A Misdirection of Magicians (IC)

[Toliudar]

Clytemnestra

Clytemnestra settles into silent, companionable reading and contemplation of the book she is sharing with Lord Kirsch. Only after they reach the end of the second story does she glance up at the window, then pulls herself to her feet.

"Ah! My apologies. I became absorbed. We should prepare for Lady Emalia's entrance. But first, perhaps one of us should bring Hargen's book to their room for some late-night reading. You found it, and I'd be happy to give you, ah, 'dibs', as the young folk say."

[Metastachydium]

Questions race through the lizard's mind as he reads through Hargen's rich text and he searches the halls and chambers of his mind for possible answers. The narrative contains curious notions, of course, as befits a work of fiction, but there must be some hidden grains of truth behind the words (or so he hopes). The invasion of the continent by the Cold Prince resembles the skeletal scourge Hargen brought up earlier this evening way too much to be a coincidence, for one thing.
Kirsch only looks up from the book when Clytemnestra reminds him that they have other business to attend to as well – it completely slipped out of the lizard's mind. He's not here for Emalia, after all. That said, if he wants to rely on her goodwill, he must not make that obvious for her – or for anyone else. Not even for his fellow magicians, in fact. Emalia must know them as well, and they might be more fond of her than he is. Accordingly, he nods to Clyyemnestra and closes the tome. Why, indeed. he says slowly. And indeed, if we are to carry off our prey, so to say, I should be the one to carry out the deed. The festivities are soon to begin and I move faster than yourself – meaning no offense, of course – and since carrying the Octarium about all evening would surely be way too cumbersome for my taste. Kirsch pauses shortly before continuing. Needless to say, if you happen to have the means to make this task less exerting and, I might add, less conspicuous, neither of us must return to the guest suits at this point.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

I presume Clytemnestra parted with her bag back when she took over her room. In that case, Kirsch will cast Expeditous Retreat on himself, quickly hustle back to his room with the book, and quickly return without it.

[Toliudar]

Clytemnestra

The elf smiles.

"I have no need to return to my room, so will wait here while you, ah, dash off."

[Ripptor]

Megamax winks as she makes eye contact with Dominique, the woman's snort AND final Eat Me comment each making Meagan smile even wider. To calm the tension, Meagan quotes her mother to Dominique and Orbal, "What worth the silver tongue, that gets not the job done?" In truth, this is actually a saying from her assassination teacher Mameim Bhustam, but Meagan has long ago misattributed it to Mother Enbach as it just sounds like something she would say. For her own thoughts, Meagan sips her own tea before she continues, "What greater freedom can one attain than the ability to speak plainly their desires, without fear of retribution? It speaks to the power of the individual ... or at least the leniency of a society towards their elders!" Meagan laughs, recalling an elder nurse back in the Coven known to speak bawdy truths no other woman there would dare.

Spoiler: OoC

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Going to wait to discuss Gnomon after a Knowledge check!

On Gnomon and it's rule,
[roll=Know(Geography)]1d20+5[/roll]
[roll=Know(History)]1d20+5[/roll]
[roll=Know(Local)]1d20+5[/roll]

Spa Day: +2 Str, Dex, Con checks / skills
...
Maybe the Forum will allow me to roll this time?

---

* post roll count doesn't match database

[Geeksthenewsexy]

Assuming a bemused expression, Victor sips at his champagne while the others spar with words. Attempting to get a sense of the people around him, he lounges in the bath, a polite spectator.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

He's attempting to not attract undue attention as he gather's information on his 'target'.

[Ripptor]

After praising Dominique on her straight-forwardness, Megamax turns her attention back to Orbal and his sudden silence. "Gnomon is more the soft cheek by the hard nose though, a bit more comfortable. Except for the Barristers, they're still formidable by any of our standards." Jesting at the earlier chauvinistic tones, "I'm sure our manly lords and ladies would enjoy the chance to duel one in a Crimson Court dispute. I'm told Orby can handle a dozen of the estate guards here at once." Meagan sips at her tea, smiling at her imagined Duke's face on the other side.

Spoiler: OoC

Show

If Dominique replies or says anything interesting to Meagan, she'd be more than happy to wait to tease / dig into Orbal until afterwards, but JIC we're waiting on little miss Meagan here's her next to Orbal.

Spa Day: +2 Str, Dex, Con checks / skills

[Erelamar]

Kirsch and Clytemnestra (Guest Library, South Wing, Second Floor)

Kirsch makes his way back through the Trophy/Games Room and to the balcony above the Grand Foyer. At the archway into the second story landing of Allsatalos, the magician sees a throng of aristocrats mingling: along the railing of the Grand Stairs, at the wide-open doors to the Grand Meeting Hall, and some already sitting on the benches within. More nobles come in an uneven stream down the second-floor hallway which leads back to the guest suites. Servants stand everywhere at attention.

If it is Kirsch's intention to return to his room unnoticed with the large blue book, this does not appear to be an opportune time. A lizardman moving at accelerated speed is sure to draw the eyes of the crowd.

Megamax and Victor (Guest Spa, West Wing, Second Floor)

Duke Orbal leans his head back and stares up into the steam swirling around the tiled ceiling of the baths. He smirks. "I'm not so sure anywhere in the Thousand Towers could be described as a 'soft cheek.' Sure, the Hydromancer was more magnanimous than many of the other tyrants, but still..."

Baron Vorgus jumps in at the momentary hesitancy, "So it is true? You're from the Thousand Towers? What of this Hydromancer, did you ever meet him?"

Duke Orbal shakes his head. He takes a sip of champagne. "No, I did not, luckily enough. If something was serious enough for him to come down from his tower, you could bet Gnomon would end the day down more than a few of its populace."

Vorgus squints and seems to be thinking hard, at least for him. He says, "But, I thought you were from Bruckwald. You're the Duke—"

"Duke-Regent, until my son comes of age. My late wife was the Duchess. Her family was charged with managing the Alliance's embassy in Gnomon when we met. I assisted her with a delicate matter and the rest, as they say, is history. As to the embassy, I can't think of who runs it now... I haven't given Gnomon much thought in the last seventeen years."

At Megamax's words of the dueling display, Baron Vorgus emits a resigned sigh. "Of course all the best things happen when I don't attend!" He splashes the bubbling water. "How did you acquire such skill?"

"It was nothing, really." And here, Victor can see the grin finally return to the Duke's face. Megamax can almost feel the smugness from through the hedge wall. "And Lady Maximus has already made the connection, intentionally or not. I practiced law in Gnomon, that's where I learned to 'handle myself.' "

Dominique finally stirs beside Megamax, saying, "And how long did you practice law?"

"Eight years."

"Is that long?"

"In Gnomon it is."

"Ever lose a case?"

"I wouldn't be here if I had."

[Metastachydium]

Bluish patches appear under the lizard's eyes and on his forehead and he clicks his tongue, clearly displeased. Instead of conceding defeat however, he makes a few gestures with his free hand while muttering a few words of power. Within a heartbeat, his form vanishes from sight and the freshly invisible magician sets out to maneuver through the crowd.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Kirsch turns invisible! There's no stopping this lizard!

[Erelamar]

Megamax and Victor (Guest Spa, West Wing, Second Floor)

After about an hour more of idle chatter, during which Megamax acquits herself well with the nobles and Dominique, Duke Orbal rises from his tub to leave. This starts a domino as Baron Vorgus and Dominique, becoming aware of the time, decide to do so as well.

Baron Vorgus offers to Victor, "You don't say much my friend, but when you do it's to the point, and I salute you for it. It's a rare enough thing these days. And ta-ta to you la-, ah, to the fairer sex beyond the hedge. I cannot wait to see you all again at the festivities." Duke Orbal offers similar if a bit muted sentiments. He has grown quieter as the time in the baths stretched out. It's as if the Duke has become distracted by deep thought. Perhaps something that was said, but of the commonplace badinage, there has been little of significance since his revelation of his origins. Dominique departs with her characteristic silence, but sans cucumber slices, she does give Megamax a nod of recognition.

The spa patrons each redress themselves and return to their rooms. They can already hear the guest hallway echoing with a great many highborn voices speaking in excited tones.

Kirsch and Megamax (Guest Suite Hallway, West Wing, Second Floor)

Kirsch makes it through the noble crowd, dodging around the chattering pairs and trios of aristocrats walking down the long hallway from the west wing guest suites. He pads quickly but quietly to give off no sound from under the cloak of his invisibility. By either guards or visitors, he is confident he goes unnoticed.

He spots a few familiar, nameless faces on the journey but eventually steps aside as Duke Orbal escorts Lady Lilet towards the Grand Meeting Hall. There is a chilly silence between them.

Finally, all the way back to the furthest guest suites in the west wing, Kirsch arrives at his door. Luckily, it would seem the last of the nobles have departed this stretch of the corridor and he is alone.

As he goes to put his key in the lock, one of the nearby doors opens. Megamax emerges, looking very refreshed.

Clytemnestra (Guest Library, South Wing, Second Floor)

A few moments after Kirsch's departure with the Octarium of Hargen Orq, the east door of the library open (the one Clytemnestra knows leads to the indoor greenhouse she passed through with Spycrist). She hears a hard-edged monotone speaking as it does so, "Yes, and collect the analgesic herbs and prepare as many tea packets as you can for the inevitable hangovers..."

A snow elf with porcelain skin and long, stark white hair wearing far more ornate livery than any of the other servants appears in the doorframe. Clytemnestra knows it to be Father Neomund from his initial greeting in the Grand Foyer, so many hours ago. His deep black eyes catch sight of the magician, and though it appears he wishes to give further instructions, she has become his sole attention. The Father shuts the door to the herbaceous chamber and slowly approaches Clytemnestra.

"I believe we have not yet met, madam. I have Father Neomund, chief steward and chaplain of Allsatalos. I hope you are not lost, Lady...? Are you in need of an escort to the Grand Meeting Hall?"

He walks up to within an arm span of her, and Clytemnestra braces for his characteristic effect described by Kirsch, but she doesn't feel it. Though, Father Neomund on the other hand isn't looking at her at all. He's scanning the shelves, looking for something which he cannot seem to find—the black eyes jump from one topic section to another, almost feverishly.

At some point, the snow elf becomes aware of how close he's gotten to Clytemnestra and at the display he is putting on. He finally zeros in on the magician, and a wave of strange unpleasantness rolls over her. The gray elf is no longer so sure of her footing and her mind feels unfocused.

Spoiler: Clytemnestra

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Mechanically, the effects your character is experiencing are the following: you're standing in difficult terrain and you cannot cast defensively.

[Metastachydium]

Kirsch looks back nervously when he hears a door open behind him, but he is quick to relax upon seeing who the new arrival is. Still invisible, he drifts closer to Megamax, addressing her in a what could be described as a louder whisper. Meagan. the disembodied voice voice says, its tone slightly warmer than before. Your little diversion was much appreciated and it proved immensely useful. Ms. Dekatos and I managed to gain some valuable insight into certain matters, so to say, and now we have a number of promising leads to work with. We should, perhaps, convene to discuss these findings at the first opportune moment at our disposal. the lizard pauses shortly to look around before continuing. Before that, or indeed before rejoining the noble crowd, however, I have to deposit an object in my room that I would rather not be seen hauling around. Supposing you have the time and patience to wait, I shall return in a few moments.
With that, he slips back to the door of his room, turns the key and enters, heading straight for the wardrobe and placing the Octarium inside. Kirsch? a voice inquires from above. Closing the wardrobe, the lizard straightens his back, looking up to see a small avian head peering down at him. The magician dismisses his invisibility and flashes a smile at the bird. What took so long? This empty freaking room is boring me to death! Kirsch slowly shakes his head. I shall have to disappoint, Pterygs. I must have to attend the main event of the day now, and I must beseech you to keep watching over the suite with increased vigilance. The magician then turns to leave with Pterygs staring at his back, dumbfounded. Hey! Wait! That's not fair! The lizard looks back, smiling. I shall make up for it, as time allows. he says. Please do warn me if anyone intrudes into the room, and, of course, stay safe, Pterygs! As he steps out of the room, closing the door behind him he hears a final Life is pain! from inside. Shaking his head again, he locks the door.

[Geeksthenewsexy]

Inclining his head at the Baron's words, Victor bids both men farewell. After regaining his clothing and accessories and returning to his room, he pauses to listen at the door. Hearing several people out and about there, he instead turns his focus to the wardrobe in the room that caught his eye before leaving for the spa. Paying special attention to the odd hinges and creases, he takes his time to go over the piece of furniture with great care. Carefully examining how it sits against the wall, he attempts to discern it's secrets.

Spoiler: OOC

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Taking all the time needed to take 20 on:
Listen check at the door - 17
Knowledge (Architecture and Engineering) check on the space the wardrobe occupies - 24
Search check on the wardrobe itself - 24

[Ripptor]

Meagan returns to her room, recollecting her things as she fills in Baubie on the events of the spa. Recharged and rearmed, she steps back out into the hallway still arguing back and forth over the upcoming evening in her head when she hears Kirsch in her ear. For the briefest moment, she believes it to be a mental communication until she calms down from the suddenness of the speech. She listens while pretending to brush her corset out and adjust her buckler, watching as the door down the hall opens and closes 'itself', before Kirsch comes back on out. Walking down the hall with Kirsch, Megamax whispers, "Perfect, we can spread out and cover all of our bases. Lady has gathered herself a either tremendous ally or terrible threat in Duke Orbal, he's a blooded killer from my corner of the world. We'll need to watch him tonight for his intentions."

Spoiler: OoC

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Towards the festivities!

She's fully clothed again, with Baubie in his 4D Pocket.

[Metastachydium]

I fail to see what use we have for a blooded killer. the lizard retorts. Violently removing, say, Neomund from the picture could, perhaps, help further their cause, but it could as well hinder it on the long run. At any rate, Kirsch always preferred the more subtle ways of handling such issues. In actual fact, an individual of such dubious standing is more of a reason for concern. he makes a vague gesture with his right hand before adding Accordingly, of course, we are in agreement that we should proceed as you suggested.

[Erelamar]

Kirsch and Megamax (walking down the Guest Suite Hallway)

The lizardfolk and tielfling take a short, uneventful trip down the hallway which wraps around the western garden of Allsatalos. The corridor is empty now, and they seem to be the very last of the guests to be making their way to the night's festivities. The sounds of music echo to them from their destination.

At the second story landing of the mighty staircases beneath the vaulted crystal ceiling, Kirsch notes that the majority of the guests have moved into Grand Meeting Hall through the large oaken doors. Drums and flashing lights are playing from the now-darkened room. Only a handful of unknown nobles still linger outside—a few standing in the doorway attempting to spot the most favorable of the cushioned benches still unoccupied.

A handful of liveried footmen stand along the walls, watching.

Spoiler: Kirsch and Megamax

Show

The Grand Meeting Hall is Room #69. Should Kirsch insist, he and Megamax can make it back to the guest library (#51) without anyone hindering them but not unnoticed.

Should they, then the pair discover Clytemnestra standing within with Father Neomund.

Victor (in his Guest Suite)

Ready to leave, Victor cloaks himself in his new disguise and exits into the empty hallway. The sun is sinking into the horizon through the western-facing windows. Night soon falls.

Knowing that at the one end of the West Wing corridor might likely bring him face-to-face with the target of his subterfuge, Victor takes the other route back toward the Guest Spa and the servants' door which he had only a few hours ago used to sneak to his room. It is not locked.

Victor first comes to a spiral staircase tucked in the wall leading downstairs with voices echoing up from inside. Only a little ways further down the narrow corridor, he spots another recessed stairwell, but this one goes up and down and is silent.

Between the two, an open door leaks idle chatter. It is a large room with a long, plain dining table. A few servers sit around eating what Victor realizes are the leftover hors d'oeuvres from the reception in the Western Salon. Also, a few more hang around the windowsills with pipes, blowing smoke outside to be carried away by the cold mountain air.

Spoiler: Victor

Show

At the moment, Victor is outside Room #59 and currently unnoticed.

He remembers the way back down to the Lesser Kitchens is in the southwestern-most spiral staircase (the one down its own little corridor) where he had his conversation with Spycrist.

[Metastachydium]

Kirsch looks around as if mulling something when they reach the open door of the Hall, before gently touching Megamax's elbow with his right hand, gesturing towards the entrance with his clawed left. Why, we are not a moment too early as it would seem. Ms. Dekatos should already be inside; we should perhaps join her lest we miss the main attraction of the evening.

[Toliudar]

Clytemnestra

Clytemnestra lets Neomund's dislike wash over her and through her, leaving nothing in its wake. She steps away from the bookshelf, smiling blandly.

"I'm not lost, but am a little unsteady on my feet. Your assistance in reaching the great hall would be much appreciated."

She reaches out to take Neomund's arm, and finds the going all the more difficult. Ah well. She does her best and is happy to allow Neomund to walk her out of the games/library room.

"I am Clytemnestra Decatos, of White Harbour. My husband is Vimilion Leafbearer. Perhaps you've heard of him?"

She watches Neomund's face for any flicker of recognition.

"Truly, it's an honour to join in this celebration. Alsatalos has such a rich tradition among my people. I'm sure you can feel the majesty and history all around you, working here."

Clytemnestra stumps forward, leaning on both Neomund and her cane, finding walking more difficult than she has for years.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Sorry for the delay- it was a crazy weekend.

Difficult terrain drops her movement down to 5' per round, so it'll take Clytemnestra a long time to get to the hall with Neomund's help. But she's perversely enjoying this - by making her life difficult, he's only making his own life difficult.

Sense motive on Neomund, and especially how he reacts to her words, and her touch. (1d20+5)[16]

[Ripptor]

Megamax bends towards the lights of the show with moving eyes, looking around the lights with excitement. "We simply must! Let's find our girl and enjoy the show!" Casting her demon-eyes about in the darkness further, she scans the crowd for open spaces and recognizable faces. "Barring that, we must capture the best of the seats which remain..."

Spoiler: OoC

Show

Looking for the rest of the group, or a good spot near someone we know / want to be seated near...

IDK how much to roll this one, feel free to roll me extra behind-the-screen!

Spot - (1d20+16)[32] w/ Darkvision

[Erelamar]

Clytemnestra (with Father Neomund, Guest Library)

Father Neomund is a little taken aback as Clytemnestra takes his arm, almost as if he's unaccustomed to being touched. "I see..." is his simple response to her name and that of her husband. "Well then, this way."

The steward seems curious as to the magician's slowness of pace. But he makes no comment.

Walking together at first, Clytemnestra, swallowing her discomfort, manages to really see the snow elf for the first time. Perhaps to her surprise, he's not as old as she would think. He certainly moves and acts as one of maturity, but to her elven eyes, she notes he is not quite yet middle-aged. Neomund would have likely been not much older than Clytemnestra now when he first took his post at Allsatalos, given Hargen's timeframe. For a race so free-willed as elves, more than eighty years restricting oneself to a single locale speaks to... something.

Father Neomund, taking note of the growing noise coming from the Grand Meeting Hall, begins to crinkle his lips a bit in frustration at their speed. He finally averts his gaze from her completely. With an exhale—which Clytemnestra can feel holding his arm as a release of tension—the magician's discomfort, the unease in her mind, and shaky footing are relieved. They proceed together much more briskly. The Tolerance priest proving to be much stronger support than old Spycrist was earlier in the day.

Kirsch, Megamax, and Clytemnestra (outside the Grand Meeting Hall)

Both magicians' sight is first taken by the aerial dancing figures about the stage swinging from lengths of colorful silk. Popping figments of flashing color coincide with their graceful movements as strong, bare-chested men beat on three mighty drums in excited—almost martial—rhythm.

Scanning the rows of cushioned benches, only the front ten are in use. Most people squeezing in towards the fore. Megamax spots Dominique in a middling row seated by some other human nobles. Kirsch likewise sees, across the aisle, an elven contingent with Lady Nadjiel of Spyre. While Lady Lilet's gaggle from their earlier meeting are all crowded in the second and third rows, somehow she has bullied herself to the front. It is the same with Duke Orbal; bullied indeed, Kirsch knows, seeing how late they both arrived. But frontstage center, Megamax spots the balding, cherubic roundness of Baron Vorgus Vollenveen. Seated beside him, swathed in yards of glittering silks and a hat so large and gaudy it is practically a chandelier, is a woman who simply dwarfs his rotundity. Countess Yzonde Vollenveen, one would presume. Near the rear of the crowd, sitting alone, Kirsch can make out the old hunchbacked figure and the walking stick of Hargen Orq. He bobs his head to the music's beat. Behind him stretch out twenty more dark and empty rows.

Both magicians finally conclude Clytemnestra is not present. Before they begin to discuss it though, there is the clicking of a cane. Father Neomund, bearing Clytemnestra on his arm, brings her to the second-floor-landing. He stops well short of Kirsch and Megamax as a servant emerges from the eastern hallway leading north into the citadel. The servant nods to him and he nods back, grimly.

He turns to Clytemnestra, "It seems, she is ready. I leave you in the company of your... friends." He releases her and stalks off with but a moment's irritation as he glances at the unmet tiefling. The chief steward joins the servant who emerged from the corridor and disappears with him out of sight.

The nearest footmen begin to urge the magicians forward into the Grand Meeting Hall. A pair unlock the open doors, beginning to seal the room in darkness once the last three guests enter.

[Metastachydium]

When Clytemnestra appears accompanied by the Father himself, Kirsch has to consciously suppress the urge to let his scales shift to a more hostile hue. His only comfort is that the steward didn't catch them in the act, so to say.
Once Neomund is out of sight, the lizard draws closer to Clytemnestra. Is everything in order? he asks in a hushed tone with genuine concern in his voice; with some luck, it is more difficult to tell that he is not concerned, per se, for Clytemnestra.

[Toliudar]

Clytemnestra

Clytemnestra sighs as the going gets easier...for both of them. She persists in her efforts to engage the figuratively frosty elf in conversation.

"My parents dedicated their lives to the preservation and documentation of Crystal City. Such stewardship has its rewards, but they are quiet, and require great patience. Is it hard...spending so much of your life working to preserve and support this place? And then to see it under the rule of a frivolous human...and knowing that the heir to this estate doesn't even see fit to live here?"

Her tone is friendly, but there's no mistaking the serious intent in the question. It's clear that she's asking because she really wants to know.

[Erelamar]

Spoiler: Clytemnestra, in between the sections of my last post

Show

Without hesitation, Neomund says, "Then they perform an estimable service." As to the Father's own situation, "My responsibility, my duty is in itself its own reward. If one understands the importance of what one does—as I am sure your parents do—then there is no hardship." His words are offered solemnly and with a Certainty more bracing than even his anti-mage techniques.

At Clytemnestra's final question, there begins almost a smirk at the corner of the snow elf's mouth. "The late elf lord was wise." Neomund catches himself and resumes his familiar neutral expression. "He appreciated the historical significance of this castle. I would dare say more than any other. Certain safeguards were put in place to see it was not altered or abused. At least not for very long..."

The weight of implication hangs in the air as Clytemnestra and the steward approach her fellow magicians.

[Toliudar]

Clytemnestra

Clytemnestra nods placidly.

"That is most wise. And yet here we are, about to partake of a party. Well, as you say, perhaps these are the ephemera that will fade in the long, long view of history.

"Master Neomund, you have been gracious beyond all duty in seeing me safely delivered. While I'm not much of a dancer and not much of a drinker these days, I do hope to share both with you in the course of the festivities to come. Or do you hold yourself apart from such things?"

[Erelamar]

Spoiler: Clytemnestra, between the sections of post #138

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Father Neomund nods in acceptance of Clytemnestra's thanks. "As they say, 'Civility is the armor of a courtier.' "

As to her further inquiry, "I am afraid that will be impossible. It is prohibited for staff to fraternize with guests at Allsatalos." If asked who introduced such an edict, the steward responds, "I did. Of course."

Neomund is much slower than Clytemnestra to spot the footman waiting in the northeast hall off from the second story landing. It's possible his strange eyes like deep blacks wells—a feature or condition unknown to the magician—are in poor shape. It's may even be that his vision is worse than a completely average elf. But when the Father does take notice, he signals to him and turns to Clytemnestra to offer his farewell.

[Geeksthenewsexy]

With a face not his own, Victor finds servants and no sight of any nobels, and decides to begin his smear campaign. Taking a moment to get into character, Victor's posture slouches and he allows his eyelids to droop and his face go slack, and with a stumbling gate he pushes open the door and staggers in. In a tone of voice recognizable in most taverns, he slurrs a too-loud declaration as he enters. "You pea...people are dugushting! Who eats inna water closhet? No shervents of mine woud be so shtupid. Bah!" Staggering to the table, he shoves the nearest plate roughly and mutters incomprehensible nonsense to himself huffily. Raising an unstead hand like he's going to strike the nearest one, he makes a sound of disgust and just waves the arm as if washing his hands of the lot of them before he stumbles to the nearest wall and after a moment of fumbling at his trousers, leans heavily against it as he relieves himself upon it with a grunt and a sign.

After what seems like far more effort than should be needed, he makes himself decent before turning back to the table. Staggering, he catches the back of a chair to steady himself. Nodding as if satisfied, he dunks his hands in a pitcher of water as if it were a washbasin in a water closet, then flops his wet hands on a small stack of napkins like two meaty fish. "Sho shtupid," he mutters to himself as he staggers back to the door, slamming it on his way out.

Outside the door, Victor quickly changes his appearance once again, becoming a plain and forgettable servant in uniform as he quickly makes his way to the stairway.

Spoiler: Mischief Rolls

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Bluff (1d20+16)[31]
Intimidate (1d20+14)[19]
Profession: Actor (1d20+7)[25]

[Toliudar]

Clytemnestra

With Neomund:

Clytemnestra chuckles, acknowledging the subtle wit underlying Neomund's final clarification. Then, figuratively and literally, Clytemnestra releases Neomund back to his other duties for the evening.

With Kirsch:

Turning to speak with Kirsch, she smiles and nods.

"I think I saw a table of baked vegetable pies that I simply must try. Join me?"

Stumping over to the refreshments, Clytemnestra leans into Megamax, taking her arm as she had just done with Neomund, and speaks softly to the pair.

"Keep your friends close, as it were. Neomund came to me in the guest library, probably looking for the book that's now in your room, Kirsch. I buttonholed him to bring me here. He's interesting, complicated. A creature of duty, playing a long game, I'd say. Tactically, it may be important to note that his robes are armour in disguise, and that his vision is impaired."

She begins gathering food at the table, initially as a ruse but then, realizing that she's genuinely hungry. She murmurs to Megamax.

"And have your perambulations borne interesting fruit?"

[Ripptor]

Megamax walks Clytemnestra along towards the food tables, glancing about for the sweets and collecting a small colorful plate while she speaks under hew own breath, "The Tolerance is just one more militant presence, no surprise he's dressed for war. I've learned that Duke Orbal is a retired Valley of Fire barrister, so he's not one to be trifled with either. Hopefully his machinations are as much Lady's as his own..." Glancing around back at the show about to begin, Meagan moves towards the middle benches. "Ah, and I've had the pleasure to connect with Dominique as well. Let us be seated, before we miss Lady's show!"

Spoiler: OoC

Show

May as well sit behind Dominique and before Harqen, middle benches?

[Metastachydium]

Why, that is positively intriguing. Kirsch mutters once Clytemnestra and Megamax have given their accounts of their recent experiences. I expect that we shall have ample opportunity to discuss these matters and more – but that can and indeed should wait until a more opportune time with fewer ears around. he continues, turning to follow Megamax, content to let her find "the best of the seats which remain."

Spoiler: A few checks

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A few knowledge checks to see if Kirsch can figure out what's wrong with Neomund's eyes:
Knowledge (nature): (1d20+5)[9]
Knowledge (arcana): (1d20+11)[31]
Knowledge (religion): (1d20+5)[14]

[Erelamar]

Victor (West Wing, Servants' Corridor)

The disguised magician descends the stairs down into the silent dark. Victor comes to the first floor and it opens into a sprawling space of ovens and fireplaces and workbenches. Metal storage cupboards with twisting, sinuous latticework are common around the walls. Some are wet with condensation. This must be the main kitchen. Rows of pots and kitchen utensils are laid out waiting. Apparently, the lesser kitchen Victor passed through earlier was enough to handle tonight's feasting but it looks like tomorrow this much grander facility will be in full use.

Stacked along the wall beside the entrance to the spiral staircase are cases upon cases of Fraal March wine and Sandrinel champagne in so many varieties: deepest reds and pale ambers and some so alcoholic they appear almost perfectly clear within the bottle. There's enough to drown an army.

Of the room, there is only one exit on the ground floor, and if Victor's spatial directions are correct he assumes it leads out to the pergola that runs along the south wall of the western garden. It is locked, though.

Also, the staircase Victor is in now continues down deeper beneath the ground level of the castle.

Spoiler: OOC

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The map in the second OOC Post has been updated.

Kirsch, Megamax, and Clytemnestra (Grand Meeting Hall within the Citadel, Second Floor)

The doors seal shut behind the trio of magicians. The way is now only illuminated by the flashes that come from the stage. In the strobing light, elf, tiefling, and lizardfolk slide into the bench behind Dominique and assorted other human guests.

The great drums beat a crescendo and the drifting aerial dancers swing from sight into the wings. Darkness descends, the first symphonic act begins. For a ninety-minute performance, it manages to be loaded with more bells and whistles than thought possible, almost to the point of becoming gaudy: the darkness of the grand meeting hall changes again and again, from misty forests so real the magicians can smell the pine, to mountaintop amphitheaters where the wind can cause you to shiver. Sets are changed out for another almost as soon as they're artfully assembled by the performers, giving the play a feverish pace. The cast must be in the dozens.

The show is a familiar one, a cover of a famous elven play Sehan Ath u Gyrah or Roam of the Mindful Merganser. It's almost unrecognizable as so many of the melodies have been changed—truly, it is a tour of the entirety of contemporary genres. The contents of the play are a simple Bildungsroman for the merganser (played by no less than four different actors, if the magicians are keeping track). He travels through the lush and virginal Eldwizand meeting many teachers from the jovial to the dire...

Just as it all is about to become a little headachey, the setting turns to buzzing tropical jungle. A grand waterfall floods the stage and errant currents leak out across the guests among the rows. It is fresh and cool and liquid but it passes by leaving none wet. The most famous song from the play begins, and Lady Emalia appears through the waterfall hovering far above the "trembling" merganser. She is decked out in the colorful headdress and wings of Mother Rainbow-Feater, the Thunderbird whose sings a tempting and berating harmony. It is very difficult with an almost inhuman range of octaves. Despite her age, Emalia sells it well.

Normally, the merganser would reject Mother Rainbow-Feather, and the play would continue another half an act before he returns home pond, deciding that's the only place for him. Instead, as Emalia's powerful song comes to a close, the lights go down, and the performance ends on a note of question: what would the merganser choose?

The guests spring up to clap as the lights come back up and the cast is introduced to receive their ovations. Lady Emalia is last of course and receives the praise with practiced grace. The guests are informed refreshment will be served in the Eastern Garden, along with a meet-and-greet with the actors, many of which are still crowding around the stage talking with those in the front rows. Emalia, however, has already slipped away.

The doors open once more to the grand staircase landing. Footmen linger to escort the nobles to the night's next activity.

Spoiler: Kirsch and Clytemnestra

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Both of you know that the performers are from Cirque du Sphinx, a renowned performance troupe based out of Sandrine. That they would leave their home theater which is packed nightly, on a weekend, to perform a private show is hard to believe. The expense must be legendary in itself.

[Geeksthenewsexy]

Re-assuming his previous character disguise, Victor takes a deep breath, adjusts his posture and bursts into the kitchen, stumbling and lurching until he gets to the cases of booze, ignoring the staff entirely. Muttering seemingly to himself in a voice that he hopes will carry enough so that he is 'overheard', he mutters, "Shtupid bish... should hurry up and lemmy bed her. Getting tired of thish courting nonsensh." Seeming to reaching for one of the bottles in a stacked case, he 'stubles', grabbing the edge of a case to steady himself, and 'accidently' pulling it off the stack to crash against the floor. Staring vacantly at the result on the floor for a moment he shrugs and picks a different bottle. Pretending to work at the cork, he staggers back to the door he came in from and slams it behind him.

Changing quickly back to the guise of a servant, he tucks the bottle away and makes his way back up the stairs in haste, intending to bypass the floor he was on and explore the upper reaches of the silent stairwell.

Spoiler: Mischief Rolls

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Bluff: (1d20+16)[23]
Disguise (1d20+11)[20]
Perform (Acting) (1d20+7)[19]

[Metastachydium]

The play did, in fact, make Kirsch's head hurt. It was way too fast and chaotic for his taste. He doesn't have anything against the Merganser in and on itself, of course and the expertise of the Cirque (and he can't help but wonder how much this spectacle, presumably a mere prelude for what comes could cost – the Lady must be rolling in riches) did show, but a more conservative rendition would have been more to his palate. This is going to be one hectic evening, but he'll weather it somehow. The prize is well worth the cost. He must kep this much in mind.
As the servants appear to shepherd the guests on, the lizard instinctively rises from his seat, giving his fellow magicians a quick glance to see if they are ready to follow.