02-16-963 - Red Sky at Night

As Luci read and shared the contents of the letter from Lord Cedric, the rest of the group noticed there were considerably more servants there than before. Dierdre came in to let Luci know that they had taken on a few more staff to keep up the house while the group was there. Although Dendra was out at the Barley Circuit racing her horse Sig, the rest of the group caught up with what they found. Sinata was nervous initially about going to the Masquerade, but Chedvah managed to reassure him and bring him around to the idea with a little help from Luci. They seemed hopeful about what the opportunity with the ship could bring.  

Meanwhile, Dendra had entered Sig into a race down at the racetrack. As she scoped out what was around, she noticed numerous very fine racing horses being led around through the hustle and bustle of a race day. She placed a bet on herself and got ready for a race for your average everyday horse and rider. Though there were some uncertain moments, she managed to pull off a win and was awarded 53 gp, 3 of which she gave to the second place rider. After collecting her winnings from the bet, she purchased a better saddle and regrouped back at the residence.  

It was decided that they would search for Lieutenant Burgell, who had more information about the Triumph of the Winds. They made their way to the military docks and found the Red Sky, which seemed to be an officer's club of sorts. Luci and Sinata entered and scoped things out, eventually overhearing someone call to Burgell to bring them more brandy. Luci introduced himself while Chedvah and Nexus came inside and he quickly found his way into a game of cards. He gave the code phrase, and Burgell eventually got up to take a leak in the alley. On his way out he slipped a note to Luci to meet him outside. Luci gave Burgell some time, but Sinata slipped out after the Lieutenant to keep an eye on him, managing to stay unnoticed for quite a while. Once Luci followed, they discussed matters in an oblique way, just in case it was a setup.  

It appeared that the Triumph had been going on a routine trading run out through the Isles off the western coast. It carried Dolangren iron, Thlossi rum, and trade goods from clans on the Twins. There were also a few crates from the Twins that Burgell was unsure of, but suspected it was a sort of tribute for the Company. It went down in a storm and only a few of the crew survived, drifting for a few weeks before landing on the Twins. The Company then spent months searching for the ship, but eventually deemed it lost along with its cargo and the quarter of a million gold it cost to build.

Burgell said that once they could recover the ship, they could either sell it back to the Company or come to some sort of agreement to keep a percentage of the value of the cargoes shipped aboard it. He offered to split the profits they made, giving Luci (who he thought was Sinata) and his group 40%. After some negotiations, they came to the agreement that the group would keep whatever cargoes were aboard the ship when it is recovered and 40% of the profits in return for funding the project by providing 600 gp up front and assisting with the paperwork of gaining legal ownership of the wreck.  

Burgell finally took notice of the masked man and Sinata was brought into the conversation. They agreed to deposit the money in an account under the name of Barledin Turol at a bank near King's Gate. Luci said that they could be reached at the County Carnen Residence. Though there was some question of assurances that neither group would screw over the other, Luci's vibe check came up fine and the agreement was finalized.  

On the way back home, they stopped to find masks for the next night's Masquerade Ball.  Dendra didn't understand the point, despite some very frank description by Luci about the goings-on at some such events.  Eventually Nexus gave a more straightforward explanation, if less colorful, and everyone decided on their masks.  From there, money was deposited at the bank for the salvage expedition, and they returned home.  Luci contributed 300 gold and Dendra gave 220 to round out the 80 that Sinata contributed earlier.  

Back at the Residence, the new staff served a dinner of roasted game hen with vegetables.  Aside from Nexus and Luci, most of the group was uncomfortable with being waited on by the footmen.  Despite dismissing them, a few remained to do maintain 'proper service for my Lord and his guests.'  Luci let Dierdre know that they would be unnecessary for future meals, though she seemed to be of the same mind as the servants serving the meal.  

After dinner, Chedvah took a relaxing soak in a very large tub.  Luci snooped through his sister's room, and found a letter of introduction from Lord Theodore as well as a scrap of paper reading "South bank of the Talbur River, lost in 661 to Hill tribes." Luci and Sinata then went for some sparring practice in the basement, noticing that the room had been used recently. Meanwhile, Dendra found a library and was looking for references to the figure she'd been seeing in her dream. Despite searching the library thoroughly, she found no references to it.