OOC: The following post ONLY happens if the guards take their leave (limits of the medium, and to move the plot along).

Varen then draws the curtains to a close, and motions everyone to circle around.

She speaks quietly, just at a volume that only the assembled group can hear. 

"Sire, last night when Ronegan, Elavor, and I ventured to the bazaar. We found a very important place... a sanctuary. A hidden city within the city. And..." Varen looks to Ronegan and Petal, and then back to Onyx himself. "A safe place for those of your... no, our... particular talents." Varen fingers the chain that holds her amulet in place. "While I spent the time finding more of my kin, Master Ronegan discovered quite a lot in the short while we were there. I'm honestly surprised he hasn't exploded like an overcooked pastry from keeping a secret such as this." She gives Ronegan a grin, and pauses to let the others speak. 

Petals jaw drops, “A secret city inside the city? That’s amazing! So if they are all using magic down there.... are they all very ill?”

(Elavor's Perception (if needed) 12 )

 OOC: Assuming the guards take their leave.

Elavor listens as Varen describes what they found the previous evening... his heart sinks recalling it..  

"Yes, it's a guarded place, but I'm positive I could find the entrance to it again. It might take me some time, and a bit of research, possibly some luck... but... well.. I could at least get you to an entrance, I think." 

Elavor runs his hand through his hair, staring at the floor. " Ronegan should tell what he found there. My exploits are of no consequence.. " 

"That was incredibly risky to head to this place," Ran says. "For you and the people down there. The inquisitor must be watching this household closely."

He pauses for a moment. Now that he's said that, Ran's mind swings completely over to logistics and how this knowledge might help them all.

"Is there more than one entrance? Can people bypass the normal ways into and out of the city? And how secret is it? The powers that be must have heard rumor of this place."

Varen looks to Petal. "It was... phenomenal. My father had mentioned such places, but this... was truly a sight. And everyone seemed healthy!"

Varen gives Elavor a slim smile. "It's a good thing we have the best cartographer in the city, no? You and I are going to spend a few hours pouring over maps next to find some leads, once we're done here."

Elavor returns the smile... "Indeed, I know where we can start right away" 

Responding to Ran, "To be honest, we didn't know exactly what we were about to find. And the entrance we used is... gone. We will have to find the markers for a new one."

She looks around. "To survive here, the residents there must be crafty indeed."

"I hope that is the case," Ran says to Varen. "If the inquisitor knows about them, she may just be biding her time before making a show of cleansing the city."

Onyx dismisses the knights but one an assume they are both close by outside the doors to the large common room where king Onyx is seated.

"A city underground of mages?" Onyx looks dumbfounded by the mere notion of a thing. "I...I," he pauses to compose himself, "I would gladly go there indeed," he nods looking wistful before hardening his expression. "I have news to share as well. It seems a witan is being held by the church no less to raise the issue of the new high king. The church as you all could have guessed is not please with Vahar's choice in Jubel. This tournament is a farce! It's meant to gather their allies close and force a more suitable choice of high king. Some..." the young king pauses to center himself hus anger growing, "there are some rumors that the church wants to dissolve the kingdoms altogether and rule all from the Holy Isle. A theocracy meant to oppose anyone and anything outside the Lightbringer. My uncle Ironhelm advises I take only the council if himself and Jubel directly. My mother is to retire from public service and I am to pledge allegiance to Jubel and support Vahar's wishes. A heady day of dealing indeed," he explains looking exhausted. "So, now you can imagine the news of a haven for arcane magic has been discovered comes as a balm for my nerves. I worry the church will succeed regardless of the opposition we are mounting," he explains.

"Not just mages, my liege. Every walk of life. Creatures of the Feywild. Hunters like me. Everyone that the church would crush beneath their self-righteous boots."

As Onyx continues. "Whatever happens, we cannot let the Church rule Embera. Not as it would be with leadership like the Grand Inquisitor. That..." She looks to Ran, then back to Onyx. "... is a fight I would sacrifice everything for."

She keeps her voice quiet, eyes glancing at the door.

"As would I...my sister is not lost to them I hope," Onyx then says quiet off topic. "I wish I knew whatever that witch of a woman said to her that drove this wedge between us," he then exclaims. "I...I suspect it's something about my father's death. Maybe how it could have been prevented...I must find chancellor Green. He I feel is the key to all this," he adds worrying his short beard.

OOC: Everyone can check in. I'll be moving us to the next day of events in the morning. Night all.

“If the Inquisitor’s faction is planning to take control regardless of the outcome of the competition, we’re going to need access to your hidden city and probably before the end of the last event.”

He looks at each of them.

”We may need to get the King, Ronegan, and Petal to safety even before the Gauntlet. Likely you too, Varen. If what Tamara hinted at is true, there are already rumours about you.”

"I know."

She sighs.

"I think my best purpose won't be flailing about in a joust tomorrow. I would have barely been of use regardless. But if I'm sleuthing out another entrance to the sanctuary... maybe I really can bring some good to the House."

(OOC: Incredibly sorry, y'all. Chanukah preparations interfered with my D&D Beyond time yesterday and today.)

Ronegan clears his throat. "There is...something else, your Majesty. Something that might actually help us resist the Church's efforts to impose their own rule. It seems as though the underground city has found a way to...circumvent the Darkness. To keep it at bay. I think the leadership of the city knows far more about the Darkness than we do due to the clumsy efforts of those fools to suppress any knowledge."

Ronegan looks at the King severely. "If you, your Highness, were able to persuade the rulers there to share their knowledge, and bring that to Embera, then we may be able to usher in something else for our kingdom. An era of peace and tolerance, fear from the fear we've all lived under, and the indeed, the shadows that grow over you, your mother, Petal, and myself. Such broad-mindedness and tolerance are essential for a king or a kingdom to thrive. Kindness."

The halfling looks at Petal and seems sorely tempted to add something else, but he closes his mouth instead, and nods to Varen. "I can join Varen tomorrow, on the hunt. If we were not to turn up to the Gauntlet, it would certainly cause alarm, but no one will miss us for tomorrow's events at least. As long as Firstforge has some representation there, the rest of us should be able to do what we will."

Elavor pulls Varen aside... "Research this evening, then hunt tomorrow? " 

Varen nods to Elavor. "We'll work in my chamber, for now. Your highness, if you don't have any further questions, we'll get to work." 

She will spend the next few hours pouring over whatever collection of maps that Elavor has. With his help, she will try to find locations in the city that might have a similar connection to the Old City below as the Bazaar did, places that might also contain entrances to the Umbryl Arcana. Water survey maps or sewer maps that could connect to the Ferryman's river, places where the city was built atop old ruins. If there are any maps that contain old arcana, such as locations of ruined wizard towers before the city was rebuilt, such would also be of interest. Varen hopes to find a starting point to search for similar runic markers that they found in the Bazaar.

Investigation 7

Petal is visibly excited by Ronegans news, “They can circumvent the darkness? I... I have to find out how! I don’t want my abilities to harm anybody any more than they have already! Please, please, let me come with you!” She looks hopefully at    Varen.

Her face turns to concern as she looks upon her King, “ Sir Baelfire is a good man, but I have doubts about your uncle. With respect, Sir Ironhelm is not the King, you are! And you can take advice from whoever you please! It’s your compassion, and your care for everyone, no matter how “important” that makes you somebody I believe in. He was incredibly rude to me, almost making a point to shame me in front of his family! Your mother always told me she never trust ls those that are rude to the help, so I think you should be a little cautious with him.”

Before Varen leaves with Elavor for what will no doubt be an utterly successful set of research, she gives Petal a warm smile. "I don't see why not. Hopefully we can find a way back in!"

Addressing Onyx, Elavor says: "I agree with Petal, your highness. For what it's worth. When your family first hired me to map the Lower Passages, your father and mother showed me the most gracious respect, and leeway. The way Sir Ironhelm dismissed Petal was ... well, that's not for me to say, not being royal. But it didn't feel right. I'll leave it at that." 

Looking at Petal, Elavor grins:  "I think the more eyes looking out for this place, the quicker we will find it, Petal. You'd love it there, actually.."

Working with Varen, going over the maps of the city is thrilling to Elavor. Solving a mystery to find this entrance will challenge all of his abilities... 

(Investigation: 18   History: 16 )

As they work in Varen's chamber, Elavor speaks up: "You know, Varen, this might all be easier if we headed to the Cartographers Guild, itself. We might have an easier time finding precisely what you're looking for, and.. I've got a small apartment, so if you got tired you could rest there, and pick up first thing tomorrow." 

"Hmm... what you have on hand... I'm just not seeing what I was hoping to."

She pauses a moment, looks at Elavor, then sets down the parchment map in her hand.

"Give me a moment to gather my things." She lets Petal know where she is going, and promises the gnome that she won't venture into the hidden city without her once they find a lead.

Armored up in her leathers, with saber at her side, shield and daggers strapped to her bandolier, and her small pack on her back, she returns to Elavor ready to depart.

"Hopefully your guildmaster might be able to provide what we are looking for!"