[Phase 2, KL Track] Making Friends and Influencing People [Diplomacy]

Theomore Tullison wrote:Theo will go to Braavos, unknown at this point if teaming up with other PC's. Eligible Tullison NC's likely tagging along.

Ayleth Bartheld wrote:I guess i'll follow Theomore to Braavos

Passing through the legs of the Titan has a way of making anyone not used to it feel small.

It is said that every city smells differently. Braavos smells of fish. Fish, but with hints of exotic eastern spices and perfumes, too. The docks are lined with ships from almost every imaginable port of call, but of course they are dominated by the famous purple ships of Dorne, with their purple-died sails and purple-painted hulls.

You are led over canals and through streets lined with merchant's stalls selling every kind of good imaginable, haggling in every tongue known to the seven kingdoms, and maybe even some that aren't. You can see the green domes of the Palace of Truth, and the temples on and around the Isle of the Gods, including the tower of Trios, the temples of the Moonsingers and the Lord of Light, the shrine of the Weeping Lady of Lys, the infamous House of Black and White, and of course the Sept-beyond-the-Sea, dedicated to the Seven.

As diplomatic envoys, you are brought to the Sealord's Palace, where a minor functionary shows you to well appointed guest quarters: a pair of bedchambers with a shared balcony overlooking the bay, and an adjoining sitting room.The functionary is polite, and speaks flawless Westerosi.

Before departing though, he expresses his doubts about your mission."...it would be different, I suppose, if our Sealord's son had married Laena Velaryon as intended, rather than being slain by your Prince Daemon."

The fastest route to Sunspear from King's Landing is by sea. Even still it is a lengthier journey than one would expect, as your ship must hug the coastline to avoid encountering the pirates, privateers, and Triarchy navy that frequent the waters surrounding the broken arm. As you travel past the bluff upon which Wyl Castle stands, you can see a flag depicting the red archer on green of House Tarly, and another of what appears to be a black snake crushed under a green armor-plated foot, on a red field.

Past this point, the captain of your ship hoists a white flag. "Just prudent caution," he assures you.

Approaching Sunspear, the first thing you can see is the tall, slender Tower of the Spear. Soon after, you see the shorter, but wider Tower of the Sun with it's shining dome of gold and glass. With luck, you will be granted quarters in the latter tower, and not in the prison cells said to be atop the former. Soon the rest of the palace and the city come into view as well as other notable sights such as the Sandship - an ugly dun building in the shape of a dromond, the fortress of the Martell family before the coming of Queen Nymeriah and her Rhoynish.

After arriving in port, you are lead up a broad brick path through the Threefold Gate - which in truth is a succession of three gates through three different massive curtain walls. This path, your guide explains, is the only direct path to the palace, and when closed even one would be enough to keep out an army of then thousand foes. She may be somewhat exaggerating, but the walls are rather thick and the gates appear heavy enough to require dozens of men to close them.

It is said that every city smells differently. Sunspear smells... hot. The sun beats down brutally, and within the city walls there is precious little breeze. What breeze there is flows through the Shadow Town, carrying scents of people and animals - sweat and feces and urine, fire smoke and cooking food, the acrid smells of tanners and dyers - and then, when the wind shifts it bears the scent of the ocean and olive trees, of fruits and wine. A place of dichotomies.

Your guide has clear opinions on your mission, as well - "It is a fool's errand. Our Princess Aliandra is married to Drazhenko Rogare of Lys. A few months ago you northerners with that one-eyed prince and his dragon invaded our lands and killed our people, with only nonsense for reasons. Of course Prince Qoren will again send our soldiers to aid the Three Daughters. We will crush you in the Stepstones and when your soldiers are dead we will take back what is rightfully ours."

When you arrive at the palace, you are gratified both to be free of your former guide and to find that rooms have been prepared for you in the Tower of the Sun, some several floors below the throne room and it's dome of gold and thick, colored glass. Your guards, however, are told they must return to the ship - while you are a guest of Prince Qoren, your safety is assured. On the way to your rooms - up many flights of stairs - you briefly catch sight of a dark-haired boy, no more than 10 years of age, wearing a tunic of yellow with the sigil of a black snake coiled around a bare foot. Almost as soon as you see him he is whisked away, leaving you to wonder at who he is.

• Step 1: Carrots and Sticks Please post as much of this step by Wednesday 4/26 so that if necessary I can provide extra mechanics for you.
  This is a free-form step where you can describe whatever sorts of incentives you are using, any names you are dropping, schemes you are pulling (or at least, trying to pull), or any other factors you think might tilt the negotiations in your favor. Even little things, like the language you use, may make a difference. Be as detailed as possible.
  
  It would be helpful to list any intrigue benefits you have that may come into play, and what disposition you might have (and the reason, if other than Indifferent).
  
  If there is anything secret you think should be factored in, post it in a private thread and put a link to it here.
  
  
• Step 2: Get an Audience
  Status(reputation) TN 9 – mandatory to get an audience with a person of sufficient influence. DoS matter, as who you meet with will affect the final TN (representing that lower functionaries have to in turn convince the real decision makers).
  
  
• Step 3: At the Audience
  
  
  
  1. Choose 2: TN 9.
     Awareness(Empathy)
     Cunning(Memory or Logic)
     Knowledge(Education)
     Status(Breeding)
     Will(Dedication)
     
     2 critical failures: You insulted your host and their entire country. You have failed and very likely made an enemy.
     1 critical failure: you had some sort of gaffe... but your host is merely annoyed. -1D penalty to the simple intrigue.
     
     Sum your DoS:
     0 DoS: Your host is non-plussed. No benefits.
     1+ DoS:
     Every 4 DoS = +1D to the simple intrigue.
     Every remaining 2 DoS = +1B to the simple intrigue.
     A remaining DoS = +1 to the simple intrigue.
     (Ex: 8 DoS = +2D, 5 DoS = +1D and +1, etc.)
     
     
  2. Simple Intrigue, TN ??
     Attribute and Specialty used may have various effects/consequences, choose wisely.