"Who's not goin'?" The maid shrugs to Drexon. "The Lords and Ladies will be goin' to the main party in that posh manor. Us folks will be havin' our own party here. The little lady paid for it yesterday. Free drinks tomorrow for the whole day. Streets round the place will be packed."
"That spineless mayor of ours will be going," the old man adds. "His and his sycophants will be currying favours. Same with that new bar owner -- Jack or something. Can't believe this is what our city has become. Filled with arse-kissers and corruptors again."
"Yeh, that's the last glass for ye," the maid says, pulling the empty glass the old man is cradling and replacing it with a mug of water. "But, he's right, y'know. Ev'ry one with lotsa coins will be goin'. The Mayor, merchants, other Lords and Ladies, even heard some old military boys of Ser David comin' from outa town. Oh, and Lady Reva will be comin' too from what I heard. She's the Lord's older sister. Honest, am more afraid the gang will be messin' about. The Barony's been protecting us folks, but there's been another gang beatin' and terrifying people. They got weird tattoos on 'em, like an eye or something."
"It's hard to say," David replies to Eremoz. "I have never been inside. Lady Zelena also keeps quiet about what she does there. However, from the historical record, the main family building and the mausoleum were built from a fragment of the meteorite that created the lake. It could be that it has inherently magical properties. We'll have to scour the journals in the library to find out."
By lunchtime, your work has bear fruit.
With the help of Eremoz, David had contacted the carpenters to commission a watch tower. The placement would provide an unrestricted view of most of the grounds of the estate, except the area at the back of the manor and a blindspot near the staff's quarter.
Drexon, you managed to discover some of the important people that will be in attendance. You also found out that there may be a chance of a gang war happening outside the estate during the festivities because it would be a place ripe with loot and a chance to gain an upper hand over the other gang.
Cob, your exploration around the estate showed you a great deal. While the walls seem sturdy, there are some places that look weaker than the rest, especially places like behind the staff quarter, near the front gate, and a point on the west side of the estate where the ground is soft. The back garden is probably the safest place in the entire estate. What worries you is the state of the guards. While they are professional enough, only a step below a city guard, they only number in the dozen within the estate. There are guards standing every 100 feet or so surrounding the perimeter wall of the estate, but the security inside seems sparse compared to the size of the estate.
Dvark's search on the inside of the manor is, unfortunately, not quite as fruitful. There are not many nooks and crannies within the manor. It is quite surprising that such a grand home doesn't have even a single hidden room or passageway. Except for the family room, there is no purposefully locked room within the manor. However, you notice several places where a person can see the most. The first is one corner of the courtyard will allow you to see straight into both the Grand Room and the Library. Standing in the middle of the Public Sitting Room allows you to see into the Grand Room, Social Corner, and the Sun Room. Taking a position in front of the main door of the Grand Room will allow you to see just about everywhere within the manor except for the Sun Room and the Social Corner.
Karm's walk around the estate didn't bear much fruit, but the longer you spent around certain places, the surer you get that certain places in the estate have a magical aura. The first place you notice is the family room due to the blood magic that David mentioned. The next one is very lake itself emanating a powerful magical presence that reminds you of that time you were in a crater yourself. A few other places have traces of magic: the Sun Room because some of the flowers growing there are magical in nature, the statue in the outer courtyard having some inscriptions to enhance its durability, the statue in the inner courtyard also having some inscriptions to enhance its durability and other unrecognizable enchantments that you will have to research further. The most powerful magical presence that you can feel is when you near the perimeter of the back garden. There, the land seems to seep with ancient magic, almost primordial in nature. You could feel your new tattoo warm and throb the longer you spent in the vicinity. There is also something like a warning with the magic, discouraging anyone without certain traits from passing through the boundary.
{{That's the end of the first period. What do you want to do with the second period?}}
Assuming Dvark meets with Drexon he will accompany him to try and inspect the lake. (Just want to keep in mind I have 300ft darkvision so if there is anything in the like it might be easier for me to see)
"Do you think they could be setting a trap to try and lure the thief here?" Cob muses. "This is a big estate without many guards."
He looks back towards where the gardens were. "Or maybe they're just relying on all the magic to keep things safe. But if that's the case, what's the point of higher us?"
Cob decides to join Dvark and Drexon at the lake. He could always fly out over it if needed.
Eremoz meets with the group and listens to everyone’s findings. “Could be a ruse, but even with all the security at the card game, the thief got through.”
He spends some time checking over the front entrance of the estate before finding David. “What security will we have at the front door? How many guards and what safeguards are there for a possible intrusion? I think some barriers that can be moved in place quickly if someone should breach the entrance. Could help buy us another minute or two.”
"The gate is steel alloy," David comments. "Very sturdy. Some business rival tried to hit it with a large cart filled with stones a few years ago and it didn't make a dent on the gate."
David rummages in his pocket and pulls out a small tablet with a minimap of the estate glued on it. "We have a guard every 100 feet or so keeping watch around the wall. There will be only four at the front gate and another four at the front door of the manor. We have twelve patrolling the estate, six of whom will be inside the manor while the other six will be on the grounds. There is always one guard standing in front of the access to the back garden via the grand room. Lady Leillana's personal guard contingent, a team of ten, will also be in and around the grand room."
"We still have coins for a partial barrier to make walking via the front gate or the front door slow and difficult," David says after a while. "Instead of having a straight line from the gate to the door, we can have the barrier arranged so that the visitors will have to take a snaking path and security checkpoints. Having a full barrier at the door will improve security, that's true, but it will not please Lady Leillana. It will also blatantly show that we expect threats from the visitors -- not a very welcoming scene."
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
As the trio approaches the lake Dvark mutters a prayer and taps Cob and Drexon on the shoulder. As he does a lick of shadow breaks off from his and flows to their eyes giving them a soft shadowy tint.
Drexon nods to Dvark in thanks for the gift of vision, marvelling at how far he can now see through the gloom, and then takes off his boots, coat and hat. He slips into the lake and dives down, looking around as much as possible, especially in the area under the manor house.
“That’s fair. I think a winding line would be helpful in controlling the flow of visitors and it should make it easier to identify potential problems trying to make their way inside.”
The lake within the estate is quite large that it takes the three of you, Drexon, Cob, and Dvark, quite some time to scour. It is a tranquil place that gives you a feeling of calmness and peace. But, Dvark, the longer you stay around the lake, the stronger the feeling that there is something otherworldly either around, under, or in it.
With the help of both Dvark and Cob, Drexon dives into the lake. His search is long and arduous, and while the lake is quite clean on the surface, the depths is murky. It takes a couple of hours before he finds something substantial. Near the manor, he finds a tight crevasse that leads further down. He wants to investigate further, but something near the crevasse rings a warning bell in his body. It is as if there is something there that invokes a deep sense of physical fear within him despite his mind saying otherwise.
Eremoz, with the help of David, the carpenters, and the other staff, you begin cordoning the area near the gate to veer the guests' path slightly to the side and away from the main path. Unfortunately, you are faced with a dilemma. You can direct the guests to the western side of the estate, but then it will leave the guard tower a bit more vulnerable. On the other hand, you can direct the guests to the eastern side of the estate, but the staff quarter will become vulnerable to threats. In the end, you cannot find a good enough compromise with David, the carpenters, and the other staff. Barriers are still placed along the main path to slow down anyone travelling down it, but it would not be as effective and may annoy some of the guests.
Drexon desperately wants to investigate the crevasse, but it is as if his body simply won't comply with his mental commands. Frustrated, he surfaces and looks for Cob and Dvark.
"There is a crevasse under the water near the manor. I am certain there is something down there, but I could not look. And I don't mean it was too narrow or anything, something deep within my bones simply would not let me proceed. It was like some kind of genetic memory that froze me as if in terror", he says soundly deeply concerned as he drips lake water on the floor.
Nearing supper time, you finally get to meet with Lady Leillana, Lord Daven, and Lady Zelena. You don't notice them until you hear a screech from the front gate.
"What have you done to my lawn?!" Lady Leillana shouts. "David! David! Where are you?! Who are these people? One of them is dripping water everywhere and the other is building an atrocity in my front lawn."
You turn to the front gate to see a woman dressed to the nines for a simple excursion to the city. She wears a regal gold and red gown and has her hair neatly coiffed with a golden headband. She points at Drexon, Cob, and Dvark, and half of the armed guards around her move to surround the three of you. Standing beside her is the picture of an exasperated daughter. Lady Zelena is dressed in a simpler dress with a more subdued colouring, a soft yellow. Looking equally exasperated is a tall man, a little ruffled and tired, with a similar facial feature to David. Lord Daven seems to just want to enter his home and go to bed.
"Let them, Leillana," Lord Daven says with a long sigh. "David already told me that he is hiring some help to prepare for Zelena's party tomorrow. Give it a rest." He hugs his daughter, murmurs something in her ears, and kisses her forehead before starting his way into the manor. As he passes you, he gives each of you a tired nod of acknowledgement but offers no words.
"You're letting these strangers in our home?" Lady Leillana asks, chasing after him. Her guards follow after her, but the ones surrounding you look around, unsure of what to do before Lady Zelena waves her hand away toward the manor. They leave following the other guards and Lady Leillana.
"Apologies for my mother," Lady Zelena says. She is considerably more courteous in her words, gait, and gestures. "Would you like to eat some supper? It's about time, isn't it?" David agrees and motions toward the manor. You can see a soft and fond smile on his face akin to a father being prideful of his own daughter. "We can talk more about what you've done so far. Despite my protest of having an ostentatious party, the addition you've made to the lawn is quite unique, if I say so myself. I always thought we had a rather sparse yard. Good investment too, I think. A watchtower or something, correct? It will definitely help the staff too. Maybe we'll decorate it more after the party. A tree or two so it looks more like a tree house. Prettier."
Drexon stands there quietly dripping, holding his coat, boots and hat rather than wearing them. He feels the emotion roll off Lady Leillana as she has her outburst, but doesn't make any move to reply.
He inclines his head to Lady Zelena after she speaks to them so kindly, "A very kind offer. Perhaps there is a towel I could borrow, and maybe a fire I can sit by after that as well? I have been in the lake you see. No stone or body of water has been left unturned in our efforts to ensure your safety tomorrow".
Eremoz stands silently, ignoring Lady Zelena’s outburst. He picks an errant piece of seaweed from Drexon’s back. “Dinner would be lovely. We apologize if the work is the cause of any… stress in the house.”
"Towel will be there," Lady Zelena says with a chuckle. As you make your way, she begins making small talk. It seems mundane; the weather that shows a hint of rain in the next few hours, a hilarious sight of children playing pranks in the shopping district, anecdotes on the plain-looking lawn of the estate. "Don't worry about mother or dad. Dad is just tired from looking into yesterday's warehouse attack. The Mayor has been inviting all sorts of people to do crowd control and get a handle on the investigation to prevent mass hysteria. It wouldn't be conducive for the city if they lived in fear of being attacked at any time on the streets. Mother... well, mother is a different story. As long as you stay away from her sight, she will not be a problem to you."
Zelena invites you into the manor and walks toward the dining hall. It is right in front of the library room. She motions you to sit and begins asking questions as you wait for your meal to come. David returns from the kitchen with a couple of warm towels and a few change of clothes if you need them.
"So, what did you find in the lake?" Zelena asks curiously. "You must have seen or heard something important if you dare to take a swim in the lake this near to winter."
Drexon thanks David for the warm towels and changes of clothes, and asks if he can get changed somewhere more private.
He returns in time for Lady Zelena's question regarding the lake.
"I will confess I was canvassing some local opinions about the party tomorrow when I heard a rumour about the lake. One of the locals claims to have witnessed folk using it to steal things from Clarent Manor during the wedding festivities. I wanted to make sure there were no boats moored or anything concealed under the surface that would suggest another such plot", he explains. "As it happens, I came across a crevasse under the water, which made my very bones seem to freeze and not allow me to proceed. I wonder if you know about something under the lake? Perhaps a remnant of the meteor or something magical? Or perhaps there is something in the library about it? I would dearly like to know more about the sensation I felt".
"Ah, yes," Zelena nods, "as I understand it, my mother and father's union is not quite approved by the existing houses. As you know, the nobility was abolished with the formation of the republic, but Mantagard is one of the few cities still maintaining the title and privilege, albeit to a lesser degree than in the past. House Pedrov, my mother's house, was wealthy. When my maternal grandfather decided to marry off my mother to my father, it transferred all the wealth of House Pedrov to House Clarent, a rather poor house at the time. Of course, the other houses didn't approve of this because it would mean they wouldn't get a piece of House Pedrov, which would default to the city Mantagard as my maternal grandfather has no heir to the Pedrov name. Their solution, despite our failure to prove it, was to arrange a raid on the estate to take the wealth by force during the wedding. From what I know and from what David told me, they did a three-pronged attack: one through the front and main avenue as a distraction; one through the back garden, which none of the raiders successfully traversed; and one through the lake via unknown means."
"Some of the wealth was recovered immediately, but not all of them. The most unfortunate loss was the only valuable items belonging to House Clarent at the time, their ancestral relic bestowed to the first Clarent during the War of the Best by the grace of the Light Bearer. The raiders from the lake said they did take it with them, but it was not in their possession when they were apprehended. The only conclusion my father came to was that they dropped it in the lake. My father had sent people to scour the lake, but they reported they couldn't find anything, not even the crevasse that you mentioned. It must have widened enough over the course of two decades that it is now visible."
"Are you perhaps a spellcaster, by any chance? Or have ties to the darker world -- demonic, devilish, aberrant, undead? Or maybe you have Fey ancestry, as I can see one of you must have such ancestry. The one thing that made the Clarent a noble house was their relic. It is called the Lightbringer or the Morning Star depending on some accounts. It is a blade made of pure light that guards the wielder against magic -- any magic except the magic of the Light Bearer. Sometimes it is mistaken with the Sword of Fire, Clarent, which is kind of ironic when you think about it. House Clarent, but not having a sword called Clarent. Let me get you a journal of one of the Clarent patriarchs that detailed the use of the blade. You must have felt the Lightbringer's aura, which confirms that it is indeed still under the lake somewhere."
Zelena moves to the library and returns with a worn journal. It has the name Damian Clarent embossed in silver on the front cover.
Cob taps his temple a few times, hoping for Drexon to establish contact. Once he thinks that may have happened, he thinks over to his companion “If that powerful a weapon is down there, we could use it. We’re eventually going to face some powerful beings again.”
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"Who's not goin'?" The maid shrugs to Drexon. "The Lords and Ladies will be goin' to the main party in that posh manor. Us folks will be havin' our own party here. The little lady paid for it yesterday. Free drinks tomorrow for the whole day. Streets round the place will be packed."
"That spineless mayor of ours will be going," the old man adds. "His and his sycophants will be currying favours. Same with that new bar owner -- Jack or something. Can't believe this is what our city has become. Filled with arse-kissers and corruptors again."
"Yeh, that's the last glass for ye," the maid says, pulling the empty glass the old man is cradling and replacing it with a mug of water. "But, he's right, y'know. Ev'ry one with lotsa coins will be goin'. The Mayor, merchants, other Lords and Ladies, even heard some old military boys of Ser David comin' from outa town. Oh, and Lady Reva will be comin' too from what I heard. She's the Lord's older sister. Honest, am more afraid the gang will be messin' about. The Barony's been protecting us folks, but there's been another gang beatin' and terrifying people. They got weird tattoos on 'em, like an eye or something."
"It's hard to say," David replies to Eremoz. "I have never been inside. Lady Zelena also keeps quiet about what she does there. However, from the historical record, the main family building and the mausoleum were built from a fragment of the meteorite that created the lake. It could be that it has inherently magical properties. We'll have to scour the journals in the library to find out."
By lunchtime, your work has bear fruit.
With the help of Eremoz, David had contacted the carpenters to commission a watch tower. The placement would provide an unrestricted view of most of the grounds of the estate, except the area at the back of the manor and a blindspot near the staff's quarter.
Drexon, you managed to discover some of the important people that will be in attendance. You also found out that there may be a chance of a gang war happening outside the estate during the festivities because it would be a place ripe with loot and a chance to gain an upper hand over the other gang.
Cob, your exploration around the estate showed you a great deal. While the walls seem sturdy, there are some places that look weaker than the rest, especially places like behind the staff quarter, near the front gate, and a point on the west side of the estate where the ground is soft. The back garden is probably the safest place in the entire estate. What worries you is the state of the guards. While they are professional enough, only a step below a city guard, they only number in the dozen within the estate. There are guards standing every 100 feet or so surrounding the perimeter wall of the estate, but the security inside seems sparse compared to the size of the estate.
Dvark's search on the inside of the manor is, unfortunately, not quite as fruitful. There are not many nooks and crannies within the manor. It is quite surprising that such a grand home doesn't have even a single hidden room or passageway. Except for the family room, there is no purposefully locked room within the manor. However, you notice several places where a person can see the most. The first is one corner of the courtyard will allow you to see straight into both the Grand Room and the Library. Standing in the middle of the Public Sitting Room allows you to see into the Grand Room, Social Corner, and the Sun Room. Taking a position in front of the main door of the Grand Room will allow you to see just about everywhere within the manor except for the Sun Room and the Social Corner.
Karm's walk around the estate didn't bear much fruit, but the longer you spent around certain places, the surer you get that certain places in the estate have a magical aura. The first place you notice is the family room due to the blood magic that David mentioned. The next one is very lake itself emanating a powerful magical presence that reminds you of that time you were in a crater yourself. A few other places have traces of magic: the Sun Room because some of the flowers growing there are magical in nature, the statue in the outer courtyard having some inscriptions to enhance its durability, the statue in the inner courtyard also having some inscriptions to enhance its durability and other unrecognizable enchantments that you will have to research further. The most powerful magical presence that you can feel is when you near the perimeter of the back garden. There, the land seems to seep with ancient magic, almost primordial in nature. You could feel your new tattoo warm and throb the longer you spent in the vicinity. There is also something like a warning with the magic, discouraging anyone without certain traits from passing through the boundary.
{{That's the end of the first period. What do you want to do with the second period?}}
Drexon heads back to the Clarent Estate to let the others know what he found out about the street party and potential trouble with gangs.
He also wants to check out the lake, after hearing this was how the estate was robbed the previous time.
Assuming Dvark meets with Drexon he will accompany him to try and inspect the lake. (Just want to keep in mind I have 300ft darkvision so if there is anything in the like it might be easier for me to see)
Cob joins up with the others.
"Do you think they could be setting a trap to try and lure the thief here?" Cob muses. "This is a big estate without many guards."
He looks back towards where the gardens were. "Or maybe they're just relying on all the magic to keep things safe. But if that's the case, what's the point of higher us?"
Cob decides to join Dvark and Drexon at the lake. He could always fly out over it if needed.
Eremoz meets with the group and listens to everyone’s findings. “Could be a ruse, but even with all the security at the card game, the thief got through.”
He spends some time checking over the front entrance of the estate before finding David. “What security will we have at the front door? How many guards and what safeguards are there for a possible intrusion? I think some barriers that can be moved in place quickly if someone should breach the entrance. Could help buy us another minute or two.”
"The gate is steel alloy," David comments. "Very sturdy. Some business rival tried to hit it with a large cart filled with stones a few years ago and it didn't make a dent on the gate."
David rummages in his pocket and pulls out a small tablet with a minimap of the estate glued on it. "We have a guard every 100 feet or so keeping watch around the wall. There will be only four at the front gate and another four at the front door of the manor. We have twelve patrolling the estate, six of whom will be inside the manor while the other six will be on the grounds. There is always one guard standing in front of the access to the back garden via the grand room. Lady Leillana's personal guard contingent, a team of ten, will also be in and around the grand room."
"We still have coins for a partial barrier to make walking via the front gate or the front door slow and difficult," David says after a while. "Instead of having a straight line from the gate to the door, we can have the barrier arranged so that the visitors will have to take a snaking path and security checkpoints. Having a full barrier at the door will improve security, that's true, but it will not please Lady Leillana. It will also blatantly show that we expect threats from the visitors -- not a very welcoming scene."
As the trio approaches the lake Dvark mutters a prayer and taps Cob and Drexon on the shoulder. As he does a lick of shadow breaks off from his and flows to their eyes giving them a soft shadowy tint.
Perception: 12
Drexon nods to Dvark in thanks for the gift of vision, marvelling at how far he can now see through the gloom, and then takes off his boots, coat and hat. He slips into the lake and dives down, looking around as much as possible, especially in the area under the manor house.
Perception: 2+5=7 (Passive 15)
Cob flys out over the lake, looking closely for anything of interest or anything that might be a threat to Drexon while he goes for a dip.
Investigation: 16
“That’s fair. I think a winding line would be helpful in controlling the flow of visitors and it should make it easier to identify potential problems trying to make their way inside.”
The lake within the estate is quite large that it takes the three of you, Drexon, Cob, and Dvark, quite some time to scour. It is a tranquil place that gives you a feeling of calmness and peace. But, Dvark, the longer you stay around the lake, the stronger the feeling that there is something otherworldly either around, under, or in it.
With the help of both Dvark and Cob, Drexon dives into the lake. His search is long and arduous, and while the lake is quite clean on the surface, the depths is murky. It takes a couple of hours before he finds something substantial. Near the manor, he finds a tight crevasse that leads further down. He wants to investigate further, but something near the crevasse rings a warning bell in his body. It is as if there is something there that invokes a deep sense of physical fear within him despite his mind saying otherwise.
Eremoz, with the help of David, the carpenters, and the other staff, you begin cordoning the area near the gate to veer the guests' path slightly to the side and away from the main path. Unfortunately, you are faced with a dilemma. You can direct the guests to the western side of the estate, but then it will leave the guard tower a bit more vulnerable. On the other hand, you can direct the guests to the eastern side of the estate, but the staff quarter will become vulnerable to threats. In the end, you cannot find a good enough compromise with David, the carpenters, and the other staff. Barriers are still placed along the main path to slow down anyone travelling down it, but it would not be as effective and may annoy some of the guests.
Drexon desperately wants to investigate the crevasse, but it is as if his body simply won't comply with his mental commands. Frustrated, he surfaces and looks for Cob and Dvark.
"There is a crevasse under the water near the manor. I am certain there is something down there, but I could not look. And I don't mean it was too narrow or anything, something deep within my bones simply would not let me proceed. It was like some kind of genetic memory that froze me as if in terror", he says soundly deeply concerned as he drips lake water on the floor.
Eremoz looks over the barriers. “Not ideal, but it’ll help with crowd control.”
Nearing supper time, you finally get to meet with Lady Leillana, Lord Daven, and Lady Zelena. You don't notice them until you hear a screech from the front gate.
"What have you done to my lawn?!" Lady Leillana shouts. "David! David! Where are you?! Who are these people? One of them is dripping water everywhere and the other is building an atrocity in my front lawn."
You turn to the front gate to see a woman dressed to the nines for a simple excursion to the city. She wears a regal gold and red gown and has her hair neatly coiffed with a golden headband. She points at Drexon, Cob, and Dvark, and half of the armed guards around her move to surround the three of you. Standing beside her is the picture of an exasperated daughter. Lady Zelena is dressed in a simpler dress with a more subdued colouring, a soft yellow. Looking equally exasperated is a tall man, a little ruffled and tired, with a similar facial feature to David. Lord Daven seems to just want to enter his home and go to bed.
"Let them, Leillana," Lord Daven says with a long sigh. "David already told me that he is hiring some help to prepare for Zelena's party tomorrow. Give it a rest." He hugs his daughter, murmurs something in her ears, and kisses her forehead before starting his way into the manor. As he passes you, he gives each of you a tired nod of acknowledgement but offers no words.
"You're letting these strangers in our home?" Lady Leillana asks, chasing after him. Her guards follow after her, but the ones surrounding you look around, unsure of what to do before Lady Zelena waves her hand away toward the manor. They leave following the other guards and Lady Leillana.
"Apologies for my mother," Lady Zelena says. She is considerably more courteous in her words, gait, and gestures. "Would you like to eat some supper? It's about time, isn't it?" David agrees and motions toward the manor. You can see a soft and fond smile on his face akin to a father being prideful of his own daughter. "We can talk more about what you've done so far. Despite my protest of having an ostentatious party, the addition you've made to the lawn is quite unique, if I say so myself. I always thought we had a rather sparse yard. Good investment too, I think. A watchtower or something, correct? It will definitely help the staff too. Maybe we'll decorate it more after the party. A tree or two so it looks more like a tree house. Prettier."
Drexon stands there quietly dripping, holding his coat, boots and hat rather than wearing them. He feels the emotion roll off Lady Leillana as she has her outburst, but doesn't make any move to reply.
He inclines his head to Lady Zelena after she speaks to them so kindly, "A very kind offer. Perhaps there is a towel I could borrow, and maybe a fire I can sit by after that as well? I have been in the lake you see. No stone or body of water has been left unturned in our efforts to ensure your safety tomorrow".
Eremoz stands silently, ignoring Lady Zelena’s outburst. He picks an errant piece of seaweed from Drexon’s back. “Dinner would be lovely. We apologize if the work is the cause of any… stress in the house.”
"Towel will be there," Lady Zelena says with a chuckle. As you make your way, she begins making small talk. It seems mundane; the weather that shows a hint of rain in the next few hours, a hilarious sight of children playing pranks in the shopping district, anecdotes on the plain-looking lawn of the estate. "Don't worry about mother or dad. Dad is just tired from looking into yesterday's warehouse attack. The Mayor has been inviting all sorts of people to do crowd control and get a handle on the investigation to prevent mass hysteria. It wouldn't be conducive for the city if they lived in fear of being attacked at any time on the streets. Mother... well, mother is a different story. As long as you stay away from her sight, she will not be a problem to you."
Zelena invites you into the manor and walks toward the dining hall. It is right in front of the library room. She motions you to sit and begins asking questions as you wait for your meal to come. David returns from the kitchen with a couple of warm towels and a few change of clothes if you need them.
"So, what did you find in the lake?" Zelena asks curiously. "You must have seen or heard something important if you dare to take a swim in the lake this near to winter."
Drexon thanks David for the warm towels and changes of clothes, and asks if he can get changed somewhere more private.
He returns in time for Lady Zelena's question regarding the lake.
"I will confess I was canvassing some local opinions about the party tomorrow when I heard a rumour about the lake. One of the locals claims to have witnessed folk using it to steal things from Clarent Manor during the wedding festivities. I wanted to make sure there were no boats moored or anything concealed under the surface that would suggest another such plot", he explains. "As it happens, I came across a crevasse under the water, which made my very bones seem to freeze and not allow me to proceed. I wonder if you know about something under the lake? Perhaps a remnant of the meteor or something magical? Or perhaps there is something in the library about it? I would dearly like to know more about the sensation I felt".
"Ah, yes," Zelena nods, "as I understand it, my mother and father's union is not quite approved by the existing houses. As you know, the nobility was abolished with the formation of the republic, but Mantagard is one of the few cities still maintaining the title and privilege, albeit to a lesser degree than in the past. House Pedrov, my mother's house, was wealthy. When my maternal grandfather decided to marry off my mother to my father, it transferred all the wealth of House Pedrov to House Clarent, a rather poor house at the time. Of course, the other houses didn't approve of this because it would mean they wouldn't get a piece of House Pedrov, which would default to the city Mantagard as my maternal grandfather has no heir to the Pedrov name. Their solution, despite our failure to prove it, was to arrange a raid on the estate to take the wealth by force during the wedding. From what I know and from what David told me, they did a three-pronged attack: one through the front and main avenue as a distraction; one through the back garden, which none of the raiders successfully traversed; and one through the lake via unknown means."
"Some of the wealth was recovered immediately, but not all of them. The most unfortunate loss was the only valuable items belonging to House Clarent at the time, their ancestral relic bestowed to the first Clarent during the War of the Best by the grace of the Light Bearer. The raiders from the lake said they did take it with them, but it was not in their possession when they were apprehended. The only conclusion my father came to was that they dropped it in the lake. My father had sent people to scour the lake, but they reported they couldn't find anything, not even the crevasse that you mentioned. It must have widened enough over the course of two decades that it is now visible."
"Are you perhaps a spellcaster, by any chance? Or have ties to the darker world -- demonic, devilish, aberrant, undead? Or maybe you have Fey ancestry, as I can see one of you must have such ancestry. The one thing that made the Clarent a noble house was their relic. It is called the Lightbringer or the Morning Star depending on some accounts. It is a blade made of pure light that guards the wielder against magic -- any magic except the magic of the Light Bearer. Sometimes it is mistaken with the Sword of Fire, Clarent, which is kind of ironic when you think about it. House Clarent, but not having a sword called Clarent. Let me get you a journal of one of the Clarent patriarchs that detailed the use of the blade. You must have felt the Lightbringer's aura, which confirms that it is indeed still under the lake somewhere."
Zelena moves to the library and returns with a worn journal. It has the name Damian Clarent embossed in silver on the front cover.
Cob taps his temple a few times, hoping for Drexon to establish contact. Once he thinks that may have happened, he thinks over to his companion “If that powerful a weapon is down there, we could use it. We’re eventually going to face some powerful beings again.”