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Mythryndr succeeds on Lord Kerkis, getting the second Influence point required to get him on your side.
Arin also succeeds with Lady Darchana ((it was supposed to be know arcana for influence, but that is a rather good know planes))
As the meet-and-greet concludes, Damien Blakros thanks the guests for attending, briefly speaks about the threat of the Worldwound, and then expounds on several lengthy tangents detailing the contributions of the Hellknight Order of the Godclaw during the First and Second Mendevian Crusades. As the Hellknight’s initially thrilling speech begins to dull the guests, Michellia Blakros interjects to announce that dinner will soon be served and requests that the guests be seated.
The feast itself includes seven courses of crisp greens, poached fish, seasoned game, and a selection of fine desserts. Servants continue to bustle about in the neverending quest to keep goblets full and move discarded plates to the kitchen. The master chef Domeros Prinitar proudly announces each course as it arrives.
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Myth will secure a seat next to the Lady Dyrianna. He’ll bow deeply before sitting down. ”Excuse me, m’Lady, I hope you don’t mind, but I just wanted to pay my respects for all that you have done for those of us with Elven ancestry here in Absalom. As a lifelong resident, it’s an honor to finally meet you in person...and I must say, reports of your beauty fall short of reality...
“I hope you will see fit to leverage your connections with some of richer Elven families here in Absalom to support the Mendelian crusades. As one whose fought numerous demons and have skirted the lands surrounding the Worldwound, I can assure you it is of the utmost importance...”
Myth smiles warmly at the lady and pauses long enough to sip some wine and eat some of the fine food. ”If I may be so bold, I’d also like to thank you for your business sense. In a city as vast as Absalom, it’s good to have a business that caters to from the rich down to the commoners...especially one that provides services to the shy and lonely of us here in our fine city...services I’ve had the honor to procure several times in my residence here...and well worth the cost, indeed...
“And that’s another reason we need to support the crusades...if the demons aren’t stopped in the Worldwound, they will spread like a plague and threaten our way of life here in Absalom...”
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Tsuan will take a seat between Lady Dyrianna and Ambassador Salhar, but spend most of her time talking with the Ambassador. Seeing as they wear far more jewelry than she can afford, Tsuan will display the only comparable piece she has - a token of House Thrune's favor.
"Grand Ambassador Salhar, Lady Anilah, it is my pleasure to make your acquaintance. I must say that I admire your beautiful jewelry, do they hold special significance to you?"
Tsuan will try to engage them in any polite response they have. When (or if) they ask about Tsuan's jewelry, she will explain.
"My jewelry is far more prosaic. This ring I wear is a magical ring to aid me in combat. And this," she points to her token from House Thrune, "I acquired this token as a gift after rescuing Venture-Captain Zarta Dralneen from Tancred Desimire. It's the most valuable item I own - worth far more than magic rings. I bought it with blood, battling devils and entering Hell to battle fire-breathing beasts. Yes, literally, Hell."
She pauses briefly before her ask.
"Grand Ambassador, I beg you to infuse your wealth and influence with meaning. The Worldwound is a grave threat. The demons of the Abyss are pouring out, and while you may not have the magic and the swords to fight them yourself, you have at your disposal great power - the power to rally whole armies. I would love to see you handing out tokens like this - tokens of the Grand Ambassador's favor, tokens claimed by those who answered your call and shed their blood. Will you pledge your support for this crusade?"
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Arin will take a seat next to Lady Darchana, as he'd had some success with her to this point. The little gnome hops up on the chair next to the lady. Being awkward as he is, he sits there for several moments before turning to her.
So, I imagine as Archdean of the Arcanimirium, you're no stranger to fields of research that stretch beyond the purely arcane? Occult? Planar? I suppose you leave the divine to the temples.
He stops for several moments to partake in the food and drink in front of him before continuing as if he'd never stopped.
Before my divine powers arrived with a curse, I was actually studying to begin training as a sorcerer. Funny how things turn out...I'm betting if you think to the professors and wizards in your charge, there are many who would jump at the chance to see a little bit of the WorldWound. In my case it expands my own search for the source of my powers.
When one summons a monster, is it not from these unfathomable alternate realms of being? A boundary such as this defies conventional study.
Arin then wanders back into his previous discussion of the importance of planar study in the practice of magic.
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Two successes on Lady Dyrianna and she is also influenced in your favour.
Ambassador Salhar is also influenced as is Lady Darchana. It looks like you have managed to get all five on your side and dessert hasn't arrived yet.
As the meal concludes, Major Maldris takes you aside and shares his suspicions about several of the servants, noting that some of them appear
to be under the effects of enchantment magic. While he and Lady Morilla keep an eye on the charmed servants, the major directs you to begin an investigation of the rest of the manor, using the introduction of guest speaker Genedair as a distraction for them to slip away.
Before you leave, Maldris stresses that you must keep silent about anything they find and quietly report back to him and Lady Morilla. He stresses that under no circumstances are they to upset the guests.
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Tsuan attempts to swipe a second dessert from the serving tray.
Not thrilled with the news about enchantments, she asks someone to tap her with a wand of protection from evil before they begin exploring. It only lasts for 1 minute (1st level wand), but she has 49 charges. Others can share the charges if they want.
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As the meal concludes, several guests stand to stretch or use the privy in anticipation of more socializing. Major Colson Maldris takes this opportunity to signal you and silently motion to the great hall (area 3), inviting them to join him. Having done so, he stands up and inconspicuously saunters out of earshot of the other guests.
The soft susurrus of servants clearing dessert dishes and esteemed guests shuffling about to hobnob with their peers echoes from the nearby dining room as Major Colson Maldris furtively glances about before speaking in a stage whisper.
Have you noticed, he inquires, that several of the serving staff seem to be behaving strangely? I have watched a handful of them, and I can tell you with some authority that a few appear to be under the effects of enchantment magic. They have not expressed any hostility, but this strikes me as the precursor of something far more dangerous.
In a moment, Damien Blakros will introduce the esteemed Genedair, an esteemed veteran of the Mendevian Crusades and a guest of honor at tonight’s festivities. I trust that his speech will be suitably engaging to give you an opportunity to slip away and check the rest of the manor. If there is anything amiss, deal with any immediate concerns and then report back to me. He spares a moment to glance back at the dining room before adding, Under no circumstances are you to upset the guests. I will keep Lady Morilla apprised of the situation, and together we will decide what to do in the event of trouble. The feast must go on without any disruption, and I will stay with the guest to ensure that happens. As he says this, Damien Blakros begins introducing Genedair in the other room. With a last look, Major Maldris salutes and says, You have perhaps half an hour, then slips back through the door to rejoin the party.
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"Good. Well done shtudentsh!" says the Revered Master, pleased that he didn't need to engage in pointless small talk and waste valuable drinking time.
The sensei takes a half-finished bottle of wine with him to listen to Maldris, and when the Major is finished he turns to Dana. "The wand, Shtudent. Now, if you please."
Then Poh focuses his ki, and takes another drink.
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Enjoying the Lady Dyrianna's company, Myth tries to hide his disappointment at being called away. He rises and bows to her, saying, "Enjoyed chatting with you, m'Lady, 'twas a pleasure...but I fear I must away. Enjoy the rest of your evening..."
As Captain Maldris passes on his suspicions of enchantments, Myth nods and prepares to look around for any signs that demonic creatures may be lurking, in addition to anything else that appears out of the norm...when out of sight of the guests, he'll draw his bow and move quietly, using shadows and what other cover is available as he moves around...
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Area 13. Garden: A cobblestone path winds through the gardens and opens into a well-trimmed lawn bordered by shady trees to the east and west, a flowering hedge to the north, and a tall stone wall to the south. A wooden gazebo sits near the back of the open area. - Nothing suspicious here.
((There should be a map of the manor and surrounding environs in the slides. Just let me know where you're going))
Incidentally Master Poh's demon detection ring doesn't show any alerts. Any flashes were mostly false alarms owing to lighting and reflections.
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Area 2. Kennel: The kennel is a roofed, open-walled structure surrounded by a 5-foot-high wooden fence. It is home to five wolf hounds owned by Oved Blakros. The hounds are well-trained show dogs, and though they look menacing, they are quite friendly with strangers.
When you inspect the kennel, the dogs are playfully devouring something with great enthusiasm.
Area 1. Stable: The stable currently houses the mounts belonging to the Blakroses and the dinner guests (four camels, an axe beak, and two riding horses). Seven stable hands (N male human commoners 1) remain here, caring for the animals and doing their best to keep the aggressive axe beak from antagonizing the other mounts. Nothing suspicious here.
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"How macabre," Lutorinus comments. Walking away from the dogs, he approaches the group of stable hands.
"Gentlemen, if you would be so kind..." he begins, waiting for them to give him his attention while tapping his claws along the wooden door frame. "Are the hounds supposed to have treats at this hour? And if so, what are their treats, typically?" By the Profane does it reek in here. Bet it was the damn bird. Bird shit always stinks the worst. Sits in my damn nose to boot.
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The stable hands are rather alarmed by what you have to tell them and they have no idea who gave the dog the bone. What tracks you do find lead back to the house.
Main Floor.
3. Great Hall: This massive entry hall is well lit and sparsely furnished. The fireplace on the east wall is large enough for an adult human to stand inside. Mounted on the wall above the fireplace is the stuffed head of a large sized draconic creature with shiny blue-green scales (a sea drake). Four house guards are posted here throughout
the evening.
4. Salon: Several comfortable chairs and sofas sit in this well-lit room, a place for guests to relax, enjoy music, and conversation. A string quartet from the esteemed White Grotto bardic college has set up in the northwest corner.
5. Study: This room contains a large desk, three leather chairs, and cabinets containing various curios and minor art objects.
6. Dining Hall: This spacious room is heated by a large fireplace and lit by two massive crystal chandeliers. The walls are decorated with painted murals of horses galloping through vast green plains. The largest feature in the room is a huge, U-shaped oaken table, and the feast takes place here.
7. Kitchen: The kitchen features two large fireplaces, a wide oaken table, and numerous wall mounted counters and cabinets. A staff of six cooks (N male human commoner 1) are constantly hounded by foul-mouthed
Domeros Prinitar (CN male human male expert 6), a renowned master chef brought in from Oppara for the event. Prinitar scowls menacingly when anyone except his staff enters his kitchen.
8. Pantry: The pantry is well stocked and located adjacent to the busy kitchen.
9. Storage Closet: This room contains tools, linens, barrels of water, and other mundane items.
10. Shrine: The dusty, somewhat neglected shrine features marble statues of the gods Abadar, Calistria, Desna, and Shelyn. A small brass brazier burns fragrant incense here throughout the evening to help mask any smells coming from the privy (area 11).
11. Privy: This room holds a porcelain toilet, a wall mounted wash basin filled with rose-scented water, and a rack of hand towels. A small brass oil lamp on the ceiling provides plenty of light.
12. Smoking Room: This room is used by Oved and his special guests to smoke and relax. A cabinet holds a rack of scrimshaw, clay, and ivory pipes, pouches of mundane and exotic pipeweed, and a box of expensive
cigars from Ilizmagorti.
((Make perceptions checks please))
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Before starting the search Dana casts Acute Senses.
Dana suddenly looks at something suspicious.
“Here, look what i found in the pantry! I discovered a small velvet pouch stashed here containing two vials of oil of taggit poison and an empty vial that recently held the same poison!!
That is all that is suspicious on the main floor I think!“
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((Nah .. had it covered over thinking it was the final encounter room but that's elsewhere.))
So down to the wine cellar you go.
14. Wine Cellar: Wooden racks line the walls and alcoves of the wine cellar holding hundreds of bottles of wine from across the Inner Sea, including several vintages worth over 100 gp a piece. A fieldstone-rimmed well stands in the western alcove. The well is covered by a heavy oaken lid and is locked (Disable Device to unlock, or Strength check to break open). A wooden bucket attached to a 60-foot length of silk rope sits atop the well’s lid. The well shaft is 4 feet in diameter and descends 40 feet before it taps into a freshwater aquifer.
In addition .....
The cool, dark wine cellar has a flagstone floor and walls covered with light gray ceramic tiles. Its irregularly shaped walls and alcoves are lined with dusty shelves that hold an impressive array of wine bottles. Propped up against the far west wall are two naked forms, both covered with fresh blood. Though both are clearly female, their faces have been chewed away entirely, leaving them both unidentifiable.
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Poh smiles broadly at the sight of so much fine wine, taking bottles out and studying them before carefully replacing them. (Well, most of them). But when the Revered Master spots the corpses his smile vanishes, replaced by a grim frown.
"Despicable. Such grotesque violence has been done to two defenceless innocents. It seems very likely that demons, or the allies of such fiends, did this." Poh's hand goes to his magical diamond reflexively, and he studies it for the telltale glow that would betray a demonic presence.
"We must find those responsible."
Poh looks for clues.