Post by Fernleaf on Jul 21, 2024 22:27:53 GMT
I wasn’t really sure what a party would entail, but was asked to show up at Baron Luxemforth’s place in Daring Heights. I made sure to wait for several of the others to enter first, since I hadn’t met the Baron. Safire was the last to join us, wearing a gorgeous dress (but staying practical by wearing boots). The invitation had said “regal elegance” so, not knowing what that entailed, I had thought I might try to wear a conjured version of the leaf crown I wore as a child. Unfortunately, even a magical crown refused to stay on my head (my cousins with horns never had a problem with theirs!), and I was clearly underdressed for this occasion. The Baron had kindly arranged some more appropriate outfits. While the others declined their ensembles, and the one chosen for me wasn’t quite to my taste, I combined parts of several to create something that I hoped would be passable. A blue suit jacket meant for Adelard (a bit big, I had to roll up the sleeves), a purple sash from the robes intended for me, finished with a softly glowing conjured version of Erron’s short cloak. I hoped I at least wouldn’t draw attention to myself.
Baron Luxemforth explained that he wanted us to be independent observers at this event since it purported to be in celebration at the return of his father, who had died a year ago. We set off, taking a portal to traverse the great distance. It was my first time being conscious going through a portal. I didn’t care for the feeling, the vastness made me feel disoriented. There was a bit of commotion on the other side as it was remembered this was supposed to be a masquerade and the others scrambled for masks and helmets. I didn’t bother, since I’d been assured lizardfolk weren’t likely to have much representation at the event. There was a driver with horse and carriage to take us to the estate, but strangely the driver didn’t seem to know the Baron, requiring the invitation before we could alight. Once our conveyance had set off Luxemforth told us that he didn’t know the driver either, and reminded us to stay alert.
By the time we entered the grounds it was evening, and the coach circled around a grand fountain with a central statue of two swords spewing water. As we halted, I spied movement in the window above the entry, as if someone was watching our arrival. I pointed this out to the others, and Luxemforth told us the window wasn’t part of the mansion's public areas. At the door we were greeted by another unknown person who informed us this wasn’t a masque ball. Confused, Luxemforth explained that the invitation had been quite clear about the evening's main entertainment. Unfortunately the carriage driver had kept the invitation, so we had no proof of the discrepancy. The others removed their helmets and masks, we entered the grand building and were taken to the butler. This person too, Luxemforth did not recognize. They told us that his father was resurrected two months ago and they don’t know why he wasn’t told sooner. We were not allowed upstairs or to see his mother, but were ushered to the redone great hall so we could be announced.
The room was massive, the largest space I have yet seen. The central feature was a grand chandelier which Luxemforth told us was new. Everyone turned to look when he was announced, though the herald did not give him the title of Baron. Not having a title myself, and the herald doing a poor job of following Safire’s and Adelard’s requests, I simply walked past the man to follow the others, which seemed to cause much disgruntlement*. The herald’s ability did not improve with Erron, and they suffered under the rogue's glare. Luxemforth began jovially chatting with other guests, but the rest of us (with the exception of Safire, who seemed to fit right in) were on edge. Nothing of consequence was being discussed. Luxemforth’s “father” was across the room, shuffling notes at a lectern. He was unarmed, unusual for a house and patriarch that pride themselves on their fighting skills.
I got the impression that many of the guests were treating us like objects of ridicule, asking if Adelard needed hinges for his door (that attempt at a jibe fell flat when the man had to explain that he was referring to Adelard’s large shield, but he certainly found himself amusing). When I was reconjuring my cloak a woman offered me coin to buy a new one. The six copper was a sweet gesture, but was definitely an example of extremely wealthy people being out of touch with the real world, since any piece of clothing, especially ones fit for a party, would be considerably more expensive. Safire was asked by someone why her lady in waiting put her corset on outside her dress, and shocked the women (and several others*) by responding that it “was sexier”. With the stairs in this room guarded too, Erron took the opportunity to slip out of the room and investigate the rest of the house. Adelard can’t sense anything from the upper or lower planes. In defending resurrection as not “unnatural” and telling the story of her recent resurrection* attention was drawn to our party.
The resurrected Baron comes over to Luxemforth and asks to speak with him alone. We aren’t allowed to accompany them up the stairs, whose guards wave them past. Watching them ascend, several of us see the elder man skip a step. Luxemforth follows suit and they disappear through a door at the top. Erron returns, telling us he overheard someone (likely the baroness) saying “that isn’t my husband”. Safire and I tell him and Adelard about the potential trick step. After confirming which step to avoid, Adelard approached the stairs, and after some negotiation was allowed to go up the stairs. Erron casually maneuvered to the side of the stairs to investigate. For the next half hour everything was extremely chaotic, and the sequence of events had to be pierced together afterwards.
Erron, seeing an elaborate trap on the underside of the stairs, tried to get the attention of Adelard by throwing a ball bearing at him as he climbed the stairs. It misses and hits a champagne tower, which crashes to the ground, startling the herald which tries to blow his horn, causing another ball bearing (which Erron had slipped in while threatening the herald on his return to the hall) to shoot out and hit someone*. Adelard doesn’t realize Erron is trying to get his attention and purposely rests his shield on the trick step, which causes the tread to tilt briefly and a second later a piece of the elaborate chandelier drops. If anyone had been standing on that step they likely would have been skewered. He continues to the top, and the guards at the bottom ascend to confront him. With the bottom of the stairs unguarded I begin to climb them to provide backup to Adelard. Erron and Safire start to go find the baroness but Erron is distracted by the guest that’s been knocked out and goes to see if he could help.
Meanwhile Luxemforth has been taken to a small room by his “father”. When the individual can’t name the families hereditary weapons he has final proof of the imposter. He uses a magical belt to levitate and acquire the crossed rapier and sabre from their mounting. From the air he then reintroduces the faux baron to “Manners” and “Decorum” and points out that he can’t call for the guards, since they are on the other side of a locked door. At weapon point the imposter is forced to retrace their steps and exit through the door at the top of the stairs. As soon as they reenter the faux baron tries to throw themselves down the stairs, Safire gusts them back and they are caught and held by Adelard. While struggling the imposter calls for the guards.
Seeing that Baron Luxemforth wished to address the great hall, and the herald being indisposed, I used Minor Illusion to recreate the horn flourishes and silence the crowd. Luxemforth declared himself to be the rightful Baron and implicated the other man as a fraud***. Additional guards with crossbows have reached the bottom of the stairs. Adelard appealed for the guests and guards to listen. Luxemforth points out that his family is not magical, and that his father would never be weaponless. The faux baron tries to retort but chokes on their words as they were caught in Adelard’s Zone of Truth. Meanwhile Safire had gone to fetch the Baroness, managed to find the woman and told her what was going on in the great hall. When she enters the hall I see enough to guess her identity and announce her as the herald should have done. She supports Luxemforth’s position that the other person is an imposter. The guards back down when Luxemforth promises to let them retain their pay and position.
Baron Luxemforth marks the imposter with the sign of a thief, an x across the face. For a second the wound doesn’t exist. I am close enough, as I help Adelard put manacles on the faux baron, that I can tell the individual is disguised magically. Eventually the Duke's guards arrive to take the imposter away, the rightful Baron spends time talking to his many guests and Adelard has chats with the guards about the importance of integrity. Safire has “acquired” a number of fine pieces of silverware, candlesticks, mirrors and similar items. I lent her a sack I used to carry trade goods in, since her outfit lacks sufficient pockets and her hands are full.
* = Monocles smashed
DM: Tom M
Honored Guest: Baron Luxemforth Borishton Vanderbelt
Entourage: Adelard the White Shield, Erron, Safire
Baron Luxemforth explained that he wanted us to be independent observers at this event since it purported to be in celebration at the return of his father, who had died a year ago. We set off, taking a portal to traverse the great distance. It was my first time being conscious going through a portal. I didn’t care for the feeling, the vastness made me feel disoriented. There was a bit of commotion on the other side as it was remembered this was supposed to be a masquerade and the others scrambled for masks and helmets. I didn’t bother, since I’d been assured lizardfolk weren’t likely to have much representation at the event. There was a driver with horse and carriage to take us to the estate, but strangely the driver didn’t seem to know the Baron, requiring the invitation before we could alight. Once our conveyance had set off Luxemforth told us that he didn’t know the driver either, and reminded us to stay alert.
By the time we entered the grounds it was evening, and the coach circled around a grand fountain with a central statue of two swords spewing water. As we halted, I spied movement in the window above the entry, as if someone was watching our arrival. I pointed this out to the others, and Luxemforth told us the window wasn’t part of the mansion's public areas. At the door we were greeted by another unknown person who informed us this wasn’t a masque ball. Confused, Luxemforth explained that the invitation had been quite clear about the evening's main entertainment. Unfortunately the carriage driver had kept the invitation, so we had no proof of the discrepancy. The others removed their helmets and masks, we entered the grand building and were taken to the butler. This person too, Luxemforth did not recognize. They told us that his father was resurrected two months ago and they don’t know why he wasn’t told sooner. We were not allowed upstairs or to see his mother, but were ushered to the redone great hall so we could be announced.
The room was massive, the largest space I have yet seen. The central feature was a grand chandelier which Luxemforth told us was new. Everyone turned to look when he was announced, though the herald did not give him the title of Baron. Not having a title myself, and the herald doing a poor job of following Safire’s and Adelard’s requests, I simply walked past the man to follow the others, which seemed to cause much disgruntlement*. The herald’s ability did not improve with Erron, and they suffered under the rogue's glare. Luxemforth began jovially chatting with other guests, but the rest of us (with the exception of Safire, who seemed to fit right in) were on edge. Nothing of consequence was being discussed. Luxemforth’s “father” was across the room, shuffling notes at a lectern. He was unarmed, unusual for a house and patriarch that pride themselves on their fighting skills.
I got the impression that many of the guests were treating us like objects of ridicule, asking if Adelard needed hinges for his door (that attempt at a jibe fell flat when the man had to explain that he was referring to Adelard’s large shield, but he certainly found himself amusing). When I was reconjuring my cloak a woman offered me coin to buy a new one. The six copper was a sweet gesture, but was definitely an example of extremely wealthy people being out of touch with the real world, since any piece of clothing, especially ones fit for a party, would be considerably more expensive. Safire was asked by someone why her lady in waiting put her corset on outside her dress, and shocked the women (and several others*) by responding that it “was sexier”. With the stairs in this room guarded too, Erron took the opportunity to slip out of the room and investigate the rest of the house. Adelard can’t sense anything from the upper or lower planes. In defending resurrection as not “unnatural” and telling the story of her recent resurrection* attention was drawn to our party.
The resurrected Baron comes over to Luxemforth and asks to speak with him alone. We aren’t allowed to accompany them up the stairs, whose guards wave them past. Watching them ascend, several of us see the elder man skip a step. Luxemforth follows suit and they disappear through a door at the top. Erron returns, telling us he overheard someone (likely the baroness) saying “that isn’t my husband”. Safire and I tell him and Adelard about the potential trick step. After confirming which step to avoid, Adelard approached the stairs, and after some negotiation was allowed to go up the stairs. Erron casually maneuvered to the side of the stairs to investigate. For the next half hour everything was extremely chaotic, and the sequence of events had to be pierced together afterwards.
Erron, seeing an elaborate trap on the underside of the stairs, tried to get the attention of Adelard by throwing a ball bearing at him as he climbed the stairs. It misses and hits a champagne tower, which crashes to the ground, startling the herald which tries to blow his horn, causing another ball bearing (which Erron had slipped in while threatening the herald on his return to the hall) to shoot out and hit someone*. Adelard doesn’t realize Erron is trying to get his attention and purposely rests his shield on the trick step, which causes the tread to tilt briefly and a second later a piece of the elaborate chandelier drops. If anyone had been standing on that step they likely would have been skewered. He continues to the top, and the guards at the bottom ascend to confront him. With the bottom of the stairs unguarded I begin to climb them to provide backup to Adelard. Erron and Safire start to go find the baroness but Erron is distracted by the guest that’s been knocked out and goes to see if he could help.
Meanwhile Luxemforth has been taken to a small room by his “father”. When the individual can’t name the families hereditary weapons he has final proof of the imposter. He uses a magical belt to levitate and acquire the crossed rapier and sabre from their mounting. From the air he then reintroduces the faux baron to “Manners” and “Decorum” and points out that he can’t call for the guards, since they are on the other side of a locked door. At weapon point the imposter is forced to retrace their steps and exit through the door at the top of the stairs. As soon as they reenter the faux baron tries to throw themselves down the stairs, Safire gusts them back and they are caught and held by Adelard. While struggling the imposter calls for the guards.
Seeing that Baron Luxemforth wished to address the great hall, and the herald being indisposed, I used Minor Illusion to recreate the horn flourishes and silence the crowd. Luxemforth declared himself to be the rightful Baron and implicated the other man as a fraud***. Additional guards with crossbows have reached the bottom of the stairs. Adelard appealed for the guests and guards to listen. Luxemforth points out that his family is not magical, and that his father would never be weaponless. The faux baron tries to retort but chokes on their words as they were caught in Adelard’s Zone of Truth. Meanwhile Safire had gone to fetch the Baroness, managed to find the woman and told her what was going on in the great hall. When she enters the hall I see enough to guess her identity and announce her as the herald should have done. She supports Luxemforth’s position that the other person is an imposter. The guards back down when Luxemforth promises to let them retain their pay and position.
Baron Luxemforth marks the imposter with the sign of a thief, an x across the face. For a second the wound doesn’t exist. I am close enough, as I help Adelard put manacles on the faux baron, that I can tell the individual is disguised magically. Eventually the Duke's guards arrive to take the imposter away, the rightful Baron spends time talking to his many guests and Adelard has chats with the guards about the importance of integrity. Safire has “acquired” a number of fine pieces of silverware, candlesticks, mirrors and similar items. I lent her a sack I used to carry trade goods in, since her outfit lacks sufficient pockets and her hands are full.
* = Monocles smashed
DM: Tom M
Honored Guest: Baron Luxemforth Borishton Vanderbelt
Entourage: Adelard the White Shield, Erron, Safire
