Johannes wrote:
> Regarding other presents i had already planned fine quality swords.

If they have noble and "old money" friends, those could give 
them fine swords with a name and a history. For a real world
comparison, consider a book, a hundred-year-old first edition 
of that book, and a signed first edition with a documented 
provenance.  
 
> The olive oil or something similiar could work, especially if it looks 
> like a merchant is dumping hard to sell wares as gifts. Propably i use 
> some live animals instead.

Either that, or an indication that the PCs are now playing in
a different league. A thousand amphorae with good dinner wine,
enough "to last the first couple of months. Why, surely you 
need a proper household now."

> Hospitality tokens also work, they could be gifts of poorer guests.

I was thinking of long-range plot hooks. Give them a voucher
good for hospitality in Taprobane or Raptha, and a couple of
years from now they can notice that a mystery corpse carried
a similar symbol as a tattoo.
 
> Gladiators or general slaves is a good idea, i had not thought about this.

Cook, scullery maid, chamber maid, laundry maid, gatekeeper, 
footman, butler, chief of staff ...

If the PCs think about it, they might not be willing to rely 
on temporary, hired help. Much too likely to tell tales. And
as noveau riche freedmen, do they have any experience what 
it means to own somebody? Are you willing to take the game 
to such issues?

A pair of gladiators could double as bodyguards and personal 
combat trainers. Or gladiatrices. A few musicians, no stereo
in those ages. A literate, educated secretary. And then
there are politically incorrect uses.
 
> An other thing i think i should put in, is a malicious gift. Cursed 
> jewelry would be a classic idea, i don't have ideas about a creative 
> curse yet though.

The jewelry makes bystanders notice gaffes, and miss any 
success. Other than that:

* Fenced goods. Could be tricky if it was a public gift.
* Something decorated with the symbols of a secret society.
  The giver could feign ignorance.
* A slave who knows too much in some unrelated conspiracy,
  but hasn't got enough to connect the dots.
* A troublesome slave.
 
> I am also thinking on other ideas, how someone might subtely attempt to 
> spoil the party, or incidents that could be interpreted that way. Any 
> ideas?

Prevent VIPs from coming. Prevent the hosts from properly
greeting a VIP. Distract the cook while the main course 
is getting burned.

Regards,
Onno
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