Party: Claudia De La Quinne, Daisy Dandeigh Deveraux, The Captain, Wenceslas
As our heroes leave the crumbling Elfhame Ildathach, dashing through a dark tunnel to the entrance of the labyrinth, they hear dark wingbeats which carry them away. They drop down through a Dragon Line onto a wooden floor in a dark, circular room with a single exit.
They spend some time realising that Vholanthus is missing and adjusting to their current, rich velvetine surroundings. Voices carry from the exit, but as though they are further away.
The party hears a warning from a kind, yet ancient voice, suggesting a peaceful course of investigation rather than violence, as they are now 'in the Lion's Den'. Determining this to be the advice of Scorchwyn and noting their trinkets related to the noble Lord of Vengeance spreading a gentle glow of light, the group decides to let their guile take them as far as it can.
Creating a source of light, they note changes in their appearance, a blessing to hide who they are, and not a moment too soon, as a De La Quinne servant arrives to inspect the room before 'the event' starts.
They spend some time realising that Vholanthus is missing and adjusting to their current, rich velvetine surroundings. Voices carry from the exit, but as though they are further away.
The party hears a warning from a kind, yet ancient voice, suggesting a peaceful course of investigation rather than violence, as they are now 'in the Lion's Den'. Determining this to be the advice of Scorchwyn and noting their trinkets related to the noble Lord of Vengeance spreading a gentle glow of light, the group decides to let their guile take them as far as it can.
Creating a source of light, they note changes in their appearance, a blessing to hide who they are, and not a moment too soon, as a De La Quinne servant arrives to inspect the room before 'the event' starts.
The attendant tells them to hold on closely to their names.
The group is ushered down a long staircase onto a gathering space, offered drinks and a chance to socialize with (what appears to be) a group of elites and nobles that gather here.
The party casts about to spy familiar faces and it dawns upon them that they stand in the Court of Shadows, with Nonna Rosa herself leading the clandestine meeting.
A youth begins to introduce himself but the party reminds him of the value of names. He does a double-take for the kindness and chooses Scarlet as his nom de plume. He explains he is fourth in line and that Jean-Jacomo has gone missing. Guided by the confident trickery of the Captain, he seems open to the idea of having these people whom he just met, join him in an alliance with great aspirations - the Cabal d'Échec. The party styles themselves King-Queen-Bishop-Knight.
Drinks are brought around, but as everyone in the party has seen combat and the scent somehow reaches them before the beverage does, the group recognizes there is blood in these cups and they all wisely refrain from drinking. Luckily enough, before attention can be called to this, a gong is rung and massive carved doors at the end of the room open to reveal a hallway and an auditorium, where the Court of Night will be in session.
At the far end of that auditorium, the leaders of the Court take their seats, behind them a shadowy corridor that has a golden band where it meets the room, a clear line marking where the dominion of humanoids ends and that of the Shadow Queen starts.
The attending folks listen to what Rosa says and some come forth to offer valuables, names and lives to the cause, all that passes the golden band disappearing to a pleased rumble from the dark beyond. Sometimes the supplicants return happy, sometimes they are transfigured to better suit what they wish to be in order to get revenge or to further goals of their own.
A lone sergeant of the watch wishes to see harm befall the Captain, a lady offers her daughter so she would have a private assassin that can change forms and another still offers their name in order to better serve the Queen.
The session comes to an abrupt end when Rosa's regent, Sofia, steps forth brandishing her whip in order to deal with the unbeliever in their midst. While initially walking straight for the disguised party, she stops a row before them and bisects a man whom she considered guilty.
After this, the crowd starts to disperse and file out.
The group is ushered down a long staircase onto a gathering space, offered drinks and a chance to socialize with (what appears to be) a group of elites and nobles that gather here.
The party casts about to spy familiar faces and it dawns upon them that they stand in the Court of Shadows, with Nonna Rosa herself leading the clandestine meeting.
A youth begins to introduce himself but the party reminds him of the value of names. He does a double-take for the kindness and chooses Scarlet as his nom de plume. He explains he is fourth in line and that Jean-Jacomo has gone missing. Guided by the confident trickery of the Captain, he seems open to the idea of having these people whom he just met, join him in an alliance with great aspirations - the Cabal d'Échec. The party styles themselves King-Queen-Bishop-Knight.
Drinks are brought around, but as everyone in the party has seen combat and the scent somehow reaches them before the beverage does, the group recognizes there is blood in these cups and they all wisely refrain from drinking. Luckily enough, before attention can be called to this, a gong is rung and massive carved doors at the end of the room open to reveal a hallway and an auditorium, where the Court of Night will be in session.
At the far end of that auditorium, the leaders of the Court take their seats, behind them a shadowy corridor that has a golden band where it meets the room, a clear line marking where the dominion of humanoids ends and that of the Shadow Queen starts.
The attending folks listen to what Rosa says and some come forth to offer valuables, names and lives to the cause, all that passes the golden band disappearing to a pleased rumble from the dark beyond. Sometimes the supplicants return happy, sometimes they are transfigured to better suit what they wish to be in order to get revenge or to further goals of their own.
A lone sergeant of the watch wishes to see harm befall the Captain, a lady offers her daughter so she would have a private assassin that can change forms and another still offers their name in order to better serve the Queen.
The session comes to an abrupt end when Rosa's regent, Sofia, steps forth brandishing her whip in order to deal with the unbeliever in their midst. While initially walking straight for the disguised party, she stops a row before them and bisects a man whom she considered guilty.
After this, the crowd starts to disperse and file out.
A long trek through the dark brings the party to a fountain in one of the Iles Enchantées, where the group detaches from the lines of nobles moving away and come to the conclusion (after talking to Ronald, an old acquaintance of the Captain who serves in the guard for the Jardin) that a month has passed since they set foot at the threshold of the Elfhame.
They head for the Chateau Blanc, where No-Name gives them a brief nod, but Sebastien happy fills them in on the comings and goings of their friends, from a potential new love for the jilted Heremine to Jean-Jacomo arriving here to say his goodbyes and leave word to his friends that he would be laying low in the Area Vulgaris.
They head for the Chateau Blanc, where No-Name gives them a brief nod, but Sebastien happy fills them in on the comings and goings of their friends, from a potential new love for the jilted Heremine to Jean-Jacomo arriving here to say his goodbyes and leave word to his friends that he would be laying low in the Area Vulgaris.
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