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[h2][color=darkorchid][i][b]Victoria Belmont[/b][/i][/color][/h2][i][b][color=9932cc]Half-Elf, Bard, Level 5[/color][/b][/i]
[color=9932cc][i][b]HP:[/b][/i][/color] 33 / 33	[color=9932cc][i][b]Armor Class:[/b][/i][/color] 15	[color=9932cc][i][b]Conditions:[/b][/i][/color] N/A
[color=9932cc][i][b]Location:[/b][/i][/color] Southmoor 
[color=9932cc][i][b]Action:[/b][/i][/color] Ritual Magic ([i]Phantasmal Steed[/i]), Casting Spell ([i]Prestidigitation[/i])
[color=9932cc][i][b]Bonus Action:[/b][/i][/color] [color=dimgray]Familiar[/color]
[color=9932cc][i][b]Reaction:[/b][/i][/color] N/A
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[right][img]https://i.ibb.co/F5zk78S/Victoria-Phantasmal-Steed.jpg[/img][/right]
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	[u][b]The Event:[/b][/u] 

	[i]...the woman herself was shorter than Victoria expected, given her reputation, though in truth she was about the same height as the Half-Elf who sought her out. Annick was Human, appearing to be in her early fifties, with voluminous, steel-grey hair which hung past her shoulders. Eyes as wintry as the season regarded Victoria suspiciously, and this was after her front door slammed open to reveal her, carrying a worn but polished shortsword in hands like iron. Her exposed forearms hinted at strength and ability which outstripped her slender frame. [color=darkgray][b]"Is this an emergency?"[/b][/color] she asked stonily, noting the sword at Victoria's waist and taking in other details that she didn't seem to prefer. [color=darkgray][b]"Or is it [i]about to be[/i] an emergency?"[/b][/color] She shifted to the side so that a younger woman of similar build behind her in the cottage, proper, to have a clear shot with a simple but effective crossbow. [color=darkgray][b]"Well?"[/b][/color][/i]

	[b][u]Before:[/u][/b]

	[color=9932cc]"Certainly, Master Chedgusah,"[/color] replied Victoria in response to Baronfjord's request to join her in Southmoor. [color=9932cc]"I am traveling into town to entreat a local Healer to take me as a student. To be straightforward, I intend to do this by myself. When a little shopping and sightseeing is done, I shall take my leave of you and find my own way back."[/color] Two travelers on the road was safer than one, and the idea of bringing Morty along with her was probably not in the best interests of making a favorable impression with someone from whom she wanted a fairly huge favor. She figured that her Familiar would be more than acceptable. Maybe even a draw. So Victoria extended a single, maintaining tendril of necrotic energy through her bond with Morty and reinforced the animation on the dead, smoky husk, prompting it with continuing instruction to do as it had been, with one slight caveat - she relocated the beast to another, mostly out-of-the-way spot to stare dumbly from behind its burlap wrappings. With just a touch of sadistic humor, she wanted their assigned domestic servant to remember that yes, that was a creature summoned by magic considered forbidden by many, and [i]yes[/i], it was capable of moving. Under what circumstances, Victoria intended to remain vague. 

	There was another summons that the arcane Bard intended to utilize. Grand entrances were always, well, [i]grand[/i], and her new ritual magic which allowed her to create her own, phantasmal mount from the stuff of shadows and imagination. While she might make it look like almost anything within certain parameters, she had thusfar chosen the same form the past few times she brought it to her service, and stuck with it this time, as well. As if carved of pure white marble with mane, tail and stockings the color of blackest oil and eyes which reflected daylight with a purple hue, this majestic beast materialized and pranced in place very briefly. The long, trailing hair of its tail and mane, both, moved with the subtle slowness of a thing underwater, even as the rest of it continued at respectable pace. Bit, bridle, saddle, and bags materialized along with it, fastened upon the creature like a bespoke suit. Instantly, the [i]Phantasmal Steed[/i] and Victoria were of one mind and one intent, acting in concert to ensure an optimal experience of travel. And speed - this creature was unmatched upon the land. But speed was not the winning factor here, as she was going with escort. Victoria would be very impressed if Baronfjord could keep up with them at a gallop. 

	The good news was that she was that, with her [i]steed[/i] traveling at a more leisurely pace, Victoria was able to play a little music on their way into Southmoor. It wasn't all that far away; close enough that the duration of her summoning would not elapse, certainly. People from this town and surrounding hamlets regularly worked for the L'Roses, after all. And while this helped her to make that grand entrance that she wished to, it was not exactly her biggest concern. Firstly, and with more than a mote of performance, Victoria dismissed her [i]Phantasmal Steed[/i] just before entering the market area. She did not linger long. Manners, in most all cultures, demanded the presentation of a gift upon first meetings. 

	Victoria had no idea of the tastes of this lady (her hopefully future mentor) whatsoever, having only rudimentary knowledge of the overview of the most public part of her history. The idea then was to get a fairly generic gift that could be taken as thoughtful under the right circumstances, and she found this in the way of an artisanal basket bearing winter plums that seemed to fit the bill. Just to round things out, she picked up a small batch of rustic honey cakes, which also made their way into the basket. Victoria reasoned that this would suffice nicely enough, when paired with her sterling ability to win friends and influence people. 

	Finding the dwelling of this lady, following the description given by Cecily and the quiet intonations of a few locals, wasn't amazingly difficult. A home with something like a clinic attached to the front, in and/or by a copse of trees. The "copse" wasn't quite a forested area, more like a wooded park, as large trees were not amazingly suited to partly wetland moors in great amounts. But it was a fine and cozy looking cottage with a covered stone porch, garden off to the side, and collection of non-native plants growing close to the structure that one might lean from a window and sample if necessary. Victoria smiled. This was exactly the kind of place she might think that a respected local healer might reside. She stepped deftly to the residence door and pulled on a bellcord, enjoying the pleasant tinkling sound of tiny bells within. Maybe this wouldn't be so bad. Maybe this lady was as sweet as strawberry pie and just as comforting. 

	[color=9932cc]"Good day, Medician Floquet! My name is Victoria Belmont, and I have been very keen on meeting you."[/color]

	[b][u]After:[/u][/b]
	
	Victoria was cut off [i]yet again[/i]. [color=9932cc]"No, Madame, I am not with the army, I promise. I really..."[/color] This had long past silly and had gone into truly aggravating. That godsforsaken crossbow was still leveled at her, and this lady hadn't twitched her hand in the least from a ready grip on her shortsword as the barrage continued. [color=9932cc]"No, I am not hurt, and I have no desire to be. No, I do not wish to visit hurt on anyone within many leagues around. Yes, I am obviously not from here. Ashhaven, to the north; it's ruled over by Khimn. Yes Madame, with the Paladins. I'm sorry. No, I don't want to remove anyone from this lovely place."[/color] This whole situation had better be worth it. Otherwise, she was just going to spend her time over the winter learning scrimshaw, or fishing, or something less dangerous than talking to this potentially crazy lady. Victoria took just a moment to flitter her attention to her familiar circling overhead to make sure there wasn't a surprise waiting, then guided her bird over to a nearby tree where it could keep a watch over her. 

	Yet, the swordpoint interrogation continued. [color=darkgray][b]"Raven skull brooch. Ruby Lady's coin in your hatband. Sword. You brought a sword to my home uninvited. You're a death merchant, if you're not from the army. Take your basket of cheap crap and get the hells off of my property before you [i]need[/i] a Medician. You've got nothing I want."[/b][/color] Annick stepped sideways back to the door, now within the doorway, waiting for Victoria's egress impatiently. 

	Victoria sighed heavily. This was not how things usually went for her. [color=9932cc]"Begging a moment more from you, Madame Floquet; I have these implements because I am a funerary violinist. Or was, by direct occupation. There are symbols of non-malevolent deities whose philosophies guide much of my own actions involving giving proper respect to the dead and the beliefs of their people. I have even performed funerary rites by myself, as such things were appropriate. I only wished to learn the art of medicine from you, at least in basic, that I may help myself and my associates."[/color]

	[color=darkgray][b]"And you wish to pay for these services with ... what are those, plums and cake? You have a big opinion of yourself, even for an Elf."[/b][/color]

	She let the comment pass without the correction of [i]Half-Elf[/i]. [color=9932cc]"No, Madame Floquet. Of course not. This was merely a polite gesture at first meeting. I am a True Bard, and have the gifts of my more arcane musical abilities. I also have a small amount of direct magical healing at call, which I shall make at your disposal should you need for an emergency. And! And, ah... in instances where life must be allowed to pass, I am knowledgeable in every custom regarding interment in these lands. The living and the dead, both, deserve to be treated with the utmost of respect, and I am uniquely capable of doing this for your town. I wish only to learn from your experience, Medician Floquet, even though I know you are not fond of how you came by it."[/color]

	[color=darkgray][b]"And you know me [i]so well[/i], yes? So you know that my favorite honeycakes are flavored with cinnamon, and you brought a batch. If those aren't, then we're done right now and you can turn back around and carry your perky ass back the way you came. So what is it? It's down to the cakes."[/b][/color]

	Victoria broke off a small corner of one of the honeycakes in her basket and brought it to her lips. Gingerly, she popped it into her mouth and perked an eyebrow. Shock began to set in as she realized that NO, they did not taste of cinnamon in the slightest. Nevertheless, the Bard smiled. [color=9932cc]"Absolutely, Madame. I can tell straightaway. Lovely cinnamon."[/color] The smile continued, showing a breadth of porcelain white teeth which she was blatantly lying through. Victoria did not hide, nor did she advertise, the fact that she cast a quick [i]Prestidigitation[/i] over the honeycakes, specifically to add to and/or alter the flavor of the sweet treats. 

        Naturally, Annick could see right through it. She allowed Victoria to step up closer to her; close enough to take a cake from the basket and give it a cautious bite. She stared into the Bard's face, thinking. Then she spoke. [color=darkgray][b]"That trick. You can do that with medicine?"[/b][/color] 

        Victoria nodded her head to the affirmative. Was this an in? 

        [color=darkgray][b]"Uh huh. We're already getting winter ailments in. Medicine can be bitter, and I need to see the children taking it. I know there's something else you're not saying. We will get to that after a while. It's about to get busier here and I can use the extra hands. Come on in amd we'll talk."[/b][/color] If Victoria was very lucky, this wasn't a trick. 

[center][color=darkgray][h3]*****[/h3][/color][/center]

        [color=9932cc]"As it seems I have the next couple of days off, unless summoned. I would love to take a closer look at this wall you have found, Kosara,"[/color] remarked Victoria. She hadn't quite taken a close look at the rotten berry that was offered, merely giving a bit of a glance before inquiring, [color=9932cc]"Pulsating? Is it bugs, do you think?"[/color] This was hardly Victoria's forte. It made sense in the moment, her not being witness to the items in question directly as it was discovered. 

        She had fallen into an agreement where four days out of seven saw her checking in with her new mentor, even if no work needed to be done. Maybe it had been an exercise in humility for a woman who was seen by many as prideful. Or maybe, like the older lady had said, she needed more hands with the upcoming winter. It did mean that she spent less time actually at the Vineyard than the others, having the equivalent to a day job while the rest of the party stuck close to home base. But she was back every afternoon and had three days to see to her own affairs. This day marked the first of those three. 

        So after a modest but satisfying breakfast, Victoria was quite ready to explore what interesting bits of lore and event that her associates found themselves a part of. So far, a hidden rock wall was the best option she'd heard this morning.