile. "But it sure fucking helps!" She starts to let out a bawdy cackle and then IMMEDIATELY realizes what she just said in a room full of nobles. "--I mean." She clears her throat. "My Lords, my... my Ladies."

:blushes at Marisol's reply, "I don't need any thanks, just doing what I can to help restore peace in our little corner of the Oathlands." She lifts her eyes again and pauses thoughtfully when the Princess asks for suggestions, letting others offer theirs first, while she thinks.

"I am here on behalf of House Clement as well." Eddard thinks its fit to mention that now, since ya'know. Its important. Eddard looks fake unamused towards Ronja, mouth open and shaking his head at her. My word. Goodness. Eddard's flask gets passed under the table towards Ronja.

After Ronja's outburst, Nova wolfishly grins. She offers up "Well, we need a good plan for determining whether the people we do find are abyssal agents, too, and what our plan is if that turns out to be the case already."


Marisol looks to Rowenova. "WEll then, Scout Rowenova, we are rather lucky to have you amongst us. Remind me thank Lord Halfshav for sparing you and thank you for attending. We certainly need your aid." She dips her chin to the scout, her gaze falling upon Sir Floppington. "It appears to be that." The Valardin is briefly amused before she looks to Azolla, "If your brother would wish to aid the Oathlands, I would be glad to have him, my lady. Certainly."

Ronja's outburst gets a wide eyed stare for a moment as the Princess slowly rolls her lips together and then clears her throat. "Quite all right, Mistress Ronja. I think we all get your sentiment rather well." Slight bemusement really but Marisol is rubbing a hand at her neck. "Lady Anabelle, we truly do appreciate you." Slowly her attention once more returns to Rowenova. "Yes, another good point made. I think perhaps Lady Anabelle might regail us once more with the information she has on Aramis and his people. Lady Anabelle if you would not mind?"


Selene's earrings sway a little. "I was unfortunately unable to attend the previous session where such things were discussed. Is there more you can share about Aramis, as he's called? That would give a good starting point or foundation for my own participation, so I appreciate any help." Her bright eyes are turned to Anabelle. "My lady? Would you be so kind?"

"I shall ask him after this talk if he will be willing to help," Azolla says gently

After Marisol's words, Nova slightly smiles. "Any positive references are absolutely welcome. Thank you, Your Highness." She quiets down before then smoothly shifting her cobalt-blue, khol-lined gaze Anabelle's way, doing so with a slight nod after Selene's words to ultimately agree on a data rehash. "Twas hectic at the big meeting. I worry that I missed something important."


Ronja stares at the table for a long moment. Marisol's stare is like a weight lowering onto the young redhead's shoulders. Then a flask finds its way into her hand, and she glances over at Eddard and wags her brows once in silent thanks. She stays quiet while Anabelle is called upon -- she's learned her lesson about speaking. For now.

Clearing her throat and nodding when called upon, Anabelle leans forward in her chair and takes a deep breath before begining, "Lord Aramis Fournier is son to Count Gael Fournier and his general of the Fournier house force, and from all the accounts I was given, he's a violent hot-headed knight who has always hated prodigals, as proven by his behavior at court on numerous occassions. He fell into a group of knights who call themselves the 'The Warders of the True Oathlands', and they are alike with Aramis in his disdain for prodigals, their credo to defend the lands against the Abandoned swarms. It is with them that the massacre was executed."

She has to take a moment to wet her throat with a sip of wine before continuing. "He hasn't been to court since the tragedy, but most of the Fournier forces are more loyal to him than Count Gael, and so the Count fears civil war if he were to give him up. I think that is all the salient points."


"Thank you, Lady Anabelle, this enlightens our interested parties." She makes a motionto the group and then steps closer away from the hearth. Marisol glances to each. "We need to find him and that is what Scout Rowenova will do. Tell me then, as I have not dealt with agents of the Abyss before, how do we go about making certain that they are not the reason for any of this?" Pause. "But you see now the importance to undermine these knights and Aramis. If we can take away his power and seize him a revolt will be less likely. We must do what and where we can to undermine the zealous and needlessly violent."


Eddard starts as Anabelle is called upon and he scoots sideways in order to glance towards her and listen closely to her words. "I'll make sure there isn't other forces at work on the Lord Aramis. It wouldn't be a surprise to hear that someone is being manipulated to make trouble in the Oathlands."

Selene nods. "My skill lies much more to speaking with people and encouraging a course of action. A man known to virulently despise Prodigals might be hard to convince to come to the table, in general. Enticing him, finding a way to elicit his interest, if need be." She sits with the decorum of a polished courtier, back straight and bearing entirely composed. A good deal different from some of her brothers and sisters in the House, but not so much. "Lord Aramis and his men might speak to me unwittingly or directly, depending on the suitable approach. A friendly ear can be a powerful thing. No doubt they are convinced of the rightness of their cause and resent or regret that other Oathlanders haven't joined in the numbers they would like. These knights do not have the support of their overlords." A point made softly as Anabelle gives the facts and she finishes processing them. "With the right starting point I may be able to bring them to you. Or a halfway point depending on the advantage. I fear the duel of honor meant to settle the matter simply hasn't turned out that way. He continues to press the point? That leaves me also worried that Lord Aramis might be supported and goaded by an outside party that further reinforces the base of his power. That is, the other knights might be fashioned to have a new leader should the lord be removed. It's an eventuality to be prepared for, and consider how they can be encouraged to disperse."


Ronja sits, listens. She has a look of quiet concentration on her features from both absorbing the details of all of this and trying to find a good opportunity to sneak a nip from the flask.

Azolla falls quiet mostly just listening to the plan detailed out. She has offered the help she can so just politely listens in for now


Selene's words have perinence and Marisol nods her head thoughtfully. "Aye, he has drawn himself out of the protective wing of his family but a movement against prodigals amongst the knights gives him power as you say. The idea is to disperse those knights by giving them the forewarning that if they do not leave or turn on him that the strength of both the Lyceum and the Oathlands shall find them. They may be many but they will read the signs and realize they do not have the support they thought they did. They will have weak members amonbst them who are likely to give up the fight and even if we are able to whittle down their numbers by a quarter, it will give us some advantage. The greatest blow we can make is to take away their belief and confidence in their purpose."


Ronja checked dexterity + stealth at difficulty 50, rolling 7 lower.

With an assenting nod toward Selene and Eddard, Rowenova speaks up in her Northern voice, "Aye, rumor has it that foreign powers have been meddling in the affairs of the Compact to undermine us. Maybe even being in cahoots with the abyss as well. With the High Shaman having visions about the dawn of the reflection of Gild, who knows what we might find out there in the Oathlands which would seem like the most Gild-aligned locale. He may even be a Herald, which would be terrible. Since he has not yet been located by his own father who surely has spies and who likely knows his own lands well, who knows if we can trust Dad... I also worry a shardhaven could be a base of operations. Anyway, all I have mentioned is only speculation, but it could be possible." She looks back to Marisol, "I know someone who may be able to sense taint and will try writing them to see if they might assist us. I am not sure on the exact specifics about how that works for them." Another idea comes to mind, too. "Also, those were Mercies and Templars who died. If public perception can be influenced to focus more on their love for the Faith rather than their hatred of the shavs and prodigals, then that would probably do a good deal to make sure recruitment for him becomes more difficult than it may have been."

"Its popular enough that he hasn't faced enough backlash for it to be politically suicide to take up these positions. A good opportunity is here to spread proper information about the necessary of neonobles to enrich the Compact." Not that Eddard over here has a stake in this matter at all. Ginger brows being thrown forward to meet over his nose. "The chance for merit-based promotion is important. There is plenty of domains left abandoned because no one is willing to make an effort for it. Perhaps a wider campaign as well? To spread a dissenting opinion against his own?"


Ronja clears her throat again. Hopefully she's not about to start swearing again. "Ah, Your Highness? If I may?"

"Well I was thinking of starting my own campaign locally to sway other Oathlanders against these knights, so they won't have any friends at court to turn to if they continue to support Lard Aramis." Lady Anabelle finally suggests with a hopeful look on her face.

Rowenova says, "I like that plan, very much."

Renault, the fluffiest Velenosan cat, Athenais, a dreamy apprentice Whisper leave, following Selene.


"Perfect," Marisol says, delighted as the group begins to find their stride. Though her eyes linger on Rowenova. "I would appreciate that, if these stirrings are just the beginning of something sinister then it is best we know about it immediately instead of facing down something blind. I would apprecaite it," she nods her head. "Let them know they may contact me." She claps her hands togehter as the ideas are offered and once more Anabelle gets a smile, "Perfect...and you, Mistress Ronja. Please speak."

Eddard definitely might've been about to say something else. But then others voice his same thoughts. Confirm them, and his mouth clamps shut so Ronja can talk.

"I think I have offered all I can for now, Thank you all for having me. I shall hunt down my brother and see if he shall help in this matter and have him send word," Azolla says as she rises and offers all a polite curtsy

1 Nightgold trained guards leaves, following Azolla.


Ronja re-settles in her chair. One hand is kept tucked into the sleeve of her cloak to hide the flask. She's not sure what the protocol is for drinking at these kinds of meetings, and she's already goofed once, so best not risk it again. "Right, so," she says, looking around at the room.

"My understanding, and please, my Lords and Ladies, correct me if I'm off base, is that Lord Aramis is whipping up his men through a common bond. Fear, hate, whatever. This happens every now and then, right? People feel insecure and someone tells them oh, it's their fault, oh, it's his fault, you stick with me and we'll be strong together and fight them and blah blah blah. That's hardly news, is it?" Ronja shrugs.

"So," Ronja continues, "Your options are probably like this. One, you cut all these people off from their friends, like was said. Now, that could do to embarrass some of them into giving the Lord Aramis up, but it could also harden the bond they feel to him, you know, the us against them thing. Especially if he comes off as, well, STRONGER than the lot of you. Personality wise, I mean. Or maybe even just big strong arms wise. Anyway. Next option is finding one of his men who wants a plot of land, doesn't care much how he gets it, and gaaack, knife to Lord Aramis's neck. Now that one's a bit messy, probably not recommended here. But. It leads us to the third thing. Which is that they're all together, trying to scourge out the Abandoned and all that, because they think it'll bring them security. That's all they've got. Some of his men will be hateful curs, yes, but most of them? Just common folk who want a banner. The twine tying them all together is thin and weak. If you can leverage that, Your Highness, my Lords, my Ladies, you can untie the whole army. So the question I have is, how do we make these men DOUBT that Aramis can follow through... and if he CAN, how do we make them not TRUST that he'll do it the way he says?"

Hearing out Ronja, Nova up nods and then peeks over to the charming people because social engineering is not her own personal forte. She does say this: "Duke Cristoph seems to want him captured alive, which we forgot to mention, but just throwing that out there, but yeah. I wanna know how we manage to, too." Expectant looks to the social folks!


Marisol comes to stand before the table the Mistress sits at as her arms slowly lift to cross before her. Marisol listens, her dark eyes narrowing as her foot taps out a slow beat upon the floor. Her nose wrinkles at the sound of an assassination, "But I believe Selene Whisper did say that if we make him a martyr there is likely another to take his place. We might bond them further together," she points out and then motions with a hand before they come to rest on the table so she can lean into it. A rather unladylike position to take. "See this last..that is what we aim for. If we steal their purpose and confidence then they are less likely to reform. They are feeding even the doubtful to their cause and we need to pull at those threads."

She wets her lips and then straightens. "Besides," she points her finger towards the table. "I am told that Aramis is wanted alive. So no stealthy daggers in the middle of the night. They want ...yes what Scout Rowenova said." She glances to the scout. "If we manage to turn a few of them towards us, disband a few by threats, warnings, or undermining is character than we have a chance of taking him ourselves. We would have men on our sides that know where he is."


"I'd really rather not go killing people like that. Honestly. Mostly because I'd be /terrible/ at it. Theres a reason I ride a reindeer and not a warhorse. Its so someone or someone else can carry weapons for me." Hah. Eddard is so funny. He'll be nodding towards Marisol now. "Turning and dividing his base of power until he is meaningless is more effective. And so much more demeaning and humilating."

Anabelle nods her agreement with what everyone else is saying in turn, first Ronja, then Rowenova, Marisol and Eddard at the end, "I agree. Duke Laurent does need him alive because who gets to bring him to justice is still being debated I believe. But undermining his character to his men, that does sound like the best way to go about it if someone can plant the right ideas in the right ears."


Ronja stretches her legs out in front of her. "All right, then," she says, and looks up toward the ceiling for a moment. "Don't waste time spreading rumors here with the intent of hurting him out there. Depending on, he'll probably just wear them like a badge of honor. Though it might keep people here from coming out on his side, it won't fix the core problem."

Ronja is lost in thought as she takes Eddard's flask out, unscrews it, and openly has a drink. So much for being stealthy. "If you have especially clever men, could send them. Turncoats, do you understand? Sick of the Abandoned and Arx's weak stance against them and all that. If they can be believed, and they're charismatic, they could become leaders of men. And then all they need to do is lead incompetently. Give Lord Aramis bad advice. But that's too long-term, isn't it? Hmmm. This is easier on ships, you know."


Mmmming thoughtfully, Marisol crosses her arms once more and then paces to the side a few steps only to return to her original response. The flask being drunk is noted but the Princess has little to say on it. "They may not have time to lead but they certainly could gain the respect of some of the men and then speak of weaknesses and the dangers of facing off the a combined force. Little chinks in the armor at every turn will eventually render it useless. He will fold and fall..are you suggesting perhaps you would be up for this Mistress Ronja?" A brow arches upwards as she waits for her response.


After raptly listening to the noble replies, Nova lightly nods about The Way. Eddard's mention of a reindeer mount actually earns a curious look, but the Wolf Scout does not immediately inquire. She looks to Ronja with a head tilt, "My only worry is that the one we send sees power which goes to their heads, they feel sympathetic to the enemy cause, or they somehow inspire others with their double talk who go off and are effective enemies on their own despite incomplete leadership. If you were doing it, I think I would back that plan. Going undercover might still be worth trying ... and yeah, same question as Princess Marisol, aye!"


Ronja claps her hands. "Wait! I've got it! It was right in front of me all along, like we did at sea! Lord Aramis is a hot-head, correct? Yes? So you send, oh, I don't know, someone gigantic, Sir Jeffeth Bayweather or SOMEONE, and challenge him to a fight. Not a duel, though, I suppose you could, but a FIGHT. If you can beat Lord Aramis like a dog in front of his own men then they'll lose respect and I'm sorry Your Highness would I be up for -- wait, you mean, ME?" It took a minute for Ronja to catch up there. She looks between Marisol and Eddard, and then has another drink. "I-- I suppose."

Eddard checked charm + seduction at difficulty 25, rolling 26 higher.


Nodding to Rowenova she grins a little. Marisol keeps her arms crossed. "Mistress Ronja, it is best not to send one man blatantly amongst him and his troops...you do have quite the ideas though. I think perhaps I am going to request you show up to every planning meeting I have for any future crisis...keep that in mind. You will receive a messenger and be expected. You may drink. Try not to swear so much. It is going to be a rather difficult task at hand, if you are not feeling up to it I would understand. We can always use you in other ways to sew seeds of chaos and dissent without it putting you in harms way...likely alone."


Nova sits up after the FITE TALK, on the very edge of her chosen seat here, probably stirring Sir Floppington to sit up, too. "Someone who has a... personal problem with him being able to face punch him be too... uhm." Well, what she is trying to say is, "Sir Jeffeth is a great fighter, but might not really be as angrily invested as..." She cuts off after Marisol's responses, though.

A messenger arrives, delivering a message to Marisol before departing.