"Our thanks.  This is most generous and kind of your master to provide for us," Claire says respectfully.  "I, ah, would be most grateful to be directed to your nearest bath," she says almost immediately, only her inbred training in manners keeping her from blurting out the request with haste and a certain lack of decorum.

"Although I do have a question... would you happen to know if anyone here has a good map of the region they'd be willing to part with?  I'm quite unfamiliar with this segment of Ibini, and knowledge, as they say, is power.  Which is probably why I was told there isn't a mapmaker to be found in town.  The Baron's Manor, however, is very obviously an entirely different matter," Claire says with a slight smile.

Louis pipes up at that last. “Oh I know these parts like the back of my hand, Theresa! Come on, I’ll fill you in on the details at them wash tubs.” Louis heads for bathing.

Nevil smiles at Claire.  "Maps are a rarity in these parts, milady.  However his lordship does own one.  I will speak to him."

His eyebrows almost raise unperceptively when Louis mentions communal bathing.  "Each guest suite has its own attached bathing chamber.  So unless you wish for the servants to move the baths into one communal area, you'll each be bathing alone.   There is a shared drawing room on the floor above which you can use if you wish to sit and relax and talk together.  You are welcome to take your food and drinks into there, of course."

He looks around you all one more time.  "Now, if there are no further questions I will take my leave.  You have about five hours until a servant will come and give you an hour's warning for the dinner bell.   As I say, just pull the chain by your room door if you need anything.   Good day."   The seneschal makes a formal bow and heads off down the corridor you came in by, leaving you all stood at the foot of the sweeping marble staircase.

Louis scratches his head then itches vigorously at his beard. “Personal tubs...? Who’s there to wash your back? City folks are weird’uns, that’s for sure!” 

Vaclav looks at the trapper with a raised brow. "I believe that's accomplished by simply bending your arms. Shouldn't be hard for a man of 'special talents' such as yourself." Without waiting for a reply he heads off to one of the rooms. 

Once there he spends the time to thoroughly clean his clothes using magic before slipping into a quick bath. He summons Chernobog again at lets the bird play in the water for a while before he snaps him away again and then goes in search of a library inside the estate. 

"I... think I will pass," Claire says very firmly to Louis.  "Besides, I feel so covered in the filth of travel that I am not sure I would wish my used bathwater upon my worst enemy," she says rather frankly.  "Although if you have knowledge of the surrounding area, that only makes you more welcome to our company, in my estimation.  We had a guide, but unfortunately we had to part ways, so we have a bit of a deficit in that regard among our number." 

To Nevil, she gives her thanks: "I'm most grateful for your assistance.  I understand if a map isn't available for the taking, but even having a rough idea of where things are would be great help."

Before she parts for her guest quarters, Claire turns around to address the original members of the Broken Chains: "I fully plan to be here in time for supper, if not earlier.  But I think I shall take this opportunity to wash up, and then perhaps visit the temple, as I'd mentioned.  Anyone is welcome to accompany if they wish... to visit the temple," she adds with a bit of severity in her voice.  "I am sure you can all bathe yourselves adequately, if cleanliness is what you desire."

Claire then goes to her quarter and bathes - a blessed bath, she thinks, feeling herself smelling somewhat normal once more - before regretfully changing back into her clothes, and resolving to purchase a spare set at the market to avoid just this problem.  She then spends a few minutes waiting at the entrance to the manor to see if anyone is joining, before setting off for the Church of Light.

Climbing the stairs you find yourselves in a long corridor with various portraits hung along it.   The first door on the left leads into what is obviously the communal drawing room.   A fireplace, currently unlit, has been dressed and set ready for lighting.  Comfortable rugs line the floor and a large bay window affords a view over the town to the west with the local farming fields beyond.  Many comfortable chairs and some low tables are arrayed around the room.    The walls are lined with bookshelves.  The books are mostly non-fiction, including history of the local area and some on flora and fauna.  A few classic fictional titles are here too.  In one corner stands a dresser which has a few decanters of red wine and some crystal glasses, with a well-stocked fruit bowl in the middle.

Beyond the communal room the corridor has many doors off it.  Each one leads to a sumptuous suite.  Each room is dressed pretty much the same:  A large four poster bed dominates each room.  Each has a large sash window with views varying from west across town to east across the fields beyond the palisade.  A low table with two chairs is festooned with lunch:  sweet meats, delicate bread rolls, ripe fruits and slices of ham and chicken are arrayed on a silver platter.  Next to that two bottles of wine are uncorked; one red, one white with two crystal glasses set next to it.  A large flagon of water sits nearby.   A wardrobe is open on one wall with space for hanging your clothes.   Next to the entrance door is a bell pull which you assume will summon servants.

Leading from the bedroom a single door goes into the bathroom which is dominated by a large metal bath tub.   These are currently empty, but a table nearby is full of soaps and lotions.

Louis bathes and looks to see if there are any clothes in the room. If so, he’ll use the bathtub to wash his clothes, putting on some clothes he finds.

Once he's clean Vaclav grabs some fruit and the begins to search thr books for anything related to magic or arcana.

Louis finds that the wardrobe and a chest in his room (which is the same for everyone) has a whole array of new, clean clothes in varying sizes, including dresses (mostly aimed at Claire but if that floats your boat Louis...).  They are not fancy like the nobility would wear, but they are both new and quite decent - and probably smell a lot better than his own.

Vaclav you grab some food and a drink and start looking through the tomes in the drawing room.  One immediately catches your eye.   It is called "Breaching the Void" and is by someone called Callindrill.    (Feel free to make a History or Arcana check to see if you've heard of this person before).

(It's been a heck of a couple days.  Sorry)

Salazar thanks the porter for his instructions and says, "Let's enjoy our quarters for a time, and then meet in the drawing room once we are ready."

He walks up to his designated room and stares in awe.  These quarters are nicer than his own were at home, despite the relative success of his business.  He's not sure what he expected, but this lavishness was not it.  He snacks on a roll, as well as an orange while he draws his bath.  This... This is what it is to be alive.  I need this prosperity and comfort.  I deserve this.

He soaks in the tub, taking full advantage of the soaps and lotions, and then he opens the bottle of red wine that he brought to tub with him.  This is bliss, he thinks as he sips at his glass.

Upon seeing the wardrobe, Claire does a similar check and then launders her clothes as well.  She still resolves to purchase a second set, on the off chance the Baron will actually want his clothing back.  If she knows anything about these types of men, though, it's that he's likely to have any clothing she wears burned afterwards, should she chose to leave it behind.

Well, we'll see, she thinks to herself, donning the most comfortable and practical pair of clothing within the finery that she can find.  At least I'll be presentable for the Church now.  With that, she sets off for her destination.

Louis wears the clothes in a much more comfortable manner than they were intended perhaps, but hey! Free soap for laundry! He’ll hang his usual stuff up to dry on a rope he’s tied up in the room.

Arcana: 12

Vaclav opens the book and begins to read through it as he waits for the appointed hour. 

Vaclav half recognises the name Callindrill but cannot place it.   He's semi-sure he is some famous wizard from far away on the other side of the world.

After a bath, Nos Heliwr will change into clean clothing, suitable for everyday purposes, and send his washables out to get cleaned.  Then he will peruse the room for anything interesting; after checking the room for secrets if there is a bookshelf, he'll survey the titles (checking for hollow books, loose things inside the books as well).

Investigation   8

Nos Heliwr is unable to find any secret things in his room.   The book shelves are in the main communal drawing room on this level.  A quick perusal around there (Investigation of 18) reveals no secrets there either.   This appears to be a very boring wing of the mansion in that respect.

After a bit Vaclav puts down the book, he then begins a small ritual, drawing arcane symbols in the air in front of him before, after 10 minutes, his eyes flash a quick bright blue and he begins to look around again.

(Ritual Casting Detect Magic)

Vaclav detects nothing of magic in this room, other than those things you already know about.

Claire decides to head off into town.  She makes her way past the enforcers at the palisade who give her a nod of recognition as she leaves.  She follows the cobbled street down past the Torrent which looks somehow more rundown than when she passed it a few hours ago.  Perhaps it's that everything in this town looks run down in comparison to the opulence she experienced at the manor house.  Past the inn, the road comes to an end at a cross roads.  She can see the domed cupula of the church ahead of her and follows the road in that direction.

The Church of the Light is a reasonably impressive building - one of the few in Grunal built of stone. It has a set of stone steps leading up to an arched entrance and sports a large dome on top, like many of the churches of this faith across Manabas. The local priest, Father Ungin, is a devout and holy man who tends for the flock of Baron Gilbert's manor and beyond.

The Rodinian Gazetteer

The trail to the church crosses the River Ardeth over a wooden bridge which leads directly into the churchyard.

Nos Heliwr will go to the Shack and try out the fare.  While he is there he will try and elicit as much information about the goings on of the 'street', such as it is in this place.

Performance   2

Persuasion   9

Perception   21