Tavros nods as his companions speak: mind-altering magic would be bad. Sure he didn't personally have experience with it, but it was basically just the magical equivalent of the drinks he had been given to keep him half crazed and manic back in this tribe. Although the effects were probably different.
He would do his best to help identify any magics placed on the necklace, but he doubted he'd be much help with swapping it. He could be quiet when he wanted to, but deception and subterfuge had simply never been skills he saw worth developing. Of course, he could also be very not quiet when he wanted to, which was likely to be of more use. The goatling dance in particular seemed like it might be useful. Or paso doble or tap. All were rather stompy in different ways.
He turns to his companions. "Given that I suspect I will be a distraction of sorts, it might be better to go without my hat. Or would that be too much of a distraction? It just seems like the hat may be more beneficial in someone else's hands for this."
Later that day, the group assembles, and Tavros is loaded into the wagon again and covered with a tarp, which is quite unpleasant given his fur and the heat of the day. The group is driven into town and arrives at an older looking inn of some sort. You are shuffled in the back door from the stables and up some stairs to a meeting room.
You wait for perhaps half an hour, but are given some food and water in the mean time as Alree An goes downstairs to see what can be purchased.
Eventually, an entourage of people come up the stairs, entering the room. Quite a few guards enter first, and then a man who appears to be a caster, looks about the room, concentrating intensely, focusing on each person in turn. Eventually he nods and a man at the door motions and another man who must be Lord Gongula enters.
All told there must be about six guards, but the caster. Lord Gongula is an aging man, but his hair is still mostly black, only a touch of grey at the temples. He has a short beard, and large beakish nose, sharp shrewish eyes, and the skin on his skull seems stretched tight, so that when he smiles, he looks like a skull with just a thin layer of skin.
His hands seem gnarled a bit, but move with surety, and at his belt is a kukri.
The caster moves to his side and invokes a spell.
Lord Gongula speaks, "It is my understanding we are to do business together in a fashion that will mutually aid us both. We have much work to do before the event. You, " he points at Tavros, "Will be a guard." Several men enter carrying a chest, and open it. Inside is a large helmet, some light armor and a cloak all for a very large person, or minotaur. The armor and cloak are in the livery of Lord Gongula. Crude looking 'boots' that will fasten over Tavros' hooves are also part of the costume. The helmet fits over his head in a manner that his horns will appear to be part of the helmet. "This is your costume. The rest of you will be valets." He points out other costumes that are flowy but modest and appropriate for retainers, showing some measure of wealth of the lord, but not to outdo their master.
"You surely have a bunch of questions and concerns before I begin with information. Let's get those out of the way now, and then I am sure you will have more after I give you critical information."
"Well, sure," Teniel begins. "Whose valets will we be, and how much free roam does that afford us? Will we need to swipe the necklace from the person's neck? Because the best plan we had so far involves asking to borrow it briefly for a barding performance, then giving the decoy back. And should we wear human disguises to blend in?"
"I explicitly need to know what enchantments you intend to invoke with the necklace." Makoto responds, she isn't cold, but the lack of the warmth typically flowing freely from her is punctuation enough for her allies to know, for certain, that what the necklace does may well be a sticking point.
Tavros picks up the helmet with great interest. Sure, it was a little drab, but maybe he could get Maks to paint it for him later. He loved the way it interacted with his horns. The cloak was also quite nice. Very important for bull fighters, especially if they knew paso doble. The armor he was significantly less interesting. It looked like it would be tight even though it was at least made for someone his size. I wonder if we'll get to keep this when we're done... Somehow he doubted it. But maybe if he asked nicely, he could get his brother to make him a pretty cloak and helmet.
For now he lets his siblings handle questions. He didn't want to assault the man with a torrent of words. If he had any questions they left out, he would have a chance to bring them up later.
"Can we speak with your current valets? We will need to learn as much as we can about the local customs and the duties of a valet in a short amount of time. Hmm, how do you propose we deal with the language issue? Or do valets not speak?"
"Most of the party takes place in Lady Vinsing's courtyard, an elaborate place of gardens, statuary, fountains and other displays of wealth. The guests stay in those areas for the most part, and their attendants are never far from them, attending and adding to appearance of wealth. Lady Vinsing will have her own servants in attendance to take care of all guests' needs, but everyone brings their own entourage for purposes of outdoing each other. You literally have to do nothing aside from nod or perform minor useless tasks as I ask of you for no other reason than to display the wealth and power of my station. A tiresome game, but necessary if you wish to engage in these social circles."
"As exotic attendants, your appearance will generate much interest although no one will speak to you, and you not to speak to anyone unless addressed, and then only briefly and courteously with a smile and a bow. Most of the dignataries in attendance have linguistic magic or know many languages. You may or may not have that luxury, although I will have magical Tongues in effect. You are to stay by my side throughout the evening although there will be a brief respite where servants are allowed to partake of some fare and a short recess. Prior to this recess I will attempt to engage Lady Vinsing's daughter in conversation. She will be polite but abrupt and make an excuse to cut the chat short. I will delay her long enough that she will be forced to move among the throng of people moving to recess. Personal guards are rarely allowed a break unless there are many with the master. I will have my own normal personal guard in attendance thus you can take a break." He motions to Tavros.
"At the staff recess as the attendants move to eat and drink briefly, you will make the swap of the necklace, using slight of hand while Lady Villia is distracted and annoyed by my wasting her time. Your ruse of a bardic performance will not be entertained I can assure you, so you will need to use subterfuge and grab the necklace in the chaos replacing it equally swiftly."
Smiling at Makoto, "Of course. My goals are only to use the necklace to spy on Lady Villia and her mother. I would not attempt to enchant or compel her against her will in any way, as I find that distasteful. She and her mother have made it quite clear that I am beneath their notice. Therefore I will engage in the standard practice of espionage that all the nobles play with each other. The magical enchantment on the necklace is merely a permutation of the standard scrying magic utilized by potent casters of such talent."
Tavros still didn't really understand all the intricacies that people tended to toss in to normal interactions, but he had started to spend enough time around his siblings that he was picking up a few things. Like Teniel tended to exaggerate just a little bit. It wasn't often and it generally seemed to be in order to make his stories more interesting, but there had been a few stretches in there.
He also wasn't quite as versed in being light-fingered as some of his family, but just grabbing a necklace off of someone and swapping it out with another sounded rather, well, hard. Especially if the woman was as perceptive as Mr. Gorgonzola said. What if they were caught in the act? Was there really no better way to go about making the switch?
Tavros puts the helmet on. He considered asking about the expected break time or what the reaction might be to being found outside of the common guest areas. But, well, the information didn't actually seem all the relevant. Since they were likely to try to find out about Mr. Snowball during that time, they would get back when they got back and go where they needed regardless of whatever he told them.
Tavros wonders whether this plan is well thought out, and it does seem that things are coming together rather quickly, but given the time crunch, perhaps there isn't the normal weeks or months worth of preparations that these schemes usually go through.
Tavros is fairly certain that Lord Gongula seems to be truthful about things so far, even though the man does seem distasteful, he isn't sure why.
The helmet allows your horns to poke out through the sides and it is a close faced helmet meant to resemble a bull so that the helmet actually covers your bovine snout as well. It and the armor are uncomfortable, and you hope you won't have to fight, given that you are not used to fighting in armor. But, then again it is a party of nobles. They go to great extremes to prevent outright violence. Preferring instead these cloak and dagger schemes.
More outfits are brought and everyone is given their costume for the night, and given a brief run down of the basic duties expected.
Soon enough Lord Gongula leaves you in the hands of his retainers to finish up as he leaves to prepare himself.
"See you just before the gathering."
There's only one minotaur within hundreds of miles; and so if the party's not disguising Tavros, there seems little reason to disguise everyone. But he spends days 21-23 of crafting practicing magical disguises anyway, as it's become a bit of a personal hobby.
Tavros will be disguised as a huge something with a bull head shaped helmet. His bovine hooves will be covered with fake 'boots'. The armor and cloak and other clothes are to cover his fur and tail and so on. There will be perfume to cover the smell ;)
Maks isn't entirely sure she trusts the man, and so, perhaps rudely, scans him as well as his entourage with her divine sight... testing to see if any evil exists within the room. It would certainly be worth mentioning, were there strong enough evil.
"The hat would definitely help me blend in. Every advantage that can get me closer to the target for the swap will be needed. I wonder, as valets, will we be armed? I have concerns as to what would happen if we are caught stealing a valuable necklace from a powerful noble...maybe a backup plan is in order in case we are caught, or worse yet, betrayed."
Teniel doesn't like the thought of leaving his sword behind, but he does so anyway. He also scans the enchantments on the necklace, hoping to get a read on whether it does anything unexpected.
Just to double check the aura, since she's a specialist in understanding magical items, if not in making them, she casts her spell, and doesn't do much better.
"I should be able to disguise myself again pretty easily and I don't need weapons so I should be able tp get in without much trouble right?" Lucina asked hoping to finally be competent for once.
"Tavros, I would ask that you carry my falchard. I am loathe to leave it anywhere outside of my sight, but I cannot carry it during this engagement. I would feel at ease if you would keep it safe. You can use it if need be, but I'm sure you won't need it."
Tavros nods, taking Champawat's sword solemnly.
He shifts, uncomfortable in his armor. While it wasn't especially heavy, it was constricting.
Teniel will go as a gnome, if possible, using his cap of human guise.
The evening comes and you meet with Lord Gongula once again. You wear your valet costumes and implement your disguises, magical and mundane. You are led to a procession of several carriages which contain Lord Gongula and other members of his guard and attendants.
You are placed in a carriage with a man known as Lishon. He appears to be a caster and is capable of speaking with you. He goes over the plan with you and hands you the necklace.
When you arrive you enter through a pair of large gates. Everyone exits the carriages which servants lead off to somewhere. Lord Gongula moves ahead and one of his retainers offers a scroll to a herald at the entrance who announces him to the party. There are many guests already here arrayed throughout an outdoor garden area. Manicured plants and flowers are everywhere and fine statues, gazing pools and fountains adorn the courtyard garden area where the party is taking place. A swarm of attendants and servants move about busily as nobles relax and enjoy food and drink. Music wafts from somewhere. Lord Gongula moves ahead and Tavros falls in line with him but slightly to the rear. His other attendants and guards also keep a watch out, though not seeming paranoid, just prudent. Lishon has Champawat, Makoto, Tenial and Lucina keep near him and maintain appearances of extravagance. You yourselves spend most of the time getting the layout of the courtyard area. The gardens seem to attach to the main keep itself, and there seem to be multiple entrances for servants and the like. You notice guards sentried about keeping watch. You are scarcely called upon by Lord Gongula to do anything, except token acts to keep up the ruse.
You see Lady Vinsing at one point, surrounded by attendants and other nobles. Lord Gongula does not even approach here at this time. Lishon explains there is a pecking order and everyone has to wait their 'turn' to approach and greet the lady.
The keep appears to be several stories high and does its best to not appear as a boring think stout walled fortress, and is adorned with architectural extravagances designed to beautify its appearance.
You take in the sights and sounds and keep an eye on the different people trying to learn and distinguish who is who. Several of the nobles are pointed out by Lishon, and Lord Gongula engages and chats privately with many of them as you wait nearby dutifully distant, but near as a snap of his fingers. Since there are already servants and other attendants at the party, your role seems almost comical and redundant.
Maks wastes no time immediately casting her identify on the necklace as soon as it is placed into the group's hands... she doesn't try to hide it, and as usual, is rather overt with the entire process.
Maks takes the time to study the layout and overall appearance of the building, in the hopes of correctly gauging where those things of import would be kept, but ultimately is both unfamiliar with the architecture as it stands now, and is easily distracted by all of the opulence... which is pulling her back towards her youth at angles skew to her current way of thought.
You study the necklace and there is an aura of divination that comes from it, although you are unable to place the spell after concentrating for a bit. You could have done this in the carriage. Lishon doesn't seem to mind and almost seems to smile perhaps gauging you to not be total fools perhaps.
The opulence is quite overboard. You are surprised. While Lady Vinsing is merely a noble, and not necessarily an important one given that Ren Denaio is only one of many port cities, you seem shocked at the level of wealth on display. Many heads of state would be envious of the amount of gold spent for this night.
Lishon notes quietly "Try to not be so shocked. I don't know where you hail from, but you should try to pretend to be used to this." While something about Lord Gongula is distasteful, you can't quite place it, Lishon seems to be pragmatic, if perhaps cold and blunt. Perhaps just the qualities needed for someone in his position.
Makoto and the others continue committing to memory the lay out and approximate distances to various entrances, heights of windows, architectural pieces for climbing. A vine here, and rainwater spout there. You know that on top of all of this mission to swap the necklace, you are here to obtain information that may implicate Lady Vinsing with Notorosake. Alree An has been very quiet, also being observant, perhaps concentrating, and maybe running divinatory magic of her own. Her costume covers her elvish ears, and slight frame in baggy robes and a cap.
Teniel being smaller, gets more of a ground's eye view from his position, able to note rain water drains and grates, a ventilation intake, a large pipe for the fountains. Tavros with his height is able to see over the crowd. He does get quite a few stares and people pointing. It takes all of his focus to not smile and maintain his stern guardly demeanor. Luckily his helmet, entirely encloses his head and masks most of his facial features, allowing him some freedom to let his gaze wander.
The largest challenge is communication. You are encouraged to keep your chatter to a minimum unless you are performing a task, which seems ridiculously infrequent; instead being dutiful and quiet, you are able to exchange meaningful glances, and exchange subtle nods regarding noteworthy items.
"I grew up in a house half the size of your carriage," Teniel replies to Lishon's comment.
But for the first part of the party, at least, he stays quiet, trying to absorb as much as he can of the local tongue as it is spoken by the wealthy and noble.
Champawat was awed at the spectacle on display before them. She had never witnessed such grand luxury. Life with Master was simple. Train, study, eat, sleep, and occasionally play. This, this was much different. The showmanship here was almost gaudy. She had not felt this nervous is quite some time, not even in the dwarven citadel. She quietly longed for combat. Something more simple, something she was familiar with. She longed to hold her fauchard in her hands. She glanced over at Tavros to ensure that he was still in possession of it, but even that did little to settle her nerves. She wished this party would be over soon. She did not like being surrounded and unsure of who her enemy was. She patted her pocket to confirm that the necklace was still there. What are we doing here she wondered to herself?
Tavros does his best to look big and guard-like. He does the former quite well. The latter, less so. It's probably a good thing that the helmet covers most of his face. He is at least aware enough to do as much looking around by only moving his eyes rather than his head, although he moves his head as well (he is a guard looking for danger after all).
He uses his great height to look out for any small people, especially gnomes, since that's what Mr. Meanie-Ice-Pants had last looked like.
Your group keeps watch and tries to keep a low profile while also maintaining the illusion and disguise. Luckily most of the nobles tend to either ignore you out of matter of principle or make a point of noticing you from afar for your exotic appearance. This largely only applies to Tavros though as the hulking guard. Perhaps by design, he draws the attention while the rest of you with more mundane disguises go about your review of the grounds as Lord Gongula makes his way through the opulent gardens.
Finally, in what is clearly a timed approach, he approaches toward the cluster of nobles around Lady Vinsing. As you get closer you see that the Lady is surrounded by other nobles and a cadre of servants, attendants, guards and other staff. Her costume for the evening is more jewelry than clothing, and you imagine the wealth on her body could feed a small city for weeks. At her side must be her daughter. Very similar in appearance, and similarly dressed, or undressed as it would be, she wears a fair amount of jewelry herself, and is the spitting image of her mother. Mother and daughter both have a commanding and piercing gaze, one commanding respect and oozing authority.
Lishon says lightly and quietly "Be ready for the moment will be nigh upon us."
Lishon and the other attendants, guards and servants move subtly and Lord Gongula sweeps to the side effortlessly as they approach the Lady setting up a path of exit carefully prepared. As you stand somewhat a distance away, Lord Gongula pays his respects to Lady Vinsing and her daughter, the former object of attraction. You cannot overhear the conversation, as the sheer amount of people in the vicinity force you to be away from the gathering as mere attendants. The small talk and feigned politeness proceed and the daughter seems to note the necklace that Lord Gongula gifted her previously. This is clearly the object of your swap as it matches the one Champawat carries precisely. Though there are smiles and polite chuckles, no one's eyes are full of mirth, and perhaps seconds before Lady Vinsing's patience seems to run its course, several ascending chimes alter the guests that there is a small interlude. This break is the one designed to allow the attendants a slight break an the nobles a moment to refresh themselves. As Lady Vinsing and her daughter note the event change, Lord Gongula turns away, facing you, his eyes intent, meeting yours for a fraction of a second. The crowd attempts to part, but people begin walking everywhere at once. The guards and attendants with the lady and her daughter attempt to move ahead of them to clear a path, but with only mild success. Within seconds they are passing near you in the hustle and bustle of the crowd.
As the Lady and her daughter pass close, there is a massive clatter and crash of dishes, cutlery and pottery, as Lishon seems to have accidentally bumped into a servant carrying a large load of dishes. The distraction brings more attention to your general area, but focuses it on the distraction....
Champawat quickly picks her way towards the daughter. Her hand slips into her pocket and grasps the necklace tightly. At the crashing of dishes, she makes her move. Her empty hand moves up to the back of the woman's neck, releases the clasp, and slips the necklace off. Her other hand quickly replaces the necklace before she turned to walk away.
Champawat makes her move swiftly moving towards the woman. In the press of people the girl moves impatiently, although some of her staff are trying to forge a path for her, it is not happening quick enough for her. Champawat gets in the way and the young woman, makes an 'ugh' sound and tries to push her way passed. Champawat moves slowly intentionally, as the girl brushes past, thankfully the girl's hair is up in an elaborate and ornate style, and not hanging freely.
Removing the necklace was close, almost missing it, replacing it seemed a bit easier, but was trickier to not be seen, and Champawat feels close to having been caught, but wheels away at the last second, as one of the daughter's guards firmly moves Champawat from the way.
Her eyes darting to and fro, it appears that in the chaos and the clatter of dishes and the push through the throng, that the swap was successful.
Lucina considers trying magic to make the guards less aware but fears risking magic in such a secure area and seeing Champawat already make a move doesn't feel it would be worth the risk so she tries to slip away in the crowd in case things go wrong.
Tavros is about to step in to aid in the distraction, but before he even has a chance to, his sister has already made the swap. She's getting better at that...
Bowing slightly to Lord Gorgon, Tavros also moves to take his "break," half looking at Lishon, who is probably still occupied with the dishes, to make sure that that he was getting the etiquette correct. Ish anyway. Normally he wouldn't care, but all the fanciery ha put him kind of on edge. He was starting to miss the simplicity of the monks' temple. Not as much as he missed the simplicity of home, surrounded by his siblings though. He sighed wistfully at the thought.
He heads off in vaguely the same direction as everybody else, sure that his family would have no trouble finding him when they re-convened to start the next phase of their plan.
Lucina slips away in the crowd, moving stealthily as the servants make their way to partake of their quick break and sup on some of the finery and leftovers from the nobles. She makes her way through a small gap in a hedgerow and then behind a large ornate topiary near a fountain.
!!
Crouched near the fountain she notices that a large slab of cut stone conceals a metal grate. The slab may have been put back hastily by workers who needed access to the plumbing of the fountain. Surely all the water to and from the fountain required some sort of pipes to make it work. These things required maintenance and repair, and certainly for a fountain this size...
Peering down into the fountain and looking at the statue in the middle spilling water out, and then tapping around it seems quite likely the grate leads to an underground service area. It may be worth checking out.
--
Tavros moves through the crowd, both easily and more difficult at the same time. His size and strength allow him to move and people try to avoid him, but at the same time the crowd is a chaos of movement and he tries not to knock anyone over. The full face helmet obscures his vision somewhat to what is below and the false boots make walking a challenge compared to how his normally agile hooves feel. As he moves he suddenly feel several hands on his arms. A panic flood through him as he looks down to see several noblewomen. He didn't recall seeing them earlier but then there were so many guests and he wasn't introduced to anyone. Initially confused by the women, he wonders what they are doing. Soon he notices the look in their eyes, and the peculiar way they seem to be eyeing him up and down, and chattering amongst themselves. One of them points afar to Lord Gongula and they all nod. They seem to be saying something to you Tavros but you don't understand their tongue as they circle around you, ogling and being altogether too familiar with their hands tittering with what you only imagine are 'oohs and ahhs and oh my's'
Makoto had been watching the overall ethnicities of the groups hired by the lady, and then dug through the number of faces she'd borrowed in the past, focusing on becoming like them, but not specifically them - a minor, but to her, important distinction. Once they'd gone to break, she made her way to the restroom, and made the personal switch, before looking for the servant's quarters to borrow some clothing - all the better to fit in with.
Once all of that was done, she excused herself, beginning to move hopefully throughout the building, looking as though she belonged. Whenever she didn't feel she was being observed, but was in range for observation, she would quickly scan a group with her detect evil, before pressing forward once more.
Not wishing to attract too much attention, Teniel continues to spend time near Lishon, representing Lord Gongula in the silly livery he's donned while the rest of the party sneak off to investigate things. When he passes other servants, he tries to engage them in simple jokes, seeing how well he can translate the sailors' humor he's picked up in terms of understanding timing and tone.
Spotting the possible escape route Lucina would try to investigate if possible to do so without being noticed.