do we want to wait another two days for brannock or move on?
The day comes, our heroes are beyond excited, they have all stayed a the hideout the night before, they primp and get dressed and are ready to leave when, the weather turns and it begins to rain. Going to walk in the rain?
"May as well arrive in style. Let's have one of the Torchbearers help us out by contracting a carriage for the night. Its either that or I clean us all up once we arrive, but that will be a little less dignified."
Sure does. Everyone riding in one?
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Indeed it would be a shame for our adoring public to see us as waterlogged rats
The tall handsome enough fellow began. He had spent a bit of extra time with some stylized make-up much like a stage performer. Vivid green and gold facepaint about his eyes matching of course his noble outfit picked up from the shop. He hadnt mentioned it, but he used his disguise kit (normally reserved for sneaking out and slumming it when he was a bit younger to escape prying eyes) to change his appearance just enough that any direct family might not notice him... if they were in attendance of course.
Miro gets his servant uniform ready and accompanies the party into the carriage. So I am pretty much going to be a non-person unless someone wants a drink. Should I just stick near you or wander about with a tray so I can figure out what things look like from the inside?
"Mmm. Tram, why don't I help you out a bit. Stage paint is something of a hobby for me and it wouldn't do to have you spend the evening answering uncomfortable questions. Miro, that sounds like an excellent plan, but after I'm done with Tram, I'd better dress you up like one of Arvanxi's servants."
I am ready. Well as ready as I can get. Exxor enters in a nobles outfit, clearly new and never worn, and looking somewhat out of place.
A corpulent building of iron and stone looms over its
neighbors in southern Westcrown—the mayor’s
abode is anything but subtle. This is no mere
house, but rather a bloated near-castle of
ochre and black, a huge manor with rusting
gargoyles dancing upon its gables among
hooks and nails to prevent the birds from
settling. Iron gutters vomit rainwater onto the
cobbled streets below, but bright lights burn
fierce in every window while plumes of smoke
boiling up from nearly two dozen chimneys
promise an interior as warm and welcome as the
exterior is cold and forbidding. Carriages arrive,
belching forth their well-dressed contents at the
end of a long canvas-topped walkway extending
from the manor grounds’ front gates to the
villa’s front doors, offering new arrivals
protection from the rain on the short
trip by carriage to Cornucopia.
The pcs arrive and are escorted inside as the guests of honor, a cheer is raised and everyone is handed a glass of wine
Immediately the PCs find themselves face to face with an imposing man, the Mayor Abranxi.
Miro sticks close to Audi for the moment, holding his hat and gloves as a proper slip should.
Miro will use any opportunity to get the layout of the area and perhaps chat up any other halflings about what doors lead where and so on. Perhaps procuring a serving tray of drinks and whatever drugs the partygoers like and wander around.
Audi bows deeply before the mayor, "Greetings Mayor Arvanxi. We are so pleased to make your acquaintance. Thank you for the invitation to your fete this evening. What do you have planned for the festivities tonight?"
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I dont think i have to warn everyone here to be careful. To most of the nobles here, you are an entertainer, a tool, an object. They do not want to be your friend, even if they try to seem it at first. Audi, I have no doubts you will be able to handle yourself just fine, or even you Exxor but stick close to me Brannock, I will keep you from stepping into a hornets nest if I am able.
He offered the makeup help from Audi did make him seem a bit older, a bit wilder.
Tramtris followed Audi's lead not mentioning his name but adding his bow along with Audi's. For now he planned on staying mostly silent and using what he knew of the nobles to both aid and forworn his friends if need be. After the bow he did his best to look slightly enthralled. He glanced torwards Brannock making sure the half orc didnt do something too out of place.
Just the first person to meet
The mayor responds, though he does give a sidelong glance at Tram,
Why a wonderful multi course meal of course, but for now I am sure that everyone will want to meet you and gossip and all of that. I am hoping that this can be the beginning of an friendship for us, with that rabble, calling themselves torchbearers starting trouble you could be a great ally.
You find many halfling about, all of them racing around trying to make sure there are no mistakes.
Exxor tries to stay in the back of the group and will attempt to focus on the many ulterior motives of those they meet.
Exxor will also focus on appraising the outfits and jewelry of those they meet to try and identify those with genuine wealth, versus those like himself that are merely trying to look the part.
"Yes, yes of course. Perhaps you can introduce us to some more of the guests. I must say though that not all tales of these torchbearers have been of their rabble-rousing. Word on the streets also speaks that they put down a bandit gang in the ruins...bastards of something or other...and that they even managed to slay one of those dread shadow beasts. Of course, those may be tales just as fanciful as our story of Lazarod."
When not going about, looking like a busy halfling servant, Miro will swing by Audi and tell him about any interesting rooms.
Yes of course, I did here a rumor about them doing somethng valuable, none-the-less rabble is rabble. There is a slight flicker in a light. I must say I am less than happy about these gremlins and phantoms bothering my lights and water! But what is a man to do, I must intorduce you to my majordomo! He waves a woman over
I am sure they will cousin! So how is it that you got involved int eh the theatre?
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Oh you saw through the disguise I see, I was trying to stay a little unnoticed in case mother was about. She would be dreadfully upset with me I think. But, if you can imagine, its because of a young woman who enjoys the theatre. I certainly wasnt expecting such a enganging first role...
He said throwing for the moment any attempts to be standoffish aside.
My fellow actors here with me are good folks for their kind. Well except that Thesling fellow, It wouldnt surprise me if he were invovled with that rabble you mentioned earlier. He seems the type.
"Your majordomo. Madam, it is wonderful to meet you. This is such a magnificent residence. Tell me of these phantoms. It sounds like a fascinating tale."
As Tram adds the bit about Thesing, Audi quickly chimes in. "What a surprise it was running into Thesing again at that play. First, we overheard him at those stables going on about pulling one over on the Hellknights and then there he was talking about riling people up backstage at the theatre. Thank goodness those devils took him before he could get into any more mischief."
Thesing you say. Perhaps some of my hell knights should speak with him. He wanders off and speaks with a servent who exits quickly.
The majordomo smiles politely I am sure that I do not know anything about phantoms, the Lord Mayor seems to believe they are about, but I have not found any. Just a lack of sleep and stress I suspect
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Stress and a lack a sleep? I would imagine the pressure of keeping a city running is indeed serious. As his majordomo you aid him in much. I do not suppose perhaps there are openings in the administration somewhere? I have just returned from the Academy in Egorian a few months back and have been ...dabbling in direction since then. Maybe I am suited to civil service.
He began doing his best to sound like he was idly musing about it, perhaps seriously perhaps nothing more than a young nobles frivolous thoughts.
Middle aged
Audi thinks there is something else he has heard about the majordomo and has it right on the tip of his tongue, but can't quite come up with what it is. "Yes, phantoms do sound like they could be a little extreme. We'd love to hear more about the residence though. I'm sure there some remarkable things you could show us."
"Yes, please! This is such an amazing residence, you are lucky to reside in such a marvel!" Exxor looks about the arches and halls as if in awe and wonder... he is actually looking for guards, surveying the floorplan and trying to determine what is where, what is hidden and what is the best way to escape... if/when the time comes!
Audi nods his understanding to Brannock and clears his throat, then improvises a beautiful poem, recounting the marvels of the estate and the majordomo who looks after it.
Miro looks for something he can swipe and sell later.
ok i am at a wedding this weekend so you are getting the nuts and bolts of this instead of fancy talk, and assumiung you will woo her more. She loves the poem and confides in the pcs
If they want to remain sensible by
the feast’s end, they should pace themselves and eat carefully.
If the PCs do manage to earn her trust, though, she admits
to them that she’s particularly concerned about one of the
newer hires—a servant by the name of Sian who’s been
missing for 2 days now along with a relatively valuable bust of
Asmodeus. Crosael worries that Sian has stolen the bust and
fled into the city to pawn it.
Miro shares some homegrown dope with the other halflings when they get a smoke-break.
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Servants you just cant really trust them can you? Thank you for the advice on the food and drink, If you will excuse me I see a few.... ladies i need to say hello too.
Niceties aside, The young scared nobleman turned actor will mingle with the other guests flirting and joking, Eating little and drinking less, though putting on a good show that he was indeed imbibing, in fact, as the evening wore on he started weaving more, and laughing louder. A few of the drunker more...notably known risque lasses he gladly introduces to his good freind Brannock talking him up a bit for his strength and stamina, All the while scoping the place out, watching for guards both obvious and hidden amongst the guests.
I have the munchies bad, Miro thinks. Seems his past actions have scrambled his brains a bit. He sneaks into the kitchen for something, vaguely remembering his original plan of scouting something out.
Miro makes his way into the kitchens the chef shouts
Whatta ya need?
Um..Hur.Pardon me sir, but is there any leftover appetizers? Looks to be a long night with all the nobles and a little something in the belly will help. Miro does try to see if there re any interesting features in the dining halls.
+3 to avoid punishment
Are those pulled boar meatballs with garlic sauce? Oh I loovveee those!
The cook gestures to a tray with crustinis with some kind of caviar on them
Enjoy!
As the major doom makes her way off a a grizzled, mean-looking middle-aged
man with receding black hair and a neatly trimmed mustache.
He wears a suit of stiff, black ceremonial leather armor that
displays his rank in the Chelish navy approaches and speaks to Tram
You there, more of the appetizers! he snaps his fingers at him
Score!
Miro eats a couple of crustinis and a few meatballs before grabbing a platter and heading out to serve more nobles.
seems like some officer in the navy