Out of the Nest and into the Snake Pit

Post by **Saruna** » Thu Sep 19, 2013 9:43 pm

Availability: Corezo characters for Guiate interests -- please ask in thread!

Posting Speed: Standard or so

Characters Involved: Marcella, Bertran, Saguzar

NPCS:

Nobility

Ramiro Sebastian Guiate de Morua (Don of the La Estralla Estate)
Isadora Guiate (Dona, Ramiro's younger sister and Marcella's Aunt. Acts as Marcella's female guardian)

La Estrella Staff

Iago (m, Ramiro's butler)

Bertran's hirelings

Pau (m, chief bodyguard and manservant)
Miguel (m, bodyguard and manservant)
Benito (m, personal physician)
Anton (m, runner)
Sancha (f, runner)
Fernan (m, runner)
Ines (f, personal tailor)

Marcella's servants

Thread starting date: Feb 122

Location:

Thread

The Morua Duchy, Corezo

La Estrella
Ramiro Guiate's family estate.

The Quijas Duchy, Corezo

Qādis

Major port trade city, used for interests of all three duchies.

Summary: Marcella Guiate de Morua has cut her teeth on Guiate politics since she was a child. While she has begun to put her fingers into the Corezan political pie her father Ramiro -- a brilliant and devious scion of the Guiate line -- has begun to look at her as his potential heir. The two have long been estranged, but in her he sees the future of the family fortunes. Yet before the rift might be mended he must first test her abilities -- and to do that, he plans on sending her to Quijas to navigate a sticky trade situation that will force her to use her wits to their full extent. If she makes the wrong move, it could mean her life.

Politics and death go hand in hand in Corezo, and that's why she won't be going alone. With her Ramiro intends to send the family cripple, Bertran, whose political prospects are dim but whose economic ability remains a keen asset to the family. Alongside the cripple is another man, Saguzar, whose purpose and reason for going aren't quite what they at first seem. . .

The business in Qādis seems simple enough at first glance. What awaits them there, however, may just be a bit more exciting than they'd bargained for.

Other Notes: TIME TO PLAY FILL IN THE BLANKS!

de Morua family:

http://familyecho.com/?p=START&c=yvithg ... 7900854031

Corezo stuff:

viewtopic.php?p=35682#p35682

Ranks | Titles:

Duque/Duquesa | His/Her Excellency, Most Excellent Don/Dona
Marqués/Marquesa | Most Illustrious Don/Dona
Conde/Condesa | Most Illustrious Don/Dona
Vizconde/Vizcondesa | Don/Dona
Don/Dona | Don/Dona
All others and general forms of respect are Senor/Senora

Talia Idris · Post by **Talia Idris** » Fri Sep 20, 2013 7:46 pm

2) What if the package contained some information or documents about Ramiro's shortcomings/treason-ish acts as a sign of good faith that if the deal is made the papers will never see the light? Marcella then has the choice whether to throw her father under the bus or protect them until they reach home. Perhaps they aren't even real (but Marcella won't know that) and are all just part of the test. If she does decide to sell the information or something it will just look bad on Marcella's part.

NPCs for Marcella: (feel free to add the titles/last names, I am still unfamiliar where they would come from!)

Aunt Isadora (f-38)- Ramiro's younger sister and an old maid who acts as Marcella's governess and chaperon in most situations. She is only 38 but is often considered an old maid and will act like it too. She is rather strict and may come across cold but she is often more then willing to rehash her glory days as a young woman.

Chaperon: Alejandrina (f-30)- Ramiro is insisting that Isadora stays behind on this trip, much to her chagrin. He doesn't want his sister try and take over what he wants to be Marcella's trial run as his (potential) heir. Therefore she is sending one of her ladies maid to be Marcella's chaperon in her place

Ladies maids:
- Marisol (f-20)
- Merielle (f-17) played by Metarie
Footmen
- Javier (m-42)
Groom:
Viviana (f-24): Marcella wants to bring Erasmo to ride for part of the journey (and maybe to show him off a bit) . Since he tends to be a bit fidgety around men a female is required to come along to see to his care,

Should I add anything/anyone else?

Diego · Post by **Diego** » Sun Sep 22, 2013 4:02 pm

Marcella and I got a chance to chat over google, and we are both enthusiastic about the thread to come, but here are the cliffnotes from our chatting:

I argued against the 'sensitive information about Ramiro's treachery' notion on the basis Ramiro is too cautious to risk himself in such a fashion, whether the documents were falsified or otherwise. No need for a package at all, in truth. Just a goal, a task to accomplish.

As I see it, this is meant by Ramiro to be a routine situation: economic sabotage for Marcella to undertake, damaging a rival Quijas family's interests and twisting the fallout to Guiate advantage.

The reason it will be considered a proper test and not a basic task is because it is at a higher level of difficulty than Marcella is acclimatised to, with greater personal risk involved, being located in Qadis where the Quijas and other competing families have a lot more resources to hand.

Now, although I'm suggesting a somewhat 'straightforward' task as the premise, the twists will be in the reality that Marcella and her assistants will face in Qadis. Things can, and will, go terribly wrong - requiring Marcella to find new ways to achieve her family's goals.

Random ideas for potential plot twists/complications
- A local contact, meant to be introducing Marcella to an agent, is found dead.
- A group of local mafia/triads/what-have-you seek the same goal, and are decidedly unwilling to share or negotiate.
- Assassination attempt on Marcella ...but who sent them? Things smell of fish and red herrings.
- A cunning merchant family tries to foul up any efforts by the Guiate in order to endear themselves to the Quijas and obtain particular trading permits for Darleone.
- <insert other ideas here, to be added to as inspiration comes>

Diego · Post by **Diego** » Sun Oct 06, 2013 8:07 am

I have drafted a Corezan mercenary/criminal organisation, The Society of Negotiated Loyalties, in World Dev here: http://www.tharshaddin.com/rp/viewtopic.php?f=40&t=3278

My idea is for it to form part of the background for my soon-to-exist new character in this RP, and also as another potential tool in the the hands of Corezan nobility.

(If only the Tian Xian Jinyiwei could be so bloody easy to write. *Grumblemuttergrumble*)

Diego · Post by **Diego** » Tue Oct 22, 2013 1:26 am

I've now done a basic writeup for the port city of Qadis in World Dev: http://www.tharshaddin.com/rp/viewtopic.php?f=40&t=3294

I've also bounced a couple of brainstormy ideas there, so feel free to jump in with other ideas too.

I am currently working on Marcella's sidekick: the magethief Saguzar, a member of the Society of Negotiated Loyalties.

Saguzar · Post by **Saguzar** » Tue Oct 22, 2013 5:29 am

And, as can be seen, work on Saguzar is coming along adequately

Ramiro Guiate · Post by **Ramiro Guiate** » Thu Nov 14, 2013 5:52 am

NPC character sheet created for Ramiro.

After discussion in chat, Ashley and I will kick things off with a post or two between Ramiro and Marcella while we await finalisation and approval of Bertran and Saguzar.

We've tentatively agreed on the thread name 'Out of the Nest and into the Snake Pit'

Ramiro Guiate · Post by **Ramiro Guiate** » Thu Nov 14, 2013 11:08 pm

I have jotted down some preliminary notes with regards to the Guiate estate in Qadis
Visual reference: Pazo Xan Xordo - http://www.santiagoturismo.com/files/fu ... 4-1291.jpg
(Though I imagine the entire Guiate estate is walled, with a slightly more centralised layout, and a lot more secure than Xan Xordo)

=====The Pazo Guiate de Qadis=====

Located in the the prestigious Outer Estates, the Pazo Guiate de Qadis is smaller than that of the Ducal estates - but not by very much. The purchase and development of the estate was very calculated, providing a balance between staffing requirements and the social statement made by the property's size and location.

Typical for Qadis, the estate is contained within a sturdy stone wall, with lawns and gardens between the outer wall and the estate buildings.

The estate was also chosen for its well, providing the Guiate with a secure supply of fresh water. Between the barn, gardens, and well, the estate could be self-sufficient for small periods of time in the event of an emergency. The lavish lifestyle of Corezan nobility, however, means that much produce still needs to be purchased and brought in.

===Features===

==Main Building==

A sprawling L-shaped two-storey manor house constructed of stone with a tiled roof. This is where the Guiate and their staff reside, along with a full complement of serving and cleaning staff.

=Staff=
Majordomo: Hieronimo Bernat Errando De Torrijos (bald with a neat beard and moustache)
Housekeeper: Maria
Butler: Pero (grooms his hair similar to Ramiro)
Head Footman: Girardo (Tall, cleanshaven, takes his role seriously)
Head Gardener: Ferrand
Stable Master: Bartolo
Captain of the estate guards: Alvaro
Brokerage Liaison: Nicolao Benito De Olvera

==Stables==

We've led the horses to water. Don't mind the neigh-sayers.

==Workers Lodgings==

A separate building to accomodate the Guiate grounds staff responsible for maintaining the majority of the estate.

==Barracks==

Where the Guiate guards sleep when not on duty.

==Barn==

A large building containing a large chicken coop and accommodation for sheep and lambs with a small fenced off area for grazing.

==Gardens==

- Vegetable and herb garden next to the barn
- flower gardens and lawns for functions and relaxation. Shade trees are dotted around the estate for hot days.

Marcella Guiate · Post by **Marcella Guiate** » Sat Nov 16, 2013 6:50 am

So do we want to jump to lunch? And if so what shall our posting order be for now? I suggest that Marcella join somewhere in the middle

Saguzar · Post by **Saguzar** » Sat Nov 16, 2013 8:48 am

Mental note:
------------
(19:14:11) Sertor Potens: I'm a fan of alphabetical order when it's more than 2 people: Bertran, Marcella, Ramiro, Saguzar.
(19:14:39) Sertor Potens: Since you posted last, that could have a sequence of Ramiro, Saguzar, Bertran, and then yourself again
(19:14:57) Sertor Potens: Thoughts?
(19:15:59) Marcella Guiate: That works, I feel like Marcella would want to observe who she is working with before speaking. That has been her main role until now
(19:16:24) Sertor Potens: *Nods* Then let's go with that.

Post by **Saruna** » Wed Nov 20, 2013 10:26 pm

partial update to first post to make it more official like. Still gotta add a few nps and locations, but it's better than it was!

Post by **Saruna** » Wed Nov 27, 2013 10:05 pm

I made the assumption that bertran and marcella have met before, and also that they haven't spoken at length. Let me know if I should change either!

Saguzar · Post by **Saguzar** » Sun Dec 08, 2013 8:12 pm

I left open the possibility for Bertran and Marcella to have a private conversation if you guys choose to. Otherwise, feel free to skip to the following day.

If you do have Marcella and Bertran converse, I'll have Ramiro and Saguzar's next posts be short introspective pieces, with perhaps a dash of foreshadowing.

But it is time again for a Bertran post!

Post by **Saruna** » Wed Dec 11, 2013 10:29 pm

Colors -- ehhh, decided to leave it open. Feel free to close it out and move us into the next morning!

Saguzar · Post by **Saguzar** » Sun Dec 29, 2013 12:20 pm

At this stage, I'm winding up Ramiro's presence in the thread, I think. Unless something in one of the posts makes his appearance desirable before they all leave, we can assume the Posting Order is now as follows:

Bertran > Marcella > Saguzar

---

(Of course, if I do need to make a Ramiro post, I'll just slip him in before Saguzar to preserve the alphabetical ordering)

I've left Saguzar's afternoon/evening open, just in case. Otherwise, it's still conversation time between Bertran and Marcella, until such time as you guys feel that conversation is finished - once it is, unless Marcella wants to approach Saguzar the same evening, we can skip to the next day, and leaving.

(If Marcella does approach Saguzar that evening, I'm open to amending Ramiro's last post in case Bertran decides to approach Ramiro for clarifications)

So yeah, a bunch of 'If x then y' scenarios there. I blame this on the fact I should be sleeping. Which I might now go and do.

---

TL;DR version: BERTRAN POST TIME =D

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