Campaign1/session-3
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Dancing Partners
Session Date: July 29, 1999
Assynt 18, 1022 - Continued
The floor is cleared of benches and chairs, and a small chamber orchestra begins to tune on the stage used by the players earlier. Faegan informs Niven that there will be dancing tonight, and that he should release his stagehands and have them return tomorrow to recover the costumes, stage and equipment. Niven makes his way to the sitting room where Max, Kyle and Arthur (the other stagehands) are passing the time, and informs them that they can go. Niven instructs them to return at around 3pm tomorrow to the playhouse and they will go to recover the stage and other materials at that time. Max astutely asks if this will produce a 2nd day's wages, and Niven grumbles a bit before nodding.
Meanwhile, back in the main hall the floor has cleared, and dancing commences in the grand ballroom style currently favored by the royal court. Charlis is a popular dance partner, and enjoys the company of Dahlia, Iseabel Tyree and Nara Burghley on the floor.
During the course of the evening, Rheanon, Mazériyan and Charlis overhear many interesting rumors, some suggesting that the King's support and control over the nobles is eroding, and that another noble (Calum Gournay) may challenge the King's right to rule, and claim the throne for himself. It is also suggested that Calum has support from one other noble, and perhaps more. Even more disturbing is the rumor that the elves are sending a garrison of troops to Kalen, though the mission of the troops depends on whom is weaving the gossip.
Other party talk revolves around various relations between the nobles, their affairs and plans. An exception is the mention of a killer in "squawkerstown" (which is a low name for the poorest section of Kalen) is overheard once, matching the description of attack that killed Max's friend Garrin. The mode of attack is recognized as a Demarian's style, and the conversation turns to the incompetence of the town guard and their ability to deal with such a threat.
Selmoc is able to persuade Faegan to show some of the artifacts from the "Ring of Fire" expedition to Seoras, Mazeriyan and Rheanon. Faegan invites Charlis to join them (perhaps wanting to impress his theatrical benefactor), and along with Nai (the elf who led the expedition), they enter the upstairs of the mansion, passing through a study and up a concealed staircase to an attic above the study. Though crude in comparison to the refined styling of the rest of the mansion, the attic is well appointed, and features several long desks and tables, along with several chests (which are closed). Most items on the benches are draped in white cloths, perhaps used to keep dust off the artifacts.
Faegan proudly indicates each of the items retrieved by the recent expedition, including the 4 jade statues. Though subtle, the most surprising feature of the statues is that while the facial features appear to be elven, the figure's outstretched hands have 6 digits, a distinctly Demarian feature. Other items retrieved include a ceremonial mask, a sampling of gold, silver and copper coins of comparable quality to elven coinage, and a blackwood staff with a silver and jewel encrusted head piece.
Though Faegan never draws attention to it, everyone notices an ornately carved lacquered cabinet, about 1 ft high sitting on a table at the far end of the room. With the exception of the items recently displayed, it is the only other remarkable item in the room which is not covered (the cloth which probably covers it is crumpled nearby).
The discussion of the artifacts is interrupted when Dahlia comes up the staircase. She asks Faegan, with thinly veiled fury, "What are you doing?" Faegan begins to explain, but is cut short by Dahlia, who strongly suggests that they should return to the party. Faegan pauses for a moment, looking disoriented, then agrees and apologizes for being so selfish and thoughtless. He indicates for his guests to exit down the stairs. Dahlia remains behind for a moment while the others depart.
Faegan and the rest wait for Dahlia down in the study, and after a few moments she emerges from the concealed staircase, looking very perturbed, sniffing at the air and scanning the room warily. Realizing that she must look odd, she straightens up, flashes a disarming smile, and escorts everyone out of the study and back to the ballroom.
After a bit more dancing and socializing, Mazeriyan, Charlis and Rheanon agree to meet at the Wheatsheaf Inn for lunch to discuss the evening and plan their further actions. Charlis departs with Iseabel Tyree on his arm, and Mazeriyan and Rheanon depart soon afterward.
Assynt 19, 1022
Mazeriyan, Charlis and Rheanon meet at the Wheatsheaf Inn the following day, and discuss what they learned during the evening. Concerned for Max's well-being, and interested to find out if he learned anything more, the group departs for the Whitehall playhouse, with the hopes that Max might turn up.
Max arrives at the appointed time, but is unable to shed any further light on the evening's events. Max indicates that he didn't have an opportunity to learn anything, since he was stuck in a parlor with the other two stagehands until Niven dismissed them. After that, he left Islay Manor, though he did have the feeling he was being watched or followed upon leaving. Everyone agrees that this is odd, but no one else had a similar experience, so it is left as a mystery.
The group's attention is drawn outside by the growing volume of noise coming from the street. As Max, Rheanon, Charlis and Mazeriyan step outside, they can see the front ranks of an elven army marching from the North Gate. The forward guard, carrying long, flowing banners which obscure a view of the rest of the column, march past the playhouse. While there is quite a crowd gathered in the street to gawk at the elven troops, there are no town guard, either to hinder the army's entrance, or to keep the citizens from attacking elves. The intimidating presence of elven forces is sufficient to keep even the most belligerent person at a safe distance. From the unison snapping of boots meeting pavement, to the perfect geometry of the ranks, the march of the elven guard combines to give the impression of one entity working its way through the city.
Previously: Some Enchanted Evening...
Followed by: Lines of Convergence
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