Entering Amzit

Misty. That was the best way to describe the entrance to the town of Amzit if you could ever say there was an entrance. At first what was a scattering of small pueblo houses carved into the rocky exterior of the Mountainsides gave way to medium-size thatched roofs and wooden huts lined along trees as jungle replaced mountainsides and the dusty ground became mushy sod. What was striking most of all was the largest tree structure towards the center of town. No, not a diplomatic sort of building or anyway encasing a leader or bureaucrats. This was a 'self-sufficient' town as the locals called it. They didn't need anyone to rule, and certainly they would not let the main city of Enerst's 'official' mayor boss them around. Instead, as the glowing sign above the treetop canopy would gladly let you know, this was "Hotel Lanmit - the most relaxing place south of the mountains." 

The hotel, except for the main lobby which was carved into the tree itself, was a series of multiple wooden buildings circled the bark of the trees, all threaded together with vine bridges and even a few slides like it came out of a kid's ultimate treehouse dream. Some soursop still hung onto the branches of the trees if they weren't picked already. To the west of the hotel was a cascading waterfall, spewing that mist all across the hotel and the countryside, giving citizens some much needed cool on a summer day like this. Lining the waterfall was a sprinkle of a few lawn chairs and beach towels; there some taxabi, elves, and humans were out sunbathing, but the water itself was vacant. Right beside that lazy summer day vibe, today, as things looked, the hotel was bustling with activity.

The manager of the hotel was screaming at the other bellhops to go get the supplies. The main event in the ballroom downstairs wasn't nearly as ready as they had hoped. Along the way a half-elf bellboy had dropped all the plates and silverware he was holding that they all came crashing down on the ice sculpture that was supposed to be the centerpiece. Luckily it was only knocked off its pedestal, but it was currently dripping off into the floorboard and was threatening to melt away entirely if someone didn't pick it up already! Some guests who had managed to avoid the whole kitchen calamity were angrily awaiting for their masquerade masks from the ticked-off tabaxi party planner who said they were coming in a minute if they weren't so dusty from being in storage for a whole year because someone (cough cough) forgot to clean them. Others were just trying to check in, but the one lone receptionist was having their hands full with an especially irate guest who wanted a refund. No one seemed to notice that the main host of the event was sneaking off elsewhere instead of being backstage.

But you wouldn't know that would you? Because you all came here a day earlier. Or at least so you thought. Each of you has woken up in the room (each a small hut on separate trees connected by vine bridges). You all might have gotten an invitation from the hotel a week ago. Some of you might have found the tattered paper on your doorstep. Others may have gotten it through a bird messenger of some sorts (where it went after that was a mystery even for the fastest of runners, as though in a blink it was gone).

Right now, however, you all have a room to yourselves. Just a regular tree-house type room with a bed, some paintings on the wall, and chest. The only thing out of place is the mask hanging like a taxidermied head on the mantle of the fireplace with the words 'For You' written on a piece of paper under it, like a plaque.

Please roll a perception check to see the rest of your room/the mask or you may go and explore the hotel and talk to the others! This is not round based so you are free to take as many actions as you want and interact!

[[ OOC: Doing rolls on my sheet so they show up in the campaign log, then just posting them here if that’s alright. ]]

Macario wakes in the wee hours of the morning from a deep, dreamless sleep. The sleep of the dead, the priests used to call it. He slowly sits up, blinking the sleep out of dark brown eyes and trying to run a hand through his black hair which is just a bit too short for such a gesture. With only the barest amount of natural light filtering in this early, he holds up a hand and produces a small, ghostly green flame in his palm to better see the room around him (produce flame). 

Perception: 2 + 5 + 2 (guidance) = 9

I rolled a 7 for perception. Therdiane is still feeling very groggy, so he will just grab a handful of coffee beans from a bag he always keeps on his person, and cast Brevis, a homebrew cantrip that turns the beans into a full mug of coffee. He will also snap his fingers and cast another homebrew cantrip called Summon Chair, which will summon a three legged chair that can't move unless he wills it to, and will not be solid for anyone but him. He does this all as he walks outside, and is now sitting on his tiny little porch, listening to the birds, sipping his coffee, tuning his many many instruments, and patching some small holes in a few of his costumes. (this has been his morning routine for over 190 years now, so he can pretty much do it without even thinking.

Also, if it's possible that he can at least vaguely see Macario's light, then he notes that there is another early riser in the area, siince you never know if that is useful information.

@Macario 

It is still very early in the morning and you are among one of the early risers of the hotel, except for the staff. The room around you is wooden but you can tell from the way your flame slightly touches the walls and fizzles out, that it is enchanted not to be burnt. The fireplace is currently unlit though you do spy a a set of matches above the mantle. And as previously mentioned there is the mask. It is a black half-faced mask above the nose with sunken eye-holes. There are oyster mushroom shapes popping from the right side of the mask with a painted waterfall cascading down from the top to bottom. You do not know who gave this to you. However, you do spot a slip of paper coming out of the eye-holes. If you do pick it up and read it, you would see in rushed handwriting it says "Speak your truth."

You can also see Theradiane from your window to the right who is sipping coffee from his balcony. He is about 40 feet away by vine bridge.  

@Therdiane

You do see Macario's light from your side of the balcony. Since you are outside and also it was quite dark, you didn't see the mask. There are a couple of toucans by your side, eyeing you for food. Also from the main vine bridge that encircles the main tree and connects to all the other bridges, you see a tabaxi bellhop carrying a cart. "Oh you're up early. And I see you got coffee for yourself." She says and waves from afar, "Complimentary breakfast doesn't open until in an hour, but feel free to go down to the lobby! Well, maybe not. It's kinda been hectic down there ya know with the event and stuff." She squints then widens her eyes, "Oh I'm sorry! I didn't realize you were in this suite. I- I can go bring up your breakfast to your room. It's on the house."

With so little happening this early, Macario decides to take at least a few more minutes to himself before getting ready for the day and leaving the room to greet anyone. He had learned quickly growing up that drawing attention to oneself before necessary could be quite the mistake, and the last thing he wanted now was for everyone to be asking after the young human wandering the tree before the sun had fully risen when he’d not yet had a chance to figure out why he was here. 

He’d also learned as a child that gifts could be dangerous, especially those that were unfamiliar. Lazily tossing the green ball of flame into the fireplace where it blossoms into a much more natural yellow fire, he draws his focus to the mask. He considers himself much more comfortable with healing and combat magic, but he had picked up a few other tricks while training at the temple. Still sitting on the bed, he begins to focus his magical energy on the veil between this world and the next, lifting it from his own eyes for the briefest of moments to catch a glimpse of things as they really are (ritual detect magic to sense any magical tampering with the mask on the mantle). 

Argos accidentally rolls off while asleep. He wakes up from the impact and immediately looks around quickly.

Perception roll thing

15

@Macario

You don't find any magic on the mask itself, but you can tell that the mushrooms on it are very much alive and well. They seemed to be made from marvelous pigments and are now growing on the mask itself somehow. You do see that the room has a slight aura of silver, most likely due to the enchantment against fire. Something flutters by your window on the (away from where Therdiane was sitting), leaving behind a rainbow-ish streak. You do not catch what it was.

Someone knocks at your door. "Hello? Room service."

@Argos

You land on the hard bamboo floor. Luckily for you, your pillow falls on top of your head right after. Your room is also wooden with a few painting scattered about. The one hanging above your head is of a cat chasing a rodent in a sort of yin-yang type of way. There is another of the classic waterfall that is next door to the hotel. Another depicts an abstract view of the mountains and of the town of Amzit. One you- you can't even tell what it is. It's like too abstract. Splotches of white on a black canvas.

The mask above the fireplace is silver with firey red stripes painted almost like whiskers. It too had pointed 'ears' coming from the top of the mask. If you look at it from one side to another you notice it kind of shimmers rainbows in the light in a holographic sort of way. From one of the eye-holes there is a rolled up a small piece of paper that says, 'Welcome those in open arms.'

On top of the chest is a neatly positioned card addressed to you. Written in Common in script handwriting, it reads:

Argos. From here and there to nowhere. You found yourself on the edge of everything. I trust in you to make things right. For now, just enjoy. I heard the hotel's nice this time of year.

Signed,

Tanya 

PS. This chest is a mimic.

 

I noticed I wasn't on there? XD

EDIT: Nevermind.

"That would be much appreciated, thanks." Says Therdiane with a smile and a nod of his head. He also discreetly kinda keeps an eye on what Macario is up to.
Does Therdiane know what she's talking about? I'm not sure I understand what she's talking about when she says 'suite'. Aren't all the rooms just little huts pretty much?

Also, I forgot to mention, those who see my chair see it as kinda only half there. They can't seem to always see it. I PMd the creator of the spell, he said the chair is actually only have in on this plane of existence, and only the caster can see it solidly. (He also said I already know this.)

Quote from Kirby121 >>

Does Therdiane know what she's talking about? I'm not sure I understand what she's talking about when she says 'suite'. Aren't all the rooms just little huts pretty much?

 ((The rooms are huts, but it is considered a 'suite' since it is a hotel after all. Also Therdiane most likely doesn't know what she's talking about. You were sort of just escorted up to the room yesterday and how you traveled to the hotel is up to you. You didn't get any prior information about the reasoning why, just that you were invited via that letter.))

Quote from Kirby121 >>

Also, I forgot to mention, those who see my chair see it as kinda only half there. They can't seem to always see it. I PMd the creator of the spell, he said the chair is actually only have in on this plane of existence, and only the caster can see it solidly. (He also said I already know this.)

 ((That's kind of cool. Invisible chair. That would make for a very interesting round of musical chairs ahah! Oh weird, I guess the creator of the spell told you already? either way it never hurts to ask so that's good you did.))

Quote from Kirby121 >>

"That would be much appreciated, thanks." Says Therdiane with a smile and a nod of his head. He also discreetly kinda keeps an eye on what Macario is up to.

@Therdiane

"Yes! Of course! I'll bring you the luxury meal. I'll let Inra know you are up. She wasn't expecting you to be up this early." She quickly goes off with her cart, before stopping again. "No allergies, right?" Then she scampers off into the main doorway of the tree. There is a pulley-based elevator system that goes up and down the hotel and she goes into that.

The knock brings Macario out of his shallow trance, satisfied that nothing is amiss with the mask. “One second!” he calls, rushing to throw on a light pair of gray pants and a simple green tunic, which he leaves untied in the front for now. Crossing the room in a few strides, he reaches for the handle and opens the door with a simple “Good morning.”

Therdiane will take out something that kinda looks like a top hat and drop it on the ground, facedown, just inc case. He'll then start take out his flute and start playing an intricate tune, that sounds very jumpy, and when heard, you get the feeling that something awesome is about to happen, or great adventure awaits, or something like that.

26 from performance check.

If the food person comes back, I'll just give a small nod, as if to say 'one sec', and end my song with a very exciting little piece.

@Macario

"No worries!" The voice cries out while you get ready. This door is one facing away from Therdiane's room, so you wouldn't see him from this side.

"Good morning!" Once you come to the door, a small, very nervous looking human with a bellhop outfit is staring out in front of you. A cart filled with toiletries is parked next to him. "I'm here to check on if you need anything. Towels? Bedsheets? Soap? We also have your complimentary gift basket. I can set it up inside if you'd like." His eyes keep glancing in the inside of your room. "Oh nos, looks like we forgot to fix up your room for you. I can get that for you. Here, let me clean it up." He reaches for the cart to get some cleaning supplies before sudden loud cries of birds go screeching off from Therdiane's direction, which startles him.

"Ach!" He yelps, hitting his head on the top of the cart, sending some soaps and things flying of the cart. From your point of view, you can see a small dagger nestled within his belt pocket along with a blowgun. "Sorry. Sorry. Let me get that. Hold on." He says as he scramble to pick things up.

@Therdiane

Your music performance was quite impressive! However, no one was around to really hear it. Except for a number of birds, who screeched off from your direction after the big finish. One guest from downstairs tells you to "Knock it off! I'm trying to sleep!" The tabaxi bellhop doesn't come back.

Insight: 16 (to see if the bellhop means harm with his weapons or is simply lightly armed as part of his uniform or job)

"Oh, truly no worries about the room, I'm more than happy with my accommodations," Macario says, casually moving so the door is open just enough for his body to block any view into the room. It strikes him as a bit odd that a bellhop would be so interested in the personal affects and business of a guest, and he's keenly aware of the mask on the mantle behind him, which he'd rather keep a surprise to all except the one who placed it there with the note. "If you wouldn't mind, I'd gladly accept a bar of soap and a towel, but no gift basket will be necessary. I'd planned to be off for breakfast soon anyway," (persuasion 11, if necessary to get the bellhop to leave without intruding any more). 

If the bellhop is insistent on entering to clean or set up the basket, Macario will allow the door to close completely and will make sure to be near his scimitar without putting his back to the bellhop. 

@Macario

The bellhop looks a bit agitated when you say that, his mouth twitching a bit to hold back a sneer. You can see his hand go near to where his dagger is but he holds back. "Are you sure? It's really no problem." He taps his feet a little in anxiousness, then glares a bit as you close the door. "Fine. Yes, I can give you the soap and towel."

He sighs, then goes over to his cart and fishes them out. "Here." He says flatly and rolls his eyes while placing them in your hand. "Really. It's no problem. I- I can fix up the room for you." He tries to push past you but then steps back when he sees your scimitar and grimaces. "Look, uh, maybe I'll come back later. Yeah." He starts to head out only get the wheel of the cart stuck in the vine bridge and mutters a curse word under his breath. Then attempts to continue out.

[[ OOC: Just to be clear, from my insight, did it seem like he did intend to use the dagger to harm me if he were allowed in? Or am I not sure? ]]

Quote from corvaxl1 >>

[[ OOC: Just to be clear, from my insight, did it seem like he did intend to use the dagger to harm me if he were allowed in? Or am I not sure? ]]

((Oops sorry! Yeah he doesn't want to harm you, but would likely threaten you with it once inside if he didn't get his way. He doesn't seem the type to want to actually use it. Having weapons is definitely not part of the job at the hotel.))

Macario takes advantage of the bellhop's momentary distraction to touch the leather cord around his neck and call upon the shadows to shield him from harm (mage armor and symbiotic entity), feeling a brief surge of power and twinge of pain in his left shoulder. "I'd rather not be surprised later," he thinks to himself, before calling out to the bellhop, who appears to be seriously struggling with his cart. "On second thought, maybe a gift basket isn't such a bad idea. After all, you never know who might be around to enjoy it after tonight," he adds, with a mischievous smile (deception 4 + 4 from guidance for 8 total, to get him into the room so I can find out what he wants).