"My friends, I would not partake in the food offered here. Something is not right; the stench of decay lingers in walls of this place."
Yunkiang notices the minor illusions, and is not surprised when he hears the warning about the food. It so reminds him of home...
"Damn, I'm glad we didn't bwing the dwinking game..." he whispers.
Aldous wanders the edges of the ballroom, the boy nervous, even behind his mask, despite his previous outburst of bravado. The Doctor - although wealthy and a noble himself - lived in a rather simple manse as befitting his tastes. Well, comparatively simple at any rate. The ballroom was stunning, ornate and luxurious beyond what Aldous had ever dreamed possible.
When nervous, the boy would eat, and he made his way to the banquet tables. Picking up a berry tartlette, Aldous paused as the smell of rot hit his nostrils, sickly and sweet mingling together. Looking to Einhard, the boy nods, thankful for the warning.
Garrett failed to notice the strange smell, but the warning and the look on several of his companions and the knowledge that they are here looking for something off here keeps him from partaking.
Garrett is watching his companions to see what they are noticing.
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Remembering your mission to discover the whereabouts of Radaga, a wayward agent from your benefactor's organization. As revealed to you in your meeting, Radaga is a slender human woman, of olive complexion and black of hair. Furthermore, you know that she met with the Duchess Saidra d'Honaire (the hostess of the Grand Masquerade), and is familiar with several of the Duchess' court.
Surveying the floor, you find several members that stand out:
- A human woman wearing a spider mask with jeweled eyes, and a lavish black silk gown; she is playing dice
- A female tiefling wearing a fox mask and a well pressed naval uniform; she is leaning against one of the gilded columns near the dance floor
- A human man wearing an elephant mask and greys highlighted with blues
- An orcish male wearing a cobra mask stands next a table laden with extravagant foods; he wears leathers and felt, stylish but fit for mobility, especially around the legs
- A human woman wearing an ethereal jellyfish mask and a full ball gown; her hair is styled into tight twisting curls, cascading down her back; she is unsuccessfully fanning herself with her hand as she seems uncomfortably warm
- An androgynous human with a butterfly mask that seems to flutter as they flit about the room from guest to guest
- A human woman wearing a bird mask is just coming off the dance floor, excusing herself and leaving her dance partner to find someone else
- A half elf wearing a mask festooned with beads and stones painted to resemble a swarm of bees; he is clad in a priestly habit and anyone trained in Insight or with a Wisdom modifier of +3 or higher can clearly see that he is profoundly uncomfortable in this situation
Aldous notices the half-elf clad in priestly habit, and that the man is profoundly uncomfortable. Putting the rotted food down, the boy shrinks back into the crowd and makes his way to the priest. Standing nearby, Aldous looks out at the crowd of dancers and shrugs. "Hello. I'm... uncomfortable here too. I'm also Aldous. Aldous Beauturne. Who're you?"
Garrett will approach the woman fanning herself and says, "Good evening. The dancing tonight is quite festive. The Duchess' party is very lively." Garrett looks for any idea of why the woman is so warm while avoiding asking a question right after meeting her.
Astralabius will approach the androgynous indivusal and greet them "Evening, you seem right at home here."
While the rest go and engage some social banter, Yunjiang knows his accent and his lack of skill would do no good. Instead, he stays wandering around, trying to get any detail that would be important - who knows, one of the undead servants might have a certain resemblance to the woman they're looking for...
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The priest smiles and nods his head, trying to read Aldous' intention, but at the young sorcerer’s question quickly pulls Aldous aside, You are clearly new to this... I am certainly uncomfortable, as a mis-step can cost you your life. Remember the rules, young one...
After the priest coaches Aldous for a moment, the city bell tolls and the priest, who introduces himself as Zoldane the Appointed Blessed, leads Aldous in the requisite phrase, May the Duchess favor us all...
--
Xune approaches the person wearing the butterfly mask, batting at it lightly as cats sometimes do, drawing an amused look from the androgynous figure. Fearing a scene, Astralabius quickly joins them. The noble smiles warmly and replies to Astra’s comment, As do you, friend, Astralabius. My name is Durand, Lisle Durand. Your companion seems drawn to my mask…
Guards push their way through the crowd, whispering in her ear. Her posture becomes more rigid, and the guards take positions not far away. The Darklord raises her hand for all to be silent and smiles, surveying the hushed masquerade. With no warning her smile flashes to a grimace, How dare you! You who are uninvited take advantage of my benevolence! She lowers her hand, pointing a long finger at you and every guest. With no compassion, a ray of sickly energy exudes from her palm, enveloping a terrified guest dressed as a happy piglet. Within seconds nothing remains but dust. Her threat is clear to all, don’t let your mask slip. When her smile returns, she compliments an ostrich on their beautiful costume. Although it is not a joyous moment, the guests continue their revelry, as is expected of you all.
--
Garrett approaches the lady in the jellyfish mask, commenting on the party. She spares a glance at the halfling, which quickly returns to watching the dance floor, It is.
The woman’s cold demeanor leaves no opening for the halfling to continue any conversation.
--
Einhard approaches the spider masked woman, watching the dice game with interest.
"The silk is a nice touch, given the theme. I'd join in the game, but the dice look like they have strings attached."
Yunjiang keeps a drink in his hand, pretending he's sipping from time to time. He checks whether other people eat or not, and tries to identify their faces when they approach the table. Every now and then, he walks around a bit, checking if any of the undead guards' faces rings a bell.
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The lady looks up at Einhard, a smile creeping across her lips, There are always strings attached... I am Araignee Stoermer.
She gives a bow as you would expect an actor to do...
--
Garrett will slip over and pick up the mask trying not to be noticed.
Yunjiang notices something on one of the tables and casually gets near. Acting naturally, he picks it up and walks away, then examines the item.
"Guten tag, Araignee! For tonight, the Night Wolf is at your service," replies Einhard, bowing with a dramatic flourish. "Is there a song this minstrel of the night can play for you? Your Order is my command."
Once more, trying to appear casual, Yujiang walks by the halfling and literally puts the fan into his hands.
"Use it with caution."
Garrett will approach the woman again and hold out the fan. He says, "Pardon me. I saw you using this earlier but it seems to have been left behind."
Glad to have been of any use, Yunjiang keeps wandering around, smiling to everyone while looking for any other detail that could help his comrades.
"I think this will help." Garret adds.
"I am often very busy, so getting out to a party of such grandeur happens infrequently." Garrett says in reply. "Do you visit with the Duchess often?"
"Ah...that is true. I had hoped to see a friend here that I have not seen in awhile. I understand that she has been spending time around the Duchess, but I have not seen her yet tonight. Her name is Radaga. Do you happen to know her?" Garret asks.
Yunjiang smiles to everyone, not wanting to ask questions, not wanting to start walking with the wrong foot, not wanting to drink improperly - actually, not wanting to drink at all.
Back at home, it was his brother Souchien who had the knack for conversation. Yunjiang was more of a crafter, a scientist you could even say, but never a politician or a merchant. Together, the two brothers would have made a fenomenal head of the family business.
But everything back at home was just a bad dream, literally. So better get focused on today and here...
Aldous shifts, uncomfortable in the fine clothing, and looks around the room. Thankfully, no one but the priest seemed to notice his slip-up. "Thank you," the boy says, adjusting his mask. "I'm not good with games of court." The bell tolls and Aldous follows the priest's lead, [b]"May the duchess favor us all. Now that we've met, I assume I can ask a question. Leaving his intonation flat, Aldous waits a beat for an objection, and then asks. "What brings a priest to an event like this, Father Zoldane?"
As they talk, the boy shifts slowly towards the table with food, this time not reaching over it, and then drops another spoiled tart by the earrings. Stooping down, Aldous palms the earrings first before grabbing the tart and placing it on a nearby tray, clearing his throat nervously as he does so. "Apologies, I'm quite nervous."
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The half-elf shifts uncomfortably, The Duchess gifted me the position at the Mother of Tears. I guess I somehow caught her attention... I have no idea how I got so... lucky. If I did not attend, she would be furious. She especially expects it of her circle of advisors...
--
A tabaxi wearing a paper-mache sun mask approaches you with the look of a predator in her eye, Hallo, I am Tsarrrevna Arrrayona Purrrfunctory, and I wish to dance.
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Ah, you do not have time for niceties, I see. The name is Lisle, Lisle Durand. It is surely rude not to introduce yourself... the butterfly masked person comments, visibly upset, I went through some trouble, expense, and favor to set up a meeting with Archivist Isolda Savant from the Legacy Library at Jalabert. But when Radaga arrived, that tramp could care less about meeting Madame Savant!