As Mitten's approaches him, Ednyss calls a greeting and when Mittens asks him about Shirei-Kin he replies, "No, I haven't seen him since we departed yesterday. Is something wrong?"
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
“The mark of a successful DM is when you have caused more player deaths with doors than dragons, demons, or devils.”
The Provincial Police Headquarters is in fact located on the same plaza, just across from the Arena, a wide, two-story building with gated windows. Guards at the entrance allow Mittens inside when he asks to speak with Inspector Saad, who he finds at a desk, busily writing notes, in a large, low-ceilinged room, surrounded by shelves holding ledgers of various sizes and ages.
Saad, the small-framed Orracan, is wearing exactly the same clothes he had the night before, a kaftan and a short cloak, pinned by a brooch bearing the city seal of Ishi Ammah, with an indigo fez atop his head. Judging from the lived-in feeling of his desk, it seems likely he has been up all night, although his temperament is precisely the same as before: eyes and ears open wide, pulling information from his surroundings like a Cat’s eyes suck in light.
Noting Mittens from the moment he enters, Saad sips from a cup of coffee and leans back in his chair, awaiting the wizard’s approach. The Inspector listens to Mittens with interest.
“Yes, the chimps. They, and Mr. Abodolla, and Benita la Cass have not yet responded to my summons, have they? There are only a few more boxes to tick before I shall have a clear picture of how the events unfolded. Thank you, and if you think of anything else, please tell me.”
When you exit the building, please roll another perception check. Do you do anything else before walking up the hill to villa Safi Meknes?
As Mitten's approaches him, Ednyss calls a greeting and when Mittens asks him about Shirei-Kin he replies, "No, I haven't seen him since we departed yesterday. Is something wrong?"
(OOC: we posted simultaneously. Mittens can RP this out. )
Tuff Blueschist, seemingly satisfied, rises smoothly and waits for you to stand. "Very good. Wad will show you to your room," he says, nodding to the dwarf behind you, "and after you get settled, come down to the kitchen if you are hungry, and the salon to be fitted for livery. I will give you and the others instructions soon thereafter.”
The armed dwarf whom Tuff referred to as Wad wordlessly leads you back to the front door and the porch chest, holding the lid open for you to collect your weapons, and then back inside once more, along the courtyard walk while pointing out the salon, and then shows you upstairs to a room with two beds, upon one of which lies a traveler’s pack, redolent of horses, and next to which is thrown a pair of heavy boots.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Not knowing where he Sherei-kin could be, Mittens approaches Ednyss with his question. He responds, "It's about the thing that happened in the arena. I needed to tell him- Oh!" He exclaims. He says excitedly, "I'll just talk to the investigator. See ya later!" He bounds off to the investigator and has that conversation.
Afterwards, he makes his way to the meeting place with a slight spring in his step. Saad had already probably thought of what he told him, but every little bit helps.
After his curious encounter with Mittens, Ednyss just shakes his head and goes back to helping manage the Childrens' Games. He makes sure to leave with plenty of time so he arrives at the arranged meeting place (Villa Safi Mekenes?) halfway between 11 and 12 bells.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
“The mark of a successful DM is when you have caused more player deaths with doors than dragons, demons, or devils.”
It is the second day of Beauty (OOC: the month of March in the real world), and at 1 bell in the afternoon, in villa Safi Meknes, Harbor View, Ishi Ammah, you four are gathered in the salon. Mittens and Ednyss were able to enter the Gate today simply by stating their name. By daylight, you all have seen that the front terrace has a fine view overlooking the bay. The morning fog has burned off, and the day is clear and sunny, although still only moderately warm. Early blooms are just poking up through the terrace lawn. The entry path splits between two separate buildings, and between them is a carriage house, accessed by a central drive. In the carriage house, the two dwarven 'brothers' were preparing a carriage, apparently awaiting a team of horses.
The ‘brothers’ stopped what they were doing when they saw you, and after exchanging a brief word, one of them moves to meet you at the entryway. You go left as you did the previous night, and at the door, he looks you over, taking in your equipment approvingly, and then leads you into the building, which he refers to as the cottage, and up to the second floor, where Ednyss and Mittens will share a room.
The ‘brother’ points out the bath, and gives you all a quick tour of the premises. After you drop off your things, he instructs you to head back to the salon, where Strata, the comely dwarven maid, is awaiting with needle and thread. Wearing a simple burgundy wrapper, bound at the waist with a golden belt, her head covered in a hijab -- Orracan fashion, not dwarven -- she deftly prepares tunics for each of you to wear over your armor bearing the sigil of Core of Onyx, matching the uniform of the two ‘brothers.’ As you enter, she quickly and quietly gets to work, adjusting, hemming, and soon you are all outfitted.
You four all find yourselves in the salon at once, along with Benita la Cass, whose long raven hair is tied back in her usual ponytail, for a few minutes before you know Tuff Blueschist will call for your attention. Dolkum and Ednyss were easy to fit in livery, and Strata is now working on Mittens. After getting fitted, your livery is removed and folded, and you’ve been instructed to wear it later today.
(OOC: You can RP introductions, since there’s a newcomer among you.)
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
A slightly larger looking dwarf with a fully grown white beard, the small cracks already beginning to form on his skin the only thing to betray his age, holds his arm out to the newcomer and introduces himself, "Ednyss. Well met." To himself he begins to wonder why Granophyre would recruit a priest from another religion to protect him, but he knew that the older dwarf probably knew better than him, so he kept his thoughts to himself. Ednyss carries himself well and there is a glistening new War Pick hanging from his hip along with his shield. Noticing no weapons on the other dwarf he asks, "How exactly do you plan on keeping our employer secure without any weapons, if I may ask?"
Religion: 3 (OOC: To see what Ednyss knows about Idiwala.)
"All dwarves and a cat. I'll end up breaking my neck looking down all the time."
The woman speaking bears a shield on her back and in her belt are a longsword and two hand axes. What's weird in her appearance is that she wears no armour at all. Other than her clothes, she has no protection. Although she's tall compared to the dwarves, any familiarity with humans could tell you she's slightly short. If you don' know humans that well, or if they all just seem tall, you can at least see that she's shorter than the other woman. Because she doesn't wear armour, you can now see for the first time how many scars she has on her body. Some are big, many are small, but it's clear she's been through many fights. Only her face seems to bear no signs of that, probably thanks to that shield. Her long brown hair is braided into one thick braid. Her bright blue eyes looking slightly bored.
Varielky takes a hand axe out of its frog and spins it in her hand, then returns it back to its place. "I think I have misunderstood the nature of this job. They kept mentioning travelling and risking our lives, not waiting in a salon."
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Good things come to us who wait, for we are here to guard a worthy noble dwarf, Granophyre Strewn. Dolkum doffs his robes, and folds them into his backpack, revealing his full panoply of scale mail, shield, and warhammer all in grey with dark azure facings.
History 8 to remember anything at all of Mr Strewn...
After meeting the newcomer, Mittens says, "Hi there! My name is Mittens, and I am a necromancer." Standing nearly three feet tall, Mittens has a scholarly air about him. He is covered in black fur, and he has white stripes running the length of his back similar to a tiger's. He has forest green eyes that have an inquisitive cast, and just below them are a pair of pale red stripes that run across his face. The front side of his torso has a light gray coloration. Perched on his shoulder is an oil-clothe car toy with two blue button eyes and red strings for whiskers. It looked normal until it turns its head and inspects something off to th side. Mittens is wearing simple, green clothing. He has a backpack full of his stuff off to the side, but a short black staff tipped with a knot of quartz is strapped to his back. He has a large book, almost as large as him, strapped to his back as well.
A slightly larger looking dwarf with a fully grown white beard, the small cracks already beginning to form on his skin the only thing to betray his age, holds his arm out to the newcomer and introduces himself, "Ednyss. Well met." To himself he begins to wonder why Granophyre would recruit a priest from another religion to protect him, but he knew that the older dwarf probably knew better than him, so he kept his thoughts to himself. Ednyss carries himself well and there is a glistening new War Pick hanging from his hip along with his shield. Noticing no weapons on the other dwarf he asks, "How exactly do you plan on keeping our employer secure without any weapons, if I may ask?"
Religion: 21 (OOC: To see what Ednyss knows about Idiwala.)
Ednyss
The only god who never participates in struggles, and is therefore seen as the wisest, controls all without having to exert control is Idiwala, god of speech, stories, history. "She or he who controls the story controls the future and the past." The name Idiwala is an ancient Dwarven phrase, as Dwarves were the inventors of written language. “It Is Said” : Id-i-wala. The sigil is 3 ancient Dwarven characters. The architecture and design elements are all textual. Like this window where all the little marks are letters in Arabic:
Good things come to us who wait, for we are here to guard a worthy noble dwarf, Granophyre Strewn. Dolkum doffs his robes, and folds them into his backpack, revealing his full panoply of scale mail, shield, and warhammer all in grey with dark azure facings.
History 16 to remember anything at all of Mr Strewn...
Gramophyre Strewn is a leading Dwarven scholar, whose focus is the Dwarven Empire before the Hammer, before the Wandering God. Dolkum has read a history text by Strewn, which is required reading as an acolyte of Idiwala, and he has heard The Keeper and other elder priests discuss his discoveries.
After some thought Ednyss begins to realize that Granophyre may have wanted someone who could help him record any findings, and if this priest could use the warhammer that he had just revealed, then perhaps security would be an added benefit. Seeing that introductions have been made and that they are just waiting on Granophyre, Ednyss waits until Strata is done fitting Mittens and then pulls the cat off to the side a little. In a low whisper he says, "If you really have information about the event we witnessed in the arena, I warn you to be careful sharing the information with either of our hot-tempered friends. They lost a close friend and it would be foolish to lead them on falsely or worse cause them to do something reckless. If you have shared your findings with Shirei-Kin and the inspector, then they can hopefully figure this out soon."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
“The mark of a successful DM is when you have caused more player deaths with doors than dragons, demons, or devils.”
Benita la Cass greets everyone solemnly, and you all read a deep sadness in her eyes, but behind it, an ember of passion. Young and attractive, she holds her chin high and moves her athletic body with grace and confidence. She wears black leather armor and carries a long curved blade and a dagger, both with ornate, somewhat whimsical guards.
You are all called to the courtyard, where Tuff Blueschist stands before you. In the corner of the yard sits another dwarf at a small table in the sun, wearing a comfortable-looking red coat over cream-colored tunic and hose, reading with the help of gold-rimmed spectacles while smoking a pipe. His movements are as assured as royalty, though he seems content to quietly sit in the corner and page through his book. A small brass or gold figurine in the shape of a sparrow balances, atop his head, then grows wings and flutters up to the roof, then flies back down again to land on his shoulder, its wings retracting like flowing mercury into its metallic form..
Blueschist holds your attention and begins to speak after a nod from Strata that the fittings have been completed. "Thank you Strata, good, very good.”
Pausing long enough to hold each of your eyes for a moment, long enough to underline his next words, he goes on. “It is my privilege to introduce you five to Master Strewn,” he says, gesturing to the seated dwarf who, very involved in his reading, responds a moment later, looking up over his glasses, lowering his book and nodding hello to the group.
“Thank you Mr. Blueschist. Please go on.”
Blueschist continues. “This evening, Master Strewn will be attending a performance by Kieu-Lan Trinh, at the Palace amphitheater. You will act as footmen, while Flint, here,” motioning to one of the brothers and turning to him, “you will drive the carriage.” Flint nods. Turning back to instruct you all, Blueschist continues, “At the performance, you will stand guard outside the Theater, while Flint and...Benita...accompany the Master within. If anyone should ask regarding my whereabouts, you may let on that I had intended to accompany the Master, but was in urgent need of overseeing an issue regarding our forthcoming journey up the coast, let us say.
"Master Strewn will share a box in the Theater with an acquaintance, Adekite, Priest of Sashia, and the Priest’s acquaintance, Omar El Idrissid, historian at the College of Orraca u Shia. Following the performance, Master Strewn and the Priest will visit Mr. El Idrissid’s home, and you will accompany him within. Flint and Benita will stay with the carriage outside, and Wad,” now speaking to the other ‘brother,’ “you will remain here and stand guard outside throughout the evening and help with our preparations for tomorrow.” Turning once more to you three, “Following that visit, you will escort the Master back here. Tomorrow morning, we leave Ishi Ammah, more details regarding which I will give you later tonight. Questions?"
As a reminder, Kieu-Lan Trinh performed in the first half of the Beauty Games the prior day. Ednyss and Mittens witnessed it in the Arena, Varielky and Benita from the staging room through access windows, and Dolkum saw and heard it in the Plaza, via the Arena Eyes and Dominion projectors, and I’ll repeat that scene here for his benefit:
A group of 50 children holding musical instruments, and a choir of 50 more march out wearing extravagant old folk costumes. A proud woman, stunningly beautiful, wearing silken floral robes of the Great Basin, the train of which flows behind her a good 15 feet carried by more children, walks to the arena floor before the Governor. The children begin to play their instruments, the choir sings, and the woman, who you gather from exchanges among the crowd, is some kind of opera star, solos, accompanied by them all, in an Orracan song of longing, “Friday comes, my love.” The effect is touching to the extreme, and many in the audience well up with emotion listening to the Orracan song, although too, some simply chuckle at the sentimentality. The musicians continue after warm applause, performing two Jenghen anthems before leaving the floor.)
"None at all, sir!" Varielky just barely stops herself from saluting. The debrief reminded her of her days of service and instinctively she answered in the same manner she did back then. "No, actually, when will we be leaving?" She didn't really need to know, but she wanted to cover for her embarrassing response. Old habits die hard, so it seems.
Tuff answers Varielky's and Ednyss' questions: "The performance starts at 4 bells. You will leave for the Palace at 3 bells. Be ready to go at half-past 2 bells. It's now a bit after 1 bell, so you have one hour to do as you wish. Don't go far."
Mittens asks, "This is probably pointless a question, but does Mr. Strewn have any enemies we should be on the lookout for?" He eyes Dolkum curiously, wondering how capable their new companion is.
He adds, "I also don't really have anything to do in the meantime, so would you mind if I just stay here for a few hours and read?"
As Mitten's approaches him, Ednyss calls a greeting and when Mittens asks him about Shirei-Kin he replies, "No, I haven't seen him since we departed yesterday. Is something wrong?"
“The mark of a successful DM is when you have caused more player deaths with doors than dragons, demons, or devils.”
Mittens
The Provincial Police Headquarters is in fact located on the same plaza, just across from the Arena, a wide, two-story building with gated windows. Guards at the entrance allow Mittens inside when he asks to speak with Inspector Saad, who he finds at a desk, busily writing notes, in a large, low-ceilinged room, surrounded by shelves holding ledgers of various sizes and ages.
Saad, the small-framed Orracan, is wearing exactly the same clothes he had the night before, a kaftan and a short cloak, pinned by a brooch bearing the city seal of Ishi Ammah, with an indigo fez atop his head. Judging from the lived-in feeling of his desk, it seems likely he has been up all night, although his temperament is precisely the same as before: eyes and ears open wide, pulling information from his surroundings like a Cat’s eyes suck in light.
Noting Mittens from the moment he enters, Saad sips from a cup of coffee and leans back in his chair, awaiting the wizard’s approach. The Inspector listens to Mittens with interest.
“Yes, the chimps. They, and Mr. Abodolla, and Benita la Cass have not yet responded to my summons, have they? There are only a few more boxes to tick before I shall have a clear picture of how the events unfolded. Thank you, and if you think of anything else, please tell me.”
When you exit the building, please roll another perception check. Do you do anything else before walking up the hill to villa Safi Meknes?
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
(OOC: we posted simultaneously. Mittens can RP this out. )
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
Dolkum
Tuff Blueschist, seemingly satisfied, rises smoothly and waits for you to stand. "Very good. Wad will show you to your room," he says, nodding to the dwarf behind you, "and after you get settled, come down to the kitchen if you are hungry, and the salon to be fitted for livery. I will give you and the others instructions soon thereafter.”
The armed dwarf whom Tuff referred to as Wad wordlessly leads you back to the front door and the porch chest, holding the lid open for you to collect your weapons, and then back inside once more, along the courtyard walk while pointing out the salon, and then shows you upstairs to a room with two beds, upon one of which lies a traveler’s pack, redolent of horses, and next to which is thrown a pair of heavy boots.
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
Not knowing where he Sherei-kin could be, Mittens approaches Ednyss with his question. He responds, "It's about the thing that happened in the arena. I needed to tell him- Oh!" He exclaims. He says excitedly, "I'll just talk to the investigator. See ya later!" He bounds off to the investigator and has that conversation.
Afterwards, he makes his way to the meeting place with a slight spring in his step. Saad had already probably thought of what he told him, but every little bit helps.
Perception: 7
After his curious encounter with Mittens, Ednyss just shakes his head and goes back to helping manage the Childrens' Games. He makes sure to leave with plenty of time so he arrives at the arranged meeting place (Villa Safi Mekenes?) halfway between 11 and 12 bells.
“The mark of a successful DM is when you have caused more player deaths with doors than dragons, demons, or devils.”
CHAPTER 4 : A Night At The Opera
POST #1
It is the second day of Beauty (OOC: the month of March in the real world), and at 1 bell in the afternoon, in villa Safi Meknes, Harbor View, Ishi Ammah, you four are gathered in the salon. Mittens and Ednyss were able to enter the Gate today simply by stating their name. By daylight, you all have seen that the front terrace has a fine view overlooking the bay. The morning fog has burned off, and the day is clear and sunny, although still only moderately warm. Early blooms are just poking up through the terrace lawn. The entry path splits between two separate buildings, and between them is a carriage house, accessed by a central drive. In the carriage house, the two dwarven 'brothers' were preparing a carriage, apparently awaiting a team of horses.
The ‘brothers’ stopped what they were doing when they saw you, and after exchanging a brief word, one of them moves to meet you at the entryway. You go left as you did the previous night, and at the door, he looks you over, taking in your equipment approvingly, and then leads you into the building, which he refers to as the cottage, and up to the second floor, where Ednyss and Mittens will share a room.
The ‘brother’ points out the bath, and gives you all a quick tour of the premises. After you drop off your things, he instructs you to head back to the salon, where Strata, the comely dwarven maid, is awaiting with needle and thread. Wearing a simple burgundy wrapper, bound at the waist with a golden belt, her head covered in a hijab -- Orracan fashion, not dwarven -- she deftly prepares tunics for each of you to wear over your armor bearing the sigil of Core of Onyx, matching the uniform of the two ‘brothers.’ As you enter, she quickly and quietly gets to work, adjusting, hemming, and soon you are all outfitted.
You four all find yourselves in the salon at once, along with Benita la Cass, whose long raven hair is tied back in her usual ponytail, for a few minutes before you know Tuff Blueschist will call for your attention. Dolkum and Ednyss were easy to fit in livery, and Strata is now working on Mittens. After getting fitted, your livery is removed and folded, and you’ve been instructed to wear it later today.
(OOC: You can RP introductions, since there’s a newcomer among you.)
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
You see a dwarf, about 1 human longsword tall, with a good start to his beard, wearing the robes of an acolyte and an amulet of 3 interlocking boxes.
Blessings of Idiwala upon you all. I am Dolkum Toorunn, bell ringer.
A slightly larger looking dwarf with a fully grown white beard, the small cracks already beginning to form on his skin the only thing to betray his age, holds his arm out to the newcomer and introduces himself, "Ednyss. Well met." To himself he begins to wonder why Granophyre would recruit a priest from another religion to protect him, but he knew that the older dwarf probably knew better than him, so he kept his thoughts to himself. Ednyss carries himself well and there is a glistening new War Pick hanging from his hip along with his shield. Noticing no weapons on the other dwarf he asks, "How exactly do you plan on keeping our employer secure without any weapons, if I may ask?"
Religion: 3
(OOC: To see what Ednyss knows about Idiwala.)
“The mark of a successful DM is when you have caused more player deaths with doors than dragons, demons, or devils.”
"All dwarves and a cat. I'll end up breaking my neck looking down all the time."
The woman speaking bears a shield on her back and in her belt are a longsword and two hand axes. What's weird in her appearance is that she wears no armour at all. Other than her clothes, she has no protection. Although she's tall compared to the dwarves, any familiarity with humans could tell you she's slightly short. If you don' know humans that well, or if they all just seem tall, you can at least see that she's shorter than the other woman. Because she doesn't wear armour, you can now see for the first time how many scars she has on her body. Some are big, many are small, but it's clear she's been through many fights. Only her face seems to bear no signs of that, probably thanks to that shield. Her long brown hair is braided into one thick braid. Her bright blue eyes looking slightly bored.
Varielky takes a hand axe out of its frog and spins it in her hand, then returns it back to its place. "I think I have misunderstood the nature of this job. They kept mentioning travelling and risking our lives, not waiting in a salon."
Varielky
Good things come to us who wait, for we are here to guard a worthy noble dwarf, Granophyre Strewn. Dolkum doffs his robes, and folds them into his backpack, revealing his full panoply of scale mail, shield, and warhammer all in grey with dark azure facings.
History 8 to remember anything at all of Mr Strewn...
After meeting the newcomer, Mittens says, "Hi there! My name is Mittens, and I am a necromancer." Standing nearly three feet tall, Mittens has a scholarly air about him. He is covered in black fur, and he has white stripes running the length of his back similar to a tiger's. He has forest green eyes that have an inquisitive cast, and just below them are a pair of pale red stripes that run across his face. The front side of his torso has a light gray coloration. Perched on his shoulder is an oil-clothe car toy with two blue button eyes and red strings for whiskers. It looked normal until it turns its head and inspects something off to th side. Mittens is wearing simple, green clothing. He has a backpack full of his stuff off to the side, but a short black staff tipped with a knot of quartz is strapped to his back. He has a large book, almost as large as him, strapped to his back as well.
DM- Azalin's Doom
DM- Surviving the Unsurvivable
Ednyss
The only god who never participates in struggles, and is therefore seen as the wisest, controls all without having to exert control is Idiwala, god of speech, stories, history. "She or he who controls the story controls the future and the past." The name Idiwala is an ancient Dwarven phrase, as Dwarves were the inventors of written language. “It Is Said” : Id-i-wala. The sigil is 3 ancient Dwarven characters. The architecture and design elements are all textual. Like this window where all the little marks are letters in Arabic:
http://pinterest.com/pin/121456521173033671/
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
Gramophyre Strewn is a leading Dwarven scholar, whose focus is the Dwarven Empire before the Hammer, before the Wandering God. Dolkum has read a history text by Strewn, which is required reading as an acolyte of Idiwala, and he has heard The Keeper and other elder priests discuss his discoveries.
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
After some thought Ednyss begins to realize that Granophyre may have wanted someone who could help him record any findings, and if this priest could use the warhammer that he had just revealed, then perhaps security would be an added benefit. Seeing that introductions have been made and that they are just waiting on Granophyre, Ednyss waits until Strata is done fitting Mittens and then pulls the cat off to the side a little. In a low whisper he says, "If you really have information about the event we witnessed in the arena, I warn you to be careful sharing the information with either of our hot-tempered friends. They lost a close friend and it would be foolish to lead them on falsely or worse cause them to do something reckless. If you have shared your findings with Shirei-Kin and the inspector, then they can hopefully figure this out soon."
“The mark of a successful DM is when you have caused more player deaths with doors than dragons, demons, or devils.”
POST #2
Benita la Cass greets everyone solemnly, and you all read a deep sadness in her eyes, but behind it, an ember of passion. Young and attractive, she holds her chin high and moves her athletic body with grace and confidence. She wears black leather armor and carries a long curved blade and a dagger, both with ornate, somewhat whimsical guards.
You are all called to the courtyard, where Tuff Blueschist stands before you. In the corner of the yard sits another dwarf at a small table in the sun, wearing a comfortable-looking red coat over cream-colored tunic and hose, reading with the help of gold-rimmed spectacles while smoking a pipe. His movements are as assured as royalty, though he seems content to quietly sit in the corner and page through his book. A small brass or gold figurine in the shape of a sparrow balances, atop his head, then grows wings and flutters up to the roof, then flies back down again to land on his shoulder, its wings retracting like flowing mercury into its metallic form..
Blueschist holds your attention and begins to speak after a nod from Strata that the fittings have been completed. "Thank you Strata, good, very good.”
Pausing long enough to hold each of your eyes for a moment, long enough to underline his next words, he goes on. “It is my privilege to introduce you five to Master Strewn,” he says, gesturing to the seated dwarf who, very involved in his reading, responds a moment later, looking up over his glasses, lowering his book and nodding hello to the group.
“Thank you Mr. Blueschist. Please go on.”
Blueschist continues. “This evening, Master Strewn will be attending a performance by Kieu-Lan Trinh, at the Palace amphitheater. You will act as footmen, while Flint, here,” motioning to one of the brothers and turning to him, “you will drive the carriage.” Flint nods. Turning back to instruct you all, Blueschist continues, “At the performance, you will stand guard outside the Theater, while Flint and...Benita...accompany the Master within. If anyone should ask regarding my whereabouts, you may let on that I had intended to accompany the Master, but was in urgent need of overseeing an issue regarding our forthcoming journey up the coast, let us say.
"Master Strewn will share a box in the Theater with an acquaintance, Adekite, Priest of Sashia, and the Priest’s acquaintance, Omar El Idrissid, historian at the College of Orraca u Shia. Following the performance, Master Strewn and the Priest will visit Mr. El Idrissid’s home, and you will accompany him within. Flint and Benita will stay with the carriage outside, and Wad,” now speaking to the other ‘brother,’ “you will remain here and stand guard outside throughout the evening and help with our preparations for tomorrow.” Turning once more to you three, “Following that visit, you will escort the Master back here. Tomorrow morning, we leave Ishi Ammah, more details regarding which I will give you later tonight. Questions?"
(OOC: Here is a link to some pictures of Villa Safi Meknes and NPCs just introduced.
As a reminder, Kieu-Lan Trinh performed in the first half of the Beauty Games the prior day. Ednyss and Mittens witnessed it in the Arena, Varielky and Benita from the staging room through access windows, and Dolkum saw and heard it in the Plaza, via the Arena Eyes and Dominion projectors, and I’ll repeat that scene here for his benefit:
A group of 50 children holding musical instruments, and a choir of 50 more march out wearing extravagant old folk costumes. A proud woman, stunningly beautiful, wearing silken floral robes of the Great Basin, the train of which flows behind her a good 15 feet carried by more children, walks to the arena floor before the Governor. The children begin to play their instruments, the choir sings, and the woman, who you gather from exchanges among the crowd, is some kind of opera star, solos, accompanied by them all, in an Orracan song of longing, “Friday comes, my love.” The effect is touching to the extreme, and many in the audience well up with emotion listening to the Orracan song, although too, some simply chuckle at the sentimentality. The musicians continue after warm applause, performing two Jenghen anthems before leaving the floor.)
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
"None at all, sir!" Varielky just barely stops herself from saluting. The debrief reminded her of her days of service and instinctively she answered in the same manner she did back then. "No, actually, when will we be leaving?" She didn't really need to know, but she wanted to cover for her embarrassing response. Old habits die hard, so it seems.
Varielky
Ednyss just gives a nod to acknowledge the instructions and adds on to Varielky's question, "And are we free to do as we wish until then?"
“The mark of a successful DM is when you have caused more player deaths with doors than dragons, demons, or devils.”
Tuff answers Varielky's and Ednyss' questions: "The performance starts at 4 bells. You will leave for the Palace at 3 bells. Be ready to go at half-past 2 bells. It's now a bit after 1 bell, so you have one hour to do as you wish. Don't go far."
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
Mittens asks, "This is probably pointless a question, but does Mr. Strewn have any enemies we should be on the lookout for?" He eyes Dolkum curiously, wondering how capable their new companion is.
He adds, "I also don't really have anything to do in the meantime, so would you mind if I just stay here for a few hours and read?"