Guild Wars 2

This part starts off with a letter sent our way, by Queen Jennah herself. At least , I think it is. Maybe someone else with a name that initials QJ, perhaps, but whatever, we’re invited to a festive gathering of ministers in Divinity’s Reach.

We call Taimi up to tell her this, then ask about Braham. Rox apparently managed to cool him down somewhat, but he’s still going to try going up to Jormag with a group of his own, and Taimi doubts he’ll succeed. But she does have an idea, thanks to the samples we sent last time, and just needs an experiment and some contacts to sort things out.

“Anyways, say hi to the queen for me!”

“Do you know her?”

“I feel like I do after all the gossip rags I’ve read! Do you know she doesn’t wear shoes? Try not to stare at her feet now that I’ve told you that.”

As we enter the throne room, Queen Jennah welcomes us, then proceeds to lead us back out to the garden where we were before. Okay. During that, she has a brief heart to heart with us regarding the difficulties of her position.

“This place is all subtext and politics. Do a thing one person likes and three hate you for it. It gets very complicated. You? You just relentlessly smash things until they’re no longer at odds with you. I wish it were like that around here sometimes.”

“Haha, well, what can I smash for you today?”

However, she soon gets to the point : She thinks a White Mantle attack is imminent, and wants to prepare. She plans to deliver what some will consider “shocking news” at this gathering, probably regarding Caudecus’s reveal as the leader of the White Mantle. But for now, she wants us to mingle, help reassure the people…and keep a watchful eye for anything suspicious.

Before we start mingling, we can ask Queen Jennah a few things, specifically, about Anise (who is not present, apparently “occupied”), Logan (still slowly recovering), and about the Ministry Guard (potential trouble since Caudecus was their boss before he left). So, nothing we couldn’t guess at.

Anyways, on to business. We’ve got some people to talk to. May as well start with someone familiar from close by, Minister Evil Eir Estelle. We deride the White Mantle to her face a bit, before noting her friend Caudecus’s involvement with them. She claims to know nothing, but we know better from the last time we dealt with her.

“I couldn’t help but notice you speaking with the queen. How is she?”

“A pillar of strength under pressure, as always.”

“Good. With everything that’s happening…I worry for her. For us.”

“Yes, the White Mantle are beyond despicable, aren’t they?” “Quite.”

“Power-hungry mongrels with nothing but gold in their eyes.” “Indeed.”

“I’ve stepped on things with more moral authority then those poisonous toads.”

“It’s very clear how you feel about the White Mantle.”

“Your friend Caudecus’s association with them must have rattled you.”

“I can tell you, no one was more shocked. I hadn’t the faintest idea.”

“Really? Even with all the rumors circulating before he broke out?”

“Oh, I try to ignore gossip. People caught spreading such filth should earn a trip to the gallows.”

“I feel the same way about traitors ; they should watch their necks. Good day.”

Yeah, she’s going to be evil. Just a matter of when.

Well, onto the next nearest people, Minister Merula and Lord Faren. As we approach though, we can overhear some nobles behind them being uneasy with all the Ministry Guard around.

Talking to Faren, we find that Minister Merula brought him along as company and as muscle for in case something happens. However, they’ve not seen anything suspicious, being too focused on chatting with each other at the moment.

“Oh, Faren. Don’t let me distract you all evening.”

“I…think I should get going.”