Carriage for Delour. Especially with an armored escort.
A series of lessons.
4606. Roughly a century ago. Westcrown ruled Cheliax is at the height of its imperial power. Its patron god, Aroden, has the poor grace to die. Without direct divine the empire starts to unravel from the edges in. A civil war lasting more than 30 years erupts. The war ends with House Thrune seizing power. Thrune moves the capital to Egorian. Without the status provided by Aroden and the old monarchy, and with Thrune's justifiavle suspicions of royalist leanings, Westcrown falters. Its decline is hastened by the plague of shadowbeasts.
The House of Thrune crushed the last of the old royalist armies in 4638. It took an additional two years to fully consolidate power and control.
4640-4661 Anvengen Doskivari, priest of Asmodeus
4661- 4694 Dargentu Vheed, an arcane caster of nasty reputation
4694-470? (present) Aberian Arvanxi
Although it is late afternoon, the heavy clouds make an early murky dusk in the streets and alleyways. Even the rain seems to leach the light from the air and hide it in the dark blotches left by each heavy drop that strikes your clothing. (You can congratulate yourselves on the decision to hire a carriage. You do not arrive looking like bedraggled sewer rats.)
Aberian's Folly, as the Mayor's Mansion has become known in recent years, is a corpulent building of stone and iron which looms over its neighbors in south Westcrown. It is nearly a castle with solid black buttresses running up the ochre walls to a roof crowned with gargoyles and festooned around the edge with nails, hooks, and spikes to keep birds from nesting.
The rain makes even this forbidding pile welcoming. Smoke rises from a dozen chimneys and light seeping through the shutters and roaring through the open door promises a warm, dry interior.
A canvas has been rigged over a garland lined gravel walk from the gate to the front door. Rain-cowed servants bearing torches greet you and escort you to the door where a drier set of servants take your coats and hats, if you wish to part with them.
When the carriage stops and the footman opens the door Raven is out quickly, bowing and handing the ladies down until Crosael emerges last. He and she follow all of you up the walkway.
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Zarabeta is taken by the squat and ugly architecture of the place, Befitting a people whose culture seeks not the heavens, but instead embraces the pit. she thinks scornfully.
She sees the spikes, to 'keep the birds away,' and, not at all coincidentally, to make the lives of upper-story burglers more difficult and dangerous, and it only affirms her decision to leave Uqabi back at the hideout. Explaining to the opinionated and easily-offended avian why the Chels would want to discourage birds from landing on their rooves could be socially awkward at a party full of those same people.
Know local (#1):
Know local (#2):
Perception:
Fiosa casually remarks, "Begging your pardon ma'am, but those chimneys haven't seen smoke for years and years. Must be a right proper swa-ree tonight."
In a low voice she adds an aside to Zarabeta: "And about a block back there was a noble's carriage parked in the rain. Maybe they're waiting for someone...?"
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Knowledge (local):
Perception:
"I noticed the carriage, probably somebody looking to arrive fashionably late," Waifrin shrugs. "Or possibly somebody marking who arrives and when to measure status - don't worry, we are way beneath their notice," Waifrin remarks. "Not often, eh? The more people, the easier for us to become lost in the crowd."
The servants hand the main party off to a thin pale woman with greying black hair drawn into a spiral tower pinned with iron spikes atop her head. Although severely unadorned, her black gown is clearly of fine fabric. "Madames, Sirs. You must be our guests of honor. I am Crossael, Lord Mayor Arvanxi's major domo. Welcome to the Mayoral Mansion. May I have your names so that I may announce you?"
As she finishes her speech, through the open outer door you see, a carriage, almost certainly the waiting carriage, pulling up. Marius and Delour emerge and progress up the covered walkway.
Fiosa curtsies clumsily to the majordomo, holding her tongue as befits her position.
Crossael takes in the information and looks you all over. Her eyes narrow while looking at Fiosa. "Do you wish her to serve you at table?"
*** After your answer *** "Peter, take Fiosa here to the kitchen. Perhaps cook can find a use for her." "Find her some black livery. She looks more a merchant guard than a proper servant."
Returning her attention to the guests, she says, "Are you ready?"
Once you're set she steps to the inner doorway and in a voice which projects surprisingly well across the large room beyond she announces, "Tonight's guests of honor, the players of the Trials of Larazod. Lord Mayor Aberian welcomes, Visbaronetess Delour Aulamaxa and Marius Smith. Waifren Miller and her guest Zarabeta. Ramiel Naevandis and Calseinica Nymiss."
The murmuring conversation quiets and most faces turn to look at you. It's a crowd of about five dozen. Among them you can spot several known faces, Robahl Nonon, Thesing Umbero Ulvauno, and Mayor Aberian Arvanxi. The mayor is not too far from the doorway and begins moving through the crowd toward you.
Many in the crowd nod or raise a glass to Waifrin.
The mayor, a round man with a thin gauze of hair combed over his bald pate, breaks through and walks quickly toward you. "My friends, you do my house honor. I was thrilled, enraptured by your bold portrayals of Larazod and his staunch companions. I am so thrilled you could be here tonight. The cream of the city is here, and my wine cellar is deep. If there is anything you desire tell the staff. I have such a pleasant night planned...."
Robahl Nonon quietly falls in behind the mayor and waits his turn to greet you.
The ceiling soars fifteen or twenty feet overhead. The room is lined with tiers of portraits of Westcrown's mayors and nobles through the ages, or at least it was. A number of portraits have been removed, leaving dark picture sized rectangles on the wall. The floor is partially covered by a dense thick red wool runner. It almost feels like felt covered wood underfoot. The thread count must be incredibly high.
At the far end two staircases ascend to the upper floor. Between double doors open into what looks like an indoor garden with a bridge and stream, and beyond that a table set with gold and crystal.
Fiosa heads to the kitchen as ordered.
Once inside, she turns to another halfling servant and says: "Phew! Looks like all the swells are out tonight. Can't say that this place has seen this much action in a dog's age!"
You think the chief is bright enough to realize the caster could make something useful. Come on. The chief wants to see him cast searing light where the light don't shine on some poor captive elf.
Peter leads you north through what looks like a study pressed into service as the coat room, through a pantry, to the kitchen, then disappears. A cook and her three assistants rush around, checking pots, adjusting their height above the fire, stirring, kneading, cutting, arranging .... The cooking odors are wonderful, but some of the ingredients out on the table look a bit -- exotic.
The head cook looks you over before speaking sternly, "You can work with Dahlia. I'll warn you now, don't go sampling before the dishes are served. They Mayor's requested six courses of the headiest foods I know. They'll be eating past midnight -- if they stay sober and awake, which ain't likely. So if a little thing like you were to eat out of turn, you won't be fit to serve by the third course."
Dahlia is apparently the halfling woman motioning for you to join her in the pantry. Your comment leaves her nonplussed with hanging jaw which she claps a hand over. "You're a firecracker! Don't mind Mrs. Woods; she runs a tight ship, but she's really a dear. Here we're finishing off these ...."
These are small very thin catfish finglerlings. You stuff them with sage and a reddish brown mixture of spices. There are also large marrow bones to core, followed by mixing the marrow with raw egg, onions, mushrooms, and seasonings, then rolling the resulting paste into small breaded balls.
Peter returns with a plain black smock and trousers for you. There's no house insignia on them, but that's true of about half the servants you've seen.
Main Party:
Raven and Calseinica return the mayor's greeting politely, then after an appropriate interval drift into the devouring crowd.
Nonon manages to find a gap in the conversation to warn each you against over-indulging. "A friend of mine has shown me the menu and it's one to rival King Gaspodar's table."
Delour drags Marius along as she scours the crowd.
Finally her eye lights on a knot of people earnestly discussing the play. They welcome her effusively. This could be a very long evening indeed, but Delour offers Marius a temporary reprieve. "Darling, go round and find Crosael or the steward. I want a glass of Dragon's Eerie, the '57 white. I know they've got it because they outbid my steward for it last month, and now Aberian's got to pay for that ingallantry."
Zarabeta what are you doing? You may chart a new course or tag along with one of the others.
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Zarabeta does her best to look impressed with the finery of the Mayor's party, which isn't hard, since she is both impressed, and a bit wistful, remembering better times in her home country.
She gives an appropriately 'exotic' Qadiri bow and plays up her accent, hoping to be underestimated as some wide-eyed foreigner awestruck with her host's spectacular spread.
At the mention of 'King Gaspodar,' she tries to remember if this is some local potentate she should recognize.
0 (4) - Detect Magic, Daze (Will DC 14), Message, Prestidigitation
1st (4+1c) – Charm Person (Will DC 15), Color Spray (Will DC 15), Grease (Ref DC 16), Hypnotism (Will DC 13, 15 or 17, depending on use), Mage Armor (B)
2nd (3+1c) – Make Whole x3 (cast at 'work'), Summon Monster II (B)
3rd (2+1c) - Haste, Stinking Cloud (Fort DC 18), Summon Monster III (B)
**This morning **
The work has gone well enough and the captain and crew are apparently anxious to leave port. They worked through the night to have prepped the last two major repair areas so they're ready for you when you arrive. You cast the spells and even though there is still work that could be done, they pay you off (+20 gp as a bonus!) and hustle you off the boat. Once you've got two feet on the quay, they're pushing off.
Fiosa puts on the servant's outfit.
"Aw, I didn't mean to be all chatty. I just haven't been to a high-class place like this before. My mistress is an actress and that means half her friends are kind of riff-raff, if you know what I mean."
In a lower voice she asks. "So what's the skinny? Have you heard any good gossip about the mayor?"
She's cut off by Mrs. Wood's voice from the kitchen. "First course up. Everyone bear a hand to plate and serve!"
Dahlia shrugs, mouths "later", and leads the way to the kitchen.
a\\
Marius aiming for any particular person or class of person?
Classes:
1. Noble or wealthy.
2. Theater buff. (Distinguished from 1 by flashier but less costly apparel.)
3. Thrune military officers.
4. Servants.
5. Almost forgot -- hot chicks.
Fiosa: more to come
Waifrin: know(local) would be more appropriate to determine the mayor's political position, which by common knowledge is "cramped". Seventy years after revolutionary victory the House of Thrune is still determined that Westcrown shall not recover too much luster, certainly not enough to in any way rival their chosen capital of Egorian. Nominally the Mayor rules the city, but he does not command any imperial troops. They are under Admiral Vourne. The Order of the Rack Hellknights answer directly to Thrune, if they truly answer to any political entity at all. Aberian is a younger son of the Arvanxi family, an old minor noble family which has been trying to claw its way into greater wealth and power through aligning itself with Thrune. Aberian was never the brightest of torches, nor is he an especially effective administrator. He apparently has no interest really digging into his job. Still he is a welcome respite from the the two preceding mayors. They were harsh and very interested bringing the city into copmliance with Thrune's vision.
Taking the sense motive as as attempt to read the mayor:
More later --
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Waifrin continues to study the mayor as the evening passes, and steers the conversation as she may to the art and history of the manor. She wants to discover the location of the party's objective, if she can, both by name and by location.
She'll also drop the subject of the shadow-beasts into the conversation to see his reaction at some point.
A15 Kitchen, A14 Pantry, A13 A lounge, pressed into service as a coatroom.
Fiosa gets a look at all the food described below as she helps plate it. Then she gets to cart it in to the dining area.
Dahlia will pick up the conversation after you serve the first course.
Judging from the cook's notes, there's only 5 courses left to go.
A bell rings and Crossael's voice announces, "The first course, Feast of the Gluttonous Wolf."
The mayor offers Zarabeta and Waifrin his arms. "We can continue this over dinner." He leads you through the indoor garden across the bridge over the stream.
Small cards announce which seats are yours. Serendipitously, Waifrin and Zarabeta and seated at either hand of the mayor. Raven then Calseinica are next to Zara. Marius then Delour are next to Waifrin.
Robahl looks disappointed to be seated next to Delour. Thesing looks angry to be so far down the table. They're not the only ones sarprised. Admiral Vourne looks slightly miffed to be seated a third of the way down the table.
The plates come out loaded with fritters, dark boiled meat, spiced narrow fish, jellied eels and a giant fish fillet.
Fiosa is a plate bearer.
All the guests stand while Vestus Savaska speaks an Azomdean blessing from the far end of the table. Then they sit and begin the work of loading their own plates.
Fiosa staggers out with as much grace as she can muster, letting a taller servant do the actual dishing out (considering she can barely see over the table).
Fiosa, they don't load the platters so much you stagger. It's important that the service be done with grace. Much of your task is to wait on the party and fetch drink or incidentals that they might require.
Once the mayor's plate is full he turns his attention back toward Zarabeta and Waifrin. He speaks freely about art and the manor, at least what he knows. He likes paintings. Offhand he knows nothing about old sculptures or puzzles. "But there are many pieces left behind by the other mayors scattered throughout the mansion. This place is full of surprises." He lowers his voice, "Why this last week or so the magic fireplaces and lights are acting up, spitting fire. That's why I had to have the staff use wood in the fireplaces and added torches to the walls. There hasn't been a real wood fire in here since before we were born. I imagine its nothing serious, but it'll cost me more than a penny to have it fixed. Wizards don't come cheap."
Eat drink and be merry.
The course winds down, various guests push back from the table and stand up. They begin to wander in small groups through the rooms. The mayor looks at Zarabeta and Waifrin, "My dears. It's been lovely talking with you, but I can see Admiral Vourne feels slighted. Part of my job is making sure the empire's officials feel truly welcome here. I do so hope you watch out and when I have a spare minute, I'll take you on that tour. If nothing opens up right away, see me after the last course."
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"You are most welcome, my lord, it has been a pleasure. We'll explore a little, if you don't mind."
Waifrin notes where the servants come and go from, and surmises that these doors probably lead to the kitchens and servant's quarters, and therefore aren't where she'd like to poke around. Instead she considers the other doors.
You are free to wander about rooms A3 (the entry hall), A19, A21–A23, A31, and A33 .
A21. Banquet Hall: This immense chamber is pleasantly heated by six huge fireplaces and lit by constantly glowing crystal chandeliers. The walls are decorated with unsettling landscapes of twisted hellish realms. Two thick, wooden pillars carved to represent tangles of serpents rise to support the roof above, and a balcony for observing the banquets here from below winds along the east and west walls at a height of 15 feet. The largest feature in the room is a huge, “H”-shaped table—this is where the Cornucopia takes place.
Two other features are present in here. To the northeast stands an immense grandfather clock whose sides are carved to depict hungry devils chasing 12 unicorns, its bells deep and ominous when they strike the hour. About 20 feet south of the clock in the eastern wall is a huge black stone door, 6 feet wide and 14 feet tall. A red velvet rope tied to bronze brackets flanking the door at waist height is draped across the door.
A22. The Pool of Honey: The walls of this room have thick, thorny hedges of roses and other rare flowers and a long, thin pool of what looks to be honey sits in the room’s enter.
A23. The Jungle of Nectar: This room contains a sparkling fountain of crystal clear water, an illusory sky similar to the one in area A19, and three large tropical trees filled with fruits. The fruits range from pineapples to mangos to papayas to more obscure fruit, all scattered and hanging from the same branches of the three magical trees.
A31. Upper Galley: This large open space has a polished hardwood floor and serves as a place for guests to mingle—sometimes, the chamber is used as a ballroom, but not this evening.
A33. The Voyeur’s Gallery: These open balconies allow individuals to stroll above areas A19 and A21–A23 below.
Raven drifts past Zarabeta. "I can't shake the guests. They're all besotted theater fans. A friend of mine had a red diamond python that didn't hug as close. You guys may be able to sneak away for a short while though."
The servants unload the dishes on one of the kitchen's long counters, then gather in the pantry for a quick bite. Well bite doesn't do it justice. Mrs. Wood has put by a bit of everything that the guests received. The portions are small, but considering the potent nature of the food, that is merely prudent. Also prudent considering the time. You have a mere ten minutes or so, then you're back with Dahlia preparing for the second course.
Alone with you in the pantry again, Dahlia seems quite happy to chat as her fingers work on hors d'oeuvres. "Where were we? The mayor. As I was saying the real staff don't say much. They seem to really like the mayor, a bit protective they are. And he does seem to treat the staff very well." She looks at you sideways for a second as if considering how boring that was and what might really peak your interest. Then she continues, "I'm hoping to get on here permanently, and I really shouldn't say anything, but this is more about the guests than the mayor. I was here a week or two ago when some of the guests got up into the attic. The mayor was quite cross, furious really; he summoned the dottari and had them escorted away and shut the party down early. He paid us all for the night though. There were so many rumors, that the mayor had his personal fortune hidden up there, that he has a halfwit bastard hidden away, or even a harem. The staff all say it's just him living here though. " She shakes her head.
A bit later she sighs softly, "We're out of the iced wine. Fiosa , be a dear and run down the hall for some. Take the door on the right after the kitchen. There's a chest on the west wall that keeps things cold"
Waifrin, there are indeed doors there. Waifrin will always attract the eyes of men. You probably couldn't just walk through the door without someone noticing. Stealth is a possibility. You could rig circumstances to increase your chances of success.
Marius, Delour and her knot of theater aficionados and fans drifts up the stairs and out onto the balcony above the dining area.
Can I get a perception check from both of you.
By now you will all be aware that the banquet is set up in 5 or six courses served on the hour with wandering conversation from the finish of one course to the beginning of the next.
Fiosa says "Yes miss!" and moves to the iced wine chest with alacrity. Does she see anything of interest in the cold room?
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Zarabeta will appear duly impressed by the magics that have gone into the various features of the rooms, and attempt to surreptitously use detect magic and / or Spellcraft to seek out information regarding the area.
She's particularly interested in the large black stone door that is roped off, which, to her suspicious mind, is bait for thieves and leads only to a cell or deadly trap, the east-facing doors in A22 and A23, the west-facing door in A23 and the north-facing door at the head of the 'stream' in A19. If *she* were hiding a doorway to a secret area, it would indeed by none of these, but involve using the magic that recirculates the stream to temporarily drain it away and reveal a trapdoor under the pool in the south of A19 or something, but there's no way to get down there and examine that area... Instead, she'll also 'admire' the large clock, and the magical fireplaces, whose flames, when working properly, can be turned on and off, and therefore serve as completely safe cover for hidden entrances or exits.
The room with the icechest is long and narrow and parallels the corridor. It has windows looking outside, well they would if they weren't shuttered tonight. It's filled with glass cupboards and shelves loaded with a multitude of foods, spices, and such.
The ice chest itself is more like a walk-in freezer. You realize why Dahlia had you go. The icechest door is heavy. She's on the small side for a halfling. Managing that door would probably be a challenge for her.
Zarabeta: That's a good long laundry list requiring detail I don't have access to at the moment. COuld I have a couple perception checks? I'll get back to you tonight.
Waifrin, the suitors aren't quite that thick. Some obviously think they're out of your class, but that doesn't keep them from watching. The theater fans include men and women who just have to say a few words about your performance. Raven and Calseinica are similarly afflicted.
There are guarderobes scattered throughout the mansions and publicly available. I'll update a map with them listed tonight.
Marius also will have theater fans, but fewer as befits a supporting actor. Most comments commend his fighting skill and prowess. Delour is currently involved in trading socio-political gossip with Oberigo. It seems almost more a business transaction or duel than a real conversation as they trade bit for bit. The Visbaronetess seems to really enjoy trying to get more out of him than she gives.