Thom smiles as he steps forward, bowing again to the Queen.
"Your majesty, may I be so bold as to ask a clarification? You said you would give two pawns 'in exchange from the artful bard.' Please forgive my need to understand, but you mean two pawns in exchange for the bard's story, correct? Not the bard himself. Right?"
«A story just told is gone with a wind, like your fluid vis. It gives nothing to keep, nothing to cherish, and nothing to show to visitors. The bard, in contrast, would contain the story for display in the gallery. The deal is for a work of art to keep,» answers the queen.
âPerhaps my written rendition of the story will content you otherwise I will not be able to render further stories in future years my ladyâ replies Finn obviously concerned at being a faerie captive
Thom bows again, six-fingered hand flourishing before her.
"Your Majesty, we are grateful for your recognition of the wonder and brilliance of this Exceptional Bard's works. They are indeed remarkable and worthy to grace your Majesty's gallery. With that assessment behind us, we apologize for not entirely understanding the nature of this agreement between Ungulus and your Royal Court. We thought that perhaps performance was sufficient, but it is clear we were wrong."
"May be have a day or two more to write this great tale out for you to display in your gallery? We'll only ask that your ... guardian trolls assure us that we will be unmolested as we prepare the work of art for you."
"Would that be acceptable?"
«What is this?» asks the queen, taking the parchment from Finn. She looks at the letters, slants her head, and passes the parchment to a councillor coming up behind her. The councillor looks human, like the queen, and clad in the humble brown of a scholar. H is a head shorter than the queen and a little too round over the belly.
He starts reading Finn's botched writing aloud, but it is nothing like Finn's recital. All the beautiful phrases Finn fills in on the spot to connect the story are missing, and some of the words are ambiguous and the councillors intonation makes them offensive.
It is a pain to hear.
Double painful to Finn, who can hardly recognise his own story.
«That's not the same work,» concludes the queen drily. «You don't call that ark, do you?»
âNo queen I do not, it was a quick memory jogger to remind me of the key points. As master Thom says, if you could just give us a few days to create a true rendition of the story on parchment we would be very gratefulâ replies Finn
"It is a rather magical work of art, your Majesty," says Thom. "You can receive an image or a sculpture and place it in your gallery, but it is fixed, static, unchanging. Beautiful yes, in it's way."
Thom looks the bard and then at the words.
"But just think what the great glamour masters of your illustrious court could do with this tale that is worthy of your glory! They could perform this very amazing tale and build upon it with their glamour. Think of that!
"I who am not a bard of renown and not yet a master like yours, was able to use my simple illusions to entertain your rock troll children and fill them with delight. Just think what the wonder of your court will be when the art in your gallery no longer remains fixed and static but can be performed! Can be made even more glorious by your command!"
"I would give a lot to learn the power of glamour from your hand so that I, a humble magus, could bring you great performances of wonder and beauty to glorify your court and your name!"
The queen ponders a little, and looks back and forth between Thom and Finn, as if she does not know whom to address. When she speaks, she looks at Thom. «Ungulus has been valued partner for a long time, so I won't let this feeble insult of a text change that. Why don't you allÂč stay the Winter and teach the Councillor to tell the story like Finn does?»
The Councillor literally jumps before he composes himself and makes an effort to keep a straight face.
Âč It is clear in Saxon that «you» is plural, but not clear if the grogs are included or not.
Finn uses his knowledge of the fey to understand the offer and ensure it is only one season then release (roll int+faerie lore of 8/11/14 +1 of summer fey)
At 6+, Finn understands that one can easily be cheated by the faeries in situations like this.
At 9+, he understands that it is essentially a question of a good bargain and unambiguous wording. Faeries are bound to uphold their agreements, but only to the letter.
At 12+ he knows enough to rephrase the deal to avoid any ambiguity.
So I suppose he spends two confidence points, and gets the wording right. It would be a season of exposure, probabably in teaching or faerie lore, a teaching+com roll to teach to the queen's satisfaction. And I don't think I am going to be bothered looking up the rules for faeries changing their role, and simply assign an EF, 12+ for complete success in one season (confidence not applicable). The councillor really have to be able to take the role of storyteller, to the queen's satisfaction, afterwards.
Then two confidence spent on knowing what to do. The teaching roll (Com+Teaching = 9=failure) Take 2 exposure in teaching
I said confidence not applicable since it is a seasonal activity, but before we resolve this, let's hear what @Bartomeus does. He had some other idea to please the queen.
Thom steps forward with a graceful incline of his head, his sidhe heritage lending an effortless elegance to his words. His voice carries the warmth of a honeyed breeze, measured but playful, as he meets the Queenâs gaze.
"Most radiant Queen of Day Light's Glories, your wisdom is as boundless as your halls are bright. To stand in your court is an honor any mortal should envy, and Ungulus has long held dear your favor."
He gestures lightly toward Finn, offering a knowing smile.
"Yet, to shape a storyteller such as Finn is no small feat. His voice is not mere sound but spellcraft, his stories not just words but woven wonders. What he teaches is more than artâit is power, the power to stir hearts, to shape thoughts, to command the wind and laughter alike. The Councillor would do well to learn such gifts, and Finn shall make certain of it. And for a season, you shall have access to this most excellent Bard. Perhaps he will grace Your Grace with other tales..."
Thom then shifts, taking a more serious but still genial tone, carefully guiding the Queen toward a grander vision of the exchange.
"But if my Queen so wills it, I would do more than witness this exchangeâI would serve for the single season of this agreement. Let me take the Councillorâs seat for the season, that I may speak in your name and serve as one of your trusted voices. As Finn hones the Councillorâs craft, I shall hold his place, ensuring no voice is lost in your halls. In this way, your court gains not only a finer storyteller but a wizardly advisor who understands the weight of words and the value of wisdom."
He pauses just long enough to let the offer settle before delivering the final touchâan artful request for further reward.
"Surely, such a gift to your court is worth some small boon in return? A token of your favor, a touch more vis from your generous treasury, so that Finn may teach with the full inspiration your hospitality provides."
The queen ponders, tilting her head, looking suspiciously at the young magus. «So, what skills and lores can you bring to the council?» she asks. «Do you know the ways of the Unseelie lords? Do you know the far corners of the land, and the menaces that resides there?»
Thom bows his head slightly, his usual ease tempered by the weight of the Queenâs question. When he speaks, his voice carries both honesty and a quiet, thoughtful respect.
âMy Queen, I would not pretend to know all the secrets of the Unseelie lords, nor the far corners of this land. That is wisdom earned over centuries, and I am but a traveler who has only begun to understand the roads before me.â
He pauses, glancing toward the gathered courtiers before returning his gaze to the Queen. There is no arrogance in his tone, only reflection.
âI was raised for a time in the halls of my father, a lord of the Seelie Court. From him, I learned that Faerie is not a single kingdom but many, ever-shifting, ever-bound by oaths, games, and unseen rules. I know enough to tread carefully, but not so much as to claim mastery over what cannot be mastered.â
âWhat I do know is this: I have walked between worlds, glimpsing both Faerieâs wonder and mortal frailty. I know how perception shapes truth, how the unseen can shape the seen. I know that stories, illusions, and Glamours have powerânot just to deceive, but to reveal.â
âI have much yet to learn, but I would learn it here, in your court, under your guidance. If you will have me, I will serve as best I can, offering what knowledge I do possess while striving to earn a place worthy of your trust.â
He bows slightly again, a quiet gesture of deference.
âIf it pleases you, my Queen, let me listen before I speak, observe before I judge, and in time, perhaps, prove of use to your council.â
The queen speaks slowly, but confidently. «Wise words. I just might have a use for what you have seen on your travels. I'll take the bargain. Two pawns for a seasons as councillor, and two pawns for training the Councillor to tell the story as Finn does.»
You follow the queen and her councillor up the river. It is wet and cold, which does not seem to bother the fair folk, but you are not made of glamour. After what feels like a league, but is probably just a mile, the river disappears, and you find yourselves in a grand white hall with a fountain in the middle. Second sight 11+ would reveal that you passed into a regio. Common sense and a little experience might reveal it too, come to think of it.
I assume that the grogs return home, to explain that Finn and Thom are delayed and expected at the end of the season.
Thom and Finn are both put to work. The queen wants Thom to help her with strategy in the various conflicts with other faerie queens, particularly her cousing, the Fair Queen of Galloway, whose reputation was spread far and wide by the Wizards of Wicker Hill. She is eager to hear every detail from Thom's travels.
Finn struggles more. The Councillor is a hard case. He learns the words by heart on the second day, but he reads them like an apprentice reading from a text. He does improve, but when the Winter comes to an end, and Thom prepares to go home, the queen is still not satisfied with the recital. «Not bad, but I am afraid he needs a season more before he can tell a story worthy of your name, Finn,» she says.
(OOC) I think the WInter should be 5xp practice for Thom, not quite sure about the ability though. Profession: Councillor? Leadership [Strategy]? Intrigue [Strategy]? Faerie Lore?
(OOC) Thom receives his two pawns of Mentem vis in the form of smooth, round stones looking like eyes.
As the last days of Winter fade into whispers of the coming Spring, Thom stands before the Queen. He bows low, his voice carrying warmth and deference, tinged with the silver thread of faerie charm.
"My Queen, to serve in your court has been an honor beyond measure. Your wisdom, as radiant as the high sun, has illuminated paths I had not yet seen. The turning of the season now calls me home, but know thisâmy steps shall find their way back to your halls, for there is still much to learn, and many more tales to tell."
Thom lets his gaze linger for a moment, a soft smile tugging at the corner of his lips, an invitation to a future meeting.
"Should you call upon me, I will return, eager to serve once more. And when I do, mayhaps we shall find the Councillorâs voice not just worthy of Finnâs tale, but of yours as well."
Thom then takes a measured breath, choosing his next words carefully, his voice shifting to something lighter, playful yet sincere.
"But before I depart, might I ask a boon, if it pleases you? The King of the Foam, whose waters weave through realms as fluid as the fae themselves, holds his own court where my path soon leads. If your voice were to carry my name to his ears, a whisper of favor borne upon the waters, it may smooth the currents of my next meeting with him."
He tilts his head slightly, a glimmer of knowing in his violet eyes.
"Of course, I would never presume to direct the winds of a Queenâs will. Yet, should you see fit to speak kindly of me, I would be as grateful as a leaf upon a summer breeze, carried gently where it is meant to go."
He bows once more, waiting for her reply, knowing that faerie favorsâlike the seasonsâare given, not taken.
[OOC: Thom applies the 5xp to Faerie Lore.]
âSo, you require another season of my time fair queen. Will the price be the same 2 vis as the first?â Asks Finn
«Yes, the price was two pawns for enabling the Councillor. He is not able yet. I trust you will get there though, if you take your time.»
The room and board has been excellent, but the company rather boring. It was great fun the first couple of days, but then you came to realise that nothing changes. The faerie court is ever the same, except for the very slight changes you make to the Councillor, slowly converting into a storyteller.
There was nothing in the deal to prevent you from leaving with Thom though, if you want to give up.
I am not going to ask you to roll again, and just assume that 9+ suffices to arrive in two seasons.
When Thom returns to Ungulus at the end of Winter, he lets everyone know how it went and offers the two pawns of mentem into the communal vis stores.
"I consider this part of this season's harvest. I don't know that we can consider it a regular source of mentem vis, but I hope to keep lines of communication open with this faerie queen. There may be more to learn and more to gain from that relationship."