Despite Tereze's awesome social skills there doesn't appear to be a lot to be learned about the Drownyard, which is probably due to the area having been completely off limits for over a decade. The only information Tereze is able to get, is information Drendle already provided.
Tereze does however attract the attention of a certain person. Rumors spread quickly, and it doesn't take long before an errand boy approaches Tereze with an envelop:
It has come to my attention that you and your cohorts were chosen by the noble Pathfinders to enter and explore what became of the Tri-Towers Yard. As my daughter, Junia, was lost there during the great quake, it seems only proper that you attend the banquet I am holding tomorrow in memory of her. You and your friends should wear your finest and arrive at the Dacilane Estate in the Ivy District at sundown. As you are probably not accustomed to the traditions of nobles, not attending this dinner would be a serious slight upon the memory of my daughter.
Sincerely,
Lady Miranda Dacilane
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If everyone is gathered Tereze announces:
We have been "Informed" zat our presence has been required at dinner tonight.
She then reads the letter to the group.
Do any of you know zis lady? But no matter what zis is a fancy dinner in ze memory of a dead child.
Urbar and Ery, I know it is hard, but I would take zis as a personal afront if you ruin zis dinner. Zat means we need you to dress up and be in your best behavior.
She looks sternly at the two men waiting for them to show they understand.
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As Gwen shows them the inn, Locke takes a quick overlook.
"Given the size, you could make a busy business here.
The Final Farewell, though? Farewells are usually a bad thing, it makes me think of two people saying goodbye before one dies in some faraway place."
"But come on, Gwen, do enough taleworthy deeds and pull off enough amazing feats, and people will start talking. It's the natural course of gossip, fame, and reputation."
Current time:
"Another formal dinner, eh?
I guess i'll have to mix up a vocal fix. Two maybe, the formulae is tricky. Last dinner we had it turned out ok, but still."
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Tereze faces Urbar:
Ze clothing zing we can fix today if you let me help you shop.
As for dinner, I suppose if you do not want to act fancy we could try to pass you off as our servant or bodyguard... would you rather do zat zen acting fancy?
She thinks for a moment then says:
How about zis? You do zis for me and after zis mission, I will spend three days with you and Ulfa out in the wild, with you teaching me, or me helping you with, whatever you zink is important. Deal?
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"Wait, what?" Ery says having just realized he was being spoken too. He had been steeping a new brew of freshly grown tea up until now.
"You make it sound like I could even fail such a thing." He raises a brow to Tereze before shaking his head in a scoffingly playful manner.
"Listen here!" He points gently at Tereze with his cup, "I have two functions in this group. The first being social wonder. And I know you know I can do that."
He looks to urbar after he makes a deal with the Virisian oracle.
"So that's what they call it in the woods...'teaching' is it?"
As Ubar spits in his hand, the elf looses all faith.
"Nope... Never mind, you ruined it. The scenario is so far fetched I cant even suspend my disbelief."
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"Let's head out to buy some new clothes."
Urbar says as he storms off, wanting to have it behind him.
Having arrived at the store he seems to second guess himself if he made the right choice.
A promise is a promise
He thinks for himself as he hears the bell of the door ring as he enters. Within notime he is standing on a small pedestal and being measured.
"But good sir, you will need accessories with this outfit! You cannot go without them! You will look like an out of place commoner."
The man says, covering his mouth half in shock at Urbar's lack of knowledge. He grumbles something under his breath about even more expenses and the uselessness of it all before saying something that might go for a yes. A few hours later he comes back looking somewhat like this, with a scowl on his face.
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Tereze goes with Urbar to help him shop, trying hard to make sure he at least has a ok time and ends up looking both fashionable and free to move quickly if needed. Also if possible she wants to encourage Urbar to get a wrist sheath like hers incorporated into the outfit. Just in case you need a blade.
Seeing his final outfit she considers it for a moment then nods.
Zhe colors will go fine with my dress, but you will be a near perfect match with Gwen.
As they start to leave the store she says: Have you at least figured out zat all of us are not baby killers yet? Most people may be silly and unable to understand how you were raised, but not all of zen deserve zat scowl.
Then she looks down at Ulfa and says:
Do you zink she would tolerate a collar? Grooming her coat and wearing a collar would probably go a long way to making ze other guests more comfortable with her being zere.
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By the night's end, the priest wears his formal attire for dining with nobles:
A black cloak lined with a shimmering yellow gold trim draped symmetrically over his shoulder, His tunic is form fitted with a chest deep "V" lined with the same trim as the cloak. The strings used to tie the tunic tucked away.
His pants are a simple black silk tucked into a pair of newly polished boots, each buckled with a golden clasp.
His verdant hair combed back and put into a tight, albeit small pony tail.
He wears a scarf around his neck that doubles as part of his cloak in place of a hood. The scars from his misadventure hidden away to prevent awkward conversation or to prevent allure from unsightly scarrage.
Ery Fails to await the others and arrives ahead.
"Ehh, better get to know the house. A priest aught to me amusing for some nobles to entertain." He thinks.
Approaching the door, He knocks, awaiting answer...
The door of the mansion opens and a servant appears in front of Eryzule. The servant, a short human man with a head so shiny and bald it could function as a mirror, smiles politely at the elf. "Good evening. How can I be of service?"
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Urbar agrees with Tereze that a collar might be best. He goes off after clothes shopping to find a fitting collar, he eventually finds one in a dark and old shop. The man promised him that it was a very special collar.
After shopping he puts on the collar, after having calmed the wolf. The collar adjusts immediately to fit Ulfa just perfect. Urbar smiles, the collar is going to be a huge help in the future.
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The day after shopping he grooms Ulfa before heading off. He comes way to early but discovers that Ery is already there. He knocks on the door, pulling his hood back revealing a tattooed and bald head. His swords are on his back instead of at his waist, trying to not be too threatening right off the bat.
"I am with the priest who came earlier."
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Tereze goes and gathers a small makeup kit and gets her hair done up . With that complete she changes into her dress and jewelery. Finally she applies her makeup and looks at herself in the mirror.
Acceptable I suppose... she thinks, seeing only her flaws and not the beautiful woman most others would see.
Finally she grabs her letter and gathers as many of her companions as she can find. Then the group heads over to arrive right on time at the banquet.
As she arrives she presents her invitation:
Pathfinder Tereze Amnell and her companions here to honor ze memory of Junia Dacilane.
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Gwen joins Tereze in her recently purchased dress, feeling much more comfortable in it this time around. She was not well-versed in such things and remained quiet while introductions were made; she really did not feel like making a fool of herself... She leans in to whisper to Tereze. "Please help me get through this?"
The servant sighs ever so briefly it makes you wonder if he did sigh at all, and lets you in.
"You are very early," he says in a semi-accusing tone.
Once inside you're led into a banquet hall filled with gilded furniture, painted ceilings, gold-spun wallpaper, and valuable Chelish rugs that, if sold, could easily feed a family in the Puddles District for a year. There's no food on the tables yet, but servants start to scurry to get the food when they notice an early guest has arrived.
It doesn't take long for the tables to be filled with rich foods, and roughly half an hour later the other guests start pouring in. All of the other guests are nobles, and you quickly notice not all of them are in someone else's company.
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You arrive at the sprawling estate, which is surrounded by a tall, wrought-iron fence and overly decorated in statuary, fountains, and a carefully landscaped garden. The same bald servant that let Eryzule in also lets you in, this time without a sigh: he's too busy gawking at the enormous wolf.
You're led to the banquet hall, where some more guests besides Eryzule have gathered by now. All of the other guests are nobles, and all of them gasp as you enter with a wolf four times your own size trailing behind you. One noblewoman even lets out a cliché shriek, after which she drops her glass and faints in an equally cliché fashion.
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The bald servant also opens the door for you. He looks strangely relieved when he reads the invitation and hears you're the only other Pathfinders to come to the banquet.
"Your male companions arrived ahead of you," the servant says as he leads you to the banquet hall, making it easy for you to figure out why he's relieved.
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Once Urbar and Ulfa enter---
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"Hm, I apologize. I expected him to be more rugged today, but Lady Tereze must have put him in a suit. Oh! Ulfa is also 'civilized" Ery smiles joining Urbar with a firm wrist grab and shake, leaning in for a whisper.
Once the ladies arrive---
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Ery looks up to See Fiona, Gwen and Tereze upon their entry. He shift to them after excusing himself from the noble group.
"Always a pleasure to see you three in finery." He says, briefly eyeing up Gwen.
"Anyway, I arrived early. Not all of the nobles have partners. I've talked you all up in the vaguest possible way for their own imaginations to go crazy...a Calistrian trick of tongues, I assure you. Enjoy, I'll be making my why to the wine... and that ravishingly lithe woman over yonder." He offers the three of them a bow while winking to Locke on his way.
"I made a bet with the nobles, first to find out who what race or gender you are by the nights end wins 10 platinum." He snickers, sliding away...
With an ear ever on conversation Ery acts aloof but will always be snooping for slanderous behavior among the nobles.
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Tereze looks around and tries to get the feeling of the room. As she does so she glances over at Ery: Ery is going to be in his element tonight. One of us may want to keep an eye on him all at all times...
Shall we join Urbar and Locke? she asks the other women?
Assuming they say yes, she wanders over near Urbar. Oh I see you agreed with my suggestion for Ulfa. The collar looks good on her. she says while unconsciously petting the wolf.
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Locke was wearing the same formal version of clothing as the previous time. Mysterious with style.
Locke leaned with back against the wall, observing while waiting admittance inside. With Ery talking to nobles, and the girls talking about other things, hat was the easiest past time.
Then came the moment Ery winked over, and Locke walked up to him.
Hearing about the bet, there was no immediate reaction....
"You might as well hand over the platinum to me right now. My vocal condition is the pit in the road anyway. I am quite safe."
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Urbar nods, feeling out of odds with one woman on the ground and the others about to faint. He whispers to Ery with a grin on his face.
"I think that may be best..."
Having had his fun he slinks back to the door, thinking it best to stay there for a while. At least until the others arrive. A few moments later a pop can be heard and Ulfa shrinks back to her normal medium size, still very large for a dog though.
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Once the others arrive he grins at Tereze petting Ulfa.
"One of the women already fainted when they saw her..."
Urbar adds in a low voice, not mentioning anything about the collars special abilities.
Tereze senses a lot of the nobles are grieving. Some subtle digging by Eryzule reveals many of them lost a child ten years ago, when the quake caused the school their children where at to collapse and sink into the necropolis below. The banquet, which is being held in honor of the children, causes their old grief to surface.
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Tereze grins at Urbar as she whispers softly:
Then the women need to grow a spine. By the way, you both look quite good tonight.
Then making sure her group is set, she wanders off to mingle, console and support the people around her that seem to be taking the day hard. While doing that she always keeps one eye on her friends and quickly moves back to support them if anyone comes to talk to them.
Some mingling and consorting later the servants announce dinner's about to start. You're led to another room, where you take seats at a long table and enjoy a 10-course dinner. Near the end of the dinner the woman at the head of the table stands, and the chatter subsides. The woman's Lady Dacilane, the one who invited you. She's been keeping to herself thus far.
"I want to thank you all for attending dinner this evening," Lady Dacilane says with an unmoving face. "As you all know, we're here in remembrance of our dear children. It's been ten years now, but a parent never forgets the loss of a child. I thank all of you who have been there to support my family during the past ten years, and know that I will be there for you. Junia, and the other children, will forever live on within my heart. I pray such a tragedy will never repeat itself."
By the end of her brief speech some tears have escaped the corners of Lady Dacilane's watery eyes. She quickly wipes them away as she sits down, trying to maintain a strong appearance. The woman next to her places a hand on her shoulder and says some comforting words. Slowly, the chatter picks up again as desserts arrive.
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When Fiona walks up, Locke nods slowly.
"It isn't. I'm not used to formal dinner parties with nobles. So much gossip and intrigues.
I've spent a lot of time on the streets doing odd jobs, that or being in exciting situations."
(Slight chuckle)
"I prefer a dinner with friends or comrades in arms in a modest inn or restaurant any time over this. Like you guys, now that i've been with your group for some time.
Correct me if i'm wrong, but i get the impression you feel the same way, regarding the company anyway."
When the time comes for the dinner, Locke ignores any stares at the mask and gloves. Sitting alongside the guys, yet opposite Fiona, Locke observes the occupants at the other side. Nothing interesting happened.
[smaller]"Hey, Fiona. I think i may have something for that.
After the dinner.", (pointing to own palm)
Lady Dacilane keeps her distance from you, even after the dinner. It is only when the other guests begin to leave that she approaches you.
"My daughter Junia was one of so many children lost. Hundreds of them pinned under the rubble in that sinkhole. The black water rising — the kids screaming." She quiets for a moment. "None of us could get to them."
Lady Dacilane tries her best to be polite, but you notice there's a hint of resentment toward you that she's trying to conceal. Trying to stay as courteous as she can, the Lady gestures to an enormous painting of her daughter — a rigid, sharp-featured young girl with long black hair — that looms over the entire banquet hall. "If you find anything of her, please return what you find..."
The Lady swallows and quickly continues to speak: "It may not be of help, but I recall Junia once mentioned that other children — not my Junia mind you — skipped class to tell ghost stories by candlelight in an abandoned corridor beneath the school. I figured it might be useful for you to know there is such a corridor."
Lady Dacilane then shows you to the door herself, wishes you luck in your exploration, and says, "If you find anything... It's important to me to know what happened to her."
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Of course we will let you know and return to you anything we find related to your daughter. In fact we were planning to do zat for all the children we might find. We understand full well how much responsibility we have delving into this area. Ze Pathfinders are here to shed light on what happened, not destroy anyone's memories.
Tereze takes a long look at the picture of the girl to try to memorize her so she can identify the body if found.
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The Elf studies the child, considering the information being collected by the Lady's recount of the event.
Once they leave the mansion...
"She resented us... Likely with every fiber of her being." Ery smirked as he pondered further. "Bet she'll try to entomb us? Likely blames the society for her daughter's death...so on." He said aloud with a mildly excited tone. "Vengeful. I admire that."
His arms folded behind his head as he turned toward the group, walking backwards.
"I'm going to get my standard delving cloths. I'll see you lovely lot at the entry... unless I get bored. Then I'll see you IN the downed school. He laughs.
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After the dinner, Locke left the pleasantries to the others.
A visible facial expression to go along with the words would be more effective, in front of the woman.
When Fiona comes up and asks about the offered something, Locke nods.
"Yes. I can't see what your inner palms look like, but it's a hunch i got.
An alchemist back in my old neighborhood had the misfortune to have burnt his palms in an experiment, and looked at his hands like that sometimes. A good man..."
Locke opens a pouch on the belt, and takes from it a snuffbox.
Opening it, a fragrance of something sweet greets Fiona's senses.
"He encouraged me to have this with me, in case i'd share in his bad luck. It's a salve mixture of chamomile and jasmine, used to treat rough skin and light burns. I've not had need of it yet, but maybe it is of use to you."
Locke closes the box, and holds it up to Fiona.
You eventually all find yourselves at Beldrin’s Bluff in Absalom’s Precipice District. It's a rotting ghost town at the edge of a hungry sea. Throughout the derelict landscape, seagulls perched on splintered timbers reflect your passage in their glassy black eyes. Overhead, dark clouds move ashore with the promise of a storm.
You approach the Drownyard from the west. A fence of black iron pikes surrounds a block-wide yard. Dead tree branches reach out from the fence like the arms of emaciated prisoners desperate to escape. A man is on the inside, cutting the trees down. Some of the dismembered branches remain, stuck in place by knotty elbows swollen around the iron.