Hello, this is Why Stephen from Table Story. If you'd like this podcast,
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slash discord. Thank you, Joy. And there were these tiny chocolate coins
that had like they had chocolate inside of them. And I have no understanding
of why you would spend how you would spend the chocolate coin? Do you
spend it places? Do you eat it? Is it for both? Why
is it such a human invention? You could always put it in your mouth.
I don't want to eat it. I would rather spend it. Is
its real gold? No, it is not that it's some sort of paint
lead just the candy? Then? Oh is it just candy? Maybe?
Well I'll keep it for now, hmm. Perhaps it can be an emergency
snack later on there's not enough of it? Oh well, then I'm unfortunately
out of ideas. Just put it right in my pocket, piece of trash
added to my inventory. If it is point to melt so, I suppose
the question next to answer is do we want to go see the curator tonight?
Virgin mein a gold leaf? About the invitation for Tonight's it an invitation?
Not necessarily more of a being heard down the grapevine. Someone's interested in
meeting with us, extreme interested in meeting with us? Well, I wouldn't
be opposed. It could be work and information. It's are things we need,
hm, Yara, make sure you bring your foot. We gotta leave
that this person enjoys music, of course, darling. Wait, you said
they enjoy music, they enjoy flute music? Because I have still my violin.
I could bring it if you like, very well, I will prepare
for a concert. Might not hurt? La? Mighte m? When should
we leave? I suppose now as good as time as any do we want
to catch? How late is it in the day at the moment? Is
it? Have we just woken up? I? No, you haven't just
woken up? This is this is uh? I believe this would be probably
about nighttime? Right about now? All right? Well, then now is
the as good a time as any do you know where to go, I
should all right, let's do it all right. I will tune my instrument
along the way, and I will begin to lead everyone in the direction of
regiminor go leave. And if I don't know which way it is, I
will simply ask people. Sure, you begin to make your way out into
I get At night, leaving the shield and sword in, you begin to
see the the general activity at night. There's people in the streets. It's
not a super busy place at night, but there is a little bit of
activity in town. There's there's restaurants and things that people go to, and
the general nightlife might have some music playing in the streets here and there,
a few buskers and a few parlor tricks and things being shown around at night.
Some illusions, some some spellcasters, maybe trying to make a buck here
and there. But it is a it is a fairly quiet place at night
here. This isn't really a it's not really an entertainment cap per se.
There's some directions that you received from some of the shopkeepers and things that you
met with today showing you a general location for this mansion, the gold Leaf
Mansion, which is up on one of the hills in Agada. Moving along
the streets, clomping through the snow, you come to this four story mansion.
There are lights on in the windows. You can see that there is
a I guess it's there's like a stone fence cordoning off an area of a
nice sized yard. And again, this is like a metropolis of a city.
There's about twenty thousand people here, so having a house to size is
pretty impressive in a city like this. This isn't out in the country.
This is like in the middle of the city. So this place, I
think you would all be able to tell is worth probably quite a bit.
As we've been making our way to the mansion, I will make sure to
have the deliberate intention of walking alongside Rashtalk, and as we peruse the various
vendors and various entertainment, I point them out and I explained them want to
take this moment to share some of the culture to our rash talk that that's
a children's song. I think they are trying to make this particular mood marry
and perhaps nostalgic. The children are nocturnal. They're running in the streets at
night. I've heard that is unsafe I suppose it depends on the children.
Back in Uh, we're a gear. Children would run around unsupervised at all
times at the day. We did not allow us spond to do so.
Too many predators. Hmmm, that makes sense. And as I link my
arm with a rash talk, I'll throw my head back towards Malvik, and
I'll say, what about you? Where you grew up? In trials?
Many trials, many competitions, no time for play. I didn't really get
along with others or others didn't really get along with me. Oh? Does
that? So? I will detangle myself from a rash talk, and I
bend over and I begin to scoop snow up into my hands. I form
a ball and I throw it and Malovek's chest. I don't even move at
that point. You shore act of aggression. Why I reach and I quickly
make two, and I throw one at a rash talk. I throw one
at Malvic. This is playing. Then I will walk off away from the
group and join them in a bit. Okay, And when I return,
you'll see a boulder sized ball of snow, lift and toss it and throw
it at our city. She dies. I guess you need to make an
acrobatic check. I tried to take it. I've rolled the fortitude saving throw.
I take it to the chest. It does knock me over. And
for violence, no, I might die, all right, darling, I'll
save you. I love be wounding ourselves before going to the patron. No,
why are the children being so violent? The snow is harmless, It's
just for fun. Why don't you try throwing some? And Karun has noticed
this and is violently trying to assemble something that will make it so that I
can shoot a snowball from Joanna. But it keeps falling apart. The perfect
thing, I have the perfect thing. There's some kind of like spoon and
spring situation. Yeah, it's happening there, But every time I shoot it,
the spoon and spring keeps sticking bog directly out of the ground. Oh,
the one's blood. Realizing that a mechanism is being created for this,
I try to unearth myself from the small mountain of snow on my body.
I suppose, uh, that's enough fun for now? Oh I was.
I've been beginning warming a ball, making it packed into ice with pressed to
digitation, and then hand one over to Karoon. I have made an ice
spell for you. Perhaps this would work? Oh all right, I would
like to throw the ice boil in the exact same way that I throw the
bombs. But as I do, but as I do, I would like
to. I would like to just give it a little, a little,
a little bit extra without anyone, without anyone seeing. I would really like
to, just because I really want mine to be the best one. I
would like to just give a little, give a little make a self chack
ste check kur and puts a rock in it. I mean I made it
ice alrighty, it's a it's a twenty three? Who are at I'm throwing
it in the center of this group so I can hit as many as I
can with splash damage, Oh my god, but not the whole thing,
just like a little tiny little bit of it. Flavor splash damage for for
four cold damage. The ice shards shoot out like a whimsical fun so cold
it almost burns. It's so cooled. Is this is a frost burn?
It's a bit one of my wounds is like reopened. That was the choice
that you have made. Okay, I think that's enough for now. Perhaps
we shouldn't leave the patron waiting I think that's a good idea. I'm very
pleased with the self. I charge ahead after taking foe damage. Mm hmm
hm. So make your way to this mansion. What do you do?
Is there a person waiting at the gate. There is no gate? There
is a front door that is there. I knock on the door. Knock
on the door takes a maybe thirty seconds, and there is a peopole that
is covered over by a wooden slat that is slid open. Hello, can
I move for you? Hello? We are the the chosen. We are.
That's what that was saying is we are the chosen wishing to seek an
audience with old Leaf Master Master go Leaf. Yes, you you are expected.
Excuse me. Slat is slid over and here locks begin to open,
and then door, which is a sort of grand double door snow is partially
cleared out of the way, some remnants since the door hasn't been opened in
maybe a few hours, and the double doors open, and beyond you see
what appears to be a butler of some kind, man in his probably I
would imagine mid sixties or so. Human man. He has slicked back white
hair, wearing fine looking servants clothes, blacks and grays and some whites,
and he has a I'd say he's probably maybe about six foot two or so,
a thin and well kept. He says, good evening, it's a
pleasure to have you. Can I see his hands, They are covered by
white gloves. Okay, I's a human. Sorry, is humans all right?
Just checking? I will drop into a very formal bow, utilizing my
courtly graces society role. Okay, siety twenty two. Okay, He returns
the vow pleasure. Please please let me introduce my companions, and I will
sweep to the side and gesture to the others. This is Yara rash talk
rash. Yara does a she looks at you in the way that you did
your bow and tries to kind of copy it. Hello, and then I
point to a rash Talkllo. He bows to you as well. I will
make a motion where I'm kind of pointing to my al but also slap his
elbow down from his face. This is malevic. Yeah. You can see
his eyebrows raised a little bit. Mm hmm. Good evening. Yeah,
and then that's but certainly not least. I will gesture over to Karun.
Karon looks away and holds out her hand. He takes your hand. Yes,
is it very well? Good evening? And my name is I look
at the hand that malevik X tends out. I take malvixand mm hmm is
what we do? Oh scop. This gentleman looks very confused for a moment,
looks towards our Celia. I have a wise while on my face.
I am enjoying this and I am r Celia. He shrugs and will kiss
both the rash talks and malevixand as well a m h yes, my name
is oh my name is? You got this? Can I see if he's
lying or feel if he's lying? He looks very confused by what just happened.
You can make a perception check. Just feel felt weird twenty six Yeah
he I think he's expecting something different maybe and is very confused by all of
you. And you caught him a little bit off guard. So his name
is Charles. Seems like it there's no real reason for him to lie.
That you can tell. Would you be so kind too? In check?
Thank you. We would certainly enjoy the shelter from the cold. And I'll
step in. I'll follow fellow with everyone else walk inside and this is probably
the nicest place you've seen since probably Apage DoD. I would imagine in terms
of modern infinity fineries and luxury. There's plush looking furniture and well crafted chairs.
There's paintings that are in the in the hallway of various I think of
like there would be in this in this entrance hall, there would be probably
like a lot of landscapes and those kinds of things you would see, like
you would see a lot of different sort of settings. You'd see some landscapes
from what must be from far away places and places that are local as well.
It's very impressive. As soon as you walk in, it's you know,
this place screams money to you. A CIA paintings, paintings, Yes,
yes, we will get to them. You can also hear music sort
of traveling through the through the various corridors. Uh, music that you're actually
familiar with. You've heard these songs before, not I except from Alvic.
Yes, it's a music from the opera house that was hunted. It is
or at least the same that same yeah, that same aria. I looked
at the violin. Is it doing anything like it that? It shouldn't You
don't see a violin. It doesn't seem like a music is coming from the
entry hall. It's no, no no, I mean my my violin that
came from that place. No no, ol right, give me a perception
check, though, courn I will give you a perception check. M hm,
I absolutely they will on the right side. Perception there it is twenty
Yeah. It doesn't look like the violin is making any sort of uh.
It's not flying around or doing anything weird. But you think you can hear
an echo of the music from inside the violin. It's sort of reverberating,
like it's vibrating with the music. Interesting. Good to know this music is
the same we heard back in the opera house. I'm where read out with
the undead and nickeltists. M hmm. Interesting. If you could please have
a seat, My employer will be joining you shortly. I must let them
know that you have arrived. Thank you. Would anyone care for a refreshment
or anything to eat? See all of it? Uh hungry. I shall
endeavor to ask our chefs to prepare something for you, or perhaps a snack
for now, a snack to start, Yes, thank you very much.
Take a full advantage hospitalities. Mm hmm, Charles inclines his head, and
was there anything else? Herbal tea? Please? Tea some wine please?
I'll also have some wine. Thank you, darling. I don't need I
don't need anything. Very well, some of my herbal tea. I'll look
around that will take wine as well? Very well? Excuse me, I
will return promptly. What's wine? Wine is distilled from grapes or other types
of fruit. It's fermented and alcoholic, so it's basically a type of listen
list it. Will you listen to this for a moment? Can you hear
something out of this like a shell, like a beach shell? Do I
hear anything out there like a beach shell? Will you hear echoes of the
music that's put that a natural reverberation like can happen in music and musical instruments,
its natural resonance. No, this is something else? Is it something
else? How would you like to try and figure that out? I think
arkana or occultism, whichever one might fall under this. If I'm looking for
something not too natural, Yes, it's done. Where Karun received this?
I think I will look into occultism see if there's something otherworldly and supernatural rather
than more magical. Sure, do you mind I reached out my hands a
year thirty two. Yeah, so you remember where this song came from the
opera house months ago? Now I think the violin too. Yes. Yes,
At the time, you associated the place, the act, and the
spellcaster as being part of some sort of ritual magic that was being that was
influencing this old opera house and summoning up some undead This violin that was taken
from there was part of said ritual, and it does, in fact seem
to be reacting to this song. Now, without the rest of the instruments,
you imagine that nothing's probably gonna happen. I it's an odd question,
I suppose, But not listening to this violin, does it seem like the
score listening to is missing a string instrument? There are string instruments in this
in this score. Yes, but I'm more trying to listen to see if
there's a part missing, like trying to rack my brain from a few minutes
ago, seeing if it's me maybe missing a single violin part. You don't
think, so, okay, Just for us talks, fear was walking in
in this thing, immediately setting off a ritual as it is the last piece
missing of the puzzle. At least it doesn't seem that way to you.
Okay, Ah, the karoon, I do hear it. It is part
of the ritual from the opera house. It is resonating with this music,
though it is not seem to cause any potential danger at the moment. Perhaps
I can't perhaps, Oh well, I was just gonna say they might buy
it. Well, I was going to say, I can't believe I'd been
walking around with a cursed violin this whole time. You didn't know, well,
I thought it was just a regular violin. I mean, I figured
it was a tool for the ritual. Did not realize it was the main
key component. It does explain a lot, Yara. Is the flute reacting
any strange way? Oh? Good point. Jara takes out the flute.
I can hear something. It does sound. It does sound like something is
coming from the flute as well. M hm. The flute wasn't from that
ritual though, interesting. Hmmm, do you received the flute from that from
that opera house? Yeah, the flute was part of it was literally in
the hands of the main guy. Oh yeah, it was, was it?
It or ashtat. Do you think there could be any impossible danger if
the two of them play at the same time. No, But if they
are joined with the rest of the instrum means perhaps yes. My curiosity is
if if they ever an orchestra of some kind with this music, with all
of the original music music instruments. If these two were added in together,
the ritual will continue. If they are not, there is no issue.
Do not allow them to play with it, Korn especially, Do not play
it with this music running, or you may cause yourself on No, don't
worry. Perhaps we could sell one of them. Speaking of selling one thing
to keep in mind, and I will over my voice and move closer to
my companions. The thing is, negotiation is a game. We don't want
to play our hands too early, and especially with courtly folk, it is
a sort of dance in a way. We don't want to go straight into
business pleasure first, so we should indulge in some company, perhaps some stories
and sharing of our tails. Information can be currency. Not be so loose
with our tails until we have the fullness of the idea trading information is regularly
done. That is a good point. I think we should save the paintings
for after dessert or when things begin to wind down. There are several servants
that begin to make their way into the entrance hall as you are all sort
of sitting abound, And just to clarify again, this entry entry hall has
like it's kind of a grand foyer. There's a staircase that is sort of
sweeping up the right side of the room to a to a second floor,
and there's candelabras and things that are around. There is a large chandelier in
the center up above, and there's various couches and plush chairs around. I'm
not sure how many of you are sat down or what have you, but
there's like coffee table area in one section, and the servants come in with
various plates and drinks begin to set them down or or hand them to you
if you're standing up or what have you. I'll grab it everything that I
can stuff my face, drink whatever this wine is. Do you like it?
Hm? Hm? Bitter? Where's the alcohol? It's in the wine?
They never had wine before. I need war mm hmm. We are
going to have a passed out melevic soon. If I'm drinking, I do
not wish to share a bed with him in that situation. What it seems
that when everyone gets cinebriated they move to my mat When does this happened a
few times? It's now karoon. I think once that may have been drugs.
I think it was drugs. It was for the Yara and I at
the same time. That is true. I was rather warm that night compared
to usual. This is amazing. So I need to grow scale and more
to be able to that would not necessarily increase it. It's not mating season
yet, Malvic. I am not looking for that. You had all of
them in your bed and you did not mate. Why would I do such
a thing. There is a biological issue before. I don't have to brag.
It is three or four months between mating seasons. I am not bragging.
I am stating fact. I don't want to see you. I don't
want to be put to shame. It takes you that long. It does
not take that long. It is usually just and I will go off muttering,
looking at my own tools of equipment and sitting in a corner drinking more
wine three at once, two at once. It's not my season, Malvic.
Please make a fortitude saving throw. Damn you about to get sloshed nineteen
Okay, yep, it's starting to creep up on you. Mm hmm.
This wine is another but flavored water. Don't even taste the alcohol. Here,
you should have some bread, malvic meat. I think I will have
meat. There's clearly there's clearly some like meat appetizers that are like on the
coffee table. Oh, I'm just I will help in like feed Balovic putting
food in his mouth or him here there's someone yes, oh, maybe a
little bit of this too. Charles makes his way towards the the the the
end of the hallway into the entrance hall, says Regimina gold Leaf, to
see you, thank you. You see a short, short person, dark
skinned, white hair, fine red vestments, some some like warm looking,
very luxurious attire, walk in with a glass of wine themselves true. Hello,
oh so you are the chosen then? Hello. Yes, I am
Regimena Goldleaf. She's maybe five foot tall or so. There is this I
guess our Celia make a perception check for me. I think I'm gonna re
hearld that fifteen okay, being reverted twenty one. There is this quality about
this person that she's maybe in her like late sixties. You can tell right
away she likes the finer things from her home, from her the quality of
the wine and food that you've had, but not just that. The way
that she carries herself into the room. She commands people's attention. She is
clearly very perceptive. She's watching all of you, and in a short period
of time, she seems to be learning with a glance what to expect from
each of you. As she looks over me, I will again sweep down
into a vow. This sort of look is no stranger to me. I
have been trained to notice this, and I do not shine my eyes away
from her. I maintain eye contact even as I go into a sleeping vow.
You also get You can also see she has her her fine cloaks hood
up, but you can definitely see the pointed edge of what would most likely
be half ELF's ears below the cloak. She says, pleasure that you have
all joined me this evening. Apologies for the loud music. There are several
musicians that I am entertaining this evening. They are practicing you see an upcoming
piece. It is quite remarkable. What is the piece called? I'm not
sure they have they have been traveling for some time, and they have taken
it upon themselves to schedule a performance in the next week at the local music
hall. H and look over to our thelia and karoon er does what's this
musician? Or one of them happen to have the name Voltaine? No,
the name is familiar though. Hmmm. Yes, we met Andrea Voulteene in
Leipichstadt. You do now, Leapi stock Leipi Stadt. Ah, I believe
I heard something about Altane. Are you sure I just leapishtad? Yes?
No, did I get that city wrong? Leapi Stod is where you started,
but you traveled a little bit. It's a river city. Karka,
Karka. I'm so sorry I misspoke. I meant Corkow cor Cow, Yes,
yes, uh ustolavs pre mere musical city. Mm hmm. You always
have a fine taste for music to be able to recognize the name. Have
you been to Kharka? I try, I have, I have been there
before. You can see she walks in. She she finds a comfy chair
and sort of joins you, sitting comfortably and crossing her legs, settling down.
It's probably at that point that the music just kind of like stops.
You can probably hear some people speaking further down the hall in one of the
other rooms, and she says, Ah, they are probably taking a break.
Will there be vocalists like an opera performance. I believe that one of
the one of these singers was going to be joining them tonight, but I'm
not sure. Wouldn't perhaps be someone named Lucin de Duval, the leads,
famous lead soprano, right, just curious, Well, what brings you to
my home this evening? I must stinking they go to the bag of holding
fifty. I remember what dunt Celia said, This is all internal. I
am screaming right now. Oh word has it on down the great vine that
you are a an enthusiast of the fine arts, And well, perhaps we
we thought that we could join you for some good company, some good chat.
Speaking of Cocow and I will go on to essentially tell the story of
what happened at the opera house, especially because she seems to have a familiarity
with the place. And my intention here is to draw out the story in
a way that is compelling. I want to get her interested in us,
and I will take dramatic pauses through my storytelling. Okay, yeah, make
a diplomacy check. I thinky thirty. Yeah, our Celia begins to tell
this this tale about what you know, what transpired, and this this like
epic telling of this tale. Our Cilia, you know, probably gets up
and you know, moves around as as they're telling the story, and it's
captivating you. I think it's more interesting than you all remember. You know
that this was a harrowing event for many of you in Malvic. This is
the first time you're hearing of this. M Yeah, you see your skeptical
looks across my face. All the stuff that this group has been through,
wondering how they all stay together, and the reminiscing on how my group did
not. I still sometimes think about the sounds of the skulls of the zombies
crunching on the floor. It was morbide time, but together we persevered.
In fact, some of my companions have trophies in a way of the event.
Karun, if you don't mind, are you referring to the violin?
I have a very expensive, one of a kind piece here. It is
a authentic Corcow orchestra violin, and it was a part of several very important
for performances from several very important people like los Into Duval's performance and under a
Well Thames performance. Stephen Radislov was in the same room as this violin once
most impressive. Thank you one of your prize from this evening. It was
a gift from the orchestra. A gift, you say, Yes, they
gave you one of the eye of violins from the orchestra. That's right,
and not just that. So this fruit she leans back. You can see
her. She puts the wine glass down and she swirls it a little bit,
smells it and has another, has another sip of wine. She's looking
at the musical instruments specifically, and she says a very intriguing tale. I'm
glad to see that you all, and to make your way safely out of
it all chosen indeed m m yes, she smiles, and will You can
see that she is waiting for something our celia mm hmm, expecting more.
And I will perry that notion by bringing up how we came about to become
the chosen here and I will now begin telling a story, how we fought
against the ooze, how a great cloud of magic came up. Oh,
that's for me, Okay. I was like, oh wait, do I
have to roll over in initiative or something? Okay? No. I begin
to tell of the magic that split through through our ash Talks means, and
how we cleaved against this creature and it split into two, and I go
into the viscous gory details of it, of this story that happened in her
very home here in Egada, and how he rose above it. And that's
how we came to take this title, I suppose, and we hope to
do some good and help anyone that needs it here while we are in the
area Celia in the first world. We'll get there, We'll get there.
M hmm. There's probably like little scratch marks on the arms of a rash
Talk's chair where his claws is dug in, like restraining himself from blurting out
every house of strength I have. And she sits there with rapt attention,
but you can tell she's very restrained in her in her actions, in her
reactions to the story, and she says, chosen indeed, And as I'm
telling these two stories, I would like to pace with particular attention to see
if I can pick up any of her tells she is reserved, but perhaps
there's a sign away for me to tell if she is genuinely interested. Go
ahead and make a perception check for me, please. That's a thirty two
crit Yeah, yeah, I think the tells that you get here are Celia
is It seems like she's heard these stories before. She doesn't seem surprised by
what you're telling her in the sense that it's not very impressive, or she
literally knows the details. She's perhaps heard of us in depth before. Yeah,
it seems like the latter. Ah, it seems like she knows these
stories. Mm hm ah. I look her in the eyes as I finished
my story. But you know all this, don't you. I can see
it in your eye. You are a cunning person. You must be well
connected and have many whispering in your ear that I do. She smiles broadly.
Each of you are very interesting, need ar Celia of the Burning Sun,
Rashtak of the River Kingdoms, Karoun of Well. I wasn't able to
get too much information on you. That's fi. Last I heard was you
were making your home somewhere a noose to love in the shadow wood. Yeah,
you are a star war a dusk Walker. You are particularly interesting from
last wall and Malevic what you have a very interesting lineage, don't you interesting?
You say that's it's called many things. You're the first to call it
interesting. Yes, you could say that. I have my ear to the
ground, make it my business to know about interesting people. And you have
left quite a story in your wake. And just see, maybe I'm very
uncomfortable at this point. Well, then perhaps we can talk some business.
I'm always ready to talk business. I'm sure your information has some holes,
and perhaps you can be enlightened having those holes filled from the source. Yes,
yeah, I would enjoy that. What is it that you want to
know? What is it that you offer? I gesture to my very dynamic
group of companions. Regimina looks around. Well, I have paintings. I
take in a small sigh, and then I gesture. Trash Talk, my
dear friend, rash Talk has paintings from the First World, enchanted picting history
of the one who was called Canpo, the slim was. She sits back
a little bit at that, or Celia. She's very interested in these paintings.
I I make a gesture with my hand for Arashak to go on.
Oh ah, yes, we in the first world attempting to us stopped the
elves from being killed off, all of them. I think Canpo wished to
eradicate the elves, so we went to the first world to attempt to stop
him. We then did, but also acquired historical paintings painted an insect fellow.
What was their name, the chronicler? The Chronicler. Yes, they
were captured by this faith leader and painted enchanted paintings. I pull out one
and show that it's animated in a way by magic. They depict its birth
and life, Canipo the slim and its desire for both companionship and air,
and also eradication of its tormentous Regimena makes her way to her feet, standing
up casually walks over to inspect the painting. This painting and all of the
paintings in this series are very like. These are very creepy. These are
very dark paintings. This is a very bleak and dark look at these events.
When Regimina entered the room, was she on the arm of someone,
were they supporting her? Her butler would have walked her in. You Okay,
Then, as Regimina stands, I will go to her side and offer
my arm as she sets forward to peruse the paintings. Thank you. Yes,
of course. She has a little set of glasses that she puts on
the end of her nose, little like bifocals. Ah, intriguing, very
dark devictions here, very dark indeed, And you say these came from the
first world directly? Yes? Oh oh my? Do you only have the
first painting out? Yes? I have not taken out any but the one.
Okay, yes, are Celia. If you're holding her arm, you
can tell she's like a little bit tensed. All right. I'm also realizing
we probably look very silly because I'm seven foot tall and I'm bending over to
offer this lady in my arm, and I'm probably taller than her as I'm
like six ten sitting down. Yeah, I imagine you may be like holding
her elbow or something along those lines. But she is. And how many
of these do I glanced to Assiria, I'm not an approval to a ashtok
fifteen regaling everything up until cann nepos. Yes, I guess you say,
I do believe. Yes, he was indeed destroyed the only way we could
escape him. I may be interested in purchasing these paintings. How much do
you ask? I looked to Celia again, like hold on, hold on
this stella, thinking our Celia would hm hmm okay, one thousand, five
hundred gold for the entire collection. Yeahn excuse me? What is she say?
Hmmm, all right, very good. We'll have them packaged and ready
for you and by the morning. I think I would prefer it if they
could be ready this evening. Oh, yes, add on another one hundred
gold pieces. Well, we do want to make sure that we are providing
only the best quality for you. Two hundred make a diplomacy check. Okay,
yeah, twenty two. I think one hundred is more than fair to
have them for this evening. I shrug, looking at os Cilia like one
fifty five. Oh, my lady, you you are tough on one twenty
five. It is that is what they say about me, and I will
give her arm gentle squeeze. Well it's settled, then, would you care
for dinner? We must get the paintings together for you. I fear we
would not have them ready in time if we stay for the meal. I
assumed as much. I offer because it is a host's duty. Mm hmm.
Oh if that is all. Our business is concluded very well, and
I will release her and give another sleeping bow. Thank you so much for
your pleasantries. She smiles bidely. It was very nice to meet all of
you. I will gesture my companions to leave. I leave the moment you
jest m and of stankful. I would like to just before we leave,
can I look around and just see if there are any Is there some sort
of special attention being paid to tapestries of any kind? Make a perception check.
I will make a perception check. Twenty eight When you say, are
there any sort of special tapestries? Yeah, there's tapestries here, thick red
and gold tapestries sort of matching her clothing. Do any of them recall the
dark tapestry from carcow? Oh? No, right, And just to be
clear, the dark tapestry is kind of like a it's more of a vibe,
yes, kind of right. I just wanted to know if there was
depictures of any such dark and spooky tapestry anywhere. Very pleas and landscapes.
Things about this the centrance all it's very welcoming and like very rich and luxurious.
I don't think she's going to like these paintings in here. It doesn't
seem like at all that it would fit with decour anyway. That's all.
Sorry, continue well, if that would be all, Charles, would you
be so kind as to escort our guests out? Yes, Charles will motion
with his hands towards the towards the entrance way in the front door. Please
this way if you don't thank you, yes, of course, and he
leads you to the front door. Have a good night. Thank you for
your help, Charles, You are most welcome. Once we are out in
the snow and walking away, I'll turn to the party. That was an
interesting person m DX hundred and twenty five. They know too much? Yes,
I don't know if I'm comfortable in the way she looked at me,
and that make me feel comfortaborld all. The last time we visited someone of
this opulent wealth, it was to do with the dark tapestry. And uh,
I don't know. I just have a massive feeling of a remembrance of
that hm as a performance apparently of the ritual song. Yes, I could
be thinking in it too much. Maybe they're just a collector of very odd
loddities that no one else can get their hands on question is is the type
of city to have building plans anywhere? They spoke about archives when you spoke
with the Committee of Moral Rectitude. I'm genuinely curious to know how she's fitting
a whole orchestra into her home. And I would very much like to see
a building plan of this. How about we go to the archives and I
don't believe that that's the case? Said something out performed somewhere else? Correct,
Well, they were there anything in the house they were practicing? Would
I know from my time through various courts that this is a normal thing.
It seems like it'd be a pretty normal thing. Uh, you can make
a society rule twenty one. I don't know how much you know about that
kind of stuff, you know. I'm guessing it depends on how how civilized
a city is or how musically inclined it is. So I think with a
twenty one you're probably unsure. It's strange. Negata is not known for harvaring
musical talent. It's known praving the hub folks coming in and out of trying
to deal with the world wound, so adventures people trying to get by,
not necessarily musical talent. Do you think it's possible she was playing that on
for us. Maybe there was no orchestra, maybe something providing a facsimile of
what she might have heard about us. There were others talking in the background,
for what I could hear you heard people? Yes, hm, was
that nuch shadowsians after they finished playing? Yes, more than likely. They
probably defeats the idea of it being just something me Em played that. But
I mean, unless she hired orchestra people to play whatever song, whatever,
has some kind of memory laps for you all, I was not there.
You don't think she's going to try to use these paintings for some nefarious ritual.
Their paintings, they are not just paintings, they are artifacts. Really.
Yes, though, if I recall this was a long time ago,
mind you, I recall I did a pretty in depth study on these paintings
and found that the magics of them was just the animation from the Chronicler,
nothing the fairies. If I recall from a long time ago, which I
might not sounds right, I think I did do it specifically a crafting narcana
on it to see and found that there was nothing special aside from the animation.
Now that we are outside of the house. Can I examine the violin
again to see if I can still hear the orchestra in side of it?
Sure, a perception check. I will make a perception check. I perceive
nothing. Fifteen Where am I? Yeah? Yeah, yeah, you probably
almost slip on a patch of a patch of snow. The violin almost goes
flying out of your hands. I catch you with my big strong arms.
Its testing you, hmm and quick like a cat. They want them by
tonight, so we have to I could come up now. But didn't we
just give it to him? It is not proper to give gift sun wrapped,
I think, yes, Oh they're buying it. Yes, it's a
way of dressing. Basically, some things are worth a little more to give
them a little bit of love, a little bit of attention. How do
we plan on packing up these paintings? All we have to do is just
find some parchment paper and I can bundle it up. It's not that difficult.
Yes, m hmmm, Well, let's us it's impartment paper and put
this together. Even if there is something various, we could be paid first
and then deal with it after. I think we will have to deal with
it either way. Yes, it's a very slight stribble of druel thinking about
selling these damn things. So I will go about to try to find some
butcher paper, some parchment for a lap if I need to. Sure things
are mostly kind of closed down for the night, but you might be able
to to get some from the inn. Go ahead and make like a I'll
take a society or a hold on society or perception. I'll take perception.
I can Okay, Yeah, I think you're able to probably find some at
the end without much trouble. It's going to take a while to bundle these
up, Karen, if you wanted to go check out the archives, I
don't know if they'd be open, but perhaps good as time is, I
mean, get more information before we go back. I will go to the
archives. I would like to see the building plans for this manner, and
perhaps the venue as well, music hall. I can leave you the paintings.
I enjoin you, Karun. I'm curious of the archives as well.
Good he elicit will go to the archives, take out all of the fifteen
paintings, arrange them in the order that they were on the wall, and
not rather Vic, why don't you go with them just in case there's any
trouble. I'll just be in the room and I'll wait here for you and
you are yes, that would be safe. M M, where are you
recommending? Yar ago yaha can help me? Okay, yeah, we'll stay
behind with our Celia. Ah, Celia, Yes, leave your armor on,
all right. I wo So Malvic Orashtak and Karun you venture out to
find the archives now you've done some shopping. You were probably directed to various
points of interest throughout the city as you were doing shopping and whatnot, so
it's not too hard to find the archives. It's just a matter of asking
maybe a few people on the street to point it out and get the general
direction, et cetera. You've only been here for a couple of days,
so it's probably not the city's like laid out super easy for you to remember
anything. It'll probably take you a little while to memorize. But without too
much trouble, you are, I can make it very easy to find it.
I have the ability to guide us by the stars, and I can
roll with advantage or just a note that I'll probably find it quickly, okay.
Also, I have eyes of the city I'm not sure if this helps
me in this situation. If you're trying to track down a target, my
target is the building plans for this place. They track creatures specifically. Yes,
it's creatures, all living archives. This is kind of scary now.
Yeah, so it's an archived building. I imagine probably located near the city,
like the city city Hall, which is where the delegate would be here
in town. I mean, it looks kind of closed, there's no there's
no candlelight that seems to be on inside. What do we do? Knock?
Hop if they have a night attendant. Sometimes archives are open late.
Yea, I will knock long. It takes like a few minutes of knocking.
Eventually somebody slides open the the people what you want? Hello, my
name is Kahun. I'm here with my associate Lizid and we are the chosen
Ones. I have a question for you, chosen. I'm not sure if
you've heard of our exploits. The rest of this town seems to have.
Oh right, my god, right right, I have heard of you.
What do you wish? I'm sorry to disturb you at this late hour,
but we have a rather important quest to find some building plans it's not something
you would be able to assist with. Is it please make a diplomacy check?
And is it possible to make a society check? Is this like a
nice place? I think I will take a society role in this case.
All right? Twenty seven? This is more of you navigating through red tape.
Karun, the one who asks for the manager at every turn, is
an expirtted red tape. You like excited. If there's forms to fill out,
I will sign whatever I need in trip liqu it. Well, it's
not exactly normal for anyone to come by this late to look at building plans.
I understand it is an odd request, but it is of utmost importance.
The consequences of it could be dire. See like fingers just furling and
like just sort of resting on the edge of the people. Normal at all,
We'll push through, Karun and and us talking. Take the rest of
the braid that I took from the Yeah, what's this then? Mm hmm,
what you're asking for? I get it? All right, let's go
it immediately drops a bread, not break. The bread came from it was
made with gold leaf what what? Mm hmm? Made at the gold Leaf
Mansion. Gold just look, here's the gold. Is this enough for you?
Hm? You know these locks they don't really open very easily. Very
well, I will give you two gold and I will pull the chocolate gold
out of my pocket, the chocolate gold from the beginning of the episode.
Try and let's see, here's a golden Here is an extra something for my
special men. I think this is going to be a deception. I would
reroll that thirty. He's a hero point okay, twenty one. Huh.
It's like a little warm, you know. Put it in his hand,
like hoping like it's dark. He's not gonna notice. There's like a little
bit of heats a lot. It's a lot less than the other's the spotty
heath whatever, you know, whatever works for any situation. Right, it's
uh yeah, it's probably like leaking, just like a little bit, but
it's dark out. He's probably not gonna notice. Oh god, it takes
it. Puts it in his pocket, yeah right, uh opens up some
locks, yes, all right, I'll get quick then fire well, thank
you, thank you. I'll walk past and whisper the bread. The records
records department is where records What are you exactly you're looking for? The building
plans for the Manor and for the music oil for the manor, you mean
the man what does this it called? Again? The Mannor called the Goldleaff
manner and the associated music oil building plans upstairs and to the left. Very
well, I am off like a shot, like an arrow bolt fired from
the fiery flames of Joanna. I ascend the stairs. I assume you're saying
this out loudly, Manvic, well y, come here, well, do
not touch anything? Please? Why would I touch anything? Why would I
touch anything? Because every time we enter a store, you touch things and
cause problems. Do you wish for me to have Acilia join us to fix
it? No, that's anything, please, it's not near of interest.
And I'll just walk around and start looking and sculf. I'd be like I
am watching Malevic, like a lizard who is looking for prey but does not
want to eat right now because they are not hungry. But I'm still watching.
Yeah, there's so the way that this place is laid out is uh,
there's there's like, ah, essentially like bookcases, but instead of books,
they're like scroll cases. Right, So there's boxes that are maybe like
five inches by five inches and like a whole bookcase filled with those. And
there's some scrolls that are simply parchment that's rolled up. Some are in scroll
holders inside these compartments. You call them scrollers. Sure, And there's uh,
there's like a big flat wooden table kind of in the middle with various
paper weights on it. You imagine like people will used to pull out the
scroll, pop it on the table, put the paper weights down to look
at whatever it is that you're trying to look at. All right, I
would like some checks, please, let's see here. I will take uh,
probably, I will take society. I will take her perception and crafting,
depending on everyone. No, you get to choose. Well, I
would absolutely be doing the crafting. Okay, it is a twenty eight okay,
and then we need one person to make a society check, one person
to make a perception check. I can do the society twenty five okay,
twenty four okay. So a rash talk, you think you can you think
you spy where the different sections are kind of located, like trying to find
maybe like homes. There's some that are like municipal buildings, there's some that
are like they're in various categories, and you are directing to find the pro
three ones. Once pointed out Malvic, you're able to like quickly look through
each of these, each of these scrolls to find the right one, and
you help Karom locate the the gold leaf manner and rash tak. You also
point out the the local music hall. Quickly grabbing these two scrolls, you
play them out which one first? Nope, this is the right one.
Yes, you do not touch it us for the manner, the musical dust,
the manner. I take it and lay it out and put the paperweights
down. All right, I immediately just begin sketching the design into my notebooks.
Is okay, Yes, it's a blueprint. Yes, you got five
minutes. I'm only doing bare broad strokes here. Okay. Is there some
sort of level to this, a darker under level perhaps, or is some
kind of focal point for arcane technology. Here's what you find, Karen with
a twenty eight year crafting. The blueprints don't make sense. Interesting, Yeah,
they don't make sense. The measurements don't add up. You notice that
there are definitely if these blueprints are all that is there, it appears that
there must definitely be some other rooms in this home that are not in these
blueprints. Listen, is there any kind of enchantment upon these papers? Conceal
the information on them because they do not make sense. I begin to do
I focused detect magic, trying to ignore other magic items, and just see
if this scroll is magical. Yeah, no magic, no magic. I
move into it while I'm already in the process of this, the music halls
scroll before it's unfurled. M. I will bet anything that the other scroll
is this way as well, and neither of them are magical though, so
committing fraud. Here's what you do recognize from the music hall. Uh.
It is very much similar to the opera house that you ran into in carcal
See. Interesting. Is there an architect on the draft? Yeah? Absolutely?
What is the architect's name? It is Lysander Nightingale, Lysander Nightingale.
Are they the same architect for each building musical and the manor? Uh?
No. The architect for the manor uh is uh Aria River Song. M.
What does the date on these uh throwings drafts? They don't. They
don't seem to have any correlation the date on the music hall. Uh.
How long ago? Is it? Long ago? So that we couldn't ask
these architects anything more right if they were human? No, m Do I
recognize any of these names as being elephant? No Ah, all right,
I think these are These architecture drawings are obviously faked. They don't make sense.
Is there can I discern where any possible secret entrance or chamber might be?
Yeah, I mean you could get you would be able to figure out,
like roughly where it would be. All right, I don't think you
have any idea like how it would be there? Yeah, what would be
there? How to get in there or anything? I see? All right,
Well, I'll sketched that into my book and I rolled them back up.
I don't see anything else we can do. Yes, the orchestra hall
is near identical the one in Palko's strange that they wrote two different architects on
here. They could be two different architects goloon. Yes, but if they
are so similar, then no, the we don't have the original architecture.
Oh, I see, I see, Yes, the orchestral halls are very
similar. They might be the same here and there. Knowing what I know
now about the secret potential of secret chambers and the music oil, and perhaps
we should in the man not in the music oil, all right, And
there is nothing about the music hall that is strange. It looks just like
a normal musical, just exactly. I think the one. Yeah, The
thing that stands out to you with that is that it's very similar to the
other one. Very well. All right, Well, if I recalled,
the old music hall was extremely old. It was dilapidated, in fact,
wasn't it? Was it not? Is this one equally dilapidated? Um?
Give me roll me a flat D twenty I will roll you with you twenty
six? Uh no, uh, you've seen it in town just a glance.
It just it looked like a regular building from what you could tell,
Like, I mean, you didn't, you didn't really pay any special attention
to it. All right, Well, perhaps we've learned all we can from
here. All right, I've minutes is up, Thank you, sir.
I appreciate your willingness to provide us with information. You can see that this
person is gnawing on the bread that fellas know, like, how do you
wish for us to put these back where they were exactly? Or would you
like to do that? I do not know exactly found them? Please I
proceed to do so. Mm hmm, let us return to the in then
very well, have a pleasant day shows in one Yeah, well human all
hitting rooms. You are right, Karun. There are hidden rooms potentially,
but we don't know how to get into them. We only have a vague
idea of where they are. And it doesn't seems so there are any hidden
rooms in the orchestra music hail sort of? Is Is everything all right?
I believed so that you no listen, No, I'm looking at the bottom
of my shoes. Perhaps I've stepped on a small creature. Anyway, I
have to say before we go any further with all this investigation, that we
mind our own business. We're not here to solve everyone's problems. We have
a bigger matter to attend to. Yes, correct, gut money does allow
us to and continue our mission we have been I agree with selling the paintings,
but I mean disrespecting the mansion itself by going around looking for hidden doors
or something of that manner. That big at large would more than likely have
its own secrets hidden doors. Anyway, if I recall the ritual which took
place in the music hall, took place on the main stage, but there
was some kind of art effect there was there not some kind of obstruction of
some kind. I believe it was the ritual circle they had with the flute
being played in it. There was no big rock. Am I remembering this
wrong? I could have sworn there was some kind of a large rock.
No, I invented the rock. That was me right. The catalyst was
the flute performance and ritual. They had summiners on the balconies as well,
but that was not part of the ritual so much as an effect. Let's
head back to the inn, but we'll take the long way and just walk
by the music halls to see the outside of it. I do think,
though, Malevik, the moment we sell these paintings or attempted to, something
may happen. Knowing where there are secret rooms. We far too often have
been stuck in buildings without knowledge of how to get out. Optionally, M
fine, let's get back to answer and your en. He has discussed what
we found. Go from there. So we walk by the music. Is
there anything different about it? They think that stands out? Make a perception
check. I will make twenty six. I mean, what are you looking
for? I'm looking for anything out of the ordinary. Is there loading dock
with people on it perhaps, or some kind of late night spooky construction crew
or look figures going in and out or no, there, you know,
there's probably some like the equivalent of a medieval marquee. That's probably you know,
empty at the moment. Nothing one really jumps out at you. There's
no one. There's no one working like a ticket booth or anything. Nope,
all right, all right back to the end, I guess, yes,
taking a long way back to the end. Return to find our Celia
and Yara have mostly packed everything up ready to go on the paintings. Oh,
good timing, we're just finishing up the last one. Now we have
some things to report. It appears that there are some unaccounted for spaces in
the manner which do not appear on the the architectural drifts. Also, the
music hall is almost identical to the one in Concow. MM. That is
strange. However, I don't think it's unusual for mansions to have secret passages.
That tends to be something that anyone that can design their own home might
consider. Especially perhaps Old Lady Goldleaf has a slide to go down from one
room to another. Why would they have a perhaps a ball pit? I
feels he may be too frail for that. I think that luks can be
deceiving. That's pressure. Regim Minor gold Leaf is a very very cunning person.
I think that we should be careful around her. There are layers and
depths to her which we can only glean the surface of. Should we attempt
these sail outside her manner? Then not be locked in without potential payment and
attack. If you are that worrisome, I think that we should try to
at least we good company. Where's it comes to show if we can break
the front door down and you could touch No, of course, it is
so odd that there is so much of this woman's life revolving around the arcane
and magic. Yet they go through the trouble of forging fake spaces in the
drafting of the architectural lens. I have we known that their life is anything
to do with the arcane. Well, they're purchasing magical paintings for an absurd
amount of money. They are interested in the in the magical flute and the
curse upon my violin. People pay obscene amounts of money for paintings. Yes,
they cannot help but feel at odd switties. No, I think you
are right, kron Master Goldlief. She knew exactly where we are from we
were, but seemed vague on some of the names we throughout who should have
been famous. How did she not know who those were exactly? That was
a little strange. What is in the spaces in between the walls and the
piece being played? That was the ritual song and being performed at an identical
orchestral hall, and she is patronizing them. There are too many coincidences,
I think. Well, we were told that from our third party that she
is an enthusiast, and you know, there's no telling how creative someone might
be with enough money and time and true, but enthusiasts, well, the
occultists in that ritual were very enthusiastic as well. Creativity too, can be
wielded for very the various purposes. I have seen the skin playing machine Karoo
made, for instance. Well, that's different, isn't The point of it
is that I don't believe we should trust lady gold Leaf. No, we
don't need to trust her. We just need her money. Well, we
do need to trust her if we go into her potentially quite booby trapped home.
Well, we try what the watched I have said, and trying to
make the exchange us at the home. Most the important thing is we get
rid of these paintings and get the money. Whatever they do with the paintings
after that is they're calling. Well. The benefit of doing it in her
home is that we aren't doing it out on the street where everyone can see
it happening. Yes, let's go to the home. Let's go to the
home, but be prepared for something terrible to happen. Do you have bombs?
Of course I have bombs. Do you have extra bombs? Of course
I have extra bombs. I have all kinds of bombs, now terrible bombs.
But I feel kind of bad. Well, then there's nothing to be
afraid of for ready, we can handle this or our shock. Do you
want ya to look at your bandages? No? Are you sure? Yes?
I mentioned before they are a reminder tomorrow will be fine? All right?
Horn the innkeeper you breed with what ah? If you let them know
that we return tonight. If we do not, it will be traced back.
We could inform them that we are expected back at the inn at a
certain time because them doubts. If I was going form, I would go
in form Harley, but I have never bred with him. Oh oh shit,
oh oh, I just remembered something. Yeah, I go away to
talk to Harley. No, wait, we we agreed with Sakawachi. We
sent a letter to Sakawachi that we're going to meet with them tonight. Oh
time, you did not send a time to either appointments. We could speak
with Sakawachi first. I think we should in case we are detained, in
case they want to say something to us. Who the astronomer human companions?
The humans? Yes, the humans? Of course, yes, I will
go talk to Harley. All right. Did they not breed? I wasn't
there. I not either, That is why I ask while at the ceiling,
and then send the visual image to Malevic again again, wouldn't call that
breeding, It was more of a m acromatics. Okay, there we go.
Can we do something else other than that? Yes? Their rooms right
over here, and I will knock on soccle watch his door. Uh Denigi
opens the door. You can see the see her profile through the crack of
the door. Hello, Hello, did you receive our letter? Yes,
you wish to speak now? If that's all right with you, We do
plan on going out in the town for some business. We might not be
back soccer. What I mean, door opens, I will step inside.
I'm going to to stay out. Oh they speak inside because I still don't
like the fact the way that Suco watch you looked at us and especially me.
So I'm going to wait for them when the outside ye of the room,
I should say, okay, so Enuma Lekukdii and Sakawachi, you are
kind of just like probably having some some food and drink. They're probably look
like they're getting ready for bed as well. It is getting late. It's
probably about like ten pm maybe, so it's late for medieval folks who usually
like get up with the sun and and have their day that way. And
h you sit down and and soakaua. She says, so hey, how
have you been finding a gida? It is an interesting place. There are
many buildings, many people, and it is h it is strange. People
have been hurt by the scar. It has scared them. M hm yes,
I mean it's also that the various people and spoken with them the event
it's wounds run in d very deep. So we just came in to check
in on you, and honestly we're worried. They all share a look.
Yes, what are you worried about? Worried for you, worried for your
companions, and honestly worried for the path ahead. We wish to help provide
you safety wherever we can. We have so many questions unanswered, and honestly,
I think we are stronger together. Our paths are connected. This I
feel deep in my heart. The stars have told me as much. But
there are troubling signs that we have seen that I have seen. Mhm,
it makes sense. These are troubling times. What have you seen, Saquachi?
Please make a diploma say checks hm, hmmm. Twenty seven. These
visions that we have shared, they are not simply without purpose. They seem
to be remnants of memories. And I worry for what I have seen.
There are you can see a Numa sort of put a hand on Sakawachi's shoulder.
There are things in these visions that tell me that you and the rest
of your friends may have may have done something truly terrible. I am worried
that even though our paths move together, they are cursed, they are filled
with death. I think that maybe you have done something for this creature that
we all fear, and I am worried it may happen again. I know
nothing more than that that I have come to learn to trust my visions.
Ah, Celia and Sakawachi, did Pakuwachi? Did not? Your visions tell
you to work with us? That is why you waited, was it not?
You no longer trust that one? Ah, I must admit I am
porn You are correct. That is why we have met in the first place.
These visions tell me to move through sacoruss dangerous as it may be.
So now I am left with the decision. I am conflicted. On one
hand, my visions have shown me what I believe to be part of your
past, and on the other I am being urged to move forward. We
have talked amongst ourselves and we would like to continue traveling together. But I
am worried. Oh, you are worried too, And if it's okay with
you a rash Talk, I will gesture to the mark on my neck while
I look at you. Once you give me a nod, I will reveal
the bandage on a rash Talk's neck. We have tried to do investigating on
our own. We do not like what is happening We do not like these
dark visions, losing time, losing control, the idea of us not being
ourselves that is unsettling. We hope that we have proven to be good people
in your company, and we wish to continue to do so. Here we
have tried to discern the manner of these marks on us and whatever this magic
is, whatever this thing is that binds us together, You and I are
psychoagi. It does not wish to be undone. The removal was unsuccessful.
See, but what can we do in the face of trouble but to meet
a head on If choice is taken from you, do you just simply let
it be or do you fight for the freedom? We wish to fight for
that freedom with you. Perhaps it's our past that's been imprisoned, these fragments,
memories that have been broken. They deserve to be free, and I
do not think that freedom will be found by simply walking away. Many of
your words have been spoken by my companions. Well, we will continue our
journey together if if you agree, I believe it's the interest of all of
us that we go with you. I agree as well as Sakawachi. I
would wish to give you advice or your visions. If you are willing to
hear it as a suggestion, what is your advice? Do not trust them
implicitly anymore. Why I look to our celia and look at the symbol or
approval, and not to you. There is influence from the whale here.
I have been working to see what it could be. The oils in the
air ingested are a hallucinogen seemingly from the whale. When I add the intented
food that recipe to retrieve memories. If you recall, I was able to
remember partly while I was inside the gate the whale called from it. I
fear that some of what we see is from the whale. There may be
influence over you that you do not realize, as was over us. I
am not saying the visions are not true from what you've seen, but study
them see if there are differences in conflicts Like what I noted before, you
were told to follow us, but now you are also being told we are
not to be trusted and that we will cause problems. Why would you follow
that. I am not dictating for you, but take caution. It is
more here than I think we realize. That is so very well. We
have secured a caravan that can leave in the next day or two. Is
that acceptable? Yes, we have some unfinished business to go about selling and
offloading somewhares that we've collected, but I imagine we'll probably be ready tomorrow evening.
Perhaps perhaps the caravan will be taking us to Cannabis. It is on
the border of so Chorus along the river. Are there any particular preparations that
you'd like us to make, Any supplies camping and such that you might need,
We will secure our own, all right. We should be able to
get most of that tomorrow when the shops open. Other than that, I
cannot think of anything else. All right, Sukawachie, if it's okay,
I have something for you, And I'll reach into my pocket and I'll pull
out a small bracelet. It's visibly handmade, and it's got a manner of
bar It clearly scavenge and collected from different sources of different colors, and I
present it to her. What is this a gift? I thought? The
different beads and colors reminded me of the different places that we've been. I
know you weren't there with us through them, but I feel like you are
very much a part of it. Our journey and the things we've went through,
they are a connection, and I just wanted you to feel like you
were a part of it too. But he's very kind. Thank you.
M Well, if you need anything, just leave us a letter and we'll
get to it in the morning. I I do not have anything to give
to you in exchange. Yeah, that's not you don't need to give me
anything. It was not given with expectation of anything in return. I was
just thinking about you. Thank you, m Rush talk anything else that you
need, no, Yeah, if you still wish for the memory, yeah,
retrieving I suppose the food. I am willing to give it to you
still, but I also understand if you do not wish for it, perhaps
leta just ask. I have a dose prepared for you still, should you
wish. Thank you. We shall make our leave. Good night, rest
as much as you can. We will try good night. I will step
out into the hallway and close the door behind a rash talk. There's some
strange noises coming from downstairs. Mather victim know what that is. I don't
think I want to know. If the one's being killed her, we should
go help them. I sawways something I begin to run down the stairs.
No what uh Karena? What did they think? Caran is walking out of
the of the the kitchen, kind of wabbling a little bit. Ah ah,
Hello, have you informed the innkeeper that you breed with? I have
not. I he is informed. H oh, I see now yeh ah
ah Uh, what's the joke? I opened the front door and stuff outside
your thing. I've so no, you were not breeding Karol. No oh
huh okay, and I walk out the door. Mm hmmm. I just
don't say anything and I just walk out and yep, we actually everyone else
the current do you follow? Uh? Yeah, just buy Harley, I
go your thing. You joined the rest of the group. It's quiet,
obviously, like in the end, like the dinner time has long passed,
so there's not really any many people around. It's generally a bit quieter out.
It's past like ten pm. Most people have called it a night in
town. What do you do? Go straight to the mansion? I think,
mm hmmm hm. I have a question for all of us regarding with
the exchange with Sukawachi. Mhm, do we really wish to travel with them?
I do not mind not traveling with them. There's just some more we
have to look after. But maybe we should. I think we should sleep
on it, maybe talk about it first thing in the morning. I have
spoken how I feel about traveling companions, and that I have chosen you all.
Yes, I chose you because there is mutual trust. There is none
with them. That is a danger there we go. We cannot expect them
to have our backs. If Sakawachi has a vision, whether or not it
is true, they may abandon us when we need that support which we have
given them, and they seem to have not factored that in all. Perhaps
that is why they are willing a little bit. But that is a danger
that I do not necessarily wish to be in. Having to watch both our
front and our back at all times is strategically unsound. That's fairboard not wrong.
I stem let's get these paintings up there and then we can all come
to a conclusion. I am all right with that. I just want us
to be safe and not suffer a betrayal. Understood, one thing at a
time, we might end up being locked in a basement or a hidden wall
for three days and might miss it entirely. So, yes, this is
too. So you venture back to the gold Leaf mansion and Uh, you
approached the door. Can we still hear music? No? Is it mostly
visually unchanged? Yeah, there's a few lights on and like candlelight flickering in
the windows. I knock on the door. It's opened pretty quickly, like
after like the fourth knock. Hello, Hello, please, you are welcome
in side. I will step in. Oh. Follow Charles Uh leads you
back to the entrance hall and then says M. Regimina is in study.
Please this way, and begins to proceed down the hallway connected the entrance hall.
As you continue down the hallway, you can see many more beautiful paintings
hung up on the wall the the There are various rooms with doors closed on
the hall. As you continue walking down, fine candelabras and such are lit,
and you you come across another larger room which you can see had a
variety of chairs sort of lined up in a semicircle pattern. There's evidence of
like some musical instruments and things that were left there, as well as probably
various components for maintenance for musical instruments, Like there's some rosin for some bows
and things like that that are around this way. Please, you make your
way through this room, and I will take a perception check from somebody should
not be me. I'll use my plus twelve. Yes, please, I'm
going to re roll that. Oh no, that's the fourteen sure enough,
statistically unsound. There's large like portraiture in this room. In this music room.
You can see there's there's a large portrait of Regimena. That's that's up
here. There's several other portraiture people that look like Regimena, that have similar
facial features and such. You can see what must be like a family portrait
from when Regimena was younger. And there's evidence here of like maybe a few
generations of the family starting from like humble beginnings and sort of like making their
way up in the world, you know. And yeah, nothing out of
the ordinary. As you make your way through here, you walk down another
sort of hallway. Lots of really good smells in here too. There's like
some perfumes and probably like remnants of like dinner smells that are still making their
way through the house. You can smell some like grilled meat and such.
And you you make your way into a what appears to be a large study.
There's one wall that is kind of like just like a bookcase wall and
very high ceilings in here. There's a chandelier that's unlit and several candelabras that
are lit around the the the walls of the rooms there are. There is
like a very posh looking desk and like office chair that are here. Regimena
is seated in the office chair. There's also like a large couch, very
luxurious looking in a coffee table, and you can see that there's a lot
of books and things that have kind of been placed on a few of the
different surfaces that are out and about, and they're just kind of like piled
up into small stacks maybe like three to five books high. There are very
thick looking carpets on hardwood here, and you have a very nice view of
aga from out of the windows, which are again very like tall windows with
beautiful beautiful cloth like window furnishings around them. Regimina has a small all I
guess it'd just be like just a small candle obra on the desk that she's
using to write some things out on the desk with. I have a question,
are we being watched by the butler or are we on the scrutiny of
any kind. The butler would be at the entrance to the room. All
right, Is it possible for me to use quick alchemy in this situation?
I suppose that depends on what you're doing. I would like to create a
lesser eagle eye Eli, sir, okay, make a stealth check for me.
All right. I assume you're trying to go unnoticed when you do this,
Yes, okay, thirty, no problem. Like probably had it like
tucked up like in your in your sleeve, and it slides down in your
hand, and like you just casually tip it back without much head movement.
I also have powerful alchemy. Well. Chemical items you create on the flyer
particularly potent. When you use this quick alchemy to create an infuse that chemical
item that allows for saving throw. You can change the DC to your class
DC. Does that allow this finding of secret doors to go to my class
DC? Instead? Ah? Good question? That is such a crazy whoa
that allows a saving throw? So I think this isn't a saving throw?
I see, so no Ah, but that is pretty crazy. You can
definitely use that. I mean this, I feel like this is a good
idea. I think this is more appropriate versus like bosses and stuff like that.
Like if something has like a really hard DC, you can use that.
Definitely, all right, I will take the Eagle Alixir, and may
I conduct a perception check? Absolutely, I perceive nineteen okay two plus two.
When you're looking to find secret doors and traps, yeah, uh,
you're taking a casual glance around the room here. If there are secret doors,
nothing is like immediately jumping out at you. You probably have to like
take a little time to, like, you know, try and futs around
with some stuff in the room to see if something might open up. But
just looking for like little gaps in the walls or anything like that. Nothing
cursory jumps out at you. My pupils are as black as mess clearer,
but they have dilated, and if anyone could see the edge of my pupils,
they would see that they are huge. Okay, that's all. And
they have a big smile. It's really nice. Yeah, Regiemina says,
doesn't really take notice off of what they're working on for a moment, as
you're all sort of directed I guess to sit in the room or what have
you by Charles. And they finished something up. They're writing, put hand
back in an inkwell and stand up from the chair. Excuse me, I'm
terribly sorry. I had to finish something up. Well, do you have
the paintings for me? Yes, already a package titled ready for you to
hang up to your desire. Excellent, Charles, if you'd be so kind
to look them over? Do you have a table for viewing? We can
put them down in order for you. Yes, right here, it'll be
fine, all right, Rashock. Why don't you go ahead and do that
while I settle payment. Yes, I begin to very slowly take them out,
one by one, as o Celia had mentioned payment. So it's just
gingly on looking to Assilia like Regimina is just watching you take the paintings out.
Charles is slowly looking them over one at a time, and I'm continuing,
yes, yeah, until they're all fifteen are out. Harash TAC's like,
is this actually happening? Is it my time? You take all the
paintings out? Charles sort of looks them over, nods to Regimena and fifteen
Charles, if you'd be so kindness to pay them? Yes? He takes
out a coin purse and a small chest and pushes it over to you.
All right, I will open the chest. Yep, it's full of coins.
I'll try to estimate how many coins there are there. Sure, yeah,
it looks looks like it's probably about like fifteen hundred gold worth, so
it's you know, there's platinum pieces, there's some gold pieces, various denominations.
Mm hmm. Alright, and then the coin purse probably has a one
hundred and twenty five gold piece, isn't it. Mm hmm. I'll go
and give that look over in the goin pouch, and then I will gesture
to the chest for Malavik m I don't pick it up and store it.
Is that what you wanted me to do? It's heavy and you have big
muscle, so it's your problem. Bag of holding near you. I'll pick
it up and then look down at the rush tug and look and I'm like,
is that a smile? No? Uh, I'll place it in the
bag. Is her vision? Like the camera the camera just sees like a
rass tacks smile, and it's just you know, saw teeth, you know,
just super close up. As I put in the bag, I'm just
I'm looking dead in his eyes, like'm gonna do something, so abslowly put
it in the bag and then and then back up. Sure, I'll take
one gold out of the coin pouch and just kind of like play with it
to make sure it's not chocolate. Uh yeah, make a perception check,
really, after all? For that fourteen could be chocolate. Damn. I
give it to Karun. Karun also puts the coin in the mouth. I
did not put it in the mouth. Yep, nope, that was not
so he Oh, I thought you said you put it in your mouth.
I thought, nope, down on it, nope, nope, just on
my hands. Also eats the penny. Oh, that tastes horrible. That's
not chocolate. All right, very good? Does it taste like gold?
Have you tasted gold before? Leave little imprints with my teeth? Is sure?
All right? It seems like it could be gold either gold lead.
Are the paintings to your pleasure? Charles sort of nods to Regimena. Regimena
then walks over to the paintings. Oh, yes, yes, these will
do fine. What do you intend to do with them? Well to hang
them up, of course, that's what you do with paintings. Sure,
they really tie the room together. I think so true. I know if
that is all it is rather late. M. Yes, we should leave.
Yes, this has been pleasant, and you must still go leave.
And thank you so much for your hospitality, the food, the wine exquisite
and your company. Mm hmmm. I'll try to take her hand and give
it a kiss if she allows it. Yeah, a kiss, and you
will court me gracius. It is not often in my travels that I've met
one of your bearing. I'm definitely flirting with her by the way as well,
and she sort of like, well, hatch your hand a little bit,
and uh says I think I could use a good night's sleep. M
sweet dreams. Yes you as well, shall we? H good night?
Right? Good night? Annoying me if you'd be so kind as to walk
them out, of course, Charles begins to escort you out same way you
came. As we are walking out, is it possible for me to just
take up the back, take up the rear and have a little peak.
Sure can make another perception check if you like it's twelve fourteen to find any
super secret passageways. I am I perceive nothing. I think also like Charles
is leading the way right. If you glance back at Karun, Karun is
like a head on a swivel, like looking up and down, like so
obvious, like as soon as as soon as no one is looking, like
Karun is like freaking looking everywhere. It's so blatant that she's like, what
the hell is going on? And the pupils a huge You don't notice anything,
Karun. I know, Charles esports you out. I was going to
ask if possible, If it's too late, it's fine. I did want
to glance sober at the orchestra room they had set up if we passed by
it on the way out. Sure, it's not like an orchestra room,
per se. I mean when you guys went through it, it was probably
just like a The room probably just has like good acoustics or something, you
know, like a foil or something. Yeah, yeah, it's just it's
just one of those larger rooms that just probably has a good sound quality to
it. So it might be like a foyer or dining room or something like
that. All right, but yeah, what are you looking for? I
was wanting to see if anything of the occult might have been left behind,
like if they were indeed using it for another ritual, if someone forgot something
behind. Okay, it's still a perception check. That is fine. This
is a plus one due to my special goggles. Is it as a site
based perception? Yes, okay, I'm going to reroll that. As we
seem to love fourteens and twelve twenty eight, okay, As you look to
see what might have been left or what have you, there's again, as
I said, there's some like instrument cases, some instruments have been left behind,
what have you. There is a there is a what appears to be
a like a song list, you know how like there's a set list or
whatever. When you go to like a musical show or what have you.
There's a song list probably that's just been left on one of the tables.
You immediately recognize that these are the same songs that were uh set to be
played in the music hall back in Karkow. I keep this to myself,
okay. Otherwise Charles escorts you out. You're not doing anything else. H
I step outside, mm hmm, and good night to all of you.
My own travels be safe, whatever they may take you. Thank you.
Perhaps some day in the few sure we might do business again. I look
forward to it, and I'm sure Madam Goldleaf does as well. Good Night,
m hm hm hm. Cool. Oh, I can breathe again.
I didn't see any hidden trips, doors or small creatures or you know why
you have. I didn't see anything. It's really hard to understand. And
they didn't see anything at all. I began walking stiffly away. Definitely nothing
sane over there. I follow. I'm wildly obvious. I have no ability
to do tact. Yeah, I go with the lizard. Walking toward the
orchestral hall is the direction I'm had taking back. So did you see something?
Yes? I did. I'm glad you picked up on it. Oh,
I'll you're very smooth, almost very good to tell. It's the same
musical list as in Cargo, exactly. Building interesting. That is interesting.
It's weird. They I would not this money in gold we got, but
I would put some imaginary money down on the fact that they will do this
ritual doing the concert. Might I take care of the problem? Yeah?
How how I have a monitor poke its head out from my robes? I
can have a monitor burned down the orchestral hall. If it is burnt down,
there will be no problem. Does the sound you are hearing this sound?
Yes? Yes, this is a monitor, My darling, familiar.
Oh, it's so much larger than the last time I saw it. Has
it been feeding? Well? It does not need sustenance, just my magic,
but this is about the size it will stay. I do feed it
though still it does not need it. But it likes I see. Does
it like chocolate? I do not know. Sopspsops spssopsops. I have little
bit of melted chocolate on my fingers. I can give it to it if
you wish. It's the most never mind, that's all right, but yes,
would you like me to have them on a to burn the building down?
Ka mm hmmm, I don't think it's a great idea in this one.
It could be a good one, but it could also be a very
dangerous one. Fires in cities can be quite ruthless. They can spread uncontrolled,
and it could cause great harm. Plus that would be making a move
with a lot of assumptions in mind. We don't really have any hard evidence.
Are any of you? Are any of you able to Are any of
you able to create them a snare? By any chance? I could make
one? Yes? Well what about this? And I rummaged through my alchemist
pack and I ah, here it is. What if we were able to
construct a device which would allow us to detonate something like this. It is
a vial of swirling energy, and it hums with a lightinging when you listen
closely with your ears. When it smashes, it will deafen everyone around.
I have three of them. Do we even know when this musical actor is
supposed to go on? Do we know enough about the musical procedure? Like?
Is the ritual dependent upon people hearing the music? Or is the ritual
dependent upon merely playing it? Because oh, it was playing it. They
had no audience in the previs It would be pretty hard to play all of
the parts if you couldn't hear anyone else to it. Oh, I see.
Do we really think that gold Leaf is dangerous in this way? Or
do you think maybe they're just a fan? It could be a coincidence.
I am more speaking of the orchestra over gold Leaf. Goldleaf is neither here
nor they are. At this point, we are fairly certain that there's something
the theory is is happening with this orchestra. There are too many similarities,
agreed, But what is the connection? It's either gold Leaf or its us?
Oh whoever was pardon the pun? Orchestrating the first ritual? Who told
you about ghost thief? It was the alchemist? Oh oh right. They
said that Regardmina has a tendency to be clingy, and to me that sounds
like perhaps someone with obsessions. Mm it could be that. I or just
note there are what is the phrase, too many coincidences to not have a
connection. What haven't it's that idea, At least too many pieces line up
for it to be coincidence. What if we do this? What if one
of us sneaks inside of the music oil to just see if there's anything apparently
out of the ordinary, and if there is, we can ring it with
explosives and traps. Ah ah, a a better idea, No, uh,
Gigard the dwarfing uh moralistic fellow. Oh, they trust us simplicitly,
which if we have proven they wish for us to drive out evil, we
could inform them something evil maybe happening there that we've encountered in the past.
They would look into it and we would have no ties outside of that.
I like that idea. Then you may conduct that plan without me. We
do not know any plan outside of asking them to inspect it. It is
even easier that way, right, strong, Karoun nothing, No, you
seem displeased. No, who wouldn't want to rig a music coil full of
bombs and traps? It's you know who needs it? Really, I won't
be going to the dwarf house, though I refuse M. I understand that,
and your idea was a good idea. I just want to say that
it is just and where you're gone. Whilst you are gone to the dwarf
house, I will not rig the music colorful of bombs and traps. M
yeah, okay, I trust you. I trust you right, you wouldn't
you would lie to me? Now, please make a deception check, Please
make a perception jack, I trust you. Karuns good, good, run
right in front of or just like turns in the background like starts to get
darker and the camera zooms in. Good. All right, Well we should
get this funds, the funds out of the street. We should find garr
in the morning. Word now or when did the gold leaf say the concert
was? She didn't the morning could work? I suppose no. Tonight would
be wise if they wish to inspect it in the night, and then they
may do so. If it is tomorrow, they will not have time.
Okay, so we will ask them to inspect it tonight. Yes. Oh,
so the dwarfill might probably be in the concert hall tonight, so I
will definitely not full of BOMs and traps tonight. Yes. The only other
thing I pulled the chest out of gold and cast to detect magic on the
chest of gold that we received. Sure you can't detect magic? Why you
got a roll for it? I know, I don't know what you're talking
about. I live in the walls. See you're reaching m the The gold
definitely has a spell cast on it. A gold is enchanted. How convenient
I dispel magic prepared for the day? Okay, dispel the magic. There's
a mist that starts to rise up from the gold chest. There's a few
symbols that you did not notice engraved on the chest that fade away, almost
like ash remnants from paper as they float off into the air. I look
to as Celia. I think she is connected. Hello, this is why
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