un: macaluso spina

[aprescoup]

( Two days after the banquet poisoning, don Macaluso himself sends his message to all newcomers. His voice comes trembled, uneasy, overcome with emotion. )


My friends. My new friends. It troubles me to speak to you so on this day, which may well have been the day of my matrimony.

I know what came of my welcome, of my banquet. I cannot speak of my remorse, that this should be how you are greeted in our fair city, our Taravast. You must know now, you must understand, surely, how great is our burden to proceed with fair, honoured and safe elections. To bring Taravast to the glory and trust of old. We were never these creatures. This is not our way.

But it cannot be that it soothes your hurting hearts to know so. I shall not play at games of court: the cure that needs to be procured for you who have been touched by the lily mist's toxins is not within my healers' reach, though they have tried. Wisdom hear them, they have tried.

It is of lesser comfort, but... should the worst prevail, my grandfather and I are both prepared to subsidise your resurrection, as required. We have a number of necromancers in the family's employ. Some... nearly reliable. We will require, of course, a pledge of fealty, a contract of service in exchange. We speak of fortunes that must go spent, and you are many. It pains me, how many you are. But if you wish this path walked, I offer here, the first step. Tell me your decision.

Many of you must wonder why I speak to all those who have entered the palace of late, and not only my own faction. I wish it understood: you could have faced death herself as well. Faced her very easily. And though some of my companions disagree, I do not hold this against Vannozza. This is not her way. We set about to do our work righteously. And it may be that, unknown to me, some of you are affected. I have even heard Lady Odile may have been involved, speaking of a foreign influence. I have been told before that foreigners wish only evil upon us all. I did not listen then. I hear now. Though you are not my people, you were my guests. If you were affected, please: allow me to reimburse your resurrection on the same terms.

If there is aught else I may be of help with, in the matter of this great sickness, or if you have any information that may assist us with hunting the root of a curse, advise me. I am, in all things, your humble servant.


( ooc: Macaluso and don Bonaccorso will be putting 150,000 coins/person towards necromantic resurrections — at the not negligible price of a contract of service, pledging a boon that the signatory cannot refuse once called, on pain of forever-death. The boon will very likely be used for plot-relevant purposes.

Characters can let Macaluso know here if they'd like to pursue this option, or talk freely amongst themselves about the poison / cure finding progress. )

Comments

Video | un: a jug of wine amidst the flowers

[wenderer]

[ 150,000 gold? That's more than enough to heal Ah Xu! He can give up his life of petty theft! ]

I'll do it!

[ Wait, isn't this a bit impulsive? Shouldn't he think it through a bit?















... ]

But I'll need the money first.

[aprescoup]

The wealth goes to the necromancer who will tackle your resurrection. This is no trade. I do not transact your life. I pay, in a way, for an act of healing.

[wenderer]

[ ....he can probably negotiate a kickback. He could even fake his death. Split half with the necromancer, and that still leaves him with enough for Ah Xu.

And if the necromancer reneges on the deal, he'll just kill the man and take it all back. ]

Fine, but I want to select the necromancer first. I don't want just anyone resurrecting me.

[aprescoup]

I... did not anticipate dying men to be particular.

[wenderer]

You didn't "anticipate" a lot of things.

[aprescoup]

Forgive me, I did not think to calculate for poison at the ceremony preparing my betrothal.

Perhaps for the wedding.

[wenderer]

I have a question for you, then. Why on earth do you want to be the next Doxe? And what makes you think you'd be good at it?

[aprescoup]

Why does any man wish to rule? Because he looks about himself and finds such misery that in his hear flourishes a vision of better.

[wenderer]

Good words!

But you haven't answered my second question. A mere betrothal party marred by poison, tsk tsk. If you cannot do something so simple as keep your honored guests and supporters safe, what makes you think you can accomplish anything?

[aprescoup]

I... shall do better.

[wenderer]

Even if you manage to become the Doxe, your rule will be bloody and short. You'll be beset by factions both within and without. Other kingdoms will perceive you as weak, and seek to conquer.

It will be this city's common people who suffer the most, for your vanity.

[beitangmoran]

You speak as a man who has seen it happen before, gongzi. And I think you very well may be right in this instance.

[wenderer]

It's happened time and time again throughout history.

[ In other words: yes ]

[aprescoup]

What would you wish done? Do you think, do you truly think, my cousin is the better choice? Have you known her long? Do you speak with education?

[wenderer]

I wish for stability and strength in a leader. And while I can't claim to know your cousin well, she has not committed a blunder such as this. If both of you prove to be weak, well...

[ Hey, he might as well ham up the "kingmaker" role. ]

My daughter... my eldest daughter comes of age in a year.

NOT HERE

[fated_dance]

[ He knows what you're up to, Lao Wen. But for now he'll just...watch. ]

un: absterge

[downswing]

Consider caution.

[wenderer]

Whatever for?

[downswing]

Survival.

[wenderer]

How sweet of you to worry!

[downswing]

You lend yourself a weapon.

Learn first where it would point.

[wenderer]

Mine is the kind of weapon that can harm its wielder if used clumsily.

[downswing]

Twin edges to your blade.

[wenderer]

I CHANGED MY MIND!!!!

[downswing]

( What. )


Well met.