Four Fates Under the Southern Sun PF, Session 16

Start: 4 pm, Foreautumn 6, 401 GA

The party spoke with Jucika Philamnos. She was rather direct, and propositioned them to poison Giancarlo Koshkas with Adréssian pear wine laced with Black Lotus Extract.

She was clearly not afraid of the law or others finding out about her plan, with how casually she propositioned the party. To call her confident would be an understatement.

During the conversation, the party gleaned and recalled the following:
The Koshkas family owns the Izzero docks, although the Vatatzes family owns the remainder of the city
House Koshkas is one of the oldest noble families of Iskhar-Yog. Formerly, they were known to be valorous warriors, who showed honor in victory and defeat. Nowadays, however, rumors about
this house are scant.
Giancarlo Koshkas, the family head, is known by the nickname 'Giancarlo the Beguiled'. Rumor has it he is the plaything of his Ashig, not the reverse.
The Vatatzes were originally the Vatisar house of Nemnowyn, a mountainous eastern member state of the Northland Protectorate. This nation is thousands of miles away. The Nemnowyn people have a gray cast to their skin, and it is said distantly in the past they mixed with Tel-shanas outcasts.
Jucika Philamnos had Giancarlo's sister, Matisse, killed during a 'consumption treatment' in the capitol, Gol-galoon.

Jucika describes how Giancarlo would be obliged to host foreign diplomats, as the Yog have hospitality customs. Vasileios asked for a demonstration, because he was hungry. Jucika obliged, sending her Ashig off for the errand. She had bouillabaisse brought to Tzara, Mira, and Vasileios, but not Luna. She neglected to bring wine initially, until Vasileios observed they had no wine with their soup. She did not object to this, but appeared slightly annoyed her words were taken so literally and immediately tested.

They asked for time to discuss their plan of action, and Jucika consented. She said they can reconvene at the bathhouse in the mornings, if they wish to find her.

During this talk, Mira determined Jucika is a danger to the party, if they were to face her in combat.

The party decided to investigate the Koshkas side of the affair before taking action.

They made their way to the Koshkas estate, and spoke with a manservant named Enzo, who seemed stress and was smoking a pipe to relax. He behaved cordially, but did not attempt to hide his stress. After checking with his master, he brought the party inside the estate for lunch.

Giancarlo and his Ashig, Tveria, were awaiting the party. They immediately noted how odd it was his Ashig was presented front and center for guests, dressed line a courtesan, atop a silken pillow.

He often looked at his Ashig for prompts during conversation. He seemed very tired, and upon closer inspection, appeared as if he had a fondness for the bottle.

Giancarlo was polite, but stressed, as was Enzo.

During the dinner, Luna shared with the party Tveria's welcoming message in reply to her spell. She seemed especially keen on Luna. Vasileios gave Giancarlo a statue of Isha, and attempted to give him a statue of himself, which he declined. Vasileios instead hid the statue under the table, affecting misplacing it. Giancarlo was given a potion of remove disease, in case he was afflicted by the same consumption that claimed his sister.

Giancarlo seemed compelled to offer an invitation to spend the night, most likely at Tveria's prompting.

During this exchange, it was detected Enzo has a good alignment, Tveria and Giancarlo do not.

Retiring to their rooms, Vasileios immediately scryed through his statue, and overheard Tveria abusing Giancarlo. She let slip 'I can finally be rid of you once our heir is legitimized'. It seemed dubious whether or not that claim is entirely true. Regardless, she verbally and physically abused him over the proverbial microphone.

After this observation, Enzo entreated the party to free his master from Tveria. He gave background on Tveria and Giancarlo's parallel upbringing, and what he suspected her goals were. Also, Enzo mentioned she brought Giancarlo the the sealed basement every night. He advised caution if the party is to observe Giancarlo during the night, as Tveria often stays with him. Giancarlo's bedroom is adjacent to the library on the first floor, as is the basement.

Enzo seemed stressed, and immediately took to his pipe.

Tzara, Luna, and Mira visit the library. They find the hidden alcove which leads down. Tzara finds a history of the Ashig, and reveals one in ten Ashig are born with will, and they are often culled. Luna and Tveria appear to be outliers not dealt with according to protocol.

They returned to their rooms and retired for the night, unsure of how to proceed.

XP: 4,000

End: 8 pm