Piri will wander back to the site of the trap and take 20 on perception at the location of the trip wire and also at the firing location to try and pick up a clue on the who, what, and why. Then he will return to his room and turn in for the evening.
Slipping away to find a secluded place to cast your spell you turn in visible and then follow after Count Lotheed and his Aunt. You catch the tail end of the conversation as Count Lotheed is chastising the woman "You know you shouldn't be down here around all these people. Are you trying to cause problems?"
The woman replies with a frown "You try and keep me locked up in my room all the time and I just wanted to see what was going on and have a little fun..."
The Count grabs her arm "No! There will be none of that. Get back up to your room and we will speak more on this later."
The woman's frown grows deeper and she sighs as she turns to leave.
Count Lotheed summons a nearby guard and instructs him to see his Aunt to her room and make sure she is secured there.
Later in the evening, Sveng attempts to casually snoop around to see where the mysterious woman may be living at. He does not make a subterfuge mission out of it, rather going under the guise of a casual self-guided tour to appreciate the house, stopping to admire art and carpentry and other pieces of interest.
In the end, Eregos's desire to gamble won out, and he ended up spending the evening playing cards instead of dancing. Perhaps one of them should have spent the evening dancing with Sepsinia, but the lure of the cards was too much for him.
Once the evening ended, he joined the others in returning to their rooms. Before going to bed, however, he opened the window and looked out over the estate to see what he could - for instance, if any clandestine meetings were happening outside of the events of the Jubilee.
Just before she finally goes to bed, Valeria summons one of the maids attending her from a room nearby. [color=crimson][u]Agent Talk:[/u]"Rigella, it is late, but I hope you were able to sample some of that food from the kitchens, and I hope all of you were able to partake. How are the Count and his staff treating you, hmm? Before you go to bed, please send for Gasten; I will need some minor repair on the armor for tomorrow. Despite the padding and the outfit covering it, some of the studs are chaffing like Hell! I need him to bring his tools. Thanks!"[/color]
Sveng explores what area of the guest quarters her can that aren't guarded and doesn't find too much of particular interest outside of what is to be expected from a noble's estate. Sadly in his brief exploration he isn't able to locate where the Duchess went off to.
Eregos heads off to bed, but watches outside for a bit to make sure there aren't and clandestine meetings. After about fifteen minutes of nothing happening he gives up and heads off to get some sleep.
Valeria gets ready for bed as well and speaks with some of her maids before heading off to bed. The maid confirms that they are being treated well and afford every advantage someone of their status would commonly receive. She nods to Valeria's request to get her armor repaired taking it so that she can do just that and have it ready for in the morning.
As the door closes behind you she beckons you over with a playful grin and as you get close, out of no where your holy symbol falls to the ground right in front of you. Seeing it she recoils and calls to her guards that rush in to detain you. It happens so fast there is nothing you can do.
Moments latter you are before the entire senate the Emperor is giving his speech but this time, instead of the men attacking the crowd they encircle you and start jabbing their blades into you. The pain is almost unbearable and one man is about to plung his blade between your eyes to end it all when you suddenly wake up.
Eregos sits upright with a bolt, breathing heavily, the memory of the nightmare still in his mind. What kind of nightmare was that? It was so real... Moving over to the washstand, he splashes water on his face and scrubs away the tears. He takes extra care getting ready, as he knows his appearance is one of the best ways to be taken seriously when attempting to influence those of higher standing.
Once finished, he stepped over to the window and looked out upon the grounds, taking a moment to think. Was that nightmare just a normal nightmare, or is there some magical influence? Count Lotheed is a powerful spellcaster, but then, we saved his life, so he would have no reason to think us his enemies. It likely wasn't him. Then there's what happened at the Betony estate. My things were thrown all over the grounds, Piri was carried halfway down the road, what happened to Toby...last night's dreams could be connected to those events.
Eregos frowns. Just because strange things had happened two nights in a row didn't mean they were related. Like as not, things at the Betony estate weren't connected to his nightmares at the Palace. Still, he'd never had these kinds of nightmares before. If they persisted, perhaps it meant something. Then again, perhaps the mental strain of maintaining two separate identities - well, three, if he counted Sir Kalegos Seldry - was getting to him. That was just as likely as the other.
Stepping away from the window, Eregos resolves not to worry about it. It had been a terrible nightmare, true, but that didn't make it real - or mean someone used magic on him. Maybe if the others had their own nightmares, he'd say something.
Having resolved things in his mind, Eregos left his room to meet the others in the central seating area and head down to breakfast.
Mhmm. A guarded or secret area. As to be expected, but he may have been bold enough to hide it in plain sight. Sveng slowly meanders his way back to his room. I will try again in the middle of the night. Perhaps I will have more luck then.
Sveng wakes early in the morning, taking a sharp inhale.
A nightmare, nothing more. His logical self-reassurance does little to slow his thumping heart and the associated rush of adrenaline through his limbs. He sits up and looks outside to see the early morning light. He exhales with frustration. There was no getting back to sleep now, and between his late night excursion and his non-consensual early alarm, it was going to be a long day.
Sveng makes his morning preparations (taking an extra moment to double check his unholy symbol being tucked away properly) and heads to the central seating area for breakfast. When he arrives, anybody that is familiar with Sveng will notice his posture is not quite as ramrod straight as it normally is.
Piri rises early, feeling refreshed, and quickly makes his elixirs for the day. Not knowing what the day will bring, and if there will be time to make many before getting started he makes his two cure moderate wounds, and one true strike and one shield.
Then he heads down to breakfast carefully scanning the way in the event anything looks amiss, out-of-place, or different than last night.
The cacophony of chirping birds greet you as you emerge from your quarters in the morning. Alista arrives at your suites' doors to collect you. She again wears the Purple Finch mask, but she seems to chafe less beneath its clownish aspect. She reminds you of the hunt taking place after breakfast so that you can dress appropriately.
Once you are all gathered she quietly confides,"I was certain that I would hate this whole affair, and if I was paired with any of these other nobles, I probably would have. As it stands, I'm almost eager to see what new turns you bring to this jubilee."
She informs you that breakfast will be held in the garden this morning.
"Spitchcock will be served. Well, I suppose you could call it being 'served.' The local custom involves a bit more self service, though."
She waits there until you are all ready to depart.
Toby's question elicits a wry smile from the attendant.
"You hit the eel right on the head with that one." she gives him a wink before explaining the meal.
A large bowl of water filled with live eels is set before each guest, along with a miniature harpoon for them to spear their choice of fish. Once an eel is harpooned, servants split its belly and grill it beside the table. The head is left intact, mouth still gaping when the meal is placed before the diners, ready to be eaten.
"Ah, Spitchcock. This shall be a treat. I don't know that I have had it grilled before. I normally have it poached in it's own water. I am looking forward to this"
What is with this man's obsession and showing the meat live before it is eaten? "I am afraid I must have eaten and drank too much last night, for my belly still feels fit to burst. I think coffee will be fine for me, pardon my manners, no offense is meant."
Valeria arrives in form-fitting hunting leathers, the sinuous curves of her body now apparent to everyone yet sporting a fancy hunting hat, boots and gloves that make the whole thing legitimate... always the height of fashion it seems! She smiles to everyone as she walks in, drawing her masterwork rapier, then swiftly spears an eel with it, eschewing the provided traditional harpoon. She extends her blade towards the chef, and asks, "Kind Chef, would you be so kind as to gut this one for me and grill it face down? you can do away with the head please... I'm also partial to having it rubbed with a bit of silver-flecked Kintargo salt, if you have it, thank you."
After listing her specifications to the chef, she turns to her friends, smiling, and announces, "I do like a bit of spitchcock in the morning! don't you, Sir William? we're going on a hunt! by Cayden you need to eat something!!"
Heading down to breakfast some eat, while others don't and opt for just some coffee or water. The nobles are dressed in their finest hunting attire. As they eat, they brag about their hunting or tracking prowess, and money exchanges hands as they bet who among them will be the first to capture their quarry today. Count Bartelby smiles warmly as he makes his way over to greet you. "Good morning! I hope you found your accommodations in the palace to your liking. Did you all sleep well?"
"Splendidly Your Excellency! we are ready to discover and explore your lands, thanks to the delectable and hearty breakfast you have provided! what is our quarry this morning? any advice for us newcomers?"
"Yes, your accommodations were most welcoming. I too am interested in what our target for the day is."
"Yes, thank you. I slept very well. How about yourself? I too am interested in the quarry. Is it a trap alive hunt or can we shoot it at range. I personally rather prefer to use my bow. Do you think it safe to be out hunting with the recent assassination attempt?"
Sydney comes whistling a merry little tune, accented by the chirps of the bird sitting on his shoulder. "Lovely morning, isn't it?"
Having clearly had a good night's sleep, he rose early and prepared some incantations for the day. Hunting, while not really being his forte, was an intriguing prospect for such a fine morning, and he was eager to start. Helping himself to coffee, he saw what was being served for breakfast and smiled. "Ah, spitchcock - excellant! Now where did they get so many fresh eels this time of year?"
The count grins to Valeria's inquiry as he replies "I'll leave the full explanation for the reveal later but there will be plenty of varied game to hunt." He then turns to Piri "We can't let fear drive our actions, otherwise those terrorizing us win. In any case, it is trap alive. I don't believe your quarry would much appreciate being pin cushioned by arrows..." With that he walks off with a smile to see to the other quests.
After everyone has eaten, or not, and people start to finish up, the guests are ushered into an adjoining garden terrace, where you are met by Purple Finch. Your masked attendant struggles to hold onto the leashes in her hands, fighting against the pair of Taldan bloodhounds on the other end.
As if on cue, a battery of trumpets peals through the air - eliciting a chorus of howls from the bloodhounds being brought out to you and the other teams of noble hunters. Beneath this fanfare, Sir Gusairne and his guards march out your "prey" for the hunt - men dressed as animals.
"Allow a brief round of applause for our volunteers," Count Lotheed announces, delivering a sharp wave of his hand towards the four costumed men. "Through their service as quarry, we can avoid any tragic injuries that might otherwise mar such a beautiful day. Lots have been drawn to randomly assign each hunting party to not just their prey but to a stretch of land surrounding the palace grounds."
With a wry smile, Sir Gusairne comes around and informs you that your party will be pursuing one Moffis, a man dressed as a wild ox, through the woodlands of the nearby Brashen Deeps.
Sveng tries to pierce the count's meaning, but soon enough it is apparent enough.
Sveng can't help it; his lip twitches. A physical response to the disgust he feels, finally a slight crack in his tight self-control. Not disgust for how these men are being treated, but for how the count must see himself. A powerful person who can control life and death and the fates of others, but too cowardly to actually be put into danger and do things himself. A man born with too much and who wants of nothing, so the only thing he seeks are sick thrills to make him feel alive. An unstable and dangerous player in the game Sveng is attempting to set up.
Perhaps he should have let the count be assassinated.
Sveng tightens his gloves. This would be child's play for him to quickly see this farce through, his magic and force of will would make short work of the situation without any harm or bloodshed.
Eregos came down to breakfast with no one saying anything about strange dreams. He had only had spitchcock once or twice before, but he remembered finding it tasty. He speared his eel with the harpoon and handed it over to the chefs to grill. They were quite good - the eel was well-cooked, and tasty.
The Count's veiled comment on the nature of the quarry made Eregos wary - he knew some nobles could hunt less than savory prey. Thus he was not caught completely off-guard by the revelation that they would be hunting a man dressed like an animal. He was, however, quite disgusted by the spectacle.
He attempted to keep his true feelings about the matter concealed, but he wasn't sure how well he succeeded. He leaned into Toby and whispered, "You'll need to control the hounds to prevent them from possibly biting the man."
Valeria gives a round of applause to the 'volunteers' putting on a fake smile like most of the nobles assembled.
She asks the Purple Finch if mounts will be provided, and how much time has been allotted for the event.
Piri considers how "random" things were and tries to discern if there is a subtle reason they are tasked with this particular quarry and this particular lot, and the other parties involved if there is anything peculiar about their pairings. Not that he cares one wit as to whether or not they 'win'.
Piri can't discern any hidden connections or subtle meanings behind the selections it seems completely random as far as he can tell.
As you all do your best to hide your feeling about this hunt, Lord Titus and his cronies saunter over.
"So, you've been assigned the Brashen Deeps?" he jeers with a voice that matches the condescension of his smile. He snatches a glass of warmed brandy from the tray of a passing servant and takes a gulp before continuing his thought.
He fixes his gaze on Toby as he continues "You'd best beware the vicious beasts in those hilly pines. The Brashen Deeps are not for the faint of heart. Hope it doesn't prove too much for you to handle!" he chuckles before walking past intentionally shouldering Toby as he passes.
After assignments, the quarry is brought toward Count Lotheed. None of them look particularly pleased as several of the nobles laugh and mock them. Bartelby seems to be enjoying their discomfort.
"Now then, you all know your roles. We are the hunters, and you are our prey. Our hounds will need to get your scent, of course." The count holds out his hand, and Sir Gul Gusairne obediently hands him a small knife. Bartelby callously gashes each peasant across the cheek, dabbing at their blood with separate handkerchiefs that he hands back to Gusairne for each of the relevant hounds to sniff.
"Remember, if you can evade capture until nightfall, then you will be absolved and granted a reward for your efforts: 50 pieces of gold. Now, off with you, and good luck! We'll give you a sporting chance." The peasants quickly scramble away from the palace.
For the next hour or so, the hunters sit around drinking, eating snacks, and talking.
At Valeria's inquiry Purple Finch nods "Yes, if you wish to use mounts some will be provided, though someone will need to walk to keep up with the hounds. The hunt itself is slated for the remainder of the day, anyone who hasn't caught their quarry by nightfall will have lost the hunt." She looks down to the two dogs and then back to the group "Since we'll be with them for awhile now, meet Fur-dinand and Bark-tholomew!" The jester scratches behind the dogs' ears. "I can confirm that they are both very good boys! I'll be prepared to lead you out when you all are ready to depart."
Valeria joins the Purple Finch in petting the dogs. And once all nobles have assembled in their respective teams, away from earshot, she says to the group, "I cannot believe he just injured his subjects in front of everyone. Remember this day, friends, as true justice always finds a way back to those who deserve it..." Valeria then abates her anger by overeating some of the heartiest choices among the food that has been provided. She's been on those hunts before, and it's not uncommon for teams to get lost and only return the next day. She also asks the Purple Finch to secure lots of extra waterskins for the journey, a shovel, and the toiletries required for a lady to relieve herself into the woods...
Piri notices Valeria stashing some extra supplies and correctly assuming the reason, he also carefully secrets efficient food and "I can add a couple of water skins to my mount as well" Thinking he will use the mount as more of a pack animal than transportation.
He too goes up and offers an open hand for the dogs to sniff before getting their agreement to be petted.
The group prepares, grabbing some extra supplies and mounts for each of them before setting out on their hunt. Purple Fitch will walk and handle the dogs unless someone else prefers to do so, assuming you don't want to just let them loose.
The Brashen Deeps are about an hour from the palace. It’s a hilly pine forest run through with rocky creeks and shallow caves, and covered in low-lying ferns, chicory, and wild asparagus—a challenging environment in which to ride, let alone hunt.
Valeria uses the techniques she learned on past hunts and attempts to find the trail.
Sveng rides behind Valeria, helping her in her tracking. He is not trained, but it is an intuitive skill.
But clearly not that intuitive.
|
With just the group and Purple Fitch along, Toby doesn't hold back about Titus.
"That Lord Titus is evil! I would be willing to wager good gold with anyone here that what this hunt is really about is Titus and his cronies setting up an ambush to kill us. This is their land; they know the ambush points."
Toby forgets about the hunt altogether and decides his job will be to keep watch for the inevitable backstab.
Eregos hadn't hunted in a long time - not since his early adolescence. He'd spent so much time in the city his skills were rusty at best. Still, he tried his hardest to assist Valeria in locating the quarry.
He just hoped he wasn't in the way.
It takes about half an hour but Valeria eventually uncovers a single set of fresh human footprints. Shortly after finding the tracks, riding
becomes impossible as you enter an area where trees have blown down and the undergrowth thickens. Dismounting, tying off your mounts, you continue on foot.
Some 30 minutes after you enter this thicker undergrowth following the tracks, you hear a deafening roar, followed immediately by a scream for help. Some 120 feet ahead, you can see a man dressed as an ox bleeding and desperately dodging in and out of the trees to avoid the swipes of a massive manticore.
"I agree with Toby...this would be a good time and place for an ambush. Maybe whomever tried to assassinate the Count is angry we stopped it or maybe we made an enemy just moving into the nearby county. I think we may need to actually find our prey for his own good, considering what I overheard about the beasts and animals that are roaming about. We could capture them, then keep them safe until we can bring them back after the time limit to allow them to earn their freedom."
Piri wishes to aid Val with her tracking, but, like Toby is more concerned with possible traps.
Valeria casts heroism on Toby and says, "Go get that creature Osbourne!". She then a step forward, loading Dignity's Barb, making a racket and taunting the creature to come this way, away from the poor Moffis.
Valeria casts a spell on Toby and he feels more competent about the fight ahead. She then steps forward and loads her crossbow. Moffis continues to run for his life as the manticore strikes out at him, luckily the man is using the trees to dodge the blows and remains safe for now. However, it's only a matter of time before the mans luck runs out. He sees the group coming and calls out "By the Gods, help me please!"
Sveng inhales sharply. Well, more fear of death than we thought. He sprints forward with Toby. "Hold out, we're coming!" He shouts.
Valeria says, "Everyone, do not reach for weapons yet and act in a non-hostile manner, at least until we have Moffis back with us! I'll attempt to draw its attention away from the poor man!"
She then enters the clearing ahead of her and begins to sing and dance loudly to drag the attention of the manticore unto herself!
Each creature within range receives a Will save (DC 10 + 1/2 the bard’s level + the bard’s Cha modifier) to negate the effect. If a creature’s saving throw succeeds, the bard cannot attempt to fascinate that creature again for 24 hours. If its saving throw fails, the creature sits quietly and observes the performance for as long as the bard continues to maintain it. While fascinated, a target takes a –4 penalty on skill checks made as reactions, such as Perception checks. Any potential threat to the target allows the target to make a new saving throw against the effect. Any obvious threat, such as someone drawing a weapon, casting a spell, or aiming a weapon at the target, automatically breaks the effect.
Fascinate is an enchantment (compulsion), mind-affecting ability. Fascinate relies on audible and visual components in order to function.
The manticore is too consumed in his pursuit of his injured prey to pay much attention to Valeria's performance.
Eregos rushed forwards as well, trying to get line of sight on the Manticore and rescue Moffis.