02-17-963: A Grand Time at the Ball

Having returned from their respective morning escapades, the party took the afternoon to relax before venturing out to the party. Once the time came to get changed, everyone donned their nicest attire. In the process, Luci found a letter had oddly wedged itself into his clothing. Opening it, he found a letter from High Lord Serrio Raitan to Cedric Ullman. It appeared the two had been keeping a correspondence about the interesting news each came across. Serrio's letter explained about Lucien, not Lucius, being knighted for his service to the church. He said that Lucien had proved to be a very capable young man, and that he merited attention.

As they were leaving, a brief moment was had to discuss what the plan for the evening was. Luci planned to get quite drunk, but explained that the rest of them should just keep an eye out for strange occurrences. Everyone loaded into a carriage, and the party joined the stream of nobility leaving the city to head across the river and out to the coast to Morcomb-by-the-Sea.

Upon arriving at the opulent manor, the group gave their names and forms of address. As they made their way inside, they caught sight of Florian Debock, the dwarvish noble they met on their first expedition together. Inside the manor was more tapestries, paintings, sculptures, fine vases, and other accoutrements than anyone could collect in a lifetime. They were shown into the ballroom, where they were announced with much to-do. The expansive ballroom featured a large wall of windows overlooking the ocean with a tables around the edges of a dancing floor. Off to one side, a balcony overlooked the room.

As the people continued to arrive, Chedvah noticed one man kept staring at her, then looking away when he was noticed. She entered the conversation he was in and eventually maneuvered to get him alone. She said that she'd be straightforward and asked why he kept staring at her. Seeing how he was dressed, with a distinctive color-shifting cloak, she surmised he was a member of the Crown's Wardens, those who patrol the borders and wilds of the kingdom, and who also use the Gate of St. Sigismund as a base of operations in the south.

In a somewhat halting manner, the man asked if she had passed through the Gate about a year ago. She asked his name, which he gave as Kelren, and when Chedvah confirmed that she had he got a faraway look in his eyes and starting mumbling to himself. He said that the Sarge had brought them atop the wall and told then to make use of them. The Captain resigned and Sarge is probably still in the Dellen drowning himself in Brandy and Blackbane. Gods, they should have just closed the gate and scared them off with a few volleys...Why Sargeant Vaida? Why? Why? Whywhywhywhy?

Chedvah asked a few questions to get the names of the Captain and Sargeant, Erdgar Ponsen and Vaida, respectively. He began sinking back into his ramblings, becoming increasingly distressed. Soon thereafter, a young woman came to his side to calm him down and said that he should follow her to get some air and settle down. She shot Chedvah a look, but Chedvah ignored her and focused on Kelren. She took his hand in hers and offered a few words of comfort. They seemed to get through to him, despite still being very distressed.

Around this point, Cedric Ullman appeared atop the balcony and welcomed everyone to the ball. He explained about their reason for gathering, to celebrate and honor the accomplishment of Lord Airan Redfell in Renewing his family's title by defending the realm and scattering a growing band of Hobgoblins in the mountains. He introduced the man of the hour, before inviting everyone to enjoy the food and drink and hospitality.

Luci and Dendra had made a beeline for a waiter carrying a drink, downed a few, then made for a corner table where they could people watch and avoid interaction. After a short while, Dendra found her way to the waiter's station, and grabbed a bottle of wine for them and headed back. While she was away, a short gnomish fellow hopped into the chair beside Luci and began chatting. He introduced himself as Ginsman Ottlesby, and started up a conversation about what brought them to the party. He said that he hails from Tapeko, across the sea to the east, and that he is here trying to make his fortune. At the moment he is working as a body guard of sorts, and typically comes to these parties to watch the fools in fancy clothing.

Elsewhere, Sinata went up the stairs to the balcony and spent some time looking out across the crowd. He noticed a crowd surrounding a dragonborn man telling a story in very animated fashion and decided to go see what the hubbub was about. Gathering near, he listened to the story of the man fighting off some ruffians in a darkened alley. The man ended his story "and that's how we dealt with a ring of smugglers down south who were trying to sell stolen Durakki artifacts." Sinata engaged him in conversation and the man introduced himself as Haithellios Ilthex, Haith for short. Sinata told him about their time fighting a hag and becoming knights, which seemed to impress Haith. Haith insinuated that they might be able to work together at some point in the future, and Sinata asked if he knew anyone who might be able to procure things in a less-than-legal manner. He said he might know someone, and offered to have them meet his contact at a corner table. Sinata grabbed Chedvah and the two went off to wait for this mysterious contact.

Meanwhile, Nexus was having a rather sudden introduction to the part of Masquerade Balls that people don't discuss. As he walked about engaging in conversation, several people asked if he would like to come back with them to their residences for "afterparties." Maintaining himself as a good Iounian boy, Nexus avoided these propositions. Eventually he ran in to a dignified woman of about his age, who introduced herself as Delilah Toruum, daughter and heir to Duchess Eliza Toruum of Gwernston. They discussed the lack of Goliath nobility in the kingdom and Delilah insinuated that there would hopefully be more soon.

Back with Luci and Dendra, Lord Florian Debock stumbled up to their table and slumped into one of the chairs. He decided that right now would be a good time to express his frustration with Luci over the bed hag and vent some of his generalized anger. Florian let slip that he was already in the capital for some bad news, and their rudeness near Stenbalan made everything worse. Luci asked what brought him here, but Florian refused to answer. Trying to turn the tables he made the slurring remark "I've heard ruuuumorss about youuuu" to Luci. In payment of this, Luci decked him squarely in the face, breaking his nose and sending a wave of "Oh my!"s through the nearby nobility. Florian then retreated out of the Ballroom clutching his nose and exclaiming that "He punched me! He broke my nose!" Luci and Dendra returned to their bottle of wine...or was it their second? third?

Across the hall, a chair was pulled out from the table Sinata and Chedvah were at, and a Gnomish fellow hopped up into it. Introducing himself as Ginsman Ottlesby, he went over what Sinata was looking for him to do. Sinata asked him to find something magical from the First Age, that was small, gold, and had a ruby on it that the Ullmans might have in the Manor. Ginsman agreed, not specifying a price, and tottered off into the crowd.

Having made his was through most of the other guests, Lord Cedric Ullman approached Luci and Dendra's table and greeted them. Not wanting anything to do with what she termed "bureaucratic nonsense" Dendra excused herself and walked outside. Cedric seated himself and commented on Luci's antics but didn't seem overly concerned. Cedric seemed interested in the hunts that Luci's father Lord Theodore Bellestair was known for going on. Much different from the typical noble hunts, Cedric wanted to join him for an extended venture into the woodlands to bring down some wild beast. Furthermore, he said that the Bellestairs should come visit Baran'tar, their families had never been very close but what barrier should that be? After a short conversation about the party Cedric commented on Dendra's sword, saying it was quite remarkable. Luci said he would go try to find her so they could talk about it, and followed Dendra outside. Despite some adamant resistance, Luci eventually persuaded her to return to the party and talk with Cedric.

While they were gone, an announcement was made and a "Seer" by the name of Rina au Lurah was introduced. A small table was set up in the middle of the room and she invited any who would know more of their futures to come forward. At the urging of the crowd Lord Airan Redfell, the guest of honor, came forward and sat across the table. After some theatrical fluorishes, the Seer pronounced that momentous things may be in store for him. She added that "A man of station will attract many suitors, but a man of honor entertains only one." After a brief moment of surprise the crowd began to titter over the implications and Lord Airan's betrothed approached, slapped him across the face, then stormed out. Airan rushed after her, but paused at the top of the stairs to shoot a look back at the Seer.

After that, no one was too eager to come forward, but Sinata eventually approached. The Seer said that she sensed others were strongly connected to him and proceeded to point toward Chedvah and Nexus. They came forward too and the Seer began her reading. She stated that the three before her were bound more tightly than might appear, and that they would do great things. One may stand apart from the rest, and they may come to doom. She also sensed some darkness among the group. As they walked away, the Seer pointed a after them and said that they might soon see each other again, and that they should be ready.

Given the choice between talking to Cedric and having her fortune read, Dendra chose to have her fortune read. The Seer proclaimed that she would be at the center of great things to come. Two figures walk her dreams, and a great choice is coming with far-reaching results.

As Luci watched from atop the stairs into the Ballroom, Cedric approached. Asked what Luci thought about the Seer, then agreed that he didn't put much stock in what she had to say. He only brought the woman to the party to entertain the nattering crowds of tawdry nobility. Looking out at the crowd of second or third sons and daughters he shook his head, they would never know what it takes to rule. Try as they might to gain a title in fencing or jousting, the King knows what makes a good steward of his subjects and it isn't that. "Look at Florian," he said, "Gods forbid he ever be responsible for leading anyone. Thank you for what you did, I've been wanting to do that all night"
Seeing the opportunity, Luci asked why Florian didn't want to be hear. Cedric explained that the Debock family had been flirting with destitution for years. Poor management since the first Debock earned a title had left the family nearly penniless. They were now behind on delivering taxes to the King and rather than face the king himself, the Count Debock sent his heir to bear the brunt of the Crown's displeasure. Cedric said that he'd be surprised if they still held the title in five years.  

All of this was delivered with a casualness that hinted at extensive knowledge of the goings-on of the kingdom. Luci picked up on this and quickly commented that with such a thorough account of the business of the Debock's, he doubted he knew nothing of Allison's dealings with the Princess over the past weeks. This threw Cedric off for a moment, surprised that he'd been outmaneuvered, but he regained his bearing and smiled. Of course he knew some things, but he wasn't certain of details. He knew they discussed something regarding the Crown's desires and what might be a good way into the Crown's favor. Beyond that, he couldn't be certain. Cedric had heard that they were interested in old relics and artifacts, since the Ullmans were the oldest noble house in the kingdom they had quite a collection, and Cedric offered a tour after the party. A servant approached and Cedric excused himself, leaving Luci to think on what he had to say.