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A Night To Remember

by Steel Claw

We begun the night With Auditor Murg introducing himself as fervently as he could. He believes in prosperity gospel, and is accordingly infatuated with the higher classes.

Master Theo discovered that an older noble and the younger woman he is with are armed with a sleeping potion (part of which is in a drink before them) -- pointing this out to Ebon Badger/Steel. Steel/Ebon and Theo/Raven, at the wizard's idea, acquired drinks and bad their way to investigate. Baron Alex, a merchant lord, and his plus-one. Strangely, he is drinking the sleep tonic without concern. After their conversation closed, Administrator Connor informs the pair of the baron's insomnia.

On a walkaround of the banquet buffet, Master Theo noticed an older gentlemany dwarf, currently entertaining a large group of humans.

Auditor Murg simply schmoozed those around him at the table.

Izol noticed a pair of elves (one older than the older) on the side of the banquet, acting very strangely out of place. He introduced himself, learning of Gladwell and Fineaes of Veridia (the land of the elves). Partially making an ass of himself, he excused and left.

With much hullabaloo, the large doors opened to announce Lord Maddocks. Theo sensed magic on him, an invisible bracelet of some kind. The man is General Maddocks, one of the most powerful military lords of Bezia; his lands are on the border, with his own soldiers. "It is known that while General Maddocks never speaks ill of General Sapphire, they two disagree on many military decisions -- Sapphire tends to be more tactical, while he prefers showings of force.

Admin Connor pointed out the isolated elves (Izol had noticed) as Lord Gladwell, the third in line of succession for Hollowfen. He further suggested that we bring up the names of the elves (that had died) from the abassador group that went missing. The starstruck Fineaes was wide-eyed at their approach, almost praying for them to sit down. Theo noted as well that Gladwell is incredibly authentic and honest, a high-honored quality among conservative elves. Lord Gladwell is on the same page, noting the xenophobia of Bezia and the seriousness of the topic. The elves speak Tabaxi, and a trusting Steel conferred with Theo ("Raven"), who spoke well of the people of Hallowfen. "Hallowfen is with Bezia, and Arcadia [and Sapphire]".

The First Course

Just as Steel turns to Theo to take a bite of the first course, and ask how to do so -- Master Theo throws himself up and over the seating to the ground to create a disturbance and stop eating. Messaging Connor, the administrator jumped to action, summoning guards and stopping plates of food from being consumed. Steel pulled Theo and Murg with him to investigate outside -- Izol to remain undercover and inside -- just as Theo felt the presence of a new poison applied by one of the guards near Connor.

In a split second, Master Theo ordered his familiar to intercept the bolt as he whipped around to cast a geyser tidal wave to knock the man over. Thankfully, he acted in the nick of time, throwing the man prone as the bolt ricocheted harmlessly against the wall. It seems the man was suggested (magic) to attack Connor. Another guard (Westley) stepped forward -- he and the attacker were on duty on the eastern wall for most of the day. There was a note of some unmarked grain merchants -- Connor confirmed that the merchants were assailants, as grain was also involved in the poisoned food (breadcrumbs in the steak preparation).

"The bombs" were brought up -- the attack could mean that if we stay (paralyzed) in the banquet hall, an explosion could happen here. Of the two safe places to relocate, the yard (Murg casting divination: "some will die") is dangerous as well. Steel suspects the adjacent grain silo (the attackers were grain merchants after all). We came to the conclusion that we should investigate the grain store as well as the wine cellar (splitting the party) while keeping Connor with us.

The Plan

At our direction, patrols of guardsmen moving the nobles safely about the castle.

Steel, Murg, and Theo head to the grain storage (silos that sit on the south-west corner of the yard). Theo detected abjuration magic on the doornob of the door, and stopped the guardsman unlocking it before the spell was triggered. as we prepared to open the door and trigger the trap, Steel thought to look for a window -- low and behold, the section atop the silo had a window into the storeroom above. A grapple bolt and climbing cat later, and Steel discovered both a way in as well as the half-orc saboteur the party knew of inside. The orc cast thunderwave to try and knock Steel off the ledge, but he nimbly held onto the jamb. Soon Murg and Theo joined the fight. Steel managed to use an iron bolt of binding to subdue him, then running downstairs to see what was going on. In a space cleared from the grain, words were carved into the stone:

"Where are you looking?"

Izol and Admin Connor are moving towards the atrium when a loud banging sparks Admin Connor: "They're attacking the warroom!" The door is slightly ajar, which Izol kicked in to fire off a hold person at the fire person he saw: a halfling, interrupting her spellcasting. She mentally told Izol that the guard botched his shot on COnnor, as well as "Argyle's toys" failing. Izol took her out with magic, and between he and Connor the pair bound her in whatever they could find.

As we reconvened, we made sure they were bound and unable to either cast nor take their own lives. Izol could tell the female halfling was a warlock bound to some fey patron. Murg found their escape plans -- venomous false teeth that could be bitten to induce suicide.

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A Night To Remember

The First Course

The Plan

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