[Amelia] Chapter 13: The Alliance's Demands

[Mysticsage]

I'll risk the aoo
Acrobatic Check

Rolled 1d20+4 : 17 + 4, total 21

[Throndir]

Heroic action point earned

You had closed the distance, then skilfully managed to jump, using the horse to climb up on. The knights around the duke had tensed, and you see them begin to draw their weapons, but you were quick. You reached up and were able to land a kiss on the duke. The duke had an opportunity to strike at you as you came up to him, but he chose not to take it, after the kiss you had backed away, and he had a bewildered look, choosing not to take his second opportunity to attack. The knights around the duke looked like they were about to attack, and at the same time both Kurt and Matilda, who had been watching carefully, had their weapons out as well.

The duke however, raised his hand in a calming gesture towards his knights around him. Notifications appeared in your vision.

You have gained a new title『Dearest』
You have gained +1 CHA

"What... was that?" The duke asked staring at you. "Part of the heroes' blessing?"

Behind you, Matilda had lowered her blade slightly, still unsure what was happening. Kurt on the other hand was glaring at the duke.

[Mysticsage]

Amelia looks up stammering, her face as red as a tomato. "My-my my lady, she asked me to do it! Like I said she is too injured to talk, but her gift allows her to connect to people within a certain range and well requires certain conditions to work." Amelia said both out of actual embarrassment and to hide her face from the world as she glanced at her friend's list.

"As I said to Father Bentham, our lady can hear and see through the people she makes bonds with, but to make a new link it requires a number of things including physical contact. Those of us who have made the pact can act as messengers to temporarily extend the link to others."

"But it requires-!"

As she continued to ham up the experience she focused on the ground with the list and opened a link to Duke Hallum,

Using hero point to gain share sense extension for the remainder of the scene

Important note: if I share anything with him I am cutting out my voice so that he only hears me in thought and emotion in his head to carry on the ruse

Without missing a beat the duke would begin smelling sudden strong sents of coffee roasted tea and aged-pine fill the air in a heady perfume as Amelia willed what power she had to work on him. Her only hope was to create a strong enough persona that even he would have to come to heel or return home.

Not missing a beat from her stammering statement, she continued in the duke's mind projecting all her strength of will and energy into her emotions and thoughts, "It requires, a kiss." she said using the toneless nature of thought while projecting emotions of power and sultry allure into his mind.

"being bedridden and only capable of seeing and feeling things through other people has taught me to savor those moments between people. Forgive me for taking what pleasure I can, given the circumstances, the people of this kingdom are precious to me. That girl, more so because of the colors she turns when I ask her to do something outside her comfort zone," Amelia continued to build the idea of this heroine by projecting into the duke that hot and bothered emotion that she had felt when she had first kissed a boy mixed with a little of anxiety as she tried to emulate that experience with Thyra mental from the other side. She wanted him to be just as much of his game as she was and men supposedly had an easy weakness.

"So please, my fine duke, treat the girl nicely. she only was doing what I asked of her and I was curious what you tasted like." she let sensations of mirth and laughter spill down her spine to his as she felt the power gain hold and her own confidence build.

"You may call me Milady, if it pleases you. considering we are sharing a headspace for the moment. I thought I would personally explain the situation too you and why I am of currently of no real use to you at the moment. I do apologize for being coy but given my circumstances and the manner in which your nation has shown itself I think we can come to an understanding." She projected the sensation of lips across the nape of his neck.

"Will you listen to what I have to say? My hope is you will take my words back to your leaders so that they too may understand. I am willing to show you something only my companion has seen not even the people of Bursteg now of the events before my summoning."

let me know if i need to edit back

[Throndir]

We'll be treating each lie as a separate piece. Failures may potentially add negative modifiers if future lies are dependent on the previous. Bluff rules linked here.

Requesting a bluff check to convince the duke the hero's ability requires a kiss.

Since you're invoking Friend's List, you would already know you need to actually say 'Friend's List'. Requesting a Stealth check if you want to keep that fact away from the duke as a whispered invocation.

Requesting a second bluff check to convince the duke the girl he is a separate person from the hero

Optionally, requesting a third bluff check to convince the duke that the girl in front of him might like him

Diplomacy to influence his attitude has already been attempted, but you can attempt roll diplomacy to Make Request of listening to what the hero has to say

[Mysticsage]

Requested Checks
bluff check to convince the duke the hero's ability requires a kiss.

Rolled 1d20+10 : 19 + 10, total 29

Stealth invocation

Rolled 1d20+3 : 1 + 3, total 4

Bluff check to convince the duke the girl he is a separate person from the hero

Rolled 1d20+10 : 16 + 10, total 26

Bluff check to convince the duke that the girl in front of him might like him

Rolled 1d20+10 : 15 + 10, total 25

Diplomacy to Make Request of listening to what the hero has to say

Rolled 1d20+12 : 16 + 12, total 28

[Throndir]

The man looked slightly uncomfortable through it all when you had kissed him. He narrowed his eyes slightly when he heard you speak the keyword to initiate the Friend's List and add him into it. But soon enough you triggered your ability and began to talk to him directly. As you talked to him, the knights beside him were tense. So too were King Richmond's knights, along with Kurt and Matilda, with Kurt still glaring daggers towards the duke.

As the seconds ticked by with you speaking directly into the duke's mind, and with the duke focusing on your words and seemingly to only sit still in his horse, things had started to become awkward. Kurt began to move his horse forward as well slowly, causing the knights to tense up, but he eventually dismounted, and made a show of sheathing his sword back. When you finally finished your speech to the duke through his mind, Kurt had closed the distance in his slow and cautious walk.

His words were short and simple as he began to reach for your arm. "You should not bow to him."

Before you could respond, the duke spoke up.

"Your hero has spoken to me. And hero! If you are listening to me right now, then accept an audience. Even if you may be injured, or disfigured enough that you need to have a handmaiden speak for you, the Felencorp will still demand a formal hearing. As it seems that I've finally been able to speak to you, even through this... unconventional way, I will take that as a win as King Richmond had prevented us from even seeing you. I will have my men be stationed out here while I and a couple of my knights can finally have our long awaited audience."

[Mysticsage]

"You have made your opinion and your national stance clear," said the voice inside the duke's head. "You are a duke, and as such have your station to consider, so you will understand when I ask, if you were in my position would you trust to allow men angry with you with weapons into your home?" She mentally whispered.

"You said it yourself with your proclamation as you arrived that I am seen by your nation as shirking my responsibilities to this war. A single woman thrust into a world with expectations meant for someone high above my station. What's more, everyone from Felencorp has made it clear that I am also seen as the personified will of Bursteg. You confirmed my fears that the people of felencorp feel resentment for the loss of their hundreds of acres of fertile land, people, fortresses, and families,"

"And to be honest, if I was in your shoes I would feel the same, but those emotions make you dangerous. It was luck or fate that I was injured moments before I was summoned, but it is the constant efforts of the people around me that have kept me alive to this day,"

"What happens when your soldiers or the healers you continue to offer are dissatisfied with me? Will they try to murder me because me being here means that they will never see their family again? I have seen how the constant fighting has affected your people first hand,"

"I've gone through enough pain as it is," she said sternly letting some of the fire in her gut spill through to him. "Let me show you why I am injured," with that Amelia focused on the memory of that night with the truck. Removing anything that could tie it directly to her she gave him that memory. That fear of watching a friend in danger steeling herself to the risk. The sudden shock and bounce of impact. All of it directly to his head attempt to get what she wanted across before her powers gave out on her.

"That is what I experienced before waking up here. Scared and dying kept alive by luck and the will of those who summoned me. Only to learn that I was meant to be the payment to people who wish to use me for some gifts that I do not have. Your deligations showed me early on how you buy people and judge their worth."

"Your own head priest offered to buy my handmaiden as if she was just another pretty piece of jewelry easily bought then tossed aside to be forgotten. Not the most heartwarming of attitudes, as you can imagine since your government paid for this country to be able to perform the summoning putting my life up as trade for desperately needed aid. What happens to me when you realize just how little I can offer to fight this war in the ways you wish of me? There is a high risk of someone from your nation trying to murder me when they know how weak I am so that they can get their own personal justice,"

"I will accept your audience because you interest me, and because of how you fluster my handmaiden. But you must understand my personal position, and that I will be doing my best to negotiate from a place of strength. I have no other option both for myself and the people of this nation who have risked their lives to protect me. I will make demands of you personally and your nation both now and I am sure as we spend more time together,"

"We will have your meeting, in the throne room with your head diplomat present as well so there can be no confusion. I would ask that you allow me to negotiate through my handmaiden for security sake. But if you must come back with word of having met with me. I will make a screened appearance. Seeing my shadow while my handmaiden speaks should give you enough cover back home,"

"Are we in agreement? I will need some time to rest and prepare, but you can figure the specifics out with my handmaiden. I can still feel both your hearts beating from the excitement you know. I'll let you respond out loud again," she mentally chuckled.

Amelia was beginning to shake at this point feeling the adrenaline pulsing in her veins as she focused her thoughts on both keeping up appearances and maintaining the connection. This part and no choice but to go well. The taste of tin and sweat filled her mouth mixing with the taste of the duke's lips. She did everything in the world to push away distractions keep herself calm and centered just like in judo practice. No matter how big or dangerous the opponent it was important to stay in control manipulate the battlefield and use their own momentum against them.

She could feel the constant thump of her heart beating in her ears. She didn't notice or hear Kurt approach, but she felt his presence as soon as he touched her. The instinctual part of her brain realized it was him from his touch and smell before her logic did. She wanted to lean into him use him as a means of keeping her own footing. She needed a means of support without Nyx around her neck. But she could not show true weakness until the duke turned his back. 

[Throndir]

The duke's face ranged into a variety of emotions from smugness to indignation and everything in between.

The duke spoke outloud, even though he knew from the onlookers point of view, it would have been a one-sided conversation. You were unsure if he meant to do this, or if he just had never realized he could speak to you through his thoughts alone. However, his words very much indeed reflected his own surface thoughts.

"Hardly would we storm in with our weapons unless the situation called for as such. The refusal of this country to relinquish the hero even though it was in our terms was an affront not only to the Felencorp, but the rest of the countries fighting against the demons in this war. When my knights and I will come to the palace for our audience it would be with sheathed swords, and the knights to act as guards."

"The Felencorp do feel resentment. Your land represented out ports to the western island nations, and a route of trade that didn't risk the dangers of land, not to mention the speed of travel by boat compared to caravans. Not to mention the many people that once lived here that are now simply gone. But do not mistake our anger! Ours is towards the demons who invade our lands. And then to whoever or whatever it is that is causing these Shiftings to happen. If this makes us dangerous. Then so be it! My country has been fighting this war for over a hundred years now. From the records we have, our civilization used to span much of this continent, and now we're simply a small fraction of that. Yet, we are the ones who lead the war effort. Do you know why? Though it may seem cold and heartless, it is the only way to survive. Thousands upon thousands of people appear in this world, each with no sense of what had happened. They represent the resources, new blood, and new manpower to continue this fight. If it were not for the Felencorp, the disarray of villages, cities, and even nations would have crumbled from the onslaught of demons."

"No one in their right mind would ever murder a hero. Even if you may not have any martial abilities, our priests and scholars will determine that, and at least figure out what blessings you have been granted from the goddess. As it is now, it seems you have a form of telepathy, even that can be useful to the war! Your injuries, though severe, can be overcome. Have our doctors take a look, and do not forget that we have in the employ other heroes who may be able to fix your condition."

"As for our Grand Diplomat, he is away attempting to handle matters in the neighboring Darmona Kingdom. But I've been granted authority by our government and represent the interests of the Alliance. Now, we will continue this properly with a proper audience."

[Mysticsage]

"The Hero Milady, demands One day to collect herself given everything that has happened this morning. She suggests you take this time to bathe before the meeting and your men to rest from your travels. She says a woman who just bends the knee and does whatever a man says will quickly lose interest,"

"She also asks that you change into nicer form-fitting clothes and if you do not choose something she likes she will ask you to come to the meeting wearing nothing but your scabbards," Amelia said looking the duke straight in the face. "She thinks a man with such ironclad pride should have no fear in showing all of his equipment." Amelia did her best to think about all the strong independent women she thought about in books. How would Irene Adler handle a man like this How would Milady, even cat woman?

She had to make sure that this upcoming discussion was not simply one-sided. One overly bad step and everything could go wrong. She looked up at Duke Hallum directly in the face letting the fire in her cheeks meet her eyes.

"On these points, my lady refuses to negotiate! The guards will walk you to the ambassador so you may prepare." She said as she stepped to the side of the road holding out her hand to usher the party into the city walls, as she had seen in many classic drama's with servants, her other hand holding onto Kurt's arm for support.

[Mysticsage]

before I forget and since I was in his head I have some sense motive questions

What do I feel like he thinks about Amelia the handmaiden?

Rolled 1d20+3 : 3 + 3, total 6

What seemed to be his impression of milady the hero?

Rolled 1d20+3 : 15 + 3, total 18

When he talked about losing people did I get any images or thoughts of someone personal?

Rolled 1d20+3 : 5 + 3, total 8

When he said that no one would hurt the hero did that seem like a lie?

Rolled 1d20+3 : 2 + 3, total 5

From his thoughts did he seem like an honorable and honest man?

Rolled 1d20+3 : 12 + 3, total 15

What seems to drive his smug attitude?

Rolled 1d20+3 : 18 + 3, total 21

What does he think about using people as tools in general?

Rolled 1d20+3 : 13 + 3, total 16

[Throndir]

Sense Motive (Duke Hallam's thoughts about Amelia): 6
You're not able to tell.

Sense Motive (Duke Hallam's thoughts about the hero): 18
He seems to hold some measure of anger or possibly resentment towards the hero.

Images of someone personal isn't a roll, it's a use of the ability, since you used a heroic action point to unlock the thoughts extension. You did an image of a woman.

Sense Motive (Duke Hallam's thoughts about if no one would hurt the hero): 5
You're not able to tell.

Sense Motive (Duke Hallam on whether he seems honorable): 15
You're not able to tell.

Sense Motive (Duke Hallam's smug attitude): 21
The fact that the hero of Bürsteig had finally spoken with a representative of the Felencorp, after two weeks of being blocked by King Richmond seemed to be a particular pain point for the duke. If you were to guess, his smugness came from the fact that he would soon be granted entry into the castle itself.

Sense Motive (Duke Hallam on using people as tools): 16
You're not able to tell.

"Very well. You have 24 hours. We will meet tomorrow morning. However, I will stay out here in the camps to ensure no outside force, perhaps assassins or otherwise would interrupt our scheduled meeting."

[Mysticsage]

"My lady, asks that you please enter the city for the night. She has no means to run nor would she intend too, but she would hate future dealings to be marred because it was said that the city did not show their hospitality on her account. And if you wish to be a protector in case of outside interference being inside the walls would be all the better. The hero has no intention to interfere with your men."

"She gives you her word."

"Even if you refuse to enter she will hold to her demands, once she gets an idea in her head she refuses to let it go."

[Mysticsage]

Do I get the sense like something is planned for tonight like a kidnapping attempt base off that last statement?

Rolled 1d20+3 : 4 + 3, total 7

[Throndir]

Sense Motive (Duke Hallam on being worried about kidnapping): 7
You're not able to tell.

You can attempt to roll Diplomacy to Make Request of him staying inside the city walls.

[Mysticsage]

making a request of the duke

Rolled 1d20+12 : 5 + 12, total 17