Caladorn looks at his companions one after another and says "I guess we're staying for the wedding."
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You see James enter the room and bow to Simon. He is carrying a small pouch and hands it to Simon after which is bows again, turns and leaves the hall of the manor.
"As promised, here is your reward. I was not able to acquire the large sum in gold, but these will be much easier to carry anyway and should be accepted at any of the larger markets." Simon explains as he hands the small pouch to Caladorn.
You open the pouch to see 10 medium sized diamonds you estimate are easily worth 1000 gold each.
"Please, allow me the opportunity to have a dress made for each of you" as he points to Ameiko, Filona, Shalelu and Koya.
"My tailor informs me that even though he is very busy with Wilma's dress, he has others in his shop who are available. I've never known him to turn down money either.
While you are in town, would you do me the honor of being my guests at the mansion? This isn't something I would normally do (as my chief of security is wary of strangers), but I have a good feeling about you. I feel my family is safer with you present.
James, open the north wing of the manor and find rooms for our new guests..." he says as he turns back to the group "that is, if you are interested in staying at the manor. I assure you it is just as nice as the inn you stayed at in Roderic's Cove."
... Simon explains as he hands the small pouch to Caladorn.
You open the pouch to see 10 medium sized diamonds you estimate are easily worth 1000 gold each.
...
Caladorn contemplates a sleight of hand check, to make 2 of them disappear before sharing them out... and with a hidden sigh, decides against.
1 rank +3 trained
Although he does show the contents of the pouch (all 10 of them), he does not share them out. Rather, he will keep them and discuss how to sell them (preferably at an advantage) with Sandru when there is some privacy.
...
Filona is a little awkward. She doesn't feel very comfortable in a dress, it's not very practical. Still she doesn't refuse and says "I'll try my best not to trip."
1 rank +3 trained
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Both the meals and rooms at the manor are the finest you have ever experienced. You sleep well and are fully rested the following morning. Your attire for the wedding is waiting in your rooms after you have breakfast and your suites/dresses are the most elaborate clothing you have ever worn.
You gaze out the windows over the southern landscape of the manor that extends until it reaches the Varisian Gulf. You can see the Riddleport docks to the west and a crescent shaped island several miles to the southwest.
The backyard is filled with tents, chairs and flowers. It is a beautiful sight. Guests begin arriving and filling the seats in preparation of the ceremony. You make your way down to the take your seats.
"Ahhh, the isle of Devil's Elbow. There used to be a village there called Witchlight, but the island is now uninhabited."
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The sky is clear and the air is both cool and crisp. The smell tells you that winter is approaching, but the temperature is perfect for a wedding. As the sun rises, its warmth offsets the chill in the air enough to make it both comfortable and pleasant. The birds in the surrounding trees blend in with the sounds of the musicians playing melodies that are both familiar and magical. The numerous conversations of the guests add to the overall ambience and a feeling of excitement builds as the final preparations are made.
You are slightly overwhelmed at the magnitude and elegance of the affair. James walks by and asks "How is everyone doing? Enjoying the event so far?"
"It seems very nice, well done. The flower designs are almost elven in quality."
Posh nods, "true, not quite up to gnomish standards."
Gundar listens to Caladorn and Posh and adds, As long as the ale is dwarven in quantity and quality!
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Three men adorned in elaborate white and gold vestments approach the wedding gazebo in what appears to be some sort of ritual, burning incense and saying prayers.
Four other men wearing brightly colored robes position themselves around the exterior of the courtyard. They begin to chant and a silvery shimmer extends from their hands forming a kind of bubble over the entire area.
Peter and some groomsmen walk to the right side of the gazebo. The silver and gold clothes they are wearing are very different from anything you have seen before. The light that reflects from the clothing is very bright and you avert your eyes as you look at them.
The music intensity increases as the wedding march begins. The bridesmaids slowly process towards the gazebo followed by Wilma who is being escorted by a man dressed in military attire. Her dress is more brilliant that Peter's attire adorned in tiny gemstones which sparkle in the sunlight. It is the most stunning display of beauty you have ever witnessed.
2 rank +3 Trained +4 int
Caladorn looks around the wedding, his face impassive, as he thinks to himself "These people have more wealth than what's good for them... Maybe I should help them with that."
Gundar sees the ritual and immediately recognizes it!
He whispers to the others, Those prayers are an anciet ritual involving the deceased deity Aroden!
"Excellent, no reason not to invoke Aroden in a wedding ceremony. Much of modern law is based on Abadar and Aroden's teachings and statements. Insofar as wedding is a compact forming a business union, it would make sense to have him invoked in the ceremony."
After Filona's statement, Caladorn watches the ritual carefully, committing as much as possible of it to memory... "There are more ways than one to aquire wealth..."
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Peter and Wilma exchange vows after the priest's sermon explaining the virtues and challenges of marriage. During the exchange you notice a fog rolling in from the sea. The color of the fog appears to be changing from the normal white to an array of dull greys swirling within the haze. The affect transitions from a little disturbing to concern to fear as the size of the fog increases looking to envelop the entirety of the courtyard.
The robed figures begin to chant in earnest and the priests join in.
Gundar is just dumbfounded as the fog rolls in!
2 rank +3 Trained +4 int
"Very dramatic."
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As the fog rolls over the silvery bubble, it appears to start to rain. As the water falls you hear it sizzle and pop as it strikes the barrier. Holes appear in the bubble and the drops begins to rain down upon the guests. James and other servants quickly distribute some kind of stick with something attached that you can only describe as cloth or felt. The stick contains a button that when pressed extends the cloth to a tiny dome at its top. The item provides some protection from the precipitation, but it is short lived. You soon notice that the liquid is not water, but some kind of acid.
Some of the guests begin to scream as tiny burn marks appear on their skin. Shouts to return to the manor cry out and chaos begins in the courtyard. The casters do their best to slow the acrid assault as some of the silvery bubble begins to reform.
Simon escorts Peter and Wilma as they scurry back into the manor. He shouts "Everyone! Come inside quickly!"
Posh will move in the direction directed, but will look to the other members of the party, "is this a normal part of the romance of the wedding ceremony?"
As Caladorn dashes to get under a roof, he replies tartly to Posh "No!", confident despite his ignorance of barbarian human customs...
Gundar wishes he could do something to help stop the acid rain, but he has nothing. Feeling like a failure, he follows the others into the manor.
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Once Simon completes his ushering into the manor of the wedding party, he continues motioning in the few stragglers who seem to be gawking at the strange precipitation.
He moves through some of the rooms and opens a pair of double doors that lead down.
You descend down about 2 dozen stairs to arrive in a large lavishly furnished room. The walls are lined with wooden shelves which are filled with bottles of wine. There are several doors which lead into similar rooms where many of the wedding guests have assembled.
You see the three priests enter last and whisper something to Simon.
Simon raises his voice and says
"Call down everyone! We are all safe here. There are friends of mine who will handle the weather issue. They will let us know when it is safe to return."
Posh nods, "that's comforting to know. All is well in hand."
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Filona looks in wonder as the apparatus opens to repel the rain. She follows the others indoors and she doesn't realize the rain is dangerous until she tries commenting about the device with someone.
Once inside, she gathers her fellow travelers and says "There's something fishy about this Simon. I don't trust him. We shouldn't do as he says." She conjures a cantrip to try and learn more.
"The whole thing seems odd to me, but I am admittedly ignorant in the nonlegal side of marriage rituals for non-gnomes."
Someone really does not want these two to get married! Gundar says with a shake of his head.
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Simon approaches the group and quickly says
"I apologize for this unexpected situation. I understand if you do not wish to stay. As much as I would like to say that I can ensure your safety if you decide to stay, I haven't yet received a report on the depth of this threat. There is an escape route you can take that will lead you back into the city should you wish to go. I will make your apologies to the bride and groom if you so choose.
I have other matters to attend to. James can show you the way to the tunnel that will lead you out. Please check with him if that is your choice."
Simon rushes out of the room and you overhear similar speeches to his other guests.
"Sounds like the reception is canceled. Shall we call it a day then?"
Caladorn casts a couple of quick message spells , and then whispers to the others Caladorn whispers "He's been quite generous for previous service and it does looks like they might need some help. But if we stay, I for one would like to run upstairs quickly and change into more practical dress."
"Perhaps we can circle around and get Walnut as well?"
Yes! We should help them. It is only right. Gundar says with a nod in agreement.
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A servant you don't recognize steps towards Filona and whispers
"You didn't hear this from me, but I think it is the work of Kyle, Wilma's former boyfriend. His family was not happy when she broke off her engagement to him. Rumor has it he was not entirely faithful towards her. Beware the Rankoffs, Kyle's family is very powerful and has great influence over those in power. It would be wise to not get involved."
"See! A local matter, to be worked out between the aggrieved parties. It need not concern us. Unless either party wishes to retain counsel that is."
They seem like such nice kids. We should help them if we are able. Gundar says as he throws his 2cp in.
1 rank +3 trained
"What if our interference causes things to get worse? Perhaps we should get the happy couple to sign a document that would indemnify us from any damages?"
"I'm sure that there's more to that story than we just got told. But what he said rings true. I'd like to ask him a lot more questions, but he has vanished into the crowd - and I'd like to know how he did that."
Something is not right here. Gundar says with a nod of his head.