Theophilus walks confidently to the side of the manor to look for egress through the back as potential servants.
Theo finds a single glass door in the back of the manor that enters into a dinning hall. It does not appear to be a servant's entrance. He finds a second door on the north side that could be the servant's entrance, but it is locked.
Minutes to midnight: 238
"Anyone a locksmith?" Ci Ci whispers, nodding towards the locked door on the North side. "If not, this might cut through the lock." She taps the pommel of the adamantine dagger at her belt. "It would probably go faster if someone with actual physical strength uses it, though."
Theophilus casts Obscuring Mist at the locked door. He then summons Semore. Theo then searches the door for scary hurtful trap type things.
He cast Guidance on the devil. And laughs! He then steps 30' away.He points.
I hate you!
Semore then attempts to unlock the door.
Looking disappointed, Theo returns grants Guidance and points determinedly at the locked door.
Semore snarls but complies.
And again....
Pain courses through Theo's hand as the first layer of his skin is burned off after touching the demon. Semore gives Theo a satisfied smile.
Semore takes no care in preserving the lock he is attempting to disable. He simply carves around the door handle with his spear after weakening it with his acidic skin. He kicks the door open and mist rolls into the chamber. A voice within yells, "What the hell? Azemi go get Lord Avaric."
Minutes to midnight: 237
Theophilus panics and cast Confusion (Will DC 23) inside the kitchen!
Delivery for Azemi. Priority mail! Please come outside to sign and pick it up off the wagon, please.
Semore grins and rubs his acidic claws together.
The devil fades into the mist. He enters the kitchen to find and lock any doors other than the exit outside.
Theo gives the group a thumbs up....
"Yes, hello. Please forgive my companion. We were convinced that the door was merely a bit stuck, and not locked. He took it upon himself to unstick it, and applied a bit more force than we expected. As the gentleman in the hat indicated, we were only here to make a delivery. My sincerest apologies for any inconvenience or disruption we may have caused."
Dervak merely stands there, baffled...
He wonders what Allegra would think of this display of strategy.
Clearly, it must be a masterful plan, it is so befuddling, although I can't help thinking it would be better if I understood what my role was.
Mara facepalmed at Theophilus' clumsy entrance. All we needed to do was to show our invitations at the front door!
Semore stalks into the kitchen hunting for doors to lock while Theo confuses the help. While the party’s expert lies would normally have diffused the situation, between the sudden mist and their altered mental state they do not respond to it yet.
Theo repeats his thumbs up; it not being registered because of the mist.
Dervak, you are the bouncer if anyone comes out hostile.
Mara suggested, whispering to avoid being overheard, "Why don't we go around to the front door? We do have invitations!"
She started moving a around the side of the house and looked to see if they could extract themselves from this embarrassing situation.
"She's got a point. They haven't seen us with all the mist," Ci Ci concurs quietly.
Perhaps, our choosing the front entrance and using the invitation would be a better solution.
Theo orders Frederick to close the door, while he hurries around to the front....
As you walk away you hear one of the kitchen staff say with growing concern, "Azemi?! Put down the knife. Augh!"
Foyer
A semicircle of marble steps leads up to a pair of polished oak doors, left ajar. Just past the front doors another pair of doors stand to the north and south, with an alcove just beyond each. A red carpet leads east to a large hall. The floor is polished hardwood and the manor’s appointments are luxurious.
Two vampires check your invitation as you arrive and one announces, "Guests of Lady Delmaria Eldarius. May we take your cloaks and..." the vampire gestures towards your weapon scabbards.
The other vampire apologizes, "Lord Avaric is currently in disposed but will returning shortly. He will want to meet you."
Main Hall
A red carpet runs down the center of this room, toward a set of grand staircases that lead upstairs. Gleaming brass candelabras are positioned in corners to provide a festive light, along with a crystal chandelier hung from the ceiling. The dark hardwoods of the floors and doors have
been recently polished, and the smell of scented oils lingers lightly in the air.
This room is currently occupied by two well dressed vampires and two aristocratic humans.
Ci Ci waves her hand dismissively at the offer to take her cloak and weapons. "We certainly wouldn't want to hold up the reception line," she says in a polite, aristocratic tone. "Whatever holds Lord Avaric's attention must be very important. If he wishes to speak with us when he returns, we will be at his disposal."
Dervak will willingly hand over his bow and javelins. But when it comes to his sword...
"Ah, you see, this fine sword carries the soul of a great scholar and explorer. She is my guest for this party, and it would be the height of rudeness to leave her abandoned in a coatroom. I swear that I will keep her sheathed unless some great calamity requires me to draw her in defense of the good people here."
He looks to Mara, hoping that she will weigh in.
Mara explained to the vampire greeting them, "This particular sword is a unique blade with great sentimental value. My friend is rather distressed at the thought that something might happen to it."
She surrendered her own weapon without complaint.
The cloak clerks allow you to pass without protesting, ”Of course.”
One of the vampire guests approaches the party with a sinister smile, ”You’re a curious bunch. I must apologize on Lord Avaric’s behalf, good help is so hard to find these days.”
She secures a bottle of red wine and begins pouring each of you a glass, ”A special vintage. Truly delightful.”
Theophilus enters the grand Hall. The witch seemingly at ease at the motif of a Ball. He actually looks quite proper and gentleman-like, doffing his hat in response to any eye contact with other guests.
At the request of requisition of weapons, the Witch grins. He produces his dagger (the sales tag still attached).
Please be careful. It has been with us for a long time.
The White Rabbit is seen blowing his nose and pawing away a tear.
Theo smiles at the mention of refreshments.
Oh, how joyous! We wouldn't be upset if you could procure a fine ginger and raspberry lager with just a sprinkle of lime zest.
The White Rabbit is seen wearing a formal tuxedo and grins expectantly at the waiter.
Mara accepted the glass of wine and took a small sip, trying to determine if there was anything suspicious in it, "Very nice." She tried to read the vampire guest's body language to determine if she had any ulterior motives.
Ci Ci accepts the wine, raises the glass and makes a drinking motion with the cup, but doesn't actually drink or let the liquid touch her lips.
Dervak takes his glass, swirls it, and looks at it. "A special vintage? Tell me about it."
He does not drink at this time, and likewise tries to pick up any cues from the vampire.
Mara senses no deception from the vampire as it truly thinks it is being a gracious host. The smell and taste of the wine is intoxicating , and it takes an effort of will for Mara to not down the entire glass once it’s reached her lips.
Stalking from the dining hall is a dark-haired man with a neatly trimmed beard who appears robust and hale (for a vampire). He is dressed in elegant clothing with a rapier on one side and a mask hooked on his belt on the other. ”Welcome to my home, whom do I have the honor of hosting tonight? Fresh faces of your obvious stature are always welcome.”
Minutes to midnight: 232
Mara resisted the sudden urge to down the whole glass. She couldn't place the taste and effects of the substance.
Despite her misgivings about revealing her true name to Lord Avaric, Mara felt it would be rude to refuse. She replied politely, "I am Mara bint al-Katheeri. I am pleased to meet you."
She gave their host her full attention during the introductions.
For better or for worse, Dervak has no such misgivings about revealing his name.
"I am Dervak. You must be Lord Avaric. Your estate is most impressive. The decor, the company - you must be a man of taste."
A man of taste?
Dervak realizes the inadvertent wordplay a moment too late, but just continues on as if he hadn't said anything possibly out of line.
"Can you tell us about the occasion for the evening's festivities?"
Theophilus smiles warmly at their host. The gentleman gives his usual grand bow and hat tip.
Theophilus Carter, Hat-making. Please to be invited to this fine party. Have you tried the wine?
”Cerise Barchetta. A pleasure to make your acquaintance, Lord Avaric,” Ci Ci replies, giving a polite nod of her head.
Something about the vampire lord's predatory gaze or the slight smile at Dervak's inadvertent pun tells Mara that Avaric is aware of his condition, unlike the other vampires you've encountered so far. And he sees you as food and little more.
He answers with forced mirth, "The Bleeding Moon is as good a reason as any for a soiree. But the real festivities won't begin until midnight. I simply cannot spoil the surprise if you don't know."
"The wine, yes, a unique tree grows the delightful fruits that my vinter is able to turn into what you hold in your hands. Tomorrow we can go for a stroll in my field, that is if you awake tomorrow morning."
Mara could tell that there was a distinct difference between Lord Avaric and the other vampires; he seemed to be aware of his condition, while the others, as far as she could tell, were not. The knowledge that some of her spells had the power to completely destroy potential innocents was a sobering thought. Although there was a possibility that they might be overcome by some sort of blood frenzy at the stroke of midnight.
It was clear to her that they needed to find Delmaria well before midnight, and figure out how to extract her from her involvement with Lord Avaric. How they were going to do that was not clear to her yet.
If I awake tomorrow morning? That sounds like a threat.
Dervak keeps his cool and ponders the best course of action.
Ask directly about Delmaria?
Ask directly about Erich Zann?
Get this guy alone and turn him to dust?
He looks around the room, trying to see if there is a young woman seeming a bit less comfortable than the others.
Theophilus smiles at the Lord Avaric. The White Rabbit is seen wearing a necklace of garlic cloves and wearing a nun habit.
Theo whispers to Dervak.
Aren't we here to interview a Delmaria and a Erich Zann?
The White Rabbit winks at the Bloodrager.
Lord Avaric responds to Theo's whispers as if he had spoken it directly, "Ah yes Delmaria, she's around her somewhere, if you must speak to her mingle a little bit. I'm sure she'll turn up. And I'm sure no one by the name of Zann has been invited, you'll have to seek him elsewhere." The vampire lord leaves to attend to his other guests.
Minutes to midnight: 231
"The first rays of dawn are so rejuvenating," Ci Ci replies conversationally. "Mother told me that I carried the very light of the Sun itself in my blood, and that it would keep me warm and safe from the powers of darkness and cold. It's doubtless why it affects me so."
Dervak goes to mingle with the other guests, as Lord Avaric suggests.
He will whisper to the others once Lord Avaric is well away and the party is lost amidst the clamor of the crowd, "Delmaria may know more about Zann... or we can try to find our way to the dungeon."
Theophilus nods in gratitude to Lord Avaric. He and the White Rabbit then begin carousing and corralling about the party. Mixing drinks for guests, serving hors d'eouves while chatting and flirting.
The only one that I am aware that could do that would be Dalmaria...
Mara circulated among the guests, keeping her eyes and ears open for signs of Delmaria. She didn't ask about the young woman directly, for fear of arousing Lord Avaric's suspicions prematurely. She did move around the house to get a better idea of the layout of the manor.
The party notes that Avaric exits the main through the northern door, and you briefly glimpse an impressive wine collection. The door is locked behind him. The other guests are impressed with Mara and Theo’s ability to mingle, dance, and make merry; they quickly become the center of attention. The conversations contain little substance other than local gossip that is of little consequence. You do manage to overhear some controversy over Delmaria hiding away upstairs.
Minutes to midnight: 227
Theophis begins looking from the two doors north and south of the foyer that are being guarded by vampires. The door to the north that Avaric left by is locked. The doors east lead to a dining hall which you saw briefly when you circumvented the manor, and the doors south lead to a ballroom which you would have also seen through the windows. There are also stairs which lead up to the 2nd floor.
The White Rabbit is seen furiously building a wheel with each choice scribbled (in crayon) along it....
When Mara heard that Delmaria was hiding away upstairs, she went up to the 2nd floor and looked to see who else was visible up there.
Dervak will follow Mara up the stairs, right behind her.
"We weren't told to not go up here..."
Ci Ci follows with Dervak. "We've got a job to do, and sand is slipping through the hour glass."
Theophilus follows along.
The White Rabbit is seen wearing a ninja outfit.
A pair of humans cavort in this hallway, they are attractive and wear finery befitting nobility. Their delicate features are similar enough that they are definitely related. ”Ultor, look,” the woman gasps as you ascend the stairs.
”I see them Ovonda,” the man responds with a timid smile.
They approach and ask quietly after looking you in the eye, ”You. You aren’t vampires?”
Minutes to midnight: 227
Mara hesitated ever so slightly, unsure of the pair's intentions, "No, were you expecting us to be?" Remembering her manners, she extended her hand, "My name is Mara."
"If we were, would we know it? I thought the curse made the vampires here unaware of their nature."
Theophilus begins to scratch his chin. He elbows Dervak.
You notice how those two are disguised as humans? The wonders of modern make-up, right!
Theo smiles.