Book 1: Important People

[ManWithDoor]

Here's where the information you get about actually Important people will be gathered, for easier reference in the future, for all of us.

Senate Building:

General: The Taldan Senate, sometimes referred to as the Senate Building or simply the Senate, is the seat of the Senatorial branch of the Taldan government. The structure has existed in one form or another for millenia, though natural disasters, sabotage, and war have partially leveled it several times in the Empire's grandiose history leading to many large-scale repairs and revisions. The current Senate Building is a grand, T-shaped edifice constructed from white marble. Ostentatious columns carved with glorious scenes of the nation's history surround the building on all sides, while a pronounced flight of precisely 100 stairs ascends to the main entrance.

Arcade of Triumphs: 4 Successes
Courtyard: 5 Successes

A1 (Arcade of Triumphs): The entry gallery celebrates Taldor's abundant military and political glories. Banners and trophies line the halls of the arcade, some displayed openly while others rest behind intricate glass cases, while armor stands and display cases present countless artifacts belonging to great heroes and soldiers. A score of Taldan Phalanx troops stand at attention, acting as both ceremonial honor guards for the Senate, and guides to some of the military assets on display.
- NPCs present:
- High Strategos Maxillar Pythareus
- Landgrave Ogvai Jarlbjorn
- Grand Duke Avernathus
: Area Influence Skills: Appraise, Knowledge (History or Nobility), Perception, Spellcraft, Use Magic Device.

A2 (Courtyard - Senate Exterior): Breathtaking gardens surround the Senate Building. Catered patios segregate by short iron fences, coordinated military displays, and even a makeshift zoo of imported animals and magical beasts fill the few open spaces here, even including a small hive of bees busily pollinating the exotic flowers and making the honey used by the Senate kitchens. Many of the senior nobles enjoy the breaks between ceremonies in this open space.
- NPCs present:
- Princess Eutropia
- Lady Glorianna Morilla
- Lady Martella Lotheed (your Benefactor)
- Marquess Tanasha Starborne
: Area Influence Skills: Handle Animal, Knowledge (Engineering, Local, Nature), Perform (Keyboard, Percussion, Sing, String, Wind - other may be successful but harder).

A3 (Emperor's Hall): The gathering space before the Senate chamber is set aside as the property of the Emperor, and features countless statues and portraits of previous Grand Princes. While formally these chambers are for the use of the Emperor, no Grand Prince has ever maintained an office within the Senate Building, and the space is understood to be public meeting rooms by silent agreement.
- The Emperor's Hall sees rotating use throughout the night for various backroom deals, and serves as a private space where the PCs can meet quietly.
- Not available for 'Area Influence' rolls.

A4 (Gallery - not pictured, as on the roof above A3/A6): The second floor of the Senate Building (not shown on the Senate of Taldor map) acts as an observation deck to the events of the main floor, with offices for various Senators lining the outer walls. This area of winding passageways is typically open to noble observers and Senatorial aides. Much of the gallery is dedicated to entertaining the children of various nobles, with extravagant performances occurring throughout the upper balconies of the Senate Building.
- NPCs present:
- Countess Abrielle Pace
- Wyssilka the Fantabulous
- Marquess Charlotte Deschamps
- Earl Gahez Varima
: Area Influence Skills: Acrobatics, Disguise, Perform (Act, Comedy, Dance - again, may get creative), Sleight of Hand.

A5 (Imperial Archives): The Imperial Archives could have been Golarion's greatest collection of transcribes knowledge, had any care been invested into its upkeep. Centuries of redirected funding and Senate-sanctioned pruning of "sensitive information" has ruined the once immaculate reputation of the archives. This vast library now acts as a repository for haphazardly curated books, Senate minutes, and genealogy records left open to the scrutiny of uncaring nobles. During the Grand Day of Exaltation, a host of rising aristocrats and aspiring courtiers here tout their knowledge of Taldan history.
- NPCs present:
- Duke Leonard Centimus
- Lord Remilliard Kastner
- Viscountess Octavia Nicodemius
: Area Influence Skills: Knowledge (Arcana, Geography, History), Linguistics, Profession (Librarian, Scribe), Stealth.

A6 (Senate Floor): Normally closed to non-Senators, the vast, circular Senate floor is open to special guests during the Grand Day of Exaltation, and myriad would-be nobles take the opportunity to duck in and live out a few moments of power fantasy, issuing mock legislation or engaging in lively debates.
- NPCs present:
- Baron Nicolaus Okerra
- Baronet Duranis Cicato
- Kalbio of Breezy Creek
: Area Influence Skills: Bluff, Knowledge (Local, Nobility, Religion), Perform (Oratory), Profession (Clerk, Barrister), Sense Motive.

A7 (Servant Area): While several hidden corridors crisscross the Senate building, allowing servants to come and go without disturbing the assembled politicians, this area houses most of the storerooms, workshops, and kitchens where the building's small army of servants bustle around to maintain the facade of opulence. Even this area, never meant for noble eyes, is of exceptional quality, though the gilt has worn thin on most corners, and here and there cheap repairs mar artistic furniture.
- NPCs present: None (so far)
: Area Influence Skills: Craft (Alchemy, Carpentry, Jewelry, Sculpture, Stonemasonry), Heal, Intimidate, Profession (Baker, Butcher, Cook, Innkeeper, Porter), Sense Motive.

Senate Building

[ManWithDoor]

Lady Martella Lotheed
- Female
- Human (20s or 30s)
- Unknown Class. Know for inventing clever mechanical devices, and advancing the craft of musical instruments.

Info Gathered:
- Basic: The wealthy Lotheed family has been a strong supporter of the Stavians for almost 100 years. They have a long family tradition of arcane magic, adding to their wealth and prestige.
- Intermediate: Martella is the black sheep of her family, being a result of an extramarital dalliance with a Qadiran diplomat. She lacks her family’s gift for magic as well, adding to their resentment.
- Advanced: Despite her family’s disdain, Martella still commands some wealth and has extensive contacts, having attended the Sinora Academia, Taldor’s most exclusive girls’ school.

Lady Martella Lotheed

[ManWithDoor]

High Strategos Maxillar Pythareus
- Human Male (40s)
- Likely a Mounted Warrior of some variety

Appearance: Maxillar is a muscular man in his early forties. Years under the elements have weathered his skin, and he keeps his silver hair closely cropped. He wears a green-and-blue tabard emblazoned with the Taldor's official coat of arms, publicly declaring his loyalty to the Nation more than anything else.

Public Background: Nearly every Taldan recognizes commander-in-chief High Strategos Maxillar Pythareus as Grand Prince Stavian III's right hand man, and fanatical supporter of the throne. He is known for his military supremacy, and makes no secret that he openly advocates new wars of conquest against wayward colonies like Andoran and Cheliax, or even Qadira. With the disappearance of Stavian IV five years prior, ideas such as military expansion, especially against Qadira, are lauded by the populace at large. Secure in the splendor of the Capital, the people find it easy to believe that victory will be guaranteed, and justice served for the loss of the Golden Prince.

Maxillar Pythareus

[ManWithDoor]

Marquess Tanasha Starborne
- Gnome Female (Age Unknown - Pathfinder Gnomes don't age as normal mortals, they eventually succumb to the Bleaching - a wasting disease that affects gnomes who become mired in mundanity)
- Magic-User

Public Background: Marquess Tanasha Starborne is an eccentricity, to say the least. It is not suspected that she is necessarily particularly influential, but she stands out from the crowd, and that can be a power all unto its own. The gnomes of Wispil, a city in the heart of the Verduran Forest, supplies much of the lumber that feeds the needs of Taldor. Given their importance, they are granted one Senate seat. However, they decided they did not want a hereditary seat, and instead volunteer one of their number to fill the position for a time, switching according to whatever internal logic the gnomes secretly have. A female Senator is a scandal, but the Kingdom cannot do anything directly about it since the Marquess does not claim hereditary claim to the Senate Seat, so inheritance laws cannot touch her. Reports paint a picture of a colorful, chaotic diversion.

Tanasha Starborne

[ManWithDoor]

Duke Leonard Centimus
- Half-Elf Male
- Aristocrat (Paraplegic)

Public Background: Duke Leonard Centimus is not a Senator himself, but a guest of one. The half-elf is an intellectual and a tinkerer whose head makes him an excellent administrator. His organizational talents are widely sought after, giving him a wide net of influence. Five years ago he was in some sort of accident, crippling his legs. He still attends all of the court functions in a wheelchair of his own design. It has a great deal of artistic embellishment, although it is still tasteful.

Weakness = His Wheelchair. Seems to be a bit of an engineer himself, making personal improvements. Likely skills such as Disable Device / Knowledge Engineering would make someone ideal to discuss such things, but showing interest at least gives you a boost regardless.

Leonard Centimus

[ManWithDoor]

Baron Nicolaus Okerra
- Male Human
- Soldier

Appearance: This handsome bear of a man stands a head taller than the crowd, and while starting to show his age with flecks of white in his black hair and beard, he retains a youthful smile and gentle eyes.

Public Background: A famous tournament winner, primarily with the lance and bow. Famous as a debater on the fineries of law and order, especially now that he is slowing down in his middle age and is not hitting the tournament circuit as often. Widely respected as fair and unbiased, he has also been called in to provide mediation in noble disputes, or to act as the marshal in contentious duels.

[ManWithDoor]

Countess Abrielle Pace
- Female Human
- Aristocrat

Appearance: Only ridiculously gauche noble clothing and fine jewelry set Countess Pace apart from any Taldan. Her face is usually in a smile, though it quickly turns to a sneer when she loses control of a conversation. She has short but well-kept brown hair locked back in a stylized bun.

Public Background: A deeply political person, she is known to have at least a listening ear if not a soft hand in almost every political party vying for power in the Taldan Senate. No one is entirely sure of her motives, but given her connections few would turn her away. Her husband is the official Senator, but he is currently bedridden. She holds his proxy, and votes on his behalf.

Countess Abrielle Pace

[ManWithDoor]

Lady Gloriana Morilla
- Female Human
- Aristocrat

Appearance: Lady Morilla stands tall among her noble peers, sporting the finest of Absalom's fashion. Her attire is far less ostentatious than that of other present nobles, but she makes up for it with a grace of movement that allows her to easily shift between crowds.

Public Background: Openly one of Princess Eutropia's staunchest supporters, and is often found at her side during public events. A famed storyteller and musician, she is welcome in just about every court that has heard of her.

[ManWithDoor]

Kalbio of Breezy Creek
- Male Human
- Peasant Artisan

Appearance: Kalbio uncomfortably wears clothing of noble finery, constantly fidgeting with the cuffs or scratching at his neck. His calloused hands, simple hair style, and sun-beaten face all set him apart, as does his broad, genuine smile.

Public Background: If Kalbio has any dark hidden past, he is terrible at hiding it. He doesn't seem to have a dishonest bone in his body, just being a simple peasant. From the small hamlet of Breezy Creek, his parents scrounged together the copper to pay for his education as an apprentice weaver, and he showed remarkable skill. His story has inspired several local nobles to begin clamoring over his tapestries, and for nearly a decade the savant's work has decorated even the Imperial Palace.

Kalbio of Breezy Creek

[ManWithDoor]

Wyssilka the Fantabulous
- Halfling Female
- Entertainer

Appearance: Wyssilka is a halfling wearing standout black-red-and-white attire. She wears similar makeup, embellishing her childish face to resemble a raccoon. Despite her color choice, Wyssilka is abound with enthusiasm and smiles, showing off a set of immaculate white teeth.

Public Background: Wyssilka has been hired as the children's entertainment for the Gala. Along with a full troupe of halfling acrobats, she performs minor magic tricks, face painting, juggling, tumbling, and simple comedy skips to keep the younger attendees occupied while their parents hobnob.

Wyssilka the Fantabulous