The Master Of Zooz

[phawk69]

"You said something about the other representatives, do you know who they are?" T'skar queries.

[Malchik]

Tiu perks up at the thought of delivering some salacious gossip. "Of course I know them all. We have these tedious dinners all the time. It's one of the reasons I like to add variety to my table guests. Is there a particular embassy you are interested in? I can go on all night about some of them."

 

You can tell he means it. The meal is drawing to a close with the offer of various fruits and the highly intoxicating 'lahkash' which Tiu clearly enjoys.

[phawk69]

"How about, oh I don't know ... how about Ippikander for a start?" T'skar asks.

[Malchik]

"Ah yes, Parminder Altamanande, a great beauty in her youth. She came from a poor background but capitalised on her physical charms to earn a great deal of money by the time she was 30 years old. She endowed a temple. It's a very good way to buy respectability. Of course she is nearly seventy now so it is not so easy to see why she was so sought after in her youth. She has passed on much of her extensive knowledge to other women who can afford to pay for it. Arminda Sagrami is said to have learned a lot from her. Now there's a woman and a half. But however tempted one is, she is one I would keep away from. If she tires of you, you'd better vanish before you 'vanish'. If you tire of her the effect is far worse!"

 

He goes on at great length about Arminda who obviously fascinates him despite his professed caution.

[karkarinus]

(ooc> Sorry, I thought Iposted this yesterday, but keep getting weird errors. It just happened again, too :( )

 

"What can you tell us about the Governor of Golconar?" Asks Kalmer.

[Malchik]

"Ayala? Hmm." Tiu seems to wonder why you ask about her. "Her life is an open book. She has only two interests, manufacturing glass and the city of Golconar. She's probably the greatest designer in glass Bashkher has ever seen. But her first love is the city. She has adopted this 'persona' of being rather light-headed but she is anything but. You know she sends messages to her 'spies' in the way she moves her fan? Interesting she should come up after I mentioned Arminda Sagrami. It is rumoured that they loathe each other. I can't say why though. My source of such information is her brother who is a ship's captain. One of the best. He's retired now but sometimes helps out on the longer journeys if one of the regulars is ill which is where I've met him. He also has a well-appointed ship of his own that he hires out, with his crew of course. But his sister - if you want to catch her attention you need to talk of how you can improve the lot of those who live in Golconar. And I don't mean those who live on the Diamond. They are well heeled enough. She want's to deal with poverty."

 

He sighs.

 

"I told her, while the city is reputed to be paved with gold, she will never solve the problem. But as she says, the reputation is a false one, so what can she do about it?"

[karkarinus]

"How long has Kolokon been presided over by a triumvirate?" Asks Kalmer. "And how old do you suppose the 'little girl' really is? She appears every ten years, but since when? Is it always the same girl, or could it be one of the 'chosen ones' made up to look as though it is always the same girl? Is there anyone in Kolokon who may be able to shed more light on this and other matters?"

[Malchik]

This subject is less to Tiu's liking. He yawns pointedly and mentions that he has a busy day next day.

 

"The palace is very secretive. The only information that comes out they have authorised themselves. From their publicity the triumvirate was originally formed from the Wizard's family. In those days the palace was the only building in the High City. Then there was an unfortunate mistake in the research the wizard was doing. A wing of the palace was destroyed and the wizard with it. One of his daughters took his place and that was how the tradition started. In those days the palace was triangular. The main living quarters were destroyed with the research laboratory and, it is believed, most of those who lived there. Whoever was left in charge rebuilt the triangle and added the interlocking section for whatever reason. I wonder why? You would have thought with most dead they would have looked for something smaller! But rulers can be big headed!"

 

He refills his glass. "I must retire to bed soon. The only time the palace was ever in the news - other than its own - was about twenty years ago when a man was found dead outside. He had falled from a high window and decapitated himself. I daresay the palace would have hushed it up but it was discovered by a member of the Biksinder Emporium on her way to work and her screams caused too much commotion even for the palace to keep it hidden. It was the expression of terror on the head that sent the girl into paroxysms. Rumours were rife. There had been a spate of kidnappings of children in the city and others imagined they had seen children running from the palace at about the time the man must have died. It was long before my time here."

 

Tiu stands. "If you are so interested in the palace there is nothing to stop you walking on the roof." He glances at each of you in turn. "Maybe you can find a valid reason for trying to gain access to the building proper from there. No doubt you'll be thrown out but you'll at least get to see inside. More than most of us!"

 

He moves to the door "Ask my staff to show you to your rooms when you are ready. Feel free to help yourself to any more food or drink. I probably won't see you in the morning. Don't forget, the passes expire at midday."

 

Tiu leaves you.

[karkarinus]

"Goodnight, Master Tiu!" Kalmer calls after their host as he nears the door. "Thankyou for your kind hospitality!" The door closes and the group are left alone, silent. The first real silence in months. Knowing that the servants will be in and out of the room at regular intervals, Kalmer quickly asks, "Well, fellows, who's up for a little midnight stroll? T'Skar, care to join me?" He smiles knowingly. "I think you, Mandrake, could come along and make sketches for posterity, if you can keep up with us! And Tiax: as you two are appently inseparable, you may come too. The rest of you, see what you can find out by any other means. We do not wish to attract too much attention by all gallavanting across the rooftops!"

 

 

 

(ooc> Basically, the 3 of us that are still playing go together. Mandrake's drawing skill may come in handy, so we'll make use of it even though MordredK isn't active at the moment.)

EDIT: Make that 4. Sorry, I forgot Gnath! :blush:

[MovingSalad]

Gnath looks to Kalmer and nods "Lead on" He then gets out of his seat and walks to another part of the room and waits for Kalmer and whoever else is coming to set off.