A Misdirection of Magicians (IC)

[Erelamar]

Victor (Main Kitchens, South Wing)

Of the few servants present, they universally wince at the smashing of so many valuable bottles of wine. Mouths agape, they look on as "Duke Orbal" returns to the stairwell he emerged from and returns upstairs. When he makes it back to the second story landing, he can see footmen muttering to each other in the doorway of the Staff Dining Room.

One calls out to Victor, re-disguised as a servant, "Hey! Have you seen, Duke Orbal?" Whatever the magician's answer they don't stop him from proceeding onward. In fact, they don't even look back to see where he even wanders off to.

Continuing to climb the stairs, this trip takes much longer than when he descended to the Main Kitchens. Victor finally reaches the apex of the steps which terminate in a tower guard post. Narrow windows give a sweeping view of the mountain ranges and valleys along with the Skybridge far below. A single door leads to the battlements which travel the length of the west wing to another tower in the northwestern corner of the castle. The guardroom's roof is strange, in that it appears like a sort of mechanical iris; there are a series of levers in one corner of the room next to what seems to be a kind of strange catapult-like device. Besides the siege engine is an enormous tarp covering large cylindrical and conical shapes.

There are eight armored elven guards present. No matter what form Victor takes upon entering the room, they all glare with open hostility. Those sitting stand to join the others. The one whose armor is adorned with the most chevrons declares, "You are not supposed to be here."

Spoiler: OOC

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I've added another map for Allsatalos in the second post of the OOC thread. Though it doesn't really tell anyone much at the moment.

[Geeksthenewsexy]

A vague wave of his hand and a "I think he went that way..." was thankfully enough to have the guards' attention elsewhere, as he makes his escape. Coming short at the guard's words, the 'servant' bows deeply, "Pardon the intrusion! Have...have you... seen Duke Orbal? Everyone is searching for him and..." his speech slows at their hostility and a mask of confusion crawls across his expression as he looks around tentatively at the surroundings as if noticing them for the first time while swallowing hard before continuing, " when I was told to help the only... um... way no one had started checking was...up?" Gulping visibly as his statement turned into a confused and fearful-sounding question. Stammering a squeaky apology-sounding noises, seeming having given up on his search and starts slowly backing out of the room, half bowing all the way.

Spoiler: Mischief Rolls

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Bluff: (1d20+16)[30]
Perform (Acting): (1d20+7)[22]

[Erelamar]

Victor (Guard Room at top of Southwest Tower)

At the mention of Duke Orbal, two of the guards share knowing—and somewhat pained—glances. The lead elf, though, steps closer to Victor and really scrutinizes him. It's almost as if he detects something. But before long his face returns to a neutral expression. "He has not been here. You may go." He turns back to the guard station, and the rest of them resume their duties.

At the end of the long, winding stairwell journey to the second floor, Victor is greeted by the familiar faces of the footmen still loitering around the entrance to the Staff Dining Hall. One calls over their shoulder, "Hey! Have you seen Duke Orbal?"

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

As the three magicians are making their way through the wide doors to the landing of the Grand Staircases, a familiar voice calls out, "Lord Kirsch?" Turning, the lizardman recognizes Lady Nadjiel of Spyre. She has broken away from the group of elves and makes to walk with him to the Western Garden.

"How did you enjoy the spectacle?" She gives a subtle, knowing look. "A very human interpretation, I would say. It's always... interesting when they get their hands on a classic."

Spoiler: Megamax and Clytemnestra

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You both manage to spot Duke Orbal lingering near the stage with several other guests engaged in conversation with some of the performers. He hops up to sit on the edge of the stage, evidently distracting the rest with a joke while doing so, because they all laugh. They are all still talking when Orbal casually stands to pat an actor on the back and shake another's hand. He points to one of the other guests, and the performers turn to speak with them, intent looks on their faces. And the Duke... just... slips away behind a curtain and into the backstage area, where Emalia went. Nobody around him seems to have noticed at all.

[Metastachydium]

Indeed, indeed Lady Nadjiel. Kirsch flashes a pleasant smile at the elven lady. It was a… Highly inventive adaptation of the original, that much is for certain. Very full, very dense. the lizard folds his arms behind his back as he begins to walk along. That said, given the almost hysterically accelerated pace, I would occasionally have some difficulty following the plot as it unfolded. One cannot help but wonder if that were a direct consequence of the play being rendered by members of a species that lives short and fast lives.

Spoiler: OOC

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When I assigned Kirsch's age, I did so based on the assumption that due to their slower, reptilian metabolism lizardfolk live longer than humans. That might not be correct lorewise, but they definitely live slower lives.

[Geeksthenewsexy]

Schooling his expression as the man approaches, Victor winces and his expression darkens at the man's question. "Not since I passed him in the hall early this morning as he was complimenting one of the female staff very... thoroughly, sir." Putting a sarcastic emphasis on the words 'compliment' and 'thoroughly in a disgusted tone, he says this through clenched jaws, as if in anger. "Perhaps he's found his way to the female servant's apartments. Again." Once more putting an undertone of venom on the key word, he shakes his head and takes a more weary tone with the expulsion of a his next breath, "But I have not seen him recently, no. I do hope you find him, sir." Inclining his head, Victor begins to move away. Giving the man a small wave, he calls over his shoulder, "If I see him while I'm working, I'll report his location."

Intending to resume his normal public appearance once out of sight and the coast is clear before going back to his rooms now that people he hadn't interacted with directly are actively searching for Duke Orbal, he thinks the pot is adequately stirred for the moment. He assumes it will be interesting hearing what rumors will be had tomorrow with the court gossips.

Spoiler: Mischief Rolls

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Bluff: (1d20+16)[24]
Perform (Actor): (1d20+7)[8]

[Erelamar]

Victor (back in his Guest Suite, West Wing, Second Floor)

Without passing another soul, Victor—once again in his familiar guise—returns to his guest suite on the deserted second floor of the castle's west wing. So good is Allsatalos' soundproofing, he does not hear the cacophonic play beating at the thick doors to the Grand Meeting Hall.

Night falls outside and a more perfect starscape could not be witnessed. That is, should the magician care to glance out a window. A little over an hour from his return, he hears a great pop! and sees a flash of colorful light which illuminates the room in blue. Then another, this time shining red. More follow, a firework display begins above the eastern side of the castle.

Kirsch, Megamax, and Clytemnestra (now in the Eastern Garden)

The elven noblewoman, Lady Nadjiel, escorts the three magicians making small talk—which is mostly veiled insults about the production. They descend the Grand Staircase and exit through the portico into the Eastern Garden. For those who had not seen it before, it's like an impressionist's dream: black trees gracefully curved, hanging wisteria, a small black pond dotted with lotuses, a stream cascading down smooth stones with obligatory tiny, cute bridge, and flawless dark green grass. At every side, the walls of Allsatalos rise up around it. Currently, it is peppered with small, round iron-wrought tables and chairs, where some of the guests are already relaxing. They munch on delicate finger sandwiches and caviar-loaded crostinis and sip the wine being brought around by the servers. Idle chatter drifts through the scene like the ghostly moths which have taken to the cool night air.

Lady Lilet von Bleak and a gaggle of her noble friends emerge behind the magicians' party but are making a beeline for the tables of assorted food and drinks. Likely, to the magicians' relief. A snippet of her conversation could be heard as she passes, "Yes, he—wasn't he a pretty chap? The dancer was telling me Emalia changed the whole script, the whole shebang, just a few hours before the curtain. Had them working like dogs rehearsing in the smaller ballroom right up til showtime. Couldn't imagine what's gotten into her..."

With a crook eyebrow, Lady Nadjiel of Spyre looks back to Kirsch. "Hmm. Indeed."

A trumpet blows and Lady Emalia appears in the portico with a bouquet of white roses. There is another round of clapping from the assembled aristocrats with a few drunken cheers as well. She gives a genteel if slightly affected wave of acknowledgment. Only when the applause dies down does Duke Orbal walk into view by Emalia's side.

Lady Emalia hands off the flowers to a footman and takes a glass of wine before descending the steps. After only a brief second to survey the gathering, she leads Duke Orbal directly to Kirsch, Megamax, and Clytemnestra. A pleasant smile is set on her face. She registers not a shred of surprise.

"What a shock!" says Lady Emalia in her all-too-familiar, sardonic soprano.

Lady Nadjiel curtsies with a respectful, "My lady."

"Yeah. Hey," Emalia replies before returning her focus to the magicians, "Meagan, Lord Kirsch... Clytemnestra, what brings you to my neck of the woods? Besides the shenanigans of one cheeky old fellow."

Duke Orbal watches on with great interest.

[Ripptor]

Meagan contains her immediate impulse to run over and hug Emalia, instead beaming with excitement as she tilts her whole body to the side. "Since when are shenanigans not sufficient alone?" Waggling a finger at Emalia in jest, "And don't think I missed that beautiful performance. Tempting the merganser right out of it's canon? At your age?" Meagan leans forward, plucking what should have been a white rose out of her bouquet, but is instead a colorful 'Thunderbird' feather. "Some things must never change!"

Spoiler: OoC

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Fun and games!

Sleight of Hand performance for the "pull out of a hat" trick: (1d20+19)[28]

[Toliudar]

Clytemnestra

Clytemnestra's grip on her staff tightens as Emalia comes into view, and the grey elf goes so still that she might as well be the statues stuck in time that the younger races always perceive. Only when Emalia approaches and speaks to her by name does her face betray anything. A flicker of disappointment. A twinge of curiosity? It's gone in an instant, replaced by the faint smile of the courtier.

Clytemnestra nods uncertainly as Megamax references waterfowl and wildly coloured plumage, but glides on regardless.

"Duke, lovely to see you again. And my lady, surely your grace and charm are sufficient to draw even three such unlikely old friends out of hiding? My only regret is that I had not found the time to make the journey sooner. Perhaps, tomorrow, you might have time to catch up with our motley band?"

Spoiler: OOC

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Sense Motive to see if there is anything strange about Emalia's demeanor - a personality shift, a sign of magical influence, etc. (1d20+5)[8]

[Erelamar]

Kirsch, Megamax, and Clytemnestra (with Emalia in the Eastern Garden)

At their hostess' disinterest, Lady Nadjiel of Spyre mumbles something about food and departs in pursuit of a server walking away with a tray. Her best attempt at salvaging some dignity.

"Oh, sweet girl," Lady Emalia says with a warm smile. The older woman reaches out to adjust an errant lock of Megamax's pink and purple hair. There's a pop, and when she retracts her hand there's the tip of a delicate little piece of bone. "Oops! Got your horn!" She bubbles over with delighted laughter, and before Megamax can reach up to touch her head, Lady Emalia shakes her wrist, and the small piece of white blurs and unfolds into one of the ghostly pale moths flittering around the garden in the moonlight. She lets it drift away into the cool air.

Clytemnestra begins her introductions and while Emalia stays neutral, Duke Orbal displays a certain disbelief, "My dear, your formality is bracing." Turning to the hostess, he continues, "You weren't kid—"

"Orbal." The Lady's one word is enough to make the Duke clamp his mouth shut. She offers Clytemnestra a warm if distant smile. "You haven't aged a day, my friend. Ah, so fortunate. And you've faired better than most since our parting if that be your only regret." The aging bard stares off across the garden. Taking it in themselves, the magicians can't help but think it has a tragic sort of beauty.

Sipping her wine, Emalia continues, "Tomorrow in the afternoon, before the banquet, we'll be taking the airship out for a tour of the local geography—"

"Really?" interjects the Duke.

"Yes, really. I've been told Mount Glass and Sharpadons' Spire are quite splendid this time of year. And, of course, Kaltyri Falls..." Lady Emalia trails off as there's an explosion from above and blue light fills the courtyard garden. "Ahh, at last." She smiles again and looks up, as do all the rest of the guests. The fireworks have begun—a very bright, very loud distraction.

Father Neomund has appeared in the portico between the First Hall and the Eastern Garden. There are six castle guards with him. Under the flashing lights and deafening booms! he approaches the Lady, the Duke, and the trio of magicians, alone, leaving the armored elves behind.

Spoiler: Clytemnestra and Megamax

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While you've been talking, castle guards have taken up positions in and around the Eastern Garden. Some appeared through the foliage from deeper within the garden, taking up stations nearby on pathways and the little bridge of the babbling brook. The ones in the portico even stopped a large band of the actors when they appeared behind them and directed the performers to wait somewhere in the First Hall.

[Toliudar]

Clytemnestra

Clytemnestra arches an eyebrow at Emalia. If she wants to paint herself as somehow the victim in all this, she's even more of a narcissist than ever.

Under the flashing and booming, Clytemnestra leans forward for a not-quite private exchange with Emalia.

"If that's an invitation, My Lady, I would be delighted to join you tomorrow afternoon. And perhaps we can begin on a more rigorous enumeration of our regrets."

She steps back and becomes serenely smiling again as Neomund approaches.

[Geeksthenewsexy]

Still retaining posession of the bottle of wine that 'the Duke' stole from the kitchens, Victor was staring at it thoughtfully, contemplating his most recent escapade when the light illuminated the room. Taking the bottle to the window, he peels the Hat of Disguise from his head and flings it onto the bed, running his fingers through his thinning hair, damp with the sweat of the night's activities. Uncorking the bottle with his teeth, he opens the window, leaning against the frame and tipping the bottle back. A faint smile on his face, he lets out a wistful sigh as he gazes up at the dazzling display.

As the show continues and the bottle becomes ever emptier, he leans more heavily on the window sill, as if the weight of the world were pressing down upon him. It was always so thrilling, in the moment, pretending to be someone else at the drop of a magical hat. But more and more often, he wondered how long he could do just that before he began to truly forget who he really was. Did he even truly know himself anymore? He did not find the answer at the bottom of the bottle of stolen wine, but it was not for lack of trying. Clothes only half removed pin one arm behind him as he the late evening finds him snoring loudly into the mattress of his bed, face down with limbs akimbo. He would not find answers to his questions this night, nor anything but fitful oblivion until the world dragged him back to consciousness sometime later.

Spoiler: OOC

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No idea if a now-empty bottle of fancy wine requires a Fortitude Saving throw for morning-after hangovers, but here's one just in case. Fort Save: (1d20+4)[9]

[Ripptor]

Megamax giggles in delight at her old friend's bit of illusory fun, an absolutely perfect moment in her mind. At Emalia's mention of an airship ride, the girl gasps in audiovisual excitement, then remembers Spycrist's off-hand remark and wonders if perhaps there is more there then he may think... Or if this will simply be awesome! She has to stop herself from looking directly at any of the slowly surrounding armored guards as their conversation continues, until she follows Lady's eyes upwards at the explosive display. With the sky erupting above her, Meagan spins rapidly to take it all in, jumping in delight as she considers adding her own fire to the show... Once the potential arrest is past them, of course.

Spoiler: OoC

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Fireworks!!

Casting Protection from Law as the guards encircle them (+2 AC/Saves, no mental control, 10min)
Conceal Spellcasting as she spins around in Fireworks excitement: (1d20+19)[36]

33/35 SP

[Metastachydium]

On their way to the Eastern Garden, Kirsch adds his own subtle jabs at the performance with vicious glee, enjoying the conversation tremendously. When Emalia finally appears, he taps his chest with his open right palm and greets her in a manner curt but polite. Lady Emalia. A pleasure to see you again. His mood quickly sours however as Emalia makes her srrange remark. His crest rises slowly and his sclaes shift colours somewhat. Old man? Shenanigans? Something doesn't add up here. And then it dawns upon him: the servant who told the guide that took him to his room that the old one made some arrangements for him. Unless Emalia is messing with them, the invitation wasn't real. But who's this old man pulling the strings? Meagan seems to know. He can always ask her later if Emalia won't talk.
The lizard composes himself, but stays quiet for now, watching the scene unfold, and much to his dismay, the plot begins to thicken again. As the fireworks begin he takes the distraction to observe the positions of the guards converging on them, trying to read the face and body of the approaching Neomund in the meantime. Clytemnestra mentioned that he was in the library. He might have realized something is amiss. This bodes ill.

Spoiler: Checks

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Bracin' for impact!
Knowledge (geography) on the places Emalia mentioned: (1d20+6)[24]
Sense Motive on Neomund (1d20+2)[14] and the guards (1d20+2)[18]

[Erelamar]

Megamax, Kirsch, and Clytemnestra (with Emalia in Eastern Garden)

As the crowd watches the spectacle in the nighttime sky, Megamax, Kirsch, and Clytemnestra watch Father Neomund loom closer. He strides right up to their party, close enough that the nearest wizard can feel the unpleasant aura of his Tolerance training. The elf's sunken black eyes keep trained the entire time on the magicians, but as he comes to a halt, he looks away from them to Duke Orbal.

"Your Grace, I would like it if you would come with me. To answer some questions."

Up until that moment, the Duke had been looking on the scene above Allsatalos, same as all the other guests, gently sipping his wine with a certain smug satisfaction. The casualness drops from his face, "What? What are you on about?"

The nobleman meets only the snow elf's glare, which if the trio of mages didn't know better carried the implication don't make me repeat myself.

Lady Emalia, taking notice, speaks up, "What's this? Neomund, what do you want with him?"

"I'm afraid there have been several incidents as of this afternoon and evening which have involved the Duke of Bruckwald. I would like him to come with me to answer some questions. There has been a destruction of property—namely several thousand gold pieces worth of wine—along with other cleaning-related matters. Also, some aspersions have been made regarding the Lady's char—"

"How much wine?" Emalia looks down to her glass, then out across the garden. "Neomund if you tell me we are going to run out of—"

"No, your Ladyship. But more will need to be brought up from the cellar tomorrow. I'm afraid some may not be properly decanted in time, though."

As this banality continues, the Duke, wide-eyed, finally seethes over, "This is preposterous! I was at the show the whole time."

"Yes. I saw him, Neomund," Lady Emalia adds.

"Were you on stage the whole time, my Lady? The theater was very dark, and the production so very long." To which, the Marchioness has to shrug admittance that she was not. Father Neomund continues, "There have been several witnesses: servants which have given testimonials under the light of a truth candle. The evidence, I'm afraid is quite—"

"Evidence! EvIdEnCe!" In that instance, the red-faced Duke steps up to the chief steward. Collectively, the guards take a step forward from where they ring the garden. This does not go unnoticed by Orbal. "Oh. Are you trying to intimidate me? It will take more than a few soft-handed guards and some blind bastard from frozen nowhere to do that." Duke Orbal keep up his rant as he turns to Emalia, "Can you believe the nerve... of this... elf...?"

The Lady's face has taken on a gloomy, seriousness. She glances at some of the other nearby guests who have started snatching peeks at what is transpiring among her little group. "I believe you should go with him Orbal. And sort this out."

"But, but..." The Duke's eyes search the dark grass of the lawn, disbelief sagging his features. Finally, though, they set stern. The easiness which had been his trademark falling away as he seems to come to a realization. To say the glare which Duke Orbal gives Kirsch, Megamax, and Clytemnestra is murderous would be putting it mildly.

Still, he appears resigned to depart with Father Neomund.

Spoiler: OOC

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Unless there's anything specific anyone wants to interject, Orbal will be lead away and the evening will continue.

Spoiler: Megamax

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High up in a second story south wing window, of the Guest Library you believe, Megamax can just make out the aged, stooped silhouette of who she believes to be Spycrist. The way the shoulders are bouncing, he must be chuckling.

[Metastachydium]

Kirsch relaxes, releived that for once, the Father wasn't after them. He was almost certain this would be about the book.
As for Orbal, he was indeed in the Hall for all Kirsch knew, and while he wasn't watching the Duke for most of the time, Lady Lilet could probably confirm or refute Neomund's conjecture. The lizard had no intention whatsoever of offering the steward's victim aid of any sort, however. Let the fool unmake himself! There was a risk that he could hinder the magicians' efforts anyhow, and now he's giving Neomund a good reason to avert his gaze from them. That the Lady would let the elf have his way so easily is worrisome, of course, but they will have time to worry about that later. For now, Kirsch resolves not to break the silence, to see what happens next.

[Ripptor]

Megamax watches as the Duke is accused by the snow elf, pulled from the explosions in the sky. Orbal's outburst and anger are momentarily more interesting, down to the hateful look she receives when he's looking for help. While Orbal is certainly playing his own game, Meagan is still of the opinion that the man is fun and may not necessarily be on a side opposite her own goals... It would be a waste to lose a potential ally of such anility, especially one in which she's invested her time. Megamax turns to Feather Neomund and adds her own input before he's taken away. "Evening, Father. If the question is of this afternoon, I can attest the Duke and I were getting to know one other in the baths." Meagan throws the Duke a wink and wide smile before turning back to Neomund. Considering more, she tilts her neck and adds, "And I did find Orby at the front of the performance, beginning and end. I don't recall seeing him leave at any point before his sneaking off backstage after our dear Lady." Winking at the snow elf this time, "My own eyes are a touch more keen in the dark."

Spoiler: OoC

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IDK if it's common knowledge that tieflings have darkvision, but she's going to assume that at least Neomund understands!

Her word alone is unlikely to sway the Father, but hopefully Orbal (and Lady) remembers that she stuck her neck out

[Toliudar]

Clytemnestra

In a moment of unaccustomed spontaneity - perhaps being around Emalia again was having a deleterious effect - Clytemnestra lays a gentle hand on Duke Orbal's forearm.

"Perhaps this is all an unfortunate misunderstanding, as Miss Megamax's assertion would suggest. Sometimes, it takes a disinterested outside party to untangle the threads. With your permission, my lord, I will accompany you to observe. Since there is nothing to hide on anyone's part, there can be no need for secrecy."

Emalia allows her steward to make accusations of a guest in the middle of a party and supports him. Truly, Neomund is in control of this household.

She nods to Emalia.

"I look forward to our flight tomorrow."

She steps up next to Neomund.

"Lead on, Neomund. If I rely on you for steadiness, we shall be here all night, so perhaps it would be best if you go first."

[Metastachydium]

Kirsch suppresses a resigned sigh. I would recommend that you inquire with Lady Lilet von Bleak as well, if I may, Father. She would certainly be well acquainted with those occupants of the second row seats that were in the best position to monitor the Duke's movements. If the Lady herself cannot, they will most likely be able to verify the Duke's claims. he interjects with feigned didinterest. There is little point in potentially incurring the wrath of Emalia through being the only one who doesn't try to help. Keeping Neomund busy and Orbal out of the way would have been ideal, but the more leads the steward has to follow, the less time he'll have to keep an eye on them.

[Erelamar]

Kirsch, Megamax, and Clytemnestra (with Emalia, Eastern Garden)

At Megamax's accounting, suspicion still lingers on Duke Orbal's face. It returns stronger as Clytemnestra seemingly attempts to comfort him. Lady Emalia watches these interactions with a strange curiosity. Orbal is about to plead his case once again, but the tiefling magician finishes with what she witnessed after the show had ended. The Duke's mouth hangs open mid-thought.

"Hmm," Father Neomund intones. A flicker of smirk plays across his neutral expression. "Sneaking off backstage? A pattern of behavior is forming."

Duke Orbal looks between those nearby. He finally settles on Lady Emalia, who in an almost heartbreaking display of flippancy, merely shrugs.

Father Neomund raises a hand to stop the gray elf mage. "Quite impossible, Lady Clytemnestra. That is not how such inquiries are conducted at Allsatalos. But do not trouble yourselves. Should I believe your or any other party's testimonies have become relevant..." and here he looks to each of the magicians in turn, "I will know where to find you." The steward bows to Lady Emalia, "Your Ladyship." And he departs with the dejected Duke.

The pair walk briskly back across to the pergola into the First Hall. The guards there and elsewhere in the garden recede from immediate view. As they mount the steps, old Hargen Orq shuffling with his walking stick makes it to the Eastern Garden at last from the Grand Meeting Hall. Though he cannot be heard because of the distance and fireworks, he says something to Neomund and Orbal. Neither stop nor even acknowledge him save to look in his direction. Obviously perplexed, the old fabulist continues his plodding to the serving tables out upon the grass.

When Kirsch, Clytemnestra, and Megamax finally turn back to Lady Emalia, she is really inspecting the three of them. It is as if the aging bard is thinking of a great many things at once. She starts to speak but interrupts herself, "—oh, damn."

Out across the garden, the large frames of the Countess and Baron Vollenveen are standing around a large swan ice sculpture. They are talking to each other and not the other guests. Wide-eyed, Emalia chugs her wine and hurries off that way but not before snarking, "We'll talk in the afterparty. In the meantime, you three can get your story straight over whatever Spycrist did or didn't ask you to do..."

[Metastachydium]

Kirsch slowly folds his arms behind his back as he watches Emalia depart. I wonder if you would be so kind as to share the exact details of the same with my humble self as well. he begins in a hushed and somewhat cold tone at last. I have been trying to piece the sorry scraps of information available to me together for a while now, and yet, I did only became aware that the old man who designated where my suite was to be and who brazenly took the liberty to impersonate the kind Lady and invite us here in her stead was Spycrist – and I had to learn that much from Lady Emalia herself, no less. his scaly hide is slowly turning a greyish blue as he speaks. Now, at this point I would greatly appreciate it if you could, perchance, explain what the meaning of this is supposed to be.

Spoiler: OOC

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Someone's not exactly happy!

[Toliudar]

Clytemnestra

Once it becomes clear that Neomund is NOT listening, Clytemnestra latches more firmly onto Orbal's arm and DOES NOT LET GO.

"I'm so pleased that you're clear about how things are done in Allsatalos, Neomund, but I'm also pleased to provide a broader perspective about how such interrogations might happen in the rest of the world. For instance, they don't happen DURING a reception, but discreetly and with the express permission of the lord whose guest you have just accused of a crime. So I think that my company is the least that you can put up with."

She continues out, carried by Duke Orbal if need be.

[Erelamar]

Kirsch, Megamax, and Clytemnestra (with Emalia/Orbal/Neomund, Eastern Garden)

Duke Orbal, still angry, does appear baffled at Clytemnestra's show of support. "What game is this?" he asks, rather rhetorically.

Father Neomund steps closer. The sickness he brings is in full effect. "Allsatalos is not the rest of the world. It could never be. Anything which jeopardizes its stability will be dealt with swiftly. Furthermore—"

"Gods, Neomund, just take her. She's not going to give up," Lady Emalia decrees, finally.

The snow elf steward stands straight, stiff-backed, and nods. "As you wish." He turns and motions to the pergola. "This way, Duke Orbal. Lady Clytemnestra, you are more than welcome to accompany me and my guards to an isolated part of the castle..." Neomund wears a faint, smug smile.

Kirsch and Megamax (with Emalia, Eastern Garden)

Watching the three of them go, the remaining magicians and their host look on. "Maybe, she didn't think that through," speculates Lady Emalia, somewhat wryly. The aging bard waves it off with a chuckle, "Eh. They'll both be fine— Oh, damn." What has caught the Lady's attention is that out across the garden the large frames of the Countess and Baron Vollenveen are standing around a large swan ice sculpture. They are talking to each other and not the other guests. Wide-eyed, Emalia chugs her wine and hurries off that way but not before snarking, "We'll talk in the afterparty. In the meantime, maybe you two can decide which choice bits of Spycrist's desires you are going to follow through on..."

Clytemnestra (with Neomund/Orbal, First Hall)

The guards at the pergola turn on their heel and proceed ahead of Father Neomund. As Clytemnestra and Duke Orbal are mounting the steps back into the First Hall, the old bent figure of Hargen Orq shuffles into view, leaning heavily on his walking stick. "Greetings, all! What a show! Father Neomund..."

Not missing a step, the steward gives the curtest acknowledgment, "Young Master Hargen."

"Duke Orbal..." Which receives cold silence. "And Lady Clytemnestra, good to see you again. I'm am looking forward to our little tour of... Allsatalos... tomorrow?" He keeps speaking but trails off as he sees Neomund and Orbal aren't stopping. However, both look toward the old fabulist, regarding him with narrow eyes at his mention of a "tour."

Spoiler: OOC

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That didn't alter much for Megamax and Kirsch. Emalia's language is a little different in her parting words. She's a bit more specific, sorta.

Father Neomund is not going to give Clytemnestra time for more than a brief few words in passing with Hargen, as neither he, the guards, or Orbal plan to stop. It does give me enough time to do some map editing, though.

[Toliudar]

Clytemnestra

Clytemnestra labours up the stairs stoically, not at all masking the pain and effort that Neomund's fast pace causes. She nods a greeting to Hargen.

"I am excited to learn more, Master Hargen."

And then they're on and upward.

[Erelamar]

Clytemnestra (with Neomund/Orbal, walking the halls)

Six guards escort Father Neomund, Duke Orbal, and Clytemnestra from the First Hall into the Grand Foyer then on to the corridor to the Portrait Gallery. It appears the Duke and magician are being led around the Eastern Garden. Perhaps, the steward's barb about the locale's remoteness was perhaps in jest.

In the Portrait Gallery, Clytemnestra—not being hurried by Spycrist like when she last passed this way—has the time to take in the elven faces in the pictures. While yes, upon close inspection one can see they are all gray elves, the painters have taken great pains to artfully disguise those facts. And some of these portraits may be centuries old.

The guards continue on through the eastern door into a smaller room almost entirely empty, save for a gilded easel and folded-up curtains. A leather bench runs along the walls. It is some kind of display or presentation room for new works, one could imagine.

The next eastern door opens into a much larger Art Gallery. Here, great landscapes from the glory days of the Fraal March of old cover every foot of wall space straight up to the vaulted ceiling. Magnificent sculptures of heraldric beasts sprout up across the chamber, and pedestals hold bronze castings of historic elves. The guards and Neomund give it all little notice and proceed to the open door in the alcove to the east of the room where four more elven guards are waiting.

Just there, Clytemnestra does notice a corridor going north. It is strangely cold and silent. But in its shadowy depths, she notices another etched metal door like the one fused in the second-floor hallway. Though, this one is unmarred. The glimpse is too fleeting to take in if it bears the same pattern as the previous.

Father Neomund turns to Duke Orbal at the door. "If you would please surrender your weapon, your Grace." The same angry redness to his face which for the duration of the walk Orbal has been choking down begins to creep back up. His lips part around gritting teeth but in the end, he only grumbles and removes his arming belt handing over the bejeweled rapier.

"And the dagger at the small of your back," one of the guards behind the Duke speaks up.

Shooting him a deadly glare, Duke Orbal reaches back under his fur-lined half-cape and pulls out a slender blade still in its sheath. Handing it over, he's escorted inside. Father Neomund looks to the magician, like he is going to say something, but turns to go in as well, "This way, Lady Clytemnestra."

Only two of the guards follow them in and take up positions on either side of the now-closed entrance. The other eight linger in the gallery. Inside is a massive hexagonal chamber filled with patches of furniture on large Sandrinel rugs: sitting area, conference table, and at the far end, standing in front of three large windows is an ashwood desk. Rows of polished wooden cabinets line the longest wall. It is a fair bet, this is Father Neomund's office.

The chief steward directs the Duke to have a seat at the conference table while he himself goes to one of the cabinets. There is a glint and jingle of many hanging keys from inside, but the snow elf retrieves only a simple white candle. He places it in a candlestick saying, "Now, I would ask the Duke not to resist any compulsion he may feel... The Lady is free to come closer or stay at a distance, as she likes."

He doesn't wait longer than a second before igniting a tindertwig and lighting the candle. It shines a hollow, magical light that falls across the steward and the Duke.

Spoiler: Clytemnestra

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To sit at the table with Neomund and Orbal, Clytemnestra would need to make a Will save versus an Enchantment effect unless she chooses to willingly fail. Of course, she can just as easily stand further away in the cavernous office and hear and speak normally with the pair without trouble. It's up to how she wants to appear to Neomund.

Something caught Clytemnestra's eye as they were moving through the Art Gallery (Hall of Art, Room #11): there's a painting there that is a detail-for-detail match to "The Lady of the Wood" described in Hargen's book. Its subject matter was in the "Reading in Hargen's book (Part 1)" PM, you and Metastachydium got.

The map of Allsatalos in the OOC will be updated after I post this.

[Toliudar]

Clytemnestra

The elven mage is winded by the walk, shorter than advertised though it was, and moves as slowly through the halls as she dares without incurring Neomund's capricious wrath. The artwork is clearly both of interest to her and a cause of much contemplation.

When Orbal is asked to divest himself of his weapons and Neomund stops himself from saying something to her, Clytemnestra calmly holds out her staff in both hands to him as well.

"I have full faith in your ability to carry on this investigation without resorting to violence, Neomund. Please feel free to hold onto my crutch if you wish."

As they arrive at the place of the candle, and Father Neomund's question twigs Clytemnestra to its true power and purpose, the realization causes her eyebrow to twitch upward. She does not leave Orbal's side, and stands in the circle of the candle's effect. While Neomund lights the candle, though, she pipes up with an immediate question.

"You are using up an item of power, an item almost certainly of greater value than that of the wine lost tonight. What is the real purpose of this interview, Neomund?"

Spoiler: OOC

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Will save vs the candle's enchantment effect: (1d20+11)[29]

[Metastachydium]

Kirsch slowly folds his arms behind his back as he watches Emalia depart. I wonder if you would be so kind as to share the exact details of the same with my humble self as well. he begins in a hushed and somewhat cold tone at last. I have been trying to piece the sorry scraps of information available to me together for a while now, and yet, I did only became aware that the old man who designated where my suite was to be and who brazenly took the liberty to impersonate the kind Lady and invite us here in her stead was Spycrist – and I had to learn that much from Lady Emalia herself, no less. his scaly hide is slowly turning a greyish blue as he speaks. Now, at this point I would greatly appreciate it if you could, perchance, explain what the meaning of this is supposed to be.

Spoiler: OOC

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Someone's not exactly happy!

Kirsch begins to lose his temper and it shows. An orange spot begins to form on his throat as he looks up at Megamax to demand an answer. Meagan! Are you ignoring me at this point?

Spoiler: OOC

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I'll IC assume Megamax was too busy watching the fireworks to notice that she's being talked to, so the lizard will give her a nudge.

[Erelamar]

Clytemnestra (with Neomund/Orbal, in Neomund's Office)

At Clytemnestra's offer of her staff, Father Neomund silently declines. They proceed inside. The pair of guards taking up positions at the door, the steward, Duke, and magician seat themselves around the conference table.

Clytemnestra immediately identifies the item's nature as a Candle of Truth. A minor gamble though it may have been, she is unfazed by its effects—her wizardly training and elven blood making it rather trivial. Even as she does so, Orbal shifts in his seat.

"Actually, it was four cases of the dinner red which were destroyed—"

"Gods," Duke Orbal mindlessly interjects.

"Indeed," responds Neomund. "When factoring the appreciation for their age, then, in fact, the value between them and the candles are comparable." The steward's deep black eyes do not catch any of the candle's light as he looks through it across the table to Clytemnestra. "And the purpose of this examination has been made perfectly clear: to see if Duke Orbal poses any danger to the security and stability of this castle."

Since his last outburst, Duke Orbal has been gazing intently into the ghostly flame dancing about the magic candle's wick. It's like he's having a staring contest with it. When he notices the magician's and father's back-and-forth finished, he looks up. His confidence returned. "You may proceed, steward."

"Let's us begin with a few preliminary queries." The snow elf produces a small ledger and ink pen, keeping the book tilted to conceal the pages' contents. He scratches a few shorthand notes and begins checking off things as he first asks, "How long was your trip from Bruckwald to Allsatalos."

To which Orbal swiftly responds, "Three days."

Neomund's questions increase in speed until they and the Duke's answers start to merge together. "What was your mode of transportation?" "My horse, Brosellenté." "You made excellent time, then. What road did you take?" "The High Road, as you would know." "Encounter any dangers?" "Only the weather." "Where is your son?" "Hunting, with friends." "Does your son enjoy hunting?" "Very much." "Do you enjoy hunting?" "Not particularly." "Do you miss your wife?" "Not particularly..."

Duke Orbal leaves his mouth hanging open for a few seconds before shutting it and glaring at the candle flame. That glare tracks over to Father Neomund. It's deathly. He begins to speak but stops himself. The hollow light of the candle flickers on his face. "Proceed, steward."

Unsurprised and unperturbed, Neomund says, "So, with that out of the way we can begin with the matter of the wine. Unless, there are any more objections from you, Lady Clytemnestra?" The Father's usually neutral face betrays a certain amount of "I told you so" as he awaits the magician's answer.

[Toliudar]

Clytemnestra smiles faintly. So the buzzard is indeed circling Emalia for his own ends, and not just political ones, either.

She smiles sweetly at Neomund.

"Oh! You mean, aside from all of the objections you've run roughshod over, Neomund? No, no new ones in the last minute. I'll just be over here, enjoying how much you rely on magic to accomplish...whatever it is you're trying to accomplish here."

[Ripptor]

Having watched the slow woman latch onto the snow elf and be dragged away, Meagan was somewhat intrigued. The two of them are beginning to form a pattern of showing up and leaving together. At Emalia's urging that they get their story straight, Meagan looks back upwards towards something above, though not exactly what Kirsch assumes... Megamax returns her focus to the colorful reptilian, her now only remaining companion. "It would seem we have some time of our own! Come watch with me..." Walking over to him and taking his shoulder before looking up with him at the "fireworks", she speaks more softly into his ear. "The man laughing up there is Spycrist, the lady's personal retainer, and of the opinion that Lady is in need of assistance. And the one that falsely sent for us under her name." Pointing up at the latest firework as if focused, she explains, "Emalia is despondent and recklessly spending away her fortune, and our coin-strapped Orbal cozying up to Lady for his own ends. Neomund seems content to merely watch, but for his penchant to scare off any magicians that attempt to visit or reside, as the prior castle magician." Turning back to Kirsch with a large smile not befitting their true conversation, she locks eyes with him before touching his mind directly for an even more private discussion. Truthfully, I wish our Lady well, but I too hope to avail myself of Allsatalos and the Tracery. I need to find something to secure my freedom from my family, surely hunting me at this very moment... Unless she has summoned enough true demons to capture me in her stead.

Spoiler: OoC

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[Metastachydium]

Very well. Kirsch replies nodding, with only a hint of annoyance in his voice, his indignation all gone. In retrospect, I must applaud your decision to stand up for the Duke, then. Staying on the good side of the man – unpleasant as he may be – who might soon be the new lord of the castle is certainly a useful thing to do, especially if the current lady approves of it as well. I take it you are not among the principal causes of Orbal's current predicament, are you? he addswith a faint smile as his scales regain their usual green coloration. Not waiting for an answer, he unfolds his arms again to briefly glance at his rings, continuing to speak in the meantime, changing the subject smoothly – there might be a time for discussing Megamax's troubled past, but not right now. And, perhaps, neither is Ms. Dekatos. I wonder what do you make of her insistence to accompany the accuser and the accused, by the way. You know her better than I do.