[Name Redacted] (Inactive)

Game Master Shadowtail24

After waiting the dutiful few minutes his companions had suggested, Gray turned on his heel and followed the Halfling, Dice Drem, into the library. He made himself walk coolly and calmly, struggling to not look predatory. The fact that the Halfling was so smug combined with the knowledge that he likely had information that could help the inquisitor regain his lost memories had him imagining peeling the man's skin from his bones bit by bit as he screamed the information at them, begging for a release from the pain. Hmmmm, maybe that could be a reality. It depended on how forthcoming the Leroung nobleman was.

As the group entered the library, Gray stopped thinking of this and of the task he had for later in the evening. His mind needed to be clear. He coughed fitfully for a moment, fanning out with the others as they closed in on Drem. He arched his eyebrow at the Halfling, wondering if he would start the conversation or if he would need to be prompted.

The library in the House Leroung Mansion is one of several owned and operated by the House. This one is expansive, though still dwarfed by the standalone library a few blocks away. Dice is situated in a sitting area in a corner of the room. There are a few chairs around him, and it's a relatively private area. The library appears empty outside of your group and Dice.

Dice is siting patiently in his chair waiting for you to open the discussion.

(1/2)

(2/2)

Antonio sits himself down in a chair nearby, trying to match Drem in demeanor and posture. "Contracts are important - certainly we've all done a few. However, a point of curiosity has come to me recently. The system of Thrune, I recall from history, was based on founding contracts, which bound all the houses to it."

"So I would like to discuss exactly what happened to these contracts. I'm afraid I could not find what happened to it. Does Thrune still have it?"

He looks to Gray, waiting for the man to judge Dice's response.

Gray added nothing to Antonio's question, instead keeping the focus of his borrowed icy blue gaze upon the halfling, gauging the smug nobleman's response. Surely Drem had reason to be unconcerned about the group, but he might have underestimated their prowess. He hoped the halfling wouldn't lie to them and make more...interesting methods of questioning a necessity. Well, mostly hoped, anyway.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (8) + 11 = 19

Vince strolls into the library behind the others, apparently having seen them crossing the ballroom. He smiles down at the halfling. "Is this our little friend?" He twists and there is an audible crack. "Good, then let's do this."

The halfling has a haunted look at Vince's word. He recovers himself a little and turns back to Antonio. "I don't think we need to go through the whole routine. Cut ahead to what you really want and we can make a deal."

Edmund describes the foundling contracts and animagi that guard them, and that they heard from a reliable source that Drem has knowledge of them. He makes no mention of missing memories.

Dice’s eyes widen at the information and then he smiles. “Excellent, then we can make a deal. Everything you need to know; in exchange for your services. ”

Vince glares at Dice and puts on his best tough guy voice. “Spit it out, Halfling, what’s the service. ”

1d20 ⇒ 5

1d20 ⇒ 12

Dice laughs at Vince’s act. “I need you to kill someone. ”

Vince sticks out a hand. “Deal. Adrien probably does that at least once a day anyway. ”

Dice shakes the hand. “Ok, House Leroung Library tomorrow at sunrise. Come ready for a fight. I’ll be in the back alcove near the Leroung history section. ”

Dice hops up out of the chair and walks out of the library.

Before the Halfling walks away, Gray's eyes narrowed. He had no compunction against killing, but he wanted more information. "Can you tell us of who we would dispose of on your behalf? What skills they might have, so that we can better prepare?"

The inquisitor leveled a withering stare at Vince at his hasty acceptance without consultation as he awaited Drem's answer.

Dice stops and turns to Gray. He pauses for a second, considering. He finally moved over to the desk and writes something on a slip of paper. He peers at the desk to make sure there isn’t an imprint and then cuffs paper and shows it to Gray. As soon as Gray read some it he hands it to Edmund. Burn that. If you agree, meet me at the library. He turns again to go.

Edmund utters a syllable and the paper catches fire in his hand. Another quick word, and the burning paper floats into the air and into a nearby fireplace. Looks like he forgot to let Antonio see it.

Gray's lips flatten almost to disappearing after he read the name on the paper. It seemed their little friend had high designs indeed. The inquisitor smirked as Edmund torched the paper, eyes cutting over to Antonio and the others present as Drem took his leave.

After the halfling left their presence, Gray turned to his companions, a finely-groomed dark eyebrow arching. "Well that was interesting...quite a price for some information. I can't say that I will hate paying it, though." He thought to ask the others if they wanted to brief everyone, but then remembered his 'other' assignment this evening.

The inquisitor wondered how Ziera was doing with her new-found long-lost companion and what secrets they might have shared and discovered. It seemed as though the deeper they traveled, the more webs that appeared.

"Indeed, very interesting... who was on it?" Antonio says impatiently. "I hope it wasn't me, for that would make this conversation terribly akward."

Ziera grazes on the refreshments as she looks around the room, wondering where Gray and the others had gotten to. She does spot a few of the group, and starts working the room, quietly passing on the information about the meetingplace, sometimes in person, sometimes by remote message, telling the others about the meeting that evening, but not telling Tarken anything yet, or anyone standing with him.

Let me know if it is okay to inform some of the others (the ones not in the library (and not Tarken)) this way rather than through individual dialogue. Figured it would speed things up in advance of the meeting, but if you need any of it to be more clear or spelled out, please let me know.

Also, perception to notice anything unusual at the party, or any threat... in case bad guys are here to threaten us again.

Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (13) + 9 = 22

everyone can read the Ziera / Sydney spoilers now. I’ll wait for the other group in the library to wrap up before we move on.

Gray smirked at Antonio's question, but decided to go out on a limb. He could read people well, and the man might have run off, but he didn't seem a traitor. "Not you, no. Something we can discuss in a more friendly environment. Let us get out of this library before anyone checks in and sees us conspiring."

He looked about at his companions for a brief moment, wondering what they all thought of this strange turn of events, then quickly stepped back into the main room to seek out the others.

”I believe Ziera’s been telling the others the name of the inn for our new meeting place. We should all avoid each other until the meeting tonight. What’s it called again, my lord?”

Gray arched his brow at Edmund, then nodded. Having made the choice, and thinking whispering to each of them individually would be silly now, he stated quietly, "Sarini's Glory." He let his eyes linger on Antonio a few moments longer than the rest, his gaze narrowing slightly.

As they made their way back into the formal ball room, Lord Imbrex looked about for his Lady until he spied her refilling her drink, looking quite ravishing in her role as a minor noblewoman. He smirked, sauntering over to her. "My Lady, I hope your evening has been well spent with our little spider. Care to dance?"

He grinned and held out a hand, presumably to lead her out onto the floor.

Ziera as Lady Imbrex bows to her husband, takes his hand, and proceeds with him to the dance floor.

As they are dancing, Ziera quietly fills Gray in on what she learned from Sydney and Lady Rosalie.

Gray listened intently as 'Lady Imbrex' spoke, leaning his head in close as though to be intimate. He raised an eyebrow at the gathered information, the possibilities of such things beyond his ken. He hadn't even known memory modification/erasure could be done until he woke up in that room such a short time ago.

When she is done, he leaned in closer and turned his head to the side, as though he would be whispering sweet nothings in her ear. Then he whispered what the group had learned in the library, and the task that must be completed to receive their boon from Dice Drem.

"I don't believe Antonio is dirty. His face is easy to read, and he is unpracticed at hiding his emotions. When we refused to tell him the name, anger and anxiety warred on his face...the proper response of a loyal ally who is being ostracized."

"Lady Imbrex" giggles and nips her "husband's" earlobe with her teeth before whispering back Okay, if you trust Antonio, I trust him. I'm relieved he isn't a traitor. I liked him. As for Drem, I was appalled at the price until you said it was a Thrune. Honestly, her death is something that would likely help everyone. My only concern is whether it is a setup. Alana could be behind all of this, and they only set that as a goal to lure us back into their clutches. We must be on guard. If we actually can assassinate her, it is a win-win. But if it is a setup, then we are in very grave danger.

Gray remained expressionless as the elven woman giggled as he whispered to her, but even his disguised face flushed as her teeth clamped down gently for just a moment on his earlobe. It came and went quickly, he was too practiced for it to throw him off for long, but it had been pleasant, all the same. He nodded minutely, his head nearly against hers as they slowly moved about the floor.

"Seems like the story of our life these past couple of days. Still, anything to strike against...them...is a win in my book. The information is just icing on the cake. If they are aware of us, and know we are here, they would likely just come for us now. Speaking of which...how many have you told of our treacherous friend? He can call upon his god's powers, and I am not trained as an assassin." His expression made it clear that he would try to be, but that assistance might be warranted.

Ziera smiles, though the topic is distasteful, and looks for all the world as though she is discussing something delightful with her husband.

That is a good point. I have only told you and Edmund of his betrayal, though Sydney may have guessed, even though she wasn't there for the interrogation, she did see him heal the mercenaries. I did not ask Edmund's help in this task. In fact, he didn't even respond when I asked if he approved, so that is as far as the conversation went. The idea is distasteful to me, but if I am willing to see it done, I should be willing to help you do it, and we can get help from others that are still here... or we could change plans and confront and kill him at the meeting itself with the whole group... although that would open us up to the possibility that he would lead enemies to the meeting itself, and it would also unfortunately raise the possibility of someone else (or multiple others) in the group fighting on his side. How would you prefer to handle it?

Shoot, I totally missed that post. Edmund would have responded but I guess he didn’t. It was during the time when they were giving Drem his head start towards the library. Perhaps some random guest approached Edmund at just the wrong moment, preventing him from whispering his reply and by the time he got rid of him, Ziera had had to move on. Edmund has still been holding onto the plan of giving them separate meeting places but has decided that Antonio can be trusted (as has Gray).

The idea of separate meeting places seems moot now, since we already have confirmation of Tarken's betrayal, and we all have decided to trust Antonio. What we need to figure out is how to remove Tarken as an obstacle. In a story, Gray or an assassin could take him out alone, but since we're in a game, unless we can incapacitate him somehow (or get his holy symbol), he can heal himself over and over and likely do some other nasty clerical scariness... so how do we take him out quietly, before he can betray us again?

Technically, since he healed up all of them and the mercenaries, all in this same day, he might be quite drained of magic and more vulnerable tonight than if they wait for the morrow.

Gray remained silent for several moments as they danced around, his eyes unfocused as he thought over Ziera's words. Possibilities stretched before him, all with their positives and drawbacks. He settled on one, then whispered, "Let us leave, then, and select a smaller group to 'scout' the meeting place. Tarken, you, me, Edmund, Antonio...maybe a couple of the others. We need a good task for the other ones. Perhaps they are following a lead on Sydney's whereabouts?"

The inquisitor kept close to her, knowing there could be magical (and more mundane) scrying going on and trying to mitigate the risk of such things. Now that pieces were starting to come together his mind was demanding action!

Antonio turns to Edmund with a sigh. "I suppose I deserve some of that treatment. Can't be too careful with who you share information with." Antonio chuckles. "If I get captured by Thrune in some way, I may consider it a good thing I don't know anything."

Antonio pauses, looking around at the ball. "It occurs to me this is the first party I've gone to as a guest. I've seen a few, but it was simply as a child accompanying another. This is the only one I've been to since - well, since a while. I'd forgotten the sounds of music and the sights of vanity. In a way, I despise it, the fortune, for it seems to beckon to all who partake in it that they deserve it, that despite all they have done, they are blessed."

Antonio's demeanor returns from seriousness to a smile more akin to a smirk."Have you been to many parties in your years, Edmund?"

”I was a bookseller for 30 years. Shopkeepers don’t get many invitations to parties like these. Can’t say as I really missed much though. Standing around with people you hate, too afraid that you’ll show weakness to your enemies to ever let your guard down. What’s the point?”

Ziera whispered back to Gray with a smile

Good plan.

Masking her message spell by mixing it into her dance, and pointing at Antonio and Edmund while raising her arms and putting them around her "husband"'s neck, she whispers the plan into his ear, knowing that those two allies would still hear it.

After she is finished telling them, she subtly points at Tarken (while still dancing) and says Tarken dear, can you come with Gray and I and a couple of others to scout out the meeting place for tonight? If we are ambushed again, we might need a healer. We've learned a lot today. We'll tell you on the way.

She waits for his response, and if he is in, they gather up the others (and any others that Gray wants to grab on the way) and set out.

Tarken nods, then realizes his mistake and whispers,”Yes, that sounds like a good idea. I will slip out now and meet you on the way to the inn that Vince mentioned. ”

Gray kept his mask on as the couple danced about, the young man recognizing the subtle motions of spellcasting from 'Lady Imbrex'. The inquisitor thinks about it, then decided that the four of them could likely take down the dragonborn without any further assistance. His eyes narrowed slightly as he saw the traitor make his way discreetly out of Leroung Manor.

After waiting a suitable time, he nodded to Ziera and caught the eyes of Antonio and Edmund, subtly gesturing toward the door before turning back to his Lady. Loud enough for those around to hear, Gray grinned and said, "My Lady, your dancing and the warmth of the alcohol flowing through my veins has me craving your company in a more private setting. Shall we?" He smirked, taking her hand if she allowed it and escorting her to the door.

Ziera nods, but warns softly he may have slipped out to ambush us. He says Vince told him where we were meeting, and he will meet us "on the way" which seems highly suspect, since there is not just one way to a destination. It's almost like someone already tipped him off.

Antonio shakes his head. "That is the point. Just as you can show weakness, you can show strength, that you can exercise your wealth to even these frivolous means. You stare your foe in the eye and tell them you are so uncaring of their affairs you take the time to invite them to a night of festivities."

"It is tiresome, to play both sides of a facade. We each know we are weak, but we can never confide it for it could always be used against us. We cannot trust anyone. Not even those closest to us."

Antonio coughs. "Perhaps I'm a bit too negative of the whole affair. Perhaps that's simply how it is in all places, not just here. In the end, we can only hold ourselves as a measure of truth. Well, that can't apply well to us, who have lost most of our memories. But to all others, it seems a fair assumption."

Gray slipped out the door after exchanging the expected pleasantries with those near the exit. His smile slipped instantly when they were out the door, replaced by grim determination. He escorted Ziera just a ways down the street to await Edmund and Antonio. He knew the elven woman was right, and they could be facing an ambush themselves...so be it.