Jhaartael responds to Akyan "We are not in the same room as the others, still have not found anything. I presume the ring you speak of was something Lyndaran and  Tamryn thought they needed. If worse comes to worse, you can direct him to us... if we can get him alone closer to the private areas, I can try to charm him and get what we need from him that way... but it would be a last resort... so best done with fewer people around." 

Correal then explains what Ki told him via the telepathic link to Elkira and Tymothy.

Tamryn says to Akyan, “We’ve found what I think is a vault door. We need the ring to open it”

Tymothy accepts the attaché, places it in the metal box, and locks it.  He then leads Kyrsa and Jhaartael back to the main banquet room.  Looking around, they do not immediately see any of the other elves.

Lyndaran completes the thorough search of the gameroom, but finds nothing additional except a few forgotten dragonchess pieces that were dropped under a table.  (Anyone in the party have proficiency in dragonchess?)

Akyan observes the kitchen and serving staff, who seem busy, but are working efficiently and there is no appearance of anything unusual going on with them.  There are many cabinets and drawers where documents could be hidden, but it seems unlikely that would be the case with so many servants having access to the area.

Loris listens to Mina's response and seems satisfied.  "Thank you, I agree.  I am a fan of new thinking and progress.  In fact, I confess, I have already begun the new system, and keep detailed records of all my transactions in my office.  Well, the tour is concluded, I believe, shall we return to the party?"  He then exits the larder, passing Akyan, and heads back to the banquet room, unless Mina stays behind.

(Does Jhaartael say anything to Tymothy about the ring?)

Internally Mina relaxes a bit seemingly have passed his little test, and follows Lortis out of the room and back to the banquet.  She smiles at Akyan as they head back and mouths thank you once Loris is past him.

Akyan replies to Jhaartael and Tamryn, "Tamryn and Lyndaran found a vault, and they need the key to open it. We are re-joining the party. It may be best to wait a short time before we try to get him alone. It may be better if Jhaartael and Kyrsa came back, and then asked him to accompany them back there.  You all have been gone for a while anyways. I'm a little surprised that he isn't suspicious. Also, the sheriff should not be around when Jhaartael tries to charm him. We don't want him getting in trouble. Tamryn and Lyndaran should stay where they are until this is sorted out."

He nods to Mina as they walk by. Once they are past, he follows them back to the party making sure to stay within hearing range.  

Kyrsa glances around the banquet hall, chin tilted up as she keeps her up her stiff posture. She locates an empty (or mostly empty if that is possible) table and says, "Perhaps we should find a seat while we wait for our host to return. No need to appear to eager about this new business deal." She gives Correal a meaningful look, keeping her tone low enough that it would be difficult, yet not impossible to overhear. 

((Jhaartael would not have divulged anything about the ring to the sheriff as of yet since he would be worried about further compromising the poor fellow))

Jhaartael replies to Akyan "That sounds more than reasonable. We will continue the facade and then look for an opportunity to move to more seclusion in a while."

After Tymothy sees the wizard and the fighter safely back to the banquet room, he resumes his patrolling of the premises, and is no longer in conversation range.

Mina, Loris and Akyan arrive back into the room shortly after Kyrsa and Jhaartael, and the five of you converge on an empty table and seat yourselves.

"Did you find everything to your satisfaction?" asks Donegall. "Would any of you care for some wine?  Please, continue to enjoy yourselves and familiarize yourself with the people. If you are ready to talk business, we can retire to another, more private part of the house."

"Yes, everything is satisfactory," Kyrsa says, giving a small smile. "Sheriff Tymothy seems like a capable fellow, and the ability to use your lockbox has granted Master Correal peace of mind for the time being." She hesitates, "Unfortunately I must refuse your offer of wine. I cannot partake of that while on duty." She looks to Correal, expecting him to answer Donegall's other question. 

Correal intones with dripping charm, "You have laid such a charming evening before us. I am so torn. From what I observed of your Sheriff's thoroughness and efficiency, I am indeed reassured. That is a good man you have there. It gives me great confidence that we shall come to agreeable terms. As such, let us withdraw to where we can conclude business quickly so that we may better enjoy the evening as colleagues and with your other guests. It seems you have already drawn quite the attention of Milena. Lead the way Master Donegall!"

Nodding, Loris turns his head and looks around until he locates a short, plump rosy-cheeked woman wearing spectacles.  She has a similarity in appearance to a halfling, but is just under 5 feet tall.  If such a thing existed, she might be a half-halfling.  A quarterling, if you will.  Or perhaps a three-quarterling.  At any rate, the merchant crooks his finger at the woman and she approaches, whereupon Loris whispers into her ear, she nods, and exits the room through the curtained corridor.

"That is my clerk, Mrs. Beaufort, and she has gone to collect some documents from my office.  Unfortunately, there isn't space there for your whole party to be seated, so we will move to my gaming room where there are plenty of tables and chairs for all of you."  He looks around, "Er, there were six of you, if I am not mistaken.  And the others, where have they gone?"

"Stupid. Stupid," Akyan grits his teeth. He had been the one saying that it would be suspicious for half of them to disappear. Why hadn't he thought of this? He contacts Tamryn, "You two might have company. Loris just sent his clerk to the office. He is going to be taking us to the game room. I'm not sure where you two are, but if your in there get out quickly."

"Those two," Akyan growls, "As soon as we go to any sort of event, they think they can just run off and do what they like. Their probably off flirting with whatever lady catches their eyes." He lets out a long suffering sigh, "Would you like me to go fetch them? If you give me directions, I can meet you in your game room after I find them. No need to hold up this meeting on our part." 

Deception: 13

Kyrsa rolls her eyes, "No need at all." She glances around the room, as if searching for the two missing attendants. Huffing, she crosses her arms and says in a hard tone, "Those three are just our attendants, if it is customary to have them at our meeting, Ki can bring them to us. They should know better then to run off, but they may have simply gone to mingle with your servants. Nevertheless, we usually conduct business without them nearby. With the possibility of discussing sensitive information, we have found it best if the only ears listening are our own." She nods to Milena and Correal, then turns back to Donegall, "Unless you have any objections of course. If they accompany us, we could always send them away if needed." 

Tamryn thinks to Akyan, "If Jhaartael can mesmerize him with those flashing lights of his once you are in the game room, you may be able to open the door to his vault." He quickly describes where the door is located and his theory that "Iris" is the code to get through the door. "If you have his ring, I believe you can use it to crack the vault."

Turning to Lyndaran, he says, "They are coming. Shall we retire, quietly, to the restroom? Until the coast is clear, at least."

(Will Tamryn or Lyndaran slide the bookcase back in front of the hidden door?)

"We certainly do, and if they want us to rejoin with them we can come back once they are in here. Quickly now, let's put this back to its place" says Lyndaran

"I think that is the plan, I'll let him know the code." Akyan responds to Tamryn then recounts the information Jhaartael.

Milena smiles at Loris, "Oh!  Does this mean I get to see more of your home?  I do look forward to that as so far it has all been quite an experience.  And she is right," nodding to Kyrsa, "our servants don't typically join us in these matters.  Please, show us to your game room.. that sounds exciting!"

Jhaartael responds to Akyan's relay of information and the codes "I can likely mesmerize him, however it will likely take my full concentration. As such I will need someone else to get the ring off of him and to enter any codes."

“Alright, leave that part to me.” Akyan replies.