King's Quarters - Morning -
King's Quarters - Morning -
He leads you up the path through the grounds and to the main house proper. Mist lightly covers the grounds as the sun shines as brightly as it has in weeks this fine morning. Its rays fall upon a stately Victorian manor in well groomed condition. Based on the amount of traffic in and out of the house and complete lack of activity on the grounds it appears that the party will take place indoors.
The beauty of the house though holds a sinister secret or at least you all believe it does. As you close in on the front, you can see the carriage house off to the left side of the grounds.
Khalid's breath catches in his throat for a moment as he spots the tracks. He falls a step behind the servant and as nonchalantly as possible pints a finger down at the prints to Bannock and Crier.
Derrick breathes heavily, hoping to recenter himself, and then nods to Wyatt. "I was hoping we wouldn't have to expend any magic to get in, but it seems that's our only option now. Go ahead."
You can opt to head through the doors and in to investigate if you wish or you can just head through the Courtyard. Note that in the distance across the lawn there is activity. The people there would not be likely to notice you but it still could happen.
Marco sticks to the shadows and walks to the side door to the house across the courtyard.
King's Quarters - Morning -
Wyatt casts invisibility ad you both vanish from each others sight.
King's Quarters - Morning -
As you look back you see that the carriage house has windows in the back on the second floor, luckily no one is standing in those windows looking out or you might have been spotted!
Derrick nods as the spell takes hold, and moves to join Marco, although he still steps quietly and does his best not to do anything too obvious.
Marco peers inside from a view at one of the windows, after quietly checking to see if any of the doors are open. If there are people already visible from the party, he will attempt to move inside and blend in.
King's Quarters - Morning -
You arrive at the western porch unseen and unheard. There are three doors to choose from all of which are closed. The porch spans 115' which is only 1/3rd the length of this massive manor. It appears to be a ranch manor as you see no second floor. In addition to the doors, there are four large bay windows on this porch. The porch is held up by two dozen stone pillars.
As you do so moving stealthily you catch up with Marco who is peering in windows. He obviously does not see either of you.
King's Quarters - Morning -
It is clear that the party will not get into full swing until the next day as a band is setting up at the far end. One of the men in the room has spotted you as he is walking in your direction...
I'm 'ere with the entertainment, supposed t'be settin' up an I got turned around catchin' a spite of air.
He walks towards the band set-up.
King's Quarters - Morning -
One of the band members turns around as you approach, "Who the heck are you?"
I was told t'come an' help with the set up.
Derrick remains quiet near Marco, not wanting to surprise his friend or give him away. He stays nearby, slipping through the door after Marco opens it, and standing to the side as Marco and the apparent valet have an exchange. Seems strange. It may not be worth checking out, though, and Derrick would prefer to be there to help back up Marco in case trouble stirs, so he simply stands by, watching and waiting.
The Vistani smiles wryly. "Perhaps both? An impromptu trip to the carriage house may get the attention of our hosts, wouldn't you say?"
"Agreed. Let's see what's in this carriage house."
King's Quarters - Morning -
The carriage house is a smaller structure than the grand manor before you but larger than most homes in the city. It has two stories and read facing windows. You see a wagon stopped just outside of the entrance way with two men arguing back and forth though you are too far to hear what is being said.
As you approach, you see footprints in the grass which appear from nowhere, the footsteps are no more than 5' from the back porch! These steps head towards the back of the main house itself where a door is ajar. The valet does not seem to notice.
King's Quarters - Morning -
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King's Quarters - Morning -
To your relief, the man simply dismisses you.
Marco continues to the next band setup to offer assistance. He is ever vigilant for the two pronged dagger and his friends.
Khalid gives Bannock knowing look. "Our valet may have a point. I think our services may be better used at the front of the house."
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Bannock gazes about, quite unsure of what he's seeing, and at Khalid's suggestion, he stands gaping open-mouthed for some few moments.
Fortunately, he's trusting enough of the man to assume that he knows of that which he speaks. "Eh what? Oh, um, ah YES! Yes, of course, of course. I simply wanted to take the, ah, the longitude of the rear-facing apertures. We may progress." He motions impatiently for the valet to lead them back to the front.
He doesn't actually know what those last two sentences mean, but he heard the artillery commander say something like that once, so it sounded good.
King's Quarters - Morning -
King's Quarters - Morning -
The valet replies, "Indeed I understand, we have the loveliest grounds of any manor house here in the city why should you not want the full experience!"
He brings you back to the front of the house where the hustle and bustle are most fervent with suppliers heading in and out of the house like a frenzied ant hill. He brings you to the closest door to your position, the southern most front door which leads up a set of stairs flanked by two marble columns which hold the porch covering up.
As you are about to enter a man steps out and pauses, "Who are these people?" He asks the Valet.
Marco moves to the center door. He plans to head through an continue to search people for the dagger.
Khalid bows deeply. "Khalid de la Poer, at your service good sir. Master auger, seer to king and pleb alike and piercer of the misty boarders.. of your fortunes!" The vistani waves his hands with a flourish at the last part.
King's Quarters - Morning -
This hall literally runs from one end of the Mansion to another. The hall is filled with teeming servants and vendors scurrying to get the party preparations underway.
King's Quarters - Morning - Bloodhaven Estate - Southern Front Entrance
Reginald smiles at you all, "Good luck!"
The haughty valet begins walking into the house, "Follow me".
To your immediate right and left are two sets of doors. The valet leads you past these doors 30' north through a small hallway and to another door. Here he stops and fishes for a key to open the door.
To the east is grand hall that literally runs to the end of the Mansion. Besides being littered with servants, the walls house suits of armor, statues, plants, and weapons lounted all along the walls.
Marco moves slowly through the hallway, staying to one side, and he is continually on the look out for the twin bladed dagger.
Towards the front of the house, whichever direction that is, because I know that I have some of my companions attempting a frontal entry.
Derrick quickly shuffles to the wall and stays along there, even grabbing a handhold midway up at one point to avoid being jostled by the servants. In all the rush, he isn't able to pay as much attention to the details further down the hall, and so he merely continues to tag along with Marco.
Khalid bows to the original valet. "Thanks you Reginald. Though I assure you, luck is not need by one who can read the very stars!"
"Lead on good sir."
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Bannock tromps along, following Khalid, honestly surprised he hasn't had to slam mailed fist into table, or throw some crockery against a wall shouting about wide-spread heresy.
He also wonders what Marco is doing here. He gives the man subtle nod, trusting that he's now invisible because he's on to something.
Bannock ponders that they're success in penetrating so deeply might not be working against them, but he's thankful that at least there's no need to draw a large crowd right now, on top of Marco's head.
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Bannock pauses behind Khalid and walks up to a wall, near Marco's place, admiring the frieze upon it. "A moment, good sir. So exquisite a work must not be rushed by, lest we forget that which makes us most human. I will commend thy and thy master's excellent taste to the High Father. Truly one with such favor must stand high away from the temptations of Heresy."
The LifeCleric puts one gauntlet up to his chin in contemplation, and mumbles into it, "If you have no pressing engagment, then follow me, Marco."
After a moment he turns and rejoins Khalid. "Ah, well, I could admire this abode all day, but duty calls."
He nods to the Valet, against all business. "Onward."
King's Quarters - Morning -
The Valet stares at Bannock as he begins to walk off seemingly absentmindedly down the hall, "Sir. Sir!" he calls to no avail.
The Valet turns to Crier and Khalid. Crier stares the man down and he seems to shrink under the gaze of the Constable. "Very well but if he does not come back I shall have the guards throw him out forthwith".
After a few minutes of working his way through the crowd Bannock finally reaches Marco.
Marco follows along with a smile.