Board Thread:Roleplaying/@comment-16047389-20140624184300/@comment-16047389-20140624215829

As a the revered Trade Prince of the Iliac Bay, you recieve countless messages every day. Most of them are from some lesser noble house that no bothers remembering, trying to get into your good graces and become a part of your glorious trade empire, figuratively of course. However, this particular letter is adorned with the seal of Duke Theras, a powerful ally to you and your family. You eargerly open the letter and read its contents:

My dear friend,

''I hear that you have been invited to the Fortesian Dinner Party this year. There will be several guests of great influence. And while some may be valuable allies, there is one individual there who you will want to take note of. Lhotun, the current owner of the East Empire Company will be in attendance this evening. As you are aware, the East Empire Company has made life for us very difficult. They took control of several of our most valuable trade routes during the Great War, and were the main influence in convincing the Empire to cut off our trade with Skyrim and Black Marsh. We've only recently been allowed to resume trade with Hammerfell, and even now they work to undo that. They have done much to cripple our business.''

''But tonight, you finally have a chance to fight back! I happen to know that Lhotun has recently been taking bribes from the Aldmeri Dominion to ensure that certain shipments to Cyrodiil come up a little lighter than usual. He has just returned from Valenwood, and I am certain he has a copy of the latest shipping manifest on his person. It would undoubtedly show the descrepancies, and expose Lhotun for the worm that he is. Once he's out of the way, I can influence the Empire to replace him with a new party with interests more favorable to our ventures.''

''Steal that manifest if you can, but do NOT let him know who you are. As far as he or anyone else at the party knows, you're just another noble in bed with the Fortesia family. Charm him. Make him think you're an interested party wanting to merge some small trading company with his. And while he's distracted with the party, take the manifest from his person.''

''This could be the exact oppurtunity we've been waiting for, my friend. Don't let it slip away from your grasp.''

Your good friend,

Theras

Just as you've finished reading the letter, your carriage pulls up to the Fortesia Manor. You hop out, and tell the driver to return tomorrow at dawn. As he pulls away, you look toward the manor. It is as regal and imposing as you'd heard, shadowing the nearby lake. As you start making your way toward the manor, you notice a few of the other guests who had arrived talking by one of the gazebos overlooking the lake. No doubt they arrived earlier than planned (it is considered uncivil to be on time or, worse, early to such events), and are passing time by exchanging gossip and rumors, as is typical at such gatherings. You should know. You have to deal with these things almost twice a week now. Well you have already succeeded in your intent to arrive fashionably late, so you have no concern with simply heading up to the entrance if you desired.

A) Head in to the manor

B) Join the gossiping guests