A servant of the household steps forward and heralds the start of the performance in the villa, by sounding off on a trumpet. The crowd clusters in the Entrance Hall (see the Cassalanter Villa Map, Appendix 3) and the servant, Willifort Crowelle, a tiefling, leads them to the Ballroom on the second floor. The doors remain open to allow the overflow audience to trickle into the villa. The villa, as always, is well fortified. Four guards flank the front door, two on each side of the interior. Inside the ballroom, six additional guards are posted around the perimeter of the room. The guards are private hires of the Cassalanters and are there to prevent guests from wandering around the estate. In addition to the private guards, the City Watch is on hand. Among the City Watch present is captain Hyustus Staget and two guards under his command.
A temporary dais has been constructed next to the Cassalanters’ beautiful harpsichord, which has been transported from the main hall to the ballroom. Ammalia and Victoro Cassalanter, dressed in opulent winter finery, smile warmly at the crowd. Their 8-year- old twin children, Terenzio and Elzerina, squirm in their freshly-starched holiday clothes.
Demalis and Lussa, you both notice that Elzerina looks anxious beyond just typical childlike ennui. She glances around the crowd, then over her shoulder, and nervously at her parents. Balled in her fist is a crumpled piece of paper.
Ammalia introduces the performer, opera singer Aria Cavatina (LG female protector aasimar bard). Aria performs without accompaniment. She sings an opening song, elevating a familiar holiday tune; radiant light fills the room and enraptures the audience.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
I have an intelligence of six, I know what I'm doing.
Delmalis glances to the others and whisper quietly to them, "That child seems upset, something to do with that piece of paper? Anyone think they can slip it away from her to see what's on it?"
Lussashakes her head, "not something I'd care to try." She tries to discern what or who the girl is looking over her shoulder at: Perception check: 11.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Welcome to the Emporium of Mayhem! What sort of mischief do you seek today? Pyromaniac Wyldfyre searching for her place in the world.
Lussa, you notice that the girl is eyeing the singer. Since Aria is an aasimar, you're not surprised that Ezlerina would pay attention to her, especially if her family is involved in a demonic cult.
Her attention switches to Twitch as the gnome approaches the children, purring. Their mother is somewhat confused for a moment, but she eases up as the children giggle and pet Twitch like a cat.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
I have an intelligence of six, I know what I'm doing.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
"Curious," Lussathinks to herself, "and guards posted inside the ballroom, as if to prevent anyone from leaving not keeping rabble from getting in." She leans towards Delmalis and whispers in elvish, "something feels wrong, I want a closer look at the guards. Let the others know I'll be right back."
She tries to fade into the crowd and move closer to one of the guards unnoticed (not approaching melee close, just close enough to determine race/facial and physical features/etc.). Stealth check: 16 Perception check: 20
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Welcome to the Emporium of Mayhem! What sort of mischief do you seek today? Pyromaniac Wyldfyre searching for her place in the world.
Delmalis flinches and fights not to lean away as Lussa leans in, but nods and quietly passes on the message to the others, "Should we mingle or something? I've never done anything like this before."
Meep nods, and says "We definitely need to present ourselves to the hosts at some point, probably between songs. Until then, just act natural. Try, at least."
Twitch notes the others interest in the note and mews curiously to the girl nudging the hand with the note in it then winks.
( If she is willing to pass the note to Twitch- Sleight of Hand: 23 Twitch will then carry the note fully within their mouth over to Delmalis as surreptiously as possible- Stealth: 16)
Twitch, the girl hands you the note and you notice a concern on her face when she does. When you hand it to Demalis, this is what he sees.
On the front side
The Wooden Girl
From The Faerûn Child’s Book of Fables
The girl’s name was Eliza and she was brought to life in the puppet-maker’s workshop. Like most girls, Eliza was equipped with limbs and a face and, of course, a heart. The puppet maker, Sophie, crafted Eliza with loving detail. Sophie perched Eliza in the window of the shop, where she could wave to the passers-by and enjoy the view of the ocean in the distance.
On the first morning of Midwinter, Eliza gazed longingly through the window, watching the white caps fold over the sea. Snow began to fall, dotting the shop windows and obscuring her vision. Eliza grew sad and wistful. She wanted to leave the shop, but knew that she could not.
Suddenly the snowdrops on the glass began to melt. A vivid orange glow filled Eliza’s sight. On the other side of the window stood an old man, face shrouded in a torn scarf, holding a candle. Elzerina was fearful, for Sophie had always told her: wooden girls must stay away from fire. Sophie told Elzerina about the wooden snake she had crafted as a child. When the snake was brought to life, it slithered toward the hearth, seeking warmth. A stray ember ignited the snake, and it withered to ashes. This was not the only warning; Sophie also told Elzerina about the set of pick-up sticks she had crafted when she was the woodworker’s apprentice. Pleased with her work, Sophie rubbed two sticks together to sand away the splinters — but the friction sparked, and the sticks burnt to cinders.
But the man’s flame was low on the wick, and he peered at her through the glass. Little wooden girl, why are you so sad?
I wish to see the sea beyond this pane of glass, she said. When it snows, the drops blur the window, and I feel trapped.
What if I took you from your mount? he said. Would you like that?
Elzerina frowned. My maker warned me not to go outside, for I could get lost. She says little girls like me get lost in big cities.
But the man persisted. Surely she did not create you just to keep you trapped here forever. What if you fetched her a gift for the holiday?
This filled Elzerina with joy. Oh, yes! I should so love to bring my maker a present. And perhaps I will get a quick glimpse of the sea.
He stepped into the shop and lifted her from her mount. He marched through the city and she reveled in the freedom. But he strode not to the sea, but toward the City of the Dead.
It was not the cool blue ocean she eventually saw before her, but a scene awash in gray. Perhaps if she blurred her sight, she could pretend that the feeble sun glinting off of the snow-slick tombstones was the white-capped surface of the sea. But Elzerina knew already that she had made a terrible mistake. She suddenly longed for the puppet-maker’s workshop, for the stoic company of alphabet blocks and sets of dice and intricately-carved spinning tops and tiny ballerinas who danced but never spoke. The man wove through the rows of stones and sat at a circle embedded in the ground, an altar unmarked and unnamed. But it had been desecrated already; Elzerina saw the remnants of a fire that once burned, the debris of used tinder.
The man pulled away his scarf and grinned at her, an evil smile matched by red eyes that glinted with sadistic pleasure. He placed her atop the ashes and pulled a matchbook from his shabby coat pocket. He had the tool but not the fuel — until he had found the wooden girl in the workshop window, made from the choicest wood for burning, the perfect size for kindle on a long winter night.
The man struck an oiled match tip and the flame roared to life, a curious gradient of deep navy and violent orange. And as the blue heart of the flame engulfed her, Eliza thought of both the azure sea she would never meet and the puppet-maker’s kind cornflower eyes, and longed for their cool, dousing touch.
Back side
Lussa, the guards don't hear you. When you look at them, you see they're wresting Waterdeep City Watch uniforms. You gather the Cassalanters hired them for personal security.
Meep, you watch Twitch walk over with the note in their mouth and show it to Demalis. As this happens, you see Mable wander over to Aria and they have a brief chat before the next song.
Once they're done speaking, Aria begins her next song. As she extends her arms, her arms, she stumbles and lets out a bloodcurdling scream.
Everyone roll Perception checks. Meep, you get to do it with advantage since Mable is right there.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
I have an intelligence of six, I know what I'm doing.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Sybil Perception: 3
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Kirin - Level 15 High Elf Wizard (Evocation) - Zorg's Lost Souls - Overchannel Steel Wind Strike for the Win against Demogorgon Silas - Level 11 Human Cleric (War Domain) - Tomb of Annihilation Done
Sybil let out a small sigh as she take a step back as she looks around for her housemates, using her awakened mind to telepathically inform everyone about the imp., "We have an imp again. Keep an eye out for more trouble,"
Kirin - Level 15 High Elf Wizard (Evocation) - Zorg's Lost Souls - Overchannel Steel Wind Strike for the Win against Demogorgon Silas - Level 11 Human Cleric (War Domain) - Tomb of Annihilation Done
Delmalis glances over the food and drink, but nothing seems to look very appetizing, and he continues on towards the main area.
Those who go to the entrance.
A servant of the household steps forward and heralds the start of the performance in the villa, by sounding off on a trumpet. The crowd clusters in the Entrance Hall (see the Cassalanter Villa Map, Appendix 3) and the servant, Willifort Crowelle, a tiefling, leads them to the Ballroom on the second floor. The doors remain open to allow the overflow audience to trickle into the villa. The villa, as always, is well fortified. Four guards flank the front door, two on each side of the interior. Inside the ballroom, six additional guards are posted around the perimeter of the room. The guards are private hires of the Cassalanters and are there to prevent guests from wandering around the estate. In addition to the private guards, the City Watch is on hand. Among the City Watch present is captain Hyustus Staget and two guards under his command.
A temporary dais has been constructed next to the Cassalanters’ beautiful harpsichord, which has been transported from the main hall to the ballroom. Ammalia and Victoro Cassalanter, dressed in opulent winter finery, smile warmly at the crowd. Their 8-year- old twin children, Terenzio and Elzerina, squirm in their freshly-starched holiday clothes.
Demalis and Lussa, you both notice that Elzerina looks anxious beyond just typical childlike ennui. She glances around the crowd, then over her shoulder, and nervously at her parents. Balled in her fist is a crumpled piece of paper.
Ammalia introduces the performer, opera singer Aria Cavatina (LG female protector aasimar bard). Aria performs without accompaniment. She sings an opening song, elevating a familiar holiday tune; radiant light fills the room and enraptures the audience.
I have an intelligence of six, I know what I'm doing.
Twitch decides that children count as small folk and scampers over to them purring loudly...
Delmalis glances to the others and whisper quietly to them, "That child seems upset, something to do with that piece of paper? Anyone think they can slip it away from her to see what's on it?"
Lussa shakes her head, "not something I'd care to try." She tries to discern what or who the girl is looking over her shoulder at: Perception check: 11.
Welcome to the Emporium of Mayhem! What sort of mischief do you seek today?
Pyromaniac Wyldfyre searching for her place in the world.
Lussa, you notice that the girl is eyeing the singer. Since Aria is an aasimar, you're not surprised that Ezlerina would pay attention to her, especially if her family is involved in a demonic cult.
Her attention switches to Twitch as the gnome approaches the children, purring. Their mother is somewhat confused for a moment, but she eases up as the children giggle and pet Twitch like a cat.
I have an intelligence of six, I know what I'm doing.
"Curious," Lussa thinks to herself, "and guards posted inside the ballroom, as if to prevent anyone from leaving not keeping rabble from getting in." She leans towards Delmalis and whispers in elvish, "something feels wrong, I want a closer look at the guards. Let the others know I'll be right back."
She tries to fade into the crowd and move closer to one of the guards unnoticed (not approaching melee close, just close enough to determine race/facial and physical features/etc.).
Stealth check: 16
Perception check: 20
Welcome to the Emporium of Mayhem! What sort of mischief do you seek today?
Pyromaniac Wyldfyre searching for her place in the world.
Delmalis flinches and fights not to lean away as Lussa leans in, but nods and quietly passes on the message to the others, "Should we mingle or something? I've never done anything like this before."
Meep nods, and says "We definitely need to present ourselves to the hosts at some point, probably between songs. Until then, just act natural. Try, at least."
Twitch notes the others interest in the note and mews curiously to the girl nudging the hand with the note in it then winks.
( If she is willing to pass the note to Twitch- Sleight of Hand: 23 Twitch will then carry the note fully within their mouth over to Delmalis as surreptiously as possible- Stealth: 16)
Twitch, the girl hands you the note and you notice a concern on her face when she does. When you hand it to Demalis, this is what he sees.
On the front side
The Wooden Girl
From The Faerûn Child’s Book of Fables
The girl’s name was Eliza and she was brought to life in the puppet-maker’s workshop. Like most girls, Eliza was equipped with limbs and a face and, of course, a heart. The puppet maker, Sophie, crafted Eliza with loving detail. Sophie perched Eliza in the window of the shop, where she could wave to the passers-by and enjoy the view of the ocean in the distance.
On the first morning of Midwinter, Eliza gazed longingly through the window, watching the white caps fold over the sea. Snow began to fall, dotting the shop windows and obscuring her vision. Eliza grew sad and wistful. She wanted to leave the shop, but knew that she could not.
Suddenly the snowdrops on the glass began to melt. A vivid orange glow filled Eliza’s sight. On the other side of the window stood an old man, face shrouded in a torn scarf, holding a candle. Elzerina was fearful, for Sophie had always told her: wooden girls must stay away from fire. Sophie told Elzerina about the wooden snake she had crafted as a child. When the snake was brought to life, it slithered toward the hearth, seeking warmth. A stray ember ignited the snake, and it withered to ashes. This was not the only warning; Sophie also told Elzerina about the set of pick-up sticks she had crafted when she was the woodworker’s apprentice. Pleased with her work, Sophie rubbed two sticks together to sand away the splinters — but the friction sparked, and the sticks burnt to cinders.
But the man’s flame was low on the wick, and he peered at her through the glass. Little wooden girl, why are you so sad?
I wish to see the sea beyond this pane of glass, she said. When it snows, the drops blur the window, and I feel trapped.
What if I took you from your mount? he said. Would you like that?
Elzerina frowned. My maker warned me not to go outside, for I could get lost. She says little girls like me get lost in big cities.
But the man persisted. Surely she did not create you just to keep you trapped here forever. What if you fetched her a gift for the holiday?
This filled Elzerina with joy. Oh, yes! I should so love to bring my maker a present. And perhaps I will get a quick glimpse of the sea.
He stepped into the shop and lifted her from her mount. He marched through the city and she reveled in the freedom. But he strode not to the sea, but toward the City of the Dead.
It was not the cool blue ocean she eventually saw before her, but a scene awash in gray. Perhaps if she blurred her sight, she could pretend that the feeble sun glinting off of the snow-slick tombstones was the white-capped surface of the sea. But Elzerina knew already that she had made a terrible mistake. She suddenly longed for the puppet-maker’s workshop, for the stoic company of alphabet blocks and sets of dice and intricately-carved spinning tops and tiny ballerinas who danced but never spoke. The man wove through the rows of stones and sat at a circle embedded in the ground, an altar unmarked and unnamed. But it had been desecrated already; Elzerina saw the remnants of a fire that once burned, the debris of used tinder.
The man pulled away his scarf and grinned at her, an evil smile matched by red eyes that glinted with sadistic pleasure. He placed her atop the ashes and pulled a matchbook from his shabby coat pocket. He had the tool but not the fuel — until he had found the wooden girl in the workshop window, made from the choicest wood for burning, the perfect size for kindle on a long winter night.
The man struck an oiled match tip and the flame roared to life, a curious gradient of deep navy and violent orange. And as the blue heart of the flame engulfed her, Eliza thought of both the azure sea she would never meet and the puppet-maker’s kind cornflower eyes, and longed for their cool, dousing touch.
Back side
Lussa, the guards don't hear you. When you look at them, you see they're wresting Waterdeep City Watch uniforms. You gather the Cassalanters hired them for personal security.
Meep, you watch Twitch walk over with the note in their mouth and show it to Demalis. As this happens, you see Mable wander over to Aria and they have a brief chat before the next song.
Once they're done speaking, Aria begins her next song. As she extends her arms, her arms, she stumbles and lets out a bloodcurdling scream.
Everyone roll Perception checks. Meep, you get to do it with advantage since Mable is right there.
I have an intelligence of six, I know what I'm doing.
Lussa perception check: 23
Welcome to the Emporium of Mayhem! What sort of mischief do you seek today?
Pyromaniac Wyldfyre searching for her place in the world.
Sybil Perception: 3
Kirin - Level 15 High Elf Wizard (Evocation) - Zorg's Lost Souls- Overchannel Steel Wind Strike for the Win against DemogorgonSilas - Level 11 Human Cleric (War Domain) - Tomb of AnnihilationDoneDelmalis perception: 11
After quickly reading the note, Delmalis tucks it away before he's noticed, intending to show it to the others later.
Lussa and Sybil, you notice an Imp on Aria's back. It seems to be focused on Aria, yet it's eyeing Mable with a familiarity and hisses at her.
I have an intelligence of six, I know what I'm doing.
Lussa casts Hunter's Mark on the imp and tries to move to a more advantageous position.
Welcome to the Emporium of Mayhem! What sort of mischief do you seek today?
Pyromaniac Wyldfyre searching for her place in the world.
Meep takes a look - Perception 13
As soon as he hears the scream and sees the Imp, he'll cast See Invisibility and look around the room for any other threats.
Twitch Perception: 8
Sybil let out a small sigh as she take a step back as she looks around for her housemates, using her awakened mind to telepathically inform everyone about the imp., "We have an imp again. Keep an eye out for more trouble,"
Kirin - Level 15 High Elf Wizard (Evocation) - Zorg's Lost Souls- Overchannel Steel Wind Strike for the Win against DemogorgonSilas - Level 11 Human Cleric (War Domain) - Tomb of AnnihilationDoneRoland, who was in the middle of chatting up an orc man and dwarven woman, hears the scream and moves over to the chaos.
OOC: I'll give Demalis, Twitch, and Meep a chance to act before the imp.
I have an intelligence of six, I know what I'm doing.