1 - Negociating terms

...ery well the Council will never accept. They fear what it might change to open this market. And I've tr... Ah, Lords of House Chalmer! say the lord of House Exadius as you step into the room followed by his lackey who lead you to the meeting room. I am so pleased that you could make it, despite my late invitation — for which I must apologize again.
You've never been very fond of Bradley Exadius, a snooty man who took his father's business twelve years ago with much success, and is now the proud owner of the unavoidable Exadius Moneylanders. Money brings status and power, but this man's lifestyle show so little respect for the common folks that his personal guards check every room he comes in before he even dares to approach, something he calls a "measure of safety".Despite the reasonable temperature of the room and the thick silk and wool clothing he's wearing, the man is visibly cold. He holds his cup of tea with both hands, something you rarely see people doing before the month of Nightal, if ever as it is rare for men like him to leave the warmth of a good fireplace.The back room of the Golden Trinket looks like it's been reserved for the evening, an unmissable display of the Exadius' wealth as you know that even without service —which of course he took— one must pay ten bars of gold, or about 150 gold pieces. It seems that only four nobles are already present when you enter the room, two of which are sit at the table with Lord Exadius and one that seems to be pretty busy trying to impress a courtesan. Three waiters of the Golden Trinket are present in the room: one stays immobile near the barrels of wine, and two are busy taking a whole roasted pork off the fire.

The note you received this very morning didn't say much about the purpose of the meeting, but it mentioned the need to find common ground and arrangements for the upcoming cold season of trades. Because like every year, trades of products of nature slow down with the arrival of winter, and The Flaming Tree Trading Consortium needs to organize the vikaastean activity so that people get what they need to survive, and a little extra to spend on what they don't need. Two days after the Moonfeast, the Consortium organizes a big gathering to determine what activities will be prioritized and which ones will have to wait a few months. Bradley Exadius, cautious as always, want to know what the outcome of the meeting will be before it even happens.

Please, please, make yourself comfortable. All the wine, food and flesh in the room is on me. Lords Humston and Cobhall right here arrived... minutes ago, and we were just talking about their most recent common acquisition. You cannot have missed it, of course. The Kraken's Bane is an amazing building that one can see at no less than three streets away from in the docks, right?

Erasma, in a delicate gown just a few shades paler than her skin, steps from where she presumed Bradley had not seen her. She gently held a slender staff, the same color as her dress with a brilliantly red gem at its tip. "So good to see you, Lord Bradley." She says with a smile. "I'm so glad I was where I was. It would have been dreadful had I missed an invitation to another of your prestigious events." She emphasizes the word dreadful with a small pout, making it seem that she was blissfully ignorant to the fact that House Exadius secretly hated the Cranes, and would sooner be dead than invite one of them. Though, she was sure he was thankful it was her, and not her father, that had crashed his party.

Bradley, it is good to see you again.
Theo shakes Bradley Exadius' hand and while doing so leans in close and looks at his eyes and listens closely to his breathing.
Bradley, your ptosis looks a bit more advanced than last I saw you. Could be an indication of myasthenia. I have a tonic of quinine at my office that will help, please send a servant by later and I shall have it prepared for you. Add a teaspoon of it to your tea once a day before retiring for the evening.
Still holding onto Bradley's hand, Theo turns it over and glances at the back of it.
Hmm, possible hyperuricemia. Bradley, I would advise you against having the roast pork tonight. Vikaastea needs you healthy.
Theo releases Bradley's hand and scans the room intently, looking for anything out of the ordinary. He pays close attention to the waiters.

Theo seizes an opportune moment to lean in close to Erasma and whisper, Thank you once more for joining me tonight for what promises to be a dull and distasteful affair. Your presence shall make it tolerable.
Theo looks around at the leering noble with the courtesan and the scheming lords at the table with a slight frown before continuing.
You've a much sharper mind for intrigue than I. You shall have to debrief me later for I fear my attention shall wander before proceedings are even called to order.

Lord Exadius is caught by surprise and apparently uncomfortable that his personal medical issues got mentioned openly before the very nobles he's trying to impress or seduce. At the mention of medical conditions he most certainly knows nothing about, Lord Cobhall moves slightly away from the Theobold's patient, something Theobold himself immediately notices.
My good Theobold, I have no such thing as the psisthreria you're talking about! I am simply a little bushed by all the effort I'm putting to ensure Vikaastea's prosperity... and our own, of course he ads meaningfully. But I could certainly use some tonic to help with the stressful period we're going through.

Theobold misses the last of the empty words used by Bradley to discard any possible illness that could be affecting him, as his eyes and attention are focused on scanning the room. The Golden Trinket is known for its safety, and its owner is very proud to tell that no violence of any kind has ever happened in his establishment. The staff is selected very carefully, with in depth background checks that could uncover things even you didn't know about your very own history.
The woman in charge of the wine also wears an elegant but still visible decorated leather armor, silk gloves and has a simple sword at her side. Being in her late thirties, she probably served in the Vikaastea Settlers for years before getting hired as private guard for the aristocratic tavern. And given the means of the establishment, she most certainly is one of the best swordsmen that can be found in the city you probably don't want to pick a fight with her.
Of the two men that are now busy slashing the roasted beast with impressive knives, the youngest one seems to be in charge. He gives short but expert instructions to the other one, a man that must be twice his age and whose hair begins to whiten. He's decently skilled with his tool, but clearly doesn't have more than a few months of experience in the job.

... now, I didn't invite you here to discuss infusions and plant cocktails. I see that the meat is being prepared for service, so we can soon start to talk about more important matters. An oddity among nobles, Lord Exadius has the detestable habit of only talking important subjects ⁠—the ones that involve his family's business⁠— with his mouth full. He only discusses such topics in presence of lush food, and stops talking as soon as he's full or when the food stops coming.
It appears that Ser Feleki won't be joining us tonight, which is a shame because his clan is one of the biggest rock diggers from the north and that his opinion is of paramount importance for our winter activities. Still, let us try their famous Pulled Pork with Frostberries sauce. And with that, he calls out to the flirty man and let the cooks know that food is awaited at the table.
Tamara, knowing your fair share about dwarvish culture and mores, you note the usage of "rock diggers" to designate the dwarven people, something he wouldn't dare to say near any such person as it can be seen as both blasphemy and insult.

Erasma laughs quietly, as if Theobold had just told her a joke. "Keep your eyes open, Theo. I'm sure you'll see more than you expect." She winks at him after returning his whisper. More audibly, she says, "If it's business to be discussed, I'll need a drink. Excuse me, gentlemen."
She saunters off to the bar, flashing a smile to the men carving up the beast before making it to the bartender. She takes a moment to visibly admire her get up before sighing. "I wish I had the body to pull off that look." She says, complimenting the woman.

Ah, Lord Exadius, I apologize for my brother comment, as you know he was only looking out for your best interests especially in the coming winter months. I apologize for our slightly late arrival as I was out riding but when I heard about the meeting and came as soon as I could.", she says wearing her riding gear which is not only the latest fashion but also shows off her looks.

Flashing her smile to those in the room and says,The food sounds wonderful, and her I am with nothing to drink with it."

Theo nods toward Tamara, Indeed, Lord Exadius, it's as my sister says. Oh, and, the elder Lord Chalmer sends his warm regards and apologizes for being detained on business and unable to attend this evening.
Theobold takes a seat. He politely declines when offered roast pork.

You all get the drinks you want as the food is brought to the table, and the seven of you sit and start eating. The pork is perfectly cooked, just enough to be crispy and luscious. The sauce is incredibly exotic, dulcet and powerful, leaving a feint cold feeling for a few seconds after you swallowed it. It probably is the first time you try Frostberries, maybe even the first time you ear of them.

As Bradley Exadius finishes his first mouthful of meat and puts some more in, he starts talking. Small drops of grease are projected in his surroundings, and you fear that he want to talk to you as you'd certainly have to endure some of them if he were to turn his head toward you.
Now jhis ij an amajing meal. Truly incredible how they managej to transform somejhing as simple as pork into sush a wonder. Jusht like Isaia's Shop jhat I funded two years ago and jhat have been flourishing ever since. Jhey are jhe reajon why we can enjoy good jhat come directly from our neighbor Cormyr. He swallows what's in his mouth, drink some wine She had solid. Connections. When she came. To me. and pauses for a couple of seconds to catch his breath.
How's your family business going, Lady Crane? It's been years since our last contract, isn't now just the right time to expand your affairs?
And with that open ended question, he bites another chunk of meat to let you answer.

Erasma smiles politely, taking a small sip of her wine before answering. "Everything is well, Lord Bradley. Father has been focusing more on our affairs in Waterdeep as of late, but he hasn't let the Academy or our investments here suffer for it." In truth, she had little idea on the state of affairs within her own family. She had grown increasingly independent lately, and her mother and father had spent a great deal of time in Waterdeep, leaving her alone in their manor. Well, alone being relative, as servants and advisors had been in and out almost as often as if her parents were present.

Theobold leans toward Erasma to whisper, He's played his hand quickly. He seeks your family's connections in Waterdeep. A source of waterdhavian arms and refined metals will surely sell for a premium among the Oaken Shield in advance of what will surely be renewed hostilities with the lizardfolk once the winter abates. Do not sell them too cheaply, he knows the worth of proper introductions, particularly in the arms trade.

"I knew you had it in you," Erasma thinks as she takes in what Theo told her. Navigating intrigue was one thing, but Theo was good at laying out long-reaching plans... as well as spotting them. She, very gently, takes a bite of the pork, signalling in Bradley's negotiation language that it was his turn to speak.

Tamara is watching the body language of those around Bradley to try and determine who is really in agreement with him, who is here because they have no other options and those who might not be on his side.

Lord Exadius, you know that by midwinter the Tridanâd shall be hungrily eying ancestral lizardfolk lands once more. There is sure to be a healthy trade along the Long Road out of Waterdeep in materiel, a portion of which could be diverted here...

The rock diggers, as you call them, of that region even possess a source of mithral. But those who deal in arms are a notoriously skittish bunch by necessity.

Theo leans back in his chair and steeples his fingers.
The Cranes can likely provide the lubricant for such an arrangement. Given the demand of this market, you are looking at a marginal rate of hundreds of percent even factoring in attritional losses from banditry and the like. I should think a finders fee of... ten percent upon your gross returns... shouldn't be overly burdensome to you. As well as their pick of a few choice pieces for their personal guard's armory. One can never be too careful these days.

As Theobold highlights that inappropriate name used by Bradley Exadius to designate those who have been, for almost a century now, privileged clans in trade and conquest, the banquer's face turns pale and red at the same time, resulting in a quite odd roseish face with an expression of stupor.
His about to answer, but thinking about his angle.

Roll me a persuasion or intimidation check depending on the way you want to try and push him.

Persuasion check.

As she listens she tries to put together what is driving this meeting besides some profit at the expense possibly the other factions in the city.

trying to deflect a problem and get some more insight Tamara asks
You mentioned that you wished to Ser Feleki was here. I am not sure you know but I have dealings with the dwarves and have learned their language, if you need someone to facilitate a meeting I could see what I can do but dwarves won't come unless they have solid idea what it is about, they don't like surprises and can be stubborn if pushed."

Lord Exadius stops mid-plate and raises a doubtful eye in Tamara's direction: Is that so? I can't say I've heard a lot about your experience with dwarves... Lord Humston, you often work with Ser Feleki when it comes to export matters. Do you know of Lady Chalmer's experience with the northern clans?

Oh yes, I've heard her mane once or twice. Which means, with the clans' usual talkiness, that they probably know her name better than yours. With all due respect, of course!

That declaration, accompanied with a questioning look, leads the abundant hedonist to adjust his strategy. Well well well, jhat is a remarkable twisht in jhe evening I must say. Swallowing what he's been chewing all along, he continues while handing his half-full plate to the waiter: Now, that is not a matter I wanted to bring to your attention tonight, but maybe there's something you can do to help me. See, there's a flourishing business going on a the Sword Coast with all their enchanted items and exotic consumables. I'm sure your friend Lady Crane will be able to confirm that. He takes a second to drink some more wine, and Theobold notices that Lord Exadius is starting to show the first signs of alcohol running in his veins: his face is turning a little red, he speaks louder and with less caution. Putting some more of the succulent and juicy meat in his mouth, he continues. Now, our dead Shield won't allow shuch dangeroush goods in jhe frontiers of jhe realms, but maybe jhere's a way we can put jhe situation to our advantage. *swallows* See, I've heard from a friend that this whole enchanting process puts a great deal of .... how is it called again? Ore! But special ore you know, not your usual sword ore! *drinks some more and asks for more* I know nothing about ores, but where there is ore, there is trade and there is business to be done! That's what I want:
As he's about to uncover what he wants from you, the waiter cuts his finger with a serving knife and swallows a handful of swearwords, grabbing a napkin to hide the cut and continuing his service with the other hand. But his attitude has always looked a bit off to Tamara: he's a little too present for a waiter in such an establishment, and they could have easily found a more skilled person to work in such a visible position. He might very well be here to learn about what's being told in that rather secret meeting, and report to whoever hired him. But you're not certain about it, and no one likes drama. Certainly not the owner of such a reputable place.
... I want to develop my own trade route between our very dear dwarven friends and the west coast to fuel there magical research, but I need contacts there and supporters here.