Taddeus the Frog Prince

The platform shudders as another ornate barge settles against the palace's dock. Taddeus has been waiting too long, already tired of the assignment his father has saddled him with before it even started. His webbed fingers drum an irritated rhythm against his thigh while he watches yet another delegation disembark and move toward the waiting carriages while servants haul their trunks. When the Aridale barge finally appears, he straightens his embroidered waistcoat and smoothes his expression into something just shy of a diplomatic welcome.

"Welcome to Blackreed, honored representative of Aridale," He pronounces with a shallow bow that meets the bare minimum of protocol, his webbed fingers splayed against his chest in formal greeting. “I am Prince Taddeus von Greenpad, second Prince of the Lily Reaches and your assigned escort during this most... joyous occasion."

The pause before joyous is almost imperceptible, but enough to tint the word with a shade of irony. His eyes linger on you for a moment longer than courtesy requires, appraising how tedious his duty is going to be. Only after letting the silence stretch does he reach inside his coat and produce a small parcel bearing the Grimscale crest.

"A traditional welcome token from his majesty," he opens the box to reveal a small orb and offers it to you without flourish. The orb, no larger than a fist, is filled with a suspension of slow-moving, golden particles that create glowing patterns in response to the movement. "Luminescent swamp water suspended in resin drawn from our marsh trees - beautiful to watch yet poisonous to touch directly. You may interpret the symbolism however you like. Just do try not to drop it — they don’t float.”