um
...
[color=brown]Where do I sign my name again?
...Roberto Rodriguez de Flambeau, el Caballero de Seneca
for covenant, he starts to write Novus Mane, scratches it out and writes Mons Electi.
Then when asked for his sigil a second time, he looks awkward and embarrased.
[color=brown]I... I am sort of in between covenants at the moment. I am recently of Novus Mane, but I have been invited to join Mons Electi. Here, my letter of invitation.
Don't know what ability, if any, will help me here. Charm? Guile?
If it ever matters, I can toss up to 2 Confidence points into a roll. For this situation though, I am willing to invest only 1. I'd rather walk than spend the vis it took me six years to save up.
And I'll let you roll for me at home using real dice. I am phone surfing again, so I cannot cut/paste InvisiCastle code.
Pre +1, Guile 1, Charm 1,
um...
Code of Hermes 1 (proceedure)?
And if that won't work, I will instead spend a confidence point on this approach (maybe 2).
[color=brown]If I cannot use a letter of credit or barter silver from my travel funds, I would offer my services in exchange for passage. I am a skilled warrior wizard, and this region is full of outlaws or bandits. I could accompany some of my sodales on a dangerous run or two. In fact, once I have established residence at Mons Electi, I would enjoy providing a season of such service!
(x3)
"We are House Mercere, this is what we do. Your offer of service, while generous and appreciated isn't necessary, and your credit is good with us." He makes a note on the form indicating change of address. "Alright, you're all set. Take the portal to Confluensis, and if you need lodging the redcaps there can see to your travel needs. This note is payable in a year, a total of 6 pawns vis forma. Failure to pay in a year will see a two pawn fee added to your total. If that isn't paid within another year we will pursue alternative methods of collection." If Roberto seems to get offended or tries to interrupt,"Please, magus, this is our standard agreement, I'm just explaining it clearly and fully, so we don't have problems down the line."
As Roberto and company prepare to depart, his tone of voice changes, as if he's going into some sort of memorized often recited speech, "The covenant of Cunfin is in a magical regio within the grounds of a Cistercian monastery. There may or may not be sufficient room at the covenant itself to put your company up for a period of time, unless you've made those arrangements in advance. If there isn't room at Cunfin, you may be put up at the monastery. You'll negotiate fees for room and board there with Cunfin or the monks This portal transports you directly to the regio. Covenfolk there can show you how to exit the regio if you have a desire to be on your way." With that out of the way, he adds, in a less automatic method, "Mons Electi is the residence of a Merceris magus, Korvin. It is possible that there may be Redcaps who might be interested in journeying with you to Mons Electi, depending on their schedules. Any questions before you depart?
that was easy 
[color=brown]A few questions only.
This is billed to the covenant, right? Or do I have to get them to validate it first? I have a deed to a share of the vis account for the Knights of Seneca. Four vis Ignem per year on account with the Mercere. Could I just assign you the next six pawns of that?
Also, it would probably be more decent of us to lodge at the monestary. What sort of honorarium do they expect. I have ample mundane funds.
Finally, might I share a brief lunch with you here? My expected travel time was shortened by reciving a ride here aboard a ship, and cut in half by your generously allowing me to use your portal. I have ample provisions to share with the few of you, or may I at least use your table so that we may have a lunch of tapas and wine.
are tapas in period?
In any case, I am determined to play Roberto taking rest at Dragon's Rest. I was told to be wary, which is the wrong way to warn a reckless man
I also wanna get Carlos to follow Rob's suggestion about carousing for tid-bits of information as we go.
BTW, I definately am trying to tak him into this and have him think I am a super nice guy. "Captain America"
(Wirth is Batman, old joke)
So this is worth a social roll, and I may be willing to spend Confidence.
I am also amicable to storyguide fiat, especially if I am holding up something ypu have planned for what is on the other side of the portal. I'm just trying to make an adventur/story out of this journey
((No, you can do as you'd like your character to do, and I can have my plans meet up with yours.))
"It may be billed to you or the covenant. It's traditional for items billed to a covenant to have a letter signed by a Princeps or Disceptator, or whatever you call your ruling magus, though. In this case, we would bill you. You can assign your vis source to us, if you'd like. We would charge 7 pawns if it isn't paid within the year. I don't have details on those outside accounts here." He says that as if you understand implicitly why he doesn't have those records. He scribbles something on a parchment and ties it to a rock, and tosses it through the portal to Harco."I take a break in about an hour. I have a schedule to keep, as long as you're out of the way, feel free to make yourself comfy. The name's Douglas, by the way. I've am recently reassigned from Loch Leglean. I, ah, had an indiscretion with a Tytalus maga with a smoking hot body, name of Talia, she got some secrets out of me, so I have a tendency to stick to the facts now." Alaire gives Duncan a wave of his hand and is off through the Confluensis portal without so much as a by your leave.
Does Roberto do the siesta still? The siesta is a convention of the hot days in Iberia, but he may just continue to do it, so a lunch and a midday break wouldn't be out of the ordinary. Douglas is well enough informed about the habits of Iberian magi, in general to not be surprised by this desire to take an extended midday break.
After a bit, a rock comes in from Harco. "Your account has 24 pawns of Ignem vis. Well, it has 19 now."
"So, you came here via a ship? Was she captained by a smoking hot Tytalus who wore imaginary clothes?"
lovin' it
[color=brown]No, never met the woman. At my old covenant, there was a quite attractive Bjornaer maga, literlly smoking hot as her her heartbeat is an eagle and she would engulf herself in an aura of fire. A rarity, a Bjornaer Ignem specialist.
And yes, she wore illusionary clothing. Or just walked around nude.
I think the Siesta is a Mexican tradition, but I am unsure. Tapas are from Spain, but I do not know if they are in period. The Spanish guitar is in period! Classical Flamenco or ballads sung in Catalan or Castilian.
I will research it on wikipedia!
In any case, yes, Roberto keeps the habbit of a mid-day break. I think it may be Spanish custom picked up from the Andalusian Moors.
Tapas are tiny portions of many different things. And my provisions are mostly Dutch! Maybe a few imported oranges. Hard boiled eggs, cold cuts, cheeses, rolls of hard bread (travel food), some pickled fish (yuck), light fruity wine, and stuff like that.
[color=brown]Douglas from loch legean, eh? Isn't that where they cornered the Spider?
Tell me Douglas, what do you think...
[color=blue]Hey, bendejo! Quit hogging all the vino!
Carlos interrupts Roberto keep him from being to obvious. Roberto doesn't even notice, he just passes the bottle over and shrugs an apology for being rude (Douglas may be familar with how a few magi develop casual relationships with their gogs).
[color=blue]Have you heard the Ballad of Elaine, Flambeau's daughter? Of course not! I wrote it myself based on some of the tales Roberto's mentor tells us. (about two minutes of the part where Elaine and Balin the Redcap put Apromor in his place)
[color=blue]Ha ha! And what of you Douglas? Do you know of any interesting tales I can turn into song? Stories of the Order. New tales, my material is old and stale. A song of intrige and adventure! Perhaps featuring yourslef or another magus you know.
Do you see where I am going with this?
Is their a lady Redcap present that Carlos can put his whammy on?
Lacking Intrigue, I am trying to use other social skills. Carlos needs to spend his future xp wisely 
Siesta is a Spanish tradition.
"I suppose," he says noncommittally about Damhan-Allaidh. Douglas is keenly aware of how magi develop strong relationships with their grogs (beware adult themes).
"I try and keep a low profile now. Like I said, I got into trouble, so I walk the straight and narrow. I have another year or two here, and then I can request a reassignment. Alaire is the best one to talk to. He's "in" with the Tribunal leaders, if you know what I mean. And Renaud used to come around whenever he needed to earn his keep, now and again, but I've heard tell he's sticking with Korvin in Mons Electi. I'm sure it troubles his brother something fierce." After that he shuts up realizing he's talking too much. He politely refuses the wine and instead drinks what can only be described as kinderbier.
I see...
This guy sets around
So how does the song go over?
And then yes, Roberto retains the siesta habit. Gotta have lunch
In any case, after lunch Roberto moves on to cunfin and the monestary.
The song was good, Roberto can tell it loosened Douglas up. However, he soon realized he'd said too much. Roberto rests and the redcap goes back to work. After Roberto's break he and his crew start preparing to leave for Cunfin, but are interrupted by a man in slate green robes coming from the Confluensis portal. He is using a large mason's crowbar as a waking stick, and he wears a leopard sash, denoting his rank as Chief Hoplite of the Tribunal. "Douglas, I'm for Cunfin, any news?" He say sthe word news in such a manner that he knows precisely why Douglas is in the position he is in. He doesn't acknowledge Roberto and his crew, but Valerian does give Roberto a once over look. The kind of look that lingers just a bit too long to be entirely friendly, as if he is sizing up an opponent. He then turns and walks up to the portal, while Douglas quickly runs up behind him and activates the portal, and Valerian is gone.
Douglas can be heard muttering a few phrases, in an unkind manner. He takes a moment to compose himself. "That was the illustrious Chief Hoplite of the Normandy Tribunal. Did you tell Alaire where you were going, by any chance? Never mind, don't want to know." He looks around and then puts his finger to his lips. "You look ready to go, I can activate the portal and send you when you are ready."
[color=brown]Let's wait for chuckles to get a head start. Why is he such a Dk to you? And which one is..., whoever you just mentioned. and who cares where I am going?
"Alaire, the rhymer. He just went to Confluensis, and moments later Valerian comes through and goes to Cunfin. You can wait for him to get a head start, but you can be sure that you're the target of his interest. He has an unhealthy interest in Mons Electi, everyone knows it." And he says the following with an attitude of devil may care, loudly and to the entire room, not just Roberto, "And I don't care who knows what I think."
Turning his attention back to Roberto, "The timing of events is such that I feel that you are his purpose for going to Cunfin. I might be wrong, but I'm probably not."
[color=brown]I see. Well, the best way to handle it is be eager to meet the man. Is he always such a bully? Likes to throw his weight around? I can handle him. I thank you Douglas, and if you ever need a favor or just want to hang out, look me up at Mons Electi.
and away we go...
Douglas inserts a thin brass rod into the portal, activating it. Roberto and his party, including the horses all go through. They reappear in a bright sunlight courtyard of what is unmistakably a castle. The castle is of an unconventional design and appears to make many mistakes with regards to defense that a castle would normally do, as if it were constructed from a romantic ideal. ((Think Neuschwanstein.))
There's a grog nearby, no sign of Valerian, the grog approaches, "Welcome to Cunfin. Are you here to see one of the magi here, or are you travelling through? In a few moments someone will be coming by to escort you to a magus, if you have business here, or they can escort you out of the regio if your business is elsewhere." He doesn't seem to be interested in exchanging pleasantries, his tone is matter of fact, and anything else is beyond his pay grade, so to speak. Attempts to engage him are unrewarding.
A few moments later a figure comes out of the castle into the courtyard, "Welcome to Cunfin, I am Marielle, your escort. How may I be of service?" She's a stern looking woman, hard edges abound, and her hair his pulled straight and tight stretching the skin of her forehead so that there are no visible lines or wrinkles easily seen. Her chest seems to be small, or is at least bound well. She is wearing a Cistercian monk's habit, with the cowl down. With the cowl up, she could be mistaken for a man, especially from a distance, and Roberto realizes that as she walked into the courtyard, she walked like a man.
[color=brown]"Greeting! I am Roberto of Flambeau, and I am headed for Mons Electi!", Roberto resopnds with a bold, cheerful voice (certain to draw the attention of a spy or snoop). [color=brown]"All I require is a space to take repast and rest as I plan the next leg of my journey. I will gladly compensate for the expense..
((Forum ate this post. Second time is the charm!))
"Are you staying overnight? We have ample room in the castle, now that Celeres has left us for Confluensis. There is another visiting magus of some renown here, Valerian, Chief Hoplite of the Normandy Tribunal. He arrived a bit before you did. Mons Electi is about 5 or 6 days travel away, with a cart."
[color=brown]Why yes, thank you. I am sure a half-day won't get us very far. Might as well get rolling at dawn and put a whole day of road under our feet.
Would you happen to know where the best way-points are?
I would like to meet Valarian if possible. Perhaps at supper? That would be splendid! Tell him Roberto of Flambeau, a Knight of Seneca, is here.
(I keep saying that so people who know my mentor know I am affiliated with him, which may draw valarian's attention.
"Valerian is with Eloi. If he is staying, he will likely come to dinner. What quality accommodation are you looking for?"
[color=brown]"Nothing fancy. A large room for the six of us, or maybe two smaller ones. Stables for the horses, shelter for cart. I shall take my meal at the table with the magi, my men alongside your grogs or whatever your custom is.
I am hoping for a big room. If two rooms, I'll stick Junior in with the two Al's.
I have one chest with my personal stuff taken into my room. The chest of junk and other crap stays on the wagon.
I send Carlos off to mingle and carouse.
For supper, I actually want to leave two men as guards. Junior (to keep him out of the way) and Alberto (to watch over him). I arrange for their meal to be brought to them.
Military style 8)
I need a larger entourage.
Anyway, not to fast forward too much. But my supper plan is to have Allen as my bodyguard (it looks cool), Carlos is to mingle & socialize, and Pedro is to be watchful.
And I am going to try and poresent myself as impressive as possible. The white cape this time, red doublet, fancy new sword on belt, boots and everything all shiney-shined & nicey-nice.
BTW, to "poresent myself" means I..
um...
I can't think of a joke. Tiny little keys on this phone and no spell checker...
Typo-itis 
There is a meal, the only magi who are there for the meal are Artorius of Bonisagus and a retired Redcap, Evrard De Tours. They introduce themselves and welcome Roberto warmly and engage in chit-chat, but nothing of any substance, or even rumors of note are exchanged. Roberto learns that there are a few other magi at the covenant, Eloi and Angelus. Angelus is a hermit. Eloi spends most of his side on the mundane side of the regio as Brother Eligius, prior of the Cunfin monastery.
Oh well
I am cordial. We exchange pleasenties, chit-chat, etceteras. Carlos plays a tune or three.
And I suppose Roberto will retire early, go back to our room and check the map to see what our route shall be on the morrow at dawn