Quoted By:
Rolled 18, 3 + 1 = 22 (2d20 + 1)
To his credit, Cnoethos immediately notices your brother’s absence upon taking his seat, and opens his mouth – but you quickly gesture to an oikos servant, a middle-aged woman whom you know to be reliable and quick-witted, and before Cnoethos can speak, politely order her to canvass the palace to locate your brother. Iudas, sensing the opportunity, asks Cnoethos about his travels, and you take the opportunity to wink at her quickly – easy to miss, in the flickering torchlight. The woman, Aupadia, knows very well that your brother is not present, and instantly grasps your chicanery – she spins on her heel and immediately makes a show of harried obedience.
Cnoethos huffs in frustration when Aupadia returns only a minute later to say that Nikandros is not present. You reason that Seisames had sent Cnoethos out to gain a measure of your brother, Νίκων, with a goodly gift of his finest vintage, and he is being denied his chance – “Why, he must have been out hunting in the fields, as is his habit, and perhaps lost track of time?” you theorize aloud. Before there is time for further reaction, you take the initiative –
“Well, Lord Cnoethos, it is typical of my brother to arise early, hunt late and there is no sense leaving this wonderful repast to the birds of tomorrow’s dawn – let us eat and drink together in “equal feast” – in humble reflection of the mighty divinities of Olympus!” You clap your hands, and with that, the dinner begins. Cnoethos’ irritation seems to dissolve immediately when confronted with the prospect of roasted goat - he wastes no time in savaging the enemy before him. Argryos and Iudas chat amiably amongst themselves, trading various rumors and speculations about Agamemnon’s call to arms; the merits of Hellenic bronze against the implements that Trojan soldiers might bring to bear. You, on the other hand, immediately set about a series of probing strikes on Cnoethos – but here, your spear is your darting tongue, and your flashing smile is your shield.
“Dear Lord Cnoethos, you must allow me to ask you about yourself – how did you come to Thessaly and to the oikos of Seisames? You must tell me everything you know of Lord Agamemnon’s summons!” gushing girlish and doing your best to sound an idiot. You do everything in your power to command his attention, staring deeply in his eyes, lips parted – you even manage to bring a slight blush to your cheeks thinking of a young nobleman who once visited the palace as a girl. Out of the corner of your eye, you even catch stony Argyros and Iudas peeking at you surreptitiously as you summon all the tools at your disposal.
>give me a dice+3d20+9, best of three yes, really +9 – I’m doubling your witch’s affect bonus due to Cnoethes’ “vulnerability” and that Iudas and Argyros know that you're not actually trying to smash to see how well you butter him up. Cnoethos will be rolling a 2d20-1 in defense. Congrats, /qst/ - here’s a MC you can really diplomance with…