Candlekeep Mysteries

Erudisia curtsies as the master dwarf and his glorious mane compliment her and depart, wending their way home to Citadel Adbar, and deflecting errant sunbeams from their intended final resting destination to a new horizon of coppery accents. 

In ear shot of Saeth, Erudisia bemoans to Little One once Giblet is gone, “He looks how I thought I would feel for coming here, on Alana’s recommendation. I fear I am too stringy and soft for any more of these treatments. I wish I had a dwarf’s constitution, or your strength.”

She will not be so crass as to look to the reception desk to see if her hook has caught any interest, instead she will limp her way towards the healing spring. 

“Oh, not every dwarf is born strong… our good mister Copperskald is as weak as they come… but look at him now. Although starting with a handicap, how could he ever hope to compare with one such as yourself, born with natural grace and beauty?” Erudisia had hardly noticed Morganna slink in from the lounge, yet here she is, having overheard her wistful comment.

“Here, let us see to those sore muscles before you retreat to the baths. And that will give us a chance to… talk.” She snaps her fingers and one of the silent, white tunic-wearing beauticians enters from the lounge with a pair of mimosas on a tray. Morganna beckons Erudisia to join her in the lounge.

Little One stands immobilefor a moment, looking to Erudisia for a cue. Should he come with her?

Little One is perhaps a little conspicuous, but Erudisia’s eyes will look imploringly at Bell and Meredith, as she begins to follow Morganna. 

Meredith frowned a little but started to follow Erudisia....

As does Bell... hesitatntly.   This just does not feel right.

Bell - Insight Check:  19

(Bell’s 19 Insight exceeds Morganna’s 15 Deception. She has a gut feeling that a) the mimosas are indeed mimosas. Not, say, poison or potions, and b) Morganna is not interested in killing you. Whatever kick she gets from “selling” the portraits exceeds any joy such an evil creature would get from straight-up murder…)

Morganna chuckles lightly when Bell and Meredith join Erudisia. “We're going to need more mimosas... Come, ladies… let’s get acquainted…”

“Yes, but I told them to shower,” Azirssa interjects, her voice cold as a knife, her smile warm and sunny.

“Haha. They aren’t the ones in need of freshening up, dear…,” Morganna says, wrinkling her nose in a friendly smile.

Azirssa’s eyes are daggers as Morganna leads you three into the lounge. Little One, who had done fine on the exercises, says, diplomatically, “I will take shower.” This almost seems to catapult Azirssa into a rage, but you lose sight of her as the lounge door closes.

In the lounge, Morganna regales you quietly with a tale from long ago. Apparently, she was there at the Establishment of the Zulkirs of Thay. The tale is extraordinary and hinges on how her beauty seemed to change the minds of the common folk, who treated her like a goddess, and this gave them the strength to eventually overthrow the Zulkirs. Bell’s Insight roll, which we’ll let ride, tells her that something about this tale is an outright lie. The details indicate Morganna was indeed there. Her tale is amazing. But her relationship with the commoners seems… unconvincing. More importantly, Bell can tell that Morganna is using the tale to put you three at ease, like a salesman befriending you so you’ll take whatever price he sets for his goods…

Meredith sets her ' customer service' face while she tries to puzzle out a way through this without everyone dying....

Erudisia makes sure to offer a girlish titter as Morganna makes her jab, then endeavours to look rapt, hanging on each word of the hag. 

“My goodness, you’ve lived such a life! How did you come to be here, in such a small place, doing so much good, but having to work and accommodate Azir—… people with far less refinement and experience? Surely, you’re destined for something greater, something grander? It feels like you’d already achieve it if you were left to work in your own way?”

Meredith looked away but subtely nodded along with most of Erudisias words...

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