Le Craint Family/Mariana le Craint/Noble life of Mariana
Roleplay Archive
Mariana's travels in Rines:
| Roleplay from Mariana | |
| Taking a stroll through Rines, looking very out of place in her hood. Mariana took cautious steps, eyes darting around as had become natural for her. The minor nobles of the city muttering to each other with the occasional laugh coming from the groups. However, Mariana simply shrugged this off. She had become aware her looks were not quite befitting of a noble, however this came with the Job.
Her first stop was the city smithy. Her blade has become dull and was in need of some major repairs. Taking care not to cause to much of a commotion, she pushed her way through the door. The smith was hard at work, fixing dents in a chest piece of a set of armour. There were few other customers within, suiting Mariana well. "Excuse me, I seek your services to repair my sword." The smith looked upon the cloaked figure, not aware of the person beneath the hood, let out a sigh. "Cant you see I'm busy, come back another..", before he could finish his sentence, Mariana pulled her hood down and unhitched the sword from her belt. This caught the smith off guard, finally realising who stood before him. The crest stitched onto her chest, while it was faded it was still prevalent. "My lady, please excuse my ignorance. I shall fix this at once, it shan't be but a moment." The smith took ahold of the sword, placing the blade within the coals of the forge until it glowed red. Mariana took this opportunity to look around the smith, simple weapons lined the walls, most made for the minor nobles who took an interest in swordsmanship. However, something caught her eye. A smaller blade, its handle blackened and wrapped in a red fabric. The pommel adorned with a deep red ruby. Walking over, she took the blade from the wall. Shifting the blade from hand to hand, comparing the weight. Gliding her finger across the blade from handle to point. Looking upon the cut as blood began to pour out from it, wiping the blade and her finger clean afterwards. "Good smith, how much for the blade?", the smith looked up from his anvil towards Mariana. He looked at her in confusion. "My lady, that is but a personal project, nothing that should interest you. It is not ready nor would it not serve you well." Mariana began to swing the small blade around again. Testing the grip. "I would like to buy this. I shall not hear any more complaints." Taking her pouch from her belt, producing a couple of gold pieces, "Provide me with a attachment that I can place on my boot so that it shall not cause me trouble." The smith, still confused, accepted the gold and continued to work on the sword. After a few more minutes, the sword was finished. Mariana placed the sword at her hip once again. She latched the newly made boot hook and placed the new blade into it. She nodded her thanks, pulling the hood up once again and stepping through the door leaving the smith in his confusion. She continued along the road towards the basilica, proud with her purchase however did not show it on her face. Ensuring that the hood covered as much of her faced as possible, she smirked before continuing on to her destination. | |
| Mariana | |
| Roleplay from Mariana | |
| The sails began to drop as the sea breeze subsided. The crew beginning preparations to dock. The city skyline came into view. Mariana lent up against the rail, holding the invitation in her hands. The seal broken, bound only by a small ribbon from her luggage. She smiled before pulling the hood of her cloak over her head once again.
Arriving within port, the gangplank placed haphazardly across the gap over the water. The crew carrying crates of different sizes on and off the ship. The captain overlooking the operations, flirting with a local barmaid expecting the arrival of someone from the ship. Mariana slipped through a gap in the line that had began to form and headed off towards the centre of the city. Not quite sure what to expect, she kept a brisk pace as she marched down the streets. Passing by her old estate, she gave it a quick look, fond memories as one would say. However this did little to deter her. She made her way to Basilica. Checking up within the offices of the inquisition, leaving a not with one of the clerks that worked that. Very hastily written, she sealed it in wax with her crest and departed once again. The invitation has said two days time, however she had arrived early. Rather unsure of what to do, she headed towards the centre of the Templar nexus. Partially in hopes that maybe she would catch sight of the Templar she had met that time, however it was more to waste time. She passed the temple, catching sight of the Vortex guards that has once caused such a commotion. Still hesitant around them, she tread carefully. Before long, the nexus came into sight. With no intentions to enter, she passed around, admiring the work but with hesitation. She came to large fountain leading to the market place. The courtyard was emptier than usual, this pleased her. She took a seat on the edge of the fountain and let out a sigh of relief. Watching the few people that were around. Something she had become rather fond of. | |
| Mariana | |
| Letter from Mariana | |
| Letter from Mariana left at the Offices of the Inquisition
Grand Inquisitor, I shall be within the City of Rines for the next couple of days before I set off once again. Should you wish to meet while I am home bound, now would be the perfect time. Faithfully, | |
| Mariana | |
Outside the Nexus - Ferdinand, Marcus, Mariana and Vahanian
| Roleplay from Ferdinand Greybrook | |
| Standing on the steps of the The Holy Basilica of Rines, he knew that the city must of been thriving when the tournament was in session. It had been a very long period of time since he had last had time in the city for his own thoughts. Yet, whilst one problem seemed to be over, another would begin - he had no doubt.
Walking into the street after spending a hour in the temple with his thoughts, his mind wondered again. He had not visited the Templar Nexus in months. Therefore, he walked the cobbled streets through his familiar walk, passing the usual sites and sounds. It was rather odd that in his time here, he had not seen another noble. Whilst he was not a betting man, it would not be too long before one did... | |
| Ferdinand Greybrook | |
| Roleplay from Mariana le Craint | |
| The ship had been acquired and the scouts were equipped. However, she had hours before the ship would depart. It had been a long time since she had been in Rines. Maybe I should visit the Grand Temple or the Nexus, She thought to herself as she wandered aimlessly around the harbour. Taking a side alley, she stepped off the street and headed towards the central plaza. The main roads were busy with merchants and visitors like normal, the occasional pilgrim from Bolkenia stopped and bowed before her. This pleased her.
After a few minutes of darting through side streets and alleys, she finally came to the central plaza. The grand structures of the Nexus and the Temple within sight. The fountain in which she spent a lot of her early days as a knight of Obeah still poised in position to catch much of the afternoon sun. The courtyard was surprisingly empty, the occasional bureaucrat or minor noble gracing the steps of the Grand Temple before quickly rushing inside. Mariana took this time to sit upon the edge of the fountain. Crossing her legs and turning towards the Nexus. Basking in the warmth of the afternoon sun. She was wearing a long flowing dress, deep purple rippled in the wind flashing slight glimpses of silver as the sun hit the dress at certain points. Her hair was tied up neatly, nary a stray hair out of place. Her lips, as rosy as a fresh summer strawberry. She seemingly glowed under the beams of sunlight that crested over the Nexus. Brimming with excitement, her mind rushed with thoughts of adventure. She gently leaned her head back and stared up at the bright blue sky. "One could certainly get used to days like this. Maybe we shall have a good summer this year? I wonder if the strawberries I planted last season will bear fruit." She murmured to herself. | |
| Mariana le Craint | |
| Roleplay from Vahanian Blint | |
| Vahanian was in the stables outside the Nexus, he was fully confident in the abilities of the stable hands and groomsmen that were employed here, but today, he wanted to handle his horse himself. He took the bridle and reins and led his horse outside, the sun was shinning, the skies were clear, it was a beautiful warm day. Vahanian lightly tied the reins of his horse to a peg on the side of the stable. He removed the leather overcoat he favored as of late and laid it across some barrels, he rolled up the sleeves of his shirt and lit his pipe and began humming to himself as he brushed the coat of his Turkoman horse. In the distance by a fountain he was sure he saw Mariana sitting by a fountain. He nodded to her, unsure if she could see him or not, and continued his slow and methodical brushing. It helped him think, helped him to relax. He loved this horse and had spent a long time building a solid bond with the creature. He allowed his mind to wander, and replay the events of the last few days as he worked the brush across the dark bay coat of his horse. | |
| Vahanian Blint | |
| Roleplay from Ferdinand Greybrook | |
| With the Nexus only a few streets away from the Basilica, it was a short work that Ferdinand tended to enjoy. Rines was one, if the only city that he could feel relatively at ease. Every other region he visited, the paranoia of a lifetime fighting always took him for a ride. He remembered one such instance back in Dwilight where bandits came from the south and attempted to attack his family's noble convoy. Obviously, he was but a boy back then but his training only made it more certain that threat was round every corner...
Round that corner, he noticed two nobles he knew VERY well. By the stables, his mentor tended to what appeared to be a Turkoman horse. In comparison to the workman like ethic of the ex-Grand Templar now Duke, he saw the Countess relax by the fountain. The luxurious purple was completely out of place but appropriate for her surroundings. "Typical..." Ferdinand muttered under his breath. He was never at ease when the Inquisitor was around. The woman made him on edge. While there was a mutual respect there, a subtle feeling dwelt that could resemble nerves - not that Ferdinand knew what these feelings were. It was in weather such as this and situations like this where Ferdinand pondered the shaved head that he had promised himself one day. Knowing that he could not approach either without alerting the other, Ferdinand simply walked towards the stables while openly acknowledging the presence of the Inquisitor. Suprised that Mariana did not make a approach, Ferdinand continued. Once arriving at the at the stables, Ferdinand stopped probably a few feet away from the Duke and saluted as Ferdinand always did: "Mentor, I was on my way to see you. I..." Ferdinand may of continued his sentence but he instantly knew that it was perhaps wise to let the older man finish his grooming before any official business began. Watching the Duke brush across the animals coat, Ferdinand let himself wonder around the horse. Letting himself relax, Ferdinand spoke: "Vahanian, I hear that you beat the Marshal during the Oracle's birthday celebrations - I wish I could have been there." A small chuckle came from the other side of the horse as Ferdinand took one step at a time, almost patrolling their conversation: "I was initially suprised however that Lord Agamemnon best you in the second round. Perhaps he has a greater potential than I initially placed upon him. I should talk to him about joining the Templar Order - he may have a rich future in service of Obeah." Turning back around to face Vahanian, he awaited his reply while anticipating the welcome interruption from his fellow nobles... | |
| Ferdinand Greybrook | |
| Roleplay from Vahanian Blint | |
| Vahanian was amused that Ferdinand stopped himself mid-sentence. He wouldn't have all together minded if Ferdinand had continued, but did appreciate the man diverting to some simple small talk while Vahanian continued his task.
Vahanian's head poked up above the horse's back as he looked at his friend and said "I beat Antonia in the first round, lost in the second, and lost to Maura at the party.." There was an odd calm about the way Vahanian described the events. He brushed down the mane of his horse and rubbed the creature affectionately down his face and nose.
| |
| Vahanian Blint | |
| Roleplay from Ferdinand Greybrook | |
| It was frustrating to Ferdinand that Vahanian knew him so well. However, he thought that same familiarity would work both ways. As the sun shone down on the man in his late 70's, Ferdinand didn't truly know what to say. Yet, he tried anyway:
"I have never been good at small talk mentor. Therefore, I will be as straight as I can be. You have been... quiet... in the last few weeks. Even before Maura's return nor Duchess Jessica stepping down, which we have still yet to discuss, you are alot more secluded than I have known you to be." Sitting down on the stool next to Vahanian, the smell from the rag penetrated his nostrils like the plague. In comparison to the smell of rotting undead, this smell was far more artificial and harder to digest. Leaning into Vahanian, Ferdinand spoke: "What is currently or has been on your mind mentor? I have noticed the change in your behaviour." Looking out to the fountain, not noticing Mariana there anymore and quickly back again, Ferdinand watched Vahanian's face to notice any emotion that flickered across them. | |
| Ferdinand Greybrook | |
| Roleplay from Marcus Daubeny | |
| Marcus was doing his daily rounds around the Basilica, he had just finished signing some papers and dealing with a minor dispute between the Stone Masons Guild and the Woodcutter Guild, it was quite amusing to the Steward, the two old guild leaders bickered like two housewives, if housewives sounded like parrots, that thought brought a small chuckle.
| |
| Marcus Daubeny | |
| Roleplay from Mariana le Craint | |
| Mariana opened her right eye just in time to see Duke Vahanian approaching the stables, she nodded back politely however paid him no mind. As she began to close her eye, she caught sight of something far more interesting.
Ferdinand had made an appearance. He had begun his approach to the duke. An opportunity she would not miss. Slowly she uncrossed her legs and stretched, quietly moving towards the pair. Scheming with her mind, considering every option. Finally, she set her mind on an idea. Casually, she continued to step towards the pair, ensuring she was out of eyesight of Ferdinand. With one quick motion, timing it perfectly with the arrival of Steward Marcus, she swooped in and linked her arm around Ferdinand's. She gripped tightly around him, ensuring he would be aware of her presence. "Duke Vahanian, Grand Templar Ferdinand, Steward Marcus. It is good to see you all are well. I hope you do not mind me joining, I have not seen the handsome Ferdinand in so long." She put sarcastic emphasis when she spoke Ferdinand's title. "I am soon to depart once again and seeing Ferdinand, I did not want to miss him again." A sly smile crept across her face. She politely dipped her head towards the duke, a common sight of courtesy. However she gripped tighter against Ferdinand's arms, this time weaving her fingers into his hand gently caressing his palm. | |
| Mariana le Craint | |
| Roleplay from Ferdinand Greybrook | |
| There was a matter of seconds, a few counts where Vahanian used the opportunity to speak just before the chaos of the situation flooded the stables.
Steward Marcus, as diligent as the first night that they had met and Countess Mariana, linking her arm within his. Taking the matter as if nothing was wrong, he opened the conversation to the two nobles: "Steward Marcus, Countess Mariana, it is certainly a surprise to see you both in Rines on this hot summer's day. As you can see the Duke and I were just having a conversation about recent events." Turning to the Steward himself, Ferdinand asked: "How was the Farseer campaign abroad Steward? I obtained the report from Marshal Antonia but I would appreciate the first hand account too." Ferdinand made some effort to shake the young woman off his arm. Yet, by the end of his sentence, Ferdinand resigned himself that as he was in good company, there would be no need to make a point of removing the Countess from his arm and ruin the conversation. | |
| Ferdinand Greybrook | |
| Roleplay from Marcus Daubeny | |
| Marcus sighed as Ferdinand asked about his recent campaign,
“Well enough for the others, I had to leave early to make it back for the elections, might I add the purple of the priest doesn’t look good on me” he laughed at his jest. Then he felt remorse as he thought on the campaign, that cursed campaign, “But I will speak plainly, It was a disaster on my part, my men suffered total casualties, only two came back to the boat with me and they both died at sea, If only I had left with the rest of the Farseers” he sighed and wiped a single tear from his eye, “But that is in the past” He then flashed Mariana a smile “How have you been Mariana, I haven’t seen you since that day at the Tournament, speaking of Tournaments” Marcus looked at the Duke “Vahanian, I hope you are well, I haven’t seen you since you unsaddled me in the joust.” He hoped his rapid speaking didn’t make it too hard for the others to follow, he couldn’t help but smile, he was with his friends. A moment of doubt followed this thought, were these his friends, he most certainly hoped so. | |
| Marcus Daubeny | |
| Roleplay from Vahanian Blint | |
| Vahanian worked the rag around the saddle with a deft hand, Ferdinand posed a question to him and stared at Vahanian. He maintained his normal stoic mask on the surface but underneath he was pleased with his pupils diligence. He was learning to read faces.
Within the span of a few moments, the Steward and Countess Mariana both swooped into the area and conversation. Vahanian continued his work, switching rags for a third time and opening an even worse smelling liquid and pouring it into the third clean rag. He began working the liquid into the leather of the saddle with vigor. He smiled at the steward and inclined his head, he did the same at the countess. He raised a quizzical eyebrow as she slid her palm into his, and suppressed a chuckle as he saw Ferdinand nearly jump out of his boots in either shock or embarrassment. Vahanian shot Ferdinand a look that indicated their conversation will continue later, once they were alone. He continued puffing on his pipe and working the leather of his saddle. | |
| Vahanian Blint | |
| Roleplay from Ferdinand Greybrook | |
| Ferdinand watched the steward talk. While he was not as adept as the Duke in reading people, the conscious change of mood and feeling was noticed, as well as the rapid speaking. Taking a moment to contemplate his actions, Ferdinand stood up from his seat, just managing to get the Countess off his arm and took a few steps away from the group. The ease from his shoulders started to tighten - something was missing. With a assertion of authority yet keeping the conversation as social as it could be, Ferdinand asked: "Tell me Steward Marcus, how did the expedition fare beyond this? You were instructed if I am correct to obtain gold and food for the theocracy as well as investigate the Unholy Order. Did you get to Wudenkin and investigate the temple or its ruins?" | |
| Ferdinand Greybrook | |
| Roleplay from Marcus Daubeny | |
| Marcus just shook his head,
"I am sorry my friend, no Farseer set a foot into that dammed city, We did not steal neither food nor gold, at least I didn't, the Marshal Fitz Roberts said no looting or raiding, She went ahead to look for the richest target, She said it was the city." Marcus paused as he tried to remember the name of the region they made it too before it all went downhill, Vale, that was it. "We made it to Vale and then we waited a few days, the Marshal ordered us to move out, I took to long getting ready to leave and we were caught off guard by a large horde of Monsters, My men charged into the ranks of the monsters, giving the archer time to fire upon the enemy but once my men broke, the archers were slaughtered." He then sighed "I also lost the Swift Lance, a relic I brought not 2 weeks prior to the campaign, I have hired a Adventurer to retrieve it but, there was already a Thalmarkin Adventurer there, they likely took the lance." He then waited for a response, | |
| Marcus Daubeny | |
| Roleplay from Marcus Daubeny | |
| Marcus then slapped his forehead and realised he forgot the most important part of the question that Ferdiand was asking "And no, sorry, we didn't enter the city except maybe the Marshal, we didn't investigate the ruins or temple, I am sorry." Marcus had yet again spoke quickly, quicker then before even, He hoped everyone still understood him. | |
| Marcus Daubeny | |
| Roleplay from Mariana le Craint | |
| "I have been quite alright. The summer breeze does wonders to my skin. I am sad that I was unable to attend the party you so generously hosted, however duty called." She chuckled slightly, tightening her grip around Ferdinand's arm. "The tournament was wonderful. I am surprised I got so far in the tournament, it had been a long time since I had properly swung a sword about like that."
When Ferdinand finally broke free from her grip, she couldn't help but smile. She resigned herself to stand opposite him, continuing to listen to the conversation. She folded her arms and leaned slightly further into her right leg, tilting her head slightly. "Tell me Steward Marcus, how did the expedition fare beyond this? You were instructed if I am correct to obtain gold and food for the theocracy as well as investigate the Unholy Order. Did you get to Wudenkin and investigate the temple or its ruins?"
She listened to Marcus speak, catching onto his pain. As he was speaking she reached up and untied her hair, letting it drop behind her shoulders onto the back of her dress. The hair clip, which had been adorned with small emeralds, she placed into a small pouch at her side. She ruffled her hair before letting it settle. "That is a terrible shame, Sir Marcus. Both for your men and your item. With luck, maybe you will find a chance to replace it. I hear you have taken up the priestly robes? I must say I am surprised. Though I hear you are a remarkable bureaucrat." She smiled towards him, hoping to ease the tension. | |
| Mariana le Craint | |
| Roleplay from Marcus Daubeny | |
| Marcus smiled at the Countess, grateful for her kind words "Obeah willing that Adventurer will soon send me a letter telling me they have retrieved it."
Marcus then thought to his short time as a priest, it was mostly spent praying and preaching around the city "Yes for a time, But I do not think it is for me, my time of swing my sword for Obeah is not yet up, I think I have a few thousand more enemies before I will put my sword up again." He chuckled slightly at his own jest "and I thank you Mariana, I am glad you think I am a good bureaucrat, I do try my best." He then realised something and he smiled, excitement written all of his face "I just remembered, I have been working on a project, a new hall in the Grand Temple, If you three want I can show it too you all." He looked at all three nobles as he spoke, a grin on his face the entire time. | |
| Marcus Daubeny | |
