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Before you leave the meeting room Lady Morilla asks Vincent to stay a moment. Once everyone else has left the room.
As you are heading out Venture Captian Muesello pulls Garedon and Vyk Tyr aside.
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Right. We do some shopping, get some sleep. Tomorrow - show time!
Cheerily singing, she steps out of the door.
They say the lights are always bright in Kitharion.
They say there's always magic in the air...
I have no purchases to make - I've got my wands and my firecrackers, so I'm all set. I might pick up some clothes for a fancy disguise outfit - hmm, how about one of those pale ladies from Andoran? That would work...
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"Miko Teppen, as you do not have other important tasks to make in preparation for tomorrow's activities, would you purchase a book of popular Taldan songs and study them thoroughly in the time between now and then? I could contribute 7.17 gold measure-equivalents for such an expenditure."
As he and Vyk Tyr remain behind in the room, Garedon nods seriously and says, "Indeed, I will endeavor to not solve the cryptogram until I have discovered the ciphers. And yet, it is well known that 'E' is the most frequent letter in the Taldan language, thus probably being represented by the 'C', which has five occurrences..."
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Miko looks back at Garedon remarks, the gears in her head spinning, trying to translate.
Ah, of course, you don't know the songs. Let me get you a nice book. You'll be disappointed with the measure, though, most of it is plain old four-four. At least, I think that's what he meant
She fakes a march and rolls out, to her own soundtrack...
BROOM bom bom bom
BROOM bom bom bom
So as not to disappoint Garedon, Miko will try and get a nice book with Taldan traditionals. And she'll study the lyrics too, for good measure.
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Adelaide casually tries to keep up with Tuich when the woman decides to leave. She keeps her expression neutral and attempts to seem totally at ease.
"So... What will you be doing to keep busy until tomorrow night? Are there still things you're interested in procuring? We could, ah, go searching for them together..."
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Garedon's mind is working on the crytogram, but he pauses to 'reassure' Miko: "Fortunately, having congenital amusia, my mind and emotions are never disappointed, troubled or otherwise disturbed by music. I have discovered to my satisfaction that such a condition allows me to devote increased time and effort for more important considerations, uncomplicated by purely hedonistic matters."
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"Hmm?" Tuich responds distractedly to Lady Adelaide. "No... well, I mean yes there's stuff I want, but I'm still saving up. I thought to stop by the faction house to see if I can finagle a wand out of them; that's about it."
"Why?" she asks as she walks with the Paladin, "Did you want to go window-shopping or something, 'cuz that's free..."
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The night of the performance has arrived and you find yourselves outside Oppara's largest bard college the Kitharodian Academy. The campus sits atop the norther cliffs of Oppara and has an impressive view of the Porthmos River valley. The main music hall was beautifully constructed with elegant domes, towers and columns. The academy accents the building natural beauty on this special night with mirror-focused lanterns and dancing lights. Crowds of commoners and nobility jostle to enter the music hall. With little to no effort the party is able to make it's way inside. The inside is packed as people are making their way to their seats and ushers move to and fro in an attempt to serve the needs of the many nobles in attendance tonight.
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Oh, that evening. Eager anticipation. I had spent all day getting the right gear, the right outfit, I even managed to get that book for Garedon (I'll tell you later how he reacted to it). I knew all too well that I wasn't going to the performance, but still. I had never even set so much as a foot inside the academy. What a sight it should be. And even if we couldn't visit the performance, something must be audible, for sure. When an orchestra like that goes all out, the ground is shaking. And thus, so was I. And then the other part - the books! The stunt we were going to pull off! The perfect team: Vincent, the Taldan insider, Tuich, the Varisian with uncounted tricks up her sleeve, the virtuous Lady Adelaide - who wouldn't trust us with her in charge. The knowledgeable Garedon. And myself. What I wouldn't give to be at the performance (to be part of the performance!), but I knew my place was below, with the heist. But that evening - a full day away from what would be our own masterpiece - that evening I was burning with anticipation.
--Miko Teppen, personal notes.
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Moving along with the others, Tuich eyes a few of them with something approaching guilt. Vincent, despite his many faults, is kitted out in a wholly appropriate outfit and seems perfectly at ease. The new woman... what was her name, "Miko?"... had dressed for the occasion as well.
She looks down at her own outfit. True, she'd laundered it. And carefully cleaned and polished all her jewelry and crystals -- that task alone took many hours. But that only left her looking tidy and out of place. Her gaudy silks, glittering adornments and colorful tattoos would be more at home on the stage than in the audience.
A place she desperately didn't want to be.
Her silks ripple in a nonexistent breeze. "It's alright, Tooley," she whispers quietly. "Just... nerves is all." She scans the crowd. "They're not even paying attention to us."
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Miko breathes a sigh of relief as she spots the flowing silk of the Varisian woman. тυicн she says, trying to get the pronunciation right, look at all these people!
And we're going to pull this trick right under their noses! Miko's eyes are glimmering with mischief.
Have you seen Garedon? Adelaide? We should get Vincent to come along - we're not here to socialise! she whispers at тυicн.
And yet, all these people feel so distant. Faces, voices. Hi, hello, how you've been, how's the wife, the kids, the manor, the yard. Splendid, wonderful, not a thing in the world. Who is he, and who is his father, from where does he hail? Chatter, turmoil, heartfelt laughter, sideways glances. Old rivalries, loves turned sour, bitterness, spite. History, history, each their history. And me - none of it.
I dedicate a color to
My dearest friends and family who
So solemnly and nicely dressed
Come visit me, I must confess
I fell like Geena might
Upon her opening night...
Miko casts a glance and sees Vincent Look at him - this is his place, he seems right at home. Much as I would hear the performance of the orchestra, he wants to hear the performance of the crowd. He's got his own tune to sing. This is stolen from him as much as it is stolen from me. So we steal it back!
Collecting herself from her little drift, Miko thoughts turn towards the mission. So Tυicн, have you found the library yet?
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Garedon arrives at the rendezvous point precisely at the appointed time. Actually, he is significantly early so as to be best prepared for unexpected delays, and his punctiliousness causes him to wait at a slight distance from the rendezvous point until the precise time - as best as his measurements and count can determine - is reached. I shall, in due time, have to make significant improvements to this technology, he says, tapping his new hourglass.
From a distance, you see that Garedon is dressed exactly as he has always dressed, plainly but neatly, giving the impression of a scholarly traveler. Inexplicably, he is seen to stick a finger in each ear, one at a time, and then wiggle it, squinting the near eye and making a strange face. Close up, however, he is even more twitchy and his voice sounds more annoyed (and annoying) than usual. "Clear ear!" he whispers exaggeratedly to the group, adding with a furtive look in each direction, "I suggest that, if asked, our story is that I am mute. Selective mutism should offer the necessary flexibility."
Clear Ear: This green gel is poured into the user’s ear and takes effect 2 hours later, enhancing senses and memory but increasing irritability. For 6 hours, the user gains a +2 alchemical bonus on Perception and Knowledge checks and a –2 penalty on all Charisma-based checks.
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In an almost disappointed tone, Vincent reports to the others, "No one seems to be paying us any mind. We won't be remembered or missed if we make our way to the library now."
'There's something about being written out of a will that makes former "friends" forget about you,' he thinks to himself as they move towards the library.
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Almost all there - Garedon! Miko barely suppresses a yell.
She composes herself. Garedon, she says casually I found that songbook - care to have a look?
The well-known ones are all here. See, the ones I sang yesterday - Sellen Ferry, Kithradion she chatters, growing in excitement as she points to pages in the book, the marches - Down the woods, Oh, my field, The flower in the heather, she continues her private onslaught of the senses, the classic anthems - Let the lion roar, God save the Prince. It's all here...
Catching her breath, she drops a long, strung-out, silence. Here she finally continues, regaining her grip on herself my gift to you - just ask me what song, and I'll point it out to you.
Miko is probably overestimating her knowledge of Taldan songwriting here. Last night, while studying the book, she noticed there's quite a few works she didn't know.
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Adelaide's armor is newly polished, her tabard crisp and freshly cleaned, and she gives an ingratiating smile to any who meet her eye, but as she expected, there are few interested in conversing with a holy warrior at such an extravagant gala. She amuses herself with the way the crowd draws away from her without thought- no one wants to share sordid stories with priests or paladins, she thinks with a grin.
"Hello, Tuichy!" Adelaide smiles at the Varisian woman as she approaches. "You look fantastic. Did you find new scarves, or have I just not seen their color in the right lighting yet?" She hands the woman an impossibly delicate flute of rose-colored liquid. "I was afraid I'd break this on the way over. They certainly do know how to celebrate in Taldor, do they not?"
The paladin sips from her own glass. "Lovely to see you, Miko. Vincent," she nods to the man. "You're dressed to the nines, I see. Aren't you afraid your revelry will wrinkle that lovely shirt?" Her tone is cheery, breezy. The amusement she garnered earlier is still creating a smile on her face; it feels like a private joke that only another servant to the gods might understand. I should've come in my vestiments, carrying a holy book. That would have made for a sight!
She gives Garedon's shoulder a good-natured squeeze. "If you'd wanted a headache, we could've just given you a few of these in advance." She indicates the glass in her hand. "We'll be in quieter places soon, I'm sure."
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Tuich giggles. "No, same as always I'm afraid." Her gaze roves over the crowd. "And I was just thinking I should have dressed to blend in as Miko and Vincent have."
She sniffs at the contents of the fancy glass. "I'm not skilled in ways this mission demands, and imbibing would make matters worse. But thank you for thinking of me!" she says with a smile as she hands the delicate vessel back to the Paladin.
Is she just putting us on, or has she already had too much?
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Her face falls as the glass is handed back, her cheery attitude defeated. "Well... Well that's okay," Adelaide murmurs. She smiles again, but with much less enthusiasm.
The paladin scouts a person carrying a tray of empty and half-empty glasses and adds the two she carries to it as deftly as she can. Returning to the group, she is now all business. "Shall we be off, then? Vyk will be right along, I assume."
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Vyk stared morosely at the doors to the party. Well, no, not a party. A gala for those of rich and extravagant tastes, the upper crust, the well-to-do.
The borish and the rude.
He had been quiet ever since he had heard the details of this particular mission. Oh, he had tried to participate, but really he was at a loss. He hated these kinds of social situations. Give him a tavern and a good bard anyday.
"I wonder how long it'll take before they start staring at my horns," he muttered.
He had magically shined, cleaned and pressed his clothes and armor but decided to not dress up for the snobs inside with a new wardrobe. If anything that would just give them more ammunition.
Oh, look, they put a costume on the little devil boy. How adorable. I wonder if he'll dance next, he thought viciously.
Vyk snorted. No sense in pitying himself any longer. His companions were going to need him.
He walked in -- well, he supposed one could call it fashionably late, but really he was just the regular kind of late. The double doors parted, and an usher goggled at him. Vyk tried smiling disarmingly at the man, but his disgust at seeing a devil-spawn was clear to see.
So be it. Might as well play the part of the monster.
He widened his smile, showing off his pointed teeth. "By Cayden, don't stand there man. Point me to the liquor and women. This is an emergency!"
He clapped twice, loudly. "Well, hop to it."
The usher pointed vaguely in the direction of the open bar. He slapped the usher on the back, a bit harder than necessary.
"That's a good lad."
He avoided looking around the event. No point in making inadvertent eye contact with his comrades. Especially since he was very likely the only thing people were looking at.
He resisted a sigh when he heard the first comments.
"My word!" "How scandalous!" "Look at those horns!" "Is it civilized?" "Should someone called the town guard?"
He made it to the bar. "Give me a glass of the most expensive, frilly, little drink you have."
He winked flirtaciously at an older woman dressed in an owlbear feather boa who had been openly, hatefully staring at him. She fearfully ran off. He sighed.
"Make it two."
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"We should, perhaps, locate this library while guests are still coming and going to the music hall," Vincent murmurs to the others. "I'll make the inquiries."
Vincent walks up next to an usher, rubbing at his forehead. "Where might the library be?" If the usher inquires why(unlikely but possible), Vincent continues, "I find myself in need of a quieter room until my headache medicine kicks in, and it's a bit chilly outside. I trust a library of a bard school would be sufficiently soundproofed"
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Vincent manages to catch the attention of a passing usher very briefly. "I'm sorry sir but I was just fetching some extra cushioning for the Baroness of Maidenport. I must hurry back and do not have the time right now to address your concerns." With that he rushes off carrying a rather large cushion.
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Miko's rejection from joining the academy has blocked out her knowledge of the building somewhat, and she doesn't seem to remember in what wing the library was located.
I've never actually been here, I can't really tell you where the library is. Miko says with some despair. What a stupid mistake to make! We should have studied the floor plans, every bit of architectural archive we could find. Instead I spent my night studying songs!
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Vyk noticed from the corners of his eyes the concerned looks on his friends’ faces. So he downed his second drink quickly – an odd elven wine that tasted like strawberries – and cockily walked over to the woman of his group.
He bowed deeply, adding a magical flourish as he conjured some purple smoke that roughly resembled a rose. He dismissed the prestidigitation with a thought, and winked secretively at them.
“Good evening, ladies. I could not help but be entranced by your beauty from across the vast espanse of this hall, and was thus compelled to ask you all a simple question – ever dance with the devil in the pale moonlight?”
He then offered his hand.
“Okay, what’s going on?”
“The library, huh? Have one of the gals talk to an usher and tell them that they have their eyes set on a guest and want a place with some privacy. Tell them that they are married and would appreciate some discretion. A silver in their hand will buy their complicity. They’re used to ignoring the affairs of the rich. – one moment.”
He dipped his dance partner, winked, bowed graciously and walked back to the bar.
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Adelaide's moping is defeated with a giggle at Vyk's good-natured ways. At least someone's enjoying themselves; it would be a shame not to. "Dancing with devils? Why, that's my specialty," she boasts, and accepts his hand.
The woman nods along with the music and his words. "Your idea's a good one- I think Miko could be the most convincing; her outfit and charm could convince anyone that she belongs here. Do you think it could be that simple? Sir Blackwood seemed to have trouble getting information from the servant he flagged down."
"It's worth a shot, anyway. And I might be able to make a guess if she can't get the information we need." With the end of the song, she returns his bow and rejoins the group as he moves toward the bar. "Miko, our good friend Mister Tyr had an idea...."
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Miko looks in surprise as Tyr takes Adelaide for a dance, then understands as the Paladin fills her in on the plan. I'll do that, she says, but adds with a wink, but you'll have to make it look convincing.
At that point I was unsure whether that little trick would work. I stopped the usher, and I told my story, but it fell a little flat. A lot would depend on the way the team play their part
--Miko Teppen, personal notes
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Vincent stares, mouth slightly agape, at the usher disappearing into the crowd. "Well, I never..." he trails off. He finds his composure again after a while and takes stock of the situation. The others have found another usher, but Vincent isn't sure what their story is, though, so he tries finding a third usher, preferably one closer to the music hall's doors who maybe isn't currently attending to a specific noble.
"Directions to the main library. A debate has come up that I must settle," he directs to another usher, flashing a silver piece between his fingers.
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The usher looks slightly confused. First because Garedon seems to have arrived via a broom closet and second two different people want to go to the library instead of the performance. "I suppose if there are two of you that wish to go that would give me enough of an excuse to take you all the way over. If you would please follow me.""
-Posted with Wayfinder
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Following the usher the group makes it to the library. Opening the door you see a young man in scholarly robes reading a book, his feet propped up on the desk. "Oh Good evening!" He quickly jumps up and sets his book down. "You'll have to forgive me I was not expecting anyone during the performance. My name is Tobias and I am the librarian on duty, how can I be of assistance."
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Vincent shows Tobias the permit paper as he introduces himself. "Greetings, Tobias. You may call me Vincent, and these are my companions. We're an adventuring party, on a quest from a mysterious man in a cloak we found sitting in the corner of a tavern. Well, as adventures tend to go, we ended up finding this chest that can only be unlocked by solving a riddle of sorts. So we're here to read up on various topics to hopefully solve the puzzle. We'll stay out of your hair for the most part so you can finish your own book."
'For anyone who grew up on tales of adventurers, this should sound fairly plausible,' Vincent thinks to himself, rather proud of the tale he'd thought up over the course of the day.
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Tobias takes a moment to read the letter and says, "Well everything seems to be in order let me show you to the rare book room."
Tobias leads you through a set of double doors. Inside a large table stands at the center of this large room, whose walls are lined with rows upon rows of inset shelves. A set of double doors is the only way into the room, and two stone statues depicting bearded scholars with open books are the only other decorations.
"The library is scheduled to close after the performance. I heard it should be about two hours long so I'll come let you know when it's time to go and give you a few minutes to wrap up." He then leaves you to your work closing the double doors behind him.
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"We should wait to place the cards until we have found the secret entrance and are readied to leave, lest we be duplicated."
"As the letter indicated, "the hidden entrance can be found by studying honor, courage and glory." We should look for books about those topics or inscriptions with those words."
"I wonder if there is one of those brilliant modern inventions wherein there is a catalog of cards such that several cards represent each book, by authorship, by title, and according to the subject matter within?"
Garedon begins by examining the statues and then the books, by section.
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Honor
Miko is impressed to be in this section of the library . What a rare opportunity to be here - even if this is 'just' the rare books section, Miko is very aware of the privilege bestowed upon her.
Courage
The stakes! Wondering about her companions, she wonders what they may have to lose. It's not just getting caught in the act, and the direct repercussions that might have. It's also the stain on reputations, self-esteem, that her companions might face. Casting a glance at Lady Adelaide, Miko admires the way she manages to balance her principles with the nature of this affair.
Glory
But to business! Nothing will be gained by day-dreaming and prancing around. Vincent has done his part - splendidly - and Garedon is about to do his. Miko knows she is here to observe, report, cooperate. Support! So, she goes moves along when Garedon inspect the statues, and aids him in investigating book covers.
That's why I'm here. I'll ensure that, once we've done our part for the crusades, the chronicles will tell how these valiant souls put their lives on the line.
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Looking around the room the two statues hold blunt styluses which look like they could be used to help read old, fragile texts. On the Western Statue's book are the words, "Innovation, respect, knowledge, courage, integrity, honor, excellence, glory." Your keen sense also notice that the arm holding the stylus can be moved in such a way that the stylus will point at an individual word on the book.