<div class="floatleft">(https://i.imgur.com/2BS7oXh.jpeg)</div><span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: impact;"><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 18pt;">Milena Kulland<br/></span></span><hr/><em>Lvl 4 Cleric of Asmodeus</em><br/><strong>HP:</strong>40/40<br/><strong>AC:</strong>19<br/><strong>Standard Perception:</strong>+10<br/><hr/><br/>Milena's hand slipped between the gap left by Davriel's raised elbow and came to rest against his forearm. The motion looked so fluidly natural, and the lack of hesitation spoke to a level of comfort and familiarity with the scion of House Nox. Then again, few things seemed to openly perturb the woman. If it did prove to be an act that Milena stoically soldiered through for the sake of appearances, then standing in proximity of her lord like this would have hardly even registered when compared against everything she had done to get this far.<br/><br/>"Oh?" Davriel's smile was returned, though Milena's possessed more of an air of amusement that was superimposed against a wickedness that always seemed to touch her eyes every time she smiled. "I know<em>someone</em>that would not consider her of little consequence." A small huff of laughter passed through her nose. It was clear that she knew something that the vampire spawn did not, but as was always the case, the imbalance would not remain for long. Rare was the occasion that Milena withheld information.<br/><br/>The infernal cleric followed the leisurely pace set by Davriel's lead, looking equally as uninterested in the events playing out before their shared gaze. The bumbling of fools hardly concerned her; she was here to see the big picture. "The wizard apparently has a crush -- an unrequited one at that. It may be useful leverage if we gain the trust of this princess without a kingdom. We will have something the wizard wants." Bluffing at the bargaining table could only get one so far. Eventually, the day would come that they would need to stand on equal footing, and holding a sway over Twin's object of desire seemed as good a place to start as any.<br/><br/>"And while I speak of the wizard, it has also come to my attention that he is the de facto leader around here. Not much of one, mind you. He's far too busy lusting over the girl and ancient treasures to do anything about the sad state of this place." If one didn't know any better, the disdain carried on Milena's voice might have been mistaken for some kind of altruistic compassion for the hundred or so souls that called this place home. Rather, the barrister merely hated to see such inefficiency. "His incompetent leadership is of course to our benefit. The people here need structure -- structure that House Nox can graciously provide. I propose that we begin a campaign that answers the most pressing concerns of these people. Let them see us as Tide Pool's true leaders. When the time comes, they will willingly hand the settlement to us." There wasn't much in this mud hole to exploit, but that hardly proved to be a barrier to Milena. Already the continent had attracted no less than two parties of fortune seekers, so there was the potential for an economy to be had here. And where there was business, there were taxes to be collected.<br/><br/>"Lastly, a potential obstacle has been brought to my attention: the seas outside Tide Pool are unsafe. But I believe I may have learned of our solution as well. Three bands of pirates war in the north and fight over the plunder that sails through those waters. A deal could be brokered with one faction; their aid keeping our shipping routes secure in exchange for the elimination of their rivals." Milena gestured forward with her head, indicating the men that they watched. "There seems to be no shortage of adventurers about. Directing them against a pirate threat of our choosing could save us the trouble."