Chapter 2: Dress Rehearsal

[reefwood]

The coming of winter brings clouds and cool rains to the region. Each first day of a new season in Cheliax is celebrated with a Day of Wrath. Slaves and prisoners and even volunteers square off in bloodsport tournaments against each other and a variety of exotic beasts shipped in from across the Inner Sea. Victors are awarded freedom and coin.

Most bloodsports take place in typical fighting pits and arenas, but some Wiscrani have intertwined unique elements of their city into the action. The Red Wave is a temporary water pit erected in the bay where combatants battle on rafts over shark-filled waters. Meanwhile, The Gauntlet is a makeshift arena which encloses a block of Rego Crua where the fighting takes place amidst ruined buildings. Also, mayoral support of the theater has led to public holidays in Westcrown often serving as opening day for new productions, and the start of a season usually debuts the latest murderplays. Additionally, this upcoming Day of Wrath will be the grand opening for an elaborate new playhouse in Parego Regicona – the Nightshade Theater.


[OOC: This is the intro I didn't get around to posting before the session. Recap coming next.]

[reefwood]

Part 1 Recap

Starday, Kuthona 11 - Ascendance Day (Cayden)

A galley from Absalom emerges from the morning mist and sails into the bay. Several longboats are lowered into the water and row into Westcrown. One lands at the dock near the Barley Bitch. Four oarsmen stay with the boat and five acolytes of Cayden Cailean spread out into the city - each wearing a plain brown robe, dark red tunic, and severed manacles.

Acolyte Frellan (human male) steps into the Barley and takes a seat in the corner. Gettul informs Renold that a follower of Cayden has arrived, and he comes down upon completing prayers. Frellan relays an invitation from Sion Fronton who is leading a celebration of Ascendance Day at sea – free from the Chelish weight of diabolism.

10:00a – The dwarven trio and Gandry board the longboat with the acolytes and several other Wiscrani to depart for the galley.

10:30a – The longboats arrive at the galley. Rope ladders are dropped down for passengers to climb, empty boats are pulled up, and sails are let loose to catch the western wind. A sense of relief is felt as the as the Chelish waters are left behind and passengers pull back hoods to introduce themselves. Also, Renold notices that Falcon is aboard; he and another man appear to be guarding an elderly woman (human).

11:00a – Sion commences the day of services. The first hour details the mortal life of Cayden, and his successful completion of the Test of the Starstone is saluted with a mug of ale. The second hour highlights events attributed to his divine influence over the past two millenia.

1:00p – A lunchtime feast is set out on the deck. Falcon is helping guard an old woman sitting with several other elderly folks. Each one seems to have a pair of guards. One remains near the table while the other spreads out across the deck. Renold makes the effort to cross paths with Falcon who says they will talk after the festivities. Meanwhile, Gendrew sells Hopcrusher ale to the passengers and Gettul samples ales from across the Inner Sea region.

3:00p – The acolytes share historical and personal tales highlighting tenants of Cayden: bravery, freedom, good, strength, travel. The service continues through dusk and ends shortly after dark.

5:00p – Everburning torches are brought out with the dinner feast. Renold takes note of Falcon's charge. Gettul recognizes her as Phelia Grulios. She is mother to House Grulios patriarch Asad and rumored to be the oldest woman (human) in Westcrown. House Grulios has made its fortune primarily through lumber sales for shipbuilding.

Renold introduces himself to Phelia and her compatriots. They are grateful for the opportunity to worship and celebrate away from the watchful eye of diabolists. Some are intrigued to meet a dwarf and all are delighted to hear tales of Westcrown from before the civil war and subsequent rise of House Thrune.

After dessert, acolytes and passengers take up instruments, and the tables are cleared away to make room for dancing under the stars. Phelia and her group retire below deck for the evening.

8:00p – Acolyte Frellan brings the dwarves to meet with Sion in private quarters. Falcon is there as well. Sion reveals that he once served the Pathfinder Society, though, not always for the better. Since taking up the mantle of Cayden, he has been making reparations on past ills and hopes to assist the organization yet again while striking a blow against the enemies of freedom. Sion wishes to access Delvehaven – the shuttered Pathfinder Lodge in Westcrown.

Sion makes a pilgrimage to Absalom every summer. To visit the site of the starstone which granted divinity to Cayden. This time, he also researched what he could about Delvehaven in the libraries of Skyreach at the Grand Lodge. Contact was lost 105 years ago during the fall of Aroden. Several agents sent to Cheliax were captured or killed during the years of unrest and decades of civil war that followed. No further forays were attempted after House Thrune rose to power 71 years ago. Delvehaven was reopened 37 years ago but managed solely by Chelish agents selected by House Thrune. The lodge was closed two years later without warning, and the Chelish agents never reported to the Grand Lodge for debriefing. A mayoral decree shut Delvehaven, but it could not proceed without the approval, or more likely, insistence of House Thrune. The Grand Lodge was given no record of the decree or details of the action, but House Thrune holds a strict adherence to order and tradition which all but ensures a certain chain of procedures were enacted. Magical locks and wards would have been used to seal the lodge and protect the grounds. Documentation on all this, keys, and any other related items or information would be stored together in a Chelish Crux (magical, 12-sided puzzle-box). The crux would be stored inside the mayoral manor, most likely within a complex vault.

It has been some time since Sion officially served the Society. This is part of the reason why he has waited years to act. Awaiting watchful eyes or harassment, but thus far, his presence in Westcrown seems to have raised no suspicion. However, any direct action on his part with regards to Delvehaven could result in scrutiny that might uncover his connection to the Grand Lodge and cause trouble for them both. Therefore, he has also been waiting to find others -trustworthy & capable enough- to act as his hand in this matter. It is this task that Sion puts forth to Renold and his kin, and they accept. Of course, not just anyone is allowed into the mayoral manor, let alone granted access to the vault, and this is when Falcon speaks up.

The elite of Westcrown will celebrate the upcoming Day of Wrath (Toilday, Kuthona 21) at the grand opening of the Nightshade Theater which will debut the uncut version of The Six Trials of Larazod. This is also the first muderplay put on by Limehouse Theater director Robahl Nonon, so there will an open casting call to fill the more physically demanding roles. Furthermore, successful productions of this magnitude always result in an invitation of cast and crew -in full regalia- to attend a gala at the mayoral manor. These events usually last for days with enough drink and revelry for even guests-of-honor to go unnoticed for some time. It is rumored that no entire cast has ever survived this version of the play, but Falcon feels confident that no true warriors such as the Hopcrushers have ever filled the challenging roles in a murderplay. Also, he thinks this will serve as a fine poke in the eye to the depraved establishment in Westcrown. Not only will the church be denied its bloodlust, but in doing so, the mayor himself will invite them freely into his home, and unwittingly, into this vault.


[OOC: The next day will be spent sailing back to Westcrown, and table play will resume on the following day (Moonday, Kuthona 13), which is when the open casting call takes place at the Limehouse Theater in Rego Scripa of Parego Spera and one week before the perfomance at the Nightshade Theater in Rego Aerum of Parego Regicona.

Work - Gendrew can roll Profession for 2 weeks of work during the last 2 weeks. Gettul and Renold can roll Profession for 1 week of work during the last 2 weeks because they were also busy with studies and research.

Timeline
4606 – Aroden dies, storms and riots wash over Westcrown, contact with Delvehaven is lost.
4610 – Cheliax plunges into all-out civil war.
4640 – House Thrune seizes the Chelish throne; Anvengen Doskivari named mayor of Westcrown
4661 – Dargentu Vheed named mayor of Westcrown
4674 – Delvehaven reopened by House Thrune
4676 – Delvehaven closed by Dargentu Vheed
4689 – Aberian Arvanxi named mayor of Westcrown
4711 – Current year]

[reefwood]

Part 2 Recap

Moonday, Kuthona 13 (dawn @ 7:50a; dusk @ 4:45pm)
9:00a – The Hopcrusher trio arrive at the Limehouse Theater for the open casting call of The Six Trials of Larazod. A couple hundred people are already lined up outside, and another hundred or so show up during the course of the morning. Two-thirds of the crowd appear to be lowly commoners of all sorts – most likely from Parego Dospera. Of the remaining third, half look to be mercenaries or thugs, one-quarter seem to be actors, and the rest could possibly come from merchant and lesser noble families in Parego Spera.

Robahl Nonon conducts interviews on stage with the other members of the production watching from the seats. Visbaronetess Delour Aulamaxa is a well-known diva who has starred in many successful operas. The Limehouse Theater is below her normal stature, but this play aims to be a very prestigious event, and the final production will take place at the Nightshade Theater in Parego Regicona. Thesing Umbero Ulvauno is a handsome and charming rising star of the Wiscrani stage loved for both his acting and singing. Although, some see him as an arrogant and manipulative gloryhound. Calseinica Nymmis is a young, untrained starlet who got her big break at the start of this year as an understudy for Delour in The Winter of White Roses. A carriage accident landed the diva in the care of Abadar priests on opening night. Critics were won over by the yet unknown Calseinica who stepped into the starring role, and the director fired Delour before she had a chance to recover. Millech is an illusionist who handles set design and special effects.

When Robahl calls someone up, he allows them to make their case, asks what brings them to this particular production, and has them show-off their talent. Thesing whispers quips and jeers at those on stage. Delour is amused by some of his comments and even laughs out loud a few times. Calseinica smiles occasionally but is more focused on those on stage. Millech sits practically still and emotionless – moving only to shake his head at Thesing or those trying out.

11:00a – Gendrew fails to impress with comedy, but makes the first cut by turning it into buffoonery. Renold enthralls Thesing, Calseinica, and much of the crowd and impresses Robahl with comedic social commentary. Gettul shows off his range by starting with a scholarly display that ends in a mutagenic fit of rage. A tiefling, halfling, and trio of humans also make it to the second round.

12:00p – The Hopcrusher trio go out for lunch with the halfling Drenna Litfen who grew up as a circus performer and came up from the southern continent of Garund with her old troupe during the summer. She decided to stay in Westcrown and try the stage with her acrobatic skills. She has had no luck thus far but is hoping this production will serve as her jumping point into the theatric arts.

1:00p – There are six roles (four major, two minor) that need to be filled. The eight remaining spend the next few hours showing off their skills, or lack thereof. Larazod Rilsane is one of two starring roles and requires the most speaking. Dentris Maltrada is a sharp-tongued, quick-witted old wizard with a knack for biting insults. Farus the Traveled is a gypsy dancer. Tybain the Fool is a bumbling paladin of Aroden and usually the first to die. Drovalid Vorclune is a torturer who has a change of heart. Monris Blaksward is a dwarf who plays the bagpipes.

4:00p – Tryouts are complete, and Robahl tells everyone that the final cut will be posted outside in the morning. The Hopcrushers and Drenna go back to the Barley for the night.

5:00p – Gendrew spends the evening drinking in the common room of the Barley while reciting the practice lines in a mocking tone. Those spending the night get a good kick out of his performance.


Toilday, Kuthona 14 (dawn @ 7:50a; dusk @ 4:45pm)
9:00 – The Hopcrushers and Drenna return to the Limehouse Theater to see who made the cut and find this list posted outside:

Director (Robahl Nonon)
Chorus & Narrator (Visbaronetess Delour Aulamaxa)
Larazod Rilsane (Gendrew Hopcrusher)
Montigny Haanderthan (Thesing Umbero Ulvauno)
Ilsandra the Lustful (Calseinica Nymmis)
Dentris Maltrada (Gavino Pierre)
Tybain the Fool (Renold Hopcrusher)
Drovalid Vorclune (Gettul Hopcrusher)
Farus the Traveled (Drenna Litfen)
Monris Blaksward (Tia Secco)
Design & Effects (Millech Jargun)

This first day of rehearsal focuses on costuming and make-up as well as outlining the play. There are seven acts with a 5-minute break between each one. Condemnation presents the charges brought by Haanderthan against Larazod, binds Dentris and Tybain to the accused, and reveals Ilsandra's hidden desire. Trial by Torture introduces Drovalid who puts Larazod in the torture device; he whips all facing the trials in an effort to win a confession but is himself won over by Larazod and will endure the remaining trials with the others. Trial by Pleasure requires the four men to let an intoxicating fluke dig under their flesh; each must then resist its pleasure in time to cut out the fluke before it burrows into their skull. Trial in the Belly of the Beast brings Ilsandra to Larazod's side; all five are devoured by a beast that will pass judgment in its belly and release only the true of heart. The Birthing Trial pits the five against devils born from them. Trial by Combat and Love reveals the toll the trials are taking, but commitment and resolve are renewed in time for the five to face a legion of devils. Trial by His Own Dark Hand calls upon the Prince of Darkness to pass final judgment.

Also, payment will be based on a percentage of the house's take from the performance, so he encourages everyone to do their best and promote the production as much as possible. And there will be a public dress rehearsal on Moonday, Kuthona 20.


Wealday, Kuthona 15 (dawn @ 7:50a; dusk @ 4:45pm)
9:00a – The morning is spent learning lines and positioning while Millech works on lighting.

12:00p – Lunch break.

1:00p – Robahl pairs everyone off to fine tune their interactions. Gendrew and Ilsandra as love interests, Gavino and Renold as argumentative companions, Drenna and Tia as the sideshow, Delour and Thesing work on vocal arrangements, and Millech shows Gettul how to use a whip.

4:00p – Before the cast departs for the night, Robahl informs everyone that they should all be very familiar with their parts by now and will be doing dry runs of the play on the remaining days until the public dress rehearsal.


[OOC: Each PC receives 1067 XP for their theatrical efforts thus far.

The next fours day of dry run practice will be assessed through a series of Perform (act) checks. We could handle those, as well as interactions with the NPCs, here online. If so, we would pick things up on the day of the public dress rehearsal. What does everyone think of that? Of course, doing this at the table is fine too.

Also, there will be little time to do things during the daytime outside of practice (9am-4pm). There is just over an hour between dawn and practice (which Renold uses almost entirely for prayer if he needs new spells that day), one hour for lunch, and 45 minutes between the end of practice and curfew. Also, it takes 15 minutes to walk to the Limehouse, though, you can cut that in half on ponies...actually, ponies are probably at medium load when carrying armored dwarves, so they would move at 30 ft instead of 40 ft...so that would be 10 minutes on ponies, or 5 minutes if you hustle on ponies.

Timeline
Moonday, Kuthona 13 - Open casting call
Toilday, Kuthona 14 - practice day #1
Wealday, Kuthona 15 - practice day #2
Oathday, Kuthona 16 - practice day #3
Fireday, Kuthona 17 - practice day #4
Starday, Kuthona 18 - practice day #5
Sunday, Kuthona 19 - practice day #6
Moonday, Kuthona 20 - practice day #7 (public dress rehearsal)
Toilday, Kuthona 21 - Day of Wrath (Nightshade Theater performance)]

[reefwood]

[OOC: It's been a month since the last session (crazy!), so I advise everyone to read the last recap to jog memory.

We will picks things up on day #3 of rehearsal, day #7 is the public dress rehearsal, and the final performance is the day after.]

[reefwood]

Part 3 Recap

The Hopcrusher trio show flashes of acting brilliance in practice, but being pushed day after day reveals they are no actors, and the public dress rehearsal is a disaster. One witnessed by Phelia Grulios and some members of the Hand (Falcon, Larko, Sparkle, Madame, Little Brother).

Toilday, Kuthona 21 - Day of Wrath
The big day starts out with last minute touches at the Limehouse Theater and a parade across Rego Scripa to the eastern docks of Parego Spera. The cast and crew sail across the West Channel and land at the southern Rego Aerum (Treasure Sector) of Parego Regicona. It is a short walk to the Nightshade Theater – built from iron and stone in the stylings of a diabolist cathedral. The actors are kept in the green room until the play starts.

Many wealthy nobles and merchants are in attendance, as is the Lord Mayor and High Priest of Westcrown and a pair of high ranking Hellknights. Robahl opens with an announcement praising the theater, Church, and Lord Mayor. Delour opens the play with song and narration.

Act 1 starts off weak and ends with polite applause.

Act 2 provides a better show, and torture gives the audience its first taste of blood.

Act 3 flounders slightly, but the struggles against the deadly flukes titillate the crowd.

Act 4 is the strongest performance yet, and there are cheers both at every plunge into acid and climb out of the beast.

Act 5 nearly causes some spectators to wretch as the actors fight lemures born of their own bile, and this act closes to uproarious applause.

Act 6 shines true to its title as budding lovers Larazod and Ilsandra fall in battle accompanied by much commotion (cheers & cries), and when Dentris destroys all the demons, the crowd goes wild.

Act 7 drags Haanderthan down to Hell, and the audience leaps to its feet as the curtains close. Spectators shower the stage with gems and jewelry and other valuable tokens of appreciation.

The murderplay proves a rousing success. Lord Mayor Aberian Arvanxi makes a quick stop backstage to thank everyone still alive and invite them to a feast and gala -dubbed the Cornucopia- this weekend at his estate. He will even pay to raise those killed in order to have all the stars in attendance.

Dusk is approaching quickly, but a large contingent of regidottari escort the cast and crew to the dock, a pair of condottari boats sail beside them across the Westchannel, and after dark, each member of the cast is guided home by a squad of seven dottari while Robahl and Millech return to the Limehouse Theater. The bodies of Gendrew and Calseinica are taken by the Church to the Qatada Nessudidia in Rego Sacero (Priest Sector) for raising at midnight.


[OOC: Each PC earns 3983 XP, 2 fame points, and 854g. Additionally, each PC that levels up receives 1 hero point.

The Cornucopia will take place in 3 days on Fireday, Kuthona 24. You are to arrive an hour before sunset, so 3:45pm. This will give you 2 full days to do whatever you want, and the morning of the 3rd day. Gendrew will be escorted back to the Barley in the morning of the first day. Also, you are expecting Sion to return before the Cornucopia. We may be able to handle some of this stuff online. Just let me know what you want to do on this first day.

The mayoral estate is Vaneo Arvanxi and located in the southwest corner of the Priest Sector. Walking from the Barley to the Safe House takes 2 hr, 15 min. Walking further to Vaneo Arvanxi, which is directly south, would take about another hour.]

[reefwood]

Part 4 Recap A

Gendrew returns to the Barley a changed man, and all the dwarves benefit from their newfound fame as they spend the next couple days taking care of personal affairs and preparing for the Cornucopia. Also, the rain and wind pick up with the winter storm season.


Wealday, Kuthona 22
Sion arrives at the Barley as the evening bells toll. He reveals that the past week was not only spent in service to Cayden but also gleaning information from those who have been in the mayoral manor. The vault suspected to hold the Chelish crux is known as The Knot due to its twisting of reality, and lurking inside may be hellish guardians and shadowy terrors. Sion also shares his belief that there may be some connection between Delvehaven and the whisperers – for they started stalking the nights soon after the lodge was shuttered. No true Pathfinders entered the lodge under Thrune rule, and their royal lapdogs put in charge may have toyed with ancient relics beyond their ability.

The People's Hand have been busy as well. Falcon reports what the group has learned of previous events at the mayoral manor. The gala will likely open with a lengthy feast and last the weekend. The guest list will includes members of the the wealthiest noble houses and representatives from distinguished organizations. Falcon also shares a rumor that the manor is haunted, and Gettul recalls that the last mayor under the previous reign -Alessio Giraldo- was violently killed during the riots that followed the fall of Aroden.

Also, Sion casts restoration on Gendrew.


Oathday, Kuthona 23
Renold receives an invitation to lunch with Phelia Grulios at Vira Grulios in Rego Laina (Blade Sector) on Parego Regicona. He brings a bottle of wine and is joined by his kin who bring a pony keg of Hopcrusher ale. Lady Grulios informs the dwarves that the gala at the mayoral manor will be a den of vipers who feed on gossip and secrets. She does not expect any direct harm to befall the dwarves but warns the powerful players may attempt to use them as pawns. Also, she lets them know that her son Asad will be in attendance and can be recognized by the family crest bearing a battleaxe chopping a length of wood.

Upon returning to the Barley, Renold casts guiding star on the tavern.


Fireday, Kuthona 24
The Hopcrusher trio return to the Limehouse Theater to prepare for the Cornucopia. The entire cast is there except for Thesing. When everyone is in costume and make-up, carriages carry them to Vaneo Avarnxi as heavy rains pour down and thunder rumbles overhead.

3:45p – A corpulent building of iron and stone looms over its neighbors in southern Westcrown – the mayoral manor is anything but subtle. This is no mere house, but rather a bloated near-castle of ochre and black with rusting gargoyles dancing upon its gables among hooks and nails to prevent the birds from settling. Iron gutters vomit rainwater onto the cobbled streets below, but bright lights burn fierce in every window while plumes of smoke boiling up from nearly two dozen chimneys promise an interior as warm and welcome as the exterior is cold and forbidding. Carriages arrive, belching forth their well-dressed contents at the end of a long canvas-topped walkway extending from the manor grounds' front gates to the villa's front doors, offering new arrivals protection from the rain on the short walk from carriage to Cornucopia...


[OOC: The entire recap is somewhat long, so I decided to break it up into two parts - everything leading up to the Cornucopia in this part, and everything that's happened there will be in the next part.

And we need to remember that Gendrew still has 1 negative level.]

[reefwood]

Part 4 Recap B

Entrance (10 ft high ceiling)
Warmth radiates from a pair of roaring fireplaces near the front doors. A plush, red carpet stretches across the long entryway. Hanging candelabras and mounted wall lamps flood the room with light. Paintings of previous mayors and nobility line the walls. The east end of the room widens north and south – each side holding two doors and an upward staircase – and another set of double doors on the east wall.

3:45p - The Six Trial cast is greeted by Majordomo Crosael Rasdovain (middle-aged human) who takes down their names and titles. Servants are dressed head-to-toe in black garb with white patches to make them look like animated skeletons.


Inner Garden (25 ft high ceiling)
The entryway's eastern set of double doors lead to a quaint wooden bridge arching over a garden of wildflowers and narrow river. The water flows from a stone devil head mounted on the north wall down the middle of the garden to a southern pool. Looking up, instead of a ceiling, is a view of the night sky: clear and starry, and a sharp contrast from the rainstorm outside. Also, a balcony wraps around the entire garden at a height of 15 feet.

4:00p - The majordomo walks across the bridge into the banquet hall to announce each guest of honor: Robal, Delour, Tia, Drenna, Gettul, Gavino, Renold, Calseinica, and Gendrew.

Director Robahl Nonon of the Limehouse Theater (Diplomacy 21) – he walks proudly into the hall to much applause.

Chorus and narration by Visbarontess Delour Aulamaxa (11) – she stumbles slightly coming down the bridge and is flustered by the embarrassing misstep.

Monris Blaksward played by Tia Secco of Westcrown (2) – she takes a big breath to play a tune on the bagpipes but chokes and only lets out a coughing fit, leaving the commoner feeling clearly out of place.

Farus the Traveled played by Drenna Litfen of Garund (5) – she trips over her feet while attempting a dance to her seat.

Drovalid Vorclune played by Gettul Hopcrusher of Clan Hopcrusher of Highhelm (16) – he makes an adequate entrance.

Dentris Maltrada played by Gavino Pierre of Westcrown (16) – he also makes an adequate entrance but sub-par for a trained actor, perhaps intimidated without the safety of the stage.

Tybain the Fool played by Renold Hopcrusher of Clan Hopcrusher of Westcrown (24) – he receives the loudest applause yet, though, as it dies down, a man stands and toasts, “To Aroden!” Others repeat the words and chuckle. Finally, the standing man adds, “Aroden led the way, and may Cayden and Iomedae continue to follow in his footsteps.”

Ilsandra the Lustful played by Calseinica Nymmis of House Nymmis of Westcrown (20) – her beauty captivates many in the room.

Larazod Rilsane played by Gendrew Hopcrusher of Clan Hopcrusher of Highhelm (4) – his entrance is lackluster, but the lord-mayor stands and claps until everyone else does so as well.


Banquet Hall (25 ft high ceiling)
The immense chamber is heated by six fireplaces and lit by crystal chandeliers. The walls are decorated with landscapes depicting a hellish version of Westcrown. A pair of thick, wooden pillars carved to resemble tangles of serpents help support the high ceiling. Between them sits a huge I-shaped table with guests filling all but one side and appetizers already laid out. A balcony wraps around this room as well, and there is a wide opening on the north and south walls to other rooms.

Additionally, two notable features stand out on the east wall. The first is a grandfather clock twice as tall as any man. Its sides depict ravenous devils chasing unicorns, and instead of a standard bell toll, the top of each hour is announced by a terrified whiny and deep, ominous laugh. Just south of the clock is a massive, black stone slab (5 ft x 15 ft) set into the wall. It holds no features but stands in strong contrast to the brightly illuminated room – almost as if light itself cannot touch it.

4:05p – Everyone sits but Lord-Mayor Aberian Arvanxi who lifts his glass and speaks for 15 minutes about the success of the play, the value of the arts, and thanking the Church, the Nightshade Theater, the Limehouse cast, the nobles and officials in attendance, and even indirectly himself several times. During this time, the Hopcrushers scan the table for noteworthy guests...

• Lord-Mayor Aberian Arvanxi (#1)
  The leader of Westcrown for 22 years is a rotund, balding man with a quick and somewhat too-wide smile. He wears the City of Twilight colors (silver & black) in his elegant suit along with a cloak made of winter wolf fur.
  
  
• Duxotar Ilthus Mhartis (#2)
  Long greasy hair and mustache cover much of the already reddened face of the Dotarri commander. He downs two glasses of wine while the Lord-Mayor speaks, and his gaze falls more often on the young women seated at the table.
  
  
• Eirtein Obergio (#3)
  The patriarch of the one of the most influential noble houses in Westcrown has a well-lined face fixed in a tight grin that could be seen as welcoming or unnerving. He wears a flowing robe accented with black peacock feathers.
  
  
• Majordomo Crosael Rasdovain (#4)
  The head of the mayoral manor staff is a relatively attractive, middle-aged woman wearing dark robes with her graying hair held high.
  
  
• Chammady Drovenge (#5)
  The granddaughter of the most powerful noble house in Westcrown is a beautiful young woman dressed in a scanty blue gown cut high along the sides and low in the front. Her long crimson hair held up in a ponytail and a strange fur draped over her shoulders – what appears to be a serpentine, wolf-headed creature with wings.
  
  
• Asad Grulios (#15)
  The patriarch of House Grulios extends formal niceties but does not share the enthusiasm of most at the table. His speckled hair is cropped close, and the glimmer of mithral sparkles beneath his cloak.
  
  
• Sascar Tilernos (#24)
  The daughter of House Tilernos is a delicately featured woman wearing far too much make-up. Her silver hair is up in an extremely tight bun, over which she wears an outrageous headpiece shaped like a winged, erupting volcano. It is almost enough to distract one from her hiccups.
  
  
• Paralictor Gonville Chard (#28)
  The commander of Taranik House (Hellknight station inside Westcrown) and third-highest ranking Order of the Rack officer has a seemingly once-kind face that has been hardened and scarred – presumably by his service. His gaze scrutinizes all in the room.
  
  
• Admiral Vourne (#39)
  The commander of the Chelish Imperial Fleet is a grizzled, mean-looking, middle-aged man with receding black hair line and neatly trimmed mustache. He wears a suit of stiff, black ceremonial leather armor that displays his naval rank.
  
  
• Ara Verennie (#40)
  This tall priestess of the Church of Asmodeus (who wore Hellknight attire at play) is an imposing woman covered in the colors and stylings of the Dark Lord. Her cold eyes and still face show no expression.

4:20p – Ten minutes remain to enjoy food and drink before the skeleton-clad servants clear the table. This leaves half an hour for guests to mingle before the first main course. Most shuffle into the rooms north and south of the banquet hall. Renold attempts his doorsight on the black slab but fails to penetrate it.


The Jungle of Fruit (25 ft high ceiling)
This south room contains a sparkling fountain of crystal clear water, and the same night sky above the garden can be seen here. There are also three large tropical trees that grow straight out of the stone floor and each holds a variety of fruits (pear, mango, strawberry – banana, peach, kiwi – cherry, plum, orange).

4:30p - Gendrew and Gettul make their way here and enjoy the fruits.


The Honey Pool (25 ft high ceiling)
The walls and ceiling of this north room are lined with thick, thorny hedges of roses and several rare flowers. The center of the room holds a long, thin pool of honey.

4:35p - Renold pokes his head into this room, but then attempts to locate the privy for the Madame as a rouse for exploring the manor.


[OOC: This is all that will be covered in online recaps. We can briefly go over Renold's exploration at the table and then delve into Gendrew and Gettul in the Jungle room.]

[reefwood]

Part 5 Recap

4:40p – Lord-Mayor Aberian Arvanxi introduces Lord Eirtein Obergio to Gendrew and Gettul and then slinks away. Gettul recognizes the noble -who is known for collecting secrets- as the patriarch of House Obergio, which has made its wealth through investments and is rumored to host illegal gambling halls. Eirtein admits that he does not love of the theater nearly as much as the Lord-Mayor, but he was won over by the portrayal of Larazod, and they discuss possible expansion of Hopcrusher operations in Westcrown. Meanwhile, Gendrew flatters Lady Sascar Tilernos who reveals that the Lord-Mayor has a son -deformed by an infant illness- hidden in the attic. Also, he notices the Paralictor trying to talk the Duxotar who seems more concerned with gulping wine and eying ladies.


5:00p – The Feast of the Gluttonous Wolf
Renold gets up somewhat inebriated but converses well with Admiral Vourne - commander of the Chelish Imperial Fleet for the past decade. His concern falls of keeping the shores safe, and he wonders why House Thrune wastes its discovery of Thassilonian technology to power this manor with a pit fiend when such resources would be better spent enhancing warships. He also explains that the real power in Cheliax lies in Egorian, and the Lord-Mayor was put in charge of Westcrown to get him out of the capital.

Gettul strikes up a conversation with Duxotar Ilthus Mhartis. He is the nephew of the Lord-Mayor and a drunk. Gettul tells him that any dottari are welcome in the Barley Bitch. Ilthus complains that the Paralictor was trying to talk official business when he should be more concerned with enjoying himself this evening. Though, he asks if Gettul -as someone who has dealings with many people at the tavern and docks- has heard any talk of vampires. Gettul has not heard about any vampire activity, but the question does bring to mind scuttlebutt about a somewhat renowned elvish vampire hunter -Vahnwynne Malkistra- arriving in Westcrown a couple weeks ago.

Gendrew watches the Lord-Mayor float from group to group and point out the Six Trial stars to his other guests. He is able to catch up with the host and keep his attention. At least momentarily. When the Lord-Mayor asks Gendrew if he preferred the killing or dying on stage, the star answers with a slap to prove a point. One that does not sit all that well and brings the discussion to a close. Gendrew then approaches Lady Chammady Drovenge. She did not attend the play, so he recites a few lines, which don't seem to sway her in any direction, and he lies about never having encountered the whisperers.


6:00p – The Worshipful Hog
Renold casts detect magic in the privy just before the meal to inspect the banquet hall and dinner guests. The chandeliers and fireplaces radiate evocation, though, the flames in the fireplaces are not magical. The grandfather clock is imbued with illusory magic. Neither the food nor drink are magic. Guests are adorned with magical jewelry, clothing, armor, and weapons. Gendrew and Renold eat well and suffer no ill effect from this course. Gettul barely touches his food.

Gendrew blathers at the Majordomo for a moment before Renold steps in. She warms up to the elderly dwarf and admits that the food, while not magical, is prepared with potent ingredients to help the guests enjoy themselves. Also, as head of the staff, she shares a worry about a recent hire did who not show up for work yesterday and a valuable bust that is now missing from its storage room. Though, Renold's attempt to deceive the Majordomo does not go well. Gettul speaks with the Lord-Mayor who reveals that gremlins seem to be messing with the magical enhancements of the manor. This is why actual wood is burning in the fireplaces, and he warns the dwarf not to take a bath for danger of scalding.


7:00p – The Fat of the Land
Gendrew and Renold continue to eat heartily while Gettul only picks at his place. Renold approaches Admiral Vourne to say farewell as he leaves the banquet hall. Gettul recognizes Lady Chammady Drovenge not only as a member of the wealthiest house in Westcrown but more specifically as the only grandchild of the house patriarch - Vassindio Drovenge. Renold engages in a lengthy conversation with Chammady full of innuendo and convinces her to possibly arrange a meeting with her grandfather at some later point. Gendrew talks briefly with Lord Asad Grulios who inquires about the dwarves' interest in his mother – Lady Phelia


8:00p – The Dance of the Engorged Vulture
All the Hopcrushers feast this time, but only Gendew is able to stay off inebriation. Gettul learns from Lord Eirtein Obergio that the imprisoned pit fiend is contained below the manor in something called the Nessian Spiral. Also, he does not know where the mayoral vault is hidden but knows where it is not (not below the manor) and will make it worthwhile to anyone who can find it for him. Gendrew causes a spectacle by clamoring into the Jungle of Fruit fountain and convincing Lady Sascar Tilernos to do so as well. Though, it soon becomes quite the splash amongst the less reserved highborn as half a dozen young lords and ladies join them. Meanwhile, Renold convinces the Majordomo to give him a tour of the manor after dinner.


9:00p – The Ambrosial Serpents
Gendrew could not be happier with the unending train of food put in front of him. Renold only pokes and prods at his plate. Gettul realizes that the meals correspond to lesser known tales from supplementary volumes of the Asmodean Disciplines, and he puts on a bit of a display to distract from his collecting of blood from the drugged mice. Also, many of the guests are now clearly effected by the potent food and drink as mere glances from earlier slowly turn into delicate caresses and even frisky touching.

Gendrew performs for Lord Asad Grulios as he leaves the banquet hall and does a good job of it. One of the other dwarves notices the Majordomo and Lady Chammady Drovenge exchange a look. Chammady walks over the bridge a short while later, but Gettul and Renold catch up to her before she reaches the doors. However, their talk is interrupted when Signifier Ara Verennie approaches. The dwarves introduce themselves, and when they look back toward the doors, Chammady is gone. Ara seems curious about the new religious path Renold has taken since leaving the Church. Then, Renold tries to get more information out of Lord Eirtein Obergio. The noble admits that while he does not know the location of the mayoral vault, he knows more than he told Gettul. He wanted to test the dwarf by not divulging all but presents Renold with another clue – to seek self-reflection.

Meanwhile, Gendrew keeps suitors at bay from a drunken Lady Sascar Tilernos, and Gettul checks up on the rest of the Six Trial cast. Robahl is having a splendid time and doing well with the ladies. Delour is being social but glares too often at Calseinica who has had plenty of wine and is receiving much attention. Gavino is faring well and reciting lines from the play. No one seems to be paying much mind to Drenna and Tia who seem overwhelmed and out-of-place.


10:00p – The Insatiable Hungers
Gendrew and Gettul down the final course. Renold does not. The Paralictor and Signifier walk over the bridge but are intercepted by Gendrew and Renold before departing. Gendrew does poorly with Paralictor Gonville Chard, but Signifier Ara Verennie is intrigued by his brush with the afterlife. Renold fares better with the Paralictor. Gettul fails to get the attention of the Lord-Mayor as he and many of the remaining guests give in to intoxication.


11:00p – The Majordomo gives Renold and his kin a tour of the manor. The weather is too ghastly to explore the outside grounds, and the wonders of the first floor have already been seen by all the guests, so she leads the dwarves through the Visitor's Lounge (room w/privy) and upstairs into the Game Room. The tour turns north into a hallway. There is a door in the southwest corner, but she walks through the northeast door into a grand Library (forgot this part at the table) that is lined with shelves holding hundreds of books. Several chairs surround a reading table at the center of the room, and several literary works of art are displayed in glass cases. Continuing east is the Balcony that stretches south and wrap above the Honey Pool, Banquet Hall, Inner Garden, and Jungle of Fruit. The guests below can be seen growing more amorous with each other.

Returning to the northwest corner of the Balcony is another door that opens into a Trophy Storage room full of stuffed beasts - mostly birds of prey and large cats. The south door is blocked by a creature resembling an owl the size of a small bear, so she continues west back into the Game Room. Its south door opens into the Upper Hall with two sets of stairs leading down to the Entry Hall and four more doors (locked door, blocked door to Trophy Storage, unlocked door to Guest Baths). The southwest door leads to a hallway with one east door and one west door at the south end.

The east door opens into a Gallery lined with paintings – scenes from various plays, including the Six Trials of Larazod. The Gallery has a set of stairs leading up that are blocked by a velvet rope holding a “Do Not Enter” sign. A pair of doors in the north wall lead to another privy and a large closet full of art supplies. The east door opens to an Art Storage room. It is here that the missing bust was kept.

Finally, the west door across from the Gallery leads to the Guest Lounge with tables and sofas. A set of stairs leads down, but she continues west to a north door that opens into another hallway. Three doors lead to three bedrooms – one for each dwarf.


[OOC: I wasn't expecting to post a lengthy recap, but I do enjoy typing these things up, heh. Anyway, this is how the meals and Wisdom damage went down...
Gendrew – skipped no courses & no Wisdom damage (and still has 1 negative level)
Gettul – skipped 3 courses & 3 points of Wisdom damage
Renold – skipped 2 courses & 8 points of Wisdom damage (healed some of it w/magic)

The only other tidbit of info I recall is you learned that the mayor kicked everyone out of a gala ten years ago because some guests made their way upstairs, and presumably, he was worried they would find his deformed son. Although, there may have been more you learned that got left out of my notes, so feel free to let me know anything I missed.

Also, in addition to showing you the Gallery, I forgot that the other new places upstairs the Majordomo would have showed you are the Library and Guest Bedrooms. There is a large one for Gendrew and two smaller ones for Renold and Gettul. Each has a fireplace. You are welcome to make rolls for these new places online, or we can do it at the next session.]

[reefwood]

[OOC: Oops! Look what I almost forgot about...

Each PC receives 1133 XP for schmoozing and gathering info. Looks like Gendrew and Gettul level up, so they get 1 hero point too. All the level up stuff kicks in immediately except for anything that requires rest, like spells.

A little behind the scenes as to how gathering info worked. Each notable NPC had information that could be obtained with a Diplomacy check vs their Sense Motive check. A good first impression Diplomacy check when entering the banquet hall provided a +4 bonus to this check, and this first impression DC varied for each NPC. Renold's 24 earned this bonus for almost everyone, Gendrew's 4 didn't work anyone, and Gettul's 16 worked for about half the NPCs. Additionally, most NPCs had a weakness or way to win them over for an extra bonus. For example, Admiral Vourne was very difficult to win over, but he really likes talking about the navy, so that approach gave Renold an extra bonus.]

[reefwood]

Part 6 Recap

11:30p – The Majordomo excuses herself after concluding the tour. Renold returns to the banquet hall and approaches a drunken Duxotar Ilthus Mhartis who is failing to impress a trio of young noble ladies. The old dwarf is able to pull him away and attempts to inquire about secrets the manor may hold. Ilthus takes him on a brief tour of the illusions above the inner garden and around the honey pool. Renold spots a devilish figure shooting between stars high above the inner garden, and red droplets well up on a patch of thorns in the honey pool room, but both unusual sights vanish a moment later.

11:50p – The dwarves and gnome depart the banquet hall to search the art gallery upstairs. Magical auras emit from the wall lanterns and toilet, but there is nothing notable about the paintings. The art storage and supply rooms are searched but no signs of a vault are found. Renold detects no magic up the stairs, and Gendrew leads the way into the attic. The area is spacious but cluttered with crates, furniture, and miscellaneous household items covered in sheets. There are a trio of doors nearby with perhaps the most distinct being one with a sliding bolt lock. The small room on the other side has manacles affixed to the walls and old blood stains. The next door opens into a large room with a fireplace and furniture pushed to the side and covered in sheets. The third door holds city paperwork dating back centuries. Walking south around the corner, Renold locates a stage and dressing room that are not quite completed. Gettul drinks a potion of detect secret doors, following Gendrew and then Renold.

Gendrew finds a door and downward staircase to the north. The door is locked, and after Madame fails to pick the lock, Gendrew channels his fury to smash it to pieces just as the grandfather clock downstairs strikes midnight. This room is wide and cluttered with another door in the southeast corner, but Gettul detects a secret door in the wall up ahead. He touches a hidden panel, and the wall slides open. It is a small room with some clutter and a pair of gray metal doubledoors set into the north wall. Gettul notices some condensation on the doors. They radiate magic, but Renold cannot determine the school of magic or their properties. Madame inspects the doors for traps, and vanishes when she touches them.

Gendrew does the same. He feels a jarring sense of vertigo and vanishes from the room. Before he can regain his senses, he finds himself falling through a void of complete darkness, though, the gift of darkvision reveals shadowy tendrils writhing toward him from all directions. They plunge into his body without breaking the skin, and the pain is maddening (1 pt Charisma damage).

Gettul reaches for the doors, but Renold stops him, and they debate what to do next.

Gendrew regains his senses and lands on a hard floor with a thud (5 pts nonlethal damage). Madame is standing nearby, and they are at one end of a long corridor. There is a pair of gray metal doors behind and another at the far end. The walls, floor, and ceiling are paneled in gray wood, and there are five alcoves set into each wall. Torches provide illumination but flicker with an eerie slowness. Shadows seem to dance at the corner of your eyes, and a soft, barely-audible whispering floats in the air of this strange place. He is able to determine that the whispering is made up of multiple voices along with echoes of cheers and screams, but he cannot understand the words.

After a brief delay, Gettul and Renold decide to follow their Gendrew and Madame. Gettul feels a sense of vertigo but appears without incident. He finds the Madame watching Gendrew run down the corridor wildly swinging his hammer through the air and screaming, “Not again!” Renold arrives to find Gettul calming down his cousin.

Three alcoves hold a red, reflective, oval sheet of metal. The other seven alcoves hold twisted and shattered ones. The intact ones radiate magic. Renold determines that two of them are imbued with clairaudience/clairvoyance tied to certain location. Casting a spell into the mirror activates sight or sound (your choosing) and casting a second spell activates the other. These effects last 1 minute per level of the spell cast. Casting clairaudience/clairvoyance activates both effects for 10 minutes.

Renolds casts a 1st-level spell into the first mirror while Gettul prepares an extract. The mirror looks into a 4-way intersection. Two short corridors end in t-intersections. Two longer corridors are lined with bolted doors, one of which is destroyed. A red-skinned humanoid with two horns and a long tail is holding a long weapon and walking through the corridors. Though, Renold and Gettul only see it from behind as it walks away from the view.

Gendrew hears footfalls coming from the beyond the doors on the far end of the alcoved corridor, and the group prepares for battle. Renold moves in front with his tower shield, Gendrew stands behind with his long hammer, Gettul is next but still working on his extract, and the Madame takes the rear with her hand crossbow. A sniffing now comes from directly on the other side of the door. Renold opens one door to reveal a large, four-legged beast bare of fur but covered in long, thin spikes that run down its back and skin stretched skeletally tight across its face. The beast howls, shaking nerves, and a fierce but brief combat ensues. Everyone does their share in putting down three of these beasts, though, Gettul is left slightly unnerved (1 pt Wis damage) by their howling.

This gray wood-paneled hall rises to a height of 20 ft above, and a 15-ft high shelf filled sparsely with books runs along the wall. Eerie wisps of shadowy fog coil and writhe on the floor, which unlike the walls, seems to be made of polished black stone. There is an open door at the end of the corridor to the right with a bloody, tattered body laying in the doorway. Gettul approaches the body. It appears to have been gashed and gnawed by some brutal beast. The abdomen is savagely torn open and gutted. Ribs are mangled. Limbs are little more than cracked bones lightly covered by loose scraps of cloth and flesh. Though, the head remains intact, and through long, unkempt hair are the facial features of an elf. Two sheets of blank parchment are scattered amidst the muck, and one sheet with writing is in its grasp. Gettul picks them up and inspects the one with writing. A casual glance reveals a document in Infernal with references to a devilish religion, and some words scribbled in Common along the side: “Possible passwords: Venderbaxis, Vlenderaxits, Vlenkervandis.” However, closer inspection reveals the sheet to be a runecurse...


[OOC: Each PC and the Madame receive 1200 XP.

Runecurse – a murderous pact between a conjurer and outsider that is incorporated into an item containing text. The pact may include other individuals who wish to handle the item safely (until it is claimed by someone outside the pact) and are considered co-creators. Anyone who freely reads the text becomes the target of the curse, though, it may be passed onto anyone else who freely accepts the item and reads the text. The item may change hands any number of times. A daily Will save is required to hold off the curse, and the outsider comes forth to slay the current owner as soon as a third Will save is failed. Failed Will saves by multiple owners are cumulative. Also, the outsider comes forth to slay the creator or co-creators if they claim the item after it has been activated. Destroying the item does not affect the curse but ensures that it cannot be passed onto another.

The curse can be removed via remove curse or break enchantment, but the caster suffers a -5 penalty on the caster level check, and the target must not have it is his possession, or he will be immediately re-exposed to the curse.]

[icnivad]

As luck would have it, Ren has Remove Curse memorized once. When we have a down moment (it only takes a standard action), I'd like to try casting it on Gettul.

Remove curse can remove all curses on an object or a creature. If the target is a creature, you must make a caster level check (1d20 + caster level) against the DC of each curse affecting the target. Success means that the curse is removed. Remove curse does not remove the curse from a cursed shield, weapon, or suit of armor, although a successful caster level check enables the creature afflicted with any such cursed item to remove and get rid of it.

It doesn't sound like Renold's drained wisdom will affect this spell, so there's no reason not to cast it. Couple questions, though: Am I limited to one break attempt a day? Or can I attempt this as many times as I memorize. Will either Gettul or Renold know if the removal was successful?

I can do this at the table next session, or online.

Also, did we get XP from this last session? Renold is 1,149 away.

[reefwood]

Jun 17, 2013 9:25:18 GMT -5 icnivad said:

It doesn't sound like Renold's drained wisdom will affect this spell, so there's no reason not to cast it. Couple questions, though: Am I limited to one break attempt a day? Or can I attempt this as many times as I memorize. Will either Gettul or Renold know if the removal was successful?

I can do this at the table next session, or online.

The spell doesn't say anything about limits per day, so it seems like you can cast remove curse all day long.

I'm pretty sure Renold will know if the spell fails, but I'm not sure if Gettul would know anything immediate unless there was something really obvious - like horns that grew each day but went away with curse removal...whereas, if there were horns didn't go away with curse removal, he may not know until he noticed they stopped growing the next day. Anyway, this has gotten me curious about a few things, so I'll look into it and post when I figure it out.

Jun 17, 2013 9:25:18 GMT -5 icnivad said:

Also, did we get XP from this last session? Renold is 1,149 away.

You will get XP but probably not enough to level up. Will post it with recap.