Board Thread:Roleplaying/@comment-16047389-20140624184300/@comment-16047389-20140707160407

(Sorry for the delay. Between how much work has kept me busy this week and the fourth of July, I've been kept away from my computer all weekend long.)

You suppose you've avoided the obvious question too long. You ask Attrebus about his relation to Vallina. Sure, she's the Count of Skingrad's daughter, but that's not enough to warrant this much familiarity and concern.

"No, you wouldn't know that would you?" says Attrebus. "As you know, Janus Hassildor is only Vallina's adpoted daughter. However, he real father is far more important."

You decide to take a stab at it, and guess that Vallina is Attrebus' secret daughter. Attrebus laughs at this.

"No no no." he responds. "He father is far more important."

Attrebus looks around, making sure that no one else is listening. Most of the other guests are too distracted with their own conversations to give notice. When he's sure it is safe to tell you, you speaks to you in whispered tones.

"You are to make no mention to anyone else of what I am about to tell you, understand?"

You promise to keep it a secret. Attrebus accepts your word. Either he is very trusting of you, or all that wine he's been drinking has loosened his tounge quite a bit.

"Vallina's mother came from the Summerset Isles a little over thirty years ago. Her name was Arana, daughter of the previous King of the Summerset Isles before the Thalmor overthrew the government. Arana's father was loyal to the Empire, which is precisely why the Thalmor killed him and his children. Arana had managed to stay hidden in Summerset for almost 150 years, before being found out. With no other choice, she fled here to Cyrodiil to seek the Emperor's help. The original plan was to use her birthright to make a move on the throne with the Empire's support. This would have vastly weakened the Thalmor's authority, perhaps even have averted the Great War entirely. But when the Thalmor ambassador came giving his list of demands, the surrender of Arana to Thalmor authorities was amongst the list. It seems she had already been labeled a traitor, and sentenced to death. As you know, Titus Mede II refused the demands, and the Great War began. Arana was no longer of use to Empire, but it was too late. We'd learned that she was with child."

No. He can't mean...

"Yes, it seems that the Emperor and Arana had grown close to one another. A few months later, she was born. Vallina, rightful heir to both Summerset Isles...and to the Mede Empire."

Now it makes sense. Obviously, Vallina can't lay claim to the throne of Summerset Isles. But as for her claim to the Ruby Throne...

"The Empire is not ready for an Altmer Empress." says Attrebus, seeing the look in your eye. "Especially not one with such a...unique heritage as Vallina. That is why she was given to Janus Hassildor after her mother died."

Vallina's mother is dead? Attrebus didn't mention that.

"A few years after Vallina was born, a Thalmor assassin tracked Arana down and killed her." Attrebus explains. "She was originally supposed to marry Janus Hassildor, and move to Skingrad with her daughter. I suppose it was foolish to think the Thalmor would stop hunter her. They do not, however, yet know about Vallina. That is why she was raised as Count Hassildor's daughter."

This is a lot to take in. There are so many more questions to ask, but it seems you're out of time. As the last of the dinner plates are carried away, the servants show you and all of the other guests to the rooms for the night. Much else happened during the dinner. Cassandra Fortesia made a speech of some sorts, a few guests had a fashion fopaux or two, and the pudding was overcooked, but none of it seems even relatively important after the things you've just learned.

As you lie awake, staring at the ceiling of your room, you try and piece everything together:


 * You're situation with Lhotun remains unresolved. You know he's one of the Redguard brothers, but not sure which one. You don't even know what their dealings with the Fortesias are.


 * So Vallina is both the heir to the Summerset Isles as well as the Empire. What a burden that must be on her.


 * What about that Daedric tome you found? Does it even belong to the Fortesias in the first place? Why is it even here?


 * And what did Cassandra Fortesia mean? We will deal with him?

It just raises too many questions. You have a few options available to you. You can walk around the second floor hallways, perhaps visit a few of the guest rooms or explore the other rooms. You can return to the first floor and check the rooms down there, perhaps try and pick up on something you missed. Or, you can attempt to sneak up to the third floor although the Fortesias are not known for their kindness to tresspassers. Now that it is later in the evening, certain rooms may be open while others may be close off. Good thing you've got all night.

A) Explore the first floor.

B) Explore the second floor.

C) Sneak up to the third floor.

D) Go to bed.