Action 1:
Noravia looked at the maps along with everyone else. She had never been inside the building and this was most helpful. "Resourceful as always, Rexus. Between you and Elsbeth, we may actually have a chance at finding what Thrune wishes would stay hidden.".
The inquisitor pointed at the basement level, "Those small rooms look like they'd make perfect make-shift cells to imprison those opposed to Thrune.". She also thought there was probably plenty of space there to 'interrogate' or in Thrune's case, torture those prisoners. '"There are also plenty of rooms on the upper levels that are off-limits but since they are side-by-side with areas where people are allowed, chances are they don't house prisoners but rather information and possibly useful items. Knowing Thrune, he probably has a trophy room of some sort where he keeps things taken from his enemies so he can relive his victories over and over."
Action 2:
Noravia considers their options in conjunction with the information that Lady Docur provides. "Maybe teams can explore the upper levels since too large a group may draw unnecessary attention with others milling about. However, we should go as a group should we make it to the lower level because who knows what is also down there guarding whatever Brassy wants squirrelled away. As for the dancing, will there be some lessons provided before tomorrow? I didn't realize there was a specific type of dance that we'd have to know."
"There are also plenty of rooms on the upper levels that are off-limits but since they are side-by-side with areas where people are allowed, chances are they don't house prisoners but rather information and possibly useful items. Knowing Thrune, he probably has a trophy room of some sort where he keeps things taken from his enemies so he can relive his victories over and over."
Eirik nodded as he listened to Noravia's take on the map. "There is an awful lot of ground to cover," he said. "More than we can manage in a single night, particularly as we have to dodge guards and functionaries and have to avoid making a huge ruckus even after we get a bit further away from the more populated areas. I agree that anything the Paracount really doesn't want people to see would be in the cellars. So we should make exploring those our priority."
"As for the dancing, will there be some lessons provided before tomorrow? I didn't realize there was a specific type of dance that we'd have to know."
"Instead of participating, wouldn't the beginning of the dance be the perfect time to slip away from the crowd? If that is to be the main attraction of the evening, that should be the time when all eyes are on the dance floor," Eirik suggested, knowing he wouldn't be one to win any formal dance competition for one and doubted any of the should really seek the attention of their enemy by trying to show off for the second.
Nothing more on the masquerade except for some outlandish rumors (?).
I'll give anyone a free rank in perform-dance in exchange for an entertaining post...
Yes, S3 and S6 will get you to the basement.
Questions?
Game on!
Caleb ground his teeth as Octavio mentioned Rexus' "lesson" that had cost a halfling his life.
"I suppose I could look through people's minds, see if I can..." Caleb trailed off "Do you think that's why he's gathering people together? Give himself a chance to use a spell to rat through all our thoughts? Look for those not loyal? We're going to need some sort of communal undetectability spell. That'd probably help with some of the simpler magical traps as well - I used to know a thief who specialised in robbing wizards because they relied so heavily on their magical alarms."
Caleb looked to Tillia "You think you know someone who can get one of those?"
The little man ran his fingers over the map. "Two doors, or three, through restricted areas. Then down into what's likely to be a trap." He smiled evilly [b]"OR we do some sort of silence spell, then cut through the floor. There - what is that, a cloakroom?" He pointed to the small room near the entrance "We drop through there. We've got a hole in and out, right near the front door."
"I also reckon we take in something that makes smoke. This goes bad, we set them off. Fire in a crowded theatre - the mob'll go through the doors no matter what was planned." A look in Caleb's eyes revealed a certain callous joy in the idea of ruining THRUNE'S party.
Action 1
Tillia examined the maps and listened to the discussion, gathering her own thoughts while stroking Salina's feathered head affectionately. "I agree on both accounts, the basement is likely of great interest and the side rooms that are off limits likely house things he doesn't want anyone to see. That being said I doubt he's keeping his trophies there. No," She tapped her chin with one finger, "If it was me and I wanted a trap of some sort I would use those off limits rooms as a means for ambushers to enter through or to haul captives out through unobtrusively. They likely will be empty until right before anything he has planned." She turned her gaze to Caleb and continued, "I don't think we need to do anything to encourage people to leave, they'll do that themselves if something happens. It seems more likely that making sure the way is clear for them to flee would be the harder task."
She looked at the windows and wondered allowed, "How high are these windows from the ground outside? Could they be broken out for people to flee through?" She looked at walls and some of the adjoining rooms and continued, "Also, could we come up with a way to open holes through some of the exterior walls for people to flee through in a pinch?" She sat and crossed a leg elegantly as she heard her bird chirp to her. She listened intently and said, "Salina thinks that we would have a better chance getting allies inside if they simply came in with the guests. Then we wouldn't have to sneak anyone in, they'd be invited."
Action 2
At the mention of dancing Tillia nodded enthusiastically and said, "I will be part of the dance. I found I have a knack for it while I spent time with the Queen of Spiders in Vyre. I don't know that I could win the dance but I might be able to go far." She smiled as she finished, "I look forward to it."
She looked to Lady Docur then and asked, "Do you have a suggestion on an outfit?" She seemed concerned, "I haven't had much luck so far and I'm not sure what would be appropriate. I'd though of maybe working around a butterfly mask but that might be too close to proclaiming myself a Desna worshiper for comfort."
"Yes. Yes, I think so. I'm practically glowing with magical knick-knacks, and I intend to have a few spells as well! If it lasts a while, then I'm happy to simply hire a wizard to cast it - shouldn't take long, after all." Caleb's brow furrowed "And I'll be taking some effort to disguise THRUNE'S "gifts" as well. Not much point in a disguise that leaves me practically wearing a name tag."
Caleb swept through the door with Noravia.
For his part Caleb had taken Zon-Kuthon's shadowy aspect to heart. A million tiny patches of darkness clung to his torso, and shifted underneath his cloak. When he moved it simply blurred his torso, but when as he stood still to talk to the guard, he seemed to almost become shadow, the outline of his form blending with that of his partner's sillhouette. He met the guard's smiling mask with his own - a porcelain recreation of the ruin of Zon-Kuthon's face. Lips removed. Piercings through the mask, with trickles of ichor. A crown of spikes embedded directly into the head - or so it appeared, through cunning stagecraft. The Crystal eye was simply a single cut smoked glass lens over his left eye socket. The flat broad end of spikes - glittering with obsidian - protruded from his body, with the matching heads on the other side. It wasn't realistic - there was little chance he'd have been let in if it was - but it was disturbing. Behind that image however, was Caleb's charisma, unchained now despite the chains that wrapped around his body from spike to spike. He had a presence, and the shadows around him seemed to darken as he walked.
"Old place hasn't changed as much as I feared!" he announced, in an accent that shared nothing in common with his own. "Let's take a look around, before we pay our respects, shall we?" This last was said to his companion, the wink that accompanied it spoiled by the dim dark depths of the smoked glass eye. "Wonder if that statuette of you is still on the top floor, Mademoiselle Shelyn."
Cloak of shadow is OK.
Scroll of non-detection is OK.
Very nice description, BTW. :)
Game on!
I can wait.
There are other players that keep me entertained. :)
Game on!
Action 3:
There had been a lot of preparation that went into getting Noravia's hair just right for the Masquerade. It had been a mix of real extensions and illusion to have it appear as long as necessary. She had also been given lenses that actually fit over her eyeballs to make the color of her eyes appear blue. The inquisitor had been grateful for all of the help as this was not her wheelhouse. She had also had to get Caleb's help in getting her dress just right condiering it was a glamer and not real. There was something truly freely about appearing to show so much skin without actually showing her skin. Her comfort level was quite different from their previous dinner party, knowing that her armor was in place.
The end result was quite stunning and when beside Caleb, quite striking. Together they were in embodiment of opposition. Where Caleb was shadow, darkness, and pain Noravia was radiant, lightness, and beauty. Her dress appeared to be white silk which flowed around her. The fabric shimmered with subtle color which was constantly changing as she moved, almost like a living opal. There were two high slits showing toned legs as she walked and the same careful placement of the fabric in the bodice revealed a plunging neckline all the way to her navel and an open back as well. The end result was a tasteful balance between dress and skin thanks to expertly draped fabric. She also wore long, white silk gloves which had small roses embroidered on them from wrist to elbow. Noravia's mask was that of a porcelain songbird of vibrant colours to contrast the subtlety of those in her dress which was then adorned with feathers. The last thing she carried to complete the look was a glaive which appeared more theatrical than functional.
She laughed musically at Caleb's last comment and allowed herself to be lead away. As she moved, her hair swished from side to side giving others glimpses of her exposed back as she departed.
Action 2:
The amount of ground to cover at the Opera House seemed daunting to the inquisitor and it seemed like it would be difficult to organize everyone to properly search the building. "So it sounds like we have three pairs of Ravens as well as Elsbeth acting as one of the guards. Who else from the Silver Council will be attending? Rexus mentioned that he'll be there but who else? If all of us Ravens are going together to explore the basement level of the Opera House, being safety in numbers, then we'll need others above making sure our absence goes unnoticed. I'll be taking scrolls in with me but it's Elsbeth who has the Silence scrolls should we want to make use of eliminating sound."
Turning to Lady Docur Noravia asked, "Is there any way to temporarily glamer my weapon to appear as Shelyn's glaive? Otherwise I'm afraid I'll have to go without a weapon unless we can get our hands on a bag of holding that appears like a lady's purse."
Action 1
At Lady Docur's suggestion Tillia said, "If you can get just one of the scrolls I can added it to my spell book. It will save you having to make more of them that way."
Action 2
Tillia smiled brightly as Lady Docur gave her approval for the design and said, "Excellent!" She turned her focus to Eirik as he suggested not participating in the dance and said, "Eirik, the main dance is the end of the ball I believe, if anyone isn't there it would be more obvious than if we proclaimed ourselves enemies of Brassy before everyone. At least some of us need to participate. I would suggest a few scout earlier in the ball, maybe swapping out with others at times so it isn't so obvious anyone is missing."
Action 3
The night of the ball Tillia had Salina stay outside as she approached. She wanted her precious feathered friend far from any trouble should it occur. Instead she made sure the bird was prepared to send her a warning if soldiers began to surround the place or any other trouble that might threaten them inside occurred. When she entered the theater Tillia was wearing a lovely dress of black cloth. It was cut somewhat daringly in the bodice, but not so much as to pass past the point of acceptability, and had a slit up one side to give her more movement for dancing, or fighting. She had worked her blue scarf with it's blades into the ensemble and upon her face wore a fanciful monarch butterfly mask with her eyes where the black spots would normally be on the wings.
Taking the lessons the Queen of Spiders had given her to hear Tillia made her way to the floor where people mingled and began to speak with who ever she came across. She introduced herself, invariably, as Madame Butterfly and did her best to speak with both commoners and nobles alike.
As promised, I'm letting this run for another day.
FYI, the Dance of the Dammed is at 10:00 pm while the last event of the evening is the Unmasking Ceremony scheduled for midnight.
All of the Silver Council (Rexus, Laria, Octavio, Hetamon, and Docur) would be attending the party.
Two scrolls of non-detection are available.
No way to hide weapon (no need really unless it's a big two-handed weapon, which is considered faux-pas).
More questions?
Game on!
Vandomir: still with us...
Action 3
Eirik entered nodded his masked head gravely at the guard and entered the opera house, trying to resist the urge to gawk like a commoner in a nobles’ ball. At least the costume helped with that.
The heavy brown and grey multi-layered robes of a lawmaster did much to hide any small twitches of surprise while the stern golden mask of the Abadar’s avatar covered his face, allowing him to did what little gawking he couldn’t suppress in privacy. The monk walked with his arms crossed over his chest, his hands hid deep in the robe’s wide sleeves. All in all, he was dressed in a way that would likely call little attention to him – just another boring little functionary of the city, well-connected enough to have earned an invitation but too far from his usual circles to mingle easily, and thus unlikely a contact worth cultivating.
”What a wonderful little party. Thank you every so much for the invitation, dear!”
Much unlike to his lady companion, Eirik thought with a mental groan as he turned his masked head to stare at the lady glued to his side. Asami had indeed jumped once she had got wind of the masquerade and that they had secured invitations. Long before Eirik had managed to construct a plausible reason for her not to attend she had already found herself a dress and had announced that yes, indeed, she would be most pleased to join as Eirik’s significant other and thank you so much for making the invitation, dearest.
Naturally, at that point Eirik had caved in, very much afraid of the consequences of giving saying no to her face.
Clad in an off-the-shoulder dress of overlapping ankle-length stripes of silk that offered glimpses at what they hid every time Asami moved, Eirik had to admit the short and little woman provided a wonderful contrast to his somber attire. Add to the dress she was almost wearing the magically animated fox’s ears and tail, and the simple half-mask that covered the top half of her face and her exaggerated walk designed to draw male eyes on her... while she seemed to enjoy being in the receiving end of attention, Eirik could feel his cheeks reddening in embarrassment on her behalf.
”For the love of gods, woman. We are here to see, not to be seen,” Eirik whispered franticly at the murderously deadly slip of a girl, his worry momentarily overcoming his dread of her.
”Oh do not be a bore, dear. Being seen is not the same as being recognized. Besides, everyone is here to be seen; we’d only attract attention by trying to avoid it,” Asami answered breezily, idly twiddling with her hair. Hair that she wore unbound today, Eirik noted, the long tresses thrown over her right shoulder. The monk realized he had never seen her dressed in quite the same style of clothes nor having the same hairstyle twice in all the times they had met. Was there significance to such things, he wondered? He admitted he could not tell. Was she waiting for him to make comment on it?
”That might be the case, but I at least am supposed to slip out unnoticed later,” Eirik muttered. ”I can’t very well do that with every eye on the woman by my side.”
”Let them watch,” Asami said, and stretched her arms luxuriously. Eirik could not fail to see the effect the move had on her dress, nor was the sight lost to most of the men in close proximity. Or to the women, he noted, seeing more than one icy glare directed at the petite woman. Who seemed vastly amused by the attention, judging from the sly slime on her lips and from the way the animate fox’s tail whisked around in excitement. ”Worry not; I will go on the prowl later, being the poor neglected mistress that I am, ignored by my workaholic man. I expect I’ll find no shortage in gentlemen ready to comfort me. Powerful and important men, even, considering the crowd. Think of all the possibilities…”
”Oh, I’m thinking,” Eirik muttered glumly. He just wished Asami would keep her head and steer clear of the Paracount when their host made his appearance. The monk wasn’t quite what the man had done to her in the past, but the fury Asami seemed to harbor towards the man was frightening in its intensity. He feared that if she was an opportunity... No, best not to think about it. At least the flame of her anger burned cold. She would, he hoped and prayed, be willing to take time to properly savor her vengeance.
Action 3 con't.
In the midst of her mingling Tillia noticed Eirik entering with his lovely companion and worked her way towards them. She was glad she made it a point to know what her friends were coming as so she could better keep track of them. She had not, however, known that Eirik was bringing a date. When she reached the two of them she said, "A pleasure to see you Divine Abadar," She looked to the woman beside him and said, "I didn'y expect you to bring a friend though." Turning to Asami and curtsied deeply. "I am Madame Butterfly, it is a pleasure to meet you."
"A pleasure to see you Divine Abadar," She looked to the woman beside him and said, "I didn'y expect you to bring a friend though." Turning to Asami and curtsied deeply. "I am Madame Butterfly, it is a pleasure to meet you."
"Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Master of the First Vault is lord everlasting, and I but His lowly servant," Eirik intoned, keeping to his role by quoting from the Order of Numbers to communicate. "And as to her... you try to tell her no and see how that works out for you," he muttered in a lower voice, wincing from pain as Asami playfully applied her elbow into a sensitive spot just below Eirik's ribs.
"Pleased to meet you, Madame Butterfly," Asami murmured, curtsying. "I have heard ever so much of you, of course. It is a pleasure to meet you."
Action 1
"Magic is not my strength, and I couldn't use the things if you gave them to me, but if the group thinks they are useful, then by all means," responded Vandomir.
Action 2
Vandomir nodded at Tillia's words, "while we can and should make plenty of plans, I believe we can assume that Thrune has many of his own plans in the offing, and our plans will likely be superseded by his. We will need to be ready to respond to the worst."
Action 3
Vandomir wore robes of blue and gray over his pants. They were arrayed in such a fashion as to elicit thoughts of ages past, when spears and slings ruled the fields of battle, when steel was not yet used. His mask was styled to appear of rough clay, like ancient pottery, painted with the face of a nondescript warrior. The entire effect was like one would expect to find in a crude street show, but clearly made with expensive materials, a noble trying his best to appear like a poor pretender. He wore a sling at his belt, and a short spear over his shoulder. He had a belt pouch full of sling bullets. His footwear was fine white leather boots, but they were laced with broad brown leather straps to make them appear like old style sandals. Again, the effect was to make Vandomir appear like a foppish noble trying to appear much more base.
You could always bring a longsword and use it two-handed. Not the same but pretty close.
Up to you...
Didn't someone have a handy haversack?
I intend to recap later today.
Turn 357 - A Disaster Waiting to Happen
Read the OOC.
Questions, comments, and/or suggestions?
Game on!
No activity makes me worried...
Is the game suddenly boring?
Am I a bad GM?
Did aliens finally land on Earth? :)
Nope, I was gone almost all day yesterday due to work and game night and got back too late to post much. Then I slept in this morning and haven't posted much either. I'll be getting something up after I get home from work tonight.
Noravia stayed close to Caleb's side. His costume idea was definitely garnering the response that she had expected. Either people stared and gawked, unable to look away or they glanced at them briefly and immediately averted their gaze. She knew that what she was projecting was not truly her own skin which made it easier to play her part but a couple times she was fairly certain that someone was staring at her rather than them - which was another reason she kept close to Caleb. Tonight would be complicated enough without having to deal with someone feeling a little entitled.
She often leaned in to whisper something in Caleb's ear, even if it was nothing important. On one of those occasions she said, "This way if we disappear later at some point they'll just assume we wanted some alone time together."
With Elsbeth's revelations, Noravia tried to formulate a little bit of a plan but really there wasn't much planning to be done. There were too many variables. "Is there a way we can still slip by the additional dottari guards? It wouldn't really do to fight them if we don't have to."
With Elsbeth's revelations, Noravia tried to formulate a little bit of a plan but really there wasn't much planning to be done. There were too many variables. "Is there a way we can still slip by the additional dottari guards? It wouldn't really do to fight them if we don't have to."
"The noise of the masquerade will help conceal some sounds of battle, but I'd hope we could get into the basement before we have to resort to violence," Eirik murmured. "But with other stairs down behind a garrison, I guess our options are limited to one."
Action 1
Tillia smiled at Eirik's rebutle and said, "I stand corrected then lowly servant." She giggled slightly as she listened to Asami's response. Her expression became rather odd as she realized Eirik talked to people the mage didn't know about them ,"Strange," she replied, "I don't think he's told me about you before. It seems like a rather serious oversight that he should correct soon." Her stance shifted slightly as she slid one hip to the side ever so slightly, "Or maybe we should just work around him and get together sometime ourselves."
Action 2
Having finished her talk with Asami and Eirik Tillia made her way towards the food. She was quickly becoming famished and felt that she should eat something now while she still could. it wasn't likely that she'd have the chance later. Once she had her food she found a table to sit at where a few wealthier individuals sat, at least if their clothes were any indication, and said, "May I have this seat gentle folk?"
You could always bring a longsword and use it two-handed. Not the same but pretty close.
Nahh, I'm an archer.
I'll get something posted, in the AM hopefully, but I understand if you have to move forward.
FYI, I'm traveling out of the country for a few days. It is my intent to post once a day (and even try to recap) but don't be alarmed if I disappear for a couple of days. I'll be back home on May 9th, when posting should be back to normal, or at least as normal as possible considering I'll have to catch up at work. :)
She often leaned in to whisper something in Caleb's ear, even if it was nothing important. On one of those occasions she said, "This way if we disappear later at some point they'll just assume we wanted some alone time together."
Caleb responded teasingly "What if we do want some alone time together?"
With Elsbeth's revelations, Noravia tried to formulate a little bit of a plan but really there wasn't much planning to be done. There were too many variables. "Is there a way we can still slip by the additional dottari guards? It wouldn't really do to fight them if we don't have to."
"I'd stake money I can pass unseen. I'm not a hundred percent sure I'd be able to open a door without that, though." Caleb whispered, then stopped, struck by inspiration "Ves might be able to. She's not as sneaky as me, but she's got a trick that lets her go where she needs, at times. Might be able to take a shortcut and scout for us."
"Well, we should go be seen, my dear Shelyn." Caleb suggested. "Let's mingle. Maybe someone knows something about why this party has been called."
"Strange," she replied, "I don't think he's told me about you before. It seems like a rather serious oversight that he should correct soon." Her stance shifted slightly as she slid one hip to the side ever so slightly, "Or maybe we should just work around him and get together sometime ourselves."
"Let's do have lunch sometimes; you no doubt have the most fascinating tales to tell about him," Asami said brightly, nudging Eirik with an elbow again, although this time the monk was forewarned enough to take the blow on a less sensitive part of his side. "We can trade. And there is much about you I would like to learn as well; my little darlings have tried to keep me posted but they rarely move in the right circles. Although you might have met some of them of late. I believe I spied Elsbeth in here earlier, even."
Action 2
Vandomir made sure to move around the room several times, so as to get the opportunity to observe to each of the Silver Ravens that, "I can not help but believe that the placement of those feathered creatures provides an imminent threat to the revelers."
Vandomir spent a good deal of time observing the hanging cages from several directions, trying to determine how he might be able to jam up the mechanisms, and possibly keep them from being lowered, should that be Thrune's plan.
+4 vs humans, +2 vs Evil outsiders, +3 to locate traps, +2 in Kintargo
Caleb responded teasingly "What if we do want some alone time together?"
Noravia's arm snaked around Caleb's waist and drifted to one of his butt cheeks which she squeezed gently. Her eyes sparkled as she added, "I'll always want alone time with you but we must remained focused. At least while we're here."
"I'd stake money I can pass unseen. I'm not a hundred percent sure I'd be able to open a door without that, though." Caleb whispered, then stopped, struck by inspiration "Ves might be able to. She's not as sneaky as me, but she's got a trick that lets her go where she needs, at times. Might be able to take a shortcut and scout for us."
The inquisitor responded, "Ves would make a great scout however she can be unpredictable and she'd still need a mask like everyone else in case she's seen. I thought it may be possible to be quiet enough to sneak by the guards since we have the master key which Elsbeth gave Eirik."
"Well, we should go be seen, my dear Shelyn." Caleb suggested. "Let's mingle. Maybe someone knows something about why this party has been called."
Noravia nodded regally and threaded her arm through Caleb's. "By all means, my dear Zon-Kuthon. Let us talk to the people."
"She won't need a mask, if she doesn't have a face" argued Caleb, but dropped the topic.
Sorry guys, busier than I thought.
I 'intend' to recap later today.
Game on!
er... no update, will try again tomorrow. To my excuse, the internet here is really slow and even my word processor is acting up. it took forever to update the other games and those had really short turns...
Game on!
With the party reaching full swing, and knowing that her companions would be exploring about now, Tillia excused herself from her table and looked around. She spotted a man, who they knew had strong ties to Thrune, and went up to him. With a graceful curtsy she asked, "Would you care to show a lady around the dance floor sir?" Her tone was meant to be enticing and her manners elegant as she awaited his response. She hopes that by being open on the floor with a supporter of Brassy she could distract the guards a bit to give her friends a better chance to explore.
D4. Orchestra Pit: This open area is surrounded by a low railing; it drops 10 feet into the orchestra (area G3) below.
G3. Orchestra: This area is open to the stage and low seating above. It’s a 10-foot distance up to the upper floor.
The sound and visuals of the human performers, all wearing faceless masks, is quite good, yet a far cry from a masterpiece of a performance.
Caleb looked with horror at the orchestra, then carefully looked away "Is that bad?" he asked Noravia, quietly "I can never keep the various types straight. What can you tell me about Erineyes, Beardys and these bone guys?"
"Is that bad?" he asked Noravia, quietly "I can never keep the various types straight. What can you tell me about Erineyes, Beardys and these bone guys?"
”Sounds grim enough, but heavy guard was only to be expected, with the Paracount himself making a public appearance,” Eirik murmured, sipping a glass of sweet wine he had picked up and found to his liking. Nor was it the only thing he had apparently fancied – the square mouth hole on his mask was lightly crusted with honey and jam from all the sweetmeats he had sampled.
”Don’t you think you have had enough for the evening, dear heart?” Asami asked pointedly. ”You need to stay in shape for the challenges to come.”
”Round is a shape; a perfect shape even, they tell me – just go ask the mathematicians in the Academy if you don’t want to take my word for it,” Eirik muttered sulkily. It was stressful enough having the cold-blooded beauty at his side, and spending time with so many enemies open and potential. He did not need to hear complaints about his weight on top of all that.
So Tillia is dancing during the 9:30 events; what is everyone else doing?
While he waits for Noravia to think, Caleb is struck by inspiration. "Look, Ves says she can probably get three of us down. Why don't you and I, and someone else; Elsbeth? Tillia?" noting Eirik's hunted look Caleb took pity on the man "Eirik? Anyway, we go into the restrooms, change outfits, then we 'port straight down into that room marked 'G4' on Rexus' map." He looked hopefully "Don't suppose anyone brought a spell to cause silence?"
"From there we explore the surrounding rooms. If someone is waiting in the corridor near the stairs, we'd be able to surprise them from behind. Anything goes wrong, we teleport out of here - to a dressing room - and act drunk." Caleb paused "There's a small chance there might be some sort of anti-teleport defence, but I'd back three of us against most traps."
Noravia nodded at Caleb's suggestion. "Eirik definitely looks like he needs rescuing from the Masquerade. Elsbeth probably can't leave her post for too long; however, it's her that has a scroll of silence. If she's willing to part with it, I can cast it."