Xavien leans against the wall, enjoying the peaceful interlude of watching Aurelia work. "Your skill continues to surpass all expectation," he compliments her with a bow, when all is said and done.
After fetching the jars, Xavien mutters something about declaring the tower safe and goes to inspect the northwest door.
"Where and how shall we hole up? Can we all fit in the secret chamber?"
"Not a bad idea. The bed outside is tempting though," Xavien grins. "Let's be certain that these apartments are free of dangers and we can set a watch on the stairs."
Xavien looks in the closet. This walk-in closet features dozens of suits and dresses a few centuries out of fashion. While the clothing here is useless, the closet also contains a shabby belt and stylish red boots that both radiate magical auras.
When Xavien finds more magic, Aurelia volunteers her services in identifying them. "This should take only a minute."
The boots seem to have nothing special about them except an aura of magic.
The belt? That's a different story entirely. It's a belt of mighty constitution +2.
Xavien lends his eye to the task.
Aurelia is a knowledgeable noble...
Aurelia schools Xavien.
Once upon a time, when the nobility of Taldor was much better off than today, it was common practice to have auras added to clothing. The affectation was merely a display of wealth. In fact, an Illusionist (though at the time he was merely a Phatasmist) by the name Nystulson, made a mint doing nothing but ensorcelling clothes for nobles. Rumor has it he took his platinum and retired to the countryside to raise cabbages.
In fact, an Illusionist (though at the time he was merely a Phantasmist) by the name Nystulson...
I...fail to see the value in that, Kenton says, confused at Lady Basri's history lesson.
"Status is an important tool. Put simply, it helps you get what you want."
"Still, not something that will aid our current task. And my boots are comfy," Xavien replies. "This belt, however..."
He straps the thing on. "Could use a little refurbishing, but the back support is incredible," he grins.
He skirts 'round the ripped hole in the carpet in the middle of Panivar's workshop ("What do we make of that?" ) and inspects the last door on this level.
The final room is a rather posh bathroom.
Xavien examines the rip in the floor. It looks like there was a lot of heavy furniture in this spot for a long time, but the tears are new, like someone hastily moved something out.
"Curious." Xavien scans the area for lingering magical auras.
Kenton keeps watch on the steps while the rest of the party investigates such magical things. He knows little of these arts, and assumes it best to stay out of the way.
Xavien finds nothing new.
Kenton will volunteer for the final watch, giving him an opportunity to try and sleep off the fatigue and be of some use after. He'll sleep under the easternmost table.
"I shall take the first watch," Xavien offers. He spends much of it with his whetstone, attending to the edge of his blade while watching the stairs.
Before the others try for some shut-eye, he jams up the stairwell with some furniture as a crude alarm system in case anyone tries to make a night attack.
When relieved, he takes his rest on the floor to the west of the bed.
Aurelia sighs, having hoped to get some proper sleep. "I can take the second watch. When I wake, I'll need some time with my spellbook. I'm not sure what tomorrow has in store, but I will need to be ready for it."
The night passes peacefully, despite literally staying in the palace of your enemy. The only thing to happen on any watch is during Kenton's watch when he catches some sound at the window. Upon investigating, it looked like more guards leaving the palace, most laden with valuables and in quite the rush to leave.
The morning of the 15th of Pharast arrives.
Having made only a few additional preparations, Aurelia begins her own spellcasting. Her first bit of magic creates an invisible breastplate of force energy, which she hopes will keep any blades away. The second spell is a bit of necromancy though, and is magic she'd hoped to avoid. The spell siphons the very life force from a pocket of aim, which she draws into herself. There's a momentary glow of youthful vitality from her skin, and when the glow fades she speaks. "I am ready. Let's find Bartelby."
and AC 14
Kenton is sure to relay his observation. The chickens are fleeing their roost, he says.
He has shaken off the previous day's malaise, but still looks slightly pallid . He waves off concerns — I've had worse, I assure you, — and prepares to head down the steps back into the rest of the manor house.
"It occurs to me that we could solve a lot of problems by torching this entire place. Aw well. Down the stairs and to another tower I suppose, yeah? Should we head east?"
Fire does solve many tactical issues, Kenton says, remembering the efforts of Shurrmun's Copperhead offensive during the Grand Campaign, but in this particular case, our goal is evicting the tenant rather than razing the building.
Kenton leads the group back down from the tower and toward the last set of steps they saw outside the tower. Up again, then, yes?
The party slowly ascends the stairs. No one knows much about this floor as it was largely off limits during the fete. At the top of the stairs is a lone guard, who seemed asleep against the wall. Your presence wakes him, "Ohhhh uggghhhh s#*#. Well, look I have no desire to fight. But if you really want him, you need the East wing, not the West."
Sir, what are you even still going here, then? We saw some of your fellows fleeing earlier. You're barely keeping your feet. If you're not going to stop us, why keep the watch all night?
The night passes peacefully, despite literally staying in the palace of your enemy. The only thing to happen on any watch is during Kenton's watch when he catches some sound at the window. Upon investigating, it looked like more guards leaving the palace, most laden with valuables and in quite the rush to leave.
"Hold, friends," Xavien begs before the band bounds down the stairs. "A little magic can go a long way." He intones two spells of his own , and sends a significant look towards Ianthe.
While at the top, Ianthe engages with the guard while Xavien gives a warning.
"I don't know, misguided loyalty? You're right. This is stupid. I'm going to get my stuff." He heads off at a relaxed walking pace.
"Hmm."
Thanks for your contributions, friend, Kenton says. You should head home to your loved ones. We'll head east.
The man's gait isn't quite right, he's not relaxed. You've got a bad feeling about this.
"Hold, friend!" Xavien calls out suddenly. He reaches for his coin purse. "You bided your time, but you should be rewarded for choosing the right side in the end. We are well found in monies. Come, get thee some coin for your trouble. Say 50 platinum?"
Aurelia is about to interject when Xavien interrupts with his proposition. She instead waits, watching with a degree of curiosity to see how this plays out.
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"Hold, friends," Xavien begs before the band bounds down the stairs. "A little magic can go a long way." He intones two spells of his own , and sends a significant look towards Ianthe.
Ianthe returns Xavien's look with her own inquisitive glance.
She starts to turn, then quickly looks back to Xavien, before completing the turn away.
Hmmmm... Xavien... I hadn't considered before, but he has shown his worth more times than can be counted. And he is a lord. I'll have to consider this more. Maybe Aurelia will have an opinion. She was always better with the boys than me.
Ianthe then proceeds to cast See Invisible.
There are no invisible threats here.
"Oi! 50 PLATINUM? Show it to me and we've got a deal."
Xavien loosens the pouch's drawstrings and lets a handful of coins slide out into his palm, their bright luster twinkling in the morning light. He weighs the remainder of the pouch in his other hand as he pockets the loose coins. "This should be the number, or perhaps a little more. I would not fault you for counting them, if you wish." He draws up the cord and holds the leather pouch out to the guard.
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Corran eyes the conversation, unsure of Xavien's game. He rests his hand on his falcata and starts to slowly move to a flanking position.
He bumps his shin on the wall and his lute jumbles enough to twang one of the strings. There's a moment where everyone looks at him and he clears his throat.
"Ahem. Ah... Sorry." and stays put. He then notices the look on Ianthe's face and... Oh, gross!
Without reaching the man gives a whistle, "I.... did not expect you to actually show coin." He doesn't move, carefully weighing the situation.
Everyone looks at each other, the air thick with tension. Will this be parlay or will it be violence?
The man is indeed waivering, but he's not breaking. You think he's psyching himself up to spring to action, but he's not reaching for a weapon...
Aurelia continues to watch this strange standoff, uncertain of motives.
But she was born a Basri, and they have diplomacy in their blood. "We are people of our word, friend. People with the interests of Stachys, of Taldor, in our hearts. And you've shown incredible loyalty in being here still. A strength of character worthy of respect. It's equally important that those in positions of power show respect in kind. Given the exodus we've seen this morning, I think the character of Lord Bartelby is clear."
Voice gentle, Aurelia asks, "What's your name, soldier?"
Kenton looks the soldier directly in the eye. How often have you said to yourself, with half a chance I'd do the right thing, hmm? This is that chance, friend.
Aurelia seems to truly have the man stuck between two hard choices. "I'm Lergen. I'm... supposed to lure you, but I'll tell you truly, if that platinum is real, I'll take it and begone. Once I'm halfway down the stairs, I'll tell you where he is. You let me run then. Deal?"
Aurelia, cognizant of the fact that she herself has only 10 platinum pieces on her, looks to the others to see if they're okay with this approach.
Corran rolls his eyes a little but says nothing.
Xavien's gentle smile widens into a terrifying grin. "Alas, dear friend, Lady Basri may be a woman of her word, but I am only honest when I choose to be. And you, Lergen, have shown that what loyalty you had stands second to your greed, and I grow concerned that your moral fiber is even less sturdy than mine."
In a flash, the rather light coin-purse falls to the floor as Koriana's blade makes bare her keen edge. "Now comes your real choosing time. Will you choose to fight? To flee? Or, at the very last, choose wisdom and submit?"