Ospos smiles as he approaches.  "Many thanks.  Any chance you can serve breakfast while we wait?  Mine was rudely interrupted this morning."

Persuasion: 25

Bram follows behind Ospos, taking in the beautiful architecture and the resplendent guard.

Insight to see if the guard isn't willingly holding back any information...: 15

Nean, not entirely convinced of their luck, will be following the others with some cautious steps. Before, however, he will mark the spot in front of the gate as a Telepathic Anchor (1 Psi Point).

Ospos: “Unfortunately we do not have any food in the keep.” As he says this, the guard leans down to get a better look at you, and in turn you get a better look into his open visor. Empty sockets stare back at you from above a skeletal grin. This guard has been long dead, and you can imagine the rest of the bones filling his armor are as bleached white as his face.

Bram: You also notice the undead state of this stranger, as well as the striking courtyard inside. The vermillion vines climb up the walls in several places, and small trees with brick red leaves are arranged around the space. Whoever built this place clearly has a strong sense for cohesive palettes, as the white and red mosaic mural of a lush rose that decorates the central floor of this garden matches everything else perfectly.

Nean: It’s near impossible to read the facial cues of a skeleton, but it does strike you as odd that the guard so easily accepted your claim to be Bounders, and didn’t even ask for any identification.

Seeing the skeletal nature of the guard, Ospos casts Suggestion, saying "As your guests, you will protect our lives and our freedom."

DC 13 WIS saving throw or the suggestion takes effect and lasts 8 hours.

After casting, Ospos asks, "Should we, as living beings, enter this castle if we value our lives? "

"I do not, unfortunately. The information given to us by Kizzerai was the first that I had heard of her. Though I must say, knowing that she's a Bounder, I am more inclined to trust her."

Ospos is very confused and asks, "Did I miss something?  Who said Lady Lah'thys is a bounder?"

"Oh, I'm sorry if that wasn't clear, Ospos. Verrina Dusttoe is the person we are searching for, but Lady Lah'thys is the Bounder contact that we were given for the Shadowfell."

Guard Save: 5

Ospos: The only visible indication you get is the guard's skull cocking sideways a bit, but you sense your magic take hold. "Well of course, you are guests after all. There are roamers in the halls that would be more than happy to feast on your supple flesh, but I shall escort you directly to Lord Sirocci. You all are a colorful bunch, and I'm sure he'd enjoy entertaining you until Lady Lah'thys returns." He walks in after your group, then turns up to the walls. "Close the gates! I will escort the guests and return shortly." From this vantage you can see a few skeletal archers poised on top of the walls, one of which begins cranking a lever to close the gates. "Follow me, stay close." The guard says as he begins leading the way across the courtyard, towards a door at the far right corner.

Liafial: Had it not been for your escort calling to the guards, you likely wouldn't have noticed them, and similarly you spot humanoid figures lurking in the shadows ahead. They seem curious at the potential meals walking towards them, but as the armored guard approaches they shrink back.

Bram pats Ospos on the shoulder, giving him a wink and an ever so slight nod, he whispers,

"Nice work."

Turning back to their guide through the magnificent structure, Bram asks,

"If it is ok, could I ask, what's it like to be undead? I can imagine not needing to eat or sleep comes in handy. "

Still not quite happy about their situation, Nean marches onward with the rest of the group.

OOC: how many guards are we counting so far?

You are all lead through the door into a long corridor. Sheer, fraying drapes dim the already dull light coming in through large windows that line the hall, but the white tiled floors and stark walls reflect enough that it is far less gloomy in here than the ridge. 

Bram: "It's certainly convenient. Been so long now that I barely remember what my life was before, but I take great pride in my post. The Rosethanes have blessed me with consciousness beyond the average ghast or ghoul." at that, he gestures to a gaunt humanoid figure sulking in the shadows of a nook up ahead. As you pass it, the creature snarls with rotten teeth, eyes glazed over, and skin bluish and rotting away in places. "For that I am eternally grateful."

Nean: You spotted six guards up on top of the walls, two on each side excluding the wall that overlooks the cliff. Inside you have yet to see any proper guards, only the lurking corpses which seem to act more like guard dogs than anything.

Liafial: A chuckle echoes out of your escort's hollow chest. "Death clings to everything here, even the living. Anyone with power in this land truly embraces that. I fear that disclosing his nature might startle you or lead you to act... recklessly. I assure you as my guests that you are safer here than most other places in this dark land. And we are nearing his chamber, so you shall see soon enough."

He leads you all through a large set of doors into what seems to be a lounge. This room is darker in palette than the rest of the estate. The walls are more cream than stark white, and the furnishings are in shades of dark wood and faded red and purple upholstery. There are several chairs and loveseats, coffee tables, a large bookshelf and many pieces of art around the room. One door leads straight ahead, and there is a curving staircase that leads up to a landing and a door above that. The guard heads for the lower door, from which twinkling piano notes can be heard. "I know not how much longer Lady Lah'Thys will be, but Lord Sirocci can likely get in contact with her." At that, he carefully opens the door for you all to enter, and puts up a gauntleted finger to his lipless smile, as to suggest that you should enter quietly.

** Music  **

Candlelight flickers from the room ahead, and the music grows louder as the door opens. Inside you all find a small theater: A dozen or so rows of plush velvet chairs, a beautiful chandelier hanging above, and a stage framed by red curtains trimmed in gold. In front of a masterfully painted mural seemingly featuring angels battling one another, a young man plays on a slick ebony piano. His features are sharp and elegant, his skin ghostly pale. A rakish mess of black hair falls around his ears, and he wears a billowy black shirt, with matching trousers. Lord Sirocci is framed by three other figures. Similarly pale and androgynous, two sit near him and the third floats horizontally above, all in awe at the performance. Only one of them seems to notice your entrance, and gives your group a devilish smile and wink before returning to gawk at their lord.

Unable to resist, Ospos hesitates towards his bagpipes before reaching for his drum.  He attempts to join the performance with his own instrument.

Performance: 23

Bram see's Ospos pull out his instrument, and almost goes for his own, before deciding to just listen instead.

Bram seems to be taken in with all the beauty in, structure, decor and music, soaking it up like a dry cloth to water.

Bram whispers,

"This is refreshing."

Clermar follows dutifully along. Anyone watching may notice that he is keeping his hand on the hilt of his silvered longsword. 

Nean is a little overwhelmed by the sudden overflow of impressions, something that takes him back to his first time in some special guild hall. The feeling complies with the smile the group is greeted with, and Nean replies with a smirk expressing exactly the same dark foreshadowing.

OOC: could we make some sort of check to see if we recognize the sort of being they are? Or are we clueless anyway :D

Ava is completely enraptured by the music and presentation of the hall, as well as by Lord Sirocci and those enjoying his performance. At receiving the smirk from one of the observers, Ava gives a large, gleeful smile.

"This place suddenly seems like fun."

Ospos: You tap out a simple beat that matches the rhythm of song. While it doesn't necessarily add much to the song, it doesn't detract and Lord Sirocci doesn't seem to mind the addition.

Nean: Anyone proficient in History or Religion can give me a check to see if they recognize what kind of entity Lord Sirocci is, DC 10

 The performance continues for a couple more minutes before the song swells to a climax and finishes with a melancholy few notes. Sirocci stands up as his entourage ravishes him with applause. "Lysander, please introduce the guests." Your skeletal escort stands straight then dips into a bow. "A group of Bounders, your grace. They seek someone here in the Shadowfell. I informed them that Lady Lah'thys has been away on a mission." Sirocci nods. "I see. Well any friends of my sister are friends of mine. Welcome to the Pallid Keep, Bounders." As he addresses you, he begins to float gracefully across the theater. "I am Lord Sirocci of House Rosethane, Sire of the Red Court. You all are welcome to stay here as long as you wish, and if there is any way I can be of assistance in your quest, please don't hesitate to ask."

Ospos History check: 8

"Lord Sirocci, has a gnome by the name of Verrina been to the Pallid Keep lately?  If not, would anyone be aware if she passed near it?"