Vannithos peers about the city with a bit more interest than usual, feeling overwhelmed by all of the lively sights and sounds. He thought himself rather worldly, having ventured outside his muted homeland, but...how can people stand to live in a such a garish place long-term? "...Yes, that makes the most sense." He murmurs in agreement with Vadania, ready to focus on their business here.

Engelheart still rubbing the stamp off his hand. "Seriously, what is even the point. Are they worried someone might sneak aboard a FREE ship." Noticing the other look at castle, he did the same. It was rather impressive that folks could build such a place, that prison might actually be large enough to make you forget that you are trapped in it. Engelheart liked his freedom too much too ever settle down in a place like that, too permanent. 

After making the brief journey to the castle, you encounter two soldiers guarding the entrance in shiny metal armor and wielding halberds adorned with feathers where the shaft meets the head. One of the guards asks in a voice somewhat muffled by his mask, "What is your business with the royal court?"

"Funny you shoukd ask my dear man." Engelheart steps forward a bit. "We are investitrackers, currently are investigating a sudden influx of vampiric activities and are actively tracking those ringleaders behind it. We seek an audience to exchange information about what we know and have discovered and wish to ask if any further information or investigations can be assisted with. All can see the mutual benefit of success, correct?"

 "All vampiric matters are to be taken to Head Advisor Daris. Please follow me." The guard leads you inside the castle, where you see a massive hall with an exotic red carpet leading to an empty throne. In the back right and left corners of the room are stairs leading to the floor above you. The guard takes you up the flight of stairs on the right, and leads you to an office with a Gnome in it. He seems to be quite old, and hardly notices you at the door. "Head Advisor Daris, I've got a group here claiming they have information on the vampires."

"Ah. Very good then. Please, sit." He gestures at the chairs in front of you. "And I see you've got a young child here as well... not something I typically see paired with the issue of vampires. What's your name lad?"

"Garil." Daris freezes. He stares at Garil as if he had just seen a ghost, before giving a shaky smile and nodding. "I uh, see. Very nice. Anyways what exactly has brought you here today?"

Vadania clocks the Advisor's discomfort but she holds her tongue for now. She is content to let the professionals speak first before she comes with her own questions. After all, her party members would probably know about this business more than a volunteer like herself. 

Vannithos steps forward with the consecrated box in hand, opening it for a moment so the gnome can see the necklaces before carefully shutting it again.

"We've encountered a few vampires who wore these, as well as a fellow named Skeer. There are also rumors about a supposed witch named Lohse. Do you know anything about them? And...why do you seem so...pale at hearing the name 'Garil'?"

Insight on his answer: 16

Vadania adds, "There also seems to be multiple people going by the name Skeer."

"L-Lohse? Where could you have..." He walks to the entrance of the office and calls for a guard. "Here lad. Do you mind stepping out of the room for a bit? There's something the adults need to discuss. This friendly man here will watch after you." After Garil steps out, Daris quickly shuts the door and returns his attention to you. "That name, Lohse. Where did you hear it? Spare no detail, this is of utmost importance."

Quote from EmileTherese >>

Vannithos steps forward with the consecrated box in hand, opening it for a moment so the gnome can see the necklaces before carefully shutting it again.

"We've encountered a few vampires who wore these, as well as a fellow named Skeer. There are also rumors about a supposed witch named Lohse. Do you know anything about them? And...why do you seem so...pale at hearing the name 'Garil'?"

Insight on his answer: 16

 You can see there is genuine distress in his answer. He is clearly quite nervous and jittery at the moment, as compared to the tired old government official he was when you first met him.

Vadania growls, "Get a hold of yourself and quit dancing around the matter. What about Lohse and Garil has gotten you so spooked? We do not plan on hiding anything from you but honesty goes both ways. What do you know about Lohse and Garil and these vampires that you are not telling us?"

Engelheart slightly puzzled by the way Daris is behaving, "You know, my ears aren't much older then our little friend, I'll wait with him in the hall." Engelheart isn't sure what Daris is up too but he didn't like the boy in the hall with a guard and everyone seeming to know who Garil is. Engelheart will exit the room with Garil.

Vannithos gives a nod as Engelheart heads into the hall, agreeing that this is all a bit suspicious. He will position himself near the closed door and let the others handle the conversation while he focuses on hearing or spotting anything amiss.

Perception: nat 20+6

He look at you with an intense stare, then sighs and softens his gaze.  "Very well. I suppose you're already wrapped up in all of this. This tale started long ago, before most of you were born I'd reckon. Back then, there were three of us here in the royal court that the King Makrin truly considered his friend: the court jester Videric, who was kind and charismatic; our royal sorceress, an immensely powerful elf by the name of Lohse; and myself. You might not guess it, but there was a time before now in which Makrin was benevolent and just. He did what he could for his people. Of course, that time is now long gone, but there is a reason he has become bitter.

You see, he fell in love with Lohse, and she loved him in return. Never before have I seen such a true bond between two people. But their relationship had to remain secret, for Makrin feared that the people of his land would tear him apart if it was found he was in love with an elf. Then, the news came one day that Lohse had become pregnant. Makrin was horrified. He feared the people would be enraged at such a scandal: an elf, bearing the child of a dwarf. He became erratic, and paranoid for the life of him and Lohse. We tried to talk him down, but he would not listen. 

A few days after the announcement, he came to the belief that he had to have her executed, to protect their secret. It was at this time I felt something shift within the him. I do believe that there must have been some outside entity influencing his mind that day and now ever since, as there is no way that he would ever come to the conclusion of killing Lohse by his own logic. I told him he was crazy, and tried to convince him otherwise. But he was dead set. I alerted Videric and Lohse, and we hatched a plan to help her escape. She was to live in the woods, away from anywhere she might be recognized. Lohse could not stand the thought of her child being forced to live in seclusion, so she asked Videric to care for it. Once her child was born, Videric would take it and raise it. He was to change his name and shave his face to avoid being recognized. We told the Markin that Lohse had been executed, and Videric stormed out, exclaiming Markin had gone too far. Though of course, he was really going to help Lohse.

The child was born, and was given the name Garil. And now he stands just outside the door. Sometimes I wonder if we made the right decision. Separating him from his mother and lying to Markin. I don't know. But now, I need to know who told you the name Lohse."

Vadania quints at the gnome as he tells the story. Her eyes glow under the dark shadow of the wide-brimmed hat though even now, her bandanna mask hides her face and her snout. She asks, "This... This man Videric... what was his fake name? Was it... Grabador?"

Insight to study the Gnome... She doesn't trust him... yet: 11

Quote from EmileTherese >>

Vannithos gives a nod as Engelheart heads into the hall, agreeing that this is all a bit suspicious. He will position himself near the closed door and let the others handle the conversation while he focuses on hearing or spotting anything amiss.

Perception: nat 20+6

 Oustide, you hear Garil, Engelheart, and the guard having a very serious discussion about which type of pastry is the tastiest. It doesn't sound like there is any threat to them at the moment. 

Quote from ZulkRS >>

Vadania quints at the gnome as he tells the story. Her eyes glow under the dark shadow of the wide-brimmed hat though even now, her bandanna mask hides her face and her snout. She asks, "This... This man Videric... what was his fake name? Was it... Grabador?"

Insight to study the Gnome... She doesn't trust him... yet: 11

 "I never knew what the name he came up with for himself was, as we weren't able to communicate after he left. He did always have a flair for the dramatic though, and that does sound like the silly kind of name he would pick."

You come to believe you can trust what the man has told you.

Vadania solemnly informs him, "If that is the case... then there is a good chance that Videric is dead." She explains to the gnome the events that led up to the meeting here. The Magician Grabador, the letters and the amulets, Skeer trying to hire the party to kill a man who also happened to be Skeer. And now to find Lohse.