(Excellent! The plan goes off without a hitch, all paintings 'modified' in some way, and your tracks cleared. Ashe - you should still roll to see if you beat Lars. We'll just do the one set =)

Caelyn waits for her partners to make it safely back to their storage space before summoning Pepper and Ashe finish up their game and leave the warehouse. Once the group is clear and out of sight, you activate the raven to send word back that you completed the job. It's getting close to midnight - time for some well-deserved sleep at the small Inn where you have rooms reserved. 

In the morning, there is a raven pecking at the window to the girls' room! Tied around it's leg is a message from Morilla:

I have learned that Lord Minovitas is preparing to give a speech just before unveiling the paintings to a crowd of the influential elite.  I encourage you to be in that crowd with me –but not too close, lest others draw their own connections. No doubt Minovitas’s poor taste in art will draw some jeers, but to ensure maximum effect, we must prime the crowd so that they are not sympathetic toward the lord’s embarrassment. As you chat with the other guests, be sure to share a few facts about his lordship’s distasteful habits. I leave it to you whether these  are true or fanciful fabrications.
We shall meet at the same teahouse afterward.

You have little time to enjoy the grand opening of the Opparan Trade Commission, a reception that involves lavish finger food, expensive drinks, and exposure to many leading citizens of the region. On a stage at one end of the great hall is a speaker's podium and the covered art on large easels.

(Each of you has an opportunity to interact with one or more of these important people. Feel free to write up your attempt to portray Lord Minovitas as unsympathetic or otherwise undermine his reputation. Then make a DC 15 Deception, Insight, Performance, or Persuasion check to sway that person’s opinion against the host.)

Pepper lets Caelyn dress her fancy, and Ashe dab her face to make her look less like herself, she puts a wrap over her hair to disguise its uniqueness, and wears just one ornamental-looking (but serviceable rapier), with a fancy (but serviceable) dagger, and two more (one of which is the Masterwork dagger) secreted about herself. She draws the line at wearing skirts, much too hard to fight in.

At the event, she enters unaccompanied, eyes roving, looking for Lars or the crew (that would be some bad luck, luck she would like to avoid, Perception: 13).

She will try to identify a group of influential looking merchants, ones who maybe have already partaken of the libations too readily, are maybe talking a little too loudly. (Insight: 21) She will grab a drink and negotiate her way over to them. She will laugh at someone's joke, and insert herself into the conversation.

... (pending outcome of the Insight roll... oof)...

Pepper picks an entirely wrong group, and her intimations about Lord Minovitas being hornier than his namesake, but as able as a small boy fall not just flat, but disastrously, and she downs her drink and tries to move away to some dark corner to feel sorry for herse... I mean, for the over-bred idiots who go for this kind of event anyway.

 Cyril dresses himself up as best he can, almost begrudgingly asking Ashe for help at one point as his own memories of fancy dress parties and the like are dim at best. Once arrived, he splits off on his own to mingle and infiltrate the group of revelers. He does his best to keep a low profile for the first little bit, trying not to stand out until he has a better lay of the land. (Stealth roll in spoiler.)

Eventually he makes his way to a table set up with drinks and small servings of food, slipping in amongst a group of people congregating nearby. He waits until he hears his chance, as Lord Minovitas' name is brought up. 

"Minovitas?" Cyril attempts to adopt his best disapproving tone. "Didn't you hear? Terrible drunkard, absolutely terrible. Can't function with a snifter in the morning and a succession of wine throughout the day. I don't want to make judgements on any man's habits, but such a weakness in a man in a position of authority... well, it seems dangerous to me." 

He remains for a few more minutes, dropping similar comments and doing his best to politely disparage the Lord's character without being too directly insulting in the bargain. 

Kira's short hair is brushed back, and she's even put some makeup on--though there was probably at least a little protesting or grumbling about it. She's wearing the most practical dress she could find that's still presentable for this event. At said event, she grabs a bit of finger food and slips into the first group discussing Minovitas she can find, dragging over a stool so they notice she exists.

"Minovitas is an absolute creep, I've heard," she remarks. "Not from personal experience, but judging by what I've heard some women say about him...ugh." Kira shudders.

(2 seemingly successful interactions, and 1 that went over like a fart during the priest's long-winded but earnest sermon... in the middle of a crowded chapel...in the equivalent of Easter service 8-O.  3 checks to go!)

Caelyn is excited to be dressing up Pepper as she gets so few chances to do so. She tries to make the most of it but sadly is not able to convince Pepper to wear a dress with skirt. However she still manages to put her into something formal. There you look ravishing she says with a smile. 

When she is done she will watch Pepper for a few ackward moments trying to commit this image into her memory as she is unsure if this will ever occur again. 

Caelyn dresses herself up in a evening gown going down to her feet. Using the same straps to conceil her daggers on her thighs. She also wears a belt for decoration and to cover up the fact that the skirt part of her gown can be torn off in case of a battle. Trying to be prepared for easier movement. 

Once she is at the party she will try to make the most of it but making sure she mostly eats and drinks as a way to get in touch with some of the people in the room. After starting with some small talk about the food and minor gossip about what the other guests are wearing she adds Do you think Lord Minovitas will be able to redeem himself? Im sure you have heard he has fallen out of favor with some powerfull people. She doesnt add anything more right away letting the elite crowd themselves fill in some info in their minds. Trying to play on their potential ego's and getting them to claim they have also heard instead of seeming oblivious. She leans in a bit more to carefully say her words I know ive put my business with the lord on halt. I dont want to be in bad grace with those folk. 

Caelyn will leave it at that again leaving it to the people she speaks with to connect dots in their minds as they think about her words. Hoping that the unveiling of the paintings will confirm and increase these planted thoughts and make them want to not be associated with Lord Minovitas. 

As she leans back Oh dear look at me, speaking all business like at a party. Let us enjoy the evening. Caelyn makes her gracefull exit towards a new drink and new people to speak to. 

3 and 3

1

5

"Humph, it seems my luck has run out! Well, until next time, gentlefolks. Fare thee well!" Ashe says, giving an extravagant, hammy bow to match his equally-foppish Aundairian courtier disguise before leaving with the rest of his group.

 Given that he was in a magical disguise during the warehouse heist, Ashe is not too worried about being recognized by anyone from the night before at the soiree. Still, he does use disguise self to make himself look like a thin, human man with a sensible middle-part hair cut, pencil mustache, and a fashionable glamerweave suit featuring daffodils dancing in the morning breeze as bees busy themselves gathering pollen. "How do you do, Saal Serontain... Surely you've read some of my stories in the Voice of Aundair? 'The Thaliost Thrasher,' perhaps, or 'The Shades of Shadukar,' maybe? Yes, I thought so, you all do have the look of most well-read individuals! Nice little gathering, this, isn't it? Though frankly, I wasn't sure if I was even going to show, because of the whole, you know, Minovitas scandal... You don't? Well, I guess the story hasn't quite gone public yet, but word among our writing staff is that someone's got evidence of Lord Minovitas accepting bribes from agents of the Argentum, which you know, of course, is the intelligence sevice of our Flame-worshipping rivals to the east in Thrane, Sovereigns and Six curse those bloody zealots. Apparently, for the last six months, Minovitas has been slowly leaking confidential information from intelligence briefings given to the Grand Prince to his Argentum patrons! Of course, if anyone asks, you didn't hear it from me. We'll keep this between the seven of us, won't we, lords and ladies? By the way, Miss Ilmanaff, I must say it is a pleasure to finally meet you in person. Your work is... simply divine, absolutely radiant. I cannot wait to see what you have prepared for us tonight! Oh, if you'll excuse me, it seems those croissant sandwiches are simply begging me to partake!"

Following this decent yarn he spun, Ashe (or, should I say, Saal), immediately grabs a croissant sandwich, eats it, then makes his way to the bathroom, where he promptly casts disguise self again and changes into a completely different party guest. This time he is a human male that looks like Ashe were he several years older, lost some of his hair, and grew a beard, dressed in a simple gray suit, so that his compatriots will be able to recognize him. He then seeks out Pernach and gives him a nudge. "Alright, big guy, you're up. I'm excited to see what you're gonna say. I'll smile, nod, and agree while you talk, alright?" Ashe says, hoping to inspire some confidence in his warforged comrade. (Giving Pernach bardic inspiration for this check!)

(going to press on...)

Lord Minovitas takes to the stage as three trumpeters play a fanfare to call attention to him. He then delivers a prepared speech that precedes his unveiling of the paintings. “Welcome esteemed colleagues and honored guests. On this historic day, the glorious Orien Trade Commission is open for business! But it is not just commerce that we commemorate today; we also recognize the valor of several of the greatest heroes of our time who have fought in our recent crusade and pushed back the Mournland threat so that others might live in peace. Yet this was not accomplished alone, and in an alliance of nations we found our strength. With the establishment of this facility here in Fairhaven, the Commission hopes to continue this alliance and further promote fair and equitable trade to the benefit of all. With great honor, I dedicate this office to its founding members, whose esteemed accomplishments shall be forever commemorated by the work of the world-renowned painter Amya Illanaf!"

The crowd, turned against Minovitas by the Bastards' efforts, heckles the man during his speech (causing him to stutter and lose his place several times.) When he finishes his speech, Lord Minovitas gestures dramatically as if expecting someone to unveil the paintings for him. When that fails, he strides over to the first painting and theatrically whips off its cover while smiling to the audience. He repeats the action with several other paintings before realizing that the art has been altered. The crowd jeers maliciously as the paintings are revealed. Furious, he unveils the other paintings. Between the failed speech and these shameful portraits, Minovitas panics and ineffectively tries to calm the crowd before retreating from the stage.

Later, at the tea house where you first met Gloriana, she praises your ingenuity and skill, then shares her vision. “I’m appalled and disappointed that the same nobles who once opposed us now seek to steal our glory by claiming that creating the army was their idea. While I thank you for today’s efforts to rebuke them, I fear they’ll simply continue to perpetrate this fraud. Worse, should they succeed, it will only reinforce the ‘do nothing’ nobility and be another nail in Aundair's coffin. And if it’s a coffin they’re building, I refuse to be buried with them. Our Queen has her people’s needs in mind and a greater vision of how to accomplish our goals. Rather than recreate the Khorvairen empires of old, we shall promote an enlightened aristocracy that promotes the virtues of strong, wise governance. Never forget this - you are all a vital part in this endeavor.”

You have a free evening here in Fairhaven, although Morilla suggests you stay out of the main areas and lay low. Your Lightning Rail trip back to Whitebarrow is scheduled for early tomorrow... (Congrats on completing your first real mission! You can write up any final thoughts, or describe your trip home. Then advance to 3rd level. There will be something waiting for you when you return, so don't write up anything past the train ride back ;-)

As the event winds up spectacularly, Pepper feels a twinge for the artist, whose work was defaced, but it doesn’t last long. She slips out with the crowd, doing her best to not draw attention.

For fun, she slips into the shadows and then tries to trail Caelyn back to the tea house without getting caught. (Stealth for staying undetected: 24 and Perception for keeping track of Caelyn (especially if she gets it in her mind to try to hide): 14

As Gloriana details her vision (or is it the vision of the Queen?), Pepper rolls her eyes, but keeps her tongue. When the lecture is done, she will immediately head out looking for a good time, despite the advice against doing so. Because, yeah.

As a result, at the beginning of the lightning rail trip back she is grumpy and sleeps a lot. The rest of the time (if I recall it takes several days travel?) she makes a friend or two (is there a Lightning Rail Club?) and eventually ends up in a carriage with Caelyn as we arrive back home.

Pernach was delayed in reaching the party; it turned out to be nearly impossible to make a convincing ceremonial halberd to bring. They came attired in relatively simple clothing, ensuring their unusual markings were covered by the garments.

Unfortunately, the plain clothing worked against them as most people ignored them, apparently assuming a role as a bodyguard or some other unimportant personage. They encounter the "older" Ashe just before the speech and unveiling of the portraits. There is a great deal of satisfaction in the reveal of their efforts, and they reflect that the lack of facial expressions for most warforged is an advantage in this case.

Gloriana's less gleeful reaction to the results are a bit disheartening. To offset this, they head to the markets in search of tea, potpourri and decorative figurines. After a successful expedition, and a relaxing, albeit short night's rest, they are on the lightning rail bright and early the next morning.

As the paintings are revealed Caelyn makes an effort to give her best shocked looks and giggles with the other guests. To a few she spoke to earlier she gives a look raising her eyebrows in a 'i told you' manner. 
With all the commotion still going she excuses herself and silently walks out to return to Gloriana. 

(since Caelyns passive perception is 13 ill assume detects Pepper)

During the walk home she notices someone trailing her, unsure who is following her she makes a detour. Trying not to guide someone back to the tea house. Caelyn will try to slip through some alley's and quickly make a getaway. (stealth 25)

(wow lol to sneaky for Pepper i gues)

Finding a safe spot to hide after a few quick sprints after corners Caelyn finds a spot to hide behind some carts on the street, however she still hears footsteps come closer. Someone had managed to follow her trail all this way. She started becoming a bit anxious, taking out a dagger from under her dress and carefully moved around the cart as the footsteps went around the other side. Once the footsteps had passed a bit Caelyn peeked around the corner to see Pepper. With a blur of emotions she sighs in relief crying out Damnit Pepper you scared me! 

Surely surprising Pepper in return to find she had walked passed Caelyn. 

She shakes her head at Pepper with a smile You and your pranks. 

After that she walks to the tea house with Pepper to hear Gloriana's talk. What stayed with her the most is that we were part of the endeavor. Nothing really new but Caelyn would not want to be a pawn but rather the one deciding her own actions. 

Getting all her gear back she makes her way to the lightning rail where she finds herself a bit bored and wandering the wagons to find a group of travellers. Caelyn shows her interest in them and chat it up throughout a good part of the journey. Trying to learn from them they speak a lot of their native tongues, teaching Caelyn a crude understanding of Riedran from some lower class humans and Sylvan from a few elves. Knowing several languages already she mimics their speech patterns sounding like a native before she truly knows all the words she is saying. 
(using this for her mastermind additional languages at lv3)

After a journey of learning she spends the last part of the trip with Pepper.

After the job, Kira spends the evening tinkering. She's got a project she's been working on, and she's sure she's about to figure it out. Sure enough, by the next day, Kira's fiddling with a prototype for what looks like a tiny cannon.

Well, I suppose that went as well as could be hoped. Wonderful. 

Cyril makes his way back to the meeting place eventually, taking his time and a roundabout route to ensure that he not followed and that he would not arrive with the others. As for Gloriana's speech, well, honestly he ignored a good chunk of it. The matters of most nobles and their petty grievances and such didn't matter to him, outside of his own Queen. His mind wandered as the woman spoke. He thinks of Alevin, and their meetings with Chineil, and of the promises that were made at those meetings. Did he want that? What did he want? 

Afterwards, and for the time they had to wait for their trip back, Cyril spends much of it by himself. Whenever one of the others comes around, they will most likely find him sitting quietly in meditation, or moving with almost painful slowness through forms of unarmed combat. On occasion he might ask one of the others to join if they liked, though it seemed no one had the same sort of interest in such things as he did. Still, he felt as if he were on the cusp of a breakthrough, a moment of realization that would allow him to take his ability to the next level. To say that he was an unexciting companion for the next few days was something of an understatement, in all honesty. 

"I think that's her way of saying... 'Nice work everyone, mission accomplished.' I think we've won ourselves a little R&R," Ashe says once Gloriana has left. The young bard spends the rest of their time among his fellows, silently watching as Kira works on her prototypes and joining Pernach on their shopping trip. 

It's a quiet trip back to the Academy, giving you time to reflect on your past, your future, the things you've learned and how you put them into practice. The small bag of coins each of you found in your packs with a small raven stitched into the bag was another nice surprise. (25 silver and 10 gold each) All in all, it was a good first mission.

But you aren't in your rooms more than a quarter hour before a female tiefling you recognize from the support staff bursts in and frantically motions to you all. "Please help! I heard an explosion down in the research ward and ran to investigate - I was the first one there. It seems something bad happened in one of the laboratories—really bad. One of the researchers stumbled out all covered in boils and blood, and when I tried to lend him an arm, he bit me and tried to tear out my throat! It was all I could do to fend him off, and two others helped me drive him back into the lab and barricade the door.” She pulls back a tattered sleeve to reveal a bite wound that is festering as though days old, insisting, “This isn’t part of my heritage, no matter  what you think. I think it’s some kind of infection, and I intend to find a cleric as soon as possible to get healed. In the meantime, we have agents in trouble and somebody’s gotta help them! I saw you from across the campus and followed you here. Please hurry!!”

DC 15 Medicine check: 

You all know where the research labs are located. When you get there, a terrified younger student gives you a key to open the thick wooden door reinforced with thick metal plates. 

"What's the point of having armor when nothing we do lets me wear it," Pepper grumbles, grabbing both of her sword belts and heading out the door. "Someone see to the girl!"

Pepper straps her belts on, with their dagger and handaxes, as she lopes across the compound.

She takes the key from the student, "Now scram," she orders. Not waiting to see if he obeys, she turns, tossing the key to one of either Caelyn or Cyril, whoever is next to arrive. Then she pulls her swords and stands ready to rush the entrance once they open it. "I'd ask if we really want to open this, because we probably don't, but when do we get to do what we want?"

 "What in the hell have they been doing down there?"

Cyril spares a glance for the girl's wounded arm, but he recalls nothing in his training that might be responsible. Shaking his head, he grabs up a simple wooden staff to go with the dagger already sheated at his belt, and follows Pepper out the door. "Get to a healer now, before you get gangrene or something!"

He keeps at Pepper's side as they make their way to the laboratory. His hand flickers out to catch the keys as Pepper tosses them, automatically moving towards the door. "It seems haste is called for here, sadly. Ready?" Without waiting for a reply, he jams the key into the lock and turns it, flinging the door open wide as he steps backwards out of Pepper's way, the staff poised in his hand to sweep forward to intercept any emerging threat. 

“Pernach!” Pepper calls out, eyes still on the door as Cyril works the lock. “I need your shiny metal butt up here! If you’re not first in then I am, and I really don’t want to get bit like that girl!”

At the sight of the wound Caelyn takes a quick step back Eeww. She leans in slightly from a safe distance to look close while she has one hand covering her mouth to hide her crude reaction of this wound. I think i spoke to someone who had something like that, that looks like a flesh eating wound. They had to cut his arm off! she says as she drops her hand revealing her somewhat disgusted expression. 

Looking at the tiefling she quickly adds But im sure the healers can prevent that, you should go now we will go look. 

Caelyn makes sure she grabs her bow, walking around the tiefling quite a bit as she moves out of the room. Seeing Pepper and Cyril already at the door Caelyn takes out an arrow and prepares her bow. 

Be carefull she says as Cyril flings teh door open

 At the commotion from the wounded tiefling, Pernach grabs their sword and steps out into the hallway. He barely has time to glance at the wound before the others hustle the girl off and he follows them towards the lab. As they pull open the doors, he pulls his sword into a guard position and steps into the open door to look inside.

Perception: 10