Flutter, a lovely passerine bird, Joan arrive, following Videl.

Sir Floppington, the soulful hound arrives, following Rowenova.

A bit late, Nova and Flop hurry their way inside!

Videl is at the entrance to the great hall, the boards have been set up at most of the tables. Refreshments are set up on the last table, with servers available to bring refreshments to table in the middle of a match, or if people are otherwise not able or willing to pick them up themselves.

2 Grayson House Guards arrives, following Liara.

Sir Floppington, the soulful hound leaves, following Rowenova.

Merek makes his way into the place so he can look about, his cape adjusted about his frame, in black as well as crimson and silver also. He settles at a place to relax also.

Sir Floppington, the soulful hound arrives, following Rowenova.

Nova dropped something outside, and she ran back to go get it before coming back into the Great Hall. Meanwhile, the Soulful Hound Sir Floppington takes his time to go meet people but is very careful not to be a trip hazard or to knock over anyone's game.

Nurie slips into the room, looking about with cheerful enthusiasm. She's dressed for the spring-time weather, and no little excitement enters her expression as she observes the boards already set up! And of course the refreshment tables are also given the once over, at least until she draws close to where the hostess is waiting. Nurie curtsies gracefully, smiling up at the Igniseri lady. "My lady, thank you for putting on the tournament! How exciting!" she offers. "I'm very much looking forward to seeing how the game is played!"

Emerging into the hall dressed in a peculiar mix of umbra, pink and gold, Liara greets Videl with a flash of a smile. "Good to see you, Lady Videl." And then she offers over a bit of parchment, adding, "My entry fee and a spot extra for your prize fund."

Videl is at the entrance to the great hall, the boards have been set up at most of the tables. Refreshments are set up on the last table, with servers available to bring refreshments to table in the middle of a match, or if people are otherwise not able or willing to pick them up themselves.5r
"Hello, mistress." She greets Rowenova, then to Nurie, "I will explain the game soon, it should be easy enough to pick up, I think." Then Liara comes in and she smiles widely, "Your highness, it's always a pleasure to see you." She quickly looks into the extra funds offered to estimate how to change the prices but otherwise just puts the money aside.

Nurie smiles cheerfully at Videl as she rises from her curtsy, offering a small pouch to her. "I hope that you will accept this on behalf of my lady, the Countess Iriscal," she says. "Though she was quite intrigued, she was unsure if she could make it tonight, and so I am playing in her stead, though I hope we might see her before the night is through!" But then she does not take up more of the hostess' time, instead respectfully moving out of the way and further into the room so to take a peek at some of the boards.

Quintin arrives not that much later, resplendent in... well. Not really resplendent, his clothing is just too simple for that. He makes his way toward Videl, offering a very shallow bow. "You must be Lady Videl. Thank you for hosting us. I'm very curious about your game." He holds up a coinpurse - his entrance fee, presumably.

On her way in, Nova slows down then respectfully regards Videl with a deep bow before straightening up once more. "Yes, thank you." She signs up for all the board games in which she can possibly participate, too.

The soulful hound Sir Floppington soon finds Mistress Nurie, and he wags up to the young lady with his soulful gaze and wagging tail (and the rest of him, of course).

Merek offers up a lil' smile for Nova, while he waves to her, "Hey, the kitties are nicely settling in," he says, while he seems to relax a bit and offers to sign up for the game also. He grins then to Videl, "Don't worry, I am here to have some fun," he says.

"Well, hello!" Who can resist such a long eared hound with those eyes! Nurie surely can't! She reaches down to stroke and scratch just so behind Sir Floppington's ears. "Aren't you just the most handsome thing in this room!" she tells him, enchanted. She looks over to Rowenova and grins as well.

Liara then heads further inside, this time to find herself a seat. Trouble if musical chairs winds up on the agenda, for sure. Nurie's commentary on the hound draws a light laugh from the Grayson, and she speaks up, "I am sure there may be some debate on that."

Quintin doesn't look particularly irked at not being the most handsome thing in the room. He glances over at Merek, like, what can we do? and shrugs. He also sidles over to see if he can pet Sir Floppington as well, nodding politely to Nurie. "Hullo. Lord Quintin Ashford. And hellow, Miss Rowenova, Princess Liara. Sir Merek."

Merek looks up, with an amused look to Quintin, an incline, then he looks to the table while he seems to think a moment, looking to Nova at any reply about the kitties while he takes a drink from the flask he keeps with him also.

Sir Floppers happily accepts those amazing pets and glorious scritches from Mistress Nurie and Lord Quintin, both! He sits down, right there between them whilst his long tail still swishes in a cheerful wag behind him. Meanwhile, he tilts up his greying muzzle as his expressive eyes slowly close to half way. After what Merek tells her, Nova smiles brightly, "Good! I am so glad they are. Thank you for letting me know." She hands off the quill to him and clasps his nearest shoulder before letting go and weaving her way to the food and drink, only delayed by a messenger who shows up and who she quietly thanks before then grinning over toward Nurie and Quintin.

A messenger arrives, delivering a message to Rowenova before departing.

"As people settle in, Videl begins to explain the rules. "Every player has twenty seven pieces. Each has a front side and a back side, the front side details what piece it is, the back side is the same for all pieces. At the beginning of the game each player sets up their pieces at their side of the board, without letting their opponent know how they did it."

"Then each turn you move one piece one tile, if you 'attack' an opponent's piece by moving onto it both players reveal which piece it is to their opponent, roll a die and add the strength of their piece to the die. Defenders win ties, the losing piece is removed from the board. There's a few special exceptions listed on your rule sheet, most importantly the king. If you attack the opposing king, you win, but if the king makes an attack, he always wins that battle. Of course, attacking with your king means revealing the location of your king to your opponent"

"Nurie Baseborn," Nurie introduces herself to Quintin, her impish smile not the slightest bit apologetic, though there's gentle laughter in her eyes. "It's very nice to meet you, my lord. Oh, but your highness, look at his eyes!" Nurie tells Liara. "And his soft /ears/!" But then Videl is explaining the game, and she falls silent to listen!

Pausing her trek to the beverages and food, Nova suddenly stops to hear out the game rules before detouring herself to sit down for the actual competition. Well, no matter! She sends a servant to bring her the eats and the drinks!

Quintin sinks into a crouch to scritch Sir Floppington, not at all shy about practically being on the floor to deliver some pettings. He starts to smile as Videl explains the rules. Seems like this is right up his alley. One last ruffle of Sir Floppington and he rises to collect first gamepieces, then a drink. Priorities. Quintin starts to set himself up, examining the pieces carefully.

Rowenova checked wits + riddles at difficulty 25, rolling 21 lower.

Quintin checked intellect + war at difficulty 25, rolling 36 higher.

Merek checked wits + riddles at difficulty 25, rolling 13 lower.

Liara checked wits + riddles at difficulty 25, rolling 9 lower.

Merek looks confusedly at the board, not having played anything like it before. He does his best to set up his pieces while he nods a bit as well also.

Nurie checked wits + riddles at difficulty 25, rolling 14 higher.

Sir Floppers adoringly leans against Nurie a brief time in a symbolic hug then does so to Quintin, too, after shifting sideways in his direction, too. Then, the human beings are being distracted with board games, it seems. He gets up, moving over to sit down by Nova after having soaked up all possible pets.

With a flash of a grin for Nurie, Liara comments, "Soft ears are certainly a feature that you hopefully will not see too much of in people." The Grayson pauses to listen to the rules, gaze shifting then to the boards set up, contemplative.

With one more sweetly adoring smile down at the elder hound before he trots off, Nurie studies the game after it's explained, a little furrow developing upon her brow as the delicate tailor contemplates studies the boards with a strategic eye, while awaiting further instructions. "'Tis true your highness," she admits with a dreamy sigh to Liara. "But eyes and the expressions they hold, those are very important, don't you think?"

Keso, a totally legit assistant arrives, delivering a message to Nurie before departing.

When Sir Floppington sits down beside Nova, she reaches over and gently ruffles those floppy ears. "You are a good boy, Floppers." she fondly tells him, and thus... she apparently forgets to set up her boardgame pieces any better than they already are.

Now for the tournament structure and prices. Everyone will play every other player once, in an order announced by my assistant Joan who is going over the list of participants to set up rounds. The first place is going to get the painting to their liking, as promised, and fifteen thousand silver. Second place gets fifteen thousand silver, third place gets five thousand silver." Videl explains and then calls up Joan to call the first round,

"Princess Liara Grayson versus Sir Merek Black.
Lord Quintin Ashford versus Scout Rowenova."

Contemplating that, Liara replies to Nurie, "I have had a few dogs, though the eyes wouldn't be the first place I would look to see how they are getting along. Tail, maybe." Then the matches are announced, and the princess turns her attention briefly back to the board nearby.

Quintin checked intellect + war at difficulty 25, rolling 5 higher.

Liara checked wits + riddles at difficulty 25, rolling 2 lower.

Merek checked wits + riddles at difficulty 25, rolling 16 lower.

Rowenova checked wits + riddles at difficulty 25, rolling 17 lower.

Liara checked composure + manipulation at difficulty 20, rolling 45 higher.

Liara checked composure + investigation at difficulty 20, rolling 5 lower.

Liara checked composure + riddles at difficulty 20, rolling 21 higher.

Quintin checked intellect + riddles at difficulty 19, rolling 14 higher.

Quintin checked intellect + investigation at difficulty 19, rolling 41 higher.

Quintin checked perception + war at difficulty 19, rolling 34 higher.

Rowenova checked perception + investigation at difficulty 21, rolling 32 higher.

Rowenova checked perception + war at difficulty 21, rolling 15 higher.

Rowenova checked perception + riddles at difficulty 21, rolling 4 higher.

Merek checked wits + investigation at difficulty 22, rolling 19 higher.

Merek checked composure + riddles at difficulty 22, rolling 4 lower.

Merek checked intellect + war at difficulty 22, rolling 9 lower.

Liara's set-up for the game is not exactly stellar, to put it mildly. Still, she gets going at it with some enthusiasm anyway, opening her game reasonably strongly. Her approach to board games - this one, certainly - appears to be one of just going all in, without particular caution where she sees an opportunity for a move. It works for her, though, at least early in the game, though it sees a slump in the middle.

Merek doesn't seem to be invested in the game like the others, whether for not knowing how it works or just seeming distracted a bit as well.

Quintin offers a quick smile to Rowenova, then goes back to looking very serious. It's the eyebrows that do it. He inspects his pieces and then sets them up with confidence. Strategy games are apparently his jam. He's just... smart. And good at figuring out the consequences of steps ahead of time, planning for variations.

Videl watches the others play with keen interest, clearly curious to see how they take to it. After the results come in for the first round, Joan announces the next round of players.

"Sir Merek Black vs Lord Quintin Ashford"
"Nurie Baseborn vs Princess Liara Grayson"

Liara checked wits + riddles at difficulty 25, rolling 8 lower.

Liara checked composure + manipulation at difficulty 21, rolling 67 higher.

Nurie watches the others play with a great deal of interest, her dark eyes bright as she takes in the strategies, or lack thereof, and once the first rounds are done she applauds enthusiastically. "Oh well played! It looks like everyone is getting the idea of it!"

Liara checked composure + investigation at difficulty 21, rolling 3 higher.

Liara checked composure + riddles at difficulty 21, rolling 5 lower.

Nurie checked wits + riddles at difficulty 25, rolling 7 higher.

Merek checked wits + riddles at difficulty 25, rolling 3 lower.

Merek checked wits + investigation at difficulty 22, rolling 3 higher.

Merek checked wits + investigation at difficulty 20, rolling 4 higher.

Merek checked composure + riddles at difficulty 20, rolling 12 lower.

Merek checked intellect + war at difficulty 20, rolling 6 lower.

Sir Flop needs pets, and Nova seems to be willing to give them to him despite whether it is mid game, or not. She certainly seems to be a perceptive sort, except she is not as skilled at strategizing as Quintin is and soon loses. However, that does not seem to bother her too much. She wolfishly grins, "Well, good game, My Lord." Then, she takes time to eat up and drink up whilst the other four do Round 2.

Nurie checked wits + investigation at difficulty 19, rolling 34 higher.

Nurie checked wits + investigation at difficulty 19, rolling 13 higher.

Nurie checked wits + investigation at difficulty 19, rolling 13 higher.

Quintin checked intellect + war at difficulty 25, rolling 22 higher.

Quintin checked intellect + riddles at difficulty 18, rolling 29 higher.

Quintin checked intellect + investigation at difficulty 18, rolling 41 higher.

Quintin checked perception + war at difficulty 18, rolling 26 higher.

"Good game," Quintin echoes to Rowenova with another smile. Then he's off to see about setting up with his second opponent. A nod to Merek, and he's setting up anew. Whistling quietly, even, before he seems to realize that might be annoying and shuts the hell up.

In the end, Liara does win the game with Merek, and offers over, "Well played, Sir Merek." Then the princess heads on over to start the game with Nurie. A somewhat sketchy set-up is followed by a strong opening to her game - it's a trend - which pretty much falls off to just not losing pieces through the middle and end.

Videl keeps watching, her eyes falling upon Merek as she realizes the man seems to be struggling with the game, "I would offer some pointers, Sir Black, but that seems like it'd be unsporting." She offers ruefully, clearly wanting to help. Meanwhile, as soon as the round wraps up, Joan announces the next.

"Lord Quintin Ashford vs Nurie Baseborn."
"Scout Rowenova vs Sir Merek Black."

After she and Sir Flop chow down on party food and party drink, Nova sits down across from Sir Merek with a little smile. "Here we go!" says she.

Nurie seems thrilled to actually get to put some of her observations into practice, and though she never quite recovers from a brilliant move by the princess the first round, she remains sure and steady, her eyes alight with excitment. "Well played, your highness!" she says to Liara. "Oh my, that was exciting, wasn't it?" Her bubbly enthusism continues to rise to the surface. Once the game ends she almost seems ready to claim a drink, but the next round is announced and she finds herself seated with Lord Quintin. "Fortune favor you, my lord!" She tells him sportingly. And then more quietly. "And you do have very nice ears and eyes /too/ Lord Quintin!" she grins, before beginning to set up her pieces.

Nurie checked wits + riddles at difficulty 25, rolling 10 higher.

Merek keeps playing it, but isn't doing that great at it, while he nods a bit as well to the others also.

Merek checked wits + riddles at difficulty 25, rolling 4 higher.

Quintin, once again, plans ahead. He lays a couple of traps this time, his moves still confident. Totally his jam. His strawberry jam, and there's a sale on strawberries at the market today. When the game's finished, he tells Merek, "Thank you." A sidelong glance at Videl; Quintin looks back to Merek, opens his mouth, seems to think better of it, and just offers a quick smile before heading over toward Nurie and seating himself. The pieces are examined again, though quickly this time. He's mostly forgetting to sip his wine, being so caught up in the game. Actually, he forgets his glass and has to circle back for it. A quick grin at Nurie. "Why, thank you. And good luck to you as well. I didn't catch your name, though, and I'd like to remedy that, I think."

Merek checked wits + investigation at difficulty 20, rolling 10 higher.

Merek checked composure + riddles at difficulty 20, rolling 47 higher. Merek rolled a critical!

Nurie checked wits + investigation at difficulty 19, rolling 23 higher.

Quintin checked intellect + war at difficulty 25, rolling 31 higher.

Merek checked intellect + war at difficulty 20, rolling 6 lower.

Quintin checked intellect + riddles at difficulty 17, rolling 29 higher.

Quintin checked intellect + investigation at difficulty 17, rolling 31 higher.

Quintin checked perception + war at difficulty 17, rolling 19 higher.

Nurie checked wits + investigation at difficulty 19, rolling 22 higher.

Nurie checked wits + investigation at difficulty 19, rolling 59 higher. Nurie rolled a critical!

"You too, Mistress Nurie," Liara replies with a quick smile, then adds on, "Certainly engaging. I do rather enjoy board games; Lady Videl's parties are an excellent opportunity to actually play them now and then." Then, since her attention was over that way, she arches her eyebrows and contemplates Quintin's ear briefly (from a safe distance).

Rowenova checked wits + riddles at difficulty 25, rolling 1 lower.

Rowenova checked perception + investigation at difficulty 20, rolling 44 higher.

Rowenova checked perception + war at difficulty 20, rolling 1 lower.

Rowenova checked perception + riddles at difficulty 20, rolling 34 higher. Rowenova rolled a critical!

"Nurie Baseborn, my lord!" Nurie is quick to introduce herself, with a respecful bow of her head since she's already seated. Apparently after two rounds her competative fire is engaged, for though she still hasn't mastered the art of setting up the tiles to her best advantage, she pays very close attention to the Ashford lord's moves, managing to land a surprise attack at the last minute. It's so exciting, that she can't help but applaud a little, bouncing in her chair, but then she is beaming at Quintin. "Oh very well played, my lord! I thought I was lost until the last minute!"

Quintin moves his pieces around again with skill. Then he blinks, leaning back in his seat when Nurie delivers a swift trouncing. He looks up at her and cracks a huge grin. "Well done, Nurie," he says, admiration in his tone, gray eyes bright. They are even nice gray eyes! "That was an excellent move."

Videl smiles broadly when Merek manages to get a good play going, even though he ends up losing the round. "I think you're starting to get the hang of this." She encourages, then to Liara, "I try to make sure to have some interesting things going on, I find you see much more interesting sides of people if you get them doing something, rather than merely talk over drinks; nothing wrong with the latter, of course."

Joan announces the next round:
"Nurie Baseborn vs Scout Rowenova."

"Princess Liara Grayson vs. Lord Quintin Ashford."

Merek makes a few moves, this time managing an excellent one. This does make him actually smile a bit also, while he nods a bit as Nova seems to win though. He is fine with that, just happy he actually managed something, "Nice play," he says.

Liara checked wits + riddles at difficulty 25, rolling 14 lower.

Liara checked composure + manipulation at difficulty 21, rolling 30 higher.

Liara checked composure + investigation at difficulty 21, rolling 4 higher.

Quintin checked intellect + war at difficulty 25, rolling 17 higher.

Liara checked composure + riddles at difficulty 21, rolling 2 lower.

Quintin checked intellect + riddles at difficulty 19, rolling 26 higher.

Quintin checked intellect + investigation at difficulty 19, rolling 20 higher.

Quintin checked perception + war at difficulty 19, rolling 36 higher.

Nova quietly thanks Merek for the good game and even gives him a shoulder pat, "Well played." She moves on to where Nurie is, bringing along a food tray and Sir Floppington following along, too.

Rowenova checked wits + riddles at difficulty 25, rolling 16 lower.

Rowenova checked perception + investigation at difficulty 22, rolling 46 higher.

Rowenova checked perception + riddles at difficulty 22, rolling 3 lower.

Rowenova checked perception + war at difficulty 22, rolling 10 higher.

Liara's set-up at the start just gets poorer as she goes - trying out new things or just being bad at it. Still, she opens her game as she did the previous ones - moving pieces quickly across the board in an attempt to gain an early advantage. She never does, though, and though she's vaguely consistent later in the game, it's consistently rather poorer than Quintin. All the same, she approaches the game with enthusiasm and good cheer.

"Thank you, my lord!" Nurie says in warm reply to Quintin, though now it's her moment to finally get to claim a glass to sip from, and then she moves to where Rowenova is, beaming at the scout and hounddog both. "I'll have to keep my eyes out for more game nights, I think," she tells Nova as they begin setting up their pieces. "Such a fun way to spend an evening!"

Nurie checked wits + riddles at difficulty 25, rolling 0 higher.

Nurie checked wits + investigation at difficulty 20, rolling 38 higher.

Nurie checked wits + investigation at difficulty 20, rolling 29 higher.

Nurie checked wits + investigation at difficulty 20, rolling 32 higher. Nurie rolled a critical!

Quintin rubs his chin, taking this game with Liara a little slower. He nods each time she lays down a tile and matches her, move for move, managing to gain another win. "Well done," he tells Liara with a quick smile. "And that's quite an impressive updo, too." He gestures toward her hair.

Nurie checked wits + manipulation at difficulty 20, rolling 28 higher.

Nurie checked composure + investigation at difficulty 20, rolling 25 higher.

Liara's got star iron hairpins, and the actual work in doing it up must have taken someone a good while earlier in the morning, so she certainly doesn't do anything but assent to the idea of having an impressive updo: "Thank you, my lord." Then, with a slightly wry note and a wink, "I shall refrain from comparing your ears to the hound's." Once the game's done, then: "Well played, Lord Quintin."

Meeting in the middle with Nurie, Nova does her best, but then she loses anew. "Ah! You got me!" Sir Floppers pads over to Liara and Quintin, though, then glances up toward them both with a curious look. What are they doing?!

Nurie checked perception + investigation at difficulty 15, rolling 44 higher.

Quintin flashes another grin at Liara. He remembers his wine this time, but when he picks it up, there's Sir Floppington, so he is once again distracted from drinking and instead goes back to petting the dog. He holds his wine up high, though, so any stray fur doesn't waft into it.

Videl takes a sip from her wine as she watches the ongoing games, clearly pleased with how things are going. As it's almost at and end, and just another round remaining she seems to have a decent idea as to who might win.

Joan announces the next and final round,
"Scout Rowenova vs Princess Liara Grayson"
"Sir Merek Black vs Nurie Baseborn"

Merek checked wits + riddles at difficulty 25, rolling 5 higher.

Merek checked wits + investigation at difficulty 19, rolling 2 lower.

Merek checked composure + riddles at difficulty 19, rolling 2 lower.

Merek checked intellect + war at difficulty 19, rolling 5 lower.

Liara checked wits + riddles at difficulty 25, rolling 17 lower.

"Have you ever played a game anything like this before, messere?" Nurie asks Nova curiously. "There's so many pieces to keep track of. I've played a game with shells and stones before, where you have to keep track of a few different things, but--" She smiles as the game finishes. "It's one of the best things here, don't you think? Getting to try new things?" She grins Rowenova, and reaches to scritch Sir Floppington behind his ears.

Liara checked composure + manipulation at difficulty 22, rolling 24 higher.

Liara checked composure + investigation at difficulty 22, rolling 4 lower.

Nurie checked wits + riddles at difficulty 25, rolling 11 higher.

Liara checked composure + riddles at difficulty 22, rolling 7 lower.

Nurie checked composure + manipulation at difficulty 19, rolling 15 higher.

Nurie checked wits + investigation at difficulty 19, rolling 79 higher. Nurie rolled a critical!

Merek checked composure + investigation at difficulty 19, rolling 32 higher.

Merek checked intellect + investigation at difficulty 19, rolling 27 higher. Merek rolled a critical!

Quintin sips his wine, peering over at the various games as they go on, his gaze intent. He catches sight of Nurie's next big move and smiles at her again, though it may not be noticeable if she's very intent on her game.

Nova gets up and pushes in her chair then thinks back for a brief moment before shaking her wolf-framed noggin. "I have played many Lycene games -- I was previously married to a Lycene man -- but never have I ever played anything quite like this! It is quite fun, though!" She waves goodbye before then speeding over to Liara against whom she now plays. Sir Floppington has to absolutely adore Quintin for those pets given, but he hangs out where Nova is after she comes over to Liara's table. Lazy doggo.

Rowenova checked wits + riddles at difficulty 25, rolling 19 lower.

Rowenova checked intellect + investigation at difficulty 22, rolling 18 higher.

Rowenova checked perception + investigation at difficulty 22, rolling 47 higher.

Rowenova checked wits + investigation at difficulty 22, rolling 20 higher.

Nurie checked perception + investigation at difficulty 15, rolling 40 higher.

Liara flashes Rowenova a smile, and gets on with setting up her pieces (really badly. Seriously. She seems to be going backwards as far as understanding the game goes). This time, it's handily the Grayson's worst game - same brisk style as previously, which rapidly flounders. She doesn't seem to mind - showing clear evidence of enjoying the game, anyway.

Sir Floppington is too cute, and he apparently distracts Nova from setting up the game pieces in any orderly fashion. She does worse at it than even Liara when setting up but actually plays much better after Sir Flop has lain down. Also, after another drink, too. After all those, Nova speaks up, "Thank you!" before getting up. It might be the last round, but she is still ready on the off chance there is another round for some reason.

Merek looks at the board, and just shakes his head a bit, while he takes a moment to consider. "I'm not sure that we all did it right, so I'm not sure who the winner is," he says, seeming to frown a little as well.

Nurie settles in across from Merek with a smile. "Best of luck to you, Sir Merek!" she tells him sportingly. It seems as though the way to best set up the game still eludes the delicate tailor, but she is more than willing to go claws out all out upon the field once things are in play, learning something new from each new challenge and challenger. When the game is over, she smiles at the knight warmly. "Thank you for the game, and well played!" But then she's taking a moment to sip some more at her drink, to catch her breath and rewrinkle her brain. "But did you have fun, Sir Merek," she asks him hopefully. "The company at least this evening is quite fine!"

Videl watches the last play out, and seems pleased. After conferring with Joan about the results, she stands up from her chair and announces. "We have two initial ties. For tie breakers, the tied players will need to run another game to break the tie." She announces, and continues, "Tied for third we have Scout Rowenova and Princess Liara Grayson. Tied for first we have Nurie Baseborn and Lord Quintin Ashford."

Liara checked wits + riddles at difficulty 25, rolling 20 lower.

Quintin's brows arch; he looks to Nurie and says, "We meet again. Shall we?"

"Another game, it seems, Mistress Rowenova," Liara says, and she sets about setting her pieces up again, a little different to the last time. It gets worse than last time.

Merek looks at Videl and just watches her, seeming to be confused as he shakes his head as well. He then stands up, doing his best to mask his emotions, not answering Nurie.

Liara checked composure + manipulation at difficulty 22, rolling 51 higher.

Liara checked wits + manipulation at difficulty 22, rolling 5 higher.

Nurie seems delighted at the results, a little flush creeping into her cheeks. "Oh my stars, how exciting!" she says. "Though I think you will be a most fearsome opponent to vanquish, Sir Quintin! I shall do my best to give you an outstanding fight!" she promises cheerfully, as they settle into place to lay out their pieces.

Liara checked perception + manipulation at difficulty 22, rolling 45 higher.

Nurie checked wits + riddles at difficulty 15, rolling 11 higher.

Nurie checked wits + investigation at difficulty 19, rolling 20 higher.

Quintin checked intellect + war at difficulty 25, rolling 23 higher.

Merek checked composure at difficulty 15, rolling 11 higher.

Sitting back down, Nova faces off with Liara once more. "Seems like, aye!" Then, she gets down to it!

Rowenova checked wits + riddles at difficulty 25, rolling 3 lower.

Nurie checked perception + manipulation at difficulty 15, rolling 17 higher.

Rowenova checked perception + investigation at difficulty 20, rolling 54 higher.

Rowenova checked intellect + investigation at difficulty 20, rolling 23 higher.

Rowenova checked wits + investigation at difficulty 20, rolling 24 higher.

Quintin checked intellect + riddles at difficulty 18, rolling 16 higher.

Quintin checked intellect + investigation at difficulty 18, rolling 24 higher.

Quintin checked perception + war at difficulty 18, rolling 39 higher.

Nurie checked composure + riddles at difficulty 15, rolling 12 higher.

"I would like to request a rematch as well for the placing since the rules weren't too clear," Merek requests politely of Videl.

"I've no doubt you will," Quintin tells Nurie. And the game proceeds, with the young Ashford Lord at his most cautious yet. He makes 'hrmm' and 'hmm' noises unconsciously, taking pieces. The look of concentration does not help him look any less stern than usual.

Liara checked composure + riddles at difficulty 22, rolling 1 lower.

Rowenova checked perception + riddles at difficulty 20, rolling 9 higher.

A really rubbish set-up on Liara's part, again, though she plays fairly strongly in her game with Rowenova. Maybe she's picking it up a bit better, maybe it's just fluke. Either way, it's very even, till it's not - it all falls apart for the Grayson late in the game.

Videl shakes her head towards Merek. "I'm sorry, Sir Black. Not this time, the purpose of this event was to test the game in a more competitive setting. I will take into account feedback on the rules so that such can be avoided in the future however." She watches the games unfold and concludes, "Lord Quintin Ashford wins his tie-breaker by a good margin, and Scout Rowenova barely manages to squeek out a win. That gives us third place to Scout Rowenova, second place to Nurie Baseborn and first place to Lord Quintin Ashford."

Nurie does a little better at setting up her pieces this time, and she does make a valiant effort to counter and anticipate Quintin's moves! It's not enough though, but at least the tailor seems quite pleased with the end result, even after she's bested. "Oh, thank you very much my lord, that was wonderful! Why you were so hard to read, none of your pieces were where I was expecting them to me!" Her tone is one of admiration, and she raises her glass to him in a salute.

"Well done," Quintin tells Nurie, raising his glass and clinking it gently to her. He smiles when he's announced the winner. "Thank you." A glance between Videl and Merek. "If you like, Sir Merek, you can play a round with me. If you win, I'll split the prize money in half with you."

So intense! Tapping deeper into the life well of her former experience with Lycenes and their games, the Wolf Scout keeps up with the Grayson Princess, doing so until the very end where it is cut close, but then she finally wins, perceptively figuring out the last riddle. "Phew!" says she. She stands up and offers out a hand shake to Liara, "Well done. All that was rather intense!"

"It is not the money I wanted, it was... Nothing, my apologies, it was a fun game, thank you for running it," Merek explains then to Videl while he nods a bit also, "I would like to play more games sometime maybe."

Liara gives Rowenova's hand a brisk shake and replies, "Well played, Mistress Rowenova. It was certainly close. It may have been less so if you hadn't had a canine distraction, though would you really give that up?" She winks at Rowenova then eases to her feet.

Nurie is overheard praising Videl: Thank you for sharing your time and your clever game with us!

Merek is overheard praising Videl: Great game!

Quintin is overheard praising Videl: An interesting game of strategy!

Liara is overheard praising Videl: An excellent game.

Quintin is overheard praising Nurie: Well played!

Nurie is overheard praising Quintin: The champion!

Nurie is overheard praising Liara: A fierce and fun competitor!

Nurie is overheard praising Rowenova: A fierce and fun competitor!

Nurie is overheard praising Merek: A fierce and fun competitor!

Merek is overheard praising Nurie.

Quintin rises from his seat and inclines his head. "Thank you all - it was fun to learn the game alongside you. And thank you for providing a new game, Lady Videl. Quite clever, and I very much enjoyed it."

Merek is overheard praising Quintin.

Merek is overheard praising Liara.

Merek is overheard praising Rowenova.

After shaking sincerely with Liara, Nova lets go and reaches down to where her ringed hands lovingly fluff those floppy ears on Sir Floppington, "Mayhaps, but... you are quite right, I could never give up this handsome distraction." Peeking down at Sir Flop (who happily pants and tail swishes), Nova doles out the softest smile she has yet given this whole scene to the greying hound. Looking back up, "Good gaming!" Then, she happily accepts the prize money, quietly thanking Videl. "Thank you, so much. This will help some good people."

"Can we still get a painting?" Merek asks Videl curiously.

"Perhaps one day you will earn such an opportunity, Sir Merek. Today, Lord Quintin won that." Videl answers Merek, while listing to the the others and sipping her wine. "That day may come sooner than later, however."

"Oh! I'll save that painting. I think I'll ask Lisebet and Harlan if they'd like to sit for a portrait. Them and the baby, once it's born and Lisebet is feeling up to it," Quintin says cheerfully. He looks to Videl and asks, "If that's alright with you, Lady Videl?"

Rowenova says, "That is a beautiful request, Lord Quintin!"

"Most definitely. Just let me know when you're cashing that in." Videl answers Quintin, smiling, "It's a nice gesture, for sure."

Merek nods a bit to Videl, while he looks to Quintin, "Yes, that sounds like a wonderful request," he says, while he adds to the others, a nod, "Nice game."

Nurie beams at Quintin's request, her expression softening, to something almost dreamy. "Oh, I think they'll be very touched by that gift, my lord," she says gently, before brightening again. "And I hope you will consider running another game night, Lady Videl. It's such a good way to get everyone in the room to mingle, and now even my mind feels refreshed!"

Quintin reaches up to rub the back of his head with a bit of a smile. "I'll certainly attend the next if I can," he says. "I love strategy games."

"Thank you for hosting this, Lady Videl. It was altogether enjoyable. And to everyone else for the games." Liara offers those present a quick smile then, with a flutter of a wave, she makes for the entrance.

Quintin bows at the waist and says, "I ought to be leaving, myself. Thank you all, again."

After standing up and pushing in her chair, Nova takes along the serving tray which is now empty and fills up said tray with more food and more drink from that refreshment table in the very back.

2 Grayson House Guards leaves, following Liara.

Merek offers a polite wave, while he bows, then makes his way on.

Meanwhile, Sir Floppington follows along, looking adorable as he can be, so that he might acquire more treats!