Realms of Dread IC, Chapter One

[VAN]

Inovidil notices the magic inside but says nothing, better save these comments in such place. She bows at the servant and says:

"Indeed, we would like to have a meeting with him if possible."


OOC> Inovidil has already casted mage armour, detect magic and see invisibility as walking.

[ewancummins]

Blackpillars-

Inovidil notices the magic inside but says nothing, better save these comments in such place. She bows at the servant and says:

"Indeed, we would like to have a meeting with him if possible."


OOC> Inovidil has already casted mage armour, detect magic and see invisibility as walking.

''Please come in. This way.''

The old servant turns about and leads the party into the great old house. He shows you all the mudroom, where wet cloaks and boots may be stored, and then directs your party to a sitting room.

The sitting room features a small fireplace[ cold at the moment] and is lit by a single oil lamp. Its dark-stained wood panneled walls are decorated with a series of bright-hued, crude paintings that look as if someone had painted them with his fingers. Barely recognizable are the forms of people, animals, and buildings. The rest of the room is bare of ornamentation.

While you all wait in the little sitting room, the servant goes forth into the depths of the dimly lit house, presumably to look for his master.

After a brief interim, the old man returns and announces,

''The Master will attend you in this room. He shall not be long in coming, I think. In the meantime, is there anything I might do for your comfort, marm? Or for yours, gentlemen?''

[ewancummins]

Palace of Celestial Delights, downstairs parlor,

Shana has been hanging back since we got in through the door, and paused at the second door to hand over her belt knife... seperating herself from the militia types, almost as if she got in by just following in their wake. She doesn't follow the group into the madam's office, but stays in the common room gossiping and circulating. It might be useful to get a different view of recent events to the Madam's...

As Shana circuits the room several of the men in the room take notice of her. One of them, a fat sweaty fellow with a flushed face, reaches towards Shana as if to grab her arm- only to have his hand smacked with a folding fan.

The woman wielding the fan says to the fat man:

''Now, now, she isn't working here, not yet at least. Why don't you restrict yourself to what's on the menu for today?''


Fatty shoots an angry glare at Shana's rescuer, then wanders off grumbling to himself.

The courtesan who has just dismissed the amourous dough-body is a strikingly pretty woman, perhaps thirty years old, with olive skin and long curling hair as black as a crow's wing. Her fine clothing is of an unusual style, perhaps imported from the South.

''Hello, we've not been introduced. I'm Xanthippe. And you are?''

[ewancummins]

Upstairs at the Palace of Celestial delights,


Once Alain and Archidues are situated comfortably, the madam begins to speak-

''Very well, then, we are in private. You had more questions for me? ''


The young man who had been assisting the madam to walk remains next to her, his hands in his pockets and a slightly bored expression on his face.

[Guest]

"Madame, please tell us about this missing woman. What was her clientel like? Did she have any reason to leave your employ?"

[ewancummins]

"Madame, please tell us about this missing woman. What was her clientel like? Did she have any reason to leave your employ?"

In answer to Archideus' question-

''Well, let me see....Nell had her regular clients, of course. Most were the sons of the gentry or well-to-do merchants who'd had their fill of laundresses and chambermaids- or maybe gotten with child one too many a poor servant girl and since been advised by their fathers to sow their wild oats a little further from home. That lot are usually well behaved, excepting the rare cruel one; but none of Nell's boys gave us any trouble.''

The madam sinks comfortably into a heavy armchair with the aid of her young attendant, before adding-

''Ah, there is one fellow who stands out in my memory, because he was quite a bit older than most of her clients. He came once every tenday or close to it, and always asked for Nell, never for any other girl. He was here last the day after the fighting and the great burn, to check on Nell it seemed to me. ''

[kintire]

Shana smiles gratefully at Xanthippe

"I'm Shana: pleased to meet you. I'm an entertainer - dancer and illusionist - but after the crisis theres not much spare coin about for that. I was wondering... what its like working here. Is it safe?"

Shana looks friendly and a little naive: like someone who is considering a new career but is still far from sure

[VAN]

Inovidil tries to not pay much attention at the paintings. Some of them seem horrifying but consider where they are was something that they should have expected...However she gets a better look around in order to spot any door or window they can use to escape if necessary.

When the old servant returns and announces that Delthrin will be there soon, she smiles and says:

"I'm fine, thank you sir."

[Ken of Ghastria]

Blackpillars-

Blaise walks casually across the room, examining the paintings and looking for a common theme (if there is one). He nervously ponders the fact that so much of the house seems to radiate magical auras.

When the servant returns, Blaise answers, "Yes, something warm would be appreciated ... tea, perhaps? Thank you. Would it be all right if I got a fire going?" He looks at Ino and Rardi, then shrugs. "We might as well be comfortable."

[steveflam]

"Sure" she replies to Blaise "But Imma not drinkin nuthin, just in case." She does look around at the paintings. Ta each 'is own, she muses to herself.

[BigBadQDaddy]

The madam sinks comfortably into a heavy armchair with the aid of her young attendant, before adding-

''Ah, there is one fellow who stands out in my memory, because he was quite a bit older than most of her clients. He came once every tenday or close to it, and always asked for Nell, never for any other girl. He was here last the day after the fighting and the great burn, to check on Nell it seemed to me. ''

Alain clears his throat before speaking. "This man, did you know his name? Or perhaps his profession?"

[ewancummins]

the Palace of Celestial Delights, downstairs,

Shana smiles gratefully at Xanthippe

"I'm Shana: pleased to meet you. I'm an entertainer - dancer and illusionist - but after the crisis theres not much spare coin about for that. I was wondering... what its like working here. Is it safe?"

Shana looks friendly and a little naive: like someone who is considering a new career but is still far from sure

''Oh, an illusionist? I adore such tricks! You must put on a little show for me sometime.''

Xanthippe looks quickly over her shoulder, then steps closer to Shana and says-

''Now then....it's safe enough working here, I suppose. Certainly, it's much better than the canal-sides and streets.''

When mentioning working the trade outdoors, Xanthippe shivers a little, and a look akin to fear crosses her pretty face. She quickly regains her confident demeanour, however.

''Madam Tressik makes each girl sign a very strict contract. We all pay her a percentage of our earnings, and she also subtracts room and board, and charges for the healers' services as necessary.''

Leaning in closer Xanthippe drops her voice to a low whisper-

''I suspect there may be some ...unfair charges applied. Some of these poor girls are so deep in debt to the house that they may never be able to quit working here. I'd love to go back home to Cimbar. But....ah, I'd better go now. It was lovely meeting you, Shana!''

[ewancummins]

Upstairs...

The madam sinks comfortably into a heavy armchair with the aid of her young attendant, before adding-

''Ah, there is one fellow who stands out in my memory, because he was quite a bit older than most of her clients. He came once every tenday or close to it, and always asked for Nell, never for any other girl. He was here last the day after the fighting and the great burn, to check on Nell it seemed to me. ''

Alain clears his throat before speaking. "This man, did you know his name? Or perhaps his profession?"

''He gave his name as...hmmmm, let me see.....''

The madam flips through a ledger.

''Ah, yes, Fortis. And as for his profession, I don't know. I can give you a description of him, if you'd like....say, you don't think Nell's run off with the old man, do you? She'd blossomed into quite a good earner- and she owed me money I expect to see this side of the grave, damn it all!''

The fat woman's face twists up in an ugly sneer when she mentions the money owed her by Nell.

[ewancummins]

Blackpillars-



Ino will note that the room has only one door, and one small window, with closed shutters. Upon closer examination, the shutters turn out to have been painted shut.


The eldery servant responds to Blaise's requests-

''I am certain a fire would do you good, sir. Let me see....''

The whispy haired old man fumbles around in his pockets for a moment, and brings forth a flint and steel. Squatting in front of the fireplace, he handily gets a little blaze going with the dry wood resting in the pit.

''There you go. It won't take long to warm this little room. Now I'll fetch the tea.''

The old man departs.

A minute later, the door opens, but it isn't the servant who enters.
A gaunt faced but strongly-built man with close-cropped iron gray hair and a neatly trimmed salt and pepper beard steps into the room. He wears plain but good quality clothing in simple earth tones, and his only ornamentation is a silver-and-jet ring on his right hand.


''You asked to speak with me, and so here I am. What can I do to help the city today? ''


Delthrin sits down in an empty chair and relaxes. His face wears an expression of unconcealed weariness, and bags under his eyes hint at lost sleep.


[note- Those looking at him who are able to detect magic will note that he is fairly soaked in enchantments]

[steveflam]

"In tha name 'o' Lathander and the city guard, I greet you, Sir. We's sorry ta disturbin ye. Ye may or may not know, but with alla whass goin' on, we is investigatin whass goin' on in tha city. Me superiors an me companions fin' it odd thet ye would recover the body of yer beloved, is all.

We be knowin' ye done tha city good during the crisis an are grateful. Given yer occupation we jess wanna make sure nuthin' unsavory is goin on with ye. Personally in me eyes, none is guilty until they's bin proven guilty. All's we wanna do is do our jobs, sir. I's sure ye unnerstand me point of view as I do yers."