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[h2][color=darkorchid][i][b]Victoria Belmont[/b][/i][/color][/h2][i][b][color=9932cc]Half-Elf, Bard, Level 5[/color][/b][/i]
[color=9932cc][i][b]HP:[/b][/i][/color] 33 / 33	[color=9932cc][i][b]Armor Class:[/b][/i][/color] 16	[color=9932cc][i][b]Conditions:[/b][/i][/color] N/A
[color=9932cc][i][b]Location:[/b][/i][/color] Coach House
[color=9932cc][i][b]Action:[/b][/i][/color] N/A
[color=9932cc][i][b]Bonus Action:[/b][/i][/color] [color=black][i][b]Morty[/b][/i][/color]
[color=9932cc][i][b]Reaction:[/b][/i][/color] N/A
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[right][img]https://i.ibb.co/84xS62pB/Victoria-Alt-7-ss.png[/img][/right]
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	Victoria wasn't sure whether Kosara was being sarcastic about that farmer, Laurent. It was a sort of conversational whiplash as she was initially thinking about this [i]"Prince Farid al Ramil Sabaj al Hazred"[/i], now to have a stunning sort of confusion hit that she has to take a second to puzzle out. [color=9932cc]"Oh,"[/color] she finally said, the mental pieces falling into place. [color=9932cc]"I imagine that trouble from this man will depend upon how connected he is in this area and how well respected he is by the locals. His farm grows staple products. It likely employees and feeds a number of people in the area. The locals might listen."[/color] For Victoria, this brought with it a different sort of threat. If she was openly advertised as a Necromancer, the fact that obvious acts of Necromancy were afoot would paint her as the prime suspect. Then again, she did a fair amount of that, herself. Yes, she practiced Necromancy. She was also a Bard, which meant she tended toward showmanship that bordered of overt presentation. Her new(ish) [i]Phantasmal Steed[/i] was an excellent example of this. So was her constant boar-of-burden companion, Morty. And the way that certain spells colored her face. These were things she could change if she so desired to, but no, elements of her own vanity kept this to the front. [color=9932cc]"It wouldn't be the first time I've talked my way out of an earnest meeting involving torches and pitchforks. Lucky for me, I'm a proficient public speaker."[/color] She smiled (though it didn't quite reach her eyes) and gestured in a faux dramatic manner. 

	Conversation went on for a bit without Victoria's input, mostly about the post, discussions of clergy, and plans for the next day. It was a fair assumption that they were going to have to give the events of the evening much more attention, and rightly so. Such things were fast on their way toward interfering with whatever level of tranquility the Bard was establishing for herself in these lovely environs, but Victoria kept conversation to herself. At least, until Lizbeth mentioned wanting to borrow her books. [color=9932cc]"Certainly, Lizbeth. [i]If you are careful.[/i]"[/color] The last part was spoken with emphasis. [color=9932cc]"Be aware that they are valuable and difficult to replace. Also, they are not a primer for moral guidance, rather a source of information. The Jasidan are ...harsh... in certain beliefs. But their academic and arcane research is top notch, even if they do pen from bias."[/color]

	As to her personal contribution to the investigation, which was gearing up to take place in the morning, Victoria mentioned, [color=9932cc]"I'm curious to go back over the ritual work and lend a more polished arcane mind to the items we recovered. Maybe there's something to them that can help us. Or provide a better clue as to what we are dealing with here. If no one objects, when we're settling down for the evening I'm going to confirm whatever was being done with the graveyard soil and these items; pendant and stick."[/color] She wouldn't be in a good position to do much while she was training under Annick the next day, attempting conversation with the more knowledgeable woman aside. Still, she believed that more might be found in the former sanctum of the late Monsieur L'Rose. [color=9932cc]"I wouldn't mind another trip to that Study, when we're able."[/color] There had to be more there.

	As she continued eating, Victoria's mind went back to the issue from just earlier. [color=9932cc]"If clergy is limited in this area and Laurent is poisoning public opinion against us, we might be completely on our own. The weather isn't our friend, either. We need to figure some things out before..."[/color] she glanced subtly in Lizbeth's direction, [color=9932cc]"...before this gets worse."[/color]

	After finishing, the Bard began to pack away her things, what items there were present in the taproom. A quiet mental command brought her Morty to action, ready to carry the bulk of her nearby belongings back up to the chambers on the top floor. [color=9932cc]"If no one objects,"[/color] she repeated, gathering up the items liberated from the Study. While Lizbeth planned to get the upstairs ready for rest, she would be setting up for Ritual magic. Victoria mentioned as much to the younger wine heiress, as she had taken in interest in discussions of magic. Maybe she might learn something in the process.