You board up the doors and windows of Salvator's waterside shack, creating as secure a shelter as you can manage. You hear some banging and shouting from nearby streets, but it remains largely quiet and you are able to rest uninterrupted. After eight hours, it is now evening. The moist weather has turned into a thick pea-soup fog that blankets the city and muffles all sounds.
"Abby, you had an idea about spells? I normally prepare only one instance of Invisibility," says Melianthe.
"It's so good to be out and about at night...excellent time for dusk elves and Blackjacks and whatever Seren's turning out to be...a Sivanah wizard, is it?" Melianthe's eyes twinkle at the halfling/Salvator/whatever Seren is at the moment.
"If the Arkonas have our man, they won't want to tell us. And they sure as spit won't want to release him. I'd like you and Seren to study spells with infiltration in mind - infiltration, stealth, and quiet takedowns, if you can manage. We need to get inside that manor and find someone to question somewhere quiet-like. To be on the safe side, we might canvas the area around the Arkona residence and try to find out if anyone saw Vencarlo being dragged in."
And what shall I do? Segang asks, unsure how to help.
Seren, stewing for a bit in a murky funk as he is want to do sporadically and without reason these past few days, wakes with a greater brightness than before.
"Why are we assuming that the Arkonas have Neolandus and Vencarlo prisoner? They are criminals, certainly, but they apparently hate the Queen. That gives them a plus in the 'OK' column in my book, and their guards are feeding the beggars with bread taken from the estate's stores. Before we break in, why not request an audience? Maybe not as Blackjack for this go around ... just as friends of Vencarlo, not agents of the crown ... that would be bad. If we think they're up to no good, we can infiltrate later."
4th—dimension door, phantasmal killer (DC 22), shadow conjuration
3rd—dispel magic, fly, invisibility sphere, major image (DC 21), wall of nausea
2nd—create pit (DC 18), detect thoughts (DC 18), hypnotic pattern (DC 20), invisibility, levitate, minor image (DC 20)
1st—color spray (DC 19), color spray (DC 19), feather fall, forced quiet (DC 17), forced quiet (DC 17), mage armor, silent image (DC 19), ventriloquism (DC 19)
0 (at will)—acid splash, detect magic, ghost sound (DC 18), message
"That... might work," Absinthe hesitantly agrees, as she pulls off the mask. "Then again, we must be cautious. In one's old circles, the Arkonas have a very bad reputation."
Just tell me how I might help.
Jarha allows the others to sort out the strategy, sitting in a corner, lost in meditation, muttering to his god in Osiriani.
Jarha re-joins the group with Seren's suggestion -- apparently he was listening after all. "I like Seren's approach. If we broke in without need we would risk making powerful enemies for no reason. The Arkonas may even end up uncomfortable allies, but that remains to be seen."
Navigating the fog-shrouded streets is challenging, but Absinthe is familiar enough with the area to guide you through. You encounter no one else in the eerily muted weather.
You approach the Arkona palace gates, the high wall emerging from the fog only a dozen steps away. The gates are closed for the evening, but two guards still stand watch on the far side. Torches burn in sconces to either side of the gate, barely illuminating through the thick mists.
We just gonna walk up and ask to be let in? Segang asks, still unsure of the plan.
"Yup! We're going to talk to people instead of breaking in like criminals!" Seren replies joyfully. He waves a hand and takes on another nondescript appearance.
Melianthe summons a pony. "I've prepared extra invisibility and fly spells. Seren, do you have that invisibility detection spell? Who knows what's hiding in there."
"Segang, it's as good a plan as any! ...Blackjack, do the talking." She nudges Absinthe.
One of the guards notices you standing outside the gate. "Oi! Why are you lot milling about? Declare yourselves or get lost!"
Jarha has used his Sleeves of Many Garments to turn his robes into the robes of a prosperous traveler. He approaches the gate and says, "Good day. I know this is most irregular, but we seek an audience with Lord Arkona, or at least an opportunity to explain to his representative the reason for our desire to see the Lord. But it is not a matter we can discuss openly in the streets like this..."
"Indeed. Your bosses will really want to see his lordship," Absinthe says, with as much feigned sincerity and persuasiveness as she can muster.
I am confident that Lord Arkona will be pleased if promptly bring us to him. Segang says.
"Hold on, hold on," the guard waves off, checking with someone on the inside. A minute later, the gate opens and you are greeted by a tall, well-dressed man with an eye patch.
"I am Carnochan, the majordomo," he introduces with a formal bow. "Please follow me." Carnochan turns and leads you across the palace garden and through the main entrance.
A black marble arch depicting dozens of elephants standing one atop the other frames a great ebony door in the south wall of this wide and airy entrance hall. Above the door, an elephant looks out over the hall, its single eye a glittering bloodstone the size of an apple. Tall windows grant a commanding view of the palace grounds, and a rich red carpet, ten feet wide and luxuriously thick, provides a pathway between doors to the west and north, and around the corner to the east. Each of these doors, as well as three smaller ones to the west of the northern pair, are decorated with images of a six-armed, four-faced woman who rides a tiger with human hands for feet.
Carnochan leads you to the right and around the bend, to a pair of doors in the north hallway, and into the visitor's lounge. This comfortable room is warmed by a large fireplace, its marble sides and mantle carved into a parade of capering monkeys and tigers. A large sofa is against the north wall, while a few cozy-looking chairs sit to the south.
Once in the lounge, Carnochan bows again. "My Lord and Lady Arkona are very busy, and under extraordinary strains given the recent troubles. Would you please explain to me the reason for your audience?"
"Thank you for receiving us. I will be direct. I know the Lord and Lady's ears reach far and wide, so to speak, so you may recognize my companions for the role they took in preventing the further spread of the plague in New Korvosa. We came to Old Korvosa to seek the counsel of our friend Vencarlo Orisini regarding the recent political developments. We found his Academy overrun by Red Mantis assassins -- I expect you are well aware of that -- but we have reason to think Vencarlo may have come here. We respect the strains the Lord and Lady must be under, but this seems a matter that may be of interest to them. I hope we are not mistaken in being so forthcoming with you..."
The grey-skinned dusk elf steps forth to join the Osiriani in front of the majordomo.
"And...should the matter of Vencarlo be our of our hands, so to speak, we certainly understand. But we would also tell you that your Lordships might be interested to know more about the actions and intents of our Queen Ileosa. You may have already heard from another source about Ileosa's behavior; we can bolster that source, having worked with Ileosa's Marshalls and...medical staff."
Melianthe veils her eyes, letting the last few words drip a dewdrop of disdain while retaining the utmost courtly poise.
All rooms are lit by everburning torches set into ornate sconces. Exotic plants in clay pots are abundant, and each room is rich with their scents, mingled with that of sandalwood incense burning in brass censers that hang in various spots along the ceiling. The rooms inside the palace are spacious and grand, with ceilings at least 20 feet high.
*
Carnochan nods to Jarha's and Melianthe's words, but does not give any other reaction, as if your explanation were perfectly ordinary and commonplace. "Please remain here and make yourselves comfortable. I will check with his Lordship and see if he will receive you. It may be a short wait." With that, the majordomo bows again and departs.
Melianthe glances at the ceilings. Good for flying fights, she reasons, then checks herself. Ugh, when is the last time we've been able to just relax? Oh, Korvosa.
Jarha circles the room, taking it in and seeing if he notices anything interesting. He also wants to take note of any exits and an escape route in case House Arkona turns out to be on the side of the Queen.
Segang begins to pace nervously. I feel somewhat caged.
Melianthe mutters under her breath and casts Detect Magic.
Absinthe, like Jarha, starts scouting out the room -- looking for spy-holes and secret doors, to be precise...
... and at one point seems to almost vanish between the greenery.
If the Arkonas' response to this visit is, as the Rogue fears, to send in a goon squad, she would like to be in a position to backstab them by surprise.
"Not sure we should've mentioned the whole working for the Marshalls thing ..." Seren mutters, looking about nervously.
About five minutes later, the doors open and the lord himself enters smiling, Carnochan following a few steps behind. "Welcome, friends," the man greets you warmly. Lord Glorio Arkona is a handsome Vudrani man with shoulder-length black hair and a trimmed goatee and mustache. He wears a fine red-and-blue outfit of modern Taldan fashion, with accents of gold trim and jewelry.
His smile dims after a moment, and he turns to Carnochan, reprimanding the majordomo gently, "Our guests were left without wine and cheese while they waited?" Carnochan scurries off and Glorio turns back to you. "My appolgies for the faux pas. We do not receive many guests in these trying days."
"The last guest I received was Master Orisini. Carnochan was cryptic in his explanation, but I gathered you are searching for him?"
Jarha turns his attention to the Lord, gives a respectful bow, and looks towards Segang, for the barbarian has shown a gift for connecting with others, despite his rough manner. Jarha stands ready to add details to Segang's comments, or those of anyone else who speaks.
Segang gives a curt military style bow before speaking. You are correct sir. We are indeed searching for him and would appreciate any word you might have on his location.
Jarha steps up next to Segang: "Yes, we appreciate you receiving us. We found Vencarlo's Academy overrun by Red Mantis assassins, which is a situation I imagine you are aware of."
Glorio frowns and nods, "Yes, most distressing indeed. I fear our beautiful queen has gotten in with some bad company. Her gentle rule does not bode well for the future of our city, should it continue..."
"As for our friend Vencarlo, he is here... and he is not here. For his protection, he has gone below into our Vivified Labyrinth. I cannot go to retrieve him, but you are more than welcome to brave its perils, if you wish." He finishes with an embarrassed smile.
Jarha listens closely, and tries to observe Glorio closer still. He has no idea what a Vivified Labyrinth is -- although it doesn't sound good -- but he is especially focused on making sure Glorio means what he says, is not hiding anything, and this is no trick.
"Could you...describe its perils? And er, how might he be safer inside a perilous labyrinth? Are there safe areas? Food and water sources?" . Melianthe arches an eyebrow, then dismisses it. "You'll forgive my impertinent questions. We are merely here to help, and if there's a member of your staff who can guide and equip us, we will not trouble you with the mundanities."
"The vivified labyrinth?" Absinthe says as she fades back into view, her face tight not with worry, but an effort not to look actively angry. "One has heard of it as being a death-maze. People only go down there to become masterful agents or to die miserable deaths, so claim the rumours."
Segang looks concerned. What did Vencarlo do to earm such an “honor”?
"The labyrinth is indeed dangerous, but it is also indiscriminate. To reach him, Master Orisini's enemies would have to prove brave and capable. Indeed, many fall short on those qualities... myself included."
To Absinthe's explanation, he nods and adds, "It is a gauntlet of traps and puzzles, designed to test the mind and body. The rumors are true -- many of them are quite deadly -- but you are resourceful. I do not doubt you would be able to successfully navigate the labyrinth."
"I apologize for the difficulty, but I can tell you how to enter the labyrinith, if you so wish."
"He went voluntarily, then? To hide? Was he specific about who he was hiding from?"
"I would not say 'voluntarily', no. But he understood the queen's assassins would not likely find him there."
"If it wasn't voluntarily, how did he end up down there? Did you force him?"
Glorio chuckles and shakes his head, "I only meant that he was not voluntarily a target for Red Mantis assassins. Certainly, hiding out in a trap-filled dungeon was not his first plan for the day."
"What proof do you have that he's down there? Can you tell us anything about the traps therein? I don't really care to rush into a deadly maze on anyone's say-so." . Melianthe crosses her arms.