Mechanus Trip

[Anastasia]

"Hi there, Cantenora," Syala coos, petting the kitty as well. As he meows happily at it and rubs against both of your fingers, "Well, let him grow up first, but he'd make a fine familiar."

[Ebiris]

"Martin," Alicia insists as the cat is pampered with affection, before adding, "Cantenora is a girl's name."

[Anastasia]

"Cantenora," Syala smiles, "Don't you agree, Marie?"

Meanwhile in your mind, a prayer. 'Alicia,' Latha sends, 'A high representative of the Mercane has appeared through the Felic Gate and is requesting an audience.'

[Ebiris]

"It's a name that transcends gender," Marie nods to Syala with a warm smile on her lips.

Do you have a name for this representative?

Alicia hasn't really had much of any dealings with them, so unless it's someone extremely high up they're not going to rate an audience with a goddess in person.

[Anastasia]

As Syala nods right back?

'His name is Roelas and his title is Head Banker. Of the entire Consortium, or so I gather.'

[Ebiris]

What do I know about this guy?

[19:15] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+80 planes, divine insight, guidance of avatar
[19:15] <Rei-chan> Ebiris rolled : 1d20+80 planes, divine insight, guidance of avatar --> [ 1d20=11 ]{91}

[Anastasia]

Head Banker is a legit rank, but last you heard, Roelas was merely a Secondary Banker, a rank just below that. Sort of like being a prince versus being a king. The Head Banker you know is Jalaran. Admittedly, Mercane tend to keep internal politics to themselves so it's hardly that huge a surprise to have this sort of thing happen.

[Ebiris]

Well, the mercane are a big enough deal in planar politics that she won't lose face by talking to their leader.

"We have a guest from the mercane. Roelas who seems to have claimed the top spot or so he says," she stands up. "Marie, you look after Martin while we're gone? Lets go see what this is about, Syala."

Escort him to Liberton, I will see him in the throne room.

Thus Alicia relocates to the throne room of Liberton, an expansive chamber with high vaulted marble ceilings and adorned great banners of her and Syala's holy symbols, a new space put between them for Antenora's to go up when she decides on it, along with various trophies of their battles. There's no cover to be found here from pillars and the like, everything open so that if a fight occurred there'd be no place to hide.

There's no real courtiers or the like in attendance, as they don't really 'hold court' the way mortal kings might, it's much more of an aesthetic choice for Alicia while the actual running of Sylica occurs via more mysterious and divine means. But she does have a battalion of ceremonial guards, all veterans from Benfal enjoying a rest rotation where little is likely to ever threaten them but if something does happen their skill at arms is formidable... for all that anything capable of threatening Alicia or Syala would cut through them like a hot knife through butter. Still, they look disciplined, well drilled and with obvious care shown for their equipment.

[Anastasia]

Syala sits and waits, letting the business of your cat aside for now.

It's not long for the doors to within to open, Latha striding in. A soldier by the door announces, "Latha, the Diamond Angel of Radiance and Roelas, Head Banker of the Mercane."

The mercane in quest is tall and clad in rich purple, fingers long and body lean. He walks with a slow, ponderous gait, hands folded together in front of him as he walks. Once Latha stops he does the same and bows deeply, "It is an honor to be received by the both of you, Your Majesties."

[Ebiris]

She'd feel more comfortable if she had Marie or Antenora standing at her side as well, feeling a bit exposed up on the thrones with just her and Syala. Still, Marie seems to be having fun with Martin and Antenora's busy with Zariel... and both are ostensibly on vacation anyway.

"Thank you Latha," she says, sitting in her own high backed throne atop the raised dais at the back of the throneroom, a solid construction of mithral and adamantine. "First of all congratulations on your recent promotion, Roelas. Has Jalaran retired from the stresses of his office?"

[Anastasia]

"Thank you, Your Majesties," Roelas returns that with a shallower bow and then straightens. "Unfortunately, Jalaran is no longer with us due to misadventure. A high level trade deal with a group of yugoloths went wrong and he did not survive the hostilities."

Syala listens to that, "Unfortunate in the extreme. As he is a spirit, I presume that means the yugoloths hold his soul? I cannot believe the money of the Consortium could not buy sufficient protections if held at the Consortium."

[Ebiris]

"Unfortunate," Alicia agrees with Syala, not offering any more while her wife asks a follow-up question.

[Anastasia]

"Unfortunately, you are also correct, and negotiations to purchase his soul are unproductive." A click of his tongue, "We mourn and have chosen to release his pension and investments to his widow."

[Ebiris]

"Well, be that as it may, what brings the Consortium to Sylica?" Alicia asks.

[Anastasia]

"Trade, of course." Roelas says smoothly, "As you may be aware, recently the Consortium has invested in certain trades to Baator, ones we have reason to believe you are cognizant of."