Maya nods to Baron Okerra. "That's more than enough for now. I trust we can count on your support once we've dealt with Lotheed?"
Okerra nods. "As always, I will serve the lawfully appointed ruler of this county."
Katria breathes out a sigh of relief. They seem to have gotten the two most important people in the region -- other than Bartelby, of course -- to help or at least not oppose them.
She wonders if there's anything more they can do or if it's time to go to Lotheedar for a final confrontation. She gulps a little nervously at that thought.
"Thank you, My Lord. I too hope there will not be a fight, but if there is one, know that we will be most merciful to any who remain loyal to the Count. I take my leave."
Once outside, he remarks to the others, "We should send our agents out to get word of our reputation. See if we have enough support in the other towns to make our move. While I do not doubt that Stachys is on our side, the country is much bigger than that."
Once you return to Stachys, your agents report a large groundswell of support for your cause among the people of Meratt. The time for confronting Bartelby is rapidly approaching.
Indeed, the letter that arrives from Martella Lotheed indicates as such:
Well met, loyal friends. Word even in Cassomir is that your actions in Meratt have left a memorable impression on that stodgy old county; I can't wait to see what else you may yet accomplish.
I have met with various contacts and settled misunderstandings here in Cassomir, and I believe we have come to an agreement with Grand Duchess Tiberan. She is prepared to validate our seizure of the county but needs certain conditions to be fulfilled. First, you must obtain the original charter granting the Lotheed family stewardship of the land. It will be kept in the library, near my brother's office on the second floor, and I believe Gul Gusairne would carry the only key (or more likely, hide it near his room, the weasel). Grand Duchess Tiberan also requires both Count Lotheed and his acting seneschal to abandon the property. She was nonspecific as to how.
Unrelated to Duchess Tiberan's needs, I have also learned my Great Uncle Panivar has established a teleportation circle to come and go at will from the royal apartments in the tower. Panivar is an extraordinarily gifted wizard and a man utterly without remorse, and I cannot stress how vital it is to destroy his access to the estate before word of this seizure reaches him in the south. Once you begin your attack, I doubt you will have more than a week before he returns.
Good luck, agents. May Taldor endure!
Martella Lotheed
Katria reads the note over and looks around at her companions.
"Well, what do we do now? Should we try to sneak in and get the key and charter, and destroy the teleportation circle?" she asks. "Or do you think we can do this another way..."
"When it is time to make our move, I think we should confront the Count openly, if we have enough support. We could try stealth, but I think our claim would be more secure if we were direct. If there isn't a rush, we can try to gain a little more support before making our move. But we will need to move quickly to find Gul Gusairne before he can dispose of the charter."
Liam considers what actions to take regarding his public persona.
He works with the Town Council on the charter, but they are at an impasse this time.
"I have to agree with Liam. Even if it's only a slim chance, we need to try to settle this openly and peacefully, for appearance's sake, if nothing else. We should make haste to the key and the charter if peace proves to be elusive. It sounds like as long as we destroy the teleportation circle within a few days' time, we should be fine.
"Perhaps we should speak with Lady Paril on our way to the Palace? If there's any hope of avoiding fighting Bartelby and Gusairne, she's probably our only chance. Maybe 'abandon' for Gusairne can just be him going to work at the Temple of Abadar instead."
-----
Maya holds a party in celebration of those in New Towne being able to return to their proper homes. She tries to be extra extravagant, if only to ensure as much support as possible from the people.
"Seeing as Baroness Voinum has agreed to arrange for the guard to be off-duty when we need it to be, it sounds like stealth needn't be considered. We have the support of the people, and that's all the claim I think we need. I believe if Lotheed willingly abdicates, Gusairne will surrender to us peacefully as well, but I agree it might be best to seek a mandate from Abadar by way of Lady Paril. As loyal as Gul might be to Lotheed, he is more loyal to his patrol deity."
Before the Heirs set out to their confrontation in Lotheedar, Bernal rallies the people of Stachys to make their voices heard in support of the champions of the people and against the tyrannical Lotheed. The protest is a success, but does not emphasize Bernal's heroic role in the coup as much as he'd have wanted.
Back in Stachy, Katria will set out to deliver a lecture, about what's next for Stachys, and how the people of the village can continue to improve it.
From the comfort of the Betony Estate, you discuss your plans to move against Bartelby.
Maya does a double take to make sure she’s not seeing things. Deciding that she’s not going crazy, or at least has failed to exhibit signs of that thus far, the bard studies the woman while also trying to maintain her discussion with the rest of the group.
The halfling does her best to learn what she can about the figure before revealing the woman’s presence to the rest of the group.
The image looks exactly like Veleto Lotheed, down to the last mole on her cheek. She doesn't bear much resemblance to the Night Swan. As you watch, the image shifts subtly, as if moving closer to listen more intently to your companions' conversations.
You recall a few obscure stories about creatures called trompe l'oeils. They are life-sized portraits animated by powerful magic or occult phenomena. Able to move and talk, these constructs can also step out of their frames to become three-dimensional beings. They can then enter other paintings, merging with the images portrayed within. It's possible you are looking at a trompe l'oeil now.
Liam is intrigued but puzzled. He points the fresco out to the group. "Something odd is going on. There could be magic at work here, but I am no scholar of the arcane. Can you Detect Magic and examine it, Katria? We should also find the Domovoi and see if they saw anything. "
Maya quickly explains what she knows about the fresco.
Then she says, “Maybe we should try talking to it? If it’s a spy for Bartelby or something else, we need to know before we move on Lotheedar.”
"Oh, yes, of course," Katria replies, checking the picture for magic. Her mind flashes to a spell that allows people to inhabit pictures, which is what could be happening here if it's not a monster.
She also tries to think about what more they know about the Duchess, and if that's possible.
"If it is a spy, our clock may have started now," she whispers.
Katria doesn't recall much about Duchess Veleto. The elusive noblewoman has been out of the public eye for quite some time.
As you study the strange figure to try to learn more about it, it suddenly steps forward out of fresco, growing to full life-sized in the blink of an eye! Veleto smiles slyly at you. "Ah, it looks like you've found me, at last. It seems the jig, as they say, is up."
She smooths the lines of her dress before continuing. "I've heard you plotting to usurp my dullard of a nephew. Don't worry, your secret is safe with me--provided you give me what I want. Bartelby has kept me cooped up in that palace for far too long. I miss the thrill of the great game of politics. I miss interacting with people. I want to feel alive again... To feel loved." She eyes Bernal with a hungry look. "Surely that is not too much to ask, is it?"
Liam blinks in surprise as the Duchess herself emerges from the painting.
What is going on here?
At her interest in Bernal, he turns to the swashbuckler.
"Bernal? Is there something you want to tell us?"
Katria continues checking for magic, trying to find out what exactly is going on as she waits for Bartelby to answer.
Doritan quietly moves towards the wall, keeping his hand resting on his sword, not drawing it, but also not sure what else he could do.
Maya scratches her head at 'Duchess Veleto.' The bard is starting to second guess herself, but decides to wait before voicing her thoughts.
Still, she focuses on Veleto to try to discern the truthfulness of the Duchess's words.
Maya is unable to tell if Veleto is being truthful or not. She is playing her cards close to the chest.
"Unfortunately, there's nothing for him to tell yet," the duchess says with a sigh. "I visited him in his bedchambers a few nights ago, but he spurned by attentions."
"Ah... well, he um...propriety, you see, uh...decent and wise of you, Bernal..."
Liam blushes.
"How do you go in and out of the frescoes? Is it a spell? That perhaps your archmage husband taught you?"
"Indeed, it is a gift from my darling Paniver." Veleto sighs again. "Ah, my sweet husband... He has been away so long and not given me the attention I deserve. I am certain he would understand my need to seek out a new paramour in his absence..."
Maya isn't sure what to make of the woman.. or portrait. But she knows their time frame may have just been accelerated. In any case, the bard isn't interested in indulging the Duchess more than necessary.
"Are you merely here seeking a new paramour, Duchess Veleto, or can we assist you in some other way that would satisfy your needs?"
"I am also here seeking asylum from Bartelby," Veleto says. "It's only a matter of time before he seeks me out again. He'll lock me away in the royal apartments, take away my freedom once more. I'm not going back to the palace! I've been trapped there far too long."
Liam will try to discern if Veleto is speaking the truth.
He isn't even as successful as Maya was, so for politeness's sake he will decide to believe her.
"You don't have to go back to the Palace. You can stay in our frescoes here and join in our conversations to feel alive and included. We must be away on our errands soon, but perhaps the Domovoi can speak with you. They have seen many things in this estate, and I imagine they would love to hear about the Palace of Birdsong."
"Forgive my mistrust, Duchess Veleto, but is there some personal detail or artifact you can share to confirm your identity? Before we discuss... sensitive... matters, we need to be sure of who we're dealing with, and that said person can be trusted. Would you mind humoring a Wit?"
Katria's mind flashes back to their introduction to the duchess, along with what they know from Martella's letter. Does it make sense that the wife of Bartleby's powerful uncle would really be locked away? She isn't sure.
"Of course. This is my wedding ring--a symbol of the eternal love and affection my husband and I share, even while we may be apart." She holds forth her hand, displaying a platinum band with a gleaming diamond set into it.
Maya can sense something off about the duchess's reply. There's an odd hollowness to her words, as if her emotions are superficial.
Katria knows that Duke Panivar Lotheed VI is the patriarch of the Lotheed family and a powerful archmage. He is notoriously reclusive and leaves most noble duties to his other family members while he performs magical research in an unknown location.
Duchess Veleto Lotheed is Panivar's wife. She was a legendary spy in her youth, but after she married and became a mother, her role shifted to that of grand dame of the Opparan social scene. She retired from the public arena many years ago amid rumors of failing health and mounting dementia.
"Duchess, would you mind if we take a moment to talk?" Katria asks.
Veleto inclines her head, giving you leave to discuss among yourselves.
"You are an honored guest in our home, Your Grace. We shall see that you are not left without company."
Liam calls down the hall, down the stairs to the basement, and perhaps into a cupboard or cabinet if he still can't find them.
"Wink? Blunk? Nodd? Can you bring some tea and cakes for our guest? Perhaps a deck of cards?"
Then he will withdraw with Katria and the others for consultation.
Doritan, thoroughly confused by all this magic talk, shakes his head, "So, you're saying she's a Trompe l'oeil? Some kind of magic painting? Or at least, something like that? Is she actually alive then?" he asks.
Liam keeps his voice low.
"Yes Doritan, that she is a 'living' painting seems most likely. But not truly alive. If Duchess Veleto had failing health and worsening dementia years ago, she doesn't seem like somebody several years further down that road. A bit, uh, eccentric, you might say, but not particularly senile.
If the Duke had the ability to heal her, he'd have done so, and she'd have returned to society. So he turned her into a living painting? Or crafted this construct to replace her after she died, and gave it a semblance of her memories and personality? Either way, I don't think she really knows what has happened to her. And asking or telling her could be upsetting. I think we play along, let her stay here, treat her as an honored guest, and move on with our plan."
After Liam speaks, Maya says, “Veleto’s words rang hollow when she spoke of her wedding ring. Even if she is really the Duchess, I’m not sure we can trust her. It’s a bit bizarre that she would show up right here, right now. We may have to detain her here till we’re finished at the Palace. I don’t know if the Domovoi will be enough to ensure she doesn’t wander off.”
"You raise a good point, Maya, but our options are few. I'm not saying we should trust her. I'm saying we should give her what she wants so she doesn't have a reason to betray us. I do believe she is genuine about feeling lonely. So maybe by providing some company we can keep her here willingly. Who else can we trust to entertain her? Onora? Festo?
I don't know what abilities she might have by virtue of the Duke's magic. How did she slip into our home undetected? Could we even keep her here against her will? I don't know."
"I don't detect any magic on her, just items that she's carrying," Katria adds. "I would think if she really were using a gift from Duke Panniver, she herself would radiate magic."
Listening to the others, she offers, "I could try to cloud her mind, but that's not foolproof. Most constructs would likely not be affected by that, but some might; and sometimes it just doesn't work."
"But also, even if she isn't really the duchess, maybe she can give us some information on the palace? It doesn't sound like she likes Bartelby anymore than anyone else does."
Maya nods at Katria’s suggestion. “Perhaps we can get information from her. It’s worth a try. But if she isn’t actually the Duchess, I don’t know if we can trust any of the information she gives.
“I can try to charm her if we want to figure out if she’s really Veleto. It won’t work if she’s a construct. Worst case, we just apologize afterwards. I would rather know for certain if we can.”
Katria shares that information with her companions.
"I think that makes it even more important that we try to work with her, at least for now," she says.